Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIIwith 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.
It's been almost four months since I provided a proper update to the story, which I plan to see through to the end. I wrote some fun short stories on the side, and I've been fixing the earlier half of Don't Think Twice as my writing has vastly improved since then. I've added almost 6,000 words to this story, with most of my updates in Chapters I-VIII and are now live for my readers to enjoy. Cloud's characterization and POV from the predicament the couple are in needed to be stronger, and there are at least three new scenes. I'll put the more detailed notes below. I had so much fun writing this latest chapter, filled with extra fluff between the two. Please enjoy!
Changes applied 4/9/19 & 7/26/20
-. Don't Think Twice .-
Chapter XIV
May 23nd, εγλ 0009, 4:45 p.m.
"Remind me again why this is such a bad idea for us?" Jace asked while stepping closer to her behind the counter. He had asked her out on an official date, but Tifa had turned him down again. The barmaid had just finished bringing out the supplies from her stock room for tonight's specials when her suitor arrived. As much as it was a pleasant surprise for him to show up, a date tomorrow night would not be an option.
"Because it's a bad idea."
"Tifa, as soon as the movie is over we can come back here. We can leave right away if Denzel gets sick, too. But we need to get out of this house and have some real fun," he pleaded a bit while tucking her dark brown hair behind her ear. His touch sent a shiver down her spine, one she found herself leaning into when his hand cradled her cheek. "I know you want this too."
She did want to, but she didn't voice that out loud to him. "My life...it's complicated. More than you know."
"How complicated can it really be?"
"Come with me." She grabbed his hand that was settled on the side of her face, enclosing her fingers tightly around his as she tugged him away towards the garage. Out here was safer to confess why she couldn't go where the chance of eavesdropping was slim. Tifa crossed her arms as she overlooked his workbench on the far wall, cluttered with tools and a few worn-down motorcycle parts from his last tune-up. Remnants from his work before he completely bailed on their family.
Jace shifted uncomfortably behind her, probably perplexed over the reason she dragged him away from the bar. She shouldn't put him into her problems, but perhaps it was time to move on. It had been almost ten days since she left a voicemail begging him to come back, and Cloud hadn't even sent her a text message. Tifa blinked a few times to will away the tears that blurred her vision when she recalled her last memory with him. She had kissed her husband, and he couldn't even kiss her back...
He really didn't want her anymore.
"Tifa?" Jace asked patiently.
"No one really knows how complicated my life is. Just one other person and he isn't even here anymore."
"What are you saying?" he asked again, his tone still gentle.
"I'm married…" Tifa softly spoke the truth of the matter as she slowly turned to face him. "Well separated...I think."
"You think?!"
"I haven't seen or heard from him since last December. He stopped coming home from his deliveries…and I've been here running his business and the bar on my own while raising the kids alone." Her voice wavered a bit while explaining her reality. Over five months alone was a long time for her.
"Wait, you're married to Cloud?" Jace guessed. Strife Delivery Service was a dead giveaway of who she was referring to.
Tifa nodded before she continued. "We eloped during Meteor. No one knows except you and Yuffie, so please keep this quiet from the kids. It was a rushed mistake, and I think he knows that too. We were fighting a lot before Denzel showed up. He just...left."
"He's an idiot."
Tifa laughed nervously. "I was too, thinking he'd stay with me. But I've given up on that."
The sandy-haired man stood there as he listened to her words carefully; his expression had softened since his initial reaction. A silence had settled between the two before Tifa spoke.
"You still want to take me out, now that you know how complicated my life is? I wouldn't blame—"
"I'll pick you up at 7:30."
For the first in a long time, Tifa smiled. "It's a date."
November 13th, εγλ 0009, 4:29 p.m.
The tavern door made a clatter when it was barged open, making Tifa jump as she was finishing up cleaning down the tables. Denzel sprung up the stairs, and another door suffered from the feat of his anger when it was slammed shut. She had only witnessed her son act out a few times, but never to this level of noise.
Marlene entered the bar slowly with Cloud in tow, still holding his hand. The little doe-eyed girl looked disappointed, while the blond resembled guilt.
"What happened?" Tifa inquired, placing her hands on her hips.
"I...uh," Cloud stuttered his response, his eyes focused on the floorboards below his feet. Marlene tugged on his arm to prompt an answer from him. "I have to leave for Gongaga tomorrow."
"I see," the brunette muttered, relaxing her arms to the side. "I'll go talk to him."
"Don't," he interjected, his voice coming off harsher than he meant to. His eyes flickered to hers showing the distress he was in. "Sorry, I think he might need some space right now. I promised to be at the play and now I can't go…"
Marlene encircled her arms around his waist, and whispered, "I really want you to be there. We're family."
Brushing her hair gently with his hand, he nodded. "I know we are. I want to be there, too."
"Marlene, can you give me a few minutes with Cloud?" the barmaid approached the two slowly.
"I'll be in my room," the petite girl obliged and carried her school bag upstairs.
When the bedroom door closed Tifa took it as her signal to begin but was gently cut off by Cloud instead. "I'm going to do what I can to be there, but this is a top priority project with the WRO."
She wavered a moment at his proposal, surprised to see she didn't have to do any pleading to do so. "You two have worked so hard on this play. Denzel just wants to make you proud."
He lifted his chin ever so slightly. "But I am proud."
Tilting her head to the side, she continued to persuade him. "It's not the same if you're not there. To look out into the crowd and see you cheering him on. I can do it for both of us, but it's not going to be the same for him. Denzel needs you more than he needs me, Cloud."
Cloud nodded solemnly. He had to do his best for Denzel.
November 16th, εγλ 0009, 6:33 p.m.
Cloud adjusted the black-tie under his collar while pushing through the crowd in the school lobby. He wasn't used to wearing formal attire, but Shera talked him into looking sharp for Tifa. And he couldn't get away with using his work uniform either...he needed a new suit. While serving the two former AVALANCHE members tea, the pilot's wife couldn't contain her excitement on the mercenary's efforts to be with his family.
At her persistence, Cloud was forced to go see a tailor immediately. The shopping trip concluded with him wearing a light grey suit, one that Shera picked out. Upon entering the store he admitted he was drawn to the ensemble as it reminded him of the suit from his wedding day. The blond was always partial to dark colors, but Cid's wife was headstrong in getting her way.
Her logic was the light fabric will make Tifa take notice, which would be true from the last time he wore such an outfit. Shera didn't know that fact about their wedding, and while she was busy grabbing different colored suits for him to try, he had made his purchase. Tonight he was going to make Denzel's play, and perhaps impress his wife.
The cast members of the play were greeting their own families outside the auditorium, taking photographs with proud parents. Cloud concluded he would locate his family in the same manner and began to scope them out amongst the masses. Near the theater door, he spotted Marlene in a pale pink dress, rolling her feet impatiently in white slippers. In front of her was Denzel in a tattered forest green shirt and shorts, his small sword attached to his brown leather belt. The small boy's face lit up upon seeing his father figure approach them.
"Cloud! You made it," Denzel greeted him with a hug, which Cloud reciprocated.
Marlene joined in the shared embrace. "I knew you would!"
"I pulled some strings to be here, but I gotta get back to Gongaga tonight."
"Cloud? You're really here…"
Even in simple yet dressy attire, his wife was breathtaking. She wore a thin white turtleneck sweater with black slacks that hugged her soft curves, her outfit completed with charcoal gray ankle boots. Her glossy lips were parted a bit in amazement that he had managed to make the event.
"Surprised?" Cloud flashed her a smile.
"Yes, and you're here just in time. I went to get the photographer for the family picture the school arranged," she smiled back while approaching closer.
The kids stood in front of the two adults, smiling as they posed for a few snapshots. When the photographer moved on Marlene did a twirl in her dress before turning up to Tifa. "Doesn't Cloud look handsome?"
"He looks...nice," Tifa answered quietly as her cheeks stained a light pink.
"Is that why you keep looking at him? He's not going anywhere."
"Okay, how about we take our seats? The star of the show needs to get ready," the blond patted the little girl's head. Marlene beamed up at him, and ran on ahead inside the auditorium with Denzel.
"Thank you...for coming tonight. It means a lot to Denzel…" the brunette shyly began as she walked alongside him.
"This is what normal families do. Be there for each other, right?"
"Yeah."
May 24th, εγλ 0009, 8:41 p.m.
"Are you having fun yet?"
Tifa snuck a look at her date and the corners of her mouth lifted. "Yeah."
"Good," Jace responded as he slipped his arm over the back of her seat. "I'm glad you're here with me."
"Me too," Tifa shyly said back, leaning back into her own chair to watch the film. The brunette had been to the cinemas before, but not on a date. Earlier she had no idea what to wear before finally settling on a black skirt and light denim jacket over a white top. Now she had no idea what to do. She wasn't sure if she should lean into him or not, and suddenly felt awkward with how little experience she had dating. Open affection was so uncommon to her.
"Is everything okay?" he asked while cocking his head to look at her, slightly leaning in front of her.
She bit her lip before answering, feeling rather sheepish. "I'm new...to this."
"Just do what feels right," he whispered back, brushing the back of his fingers across her pink-hued cheeks. Reclining herself back, she let out a sigh when she settled next to his side. Jace cupped her shoulder with his hand, leaning his head back on hers."You could be a pro at dating," he said into her hair, before kissing the side of her forehead. Tifa giggled back at his repeated humor but was starting to think it wasn't such a bad idea to go on another date with him again.
November 23rd, εγλ 0009, 12:14 p.m.
She had hoped to avoid this situation altogether, but here she was in her kitchen and alone with Cloud...again. The children were upstairs putting together Marlene's new greenhouse box he picked up in Gongaga for her. It was a sweet gesture for him to do as the little girl was upset with not being able to tend to the flowers in the church due to the seasons changing.
There had been a couple of instances were she felt drawn to him. After the first time, she swore it wouldn't happen again if she just focused on the kids and kept a safe distance between them. But then he showed up at the play last week for their family — wearing that suit — throwing her efforts off course.
Why was it so easy for him to distract her?
But maybe she didn't really want to know the answer to that question. A few moments between them couldn't erase the hurt he had caused her, but now when she thought of him her heart was in a frenzy of warmth as it began to race the last month. But a few moments between them couldn't erase what she has with Jace either. It shouldn't.
Internally cursing her melodrama, she stirred the batter of the cake she was baking for Denzel's birthday. Barret would be here tonight too, and she prayed she could keep it together around another adult. Marlene picked up her slight attraction to the blond, but the child always had hyper-awareness of her surroundings.
Wait, attraction? Is that what this was?
Shaking her head at the thought, she summed it up to being a fluke. Cloud Strife took the effort to get all dressed up in a lighter attire. Her taking notice shouldn't mean anything special, right? But she knew this attraction had begun even before the night of the play. It was that moment when he caught her in his arms in the storage room. Tifa chewed on her lower lip. There was something about him lately...the way the heated glances he threw her way captivated her...
"Tifa, you're making a mess," Cloud stated, interrupting her thoughts.
Still gripping the whisk, she halted the process of mixing and looked upon the dough dripping from the side of the bowl. She was a mess making a mess. Grabbing the cake spatula she collected the remnants that spilled over back into the mixture to save the dessert. "I guess I am. Shouldn't you be upstairs with the children?"
"I'm going to be taking them to see a movie before dinner. I came downstairs cause I picked up something for you, too," he explained while placing a bag of exotic fruit on the kitchen counter between them.
Peeking inside, she couldn't contain her excitement when she snatched up the ripened product. "You got me mangoes? You remembered how much I loved them!"
"If I didn't bring it home from my deliveries I knew I had to sleep in the office. It's the only fruit you ever threatened me over," he recalled while scratching the back of his spiky head.
"The market here only has them twice a year...but my threat was never serious," Tifa sheepishly explained her behavior while placing the fruit back in the bag.
"I know, but I never wanted to take the chance," Cloud teased.
It's just fruit Tifa. Just...fruit. This is nothing, she chastised herself. The barmaid shouldn't read too much into his actions, nor should his comment really matter to her. They were friends, still. Friends brought friends their favorite fruit from faraway lands. But the way he looked at her while uttering those words made a small smile tug at her lips. Straightening her mouth into a fine line, she began concentrating on continuing to turn the mixture and drown out the man across from her.
In a few steps he swiftly rounded the kitchen counter to stand right next to her, their bodies so close. Reaching out he cupped her chin to face her towards him, interrupting her current task. She tried to push him out of her mind, but here he was, staring into her with those piercing blue eyes. Her head told her to pull away, but her heart willed her to stay. The pad of his thumb brushed the corner of her mouth, his eyes concentrating there and making her heartbeat quicken.
What is he doing to me?
"You had...some flour right there."
"...Oh," Tifa softly muttered while moving her face away out of his grasp. She could feel the heat begin to creep up on her cheeks. "Thank you...for getting that for me. I guess."
"I remember your mom being covered head to toe in flour. I'd always drop by the bakery in the morning first thing to avoid your dad, so she was still finishing up making the last batch of bread. She didn't mind though, and she was always nice to me," the blond relayed to the brunette. His voice was a little too casual for how close they were standing.
"She always did appreciate you shoveling the snow in front of the shop. Mama really liked you."
"She was the only one that liked me," Cloud pointed out.
The barmaid turned back to mixing the cake in the glass bowl in front of her. "He never got to know you like we did. I think over time Papa would have approved of you too."
"Approve as a friend or approve as something more?" And yet again he sounded so cool and collected while asking that question.
Tifa took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, a practice to keep her emotions in check. She flushed in embarrassment at his boldness, and began to chew the inside of her cheek to prevent a smile from occurring. His words definitely had an effect on her, a fact she didn't want him to know. But deep down inside, she had a feeling he knew what he was doing.
Cloud Strife was openly flirting with her.
Crossing his muscled arms he leaned against the counter, tilting his head to take a good look at her. She didn't dare look at him, choosing to concentrate on baking, but she could feel his eyes move up and down her blushing features. "Why is your face so red?"
Damn him. Her mind quickly formed a lie, but the excuse fumbled out of her mouth. "It's uh—the oven. It's...preheating."
Her eyes drifted over to him to see if he believed her. The corner of his lip turned up ever so slightly indicating he did not but instead enjoyed that she had lied. "It is a little hot in here, isn't it?"
Before she could reply, the bustle of small feet came down the stairs to whisk away the very man that was making her flustered. Pretending like nothing was happening, she grabbed the cake pans and began to sprinkle flour into the metal tins. Cloud busied himself with the recipe book on the counter as the children entered the kitchen to pull him away. He instructed them to get their coats, and he'd meet them at the door. Marlene took one last gander between her parents before joining Denzel in the other room.
Cloud was dawdling, double-checking the book in front of him and glancing behind a few times. His smirk was impeccable as he stepped over to the kitchen range behind her. She turned to face him and was struck frozen as he turned the dial to 350 degrees. The man had called her bluff!
Giving her a knowing smile, he bid farewell. "We'll be back in a few hours."
He left her in the kitchen, gawking at his retreating backside. Tifa hoped she could really keep it together tonight in front of Barret and added that a certain wannabe SOLDIER starts being more appropriate in her presence to her tiny prayer.
November 23rd, εγλ 0009, 7:35 p.m.
Cloud leaned against the counter where he sat, opening a beer with Barret in his company. They returned from the restaurant to celebrate more of Denzel's birthday with cake and presents, the first party that the young boy had in a long time. While Tifa was helping the children set up the remote control race car track gifted by Barret, Cloud was dragged off to the kitchen by said man.
As he wondered what the gunman wanted to talk to him about, he grew distracted by the brunette across the room. She was flipping through the directions as Marlene talked animatedly with her, Denzel skipping on ahead and just connecting pieces of the track together. Tifa tucked a few dark shiny strands of her hair behind her ear, a habit he found both cute and endearing about her, before picking up one of the cars.
His azure eyes trailed along her smooth skin until they landed on the curves of her leather vest. When she flashed a sweet smile to their children he was drawn back to her face, her eyes sparkling from across the room. Every move she made he found breathtaking, and he was reminded once again what a fool he was for taking her for granted. Tifa was a beautiful woman, inside and out.
"I'm tryin' to talk to you Spiky, but I can't if ya keep gawkin' at Tifa," Barret said, interrupting his thoughts. He was caught admiring his wife's beauty, his bottle held halfway to his mouth while taking in her looks. Cloud took a swig and turned away to hide his face as he set his drink down. His cheeks were tingeing pink.
"So I hear ya finally grew a set of balls."
"Excuse me?" The blond looked at his friend, his eyes narrowing a bit. What the hell is he getting at?
"Even after all the shit ya pulled wit being away all those months, your ass still has a chance."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talkin' 'bout you and Tifa. My little girl told me Tifa smiles a lot more when you're here rather than that no good son of a bitch. She's still smitten with you," Barret informed him in a low tone while patting his shoulder, giving him a good shake. "I even saw it a little myself tonight."
"Barret—"
"Flirtin' is way better than fightin' all the time. It's 'bout time you started to live for yourself. For 'em over there. This is your family."
"I know that...that they are my family," Cloud fixed his statement. Barret didn't need to know his business. Hell, he didn't even know they were married.
The older man let out a hearty laugh. "Keep yer secrets if you want Spiky. I know what's goin' on here."
"What's so funny?" Tifa called over to the two men at the bar. Her cardinal eyes looked at them suspiciously.
"Nothin'. Just man talk," Barret answered in her direction. He was somewhat speaking the truth, but Cloud could tell Tifa didn't believe him.
Their eyes connected for a moment, an undeniable electricity pulling them together. Red irises softened in his direction, her infectious smile couldn't be helped either. He heard Marlene call her name, resulting in Tifa blushing again that evening. She shied away while trying to focus on the children.
"It's only a matter of time before you can make a move," Barret leaned back to whisper to him before getting up to join the kids. "Keep it up, Cloud."
He neither confirmed nor denied verbally what Barret just hinted to him, but that smile on his face was evident enough for the older man.
November 23rd, εγλ 0009, 10:21 p.m.
"Goodnight Denzel," Cloud said as he flicked off the light. The blond closed the door and made his way to the other bedroom at his apartment. There he found Marlene beaming, ready and waiting for her tuck-in goodnight. Even though she had one earlier from Barret, who was now passed out on the living room couch, he had a feeling he had to do this himself too.
Pulling up the covers on her bed, she slithered down in between the satin sheets. The doe-eyed little girl wasn't saying much, but he could tell she had plenty to say with that smile on her face. She brushed her bangs out of her vision before speaking. "Cloud?"
"Hmm?" he responded as he sat down on her bed, smoothing out the bright pink duvet.
"Do you love Tifa?" she asked boldly, as if she already knew the answer to her own question.
Usually, he avoided these inquiries from her, a sort of standard that developed during their nightly routine over the years. Marlene was too intuitive and wise beyond her years. Instead of his usual response and fleeing the situation, Cloud gave a soft smile to the young girl. The father figure decided it wouldn't hurt to resolve to be honest with her. "Yeah, I do."
Marlene giggled. "I knew it! Now, are you gonna kiss her anytime soon?"
Okay, not completely, Cloud humored to himself while standing up. "Goodnight, Marlene."
"She makes you smile a lot too," she stated. "Papa always knew you would finally grow a pair."
Cloud groaned while closing the door to her bedroom. Barret really needed to watch his mouth.
Author's Note Continued: Here are the detailed chapter updates from April 2019!
Chapter I & II: Additional thoughts and feelings from Tifa's POV. Added more smut in Ch.2.
Chapter III: Additional thoughts and feelings from Cloud's POV. Zack scene extended
Chapter IV: Additional thoughts and feelings from Tifa's POV. Wedding ceremony was rewritten and fight scene extended to spice up the drama.
Chapter V: Additional thoughts and feelings from Cloud's POV. Scene with Reeve extended.
Chapter VI: Additional thoughts and feelings from Cloud's POV. Fight scene extended with more bitterness between the two. New scene with Marlene and Denzel added.
Chapter VII: Additional thoughts and feelings from Cloud's POV. Yuffie's scene extended with a new appearance from Zack at the end.
Chapter VIII: Additional thoughts and feelings from Cloud's POV. More spice into the fight between the married couple, with both Zack and Aerith making a new appearance at the end. Added more smut too.
Chapter XI: Cloud needed to be a little more aggressive to Jace at the very end.
That's all for the updates! Thank you Denebola Leo for the beta reading and suggestions. I would appreciate it if you guys took the time to re-read through the beginning chapters and give feedback. I write Tifa so well but I've gotten more bolder, and Cloud needed his view strengthened. It doesn't change what is going to happen to the plot, but I think many will appreciate what I put in what was lacking about the brooding soldier before.
Chapter updated on 7/26/20; dialogue changes and date/time stamp applied. Hints of Cloud rejecting Tifa on Christmas Eve and her pining for him also applied.
