He just couldn't live by the fact that he knocked up his childhood friend; — After a big party last night, Cloud wakes up beside his childhood friend and crush, Tifa Lockhart. He couldn't remember how they ended up like this. The real problem is, Tifa got pregnant. And what's worse is that, it's his child. — Modern AU; CloTi/Zerith ღ

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII is owned by Square Enix.

Important Note: In this story, Gil is the same as the US Dollar.

Chapter Two

Tifa nervously exited the convenience store, plastic bag in hand. and called for a taxi. Her hands were sweaty and her eyes were wide. She had promised Aerith to wait for her in 15 minutes, but Tifa couldn't help but go straight to the nearest convenience store there is. She seriously needed that pregnancy test. And inside the plastic bag were five boxes of it. Well, you need to be sure if you're pregnant or not... who knows, maybe it's just a silly false alarm. Who knows, right? Tifa isn't even ready to conceive a child. She couldn't even remember if Cloud used a condom while they were at it.

"The street six blocks away from here, please." Tifa told the driver before she leaned back on the cheap leather of the taxi. She huffed and stared at the fogging window due to the cold outside. Weird weather in Midgar, it seems.

Anyway, Tifa is going to look for help to the only other woman she trusts in this world; and that's Aerith. She thinks that she spent 20 minutes long and had the flower girl waiting too long already, and so she's making an apology while on the way. Aerith is mature enough to know these kinds of stuff, and the red-eyed woman just had to run to Aerith for advice. The night with Cloud was quite eventful. She could even remember some tiny bits from it... and then the climax. Everything was filled with so much passion and desire. The scent was musky and thick, it's like too much to take. And then the sight of Cloud's abs and muscles flexing from movement... the sound of skin slapping against each other... his hot breath against her ear and neck. The love bites.

Tifa blushed at the thought, covering her face with her hands. She was redder than a tomato, steam blowing out of her flushed ears. It was so embarrassing just thinking about it. How can she say a word from it to Aerith? She'd die right then and there. What would Zack say if he hears about it? Will he get mad? Will he make Tifa stop seeing Cloud? Or will Zack get mad at Cloud directly? Oh Shiva, please no. Tifa knows how overprotective Zack can get, and if he finds out that Cloud and Tifa slept together... who knows what he'll do. And if Tifa's pregnant... Oh dear. The brunette frowned deeply and glanced at the plastic bag sitting beside her. She gulped and closed her eyes, thinking about the consequences.

She couldn't face it. She's scared. Maybe she'd give the baby up and have an abortion, but just the thought of it made Tifa's heart clench. She's too kind to do such a cruel thing. An unborn life, murdered by the woman who was responsible with it. No, Tifa couldn't do such an evil thing. A baby that never saw the light of the world... she can't take that. It's just too much to handle. Tifa knew that abortion is not an option. Cross that out from the list.

She didn't know that having a baby is so... overwhelming.

"We're here, ma'am." The driver cut her thoughts off, making the brunette jump; startled. "That'll be 20 Gil." He tapped the screen on the taxi that showed her fare. Tifa grabbed the exact amount of money, handing it to the driver.

"Thank you." She nodded her head and went straight out, fixing her scarf.

"No problem." And the taxi went off.

Tifa breathed and gripped the plastic bag tightly in her hand, slowly walking deeper into the street to the house of her future sister-in-law. She looked up at the sky and it looked like it's going to rain; dark clouds and cold wind. Maybe more than a little rain. Tifa groaned to herself, scolding her conscience for not bringing an umbrella. Let's just hope it's only going to be a friendly drizzle.

Arriving at the front gate of the Gainsborough residence, she rang the doorbell on the stone-fence once. After a few seconds, the gate flew open, revealing Aerith in an obviously thrown-on shirt and short shorts. Her brown hair was down, reaching until the small of her back. Her and Tifa almost have the same length of hair. The older woman beamed at Tifa, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her in.

"Hey, Tifa! Get in!" The bubbly woman gave Tifa a quick short embrace and entered through the front door, a delicious scent flooding in Tifa's nose the moment she stepped inside. Tifa gasped and breathed in; she moaned in satisfaction.

Aerith raised a brow at the sound she made and stifled a chuckle. "Hmf. Is that how you expressed your pleasure last night, darling?" She teased. Tifa's eyes widened and she choked on her own spit. She looked at Aerith incredulously.

"W-What?! Shut up!" Her face burned tomato-red. For the nth time that day. "I'm just feeling hungry, that's all! And what happened last night can wait later!" Tifa waved her index finger at her best friend.

Aerith rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she smiled humorously. "Make yourself at home and we'll talk." The flower girl went further inside the house and to the kitchen, where the lovely aroma of food was found. Aerith was opening cabinets for the plates and silverware with Tifa drooling over the meals prepared on the glass table. Mozzarella and tomato salad, grilled salmons, baked potatoes, and chicken alfredo. It's perfect. Tifa clapped her hands together and hummed happily. Aerith shook her head as she grabbed two clean plates and a pair of spoon-and-knife.

"I knew you haven't had any breakfast yet so I added some more. And I'm sure Zack would need some good heated food later." The older woman shrugged her shoulders and arranged the setting of the table. Tifa stuck her tongue out.

"You know me too well."

Aerith giggled. "And I'm about to learn some more with the story you'll be telling me later." She sat down on a chair, with Tifa sitting across from her.

"Yes. Of course." Tifa sighed and grabbed a fork, swiftly taking food and placing it on her plate; then ate it all up hungrily. Aerith watched her gobble the food and hummed in understanding, taking her own.

There's a lot of explaining to do.

#

Cloud wasn't really sure what to say first, with Zack staring at him expectantly and with a goofy smile on his face. If he says it's Tifa, how would Zack react? She's his sister, for Pete's sake. He'd probably get mad at him... or blow up like a bomb... or worse, he'd beat him up. He didn't want to lose the only person he can talk comfortably with. Zack is his best friend, and Cloud didn't need him to avoid him like a disease. He couldn't even imagine the look of disgust Zack would throw him. Cloud mentally shuddered at the thought.

He leaned back on the comfortable sofa, while Zack hopped on a bean bag chair, grinning from ear to ear. He looked so happy, Cloud felt guilty. The blonde frowned slightly, which was thankfully unnoticed by the older man. Or he just ignored it.

After a moment's silence, Zack tapped his foot on the carpeted floor. "...so?" His grin grew wider, if that's possible.

"What?" Cloud needed to stall time to think of what he's going to say. He should be careful. He didn't need his awkward socializing now. Not today. God help him. He'd bury himself deep in the Planet alive if he makes a stupid mistake, even if it's just a little slip.

Zack scoffed, "Who's the woman you fucked?" He bluntly said. Cloud blushed at his crude words. So abrupt. It's impossible to hide from Zack. The blonde blinked at his friend and didn't speak. The older man suspiciously stared at Cloud and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. How observant.

After a full two minutes, Zack gasped.

"Don't tell me—you slept with a hooker?!" Zack slapped his hands on his cheeks, pulling on the skin. Cloud mentally face-palmed himself. "I've seen a bunch of them last night, and I could practically see the colorful lace lingerie." Zack sounded panicky. "Oh, I'm so glad Aerith was there. Or they would've rubbed themselves on me." He shivered and hugged himself. Cloud's eyebrow raised in humor but still remained silent. Zack saw his expression and his eyes dilated and he messed his spiky hair.

He jumped from the bean bag chair. "Oh god. No, no, no! Please, don't catch STDs." Zack went to his knees and crawled to where Cloud was sitting. His hands were clasped together as if he was praying to the heavens. That's how I'll look like when I tell Zack about Tifa, Cloud thought.

The chocobo-head flicked Zack's forehead, making the latter yelp. "Don't overreact, Zack. I'm not stupid enough to actually be with a stripper." He snorted. "And just so you know, it was with someone you and I know."

Zack's mouth opened, his jaw dropping. "WHAT?!" He jumped on the blonde, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. Cloud realized what he said and he mentally punched himself in the face. That was close. So dangerous.

"Who, who, who?!" Zack pushed. "I need to know! I could plan so many perfect dates for the two of you! And I'd tell Aerith and she'd help me out with it and give you some flowers that you can give her! When will you propose?!" The ravenette laughed, while Cloud was trying to pry Zack off him. He shook him with every word he spouts.

"God, Zack. Calm down! Sit!" Cloud finally pushed Zack away, while the older man was still laughing and sat back on the bean bag chair obediently.

"Besides, who is this her? Someone you and I know? Now, that's a surprise. Let me guess!" Zack smirked and crossed his arms on his chest, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Because the only women the both of us know are... Jessie, Elena, Cissnei... uh, that bitch Scarlet... and Yuffie, and we know Rinoa too but she's with Squall... and the others are pretty much taken already! Oh, you know, I think Jessie's with Biggs, but by secret! So Jessie's not in the list."

Zack's forgetting someone. Why, of course. Tifa is the last person Zack would think of. What, someone like Zack wouldn't even think of Tifa sleeping with someone like Cloud. But they did.

Cloud shrugged his shoulders, "No, I never slept with any of the girls you've mentioned. All of them are not in the list. And what makes you think that Jessie and Biggs are in a relationship? They're always fighting." He's not trying to change the subject. Just stalling.

"A female creature and a male creature that always fights is a sign that there is a special connection between them! You know, kinda like those tsunderes in shoujo manga. And when we hang out, Jessie excuses herself and then Biggs follows her. Suspicious, ain't it?" Zack chuckled to himself, as if he made the biggest discovery that could save the entire Planet.

The blonde rubbed his temple with his hand, smiling sheepishly at his friend. "You know, Zack, I don't really give a deal about your assumptions." Zack pouted at that. "And you never told me you read shoujo manga. Or have I ever seen you holding one." Cloud's eyebrows rose in interest. Zack snickered and wiped his nose with his thumb.

"Why, you never asked! It's because—" Cloud cut Zack off.

"Uh, whatever. Never mind." Zack glared at the blonde, who just shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Anyway, since it's time for lunch, do you want to talk about it somewhere outside? You must be starving." Cloud casually looked at the wall clock of his apartment, flashing Zack a small smile.

The dark-haired man scratched his head and looked down at his stomach. "Yeah, Aerith just kinda fed me with some chicken soup because of my hangover this morning. Besides, it's your fault why I'm starving." Zack mocked Cloud, mimicking the emphasis of the word.

"Zack, my head's hurting because I have a hangover, mind you." Cloud stood up from the couch and headed towards the entrance door. He heard Zack grunt behind him.

"Don't forget I had one too." Zack whined, but Cloud ignored him.

Cloud wrapped a fuzzy scarf around his neck and grabbed a beanie and put it on his head snugly. He slipped on black high-cut Chucks and grabbed his car keys. He turned to face Zack, who was still wearing his boots. Cloud rolled his eyes at this.

"I'll wait outside." He opened the door, and a strong cold wind entered the apartment in a whoosh. He didn't even bat an eye.

"HEY!" Zack hollered. "At least wait for me to wear my coat or something! I'm wearing a shirt!"

Cloud exhaled and went outside, "Just hurry up, Zack." The sun was up in the sky but it was really cold down here. Midgar weather is on period.

"You seriously owe me on this one. You're not treating me well and I'm your guest! I can't believe this." He grumbled under his breath, wearing his coat and snuggling into it. Cloud smiled slightly.

"Why, of course, you're Zack Fair. You deserve the most special treatment from your best friend. "

#

Author's Note: I'm so sorry, guys. I just don't know how I should write the way Cloud and Tifa will confess to Aerith and Zack. I'm losing ideas! Writer's block! I've been stuck on this for days and I just want to update, so I did but the main point isn't even there yet! I don't know how I'll put it. I kinda need all you readers' help! I'd appreciate it! Anyway, there you have it! Chapter two that doesn't really make sense~ Like a filler, maybe. Whatever. Thanks for reading! Tell me what you think and leave a review! Flames and constructive criticisms will be helpful, as well. (06/19/14)

other: I am now known as ahotaku, but I can be called asdfghjkl anime, still