*Author's note:
I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or any of its characters; they belong to Square Enix. However, I do own the character of Alexei in this fic.
Enjoy!
Tifa leaned her head against her head as she through a damp dish rag in the sink.
"What a night." She said breathing heavily. The bar had been swarming with customers all day. Fridays were always like that; Seventh Heaven had no trouble regaining its popularity with the public after the people of Midgar found out that the ones who owned the bar, were in fact the heroes of the planet. Tifa let out a long stretch of relief and smiled at the thought of the day finally being over. Walking over to the window, she looked outside to ensure that there were no customers outside. She walked out of the front of the bar and sat on the steps. She inhaled the cool night air and let the wind take with it, all of the stress from the day...it was nice having so much quiet...so much peace. Tifa smiled and leaning her head against the side railing, she began to sing softly to herself; unaware that she had an audience.
Cloud Strife had just finished tucking Marlene and Denzel in the bar. He walked downstairs in search of Tifa, He stopped when he heard the sound of a mellifluous voice. Cloud pulled the curtain back from the window and saw Tifa there with her eyes closed, sitting on the front steps. Cloud cracked the door ever so slightly so as not to startle her.
You'll yield to me
Like a scent in the breeze
And you'll wonder what it is about me
It's my big secret
Keeping you calling
Slow like honey
Heavy with mood
Tifa's voice was sweet and feminine, like the sound of a gentle rain storm, capable of bringing serenity to even the most tumultuous of souls. Cloud lips curved slightly to form a small smirk. Tifa's eyes widened at the sound of something behind her. She flipped her head around only to see the rugged blonde standing in the doorway. Her face began to fill up with blood causing her to blush immensely.
"How long have you been standing there? Tifa said with a nervous look.
"I just walked out." Cloud lied, not wanting to embarrass her.
Tifa nodded and turned her gaze back up to the stars. Cloud walked over, Tifa's voice still lingering in his ears.
"It's cold, why are you out here?" he asked.
" Just wanted to look at the stars I guess, I wish we could see them more here." Tifa replied, her eyes still fixated on the sky above. With all of the lights and the fog constantly hovering in the air, a clear night was virtually unheard of in Midgar.
" I know a place, would you like to come?" Cloud asked.
Tifa broke her gaze to look at Cloud with a puzzled expression.
"Sure." she answered.
Cloud smiled and grabbed her hand, pulling her up from the steps.
They walked through Midgar, relying on Cloud to direct them to their location.
"Here" Cloud said quietly, his gaze turning to the sky, capturing the beauty of the brilliantly illuminated night. Tifa, following Cloud's suit, lifted her eyes and with an astonished look, gasped lightly at the magnificent sight of a silver dusted sky.
" This is incredible Cloud!" she smiled
Tifa turned her eyes to him. "Thank you for bringing me here." she said sweetly
Cloud simply looked at her and smiled.
In the middle of the Midgar playground, the two sat for a good while. Tifa leaning back on her hands with her legs extended out with her feet crossed; Cloud leaning on his left hand with the other rested on his lifted knee.
"Hey Teef?" Cloud asked, his expression suddenly becoming more stern, breaking away from his once tranquil state.
"Hm?" Tifa said peacefully, her eyes still focused on the sky.
"I need to tell you something.." Cloud said
Tifa looked down at Cloud with a confused look.
"What is it?" Tifa said; her voice filled with worry
"I don't know how to tell you this." Cloud replied, running his hand through his golden spikes.
Tifa simply looked at him concerned; her brow slightly furrowed.
"I'm quitting the delivery job." He said
Confused, Tifa replied "Why?" "Did something happen?"
"No, but that's not what I want to tell you..." Cloud said, his gaze now turned to the ground.
Tifa inhaled deeply and nodded to Cloud giving him her approval to say what he needed to say.
Cloud grabbed Tifa's hand and began to lightly trace his thumb against her knuckles.
"Tifa...I'm leaving this place...I have to get out of Midgar..."