#lockhartred

[sentmail]

psych season vii prompts | @lockhartred :

“Please don’t make me answer that.”

It takes him a second to catch up to the implications of his question, his inquisitive nature having him hound a person of interest until his curiosity is sated (temporarily).

With someone as complex as Ms. Lockhart, well, he really should learn to consider his choice of words in regards to her relationship with other people. He frowns at her reply, tilts his head to the side - and then startles himself when he realizes what she took his question to mean.

"I didn't — what I meant was —" There's no saving it, is there? "When I said intimately, I meant like... Closely. Could be friendly closely. I'm not implying anything." Unless... No, he's not doing this right now, can it Kunsel.

[firxga]

@lockhartred | X

Genesis could feel something prickling on his person, like static about to build to a shock. He's certain it's the mako surrounding them. Though it's encased in pipes, he never much gave a thought what its effect on people might be. Longterm exposure certainly couldn't be good.

That dreadful crawling across his skin kept him in a state of high alert. Or perhaps he was simply highly strung.

He listened to Tifa, and his eyes sharpened mid-musing. No word of explanation leaves his mouth as he reaches to grasp her in a protective sweep, she is pulled back, and his arm pressed her further behind so that he may shield her...

It was only infantry men, but he wouldn't scoff at them and their bullets. They could do damage enough, and they were at the advantage of being able to call in a flood of support. Better to avoid a fight altogether if possible.

His hand remained pressed to her abdomen. It was an act of overprotection. To know exactly where she was. Though he didn't realise how belittling the action was, to keep tabs on her so intensely, as though he might not trust her to hold back and stay out of sight.

A long moment passed before Genesis turned his head and glanced sidelong to her. His hand gently relented as he stepped around and faced Tifa proper. "Perhaps that would be best." he spoke gently, if a little foolishly. His own eyebrows shot up a little. Wait— "That is. Standing here, I realise what a foolish endeavour this has been. Selfish even." He spared one final glance to the factory, then regarded Tifa with an apologetic look. "I don't know what I expected, to bully some business suit around, or to demand to know who has been named my beneficiary. I am coming at this from the wrong angle. What I need is a will and testament, and a very good lawyer."

And someone willing to put their name down.

[makoblue]

[ STEADY ]: the sender rests a hand on the shaken and panicked receiver's shoulder to steady and ground them. / reverse uno verse :3

Stopping Sephiroth, preventing Meteorfall, saving the world; the north star of calamity. Without external forces to keep at bay, they had no choice but to acknowledge their own problems.

When he found her just a few steps short from home in the blistering cold wind, it seemed like the right thing to do. Or rather, as right as anything else he could think of in that particular moment.

Cloud awkwardly pats Tifa's shoulder a few more times and realizes halfway through the next pat that trying to maintain an arm's length of distance is equal parts dumb and pointless.

So instead he turns her around, pulling Tifa into an embrace and pressing his temple to hers. For as long as she needs him to.

"Made you a promise. It's a lifetime deal. So...even if you run away, even if you want to turn your back on the world--" and the world would deserve her enmity, "-- I'll be here for you."

[a-vctlan]

[ TEXT ] - please just call me back. for cloud — @lockhartred

He sleeps fitfully, but he sleeps.

Alone, miles from Edge, a single room rented for the night, little more than a stranger to those that passed him by, he yearned for human connection but ran from those that truly knew him.

This would have to be enough, these curious glances and judgemental stares, always from a distance, always cautious, because he wasn't the Cloud that AVALANCHE knew, not anymore. For everything they faced together, now he alone was wasting away and he felt… was it fear? Was it rage? Bitterness coated him from the inside out, his presence was unpalatable, bordering on toxic.

How could he face them, when he could barely face himself?

Once already he'd faced certain doom, and he fought against it tooth and nail, he'd won, and he'd saved the planet… so why did he have to do it again? Hadn't he done enough? How much of his life would be torn from his hands?

It was easier to run than to accept fate. It was easier to let the phone ring. It was easier to believe they'd be better off without worrying about him.

But that was the thing, wasn't it? The phone never stopped ringing, the messages never stopped coming. They were worried about him, and there was nothing he could do to stop it, their care earned from his previous growth, the trust they put in each other once.

He is lying on the stiff inn mattress staring at the ceiling when his PHS beeps again, having let it ring with no answer minutes prior, anxiety settling in his chest with every second that passed. He was just making things worse, and part of him knew that.

But he saw no other way to trash and fight in this situation, no other way to rebel than to bite at the hands that reached out for him. The Geostigma had no one true form that he could defeat, there was no one evil to blame for it: it just was. And he was just dying.

With a shaking, wounded arm he reaches for it, a self-punishment felt in the twinge of pain that crept up his shoulder as he sat up, trying to swallow down his fluttering heartbeat as he hesitated upon seeing who it was. Guilt, then anger, then guilt, it was a cycle that threatened to eat him from the inside out before the sickness could.

And he sits there, a minute in silence, before finally flipping the handheld open in order to read her message.

[ TIFA L. ] please just call me back. [ READ ✓ ]

His thumb hovers over the call button. It's been days since they've spoken on his last pitstop to the bar. Worrying her like this achieved nothing…

But he doesn't call back.

[galahdborn]

☆ @lockhartred ☆

Nyx had been sent on a mission to the slums to take care of some beasts after days of urging. The request had come in some days ago, but the higher ups had apparently disregarded it in favour of more 'important' things.

When Nyx finally arrived, however, it was to the sound of fighting in the distance. Following the sound, quite curious, he came upon a sight he hadn't expected. It was the end of the fight, that much was clear when the woman delivered a kick to the beast and it didn't get up again.

"Well, I'll be damned. Seems like I wasn't needed after all," he offered, just so the woman was aware of his presence. He felt bad that he hadn't come earlier, but it was good to know that the people could take of themselves when it came down to it. Nyx knew that they didn't like SOLDIERS below plate, but that didn't mean that he didn't want to help them out.

"Where did you learn to fight like that? I don't recognise the style," and he had seen his share of things by now.

[vxmpirehunterd]

❝ i’ll go with you, if you don’t want to be alone. ❞

╰┈➤ DIALOGUE PROMPTS {That I'm turning into starters/threads!}

"What makes you think I don't want to be alone?" D had been stocking up on a few supplies so he could leave this town and go in search of another hunt. Some food, medical supplies, and tinder for his lantern is what he required for the journey was always a long and perilous one. The hunter was zipping around the storefront like a busy bee, almost as if he was trying to shake the persistent woman from his tail.

"Besides, your life here is a safer one. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't enjoy traveling through the frontier--too many dangers."

And I'm afraid you'll get hurt and it'll be my fault. A tiny voice echoed in the dark recesses of his mind--the one that was forever unforgiving and critical of every move he made.

[holyguardian]

🧚‍♀️ fantasy au, 📱 modern au

MEME → Verses and plots.

The fact that's a fairy symbol for the fantasy AU, coupled with me recently starting a game with modern into fantasy elements! I'm biased so forgive this.

Tifa in a modern world, perhaps like her Hell's Kitchen AU, and she happens across this dainty bracelet like Aerith's bronze one. It's nothing overly special in appearance but when Tifa puts it on her whole world changes. A door is opened so to speak, and she has no choice in the matter, she's bodily pulled through and into a high fantasy world of magic and warring realms with only this dinky bracelet to blame. No matter what she does, she can't open the door again, it's just not working.

Then along comes Aerith. Likely not in her "true" form, because fantasy. Something fairy-like, if not an outright toy from her childhood that she uses as a vessel, and she promises to take Tifa "back to Hell" if she does one tiny itty bitty favour — free her from a gaol cell.

That is just one possibility among many though, I eat modern fantasy right up, so if you were ever seeking a myth-inspired AU I'm here with the pick me sign.

[vxmpirehunterd]

@lockhartred​

The Addams Family (1991)

[fairlybeloved]

@lockhartred

❛  i understand how hard it is to talk about, but i promise you'll feel better after you've opened up to someone.  ❜

He damn near drifted off, or it felt like he did, staring off into some distant point on the horizon as he was. His mind seemed fractured with all the thoughts circulating so wildly within it. There was no rhyme or reason to the rotation of thinking in a way that could be organized. It was so chaotic, all he could really do was sit there and allow it to run its course.

He must have had some look on his face for Tifa to approach him as she did.

"Oh. Sorry." He grinned sheepishly, though certainly didn't appear in any hurry to pop back up to his feet as was his style. Instead he pat the ground beside him, inviting her over. "It's pretty warm here. Kinda weird when it's chilly everywhere else." It was almost like that specific spot in particular was inviting his ass to occupy it. Who was he to deny it?

"I was just thinking about all those times when I got into so much trouble for sticking my nose where it doesn't belong. You know, I've inherited those traits honestly! Dumb ass does run in my family." He grinned at the thought.

A gift and a curse all at once~

"'Incessant inquisitiveness,' I heard that a lot. Maybe it’s simple curiosity that would have been birthed on its own. Or maybe it’s just some secret part of me that’s scared not to know about things. Or a way to keep my mind busy. Common sense doesn’t resonate very strongly with me."

If he had a lick of sense, maybe he could have done something to prevent the tragedies that followed.

"Did you know I once told someone I couldn’t remove my armor because it takes too long to do it? I told them that it was a process stemming over thirty minutes and it involves a very strict traditional dance over a bed of dead flowers to see it done properly? And thus, that is why I wear the stinky thing all the time. I can’t think very quick on my feet.”

Or maybe he could. That was a pretty creative answer, however stupid it was.

"Sorry. I know all this is so random." Zack leaned back against his hands. "I'm okay. I promise."

[millionsnife]

“The manager’s a vampire. He wanted me to join his legion of the undead.”

"That sounds incredibly fake." He's fairly sure there's no vampires on this planet. They've been here over a century and he's never seen one, after all.

Why is he even working with these people?

"Don't you have a job to be doing tonight?"

[sentmail]

tension prompts | @lockhartred :

[moan] - Sender accidentally / on purpose moans suggestively. + reverse and based on that video with the couple exercising :3

Sparring match done, all that was left was to cool down and relax, stretch the tension of a well matched fight out of their limbs… though the mood itself was already lightened by the idle banter they were entertaining.

Kunsel had a lot of things to say on a lot of subjects, it seemed, and what appeared to be a never ending well of inconsequential gossip about people their of them really cared about, but had fun talking about… even if Tifa argued she wasn't one for gossip.

And he kept talking when they switched, with her helping him stretch, working his hip flexors until — "Ai~"

The response is an immediate slap to his meaty thigh as she loses it, calling his name in what could be passed as a scolding tone while he's too busy breaking into a cackle.

"What?! It's tight!" He didn't have to make it sound like that, though, did he?

[firxga]

Maybe he told her in passing, or perhaps she was a good enough sleuth to find out on her own, though it seems more likely the former, but she’s been eager to test out her baking skills and a tiny cake had been the perfect idea.

When Tifa had seen a red glazed cake with a galaxy pattern on it, she knew she had to make an attempt. The ingredients, at least most of them, were readily available and what she already had on hand, but the less than perfect results outnumbered the successes. At least nothing went to waste and when someone asked if this was her adding to the Seventh Heaven menu, she just said yes.

Although not a galaxy or spatial motif, the glaze settled perfectly on the small round cake that was then decorated with buttercream frosting roses she had painstakingly learned to make. Her strive for perfection would mean more struggles but Tifa felt it was worth it.

And, in the centre of the cake, sat a dark maroon ribbon with the words, Happy Birthday, written in a cursive font made with some chocolate glaze.

She places the cake in front of him and they’re alone in the now closed bar, deciding to take the night off as she had been eager to show off her hard work—but not before going around the slums and running the errands he had wanted to do.

“I’ll light a candle and you can blow it out, but not on the cake. I worked too hard on it to be punctured with holes and globs of wax.”

She disappears behind the bar and rummages through a drawer until she pulls out an unopened chocobo-shaped candle and lights it.

“Make a wish!”

Genesis entertained the thought of simply not showing up to Seventh Heaven as promised. He had a selfish streak within him, where promises were made to be bent or outright broken at whim — honestly, he'd prefer the brooding quiet.

It was just a date. Just numbers on a calender. But it was like his body remembered, because when this time of year passed on by he was flooded by memories of a past and of people that were long gone.

Though far be it from him to disappoint someone who had given him a chance. That must have been why he dragged himself out into the night.

Tifa was important, even if he hadn't fully admitted it to himself. If he didn't acknowledge it maybe it would pass on by, just like this date, just like his memories. He didn't particularly want to leave his heart unguarded. That opened the door to things like foolish thoughts and boyish smiles. If he learned one thing from his own sorry history, letting people in only led to him causing them great harm.

But how bad could it be, to sit at a bar for a little while?

Well.

Apparently he had underestimated more than how the night might play out. Not as much as he had underestimated Tifa's sleuthing abilities, Genesis had been all but certain her invitation was one to keep her company because she had new menu ideas bubbling away in that brilliantly busy mind of hers.

He was at a loss for words.

Genesis fucking Rhapsodos could not will himself to form words, a hum, any sound whatsoever to break the silence of the empty bar.

Tifa placed down the most beautiful cake he had ever set his eyes on, and it was a birthday cake to further add to the record-breaking silence from him. Then in an off-handed comment she revealed she made it all herself. For him.

His eyes only lifted away from the cake to witness another heart-touching gesture take form as she lit a fresh candle for him. For him.

He must have looked like a complete ass, just sitting there, the wax already dangerously close to dripping over her fingers and the countertop.

Finally he exhaled, the breath heavy enough to make the flame shudder, but not extinguish. It was his first audible reaction. He blinked and a tear streaked down his cheek. How long his eyes had been welling up, he was unaware, completely numb to the sensation. He blinked again and another couple tears dripped, along with some of the wax.

Genesis blew out the candle with a sharp breath, fingers delicately plucking the intensely yellow candle to set it aside. Then he pushed up from his bar stool to drag Tifa into a hug. Drag being the optimal word, given how he pulled her upwards in his embrace, his face shoved almost childishly to the curve of her shoulder.

"... thankyou." he whispered, unfortunately proving he hadn't lost the ability to speak.

His hug eased slowly, his hand hopelessly mopped some of the wet from his face when he fully eased back. A sniff and the corner of his lips twitched up in a lopsided smile that suited the messiness of his mood. "I couldn't possibly wish for more."

Because just like that, Tifa had given him something that he could never have requested. He had a new memory. One that could sparkle and outshine the others to a degree he didn't think possible.

[makoblue]

tifa gives him a smooch for valentine’s day (i’ll send another thing in later <3)

Kisses aren't unusual, nowadays. Chaste kisses, hello kisses, goodbye kisses, something more kisses. This time seems different. Cloud can't quite put his finger on why, other than Tifa has that meaningful look in her eyes that means he should know why. That's never a good sign.

His eyes narrow briefly, his fingers strum over Tifa's hip where he's holding her. He's buying time. Thinking, trying to figure out the significance of today's date. His job being what it is, keeping track of time is important. Timeliness is a key performance indicator. Attributing meaning to certain days, however, is another issue entirely.

February fourteenth. Something about it...All the decorations in the storefronts, the red heart window decals, the chocolate gift boxes, dinner specials. They make sense suddenly, for all that the answer has been staring him in the face all week.

No wonder Reeve gave him a strange look when Cloud hadn't given a straightforward answer as to what his Tuesday evening plans were.

It's today.

"Happy Valentine's, Tifa."

Hopefully the delay in his response time goes unnoticed. Hopefully he's improving. He can salvage this.

"I heard LOVELESS is having something of a resurgence. There's a new themed cafe opening in town..."

[soulmissed]

@lockhartred: “ promise? i want you to give me your promise. ”

memes, accepting

tifa blocks the doorway, arms crossed, rubied eyes narrowing. the gang took their leave moments ago. and with their absence, august gets the idea he’s being interrogated. “ ‘m not doin’ this. ” he makes a pitiful attempt to duck into next room.

(unsurprisingly, tifa stands immovable. and through the irritation, august knows his worrisome stunt earlier incited this current deadlock) and rebellion conquers tact. “ i don’t have to answer that. ”

[galahdborn]

[ DISCOVER ]  for sender to see receiver’s scars for the first time

SCAR RELATED PROMPTS || @lockhartred

Nyx had started taking more missions in the slums and if there were no missions, then he went down there in his free time to help out. He often teamed up with Tifa, finding the younger woman's company easy and enjoyable.

This time he had gotten hurt and whilst his healing normally went that wasn't a problem, this time there was a sharp piece of bone stuck in his side. He had taken off the upper parts of his uniform so he could look it over, revealing his many scars to the world. He took out the bone and used a cure on himself, realising soon afterwards that Tifa was staring – probably at the scarring on his chest that was obviously caused by lightning.

"Most of these are from before I became a SOLDIER," he offered as an explanation, trailing a finger over parts of the scar almost fondly. "Got this one when I found a naturally formed lightning materia close to where I lived. Somehow made it work, but it didn't have a clear target, so I was the one hit instead," he explained, a snort leaving his lips from the memory.

[vxmpirehunterd]

“you growl in your sleep.”

His brows furrowed.

This was the first time he's ever heard someone say this to him, D had never been known to be a restless sleeper. On the contrary most would comment how he sleeps like the dead.

"This is news to me." If he was a noisy sleeper, certainly the parasite in his body would have been mocking him about by now.

"Do I talk in my sleep too?"