Cloud swiveled around to face Tifa. He'd turned to watch Mariel go a minute before. She took one look at his satisfied smirk and slid a glass across the counter to him.
"Not bad," she said with mock seriousness. "I would have preferred some tongue, but…"
Cloud's bravado dissolved. "Aw, Tifa!" he blushed.
"Ah, I see you would have too," she joked, and dodged his hands. "Easy, Strife. I'm just happy for you."
Cloud continued to watch her disapprovingly, sipping his drink loudly. She busied herself with some dishes. Cloud's sipping stopped a moment later.
"Tifa," he said quietly, and she prepared herself for whatever insecurities he'd come up with. "Does she look happy?"
Well, that was certainly deeper than Tifa had expected. She glanced up at the restaurant before her.
"Take a look," she invited, giving Cloud a meaningful look. "You tell me."
Cloud craned his neck around, peering over his shoulder. He stayed that way for a moment, observing Mari as she depositing drinks around the table, smiling and laughing with the guests. Then he turned back, slowly, a small smile growing on his face. Tifa didn't comment and neither did he. They remained silent until Mariel returned.
"I've got a request for hot chocolate, so I'll be in the kitchen," she announced, offering Cloud a brief smile.
"Don't take too long," Tifa said loudly, gesturing just slightly towards Cloud. He caught it and narrowed his eyes. Mariel laughed, and giving Cloud's arm a squeeze, disappeared into the kitchen. He watched her go.
The front door swung open. From his usual post at the end of the bar, with his chair turned just a fraction to the side, Cloud had a clear view of whoever entered and exited the bar. He did not care for the figure that entered now.
"Rude!" Tifa exclaimed brightly, and Cloud tried to mask his grimace. Rude settled himself a few stools down from Cloud, and pulled Tifa over for a kiss. Cloud thought wistfully of the quiet, warm kitchen.
"You're looking upbeat this evening, Mr. Strife."
The goofy smile dropped from Cloud's lips. Tifa snorted.
"Of course he does." She whispered something to Rude, who grinned, and slid his ever-present sunglasses down over his nose. He folded them calmly before pocketing them.
"Well, Lady, shall we?" he said seriously. Tifa leaned down over the counter, smiling seductively.
"We shall," she crooned. Cloud groaned and pushed away from the bar as she took hold of the Turk's scruffy chin.
"Tifa, you've got customers," he hollered over a new round of songs from the booths. Tifa waved him away blindly, occupied as she was with Rude's mouth. Still grumbling, Cloud trudged into the kitchen. He hated having to watch Tifa with other men. He wasn't jealous, per say, it just made him feel awkward, like he was intruding on something extremely private.
Mari was at the stove, stirring a pot of milk absently. She had her back turned to him. The longer he observed, the more he realized that, if Mari was the one involved, public displays of affection weren't that bad.
He couldn't fathom how two hours ago he'd been holed away in his room, dreading the moment he'd have to face her. The ride from the Fielder ranch back to Midgar had come back to him the moment he'd felt Mari's lips against his. He'd felt so comfortable with her near him, with her hands trailing along his arms or sides. It felt natural.
"Mari."
She turned, and her face brightened. "Cloud! Can I get you something?"
He shook his head but wandered closer. She set her spoon down and reached up to pull his face down to hers.
"Are you okay with this?" she asked quietly. He nodded, eyes focused on the soft curve of her bottom lip. "I mean, you've been so nervous around me lately, and I just want to make sure we're not going too –"
He silenced her by closing his lips around her lower one. As he'd hoped, she exhaled and leaned into him, humming a little. This was proving to be a very effective way of calming her down, he concluded and allowed himself a small grin.
"What changed?" she asked when he finally relinquished her lower lip. It remained a little redder than her upper lip, and he felt satisfaction in his belly. He swept a thumb up over her cheek.
"You're happy," he said simply. "That's all I want."
She smiled, quite brilliantly. "Are you happy?"
"More than I should be," he answered, and shushed her when her lips pulled down in a frown. "Hush now," he ordered and followed the command up with another kiss.
