I've read stories that are about, or at least involve, Cloud being jealous. I've said that I just can't see Cloud being jealous. Then I realized that wasn't true. I could see it, but not the way it's usually written.

Jealousy

It felt... awkward... seeing Tifa with other kids. Specifically, other boys. They were so immature. How could she enjoy hanging out with them?

But she did. She smiled. She laughed. He wished she'd smile and laugh for him.

He wished she'd talk to him. Play with him. Ignore everyone else and just focus on him.

It made him feel horrible deep in his gut. Because he didn't deserve such attention. He never did, and he certainly didn't after that day. The day he failed to protect her. How could he even think such arrogant things?

He had to prove himself worthy of her attention first.

*7*7*

It was envy, pure and simple. And he felt horrible for it.

After all, it was one thing to admire someone from afar. It was another thing to be jealous of your best friend. Who was he to deserve such a friend, anyway?

He had to stop thinking like that, but it was so hard. Zack was everything he wasn't. Exactly the kind of guy Tifa deserved. The kind of guy he wanted to be for her.

And there they were, talking. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but he could see Tifa's reaction. She seemed shy, embarrassed... and incredibly cute. That was supposed to be him bringing out those qualities in her.

But he failed. He couldn't even bring himself to talk to her. He couldn't fault Zack for it. For being better than him. At everything.

Didn't stop him from wishing, if only for a moment, he could be Zack.

*7*7*

He wanted to kill the guy hitting on Tifa. It didn't make sense. He wasn't supposed to care. They had been childhood friends, but they hadn't seen each other in five years. He'd changed. He was a cold, hard mercenary.

A mercenary who was also recovering from whatever strange fever had managed to take hold of him at the train station. Not that he was weak, but he wasn't going to do anything he wasn't paid to do, either.

Then the guy tried to grab a handful of ass and any thoughts of acting like he didn't care went out the window.

Before he got there, Tifa had the idiot on the ground with his arm twisted at a painful angle.

That almost felt worse than seeing the guy hit on her. She didn't need him to protect her.

*7*7*

He honestly didn't know what to feel about guys hitting on Tifa. He knew she could take care of herself. He also knew that she wasn't interested in any of the guys who came into the bar. At least, he hoped not. Most of the time.

What he didn't know was if he had any business feeling anything about it at all. Sure, they shared a room most nights ever since Marlene decided she was old enough to sleep by herself. But it was convenient and made them both feel more secure. It wasn't like they shared a bed or... anything.

Should they share a bed? He wanted to, sometimes, but it was easier to keep things the way they were. After all, what if she decided that he wasn't worth it? What if the feelings they shared that night weren't there now that the world wasn't about to end?

He scowled as another drunk used a horribly slurred pick-up line. Tifa didn't deserve to be treated that way. But she didn't deserve a guy who couldn't even ask her how she felt about him.

What was he supposed to do? Most days he was content to let Tifa deal with the few really annoying customers, maybe 'escort' one or two out if asked. Then there were days when the memories, the noise, and life in general were all just a little too much and he wanted nothing more than to drop kick every single customer out the door.

Instead, he'd go outside and wish that he owned a motorcycle. Or a chocobo. Or anything as long as it was his and he could go anywhere he wanted.

So this is how I see Cloud being jealous. Or something very close to it. The closest he comes to the usual fanfic reaction is scene three. Most of you can probably guess when that one happened. Anyone who's played Crisis Core will probably recognize the scene Cloud witnesses between Zack and Tifa. If only he knew she was trying to ask about him!