A/N: Yes, so I finally DECIDED to continue this story. Miraculously, this is the only time I could find during the long break to get crackin' back on my writing. Sorry if there are any grammatical errors, I haven't written in forever (no excuse I know, but hey, what can ya do?). Hope you enjoy!
TiNkAh
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all its characters equals not owned by me.
Counting to Ten
"Two"
Needless to say, Tifa never made it to her blind date.
Still bewildered about what just happened, Tifa managed to glare menacingly at Cloud. He stood there, aware of the intense scrutiny emanating from her, but said not one word. His lips, though, had a slight curve to them.
Not knowing what to say and utterly confused, Tifa fled the scene, running immediately back to her room.
After shutting the door, she placed a trembling hand over her racing heart. God, it was almost enough to give a girl a heart attack! She couldn't help but wonder what was going through Cloud's mind when he spontaneously kissed her.
KISSED HER!! Mr. I-don't-display-affection Cloud Strife. How could he do such a thing? Didn't he know these types of things had consequences? The fleeting rush of intimacy raced back through her and she desperately fought the still tingly feeling on her lips.
How could one small thing change everything?
It wasn't like she'd never been kissed before. Back in Nibelheim, some of her more daring 'suitors' tried the ol' one, two, sneaking a tiny peck on her lush lips. But this, this, was stunningly different. Maybe it was because it was so unexpected, but she had a suspicious feeling that maybe it wasn't that at all.
Taking a deep long breath, she made her way to the bed and calmly lied down. Staring up at the familiar ceiling, emotions began to swirl around her. After the initial shock passed, she felt a pang of guilt. Her poor 'date' was going to be stood up. She would have to get a hold of Yuffie as soon as she could bring herself to sit up and search for her PHS. In her mind, some things were just out of her control and therefore justified.
Now, bringing her feelings to another subject: Cloud.
Tifa sighed. It was ironic how some things could turn out to be. Contrary to popular belief, her feelings for Cloud never really passed on over to the lines beyond friendship. No one would ever believe that though. So, she was forever stuck denying it and smiling that awkward smile that never passed on the dire message of "I'm-this-close-to-upper-cutting-you." And, of course, to add to that growing frustration, there were the unbidden rumors about their 'passionate love affair,' which Yuffie was the first to bring with her usual (mostly annoying) bluntness.
'So Tifa, you and Cloud huh?'
'What? Me and Cloud what?' Tifa responded, with an admirable amount of patience on her part.
Yuffie started at her, narrowing her eyes as if in deep concentration. "C'mon Tifa! You can tell me! I won't say a word. Ninja's promise!' she stated proudly.
'Yuffie, I have no idea what you're talking about. Really. I don't.'
'Tifa! I'm talking about your passionate love affair with Cloud! It's all over the news for Gaia's sake!' Yuffie gesticulated this with a melodramatic small fist in the air.
Rolling her eyes, Tifa crossed her slender arms over her chest. In a tone of pure conviction, she said, 'Cloud's my friend, you know that. We're not like that okay? I don't think he feels that way for me, and I only see him as a friend. Just because we live together doesn't mean we're together together.
'And besides, you of all people shouldn't listen to rumors. If we'd listen to all those rumors about you, why, we probably would have left you behind when we first met you,' she finished.
Yuffie's eyes flashed with challenge. 'Hmmf…you wouldn't have gotten rid of me that easy.'
Almost reluctantly, Tifa revealed a small smile. Yuffie was right, they wouldn't have been able to outrun her even if they were on Cid's airship going Mach 5,running for their lives…or better yet, their sanity. Planting a gentle hand on the smaller woman's shoulder, Tifa said, 'Look, I know that you're just being the good friend' –Yuffie cleared her throat- ' fine…great friend' –Yuffie grinned broadly- ' that you are, but I'm telling you that me and Cloud are just friends, alright?'
Visibly satisfied, Yuffie nodded. 'Okay, I believe you…' and added so quietly Tifa was surprised she heard it, 'for now…'
'Yuffie…' Tifa warned.
'Okay! I believe you. Sheesh! Then fine, it's actually a good thing that's the case, because I have a surprise for you anyway.'
Tifa didn't like the mischievous gleam in Yuffie's eyes. Didn't like it at all. In fact, she started to feel incredibly nervous. Squeezing her eyes shut for the preparation of an oncoming migraine, she tentatively asked, 'What surprise?'
'Well…you see…I have this friend who's been dying to go out on a date with you…'
Undeniably, that's when Tifa knew she was two things: trapped…and in trouble.
Rubbing away the horrendous memory, Tifa slowly sat up and urged her body to move to her dresser. Re-hanging her dress, she slipped into her pajama pants and shirt, and momentarily paused next to her door. Pressing her ear up against it, she held her breath and listened for any noises outside. It was absolutely silent.
What? Did you want him to come up to your room and beg for forgiveness? Or, a secret small part of her said, did you want him to come up to your room and beg for more kisses?
No! She immediately squelched that abhorrent thought. It wasn't that at all! She would never deny that she didn't love Cloud. Of course she did, with all her heart. Just as much as she loved Marlene and Denzel. They were her family.
But, she didn't like the queasy feeling in her stomach. She didn't like the feeling that things might have to change in the near future.
Fighting full-blown nausea, she made her way to the bed and snuggled under the covers. She stared at the clock hanging on the wall, its deafening ticks almost like the countdown to some massive time bomb. Tomorrow, she thought tiredly, I'll deal with it all tomorrow.
And with that firm decision in place, Tifa resigned herself to sleep...and the fates.
As soon as Tifa sped away from the hallway as if she were running away from the gates of Hell, Cloud was caught between the urge to go after her or kick himself for his stupidity.
He had no idea what had come over him. It happened in a matter of seconds, a decision made in the moment, but that still didn't stop his mind from replaying everything in slow motion. In very, very detailed slow motion.
He could remember the exact way her lips felt. Soft, full and silky. He could even remember her apple-sweet scented breath as she drew back, her eyes sparkling with a miniscule sense of wonderment and helpless confusion.
Cloud's blood rushed at the short-lived memory.
God, it was perfect.
He'd been tempted to kiss away the enchanting confusion from her face and replace it with one hundred percent wonderment, but she had already pulled back farther than he could reach. And, maybe, it was for the best.
Sighing gravely, he made his way into the living room area of the house and sat down on the comfortable green couch. He never before was struck with an onslaught of old feelings as he was now. It was as if they were children all over again.
He remembered the past. Cloud had been so fascinated with Tifa, how she was so strong and beautiful, running wild with the boys and being more than able to keep up with them. He, on the other hand, was the exact opposite of her and he never knew if he could be worthy of what she wanted…an old undying insecurity.
Later, the love he'd had for her then became buried with the confusion of all his borrowed memories meshed in with his perception of distorted reality. For a while, he was caught up in that haze, seeing nothing clearly. It wasn't until he'd been given a second opportunity, the cure for Geostigma and his decision to give himself another chance, that he brought back that line of truth he'd hidden for so long.
He'd always love Tifa.
Startlingly.
Deeply.
Desperately.
Cloud never realized how much until tonight. Until he'd connected with her physically, with one innocent kiss. It was almost enough to steal the breath from him. It was something he never knew could feel so right. But, she ran away from him, almost terrified.
What was he going to do? Should he go upstairs and knock on her door? He stared at the small circular coffee table in front of him, which was littered with colorful crayon drawings created by Marlene. This was her 'artist's nook,' she'd like to proclaim. This was the only place she could be inspired.
Distracted by the scattered papers, one suddenly caught his eye. The harsh scribbling of blond, spiky hair attached to a bubbly body holding hands with another bubbly body with a shock of long, black hair. Both figurers were standing in a grassy field, with little purple butterflies fluttering around them. The orange-yellow fire sun was setting behind them and the eyes of the two figures glanced happily up at Cloud, almost begging with their expressions.
Begging for him to make things the way they were supposed to be.
Delicately touching the picture with his fingertips, he gave it one last hard look, imprinting the image in his memory. He then made his way upstairs, but before going to his room at the end of the hall, he stopped by Tifa's door and listened for any sounds that might have been coming from inside. It was silent in there. The temptation to knock was great, but he held back at the last possible moment. She could have been asleep and he didn't want to disturb her.
Giving the door one last look, he slowly and quietly made his way to his room, shutting the door softly behind him.
He would make amends tomorrow and hopefully fix the situation. If there even was a situation. Cloud would wait. As much as he loved her, he wouldn't put any kind of pressure on her to change anything between them. It would probably kill him if she started dating other people, but he'd die gladly if it meant keeping her happy. Tifa had always been there for him, keeping him in line, forcing him to see what he couldn't accept, and for that, he'd forever be in her debt.
Tomorrow. It'll happen tomorrow.
Tifa woke up early the next morning, restless and tired. Her dreams were filled with a chaotic disarray of color and movement. It had been the strangest dream, but at least it wasn't a nightmare. She'd count her blessings where she could. Getting out of bed, she yawned and stretched, beginning to get ready for the long day ahead.
She'd have to talk with Cloud later. If he even wanted to talk. Maybe he even forgot about it! Or maybe it had all been a dream, a disturbing, but not a completely unpleasant dream.
Just as she opened the door, she was startled to see bright blue eyes staring back at her. His right hand was raised and fisted, as if caught in the middle of knocking.
And that's when Tifa was struck with one unsettling thought: It definitely was no dream.
Haha, and there goes my poor excuse for a cliffhanger! Well, with this story, I just wanted to break the idea that Tifa is automatically, desperately, and ardently in love with Cloud, constantly waiting for him to come home and reciprocate those feelings. Hopefully, it works out! Well, see you whenever I next get myself to another chapter!