A/N: So, I decided to do a pairing that {I don't think} is very popular/done very often. Though I have to say I'm not too big of a Vincent fan *dodge*, but Tifa is more my style in the fighting/kickass department,hehe. So, now may I present to you, Vincent/Tifa/Cloud. The only reason I decided to do this pairing is cuz I'm challenging myself to write about pairings that might not be considered popular/to my liking. Currently listening to: The Gold Saucer theme????
His eyes watched her closely, an intent gaze upon her figure, one he'd always admired for it's steadfastness and seemingly impenetrable will. Her hands were doused with cleaning soap, her fingers scrubbing the glasses as steam wafted upwards and filled the room with a hot thickness.
"You seem to have had a lot of customers."
"Yeah." Tifa answered, brushing back her hair. "tomorrow's the game."
"I see." the man looked down, pondering, his ruby gaze following the floor to her feet, where again he felt his eyes lift upwards in pursuit of hers.
"Vincent?" she asked, unsuredly, pausing as his gaze found hers at last.
"Yes." he stroked his cape.
"You don't seem to be around as much."
"Hm." he thought a moment. "If my presence is welcomed, then perhaps I could make more of an effort to present myself." Tifa smiled.
"What made you think you weren't?"
"The telltale gaze of the patrons,perhaps."
"Oh? They looking at you weird or something?" Tifa rubbed her hands with a towel.
"Again, perhaps." Vincent furrowed. "Not that it perturbs me much, though I do appreciate some solitude."
"Well, you're in a bar." Tifa giggled. "It's kind of a social place."
"My wishes should be respected."
"I'll say."
"Hm." the black-haired man rose,his metallic gait making Tifa jump. Vincent wandered the area, stopping at some pictures that hung on the wall near the counter. Tifa blushed as he saw the one of her and Cloud with the kids. His steel claw grazed it gently. "I enjoy this one, Tifa." Vincent said. "You seem happy."
"Yeah." the young woman said. "Those were the gold old days."
"Old?"
"You know."
"Hm." Vincent turned towards her. "I understand."
"I didn't mean-"
"Its nothing." Vincent blinked slowly, his thoughts empty. He swallowed gently as he sat at a counter stool nearby Tifa. "We all have our "good old days", though the thought of them somehow unnerves me."
"What do you mean?"
"Sort of makes me feel lost. As is I'm not meant to exist anymore.''
"Sure." Tifa laughed a little, looking at him. "That's true."
"What?"
"Vincent, you're starting to sound like Cloud."
"Oh, no." Tifa laughed at his seriousness and sat down beside him.
"Don't worry. I like his voice."
"Oh?" Tifa blushed.
"It's soft."
"Hm." Vincent meddled his cloak again in half agitation.
"But don't worry, yours is nice too."
"Oh?"
"Yes." Tifa smiled, and Vincent felt a pang of affection for her innocence and friendliness. He felt like a monster towards everyone else. I am a monster. He thought, gently touching his metallic forearm. Tifa looked at him in concern. "You don't think that way, do you?"
"Hm?" Vincent looked back at her.
"That your voice is nice." Tifa chuckled. Vincent sighed.
"Well, I..." he paused. "never really thought about it." he gave a short grunt. "Never seemed all too important, really." Tifa bit her lip.
"Yeah, well, sometimes it helps to, you know, know how you sound and stuff." Vincent raised a brow.
"I'm curious as to your motives regarding this conversation." he stated warily. Tifa blushed slightly and turned from him.
"Oh, just blabbering I guess." she shrugged boredly. "It's what happens when no one over the age of 18 talks to you for a few days."
"I see." Vincent nodded slowly. "Cloud does not come by often."
"No," Tifa sighed. "no, not really."
"I'm sorry you have to be so alone." Vincent said slowly.
"Me too." the young woman pouted.
"It's how I feel often."
"You don't say?" Tifa smiled and stood to get herself a soda from the industrial fridge near them. She cracked it open noisily and took a gulp. "You are slightly....vampiric."
"The coffin.'' Vincent stated plainly.
"Well, sorta." Tifa admitted. "It's what I thought at least. And you don't age."
"No." Vincent sniffed. "No I don't." Tifa sat back down.
"Nuthin' wrong with that I guess." she said.
"What is this in relation to my loneliness...?" Vincent asked slowly. Tifa reddened again and bit her lip.
"Rambling," she said with a shy laugh. ''again." Vincent gave her a toothless smile. It was gentle and soft, and Tifa felt it's legitimacy warm her heart.
"A common thing due to this ailment, I think." he said. Tifa nodded, fiddling with the top of the can.
"Well, at least we can be lonely together."
"Yes." Vincent smoothed his cloak gently. "That would be enjoyable, I think. We don't really do much in the realm of ''fun'' do we?" Tifa's heart leapt.
"Huh?"
"Well, I only assumed you desired to become closer to me." Tifa blushed fiercely and gave a short laugh.
"Well, I mean, we could, you know, do stuff but, like..." she trailed off. Vincent waited patiently as she regained herself enough to speak. "Well. It seems a little difficult you know."
"Is Cloud-" Vincent began.
"No!" Tifa yelped, upsetting the man's posture slightly. "I'm just... nevermind."
"It's fine." Vincent looked down. "There's a lot of time for explanation over the course of your lifetime."
"And yours."
"Mine." Vincent nodded. Will I die? He asked himself ponderously, furrowing slightly as he became reserved.
"Vincent?" Tifa asked.
"Yes." his reply was unhurried. Tifa marveled at his serious composure and lack of emotion, his certain air of coolness and collectedness that defined his personality.
"You want to stay here for awhile?" Tifa asked. "Keep away the solitude?"
"As in the night?" Vincent asked.
"Sure, if you want. I don't know when Cloud'll be home."
"I guess. It seems alright." Vincent stood, swallowing and giving a small sigh. "I've no where else to be."
Tifa smiled.
"Alright!" she placed her can in the recycle bin and led Vincent upstairs to Cloud's bedroom. "You can sleep here till he gets back, or in the living room if you want. Wanna watch a movie?" Vincent paused as he stared into his ally's quarters ponderously.
"Of course." Tifa nodded.
"Alright. Let's head to my room." Vincent followed her, watching her careful movements as she slipped past Denzel and Marlene's rooms. "The kids are asleep."
"At this hour I'd have no doubt." Vincent replied softly. Tifa gave another small blush, seemingly the thousandth this night. Vincent noted them all, each their own personal evidence of her awkwardness towards the man. Or perhaps her fear. The last thought he kept for awhile, thinking it over more, until he found it to be too irrelevant to her character to be much of an issue.
"What do you wanna watch, Vince?" Tifa asked as she moved the TV towards her sofa.
"I don't know too many movies." the man replied, his eyes darting around the room. "Anything is fine."
"Alright," Tifa said as she rummaged through boxes under the TV stand. "How about this one?"
"What is it called?" Vincent placed himself on the sofa gingerly.
"Uh," Tifa turned her head to look. "Spirited Away."
"Of course." Vincent said. Tifa opened the case and placed the disc inside the player. She sat beside Vincent, who moved slightly closer. Her warmth was so new to him. Her closeness welcomed. Maybe she was different than the others in her character. Perhaps he even had a fondness for her he hadn't felt for anything in the longest time. It worried him slightly, and he closed his eyes briefly before returning to her figure.
"Want me to make popcorn?"
"Don't really like it."
"Alright. Sounds good. I'm gonna go get us something to drink though. You want a beer?"
"No." Vincent replied. "I'll take a glass of water."
"Sounds good." Tifa gave him a smile and walked quietly downstairs. Vincent gave a sigh as she left, watching the menu of the movie play on screen. It was an animated film, he'd noted. One of Cloud's favorites. Thinking of the blonde boy made him smile. His fears just the same as his. His love taken from him just the same. A shock of pity fell over him, both for the girl's death and Cloud's inability to see the true love in front of his eyes. It made him feel pleasant. "Back." Tifa whispered as she shut the door, holding out Vincent's glass. He took it slowly and placed it in his lap.
"Thank you."
"Yep." Tifa sat beside him again and opened her soda. "Alright," she said, leaning forward to retrieve the remote. "let's get this thing started." Vincent gave a grunt in reply.
"Tifa," he said. "are you afraid of me?" Tifa's eyes widened.
"What?" she laughed nervously. "what are you talking about?"
"Do I unnerve you?" Vincent pressed slightly, needing the knowledge of her true motives for him this night.
"No,Vince, I'm just, trying to be a friend is all." Tifa said. "I mean, we both, well-basically everyone-is in a hole,you know?" she sighed, looking up. "We all have some sort of bad memory, Shinra-related or otherwise." Vincent looked at her. "Even me." She bit her lip. Vincent placed a hand on her leg.
"I understand. This pains me as well, but..." he thought a moment. "I don't seem any different?" his eyes shifted. "Any different than....anyone else?" his ruby eyes brightened in curiosity.
"No, Vincent." Tifa assured him. "Not in any way." she gave a small chuckle. "Why're you so uptight tonight, huh?" Vincent gave a short smirk.
"Must be moody." he said.
"Must be?" Tifa laughed. Not when you live with Mr. Strife do you ever start to see your ignorance of the word "moody." " Vincent laughed with her for a moment.
"I suppose you're right." he looked at the screen. "Maybe I'm just trying to make some sense of things."
"Shush, Vince. It's started already."
"Alright, I see." Tifa gave him a smile before the two of them witnessed the film in silence.
A/N: Wow, please excuse the absolute lameness of the first chapter. It's undeniably monotonous. However, expect the second/third portions to be more exhilarating! Promise.