After all why shouldn't he take a nap?
It was a lazy afternoon, with the kids gone with Aerith, visiting the flower girl's mother upon request. He had nothing to do, since Tifa locked herself up in the shower, and gods she's been there for what seemed like ages… He could hear the water running all the time, it's hum having a lulling effect on his bored mind.
Was she singing…?
Blue eyes closed, as a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, listening to the combined lull of water and a soft voice. Moments like this he came to appreciate over the past few weeks – quiet but still filled with the softest of everyday life's noises, allowing him to slow down and relax completely, enjoy the fleeting while when he felt like this was the very place he belonged…
He recalled the shy knock on his door in the middle of the night, that night when he couldn't fall asleep with the knowledge that she was too still awake and it was because of him… With no trouble at all he could remember the soft glow of her eyes, when she sat on his bed, red barely visible in the dark…
Her breath seemed to linger in the night's air, as she just sat there, looking into his wide awake eyes and her fingers fumbling with the hem of the too long shirt. Her shoulder were slumped forward, and after a longer while a heavy sigh left her lips as she reached out, slender fingers brushing against his jaw.
"I'm sorry Zack… "
He pushed himself up to a sitting position, her hand small in his.
"I know.. it had to be hard for you too" Tifa's voice was strained and he couldn't help but feel amazed with the fact that she still willed to talk about Nibelheim.
"Tifa…"
"I guess.. betrayal might .. cut deeper than swords. I'm sorry for what I said. I never had the right to do so…"
"Tifa, I…" and he stopped as her fingers curled around his hand.
"Seeing someone you admire and respect… crush lives just like he did.." her voice seemed to dissolve in the dark with every word.
Nibelheim was a ever-bleeding wound, and by the way her eyes swirled with pain, the same raw pain he saw in that damned reactor all those years ago, it would probably never heal completely. But what he felt in that moment was a need to at least try and sooth those memories. She was an amazing woman, he knew that… if only by the sheer fact that despite anger and pain she still found the will to try and think of him…
Zack has learned over the weeks he spent living in this strange, makeshift family of hers, that giving into sudden urges was the best way to scare her off. But right now, in the quiet dark of the night, the only thing he could think of was pulling her close, with not eve one word of explanation.
And when he did… she only sighed, not once trying to protest, to squirm away from his touch.
At one point of the night, her willowy arms wrapped themselves around his middle.
With the dissolving image of the small body pressed against his through the night behind his closed lids, Zack was slowly giving into sleep…
His bliss however was destined to end, as the sharp sound of the phone ringing startled him, eyes snapping open as if someone threw a bucket of ice cold water onto him.
Damn it all.
Stifling a sudden yawn, Zack got to his feet, cursing whoever it was in need of a delivery, as the phone in rang madly in Tifa's room. He opened the door with one smooth move. The first thing he noticed were the small wet footsteps on the dark wood, and before Tifa's voice reached his ears he walked out of his own room and looked up.
And froze.
Oh Holy …
His brain only registered the sudden rush of blood to the lower regions of his body and that his usually loose trousers became strangely tight before switching off completely.
Dear gods and mother of all that was holy, Zack knew shouldn't stare. By all means that was disrespectful and … and low, but he was a man, and a one that could appreciate the beauty right in front of him and Tifa…
Turned.
She fucking turned, her small laugh reaching his ears as his eyes burned holes in that glistening body of hers. Trailing one drop after another, down the strong line of the spine to the glorious swell…
Look up dammit!!
With amount of will power previously unknown to the mankind Zack forced himself to look back to the level of her shoulder blades, as she turned yet again, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, giving him a perfect side view of herself in all of her naked glory.
How was it possible to feel your mouth water and feel it dry up in the same moment…?
One hand holding the phone, the other pressing the scandalously small towel to her chest. God damn all those little drops that slid over every tantalizing curve her body offered. It should be forbidden for women to look like that. Especially women with whom he shared living quarters with. They should not be gifted with such long legs, and oh dear god thank you for making that towel at least that long. And as sure as hell they should not push their hips forward like that, or throw their wet hair over their shoulder, causing more of those teasing water drops to run down… pass the collar bone, slide down the side of one heavy breast, leaving a glistening trail there like a lover's tongue would…
His trousers became way too small right now and Zack was sure his cock suddenly developed a brain of its own judging by the pressure building up in his pants.
That is, until Tifa turned again… and spotted him standing right there in the middle of the small corridor, eyes wide and burning.
Then it happened.
There was this glass-shattering shriek and Zack didn't even have a chance to blink before a throbbing pain spread from the front of his head to its back. Black was everything he saw for a longer moment, red and white spots dancing behind his lids as he pressed one palm to his right eye.
Well at least the uncomfortable tightness in his trousers wouldn't be a problem anymore…
Cracking his left eye open, he managed to see fury flare up in the usually warm eyes and it was in that moment that Zack proved how really keen were his senses, how his SOLDIER training made him immune to shock and still allowed him to think in situations most people would lose their cool…
Zack fled.
He managed to shut the door to his bedroom just seconds before Tifa's fist collided with its surface and he swore he felt the wood crack and splinters fell to the floor.
"You come back here!!!" she banged on the door with lamely hidden fury "Come back so I can send you back where you came from, you sick bastard!!!"
Despite the door trembling violently against his back and the swell at his eye which was seriously limiting his eyesight, he grinned to himself.
Damn… Tifa in a towel. Now that was a sight he won't forget.
Cloud stared at his phone, feeling how his heart leaped into his throat and then take a plunge into the depths of his stomach. He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky above his head.
He dialed the number again… and waited. But the line was not busy, the tone beeping slowly and stubbornly.
If he turned around now, he still could… But then he'd fail his deliveries and …
Was there any other time when he heard Tifa shriek like that? And what was that pained grunt anyway?
She could handle herself, he knew that. And still, Zack was there with her, and he promised…
He wouldn't allow anything bad to happen at the bar, right?
He flipped the PHS open, and dialed the all too familiar number.
"Hey… I'm fine, just reached Junon actually…. Listen, I know it's strange, but do you think you could check up on Tifa…?" he smiled at the immediate agreement "Maybe the kids should stay over for the night…? And I'll be there as soon as possible, but for now… Yeah. Thank you, I'll see you soon"
Sliding the slim phone into this pocket, he frowned at the city before him.
Junon had to wait.
Tifa blinked with surprise as the door opened, and her eyes were greeted with a dazzling smile. Of course she expected Aerith to come round, she was going to walk the kids back anyway, but for starters, she was supposed to bring them by evening and it was barely dinner time. Secondly, she was alone.
"What are you doing here?" the question made its way from her lips before she could stop herself.
"Just checking on our favorite bartender!" Aerith laughed lightly "I heard Barret's coming over today? Marlene is all giddy about that"
"Yes, he is. Ever since… he happened… " there was a slight hiss at the word " Barret's been coming round pretty often"
"Tifa…"
"Would you like something to drink?" her lips stretched in a completely fake smile.
"Tea's fine, but Tifa…"
The bartender only motioned for her to follow, and then she was gone behind the swinging door, making the flower girl sigh quietly.
Even if she thought at first that Cloud has been acting as a over-protective older brother of some sort, she actually now shared his worry, Tifa all tense and with jaws clenched and burning eyes.
And she had a pretty good idea whose doing it was.
"Cloud's going to be here soon" she said, hoping that the blonde's name will have a little of soothing effect on the obviously shaken girl.
"What? Why? Is something wrong?"
"Is there?"
Tifa bit her lip lightly at the questioning look her friend gave her. She hated moments like these. When the other party knew exactly there was something wrong and just waited for her to admit it loud and clear. And that happened a lot when Aerith was the said other party.
"Tifa…" there was an urging tone in the gentle voice as Tifa prepared the drinks, stubbornly not looking at her friend.
"Like you have to ask.." she finally muttered under her breath, handing a delicate cup to the dainty girl.
Of course. Who else could it be to shake the bartender like that? That man never knew when to stop…
"Where is Zack anyway?" she sighed lightly.
"He's grounded" it came more out like a spit than an actual response.
One of Aerith's brows wandered up as Tifa slammed one of the drawer shut, the silverware sliding inside the small tray.
"He's WHAT?" she asked after a moment of stunned silence.
"Grounded" the bartender growled the word out, and Aerith fought not to let out a giggle.
Whatever he did, it sure turned Tifa into the embodiment of rage and fury, and her eyes would flash every now and then.
"How on earth…? I mean…"
"I said I'll behead him if I'll see him leave that bloody room"
"Poor boy, he'll starve" she finally chuckled softly, amused to no end as she saw Tifa's lips twitch "Or did you leave something for him anyway…?"
Tifa didn't reply for a longer moment, only stared at the window with a frown. She then moved towards the sink, were some dishes and plates were soaked in warm water, waiting for her to clean them up.
"There…might be something in the fridge for him" she finally sighed, the foam from the dishes reaching up to her elbows.
Aerith's lips stretched in a wide smile. That was just the way Tifa was – even angered and obviously infuriated, she still was the thoughtful young woman with other's needs as her top priority.
"So what did he do anyway to get you so… you know … raging mad?"
"I don't think I want to talk about it" her cheeks flushed at the memory of his eyes darkening in that very certain way "Scratch that… I'm sure I don't want to"
And the memory of the warmth that suddenly appeared in the depth of her stomach, before anger took over.
She ignored the strange look Aerith gave her as she shook her head furiously, almost giving into the urge of groaning out loud with frustration.
Ignored the way her hands shook and how her body burned at the sheer memory of what she saw in his eyes. So different than the plain, lustful looks her patrons would throw in her direction on daily basis …
Most of all, she ignored the same damned feeling of need that washed over her and made her nerves tingle.
"I'll take these up if you don't mind" the flower girl's calm voice was suddenly like a soothing balm that would spread over her flaring senses.
Green eyes rested on the younger girl's frame for a longer moment after Tifa gave her a short nod, with amusement noticing the dusted pink hue that looked surprisingly adorable on usually pale cheeks.
What on earth did he do…?
She reached the top of the stairs in the very same moment as the door leading to Zack's bedroom opened and he cautiously stuck out his spiky head.
Oh…dear…god.
"Hey there Aerith" he grinned, one eye sparking lightly as he noticed the food she was carrying.
The other one however remained closed, the swell taking on the lovely purple hue with a yellowish tint around the edges.
"Oh… my…" she breathed out after a longer while, and Zack was sure her hands would fleet to cover her mouth if they weren't holding one of the plastic trays that Tifa usually used while running the bar.
"Yeah I kind of… need your help with this" even a kick ass black eye wasn't able to dampen Zack's cheery mood apparently if the wide grin was anything to judge by "I have a reputation to live up to after all"
Her eyes were wide and shining as she came up closer, handing him the tray, not able to look away from the bruise around his eye. If she were to lean closer she would see how the bright blue of the iris would shimmer as a thin line in the tissue.
"Luckily, purple looks good on me, huh?" he grinned.
The door below opened and closed, hurried steps reached their ears and Zack's brows wandered up. They weren't expecting any visitors and even Aerith's presence was a small surprise.
"That's probably Cloud" she offered an explanation.
"Of course" it came almost a snort "Who else could that be"
"You really are jealous!" she gave out a giggle as he placed the tray on the night table, before glaring at her "Don't try that on me, mister. I know you through and through"
"And believe me I'm not too happy about that!"
They could hear both of their friends talking downstairs, they could hear the gloom in Tifa's usually vibrant voice and the murmurs of Cloud's answers. Zack picked at his food lightly, not wanting to admit that she was right, and Cloud was right just a couple of days ago, and that he was indeed jealous.
Maybe he really shouldn't have be… After all, every once in a while they shared their own close moments, they still had their comfortable silence every now and then. And she learned how to touch him, sometimes it was a small pat on the shoulder and sometimes it was something more, like fingers threading through his hair or a brush against his cheek.
It still wasn't what he wanted.
Zack's line of dark yet still rather hopeful train of thoughts was broken when Cloud barged in through the door, his eyes dark and a scowl on his usually calm face.
"You did WHAT???" he hissed through his teeth, ignoring the surprised look Aerith gave him upon his 'entry'.
"Uh-oh…" Zack took one step back, dark brows sky-rocketing.
Well…that was a first. Over-protective Cloud.
Way scarier than Barret.
"I can't believe you! I mean… it's Tifa! And it's you! YOU!" luckily, First Tsurugi was nowhere in sight so that crossed out the possibility of decapitation.
"For my defense… it was an accident! I didn't want to stare, it just happened…"
"JUST happened?! You JUST happened to stare at her clad in NOTHING?!"
"I mean come on Cloud, did you ever see her naked??" he completely ignored the fact that Aerith was just inches away, all wide eyes and mouth open.
"Of course not! I'm not…" blue eyes rolled with annoy "Who do you think…"
"Well you should, maybe then you'd know what I am going through… " he stopped noticing the door was still open and another figure was standing there, eyes all big and that amount of blood in one's face was definitely not healthy.
Oh … mother of fuck….
"TEEF!!!!" the roar made the whole building shake, Zack was sure of it.
This was clearly not his day.
The brunette appeared in the upper hall, wiping her hands in one of her towels. Red eyes flared as they rested on Zack's frame and the man wanted nothing more than to go away and crawl under his own bed.
"What?" she asked with annoy.
"What's this shit I'm hearing about ya prancing around naked??!"
"Whoa… " she raised her hands, brows knitting "I was NOT prancing, alright!?"
"Don' give me 'is bullshit! Care to explain the fuckin' eye the bastard sports? Cause it sure as fuck ain't new fashion!"
"Barret!"
"Don'cha Barret me young lady! " he roared again" Ya think I don't know how you look like?! Ya've been twirling around in that short skirt and shorter shirt all the time, and ya' think Spikes here didn't have all tight pants thanks to' ya when we went to that hot spring??" he glared at the blonde.
Cloud's face changed into a shade of red previously unknown to the color wheel as Tifa turned to him, hands pressed to her face.
"You did?!" she almost shrieked, but her question fell on the deaf ears
"You KNEW?!" Cloud hissed to the gun man, cheeks burning and eyes flashing.
Aerith turned to Zack, who's one eye was wide and perfectly reflected the utter surprise they both felt.
"I feel strangely out of place here…" she admitted quietly and he nodded.
"And now this?? Horny guy in the household and ya decide to go in all your naked glory?!"
"Oh hey she had a towel!" Zack protested before he even could think about NOT getting into the argument.
The again he could have disagree to the 'horny' comment…
"Zack!" crimson eyes flashed again.
"A TOWEL?? I know your towels, Tifa!! All short and skimpy cloths!!" the gun in his arm clicked a few times and they all flinched "And THIS is how you raise my baby?! Causing a hard on to yer housemates??"
And here he thought he couldn't get anymore embarrassed. Well not only him, judging by the morbid look of Tifa's and Cloud's faces….
"Oh so that what it was" Aerith suddenly clapped her hands, her cheery voice a drastic contrast to all the yelling and curses " You saw her naked?" she turned to the black haired man "That's the whole problem?"
"PROBLEM?!" Barret fumed "I don't want Marlene to be a witness of this jerk jerkin'…"
"BARRET!!" this time it was both Tifa and Cloud interrupting the large man, horror written all over their faces.
"I give no fuckin' shit 'bout what'cha think is proper, I just call'em as I see'em! "
"That was an accident!" Tifa stressed the last word "Believe me, I would wear an knights armor ifI knew he was in his room, the last thing I need is flashing my ass at him!! Now let's start being all civilized and won't you PLEASE join me downstairs?" she grabbed Barret's arm and led him towards the door, throwing a very unpleasant glare in Zack's direction "And we will have to talk about this…"
He nodded , and released his breath only as he heard the door open downstairs and Barret muttering something that sounded very much like 'at least you gave the jerk a fuckin' pretty eye'. He then turned to Cloud, his friend equally mortified and the red was only beginning to disappear from his face.
"Hot spring huh? Nice" he grinned "I knew you had it in ya!" and nudged him with one elbow.
"Shut the hell up" Cloud punched him in the arm.
"I never knew about that" Aerith squinted her eyes lightly, as she tapped one finger against her chin "Well… now we'll have something interesting to talk about back home"
"I have to go to Junon" the delivery boy said quickly "People still need things delivered , so… yeah… I'll be back late, don't wait up!" and he ran down the stairs, and soon enough they could hear Fenrir's engine growl loudly outside.
"So…" she then looked up at Zack., something mischievous appearing in her eyes.
"What?"
"Let's take care of your face… and while I'm at it, you can tell me everything" she grinned, pushing him back inside of his room, ignoring the roll of his eyes.
For the love of god, what else was going to happen today?!