Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and its compilation are the creations of Square Enix, not mine.
Summary: This was something they all treasured.
Author's notes: Fic #4 for Livejournal community Ficlets on Demand's Fic a Day June Challenge '08. Request: Table for three by fanaticalone. Set sometime after Advent Children, I suppose.
Bed and Board
by monitor screen
-o-
Tifa glanced out of the window at the back of her bar. The sun was bright ahead - it was almost time.
She hummed as she stirred the soup once more, setting off another waft of delicious aroma through the place. Behind her, a battered oven worked with an almost inaudible buzz, the loaf inside turning golden. Ladling some soup to taste, and nodding in satisfaction, Tifa turned the gas off, letting the pot sit as she went over to check on the bread.
She usually would not bother with baking; but today Vincent was around and had offered to do cleanups in the bar for her, so Tifa decided she could use the extra leisure to add a little twist to their noontime routine.
She was cutting up the loaf when she heard the roar of engine. It still amazed her that Cloud had managed to stick to a social commitment for this long; she supposed this was something they all treasured.
Vincent was just pushing the last stool back into place as she brought the bread to one of the tables. Tifa smiled her thanks; Vincent nodded his acknowledgement, and then turned to put the cleaning tools away. At the far side, the door opened.
"Sorry I'm late... That smells good, Tifa."
Her smile widened as she took in Cloud's wind-blown hair and the light musk of sand and sweat. It warmed her heart to know that he had made an effort to be here, that this lunch engagement had warranted extra speed in his excursion. That they had warranted as much.
She waved Cloud off to wash up, and finished setting the table. In short order the
three of them were comfortably seated, and soup was served. There were brief exchanges of news and other mundane concerns, but mostly the meal was a silent affair - neither Cloud nor Vincent was the talkative type, and Tifa did not feel like chattering all on her own. There was quiet to be had.
The simple fact that they were all here, sharing this moment together, was bonding enough.
When they finished the food, Vincent murmured his commendations before setting out for the day. Tifa did not know what his "odd job" was, precisely, but since the gunman had insisted on paying her rent after the first couple weeks or so, she supposed it was something promising. As close as they were, it was still not her place to pry.
Cloud voiced his thanks too, and helped Tifa carry the dishes to the sink. After that he went upstairs to check on his orders, but popped back just as Tifa was starting on the dishes to ask if she had any errand for him to run. On receiving a negative, he announced that he was going to catch up on some sleep. It had been a tiring journey, after all.
Tifa finished washing-up as the afternoon lull descended upon Seventh Heaven. She still had about an hour to herself before the kids would return from school and her earlier patrons would trickle in. Everything was already in order.
It would be another smooth, normal day.
-o-