Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII or Thumbelina

A/N: Thank you again, reviewers!Please R/R! I would really appreciate reviews. Thank you! Enjoy!


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"So, what do you want to do Marlene?" Browsing through the movies, Tifa giggled and wondered how Barret could live with watching only kids movies all the time.

Marlene clapped her hands happily together. "I think that we should watch... Thumbelina!"

Tifa smiled. She grabbed the movie and put it in on. Before she sat down however, there was a knock on the door. She got up and looked through the peep hole.

"Hey Cloud. I thought you were job hunting?" She let him inside and giggled when he ruffled his hair back to their usual spiky selves.

Tifa noticed that he was shivering slightly.

"Oh no! You're going to get sick, let's get you dried up." Marlene walked up after pausing the movie and gave Cloud a hug.

"Hi Cloud!" He hugged her back. Cloud had come a couple times while Tifa was babysitting her, and Marlene taken to him quite easily.

Marlene looked out the window and frowned.

"It's really windy out there, huh?" Tifa grabbed her small hand and led her to the couch.

"Yes, but I don't want you to worry." Marlene nodded and turned to play the movie. Tifa watched the screen. Thumbelina had felt like an outcast; The only one of her 'kind', so to speak.

Let me be your wings
Let me be your only love
Let me take you far beyond the stars
Let me be your wings
Let me lift you high above
Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours

Tifa pondered on the lyrics. Would someone really put their whole being and trust into one other person? Of course, it was just a movie, but there were always life meanings buried within them. Was she like this Thumbelina character? Unknowing to Cloud, giving every inch of her mind, emotion, and trust to him.

Anything that you desire
Anything at all
Everyday I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall

Tifa reached for the popcorn at the moment Cloud had pulled his hand out of the bag. It wasn't as if they hadn't touched before, obviously, but the fact that it was one of the most romantic part of the movie, that caused Tifa to blush slightly. She pulled back, feeling the electrical sensations spread from her hand throughout her body.

Let me be your wings
Leave behind the world you know
For another world of wondrous things
We'll see the universe
And dance on Saturn's rings
Fly with me and I will be your wings

It amazed, and frightened, her that a single touch from him could do such things to her. "Heh, sorry." she chuckled. He joined in, but both received a "shh!" from the 6 year old.

Anything that you desire
Anything at all
(Anything at all)
Everyday I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall

It was the Tifa realized they were staring at each other and she returned her gaze to the television, while her cheeks gave off a faint hue of pink. She glanced to see him still staring at her and she bit her lip.

"What?" she asked, trying not to sound nervous or self conscience. He shook his head.

"Nothing..." He answered sounding slightly amused. He was ready to turn back to the TV before turning to reface Tifa and lifting his hand and touch her face. When he pulled away, he held his forefinger in front of her.

"You had an eyelash." He smiled. "Now, you have to make a wish."

We'll see the universe
And dance on Saturn's rings
Heaven isn't too far
Heaven is where you are
Stay with me and
Let me be your (You will be my) wings

"Yes, but I can't." She informed him, getting a confused look in response. "It won't come true." She continued.

"And why do you say that?" He asked, genuinely curious. They both ignored the fact that Marlene had turned the volume up.

"Because, you already know my wishes. And everyone knows that if you make a wish that someone else knows, it won't come true." She finished sounding as though it was the most obvious answer, while smiling.

He looked thoughtful for a second. "Hmm... then make a wish that you haven't told me about." Tifa scratched her arm bashfully, thinking about the wish she really hadn't told him, then nodded and released a gentle breath, blowing the single lash away.

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The storm was becoming more fierce and she started to become nervous. She reached in her bag and pulled out her phone. "I'm going to stay here until the rain gets lighter. You are too, so call your mom and I'll call Barret." She informed Cloud. He nodded in agreement.

She dialed Barret's number first. He had told her that he was having some coffee at Elmyra's house and she told him that she would take care of Marlene until the storm let up and forbid him from going out in such weather. Reluctantly, agreed, and gave in.

After, she called Zack, and both agreed on meeting in a couple of days instead of a couple of hours.

Next, she called Yuffie.

"Hello?"

"Oh thank goodness! Yuffie, why haven't you been answering your phone? Are you alright?"

"Teef, I'm fine! I'm just hanging out with Vince and his dad right now."

"Good, well, stay there, that storm is terrible out there. I'm surprised the power hasn't turned off yet."

"Yeah, I know. I already called Ray, so don't worry about it."

"Really? What did he say?"

"He was pissed at first but then told us to have our asses back right when it quit raining."

"Hopefully that will be awhile."

"No kidding! Alright, I'm gonna go now Teef."

"Alright, love you Yuff. And be careful!"

"I'm always careful! Love ya too! Bye."

"Bye."

She hung up and saw Marlene looking up at her with a curious look. "You told Papa to stay at Miss Myra's right?"

Tifa smiled and nodded her head. "Of course! We don't want him out there in this type of weather, do we?"

"Yeah. I'm glad he listens to you." She smiled. Tifa and Cloud sometimes forgot how intelligent she was for her age. She jumped suddenly when the sound of thunder echoed throughout the house and sky.

"Can we stay out here? I don't like this weather." Tifa hugged Marlene close and calmed the shaking girl down.

Cloud released a slight smile at the sight. Tifa, he knew, always had a certain talent for helping and comforting someone in need. That was one of the many things he admired about her. Her warmth and kindness would just radiate off of her and would be able to comfort any person.

"It's pretty cold, isn't it?" Tifa asked, while Marlene nodded. Cloud got up off the couch and turned to the young girl.

"Where are your extra blankets?" She pointed to the cabinet by the front window. When he reached the cabinet he glanced out the window and did a double take. A young boy was cowering from the storm in the porch right outside the house. He frowned and walked briskly to the front door.

Tifa watched as Cloud paused and stared out the window, then hurried out of the room, ignoring her puzzled, "Cloud!?". She ordered Marlene to stay put and followed him out to the front door.

"Cloud what is-" She stopped mid sentence when she saw the young boy, no older than 7 or 8, in the arms of her best friend.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed closing the door and ushering Cloud into the living room. Once he sat on the couch, Tifa grabbed some towels and started to rub them over the boy, hoping it would warm his body, along with Cloud holding him sharing his own body heat.

Marlene's extremely caring personality shone through and she rushed to the kitchen to heat some warm water for some hot chocolate.

The boy was stirring and he opened his eyes to reveal bright blue eyes, similar to Cloud's. He jerked awake from the unfamiliar surroundings. His eyes began to water, from various emotions.

Tifa saw this and hesitantly brushed some of his unkempt hair away from his eyes. "Are you alright?" She asked, having a gentle tone in her words.

He sniffed and Tifa looked at Cloud with a slight frown. He placed the boy on the couch and grabbed the blankets from the cabinet and covered one over him. The boy looked up surprised from the act.

"How are you feeling?" Cloud asked crouching in front of him. The boy backed up slightly, still a bit unsure of these new faces. Still, they were acting nice toward him...

Marlene popped in the room with a mug in hand. "Hi," she smiled at him. "My name's Marlene. I made you some hot chocolate, since you must be cold. My Papa always makes me this when I'm cold, so I thought it might make you feel better."

The boy looked at the pretty girl with big brown eyes and friendly smile. He blushed and cautiously took the cup. The heat tingled in his fingers and he felt himself become a bit more comfortable.

He sneezed suddenly, causing Tifa to turn to Cloud. "I'll be right back, I'm going to check if Barret has any children's cold medicine." Cloud nodded and focused on the boy once more.

"So, what's your name?" he asked. The boy looked hesitant to answer, and stole another glance to the brunette Marlene and her encouraging smile.

Tifa came back and gave him a small capsule. "It might not taste all that great, but we don't want you getting sick now. Go ahead and chew it." The woman sounded nice and he was beginning to warm up to them. He stuck the pill in his mouth and tasted the bitter cherry flavor.

"Thank you Ma'am." he shyly muttered. Tifa smiled brilliantly for getting him to talk. She felt relieved that he wasn't that uncomfortable any more.

"Oh, ma'am makes me sound so old! You can call me Tifa." She pointed to Cloud after introducing herself. "This is Cloud, and you've already met Marlene." Cloud smiled at him.

"Are you still cold?" He asked.

The boy felt himself release a tiny smile. "No, I'm feeling a 'lil better, thank you."

Marlene scooted closer to him, making him blush, causing Tifa to force back a giggle. "So, what's your name? I'm glad Cloud found you out there, now you an' me can be friends."

The boy's smile widened slightly. He never had a friend before. "My name's Denzel." He finally told them. Cloud cracked a smile.

"Nice to meet you Denzel."

The next couple hours were spent talking to Denzel. Apparently, he was homeless and had been for a year or so. The rain had become thick, and he felt he had no where else to go for shelter, so he decided to hide on the porch.

Tifa clapped her hands together. "Well, the weather isn't getting any better, and it is past your bedtime Marlene. Let's get to sleep."

"Denzel can sleep with us too right?" Marlene asked.

"Of course he can." Cloud answered causing Denzel to beam.

They pulled the bed from the couch and set it up. Luckily it was a queen sized bed, so the four of them could fit.

Laying in the darkness, Tifa thought about the connection she had with this Denzel boy. She had only known him a few hours and was already feeling love and admiration for his shy personality and emotional strength.

"Tifa..." she heard Cloud whisper next to her. She turned facing his direction.

"Yes, Cloud?"

She felt him shift on the bed.

"Are you awake?"

She giggled. "No, I'm asleep." She heard him chuckle.

"I'm glad we found Denzel." He whispered. She felt her heart flutter as his breath tickled her lashes.

"I know. I hope he won't want to return to the streets. Maybe he'll be able to live with Barret." She excitedly whispered.

"Yeah, he's a good kid. He deserves a nice childhood." Tifa nodded in agreement even though she knew he probably couldn't see it through the dark.

"If I didn't have Ray to worry about, I would bring him to my house." She told him, a bit sadly. Cloud caught the slight change in her voice and searched for her hand.

When he found it he gave it a light squeeze. She was now glad for the darkness concealing her flushed, yet blissful, state.

"You are an amazing person Tifa Lockhart." He told her. She felt the butterflies in her stomach flutter to her chest.

"I could say the same about you Strife." She heard him release a small laugh. He was mindlessly rubbing her knuckles with his thumbs.

"I only learned from the best." He countered. She giggled before yawning. He heard her actions and brought her knuckles to his lips, kissing them.

He sighed peacefully. "Goodnight Tifa." She smiled sleepily. "Goodnight Cloud."

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Thank you:

Luneress

Not Jack Frost

so-mi1

Kohryu

Falling2clouds

elebelly

Yuki-chanx