Prompt: #31 Phone

Summary: They were getting better at communicating.

Phone

It's almost midnight at the bar and since it's midweek, the regulars have called it an early night. She looks exhausted and distracted and…beautiful. When she hears her phone ring, a secret smile graces her lips as she pauses in the motion of wiping one of the tables. It was obvious that she already knows who the caller is before even looking at the caller ID. As casually as she can, she reaches into the pocket of her apron and brings the phone to her ear. There is that unmistakable look of anticipation in her eyes as she connects the call. The one calling her was someone she cared about. Someone she looked forward to hearing from. Her body language changes from weary to aware in the most sensual way. Any guy worth his salt would be able to pick up on that.

"Hello," she greets and there is no mistaking the eager huskiness that changes her voice when she says the greeting. All this change in reaction to just knowing who was on the other line.

"Hi," the male voice greets back. "I'm just checking in for the night."

"Delivery go okay?"

There is just enough worry in her tone to show that she really cares whether it did or not.

"Yeah, it went fine," is the breathy reply. "I just wish it hadn't been so far away from home."

"Me too," she admits with a shy little pout on her lips that was not hard to imagine from her tone.

"How's the bar tonight?"

"Not too bad," she answers with a weary sigh. She's tired, but she's also relieved and glad to be talking to him.

"The kids in bed yet?"

"Marlene wanted to wait for your nightly check in but she's had a hectic day."

"Is that kid still giving her a hard time?" he asks, his tone taking on a slight threatening tone.

"Denzel's got her back," she reassures with a small laugh. "But the teacher's a real work horse. She had a diarama due. So we had to get everything together."

"Was that thing due already?" he asks in astonishment.

"Procrastinators, the both of you," she teases into the phone with a little sway in her hips. The smile on her face is radiant in the soft glow of the bar lights.

"Maybe I better speak to that kid though."

"Cloud," she groans with a roll of her eyes. "He just has a little bit of a crush."

"I'll crush him if he lays a hand on her."

"You can't fault him though. Besides, you were good when you were that age."

"I always wanted to touch you, Tifa," he admits huskily. "I was just too scared to."

"I'm sure it was in a completely innocent way though. They are still kids."

A loud groan transfers over the phone. "I did want a kiss," he admits quickly. "Maybe I'd better tell Barrett about the kid."

"Don't you dare! And scare the kid right out of his mind?" she cries in exasperation. "Besides, Marlene is fine. She doesn't need the both of you threatening the poor boy."

There is silence for a few seconds on the other end of the line.

"Does that mean she likes him too?" he asks hesitantly.

"She doesn't seem to mind him, but I don't see any signs of reciprocation on her part."

A loud sigh of relief is her reply and it has her laughing softly as she cradles the phone against her other ear.

"You're both too nice."

"She can't stay a little girl forever," she chides.

"No, she can't but at least she has you for a guide."

"She's got more sense than people twice her age. She doesn't need me," she says.

"Yes, she does. Just like we all do. Just like I do."

A faint red brushes across her cheeks at his admission. Her face flushes with pleasure and the glow about her seems brighter.

"I'm still getting used to you admitting things like that," she says breathlessly.

"I wish I were better with words."

"I've already told you that there is more than one way to show your feelings."

"How else, if not my words, am I gonna tell you now, Tifa?"

"I think the words you're using are just fine," she replies with her flirty, husky tone that always seems to melt him. "I also think it's really fine that you're actually using your phone for more than listening to your messages."

"Someone dear to me called me on not ever answering but always wanting to keep that connection," he answers sardonically.

"They sound smart," she says with a small smile.

"They are," he reassures. "She's too good for the likes of me."

"Must be something good about you too for her to care so much."

"I'm not sure what she sees in me but I'm going to spend the rest of my life making it up to her for being an idiot."

"Cloud…"

"No, Tifa. We both know I'm a bit slow."

"What does that make me then?" she challenges with a chuckle. "I'm the one that keeps putting up with you."

"A goddess," he says. "My own personal goddess."

She laughs huskily at that and shakes her head.

"Are you all bunked up for the night?" she asks, trying not to sound as insecure as she looks over his words.

He wants to mentally kick himself, yet again, for making her so unsure of his feelings.

"I'm actually outside."

"Were all the hotels booked?" she asks, sounding worried. So caring.

She was always so caring and he loves her a little more, just for that.

"They were vacant but I didn't want to stay in any of them," he answers bluntly.

Not a total lie. The thought of staying in another stale hotel had made his stomach roll.

The brief recollection almost costs him though because it takes him awhile to realize she hasn't responded.

"Cloud, are you at the chu…?" she breaks off suddenly. As if she can't bear to hear that's where he is.

He cringes at her assumption and wants to kick himself, again.

"I'm reverting back to old habits," he explains and as soon as the words are out of his mouth, he groans.

That sounded bad and he deserved another kick.

"Back to my… peeping Tom days," he quickly adds.

"What?" she asks, clearly thrown off by that.

Good.

"I'm staring at my goddess right now."

He watches as her head shoots up and her stare zeroes in on him immediately through the window in darkness of the street. That breathtaking face of hers is open in stunned surprise. She blinks at him as if she thinks that she's dreaming that he is standing there before a smile brightens her face. Keeping the phone to her ear, she approaches the small window and he finds himself following her movements until they are both almost pressed against either side of the glass. Their respective sides fog and defog with each of their breaths and together they reach out with their free hand towards the other. Even through the glove covering his hand, he can feel her heat.

"Hi," she whispers shyly.

"Hi," he responds just as softly.

"Maybe I taught you too well about using the phone," she says with a hint of mischief. "You're using it instead of knocking on the door."

"I told you I'm reverting back to old habits. I belong at the window."

She lets out a feminine giggle of delight that does more to heal him than anything else can.

"Not anymore."