Chapter 6

Cloud

The lazy feeling of doing nothing but staring at his phone and thinking of yesterday was lingering around Cloud's body, making him paranoid and giddy, heartbroken and in love. He had woken up with a smile on his lips, since the dreams had been filled with the images of Squall. But now he was feeling heavy with worry, since he didn't want to fall this easily. But the same time he was light as a feather, head filled with fluff and sweetness. If there was a cure for this madness, he wasn't aware of it. Nor did he know if he really wanted to be cured or to just cut his head off.

He glared at the screen of his phone once again, imagining himself writing a message and actually sending it. Groaning, he closed the cover and tossed the item on his bed. He should do something, instead of moping here.

He made his way downstairs, searching for Tifa but was unable to locate the girl anywhere. It was so quiet here now that Denzel had been placed into new foster home and Marlene was back with Barret. Cloud had liked the children, though he'd never admit it to anyone. It was just him and Tifa. And she was now being very clear that she wanted to have more of her own time and space. So of course Cloud felt useless around here. Without the delivery service which they had started together, he most likely had already moved out to somewhere else. Maybe that was what he should do. To finally get on his own and actually start growing up. He groaned and rubbed the fringe of his nose. Growing up meant taking the lead on his life and place his own needs on top of everything. Right. As if he even knew what he really wanted!

Searching for the newspaper from the kitchen he noticed a note on the refrigerator door.

'Won't be home until late, go out to eat or go to the grocery store and make dinner. Tell me later how the evening went! -Tifa '

So he was forced to cook now too. Well, that he could manage, it would give him something to do at least. Half of the morning he had already been obsessively cleaning the upstairs and throwing stuff away, not that he really had much of his own, before slumping at his desk to stare the phone, typing messages and erasing them as quickly as he wrote them. He didn't know how to sort out his head for the matter called Squall.

He had indentified his strange fluffiness when thinking about Squall to be nothing more than infatuation. Everything in him screamed the fact to be true, but he was so damn hesitant. Why? Because he was so damn scared he was just imagining it all. It was an irrational fear but it was likely to be true in his case. He had imagined his desire to be with Tifa, hadn't he? And he didn't go and start being gay just like that for someone he had only met last week. Not that he really was worried about being gay, nothing wrong there. He just didn't think sudden clarity of mind could just happen with meeting someone new who awoke hidden desires in him. No matter how his heart wanted to open up to Squall, his head didn't follow that fast.

Trying to put his stumbling thoughts in order Cloud tried to focus on what little he knew about Squall. Based on what they had talked and how he had been treated by Squall Cloud had nothing bad to about Squall. First; it was incredibly easy to be with him. Cloud couldn't remember being more at home with anyone so easily before. Squall had good manners and didn't pry on his private matters unnecessarily. When they were close, it was easy to feel light, to be a little reckless and imagining on giving in on his hearts desires. Cloud had wanted to be with the man, to merge with him, to rip off the disturbing clothes that had separated them and… He had wanted it so badly it made him slightly faint.

Second; based on the kiss they had shared Squall knew exactly what he was doing. Cloud felt heat rising up to his cheeks. He had enjoyed being the submissive end for once; usually intimate situations had gone on his side with his heart not really in the action. Cloud could even imagine being the receiving end if ever came to that. Not that he was all so keen on being fucked but it was a matter he might be willing do an exception on just for Squall. Cloud moaned into his silent surroundings and gripped his hair. Honestly, he was already planning on giving his ass on plate to the other? For heaven's sake what was wrong with him!

Trying to calm down a bit Cloud moved on onto figuring out why he wasn't ok with just asking Squall out. So he had some issues with believing in himself but could anyone blame him for having those? He had lost two of his most beloved friends under very serious circumstances, his idol having had turned out to be the raging lunatic who had murdered Aer. Also, to make it worse; the bastard had tried to eliminate Cloud and everyone else who were involved in the hunt. And now the whole issue with Tifa too. They had been friends since childhood but she had pursued him and Cloud had felt somewhat at ease with her so he had let it all happen. Now he understood his feelings of calm around her to be nothing more than deep appreciation and brotherly love. It was a small wonder Cloud even wanted to hang around anyone after all the hassle in his life.

The current situation being what it was Cloud was forced to admit he would be homeless if Tifa would ever want to sell the bar to someone. That also would mean Tifa might move out of his reach. Cloud inhaled slowly, his heart thumping fast now. She was his rock he trusted to be there thru his life. Would he be able to muster enough self esteem from somewhere to be able to stand on his own? Or would he get stuck with himself again, not being able to rise from the pits of brooding? He didn't want to slip back to those days.

So if he could not even trust himself, how could he trust anyone else? So many questions he needed to answer.

Cloud sighed, finding the newspaper and fiddled it idly, having already forgotten what he was suppose to do with it. Yeah, he should get to the store and make dinner to get his mind off from this matter for a while. He tossed the unread paper to the table and wandered back to his room to get his wallet. He managed to enter the room just when his phone was blinking, informing an incoming message. For a moment he just stared at the thing, blinking on the sheets happily.

Cloud hoped it would be a message from Squall since the man was at the moment the only good thing his thoughts could cling onto. He took the phone and opened it.

'I'm challenging you, right now. If you happen to be interested in trying to kick my ass, I'll be around the fields at the north border, straight down the Highway 8 and out of the city. Can't miss me since there's nothing else there.'

Cloud grinned widely. Now that was something he knew how to react to! If there was a way of knowing if they would even match, a good old sword fight would be the one. It was a good thing he had prepared Fenrir yesterday fully already, he would be able to leave immediately if he wanted. Typing an answer, Cloud half ran out of the room.

'Challenge accepted.'

Soon there was only the roar of the bike heard as the blond owner sped away, dinner forgotten completely.

30mins later

Cloud had no trouble finding his way to the fields where Squall said he would be waiting for him to show up. All the way there, he had been thinking how perfect it was to fight the other, that it was probably the best, and only, way to find out what Squall was really made of and could Cloud put his trust into the other, like his heart already told him but his head refused to believe.

Fenrir let out last soft purr before Cloud shut the engine down and parked the bike on the small path that led further to the area. Cloud could see Squall standing there but… He wasn't alone. From what he could see, this other person looked disturbingly familiar in Cloud's eyes. Hesitantly Cloud waved his hand in response as Squall had noticed him and walked towards with the yet unknown person trailing behind the brunet.

"Hey. Good to see you again." Squall offered a small smile to Cloud who nodded, eyes following the second man. He felt his jaw slacken and drop a little.

"Um. Hi Cid." He eyed the older blond that was standing a little left from Squall, paler blue eyes twinkling deviously.

"'lo kid. 'sup?" Cid grinned back at him, winking.

"I.. uh, came to see Squall. You two know each other?"

"Hell yeah! The kid is brilliant with computers and was working at my old firm in Twilight Town." Cid leaned to his spear he rarely went out without and chewed on his lip, eying the two younger men. "I kinda invited myself here after the dummy here said he's gonna kick your butt. Well, try at least!" His grin turned into laughter. Cloud could only roll his eyes.

"I'm sure you did.."

"So, knock yourselves out kid's! Imma gonna be judgin' yer fight, from safe distance anyway." Something in the way Cid was looking at Cloud and Squall, made the blond feel a little nervous. Squall was quiet, fiddling the handle of his weapon. Cloud fixed his eyes on the item, deciding it was definitely the most peculiar looking weapon he had even laid his eyes on. It reminded Cloud of Yazoo, his old team mate from high school who had wielded similar blade. Thought this one here was much a more simple design and without the unnecessary little parts Yazoo had attached to his version. And of course, the weapon suited Squall so damn well.

"Can I see that?" Cloud asked, his voice obviously bringing Squall out of his reverie. Squall looked like Cloud had asked him to remove his arm and hand it over, which made him smile inwardly; a true mark of a warrior.

".. sure." Squall handed the weapon over to Cloud who took it and eyed the smooth silver surface. There was a carving of a roaring lion's head, the image reminding Cloud immediately of Squall.

"I won't use my whole weapon against you; Buster would slice this beauty into bits too easily. So I'll just measure the weight of this one and take one or two parts to match. "He smiled a little to the worried expression on the others features. "I won't break your blade, don't worry."

"No.. I just.. I didn't.. Argh.. Whatever." Squall turned his glare to the ground, embarrassed.

Cloud chuckled softly, took few steps away from the two men and swung the blade in the air, testing its weight and balance. It was a good weapon, thought it looked rather weird with its rifle handle. For him it was unexpectedly easy to wield. Though, Cloud had been using swords many, many years. He swung the blade again before him, the sharp edge cutting air with smooth whooshing sound. Sharp too. Squall obviously took very good care of the weapon.

Cloud sent the weapon up into air with an easy flick of his wrist, the silver surface glimmering in the faint light that poured thru the clouded sky, and then quickly resuming the handle back to his hand. Very nice work, indeed. Cloud straightened his arm before him, the same height as his eyes were and peered to the tip of the blade, one eye closed.

"You said yesterday you can't make it actually shoot the bullets?" Squall was looking at him, eyes dark and a faint blush on his cheeks and shook his head.

"The upgraded version can do that, but I can't afford it. Too damn expensive." Cloud nodded, spun the sword once more and then handed it back to its wielder, the hilt first.

"I know the feeling.. Took me two years to get this version of my Buster together." He opened the front of Fenrir, revealing the hidden pieces of his beloved sword and took two of them out. After few clicks Cloud had a matching pair for Squall's weapon in his hand, ready for use. Squall whistled quietly eyeing the rest of the sword hilts left in the bike.

"Can't wait to see them all put together." Cloud's proud grin was enough evidence for anyone to know how much he loved that weapon of his.

"Shall we then?"

Cid

Cid had positioned himself in near distance, to keep himself safe from their fight and still to be able to see how well would the battle would turn out. Squall eyed Cloud, who was standing calm before him, about ten feet away, his sword resting over his shoulder. The blond looked at ease, like nothing would affect him, like nothing would cut thru his blank expression. Squall wore a similar unreadable expression, his gunblade resting in his hand deceptively loose, like he could care less about the current situation. But when Cid looked at Clouds brilliant blue eyes, glaring at Squall's gray blue ones.. He saw a fire burning that meant only one thing; the two were definitely enjoying the situation more than they expressed.

"Ready kids? 'k! GO!"

Neither of them moved first, they simply stared at each other trying to figure their first moves, trying to concentrate on this moment without distractions. Cid's eyes moved between the two men, seeing so many similarities in the way they were standing, the way they held their weapons, the way they sent out an aura of stubborn will to fight to the bitter end. He wished there would never be a situation where the two would be on the opposite sides for real. This was only for fun, but he knew how easy it was to get caught up in the heat of the fight. Lucky for the two, he was here to see there would be no fatalities.

Two low growls emitted from the facing men and they lunged finally ahead. At first it was careful movement, measuring each others' tactics and the power of the wielding arm. There was a sharp and lonely clank when the blades met first, neither men really striking for real yet. They backed down, eyeing each other, circling slowly around. They both shared enormous amount of patience in battle situation; that Cid knew from his own experience when he had been in similar situation with them both.

It took only a half a minute for them again to lunge towards, both swinging their blades in the air with more force this time. Now there was no backing up and the two continued to strike without a pause.

Cloud was faster than Squall, his lithe body moving swiftly and dodging the blows Squall aimed at him, the silver of his sword countering the gunblade each time without any trouble. The blond took a few steps back, the flat of his blade working marvelously to deflect each attempted strike. Squall growled, like a lion that was being annoyed and spun his gunblade, its perfectly aimed blow meant to end up on Cloud's shoulder and to disarm him. Again the blond countered the attack.

Where Cloud had more dexterity and stronger arms to wield his sword easy, Squall was cunning and had more calculated moves, usually the blows were hitting so close their aimed marks it was amazing that Cloud managed to even get away from them. Cid smiled as he saw very clearly how well matched the two men were. Probably equal when it came to fighting skills.

Cloud had dropped his defensive demeanor and moved with much more force against his opponent, the sword moving lightning-fast now, making the brunet to parry each attempt to hit him. It was mesmerizing to watch these two to fight. It felt like seeing some weird, serious dance, where the opponents got hurt and were bleeding. The weapons slashed the air and cut the fair skins lightly as they both managed to get thru the defenses time to time.

The battle seemed to last forever, neither of the fighters ceasing from attacking nor countering the strikes. Sweat was glistering on the bare arms, the fabrics of their shirts got stuck because of it to their backs and chests, but not once did they stop. And all the time they kept staring at each other, trying to make the other yield by sheer force of their glare, keeping up the relentless attacks.

Cid was pondering Squall's confession of him fancying the stoic blond. Knowing Cloud for years, he knew it was hard to gain the blonds trust, but for what he saw here, was something he had not expected. Cloud was making an eye contact with Squall, not flinching away from the look like he had done only few years ago. The most remarkable notice that Cid did, was that Cloud was actually smiling widely during the sparring. A genuine smile that spoke its own tale about what was happening to the other, and it was happening fast.

By looking at Squall, Cid noticed a same kind of change in motion. The brunet was also grinning widely, the whole being of the young man radiating the eagerness to be present in this precise moment. He had known them both years by now and knew when two people were meant to know each other. It was good to know there was always someone for you too, no matter how much of a loner you were.

The two were now circling again, breaths heavy and locks of hair glued to their faces, eyes fixed on every move they made.

It was either tiredness or something else was distracting Cloud -and Cid was willing to bet his money for the latter- because suddenly Squall had found a way to get thru the defenses of the other and had kicked the blond in his stomach, sending him flying backwards few feet. The hard impact with the ground seemed to empty Cloud's lungs and before Cid could blink twice, Squall was standing over the other and the tip of his gunblade pressed against the blonds' throat.

"Yield." Squall's face was made of victorious grin.

"Like hell I will." Cloud snarled from his laying position, quickly launching his left leg high, kicking Squall with force to his stomach, forcing him to bend forward in pain and giving Cloud the few seconds he needed to regain himself and flee from his near defeat. He stood the tip of his sword pressed to the ground a few steps away from Squall, who was leaning to his knees and trying ignore the pain the kick had left.

"Dirty tricks, I like it!" Squall growled and at the same time they both lunged forward, swords meeting in the halfway in similar dazzling movement; sparks flying to each direction for the impact. Their blades were dancing that deadly dance of theirs with such speed it made Cid hold his breath and fear there would be some serious injury if either of them was foolish enough to get lost in their thoughts.

After an hour or two, the fighters were still at it, the shirts they wore were so soaked with sweat it was as if they had been running in pouring rain the whole time. Cid was certain the fight would never end because they were too skilled to yield to either and too stubborn to accept a tie. Although he enjoyed watching this waltz of blades, it was obvious the two men were getting nowhere but to blasted exhaustion and very, very sore muscles tomorrow. It was time to interfere.

Cid had always his spear with him and now he sneaked towards the berserk struck young men, who were too much into their fight they noticed nothing until it was a little too late. Squall went down first when Cid whacked him in the back of his head, the brunet looking stunned for a moment and then dropping on his knees and falling on his face. Cloud got the same treatment few seconds later and looked about as confused as the other had before falling on the ground next to his friend.

Cid sighed, grinned and fetched his phone from his pocket, eying the two men who were facing each other, looking rather adorable like that. Helpless like little kids. The older man snorted and wished them both good luck in the matters of their hearts, hoping it would not take a century for them to get thru each other.

"'lo Roxie! Yeah, it's your uncle Cid here. Wanna com' and get ye stupid roomie from the fields? Ahaha, he got into fightin' with Cloudy boy 'ere and they wouldn't stop so I knocked them out!" Cid laughed hard when there was similar cackle on the other side of the phone call.

Sora & Roxas

"Honestly, how stupid can you be.." Roxas muttered as he and Sora were trying to drag Squall up to their apartment. The task seemed to be impossible since they were so much smaller than this pile of muscles.

"Yeah. And seriously.. how heavy can you get by not eating enough! Sheesh.. Squall should lose some weight." Sora was trying to keep his balance and at the same time trying to drag the man ahead. He eyed the stairs they should still climb and moaned. "Rox, I can't do this! And there's that blondie still to carry also.." He eyed his twin, pouting, over Squall's drooping head. "I'd rather carry you."

"I know. But we can't leave them sleeping in the car either." It had started to rain when they were driving out of the city to pick up the unconscious pair and to see Cid laughing his ass off. "We could wait for Cid to get here." Roxas eyed his brother, the same way he was looking at him. They dropped their heavy package without really caring if the package would get hurt in the act. Squall had never died because of little bruises anyway.

"Cid probably took Cloud's bike for a ride..." Sora snorted and sat on the stairs, Squall lying there, in a very uncomfortable looking position face on the wooden surface. "Can't blame him though. I'd give a lot if I could take that beauty for a ride." Roxas was nodding, looking out from the door that was open, their car parked there and Cloud sitting limb on the backseat.

They sat in silence for a while, watching the raindrops hitting the asphalt outside. It seemed to get heavier.

"He should be here already." Roxas sighed. He looked at the older man, lying on his face and felt a little bad for him. "Cid did hit them quite hard. I don't think I've ever seen Squall this badly out."

"Yeah. It's good he's got a thick scull. Maybe it has gotten thinner during the time we've lived with him? I mean.. we kinda have thrown stuff at him over the years." The memories of their shared time together flooded back into Sora's mind and the boy smiled softly. "I really don't like to see him getting hurt, you know? Makes me mad, or something.. So, I guess if these two idiots end up more than fooling around and Cloud makes Squall sad or hurt, we'll have to get him back with all our might." A lop-sided grin found its way to Sora's lips.

"I guess. He's the closest thing we've ever had for a relative." Roxas reached to stroke Squall's long strands gently. "I don't want him to get hurt either." He glanced at his brother. "And I don't want you to get hurt either." He whispered quietly. Sora sighed and stood up, climbing over their older friend and to stand before his twin.

"Getting all soft and mushy now, aren't you." Sora reached out his hand to touch Roxas' chin and lifted it up so he could look into the blue eyes that were the mirror image of his. "I won't get hurt as long as you're here. You know I can't live without you." The look in their eyes spoke about a story of its own and Roxas reached up and trailed one finger over Sora's smiling lips.

"I.." He never managed to end his sentence when they heard Fenrir's roar echoing from the street and into the corridor, startling the twins out of the moment they had frozen into.

"Helloooo, ye boys 'ere sumwhere?" Cid's voice shouted from outside. "Need help with carryin' the dummies up?"

"We're here, inside!" Sora shouted, turning on his heels and walked towards the door where Cid had emerged to. "Squall's way too heavy for us. What did you feed him, seriously?" Sora grumbled making a disapproving face. "He weighs like there's two of him under his skin!"

"It's all muscle kid! Summin ye never find in yer thin little body, obviously." On the stairs, Roxas stifled his snicker at Cid's comment and stood up too.

"Oh hush, I look fabulous and you know it too. You just wish you'd still be young and fresh like we are." Sora grinned widely. Roxas just shook his head and sighed dramatically rolling his eyes.

"Both of you.. shut up and let's get Squall and that other idiot into the apartment." Cid and Sora both looked like they wanted nothing more than just leave the unconscious duo where they were and run out to do whatever suited their childish mentality at the moment. Roxas glared at the two, one eyebrow raised and folded his arms before him. "Well?"

20 minutes later there was a moment of silence as the three men steadied their breaths, Cloud and Squall lying over the couch in the living room, heads resting against each other on the back of the couch. Cid stood up straight, his back letting out that horrible crackling sound.

"Them should be fine in the evenin'. If Spiky wakes up tell 'im to stay here." Cid winked eye at the twins. "I'll be leavin' that bike of his here so ye might wanna tuck it in the garage or summin for the night." The man snickered at the duo on the sofa. "But did them fight well! Haha, shoulda seen it, you two. Them will get together, sum day. Mark my words."

Cloud

Cloud did eventually stir from the unconscious state of his and found himself lying on a couch that was too small for a man of his height and made his whole body ache like no tomorrow. He had a killer headache and a strong feeling there was something he did not quite remember at the moment. Until there was a voice next to him speaking to him.

"Cid knocked you out and you are at our place. Squall is in his own room, sleeping. You can sleep there, until your head stops spinning. Oh, and your bike is in our garage, so don't worry. Also your sword is here." Cloud was almost certain it was one of the twins speaking. Oh yeah, they had mentioned something about living together with Squall. He didn't even want to open his eyes so he drifted back to unconsciousness.

Next morning

The garage door closed automatically behind him and Fenrir let out its last purr before Cloud turned the engine off and parked the bike to its place, next to Tifa's car. There had been quite many calls from her, few messages too, when he finally had woken up from the dizzy sleep. He had tried to sneak out but had soon realized he didn't know where his bike was hidden. So he had waited for someone to wake up.

It had been Roxas, luckily, who let him out of his misery and after he had apologized deeply for all the trouble he had been, to all this Roxas had shrugged and just smiled at him. He had quickly mounted the bike and driven out on the streets. The morning was foggy and Cloud had strolled slowly down the streets, trying to gather whatever there was left of his dignity. Well, it had been definitely fun, until Cid had done his tricks to them. He wondered how Squall was doing, since he felt a little guilty for getting too absorbed with the fight that he didn't notice they were going a little too far. His head was still sore from the back and his muscles, dear lords, they were more achy than in ages! His musings were interrupted as the door that led inside the house slammed open.

"Where the HELL have you been?!" Tifa yelled, her dark eyes shooting deadly daggers at Cloud who tried to dismiss the painful reaction the loud noises created in his head. "I've been trying to reach you since last night!"

"Got a hit in the head and was out of this world. Spent the night at Squall's." He was mumbling fast, trying to speed the conversation ahead so he could get to the painkillers that were calling for him in the bathroom.

"WHAT?!" She was definitely getting even more angry, which Cloud most definitely hated. "And who the DEVIL, is Squall?"

"Tifa, please.. Stop yelling. I'll tell you everything as soon as I get a painkiller first. My head hurts like there is a hammering little monster working on my brains." Tifa eyed him suspiciously. "Fine, it was Cid that whacked me in the head and Squall is a guy I met thru Reno. Happy now?"

"Wh..What? Cid? What's he got to do…" She was getting rather repetitive and Cloud stayed quiet, glaring at her. "Fine, fine.. I'll wait, a little while longer." She shuffled for a moment on her feet, looking at the floor and then flashed a softer smile at the other. "Coffee?" Talk about mood changes. Cloud could only nod, grateful.

After a glass of water, two little pills and a long-story-short-talk with Tifa, Cloud was now seated at the kitchen table, a steaming cup of coffee in his hands and a gaping Tifa on the other side. He felt like a prize idiot, for telling her about everything else, but not about the kiss between him and Squall. It was bit too personal for him to share even with Tifa.

"So… you're saying that Squall, is an old employee of Cid's, not dangerous at all to hang out with and.. is responsible for all those little wounds over your arms and torso? Honey, you got knocked out while being with him. I don't care if Cid likes him and don't care if you like him or not.. he's definitely not good for you!" Tifa fumed, frowning.

"But he did kind of rescue me from Reno's attempt to get me absolutely wasted. And he didn't do anything on the evening when I went out to see him at the club!" Only kissed him and made his interest wake up. A pink color tried to make an appearance on Cloud's cheeks. "And Cid did whack Squall in the head too, so he's not to blame about that. And I don't, you know... LIKE him."

"Oh sure. Is that why you are blushing?" Tifa grinned at him and winked, her rage winding down as she found more pleasure in teasing her friend. Then she whistled as if realizing something. "But you do! Don't you darling? You actually DO like that guy!" Cloud felt his jaw drop and his face flush. "It's ok sweetie. I know what goes in your pretty little head. One day you can say it aloud, trust me. " She smiled deviously. " Well, are you going to see him again, hmm?" Cloud tried to hide his feelings behind empty glaring at her. Too bad those glares didn't work anymore; she knew him too well to take it seriously.

"Don't know."

"Well, don't play too hard to get or he won't take the bait. And don't look at me like that! I can see it from you face that you want to meet him again." She was relentlessly teasing Cloud and enjoying it too, it was visible to see her joy radiating from her face. He could only frown at her delight.

"..." Cloud stared at the surface of the table, trying to ignore the words. And to ignore the shivers that ran thru him as he thought about the possibility of seeing Squall. What would the Squall say after a match like that? "By the way.. Where were you yesterday?" A change of subject, always a good way to escape from your own humiliation.

"Oh.. me? Mm.. I hired a new staff member. Too busy to keep it under control by myself and since you have hands full with the deliveries.. I needed help." Tifa sighed, fiddling with her hair.

"What happened to that… fellow who was there already?"

"He quit because his family is moving to another town." Tifa shot a little nervous glance over the table. Never a good sign to see her nervous. Something was definitely up. "It's Elena."

"..." Cloud was only able to stare at the other.

"Hey, don't look like that! You hang out with Reno. It's not like she's going to knock me out of it anyway."

"Uh huh, yeah. Right. And I'm the Shinra president." He cocked one eyebrow. "I would not be surprised if she actually would knock you out. Tifa, she's so terribly clumsy!"

"But she's changed since the last time you saw her. Which was, by the way, over two or three years ago. She's got experience; she's nice and has her way with people. Plus, she doesn't want a big pay." Tifa snorted, tilted her head to to right and looked out of the kitchen window, out onto the streets. "I needed someone to help me, that's all."

Cloud nodded at this, still trying to figure what it was that was bothering Tifa so much since it was obvious it wasn't the Elena thing. He waited, patiently. His coffee was getting colder, the silent voices from outside the house filled the room that was soon bathing in the morning sun. He liked these rare, quiet moments with Tifa. She moved on her chair, again sighing deeply.

"You know you'll end up telling me anyway at some point." Tifa jerked her gaze back to Cloud who was offering her a little smile, over his cup he held with two hands before his mouth. The brown eyes were shooting daggers again.

"Nosy bastard.." Then the daggers were gone and her eyes melt into liquid chocolate. "Oh well.. I got asked out."

"Oh.. like for a real date?"

"Yes, dummy. Like for a real date." She didn't sound very convincing though, looking at her cup and biting her lip like it wasn't the truth she has just told.

"So.. Who's the lucky lad? I mean.. I gotta know these things so I know who I have to drive to hospital this time." Tifa's face was fun to watch when it turned from nervous to furiously annoyed and blushing.

"If you are referring to that one little accident last year.." She snared, venom dripping out of every word. "It was an accident. It was not my fault he was standing so close to the edge of that bridge."

"Uh huh, indeed. And you just happened to be very pissed off when you called me to pick you and.. uh, your date up." Cloud had hard time not to show his grin that was about to spread over his face. "You know, I still don't know what he did to you." Tifa glared at him in response, obviously not going to share any information. "Fine, fine. Don't reveal your secrets. But who is it this time?"

"No one you know. End of story." She stood up, her cheeks bright red and sniffed. "And you, go and take a shower. You don't exactly smell like a bucket of roses and it's making me lose my appetite!" At this, Cloud burst into laughter and stood up too. His phone vibrated in his pocket.

"Fucking brilliant battle. Though I think I have to kick Cid's ass for hitting me in the head. Twins are laughing their asses off because of that. By the way, who won? And more importantly; when's the next time? -Squall"

Cloud's laughter turned into a wide grin. He looked at Tifa who was looking at him with a weird expression over her pretty face. The blond nearly danced around the table, gave Tifa a small peck on her cheek and danced ahead, towards his room. The girl just stared after him, blinking.

"Men.." She smiled gently. "I'm so going to have to call Yuffie about this."