When Too Much "Tea" Isn't Enough...

Blanket Disclaimer:

I don't own any Kingdom Hearts characters. I just return them slightly traumatized.

Submission (M)

Tifa Lockhart was no angel.

Because angels didn't curse as creatively as she did at Cloud Strife, all but backing the swordsman against the rampart with both her body and the vicious words escaping from her pretty little mouth.

Cid Highwind colored himself impressed and stunned, because Cloud returned the volleys in quiet, biting tones, apparently being used to Tifa's occasional explosions and effectively taking verbal chunks out of her as well.

It was almost hard to watch.

Especially when Cloud snapped.

Shoving that big-ass sword of his into the ground and latching onto Tifa's arms, most likely so he wouldn't be at the business end of her lethal right hook, the swordsman bodily spun her into the rampart, pinning her there and shoving his knee between her thighs.

Cid ignored his face heating and noticed three things at that exact moment.

One, Tifa's jaw closed with an audible click.

Two, Cloud Strife did know how to speak and loudly with "Care to share that with the audience, Tifa?"

Three, Leon looked like he was about to kill someone.

Cid scratched at day-old stubble before taking a drag off of his cigarette. He knew that Leon saw some similarity between his old love Rinoa and Tifa, and treated the latter with the comfortable avoidance the woman was used to.

Tifa Lockhart was used to being left alone. Especially now that Cloud made a nasty habit of it.

A look at Tifa's face told the older man everything he needed to know. The blush blossoming on the martial artist's face spoke of irritation and embarrassment. If she could get enough leverage, she could safely relieve Cloud of his face.

And looked like that was the first thing on her mind before she dropped her head, black hair falling to shadow her eyes and a quiet "no" echoed eerily loud through the air.

"Good," Cloud growled, a gloved hand dividing the curtain of hair and lifting up her head to look at him and only him. "Have we come to an understanding?"

Fire flashed through red eyes before they looked away. She loved him and hated him even more.

Cloud followed her line of sight, an eyebrow rising when he saw Leon glaring at him, before turning his head and commanding her attention once more. The older man could keep glaring for all he cared. This was none of his business. "Tifa."

Despair replaced the fire, leading to her visible deflation when she answered, "yes."

"No more following?"

"Yes." Lashes drifted over watering eyes before she tried to drop her head again, failing when his fingers tightened on her chin. He knew exactly how much this hurt her and yet he insisted on coldly ripping her to pieces, in front of everyone.

"You'll stop worrying?

Tears fell when her eyes snapped open, how dare he. "You know that-"

His fingers flexed, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make her aware that he was the one had the upper hand this time around. "Tifa."

She was going to slaughter him herself. "You fucking-"

"Are you done?" Electric blue eyes flared bright before they slit, glittering with restrained fury.

"I'll...I- no more worrying." She swallowed the lump in her throat before shifting her weight, mindful of his thigh between her own.

"Tifa, I need to fight this battle on my own, will you let me do that?"

"Of course-"

"Will you?"

"Yes, I just want-"

"I will return, but I need your patience. Do I have it?"

"Yes," she slumped, letting his thigh take her weight and ignoring when he pressed closer, wordlessly supporting her as she did he all these years.

"Thank you," he let his hand drop to her hip, pressing a gentle kiss on lips that softened under his own. Whispering "I feel safer when you're here," he pulled away far enough to look at their shocked audience. "Show's over, folks." Cloud caught a look on Leon's face he wasn't entirely comfortable seeing, but he'd deal with him later. Breathing deeply, he let the anger fall away before turning his attention to the wilting Tifa, pulling her close and tucking her head under his chin. "Are you ready?"

"No," she grumbled before raising her arms to clasp around his neck. "You're an asshole."

"Tifa," he said, the warning weaving through his voice once more. "Do we need to go over this again?"

"No," she bit off what was probably a curse, dropping her arms to push him away.

He merely tightened his grip on her before smirking, only adding fuel to a building fire. She'd be ready to fire off another round here shortly. "Good, now, to apologize to you properly." Shifting his grip on her, Cloud leaned down and grabbed her around her thighs, hoisting the woman over his shoulder and starting toward the Gummy. "Let's mosey," he shouted over her protests and sputters and looked at the taciturn Leon.

Cid kept a few steps back, watching Tifa pound her fists into Cloud's back, the blond showing no reaction until he patted something in front and she yelped before hissing off more creative curses.

Welcome to the Committee, he smirked before smashing his cigarette under his boot and followed the group to the ship.