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Disc: I dont own anything
Chapter 3:
Morning Coffee and a Drunk Night
I felt cold, lying in my bed. It wasn't right locking Sephiroth outside to freeze. I tried to tell myself that he deserved it after all the crap I had been through today, but the thought of him being alone out there tugged at my heartstrings.
Oh, screw it. I really need to stop caring so much.
Who the hell was I kidding, anyway? Knowing Sephiroth, the jerk probably enjoyed the loneliness and cold. He had been used to it for so long.
I began laughing silently as Cid suddenly came to mind. I wonder what Cid would think, knowing I had allowed the presence of Sephiroth in my home.
Cid has become a father figure to me, calling me as often as he can. We chat for hours about recent events in our lives, Cid's mainly involving Shera. I tell Cid all there is to tell, and in return he always promises to keep his cursing minimal.
If Cid were to find about this event, I'm sure he would have to break his promise, temporarily of course.
Yes, Sephiroth will be just fine.
My eyes began to feel heavy as I finally began to relax. Turning onto my side, my eyes closed at I fell into a long-awaited slumber.
Oh, and I don't snore, despite what Sephiroth may say.
Coffee. The smell of coffee was always a welcome one, the strong scent had always been a favourite of mine. My father would always brew coffee early in the morning, thinking I wasn't awake. After he would pour himself a mug, I'd lay there, taking in deep breaths.
I remember one particular morning in which my father had left a mug of coffee on our breakfast table because he was in a rush to be somewhere. I got out of bed and looked into the mug; I liked seeing my reflection in the dark liquid. That was the first time I had tasted coffee.
I was gagging for an hour. How could something that smelt so wonderful taste so bitter? Now that I am older, I don't mind coffee as much, though I would much rather drink tea.
Where was the scent coming from anyway?
I slipped out from under the covers of my bed and found the cool atmosphere giving me goose bumps. The house seemed much colder than usual despite the warm sensation I had felt from the coffee aroma just a few moments before.
I grabbed a blanket off my bed and wrapped at around myself.
"So c-c-cold!"
I followed the coffee scent into the living room, my eyes closed and the blanket wrapped tight around me for warmth. The temperature dropped even more in this room, causing me to open my eyes.
An open door. My front door was open.
"Sephiroth!", I yelled through my chattering teeth.
I continued to follow the scent until I reached the kitchen. Sephiroth was sitting at the table, a warm cup of coffee sitting in front of him. The cup looked untouched.
"Sephiroth! You left the front door open, it is freezing! What are you doing, anyway? How did you get in here?", I yelled, waiting for some sort of an apology, maybe an explanation.
Sephiroth, after what seemed like forever, looked up at me. Pitiful me, huddled in a blanket, every part of my body shivering.
"Now you know how I felt last night, when you locked me out."
I wouldn't feel sorry for him. I simply wouldn't.
"I'll close the door.", he said, brushing past me. The slight accidental connection made my heart race, my body slowly grew warmer.
!#$&, what was my problem?
As Sephiroth returned, he sat back down in the same seat he had once been in. He pushed the cup of coffee towards me, sliding it across the table.
So maybe I did feel sorry for the guy. I was still upset though.
"I don't drink after the likes of you.", I said coldly.
I sat down across from him, waiting for him to get angry. I wasn't in the mood to make him feel welcome in my home.
"I didn't drink any of it, Miss Lockhart. I only like the aroma."
I could tell he was smirking, but I didn't dare look at him. Not straight at him. I was acting like a child.
I picked the cup up and sipped the bitter liquid. The warmth of the drink was soothing.
"Than...thank you, Sephiroth."
I never had expected myself ever thanking Sephiroth for anything.
Then again, I never expected him to offer me a cup of coffee either.
"Cloud is coming home today.", I announced, now looking at him. "I suppose it would be best to tell him the plan."
Oh. Not to mention we still have to tell him you are back from the dead. Don't worry, I'm sure he will believe you are a changed man. Yeah, right.
"He isn't going to like it."
Sephiroth's eyes turned into a deadly squint. I hated when he did that. It made him seem more frightening then he really was.
"I am not seeing it as an exact pleasure to work with any of you either."
Now I was squinting too. $#&, that man made me angry.
I could, now, see a slight feeling of regret form in his eyes.
"Perhaps... it would be better if you told him alone?"
Waiting there for Cloud seemed to take forever. Sephiroth had gone into my room, a place Could would dare not go.
Minutes turned into hours. I had to wonder what was taking him so long. I had thought about calling him, but I was always sure that the moment I did, he would walk right through the door.
Waiting for Cloud. I was always waiting for Cloud, or so it seemed. Sometimes I secretly wished that someone would we waiting for me. It was a stupid idea.
Yuffie always told me that when I got like this, to always remember her. She would always tell me how much I was worth and how any guy would be lucky to have me.
I didn't want just any guy. I wanted the guy. I suppose after saving the world, watching your friend die, and dealing with a psyco, it was too much to ask for.
Besides, Yuffie wouldn't know any better. She is still young in my eyes.
"Knock, Knock, Knock!"
Well, finally.
I opened the door to see Cloud, leaning against the outside wall of our home. Something was strange about him.
"Tifa!", he yelled, wrapping his arms around me, hugging me tightly.
His breath carried the scent of alcohol.
"Cloud. Cloud, your drunk!"
Owning a bar, I had seen it many times. I can truely say that I had only once seen Cloud so drunk before, and that was when we were much younger.
Cloud proceeded through the house, looking around as if he had never been there before. Like a child.
"Cloud, just wait, ok?"
I ran back to my room and opened the door a crack, seeing Sephiroth laying down on my bed. This, however was not the time to yell.
"Sephiroth, Cloud is drunk. #$!&, just come help me.", I said, turning back to Cloud.
"Tifa! Sephiroth is right behind you! That little $#!&! I'll save you Tifa."
Cloud put his fists up, as if he were to fight Sephiroth unarmed. Even I silently laughed at my friend.
I was laughing; until Sephiroth punched Cloud in the face, knocking him out cold.
Sephiroth began dragging him to my room, and then threw his unconscious body onto the bed. Things were not going well.
Actually, things were going better then I had expected. I thought either one of them would have been dead by now. We can guess who I had my money on.
My eyes followed Sephiroth as he sat down on the small couch opposite my bed. I found myself drawn to it, or maybe I was just drawn to him. Curse those eyes of his...
I sat down next to him, both of us sitting with poor posture and looks of exaustion on our faces.
"Tomorrow...I'm calling Avalanche. Let's just get all this over with as soon as possible."
Sephiroth nodded in silent agreement.
"You understand what you have just done, right?", I said, feeling the need to sleep once again.
"What have I done now?"
"You've given him my bed, you idiot!"
I wasn't really angry. I guess I just felt like maybe it would be fun teasing him, seeing his reaction. Testing him.
"Then I guess I'll be going outside now."
I didn't tell Sephiroth that I wanted him to stay there, with me. I wasn't even sure if I wanted him too.
Ok, I was sure.
Though it seems unimaginable, I actually liked having him around.
End Chapter. Please R&R!
