[ his returning banter is met with a rather fond smile, even more easy to sprout now since the day they'd met, now that it's much more welcome exchange. it isn't often that tifa openly welcomes a man's attempts to impress her, often waving it off with casual disbelief, the way she'd first responded to sanji's flirtatious commentary, but the brightness of her smile now would suggest her invitation for it is wide open, aware that it's become less of an if he can impress her and more of a delightful curiosity in learning how. ]
Hmm. I guess I can do a little reevaluation of the ranking again if you can really manage to make something to make my toes curl. Just remember I'm a pretty tough grader.
[ less so now, in his favor, because even if she weren't convinced that he could actually make something completely wondrous, it's his sweet willing effort that's already scored plenty of points. because he doesn't have to do all of this, doesn't have to work to impress, especially now when she knows how he's feeling, but then his words continue to reassure her of his insistence, softness in his voice that speak so much of the kind of man he is, the selflessness in every action, the way he looks at her even in this moment as if he isn't looking at anything else.
he lifts up their hands between them and she sighs a soft breath when his lips find the back of her hand, soothing warmth that lingering even when he draws away. ]
Okay. [ she gives an agreeing nod, worry still present in her watchful eyes, but willing to compromise. ] Just ... take it easy, okay? I'll stay by you the whole time β just in case.
[ it's the least she could do, even in her own weakened state, determined to stay firm on her own feet for his sake too, to get through this trial together if it means pushing through the symptoms that have lasted far too long.
she returns the gesture of his squeeze with one of her own, giving another step forward closer to him to follow his tug. ] Alright, then! Lead the way, chef. Let's see you knock me off my feet with these impressive skills of yours, huh?
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Hmm. I guess I can do a little reevaluation of the ranking again if you can really manage to make something to make my toes curl. Just remember I'm a pretty tough grader.
[ less so now, in his favor, because even if she weren't convinced that he could actually make something completely wondrous, it's his sweet willing effort that's already scored plenty of points. because he doesn't have to do all of this, doesn't have to work to impress, especially now when she knows how he's feeling, but then his words continue to reassure her of his insistence, softness in his voice that speak so much of the kind of man he is, the selflessness in every action, the way he looks at her even in this moment as if he isn't looking at anything else.
he lifts up their hands between them and she sighs a soft breath when his lips find the back of her hand, soothing warmth that lingering even when he draws away. ]
Okay. [ she gives an agreeing nod, worry still present in her watchful eyes, but willing to compromise. ] Just ... take it easy, okay? I'll stay by you the whole time β just in case.
[ it's the least she could do, even in her own weakened state, determined to stay firm on her own feet for his sake too, to get through this trial together if it means pushing through the symptoms that have lasted far too long.
she returns the gesture of his squeeze with one of her own, giving another step forward closer to him to follow his tug. ] Alright, then! Lead the way, chef. Let's see you knock me off my feet with these impressive skills of yours, huh?