Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII
A/N: Not much to say, but please please review! And don't be shy to message me, I like reading them. Thank you to those who do review, it makes my day. Please forgive me if there are any mistakes, I'm tired and not in the mood to edit, so yeah. Fluff ahead, so enjoy!
I sat on my stool in front of my mirror, brushing my hair. I think I might cut it again soon. I hadn't shortened it since I promised that I would only cut it after Cloud forgave himself. Thankfully, he had.
I sighed. I was thinking about him again. But, I couldn't help it! He was always making me worry! Like right now for instance; the latest he ever comes home is 11:30, it's already 1:00. I've called him so many times that I finally gave up about thirty minutes ago.
Perhaps he is alright. Maybe he can't hear his phone if he's driving Fenrir. Yes. That must be it.
I look at my reflection and frown. I can see lines etched on my face.
I make myself relax and see them disappear. I also take in my clothing: one of Cloud's old shirts that he used to clean Fenrir. It has oil stains all over it and a few large rips here and there. But it's comfortable, and it smells like him.
I turn my head toward my window when I hear the engine pull into the garage. What should I do now? Should I wait for him to come up? This is the first time I would appear to be waiting for him; plus it may be awkward since we've been sharing my room the past couple days.
Three names: Denzel, Marlene, Yuffie.
They had decided to do an experiment in Cloud's room to see if they could use Fire3 on his bed. Don't ask me why, but Denzel and Marlene wanted to see since Cloud slept there, it had to be invincible just like him. I think Yuffie wanted to do it because Cloud had implied that she wasn't yet responsible to have a child. Maybe it was her hormones, but I don't think she liked that, so she went along with the kid's silly experiment.
I snapped out of my thoughts when the door opened. Cloud walked in looking tired as usual.
"Hello Cloud." I said quietly.
He looked at me and nodded. "Tifa." He took off his vest and sat on the bed. "What are you doing up?"
I grimaced. "You had me worried Cloud. You never answer your phone! What happened?"
He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "I had to deliver something to Reeve last minute."
"Oh."
The silence was thick so I got up and sat next to him.
"You could have called." I stated, not looking at him. I felt his eyes shift to me.
"I know. I'm sorry."
I smiled at how sincere he sounded. "It's alright. Now, get dressed and lets go to bed."
-
-
I felt Cloud come under the covers and held back a giggle at how awkward it had been the first time. He had insisted on sleeping on the floor, but I would have none of that. Eventually, it felt natural... at least for me.
As he got comfortable, I noticed, as I had every night, that he kept his gloves on. I furrowed my brows and looked at him curiously. Why would he keep his gloves on in bed? Surely he takes them off when he's alone or in the shower.
I felt myself blush by thinking of Cloud... and a shower.
Shaking my head of these thoughts I saw that Cloud was already starting to fall asleep. "Cloud?" I whispered softly. He grunted in response, so I took it as a sign to continue. "Are you awake?"
He opened one eye and gazed at me through it. I felt my blush come back slightly.
"I was just wondering..." I fumbled for a word, a way to phrase it. What if I offend him or something? "Can I see your hands?"
That got his attention. He opened his other eye and his face hardened.
"I mean, wouldn't you be more comfortable with your gloves off?" I knew I sort of sounded like Yuffie pestering, but I was intrigued by what could be under the piece of fabric. I hadn't seen Cloud's hand since we were in Nibleheim.
"I-" He started, then stopped.
I sensed his discomfort and instantly felt guilty. "I'm sorry Cloud, I shouldn't have asked."
He shook his head. "It's fine. It's just... I'm ashamed." His face had become somewhat like a child that had been caught stealing out of a cookie jar.
I propped myself up slightly. "Why?"
"There are some things that I haven't shown to anyone... Bu-"
"Really Cloud. I didn't mean to be nosy. You don't have to show me."
Cloud raised his hands in front of his face and began to stare at them. "... I... want to show you." He lifted on glove off and I had to admit that I was shocked that I was expecting some sort of huge deal. But, it was just a hand. He took off his other glove and that's when I saw it.
Numbers.
Like a test subject.
"Oh Cloud." I said, getting tearful. I now realized that he would always have that reminder of him being a test subject. A 'fake' person. An experiment.
"Tifa," He said bringing his hand up to my face. "Don't cry."
It was then that I felt his hands touch my face for the first time. They were slightly calloused but gentle. He wiped a tear that had stubbornly made its way out of my eye. It was amazing that these hands that a yielded a sword and defeated enemies, were they same hands that were touching my face like it were made of glass.
I grabbed his hand in both of my small ones and ran my thumb across the numbers. They were tattooed on the bottom of his palm. I timidly brought it in front of my face and hesitantly brought the flesh to my lips. I felt Cloud's body become stiff for a moment before relaxing.
After I pulled away I intertwined my fingers through his and lay down again. Cloud looked at me with a small smile on his face. "Thank you Tifa."
I smiled in return and cuddled close to him. I knew through time Cloud was healing from the past; and I also knew that I would absolutely be there to help no matter how, every step of the way.
Gives Reno plushies to:
KarmaBoo
Sanji-kunZoro-san
Fairheartstrife
kyokoaurora
erinsoccer17
sana-chan9
Kohryu
Jynx Tsilevon
