A denial... And approval

The two entered Seventh Heaven, and Tifa made her way behind the bar.

"So. What can I get you?" She said with a sweet voice. One Cloud never really noticed. Had she always talked to him like that?

"Uh..." He stammered "Just... Whatever you have that's hard"

Tifa giggled and made her way to the side of the bar

"You got it"

She poured a couple drinks into a tumbler and began to shake them up. Clouds eyes instantly snapping to Tifa's breasts - watching them bounce up and down as she shook the tumbler in her hands, then pouring the contents into a glass for him.

"Order up!" She said cheerfully, sliding the glass to him.

"Uh.. yeah. Thanks" he said, snapping himself out of his daze.

"TIFA!" A voice boomed from behind, as Barrett entered with Wedge, Biggs, and Jessie in tow. Tifa nodded and rushed over, as four of them descended into Avalanche's hidden base.

Jessie, however, stayed behind, skipping over to Cloud.

"Heya Cloud" she said in her usual flirty voice, causing a particular shiver to run up his spine. She wasn't Tifa, but there was no denying how hot Jessie was

"So listen... I'm gonna try to talk them into bringing you along. And maybe get you a little raise" she said, carressing his shoulder "Kay?"

"Y-yeah.." he stammered "Sure. Whatever."

Jessie pumped her fist

"I knew it! I knew I'd break that frosty exterior!" She giggled. Cloud rolled his eyes and sighed

"Whatever.."

Jessie playfully stuck her tongue out at him and rushed for the pinball machine to join the others, while Cloud sipped his drink.

Shortly after, Tifa returned, sitting beside him at the bar.

"...everything okay?" He asked

"Y-yeah... It's fine." She replied, giving him a smile. Though, it was clearly one hiding sorrow

"Tifa.." he scolded. He could finally see the sadness in her. The book had, apparently, not only awoken his lust, but empathy too. "What happened?"

"We just... Had a little disagreement. That's all. So I won't be joining their next job" she said as she scooted around the bar.

"Did you want to?"

Tifa froze up

"I guess..."

Cloud twitched his lip. He didn't like seeing her like this. His mind had been filled with fantasy after fantasy of her since he wrote in the book, but now he just wanted her to be treated right.

Shortly after, Barret and the crew came back up as Barret approached Cloud

"Here's your pay, Merc. We won't be needing you for the next job." He huffed as he started to leave

"Hang on"

Barret stopped

"What if I want to come?"

Barrett looked back at him

"No charge... But I want a favor"

Barret's eyes narrowed

"Yeah? What's that?"

"Tifa comes along too"

Tifa's face lit up... As did Barrets

"Heh. I knew you had some loyalty in ya. Didn't think it'd be to Tifa though... But fine. You can come along"

Cloud looked around the room, seeing surprised faces from the others. He looked away.

He had to admit that all he REALLY wanted was time alone with Tifa... And maybe Jessie. But Avalanche was doing dangerous things. He needed them safe.

The Avalanch team partied through the night, with Cloud participating... Slightly. But he kept noticing a particular look from Tifa.

Eventually he went home. But right before bed, there was a knock on his door...