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Tifa paused in the doorway as she took in the scene before her.
Barret, willing to help as he ever was whenever Tifa asked, was currently busy fixing the table and chairs she had pointed out to him. His muscles were bulging as he hammered and sanded and worked the wood.
Cloud, famed hero of legendary Soldier strength without ever having been an actual Soldier, was sitting at the bar like a useless lump as he stared at Barret with unblinking eyes, following his motions like a man near-starving.
Tifa looked back at Barret just in time to see a drop of sweat race down his neck and absorb into the mesh shirt that was the only thing covering the bulging muscles of his arm and chest, traditional vest long discarded.
Tifa looked back at Cloud and watched as he swallowed roughly, Adam’s apple bobbing with the motion before he licked his lips.
Tifa inwardly sighed very, very deeply, and just barely managed to avoid face palming.
Shaking her head and walking further into the room, Tifa sent a quick, grateful smile Barret’s way when he looked up.
“Looks great, Barret. Thanks again for fixing those. Pretty sure this bar would fall apart without you!” She said cheerfully.
Barret fidgeted a bit subconsciously, shy at the oddest times, and looked back down at his hands, “Wasn’t no trouble. Should have it all done by tonight.” He muttered before getting back to work on the chair turned over in front of him.
Tifa smiled fondly at her friend, forever unsure as to how to handle honest praise, before continuing on her original mission. Going behind the bar, she grabbed one of the clean rags she typically used to wipe it down and slammed said rag ungently down right in front of Cloud.
He jumped like she’d just shot him and turned to face her with wide, shocked eyes.
Tifa smiled sweetly, “Here. Considering what I’m going to make you do if I wind up having to clean up even a drop of drool myself, I think you’ll be glad to have this later. You’re welcome.”
And before Cloud could say anything to that, she walked out from behind the bar and back out the door with a breezy wave goodbye thrown Barret’s way.
She could just barely hear Barret say in confusion, “What the hell was that about?” and Cloud’s embarrassed stammering as she closed the door and walked away.
She really hoped that this made her friend finally grow some fucking balls. She was so tired of having to witness his pining.
And yes, she was talking about the both of them.