Hello readers, sorry that this chapter took FOREVERRR! I've been pretty busy and I sorta had writers block but that's no excuse for being so late!
On the bright side, my writing has improved a bit so hopefully this chapter will be better than the last two!
Disclaimer: I do not own any Final Fantasy characters what so ever! All characters belong to their rightful owners!
Warning: This story does contain inappropriate language/ situations so if that's not your cup of tea then I don't recommend you reading this but I'm also not stopping you.
~Let's begin shall we
Chapter 3
Cloud
The plane ride could have been worse, I mean I only puked once and I had so anxiety attacks! That's pretty good so shut up! But anyways, Vincent and I made it off the plane ALIVE, now all we have to do is get our luggage and get to Tifa's place.
"Well?" Asked Vincent, I hadn't realized that he was talking, we were still waiting on our luggage.
"Well, what?" I asked, he wasn't looking at me but I can still see the blank look on his face, he then turned to face me, still not much of an expression on him. "How does it feel to be back in Midgar?" I guess it hadn't sunk in yet because I didn't feel anything but hearing him say that gave me a bit of anxiety in my chest and in the pit of my stomach. I tried shaking it off and threw him a smile. "It's a bit weird but I'll get over it. "
We were immediately assaulted by Midgar's famous summer air; it just brought back familiar memories for me but for Vincent it just brought a scowl to his face. I started looking around for the cab that was suppose to pick us up right about now but came up with nothing, of course. The more we waited the deeper Vincent's scowl got; I don't blame him we've been waiting for half an hour now. I was about to tell him to call them again when the cab FINALLY got here.
I was beginning to feel that we should have rented a car instead, one because it took half an hour to get us, two because I don't even think the man even has a license, he cut off 5 cars in counting and I was afraid that he was going to commit a hit and run or something, yep, this is so not helping my anxiety.
We survived twice! First the plane ride, then the taxi, though death seems so sweet at the moment since are now standing in front of Tifa's closed bar. I knew it was closed since Tifa gave me her schedule ahead of time, which was good because I didn't want to arrive while she was busy working. I couldn't tell if it was anxiety or just pure excitement on seeing my good friend again. There was a white car parked in front of the bar as well, it looked expensive but whatever I want to focus on seeing Tifa right now.
"She said she has a back door, c'mon" I said as I made my way around the building, I thought I heard Vincent mumbling something but I couldn't catch it, I chose to ignore it because I knew what he was thinking, the Seventh Heaven bar wasn't in the best neighborhoods but Tifa got good business so I'm fine with it. I saw the back door that was up a flight of metal stairs. I tried to look for the hidden key that she had in some rocks but came up with nothing, I guess we just better hope that she's home.
I practically ran up the stairs leaving Vincent with our luggage, he'll get over it. I froze for a second when I made it to the top, I couldn't help the smile that was forming on my face. I didn't really take the time to think if she had a door bell or not because I knocked on it anyway and called out to her "Tifa, you home?" I heard some mumbling and the sound of movement coming from the inside and I started to wonder if she even heard me. I was about to knock again when she opened the door. Tifa's hair seemed a bit darker than and not as long as I remembered it but she still look like Tifa. "Tifa!" I couldn't hold in my excitement any longer. "Choco-baby!" She squealed and embraced me as I did her, I also thought that I saw something or someone more from inside the house but I guess it was just my imagination. I don't know how long we've been hugging but when I heard Vincent's "Ahem" I knew it was time for us to stop. I let her go, her eyes became a bit confused when they landed on Vincent.
"Oh um, Tifa this is Vincent, Vincent this is Tifa." Introduced them both, they observed each other for a moment when they decided to shake hands. "Hello Vincent, I'm guessing you're Clouds…" Her eyes went up trying to think. "…Fiancé'." He finished for her, feeling a bit embarrassed I quickly said "So Tifa, how have you been? I mean it's been forever." It's a good thing Tifa gets distracted real easily because she then got excited and invited us in.
The three of us sat in her living area, there was an awkward silence when "So Cloud, not to sound nosey but what brings you back to Midgar?" Tifa said, breaking the silence. I suddenly felt really emberassed of the situation that I'm in but the sooner I tell her the better. "Well-"
"We're here to rid of a burden that's holding us back from marrying." Vincent said, well more like interrupted. I thought about scolding him from the way he put it but I chose not to, so I gave her a sympathetic look asking her to forgive him and his rudeness. Tifa notices and gave me a small smile then when back to the worried look and looked back to Vincent. "Burden, you don't mean Zack, right?" Vincent's scowl returned and he nodded. "Yes, and I would like to get this over and done with as soon as possible." I flinched at the tone of his voice; it wasn't like I was scared OF him it was more like I was scared FOR him. Tifa never had the patience for strangers, especially rude ones; I held my breath and looked to her. She looked calm and she even smiled but I could see it in her eyes that she wasn't happy. Tifa looked to me, she still didn't look happy, I felt guilt building up inside me, I'm going to have to talk to her later when Vincent isn't around to butt in. "I think I'll rest now. The bedroom is down the hall, second to the right, correct?" Vincent said as he rose from the couch. "Yes." She simply said.
The tension in the room started to die down in the room once Vincent left. I was looking down at my feet but I knew Tifa still sat across from me, waiting…I finally built up the courage to look up to her hard eyes. "Tifa…I'm sorry for the Vincent has been acting, he's not too fond of the reason why we're here" Her face softened " I just don't understand on how Zack is preventing you both from marrying, I mean I'm also surprised that your with that guy rather than Zack-" Her eyes widened. "-I mean, I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude or anything…." She suddenly looked nervous; it made me sad that she isn't as comfortable with me anymore. I smiled "Tifa you know I won't get mad at anything you say, I'm still Cloud ya know…" I then looked down; it's hard to talk though…" You see, I can't marry Vincent until I get um, un-married?" It came out more as a question because I didn't really know how to put it. "un-married?" She repeated, she seemed deep in thought for a moment when her eyes widened and she practically jumped off the couch. "You and Zack got married?! When?! Why haven't I know about this?!" I flinched from her girly screams and eeks. Hearing her say it out loud made my face heat up with embarrassment. "T-Tifa, keep it down will ya?" I panicked, I didn't want Vincent hear, he was already in a bad mood as is. "Right, sorry." She sat down once more. " It's also sad, ya know. I mean back in the day you and Zack were inseparable, what happened?" Thinking about it still hurt, why Zack and I aren't together anymore, the last time I was with Zack was when we went to the Wall Market, that's when problems started as well as fights. I shook the thoughts out of my head and I smiled at her "One thing lead another I guess…" I wasn't ready to say everything that happened that night at TheWall. "One thing lead to another, huh?" at first I though it was Tifa who was talking but the voice was too deep, too masculine to be hers, I recognized that voice, I was scared that I recognized it.
Zack stood at the door way, arms crossed, he had a smug look to his face and fire in his eyes. "C'mon Cloud, why don't you tell her everything? Tell her what happened." His smiled widened. I was shocked to even say anything, Zack Fair, the man that I last saw 3 years ago was standing 10 feet away from me, looking as if he where the owner of the place, I wondered if Tifa was in shock too because I haven't heard a word come out of her mouth either. "Go on, tell her how you betrayed me" His voice sounded more demanding which shocked me out of my daze, I suddenly felt angered. Betray, how dare he say that I betrayed him!
"Excuse me?" I don't know how I did it but I managed to say it, I got up from the couch and slowly made my way towards him, I was angry, no, FURIOUS. "How dare you come in here and tell me that I fucked everything up?!" I was now about a foot away from him, I knew that I would never be able to intimidate this man but he can also never intimidate me. I shoved my index finger to his chest "From all shit that went on that night, I would say that YOU were the one who betrayed ME!" My voice became louder and more menacing; I haven't heard myself sound like this in a while. I was now looking up at him, his face looked more mature, manlier, he was and is still very handsome but I won't let his looks soften me up. His eyes suddenly became soft. "Is that what you think? You think it was all me?" Before anything could go any further another voice came in. "I would appreciate it if you backed away from my fiancé." Vincent was standing behind Zack; he was sending death glares all around. A smile returned to Zack's face as he turned to face Vincent. "Sorry man but he's the one who came to me, sorry it's a habit-"I don't know where it came from but all I remember was my fist colliding with Zack's face. "Don't get too cocky you son of a bitch!" I started yelling and yelling, the anger over flowed me. He was still standing, his hand on the red cheek that I struck. I suddenly realized what I just did, I just punched Zack in the face. "I- shit…" was all that came out of my mouth. Tifa finally came into the 'conversation' "Alright, boys I think we should all sit down and-" before she could even finish her sentence, Zack's fist came to my face. "You think your any better?!" came Zack, his voice was angry, my cheek stung but I ignored the pain because there's no way I wasn't going to fight back! "Alright that's enough!" Tifa was now in between us, the palms of her hands where on our chests, holding us back, Vincent also looked like he was about to attack as well but was stopped from the dominance of Tifa's voice. It was silent for a moment when Zack mumbled something and trudged out of the room and past Vincent, there was the sound of footsteps then the door opening and slamming shut and the whole house went silence once more, I turned to Tifa "Tifa I-"
"No more, Cloud, you both need to calm down and from what little I know, you need to apologize to Zack, not from what happened that 'dreadful day' but what happened in here because if you want to marry him" she pointed to Vincent "then you need to be on Zack's good side, so let's try not to use violence this time, okay?" I felt like a teenager being scolded by their mother but she was right, I need to be on Zack's god side if we are going to get him to sign the divorce papers. "Your right Tifa, I'm sorry…" She sighed "Its not me that you should be apologizing to…" She then smiled "Go get some rest okay?" I nodded and returned the smile.
Vincent and I stayed in the guest bedroom for the rest of the day, I waited till he fell asleep to call Zack, I wasn't as nervous as I was the first time I attempted to call him. The line rang for a few seconds when it clicked. "Hello?" Zack's voice didn't sound too thrilling. "Listen" I stated "about what happened this morning, I'm sorry for hitting you like that, I shouldn't have done it…" He was silent for a moment when "It's cool, it just shows that the old Cloud is still somewhere in there. I'm sorry for hitting you too, if its business with me the reason why you're here then we'll meet up tomorrow, okay?" I felt relieved, thank god that there some maturity in this man. "Yeah that sounds great, I'll see you then, bye, Zack" It felt weird yet normal saying his name. "Bye"
We were walking hand in hand, admiring the bright colorful lights that surrounded us. The Wall Market was new and Magical and it filled my heart with warmth from being in such a magical place with him. We were looking for a place to stay when a rather large man with two body guards stopped us. "My my Aren't you two quite the lookers?" He pulled out what looked like a business card and handed it to us. "You two would do great in the business. How would you two like to have dinner with me?"
End of CH3
Alright I know this chapter wasn't as long as the others xT but anyways how did you guess like their meeting, huh? Too much violence well don't worry things will get better and I'll try to get the next chapter in as soon as possible ;)