A/N: Ok, so this is the chapter where it turns a bit M-rated. Read that kiddies, go no further if you value your innocence. (Lemon ahead people, lemons ahead...) There, you have been fore-warned. Had this chappy sitting about a while, just didn't get round to posting it as I've had mocks the past 2 weeks. But here you go, hope its a good'un! =)
FFVII – Eyes like nightfall – CH13 Make me forget.
Those next few weeks were the most hectic Cloud had had in a long time. The consequences of neglecting his deliveries was the now mountain of work he had to do. He was barely able to see his desk through all the paper work and the office door would only open so far, because of the pile of packages that were stacked behind it.
Most of his days were consisting of long, tedious hours of driving through dust and heat, dropping packages, picking up new ones, and generally rushing around with a full head and an overload of work to do. If he wasn't constantly being badgered about arrival times and price specifications, he might have considered it a welcome break from the office. But as it was, he really couldn't decide which was worse, being cooped up inside all day, or being hoiked from place to place with hardly a pause for breath.
Summer was at its height and the nights were getting longer, allowing Cloud to be out much later, delivering packages to places further away than he would normally allow. Seventh heaven was open later too, meaning the drunks got just that little bit more so than usual. And the drunker they were, the bolder they got.
As soon as one of the 'less than sober's decided to try his luck with the pretty barmaid, then the rest would follow. Night after night the bar was reduced to a clambering whistling mess, drinks being sloshed over tables, chairs being knocked over, and once or twice the arguments descended into full out fisticuffs, each of the assailants convinced that, should they win this round, Tifa would be head-over-heels in love with them. Tifa, on the other hand, found she must concur. Fearing the destruction of her home and business, she had on both occasions thrown the hot-headed competitors out herself.
The nights alone remained much the same. Restless and agitated, Tifa would pace the hallway outside Marlene and Denzel's room, peering in now and then to check the still sleeping figures, their fingers clutching the sheets to their chins, regardless of the heat.
Waiting for Cloud had always been something she felt compelled to do. She wanted to be there to greet him when he got in. But often she would sit herself down, contemplating some late night TV, and would wake up in her bed, never remembering quite how she got there. Although a couple of times she would be clutching Cloud's jacket, she puzzled quite regularly over this particular mystery.
Tonight was no different. She was pacing the hallways, checking the kids, checking the time, checking everything. She was just putting the shot glasses back in the cupboard for the umpteenth time, when cloud walked in. He didn't look happy. Patting the bar in a gesture for him to sit, Tifa poured out a glass of whisky, and put it carefully in front of him. She watched as he picked it up, downed it in one, and then slammed the glass down, looking mutinous.
Tifa refilled the glass, then leant against the bar, watching Cloud. He was grinding his teeth, the muscles in his jaw flexing with each jagged motion. His hands were shaking and he was cracking his knuckles, apparently automatically as he didn't seem to be concentrating on anything. Only Tifa's face.
His eyes were scanning her expression, it was very intimidating and Tifa almost quailed under the ferocity of his glare. When he spoke his voice was dripping in hatred and pent up rage. "I've just been asked to pull a few favours. For Rufus!"
He spat the name out, his face contorting in contempt, showing his ultimate dislike for the man. Grabbing the shot glass he drained it, then shook his head when Tifa went to refill it. "He wants me to be some extra muscle, to guard his new 'project'."
The eyes that roved Tifa's face settled on her lips. "Should I do it?"
She frowned, uncertain whether or not he was requesting permission to accept Rufus' offer, or if he was thinking of something else instead. Tearing his eyes from her lips, Cloud continued, "He's offering a lot." He said, his voice low, so as not to disturb the children he knew would be sleeping upstairs. "35,000 gil."
Tifa's sharp intake of breath was accompanied by Cloud's knowing nod. "It's a lot of money." He agreed, his eyes returning to Tifa's lips. "I want to do it..."
He was beginning to make her feel uncomfortable; all his staring and two-way questions were both confusing and intimidating. "Then just do it."
Cloud's orbs left her lips, to focus on her eyes even as they themselves grew dark; leaving Tifa in no doubt what it was he had been thinking of. It had been months since the first time Cloud's eyes had darkened. Now there was a mixture of lust and anger, making that already strong gaze almost overpowering.
Tifa was rooted to the spot as Cloud moved round the bar, walking in long strides until he was right in front of her. He leant against her, sandwiching her between his body and the cupboards at her back. His arms wound protectively round her even as he breathed, "Help me... Make me forget..."
Then Tifa could hear nothing above her own heartbeat as it started with a kiss, hot and wanton and desperate. She could taste the alcohol on his mouth and for a moment wandered if he'd had too much, but it was only two shots. The combination of Mako and rage would have burned the substance away almost instantaneously. Besides, if he were drunk, she wouldn't have a choice, but he wasn't being forceful. Tifa could still back out if she wanted... If.
Her fingers wound into Cloud's hair and she felt his hand slide up between her shoulder blades, pinning her to him as she backed up the stairs. He broke the kiss for air, but stayed close to her, she could feel his breath on her lips and his eyes burned lustily into her own.
The door to Cloud's room opened at his insistence and they fell onto his bed, the door safely shut behind them. Cloud covered Tifa's mouth with his, muffling her whimpers of ecstasy as he took her.
Her world descended into heat and sensation and Cloud. The scent of him, the taste of him, the feel of him, hot and hard inside her, sending her over the edge again and again as he played her body into orgasm. Then leaving her satiated, floundering in the rush, soft and boneless in his arms.