Thanks again to Emerial for taking the time to beta my chapters.
Aerith rubbed her eyes as she woke from her sleep. Did last night really happen? She looked in front of her, Rox's back to her as Tifa held her. She supposed it wasn't a crazy dream, then. Aerith shuffled out of the bed as quietly as she could and took a look at the clock on the nightstand, it was a little past one in the afternoon.
She freshened up in the bathroom before making her way downstairs, her throat parched and stomach grumbling. Aerith supposed she could wait until Tifa woke up before helping her with breakfast...or would it be lunch? She wasn't quite sure. The living room was dark, though some faint light came from behind the curtains, allowing her to see just enough. Something large stood in a corner near the door, and she studied it before she went to the kitchen. It moved, and her eyes widened. She backed away a few steps until she remembered what Tifa had said last night; that must be Scratch.
"Good morning." she mumbled at the monster before quickly ducking into the kitchen.
Aerith turned on the kitchen light before looking through the cabinets for a glass. Acquiring one she filled it with water from the tap, then entered the living room again; she turned on one of the lamps, then sat down and contemplated everything as she drank her water. She tapped a finger on the rim of the glass, trying to sort out her thoughts.
Zack was a vampire. A blood drinking, undead creature that stalks the night. She really didn't know that much about them, except they killed to survive and they couldn't see the sun. Aerith wondered if it was also true that they didn't like garlic, then remembered that Zack had eaten food she had made that contained it. Maybe not everything she knew about them was correct, it seemed. "Hm." Rox didn't like them. Tifa didn't seem to mind the two upstairs, but there was pity in her voice when she spoke to Rox last night.
Aerith could understand that. Why wouldn't you pity them? They were living humans once, with human emotions and desires that these two seemed to have kept. She hadn't known Zack and Cloud that long but they acted rather human, at least in front of her. What could vampires do? What did Zack do with those powers, besides...hunt? She tucked her feet close to her body. He somehow found her last night in that dilapidated building, so maybe he could magically track her? There were so many questions in her mind right now.
'But he cared enough to look for me. Whatever he is he's still the Zack I know, I think.' Some doubt swirled in her head. Cloud bit Tifa when things didn't go his way. Aerith wasn't sure how Tifa could possibly be so close to him after what was a violation of her body. It wasn't willing at all. But there they were, shyly dancing around each other's feelings. Tifa had obviously cared that he had done that if her tone of voice could be used to judge the situation, but she still trusted and cared about Cloud.
She had to wonder if Zack would ever do the same to her, for whatever reason. That didn't sound like Zack, but then again that didn't sound like Cloud either. What if the relationship doesn't work out? He'd probably still want to keep in contact, she knew him well enough to know that much. But what kind of contact? Her mind wandered again to Cloud biting Tifa. What if it did work out? Would he make her like him, or would he do something else? What about his job? Tifa did say it was inevitable that those people would die, but still...So many flowers for the dead. It was unnerving to think about, especially how he killed. Aerith instinctively rubbed her throat.
She wondered how lonely that kind of life could be. Tifa said she would follow her friend, despite the possible risk to her safety. Aerith assumed she must care deeply for Cloud, even if he was a vampire. Aerith sighed, wondering if she could possibly adapt to this new, darker world, or if she would be allowed to leave it if she chose.
Her thoughts were broken a moment later by a loud squeak, and she snapped her head towards the staircase to see Rox stumbling on the steps as Tifa held her hand. Aerith's brow furrowed at the two, and Rox pointed a finger towards a corner of the room behind her. Aerith moved her head to see what was there, and now she had a better look at Scratch; a blue skinned demon that was staring right at her with blood red eyes. She had been warned, she had seen him in the dark, but it was still jarring.
"It's okay, it's just Scratch." Tifa said. "I told you he'd be down here, Rox."
Aerith looked back at the two. "Does he try to be creepy?"
Tifa grinned and nodded. "He's not as friendly as Squeak."
Rox stood back up, eyeing the gargoyle. "He just had to choose the freakiest monster he could find, didn't he?"
Tifa nodded, finishing their trip down the stairs. "After the incident in Midgar, he didn't want the house so defenseless."
Aerith sat up from the couch, waiting for Tifa to walk towards her. "Zack said something about vampires being unable to act during the day..." She still had to wonder if Cloud and Zack could hear Rox stumbling about and groaning loudly. Unable to act?
Tifa led the two into the kitchen and away from the leering servant. "Vampires are just pretty corpses during the day. You could go up there and bounce on the bed between them and they could do absolutely nothing. It's like they're in a coma or something."
"Oh. Can I try that?"
Tifa snorted and cracked a smile as she took out a pan and plates. "Try not to push them off, I don't know how they would feel if they woke up on the floor." Then again, they were spying on them through Squeak, she thought. "I'm sure they'd be fine if that happened, though."
Aerith giggled. "Maybe later."
Rox sat at the table, looking around for any more servants or surprises. She glared at the door to the basement, wondering what kind of nightmares it was hiding. Her thoughts were interrupted as Tifa placed a glass of orange juice on the table next to her.
"Are you sure he just has two servants?" Rox asked, still on edge.
"Yep."
The teen nodded before quietly taking her glass in hand and sipping from it. "So...what are we doing today?"
Tifa was working on greasing the pan on the stove top. "Well, I have to go to work before sunset, but when Cloud gets up he'll take you two to the furniture store before they close." She looked back and frowned at the face Rox was making. "You both need beds and clothing. We'll do some clothes shopping before I go to work, I have enough time."
"Why not the furniture shopping too?" Rox asked.
"I'm not stealing away Cloud's wallet, Rox..." Tifa turned back to the stove.
Aerith nodded, sitting at her seat. "We do need some things, but I didn't have my purse on me last night."
"Those two upstairs can figure it out, and I have enough in my purse to get you two a few outfits." Tifa cracked some eggs into the hot pan, then put some bread in the toaster. "I won't be here when they wake up, but my bedroom has a TV, and there's a few books in the living room if you want to read."
"What about Scratch?" Rox asked, looking in his direction. She didn't trust him one bit.
"He's doing his job." Tifa sighed out. "Scratch can't go against Cloud's commands. One of those commands was to not harm guests." She eventually finished cooking, then served her two friends. Tifa made a smaller plate of toast and cheese for Squeak as he entered the kitchen before joining Aerith and Rox to eat.
After they finished she let them look at the two rooms available as she went to shower and get changed. As Tifa shampooed her hair she thought about what to say to Cloud for eavesdropping last night. What was he expecting to hear from them? She wondered if perhaps it was for Zack's sake only; he had seemed afraid of Aerith's reaction to his admissions last night.
'Those two are so insecure.' She supposed she couldn't totally blame them. Well, not Zack at least. What was Cloud hoping she, herself, would say to them? Was he elated by her admission she would follow where he went? Who else would help keep him out of trouble? Or get her into trouble, too...'Dad always said he was a bad influence.'
Tifa took the two to a clothing store a few blocks from the house, showing them markers that would help guide them home as they learned the lay of the land. She helped Rox find a few outfits she would like, the teen taking to the tank tops and shorts available. Tifa noticed that her friend seemed in a better mood as she shopped with her and Aerith, the flower girl appreciating a few casual dresses on a rack nearby.
They left after a good two hours of shopping, Tifa's friends carrying bags of clothing with them. She looked at the two behind her. "Do laundry whenever you want. I know basements are creepy, but nothing is waiting down there for you." Except a big, fat spider in the corner, she thought.
Rox grunted, a shiver going down her spine. She didn't want to go into a dark, dank basement that might also double as a dungeon. Aerith nodded back at Tifa, oblivious of the look on her friend's face as they made their way home.
The afternoon wore on for the three, Tifa eventually leaving for work, and Rox and Aerith were alone. They sat in Tifa's room, Aerith petting Squeak as Rox sat on the bed with a book, trying to get her mind off of everything. She glanced at the clock, it was seven and the vampires upstairs would wake up soon.
She was going to be stuck with Cloud. Every time she thought of him, Rox remembered the cold, mocking glare of his eyes before she ran off into the shadows and then the feel of her stolen blade at her throat before he inexplicably let her go. Rox knew she was safe, that Tifa trusted him, but she still didn't want to be so close to him. What if he turned her into a servant regardless? It wouldn't be like Tifa could find out here, away from a church. Rox glared at the door before returning her eyes to the book she barely read.
She would rather pal around with Zack if she had to choose. He seemed pretty nice as vampires went. Zack didn't threaten to turn her into a servant, or drink her blood. Maybe she wouldn't want to be alone in a room with him or anything like that, but still, she thought.
Rox and Aerith heard rustling upstairs, then after what felt like forever there were footsteps creaking down the stairs. There was a knock at the door, and Aerith walked up to the door, Squeak scampering at her side. She opened the door, and Zack and Cloud peeked through the opening. "Evening." they mumbled to the two women. They were already dressed, ready for whatever the night held.
"Evening." Aerith greeted. "Rest well?"
"Like the dead..." Cloud dead panned. To his surprise she giggled at his terrible joke. The two women followed the vampires downstairs, Zack glancing back at Aerith as she reached the bottom step. She studied him, her green eyes glimmering in the soft light of the lamp. He had a worried frown on his face before turning to Cloud, mumbling about having to leave soon to catch the train back to Midgar. Cloud gave Zack's shoulder a heavy pat, missing his friend already. "Message me when you get there."
Zack nodded. "I'll send Clara by in a couple of days, too."
Aerith came to his side and he awkwardly smiled at her, fear and hope warring in his gut. "You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye to me first, right?" she teased.
"No way!" He looked back at Cloud. "Keep her safe for me, Spike."
Cloud looked at the two women one at a time, then nodded at Zack. "I will. Stay in one piece, Zack."
Zack grinned at him and tapped Cloud's arm with his own before being tugged towards the door by Aerith. Before she could turn the knob it opened on its own, making her pause. She supposed she would get used to self opening doors sooner or later. Shrugging, Aerith walked out of the house, Zack close behind her. The door shut, and they were alone in the twilight. "So, uh...Aerith..."
"Hm?" She wasn't going to make this easy.
"I um, I'll make sure your flowers get watered. And um, when this all blows over I'll bring you home..." He felt like he was beginning to ramble.
Aerith chuckled as she walked a few paces away. Her hands were behind her back, and she rocked on her feet twice as she looked at the sky. "That's a tiny wish of mine, you bringing me home."
Zack cocked his head to the side. "A wish?"
She nodded. "I have twenty-three tiny wishes, actually." Aerith glanced at him behind her shoulder.
"Oh?" How the hell was he going to remember the other twenty-two?
Aerith's smile grew as she turned around and walked up close to him. "I know you probably won't remember them all, so I put them all together into one..." She brought her hands up and pressed the air between them a little, as if squeezing something invisible. "I'd like to spend more time with you."
His frown turned into a big, goofy smile, and he rubbed the back of his head. "You don't mind that I'm like this?"
Aerith put her hands down. "I mind, but...what can be done? I'd rather try to make our relationship work out. Hm. It wouldn't change a thing if I left, would it?" She was still full of uncertainty, but right now she felt Zack was worth the worry. Aerith knew she had to be strong for him and herself. After all, Tifa was strong for Cloud, and she had to know far more about vampires than she herself did. Despite that and whatever vampires could and would do, her friend trusted and cared deeply for one. And so, Aerith thought, she could too.
Zack brought her close, hugging her. His chin rested on her head. "I think I'd be as mopey as Cloud if you left me." He heard her giggle into his chest. They stood there for a few minutes, enjoying each other on the quiet street. "When this is all over, I'll work on those wishes."
Aerith moved her head to look up at him, still smiling. She stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips. Always warm...even if he wasn't alive. "I'll hold you up to it."
He kissed her back, the moment lingering. Parting again after a while he smiled at her. "Try and stay outta trouble, even if Cloud and Tifa are trouble magnets." He winked.
Aerith chuckled as she brought a hand up to Zack's cheek and rubbed it. "Do I have to babysit them?"
He leaned into her touch. "You might!"
They stayed together a little while longer before Zack had to depart. "I'll send you a letter, Aerith." he promised. "I'll be back as soon as I can." After another kiss he stared at her for a few moments before leaving, and Aerith watched in the deepening darkness as he disappeared. He turned back before reaching the corner, waved, and then after another moment he was gone.
The door behind her opened a few moments later, Cloud walking out after motioning to Rox to join him, the teen walking quickly past him and holding onto Aerith. He had a smirk on his face Aerith could barely make out in the alley, the streetlamps too far away to properly illuminate his face. "We better get to the furniture store before they close for the night."
Aerith looked back at the empty stretch of alley Zack had walked through. He would be back for her some day soon, she hoped. She would have to write a few letters to him if she could, she decided.
"I don't have any money." Rox groused, snapping Aerith out of her reverie. She didn't see the vampire caring how she slept.
Cloud shrugged as the three began their journey out into the city, his hoodie up and covering his hair. "Zack'll pay me back."
Tifa had said something about that earlier, but... "Is it alright?" Aerith asked.
He nodded. "Yeah. Unless you guys really like sleeping three to a bed like that?"
Aerith chuckled while Rox groaned. "No, women like their privacy, after all."
They made their way to the furniture store, looking over beds they might like after Cloud guided them towards the back of the store. Rox seemed hesitant while Aerith jovially picked out a bed similar to Tifa's, testing the mattress and flopping down on it. Cloud walked up behind Rox and looked over her shoulder as she stared at a bed she had looked at twice over. He was a foot away from her, giving her a little space. "Do you like this one?" he asked.
Rox flinched as she looked back, her fear palpable as she took a step back. "I...I guess so." She swallowed hard.
Cloud frowned. "You can get something nicer than that if you want. It looks closer to a cot."
She shrugged, looking back at it. "It's fine." Rox mumbled.
He shook his head before draping his arm across her shoulder and moving her towards a few beds with wooden frames. She seemed to be on the verge of panicking as he navigated her through the store, closer than she wanted to ever be to him again. "Tifa's gonna think I pushed you to get the crappiest bed they have. It's okay, get something nice."
Rox looked back with a frown as he let her go, his arms crossed over his chest. "Is that why you're pretendin' to be nice to me, 'cause Tifa'll get mad?"
Cloud rolled his eyes. "I'm not pretending anything. We aren't on different sides of a never ending war anymore, are we?" he asked quietly.
"You almost killed me." she whispered, rubbing her throat.
"Almost, but I decided not to." He came to her side and studied her. "I didn't know you were friends with Tifa at the time. But..." Cloud looked away. "you reminded me of her. She was about your age when she joined that guild. And you didn't seem to be much of a threat, anyway." He looked back with a smirk.
Rox looked away. "If I wasn't much of a danger, why'd you threaten me like that?"
"To scare you off, obviously." Cloud continued on, his smirk fading. "You didn't even take my warning to heart that night." He put a hand on the bedpost, rubbing the wood. "I still asked Zack to watch over you for Tifa's sake."
She looked back, still frowning. "So what, should I thank you for not killing me and for sending your friend out to babysit me?"
"A normal person would thank someone for keeping them safe, yeah." He was smirking again.
"Whatever." She huffed, her frown deepening as she looked him up and down. "Ugh...I'm gonna live in the same house as you." Rox looked down at the bed in front of her, and sat on the edge of it, bouncing a bit to test its springiness.
"You're welcome." he sighed out. He began pacing casually in front of her. "Did you find your bed yet?"
Rox bounced again. "I like this one."
"Good, now we can look for drawers. I'm sure Aerith found one already while you were draggin' your feet."
Rox tsked as she stood up, scrunching her face at him before walking towards Aerith, the woman looking over a few pieces of furniture not far from them. Cloud watched her go, slowly following and wondering how badly he spooked Rox that night. 'It's not like any of that matters anymore.'
Eventually they decided what they wanted, and Cloud told the attendant when they would like the furniture delivered and to where. After paying they left, Rox hanging on Aerith's arm as they left the building. Cloud turned to them, and motioned with his head towards another street.
"Tifa and I tried this one pizza place out for lunch once. Wanna give it a go?"
Aerith nodded. "I could go for some comfort food. Rox?" She glanced at the teen.
The teen shrugged. "I'll follow your lead."
It was getting close to closing time, and then Tifa could enjoy the rest of her night after talking to Cloud about using Squeak as a little spy. She wasn't as upset as she was last night, but she didn't want to have to keep Squeak out of her room, or the others' as well. She didn't take Cloud to be a pervert, of course, but it was still a breach of privacy. 'Can he see through Squeak? The books were conflicted on that.'
She let out a sigh as she wiped down the counter. Nothing too stern, she decided, just firm. Cloud would understand. 'Maybe he wasn't thinking about that when he did it. No, he was trying to listen to us, not watch us. Zack was probably afraid of Aerith's feelings and Cloud felt bad for him.' Tifa glanced at the clock, then went back to the kitchen to pick up an order.
When she returned to the front to serve the table that ordered the food she noticed Domino enter and walk towards the bar. After she returned to the counter Tifa smiled at him, and he returned it. It was a contrast to the last time they met, she noticed. "Evening, Domino. What can I get you tonight?"
"I'll have a beer, Alyssra." he said with a smile. She went to fill a mug, and noticed he glanced over at Cloud's usual seat, now empty. Tifa served him his drink and looked over the front of the bar again, a woman sitting in a booth in the far corner. Her hair was dark and her face was almost familiar.
'Where have I seen her before?'
Tifa walked over to take her order. The woman looked her up and down after she was greeted, studying her with a hard eye. "Just a turkey sandwich. Please." Her voice was clipped.
Tifa wrote it down and hurried back to the kitchen with the order. Returning she leaned on the counter near Domino. "How have you been?"
Domino shrugged. "I've been alright." He glanced at the empty seat again, then back at Tifa, her brows raised. "Lost a regular?"
She grinned. "I'm sure he was just busy tonight. Don't tell me you wanted to make friends?"
He seemed to stiffen a little bit before letting out a subdued chuckle. "No, he doesn't seem very friendly."
Tifa's smile grew as she pushed herself up from the counter. "He's nicer when you get to know him." She left for the finished order and served the woman, then made small talk with Domino until closing time.
"You know, you don't sound like a city girl. No offense, just saying you've got a different accent than someone from here or Midgar." Domino stated before sipping his second beer for the night.
Tifa smiled warmly at him. "You'd be right. I'm from a little mountain village on the western continent. I came here recently."
He nodded. "You seem to make friends quickly. Or at least attract regulars easily." Domino glanced at Cloud's empty seat.
She looked that way and back again, laughing a little. "Well, he's an old friend of mine. We just recently reconnected after a long time." Tifa divulged.
"Ah, I see."
"So what about you, Domino? Are you from here?" Tifa regarded him warmly, she was in a relaxed mood as the few customers left began to leave.
He shifted his eyes, almost as if he was unsure whether to say anything or not. "I've lived here all my life with my family."
"Any siblings? I don't have any. I always thought it would be nice to have a sister, but..." Tifa trailed off and looked down before looking back at Domino. The loss of her mother was still a sad, bitter memory.
"I...don't have any siblings, no." he said. Domino seemed uncomfortable, so Tifa changed the subject.
"How about work?"
"Oh, a do a little bit of everything, honestly."
After a few more minutes Domino paid for his drinks and waved a goodbye to the barmaid. Tifa raised a brow; as he left that woman seemed to follow him. Was she interested in him, but too shy to approach him at the bar? 'I'm sure Cloud would love that to happen...hm.'
As soon as she was done cleaning up she left, sucking in a fresh drag of night air as she entered the quiet street. Tifa looked about, wondering where Cloud could possibly be hiding in the shadows. It was a quiet little game of hers, guessing where he hid. As she walked down the street she hummed a bit, her eyes looking towards the buildings and the shadows they created. "I wonder where Cloud is hiding..." she whispered. Was he a bat, was he a wolf? Maybe something else.
"Getting warmer." came a voice from the dark.
Tifa snorted and grinned. 'If Cloud thinks this is going to get him out of a talk, he is so wrong.' She continued on a few more paces.
"A little warmer..." the voice was always near, but not near enough.
She stomped a few more steps. "How about now?"
Two hands gripped her shoulders from behind. "Hot!"
Tifa turned around to Cloud grinning at her, and she felt her own lips spread apart to smile. She looked down after a few moments, then crossed her arms and raised a brow. She tried to straighten her face out into a serious mask.
Cloud scratched the back of his head, a cheesy smile on his face. "I'm still getting a lecture, aren't I?"
She huffed through her nose and looked to the side a moment, moving her shoulders as if debating something. Then, she looked into his eyes. "No more spying on us. I know Zack was worried about how Aerith felt..." Tifa gave him a knowing look, and Cloud swallowed heavily. "and I know you aren't a Peeping Tom...I hope." she teased.
"No, I am not." He stuttered at the indirect accusation. "I can't see through Squeak, anyway." 'I mean he could tell me things but-' He chewed on the inside of his cheek, looking and feeling awkward.
Tifa smiled at his reaction, she thought it was cute when he was put on the spot. "That's good to know. But I'd rather you just talk to us instead of spying from now on."
Cloud chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders, turning her around and walking her home. "Right. I'll keep it in mind, Teef."
Tifa's heart caught in her throat as his arm held her close to him, and she leaned her head back ever so slightly into him after a few moments. "Just something to consider."
He looked at the sky and then back at her; her head was resting between his shoulder and chest. "I'll have to be more considerate with three women ruling the roost."
Tifa laughed and shook her head, her hair rubbing against the fabric of his hoody. "We're an even three to three now, with Zack gone. Oh, did he and Aerith...?"
"Yeah." Cloud may or may not have listened at the door. "They're still together." he said quietly before looking straight ahead again. "I took Aerith and Rox out to eat, but I wasn't really in the mood at the time. D'you wanna grab a bite with me?"
"What did you have in mind?"
He shrugged the shoulder Tifa wasn't using. "You're the one that worked tonight. Whatever you choose." Cloud looked about with a frown. "Hm?"
"What is it?" she whispered, noticing the tension in his body. They still walked ahead, but they had slowed their stroll down.
Cloud strained to hear. There were footsteps, footsteps that were far too close to them, and they were coming from behind them. "I think someone's following us," he whispered back, leaning his head a little towards her. "Nothing I can't throw off, though." Cloud gave Tifa's shoulder a squeeze.
They kept walking, mist pooling at their feet and pushing past into the street behind them. Cloud heard the footsteps hurry towards them; instead of being deterred by the thickening sheets whoever it was pressed further. He focused more on that magic he was 'gifted' with that night five years ago, making the fog as thick and high as he could.
He moved his arm from Tifa's shoulder to her waist, making her jump. "Cloud?" she whispered. She couldn't see where they were going.
"Hold on to me."
She did as he asked, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and the other across his waist. He stopped just long enough to press Tifa to his chest and notice the blush creeping on her face before floating off to a building's ledge. The two watched from the darkness as the mist began to dissipate, revealing the stalker: Domino.
Tifa sighed and rubbed her forehead with her hand. "What does he think he's doing?"
"I don't know," Cloud growled, "but I'm getting tired of him." He hated his stupid face, his stupid laugh, his stupid flirting. Cloud flexed his fists. He was about to float down to the nearest alley and have a good round of fisticuffs when another person showed up, one he remembered. The one with the whip.
The vampire hunter. Cloud made his way towards a dark alley as Tifa whispered harshly for him to come back, and listened to the two from the shadows.
"Kedime, this isn't a good idea..." Domino said as he strained to see anything hiding in the darkness. "We can zero in on them eventually. With a master."
"I'm almost a master," Kedime snapped. "This one has to pay for what it did to Nahki. Him and his servant."
"Didn't you say you two only fought the vampire?"
The woman shrugged. "She probably had something to do with it."
"Still a just a servant..." Domino argued. "Don't you usually try and save them?"
Kedime sighed. "Don't tell me you have a crush on her!" she deflected.
"So what if I did?" he asked defiantly.
Cloud narrowed his eyes. Maybe he hadn't asked Tifa out yet, but there was no way he was going to put up with such crappy competition, he decided. Without a care he blasted the two hunters off their feet, the woman knocked into a trash can she stood too close to. Kedime groaned out a breath as she lay on the curb, stunned from the surprise attack.
Cloud glowered at them, floating off the ground to make himself as intimidating as possible. His skin illusion faded away, adding to his malicious aura. He focused on Domino, his steely blue eyes glaring at him from under his hood. "You know, it's considered kinda creepy when you stalk a woman in the dark."
Domino bounced back up and puffed his chest out; whatever dread he had felt moments ago had melted into offense. "You're callin' me creepy, blood sucker?"
"Yeah." Cloud cracked his fists. "I don't take kindly to filth creepin' on my friend."
Domino raised his fists, his weapon still in a sheath to his side. "Bring it on, short stuff!"
Cloud scowled, his eyes narrowing as he floated to the ground. "I'm gonna make you eat those words, maggot." he growled through clenched teeth before his fists came up as well. Domino charged him and the two began fist fighting, getting in a punch here and there. It was a man on man fight, two women staring in absolute disbelief as the two battled without weapons or talons.
Tifa watched from above and rolled her eyes, those two were hot headed enough to fight over stupid insults, she thought. A few times one or the other would land a punch to the face or arms, insults growled that shouldn't be gracing either of their lips. Tifa noticed the now recovered woman shake her head and remove something from her belt. Tifa figured it was probably holy water; she was as done with their antics as Tifa was.
"Cloud! Move!"
He looked up from his fight with Domino just in time to dodge something that broke against the pavement of the alley behind him. His opponent punched his jaw and Cloud ignored it, floating too far up for Domino to continue the fight.
"Ready for round two, you devilish creep?" Kedime said as she grabbed another vial from her belt.
The vampire retreated back into the shadows with a smirk. "Sorry, but I'm not in the mood for another two on one just yet." He decided he would be up for a rematch with his sword; what made Cloud an even more dangerous opponent than the usual vampire was that he had combat experience. With his weapon, he was certain it would take more than two to take him down. "Quit while you're ahead."
Domino hesitated while Kedime growled and shot off a Fira into the alleyway, lighting it up to nothing. Cloud watched from his perch next to Tifa as the woman hunter let loose several colorful insults towards vampires, a grin on his lips from flustering her so.
"You didn't have to do that!" Tifa hissed. He chuckled before picking her up and slowly floating off with her towards the rooftops.
"I guess not." He was still grinning.
She raised a brow. "You just enjoy making me worry, don't you?"
Cloud shook his head. "No, but they need to learn who they're messin' with."
Tifa scoffed. She knew he was just showing off. "They're messing with a villainous vampire that gets worked up over insults." she teased.
He looked down at her and scowled but couldn't stop from smiling. After another minute they were on the rooftop of their home. "Just teaching Domino a lesson." He sighed. "There goes your job."
She bit her lip. Tifa knew they would look around this part of town for them now, and the bar she worked at. Still, she had to get out of the house somehow. "I don't wanna be stuck in the house because of them."
Cloud frowned. "They could kidnap you, or try and attack you..."
"I know, but...during the day there's less chance of them following me or fighting. Usually the afternoon is for preparation and off duty stuff, unless they've found a vampire lair." She gave her friend a wry smile. "I'm sure you're familiar with that."
He bit his lip, chewing it a little as he thought about it. "If anything happens, text me and hide. I'll get you when I wake up. Is that alright?"
She nodded. They would both have some sort of peace of mind as they struggled for a modicum of freedom. Tifa almost felt jealous of Cloud's abilities, giving him far more freedom during the night than herself. They walked towards the hut housing the stairs. "So...How were Rox and Aerith?"
Cloud opened the door and led Tifa down the stairs. "Aerith said she was gonna go to bed before I left, and Rox might be sleeping with her too, I don't know. She's not very fond of me."
"You terrify her." Tifa stated with a shrug.
Cloud frowned. "I'm not doing anything to scare her. Just that once..."
They came to the third floor, and Cloud opened the door and let Tifa through. "She's sixteen and had her entire family slaughtered by a vampire, one by one. Now, she's living with the one that almost killed her, but for some reason, didn't." She stood facing Cloud, his face revealing that he was finally understanding the scope of the teen's terror. Tifa kept her face neutral and voice non-judgemental. "I know you won't harm her, Cloud. But, Rox doesn't know that. Just like I didn't know you wouldn't harm me when you had me spirited away. Well, besides the bite, that is." Tifa's face slipped almost into an uncomfortable frown before returning back to neutrality.
Cloud caught it, and it felt like a dagger in his heart. Without thinking he wrapped his hand around the back of her head and brought her to his chest, making Tifa blush furiously as his other hand wrapped around her back. "I'm sorry, Tifa." His voice was quiet and forlorn. "I didn't know what else to do that night."
Tifa peeked upwards towards Cloud's face, his spikes tickling her nose and cheeks. "Cloud, it's alright...I understand why you did it." He looked back at her with searching eyes, and she flashed a warm smile as she returned his hug. "You took care of me, right?"
"As if I wouldn't after that."
She laughed. "What I was trying to say was, is that it'll take time for Rox to not be so skittish around you." Tifa parted from her friend, then motioned downstairs. "I'm going to freshen up a bit. I guess that those two out there might be looking for us still, so maybe I'll cook something here."
Cloud shook his head and opened the door to the staircase again. "You've been on your feet all afternoon and evening." he said. "I'll go out and get some takeout."
Tifa raised a brow and gently swung her hips, teasing him. "As long as you promise not to get into another fight out there."
He playfully rolled his eyes. "I promise, Teef."
As Tifa went downstairs to her bathroom Cloud went off in search of something he could bring back at that hour. The nearest shop was a little Wutaian takeaway place he had passed by before. Cloud looked around before leaving the shadows and entering the shop, ordering what he think Tifa might like.
He patiently waited at his seat, looking over his text messages. Zack was back in Midgar, safe and sound and rearing for another slumber party. Again he asked if Cloud had told Tifa his feelings, and Cloud promised, promised he would do it tomorrow night, just as much for Zack as for himself. He was loathe to break a promise.
Cloud wanted to do something a little romantic or at least timed right, but the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to say to her. About why he went to Midgar, his feelings towards her, how he understood if she would reject him. He wasn't very sure if she would or not. She was a steadfast, loyal friend, but those weren't romantic feelings. She felt love, but was it that kind of love?
Putting his phone away he glanced at the little freezer next to him, trying to get his mind off of the subject. He stood up and examined the contents sealed away behind glass. There were various frozen treats from Wutai; mocchi ice cream, matcha flavored desserts, something made of red beans. He took a few packages out and paid for them when his order was ready.
When he got home he placed the takeout on the kitchen table and the treats in the freezer. Cloud handed an eggroll to Squeak, who merrily ran off with the greasy treat, prepared for a food coma. Tifa cocked her head at the little food boxes. "Wutaian, huh?"
Cloud looked back at her. "Not your thing?"
She smiled before sitting down. "I like it, it's just been a while. What did you order?"
He sat next to her and poked at the takeout boxes. "Spicy noodles, Tirachka chicken with vegetables, Song shrimp..."
Tifa opened up the Tirachka chicken. "I liked this!"
Cloud had a smug smile on his face. 'Another thing to keep in mind.'
They divided their food, Tifa taking most of the chicken and Cloud most of the noodles. The shrimp were divided evenly between them. They ate in silence for a while, occasionally glancing up at the other. Tifa broke the silence first, after she swallowed a mouthful of chicken.
"You have several vampire hunters after you. Are we going to have to skip town again?"
Cloud shook his head. "If they don't stop I'm reporting it to the guild." He slurped up some noodles, then noticed Tifa's furrowed brow. He added more after he was finished with his mouthful of noodles. "See, the guild doesn't care about vampire hunters at all, really. If they stay away from associates that happen to be vampires. But as soon as they start targeting an associate and it's reported, we care about those vampire hunters. A lot."
"So, they'd be like me..." she mumbled.
He sighed. "I'm reluctant to do it because it'd feel a little hypocritical, yeah. But our safety comes before my feelings. I don't want to see that again, Tifa." The thought that he was almost too late to save her made him frown into his noodles.
Tifa nodded and returned to her meal. She didn't really think Domino deserved death, maybe not the other woman, either. "What was that woman's name? I couldn't hear."
"Um, Kedime."
"Hm. Hopefully they give up eventually. There's easier vampires to track down, I'm sure." Tifa said before finishing her meal.
They went upstairs and Tifa tsked as she peeked into her room; Rox was splayed out over the rest of Tifa's bed and Aerith was curled up on the edge of the bed. "Maybe I'll sleep on the couch tonight."
"You can use my bed, Tifa. That is, if you're okay with it." Cloud added quickly.
She turned to him and flashed a half smile. "It's not like we haven't shared your bed once already," Tifa replied. She quietly went into her room for a book she had bought a few days ago, taking a peek at Rox and Aerith in the light coming from the crack of the door. Aerith looked peaceful while Rox's brow wrinkled together before she let out a little snore.
Tifa came up to Cloud's room after freshening up, her friend looking her way before returning to a book he held in his hands, leaning against the bed board and a pillow. He was already dressed in his night clothing, his skin almost the same color as his white shirt if not for the ashy tinge. It was a little strange to see considering his liberal use of his skin illusion in recent weeks while out and about.
She walked up to and made herself comfortable on the empty side of the bed and cracked open her own book. They were quiet for a very long time, reading, and she gradually sensed some sort of tension between them. It wasn't the tension of an argument brewing, but still there were words left unsaid. 'He said it could wait. How long do I have to wait? What did he want to say? I think I know what it is, but...I don't want to assume.'
"Do you have any plans with the girls today?" Cloud mumbled as he looked into his book. She almost jumped at his voice after such a long period of silence.
Tifa shrugged to herself. "I'll ask them." She let out a yawn and glanced at the clock. She had lost track of time, it was getting close to five. "I better get some sleep if I plan on doing anything during the day with them." Tifa placed her book on the end table and shuffled under the covers before turning off her lamp. She curled up and faced Cloud. "Night, Cloud."
"Night, Teef."
Tifa closed her eyes and Cloud glanced down at her ever so often as her breathing became deep and steady. Eventually he placed his book down and turned off his lamp, then joined Tifa under the blankets. He usually slept on top of the blankets since there was no need to keep warm, but her body was warm if still a foot away from him; it called to him somehow, that heat that seeped out of her sleeping body. He stayed on his back with a hand over his chest, looking at the ceiling and thinking about how far the two had come since that fateful night he stalked her about Midgar before spiriting her away.
He moved a little closer to Tifa, appreciating her presence next to him as long as he could, his consciousness fading with the rising sun.