[ . . . ] PLOTTED STARTER FOR : ☞ @lockedfighter .
everything he's worked for , bled for , cried for , burned for , meets him here in this moment . the royal family of nibelheim and those associated congregate around him , and he feels entirely like he could swallow a frog . he doesn't open his mouth , he hardly looks up through his helmet as he dutifully marches to kneel at the steps before the princess . he is nervous , yet he would be unbecoming . upon taking his knee , armor clanking just as it might , he looks up to meet her familiar eyes and a world of memory comes rushing back with a dull throb at his right temple . he remains unmoving , not a smile of reunion across his expression , not a display of the pain that aches behind his eyes , just a solid seriousness to mask the gleam that lights the deep blues of his irises as he removes his helm .
he didn't know . she'd disappeared and he'd left for a long time , and coming face to face with her right now - the princess - he's really not sure how he's supposed to act . who she is . hell , who he is . nothing makes any sense , except that he's succeeded in his training , and her rapier is tapping him at the shoulder . his voice comes out a quiet whisper , one meant only for her ears , and all he says is , ❛ tifa . ❜
