Five Ways Cloud and Tifa Said Nothing and Everything
2: First Time
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"WOOOO!!"
"No fair!"
Marlene turned around and grinned brightly at her accuser. "You just don't know how to race Chocobos properly!" She turned back to the large pink bird she was sitting on and patted it affectionately on the neck. It let out an approving "Kueh" at this.
Sitting on another Chocobo, this one with feathers of bright yellow, Denzel rode up to Marlene. "Says you! I want a rematch!" he said despite the fairly large grin on his own face.
"You're on!"
Some way away, two pairs of eyes watched the two children create minor cloud dusts as they guided their steeds back to the starting point. Several farmhands, including the familiar Chocobo Chole, were there to help keep an eye on them as well.
"If we're not careful, they'll ask if we can raise one here."
Cloud smiled slightly as he leaned on the fence, still watching Denzel and Marlene gear up for a second race. "If Marlene asks, we can probably get Barret to help."
Beside him, Tifa chuckled. A breeze blew against her skin, tousling her hair a little. She closed her eyes to savour the feel of the wind on her face.
It was extremely nostalgic, this Chocobo Farm. It had remained in its old location right in the middle of the grasslands after all this time. Sans a few upgrades to the farmhouse and stables, it was in almost exactly the same state as when she and the rest had once visited, some years ago. It was nice to know that there were still places like this, open and wide.
"Hey you two! Thought I'd introduce you to a new one, for old times' sake."
Both Cloud and Tifa turned at the friendly voice of Choco Bill. The Chocobo breeder walked beside his grandson, the latter leading an ink-black Chocobo by the reins. Tifa saw Cloud's eyes widen by a fraction.
"A Mountain-and-River Chocobo?"
Choco Bill grinned widely. "Knew you'd appreciate it. We managed to raise about four adults last year. This is the youngest male."
"We've got big plans for him and his friends. If things go right, we should be seeing some Gold Chocobo chicks soon," added Chocobo Billy with a tinge of pride in his voice.
As Cloud spoke his succinct approval about such plans, Tifa went up to the black Chocobo. The bird looked at her calmly, even giving a "Kueh" of greeting as she stroked his feathers. She smiled at that.
"What's his name, Billy?"
The younger breeder grinned sheepishly. "Uhh, well... William."
Tifa laughed as the man turned a bit red. "Fair enough."
"Um, anyway!" He held out the reins in Cloud's direction. "Here, have a try."
With some hesitation, Cloud picked up the reins carefully. "...it's been a while."
Choco Bill waved a hand dismissively. "Riding Chocobos are like bikes – you won't forget once you've learned how!"
Cloud smirked at that before looking at William cautiously. He placed one gloved hand on the side of the bird's neck to reassure it before mounting. He could feel the bird tense up in readiness. Tugging at the reins, William willingly moved forward a few paces.
Satisfied, he turned William around and stopped before Tifa. "Coming?"
She looked up at him in surprise. "Two people on a Chocobo...?"
Billy grinned reassuringly. "S'no problem. Will's a strong bird – he can take your weight easy."
Cloud stretched out a hand towards her in silent invitation. Smiling, Tifa took it and got on, hoping Will wouldn't suddenly balk at the sudden addition of weight. To the bird's credit, all it did was "Kueh?" inquiringly, soothed by a pat on the neck.
"Off y'go then!" said Choco Bill with a wave as Chocobo Billy went to open up the fence gate into the large open expanse. Denzel and Marlene were in the middle of their third, and longer, race.
William moved through the gate and at Cloud's silent command, began trotting. Instinctively, Tifa's hands placed themselves on either side of Cloud's waist to keep her balance, much like she did while on Fenrir.
Spotting Denzel and Marlene just coming round the bend, Cloud smirked. "Hang on," he murmured.
"Clou- wah!"
William was only too happy to take off at a run, just in time to race side by side with his yellow and pink counterparts. The black Chocobo's strides were wide, and soon left the others behind, crossing the finish line.
Cloud brought William to a halt and waited for his wards to catch up. Both children were calling him out as they did so.
"Cloud, that's cheating!"
"Black Chocobos are much faster and you know it!"
As the farmhands grinned and chuckled amongst themselves, Chole interjected, "They got you there, Cloud."
Cloud duly raised one hand in a gesture of surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll let you two race fair and square."
Denzel grinned. "But can we ride the black one later? That was fast!"
"If Choco Bill says it's okay."
"Okay." Denzel looked over to where Marlene was supposed to be. "So do we- hey! Waitaminute! No one told me the race started already!"
"I'm gonna beat you this time...!" called out the girl, already ahead by two yards by the time Denzel realized it.
Tifa laughed behind Cloud, watching the kids take off again. "They're definitely going to ask for a Chocobo later."
The only response was a half-smile. Then he glanced backwards at her. "Feel like going for a walk?"
She smiled at him. "Sure."
William was urged forward, but at a slower speed this round. As the Chocobo trotted amiably across the large field, ignoring the rambunctious antics of the two racing Chocobos, Tifa breathed in the fresh air and smiled to herself. The breeze that had picked up earlier was still around, now growing rather stronger, cooling her previously warm cheeks.
It was turning out to be a good day.
"...I'm glad you thought of coming here," she said. "The kids are going to talk about this for days."
She didn't see Cloud's half smile reappear. "I figured they better learn not all Chocobos are carved out of wood."
Tifa grinned, the image of Denzel's favourite sculpture coming to mind. "Good to know they're getting an education, huh?" She looked behind where it seemed like Marlene had come through victorious again. She laughed to herself, not needing to see them up close to imagine the looks on both their faces.
"...Tifa?"
"Hmm?"
"...are you..."
"...eh?" She blinked, then looked at the back of Cloud's head. "What?"
Tifa saw him tense a little, heard an intake of breath. "Are you happy, Tifa...?"
She tilted her head slightly, confused. She'd just said how glad she was that they were here. "Of course, Cloud. It's been a wonderful day."
"...right," he eventually replied. She thought his ears were reddening though that was likely her own imagination.
Blinking, she tried to shrug it off, just enjoying the view around her. They were getting to the far end of the fenced area now, but it wouldn't be long before Marlene and Denzel's Chocobos came running past for the fourth time.
Gradually, Tifa noticed that William had come to a halt. "...Cloud?"
The man in front of her was quiet, though his back was straight. Concerned, she placed one hand on his shoulder, craning her neck a little to try and see his face.
"What's wrong?"
He remained still for a minute before looking back at her slightly, over his shoulder. Half his face was covered by the shoulder armour and his eyes didn't meet hers. As if he had some sort of news he dreaded telling her. It was enough to start a nervous feeling crawling up her spine.
"When I asked if you were happy..."
She felt something tighten in the pit of her stomach, wondering if he was going to tell her something bad.
"I meant if you were happy being here. With me."
Tifa's eyes grew wide with surprise. "...I..."
His blue eyes flicked upwards, taking in the sight of her astonished expression then hurriedly, he looked back down again though he didn't face forward again. He kept his head half turned, waiting for a reply.
What he got instead was the feeling of her sliding her arms forward, locking them around his waist. She leaned against his back, eyes closed, smile on her lips.
"Ti-"
"Let's... just keep walking, Cloud."
In the midst of this rather hazy feeling in his mind and lightened sensation in his chest, Cloud put William – who'd patiently been waiting for the two humans on his back to sort out their awkward conversation – back into a trot. He hadn't planned on saying anything really.
But when he'd heard her laugh, and the question that had been hovering in his mind for the past two weeks resurfaced, it had just seemed best to ask. He'd been semi-prepared to take a blow to the face, as it were. Semi-prepared because he was still quite afraid of what would happen to him if she said no.
It turned out, thought Cloud with a small but definite smile, there was probably a big chance that Tifa's answer began with a 'Y'.
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Fin.
Synchypn0tic17: Thanks so much for reading both stories! Yeah, Familial Moments was always meant to be a... well, family-based collection. I guess you could say I'm letting off some fangirl steam with this one? (grin)
vLuna: I'm pretty sure Cloud wasn't clear on what he was going to say when he took that chance. Thankfully, Tifa likes him that way. (laugh)
Portrait of a Scribe: Tifa's... shy that way. And wherever they decided to go, they certainly aren't telling anyone, much less me. ;D
kerapal bubbles: Thank you for the kind words!
