A/N: Just wanted to say sorry for the sudden text appearance change but I typed most of this up at a friend's house on an old program.
Chapter 11
A Few days later...
Tifa POV
Cloud was practicing with his Ultima Weapon in a field behind Seventh Heaven, not knowing Tifa was watching him intently from her second story bedroom window. She was enjoying the view immensely as his lithe form flowed across the plain with ease as he performed complex moves with the large sword. His toned arms shown in the sun, a light sheen of sweat noticeable as his strong legs jumped and kicked gracefully before landing nimbly back on the solid earth. Now a little hot and bothered, Tifa decided she needed a workout as well...to relieve some tension; she'd been stressed out with singing, the bar, and planning Yuffie's birthday celebration and all. Fully convinced, she hurriedly changed into shorts and a tank top, pulling her hair back and her gloves on before trotting out to Cloud's practice area.
Cloud POV
Seether's "Remedy" blasted from Cloud's iPod and through his body as he got in the zone for training. He was wired and ready for anything, or so he thought, before Tifa tackled him from behind. Stunned for a moment, Cloud looked up to see her smiling face and her sensual lips moving. At his perplexed look, she noticed the ear buds and pulled them out, allowing him to hear again.
"So that's why you didn't respond when I called your name."
He felt her body leave his quickly before she gave him a hand to help him up. He gladly took it as she added casually,"That's very disappointing, Cloud, since you're supposed to be on guard at all times," and openly mocked him.
"Sincewhen?"
"Since always"
"Well, then that's the only way you got me on my back, " he said with a false bravado just to annoy her, which worked like a charm.
Tifa cockled an eyebrow at his pride. "Is that a challenge?"
"What do you think?" He said, eyebrow raised as well in response.
A glint shone in her eye as Tifa replied," Get ready to be pinned, just like when we were kids."
"I think I have improved since then, little girl."
On that last remark, Tifa came at him with a kick aimed straight for his head, which he side stepped just in time.
"Hey now, do we have any rules or does anything go?" he asked, worried about his pretty face as he should be with her.
"Think you can handle it?" she said with a devious grin. "You know it, " was all he said before launching himself at her.
Tifa POV
Cloud's punch stung her arm as she blocked his first blow, knowing full well he would start off easily before raising the bar. Tifa raised it first as she did a right jab left hook combo to his face and added a full round house kick before a leg sweep for good measure. Al the effort was met with a satisfying "umph" as the air rushed out of Cloud's body. She bounced in the balls of her feet, adrenaline pumping through her veins at the workout.
"I see you've kept in shape," he said, getting up off the ground and dusting himself off. "Now I won't go easy on you anymore."
"How considerate of you."
He came at her with a complex mixture of punches and kicks before landing a solid kick to her solar plexis, propelling her backwards. She flipped in the air to land on her feet a good distance away from where he stood.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Tifa exclaimed as she jumped once again airborne, landing in front of Cloud once again and continued the battle.
Cloud POV
Tifa moved so fast that Cloud had been on the defensive for most of the training session. Oh sure, he'd gotten a few good blows in before she hopped away like a friggen bunny rabbit on speed, recovering much too quickly for a normal human. He'd discarded his sword a while ago since he didn't really want to hurt her, which in turn gave her the upper hand since his hand to hand combat skills weren't as strong as his weapons tactics. She showed no mercy as she kept coming on strong. Of course it didn't help that her shirt was practically molded to her body, making it very hard to concentrate with such large distractions. His mind slip caused him to lose focus as he once again landed on his back and getting a good view of the cloudy sky above. Tifa was on him quickly, effectively pinning his arms above his head and the rest of him with her body.
"Pinned you again," she said a little breathlessly just as the heavens above opened, releasing a sheet of ran upon the two. He just looked at her, enjoying the view as she blocked most of the rain from him and in turn was soaked thoroughly.
Tifa POV
Pinned beneath her, Cloud was unable to move, which was very nice and allowed Tifa to soak every bit of him in as she was literally soaked to the bone with water. His mako blue eyes sparkled, a content smile on his face as if he would not mind laying there in this compromisable position forever. She should move, she knew that, but she wasn't willing to let him go just yet, especially since he didn't seem to want her to. Her hazel eyes drank in his breathing, the rhythm slowing beneath her...his well muscled arms solid below her hands...his body firm beneath her body...
Blushing profusely at these thoughts, Tifa tried to get up but was stopped by a small burning within her, a longing spark that grew as she saw the need in his eyes. Was that need for her? Or just for someone to be with? She didn't really care at the moment. Impulsively, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his before leaping off of him and bolting through the torrential down pour, not looking back to see Cloud's pleasantly stunned face.
Tifa POV
Thinking back on this event, Tifa was slightly disappointed that she had run away, unwilling to see the possible rejection on Cloud's face. She had been avoiding him since what she rationalized as her moment of temporary insanity; it was hard though since they did live and work together after all. She didn't want to ignore him...more than anything she wanted to be beside him forever, but her wounded pride hadn't recovered as fast as the rest of her and so she had kept her distance, unsure of what the next crazy thing she would do around the object of her affection. Tifa liked to think she had some amount of self control but that day in the rain only proved how fragile it was, and understanding, Cloud had took the hint to be friendly and yet physically passive, exactly what she lied to herself that she wanted.
Avoidance was no longer an option as for her and she knew it. Time for me to grow up. Tifa was busy making the special dinner for Yuffie and the rest of her friends so she didn't have time to face Cloud just yet. She was so lost in preparing the food that she did not notice Cloud in the corner, contemplating if it would be safe to be by her. She nodded her approval and he smiled, waking over to her signal. She did not realize how much she missed him until that moment; looking into his sapphire pools and seeing compassion that she did not deserve. This time, she had been the one to shut him out, and she felt disgusted with herself for how she had handled things.
"I'm sorry."
Cloud looked straight at her and she continued before she lost her nerve. "I don't know what I was thinking."
His face fell slightly before answering, "You have nothing to be sorry for." Tifa didn't want to analyze the meaning behind his words and so she did what she had to do, she stuck out her hand and asked almost too calmy "Friends?" Cloud took her hand and searched her face for some sign...reading between the lines for something besides what she said. "Always."
Tifa was content with that, at least for now...as long as she didn't have anymore physical contact with Cloud, she knew she'd be fine. She took her hand from his and enjoyed the rest of the time as he stood by her side.
Cloud POV
Everything was perfect for Yuffie's celebration. The AVALANCHE gang talked exuberantly over Tifa's excellent cooking and all were eying the two housemates with interest. It seemed they had resolved whatever conflict they had had earlier as they sat next to each other comfortably with no more avoidance.
Cloud was still reeling at Tifa's friend preposition and he could not believe he'd agreed. They were so much more than friends...didn't she see that? Their single shared kiss stayed in his mind and he didn't want it to be the only one. He would not let it be their only one. He had to act fast though to move these only friend thoughts out of the way. I need to show her I want her as more than a friend would, but how?
Tifa POV
Cloud was being awfully quiet, even more so than lately and Tifa didn't know why. Well, she had an idea but she didn't want to face her guilt just yet. Of course she did not want to stay just friends with Cloud, but what choice did she have? Things had been so strained with him that you could cut the sexual tension with a knife in the atmosphere between them. She just wanted to be able to talk to him without over analyzing everything; she needed simplicity and she only something resembling that with Cloud as childhood friends. He had a crush on her then and went to make something of himself by joining SOLDIER; to impress her and she had been too blind to see how much he meant to her until he was gone and it was too late. She would always be thankful for the second with him once again in her life and she would make the most of it.
A slight shiver went through Tifa's leg as she was brought back from her thoughts. The feeling lingered, traveling across her knee and moved in small circles, making her very aware of its presence. Curious, she glanced to the side, watching Cloud watch her oh so casually as his hand caressed her knee and she just registered his skilled hand as she gave him a quizzical look. Encouraged now, Cloud slid his fingers a little higher until he grazed the bottom of her skirt, sending a wave of tingles shooting through her as she involuntarily jumped. Her crimson cheeks were his reward as she tried to ignore his touch to save face, but she never made him stop and so he would not be dissuaded and left his hand trialing on her bare skin.
It was too much, Tifa couldn't just get up and leave; she didn't want to cause a scene and she had already gotten looks from every one at the table. She also didn't want to stop his fingers, but she only had so much control and so she put her hand on his, resting it against her thigh. Better, but not by much, as he laced his fingers through hers, then let go to trace lines along her hand. As he slowly moved up her arms, she bit her lip to suppress a giggle; she had to do something with her hands or she would explode, and so she took his hand and returned every caress with more effect since her nails felt feather light against his skin. Before Cloud lost control, Barett's voice broke in on their activity under the table.
"What are you two doin' under there that's making you look so damn happy?"
Tifa just gave Barett an innocent look, feigned innocence as Cloud retracted his hand from her, trying to act clueless to what he was referring to.
"Ah ha," was all the big man said before turning back to his dinner, missing the glance shared between the two "friends."
