A/N: While writing this I kept cracking myself up with all the inside jokes on the characters. Although I don't cosplay, I love the creativity and imagination displayed during the contests at various Cons. There are two that do lovely Clouds - Kaname Shiroboshi as Advent Children and A. K. Wirru as SOLDIER.

Summary: It's a Halloween Contest never to be forgotten! Tifa just knows that Cloud and Denzel have entered, even if they won't admit it. So she and Marlene take to the stage while trying to see what those two devious males have chosen to dress up as.

Jealousy, Take 12

By Ivy Elise Tanté

Cloud Strife was up to something, Tifa Lockhart just knew it. For the past month, he and Denzel kept acting suspicious. Heads together at the table so no one could hear their conversation, unexpected trips to shops they wouldn't be caught dead in under normal circumstances, Cloud's office being locked -locked!- occasionally. And these were just a few of the signs she'd noticed.

They had entered the Halloween Costume Contest as well. It was the only explanation she could come up with.

Marlene was going to be a darling Cinderella with a handmade costume that had taken Tifa, Yuffie and Shera months to complete, while Tifa herself was Rapunzel. Neither had made a secret of their choices as to character or the fact they had entered. The prize was only a couple hundred gil, but for some reason she and Marlene were determined to do better in the competition that Cloud and Denzel.

But it was driving her nuts not to know what they were up against. Cloud might be quiet, shy and moody on occasion, but was fully capable of being devious when it suited him. And don't even get her started on Denzel. Tifa was convinced he was an evil influence on her otherwise nicely trained husband.

So here she was, milling around in the backstage area of the WRO auditorium, craning her neck this way and that while trying to spy out the dastardly duo. Marlene stood beside her, all but bouncing up and down in her excitement. "Stop that," Tifa told her gently. "You'll mess up the wig if you keep skipping around."

A giggle sounded as Marlene reached out to tweak the over-long braid hanging down Tifa's back, "I've got more pins in mine that you do!" she claimed, referring to all the hairpins Yuffie used to anchor the hair into the correct style. It's a good thing neither had to go through a metal detector.

"Have you seen Cloud or Denzel yet?" Tifa asked, looking around again.

"Nope. I have a feeling they're hiding somewhere. There's just no telling what they chose." Another giggle sounded as Marlene pulled on Tifa's sleeve and whispered melodramatically, "What would you do if Cloud dressed up like a chocobo?"

Just the idea had her struggling not to laugh hysterically. "He gets enough comments about his hair as it is, Marlene. I don't think he'd even consider it."

There was a loud buzz, and then the intercom announced, "Will all contestants please line up according to number on the left side of the stage. Thank you!" The voice belonged to Reeve Tuesti, Director of the WRO. For unknown reasons, he'd asked to be EMC for the contest.

Excitement mounted as the curtain rose and the event started.

Oh, there was so much laughter ringing through the room as the costumes paraded past! All manner of super heroes danced, pranced, flitted and strutted across the stage. There was even a runaway Spiderman to chase down as a three year old decided to join the audience, looking for a playmate. Fairies and Princesses, Wizards and Witches, Cowboys and Indians, Dragons and… well, Tifa assumed the shaggy critter currently onstage was supposed to be a horse.

Then Marlene's number was called, and Tifa watched with tears in her eyes as her little girl walked gracefully to the center of the stage and curtseyed beautifully. The applause was loud and long, and more than adequate payment for all the hours of sitting hunched over the table sewing tiny stitches and pricking her fingers. Blowing everyone a kiss, Marlene glided back into the wings amid cheers from her admirers.

Tifa took her turn right after her, feeling nervous and foolish. But the response of the audience had her smiling and waving at familiar faces as she crossed over and joined the now deliriously happy girl. Marlene all but climbed up her side as she said excitedly, "Did you hear them? They were cheering for me! Oh, this is the happiest day of my life!" Her little face was radiant, and Tifa leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead.

"Yes, I heard!" Turning, they watched as other contestants were presented. It was gratifying to see just how many had entered, though most hadn't given the prize much thought. It was the fun of dressing up and being admired that had lured them in.

All kinds of anime characters were showing up, including Fushimi Saruhiko from K and even Lavi Bookman, Jr. from -man. Several Sailor Scouts giggled their way over the stage, while an Assassin skulked past with near-soundless footsteps. A Titan was chased across the stage by an enthusiastic Eren Jaeger and Captain Levi Ackerman, brandishing weapons never intended to be flailed around in such a manner. When Reno Sinclair presented himself as a particularly vivid red-headed Ronald Wesley from Harry Potter, the applause nearly brought down the roof.

Then Reeve's dark voice called for entry number 72, and Denzel walked onto the stage.

Dressed as Cloud Strife, SOLDIER 1st Class. And the entire audience went completely nuts at the sight.

Tifa's jaw dropped open and nearly bounced off the wooden floor. There was her little man, sporting a spiky blond wig that so closely resembled Cloud's head of unruly hair it was simply unbelievable. Dressed in the standard uniform of a 1st Class, with a miniature version of the Buster Sword jauntily cocked against his shoulder, the boy was absolutely beaming. Every detail was perfect, right down to the altered pauldron on his left shoulder and the bindings on his left arm under the gauntlet and bangle.

Denzel was a perfect mini-me, and was even wearing contacts to lighten his darker blue eyes and give them the glowing green Mako stain.

It was a bit humbling to realize Cloud hadn't been as devious as she assumed. Many a night had she seen him working on the leather work for the harness or the buckles that fastened them. She'd even watched him sew on the sleeveless cable knit sweater, thinking he was repairing one of his own. And that gauntlet - since it came postmarked from Wutai, Tifa had assumed Yuffie wanted Cloud to modify it for her.

Giving a salute, Denzel strode over to where Tifa and Marlene waited, his grin so wide it was nearly blinding. And both women pounced on him, hugging and laughing and crying all at the same time. "Oh, I can't believe you!" Tifa exclaimed, touching the wig and finding it so stiff with glue and hairspray the spikes should be considered lethal weapons. "How long did it take for him to get it right?"

Denzel laughed and carefully tugged at a pale blonde lock. "Which one? He totally mutilated the first, and the second was even worse. I think this is the fourth he bought. Three times was not a charm for us!" He offered up the Buster Sword with pride, "He commissioned this, though. It's the real thing."

And it was. A real sword that Tifa had no doubt would be used to train Denzel at a later date. Cloud had really outdone himself for this holiday. Speaking of Cloud…

"Where is he?" Tifa asked, handing back the sword.

"Oh, he's number 76, so he's coming out next," Denzel replied with a great big grin. "Just wait until you see him!"

Tifa was almost afraid to guess at that point. If he dressed Denzel up as himself, what in the world did he chose?

That question was answered quickly as Reeve called out, "Number 76!"

And Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon glided onto the stage in a dramatic sweep of a black cape lined in red. The top hat sat on the straight black hair that Tifa sincerely hoped was a wig. Sporting the white eye mask, white bow tie, white gloves and black suit of the character, as well as holding the signature red rose, it was almost impossible to recognize him. In fact, most of them didn't, so the applause was a bit muted until Reeve gasped out over the intercom, "CLOUD?!"

If Tifa though Denzel's grin blinding, he had nothing on the one Cloud turned on the audience. The noise was so incredible several guards ran into the room fearing that the ceiling was collapsing or something. Removing the top hat, Cloud bowed low to those attending the event and casually approached Tifa and the kids. "Ah, my beloved Tifa," he said as he captured her hand and kissed it lavishly. "The things I do for you and our children."

"Oh, you rogue!" Tifa laughed out, snatching off his mask. Underneath, his glowing ocean blue eyes were sparkling with humor, and she thought he had never looked more attractive. But she wanted the pale blonde hair framing his face again, because this dark haired man before her was a stranger.

"Cloud, this has been so great!" Both kids were ecstatic over the success of the costumes and could hardly contain their excitement as the last contestant left the stage. Both were fidgety all during the half-hour break while the judges decided one the winner, although it didn't stop them from devouring the cookies and snacks served.

Tifa noticed Cloud ate more cookies than both kids combined and made a mental note to bake some tomorrow as a reward for a job well done. After a more… personal compensation when they finally got home, that is. She was determined to show him exactly how much she appreciated all his efforts to give Denzel such a glorious memory.

Then Reeve stepped onto the stage and held up his hands for attention. "It is after considerable debate that we have decided on a winner, as well as second and third place. We will start with third - and that goes to… Tyson Hedge!" And a very excited Jedi Knight nearly tripped over his own robes as he bolted onto the stage and tackled Reeve about the knees.

Second place was for a Pink Power Ranger from the Zeo Era.

"And in first place," Reeve said with a happy smile, "We have chosen… Cinderella!"

Gasping in shock, Marlene just stood there stock still until Tifa grabbed her hand and dragged her over to Reeve. Cloud and his mini-me were laughing like loons as the little girl accepted her prize, then delighted the audience by making Reeve bend down so she could kiss his cheek.

Cloud wrapped his arm around Tifa and murmured, "Denzel and I didn't enter to win the contest, and Reeve and the council decided only the kids would be judged, not the adults. Makes it fairer that way."

She leaned into his warmth and sighed as Marlene offered Denzel half her winnings, which he refused. "Yes, it does. Let's go home, Cloud. I want to be surrounded by my own little fantasy family for right now."

"As you wish, my lady," he answered in a sensual voice.

"And you are so out of that costume, Cloud Strife. I think that top hat is causing brain damage!"