"Hey, Tifa, we're on our way!" howled Barret over the PHS pressed to her ear. "Me an' the rest of the gang brought some grub to make your day extra special!"
"Thanks, you guys," came the bartender's reply, a smile in her voice to match the one gracing her features. "I'll be out for a bit though. The place is locked up since it's just Denzel and Marlene but just let yourselves in, all right?"
"Gotcha!" came Yuffie's voice cheerily if slightly garbled.
"Bye, then!" Tifa rolled her eyes playfully, turning to her two wards as they awaited her instructions. "Okay, so I'm going out to clear out those monsters. You two stay here and-"
"And don't open the door for anyone," interrupted Denzel.
"Except for daddy! And Cloud! And everyone else," added Marlene.
Half an hour had passed since then by her estimate as she raised her leg up to it's full length only to bring her foot down in a line, hammering a Sahagin into the ground with her foot. More of its brethren scrambled up from the open manhole in the center of the empty lot, eager to avenge the members of their cohort that Tifa had felled.
And as she stood amid numerous other downed Sahagin, the fighter merely raised her fists and gestured for them to come closer with a crook of her fingers. The green skinned beasts rushed forward then, each so sure of victory even as Tifa dashed forth. Her form, lithe and athletic, shifted easily as she dodged each thrust of their spears to counter with strikes of her own. Every extension of her fists and feet was delivered forcefully yet precisely, sending more of her foes to an untimely end. A final punch accompanied by a final exhale signalled the end of the fight as the last Sahagin skidded away from her, its form beaten and bruised. Sure her job was done, Tifa turned away only to find more scrambling up from the darkness of the sewers. With a growl, the martial artist took up her stance once more, the leather of gloves wrinkling as she stoody ready to fight once more.
She would not do so alone, however, as a familiar mechanical roar rose up from the alleyway behind her. One second later, a massive mechanical shadow of black and gold sailed over her only to slam into several unfortunate Sahagin. Astride the shadow was a blonde haired bladesman who turned to her with a nod. "You good?" asked Cloud.
"Just fine," responded Tifa. "Better now that you're here to help."
"Really?" The blonde smirked at her then as she made her way towards him, their banter ongoing even as more Sahagin rose from the shadows below. "I can sit back if you want. I think you can take 'em."
"Too tired to go a round with me?" asked the dark haired striker with a quirk of her lips as she leapt forward to meet one of their foes.
The double meaning of her remark was not lost on Cloud, his face warm even as he followed her. "Isn't that normally what I ask you?"
Tifa's response was delivered after a spin sent her heel slamming into a Sahagin's neck, toppling the sewer dweller. "J-Just finish 'em off already," she stammered, unprepared for his response even as her fist flew upwards into another creature's jaw, knocking the thing on its back.
Cloud remained silent, allowing another flirtatious remark to remain unsaid as he focused on cutting through the small horde before him. Dodging the lunge of one Sahagin, he countered with a swift slash that left the monster looking even uglier in death than it had in life.
Working together, the darkly dressed couple made short work of the shelled monstrosities. When the last Sahagin had fallen, a shared half-smile was all that was exchanged between them as they left the empty lot behind astride Fenrir. They then collected the gil as promised for their job well done but to Tifa's surprise, a single left turn instead of a right sent them away from Seventh Heaven and towards the burgeoning grassland outside Edge.
"Cloud, where are we going?" asked Tifa, confusion evident in her tone.
"Just taking the scenic route back," came Cloud's reply somewhat bashfully, glad that the shadows cast by the midday sun masked the flush of his cheeks.
All was quiet then as Tifa took in the flowering wilderness around her, a marked change from the stony grey wasteland she remembered from two years ago. "It's amazing out here."
Fenrir's roar dulled to a thrum as Cloud slowed. "It is. There's something I wanna show you actually. Like a secret spot," agreed the spiky haired man as he stood up, extending a hand towards his passenger as he did.
And she did, her palm in his as she stood as well. "All right, so where is this "secret spot"?
"Over here," whispered Cloud as he stepped onto the grass, careful to avoid the flowers as he led her up a small rise. The golden spikes upon his head fluttered gently in the breeze as he sat himself atop it, motioning for his dark haired companion to do the same with a surprisingly boyish smirk.
Tifa cocked her head in pleasant surprise. "This is it?"
"Something wrong?"
"No, no, just a bit surprised. I thought you'd have picked something farther out." Tifa shrugged then.
"Sorry," apologized Cloud with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "I'll pick something better next time. It'll have everything. Giant chocobos. Yuffie not stealing materia. Even Barret in that old sailor suit."
The memory sent Tifa into a fit of laughter. "Don't remind me of that! Cloud! And besides, I didn't say there was anything wrong with this spot."
"Good. 'Cuz you might've missed the view," said Cloud as he gestured to the vast expanse of land before them both transitioning from the green of their current location to the metal towers of Edge. "Not bad."
"Not bad at all," was all Tifa said in return before she turned to him, her features suddenly expectant. "Is this all you wanted to show me though?"
"Oh, uh, no." The sky blue of Cloud's gaze traced the ground then, growing more nervous as Tifa leaned in. "I, uh, wanted to give you this…"
A leather clad held out a small box then, a red ribbon tied neatly around it. "Happy birthday, Tifa."
"Thank you, Cloud," whispered Tifa as she gently took her present from his hands. Turning away, the dark haired brawler then leaned back against him as she began to open her present. Seconds later, she held up a single, sparkling droplet shape to the afternoon sun. "It's beautiful."
"Glad you think so. I got it from the old Mythril Mine. Place finally opened up again and I got 'em to make that," said Cloud with one hand rubbing the back of his neck, his embarrassment obvious. "But we should probably get back. Don't wanna keep the gang waiting."
'Wait." Tifa tugged on his arm then, prompting him to lock eyes with her as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture left his features reddened.
Her next words would only leave him more so as she removed the earring she currently wore, allowing him to replace it with his gift. And so Cloud did, hands trembling all the while until she pulled back. "How is it?" asked Tifa.
"Beautiful," complimented Cloud, the resoluteness of his voice leaving her with a blush upon her cheeks.
"Okay, now we can go back," stated Tifa, attempting to stop the giddy quaver in her voice. Standing up, she jogged back to Fenrir, seating herself atop the bike as she waited for Cloud to follow her. "Well?"
"Somebody's eager," chuckled Cloud as made to join her, finding his own place atop Fenrir as its engine roared to life. Seconds later, they were speeding towards Edge, eventually leaving behind wide open plains for the crowded streets of a metropolis. Accustomed to navigating the twists and turns of an urban landscape, they found themselves within Seventh Heaven's garage with no trouble at all.
"We're home." Tifa rose then, making her way to the door leading into her bar. Attempting to open it, she found it locked. Confused, the barkeep turned to Cloud only to find him idling, a smirk on his features that left her with more questions than answers. Crossing out onto the sidewalk, Tifa decided to try Seventh Heaven's main entrance. With all the blinds drawn and the lights off, her concern only grew as she reached for the door leading into her establishment. Before Seventh Heaven's owner could react, she found herself being nudged forward as the door before her opened. Pushed into the shadows of her own bar, Tifa was shocked by lights and sounds of a party.
"Happy birthday, Tifa!" cheered AVALANCHE's members including Cloud, his taller form standing shoulder to shoulder with her now.
"Thanks, guys," offered Tifa in return with an elated yet shy smile.
"Hey, Tifa, don't thank us," started Barret with Marlene atop his shoulder. "It was all Spikey's idea."
Tifa turned to Cloud then, greeting his shy smirk with a warm half-smile of her own. Before she could offer her gratitude though, a certain ninja cut in.
"Ooh, Cloud's all soft on Tifa…" trailed Yuffie teasingly.
"Yeah, girl, everybody an' their ma knows! Now did ya wipe up the counter?" questioned Cid.
"I'll help her out, Captain," said Shera with a laugh, dragging the naughty shuriken wielder away.
"Counter?" asked Tifa.
"Yes," replied Red XIII, his tail coiled around a mop. "We decided that, aside from the food, a thoughtful present would be to clean the bar. Of course, that necessitated a distraction."
Two pairs of eyes, one carmine and one feline, fixed Cloud then. All the blonde did was shrug in response, quiet even as more of their friends approached.
"Happy birthday," greeted Vincent before he promptly turned away, concerning himself with Denzel, having decided to serve as the boy's caretaker for the duration of their celebration.
Tifa simply offered her thanks in return before Reeve called out to her and Cloud. "Well, here's to a joyous celebration," said the former Shinra executive with a glass of juice in hand. "If it's all right with you both, the gang and I would love to spend the weekend here. To catch up and help out with the bar as well."
The lady of the hour looked grateful but also concerned. "Oh, of course. Are you sure though, Reeve? Being Commissioner can't be easy."
The mustached man simply waved her concerns off. "Of course! Cait Sith can cover for me in the meantime. And, if I may be so bold, he can cover for the both of you as well should you need help."
The remark drew a chuckle from Cloud. "I don't think Cait'd be able to ride Fenrir around."
"True," admitted Reeve. "Though perhaps he could watch Denzel and Marlene. You two could get some alone time then."
And with that, the WRO's Commissioner walked away, leaving behind a blushing pair clad in black. They settled into a booth then, regaining their collective verbal faculties after a few moments of silence and throat clearing.
"So what do you think? I hope you're having a good birthday," stated Cloud, his azure eyes meeting the red-brown of her gaze.
Tifa turned to the bar then, filled with their friends. "I love it. Probably the best one so far," she admitted with a smile.
"IWe'll make the next one even better," vowed Cloud.
Her smile even more radiant, Tifa simply took his promises to heart the way she always had. "You will. I know you will."
As the promise was made, Denzel and Marlene approached, finding themselves pulled into their own places beside Tifa. "Happy birthday, Tifa!" exclaimed the young pair, drawing smile's from the older pair with their gesture.
A BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TIFA LOCKHART!
