I know many of my readers will be unhappy because I’m not writing in my usual fandom, but yeah. This was too funny to pass. This fic was inspired by what Nojima said in an interview about the risqué line: “The plan was to have Cloud walk out of the Chocobo stable on board the Highwind, followed by Tifa leaving while checking around.” (alas, it was turned down DX).

It’s dedicated to the folks at the lifestream forums, for making me laugh so much in their threads, and to Danna – you should see how your idea melted in my fic! XD

“Words aren’t the only way to tell someone how you feel,” Tifa said, looking right in his eyes before casting her gaze down, a faint blush across her cheeks.

“...” Words, where had they gone again? He didn’t know how to put them together nor how to explain how he felt just a few seconds ago, and now her words were... Cloud wasn’t sure that his mind was working properly as the brunette looked at him again – wasn’t that in his imagination, like always? He nearly pinched himself, but Tifa got up, suddenly looking awfully awkward.

“Forget it, that was a stupid idea,” she whispered, hiding her face as she was going away.

He caught her wrist. He definitely wasn’t dreaming as he could feel her skin. That wasn’t a dream. That was Tifa. Tifa.

“Tifa,” he called her, getting up too.

She hesitated and finally faced him. She was always beautiful, but with the red that was now tinting her cheeks, she was breathtaking. He was so close to her that when he tilted his head, his lips brushed hers.

He wasn’t good with words – never had been – and he never had this kind of “talk” either with anyone, but his mind and body had always sought her. His first and only love, the one who knew and understood him the most – the only one who could help him when he was lost. Tifa.

And when all their friends had left, there was only the two of them, for what was going to be, maybe, just maybe, the last night they’d ever live? After all, Sephiroth was powerful – them winning against him wasn’t a given, far from it. If that was his last night alive, then, that was definitely how he wanted to spend it.

“Cloud?” It was then that he realized that he had been doing nothing but staring at her. There were many things that he wanted to tell her though, that he was sure of.

So, he bent down and kissed her, amazed to find her actually replying. Her soft lips parted, letting him explore her mouth with his tongue. At first, they weren’t so sure as to what to do and the kiss was full of awkwardness but he couldn’t help but feel more assurance and soon found himself wrapping his arms around her body, drawing her closer.

As his body started to react to the kiss, he became conscious that doing this in the middle of the airship wasn’t the brightest idea. There was no way he’d do that on the cold, hard floor. Regretfully, he broke the kiss and took her hand. “Come,” he said.

The closest place was... without thinking, he pushed the door and immediately, they were assaulted by the Chocobos’ familiar smell. The stable was empty though, as their friends had left with the creatures in order to travel faster around the world – and only lightened up by the day’s light that came through the porthole. Tifa was following him, her head tilted on to the side, wondering what he had in mind. He took a blanket that was laying there – one that they used to keep the Chocobos warm after a ride – and put it on the hay that was there. “Oh,” she said, understanding what he was doing. She let out a soft giggle. “Thank you, Cloud.”

He felt his cheeks warm up. “Isn’t it natural?” he asked, trying to overcome that bad habit of his to not talk.

“Mmh. I just didn’t think you’d be so thoughtful.” She smiled at him, and the hunger he felt for her became more urgent.

“Tifa,” he called her again, trapping her in his arms, resuming the action from before. She was going to put her arms around his neck when she stopped, bothered by something. Surprised, he stopped the kiss and raised an eyebrow. She unfastened his buster sword, which fell down on the floor with a clicking sound, quickly followed by his armour.

“There, much better,” she grinned.

He felt almost naked though – he was a warrior and usually, no one could separate him from his sword. “Mmh,” he thought aloud, “still not good.” He took his gloves off. “There, much better,” he repeated, suddenly feeling with his hands. Had her skin always been this soft? Tifa’s attire let so much skin show and yet, it was the first time that he could really feel it.

“Then, I should do the same.” He heard her own gloves falling on the floor and suddenly, her hands were on his neck, touching it lightly. Tingles ran through his body with each of her touches. Without saying a word, he lifted her up and made both of them fall on the blanket. Some blades of hay spread around as she cried in surprised. She giggled again as he crawled on top of her, gazing in her wine-coloured eyes. He was getting drunk from just staring at them, that had to be that.

He truly had no clue as to what to do next, but what he knew was that he wanted to feel her more. Feel with his fingers and his hands’ palms, feel with his lips. He didn’t aim for her mouth though, and kissed her face restlessly – her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, everything, he claimed everything. Hesitating a bit, he put his hand on her belly. “Can I?” he asked.

She put her hand under his shirt and asked back “Can I?”

He chuckled lightly and he strengthened up, getting rid of his straps and taking off his shirt in one swift motion. She sat up and stretched her arm, brushing his muscles gently. He wasn’t sure why, but even though he was now shirtless, the temperature seemed to go up. Then, she smiled and unfastened her straps. He watched her, mesmerized as her shirt landed next to his. Did he really deserve her? It was a bit too late to wonder though – his body wouldn’t allow him to try to do something stupid. He bent down to kiss her again, slower this time, enjoying both the kiss and the feeling of his fingers stroking her belly. He could feel her hands still discovering his torso, pressing more firmly than how she was at first.

Fever overtook him.

More, he needed more. But he was confronted with an unsolvable problem. Namely, her bra. He wondered how he could take it off, until his fingers found hooks. Mmh, this seems easy... However, he fumbled over the hooks – how was he supposed to open this? He wondered for a moment if he should just tear it, but he knew that Tifa would definitely not like that. “Cloud,” she called him, in an amused tone.

“Yeah?” He didn’t want to look her in the eyes. Her bra won over him? He pouted at the idea.

“Let me help you,” she grinned. She put her hands on her back and easily, the bra fell off. He didn’t know that a woman taking off her bra was so sexy.

“Thank you,” he said, his cheeks still a little hot from his mortification.

“You’re welcome.” It was her turn to be red from embarrassment, so he kissed her again, to make her forget that she was more than half-naked. Gently, he pushed her down, laying her down on the blanket again. His left hand seemed to have a mind of its own, as it slowly went up – and he realized, as it reached her breast, that the skin there was even softer. His lips left hers to find her neck. Surprised, she let out a sigh, her head turning on the side to give him a larger access. He smiled, proud of his new discovery, and spoiled her more.

She caught him off guard when her lips pressed soft kisses on his neck, in the same fashion that he was indulging her. He gasped – that was true, it did feel really good. His kisses left her neck for her breasts – her nipples were hard, he noticed, tempters, as if pleading for more? He wondered for a bit, before licking one, his fears being washed away by a soft moan. Had Tifa’s voice ever sounded that way? He switched to her other breast, earning more pleasured gasps. Her hands were in his hair, stroking it lightly, as if nodding in agreement with what he was doing.

His hands reached her belt and unfastened it, soon followed by her mini-skirt’s button and zip. While he got rid of them, he came across her boots. Patiently, he took them and her socks off, but he suddenly felt her hair brushing his face. “Unfair, unfair,” she grinned. “How come I’m nearly naked while you still have your pants on!”

He smiled and kissed her. “Forgiven?” he asked.

“Not yet,” she replied. Her hands were working on his belt and soon he felt free from his already too tight pants. “Mmh,” she said, considering his heavy boots.

“Let me get rid of that,” he grinned, following his proposition without waiting for her answer. He felt better after taking them off, but Tifa wasn’t done with him and soon she made his pants slide along his legs until all was left on him were his boxers. “So, forgiven?” he asked her again.

Her reply was a soft kiss – he couldn’t help but feel like smiling under her lips. And now, they were back to square one, with her under him, lying down on the blanket with the hay grating softly under their weight. It felt amazing, to be able to feel her skin with his own body – she was there, and that was all he was able to sense and focus on. And nothing else mattered.

Heavy pants, kisses and caresses – this was tantalizing. As was the need for more. Still more, he thought, trying to cool down by gazing down at her face – but the same fire was lit in her eyes.

An instant later, their underwear had joined their clothes. Apprehension took over – was it right? But Tifa erased it with one look. He had no clue about what to do, but his body seemed to know anyway. His hips moved on their own and in one thrust, he was inside of her. The mere thought made him blush a little – but at this point, it wasn’t like it held any importance. It was warm, wet, and a bit tight. It was Tifa. And he was tasting her in a way he’d never imagine he’d ever do.

Tifa gasped. She looked a bit surprised, and, at the same time, she was all flustered. “Are you alright?” he asked, a bit troubled.

She nodded. “Yeah... don’t worry,” she smiled.

The next few moves were definitely awkward as they tried to tune their movements with each other’s. And then, two rhythms melted into one, breaths became erratic, throats left out soft moans and groans, and sweat slid on bodies... it was utter bliss. Suddenly, she tensed up considerably, panting hard in his ear, her fingers stuck into his back. And then, it was too good, almost heavenly – everything blurred for a second and the urge he had to feel her finally cooled down.

He pressed a sweet kiss against her lips before leaving her and roll next to her. She snuggled against him and gently, he put one arm around her shoulders, drawing her even closer. Tiredness was now overcoming his body but, as he fell asleep, one question nagged at him in the back of his mind: had he been able to convey his feelings properly to Tifa?

He awoke before her – almost before dawn. He moved a bit, the arm where she was resting all numb. “Mmh, just a little bit more,” she said, half-asleep.

“Did I wake you?” he asked softly.

“It’s ok... Umm, can we stay a little bit more like this? It’s the last time...” He could barely see her face, but she definitely sounded a little bit embarrassed.

He knew what she was referring to. Sephiroth. His shadow kept hunting him, but this time, he realized that he didn’t want to die – he wanted to live, and to protect Tifa, their friends and the planet. This time, he had to fulfil his promise. “Yeah,” he replied, hugging her.

Morning came too soon, disrupting a moment that he didn’t want to end. But he knew that a hard fight was awaiting them. Maybe – probably – their last. “Good morning, Tifa,” he woke her up.

Surprised, she strengthened up immediately. “G... good morning, Cloud!”

Light was fully entering through the porthole, and he could see her nakedness in all her glory – if it hadn’t been for the fight they had to face soon, he would have definitely liked to do the same thing all over again. Catching his hungry stare, she protected her body with her hands. “Cloud!” she protested.

He pouted, but as he caught a brief glimpse of their clothes, he had an idea. He stole her panties – that was like déjà-vu – and grinned. “I’m keeping these as a trophy, in memory of last night then?”

“Cloud!”

She tried to reach for her panties, but before she managed, he caught her in his arms. “If not then, shall I keep Tifa?”

“Of... of course!” she replied, flustered.

He kissed her softly. “We need to go now,” he said regretfully.

She nodded. “Yeah...”

They dressed up and put back on their armours. “I’m going first,” he said. “Just in case the others are around.”

“Okay.”

He stepped out from the stable, relieved to see that their friends weren’t still there; a moment after, Tifa followed, looking around cautiously, as if she had done something stupid and didn’t want to be caught, just like a kid would do.

He grinned proudly.