Rated for some language.
Chapter 2: The surprise
Diclaimer: I do not own Final fantasy and its characters.
The bar was really loud that night, Barret's laughter was booming throughout the place, while Cid and Yuffie were, as usual, bickering at petty things. Vincent was quietly sitting beside Barret, watching the two throwing insults at each other, with a slight amused expression hidden under his cloak. Nanaki was sitting on the floor below Yuffie, shaking his head, Cait Sith leaning against him who was covering his ears. Denzel and Marlene were chasing each other while laughing loudly. Cloud and Aeris were sitting with the group, laughing at the antics of their comrades, with Aeris' head resting on Cloud's shoulder. And Tifa, at her usual place behind the counter, serving food and drinks to her friends.
She looked over her shoulder only to see the two lovebirds leaning at each other, she felt a twinch of jealousy and looked away again.
Great. she sighed. Tifa, you will not be affected, you will be happy for them. She convinced herself.
She continued to wash some glasses when she heard Cloud speak suddenly.
"umm.." He stood up and scratched the back of his head. "You guys must be wondering why you're all here."
"It doesn't matter as long there's all these booze and keep 'em fuck...in'..." Cid trailed off when he saw Tifa glaring at him "...comin'?" he smiled sheepishly.
"Shut your trap old man! No one wants to hear the words coming from that foul mouth of yours you old bag of prunes!" Yuffie shouted.
"YOU LITTLE SHI-"
"Okay, thats enough." Cloud interjected, waving his hand to silence them. Yuffie sticked her tongue out at Cid while he muttered curses under his breath.
"So umm.." Cloud began again. "I just.." he looked around nervously, then looked at Tifa who was standing at the counter who was still holding the glass she was wiping, then he looked at Aeris. She raised her eyebrows in question. Then suddenly, Cloud went down on one knee, took out a red box and revealed a beautiful platinum ring with a green gem on the center, matching Aeris' eyes. Everyone's eyes went wide and gasps from both Aeris and Yuffie, while Tifa was shaking, still holding the glass. Aeris was already crying.
"Aeris, will marry me?"
Aeris jumped up and squeeled her yes, Cloud smiled, stood up then carefully put the ring on her finger, then they hugged each other while the others were cheering, except for Barret, Marlene, Denzel and Yuffie. Instead, they were looking at Tifa, with worried look on their faces, Yuffie's hand was in her mouth, she could clearly see Tifa's state, she was trembling, then they heard a loud crash then look at the source, Tifa broke the glass she was holding in and is now looking at her bloodied hands. Aeris gasped.
"Tifa! Are you okay?" she said with worry.
Cloud was about the rush to her when Yuffie beat him to it, putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him then she ran towards Tifa, grabbed her uninjured hand then pulling her upstairs. Everyone followed them with their eyes while they made their way up, looking worried, Cloud most of all.
Yuffie pulled Tifa along in the bedroom then closed the door with a lock. Tifa sat on the bed still looking at her hand, Yuffie went to the bathroom to retrieve the first aid kit to start treating Tifa's wounds.
They were quiet for a while until Yuffie spoke.
"I'm so sorry Tifa, I know what you're feeling right now, well, actually I don't because I never experienced the man I love being engaged to someone el-" she stopped when she realized she was hurting Tifa more with her words. She winced then looked at Tifa to see her waiting for her to continue, so she spoke again. "What I'm trying to say is, I know you're hurting right now and I know there's really nothing I can do about it, but I just want you to know that I'm here, as you're friend, I will listen so you can get that load off your chest you know. I'm not good at stuff like this but, I'll try.. there!" she just finished bandaging the wound.
Just then, Tifa looked at her friend, smiled, a genuine smile this time and hugged her.
"Thank you Yuffie." she knows she was about to cry, but she will not cry. She was a fighter.
Yuffie started patting her back then pulled away. "Of course, of course, you were always there for us you know, now, it's my turn to help you feel better!" she said while her hands were at her hips.
Tifa giggled. Yuffie laughed seeing her in a good mood again.
"You know, I just don't understand that spikey headed moron."
Tifa giggled again. "Why is that?"
"Well, he was too blind to see that the most perfect woman is right here with him, with those big boobs and long legs, ouch!" Tifa smacked her arm playfully, but it still hurt. "and the food you cook and the way you take care of him? I bet you wouldn't hesitate to wipe his ass when he can't! You love him that much you will do the most digusting things for him!" she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Tifa's jaw dropped but then just laughed at what she said, because she knows that it was true.
"I mean seriuosly, what's up with that? I mean Aeris is beautiful and all but she's nothing when compared to you, she can't even cook shit!"
Tifa's eyes went wide at this, both of them stared at each other then burst out laughing. Yuffie was throwing her head back while tifa was clutching her sides and wiping her eyes.
"Listen.."Tifa was still laughing. "come on their waiting for us downstairs. I really need to drink to this and get drunk." she said still wiping her eyes.
"So that means I get to drink too?"
"No." she laughed again.
"Not fair!" Tifa stuck her tongue out then ran downstairs then Yuffie started to chase her.
Across the room where they just emerged, a blond-haired man made his way out his bedroom door, where he was hiding from, after listening to the two people talking inside Tifa's room, with a shocked expression on his face.
Tifa... loves me?