A/N: Yay! It's done! I had a severe case of blockage, not knowing where I wanted to take this story next. But now... now I am getting more into the groove. I will take a moment to thank all the reviewers. Thanks for sticking with me guys! Oh, over 100 reviews! That means that I will be drawing and coloring a picture of Cloud and Tifa's first kiss! Keep your eyes peeled for it next chappie.
fishbone311: Thank you, and about the intimacy? Yeah, uhm... they will get more that way soon! Promise!! Denzel might idolize Cloud, but hey it's been awhile since the movie ended, so he maybe started looking more up to her. :P I'll be sure to show more of his YAY CLOUD-ness soon :D
Sango Yukijorou: Yep, he is! And there are some guys in the real world like that, you just gotta find them!!
DeathsGreenEyedAngel: Chapter 11 and 12, yay!
OniCelestialFury: Haha really? Cool! I've never done, but read about it ;) And sankyou!
Kiome-Yasha: Yay! What whole Aeris thing are you asking about, perchance? Not really sure... And woot Denzel's gonna become strong!
Leon EVA unit-01: Thank you, and soon I will talk more of the training of Denzel. :)
PokeTenshi: LMAO I will! ;) That would be hawt :D
Nanashi Tsumara: Flirting... yay. More soon! Promise!
Elegant Tragedy: Thankies, and woot updates.
TriGemini: Yeah, it's going slowly but surely. Guaranteed to pick up sooooon! And woot, they are definitely getting closer. But they must have more friction soon muahaha... -evil grin-
cherimai: Thanks for the New Years wishes... like 2 years ago :D But still! :)
elebelly: Aww thanks, glad you had a great one too!
Toons: Thankies, and I'm glad to be updating even if it is really really late .
Rend: Yep, I found out through a story the creators of FFVII released called "On The Way To A Smile" that Tifa really really really just wants family, and hopefully I can give that to her D
Yuri-desu: LoL ;) So dramatic, but I like it! And thank you, I try!
Tri17: Yeppers! And I put the rating at M because I plan on making it really hot in the future. So yeah. D
Caluxe: I hope this chapter is up to your standards!!
P ii x y -S t ii x s: Yes, I try to think of it in more realistic terms... so yeah. Closer but not too close... yet
Dillinger910: Uhm, hmm? I'm so confused! You wrote, this is not the best, but the greatest. So I'm not exactly sure what you mean there. You mean instead of the best, it's the greatest, or...? 8-S lalala. And -blush- thank you!
XxMikomi-ChanxX: Wow, you rock! Thanks for reading them all!!
Marisa:I cannot believe you reviewed EVERY chapter and read them all through! LoL thanks so much hun, I'm glad you like it! Hopefully this chapter isn't too dull XD
To everyone else: Thanks for sticking around, and ta-da! Please enjoy this chapter, and expect more hotness to come. Plus Denzel's training begins! And thanks for thecongratulations onmy graduation! NO MORE SCHOOL woooohooooo! Without further ado, I give you Chapter 12.
The next day started early for Cloud and Tifa. Her health was obviously returning rapidly now, and she felt great! Once breakfast was over, Cloud went to make a phone call while Tifa considered what to fix for supper. The morning and afternoon passed quickly, with Cloud getting things ready for Reeve and Tifa doing some exercising and small chores. Denzel returned right after Tifa started cooking. Cloud joined her, and they had the food done in record time. They set the table and exchanged grins when they realized it looked like something out of a magazine.
The centerpiece was roast beef, sliced perfectly. Fanning out from the meat were potatoes followed by carrots. They had almost drizzled the gravy on it but decided against it. Maybe Reeve wasn't big on gravy, who knew? Better safe than sorry. So they had poured the gravy into a handled dish with a spout, and laid it to one side of the centerpiece. On the other side were dinner rolls arranged in a circular pattern in the pan they had been baked in. Finally, the plates each had a knife, fork, and spoon next to them and a glass in front of them.
"This looks delicious... and smells great too! I hope Reeve enjoys it," Tifa commented, leaning against the counter. Cloud agreed with her, his eyes sparkling. He then excused himself to go meet Reeve at the entrance of the town, just in case he got lost. Tifa lost herself in thought, her mind trailing back to the previous evening. She had been contemplating which pineapple was the best when something came over Cloud. It was a small change, unnoticeable to anyone who didn't know him very well, but she noticed it. Suddenly he seemed much more attentive to her, helping her with the shopping, pushing the basket for her, and carrying out the groceries.
He held open the door for her when they got back to the house, then helped her put the groceries away. Then he suggested they go watch a movie in the living room, and once it was playing, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. They stayed cuddling like that for the duration of the movie, and afterwards he kissed her sweetly. She yawned, and he immediately helped her to her room and gave her a good night kiss. Cloud had seemed unperturbed by the fact that she held herself emotionally away from him. Tifa admitted to herself that she was absolutely terrified of what was happening, and unsure whether she could trust it or not. She did not want to travel down a worse path than before, but he seemed so sincere in his affection and actions.
Unbidden, she had a thought that made her cringe. 'I hope I'm not his replacement for Aerith..' The pain that twisted her heart was real, and the brunette decided she would weasel the truth from him after Reeve left. She had to, for her own sanity and well being. Hearing the door open, Tifa pulled herself out of her deep thoughts and straightened up, plastering a friendly smile on her face. Reeve entered in front of Cloud, and Denzel followed them.
"Hello, Reeve. How was your trip?" she asked politely. He smiled back at her.
"Not too bad... I had no run-ins with monsters or the like. I love your house, Tifa," he shot back, admiring the kitchen with his eyes. That made Tifa relax somewhat, and she nodded.
"Thank you, I love it too! But I'm thinking about buying a larger plot of land and permanently staying here," she told him. He seemed surprised, then happy for her as they sat down.
"Good for you! The sun is a great source of happiness... and wow, this meal looks great!" he exclaimed, seeming to only just notice the food. Cloud grinned.
"Tif is a great cook... I think I'm getting fat off her food!" he said happily, looking at her and exchanging a significant look. Reeve caught it and looked between the two curiously, but kept his mouth closed for the time being. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he tried to hide it.
"It smells good enough.. I'm sure it'll be delicious," he commented, bringing their attention back to the present. Denzel was grinning, and looked to Tifa.
"Mom, can we go ahead and start? I'm starving!" he complained. She nodded, then jumped up to get the tea she had made.
"I completely forgot to get this out for us... go ahead and start while I pour your tea," she said, moving to give everyone full glasses. Once that was done, she put the pitcher on the table and sat down, waiting until they had gotten their food before filling up her plate. Reeve made an appreciative sound upon his first bite, and smiled at her.
"Cloud was right... it is excellent," he said. "You're lucky to have her cooking for you all the time, my friend." He winked at Cloud, who grinned back.
"Yeah, I know. I must have done something good in my life to deserve it," he returned, looking to Tifa warmly. She blushed, and Reeve gawked at them. He couldn't remember a time he had seen Cloud act like this, or hear him talk like that. Picking his jaw up off the floor, the man smiled in satisfaction. Tifa's near-death experience seemed to have changed the hero a lot more than it had the heroine. It was about time Cloud started acting like a normal human being instead of hiding from the world all the time.
"Mr. Reeve... can you tell me more about your role in the battle against Sephiroth the first time around?" Denzel asked, driving his attention away from the two. It was hard to tell if it was done on purpose or not, because the young boy's face remained placidly curious. He talked of his role of Cait Sith to the boy, and the meal went by quickly. Tifa and Cloud remained silent, listening to the talk and gazing at each other every once in awhile. Once everyone was finished, they cleaned up while Denzel continued questioning Reeve. Upon completion of the cleaning up, Cloud turned to Reeve.
"We can go over the specifics of the job in the living room before you go to bed, if you'd like," he said to the man in his normal stoic manner. Reeve nodded, and the men went to discuss the mission. Meanwhile, Tifa and Denzel chatted about their days. They were interrupted by a phone call, which Tifa answered.
"Hey, how are you? ...Mmhmm, we're doing great. We all love it here... yeah, that's correct. ...Oh? Okay, that sounds wonderful! I can't wait to see you guys! Alright... bye!" She hung up the phone and turned to Denzel with a grin on her face.
"Who was it? Who are you going to see?" he asked curiously. Tifa's grin widened.
"That was Barret... he and Marlene are coming to visit us in a few days!" she said, and Denzel grinned too.
"Ah, little sister... I miss her! I'm glad they're coming," he said with satisfaction. Tifa nodded; she had been missing them both lately as well. In fact, she missed every one of her friends... now that her life was getting better, she felt like reaching out to them and getting closer. Her family was her most important gift, and they were part of it. "Mom, I'm going to bed now. Night! Love you," Denzel added, hugging her and heading to his room.
Tifa followed him to the living room and said goodnight to the men before heading to bed herself. Once her door was closed, Reeve turned to Cloud. Acting nonchalant, he smiled.
"What's going on with you and Tifa? You seem really different from the Cloud I remember," the man said, eyeing the blonde curiously. Cloud blinked, shrugging.
"I never realized before how lucky I was to have someone like Tif in my life. She's been there for me from day one, and I always acted like a complete idiot to her. I treated everyone like that, and I regret it now. But to do that to someone who took everything I threw at her and still remained next to me, pulling my stupid self out of misery... I realize now that she is more than I deserve and I will do anything to make myself worthy of her. This includes giving back the love and support she has given me all these years.." Reeve coughed suddenly, and shook his head.
"Are you saying you love her? As in, are in love with her? Or love like a friend or sister?" the man questioned. Cloud didn't hesitate to answer.
"I'm in love with her, man. She's like my guardian angel, and when I get to protect her, it's a blessing. Every day I spend with her is a blessing. I thought I was in love with Aerith, but that was just my depression speaking. I felt like I failed her, but she made me see I didn't. And what I feel around Tifa is so much different than what I feel for Aerith... so I know it's real," the hero answered, nodding for emphasis. Reeve was still trying to get over the shock of this new Cloud, but it was hard.
"Well, I'm happy for you Cloud. I hope things work out for the best between you two!" he said cheerfully. He had a long trip ahead of him; perhaps he could use it to sort this out in his mind. "I think I'll catch some sleep so I can be ready to take off in the morning. Night Cloud." Cloud nodded and rising, went to his bedroom. Reeve set up the couch to sleep on and feel into a deep slumber before he knew it.
After Cloud had gotten himself ready for bed, he quietly left his room and knocked on Tifa's door. She opened it after a few moments looking like he had woken her up.
"What's wrong, Cloud?" she asked, suppressing a yawn. The man of her dreams just grinned and cupping her jaw, pressed his lips to hers in a heartfelt kiss. It sent electricity to Tifa's toes, and when they broke apart she stared at him dreamily.
"I thought you might need a good night kiss. See you in the morning," he responded finally, moving his hand to her neck before removing it. She nodded bemusedly as she watched him return to his room, and as she shut her door, the woman sighed. 'He sure knows how to kiss... I feel like mush from that simple of one', she thought as she crawled back into bed. Her last thoughts before falling back into her slumber were of Cloud's lips, their texture, shape and color. She knew she was going to have great dreams that night...