The door to Seventh Heaven has started to squeak as it opens recently. That, and the sound of heavy boots on the floorboards, drew Tifa's attention away from the glasses and bottles she was rearranging toward the foyer.
"I'm back." Cloud was standing in the entryway, looking a bit awkward even as he said the words. He was still dusty from the road, and was just taking off his sunglasses.
Tifa smiled at him. "Welcome back, Cloud," she said in return, putting down the glass in her hand. "How did the delivery go?"
A shrug was her only answer, as Cloud walked past her to the bottom of the stairs and began to take off his boots. "Ran into a few monsters," he grunted.
"So in other words, there was no problem?" Tifa teased, moving away from the bar to watch as Cloud hung up his travel gear. "Well, I'm glad you got back safe and sound." She stepped back to return to the bar, since it seemed that the ex-SOLDIER was going to head up to his office.
"Tifa-" Cloud's call from behind her made her pause.
"Hmm?" she asked, turning to look over her shoulder at him. His face was flushed, and he was chewing on his lip in a nervous habit as he walked up to her.
"I- thank you," he stammered out. Before she could ask why, or tell him that it was no problem, he darted forward and kissed her.
There was a brief, tender moment of his lips on hers before he pulled away, face as red as Nanaki's fur. "I- uh.. I need to... check on the deliveries," he stammered, and promptly fled up the stairs, his steps much quieter without his boots.
Tifa was left still standing at the foot of the stairs, wearing an amused smile. "He never changes," she commented to herself, before brushing off the dust Cloud had transferred to her. She was fighting a blush of her own, but smiling.