Cloud stifled a yawn as he opened the door to the bar, wiping the remains of sleep from his eyes. It was getting harder and harder to get out of bed lately, and cross the countries in rain and cold winds. The pay wasn't even that good nowadays… He caught the little bell over his head before it chimed in the stillness of the new born day, happily announcing his arrival. He didn't need to wake up anyone else than him and…

"I feel like a worried husband all of the sudden" a low, warm chuckle came from the kitchen door "Waiting for you to show up so I can send you off to work!"

…and Zack?

Cloud blinked with surprise at the sight of Zack standing there, all perfectly awake, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand, hair perfectly drawn back.

"Man, stop staring. It's like you've seen a ghost. And I thought that part we already had covered weeks ago… Got your stuff right there" the older man pointed to one of the tables, parcels and packages neatly placed on the wooden surface.

The blonde stood still, one arm outstretched over his head, the golden bell still in his gloved hand, and one of the most surprised looks one could pull off. He then shook his head and quietly stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

"What the hell are you doing up??" he asked, voice low, fair brows touching the hairline.

It was more or less meaning "where the hell is Tifa?" and Zack grinned and took a sip of the black liquid swirling in the cup.

"Tifa's sleeping, so I thought…"

"What?" the main feeling , so easy to trace in Cloud's voice right now was worry and disbelief as he cut his friend short, eyes losing all of their blurry haze and sharpening around the edges "What happened?"

"Nothing"

"Then why she's not here?"

"What?" this time Zack was the one to blink with surprise "I told you..."

"Is she sick?"

"What?? No, she's fine. She's just sleeping.. owh, hey!" he cursed under his breath as he saw Cloud vanish through the door on the second side of the bar, his boots making no noise at all on the wooden stairs.

What the fuck was he doing??

What was wrong with these two anyway not to trust his words?? Ok, so Tifa was right not to trust him when he said he was ok and peachy, when his hand needed immediate attention, but Cloud? Dammit, he made Zack promise to look after her and now he didn't even believe him??

He frowned as he followed the blonde, catching up with him just at Cloud opened the door to Tifa's room ever so slightly and took a quick look inside. His shoulders relaxed visibly as his eyes rested on her curled up frame, and he closed the door, turning back to face the questioning look of his friend. And a slightly annoyed friend that was right now… Zack shook his head with disapproval and walked downstairs again, the coffee sloshing in the mug quietly with each step.

"Tifa never sleeps in" Cloud said after a while as he picked up the packages, feeling his friends eyes rest on his frame, like that would explain everything.

"Well as you can see she is sleeping right now" there was evident hurt in the low voice "First you ask me to watch over her and now you don't trust my words?"

One corner of Cloud's mouth twitched upon hearing that and he cast his friend one gloom look. That was completely unneeded, he thought.

"It's not that…"

"Then what?" Zack folded his arms " I seriously don't get you two. You move out and claim you got things settled. She says she's oh so happy about you finding your happiness and way. And yet you two fucking tip toe around like cats wearing tin can shoes!"

"We what?" blue eyes blinked again.

"You're like friggin' siamese twins! One can't live without another!" he puffed with irritation, placing his coffee away not to spill it as his gestures turned into lively ones.

"Zack…"

"You call her every single day! Even if you two see each other in the mornings and in the evenings since you keep all your stuff here and she still stands as your secretary of some sort! And if you don't she will call you just the very moment before opening the bar! I mean seriously! "

Well that was true… But really did Zack really expect of them that they would stop being there for each other? Wasn't it a well known fact that the very specific relationship he and Tifa had was one of the few constant things in their lives? Cloud forced himself not to smile, not yet at least, and focused on what Zack was saying to him, walking around the bar like an exasperated tiger. If he had a tail it would hit his sides for sure…

"And still you guys can't let go of each other, come one, don't you think it's time to live your lives on your own? " the taller man didn't even notice that his words were hanging in the silent air as the younger one didn't say a word for a longer moment.

Cloud's expression changed slightly from completely bedazzled to slightly amused, something in his brain clicking as he watched Zack's eyes darkening all the time, too many emotions mixing in them for the blonde to properly name all of them. But he knew one the dominating one – the dark, bitter light. He saw it a couple of times in his own after all…

"Zack…"

"I have NO idea how Aerith puts up with this, and how can she be so god damn tolerant, I know she is an Ancient and everything ,but I swear to gods…"

"You're jealous" his lips finally broke into the wide grin, and his cheeks hurt.

Cloud still was more used to frowning than smiling freely, but when Zack turned around violently, and he saw the utterly dumbfounded look the ex-SOLDIER now sported and that was definitely worth the small discomfort in the blonde's face. The older man looked everything but his usual proud self, mouth slightly agape and wide eyes almost twice their normal size.

"What did you just say?" Zack finally choked out, his voice surprisingly high for a fine example of a male he always claimed to be.

The blond smirked, letting go of one parcel and sitting firmly on the table, his hands firmly placed on the cool surface as he leaned back slightly.

"You are jealous" he repeated slowly, accenting each word with extra care.

"I am NOT" Zack snorted "I'm just… I mean Tifa… Ah fuck, I feel like you, all stuttering and shit"

"Yeah you are getting pretty good at it… "

"Fuck" strong fists full of black hair and Zack clamped down the urge to pull it off his head "Fuck"

"As if you getting all jealous wasn't amusing enough…"

"I'm am NOT jealous! I'm just… frustrated!"

"So that is what Aerith was talking about" he grinned again, throwing a quick look towards the wall clock… oh what the hell, he could be a little bit late today "That's why you were so angry with Tifa going with me to Nibelheim…"

"Ok, that's it" Zack pointed to the door "Best friend or not, Tifa's twin or not, you ARE going out blondie"

"Come on Zack…" there was still a small smile tugging at the corners of Cloud's lips despite his desperate attempt to wipe it off his own face.

"Listen you wise-ass, I am not jealous, nor did I get angry. You two are just fucking impossible to handle and she proves to be a little bit too much even for me! And now, you're out!"

"It's because you care right?"

"What, living with Aerith suddenly makes you a expert on feelings?" the sound of teeth grinding was perfectly audible.

"Zack…" there was a bit of a scolding heard in Cloud's voice.

"Ok, you go do whatever you do, I'm going to make breakfast…"

"You're going to do WHAT?"

Zack tilted his head, eyes narrowing and Cloud could swear they started to glow in a very unpleasant way. Suddenly it wasn't too much of a surprise Zack managed to achieve First Class before he turned twenty…

"It's DAWN Cloud . Want to see dusk?"

"Sephiroth, twice…" he then stopped, picking up a small noise coming from behind the door leading upstairs and getting off the table.

The door to the bar was slowly pushed open maybe a second later, a very sleepy Marlene stepping in, a stuffed Moogle doll under her arm as she rubbed her eyes with one small fist.

"Cloud…?" she looked up at the blonde, brown orbs all bleary and groggy.

"Why are you up?" the blond kneeled , leveling with the child as she yawned terribly, not even trying to hide it and made her way towards him, small bare feet pearly white in the grey light that filled the room.

"Heard Uncle Zack yelling…" she rubbed her eyes again, then looked at the dark haired man "And I'm thirsty… Tifa didn't put my glass of water at the night stand yesterday" she reached out for the blond, and he picked her up with no effort at all, out of habit that formed over months supporting her weight on his hip as her small arms wrapped around his neck.

"We were just talking. Denzel is asleep?"

"He snores" she tucked her small head under his chin, holding the doll tight "Can I have my water now?" she threw a sleepy look at the other man.

Zack nodded and disappeared into the kitchen, shaking off the strange feeling that had crept upon him ever since he and Cloud got into the heated conversation. The glass was cool against his skin as he held it, pouring fresh water into it. They both didn't keep their voices down, well they tried, but it was all for nothing it seemed, Marlene's presence being enough proof. When he returned, she was still in Cloud's arms, the man looking through the windows with a thoughtful expression and one arm securely wrapped around the girl's smaller body.

"Here you go" he handed her the glass, watching another yawn escape her lips.

They were silent as Marlene drank, taking one little sip after another. Only when she finished Cloud shifted slightly, adjusting her.

"I have to get going" he told her, and Zack swore there was a new note in the usually calm voice.

"You should visit" Marlene simply said, with all of her six year old honesty and charm "It would be nice"

"I'll try to get earlier in today.. so maybe I'll take you both for a ride before I'll be going home?" Cloud poked the child's forehead with his nose gently "That's ok with you?"

She nodded and planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek, and something stirred in Zack's heart as he watched the scene before his eyes. He remembered how Cloud was worried that the children would love him less after he moved out.. but the dazzling affection in Marlene's eyes told much more than the little girl could ever voice.

Cloud was good with those kids, naturally good, doing exactly what was needed in the right moment. Sure he screwed up big time in the past every now and then, but ever since the Geostigma went away his actions were more confident.. And Zack had a lot of time to observe that, always watching out for his blonde friend.

It was … rather sweet sight, not forced in any way, natural and comforting and just plain right.

"Uncle Zack…" her tired voice caught his attention and he looked down at her "You'll tuck me in, right?"

"Sure" he smiled warmly at her as she reached out to him this time.

She was a little princess in this strange household, with everyone's arms just waiting to scoop her up and carry her around. A bright little ray of sunshine, winning everyone's hearts with unimaginable ease. And Zack held her in the same manner his friend did just moments ago, supported on his hip, head under chin, and something soft tugging at his heart.

"I'll see you later Zack" Cloud nodded once, something similar to a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth "We're not finished"

"Yeah…I know"

He watched the blonde pick up his parcels and quietly leave the place, the bell at the door not even giving one chime. Yeah, they were so not finished with this… Sighing, Zack made his way quietly up the stairs, careful not to make any noise at all. Marlene was soft and warm in his arms, her breath deepening with each step. But her eyes opened when he laid her gently, pulling her covers up to her chin.

"Were you angry at Cloud?" she said, snuggling into the pillow as Zack kneeled next to her bed, leveling their eyes.

"No, not at all…"

"'s good..." there was another yawn "It would make Tifa sad…"

"I know. And we don't want that, do we?"

"Nu-uh… she smiles too little anyway…" heavy lids slid over coffee-like eyes and remained closed from that moment on as Marlene slipped back into her peaceful sleep.

"And she's going to smile even less I'm afraid…" Zack whispered after a while, as he brushed few strands away from the sleeping girl's face.

He waited a moment, making sure Marlene was indeed asleep before he made his way out of the children's bedroom, checking on Denzel on the way out. The boy was so utterly different. Sleeping with his mouth wide open, and indeed, small noises were coming out from his throat. His duvet was almost thrown off, as Denzel moved around a lot in his sleep, kicking and tossing. Zack smiled to himself as he pulled the boy's covers up again, the child snuggling in the very moment the soft fabric touched his cool skin.

It was so easy to pretend to be their father… Zack threw another look at the sleeping children, taking in their peaceful features and soft breathing. He always liked children… They were the only ones capeable of loving freely, showing honesty unmasked by false pretenses and good behavior, watching the world go by with eyes glittering with awe and glee. The door closed behind him with a soft click, the lock falling into its place, as the whole place slowly started to bear the golden and red rays of the awakening sun.

His hand reached out on pure instinct to a polished knob leading to Tifa's, but his fingers didn't even manage to brush against the brass as he shook his head. And there were only the soft weeps of the wooden stairs barely heard, as he made his way downstairs, leaving the tranquil atmosphere behind him.

"Tifa!! Tifa!!" Marlene ran up the stairs, almost tripping over the last step before she knocked loudly on her guardian's bedroom door.

Inside the brunette bolted up, her heart jumping up to her throat at the sudden racket, her hands clutched tight on the covers that pooled now in her lap. There was a sudden spin that the world turn, causing a small frown to appear on her face as she blinked the fuzziness away.

"Time to wake up!" Marlene tugged at the duvet, voice a bit too chirpy for Tifa's liking at the moment.

"Marlene…" her voice was raspy and deep, sleep still clutching at its edges as it slipped pass her throat.

"Come on, or we won't leave you any breakfast!"

And she was gone again, happily running down the stairs, leaving Tifa to slowly recollect herself. Breakfast…?

Yawning terribly she reached out for her clock, eyes widening when her open palm hit nothing more then the familiar surface of the night table. What the …? She only then noticed her attire, the same black trousers she wore yesterday and the same long sleeved shirt. Why the hell was she dressed anyway? And where was her dammed clock?? She looked around the room ,maybe she dropped it off somewhere… The sun was up for quite a while now if she were to judge by the amount of light in her room…

Oh shit.

Tifa scrambled out of her bed, cursing inwardly at sleeping in, and gods, Marlene said something about breakfast! Gods how could she… Making her way down the stairs, she felt immense guilt that formed in the pits of her stomach. And Cloud was supposed to collect his parcels early in the morning… Her hand was shaking against the wood of the swinging door as she pushed it open, entering the kitchen, And she froze as she stepped over the threshold, eyes widening at the sight that greeted her.

Well damn… who would have thought that Zack looked that good in one of her bar aprons…?

The welcoming smell of heavy buttered bread reached her nose and she shook off the feel of utter surprise, tangled and messy strands dancing around her shoulders. The kids were seated by the table, toasts, cheese and ham piling on the plates before them and they were literally stuffing their faces with the food, giggling and poking each other all the time.

Was she really awake and Zack was really preparing breakfast?

"Took you long enough" Marlene was the one to greet her, even if the childish voice was a bit muffled by the large bit she took of her toast, a piece of cheese falling to the table.

Denzel only grinned at her, chewing away happily, a large splat of tomato sauce visible on his cheek and Tifa swore she saw some bread crumbs in his hair as well. While feeling completely relieved seeing them eating the most important meal of the day, she still cringed inwardly at the mess they made…

She threw a look towards Zack, just in time to see the said man turn around, freshly made toast sliding happily around the frying pan.

"What's this?" she asked, finally giving voice to her surprise.

"My, my… this coming from you?" Zack grinned and pulled out one of the vacant chairs, motioning for her to sit down "How can you not recognize a meal fit for the champions when it is right before your eyes!"

"Zack but…" Tifa tried to protest as she took the offered seat and he placed a few toasts on the plate in front of her.

"Oh no, no buts missy!" he cut her short, pressing a quick kiss to the very top of her head "Eat up"

For a longer moment she remained frozen, her face completely blank but her eyes wide as saucers as they rested on his frame.

Did… he just… Was that… He didn't..right? With thoughts swirling at top speed in her head and cheeks in the color of dusted pink, she took a bit of her own toast, maybe just the tiniest bit nervous, hiding her eyes from the view behind her fringe. Marlene squirmed in her seat, impatiently waiting for her brother to finish, keen on disappearing upstairs. She threw a quick look at Tifa, her guardian strangely quiet, but occupied with her food, and then she raised her head up, big brown eyes meeting with Zack's clear ones as he made himself comfortable on the counter.

The man just grinned at her and winked.

"Come ooon…" she poked then at Denzel's arm, impatient as ever "Hurry up"

"Marlene…" Tifa gently scolded her, seeing the boy swallows quickly "You'll make him choke"

"No, I'll make him walk the plank"

She surely had to be sleeping, Tifa thought as she shook her head lightly.

"Aleena's supposed to come over today" the girl continued happily "She's going to bring costume hats her mom made, and we said we'll make the pirate ship"

"Yeah, we can use Uncle Val's bed for that!" Denzel flushed the remains of his toast with the lukewarm tea.

When the hell did Vincent agreed on that nickname anyway? At least the 'walking the plank' issue has been made clear, apparently after princesses and Indians it was now time for playing pirates.

"And later on maybe we can…" Denzel chirped in, his cheeks flushing slightly and eyes bright with excitement.

"Now scram you two" Zack interrupted, pointing to the door with a tilt of his head.

Maybe if Tifa paid more attention to the two children that happily scrambled out of their chairs than to the man sitting just a few meters away she would have noticed the definitely conspiratorial looks they gave him. But she waited until they were hear running up both cases of stairs and soon the house was filled with rumbling sounds, a clear sign that they were pushing the bed all around the attic. Tifa didn't even want to begin wondering how they were going to make a ship out of that…

"Did you have enough?" Zack's voice was strangely gentle and caused a small shiver run down her spine.

"Yes… thank you"

"Cloud wanted to take the kids for a ride in the evening… " he smiled as her head shot up, eyes wide "I gave him his parcels, since you were sleeping so peacefully… we didn't want to wake you"

"Oh…" that was the only thing that left her lips as she stared at him for a longer moment, the images and the burned out impression of his body against him began to stir in the depths of her memory "I'm sorry Zack"

"You?" blue eyes blinked "Sorry? Heavens, why?!"

"Yesterday. I was more tired than I thought apparently and…"

"Tifa…"

When the hell did he come up and how come she didn't notice him move?

"You, of all people, have nothing to be sorry about" one thumb grazed gently against her cheek as he lifted her chin up, forcing her to look him in the eye "You needed your rest… And since I could give you that, I did" his words were sweet, but slightly dark, more meaning than one hiding in their formation.

"Zack…"

Her eyes flickered to the bandaged to the other hand that now rested on her shoulder, the white cloth catching some dust at the edges.

"I'll have to clean it again later" she said, feeling how the air between them hanged ever so slightly, to something that reminded her of the strange one from yesterday…

"You don't have to"

"I know" she smiled lightly, as she straightened her back "I want to"

It was probably the first time she saw Zack smile like that… not too wide, not too cheeky, it was all soft and tender and affection.

And it make her heart shake and twist in the same time, that precious little smile that reflected delightfully in his eyes.

The door squeaked lightly and all three looked in that direction, three pairs of eyes resting on Cloud's frame as he entered the bar. The whole room was already empty, and cleaned up, with Zack finishing his drink and Tifa drying the last few glasses.

"They were off like a light" he smiled lightly, coming up to Aerith sitting elegantly on one of the high chairs "Surprisingly too"

"They were pretty excited with the ride when Tifa agreed to that" Zack grinned brightly, downing the rest of the drink "And believe me it was some hard negotiations I had to do on their behalf!"

The bartender smacked his shoulder lightly, a small smile playing at her lips. She had much fun today… sleeping in, having breakfast served, Zack helping her in every one of her chores. Aerith dropping by around dinner time and staying till now, Cloud coming earlier from his deliveries to spend some time with both children… She smiled again, red sparks dancing in her eyes as she looked at her three friends gathered around the bar.

Tifa loved to feel like that.

"Thank you" she said with feeling, her eyes brushing over each of them "It means so much"

"No problem, it's always a pleasure for us!" a small giggle that echoed in the room like crystal bells ringing "I'm glad I could be of help, besides you deserve a little free time!"

"Come on" Cloud motioned "We should get going. Elmyra sure is strict when it comes to you being out"

"Yeah mom tends to be a little strict" Aerith smiled gently, slipping out of her seat and making her way to the bartender "You're ok?"

"Of course" red eyes blinked with slight surprise "Why shouldn't I be?"

"Just making sure of that" the Cetra wrapped her willowy arms around the other's girls frame, throwing one look at Zack over the black clad shoulder "I'll be seeing you soon Tifa"

"You should visit more often" she almost repeated Marlene's words from early morning.

"We will"

The hugs were quick yet warm, and soon she and Zack were left alone, with the sound of Fenrir's engine fading away in the distance. She sighed lightly and turned to him, leaving the small towel on the counter and reaching for his bandaged hand.

"You're not going to cut it open again, are you?" Zack kept his voice chirpy and carefree, but the shine in his eyes told her millions.

Her fingers brushed against the gauze gently, and her smile turned into a motherly one, like she would be tending to a scratch on Denzel's knee.

"We'll see" there was a teasing edge in her voice as Tifa released his hand "Come on… it's getting late and I don't want to fall asleep on you again"

Zack watched her back as she walked towards the door, shoulder blades drawn back just the tiniest bit too much and he already knew she did it again. Being at ease for the whole day, from the moment she entered the kitchen, all sleepy and disshelved and with the most adorable pillow print on her cheek, but now… again… he could feel that blasted shield between them.

She was driving him crazy and soon he will surely find himself at the point where the only thing left to do will be banging his head against the wall.

Sighing he finally followed her to the bathroom, noticing that it was completely different than the night before – there was no subtle haze around them, none of that strange tranquility. But her hands were gentle as they unwrapped the white bandage from his, and she was only inches away.

"It was a nice day…wasn't it?" she asked quietly, throwing him a quick glance from behind the fringe.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Next time I'll make you take a whole day off, we'll go somewhere"

Tifa felt heat rise to her cheeks as he brushed a few strands from her face, the gesture gentle and tender and so much reminding her of the previous night. Something tugged at the very core of her heart, his gesture and his words comforting and disturbing in the same time.

Zack made her so confused lately… She made herself confused. There were times when she wanted nothing more than to lean onto him, just like she did barely yesterday, and at others she felt like using all of her strength to push him away, from the bar and her.

Like now for example, with his dazzling blue eyes boring into every inch of her skin and his breath loud as a roll of thunder n her ear. So close she could almost hear his heart thumping in his chest, and every beat made her shake inwardly...

"I was angry with you" Zack whispered all of the sudden, as her fingers brushed against the now healing cuts, spreading more of the balm on the inside of his palm.

"With me..?"

"For Nibelheim"

"Oh.."

Zack bit his lower lip not gently at all, a sudden urge to just shake her by the shoulders flooding his whole being. She was just plain impossible to handle, all soft and caring and oh so close, but still, once more, again she was miles away from him. He was tired of hitting the same wall over and over again, of being pushed away while he saw how her frame shook ever so lightly.

"Why?" she looked up right in that moment, their noses inches apart, dark rubies filling his vision and making the world around them fade away.

"You didn't tell me you were going"

"You didn't need to know"

"I was THERE, Tifa" the remains of that anger he felt just yesterday were rekindled again, and he could feel sparks of it at the very tips of his fingers "Not only your life was broken there"

Her fingers let go of his hand then and something died deep down inside her eyes but she kept stubbornly looking into his. Her chin trembled as she steadied herself and Zack felt her hands curl into fists.

"No… you're right. You were broken, but you managed to escape, body stronger and mind slightly dazed. But still it was yours. It was still you Zack" she took a step back, as always, as usual, one step forwards and two back and Zack learned to hate it with a passion "You're right, they shot you down, and your body gained weight from all those damned bullets. But you got your life back. You're here Zack, alive and healthy and breathing in the goddamn air, able to see a bloody sunrise and a silver moon rising"

"Tifa…"

"You GOT to go to your parents" her voice was tight as she still kept it low" You got another chance, another shot at life. And me? I saw my father bleed to death at my feet. I saw you broken, I saw Cloud pierced but still standing… I was fifteen Zack, fifteen!" her whole frame shook as she fought now to keep her voice low and steady.

Zack could literally see the effort she put into keeping her emotions at bay, how much it took not to slam her fist into the sink. But giving into the obvious anger was a luxury she couldn't afford. And alongside his subsiding anger, he felt a strange mixture of pain and pride.

"And four years later, I saw the village, the same one that burned behind my lids every fucking night, restored to perfection. I saw the chambers where they held you and I knew how they experimented on you two. I saw Vincent's coffin and I knew what they did to him. And I have to live with that knowledge. And you DARE to tell me your life was broken…?"

"Tifa, I know…"

"No Zack" the bartender cut him off abruptly, moving pass him, feeling waves of numbing weary wash over her "That's the problem. You DON'T know"

Zack turned his head around to see her walk through the door without as much as one more look in his direction, seeing how her steps were slow and heavy, so unlike the elegant strides she took every other day. He heard her make her way to her own bedroom, heard her irregular breathing. A heavy sigh left his lips as he ran his hand through his hair, cursing inwardly at himself for not biting his tongue just in time for once.

Fuck, was Aerith right on this one. Maybe he should have listened to the gentle Cetra and stop trying.

The mirror was cool against his skin as he pressed his forehead against it, calming the hectic thoughts in his head. He didn't know how long he stayed like that, trying to sort out what was it he was really angry about… That had to be the biggest outburst of Tifa's behalf ever, and he saw how much that drained her. And today, today of all days, the one day where all the small creases were gone from around her eyes… Guilt clawed at his heart as he finally moved, switching the light off.

And he found himself under her door, one hand on the knob, the urge to push it down overwhelming. But yet again, he let his hand dropped.

"You're right…" he whispered, somehow knowing that she was still awake and knowing she was right behind that bloody door, back pressed into the warm wood and her slender hands hiding her face "I don't know. But I want to"

He knew his whisper reached her, as he could pick up the slightest rustle of clothes and the small hitch in her breath. And he meant it, through and through.

Tifa however, drenched in moonlight and the memory of his hand in hers, wasn't sure she did want it at all.

Her shoulders shook violently and the only thing she felt now was the strange, sudden urge to scream.