Chapter 9

Clouds chest was bounding so rapid he was worried Lightning could hear it, even though his face was the perfect image of calm, on the inside he has never been so nervous. But he never felt so strong about anyone in his life before.

"Cloud I..." Lightning started unsure before taking a deep breath and smiling at him, "Sounds like fun. Let me go home first and freshen up." Lightning said with a small smile before walking quickly passed a stunned Cloud.

Cloud stood there paralyzed for a moment as he had the same sentence repeat in his head. 'Sounds like fun, sounds like fun, sounds like fun.' It took a while but the blonde's mind rebooted and a Smile slowly grew on his face as he relaxed his tense stance leaning up on the wall. An unexplainable feeling in his chest as he took in the most refreshing breath he had in his life.

"She said yes." Cloud said quietly to himself, the feeling was surreal Claire gave him a second chance, and even though he is supposed to feel bad for Tifa, he just feels overjoyed to have Claire accept him again. Cloud snapped out of his stupor and left heading straight to his hotel room, he had a date to prepare for.

Cloud found himself taking a quick shower, throwing on a pair of Jeans, a gray muscle shirt with a black sleeveless half zipped vest. Taking a quick look outside he noticed it was a beautiful day, partly cloudy and the by the way the trees swayed a fair breeze constantly blowing through the town. Heading back to the restroom Cloud put on some of his new cologne, his deodorant, and used mouth wash twice. 'Claire has given me a second chance; I have to make sure this goes perfectly.'

Looking at his reflection Cloud considered himself to be the average looking guy, fairly handsome and athletically fit. He remembered reading somewhere that a lot of girls Love Blue eyes and since his are enhanced by Mako, Cloud was glad for professor Hojo's experiment. His hair was naturally spiky and luckily it takes little preparation to make it presentable. Most people believing his hair is always like that, he even remembered that people believe his hair stayed spiky even wet. Cloud didn't know who started that rumor but he found it funny people believed it. All cloud does is fix his hair with his hands while it's wet and lets it dry off before taking a comb to make it look in place. It became a well practiced habit for Cloud to fix his hair when he wakes, or goes to the restroom, being made fun for how ridiculously spiky it turns when he just leaves it untamed as a kid. Checking his face for any facial hair that may have grown since yesterday Cloud nodded satisfied and left his hotel room heading to his bike, placing his goggles over his eyes and driving off to the Farron residence.

Meanwhile Lightning took her time in the shower, letting the hot water wash away the soreness of the day. When she looked at her shampoo lightning quickly realized that her shampoo was out, nervous she glanced at her sister's bottle. Lightning never liked the scented shampoos her sister always uses; already having trouble with the boys as a teen she didn't need her hair to smell like fruits to encourage the more vain guys in her class. So she usually did her best to be basic, dressing similar to a boy, using unscented deodorant sticks, never putting on perfume, and no makeup. The only thing feminine about her was her hair color and physical build. Sadly her tomboyish looks still attracted the opposite sex but they knew better than to approach her about it. Lightning learned self defense classes and was a red belt in her martial arts class at the time so any boy that got to close had to be careful.

Grabbing her sister's shampoo she read it carefully noticing it was made to smell like Strawberries. 'Well I think I remember Cloud saying he liked strawberries.' Lightning said feeling a little embarrassed for using the shampoo, she knew people would ask her about it for she never in the past decade has put anything on to make her smell attractive, it was always just a clean no odor smell. Finishing her shower Lightning stepped out with a towel wrapped around her slim body. Stopping in front of the mirror Lightning started to compare herself. 'Why would he choose me over Tifa? She has the bigger bust, wider hips and fuller lips. Her hair is always perfect, and there are no physical flaws.

Lightning dropped her towel and took a moment to really look at herself, her Breast size had grown into a C cup since High school, but she never really noticed how small she felt compare to Tifa. 'That woman is life a dairy cow,' Light thought to herself, before looking at her slim toned body, it still had some feminine curves but nothing like the curves on Tifa, Tifa's butt was bigger and just as Firm as Lights. Claire also took in the battle scars she had, while they were deep and repulsive she felt that it wasn't attractive. Lightning did notice though she had long slender legs, And was a little disappointed to realize that Tifa was also the shorter woman, being 5,5 where Lightning was 5,7 and Cloud was only 5,9. Lightning knew that a lot of guys like shorter girls.

Deciding that she was wasting time, Lightning quickly finished her bathroom festivities and got herself dressed, only to realize she didn't have much to where. She also knew Tifa had a lot of feminine cloths even though some may be too revealing for her taste. Lightning on the other hand only had some basic shirts, her uniform and the outfit she wore during the L'cie crisis. Lightning started to panic before realizing that she was starting to act like a teenage girl. Deciding to go with some skinny jeans with a few cuts and fades for design purpose, then quickly threw on a Navy blue sleeveless turtleneck that hugged her frame. Fixing her hair till it reached her liking Lightning looked at herself one more time in the mirror. Now relaxed has didn't care how she looked but she felt comfortable and realized that she actually made this outfit work well. Putting on Her normal Deodorant she opened her drawer to see a Glass phial. It is a perfume she has gotten for Christmas last year from Serah spraying it I the air to give it a smell. Lightning almost smiled at the pleasant smell. T wasn't too flashy but it certainly could make any man turn his head. Lightning sprayed herself a few times with the perfume unaware that her sister walked in and slowly back out with a knowing smile on her face.

Cloud was already waiting in the living room of Lightning's beach house, waiting patiently for his date as Serah told him she was still getting ready. He was watching the new where sure enough the recording of his fight with Zack and Peringo went viral alongside Lightning vs. Sephiroth. The reporter was explaining their theory on who was fighting the Hero of Gaia and Cocoon.

"She is just putting on the finishing touches and will be out soon Cloud. " Serah said as she entered the living room. Cloud nodded his thanks a he stretched his back releasing a small unexpected Yawn right before Lightning walked in slightly surprised to see him here already.

"Cloud, when did you get here?" Light said her voice full of surprise before she tried to cover up her grin. Cloud in mid stretch suddenly stopped what he was doing as he tried to silence his yawn, before turning around to face Lightning with an embarrassed look on his face.

"I just got here about a minute ago, "he said hurriedly before regaining his composure with a cough. Walking closer to arms reach of Lightning, he took in her beauty. "You look beautiful." He said with a grin. Causing Claire to gain a light blush.

In turn Lightning took a minute to look over Cloud; the man was dressed in a way that only he could pull off, she even noticed the silver ear ring on his left ear. Something simple and yet made sense he could pull it off. "Did you always have an earring?" Lightning suddenly said, causing a shocked look to appear on Clouds face for a brief second.

Cloud responded by scratching the back of his head again before saying, "I always had it, I guess most people forget cause it just doesn't stand out."

"Well are you to just going to stand here all day or don't you got a date planned." Serah said enjoying the moment to tease both of the warriors, noticing that both of them gained a healthy blush. Cloud was the first to snap out of the embarrassment as he moved next to Lightning Grabbing her hand.

"Well we should probably get going, only a few hours of daylight left." Cloud said the only response from Lightning being a small smile and her fingers lacing through his hand. Taking that as a response the two walked out of the house. And mounting Clouds bike, Lightning holding onto Clouds back as he drove his way to the park.

The Day at the park was spent with the two walking through the trees hand in hand, not much was said between the two, instead they just enjoyed the nice day next to one another. They sat on a bench where a fountain was in front of them, a few birds paying in the water and other people walking by trying not to act out right ask the two for a photo, or an autograph. Although there peace was interrupted briefly when a ball hit Cloud in the face, Causing a small laugh to escape from Lightning as she enjoyed the confused and slightly irritated face of Cloud.

The blonde warrior stood up picking up the soccer ball that nailed his face as a group of kids nervously walked towards him. Claire noticed they were about 8-12 years old and was about to scold them before Cloud kneeled in front of one and said, "Did you kick this ball?" His voice was kind even though he got hit in the face. The little girl in front of him looking around the age of 11 nodded with embarrassment as she looked away expecting a lecture.

"Well someone has a heck of a kick, too bad you can't aim." This caused the girl to quickly face Cloud a little upset, "I do too know how to aim. My foot just slipped a little." She said quietly towards the end.

"Nope I don't think you do, because this is how you kick the ball properly." Cloud said noticing a empty trash can. Tossing the ball up Cloud kicked the ball making it bounce off a tree before it ricochets in the empty trash can. Causing the kids to get excited. Before the little girl called him out.

"That was just lucky, it was the wind. I can do better."

Lightning watched with an eyebrow raised as Cloud smirked, "Is that a challenge." Cloud said.

"I can definitely do better!" She declared as the other kids sided with her. Cloud nearly smiled before turning back to Claire and placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Forgive me but I'll be right back." With that said Lightning just watched as Cloud played amongst the kids as they all took turns kicking and passing the ball around and making it into the trashcan Turned goal. Lightning was a little upset at first when Cloud went to play with the kids but was actually happy to see this side of Cloud. He was smiling along with the kids as they seemed to have lots of fun playing with the only adult. Cloud looked silly as he played with the kids before he suddenly stopped and waved her over. The kids saw what he was doing and in turn were begging her to join in.

Nervous about playing with kids, considering she is not good with children, Lightning tried to find a way out before the kids dragged her from the bench. Sure enough Lightning found herself playing along with the kids and Cloud before they split up into boys Vs. girls. Cloud and Claire played as goalies while the kids played as forwards. This went on until the parents came to take away the kids, leaving the score as girls three boys 2. When the parents came the apologized to Lightning and Cloud for the kids behavior, while the couple assured them it was alright.

"I never knew you were so good with children," Lightning said as she had her back pressed on Clouds chest. The couple was sitting under a tree while Cloud was leaning on the trunk and Lightning leaning on him.

"I took care of many orphans back in Edge. Kids were one of the only things that brought me out of my depression after Meteor. My friends helped as well but I believe the kids saved me. I would have adopted them all, but some of the died from Geostigma, while the others preferred to stay in the homes of their uncles and aunts.. I adopted Denzel because he unlike the others had nobody. I like kids because no matter what they go through they can find happiness with the smallest of things, by simply playing around with others. I would play catch with them almost all day on my days off." Cloud said wapping his arms around Lightning's waist.

"You almost looked nervous when they pulled you into the game." He said with a small chuckle.

Lightning felt the strength in his arms when he wrapped them around her and felt her back vibrate from his little chuckle. It was a comfortable feeling, and she felt secure. "I'm not so good with kids; I tend to be a little strict."

"A little?" cloud said in a joking tone earning an elbow to his ribs.

"Sorry ," Cloud said earning a huff from his love.

"And I just don't know how to deal with them, they also don't listen well."

"They listen better if your friends with them?"

"Yeah well you can't always be their friend."

"I know, but you can't always be a boring adult."

"Oh so I'm boring now." Light said turning her body around to look at Cloud as he had a small smirk.

"The kids think so." He said with a stupid grin. Before he tried to close in for a kiss.

Lightning simply turned away avoid the kiss with her own smirk knowing that Cloud gained a small frown, "Why do you have to be like that?"

"Because I'm a boring adult." With that said she leaned her head back and used her left arm to guide his head down to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Besides adult's party at night." She said suggestively as they both sat quietly enjoying the warmth from each other's body under the shade of the tree. "I don't want this moment to end." Lightning said.

"Me neither. I love you Claire."

"I love you to Cloud."