I'd Love To Be.
A Final Fantasy VII Fanfiction
By xxLilMizCaityxx
I'd love to be better with my hands.
I know- it's a silly thing to want, isn't it? It's an easy thing for me to do, letting my mind wander so I ponder the oddest things while I'm waiting for him.
I mean- I'm a martial artist. Of course I'm going to be good with my hands… so good I could break a guy's neck in seconds if I wanted, so good that I can twist a wrist so sharply and quickly that the muscles are torn and frayed before the enemy can even comprehend what happened. I can pour drinks with my left while shaking a frying pan with my right. I can make origami swans with my hands, I can hold Marlene and Denzel's hands at the same time- I can do more with my hands than I could mention, and if I'm honest I'm good with them.
I just… wish I was better.
I can do all of those things with my hands… but I'll bet if you gave me a sapling, some soil and a jug of water, I wouldn't know what to do with them. I'd sit and stare at my hands, wondering how the rough and calloused palms that were my own could do anything to aid the growth of the tiny plant.
I couldn't forge a flower so beautiful it would make him weep… like she did.
She was especially good with her hands. Lily white and soft, the smoothest hands I'd ever seen, alabaster plain and pure, and so careful in everything they did. Her hands cared for the flowers blooming in the church, her hands fingered the strong metallic weapon he held close to his side, in pure longing, and her hands latched onto his so securely and lovingly, it made me embarrassed to even look at my hands.
Her hands were the perfect hands. They could create life, they could heal the wounded, the could clench together as she focused with all her skill and might to pray and make him as happy as he could be. Aerith was the best with her hands, and I wish I was better with mine. So I could remind Cloud of her, so that I could make him feel safe again, even if my hands were a replacement for hers- I could help him in any way I could, with my useless hands. My hands meant for destruction, not healing.
Light spilled into the grey Seventh Heaven, and I glanced up from my rough, hardworking hands and smiled at Cloud.
His was weary in reply, and he dropped his bags and sword at his feet, before taking a few long strides to my side at the bar. I smiled.
"How was your trip?" I asked quietly, and he rolled those Mako eyes, their light continuing to brighten up the darkness around my little bar. I smiled as he tugged one of his gloves off, and reached down to take my hand. He ran his own calloused and roughened fingers along mine, and compared their shape and texture.
"Would you look at that, Tifa," he said, his voice a low rumble, barely audible. I raised a brow.
"Hmm?"
"Your hands… you've been working hard while I was away?" he asked, bringing my hand up to his lips for a quick peck. I laughed, and was reminded of why I didn't usually worry over memories of Aerith when he was here.
My hands were never going to be like hers. Dainty, white, clean and tidy. They were hardworking, and I needed them to live.
And Cloud loved them just the way they were.
I smiled.
You can be better with your hands in more ways than one.
A/N: Written for the Final Fantasy Couples LJ Community's challenge. I hope you enjoyed. Please review :)
