Chapter One
Way to go, Tifa!
Yeah, I've never seen anyone single-handedly take out a squadron of Shinra's task force!
Avalanche neared Seventh Heaven. After a long day, it was nighttime. Tifa mockingly wiped her brow and laughed.
"You guys, it was nothing really," she said.
"I think Shinra would disagree," Cloud quipped.
Tifa stretched her arms above her head and looked to Cloud. "How would you rate my battle skills?"
Cloud put his hand on his chin. "Not bad."
Tifa frowned. She wanted him to elaborate, but the group reached the entrance before she could ask. The others walked ahead while Cloud and Tifa trailed behind them. Cloud held the door.
"After you, Tifa," he said.
Tifa nodded. "Right."
She timidly walked past Cloud and tugged at her miniskirt. Then, she wiped it off as if something suddenly appeared on it. When she looked up, she noticed Cloud smirked.
He randomly had these chivalrous moments that caught her off guard. Of course, holding the door was a common courtesy. But seeing as Cloud Strife wasn't that common, Tifa's heart fluttered whenever he did something kind for her.
"What's so funny?" she asked. Cloud leaned against the door. "I was just waiting for you to go inside, so I could call it a night."
"Don't play dumb with me, Cloud. I've known you for too long." She put her hand on her hip. "And what was that about my battle skills being not bad?
"I meant what I said. You weren't bad. You did your thing and…"
Tifa motioned her hand. "Go on."
Cloud looked away. "You looked good out there…and hot."
When Cloud turned in Tifa's direction, their eyes met. Her mouth was agape, and her chest tightened. Slowly, he approached her. Time appeared to standstill. Tifa could see Cloud, coming to her in slow motion, but she couldn't move. Then, he placed his firm, yet delicate hand on her cheek. Before she could contest, Cloud gently kissed her forehead.
"Good night, Tifa," he whispered. He backed up and closed the door behind him.
I was not expecting that.
Tifa stood stunned. It wasn't until the clinks of the patrons' mugs and jukebox tunes picked up that Tifa remembered where she was. She snapped out of her reverie.
A few of her comrades came up to check on her to which she assured them that she was fine. But when she asked them if they had seen anything happen just now between her and Cloud, no one knew.
Truthfully, Tifa was everything, but fine. Her heart still hadn't calmed down from the forehead kiss Cloud planted on her before he left. She shook her head and headed to the bar. Avalanche won the battle today, so she could get back to work. She proceeded to mix a drink – the Cosmo Canyon that Cloud asked for the last time he was there. That was her comfort drink. Tifa chuckled as she remembered the slight smile Cloud gave her when he tried the drink.
Beautiful.
She recalled that's what he said. She gulped and her hands felt clammy. In fear of dropping the mixer, Tifa put down everything. Any other time, she would stay and celebrate while she bartended. But now, she needed to go. She walked to each patron, including her comrades, who still gloated about her victory, and wished them all a good night's sleep as she left the bar.
Walking up to her place, Tifa couldn't think. She considered Cloud her childhood friend. He vowed to protect her. But they weren't kids anymore, and the kiss changed things.
With each step, her legs felt weak. She wondered if her muscles were fatigued from battle. But she fought plenty and never felt like this. When all else failed, she knew some rest would help. As she approached her door, she looked up at the starless night. She wanted to make a wish, but it didn't seem like she would be able to do that tonight. Upon entering her door, Tifa clasped her hand against her chest. She sighed.
I wish Cloud would take me.