- ! Silver Linings' Author Shout Out ! - I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed! I'm so happy my story's on people's liking and since you all took time out of your busy schedules to review, I will definitely continue. But one thing, you guys can't get lazy on me! You have to keep reviewing and telling me what you think!
This chapter will basically introduce the minor characters, their relationship with Cloud and Tifa, and the two individual's past. It won't have a lot Cloti here, but if you want to understand the story, you're going to have to read it.
- Silver Linings -
Cos all of the stars; are fading away
Just try not to worry; you'll see them some day
- Stop Crying Your Heart Out - Oasis
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"Sweetheart, you promised."
The voice was soft, loving, and contained a certain motherly essence that couldn't be hidden if tried. It encouraged Tifa to turn around and face a pair of energetic green eyes. Eyes which the brunette had grown up to and learned to appreciate. She always did love those eyes.
"Mom?"
"You promised. You promised you would take care of your father for me. You promised things would be OK, but look at you."
Her eyes began to water as her mother's affectionate gaze transformed into something ugly and manipulative. In all of Tifa's years of living, she never experienced this look nor did she think it was actually possible for it to be produced by this woman.
"Look at you," Mrs. Lockheart shrieked in such a loud voice, it made her daughter jump in surprise, "you can't even take care of yourself might as well your father! You're a disgrace! You smoke, you're a drug addict, you're disrespectful, you're a whore! I can't believe you're my daughter!"
"Mom, please, listen to me!"
"Stay away from me! Don't even think of me! I'm glad that I'm dead and away from such a person with no morals and no class! I'm so ashamed of you! You should have died instead of me and when you do die, you are going straight to hell!"
Tifa began to back away with a horrified expression on her face. This wasn't her mother, it couldn't be. Her mother loved her. She would never say such horrible things to her own daughter, but guilt couldn't help but consume the young girl's heart.
Turning around, Tifa began to run away from the apparition of Mrs. Lockheart. Her feet and legs burned from such impact with the floor. As she ran into the darkness, a loud scream was heard in the distance, almost fading like the vague surroundings, "You're going straight to hell for what you did to me! Straight to hell!"
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She awoke with a pounding heart and cold sweat covering her gaunt body. The dream had been so real. It actually felt like she, herself, was standing before her deceased mother and being judged at that very moment. It was a ridiculous afterthought, but Tifa couldn't help but wonder if her mother was actually standing in her afterlife, angry at her daughter for all the sins she was committing and had committed in her past.
Tifa ran her hands over her face and through her dark hair slowly, making sure to cleanse herself of all the sweat that was produced during the previous night. But as she moved her hands over her face, the ruby eyed girl noticed another living, breathing lifeform besides her.
Her eyes moved from its locked location on the ceiling and focused on the blonde boy besides her. He had stayed with her all night, defying his reputation and the fear of someone actually finding him with her. He really didn't care what people thought about him or if they spoke bitter words behind his back. It made Tifa wonder if Cloud Strife really was as true to himself, and not society's creation of succession, as he so profoundly said he was.
Stealing one last glance, she moved slowly away from her protector, making sure not to produce even the slightest movement which could wake him. He may have proved his trustful worthiness but that didn't mean Tifa had the invitation of destroying the reputation Cloud had worked so hard on achieving. After all, they were just acquaintances; Cloud the modest hero and Tifa the helpless victim. Not once, in that analogy of their relationship, was there even the mere mention of a budding friendship.
Sighing, Tifa grabbed a cigarette from her pocket quickly before placing it in her mouth and lighting it to blazing life. She knew he said no cigarettes as long as Tifa was a guest in this household but she couldn't hold the urge back any longer. Plus, the brunette wasn't exactly a guest anymore. In all actuality, she was leaving right at this very moment, so all obligations to being a temporary inhabitant of the Strife house was obliterated just as quickly as her welcome.
Tifa smiled while making her way across the room and exhaling the small amount of smoke, which currently resided in her mouth. After exhaling, she left the slim tube in her mouth while opening the compact window in one painless lift. Taking the cigarette out of her mouth once again, she turned around and looked down upon the sleeping form of Cloud Strife. He was the first person, this superficial town had to offer, who would help someone in need, even if they weren't ranked Miss Popularity.
It was although she didn't have any instruction on her body as the chocolate haired individual moved towards the bedside cautiously. This was sheer torture, loosing all control on your body, but Tifa couldn't remember feeling more sure or comfortable than at this very moment. She kept the watchful gaze on her face before finally, after countless minutes swooping by, reaching her destination.
"Thank you," Tifa whispered softly into the sleeping form's ear before leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek decelerately.
"Tifa," Cloud called out in a hoarse voice, allowing his eyes to flutter open almost immediately to the close contact.
Sitting up, he glanced to both sides and unfortunately, didn't find who he was looking for. Cloud could have sworn he felt Tifa hovering above him and placing her lips on his cheek just seconds ago. But all he saw, glancing around his bare room at the moment, was nothingness, as his mysterious guest was nowhere to be seen.
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The sun hung high in the sky as a soft, yet undeniably cool, gust of wind blew through the obsolete and practically abandoned town. Last night's storm had done quite a number on Nibelheim, mailboxes torn from it's once erect position and chipping shutters lying discreetly on the moistened ground. If people didn't know better, they would possibly assume that the fusillade was a mild hurricane. But aside from the destruction caused by the previous night's events, there was a brighter side to this ordeal. While the residue of humid and viscid weather the summer had bestowed upon the world, began to cause nothing but trouble, the storm had prevented any further heat waves and demoted the weather considerably low.
Tifa maneuvered through the ruckus with her arms hanging limply at her sides. Looking upon the wreckage was so surreal. It was almost as though the wandering teenager was having a premonition into her would-be future. Unfortunately, it would have been her destiny if Cloud hadn't appeared and actually concerned himself in her safety. The mere visual was enough to make the brunette involuntarily shudder and excommunicate any ill thoughts away from her mind's eye.
"You little bitch! Next time you try and disobey me, I'll kill you! You hear? I'll kill you," a shout erupted from a nearby household before a young girl, no older than fourteen, came running out with her head bowed down low.
Concerned ruby eyes caught glimpse of the violence unfolding while taking the initiative to chase after the fleeing girl. This girl could run quickly when she pleased, Tifa noticed, but then again it could just be the excessive amounts of nicotine and smoke her lungs and bloodstream possessed, which made her slow down. The sharp wind slapped her across the face while leaving a stinging sensation but Tifa ignored the sensation and continued to sprint behind her target.
She knew it had happened again. The youngster had been a victim, once more, to physical and emotional abuse dealt on by her menacing father. Just the thought of sheer malice inflicted on the small framed child was enough motivation for Tifa to pick up pace.
Distancing herself considerably from the escapee, Tifa spotted her slow down and eventually stop. It was the perfect opportunity to talk without any further marathon running or fear of yet another get away.
The timing or positioning couldn't be more perfect as the brunette finally moved in to take advantage of the practically once only chance.
"Yuffie, are you OK? I saw you running out of........What are you doing?"
Yuffie was completely still, delirious to the sound, as her trifling back remained turned on Tifa.
Her head was still bowed down low while short, raven strands fell mangled to the sides, covering the mysterious girl's face even more so. The dark haired girl's back shook slightly, her arms craned in towards her stomach.
"I asked you what you were doing," Tifa demanded, quickly grabbing onto Yuffie's shoulders, and jerking her around suddenly to face two curiously exploring eyes.
Yuffie's violet eyes contained nothing but sorrow, confusion, and unshed tears. Her eyes seemed to be the only place unstained from the horrendous amount of blood which was escaping the sides of her mouth, under her nose, and the side of her delicate head. The child's body shook as her one hand gripped a slim syringe which was plunged into her other free inner-arm.
"God! How many times have I told you to stop doing this shit," Tifa screamed angrily, removing the submerged needle, efficiently yet carefully, from the girl's arm, throwing it to the ground, and stepping on it's remainders.
Tifa grabbed the intoxicated persona's shoulders and looked her straight in the eye furiously, "Yuffie, this shit is not funny! It's not funny! Your father isn't worth destroying yourself over, do you hear me? If I catch any of that crap in you again, I will personally sever you alive to get it out!"
Yuffie merely stood there, swaying under Tifa's grasp, and looking far off with a slight smile on her damaged face. It was heartbreaking to see the future of our generation just standing there, high from heroin insertion. That particular sight caused tears to brew in Tifa's eyes as she pulled the lost girl into her arms and held her close, shielding her from the harsh realities this world had to offer.
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Cloud looked at himself in the mirror, fixing his blonde hair, which was drenched from the shower he had just taken, while trying to re-create his trademark spikes. Running gel-filled hands through his golden mane, Cloud's mind rewound to the previous night. He had never knew Tifa had a vulnerable side. A side which needed comfort and warmth. A side which needed human contact. Just to see tears running down her cheeks was enough to question the human race and the reality it claimed to live in.
Sighing, he lowered his hands from his head and continued to look at himself in the reflection-casting object. In all honesty, last night didn't even seem real at all, but the memory of her body under his fingertips seemed to shock him back to realizing the truth. Her rough breathing and choked sobs were imprinted in his retrospection and that was something he couldn't or wouldn't change. The exquisite remembrance would always remain and the realization which shocked him more than this was the fact that he didn't even remotely mind.
"Cloud, sweetheart, can I come in?"
Mrs. Strife's soft voice interrupted her son's reverie. Shaking his head quickly to allow any unnecessary thoughts to escape his mind for the moment, he responded to his mother's simple question, "Yeah, sure, come on in."
She entered the small room immediately, a warm smile materializing on her face once she spotted her son fixing himself up at the mirror. This woman was in her mid-thirties, but an oncoming passerby would disagree with that fact. Mrs. Strife had the wrinkle-free skin of a teenager with dancing sapphire eyes, which matched Cloud's equivalently, and didn't look older a day older than a female in her twenties. Her honeysuckle hair was pulled back into a high bun as her slim body was covered by an old-fashioned dress that seemed to hug and accentuate her curves. Men seemed to love to gawk as women spoke behind her back in envious monotones.
"Oh Cloud, you're growing up so fast. When did you get so tall," Mrs. Strife asked while taking a seat on her son's twin sized bed.
Cloud continued to modify his hair yet looked into the mirror at his mother's perched form with a playful smile, which seemed to match Mrs. Strife's, on his face, "I was as tall as I am the last time you saw me. But then again, I guess the memory's the first thing that goes when you get old."
She laughed and reached out to smack her son playfully on the butt before crossing her arms stubbornly, "I am not getting old, you're eyes are just getting bad. I think glasses are in order."
"Alright, mom, whatever you say. Denial seems to be another symptom of old age."
"Such a smartass, just like your father......."
Both mother and son stopped what they were doing and seemed to focus intensely on that statement. While Mrs. Strife's eyes grew slightly wide before bowing her head down in consideration, Cloud's hands lowered slowly from his head, keeping his vision on the mirror without looking back at his mother. Speaking of Cloud's father was a sour topic and the two liked to avoid it as much as possible. But even though Mr. Strife's memory was disacknowledged to the public ear, it didn't mean his wife and offspring didn't think of him constantly on their own time.
"I think you should go now," Cloud explained softly, eyes lowering from the mirror to his stand where all his products, books, and merchandise was placed.
"Cloud, I'm sorry, I know you don't like to speak of your father but....."
"Mom, please," he exclaimed, not removing his gaze from the objects and not daring to look back at his mother, for it still pained him to do so whenever his father was mentioned.
It was only a week after his funeral that Mrs. Strife began dating again, looking for the next man to share the remainder of her life with. She never grieved like the proper widow and Cloud always resented her for it. That was why he didn't want to speak of his father. That was why he could never look her straight in the eye without flames becoming evident. That was why everytime Cloud's mother brought home beau after beau, he would always distance himself even more from her and run off. He didn't hate her, but he couldn't love her either.
"Cloud, someday, you have to talk about your father! If you don't, all the emotions you felt ever since his death will come crumbling down on you and I'm afraid to even imagine what result will produce," Mrs. Strife proclaimed reasonably, lifting herself from Cloud's bed, and placing her hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
He just shook it off, unable to look back, and placed both of his own hands on the stand which held his mirror in constant place. Closing his eyes, Cloud could almost imagine the hurt expression on his mother's face. But he couldn't help but be harsh, it was what kept him strong and able to face the demons of his father's death.
"Just go. I don't need your help."
"Cloud...."
"Go," Cloud shouted, beginning to shake from the nervousness and small quantity of tears which was devising.
Standing completely still, he heard the footsteps on the floor, a slight pause, and finally, the exit of his co-creator. Cloud's aquatic eyes shifted from down low to the door which had just been used for a dramatic exit. Running his hands through his hair, a single tear drop escaped the confines of his eyes before he swiftly removed it with the back of his hand and continued his preparation.
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"How many times have I told you not to sell her this shit," Tifa bellowed before throwing the shattered pieces of the syringe, containing the illegal substance, at her adversary, "she's just a kid! Did you loose your common sense as you got older or were you just born without it? Minors and illegal drugs do not mix!"
A calm and collected redhead sat on the couch of his apartment with a shot of whiskey in his hand and shoeless feet resting comfortably on the coffee table ahead. His aquamarine eyes stared up at the fuming visitor with obvious interest as a smirk appeared on his lips.
"Tifa, calm down. Listen, I'm a dealer, not a preacher. The kid came to me asking me for some junk and I gave it to her. That's my job, I'm not her father or her priest. If she's got the cash, then I'm going to give her what she wants, that's it, no questions asked," he explained, placing the practically finished drink on the coffee table, leaning back, and placing a cigarette in his mouth, "and you, my little ex-addict, have no right to come into my house, parading around with campaigns of how drugs and minors don't mix."
"My history has no involvement here, OK? Yuffie has a chance to be someone! How can you sit here and let that future go down the drain? You have no right to play God with people's lives, Reno!"
"And you have no right to play the role of the hero either," Reno pointed out, removing the cigarette from his mouth, and blowing out the smoke after a few seconds, "you might not like it, but people have the will to do whatever they please and if Yuffie wants to continue buying the merchandise, then I'm going to keep giving it to her. Point blank and there's nothing you can say or do which will make me do otherwise."
"You're such a prick, Reno, you always have been but let me tell you one thing, if I find any more of your shit in Yuffie's body, I'll find you and I'll kill you. Point blank," Tifa replied seriously before turning her back and heading towards the door.
Tifa reached for the doorknob but felt two warm hands on her shoulder, spinning her around, and slamming her against the closed door. The wind was knocked out of her as Reno's face began to become partially fuzzy. Smelling the mix of heavy liquor and nicotine, she felt her opponent's face come dangerously close to hers.
"You're going to kill me? Is that what I just heard you say," Reno asked, keeping the lopsided grin on his smug face, "what happened to you, Teef? When did you become the tight ass your father is? Oh, and speaking of you're gangbanging father, how is he and your new knocked up mother doing? Knowing the kind of rack that girl has on her, your dead mother must be but a distant memory by now."
Tifa's fury, induced from the unexpected comment, gave her perspective and uncanny energy. She tore Reno's grip away from her wrist and quickly hit him across the face with her forearm. It wasn't long before she was repined though. Reno grabbed Tifa's wrist, once it collided with the side on his face, and twirled around so the side of her face would meet with the door.
"No, no, sweetie. That was a bad move," the flaming redhead whispered into her ear as her cheek became so close to the door, it wouldn't take long before her face became merged with it.
She was quiet, her heaving breaths of indignation being the only noise heard on her behalf. There wasn't a thought going through Tifa's head which didn't have herself killing Reno in many different and creative ways. The thoughts were strong but once she felt his hot lips on her neck, they began to fade and become a huge mass of confusion. It was a strange feeling, almost as though the brunette had just taken a sedative which caused thought deficiency.
Reno continued to purge the anger by running his tongue down her neck and making his way onto her shoulder. She hated him, but she couldn't resist the kind of pleasure he gave her whenever they collided. This situation was bad enough but what made it even worse was the anger only made her want him more.
He twirled her around to face him and placed his lips on hers roughly. Tifa moved her hands over his unkempt hair as she felt Reno's hands peruse her body seductively. Her eyes closed as she implored the beautiful thought of being held.
- Tifa cried softly while feeling warm and gentle arms encircling her. Arms which wanted nothing more than to protect and hold her. She felt his tender body against hers and slowly placed her once unmoving hands over his own. -
Ruby eyes opened slowly, still feeling Reno's lips invading her being. She had never felt so safe than she had the previous night. With Cloud by her side, Tifa felt her vulnerable side could be revealed without fear of any ridicule. She kept her hands on her lover's back and suddenly realized she didn't feel safe with this man, just aroused. It wasn't enough, but the urge of wanting to be held and loved overcame reason. Before Tifa knew it, she was allowing the green eyed man to anxiously pull her to the floor.
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A young woman walked through Nibelheim, a serene look on her always carefree face as a flower basket was attached securely to her arm. Her emerald eyes shone with such a glorious light as the light brown hair, which accented her ivory skin tone, was tied into a high ponytail with a soft pink ribbon allowing it to be set in place. Her pink sundress, which intoned her voluptuous body, flowed in the wind almost giving her an angelic appearance.
One look at this girl and you could tell she had it made. Her mother, Iflana, was a loving mother who couldn't possibly be more involved in her daughter's life if she tried and her father, Professor Gast, was a well known doctor, who saved many lives and yet still had time for his family. She was proud of her upbringing and other citizens also took great pride in her existence. Perfection was an understatement of a synonym to describe this teenager.
"Aeris, hello dear," a woman, who stood at the porch of her house asked while waving a friendly hello at her.
Aeris smiled and waved back before continuing her journey ahead. She had been a loved citizen of this town ever since she had first learned to speak and the pressure of it all was beginning to become unnerving. She had never done anything wrong which resulted in the term of felony and that was made everyone praise her. Not for her being alive in this vast world, but for the fact that she was a pretty and favorable girl with no criminal record. People believed this girl, with the pink dress and flower obsession, would be a benefit to improving this run-down town.
"Aeris," a soft yet informative whisper came from the infamous Nibelheim well. The sound caused her to stop in her tracks, a questioning expression on her sweet face.
"Who's there," she asked, looking around but unluckily, not finding the owner of the provocative voice. Backing away from the well with ease, Aeris felt a hand pulling her closer to the almost distant object.
Squealing with sudden surprise, her green eyes met a pair of onyx ones.
"Zack!"
Zack held the smaller girl in his arms, smiling down at her shocked expression before leaning forward and brushing his lips against hers briefly. This man had ebony spiked hair and a cheerful glint in his eyes as he stood at a height slightly above average with a lean and slender build. Holding Aeris in his arms after feeling her lips on his, Zack inhaled her flowery scent while closing his eyes to cherish the moment.
"Baby, you know I can't be seen with you. What would people say," the flower girl asked, wrapping her own arms around her love's neck and despising the thought of letting go. She hated her reputation and her supposed position in society, wanting nothing more then to oppose it, but Aeris was too scared and weak willed to take the stand against the town.
"I don't care. All I wanna do is hold you and make the world disappear," the dark haired man whispered, placing his lips on her neck faintly while not caring if anyone did indeed catch him in action with the woman he loved.
"I have to go," she said, not having the will power to allow her arms to untangle themselves, "you know if anyone catches us, it'll be the end of everything. They'll send you away and I don't know what I'd do if that ever happened."
"That'll never happen, they'll have to kill me first......."
Aeris immediately placed her fingertips over Zack's moving mouth, signaling him to stop. Remaining in the celestial glory of this silence, the green eyed girl smiled softly at the man in front of her. Nothing could replace the emotions ravaging her at the moment and she shuddered at the thought of these feelings ever making a permanent exit.
"Don't say that. Nothing's going to ever happen to you, I'll never allow it. That's why you have to let me go, you know why that is," Aeris explained, removing her fingertip from his lips and moving it down Zack's cheek with ease.
"Promise me you'll never kiss him the way you kiss me," Zack said, trying to reassure himself of the resentment he felt towards the other man in this girl's life.
Her structured eyebrows furrowed while she pulled the taller man towards her for a hug. The guilt Aeris felt in her heart practically squeezed the life out of it. She loved this man for countless reasons and everytime she was with her significant other, that specific guilt was always there, unable to avoid like severely injured person on the street. She wanted to run away from all the responsibility involuntarily bestowed upon her, but everytime she tried, a local, smiling face would always stop her.
"I could never kiss 'anyone' the way I kiss you," Aeris murmered into his ear, "I have to go, but I promise I'll see you tonight, here by the well."
"I love you, baby," Zack said, pulling loathingly away from his devotion while his hand ran down her arm and held onto her hand.
"I love you, too," she mouthed back with a smile playing her rose shaped lips, holding onto his hand, and just standing there with a sound appreciation being evident as she looked up at Zack.
As seconds flowed by the two, their hands slowly broke apart as Zack watched the woman who held his heart so possessively, cast a single glance and playful wink at him before walking away from the Nibelheim well. He knew where she had to go now and it killed him inside to even consider the possibilities of what they may be doing behind closed doors. Watching Aeris' curvaceous shape become but a distant memory, the dark eyed man leaned against the ladder which led to the top of the well, gaze up towards the intensely blue sky, with hardly any clouds staining it's magnificent composure, and just think of the girl who every day would just sweep in and out of his life.
Aeris walked away from the tryst with her head held insecurely high and felt her heart pound with a certain earnest, irregular beat which was all too familiar to her. If it was possible, she'd permanently stop those unnatural beats and remain with Zack, but that wasn't an option in this multiple choice test which was her life. Nothing was as it should be and the day it began to express some kind of familiarity would most likely and ironically be the day of she laid on her deathbed with lost dreams never expressed for the fear of deceit.
Sighing, the small girl marched determinedly towards the local household, which was now located right in front of her sight. It was always hard knocking on this door and seeing his mother with her cheerful smile and the sheer delight she experienced whenever she'd see the flower girl standing at the door. And what was even worse was seeing the blue eyes which would, in her opinion, never compare to the dark ones which would always be waiting for her by their 'spot.' It was hard looking in those eyes, kissing those lips, and genuinely saying the three words, I Love You. She had never once spoken those words to this man and honestly meant them from the depths of her heart.
"C'mon, you always go through this and it's never going to get easier! Just knock on the damn door and at least give him the courtesy of looking happy to see him."
Raising her hand, Aeris began to sway her wrist back and forth, causing a soft, yet noticeable knocking sound on the household's front door. She closed her eyes and prepared for yet another day of lies and duplicity. Now, located in the girl's heart, was not only guilt but pity for the man on the other side of this very piece of wood, which separated the interior of the house from the outside world. If it were a choice, Aeris would be knocking on this door to save him from future wrath and embarrassment by telling him the truth.
"Hey you. What's going through that head of yours? Looks important because your nose is starting to wrinkle up."
She snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at her boyfriend with a processed smiled on her angelic face. He looked good, Aeris wouldn't deny him of the compliment, but that thought only made the guilt magnify profusely. Just looking at his face and the radiant blue eyes which possessed such beauty, she felt herself shrink as the dignity, which every person received along with the many body parts during conception, began to deteriorate into nothing.
"Hey yourself," Aeris declared back, cocking her head to the side with watching eyes staring up at the taller blonde ahead.
"Come on in," he invited, opening the door for his girlfriend and stepping to the side to allow her entrance, "It was getting late. I had this epiphany that you were going to stand me up."
As she entered the habitation carefully, the brunette felt the blue eyed man's arms entwine around her waist as he bent down to give her a peck on the cheek as a friendly hello. His lips burned. Not in that passionate way every girl craved to experience, but burned with an acid-like sting which would be impossible to ever relieve.
"You know I'd never do that to you, Cloud," Aeris whispered as she felt the arms which held her so protectively loosen their grip slightly, but not completely letting go.
Cloud lowered his chin on Aeris' shoulder and the two remained there for a moment. Blue eyes shone with comfort yet a certain conflict which was undeniable to point out, even from a distant, as Green eyes remained indifferencially saddened and guilt ridden. Both embellished their emotion's falsity to the breaking point until the love they claimed they shared transformed from something, which was meant to be pure, into something dirty and ugly. Both wanted to run, but both were also terrified of whatever was waiting for them on the other side. That fear was what kept them glued together in a relationship with compassion yet no empathy.
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The ruby eyed teenager placed her shirt over her head swiftly and began to move discreetly by her passed out lover. As she moved one foot over his still body, Tifa wondered what she ever saw in this man, which drew her to him. She was but a naive child who didn't know security since her mother grew ill. Could it have been the fact that all she wanted was someone to hold her while she cried and care for her when she couldn't fend for herself. No, it was the complete opposite. This man was the epitome of danger and had done nothing but destroy the life and future Tifa deserved to have. Reno wrecked her yet gave her a sound relief from the pain inflicted by current events. That mixture was what attracted her to him.
Shaking her head, Tifa continued to make her way towards the door, casting one last glance at the slumbering man, and exiting the apartment she had spent most of her youth in.
This chapter will basically introduce the minor characters, their relationship with Cloud and Tifa, and the two individual's past. It won't have a lot Cloti here, but if you want to understand the story, you're going to have to read it.
- Silver Linings -
Cos all of the stars; are fading away
Just try not to worry; you'll see them some day
- Stop Crying Your Heart Out - Oasis
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"Sweetheart, you promised."
The voice was soft, loving, and contained a certain motherly essence that couldn't be hidden if tried. It encouraged Tifa to turn around and face a pair of energetic green eyes. Eyes which the brunette had grown up to and learned to appreciate. She always did love those eyes.
"Mom?"
"You promised. You promised you would take care of your father for me. You promised things would be OK, but look at you."
Her eyes began to water as her mother's affectionate gaze transformed into something ugly and manipulative. In all of Tifa's years of living, she never experienced this look nor did she think it was actually possible for it to be produced by this woman.
"Look at you," Mrs. Lockheart shrieked in such a loud voice, it made her daughter jump in surprise, "you can't even take care of yourself might as well your father! You're a disgrace! You smoke, you're a drug addict, you're disrespectful, you're a whore! I can't believe you're my daughter!"
"Mom, please, listen to me!"
"Stay away from me! Don't even think of me! I'm glad that I'm dead and away from such a person with no morals and no class! I'm so ashamed of you! You should have died instead of me and when you do die, you are going straight to hell!"
Tifa began to back away with a horrified expression on her face. This wasn't her mother, it couldn't be. Her mother loved her. She would never say such horrible things to her own daughter, but guilt couldn't help but consume the young girl's heart.
Turning around, Tifa began to run away from the apparition of Mrs. Lockheart. Her feet and legs burned from such impact with the floor. As she ran into the darkness, a loud scream was heard in the distance, almost fading like the vague surroundings, "You're going straight to hell for what you did to me! Straight to hell!"
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She awoke with a pounding heart and cold sweat covering her gaunt body. The dream had been so real. It actually felt like she, herself, was standing before her deceased mother and being judged at that very moment. It was a ridiculous afterthought, but Tifa couldn't help but wonder if her mother was actually standing in her afterlife, angry at her daughter for all the sins she was committing and had committed in her past.
Tifa ran her hands over her face and through her dark hair slowly, making sure to cleanse herself of all the sweat that was produced during the previous night. But as she moved her hands over her face, the ruby eyed girl noticed another living, breathing lifeform besides her.
Her eyes moved from its locked location on the ceiling and focused on the blonde boy besides her. He had stayed with her all night, defying his reputation and the fear of someone actually finding him with her. He really didn't care what people thought about him or if they spoke bitter words behind his back. It made Tifa wonder if Cloud Strife really was as true to himself, and not society's creation of succession, as he so profoundly said he was.
Stealing one last glance, she moved slowly away from her protector, making sure not to produce even the slightest movement which could wake him. He may have proved his trustful worthiness but that didn't mean Tifa had the invitation of destroying the reputation Cloud had worked so hard on achieving. After all, they were just acquaintances; Cloud the modest hero and Tifa the helpless victim. Not once, in that analogy of their relationship, was there even the mere mention of a budding friendship.
Sighing, Tifa grabbed a cigarette from her pocket quickly before placing it in her mouth and lighting it to blazing life. She knew he said no cigarettes as long as Tifa was a guest in this household but she couldn't hold the urge back any longer. Plus, the brunette wasn't exactly a guest anymore. In all actuality, she was leaving right at this very moment, so all obligations to being a temporary inhabitant of the Strife house was obliterated just as quickly as her welcome.
Tifa smiled while making her way across the room and exhaling the small amount of smoke, which currently resided in her mouth. After exhaling, she left the slim tube in her mouth while opening the compact window in one painless lift. Taking the cigarette out of her mouth once again, she turned around and looked down upon the sleeping form of Cloud Strife. He was the first person, this superficial town had to offer, who would help someone in need, even if they weren't ranked Miss Popularity.
It was although she didn't have any instruction on her body as the chocolate haired individual moved towards the bedside cautiously. This was sheer torture, loosing all control on your body, but Tifa couldn't remember feeling more sure or comfortable than at this very moment. She kept the watchful gaze on her face before finally, after countless minutes swooping by, reaching her destination.
"Thank you," Tifa whispered softly into the sleeping form's ear before leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek decelerately.
"Tifa," Cloud called out in a hoarse voice, allowing his eyes to flutter open almost immediately to the close contact.
Sitting up, he glanced to both sides and unfortunately, didn't find who he was looking for. Cloud could have sworn he felt Tifa hovering above him and placing her lips on his cheek just seconds ago. But all he saw, glancing around his bare room at the moment, was nothingness, as his mysterious guest was nowhere to be seen.
****************************
The sun hung high in the sky as a soft, yet undeniably cool, gust of wind blew through the obsolete and practically abandoned town. Last night's storm had done quite a number on Nibelheim, mailboxes torn from it's once erect position and chipping shutters lying discreetly on the moistened ground. If people didn't know better, they would possibly assume that the fusillade was a mild hurricane. But aside from the destruction caused by the previous night's events, there was a brighter side to this ordeal. While the residue of humid and viscid weather the summer had bestowed upon the world, began to cause nothing but trouble, the storm had prevented any further heat waves and demoted the weather considerably low.
Tifa maneuvered through the ruckus with her arms hanging limply at her sides. Looking upon the wreckage was so surreal. It was almost as though the wandering teenager was having a premonition into her would-be future. Unfortunately, it would have been her destiny if Cloud hadn't appeared and actually concerned himself in her safety. The mere visual was enough to make the brunette involuntarily shudder and excommunicate any ill thoughts away from her mind's eye.
"You little bitch! Next time you try and disobey me, I'll kill you! You hear? I'll kill you," a shout erupted from a nearby household before a young girl, no older than fourteen, came running out with her head bowed down low.
Concerned ruby eyes caught glimpse of the violence unfolding while taking the initiative to chase after the fleeing girl. This girl could run quickly when she pleased, Tifa noticed, but then again it could just be the excessive amounts of nicotine and smoke her lungs and bloodstream possessed, which made her slow down. The sharp wind slapped her across the face while leaving a stinging sensation but Tifa ignored the sensation and continued to sprint behind her target.
She knew it had happened again. The youngster had been a victim, once more, to physical and emotional abuse dealt on by her menacing father. Just the thought of sheer malice inflicted on the small framed child was enough motivation for Tifa to pick up pace.
Distancing herself considerably from the escapee, Tifa spotted her slow down and eventually stop. It was the perfect opportunity to talk without any further marathon running or fear of yet another get away.
The timing or positioning couldn't be more perfect as the brunette finally moved in to take advantage of the practically once only chance.
"Yuffie, are you OK? I saw you running out of........What are you doing?"
Yuffie was completely still, delirious to the sound, as her trifling back remained turned on Tifa.
Her head was still bowed down low while short, raven strands fell mangled to the sides, covering the mysterious girl's face even more so. The dark haired girl's back shook slightly, her arms craned in towards her stomach.
"I asked you what you were doing," Tifa demanded, quickly grabbing onto Yuffie's shoulders, and jerking her around suddenly to face two curiously exploring eyes.
Yuffie's violet eyes contained nothing but sorrow, confusion, and unshed tears. Her eyes seemed to be the only place unstained from the horrendous amount of blood which was escaping the sides of her mouth, under her nose, and the side of her delicate head. The child's body shook as her one hand gripped a slim syringe which was plunged into her other free inner-arm.
"God! How many times have I told you to stop doing this shit," Tifa screamed angrily, removing the submerged needle, efficiently yet carefully, from the girl's arm, throwing it to the ground, and stepping on it's remainders.
Tifa grabbed the intoxicated persona's shoulders and looked her straight in the eye furiously, "Yuffie, this shit is not funny! It's not funny! Your father isn't worth destroying yourself over, do you hear me? If I catch any of that crap in you again, I will personally sever you alive to get it out!"
Yuffie merely stood there, swaying under Tifa's grasp, and looking far off with a slight smile on her damaged face. It was heartbreaking to see the future of our generation just standing there, high from heroin insertion. That particular sight caused tears to brew in Tifa's eyes as she pulled the lost girl into her arms and held her close, shielding her from the harsh realities this world had to offer.
****************************
Cloud looked at himself in the mirror, fixing his blonde hair, which was drenched from the shower he had just taken, while trying to re-create his trademark spikes. Running gel-filled hands through his golden mane, Cloud's mind rewound to the previous night. He had never knew Tifa had a vulnerable side. A side which needed comfort and warmth. A side which needed human contact. Just to see tears running down her cheeks was enough to question the human race and the reality it claimed to live in.
Sighing, he lowered his hands from his head and continued to look at himself in the reflection-casting object. In all honesty, last night didn't even seem real at all, but the memory of her body under his fingertips seemed to shock him back to realizing the truth. Her rough breathing and choked sobs were imprinted in his retrospection and that was something he couldn't or wouldn't change. The exquisite remembrance would always remain and the realization which shocked him more than this was the fact that he didn't even remotely mind.
"Cloud, sweetheart, can I come in?"
Mrs. Strife's soft voice interrupted her son's reverie. Shaking his head quickly to allow any unnecessary thoughts to escape his mind for the moment, he responded to his mother's simple question, "Yeah, sure, come on in."
She entered the small room immediately, a warm smile materializing on her face once she spotted her son fixing himself up at the mirror. This woman was in her mid-thirties, but an oncoming passerby would disagree with that fact. Mrs. Strife had the wrinkle-free skin of a teenager with dancing sapphire eyes, which matched Cloud's equivalently, and didn't look older a day older than a female in her twenties. Her honeysuckle hair was pulled back into a high bun as her slim body was covered by an old-fashioned dress that seemed to hug and accentuate her curves. Men seemed to love to gawk as women spoke behind her back in envious monotones.
"Oh Cloud, you're growing up so fast. When did you get so tall," Mrs. Strife asked while taking a seat on her son's twin sized bed.
Cloud continued to modify his hair yet looked into the mirror at his mother's perched form with a playful smile, which seemed to match Mrs. Strife's, on his face, "I was as tall as I am the last time you saw me. But then again, I guess the memory's the first thing that goes when you get old."
She laughed and reached out to smack her son playfully on the butt before crossing her arms stubbornly, "I am not getting old, you're eyes are just getting bad. I think glasses are in order."
"Alright, mom, whatever you say. Denial seems to be another symptom of old age."
"Such a smartass, just like your father......."
Both mother and son stopped what they were doing and seemed to focus intensely on that statement. While Mrs. Strife's eyes grew slightly wide before bowing her head down in consideration, Cloud's hands lowered slowly from his head, keeping his vision on the mirror without looking back at his mother. Speaking of Cloud's father was a sour topic and the two liked to avoid it as much as possible. But even though Mr. Strife's memory was disacknowledged to the public ear, it didn't mean his wife and offspring didn't think of him constantly on their own time.
"I think you should go now," Cloud explained softly, eyes lowering from the mirror to his stand where all his products, books, and merchandise was placed.
"Cloud, I'm sorry, I know you don't like to speak of your father but....."
"Mom, please," he exclaimed, not removing his gaze from the objects and not daring to look back at his mother, for it still pained him to do so whenever his father was mentioned.
It was only a week after his funeral that Mrs. Strife began dating again, looking for the next man to share the remainder of her life with. She never grieved like the proper widow and Cloud always resented her for it. That was why he didn't want to speak of his father. That was why he could never look her straight in the eye without flames becoming evident. That was why everytime Cloud's mother brought home beau after beau, he would always distance himself even more from her and run off. He didn't hate her, but he couldn't love her either.
"Cloud, someday, you have to talk about your father! If you don't, all the emotions you felt ever since his death will come crumbling down on you and I'm afraid to even imagine what result will produce," Mrs. Strife proclaimed reasonably, lifting herself from Cloud's bed, and placing her hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
He just shook it off, unable to look back, and placed both of his own hands on the stand which held his mirror in constant place. Closing his eyes, Cloud could almost imagine the hurt expression on his mother's face. But he couldn't help but be harsh, it was what kept him strong and able to face the demons of his father's death.
"Just go. I don't need your help."
"Cloud...."
"Go," Cloud shouted, beginning to shake from the nervousness and small quantity of tears which was devising.
Standing completely still, he heard the footsteps on the floor, a slight pause, and finally, the exit of his co-creator. Cloud's aquatic eyes shifted from down low to the door which had just been used for a dramatic exit. Running his hands through his hair, a single tear drop escaped the confines of his eyes before he swiftly removed it with the back of his hand and continued his preparation.
****************************
"How many times have I told you not to sell her this shit," Tifa bellowed before throwing the shattered pieces of the syringe, containing the illegal substance, at her adversary, "she's just a kid! Did you loose your common sense as you got older or were you just born without it? Minors and illegal drugs do not mix!"
A calm and collected redhead sat on the couch of his apartment with a shot of whiskey in his hand and shoeless feet resting comfortably on the coffee table ahead. His aquamarine eyes stared up at the fuming visitor with obvious interest as a smirk appeared on his lips.
"Tifa, calm down. Listen, I'm a dealer, not a preacher. The kid came to me asking me for some junk and I gave it to her. That's my job, I'm not her father or her priest. If she's got the cash, then I'm going to give her what she wants, that's it, no questions asked," he explained, placing the practically finished drink on the coffee table, leaning back, and placing a cigarette in his mouth, "and you, my little ex-addict, have no right to come into my house, parading around with campaigns of how drugs and minors don't mix."
"My history has no involvement here, OK? Yuffie has a chance to be someone! How can you sit here and let that future go down the drain? You have no right to play God with people's lives, Reno!"
"And you have no right to play the role of the hero either," Reno pointed out, removing the cigarette from his mouth, and blowing out the smoke after a few seconds, "you might not like it, but people have the will to do whatever they please and if Yuffie wants to continue buying the merchandise, then I'm going to keep giving it to her. Point blank and there's nothing you can say or do which will make me do otherwise."
"You're such a prick, Reno, you always have been but let me tell you one thing, if I find any more of your shit in Yuffie's body, I'll find you and I'll kill you. Point blank," Tifa replied seriously before turning her back and heading towards the door.
Tifa reached for the doorknob but felt two warm hands on her shoulder, spinning her around, and slamming her against the closed door. The wind was knocked out of her as Reno's face began to become partially fuzzy. Smelling the mix of heavy liquor and nicotine, she felt her opponent's face come dangerously close to hers.
"You're going to kill me? Is that what I just heard you say," Reno asked, keeping the lopsided grin on his smug face, "what happened to you, Teef? When did you become the tight ass your father is? Oh, and speaking of you're gangbanging father, how is he and your new knocked up mother doing? Knowing the kind of rack that girl has on her, your dead mother must be but a distant memory by now."
Tifa's fury, induced from the unexpected comment, gave her perspective and uncanny energy. She tore Reno's grip away from her wrist and quickly hit him across the face with her forearm. It wasn't long before she was repined though. Reno grabbed Tifa's wrist, once it collided with the side on his face, and twirled around so the side of her face would meet with the door.
"No, no, sweetie. That was a bad move," the flaming redhead whispered into her ear as her cheek became so close to the door, it wouldn't take long before her face became merged with it.
She was quiet, her heaving breaths of indignation being the only noise heard on her behalf. There wasn't a thought going through Tifa's head which didn't have herself killing Reno in many different and creative ways. The thoughts were strong but once she felt his hot lips on her neck, they began to fade and become a huge mass of confusion. It was a strange feeling, almost as though the brunette had just taken a sedative which caused thought deficiency.
Reno continued to purge the anger by running his tongue down her neck and making his way onto her shoulder. She hated him, but she couldn't resist the kind of pleasure he gave her whenever they collided. This situation was bad enough but what made it even worse was the anger only made her want him more.
He twirled her around to face him and placed his lips on hers roughly. Tifa moved her hands over his unkempt hair as she felt Reno's hands peruse her body seductively. Her eyes closed as she implored the beautiful thought of being held.
- Tifa cried softly while feeling warm and gentle arms encircling her. Arms which wanted nothing more than to protect and hold her. She felt his tender body against hers and slowly placed her once unmoving hands over his own. -
Ruby eyes opened slowly, still feeling Reno's lips invading her being. She had never felt so safe than she had the previous night. With Cloud by her side, Tifa felt her vulnerable side could be revealed without fear of any ridicule. She kept her hands on her lover's back and suddenly realized she didn't feel safe with this man, just aroused. It wasn't enough, but the urge of wanting to be held and loved overcame reason. Before Tifa knew it, she was allowing the green eyed man to anxiously pull her to the floor.
****************************
A young woman walked through Nibelheim, a serene look on her always carefree face as a flower basket was attached securely to her arm. Her emerald eyes shone with such a glorious light as the light brown hair, which accented her ivory skin tone, was tied into a high ponytail with a soft pink ribbon allowing it to be set in place. Her pink sundress, which intoned her voluptuous body, flowed in the wind almost giving her an angelic appearance.
One look at this girl and you could tell she had it made. Her mother, Iflana, was a loving mother who couldn't possibly be more involved in her daughter's life if she tried and her father, Professor Gast, was a well known doctor, who saved many lives and yet still had time for his family. She was proud of her upbringing and other citizens also took great pride in her existence. Perfection was an understatement of a synonym to describe this teenager.
"Aeris, hello dear," a woman, who stood at the porch of her house asked while waving a friendly hello at her.
Aeris smiled and waved back before continuing her journey ahead. She had been a loved citizen of this town ever since she had first learned to speak and the pressure of it all was beginning to become unnerving. She had never done anything wrong which resulted in the term of felony and that was made everyone praise her. Not for her being alive in this vast world, but for the fact that she was a pretty and favorable girl with no criminal record. People believed this girl, with the pink dress and flower obsession, would be a benefit to improving this run-down town.
"Aeris," a soft yet informative whisper came from the infamous Nibelheim well. The sound caused her to stop in her tracks, a questioning expression on her sweet face.
"Who's there," she asked, looking around but unluckily, not finding the owner of the provocative voice. Backing away from the well with ease, Aeris felt a hand pulling her closer to the almost distant object.
Squealing with sudden surprise, her green eyes met a pair of onyx ones.
"Zack!"
Zack held the smaller girl in his arms, smiling down at her shocked expression before leaning forward and brushing his lips against hers briefly. This man had ebony spiked hair and a cheerful glint in his eyes as he stood at a height slightly above average with a lean and slender build. Holding Aeris in his arms after feeling her lips on his, Zack inhaled her flowery scent while closing his eyes to cherish the moment.
"Baby, you know I can't be seen with you. What would people say," the flower girl asked, wrapping her own arms around her love's neck and despising the thought of letting go. She hated her reputation and her supposed position in society, wanting nothing more then to oppose it, but Aeris was too scared and weak willed to take the stand against the town.
"I don't care. All I wanna do is hold you and make the world disappear," the dark haired man whispered, placing his lips on her neck faintly while not caring if anyone did indeed catch him in action with the woman he loved.
"I have to go," she said, not having the will power to allow her arms to untangle themselves, "you know if anyone catches us, it'll be the end of everything. They'll send you away and I don't know what I'd do if that ever happened."
"That'll never happen, they'll have to kill me first......."
Aeris immediately placed her fingertips over Zack's moving mouth, signaling him to stop. Remaining in the celestial glory of this silence, the green eyed girl smiled softly at the man in front of her. Nothing could replace the emotions ravaging her at the moment and she shuddered at the thought of these feelings ever making a permanent exit.
"Don't say that. Nothing's going to ever happen to you, I'll never allow it. That's why you have to let me go, you know why that is," Aeris explained, removing her fingertip from his lips and moving it down Zack's cheek with ease.
"Promise me you'll never kiss him the way you kiss me," Zack said, trying to reassure himself of the resentment he felt towards the other man in this girl's life.
Her structured eyebrows furrowed while she pulled the taller man towards her for a hug. The guilt Aeris felt in her heart practically squeezed the life out of it. She loved this man for countless reasons and everytime she was with her significant other, that specific guilt was always there, unable to avoid like severely injured person on the street. She wanted to run away from all the responsibility involuntarily bestowed upon her, but everytime she tried, a local, smiling face would always stop her.
"I could never kiss 'anyone' the way I kiss you," Aeris murmered into his ear, "I have to go, but I promise I'll see you tonight, here by the well."
"I love you, baby," Zack said, pulling loathingly away from his devotion while his hand ran down her arm and held onto her hand.
"I love you, too," she mouthed back with a smile playing her rose shaped lips, holding onto his hand, and just standing there with a sound appreciation being evident as she looked up at Zack.
As seconds flowed by the two, their hands slowly broke apart as Zack watched the woman who held his heart so possessively, cast a single glance and playful wink at him before walking away from the Nibelheim well. He knew where she had to go now and it killed him inside to even consider the possibilities of what they may be doing behind closed doors. Watching Aeris' curvaceous shape become but a distant memory, the dark eyed man leaned against the ladder which led to the top of the well, gaze up towards the intensely blue sky, with hardly any clouds staining it's magnificent composure, and just think of the girl who every day would just sweep in and out of his life.
Aeris walked away from the tryst with her head held insecurely high and felt her heart pound with a certain earnest, irregular beat which was all too familiar to her. If it was possible, she'd permanently stop those unnatural beats and remain with Zack, but that wasn't an option in this multiple choice test which was her life. Nothing was as it should be and the day it began to express some kind of familiarity would most likely and ironically be the day of she laid on her deathbed with lost dreams never expressed for the fear of deceit.
Sighing, the small girl marched determinedly towards the local household, which was now located right in front of her sight. It was always hard knocking on this door and seeing his mother with her cheerful smile and the sheer delight she experienced whenever she'd see the flower girl standing at the door. And what was even worse was seeing the blue eyes which would, in her opinion, never compare to the dark ones which would always be waiting for her by their 'spot.' It was hard looking in those eyes, kissing those lips, and genuinely saying the three words, I Love You. She had never once spoken those words to this man and honestly meant them from the depths of her heart.
"C'mon, you always go through this and it's never going to get easier! Just knock on the damn door and at least give him the courtesy of looking happy to see him."
Raising her hand, Aeris began to sway her wrist back and forth, causing a soft, yet noticeable knocking sound on the household's front door. She closed her eyes and prepared for yet another day of lies and duplicity. Now, located in the girl's heart, was not only guilt but pity for the man on the other side of this very piece of wood, which separated the interior of the house from the outside world. If it were a choice, Aeris would be knocking on this door to save him from future wrath and embarrassment by telling him the truth.
"Hey you. What's going through that head of yours? Looks important because your nose is starting to wrinkle up."
She snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at her boyfriend with a processed smiled on her angelic face. He looked good, Aeris wouldn't deny him of the compliment, but that thought only made the guilt magnify profusely. Just looking at his face and the radiant blue eyes which possessed such beauty, she felt herself shrink as the dignity, which every person received along with the many body parts during conception, began to deteriorate into nothing.
"Hey yourself," Aeris declared back, cocking her head to the side with watching eyes staring up at the taller blonde ahead.
"Come on in," he invited, opening the door for his girlfriend and stepping to the side to allow her entrance, "It was getting late. I had this epiphany that you were going to stand me up."
As she entered the habitation carefully, the brunette felt the blue eyed man's arms entwine around her waist as he bent down to give her a peck on the cheek as a friendly hello. His lips burned. Not in that passionate way every girl craved to experience, but burned with an acid-like sting which would be impossible to ever relieve.
"You know I'd never do that to you, Cloud," Aeris whispered as she felt the arms which held her so protectively loosen their grip slightly, but not completely letting go.
Cloud lowered his chin on Aeris' shoulder and the two remained there for a moment. Blue eyes shone with comfort yet a certain conflict which was undeniable to point out, even from a distant, as Green eyes remained indifferencially saddened and guilt ridden. Both embellished their emotion's falsity to the breaking point until the love they claimed they shared transformed from something, which was meant to be pure, into something dirty and ugly. Both wanted to run, but both were also terrified of whatever was waiting for them on the other side. That fear was what kept them glued together in a relationship with compassion yet no empathy.
****************************
The ruby eyed teenager placed her shirt over her head swiftly and began to move discreetly by her passed out lover. As she moved one foot over his still body, Tifa wondered what she ever saw in this man, which drew her to him. She was but a naive child who didn't know security since her mother grew ill. Could it have been the fact that all she wanted was someone to hold her while she cried and care for her when she couldn't fend for herself. No, it was the complete opposite. This man was the epitome of danger and had done nothing but destroy the life and future Tifa deserved to have. Reno wrecked her yet gave her a sound relief from the pain inflicted by current events. That mixture was what attracted her to him.
Shaking her head, Tifa continued to make her way towards the door, casting one last glance at the slumbering man, and exiting the apartment she had spent most of her youth in.