(Warning: may cause boredom)
Cloud smiled down at Lightning as she dozed in his arms. After successfully falling asleep on the roof of the church Cloud had woken up to find that the others had left them there. He had attempted to wake Lightning to no avail, and now held her in his arms as he drove back to the 7th Heaven. How she could stay asleep when he was driving Fenrir he still couldn't figure out. He noticed a few curious glances as he passed pedestrians on the streets. He heard many little rumors, some of which he couldn't help but laugh at. Lightning murmured against his chest, drawing his attention from the nosy citizens around him. She opened her eyes as he pulled to a stop in front of the bar.
"You awake Light? I'm surprised you could sleep through my driving."
She rolled her eyes. "I'd rather sleep through it if you keep launching your bike off the ground."
He laughed and parked the bike. Lightning slid from his arms and went inside, leaving Cloud to follow. He did so quickly, not wanting to let Tifa and Lightning be together in the same room without him there to stop a fight. Judging from the looks Tifa gave Lightning, he was right in doing so. She obviously thought they had stayed back for some other reason, examining Lightning as she walked by. Cloud narrowed his eyes, waiting until Marlene and Denzel had gone upstairs before he fixed Tifa in his glare.
"Tifa stop being a bitch to Lightning just because I chose her over you."
Tifa huffed and crossed her arms. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Cloud sat at the bar, ignoring the others as they eyed him curiously. "You've been turning your back on her and trying to find fault with everything she does. And don't try to get out of it; I've seen the way you look at her, the way you were just looking at her."
The woman shrugged. "So I was curious about her, why wouldn't I be when she suddenly shows up and you're fawning all over her?"
Lightning put a hand on Cloud's shoulder. "Pardon me, but I don't think giving me glares and checking to see if I'm walking weird count as being 'curious' Tifa. Although I do agree you have every right to be curious, after all you did have feelings for Cloud yourself. But listen, jealousy will only end up destroying the chance you have for any kind of relationship with him. He's already told me that if you couldn't keep yourself in check he was going to move out again."
Cloud nodded and watched as Tifa took it all in. She sighed and turned her back on them, going upstairs to her room. Vincent walked over to Cloud.
"Do you know what you're doing Cloud?"
"You mean besides losing one of my best friends?" he laughed hollowly. "Yeah I know, but I'm keeping Lightning at my side whether Tifa likes it or not."
He nodded and gave Lightning a curious glance. "At least you found someone to look after you."
Lightning seemed confused at that while Cloud chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, yeah, put a sock in it."
"You better go talk to Tifa."
He sighed and nodded. "Yeah I know…"
Lightning put a hand on his shoulder. "No, it's me she has the problem with, so I'll go
talk to her."
They watched as Lightning went up the stairs. Cloud started praying that they wouldn't kill each other. Lightning didn't seem to think there was any threat as she knocked on Tifa's bedroom door. The woman slowly came over and answered, looking a little shocked when she saw it was Lightning standing there. Feeling a little uncomfortable, she let the pink haired woman in, and watched as she leaned against the wall by the bed.
"Look, Tifa, I'm sorry if my sudden appearance has upset you, but trust me I'm not here to wreck your friendship with Cloud."
The woman nodded slowly, sitting on her bed. "I know, and I'm to one who should apologize. It's just… hard… to admit I'm not going to be the one at his side any more. But he always did deserve better than me…"
"Well, I'm not sure whether to think that's a complement or not." She giggled quietly. "But don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone yourself."
Tifa laughed for a moment. "Thank you Lightning, for being there for Cloud, I mean. He's opened up so much more since you got here. I'm sure you can make him happy again."
"What do you mean 'again'?"
"Well… I'm not sure it's my place to tell you but Cloud's been carrying a lot of guilt over the death of two of his friends..."
Lightning sat next to her. "Tell me about it, please."
Cloud paced nervously as he waited for Lightning and Tifa to return downstairs. The others had already left, all but Vincent, who leaned against the wall chuckling at his comrade's unease. It had been two hours since Lightning had gone upstairs to talk with Tifa and while he hadn't heard a fight of any kind the amount of time passing made him almost completely sure one of them was hurt or dead. When both of them came down the stairs together laughing and chatting he swears his heart nearly stopped. Lightning walked over to him and looked back at Tifa.
"Everything's alright now, she was just worried about you."
"Ah I see…"
Vincent smirked for a moment. "I told you so."
Cloud grimaced. "Shut up…"
Tifa crossed her arms. "Did you really think we were gonna try and kill each other?"
"Just a little…"
Lightning rolled her eyes. "Jeeze Cloud, like I'm going to kill one of your best friends."
Tifa smirked. "I know better than kill someone who makes you happy."
Cloud sighed and smiled slightly. "Yeah I guess you do. But now that we're all on the same page-"
Denzel popped up from behind the bar with Marlene at his side. "Ice cream!"
"Hey no, no ice cream today."
Marlene turned on her puppy pout. "Please Cloud? Please?"
Lightning snickered. "Yeah Cloud it doesn't sound like a bad idea."
"Buh…"
Tifa smirked and started out the door. "Come on kids Cloud's gonna buy us ice cream!"
The kids cheered and ran out after her. Lightning dragged a reluctant Cloud out with them, giving him no chance for him to escape. Vincent chuckled as he watched them disappear. Glancing one last time at the bar he left, still feeling like something was off. As a man seemed to materialize in his wake, Vincent had no idea just how right he had been.