Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7 any of it's characters or references, that includes the entire compilation, it's not mine.
Didn'tI promise to update soon, here enjoy:
Chapter 10: Twilight
Tifa sat quietly at the bar, it was night-time and she had already closed the bar, she had already sent the children to bed, it was now almost five days since he had gone, the children were beginning to question where he was, she managed to make up convenient excuses but they wouldn't last, she would have to tell them that Cloud had left again, but this time it was her fault that he had left. She didn't want to tell them that, she knew how much they looked up to him especially Denzel, the young boy copied Cloud in every way imaginable even managing to convince Tifa to buy clothes similar to what Cloud wore that would be able to fit him in his own size, if he ever found out that the blond-haired swordsman had left it would break his heart and if she told him it was because of her…she didn't want to think of the outcome, she loved the young boy as if they were cut from the same cloth, as if he was her own blood-kin and couldn't bare the thought of him hating her because of her mistake.
But Tifa was also hurting inside not from the confession she would have to tell the children but she also missed Cloud, she missed him dearly, and so she sat alone in the darkened bar, there was only one light on, it hung from the ceiling-fan, which was spinning quite slowly, barely enough to give any breeze, the light came down on Tifa who was sitting in front of the counter, it was a bit strange for her because she always served from behind it but it didn't bother her anymore, all those feelings of awkwardness didn't matter because of the hole in her chest, the space that once housed her heart. Her eyes were on the small glass with her drink in it, Tifa rarely drank despite running a bar, but it was only when she was worried, she had barely touched her drink, the ice had barely dissolved, and the condensation on the glass began to melt away forming droplets that traveled down the short length and onto the counter, making a circular shape, a wet outline of the circumference of the base of the glass.
Her eyes seemed to be like in a trance as if hypnotized, they were fixed on the drink in the glass, but her mind was drifting between the real world and the lifestream, though both Vincent and herself were a couple she was searching for someone else, a person with blond spiky hair that seemed to defy gravity, a person with shining azure eyes that held a glowing green mako rings around both, who carried a sword bigger than himself. She wanted to see his face, to see if he was happy, just to feel his touch, to see him looking at her, though it had only been five days, it felt like five years for her.
The silence that she sat in was enough to drive a person insane, there was no sound, not from the slowly moving ceiling fan, not from the sleeping children, nothing. Another droplet formed around the rim of the glass, also at the same time from the outer-corner of her left eye a tear also began developing, after barely a second had passed the droplet streamed down the side of the glass leaving the path on the condensation that it traveled, as the droplet ran down the side of the glass, the tear from her eye also come out from her hypnotized eye and traveled down her cheek until it reached her chin, their it hung for a moment, the droplet was still slowly moving down the side of the glass, then the single tear dropped from her chin and into her drink.
As the droplet reached the base of the glass, just barely a millimeter above the counter, there was a soft knock on the door. Snapping out of her waking dream, Tifa spun around, she heard a click and the doorknob turned, her crimson eyes fixed on the door, she got off the stool and onto her feet, she didn't care who it was, all logical thought was absent from her mind, the only thing she thought was that it was a burglar, not knowing that it was rare for a burglar to have a key for the building or that it could be one of her friends, as the door creaked opened, it slowly moved from one side to the other and an all to familiar face came into view, it was blond-haired warrior that carried a sword bigger than himself. Without thinking a second thought, with no time for her eyes to widen in surprise, without words she flung herself off her feet and in one swift motion her body was pressed up against his, her hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him down into her, her head buried within him also.
"Cloud," she breathed barely above a whisper.
The initial action had caught him by surprise, it wasn't the greeting that he had envisioned, but soon he relaxed and welcomed her. His hands went around her waist and pulled her into him, trapping her smaller frame into his.
"Tifa," He said slightly louder than her voice, "I'm sorry,"
"It's alright," She said welcoming her tears, "You're here now that's all that matters," the countless tears streaming down her face leaving a wet trail behind.
Cloud felt his shirt getting wet, he knew why it was Tifa's tears they were soaking into the cloth, but he showed no sign of discomfort, or any signs of trying to stop her, though he was apologizing in each other's silence they understood each other, it was an ability they both shared whenever they were in a close proximity, the ability to sense each other's pain and know when they were sad
"Tifa, I'm sorry," He apologized again.
"It's alright, I should be the one to apologize not you, Cloud….," Her voice was barely recognizable
"Tifa let me make it up to you," Cloud said.
"Cloud?" She questioned.
"Let me take you to the Gold Saucer tomorrow," He said his eyes facing forward not looking down at her.
"Cloud?" She questioned again this time ripping her head off his chest and for the first time in five days locking her crimson eyes with his azure ones.
Cloud looked down at her, to see her looking up at him, her eyes were sad, filled with sorrow and also filled with loneliness. Was it because of him? Did he fill her with this loneliness?
"I sorry, I failed you again, let me make it up to you," He said with a slight curl on his lips.
She buried her head into his chest again, "Of course Cloud but only on one condition."
"What's that?" He asked.
"You'll never leave again," The raven-haired maiden stated.
"Only as long as you'll have me," He answered.
Tifa didn't want to leave Cloud alone, but he said he'd be in his room when she got back up so she should rest, actually she had barely slept after he had left. She knew Vincent had noticed it and she didn't want him to worry about her, he had even offered to stay over to keep her company so she wouldn't feel lonely but she had refused.
When the children awoke, as had become a part of their routine for the past five days, they would check Cloud's room to see if he was home as soon as they had gotten home, this time they found him asleep on his bed, their eyes widened and were about to jump on him, but Tifa had stopped them, telling them that he had gotten home late and needed to rest, the children were sad but also glad that their 'father' were home.
Cloud awoke to the smell of something delicious, it was actually because of his nose that he awoke, sure the food he ate the past week was delicious but this was different, the scent was familiar but held that tasty smell that tickled the taste buds in your mouth. After getting out of the bed Cloud made his way downstairs, still only dressed in his long black pants that he usually slept in, his top half exposed, and his hair surprisingly was the way it always was.
The two children were around a table sitting on the barstools eating their breakfast, Tifa was behind the counter still behind the stove apparently she wasn't done with breakfast, silence filled the room as the children's attention was shifted from their meal to the visitor, Tifa didn't notice the growing awkwardness between the children and Cloud. All Cloud did was smile at the children. Denzel was the first one to break the silence.
"Why did u go all the way to Mideel to make a delivery?" Denzel asked.
One of Cloud's eyebrow's slightly arched, he realized that Tifa didn't tell the children what really happened, but he couldn't blame her after all it was his fault.
Tifa was silent, she had heard the Denzel's voice, and then she knew Cloud would realize that she hadn't told the children the truth. Would he hate her for lying and keeping the truth? It wasn't the first time she had done this but on the two occasions that she did, she had pure intentions, it was always to protect others, what came from Cloud's mouth surprised her, it wasn't the reply she was expecting.
"Sorry about that, don't worry it's the last time I make a delivery so far," He apologized to the children, in truth he wanted to apologize for leaving but at the same time he didn't want to tell them he left, this is probably what Tifa felt also when she confronted the children, he didn't want to hurt their feelings after all they were still children.
The door to Seventh Heaven opened and three of Denzel's and Marlene's friends walked in, then Marlene leant over to Denzel and whispered something into Denzel's ear.
Tifa was now facing Denzel and Marlene, she nodded at him, she knew they wanted to leave, and he had already asked her about it the night before and she had agreed. The children got up from their seat and ran over to Cloud, they hugged him, their action had caught him by surprise.
"Is something wrong?" Cloud asked.
Marlene giggled a bit and Denzel replied to Cloud's question, "We've got a surprise, Cloud can I ask you a favor?"
"Depends on the favor," Cloud replied.
"It's a secret," Denzel put briefly.
The blue-eyed swordsman then knelt down in front of the child, Denzel then whispered something into Cloud's ear. Cloud became perplexed by the boy's request, but he whispered something back into his ear. Denzel smiled and both him and Marlene ran off with their friends. Cloud then stood up to see Tifa's crimson orbs on him, her eyes held the question of what had just transpired, she didn't have to say it, because her gaze did.
"Just guy talk," He replied to her, "but I wonder what he would want with it?" Cloud questioned himself.
"Want what?" She asked.
"Don't' worry it's nothing dangerous, and it's kinda personal," Cloud answered as he walked over to her.
"Oh well if that's the case, but I will find out eventually," She replied.
"You probably will," He stated.
This conversation she had with him, the shear joy of them acting like a family, it filled her with joy, it made her have hope that they were indeed a family, her eyes followed Cloud, as he took a seat, behind the counter, she wanted to ask him so many questions about where he had been and it he was alright, but she stifled her curiosity. However Cloud was able to sense Tifa's discomfort.
"Is something the matter?" He asked taking a seat behind the counter looking up at her.
"It's nothing," She replied as she put a plate of food before him.
However the mako-infused SOLDIER knew something wasn't right, he actually knew the questions she was going to ask, "You want to know where I've been?" He asked her.
Tifa's eyes opened wide in surprise, he had figured out her question, she didn't know how to respond to this, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to," She replied, he would already know that she had gone to the church to see if he was there but he wasn't there.
"I was in Cosmo Canyon," Cloud stated.
"You were staying with Red?" She asked.
Cloud nodded. That had taken care of her first question now it was time for her second, and this was probably the most important, it made her heart beat faster, yet seemed to slow down time, making a second seem like an hour, she didn't want it to be a fake memory, she clearly remembered Cloud asking her out on a date the night before, but it could have all just been wishful thinking.
"Cloud, last night…you asked me to go to Gold Saucer didn't you?" She asked him.
Cloud grew solemn, "You don't want to go?" He asked his face lowered his eyes on the counter.
"No, I want to," Tifa suddenly blurted out before knowing she even replied. Tifa was surprised by her own statement, she didn't mean to suddenly blurt it out but she no control over her emotions. She also started to feel guilty, both herself and Vincent were supposed to be a couple, but here was about to out on a date with someone else.
In all honestly she didn't know what to think, Cloud kept breaking her heart even if it was unintentional he kept causing her pain, and Vincent was the one who was mending her broken heart, he was succeeding also until Cloud had walked out on her, shattering the pieces that were slowly being rebuilt. But maybe this time it was different maybe he was beginning to feel for her, but at the same time she felt as if she was also breaking Vincent's heart, he had dedicated so much time to her and was so peaceful but Tifa needed to follow her heart, to see where it lay, it would be a disservice to stay with a person who loves you and not returning the emotion because she loved someone else and going out with Cloud would show her where her heart lay, but deep down, covered in the darkest depths of her soul, buried where no one could reach, she knew to who it belongs to.
The day had passed how they usually did when they lived as a family, Cloud had left to make some deliveries, he left before Vincent came, Tifa had told him that she was going out for the evening but she didn't say with whom, she knew he would be upset if she told him. Denzel and Marlene had found their way back home also, Barret would be watching the children, he kept being dragged into the conflict between Tifa and Cloud and didn't know why but enjoyed spending time with the children and this time he wouldn't be tricked by them or so he thought.
Vincent had left when Tifa closed the bar, but not before he had kissed her goodbye, Tifa felt guilty about keeping the truth from him, it seems it was something she had grown accustomed to; keeping secrets from the people she cares about that guilt she kept within her just kept growing and growing as the day went on but once she heard the familiar sound of a motorbike engine her guilt was forgotten. Cloud had arrived back home shortly after Vincent had left, his bike pulled up in front of the Seventh Heaven entrance. Tifa came outside to greet him, she didn't know why but she was looking forward to this, her heart was thumping loudly in her chest as she approached the Fenrir.
"Are you coming out for a minute, or do you want to leave immediately?" She asked.
"Whenever you're ready, it makes no difference to me," He answered.
Tifa was slightly irritated by his response, he sounded like the old Cloud, but then the realization sunk in, she was going on a date with the one she loved since she was a child, the one who held an unexplainable power over her.
"Well I'm ready, we can leave now," She stated.
"Alright then, let's go," Cloud replied.
Both Tifa and Cloud were on Fenrir as the black motorbike raced through the streets, Tifa's arms wrapped tightly around Cloud's waist, her head resting on his back, she enjoyed it, just the peacefulness, the clear sky and road, no obstacles before them, if only life was as easy as this, perhaps why this is why Cloud loved to ride his bike this much, the sheer serenity it provided; no obstacles in your path, the wind in your face, plus Tifa had an additional bonus, she was hugging the one her heart felt closest to.
To Be Continued…
That chapter was kinda long, well for me any way,I hoped you enjoyed reading it, I have one more chapter I want to post before I go on vacation, I want some feedback, do you think things are moving to fast? Thanks to all who read, and to those who were worried, my hand is fine now.
Till Next Time...