Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII with the characters, items, places, etc. are the property of Square Enix, Inc. No infringement is intended.
Author's Note: This is a Cloud and Tifa story, just with a dramatic twist due to his absence. They will be happy later. My beta reader Denebola Leo has been a tremendous help to bringing this story to you readers.
Updated Chapter Changes: 4/6/19 & 7/26/20
-. Don't Think Twice .-
Chapter VII
Early December, εγλ 0007
After the explosion from the Air Buster that split the platform in the reactor, Cloud clutched onto the metal pole sticking out of the broken bridge. Around him the Shinra facility began shaking violently, loosening his grip on safety. Sparks began to burst out from the tattered wires that scorched his forearm with blistering pain.
"Barret! Can't you do something?" his friend pleaded to Barret. He peered over his shoulder at Tifa, seeing her terror-stricken eyes looking right at him. He was too far for her to reach him. He could tell she was looking around frantically for something to help him back to safety.
"Not a damn thing," Barret hopelessly replied while shaking his head.
"Cloud! Please don't die! You can't die! There's still so much I want to tell you!" Tifa told him desperately.
"I know, Tifa..." was all he could say. He didn't have to look at Tifa to tell she was crying. He wasn't going to let this be his final moment with her. The way her face lit up when she would see him enter a room, her lighthearted laugh, the way she was inherently nurturing to everyone in her presence…and how much he cared for his friend. These were all things he hadn't told her yet.
"Hey, are you going to be awright?" Barret called out behind him.
"You worry about yourselves! I'm all right, but take care of Tifa!"
"...Alright. Sorry 'bout all this." Barret's tone had altered back to sounding disheartened. The mercenary didn't want to scare Tifa anymore than she already was. The gun man's doubt wasn't helping their current situation.
"Stop talkin' like this is the end!" Cloud shot back at his comrades to reassure them, but the strain in his voice was less than convincing. He managed to grab hold of another rod from the damaged platform, but the added weight and movement only made the support start to slip. One of the poles slithered out, causing him to lose balance on his grip. He could hear Tifa's scream as he fell down to the Sector 5 Slums…
September 17th, εγλ 0009, 11:57 a.m.
Cloud managed to reach Junon earlier than he had planned, as he had only made one rest stop at Fort Condor along the way. It never ceased to amaze him the progress that Lower Junon had made since Shinra Inc. dissolved a few years ago. The fisherman village below the military metropolis was revived as the ground had been purified from pollution. Upper Junon still existed, so the original town wasn't quite in its original state, but it was improving. The installation of artificial sunlight panels for the residents was greatly appreciated. The terrain now fully resembled a coastal town, with sandy soils littered with warm brown rocks and boulders.
Junon was being used as a prototype for a new energy supply, as the Underwater Reactor had been successfully converted to an ocean hydropower plant. The World Regenesis Organization had its headquarters in the building that was previously owned by the Shinra megacorporation. Cloud trusted the new organization as it was founded and controlled by Reeve Tuesti, a comrade of his.
He rode Fenrir through the sandy roads, making his way to the power lift that was maintained by WRO staff members. Checking in, he was granted access to the port city above. Upper Junon had preserved the industrial appearance and bustling atmosphere he had always known as he visited time to time for deliveries. The former military city was easy to navigate to where he was to meet Reeve. The Junon Branch of Shinra now displayed the banner of the WRO with the exterior completely renovated with tinted glass windows that beveled at the top of the structure. Walking through the lobby doors, he was approached by the front desk receptionist to escort him to the commissioner's office.
"Cloud Strife, I'm glad you could take the time to see me," Reeve greeted with a steady shake of his hands. "Now, why don't you have a seat? I don't want to keep you too long from home, but we do have much to discuss."
Cloud only nodded as he complied with his friend's request. He didn't want to stay long himself, but business was business. He protected the world, again, but still had the responsibility of two children. Sitting across from the businessman, his friend leaned forward and folded his hands together to present his proposition.
"Right now we are looking to develop a new department within the WRO, one which would benefit the world economically and create revenue for our organization. After all, we cannot continue forever on private donations and volunteers. With what the job entails, I think you are the perfect man for it," Reeve began to explain to him.
Cloud's eyes narrowed at what Reeve's proposition was beginning to entail. "You're recruiting me?"
"I'm hoping to, so please hear me out. This new division would focus on global trading, organizing, and assisting with imports and exports. Trade centers would be opened on each continent to promote access to these markets for everyone. And with routes and manpower, the movement of freight would be more efficient. Cloud, you have already established trade with your clients, but you are just one man. Make the 'Strife Delivery Service' grow with the WRO," the dark-haired man addressed. "You can be home more often with Tifa and the kids with this opportunity."
"What do you mean?" Cloud inquired while raising his eyebrow. He was skeptical of this offer, but that last part piqued his curiosity.
"You would do some travel to oversee operations at our trade centers, but the primary office would be in Edge. From there you can collect orders and organize distribution like you do now, but without physically transporting the product. With your clientele, we would like you to set up trade agreements. We would build a staff to deliver these products almost daily from the trade centers, whether it is by truck or boat. A new port is almost finished on the southern portion of the Wutai continent," Reeve energetically spoke, but the spiky-haired blond only stared back at him. "What do you think so far?"
"How are you collecting this revenue?" Cloud asked. He was now genuinely interested in the idea. The workload and travel would be greatly reduced on himself, and he could spend more time with Denzel and Marlene as a proper father figure would. But he would be tied into an official organization, working with others instead of having his solitude.
"We would have a small tax on the products. With the expanded trade centers, importing and exporting would be profitable with the accessibility granted by them. Monsters are still an obstacle for most common folk, but nothing that our armored vehicles can't handle. Your business is in high demand Cloud, and I truly believe you should work for the WRO," Reeve finished by pushing paperwork with his fingertips across the desk to Cloud. "If you agree to work with us, this would be your base salary for the first few years. Depending on profits, you could see a pay raise in time. You can also see the benefits we offer to our staff."
Cloud flipped through the packet, impressed with the amount of gil listed. It was almost twice as much as he made a year on deliveries. He came across the section of 'Family Benefits' and with Reeve noticing the page, he was interrupted.
"Is Denzel still in your care?"
"Yes, why?"
"He qualifies for the family health benefits. Barret has Marlene attached to his benefits already when he joined a few months ago. This opportunity could really help you provide for your family," Reeve added.
The proposition was definitely in his favor. Still reading the paperwork, he came across 'office attire' and read what it would entail. His position, unlike the ones held by Cid, Barret, and Yuffie, involved an actual office so he wasn't entirely surprised what was listed.
"I'm not wearing a tie," Cloud stated dryly while confirming the job acceptance.
Reeve chuckled and extended his hand to seal the deal. "Welcome aboard, Cloud."
Early December, εγλ 0007
"Tifa, can we talk?" Aerith whispered outside her tent. It was nightfall and she had just finished dressing into her sleep attire. They had been traversing towards the Chocobo Ranch from the town of Kalm since sunrise. All the dark brunette wanted to do was get some much-needed rest. What did the flower girl want at this hour?
"Umm, sure," Tifa replied while moving the tent flap, welcoming the girl inside. Aerith was already in her pajamas along with a robe to keep her warm which was a soft rose pink.
"I wanted to talk to you…about Cloud," Aerith positioned herself across Tifa while tugging on the sleeves of her robe from the night chill. The barmaid's face turned ghostly white at those words, a conversation she didn't want to have. She was so confused about Cloud since their kiss. He showed up to save her from the brothel, and while breaking into Shinra HQ to save the Ancient, while in their prison cell she found out about the 'date' he promised to the new girl they were saving. To say Tifa wasn't jealous was a lie, despite her fondness for her new female companion.
Aerith read her face and waved her hands to ease Tifa. "It's not what you think! I teased Cloud about it when I first met him…and I'll admit I liked him then but when you showed up I could tell you were something more to him. I was only trying to confirm that when I asked Cloud in the jail cell…I didn't think you were there."
"Oh," Tifa realized. There wasn't anything going on between Cloud and the new girl at all.
"Cloud's been wondering why you have been distant from him since Midgar, and I just wanted to set the record straight. Tifa, I didn't mean to hurt you and I don't go after claimed men," Aerith explained.
Tifa had been indifferent to him since they left the city behind, but part of the reason why was his recollection of Nibleheim. She had always expected something was off and needed to be near him, but how could he remember their town burning, the people dying, even what she was wearing that day if he wasn't there?
"Tifa, did you hear me? I'm not stealing Cloud from you," Aerith reiterated.
"Wait, 'stealing' Cloud from me. We're not together!" Tifa whispered urgently.
Aerith smiled knowingly while tapping her chin. "Hmm…I don't believe you. Cloud already told me…and I promise to keep this a secret. I just wanted to clear the air on the subject."
"You will?" Tifa squeaked out her question, which she didn't mean to do.
"Yes of course! Us girls have to stick together! It's a real love story with the boy next door Tifa. I'm a bit of a romantic somy lips are sealed," Aerith assured her while mockingly locking her lips with a key. Tifa was relieved at Aerith's commitment to their new friendship.
September 17th, εγλ 0009, 12:48 p.m.
"Congrats on joining us Cloud!" Yuffie hollered at him down the hallway. He wasn't expecting to see the ninja so soon after the raid on Edge, but he knew she worked at the organization as well.
"How do you already know?" Cloud asked as since he had ended his meeting with Reeve not too long ago. He had filled out the employee paperwork before he left his office and was making a beeline to the lobby to get back home.
"It's my job to know everything, Cloud. So, when do you start?"
"Next week. I need to finish up my last deliveries and make arrangements to officially switch over," Cloud responded while holding up a box of pamphlets over his shoulder. She was still behind him and he wasn't going to stop to chit chat. "These will hopefully explain to my customers the new process."
"Did you talk to Tifa about this?" she asked when she finally caught up to him, bouncing on her feet.
"No, and I don't see a point in doing so," he answered honestly, with a hint of annoyance. He didn't think he needed to explain to Yuffie his current relationship status with Tifa. More than likely, the raven-haired teenager already knew.
"So…you know," Yuffie stated quietly while keeping his pace.
"Yeah, I know." He stopped walking and looked away from Yuffie as she peered into his face. His effort to dodge didn't matter when she shuffled in front of him. "I know how she threw everything we had away because some new asshole showed up."
Yuffie's eyes narrowed angrily at the golden-haired fool. "And what does that make you exactly for walking out first? For Leviathan's sake, you have no place to talk for breaking her heart and smothering it into nothing."
"But I didn't stop loving her. I left to die. I took a vow: til death do we part, Yuffie, so that's what I went to go do," he yelled back. "To fucking die."
"In sickness and in health too, Spike! I was also there, ya know?" she insisted with equal venom back. "You broke her Cloud. And you don't have a right to judge on how she puts herself back together."
"She should've called, left a—"
"She did call Cloud. She fought for you for a long time. Tifa...s-she didn't come to this decision lightly to be with that guy 'cause she really loved you."
"...Right." Cloud turned his head away with a defeated sigh, his fingers going through his wild hair.
"It's true! And I think a small part of her still does. Even if this guy makes her happy, he's kinda a pompous jackass if you ask me. I've always been and will always be 'Team Cloud' but I never saw her so hurt before when you left, and I don't want to again," Yuffie pointed out to him gently.
"I know I've hurt her," Cloud responded, with a solemn nod. "I just...I was never good enough for her."
"Don't say that, Cloud! You know deep inside that it's not true. But you made a choice, and so did she. So don't get in the way!" Yuffie interjected, poking his chest.
"I'm not…" Cloud said pensively, as he was still a little reluctant when it came to Zack's advice. He pushed Tifa too far to the limits this time.
Before the young girl could reply, the sound of her PHS ringing interrupted them. Collecting the device from her belt to her palm, she glanced at the caller ID to see it was official WRO business. Yuffie took a few steps away before stopping to face him. "Cloud, I gotta go. Even though I wish you two would've worked out, you need to remember what I said. She couldn't hold on for a hero forever now, could she?"
No, she couldn't, he told himself as he shut his eyes.
"Cloud...I'm really sorry. It's not easy to not be with who you love," his younger friend sympathized. She was beginning to reflect the same distress he had.
"Get going, Yuffie. I'll be fine," Cloud responded quietly as he turned away to head down the hallway. Yuffie was apprehensive to leave him, so he made the decision for her. She had a job to do, and he had to quickly get back to his home. He eventually heard her small footsteps fade into the opposite direction, clearly getting the hint.
"Man, that was kinda harsh to hear."
"What're you doing here?" the blond asked while still walking forward. He didn't have to look to see who showed up for a surprise visit again.
"You know why," Zack replied casually. "Here to make sure you live your life. Aerith's orders, after all."
"Zack...I'm too late, like always," Cloud retorted.
"It's never too late for love! Yuffie even said that Tifa still has some feelings for you, deep inside. Bring them to the surface," the fallen soldier continued to persuade false hope. "Aerith told you everything will be alright, but you have to take that step for it to happen."
"I'm leaving," the courier dismissed, stepping through the automatic doors quickly. As soon as he passed they swiftly closed, leaving the apparition locked behind.
"That's real funny, Cloud," Zack's muffled voice could be heard through the closed barrier. "But that's not going to stop me!"
Cloud quickly checked out at the front desk, giving his guest pass back to the receptionist and scribbling his name onto the log. He seemed to have lost Zack as he made his way to the exit, making the man relieved enough to relax. It wasn't that he didn't want to see his friend, he just didn't want to put up with a lecture to live right now. To him, it was the agonizing reminder he lost Tifa.
He wasn't so sure what to do with his wife. Of course, he wanted to be with her, but he didn't deserve her anymore. Cloud was a guilt-ridden shell before he was cured, and he was easily falling into it again. He spent most of his life competing for her attention, for her love. The brooding man longed for what their relationship once was, to experience the passion and fondness from their early days. He'd never meant to hurt her...but he couldn't force her to be with him. Nine months apart was a long time for them. She was his wife in name only, and not his anymore.
Shaking his head he approached his bike in the parking lot, stumbling a bit at the surprise waiting for him. "Z-Zack?!"
"This is one sweet ride," the illusion stated while adjusting the handles on Fenrir. He was sitting on the motorbike, playing with the throttles to check it out. "Makes me a little jealous you got such a thing."
Cloud just ignored him and moved forward to place the paperwork in one of the rear storage compartments. "Are you ever gonna leave?" he asked while locking up the cubby.
"Are you ever gonna embrace your dreams?" Zack questioned right back, a little too coyly. "You are who you are, because of her."
"But I don't mean anything to her."
"Dilly-dally, shilly-shally."
Icy blue eyes just stared right back at indigo, unfazed and unamused.
"Is it going to be a memory, or her?" Zack inquired again, trying to appeal to his friend's heart. "It's only been a couple of months with the new guy, he's got plenty of time to screw it up. She loves the real you, not what this guy appears to be. That's when you make your move."
The raven-haired man hopped off the bike, while the blond climbed onto the seat to take off. He wasn't in the mood for this lecture either. The new guy could screw it up, but not as much as he has.
"Don't think twice about this. Woo her."
Woo her? Cloud scoffed at the notion, as if it were so simple. Maybe for Zack, but not him. He only had eyes for the girl next door growing up, unlike him. Zack had experienced more until he settled down with Aerith. He adjusted his goggles into place and turned on the engine, putting the kickstand up and began revving the engine. Home is where he needed to be.
"See ya around, Zack," he said one last time, before taking off to zip by the lone ghost.
"Aerith's not gonna be happy about this," Zack scratched the back of his head, watching his friend drive off into the distance.
Author's Note Continued: Chapter updated on 4/6/19; additional thoughts and feelings from Cloud's POV. Yuffie scene extended with an appearance from Zack at the end! Chapter updated again on 7/26/20; date/time stamp changes applied.
