Disclaimer: I do not own any character in any shape or form. They belong to Square Enix :)

Author's note: I am terribly sorry for abandoning this fan fiction in months. I will give a more detailed explanation later on after the chapter ends. I hope you enjoy the 18th chapter because I enjoyed writing it. Cheers to all those that stood their grounds and supported this ship!

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Chapter 18

Tifa's P.O.V

It was probably eight in the morning but I wouldn't know. My head ached badly and I felt very hot, maybe I should sleep in today. After all the bed was very inviting and I have no energy to do anything. I rolled over and snuggled under my blankets, loving the warmth it gave me every second. The birds were chirping outside and the sun shone in through the windows. I could hear the door open and footsteps approaching towards me but I paid it no heed… wait a minute, footsteps?

I opened my eyes and quickly sat upright; my head felt like there was a hammer pounding away on it. Seriously it was not a feeling I was accustomed to waking up with in the morning. I looked at the intruder with confused and alerted eyes, but I was met with a familiar face.

"Ah, Tifa awake already? I was about to check your temperature," Sephiroth said as he placed the glass of water on my bedside table. He also had a bottle of medicine in his hand. I nodded in silence as he twisted the cap open to take out a tablet. I'm confused as to why he's here; didn't he say he was going back to his place?

"Say 'ah'," I opened my mouth and he popped the medicine in and handed me the water which I drank immediately to get rid of the horrid taste it left on my tongue. After making a disgusted face I handed the glass back to him which he took and placed back where it was before.

"Umm… what—"

"—what am I doing here?" He took a seat on the edge of my bed. I played with my fingers and nodded yes. Truth to be told I do not know what is going on. Why is he here? Why is my head hurting? There are so many questions in my head that I don't even know where to start.

"So you remember nothing from last night at all?" He looked at me then his eyes trailed down and shook his head. "Pity."

I followed his line of sight and looked down to see that I am wearing an oversized shirt and my pajama pants. It took me a minute to realize what he was talking about and I crossed my arms in front of me. My eyes are wide with shock. We didn't, did we? I was almost certain that we did it, well that was until he laughed.

"Don't worry Tifa, we weren't intimate last night. Think back, what do you remember last?" he took my hand and caressed it. I looked up at him then at my hand. What do I remember? Well the last thing I remember was the auction…

It was Friday, the day of the auction and as much as I hate to admit it, I was kind of excited. Well, probably for the wrong reasons but let me assure you that I am happy to do this for a good cause. I am wearing a simple outfit and white tubular bodice that made my breasts—which I have hidden quite well—look large. I paired it with a red pleated skirt and a black cardigan. I put my hair up in a neat tuck and cover French braid half with a bun. I am also wearing a light make-up just eyeliner and red lipstick. I put on my black heels and opened my phone to message Yuffie. We planned on going to the auction together.

However, before I could message her, someone knocked on the door. I turned and walked towards the sound. As I walked towards the door, I wonder who it could be. I turned the knob to open it and I saw spiky blonde hair waiting outside.

"Hey Teef, mind if come in?" Cloud asked sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. I smiled and opened the door wider, ushering him in. I closed the door behind me and followed him in to the living room.

I sat down on the couch and he sat on the sofa that was at the opposite of mine. He looked like he was sweating bullets, I wouldn't blame him. Our relationship ended on an empty note and it was pretty awkward after that. It was partly my fault, I got caught up with the relationship I had with Sephiroth that I had forgotten to officially turn down Cloud. It's a pretty dick move for someone like me and I'm planning on doing it tonight.

"Cloud I—"

"Teef I—"

We both looked at each other with wide eyes; I cleared my throat while he laughed awkwardly.

"You first, Cloud." I said as I waited for him. He moved nervously on his chair and tugged on the collar of his plaid shirt. After clearing his throat, he finally spoke.

"Tifa, I know that you liked me for the past year and I know it was stupid of me to ignore your feelings for so long. I guess I want to say that I like you now and if it's alright, would you let me take you out? I know I said it before but it never happened but I was just scared. So Tifa, would you do me the honor of going out with me?"

He looked at me with serious and intense eyes that I feel like I'm the one that's sweating bullets now. I can't just tell him sorry because I'm in love with his enemy. Sure I will tell him soon enough but this, I don't know how to deal with this. I looked down to break the eye contact that we had for too long and played with the hems of my skirt.

"I'm sorry Cloud… I can't."

"Why not?"

"I—I'm in love with someone else," I looked up to look him in the eye. I could see the shock in his eyes and sadness.

"I-I see…" He stood up and I did the same. I could see him ball his fists and I could feel the anger that he was experiencing. I want to comfort him, but I can't.

"C-Cloud…" I said, my voice desperate. I don't want to ruin the friendship that we have. I hope he can feel the same.

"No, Tifa, it's fine…" he unclenched his fist and cleared his throat. Turning around, he walked towards the door. "I'll let myself out," he said before disappearing from my sight.

I let out a breath I did not know I was holding. That did not go as I had expected it to go. When he calms down, then I will tell him the truth and I hope that he'll understand. After all, he is my best and childhood friend. To have a crack in that relationship because of my relationship would be stupid, right?

Yuffie went to my house with Sephiroth, Kadaj and Yazoo. Apparently Professor Hojo told Yuffie that we'll be picked up by his sons. It was a wreck driving to the theatre, even though I wanted to hug and cuddle with Sephiroth, it was still awkward with Yuffie and his brothers around. So we opted to holding hands throughout the whole ride.

Yuffie was having a shouting contest with Kadaj while Yazoo just sat calmly inside the limousine. I looked up and Sephiroth and smiled, he returned it with a small smile. He never shows his big smiles in public and I find it adorable. Don't tell him I called him adorable though, he'll get mad and flustered.

I looked at Yazoo and saw how calm he was through the whole thing. He was wearing a blue trench coat, with a black dress shirt underneath and a long red scarf. He has good fashion sense, and the outfit suited him especially with his hair on a low ponytail.

I felt Sephiroth shift beside me and I observed him, he has his hair up in a high ponytail, he's wearing a black suit with a green tie that matched the color of his eyes. He caught me looking at him and I blushed. He leaned towards me, his breath tickling my ear, causing me to giggle.

"You look beautiful Tifa, I wish I could have you for myself," he whispered. My face was read as a tomato and Yuffie noticed how flushed I was. She asked me what was wrong and I told her it was nothing. Little did I know that Yazoo and Kadaj witnessed it.

We arrived at the theatre and we had to go to our respective places to let the auction begin. I bid goodbye to Sephiroth and Yazoo and wished them the best of luck as I did to the others as well. It was still pretty awkward between me and Cloud but at least he acknowledge me with a "you too". I bid the other female contestants good luck and they did the same. Hopefully this year, I'll get someone nice.

They called Sephiroth first and boy there was a ton of women wanting to spend a dinner with him. It made me jealous inside but I had to accept the fact that this was only for a day and that this was for charity. Other students who are on the scholarship program need it, like me and my friends for example and the upcoming freshmen this fall. He raised a ton of money but I forgot the exact amount. These rich people really have a ton of money to spend. They called me next and I walked to the center of the stage, Sephiroth was sitting on one of the chairs, waiting the auctioning to end.

As I stood on the stage, a ton of men started bidding on me; I never really paid attention to the amount they would bid because in the end it's always the same. Dinner, Club, Home. However this time something caught my attention, it was Loz bidding the highest amount of money for me. It shocked me and I had to hold a laugh because he was still in middle school and in no way would he be allowed to 'buy' me. It was a sweet gesture of course and his brother sure is shocked to see him bidding.

"Anyone else to top that amount?"

There was a silence in the crowd. He might actually be able to get with this.

"HE DOESN'T EVEN GO HERE!" someone shouted.

I was wrong. Someone caught on. With a sad face, Loz looked up at me and blew him a kiss. He smiled and I waved goodbye to him and the auction continued. In the end a nice young man, who was quite polite ended up buying me for the night. I sat to the seat next to Sephiroth as I always did for the past two years and the night continued. I was so lost in my world that I had forgotten that Cloud was watching the whole time. Watching me blow a kiss and waving goodbye to Sephiroth's brother.

It was time for the dinner and I sat down at one of the tables in the restaurant. I was two tables away from Sephiroth, three from Yuffie, five from Cloud and four from Yazoo. It amused me to see that a man bet on Yazoo. Amongst all the women, it was a man who was able to get him. It must be nice to be rich. But I like my life the way it is.

"So Miss Lockhart, tell me what are your hobbies?" the man in front of me asked.

"Tifa would be fine," I replied with a smile. "Well, I like to practice and hone my skills in martial arts. I also like to read books and watch the news in my free time."

"Ah, it is always nice to know that someone is interested in the matters of the world today," he beamed.

"Yes of course, after all it is the world we live in. We need to be informed to be able to make a change," I replied.

"You are one interesting and intelligent woman."

"Well I wouldn't be on the scholarship program if I wasn't," I said playfully and we both laughed. We spent the rest of the evening talking more about our interests and person life. It was pretty surprising to know that he has a crush on someone and asked me for help. Of course I told him that if he really likes her, he has to tell her before it is too late.

Before we went to the club, he told me that he wouldn't be able to. An urgent matter came up and he has to go and take care of it. He told me it was nice to talk over dinner and thanked me for my advice. I told him that even after this, if he needs help, I'll be here. His eyes beamed with happiness when he heard it. He bid me good night and to have fun.

So now, I am waiting for the party bus that will take all of us to the club alone. It was freezing and this cardigan did me no justice. Wearing a skirt was a bad choice too but I couldn't go inside and be the only one alone. So I opted to stay out here instead. Some wrapped their jacket on me and I looked up to see Sephiroth looking at the distance, I grabbed on to his jacket to keep myself warm before muttering a thank you. He patted my head before walking back inside and I looked at him as he left with a small smile on my face. I could smell his cologne and it was good enough for me.

On the way to the club, Yuffie sat next to me with her date. He was a good man who was as hyper as Yuffie. She was pretty hyped and it was amazing how he could calm her down. I could see the woman who was Sephiroth's date throwing shade at me. I was wondering why, but then I realized I was wearing his jacket. I chose to ignore her and continued talking to Yuffie. Minutes later, Vincent sat down next to me and complimented me. I blushed and thanked him and he gave a small smile, so miniscule it was hard to catch.

Even though I had no date, I didn't feel alone anymore. I just hope that the guy I was with was alright.

"Well, that's all I could remember…" I looked at him and his eyebrows narrowed and he seemed to be deep in thought.

"Hmmm, just as I had speculated, you were drugged Tifa." He soothed my hand with his thumb. I was shocked and he had to close my mouth.

"W-wait! Drugged?!" I am at loss. Did my buyer drug me? He couldn't have… I mean, I was fine when he left and the memories from the club are fogged up.

"Yes, drugged. It's a good thing I was able to stop you from doing things."

"Oh God…. No!" I took my hand away and hid underneath my blanket. I'm so embarrassed. I don't even know what to say.

"Tifa…" I felt the space next to me shift and I could feel his fingers playing with my hair. I brought the blanket down to my chin, and looked at him. He was lying next to me with his elbow propped up to support his head.

He moved my bangs away from my face and touched my lips. I parted them and he took them in his own. My eyes shut close as I enjoyed every second, the way his lips moved against mine, how he tasted. It was all too heavenly. He moved atop of me, his arms supporting his weight to prevent himself from crushing me. He broke the kiss and moved down to my neck in a trail of kisses and left a mark. I gasped and his eyes stared into mine. I felt so lost in those mako green pools, that I missed his smirk. He resumed his position beside me and held me close. I did nothing but pout, causing him to chuckle. I actually liked it. I smiled as we cuddled, I'm glad to have him.

Normal P.O.V

Sephiroth held the love of his life in his arms and when she fell asleep again, he was lost in his thoughts and the events that occurred that night. Thankfully he was there to prevent the person lying next to him make a fool out of herself.

It all happened when Tifa was sitting alone on one of the cubicles of the club. She had a Pina Colada Virgin and drank quietly as she listened to the club music play in the background. Everyone was having fun, or so she thought from her point of view. Vincent was dancing with his partner, so was Yuffie and Cloud. Genesis was all up intimate with the person he was dancing with. It almost caused her to nosebleed. Sephiroth looked like he would rather die than have the woman throw herself to him every single minute she got.

Tifa looked at everyone dancing well with the exception of Yazoo because his partner also had to leave early for the night and was reading a pocket book instead. He surely knows how to keep himself busy. He also was enjoying himself even though it might not seem like it. As she walked towards the bathroom to relieve herself, a certain redhead made his way towards the cubicle she was at and slipped a pill in her drink. Nobody noticed him doing it and he made his way back towards the dance floor.

After Tifa finished doing her business she walked back and drank her drink. She was tapping her feet to the song GDFR. Noticing the change in the music Sephiroth left the dance floor and walked towards the place Tifa was at. He sat down and a person passed by to bring drinks, he took an orange juice and looked at Tifa. She looked like she was sweating bullets, which was weird because she hadn't danced all night. She took off her cardigan and continued sipping from her drink.

I know what you came here to see. If you're a freak, then ya coming home with me. And I know what you came here to do. Now bust it open let me see you get low

"Ah, I wanna dance." Tifa muttered to herself, not noticing Sephiroth and walked towards the dance floor. This brought his attention more towards his lover. He was confused as to what she was doing and followed her.

Tifa walked up to Vincent and asked him to dance in a sultry tone, "Heya hot stuff, wanna dance?" She placed her arms on his shoulders and Vincent raised a brow.

"Tifa, are you alright?" he asked, worried about her situation and a bit surprised at her comment. She placed a finger on his lips to shut him up. Which surprisingly did the job.

"Just shut up and dance," she said a low seductive voice and started dancing so seductively that it made Vincent immobile. Sephiroth was irked to see Tifa dancing so sexily for other men. He gritted his teeth, as he tried to approach them which was hard to do so because of the people blocking his way.

I could just roll up. Cause I'm swole up. So that birthday cake get the cobra

"Come on Vinnie don't be so stiff, sweetie," Tifa pulled him closer and parted her lips. Vincent could not smell anything alcoholic on him so instead of giving her what she wanted in her drugged state, he kissed her cheek instead and carried her bridal style.

"Vinnie puhwease, I have my own lover to do this stuff with," Tifa giggled and immediately blacked out. He looked around for Sephiroth as he walked out of the dance floor. He went back to the cubicle to take Sephiroth's jacket, her cardigan and her purse. Sephiroth saw him carrying Tifa and approached him in haste.

"Hey!" Sephiroth yelled, causing Vincent to turn around and sigh in relief. Sephiroth had a murderous glare in his eyes and Vincent thought that it would be a hassle talking his way out of this one.

"Listen, your girlfriend is drugged. No, I am not the one who did it and truthfully it pains me to see her this way. I'll carry her for now to cause less suspicion. I'll meet you outside." Vincent told Sephiroth, not giving him time to speak his mind or get angry at him. Sephiroth nodded and took the items from his hands and followed Vincent outside.

After informing the escorts, Vincent and Sephiroth called a taxi to take Tifa home. On the way Tifa was sleeping soundly in Sephiroth's arms. Vincent had given her to him inside the taxi and took the items instead. It would be inappropriate if he was the one to hold Tifa while her boyfriend is next to him.

Once the taxi dropped them off, they hurriedly walked towards her apartment.

"In her purse, there is a key that is color blue; that is the key you need to use to open the door." Sephiroth told Vincent. Vincent nodded and searched for said item. Once he got it, it inserted it in the knob and opened the door. It would be unwise to tell Sephiroth that Tifa always has a spare key under the mat. After all, Tifa and Vincent used to hang out a lot. She would always tell him how she felt about Cloud and he would be there to listen.

Sephiroth opened the hallway light and walked towards her room. Vincent remained outside in the living room. Once Sephiroth placed her on the bed, he contemplated whether he should change her clothes or not. After smelling the horrid smell of sweat and amongst other things mixed up together he decided to change her. It's not like he hasn't seen her naked before right? Actually he hasn't. DARN IT, he thought.

Taking an oversized shirt and pajama pants, Sephiroth walked towards Tifa and starts taking off her shoes. He threw them behind him. He slowly takes off her skirt so that her panties wouldn't come off either and once he was done; he put on her pajama pants. Next was the bodice, he had to flip her so that she's lying on her stomach. He starts untying the strings and after realizing that it has a built in bra, he had to refrain himself from thinking dirty thoughts. He closed his eyes as he took the bodice off. Blindingly looking for the shirt he takes it and awkwardly puts it on her. He opened one eye to take a peek—which he ultimately regrets because it was perverted—and hurriedly fixed her shirt.

Once he was done, he walked out with his face red as a beet. He heard someone move in the living room and realized that Vincent was still in the apartment. He approached him and extended a hand.

"Thank you for not taking advantage of Tifa," He said. Vincent shook his hand and looked him straight in the eye.

"You're welcome. I hope you won't take advantage too."

"You don't have to worry about that. I am not that type of person," Sephiroth replied with a scowl. How dare he imply I would take advantage of Tifa!

"Of course, if anything happens to her," Vincent makes a slicing gesture on his throat.

"Is that a threat, Valentine?" Sephiroth scoffed. "Don't make threats with people who have power."

"It does not matter if you have power or not Hojo, Tifa is our princess, and if anything happens to her it won't be only me you'll look out for." Vincent replied as he walked towards the door but before he leaves he gave him a glare. "She's like a sister to me."

And with that he left, leaving Sephiroth alone with his thoughts. Sister? I really doubt that Valentine. He walked towards Tifa's room and opened the door. He walked towards her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight, Tifa."

He walked out of her room and walked towards her parent's room where he used to sleep. He lay there, with questions running across his mind. The more he thinks about it, there is so little they know about each other and why did she approach Vincent in her drugged stupor? Guess he'll have to ask it on another day.

Going back to the present, Sephiroth was still insecure about his relationship with Tifa. The feeling was foreign to him. Could there be another contender? Was this contender Valentine? He looked at the person sleeping soundly in his arms and he smiled. As long as she is his, he will be hers.

A/N: THERE YOU GO. Oh my geezus that's was phew. WHAT. Anyways, I am truly sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been hectic life wise and I am trying my best to deal with it. I didn't really want to update when I feel troubled or else the story comes out shitty. It is still amateur wise but what can I do? I love imagining things but putting it in words is just difficult. Anyways hope you had fun and please let me know!