Worth it
I hate fighting with her. She purses her lips, and stares at me in such a way that I know she's wondering if I even have a brain in my thick skull...
She blushes deep crimson as she realizes she just said that out loud and not in her mind.
She's cute even in anger.
I have to disagree with her though, and she plants her fists on her hips, glaring at me. She let's a string of sentences fly that I can barely keep up with. I'm not even going to try as she gestures with her hands and stomps her foot once. I've heard it all before, but it's for good a reason I tell her. She just sighs and shakes her head in disbelief before walking away.
I sigh as she finishes up dinner, Denzel and Marlene chatting away happily. They hadn't heard our disagreement earlier.
She wants me to take sometime off, and while at any other time I'd be happy to oblige, I know I've been taking on extra jobs again, but it's all for a good reason.
She just doesn't believe me.
We eat dinner in silence, and Denzel and Marlene pick up on that. They both glance between me and Tifa, and we both keep our eyes averted. Denzel tries to strike up conversation but after a soft 'hmm' from Tifa and a nod of the head from me, he gives up. I feel bad for the kids; they have to sit through this. I can tell it bothers them, but not as much as it could. Tifa and I really never fight, and when we do we can't stay mad at each other.
Well...I know I can't stay mad at her. Either she just follows along or doesn't stay mad at me.
The kids go to bed early tonight. I think they understand Tifa and I need to talk. Of course, I also know they're probably doing that so they can sneak out and listen to our talk. Blame it on Yuffie teaching the kids the 'ways of the ninja.' Tifa nearly drop kicked Yuffie when she found out.
She puts the kids to bed and returns to the bar, finishing up the cleaning. I walk over slowly and sit down, the awkwardness is suffocating me.
"Cloud, you have-
"Listen Tifa-
We look up, caught off guard by each other. She smiles slowly and I return her smile with a small one of my own.
"Tifa, I know what you're going to say..." I start slowly.
"Then listen to reason for once!" She growls.
Well, that cheery moment didn't last too long, did it?
"I know Tifa, just a little longer and I'll back off on the jobs."
"A little longer? Cloud, you won't make it a little longer! You're burning yourself out."
"No, I'm not...it's important to me."
"Honestly, Cloud! What could possibly be so important for you to overwork yourself for? You're going to kill yourself through exhaustion!"
I can barely keep my mouth from twitching slightly. I really think she's forgotten about it.
"What...what?" Tifa asks.
She's seen the amusement in my eyes...damn...time for a counter attack.
"How about this Teef..."
She looks at me cautiously.
"I'll take a day off when you take a day off."
Her jaw practically hits the floor.
"What? Are you insane? I can't take a day off! I have the children! I can't take a day off from being...well...a...a..."
"A what, Tifa?"
She mumbles something incoherent, but I take a stab at it.
"A mother?"
She blushes furiously.
I understand her blush, especially since she's talking to me. While I know she doesn't mind taking the role of mother, it's just often times when she is portrayed as a mother, there is relation to a father...
And I being the male living in the house, that often results of me.
Not that I mind, it's...just complicated. Tifa and I aren't married, so...
It can just be awkward sometimes, ok?
I feel a blush of my own rising at my thoughts of Tifa and I married.
"Well, how about I give you a day off...I'll take a day off sometime this week, and I'll pick a day for you... and I'll be...well, I'll be..."
I want to say father but I can't. I know I am the father, just as much as she's the mother, it's just she's got a lot more practice in it. Plus, she's been addressed as their mother more often than I as their father, what with the traveling job and what not. I can see it in her eyes she understands.
However, she gives a mischievous grin.
"You'll be mother?"
I can't keep the little shock off my face.
Oh that was low.
"Okay, I'll take you up on that deal, mom."
Ouch! She giggles, and I feel myself blush. Despite the embarrassment, I'm glad we've come to an agreement.
Tifa laughs again, "Heh, according to my memory you looked great in a dress."
Oh, she did not just bring that up.
"Honestly, I was jealous of your figure in that dress!" Tifa exclaims, laughing.
I drop my head, hoping to hide the blush and she places her hand over my mine.
"I really perfer you as a man though."
I smile, that's a good thing.
I've still got my eyes averted though, thinking this will hide my blush that has not yet receeded. So I'm surprised when she leans over the bar and kisses me on the lips. Not that I object, it just catches me off guard.
We stay like that for awhile, our lips meeting across the bar. I wouldn't trade this moment for anything. I'd say our little spat and being called 'mother' was worth it.
However, I think I hear to childish giggles come from the stairwell.
Tifa wraps her hands around my neck however, and I don't give it a second thought.
Oh yeah, it was definately worth it.
A/N: hehehehe, I am evil. Rend, was that your impression of Reno? heh, Rend-Reno...only a letter off! Yeah, I'm sleep deprived! Anyways, enjoy! and thank you all for such wonderful reviews. Love ya