Work Text:
Tifa hadn’t seen stars like these since Nibelheim.
The group had set up camp. Nigt had fallen since they began running from Kalm and Shinra, straight into the wilds with only a map and Red’s nose to guide them. They had found some ruins that would shield them from the elements, so they sat outside in a circle around a flame. They chattered amongst each other, while Tifa shook out their blankets, mismatched pieces that were given to them by generous individuals along their path.
While they were all on edge with Shinra on their tail, none of them seemed as highstrung as she was. The night should have been soothing, it should have brought her peace and calm as it seemed to do with those around her. But she had a record of horrible things happening once the sun went down.
Her mother had passed away in the wee hours of the morning, a time when only those up to elicit deeds and things that went bump in the night were up and about. She had remembered waking up blurry-eyed and sleepy to her father’s shouts; how her entire body shook and her heart beated out of her chest as they waited for the ambulance to come. Only for them to take her mother in the dead of the night, never to return.
Nibelheim had burned at night. Little would haunt her more than the flames against the night sky as her life turned to ashes around her. How the dark had illuminated with the fireballs formed in the hands of a man they considered a hero - the same man who had saved her life in the rushing river just a week before. She remembered stumbling in the dark after her father, up to the reactor; falling over rocks and fallen trees, running from monsters in the dead of the night while hoping they wouldn’t fall off the side of the mountain.
And now. Tifa peered into the tiny fire, just a smolder that Cloud still had going. It was too dangerous to chance anything larger, not knowing who or what was searching for them. “I’m going to bed,” she announced softly. Barrett had already turned in for the night, and while Red was curled up on the rock next to them, she had a feeling he was down for the count as well.
“Good night,” Aerith responded with a smile, one Tifa weakly returned.
“Get some rest, Tifa. It’s been a long day.” She nodded. It was all she could do at the moment. She had barely spoken to him since they left Kalm. Cloud’s words to her back on the roof of the inn kept running through her mind. While she desperately wanted to apologize for her harsh words and for things to return to how they were before, she held her tongue. He had said far worse, accusations that slashed at the faith she had placed in him. Cloud being late because he had been on a date with Aerith had made the cuts even deeper.
So she settled down, taking the spot opposite Barrett, and closed her eyes hoping that sleep would come easier tonight –that she wouldn’t hear the screams of those left in Sector 7 crying out for help as rubble fell around them, as they choked on dust and flames. Perhaps the long walk, toiling away in the sun and running from a continuously approaching enemy finally got to her, or perhaps by luck Gaia granted her some relief, but she succumbed to slumber with the quiet chatter of Cloud and Aerith in the back of her mind.
~~~~
Tifa woke quietly, with a silent shudder and her eyes flying open. Yet her heart beat fiercely and she closed her eyes, taking deep breathes in attempts to calm it down. She sat up in her little space, gaining her bearings. It was obviously quite later than it had been when she went to sleep and she couldn’t hear Aerith or Cloud. There was a dim light outside so someone must be still awake, most likely on watch.
‘“Can’t sleep?” Cloud leaned against the doorway of the old dilapidated wall. His figure was outlined by the small fire behind of him and Tifa squinted for a moment before her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
“Not really,” she whispered before rising off of the ground. She doubted she could go back to sleep again, not now, and there was no need to disturb anyone else who was sleeping soundly. He stepped aside as she passed by, her shoulders brushing against his chest. Just the slight accidental touch made heat rise in her body.
“Is there…anything I could do?” He asked hesitantly.
‘Yes!’ She wanted to scream and throw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly like she did amongst the flowers. But she couldn’t. Not anymore. Not when there was no trust between them. Instead she shook her head, taking a seat on a log a ways from where the Buster Sword lay on the ground.
But Cloud didn’t sit next to his weapon, instead he settled on a rock close by; far enough to give her space but close enough for her to mentally acknowledge his presence. She could feel his eyes pinned to her as they sat in an awkward silence. He fidgeted as she tried her best to ignore him until the mercenary couldn’t take it anymore. “What happened in Sector 7; it wasn’t your fault. Shinra made that decision. They dropped that plate.” Her eyes remained trained on the dying smolder, her arms wrapped around herself.
“I wish I could have done more; to help you from the very beginning. And maybe things would have been different if I hadn’t fallen during the reactor attack. But I can’t think about that. I did fall. I fucked up. All I can do is ensure that Shinra pays for what they did.”
Tifa’s hand trembled slightly as Cloud’s words lingered in the air. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze; not yet. Was this to be the olive branch extended in good peace? Were they just to sweep the caustic words said in Kalm under the proverbial rug? She’d like to think that it was just that Cloud simply still cared? Regardless if they were fighting or didn’t see eye to eye, even if the trust wavered, Cloud wanted her to know she could rely on him.
“Nights like these should remind me of back home. When everything is so clear. No pollution. No plate above our heads. But I just…” She took a deep breath. “I hate it.” Cloud’s expression softened, and he waited, silently, for her to continue. “There was a part of me that was grateful for the plate. It blocked out the night sky. Because after that night, all I could see in the darkness was the sky lit on fire. And now even that comfort is gone. Up in flames. I always lose everything in the dead of the night; my mom, my dad, my village, my home.”
Without a word, Cloud reached over and gently took her hand in his. He had removed his gloves, and his calloused palms were a welcome salve on her anxious nerves. “I’m sorry I brought it up. I should have never told that story.” He apologized but Tifa shook her head.
“I said it was alright. And I don’t blame you for falling. I’m just glad you came back to us.” She squeezed his hand back. “You’re right, Cloud. All we can do now is make sure Shinra doesn’t get away with what they’ve done.”
He nodded along and although she felt a bit better, she realized that he hadn’t made any motion to take back his hand. “The memories are horrible, but, maybe you can think of pleasant memories instead? I know you have some good ones in there.”
Tifa perked up, a small smile coming to her face. “There was a time; me, Biggs, Wedge and Jessie, went up topside to see Jessie’s parents. Her mom treated us and we went out to a nice dinner. We had a blast and ended up getting home so late.”
“That sounds like you had a great time.” Tifa nodded, but she could feel the corner of her eyes start to burn.
“And all the times I went camping as a kid. With both mom and dad. And night time training with Zangan.” She hastily wiped her face. “They’re all happyl memories, but they’re painful too.”
“Next time we’re in a proper city and we’re not getting chased by troopers, I’ll collect on that date. So you’ll have a happy memory to think back on. Nothing distressing attached.” The slight lift of Cloud’s mouth as he spoke made him look younger; untouched, for a moment, from the agonizing hand of his former employer.
“Silly. I have a really happy memory with you already. Remember when we made the promise up on the water tower. I later learned that I was the only person you had told you were going to try out for Soldier. You didn’t even tell Ms.Claudia.” He looked to the ground quickly, probably embarrassed. “I thought about you all the time. I even used to look for news about you in the paper, hoping that you were okay and that you’d come back to us.”
“I was late then too.” He muttered.
“No. You showed up exactly when you were supposed to. Because you’re here now. Right where I need you to be. I-I honestly don’t know how I could have pulled it together if you weren’t here.” Tifa answered sincerely. Having Cloud with her again was such a blessing. The warmth that had welled up within her when she had discovered him outside the train station had only grown, exponentially it seemed, since then. She wanted desperately to embrace him as she did before, but she hesitated. Would it be too much? Would she be overstepping, getting ahead of herself?
Her eyes met his mako-induced ones, greener than the original dark blue he sported in their childhood. She smiled softly, settling with rubbing the pad of her fingers over the top of his hand. “Thank you, Cloud.” He didn’t answer, yet the weight of his unspoken words hung heavily in the air. His gaze, while soft, seemed to darken, and never shifted from her face.
“I think it’s time I headed back to bed. I need to get some sleep before it’s my turn to take watch.” She was about to reluctantly pull her hand away when he stood with her.
“Tifa?”
“Hmm.”
“Can I give you another memory? Other than the date?” Cloud’s voice was lower; a husky, rough tone that she had only heard a time or two before.
She glanced up at him, but, now further from the fire, it was too dark to read his expression. “Y-yeah. Of course. I want to have as many good memories with you as I can..”
‘Even in the dark?”
“Especially in the dark.” The words fell from her mouth before she had realized it. And despite her shyness, she felt truth in every sense of her response. If they took Cloud by surprise, he didn’t show them. Instead his hand gripped her waist, pressing her lightly into the tree behind of her. The roughness of his glove brushed against her hair as he cradled the back of her head, protecting her from the rough bark. Warm breath ghosted against her face and she closed her eyes as he pressed his lips softly against hers. The gentle touch felt like electricity shooting through her body and all of her nerves were attuned to Cloud’s lips moving against her own. He was tender, gently caressing her with his mouth until eventually, her arms moved from his shoulder to wrap around the back of his neck, holding him closer.
Time seemed to stand still for Tifa, but when they finally separated her lips were red and tingling and she was sure the tree bark had left an indentation on her back. She leaned into his touch as he cupped her cheek, stroking her lovingly with his thumb. “I should leave you go to bed.” Her whispered, his voice rough with want. She nodded in agreement, despite her disclination to pull away.
Slowly they released each other, and Tifa slowly walked back to the doorway of the ruins where everyone else slept. She could feel his eyes heavily on her figure and as she reached her destination she turned around. “Can we make good memories like those in the future?,” she asked in a hushed voice that she knew he’d pick up thanks to his enhanced hearing.
Cloud’s eyes almost seemed to glow in the darkness. “I’ll look forward to it. Now, don’t tempt me, Ms.Lockhart. Get to bed.” Tifa blushed but turned obediently on her heel and headed to where her blanket laid strewn on the ground.
She had no idea how Cloud expected her to sleep now.