A/N: If there is repetition of feelings, it is because there is comfort in reassurance from what I observed. I would appreciate feedback, any sort of reviews on my style or the plot so far, Thank you :)

Chapter 7: The Setting Sun

As Cloud made his way back home, his thoughts wandered to the people waiting for him there. A rush of pleasure went through him as his mind went to that brief intimate moment between him and Tifa. He realised it, and not for the first time, that he loved her. Her eyes, the colour of wine yet sparkling like fireworks when she was happy or smiling genuinely. Her hair, he loved them when they were long but even now, those silky strands were a sight to behold; she was growing them again and he couldn't wait for them. Her face always radiated comfort to him and he wanted to get used to seeing it whenever he was troubled.

He just didn't love her for her attributes, he loved her nature- graceful, shy and beautiful. She was just one of those people who were beautiful inside and outside. And her steadfast believe in him was one of those things which had made him a slave for her, not that she knew all of this for if she or any of the other members of Avalanche did, life would not be easy for him. Well more so if the others knew that, he was sure that Tifa would not behave any different to him even if she knew that in bold words.

"I really should tell Tifa about all of this but I don't want to rush it too … I'll just have to go about it methodically and see what to do," Cloud mumbled to himself as he approached the familiar street where he lived. It was 1:30 am in the morning and a light was still on in the bar. He wondered if it was still open this late or was Tifa waiting for him.

Don't get too hopeful Cloud, there is no need for her to stay up this late for you after pulling off a long duty at the bar, chastised his conscience. Still, he made his way to the door and let himself in with his pair of keys. He hanged his keys on a hanging near the door that looked a lot like Fenrir. Oh wait, it was Fenrir's mould and it kind of suited them. Just as he was moving towards the bar, he heard somebody come down the stairs. He turned around thinking it was one of the kids coming for a glass of water or a midnight snack but was surprised to see Tifa standing in a pair of white pyjamas and a sky blue tank top, her hair wet and clinging to her back.

"Welcome back," she said as she tied her hair up in a loose ponytail, "I'll get the food warm, you go get fresh," she added moving towards the counter.

Cloud nodded in response and decided to take a shower before attending to dinner. He took out a pair of clean clothes and made his way to the bathroom, stopping to check up on the kids on his way. He decided to make the shower short as he was hungry too. The sandwiches Tifa had given him were near half a dozen but he had eaten them around evening so it was natural that he was feeling ravenous now.

As he made his way to his room, he observed that Tifa was carrying a tray of food to his office but rather than just one serving, it had two. Does that mean that she had not eaten too, a thought crossed his mind, but why would she do that?

"Tifa?" He couldn't believe that came out with such force. He observed her flinch a little at his tone but he continued in that quiet, angry tone, "You still haven't had dinner?"

"Well, I decided to wait for you."

"But why? I can eat alone too you know," Cloud continued a little coldly. Even though he was touched by her gesture, it bothered him that she was going without food for that long for him. What if he were later than this, would she have gone off for that long without anything to sustain her too. It was stupid and childish to do that.

"It's no fun eating alone Cloud, this way you can at least enjoy a proper meal," Tifa replied, her eyes towards the floor.

Something about the way she said it struck a chord with Cloud. She was speaking from experience and even in that action didn't want him to feel alone. She was providing companionship to him in her own way, trying to make life pleasant for him in the little ways it can be made. Somehow that made him feel guilty for his tone of voice and a lot of other things from the past. When he next spoke, his tone was soft and his eyes were focused on Tifa, actually showing understanding, "It's late Teef, I don't want you to do that, especially after serving up people all night at the bar. You need your strength for the next day. Who will look after us if you're not well, huh?" Cloud added as an afterthought. He was smiling by now and moving towards the office.

Taking the tray from Tifa's hands, he said, "Let's eat in my room, it's more comfortable in terms of seating," and with that started moving towards it. He opened the door and stood aside waiting for Tifa to move inside. Noticing that she chose to go sit on the window's edge, he raised his eyebrow in question at her.

"What? I like eating while watching the stars. It comforts me," she said sticking out her tongue at him. Even though Cloud's initial response to her waiting for him had shocked her, when she saw him reason with her, she knew that he was just being Cloud again so did not bear any grudge towards it and acted her usual self.

"Ahan … Well, here you go," was Cloud's only reply as he handed her a plate full of pasta, "And scoot over, I'll believe it when I experience it," he added after getting his own plate.

Tifa moved over and observed Cloud balancing himself on the window sill in what little space was left there on it and they both enjoyed a quiet meal under a night sky shining with stars. They sat still for a few minutes after dinner and just observed the street from their corner when suddenly Tifa remembered the time and got up.

"Shoot! I've to wake up in less than 4 hours. We have a busy day tomorrow too so I suggest you get some sleep as well. Any orders that came across here today are at your desk and I've marked the shortest possible routes for them too in the order of time they wanted to be delivered. I did your laundry and had your clothes arranged in your drawers. Around the weekend we can sort out those that have to be ironed and hanged and those that you're okay with being folded. We also have to dec-"

"Tifa we can do all of that on the weekend, you go get some sleep. Otherwise we'll all be late," Cloud interrupted her before she got flustered, "Oh and tomorrow night, you are not waki-"

"No Cloud Strife! You'll see me up waiting for dinner tomorrow and the night after tomorrow as well so better get used to it. If you can't have dinner with us because you're working for us then I'll try my best to show my appreciation be it in this manner. And before you say anything in response, I'll take leave chalking up this round in my victory," Tifa told Cloud as she left his room, taking the tray and plates with her.

"Goodnight!" He heard her saying as she pulled the door close behind her while Cloud moved back to sit on the window sill thinking about the dinner. Well not actually the dinner in itself but the dinner time as a whole. He wouldn't mind having somebody wait up for him in all entirety to be honest. In fact he could get used to having dinner with Tifa alone at nights. In retrospect from dawn till the sun set, he had spent only 2 hours in her company yet they were two very companionable hours, not at all forced. Something he could adapt too easily. His mind also went on something he had thought about and something said out loud by both of them at different times.

Us. We. These both were very powerful words and they were closer to thinking as a single unit now in just a week than they cared to before the Geostigma. As he went to sleep, his last thoughts were actually of coming home to find even the kids up and waiting to have dinner with him. Dinner together, as a real family, just like Tifa wanted. Just like He wanted now!