Snow covered the streets of Midgar. It was a little before midnight, and the streetlights illuminutated pure white patches of snow. Cloud watched the swirling flakes fall from the sky. Midgar actually looks pretty...Cloud thought, mouth twisted sardonically. I never thought I'd see the day...He was carefully to keep from skidding on the snow covered streets as he headed towards his home of six months. It had only been a week since he had last been home. He felt a slight twinge of guilt at this. Cloud was supposed to have done another delivery to Gongaga, but he told his costumer that they'd have to wait another two weeks or find someone else. He was often surprised at how homesick he got.

He was always drawn back home. When he was away, he found himself longing for that feeling he got from Tifa throwing her arms around his neck when he opened the door. If he saw one of their friends in his travels, he ended up rushing home just so he see the look on her face when he gave her news about them. But other times, he found himself rushing home in worry. Did Tifa remember to lock the doors after she closed the bar? he would wonder. Or Is Tifa lonely? Is she eating alright? I hope she doesn't do anything reckless...

But he had an ally back at home to fill him in on things like that. After coming home, if it was before her bedtime, Cloud always tucked Marlene in the first night he got home. Tifa thought it was sweet, and approved of their little tradition with no protest. But little to her knowledge, Marlene and Cloud had a secret alliance going. Cloud would sneak Marlene candy and treats that would normally never be allowed so close to bedtime, and Marlene would fill Cloud in. She'd tell Cloud if Tifa had been sad at all while he was gone, and if she had been working too much and whether or not she slept well at night. Cloud found that Marlene was a surprisingly reliable source.

Too bad it's too late for that tonight...Cloud thought regretfully. I'll just have to ask Tifa herself. But Tifa was never quite as much a reliable source for that type of questioning. She questioned his welfare deeply whenever he returned, but she often evaded his questions with I'm fine's and Don't worry about me's. Cloud shook his head. Stubborn to the last...he thought amusedly.

Cloud's boots crunched on the fresh snow as he got off his motorcycle. The Seventh Heaven was closed according to the sign outside the door. He turned the knob and pushed on the door gently. It opened. Leaving the doors unlocked after closing again...he thought disapprovingly. I'll have to talk to her about that...Cloud removed his wet boots and hung his coat up outside the door.

Cloud walked in to the bar area, his sock clad feet padding gently on the floor. He was greeted with the sight of Tifa, wearing plaid pajama bottoms and a tank top, her hair loose and falling over her shoulders. Her fisted were raised in a battle stance. She lowered her hands immediately as she recognized Cloud. Her brown eyes were wide with relief.

"Cloud!" she said happily, rushing forward to hug him. "You scared me! Creeping in like that..."

I've been looking forward to this all week...Cloud realized sheepishly as he wrapped his arms around her back.

"You're freezing!" Tifa whispered into his shoulder.

Her warm body felt good against his frigid skin.

"It's snowing outside." Cloud told Tifa softly. "Reminds me of Nibelheim."

"Mmhmm..." Tifa murmurred.

Cloud could feel her heart pounding against him. Didn't mean to scare her like that...he thought guiltily. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled back so he could look down at her.

"Sorry I scared you." he apologized quietly.

Tifa looked a little embarassed. "It's okay Cloud...I just overreacted a bit, that's all."

He gave her a stern look.

"You should lock the doors at night Tifa." he told her seriously. "I worry about you being here alone..."

She shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'm fine Cloud. I can take care of myself. You shouldn't worry...really." she said with a smile. "Now come on! I'll make you something hot to eat! You'll get sick if we don't warm you up..."

She began walking toward the bar but Cloud grabbed her hand and tugged her around.

"Promise me you'll lock the doors at night." he requested solemnly.

"Cloud..." she said gently. "You know you don't have to wor-"

"Please Tifa..." he interrupted. "I'll be able to sleep better when I'm away, knowing you're safe."

Tifa gave Cloud's hand a small squeeze.

"Okay Cloud...if it will make you feel better, I promise."

She smiled and pulled him to the bar.

Hours later, they were still sitting at the bar together, catching up. Cloud relished in Tifa's laughter as he told her about an silly disagreement he had with Dio, and in her concern as she gently brushed her fingers across the remnents of a cut he had received on the cheek in the fight that had occured afterwards. He listened diligently as she brought him up to date with all of Marlene's most recent antics.

"I think she really enjoys having other children around every now and then." Tifa said as she took Cloud's empty plate away.

Cloud put his hands on his stomach, full of Tifa's delicious cooking.

"Have there been many orphans staying here recently?" he asked her somberly.

She nodded sadly.

"There have been so many children in the streets in the past few months." she said sorrowfully. "With the weather being cold like this, they need somewhere to stay."

"Are there any children staying here now?" Cloud asked her.

"Yes..." she replied. "I tell them they're welcome whenever they need somewhere to stay...but they don't like to stay for long. They always go in the morning and come back at night. They probably won't come back at all when the snow melts...except for meals every now and then."

Cloud nodded in agreement as a huge yawn split his face.

"You tired?" Tifa asked him.

"Yea..." Cloud said glancing at the clock. "Guess we better get to bed, huh?"

She agreed quietly and they left the bar area together. Tifa pressed a finger to her lips as they walked into the livingroom. There were two children asleep on either end of the sofa, covered in a thick blanket. They passed by the slumbering orphans and ascended the stairs. When they reached the top floor, Tifa peeked her head in on Marlene's room. The little girl was sleeping peacefully. Cloud watched her as she opened the door across the hall to the spare room. There were about seven children squeezed into the two king size beds inside.

"Your bed's made up." Tifa whispered, closing the door quietly.

"Thanks..." Cloud whispered back. "Goodnight Tifa."

Cloud could barely see her smile in the dark hallway.

"Goodnight Cloud..." she said softly. "See you in the morning..."

He turned to enter his room, but stopped as he saw her turn towards the staircase.

"Aren't you going to your bed?" he asked her, tilting his head curiously.

Tifa stopped and shuffled her feet a bit.

"Well actually..." she said, looking a little sheepish. "Three more children showed up and well..."

She motioned to her room.

"But it's okay!" she said quickly to the exasperation on Cloud's face. "I just make up a bed for myself in the bar area and I sleep fine."

Cloud shook his head and moved away from his door.

"You sleep in my room tonight Tifa." he said giving her a gentle push. "I'll be fine sleeping on the floor."

She put her hands on her hips and gave him an incredulous stare.

"Do you really think I'm going to let you sleep on the floor!" she asked him. "You just got back! You're exhausted!"

"Tifa, that floor's hard..." he said indignantly. "You don't honestly think I'm going to let you sleep there either."

She set her jaw and took a defiant step towards the staircase. Cloud stepped in front her and stood in between her and the top step. He gave her a triumphant smile.

"I'm not moving until you're asleep in that bed!" he said stubbornly.

Tifa gave him an equally stubborn look and tried to squeeze by, but he gave her a poke in the exposed flesh of her side. She suppressed a squeak and jumped back.

"Guess we'll be here all night." she said, crossing her arms.

Cloud shrugged. "Guess so."

Tifa opened her mouth to retort, but a huge yawn caused her to press a hand to her mouth. Cloud watched her, and found himself covering up a yawn of his own. Tifa giggled softly.

"This is ridiculous..." she said shaking her head.

Cloud nodded in agreement. They stood in silence for a minute, and a thought ocurred to Cloud, one that made his heart flutter nervously.

"Umm Tifa..." he said, scratching his head embarassedly. "There's enough room for both us in my room..."

He didn't have to see through the dark to know that Tifa was blushing.

"I guess it's the only way either of will be getting any sleep, huh?" Tifa said softly.

Cloud made of soft sound of agreement. He held the door open for Tifa as she entered his room. He flicked on a light. Tifa sat down on the bed, cheeks pink and looking nervous. Her blush deepened and she turned away as Cloud stripped off down to his boxers and pulled on a pair of pajama pants. She scooted to the far end of the bed as he sat down on the edge of it.

"Ready to go to bed?" he asked her quietly.

She nodded and Cloud turned the lamp off. Light came in through the window; the moon was reflecting off the new fallen snow. They both pulled the covers up over themselves, laying down side-by-side. It would have been easier for me to fall asleep on the hard floor...Cloud thought, heart hammering. He could feel the warmth of Tifa's body next to him, and strands of her dark hair tickled his arm. They had slept next to one another before, but this was different somehow...it felt so different when they were in a bed. Cloud felt his cheeks grow warm.

Cloud didn't move an inch until Tifa's breathing was deep and steady. Only then did he dare to turn towards her. He felt an unsupressable grin appear at the sight of her. She was sleeping soundly, her mouth open a bit, moonlight falling across her face. Tifa was on her side facing him. Cloud resisted the urge to brush his fingers across her peaceful face. He turned onto his side too, so that he was facing her. Her breath was warm on his face.

"Goodnight Tifa." he whispered.

He closed his eyes. Maybe we should let the orphans use Tifa's room more often...he thought with a twinge of guilt at the fact that he didn't mind having Tifa sleep in his bed next to him at all.