(A/N) Yup, I've written yet another Cloud/Tifa story that takes place awhile after Advent Children; anybody noticing a trend here? XD Although Cloud's point of view seems to be the easiest way for me to write, (which is odd, because I'm a girl…) I've also taken a liking to writing from Tifa's eyes, which is how this one is written. :3
Finding the Missing Piece
Chapter One
Leaning in towards the mirror, I pull the last stray hair on my head into place, smoothing it over until I'm finally pleased with it. I step away from the counter then, appraising my appearance carefully. My eyes are uncharacteristically lined with mascara, and I pray that I'll remember not to accidentally rub them and smudge it, because it's so unusual for me to be wearing any kind of make-up. Everything about this night is strange though, because I'm doing something that I haven't done in years; I'm going on a date.
When I'm content with how I look I turn away from my reflection, heading out of the bathroom and down the hall. I try to make my footsteps as quiet as possible, since I put Denzel and Marlene to bed less than an hour ago and I don't want to wake them, but I feel the need to check on them one last time before I leave. When I reach the door to their room I peek inside, happy to find them both already sound asleep, breathing softly.
Satisfied, I pull their door shut once again, and turn to make my way back through the hall and downstairs. It's quiet in the house, all but silent save for the clicking of my heels against the wooden stairs, but I know where I'll be able to find who I'm looking for. I turn the corner when I reach the bottom of the staircase, moving towards the back of the house and the door that leads out into the little garage of sorts.
Even before I reach the door I can hear the sound of the radio blaring within the room, like it normally is while he's out here. After grabbing the handle and pushing the door open slightly, I poke my head inside so I can look around. I find him just where I predicted he would be, lying on the concrete floor with his torso hidden under the belly of his motorcycle; dozens of different tools strewn about on the ground around him.
This room wasn't originally intended to be a garage; when we made the house we designed it to be a laundry room, which is why our washer and dryer are sitting against the far wall. When Cloud got his bike though, he decided that he wanted to keep it in here, so he and Barret added a door that connects the room to the alleyway outside of our house. He usually parks it out on the street, but while he's working on it it's nice that he can be inside.
Lately, Cloud has been spending quite a lot of time out here tinkering with the mechanics of his bike, which he calls Fenrir. This is the place where I can normally expect to find him, at least when he's not at work, returning calls about deliveries or planning his route for the next day. Denzel comes out here to help him sometimes too, and although Cloud isn't the type of person that would mention it openly, I'm pretty sure that he enjoys Denzel's company.
He doesn't acknowledge my entrance, though he probably didn't hear me open the door because the radio's music is so loud, so I'm not surprised when he doesn't look up. I creep closer to him, leaning over and trying to catch sight of his face underneath the bike. He reaches blindly for another wrench, still not seeming to notice my presence, and as I get even nearer to where he's laying I notice that his lips are moving.
At first I think that he's probably talking to himself to try and sort out whatever he's working on, but as I watch him closer I realize that while his lips are moving silently, they match the words of the song playing on the radio, and his left foot is even tapping in time with the beat. A smile spreads across my face at the sight, and I have to cover my mouth to stifle a giggle, though he probably wouldn't have heard me anyway.
It's strange for me to see him like this; such a normal situation for someone who has lived such an unusual and pain-filled life. It makes me happy though, because it's proof that he's finally been completely healed, and now he can live like everyone else. I'm enjoying getting to watch him like this, but I decide that I need to be going soon, so I should let him know that I'm here.
"I didn't know you could sing," I tease him.
Cloud must have never expected that I would sneak up on him, because at the sound of my voice he jerks up suddenly, causing his forehead to collide with Fenrir's underside. I gasp in shock, instantly regretting startling him; I didn't think he'd hurt himself because of it. He groans as he slides out from under the bike, and I feel even worse when I notice the blood beginning to run down his face from the small cut above his eyebrow.
"I'm so sorry," I apologize hastily. "Are you alright?"
I reach out to him with concern, but he waves me off, standing up and dusting himself off.
"I'm fine" he assures me, crossing the room to turn off the stereo before returning to stand in front of me again.
"Your forehead…" I say, motioning towards his cut.
He reaches up automatically, wincing slightly when the tip of his finger touches the place where the blood is flowing from. I frown with concern again, but he shakes his head with reassurance.
"I'm okay Tifa, really," he promises, a smirk hinting at the corners of his mouth; he knows I have a tendency to try and coddle him.
I roll my eyes at his stubbornness, suddenly remembering why I've come out here to talk to him in the first place. "I'm getting ready to go, but I left you dinner in the refrigerator," I tell him.
His mood noticeably changes when I say this; the trace of a smile disappearing from his face instantly and a slight frown forming between his eyebrows. I'm not sure why, but ever since the middle of last week when I first told him that I'd be going out on a date tonight, he's been acting strangely every time I mention it. He hasn't said anything outright, but he seems to be upset that I'm going, though I can't imagine what the reason for that reaction could be.
Cloud's eyes drift away from my face then, silently appraising what I'm wearing. It's the middle of winter, so it's been pretty cold outside here in Edge, but when I told Yuffie that I'd be going out she insisted that I wear a dress. She helped me pick out heeled shoes and a typical little black dress; one with thin straps, a low back and a hem that comes down to my mid thigh.
He doesn't exactly look thrilled with my choice of clothes, though he doesn't voice his opinion, not that I ever expected him to. A brief moment of almost awkward silence passes between us until he eventually glances away, seeming to not know what to say. The sound of a knock at the front door breaks into the quietness though; the signal that my date has arrived.
Cloud looks back at me then with a small, weak smile that I can tell he's had to force into place plastered on his lips. "Have fun," he says, and although I can tell that he's trying his best to be sincere, it still sounds halfhearted.
I give him a nod, and then turn towards the door. "I'll probably be back late, so don't wait up for me, okay?" I call over my shoulder.
He doesn't answer, but I decide not to worry about it, because I know he must have heard me. As I walk back into the house though, that somber look in his eyes lingers in my mind. Trying to brush it off, I head through the bar area, grabbing my purse and a jacket on my way to open the front door. My date is waiting for me outside, and he smiles at me cheerfully, but even as I climb into the passenger seat of his car I can't help but wonder what could possibly be going on with Cloud.
To be continued…
(A/N) When I began this I originally intended it to be a oneshot, but it got so long that I decided to divide it into several chapters. Each chapter is a bit shorter than I usually make them in my stories, but I think it flows better this way. O.o Like my other chaptered story that is in progress, To Have Loved and Lost, updates for this one will be coming about once every week and a few days or so, because I already have the rest of it written. ;P
A review from anyone that reads this would be nice, especially if you liked it or have any constructive criticism for me. :3 Updates on what I'm working on at the moment are on my profile, but most of you that read my stuff probably already know that. ;P Don't forget to check out the stories in my newly-created Cloud/Tifa based C2 community either! :D
-punkiemonkie