Cloud & Tifa

[Tifa Lockhart]

Denzel grinned broadly as Cloud came over and ruffled his hair. Though he jokingly swatted at the man's hand.
"I'm good!" He replied with a sort of crooked kind of smile that actually resembled Cloud's quite a bit, it seemed to boy had adopted a few of his heroes traits.

Tifa watched Denzel and Cloud's reunion with a gentle smile, remaining as silent as possible. She was still thanking Denzel silently for his perfect timing, though she knew she'd not avoid the questioning forever. At Cloud's question she nodded, with another smile.
"I'll go get her for you if you like." She said, standing and heading for the foot of the stairs. But before she reached it a small blur came hurtling down the stairs and launched herself off the bottom stair latching on to Cloud.

"Cloud you're back!" The little girl giggled jumping up and down in joy. Her arms still wrapped around Cloud's waist. "We missed you a lot!" Marlene said, looking up at him brightly. She then got a sly look on her face and spoke in that tone that suggested she was telling him a 'secret'.
"Especially Tifa." She whispered, grinning at Denzel who nodded, adopting the same mischievous smile that Marlene had.
"You shoulda seen what she did to that guy who bad mouthed you the other week." Denzel said, gesturing to a far corner of the bar where some of the plastering was dented.
"Though it wasn't just you he had a go at... it was everyone, she just finally had enough by the time he got to you." Marlene finished off, nodding her head continuously.
"Actually..." Denzel began, his expression becoming a frown. "A lot of people have been coming in and hassling Tifa lately... and not just the usual drunks either."

By now Tifa had slipped off, so she hadn't heard the kids dobbing on her. First she'd gone to the back door to lock it shut and now she was upstairs, pulling closed and latching all the windows. She'd always been careful to lock up tight, but now she just made extra sure every evening. She'd even made a habit of checking them before she went to bed.

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud actually offered up a slight smile when Denzel finally replied, nodding his head in affirmation of his statement. "I am glad that you're alright." He idly stated, only to suddenly jerk forward at Marlene's sudden 'attack'. Chuckling very slightly, almost not at all, he would turn in her grasp and hoist her up and into his arms. "....I have missed you all as well." He stated calmly, only to blink when they mentioned Tifa having missed him.

And that was when he began to let the very faint smile falter. She as having a hard time, was she? Well, it seemed as though Cloud had come back at a good time. Setting Marlene back down, he regarded the two children calmly. "I see. Well, I am here now...so I will not allow anything else to happen to her." He did not notice the implications one might get from hearing his words. After all, he was Cloud...and he was notorious for being as dense as a brick.

When he turned back to where Tifa should have been...she was not there. Frowning again, he turnd back to Denzel and Marlene and spoke once more. "...I wish to speak with Tifa alone for a little while. You do not mind, do you?" He inquired gently, mako blue eyes showing little emotion as was customary for the blond man.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Marlene and Denzel exchanged grins as Cloud requested a private talk with Tifa, they'd accomplished at least some of their goal. While circumstances between their two parental figures had improved since the whole Geo Stigma affair they were still rocky at times and the children always took it upon themselves to weed out the problems one by one.
"Marlene 'n' i are gonna go downstairs. C'mon Marlene." He said, grabbing the girl's wrist gently as he turned to head down the hallway that lead to the basement.
"She'll be in our room Cloud... locking the window!" Marlene called back as she disappeared around the corner her long brown plait and its ribbon bobbing merrily as she trotted along behind Denzel.

She was right of course. Tifa had just entered Marlene and Denzel's room, where she was tugging shut the curtains. Stopping only briefly to scan the street below before she shut them completely. Of course she was unaware of the scheme the children had put into motion just now, subtly hinting at how much trouble she had been having recently.
Afterall... she didn't feel she was struggling anymore then usual, but perhaps she was, or at least it was becoming more obvious.
She turned away from the window with a small sigh, placing one hand on her hip as she surveyed the neat room around her. The children were so tidy, she never even had to ask them to clean anything, they always just did it. Maybe they did it to help her out... she appreciated it after all.
She didn't stop long though, she headed for the doorway.

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud nodded to the children, watching them depart briefly before finally turning to head up the stairs and towards their bedroom. Pausing outside of the door, he debated about entering. Of course, there was no need to ponder, for the door suddenly swung open to reveal Tifa, herself. The blond faltered, uncertain of what to say exactly...so finally, he settled for a simple frown.

"...What did the children mean when they said that people were giving you a difficult time as of late?" He inquired softly, definitely concerned that something was wrong...and that the something had a bit to do with him. Mako blue gaze remained fixated upon the form of his dear friend, and possible love - arms crossed over his chest as he waited for her response. If she moved, he would follow...and he would probably continue to pester her if she refused to answer him. Cloud was good at being annoying in a subtle manner...and he was extremely stubborn.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa met Cloud's gaze with surprise when she opened the door to find him standing there, noting his momentary confusion before he frowned lightly and voiced his question.
Inwardly Tifa cursed perceptive children, though deep down she could never wish any harm to them, even jokingly.
She broke eye contact with the blond, a sign she was feeling awkward and reluctant. She raised on hand to grip the opposite elbow and rocked slightly on the balls of her feet as she pondered her reply.
"People have been coming in recently..." She finally said softly, backing up a little so Cloud could enter the room rather then standing in the doorway. "They seem normal at first... order a drink, talk aimlessly... then they start asking questions about everyone, where they all are, what they're doing." She frowned in a fashion remarkably dark for Tifa.
"Its odd... i never tell them anything important... i dont trust them... but if i don't say anything they get nasty... some more then others." She reached up to push back her top a little around her shoulder, a scabbed over cut could be seen there. "The worst one attacked me with a broken bar-glass." She gave a nervous shrug, crimson eyes roaming to the closed window for a second.
"But i'm alright... i just worry it will snowball into something and the children will get hurt."

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud only let his frown deepen, noting her discomfort with ease. "I see." He stated, only to step into the room and kick it shut with his boot-clad foot. Strides would be taken so that he would be standing in front of the bed, only to take a seat on it and regard Tifa calmly. "...Is there anything else you wish to tell me?" He inquired softly and gently. He knew that Tifa was uncomfortable, and because of this he patted the spot next to him - inviting her to take a seat.

"I will be here for awhile, so you can rest easy." He stated, only to turn so that he could face her steadily. "As for these individuals who seem to mention our friends...I will be sure to keep a watch out for them. I will be around for awhile, so I will make sure to figure out what is going on." He stated with conviction. Cloud would definitely figure out what was going on...even if he killed himself trying. Nobody would harm his friends..and the man who harmed Tifa was going to die if he saw him. Scowl. Heh. Protective much? I'll say.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa's eyes followed Cloud as he moved inside, she kept her silence as he spoke and still tried to avoid his gaze a little, but as he sat and asked her if she had anything else to say she looked up, there was something else, but she would never be able to say it, so it was better left unmentioned. So she shook her head with mock positivity and then crossed the room to sit on the bed beside him, her hands twining together in her lap as she turned to meet his hard gaze as he informed her he'd be staying a while this time, and that she could relax.
It was easy enough to say, harder to do.
"How long do you think you'll stay this time?" She asked quietly.

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud regarded her for another moment, only to shift his mako blue gaze down so that they rested on his hands. Clenching them and unclenching them, he would finally speak. "...How long would you want me to stay?" He inquired softly, truly curious as to what she'd say. After all, he was unclear as to how he felt about her completely. Of course, he was beginning to let it dawn on him...but...it was still a process that needed to be thoroughly examined.

Either way, he then turned to focus his attention her again, reiterating his inquiry by way of eyesight. Cloud wanted her to say something along the lines of staying here forever or whatever. At least, that is what he thought...and he honestly did not want to leave. Not after what he had heard tonight. If Tifa was having a hard time, he would stay AT LEAST until said hardships were over with.

[Tifa Lockhart]

The moment Cloud's question had rolled off his lips Tifa knew what she wanted to say... she wanted to ask him if he would stay with her and the children forever... she craved his company and she was sure the children did too. She loved seeing their smiles whenever they heard from him, or whenever he came back.
But she couldn't make her lips say it, she opened her mouth as if she were about to speak, but then he made eye contact with her again and her gut went to jelly. She couldn't build up the gall to just say one word... all she wanted to say was 'forever'.
Finally she worked out a way of saying the same thing differently, it would take a little bit of perception on Cloud's behalf, but it could work.
"I wish you wouldn't go away so much..." She said softly, averting her gaze once she had finished, conscious of heat blushing up beneath her cheeks. Then it washed over her like a wave, courage...
She brought her eyes back up and met his Mako blues squarely.
"I-" She stopped briefly to recollect her suddenly scattered thoughts "I miss you... when you go."

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud continued to regard her for a time, not even shifting his gaze elsewhere. Thos mako blues seemed to be transfixed upon her face as she spoke...and as soon as she did, he would drop those orbs of his so that they gazed upon his hands once more. A fresh feeling of guilt rose up and into his chest, and unconsciously, one of his hands lifted to rub at his heart. The blond was starting to realize the feelings he held for her...though he seemed to try and hold them back.

Her next words, however, were what jarred him out of his reverie - a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth. "...As do I, Tifa.." Cloud stated, only to continue on with that train of thought. "..If you wish me to stay, I'll stay for however long you want - until you get tired of me, I guess. I guess I'll seek out some jobs nearby...rather than farther off..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa stood at this and walked over to the window, looking as if she would be looking out it, if it weren't for the closed curtains. She then turned around to face Cloud, her look sombre.
"I can't make you stay Cloud." She said gently, her eyes sinking to gaze at the floor.
"I just... mm." She trailed off, unable to finish what she'd been intending to say, her brief spurt of bravery sputtering away to its normal level, near enough to cowardice, why could talking to one person be so difficult?
"Does it..." She began, pausing again as she struggled with herself, "Hurt... to be around me?" She finally managed to ask, her crimson gaze sad.

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud frowned almost instantly when the words that she spoke exited her mouth. He rose smoothly in order to approach her, boot-clad feet thunking against the floor. A hand would dart out in order to rest gently on the side of her face, that frown still firmly in place. "....But..I want to stay." He reassured her, only to gaze down at the floor again.

Thankfully, the blond was so forthright and open when it came to things on his mind...Otherwise, he probably would never have said what he was about to. "...And...I do not hurt when I am around you. At least..not in the way that you are thinking..." He stated calmly, only to move his hands so that he was now resting a single digit under her chin. "...The only time I ache in relation to you is when I am apart from you and the kids....and that is the honest truth."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa watched Cloud through glittering red eyes, threatening tears were so rare for her, but now she just wanted to cry. She enjoy the feel of his hand on her cheek, though it made her nervous to look into his eyes now that she'd said so much of how she'd been feeling.
"Then why can't i come with you? At least sometimes?" She swallowed thickly, unable to peel her gaze away from his, which watched her so intently.
"I know sometimes you need to get away but... well what about me." She began blinking more frequently to stop the tears that threatened, forming a knot in her throat.
"it's just always me and the children..."

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud pursed his lips together, regarding her calmly...though he let his mako blue eyes close for a brief instant when she inquired about whether or not she could come...and bring the kids with her when he left. "....What about Seventh Heaven though? Doesn't it need to be run?" He muttered, only to then shake his head abruptly. "Bah...sure. If...you and the children wish to accompany me one of these days, sure...you can come...I'll just...need to find another way to transport the four of us.." Cloud was honestly trying to include her and the kids in his life now...and granted, it would take some getting used to, but ultimately, Cloud knew that he might be happier this way. "..I don't like seeing you hurting, Tifa...especially when it's done by me."

[Tifa Lockhart]

The quietness of Tifa had returned by now and she shook her head, feigning a small smile.
"I wouldn't want to impose that kind of burden on you Cloud. I'm sorry if i've upset you." She kept her gaze cast down at her bruised hands, which were beginning to ache.
In fact, is was now she noticed quite a few things... she was aching all over, the pain focused mostly at the points where she was bruised or where she had a healing cut. They'd never really hurt before... so why was she aware of them now?
She was also alarmingly aware of how tired she was... maybe she'd felt obliged to shut out how terrible she'd been feeling for the children's sakes... no that wasn't it.
She'd felt required to be strong for her own sake, because she'd been on her own.
One hand moved silently to clutch her shoulder, despite that fact it was healing, it now hurt.