Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ New Love ❯ Chapter 17

New Love

 

Chapter 17

 

“Now I see why people hate Mondays,” Cloud said under his breath as he pushed the close door button in the elevator. Tifa would be home from the airport that afternoon, and he had to face up to her and what would likely be the end of their relationship. Cloud had spent most of Sunday wandering the apartment in a daze, contemplating his life and the two women in it.

 

He had to turn things around. He wasn't happy, he could admit that now, and it was up to him to change that. The first thing to do was solve his love problems. That was the most pressing issue he had to concern himself. Afterwards, he had to deal with Rufus and Shinra. They were ruining his life, Cloud had realized. He had come home far too often in a bad mood because of the hell Rufus put his through. His employment problems came second. After that…Cloud wasn't sure. He'd not thought that far ahead, he had enough concerns with already.

 

The elevators slid open, and Cloud walked down the hall to his office. He fished out his keys and yawned as he began to unlock the door. Suddenly, someone hit him from behind, and Cloud let out a cry as a pair of hands clamped over his eyes.

 

“Guess who!” the person behind him laughed. Cloud thought for a moment, and let out a small groan. He knew that voice.

 

“Well, it's either the cold clammy hands of Death…or, it's Yuffie.”

 

“It's Yuffie!” the hands pulled back, and Cloud turned around to see the brunette grinning up at him.

 

“Dammit,” Cloud muttered. “What are you doing here?”

 

“Well that Aeris girl who replaced me called in sick on Sunday. They got the message this morning and told me to come over to replace her for the week since I have experience here.”

 

“Aeris is sick?” Cloud asked, concerned.

 

“Well not really, according to my boss the message said she had personal problems.”

 

“Oh,” Cloud said, going back to unlocking the door.

 

“So, how are you two getting along?” Yuffie asked, following Cloud inside. “You two alright together?”

 

“Mostly, now. At first we kinda clashed a little bit, had a little argument about desk decorations. And she had a little problem with her paycheck on her second day.”

 

“Oh really?” Yuffie teased. “Paycheck huh? You're not screwing her I hope?” Cloud's face went red as he began to unlock the second door to his office.

 

“Whatever,” he mumbled.

 

“What, what I say?” Yuffie cried. Cloud let out a breath as the door to the office swung open.

 

“Long, long, complicated story.”

 

“Does it end with sex?” Yuffie asked.

 

“Actually, yes.”

 

“Whoa…I'm listening.”

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“So…you flushed your life as you know it down the crapper.”

 

“Pretty much,” Cloud nodded. Yuffie shook her head and looked down at the blond at the desk in front of her, hands on her hips.

 

“Wow. I leave you for less than a month and your life turns to hell. You really can't take care of yourself can you?” she said.

 

Trying to take care of myself is what got me into this mess,” Cloud said fiercely. “I started thinking on my feet and listening to my own opinions instead of everyone else's. And it feels damn great to finally assert myself.”

 

“Testify, brother,” Yuffie nodded. “About time that hamster you call a brain jumped back inside the wheel. This means you're quitting Shinra?”

 

“I don't know, probably, but that can wait. Tifa's coming home tonight and I am not looking forward to that confrontation.”

 

“What you gonna do then?”

 

“Assuming she leaves me alive, I'm going to try and sort out my feelings and come to a decision. As blunt as it is, I have to choose one of them.”

 

“Do you love either of them?”

 

“I love both of them, Yuffie. If I didn't love both of them then this would be a lot easier.”

 

“Good point,” Yuffie nodded. She thought for a moment, then grabbed a pen and a slip of scrap paper from Cloud's desk.

 

“What are you doing?” Cloud asked as Yuffie wrote. “What is that?”

 

“My phone number,” Yuffie said, handing him the paper.

 

“Yuffie, you're cute in a way, but I'm not gonna…”

 

“Don't flatter yourself, mister,” Yuffie scowled. “Not all your secretaries wanna bang you. If you need help, call me. A place to stay or someone to talk to, just call. I can throw a couple pillows on the couch, no biggie.”

 

“Thanks,” Cloud replied, folding the paper into his pocket. Yuffie was silent for a moment, then grinned.

 

“So….how was she?”

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Cloud clasped his hands over his mouth as he waited. Tifa had called fifteen minutes ago from the airport, she was due home any minute. Cloud had spent those fifteen minutes contemplating what to say. None of the options that presented themselves were all that nice, but they still had to be said.

 

There was a jingle, and Cloud lifted his head as the heard the door to the apartment unlock.

 

“I'm home!” Tifa called, walking inside and setting her suitcase down. “Cloud?”

 

“I'm here,” Cloud said quietly.

 

“It went great,” Tifa continued, walking into the living room. “The judges told Zangan they'd…” Tifa stopped as she noticed the blank look on Cloud's face. “What's wrong?” she asked.

 

“I have to tell you something,” Cloud whispered, closing his eyes.

 

“What is it, is everything okay?” Tifa asked, sitting down beside him. Cloud's eyes clenched as Tifa put a hand on his shoulder.

 

“No, I…I did something…while you were gone,” he said. “I…I…I slept, with someone.” The hand on Cloud's shoulder tensed, and Cloud opened his eyes. Tifa looked down at the floor.

 

“Oh…” she said simply. Cloud took a deep breath. She looked crushed. He didn't blame her. “Who was it?” Tifa asked.

 

“Aeris.”

 

“Oh.” The two sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the distant, slow tick of the clock on the wall behind them.

 

“I'm sorry,” Cloud said, turning his head towards her.

 

“I know…” Tifa nodded. “I suppose this is as much my fault as it is yours.”

 

“What?” Cloud asked, giving her a confused look. He hadn't expected something like that.

 

“I don't know, Cloud,” Tifa sighed, lifting a hand to her forehead. “I just…maybe we've gone about this relationship all wrong. I've always tried to be there for you, but sometimes you're not there at all.”

 

“What are you talking about, I've always been around,” Cloud protested.

 

“No you haven't,” Tifa said softly. “You were always reading a book, or watching television, or just sitting and staring into space. It's funny, in a sad way…we've known each other our whole lives, lived together for years, and it still feels like I don't know you sometimes. I can ask you directly what you're thinking and I still have no idea what's on your mind.”

 

“I…I'm sorry,” Cloud said, lowering his eyes. He'd never known Tifa felt that way sometimes. He knew he was a bit distant lately, but had he really been neglecting his girlfriend like she said? How could he not have noticed? This life he lead with her…was that just an illusion he hadn't seen through?

 

“Don't be, it's just who you are. I accepted that a long time ago,” Tifa replied. “I don't blame you for it Cloud, but it still makes things difficult.” Tifa fell silent again for a moment. “Why…why did you sleep with her?”

 

“I'm in love with her,” Cloud answered. “But, Tifa…I still love you. I do.”

 

“I believe you…but that's not enough, is it?”

 

“I don't know.” Cloud stood up and moved to the window overlooking the street below. “Tifa, this life I've built…I'm not happy with it. It's not what I really want.”

 

“Am I included in that life you don't want?”

 

“I can't answer that.”

 

“Can't, or don't want to?”

 

“A bit of both.”

 

Tifa nodded and licked her lips. She looked over at Cloud, who still had his back to her, and walked up to him.

 

“What happens now?” she asked.

 

“I need time. I do love you Tifa, but…Aeris, I can't walk away from her just yet. This is new to me, and I'm still trying to figure out how to handle it.”

 

“That's fair I guess.” Tifa leaned forward and put her forehead against Cloud's back, closing her eyes. “I just want you to be happy, Cloud. And I want it to be with me, but if that can't happen…” Cloud turned, and Tifa lifted her head.

 

“Do you, you know…want me to leave?” he asked.

 

“I won't kick you out Cloud. But if you wanted to I wouldn't stop you.”

 

“Okay…I'll go.”

 

“You have a place to stay?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Cloud thought for a moment, and wrapped his arms around Tifa, hugging her. Tifa closed her eyes and let a few tears slip out into Cloud's shirt.

 

“I never wanted to hurt you,” he whispered.

 

“I believe you,” Tifa said.

 

“Do you hate me?”

 

“No…it wouldn't be this difficult if I did.”

 

Cloud stepped back and went down the hallway to their bedroom. He stopped at the doorway and sighed. Their bedroom…for now, at least. Cloud moved to the closet to grab a suitcase, and slowed as he heard muffled sobs from the living room. He withdrew the small suitcase matching the one in the hallway, and turned to the nightstand and picked up the phone. He took the folded paper from his pocket and dialed the number on it.

 

“Yo, it's Yuffie.”

 

“Yuffie, Cloud. Can I take you up on that couch offer?”

 

This story is nearing its end, five or fewer chapters to go depending on how I write them.