a recent flurry of activity --

[beatrush]

You sure have my work cut out for me, huh? Well, let's get to it, then. No slacking!

... oh, all right. After you get some sleep. But I'm not planning on letting anyone down this time, you hear me?

Comments

:3

[findmyownreason]

You haven't let anyone down.

:D

[beatrush]

[ A quiet, rueful little laugh. ]

I've let you down the most.

[findmyownreason]

- Tifa?

[he's pretty sure it's the other way around]

[beatrush]

[ Maybe that didn't come out right -- ]

Well, for starters, I've been making you wait so long.

[findmyownreason]

[oh.

Is that all? That's okay then.]

I don't mind. I've waited longer.





[does 'since they were kids' count?]

[beatrush]

I mind, though. If I had it my way, we'd --

[ Pauses. ] You've waited longer? For what?


[ Tifa Lockhart, folks, missing the point since ... well, since they were kids. ]

[findmyownreason]

[for what?

you know for what

or... maybe she doesn't if she has to ask. So - he should say it. Right? Because they're okay now - or - getting okay - or not okay but he's going to make it okay. So he should say it. Because that's what he should do. Because he's going to do things right from now on. This time.

Right.]

Stuff.






[that was...


stupid.]

you.

[beatrush]

[ And here she'd been thinking of something completely different. Like waiting in line for some groceries. ]

For me?

[ Okay, no, that was a -- stupid response. She shakes her head. Of course Cloud's been waiting for her, she's been away for so long.

...

That is the kind of waiting he means, right? Not the other kind.

... oh. Maybe -- ? ]

I, I'm sorry about that. [ It comes out a little flustered, a little confused (at herself). ]

got to go now but I'll be back ;)

[findmyownreason]

It's okay.

[obviously she understood exactly what he meant. Because if she didn't that would mean he'd have to explain and there's no way he could do that without messing it up. So that means things are perfectly clear now.

Yep.

Perfectly.

But there is the hint of a little boy smile, both bashful and pleased.]

I didn't mind.

alas, i had to run off as well ;;

[beatrush]

[ For a moment, Tifa's at a loss for what to say, still wondering if she wasn't getting it.

Then there's that little smile of his, and everything falls into place, and, yeah, she gets it. (She thinks.) Tifa's own warm smile is instinctive in response as she relaxes and takes a few small steps closer. ]

I'm really lucky, huh.

[ Oh hey, what's that? Is that her pinky finger reaching out and linking with Cloud's, tugging playfully at it? Yep, it is. ]

To have someone who'd wait for me.

[findmyownreason]

[Her smile makes his grow just a little bit more too and he relaxes. Yeah. They're okay. The playful tugging is -

he takes a couple of shuffling steps closer in response. His chin sinks closer to his chest but the smile stays put. His other fingers test, reaching for hers.]

Yeah.

Guess I'm kinda lucky too.

[beatrush]

Kinda.

[ Said teasingly, her fingers responding to his own, linking their hands gently together. She's about to say that she's luckier, though -- could probably make a case for it, considering recent events (her mun failing all over the place, ahem), but decides to just enjoy the moment and leave it at that. ]

[findmyownreason]

[Cloud's fine with just enjoying the moment. When it comes to important things like this, he's much better if he doesn't try to use words. Tifa's happy and when she's happy like that, he knows he's done something right for a change.

Feels good, man.

And a quick glance around - yeah, they're alone. He's going to tug her a little closer, seeing how far she'll let him go. He can wait forever. Doesn't mean he hasn't missed what having her in his life feels like.]

[a_la_turk]

That's a good attitude to have.

[beatrush]

Glad to meet someone else who agrees!