The Thin Line Between
by : Beatriz
Chapter 10 - Bitter
In my heartsent my confession, my condolence,
You're indefinite you're incompetent inconsiderate.
You're so childish,
I will push you, out of what is real, out of my head.
You can stick and drown at your residence of disappointments,
Are of yours to come.
So embrace them oh my shallow one today,
If I could change anything then I would change everything.
These bitter days shall remain.
- Nine Days
Cid Highwind rushed forward angrily, the obvious target being the confused yet not helpless blonde ahead. The older man's nostrils flared as he charged, eyes burning with so much rage, the baby blues almost seemed to, in an intimidating way, bulge out. Cloud wasn't surprised, Barrett and Cid were two of a kind, both containing the hot blooded temper of a bull which had just caught sight of a red cloak. The only difference between the blonde and the dark skinned man was Barrett preferred to battle with a constant string of obscenities while Cid took matters into his own hands, or in this case, fists.
"You son of a fuckin' bitch! How dare you come back after you left us all hangin' like that?! You asshole, we don't need you, so get you're spiky ass outta town and never come back," the pilot screamed in determined fury while tackling the unsuspecting AVALANCHE leader to the concrete floor roughly.
"Cid, stop," a standing-by Tifa exclaimed worriedly while placing a comforting arm around the highly emotional mother-to-be besides her, "let Cloud tell you his story, I'm sure you'll reconsider beating the crap out of him after hearing what has to be said!"
Throwing another punch on the willing blonde underneath him, Cid slowly began to realize Cloud wasn't even making the slightest effort to fight back. He knew from definite experience that if Cloud Strife wanted to be unhanded, Cloud Strife would get his way easily. But why wasn't he fighting back now? It was enough to make the pilot stop his fist in midair, a look of question written all over his face.
"What the hell are you doing kid, fight back!"
With a crimson stained mouth and dazed eyes, Cloud focused all his attention on the frustrated man above him and simply responded, "No."
"No?! Why the fuckin' hell not," Cid screamed, slamming down his quivering fist into the concrete floor directly beside the injured blonde's head.
"No, I won't fight you back. If kicking my ass gives you satisfaction, than be satisfied," Cloud Strife whispered audibly, glaring at Cid Highwind with intensely burning sapphire eyes.
"Shit..."
Lifting himself up, the foul mouthed man's temper shot down incredulously. As he muttered more obscenities, Cid removed the hanging cigarette from behind his ear and placed it fluctuantly between his chapped lips.
"Please, you'll understand these really strange times if you just hear Cloud out," Tifa explained firmly, Shera still placed securely in her welcoming embrace.
Taking a drag from the harmless looking yet life-shortening stick, Cid Highwind blew out the excess smoke and turned to face the competent barmaid, a look of disbelief making itself known slowly, yet surely.
"Let me get this straight. Your lifelong, childhood friend 'abandons' you without a single notice of what his whereabouts just might so happen to be and you welcome the bastard back with open arms when he just finds it convenient to show his face again? Have you been sneaking some swigs of your inventory in that bar of yours or have you completely lost the rarity of common sense within that pretty little head of yours?"
"Cid, since I find reason to believe the excessive amount of nicotine you've been consuming since you're fetal stage of life has finally effected what little brain power you have left within you, I'm gonna let that little jeer towards my ego slide. But if you would just take your head from out of your ass for one-second and see what's right in front of you in the real word than maybe you wouldn't jump to assumptions and things would make more sense to you."
Taken aback by the once bashful brunette's feisty comment, the pilot tossed the almost completely smoked cigarette to the ground besides him and immediately recovered from the blow to his manhood.
"Fine! Tell me your fuckin' story, but I can't promise I'll contain myself from finishing the job of sending you to the intensive care unit," Cid growled impatiently as he crossed his arms over his broad chest stubbornly.
Regaining his composure, the slightly beaten blonde arose from the dusty gravel, brushing himself off in the process. He noticed Tifa move forward to help him stand, but Cloud's hand immediately shot up, signaling her to stop her movements. In his mentality and deepest regrets, he deserved whatever intense physical abuse was to come. Cid was right, he had abandoned everybody when they needed him the most, and even though every person within his circle of friends would forgive Cloud for his premeditated yet spontaneous action, he wasn't so sure he would be able to forgive himself.
"Listen, Cid...Things have been far from easy for you guys especially since....Yuffie's death," Cloud began, wiping the blood from his mouth quickly before continuing his ramble, "but things haven't been simple for me either. I was lost, man, I didn't know what I was doing here. I mean, Sephiroth was gone, meteor destroyed, and no more threats resurfacing. When Sephiroth told me that I was just a clone, that I wasn't really who I thought I was all these years, Cloud Strife died. Then Tifa went inside my subconscience to fix what was wrong, I thought my life was finally back on track, and it was until two years ago when I started having doubts. Those doubts sent me to this un-conscience stage of selfish reason. Those doubts were what made me leave you all behind. It was a stupid move on my behalf, but it was all that I could do before loosing whatever sanity was still lurking in me."
Everyone was deathly quiet, still slowly processing the information that was just revealed. It wasn't something that was worth pensively thinking about, but for some odd reason, it gave the three coherent individuals an inescapable comfort to be silent.
"I'm sorry that I caused you all so much pain, that was the last thing I intended to happen. But for once, I couldn't think about everyone else's emotions and opinions over my own because finding out who I really was was the only thing that gave me the drive to go on," the considerate blonde explained, "but even though my drive was my identity, you all were my final solution. Searching through every section of the world, I ended up back here because ironically after two years of desperately trying to figure out where I stand, I end up right where I started."
"Kid, it's not easy figuring out where you stand in life. Hell, it took me close to 38 years to get me where I belong, and throughout those 38 years I did absolutely nothing to speed up the process. Relax and enjoy the ride 'cuz you're young and if you rush the natural order you're gonna look back and regret all the moves you made," Cid proclaimed, pointing his finger at Cloud expectantly before retreating with Shera back into the bar, "think about it."
Watching the couple exit the once awkward scene, Tifa gave a small and temperate smile before refocusing her gaze back on the blonde haired-blue eyed man that had made his way back into her life.
"He's right you know," Cloud whispered, keeping his eyes intensely locked on the raven-haired girl ahead of him.
"About what?"
"About everything....about not rushing the natural order, about just enjoying the passing of your life.....I'm only 24 and I already regret some of the moves I made."
Pausing for a moment, Tifa shook her head in denial, "Everyone has regrets, Cloud, because everyone makes mistakes in their lives that they wish they could take back. But with those regrets and constant mistakes, you learn to appreciate the little things life has to offer without taking them for granted. It's a vicious cycle that just maybe one day you'll learn to accept."
"I do regret a lot of things in my life, but I have never regretted anything more than leaving you behind. I wish I could have just expressed myself to someone other than my reflection in the mirror...maybe, just maybe things could have been so much better."
"There's no use tormenting yourself for past mistakes. You can never change what you've done and it would just be best for you to move forward and fix what you broke than completely giving up hope on yourself and whatever destiny has in store for you. Life's a lot better when you're not dwelling on the past, so I'm thinking you should give getting away from bitter regrets a try sometime. I think you'll find the results suprisingly relieving."
Smiling softly, Cloud moved forward and gathered his childhood friend into his muscular arms before placing his cheek on Tifa's and whispering into her ear, "I don't need to get away from bitter regrets to get my relief. All I need is standing right here with me."
Wrapping her thin arms around Cloud's shoulders, tears blurred Tifa's vision as she remembered the promise that was made to herself just this morning and how just by a few soothing words, was immediately thrown out the imaginary window of her mind. Will power, when it came to this man, didn't come easy and the tears that were coming to her eyes weren't from the sheer happiness of the warmth she received when the man she loved said those comforting words to her but from the recognition that she would have to soon find the courage within her to let that go.
"I should go back in the bar, Cid and Shera are expecting me," the ruby eyed woman proclaimed firmly, backing away reluctantly from the warm embrace that almost seemed to make her knees knock.
"Yeah, I was going to get out of town for a little while too, so I guess we'll just meet up tonight like usual," Cloud questioned, a mischievous smile engraved on his face, "unless you're plagued with the constant fear of me being more than you can handle, I mean if that's the case let me reassure you I had time to experiment my talents beforehand."
"And I'm sure you're 'talents' haven't gone to waste. The local prostitutes must've enjoyed a challenge and maybe even a little side lesson in new techniques in the process," Tifa teased with a quirked eyebrow, "oh, and word of advice, you don't need a new 'talent' escapade, you need a pharmacy."
Winking, the sarcastic blonde commented, "When I take your professional adivce, I'll be sure to give the pharmacist your name. I might just get a 2-for-1 discount."
Smiling, Tifa watched Cloud blow her a kiss playfully, turn around, and make his way towards the Kalm entrance. As she watched him go, the smile of glee soon evaporated and was replaced with a look of concern. This was going to be the hardest thing she ever had to do, if in all actuality, she actually could do it.
"Please...give me the strength to do what's right..."
With that plea whispered to the brilliantly shining sky above, Tifa Lockheart turned slowly around and made her way back into the small bar.
As the two lovers departed from each other's embrace and presence all at once, a pair of blue eyes watched angrily from the window of the local cafe with contemplating tactics.
by : Beatriz
Chapter 10 - Bitter
In my heartsent my confession, my condolence,
You're indefinite you're incompetent inconsiderate.
You're so childish,
I will push you, out of what is real, out of my head.
You can stick and drown at your residence of disappointments,
Are of yours to come.
So embrace them oh my shallow one today,
If I could change anything then I would change everything.
These bitter days shall remain.
- Nine Days
Cid Highwind rushed forward angrily, the obvious target being the confused yet not helpless blonde ahead. The older man's nostrils flared as he charged, eyes burning with so much rage, the baby blues almost seemed to, in an intimidating way, bulge out. Cloud wasn't surprised, Barrett and Cid were two of a kind, both containing the hot blooded temper of a bull which had just caught sight of a red cloak. The only difference between the blonde and the dark skinned man was Barrett preferred to battle with a constant string of obscenities while Cid took matters into his own hands, or in this case, fists.
"You son of a fuckin' bitch! How dare you come back after you left us all hangin' like that?! You asshole, we don't need you, so get you're spiky ass outta town and never come back," the pilot screamed in determined fury while tackling the unsuspecting AVALANCHE leader to the concrete floor roughly.
"Cid, stop," a standing-by Tifa exclaimed worriedly while placing a comforting arm around the highly emotional mother-to-be besides her, "let Cloud tell you his story, I'm sure you'll reconsider beating the crap out of him after hearing what has to be said!"
Throwing another punch on the willing blonde underneath him, Cid slowly began to realize Cloud wasn't even making the slightest effort to fight back. He knew from definite experience that if Cloud Strife wanted to be unhanded, Cloud Strife would get his way easily. But why wasn't he fighting back now? It was enough to make the pilot stop his fist in midair, a look of question written all over his face.
"What the hell are you doing kid, fight back!"
With a crimson stained mouth and dazed eyes, Cloud focused all his attention on the frustrated man above him and simply responded, "No."
"No?! Why the fuckin' hell not," Cid screamed, slamming down his quivering fist into the concrete floor directly beside the injured blonde's head.
"No, I won't fight you back. If kicking my ass gives you satisfaction, than be satisfied," Cloud Strife whispered audibly, glaring at Cid Highwind with intensely burning sapphire eyes.
"Shit..."
Lifting himself up, the foul mouthed man's temper shot down incredulously. As he muttered more obscenities, Cid removed the hanging cigarette from behind his ear and placed it fluctuantly between his chapped lips.
"Please, you'll understand these really strange times if you just hear Cloud out," Tifa explained firmly, Shera still placed securely in her welcoming embrace.
Taking a drag from the harmless looking yet life-shortening stick, Cid Highwind blew out the excess smoke and turned to face the competent barmaid, a look of disbelief making itself known slowly, yet surely.
"Let me get this straight. Your lifelong, childhood friend 'abandons' you without a single notice of what his whereabouts just might so happen to be and you welcome the bastard back with open arms when he just finds it convenient to show his face again? Have you been sneaking some swigs of your inventory in that bar of yours or have you completely lost the rarity of common sense within that pretty little head of yours?"
"Cid, since I find reason to believe the excessive amount of nicotine you've been consuming since you're fetal stage of life has finally effected what little brain power you have left within you, I'm gonna let that little jeer towards my ego slide. But if you would just take your head from out of your ass for one-second and see what's right in front of you in the real word than maybe you wouldn't jump to assumptions and things would make more sense to you."
Taken aback by the once bashful brunette's feisty comment, the pilot tossed the almost completely smoked cigarette to the ground besides him and immediately recovered from the blow to his manhood.
"Fine! Tell me your fuckin' story, but I can't promise I'll contain myself from finishing the job of sending you to the intensive care unit," Cid growled impatiently as he crossed his arms over his broad chest stubbornly.
Regaining his composure, the slightly beaten blonde arose from the dusty gravel, brushing himself off in the process. He noticed Tifa move forward to help him stand, but Cloud's hand immediately shot up, signaling her to stop her movements. In his mentality and deepest regrets, he deserved whatever intense physical abuse was to come. Cid was right, he had abandoned everybody when they needed him the most, and even though every person within his circle of friends would forgive Cloud for his premeditated yet spontaneous action, he wasn't so sure he would be able to forgive himself.
"Listen, Cid...Things have been far from easy for you guys especially since....Yuffie's death," Cloud began, wiping the blood from his mouth quickly before continuing his ramble, "but things haven't been simple for me either. I was lost, man, I didn't know what I was doing here. I mean, Sephiroth was gone, meteor destroyed, and no more threats resurfacing. When Sephiroth told me that I was just a clone, that I wasn't really who I thought I was all these years, Cloud Strife died. Then Tifa went inside my subconscience to fix what was wrong, I thought my life was finally back on track, and it was until two years ago when I started having doubts. Those doubts sent me to this un-conscience stage of selfish reason. Those doubts were what made me leave you all behind. It was a stupid move on my behalf, but it was all that I could do before loosing whatever sanity was still lurking in me."
Everyone was deathly quiet, still slowly processing the information that was just revealed. It wasn't something that was worth pensively thinking about, but for some odd reason, it gave the three coherent individuals an inescapable comfort to be silent.
"I'm sorry that I caused you all so much pain, that was the last thing I intended to happen. But for once, I couldn't think about everyone else's emotions and opinions over my own because finding out who I really was was the only thing that gave me the drive to go on," the considerate blonde explained, "but even though my drive was my identity, you all were my final solution. Searching through every section of the world, I ended up back here because ironically after two years of desperately trying to figure out where I stand, I end up right where I started."
"Kid, it's not easy figuring out where you stand in life. Hell, it took me close to 38 years to get me where I belong, and throughout those 38 years I did absolutely nothing to speed up the process. Relax and enjoy the ride 'cuz you're young and if you rush the natural order you're gonna look back and regret all the moves you made," Cid proclaimed, pointing his finger at Cloud expectantly before retreating with Shera back into the bar, "think about it."
Watching the couple exit the once awkward scene, Tifa gave a small and temperate smile before refocusing her gaze back on the blonde haired-blue eyed man that had made his way back into her life.
"He's right you know," Cloud whispered, keeping his eyes intensely locked on the raven-haired girl ahead of him.
"About what?"
"About everything....about not rushing the natural order, about just enjoying the passing of your life.....I'm only 24 and I already regret some of the moves I made."
Pausing for a moment, Tifa shook her head in denial, "Everyone has regrets, Cloud, because everyone makes mistakes in their lives that they wish they could take back. But with those regrets and constant mistakes, you learn to appreciate the little things life has to offer without taking them for granted. It's a vicious cycle that just maybe one day you'll learn to accept."
"I do regret a lot of things in my life, but I have never regretted anything more than leaving you behind. I wish I could have just expressed myself to someone other than my reflection in the mirror...maybe, just maybe things could have been so much better."
"There's no use tormenting yourself for past mistakes. You can never change what you've done and it would just be best for you to move forward and fix what you broke than completely giving up hope on yourself and whatever destiny has in store for you. Life's a lot better when you're not dwelling on the past, so I'm thinking you should give getting away from bitter regrets a try sometime. I think you'll find the results suprisingly relieving."
Smiling softly, Cloud moved forward and gathered his childhood friend into his muscular arms before placing his cheek on Tifa's and whispering into her ear, "I don't need to get away from bitter regrets to get my relief. All I need is standing right here with me."
Wrapping her thin arms around Cloud's shoulders, tears blurred Tifa's vision as she remembered the promise that was made to herself just this morning and how just by a few soothing words, was immediately thrown out the imaginary window of her mind. Will power, when it came to this man, didn't come easy and the tears that were coming to her eyes weren't from the sheer happiness of the warmth she received when the man she loved said those comforting words to her but from the recognition that she would have to soon find the courage within her to let that go.
"I should go back in the bar, Cid and Shera are expecting me," the ruby eyed woman proclaimed firmly, backing away reluctantly from the warm embrace that almost seemed to make her knees knock.
"Yeah, I was going to get out of town for a little while too, so I guess we'll just meet up tonight like usual," Cloud questioned, a mischievous smile engraved on his face, "unless you're plagued with the constant fear of me being more than you can handle, I mean if that's the case let me reassure you I had time to experiment my talents beforehand."
"And I'm sure you're 'talents' haven't gone to waste. The local prostitutes must've enjoyed a challenge and maybe even a little side lesson in new techniques in the process," Tifa teased with a quirked eyebrow, "oh, and word of advice, you don't need a new 'talent' escapade, you need a pharmacy."
Winking, the sarcastic blonde commented, "When I take your professional adivce, I'll be sure to give the pharmacist your name. I might just get a 2-for-1 discount."
Smiling, Tifa watched Cloud blow her a kiss playfully, turn around, and make his way towards the Kalm entrance. As she watched him go, the smile of glee soon evaporated and was replaced with a look of concern. This was going to be the hardest thing she ever had to do, if in all actuality, she actually could do it.
"Please...give me the strength to do what's right..."
With that plea whispered to the brilliantly shining sky above, Tifa Lockheart turned slowly around and made her way back into the small bar.
As the two lovers departed from each other's embrace and presence all at once, a pair of blue eyes watched angrily from the window of the local cafe with contemplating tactics.