Disclaimer: In no way does Final Fantasy or any of its characters or locations etc belong to me.

Ten ways to kiss your Lover. Number 10.

Waiting.

Cloud had long since come to the decision that he was not waiting for Tifa to come home. The fact that she was out with a group of people he did not know, who were probably all 6 ft 3 men, who were outgoing, great conversationalists and probably knew exactly how to woo a woman like Tifa did not worry him at all. His fingers drummed slightly against the armrest. Not in the slightest.

Instead he had decided that the correct course of action was to stay up late and watch the Weather Channel. Cloud had very good reasons for why he needed to watch the weather. Reasons he'd spent the last hour trying to sound convincing so just in case Tifa wondered why he was still up,.He could tell her these, without stuttering.

One. It could Rain/Hail/Snow, or all three tomorrow and he needed to know because he had a very important delivery to make. Two. The weather could change at any moment and he needed to bring Fenrir in. Why Fenrir was not already tucked up nice and cosily was another reason entirely, one he had not quite mastered yet. Cloud raked his hand through his hair and groaned. Yes, they were altogether perfectly acceptable reasons. Damn. Deep down he knew these were flimsy easy to see through excuses to give Tifa when she came home at one.

Except, Tifa did not arrive in at one.

Cloud turned an anxious glance to the time at the corner of the T.V. The numbers flashed red challenging him to deny their truth. 1:02. His hands sought the cup he had brought out earlier and he took a deep drink from it. This was fine. Tifa was an adult, who could take care of herself. Who was probably been taken care of by one of those 6 ft 3 muscular men, who was whispering sweet nothings into her ear and moving their hands towards her...

'Crap.'

Eyes glared at the offending cup that was now in several different pieces across him and the couch. It should not have broke that easily. Did the cup not know he would probably in some course of the evening, eh, flex his fingers? The blonde haired warrior got up carefully so as not to spread the ceramic debris further, muttering the whole time about cheap cups and men.

A few minutes later, he had successfully located the dustpan and dust brush, cleaned up and hidden the mess. Hiding the mess was not a childish action, he mentally defended himself. He did not want Tifa to start to worry that these were the kind of things he did when she went out. Unless Tifa worrying meant no guys ever getting to come near her! Worry could be good!

'Gah!' Cloud mentally slapped himself, squishing that thought somewhat successfully. He was not going to be selfish about this. In no way was Tifa's his to possessive. She wasn't even his to be up watching the weather for.

The T.V screen teased him back with a sudden flash. The weather had changed, there was reports of a mild meteor storm in Wutai. Hah Meteor storm, that was different from the last hours of nothingness and added to his reasons. For a while his eyes focused on the screen, ignoring the slightly jealous thoughts of Tifa's new man holding her in his arms while he sheltered her and everyone knew sheltering was a perfect excuse for touching and touching for kissing.

A soft pitter patter caused his eyes to blink open. Yes! The blonde haired warrior knew he was right to stay up. It was raining, this could effect his delivery tomorrow! Hmm, he thought about the rain, maybe just maybe he should go collect Tifa seeing as she didn't bring any protection with her.

One bruise from a knee jerk reaction and an upturned coffee table later, Cloud had discovered the soft pitter patter of rain was instead the mundane dip drop of the kitchen tap. No need to rescue Tifa from a man with amorous intentions then. For the fiftieth time that night, Cloud checked the time on the weather channel with despair. It happily mocked him as it flicked from the safe time of before two to after.

Still no sign of Tifa.

What on Gaia could she be doing?

The rest of his brain cheerfully presented him with a visual. Spiky hair visibly wilted as a result.

Damn.

A slightly dishevelled figure tiptoed in just after three, giggling quietly to her self. It had being a good night out. A shin connected with a piece of furniture causing Tifa to mutter a string of words under her breath. She quickly shushed herself and promptly started to giggle again.

With one hand pressed firmly to her mouth she stumbled toward the stairs. Oof. Bed seemed a very long way away and those stairs were just made for falling down. Her thoughts not exactly disjointed but not quite coherent managed to string several words together. Sitting room. Couch. Perfect.

At first it had seemed the best idea to just flop down on to the couch. Except it looked like someone had beaten her to it. She smirked to herself. Cloud.

Wait Cloud? On the couch? On her couch. Which she wanted for her bed? Not a chance.

'Cloud' she murmured. Afraid if she tried anything louder she would end up shouting. Crouching down close to his head. She tried again. Cloud refused to stir.

Tifa tilted her head and looked at him, a stray spike had fallen across his forehead and before she was aware of it she had brushed it back. Tifa giggled. Still no reaction.

Whether it was the bottle of red or the bottle of wine Tifa could never precisely tell. One moment she was giggling and wondering what would wake him up and if a kiss would do it and the next she kissed him. Tifa drew back with a hasty breath as soon as she realised how firm his lips were and how completely kissable they could be.

'Eh. Goodnight Cloud.' She whispered before making a drunken dash for the stairs.

Cloud smiled, tasting Tifa on his lips. Yea, it had being worth the wait.

-fin-

So that's the first kiss, the slightly drunk but slightly chaste! Onto number Nine Next.

Like it, love it, hate it? Please let me know and constructive criticisms are always welcome!!

Reviews help the plot bunnies work!

Luv,

So'mi