Authors note's: I decided to go back and redo this story, I took my reviewer's advice and added more details to the story.
I'm not a very good writer, I do my best and I strive to get better. If you have any tips or see something that I can improve, please share it with me, any advice is much appreciated :)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters I'm only borrowing them from Square-Enix...
Crimson Mixed With Burgundy.
Chapter 1
Tifa and Cloud had decided to go their separate ways, after the events with Vincent and deepground. She had finally realised that he would never love her like she wanted him to. He did love her, but it did not compare to his love for Aeris.
Cloud now lived in junon, and was running his delivery service from there. He seemed to be at peace and enjoyed his life there. He would often come and visit her, from time to time. And those times were often spent with the kids. Taking Denzel and Marlene out for some fun.
The kids now lived with Barrett and Elmyra, not far from her bar seventh heaven. Shelke worked at her bar and lived in her own apartment
Tifa was very pleased with her new life, she had her family living close to her. Cloud had gotten better and keeping in touch and her feelings for him had disappeared and been replace by new feelings for another man.
Vincent and Tifa had grow closer the past year. He came to visit her more often and they have discovered that they have a lot in common. They both like reading, and would often read the same book and then talk about it. He had always been her friend, not a very close one but he had been there for her many times.
Through their journey to defeat Sephiroth, she had often sought his company, he was an excellent listener and his advice was always very helpful. He had been in a similar situation like her, and she felt like he understood her.
Her thoughts drifted back to the moment she discovered her feelings for him. She smiled to herself as she remembered how he had surprised her.
Tifa had just finished another busy day at the bar. She had sent Shelke home for the day and was just about turn the lights off and head upstairs to bed,
''Tifa, are you still up?'' Vincent's voice could be heard from the other side of the door. She quickly opened the door and gave him her usual warm smile.
''Hi, Vincent.'' She greeted him sweetly, as it if was completely normal to get a visit this late.'' What brings you here?''
Vincent gave her one of his very rare smiles. He handed over a book with a ribbon around it. '' I will be away for a while, so I wanted you to get your birthday gift before I left town.''
Tifa accepted the gift and looked at the cover. It was a copy of Loveless the book she always wanted to read.''Thank you Vincent, I had almost forgotten my own birthday.''
He simply nodded his head and turned to leave.'' You're welcome. I must be going now.''
Tifa stopped him by grabbing his hand. He stiffened in surprise but turned to look at her. She squeezed his hand gently and smiled up into his stoic face.'' Thank you, for remembering, It means a lot.''
''Of course I remember, I would never forget such an important day.'' He simply said looking down into her eyes.'' I'll see you, when I get back.''
He had been the only one to remember her birthday last year, except for the children. Her other friends had remembered some time after and had quickly showed up to congratulate her and made sure she was celebrated thoroughly.
She stood in her living room, looking at a photograph of her friends. Her eyes were quickly drawn to the him. He stood with his arms crossed at the back of the photo, not really paying attention to the camera.
Will he show up, I wonder? She thought to herself as she walked down into the bar. She looked around, trying to find something she could occupy herself with. Seeing that the restaurant practically shined from all her previous cleaning, she settled with sitting down on a chair.
''Will I be able to tell him?'' Tifa murmured softly to herself, as she rested her head in her hands. What if he doesn't feel the same? A dangerous thought entered her mind, making her second guess herself.
She pondered if she really should tell him. Was she strong enough to put herself in a situation like this again. Sure, she knew that Vincent would never string her along, like Cloud did. He would simply tell her the truth, no matter how harsh the truth turned out to be.
It was odd, how she had fallen for the silent man. Even if they were closer, he was till broody and serious all the time. Not the qualities she usually liked in men, but somehow he had managed to steal her heart.
''All this waiting, really gets on my nerves.'' She muttered and looked up at the clock, for the hundredth time that day.''I hope I have the guts, to say what's in my heart...''