Dress to Impress

An earthy odor, like the wind blowing across a wild grass field in the early morning hours, while everyone was still asleep, entered his nostrils. The image of the wide, open plains past the wasteland sprung up in his mind.

It was a very calming vision; just him alone on a vast field, Fenrir silently resting as he leaned against her and watched the sunrise.

His senses came alight for a moment, before calming down once more, as a smooth, refreshing taste touched his tongue, lingering there for but a moment, before being swallowed and leaving just the barest hint of bitterness in its wake.

"Looks like you're finally hooked as well," the amused voice of Dr. Hiragi said to him, returning him to the here and now.

Opening his eyes, Cloud looked at the other man sitting behind his desk, nursing his own cup of tea. "It's hard not to between you and Tifa always serving it," he replied, the corners of his lips curling into a small smile. "I find it calming."

"It served me well in my years as a doctor, I can tell you that." He took a sip of his tea, letting it linger for a moment before swallowing. "Helped a great deal when I became a father as well."

Ah, there it is. The lead-in.

"Congratulations, by the way. I'm sure the news of twins came as a huge surprise."

"It did. Still feels weird, knowing there's two babies growing inside Tifa. Like...how do they even fit?"

"The wonders of the human body, right?" Dr. Hiragi chuckled. "Did you know that twins are seen as special in Wutai?"

"Can't say I've ever heard that before," Cloud replied.

"They're considered a blessing from Da Chao, ensuring lasting prosperity for the future of one's house." He did a little shrug. "It does leave out that there's also double the work you have to put into raising them, and let me tell you that a second Junko would've made me go grey much, much earlier."

"That bad?"

The doctor released a laugh. "Oh, she was an energetic one. She got it from her mother, you see. She was always able to keep up with her."

A look of quiet melancholy crossed the older man's features for the shortest of moments before he took his cup and raised it to his lips once more.

"...Was it tough? Raising her on your own?" Cloud found himself asking. He didn't like to pry, but over the time he had come to know the man he couldn't help but grow curious.

"In the beginning, yes. But it got easier with time, and I think she turned out pretty well," the doctor replied. "Ah, but I don't mean to scare you. I'm sure any child by Tifa and yourself will be an absolute angel."

"Wouldn't be so sure about that. I had quite the temper as a boy," Cloud said and sipped his tea.

"Well, then let's hope they're going to take after the mother! Speaking of, what is she up to? I saw the closed sign earlier."

"Off with Yuffie and Shera, another friend of ours, to go buy some maternity clothes," Cloud explained. He had to admit he was a little disappointed that he couldn't be the one to take her shopping, but as long as Tifa had fun it was all good. Besides...

"I see. Good call, with twins she's going to need them earlier." Tapping his fingers on the desk pad a few times, the doctor continued. "Have you already thought about what you're doing when the babies get here?"

"Yeah." Cloud nodded. "Been running numbers and talking with Reeve a bit. I think for now it should be fine to convert my office into a room for them and move my desk into our bedroom."

"That's good. A lot of young couples don't really know what to do when they're expecting. I guess it helps that you two have been living together with kids for so long now."

"At least when it comes to organizing living space. Still a lot of uncharted territory here."

"The first pregnancy is always special," Dr. Hiragi agreed. "And if I might give you some friendly advice: never question any weird cravings."

Cloud furrowed his brows in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You'll see." Amusement sparkled in the older man's eyes, before turning to face the clock on the wall. "Oh my, already this late. I'm afraid we'll have to cut this short, one of my patients has an appointment soon."

"That's alright," he said and finished the rest of his tea in one go, then placed the cup on the desk. "Thanks for always taking the time."

"Absolutely no thanks required, I enjoy our little sessions."

Cloud had come to enjoy them as well. It would still be a long time before he wouldn't be paranoid in the presence of a doctor, but he could say with confidence that this particular one was fine.

Big progress, if he would say so himself.

"You're still coming over for dinner on Sunday?" Cloud asked as they got up and headed towards the door.

"Wouldn't miss it for anything."

After exchanging goodbyes, Cloud left the clinic and made his way down the street towards 7th Heaven. As he entered their home he was greeted with silence.

With Tifa out of the house and the kids with Barret for a couple of days, he had the place all to his own. It felt...weird. He had gotten used to someone always being here.

But before he even had the chance to reflect on all the positive changes to his life, his phone buzzed.

A message.

Pulling it out of his pocket, Cloud switched on the display and saw that it was from Yuffie.

The magpie has stolen the key, it read.

He blinked, then reread the words, before narrowing his eyes in confusion.

What are you talking about? He typed back.

It only took a moment before her reply came.

The egg has been laid, man.

"..."

What egg?

Instead of another message, he received a call.

"The dress! She's picking out a dress!" Yuffie all but shouted as soon as he picked up. "Jeez, I thought you used to be in the military!"

"We never used any stupid codes like that," he replied, a little disgruntled. The most code-y they ever got was Target Alpha, Beta, and Delta. On the other end, Yuffie scoffed.

"Anyway, things are looking good on my end. Now it's your turn." And with those words she hung up, leaving Cloud to stare at his phone.

"My turn, huh?" he mumbled, his mind wandering to a couple of days ago.

He watched the grey clouds of smoke as they rose into the air, the strong smell sticking to the back of his nose and making him grimace a little after Cid had taken a long drag from the cigar and exhaled it with a deep sigh.

"Ah, now that's the stuff!" the pilot exclaimed, then took another, much shorter drag.

After a hearty dinner that left everyone sated, Cloud had found himself dragged outside by the pilot, who had somehow managed to convince his wife to let him have this one smoke despite promising to quit.

He had the feeling it included some groveling on the ground.

"Hmm, not bad," Barret agreed, puffing out smoke from his own cigar.

"Heh, right?" Cid turned his eyes towards Cloud. "Sure ya don't want one? You're the soon-to-be father."

"Nah, I'm good," he replied, leaning back against the wall behind the bar. He was actually quite proud of himself to have never picked up smoking as a habit, despite having been offered it a lot during his time in the Shinra Army, and he wasn't going to start it now just because Tifa and him were expecting.

"Suit yerself. More for us."

Watching his friends clearly enjoy the taste of the dried and rolled up tobacco, he felt his lips curl into a smirk. "You know...I heard smoking isn't too good for your staying power."

The other two men stopped just shy of taking another drag and he saw Cid's brows furrow in that way that preceded one of his famous blow-ups.

"I ain't inhaling, numbskull!" Cid exclaimed with a snort, before going back to enjoying the cigar. Next to him, Barret just shrugged and did the same.

He parted his lips to say something else, when the sound of the bar door slamming open and closed made him stop, turning his head just in time to see Yuffie walking around the corner.

"How the hell can someone smoke this stinking crap?" she asked, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

"If it bothers ya the door is thataway," Cid shot back but was largely ignored by Yuffie as she stopped next to Cloud.

"Ugh, I was afraid you'd try that nasty stuff too."

"Nah, too young," he said jokingly.

"Good!" She leaned forward in a conspiring manner. "Heard it stops your junk from working."

Cloud watched as both Barret and Cid slowly turned their heads to glare at her, holding back a chuckle. "Didn't know you cared so much about my goods," he teased. "That's very thoughtful of you."

Cid snorted. "Should I tell Tifa she's got competition!?"

"W-what? Screw you, old man!"

"Who're you calling old!?"

"Who do ya think!?"

Yuffie made to step in front of Cid but Cloud, in an amazing show of diplomacy that he would never have done in the past, put a hand on her shoulder to keep her in place.

"So what brings you here?" he asked. Yuffie send Cid a glare, who sent one in return, before going back to ignoring him.

"Can we talk?"

"Aren't we already?"

She gave him an unamused look. "Alone?"

Now that was curious, he had to admit, and part of him was already preparing for another one of her stupid ideas. He was still remembering that ship in the bottle incident. "Sure."

He followed her out of the alley and down the street, far enough that 7th Heaven was out of earshot.

"Alright," Cloud said, resigning himself to whatever scheme she might have cooked up. "We're alone."

Yuffie whirled around and walked right up to him, her finger shooting up and almost taking one of his eyes out. "Take Tifa on a date!"

"W-what?"

"You heard me, Spike." Pulling her finger away from his face, she planted both of her hands on her hips.

"...Okay," he replied simply, not really knowing what else to say.

"When was the last time you two went on one? And I'm not talking about lounging around while the kids are away, I'm talking all candlelight and soft music here."

Cloud looked around, feeling embarrassment welling up inside of him. "...There hasn't really been any time."

Yuffie just looked at him, before releasing a sigh, arms flopping back down to her sides. "You two really are hopeless. Listen, man, I know you two love each other very much, and that's precisely why you two should go out. Enjoy yourselves while Tifa still can."

The last part she said while patting her belly.

He mulled her words over in his mind. Tifa and him, they hadn't really gotten together in the most normal circumstances, and it had taken them a long time to recover from their ordeals. And despite having more time to themselves, now with Denzel and Marlene in school, this simple thing called a date still eluded them.

Yuffie was right.

She must have noticed his train of thought because the next thing he felt was her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry," she said, a huge grin forming on her face. "Yuffie's gotcha covered. I've got a plan."

Cloud looked at Yuffie. Really looked at Yuffie. In the time that he had known her now, she had been the source of more than one headache, but when worst came to worst, he trusted her to have his back, if not his Materia. And the look in her eyes told him enough to make him simply nod.

"Good!" she slapped his shoulder hard enough to smart a little. "So here's what we're gonna do."

He listened intently as Yuffie explained to him how she would be taking Tifa out of town to buy some maternity stuff and while there would get her to buy something nice for a night out.

"What if she says no?"

"Oh, she won't. Not if I rope Shera in. I'll just have her pick something nice too. Don't worry, it's on me. Consider it a happy pregnancy gift," she said. "Meanwhile you'll get something to wear too. Sorry, that's gotta come out of your pocket."

"That's easy enough." He already knew where to look, in fact.

"Which leaves us with where you two should go. And coincidentally I know the perfect place: a nice restaurant that recently opened up in town."

"Let me guess, Wutaian?" Cloud asked with a quirked eyebrow.

Yuffie simply shrugged.

He had to admit, as far as plans by her went, this one was well thought out. "Okay. Sounds good."

A huge grin split the ninja's face.

"Great!"

Well, better get going, Cloud thought to himself before getting back to his feet. After making sure the bar was locked once more, he made his way to Fenrir, got on top of her, and drove off.

After the destruction of Midgar, the survivors started anew with the city of Edge, even those of less reputable nature. Some had gone straight, while others went right back to what they were always doing.

That's how the red light district came into being, or simply dubbed New Wall Market; his destination for this particular endeavor.

Cloud was actually a frequent visitor of the area, not because he had any interest in their particular offerings but because of one simple fact: fuel.

As it had turned out, Don Corneo had survived his fall from the statue of Da Chao and somehow dragged his body back to Midgar where he had once again set up shop after Shinra was finished.

His first instinct had been to go to his new base of operations and finish the job, but another opportunity had presented itself and Corneo was scared enough to agree, providing him with free fuel in exchange for leaving him alone.

And eventually, the Corneo problem had taken care of itself, as last year his private residence had caught fire, destroying every piece of blackmail he had used to run the place and leaving only a burned-out husk as a symbol of his former rule.

Cloud had thought that would be the end of their little business arrangement, but as it turned out the new leadership, made up of other influential individuals of Wall Market who had no love left for the guy, continued to provide.

He didn't know why, but he also didn't look a gift Chocobo in the beak.

It didn't take long for him to arrive where he needed to go. The only tailor in the entire city he was familiar with.

A little too familiar, Cloud thought to himself as he stepped inside, his eyes immediately taking in the interior. It was a small boutique, specializing in evening wear, offering outfits for ladies, gentlemen, and gentlemen with special tastes.

He would like to very much forget about how he contributed to the latter.

Thankfully neither the owner nor his daughter were in, saving him from that embarrassment at least.

"Hi!" the young girl behind the counter greeted him. "What can I getcha?"

"I need clothes. For a date," he replied.

"From our regular or our special—"

"Regular."

"Alright," she said and stepped in front of the counter, giving him a once over. A disappointed sigh escaped her. "What a shame. I can tell you would look good in a dress."

I wore enough to last me a lifetime!

"So, anything you can recommend?"

"Sure. Hmm, you obviously like dark colors..." She gave him a more appraising look this time, before nodding. "...Yeah. This way."

She led him over to the racks with all the men's clothes, looking through each of them, until she found what she was looking for. A long-sleeved, black button-up shirt accompanied by an equally black waistcoat with a subtle pattern stitched into it. After that, she picked out a fitting pair of dress pants and held it all out to him. "Try this one. Should be your size."

Taking the offered items, Cloud headed into one of the changing rooms. Once done he stepped back outside to look at himself in the mirror.

The shirt fit him like a glove, not too tight and not too loose, same for the pants, with the waistcoat rounding up the image and giving Cloud a sleek, yet stylish look.

He liked it. Definitely more than the dress two years ago.

"You've got a good eye," he told the store attendant. "I'll take it."

After he had changed back, he paid for the clothes and left the store, glad that he didn't have to spend too much time or money as it was a relatively cheap ensemble. Putting the bag into Fenrir's trunk, he sat down on her and drove off once more.

While he made his way back towards 7th Heaven, Cloud spotted something that made him slow down; a confectionery. The corners of his lips turned into a smile as an idea sprung up in his mind.

By the time he had made it back home, Tifa still hadn't returned and most likely wouldn't for a while longer, giving him more than enough time to put his new clothes where Tifa wouldn't spot them immediately.

Now we wait, he told himself, sitting down at his desk, deciding to do some paperwork and file away his most recent receipts.

Once done with that, Cloud got back up and started to clean up a little, figuring that Tifa did it so often already that it was only fair that he paid her back.

He was just sweeping the floor of his office when his mind started to wander a little, many months into the future, trying to imagine a pair of cribs where his desk was standing now.

But they would need more than just cribs. It needed to look more colorful, like the kids' bedroom did. Maybe some cute decorations?

Just as he was going over the possibilities, he heard the door downstairs open and close, shortly followed by Tifa's voice calling out: "Cloud?"

"Upstairs!" he called back, leaning the broom against the wall before heading downstairs, meeting her halfway while she carried two bags. "Here, let me get that for you."

"Thanks," Tifa said with a smile and handed him one.

"The other two abandoned you?" he asked jokingly.

"Told them I'll be fine, and that you're here. How was your day?"

"Uneventful," he replied. Not exactly a lie, nothing unforeseeable happened. "Been doing some paperwork and cleaning since coming back."

"Cleaning?" she looked at him with a teasing smile. "Who are you, and what did you do to Cloud?"

"Hey! Was about high time I started swinging the broom around too."

Laughing, the two headed into their bedroom, where Tifa promptly sat down on their bed.

"Tired?" he asked her.

She shook her head, taking one of the bags and placing it on the bed. "I took a nap on the drive back, but you know how exhausting Yuffie can be."

"Yeah." Oh, did he know that...

Figuring now was a good time as any, Cloud walked back into his office and picked up the small present he had gotten her. As he returned, he saw Tifa folding up a few shirts that were definitely too large for her right now.

"And since I know first hand how dealing with her can be, I got these for you," he said and presented her with a box of chocolates. A small chuckle escaped him as she stopped mid-motion, her eyes growing wide.

Dropping the T-shirt, Tifa's hands immediately went to take hold of the box. A small part of him played with the idea to tease her a little by pulling away, but the almost childlike eagerness in her eyes made him relent.

"Oh Cloud...you shouldn't have," she said, opening the box. Her fingers floated over the assortment of little chocolate treats, before picking one out and popping it into her mouth. A look of absolute pleasure formed on her face. "Mmh!"

"Well, I'm glad you like it," Cloud said, sitting down on the bed now as well. "So what did you get?"

"T-shirts, stretchy pants –oh this one tastes sooooo good— you know, things that'll grow with me. A few dresses that I liked too."

"I see." He peeked into one of the bags to find the items she was talking about, no sign of the dress Yuffie mentioned though. Guess it's in the other bag.

His eyes moved back to her, happily eating the chocolates he had given her, and he tried to figure out how to best approach the subject without making himself look like a weirdo. But in the end, he decided to just go with it.

"I heard about a new restaurant that recently opened up in town."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." Cloud rubbed the back of his neck. "So...how about it? Want to go there, just the two of us?"

Tifa halted in her tracks, tasty chocolate treat just inches from her mouth as she looked at him. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips before responding: "L-like a date?"

"Mhm." He nodded. "I mean I never really made good on what we talked about last year and now with the babies I thought it might be our last chance for a while."

Tifa pushed the chocolate past her lips and slowly started to chew, her eyes darting from him towards the second bag next to her, then back to him. Swallowing, she started to nod.

"...Okay." her lips pulled up into a small smile, albeit just a little hesitant. "I'd like that."

He returned her smile with one of his own, reaching out to gingerly take her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

I need to give Yuffie my thanks, he thought as Tifa squeezed back.

Figured it was high time those two had a proper date, don't ya think?