Disclaimer: Don't own squat TT of anything to do with Final Fantasy or the characters….sad day

Chapter 1: Back Again

"Oh man I'm so freakin' bored!" Cloud grumbled as he harshly scrubbed the dirt off of his beloved Fenrir. Well honestly there wasn't much dirt to begin with; ever since he lost his courier job he simply did the same tasks repeatedly.

"Let see what I could do next", he thought to himself………"Maybe…sleep? Eh I do enough of that. I could visit the church? But what the heck would I do when I got there ….."

He quickly mounted Fenrir and headed for the abandoned church. Once inside he began to execute his plan, small as it was, it would still be worth it. After good 40 or so minutes he decided to go back to Seventh Heaven. After all, it was getting to be lunch time and he knew how angry Tifa could get without seeing his Spiky head not at his usual seat. He made it just in time.

"Hey Cloud" Tifa smiled.

"Hey Teef, what's for lunch?"

"The usual sandwiches and milk, you know that we're on a budget ever since…well you know…"

Cloud knew he never wanted to put Tifa and the kids in this situation. They made enough money to get by off of the bar, but his income was a nice push towards many other essentials. He also hated the fact that Tifa seemed to act different towards him now. Maybe she was using him all along, although that doesn't seem fitting. But now he felt as guilty as ever. Even though he knew he loved Tifa, he could never be good enough for her, especially her.

"Oh he's doing that 'stare at his food mopey face thing again'"

She knew she didn't mean to hurt him in any way by stating that, it was just she was so honest. Also she didn't know how to act around him is all, she was so used to him only coming around every once in a while that it was a strange feeling having him around all the time. She was so frustrated at herself! Why was it so awkward around him now, he's still the same quiet delicate Cloud. It was funny though…she thought it would be a good thing for him to be around, but he never made much contact with anyone even when he was only a few feet away. He had that same shyness and disconnectedness. She could always tell when he had something deep on his mind, but he would never say and she would never ask.

"Teef, I got you these today" Cloud said while still staring down his turkey sandwich and handing her a large bouquet of yellow tinted flowers. They were beautiful and fully in bloom, he even bothered to tie a ribbon to secure them (of course he had nothing but time to do so).

"Cloud...I..."

All she wanted to do was kick herself HARD! She practically just insulted the guy and he brought her flowers…it was so unlike him…

"Oh geez she thinks I'm stupid, I could have been doing something useful with my time like finding a job but no…. I had to go flower picking like a little sissy!"

She didn't know what to do…the only close affection Cloud ever gave her was the time during their journey, when they spent the night in front of the airship. Or maybe even when they were teenagers and would spend time talking under the stars, but not now…not after the Geostigma incident, not after Sephiroth came back ….not ever, until today.

"Cloud……"

He wasn't expecting it, the tight hug that Tifa gave him from behind. He was so consumed in thought that he never realized she even moved. He loved Tifa's touch, but he knew he would never really deserve it no matter what he did. He felt Tifa's head lay upon his shoulder; her face so close to his, her arms so lovingly wrapped around his body. The embrace was long, but not long enough. She broke away leaving him wanting more.

"Teef, I'm glad you like them. Sorry about being lazy…..I'll go looking for jobs soon."

"Sorry for being grouchy lately. It's ok Cloud, I don't mind you being around, but I just want you to spend some time with me and the kids. You don't always have to spend time with that bike of yours.

He could swear that she actually wanted him around. Maybe it was his chance to get closer to her. She made him happy, and maybe he could return the favor for once.

"Enjoy your lunch Mr. Strife" she giggled up the stairs.

"Denzel!! You can't just hide it like that!! Ah boys are so stupid sometimes."

Denzel quickly placed the broken wolf emblem ring under the darkest corner of the drawer.

"Tifa told you not to touch that, you know that Cloud gave it to her. Oh you just wait until they find it!"

The children heard footsteps drawing nearer; they quickly ran for the door. Tifa's back was turned, now was their chance!

slam "Denzel….I hope Cloud doesn't find out, now that he's home well…he can DISCIPLINE you."

"Whatcha' mean? Cloud wouldn't do that to me. Think about it? Cloud is well, like my dad, he won't be too hard on me right?"

Tifa thought she heard the children's bedroom door slam but never took much notice.

"I'm actually back to sharing my room with Cloud again….such a strange feeling."

It was a good feeling though, knowing that he was near. He promised to always be there for her and now she promised to take care of him. He was the neediest man she had ever met, but she loved him that way. Cloud was Cloud.