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It rained that day. Fresh droplets drenched old bones of Edge, sprouting grass in Ny Dag.
Lack of visitors forced Tifa to close tea research house earlier. Apparently, when sky water wet the soil, nobody had any interest in a cup of steamy, aromatic tea.
She mended tea library when doorbell rang.
— We’re closed, — she said turning around.
Only for her heart to leap from the chest.
— Sorry for the intrusion, — said Aerith.
She stood in the doorway all drenched wet. Shivering. And still holding a basket with freshly plucked yellow flowers.
— Aerith! — Tifa grabbed the towel and rushed to her. — What the blazes? Where is you umbrella?
She wrapped it around her shoulders and attempted to dry her off.
— Achoo!
— ...
Tifa looked her in the eyes.
— You are not falling ill on me!
Aerith smiled guiltily.
— Sorry...
Tifa took her hand and led her to a wash room. It had a shower. For convenience sake. Not because Tifa expected such situation to happen when she had established this teahouse. Honest word!
Soap, shampoo, toothbrush... Everything had already been prepared, though. Conveniently.
— Thanks, — said Aerith.
— Go on in, before you catch a cold.
Aerith gave her a smile. Squeezed past her accidentally (not) brushing her hips against her.
From unexpected contact, butterflies burst in Tifa’s stomach. She could feel air heating up--
Wet pink dress dropped to the floor.
— !!!
Tifa’s heart skipped a beat.
— I-I’LL PREPARE SOME TEA!!! — words burst out from her mouth.
She hastily tried to leave.
But hand grabbed her suspender.
— I’m cold... — whimpered voice behind her.
Tifa’s mind stopped processing. Her imagination blew up wild.
— ...
— Tifa...
She glanced back. Face ablaze.
Before she could object, Aerith dragged her to the shower.
***
Two cups rested brim-to-brim. Filled with steaming tea.
— Honestly, — said Tifa, — someday you’ll be the end of me.
Aerith grinned ear-to-ear.
— Don’t worry, I’ll revive you.
Tifa glared at her. Still half-hiding her face behind conveniently placed hand.
— I have no doubt about that.
— Oh, come on, don’t be such a downer, — she tugged their interlaced hands. — I had a great shower!
— Mhm.
— Very refreshing.
— Mhm.
— And, — she feigned embarrassment, — very steamy.
— Aerith!
Tifa almost jumped out from her seat. Face flushed red.
Aerith only giggled.
— ...
Tifa’s boiling blood quelled down almost instantly.
She adored this laughter and this voice way too much.
She found her way back to her seat. And tried to puff her cheeks.
Only for Aerith to poke them playfully.
No more!
Tifa couldn’t hold her smile anymore!
She burst out laughing. In response to Aerith.
It took some time for them to calm down.
— I missed you, you know, — said Tifa.
— Ohhh... You’re so sweet! I could eat you right now.
Aerith licked her lips.
Tifa glared at her.
— I’m serious. Why can’t you grow them here? I have plenty of room.
— There’s the best soil.
— ... Liar.
— ???
— You could simply pot it. But you willingly chose to return there despite the danger. Does that place hold special meaning to you or what?
Aerith poked her forehead.
— Great deduction, clever clog!
— Is it because we met there?
— Yep!
— That was ages ago! It’s meaningless now!
— No! It isn’t! It’s special! It’s our place!
— ...
Tifa glared at her. With the intention for her sarcasm to prove the point. But she failed the minute she met burning determination from the other side.
She sighed heavily.
Battle was already lost.
— Please, be careful. That place can crumble any moment.
Aerith gave her wide smile. And squeezed her hand.
— I know. I will.
— ...
— Come with me next time.
— Huh?