Chapter 02:

"Cloud…?"

It was a voice he was comfortable hearing. Tifa.

"Yeah," he answered without turning, "Closing early today?"

"Mhmm. Yuffie should be coming by later. She has something planned to do tonight, do you want to tag along?"

"I don't know." What the hell is wrong with you, Cloud? Show some enthusiasm for a change. "I mean… let's wait until Yuffie gets here then."

Tifa put her hands to her waist and paused. A deafening silence shrouded the room for a few minutes. Only the breeze through the window could be heard. Tifa dropped her hands and slowly approached Cloud's motionless form. "What's wrong?"

Still concerned.

"Cloud?"

What do you want me to say?

"Cloud…?" A tone of worry blanketed Tifa's voice.

Cloud stood up and turned to the window. "The past. It still sneaks up on me sometimes."

Tifa eyes widened, I thought he got over all this. He already told me he dragged these issues on for too long it already wore down…

"Tifa?" It was Cloud's turn.

Tifa's eyes were focusing on the floor. "Is it Aerith?" she asked without looking up.

"No," Cloud said with as much truth in his tone as possible, "No, not this time. I forgave myself over her already."

Tifa didn't actually believe those words completely, but she accepted and looked up. Cloud's eyes still glowed with Mako energy, giving his intent look a slight radiance. "Then what is it?" she asked.

I don't know how to say it, but I think I am asking for your forgiveness this time. To forgive me for my long, painful absences, my negligence, and my ignorance. "…I don't know how to describe my thoughts." You're stupid, Cloud. You know what to say.

"Cloud… what are your thoughts?" Tifa moved closer to him, now only roughly a foot away, "We learned to trust each other over the years," she added. She was about to say and how we learned to love each other, but instead restated it as, "And we learned how to care for one another."

With those words, Cloud turned towards the window again and he took a deep breath. Another memory of his past resurrected, the times when they were young and Tifa would sit by his side, her eyes saturated with worry and empathy. Here he was again, with Tifa behind him still displaying her never-ending apprehension. He felt a hand on his shoulder. A tingling sensation extended through his entire body. He was used to Tifa's hand on his arm or shoulder every once in a while, but this new touch was different.

Tifa felt Cloud's quick jolt, so she removed her hand from Cloud's shoulder.

"Sorry," he said, "for everything."

Now Tifa stared straight at Cloud's back. A million thoughts ran through her mind as she whispered, "For what, Cloud?"

"For causing you pain. I can see it in your eyes." Cloud's back was still facing Tifa. He wouldn't move. "Not just for you, Tifa, but for Marlene and Denzel, too. Do you recall how they begged me to stay? I didn't before, but now I realize, my place is here."

My place is here, those four words rang through Tifa's mind slower and louder than any other words she's ever heard. His place is here. Cloud's place is here. Had her prayers finally been answered? It was a bit too good to be true. Too good, that Tifa decided not to question any further.

"I don't need you to apologize. As you clearly demonstrated, you are capable of forgiving yourself," she said sweetly with a smile, "Plus, you're here aren't you. You're here to stay." How she loved saying those words: You're here to stay.

Cloud finally turned around. Something is still missing. I haven't said anything remotely close to what I wanted to say. What is it…? He searched hard through Tifa's large red-brown eyes for an answer. The two of them stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity before Tifa blinked and realized what they were both searching for.

Eight o' clock at night. In the dim-lighted room, the two figures loomed. Cloud and Tifa still had their eyes locked onto each other, searching. Tifa's sudden blink made Cloud comprehend something. Cloud's silent response also triggered an understanding for Tifa…

"Do you love me?" Tifa asked.

Cloud was still asleep, but he woke up with a dazed looked on his face.

Tifa changed the subject, "Hey, Cloud. Do you love Marlene?"

Cloud was asleep back then, it was only approximately a week ago, but he heard something and it wasn't about Marlene. Tifa asked a different question. He just couldn't recall was it was that she asked. Now he was in thought again, which Tifa easily noticed. She moved closer and leaned on the wall right beside Cloud, still looking into his eyes. A novel connection seemed to be forming…

"Are we a family, Cloud?" she asked carefully. Every time she asked this, Cloud never seemed to have a response. He never had any signs of emotion on his face when she asked him similar questions.

Cloud shifted his footing and accidentally stepped on Tifa's right foot.

"Sorry!"

Tifa winced, but she didn't care at the moment. "It's okay. But, Cloud?"

Cloud looked at her face again, "Yeah."

"Do you think we are a family?"

"…I," Cloud said, "I'm not sure what you mean, Tifa…"

Tifa sighed sadly. Never mind, I shouldn't be pushing him anyway. However, Tifa couldn't manage to turn away. Her face was solemn and her arms loose at her sides. Why does it have to be so hard…?

"Tifa," Cloud whispered.

"What, Cloud," she said in a barely audible voice.

Cloud paused, unable to form any words, "Nothing."

With that, Tifa stood up straight and headed towards the door. Her mind was in turmoil; she does not understand her situation with Cloud. Yet, before closing the door on her way out, she turned and faced him once again, "I don't know what we must do to become closer." And she shut the door silently.

Cloud could hear the rapid footsteps heading down the stairs. He was devastated. This is what happens when you don't say what you should say. Stop lying to her. He lied down and closed his eyes.

Meanwhile, Tifa was on a couch in the living room. She held her black, fighting gloves that she has grown so comfortable with, like the two accessories were a part of her spirit. Indeed it probably was. Perhaps we were closer on the battlefield, she thought while stroking the black leather. Tifa looked around her. Nothing. Just hardwood floor and space. She rose from the couch and put on her gloves. With the fury, she leapt to the ceiling and started to rapidly jab the air. She did aerial dodges, back flips, and high-powered kicks and punches, as if simulating an actual fight. She trembled, as if her blood boiled to a point where she was on the verge of passing out, but she continued. What more do I have, if not strength? Tifa angrily thought to herself. Time seemed to slow down when Tifa noticed two tears, one from each of her eyes, dropped onto the hard floor. "Crying?" she wailed, "Why!" Streams of tears trickled down her face and Tifa pulled her arm back, ready to strike any nearby object.

But she felt a pull on her wrist. She pulled against the force, only to realize she couldn't. She turned around and gazed again into the same blue eyes. Tifa quickly turned away and continued to try and free her arm, but Cloud refused.

"Stop it, Cloud," Tifa said, with a single tear dropping down, splashing onto the floor.

Cloud loosened his hand on Tifa's wrist only a bit. "Then promise me you won't break anything," he said before completely releasing his hold.

Tifa put both her hands to her sides and remained silent and motionless. Except, in a split second, Tifa's tears stopped and she did something that she hasn't done before: She wrapped her arms around Cloud's waist and shoved her face into his chest. Cloud simply looked down with bewilderment. Tifa made a small sniffling noise and said, "This isn't because I just need something to hold, you know."

Cloud didn't know if that comment was supposed to be a joke or not, but he smiled. Tifa looked up and was stunned. Maybe the tears have wasted my eyes, but that has got to be the most beautiful smile I've seen for quite some time. Then she did something else that she hasn't done before. Tifa leaned in and soothingly gave that smile a kiss. She disengaged and looked up into Cloud's eyes.

He was a bit taken aback. "Oh…" It was all he managed to say.

"Shh," Tifa said, putting a finger to Cloud's lips, "We're okay."

A knocking sound came through the door and Tifa turned her attention to it. That must be Yuffie, she thought as she turned and headed for the door.

Cloud continued to stare at Tifa even after Yuffie's hyperactive self made her way into the bar. His mouth was partly open, which made him seem quite awkward, but he didn't notice it. All he could feel was that tingling feeling that Tifa and he just shared a minute ago. Yuffie's voice then rang in his ears.

"Cloud, what's up with you, coming or not?" Yuffie asked.

Tifa came up to them and glanced at Cloud. Then she turned to Yuffie, "Cloud will call and catch up when he can, right Cloud?" She tossed Cloud a small grin.

Cloud smiled back, Wow, he remarked. "Yeah… uh, you girls have fun. I'm gonna relax a bit here." He was still in a trance-like state.

"Will you excuse us for a moment?" Tifa asked Yuffie, who nodded and skipped back towards the door.

Tifa took one of Cloud's hands and both he and she sat down on the couch, side by side. Cloud looked at Tifa and Tifa returned the attention. The bar was silent, and the two childhood friends just dwelled in each other's presence, doing nothing more than breathing. Your turn, Cloud.

Cloud caught Tifa by surprise by taking her hands into his before moving closer to her ear and whispered, "It's always been like this, hasn't it?" He leaned back again. That felt odd to say, but I said it.

Tifa knew what Cloud meant and smiled. She leaned over and whispered into his ear, "What do you feel?" Tifa poked a finger at his chest, around the area of his heart, "What do you feel there?"

More questions, Cloud noted to himself, might as well answer them now when I have the chance.

"I feel what you feel."

Tifa sat back and made a face of question. "Would that―"

"―You figure it out," Cloud cut in. He sighed and said again, "I feel for you, how you feel for me." Cloud smiled and stood up, satisfied with his answer. He reached out his hand, signifying to pull Tifa up. She beamed and reached forward…

Then Cloud did something he never thought he would be capable of doing: he pulled Tifa up to him, face-to-face, and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. Tifa felt herself melt and her eyes watering. I must be on the crying spree today. Regardless, she placed both her hands on Cloud's neck and returned the kiss, as she longed to do so for quite some time. Cloud hugged her close, seemingly protecting her from all harm.

"Friendly kiss?" Tifa asked silently, gazing up.

"You bet," Cloud replied.

Somewhere, Yuffie let out a soft giggle. She called out at full volume, "Hey! You comin' or not, Tifa?"