A/N: Hey! First chapter of my first story..oh my. I don't really know what to expect. But if you have any comments/questions I'd love to hear them. Let me know how I'm doing!

The mess left from the night before left Tifa Lockhart busy.

The dark wooden floors of the Seventh Heaven bar, once polished and gleaming, were now ridden with napkins, tissues, confetti, and who else knows what from the previous escapades.

Stupid.

Half of it was directed at Yuffie for talking her into this mess. The other was at herself for staying up so late that night.

Though seeing Vincent's face was enough…

It was a surprisingly mild October, and the heat only seemed to energize her ninja friend. Not only had she appeared from Wutai a week ago seeming endlessly happy, but she also managed to plan a birthday party for Vincent at her bar and get everyone into the party mood.

Even Vincent, who initially wasn't too pleased about the party, seemed vaguely amused (though any possible smile could not have been seen because of that scarf thing).

I wonder why Yuffie wanted to throw one so badly. But Tifa shrugged it off. It wasn't completely unlike Yuffie to want a party anyway.

Tifa tore a black trash bag out of the counter and began to pick up the left over trash. "Fabulous. I get to clean up the mess once again."

"…sorry."

Her brown hair flicked back across her shoulders as she turned to face the voice. The sight of pointed, yet muffled blonde hair caused a small smile to appear on her lips. "I'm not blaming you, Cloud."

The blonde stretched his arms out, not even trying to suppress the large yawn. "But it's partly my fault. Let me help."

Tifa was not about to pass up the offer, even if it meant working with Cloud while her hair and face was a mess. Her moogle pajama bottoms weren't exactly confident boosters either.

But Cloud didn't seem to care, or notice to her dismay. His glowing blue eyes simply scanned the counter and floor, not her.

She glanced at the unkempt nature of his bangs. "Why are you up so early?" It was unlike him to be awake before 9, and here it was 6:30.

"As much as I like Denzel and Marlene, sleeping on their floor wasn't exactly the best night sleep."

"I told you Barret could have my room." Tifa let the small giggle escape.

"Come on, Teef," He said rather loudly.

Tifa held out her hand, commanding silence. "Yuffie's in the other room, on the couch," she said in a light whisper.

"It's her fault everyone stayed over anyway." Cloud juggled a plastic plate before throwing it into the trash bag, "Where did Shera and Cid go?"

"They already had a hotel."

"And Reeve and Cait Sith?"

"Back to Shinra HQ."

Cloud finished clearing off one of the main messes, "Red and Vincent?"

Red's sleeping in the other room on the rug, and…" Tifa paused. "I don't actually know where Vincent…"

The unlocking of the bathroom door interrupted her thought. A hush of steam filled the outer hallway, and soon the pointy toed Vincent was heading into the main bar with Tifa and Cloud. "Were you saying something?" His crimson eyes locked on to Tifa.

"Just wondering where you were. Did you sleep well?"

The dark man shrugged, "The chair was satisfactory."

Cloud rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh, good."

"I hope you enjoyed your party Vincent," Tifa said, noting that neither Cloud nor Vincent would ever be capable of continuing a conversation for more than 4 words at a time.

He only continued to shrug, "It was unexpected." And he returned back to the other room.

Tifa grabbed a cloth and started to rub down the counter. "It was."

"Hmm?" Cloud turned from his garbage collecting.

He heard that? "I just thought it was kind of strange for Yuffie to throw Vincent a birthday party."

But to her surprise, Cloud only turned back to his work, muttering to himself. "Not really…"

"What?"

The fighter's face flushed lightly, "I didn't…"

But Tifa's interest was already sparked. "Don't try to get out of it now." She eased her way closer to him, only retreating back as her own face started to radiate heat. "What is it?"

Cloud raised his shoulders lightly, "I only heard Yuffie talking to herself the other day."

The arch of her eyebrows rose. "About Vincent?"

Cloud's shyness overtook him. The blonde nodded briskly, before turning back to the dirty floor. "I guess she didn't know I was there."

"It was that personal?" She placed herself back on the bar stool, too enticed by her own thoughts circling to really focus. Does Yuffie like Vincent? I always thought she would like the talkative type… Her smile inflated as the image of Yuffie dragging the reluctant Valentine through a sunny park popped into her mind.

"Look, Tifa." Cloud suddenly got defensive. "I doubt Yuffie would want anyone to know this." He sighed, "What if I overheard you saying who you liked?"

Tifa's eyes immediately diverted. Depends on your reaction. "I…"

"Yeah, exactly. So you don't know anything, right?"

Cloud looked up from the floor, but Tifa was just smiling. "This isn't Marlene you're talking to. I can keep a secret."

He only nodded in response and continued to clean, Tifa's eyes watching him the whole time. I've practically been keeping one my whole life.

A couple of hours later, the bar was finally back in working order, only still closed. Denzel and Marlene had insisted that Tifa take a break, and what better time then when AVALANCHE was visiting?

Although the number of AVALANCHE members actually staying, was slowly decreasing. Red had rushed home to Cosmo Canyon at 7, and Barret was taking Marlene out for the day.

That left 5 people, 2 barely being members of the old terrorist group at all, and 1 barely old enough to spell it.

Yuffie's hungry grin was towering over the kitchen table. "PANCAKES."

"Yes." The bartender set down the plate. "You okay there Yuffs?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Do you see the deliciousness in front of me?" And soon syrup was being dumped on the said deliciousness.

Tifa subconsciously began to sit in the seat next to her, but stopped. She moved her orange juice across the circular table, right between Cloud and Denzel. Leaving the empty seat for Vincent…wherever he is.

"Tifa! Can I have butter?"

She lightly smiled at the boy with the ruffled brown hair and Bahamut pajamas. "'Course Denzel!"

The butter was given to Denzel, and Tifa sat down, ready to eat.

"Do we have any more orange juice?" His face was inquisitive.

The brunette took the boy's empty glass and filled it with orange juice.

"Thank you, Tifa." She sat down again, but eating today seemed futile. "Ah! I dropped my fork."

Up again, towards the counter, she quickly grabbed a clean utensil and roughly dropped it on the table. "Please eat now, Denzel."

His smile only read innocence as she finally put a pancake edge up to her mouth.

"You know…I could really use a napkin, Teef."

Her fork dropped and the previous light tone turned gritty towards the ninja. "…Use your shirt," which gained an immediate chuckle from the blonde man next to her. The sound was practically foreign, so weird that Tifa turned to face him. "Cloud?"

Yuffie's eyes bugged. "Is chocobo head actually laughing? Hey, Cloud!"

The laughter died as quickly as it came, "My hair does not look like a chocobo."

"Yes it does, but that's beside the point," Yuffie swiftly waved him off, "When'd you get all bright and smiley and Mr. Happy Sunshine?"

He scowled at the new possible nickname.

"Not that it isn't a nice little change from your brooding state…just wondering. Did anything at all happen to you last night? I mean…Barret was in your bed."

Cloud blinked at the possibility of Yuffie's remark. "Yeah…alone. What the hell are you saying??"

Her cheeks etched pink. It was obvious that was not what she meant. "Nothing…nothing at all." She shoved another pancake half into her mouth, and swallowed it greedily. "I'll just mention that you weren't in your room, which means you had to sleep somewhere else. And you weren't in the living room either."

"Yeah."

"So…" Tifa did not like the smirk on the ninja's face. "I don't know where you slept last night. Just that I found you and Tifa up alone in the morning."

The heat from the pancakes ignited Tifa's face, causing her to chug the glass of orange juice.

Naivety saved her.

"I don't get it Miss Yuffie. Why does it matter where Cloud slept?"

The soft voice of the boy deflated Yuffie's smirk.

"Tifa and Cloud always hang out anyways. And I think that's why Cloud's so happy. Because Tifa always smiles when he's around and they say people smiling makes you smile."

Oh no. Yuffie was in pure heaven, eating up every word.

Ever since the Highwind she always thought I…even if ---after I explained that I was just really tired.

"Really, now? Anyone want to explain?" She darted from Tifa's to Cloud's face. "Lockhart? Strife?"

The bartender gave a long sigh. The last thing she needed was Yuffie spreading around that her and Cloud…

Not that it wouldn't be the worst possible thing…It's not like I don't—

She shook the thought off as she felt the syrup drip from her fork onto her shirt, "What does it matter anyway?" Tifa patted away the stain. "Cloud and I just live together."

"Right." He shook his head fervently, a little too much to her dismay. Cloud re-focused on the food and ignored the rest of Yuffie's seemingly endless drabble.

"Right, right, chocobo head." Rolling back in the chair, Yuffie shoved the remnants of the breakfast into her mouth. "It's….totally normal…." She breathed in between chomps. "I mean…if I—"

Yuffie immediately stopped as the red caped figure calmly moved into the seat next to her. Her hand flattened out her short, black hair, causing Tifa to inwardly grin. You would what exactly? The smile became open. Do exactly what I have been doing?

"Hello Mr. Valentine," Denzel eyed the pale man carefully, especially when his gaze fell on the golden claw. "You like pancakes?"

Vincent looked almost startled by the little boy's acquisitions. "They are fine."

Denzel laughed, "Better than just fine! Tifa makes them super buttery and fluffy! Miss Yuffie agrees, doesn't she?"

At her name being mentioned, Yuffie sulked back, edging herself away from Vincent.

How did I not notice this before? Tifa wiped the smirk on her face and elbowed the blonde man next to her. Cloud's mouth made no movement, but Tifa saw the glare in his eyes.

"She likes them," Cloud answered for the shrinking Yuffie.

The ninja nodded and delicately sipped her orange juice. The change in behavior was so drastic, Tifa had to bite her tongue. Is she trying to impress Vincent? The napkin was then lightly placed on her lap. She is…this means pay back.

"Gulped them down like a dog," Tifa grinned across to Yuffie. "Sorry can't give you the recipe, Yuffs, but I swear you'll get bigger than that stuffed moogle Cait Sith rides on."

Her face was perfectly pink, "Tifa…"

"What's wrong Yuffie? You can't possibly want more. And what's with the napkin on your lap? And why are you so quiet now that Vincent's here?"

Yuffie cringed as Vincent's eyes were on her, "…I just figured Vinnie here is tired." She cracked a smile, "And after sleeping in a coffin for 30 years, loud noises probably bother him so early."

The pale man only looked confused, "…I assure you my ears are not that sensitive."

"But it was nice of her for asking." Tifa looked coy, "Wasn't it Vincent? Yuffie's just so—OW!" A leg from across the table came in contact with her shin.

"Oh Teef! Come with me…I'll look at it." Yuffie jumped up, dragging Tifa by the arm and out of the kitchen.

Denzel looked worried, "What happened to Tifa, Cloud?"

"…Don't worry about it." He was shaking his head. "Finish your breakfast and maybe Vincent can show you Cerberus."

"Yuffie!"

The ninja's fingers were digging into her skin, and damn, did it hurt. She finally let go as they were safely in Tifa's room, but something told Tifa this was just the start.

"How do you know???"

Tifa blinked at the question and at Yuffie's imposing stance. "Hmm?" She was at least 3 inches taller than Yuffie, yet still felt slightly intimidated.

"About Vincent!!! How do you know???" She walked up to Tifa, trying to look as viscous as possible. "Read my diary? Spy on me??? Huh???"

"Whoa, whoa." Tifa held out her hand in innocence. "Why do you think I know anything?"

Yuffie let out a sigh in frustration as she collapsed on the bed. "UGH! You do! You're picking on me like I pick on you about Cloud!"

This caused Tifa's eyes to narrow. "Yuffie, for the last time…"

"God, Tifa, stop denying it! It'll never happen that way." It was her turn to look smug, "I'm not denying it. I like Vincent. See? Not so hard. My world didn't explode or combust or whatever you think will happen. Just admit it."

The air around Tifa's face was getting thin. But I can't. She never could. Not in Gold Saucer, not in the Lifestream, not by the Highwind, not after Geostigma…she was hopeless. She bit her lip, not wanting to think about that, not about the thought that was always on her mind.

"It feels better." Yuffie let out her own sigh of relief. "And maybe if we admit it, we can do something about it."

Like I haven't tried. But that thought ended.

Had she? What has she done? She never actually told Cloud how she felt. A part of her thought she didn't have to, that one day it would just snap in his mind. But really? Cloud and feelings don't exactly mesh. She physically hit her forehead. "Stupid!"

And this time, she only meant herself.

A/N: TADA! my first published thing. feedback is welcomed and just a heads up, the next chapters probably wont be as long (more like 1000 words each), and I'll also be changing view points (but no 1st person, just different people's thoughts...you'll see).

thanks for reading!

~Mira