Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 or FFAC.
Rating: M for language, fluffiness, and violence.
Author's note: I love all the enthusiasm! Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it, review and lemme know!
She could hear Cloud talking with the intruder downstairs in the bar. He seemed to actually be giving whoever it was the time of day so Tifa automatically knew that he was at least a familiar face to her long time friend. Cloud didn't typically waste his time with people he didn't know…typically.
"How long have you been back?" Rang out Cloud's always cool voice.
"I have been in the city for only twenty minutes. I could not wait to come and see Marley any longer. It seems like it has been years since I have seen her beautiful face."
There was a slight chuckle, which sounded like it came from Cloud, and then he spoke, "I see. She has grown quite a bit. Denzel has grown quite fond of her."
"That is good news. It has been far too long since I have seen you too, my friend. How goes life?"
The was a pause, which Tifa assumed was Cloud giving that distant look he always gave when he was trying to think of just the right way to say something, and then she heard the other man laugh hysterically, "Your lack of silence either means it's been absolutely horrible or wonderful beyond your realm of words."
Silence followed again. Tifa couldn't take it any longer. The anger she had brewing in her system was about to cause a huge hole to form in the wall after she punched it. If she didn't confront the visitor now she would only become even angrier and possibly beat the living hell out of them. 'I still might!' She thought nastily, rounding the corner, her long black hair swirling about her as she came to a halt just behind Cloud and his visitor.
The intruder poked his head around the blond warrior, his eyes instantly lighting up, "Tifa Lockhart! It's been too long, dear girl!"
Cloud turned around as well, his mako blue eyes seeming to glint with a warmth upon seeing her.
Tifa's anger immediately eluded her memory as her eyes locked with the dark brown ones of Barrett Wallace.
"Barrett!" She exclaimed, rushing past Cloud to throw a hug around the large man's neck…well shoulders, he was far too broad chest to actually reach his neck.
He laughed heartily, pulling away after quickly returning the hug, "My god woman, you look even prettier than I remember."
Tifa blushed as she pulled away, taking a few steps back, unaware that she had come to rest directly beside of Cloud, who seemed stiff as always. "Oh please, I'm just dressed in a tank top and jeans," she teased, suddenly embarrassed, "But look at you. You look like you just had a breath of fresh air put into your lungs. I take it your journey is coming along well?"
Barrett nodded, "Sure is. I'm making quite a bit of progress. Still no closer to being able to accept this thing," he muttered, shaking his metal hand about for a moment, "I do wish I could come home to see Marlene more often but with the way things are, it's probably best that I don't come around as much."
"Oh Barrett you wouldn't hurt little Marlene," Tifa said with a sincere smile, "You're way too hard on yourself. You remind me of someone else I know," she added, casting a mischievous look at Cloud. He didn't seem to notice. He was still staring at Barrett, waiting for his fellow comrade to speak again.
Barrett caught sight of her allusion and laughed, "Still just as loveable as he always has been is he? You really need to lighten up there Strife. Life is going to pass you by, it's kind of like a train-"
The martial artist found she was zoning out as Barrett gave a long speech about life and trains. 'It's like Cloud and Fenrir, unhealthy obsession,' she thought to herself, laughing mentally at the joke she had just made.
"So just ignore the constant creaking of the tracks, keep your mind focused on your destination: life!"
She blinked herself out of her trance just in time to hear the end of his speech, "I agree, Barrett," Tifa told him, nodding in approval.
He flashed a toothy grin before casting Cloud a darker look, "But I have to admit, you definitely look different from the last time I seen you."
Cloud bowed his head, "Whatever," he murmured, his blue eyes rolling to the side so that he could look at Tifa. Was he trying to hide a smile? Her heart beat slowed as she too smiled. Barrett stared at her and crossed his arms, "'Scuse me but you two act like you have a dirty little secret."
Cloud's head snapped back up, both of their faces wiping themselves clean of the smiles that had managed to creep onto their faces. Cloud shook his head solemnly, "Barrett why must you always try to start something?"
Barrett smirked, "Because I'm Barrett Wallace, damn it. How fun would life be if I weren't around to mess with you guys every once in a while?"
"Scary, but true," Tifa threw back at him, laughing.
"Now then, I love to see the both of you a lot but I just need to see my Marley. Where is she?" Barrett asked them, clasping his hands together eagerly.
The two younger adults froze, Cloud's fingers slightly twitching, Tifa cracking her knuckles with nervousness, "Um, Marley?"
Barrett's face grew stern, "Yes Marley, my daughter? My adopted daughter that I left in your care while I've been away. Cute little thing, brown hair, about this high," he said, holding his hand down to indicate her height.
"We know who she is," Cloud mumbled, possibly a little insulted at Barrett's mock description.
"Well then where the hell is she, Strife? I haven't seen her in forever and you act like you don't even know who the hell she is."
Tifa shook her head, "No, it's not that, it's just that…well Yuffie has been asking if she could watch Marlene sometime and so Cloud let her take her for the night."
Barrett nodded, "Fine then, well let me see Denz then, I have a gift for him."
"Um, he's sorta with Marlene, Yuffie, and Vincent for the night too," Tifa said ashamedly.
The big man stared at them both for a moment as if trying to figure them out, "So what you're saying is that Marlene and Denz are at Yuffie's, and you and Cloud are alone?"
"Um…is that what I'm saying Cloud?" Tifa asked her long time friend quickly, feeling like she was being investigated.
Cloud shrugged, "Well if the kids aren't here and it's just me and Tifa then I guess that's what she's trying to say, Barrett."
"HOLY SHIT ARE YOU TWO FUCKIN' WITH ME RIGHT NOW?!" Barrett exclaimed, his dark eyes wide with surprise and realization at the same time.
"What do you mean? Can't two adults have a night free from kids?" Cloud asked him unenthusiastically.
"If they're fuckin' married! You two are just friends."
"But we would like time free from the yells and bickering of children," The ex-SOLDIER continued, a hand falling to his hip lightly. He hadn't looked so annoyed/disinterested for a while. This was often the way Cloud presented himself when he was trying to remain cool. It wouldn't take too many more questions before Cloud grew just as flustered and angry as Barrett was becoming. 'Why is Barrett angry?' Tifa thought with a frown, her dark eyes growing hard.
"No, no, no, this isn't right. This isn't how I left things. I left and Cloud was still wallowing in his own self pity, Tifa you were still annoyed and listlessly dreaming over this punk, and Marlene and Denzel were completely unaware. What's going on, I demand to know, as the father of Marlene, I want to know what the situation is between you and Strife."
"First of all, he's not a punk, Barrett," Tifa growled, her anger from earlier resurfacing into her system, "Secondly, I wasn't always listlessly dreaming over him," she said, glancing at Cloud nervously. That was all she needed was to appear like a love sick loser to him. That was one thing Cloud always thought about her was that she was a strong, independent woman, "Thirdly, Marlene and Denzel are very well taken care of."
"Tifa goes above and beyond what a mother should do, she spoils them like they were her own children," Cloud grumbled, still completely calm, his eyes sparking with a hint of annoyance.
"And as far as any situation that Cloud and I may be in is not any of your business," Tifa informed Barrett coldly, "Although you are our friend, I do not have to tell you anything about my current position with Cloud."
"Why, you embarrassed?" Barrett snapped back, his hands fisting.
"What's with you?" Cloud asked him coldly, a blond eyebrow arching.
"How could you let this happen? With this distraction you aren't going to be able to be the parents you need to be for Marlene and Denzel. They deserve your full attention."
"Excuse me for trying to have a life," Tifa growled at him, her face turning a shade of red, and it wasn't because she was embarrassed; this was pure, raw, unfiltered anger.
"So you don't deny it then?"
Cloud let out a lengthy sigh, "Barrett, first of all we don't need to confirm or deny anything. Secondly, the kids will always have our full attention. A night away from them does not make Tifa or me bad care takers. Parents do it all the time, they even brag about it. Thirdly, I don't want you harassing Tifa for an answer. She's right; she doesn't have to say anything about her standing with me. Besides Barrett, wouldn't you want Tifa and me to…happen?"
Barrett grew silent for a moment, his eyes quivering with anger. They were lucky that he was inside the house because if he had been outside he would have morphed his hand into a gun and shot aimlessly into the night's sky. "But what about Aeris, Cloud? You're over her already?"
Cloud's body became rigid, his face finally exposing the frustration he was feeling, "Don't go there."
Suddenly there was a loud wail of anger that came from Tifa's direction. Both men lifted their heads to find the martial artist launching herself at Barrett, her strong feet in front of her as she jumped into the air and prepared to land their devastating strength right into his chest. Barrett's eyes rounded as he realized what was happening, trying in vain to put his arms in front of him to shield his face from her attack,
"Teeeeeeeeffffffffaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, noooooooooooo!" He yelled, bracing himself for impact. It never came. Barrett swallowed, poking one eye open after hearing roars of protest from the saucy woman. Tifa was being held firmly in Cloud's hands, the blond warrior holding both of her hands behind her with one hand, one arm holding her back by her waist. He was whispering into her ear, commanding her to be still and to relax, that Barrett meant no harm.
She continued to struggle until he mentioned something else that Barrett found inaudible. Finally after a bit more thrashing, her eyes dead set on her Avalanche comrade, Tifa stopped fighting Cloud's strong arms.
"Damn girl, I didn't mean to make you want to kill me!" The oldest of the three exclaimed, wiping away the beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead.
"Well then shut your mouth and I won't feel like it!" She snarled, finally able to shove Cloud's arms off of her. Cloud blinked lazily at Barrett, clearly not entertained by the sudden attempt at his friend's life by Tifa.
"Fine I won't say anything anymore, I'm just saying that it's all just a little fishy. Since when do you two take time off to be alone? Wouldn't being along mean that you aren't around someone else? It's almost like you took time away from the kids to be alone…together! Can't you just tell me?"
Tifa shook her head fervently, sparing a glance at Cloud who seemed to be warming up to the return of their friend. Apparently this was how he liked things, interesting and life threatening. 'Always the soldier,' she thought, frowning, "Come on, let me get you something to drink."
Barrett finally dared to crack a grin, poking Cloud in the ribcage as they walked over and sat down at the bar, Tifa taking her usual position as the bar keep. She poured all three of them a glass, pulling a stool up behind the counter and sat across from them, her eyes still hard with lingering anger.
Barrett and Cloud drank theirs quickly, while Tifa sipped at hers. "After we finish I'm going to go see Marlene, do you mind?"
Cloud shook his head, as did Tifa. Barrett laughed, "Of course you wouldn't, you two wanted alone time."
Tifa's eyebrows twitched, "Are you going to keep making snide remarks until we tell you?"
"Probably," He told her, winking at Cloud. The blond man simply rolled his eyes.
"Fine," She grumbled, "Then let's just say that Cloud and I are trying to figure things out. How's that?"
Barrett nodded, "Good enough for me. Don't you dare let me ever find out that the children are suffering because you two are 'figuring things out'. Ya hear me? You hear me, Strife? Oy, I'm talking to you!" He growled, waving his armored hand in front of Cloud's face.
Cloud nodded, his eyes locked on Tifa, a slight smile on his lips, "I hear you. I was just thinking about something."
Tifa blinked stupidly but Barrett shook his head with understanding, "God, would you two stop fucking with your eyes already?"
"BARRETT!" Tifa hissed, slamming her glass down.
"TIFA NO!" Barrett exclaimed as she launched herself over the counter at him yet again. Cloud sighed. Barrett always did know how to ruffle people's feathers, but that was one of the things that he liked about his friend. Barrett Wallace definitely knew how to have a good time.
There ya go, nice and light hearted. =) Uneventful but cute. Gotta have these to have a good story ya know. Chapter 12 up in a day or two.
Much love,
~Nikki~