Work Text:
Tifa’s sheets rustled when she shifted to lie down on her side. Aerith was sound asleep beside her, chest heaving softly with every breath she took. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she wanted to run her fingers through the soft strands of Aerith’s braid.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she just stared at Aerith’s face. Examined it.
Every single feature.
Tifa made sure to memorize the way Aerith’s lips were curled into a small smile as she slept, and the curve of her nose, and the way Aerith’s bangs framed her face. And Tifa still knew what the green of Aerith's eyes looked like, even if it was hidden behind her eyelids—a beautiful, bright color, one that reminded Tifa of the nature back in Nibelheim, of the forest surrounding it.
Aerith was beautiful.
In the same way angels were beautiful. Graceful, confident, and kind. Perfect. All in a way that made Tifa feel like a little kid again, running through her village and being carefree with her friends way before she'd known what loss, or grief, was.
Aerith reminded Tifa of sunlight and warm summer days. And the beach.
She smiled at the memories of her and Aerith back in Costa del Sol that came flooding back into her mind again. They'd had so much fun, hadn't they? Running around, and laughing together. So much laughing. Aerith had been super excited to hit the beach with her, and Tifa was glad to have a friend like Aerith. One who wanted to do fun things with her, one who was always there for her and made sure she was okay.
A dark, red blush appeared on Tifa’s face, running up all the way to the tips of her ears, and she was glad Aerith wasn’t able to notice it when she was asleep. It was nothing Tifa knew how to explain to her. She barely even understood why she was blushing herself, or why she felt this way. Warm and fuzzy, stomach in knots with butterflies soaring through it.
Or maybe she did understand—and merely refused to admit those feelings to herself.
Tifa exhaled, softly. The last time she'd felt this way had been when she was twelve, except it'd been because of Cloud. Aerith was different from Cloud, though. Especially now that Tifa wasn't sure what was going on with him. She still cared for her childhood friend, of course she did, but the feelings she had once had were gone.
Part of her thought that that was a relief. Cloud had obviously not been himself lately, and Tifa didn't know why or how to help yet.
And Aerith was... Aerith. Joyful, compassionate, hopeful, and a little cocky. And Tifa liked that, even more than she had once liked Cloud. Maybe "love" was a better term for what she felt, then. If Tifa was brave enough to admit that to herself. And brave enough to accept what it meant.
The sound of their breathing filled the silence in the room. Tifa couldn’t help but find it adorable how Aerith’s chest rose and fell with every breath she took. Steadily, and peacefully, which assured Tifa that Aerith was sleeping well.
No nightmares.
That was good, then.
She sighed, frowning a little as she continued to admire Aerith's features. Sometimes, in moments like this, her feelings felt like they were dialed to a hundred. More explosive, because when she was alone she could think about and stare at Aerith as much as she liked without anyone finding out about Tifa's love for her. She wouldn't know what to say if anyone did, especially not if Aerith herself found out.
Rejection was something that scared Tifa. Not because she would hate Aerith for not reciprocating her feelings, but because she worried she would scare Aerith off.
Maybe that was dumb, Aerith wasn't the kind of person who would hate anyone for something as silly as a crush, but the worry was still there. Simmering in her stomach, slowly swallowing her whole from the inside out. It made her feel hopeless.
Aerith was perfect, wasn't she? How was Tifa supposed to win someone over when the person she was in love with was, in her eyes, a literal angel, and also the most amazing person she had ever met? And she had met enough people for that to mean something, even if she was still young. Tifa was certain that there was no one else like Aerith. Not anywhere on the whole planet—and not just because Aerith was the last Cetra.
No, Aerith was special. For a million different reasons.
Clawed her way right into Tifa's heart, without even trying. And settled right into the very core, twisting herself into the blood in Tifa's veins to the point Tifa couldn't remember a time without Aerith in her life.
How had she ever lived without her best friend by her side? How could she ever live without her, now that she was here?
All Tifa wanted was to stay in bed forever, with Aerith sleeping beside her peacefully like she was right now. She would give anything to wake up beside Aerith every day. What a luxury that'd be, to be allowed to be so close to her best friend in ways she didn't allow herself to dream of.
Because Aerith didn't love her back.
Not in that way, at least. Not in the I-want-to-kiss-you-on-the-lips-and-marry-you-and-spend-the-rest-of-my-life-with-you way. Aerith couldn't love Tifa that way, could she? Tifa wasn't her type. Aerith liked that SOLDIER guy. The one she had sent so many letters to.
Zack.
Tifa could never compare to him, not when it came to winning over Aerith's heart. Winning her love. No matter how hard she would fight for it. And she wanted to fight for it, with all she had, so badly. But Tifa would never earn Aerith's love. Not that kind of love.
Or at least that's how she saw it.
Still, Tifa knew she had to tell Aerith sooner or later, because it was starting to eat her alive. Gnawing at her insides and Tifa was sure there'd be none left if she kept this up. Nothing but the desperation she felt, desperation for Aerith's affection and love. Whatever little of it she could get.
Tifa loved Aerith. Aerith did not love Tifa.
That knowledge was slowly killing her, piece by piece.
But Aerith had a right to know about Tifa's feelings, too—because Aerith was Tifa's best friend and this was a secret Tifa knew she shouldn't keep from her best friend. Aerith would tell her if she had feelings for someone, wouldn't she?
Eventually, at least. so Tifa thought she owed her friend that. Owed her honesty.
And she owed it to herself, too.
Aerith woke up to Tifa's warm body snuggled up against her. Snoring softly, with her long, black hair freed from her hair tie and splayed out over her pillowcase. Tifa’s arms were draped across Aerith's torso, hands clinging onto her sides. They hadn't gone to bed this way, so Aerith figured Tifa must've accidentally cuddled up to her in her sleep.
She didn't mind it. Tifa looked cute like this, and Aerith could smell her shampoo. Honey, and a faint hint of something even sweeter. Vanilla, maybe.
Whatever it was, it was nice.
She shifted a little, freeing herself from Tifa's arms. Tifa mumbled something in her sleep, something Aerith thought sounded weirdly like: "come back, Aerith", but she assumed she must have misheard because Tifa was still very much asleep. Chest rising and falling, lips curled into a small smile. Aerith could only admire the sight of her best friend like this, laying in bed peacefully, without any worries. They’d come back in the morning, Aerith knew that, but right now Tifa’s eyes were closed and she could be free from life’s pains for just a little longer.
Even if Aerith did kinda miss being able to look into Tifa’s eyes. She couldn’t see the pretty, deep red color right now—but that was okay. She’d memorized their color and she could almost picture it perfectly.
Maybe Aerith would have to grow red roses sometime, alongside her usual yellow lilies, so she could give them to Tifa. They'd match her eyes nicely, and they'd be a token of her appreciation. A show of affection.
Red roses did symbolize love, didn't they?
And Tifa would definitely like the flowers. Cloud had mentioned to Aerith that Tifa liked the yellow lily he'd given to her—the one Aerith had given him when they’d first met. In a way, Aerith thought, she was the one who had given it to Tifa. Even though Aerith also thought that Tifa deserved a gift meant just for her. Not a hand-me-down from Cloud.
Even if Aerith found it almost funny that Cloud had given the flower he'd gotten from her, one that lovers gave to each other when reunited, to Tifa. Maybe they had been reunited before ever meeting—because Aerith had grown to love Tifa.
Had grown to love to love her smile and the sound of her chuckle, had grown to love how observant and empathetic she was, and even how shy she could be sometimes. Tifa was good company, always willing to go with her to places and hang out. They always smiled so much when they were together, and Aerith loved that. It was easy to forget everything she'd been through when she was by Tifa's side.
Tifa was like a soft breeze in the summer heat. Refreshing and welcome.
Always cheered Aerith up, even without trying. Tifa had a tendency to push her feelings down, whatever feeling that was, but she always made sure everyone else was okay. Aerith would have to make sure Tifa knew it was okay to not feel so great all the time. That she could confide in Aerith. That that’s what friends were for.
Aerith shifted in the sheets, freeing herself from Tifa’s arms to sit up—as much as Aerith would have liked to stay just like that, she wasn’t lying down comfortably anymore and her back was starting to hurt. Tifa stirred, but didn’t wake up. A smile tugged at Aerith’s lips, and her hand moved to Tifa’s hair and she gently raked her fingers through the soft, dark strands.
It was nice, being able to touch Tifa like that. Aerith always enjoyed their small, intimate touches. Holding hands, being dragged along by Tifa when they were at the Gold Saucer. Even just small, brief touches like their many high fives made Aerith feel warm inside. Each time their hands touched, it was like there were fireworks exploding in her fingertips and all she wanted to do was feel it for the rest of her life.
She pulled her hand out of Tifa’s hair, a soft and content sigh leaving her lips as she relaxed against the headboard. Aerith’s eyes were still fixed on Tifa’s sleepy form, watching as her chest rose and fell and how her lips were slightly parted.
Cute, Aerith thought.
Her cheeks warmed up a little as she blushed, and she smiled at her sleeping friend again. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach, fluttering and flying around restlessly. It was hopeless, really—how much love she harboured for Tifa. But how could she not love her? Sweet, kind, shy, and perfect Tifa. Always so caring, looking out for others. For Aerith. And Tifa had the most beautiful face Aerith had ever seen. Soft, plump lips, a sharp chin, and a nose Aerith wanted to kiss until she physically couldn’t anymore.
Aerith sighed and shook her head. Her gaze moved away from Tifa and she averted it to the wall instead. It was easy to let her thoughts wander and allow herself to dream of a future, one better than how things were right now. A future with Tifa. One where she would be able to have moments like this, whenever she wanted. Where she would be able to hold Tifa’s hand, and kiss her, whenever she could.
She’d already decide to tell Tifa that when she woke up.
Tell her about her feelings, about how she wished to be with her. Had to, ‘cause it was starting to annoy Aerith how uncomfortable her love for Tifa felt bottled up in her stomach and heart, threatening to spill out one day and take all she had with it, like a wave crashing into the shore. Even if she had never been subtle to Tifa in showing that love.
Confessing wasn’t scary, not to Aerith.
Especially not when she knew Tifa felt the same. Her friend was terrible at hiding that from her, even if she could tell Tifa tried her best not to let it show—the fear of changing things between the two of them was evident in her eyes whenever they spent time together, even if it was buried somewhere deep inside with all of Tifa’s other emotions she kept hidden so well.
Aerith felt the need to take it upon herself to draw all of those feelings out. To let Tifa’s emotions roam free, so she would no longer have to suffer alone in silence.
Her gaze moved back to Tifa as she stirred in her sleep again, shifting to lay on her side. One of Tifa’s arms reached out for Aerith, her hand coming to rest in her lap, and she couldn’t help but giggle softly. She took Tifa’s soft hand in hers, interlacing their fingers and squeezing their hands together. Tifa was warm, her skin smooth, and Aerith pressed her palm further against Tifa’s.
Yeah, moments like this was all Aerith could ever wish for.
Tifa woke up to Aerith sitting beside her, green eyes staring right at her—almost as if Aerith was peering into her soul and searching for the depths hidden beneath the surface. The curtains had been opened, and sunlight filtered through the window, lighting up Aerith's face. Tifa blushed, and she sat up in bed beside her friend.
"Good morning!" Aerith chirped, smiling widely at Tifa.
Tifa smiled back, her slightly gloomy mood from the night before lifted as soon as Aerith had opened her mouth to speak. Or maybe it had been lifted the second Tifa had woken up, and her eyes had met Aerith's. Aerith really did always know how to cheer her up, even when she didn't know she needed to be cheered up.
It was one of the many, many things Tifa loved about Aerith.
Tifa averted her eyes to her hands, and she fiddled with her fingers.
"Yeah, good morning," Tifa replied. The smile tugging at her lips grew a little wider, and she tried not to let her gaze wander back to Aerith. It was hard not to turn tomato-red when Aerith looked at her the same way she always did. With that familiar sparkle in her eyes, and the hope and joy Aerith always carried no matter what.
Aerith's eyes really did feel like they were gazing right into Tifa's soul.
Her heartbeat sped up, thumping against her ribcage at a pace so fast Tifa felt she'd pass out. Aerith's voice rang through her ears. Angelic, soft, cheerful. Sweet. "Did you sleep okay? You snuggled up to me in your sleep, I thought maybe you were having a bad dream?"
Tifa's face flushed a darker red at Aerith's words. Had she done that?
"No, I... I slept fine, sorry."
"No worries,” Aerith grinned, eyes glimmering with something Tifa couldn't quite place. “... It was kind of cute.” The expression on Aerith’s face looked too close to affection, to care, to love , and Tifa didn't allow herself to even think Aerith would show her any of the sort, because whenever she did Tifa's skin got warm and then she'd get all shy. She didn't want to freeze up now.
Except she did freeze—didn't respond to Aerith's remark and only shyly glanced at her.
Aerith's smile widened, even if there was something close to concern in her eyes now, too. Tifa was behaving strangely, she knew that. Aerith noticed it, too.
Of course she did.
They stared at each other in silence, for what felt like way too long. It was suffocating Tifa, wrapped around her limbs like a chain and made her feel like she was boring Aerith somehow. That Aerith was getting sick of her presence. Should she say something? Should she tell Aerith how she felt? That she loved her, and wanted to hold her hand, and go on dates together? Was she brave enough for that?
"Hey, Tifa—"
"Hey, Aerith—"
They both chuckled, and Tifa's nerves eased somewhat now that they were laughing together instead of sitting in silence. It was nicer this way, more comfortable. No pressure to speak, no fear that Aerith was bothered by Tifa's presence, because she was laughing and smiling. And it was real. Genuine.
"I'll go first," Aerith spoke up, and Tifa felt relieved. At least she could hear Aerith out first, see whatever it was that was on her mind, before she bared her heart herself. Now she had time to change her mind, to come up with some other thing she wanted to tell Aerith, before it was too late and she messed it all up by confessing the thing she was trying so desperately to keep secret.
Aerith grabbed Tifa’s hand, intertwining their fingers like she’d done during Tifa’s sleep—even if Tifa wasn’t aware of the fact Aerith had held her hand—and it felt so familiar, so gentle, that Tifa could have cried. She wanted to, really did, but she stayed strong. Kept her tears, and her feelings, at bay.
Tifa’s body felt like it was on fire, tiny explosions in her fingers and hand where Aerith's warm skin was touching hers.
Aerith shifted on the bed, sitting a little closer to Tifa. "You’re… " Aerith began softly, trying to figure out how to phrase what it was that she wanted to say, with a warm look in her eyes that made Tifa feel all tingly on the inside.
“I like you, Tifa,” Aerith continued, confidently, still giving Tifa that warm, reassuring smile.. “Or maybe ‘like’ isn’t the right word...”
Was Aerith... confessing ?
Tifa blinked, the flush on her face darkening and spreading out to her neck. If Aerith noticed it, she didn’t show it (of course, Aerith had noticed it, but she wanted to spare Tifa’s feelings because she understood how flustered Tifa already felt, and didn’t want to worsen that).
“Maybe ‘love’ is a better way to put it,” Aerith hummed, squeezing Tifa’s hand and keeping it in place. Tifa’s heart almost dropped to her stomach at Aerith’s words, at the sincerity in them.
Aerith leaned closer, squeezing Tifa’s hand tighter, a smile still tugging at her lips, and Tifa swallowed. “I wonder... if you feel the same?" Aerith questioned—even if they both knew the answer to that question was “yes”.
Tifa’s heart was racing. Beating with unsteady thumps, as if she’d been running for hours on end, and she worried Aerith could hear it. Could feel it in their intertwined hands.
“Aerith…” Tifa whispered, voice filled with something akin to affection as she spoke her best friend’s name, as if it was the most beautiful word on the planet. To Tifa, maybe it was.
It was the only answer Aerith needed, really, and she raised their hands, squeezing Tifa’s impossibly tighter. Allowing herself to feel her friend’s skin however she wanted. Aerith shifted, leaning in even closer. Tifa could feel her breath on her face, smell the faint hints of mint on Aerith’s breath from her toothpaste, and Tifa’s eyes flickered down to Aerith’s lips before she quickly moved them back to her eyes.
Once.
Then twice.
And then a third time.
Until Aerith’s had leaned in so close that her face was impossibly close to Tifa’s and she couldn't possibly look at Aerith's lips anymore. And Tifa finally stopped hesitating, finally allowed herself to give in to what she wanted, and she leaned in, too. Her lips met Aerith’s, and she felt how soft they were as they moved against hers. Aerith kissed her back a little less shyly than Tifa was kissing her, and Tifa heard Aerith let out a soft, pleased hum.
Her face got impossibly red at that, but Tifa didn’t pull away. Not until after Aerith had pulled her closer by her hip with her free hand and the other was squeezing her hand in a way that made Tifa’s stomach do a million somersaults. Kissing Aerith felt right. Felt like heaven—and she even wondered if, maybe, it was even better than that. Tifa couldn't remember a time where she'd been this close to someone, and felt this connected.
Their lips parted, and Tifa was blushing furiously as Aerith pulled away from Tifa’s face. She moved her free hand up to tuck a loose strand of Tifa’s hair behind her ear, before moving it to the back of her head and combing her fingers through Tifa’s loose hair. It soothed Tifa, made her brain feel all fuzzy and nice and she felt... content. Happy.
“I… do,” Tifa murmured shyly, finally remembering to squeeze Aerith's hand back. “Feel the same, I mean.”
Aerith’s smile widened.
“I know you do.”