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 am dedicating this chapter to one of my top readers, NeverLost08, who has shown an overwhelming support to my writing and this story. In many of their reviews, they had hoped for a jealous Tifa and we got a little bit of that last chapter. Now here we are…
A special thanks to Denebola Leo for being my beta reader and an extreme help with the dialogue and tension in this chapter. I had planned this in my outline in early May and after finishing up the last chapter, I had to jump onto this one right away. Either you will be pissed or pleased with me after this entry. On to the drama!
Updated 7/26/20
-. Don't Think Twice .-
Chapter XVII
December 9th, εγλ 0009, 1:19 p.m.
The call from the school earlier this morning caught her by surprise, with no details given to her or Cloud as to the reason why. The teacher insisted that the matter be discussed in person with both parents present, but would dodge all questions except that Denzel was safe and sound, and a delight in the classroom.
The kids would be back at her place tonight, and she barely saw them in the last two weeks. There had been no notes or calls before this, and as she recalled, his midterm report had good marks.
What could it be?
Tifa pulled the lapel of her dark gray coat around her cheeks more as the winter wind picked up. She remembered Cloud as a young boy getting into fights all the time, even getting suspended from school for a week. Surely, it couldn't be that! Taking a few steps down the front of the school, she looked up and down both ways of the semi-quiet street; still no sign of Cloud. They were supposed to have been inside twenty minutes ago, and the teacher stressed that she needed to speak to both parents together.
Where could he be?
There were no messages on her phone since he confirmed he would meet her there ahead of time. This wasn't like him since he turned over a new leaf after finally coming home to their family. Grabbing her cell she went to call him until she heard the familiar sound of the motorcycle turn on the street.
She sighed in relief at the sight of Fenrir, but shock registered in her mind when Cloud showed up...not alone. Behind him on the back, she could see a petite young woman with her arms gripping his waist as he pulled the bike into a parking space. When she removed her helmet, the short, dark-haired girl was revealed as she hopped off the bike. The blond was still steadying the vehicle into place as she leaned over to give him a quick peck on the cheek, making the reserved man blush for a second, then walked off to the opposite side of the street while she waved her departure.
It was the same girl from the bar.
Is this why he was late? Checking the clock on her phone the screen reflected 1:22 pm; she scoffed loudly as she put the device back in her coat pocket. Opening the glass door to the school, she stepped inside as he came in closely behind.
"You're late," she stopped in her tracks to face him, her voice thick with contempt. He was late because he was too busy fraternizing!
"Yeah, sorry. My meeting ran late."
Tifa rolled her eyes at his bashful greeting. "Is that what you're calling it?"
Cloud's eyes darted from side to side in visible confusion before looking straight at her and quirking up a brow. "...Yeah?"
She huffed through her nose. He didn't know that she knew, but it seemed like such a lame excuse. "Well, this is about Denzel, our son. You should be a little more serious about this."
"I am, the stupid meeting just took a little longer than I thought it would," he replied tersely. Cloud looked her up and down with an appraising look. "Are you alright?"
Tifa straightened up and blinked a few times. "I'm fine. Why?"
"You look a little red in the face," he pointed out apprehensively.
Tifa walked down the hallway to the principal's office, Cloud trailing behind her. She wondered why her heart felt the way it did, and nothing would have made her happier in that moment than for that feeling to just die. Maybe she could, with uplifting words. "She's very pretty." Tifa rubbed a stray lock of hair. "...I can see why you'd lose track of time," she murmured.
"Wait." Cloud stopped her movement by reaching for her shoulder, a gentle force she gave into as they had reached the small conference room door they were appointed to. She didn't want to look at him, but she did, and his cerulean eyes were perplexed, trying to search hers for an answer. "What're you trying to say?"
She opened her mouth to begin telling him what he did wrong, being carried away by a woman, and then bringing her to the very school meeting they were late for now because of that, but the door opened instead. Shutting her mouth, she smiled at the school counselor, a woman with wavy blonde hair and round indigo eyes, waving them into the room. "Looks like you two finally arrived."
Both parents followed the counselor inside to her small office. "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I got tied up in a meeting," Cloud apologized as he sat down in one of the chairs in front of the dark chestnut desk.
Tifa crossed her arms and scoffed again at his excuse, taking a seat in the chair next to him. She couldn't even bother to look at him.
"What is your problem?" He turned to her in his seat, not caring where they were at. "I had a meeting, but I'm here now." Cloud moved his hand defensively at her as he spoke, giving the same poor reason.
"Cloud, please. We're here for Denzel," she tensely reminded him.
"Yes, we're here for Denzel. I'm Mrs. Abernathy by the way, one of the school counselors. Now, let's discuss him and only him," the counselor asserted herself as she sat down in her leather chair. The blonde woman looked unamused by the two young parents quarreling in her office. "After being so late, I hate to waste time on anything else."
"Is Denzel in trouble?" Cloud prodded a question as he settled himself in his chair again.
"He's…adjusting," Mrs. Abernathy finally answered. "For the past month, his homework turn-in has greatly declined. There were a few mishaps in October, but he still managed to turn in for some credit, but now it's becoming an issue. He's smart and does well on tests, but he's not doing all of the assignments at home he is supposed to do. It's sporadic."
"I check his work every night he is with me," Tifa spoke calmly as she recalled her nightly routine. "There are dates on the sheets from that day, but I don't check the assignment book as often as I should."
"I...just ask if it's done," Cloud trailed off, sounding embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his head. "I didn't think he would lie, his report card was good."
"Okay, so it's 'dad' in this scenario," the counselor concluded, flipping the folder closed that was spread out on her desk from the start. "That's why I needed both of you here, to see where the pattern lies. Denzel mentions he lives between two households, that his parents used to live together as friends but the family split up a couple of months ago. From what I've seen here today, I'm beginning to think there is more to what he says...about your actual relationship." Her bright purple eyes darted between the two, while moving her finger back and forth. "Whatever the issues are between you two, it is affecting him academically."
If her face was red in the hallway earlier, now it was a few shades darker. There was nothing going on between her and Cloud, and this stranger was trying to suggest just that! Even though she was mortified to the point of walking out, she stayed in her chair as she was here for Denzel. After an uncomfortable silence of what was being heavily implied to them, Tifa cleared her throat and spoke up. "What can we do to help?"
Grabbing a few folders from the drawer, she placed them at the edge of her desk for them to go through. "He is behind on language arts and math class. These can be turned in for full credit after Christmas break. And check the assignment book and his homework every night," the woman explained. "You two need to get on the same page."
"We will, thank you," Cloud nodded as he began to rise from his seat.
Tifa collected the folders in one hand while extending her other to the counselor. "Thank you. Denzel will start on this right away."
After the adults said their goodbyes, Tifa quickly darted out of the office past the blond, heading towards the exit. Hearing the heavy footsteps behind her, she knew Cloud wasn't too far behind her.
"Tifa, hold up!"
But she didn't want to, choosing to ignore him instead. Opening the door to the front of the school, she made her way down the concrete steps as he trailed behind her.
"Seriously Tifa, stop!" He reached for her shoulder again to halt her, making her jerk it out of his grasp as she stopped. "Something is wrong, I know it is. Now, are you going to tell me?"
His eyes showed the same gentle concern he always had for her, but she wasn't going to let that brilliant blue falter her now. She just wanted to get home, and having this conversation on an open street was the last thing she wanted to deal with right now. "I'll see you later, Cloud."
"Ti—"
"Cloud! Are you done with the school appointment?" The mystery girl walked up from behind, sounding cheerful. "I got us lunch and a milkshake, too."
Tifa shut her eyes at the very problem that arrived, exhaling to relieve her agitation. Pursing her lips, she turned to the girl who had a shopping bag hooked around her arm while holding onto a white paper bag and styrofoam cup, with two straws, meant for sharing. Tifa squinted at the lone milkshake, feeling more annoyed while the petite woman smiled warmly at her.
"You must be Tifa. I'm Iris."
Tifa forced a smile and exchanged one last look at Cloud. "Well, I don't want to keep you from your girlfriend." His eyes widened at her words, but she turned away from him to walk back to her bar with a hurried pace in her steps.
Late December, εγλ 0007
"No, don't! Please stop, Cloud!" she cried out to him again. Her earlier pleas to ground him back, in reality, received no recognition. Tifa was but a shadow on the outside witnessing the beginning of the end as Barret handed the ebony orb of destruction over to the confused mercenary.
"Thanks…leave the rest to me," Cloud nodded to the gunman, clutching the cursed item in his hand. She promised to help him keep his head straight, to stop him from doing anything reckless again. Now she was ultimately powerless, her voice unable to reach him.
He was...going to hand the Black Materia over to Sephiroth.
"Everyone, thanks for everything. And...I'm sorry," his voice was heavy and reluctant. His jade eyes plagued with regret when he connected with hers. He could see her now, but not hear her. "Especially you, Tifa. I'm really sorry. You've been so good to me…"
Her heart broke as she stood frozen in place. She couldn't move from where she was, nor could she stop him. There was some unseen force holding her in the very spot she was summoned to as if she was being forced to suffer this way. Tifa tried to concentrate on moving her feet again, but she could barely manage, and only heard the scuffle of pebbles on the rocky surface.
A menacing laugh echoed against the cavern walls, chilling her to the core. Looking behind her she could only see the crystalline walls holding the very man mocking her and Cloud's fate. It seemed his taunting chuckle could only be heard by her.
Sephiroth…
He wasn't going to take anyone she loved away from her again. Turning back to the man that held her heart, she called for him while offering her hand. "We'll leave this place together. Please Cloud...take my hand."
He never looked so ashamed in his life. "I don't know what to say...I never lived up to being 'Cloud'."
This cannot be! Not caring if she was heard, she became more desperate in trying to reach him. So far her voice couldn't reach the others, but she could now reach him. She fisted her hand as she brought it back to her chest. "Please...I-I love you, Cloud. You are my Cloud."
"Tifa...Maybe one day you'll meet the real 'Cloud'."
Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head in disbelief, plummeting to her knees. He was losing control of himself again, and she was losing him in return. The ground violently shook again and she could only hear the mad scientist cackle at the demise of the Planet and her love. Tifa could do nothing to help him now.
December 9th, εγλ 0009, 2:16 p.m.
"Finally! What took you so long?" Yuffie whirled around on the bar stool as the front door to the bar closed.
Back home where she needed to be, Tifa dusted off the snowflakes that clung to her dark gray coat and hung it up to dry off. She should've been here earlier, but the meeting at the school ran late because of his 'meeting'. "Sorry, I'm late. Cloud was late because of his date, so the meeting didn't even start on time."
"Wait, Cloud is dating?!" The young girl sitting at her bar laughed. "Let me guess, the girl has short dark hair and brown eyes?"
"Yeah, she does...how did you know that?" Tifa asked in pure curiosity at her exact guess being spot on. It was too close to be a coincidence, she thought while heading behind the counter to grab some sodas for herself and her guest.
"Oh, that was Iris," Yuffie waved her hand in mock dismissal. "She's just got a big crush on him, nothing serious."
"Wait, how do you know her?"
"She works at the WRO with Cloud, and I hear all the office gossip," the young informant continued. "Alyssa told me he told her he was 'already taken'. Must've been about you."
"Oh," Tifa gasped, pushing the beverage can over to Yuffie. "So they're...not dating?"
Popping the lid open, the raven-haired girl took a quick sip before continuing. "Nope, so you can calm down about Cloud now. I know you still have feelings for him."
"I guess," Tifa faltered a moment, but her eyes widened a moment later at what her friend was implying. "Wait, what feelings?"
"Feelings of loooove," Yuffie teased, wagging her eyes back at her as she leaned against the wooden surface. "You walked in here acting all jealous over the thought of Cloud possibly being with someone else."
She wasn't jealous! She was… "He's...just confusing me lately," Tifa admitted slowly.
"All that flirting rekindling the fire inside?"
"Yuffie, stop," she dismissed.
"Oh come on, you can't tell me he isn't making your heart flutter with warm, fuzzy feelings, Teef. You're fooling no one," she teased again.
"I'm with Jace. I love Jace," Tifa argued back. "Aren't you here to talk to me about your boy problems anyway?"
"Yeah, but yours are more interesting, being in a love triangle," she shrugged before taking more of her carbonated drink.
"I am not in a love triangle, Yuffie!"
"If you say so," she mused back, putting the can down. A sly smile formed on her face, warning of trouble. "Just let me ask one question..."
Tifa gave her an annoyed look, already feeling over on this topic. "What?"
"Do you find yourself thinking of Cloud when you're with Jace?" Yuffie asked smartly.
Tifa could feel her cheeks flushing red as the memories of that erotic illusion of him flashed in her mind. She didn't want to remember the vivid dream right now, but those deep kisses and tender touches were haunting her again. Damn it...
Reading her face, Yuffie began to heartily laugh in triumph. "Oh ho ho! You most certainly do!"
"N-no, I don't. Not...exactly," Tifa stuttered a bit, feeling embarrassed at being caught. She wanted to forget the whole thing even really happened. "I...just had a dream about Cloud, that's all. An unconscious mistake. And I haven't thought about him since then, either."
Yuffie clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh, I knew you would start to come to your senses, even if unconsciously…" she muttered the last part. "Can you give me the details?"
"What, why?" Tifa asked, startled at the peculiar inquiry.
"Cause I haven't gotten any lately!" Yuffie slapped the countertop. "Help a girl out? Please?"
"Wait, what about your mystery guy?"
"I think he might've been lonely and was using me. Not that I minded...he most certainly knows how to use his mouth for someone who tends to be quiet. Is Cloud the same way with his mouth? He is a man of few words too."
"I shouldn't have even mentioned it," Tifa denied as her cheeks reddened. "It meant...nothing. Now, talk about your guy problems or get out."
Yuffie snickered harder. "Okay, okay. Jeez. I'm not the one who has my panties in a bunch about Cloud though."
"Yuffie...don't test me."
Early December, εγλ 0007
"I thought I meant nothing to you," she confessed softly under the stars while sitting on a wooden crate behind the stables. Tifa had asked him out here alone after hearing what the pushy flower girl had to say in her tent the night before. "I had decided to keep my distance when I thought you were now interested in Aerith. I'm sorry."
Cloud stood in front of her, his hands planted on each side of her as he leaned to touch his forehead with hers. "Don't be. You mean everything to me," he began, but he laughed as a smirk appeared on his face. "But I didn't realize you would be the jealous type."
"Jealous?!" She could feel her cheeks darken.
Cloud chuckled as she pulled back, but he reached over to tuck her hair behind her ear affectionately. "Yeah. Never thought I would see the day that Tifa Lockhart would be jealous over me."
"I'm not jealous," Tifa crossed her arms, turning away from him. "I just thought you weren't serious with your kiss, that's all."
Cupping her cheek he brought her back to him as he hovered over her mouth. "Oh, Tifa, I was very serious about the kiss." When his lips brushed hers, it wasn't the innocent touch like the first time in her bar, but hot and demanding. A kiss that lit her on fire as warmth spread over her entire body. Using his hand, he tugged gently tugged on her hair to deepen his passionate intrusion into her willing mouth. Her small argument forgotten, Tifa curled her fingers up his shoulders, bringing him ever so closer as their mouths mingled.
Serious, indeed.
December 9th, εγλ 0009, 4:14 p.m.
"I'm sorry I lied," Denzel began to apologize to his disappointed parents that stood before him, his eyes focused on the tips of his sneakers as he sat on the couch. "I just wanted to spend more time with you when I'm over at your place. I haven't seen you much lately…"
"Denz…" Cloud began to respond, rubbing the back of his head. "Regardless of your reasons, you still have to do your homework."
Looking at the folders on the coffee table, the young boy cringed. "I didn't think I was that far behind. So I guess I don't have to start until Christmas break?"
"No, we decided you're going to start before your break begins. Each night, one extra assignment for both subjects. You need to show your teacher your good intentions while she is giving you a second chance," Tifa took charge while keeping her tone calm. "Cloud is going to handle math, and I'll help you with language arts if necessary."
"Alright, but can I start tomorrow?" Denzel timorously asked, taking a small peek up at the adults.
"No, you're gonna start tonight," the blond ordered. "And when I am away I will call every night to make sure it's done, and I'll help if necessary."
"Okay…"
"Think of it this way, you'll have less to do over your Christmas break," Tifa offered a small smile while handing him the folders. "You can go ahead and get started before dinner, okay?"
Denzel groaned before lumbering upstairs with the dreaded assignments in his hand. His head hung low as he took each step slowly, trying to prolong the inevitable.
"I think we handled that pretty well," her co-parent commented.
"Thank you, Cloud. I'm glad you were here with me for this," she fidgeted a bit when she spoke those words to him. Tucking a loose strand behind her ear, she sighed while thinking she didn't enjoy punishing the kids from time to time, but it had to be done. Now that they were alone, she was feeling embarrassed about earlier, how she reacted to him at the school meeting. It was much better to pretend none of it happened. Tifa shouldn't care about his love life, as she has her own. "I should get dinner started."
Making her way to the kitchen area, she pulled out a chicken and rice casserole she prepared earlier that morning for the evening meal. Sticking the dish into the oven, she set the timer and turned the dial to begin cooking. Busying herself in front of him, she had hoped he would have taken the hint to leave. There were a few dishes in the sink, so she could start there to begin ignoring him. Turning on the tap, she picked up a dishtowel to begin just as Cloud leaned over and turned the knob back to stop the flow of water.
"Cloud?" she asked while her brow furrowed for a second, annoyed at his rudeness. Then she yelped in surprise at his hand grabbing her forearm, pulling her away from the sink. "W-wait, what're you doing?!"
It was his turn to be silent, bringing her past the bar area and into the storage room. Closing the door behind him, he let her go gently, placing his hands on his hips. "You wanna tell me what the hell happened at school today?"
Avoiding the inevitable was out of the question. It was now her turn to feel ashamed for her actions. "I-I'm sorry." She fumbled while casting her eyes away, staring at the brandy bottles lined up perfectly on the shelf next to her. "I thought...the reason you were late this afternoon...was because of a date."
Cloud laughed as he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Are you being serious right now?"
"Today wasn't my proudest moment, but yes," she answered as she took another step back. There wasn't much room in here, so her back bumped into the wall.
"You thought I was dating Iris?" He chuckled again, coming even closer. "Why would that even be a problem if it was true?"
"I thought you brought a date to the school when you were already late for the parent-teacher conference."
Cloud stared her down, his blue eyes swelling with mirth. Being amused with her was an understatement for him. "You're jealous."
"No, I'm not!" Jealous?! He was saying she was 'jealous'?!
"You see me with a girl one time and you get mad," he pointed out rather smugly to her.
"It's not the first time I've seen you...intimate with her. I saw you at Johnny's Heaven one night I stopped by, and I didn't say anything then," Tifa defended herself. Why does everyone think she is jealous? This pompous attitude he had about her 'supposed feelings' was going too far. She was anything but envious over that girl from earlier. "So this isn't about me being jealous, this is about you having her at the school like you did."
"No, this is about you being jealous. I thought you were over me."
She cringed. She really hated the word, and she had heard it too many times that day. "I'm not jealous, Cloud!" Tifa hissed at him. "I thought her being at the school was inappropriate because I've left Jace out of anything parenting related."
"Sure, it's about the school," he taunted her with a knowing smirk.
"I-it is!" She stammered, making her insides simmer more with that cocky grin he was giving her. Why was he so insistent with her being jealous? She was not jealous.
"Just like you were just upset about being captured by Shinra, right?" He had her up against the wall now, the space between them dangerously narrowed. His head tilted ever so slightly to the side as he propped his arm above her. "It had nothing to do with you being jealous of Aerith?"
Damn him. This situation was completely different, because they were not together anymore. Nearly pinned up against the wall, she breathed deeply to calm herself down while her flammeous eyes festered up towards him.
Once the shock went away from how close he was to her, she tried to push him away. Instead, her hand landed gently on his shoulder, keeping him near her. Tifa told herself to put the needed space between them, and for herself, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Cloud was the one that left their family first, even for unknown noble reasons, the pain he inflicted with his abandonment still hurt. The loneliness was a vice on her heart, squeezing with just enough pressure to be a constant pain. She may have loved Cloud, but Tifa was brought to her limit break with him. Nine months without a word from him was a long time, and during that silent time joy found her again through Jace.
Even though her mind tried to contend with her heart that he would only hurt her again, tried to reason with her tangled emotions...that's all her mind could do. Was try. And it wasn't enough as her heart was so drawn to him.
"Cloud…" Her voice was surprisingly soft and inviting to her ears. This familiar excitement building inside, she didn't want it to stop, even though she knew it should.
Using the wall as leverage, he leaned into the side of her face and his husky voice tickled her ear. "Tifa, just admit you're jealous and I'll back away right now."
She shivered visibly with his hot breath on her earlobe, his body daringly close to hers. But Tifa couldn't, and wouldn't say what he was asking her to do. If she gave in Cloud would hold it over her for a while, and she would not put up with his conceited ways beyond this moment. So she decided to stay silent through sheer stubbornness, hoping he would give up and go away.
Inhaling the scent of her hair, Cloud slowly released his breath as he said her name. Seductively. "Tifa."
Ohhh. With her eyes now half-lidded, she unwillingly turned to face him. Wait, was her body reacting on its own? Her hand still on his shoulder, she trembled under his intense cerulean eyes, dark with desire that was meant for her. Being with Cloud like this right now, both felt so wrong and so right at the same time.
Crimson locked on sapphire eyes; the room was silent except for the sound of her heart beating loudly in her chest. Tifa knew she should pull away from him, but his scent of pure metal and fresh pine was too intoxicating. The slightest twang of mako twitched in her nose as his skin came mere inches from her nose, a smell she would always associate with him.
Tifa bit her lip, partly from anxiety, and partly from want, her hands flexing as she wavered between pushing him away and dragging him closer. Jace doesn't have to know, a voice in her head said as her eyes drifted down to Cloud's partially open lips, tantalizing her with the slightest peek of his needy tongue. Conflict raged in her chest; she shouldn't cheat. That wasn't her, that wasn't her at all.
But...wasn't she Cloud's, all this time anyway?
And when he was leaning into her, to capture her lips with his as if he had a right to her heart, she still couldn't bring herself to stop him then, either. Maybe he did have a right... This felt right, like two souls joined in the Lifestream. Her eyes fluttered closed, anticipating him. His taste, his touch, his everything. It was like an electric current coiled and ready to spring.
"Cloud!"
Tifa's eyes went wide as reality shook her back. His mouth was hovered over hers, just a breath away as his warmth tickled her lips. "Damn it," he muttered before pushing himself away. For a moment his eyes flickered to hers, a mix of disappointment and longing in the sea of blue, crashing wave after wave with distress. She knew the tension between them wasn't her imagination, but that blaze in his eyes smoldered her.
Tifa took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down. Her cheeks flushed pink at what almost happened. Clamping her hand over her mouth she looked away in shame as the door to the inventory storage opened abruptly, their son standing there proudly with homework in hand.
Cloud...he would've kissed her if they weren't interrupted! And she…
"Want to go over my math now?" Denzel asked, his smile bright on his little face.
She could feel his heated gaze on hers, burning through her as he stared. Reluctantly, he turned to walk away and patted the young boy on the head. "Yeah."
Tifa was left alone, the door slightly ajar to the storage area as both Cloud and Denzel retreated to the bar area. She could make out the faint sounds of appraisal and correction from the blond as she neared the door. Poking her head out slightly, she could see they were in the far corner of the bar in the children's favorite booth. It became their predetermined spot in the tavern if they joined her on busy nights from time to time. Looking towards the secondary stairs to the upstairs living quarters, she darted over quietly and began to make her escape.
She definitely needed to keep her distance away from Cloud. Not only could she not trust him, but Tifa found she couldn't trust herself alone with him either. Midway on her ascent, she paused, bringing her fingers to her lips. They still tingled from where he almost was. Almost.
Her heart was beating so fast still, and she felt immense guilt for it doing so. She shouldn't be feeling this way, this frenzy in her chest about a guy she was no longer with. The same guy that broke her into a million shards after saying he loved her, cared about her, and never bothered to return her phone calls for months. Never even tried to muse in kissing her back when she tried to in their last moment together. She didn't realize she was gripping the railing to the staircase so hard when her hand started to hurt. But it was nowhere compared to the hurt she had inside when Cloud left, after months of wanting him and finally giving up on their happily ever after.
Jace was there for her, through light and dark times. And in return she almost…it was all so wrong.
Why was he having this effect on her? How could she almost get so easily carried away by him?
Author's Note Continued: The tension between Cloud and Tifa has reached a boiling point. How did you like the...almost kiss? Hahaha, I enjoyed writing this update way too much with how jealous Tifa got and the tension between them. Cloud should've just kissed her, but I can't make it that easy. Poor Tifa is so conflicted here!
Also...who is Yuffie's mysterious guy? I'm afraid the answer to that and Jace's secret won't be revealed for a few chapters. Must plant the seeds.
So readers, were you pissed or pleased at the almost kiss? Please review!
Chapter updated on 7/26/20; date/time stamp changes applied. Also added hint of Cloud rejecting Tifa before he left her.
