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. I made more references to the novel On the Way to a Smile. A big thank you to my beta reader Denebola Leo with this latest chapter.
-. Don't Think Twice .-
Chapter XIII
May 14th, εγλ 0009, 9:43 p.m.
The barmaid paced behind the countertop as she gripped her cellphone in her hand firmly. She had had a date with a handsome and very charming man last night, and he had asked her out for another. Her evening had been romantic yet unintended on her part when he showed up with dinner and wine. The dilemma she was now facing was she was married with a husband who had up and left five months ago. She flipped the phone open once more, and hit the speed dial for his cell. Just like the first six times, she hanged up on the second ring.
The state of her relationship with Cloud was unknown, as no words were directly exchanged about it after he had left. It was jarring when he first left, as she was first struck with foggy disbelief upon the realization of what he had done. She had seen their marriage spiral out of control for a few months beforehand but Denzel's arrival offered a glimmer of hope for their family; for him to stay. But it only lasted a short while before the distance between them started again.
It was painful for her, yet she still tried up until the day he left them.
Her reality now was Cloud's abandonment had left her with two children to nurture while running their businesses. To give up her part of the Strife Delivery Service was not an option as it kept food on the table and the lights on. She tucked the mobile device into her apron as she felt a familiar headache creep up. Rubbing her temples, she quietly stepped up the staircase to check on her family.
Entering their bedroom, Tifa saw that Marlene was still awake. The little girl was by the small dresser grabbing fresh bandages as if she was waiting for her mother's arrival. The lonesome barmaid was grateful to have a daughter so helpful. She took the gauze and began to dab the dark bruising on the boy's forehead, trying not to wake him. Even though some black ooze from his Geostigma leaked out, he continued to endure the pain while he slept.
"Tifa…you shouldn't be lonely. You have us," Marlene timidly said as she crawled under her own covers.
"I know. I'm sorry," Tifa quietly answered, knowing who the little girl was referring to. Finishing up on Denzel's first aid needs, she began to tuck in her daughter.
"Hey, where do you think Cloud is now?"
Tifa froze at that question, as that was the first time in awhile she had said his name aloud to her. It was bold, but this was also Marlene. She wasn't up to pretending nothing was wrong tonight.
"Why'd he go away?"
"…if you try with me, I'll try for us too."
She didn't like to think about that last night he was home. Her lips against his, and he couldn't even kiss her back in the moment. She only asked him for a chance and the night ended with him pushing her away.
"I wish I knew Marlene," she lied and gave her a kiss goodnight. Tifa left the room before she was asked any more questions. After closing the door behind her quickly, the tears began to pour down her face.
Walking to her room, she retrieved the phone from her front pocket and dialed his phone number. With her room closed off for privacy, she waited as the phone rang and the voice mail message began to play. Before the beep, she took a deep breath.
October 19th, εγλ 0009, 2:17 p.m.
"Thank you Mr. Strife for helping us," Denzel's friend told Cloud while holding up the practice sword straight into the air.
"You can call me Cloud," the blond corrected the young boy. "And be careful with that wooden sword. I made those to practice with, not to destroy Tifa's living room."
"Come on, let's go outside Riley!" Denzel called over his shoulder as he ran out the patio glass door to the backyard. The ebony-haired boy followed his friend outside.
"I made some lemonade for your practice session," Tifa informed Cloud as she set down the pitcher inside the refrigerator before closing the door to face him. "Thank you for helping out with the school play. It really means a lot to Denzel."
"I want to be there for him as much as possible," Cloud began softly. "I missed out on a lot when I was gone, but I wanted him to have a future."
"I know, and it's good that you're here with him right now. He's eight years old, so there's plenty of time to make it up to him, right?" she gently cheered back.
"Soon to be ten years old. His birthday is coming up soon, and he asked for us to celebrate together," he pointed out while scratching the back of his head. With how uncomfortable this conversation was getting, she could easily read where this was leading.
"Together, as in you and I," Tifa nodded slowly. "And…we owe it to him."
"Yeah…we do," Cloud agreed while crossing his arms, shifting his weight from one leg to another. "Our life shouldn't impact the kids negatively."
"I know. It'll be alright," she solemnly replied as she knew what he was getting at. "Find out where Denzel wants to go, and I'll call Barret. Denzel is like a brother to Marlene, and Barret feels he is one of his own in that way…Anyway, I'll be upstairs until Jace gets here."
Cloud nodded and gave a soft smile to his wife. "Thanks for letting me use the backyard for Peter Pan and Captain Hook."
"Of course," she smiled back to him before she disappeared upstairs.
October 19th, εγλ 0009, 7:57 p.m.
"I wasn't expecting to see Cloud tonight. At the house…that is," Jace commented while tucking his arm around Tifa's shoulders, bringing her in close.
"Denzel is Peter Pan in the school play, and they needed space to practice the fight scenes. There isn't room at his apartment to do so, so I offered the backyard," Tifa calmly explained while buttoning up her black wool coat. The autumn air in Edge was below freezing that night, and with her cocktail dress attire, she was colder than usual.
"You've been to his place?" Jace asked curiously.
"No! I haven't. Is this really an issue?" Tifa chimed back, annoyed he was ruining a perfect night between the two.
"I've…never dated a mother with an ex-husband. I don't mean it to be an issue…I thought he was out of the picture," her boyfriend confessed as they walked back to the Leville Hotel.
Tifa stepped in front of his path to block him, gently cupping his cheeks to look at him. His amber eyes were conflicted when she gazed into them. "Jace...he is still the father of my children, so he won't be out of the picture entirely."
"I'm trying," he exhaled.
"I know," Tifa acknowledged while hugging him. "I know you are."
"Besides the school play, any other times he is going to be around? I think it might help if I'm not caught off guard by a surprise," Jace admitted. "Does that seem silly?"
"No, not really," she answered as she loosened up her hold on his neck to look at him. "Speaking of that…Denzel has a birthday coming up. It's a big deal for him to still be with us after Geostigma. He was always fighting, but I think he knew he might not be with us right now if he wasn't healed. Or even Cloud…so he asked if he could celebrate with all of his new family for his birthday."
"Okay."
"Okay?" she asked with surprise.
"Yeah. I think that's okay. I can get Denzel something on the side, right? I know he went through a lot…"
"Thank you, Jace," Tifa whispered before she pulled him into a kiss.
May 22nd, εγλ 0009, 7:23 p.m.
She was laughing heartily at his joke with the recent chocobo racer the Gold Saucer hired, gripping onto his shoulder as she leaned forward, her goblet in the other hand. Realizing how inappropriate she was being, she straightened up while doing a sweeping motion with her hand where she had placed it on him. "Sorry, I got carried away."
"You were flirting, and it's fine. You say you're bad at this dating thing but I'm having a hard time believing that," Jace conveyed with a suave tone. "Right now, you're acing this."
The heat on her cheeks grew at his sentiment. Turning away she sipped on her wine glass half full of merlot. Tonight, he brought over steaks with baked potatoes and lobster tails that he made himself.
"Jace—"
"You look cute with your face a little red," he brushed a loose hair behind her ear.
Setting down her glass, she faced him once more. "I'm not going out on a date with you."
"Tifa, you can keep pretending there isn't something here between us, but I know there is," Jace replied while taking his hand under her chin, rubbing his thumb gingerly underneath it.
"I think I like you…" she began.
"You think? I think you already know," he interjected smoothly.
"My life is still too complicated for a date," Tifa muttered slowly.
"I can…uncomplicate it for you, if you'd like," he whispered against her pale lips.
"Tifa! It's Denzel, quick!" Marlene called from upstairs, interrupting Tifa's close call of a first kiss.
Snapping back to reality, she scurried off her seat to head towards the stairs without looking back. "I think you should go. I had a good time tonight Jace, but I think this is the last date we can have."
Even though she could hear him call her name from the floor below, she ignored him. Marlene was outside the shared bedroom door, waving her arm for Tifa to hasten her steps. "Tifa, he's got a fever and he's in a lot of pain. I've used all the bandages I could, but they don't seem to be working."
Her face paled at the sight of her son wincing in pain on his bed. The black ooze was pouring out of his forehead, staining the pillowcase. "Marlene, go get some fresh towels and warm water."
Tonight was one of his bad nights, she concluded as she inspected the dark bruise closer. Pulling her hair back, she gathered a few cuts of gauze in her hands to clean up the liquid. Hearing the floor creak at the bedroom door, she turned to not see her daughter, but instead, the charming young man from her bar.
"He…he has geostigma," he spoke in bewilderment.
Tifa stood up, her heart pounding at his intrusion. "I told you to leave!"
"Tifa…I can help," Jace tried to calm her down. "I have my first aid kit with me from work. Top of the line bandages and medicine."
"But—"
"I'm not one of those idiots that thinks it's contagious. I'll be fine," he consoled while entering the room. Placing the bag on the bed he swiftly took out the higher quality gauze and a jar of ointment. Marlene turned around the corner of the door of the room, halting in her steps to see Jace next to Denzel as he suffered in his sleep. After one look at Tifa, she got the affirmation that it was alright that he was there when Tifa nodded at her.
Jace took the towels from the little girl and began to work on the seeping wound, cleaning up as much ebony ink as possible. Tifa slowly sat back down on the bed, squeezing Denzel's hand gently. "Thank you, Jace."
"You're welcome," he replied while finishing up the last wipe. He discarded the soiled towel in the empty bowl on the nightstand and began to unscrew the cap to the ointment he took out previously. "This should do the real work."
"What is it?" Marlene asked curiously, peeking over his forearm.
"It's cactuar ointment from the Corel Desert area. We use it on the chocobo racers to heal up the bruises faster…and also on Geostigma," he explained while swabbing the cream on his forehead. "A colleague of mine has the disease and gets by pretty well with this medicine. The syrup from the needles hastens the healing."
After a few minutes, Denzel's bruises lightened up from a dark purple to a light beige. He looked peaceful in his sleep, and without pain. Tifa stood up and adjusted him with a new pillow, as the previous one was fouled by dark pus. Marlene gathered the remnants of the towels and old gauze to discard, leaving the two adults alone.
"I should get going now, but I'll leave my bag here. It has plenty of supplies for Denzel," Jace calmly said as he placed his knapsack on the dresser next to the door.
"I…I should pay you for your trouble. And the supplies, it's the least I could do," Tifa reached out to grab his arm.
Squeezing her hand gently, he shook his head. "That's not necessary. I'll see you next week."
"Thank you…Jace."
With his free hand, he grabbed a business card from his back pocket, holding it out for her as he raised the other hand to rub her bare shoulder with his thumb. "Please call if you need anything for him."
"I will."
October 24th, εγλ 0009, 12:21 p.m.
Cloud knew he had a lot of work ahead of him with Gongaga initiating business with a new textile mill just before the grand opening of the distribution center. The two buildings would go hand in hand to produce revenue and hopefully help provide the means to reconstruct the town. The jungle town had rare fruits and vegetables to offer as well, but the manufacturing of garments would increase job growth. There was a lot of work ahead before Gongaga was rebuilt, which the urban development administrator had pointed out upon their monthly WRO meeting. The man was barely in the office with all the travel, as Shinra had done a lot of damage to multiple towns.
"Cloud? Join us!" Alyssa tried to persuade when he entered the break room for his lunch. He usually hid in his office for his meals, but today he felt a little more social.
Iris pulled out a chair next to her, patting it gently. "Please, come sit. We have plenty of stew for lunch to share."
"Stew?" He perked up at the mention of his favorite meal.
"Yes! I made it cause Bartholomew is never here and it's special that he is today," she explained cheerily to him. Cloud observed the others partaking in the dish. The smell of beef and hearty vegetables invaded his nostrils.
"Well, it certainly smells good," Cloud took his seat next to the dark-haired girl.
"Cornbread?" She held up a basket of the golden rolls.
"Cornbread?!" Cloud salivated his question out.
This earned a giggle from Iris. "You don't get home-cooked meals often, do you?"
Grabbing a roll he shook his head to answer. "...It's been a while."
"Poor Cloud. It's hard to cook when you're single, right?" she asked while placing her hand tenderly on his forearm, leaning forward to make eye contact between brown and blue orbs.
"Uh, yeah," Cloud answered.
Iris shifted in her seat next to him to face his direction. "So...Cloud…what do you do for—"
"I forgot to ask this earlier. Does Gongaga have any other products for trade?" Bartholomew asked. The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow towards him behind his tight rimmed spectacles. Even though Cloud went over the location this morning, he figured the man was saving him from the slender girl's prying questions.
The look in the man's grey eyes were sincere instead of strictly business as Cloud normally witnessed. At the corner of his eye, he could see Iris's eagerness dwindle after being interrupted as she leaned back in her chair. Wait, was Iris trying to flirt with him? Or was she just excited he was finally socializing amongst his peers?
"I've delivered both coffee and cocoa beans from there, plus sugar. It has an exotic market," Cloud replied while clearing his throat. He adjusted his arm out of Iris's reach before he took another spoonful of the savory beef stew.
"Interesting. I believe Gongaga can use the exports to invest in building new structures within the town limits. Perhaps make it even bigger than it was before," the older blond speculated out loud. "Thank you, Cloud. I was told Gongaga was a special project for urban development. Any help I can get it is appreciated."
Cloud nodded and gave insight on the state of the town. The mako reactor had blown up years ago, so any restoration to the area would be beneficial to the inhabitants. Cloud spent the remainder of his lunch break going over clients and products from the backcountry village. He only needed to make it through this meal to seclude himself back in his office for more work, and wait for the kids to get off from school. After the prolonged business talk, the two female colleagues returned to their daily tasks.
Was Iris really flirting with him? Recalling the times she would linger in his office over minor details just to talk to him made it seem plausible she had taken a liking in him, but the only woman that held his interest was Tifa.
She was flirting.
That gave him an idea.
October 25th, εγλ 0009, 4:04 p.m.
The last of the inventory she needed to take was the top shelf. Shuffling the bottles around while standing on the barstool, she jotted down how much liquor she had to order. With the upcoming holidays, she had taken the chance to prep ahead since this week was creeping by. Geostigma had dampered her flow of income for a while, and instead of her customers wallowing in misery she was expecting more celebrations to take place in the tavern.
Cloud normally retrieved the orders for her, but now she had to go through the WRO. Technically he was still handling her deliveries, she thought to herself while listing off brand names on her notepad.
"Tifa! We're home," Marlene called out when she opened the front door. Tifa could hear the children enter the bar and go upstairs to put away their school bags. She allowed them time to delay their homework until after dinner. The sun was setting sooner and they needed their playtime, and the routine never delayed their schoolwork from being turned in on time.
"Tifa?"
"In here!" Tifa called out to Cloud over her shoulder as she began to climb down the wobbling chair when she slipped. Her heartbeat quickened as she began to fall, unable to reach the shelf to anchor herself. She twisted herself to hopefully land safe and sound on her feet but skidded over the wooden seat. Stumbling towards the storage room door she closed her eyes to brace for impact.
Instead of the solid oak door, Tifa had collided against a familiar muscled frame covered in a crisp ivory linen. A loud thud rang out as the momentum of the fall caused her to push the broad man's body back against the closed door. Cloud had the barmaid already encircled in his arms to help brace her fall. Tifa had her face buried into his armpit as she found herself clutching his wide shoulders for support.
"Sorry for being so clumsy. Are you alright?" Lifting her head up for an answer her face was mere inches away from his. His skin was pale and smooth with a few freckles that sprinkled his cheeks, a fact she had almost forgotten about him.
"I'm…good," His voice rolled out calmly. She hadn't noticed when he moved them, but his hands were now settled on the small of her back. His serene eyes anchored her attention with how close she was to him, her body transfixed by his embrace while reliving a memory.
Blue uniforms. A ship sailing across the sea. Seeking kisses below deck in the cargo room.
"I think it looks good on you."
"You don't think it wouldn't look better on the floor?"
"Oh, I know it would."
"Kiss me."
"Tifa?"
"Yes?" Blinking a few times she could see he was still cool and collected despite her pressed up against his firm body.
"You okay? You're staring," he pointed out as he quirked up a brow.
"Yes," she replied. The tops of her cheeks began to turn pink as she stood up in front of him, brushing at her apron to avoid eye contact. "I'm so clumsy. Sorry."
"You said that already," he chuckled.
Tifa hid her face behind the long locks of her hair, flushing more due to his amusement with her. Attempting to reach down to lift the bar stool, he already had his grip on the seat to set it upright. He's one step ahead, just like old times, she mused to herself for a moment. Her breath halted at that thought, but her heartbeat fluttered a bit.
Collecting the notepad into her pocket, she quietly expressed her gratitude while focusing on the tips of his black boots. "Thank you."
Cloud offered his hand to help ease her up. She didn't want to have close contact with him again, but she found herself giving in. As always, his hand was warm when his fingers enclosed around hers. She could feel goosebumps breakout along her arm, thinking about how much softer his hands were now than she remembered.
Once she was hoisted back up on her feet, Cloud opened the door and motioned his head for her to exit. She quickly left the storage room to the bar area. She was thankful that he was going to be in the backyard for his visit, so she had time to cool down.
Mid December, εγλ 0007
The fireworks burst off in the distance outside the gondola window, the noise rippling through the air like thunder. Tifa could see the flashes created by the display bounce off of his mako eyes. The brunette never thought his eyes could possibly shine even brighter before tonight.
"...It's really pretty, isn't it?" she breathed out dreamily, turning to the light show once more. She observed his tiny nod from her peripheral vision. Tucking a few chocolate strands behind her ear, she bit her bottom lip gently as she leaned back against the timber walls of the ride.
She needed…to tell him. Her journey with the boy next door across the Planet made her heartbeat loudly in her chest with each exchange of words, hidden glances and stolen kisses. Her hero was here, but she hadn't truly told him what was inside her heart. And he loved her back, yet she still wavered on revealing her feelings. Was it the uncertainty of his past that held her back? The differing persona of the mountain boy she grew up with to the SOLDIER First Class sitting across from her?
Her mouth twitched at the last thought since it shouldn't matter, but it always brought her back to the beginning of her worries. The blond man held a mystery about him. Or maybe she was so caught up in chasing Sephiroth? She was mulling over telling him just like she did the last few times. In Wutai, she thought she had the chance to finally confess but she was caught off guard by Cloud's affections. Prison was not the place, and Nibelheim reconstructed from ashes shook her to the core. They had made love three times, and she was still shy saying those three words.
"Tifa?" His voice brought her back into reality with him. His cerulean eyes stared into hers sincerely as a smile presently softened his features. There weren't many chances he could openly stare at her like this, and the lovers were safe from prying eyes inside the gondola.
Her cheeks flushed as the heat built up, reaching to her earlobes. She wasn't going to have another night like this with Cloud. Who knew when their next chance would be? Tonight was their first date, and now they sat under the neon lights of the theme park and fireworks show.
"Ok, I'm going to just go ahead and say it…" She fidgeted in her seat slightly, which he promptly noticed.
His brows furrowed a little at the sight of her serious expression. "...what?"
She clasped her fingers around the hem of her leather skirt as she averted her eyes to her hands. "Sometimes being old friends is hard, and we've come so far from that now. We've shared so much with each other and yet I haven't said what I…what I have been..."
Tifa could feel his warm grasp cover her hand, the carriage swaying a little as he knelt in front of her. His free hand traveled up to lift her chin, to adjust her gaze to focus on him instead. Cloud had now brought back his genuinely soft smile as he grazed the back of his fingers across her cheekbone, trying to coax her out of her shell. After a few strokes, he cradled his hand on the back of her neck.
"I know," he smirked this time as he gently pulled her to his lips. She let out a small mewl at the contact, surprise taking over her. With her mouth slightly parted he prodded with his tongue to deepen the kiss. Sighing, she loosened his grip on her hands to encircle his neck.
She felt more confident in saying those words, but it seemed like he would rather kiss than talk as his hands were now roaming along her waistline. Letting him linger once more on her lips, she shortened the kiss as she angled her head away a bit to speak. "I still need to say it… I haven't yet, and you have. Words aren't the only way to tell someone how you feel, but… I still need to say them. They are important."
His expression changed from being patient to perplexed. "What? That you—"
"I want to say it! I-I need to say it…I mean, timing is everything, and I haven't said it yet."
Now he was chuckling at her. "But you have."
Jerking her head back a bit to stare at him, she had to know. "When?"
"In Costa del Sol. You said it in your sleep."
"In my...sleep?" Her voice faltered in disbelief.
"Yeah, and every night since then. When I'm holding you as you sleep you tell me." He beamed his answer.
"But I never remembered doing that…" She slumped forward, pressing her forehead into his shoulder.
"I think it's kinda cute." He tucked her dark hair behind her ear as he gave her a quick kiss to her jawline. He tickled her midriff to get her to straighten up, which earned him a giggle. "You can say it now though, while you're conscious."
Cupping his cheeks, she confessed with a smile. "I love you."
"I love you too, Tifa." He gave her a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Just…why is it always in my sleep?" She groaned a little, annoyed that something so important was done while she was snoozing away.
"That's because I wear you out each night." His answer was as haughty as his grin.
"Cloud!"
He responded by scooping her in his arms and cutting her off with a kiss again, this time deeper than the first. Even if her confession hadn't gone perfectly, she still had fun tonight.
October 27th, εγλ 0009, 11:09 p.m.
The street below his apartment was finally quiet, which had never been a bother to him before tonight. He could sleep instantly without much effort but with the stillness in this part of the city, it offered no distraction to his wandering thoughts.
Cloud had never forgotten how beautiful she was, even the flicker of gold that dusted her red irises. The moment they shared the other day was by chance, but using the opportunity to flirt went over better than he thought it would. He hadn't been that close to her in months, and her hourglass figure was in his arms earlier that evening. He was happy to know she still favored a certain scent in her shampoo: coconut and vanilla cream.
Sweet words and subtle touches are what he could start off with, he decided. He had to pace himself with her, and concentrating on her eyes today helped give him the strength to resist her sumptuous lips, even if she hid them under her silky eyelashes. Even though he was delighted he could still have an effect on her, this wasn't a game. This was his marriage, the love of his life.
She was all he ever wanted.
Rolling onto his side, he spotted a shadowy figure in the doorway to his bedroom. He wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon, so he raised himself up from under the covers to check on the children, one of which must have been awake.
"Is that you Denzel?" Cloud called out quietly.
The chestnut-haired boy opened the door a little more, nodding his head. Denzel's sapphire eyes shifted around the room before settling on his father figure. Cloud patted his bed to welcome the boy in, who responded by standing near the dresser instead.
Cloud read his child's defensive stance as if he was in trouble, which he wasn't. "You can't sleep either?"
Denzel shook his head.
"Everything alright?" Grabbing his shirt, he pulled it over his chest to officially get out of bed. Patting the boy's tousled curls as he passed by, Denzel started to relax a little and followed him out to the kitchen area. Cloud poured two glasses of water and set them at the table where the boy was at, slumped over with his head on the top, and tapping his fingers. Something had to be on this child's mind.
Denzel collected the beverage in his hand and sipped on the cool liquid slowly. Cloud followed suit, waiting patiently for when the boy needed to speak. He observed the child finish his drink, and then sat his head back on the table.
"Sometimes when I worry, I have trouble sleeping," Cloud began, trying to get his Denzel's attention. "I did that a lot when I was gone."
"You did?" Denzel perked up, resting his back against the cream-colored chair.
Cloud silently nodded in return.
"What did you worry about?"
"You. Marlene and Tifa," Cloud answered before clearing his throat. "Sometimes Barret."
Denzel laughed a little, knowing the dynamic between the two older men.
"And I wish I didn't leave… but I had some other troubles to deal with," Cloud continued as he leaned forward onto the table, rubbing the back of his head. "If I could go back in time, I would do things differently. But I can't."
Maybe I could have trusted Tifa more. I just didn't want to hurt them...
"Are you going to leave us again?" Denzel asked.
"No," he confirmed with confidence. "I have small trips from time to time, but I always come back. Does it scare you when I'm gone?" He had had this feeling for a while about the boy, who nodded in return.
Cloud got up from his seat and strode across back into the kitchen to open up a cabinet. Pushing a few cans to the side, he grabbed a small box he had hidden away.
"This seems like a good time to give this to you," he said to the boy as he held it out to him.
"What is it?" Denzel got up, reaching for the box.
"It's an early birthday present," the blond smiled softly.
His son lifted the lid to the small box with caution, revealing a cell phone inside. "Really?!"
Cloud waved his hands down to signal to be quiet. "Yes, but there are some rules with the cellphone."
"Wow, thanks Cloud," Denzel wrapped his arms around his waist, still grasping onto the present in his hand.
"You can reach me anytime. I'm not leaving you again, that's a promise."
October 30th, εγλ 0009, 04:32 p.m.
When he entered the bar that afternoon he noticed the bottles that littered the top of the counter. The kids ran ahead of him to the back of the house to get ready for another round of swordplay practice. Marlene took up an arm to join in on the fun, which helped give the boys proper critiques in their choreography. The play was coming up very soon, so all the help they could get was welcome.
Footsteps caught his attention from upstairs, alerting him that Tifa was indeed home. Leaning against the counter he waited for her, and upon her entrance, he was greeted with a familiar smile. She cradled a large box he could tell she had struggled a bit with until he took the heavy load from her arms.
"Thank you," she replied while stretching. "That should be the last of it."
"How is Seventh Heaven doing?" Cloud questioned, eyeing all the liquor as he settled the box right next to them.
"It's kinda in a lull," she answered calmly, bringing her arms down to her sides. "The bar has been pretty empty over the past week."
"Don't worry. I'll make a big enough ruckus for everyone."
Flipping her chocolate strands over her shoulder a bigger smile crept up on her face. Tifa's porcelain cheeks were now turning slightly pink as she let out a light-hearted laugh. "Thank you, Cloud."
"I mean it," he said softly while reaching out to touch her shoulder. The contact was brief as he brushed passed her to take a barstool for himself. "Now...give me something...light."
"Sure thing."
May 14th, εγλ 0009, 11:40 p.m.
Cloud pushed the compartment door closed on Fenrir to put away his first aid kit. His Geostigma was manifesting further on his arm, and was becoming more visible. Every night he cleaned up the dark pus with steady ease before he turned in for bed. This time his resting spot was to be under the stars just outside Junon. The embers flickered up into the night sky from the fire he had built for warmth. After rolling out the sleeping bag, he took out his phone to check for any new deliveries to plan out in his travels.
Tonight his phone screen read six missed calls from Tifa's cell, and one new voicemail from her. Usually, his wife called from the bar's phone to inform him of any orders. A little anxiety crept inside his chest cavity as he pressed the play button.
"Cloud, please come home," her voice played over the message, and she was crying.
He sucked in a sharp breath as he closed his eyes.
"We're family, aren't we? You promise to be there to remind me that I'm strong, but you're not here. My husband isn't here…I don't know what to do."
I don't either, he thought to himself.
"Whatever it is you're going through, please give us the chance to work on it together. I don't want to have to let you go. I love you."
The electronic beep of the message ending sounded, prompting him to flip his phone shut. He had no idea knowing how little time he had left as the cruel fate of his disease dragged out. Grabbing the medical book he had near him he opened to the page that held the photograph of his family outside his former home. Tifa huddled around the children as he stood off to the side of the picture, with Denzel mimicking his facial expression.
He was hurting them all with his distance, but he couldn't risk any physical harm to them with his unique symptom of hallucinations. Sephiroth still toyed with him to this day with the tainted Jenova cells lingering within his body, but he kept the evil at bay through his will. Tifa would only put herself in danger through her stubbornness to help him if she ever found out about his ailments. He attacked Aerith before under Sephiroth's will, but what if he targeted Tifa next? Cloud couldn't take the chance. He wasn't fit enough to help his family or his friends.
Not even his wife.
Author's Note Continued: Thank you for the continued support Alcantis! I love all my reviewers, including my special guest reviewer! The flirting between Cloud and Tifa has finally begun!
Chapter updated again on 7/26/20; dialogue changes and date/time stamp applied.
