Chapter Two

Tifa's chest was on fire as Cloud walked inside the bar. Normally she's jump into his arms hugging him tightly as she used to when he'd come back home. She'd be asking him if he was okay, and lecturing him about worrying her like that. But, the last time he'd left something in her snapped. Something inside Tifa had made her bitter towards him, and she wasn't going to feel sorry for him anymore. But even that bitterness couldn't extinguish the butterflies she'd been getting, just from being close to him, since they were kids. Just two kids with a promise that had survived hell and back.'

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

Her eyes scanned his face then flashed with what looked like anger.

"Is that all?" she responded dryly.

"I don't know what else to say." Cloud replied.

Tifa felt her eyes starting to burn and she leaned on the bar towards him and practically yelled, "How about why you're sorry Cloud!"

"Teef.." he began.

"Don't Teef me! It won't be that simple this time. You have to start thinking about more than just you. Just your pain and you're feelings. "

Cloud reached his hand out and grabbed hers gently, "Tifa, I am sorry for all of the pain I have caused you. But I am home for good this time, I know it took too long but now I know all I need is you. Its always just been you, nothing else matters anymore."

Now the tears were freely burning Tifas cheeks. She pulled her hand out of his and wiped them away.

"You can stay here as long as you like, and I'll be here as your friend. And that's all."

She turned away from him and made her way back to the steps. She stopped right where she'd been standing when she had heard fenrir rumble up to Seventh Heaven and turned to look at Cloud. He was sitting just as she had left him, staring at the hand that had been holding hers.

"Now you know how it feels." She thought to herself and continued up the stairs.

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