Chapter 2
PEACE OF US
"C'mon, everybody ! It's breakfast timeee !!", Tifa's voice echoes to every corner of Neo 7th Heaven. Not so long after that, Cloud, Cid, Vincent, Red XIII, and Yuffie appear. They are stepping down the stairs downward to dining room for breakfast.
"Hey, Tifa, you got your voice heard from everywhere !", Cloud teases Tifa. The person being teased just grins at him. When Cloud is completely on the ground, he walks closer to her. She greets him with a kiss on his forehead. Cloud blushes a bit, but he lets Tifa just did that.
"Morning, sweetheart, sleep well, huh ?", Tifa asks him.
"Kind of that…", Cloud replies shortly but warmly. He then kisses Tifa back on her right cheek. Tifa giggles. She likes Cloud treats her like this way. Cloud looks at Tifa closely, and one of his eyebrows is raised.
"You dressed different today…", he says. Tifa nods with playful motion. She smiles and asks him back, "Do you like it… or not ?". She adds a strange intonation on her last two words, but actually she is making funny of it. Cloud rubs his chin for a moment. His left eye goes narrow as he studies Tifa carefully. Unlike yesterdays, Tifa now wears something different. She has a piece of cloth on her head and dresses like ordinary housewives do. It makes her so…feminine…so simple. Cloud smiles at her, he then turns back to the others and asks them, "So, guys, how do you think ? Our mistress asks for our opinion about her new appearance…so...how do you think ?".
Vincent is the first who replies him, "Not bad, that's all". He still talks in his cold tone. Cid then adds, "Yeah…you remind me about…well…you know who…". Cid's voice trails off when he finishes his words. He is too stubborn and too cocky to confess someone he mentioned in his last sentence. However, everyone knows whom he means : Shera. Yuffie laughs a little and says, "No matter what our opinions are, but it's yours that Tifa would consider, Cloud !". She then giggles. Red sits down and gives his opinion, "You look so simple, yet your charm can't be hidden, Tifa !".
"Aww…come on…", Tifa blushes. "What about you, Cloud ?", she finally asks him again with flirting voice.
"Well…no matter what you wear, you will always be beautiful to my heart…", Cloud responds with playful tone. Tifa is struck on her spot. Her cheeks turn to crimson red again. Cloud chuckles and sweeps her hair lovingly.
"I really meant it, Tifa….", he says, "and now…where is everybody ? We can't have breakfast without the rest".
"I guess Barret is still on his bed ! We had our drink last night and he went #$%#*^ drunk !", Cid exclaims. "Should I go to his room and drag him off ?", Cid asks Cloud with a rather devilish expression.
"Yo man ! I'm here ! And ya, Cid, ya better the way ya talk !", suddenly Barret's gruff voice comes in. He is walking down the stairs. Cid only shakes his head. "You truly grew up, old man !", Cid speaks to Barret after he reaches the downstairs. He takes an inhale on his cigar and continues, "Last time I saw you got drunk, I had to pull your #$@#% sluggish body from bar to your @#&(% bed…but now…you could stand on your own…heeheehee…". Cid chuckles at the end. Barret gives the old pilot a barely ferocious look but Cid keeps on chuckling. "Never mind that, old man !", Cid pats Barret's shoulder after he gets control of himself.
"Hey, where are Cait Sith and Aeris ? Where are they ?", Cloud asks as he notices there are two persons left. "Cait Sith went earlier, he said that he needed some components for his robot body. He said that he would be late for breakfast", Tifa explains.
"I even wonder if dat cat needs a breakfast !", Barret exclaims. Cloud only nods. "I see…", he speaks up, "but where is Aeris ? Does anyone see her ?". The others only shrug their shoulders or shake their heads as reply. Cloud sighs.
Is she still on her room ? Cloud thinks. It is not a common thing that Aeris wakes up late.
"Err..um..Cloud…When I passed her room on the way down here, I found her door was still closed…I don't think she is still on her room…but…should I check her there ?", Yuffie hesitantly asks for Cloud's opinion. The others look at her. Cloud then makes a 'yes' sign with his hand even his face shows uncertainty. Yuffie quickly spins her body and reaches the stairs to go upward.
…..
"Unhhh….what time is it now ?", Aeris yawns as she reaches the small clock on her desk. She gasps a little when her eyes catch that she is late.
"Awww...what a shame ! I am very late !", she mumbles to herself and tries to get up from her bed. When she stands up, she realizes that she is still lack of sleeping and finds that her bed is very irresistible. Suddenly she hears someone knocks her door.
"Hii…Aeris…are you there…?", a female voice is heard from outside room. It is Yuffie's voice…Aeris thinks. She strokes her untied hair backward and responds, "Yes, Yuffie….wait…I will unlock the door". After she unlocks the door and opens it, Yuffie's head suddenly pops in. It is her style, as usual.
"Hi, Aeris…woke up late ?", she greets Aeris with playful tone and grins on her face. Aeris smiles shyly and replies, "Well…um…I was awaken last night and did some thinking…and when I tried to get back to sleep, suddenly Barret came to his room, which is next to mine, and he snorted awfully !! I can't sleep until dawn !". Yuffie nods her head. She can imagine that. Barret's snort. Something that definitely would ruin someone's nice slumber.
"Well..I see…but Barret is downstairs now, I wonder how he managed that", Yuffie responds lightheartedly. She continues, "Everyone is waiting for you to have breakfast together, Aeris…Go get some dress and join us then, okay ?".
"I guess you better start your breakfast without me…It was because of me that you are having late breakfast…Just go on…Don't bother about me", Aeris advises Yuffie. She cannot wait the others wait longer because of her.
"Awww…come on, Aeris…we cannot let you have your breakfast alone…", Yuffie refuses to leave. She rather insists Aeris on joining breakfast together. "Or…should I call Cloud to get you…??", Yuffie teases Aeris with a broad grin but innocent expression. Aeris blushes and giggles softly. "You know, Yuffie, he already chooses other woman…", she replies. Yuffie's eyes go wide. She places her hands on her waist and looks at Aeris carefully. Slowly she speaks her next words, "So, Aeris, did you try to say that you no longer have interest on Cloud ?".
"NO !", Aeris quickly responds with shocked tone, "I mean…um…that..that's not what I…aww…Yuffie, don't change the subject, would you…?". Aeris blushes a bit. She never thinks Yuffie will strike her directly like this. Yuffie giggles. She wins.
"Gotcha, Aeris ! Okay, just get your dress and go downstairs, we are waiting for you there, okay ?", Yuffie then steps out from Aeris' room, still giggling. Aeris just watches Yuffie until she is completely gone from her room. She smiles to herself, and then goes to bathroom to prepare herself.
……..
"So, how's she ?", Cloud asks Yuffie. Yuffie shows her right thumb to Cloud and an expression on her face that tells 'everything is OK'. "Good…", Cloud feels relieved. He is worry if something happens on Aeris, again.
"Hi, everybody, sorry for waiting too long…", Aeris suddenly comes up from her room and greets everybody downstairs. She is back to her old form : a tied honey-brown hair, a long pink dress, a short red jacket, a pair of brown boots, and always a pair of lovely emerald green eyes and friendly aura from her appearance.
"Never mind, Aeris, come on, let's join us !", Tifa smiles at her and gives her a sign with hand to join them. Aeris smiles back at Tifa. "Yo, missy ! We've been starving all this morning waitin' for ya ! Come down here and get some !", Barret adds Tifa's words.
"This would be a tasteful breakfast !", Cid exclaims as his eyes look around the dining table. Meals are everywhere. The Avalanche members are now sitting on their seats on dining table. They agree with Cid, however, this breakfast looks different from yesterdays.
"What occasion do we have right now ?", Vincent asks the others. Tifa tries to reply, "I…um…Aeris…should we tell them now ?". She looks at Aeris, requesting for her agreement. Obivously, both girls are up to something. Aeris nods as reply. They both now stare at Cloud and make him feel awkward.
"H…hey…what's up ? What's going on ?", Cloud asks nervously. He really does not have any idea why there is so much meal on the table, and how it relates to Tifa and Aeris stare at him.
"Cloudy honey…", Tifa calls him gently, "We have explanation for this, but before that, don't you remember that today you are getting one year older ?".
"W…whatt..?", Cloud is very surprised to hear Tifa's reply. The others, except Tifa, Aeris, and Vincent, show a surprised expression too.
Cloud's birthday ? Vincent, Yuffie, Cid, Barret, and Red think almost in unison.
"Yes, Cloud ! Today is your birthday !!", Aeris finally tells him and the others as well with a nice smile, "how could you forget your birthday ? Lucky for you, Tifa and I still remember it !". Cloud's jaw goes dropped. His mouth is opened. His eyes go to full form. Aeris giggles to see Cloud in such expression.
"Yeehaa…today's your day, kid !", Cid exclaims with loud voice. He then pats Cloud's back until Cloud coughs. Yuffie then adds, "Yeah…I don't even know that today is your birthday, Cloud !". She grins. "Dat's why those missy cook extra meal on dis morning !", Barret concludes the event. He grins and gives Cloud a pat on his back, almost makes him cough again. Cloud turns his head and looks at his friends, one by one, still in confused expression.
"Then I must congratulate you, Cloud, happy birthday !", Red XIII speaks to Cloud. As long as Cloud knows Red, this is the first time he sees the intelligent beast in such joyful expression. Cloud only scratches his head. "Now what.. ?", he mumbles.
"Hey, wait ! There is one thing left, only a little gift…", Tifa says with an excited tone, "Marleeenee…it's your tuuurrnnn…!". From the kitchen, Marlene shows up with a birthday cake. She walks toward the crowd and smiles after she puts the cake on the table.
"Happy birthday, Uncle Cloud…May you always be blessed…", Marlene congratulates Cloud and shakes his hand. Cloud's expression turns to caring one. He smiles back at Marlene and sweeps her hair softly.
"Thank you, Marlene, it's very kind of you", he says to Marlene. Marlene's lips form a broader upward curve and says, "You're welcome, Uncle Cloud, but it's Auntie Tifa and Auntie Aeris who had prepared these all ! They cooked all night and while everyone was sleeping !".
"Really ?", Cloud asks her. Marlene nods her head. Cloud smiles and turns his face to Tifa and Aeris who are still smiling on him.
"Give some speech, Cloud", Vincent suddenly advises Cloud. Cloud is quite surprised that it was Vincent who gave him such advice. However, Cloud stands up from his chair, and the others clap their hands. Cloud scratches his head again. He looks nervous. The claps are getting louder. Finally, he raises his both hands to tell the others to stop. Gradually, the handclaps stop and everyone pays their attention to Cloud. He coughs a little and starts to speak.
"Well, everybody, …um…I can't give a good speech to you…I can only say that I am very touched for such affection to my birthday…especially to Tifa and Aeris who had prepared everything well…". Cloud pauses for a moment. He glances at both girls who still smile at him. After taking a breath, he continues, "I was quite surprised..but…". He then looks at his watch on his wrist. "Cid, does your watch show the different date, compared to mine ?", Cloud shows his watch to Cid who sits next to him. The old pilot moves his face closer to see date on Cloud's watch and then looks at his own watch. He then replies, "No difference, and hell…do you ever have a thought on your $&^@ brain that I forget what date today is !!?".
"No..Cid…", Cloud chuckles, "it's your opinion that makes me sure that I didn't set wrong date on my watch". Now, the others do not get Cloud's point. They look at Cloud with confused look.
"Cloud…what's the matter ?", Aeris asks him curiously. Cloud scratches his head. He looks confused too, but for a different reason. Finally he speaks up, "Well…how should I say this…but…I'm sorry guys…my birthday you mentioned was actually happened….yesterday".
"WHATTT ???", everyone except Cloud ask together in unison. Cloud only shrugs his shoulder with a funny expression on his face.
Silence comes out of blue. Everybody becomes quiet. They look at each other with different expression. Cloud rotates his eyes to his comrades to ask for their response. When his eyes meet Tifa, he sees Tifa's face is getting red. She must be very embarrassed. Cloud then places his eyes to the girl next to Tifa, Aeris. She is smiling to him, but her face shows a crimson red color. She must be very embarrassed like Tifa is. Cloud feels he is ruining the girls' dream to make him surprised. He then speaks,
"Well, everybody, I really mean what I said, I am very touched indeed,…it's not about we didn't get this occasion on right day, it's about your affection ! I really really appreciate that, …after all we only miss one day, right ? There is no reason for being ashamed or feeling awkward because of that ! Come on…I am not angry..honest…". Cloud tries to cherish his friends, especially Tifa and Aeris. No one response.
"Why aren't you angry to us ?", a faint voice comes up. It is Tifa. She hangs her head down. She is too embarrassed to see Cloud.
"Tifa…look at me..", Cloud tells her. Slowly, Tifa raises her face and strengthen herself to see Cloud's eyes. She expects to see a disappointed face from her fiancée, but the truth is, she finds a caring Mako-blue eyes stare at her. She feels warmth on his look. Gradually she feels better. She knows that Cloud is not angry at all.
"Cloud…I am really sorry…", now is Aeris' turn. Cloud gives her a warming look that tells her everything is fine. "Thank you for your caring, Aeris…", Cloud lets out his words. Aeris feels her heart relieved to hear Cloud's response.
"And now, let's eat these meal ! They're getting colder !", Barret's voice reminds the others. He is right. The longer the meal is waiting, the colder it is. "You're damn right, old man !", Cid adds, "hey, kid, tell the others to eat their meal ! We are #$&^* starving !".
"Hey…wait for a moment !", Tifa cuts off. She then stands up from her spot and walks to Cloud. "I…um…haven't given my gift to you, Cloud…", she talks shyly. Cloud raises his eyebrow. Suddenly Tifa leans up to him and kisses him warmly. "Happy birthday", she speaks after kissing him. Cloud can see that Tifa is holding her cheeks from turning them to red. She then hands over a small gift, wrapped in blue ribbon, to Cloud. The others cheer them up, except one person. Aeris. She watched the event she always wants to pretend with anguish as seconds passed. However, she does not want to screw up this moment.
"Woohooo…here they are, a will-be-married couple of Midgar !! If only Cait Sith was here !", Cid gives comment on what he sees. Suddenly he feels a fist blows on his stomach. Not very hard, but it hurts him a little. It came from Yuffie. As he wants to curse on what happened to him, Yuffie's vicious look already shuts his mouth. It was Yuffie who punched him. With her eyes, she points to someone who sits next to Tifa. Aeris. Cid understands what Yuffie tries to say. He does know what to do, only glances at Aeris with concerned look.
No, Aeris…don't be selfish… Tifa has right to do that…Aeris tries to calm down herself, but she knows she cannot do that. With her strength, she forces herself to smile like her friends do. She tries to act as if nothing happens when Tifa sits back on her chair. A satisfied expression is clearly depicted on Tifa's delighted face.
Cloud nods his head and sits on his chair again. "Now, everybody..", he says, "let's have break-feast !!!". His friends agree with him and start to get some meals. The Avalanche member are really having fun of their times. At that moment, they forget that they are the ones who saved the world. They forget how their struggle to defend the place they are living. They truly act as if they were ordinary people. If it was not because of Sephiroth and Meteor, they would surely live their life separately. Now, fate unites them in friendly bonds. Much more, in love, and worse, love triangle relationship.
In middle of the feast, Tifa cannot stop glancing at Cloud who is munching his food. She looks at him and feels she is very lucky to have him. She almost forgets their love triangle and tries to assume that she and Cloud will be married soon. Aeris, on the other hand, cannot forget what she saw before, that was Tifa kissed Cloud right in front of her eyes. She tries to pretend that it did not disturb her, but she finally decides that she cannot do that. She thinks she needs to do other things to ease her heart. With careful motion, she braves herself to take a look for a moment on Cloud, just to see his face once. When she finally does that, she finds Cloud also glances at her. Quickly, Aeris turns her eyes to her dishes. Her heart is pacing.
He looked at me…! Aeris lets her words play inside her mind. She does not know how she should react. With her eye tip, Aeris looks at Tifa and sees that she is still enjoying her food, and her Cloud as well.
"Aeris, are you okay ?", suddenly Red XIII asks Aeris, pulling her back to reality. He looks concerned, yet he knows why. Aeris smiles to the red-fur beast and shakes her head. "I am all right, Red", she replies and puts another meal to her mouth. Red feels really sorry about Aeris, but he and Aeris know as well that they must not interfere this happy event with her feeling.
"It's really peaceful here…", Yuffie suddenly gives comment in middle of her meal. "I hope we will not meet some bad guys again", she continues.
"Yes, I hope that too", Red XIII responds to Yuffie. Although it was only Red who speaks up, the others also think Yuffie's words. They also wish the same thing as Yuffie's.
"How about you all, guys ?", Cloud asks his friends while munching his food. Cid is the first who replies, "I am #$(* all right now, kid ! I am ready to kick some more bad-asses !".
"Anyone needs more medical treatment ?", Cloud asks the others, ignoring Cid's curse. No one replies. Two weeks for rest is enough for them. Barret is the one who breaks the silence,
"I think two weeks are enough to patch yer body ! How about ya, Spikey-Head ? Ya were having the worst wounds".
"Well…I guess I am all right now..", Cloud replies while munching his food. Barret grins at him. Cloud takes a deep breath, and thinks his friends' opinion for a moment. He also has the same wish as his friends do : to have a peaceful life. With a lighthearted feeling, he then continues his meal.