The beginnings and endings of life
Mind and soul, heart and body…
All come into conflict.
Genesis
Strife
by Jess Angel
4
Seas of Mako blue stared down at a glossy tiled floor. The ceiling lights were echoing a golden yellow back at the swordsman. Yet, as beautiful as the effect was, Cloud's mind was apparently somewhere else. Suddenly, a feminine voice suspended his spacing thoughts and brought him back to reality. The young man glanced towards the gentle sound that had drifted from across the room.
Tifa smiled warmly at Vincent as he dutifully pulled out her usual chair at Reeve's dinner table. The martial artist still wasn't quite used to the courtesy, but had learned to accept it. She had long ago stopped trying to prevent him with a 'you don't have to do that'. Now, she replied with a simple thank you and a grateful smile.
The first time Vincent had drawn her chair, Tifa had felt strangely out of place. She thought he had wanted to sit in the particular seat, so she had started to move when…
"What are you doing?"
"Moving?" She was unsure herself.
"Where?"
Tifa pointed to the next seat over. Vincent pulled that one out as well. She was about to retort something about men learning to make up their minds, when she noticed he was just standing there, looking at her.
Waiting?
Tentatively, she moved to the other chair to test a theory. Either she would end up looking like a fool or save herself some embarrassment. The martial artist leisurely sank down to sit and felt the seat touch the back of her knees. She let out a breath. Well, that was a relief.
Tifa felt her lips quirk up at the memory. After that, she had done her best to convince Vincent that he didn't need to continue the service. But her protests had been futile.
When she did finally give into the gesture, Vincent found himself inwardly pleased. Had her past objections persisted, they would have continued to fall on stubbornly deaf ears.
Cloud felt an unwanted frown mar his lips. It really shouldn't have bothered to him. Vincent must have performed the task hundreds of times. But it did… especially after today.
No threat.
The phrase replayed in his head again and again. Two words that should have relieved him. So, why didn't they? Cloud felt his lips tug further down. The answer was a real kicker. In a way, Vincent was a threat, the swordsman realized.
Cloud Strife had never attempted to move past friendship with Tifa Lockheart.
The sentence flashed bright red, glaring at his mind's eye.
Yes, the feelings of wanting to had always been there. He just never acted on them. When it came down to these types of feelings, Cloud had a hard time directly expressing them. He shied away from coming face to face, looking emotion in the eye.
As a child in Nibelheim, he believed he still had something to prove. During the Calamity of the Skies, his mind had been in shambles. And now… The months they had spent in Neo-Midgar were focused on a different goal. A common one. In those moments, all of them had been slowly building something more important: Lives. A bond. Friendship that went further than times of apocalypse.
Cloud's excuses were running out and for once, he didn't mind. But would he actually take that first step? The one beyond friendship and into something more…
"Cloud, get over here so we can eat," the amused tone of Reeve distracted the swordsman from any more thoughts.
Breaking away from his reflections, the blond gave the president a small grin before complying.
Dinner proceeded in its customary fashion. The evening continued much like any other night before it. But under the surface, a certain man's thoughts kept slipping into undesirable directions.
For once, Cloud wished Vincent wasn't such a gentleman. If only the man hadn't been born thirty years ago and acquired those charming old fashioned manners. If only Vincent looked his actual age. If only… Cloud stabbed through a piece of meat with his fork, and a grating scratch irritated the room. He looked up from his plate in apology.
Reeve seemed to shrug it off. Tifa pardoned him with a smile and Vincent continued eating, more silent than usual.
Cloud felt the waves of guilt crash into him. What was wrong with him? Vincent was his friend. He was their friend. Cloud only wanted happiness for him. The man really needed some. If he let this get to him, he would upset that strange yet comfortable peace that had settled between them.
And then, there was Tifa. Cloud couldn't deny that there was a strong chance she could get hurt. Any disagreements they had with one another affected the rest of the group, Tifa especially.
If only Cloud hadn't felt the need to compete….
Tifa addressed the dark-haired man, "Vincent, I think you should know that you have quite a few fans at the youth center." She failed to capture his eyes and felt slightly hurt at Vincent's subtle avoidance… She'd been getting it from him all night.
Had she done something wrong today?
Still, she continued, her eyes glittering with amusement, "I heard them going on and on about how 'cool' you are and how they all want an 'awesome claw' just like yours." She shook her head and allowed a small smile. "Poor Bobby even tried to put hot sauce in his eyes to make them red."
All three men looked at her concerned.
"It's all right," she reassured. "After I flushed his eyes out with water, he was okay. But you should have seen the poor little guy. I didn't have the heart to punish him when he turned those sore eyes up at me and asked 'Are they red, Auntie Tifa?' I could only nod because they were."
Laughter erupted from the table.
Tifa set her ruby eyes on Vincent again. "I think it would mean the world to them if you stopped by. …Maybe you could give the boys a few words… so next time they don't end up seriously hurting themselves." There was a lilt of hope and pleading in her tone.
"For the good of the children, Vincent. Why not?" Reeve grinned.
The swordsman seemed to hesitate his agreement. "Yeah, Vince. Why not?"
As Vincent threw a glance at Cloud, he saw the blond's own grin falter. "I-"
There were a few raps at the door. "President Reeve."
"You can come in, Melissa."
The secretary emerged from behind the wood.
"What is it?" The president went to meet her.
She presented an envelope. "A new safety schedule from the Turks. They wanted it sent to you promptly."
"New?"
"The rumors, Mr. President. After the appearances of those suspicious characters inside the building, we all have cause for concern. You know that."
The president frowned. "Yes. I know."
The onslaught of questions Reeve had expected soon followed.
"Reeve, what suspicious characters?" Tifa looked at him. "Have you received threats?"
"What rumors?" Cloud added.
Reeve dismissed the secretary with a nod. "No, I haven't received any threats." He let out a sigh. He didn't want them to worry. "Recently, several employees have informed Reno, Elena, and Rude of seeing unfamiliar personnel around and recently, in the building. None of their descriptions matched any of our registered workers. As for the rumors, the word is there have been sightings of these characters in different parts of the city. Any more intel of their purpose, their numbers, or proof of their existence has yet to be found."
Vincent leaned forward. "Spies?"
"Possibly," the president answered. "The Turks have been agitated by it lately, but I'm sure it'll blow over soon."
"Wait, spies? For who?" Confusion lit the swordsman's eyes.
Reeve endeavored to ease both his and his comrades' minds. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, Cloud. Reno and the others will have it cleared up and figured out in no time…"
"I propose a toast." Reeve raised a glass of red wine.
His companions looked at him expectantly. The president lightly waved his glass.
"Oh!" Tifa exclaimed for the three of them. Hands sought their own red drink.
Finally, four wineglasses rose to the air.
Reeve continued, "To the new bar."
"To the new bar!" The clinking of glass ensued.
Tifa set her refreshment down and raised a hand to a parting mouth. A loud yawn stretched her voice.
"I believe Miss Lockheart has alerted us to the fact that it's bedtime," Reeve teased with a smile.
A light pink dusted her cheeks. "Sorry, Reeve. I'm just," another yawn, "…so sleepy."
He shook his head. "No need. I think we're all in the same boat." The Neo-Midgar leader slowly stood, and Cloud followed suit. "Well, it's best we get our rest. Goodnight, everyone."
"Night, Reeve." The swordsman started to make his way to their exit, the purpose of opening the door on his mind.
Reeve parted from the group with a smile and began walking towards his office that connected to a hallway leading to his room.
"See you tomorrow," Tifa called.
"Goodnight," Vincent added.
A few feet from the door, Cloud was halted by a clamor of movement. He turned at the sound.
Vincent attempted to help Tifa straighten, as she tumbled on to his chest. She steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder. It looked like the few glasses of wine had affected her more than she thought.
She gave a nervous laugh, "Thanks, Vince."
The blond couldn't help the narrowing of his eyes.
"It's nothing."
The two resumed to their comfortable area of personal space.
"Cloud, are you all right?"
"Reeve," he twisted to the voice. "I'm fine." He attempted to smile.
The older man nodded and held out a roll of paper, "I almost forgot. These are the finalized plans for the Sector 5 clinic. You and Vincent can look them over this week."
"Of course." The swordsman took the plans. "We'll do that." Cloud watched as his two roommates approached.
Tifa's lips lifted into a smile. "Let's go home."
