In this fic, I make Cloud suffer for my own amusement. Please enjoy.

If you've consumed any form of anime/manga, especially romance, this Valentine's concept would be familiar. If not, the story should explain it. If that's not enough, full explanation are at the notes in the end (inconsistencies included)~

Official FF7 Ever Crisis High School AU references over here: EC Academy Official Site

Tomorrow is Valentine's day.

The digital clock on Cloud Strife's bedside table glowed a bright 3:56 AM.

Correction, today is Valentine's day. And he had not slept a wink.

How does he even know it's Valentine's day?

Well, yesterday afternoon, Tifa did not walk home with him. Their usual routine has always been to walk home together. Even if she had to stay because of class rep duties, he would stay behind and wait for her. Gave him lots of time to practice his swings.

Tifa never skips walking home with him, unless it's an emergency. Or if it's his birthday (so she can wrap her gift) and Valentine's day (so she can buy the chocolate).

By process of elimination, since his birthday is in the summer and it's way too cold for that, it had to be Valentine's day.

Ever since the first year of middle school, Tifa started to hand out chocolate to everyone in class. Everyone. She'd never done it before. Like him, she was never even interested in those kinds of holidays. She'd always been busy with school work, karate, and occasionally hanging out with him, doing her homework in their living room as he played video games on the couch. They had this special little routine, just the two of them, ever since they were kids.

And then she met Jessie Raspberry. That girl taught her so many silly things. Chocolates, White Day, shoujo manga, crushes… romance. Boys. Tifa changed then. Had more girly interests. Blushed more. Spent more time with Jessie and her other new female friends. Spent less time with him after school and on the weekends.

Not that he minded. The walk home together was always theirs anyway. They were neighbors after all. Not even her new friends could top that.

At first it had irritated him, seeing her hand out chocolates to Emilio and his ilk. He'd watch their grubby hands shake as they accepted her friendship chocolates, with hopeful looks in their eyes. God , was it irritating, but he'd be sated by the fact that he always gets The Special Chocolate. A big box of his favorites, the ones she knew he liked ever since they were kids. He'd put that box proudly on top of his desk and let it soak in the jealous looks of the other boys. It made the chocolate taste better later, after marinating in their envy.

But this Valentine's day is different.

Cloud swallows thickly, curling to his side and pulling the blankets up his shoulders. His eyes gravitate towards the window, where it overlooks Tifa's. Moonlight shines over her house and he recognizes the soft glow of her nightlight against her closed curtains. She's fast asleep, damn her, and he's over here, wide awake and a wreck for no reason.

Last night, Tifa Lockhart was making chocolates.

Handmade chocolates.

He had seen it by accident, when he went to throw out the garbage. A view of Tifa through her kitchen window, donning a blue apron, working on something on the counter. He was about to call out when he saw it. Heart shaped molds, chocolate being stirred up in a little metal bowl.

How did he know it was chocolate? Because the pack of chocolate mix sits right by the window, the label pointed right at him.

Tifa never made chocolates. Not once.

He had been sitting behind her when Jessie told her - in the loudest whisper possible - how a girl should only give handmade chocolates to the person she likes. It was like a confession, Jessie had said. A confession of love .

He remembers this vividly because Tifa had blushed crimson then, one of the few times he'd seen her do so. And then she never, ever made handmade chocolates. Not for him, not for anybody. Everything was store bought, and his were always the most expensive, right next to Mr. Lockhart's.

Cloud had run up the stairs when he saw that and realized. Leaned on his door trying to calm his nerves. Tifa was making handmade chocolates for the first time. The question is: for whom?

And now, he's laying in his bed, unable to stop all the other questions popping in his head. Laid for hours just thinking, thinking, thinking.

Was there somebody she liked?

Who is it? It can't be him, can it? There's no way. They've known each other for so long, and she'd never acted any different. He would know if she liked him. There would be signs.

But who else is there? It can't be Zack. Can't be Emilio, he's in another school now with all of his other little friends.

There's absolutely no other guy Tifa was close to. Cloud made sure of that. He wasn't on a quest to become the strongest there is for nothing. He had to protect her from the creeps, after all. He'd promised her so long ago.

But then maybe there were some who slipped through the cracks. Some guy at karate club maybe. Or that rich kid from the private school down the road. Cloud always did think that guy was suspicious, passing by their school gates all the time. Bumping into Tifa that one time was probably just a ploy to get her attention.

Maybe he had been so busy training and trying to get strong that he missed some things. Many things, if Tifa had been developing feelings for someone and he never even noticed.

His eyes train on the ceiling, calloused fingers clutching on the edges of his blanket. He raises one hand, looking at the bandage Tifa left on his knuckle after he had hurt himself messing around with Zack yesterday. The scolding they both got from her at lunch was something else. She always was such a busybody, ever since they were kids.

"Goddammit," he murmurs, letting his hand fall to his forehead. "Tifa…"

Today is Valentine's day and Tifa Lockhart made handmade chocolates. She's going to be confessing to someone today. The probability of her getting rejected is laughably below zero. Someone as nice and pretty as her? Who wouldn't want her as a girlfriend?

She might just… get a boyfriend today… I'll lose her…

His thoughts drift off to unwelcome images of Tifa holding hands with some silver-haired rich boy as his eyelids finally droop close.

"Cloud, wake up."

Cloud feels a soft poke on his shoulder, then his cheek. A familiar voice calling out to him. It sounds so sweet, but sleep is sweeter right now.

"Cloud! We're going to be late, wake up!"

He swats at the incessant poking thing irritably, burying himself further into his blankets. He feels a pull on it, and he pulls back, sleepily trying to wrestle control of his disobedient blanket.

"If you don't wake up now, I'll leave without you."

He gives up pulling because blankets are stupid anyway and smushes his face into his pillow.

"Fine, be that way. I'll just give your chocolates to Zack."

Chocolates.

For some reason, the word jolts him awake, his head snapping up and his back going rigid. There's a creak in his neck as he looks up, to be met with the self-satisfied smile on Tifa Lockhart's face.

"Good morning," she chirps, hands on her hips, blocking the bright sunlight streaming from his window. She is way too cheery so early in the morning, he notes grudgingly. "You forgot to set your alarm again, didn't you? Claudia said she didn't hear it ring."

Cloud opens his mouth to respond, but only a half-hearted grunt of "…busybody…" escapes his throat. She giggles anyway and moves back up to his door before turning back to him.

"I'll wait for you downstairs. Not sure you have time for breakfast though." She pauses, making a gesture at her cheek with an indulgent smile. "Maybe wash your face too?"

Cloud mirrors her, swiping at the same spot on his face as she closes the door behind her. He flushes with embarrassment, feeling the telltale signs of dried drool by the corner of his mouth.

"This is why she doesn't like you, Strife," he mumbles grumpily, curling into the bed like a snail. Maybe he should just become one. Tifa liked snails, right?

Chewing on his toast as he walks, Cloud can't help the way his eyes hone in on the brown paper bag in Tifa's hands. He had offered to carry it for her along with her school bag, but she playfully swayed out of his reach with a soft tut.

"You'll get yours later," she said in that tone of hers that tries to inspire patience in him. The paper bag was squeezed into her chest protectively, and that was that.

He really wants to ask. Tifa, did you really make handmade chocolate? Is it for me? If not, then who? Do you like anyone? Who is he? I promise I won't punch him in the face. I just want to talk.

… like hell he could say any of that. So he just chews angrily at his breakfast, taking his frustration on the buttered piece of bread. He can't even taste the damn thing.

By the time they make it to the classroom, an imaginary hole has been burnt into the paper bag with just his glare. And yet, he still couldn't see inside of it. He watches resentfully as Tifa tucks the bag under her desk, with that usual pleasant look on her face. Like nothing was wrong. Like he's currently not dying on the inside.

Huffing, Cloud plops onto his seat and looks out the window. Students stream in through the school gates, Mr. Wallace standing nearby, nodding to every student that greets him. In the back of the crowd, he spots Zack Fair, towering over everyone else with his spiky dark hair swaying as he walks beside her.

Cloud had to hand it to Zack. He's one of the strongest people out there, so of course he's not afraid to walk with Midgard 7th's big bad, Aerith Gainsborough. She walks with purpose, her staff slung over her shoulder, her head inclined away from Zack who looks to be yapping away at her.

Cloud would get teachers yelling at him for his bat, but not Gainsborough. It's like everyone's afraid of her. Even Tifa, who's usually cordial with everyone, is intimidated by her.

Sighing, he turns back around, looking sideways at Tifa. She's reading her book, oblivious to the barely concealed glances a few people are giving her. He hides a scowl under his hand. It's just for today.

Stupid Valentine's day.

Cloud is pretty much nodding off when the bell for recess rings. In front of him, Zack snores loudly, head tucked in his arms.

The sound of the bell makes him blink sleepiness away, but what really wakes him up is a nice, familiar fragrance wafting over him, and a soft voice a bit too close to his ear.

"Cloud," Tifa whispers, sending shivers down his spine. Close, she's so close . She leans over him, her hair brushing against his cheek, one hand cupped over her lips as she continues. "Can you come with me for a second?"

He turns, and just nods stiffly. He couldn't trust himself to speak. That was too close, too sudden. He wasn't prepared for that. She needs to warn a guy first or something.

"Ooooooh," came Zack's teasing voice, and he's now sitting backwards on his chair, facing them with a shit-eating grin on his face. Wasn't he asleep just a second ago? "Where are you two going~?"

Much to Cloud's disappointment, Tifa straightens back up, head tilted at Zack. "You can meet me later. I have something to ask."

Zack blinks, pointing at himself. "Wha—me?"

"Yes, you."

Before either of them could ask her more, Tifa grabs onto Cloud's arm, trying to pull him up. "Now, come on, Cloud." And he has no choice but to be pulled away to the secluded staircase just outside their classroom, Zack's wolf whistles echoing through the hall.

Cloud doesn't miss the presence of the brown paper bag. The goddamn brown paper bag with the goddamn chocolates. And among them is the handmade chocolates she made.

He stiffens up, his nonchalant mask falling. He can feel his heart thudding in his chest and he wonders if she can hear it too. Is she… going to give it to him?

Normally, she would just hand it over at his desk, but now she pulls him away to a private place? This has to be it, right? A confession chocolate?

Tifa rummages through the paper bag, and it feels like she's taking a million years.

What would he even say? How does he respond? He's never done this before. He should have read more of those shoujo manga she had. Maybe then he'd know what to do.

"Ah," she exclaims quietly, finally stopping her rummaging, "found it."

Here it comes!

Cloud's practically shaking as she pulls out a box. It feels like he's watching her in slow motion. It's not the usual box she has been giving him the past 3 years. This is different. Bigger, in a different color. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be.

"T-Tifa, I—"

"Here you go," she says brightly, presenting the box to him. "Happy Valentine's Day!"

The box hovers by his loudly beating heart - how can she not hear that? - and he accepts with shaky hands.

"Tifa, I…" he tries again, but his voice is so low he couldn't even hear himself. He needs to answer her. It's a confession, Strife. Tell her yes. Anything. Speak, Strife!

"I got you something different this time," she continues, her lips curved into an excited smile, "the store was offering a special on your favorite chocolates, and I just had to buy them."

…

"Go on, see for yourself! They're chocobo shaped!"

…

Cloud looks up from the box, his mind blank.

Did she just say buy ?

His fingers coil into the box, and he couldn't stop the feeling of utmost shock and disappointment flooding into him.

She bought this. At the store.

She didn't make this.

Tifa's smile drops slightly at seeing his expression. She looks confused, almost concerned. "Cloud? What's wrong?"

He swallows. Tries to put the mask back on. Say something, Strife, Tifa's worried. Say something.

Tifa covers one of his hands with hers. "Are you okay? You look pale."

His mouth opens, and a garbled sound similar to "I'm fine" comes out. She looks unconvinced, because what else is she supposed to think with that kind of answer?

"I'm fine," he manages eventually, clearing his throat. "Just… just still sleepy."

"Hmm," she hums, reluctantly pulling back, but she seems to be accepting his answer. "You and Zack really need to stop sleeping in class."

"Y-yeah," he agrees half-heartedly, clutching the box closer to him. "Right."

Tifa sighs, and gives him another one of her indulgent smiles. "Let's go back then, so you can catch up on your sleep."

He nods stiffly. His heart feels heavy. Can't trust himself to speak.

But he had to ask.

"Why did you bring me here? You could have given this to me in the classroom."

She shrugs, shuffling her feet. "I just thought you wouldn't want to open them in the classroom. I know you're trying to look tough in front of everyone, so maybe chocobo-shaped chocolate might embarrass you."

She looks down, her ears pinking a little. "But they were so cute and made me think of you, so I had to buy them, you know?"

It feels like a balm to hear her say she thought of him. That "cute" and "you" were uttered in the same sentence regarding him. That she'd considered his tastes, even his emotional well being. Some of the disappointment ebbs away, but there's a still a sizable chink in his heart.

But he knew, didn't he? That Tifa didn't like him that way. He already knew that, so he shouldn't have expected anything.

He watches Tifa turn, watches the way her hair sways as she moves, the way her hands clasp behind her. He bites his lip, the hand clutching the box falling to his side, the other raking through his blonde hair as he shuffles after her.

Really, Strife. A small, bitter laugh bubbles in his throat, soft enough that she doesn't hear. What the hell were you expecting? A confession from Tifa out of nowhere? Ridiculous.

But now remains The Question. Who are the handmade chocolates for?

Tifa told Zack to meet with her during lunch break after she'd given away chocolates to the rest of the class. She'd said it right in front of him, so it's probably not that big of a deal. Probably just a little chat between classmates.

…is what Cloud is trying to tell himself. But his mind spins anyway, wondering, thinking.

His leg bounces, faster and faster the longer Zack and Tifa takes to get back. He keeps glancing at the door, then the window, then his forlorn lunch - a single yakisoba pan - on his desk. What was taking so long anyway? What was so damn important that she couldn't talk about it in public, or at least with him present?

Cloud doesn't want to think about it. The obvious. Each time the questions pop up in his head, the answer comes immediately after.

But there was no way. He'd jumped to conclusions thinking Tifa would confess to him, Cloud Strife, the one guy she's the closest to. So why would she to Zack? They only met this year!

But Cloud knew, he just didn't want to accept it. After him, Zack is the next one closest to her. Upon first meeting, he eased his way into both their lives like he's always been there, like he belonged. He's like that with everyone. Just a great, amazing guy that even Cloud himself couldn't hate.

Everyone likes Zack. Everyone. Hell, even the Big Bad Gainsborough, tough as nails Cetra leader, can't do anything to him. So why is Cloud trying to deny that maybe Tifa herself…?

He shakes his head, leg bouncing harder that his desk starts to rattle. He tries to shake away the thought, but it's already started. Unbidden, the image of Tifa handing Zack a heart-shaped box, a soft blush on her cheeks, her mouth forming words he can't hear. Zack, accepting the box, smiling down at her, his hand reaching out to her cheek. Tifa, on her tiptoes as Zack leans down—

"Thanks, class pres!" came Zack's loud, jovial voice, cutting across Cloud's - frankly nightmarish - thoughts. His head snaps up to see Zack by the door of the classroom, waving down the hall. Tifa is nowhere in sight.

"Yo, I'm back," Zack greets him as he plops down on his seat. In his hand is a small blue box, wrapped neatly with a bow. Tifa never gave Cloud chocolates with a bow. "Get this, Tifa gave me—"

"What did you talk about?" Cloud interrupts through gritted teeth.

"Whoa, what's with that face?" Zack counters, blinking at him.

What face? Cloud isn't a doing a face. "What did you talk about?" he repeats, his voice low.

Zack stares at him, more bewildered than anything. He doesn't say anything, tilting his head, which only irritates Cloud more.

"Zack."

"Cloud."

Taking a deep breath, Cloud closes his eyes, trying to cool himself off. He had never wanted to punch Zack before, but there's a first time for everything. He clenches his fists under the table, out of reach so he doesn't actually do just that.

"Zack," he tries again, slowly this time, enunciating every word in case the recipient misses anything, "what did you and Tifa talk about?"

Zack hums playfully, seemingly unaware of the immediate danger of his face meeting with a fist. His lips curve up in that mischievous way he always does. He places the blue box on Cloud's desk, pointing at it. "She gave me this," he says in a singsong voice.

"And?"

"And what?"

Punch him, Strife, just punch him. Cloud holds down his right arm, the right arm that was about to go swinging on its own. "What. Did. You. Talk. About."

Zack doesn't answer, instead shifting his eyes to the side. His smile is still in place, but it has a nervous twitch, right there at the corner of his lips. "Dunno what you talkin' 'bout," he mumbles, his words blending together.

A fist smacks down on the table, making his untouched lunch and the blue box bounce. Zack jolts, eyes wide, and finally, finally he seems to recognize the severity of the situation.

"Zack, if you don't tell me right now—"

"It's a secret!" Zack blurts out, then covers his mouth as soon as the words come out. He seems to realize it was too late and uncovers his mouth again. "She made me promise not to tell."

Promise? The word irks Cloud to no end. Zack made a promise to Tifa? It feels like a betrayal. Promises were supposed to be their thing. Just a Cloud and Tifa thing. Now Zack is getting in on it too?

…is it because… did Tifa really confess? Did she like Zack all along?

Cloud looks down at the blue box with its neat little bow, and he resists the urge to slap it off the desk.

Were those the handmade chocolates she made? She gave them to Zack and now what? He's now her boyfriend? And Tifa made Zack promise not to tell because they're in a secret relationship? Is that it?

He can feel his heart breaking in two. A cold, dreadful feeling washes over him. His head droops, and he starts finding it hard to breathe.

"Uh, Cloud?" Zack calls out, but he sounds far away, echoey, "what're you thinking, bud?"

Cloud should be happy for them. Tifa is a wonderful person, and so is Zack. Two wonderful people deserve each other. If they're happy, who is he to get in between? He knows Zack will take good care of her, like Tifa already does for the both of them. He knows they'll be happy.

But he feels like he's about to die, just thinking about this. That he'll have to see them both every day like that. Not one ounce of happiness, not even an inkling, could be summoned up from his soul.

"Listen," Zack says, his voice serious now. And Cloud tries to listen, but he can't even lift his head to meet his friend's eyes. "You're my best friend—"

Oh, here it goes. He doesn't want to hear this.

But he has to. He has to face this. But why is it so hard?

"—really would love to tell you, but I promised—"

Cloud shuts his eyes, wishing he could shut his ears too.

"—and I can tell you feel betrayed but—"

Just get on with it. Just say you're with Tifa now. Say you like each other.

"—class pres is scary as hell, I don't wanna know what'll happen if she finds out I told you."

There's a long pause. Cloud waits for more, bracing himself, but there's nothing.

Slowly, his head lifts, meeting Zack's earnest eyes. "What?"

"I said Tifa's scary as hell," Zack says, his face reflecting his words. He actually looks scared.

"What?" Cloud asks again.

"Uh," Zack seems at a loss now, scratching the back of his head as stumbles over his words, "so I'm sorry for keeping it a secret? Even though we're best friends?"

"…what?"

Zack purses his lips and looks at Cloud with an odd focus. He speaks slowly, like he's addressing a toddler. "So don't feel bad? That I won't tell you?"

Cloud takes a deep breath. A large, long sigh escapes his lips.

"So you're not her boyfriend?"

Zack starts at that, looking genuinely shocked - appalled, even - like Cloud just suggested Zack should marry his mom one day. "Say what?! No!"

Cloud is slumping on his chair before he even realizes it. Such stark relief washes over him that he can't help but laugh a little. What the hell? So it was like that. He covers his eyes and laughs.

"…so we're cool?" Zack asks confusedly, probably not understanding why he was laughing. To be honest, Cloud doesn't get it either. This whole day has been driving him insane.

All this over damn Valentine's Day.

"Yeah," Cloud says, his voice a little hoarse. He decides he doesn't really care what their secret is, as long as it doesn't involve being romantically involved. "Yeah, we're cool."

Zack smiles brightly, which makes Cloud feel a little guilty for wanting to punch him. Aside from Tifa, Zack is the one person Cloud easily gets along with. He would hate to sour their relationship. And thinking about it, doesn't Zack have a weird thing for Gainsborough anyway?

"Oh hey, it's Tifa," Zack says suddenly, pointing out the window.

Cloud almost gets whiplash turning his head so fast, and his eyes immediately zero in on Tifa down at the school courtyard. Walking next to her, the last person he ever expected to see with her, is Aerith Gainsborough.

"Mmrgh… wanna… mrrf… see whaf they… mrffrff… up to?"

Cloud tears his eyes away from the odd view just to find Zack with his cheeks full, with telltale crumbs at the corners of his mouth. Somehow, Cloud's lunch is also mysteriously no longer on his desk.

"Did you just take my lunch?"

"I would never do that to you, buddy."

"Do you think she's threatening her?" Cloud whispers conspiratorially as he peeks around the corner at Tifa and Big Bad Gainsborough, who are talking in front of the school flowerbeds. He can't hear what they're talking about or see their expressions from this angle, with Tifa's back to them and Gainsborough with her black mask.

"That's stupid," Zack whispers back with a huff, also peeking, "class pres would never threaten anyone. She's too nice for that."

"That's not what I… never mind."

Cloud shakes his head as he tries to peer closer at the two girls. But there's nothing else he can do without having to get closer. Which is a scary thought, considering Gainsborough is terrifying enough as it is. If Tifa finds out he's spying on her, he will not survive it. Emotionally or physically.

Tifa doesn't look like she's in immediate danger. Gainsborough seems to be just talking to her, her staff slung over her shoulder. Nothing in her eyes suggests animosity.

But you could never be too careful. That woman is the leader of the Cetra, and is known to be one of the strongest there is, equal to or even stronger than Zack. Even some of the teachers are scared of her.

Cloud is so fixated on the oddity of the situation that he notices it too late. The cursed brown paper bag in Tifa's hands. He only notices because she starts rummaging through it, with Gainsborough leaning over and watching her.

He doesn't realize he's doing it until he already is. He clutches at his bat and moves forward, taking cover at a nearby tree. He feels Zack shuffle after him, taking cover in a bush next to him.

"…here it is!" he hears Tifa exclaim, and she pulls out a pink box. A pink, heart-shaped box.

Cloud freezes, his breath catching. Is that what he thinks it is? He had watched Tifa give away her chocolates all morning, even one to Mr. Wallace and to the gloomy, dark-haired custodian, and none of them were heart-shaped.

"What is this?" Gainsborough asks and the confusion is evident in her voice. She stares at the box like it's the strangest thing she's ever seen.

Tifa holds out the box, one of her feet shuffling shyly onto the ground. She speaks in a soft voice that can barely be heard from his position. "Happy Valentine's Day. I made these myself. Please take them."

Cloud watches as Gainsborough blushes, her face red through her mask, down to her neck and up to her ears. Slowly, she reaches her hand out to accept the heart-shaped box—

CLANG!

Cloud's grip has loosened on his bat in shock and it drops on the ground. He flinches as the sound echoes loudly around them, while Zack frantically shushes at him from the bushes. But it's too late. Both girls turn towards the sound.

There's nowhere to hide now.

"Cloud?" Tifa calls out, surprise in her voice as she sees his blonde head sticking out from behind the tree. "What are you doing here?"

There's no way out of this. Cloud sighs and ducks out of his hiding spot. The bushes rustle, and Zack comes out beside him, his hands in the air.

"What am I doing here?" Cloud echoes, and he couldn't control the rise in his tone. Today has been an emotional roller coaster for him, and he has had enough. He has been anxious, he had felt betrayal and relief, he had secrets kept from him, and now this. He wants answers now. "What are you doing here?"

"What's your problem?" Gainsborough says testily, stepping forward to cover Tifa as she taps her staff on the ground.

"Aerith, it's okay," Tifa says gently, putting a hand on Gainsborough's arm. It's a type of familiar gesture Cloud doesn't see her do for anyone who's not her friend.

"He can't talk to you like that," Gainsborough argues even as she steps back again. This whole dynamic is throwing Cloud off a loop. It's one he never expected to see. One he's the least bit prepared for.

"So it's like that, huh?" Cloud says, and he doesn't bother to hide the bitterness in his voice. The absolute betrayal cloys at his heart. Even more painful than when he was thinking Zack and Tifa got together.

This is worse. Because Gainsborough is the enemy and Tifa is out here confessing her love to her.

Of all people.

"Like what?" Tifa asks as she approaches him. Her voice is gentle, without reproach, and she mostly sounds confused. She doesn't get it, does she? Her obliviousness is endearing at times, but this time it just hurts. Hurts that she doesn't understand.

Cloud looks at his feet, unable to look at her. His heart aches. He had been wondering all day about who Tifa would give her handmade chocolate to. But now that he's seen the intended recipient, he finds that he hates it. He hates that she even made one in the first place. He hates that there's someone she likes enough to do it for.

Most of all, Cloud hates that it's not him.

"She's the enemy," he murmurs as he sees her shoes enter his line of sight. She's close now, one of her hands squeezing his arm. "Why did it have to be her?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I can't accept this," he continues, clenching his fists. He looks up, his gaze moving past Tifa, focusing on Gainsborough, who readily glares back at him. "I won't let her have you."

"Cloud, what are you—?"

"I'm sorry, Tifa," Cloud interrupts, placing a hand on her shoulder to gently push her aside. "I know you're in love but—"

"In love?!"

…

Cloud pauses at the exclamation, and a strange calm passes over him. He turns to Tifa, who's staring at him like he just declared himself born from chocobo. He had jumped to enough conclusions today to know that this time, he definitely jumped into another one.

Slowly, carefully, he looks from Tifa to Gainsborough, and back again. He takes a deep breath and asks, "were you not confessing love to Gainsborough just now?"

"What," Tifa, Zack, and Gainsborough all say at the same time, turning to stare at him.

Cloud takes a deep breath. The strange calm remains, his mind filled with nothing else but getting answers. His voice is monotonous, devoid of any emotion. "The handmade chocolates. Are they not confession chocolate?"

Tifa looks down at the pink, heart-shaped box she still holds in her hand, then to Gainsborough, who shrugs, then back at Cloud. "Confession chocolate? What gave you that idea?"

Cloud just stands there, trembling a little. The calm is ebbing and his mind is starting to scream at him at how stupid this whole thing is. But he presses on, powering through. "Jessie Raspberry said… back in middle school… that girls only give handmade chocolate… to confess their love…"

The three of them exchange looks. When they turn back to him, Zack's lips are pursed and shaky, Gainsborough's eyebrow is raised, and Tifa just gives him that indulgent look. Most times the look doesn't bother Cloud, but in this situation, it makes him feel like a child.

And it might just be well-deserved.

"Cloud," she begins, her voice soft and patient, "you know not everything Jessie says is true, right? You told me that yourself."

And Cloud did. He remembers now. Back in middle school, how he had told Tifa not to listen to everything Jessie says about boys and romance. Because she would say things like "boys like it when you're assertive" or "boys like it when you act cute and helpless". It may be true to some boys, but as one himself, it doesn't apply to him. And he told Tifa that. That not everything Jessie Raspberry says is true.

He looks down at his feet again. The calm is gone. Embarrassment doesn't even begin to cover what he's feeling right now. He feels sooooo stupid. Heat blooms all over his neck and face and he knows he's blushing the reddest he ever has.

"So, let me get this straight," Gainsborough's voice cuts through the silence, and Cloud stiffens up, bracing himself, "you thought Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes is out here confessing her love to me because of chocolates?"

"Her name's Tifa," Zack tries to correct in a voice that's holding back a laugh.

Gainsborough continues as though she didn't hear that, stepping closer to Cloud, leaning into his space. "Are you an idiot?"

"Aerith," both Tifa and Zack says, tones similarly admonishing.

"What?" Gainsborough barks back at them, "he was being an ass."

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Zack intones lightheartedly, clapping his hands and moving his body between her and Cloud. He places his hands on her shoulders and starts to steer her away. Gainsborough splutters in protest, trying to swat him away, but Zack doesn't let that deter him. "Ease up on him, will you?"

"That cocky first year almost fought me over chocolates, you know?" Gainsborough protests, but it's clear from her tone that she's not really into arguing about it at all.

"I know, I know. He's got some things going on. Let's leave him be, eh?"

"Hey, watch where you're touching, Fair."

"Oops, that wasn't on purpose, I swear…"

Their voices fade into the background along with their footsteps, Zack's placating voice overpowering Gainsborough's half-hearted protests.

Cloud turns to Tifa, meeting her patiently smiling face.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

"No," he answers truthfully. He can't help the pout that forms on his lips.

Tifa giggles at that and he looks at her, offended. Seeing his expression, she laughs even harder, waving her hand in front of him. "Sorry, sorry! It's just… this whole thing is so silly."

Despite all the embarrassment and the absolutely awful day he'd been having, Cloud couldn't help but get swayed by Tifa's laughter. He chuckles, and just the act itself makes him feel a little better. "It really is, huh?"

Somehow, just sharing this moment with her heals his heart like nothing else. This whole day has been so taxing, but now, knowing that Tifa wasn't ever going to confess to anyone, that she's not getting a boyfriend (or girlfriend), that she doesn't have anyone she likes, cancels out everything else he's felt today.

"I can't believe Zack told you," Tifa eventually says as her laughter dies down. "I made him promise."

"Told me?" Cloud asks, tilting his head at her.

"Mhm," she nods, and puts her hand on her hip, "I told him not to tell you I was looking for Aerith. Isn't that why you came here?"

Oh, was that the promise? That's another mystery solved. Cloud looks over to where Zack and Gainsborough have gone, seeing their figures standing at a distance across the other side of the courtyard.

Part of Cloud wants to get Zack in trouble just for the hell of it, but he did help him out just now, so he decides to repay the favor.

"No, he didn't tell me anything," Cloud says, looking back at Tifa, "I saw you down here and decided to follow you myself."

"Hmmm." Tifa hums thoughtfully and relaxes her stance. "Alright, if you say so."

"Why did you keep that a secret anyway?"

She looks up at him and shrugs. "You think she's dangerous. I thought you'd stop me if I wanted to meet with her." She pauses and inclines her head towards where the other two are. "And you kind of proved that right. You almost fought her just now."

Well, he can't deny that. He was ready to fight Midgar 7th's Big Bad just because he couldn't accept Tifa being in love with her. Speaking of…

"Why did you even make her handmade chocolates in the first place? You've never done that before."

"Oh." Tifa scratches the side of her face and laughs softly, her cheeks pink. "I felt bad for being scared of her, I suppose. I found her tending to—no, I shouldn't say that." She shuffles her feet and holds the pink box with both hands, shyly avoiding his eyes. "Let's just say I found her doing something nice and I realized I pre-judged her. So I made something just for her, to apologize… and maybe ask to be friends?"

Cloud bites his lip, a shudder visibly going through him. Something swells in his heart that he can't explain. What the hell is this? Why is Tifa being so goddamn cute? He has this intense urge to just grab her and squeeze.

But he doesn't. He keeps his hands to his sides to avoid doing anything that might scare her away.

Tifa giggles nervously, unaware of his predicament. "I know it's silly. But Aerith seems really nice underneath all that."

"Right," Cloud mumbles, still trying to keep in control.

"I'm really not in love with her," Tifa continues in a louder tone, turning to him again, "I just want to be her friend, really!"

"Sure," Cloud mumbles again, not really paying attention anymore, just nodding stiffly at her words.

"Besides, the one I really like is…"

Cloud perks up at her words, his eyes snapping up to hers. She jolts and blushes as they make eye contact, and much to his dismay, she trails off, starting to back up from him.

"A-anyway!" she exclaims, clutching the box in front of her like a shield. "I should probably give this to her. Lunch is almost over, Cloud, we should get back!"

Cloud sighs, watching her make her escape. Of course she wouldn't tell him something that important. But he finds, after everything he's gone through today, that it doesn't matter as much anymore. As long as she's not romantically involved with whoever that person is, he has time to do something about it.

With that conviction in mind, Cloud picks up his bat from underneath the tree and follows languidly after Tifa. He can see her figure up in the distance, holding that goddamn pink, heart-shaped box close to her chest.

He'll let Gainsborough have this one for now.

Today is Valentine's Day, after all.

BIG THANKS FOR finalheavenlockhart of AO3 FOR BETA READING!

Explanation:

In Japan, it's tradition for girls to give Valentine's chocolate to the boys. In exchange, the boys will give something back to them a month later, on White Day. I was a big participant of this tradition when I lived there, which is prob why the plot bunny just emerged.

There are two types of chocolate being given. First is giri chocolates aka friendship/obligatory, given to friends and colleagues. They *can* be handmade but normally it's stuff bought from stores. Honmei chocolates are the next type, they are used for confessing/expressing love. They are typically handmade as an expression of true devotion. They can also be store bought and usually expensive. It's a focal point in many otoge and shoujo anime/manga. A very common trope.

Yes, Cloud is an unreliable narrator and he only knows things from Jessie Raspberry. He makes a big deal out of nothing, basically.

That's all! Thank you for reading~

(last two chapters are bonus chapters)