Just Be Yourself

I'm working in my room. I was ordered here about two hours ago, and I'm not brave enough to leave it.

Tifa's having a bad day.

I tried to help her at the bar, but she nearly chucked a glass at me, so I thought it best to heed her words and leave the bartending to her. Even Denzel and Marlene are keeping it down.

It's a really, really bad day.

So I'm surprised when Denzel and Marlene burst into my room, there eyes wide with panic.

"...What?" I ask cautiously.

"You have to come! Now!" Marlene and Denzel shout.

They run over, grabbing my hands, trying to pull me from my desk.

"What's wrong? Is Tifa alright?"

"NO! He's back!"

"What? Who?"

"Operation Denied!" Marlene screeches.

"Plan Z?"

Oh.

My.

God.

"What?" I hiss.

"He's down there asking her out again, and she's not acting as angry as earlier."

"I think she's sad."

"She happy, then sad, the angry, then sad! I can't keep up!" Denzel shouts.

Oh, must be that time.

They're still gripping my hands, forcing me towards the door.

"What happened to 'he's never coming back'?" I ask.

"Well obviously he did! So you've got to fix it." Marlene snaps.

"But what about your plans?"

"We told you Plan Z was the last one!"

"So what am I?"

"You're plan emergency!" Denzel shouts.

"I don't get a letter?"

"We already used all the letters!"

"Really?" That's kind of impressive.

"Oh yeah. Water balloons, hot sauce on the food...oh! Remember when we put glue on his bar stool?" Denzel exclaimed.

Marlene nodded her head vigorously.

"Oh! And the overflowing toilet incident." Marlene added.

I'm not even going to ask how they pulled that one off.

"So what am I suppose to do?"

Denzel and Marlene look up, surprised. I think they'd forgotten about me for a minute.

"Just be yourself, trust us. That'll be enough." Marlene says, her eyes big with sincerity.

"Okay..."

So they drag me down the steps, and we arrive at the bar. I see a man with dark, slicked back hair, and I can smell him from here. He's leaning on the bar towards Tifa, and I can tell she's tired. Her hair is frazzled, and she doesn't even have the strength to send the man away.

Ok then...I can do this.

"Tifa."

She looks up, surprised. The man does to, he scowls at me.

Are his eyebrows waxed? Wait...is that...eye liner?

What the...

"What is it?" She asks softly.

Crap, what do I say now?

"Uh...Denzel wanted to ask you something."

Sorry Denzel.

"I'll take over for you for a bit."

"Okay." She nods her head, walking away.

The man glares at me.

"Are you like...her brother?"

"No."

"Best friend or something?"

"Or something. I live here, with our kids."

Oh yeah, that'll put a damper on your mood, you sick-

"Really? Little monsters, eh?" The man gives a crooked smile.

Oh...I do not like this man...not at all.

"No, not really." I state.

My eyes are burning, I can feel them. They feel like they're on fire. I think he can tell, because he's glancing away now.

Ha. What now?

His eyes are up now though, on Tifa returning. He's not giving up, not yet. But I'll make him, even if I have to use force.

Wait...

I want to use force.

Let's just skip talking.

"Can you believe what he wanted to ask me?" Tifa sighs angrily.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"He wanted to take your sword Cloud, your sword! For show and tell! Your sword! I almost told him yes just to see what it'd look like with him carrying it."

Oh Tifa...Oh Denzel, I think you've just helped me out immensely.

"What, all of them? Or just one of them?" I ask, noticing the man fidget.

"I don't know! I don't care, I just can't believe he even considered such a thing."

I think Denzel had this planned out. Or Marlene. I don't care, it's working great.

The man is sweating now. His eyes glancing towards the door.

"Should I go get it, just so you can see him try to carry it? It might cheer you up."

Tifa smirks a moment, then frowns, shaking her head lightly.

"He doesn't need to live like we lived. I don't want that blood on his hands."

I nod, agreeing. This is all too true.

However, at the same time, I happen to notice the man turn pale. He stands silently, catching Tifa off guard. Putting down some gil, he turns and walks out in silence. Tifa shakes her head in wonder.

I glance up, catching Denzel and Marlene poking there heads around the corner. Walking slowly over towards them, they smile.

"Good job! You got rid of one, now go get the other!" Marlene smiles.

"The other?"

"Yeah, the real trouble maker. We can never get him with any of our plans." Denzel states.

I turn, noticing another man walking up to the bar. He's got fiery red hair and a smug look on his face. I notice there's another man, silent and bald in the corner, wearing sunglasses.

Oh great, those two.

At least I know Tifa won't say yes to Reno, no matter what the situation.

A/N: I think Denzel and Marlene knew Cloud would scare that guy away. I love making Cloud saracastic in his head, it's fun. And this was a good way to bring in the turks. Thanks for all the reviews! And I knew I threw you for a spin the last chapter. This is general/romance, so I can throw in anything. Heck, I could put in a dragon who breathes unicorns...but I'm not. Anyways! Thanks for all the kind reviews, till next time!