Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII. I wrote this at 5am.

"You keep saying that."

It was getting late, the skies outside the windows of Seventh Heaven were turning the orange-gold of evening, and instead of reveling in the last few hours of sunlight, Tifa Lockhart was arguing with Cloud. He was being depressingly hopeless again, and Tifa has finally had enough.

"I'm sorry, Tifa."

"Stop saying that!" Tifa yelled, slamming her palms onto the counter. Cloud flinched, preparing for an assault.

"So you couldn't protect the kids, so what? Denzel and you are fine now! The sigma is gone – there's nothing to apologize for!"

Cloud shook his head, defeated. Tifa didn't understand. He had been forgiven, but he didn't feel like he was. She shook her head, hair flying out messily. Marlene came giggling down the stairs, grabbing onto Cloud's hand and hiding behind him, effectively finishing his and Tifa's argument.

"Cloud, quick! I haveta' find somewhere to hide before Denzel catches me!" Marlene tugged at Cloud's hand, widening her eyes as she looked up at him.

Silently, Cloud plucked her up from the ground, walking around behind the counter and hiding Marlene beneath the bar, obscured from view by Cloud and Tifa standing there.

"Where are ya, Marlene?" Denzel came running down the stairs. "Have you seen her? Cloud? Tifa?" He looked imploringly at both of them. Tifa shook her head.

"Sorry, Denzel. She's not down here."

The boy sighed, running back up the stairs. Tifa smiled, wrapping her arms around Cloud.

"See? It's all okay now."

Cloud smiled, hugging Tifa back. Maybe it really would be alright now.

Marlene squeezed out from under the counter, careful not to disturb Cloud or Tifa, silently sneaking up the stairs. She stole one last glance down at the pair, before turning around to give Denzel a thumbs-up.