"What did you want to talk about?" Tifa asked softly, her heart hammering in her chest.
Cloud opened his mouth, ready to speak, but suddenly frowned. He turned toward the door just in time to see Aerith collapse, Zack rushing to catch her. "... "
"Uh..." Zack scratched his cheek awkwardly as he helped Aerith up. "Hey..."
Cloud exhaled a long, heavy sigh, shaking his head. "Really..."
"W-Well, I just wanted to know if everything would end well," Aerith said, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Cloud gave her a blank stare—until his eyes shifted and caught sight of someone familiar. A figure stepped into the bar: a beautiful woman in her forties with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a hairstyle almost identical to his own. She looked like a female version of Cloud Strife.
"Son..." the woman whispered, tears welling in her eyes. Then she rushed to him and—slap! Her hand struck his cheek. "How dare you worry us like this?!"
Cloud froze, hand drifting to his stinging cheek. Shock rippled through him. He hadn't expected to see her here—not his mother.
Claudia glared at her son with fierce irritation, but the anger melted quickly into relief. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him and clutched him tightly, whispering thanks over and over for his safety.
Cloud stood stiff for a moment before slowly returning the embrace. "I'm sorry..." he murmured.
He nodded weakly, feeling the warmth of her grip as the others looked on with gentle smiles. But an unspoken question lingered in the air—how had Claudia Strife even appeared here, at this bar?
"Tifa!"
The sudden cry drew everyone's attention. An elderly couple entered, their voices filled with emotion.
"Mom, Dad!" Tifa exclaimed with a bright smile, rushing forward into their arms. She hugged them tightly, but as they glanced at Cloud, irritation colored their expressions. Tifa's smile faltered. "Oh no... you're not going to do anything rash, are you?"
"Daughter," her father said gruffly, crossing his arms. "He kept you waiting far too long. It's time I had a little talk with him."
Tifa mirrored his stance, arms crossing defiantly across her chest. On her, however, the gesture carried a different effect altogether.
"Are you really going to defend him after all this time?" her mother asked sharply, her voice heavy with disapproval.
"Yes," Tifa replied firmly, her eyes blazing. "He's the man I love, the one who saved us, the one who's been fighting an almost endless battle against Shinra. No matter how long it took, that hasn't changed."
Her father snorted. "I told you it would've been better if we'd had a son. At least he would have—" His words cut off with a groan of pain as his wife's elbow jabbed his ribs.
"It was a joke! A joke!" he wheezed, waving his hands. "No need to take it so seriously..."
Tifa's mother rolled her eyes before turning to glance at Cloud, who was still speaking quietly with Claudia. Seeing the two together brought an unexpected smile to her lips.
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" she asked her daughter in a softer tone.
"I've been sure for over ten years," Tifa said, her voice steady with conviction. "Cloud has always been there for me. Even when everyone else abandoned me—like that time I tried to get the special plant near the reactor—he stayed. He protected me."
Her mother fell silent, the memory surfacing vividly. She remembered the danger of that day, and how her daughter had nearly lost her life if not for Cloud's intervention.
If not for Cloud and Tifa's stubborn bravery, tragedy would have struck long ago. That moment alone proved what kind of bond they shared. No matter the risks, Cloud had always stood at Tifa's side.
Everyone in Nibelheim knew it—that these two would end up together. It was simply a matter of time. Cloud had chosen to join SOLDIER with the promise of protecting her, and to the women of the village, it was the most romantic gesture imaginable.
The two had been inseparable from childhood—playing together, training together, constantly testing each other's limits. Tifa had never fit neatly into the mold of a "proper young lady," though her beauty made it impossible to overlook her. But with Cloud, she had always been her truest self.
And in moments like this, it was clearer than ever—they had always belonged together.
A small smile curved across Tifa's mother's lips as she watched her daughter argue with her father, the bickering escalating until Tifa was physically grabbing at him.
"Seriously, you should have shown up sooner. She's been waiting far too long," Claudia scolded, setting her hands firmly on her hips. Her eyes narrowed at her son. "When are you going to take the next step?"
"I was about to—until I got interrupted," Cloud muttered, glancing at the growing crowd that had gathered inside the room.
Tifa's cheeks flushed crimson. She released her father's arm and tried to compose herself, though inside her chest her heart fluttered wildly. "Are you serious?"
"I'm not cruel enough to joke about something so important," Cloud said with a long sigh. "My plan was to finish this job first, then speak to my contacts. I wanted to arrange for all of you to move to another city... because Midgar is doomed."
The words weighed heavy in the air. Tifa's face fell slightly—because deep down, she knew he was right. Still, the thought of leaving behind Marlene made her heart ache. That little girl had become like family, like a younger sister or even a daughter. She couldn't imagine abandoning her, especially with Barret always so busy.
"Can we bring others with us?" Tifa asked carefully, already thinking about how to approach Barret.
"I don't see why not," Cloud replied with calm assurance. "Though it can't be too many. Either way, I'll handle the logistics." He handed a pair of small chests to Tifa's parents, then passed another to his mother. "These aren't ordinary containers. They can store anything without changing weight. Pack everything you need. I'll handle the rest."
"So... where exactly are we going?" Tifa's father asked, still skeptical.
"I have a villa in Costa del Sol," Cloud answered evenly. "You'll be able to live there in peace. Everything's already arranged. I even secured a sailor from Junon to ferry you safely to the city."
"Costa del Sol..." Tifa's father repeated, stroking his chin as if savoring the words. "I've always wanted to vacation there, but it was too expensive. Hmph. I suppose I can live with that, son-in-law."
Cloud leveled him with a flat, unimpressed stare. The man had shifted his attitude far too quickly. "Anyway... the trip will be long. But like I said, everything's prepared."
"But to reach Junon, we'll have to cross the Midgar swamp," Tifa's mother pointed out, her face creased with worry. "That's where the Midgar Zolom lives..."
"Relax," Cloud assured her, his tone steady. "The best way through the swamp is with a chocobo carriage and a special incense that repels monsters. I've secured both. They're ready on the farm—and yes, we've tested them."
Tifa's parents exchanged uneasy glances. The risk was undeniable, and neither could say if Cloud's solution would truly work.
"Trust my son," Claudia interjected, arms folded with pride. "He would never endanger us."
Her certainty eased their doubts. With reluctant nods, Tifa's parents finally took their leave, preparing for the journey ahead.
Claudia, however, stayed behind long enough to grasp Tifa's hands warmly, pulling her into a joyful hug. Years of waiting, hoping, and worrying had led to this moment. Now all she dreamed of was for her son and this girl to give her grandchildren, and she would know true happiness.
Tifa flushed scarlet at Claudia's words. She wasn't naïve; she knew exactly what her soon-to-be mother-in-law was hinting at. Despite her beauty, she had never pursued romance in her youth, too focused on training. And when she was finally ready to take that step... Cloud had vanished, swallowed by Shinra's cruelty. All these years, there had only been one man in her heart—and that man stood before her now.
Cloud, for his part, had been equally unchanged. Women had crossed his path, but none compared to Tifa. She was strong, radiant, breathtaking—and she had always been his reason to keep fighting.
"Something wrong?" Tifa asked nervously, noticing the way his gaze lingered on her after her parents left.
Cloud flicked his eyes toward Zack and Aerith, who immediately looked away, their faces burning as they bowed their heads in embarrassment.
"Okay?" Tifa pressed, leaning closer, her pulse quickening.
Cloud stepped toward her, taking her hand gently but firmly. He closed the distance between them, his intent written plainly in his eyes—only to pause with a frustrated sigh as approaching footsteps interrupted them. "God..."
"Tifa!"
The voice was small and full of excitement. Marlene dashed into the room, only to freeze when she saw Cloud and Tifa holding hands. Her little face turned pink. "Oh... sorry!"
Tifa instantly pulled her hand away, her entire face aflame, while Cloud's frown deepened.
"Marlene, don't run around like that!" Barret barked as he strode into the room, his expression grim. His gaze fell on Cloud. "You were already here?"
"Yeah," Cloud said flatly, letting out a sigh. "You know what... forget it."
Before anyone could react, Cloud slipped an arm firmly around Tifa's waist and pulled her against him. His lips crashed onto hers in a sudden, decisive kiss.
Tifa's eyes widened in shock, her whole body stiffening at first—but the warmth of his mouth, the strength of his grip, and the emotion pouring into that single moment melted her resistance. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum.
"Mmh..." A soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips as her eyes fluttered shut. Her hands, trembling at first, slowly rose to his shoulders before sliding around his neck, clinging to him as though afraid he might disappear again.
The kiss deepened. Cloud's hand pressed gently into the small of her back, holding her closer. For years he had kept his distance, convincing himself he wasn't ready, but now—now he couldn't stop. He tilted his head, savoring the taste of her, pouring every unspoken word and promise into the way his lips moved against hers.
Tifa felt her knees weaken, her entire body light as air. She had dreamed of this for so long, through nights of loneliness and worry, but the reality was overwhelming—better than she had ever imagined. Her fingers tightened in his hair, pulling him closer still, her soft moans muffled by his mouth.
Marlene squeaked, her small face burning red as she quickly turned away, covering her eyes with her hands.
Barret's jaw dropped for a second before hardening into a scowl. He muttered under his breath, then strode forward and scooped Marlene up into his arms, shielding her from the sight. "Too damn young for this..." he grumbled, stomping out of the room.
But Cloud and Tifa barely noticed. For them, the rest of the world had fallen away.
-
NEW WORLD - FINAL FANTASY VII ( AFTER THIS - DRAGON BALLS ]
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