Friday

Stay with Me Tonight

A visit to the market felt like a reprieve. Her apartment, the bar had become stifling. One drama-filled day and night followed by another, and she was ready to self-quarantine herself in any undisclosed location. At this point, even the ShinRa mansion seemed inviting.

An elderly woman gave a disapproving snort as she passed Tifa, stuffing her handful of potatoes onto the shelf like they'd grown repulsive from Tifa's presence. Oh yeah, the outfit.

Tifa self-consciously tugged at the Turk jacket. She was so desperate to get out of the bar she hadn't even thought to change when an emergency called for a quick shopping spree. Someone had left the refrigerator open a crack all through the night, spoiling the freshly cut Omega Fries. Tifa quickly volunteered herself to buy more. The staff could handle the bar while she fetched supplies.

On her drive back to the bar, the previous night replayed in her head. She'd practically forgotten about Reno's attempted seduction, though she was thankful the Turks hadn't shown up at the bar yet that evening. What she couldn't get out of her head was Vincent—her mistaken assumption and his quick arousal. His enthusiastic acceptance of her unexpected lust. His embrace and mouth had been eager. And she admitted to herself that his kiss and taste had ignited her in a way Cloud never—

Yuffie waved her arms frantically as Tifa pulled into the driveway. "What is it?" Tifa asked as she slid out of the truck.

"Those damn turkeys finally showed up," Yuffie complained. Oh, great. Hopefully, Reno had found a replacement for his misdirected libido. "And Reno wants to talk to you. He's been asking when you'll get back from the store for the last 30 minutes."

Tifa exhaled in resignation to the upcoming ordeal. If the Turk made another pass at her like he did last night, she'd finally ban him. "Fine. Help me carry these bags in."

She stared daggers at the redhead when he planted himself onto Vincent's stool. "Hey, babe. Go easy, yo," Reno said with his hands held up defensively. "I never stood a chance, did I?"

She didn't respond, only crossed her arms impatiently and waited for him to say whatever the hell he needed to say.

"Look," he began, looking down at his hands, fumbling awkwardly with his silver lighter. "I ain't one to move on a chick if she ain't interested. And well," he finally looked up at her, a rueful tint shaded his usually shrewd and calculating eyes. "I just wanted to let ya know it won't happen again."

Tifa uncrossed her arms, surprised at his almost apology. When she didn't respond, he scratched the back of his head and looked around himself sheepishly.

"Anyway," he continued, rapping the counter with his knuckles as he stood up. "Me and the partner like your bar and this frenemy-ship or whatever, yo. And your bar is clean and peaceful after a long day. Not too many places are welcoming to the likes of us, ya know?" With that, he turned abruptly and headed back to their booth, where his partner watched patiently.

Rude gave Tifa a single nod when Reno slid into the seat next to him. She nodded back and returned to her duties, glad that awkward talk was over as she set about preparing the potatoes to make a fresh batch of Omega Fries.

The Turks had nurtured their conscience well over the last few years. They might even reach the same level of guilt-driven philanthropy as Vincent. Her smile faded as she recalled his sudden departure from the garage the night before. Should she consider it a rejection? Was he too shocked? Worried about Cloud?

Loud, raucous laughter from the tables along the farside wall drowned out her thoughts, and she moved down the bar to get a better view. Yuffie stomped angrily from the table of drunken men, carrying an assortment of beer pitchers, shot glasses, and mugs in her arms. One of the men, who had a scraggly beard and massive frame, made a lewd gesture, eliciting renewed hysteria from his drinking buddies.

"What happened?" Tifa asked, alarmed at Yuffie's red-tinted cheeks and flustered demeanor as the younger woman dumped her load into the sink.

"Those dirty bastards!" Yuffie gripped the edge of the sink so hard her knuckles turned white. "What makes that dirty, bearded gigas think I would do anything with him in an alley—"

"What?" Tifa asked, incredulous that anyone would speak to Yuffie that way. Tifa viewed her like a little sister, someone she would protect against any threats. She seethed in anger and took a step before Yuffie grabbed her arm and held her in place.

"It's ok, Teefs. I have an idea. I think Rude might feel kinda bad about our predicament and what these stinky outfits are doing to all these horny toads. I'm gonna ask for a commuted sentence." With that, Yuffie stalked off toward the Turks' booth.

Tifa glanced back toward the drunken group Yuffie had just left. There were three of them in various states of drunken revelry, each watching Yuffie like she was easy prey as they egged each other on with vulgar comments. Tifa bristled at their offensive behavior and moved over to her till to tally up their bill so she could send them on their way.

"Aww, come on, turkey!" Yuffie whined as she stood before the Turks with her hands angrily situated on her narrow hips. "This has been punishment enough! Do you have any idea what I'm going through with those perverts?" Yuffie made no effort to control her screeching, which the redhead appeared oblivious to as he only shook his head.

"Oh, stop bein so dramatic, yo. So, they made a little comment here or there. I'll bet you get a nice tip when they slither outta here." Just when Tifa thought the redhead had grown a heart, he proved he's still a callous punk.

Yuffie tore at her hair in frustration. "Ugh! Fine! But I'm gonna pay you back, just you wait." She stomped off, clearing tables and ignoring the taunts from her tormentors as she passed by. Tifa waited impatiently for the cash register to print the receipt. Sometimes this damn thing slowed on purpose.

A loud slap, followed by the scrapping of a chair on the floor, drew her attention back to the unruly group. The bearded man was stretched awkwardly atop the table as Yuffie's shuriken shaved at the whiskers growing on his neck. "You touch me like that again, and I'll slice that useless head off your stupid, fat, elfadunk shoulders!"

Tifa sprinted over to her and gently pulled Yuffie away, so the blade was longer resting on the man's skin. "Come on, sweetie. He's not worth it." Tifa could feel Yuffie's energy permeating through her tiny, lithe body, primed and ready for battle. The girl didn't want to let the offense go but reluctantly lowered her weapon as Tifa pacified her. "I'll see them out, just—calm down, ok?"

"Well, looky at Miss Sweet Tits. You like playing dress-up, too? Turk today—what's tomorrow, Honeybee costumes?" He guffawed at Tifa's disgusted grimace.

"It's time you leave," Tifa snapped at him. When he rose to his feet and glowered at her threateningly, she quickly retrieved her gloves from a back pocket and stretched them over her flexing fingers. He doubled over in laughter as she assumed her fighting stance.

"This Honeybee is eager to sting me, boys," he said, taunting Tifa as he took a step toward her. "Just so you know, little Miss Honeybee. I sting back and believe me—you've never been pricked by a bigger stinger than—" He gurgled in pain as a large arm snaked around his neck, and his head was gripped in a vicelike hold.

"Believe me," Rude said as he effortlessly subdued the man in a headlock. "This is a kinder alternative than the sting from Honeybee Tifa."

The bearded man's friends scrambled to aid their friend, clumsily falling over to extricate themselves from their booth. They halted their bumbling effort abruptly as a magrod tapped threateningly on the table. "Ah, ah, ah," Reno chanted as he shot sparks from his weapon. "You boys don't wanna make that mistake, yo."

"Hey, wait," a man with shaggy hair pled with Reno as he pointed at Yuffie. "That little bitch was asking for it! She—" He found himself suddenly unable to continue as Reno discharged his magrod into the man's rib. He fell onto the floor and writhed in pain as a current of electricity flowed over and through his form. The last of them eased out of the booth, holding his hands up defensively.

"You have a death wish?" Reno's glare held the promise of his words as the man shook his head vigorously. "No? Then grab your friends and get the fuck outta here before I grant it anyway."

The man fell out onto the floor as he struggled to help his shaggy-haired comrade, who still gritted his teeth from the lingering shock. Once standing, they caught the bearded man midair as he slumped to the floor when Rude released him. The two dragged their unconscious friend from the bar without another word.

"Well, that was a fun little bar brawl," Reno said as he jammed his hands into his pocket and looked at Yuffie. "You alright, princess?" He asked, concern furrowing his brows as he looked at the ninja.

Yuffie didn't respond, only gaped at the Turk with a dumbfounded look on her face. Tifa snapped her fingers in front of Yuffie's face to grab her attention. "Oh, right. Sorry." She said and blinked several times while shaking her head. "Um, I'm uh—fine, Reno. Yeah," she finally responded, though sheepishly. "How are you?" Yuffie drew her hands behind her back and swayed to and fro with her head canted coquettishly as she stared at the redhead. What the hell?

Tifa grabbed Yuffie by the arm and pulled her away from the smirking Turk. "Ok, Yuffie. Let's get this mess cleaned up, shall we?" Tifa pushed Yuffie toward the table to start cleaning. Yuffie complied, but Tifa didn't miss the glances the girl shot over her shoulder at the retreating Turk. Oh, gods. Please no.

"When are you heading back to Wutai, Yuffie?" Tifa hoped to pull their girl's thoughts from whatever direction they were headed.

"Vacation's over in two weeks," Yuffie replied as she carried dishes to the bar and stole a few more glances at the redhead. Shit.

"Well, it'll be good for you to get back, I think." Tifa was relieved to see the Turks had returned to their own conversation, and Reno wasn't returning the mooning peeks Yuffie aimed their direction. She hated to think what would happen if he realized he'd sparked an instant crush from the princess. That would be disastrous.

The rest of the evening trudged on with no other incidents. Yuffie went back to her duties, only occasionally tossing a peek at Reno as the Turks virtually ignored the two of them. Tifa still sighed in relief when the two men left the bar, giving her a friendly salute as the door swung closed.

Fifteen minutes later, as her staff finished sweeping the floors and flipped the chairs onto the tables, Yuffie tiredly gave her a hug. "Thank you for always being there for me, Teefs." She said with her head pressed into Tifa's hair. "I'm gonna get out of here and go sleep at my WRO apartment."

"You sure you don't want to sleep here?" Tifa asked. Though Yuffie could look after herself, Tifa still didn't like the thought of the young woman walking home alone, especially after the night she'd just experienced.

"Nah, I'll be alright. Night, Teefs." Yuffie left before Tifa could sound another objection.

Tifa finally relaxed as the last of her staff eased out of the door. What a week! So much had happened, and they still had the parade and Regenesis Day to get through tomorrow. Her feet ached just thinking about it. She'd traded the spiked heels for her red tops hours ago, but the pain still lingered. No way she was going to suffer the next night in those damn things.

One last chore, and then she would go to bed. She lifted the garbage and hoisted the bag up so it wouldn't drag on the floor. As she passed Vincent's barstool, she grumbled to herself. He hadn't shown up all day or night, leaving her feeling dejected and shunned.

Tifa carried the trash bag out to the alley at the side of the bar. She lifted the lid to the dumpster and threw it inside, thankful to be done for the night.

Suddenly a large hand latched onto Tifa's wrist and yanked her down onto the ground before she realized anyone was in the alley with her. Sprawled out on the dirty concrete, she felt a hand reach into her back pocket and tear her gloves free. "You won't be needing these, you bitch!" A man's voice snarled at her, and she tensed her muscles in panic, keen to her vulnerable position.

She rolled over and stared into the drunken gaze of the bearded man; his friends watched excitedly from a few feet away. All of them looked eager for violence. He grabbed onto her shirt and lifted her up into the air effortlessly, but she wasn't the kind of girl to give up without a fight. And she didn't need her gloves to give them one.

Tifa whipped her head forward, slamming it with a sickening crunch into the bearded man's head. He dropped her and cried out in pain as he clutched his forehead with his hands. The other two rushed forward, intending to attack her together as they circled her like predatory wolves.

"You're gonna regret that," the shaggy-haired man snarled. As he lunged at her, his eyes abruptly widened in shock as something—someone grabbed him from behind. His body was suddenly airborne, and he soared through the alley and into the street ahead. Shortly after, the bearded man cried out with a childlike scream, and he was thrown upward the same way, landing in a crumpled heap next to his cohort and again knocked unconscious.

"Huh?" The last of the trio had forgotten about his attack on Tifa and nervously backed away from the unseen assailant, visibly quivering, fearing—knowing he was next.

Tifa turned back toward the dumpster and scanned the shadows, struggling to find her protector. A reddish beast flashed before her eyes as it lunged toward the last man retreating behind her. In a blur of shadows and flying alleyway trash, the man appeared suddenly next to his prone buddies, grunting in pain as he clutched at a broken arm.

"Go lock the doors," a low voice growled at her from the shadows. She didn't waste any time arguing and rushed inside to do as bidden. Tifa barred the alleyway door before sprinting to the front. She dimmed the lights, peering through the windows as she searched the darkened street for her assailants. And her protector. She knew him—knew his demons well. Even though he could control them, she'd always interact at a distance or not all.

Vincent's reflection appeared in the window suddenly like a red and black specter. She spun around to face him, relieved though apprehensive that he showed up. His face was unreadable as they silently stared at each other. Again, self-conscious of her dress and his unwavering gaze, she turned away from him and grabbed onto the lock.

"They're gone," he said finally.

"You didn't have to that, you know," she said as she locked the door.

"I know," he replied. His voice sounded coarser, more seductive, sending shivers down her spine as she remembered his—

She shook her head. If he wanted the same, he wouldn't have left so suddenly. "Look, Vincent. About last night—" she began, dragging her eyes back to meet his. "I'm sorry if I upset you. I thought you were—"

"Cloud?"

She nodded slowly, suddenly feeling a hint of shame for the first time since she'd kissed him. Neither spoke again for several moments. He watched her and appeared to be mulling over some profound question running through his mind. She wondered if he was having the same intimate thoughts and if he would ever consider—

"So, were you—I mean, did I embarrass you?" she asked cautiously. She tried not to look at him with hope—with yearning. So she stared at her hands instead.

"You could never embarrass me, Tifa," he replied, still with that deep and gravelly voice.

"Oh," she whispered.

Booted footsteps from down the hall signaled Cloud's arrival home, and she heard the garage door sliding shut.

"You should get some sleep," Vincent said, and he retreated into the kitchen. She heard him moving upstairs as Cloud came into the bar with his backpack hanging off a shoulder.

"You still up?" he asked as he plopped his bag on the counter.

"Yeah, I was just about to go to bed. You want me to make you something?" She hid her flustered demeanor with a rush of activity, tidying the bar though it had already been cleaned.

"Nah, I'm just gonna heat up some leftovers and get to bed." He said, peeking into the refrigerator.

"Ok, goodnight Cloud," she said as she retreated from the bar. He didn't respond to her, so she quickly mounted the steps and shuttered herself behind her bedroom door.

She wiped her face in frustration and hauled herself to the bathroom to complete her nightly routine, hoping a quick shower would tire her racing mind so she could get a good night's rest.

No such luck. She stared at her bed in abject loneliness. Her bed—alone. The one she shared with no one. Cloud didn't sleep here—he had his own room. Tifa flounced herself onto the mattress irritably, lamenting the lack of true romance in her life.

She stopped her little tantrum as she recalled the look Vincent had given her. Was it really a stretch of the imagination to consider he might feel the same? Tifa wanted—needed to find out. She'd been fighting off the memory of his lips all night. Would it be a mistake to find out if he felt the same?

Tifa opened her door slightly and peered into the hallway and toward the living room. The apartment appeared empty outside of the bedrooms, whose doors were all shut. She stepped lightly into the corridor, careful to tread noiselessly toward her destination.

Tifa stood in front of the office room door with her hand raised, ready to knock. She heard a noise behind her, a soft step placed near her foot, and she could feel a warm presence at her back. She turned slowly and raised her head to look into the seductive gaze of her newly discovered target of affection.

Vincent hesitantly reached out a hand. She waited patiently with a hitched breath, then leaned into his touch when he finally trailed his hand up her neck and combed his fingers through her hair.

"Stay with me tonight," he whispered softly. And Tifa melted into his arms, forgetting every troublesome moment of the week as his lips descended and covered hers in a warm, trembling kiss.