A/N: I know! It's sucks that I only posted one part of the story but this whole thing turned from 2 pages into like 10 and so I just felt like I needed to split it up. I also wanted to make sure that you readers were paying attention. Don't worry though, your patience and reviews (always recommended, even if you don't like it. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but some things I just can't change in my writing style. It's been working for me for the last 15 or so years, after all) have earned the rest of the tale so here is your reward, enjoy! Sorry if it's a let down but it's an ending at least. By the way, this part is set right after Tifa leaves, so there's no time lapse. So on with the story…
More Bath time fun, Part 2
After back to back deliveries all day, Cloud needed this time to refresh and wash the day away. Maybe it was all of the bubbles or the candles, but for some reason Cloud felt anything but relaxed. He lazily watched the burning flames floating along the room cast shadows on the wall, not really thinking, just content to exist. The shadows played tricks on his eyes as shapes came into and out of view from his past: Sephiroth's conceited grin stared back at Cloud as he stabbed Cloud in the shoulder in that last battle, the phantom pain causing his shoulder to twinge at the thought. Others were pleasant and he was lost in his childhood once again with Tifa, his best friend since they were little people; her laugh as he tickled her senseless, her radiant smile and her hazel eyes that could hold his trance until he finally looked away, focusing back on the form of the fire glowing all around him.
Tifa wasn't there yet, and Cloud was growing impatient once again. Sometimes he missed her so much that he knew it wasn't good. She had such a strong hold on him and him craving here presence every time she left a room made him painfully aware that something was happening…this is not how best friends should be. A small knock out the door pulled him back into reality.
"Yes?"
His heart sped up at the thought of Tifa finally joining him, only to see that it was Denzel. Hiding his slight disappointment, he looked at the small boy curiously. Denzel poked his head inside and looked around as if asking Cloud permission to enter, since Cloud was in a bath and all. It was fine since Cloud was covered from the chest down with bubbles.
"It's alright, you can come in."
Denzel's face brightened as he made his way towards Cloud and handed him a purple rubber ducky. Cloud looked down at the toy skeptically until he looked up to see Denzel's expectant face.
"Thanks, Denzel. That's very…thoughtful of you."
Denzel beamed to be doing Cloud a favor, and went on to say, "Tifa said you were lonely so I thought this would cheer you up." Coming closer, he whispered "It's Marlene's, she won't miss it," before turning to leave.
Cloud just laughed and put the ducky on the water, letting it float awhile until he pulled it under, then let it go to see it shoot back up to the top. This entertained him for some time until yet again; a knock came on the door.
"Enter," he replied, not looking up since it was probably Marlene coming for her duck that he didn't want to give up just yet.
Instead of Marlene's voice, Cloud was greeted with giggles coming from the doorway. He looked up to see Tifa trying to hide her laughter and failing miserably. Once again he felt heat spread across his face, this time in embarrassment at being caught playing with toys like he was a little boy. He pushed the duck away and sulked in his bath, ignoring Tifa's gaze until she came over and patted his head.
"Now, now, don't be like that. Come on, let me see that smile."
He couldn't help smiling as she lifted his chin up to meet her eyes. Not willing to give in so quickly, he moped some more. "What took you so long?"
"I had to finish cleaning and then I had to get ready for you."
Cloud's smile turned wolfish at what exactly she had been doing until she sat down on the seat of the toilet and started reading.
"What are you doing?" His shock took place of his first impulse of anger as she just sat there, reading while he was still in the tub, waiting for her.
"What does it look like?" she said smartly before looking up and her composure slipped at Cloud's glare, cracking under his stunned face.
"I'm sorry," she said between breaths, "I just couldn't pass it up. Teasing you is like my favorite hobby."
He had been mocked so much in such a short period of time that he had learned to deal with it; but this, he would not take lightly.
"This," he motioned to Tifa with her book and then back to himself, "is not what I had in mind."
"I know," she said coyly as she removed her shirt and pants to reveal a sexy yet tasteful swimsuit. Cloud watched her blissfully as she lowered herself into the bubbles across from him, his mind working at what was underneath the stretchy material.
"Is this better?"
He looked up to see a mysterious gleam in her eyes, giving him time to ponder the many meanings of her words.
"Definitely."
Her skin glistened with water and bubbles as she stretched her arms along the tub's sides, resting her head back on the pillow behind her, effectively enhancing her chest area as she breathed deeply. He could feel his body react instantly and all he was doing was looking at her. How would it be to touch her? She could obviously sense his eyes still on her since she looked up and asked, "Something wrong?"
"No, just trying to get comfortable. Delivering heavy packages and riding for miles takes a lot of hard work."
"Oh, I bet it does."
He shifted slightly to accommodate the sudden rush of blood to one specific part of his anatomy.
"Maybe I can help."
He looked up at her with confusion, his thoughts still down south while she unknowingly offered her services. Help with what? …You have a dirty mind, Strife; she's your best friend. That makes it better, he argued with his conscience as Tifa moved towards him, causing his breathing to speed up at her closeness. He didn't just lust after Tifa anyway; he felt like this just from the sound of her voice without having to look and see here near.
"Let me slip behind you," she asked as she rubbed against his arm.
"Okay." He was so dazed that he couldn't argue. Why would he want to fight it when she was so close? Reason caught up with him though as he listlessly asked, "Why?"
"You'll see."
Her teasing manner only fueled his curiosity and so he slid forward to let her position herself behind him; she paused to rest on his back for a moment that blissfully felt like eternity. All to soon, Tifa distanced herself and Cloud was about to object until he felt her soft hands skillfully work at the tense muscles in his upper back; he couldn't stop the sigh that escaped from his mouth as she continued to work her magic along his lower back and then up along his shoulders and neck, humming along with Enya the entire time.
"Where did you learn to do this?" he asked, putty in her hands as she stayed at his shoulders.
"You wouldn't believe what skills you can pick up when traveling," she said lightly and he felt her breath tickle his ear. He leaned back more to be in as much contact as possible and just started to relax when a knock came at the door.
"Go away," Cloud murmured, lost in Tifa's touch and not caring about anything else.
"It could be important, Cloud," she reasoned, and was met with his soft "So?"
Tifa couldn't help smiling at how childish he could be but it never bothered her, it brought back memories of the Cloud she knew growing up; the little boy next door who would wait to walk with her to wherever she was going.
Neither had a chance to reply as Marlene impatiently came in and asked, "Cloud, can I have my ducky back? Denzel said…"
She drifted off as she took in Tifa and Cloud's compromising position, not that Marlene would know that but still, children aren't stupid. Marlene knew that something was going on between her two guardians. She could see it in the look and change in attitude that came over Cloud whenever Tifa walked in the room; likewise with Tifa and her gaze that could never leave Cloud's blue eyes. They were perfect for each other; they just needed time to figure that out. With that in mind, Marlene rushed to the side of the tub where Tifa was reaching over to get the rubber ducky and finding it, took it from Tifa's hands with a quick "thank you" and left the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Cloud glanced back at Tifa and she just shook her head, letting out a sigh of relief that that was over. It could have been worse; they could have actually been caught doing something. Still, this had moved beyond childish fun and that was partly Tifa's fault, she had all but thrown herself at Cloud tonight and she was somewhat ashamed. It was just that he looked so good in bubbles and his blond hair was so damp and soft that she had the urge to touch it. She shifted behind Cloud and tried to put some comfortable distance between his warm body and her racing heart but was stopped by Cloud's quiet voice, so full of confusion that she had to look at him.
"Where are you going?" He tried to keep his tone light but a little bit of the hurt he felt crept in. He could never fake anything around Tifa, she just knew him too well, and sometimes it was annoying.
She looked at him pointedly as she said, "Over there, on my side of the tub."
"But why? I don't mind sharing my side." He could feel his grin growing as she replied. "I bet you don't, but don't you think we've done enough?"
"Nope."
She stayed on her side of the tub, so inviting and alone that Cloud couldn't help but move towards her. She visually stiffened as he approached, but he was going to make her relax whether she wanted to or not. She had helped him, now it was his turn to help her.
"I'm serious, Cloud. I don't want Marlene getting the wrong idea."
"About what?" he stopped, clearly puzzled. What exactly was she getting at?
"Well…us."
"And how would she be confused about that?" he was joking but he knew Tifa was over reacting, she had nothing to worry about. He continued to move towards her, undeterred by her semi-serious remark. All he wanted was to make her doubt go away, and being closer would help.
"Oh, I don't know. The constant flirting might be a start." It was banter but still held truth and he knew she was trying to stay calm. He was right in front of her now, and placed his well defined arms on each side of the tub behind her, effectively pinning her there.
"Flirting?" he asked quietly, turning his mako eyes onto her and seeing her tension slip. He brushed away a few strands of her hair, grazing her cheek with his wet fingers in the process and was rewarded with the pleasant chill running through her body to his. Tifa was unable to suppress a gasp as Cloud moved his fingers on to her mouth, tracing her lips.
"Cloud," she sighed and stopped, cornered but unable to flee, and shockingly, found she didn't want to. She was unable to think, speak, do…all she could do was feel everything around her. She had to look away from Cloud's eyes, lest she be pulled under completely. Tifa was fighting for self control, not knowing how long she could handle this; the soft touch of his skin sliding across hers, the water and bubbles along his body catching in the candlelight, the fresh clean scent of him above the vanilla…
Cloud could see Tifa hesitate and he just couldn't figure out why. Did she not want this? Only one way to find out. Cloud moved even closer, leaving barely an inch between their faces; Tifa's minor panting mixing with his own warm breath. It was driving him mad to be that close and yet not touch her, but he didn't move, not knowing what to do. He knew what he wanted to do, and when Tifa took deeper breaths and calmed down some what, he made his final decision and closed the distance between their lips in a soft, lingering kiss.
When he pulled back, Cloud was met with the best sight in the world: Tifa was dazed and glowing after their first kiss, and he couldn't stop himself as he kissed her once again, happiness spreading throughout his body. She urged him on as she slipped her arms out of the water and draped them around his neck, sliding a little deeper into the bath water. He pressed closer, not able to get enough of her moist lips and flickering tongue in his mouth; letting his hands slide hungrily over her body, along her shoulders and arms until they finally rested on the waistband along the small of her arched back.
That was when everything hit him, she still had on her swimsuit while he was very much naked. He braced himself with his arms as he pulled back, shaken at how far this had gone. Cloud backed away to his side of the tub again, leaving a stunned and puzzled Tifa to get up out of the water she was half-submerged in.
"What's wrong, Cloud?" The pain in her eyes rang clearly, stabbing him in the heart.
"It's just that, you have a swimsuit on….and I'm naked."
She smiled slightly as she glanced at the disappearing bubbles and flushed crimson. "I see."
"It's just not fair, me being exposed and you still covered."
"Nice try Cloud, but I don't think you're going to see me naked just yet."
"But you saw me."
"Not all of you," and with that, Tifa hopped out of the tub and dried herself off with a towel before throwing one over her shoulder to Cloud. He dried off quickly and wrapped the towel around his waist before wrapping his arms around her where she stood, wiping the steam off of the mirror. She leaned into his chest and both stood for a moment, gazing at the reflection of them connected in the mirror. Tifa pulled away first to turn off the music and he reluctantly let her go as he went about the task of blowing out the candles. As the room dimmed, he was mesmerized with the dancing smoke curling around Tifa's silhouette, and he had to hold her once again.
"Back to reality," Tifa whispered in the darkness, glancing at a towel clad Cloud and memorizing the moment.
Cloud grabbed her hands and drew her to him, not wanting this moment, this feeling, whatever this was to go away. He breathed in Tifa's floral shampoo and realized that this is how he wanted things to be: him and Tifa, together, no longer best friends but something more.
"Is that what you want? This… to be just a dream?"
"What else is it, Cloud?"
"Reality, if you want it to be."
"I've been waiting forever, Cloud; all you had to do was ask."
"Tifa, all you had to do was let me."
"So where does that leave us?" Tifa was on the verge of giddy delight mixed with total confusion at his words.
"It leaves us here," Cloud replied, pulling her against him and kissing her lightly, his lips lingering and moving as he spoke, "If you want."
"I always have. I always will. I love you."
Cloud held her tightly, joy running through every fiber of his being. Tifa Lockheart loved him! The girl of his dreams since they were children loved him. How could he have been so worthy? It didn't matter; Cloud had Tifa once and for all, and all was right with the world.