Alright an update~
I have to thank Synchypn0tic17 and FREALTA for their lovely reviews for the first chapter.
I'm hoping you'll enjoy the chapter, I had some difficulty in writing it, something about it just doesn't appeal to me so much. Ah but then times like these just happen, just have to wing it.
Disclaimer;;
I do not own the following characters in this story, I'm simply using them for fun.
They belong to their respected owners.
How late was it? Perhaps a few minutes past midnight, or sometime in the night; where the stars were incredibly bright against the black canvas of the sky. Cloud was fascinated by this simple and nightly occurrence, the stars were unique in numerous ways and held pure value.
Sure they were nothing but smoldering bits and pieces of meteor and rock, but then that was what made Cloud enjoy them so much. If anything, they reminded him of her eyes.
While slowing Fenrir into a luxurious speed he removed his goggles, allowing him to witness the sparkling stars and quiet streets of Edge. Lights were flicked off or smothered by drawn curtains, only the night dwellers of the city loitering about the streets; they were silent and reserved. Cloud never had any trouble with them, he respected their space and in turn they avoided him and the black metal beast he rode upon.
Although some grew curious enough to draw close and inspect Fenrir and his rider, vaguely enthralled and familiar with Cloud but wary enough to stray away when his mako blue eyes fell on their own.
Tonight was another little moment when they drifted closer, well only this time did Cloud's eyes narrow into angry cobalt slits, his grip tightening on Fenrir when he paused just briefly enough to inspect the all too proverbial pair lingering near his home.
A little too close to home.
It was Reno of the Turks, poised casually against the near by lamppost with a lighted cigarette amid his slightly parted lips. Cloud's presence had not been detected, not as of yet, which he was grateful for; an encounter with Reno along with Rude wasn't necessarily and not all entirely pleasant.
Fenrir had an entirely different agenda, apparently. The beast of a bike jerked forward with the slightest bit of pressure from Cloud's already clutched hand, the little disturbance had both Turks spinning around to face the ex-SOLDIER with trivial ample eyes.
"Well, well if it isn't Cloud Strife himself, finally returning home, yo."
Tifa was having a difficult time falling asleep.
It just wasn't the constant thoughts of Cloud, or the sickening ache in her head and chest, nor was it the fact that two little children were snuggled up in her bed, again.
Although that was causing her some slight discomfort, but you can not deny a child when they unleash the pouting lips and puppy-dog eyes. Oh no you simply can not tell them 'no'.
That had to be one of Tifa's major weaknesses and Marlene along with Denzel preformed it well, like old time professionals.
She sighed.
After having soothed Marlene with her humming and protective arms Denzel had appeared at her door, eyes wide and unsure. He had been so cute by rather then climbing into Tifa's arms he had simply approached them and gently settled one hand on Marlene's shoulder. His smile was soft and sweet and the little girl had smiled back; white teeth bright against her pink lips.
The little memory had Tifa glancing over at the two in question, Marlene had stolen Tifa's favored blue pillow and had her arms around the plush object in a vice grip. Clearly staking temporary ownership, also a small warning to Denzel who had settled himself close to her with one hand stretched out as if to snatch the pillow in her grasp.
Tifa smiled softly at this and lifted the light blue sheet and black comforter to their shoulders, shielding them from that nightly chill that usually consumed Seventh Heaven.
Once again the night was still and peaceful, Tifa Lockhart simply couldn't sleep and with a heavy sigh she walked down to the first floor of her families lovely home and into the bar.
She needed a drink.
He could have been home by now.
Cloud could have been lying in his comforting bed, sleeping soundly knowing Tifa and their adoptive children were safely in the toss of sleep and slumber in their own beds.
But no, it just couldn't be that simple.
"Where 'ya been man? Leaving Miss Lockhart all by her lonesome self. Why we were just debating over whether or not we should go keep her company." Reno admitted with a small quirk of his lips.
To invoke the wrath the Cloud Strife was to summon hell and immediate pain and death; or so Rude thought. His eyes flickered over to the warrior, slightly wary when his grip on Fenrir's throttle increased, the glove on his hand straining over the taut skin. The metal beast growled in response.
"Come on Cloud, don't get all fuming and mad." Reno teased, pulling more nicotine from the addictive cigarette (his third one apparently from Rude's earlier comment) with his lips and breath. "We're just concerned for Miss Lockhart's safety and such. Right Rude?"
The red-headed Turk turned to his partner, releasing smoke from his angled and parted lips.
Rude tensed when Cloud's mako blue eyes cut over to glare at him from his peripheral. The bronzed man didn't answer and submit to Reno's teasing, he'd probably get them killed before the night was over.
"Come on Reno, it's late. We should head back to head quarters." At such a god forsaken hour? Cloud's brow rose in questioning.
Reno flicked his cigarette from his lips with forefinger and thumb and smeared out the ember on the concrete; purposely avoiding Rude's comment and Cloud's quizzical stare. Running one hand through his red hair he sighed and pushed away from the lit lamppost with his broad shoulders.
"Yeah, yeah, Rude I hear ya'." He grumbled, casting one mischievous blue eye over at Seventh Heaven and the sudden flicker of a yellow light from one of the first floor windows.
"Looks like someone's wide awake yo."
Cloud tensed and followed his stare, his enhanced vision allowing him to see more lights flickering on with the slow rotation of the ceiling fans following after.
The ex-SOLDIER gathered up his best possible glare and grimace and twisted his neck to send Reno and Rude off before he lost his temper.
But the two Turks were already gone.
Tifa quickly fixed herself a nice small drink, tilting her head back to chug the liquid and ice. She swirled one cube with her tongue, smiling at herself while she crossed her arms to lean on the smooth granite top of the bar.
That's when she heard it, the smooth and deep purr of Fenrir's engine.
Cloud, wonderful -stupid- Cloud was finally home.
He parked Fenrir in his usual spot and gathered up the papers and small packages he was to deliver in the city tomorrow morning. Coming home had lit up his already glowing eyes, he noticed the upstairs' lights were off meaning the children were probably deep into sleep; he'd have to greet them in the morning. They'd be thrilled to know he was home.
But nothing could've compared to when he walked through the front door and met her charming and cool brown eyes, nothing could've compared to her sweet smile when she greeted him.
How was it that something already beautiful could appear even more so with just one glance.
Cloud smiled softly.
"Welcome home, Cloud." Tifa said, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder in the process. She was wearing a casual ebony cotton t-shirt with a matching pair of black shorts, simple yet appealing to any man's eye. Tifa Lockhart admired the angles of her crush, the wolf emblem with a ring looped through its muzzle, the snug shirt beneath all the leather and the wild scent of him.
Her lashes swooped low on her cheeks when she met his eyes, a small dust of pink rising from her cream neck.
Cloud took a steady breath and shifted his arms to tighten his grip on the load in his hands; he had the sudden impulse to just let them fall and hit the floor, without a simple care at all.
His hands would be free then to do whatever he wanted.
The beautiful woman offered her assistance (after calming her rapidly beating heart) with the small packages in his gloved hands, always willing to help the man she loved. No matter what. Cloud accepted her help with a pleased smile, it only set her heart into another unsteady rhythm.
Dear Shiva he was handsome.
"How was the trip?" She inquired while heading up the stairs with Cloud not far behind, their steps quiet on the wood flooring so as not to wake Marlene and Denzel.
"Same as always, quiet." He answered simply, watching when her eyes glanced back at him, a small smile playing on her pink lips. "Oh." Was her only answer.
The small sigh that followed disturbed the ex-SOLDIER, he had heard it before when Tifa was saddened or troubled. It alerted him to the inner turmoil hidden in the depths of her brown eyes, and the slight droop of her shoulders and limbs.
Something was wrong with Tifa.
He just didn't know what.
Oh stupid, stupid Cloud.
So here we have chapter two, as I stated above this chapter bothers me but once again
this is just to get things moving along. (And to brake me from my slight writers' block, I promise better chapters in the future.)
Hope you enjoyed reading this. Although it is a bit short d: again
-Namuu