Cloud laid in bed wide awake, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. He had been at this for some hours now, probably the whole night judging from the hint of blue peeking through the window curtains. From the fatigue settling in his bones, the blonde could already tell that this morning was going to be one of the harder days of his life.
This Nibelheim boy was married at fourteen and he barely had a say in the whole matter.
His mind was still in turmoil over the latest developments of his life, and he was reminded constantly of it by the warmth of the girl sleeping next to him. She was half on top of him, body by his right side, arm and leg wrapped around his torso. The position kind of reminded him of their shared nap times as kids. Tifa had dropped her bombs, got ready for bed in her nightgown, and promptly knocked out as if it was just another day in the village. Well, not before forcing him to get on the mattress when he tried to sleep on the floor.
Even though they've…. explored, cohabitating on a single bed seemed like the kind of thing that would get him thrown off a rooftop by .
Cloud tried to argue that it was improper but Tifa had been firm that it was weird for a husband and wife not to sleep next to each other. He wasn't convinced. It didn't quite make sense to him why they would, outside of baby making. Most of the married couples in the village barely spent their waking moments together. The blond thought that maybe once he saw Emilio's parents hold hands. And in the seven years since that incident there had been no repeat performance as far as he knew. Sometimes when he saw the adults, he wondered if that had been a sign of affection or a really awkward handshake. Maybe they just accidentally touched hands?
Heck, even spent more time with his mom at his house, than she did at her own home with her husband.
Still, considering he was raised only by his ma and she by both her parents, the blonde was going to have to follow her expertise in this situation. Just 'cause Cloud has never seen it happen didn't mean it doesn't.
So taking their new nuptials into account, maybe it was proper?
On a more personal and selfish note, he honestly didn't like the idea of sharing his sleeping area. What with all the body heat bordering on suffocating. Especially during the summer. Cloud had first hand accounts on the horrors of bunking together with another human being. Strife's cottage was small, so the mother and son duo essentially shared the same room. Even shared the same bed till puberty kicked in and he became a human fireball. Unfortunately, that seemed to be a family trait, as the older blonde was like a mini furnace herself. His mom immediately started saving up to buy him his own bed as soon as she could because of this.
But he kept all that to himself though, didn't think his girl– wife, he didn't think his wife would appreciate him using nighttime sweat as an excuse to not sleep together.
Peeking to the side, he secretly studied Tifa's profile. Her face was smooth and serene, not a single troubled thought in her mind or dreams. If anything, it looked like she was smiling a little in her sleep. Completely at peace with her current and future actions, no care for how other people felt. This girl was definitely getting her full eight hours of sleep tonight. Adorably she looked like she was having a dream eating something, even chewing a little on the fabric of his shirt.
The worst part was….he was kind of happy about the situation.
As stalkerish as it may sound, Cloud had been in love with Tifa pretty much his whole life. Or at least since he was six and realized how pretty she was, on top of being so nice. Actually being married to her, felt like a pipe dream wish that had been suddenly granted out of the blue. It was just so unexpected and a whole lot to take in on the first day. This threw him into a whiplash of emotions. Left unable to respond properly to the brunette after her casual admission to what she had been up to the whole day. But once that torrent of feelings settled, he found himself oddly content. He should be mad, or at least upset by her taking away his agency on this serious matter. Once again making life altering decisions without his input. Yet, he couldn't even muster irritation at his now wife. Was actually kind of relieved she took care of all the tedious parts of making it official.
Cloud could admit, he was a little excited by their future together.
Since it wasn't anything dangerous , then she wasn't really breaking the promise they made to each other on the water tower. As far as he knew, Tifa really had approached him before she didn't anything criminal or morally reprehensible. And in hindsight, she probably assumed they were engaged in the first place! Crossing a continent, then living together was basically an affirmation of that. The whole concept of people being boyfriends and girlfriends was a pretty new trend in their village. In their parents' generation, if you got caught kissing a girl then you better marry her or find some other community to live in. And they did all of that on top of essentially running away with each other. Probably looked like a young couple who booked it from home to elope.
If anything, Cloud wanted to kick himself for not realizing how it looked from an outsider's perspective. Tightening his arm around her smaller form, he adjusted a little till he was turning on his side, his other arm circling her. Studying her face he decided it only made sense that she would want to get married as soon as possible. Every action he took for her in the last few months was virtually one long and drawn out proposal, just without verbally saying the words. Making that promise on the water tower, planning out their future, kissing…. breaking and entering. One could argue they were already living the married couple life with how much she supported him in his dreams.
Inevitably the blonde's gaze stopped at her mouth, unable to tear his eyes away once it was there. It made him sound like such a spaz, but Tifa's lips were definitely in his top three favorite things about her. She was so beautiful inside and out, at least when she wasn't committing infractions against the law. But even those, by and large, tended to be victimless crimes.
And weirdly enough, as long as Tifa wasn't hurting anyone, Cloud actually liked her telling him what to do and making decisions for him. The blonde had never been great at making concrete life choices, usually frozen by all the potential what ifs and its imagined consequences. Two recent ones, becoming a Soldier and confronting Tifa over her lawlessness, being among the few he ever mustered the courage to make. The latter had nearly given him a heart attack when he walked up to her front door. So it kind of took off a lot of pressure from his shoulders knowing someone more informed was coming up with the answers. Still, he wasn't too thrilled about the idea of living in the slums. Best of the sectors with the lowest crime rates, she reassured him. The fact that there was any crime did nothing for his anxiety over the brunette spending her free time there.
It wsn't a deal breaker, but man did it bum him out.
The cadet shouldn't overthink it, if it feels wrong then he'll do something about it, but if it feels right…. then he won't look a gift horse in the mouth. And he'll have faith that Tifa did her due diligence and was making the right decision. Or until something happens to give him enough of a justification to whisk her back up to the plate. She couldn't argue if he had solid first-hand examples for why they should abandon her crazy plans right?
Maybe he's just freaking out because too many good things have been happening to him?
"What are you thinking about?" Tifa's voice softly called out, barely loud enough to disturb the quiet morning air. She lifted a small hand between them up to his face, giving one cheek a soothing rub. No doubt feeling how stiff he had gotten over her sudden words.
That did nothing to stop the adrenaline from shooting through Cloud's body at the sudden sound, nor his eyes belatedly snapping up to meet her's. It took all his will power to not throw himself off the bed in embarrassment. By contrast he was too shocked to move his frozen limbs off of her, mind too entranced by her ruby irises. Despite the sleepiness of Tifa's tone, her gaze was clear and focused, if a little dry eyed. She must have been up for a few minutes at minimum. Which meant she definitely noticed his wandering look.
Crap! Of course it'd be just his luck to get caught staring at her like a creep. Even before the terrible year people started souring on him, the cadet struggled with conversation, which unfortunately resulted in him just staring blankly at others. It was a bad habit he never quite shook, a byproduct of his lonely afternoons people watching.
As his ma told him time and again, it was impolite to stare. Especially at girls. Though, his mom would always giggle at that last part.
Cloud was ready to apologize profusely, maybe beg for forgiveness and offer to sleep in the bathtub instead. But the words died before he could take a breath. The reason why? Because Tifa was smiling. A bare curve at the corner of her lips. It gave her such a peaceful look, he almost didn't care that he was being a weirdo for still gawking at his former neighbor. But that brief moment of admiration gave him pause, and the gears in his head started spinning. For the first time in his young life…. he thought before he spoke. And maybe not so surprisingly, he began to read the room.
Tifa wasn't at all angry. No yelling and calling him a pervert like he feared. Her hand didn't move to slap him in the face for getting frisky with her in her sleep. She actually snuggled a little closer into his arms, crossing the small gap between them. And no panicked or disgusted looks he would typically get from the older girls in Nibelheim. If anything, the brunette looked as content as her cat Fluffy, after the animal gorged itself on a saucer full of milk. Maybe more so, judging by her hand migrating from his cheek to one of his long side bangs, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
And why wouldn't she be? Tifa was in the arms of her husband, the safest place in the world as far a brunette was concerned. A little staring at her beauty from him in this context would be considered romantic, not creepy. Right?
Cloud was thinking way too much about this.
"Cat got your tongue?" Tifa asked after a moment of silence, unintentionally making a pun from his thoughts. Her attention fully invested in the piece of hair she was playing with.
Swallowing hard, Cloud gave a slight shake of his head, careful not to disturbed her hand. "Just a lot on my mind. Thinking over the stuff you told me last night and what it means."
"Oh?" Tifa said casually, her tone even and focus hardly deviating from the side of his face. Though for a split second her eyes flickered towards his own before jumping back. And it might be his imagination, but it felt like her finger twirling got just a tick faster. "Anything you want to share with the class?"
And there it was, the opening to freely express his thoughts. It wasn't something he was used to doing ever but Tifa had more or less respected his opinion before. Followed through with their promise to the letter if not exactly the spirit. Generally telling him all her plans before putting them into action, though the brunette did have a bad tendency for waiting until the last minute to say anything. Had even listened to him complain about all her mako experiments with only a little grumbling in response. Sure it didn't stop her from doing what she wanted but she at least took heard him out, sometimes taking his suggestions to heart.
And if they were married now, then his opinion mattered more than ever, right?
"Yeah, actually." Cloud said seriously, his mind trying to organize the last couple hours of complementation. Her hand stopped its motions. The appendage retreated back under the covers as her ruby eyes tilled up, meeting his' fully.
"I've thought it over and I'm still not a fan of us living under the plate. Especially not the idea of you being there alone while I'm up here training." Cloud continued as they both sat up to face each other. It wasn't the most ideal position to be having such a serious conversation but it was better than the alternative. Can't really have this discussion while lying on your side. And honestly? His legs felt like jelly, numb from his barely held courage. The blonde was certain the sincerity of his words would take a hit if he accidentally collapsed into a puddle of nerves.
The cadet could tell she wanted to say something but kept her peace for the moment. He was grateful for her consideration. Because a flood gate was about to open.
Well, here goes nothing.
"And your plan to take over the slums and maybe Midgar? Honestly, kind of crazy. We're just a couple of country kids who got this far off of luck and some elbow grease. If anybody besides you told me this, I'd try to get them to the nearest hospital." Cloud had to dry swallow for a moment, trying to recover from the sudden torrent of words that came spilling out. He could see her brow narrowing as she bit her lower lip a little. In confusion? Anger? He had no idea, but it felt good to speak his mind.
Tifa crossed her arms over her midsection, glancing down and to the side. The cadet had to blink at the sight, taking in what he saw. She looked more fragile than he had ever seen her. It broke his heart a little but they promised no secrets, so he had to power through.
"I mean, what possesses a person to think they can tell adults who are decades older than them what to do? That anyone would follow the words of a bunch of teenagers? What about the crime bosses you told me about? The sheer danger of trying to mess around with these people? And minimal crime? That's still more than we've ever seen! You were basically a princess back in Nibelheim Tifa and you dad kept everything under control. Everybody knew not to mess with your parents! In the city, we're a bunch of nobodies who tripped head first into good fortune. And what was that about trying to compete with Shinra as the top player in the city? Challenge an organization that has been around for over a century? Not to mention putting my barely formed career with the company at risk? Because you think you might be bored and need a hobby?!"
Cloud had to emphasize that last part, mind still unable to process that bit. She really couldn't just take up knitting? Or crafts?
The blonde was exhausted. Almost every thought that had bounced around in his head, finally taking form during his rant. He glanced over at Tifa, trying to gauge her reaction. There wasn't a whole lot to read. Cloud had always been terrible at reading people's mood even at the best of times. But in this instance, she wasn't giving a whole lot away even if he was a social expert. She was still refusing to look at him, eyes stubbornly fixed on her pillow.
Tentatively he reached out a hand, placing it on one of her bare knees. Tifa's eyes flickered to the contact. A slightly perplexed expression on her face at him initiating contact. Holy fuck, when had he gotten so bold?! The blonde would have preferred to hold one of her hands but from how tightly they wrapped around the country girl he doubted he could pry one finger away without a fight.
"But it wasn't some stranger who told me…. It was you." Cloud said, trying to pour as much assurance and love as he could into his tone. Love? Alright maybe dial it a smidge back Strife. The blonde didn't think he was quite ready for that word to be said out loud, no matter how warm his heart felt at the idea. "And if there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's to not underestimate Tifa Lockhart. After all, this is the same girl who somehow managed to get probably the stupidest country boy in the world into Soldier. Supported him through his idiot dreams, never once doubting. One could argue she basically defied the astronomical odds to get that accomplished."
Slowly, the teenager lifted her head up to look him in the eyes. The orbs roving across his face, studying him. Cloud made sure to put on his most reassuring smile, though it slipped a little as the seconds wore one. Then a minute. The two. And still not a word was said. Now he was starting to sweat a little. Nerves like barbed wire crawled up his spine. The heat from her knee was starting to become unbearable on his sweaty palm. He should take his hand away but his brain somehow forgot how to move his body.
Fuck! This was a disaster! Maybe he should have kept his thoughts to himself?
"Did you mean all of that?"
The sound of Tifa's voice sent a shockwave of relief through him, a wonderful ice bath for his over-fried brain.
"I do! I don't exactly like the idea of it but there's no one I trust more to succeed!" Cloud said, belatedly realizing his words were coming out in a rush. "And no matter the odds or my personal hang-ups, I'll always support you. I'm 100 percent behind you not because I lov–um, really like you! But because I want you to achieve your dreams too, just like you helped me with mine."
Alright despite Cloud's brain feeling like mush, even he could tell that he was rambling. He just basically said the same thing in three different ways! Any more and he couldn't blame Tifa if she thought he was actually making fun of her.
Thankfully, from the beautiful smile on her face, she got the right message.
Tifa lunged at him from her sitting position, knocking him over and feeling her lips attacking his. As she straddled him, the blonde felt his arms being tugged above his head. The usual position, when a bed was available. He felt his eyes closing as she pressed harder, deepening the kiss. Cloud was happy to reciprocate, his mind hardly noticing both their hands and fingers intertwining. They kept at it for a few minutes, the rest of their bodies barely giving space. Their world narrowed down to the sealed connection. And then he felt it….
Her tongue !
It was such an unexpected sensation, a moment that they had both been teetering towards in the last week of travel, but neither quite taking that step forward. In a burst of emotion that line was crossed and Cloud could honestly say, he loved how it felt. It was wet, it was soft, it tasted like Tifa in all the ways he could never describe. But he could tell that it was already his new favorite flavor. Definitely took the number one spot of activities to do. Knocking pitiful regular kissing down to number two.
Cloud didn't want to consider all the moments they wouldn't be kissing like this, such a hell couldn't even be conceptualized at the moment. But reality hit faster than he would have liked because he felt Tifa pull back, taking his new friend with her. Instinctively he felt his upper torso move to close the distance, managing to steal a quick peck before she shoved him back down with a giggle. It wasn't a very hard push and she kept a weak grip on his wrists besides. The blond could have pressed the issue he supposed, but self preservation won out over hormones, so he settled back down grumply.
"Easy tiger, we're not done with our conversation yet." Tifa admonished teasingly, straightening her back from where she sat on his stomach and moving her hands to rest on his chest instead.
"We talked about your thoughts on item number one, but what about item number two?"
The cadet could feel himself blinking very rapidly and very stupidly at those sudden words. Item number two? What was that again? His ability for critical thinking was a little hamstrung by the sight of her slightly bruised and puffy lips.
With more willpower than Cloud thought he was capable of, he forced his eyes up to meet her rubies. She had a very expectant look, one that told him they weren't going to resume activities until he said something. But what else did they talk about last night? He scrambled through his memories for what else she might have told him the day before. Living arrangements? Dinner? Calling his ma?
None of them sounded right and he was coming up with blanks. A frown started to appear on Tifa's face as the silence dragged one. But this wasn't fair! She can't reasonably expect him to have any coherent thoughts after a kiss like that! Now her eyes were narrowing, her fingers curling into his shirt. Shit! He's only been married for a day and already he was in trouble. What would do!?
Then it hit him like a lightning bolt as she opened her mouth to say something. Oh yeah, he's married now.
"I think…." Cloud said nervously, watching as her mouth slowly closed, body tensing above his in anticipation. "That I am the luckiest man in the world to have a wife like you."
Well, teenager but that didn't sound as romantic. And it looked like it was the right answer, because he was graced with another one of those wonderful smiles. The ones were, even the person's eyes seemed to light up with happiness. But no time to admire the dazzling sight. Tifa was already swooping down for another kiss.
000
Tifa was walking on the moon!
Well not literally. She and her husband were strolling through the early morning market street of sector one, trying to find a place to get breakfast. They glanced around to see what caught their interests, what smells would entice the senses. It was an endless parade of choices! Though she couldn't help but turn up her nose at some of the selections. Really, donuts in the morning? Personally, Tifa would've preferred to make them something to eat, both for convenience and budgeting reasons. But the stupid inn wouldn't let her into the kitchen. Staff only, they said. Pfft! And…. she could admit, she didn't really have any supplies ready to go anyway.
But the brunette had really been looking forward to showing Cloud her cooking skills! While her neighbor had samples of her baked goods before, she was making them in his house, but it was always made under the supervision of his mother. No doubt her blond attributed all the deliciousness of her food to Claudia. Hard not to when the woman had been his main supplier of nutrients. Didn't help that the older Strife was, in fact, an amazing cook.
But since the two former neighbors were married now, she needed Cloud to associate home with her. Even for something as simple as food or clean clothes, the first image that pops in his spiky head should be her face. While she loved Claudia, Tifa should be the most important woman in her husband's life now. But considering what a momma's boy the cadet was, still is, it might be an uphill battle. However, that wasn't going to be enough to scare this girl away!
Thus, marks the first day of Tifa's never ending struggle with her mother-in-law for Cloud's affections. She at least had the advantage over most newlyweds since she actually liked her new in-law.
Still, that needed to be put on the backburner for now, because sustenance was the main priority. And lo and behold, there was a sandwich shop that was selling seafood stuffed into bread! What a concept! Even since Zack took them to the Golden Corral yesterday, the teenager had developed a craving for cooked sea life. Even had a dream about eating one of the critters last night. Might have even chewed on Cloud's shoulder a little by accident.
Target in sight, Tifa tugged at Cloud's hand to navigate them through the morning crowd and to their destination.
It was a cozy restaurant, resembling a retrofitted duplex apartment with a bar and booth on the first floor, and dining tables on the second. Surprisingly there were no waiters. You simply went up to the bar, paid for the meal and looked for an open seating. Which was how the young couple found themselves with a prime view. Over the railing they could see the hustle and bustle of the morning traffic entering rush hour as people went about their day. It was surprisingly sparse, but considering it was the weekend and tomorrow was a holiday it wasn't unexpected. Breaking her gaze from the moving crowds Tifa glanced up at Cloud, who was still absorbed in his people watching, taking slow bites into his sandwich.
The young girl couldn't help but blush at the sight of him, remembering the events of the morning. And not just because of all the kissing, though that memory did make her heart beat a tad quicker. No, it was the talking parts that had her emotions in such a confusing disarray. They're conversation had been much more eye opening than she could have anticipated. Much more…. Enlightening.
It was like a repeat of that night on the water tower.
Once again, Cloud had put her on the back foot when he told her what he really thought of her plans, how crazy he felt they were. It left her flustered and unable to think. So at a loss for words, Tifa was left opening and closing her mouth like a particularly stupid fish, unable to defend herself against his rant. Couldn't even look him in the eyes as he went on.
The words were harsh, but once again he stuck the landing. Reaffirming his commitment to her, causing bubbling happiness in her heart. Mama always said you should keep your cards close to your chest, but this whole "open communication and honesty" business was alright. Maybe her mom didn't know boys as well as she thought? Or maybe it was just her papa that needed a firm hand and short leash? Cloud had his reservation sure, he had his hang-ups, but ultimately he was going to support her.
But the most startling realization was that tone he took with her…. She liked it.
The fire and fury in his blue eyes. The scrunch of his brow. The hard lines along his lips. The commanding timbre. Looming over her even when they were just sitting on the bed. The awkward seating arrangement did nothing to curb the tension that had spread in her body. It turned her childhood friend, who she always thought was cute, into a fierce man who was…. Well Tifa didn't want to be crass with her words.
All that combined with the knowledge that he would never intentionally hurt her, Cloud would probably cut off his own foot before he did, had left a…. tingling sensation in her stomach. It went against practically everything her mother had taught her about how you treated people. More importantly, how they should treat you. How Tifa should correct such behavior before it spiraled out of control. At least, if I didn't want a repeat offender on your hands.
But…. she wouldn't mind if he did it again. Tifa could almost feel herself anticipating it.
"How's your sandwich?"
Tifa was startled out of her reverie, seeing sapphire eyes aimed at her expectantly. All innocence and shyness, unlike the commanding fire they sparked with less than an hour ago. It took her a moment to realize Cloud had asked her a question, another beat to figure out an answer.
"It's delicious." Tifa said, giving him a smile and lifting the meal for emphasis. Truthfully, the brunette had been so lost in her thoughts she couldn't even remember the few bites she took. Nor how it tasted. Glancing over at Cloud's hands, she could help but gin wider, seeing half of his was already gone. "Not that'd you would know. Try chewing your food silly! At the rate you're going, they could have sold you two pieces of cardboard with a fish drawn in the middle and you'd never know the difference."
He gave a light chuckle, looking sheepishly at his food before putting it down and spreading his arm in pretend virtue. "What can I say? I think city food agrees with me."
Oh, ho! Look at -wit here.
"Don't let Claudia hear you say that or you'll break her heart." Tifa quipped, liking the sudden playfulness of the blond. It wasn't everyday Cloud Strife got into banter, usually every word out of his mouth was deadly serious or adorably naive. She had to strike while the getting was good. "Maybe I should call her up and tell her what a traitor her son is? One day in the city and he's already abandoning all his small town values."
"Please, knowing my ma she'd be salivating at the details." Cloud retorted with a wave of his hand in faux dismissiveness. "Would probably ask you to send her a photo so she could scrapbook it." She probably would, Tifa thought. "If I was you , I'd be more scared of what your mom would do. I bet you can already feel her fingers pinching your ear to drag you home."
He followed that statement up with a mocking claw motion, using only his thumb and index finger.
"Like you're any better." Tifa said with an exaggerated eye roll. She would have added a hair flip into the equation but her hands were a little greasy. So she settled for a playful kick under the table instead. "Don't think I haven't noticed you glancing over your shoulder every time you hear heavy boots on the pavement. It's almost like you expect my papa to come slinking out of the shadows and bum rush you!"
"It's a legitimate concern!" The blonde protested, picking up his sandwich and taking a stubborn bite out of it, finishing it with gusto. He grumpily chewed on his mouthful for a few turns and swallowed before elaborating. "Your his daughter, you wouldn't understand but there are horror stories about your dad."
That caused Tifa to pause halfway into her own bite of seafood.
Completing the motion, she chewed thoughtfully for a moment. Of all the things she knew Cloud could have said, that was one that never crossed her mind. Her papa, scary? Sure he was a big man, both in height and muscle mass compared to any of the other village men, but Brian Lockhart intimidating? That was not an adjective she would ever associate with the mayor of Nibelheim. The man was more like an oversized teddy bear if anything. Though mama made sure he still commanded the respect of the adults, that for all intents and purposes he was the undisputed leader of the village. It wouldn't wouldn't do for his authority to be undercut, after all.
But now she was curious, Tifa had to know what kind of reputation her gentle father had with the village boys.
"Yeah? Anything you want to share?" She asked teasingly, genuinely excited to hear what tall tales the boys convinced themselves were true. "C'mon the big scary mayor can't hurt all the way here in Midgar."
She couldn't help letting out a giggle at the idea. It was the wrong move, getting a petulant look on his face.
"What? No! It's gonna sound really stupid out loud." The blonde refused, adding a stubborn set in his brow to go with his sour expression. "Besides, I never believed most of them anyway. Just a lot of bogus stuff the older boys used to spread around cause they were , super childish stuff they probably stole from a book or something."
Well, look at him trying to act all mature! But as she used a napkin to wipe her hands clean of her finished meal, Tifa knew instantly she wasn't going to let this one go. It'd drive her nuts to let him get away with dangling such a tasty morsel of information in front of her and not follow through.
"Please? Just one story for me?" She pleaded with her most imploring expression. A gentle smile with a slight upward scrunch of her eyebrow. A look that said you'd be granting this wish you'd be making this little girl her the happiest person in the world. Unfortunately, she couldn't help but add a crack at the end of it. "And don't worry, even if my papa comes here I'll always protect my big Soldier from his wrath."
Funny enough, Cloud seemed to take her joke into serious consideration, even fidgeting a little as if struggling with an internal decision.
"Alright one story, but don't laugh." The cadet said, looking a little shifty as he glanced side to side. "You remember ? The merchant that used to come to town at least a few times a year? Always wore that silly polka dot hat of his and showed a new magic trick for the kids when he had time?"
At Tifa's nod he continued. "When he stopped coming to the village people were sad but it wasn't too unusual for traders to find new places to peddle their wares, and everyone kind of just assumed that's what it was. The thing is there were…. rumors. Apparently someone saw your dad dragging him behind the old Shaffer's house on the outskirt of town. And a few of the teenagers went to investigate and found 's hat."
Tifa waited for Cloud to continue but the silence only stretched on. At the nervous look on her husband's face she realized that was the whole thing. A ghost story with a dirty hat as a linchpin.
A snort escaped her before she could clamp a hand over her mouth.
Instantly the tips of Cloud's ears turned red. "Not that I believe any of it of course! Like I said, it was such a crazy story those older boys probably just made it up to spook the rest of us!"
Tifa was shaking her head fiercely, trying to not embarrass the blonde further but another snort escaped, followed by a short giggle. The brunette had to snap her other hand over her mouth in order to stop the tidal wave of mirth trying to spill out. She was getting light headed trying to hold it all back!
"Ok, ok you can laugh! Just breathe!" Cloud said, concern on his face as he reached over to pry Tifa's hands from her face. Once the barriers were gone she went into uncontrollable laughter, throwing her head back at the ridiculous "horror" story. After a minute or two of amusement, she managed to get herself down to just a few chuckles.
"Cloud! isn't dead." Tifa said, giving the boy a playful slap on the back of his hand. "He retired and went to live with his kids in Bone village. His son-in-law now runs that same merchant train that comes to the Nibelheim. Do you remember? The man who we bought supplies from a month before we left the village?"
At the surprised look on the cadet's face, the brunette had to fight another burst of humor that tried to climb its way out of her chest.
"Well, what about them meeting behind the building and the hat?"
"They were smokers and friends. But mama didn't approve of papa doing it so the two of them snuck around to get their fix." Tifa answered, looking fondly as the missing information began to show Cloud a new story. "She knew about it of course, but let him keep his dirty habit as long as he did it out of sight and kept it only to when his friends from outside the village visited."
"Huh."
"And the hat? It was a joke gift that my papa bought for the merchant as a boy. One that the older man never liked. Every year would throw away the hat and every year the Mayor would buy him a new one. What those boys found was probably one of the old hats he tried getting rid of."
The look on Cloud's face betrayed the mini existential crisis probably running rampant in his mind right now. One of the lores of his childhood norms being so easily picked apart with a bit of extra context. No doubt questioning what other parts of his life was all just a lie. Even his blonde spikes seemed to wave in the air with uncertainty, almost as if the bits of hair were unsure of their own reality.
It was kind of funny.
Tifa stood up, gathering their trash and tossing it into a bin off to the side. Gathering her things, she tugged Cloud out of his seat and led them to the stairs. "C'mon you. Have your meltdown as we walk. I want to explore the city!"