AN: I own nothing, only my imagination
To Smite a Rock
They hugged her palm and fingers like an old friend. The strong brown leather stretching slightly as she clenched her hand to form a fist. The gloves that had seen her through many hardships and travels brought a wistful quirk to the corner of her mouth. It had only been a mere seven months since that day when the comrades of the anti-shinra group, AVALANCHE, parted ways. Each member had gone back to their hometown, or what was left of it. Back to seek normalcy in their own way.
Straightening automatically, she gracefully and perhaps acting a bit silly, thrust a fast and steady punch into the air. Still got it. While lowering her fist a small sigh escaped her. slowly tugging off the glove, laying it back down with its mate, Tifa Lockheart closed the lid of the box that contained what was once her lifeline in a time that now felt long ago. Truth be told the months had seemed longer to the slender martial artist because of being slightly lonesome. Well, more than slightly really.
"Hey teef,... where's the charger? You know... in case I need it for the phone?" Each inquiry was exhaled and spaced out slowly. Small clinks and clatters were made to indicate searching for the item in question as he spoke.
Cloud Strife, childhood friend and semi-secret crush, could be heard rummaging downstairs. Most likely fumbling through the cupboards, looking for something, that was in a completely different spot. Was it that time already? Tifa had been overjoyed when the blonde leader decided to stay with her and help with the rebuilding process of seventh heaven, living in the spear room downstairs. Their life together was very close to what she thought it would be. Although, sometimes what you think you want, and end up getting, isn't always what you need.
They were "together" in a sense, but lately the young woman began to think about her life, and its direction. Living under the same roof, eating the same meals, and sharing the same bills weren't enough to sustain that voice that would creep into her thoughts. Is this it? Would things ever change? Would he?
Perhaps it was foolish to want a relationship or love that she only read about in fairytales and legends.
After all, they weren't an "official couple". They weren't lovers; nothing went beyond a grateful peck on the cheek, or a friendly hug. Actions that were both heart soaring and hurtful to the ever patient Miss Lockheart.
But today would be different. There would be no "read in-between the lines" looks, or small unnoticed touches. Hidden meaning to her actions and words would be uncovered. She would make sure he understood how she felt. No more being patient. No more waiting.
After putting the box back into its drawer, unknowing that she would rely on the gloves sooner than she thought, Tifa stood up straight and left her small room. She made her way down to the kitchen where all the noise could be heard.
She breathed a small laugh as she skipped the last step, a habit, "You told me you packed it already, last night remember?" she chided kindly
the blonde's mouth formed al small 'o' and nodded in recognition. That small, boyish, grin of his quickly spread across his face "What would I do without you Tifa?"
A quick side glance to the floor, an automatic unconscious turn of the lip started to form... and then falter.
"You'd..." what would he do if she decided to let go of him, and her feelings? How often would he be around? Would he try and do the impossible for the rest of his life, and forget about the life that he could have with her?
'Stop being so dramatic! If things don't work out, it's not the end of the world!' She was strong enough to handle anything. Then why did she feel so nervous? Hadn't she practised and imagined this conversation a thousand times in her head?
"You'd do just fine Cloud" and there it was, one of her radiant smiles. Though, it was the smile she gave to reassure herself, not Cloud.
Cloud returned her smile with a nod. As quick as that boyish grin had appeared it was gone again, replaced with that familiar blank expression. But his eyes, ever
sense then,they've had an unfamiliar burn to them.
Grabbing his bag off the small kitchen table, Cloud began to walk down the narrow hallway that lead to the open bar, on his way to leave.
"I'm not exactly sure how long I'll be gone...but you'll be ok." A statement, not a question
Had his eyes ever burned for her?
"Cloud wait!.. can we..., just sit down for a second? I want to talk to you about something before you go"
Some of the most important and groundbreaking conversations, sometimes seem to happen out of nowhere. It's like your heart finally takes control of your mind and forces it to make your lips blurt out what's been bottled inside.
"Teef..., I really should be going, I don't want to travel in the dark and-"
Hey hey" she rushed out waving her hand in front of her to stop Cloud " two seconds" she waved two fingers in his face and grinned, motioning him to sit down with her at the small table.
Reluctantly he came to sit beside her, not across from her, a good sign.
"Are you sure you're ready for this? ...I mean, I would really like to go with you" she peered into his eyes, looking hopeful.
Clouds features softened. He took Tifa's smaller hands into his larger ones and lightly set them on his lap.
"No" he breathed. He then absentmindedly brushed the back of her hand with his thumb. She held back the urge to take her hands back.
No. such a small, quite word. To her, the worst word.
His eye's sparkled slightly, he appeared to be reminiscing "I swear, back when I promised that I would protect you, and always be there when you needed saving, I...I never would have guessed that it was you that would be saving me."
"You've always been the one that looked out for me" The time of clouds mako-poisoning flashed in both of the fighters mind, an unpleasant memory for both of them.
He caught her look of confusion and pain " Tifa your very...important to me. Besides the others, you and me...we're the only family we got."
The young woman just sat there, listening and looking at her hands for the second time that day.
"I know what it felt like to want someone to save you, be there when you're afraid. Because I know how that feels, I can only imagine how she felt when I couldn't save her." He let go of her hand and sat up stiffly in the wooden chair, looking at her with those sad eyes.
"I know now, that it couldn't have been helped. That she was aware of what would happen...but I still feel responsible for everything."
There it was, that hand of his automatically itching to the back of his head, shrugging with only a hint of hesitation
"... And well.., it's something I feel like doing on my own."
Tifa could feel that terrible thickness in her throat, tears began to form for the words he was saying "Oh Cloud, I-I have to say this, or I'll probably never say it. I've waited all this time."
A part of her knew that this might not be the best time to spill out her feelings, but she needed to do this, she wanted him to know that he has someone right in front of him that cared for him. For once she would be selfish.
"I know how you feel; she was kind to me, a very good friend. I understand that you want to visit her on your own, but I also want you to know that there something here for you when you get back."
Tifa tried to take a deep breath, and forced a smile "Cloud..., I love you. I've... loved you for a long time"
There, it was out. Not even cloud could misinterpret that statement.
I love you too, teef" a blonde eyebrow arched and a unsure, lopsided grin, appeared.
Tifa quickly propped an elbow on the small kitchen table, drawing her palm against her face. She had lost the nerve to look at him.
Laughing a little to herself, she shook her head "No cloud, I mean that I love you. More than a-"
Somewhere in the small building, the chiming of a clock could be heard indicating the hour.
"it's getting late" Cloud once again got up and started towards the door with his bag, " I better mosey" with a quick hug, and a small kiss on the forehead, Tifa was left to bemusedly follow him out to the door.
"But Cloud, I-" she was cut off, this time he kindly chided her.
'I'll be fine, try not to worry so much." And with that he went out the door.
Tifa stared at the now closed door like it was the first time she ever laid eyes on one. What just happened? She huffed and blew her bangs out of her face, obviously agitated.
"Cloud you're so stu-...?" before Tifa could finish her sentence, she was distracted by what laid on top of the hallway's small lamp table.
There laid Cloud Strife's cell phone, charger and all.
"...stupid..."
(AN:This will be a muti-chap. It revolves around tifa, and an unexpected event that will soon occur. All relationships are open and undecided. For now.)