A/N: Oh so sorry for the long wait! I must say though, I am completely stupified... 70 reviews! Wow, you guys are just so freakin' awesome! I have decided that when I get 100 reviews, well, IF, then I'm going to do a piece of art for this chapter's big moment... and guess which it is So yeah.. next chapter I will definitely do individual thanks... but for now:
TO ALL MY REVIEWERS: Thank you so much! I LOVE YOU ALL! hearts everywhere!
"Mom, I'm home!" shouted Denzel as he burst through the front door. Tifa looked up at him with an admonishing expression, one eyebrow raised, and he immediately stopped. "Sorry… I didn't mean to yell." Then the redheaded boy slowly and shyly approached her. "Mom… would it be okay if… Eilianna could come eat with us tonight?" he finally asked, slowly looking at her and fidgeting his hands in front of him. Tifa giggled.
"Of course she can. Eryaine is also coming for supper, so we're already planning on making a big meal," she told him. Denzel's eyes lit up and he grinned widely.
"Alright! Thanks mom!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly before disappearing into his room, probably to give the girl a call. Tifa just shook her head, watching his retreating form, and laughed to herself.
"What's so funny?" Cloud asked, emerging from the kitchen where he had been preparing a few things.
"Denzel… he's invited his crush to come eat with us tonight," she informed the warrior, straightening her posture a bit.
"Ah, I see. Young love is nice to see," he commented, coming to sit next to her. "So, what do you think about having some seafood for supper? I was thinking of perhaps fried shrimp and grilled fish, with of course lemon garnish and salads," he suggested, waiting to see her response. Tifa nodded.
"Sounds good. Are you going to actually let me help you this time?" she asked, looking at him in supplication. Cloud grinned.
"Fine, just don't overexert yourself," he warned, rising to offer her a hand. She took it gingerly and let him help her up, then stretched out her muscles a bit before following him into the kitchen. They began preparing the meal, Tifa fixing the salads and other sides while Cloud worked on the shrimp and fish that was freshly purchased from the market that morning. Then Tifa set the table while Cloud laid out the food and poured drinks. Finally it was all finished, right when the doorbell rang. They looked at each other and said, "Perfect," before moving to let their guests in.
Tifa opened the door to find both her friend and Denzel's friend were standing there waiting. She hugged Eryaine before turning to introduce her to Cloud, then introduced herself to Eiliana. As the young girl walked into the house, Tifa looked her over carefully and nodded. She looked to be a good choice for Denzel. She was about average height for her age, with silky blond hair and shimmering blue, almost lilac tinted, eyes. She wore a cute ensemble of a black t-shirt with a white cartoon bunny on it and some khaki capri pants, with black flip-flops on her feet. "Denzel should be out in a moment," Tifa informed the girl, shutting the door behind them. The quartet made their way to the living room, where they took seats and chatted for a few moments, waiting on Denzel.
"How did you meet Tifa, Eryaine?" asked Cloud curiously. Eryaine seemed to be a deep thinker, almost shyly quiet. Tifa had never really been exactly a social butterfly, so he wondered how they could have become friends like they were. Eryaine answered him with a sweet voice.
"Actually, we met at the beach. Tifa has her own umbrella down there now because she goes so often, but I don't go too much. However, I happened to be down there after my kitten Charu, who had been chasing some sort of insect. I saw her prints in the sand, and followed them to the water's edge. I was terrified then that she had drowned or even been trampled by the kids around the area, and so I started asking everyone if they'd seen her. No one was really any help, and no one had seen her. However, when I came to Tifa she told me that no, she hadn't seen my kitty, but she would help me look. So we began searching along the beach and finally found her stuck beneath the docks. Tifa helped me get her out and made sure we both made it home, and I guess it just went from there," she finished, smiling at her friend. Tifa returned her smile.
"Yes, that's just like Tifa… trying to help out those in need if she can," Cloud remarked, smiling at Tifa as well. Feeling a bit self-conscious, Tifa rose.
"Let me go see if Denzel is ready yet," she said, excusing herself from them to go knock on his door. Denzel's voice was muffled as he asked her to come help him with something. Meanwhile, Cloud was talking to Eryaine still.
"Did she ever tell you that she met me when we were kids and I was a loner, but she was determined to help me? Ever since then, that's what she's been doing… helping me, believing in me. She's a great person," he said, a strange note to his voice. Eryaine smiled at that.
"Yes she is… I feel honored to be her friend," was her reply, just as Tifa and Denzel emerged from the bedroom. Everyone turned and looked, and were amazed at Denzel's appearance. His hair was the same as usual, but he was looking very clean and slick in a copy of Cloud's new wardrobe. Khaki slacks, dress shoes, and a button up shirt with a tie. Tifa was grinning as she gave him a shove forward so he could greet his guest. He walked up to her shyly and smiled.
"Hi Eiliana… thanks for coming," he said softly, clasping his hands behind his back. She smiled back.
"Hi Denzel… thanks for inviting me!" she returned, before falling silent. The two kids seemed content to stare at each other, so Tifa announced that supper was ready for them. Thankfully it had been so hot when they laid it out that it was still warm when they got there to eat it. Everyone enjoyed the meal heartily, and Eryaine seemed surprised to learn that Cloud had cooked the food and Tifa had done the rest. He just didn't look like the type to know how to cook really. Once the meal was complete, Denzel took Eiliana to his room to show her around, and Cloud ushered the women out so he could clean up. Tifa and Eryaine made their way outside to chat for a few minutes before Ery headed home.
"You know, Tifa, I think Cloud is really sweet on you," Eryaine commented knowingly. Tifa grew silent for a moment, then slowly turned to her friend.
"Huh? Why do you think that?" she asked, confused. Eryaine grinned.
"Just do. His actions and words give it away. I mean, can't you see the expression in his eyes when he looks at you?" she wondered, tilting her head. "When you went to check on Denzel, he told me what a great person you are…" she added, smiling when Tifa's eyes snapped to her. "Anyway, you don't believe me now, but it'll come out soon enough. I better get home so I can let you get back in there… thanks for the meal, it was delicious! Tell Cloud I said thanks too. 'Night Tifa," Eryaine finished, hugging Tifa before heading down the street to her house. Tifa was still in a daze from her friend's words, her mind racing. Slowly she turned and went back inside.
"Did Eryaine already leave?" Cloud asked as Tifa rejoined him in the kitchen, helping him clear off a few things.
"Yeah, I think she had some things to take care of…" Tifa replied, her voice holding a strange note. Cloud looked at her curiously.
"Tif? What's wrong?" he asked softly, finishing up cleaning and moving to stand in front of her. She looked up at him, her eyes thoughtful.
"Nothing… just thinking." Then she seemed to close off from him, so he decided to change the subject.
"So what does Eryaine do day by day? Anything really exciting?" he asked curiously. A small smile formed on Tifa's lips.
"Actually, she does something I could never do. She has such an amazing mind, and loves researching things. She's completely scientific… always trying to find out how things work and why. I've also heard it rumored that she has this ability to heal using a combination of lifestream, her own energy, and the person she's healing's willpower. It's confusing, but that's just what I've heard. She hasn't mentioned anything to me, though," she told him, shrugging. "She does her own experiments and research, and doesn't work for anyone. I have no idea where she gets money from," Tifa added.
"I see… sounds interesting," Cloud said, watching her face intensely. Suddenly Tifa felt very unsure of herself and couldn't figure out why. So she nervously began chattering.
"Yeah, interesting. I'm glad she doesn't talk to me about her experiments because I know I would just sit there with a blank look and not really offer much understanding. But she's a really nice person, and I can tell she doesn't have many friends. I feel greatly honored to be one of them…" Tifa jabbered. Cloud grinned.
"Funny, she said the exact same thing about you…" he told her, before taking a step closer. Suddenly, his left hand moved to cup her face, his thumb stroking her cheek gently. "You know… you are so beautiful…" he said in a deeper tone of voice that reverberated in Tifa's ears. A soft blush started on her cheeks as she stared at him in surprise.
"Cloud… what are you… I mean… I'm not beautiful," she protested, blinking. Cloud only smiled at that, leaning his head closer.
"You're not? Well maybe not to yourself, but I think you are… and I hope to help you change your mind about yourself too," he told him, his head slowly dipping down. Tifa's breath caught in her throat as she saw the intensity of his gaze; was this going to be it? Would it actually happen this time? Both excited and terrified at the prospect, she closed her eyes, and then felt something soft and feathery against her lips. Slowly her eyes opened halfway, and she saw that yes indeed, Cloud was kissing her. Realizing that made her adrenaline start again from being frozen in time and her heart started hammering in her chest. Feeling a million sensations from the light touch of lips against lips, she closed her eyes again, enjoying the way his hand moved from her face to her neck, playing in her hair. Finally he pulled back, gazing at her with an unreadable expression in his eyes. Tifa's eyes lazily drew open, and they stared at each other silently for a few moments.
"Wow…" was all Tifa could get out, heart still pounding. Cloud nodded, and smiled at her. She returned the smile just as Denzel's voice carried to them.
"Mom, Cloud, Eiliana's leaving… she wants to thank you guys," he said, making Cloud's hand fall from Tifa's hair and the couple to turn to the children who were just walking into the kitchen. Denzel was looking at them curiously. "What happened? You two look like you just saw rain for the first time!" he exclaimed, confused. They both laughed.
"Nothing at all. It was a pleasure having you here, Eiliana. Please come back again to see us!" Tifa said. Denzel's question had pulled her back to earth just in time.
"Thank you miss Tifa, mister Cloud. The food was great!" Eiliana said, curtsying politely. "I will come back, I promise," she added before letting Denzel escort her to the door.
"I'm going to walk her home, okay?" Denzel asked the two adults. They both nodded, and he left to take his friend home. Suddenly both Cloud and Tifa were overcome with shyness, so they talked about unimportant things until Denzel returned. His face was beaming. "Thanks guys, it was perfect! So do you like her?" he asked excitedly.
"She seems like a nice girl," was Cloud's reply, and Tifa echoed his thought.
"She's very polite and cute too. I'm happy for you, son," she told him.
"Thanks! I'm kinda tired now… so 'night guys!" Denzel said, hugging them both before heading to get ready for bed.
"That's not a bad idea… I'm tired myself. I guess… I'll see you in the morning?" Tifa asked, looking at him hesitantly. Cloud nodded.
"Yeah… have a good night Beautiful," he replied, making her jump and blush again at the name.
"Y-you too," she responded, hurrying to her room to throw herself on the bed. 'What is going on here? Did I just fall into an alternate universe? He called me beautiful… twice… and kissed me… and what a kiss it was…' she thought, smiling dreamily. She went through her nightly rituals humming a love song, and when she laid down to sleep, it came with a rush of beautiful dreams.
Cloud found sleep to be hard that night, for he had a million thoughts and feelings running through him. The one thing that kept repeating itself was the fact that now he had tasted her, he wanted more and more… like an addiction. Smiling, he fell asleep with the knowledge that it was a very good addiction.