Home Alone

Sweat glistened on Tifa's forehead as she was tirelessly working the stove, glad that for now the air conditioning was working properly. One of the downsides to living in the wasteland around Midgar was that when it was hot it was damn hot. Summer had hit the town like a freight train did a poor Chocobo at night about a week ago and was turning most of the homes into heat boxes. While every single building was equipped with air conditioning, power could still sometimes be an issue with Mako energy not being an option anymore. And while on most normal days the ceiling fans in the bar were enough, when even those weren't working anymore like it had been the case yesterday, Tifa was just about to lie down and have it end right there.

Nibelheim certainly never had summers like this, with it's temperate mountain climate and while the slums underneath Midgar were far from cold, due to the residual heat from the Mako reactors, the gigantic plate at least served as a shield from the glaring sun.

It was lunch time and Tifa was currently being busy manning the field alone. Cloud was away on the job for a few days now and had taken Marlene and Denzel with him, to have them stay with Barret for a while, to enjoy a bit of a summer vacation before school would start for both of them in five weeks. And with Costa del Sol in relatively close proximity, Tifa would be lying if she said she didn't want to immediately close up shop and head there herself right now.

Maybe later, she thought to herself, releasing a sigh as she fanned herself. Her black zip up top has been long since discarded, leaving her standing there dressed in the white top that she wore underneath. At least Cloud would be returning soon, so they could discuss the topic of a vacation in person. With the kids gone they had plenty of time to do so.

Ever since Cloud and her had started sleeping in the same bed again, things had been steadily progressing between the two of them. First order of business had been, to move his clothes back into the much bigger closet in their room. After that, they got rid of the bed inside the office. Cloud had wanted to keep it at first. To sleep in it in case he got home very late. But she had shut that idea down almost instantly, telling him she didn't care about waking up in the dead of the night if it meant knowing that he was there.

He also had started taking less jobs again, like when Denzel had first come into their lives, and he planned his routes in a way so that he could spend lunch with them as often as possible. Of course he still did lengthy jobs on occasion since they paid especially well, but they were far and between now, while family outings had become a much more regular thing.

Another change was that he had also started touching her more. Gentle gestures, like a hand on the small of her back or her shoulder. To show her that he was there. That he wouldn't leave again. They had become a daily thing and one she started to miss whenever he was away for long.

It felt strange, having the house only to herself right now. Usually there was always something to do with the children, or Cloud and her would have a quiet talk at night, but now she found herself with more free time than she knew what to do with after the bar was closed.

But knowing that Cloud would be joining her soon made her all sorts of excited. A side effect of his more physical attention was that the fire that had burned down to embers deep inside of her, had been rekindled.

Tifa had never been much of a sexual creature. She wasn't one to simply jump into bed with a person, and the loss of her hometown and the emotional trauma it had caused had done a number on her love life to say the least, but Cloud had this ability to revert her back to that girl that had freshly entered puberty, who had just started crushing hard on the cute, but silent neighbor that promised to become her hero. In those two years after he had left she had spent many a night fantasizing about him in the most heated of ways that had her sneak her bed sheets into the laundry the next morning.

Her eyes wandered over to the other side of the counter, where she had sat as they made out just a few days ago. She felt another sort of heat creeping onto her face and was glad that she was standing in front of the stove to explain the sudden blush away.

"And that concludes the latest news regarding the lawsuit against ShinRa Corporation. And now to the weather," Tifa turned her head into the direction of the radio while everyone else in the bar quieted down to listen. "Sunny weather all over the continent with no signs of rain anytime soon. Perfect weather to take your family on a little trip but it also means that the heatwave in the area of Edge and around it will continue for the time being."

A collective groan went through the bar. Tifa just closed her eyes and tried to focus on her cooking, thinking cooling thoughts, like plunging head first into the snow at Icicle Inn. Thankfully she was soon done with cooking and, putting the food on two plates, delivered it to two of their regulars; a pair of construction workers.

"Thanks," one of them said. "Cloud and the kids out?"

"Yeah, last bit of true freedom before school starts for them. And with the heat as it is, it was the perfect opportunity."

The other chuckled. "So home alone with the husband, eh?"

"Oh, uh, we're not married." she told them and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Marriage hasn't been anything they really had entertained in the two years since Meteorfall. They had been much too busy getting their lives in order, and that didn't even include the amount of self doubt and guilt on both of their sides that had put a strain on their relationship.

The two men looked at each other with a small look of disbelief.

"Could've fooled me. With you acting like newlyweds," the first one said with a shrug. "Figured you finally got hitched after resolving that tussle of yours."

Once more her face heated up, but this time she couldn't take a working stove as an excuse. Did they really act like that?

She felt her thumb rub against the ring on her right hand, wondering for only the fracture of a second how it would feel to wear one on her other hand, but quickly brushed that thought aside. One step at a time. If they ever found themselves at that line they would cross it together.

As if on cue the familiar sound of Fenrir's engine drew near and came to a halt in front of the bar. Her heart skipped a beat in excitement. Cloud was earlier than expected. She was just turning around, to see him walking into the bar and she walked over to greet him with a hug, glad that he was back and to have an out to a potential embarrassing conversation.

"Welcome home," she said as she let go of him. His forehead was glistening with sweat and his hair had become kinda droopy, looking like the tail of an exhausted Chocobo. She giggled as she gently brushed her hand across his scruffy jaw. "You need a shave. And a shower."

"Yeah, forgot my razor the other day." They locked eyes with one another, smiles forming on their lips. A snicker from behind her reminded Tifa that she was in the middle of the bar. Whirling around, she threw the two men in the corner her most heated glare, placing a hand on her hip, before walking back behind the bar with a huff as they burst into laughter.

Cloud just stood there with a confused look on his face.

It was later that evening, after the bar had closed, that they found themselves in their small living room. Sitting on the sofa that had been their first major piece of furniture, they talked about the past few days, like when a bunch of salarymen had been dragged into the bar by their boss the other day and it had turned into an impromptu karaoke session that she had to break up. Fun times.

"So let me get this straight." Tifa giggled and ran her finger over the rim of her glass. "You just helped her find her way to the Inn and she gave you her number?"

"Mhm." Cloud confirmed and refilled his own glass with the bottle of Cosmo Whiskey that he had gotten as bonus payment for his delivery, the ice cubes inside his glass cracking as they made contact with the much warmer liquid. He wasn't much of a drinker, but it would be a shame to let the bottle go to waste so she had insisted they drink it today to celebrate his return. "I don't see what's so funny about it."

"I just have to imagine you standing there all serious as you show her where to go only for you to look all confused when she hands you her number." She giggled again, trying to mimic his 'confused face'. "So did you keep it?"

"What!?" Cloud's eyes widened and he nearly spilled his drink. "Of course not. I threw it away as soon as she was gone. Why would I keep it?"

"Just joking," she said with a grin and took a sip from her own drink, savoring the taste. It definitely was a fine brand, though not the hardest stuff she had ever drank, and she could hold her liquor pretty damn well. Years of owning a bar had given her some experience. Another giggle escaped her as she saw Cloud's surly expression and she leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek.

If she was honest with herself, she felt a bit jealous. How often did Cloud get propositioned like that? Did he only tell her about it this time because they had a few glasses already?

He was a good looking guy. Very good looking. And while she was no stranger to being hit on, that had stopped ever since Cloud became a permanent part of her life. No one was crazy enough to flirt with the girlfriend of a perceived ex-SOLDIER, even when he had disappeared on her, which she was thankful for in a way. But when Cloud was traveling around she wasn't there to keep women from coming onto him. She knew that she could trust Cloud, but there was still a part of her that felt threatened.

And her reawakened libido wanted to lay a claim, and she had just about enough alcohol in her system to think of something.

Biting her lip Tifa emptied her glass in one gulp, placed it onto the table, and leaned towards Cloud. He looked at her, a puzzled expression on his face and clearly caught off guard, making it easy for her to snatch the glass out of his hand.

"Hey!" he exclaimed as she emptied his glass as well. But before he could do anything Tifa had straddled him, cupped his face with both of her hands and pulled him into a deep kiss, letting the whiskey flow out of her mouth and into his as their tongues brushed against one another. Tifa didn't pay any mind to the stains she was leaving on her top as some of the alcohol ran down their chins in small streams. She felt Cloud circle his arms around her waist and let herself be pulled closer, seeking comfort in his warmth despite the general heat in the room.

After they parted lips Tifa buried her face in the crook of his neck.

"What was that?" he asked her, gently stroking her sides, and a pleasant shiver went up her body at the feeling, making her press herself even closer to him.

"You're too popular with the girls, it makes me want to do crazy stuff when I'm alone with you," she murmured as she started to plant kisses over his neck, smiling inwardly when he inhaled sharply. Feeling very brave, she darted out her tongue, brushing it against the sensitive skin, and was rewarded with a groan that caused a different kind of warmth to spread through her body.

With only the slightest bit of force Cloud pulled her away from his neck to lock his eyes with hers.

"And you're the only one I need," he said before crashing his lips against hers into another, much more hungrier kiss. She released a moan inside his mouth as their tongues started their heated dance, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. In response Cloud placed his hand on her hips and pressed her down so that her pelvis was brushing against his. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she felt his erection pressing against her even through all their layer of clothes.

Too much, she thought and ripped her lips away from his, pulling one of her hands back to unzip his top and instantly covered his chest in kisses. She didn't get far because Cloud pulled her face up once more and kissed her fiercely. He nibbled on her lower lip for but a moment before moving his lips away from her mouth and to her neck, intent on giving her some payback. Oh how she liked payback!

As he attacked her neck with kisses and bites, the dampness between her legs started to become too much. She wanted their clothes gone. Gathering all of her willpower she leaned towards his ear. "Take me to bed."

Pausing, Cloud's eyes flickered towards hers, his Mako green having grown darker as they were drowned in lust, then used his incredible strength to lift her up. Laughing she grabbed onto him with one hand while her other one quickly grabbed the bottle of whiskey, earning herself an amused eyebrow but nothing else as he carried her to their room.

Inside, he playfully threw Tifa onto the soft mattress, making her yelp a little bit in surprise but she still grinned at him and unscrewed the bottle to take another sip while she watched Cloud get rid of his unzipped top, revealing his toned chest to her. Placing the bottle on the nightstand beside their bed, she started to get rid of her shoes, throwing them carelessly to the floor. Her hands went down to her shorts as Cloud joined her on top of the bed, capturing her lips in another kiss and helping her get rid of that pesky article.

This is finally happening!

Once cast aside, she moved to return the favor and help him out of his pants, giggling into the kiss as they fumbled with his zipper until, with one final pull they were down to his knees. She barely gave him enough time to pull them off as she pressed her pelvis against his, rubbing herself against his erection.

Still too much. Tifa pushed Cloud away and pulled her top over her head, then removed her bra in one fluid practiced movement as he watched her intently, his eyes moving over every curve of her body before coming to a halt at her face.

Tifa laid back onto the mattress, placing a pillow under head, and lifted her lower body to take off her soaked panties, watching as the object of her desire discarded the last bit of clothing as well. Her gaze traveled down his body towards his member and she felt the heat between her legs become almost unbearable.

"Cloud..." she exhaled pleadingly as her hand traveled down her body and between her legs, stroking herself to take some of the edge off. But she only managed to increase her need as she watched his manhood twitch in anticipation. She parted her legs further, inviting him to where he belonged. No more words needed to be said, as Cloud slowly took his place on top of her and, with one smooth push, entered her pussy.

They both moaned out, not moving as they enjoyed the feeling of one another. It had really been too long. She had almost forgotten this feeling of him filling her just right. She planted kisses on his shoulder and let out another moan as he started to pull out, before thrusting himself back in, slowly falling into a steady rhythm. One of her legs moved to wrap around his waist, giving herself a little bit of leverage to meet his thrusts with movement of her own.

"Tifa," Cloud murmured into her ear and she moved her kisses towards his neck and face, making him look into her eyes before their lips crashed against one another, drowning her moans as their tongues danced in tune to the sound of their lovemaking. His movements started to become faster and she gripped onto him for dear life as she too felt her orgasm approaching.

Nearly there, nearly there, I'm— she couldn't even finish that thought as stars exploded in her mind, her entire body tensing up. Above her Cloud thrust himself into her a few more times, face visibly strained as she tightened around him like a vice before he joined her over the edge with one last push, collapsing on top of her as he came.

She gently nuzzled his neck when her body started to obey her once more, basking in the afterglow and the feeling of him on top of her. After a while he slowly lifted himself off her, and a sudden feeling of loss overcame her as he pulled himself out of her. Loss and something else.

As he smiled down at her she couldn't help but squirm and look at him with a guilty expression. His smile turned into confusion as Tifa grabbed hold of his arm and locked her leg with his before twisting them around, reversing their positions.

"What the—" He didn't manage to utter anything more as a moan ripped through his throat when Tifa attacked his neck with her lips, nibbling and sucking the sensitive flesh while her fingernails brushed gently over his shaft.

"I'm sorry, Cloud. But I'm not satisfied yet," she told him. It has just been too long. And now the fire inside her had become an inferno that needed to be put out by him and him alone. She pushed him into the mattress and let her lips wander lower, planting kisses over his chest and stomach until she arrived at her desired destination.

She lied down, propping herself up with her elbows so that her breasts were resting against his cock. Giving Cloud a teasing look, she started to move her upper body, rubbing her breasts against him, enjoying the sounds that he was producing. When she felt him harden again she moved so that he was resting in the valley of her breasts and darted her tongue out to brush against his tip. The taste of their mixed fluids only added more fuel to the fire of her arousal and her left hand moved down to rub herself as she licked Cloud clean, watching him intently as he threw his head back with a moan.

With one final flick of her tongue she let him go, crawling back on top of him and playfully placed a kiss on his nose. Cloud opened his eyes, smirking at her as she gave him a seductive smile, slightly pushing himself up with his elbows while she took hold of his cock and guided it to her entrance. Tifa sighed happily as she felt him enter her again, remaining like that for a moment to savor the feeling before she placed her hands on his chest and started moving up and down in a steady rhythm.

Underneath her, Cloud placed his left hand on her waist as she rode him, while his right reached out towards the nightstand to grab the bottle of whiskey left unattended by them. As he was about to take a sip Tifa snatched it out of his hand and leaned back so that she was out of reach, bringing her hips down to grind against him as she did so. She locked her eyes with his for a brief second, then emptied the rest of the bottle onto her chest. The whiskey had long since grown warm from the heat inside the room, but to her overheated body it felt like she had just stepped into the cooling spring rain of their home region.

A strange sound escaped Cloud as he pushed himself up, grabbing her waist with both hands. She moved to circle her legs around him while dropping the bottle onto the mattress, from where it rolled down to the floor as the bed started to shake from their rhythmic movement. She buried her hands into the hair on the back of his head as he greedily started to kiss and lick all over her chest, trying to gather every last drop on it, making her moan whenever he stopped to pay special attention to her aching nipples.

Her breath became erratic as she felt another climax approaching and she hugged Cloud's head closer to her chest. With a cry she threw her head back, toes curling as she came hard. She felt him grit his teeth against her chest as her inner walls squeezed his dick, and he held her in place as she rode out her orgasm. After it passed she sagged against him, leaning her head against his.

With a sort of growl his grip on her waist tightened and with one movement he lifted her up, making her cry out in surprise for a second. He carried her to a nearby wall and all but crashed them into it. Instantly she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, moaning and loving every second of it as he thrust into her with abandon. It was a good thing that the kids were away, because she was very sure the sounds that they were making could be heard throughout the entire building, but right now she couldn't care less if their neighbors heard them. With every thrust she felt her mind slipping away and being replaced with something more old, more primal, as he fucked her, letting out a cry of pleasure whenever he pushed especially deep.

Tifa dug her nails into his back, eliciting a hiss from Cloud as he buried his face into her neck. Breath hot on her skin, he started to mutter her name like it was the mantra of a madman as his thrusts became more and more intense, seeking his release with a ferocity that turned her on like nothing else.

With a mixture of a moan and a growl he buried himself deep inside her as he came in one hot burst. The feeling of his release was enough to send her over the edge for a third time that night and her body responded by sheer instinct, hugging him tightly against her until their spasms subsided. Out of breath, they both sunk to the ground as Cloud's legs started to give out, their hearts thumping in unison inside their chests. After having calmed down Tifa released a contented sigh, lazily running her hands over his back.

"I love you," she murmured before kissing him.

Tifa awoke to the sound of their alarm clock. Without taking a look she slammed her hand on it to shut it off, then opened one of her eyes a crack to glare at the bright green digits reading 6 AM. She was still exhausted from the night before. With a groan she wanted to push herself off the mattress when she felt an arm circle around her waist.

"Let's just stay in bed," Cloud murmured as he pulled her closer to his naked body. They were both sticky with sweat, and a bit of whiskey on her part, and it was already way too hot for her liking this early in the morning. Despite that, she nestled against him.

"You sure?" she asked and smiled as he rubbed his nose against her shoulder.

"Yeah. I've got no deliveries today, so let's both take the day off."

She laughed. "I don't think I can walk straight anyway, so fine by me."

"Mhm."

As they lay there, Tifa drew lazy circles on Cloud's arm, about to close her eyes to go back to sleep, as she remembered something. "Hey Cloud?"

"Yeah?" Tifa turned around in his arm, looking at him with a smile on her face.

"Instead of just today why don't we take some more time off?"

He lifted an eyebrow. "What, like a vacation?"

"Yup." She nodded. "We could join Denzel and Marlene, have some fun and relax. I think we've earned it after everything that's happened."

Cloud seemed to mull the idea over for a moment, but then nodded with a smile. "Sure. I've even got an idea. Remember the place we've bought in Costa del Sol?"

"Of course, that was pretty expensive." Tifa muttered. For someone that was desperate to get rid of the place the guy had asked for a pretty horrendous sum of Gil.

"I recently went through some of our old things and guess what I found?"

"No way." She looked at him, surprise clear on her face. "The deed?"

He nodded. "The deed. So how about he go there and tidy up the place before meeting Barret and the kids?"

Her smile widened as she started to get excited about a family vacation at the sea, when another thought entered her head.

"Think it would be alright if we could spend a day or two alone there after we're finished cleaning up?" she asked, stroking a finger over his chest. Was she being selfish by wanting to spend some quality time alone with him?

If she was then Cloud made no indication of it as he simply smiled at her, fingers brushing some of her messy hair out of her face.

"I'm sure that can be arranged." Cloud said before meeting her lips halfway.

Maybe...Maybe being selfish once in a while was not so bad.