In the famous Golden Shuriken restaurant, two pretty ladies were laughing up a storm.

"And then he brought my cat home, asking if I even bothered to feed her!" Tifa finished, chuckling as she recollected the silly moments in her youth. This particular story starred a young Cloud Strife bringing her cat home, after Fluffy ran away for the sixth time. "Sure, it was an accident at first, but I don't think he ever realized that I kept letting her out."

"Oh, my gods! You're terrible!" Aerith laughed, incredulous at a young Tifa's plan to force a meeting with her neighbor. "You made the poor boy run all over the mountain for you!"

"It wasn't all my fault." Tifa defended herself, through her giggles. She couldn't remember having so much fun talking about Nibelheim, in so long. "He just stopped talking to me one day. Kept avoiding me, no matter how many times I tried to corner him. It really was the only way he'd even look my direction!"

With Jessie, before their bedroom activities, conversation about her hometown usually devolved into a bit of a pity party for herself. It wasn't the older girl's fault. When they first met, the destruction of her village was still too raw and painful. She couldn't help but break down as the emotions overwhelmed her. Eventually, by unspoken agreement it was just never brought up again. With Cloud another problem presented itself, in that most of her fond childhood memories that readily came to mind tend to revolve around him. Best friends or not, they weren't the kind of stories you brought up to a friend you haven't seen in seven years.

It made her sound like some crazy stalker. Really not the impression a girl wanted to give her childhood friend.

"Oh, come on Tifa, the answer is obvious." Her new friend whined in good humor. "He had a crush on you! Your friend's hormones woke up one day and he realized his neighbor happened to be a very pretty girl. Probably spent all his free time writing you poetry and staring out his window towards the moon, imagining your face!"

"N-no, we were just friends who happened to live near each other." Tifa couldn't stop her blush at that assessment. The idea that Cloud would have a crush on her since they were kids, was just too wishful thinking. "Best friends to be sure, just like our moms, but we just don't have that kind of relationship. Even now, he probably thinks of me as more of a sister."

Although she certainly hoped her own future children didn't indulge in such activities with each other.

"Oh, so he's still in the picture, eh?" Aerith said, somewhat mischievously, catching the 'now' part. She had stapled her fingers together below her chin and was looking at the brunette with a glint in her eyes. "So, Mr. Shy followed you all the way to Midgard from your little village, from home and comfort, and you don't think he has a crush on you? I bet he works near your bar. Sees and talks to you every day. Maybe even bring you gifts, like a flower or knickknack. But of course, there is nothing romantic about it. Next, you're going to tell me you guys share a house together and sleep in the same bed. Purely platonically of course." She finished sarcastically.

The flower girl must have seen something on Tifa's face because she was starting up again.

"Seriously!? Like, seriously seriously?!" She asked incredulously. Well, what was so shocking about that? People have roommates, although it was more of an unspoken living arrangement. Can't really go home when your body is in that state. Friends share beds sometimes too. Her and Jessie did, although Tifa could admit that wasn't a great example. "Please tell me guys just sleep. Seriously?!"

At this, Tifa could only bury her burning face in her hands.

"You Tifa Lockhart are in absolute denial." The increasingly flabbergasted woman said. She was running her own palm through her brown locks. "Either you're in a committed relationship or he's trying to pull a fast one on you! Regardless, you need to confront him and define what's going on between you two."

"Our situation is unique, Aerith. There are reasons why our relationship is the way it is." Tifa tried to reason with her new friend. She was certain that Cloud and Aerith had not been intimate before. Which had been relieving but also disappointing. It would have done a lot to explain her situation in a better context. How would you go about telling a friend you made only an hour ago that the boy you liked was on a dark path of debauchery and that the only solution was to try to match him step for step?

"And why, pray tell, is that?" She asked skeptically. "Look Tifa, I really like you. And I hate the idea that some guy might be using your kindness against you! You shouldn't let big eyes and a pretty smile keep you from thinking objectively. I don't want you to get hurt."

It actually hurt her more to think there was someone who could question Cloud's integrity. The words to defend him were already at the tip of her tongue. But Aerith didn't know the full situation, it wouldn't be fair for the fighter to lash out at her like that. No, it'd be better to explain than to argue. At least at first.

"Look I…. okay. You win, I'll explain but you have to promise to listen till the end." Tifa said, trying to rectify the flower girl's misconceptions. But she really wasn't emotionally ready to have this conversation with Aerith. Sure, she had flirted with the idea of making her an offer sometime down the road during their conversation, nothing serious of course, but this was way too soon! She had wanted maybe a few more months of friendship before working up the nerve to drop that bomb. It was like fate was trying to force her hand.

So, Tifa lied.

The barmaid told a half true story about how Cloud and Tifa were in a secret relationship, and that only some of their friends knew. But they couldn't be public about it, due to his sorid past. Not yet at least. He felt ashamed and wanted a fresh start with her. Didn't want his reputation to negatively afect her social life. They were trying to fight his sex addiction as well but didn't go into details about how they were doing it. Only that it was getting handeled. It was a long story and Tifa could see Aerith struggling to keep her mouth shut through the entire time – Jaw practically trembling from the sheer force of her trying to keep her words from spilling out and interrupting the fighter. She appreciated the effort nonetheless. And truthfully it felt nice to talk to someone else about what was going on, even if it wasn't the complete truth. Jessie was a great listener but much too close to the situation.

The redhead didn't really comprehend what the problem was, only the solution Tifa cobbled together and what part the two of them played in it. That as much as they may enjoy the physical aspects of it, it was ultimately a placeholder for Cloud's addiction. At least until he learned to fight the urges on his own. The added fact that Jessie was a very enthusiastic participant also colored her opinion on what needed to be done.

But with Aerith, the sheer number of facial expressions the other woman was making told her that this was how a normal person was supposed to react. As the story reached its end and sun started to dip lower in the horizon, Tifa couldn't help but feel apprehension at what would come next. Was her new friend going to call her crazy? Naive for thinking such a relationship would work?

"Oh, your boyfriend is Cloud Strife!" Aerith declared excitedly, surprising Tifa out of her downward spiral. "He's got quite the reputation in sector 5, your boy. Can't go anywhere without people gossiping about him and his sexual prowess! Although word down the grapevine is that you can't pay him for sex anymore. I guess now I know why." She said this last part with a knowing look towards Tifa.

Tifa couldn't stop her face from exploding in heat for the hundredth time today, nor the smile that threatened to split her face in two. She had to duck her head a little to hide the latter. Cloud was out there, letting all those women know he was no longer on the market! The plan was working! Aerith here was proof of that, if she heard of her childhood friend's new status quo, as far as a couple sectors over.

Tifa couldn't stop a little giddy giggle from bubbling up.

"I want to meet him," The flower girl continued, reminding Tifa that she was still there. The other girl was staring at her speculatively. How long had she been lost in her thoughts? Second? Minutes? Before Tifa could voice her protest, the girl continued. "I'm sure he's great but I just want to make sure that he's not taking advantage of you. It's usually the people closest to us that we have the biggest blind spots towards. Had an old boyfriend some years ago who I thought loved me but ended up ghosting me one day."

Aerith said this last part forlornly.

"Are you ok?" Tifa hesitated to ask, seeing the Aerith shake her head, but the fighter still reached across the table to squeeze her hand. There was more to the story there, for sure. "Do you want to talk about it? I didn't mean to make this all about me."

"No, no. Old wounds and all that. I'm over it." she said, waving the concern away but returned the squeeze anyway. Leaning foward, she turned another mischievous smile Tifa's way and whispered. "And don't try to distract me Lockhart! I still want to meet this Cloud Strife!"

Shit! How was she going to get out of this one?

000

Barrett was having one hell of a headache. What was supposed to be a routine recon mission for the merc, to spy on what the Turks were up to, ended up becoming more mountain than mole hill. He always knew Corneo was a piece of shit but to think the bastard was rubbing shoulders with Shinra made the gunman want to go guns blazing on the would-be kingpin. But half their members were out, gods-know-were. And the ones at the bar, he couldn't clue into his plans because of their unexpected guest.

"Nayo, I appreciate your assistance but you can leave now," Barrett gritted out as calmly as he could. Her ankle was healed with Cura but she insisted on it getting wrapped up for good measure. The walk to her base was only a couple of miles away! More than manageable even on a bum leg. Why wouldn't the girl leave?! The last thing he needed was Headquarters sticking their noses into his business and stopping him from doing what needs to be done! "I need to discuss a plan of action with my team!"

"Don't mind me, I'm just waiting for Cloud to finish up and take me home," Nayo said simply, like she wasn't hanging around with an Avalanche splinter cell. As if she hadn't spent the last six months spying on their little group since he told Command to shove it up where the sun doesn't shine. Pushing herself closer to Cloud who was sitting next to her and putting the final touches on her bandage leg. she waved for Barrett to not mind her and continue. "My ankle still feels weird, I don't want to mess it up more than I need to. Just act like I'm not here."

The nerve of this girl!

If he grinded his teeth any harder he was sure they'd end up cracking.

Biggs and Wedge were standing by the bar looking at each other like they weren't sure what to do. As if it wasn't obvious that they should be backing him up! They had some serious planning to do in light of this new information and the sooner the better. Cloud wasn't going to be any help. The Soldier had his gaze fixed to the front door like a lost puppy waiting for their master, barely looking at his fingers as they worked on Nayo's ankle. Probably waiting for Tifa to arrive, pat him on the head, and feed him some snacks under the table, he thought disgusted. Although, maybe for Jessie too? The merc seemed to have developed a lot more tolerance for their mechanic's shenanigans this week.

"Hey boss, we don't have to do this now," Biggs piped in, probably feeling the tension in the room. And probably hearing Barrett's molars breaking. "This was a whole lot dropped on us at once. Even if the whole team was here, let's just digest it for now and think of a plan tomorrow. No point in doing anything rash." He made sure to send a glance Nayo's way when she wasn't looking, indicating what he was really thinking.

Good old Biggs, trying to be the voice of reason.

"Yeah! Plus, it's dinner time," Wedge dropped in his two cents. Getting to his feet, he announced "I don't know about you guys but I'm famished. If Tifa skips out on the cooking tonight, then I'm going to head back there and rustle us up something. Are you guys in the mood for some stew? I think the bar still has some leftovers to make it and maybe old bread to go with it."

Food sounded great right now. Get some energy in them and get the brain juices flowing. And who knows? Maybe Nayo would get the message and take a hike? Barrett felt himself relax a little now that some action was being taken, even if it wasn't storming the Cornea mansion like he wanted.

"You know how to make stew?" Cloud asked, bemused by the sudden change in mood, "Does Tifa even let any of you guys back there?"

"I'll have you know I'm her backup chef on busy days!" Wedge proclaimed proudly, puffing his chest out. "My cooking isn't as famous as hers, but I've fed many hungry souls in my time. Trust me bro, one taste of my dish and you'll be wondering 'Tifa who?'"

"Not to knock your skills Wedge but if memory serves, but our barmaid was sick not too long ago," Biggs was grinning as he got ready to pop his friend's bubble, "The only thing the regulars were wondering was 'When's Tifa coming back?' and 'Why is there only desert on the menu?' They certainly seemed to remember her alright then."

"Like your drinks were any better." Wedge protested good-naturedly, walking over and roughhousing a bit with his friend. "You couldn't even make a Cosmo Canyon. I think Wymer said you forgot to put the alcohol in his!"

Barrett couldn't help but chuckle at his companions' antics. Well, he was pretty hungry, a man his size needed to fuel up constantly. Passing out flying around the slums was busy work after all. It would give him time to think of a plan of action other than ripping Corneo's head off. Tomorrow was good, he'd call a full team meeting before everyone ran off to do their errands for the day.

"Daddy, I'm hungry." his little girl called out from behind the counter. Shit! He thought Marlene was still taking a nap. They must have woken her up with all their loud talking. Barrett glared at everyone in accusation and to mind their volume. Some people just didn't know how to keep their voices down! "When is Tifa and Jessie coming home? I haven't seen them all day."

"Uncle Wedge is about to fix us up something right now baby girl," Barrett said soothingly to his angle, motioning for the man to get in the kitchen and get started. The big man quickly scrambled into the back to get the ingredients, Biggs following after. As a man with a gun for one arm, Barrett wasn't exactly the most capable of the more delicate food items. You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to make a sandwich with one hand. And his daughter was hungry now! "And I'm sure the ladies will be back home soon. I think Tifa went to go do some grocery shopping and Jessie…. Well, you know how Jessie is, She's like a cat, she'll turn up."

That caused his daughter to giggle a little.

"I'm sure they're fine, toughest girls I know," said Nayo, leaning a bit over Cloud to reassure Marlene with a smile. Barrett had to try his darndest to hide his smirk, as his baby could only give the older girl a confused look and a bit of a weak smile before ducking behind him. They've met before but Marlene clearly didn't remember her, which made sense. Half a year of no contact to a four-year-old might as well be a lifetime. It was petty of him, but he couldn't stop a chuckle.

There was a pregnant pause between the two as Nayo seemed to realize what was happening, ducking her head a bit back into Cloud's shoulder. The merch grumbled a bit at all the movement disputing his work. Didn't help that Marlene had poked her head up again and was looking back and forth between the two adults–glaring a little at the lack of space between their hips. Watching as the Ex-Soldier's hands fumbled across glasses' ankles. Getting a hard stare from a toddler tended to make people nervous.

Trying to break the silence, Barrett spoke up. "Would you like to stay for dinner Nayo?

He didn't actually want her to stay but let it never be said that Barrett Wallace lacked manners!

"No thank you, Barrett." she said smoothly, testing the bandages around her feet. "I promised Cloud I'd treat him to some food for the rescue. Maybe discuss some mercenary work for HQ he might be interested in when he takes me home. Anyway, we should probably get out of your hair. Right Cloud?"

"Uh, yeah. I think you mentioned something like that." The Soldier said, looking as confused by basic human interaction as ever. He stood up, shoving all the scattered medical supplies and Materia back into his pockets. Maybe Barrett should start wearing baggy pants too? Those things seemed to be a gateway to a pocket dimension, from the way they seemed to hold all his stuff. Strapping his sword back onto its magnetic holster, he turned back to look at the father and daughter duo.

"I'll keep an eye out for the two girls when I'm gone," Cloud promised a moment later, helping Nayo stand up. About time he was done! How long does it take to wrap a leg up, seriously?! The interloper took a few tentative steps before wobbling and leaning hard into the merc's side. She whispered something to him, causing him to sigh and roll his eyes, before he picked her up in his arms and marched out the front entrance. "If I don't see you guys later, goodnight."

Nayo gave them a little wave from behind his shoulder before wrapping them fully around his neck, as they disappeared further down the street.

She certainly looked very comfortable.

'Oh, so that's what's going on,' Barrett thought to himself with a grin, guffawing a little as the doors closed behind them. The little bookworm was trying to shoot her shot with the blonde! Just like every other girl with a pulse seemed to be trying to do these days. Even Jessie had been eyeing him up in full view of Tifa. He didn't want to be that guy but kids these days! It seemed like practically every girl was trying to get into the Cloud's pants or something. And none of them were being very subtle about it. What ever happened to just going on dates? Getting to know people? The romance?!

But that wasn't fair, it was probably because of all those unsavory rumors about the man that was setting all these girls off. Apparently, someone was spreading misinformation about Cloud being some type of prostitute, with each story more ridiculous than the last. The reputation as a sex god was something any man would want, but the sheer depravity of some of the tales would ruin the blonde's chances of settling down and getting married someday. Barrett had tried to track down the source of these slanders but they seemed to be coming from everywhere! Thankfully they seemed to be dying down a bit or he would have had to bring the full force of Avalanche on the ones spreading this bullshit!

Marlene seemed to have caught on to the byplay of the departing figures as well, because she had a frown that marred her brow.

"Tifa is not going to like this," His sweet little girl said, eyes narrowing a bit at the door. "She likes Cloud. And Cloud likes her. They belong together! Other girls shouldn't be getting so close to him."

"Maybe princess, but it takes two to load a cannon," Barrett told her, dropping some hard-earned wisdom on the girl. "If Tifa had any problems, then she should make her interest known to Cloud and claim him. Same with him, he should speak up if wants there to be more. Until then, they're both free game for anyone that wants to make a move. And we don't interfere, they're adults, they'll figure it out." He made sure to emphasize this last point as he tapped Marlene's nose.

Before his daughter could respond, Biggs burst through the kitchen door and clapped his hands.

"Alright people, let's wash up and set the table."

They'll work on a plan of attack tomorrow, Barrett thought, feeling his own stomach rumble.

000

"Hey, was there a party I wasn't invited to?" Jessie hollered out down the street, as she sauntered over to him, eyeing Nayo in his arms with interest. She was followed by some dark-haired girl in a big hat and bare midriff that Cloud thought he might have seen somewhere before but couldn't quite put his finger on were. He was honestly relieved to see that redhead was alright, all this Don Corneo business had him thinking the worst for his girls. They could take care of themselves of course but the idea of roving bands of kidnappers patrolling the slums made him anxious. "Hey Nayo! Fancy seeing you here, kinda wish I was in your spot right now." she teased.

(Ah, good old Jessie! A sight for sore eyes after all those dead bodies.)

"Jessie! It's good to see you. Are you ok? Where've you been all day? Have you seen Tifa?" Cloud rapidly fired at her as he rushed to close the distance, not able to stop the word vomit from coming out. Embarrassingly, he started to get a little "excited" at seeing his second girlfriend make her appearance. He wanted to head back to the apartment immediately and have her take care of his problem. A little needy on his part but sue him! It's been at least twelve hours since he last had sex and he had been holding a very pretty girl against his chest all day. He had been spoiled this week and was feeling a little selfish at the moment.

But before she could answer any of his questions, maybe even lead him back to their place from the smirk and knowing look she was giving him, Nayo spoke up.

"Jessie! Long time no see." Nayo responded enthusiastically enough, though her grip around his neck tightened, her body stiffening, pushing her softness closer into him. The girl was almost as busty as Tifa! Bad thoughts, Strife. Although, the way she was tensing reminded Cloud of how some of the other women around sector 7 would react when face-to-face with Jessie Raspberry. "How've you been? Are you on a date right now?" She said this last part with a pointed look towards the hat girl, who was looking at them a little weirdly.

But more towards the merc. Was it something on his face? Or did he do something to her? Was he rude to her by accident or something in the past? Possibly. He had been kind of a colossal dick to everyone during his first couple of weeks in Midgard.

"Oh, I wish, but sadly nothing so fun," Jessie said with faux sadness, wiping an imaginary tear from the corner of her eye. "This is my friend Kyrie." She continued, indicating the girl next to her who had approached them with avid interest, then pointing each of them out in turn. "Kyrie, this is Nayo, a friend of mine from my old workplace. And this is Cloud, also a friend and sometimes lover when the mood strikes. And the mood strikes a lot."

Cloud and Nayo nearly coughed up a lung each by the redhead's casualness of their relationship, though for different reasons.

"Oh, okay. Yeah, sure. Howdy, I guess." Kyrie greeted, as she waved from her spot. She at least seemed outwardly nonplussed by the sudden bomb Jessie dropped in polite company. Did Kyrie know the details of his sex life already? Just how good of friends was she to Jessie that she took that in stride? "Your Cloud? I've heard a lot about you. All good stuff of course." She finished with a winning smile.

Cloud didn't like the way that grin looked, like she was hiding something behind her pearly whites. Kyrie was a pretty thing, almost angelic in face, but with an aura he didn't trust. Something in his instincts told him to be wary of this girl, as if prolonged exposure to the teenager was going to shorten his lifespan by a few years. It was a survival reflex that had served him well before and the young brunette was setting off all his alarms.

And it wasn't just because visually she was kind of Cloud's type; with her long black hair, porcelain skin and almond shaped eyes. Although the striped stockings that she was wearing were honestly driving him a little nuts. He has been trying so hard not to stare at Nayo's thighs the whole day but now he was surrounded from all sides! It was an effort to keep eye contact with anyone. He blamed Tifa for awakening this fetish of his. But before he could recover enough to respond to her, Jessie cut back in.

She pushed onward with the introductions, not even acknowledging the choking sounds coming from the people in front of her. Did she have to be so open about their relationships like that? They were in public for Shiva's sake! "Just got back from sector 5 and was about to head to the bar for some food with my new friend. Was actually hoping to run into Tifa, needed to ask her if we can borrow her room for Kyrie tonight. What are you two lovebirds up to, looking so cozy?"

"I'm treating Cloud to a meal as a 'thank you' for helping me out of a tight spot earlier," Nayo said boldly, a little red in the face still from her earlier hacking, keeping her words vague for their non-Avalanche member. She straightened slightly to look challengingly into Jessie's eyes despite laying horizontally in his arms. She untangled one of her arms around his neck in order to place it on his chest. Cloud could have sworn he felt her squeeze a little at a pec, almost possessively. "Then he's taking me home afterwards to rest up my leg. I hurt myself earlier." She wiggled the bandage ankle as proof.

(No way! Were those two….?!)

"Ooh, taking a girl home, huh?" Jessie got closer to them with a grin, practically squishing Nayo in between the two of them. The girl's protest fell on deaf ears as Jessie leaned up on her toes and whispered, her breath grazing his temple. "My, my. Me and Tifa leave you alone for a day and you're already out on the prowl. What's wifey gonna say when she hears about this?"

"It's not like that," Cloud argued quietly back, not liking the direction the conversation was going in. Why did Jessie always have to stir up shit? "She's just showing me her appreciation and she said she might have some mercenary work for me too. So, you know? Business stuff."

"Yeah? And how much 'appreciation' are we talking about?" Jessie said, settling back on her feet and directing the last question to the girl in his arms. "Because I have firsthand experience with how 'thankful' Nayo can be, when she wants to." At the glasses girl's sputtering, she swung her gaze back at him, her grin growing wider than he thought possible. "And I approve."

"You do?!" Nayo exclaimed in surprise, jerking up so suddenly, he almost lost his grip on her. Hands almost touching inappropriately in order to stop her from falling. But the shock did not stop the little smile that was forming on her lips. Blinking her eyes a little rapidly she recovered. "That's great! I mean, not ideal because I was hoping for some exclusivity but still great!"

The smile shared between the two women was a lot warmer and genuine than it was just a minute ago.

"Whoa! Are you two seriously talking about this right here? Right now!?" Kyrie exclaimed incredulously, from her spot behind Jessie. She was gazing around them, as if looking for an imaginary crowd. Thankfully, no one seemed to be anywhere near their dirt patch of road. Cloud had forgotten that the younger girl was even still here, so engrossed he was by the odd conversation between the Avalanche girls. And by the looks on their faces, they had forgotten too.

"Sorry about the weird turn in conversation," Jessie said apologetically, turning to look at Kyrie. "It wasn't my plan to get you mixed up in my personal stuff. Honest! This really was supposed to be just about you. It's just that you have to strike when opportunity presents itself, you know? Really did just want to treat you to a meal and get you that room for the night. I'd understand if you'd want to meet up later instead, once I've taken care of, uh, 'business.'"

"I-it's fine, just kinda shocked, is all," the little brunette replied, eyes still a little wide by the frank conversation happening around her. "You're a lot freer about your personal life then I'm used to from people. Usually, I'm the one with all the sordid details. You sure I should be listening in on this? You don't feel embarrassed or anything?"

"Nah, we're all girls here. What's there to hide?" Jessie replied casually, seeming to forget that Cloud was very much a guy. You'd think after a whole week of sex with him, she'd have a harder time forgetting such a fact. Still his main focus was on the odd exchange before him, mind still trying to make sense of the words. "And let me know if you don't feel comfortable and I'll see if I can find you another spot to sleep tonight."

"I'm good, I'd rather sleep in an actual bed than that bar you mentioned." Kyrie replied promptly. "I'm a slum girl, I've heard worse. Like way worse. Like, I think I might've lived near a brothal once, worse."

'What the hell are they talking about?' Cloud thought, so confused at the back and forth. It was like they were speaking in normal words but talking in a completely different language. It reminded him the first time he came to the eastern continent, where everyone's accents were so different, the lingo too unique. At first, he thought Jessie was accusing him of cheating on her and Tifa. Which he would never do! But before he could set the record straight, she and Nayo were already going at it and next thing he knew it was over and settled – like a business transaction agreed on and hands shaken. Now the redhead and Kyrie were talking about brothals?

(Well, beauty and brawns are pretty good attributes for a Chosen. It would have been greedy of me to ask for brains as well.)

"But just so you know, only the first taste is for free. Any repeat perfromance and your gonna need to ask for permission." Jessie continued, looking back at Nayo seriously, not even noticing Cloud's lack of understanding of what was going on. Who's permission? Tifa's? Was she the kind of girlfriend where he needed to get permission to hang out with people? A little strict but he supposed that was her right. "It's not all fun and games, there's a hierarchy you gotta follow. You meet wifey's requirements but nothing's a sure thing. I'd say let's turn your little dinner date twosome, into a foursome and I'll help you ask her later, if your interested. Where were you planning to go anyway?"

"We were headed to the Miner's Delight over by the train station," Nayo said, waving towards the direction of the tracks and giving her agreement. The four of them began their journey towards the Northern Coral restaurant to go have their meal. The most authentic tasting Corelian spot in all of sector 7, or so she claims. Cloud's heard of it before, wanting to go there with Tifa to try it some time ago but Barrett was firm that it wasn't that authentic. Although the gunman wouldn't elaborate why he thought that. "And hierarchy? Requirements? This isn't like a sharing thing? Who's this top girl, anyway? Anybody I know?"

"Yup! Our very own Tifa Lockhart!" Jessie confirmed happily as they rounded the bend and saw the little restaurant only a few blocks away. "Our busty brunette has really blossomed over the last couple of months. And you're in luck! She's got a unique situation that is really gonna work in your favor. Well, if you pass 'audition', of course." She joked, shooting a sultry smile Cloud's way.

"No way, our Tifa!? And she's fine with this?" Nayo asked, waving a hand between herself and him as he walked down the street. "The same girl who punched Al in the face, when he tried to hold her hand? What changed?"

She punched a guy just for holding her hand? He didn't like the idea of it happening at all but it seemed an overly violent reaction on the barmaid's part. Tifa always seemed to have a higher tolerance for those drunks at her bar, even when they got a little frisky. Sure, she was stern with them when a line was crossed but she never hit them. At least not as far as he's seen. Was the hand holding the full story? If so, then this Al must have been a real slimeball of the worst type. Kind of made Cloud want to punch him too now, for his perceived crimes against his childhood friend. He'll ask someone about it later, so he can track this asshole down.

"Well, we still have to ask her if it gets that far, so let's not get too presumptuous," Jessie rebuked the girl gently but firmly. "This is Tifa's boy, so don't go dropping your skirt and falling in love yet. As for what happened? Let's just say she had a bit of a 'awakening' this year. Not too surprising, with muscles over her hitting all the right buttons for her." She said, giving Cloud a slight slap on the shoulder.

Realization dawned on him at what was happening.

'Oh, that's what she's talking about,' Cloud thought, embarrassed now that comprehension was hitting him like a lightning bolt. Finally catching on to what was going on and being talked about. It was about Tifa's naughty little kink and how she was getting her fix.

It'd been one hell of a revelation when he realized that Tifa actually liked watching him have sex with other women. That after the first night, Jessie wasn't there for him as some sort of early birthday present but for her as well. While his girlfriend enjoyed being intimate with the redhead, to the point that he started to feel a little jealous of it, she couldn't stop touching herself at the sight of him pounding into the willowy woman. He knew city folks had developed all sorts of kinks and preferences when it came to sex, even for country people who moved there. His ma had tried to warn him of such behavior when he first left Nibelheim after all. But it was Tifa asking, so how could he say no? Not that he would want too, of course. And honestly, not the worst fetish for a man's future wife to have. So, Cloud was more than happy to indulge her.

(I love that girl. Would've been a high priestess back in my day.)

It had been amazing! Probably better than even his first night alone with Tifa, he would sometimes think to himself privately. Not that he'd ever say it to her, unless he wanted his nose broken in half. Cloud was practically spoiled for choices with the two of them now. Almost didn't know where to look or touch to begin their sessions sometimes. Despite the odds, he somehow managed to keep up! Even the merc was impressed by how much stamina he seemed to pull out of nowhere in order to keep going. And his stamina didn't just go up, his strength and speed seemed to be better too. The Ex-Soldier was accomplishing the more difficult jobs all over the slums in record time because of this. To the point he was beginning to become a little concerned that only the standard monster hunting jobs would be left over at the rate he was going. Even started to flirt with the idea that maybe it was time to go looking for work topside if nothing high paying came soon.

He didn't know what was happening to his body but he was glad for it. It was making his life easier overall. The blonde even stopped getting those sharp headaches that would occasionally pop up at random. He definitely didn't miss those. Maybe it was a sign that his mako poisoning was finally running its course in his body? Cloud just hoped it wasn't some latent mutation from his exposure and he wasn't going to grow a third leg. He didn't think anything would kill his new sex life faster than that.

If Cloud didn't realize how idiotic it sounded out loud, he could almost theorize that he was getting stronger the longer he had sex. It was the only thing different about his routine he could think of. Of course, the Soldier knew better to verbalize such thoughts, especially around Jessie. Together or not, she could be kind of cruel with her laughter when the mood struck her. It was kind of like sleeping with your childhood bully, sex was great but sometimes she'd take her teasing too far and make him self-conscious. Getting picked on because he said something stupid, even while he was inside the redhead, was a novel experience to be sure.

"As pretty as Cloud is, I'm a little surprised you're interested," Jessie musings cut though the edge of his thoughts, as she hopped over a dirty puddle. The man himself was on autopilot, the girls' words barely registering to him as he ambled along, lost in his head. "You don't play for the same team anymore?"

"Been there, done that. And the last girl kind of broke my heart," Nayo replied, sending the redhead a heavy look full of meaning. It got a cheeky smile in return. "Cloud caught my eye earlier and he looked like a good first attempt at getting back in the saddle. Wanted to date a little first but I'm not against doing things out of order."

"Careful for what you wish for, baby-blues over here might ruin other guys for you," Jessie teased jollying, as they got closer to the train station. "I'm not kidding, Tifa's only cool with this because we need help in bed. Mr. Soldier is hazardous to the health of any gal that tries to go at him solo. Not that it stops anybody from wanting a repeat. Speaking from very personal experience."

Nayo could only glance up at him shyly, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

"Whoa, she is really not shy about this," He heard Kyrie mutter behind them, only his enhanced hearing catching onto her words. "I knew they were freaks, but hot damn!"

At some point during their sex fueled week, the two girls would joke that he was an animal and that maybe they'll have to add more women. That this two-woman job might need a third or fourth. At first Cloud had thought they were just messing with him, just some dirty talk during the resting periods in between. Sure, the joke ran longer than he thought it should, with them even name dropping some people as "candidates" throughout the week. One time bringing up their landlady Marle as a potential, in between giggles. That made him shiver a bit but it was just in good fun for the most part, so he ignored it. Indeed, he had better things to do with his time in bed with two beautiful women, then listening in on who they wanted to "audition."

Now standing in front of the road to their dining area, with the woman in his arms and his second girlfriend unabashedly talking about it in the open, he realized they were serious. Just how deep did Tifa's fetish run that they were out looking for "recruits"? Did Jessie also like seeing him with other women? Did his girlfriend expect him to go looking for sex with strangers? Was he really going to end up sleeping with multiple girls?

(Yay us!)

Looking down at Nayo, he still couldn't believe the last ten minutes was her negotiating a way to get in his pants! Has this always been her plan? Since when? When he saved her from Corneo's men? Cloud had thought she hated him for killing some many people, for her sake of course, but she had been adamant in trying to stop him from taking out the last one. Now Jessie was walking close by them and giving her tips on how to sweet talk Tifa into accepting! And from the sound of it, it might not be a one-off thing.

The reality of the situation nearly caused him to hyperventilate.

He almost wanted to protest the glasses girl's inclusion into their relationship. Jessie was one thing, since she was a friend to both of them but Nayo was practically a stranger – Avalanche comrade or not! While having three women sounded like a dream come true to most men, Cloud was more concerned about the logistical issues of such an arrangement. And the financial burden to boot! He didn't want to be a jerk about it but the merc didn't think he had the money to take care of all of them in his budget. Especially if he wanted to get that new home anytime soon.

Then there were the personal issues.

A small part of him secretly wished he could go up to his childhood friend and tell her no to this request. Cloud dreaded a little at the idea of having to perform well for all of them. It'd transform sex into a fun activity, to borderline work, constantly worried if each woman was satisfied. Never in his young life did he think he would be begging not to have sex with the fairer gender but here he was. Not that she wasn't attractive, Nayo really was, but he was afraid of being too worn out. He didn't say anything though. If this was what Tifa, and by extension Jessie wanted, then he'd roll with the punches and hope to the gods he had the energy to keep all three of them well fucked.

(Don't worry stud, I got your back.)

'Well,' he thought, feeling confidence well up in him. Maybe he was selling himself short? Cloud didn't think he could keep up in a threesome at first as well, but he overcame that hurdle. What's one more? Or two? 'Try to be optimistic and we'll see where it takes us.'

"Sorry again, really not trying to recruit you for a sex cult or anything. Just some personal fun that needed adressing, is all. " The redhead said to their youngest member once they reached the restaurant. "We're just going to eat food right now and talk shop, but once we get back to the apartment, only family-freindly activities. Or Sleep. Just need to give Nayo a rundown of what to expect for the night. Our boytoy here is an engine that's hooked up to a reactor. She might not get a whole lot of rest."

"I'm good, I would've been running for the hills if I thought so," Kyrie said casually, waving her hands a bit in the air in front of her. Although she seemed to be vibrating a bit from energy. The poor girl was probably nervous about all this sex talk happening around her. Cloud could sympathize, he didn't think he'd ever get over how forthcoming city people could be about their nighttime extracurriculars. Although looking Kyrie over and realizing she was probably a native Midgardian herself, maybe it wasn't a city thing? Or because she was a teenager? It could be that it was just Tifa and Jessie who were really nonchalant about these things.

"Jessie, don't you think she's a little young to be exposed to this?" Cloud asked the mechanic, feeling a little self-conscious at how young Kyrie seemed to be, now that they were under the better lighting of the Miner's Delight. To be fair, in Nibelheim a girl her presumed age would have already been married, with at least one or two kids. But mountain folk were different from their city counterparts. The wilderness forced one to grow up faster, mature quicker. Things like getting married younger was just a natural consequence of such a life.

"Hey! I'm nineteen! I'm not that young," Kyrie huffed in exasperation at him trying to gate keep her, as they sat at their table. But Odin! She was nineteen? Was she really only two years younger than him? "How old are you, since there seems to be an age requirement? Fifty?" She shot back snidely, opening her menu.

"Twenty-one," he said slowly, still reeling a bit by this new information. She was only a year younger than Tifa! Sweet Jenova! Why did he feel so old? Wait, who's Jenova? That name sounded familiar. "I just don't want you think you need to stick around for whatever help Jessie promised you. I could rent you a room somewhere that, you know, won't get you so mixed up in our personal lives. I'm sure I got some spare gil to keep you going for the week if you need it."

See? Cloud could be nice.

"Oh yeah, moneybags?" Kyrie said, putting her menu down and leaning her cheek on a fist. Her whole demeanor seemed to have shifted from mild annoyance to rapt interest now. Once again, those alarm bells were ringing in his head, telling him that he might have stepped on a landmine. But what could this slight woman, possible do to him? Eyes a little brighter than before, looking borderline hungry now. Uncharitably he thought, even a little greedy. "Maybe I want to stay and get involved?"

(Ooooh, here comes a new challenger.)