Dark silken lengths swished rhythmically against her bare shoulders with each step, fingers absently fidgeting with the leather vest she adopted earlier that morning. Digressing into her usual, comfortable attire reminded her that she was going home. Her eyes remained focused on each grain of sand that dusted over the concrete path beneath her boots, listening with each crunchy tap.
When her eyes finally rose, the figure beneath the sheen of mist came into view. For a moment, she was convinced that she was seeing things. When the figure's hair came into play, she knew that she was not so lucky as to have been imagining his presence. The last thing she really wanted to do was face him while he asked her to stay. She would be all too tempted to accept such an offer, relinquishing her desire to be desired. A simple concept, but a concept that eluded her until she found his arms just two nights ago. Her gaze moved to the ground once again, in attempt to pretend she hadn't even seen him.
The pace she took was visibly quickened and when she rounded the corner with her head ducked down, she felt she was home free. Then the warmth came to her cold, moist skin as fingers were wrapped tightly around her wrist, and she didn't have to guess to figure out who they belonged to. Tifa froze beneath the grip, feeling a wave of frustration wash through her core. A tug applied to her thin wrist pivoted her and before she could protest, familiar lips pressed down against hers in a concupiscent kiss. A combination of longing and apprehension swirled through her while she fell under the spell of his affections.
Parting the kiss moments later, she rested her forehead against his and whispered breathlessly, "Reno…"
"I'm not asking you to stay," he said, adjusting his stance until he could see into her eyes.
"What?" she asked, a baffled expression carving her brows. She thought confidently that he'd ask her to stay; she'd rehearsed her answer before the mirror the prior night.
"We're going to miss our boat," he said, matter-of-factly.
"Our?" she furthered the crease of her brows, almost giving him a 'you must be kidding' look.
"That's right," he nodded as if to add to his confirmation, "I can't stay in Costa forever."
"Oh, right," Tifa felt incredibly dense at that moment, fidgeting with a strand of hair as she casually glanced over at the modest boat. The luggage in her hand not claimed by Reno happened to be weighing heavily on her shoulder, causing a faint tinge of dull pain that reminded her of the task at hand, "I suppose I need to set this down for a while." Her head dipped, gesturing to the oversized duffle bag.
Without a word, Reno slipped a couple fingers beneath the strap of the bag, brushing the digits slowly against her shoulder. The touch made her skin crawl while he stole the bag and hoisted it onto his own shoulder. "Shall we?" he smirked, watching the way she swayed with the weight lifted.
"Thanks," she said, beginning the remainder of the path to the boat. Reno followed for a moment, causing discomfort to her before he caught up at her side.
They walked silently, Tifa mostly focused on the horizon as they neared the vessel. At the entrance, a man in a uniform greeted them both and ushered them aboard. The luggage was stowed beneath and the man had another worker tag the bags and haul them off while Tifa and Reno wandered out onto the white deck. Immediately, Tifa felt at ease as the cool ocean breeze rippled through her hair, washing relaxation over her face.
The sun was just beginning to peek out from the fog bank quite common for the coastal territories, warming her shoulders pleasantly while she gazed out over the horizon. "I wish I could stay in the sun like this all day," she thought aloud.
"You'll be a lobster by noon," Reno grinned, admiring the porcelain complexion of her skin.
"True," she agreed with a laugh. Her eyes wandered toward Reno, a grimace crossing her features as she imagined him with a sun burn. The image of his skin matching his hair combined with his aquamarine eyes gave her quite a giggle, and he looked on puzzled.
"What's funny?" he asked, tilting his head.
"I can't imagine you with a sun burn, the imagery is too funny," she confessed, stifling the giggles with a cupped hand.
"Hey, I'll have you know, I tan nicely," he said with a cocky smile.
"You're kidding?" she raised a brow, trying to imagine him with a tan. "I can't see it," she said.
"How rude…" he trailed, feigning a bruised ego. Tifa knew full well it'd take armies of insults over a period of ten straight decades to bruise his over inflated ego.
"I'm sure you're devastated," she grinned, fighting off giggles.
"I think I'll abandon ship now," he craned his neck and peered over into the cerulean waters as if deliberating whether or not to jump. A chorus of feminine giggles met his ears; Tifa had finally given in and laughed. The sound was pleasant, and he wished she'd laugh more often. Perhaps if he could keep her in his arms and away from the aloof blonde, she would laugh more.
"You can be pretty fun, Reno," when you drop all that womanizing and cynicism, but I'll keep that to myself. A smile tugged her lips and she pivoted to lean her arms against the railing of the ship while the captain announced departure. She took a moment to appreciate the coastal town for a moment longer. She'd never look at Costa del Sol the same way again; she'd forged memories there that would not be forgotten. It almost felt strange to return home and return to the routine of every day life. Perhaps every day life would change?
When Tifa turned toward the ocean, he caught a quick shimmer from her neckline where the necklace he'd given her the previous night rested. The fact that she'd left it on simply gave him an exhilarating smile. Then the faint tinge of guilt. He still hadn't told her the truth of the night, and lying to her seemed utterly disgusting at the moment. This new found guilt was strange and foreign for him, to say the least. Here was a man who could assassinate men with families and execute perfect plans for crime and evil without a hint of remorse, and lying to a woman gets him guilty? Well, not just any woman. Tifa Lockhart, the amicable, selfless heroine confidant of AVALANCHE. In short, the most amazing of women he'd met on this Planet.
"It'd be nice to go on a cruise someday…" Tifa spoke in a daydream tone, while watching as the boat began to cut through the rolling waters. With his thoughts interrupted, Reno wandered up beside Tifa on the deck, leaning lazily in a mirrored position.
"A cruise?" he asked, peering curiously at the brunette.
"Yeah, one of those nice big boats with suites and a pool on deck, you know?" She could just about picture the fun she would enjoy on such a ship.
"Well, we'll go on a cruise, then," he stated simply.
Tifa turned to look at him with wide eyes, "Are you serious?" she queried.
"Of course, babe. You and I, we'll go on a cruise," he confirmed.
She had to ponder that for a moment. Was it really a good idea to go on a cruise with the likes of Reno? With his suave attitude, bundles of charm and striking appearance? "Maybe…" she answered honestly. There would be a lot to figure out upon arrival in Edge.
"Just maybe?" Reno inched closer, giving her quite the pout.
"We'll see," she said firmly, a slight wink given as she turned away.
---x---
The entirety of the short trip across the sea consisted of more empty dreams and promises, alongside good natured teasing. Tifa couldn't help but feel lonesome when they parted ways in Edge. Her tread home was less than eventful, watching children play here or there along the path back to Seventh Heaven. Inexplicably, her heart felt heavy. The guilt of what happened in Costa del Sol to blame. She considered telling Cloud, but realized that doing so would tear down any chances she had of making a future with him. Then again, perhaps he would understand if she explained the situation. As if the fact that I was belligerent would make him feel any better, she scoffed.
When she swung the door open to the closed bar she found Marlene in pink pajamas, munching on a snack near the counter. With wide eyes, Marlene abandoned her plate and came running over wearing a smile. Tifa dropped her luggage and embraced the young girl, taking comfort in the familiar feeling. When they parted Marlene said, "I'm so glad you're home, Tifa!"
"Me too, Marlene. Did you miss me?" she asked with a wink.
"Of course I did! Cloud did too," Marlene chirped.
Cloud… "Oh? And Denzel?"
"Yeah, he did too, but he thinks he's too tough to miss you," Marlene beamed with a giggle for the small comment. Tifa thought they were beginning to act more like brother and sister as the days went on.
"Well, you know boys," and men…
"Yeah, ew! They need'ta grow up," Marlene said, crossing her small arms over her chest.
Tifa had a good laugh at Marlene's commentary, resisting the urge to tell her that boys sometimes didn't ever grow up, "Marlene," she opted to say, giving her a little nudge toward the stairs, "It's past your bedtime!"
"I wanted to wait up for you!" she exclaimed, but soon wandered up the stairs with Tifa. "Will you tuck me in?" she asked at the top step.
"Of course, let's go," Tifa answered, ushering the girl into the room she shared with Denzel.
As she rounded the corner, Tifa noticed Cloud and Denzel sitting on the bed looking through a catalog of things that would never interest your average woman. When Cloud glanced up to see her, the blue of the ocean flooded her mind. His eyes reminded her of Costa del Sol, and now Costa del Sol reminded her of Reno. She'd nearly forgotten amidst Marlene's excitement, but now she felt the pang of remorse again.
"Hi Tifa!" Denzel greeted her, his soft brown eyes sparkling. He did miss her, and she buried her hesitation beneath a cheery façade.
"Hey Denzel, I hear you're too tough to miss me," she teased, coming close enough to ruffle a hand through his curly brown hair.
"Marlene!" he shot her a challenging glance, but soon abandoned it to smile at Tifa.
"You two ought to be in bed. Come on! Climb under the covers," Tifa urged, shooing Marlene into the bed and bringing the covers over her while Cloud tucked Denzel into his own twin bed.
"Good night Cloud, night Tifa!" Marlene said, looking far too wired to be in bed.
"Good night, you two," Cloud said, disappearing beyond the door.
"Sleep tight," Tifa gave Marlene a kiss on the forehead, and provided a small pat to Denzel's cheek before leaving the room.
In the darkness that overwhelmed the landing with the kids' bedroom light off, she could barely make out a shadow against the wall opposite her. A cold finger ran down her spine when he spoke, "Welcome back."
"Thanks, Cloud," she whispered, her nerves firing extra beneath a calm demeanor. Shaking the suspicion that he'd know just by looking at her was the last thing she was capable of doing that night.
Cloud stepped into the dim light his lamp provided from the night stand, seating himself on the edge of a twin bed. He was simply gazing at her, and she felt hot beneath the scrutiny of his eyes.
"Costa was beautiful," she nervously broke the silence, stepping up to lean against his door frame.
"You seem different," he said. Why he'd picked this very night to become observational, she couldn't guess.
"Why do you say that?" she tried to quit any nervous fidgeting that might surface under the pressure he was unknowingly placing on her.
"Well," he was never any good with words, but he rose from the bed and came within inches of her. His hand rose, brushing fingers across her collar bone. The touch sent heat radiating down to her toes, but faded too quickly when he lifted the charm from her skin and held it between his fingers. "What's this?"
"That?" her voice cracked slightly and she paused to clear her throat. Whether nerves or his touch had caused the tremble, she could not tell. "Just a trinket from Costa," she replied. Twisted ever so slightly, it was the truth.
"It's… pretty," he remarked, though his eyes were boring into hers, rather than observing the necklace.
What has gotten into him? She questioned silently, "Thanks. Aren't you tired?" she asked, nonchalantly trying to put space between them by shifting her weight. Under any other circumstances, she'd be fainting about now. However, considering what took place on the shores of a distant town, she was nervously attempting to make an escape before she ended up making a confession. The actions had him wondering what had gotten into her.
"I guess," he replied, allowing the charm to fall back against her chest. "Goodnight, Tifa." With that, he turned and moved back into the room. It wasn't until she actually mumbled goodnight and fled the threshold that he shut the door.
Tifa retreated down the hall, descending the stairs into the bar. She wasn't the least bit tired, and after the confrontation she felt quite on edge. The lights had been turned off from the top of the stairs, and she neglected to switch them on as she passed by the control. When she reached the last step, she felt against the wall with her left hand in attempt to turn the lights on from the lower panel. An orange glow drew her attention to one of several windows outside the front of the bar, embers dancing in the darkness and fading away.
"What is that…?" she whispered to herself, opting to leave the lights out to investigate.
She crept across the bar with silent grace, entertaining the thought that Yuffie would be quite jealous of her feline talents. Lowering onto her knees she came closer to the window, she proceeded with hesitance. The Planet had gotten safer, but nothing was ever completely harmless. There were always people trying to gain money or possessions by any means possible. This could be a burglar, or worse. Once below the pane of glass, she rose up slowly onto her toes and peeked out at the area she'd seen the light. Just on the other side of the glass, a pair of eyes peered back at her. Utterly startled, she tipped backward onto her rear and assumed a crab like position with a gasp. For a moment, she struggled to breath. When lips smirked and she came upon the realization of whom the lips belonged to, she felt the urge to send her fist through the glass and into his jaw.
Tifa came to her feet quickly, sneaking through the door in order to preserve whatever sleep her family might be enjoying. When the door clicked shut behind her, she whirled to face the redhead with a glare, "Reno! What the hell are you doing here?" Her tone of voice nearly made him snicker. She was yelling, and whispering all at once. It was admittedly cute.
"I missed you already," he said suavely, flicking away the cigarette he'd been smoking. She now saw the explanation for the orange glow.
"It's late. Besides, Cloud's here," she explained, glancing inside nervously.
"I just came by to…" he paused, moving in close until only a finger's breadth separated their lips, each breath coming against her flesh while his eyes stared deeply into hers. "Make sure…" another pause as he drew in a kiss from her lips. "You didn't…" by this pause, she was far too fired up to deal with his games. She pressed her lips firmly against his, completely seduced by the way he toyed with words. Precisely what he wanted.
Passion built between them as he pushed against her, backing her until she came against the door. He wasn't sure what this was all about anymore, only that he enjoyed seducing her. Beside that fact, he still hadn't been where he wanted to be. She believed that he had, but he knew the difference. There was still a prize to be claimed, though he shuddered at the idea of thinking about it that way.
She broke away, spacing their lips with cold air, "He'll be angry…" she said. This was sin, in beautiful form, but sin all the same. She wasn't sure why she let him do this to her. She believed her heart held loyal to the man upstairs, but inexplicably she felt drawn to the man before her. He intrigued her to discover all the complexities he kept within, urged her to let go of what could be and explore what was. This felt real, and her affections for Cloud felt paled in comparison.
"So let him be angry," he replied, indulging in the soft flesh of her neck as he placed a blazing trail of soft kisses against the delicate area.
"We've been through this already," she argued, referring to the information he held about her relationship with the blonde. She rolled her head against the door, turning to the side to give him better access. Just then, she noticed a light flicker on inside the bar.
"Reno…"
Eek! Caught in the act? Maybe, maybe not. The plot is going crazy ;D As you may have noticed, this is quite the experiment. I'm really writing for fun, and I hope you have all enjoyed what's been formed out of my sporadic ideas. If you want more of a plot, again I suggest The Aethereality of You. Also, watch for my latest surrender to a plot bunny to appear… I've been forming a "dark" story about these two… with a much more cynical Reno and resistant Tifa. Soon, lovely readers :) For now, please do review… and thanks to those who already have!