#carrythat

( a kiss on the cheek out of the blue | @carrythat )

gives a smoochum on the cheek

she hated it when they separated. she knew it was a necessity–––– they had always been a big group of travelers, but now she found herself wondering how they covered as much ground as they did every day–––– but that didn't lessen her disapproval. they had a lot to do before leaving town, & it just wasn't possible for them all to move together. if nothing else, it would be nice to get to catch up with barret one––––on––––one for a little while. she hadn't had the opportunity to check on him in far too long.

the groups were beginning to disperse, & tifa watched their backs as they moved ahead to the fork in the path. the tail end of barret & yuffie's playful argument had everyone's amused attention.

well, almost everyone's.

even if she hadn't had her eyes on the group, tifa would have known without a doubt that it was cloud who had approached her. she knew his footsteps, his shadow, his presence–––– it was all but instinct now. his closeness was a comfort, so she didn't bat an eye when he stood a bit closer than usual. she simply sent a smile in his direction before continuing to watch their companions.

with everyone in good spirits, it was easy for tifa to feel relaxed. to take in the moment. her guard was down, & that was why cloud's sudden gesture was such a surprise.

❛ oh. ❜

a hand at her waist. lips pressed against her cheek. she hardly had time for a soft, surprised gasp before it was over, & all she could see was the back of cloud's head as he moved forward to end the argument himself. she lingered. still. the ghost of his touch on her skin & ​​​​​​​ unable to see from where she stood if there was any redness on his face like she knew there was on her own.

it was a wave from barret that had her moving. there was no time to return the gesture, nor could she complete it with the same stealth that he had. there were eyes on them now, & she had no desire to spend the rest of the day suffering questions & ​​​​​​​ teasing. so she settled for something simpler. her fingers laced with his as she passed, her hand squeezing his own before she let him go. she tried to sound as casual as she could, but there was a bit too much laughter in her tone, her simple words tinged with hope & promise.

( 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 ♡ | @carrythat )

"you always know how to make me smile."

she could no longer remember what she'd said. a joke? some story from the past? she had intended to cheer him up, that much she remembered. their companions had spread out, gathering supplies & preparing for another night under the clear sky, leaving them to tend to the evening's meager meal. it was easy cooking, as it was nearly every night, making it easy for her to keep up conversation.

tifa wouldn't have been surprised if she'd been smiling herself, lost in whatever tale she'd been weaving until she'd turned her head to find him watching her. he seemed relaxed in a way she couldn't recall seeing unless there were four sturdy walls around him.

& he was smiling. the man notorious for his stern expressions, for fighting back any look that might ruin his soldier persona, was smiling as though it was the most natural thing in the world for him. it was small & simple, but there was no doubt about it: tifa had accomplished her mission. she just hadn't expected it to affect her just as much as him.

❛ yeah, well––––. ❜

there was no hiding her own smile, not that she had ever been good at such a thing in the first place. but it had turned from the bright, reminiscing expression to something softer to match his own. she couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head before she continued.

❛ you really make me work for it sometimes. ❜

.... leans against him. ⸻ @carrythat .

the silence had found a home between them ; somewhere comfortable , existing in each other's presence . it breaks only when the seldom brush of a page folds over another , or when the ball point of his pen scratches ink over the paper of his notebook . cloud's company brings him peace , and he'd risk the chaos of coming home late for the tenderness of moments spent studying alongside him . he thinks quietly , smiling to himself , this is the reason he's alive . the reason he's lived through every trial of illness that threatens him with its mercilessness . he is so fond of the man who sits across from him , and he watches him from time to time when he is busied with his phone or otherwise lost in thoughts . while he fears his own company may prove excruciatingly boring , he savors the moment so greatly , he finds it hard to interrupt .

he scoots himself closer to cloud , shifting his books beside him and atop the sheets they sit , and finds comfort in a few more inches worth of closeness . the tip of his pen presses idly against his lower lip and it's cool to the touch . a brief flicker of his imagination ignites when he thinks about how cloud's lips might feel , but he puts the thought aside as his cheeks flush slightly . how embarrassing . if cloud could see his thoughts , he'd never live it down , he thinks .

and then , as if on cue , soft hair tickles his cheek as the warmth and weight of the other unfolds against his shoulder . he forgoes the books , the papers , the pen , wrapping one arm over his shoulder and pulling him closer . he invites him into his space and closes his eyes in welcome comfort . his fingers curl into his hair , and he twirls sections of it as he pulls his hand away , returning each time to gently touch him again , to wrap himself in him . his heartbeat quickens slightly , but he relishes in it . all is in its right place , save for the guilt the rests delicately against his chest .