Mistlefoe

by DevilRush

'tis the season, and being surrounded by lovey-dovey couples leaves Yuffie feeling nauseated in an entirely new way. A romantic fracas, miscommunication, and a sudden change of rules about certain mistletoe traditions. Hilarity (and potential heartbreak) ensues. Will things work out in the end? Maybe. Either way, someone's halls are getting decked. [Clerith, Zifa, slight Clouffie.]

2. Apple of my Eye

Cloud held the ring up to the light, watching the subtle glint within the embedded diamond as he turned it between his fingers. He leaned over the bar counter, sighing. He'd been planning to propose to Aerith during the holidays, but doubt was beginning to creep into his mind again. It never seemed like the right time, or the right place. Moreover, he'd debated all night whether to do it in private, or in front of all their friends. Would it be too much? How would she even respond? What if she said 'no'? There was no reason for him to believe that she would. Their relationship was going perfectly, after all. And yet... he couldn't help but worry.

Tifa knew as much, and gave him an encouraging look from her vantage point at the opposite end of the bar. She hadn't pushed him, exactly, but she'd been rather profuse in her dispensation of booze tonight, perhaps figuring that what he needed was a bit more liquid courage in order to get him to finally make his move. Reaching the same conclusion, he flagged her down for one more scotch.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden ruckus as Denzel and Marlene came rushing through the room, shunting bar stools aside and crashing into tables and chairs as one gave chase to the other, laughing themselves hoarse all the while. The decorations for the 7th Heaven were long since done, but that didn't stop the kids from chasing each other all over the bar, ducking behind furniture while firing party poppers in each other's direction, as well as leaving streamers everywhere in their wake.

As "excess" was not a word in Yuffie's vocabulary, she soon found herself joining in the chase as well, terrorizing the duo, resulting in them joining forces and ganging up on her. Aerith, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but laugh at her antics. "I swear, she's more excited than the kids."

"Yeah..." Cloud said.

Aerith, noting that something was troubling him, walked over to where her boyfriend was sitting. "Cloud? What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

"Uh... it's nothing," Cloud replied, hurriedly placing the ring back into its case and slipping it into his pocket before she noticed.

Aerith frowned. Something was definitely bothering him. She could tell as much, but decided not to press it. He'd tell her in due time.