Prompt: #43 Redo

Summary: Life does not come with a do over.

Redo

It's one of those nights where, even though they have already said their good nights, they both want to stay awake just a little bit longer to enjoy the company of the other. They're both under the covers, turned on their sides and looking at each other. Their hands are clasped and Tifa has that small, secret smile that's just for him, that makes him want to kiss her. It's not long before he is kissing her and it still amazes him that he has the right and the freedom to do so. The first one ends too soon, so he naturally has to kiss her again. A little deeper this time just there is no mistaking how much he adores her. She one ups him by giving him a better kiss and finishes it by kissing his nose before giggling at the expression that's surely on his face. Then she's snuggling closer and his arms and hands are full of her.

"This is my favorite time of the day," Tifa sighs happily, while tracing an undefinable pattern on his chest. "The bar's all cleaned up. The kids are sleeping peacefully and you're here holding me."

He doesn't know what to say in response. He can only feel an enormous amount of gratitude for being a part of what she called one of her favorites. That it's him here and not someone else when she could have anyone she wants.

"You have that regretful look on your face again," she chides softly. "There's no point in regretting, you know. We can't change what we've done."

"Is there anything you would redo if you could?" he asks.

"There were times I wished I could," she admits. "But now? No, not a thing."

"Really?"

She looks directly into his eyes when she responds. "Because the end result of all that we've done brings us to now."

There's no argument to that, when it was nothing but the truth. Everything that's happened, good and bad, has brought them to now.

"I like that thinking," he says honestly and he does. It's comforting to think of it that way and somehow makes everything all right.

"Besides," she goes on to explain. "You wouldn't be you if you changed any parts of your past actions." She leans in even closer. "And I love who you are now."

He stares into her beloved face and can't help but wonder how he could ever deserve a woman like her. He wouldn't love himself, especially not like he had been during his dark days, so he can't see how she could have. Tifa, the girl he's loved all his life.

So intent is he on his thoughts, he misses the mischievous look that flashes in her ruby eyes before she tickles him in the ribs. It startles him so badly that it's only on reflex that has him snatching both of her hands in his and flattening them over her head. She giggles in his face while playfully fighting to free her hands.

He stares at her soft, warming laughter a moment intensely, a mixture of strong emotions flashing through his mako eyes, before his own face turns mischievous. Not to be outdone, he rolls her to her back and blows a raspberry right into the sensitive skin of her neck. Her giggles turn into full fledged peals of laughter and her struggles increase.

"Cloud!" she cries between bouts of laughter.

Then, just because he feels he needs to redo his efforts, he rubs his spikey hair along her neck and collarbone, making her laugh even more. She manages to slide of her small hands from his hold and smacks him with his own pillow.

"You're going to have me squealing so loud that I'll wake the kids," she accuses laughingly, while trying to keep her voice down.

"I think they'll be happy that you're laughing," he replies, running his hand over another ticklish spot and she has to slap a hand over her mouth to muffle her squeals.

"No fair!"

"It can never be anything but," he reasons and leans down to give her kiss.

Then, he gives her yet another.