Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 or FF13.

She didn't know where she was and she didn't care. The rain poured on her, soaking and chilling her to the bones. Her body was shaking terribly but it wasn't because of the cold. It was the sobs that were threatening to break through. She knew it and she should have expected it. Cloud loved Aerith, she knew that but it still hurt like never before. The sight of them kissing felt as if her heart had been torn to shreds and that image now forever engraved into her mind. How was she going to face them tomorrow? Her heart felt like lead; dull and heavy as it sunk further into her chest and to make it worse, her thoughts were in a fury dreading what Lightning would think of her now. She screamed and took everything out on Lightning, remembering the sting of her hand when she had slapped Lightning even though the soldier was just trying to comfort her in her own way. Tifa clenched her eyes shut, desperately trying to banish the last look she took of Lightning; the surprise and shock that tainted her usually calm and clear blue eyes. She was sure Lightning probably hated her now. The lamp post beside her flickered and Tifa wondered if even the stupid light was going to abandon and leave her in the cold and dark. She wanted to go home, to Midgar and to her bed where she could hide and collect herself again, not in this foreign city with judgmental eyes every she looked.

"Tifa."

Her eyes shot open before she turned up to see Lightning standing not too far away from her. She was breathing heavily too and just as wet as she was. Her clothes were soaked and her pink hair was plastered over her cheek where Tifa could still see the red remnants of her hurt that had spiraled out of her control. The soldier said nothing, walking up to her in silence before she took a seat on the bench beside Tifa. Hesitating a look towards the soldier, she could see the discomfort clear in Lightning's eyes, clearly not wanting to be stuck in the situation where she found herself in but at the same time refusing to just leave things be. Regardless though, Tifa could feel her torrents of emotions calm just in the pink haired woman's presence, secretly thanking Lightning for her own unspoken sense of support. "Light-"

"Have you calmed down?" Biting her lip, Tifa's eyes instantly darted away when Lightning turned to look at her. Her eyes burned as she blinked, frantically trying to push the tears back. It was only after a short while before Lightning acted again, reaching out to hold Tifa's wrist, "Let's go back. You'll catch a cold at this rate." The fighter remained still. "Tifa?" Even though Lightning tugged on her to move, and even though Tifa didn't want to, she slipped her hand into Lightning's and didn't let go. Perhaps she wanted to be cuddled and to be doted on, and she knew that Lightning was the last person to give her that kind of comfort, but it was something she needed. She couldn't bear bringing herself back to the base looking as she does now with red blotchy eyes and a runny nose. She was embarrassed enough to show Lightning, of all people, this side of her but she wanted to stay no matter how much worse this rainstorm got. She also wanted someone with her, someone that understands and can comfort her but the only person who can do this is ironically the cause of this. She would have to smile for Aerith tomorrow but she just couldn't bring herself to do it now. "Tifa." This time Lightning was firmer, her eyes almost ordering Tifa to stand up and walk again but Tifa couldn't do it. She shook her head but she didn't let go of the soldier. It was selfish to make Lightning sit through this with her but Lightning was the only one that could understand. The soldier sighed deeply, adding guilt to the long list of emotions that Tifa was experiencing but she didn't expect Lightning to step back towards her before she dropped to her knee in front of her, looking up at the fighter.

"Tifa, I know... I'm not exactly the ideal person to give you support." The soldier started carefully. She could practically see the soldier run the words through her head a couple of times and still sound unsure of what she was going to say. Under any other circumstances, the fighter would have teased Lightning about it but now she found it breathtakingly sweet. "I don't like it when you look like this. So don't." Biting her lip, the soldier shifted tensely, "You're hurt, I know that, but... if we really do stay out here we will get sick."

"It's fine." Peeling her fingers away from Lightning's hand, she gave her the best smile she could muster but despite her intentions of soothing Lightning's own distress, it seemed to do the opposite. The soldier's brow only narrowed further at her weak and broken smile. Ironic that she was the one trying to comfort Lightning after seeing the soldier's sad attempt at comforting her. "It's alright Light. You can go... I just... need some time alone."

The soldier stood up abruptly at those words and even as Tifa closed her eyes waiting to hear Lightning's footsteps leave her, she could only hear a stressed sigh before a hand gripped her arm shaking Tifa roughly. Surprised and shocked, she looked up to find herself underneath the gaze of the fiery blue eyes. "Why would I do that? Why would I even think of leaving you alone?" Lightning hissed, "Damn it Tifa, nothing's fine! Look at you! You're a mess and why? Because of him? Get yourself together!"

Anger flared and she slapped Lightning's hand away harshly, "What would you know? Nothing! Someone like you-"

"Fine!" With an anrgy huff, the soldier turned away with her arms crossed petulantly. She didn't leave though, Lightning just stood there with her back facing her and ignored all the deadly glares Tifa was trying give. Her body shook and trembled, soon curling over as she frantically tried to suppress the bent up emotions. "Tifa-"

"Just leave me alone."

"You're right." Lightning murmured, glancing over her shoulder to see the ruby brown eyes look up at her, "I don't know how you feel. I hate it when things like this happen; when things get so out of control. It's nothing but a headache."

"Then-"

"But I'm not going to leave you alone. Gather yourself up. I'll wait right here for you. If you don't want to go back to the base then fine, don't. You can stay at my house if you want but you're going to have to face them sooner or later." Lightning took a deep breath as she straightened her back allowing her arms to fall to her side, "Just because I don't understand doesn't mean I don't care. You're just not you anymore."

The rain fell on them soaking them to their bones. Tifa trembled slightly but she couldn't stop the warm smile that graced her lips as she stared at Lightning's straight back. She pushed herself up onto her shaky legs, only realizing then how much sprinting she had been doing. The soldier had followed her even after she had slapped her in front of everyone and Tifa couldn't be more grateful. Taking another step closer, Tifa wounded her arms around the soldier's waist as she embraced Lightning from behind. It was instant; the comforting warmth spread into her body and she had never felt more content. Tightening her arms, she snuggled closer to listen to the soldier's steady heartbeat as it lulled her to sleep. There was the smell of rain but even then, the ever slight trace of roses prevailed. It was a sweet scent. "Light? Thanks." Tifa murmured burying her face into the soldier's back, "Let's go back. To your house?" She ended it on a hopeful note before allowing the soldier to step away from her. Her body instantly yearned the warmth but fluttered at Lightning's firm and strong nod.

"Of course."

The soldier made to move but Tifa quickly caught up to her as she laced their hands together. Smiling up at the soldier's curious glance, she took the first step before tugging on Lightning's hand, "Come on, or you'll get sick." The warm lights of the restaurants glowed. People walked along the side walk with umbrellas as they talked about their day. Tifa looked around with a soft smile before she stepped closer to Lightning to rest her head on her shoulder, "Y'know? Academia looks so different down here."

"This is where the normal people are. Not rich snobs, right?"

Nodding, she still couldn't get over how... nice this felt. Walking around, hand in hand with someone that cares. It didn't matter if they were soaking wet or that people looked at them curiously. Perhaps she just didn't have the energy to care. Her eyes trailed over, making contact with two people walking past with their eyes wide beneath their umbrellas. "Have you noticed? People like to stare."

"I'm not surprised." Lightning mused as she glanced down at the fighter, "I just think they liked what they saw."

"Huh?" The fighter followed Lightning's eyes to herself before her cheeks flared red. Why did she have to wear white? Clutching Lightning's arm tighter to herself, she hid behind the soldier with a pout, "W-Why didn't you tell me?"

"So while you were crying your eyes out back there I'm supposed to tell you that your shirt's nearly invisible? Even I know not to say that."

"S-Still!" Huffing, Tifa mustered her best glare before she slipped in even further behind Lightning. At least she didn't have to think of any excuses to get closer to the pinkette's warmth.

I'm back!