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“…Are you lost, baby girl?” Tifa ignored the deep-throated accent.Instead, she kept her cheek firmly planted in the palm of her hand, eyes facing forward. Briefly, she glanced upward, taking in the colossal water feature that stood before her, all thirty feet of back-plated and beautifully cut tile, in-laid with lapis lazuli, milk-white porcelain, and flecked with bits of gold that shone in the light. Beyond the concierge desk, crystal blue water trickled down and around the resort’s massive “Gran Cielo” name motif that sparkled in the atrium sun.Gods did this place look expensive.She gave a quick glance to her side, scrunching her eyes as she playfully glared. For a second, she hid her mouth with her palm, but caved the moment Reno nudged her side. Grinning, she shook her head, both of them just so giddy to see their room. One year. They’d been together for one year.Still gazing at him, she parroted the words right back to him. Same bass tone they’d heard before, maybe even better than his. Somehow, they hadn’t exhausted those five words though they’d pained Tifa mere hours ago back on the plane.Right before they’d flown out of Edge, Tifa was parched for time. Forced to make one too many decisions, she’d downloaded this new series to watch in transit. In place of LOVELESS, she’d sprung for Year One, a trilogy that promised gritty action and “wholesome love”. The title alone was fitting given their one-year anniversary. Yuffie even suggested it, which… should have been the first sign. Thirty minutes in and the first film was atrocious. Cursed sex scenes and stale tropes all clenched the notion that Tifa had made a mistake. Audibly, people around her kept hearing her murmur the word, “ew…”, that peppered with her stifled laugh. Had the flight not been eight hours, she would have tossed her device to the side and turned to Reno, but she needed him to sleep given the late night he just pulled at the office right before they left town. Damn you, Yuffie.Feeling as if she had little to no options, Tifa soldiered on. But then, halfway through the second film, Reno stole an earbud. Shit, he’s awake… The second he listened in Tifa stared hard at the screen. She knew he had no idea what this was, far from the action and chick flicks they’d both sat through well within the past year. Tifa avoided his gaze out of shame which Reno mistook for deep interest. He tried to watch it with her. Minutes later, the movie’s love interest uttered those five words, “Are you lost, baby girl?”, to a visibly shaken protagonist who made it very clear that she’d been kidnapped.Reno winced. He wasn’t following. Tifa peered over at his reaction and each one he made thereafter. He wouldn’t stop frowning. Why would she watch this? It was terrible.Still, neither of them said anything, at least… at least until that one scene.Both of their heads cocked to the side the moment two people smeared each other with cheese foam. These weren’t even the main people – NO, they were two secondary and tertiary characters now eating room-temperature dairy products and wilted (albeit strategically placed) fruit off the other one’s body. This ‘thing’ they’d been watching the whole time (that’d been masquerading as a “movie”) was easily the worst softcore porn they’d ever seen.Reno’s face was disturbed.“…What the fuck is this?” he asked.Tifa hid her face the moment she shut the screen.…Happy anniversary.Back in the lobby, Tifa tapped her lips as she watched him grin. Leaning in, the pair kissed, right when the concierge returned from the back.“Your suite is ready!” the man declared, holding up two sleaved key cards with ‘Del Sol’ beautifully inscribed on both covers.Tifa reached for hers first, immediately ejecting it from its case. The card was heavy, pink-infused with a gilded rose-toned dolphin that mimicked her grin in gold.She turned to Reno, “What did you get?”Reno beamed. “Leviathan,” he said, holding up a black card with a muted silver sparkle.Both of them unintentionally ignored the very helpful man still standing before them, so the concierge cleared his throat.“Please…” the man said. He seemed desperate, “Do not lose those.”He looked at the pair in all seriousness as he spoke, “Not only are they your room keys but they are tied to any transactions you’ll make and/or services you request throughout your stay. Should you lose them, please circle back here for replacements and to review your transactions. There’s always a chance that someone has picked it up–” The man veered away from finishing that last statement.
…As if that sort of thing had happened?
“I know you both are very anxious to see your room…” The man’s voice withered on an upbeat. Pointing, he motioned to his left, “Ahead, you’ll find the elevators that will take you straight up to your floor. The bellmen confirmed that all of your luggage has been brought up, but please, if you need anything, do call. We are completely at your service!”Reno clinked his room key along the endless quartz counter right when his eyes flashed to Tifa. “Thanks,” he said, already wrapping his arm around her to move them forward.“Oh!” the concierge said, practically yelling at them the second they stepped away. “Dinner at five! Any information you need on the private beach, pools, spa, exercise rooms–”“Yeah, yeah, it’s all in the brochure!” Reno said, more than ten feet away with Tifa now pulling him.They looked like two kids in love when they crossed the lobby. Halfway there Tifa practically skipped in her sandals all while Reno grinned and watched her glow. All around them the hotel bustled. That new fresh feeling of the building being fully packed and operational (at the height of winter season no less) wouldn’t stop radiating from the matte white paint that coated the walls and ceilings. Every other person who stepped foot through the main entrance was still carting the same jacket they’d shed the moment they stepped off the plane. All of them looking forward to guaranteed warmth and time spent away, no different from Reno and Tifa.Planning on a repeat of what they experienced from that past summer, they were betting on five days of Costa Del Sol bliss to mark their momentous occasion. Before, they’d always celebrated what time they’d been together as a monthly thing. Nice dinner here, blow-out birthday brunch there, quick day trip here, so on and so forth. The first time they’d gone to Costa had been specific to their six-month mark which Reno suggested on a whim. He’d hoped and prayed that Tifa would take him up on the offer, and when she did he was ecstatic. Immediately, he’d booked a hotel half a mile from where they were now, at a different resort that likewise kissed the beach. Every day they’d fall out on the sand, intermittently leaving for food or sex, and then doing it all over again well into dusk. They’d spent a whole week there six months ago with Reno having Tifa all to himself, which was heaven.Tifa never had a problem keeping Reno all to herself back home, but it’d been quite the opposite for him. In Edge, forcing Tifa’s attention away from the bar, commitments to the kids, or every other person in her orbit all jockeying for her time and energy had been hard. Out here though? She was all his.So, of course, this go-round he’d do it up right, fully willing and ready to pull out all the stops. He’d been convinced that the first time they were there had been what propelled them through the rest of that year. What miscommunication, blips from their past, and other relationship woes had sloughed off the second they stepped foot on that beach. He was eager to stoke that same magic again.He remembered seeing construction on the Gran Cielo resort the last time they were there when they took that final walk on the beach. All around the property’s perimeter, a sign promised the “absolute pinnacle in vacation luxury” which Reno remembered and was intrigued. Six months later, here they were, stuck in the lobby with the elevator descending down. Tifa glanced towards the atrium and its wall of wave-inspired windows. Swirls of ombre blues and greens ceaselessly reached for the sky– “Tell me you didn’t spend a fortune on this place,” she whispered. She peered down at the shiny pink card she clutched in her hand and sighed, right as Reno moved in to kiss her cheek. He’d never tell her the gil amount he’d dropped on this place, nor any other amount he’d spent for things he’d done or gifted her in the past. Instead, he shrugged, uttering the same line he’d graced her with all year: “You can’t take it with you.” ‘It’ being money and ‘with you’ being when you died.She sighed. She didn’t appreciate his laissez-faire approach to life sometimes, nor any adage she found neither insightful nor witty.“No… but you can leave it for other people…” she said.“People like who?” he asked. He peered in her direction, wanting to watch her say it and guessing that he knew.Tifa rolled her eyes. As expected. “People like your children,” she said, gazing at him from her side.He smirked. “And who the fuck would want to have kids with me?” Coyly, Tifa shook her head when the door chimed open. She’d table the issue. There was far too much happening in the present to bog herself down with the past or future. She thought it was sweet when he did things for her but found it impossible to respond quite on the level that he had. Namely because of money. She’d been living comfortably those past few years thanks to Edge’s economy being on the rise, still, nothing like him. Working that high up at Shinra absolutely had its perks and although Reno would never hold whatever financial disparities they had against her, it didn’t stop her from feeling a certain way.They hopped on the glass-encased elevator the moment he said it, “This is my love language you know?”Tifa made a half-hearted grin, watching him swipe his key card on the door panel next to the glowing placard that read ‘PH suites’.“I gift you things and then you, with your love language, shower me with compliments, like, ‘Oh wow, my boyfriend? He’s so amazing’. ‘He does all these nice things for me’, ‘Gods, I love him so much’…”Her eyes darted away the second they left the ground. For a moment she smiled, remembering the chat Elena had with him over drinks one night at Seventh Heaven. The woman was deep in the cups and started discussing all the self-help books she’d read that year, this while he remained seated beside her and half-listened. She’d hit on a few key notes before walking him through the love languages, which to this, he wouldn’t stop laughing. Tifa was behind the bar that night, increasingly worried for his safety when Elena held up a glass. She looked like she wanted to brain him with it. So fed up with his cynicism though, Elena kicked the stool out from underneath him instead – “I’m trying to make you a better person, you piece of shit!”Despite all the scrutiny he had back then, Tifa noticed he still found moments where Elena’s wisdom seemed to shine. It was cute. And, sure, she could pay him a compliment… “You know, Reno… I love when you talk in that voice. Especially when you do that thing with your hands? It… it’s just so me.”He snapped his gaze on her with a cocky grin. His arms fell back to his sides and were no longer waving. “It’s like looking in a mirror, isn’t it?” he asked. He drew his arms up this time to hold her close, watching her grin turn to a giggle.She reached up to grab his chin when he wrapped his arms around her. “If you wanted a cheerleader you could have found one better,” she whispered.“Yeah, but you’re my cheerleader.” Playfully, he pouted, “Tell me Yuffie packed you some pom-poms.”To this, Tifa craned her head back and groaned. “Gods…I hope not.” So… as soon as Yuffie caught wind of their trip, she was screaming. The little ninja poured over the resort’s website, anxious for Tifa to “look the part” and “show up all those fancy-ass, rich, wannabe motherfuckers!” Tifa was gonna knock ‘em dead, Yuffie thought, like some high school-inspired social experiment, laced with arsenic and hopped up on buckets of pigs’ blood about to rain down at the senior prom. Cue the inferno.Aside from what Yuffie thought of the 1%, part of her motivation had been by how bored she was of Tifa’s pictures from last time. After viewing, she’d scolded Tifa, “why didn’t you wear that thing I bought you?” and “that bathing suit is hideous!”, just because it was monotone and covered two nipples. Yuffie demanded to pack Tifa’s bag this time IF she agreed to watch the bar (she was going to do it anyway). And so, the same night Tifa innocently downloaded that horrendous film series, Yuffie laid waste to her wardrobe. Dragging clothes up from the depths of Tifa’s closet, Yuffie crowed, “Go suck face with your boyfriend” to Tifa who promptly confirmed he was working. Yuffie paused but then threw her arms up instead. “Then… go hang out with Johnny!” She needed time alone to build what she envisioned a true beach-inspired wardrobe to be, which was dangerous.Suddenly downstairs, every now and then in the bar below, Tifa and Johnny heard Yuffie cackle in Tifa’s room from above.“Are you scared?” Johnny asked, still helping Tifa stock and clean before her departure.In response, Tifa held her face, knowing then that she should be, “…I’m terrified.”Eventually, Yuffie came down, dragging a massive black duffle that hit every step along the way. Lovingly, Johnny dubbed it “the body bag”.“Do not open this,” Yuffie instructed. She was pointing to the oblong unknown resting on the floor. She wanted everything to be a surprise. “Not until you get there… and don’t worry…” she looked absolutely vile, “Reno won’t be mad.”That duffle, along with Reno and Tifa’s other gear, was now patiently waiting for them in their room.Reno chuckled, “I can’t wait to see what she packed you…” He cast his eyes toward the elevator door the second it opened, already grabbing her hand to lead them out. “It has to be on this side…” he said, scanning the hallway for their suite, “Ocean view…”Finally, there on the end, there it was: PH-01.“Bingo.”They stood before the door now, right as Reno held out his hand, “You first?”Tifa grinned, “Have to make sure it works, right?”One swipe of her key card and they heard the metal “click”.Had it been Reno, he might have kicked the door open, but it was Tifa, so she opened it like tissue paper, “Whoa…”For a suite, it felt palatial. White filigreed coffered ceilings above, plush carpet below, and a sweeping panorama of the beach and ocean view stretched across two walls, given that the space was a corner unit. Beyond the windows was a wrap-around terrace that immediately drew Tifa in. She floated right past her bags and the other amenities; kitchen, wet bar, stupid TV, and inviting seating area… She didn’t know or care if the unit had a bed or bathroom, the outside was everything. She went up to the first wall of windows to move the sliding glass door, then realizing the whole thing opened as three separate and massive moving glass panels. She was both amazed and pissed at Reno. He had to have spent a fortune. “This is insane,” she whispered. She moved all three panels to the side to let the breeze in.“I want to keep this open,” she said. She hadn’t looked back at Reno ever since she walked in, so she missed him smiling and chuckling at her throughout her discovery.“Might have to shut it at night…” he said, “It’s still that time of year. Gets chilly the second the sun goes down.” He followed her outside where she plopped down on an oversized daybed. The wicker furniture came with a gauzy wrap-around curtain and light-filtering canopy that swayed in the breeze. The sun was shining just past the awning, illuminating her face the moment she laid back.“We should sleep out here…” she said. “We can grab the comforter off the bed and watch the stars. Like old times?” With the sun on her face, she peeked over at him as he sat down beside her.“Whatever you want to do,” he said. “This the only thing you like?” he asked.She laughed as she shut her eyes, “No, but it might be the best part.” The sun felt so good. So different from the chill back home. No sea breeze nor salt air back there, not like here. It was healing.“We gonna fuck out here?” he asked.Tifa grinned. Of course he would ask. “Only if you can be quiet,” she said.“Oh, I’m the loud one?” His eyes were busy scoping the place out. None of the other suites could see them from the adjacent units or from down below. Even from the beach or ocean, they were so high up that they could see everyone but there was no way anyone could see them. “I need to take a shower,” Tifa said, already getting up and reaching for his arm to join. “I smell like the plane, and I hate it.”This triggered his memory, “Are you lost, baby girl–”“Stop.” She released his arm, waving hers in his face as she laughed, “Stop.”Playfully, he cocked his head to the side. “It was your movie…” Already, she’d turned to head inside, for which he got up and followed. He made a beeline for the bags she was now hoisting up to help cart into the bedroom with her. “It wasn’t my movie,” she groaned. She was dragging Yuffie’s big black duffle along with another bag she’d slung over her back, “It was Yuffie’s idea…I swear.”“Whatever,” he said, “That girl’s a freak… and you watched it.”He went back to the common room to bring the last of the bags back with him. Dropping them by the foot of the bed, he glanced around the room before turning to the master bath with Tifa undressing inside. In seeing her, he grinned, feeling her draw him in like a tractor beam. He was already working to remove his clothes as he walked behind her, her now fully nude.“Hi,” he whispered into her back, in case she forgot he was there.“You’re so brave…” she muttered. She was putting her hair up when he squeezed her breasts and kissed her shoulders from behind. “I feel so gross…”She turned to kiss him. Initially, she draped her arms over his shoulders, then moving her hands up to clutch his hair when he deepened their kiss. They hadn’t been there for half an hour, and he was throbbing against her.“I’d let you know if you were gross,” he said, “Besides, pretty sure that’s impossible.”She nipped his jaw and grinned, then turning to the glass shower that might have been the same size as her tiny bathroom back home. Everything about this place was all about visuals and visibility – glitz and glamour, optics and opulence. Again, he did too much, and she’d learn how to deal.“You’re sweet,” she whispered, pulling him close, “Now come help me.”-----Thirty minutes later postcoital, Reno was laid up on the bed and ready to doze off. Jet lag, sex, and his garbage work/life/sleep balance had been horribly off those past few days. End-of-year wrap-up items and work commitments had him eager for full-on vacation mode.Tifa lightly thumped her hand on the bed beside him. “Hey,” she whispered, “Let’s do dinner.”Adjusting himself on the bed, Reno was slow to rub his face into the pillows just to stir. “Okay,” he yawned.He turned his gaze to the side, watching Tifa, half-dressed, slowly unpack Yuffie’s black bag as she held up different clothes.“What’s the damage?” he asked.“Mmm… Not bad?” She was mostly relieved and still rifling through one side, “Some of the bathing suits are wild though…”Still laid up, Reno’s brow furrowed. “Oh yeah?” He drew himself up a little to rest on one elbow, “Like what?”Tifa chuckled. She grabbed something off the floor in a small pouch, just before she stood up.“Wait here,” she said.She slinked back into the bathroom as Reno rolled off the bed. He put on some clothes and transitioned to a desk nook just a few feet away, taking a seat in the chair and telling himself he’d be up and dressed for dinner next as he craned his head back.“Reno…” Slowly, he swiveled in her direction, patiently waiting for her reveal.“…So, this… this is the first swimsuit.”The moment Tifa stepped out, Reno’s head snapped.Eyes wide, either this was Yuffie’s idea of a joke, or she really thought this was acceptable garb. The word ‘micro bikini’ made whatever Tifa was wearing sound like a one-piece. The spaghetti-thin straps were black with the tiniest black fabric patches covering her nips and most of her vag. She looked good.Reno stared.“…Will you get arrested?”Tifa shook her head with her arms out, “I… I don’t know–”“Are those your nipples?”Reno pointed to her breasts. There wasn’t much color variation between her skin tone and the tiny polygons holding on for dear life.“…Oh… oh my god…” she said. “They’re sheer. Why would she do this?”Tifa continued to look down at this “figment” of a swimsuit.“Tifa… if you breathe too hard your labia might fall out.” She couldn’t tell if he was concerned or thought this was funny. “Are you sure it’s a bathing suit?” he asked.“Reno, she labeled it.” She held out the pouch the thing came in. There on the front, in masking tape and Yuffie’s scrawl with an emoji, it read ‘bathing suit 😉’.“…Why on Gaia would she pack this?” Tifa whispered.“I mean… I like it,” Reno said. He swiveled his chair back and forth as he looked her over, “I’m gonna punch everyone in the face who looks at you, but I like it.”Tifa laughed. “I don’t even think I can wear this on the terrace…”“Yeah… it might blow away.”She shot Reno a grin, and instantly, he knew. “Please try it on,” she asked.He laughed and swung his chair wide, giving her his answer from side to side, “What, and give my nuts a wedgie? No, thank you.”She giggled as she came near. This was her steady way of asking. Instantly he smiled back, recognizing her gesture and already holding up his hands to stop her. He tried to push the chair away for distance, but it was too late, “…I’ll only do it if you take a picture and send it to Yuffie.”Tifa laughed, “Okay! She’ll make you her background picture for life–”Well, fuck. “Oh no! I can’t do it then!”Tifa reached for his hands, ready to fight him if she had to. She planted a knee in between in legs to stop his swivel. She looked so domineering when she did it, too, casting a shadow high above him as she gleamed. Basically, the woman of his dreams, “nylon pasties” edition. Thanks, Yuffie(?)“Please?” her voice was sweet, “I’m begging.”Between Tifa’s pleading face, her tits straining through “mesh yarn”, and her leg now pressing into the center of his crotch (that she’d kindly serviced earlier), of course, he gave in.“…Can I get shit-faced first?”“YES!” she screamed, “Does that mean you’re ready for dinner?” She jumped back to a standing position which made him gasp. The jiggle physics.“I…” he was still staring. Mind numb, neurons misfiring, “…can be?”Only she could make those postage stamps look that cute each and every time she grinned. “Great!” she said, “Let’s go!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Now on the first floor, the two strode toward the furthest portion of the resort for dinner. Stretches of alabaster white lay beneath them as Tifa glided in her strappy stilettos – or, according to Yuffie’s labeling system, ‘fuck-me pumps 😜’.Tifa sighed, “I have to chat with her when we get back.” She felt Reno’s laughter when he pressed her tight to his side while they walked. One of his hands was firm to her waist and, chuckling, he grinned into her ear.Both of them were suited up for their first dinner date. The dress code was relatively lax but still required button-down shirts for men (with a “preference” for suit jackets), and then for women, some dressing up was required if they didn’t want to be relegated to the bar. Yuffie found a deep emerald green and satin wrap dress way, waaay in the back of Tifa’s closet, still perched in the garment bag in mint condition. This was the same dress Tifa wore to a WRO function years ago that, same as now, successfully turned heads. The dress was beautiful with fitted sleeves, the right amount of cleavage, and every bit as elegant as the first time she wore it. She’d done so once and was too afraid to repeat, so she’d stashed it in the nether regions of her closet and forgotten all about it. Reno had never seen it before, so it was new to him. Yuffie was also ‘very’ kind to include a curvy stick drawing with directions on how Tifa should wear her hair. “Sexy tresses or I will kill you” the note read. Annoyed, Tifa kindly complied.“You know, I don’t mind Yuffie’s naming conventions,” Reno said. He looked Tifa over, appreciating the cool touch of her fabric against her skin, “Like she’s fucking crazy, but she makes an effort?” Tifa shook her head. She peered over at him as he grinned. “Come on, I’m paying her the rare compliment,” he said.She nodded, sort of impressed as she glanced ahead. “That is rare…”Finally, they made it to the host stand where two servers were ready to receive them. Fully aware of their room status when Reno flashed them their keycard, the staff whisked them away to a more intimate outdoor area that overlooked the beach. It was a huge patio structure stationed far from the main building, where on both sides anyone could watch the sun rise or set no matter where they sat. So much of this intimate pavilion was a far cry from the interior seating arrangements they’d witnessed inside, with many guests gawking and slightly glaring at them as they walked. If at any point they’d turned back, they’d fully witness what real jealousy looked like.Finally presented with their table and seats, they noticed a handful of occupied tables close by, yet scarcely heard them over the sound of the waves. Quietly, Tifa took a seat nestled between two heaters, then realizing just how close to sunset they were. In less than an hour, they’d witness the gloaming.“It’s so pretty,” she whispered, still looking across the sand. She turned back to look at Reno in the soft light and grinned. He was seated right across from her, face in hand with a smile so wide, meanwhile, every gold-rimmed plate, fork, spoon, and knife known to man lay before her.Naturally, she beamed. “Reno…really… how much did you spend on this place?” she asked.He clicked his tongue, “You keep asking…” only to clasp his hands together when he shrugged, “I have no clue.”She cut her eyes, but then he spoke again, “Is it so wrong to do something nice for my girlfriend?” Genuinely, he was curious. He wasn’t dumb to her feelings, but he also wanted her to have a good time.“No…” she said, right as the server approached them. She’d hold her tongue once more…Within seconds, the man rattled off the night’s menu followed by the man asking for their drink requests. Reno pointed to Tifa, silently asking that she order for them, which she did. Shortly thereafter, they both settled on food and the server jetted away.“My girl…” Reno muttered as he leaned in his seat, “…ordering shots.”Tifa grinned. “I have to get you in that bikini,” she whispered. She watched him chuckle on his side of the table. In time she broke code, dragging her chair all the way round to sit beside him and Reno smiled and watched.“You’re gonna get us kicked out,” he hummed. He looked up at her when she stole a kiss. “Let them try…” she murmured.He watched her take a seat, right before he asked, “How was your phone call?”Without missing a beat she answered, “It was really good.”Before they wandered off to dinner, Tifa placed a call back home with Marlene and Denzel on the terrace to ask about their day. Gazing across the ocean, it was sweet imagining them there on the other side.“Apparently, Yuffie took the kids to The Happy Turtle,” she told Reno, “And she made them eat Da Chao bean paste.”Reno’s face was disgusted. “Like raw or in what?”“… I didn’t ask,” she said, “I don’t think they liked it.” Reno wasn’t surprised.Once again, he grimaced. “She probably made them eat it off a spoon,” he said, “You couldn’t find a better babysitter?”To this, Tifa lifted her head to think. “Mmm,” she wondered aloud, “I could have asked Johnny, but Yuffie was eager.”Reno grumbled. Regardless of what he thought of Yuffie, he was relieved Johnny stayed home.“He’d probably sleep in your clothes if he stayed over,” Reno muttered, “Sleep in our bed, too.”To this, Tifa hid her mouth, trying hard to fend off a certain smile. ‘Our’ bed? Quickly, she leaned across her armrest toward him, ready to change the subject. “Remind me what people actually talk about on vacation?” she asked, and of course Reno shrugged. He’d been doing that a lot lately.“Whatever the fuck they want,” he answered, “They might talk about ‘their anniversary’, I guess?”Instantly, he noticed how hard she winced. “I keep forgetting…” she said, and he rounded on her.“Forgetting you’re with me?” he laughed.“No, no,” she said, “Just that it’s been that long… Feels like yesterday, you know?” She watched a different server approach them with a tray full of drinks, including two champagne flutes she hadn’t ordered. “These must come standard…” she said. She sounded so sarcastic when she reached. How they found any more room at the table to accommodate this and the other drinks they ordered was impressive. Truly a testament to everyone involved. “Flutes instead of coupes,” she muttered, “Interesting.”Reno glanced her way. She was doing little things to show she was wanting to say more. Small talk before she cut into what was really eating at her. Flute in hand, she whispered, “Well…” Her voice was low until the server walked away, “I appreciate you doing all this, but I think you did too much–”“You said the same thing last time.”“I know, it’s just…” she focused on her drink, though she could feel Reno’s eyes drilling into her, “I really just wanted a beach shack.”Unconvinced, Reno tilted his head to the side. “Bull,” he said but Tifa audibly whined.She felt some relief knowing he wasn’t upset or stymied by what she said, as most of it was out of humor anyways, and Tifa wasn’t mad or disappointed that they were there either. She was grateful, really – it’s just that, she’d always been raised to be this humble… Modesty was becoming, entitlement was not… Then, after what she went through for all those years after Nibelheim and then Sector Seven, extreme niceties seemed so undeserving and conveniently out of reach. But now it was smack dab in her face, and she had to deal.“I’ll get you your beach shack, or shanty, or whatever next time…” he sat up a bit, “The shittiest one I can find.”“Finally…” she sounded so relieved, “The shittier the better…”“Like the-ocean-wakes-you-up-every-day shitty?”“Yes. If it’s high tide and we’re not wet, I don’t want it,” she mused.She looked him over, watching him still smile at her. “Okay,” he said, “Deal.”Grinning, she held up her glass, motioning for him to join her, “Toast?” Reciprocating, he reached for his. Only then did he notice she also passed him a shot. “We’re kicking back both?” he asked.“I told you…” she came in close, “I’m getting you in that bikini.” Grinning, he made a guttural laugh, “Okay…” She was still staring at him expectantly. “You want me to go first then?” to which she nodded.Briefly, she looked to the cascade of colors dancing over the sea. Beyond the breakers, she could still hear the gulls cry. They were such a long way from home… “You dragged me all the way here,” she whispered, “…you might as well start.”For a moment, he inhaled, peering now at the sunset himself. He didn’t take too long knowing this was one of many toasts they’d likely make that week. And she was right, the champagne did come standard. So, he said the obvious.“Thanks for putting up with me…” he said tilting his head to the side, “…Me and all my bullshit.” He was genuine, not necessarily romantic, but maybe in his own way? Whatever, Tifa liked it.“Same,” she said.He chuckled and shook his head. She thought he was making a silly callback to how this all started… Their transition from enemies to friendlies hadn’t always been easy, but damn, it’d been worth it.“Yay to being fucked up,” he managed.They clinked their glasses together and quickly kicked them back. Then doing double-time with their shots. Already Reno was motioning to the server for more.In the moment, Tifa grabbed his lapel to draw him close for a kiss when all around them, the sky faded to a rich sapphire hue, with the tiniest white pinholes pricking through the sky. Bevies of red and orange laid low on the horizon until all of their warmth and their light died out.“Love you,” he whispered to her.“Love you, too.”And then, for a split second, for some reason, Tifa couldn’t help herself.“Are you lost, baby girl–”Snapping his fingers, Reno was dumbstruck and laughing as he watched her cover her mouth.“You ruined it!” he said.“I know! I know! I’m sorry!”-----Hours later on the way back from dinner, Reno semi-clutched the walls. Full of booze and paella, somehow, they managed to make the longest trek back to their room. Stilettos and clutch in hand, Tifa was laughing at Reno’s impairment even when she wasn’t doing much better herself. If other guests hadn’t known they were there, they did now.“Shhh! You’re so loud!” Tifa yelled.Reno covered his mouth, hoping it was just a burp. “I don’t give a fuck…”Tifa smiled as she walked ahead. Already she had her card out–“No! NO!” Somehow Reno picked up speed to shove her aside, “My turn!” He wasn’t ready though, so he looked like a fucking idiot patting down his suit jacket as he searched for his card. Patiently, Tifa waited by the door and watched.“Found that bitch!” He presented it to her like show-and-tell, only to watch her shrug and then motion for him to hurry up.Grinning, he leaned in with a face so proud as he swiped right. “Validate me,” he said. He held the door open for her, trying not to fall in himself.She chuckled and her eyes lit up, pontificating on cue on his behalf, “Oh WOW, my boyfriend?” she asked. Her smile was so wide when she rounded the doorframe. “He’s so strong, SO smart, so kind, so sweet… like that?”“Babe, you’re doing great–” As soon as they stepped inside, Reno realized they’d left the glass panes from earlier wide open. Hit with the sudden chill, he yelled, “FUCK, THAT’S COLD.”Tifa grinned. She threw her shoes on the floor while her clutch stayed in hand. Quietly, she wrapped one arm around his waist. “You’re such a wuss,” she said. She came in close to give him a deep kiss, then separated herself to move toward the open breeze.“I’ll be on the terrace…” she whispered. True to her word, she sauntered off that way, completely unbothered by the frigid wind. Reno pouted for a moment before turning to the bedroom. How the fuck was he going to wear that dumb swimsuit in this biting cold? He was annoyed the alcohol hadn’t numbed him to the freezing temperature yet and, worse still, it was sobering. Guess it didn’t hurt if his external organs were now curling in on themselves to better fit? He didn’t hesitate when he marched into the bedroom to grab blankets and pillows off the bed in the interim, completely focused on returning to her.In the meantime, Tifa stepped outside. Reluctant at first, she turned back to the glass panels to seal them shut. In an attempt to preserve what heat was left inside, she stifled the cabin air for them both though she loved the breeze. She really wanted to stay outside… The wind was mostly unchanged, like how it was earlier. It was sharp, cutting now with a chill and yet she relaxed. She looked back to the daybed. Already, she braced her arms out, accessory still in hand, as she laid down. Now on her back, she looked up at the stars when her PHS chimed.She unzipped her clutch only to yank out her PHS with a new text from Yuffie. Because of the kids, she assumed everything was an emergency, so she opened it when suddenly she remembered the picture she’d sent the woman earlier. The one she “had” to take after the woman demanded to see a photo of her in her dress.Yuffie’s response: “Love that dress but needs more areola 💦 💦” Expressionless, Tifa’s gaze shifted to the sky. This was not an emergency. She looked back to her phone again, thinking of what to write, so she drunkenly said it out loud as she typed, “You are… obsessed… with… my tits… and… I love it.”“Who?”Tifa looked up, seeing Reno with a massive comforter and a handful of pillows in both arms standing by as he shut the glass.“I’m texting Yuffie,” she said. She glanced back at her phone to hit 'send'.“Oh…” He was semi-relieved. He came over now to throw everything on the daybed beside her and Tifa grinned when she clasped her phone shut.“You’re so cute when you’re jealous…” she said. She laid her PHS by her side as she held out both arms to him, all of her fingers outstretched in a ‘gimme, gimme’ motion.He snorted, already moving to lay beside her, or rather, on top of her. “I’m not jealous…” he said, “I just don’t like sharing.”She curled her legs around him as he leaned into her and he asked, “How are you not freezing?” While in between kisses, he fidgeted with her side tie.Giggling, she poked the massive blanket beside them. “That’s what this is for,” she said, when suddenly she looked at her side to see Yuffie’s response (it might have been an emergency!). Completely unbothered, Reno wasn’t mad that she was distracted when Tifa held her phone high overhead – he was busy. Once more, Tifa’s thoughts were squarely on Yuffie’s words.Her response: “lol, I don't think I’m the one obsessed with your tits” Grinning, Tifa gasped at the feeling his warm mouth on her breast while he massaged the other. After a sharp exhale, she closed her eyes, realizing then that she’d been freed from her wrap dress thanks to Reno’s determination and ample fingers. Lying beneath him, she was completely exposed, and she grinned.Easily, she let her phone slip from her hand to lay by her side, followed by her arms as she melted into the feeling. Unseen, he moved the blanket over them both while she stayed grounded. Fully focused on her chest, he made her nerves light up like a circuit board. Generously, she weaved her fingers through his hair and her thighs stayed pressed to his sides for added warmth which he liked. She felt his hand move toward her waist and she accommodated by helping him remove her underwear. In no time, his mouth was down there, and she was blissfully seeing stars.Her breathing hitched each time his hand reached for her chest or every time she felt the added pressure of his fingers or tongue. She was so close when she gasped, now feeling him fully inside her – slow at first and then quickly ticking up.Her body seemed to bend when his mouth met hers and she cataloged each sensation every time she opened her eyes or felt immense pressure. He felt so good when he coursed through her. Over and over, their repetition continued to build until she was well past her limit, and everything seized.The moment she came, he felt it too, with the sweet emphasis of her saying his name to put him on the level. Soon, his release matched hers. Ever so slowly, his body lowered around her the second he stopped, and she grinned, sweeping her fingers through his hair and caressing his face. Finally, when he caught his breath, she whispered, “If we stay here you don’t have to wear the swimsuit tonight…” and to this he chuckled, holding her face now for a peck.He was so tired, and so unwilling to get up, so, kindly, he accepted.“Okay,” he said and grinned. He tried to look her over in the moonlight but then she whispered again, “Thanks for putting up with me…” she said, “Me and all my bullshit.”To this, he gave her another kiss, always so thankful and impressed by her whenever he felt like he'd been heard.“Same,” he said.Calmly, he settled into her neckline, so ready for sleep and knowing she was, too.Uttering the softest ‘I love you’, for a moment, she pulled the covers up for them both and adjusted their pillows just so she could hold him close. It didn’t matter though. He was already fast asleep in her arms. -----
So different from above, that way down below and off towards the end of the lobby (past the elevators and in the darkest recesses that still faced the ocean waves), a manicured hand strummed a lone armchair. Alone in the dark, the woman’s oxblood nails raked the leather upholstery, leaving deep gashes that effectively matched her mood. On the other arm, she held up a long and unlit cigarette, impatiently waiting for her grunt to return. He better have fulfilled her requests if he knew what was good for him…Minutes later, a dumpy man appeared, rushing forward from the far end of the lobby. “Sorry, Mistress!”The man snapped a silver lighter up with a “click”, watching the steady flame illuminate the space in and around the woman’s wrist as she brought the cancer stick to her face.“Thank you…” her seductive voice drawled, “…It only took you forever.”She took a long and heavy drag, marked by a flourished exhale. Momentarily the distilled smoke wreathed her perfect face right before the carbon receded. Her steely-eyed gaze cut like daggers, still staring out at the sand the moment she grit her teeth. “You’re thinking about them, aren’t you, Mistress?”The woman sneered as she sunk her glimmering top half back into the seat rest. Her legs were crossed at the knee, still wearing the suede thigh-high boots the grunt would love to lick… “Go away, Darrell.”“Yes, Mistress…”She heard him turn and then she held up one hand. “Leave it,” she said. She was fuming. “That and my keycard.”Gingerly, the man placed the lighter by her side on the armrest, along with the same black and white Cuahl-print card the hotel staffer had confiscated from her earlier that week. Days ago, Darrell became so bold. He tried to cut her off and, oh, how she made him pay…She reached for both in disgust.“I told you to get a penthouse suite…”“Mistress–” he was so flustered and he stammered, “I tried. They’re all booked–”“Fuck off.”The sound of the man’s disappointed and shuffling feet moved away from her and still, she refused to turn. The woman rolled her eyes. He was sleeping on the fucking floor tonight. She’d been so peeved by Darrell being so irritating and then this failure to secure a better room. This after he’d apologized profusely to the staff for transactions he’d “accidentally” marked as fraud, and then this new steady memory she had of whom she’d just seen earlier and with “fucking who?” she’d wondered.“Cunt…” she muttered. She cut her eyes at her cigarette as though forcing it to agree with her, “She looked like a fucking cunt…”She breathed in another steady puff only to shakily exhale. Each time she did it, visibly, she was seething. Never once was she one to be trifled with and didn’t he fucking know it.“…He thinks he can come into my town and not say hello…” She shimmied in her seat again all while she huffed. She was so full of rage and bile, every bit of it running deep within her like an infection, poisoning her very marrow. If she had access, she’d knock on every fucking door…“Come here with another woman, too. I’ll fucking end you…” She scoffed, this time looking so morose when her eyes flicked to the moon high above. Her gaze was watery, and yet she’d always blame the smoke.“…He’s got another thing coming,” she breathed.She flipped her free hand up this time to look over the glittering rings and bands that adorned her fingers and wrist. She’d come too far to look this foolish, she thought.“Oh, Reno…” her voice was waxy, almost loving when her eyes shifted to the sand, “How I’ve missed you.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Despite Reno’s innate senses and years of training, somehow Tifa evaded him in his sleep every time. It was typical to wake up alone without her beside him (all save for mornings when she’d sleep in after a late-night tending bar, or maybe if he half-ass got up to be at work on time, or if she simply wanted to be beside him a while longer), which threw him because, unless she was directly speaking to him, she did nothing to make him stir. She was a phantom.Still under the blanket, he rolled the covers back to greet the morning sun, right in his eyes of course. He heard the beach roar below him as he gazed toward the inside next. Noticeably, all three window panels were moved to the side once more. Tifa was serious when she said she wanted them open. He smiled as he got up, remembering what he told her yesterday – whatever she wanted to do.He was still wearing the same clothes he hadn’t entirely shed the night before, essentially boxers and an unbuttoned shirt. He shuffled forward, seeing her on the inside and facing away from him. She was standing in front of the suite’s lone coffee machine, awaiting caffeine in the kitchen. Her gaze faced the outside world, probably sad she couldn’t open those windows, too. He was so glad they only opened on one side – it’d be a wind turbine in there if it were up to her. She was dressed completely different from what he’d disrobed of her last night. Standing perfectly still, she was barefoot in pink silk shorts and a short white tee. Sleeping garments must have been an afterthought to Yuffie when she’d packed, which was fine. This Tifa felt familiar. He moseyed over.His hand reached for a plate of oral refreshments on the kitchen counter when she noticed him.“Morning,” she held out her arm to him as he popped two mints in his mouth. “Did you sleep well?” she asked.“Amazing…” he said. He wrapped his arms around her when she gave him a kiss. She wasn’t wearing a bra – the things this woman did to him.She giggled as she looked him over, “You look amazing.” Liar, he looked so disheveled.His face quirked, “Right.” How was it that he woke up looking like this and she didn’t? Granted she’d been up for a minute and semi-cleaned, but still – hair down and no makeup, she was the epitome of effortless beauty every time. But then he paused, feeling the wind whip through the suite. For a moment, the underside of her cropped top fluttered up, granting him visible access to the underside of her boob. Gods, he was begging for a nipple. Maybe he did wish all of the windows opened…She turned back to the coffee pot and he was a man possessed. He remained close as she grabbed two mugs off the counter. “Reno… really?” Initially, she thought he was giving her a hug but, no, he was holding her boobs.“I love these…” he whispered.“Well, they’re attached to me, so…” He was obsessed and she didn’t mind. She poured him a cup and couldn’t tell if he’d noticed. Whatever… she’d work around him when she made her own. By no means was this the first time this sort of thing happened, yet she found it hard to concentrate the more he pressed.Suddenly she grinned when she closed her eyes, “…Reno…” His hand was between her legs. “…I have a call with Yuffie soon…”Gently, he pulled her close. “Please?” His voice was sweet. She opened her eyes, this time fully appreciating this shimmering side of paradise the more she focused on the sun-soaked beach beyond and then the feeling of him pressed against her in the way that he was. Yuffie could wait.She sighed as she tenderly slid down her shorts. “Be quick,” she whispered.He smiled into her ear, remembering the first time she told him that. Earlier that year they’d found themselves alone at Seventh Heaven one night when both of the kids were at a sleepover halfway across town. No one was staying over to visit and it helped when Reno leered the last few patrons out the door. For years, he’d sat on the other side of the bar from her, casually reliving this one fantasy of what it was like to take her there at the counter the minute she locked up. Finally presented with this one golden opportunity, he didn’t hesitate, same as now. This was one of the highlights to them going on vacation, no different from earlier that year when they first went to Costa. Everyday obstacles dissipated the moment they went away. Free to shoot each other a glance, a few words, or a simple touch right before doing whatever it took to be alone, came easy. Naturally, they took full advantage.Twenty-something minutes later, Tifa hurried back to the terrace to take a seat. Her laptop was splayed out in front of her as she tried to connect to Yuffie’s video chat. Post-shower, she was still rubbing sun lotion into her skin when Yuffie picked up.“There she is…” a familiar voice boomed.Grinning, Tifa didn’t make eye contact, “Hey Yuffie…”Tifa recognized the corners of the screen. Yuffie was videoing from behind the bar where she’d evidently dragged a stool to sit and chat. The young woman was already laughing…“What?” Tifa asked, finally looking at her.“…slut.”Gawking, Tifa didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to.“Tifa. You act like that’s a bad thing.” Tifa knew what she meant, but seriously, how could she tell? “Woman, you are glowing. Congratulations!”Tifa rolled her eyes, “Thank you?…”Then, just beside Yuffie, someone else darted into frame, “Hey Tifa!”“Hey Johnny!” Immediately, Tifa noticed he was holding a dish rag while wearing a stained apron and holding a huge pot… “Uh, are you working?–” Yuffie pushed Johnny’s face from view, “Tifa, he’s… helping.”Tifa was almost livid. She’d had a chat with them both right before she left town. She talked to them separately, instructing one not to bully the other and vice versa, that ‘the other’ not be bullied by ‘the one’. Uniquely, they’d become a codependent pair that Tifa never saw coming nor could she fundamentally change. Johnny just liked being bullied and Yuffie was more than happy to do it to him.Tifa shook her head only to watch Yuffie’s mouth tick up, “Hey… did you watch my movies?”“Yeah, she did…” Tifa turned, grinning at Reno the moment he plunked down beside her to finish his thought, “…your taste in movies is… gross.”There on the other end, Yuffie ‘only’ wanted to talk to her best friend.“Reno…” Yuffie said. She was staring… “What are you wearing?” Her eyes wouldn’t stop moving as she looked him over on the screen, “You… you look like ‘a poor’.”Truly, Yuffie excelled at pissing Reno off.“Yuffie, it’s a T-shirt–” Reno started.“RENO, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?!” Yuffie’s voice crackled through the speaker, “You’re at the newest, most POSHEST, uppity, niche resort in all of Costa and you look like that?!” Beside her, Johnny’s face snuck into frame. Briefly, Johnny grimaced at the screen and then disappeared.Reno was miffed. Here he was for all of ten seconds (if that) “existing” only to be severely cut down and judged by the likes of ‘Thing 1’ and ‘Thing 2’. The irony wasn’t lost on him that Yuffie gave zero qualms about whatever Tifa was wearing. No, of course not, why would she when the little ninja saved up all her grievances for him? Worse still, Reno could still see a fraction of Johnny’s face, which pissed him off. Johnny looked like an elfadunk attempting to hide himself behind a sliver of tree. He looked like a fucking idiot.Reno peered down at what he was wearing when Yuffie spelled it out to him, “N-O, RENO. THE ANSWER IS NO.”Yuffie yelled at him again, telling him to go back to his suitcase and to “return with options”.Begrudgingly, Reno got up. He was trudging back to the bedroom when Tifa’s eyes wandered after him.“Yuffie,” Tifa turned to the camera, “…that was so mean.”Yuffie flipped her hand at the screen, banishing that remark.“He’s fine,” Yuffie muttered, but then she whispered, “Hey… when is he popping the question?”Tifa cocked her head to the side and her mouth twitched, “Question?”“…Tifa…” Yuffie said, “…Don’t play dumb with me.”Tifa laughed, turning ever so slightly to make sure Reno wasn’t there, “Yuffie, it’s not that kind of trip–”Yuffie threw her arms up, “GIRL.”All Tifa could do was shake her head. How else would she convince her? “Listen… Johnny and I have a bet–”“Yuffie–” “SHHH! SHH! SHUT IT, he’s back – heeey, Reno, what have you got for me?”Reno was peeved. He held up three sets of shirts and just as many shorts for Yuffie to inspect. Yuffie’s face filled the screen. She was tapping her chin, “Okay… hate the first shirt, second one is fine, pop the collar, grey shorts, and don’t fuck up the shoes – can you do that?” Already, Yuffie was motioning with her hand for him to go away. She was hellbent on finishing the last half of her conversation with Tifa, alone.Tifa watched him as he left, this time to shuffle far from the camera to quickly change. She thought it was sweet that he hadn’t berated the young woman. Yuffie might have deserved it with that attitude, and the deliberate swipe she made at his appearance that easily alluded to his past. He was patient for Tifa’s sake.As soon as Reno was done, he’d pulled his PHS out of his former pocket, then noticing a text from Elena. He opened it, reading his coworker’s apology and her request for assistance with a work file she couldn’t open. He exhaled, somewhat eager to leave the suite if it meant he could distance himself from Yuffie.“Hey…” he spoke to Tifa, steadily realizing a similar desire she had in him stepping away as well. “I’m gonna head downstairs to look at the business center and maybe swing by the dining hall.” It seemed like her conversation with Yuffie might be a while.Tifa nodded even though her face screamed ‘help’.“Will you grab food for me?” she asked.“Yeah…” He pocketed his PHS when he walked over to her, then planting a kiss to her forehead before he turned to leave.“Byyyyye, Reeeeno,” Yuffie quipped. Reno waved his hand at the screen before he departed. He snapped up his key card off the kitchen island, then kicking back the last of his coffee as he made his way toward the door next. Finally, he took one last look at Tifa, spying her the second she blew a kiss from across the suite. She was still perched on that daybed, sunscreen aura forever glistening underneath that pale sun. She was an angel.Grinning, he mouthed the words “love you” only to snatch her kiss, still watching her smile as he shut the door. ----- “…don’t fuck up the shoes, meh, meh, meh, can you do that, Reno?”Not angry at all, Reno was still miming the words that fell out of Yuffie’s mouth. He was making his way toward the business center on the first floor, sneering one last time as he turned. Slowing, he glanced to his right to see a stunning set of plate glass walls, the equipment and contents inside being the thing that caught his eye. He strolled over to the entrance, noticing the oversized font painted top to bottom beside the room’s door, introducing the room for what it was and what he thought it would be. Inside sat two sets of computers, monitors, a printer, basic desk equipment, a wall-mounted TV, and scads of outlets with no one to use them. It must have been the least popular amenity at the resort as everything appeared so untouched and new.He drew a chair back from one of the desks the moment he walked in, more than ready to make the call. Already, his phone was out and he keyed Elena’s contact, tapping the screen only to watch it ring.“Hey! Sorry to be a pain…” Over the phone, Elena was quick to speak, “You know I wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t something I needed.”“It’s fine,” he said, “Need my code?”“Yep…”He rattled off his 13-digit number so she could access whatever file she had.“Bingo – I’m in!” she said, “Thank you…” Then, without missing a beat, she whispered, “So…” Such a subtle pause, “…How’s everything going?”Eyes glazed, this was so stupid to him. He knew she had his code stashed somewhere at her desk. Hell, she could ask Tseng and he knew it by heart.“Good,” Reno said. He wasn’t eager to share. Honestly – what was there to share? Sex, food, sex, sleep, sex…“Just… having a good time, Elena.”“That’s so good to hear…” But then there was the ‘but’. Sotto voce, she said, “I’m still worried about you…”Reno craned his head back. He knew exactly what she was going to say.Sure enough, “I keep thinking about the other night…”So, the “other night” was easily three weeks ago. Just another typical post-work day when Elena, Rude, and Reno all sidled up to Seventh Heaven to drink – no different from any other outing they’d had before, Tifa’s bar or not. Everyone drank, everyone caroused, yet something Reno said an hour before Seventh Heaven closed changed everything. By that point, all of Reno and Tifa’s Costa del Sol plans were set in stone (reservations, flight plans, the whole shebang), and Reno was gloating. For some reason, unprovoked, Reno loudly touted to everyone close by that ‘if he wanted to’, he could propose to Tifa and she would say ‘yes’. At the time, Tifa had stepped away to fulfill something out back and Johnny was there, so he stayed posted to the bar in her stead until she returned. Absolutely no one egged him on or said anything to discredit his statement, so it came as a surprise when Reno decided to test his theory. Point-blank, he asked Tifa the second she was back. No ring, no build-up, no presentation, nothing, just him throwing out her name and two words that sank like a fucking stone–“No…” Tifa said. She was grinning. Did she think this was a joke? Gods, that hurt.“No?” Reno asked. The bar was silent and Tifa laughed. Maybe she didn’t take his question seriously because he’d been drinking?“Ask me in two years,” she said. She was still grinning when she shifted from behind the bar to the last few patrons seated at tables. From where he sat, Reno could hear his heartbeat. He glanced over at Johnny, wondering what that fucker looked like after what transpired and Johnny just stared. Mouth open, Johnny quickly looked away before scurrying off somewhere, seemingly terrified Reno was looking to punch someone or something.Between Elena and Rude, they could tell Reno didn’t take the response well, even if it’d been in good spirits with a glimmer of hope still attached. Ask me in two years… That fucking hurt. They really knew when Reno stood up to go back to his apartment, alone, in lieu of staying like he always did. Elena didn’t even see him say goodbye to Tifa when he walked out the door. The next time Elena saw him and asked, Reno confirmed he had gone back to Tifa that night, inferring nothing when it came to whether or not anything further was discussed. Elena could tell he’d taken the whole thing to heart, weeks before their big trip and it made her sad.In the present, Elena said her piece, “You know, I thought about what she said and it really makes sense.”“Elena–”“No, really – listen!”He shook his head when he closed his eyes. Why was she talking about this?“She’s got the kids and probably wants Cloud to be okay–”“Why does that piece of shit matter?” Annoyed, the conversation was getting the best of him.“Reno, he’s her ex that she’s known for years…” Reno stayed silent.“Listen, if this is what Tifa wants then you need to respect that,” she said.He remained quiet until he whispered, “Whatever…” Everything Elena said wasn’t a revelation. Reno semi-made the same conclusion each time Cloud showed up at Seventh Heaven and Reno happened to be there. Typically, Cloud would notice Reno first and then dart away. He’d become this shade who had no known intentions except to take up Tifa’s breathing room, haunt the place, and then disappear. The guy can’t even look at me, Reno thought, I know he fucking sees me… Reno both did and didn’t understand why Tifa would be so patient with Cloud even though what they had was over. Their businesses rarely intersected and Tifa had become the soul advocate for all of their Avalanche relations, never Cloud. She put in all this work and here this guy was, hanging on like a fucking charity case. She didn’t have to be nice to him … Might have been for the kids, Reno thought. To Reno, the longer they kept up that friendship though, the easier it was for them to rekindle–“Elena, I gotta go.” No matter what, he was going to leave the conversation in the next few seconds.“Okay…” She was somber. She didn’t mean to upset him, “I hope you have a great trip.”“Thanks.” And with that, he ended the call. For a minute, he stared at the screen. Weeks ago (before his shitty proposal), Marlene coaxed him into changing his background. The little girl gave him a photo of Tifa from that spring, back when Marlene made a daisy chain and gifted it to Tifa who was glowing the second she put it on. Tifa was such a babe. He was ready to return to their room, hoping she’d be done with her call. Before they’d head out to the beach or pool, maybe he’d ask her to do a few things before they left the room. Namely that thing she did with her tongue that always soothed his nerves…He stood up to adjust himself, then heading towards the door to fulfill his next task. The dining hall was just around the corner.Suddenly, he felt his PHS vibrate. One new text. There on the screen was a message from Elena: “Remember what I said” He didn’t respond.----- Reno stared at the endless buffet. He wanted to return to Tifa but had no clue what she might like. This wasn’t your standard continental breakfast. He was afraid she’d be disappointed if he only brought back a bagel when he watched other guests stack their plates high, full of sumptuous goodies she too would likely try. Also, if he got her remotely stuffed then maybe people wouldn’t stare at her as much if she was bloated by the beach or pool? The idea was stupid, but hey, he’d try. Last time they’d gone, he’d been somewhat proud when people ogled her but then he got so mad the more people stared. He was this close to covering her with a blanket on their last day. Fucking creeps.Still glancing at the spread, he hadn’t moved an inch in the last few minutes. What was she possibly in the mood for? He took out his phone to queue up a text to her when, weirdly, he sensed someone staring at him from behind. Out of the multitude of people swarming the place, this one gave him pause.“As I live and breathe…” a sultry voice sounded. Tentatively, he looked up from his phone, feeling two palms fold over his shoulders from the back that then traveled south. These hands were way too comfortable. They weren’t Tifa’s.He spun around before the woman’s fingers sank too low, spying a familiar face he hadn’t seen in years. Same smirk just like he remembered. She’d shortened her ash brown hair since he’d last seen her, her gaze piercing just the same, and yet she wore more clothes. She was well dressed, suited for high society like rich folk do when they go on vacation. She looked nice. Good for her.He graced her with the briefest salutation when he uttered her name, “Sorrel.”Immediately, he wanted to leave, but there was breakfast… “It’s so good to see you,” she cooed, “And, Reno… it’s been way, way too long.”They stood there for a minute with Reno’s face becoming less engaged. She was waiting for… something? Gods, did she want a hug? Hell no…Seeing that he kept his distance, she moved in slow, “You know, I heard a rumor…” Sorrel came in close, even as Reno inched away, “…that you were here this summer…” Her arms were crossed at her chest. Casually she lifted them up to accentuate her cleavage. It was too bad Reno didn’t notice. His eyes sunk back to his phone, doing the minimum to ward her off.“But that couldn’t be true …” she said, still staring at him, “You would have called.”For a second, he turned away from her. He was confirming the text he just sent to Tifa had gone through, relieved that it had. He was hoping Tifa’s PHS was right next to her so she could tell him what she wanted and then he could leave.To kill time and divert the conversation, he muttered, “You look nice.” He finally gave Sorrel a fraction of the attention she craved when she watched him pocket his phone. He turned to fully address her. “And you’re here, so I take it you found someone?” he asked.Sorrel cut her eyes as she lifted her head. Her silence confirmed she was “still in the biz”, so no, she must have been there with a wealthy client.In far too many ways, this was yet another specter of Reno’s former self, and truly the dimmest of dying flames (though Sorrel begged to differ). For well over a decade, or rather, ever since he joined the Turks, Reno had a storied history in many, many places (Midgar, Junon, Costa, and so on). This particular face was special to Costa. Yet, for some reason, he really thought this hotel was the last place he’d see her, let alone be the space that gave her the courage to approach him in the way that she had. But really, he shouldn’t have been surprised given how much she’d changed since the first time he met her.In the past, he’d never been picky with whom he’d seek out for intimate affairs, whether it be those he’d met on a whim or those he’d contracted out. Sorrel was unique in that she’d been both. One of the first assignments he’d been given had been in Costa, where he’d subsequently met her at a strip bar and she’d casually approached him. She wasn’t working that night (nor did she work there), but she told him there was something about him that drew her in. She wasn’t shy in telling him he was attractive nor what she did for a living in case he was interested. He wasn’t at first and then he was. Three hours later, he got to know her a whole lot better, and then every time he visited Costa thereafter …He was so glad Tifa wasn’t there.“I heard you got a promotion…” Her eyes twinkled. She hadn’t seen him in years, yet she still found the resources to know what he was doing.“You know what, I did.” He wasn’t thrilled that she knew, but he’d let it pass.She chuckled. “Bravo! Second in command… well done.”Her knowing that detail really pissed him off, “Yep.”He looked so bored. He was still clutching his PHS in his pocket, waiting for it to ping when he turned away.“I heard you came here with someone this summer.”Shit.“Who told you that,” he asked. He really wanted to know when he glanced her way.Sorrel made a face and then shrugged, “Nobody.” This fucking bitch. She fucking knew.Reno said nothing as he rolled his eyes.“Oh, come on…” she lulled, “There’s no fuss. I just want to know what that girl had that I don’t?”Reno made a “tsch” sound, already so annoyed by her antics, “Sorrel, you and I are not together–”She cut him off, “You know I gave you my real name once…” She was close, cat-like, eyes gleaming with the expectation that she would lure him in.“Pretty sure that wasn’t your real name either,” Reno said.She sounded so hurt but her intention was to persuade. He knew this. She was so phony, “I don’t know, I just thought you’d call after the last time we cuddled …” she said. She sounded like candy, “You used to like that… when you were sweet…” She reached out with one arm to brush his, the one still connected to his phone there in his pocket and he moved away.He was ignoring all the invitations she wouldn’t stop piling up at him. She didn’t like that.“…I can’t wait to see who you brought this time…” She circled around to really face him, so close when his eyes wandered up to hers.Her smile was wide, “Your date and I should be friends…” she whispered.Reno tilted his head to the side. How did she know he came with someone? He always came alone, thinking he could somehow shield Tifa if he downplayed her presence… It was then that he realized Sorrel was willing to ruin everything he had planned with Tifa. He could see it. She’d become so toxic.“I’m not paying you…” he sounded so angry, “…So why are you talking to me?” He wanted to say more but knew it’d only embolden her. He’d seen her do shitty things to girls he’d momentarily had on his arm or those he’d briefly chatted to in private. She’d become so good at tracking him that the last thing he’d hear was some poor girl’s scream the second Sorrel descended. He’d be the one forced to pull her off of them, never quite sure when she would fly off the handle next, claws out, especially when she’d turn on him. She was awful and for some reason, so possessive, and for what? He was never hers. Not like that… She was ‘hate fuck’ incarnate.“I know you came here with someone,” he said, “So stay away from me.”Reno glanced to his side, his eyes wide the moment he saw Tifa enter the lobby. Fuck.Tifa saw him, too. Already she strode toward them, her arm up in a wave with a smile so bright.Sorrel followed Reno’s gaze. Seeing Tifa, immediately her eyes swallowed her whole. She took in Tifa’s strappy floral sundress with the thigh-high slit that revealed so much leg and oh, so toned. She couldn’t quite guess her couture – too focused on all that form and grace, who could possibly distract themselves with thread? Every bit of this mystery woman was floating toward them, and Sorrel stared. No wonder Reno was entranced. Sorrel glanced his way, realizing that look of love and hating that it wasn’t for her. This woman looked exactly like the one from his PHS – he was serious about her.“What’s her name…” Sorrel whispered. Unblinking, she glared at Reno, but he wouldn’t answer. He wouldn’t even look at her like she wasn’t there.Furious, Sorrel smirked when she leaned in close. She wanted Tifa to see everything when she set her machinations to full power. Reno backed away knowing what she was up to, yet she reached for the top of his arm to hold him firm.“The moment she realizes who you really are…” she seethed, nails so sharp, “…she won’t want you.”And with that, she released him. Turning, Sorrel headed in Tifa’s direction. The entire time she walked, her eyes seared into Tifa’s face until the moment she passed. Yet, despite Sorrel’s best efforts, Tifa didn’t notice. If Tifa received one gil for every woman who even remotely approached Reno, angry, horny, or otherwise, she’d have fully funded Cid’s next interstellar voyage and then some. She didn’t even ask who the woman was despite Reno’s face looking so anxious the moment she stood before him.She kissed his cheek and pulled away, then taking in all of the tables still piled high with food. “I have no clue what I want to eat,” she said, “So I came down…”Tifa saw that Reno’s hands were empty and that he still looked so nervous. “…You didn’t know what to get either?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Seated at one of the shaded poolside loungers in nothing but blacked-out shades and his swim trunks, Reno hadn’t stopped surveilling the place the second he and Tifa came down. Earlier, they’d snapped up food from the breakfast buffet before Reno whisked them both back up to the room where he wanted to stay. Soon after he and Sorrel crossed paths, he told Tifa nothing of the woman who grabbed his arm. He had no intention of telling Tifa either as she never asked. He needed to confirm Sorrel’s location and, if she was indeed staying at the resort, how long she’d be there.He wanted to keep Tifa contained to the suite until then, but… Tifa wasn’t having it. She didn’t understand why he was so keen on keeping her pinned to the bed all day when the beach was right there. They had ample time to stay cooped up back home, not here. She swore up and down that she was going to the pool, and, if he didn’t join her, then she would go alone. She wanted to enjoy what access he’d already paid copious amounts of money for, which made him feel worse. He didn’t mean to ruin the experience but there was this one glaring, human-sized detail he refused to express. Sorrel knew exactly what Tifa looked like now… There was no telling what she would do if she saw Tifa alone and, knowing the throngs of money-confident people already skulking around the place (ready to harass any good-looking person even remotely left unattended), there was no way he’d let Tifa go by herself…Begrudgingly, he relinquished himself to guard duty and Tifa weirdly felt the change. He gave zero context as to why he was suddenly so unwilling to do anything, but she had a theory. Tifa shoved it to the back of her mind though when she insisted they go. She hoped the pool’s onsite bar would take the edge off of whatever he’d built up that morning, but he scarcely felt like drinking either. Still, she’d try, enough to maybe drag him to the beach thereafter… and yet, for the last half hour at this opulent and massive zero-edge pool, Reno’s head stayed on a swivel. He didn’t seem like he was on vacation. He seemed anxious. At any moment, Sorrel could–Flinching, he felt someone splash water on him from the pool. Tifa.“What gives?” she asked. She looked so sweet when she faced him, lightly treading water with her arms over the ledge as she peered up at him. Inverse to his glasses, she wore cat-eyes – pinkish in color with silver mirror lenses, their color and sheen reflecting some of his worry right back at him.He shook his head, “Nothing…”He assumed Yuffie stole those from Marlene and planted them in Tifa’s bag. Earlier, Tifa had to dig through her duffle to find the most ‘wholesome’ swimsuit Yuffie packed. She found this sky-blue bikini with ‘okay’ coverage, resulting in fewer stares (maybe) than its alternatives. Unlike Tifa’s infectious look of love and laughter though, Reno never came down from how shaken he’d become earlier and it broke her heart.Tifa grinned, hoping it would ease him. It didn’t. “Here I am, thinking you were on vacation…” she said, “Seems like you’re working.”Reno’s eyes veered away. He’d been staring at everyone else but her, and not for the reason she thought. “Just thinking…” he said. Dreading more like…Tifa heaved a sigh as she braced herself, then pushing herself forward and up. In the moment, Reno caught more people shooting glances. Out of all the faces, none of them were Sorrel, just a bunch of creeps either drooling, grinning, or groaning to watch this full-grown woman, dripping wet, lift herself out of the pool.“You paid all this money to people-watch?” Tifa asked. She walked toward him, then reaching for a towel from the open lounge chair beside him that she then dragged near. She gave Reno a brief kiss, right as he watched all of her gawkers turn away the second they made contact. Yeah… that’s right… fuckers.“Reno…” Tifa’s voice was soft, pleading, “What’s on your mind?” She was anxious. She didn’t know if he overheard Yuffie’s question after all and was dwelling on it. The discussion they’d had weeks ago late that one night was still unresolved. He’d shied away from speaking about it ever since. Maybe he’d be willing this time and she could listen…He shook his head. Still stoic. Undeterred, Tifa glanced to his side, “Babe… you’ve barely touched your novelty cactuar tube cup thing.”Reno looked over. Tifa bought him this two-foot-tall drink in a god-awful takeaway cup. Its size, color, and shape all in the likeness of a cactuar. It was the dumbest thing he’d ever seen.He almost smiled, “…This thing is so stupid…” He reached over to take a sip, remembering the flavor the bartender described in a single word: “alcohol”.Suddenly his head jerked to the side, he–“Hey!” Tifa snapped. He fixed his gaze back on her. He felt so bad when he saw her expression. She looked just as worried as him.“Who are you looking for?” she asked.He shook his head, “…No one…” …There was no way he’d tell her… “Sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say as he carried her stare.She looked him over again before she forced a grin, “I wanna go somewhere…” Whatever was on his mind had him distracted and she was over it, especially since he refused to say what was wrong or why. It felt silly to pay this much money and be this stressed. If they couldn’t find comfort there then they would find it elsewhere…“I’ll be back,” she said and stood up. Instantly, he got up too.She was so surprised that she motioned for him to stay, “I’m just going over there…” She pointed to the bar area with the adjacent bathroom close by. You couldn’t miss it, the whole place was lined with those silly cups; cactuar mouths open, dead eyes gazing into the sun…“Um…” Gods, he was nervous. What if Sorrel was over there? “You said you wanted to go somewhere, so I, I can go with you–” He pointed with his hands where his words seemed to fail.“No.”His shoulders slumped when he sat down. “You haven’t gotten your hair wet,” Tifa said. She pointed to the pool, her gesture tacit in where he should go. “I spent all that time lotioning you up,” she said, “Get in the pool.” For a second, he grinned, the first one she’d seen in a while. She wanted more. “That was for my benefit…” he said.She laughed, rallying for another, “I knew it…” She reached over to pull him up, not too forceful, but enough. As soon as he stood he glanced to his side, the exact moment when she chose to strike – he never saw it coming when she pushed him over. The sudden thrust forced him into the deep end and he sank like a stone. Quickly, he ascended to the surface, so apprehensive the moment he met Tifa’s gaze. In response, her smugness towered over him with a defiant ‘should have paid more attention’ grin. “Stay here,” she whispered.She was so triumphant when she walked away, drawing her glasses up the second she shot him a wink. His gaze followed her all the way to the bar and then when she went out of sight.Treading water, Reno heaved a sigh as he closed his eyes. He didn’t hear a scream, so… guess she was okay.For a moment, he paused, then moving to steadily float on his back. He’d been thinking too much, his mind damn near crowded with worry. He felt trapped, somewhere between heaven with the woman of his dreams and then this baying she-wolf from hell. He let the calm and coolness of the water soak into him (try to anyway), meanwhile, the steady breeze from above softened his nerves. How the fuck was he going to fix this trip? If Sorrel stayed, she’d ruin everything. He thought she might have gone back home to Mideel to stay like she said she would, but that was years ago… guess not. The one time he really thought he could avoid her – fuck.He exhaled, eyes clenched, when he suddenly heard the steady cackle of two dipshits nearby. Two bros were poolside and talking about the beautiful babe they’d just witnessed, the same one who’d sauntered off minutes ago in the blue string bikini. Both of them were stupidly unaware that their whispers traveled by water.“Bruh, holy FUCK, that girl was hot.” “For real, for real…”Grimacing, Reno glanced to his side. He was still floating and trying not to be bothered. They looked like a couple of rich kids with zero scruples, still lusting after Tifa in the direction she left in. Reno shifted his gaze to where she’d been and saw that Tifa was now at the bar, talking to some woman behind the counter who was nodding and doing something with a touchscreen as Tifa leaned in.“I would fuck her SO hard, dude…” “Lemme get in those guts, SON.”What the fuck… The ‘guts’ comment was gross and Reno was tempted to speak, but he’d been young once so he tried to let it pass. Maybe someone close to them would say something. Then Reno wouldn’t feel so compelled to drown them himself…But no… no one did, “Yo, a girl like that, I bet she puts out AND she’s super slutty. I mean – look at her. We should look her up, there might be pics online. Like dirty, dirty. I’m talking every orifice.” “I’m gonna DM her and tell her that body is ABSURD.”Reno was staring at the shitheads now. Somehow they hadn’t noticed. Suddenly, they were quiet and he didn’t know why. Turning, he felt a shadow pass over him. He looked toward the ledge and there was Tifa, this time with her arm out. She was grinning and motioning for him to come towards her so she could pull him up.Then, in the deepest pitch and loudest accent she’d ever mustered, she croaked, “Are you lost, baby girl?”Reno’s smile was so wide, the exact look she’d been gunning for. She returned the grin, still reaching for his hand. He was still soaking up her brilliance and the silence behind him when one of the assholes murmured, “…Ew… Chick sounds like a dude.” Reno loved her so fucking much. ----- “Tifa…” He hadn’t stopped saying her name for the last five minutes.“Tifa…”“…Tifa… Seriously, what are we doing?” Day bag slung over her back, Tifa turned to him in the elevator as they descended. Her lips were sealed in a wicked grin and still, she gave no answer. All part of the plan…As soon as they left the pool, Tifa had them return to the suite for, “just a few things!” Inside the room, Reno watched her grab handfuls of clothes, fresh towels, and random items off countertops, the bathroom shelf, and then the bedroom floor. Everything was hurled into a single bag as she went. Exactly what she had planned, he had no clue. She’d been so giddy when she threw on a sheer white tee, bikini still visible underneath, along with new khaki shorts and a beloved leather belt, tarnished chocobo buckle gleaming argentum at the hip. She instructed him to keep his swimsuit on and to maybe throw on a decent shirt, which he had. The next thing he knew she was pushing him out the door, no further instructions needed…The elevator chimed at the lobby and Tifa stepped off, grabbing his hand as she went. He was anxious not to draw too much attention as they walked, but Tifa shot that all to hell. She was so hurried that Reno barely kept pace, twisting past stagnant guests as Tifa zoomed. She really wanted to be somewhere. His eyes continued to search the lobby as they went, and yet he saw no sign of Sorrel. He hadn’t seen her since that morning but deep down something told him he might.But truly, where were they going? Tifa was heading straight toward the front entrance when she stopped a few feet outside the door. “Wait here,” she told him. She withdrew her hand from his to walk the last few paces toward the lone attendant at the outside stand. In a hushed tone she said something to them, forcing the attendant's eyes to glance over some roster pinned to the podium right before they motioned to another person close by. A valet approached, and the attendant signaled to them with a set of keys. Reno watched the two exchange hands before the one rushed away.Brow furrowed, Reno stepped forward. “What are you doing?” he asked Tifa.She was so pumped. “Going somewhere…” She wrapped her arms around his waist, “I got us a reservation.”Expressionless, Reno was nearly quiet, “Reservation?” Tifa nodded and then, he heard it before he saw it.The one valet who sprinted off suddenly appeared again around the scenic loop, clad in an all-terrain vehicle. He drove towards them as Tifa sweetly bounced. Noticeably, the vehicle was boxy, electric blue, and a two-door. It was tall yet compact, complete with an open top like something straight out of the Baja.Tifa peered at Reno, “The lady at the bar told me about this one bahia…” she whispered. Playfully she thumbed her right hand toward the vehicle, “She said we’d need one of these.”Amused, Reno chuckled. Tifa didn’t want a vacation; she wanted an adventure.The valet dropped out of the car to greet Tifa. She already had her hand out with his tip, then returning with keys.Reno tried to swipe them away from her, but she was quick. “Ooooh,” she started. She dangled the keys just above her chest. She should be careful. He’d reach for that, too. “No one told you?” she simmered, “I’m driving.”“Mmm, no…” but Tifa shook her head. She was insistent.“This is on my dime,” she said sweet yet firm, “So, yes, I’m driving.”Reno cut his eyes. Did she really do that as a workaround? He snorted, “Babe, you’re supposed to charge it to the room…” He turned to the valet stand to void and redo everything she’d just done and instantly Tifa was ill. “No! I had to,” she said, “Come on – you never let me drive!”“Babe–” He showed the attendant his room key, directing the man to cross out Tifa’s name with his details at the top. Card reader out, the valet was scribing notes–“I’ll make a scene!” she said. Her arms were up, keys waving wildly overhead like she was ready to pitch them.Reno whipped around. He tried to play it cool, yet he was stern. He motioned to her with his hands down as though she was holding dynamite, “Don’t… don’t do that–” he said. He’d do anything, anything to get them both out of the clearing. Already, he felt like they’d loitered too long. “You…You can drive.”Arms still up, she couldn’t believe it, so she squealed.He forced a grin but quietly directed her to the car, fully opening the door for her before hustling around to the other side himself. Tifa was grinning when she threw her bag behind the front seat but then she paused, right as Reno hopped in.For a moment she stared only to yell “I’ll be right back!” She ran into the lobby, keys jangling from her hand as she went.Mouth open, Reno stared after her. He was a sitting duck. He turned his head to the front of the vehicle this time as he leaned into his chair. This… this is fine. He tried to calm himself. They were so close to departure… What could she possibly have gone back for, he wondered, and then he heard a scream. Not Tifa’s scream, her scream.“Darrell, you fucking idiot!”Instantly Reno ducked down. He wasn’t entirely sure of Sorrel’s direction or line of sight, so he stared ahead, now uncomfortably slanted in his seat. It really sounded like she was right behind him…And then he heard someone else, “Mistre– , er, Princess! I, I’m sorry!” …Who the fuck was that? Reno almost recognized that voice but from where? Back home? In Edge?Apparently, Sorrel had been so busy verbally abusing this unseen person that she failed to notice Reno sitting in the vehicle beside them. This Darrell fellow wouldn’t stop pleading with her to forgive him and, despite all the noise, Reno didn’t budge.“Fuuuck,” Reno breathed. He brought his shades down onto his face as though it were a full disguise (good fucking luck). In keeping low he continued to listen. Aside from Sorrel and “Darrell” (seriously, he really thought he knew this person), he heard a completely different person’s voice accompanied by more close by.“Mr. Hamby, I am so, so sorry, but your recent transactions have all been declined.” Hamby? Darrell Hamby? Holy fuck, Reno did know that name… “Regrettably, we must ask you and your… um… ‘significant other’ to leave.” The person speaking to Darrell was the concierge guy from the other day, the same one who’d greeted Reno and Tifa when they first checked in. The man was terse, explaining to Sorrel and Darrell that their luggage had all been brought down and that transportation had been pre-arranged to escort them off the property.“We greatly appreciate you staying with us for as long as you have, but we must ask you to leave.” The man’s sincerity had diminished. Impatience was the only thing that remained.Reno glanced at the driver-side mirror only to spy Darrell hunched over and fighting through his wallet. The man was desperate to procure new cards. Many of them clattered to the ground like loose change as he rifled. The man was digging for funds he might still have, kneeling now to sort through what was scattered– “Sir, that won’t be necessary.” The concierge sighed watching the poor man – like an animal – root for what was left of his dignity, “Based on the state of your room, we HAVE to ask you to leave.”Darrell slowed. In time, he gathered what he’d dropped, still feeling the weight of Sorrel’s glare from above. Reno glanced over at his side mirror now, just barely making out Sorrel’s face. He knew she was crushing him. Her eye roll alone must have weighed a ton.Reno heard her sneer just beside the car. He prayed she’d stay glued to that spot a while longer… “So useless,” she whispered. He was pretty sure those were Darrell’s sniffles he heard on the ground.And then, finally, barreling into view, there was Tifa.“Hey!” she said. Despite all the darkness around him, here she was. This one bright spot.She glowed, “Why are you sitting like that?” She looked him over. Her head was tilted to the side trying to make sense of why he looked so uncomfortable, “Are you okay?”Reno nodded. Both of his arms were up and beckoning for her to get in like a crazy person.“Oh… Well… somebody’s ready to go,” she said.Reno nodded again as she handed him a large brown bag that he snapped into his lap, that before Tifa hopped into the driver’s seat. She was half-expecting him to kick her out, but he didn’t. He barely even moved. What miracle was this?Tifa was completely unbothered and virtually unaware of the fiasco unfolding behind them, so she started the car, so excited to hear the roar of the engine with her actually behind the wheel. “Here we go!” she exclaimed. Reno was ready to power-shift the damn thing into gear for her if she didn’t go faster.Still ducked down and leaning back, Reno glanced at his side mirror one last time. He was chilled to see Sorrel’s scowling expression staring right back at him – but then he felt the car shift forward and they gently pulled away. He’d already turned away from the mirror at that point, now feeling the shock and relief that Sorrel wouldn’t be there by the time they got back.Still at the curb, Sorrel remained motionless as she watched them leave. Her long black dress softly billowed even as they disappeared from sight. She recognized Tifa the second she popped out of the entrance. She was already clued in that the person Tifa was addressing in the passenger seat had been Reno, right before Sorrel saw him herself. No matter… they’d both be back. And so would she…Expressionless, Sorrel glanced toward the valet stand. Eyes narrowed, she abandoned Darrell still hunched over on the ground. The man was sobbing when she glided past. She couldn’t be bothered to console him either, but… why would she? He’d be fine – just like before, he’d leave, get more money, be back, and cry again, leave, get more money, be back, and cry again…Quiet now, she seized the podium. Her nails lightly wrapped the burnished wood, instantly pleased to see the dais unmanned just long enough to claim her prize–“Uh, Miss?”Sorrel didn’t move. Instead, she committed what she’d just read to memory. With a glint in her eye, her mouth was deliberate and slow in her repetition of two syllables: ‘Ti-fa’.The attendant spoke again, rather clumsily this time as though he’d lost his edge. The frailty in his response was welcome – required really, based on what Sorrel intended to do. The sudden waver was a shining beacon, one that meant this person was pliable, easy… and open to her persuasion.She turned on the charm the second she looked at him, beautiful eyes up and gleaming in that hypnotic and grey-gold way.“Hi…” her voice was sultry, fickle, and then sweet, “…Anyone ever tell you how attractive you are?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
High overhead, clouds dispersed and bloomed above the Western Continent.There was so much energy down below, be it the speed of the wind or steady churning of the sea and its coastal waves, that the sound and pace of Tifa tearing down the long and dusty ocean path scarcely disturbed the landscape as she and Reno passed. Conclusively, Tifa’s ability to drive (with caution) had been a perfect match for the sandy curves and rock-addled lanes. The roads serpentined which required a slower pace, forcing Reno to appreciate the scenery for once. Far beside them and to their right laid Mt. Corel and the mainland’s jagged cliffs. Rarely did Tifa glance their way, but when she did she recognized them for what they were; hazy, distant, and reminiscent of years gone by. For now, she’d leave them be, too focused on where they were heading to be embroiled in the past. In their stead, she leaned on the shoreline’s beauty, claystone, and palm frond greenery to stay the course; ever the sweetest sigils to light the way.From time to time, Tifa glimpsed at the shoreline, capturing picturesque moments of that shimmering coast, peeks of wildlife, and random outcroppings where others had chosen beach sites to fish or likewise vacation. Eventually she peered over at Reno with his shades down low, eyes often shut. He stayed strapped into the passenger seat and lazily soaked up the midday sun. Whether he was fully enjoying himself Tifa wasn’t sure. Ever since they left, he stayed quiet, which left Tifa to wonder what exactly he was thinking. His head was tilted away from her and off to the side, presently staring into his mirror…“You looking back?” she asked. Tifa had to speak up over the roar of the engine and soft melody streaming through the speakers. At the same time, the thrashing of grit was perpetually shredded underneath.Reno glanced her way, the day’s rare smile back on his face. “No,” he murmured.Whatever she’d done had worked, she thought. He was more himself, akin to yesterday when they first arrived. Up until they left, he hadn’t stopped shrinking and it made her question… On too many occasions, namely when they were at the pool, she caught him staring off into other people’s faces, specifically those who met his gaze or, gods forbid, those who met hers. She feared that might have been because of what she was wearing, which felt odd as he never cared before, especially when they were there just months ago or even last night. He always liked what she wore, no matter what it was or where she wore it… or… he had.She realized that in the past few hours he’d become so distant, especially in public. He’d scarcely reached for her hand or met her lips, yet here and now, his grasp was firmly pressed to her thigh. Every few minutes she’d feel him squeeze or simultaneously shift his hand closer to her shorts. She’d unnerve him by swatting it away or playfully adjusting it herself. Each time he’d give her the same exact look he made the moment they left town. At the last stop light out of Costa, he’d given her the longest and deepest kiss right before he smiled. She wanted that so badly back at the pool, especially when he had every opportunity, and yet… maybe he’d be better…Still… Tifa feared there was so much more. Like Yuffie’s burning question– “Where’s this bahia?” he asked.Tifa hesitated. She was so caught up in her thoughts that her response was sharp, “Ways out.”…Smooth. Reno shifted his gaze to her. With or without his sunglasses, everything about his person said nothing. She was playing hard to get when all he wanted were answers. Now that Sorrel was gone he really wanted to go back. He wanted to redo the whole morning guilt and worry-free with her; beach, pool, spa, as if nothing had ever happened or that he hadn’t been haunted by some shrill and unwanted nobody. Yet deep down, however, something told him he and Tifa wouldn’t be back for a while.“Hey,” Tifa pointed, “Mercado…” Reno followed her finger. His eyes roved to the front, and sure enough, there was a large and shaded area up ahead full of stalls in the distance. It looked like a massive festival or flea market or… circus?“I was told this place is kind of new…” she said, “I wanna stop real quick. I need a few things for the road.”Reno scrunched his eyes. A few things? For what? How far were they going? Presently they’d left the Corel region, having crossed one of the newly constructed bridges and were minutes away from crossing another if they drove past this massive… ‘thing’. After that, they were ebbing ever closer to the outermost coastline affiliated with Gongaga… He remembered the brown bag he’d tossed in the backseat, next to her day bag the moment they sped out of Costa. It smelled like food and was oddly shaped like one of those silly cactuar cups. Aside from snacks and frivolous things, what more did she need? “I hope they have a cooler,” she said. …Why would she need that? Reno shook his head as he rested his arm against the sill. He placed his face in his hand, willing himself to go with whatever she had planned. It was far too late to turn around. He knew this, and so, he stayed mum. ----- Forty minutes later, the sudden pit stop was briefer than Reno expected as the two hopped back in the car. He’d barely closed the door back when Tifa lurched the vehicle forward.“See?” she said as she peeled out of the parking lot. She shot back onto the main road, her destination still set on Gongaga’s far east shore, “That wasn’t so bad.”When they first arrived, Reno heaved a sigh. From the outside, the roadside attraction was a maze of shops and stalls with each and every vendor busily shouting and hawking wares to throngs of people who passed. He was beyond convinced they’d be there for hours, but no, Tifa oddly had her sights set on one structure located dead-center amongst this loud and sprawling mecca. The desired store had a neon and gold-plated signpost that towered high above the rest: The Sandstone Saucer. On foot, Tifa eyed it as she hustled forward, meanwhile Reno stayed close behind. The air was thick with the smell of food, flowers, and other assorted fragrances. Too often Tifa was tempted to stop but stayed rigid when she moved past; past street musicians, art, fashion, and food stalls with people perpetually flocking in and out to subsequently mar her path. Reno slowed at times to gaze at street fare himself, only to feel her wrench him forward. Even if he wanted to, she wouldn’t let him linger.Above them, colorful archways and yards of twirling moogle-y-chocobo streamers and assorted papel picado fluttered in the breeze. Each strand crisscrossed at guideposts and intersections, all directing them to the Saucer. Tifa pumped her fist when she finally stood before it on the outside, right as she rushed in. Indoors, the space was packed and sweaty. Tifa grabbed a basket, then gesturing to Reno to remain close. He almost laughed at her signal but obeyed when he kept pace. In one long and sweeping succession, she led them around the store perimeter, expertly grabbing things off shelves and motioning to shopkeeps for items she needed in cases. It seemed to Reno that she had some unseen checklist she was determined to fulfill. He always got a kick out of seeing her in her element. She was so genuine with people, often asking for recommendations or partaking in chit-chat, all before expressing her thanks and farewell. She really looked like she was enjoying herself, even in the liminal spaces. Finally at checkout, she piled two massive beach blankets and a cooler in his hands and he knew better than to ask. This was her thing. He’d decided long ago that he’d indulge her.Loaded down with countless bags and provisions, er – “a few things” – they were this close to the exit when Tifa spied “oh, oh wait – one more!” Without speaking, she steered him towards a tacky photo booth and Reno’s fate was sealed.“We have to,” she said. She nabbed what effects he’d been holding before she shoved him into the booth. Seated inside, Reno glowered at her, completely uninterested in this sand-ridden and silly contraption. He watched her force-feed gil into the interface, still carrying the same expression, when finally, at the very last second he fell into character. Laughing, Tifa leaned into his seamless gestures from frame to frame. This whole time she knew he’d been full of shit. He’d never admit it, but he loved these dumb things. Six photos later, with two solid and frankly, well-printed copies a piece, they were back on the road with Reno looking over their stills.“Reno… for that second-to-last one,” she pointed, “You didn’t have to lick my face.”He shrugged, “But I wanted to,” and then – softer now – he mentioned, “…It’s my favorite.”He glanced over the image. In the photo it didn’t seem like Tifa was completely opposed to what he was doing. Her smile was the brightest out of all of them even if she was shoving his face away. “I really like the one where you’re voguing,” she said. Tifa pointed to the one above it. “Where’d you learn that face,” she asked.Reno grinned. “Marlene.”Tifa laughed at recalling the moment. Months back, Marlene had seen some show on TV and took it upon herself to train Johnny and Reno up in the art of “modeling”. Reluctant at first, Reno caved to his competitive nature (and ‘drinks’) when he refused to be outdone by the likes of Johnny. Little did Johnny know but Reno actually excelled in theatrics. Even Elena and Rude were impressed. Seated barside alongside Tifa, his comrades nodded their heads in amazement and approval all while steadily feeding him finger claps. By the end of the night, Marlene dubbed Reno as “most improved”, with a colored-pencil certificate to mark his sterling achievement. The gold-star piece of paper was still pinned to his fridge, right next to where this new photo set would go.Peering down at their last still, he took in their simple, yet sweet kiss, when quietly Tifa hummed, “…Almost there…”Reno looked up right as they crossed that last bridge. The land beyond was quieter than the former peninsula; vast and windswept with less foliage than where they’d been. In many ways, this place felt untouched all save for one lone structure he saw far off in the distance whose property curved in time with the coast. He was staring dead ahead at it when she whispered again, “…Almost there…” ----- Tifa pulled up to the beach site. Nearly adjacent to them was the shabby cottage Reno initially spied in the distance. For a moment he eyed the doors and windows before he got out. He was unsure if the space was completely devoid of life though he heard nothing nor saw anything that suggested otherwise. He noticed zero power lines fed into the unit, nor signs of potable water or sanitation attached nearby. By all accounts, this place was off the grid. He checked his PHS and was impressed he had two bars. He couldn’t imagine anyone living here full-time, especially during the rainy season.“I knew someone who used to live here,” Tifa said. Reno’s eyes shifted to her. He didn’t know that meant she’d actually been here before… He watched her shove what perishables she’d bought into the cooler, then she reached for more items behind the front seat and he moved to help.“This guy used to trade weapons,” she said. She was struggling to grab her day bag underneath everything she’d piled on top, “…he was a little… high strung…” she gasped, “BUT–” Finally, with Reno’s help she hauled the damn thing up, “…he was nice.”Reno reached for the blankets she’d left on top, right before he turned to the beach. Tifa’s contact at the resort had been brilliant in suggesting the place. The bahia was gorgeous. The inlet stretched on forever, peppered with natural strokes of greenery he’d never see back home: palm trees, prickly pears, and pampas grass. Closer to the cottage, he noticed the sea and land curled in on themselves like the union of a swirl. It must have been low tide given the shallows where he witnessed the water ebb and flow in an exceptional shade of green. Light and glassy in a way that matched his eyes. Beyond the sandy bottom and further still, the sea reformed to the deepest phthalo blue. It was beautiful.He assumed the wind was especially nice that day given the appearance of bent shrub brush and hunched-over trees that surrounded them. Almost everything upright lightly swayed. Easily, this place rivaled Costa del Sol’s prettiest beach – not to mention it was all theirs without a soul in sight.He turned to Tifa as she walked, right when he began to follow.A smile crept across his face as they wandered and he asked, “Did you bring the swimsuit?”Tifa snickered. She knew exactly which one he was referring to… “No, just the one I’m wearing.” She glanced back at him, “Was I supposed to?”Grinning, he couldn’t help it, “I mean… there’s no one out here.” This was as good a place as any for her to wear whatever she liked (or nothing at all), let alone whatever Yuffie threw in her bag. Back at the resort, he’d been intrigued by one bathing suit pouch she kept kicking to the side; Yuffie’s bizarre red label and especially girlish handwriting the one thing that always caught his eye: '❤️cum dumpster❤️'. The only reason he hadn’t asked Tifa to try it on was the likelihood she would ask him to wear it next.Suddenly Tifa pivoted to him on the beach path, “We should get our things back at the hotel and stay here…” She sounded so enthused by her sudden proposal despite how random it felt. Pointing, she motioned to the abandoned cottage and Reno’s gaze refused to follow. He didn’t want to entertain the notion of running back to their prestigious room, packing up any of their stuff only to stay at this shithole.“I’m good,” Reno muttered. He looked up in time to catch Tifa’s grin. There was something in the way she smiled that made him wonder, but then she moved on to set her things down a few paces ahead of them on the sand. When she threw her bag down she reached for the blankets Reno carried, but, instead of spreading them out, she unzipped her bag enough to perch them inside.“Tifa…” he observed, “That’s not how blankets work.”“I’m waiting…” she said. She stood up with her sunglasses on this time which she’d pulled from her bag. Even more little things to hide her minute tells that he’d absolutely notice… “If we don’t have to get them too sandy then we don’t need to…” she muttered.Gods, he realized – why did it feel like she was up to something?“Tifa–”“Can you reapply my sunscreen?” He stared into her mirrored lenses when she thrust a tube of sunblock to him in one hand. The moment he took it she took off her shirt and shorts in two quick motions. She was purposefully distracting him and damn it all for working.She turned round with the intent he’d do her back first and he said nothing when he obliged.Scooping her hair up, she pinned everything up in a bun as he proceeded to rub. “You know I missed this level of attention back at the pool…” she said. Her smile started to wane when his hand strokes stalled.He really didn’t have an answer for that, and he felt bad.“I was a little distracted,” he muttered.Tifa inhaled as though she was tired. “Not by me,” she whispered. For a moment Reno paused. He didn’t have an answer for that either when she turned to face him. He could have just told her but, no, why do that when he could just backpedal? Instead of taking in her forlorn expression, he hurried with more sunscreen, this time to her chest, and she flinched.Despite her sunglasses, he saw her eyes clench when she gasped, “Ow…”Reno stopped.Confused, his next question was pure intuition. “…Tender?” he asked. She appeared completely fine. Her pain wasn’t from the sun.Eyes closed, Tifa nodded and slowly, he grinned.“Almost that time?” he asked. She nodded again, this time with a pout.“I’m sorry…” he whispered. He glanced back at her chest to apply more lotion, “Want me to slap ‘em?”Tifa stifled a laugh. She peeked with one eye, feeling him massage in such a way now that was partial to her sensitivities, “You always say that, but you never do…”He grinned. He didn’t want to die. “I couldn’t be that disrespectful.”“No…” she muttered. There was so much more to it than that, “You’re scared I’ll do it right back to you.”To this, he chuckled. He’d seen and felt her punch before. No one could tell him her slap wasn’t fatal. “I am,” he admitted, and her smile was so bright.Finally finished, her eyes fluttered open to see him actually gaze at her, which she’d longed for and missed. The wind had kicked up a little, nudging what bangs she’d pressed behind her ears to fall forward and she grinned.“You’re so pretty,” he murmured.Her smile was half-hearted, “My goal in life…” her admission fully tinged with the sweetest hint of sarcasm.Grinning, he drew her into him and she pressed forward, too. Arms wrapped around his neck, her hands slid to his face when she felt him push into her more. He was hard against her with his thumb softly grazing her nipple now beneath her suit. She shuddered. This felt like such an open invitation that she thought she’d never get at the hotel. Putting on airs in the way that he had back there must have been what suppressed him, she thought, whereas he felt freest alone with her here, out in the open, which she wanted. She was determined to see her plans through.She withdrew her mouth long enough from his to whisper, “I want to stay here tonight.”Still close, he retreated, “Stay where?”“My beach shack,” she murmured. She drew her glasses up in time to fully realize his expression. He wasn’t pleased.Eyes narrowed, he glanced back at the cottage and then at her, “…Here?”She nodded. Already her hands were in prayer when they started to separate.“Tifa–” There were too many words he wanted to say yet too much to actually commit to precious word flow. All he managed was, “–no.”She was begging, “Please?” and yet again, his response was clear.He shook his head, “I don’t wanna do that.”“One night?” she asked. She babbled on in one breath, “I worked it out with Asa at the bar and she said she was familiar with the weapons guy, he’d be totally fine with it–”He was so confused, “Who? Who are you talking about? At the bar?”“Asa…” she sounded out her name like ‘of course he knew’, “Ay-sah, the bartender. We saw her six months ago when she was working at the resort we stayed at last. She said she knew you really well, she’s super nice.” Despite Tifa’s smile, all of Reno’s paranoia came flooding back. He had the vaguest memory of this woman but couldn’t confirm if it was someone else or some variation of Sorrel who must have approached Tifa when he wasn’t looking. Sorrel was weirdly resourceful like that, aside from having many, many names. Was this not one of them?Reno stared and Tifa assumed he needed more help, “You don’t remember? You tipped her really well at the other place. She said she’s known you for years from visiting Costa… You really don’t remember?”Somehow that comment hit harder than the last. Great, if it wasn’t Sorrel, it was someone else in Tifa’s ear ready to rip her away from him based on what they’d likely tell her from what they knew–When he glanced to his side to think, his eyes crept back to her when she murmured, “My boyfriend…” She was so close, “…he’s so smart, so kind, so sweet…”She was feeding him affirmations he suddenly felt he didn’t deserve. Obviously, she was doing it to pump him up and perhaps to persuade, but instead, he felt gutted and exposed when she did. He’d been trying so hard those last few years to be this wholly different person. One he liked and intended to be. This felt like one huge lapse in his memory, reminding him yet again that no matter what, he couldn’t outrun his past no matter how hard he tried. It hurt feeling like he couldn’t do that, let alone convince her if he failed. Tifa reached for his face. She noticed he’d gone distant despite him being so close. If the choice was hard, she told herself she’d accept whatever he wanted.“We don’t have to,” she said, “We can go back when we’re done here…”He seemed reluctant when he held her close but shook his head. She’d been misreading his hesitation when in actuality it’d been so much worse.Maybe if they stayed it wasn’t such a bad thing… Keep her further away from people who would only ruin what they had. This felt like penance to him. If he did this one thing for her then she could look back on it fondly if and when she told him it was over–“We can stay,” he said, “One night.” Tifa’s face lit up, though she was anxious her expression didn’t correspond to his.“I promise it’ll be fun,” she said. She gave him the sweetest kiss which he tried to match. He was still so unnerved.“I’ll head up to the house and put our stuff inside,” she said.“Let me clear it out first.” Reno didn’t know what’d be in there, person or not, but Tifa shook her head as she backed away. Like she hadn’t done that before. “Don’t be silly–” she breathed.Suddenly Reno’s PHS buzzed in his pocket and he reached for it. Tifa stayed silent assuming it was for work. Of course it was.A text message from Elena flashed across his screen and Tifa hustled. She threw her shirt and shorts back on, right as she glanced at him taking in Elena’s text. Snapping up her bag, she made a break for the house while he wasn’t looking.“Tifa!” he yelled, “WAIT!”Grinning, she turned back to him just to shout, “If you need to get that, I need to call home, too!” She was eager to call Marlene and Denzel about what she’d seen and was doing that day. She didn’t know the full state of the cottage and was willing to clean it up if it sold the idea further to Reno. It wasn’t like he couldn’t change his mind… She already had food, water, booze – everything they needed for one night. Gods, she was so happy.Reno heaved a sigh as he watched her go. Finally, he glanced down at Elena’s text: “Hey! Give me a call, I need you for real this time. ACTUALLY FOR WORK, I PROMISE” He felt like he needed to vent and had an awful lot to say since they last spoke. Between Sorrel, Darrell, and this – this feeling he had, he needed a lifeline.For a moment he glanced back towards the sea. Per usual, all of life’s repeated pitfalls continued to haunt him. Watching and waiting, like some cursed demon below, eyes up, claws out, demanding its pound of flesh; be it scapegoat, firstborn, or self-inflicted wound (ideally an axe to the heart or perhaps a chainsaw at this point). What was on the altar this time felt like something he couldn’t stand to lose because he didn’t want to. A year with Tifa had been a blessing, like some lifelong revision, including all the years that led up to him being with her. What could he sacrifice in her stead if it meant he couldn’t lose? A calf, a foal – a yearling? Something archaic and dumb if it meant he didn’t have to live or go without.Staring down at his phone, he hit the option that displayed Elena’s number. Punching in the call, he wasn’t ready for a true answer but dammit he’d try.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The call rang once before Elena picked up, “Hey Re–”“You have my code.” Reno was sharp, “I know you do.”
Oh…
What were greetings again?
Seated in the rental car, Reno’s feet were kicked up on the dash as he stared toward the sea. It was nearing late afternoon and already the wind had picked up as the clouds moved offshore. At the angle he was sitting, he was doing what he could to shelter the mic – that on top of fighting garbage reception due to where they were. He insisted the call had to work. He needed information and, if it wasn’t the ocean or the wind that he was competing with for call quality, it was Tifa “cleaning” in the cottage beside him. He glanced over at her wrenching open yet another window while she talked. She was being sweet with the kids over the phone before they went to bed.“I never said I didn’t have your code,” Elena said. She was working by lamplight at her desk in Edge given the time difference. As far as she knew she was the last one in the building. Understandably, she was annoyed, “I’m not calling about that either.” Reno rolled his eyes as she went on. “The audit reports, where did you put them?”Reno’s eyes narrowed. His mouth became a thin line and his face said nothing – everything about him saying nothing.Elena thought the call dropped, “Reno, you still–”“I didn’t do ‘em,” he said. Silence passed between them, and a smile twisted on his face. She was so pissed. He imagined her boiling over at her desk. Well, at least she didn’t ask about–“That means you didn’t do the reconciliation reports either.”
Fuck…
2 for 2. Yet again, Reno was silent.“WELL?”“I went on vacation.”“OOOH?” Fuck yeah, she was pissed, “DID YOU? ‘Reno went on vacation’ and before he left he FORGOT TO DO HIS WORK.”Still grinning, Reno was afraid Elena could hear his facial expressions, too.“Glad I can depend on you,” she said with so much sarcasm that only she could muster.“I, uh… I’ll make it up to you.”“BUH!” she choked. ‘I’ll make it up to you,’ yeah, when Tonberries fly.He was eager to head off her emotions before she hung up the phone.“Hey…” he sounded so lackadaisical like he wasn’t about to blow her mind, “You know Darrell Hamby?”Over the phone, Elena paused. “Hamby?” She said his name like of course she knew. “Yeah. He’s nice. He’s from accounting…” One of Elena’s roles had been to work closely with Darrell’s department due to the inevitable expenses the Turks accrued (primarily from fieldwork and addressing Rufus’s needs). Because of this, Elena got to know him quite well.She sneered, “You know this. Have I not introduced you a million times?”Yeah, she had. Reno finally remembered the bumbling idiot who scurried off every time they made eye contact. The guy barely met Reno’s chest if he stood up straight enough, typically wincing as soon as he spotted Reno through bottle-thick glasses, followed by the man sideswiping the door or wall the second he moved. It felt like Darrell suffered a panic attack every time Reno was near. Whatever, the guy had a penchant for being weird, Reno thought, which he merely chalked up to his profession. Fucking accountants.“I mean, he’s kind of shy,” Elena said.“Right…” Reno murmured, “Exactly how much do you know about him?”Elena paused again. She’d been shuffling papers at her desk (presumably the blank reports Reno didn’t file), “Mmm, typical middle-aged man, I guess?” Elena addressed what details she knew, but honestly, the man was unremarkable. “Why do you ask?”Reno thought he’d speak plainly, but before he did she chimed in, “Oh! WAIT… Did you see him?”Reno stayed quiet as she worked through grey matter.“I think he’s in Costa. Said he was going someplace nice with his girlfriend. Said he might propose?”Oh… GROSS. Reno grimaced as he lightly heaved. Fist to mouth, understandably he failed to focus.“It’s kind of sweet really. If you saw them, he swears she answers to ‘Princess’ or something and they always play-fight and he lets her win. I never ask but he tells me how pretty she is all the time, which, good for him. You’d have to tell me if he was wrong though. I’d love to hear if she passes for ‘Reno pretty’,” Elena said.Elena heard nothing on his end. She didn’t know he was seizing from the revelation.“Ha…” she chuckled, “Who am I kidding? There’s no way she’s prettier than Tifa.”A gurgle sounded through Reno’s chest. His legs had dropped to the floorboards where his head was resting between his knees. “You there?” Elena asked.Reno capped his mouth.“…Reno?”“I ran into him,” he gasped, “Him and his ‘girlfriend’.” Elena could tell Reno was going through… ‘something’ but she was very ready to move on. She didn’t care for whatever he was up to nor the information he kept asking in regard to Hamby, “Okay, so… how’s your trip?” She didn’t understand the correlation yet that Reno was ready to spill. Reno was still fighting through the mental image of this absolute clown of a man wanting to forge a life with this woman who completely despised him based on what Reno had seen. Reno was no expert, but there was no way Darrell was the ‘spitting image’ of whatever Sorrel desired in a partner nor wanted to commit to for life. No fucking way. More than anything, Reno now understood that Darrell sold him out. Whatever money Darrell had gifted her for as long as he had was nothing compared to the wealth of knowledge he bestowed to her on Reno. Thank gods intel about Tifa never made the cut – Sorrel didn’t even know her name.“I ran into a situation,” he said. He’d mostly composed himself over the noise of Elena’s keystrokes and pages flipped at her desk. Elena had no idea where this was going.“Oh yeah?” she asked.“Yeah…” Reno paused, “Darrell’s ‘girlfriend’ is you-know-who…”Still typing, Elena wondered aloud, “…you know who… you know who…” She had no idea who would match both Darrell’s standards AND be someone she knew from Costa. The hint was so nondescript that she repeated it over and over and still, nothing bobbed to the surface.“No…” she sounded so disinterested, “I don’t know. Who is this?”Reno heard the speaker crackle as though she’d shoved the device closer to her ear. Just say it.For a moment, his mouth twitched and then he breathed, “Sorrel.”Quietly, everything on Elena’s end ceased. No typing, no papers, no busy work. Nothing.“… Oh… oh, Reno….” she sounded so scared as if a harbinger just appeared. “You need to get out of there.” She was serious.Reno exhaled when he leaned into the headrest. The rush of the wind had died down as though the fates intended to hear.“It’s fine, Elena…” he said, “She left.”Despite Elena’s concerns, Reno still had hope. He peered over again at Tifa opening yet another window as she chatted. Always busying herself with fresh air… Tifa stopped to wave at him and he forced one back.“WHO? SORREL?” Elena nearly screeched. Reno could almost picture her face when the woman ripped through her words, “…Are you stupid?” Reno imagined her crouched underneath her desk for some reason, “Did she leave Costa? NO! SHE LIVES THERE, YOU IDIOT.”“No, no,” Reno said, “Where we’re staying, the staff kicked her out. They won’t let her back–”“SHE WAS AT YOUR HOTEL?!”Elena was less and less convinced Reno truly understood, “Reno, I mean it. You need to leave.”Momentarily, her voice was distant as if she’d moved away, “…you’re so fucked… you’re so fucked…”, and then she was close, “When she discovers Tifa, that’s so much worse!”Elena had every right to fear for Tifa’s safety. She had her own first-hand account of ‘you-know-who’ and it’d been haunting. Years back when she’d become a newly minted rookie, Elena faithfully shadowed Reno in Costa one long and grueling weekend. There, she’d subsequently met her. In broad daylight while at lunch, Reno stepped away. Elena was picking over her plate when she suddenly felt the need to look up. Sitting across from her was Sorrel, except at the time she didn’t know her name. Somehow, without notice, this woman self-injected herself into Reno’s seat like an apparition, and Elena stared. She was intense; silver-eyed with a matching silver tongue… Sphinxlike, the woman’s elbows rested on the table, her face perched and patiently waiting on diamond-encrusted wrists. Elena was so convinced this woman would eat her alive if she didn’t answer her riddle–“Who are you?” the woman asked.Elena didn’t move. She was so unsure if this was part of her training, so her eyes searched the room for Reno.“Who are you?” the woman asked again, firmer now. Confused, Elena gazed back at her before she shook her head. That’s when the woman cooed. “…‘Nemo’, is it?” she’d asked, “Or maybe it’s ‘Outis’?” And then she chuckled right as she got up to leave, “A nobody…”Thereafter Reno reappeared. Elena waited for him to mention the woman and maybe tell her it was all a test, but no, he droned on about something work-related and Elena was forced to forget. There was something about the woman though that gave her pause. Later on, the feeling was reinforced.That same evening, Elena hadn’t mentioned the woman to Reno, yet she was shaken. The woman had been absolutely gorgeous and somehow successfully snuck up on her, which made Elena question if she’d been real. She thought back to all the times her grandmother had warned her and her sister of entities from the old world, the same ones her sibling laughed off. “Merewif…” her grandmother would say, and Elena would listen. So, either Elena was crazy or this was some prank that Reno successfully devised. Regardless… she’d get her answer.Seated at the bar that night, Elena looked over in Reno’s direction. At the far end, he’d been standing and chatting with someone pretty when Elena felt a sudden chill. It felt like a breeze had rolled in when she barely turned – that’s when the woman sauntered past. She wore something dark and iridescent, supple and then see-through, watching the edges of her garment sparkle and fade. The other girl who’d been chatting with Reno saw the woman, too, and hastily departed without a word. Everyone in the bar bowed away from this woman like the parting of a sea, and soon, the space was clear. Reno had been facing the wall that whole time, and yet he recognized the presence in the room. Shoulders slumped, Elena remembered him keenly peering down at the floor when the woman reached his side. His hands were in his pockets when she intertwined one arm through his and, for a moment, she leaned into his ear. When she did, Reno shot Elena the briefest look. She’d never forget that face. He looked so tired. The moment he had, the woman jerked his jaw back toward her with the snap of her wrist. So violent, her nails were embedded in his cheek while she glared, yet for some reason, Reno never fought her. Instead, he stayed docile and set to her control. Elena had never seen that before, never from him. He’d been the most tenacious person she’d ever met, rare if ever to suffer fools gladly, and yet here he was, compliant to a T.The woman was still angry with him when he shook his head, that’s when at last she eyed Elena. Vividly, Elena remembered the woman’s gaze – like staring into a pit of ash. With the flip of her wrist, the same bangles Elena had seen before shooed her away and Elena heeded. Elena braced herself for the exit as soon as she could, and to this day, she swore she heard her grandmother's voice in a whisper, “Vardøger–”Ever since then, Elena had been deathly afraid of Sorrel.“I told you she’d never go back to Mideel…” she said. Rubbing her face, Elena had been talking for quite some time, addressing all the times Sorrel had scared her since. She really thought and hoped she’d gone home, too…Reno heard her sigh when he shifted in his seat. “…I told you it was a ploy. Another chance for her to wrangle more shit out of you or be some asshole-mind-fuck like she always has been slash always will be.”Reno stayed quiet in the car. He glanced over at Tifa the second she stepped outside, approaching him with a grin.“Elena, hold on,” he whispered. His next words were for Tifa, “Hey…”Tifa hopped up on the truck rails to kiss him. “I just got off the phone,” she said, “Can we get into the water before dark?”He nodded his head, meanwhile, Elena was living in fear for Tifa on her end. Elena didn’t know they were far from the resort, but to her, it didn’t matter. They might as well leave the continent.“Is that Elena?” Tifa asked.Reno nodded again, waiting for Tifa to do the obligatory ‘tell her I said hi’.“Tell her not to work too hard,” she said instead. Elena snorted. Ironically, she was peering down at the work Reno gifted her.Tifa leaned in once more for another kiss and Reno accepted. She seemed to slide away from him and the car with the sweetest grin, right as she bounded back towards the cottage.Elena was fuming, “You gonna tell her about you-know-who before she sticks a knife in her?” Desperately, Reno shook his head as he watched Tifa disappear from sight, “The situation is under control, Elena.”She scoffed, “I just…” She had no words, only worries which went without saying.“Elena, listen, I don’t… I don’t really know what to do right now. Even with me telling you, I wish I hadn’t.”The phone call had done nothing for him after all. It only made him feel worse. He knew he and Tifa being there was ‘safe’ but if Elena was right, they weren’t out of the woods just yet, especially when they went back–“Reno, I’m not going to tell you what to do,” Elena said, “But you need to do something before someone gets hurt. If leaving is an option, I would do that.”Reno sighed, right as he watched Tifa frolic back out of the cottage again, this time with towels.“Or…” Elena said, “You could just tell her…”Tifa motioned for him to get out and head towards the beach with her. “Elena,” he said, “I gotta go.”“Reno–”“I’ll talk to you later.” Promptly, he hung up the phone. Blinking, he stared down at his PHS. Tifa’s face was there on the screen, so kind as she smiled back.“Fuck…” he murmured, followed by Tifa opening the door.Her face looked just like she did on his phone. She took in his overall expression before she spoke. “You okay?” she asked. “Yeah…” he said, “Just work…”Tifa moved aside so he could hop out. When he had, she was still gazing at him, “You sure you’re okay?” She was firm when she said it, “I was serious when I said we don’t have to stay.”“No,” he said, “I want to,” and meant it. He shifted his gaze to the surf, realizing the calm that came from no one else being there, namely people he was hopelessly trying to avoid, them and their slovenly client henchmen.“Okay,” she smiled, “Only if you want to.”Reno looked back at her with a grin, hoping it’d be enough. Even though the call sucked, it was sweet he could still count on her to bring him back to Gaia. Even if he was worried about her…“Love you,” he whispered followed by her replying just the same.Wrapped around each other, they walked toward the beach. ----- Back in Edge, Elena was so unconvinced his situation was far from over. Late at night, still stuck in Shinra Tower, she was the only one left in the Turk office aside from one sleepy-eyed security guard aimlessly roaming the halls. For four to five minutes post-call, she’d been stewing at her desk when finally, she threw down her hands. The reports would wait – better yet she’d make HIM do them as soon as he got back because clearly, it was time to save his dumbass.She pushed aside all of the paperwork at her desk to pull up rosters of handwritten notes. She was combing through contacts and searching for loose details, which felt fraught like there wasn’t enough time. Eventually, she pulled up the Turk database on her computer with files in total disarray. Hardly any of them were annotated like they should have been for what she needed.She growled, “Who was supposed to do this?!” Annoyed, she toggled through work orders only to see Reno’s name at the top, signifying he was assigned to organize. Yet again, she was pissed, “UGH – RENO!”Realizing the data she sought and ease of access was massively incomplete, she grabbed her jacket from her desk as she made for the stairs. She knew one contact she could easily get a hold of for anything she needed, who also happened to live in Edge. She just needed to get to them.Twenty minutes later across town, Elena got out of the cab fully dressed in impeccable Turk attire. Briefly, she looked up at the establishment’s seedy blinking sign before she moved in. When she made her way through the front, she noticed the few remaining patrons still inside. It was late, well on their way to last call if it hadn’t happened already. Lead by the red glow of dimmed and dust-covered lamp lights, she walked directly toward the rear where a lonely man stood to greet her.“Hey,” she said. The man gave her a curious once over. “Is he in?” she asked.He looked her over again, this time a little too much. “You a friend?”‘Friend’ was dubious, but still, Elena nodded.The man’s mustache curled into a tight grin as he moved aside. He motioned with one arm, “Straight through here, there’s a building in the back. Go through the front door and turn to the first room on your right. You can’t miss it.”Elena gave a curt nod as she moved past. Doing as she was told, she stepped through. Eventually she was outside again, and just as the man said, there was a standalone building she observed just steps away as she made haste. Behind her were the sounds of the late-night bar, and yet, despite her being alone and the position she was in, she knew she was safe.Finally inside again and at the closed door, she was too hurried to knock so she let herself in. There on the other side, she wished she hadn't.“AH!” she was so startled as if she hadn't been the intruder. “… I, I’m so sorry,” she said, “You, your dad… He didn’t tell me this was your bedroom–”Staring back at her, somewhat shocked, was Johnny. He was sitting upright on his bed alongside a massive black dog resting peacefully beside him. Both of them were intently watching something loud and strobing on Johnny’s tiny TV, meanwhile Johnny was nearly naked. No shirt on with the tightest pair of leggings, apparently Elena had intruded extremely close to bedtime.“Hi, Elena.” Johnny didn’t know if he should get up to greet her, so he passed his bowl of instant ramen back to his bedside table and switched on another lamp before he stood up.Elena was so apologetic, “I, I should have asked for you to come up front.” On two feet, Johnny towered over her as she craned her head to see him, “Again, I am so sorry.”“Don’t worry about it…” Johnny was so indifferent like that wasn’t the first or last time that would happen. “Dad let you back here ‘cause you’re a girl.”Elena tried not to stare at his too-tight pants nor think about what the hell he just said. Instead she focused elsewhere.Johnny looked down, “Ha! Hey, sorry, mom said these shrunk in the wash. I can put on more clothes…” he reached over for an off-white t-shirt. “You, uh… you caught me at a weird hour….” As soon as he put it on, the garment barely fell past his dick. Yay.“Johnny…” Suddenly Elena’s eyes were astute as she stared, “… Is… is that a picture of Tifa?”Johnny glanced to his left. On the hutch above his desk was a picture of him and Tifa in a cutesy handmade frame he’d likely made in grade school. In the photo, they looked like the sweetest kids. “Yeah, that’s me and her. We were nine.”“No…” Elena pointed, “…the one above your bed.”Daintily, Johnny glanced behind him. Above his bed was a larger photo of him and Tifa taped to it. It looked like it’d been from Halloween that year. Noticeably Reno’s hand was on Tifa’s waist, yet the rest of Reno was… missing. It was just Tifa and Johnny. Staring at it, Elena looked from the photo back to Johnny and then back again. Johnny was wearing the same leggings from the photo.“Oh…” casually, Johnny laughed, “Yeah, that one’s more recent.”Elena barely squeaked, “…’kay…” She didn’t know if she should crabwalk on her hands and feet back out of the room and maybe never come back.For a moment, her eyes flicked to the TV trying to analyze if this room indeed belonged to a psycho. She realized then that he’d been watching a cartoon she hadn’t seen in years.“Is that…” she started to say, but Johnny finished, “Crystal Moon? YEAH! It’s the best! Tifa and I used to watch it together when we were kids.”This was some magical girls cartoon both Elena and her sister had watched when they were young. Elena realized this wasn’t the first time she’d caught Johnny watching the show either. A few times she remembered him sitting at the end of his bar when he’d take breaks from tables to rewatch episodes. Usually that coincided with nights when Tifa was too busy to allow him to visit her bar or the rare moments when Tifa went out of town, including the first time she went to Costa with Reno.Johnny’s eyes again were focused on the TV. He was so happy.Elena said nothing until she whispered, “…You miss her?” As if she couldn’t tell.“Yeah…” his response was sad. Without specifics, he knew what she meant, “Sounds like Tifa’s having a really good time though.” He looked toward Bishop, the massive black dog on the bed. “She said she was gonna call me sometime this week so I’m waiting up a little longer in case she does.”Elena watched him reach for Bishop, realizing then that the oversized dog had a brand-new collar. It was beautiful, a three-tiered chain harness that gleamed in the light. She just happened to spy the crescent charm hanging from its neck…“Johnny,” Elena said, “I need your help…”Johnny looked back at her for a second, awaiting details.“I need your contacts familiar with folks in Mideel. You said you knew a few people around here who might,” she was fleecing through words, parsing for the right ones to say, “This is dire. You need to get in touch with them as soon as you can for me.”Johnny’s face was intrigued. He wanted her to say why.“Reno’s in trouble,” she muttered.Johnny cut his eyes as he looked back to Bishop. Truly the simplest man, he didn’t wait to ask, “Is Tifa okay?”Elena shrugged, knowing that would motivate him more, “Johnny, if you talk to Tifa, don’t say anything. I just need you to get me the information I need so I can deal with this.”Visibly, Johnny was ready. “What are we up against?” he asked. Sexy Sephiroth clones? A deadly pandemic? The dumpster fire that was Kyrie?
Nay. Just a stark raving lunatic…
Elena knew Johnny wouldn’t be afraid to do what needed to be done. The man would do anything to protect Tifa; fist to the face, live fire, pack of rabid dogs… Even so, Elena wasn’t so sure he’d be ready for the likes of Sorrel if she ever discovered they’d intervened. For a moment, Elena was inspired. There was no way they were going to Costa, but grudges run deep. The next time Elena might see Sorrel, Sorrel would be less kind but… when was she ever? She didn’t have to know it was them…Elena gazed back at the TV, watching Crystal Moon and her on-again-off-again love interest, Black-Tie Disguise, bicker endlessly which brought back more thoughts. “You believe everything grandmother tells you!” Elena’s sister would say.Her sister ripped her prized Crystal Moon and Crystal Pluto dolls from her hands, then holding them high overhead.“Stop being so scared – they’re just stories!” Elena peered down at her suit and then to Johnny’s heart-shaped staff resting against the wall nearest them, clearly Crystal Moon inspired. She remembered watching him craft it days before Halloween at Seventh Heaven with Marlene, meanwhile his big black familiar sat dozing on the bed beside him like the half-wolf, half-street dog that it was – crescent moon emblazoned across its chest just like Crystal Moon’s cat from the show. Even now the dog’s caretaker was dressed so provocatively, pink and reddish hair with a size ‘sh-medium’ nipple-piercing shirt – his genitalia so close to falling out.The resemblance was uncanny.Which made Elena wonder, if Crystal Moon and Black-Tie Disguise could save the world then so could they. It was time to kick ass.“What are we up against…” Elena whispered. Patiently, Johnny waited. “…A fucking bitch, that’s what.”Johnny bobbed his head like he understood. He’d dealt with one too many asshats who came for Tifa in his lifetime. What was one more?“Hey, Elena,” Johnny asked. She was still gazing at him, expecting god knows what for him to say at that hour. “Please don’t tell Reno how I live.”For a moment she shook her head. She’d never dream of that bomb strike. “I wouldn’t dare, Johnny. Now let’s go.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Sunset again, and Tifa and Reno were enjoying what was left of the day.Long after Reno’s call, Tifa’s presence and fondness for play quietly soothed him of his doom and gloom for which she’d been pleased. She believed him when he said it’d been work-related, so she distanced herself from mentioning anything of the sort. Instead, the pair stayed enthralled in nature and the beauty of living like they had their own private beach. Tifa found a yellowed diving mask in the unit which she traded back and forth with him in the waves. Ducking below the surf, the sea life was plentiful and unbothered, not like the beaches back in Costa. Here, their company had no bearing on the local ecosystem, quite the opposite as fauna floated past; in and around them, it felt like they’d been absorbed. When they reached the shoreline again, Tifa pointed to a moon jelly dead and washed up on that beach. She came close to it with the intention to poke but Reno screamed. Ever protective of not only her honor but also her physical health, he’d yelled at her not to, for which she’d keenly stopped and stared. She did the trick her dad taught her years and years ago as a child, back when her family visited the beaches near Nibelheim. Not every part of the jellyfish could sting… To Reno’s horror, he watched her pick the thing up by the bulb with one hand. Her face read nothing as she glanced his way, arm up as though she might–“Tifa, DO NOT.”Oh… she wasn’t going to…But then she did.…She’d never heard him scream like that before.“TIFA!”Unintentionally, her goal hadn’t been to narrowly miss him (it was his fault he moved!), but it didn’t stop her from doubling over with laughter at his absolute and unhinged horror.“See?” she laughed. Her inhalations were labored, “This is how I know you’ve lived in a city your whole life!”Understandably he was pissed. “Gods Tifa… not all of us enjoyed the bucolic and wholesome pastime of hurling dead things at each other.” For a moment he stopped to stare at the clouded thing. It was so alien. “As soon as we’re back in Edge I’ll do one better,” he said, “I’m going to find the biggest, ‘most alive’ doomrat I can find so I can chuck it at you – see how you like it!”She didn’t quite catch what he’d said over the sound of her wheezing. So annoyed, he found a stick he thought he could fork the damn thing with and possibly fling it back at her – stick and all, like a fucked-up boomerang.“What are you doing?” she asked, “…That’s your dinner.”Was she still playing tricks?! Reno looked up at her gawking, “THE FUCK IT IS.” Yet again she couldn’t breathe when finally he ran towards her. Easily, he tossed her over his shoulder to twirl and she’d yelped. Slung over his back, she still knew how to counter… Reaching down she grabbed the top of his shorts and yanked them skyward, right when he jumped, “Ah! Hey!” This wasn’t their first foray in play-fighting. He should have known the masterful lengths she would go to knowing he would concede.To save his asshole, he braced her back on the sand, both of them all smiles as he glanced at her for a spell, “I’m going to throw two rats at you now…”“Ooo,” she said, “So I get two new pets?”Reno rolled his eyes. She always knew how to counter– “You wish you could turn that place into a menagerie,” he said, “Don’t you?”‘That place’ had been Seventh Heaven. For the sake of Tifa’s business and the ‘A+’ inspection rating on her door, the health and safety department barred restaurants like hers from having pets, no exceptions no matter the living situation. Too often she’d had to rely on neighbors or Johnny to keep what animals she and the kids wanted to foster in her stead. Reno lost count at how many times he’d seen Denzel or Marlene heft some shoebox-sized container sullenly out their door, typically with Tifa close behind telling them where to go.“Why doesn’t Reno have a pet?” Denzel asked once. Beside him was Marlene who’d presented Reno with this ‘large Rodentia’, or maybe it was a ‘Mustela’?… which Reno subsequently recoiled from seeing while seated at the bar.“Sweetie, Reno can’t have pets either,” Tifa answered. She was facing away from them, and missed Reno’s full-body reaction to this thing he thought was dead, “He goes out of town too often. It would miss him, plus it needs to be fed.”Marlene sighed with her arms still outstretched – the matted thing left to dangle while Reno remained hesitant to hold and/or love it. What the fuck is that thing!? It stayed limp like a doll as it stared, that’s when Reno noticed its milk-white eyes. Could it even see?Reno continued to lean, his ass halfway off the seat.“It’s cute, isn’t it?” Marlene asked. Finally, Tifa turned to witness Reno’s face visibly say “no” when his mouth said “yes.” What he meant to say was ‘it was fanged and ugly’, instead he eked out, “Sure.”Back on the beach, Tifa thought of home again before she answered his question. “Yes,” she whispered. A menagerie sounded about right, the more the merrier. She turned toward the tide, thinking now of her sweet and oversized mutt she’d suited up with Johnny back home.“Bishop would love it here,” she said. She held her gaze a while longer, thinking of all the fun she’d had back when she was young, “…Denzel and Marlene, too.”Still grinning, Reno said, “Bring ‘em next time.” Slowly, she turned toward him with a smile so bright. Wrapping her arms around him, she put her head to his chest, “Let’s do dinner.” ----- The lead-up to the night’s dinner and dress-up sequence was a stark contrast to what they’d experienced the night before. For the rest of the afternoon, they’d worn nothing but swimsuits, even though Reno did his best to shed more off of Tifa. In between moments of roughhousing, he’d successfully managed a few nip slips before she caught on. The last time he tried, she slapped him across the chest like a rug burn and he’d backed away in pain. Turns out she hadn’t come for a nude beach.He might have preferred a sunburn after that hand stroke, but really, he should have been more careful. Now that she was well on her way through that wild and wonderful rollercoaster ride that was hormones she seemed bolder. All day she’d been in rare form, the closest to his personality that he would come by; for once resembling his snarky attitude when she’d always been so sweet. He didn’t expect her to be so forward, which she leaned more and more into with time…It’d been well after sunset when Tifa busied herself with a campfire for their meal. Before, she’d had extensive practice with camping, be it for fun in her youth to enduring what may, back when she’d first started with Avalanche. Per Asa’s suggestion, the operation of putting food together was easy. Instead of cooking, Tifa splurged on local entrees back at the Saucer that only required heat. In lieu of champagne, Asa also suggested a bottle of spiced rum specific to the region which Tifa likewise snapped up. Between her and him, they started passing the bottle back and forth like a pair of bums, textbook ‘classy’ in their eyes and they’d grinned. If and when they ran out, inside the cottage was more, yet Tifa was hesitant to sip. She wanted to be the “good guest”, conscientious of the cottage owner, but by all accounts, the place hadn’t been touched in years.“What’s the story with the owner again?” Reno asked. He too was intrigued by the weapons dealer’s departure and apparent refusal to sell the place. Few things had been left, but it didn’t look like the place had been ransacked either. Both of them assumed anyone living nearby was familiar and wouldn’t test if and when the man returned…“Asa said he lives closer to Costa with family now,” Tifa said, “She said he used to live alone for the longest time, but then, one day, he didn’t want to.” In a way, Reno could relate. Civilization just had its perks; food, access to internet, electricity… safe and running water…“Wonder what he did to bathe…” Reno looked around the property. Everything hygienic must have happened outside. The building was such an old design, the idea being that you stayed inside purely for shelter or to sleep.Tifa laughed as she stoked the flames, “He might have washed up in the ocean…” She’d brought a few gallons of water for hydration and for them to clean, all of which now sat in the car with the top on. To her, the amount of resources they had and where they were felt more like ‘glamping’. To stay at a hotel or house back when she traveled all those years with Cloud had been a luxury. Looking at Reno, she assumed he hadn’t had to ‘rough it’ in quite some time. Though he went to remote places for work, Shinra faithfully shelled out for top-tier employees, all for the sake of their comfort no matter where or how they stayed. Even still, Reno wasn’t inexperienced at ‘living without’. He’d dealt with that plenty in his youth and she knew. Hence why he may have been reluctant to do what they were doing now. The moment anyone escaped hardship, any semblance of that had zero appeal and for good reason. She was so appreciative that after everything, he’d done that for her.“Are you having fun?” she asked. She glanced at him, watching as he made a face.“Me?” he mulled the words over in his head and then he shrugged. “Yeah,” he said, “Just… living the dream.” She grinned, feeling like that wasn’t a ‘no’.“You?” he asked.Her response was fervent, “I am.”She’d just finished plating their food aside from the one small container by her side that required no heat: her prized ceviche.“This stuff is so good,” she said. She’d missed this tremendously back in Edge, a dish rarely made right except closer to ‘home’. Reno moved close to share what chips she’d set in between them. Pointing to everything on their plates, she rattled off the rest with ardor; birria, seasoned arroz, chile relleno… The only thing she hadn’t mentioned was still shoved down deep in the cooler, which made him ask.“The rest is for Asa,” she said, “She doesn’t come out this way too often, so I got her something.”Reno was still so intrigued by this one person.“You and this bartender are close,” he said.Tifa grinned, “Love her. She’s originally from Wutai…” How Reno didn’t remember Asa back at the old resort or well before that must have been proof of her expertise. Get him snockered to the point of stupid, whereas Tifa met her once and she felt like she’d never forget. Asa and Tifa were roughly the same age, and their shared familiarity with Yuffie sealed their friendship. Though Asa never formerly met her, she was well aware of the princess’s noted ‘nobility’ or, rather, lack thereof. That alone gave them plenty to talk about.“When I saw her today I was so excited,” Tifa said, “She’s so sweet. She hadn’t seen you in the pool but assumed you were there and asked how you’d been.”For the life of him, Reno could not remember this person.“What’d you tell her?” he asked.Tifa told herself to be honest. “I told her you were having an off day, and that maybe I should take you somewhere.” Motioning with one hand, she gestured to where they were. “Voila.”Reminding himself of Sorrel, Reno wished he'd been forthcoming. Instead, he ruined yet another opportunity to speak up… Tifa, it’s not what you think…He glanced toward the house to shake the thought, “So Asa suggested this place?”In between bites, Tifa paused but then she shook her head. “No…” Asa merely confirmed it was there, “…I did.”Reno scrunched his eyes. “You’ve been here before?”Tifa knew what he meant. He was asking if she’d been there with Cloud.Deflecting his jealousy like she so often did, she said, “Before Meteorfall, the weapons dealer lived here when we came through. He was helpful but we didn’t stay.”Reno peered down at his plate. More than half of his generous portions were gone, but a thought irked him to the point he was through. Pensive, he didn’t like the idea of jockeying for her thoughts or memories, especially those wrapped around Cloud. New places were easy. They were green fields with a chance at hegemony. He didn’t have to negotiate with her feelings if she’d never been, especially if he already had her heart. Old places though, that was different. He’d have to compete.In the distance, a storm rattled off the coast. Just another weather system working its way through the sunbelt, slowly hurtling toward them in the dark. On approach, Reno realized that, even if they wanted to, there was no way they could go back now. Not until morning. “Ready to go inside?” she asked. She sounded so chipper.He felt the temperature drop as the storm loomed near. “Yeah,” he whispered. A gust of wind hit his back and he gazed at what was left of the fire. Such a different flame compared to the delicate tealight they shared last night. He really wanted to be back at the resort he realized, where they’d been surrounded by so much more. There, they ‘looked’ important, likewise seated amongst equally as ‘important people’ – where the newness had not yet faded unlike this version of sun-bleached, rough, and worn. Glossy and textured, that place felt substantial. That place felt exclusive. Not this one.Why on Gaia she would trade all of that in for this, he’d never understand.Still gazing at the fire, in one quick motion he watched her put it out. ----- Wrapped around each other, they walked toward the house as the wind picked up, and, for a moment, Reno considered Elena’s plea. He really thought Sorrel was gone, but Elena was unconvinced… She didn’t think the woman would ever leave, be it this trip or the next, so maybe it’d benefit him to tell?That entire afternoon he’d thought and found no viable way to mention, let alone explain, the creature that was Sorrel. Should he tell Tifa when she was smiling? Maybe when she cracked a joke? How about right after he did? Wanna hear something – no, ‘someone’ who’s fucking crazy!? Per usual, half the problem with Tifa was her being so damn sweet. How could he ruin that? Why would he ruin that? He imagined her face the second her features dropped – all it’d take was one illogical mention, “Yeah, so, the lady you saw earlier who grabbed my arm, yeah, we have a history and it’s – it’s a lot… You, you’re asking me why I didn’t tell you sooner? Yeah, I don’t know either… Not like I have anything to hide…” Alternatively, what if Tifa didn’t believe him? “No, see, she approached me, I didn’t approach her…” What if Tifa distanced herself further, like, why not just burn the whole thing down? Yeah, sure, why not...Fucking hopeless.Finally inside, he stopped thinking to fully appreciate what she’d done. Earlier, when he first walked in (right before his call with Elena), Tifa shooed him out. She told him it wasn’t ready then, but now she was sweet to guide him through.The room was darker now without the light of day. The absence of streetlamps and the shrouded moon above also offered nothing in the way of light, but Tifa was resourceful. Poised, she’d found a candle from earlier that she now moved to light.Inside, the layout was simple: one room with lots of storage; bookcases, chests of drawers, and a full-sized loft accessible only by stairs. The air had been stuffy when he first walked in, but now, thanks to her having opened the windows all day, he breathed easy. For the nighttime and the approaching storm, she’d gone round to shut all the windows, all save for one she’d leave peaked in the loft. To stifle the breeze, it was left ajar to circulate, but also to hear the ocean and then the rain. It was soothing. When she finally returned to him she reached for his hand. Leading him up the stairs, she was cautious in her steps, meanwhile the wind whipped outside.Finally upstairs, on the floor beside their bags, he saw that she’d gathered and dusted what pillows and a futon mattress she’d found, all of which was still in good shape. Covered with one of their blankets, she presented him with their bed.Grinning, he moved to lay down. “You’re really good at this,” he said. Tifa gazed at him when she sat down too, unsure of what he meant or if he'd been sarcastic.“Tidying the place up and all,” he clarified.She seemed relieved, “I’ve had some practice…” She moved their candle to the side, eager to shine, but also at a safe distance. “This place is posh compared to where I’ve been,” she said.It wasn’t lost on Reno that much of Tifa’s hardships happened later in life versus his that followed right from the start. The baseline he’d endured was something he perpetually hoped to overcome, but mostly to hide aside from the few who knew. Spiting his history to live a better life had been steep, but then there was Tifa whose life had been ripped away in comparison. She’d steadily been climbing that hill ever since, full of grace and determination, which he’d openly spoke of and admired her for. He pulled her close in the dark, now hearing and feeling the added pressure of the heavy rain pelt above. Side by side, the two laid together.In the soft glow of the candle, he took in her subtle lines, quietly toying with loose strings that gave way. Giggling this time, she allowed it, all while she reached, massaging and shedding things off of him that likewise confirmed his comforts. After the long day they had, to witness the swatches of her skin not yet sun-kissed, he felt a boost knowing no one else would. Even so, the tannest areas of her skin radiated a certain heat, along with the smell of her sunscreen and the salt still flecked – all of this culminating into this one real need, when suddenly, for some fucking reason, she asked–“Can we talk about the other night?”Paused, she wasn’t talking about just any ‘other night’, she was talking about that night.
You know, the one you absolutely refuse to discuss that Elena likewise won’t shut up about… The one when you should have kept your mouth shut or not left when Tifa told your overzealous ass the answer you didn't want to hear even though YOU posed the question and shouldn't have… Same one where she pleaded with you over the phone not less than an hour later to come back, and she was so relieved when you did…
Eyes closed, Tifa was in between another kiss when she felt him pull away. Knowing he would likely say no just like he’d done for weeks, she moved to kiss his neck instead. His fingers laced her hair and for a moment when he held her, she had hope. But then she felt his head shake, that no, he didn’t want to.She paused again before she moved to kiss the side of his mouth. Everything about her gesture and how they felt seemed slow. There, she stayed frozen until she would speak.“Okay,” she said.And it was okay. He’d talk about it when he was ready, and yet, it didn’t stop her from feeling a certain way.She went rigid when the moment passed, her being the one to separate this time. As she did, she didn’t make eye contact, not knowing then that what she said next would sting.“…You frustrate me…” she whispered.Instead of meeting his gaze she turned, when he’d just been in the perfect position to make love to her.Now with her back to him, she curled the blankets in on herself so as not to touch – her mind completely made up as to how she felt – and he was left there to watch. It’d been weeks that she’d wanted to have that conversation, and each day that passed, it felt more important like she had to.Quietly, she felt him lay beside her, knowing then that he’d taken the hint. It hurt, that much was true, and he knew she wasn’t wrong in feeling the way that she did. Beside her, he stayed close, trying to pick through something to say, all of it starting with the same two words that felt so obsolete. He half-expected her to speak to him if he stayed that way, but she didn’t. Finally, he knew it’d been too long when he realized she was asleep. Alone beside her, he felt so defeated and not knowing what to do.“I’m sorry…” he said. ----- Sometime in the night long after they spoke, Reno woke to the sound and motion of her writhing beside him. Outside, the wind had picked up again as it continued to rain, which might have spurned her into having this one dream. Still adjusting his eyes, he saw her shake, her face distorted with discomfort when he turned to hold her tight. Despite the mote of blankets she’d curled around herself, she wasn’t impenetrable. Easily, he dragged her into a spoon that cradled her from behind. The sudden shift and then the greeting of his lips to her nape must have quelled whatever she’d seen because she relaxed.Lucid now, she awoke to him pressing his hand to her stomach and she felt relieved. For a moment, they laid like that, her eyes fluttering to the slanted drops outside as he curled into her still. Lips pressed against her, for everything he couldn’t say, he hoped this might.Finally, she shifted toward him and they were still.He couldn’t tell if she was in pain from her dream or from what, she wouldn’t say, but for a moment she inhaled. Bracing himself, he was ready to come clean except she was quick–All she did was shake her head when she watched his mouth move. She looked so sad thinking their discussion might have been what she’d dreamed, or maybe she too was afraid of what he’d say or think.Instead, she leaned in to meet his lips for comfort and he matched her zeal. She was soft and stayed like that before she quietly moved on top. Pressing her hands to his chest, she seemed different, unsure. It felt like each motion she took confirmed something unseen; an ask and then a tell that she couldn’t quite shake. Whatever she saw really scared her, he thought, but she was persistent as if to prove something to herself that he too wanted to instill. He watched and felt her move, appreciating the curve and undulation of her body especially when he was inside. There he would whisper and affirm what she already knew, but he’d say it anyway, again and again. He’d pinch or knead in a way that she liked and eventually, she smiled knowing he’d generated that response, too. That’s when he reached for her. Holding her close, he claimed her kiss and she’d laughed. She loved him for that, him and his body, knowing what it did for her that she too would also impress on him.More time had passed, and they went through the motions: below, above her, and behind. In the end, his love had reassured her, like the things she’d seen in dreams weren’t real.Finally, curled around each other again, they watched the rain. In time, her eyes fluttered, this time to close, when finally the storm had passed.Feeling her fast asleep, he squeezed. When he looked up toward the light, he saw how much the clouds had gone. The sky was clear, then realizing the mountain range and the passage beyond, steering ever westward to where she was from. She hadn’t been there in such a long time. He knew this, and maybe that’s why they’d come… He was reminded of more than a year or so ago, well before they were ever together, that he’d made nice one day when he asked if she’d ever go back. He was familiar with the Nibelheim files, wondering if the place would ever be the same for her after everything that had been. Though the façades and faces had physically changed, the likeness was there, and the geography just the same – in some weird way he wondered if that would be enough and maybe one day she’d find peace.Standing behind the bar that night, she’d turned to take in what she’d built and surrounded herself with instead.To go back there, she decided, she’d said, “no,” but maybe in time, she’d “come close.”He’d asked her what she meant by that and, in response, she said she wasn’t sure. “Maybe that’s how we heal…” she said. For a moment, she thought of then. She'd always remember the air; choked with smoke and whorls of ash, it hurt to inhale and she’d tried in vain to see the sky. All she wanted was to breathe… “We come close,” she said. After that, she didn’t speak of it again, but he knew.Still dark with the faintest light out, there above the cottage, the stars shone so bright. Even as he closed his eyes, he still saw them there, thinking this was what she'd seen growing up.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was a quiet and peaceful morning at home in Edge and already, the sun began to rise. All across this vast and sprawling metropolis, the sound of a robust and flourishing city comfortably roused, everywhere except–“GAAAH!”Outside of Seventh Heaven, pigeons erupted from the streets; off sidewalks and window ledges, all triggered by Yuffie’s incessant scream within.“WHERE IS HE!?”Down in the bar, Yuffie was working through rage and other issues when Barret barreled down the stairs. “HEY!” he shouted, “WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!”Knife in hand, Yuffie’s gaze was sharp. Her whole body swiveled toward him as she glared. She was in no mood, yet Barret wasn’t afraid. Instead, his cadence was fierce. “YOU ARE SCARING MY DAUGHTER!” he yelled, “Stop being so loud!”Knife now aquiver, Vincent briefly stepped away from her and her temper.“If one of you would help me…” she seethed. Her words were brittle, having flossed through gritted teeth.Annoyed, Vincent threw up his arms as though his presence wasn’t enough. Immediately beside her, he patiently awaited orders if she’d just give them.“Listen to me…” she said softly. Yuffie knew better than to point the knife, so her eyes did it for her, honed in and holding firm to Barret’s throat. The moment she splayed her fingers, she began to count the ways. “I have food to prep, a store to run, a delivery to deal with whenever it gets here, and what are you doing?” she asked, “NOTHING!”In all honesty, Yuffie hadn’t done much of anything aside from being pissy and needlessly foisting blame on others when the situation was honestly fine. It’s true, she’d called and asked for what Avalanche members were available to help that week (with the bar, as well as tending to the kids), but the point was to avoid work, not share it.“Not to mention, my lead guy isn’t here yet,” Yuffie groaned, “Where is–”“YUFFIE!” Barrett shouted, “Johnny has his own bar to run! Quit bitching and actually do work!”Squealing in agony this time, she threw down her knife, “I – CAN’T work like this!” Briefly, she turned to Vincent, whom she’d completely forgotten was there. Spooked AND angry, she barked, “AH! STOP SCARING ME!” She yanked off her apron and jammed it into his hands, “CUT AN ONION or something!”Before Barret or Vincent could say anything, she ran for the door, practically flinging herself at it as she fled. The door chimed loudly before it crashed back to close, meanwhile both men were left to stare. No point in chasing after her, she was half-running, half-sprinting to… somewhere.“Lords…” Barret murmured. Stuck at the base of the stairs, his words never wavered, “That girl never wants to work.” ----- Yuffie huffed each and every step of the way toward Johnny’s bar with nothing but rage and bitterness to show for it. She walked right through the front expecting to see her capricious and involuntary worker, willing and ready to kneel when–“Hey, Yuffie!”It was Johnny’s dad instead. The man was busy polishing stemware behind the counter when he turned toward her again. “You here for the boy?” he asked.For a moment she paused, right as she cut her eyes. “You bet your sweet ass I am…” she whispered. Making her way over to him, she watched the man casually throw up both hands, “Now, I’ll have you know, little lady, that Johnny was a bit ‘occupado’ with a certain someone late last night.” His face was different, like truly this man was proud, “So he might be a little ‘tuckered out’ when you see him.”Yuffie blinked. A what?...“Excuse me?” she asked.Still proud and NOT creepy at all, Johnny’s dad gushed. “You heard me,” he said, “My boy’s a man.” He started massaging his hands together as he looked towards the back, which was fucking gross, “He had that blonde girl over last night. You know, the one with the suit.”Even more confused, Yuffie hadn’t broken her stare, “…blonde girl?”“Yeah, the uh, the blonde girl…” the man really had no other identifiers for women. Single hair descriptor paired with such-and-such, ‘you know the one’. “The, the one in the suit!” he said again, like, oh yeah, the one in the suit…“Suit…” she thought, “Like… Elena?” The suggestion was a shot in the dark – an example, not an actual guess because surely not.Snapping his fingers, the man was intense, “Yes, YES! HER!” He was the absolute proudest of papa’s, “Gosh, I… I am just so glad he got over Tifa.”Fucking impossible, Yuffie thought. She shook her head when she finally asked, “Where is he?” followed by, “I need to speak to him.” “No, no…” he said. He seemed worried, “Now don’t… don’t go changing his mind…”Quizzical, Yuffie didn’t understand, “Do what?”“Don’t change his mind,” why on Gaia did this man sound so sure, “You know… about Elena–”“Oh… oh, wow,” Yuffie’s smile was slick and more than a little degrading. Her facial expression alone cut him off, but in earnest what Johnny’s dad was getting at wasn’t at all what she came for, “Sir, that woman fucks her boss – I guarantee you she wants nothing to do with Johnny.” Completely done with the conversation and whatever drug-induced, made-up, fucked-up fever dream this man endured (and/or willed into existence), Yuffie moved toward the back. She knew exactly where to go – heck, she could do it blindfolded if she had to. Behind her, Johnny’s dad reached out with one arm but then slowed. He looked sad, sullenly peering down at the floor. Sometimes it was nice to dream…Cutting through the courtyard, Yuffie couldn’t stop herself from chuckling, “Wow… that… now, that was stupid.” For a second, she imagined Elena and Johnny like two dolls sewn together. “Can you imagine…” She modeled her deepest Johnny voice, “Elena, wear this wig for me…” She thought of him draping Elena with some Tifa-esque-inspired wardrobe, followed by Yuffie’s sweetest Elena-inspired voice, “Sure!”Absolutely ridiculous…Already at the back building, Yuffie collected herself before she walked inside. She’d come this far for business after all, but the thought of Elena and him being together, well, that was hilarious. Whatever, she thought. It was time to wake up her best worker. ----- Curled up on one side, Johnny was in the middle of some rosy dream when he felt the mattress shake. Thinking it was Bishop, his body shook to the sudden sound of this alluring voice nestled just above his ear and he stirred. Very quickly, however, he realized it wasn’t Tifa and was sad. Shortly thereafter, his sadness turned to that of acceptance when he recognized the pint-sized succubus straddling him just above his bed…Yuffie whispered again into that darkened room, “Why aren’t you at work…”Groaning, Johnny scrunched up his face as he peeked over at his side table. When he reached, he pulled back his PHS to check the time and missed messages, completely unbothered by the assassin still perched from above.“I stayed up late last night…” His voice was raspy. Still groggy, he muttered, “Tifa was going to call…”Yuffie clicked her tongue. She inhaled, realizing the unmistakable scent of a man’s room before she focused on the image above his bed. Cute photo.“Where’s Bishop?” his voice cracked. Already he was feeling for the other side.“I let him out,” she whispered. She shifted off the top of him, watching as he laid his head back down in relief.“Thanks,” he muttered. He needed to stretch, but he also wanted to sleep…“Johnny…” Yuffie said. Briefly, she looked around the room, realizing the tell-tale signs that he was spiraling. In Tifa’s absence, all the withdrawal symptoms were there. The top of his TV was littered with box sets of movies and TV shows they’d watched in their youth, typically magical girls or some animated animal collection show, paired with a silly omnibus of something Tifa mentioned once… Yuffie had the creeping sensation that he was wearing those dumb leggings again. She didn’t want the same thing to happen like last time– “Tifa’s on vacation…” she said. She didn’t mean to squash his dreams, but she felt the need to be real with him, too. Knowing his dedication, she’d believe him if he said he’d ‘just’ fallen asleep. “She might not call,” she said softly.With what energy he had left, Johnny rolled his eyes. Why come all this way if she was just going to be a wet blanket?He forced his head firmly to his pillow to muffle, “I know, but she said she would.” More groaning ensued, and Yuffie got up to stand. She moved toward the window to let in more light.“Yuffie,” he murmured. “I dreamt about her… I’m worried.”Yuffie let out a sigh. Tifa’s fine, she thought. “It was just a bad dream.”“No, that's not it,” he whispered. He flipped over to stare at the ceiling and then their photo, overwhelmed with a sense of foreboding, “She and I have a connection–” He glanced toward the window where Yuffie stood, “Something’s wrong.”In drawing back the curtains, Yuffie ignored his statement. She knew he missed Tifa tremendously, but she was convinced he was working himself up again and that she could not have. She’d rather ignore the feeling if it led to more things because, more than anything, she needed him for something else – like being a ready-to-work individual, fully committed to doing her side work.Before she got another word out, there came a knock at his door. Fully expecting the next face she’d see to be either his mom or his dad, Yuffie was rocked by Elena standing there, front and center, in her full Turk attire. Oh, what–Johnny inhaled to a yawn as he spoke, followed by a wave, “Hey, Elena.”Afraid she’d walked in on something intimate, Elena was unsure, “Hey… guys.”Flummoxed, Yuffie moved toward the bed, cautiously taking a seat as she did. What the fuck…“Uh… Johnny?” Elena spoke. She stepped forward a bit, allowing Bishop to move past, “I, um, I let Bishop in. Also, I picked up some coffee for that um, that thing we’re working on.” She held up two takeaway cups, feeling a bit silly now for not having one for Yuffie. But why should she? She had no idea Yuffie would be there.Bishop moved along the side of the bed for Yuffie’s hand and then to Johnny’s next when Yuffie’s body remained still. What the fuck…“That’s so nice of you!” Johnny said. He attempted to prop himself up. He was still fighting through sleep deprivation when he moved to tap Yuffie next, “Hey, so, we, we’re working on something.”
What the fuck is happening?!
“And you need to leave,” he said.“Why?” Yuffie asked. She was focused on Elena, but the question was for them both. This bitch stole my work husband.“Can’t talk about it,” Johnny said, “Top secret.”Unceremoniously, Yuffie found herself outside again, this time glaring at the back door she initially walked through with ease. Pouting, she tried the door. Locked.“Are you kidding me…”Annoyed, she wouldn’t give up that easy. She marched around the side of the house, cautious to avoid planters and shrubs Johnny and his parents had used to gussy up the place. Finally to Johnny’s window, she laid low and listened. Why go back to Seventh Heaven when she would miss this?There through the window, Yuffie heard Johnny reenter the room:“Does she know?” Elena asked.“No,” Johnny said, “She doesn’t know.”
…
“Did she ask you anything?" Elena asked.“No, she just got here. She has no clue.”
… ? …
“Do you mind if I lay down?” he asked.Elena’s voice, “Sure, that’s fine. I can work from here.”
… !? …
“If I fall asleep, don’t get mad.”“It’s fine, Johnny. Just do the best you can.”“Are you two fornicating in there?” FUCK, THAT WAS YUFFIE’S VOICE.Inside, she heard someone sigh. Seconds later, the window was up with Johnny’s head peeking out. “Yuffie, I’m working on something else today,” meaning he wouldn’t help her with hers.“Whatever you two are ‘working on’…” Yuffie started. She really wanted to know what they were doing, “…Can I watch?”Glowering, Johnny peered back inside at Elena to see what she thought. Elena must have heard and given a signal because Johnny motioned for Yuffie to come inside. Positioning herself through the open window, Yuffie found Elena standing just like she was by the door the moment she left. The woman was serious, Steno pad in hand along with a Crystal Moon pen poised to take note (Johnny must have offered it to her). Just like Yuffie however, Elena too was sizing her up the moment she stepped in.“What exactly are you two doing?” Yuffie asked. Everyone’s clothes were still on which, cool, and, as Yuffie suspected, Johnny was noticeably wearing the pair of leggings Tifa lent him at Halloween. There was no way he was getting laid in those. They were essentially a chastity belt for Tifa.Elena peered over at Johnny and then back to Yuffie with a straight face. It was time to speak.“Can you keep a secret,” Elena asked.Yuffie shrugged. She had truckloads of them. How bad could this one be, even if a Turk was involved?“I can,” she confirmed.For a moment, Elena said nothing. She wasn’t necessarily afraid of the outcome and/or process involved with what they were doing, but she needed Yuffie to be someone she could trust. Bracing herself, Elena had one more question.“How do you feel about a silent take-down? No deaths and nothing major, but… what Johnny and I are willing to do is personal, not necessarily malicious either, but the intent is to protect people. One of those people being Tifa.”Yuffie flinched, suddenly thinking of what Johnny said earlier. “Is she okay?” she asked, same energy as Johnny the night before.Elena glanced at the floor, “I…I’m not sure.” She hesitated, but spoke again, “Maybe no or not quite yet but, either way, this person I know will try to hurt her, and I’m not venturing a guess here – this will happen.” Elena looked from Yuffie to Johnny next, realizing her captive audience, “Obviously, Tifa can defend herself, but this person is awful. I know they’ll be relentless, and I don't know that they’ll stop should Tifa see them again.” For a moment, she remembered what she told Johnny late last night. “Presently, this person lives in Costa. Always has… but, maybe not for long…”Noticeably, Johnny was more awake. His features bore the need to ‘protec’ and ‘attac’ that Yuffie picked up on, along with Bishop who kept tapping Johnny for comfort pets. This felt serious.“We’re not going to Costa to fight this target either…” Elena said, “But I have a plan, and it involves hitting back at this irritating bitch from a safe distance, which is here.”It seemed to Yuffie that Elena had a bone to pick with whomever this person was too, and overwhelmingly Yuffie wanted in. No one was going to mess with her bestie Tifa anyways, that was for damn sure…“If we’re successful,” Elena said, “We’ll be able to stop this person, if not temporarily, from harming anyone else in the future. Tifa and Reno especially…”Welling up in Yuffie now, there came a sense of glee. She hated work but for this and the faintest description she was given, now this, she could do.“So…” Elena asked, “…Are you in?”A moment passed when a steady chuckle sounded through Yuffie’s chest. Grinning, she flashed nothing but teeth, her face fully fueled and delighted by the highest forms of agony and spite:“You had me at silent take-down.” ----- Back on the beach and inside the cottage, Reno’s eyes shifted awake. He was so surprised to see and feel Tifa still beside him for once. She was always the first one up…Outside, the daylight wasn’t up yet but surely she was ‘a little’ awake? He leaned in with one arm still wrapped around her, but no, she didn’t stir. He kissed her cheek before he quietly moved to stand. If she needed more time to rest then she should have it, as for him he needed to relieve himself.Outside along the side of the house, he’d done what he needed before gazing toward the washed-out cinders from their campfire from the night before and then to the beach. He’d been steadily taking in everything the moment he stepped outside, but, as the wind picked up, he realized that in a few hours they’d move on, and he’d never have to see this place again. So, why not stare?Regardless of the hiccup they’d experienced late last night, this memory and how he intended to wrap things up would do fine. Earlier, on his way out of the loft, he’d picked up a towel and then a bag of toiletries set beside Tifa’s stuff. He picked both up off the back steps now as he moved toward the vehicle next. Reaching for the car’s rear door, he grabbed one of the water jugs out the back to assist with teeth cleaning and then a full body lather. Gods, he was ready for a real shower.Despite the chilled air, he tried not to be too bothered. He’d dealt with way worse before. This was inconvenient at best. He towel-dried off before wrapping it around himself. In a few short breaths, he tried to pump himself up to shake off the cold. He was ready to be back inside again, beside her, imagining her and all her warmth.Inside, he pushed the door back as he looked toward the loft and then the stairs. She was still lying there just like he left her. Quietly, he crept up and continued on until he was near, noticing then that her eyes were starting to open, gazing now to the outside through those few panes.“Hey,” he said in a whisper. She lightly turned with a smile on her face, greeting him with a more muted response as he laid down, towel and all.“You smell nice,” she breathed, slowly realizing he’d cleaned up. She was hesitant to kiss him. Not being nearly as clean as him made her anxious but he didn’t care as he course-corrected her mouth even though she insisted she be avoided. “No!” she whimpered with a grin, “I feel gross!” She always said that but still, he didn’t care. She might have felt gross, but he felt cold which she quickly realized and reacted to. “You’re freezing!” she cried, followed by him needling his face into the crook of her neck, “Then warm me.”If she wasn’t giggling she’d likely want to scream. No matter what she did, she couldn’t writhe away from him fast enough. Finally draping him with their blanket, she accepted his kiss and then held him close.“I guess I should thank you,” she chattered, “I will feel nothing when I clean up next.” He grinned. “More light will be out in a little while,” he said, “It’ll be warmer right before we leave.”Already, he was making plans for their departure but honestly, she was fine. She hadn’t brought coffee and saw it as a reason to stop by somewhere on their way back to Costa.“Sure, sure,” she said, and then, “How’d you sleep?” She always asked that.“Good,” he muttered. He was eager to ask the same, maybe a bit more concerned about what she’d dreamed…“When I woke you last night…” he said, “You had a bad dream.”She gazed at him for a bit before she said anything, “I did.”“Did you want to talk about it?”She shook her head.“You sure?” he asked.Deep down, she told herself to be nice. “You keep things from me,” she eventually whispered, “So… so can I.”She had him there. If the intent was for him to feel guilt, then she’d let him have it.“Why won’t you talk about it?” she asked him.Already, she had him again as he breathed a sigh. This was what he’d accepted the moment he stepped outside: the need to come clean. She wants to talk about it, so we’ll talk about it. “I don’t know,” he said. “You told me to ask you in two years. I’m just following orders.”She thought he was making fun of her. “People make plans, Reno,” she murmured. She’d thought about this conversation so many times, “You got so mad when I said no–”“Tifa–”“You just expected me to say yes.”…Yes, he thought but didn’t say.She paused, thinking he’d answer, but he wouldn't.“Reno, I realize you ‘live’ very day-to-day,” Wow, understatement of understatements, “But I don’t. I like to make plans.”Reno diverted his eyes to the ceiling while he listened on his back. He assumed she’d just say her piece, but she actually wanted interaction, not a soliloquy. She snuggled up to him and he wrapped one arm around her. When she placed her head to his chest, she heard the steady crescendo of his heart.Living day-to-day had been a given for him. He really didn’t think he’d live that long. Due to his line of work, how he lived before said work, plus the things he’d done for fun and to stabilize said work, by all accounts, he’d been asking for a death wish for quite some time, still was if it hadn’t been for her… To have asked her on a whim like he did, didn’t seem absurd. It almost made sense. He wanted her very badly, someone he desperately wanted to call “his”, and when she said ‘no’ that fucking hurt. Rude and Elena coached him through his feelings (begrudgingly) days after it happened. Elena had been ‘more than helpful’ at explaining why he’d been so selfish:
“The roots of marriage come from a place of ‘ownership’, Reno. It’s a binding contract. Need I remind you, but you don’t ‘own’ Tifa,she is her own person and she’s fully within her right to say ‘no’, no matter how frivolous things may seem –you need to accept that, and if you care, it’d help if you’d just ask her why she said ‘no’ to give you closure and maybe a second chance.”
Reno quietly realized they don’t make books for this stuff (or they do, but he never intended to read them). Even Rude expected him to have some knowledge of these things, but how the fuck was he supposed to know? Between Elena, Rude, and Tifa, they’d have to teach him.“How do you make plans,” he asked.A small light came on inside Tifa’s heart and she beamed.“Well…” she said. She moved her head to the side, her chin now resting on his chest, “You start small, like where we see each other in five years. Stuff like that.”His face was askew, “… I thought you’d say ring shopping…”She didn’t know he was serious, so she laughed. She felt him stiffen, quickly realizing her faux pas right as she hoisted herself up to better look at him. Gods, Reno… “Babe, no… that, that’s too short-sighted. I’m talking big picture, not material, like where we see ourselves. Compatibility stuff.”He was so confused, “Are we not compatible?”“No, we are,” she said. He really had no clue. “Like we talk about where we want to live, how we live, kids.”“You already have kids,” he said, like that wasn’t the most obvious thing in the world.She chuckled, “I do, but maybe I’d like to have them with you.”Reno’s face was amiss. Oh…“You’ve really never thought of this before?” she whispered.‘Yes’ and ‘no’? Erring on the side of caution, he shook his head.She was so excited. “See? This is why we make plans.” They’d lightly brushed on topics like this but veered away as soon as he made a joke or some show of force that she took as a sign that he didn’t care or didn’t want to consider it. Marriage alone, she wasn’t expecting that from him. She didn’t think he’d be on board, yet here he was, asking questions like a babe in the woods.Tifa suddenly got up and he didn’t know what she was doing. “Where are you going?” he asked.“I need to clean up and you need to stay here and think about the future.”“I can’t watch?” he asked, seeing her reach for spare clothes to throw on, along with a fresh towel and then the toiletries bag he’d used.She grinned, “Babe, don’t be a perv. Besides, I need to use the bathroom.”She knelt down beside him for a bit before she headed out. “Thank you for talking to me,” she said before giving him a kiss, “I appreciate it, and I’m excited.”She watched him grin and then say the same, “Me, too.”One last kiss and then she’d departed for the outside world, leaving Reno to watch her leave with the biggest smile. As soon as she left, he continued to gaze. Finally, he reached for what clothes Tifa brought of his in her bag, that along with his PHS close by. He turned on the screen, both expecting and not expecting to see any messages from Elena. None so far, meanwhile his battery continued to drain down. He needed to recharge it in the vehicle.“Hm…” he breathed.He glanced back towards the window in the loft, remembering again that they wouldn’t have to be there much longer – and yet he was glad they came. Abandoned and spartan, he’d been and lived in places just like this – places worse off, that hadn’t included Tifa’s loving touch. In some small way, this had been a homecoming for him, too. Peering down at his phone, he shot Elena a text:
“Not harassing me today?”
As soon as he sent it, he got up to fully dress and, what felt like maybe a minute later, he heard his phone ping. Glancing at the floor, he reached for it, then pulling up the screen to see her reply. Instantly, his brow furrowed.
“Nope. Working with Johnny today. Have a great time!”
… the fuck?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“And that is why…” Standing upright, Elena finished describing her master plan in detail, and for a moment she paused, “We should send an anonymous note.”Having moved and splayed themselves out on Johnny’s back patio for quite some time, specifically on his wicker couch (this in lieu of Johnny’s stuffy and space-saver bedroom), Johnny and Yuffie took in Elena’s words, this alongside Bishop who laid in between them. Minutes beforehand, Johnny’s mother trotted out with a platter full of food, along with refreshments meant for everyone including a fresh cup of coffee for Yuffie. With Elena standing before them now, they awaited more details, and yet… Elena wasn’t forthcoming.Eventually one of them coughed.“So…” Yuffie gathered. For a moment she spoke with her hands, a finger sandwich twirling as she went, “What does an ‘anonymous note’ do?” Elena sighed. To her, the ongoing operation in her head of running Sorrel out of Costa made perfect sense, but maybe she wasn’t conveying it quite like she’d hoped, “Let’s go over this again.” In the vein of a work report, Elena flipped through internal notes before she recounted the data, “However many years ago, Reno met this one woman, right? Sorrel, in Costa del Sol, and the woman’s a sex worker–”Sotto voce, Yuffie’s ‘tee-hee’ was sweet, meanwhile Johnny’s stare was blank. Neither of them gave a shit.Elena continued, “But… in the words of Yuffie… instead of being ‘cool’, Sorrel ‘just sucks’, because, instead of amicably opening and closing her work engagements, she latches onto current and former clientele, namely Reno, for which she has…” this was the part that always flustered her, “…some unspoken intention of making him kowtow to every single one of her whims because she can? As though they’re dating or married or something?”Elena assumed too much of the lady sometimes, including Sorrel's motives; like forcing Reno to comply with each and every one of her demands because a) it soothed her, b) doing so made Sorrel feel powerful, c) she did it ‘because she could’, or d) all of the above and then some. Regardless, Elena did her best to work through the unknowns, “No matter what, her actions are intentional, never by accident, and she grossly harasses and abuses her victims as well as those closest to them, be it the victims’ romantic partners, friends, allies, or work associates, such as myself.”From the couch, Johnny spoke, “Like how every time Sorrel sees you, she does something mean or weird to you?”Elena nodded, “Exactly.” She waited for Yuffie to say something demeaning, either about Elena or Reno, but Yuffie didn’t. Instead, the ninja nodded her head in agreement while she stroked Bishop’s ears. Yuffie was well acquainted with these social mores: the misfortune of dealing with absolute pricks. “So…” Elena asked, “…How do we rein her in?”Yuffie piped up for the sudden pop quiz, “You said she’s from Mideel and her family is looking for her, right?”“Correct.”“How do you know this again?” Johnny’s face was bemused. As a collector of information himself, he was intrigued by Elena’s ability to nimbly pick up on the finer details–“Reno mentioned it to me a long time ago…” she seemed exhausted by the sudden memory, “Her family knows she lives in Costa and desperately wants her back. From what I know, they’ve done everything in their power to do so, like taking trips to find her themselves to hiring private investigators – which is why we need to be discreet. Sorrel does not wish to be found, nor does she want to return home.” Elena paused. Not knowing much else, she could tell the curiosity still lingered among her peers.“Hmm,” Yuffie waited, “…Why does she not want to return home?”Elena shrugged, “I have no clue, but it may be our way out. If we can anonymously make contact with her family in Mideel, give them her location, then maybe they can find her–”“And drag her ass home?” Johnny offered.Pleased, Elena snapped her fingers, “Bingo.”Yuffie sat up, her face resting in one hand, “Is that really going to work though? We send an ‘anonymous note’, her family comes running, and then they whisk her away? Just like that? They can’t actually force her to leave Costa, can they?”“Well, theoretically no, but…” Elena shifted from where she stood, “We don’t know what ‘could’ happen, but I think we should try.” She thought she heard something… a scratching of some sort? Close by? She pretended to hear nothing, “In this note, I suggest we ‘exaggerate’… a lot. I believe the note being anonymous will make things seem more dire. We want her family to believe that Sorrel is in peril…”Yuffie perked up and her eyes gleamed, “Can we lie?”Elena set her gaze squarely on Yuffie’s request. “Absolutely,” she whispered.“Oh, wow,” Yuffie was made for this. She was beyond enthused, “I will write the shittiest thing in the world…”Yuffie shifted her gaze to Johnny who also held her stare. In his breathiest voice, he uttered, “You’re so good at that.” He meant it, and with the same reverence, she too accepted his words with vigor, “Thank you…”But then their stare was cut short by Elena’s scream.“What is that thing?!” the blonde screeched.Johnny and Yuffie’s eyes darted to the thing on the ground, something low and immobile that Elena wouldn’t stop pointing to. In an instant, their faces lit up, both of their arms outstretched, “REMI!”Elena was so vexed. She continued to move away from whatever it was. “A what?” she asked.“That’s Remi!” Yuffie said, “Reno’s pet.” Johnny moved to get up. He sauntered over to the thing that hadn’t moved, its eyes clouded and unblinking as it stared into Elena’s soul.“Reno’s… pet?” Elena was incredulous as she watched Johnny greet the thing. The creature bowed in his hands as soon as he picked it up, its body creating an upside-down ‘U’ with its legs dangling to the floor. It remained stagnant in Johnny’s arms, meanwhile its head followed Elena’s face even as Johnny went back to reclaim his seat.“It, it just appeared beside me,” Elena stuttered. Johnny laughed, “Yeah, Remi’s sneaky. I don’t hear him too often myself, but he has free-range here, even in the house.” Johnny chuckled again, “You should hear him late at night when he gets the zoomies.”Elena was so confused as she stared into its eyes. Could it see? She repeated the question again, louder this time, “You said this was Reno’s?”Johnny looked up at her in surprise. “He didn’t tell you? Reno adopted this fella after the kids guilted him into it – his words, not mine. He felt bad for the little guy, but he asked me to keep him here since Reno’s busy like you.”Elena was still focused on the creature. Its body was long with a glossy coat, its fur the color of packed sand with a light underbelly to match. It appeared well-kept aside from its opaque white eyes.“Reno pays the vet bills,” Johnny said, “He still gives me money for his food and toys, too. Thanks to him, Remi’s real handsome now.”The creature didn’t move, and Elena stared. “Did Reno name him?” she asked.“Gods no,” Johnny said. Johnny patted Bishop as Yuffie reached to hold Remi next, “Reno’s not allowed to name anything. Denzel and Marlene did.”Still in observance of all four nestled there on the couch, Elena’s PHS began to chime. Instantly, she grabbed it from her jacket and glanced at the screen. “Oh…” she murmured, “I need you both to be quiet.” She immediately spun, turning on her heel toward the other side of the patio to listen.“Sir?” she answered the phone.There on the other end was Tseng. “Why aren’t you at work?” He was calling from the office.For a moment, Elena glanced back at her companions who eyed her tremendously. On the couch, Johnny nudged Yuffie still beside him. “She’s talking to Tseng…” he whispered. Both of them looked back at Elena, waiting for her to reply.“Oh, oh, yes, sir… I’m running a bit behind.” Elena didn’t anticipate taking this long with what she hoped to do. Reno always got away with being hours late, so why couldn’t she? But, then again, there was still so much she needed to do…Suddenly, Elena noticed Yuffie motioning to her from the couch. Glancing at the woman, Yuffie’s whisper carried. “Tell him you have a sore thrussy,” she breathed.Elena’s mind went blank as soon as she turned away, “Sir, I have a sore throat.”Johnny and Yuffie shot each other a glance to show they were pleased, that’s when Yuffie cracked a grin. “Yeah, the one Tseng gave her.” A high-five sounded between them both.“Yes, uh – yes, sir, thank you. I appreciate that and I hope I feel better, too, thank you… Goodbye.” And with that, Elena closed her phone. Turning back to them, she breathed a sigh, noticing again that Remi was staring at her. Soon she nodded to Yuffie. “Thank you,” she said, right as Yuffie motioned for her to hold Remi next.“Here,” Yuffie said with a grin, “Your turn. I think he likes you.” The woman got up to walk towards her now, bearing the noodly creature in both arms.“Oh. Okay,” Elena held up her hands, so excited but then unsure, like someone holding a baby for the first time.Yuffie smiled. “Remi’s easy,” she whispered. She read Elena’s body language and trained her on how to hold and coddle. “He’s super soft,” Yuffie murmured, “The sweetest, too.”Elena held him for a while, wondering what to ask next, “Does Reno actually visit him?”“Oh yeah!” Johnny replied, “He loves Remi.” Johnny pointed to a spot on the floor where Elena soon stared, “He’ll get on the ground over there and play with him a bunch. They’re really fun together.”Elena was so surprised. “That… that’s really cute,” she said, “I had no idea–”Suddenly her PHS rang again, and she successfully shifted Remi to one side to accept the call. Thinking it was Tseng, she didn’t even look at the screen.“Sir?” she asked again, only to be greeted with absolute silence aside from some background noise.“…Did… did you just call me ‘sir’?” a voice asked.Elena breathed another sigh of relief as she peered down at Remi. “Wow,” Reno said over the phone, “You haven’t called me that in a long time. I’m speechless.”“You never told me you had a pet,” Elena started, to which Reno was ecstatic. “OH – wait, is Remi there? Lemme talk to him.” Still glancing down at Remi, Elena noticed the furred creature wasn’t staring at her for once. Instead, it was focused on her PHS as though it could hear. “Go ahead,” she said. She moved the speaker toward its face, to which she heard Reno speak low and slow, “Hey buuuddy, how ya doin’?” Noticeably, the creature’s ears pricked and its head bobbed toward the phone – gods, this was cute.“Wow,” Elena breathed, as she looked back at Johnny and Yuffie who beamed from the couch. Bishop in turn, quietly made a deep-throated ‘woof’ right as Yuffie moved to fleece his scruff to soothe him next. Jealous.Patiently, Elena waited and soon she moved the phone to her ear. “What is this thing?” she asked him.“The kids swear it’s a stoat,” he said.From the couch, Johnny spoke freely to Yuffie, “I thought it was a ‘water weasel’,” which made Yuffie wonder. “Like an otter?” Johnny’s face was cross, “…Is that not what I just said?”Still on the phone, Elena wondered aloud, “I thought it was an ermine.” She almost heard Reno’s shrug from over the phone, “Same difference? But also, WHY ARE YOU THERE.” This had been the main point of his call to which Elena was left to scramble for a valid answer. “No reason,” she muttered. Gods, she was such a bad liar. Quickly, she backtracked, all in one breath. “I’m doing something for Tifa,” she sputtered, “Johnny said Bishop needs walking and that Tifa would like that.” Garbage, garbage – garbage answer! For a moment, Reno waited. “So now you’re taking care of my dog?” His dog?!“…Where’s Tifa?” Elena’s voice was slow. In a whisper, she was serious, “Tifa would greatly beg to differ with what you just said.”“Fine,” he said, “‘Our’ dog…” For a moment Elena didn’t hear him, assuming he was looking for Tifa. She felt like she waited forever.“Elena,” he eventually said, “I don’t know what you’re up to but I gotta go.”“Reno–” but it was too late. He’d already hung up the phone.Briefly, she stared at the device, waiting for a text or another call to come through from him next. When nothing did, she feared the worst–“Everyone…” she said, “I’m going to need as many contacts as you have on Mideel ASAP and we need to start drafting that letter now.” She looked down at Remi who stared at the floor. She assumed the creature was pointing to where it wanted to go – could it see? In placing Remi on the ground, sure enough, it scampered off somewhere and quickly darted out of sight.Taking in her comrades once more, they gazed at Elena with an intensity, everyone knowing their strengths and what they should do. It was time to get started. ----- Back on the Western Continent and right before they left the cottage, an hour or so before Reno’s call, Tifa agreed to let Reno drive IF they stopped by the Sandstone Saucer (“Just one last time! For the experience!”). Pleading, Tifa had her hands up in prayer right as Reno took the driver’s seat, “Please, please, please?” Not more than an hour later, she was squealing as she rushed the place, smelling the same sumptuous foods and other goodies that wafted past.As anticipated, she found a place that sold coffee that they then carried on and throughout, under the same colorful flaps and covered archways, down densely packed corridors, and then to the noisier squares. There never seemed to be a moment when the place wasn’t packed.For the day, Tifa stepped out in another bespoke and lightly textured dress, equipped again with her mirrored lenses. At times she felt inclined to twirl, delighted in the feeling and flow of her coral-colored fabric, meanwhile Reno followed close beside her in his more muted attire. Black slacks, another demure polo, all paired with his darkened shades, Reno’s work requirement to ‘blend in’ likewise seeped into everything else he seemed to wear, and yet Tifa and Reno complimented each other so well.Every now and then, he took full advantage of her off-the-shoulders dress, lightly sneaking a kiss to her collar or touching the fitted fabric at her waist to guide and linger. Tifa likewise was tempted to steal a kiss if they came to a sudden stop, or when she’d peek a glance just to confirm his chuckle or a grin. All around them, people flocked past. Like them, there was no gauge to confirm ‘who was from where’ but everyone’s face seemed the same, energetic and happy to be, fully focused on other things that didn’t include ogling Tifa and Reno respectively.Finally in a less crowded area, Reno paused. He tapped Tifa, telling her he had to make a call. “I need to touch base with Elena,” he said, and Tifa nodded. She pointed to a shop not too far from them, saying she’d be over there before she leaned in for a kiss. He held up his PHS as soon as she stepped away.Over the phone, Elena weirdly addressed him as “sir” which made him laugh. In confirming what he heard, he made small talk, and soon their conversation roved to why on Gaia she was there with Johnny at all (this in regard to her text from that morning) – when suddenly he looked up.There in the distance, he watched someone approach Tifa who then forced his girlfriend to speak to them. As kind as Tifa was, her smile disintegrated as soon as the woman began to scold. This elderly woman was pointing, motioning to Tifa’s exposed shoulders, the hint of her cleavage, and then her bare arms and legs where the dress she wore fell just above her knees. The woman was angry and even from far away Reno winced the second the woman spat. What the fuck’s this lady’s problem? Reno soon realized he was staring and hadn’t spoken a word to Elena. Over the phone, Elena was waiting, but then he saw Tifa chance a smile his way. Tifa knew he’d been watching, always on guard like he was. Her flagrant gesture was meant to comfort him, to soothe him, and then show that she was okay, but that he did not buy. He was going to fight this old broad–“Elena,” he said, “I don’t know what you’re up to but I gotta go.”He flipped his phone back to close as he paced toward them next and immediately Tifa saw. She motioned with her hands in a sincere gesture of ‘thank you’ to the old woman, only to turn and stride toward Reno at an anxious clip.At the halfway point from where they both stood, Tifa stopped him.“What did that woman say to you?” he asked.Tifa flashed another smile, the same one she gave him from afar. “Don’t worry about it,” she asked, “It’s fine.”“No, what did she say to you.” It was no longer a question but still, Tifa grinned.“It’s not worth it–” she said. She noticed Reno look past. He was staring at the woman who proceeded to glare at Tifa, up and down, up and down…“Listen,” Tifa murmured while his face slowly shifted back to hers, “It was nothing nice, but I don’t want you to get shitty.”“I’m not…” he said, “Please hold my cup.” Tifa rolled her eyes but complied. “Please don’t get shitty,” she begged again but he’d already moved.Tifa was reluctant to turn, but soon she did, gazing now at Reno as he approached the lady. From where she stood, she took several sips, watching him go to work. As a man dressed in nearly all black, Reno was sure to approach the woman with the utmost care and sophistication. The woman might have confused him as a man of the cloth when he was so kind to ask her about her day, and for a moment, she was charmed. That’s when he turned on her.Pointing now, Reno motioned to his girlfriend while he stared and told off the woman right to her face. The lady was baffled and then angry all at once, completely confounded by this man who would not stop, quite the opposite as he continued to ratchet up. Soon she reached for something off the nearest stall to throw at him, but he batted it away with the smallest gesture, his finger still wagging in her face…Tifa took deep breaths while she anxiously watched. She was doing her best not to intervene. “…Please don’t be shitty…Please don’t be shitty…” she chanted. She said it so many times she hoped it might be a spell. Alas… it wasn’t.Finally done, Reno spat on the ground just like the woman had done, and then walked away.When he returned to Tifa she greeted him with a wry smile and in return, he did the same.“What did you say to her,” she forced through her smiling teeth. She tried not to glance at the woman. “Nothing nice,” he replied. He wanted to soften her as he knew she was anxious, but also to rub it in the woman’s face who undoubtedly watched. He wrapped Tifa up in his arms (rather awkwardly as she held both cups), then giving her the deepest kiss, just so satisfied to feel her grin.For a moment he held her face before he accepted his drink back. “I know you don’t like it,” he said, “but in your own way, you’d do the same for me,” motioning with his head toward the hateful woman.Seconds ticked by and Tifa considered, right as she chuckled. She intertwined her arm with his, pushing them both to wander off. “I would,” she said, “And I love you.” He replied just the same. ----- “I never asked how your call with Elena went,” Tifa said.They were back on the road again, Reno in the driver’s seat while Tifa gazed again at the ocean coast.“She’s good,” he said, “She’s… busy.” He didn’t know what more to say without bringing Johnny up, something he absolutely did not want to do, on this trip or ever.“It’s the strangest thing,” Tifa muttered, “I got a text from Barret. He said Yuffie went MIA. It’s just been him and Vincent holding down Seventh Heaven back home.”Reno’s brow furrowed. Typical Yuffie. “Have you messaged her?” he asked.“I did,” she replied, “She said she won’t speak to me until I send more pics …”He laughed, knowing how annoyed Tifa must have been in getting that response. He decided to make light of the situation. “You need to get on that,” he told her.Tifa grinned before she turned to him, “If Yuffie asks, I’m serious when I say you need to tell her I wore everything.”All teeth, Reno chuckled, “I’m going to tell her you went rogue and found a rice sack to wear every day or something.” Eyes still on the road, he briefly looked over to her thigh to put his hand there, relieved as always that she let him. He noticed the dress fabric at her legs flutter every time it was hit by the breeze or force of wind from how fast they were driving. Always teasing him…Sweetly, he asked, “Remember the last time we drove back from Junon?”Tifa laughed and then balked, “I’m not giving you road head, Reno.”He faked a gasp and then a subsequent glare, “That’s not what I said!”“Oh, OH…” she muttered with a grin, “You only bring it up every time we’re alone in the car together.”“Do you know how hot that was?” He was insistent and making an argument for it now, forever glancing at her with so much hope, “Tifa, you were incorrigible that night.”She continued to scan the coastline as though they weren’t talking. Her response was muted, “It’s only because we went back to the Dolphin…”“And I love the Dolphin for that!” Why was he yelling? He spoke with so much zeal, as though in love, “Gosh, that — that place inspires you in a way I never could. You were this close to knocking some of those go-go dancers off the stage, and then the bimbos off their poles!”Tifa said nothing as she continued to conceal her grin.“I’m canceling our flight back to Edge. We’re landing in Junon when we get back–”“RENO, WE ARE NOT.” That got her attention.Both of them were grinning at each other when Tifa made her last stand, “I am not giving you fellatio right now. This vehicle is way too open, the sun is way too up, everything is very visible, and I was very intoxicated that night, unlike how I am now.”The amount of time Reno was devilishly simpering at her and NOT observing the road understandably made Tifa nervous.“Will I ever see that girl again?” he whispered to her sexually charged and literally high-flying alter ego.“You’re just asking because it’s a long road back to Costa–”“That is exactly why I am asking,” he confirmed, and Tifa scoffed.“Maybe if ‘you’re good’, I’ll think about it…” she said, to which he gasped for real.“BUT,” Tifa murmured, “We have to talk about the future first.” Immediately Reno’s features dropped, “Aaaw…”Tifa couldn’t help but laugh as Reno sighed, “Tifa, is this some kind of positive mind reinforcement thing?”“Yes,” she said, “I’m training you up. This is how I get you to fully commit.”Briefly, he rolled his eyes as he glanced to the mountains. “I am fully committed,” he whispered.Whether his response and attitude was him being silly or not, Tifa wasn't sure. She reached for his shoulders. “I know,” she said, and for a moment, she held her gaze. “Have you thought about any plans?” she asked, referencing their discussion they’d had mere hours ago before they’d left the cottage.Subtly, he leaned into her touch. “I have…” he said, “And you?”Tifa replied with the sweetest grin, so pleased with what he said, “Of course…”“Speaking of plans…” Tifa changed course, “Asa texted me and told us to come to a thing at the resort she’s bartending tonight. It’s like a soiree. That way you’ll get to meet her again and I can drink and dance.” Reno grinned as she made a point to murmur, “Maybe you’ll see ‘that girl’,” she whispered, dangling her second self to him that he knew and loved. She always knew how to encourage him, even though he knew the night would end just the same: him happily wrapped around her, beyond content to be in her arms.Focused on the road for once, Reno glanced again at her by his side. She was doing the same to him.“You wanna go?” he asked.She nodded, though she knew he might not have seen. “I do,” she said.He reached over for her hand this time and she took it lovingly, leaning closer to request a kiss. Beaming, he met her gaze, “Then we’ll go.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Face aghast, Johnny was pissed. “Yuffie, how dare you, I am Inner Senshi.”The daylight was mostly gone given how much time had passed on Johnny’s back patio and, while some progress had been made, other things hadn’t progressed at all.Elena racked her brain in the far corner, a slight distance from both of her companions. She hadn’t made much headway in pinpointing a true lead, though she felt she was close. Despite her knowledge of many of Sorrel’s ongoing aliases, not one of them had been helpful in contacting her family. Though Sorrel left Mideel well before the Lifestream ripped her hometown in two – shattering the ground while so many people fell in, many of whom were still reported as missing and some presumed dead – by all accounts, all of Johnny’s contacts in Edge familiar with Mideel had no knowledge of a family desperately seeking a daughter, let alone one who now lived in Costa. Their results had been fruitless. If Elena could find one, just ONE contact, it would make all the difference. If she had it, she’d have that telefax all punched up and ready to go to every single courier within a mile radius of Mideel, each one of them rushing to Sorrel’s family door. At this rate, Elena might as well fly to Mideel herself to find what she needed, but… there just wasn’t much time.“I need her real name…” she breathed. Seated and disappointed in herself, Elena glanced over at Johnny and then Yuffie, both of them still sitting idly on that wicker couch.“HA!” Johnny barked at his PHS, then holding it and his quiz results to Yuffie’s face. His smile was slick, “TOLD YOU! I got Makoto, Crystal Jupiter!”Yuffie seemed surprised as she nodded, her face bearing a fraction of acceptance. “Makes sense,” she said, “That bitch is tall.”Johnny was incensed. He thought this was the worst qualifying feature of his in the world. He embodied Crystal Jupiter, mind, body, and soul, not just height, “Yuffie, she’s like 5’6”–”“Yuffie,” Elena’s voice carried over his, “Did you finish the letter?”Yuffie nodded, peeling her eyes away from the same online quiz she too was now taking. And yet, despite how important Elena’s question had been, Johnny interrupted again.“You know, I see you as Chibi Crystal,” he muttered.Even Elena winced at that–“OH, FUCK YOU,” Yuffie snapped, “NO ONE LIKES CHIBI CRYSTAL. I ought to beat your ass…” She was too focused on the quiz to fully glare at him, and even then, Elena watched knowing he wasn’t scot-free. Johnny and Yuffie had been going back and forth in this way all day and Elena had been mesmerized. A movie projector quietly played in the background, streaming an all-day marathon of Crystal Moon episodes with all three looking up in time for pivotal moments and character development. When they hadn’t been distracted, they’d been quite productive, with Johnny’s parents affectionately bringing them food and drink all day and to sometimes assist with contacts and calls. For everyone involved, it hadn’t felt like work at all.Peering down at her notes, Elena was so overwhelmed by this one impasse. Quietly, she took out her PHS to shoot a text. She was so invested in what she’d just sent that she failed to hear Johnny.“Psst,” he asked again, “Elena, who do you think you are?” He held out his PHS to her with the same Crystal Moon quiz, motioning that she too partake.She shook her head in response, then pocketing her PHS, “Not now Johnny…” Elena seemed sad, and Johnny sensed it.He dropped his arm down with his phone still attached, his smile soon fading. He didn’t know what more they could do.“Hey,” he sounded hopeful for her sake, “We got a lot done today. We can try again tomorrow.”Elena was so steadfast in getting everything done right now. “Okay…” she eventually breathed. He wasn’t wrong. “I’ll… We’ll figure something out tomorrow.” Quietly she moved to stand and Yuffie screamed.“AHAHA!” Still seated beside Johnny and Bishop, Yuffie made them jump, “I got Rei as Crystal Mars! Suck my ass, Johnny – READ IT AND WEEP!”Standing from where she was, Elena actually appreciated their dynamic. This and the discussion they continued to have on things she hadn’t thought of in years.“I don’t disagree with that,” Johnny’s voice was sincere, “You’re the angriest bitch I know.” He said it with so much clarity (but also respect), that of course Yuffie beamed, “Don’t you fucking know it, you tall-ass bitch.”Johnny was genuinely annoyed by this. “You act like that’s my only redeeming quality. I’m more than just a beautiful transfer student with a checkered past and above-average height. I contain multitudes. I can cook and I can fight alone. I’m amazing.” “You’re just jealous because I have crow friends.”Johnny shrugged. “Not really. I thought you were gonna say ‘cause you’re the prettiest girl in school.”Elena was so entranced that she didn’t hear herself speak. Involuntarily, words had spilled out, “I assumed you wanted to be Black-Tie Disguise,” she said to Johnny. Immediately, her statement stifled the space as both of her peers now stared. She might have heard a pin drop – or was that Remi? In Johnny’s stead (mouth agape, the man was speechless), Yuffie answered on his behalf. “Why?” she asked, “So he can throw a rose, scream ‘You can do it!’, and then disappear? No, thank you.”“Yeah…” Finally, Johnny had found the words. He seemed disappointed, initially believing Elena to be a fan but also feeling that her statement proved how lowly she thought of him (not at all her intention). “That guy’s useless…” he said. He was serious, “I’m one of the girls.”Elena had so many thoughts, but she also knew she should leave.“No,” she said, “You’re right… I’m sorry. I should go…” She gathered her things while her companions looked on, both of them now feeling guilty, thinking they’d made her want to leave right then and there. They protested but Elena assured them. “No, no, it’s fine,” she said, “I really need to go.” With her notes now packed, she started toward the rear of the bar but then paused at the door.“I really appreciate you both for what you’ve done today…” she said, “I wouldn’t have gotten this far without you, and I thank you.”Johnny and Yuffie grinned, both replying with their thanks for the opportunity to help. It’d been fun, and then Johnny offered to walk her out.Elena smiled but soon declined, right as she heard her phone ping. One new text.Nimbly, she took it out while both of her partners watched, all of them hoping it’d been a breakthrough. It wasn’t, but it hadn’t been disappointing either: “without a doubt, you’re Inner Senshi” Elena grinned when she typed back: “thanks, Rude” She tucked her PHS back in her pocket while she faced the door. “…If any of our contacts reach out to you,” she said, “Let me know…” She looked to the ground while she spoke, “No matter what, Sorrel’s family has to know where she is before she leaves… Reno swears she isn’t there, but I know she is. As long as he’s there, she will not leave.”Behind her, she heard Johnny say, “We’ll get her,” and momentarily she felt relief. I hope so, she thought, and then, with the briefest wave, she was gone.Finally alone, Yuffie inched beside Johnny. Bishop whimpered from the weight of her body crushing into his until he moved.“Do you like her?” she whispered. She’d been steadily wondering the same thing all day when his dad dropped that hint–“No,” Johnny said. He was still gazing at the door, “She’s with Tseng.” But then he spoke with so much clarity like he did before, “I bet you she’d get Usagi.”Yuffie followed his gaze to the door. “Definitely,” she said.Suddenly the door erupted with someone nearly falling out and they both jumped. It wasn’t Elena.“Yuffie!” Johnny’s dad wheezed. The man was scared, “Barrett came by looking for you again, and that tall, dark, cloaked man in the pink apron came by, too. The really gloomy one?” He was trying and failing to collect himself. “They really think you’re here…”“Fuck…” Yuffie breathed. She was so thankful the man could lie.“Okay,” she eventually said, “Thanks.”Johnny’s dad gave a curt nod before he shuffled back inside.Yuffie glanced down at her phone with all the missed messages still pinging through. She shoved it in between the cushions. Between Barrett, Vincent, and Tifa, one of them was likely to kill her.“Johnny,” she said, “I need to stay here tonight.”Johnny looked at her in surprise. He was halfway between getting up to walk Bishop and to maybe grab some food for himself. “Oh, um… okay,” he muttered.“You still have that spare room, don’t you?” she asked.“Oh well, yeah, but mom put storage in there and it’s kind of Remi’s room now–”“That’s fine. I’ll take your bed.”Something audible sounded in Johnny’s throat. A gargle or a sigh? Something?“Oh, and can we not watch Crystal Moon tonight or any of those silly shows?” she asked, “Like I’m glad you haven’t contacted Tifa, but I don’t think those things are good for you and your withdrawal.” His withdrawal?… But they help him cope…He didn’t know what to say. His daily ritual of not being able to see Tifa because of her being gone had been immensely sad, just like how it was last summer. Until she returned, much of his life felt upended or put on hold. Frivolous things like their shows gave him comfort, just like her leggings when he fell asleep. So what if it wasn’t healthy? It helped him. But of all people, he really thought Yuffie understood that, knowing just how simple he was. He needed that routine.“…okay,” his voice was a squeak and he was quiet when he gazed at his phone. Solemn and sad, he sought comfort in Crystal Pluto’s angelic face on the screen.He missed her so much. ----- “RENO, DO NOT–” but it was too late.Tifa uttered her final words right as she fell into the pool, much in the same way Reno had the day before. In a shocking reversal, she’d been pushed in by his own hands. Payback indeed.Being back at the resort had been wild after the fun and exciting ride back they both shared. They might have returned the car maybe two hours ago and already they’d caused a stir. Hotel guests looked on with a mixture of scorn and envy at these two people seemingly having ‘too much fun’ each and every time they entered a room. Tifa and Reno didn’t care though. This was their vacation just as much as anyone else’s.Tifa had been pleased by Reno’s about-face ever since they left the day before. Back to his merry self, he’d returned to jeering at guests who stared too long or flashing his platinum key card at staffers (typically pushed on by said guests) attempting to silence them when the pair cut up in public. Tifa didn’t necessarily ‘like’ this side of Reno, but it felt familiar, and oftentimes it’d been funny. Because sometimes people did stare too long – “that’s right, keep walking, fucker” – and it was nice when he backed her up, even if his means to do so were uncouth. No matter what, she always grinned.Now back at that shimmering and exquisite pool she’d initially pushed him into, Tifa knew he’d been plotting his revenge ever since. He’d been looking for any opportunity to exact it now and seemingly had done so.Beneath the water’s surface, Tifa checked her suit. She ensured nothing had fallen out or untied on impact right as she resurfaced. Aside from nearly pelting him with a jellyfish back in Gongaga, they were ‘this close’ to being even, but she’d been so sweet!“I did that thing you wanted,” she whispered, “In the car!” Playfully, she was pissed as she swam toward the ledge where he stood.Grinning, he knelt down beside her. He was careful not to get too close should she drag him in, but also just enough to take in her suit as he glanced down. At the Sandstone Saucer, she’d bought a new suit at one of the stalls. She said she liked the pattern, but Reno liked the cut – it was skimpy, an ensemble that even Yuffie would approve of. Gods, did he love the Western continent.“You did,” he replied, “And that’s why I lightly pushed you in.”This entire time she’d been glaring at him, him and all his insolence, his sunglasses covered his eyes, giving no clear reading as to his true expression aside from a grin. Much of what Tifa saw was her own reflection angrily staring right back. It didn’t help that even when angry she was still cute.She protested with a sneer, and he shook his head, right as she delivered a spray of water with one hand. “Tifa, there is a sign–” Pointing, he diverted his eyes to read her the pool rules AGAIN when she hauled herself up. Easily, she suplexed his ass into the pool with a splash and then a spray of water that dotted onlookers, much to their dismay.There was a rule for that, too – but she had to counter!Pool guests rolled their eyes. Two people genuinely loving each other AND having a good time at an amenity they paid for? Disgusting. But then a ray of hope appeared when a hotel staffer approached them by the pool. Fully engaged, all of the guests now watched, ready for these two people to be lambasted and maybe kicked out.“Hey!” the staffer barked from the rim. They both looked up, right as Tifa grinned, “HEY!”Somehow, Reno immediately knew who this was, and he’d been right. He didn’t fully recognize Asa even though she seemed familiar. She reminded him a lot of Yuffie in her appearance. Aside from the required work uniform, her black hair was tied up in a ponytail that beautifully matched her eyes. She was definitely taller than Yuffie and seemed way more mature, more like Tifa.“My shift just started,” she said. Asa motioned to the bar with the silly cactuar cups decorated all around the sides. “Keep me company when you get a chance. I want to hear about the cottage.”And so, they did. In between Asa having to serve pool guests and then making the rounds to collect empties, refill others, and then do it all over again, she’d come back to Tifa and Reno perched on barstools to carry on a conversation. The lady was genuine and a breath of fresh air compared to all the other uptight types flitting around the place, working or not. All by herself, Asa had been a doll. “Sounds like you two had a blast!” she said. Asa had to pry herself away for a bit to help another guest with questions and inevitably she had to help another right after that. She was all too happy to do it though.Out of earshot, Tifa murmured, “Asa’s so nice. I’m glad we ran into her.”Reno took a sip while he lightly eyed the woman. She was so familiar. “Yeah,” he said with what little he knew, which wasn’t much.Tifa leaned into him to whisper again, “She told me this tiny story about you…” Tifa was doing her best to be quiet so no one could hear.Here we go…, he thought. Guardedly, Reno craned his head back toward her to listen, ready to hear something ill.“The first time she met you,” Tifa said, “Asa said she was working at this one bar, and you were there with someone she knew, her neighbor I think…” Anxiously, he was waiting, “She said you were pretty wasted and the other person you were with was really shitty to you, always had been, and whoever this person was got right in your face. Immediately Asa stopped what she was doing to tell them off in front of everyone, including you.” He was still waiting for the bad part, the part where he did wrong, “And the person you were with got so mad. Asa said they moved out a few days later from wherever they were staying.” And still… Reno waited. “But Asa said you found her that same night before you left and told her ‘thank you’. She never forgot that…”Reno stared. None of this rang a bell. “Where was this?” he asked.Tifa motioned inland, “She told me this was years ago, somewhere in town around the time Asa moved from Wutai. She’s been here for six or seven years I think.”Reno warped through the timeline. He was annoyed he couldn’t remember that much, most likely because of how much he drank back then, way more than he ever did now.“Who was the neighbor?” he asked. Six or seven years comprised a lot of people, many of whom he couldn’t remember, let alone have caught their name the first time.Tifa shrugged and then peered over at Asa who’d been busy, “Asa didn’t say. She said she doesn’t talk to that person anymore but sees her from time to time. She said this person was really serious about being your girlfriend though, but Asa didn’t like that she hit you.”Reno paused. “…Do what now?” he muttered.Tifa looked at him with concern. “The neighbor,” Tifa brushed his arm, “Asa said she hit you.” Reno’s face sank at knowing exactly who this person was.Tifa went on, “Asa said she only intervened when the person you were with did that in public and the person didn’t like that.” Tifa looked back at Asa, “She said she’s really happy to see you with someone new though.” Tifa grinned, and he really didn’t know what to say. Eventually he muttered, “Me, too.” Indeed, he now remembered who Asa was.“Hey!” Asa skipped over to their side of the bar, “My two favorite patrons are coming to this thing I’m bartending tonight, right?” Her face was so sweet and so was Tifa’s.“We’ll be there,” Tifa said. She confirmed the time and Asa shot her a thumbs-up. “You got it! Now go! You two need to go to the beach or something. Daylight’s burning! I’ll see you in a few hours.”Tifa grinned and Reno motioned with his key card for the check.“Ooooh,” Asa muttered, “Whoops…” Asa made a sly grin as she receded to the register. There, she subtly pushed a button, then retrieving Tifa’s pink room key from the till, “Looks like your girlfriend already paid.”Reno was peeved as he shot Tifa a look. He knew she hadn’t charged anything to the room. “I told you to stop buying things,” he said, “You’re vacationing all wrong.”Asa reached out with Tifa’s card to return it to her, but he snatched it up instead, then trading it out with his as he forced his black card into her hand. “No more,” he said, “And don’t you dare add your bank stuff to that thing either. I told you I’m buying.”Tifa looked miffed even though she knew he’d been kind. “I am a strong, independent woman who has her own money–” she said, “Plus, I had a good year!”“I know,” he replied, “But this is a gift.” He fluttered his hand around the place, trying to drive the feeling home. Asa had already left them to tend to a hurried guest and Tifa sighed. “Okay,” she said. It didn’t matter. She knew her bank card by heart. If only Asa would come back…“You have a problem accepting gifts,” he said, and she made a face saying much the same. “As do you!” she said.“No, no, I have a problem accepting kindness…”She reached out with her arm to wrap around his. “Because you’ll cry?” she asked, and he grinned.“Don’t tell anyone,” he whispered before he got up, pulling her close as he did.“Can we go to the room?” she asked. As though she had to – she knew he’d be game, “I’m tired and I want to lie down.” Gingerly, he looked her over, her and her suit. More than likely she had eyes for their room’s terrace and wanted to be alone with him in her favorite spot. Yeah, he could do that…“Sure,” he said, “Let’s go.”Before they left he gave one final wave to Asa who was sweet and waved right back. He remembered her now, sort of, namely the part where he’d been staring into Sorrel’s face right when Asa whipped her around. He had no idea about Asa’s name, nor that she and Sorrel had known each other, but in the moment, here was this perfect stranger who stood up for him. The argument he and Sorrel had had was hazy, but it boiled down to her going back home to Mideel. Her family had been looking for her and for a moment, she wanted to go and even gave them her address, but she’d only do it if he went with her. Except he wouldn’t, but he didn’t tell her that. He hoped if he didn’t then it’d be enough to make her leave since she was so sure he would. So much of their arrangement had become about her and her control, when whatever she thought they had had never been arranged at all. He never agreed to what she’d asked, but that night she’d pressed, and finally he told her no that he wouldn’t. He didn’t remember the rest. Just Asa. She was right in Sorrel’s face and for once, Sorrel looked scared. He'd never seen that before. Finally, someone who Sorrel might fear… That’s when Asa took her from the room, and he didn’t have to see her again.Heading to the room now, Tifa and Reno sauntered off all aglow. Pairs of eyes followed the happy couple, most of them out of relief but for one, it was more. The woman’s eyes darted to Asa at the bar. “Bitch…” she muttered. Hidden toward the back of so many cloistered deck chairs, very much in the shade and very much out of sight, this one woman inhaled again on her cigarette when she heard someone near.“Hey,” a young man dressed in a valet suit approached her so weary, “You said you wouldn’t be here in the open. You’re really not supposed to, I could get in–”“Shut up,” she said it so clearly before she rose.She took another drag. In between her bejeweled fingers, she glared at what remained. Gone too soon. Without a word, she turned to him to stub the thing out in his breast pocket … wouldn’t want him to get in trouble for that, too… where she left it. She patted it with a grin when she met his gaze.“H-hey!” frazzled, the man was at a loss for words, “My uniform, I can’t get it ruined–”“SHUT UP,” she forced again. Her tone was controlled, not too loud for others to hear, but enough to make it clear. The man obeyed as he watched. He was scared shitless but then she became so sweet. Mothering, she said, “If you don’t shut up, I won’t do that thing we promised…” Her voice was a coo when she touched his face–She’d never do it though. She never intended to ‘do it’ when she said she would, and yet here was this man with all his hope. What a fool.“O-okay,” he stammered, “Um, I made sure your dress and stuff are safe like you asked. Just message me when you need them, and I can get them to you?”She grinned and he couldn’t do the same.“Good boy…” she whispered. Still holding his face, she pecked the side of his lips. The man stiffened, expecting more, but then she dropped her hands from him as she turned away. Lost from her attention, he was sad.No longer seeing Tifa and Reno, the woman looked up as though she could see them, there on high. Where she was supposed to be. She couldn’t wait until they came down.“Run along,” she whispered, “I wish to be alone.”The man obeyed and quietly he ran off. All to herself, the woman grinned. Tonight was going to be fun.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Beyond the penthouse windows, the sun began to set, and Tifa watched.All by her lonesome she stood in her dressy attire, admiring the splendid colors that ceaselessly waxed and waned. Reds and then pinks, her world was bathed in a rosy glow, and for a moment she breathed, relishing in just how sweet it was. Because the flipside was everything wasn’t, thanks to one too many of her mounting frustrations. Namely Yuffie. The woman hadn’t messaged Tifa nor returned her calls which put Tifa in a bad way.In the other room, she heard Reno suit up in some state of dress, but already Tifa was ready to move on. Desperately she wanted to be downstairs to take her mind off of everything back home.From the terrace, she heard the Black and White Party down below. All the way on the lower balcony level, she imagined that same noise and rhythm carrying through from the mezzanine where Asa said it would be. As eager as Tifa was to be there, she tried not to tap a stilettoed heel.“Yuffie…” she whispered, “Where are you…”Her voice was pained. She hadn’t heard from her all day aside from the one text she received that morning: “Send more pics or I WILL NOT talk to you” Anxiously, Tifa closed her eyes.In the last few hours, she’d done exactly what Yuffie said and still, she’d received nothing. More and more, she grew concerned. Thank Gods for Barret and Vincent who were too kind to tend to the bar and obviously watch the kids in Yuffie’s stead. It was so grating to Tifa though. Too often she’d been reminded by just how much the woman had said that she’d be the one to do it – but no.Whatever, Tifa told herself. She hoped the sudden onslaught of pictures she’d sent would prompt some sort of response, especially after so many pics of the surprisingly appropriate dress Yuffie packed.Earlier, Tifa had been rifling through her bag, trying to find something to wear to the Black and White Party, when she fished this one thing out. A note twirled to the floor when she did – so innocently, it read “you’re welcome ❤️” once it stopped. Such a stark contrast to all the other notes Tifa read before. She read it again when she freed the white satin gown from its zippered sheath, only to be amazed. Easily, this was one of the prettiest dresses she’d ever seen. Tifa didn’t hesitate to try it on.It was such a gorgeous fit, featuring a delicate square neckline framed by two of the thinnest straps. Opposite the front, the straps intertwined over Tifa’s shoulders, accentuating a beautiful and open back. The garment was modest to hide much of Tifa’s chest, but then she’d been so impressed by its flowy tea-length skirt. Easily, this was the most sophisticated thing Yuffie had ever packed. That’s when Tifa remembered their video chat from the day before. “…I may have stolen a little something in your size and shoved it in your bag…Not gonna lie, it looks an awful lot like something that rhymes with ‘dreading mess’…” Tifa rolled her eyes at the sudden realization. Absolutely not.Despite the gift, Tifa couldn’t shake Yuffie’s lack of response. She knew Yuffie wasn’t working because Barret and Vincent told her so. She even messaged the kids wondering if they knew anything about the woman’s whereabouts, but no, they hadn’t either. That’s when Tifa thought about messaging Johnny. Based on her last trip to Costa though, and Yuffie’s departing words to her mere hours before she boarded the plane, Tifa thought she better not. “You remember six months ago and what Johnny was like…” Yuffie had said,“The man was a total wreck with you gone and you know you do not want ‘those’ calls again, especially Reno –Johnny alone is half of the reason why I’m here, so no, Tifa, do not call him. You’ll only make things worse.” Tifa breathed a sigh. She hadn’t told Yuffie that she’d promised to call him sometime that week, which she fully intended to do, ideally when she and Reno were close to leaving so the man wouldn’t be so sad. Just like last time…Fine, she told herself. Calmly, she heaved another sigh when she opened her eyes. She wouldn’t message Johnny either. Even if he knew…Grimacing, Tifa tried to calm herself but failed. The kids were fine, the bar was fine… So what if Yuffie wasn’t the most reliable person? Tifa was well aware, but she also knew just how important her outfits had been to her… It just didn’t make sense, and besides, for once, Tifa actually wanted to know what she–“…Wow…”She heard Reno’s words from behind. So lost in her own thoughts, she hadn’t heard him coming.“You’re stunning,” he said. She felt a hand press to her abdomen to gently guide her back. There against him, she tried in vain to force a grin.“You meant the sky,” she murmured. Her gaze shifted upward, still watching what was left of the light when he chuckled. She felt his lips graze her shoulder and then her neck. “Nope,” he whispered.She cracked a true grin at his not-so-subtle attempt to cop a feel. All teeth, she smiled when his hand tucked just underneath the top of her dress. He’d successfully managed to wrench her right from her doldrums.“We have to go,” she breathed. Except she didn’t move. “Asa is expecting us, and I need to get my mind right…” meaning she needed a drink, er– drinks.To Reno, this felt like the last time they were in Costa. Nearing the halfway point of their trip always made her anxious, especially when she wouldn’t stop worrying about the kids, the bar, or being back home. She was sweet and guilt-prone like that. He knew this, and she couldn’t help it either. He’d just have to try harder to make her relax like he was doing now. Even if there was Yuffie, rarely ever helping…She melted to his touch the more he pressed.“Still sore?” he asked. She nodded. That’s when a devilish grin crept across his face, “How much time do we–”“None,” she replied. She whirled around to instantly free herself. “We’re going,” she said. She reached for his hand, the same one that’d been cupping her. If they stayed any longer, she knew they’d never leave.“Alright,” he quipped. She really wanted to go to this damn thing.She looked him over when she drew near. He looked so good, always did, especially in this white dinner jacket ensemble that made her giggle. It looked just like his day job attire but in reverse. “You look so handsome,” she beamed, “I think you should wear this to work just to see what they’d say.”He was grinning just as much as she was. “I thought you’d like that,” he said, “You ready to show up all these fucks downstairs?” He’d been looking forward to staring down the same asshats who’d glared at them all day: by the pool, in the lobby, in the dining hall, everywhere else… True to Yuffie’s vision, they’d come correct just to prove a point. Reno especially had plans to get shit-faced, twirl Tifa in his arms, and flash nothing but errant gestures at any haters who even remotely looked their way. Then, at the end of the night, both of them would saunter back up to their room, ready to do it all over again the next day, and then the next…“I’m ready,” he said. He stood back to take her in again as well. Ravishing as always.“Me, too,” she grinned. She reached for her clutch off the kitchen island, only to check her phone and to make sure she had a key. No new message from Yuffie (of course), and then she silently glowered at Reno’s black card the moment she shoved it back into her bag.“Don’t be jealous…” he whispered. He saw her face again the moment he wrapped her in his arms. She was so pissed… “Just because I have your pink card,” he said.If it was up to him, they wouldn’t go at all. He’d call room service and they would have a good laugh at everyone else’s expense down below. Sipping champagne floors and floors up, that felt like the most appropriate thing to do, demonstrating all the fucks they gave–“I am jealous,” she said. Tifa’s tone was sharp, “I want my card back.” She flexed her hand out to him expectantly. She waited for him to produce it, but he wouldn’t. Instead, he shook his head but reassured her the second she pulled away. “One night,” he grinned, “One night, and I’ll give it back.”She sighed when she turned toward the door, trying hard not to let her true feelings show. She was in no mood thanks to Yuffie, but more irksome things continued to pile up. It was just the hormones, she told herself, and that maybe she should just calm down…Right as her hand slipped around the door handle, Reno stopped her, forcing her to glance back his way.“I love you,” he said, and quietly he’d soothed her. He’d seen her frustrations and knew where she was going later and later into the day. He wouldn’t tell her, but, truly, she just needed to relax.“I love you, too,” she whispered. They shared one last kiss before they left the room and soon, they were moving down the hall, hopping on the elevator, and then finally traveling south, ever and ever closer to the sound.Finally on the mezzanine, Tifa felt at ease when Reno grabbed the nearest drinks off of the first serving tray that passed. He handed one off to her and she grinned, watching him motion for her to chug one with him. Soon after that, he was reaching for more while so many people continued to flood the space around them.They neared the bar area minutes later where Asa soon waved. The woman was so busy but stopped everything she was doing just to greet them. She’d seen the flutes in their hands and chuckled, then asked for a card for whenever they needed something stiff.Reno nudged Tifa’s side and playfully, Tifa glared. He kept gesturing for her to hand his over until begrudgingly, she did. That’s when he peppered her face with kisses, trying in vain not to ruin her makeup while Asa laughed.Grinning, Tifa shoved his face away the second he teased. “See?” he asked, “Was that so hard?”She shook her head before glancing back at Asa who was making a heart shape with her hands and fingers. Soon the woman motioned for them to move to the dance floor next.“Go!” she told them, “Have a good time!” and they did.Spirited as ever, Tifa lost herself in the ambiance that surrounded them as soon as they turned. Aside from the lively music, there was so much mood lighting that truly set the stage. Dim and dusky, the space was backlit with a brilliant cobalt blue that made it appear so much larger than it was. Canopies of the tiniest filament lights flickered and dazzled high overhead as though they were stars, that paired with the subtlest wave lighting that made the vivid impression of being underwater and gazing up. The illusion was beautiful, and Tifa beamed.Being so many miles away from home, she was so glad Reno was there to experience this with her when she reached for his hand. In seeing hers, Reno snapped it up, and instantly he pulled her toward the dance floor while she yelped with glee. He made sure to jostle a few shoulders along the way, especially those same faces he’d left angry earlier, eager to do it all over again with the most beautiful babe on his arm.Finally, somewhere in the middle of the floor, some new song came on along with more colorful lights. Faintly, Tifa remembered this same melody on the radio back home in Edge. She had this sudden memory of Marlene moving to the music and it made her laugh, now feeling inspired to do the same. Like a switch, she was so carefree, and Reno lapped it up as soon as she did. He was reminded so much of what she looked like back in Junon a year ago when he’d taken her there soon after she’d asked.Back then, she’d been looking for a way out, trying to escape so many of her worries back home, and doing something like this again worked well just like it did then. So different from the Dolphin though, this place was such a steep departure from that silly little seaside dance spot that had him so invested in her twelve months ago, sheer seconds after she’d kissed him in a crowded room. Moments after that had happened, a dancer told him just ‘how pretty his girlfriend was’ and the woman’s assumption honestly made him wonder: about himself, about Tifa, and what the two of them would look like if he tried.Being here, in a completely different scene, with completely different lighting and significantly more dressed up, he took her in again and it made him stare – it felt like he was reliving those same feelings again. She looked so beautiful and then so sweet when she pulled him close to seize a kiss. That’s when the music changed to something new.Everything slowed and the lights soon dimmed, when just like everyone else, they began to sway.So close to him, Tifa rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. She wasn’t tired though, just relaxed the more she leaned into his embrace. Her hands clutched his shoulders from the back, and she closed her eyes.“Thank you,” she whispered. She felt his head shift when she said it. He kept his face close to hers to plant a kiss and then he grinned, and together they held that pose while more couples flocked to the floor.The lighting continued to dance around them, sometimes shifting to the outermost edges of the room where several tables dotted the peripheries of the mezzanine. In the farthest corner though, that’s where five fingers strummed. Well-groomed and candy red this time, those claws ticked, each and every talon scraping and facing Tifa and Reno as they did.Every few seconds its owner gave a sharp sneer at some gesture she’d watch them make. The pair seemed so sweet while this woman’s blood boiled… Consumed, she strummed, matching that heavy pressure that was crushing her heart.This person should just leave, but why would she? Why on Gaia would she ever do that…She glanced down at her PHS this time, confirming yet another check-in text from her helper in the wings. At any moment, both of them would converge, all too eager to strike. ----- Hours later, the revelries continued when Reno motioned to Tifa that he needed a drink.“I’m gonna go see Asa,” he lightly slurred. He watched her check her phone as he said it, only to see her look of total elation a second later. Oh, thank fuck, he thought. Finally, Yuffie…Grinning and only slightly drunk, Reno nudged her side, “Did she message you?”Tifa nodded her head, realizing he'd just read her mind. She pointed to the balcony where she intended to go if he indeed intended to go see Asa. Just like her, he nodded with a grin. He was so relieved she was finally getting what she wanted from her shitty best friend.“Kay,” he muttered. She was feverish to type, and he chuckled at seeing her so giddy. He tilted her face up to his to steal a kiss and she giggled. After that, she hurried off to the outside and he turned on his heel towards the bar without a second glance. Good for her, he told himself. She’ll be so happy when she returned to the room that night, ideally in the next hour or so.As tipsy as he was, he did well when he strolled up to the bar. Immediately, he caught Asa’s attention as he neared, but a different bartender moved in to intercept. They stepped right in front of Asa who was finishing a drink, and Reno frowned. Already, he shooed the man away.“Asa’s got me,” Reno said. He snapped his fingers over the man’s shoulder, directing his gaze right at her. She held her hand up to denote ‘one minute’ and the bartender glared. Annoyed, he glanced at Reno and gave him a shrug. ‘Suit yourself’, his expression said, and he walked away.Reno couldn’t help but smile. He was old enough to have his favorites and that guy wasn’t one of them. And so, he’d wait.While he stood, he kept dwelling on how well the night had been, which quickly encompassed his and Tifa’s trip in general. She looked so relaxed, just like the first day, with another perfect evening drawing to a close. He was looking forward to what time they’d have left that day, preferably cuddled up on the terrace with her wrapped up in his arms. That’s when two voices suddenly chirped close by, and he was ripped from his Shangri-la.Ever so slightly he glanced, taking in the two douchebags who were still haunting his girlfriend from the day before – the same ones he’d seen by the pool. “She’s fucking here, bro,” the first piece of shit said. The idiot was tapping his friend fervently, “Our girl, dude, the one who was wearing the blue bikini. She just walked outside. She’s fucking gorgeous!”Without a doubt, they were searching for Tifa and Reno winced.“Yeah, man – she’s got her hair up. Seriously, how did you NOT see her? Her tits are all covered up but that body, man! I just wanna smash my face right into her chest!”FUCK THAT, Reno thought. That was only okay when he did it.Teeth clenched, Reno was aggravated all over again. Sure, he was nicely hammered but damn, he craved violence.“You should have seen those strappy heels she had on, too. Imagine that shit jacked up over my shoulders and you can take her mouth at the same time. That way we won’t hear her weird accent and that man-voice. You and me, we’re gonna take her holes to Pound Town!”Reno was seeing red, partly because they sounded so stupid. He was so much closer to them now, more than he’d ever been. All he had to do was reach– “Look, man, she’s coming right back,” the second one insisted, “I’m not going outside to follow her like a fucking loser. She’s gonna come to us. Come on, let’s go vape behind the dumpsters and then come back.”Internally Reno was laughing. The confidence of these two… He’d actually love to see that – the moment she’d put both of their asses to shame, preferably bloody and beaten.“For sure, for sure,” the other one said so moronically, “Hey, if she says ‘no’, I’ll call her a bitch right to her face. How’s that?” For some reason, that stupid fucking idea made the other one insist on giving the other one a high-five, which the dumbass granted. These two ate paint chips.How neither of them noticed and/or witnessed Reno’s face throughout their discourse was baffling. Their eyes stayed locked on the balcony doors waiting for Tifa to reappear, meanwhile, right beside them Reno’s expressions ran the breadth of ‘confounded’ to ‘I will fucking kill you’.Unblinking, Reno’s eyes continued to stare when they eventually turned toward the nearest door. It was an exit to an outside stairwell that led straight to the pool and then the beach. Smoking was strictly prohibited on the property, so wherever these two were headed had to have been well-hidden and camera-free. That’s when Reno got up…Without a word, he followed them, and like a phantom, the pair didn’t notice. He stayed close the second they moved.He’d already served up justice once that day. Why not go for more? That old hag at the Saucer had been so thoughtless when she’d harangued Tifa, but then there were these two dipshits who desperately needed a lesson on respect. Delighted, Reno was cooking up some choice words for them when he left, that’s when two sets of eyes darted away from him.The woman’s eyes from earlier flickered with a ray of hope when suddenly she veered towards the balcony doors. Her sidekick hustled close by, both of them knowing it was time. ----- On the balcony, Tifa found a cocktail table that faced the ocean, along with a twinkling tealight that kept her company while she fussed over her phone. By all accounts, that false hope she had for Yuffie was real as the woman’s latest text had been… strange.Tifa was waiting on another reply from her when she read the latest one again: “Tifa, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING TO RENO but seriously be careful around him.I’m worried for you but I don’t want to ruin your trip. DO NOT SHOW HIM THIS” Staring at it, Tifa blinked. She lowered her phone, dwelling on just how bizarre those words had been… Was this a joke?Tifa glanced down at them again on the table, angry, annoyed, and confused. Her eyes latched on the time sent, realizing just how late it had been when Yuffie messaged. Why send something like that now when she’d ignored Tifa all day? Why would she be ‘worried’ for her? And what did she mean by ‘I don’t want to ruin your trip’? It’d been several minutes since Tifa sent her reply and still, Yuffie hadn’t responded. Was she asleep? “Be careful around him…” she whispered. Tifa heaved a sigh, thinking now that she should have just ignored Yuffie’s text to begin with. She didn’t like the idea of returning to Reno, knowing he knew Yuffie messaged her, along with this weird text she presumably couldn't tell him about. Tifa had been in such a good mood right before Yuffie took a hammer to it… Anxious again, she wanted to be back home.Her breath was shaky as though she might cry. That’s when a voice lingered.“…Are they real?”It sounded so soothing despite the eerie question that hung in the air. With no one nearby to address it, Tifa turned, now seeing and standing before a woman who frankly appeared from thin air.Like a ghost, this woman crept. Her eyes were soft but striking when Tifa met her gaze. Mere feet from her, the woman circled Tifa’s table like a shark.The lady shifted her view to what Tifa was wearing, that’s when her irises caught the light. Silverish and flecked with gold, her eyes shined like the back of a fish. Everything about this woman quietly washed over Tifa while the woman proceeded to scan, but – Tifa had seen this woman before, had she not? She couldn’t quite place her, but somehow she knew…The outside breeze lightly ruffled the bottom half of the belle dame’s dress. The woman wore something dark, long, and silken that paired well against her supple skin. The garment appeared textured with tiny pleats, while also soft and laden with hints of fuchsia that patterned to the floor. Noticeably, the dress was well-fitted, accentuating a tiny waist and then a modest neckline to offset the shine that bedazzled the woman’s head, arms, and wrists.But where had she seen her before… Tifa’s eyes paused at the shiny bangles chained to the woman’s arms and wrists, as well as the rows of saltwater pearls that adorned her neck and ears. The ones roped around her neck especially seemed so tight, so much like a noose; and in the absence of light, somehow this woman only seemed to shine, yet there was something ominous to that sheen…Tifa tilted her head up to greet the woman’s face, focusing now on her question when she did. The lady had been left waiting which Tifa could tell she didn’t like.“Your chest,” the woman cooed. She was bending now as though to inspect. “Are they real?”Tifa flinched. She didn’t need to look at them.“Yes?” Tifa answered. Tifa quickly moved away, but out of politeness, her smile betrayed her as the woman continued to hover. She wouldn’t stop undressing Tifa with her eyes.“…Wow,” the woman hummed. She took a sip of the champagne she’d been cradling in one hand. Even from over the rim, she eyed Tifa. Always, staring.“You know you don’t have to work this hard…” the woman said. It felt like a suggestion which Tifa didn’t understand.“That man you’re with…” she went on, “I know him very well and seriously, he’ll give you a good tip so you can just stop…”Tifa’s face was bewildered. This woman was addressing the wrong person and yet her tone and posture were so sure.“Hell, I’ll even suggest it,” the woman muttered with a clever grin. “And I must say,” she went on, “That you’ve done so well…” Steadily, the woman drew near, even as Tifa did her best to move away, “…to keep him all to yourself. But really, it’s time for me to take over.”Tifa cut her eyes and the woman stared, “…I’m sorry?”The woman’s glass was poised to her mouth again, her smile rows of teeth.“Which service are you with?” she asked, glass down again.Tifa’s face fell, “I beg your–” but the woman cut her off.“You’re the other escort. Are you not?”Her question felt loud. As though the woman said nothing untoward, she watched Tifa’s face sink and was pleased. Gods… The way she said it, too – so cool and then so sure, as if she’d just asked if ‘water was wet’.Because Tifa said nothing, the woman whispered this time, “You and I both know Reno…” Suddenly the conversation was serious the moment she uttered his name, “…You know the type. He’s never quite found that right individual to suit his needs, but he does have his favorites: us. You know — I know you know.”No, Tifa thought, she didn’t know…Tifa thought of Yuffie’s text when she turned. Wanting to escape, she thought she’d leave—“It’s Tifa, isn’t it?”Tifa paused and glanced back at the woman. The lady seemed so serious when she glided towards her again to clear the space. This time, Tifa let her, and she noticed the billowing attachments on the woman’s back. Like a pair of wings, heavy lengths of fabric lightly billowed from behind. Dark and drape-like, the woman’s presence seemed to loom…“You know…” the woman whispered again. She left her glass back on the table and reached for something in her purse. A lighter came out along with a box of cigarettes that seemed new. She made Tifa hang on to her last few words while she made a light, and Tifa watched the woman inhale. Her eyes caught the smolder and Tifa recognized that simmering hue. Just like Nibelheim the day she left it. “Reno talks about you all the time…” the woman’s voice was smooth, coy, and sweet, “I honestly thought you two were boyfriend and girlfriend, but he says you’re not…” Tifa wanted to say something, but the woman spoke with force, “And I won’t lie, his preference is assured with you, and for that, I’m jealous.” The woman glanced down at the floor as though she was sad… and maybe she was.“He made you his background photo, too…” she murmured. That’s when she peered up at Tifa, instantly eating up that look of surprise. “So cute with the flower crown,” she cooed. Her face tilted to the side to inhale, eyeing Tifa through sharp eyes, “…Did your child make it? Very pretty.”That look of betrayal and confusion hit Tifa’s face, telling the woman everything she needed to know. Each twitch steadily fed her clues, pointing the woman in all the right directions to rip Tifa apart… She’d smelled blood in the water and wanted to sup.Tifa was trying to imagine when Reno would have ever talked to this woman or how she wouldn’t have known. Maybe on missions out of town, but Elena and Rude would have kept him in check – wouldn’t they? Even at home, he’d been so glued to her, but sometimes he did go to his apartment that she’d never tailed… And then, after all that time they’d been in Costa, every single time that Reno had stepped away – had he actually spoken to Elena?Tifa realized she’d never confirmed it… He’d always either turned away, drastically ended a call, or said nothing at all whenever Tifa appeared. Even when she asked him to say something nice to his coworker, he hadn’t, and for a moment Tifa really wondered: had he been talking to ‘her’?“Hey…” the woman’s voice shook Tifa to her core. “I get it… you think you love him, and that he loves you, but don't fool yourself…”The woman composed herself for a moment to say, “You're so lucky I’m here… You know he’s killed people, right?” And there it was… Something Tifa knew was true.“I mean…a girl like you,” the woman went on, and Tifa hung on her every word, “Especially since you have a child, er, children?” the woman feigned a look of surprise, “…I wouldn’t let them near him if I were you. He’s so dangerous and prone to flying off the handle if you haven’t witnessed that yet, but I’m sure you have… So low brow, too. Nothing but bad habits there, what with the drinking and then the mood swings, but you know this …” …did Tifa know this? Maybe? Yes and no?“Not to mention, just how beautiful you are…” The woman pointed with her cigarette while the smoke lapped and twirled, “You could be with anyone, but if I were you, I wouldn’t touch him. Seriously, free yourself. Find someone handsome. Someone new. Then you won’t do ‘this’ anymore.”Tifa’s face was nothing like herself as she stood back in shock.“But he looks so happy with you…” she murmured and then peered away. Tifa looked up at that, so unsure. The woman's voice was grim, “Of all the women I’ve seen him with, you might be the prettiest.”
…Why did that not feel like a compliment…
The woman took another drag, eyeing Tifa again in that way she didn’t like. Her eyes moved like a needle, up and down, that’s when she mused, “Such a shame.”Discomfort swept over Tifa now, especially when she didn’t want it to. Surely her tan hid some of her complexion or so she’d hoped. She felt every bit of what this woman hoped to convey – above all, the feeling that she didn’t belong. Did this woman really think she was an escort? And if so, who else felt that way? Had other guests? Had staff members? Had Asa…From nowhere, one of the men from the valet appeared and Tifa recognized him. He’d helped her out but, why wouldn’t he look at her now?All he did was stutter by the woman’s side, “Ma’am, the man with the red hair is waiting for you. At the end of the mezzanine, he said he didn’t have much time but wanted to see you to your room and to give you a gift.”Tifa’s eyes widened. The valet seemed so nervous while he waited for the woman to respond. The woman lightly crossed her arms and nodded her head, leaving the man to run off. Tifa didn’t follow him but wanted to, just so she could leave. She was so sure he recognized her. He’d been so thankful when she’d handed him a tip the day prior, and surely he’d recognized Reno standing right next to her as she did. He knew she was with Reno. That’s why he wouldn’t look at her.“He’s so good with gifts, too,” the woman chuckled, “Isn’t he?”She flexed her arms out to Tifa, showcasing all of the jewelry that shined. “They say you can’t buy love, but no one told Reno…” That’s when Tifa finally remembered who this woman was.That day in the lobby, when Tifa walked towards Reno at breakfast, this same woman had been standing beside him before she’d huffed off. Tifa remembered the look on Reno’s face… He was so anxious, like he hadn’t expected to see Tifa at all, or wanted her to come down, but there she was… And then, back in the room, he hadn’t wanted Tifa to leave or go to the pool. Even when they went, he hadn’t stopped searching and maybe it’d been for this woman… Maybe he’d been too afraid that she’d approach Tifa just like she had now, bearing her arms and the truth.Tifa shuddered, and the woman neared. To her, Tifa was drowning, and she had won.The woman stayed close to whisper this time, “Go.” She motioned toward the inside, inviting Tifa to confront Reno herself. “Ask him,” she pressed, and Tifa gazed at her as though she might.Surely, this was all a joke that started with Yuffie’s text. Just some sham that Tifa hadn’t seen coming and would soon be revealed because, regardless, Tifa was going to go inside, and she and Reno would have a good laugh at whoever did this…“… Such a shame…” the woman said again as she stepped away. She graced Tifa with a wry smile that resembled compassion — or maybe that was disappointment? And yet everything about her came undone the second she glanced at Tifa’s chest.“…For something to cost so much but then look so cheap…”Tifa pursed her lips as she stepped away, thankful now to depart. Her satin white dress glided with her, elegantly flowing in time.She walked back inside through the balcony doors and into the space still crowded with people. The place was raucous with people dancing or swaying around one another. No one gave a thought to the beautiful woman who moved through the room, everyone except Asa who saw Tifa the moment she stepped inside.Asa waved and yelled, hoping she’d catch her attention, but she hadn’t, even though she tried again and again behind the bar. Even Asa recognized that something was wrong…Trudging forward, Tifa made it to the rear, right beside the elevator doors where she now stood. Nearly every lift was open, either inviting guests on or letting them off. And yet she didn't see Reno.She was wrong, Tifa thought. She was wrong, she was wrong… but then she turned.There across the mezzanine on the other side, was Reno. He was holding a drink while this same woman was embracing him from behind. Her head intimately leaned into his back and Tifa watched her tighten her arms around his waist. Reno looked all too happy while she did it, too, and she continued to pull him close.The woman was staring right at Tifa as she did it, and Tifa stared right back. ----- Minutes ago, those same asshats hadn’t seen it coming when Reno was through with them.Scared shitless, he had them both backed into a corner by the dumpster, surrounded by bags of trash. They’d been wildly waving their stupid vape pens at him like some shitty weapons while Reno read them their rights – that, peppered with threats to really drive the feeling home. When he was done, they both conceded that they were indeed pieces of shit and that they needed to lay off his girlfriend through so many tears.“Dumbasses,” Reno muttered, back inside again as he pulled the exit door shut. Back on the mezzanine, he felt like the space was more crowded than when he left it, realizing also that he hadn’t missed it when he was outside… He was anxious to push past all of the other chumps who were likely lusting after Tifa just like those two idiots had been. And yet he didn’t see her. He hoped she’d been having a good time regardless of where he was but couldn’t confirm it since she wasn’t there.Glancing around again, he made his way to where Asa was for help. Patiently he waited alongside the other patrons at the bar when she spotted him.“Hey!” she said, “Where did you go?”He shook his head, “Nowhere. Have you seen Tifa?”Asa shook her head while she busied herself with another drink. “Not for a while,” she said, “I saw her head for the balcony but never saw her come back in.”Oh, yeah, he thought, is she still out there?“Did you still need that drink?” she asked. Reno nodded when he wasn’t staring at the balcony doors. That’s when she passed him the drink she’d just finished. “Here,” she said. Surprised, Reno glanced back at her unsure.“I’ll make another. I promise you, you’ll like it. Now go! Find Tifa!”She was parched for time to speak anymore but told him she’d flag her down if she saw Tifa before he did. He shouted his thanks and then moved on – even though he swore he just heard her yell something else… More and more people continued to crowd the bar as he slinked away. He was making a beeline for the balcony doors when he took a sip. The drink was good, but where the hell was Tifa? He looked outside for a second and confirmed she wasn’t there either.He hadn’t been gone that long, he thought. Had she gone to the room?Still standing alone and somewhat in the clear now as he shuffled away from the doors, drink still in hand while he sipped, he hoped she’d see him if he stood in the open. That’s when he felt her arms wrap around his chest from the back. Grinning, he was so dumb and happy to be found. That’s when he felt her head lean against his back.Love drunk and somewhat for real drunk, he was about to tell her about those god-awful kids when he begged a question.“You ready to go back to the room?” he asked.“Yes,” a voice hissed, and it wasn’t Tifa’s.Confused, that’s when he looked down. Tifa had always been so soft, but something on her arms felt hard and strange. Her appendages continued to constrict, and he now felt and saw all of the jewelry, bangles, and claws that cut into his sides… This wasn’t Tifa… Who the hell was this?Suddenly he glanced up, feeling a totally different presence in the room, and that’s when he saw her.Like a straight shot in front of him, he fully saw Tifa by the elevator doors a fair distance away, the same ones that led directly to their room. She looked sad as she turned. Heartbroken really, and he stared. What the fuck…He jerked forward to make a run at Tifa, but the arms at his waist held him back.“Where are you going?” a pleasant voice asked, completely unyielding to the pressure of him wanting to leave.“Get off of me!” he yelped. Had he been dreaming? Was this a fucking nightmare?Though he’d been loud, it’d barely made an impression above the decibels that pumped through the room. As soon as he whipped around, there she was, the devil herself, bathed in the chaotic and writhing light.Grinning, Sorrel lovingly gazed right back. “Missed you,” she crooned as she began to draw near.Reno wished he’d been more coherent for all this shit, but his tipsy mind traveled back to Tifa, hoping he could catch her if she just stayed put. When his eyes circled back to her though, she was gone, and he was incensed. “FUCK!” he screamed. He refused to confront Sorrel and chose to travel forward. He had no clue what she'd done but knew it was bad. He rushed through the crowds thinking maybe he could meet Tifa if she was still at the elevators, though he became less and less sure the more Sorrel reached.“Where are you going?” she yelled from behind. Her voice was no longer pleasant, “I told her about us! There’s no point in trying to see her!”The bass continued to beat around them while Reno careened across the dance floor. He was dipping between couples and rerouting his way through conga lines just to avoid this bitch. She wouldn’t leave him alone while his eyes continued to search for Tifa. Please be in the room, please be in the room, please be in the room…Behind him, Sorrel raged. She pushed people over in her wake and tripped over others when they stepped on her dress. She was angriest with Reno though for refusing to yield. She kept calling his name and screaming, but Reno wouldn’t hear it when finally, he made it to the bank of elevators. Somehow, all of them were taken up and only two of them even reached the penthouse suites. Cursing, he waited, knowing Sorrel was right behind him – and there she was.“There you are,” Sorrel steadily huffed.Reno was slapping the button for the lift and hadn’t stopped. His eyes were glued to the display panel high above, counting down the floor numbers that painfully creeped.Sorrel playfully stepped towards him. She stood right beside him with so many people still milling around, so oblivious to the demon in the room.“What are you doing?” she toyed.“I’m going to see my girlfriend,” he said. His face was tilted up to ignore her, which was dangerous as she lingered.Sorrel let out a chuckle and her teeth gleamed, “Pretty sure you don’t have a girlfriend… anymore, anyways.”Finally, Reno stopped. He thrust his hands in his pockets to suddenly turn.“Why did you do that?” he asked.“…Why not?” There was so much sarcasm in her voice, “Because what’s the point of lying to her, Reno? About her… about us? Isn’t that the whole baseline to a good relationship?”Reno shook his head while the lift was somewhere else.“I didn’t lie to her. I wouldn't…” He didn’t intend for his next words to sting, but he wanted to make it clear that Tifa didn’t deserve whatever Sorrel intended for her to think or see, “…She’s a good person.”To this, Sorrel was so irked. “Oh,” she squeaked, “Well…” she thought herself so clever the moment she sneered, “Then… why is she with you?”Reno’s eyes pivoted towards the doors though her question throbbed in his tipsy brain.More of Sorrel’s words came now, slow and listing, they sounded like a lullaby with no intention to soothe. “You make it so tempting to hit you…” Her voice was sweet despite the clear threat. “You know that, right?”To this, he faced her with conviction. “Go ahead,” he said. He dared her, staying as close to her as she had been, when for once she wanted distance.“Open fist or closed fist this time?” he asked turning her shitty taunts against her, “…I know you want to.” And why not? She’d done it before, but after that last time, she told herself she’d never do it in public again. If she knew she wouldn’t get kicked out, she might have already. Too afraid to cause a scene with too many people around to witness it, in another way, she chose to double down.“You’re a bad person,” she seethed.In response, he snorted and looked away. “Get away from me,” he said.He stared at the module to the elevator as though he could will it down now. Hurry the fuck up…“Everything I’ve done for you, Reno, has been a favor. Since day one of you meeting me…. You know it and I know it. You owe me–”“For what?!” he barked. People around them soon stared. “For what?” In earnest, he wanted to know. He knew he owed her nothing. “Please, Sorrel…” he insisted, “What do I owe you?”And yet she didn’t answer. Instead, she sighed, “You and I are the same person…” Her words were pitchy and she pointed to his chest. “There were plenty of times that you made me believe that I was a bad person.” Her words seethed in parts and were sweet in others.“And bad people deserve bad people. Don’t they, Reno?”He was so unmoved by her statement but continued to stare. All of his interest had drained out long ago, years before that even, and what he wanted to do most now was leave. And yet, here he was, willing to wait for his answer:“What do I owe you?” he asked.In all the years he’d known her, she’d always done and said everything to foist blame on him. Guilt had been a hell of a drug that somehow kept him weighted to her, and he’d allowed her to do it again and again while under her spell. Everything she said about herself: about how she was, who she wanted to be, and how he’d kept her from being whatever version of herself she hoped to become, he'd believed her, hook, line, and sinker. And even now, he’d wondered if somehow he’d done this to her, and maybe he’d owed her for that. “We are who we’re with,” she’d told him once after a fight that’d been close to their last. She was holding her wrist while she said it, “You made me do that…” when of course he fucking hadn’t.He just didn’t believe her anymore.Expressionless at first, her smile was resolute when she finally answered, this while others watched.“Everything,” she whispered to him, “…You owe me everything.”Building within him now came a hoarse laugh and finally, the doors opened. People streamed out, and as soon as the space cleared, he pushed her aside to let himself on. He served her a smug smile that told her to stay put and she scoffed the second he did. She was so close to following him when he turned.“Fuck off, Sorrel,” he breathed.He said it with so much clarity and in the same breath, flipped her off. Almost hypnotic, the drunken anger in him almost dared her to do something foolish. He hoped she would, knowing it wouldn’t end well when he’d call security and she’d be removed from the resort. Something she herself wasn’t willing to risk.Angrily she menaced at him but soon stopped when the sadness sank in.“Don’t…” she begged.From the other end of the mezzanine, she heard the poor valet calling some variation of her name she didn’t recall. She’d been so many different people for so many others, and the one person she wanted to be with was rejecting her all over again and it hurt.Though the doors closed, she stared now at her steely reflection. All alone, her eyes welled up and she turned away.“You’ll be back…" she insisted, “You always come back…” ----- Rushing now to get off the elevator, Reno stepped towards their suite in a hurry. He had Tifa’s pink card out and practically flung the door open as soon as he stepped in. He called her name once and then twice when he didn’t see her, but didn’t hear her respond either.He made his way through the suite, and notably her absence was present. She wasn’t in the main room, the bedroom, the bathroom, or the terrace… She simply wasn’t there.“Fuck,” he murmured. He raked his hands through his hair and his breath wavered. She must be downstairs, he told himself, but he was anxious to leave if Sorrel was waiting. Whether the woman would stand around for Tifa or Reno to eventually show, he didn’t know. He also wanted to be here if Tifa came back. Maybe he could say something and she wouldn’t leave…In his semi-drunken state, he told himself he had to stay even though that felt like a shit option.That’s when he took out his phone to text her.“Please…” he mumbled. He then called, but was sent straight to voicemail, “FUCK!” In his head, he was anxious at not knowing how to approach her. The great unknown of what Sorrel had said or forced on Tifa scared him, especially if Sorrel had lied. Out on the terrace, he sat down to tap his feet. Should he send another text? Maybe?Being in her favorite place, he really hoped she’d just appear. Hands to his face again, he was so angry with himself while high overhead the stars were so bright. Why wasn’t she there? He just wanted to see her.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
In the wee hours, there was no light out, yet the stars were so bright high over Edge. In the outermost corners of the city limits, so much grey noise drifted alone on the wind, straight from the city’s core to Johnny’s back patio, where it since pricked at his ears in the frigid cold. Forced to give up his bed, he’d accepted his new sleeping quarters hours beforehand, along with a flowery bedspread and blanket he’d snatched from Remi’s room to sleep on the patio couch. Yuffie insisted on keeping his Crystal Pluto body pillow though whenever she fell asleep, because, well, fine…Begrudgingly, she could have it if she wanted to, but really, he’d been the one who needed it. Her insistence on toughening him up because of Tifa’s absence had been hell, and it’d only gotten worse because of too many dreams.“–GUH!” he yelped in his sleep.His body snapped forward, nearly kicking the sheets away as he did. In a panic, he kept one hand to his face and felt pressure. Heart pounding, sweat was beading on his head.“Not again…” he whispered. Bolt upright, he was wide awake and sighed, his breath circling the bitter wind on every exhale. His vision eventually focused, and he was honestly relieved to know he was fine, but…
…Was she?
“…Ugh…” he whined. He shook his head and forced another breath of cold air down. Aside from his leggings, he’d been shirtless while the blankets continued to slip.It’s fine, he told himself. He’d worked himself up so much in his sleep that the coolness might have helped. He steadied himself when he looked over at the table for his phone. In seeing it, he reached and quickly tapped, seeing no new notifications – good, both a blessing and a curse.
…But, then again… he could just message her?
He shook his head and placed the phone back down. In just a few days, he would prove to himself, to Tifa, and to Yuffie that he could do this… He just had to try. He inhaled again this time on his back.That dream was too real though… Why did it feel so much worse than the last?… He draped his arm over the side of the couch, while the other stayed at his chest. He could feel his heart…He clicked his tongue and stared now at the night sky, imagining Tifa watching it somewhere else, hopefully not in the way he’d seen her in dreams. Eventually, she’d be home, he told himself, and he wouldn’t have to worry – about him calling her or her calling him… but…but… he could? She looked so hurt… Like she’d been crying.His face quivered from all the stress, and he suddenly failed to focus. He brought both hands to his face, feeling his exhalations slip through the cracks. Why was he so emotional… That’s when he peered over at the patio floor and screamed.“AH!”He reeled his arms back as though they would save him – from what he didn’t know. Finally (as nothing had happened), he unshielded himself, realizing the two white orbs clustered there on the floor by his side.“Remi –YOU NUT!” he yelled. Johnny’s perma-smile was back on, and he didn’t hesitate to reach, “Come here, you!”Unblinking, the slinky creature stared, even as Johnny yoked him up off the floor, “Yoink!”So giddy, Johnny asked, “Did you come to see me?” He knew the creature wouldn’t answer and that was fine. “You’re like a therapy animal, you know that?” he said. Johnny proceeded to loosely wrap Remi up in his sheets, “You always show up when someone’s sad or, or, um, uh, close to death or something…” Johnny glanced back at the house and then at the creature.“It’s so cold out here. Don’t you want to go inside?”Johnny was fully aware of Remi’s motor skills, as well as the animal’s abilities to get in and get out. The creature was extremely quick when it wanted to be, but even now all it did was stare. Unblinking, its eyes remained steadfast on Johnny’s face, like it had no intention to move.“Okay,” Johnny eventually said, “That’s fine.” Momentarily, Johnny had a thought and gazed back at the house before he said it.“Can I ask you something?” he whispered.Remi said nothing.Johnny’s voice barely registered (in case Yuffie could hear), “Do you think I should message Tifa?”Remi said nothing. Only stared.Johnny’s face quirked and he grinned. Remi didn’t say no…“Hey,” he whispered again, “Blink and I won’t.”Patiently Johnny waited and Remi stared.“…Are you sure?”Nothing. Just white pupils. All white pupils.“Okay…” Johnny muttered. And then, as though he was still thinking it over, he asked, “Will you stay here while I do it?”Remi did nothing.“…Gods, you’re the best, man.”Johnny patted the creature on his chest and then reached for his PHS. He set up the voice memo on his phone, glancing now at Remi as he did. The creature swung its head towards the device. Eyes forward, its face followed his every move. That’s when it finally blinked. “Alright,” Johnny said, “You need to be quiet, okay?” and then he hit ‘record’.“Hey, Tifa! I, uh, hadn’t heard from you in a while and just wanted to say hey… uh, so… I did that Crystal Moon quiz… for you… again and, uh, SURPRISE! You got Crystal Pluto, haha, again… ah… ” his voice faltered, realizing he was breaking all the rules that Yuffie set forth for him that week. Not contacting Tifa had been at the top of that list, followed by simply ‘following’ said list. With Remi there on his chest and staring, surely, the tiny creature shouldered some of the blame? Johnny just decided he’d have to go on. It was too late to turn back, “I just wanted to let you know that… I, I was thinking about you, and I hope you and Reno are okay, and…and having a great time… Miss you. Bye…”He quickly ended the recording and, without thinking, hit ‘send’.“Shoot…” he murmured. He stared at the voice memo, confirming the recording went through and the screen lit up to show that it had. Nothing bad would come of this… Surely Tifa and Reno were asleep and whenever she woke, she’d just ignore it. But–“Oh fuck,” Johnny said. The doo-dad notification thingie said the voicemail had been opened and his phone lit up again with a florescent check, “Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck!” He’d fucked up, he’d fucked up– That’s when his PHS erupted with a call and Tifa’s face filled the screen. “No, no, no!” he forced in the dark. Things only got worse when he motioned to the device, as though that would stop it from calling. His movements rattled Remi on his chest, and still, the creature held on. This was just like last time, Johnny thought. It was happening all over again!... Johnny sucked his teeth, realizing his fate was sealed. Painfully and without thinking, he swiped right to answer, dooming himself for all eternity for yet another one of Tifa and Reno’s trips.“Hey Reno…” his voice rattled out a somber hello. Shaky and racked with guilt, he went on, “…I know you and your girlfriend are on vacation and I, I’m sorry…”A tiny laugh sounded over the phone, and he caught it. That’s when he quit.“Hey, Johnny,” her voice was soft and sweet, just like her, “It’s me.”His eyes lit up and suddenly his phone was closer to his face, “Tifa!?”She chuckled, “Yeah. Missed you, too.”He was so happy! “Oh my gods! It’s so good to hear you! How’s your trip?!”“It’s…” her words seemed to linger, “… it’s good.” She quickly changed the subject to focus on him, “How about you? How have you been? What have you been up to?”“Oh gods, um, well… Yuffie made me watch this movie… and, uh… it, it was terrible…”Earlier that evening, in lieu of Crystal Moon, Yuffie put on that same movie series she told Tifa to watch. “You’ll love it,” Yuffie told him, “There’s so much sex in it.” Yuffie put on the first movie and right away Johnny was robbed of a good night. “Yuffie, I think that woman is being held against her will…” he said, but Yuffie only laughed and answered back, “Well, duh, she just said it… him kidnapping her is how they fall in love, silly.” Johnny didn’t like that. Notably, his face kept sinking the more time passed. Why was this movie so bad, and why did Yuffie like it? The two ‘love interests’ in every scene absolutely hated each other. Johnny hated them, too… Less than an hour into the film, he whispered, “Yuffie, this movie hurts my soul…” but Yuffie pretended she didn’t hear. “Look, there’s a penis!” she shouted. “Yeah…” he murmured, “I see it…” …This was the worst softcore porn he’d ever seen. He told Tifa as much.“I don’t know what Yuffie sees in that movie…” Johnny’s voice was exhausted from recounting too many problematic scenes, “but it’s gross.”Tifa’s laugh was muffled, like she was holding back her genuine self. Johnny was too glad to hear it though. He sensed what she looked like, and it made him grin, “Yuffie said there’s two more and I don’t want to watch ‘em, Tifa.”Her laugh ticked up again. “I’m so sorry,” she failed to speak, “She shouldn’t have made you watch any of them.”“It’s fine,” he said with a grin. Finally, he focused again on Remi’s face, something he knew would make her smile. “Hey, you know who’s in front of me?” he asked.“Who?” Tifa said, and Johnny was quick. Within seconds, he shot her an image. He heard the chirrup on her end and then a pause, knowing she was checking her PHS.“Aaaw!” Her voice was elated, “Is that Remi? Let me talk to him!” Johnny chuckled and put the phone close to the creature’s ear.“Remiel, my sweet baby Archangel of Hope!” she said, “No one knows what you are, and I love that for you!” All of the creature’s attention was drawn to the phone when it snaked its head. For a moment, Johnny watched its eyes soften and soon he brought the device back to his ear.“I really think the kids should have named him Carbuncle, but Remiel is cool, too,” he said, “He really misses you by the way. Bishop, too, and uh – and me. Oh! That new harness for Bishop you asked for, he loves it!”He heard a gasp and then her demand that he send her another pic – SHIT. “Where is Bishop?” she asked, and Johnny hesitated, knowing her dog was inside with Yuffie.
“You can’t tell anyone I’m here,” Yuffie told him late last night, “Barret and Vincent are going to kill me. No one can know.”
“Oh, um,” he said, “He, he’s sleeping… somewhere.” Quick thinking, he realized he’d taken a photo of Bishop at the vet clinic, where the dog had been fitted with the harness and crescent charm. He’d send her that instead. “What I sent you is from a few days ago, not long before you left. I took him for his usual stuff and your paw-son was so good. Always is.”Tifa must have been studying the photo. “Bishop is the best.” Her voice was so sweet, “Thank you for doing that. I’ll pay you back,” referring to the bill.“Oh!” he said, “Don’t bother. Reno gave me too much for Remi’s stuff again… Way too much… He said to put the rest towards Bishop, so I did.”Johnny waited for her to respond, but it felt too long. He almost thought he’d lost her until she finally spoke again.“Johnny,” she eventually said, “Are you wearing my leggings?” She must have been looking back at the first photo.All teeth, Johnny gushed even over the phone, “Hehe, yeah.”“Are you outside?” she laughed. Shit, she was looking too hard.“Uh, buh, just cause Remi’s out here,” he answered so quick. He tried to change the subject, hoping he wouldn’t have to say more, like why he was sleeping outside and why Yuffie wasn’t. “I couldn’t sleep,” his voice was hurried, “But, um… shouldn’t you be?”Tifa paused, and her voice fell. “Yeah…” she said. Her voice caved, “Something came up, and I… I’m outside, too…”What?... Johnny heard the change in her voice and frowned. He focused again on what she just said. “Why?”Seconds went by and Tifa didn’t speak.“Tonight just didn’t go as planned,” she said. Her voice did that thing more than it did before. “And I… I just want to go home…”
Why did that feel like a request?...
“What happened?” he asked. He kept sensing the change and it wasn’t good.“I don’t know…” she said. What was happening? Maybe she hadn’t slept and really needed to. She sounded so tired like she needed sleep. A sinking feeling hit Johnny in the pit of his stomach and he gazed at Remi. Staring into the creature’s face, its timing had been too right. It’d been there for her.“Tifa… Where’s Reno?” He was serious and stared at Remi as though he could see her. That’s when her voice hitched.“I don’t know…”Seconds ticked by and he heard something new. “Are… are you crying?”He heard her again, and it made him sad. “Tifa… are you safe?”She didn’t answer.
Please be safe…
“I’m fine,” she said, “I, I’m just by the pool, I…” and then she stopped, and someone new addressed her whom Johnny couldn’t hear. He waited but wanted to interrupt, but then she spoke.“Johnny,” she said, “I’ll call you back.” Anxious, Johnny didn’t like that idea. More than anything, he wanted to say ‘wait’, but didn’t. He trusted her too much.“Promise me,” he said, “Promise me you’ll call me back?” and she agreed, saying that she would.“Okay…” he said, and he let her go. The call ended and Johnny realized he was gazing again into Remi’s face. He had no clue what to say.“Tell me she’s okay.”Remi didn’t answer. ----- Poolside again, exactly where she and Reno had been earlier in the day, Tifa put her phone down along the water’s edge close to where Asa took a seat.The bartender held out Tifa’s black card to her, the same one Tifa left behind to settle her and Reno’s bill at his request. It took all of Asa’s willpower not to tell her to rush to the room, knowing someone else was probably lurking…Asa wasn’t afraid though. This person wouldn’t approach Tifa as long as she stayed with her, and she’d protect Tifa like that.Tifa lightly accepted the card that Asa held out. Fully gazing at it now, her fingers traced the fine lines and filigree. Emblazoned across its front and back was Leviathan; bound and coiled, the creature snaked around the sides where it eventually rested on the card’s face. Rows of teeth glittering in the dim light.“Hey,” Asa whispered. The woman hadn’t stopped taking in Tifa’s expression. She’d never seen Tifa like that. Always chipper and smiling, for once she could tell she’d been crying. Though her makeup was smeared, Tifa was beautiful but then so sad.Asa didn’t know where to start but knew what she’d seen… “Let me get you some water,” she whispered to Tifa.Asa pointed to the outside bar, but Tifa shook her head. “No,” she said, “…but thank you.” The woman was so distant, and Asa sighed.Minutes ago, Asa had dashed through the mezzanine’s rear doors just to look for her when the night air hit her face. She, like everyone else, had just witnessed the spectacle that screamed and shouted across the floor, all the way to the elevator doors, where that same chaos and energy abruptly stopped. As soon as it started, Asa knew she had to be quick. Though Reno had raced in Tifa’s direction (or at least where he thought she would be), at the last second, Tifa veered away, successfully avoiding his line of sight, but not Asa’s. Unseen and from a safe distance, Tifa, like so many others, watched everything go down before she turned to leave. Moving fast, she braced herself against the room’s rear doors, making an ample escape that Asa had just barely seen.In a rush, Asa told the bartender at her side that she needed to go. “I’ll share my tips,” she said, and the bartender didn’t ask. He only motioned for her to leave, and she did, snapping up Tifa’s black card from the till when she went. She knew Tifa would need it to get back to the room, especially if Reno didn’t immediately come down. Judging by how he left, Asa knew he wouldn’t…Now sitting alongside her, Asa could tell she’d been dwelling on too many things. Tifa was frail, and Asa worried.“I’m so glad I found you,” she said. The mental image Asa had of that irritating woman hadn’t left her, but she went on. “I believe you’ve met the sea witch,” she whispered, and Tifa tilted her head. “La belle dame sans merci…” Asa said, “The woman I told you about the first time I met Reno – that was her.” Tifa grimaced and peered away. “He’s still with her…” and to that, Asa frowned. Disbelief marred her face.“No,” she said so distinctly, “He’s not.” She hoped her words would convince her, but Tifa seemed unmoved. Too much of her world had been flipped, and it was clear to Asa that Tifa didn’t know whom or what she could trust, including her.“What did she say to you,” Asa asked, and Tifa took a moment before she said anything. Finally, she did her best to recount what she remembered, including what scared her most. “She knew I had children,” she said.Asa narrowed her eyes.“…She knew their names?” but Tifa shook her head. Seconds passed and Tifa thought more of Asa’s question, including how terrifying it would have been had the woman known. The entire encounter had been scary…“I don’t know,” Tifa said, “She knew I had them.”Asa waited, “…You don’t believe her, do you? About Reno? About you?”Tifa held her gaze at the water’s edge, so focused on the far side. Briefly, she wondered if Reno could see them from their room. Her brain hovered on that thought and suddenly her phone lit up from her side. Instead of looking at it, she tilted her head up towards the topmost floor, thinking, no… he couldn’t. Still beside her, the device pinged, and Asa glanced at it. The screen listed three missed calls and just as many texts, the latest being especially brief: “please come to the room” Still peering at those words, Asa glimpsed at Tifa again when she spoke.“…I’m not sure,” she finally said, and, for a moment, she had hope, “I didn’t think he would… but, I don’t know.”Asa swallowed and grinned.“Can I tell you something?” she asked. She leaned towards Tifa and watched her nod.“The resort hasn’t been open for all that long, but most of the staff believe you and Reno are seriously the best, and not because you’re generous either.” Tifa’s eyes held firm to that teal blue at the water's edge again as Asa spoke, “Like you two could do whatever you want in our books, especially Reno. Even though we’ve received a million complaints…” Asa couldn’t help but laugh, “…He just doesn’t care what others think, but he’s so sweet with you… We all see it, too, and can tell. Most of the couples who come here don’t even talk to each other. Too often, the rest of the staff and I really question if they even like each other – never you two. They’re nothing like you two…” Asa’s final request had been so simple, and what finally made Tifa turn, “So, please… don’t listen to whatever she said. Most people in Costa don’t even talk to her for that reason. Truly, she’s toxic, and to those who know her like we do, you should steer clear.”Asa glanced at her side, forcing her gaze to where Tifa’s had been, “I’m actually surprised she told you she was jealous… Those feelings she has – jealousy? Now, that I can believe. For as long as I’ve known her, rarely has she ever been honest, but she knows you and undoubtedly wishes she was you…”For once, Tifa was a fraction of herself, and Asa was pleased.“Go to Reno,” she said, “Ask him if you want, but I’ve seen this woman for years and know what she’s like. All she does is hurt. Don’t let her hurt you.” Tifa’s PHS pinged again with one new message and this time she reached. “please, where are you” it read. Suddenly Asa got up, telling Tifa that she needed a drink. “I’ll be back,” she said, “and I’ll bring you some water even if you don’t want it.”Peering down again at her phone, Tifa thought she’d reply, when suddenly, out of nowhere, two men leapt from beside the bar.“LADY!” one screeched, “You have to help us!”Both of them rushed for Asa and Asa recoiled. Based on her reaction and how they looked, these two men smelled like trash. “We were accosted by a guest!” one of them said, “You have to help us!”Instantly, Asa’s hands were up, trying in vain to request calm. Were these two accosted by a dumpster? “Okay, okay!” she said. She kept patting the air as though that would soothe them, “What happened?” Asa eyed the two, wondering why they looked like shit aside from the fancy wardrobe they’d both been wearing. They’d obviously attended the Black and White party, except every square inch of them was covered in filth.“Well…” one of them said, matter-of-factly, “There was a man, red hair, ponytail, and he got really mad at us–” Tifa’s eyes snapped on them as soon as he said it. Somehow neither of them noticed her.“Yeah!” the other one said, “and he sucks!”“–Jerry, let me finish. Ma’am, all we did was talk about his girl – that’s all…” the other went on, “…and he didn’t like that, but we didn’t agree with him either. All we were doing was sitting by the bar, right up there,” the man pointed toward the mezzanine and then the balcony, exactly where Tifa had been, “And that’s when his girl stepped outside over there. To us, we were ‘complimenting her’, but he said we weren’t. ANYWAYS, we went outside over there, and he followed us –”“YEAH!”“ALL THE WAY OVER THERE,” the man pointed extra far this time, “And he jumped us and told us we were being disrespectful–”“He told us we were dicks and stuff!”“But we’re not!” the non-‘Jerry’ said, “We love women! THAT MAN HURT OUR FEELINGS!”Asa was afraid her head would explode from all the screaming. She glanced at Tifa to see if she was getting this, and that’s when they both saw Tifa, too.Unprovoked, both men drew back in fear. Searching now, both of them spun, all four of their eyes darting high and low for something or someone no one could see.“Oh gods, he, he’s HERE!” Jerry stuttered.“Uh, UUUGH,” the non-Jerry one stepped towards Tifa in a rush. “UH, Miss?” the man’s voice sputtered, “I am so sorry about what we said about you. We, we meant you no harm. You, you and your boyfriend, he – he clearly cares about you a lot, and he told us we needed to apologize the next time we saw you, and we, we are – we just think you’re hot, okay!?”Tifa stared, having no clue what to say while both men were so close to tears. Throughout everything, their reactions were too real.“Yeah!” Jerry declared behind him, “What he said!” Both of them whirled around toward Asa, her standing perfectly still by the bar.“Forget what we said!” they screamed and with that, they ran off, leaving Asa and Tifa to stare.Seconds went by and Tifa was still dwelling on what they’d both said. After all that time, when Tifa had been alone on the balcony with that woman, Reno had clearly been dealing with these two men; far from the elevator doors or the front of the resort, where the valet had said he would be. The description they’d given of Reno had been too right, and they both recognized Tifa as soon as they saw her. They knew Reno was with her…She thought again of what the valet had said, trying so hard to place Reno where he said he would be, but it didn’t work… The man lied.Tiny thoughts began to unravel, and Tifa’s eyes met Asa’s over there by the bar.Asa shook her head as though she was drained, still reeling from what the two men had said, “I…I’m making us a shot.” ----- Minutes passed and soon Tifa felt better. She sat with Asa, still by the pool, discussing what they’d both seen, between the time the woman approached Tifa up to now, not long after those two men had approached. That’s when Tifa received a text. “tell me you’re okay” Tifa completely forgot to respond to the last one, but she did now: “Had to get the black card back from Asa. I’m still with her but I’ll be up soon.” Tifa verified that the text was received on her phone. Calmly, she breathed a sigh.“Thank you for sitting with me,” she said to Asa, “I feel a lot better, and I thank you.”Tifa produced the black card from her clutch, wanting to close out her bill if Asa hadn’t already. Though Asa took the card, she studied it instead.“This one’s on me,” she said, and Tifa blinked. She watched the woman twirl the plastic between her fingers, watching the silver lines catch the light.“Both of you deserve way more for being so kind,” Asa said.Tifa’s smile was present inside and out. Little omens continued to crop up which put her at ease. She was so thankful and knew more and more of what she should do. That’s when she remembered Johnny still waiting by the phone…“Such a cool design with Leviathan,” Asa whispered, and Tifa agreed.“Do you know the story?” she asked.Tifa gazed at the card this time, realizing she was referring to Wutai’s primordial God, the same one who spiritually kept Asa’s nation-state safe from harm.“Surely Yuffie told you…” Asa said.Tifa shook her head, letting Asa know that she hadn’t, and Asa clicked her tongue.“Yuffie’s so bad …”Asa sighed, but then cleared her throat. Gazing now, she studied the card, “A long time ago, a lowly koi fish wanted to reach for heaven, and jumped and jumped at the sun every day thinking it could.” Her words were wistful, so much like a beloved memory that felt so pure, “The gods had witnessed its daily defeats but admired how much it tried. They knew it'd never reach heaven but thought it should, based on the creature’s tenacity and spirit. Because of this, they agreed they would help, when finally, one day, the koi fish leapt so high, they transformed it into a dragon – powerful and immortal, the new deity was destined to live high above Gaia for all time…”Asa smiled and turned the card over, tracing those last veins of lines.“But…” she whispered, “This isn’t part of the story – but my family always said, that on some days, Leviathan would return to Gaia, because it remembered what it was like – hoping it too could lift others to greatness.” Asa turned to Tifa, watching as she stared up at her room when Asa returned her card.“That way, it knew others could be just as happy, just like it is.”Tifa breathed a sigh, watching Asa motion to her now to pull herself up. Together they stood, and Tifa uttered her final thanks and then a farewell.“Anytime,” Asa said, “Now go.” The woman egged her on, wanting Tifa to take her leave, when Asa paused. Her eyes settled on something far behind Tifa, and she didn’t move. That’s when she gently pulled Tifa close for a hug and to speak one last time.“Her real name,” she whispered, “Do you know it?”Tifa shook her head knowing Asa was undoubtedly talking about the woman, so oblivious to what she had seen.Asa stayed close to whisper this time. When done, she let Tifa go.“Reno’s waiting for you,” she said, “But I’ll see you tomorrow.” Tifa grinned and gently stepped away, pulling her PHS out the moment she did. As soon as Tifa reached the outside doors, Johnny answered her call.“Hey,” she said to him. She was banking through the floor’s rear doors, “I’m sorry to keep you up, but I know you wouldn’t go to sleep unless I called. Listen, the strangest thing happened to me tonight, I – I know, I know… I’m going back to the room now, I just needed to tell someone because it’s so weird… No, listen, I’m fine. Reno’s waiting for me in the room, I’m heading there now… It’s just, I met this woman, and I just learned her name…”Though Tifa had gone, Asa remained stock still and left standing right where she’d been. Eyes forward, her gaze never lifted, when finally, she called out into that black night.“Tyler…” she said. Her voice was firm and then fell. “Come away from there…”At first nothing happened, but then the young valet moved. He nearly sprinted from the black, both scared and relieved all at the same time as he heaved. Asa said nothing when he passed. Still facing forward, she called again, this time more warmly. “You should go home,” she soothed.The suggestion floated on the wind where it crept. Fully received, plumes of smoke billowed out and the beautiful woman stepped forward from the night.“I am home…” she crooned. She crept toward her, the woman’s eyes catching what was left of the light.Smoke engulfed Asa from where she stood, but she waited, when finally it dissipated and she could breathe. As though Asa conjured this woman from nothing, the woman stared, skulking and yet so stunning, she was so poised with her cigarette.“You know this,” the woman hissed. Unmoved by her presence, Asa wasn’t worried. She looked her over as the woman neared, recognizing the black gashes of makeup that lined her cheekbones from where she’d cried.“No…” Asa murmured, still warm and sweet, “You knew what I meant.”The woman circled and hissed. “No one’s ‘from here’, Asa…” she seemed to sing and again she whispered, “You know this…”Always with the taunting nature and callbacks, instilling nothing but conjecture and suggestion to undo all her victims. And yet, between the two, they carried nothing but respect after all those years. While the woman was prone to rip and tear, here was Asa, so immune to her charm. For that reason, Asa chose to keep her close every time.Asa smiled as she closed her eyes, even as the woman neared. “The warmth of other suns…” she murmured, and the woman stopped, feeling that phrase like a bond.The woman cocked her head and soon, she stood before Asa, knowing she undoubtedly had orders.“Management knows you’re here,” Asa said, glancing up now to stare into those eyes, “And they want you gone…”Asa took in all that glittered even as it flinched. “You wouldn’t,” the woman hissed, “I know you wouldn’t…”The woman backed off, trying now to guess what to do with her cigarette. Palm out, Asa voicelessly asked her to drop it, and the woman did, even though she’d hesitated at first.For as long as Asa had known her, for whatever reason, she still had this one soft spot …“Have you eaten?” she asked, and the woman turned as though she didn’t care or intend to answer her at first. She was still angry with Asa, having felt that she’d meddled in one too many of her affairs yet again. But Asa knew better… of course, Asa thought and she grinned. She knew too much about her demons… Always so coy, funny, and fit to annoy, this one was too human…“Come on,” she insisted, and begrudgingly, the woman followed when they both moved into the night. As they walked, the stars were so bright. High overhead, the woman watched, the quietest thoughts of home always calling her back.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Though the hour was late, Reno was up. Alone on the terrace, he struggled to stay awake.It’d been well over an hour since he’d last seen Tifa and aside from the stress, he’d leaned on the suite’s liquor cabinet to pass the time which hadn’t been great.Earlier, he had no way of knowing if she’d return. Call after call and text after text, each one went unanswered, until finally the last one wasn’t. He’d been so relieved the second she replied, but he didn’t press his luck either by responding. Instead, he was quick. Within minutes, the terrace daybed was stacked high with pillows and blankets, just like the first night, and eventually he laid down to wait.Somehow, the idea of being too close to the door when she showed was too much. That deep-seated fear of having to face her was paralyzing even as he breathed. The extent to which Sorrel and Tifa had spoken continued to consume him, because really, the amount of time Sorrel needed to inflict true damage had never been too much. He knew she’d be efficient the second he left Tifa’s side, by far his greatest mistake.Living with far too many consequences now, he imagined the rest of the evening being focused on Sorrel or whatever Tifa wanted to discuss that seemingly dealt with ‘this’. Overcome with guilt and concern, he waited, swaddled up now in their blankets, but – where was she? The hurry-up-and-wait-and-see was killing him. He wanted to see her.Nervously he glanced at his PHS, followed by rereading her only reply. She said she was coming… Why, of all times, did this feel so familiar? Waiting in the way that he was? He shook his head, having too much trouble placing one too many of his thoughts. The alcohol had greatly addled his brain, he knew this, ever since he got back. Within minutes of realizing she wasn’t there, he’d poured a glass and then another thereafter, mere seconds after kicking back the first. In hindsight, he wished he’d just sobered up, but no, he wouldn’t do that. Instead, he’d doubled down like he was prone to do, supplying himself with more consequences he’d likely wake up with. He couldn’t blame Tifa or Sorrel either for how he’d become. His undoing was all his own, always.He briefly witnessed the hour and his eyes sharply closed. Without hesitation, he startled awake, staring now at the side table as though it would help. There on the pedestal sat his drink, completely full and well within reach. Though the liquor had softened his frustrations, two more sips would likely fuck him up, more than he was now. Knowing she was on her way, he stared down the notion that he didn’t want her to see him like this. The downer portion of his drinks had fully kicked in, that on top of everything else he was feeling. He should have done what Elena told him… He should have been upfront with Tifa and never let her out of his sight, nor should he have trusted that Sorrel would stay gone, exactly as Elena said.Briskly, he inhaled, anxious for what Tifa would say as soon as he saw her. He was so much worse than when she’d last seen him.His eyes shifted away from the table, forgoing the drink like he’d hoped. In its place, he searched the stars. He'd seen those with her and it’d been sweet…Please be here, he thought, and suddenly she was.“…Hey…” she whispered.His body jerked towards hers and he stared. Right away, he recognized that she wasn’t mad… but how had he never heard her come in? Was he dreaming?In seeing her grin, he stiffened, and, without a care in the world, she laid down beside him and beamed. Why on Gaia did he look so scared next to her? Get a fucking grip…He noticed she wasn’t wearing her dress. She must have changed as soon as she came in. Pink silk shorts and that cropped top he liked… Please be real… This whole time, he’d been wearing the same suit from the party, well hidden beneath the sheets, but here she was fully dressed for bed. She hadn’t even seen what he was wearing yet and wouldn’t since all he did was stare.“I thought you’d be asleep when I came in…” she said. She glanced behind her, back toward the room. There within sat a handful of lights that were still on, giving her presence an aura from the back that he watched. Gods, she was sweet. She softly moved the covers, finally seeing how he looked in his present state of dress. “Oh,” she laughed, “Why didn’t you change?”Mouth open, Reno hadn’t moved aside from relinquishing control of the sheets. “I didn’t know if I should come down,” he said. To himself he thought, or if she asked him to leave. “Like if you needed me to – if you didn’t get the card back, I’d have come down,” he muttered.“Oh…” she grinned. He hadn’t stopped leaning into her smile every time she spoke.She was so kind and then so natural, like nothing had ever changed or happened between them. Kindly, Tifa moved the covers around herself and him to cuddle up, and his heart sank when he finally got to hold her.“Did you want to change?” she asked. No… he wanted to hold her.She insisted again that he be more comfortable, but all he did was sit up to toss his jacket on the floor. As soon as he turned back, she saw that look of sadness and she knew. He looked so much like he did that one night back at Seventh Heaven when he’d left, right after his garbage proposal, and she hadn’t even seen him leave. Even then, she’d asked him to come to her room once he’d finally returned that night, but he kept hesitating with so much resistance as the evening wore on. Dimly lit, she’d barely registered his expression when he’d stepped back into the bar well after she’d closed. From where he stood, his jaw was tight, and he’d been completely stone-faced. He’d been drinking. Beside the base of the stairs, he finally headed up to join her in her room when she’d pushed him to come. She was so relieved he’d called a cab just to get there based on the state he was in. She didn’t need to coax him much either, but there was something in him that hadn’t stopped fighting her that was so simple. A misunderstanding. Even now, he wasn’t resistant like he was then, but still, she’d be cautious.“Reno,” she whispered. She held his face and her grin fell flat. “You look sad…”Instinctually he wrapped his hand around hers when she reached. “I was going to surprise you,” he said. His voice was a whisper, “With your bikini.”Momentarily, her eyes narrowed when she failed to recall. Suddenly her mouth was open, right as he mumbled, “But I broke it.”Laughing, she had to move away just to gauge his face. “Did you really?” she asked and he nodded.“You weren’t here, and I texted you…” his voice faded in and out while he pointed at ‘things’, “But then you messaged me and said you were coming, and I wanted to surprise you…” Needlessly, he’d already said that, but Tifa held on. Up and down his words went, and Tifa focused again with a smile on her face. Admittedly, she liked this side of him. To avoid looking stupid (like he was now), by choice, his sobriety shielded him from a full range of emotions, like this one being one of grief. Though she’d always seen through him, moments like this lent a softer image she liked. He was so much like that one night… She fed him a compliment when he suddenly lost the will to speak.“Your pelvis is just too powerful,” she said, but he shook his head.“No…” he sounded wounded while his eyes trailed the sea, “It was my chest.”Tifa’s breathing stopped, and much like him, she turned her head in laughter solidarity while he hung his head in shame. Briefly, she hoped he was joking, but then she glanced back, watching him procure what was left of the ripped nylon and lace. How had he decimated the top to shreds? She laughed again and his gaze bordered terminal depression.“Reno, you…” talking was much too hard, “You’re so buxom.”Still sad, suddenly he was shy. “Thank you,” he murmured.He looked down at his chest, realizing that he had tried it on while he was still wearing his dress clothes – shit. Maybe he wouldn’t tell her that.“… It must be nice…” he breathed, still hanging his head, “You don’t have that problem.”Tifa glanced down at his chest where his eyes were locked and hadn’t moved.“…Not at all,” she whispered, “You’re so lucky.”Idly, he smiled when his gaze turned to hers. He always liked that statement.“I am,” he croaked.He held his hand out to her face and grinned, that’s when she noticed how teary-eyed he’d become.“You and whiskey…” she murmured, and soon she watched his expression change.This one was embarrassment. “You can tell?” he asked.“A little,” she poked. She stroked his cheek, trying to mollify his anxieties, “You get so weepy.”She had a flashback of that night when he sat at the end of her bed. At the time, she was worried he’d get up and leave like he did before. “I didn’t think you were serious,” she’d said. Soon she’d sat beside him, and he didn’t move. His eyes were glued to the floor and eventually he peered up. He smelled like whiskey then, too, right when she drew her hand up to stroke his hair and he’d frowned. That was weeks ago. She couldn’t help but ask him the same question like she did then.With the heavens so high above in full view, she asked, “What’s wrong?” and he shook his head. His gaze never left hers.“…I’m just looking at you,” he said.His voice was brittle. He was soft and she could tell he wanted to be elsewhere with her, somewhere between starting the whole trip over to forgetting what had happened entirely. He didn’t care if it was back at the cottage in Gongaga or maybe back at home. The seediest side of Under Junon sounded amazing right about now, or anywhere in between. Maybe then he could whitewash this memory and replace it with something gilded and new. Everything felt so wrong here and desperately he wanted a do-over. He was so worried about what she thought, and his mind hadn’t stopped arcing through what had happened and what would come next. Far from over, how much worse could it get? He searched her face, waiting for what she would say. Somehow, she refused to bring up Sorrel, much to his relief – but shouldn’t she? Unbeknownst to him, Tifa had zero interest in dwelling on the subject. Between Asa and Johnny, she’d heard enough. Anything else that came after was so disinteresting. She intended to fully focus on him and his recovery and leave the other woman behind.Briefly, he peered over at his glass and Tifa saw it, too. Whiskey on the rocks, just like she said.She picked herself up to kiss his cheek and eventually, he turned toward her for a true kiss. He held his hand to her jaw, abandoning all thoughts of the glass. He was so tired, so much so that she could tell.“Tell me about the first time you liked me,” he asked, and she grinned.There it was. She knew he should sleep but the whiskey wouldn’t.“Again?” she beamed. She pressed her head into the crook of his neck, and he relaxed to her kiss as he nodded. His fingers laced through her hair, and she told him, “It wasn’t one time… I told you it was several that sort of built up…”His body swiveled closer to hers to listen, and she kissed him again. She hadn’t stopped grinning when she compiled her thoughts.“There was that one time Johnny told you about my birthday and you’d been drinking, so you got me a gift…”His chuckle was hoarse. “I bought you a fish…” “You didn’t even bother to get me a bowl,” she laughed.“He said you wanted a pet–” his voice winded through hers while she spoke.“You literally presented this poor thing to me in the shallowest bag, Reno.”“–so, I got you a pet.”“An eel–”“A pet,” he corrected.She laughed and shook her head. “I took it back to the store,” she lamented, but he smiled and held her close.“…but then I got you a dog…”Naturally she beamed, feeling him trail kisses along her neck, “Yes…” she said, “You did… Bishop.” She lightly stroked his hair with the biggest grin, remembering the moment he’d presented this massive thing to her at her back door. It was the latest hour, and she’d answered a knock not long after she’d had the tiniest conversation with him about a stray she’d seen. Yet here he was with the dumbest look on his face, arms outstretched with this sweet animal, the exact one she’d described. His shirt sleeves were rolled up while he presented this panting thing, the canine’s body curled toward her in the shape of a ‘C’, all four paws facing forward, ready for her to accept. She’d laughed then, too, remembering what he’d said about catching strays when he’d grown up, hoping in vain that his mother would let him keep them when he did. As sweet as Bishop was, all the dog did was blissfully hang in his arms, triangle ears cocked to the side with a freckled tongue hanging out. Of course, Bishop was hers.“I asked you to catch him so I could turn him in…” she said, “But then you said I should keep him.”“You wanted him…” he whispered, and her smile kicked up. She did.Finally, she thought of the last memory she’d dredge up that she knew would make him turn.“And then,” she murmured, “There was that one time you cried–”His body revolted against hers and instantly he flopped to the opposite side. Though he’d fully pulled away, she didn’t and continued to stay close to him with glee.“I didn’t cry,” he said despite her giggles, “I fell.”Every time he said that she’d absolutely lose it whenever she recalled the rest. She honestly felt bad every time she re-witnessed the sorrow, forcing her to say the thing she thought would excuse her laughter every time (it didn’t), “You fell,” she breathed, “and you fell, and you fell.” Her breathing labored, “You wouldn’t stop falling.”“Tifa, I fell down the stairs.” He said it as though that would stop her cackle, but it didn’t. Ironically, he grinned, feeling her body shake right beside him. Eventually, he turned toward her. He wasn’t mad when she’d bring it up, which was sweet despite how excruciatingly painful his misstep and the memory had been.Well before he’d ever been with her, one night, she’d watched him careen down the stairs back at Seventh Heaven. Earlier that same evening, they’d hung out on the rooftop like they first started to do until she finally told him she needed to turn in for the night. He agreed and said he’d head home when she did. One minute he was standing and then the next he was falling. He’d always been so dexterous and quick when she’d dealt with him in the past, particularly in battle, but here he was, ass over fist down the stairs and there she was, completely dumbstruck and paralyzed by what to do. Finally flat on his ass at the base of the stairs, he’d struck his head against the wall and was holding it while he winced. Oblivious to what the fuck he should do or how to take back the healthy dosage of embarrassment he’d just been handed, a solitary tear eked out of one eye and Tifa rushed to his aid. Though his reaction had been involuntary, to Tifa he was wailing.“That hurt so bad…” he said, remembering everything right beside her. Every time Tifa tried to recenter, it led to more laughter beneath the stars. Though her body trembled, he didn’t care. “I really thought I’d ripped a new asshole,” he said.Her head craned back in silent laughter this time, and he peered away as though he hadn’t seen her do it, too. He smirked looking at the sky, patiently waiting for her to quit, but she didn’t. What the fuck, Tifa… Eventually, he couldn’t help but chuckle when she didn’t stop.Instead, he needled her side with one finger, forcing her to breathe.“Tifa… it wasn’t that funny.” In response, she wheezed, a tear streaming down her cheek. She failed to bat his finger away which made her laugh even more when finally, she committed to breathe.“I was so glad you were okay.” Really?...“Is that when you fell in love with me?” he asked. He was beaming when she eventually settled back to her normal self, still in his arms.“I think so,” she said. Fully together now, she asked, “And what about me…” she tried to change the subject to stop giggling, “When did you like me?”He studied her for a bit but then shrugged, “I don’t know.” Always the same answer and she sighed.“Wow,” she feigned a look of disappointment despite her smile.“Maybe it was the first time I saw you,” he said, and her face was cross.“WOW,” she said again, more defiant this time. “Doubt that,” but all he did was grin.Being back in her arms, his body continued to slow but his mind wandered. He wanted to make love to her but knew his body wouldn’t let him. Exhaustion, sadness, alcohol, and then relief; he’d gone through everything and was definitely ready for bed, but before he did he’d ask her one thing.“What did she say to you…” he murmured from the deepest recess of his mind. In hearing him, she knew exactly ‘what’ and whom he meant.Her eyes held firm to his when she fully answered, “Who cares?”She watched him flinch and knew why, because the answer was he did – ‘he cared’, but she wouldn’t let him retreat even if he tried.Instead, she drew him close for one last kiss, and he asked so innocently then, too.“You still want kids with me?”Her expression was too real when she beamed. “I do,” she said.So much like they were mere weeks ago, they’d both made up in much the same way; with love, understanding, and above all, acceptance.Overcome with sleep, he felt so relieved and glad to be by her side when finally, he fell asleep. As he did, her words soothed him.“My boyfriend…” she whispered, “… so smart, so kind, so sweet…”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Reno’s eyes fluttered awake though he could barely see. Under the blanket the next morning, he heard the steady trill of the ocean waves crashing along the shore followed by the wind whipping high overhead. Beside him, he kept feeling for Tifa, realizing she wasn’t there. Had he dreamed her last night? Had she not come at all? That last bit of panic left a sharp pain that seared through his brow. Wincing, it throbbed, leaving him to shudder. Unable to speak or do much of anything, his hands stayed pressed to his forehead and he couldn’t see, when–“Hey…” he heard Tifa’s soft whisper and then the feeling of her cool touch to his jaw. “Reno,” she said, “…Sit up.”He exhaled and did as he was told, even through the pain.“Drink this with these.”She was a doll. Best Girl Tifa always knew the drill…So close, she placed two pills in his hand while she steadied him. “Should have pre-gamed with these last night,” she whispered. He was reaching for the glass he couldn’t see, ready to inhale liquids and relieve what he could of his hangover. As soon as he did, she laid him back down. While he’d been sleeping, she’d bunched pillows around him where he now reached. Silently, he begged her to join him when he took her wrist. Weirdly strong despite his present condition, he pulled her close as 90% of the rehabilitation process was all cuddles now.She grinned but resisted when she kissed him instead. “Let me get you more water…” she whispered, and his face was distressed. He let her go as she pulled away, his vision just clear enough to see her wearing something long-sleeved and all black, when to soothe him she gently hugged him over the sheets. “One second,” she said. He heard her zip away but then return with more liquids.“I need to get breakfast downstairs,” she said in the softest tone, “I’ll leave you, but only for a little while…”Anxious, Reno didn’t like the sound of that either, that in conjunction with the pain. Momentarily he thought about getting up but suddenly the agony shot through him again. Forced to lay down, for his own well-being he really shouldn’t think at all, but he was paranoid about Tifa leaving, scared to death that somehow Sorrel would encounter her or reach their floor. Unspeaking, Tifa’s last words had been so close, so he reached again. Successful once more, Tifa accepted her capture this time. She was fully aware that he didn’t want her to leave if he could help it, and if he could speak, he’d demand room service so that she’d stay, yet no words came out. Instead, he dragged her beneath the sheets.So under the weather, somehow that same agility, determination, and drive remained steadfast in him, but to her, she knew he should rest.“It’s okay,” she breathed. She wrapped her arms around him as he nuzzled her side. Lighter this time, she whispered, “It’s supposed to rain, but it won’t be much.”In hearing her words, he realized the sun wasn’t nearly as glaring as it’d been in days past. Instead, Reno felt the coolness even under the sheets, that delicate mist and overcast sky shading everything for once which was nice. He exhaled and squeezed, still wanting her to stay.Minutes passed, and already he was falling back asleep. Gods, he needed it, meanwhile her ample heartbeat reassured him in one ear.“I love you,” she said, and he scarcely remembered the rest. ----- Once she knew he was down, Tifa quietly got up to move away. She didn’t want to leave him either but needed to collect food as well as answer to the shortest text she’d just received.“She’s here,” was all it read.Staring at those two words, Tifa quietly pocketed her PHS before she grabbed her pink card off the kitchen island – right where Reno had left it late last night. Making haste now to the suite’s main door, briefly, she glanced back at Reno still asleep on the terrace. Though in dreams, he was counting on her swift return, as was she. She told herself she wouldn’t be long as she stepped out toward the elevator next. At max, she’d take twenty to twenty-five minutes before she’d circle back. Any more than that and she’d just walk off. She was eager to return for the sake of his recovery, but she also felt like what she was doing right now also deeply played a part.Descending down, Tifa observed everything beyond those pristine elevator panes. In it, she watched the rest of the resort fly by, including the early morning mob of guests making their way toward the breakfast lines or darting off to whatever they had planned. A few were packed and leaving through the front entrance, while new guests flooded in. So giddy, she watched their smiling faces race toward their rooms, much like she and Reno had on their first day.Dressed down with her hair up for a change, Tifa’s long-sleeved workout attire had come in handy (thank you, Yuffie). Easily, Tifa had reached for this outfit with intention, wanting the least amount of attention drawn to herself if she could. Making her way toward the outside pool, she opened the first floor’s rear doors, fully aware that she’d touched them mere hours before.Though the weather was overcast, just like she’d experienced on the terrace, her eyes adjusted from the building’s shade to a lackluster haze high overhead. Casually, she walked with a purpose, moving past gorgeous planters, guests, and so many functional and decorative structures she’d seen all week, right before she graced the pool. That’s when she glanced toward the outside bar and saw Asa, immediately recognizing that Asa had seen her, too. Omniscient and for once straight-faced, Asa’s poker face tilted poolside where Tifa’s eyes followed. There at the other end, with her back to them both, sat the woman nestled in the furthest chair.Squarely seated by the water’s edge, the woman’s head angled toward the sea, and yet, despite the amount of exotic plants and structures that marred her view, she was completely taken with the sound. Keenly, the woman focused on the noise of the rolling tide and then the waves. As though in a twilight or a trance, she continued to zone, and never once did she hear Tifa.“Soleil…” Tifa uttered like a summon.Though she’d said it in the softest tone, Tifa’s voice viciously ripped the woman from her thoughts. Abruptly, Tifa watched the woman turn, her eyes holding firm to Tifa as though she’d been maimed. Her vision never broke from her either as she quietly watched Tifa take a seat by her side. Vividly, Tifa was unafraid. Opposite Tifa’s all-black attire, the woman wore a dress that was red and gauzy, along with her usual jewelry. Her strappy sandals were kicked off to one side and the woman made no gesture or movement that said she would leave. Between the two, Tifa was the only one willing to speak.Sharply, the woman inhaled as she turned her ashen greys toward Asa. So many feet away, Asa’s face was carefree while she fulfilled a drink order, but then she witnessed the woman’s glare and soon was pleased. Grinning, a smile crept across Asa’s face, and fondly Asa gazed at them both without a care in the world.Internally the woman cut her teeth… She was furious.An unspoken war raged between them until finally, the woman turned, fully focused on Tifa. “I haven’t heard that name in a long time,” she said. The woman was failing to process, let alone accept, that Tifa knew one of her truths. She glanced sideways at Tifa before she remembered she didn’t have to, “… I was so sure I would have forgotten it.”Tifa’s form was grim, but she spoke. “You never forget what you grew up with…” Tifa said, “Nor where you came from,” and the woman stared longingly again toward that unseen sea.“No…” the woman said, “…I guess not.”Forced to be good, Tifa could tell the woman was itching for something aside from her new conduct, all while Asa stayed trained on them both. The woman wasn’t willing to be kicked out, and deeply, she remembered her deal with Asa late last night. So badly did she want a cigarette or something small to tie her over. Anything to keep her from clawing.“It is so good to see you, Tifa…” The woman grinned. Her eyes were still so taken with things she couldn’t see. Eagerly she awaited Tifa’s response, including why she was there or what she wanted. Being there beside Tifa, she was so close, closer than she’d ever been since last night. It’d be so easy–“You deceived me,” Tifa said. Tifa was doing her best to refrain from using words that would only diminish, words like ‘lie’ or ‘liar’, that aside from feeling the weight of what time she had left. She was so consumed by what Asa and Johnny had told her late last night, emboldened by what she knew now and what Reno would never say. She was tempted to hit this woman, too, but knew it would lead to nothing.“Why?” Tifa asked, “Why’d you do it?”, and she watched the woman turn.All over, annoyance gripped the woman’s face though she kept her composure.“I said what I said to protect you,” the woman muttered, “And for that, I did not deceive you. You and I both know the same person. We know what he’s done – what point is there to gloss over that? I told you the truth.” How she said it, it seemed like she’d fully convinced herself. “To other people, to you – to me. You’d be foolish to think your fate will be any different… It’s only a matter of time.”Her words hung in the air and the woman angled toward Tifa as though she were open. Yet there was so much the woman didn’t say that oddly enough, Tifa didn’t care to hear. There was just no time…“The things I know…” the woman said, “I know him.” For a moment, the woman’s face was charmed, and all her teeth were perfect, warm, and white. “What do you see in him?” she asked, “Truly… I want to know. I wasn’t lying when I said you had options, and this is whom you choose? Him?”A chuckle sounded deep within, but Tifa stayed firm as she watched the woman laugh. Tifa was eager to hear what she had to say despite the condescension.“Did he hit you with that sob story of his?” the woman asked, “From when he grew up?”The woman sneered. By all accounts, she would bury Reno under the jail, but Tifa was patient. “Parentless from such a young age and yet ‘so determined to be someone’… That sound about right?” The woman’s tone was sharp and finally, Tifa was mean.“But his mother tried, didn’t she?... Poor Reno, she must have held him too mu–” “Don’t do that,” Tifa said.Any motions the woman made suddenly ceased when finally, she realized Tifa’s face. Though she’d been seated right beside her, she could see the Chi rippling off of Tifa’s arms. It was just like a fire. The subtlest flames licked Tifa’s sides and uneasy now, the woman’s expression changed when she saw them billow just past Tifa’s eyes.“Relax…” the woman hissed. The woman’s tone alone was a command that Tifa wouldn’t heed. Quietly, the woman realized she had no control. So stern, Tifa was being protective, and the woman knew.“…I’ll give you some advice…” the woman whispered while her features rallied for this one grin. “All men are the same. They only want their mothers. Rein them in, Tifa, beat them if you have to – that’s how you win. That’s how you earn their love.” Pressed for time, Tifa did something she’d seldom do. So smooth, she leaned into the woman’s ear and the woman didn’t budge. In that position, she imparted the simplest words that only the woman would hear. And, as soon as she finished, Tifa gently pulled away. Peering down now at the edge of the pool, the woman was still processing what she’d been told, when sharply, her gaze shifted back to Tifa. Visibly, the woman shook which turned into a snarl, when all Tifa wanted now was peace. Softly, Tifa said her name and the woman snapped.“That is MINE,” she said through gritted teeth and Tifa stared.For a moment Tifa was confused by what she’d said or what set her off. Whatever it was, she could tell the woman was serious. Fully gone now was the woman’s composure and something completely different remained. Fuming, the woman’s eyes darted to Asa and then to Tifa again. If she couldn’t have Reno, she’d have this one thing–“Call me whatever you like,” the woman fumed, “But that is mine. You do not get to call me that – because that is mine.”Pitying, Tifa drew back. She felt like she understood, while at the same time, as planned, it was time to leave. She had her back to the woman when she began to walk, right as the woman called her name.So patronizing, the woman grinned, all her features were so much darker now the more clouds cast their shade.“Say my name three times,” the woman whispered – always grinning. “I might disappear.”Solemn now, Tifa said nothing when she fully walked away. Though the pool was lively with patrons, Tifa didn’t dare look back, taking the same path to those rear doors just like she had. She didn’t glance back at Asa either, but solely focused on what was in front of her before she indeed uttered those three words.Finally, with her hand on the door, she turned, only to see that the woman was gone. ----- Back in the room, eventually Reno woke, stirring this time to a grimace. Though he didn’t remember what he’d dreamed, his sudden twitch quietly led to calm the moment he realized Tifa was there. There by his side in her comfy sleep clothes, she had a book in one hand and stroked his hair with the other the second he moved. In seeing him, she grinned, placing the tome to her side now to curl up with him.“Hey…” she offered with her arm outstretched, “How do you feel?” He didn’t speak when she touched his face, not yet anyway, but in time he held up a hand to denote ‘so, so’. The pain wasn’t nearly as excruciating as it’d been thanks to Tifa’s meds, but he still felt a certain way that he wanted to be rid of. For a second he glanced back towards the sea to witness the late afternoon and to reach for his drink. Damn. He’d slept all day. She asked if he needed anything else once he sipped, to which he said no, when finally, once he turned back to Tifa, he saw a huge bouquet of flowers positioned just by her side on a separate table. Obviously, he had no memory of them being there…Tifa watched his eyes wander and soon she sat up.“Someone was online shopping,” she said, “Weren’t you?” She positioned herself close to the blooms to inspect. “A man brought these up hours ago…” she said, and Reno watched her unclip a note tucked amongst the corollas. Vibrant stalks of protea, ferned fiddleheads, and larkspur made a brilliant background with Tifa stationed right there in the fore. So focused on her and those luscious greens, Reno nearly missed what she’d read. “For putting up with me,” she said, and her eyes honed in on his. “Did you order these last night… While I was gone?”Somewhat pleased (as he had the fuzziest memory of placing the order at all), he nodded. “Yeah,” he rasped, and she grinned.“This is why I can’t leave you alone,” she chuckled, and to himself, he wouldn’t say it, but of course he agreed. She turned back toward the gorgeous buds, fixing the note back to where it’d been. “…I should buy you flowers,” she whispered, still cradling a single protea in one hand, “You pick the most interesting ones.”Still laying like he was by her side, he said nothing when he reached. Gentle again, just like that morning, he pulled her close and she grinned. Gingerly she picked the book up to put beside the flowers and he saw. “What is that?” he asked, which made her smile when she curled up again.“Don’t judge me…” she muttered, and a grin flashed across her face. “Yuffie suggested it.” The way she said it, he could tell this too (just like Yuffie’s taste in movies), was not Tifa’s thing. There on the front cover, he made out the cartoony illustration of some meet-cute-inspired romance, presumably what the book was about.“Are you lost, baby girl?” he gently wheezed, and Tifa laughed. Based on what Tifa had already choked down in terms of the story’s contents, this was yet another bodice-ripper that Yuffie had casually thrown into her bag, presumably for the plane. Much like everything else, a note was attached: ‘inspiration! 🍆’.Somehow Reno managed to ask, “You’ll tell me what this one’s about?” and Tifa hesitated.“It’s a fake dating scenario that develops into real feelings,” she said and instantly, he’d heard enough.“… right…” he murmured but then he levied, “…Our story’s better,” and naturally Tifa smiled.“Way better,” she whispered, “Very angsty,” and Reno thought of something new.“I made plans,” he said, suddenly remembering something and wanting to change course, “Last night,” and Tifa gazed at him with that steadfast grin.“Oh?” she asked, and he nodded when he accepted her kiss… He might as well tell her before they went home.“My lease is up–” he said, and Tifa paused, wondering where this was going. She might have actually liked his apartment back in Edge way more than he ever did. He rarely ever stayed there aside from the occasional date night when she’d stay over herself. Being back in Edge, typically he’d either live at work or, more often than not, stay at her place despite how cramped it’d been. Between Seventh Heaven, Avalanche needs, and finite living quarters, there was barely enough room for him, yet he stayed. So it was surprising that, compared to her place, his always lost out with him only ‘kind-of, sort-of’ living there, even though his apartment was way more reputable in regard to livability. It was significantly more spacious and had a gorgeous view, not to mention how close it was to the finer and more accessible parts of the city; compared to hers on the completely opposite side, closest to a decaying Midgar and its ruin.“You’ll renew?” she asked but he shook his head. Suddenly worried, she thought he’d have to relocate to somewhere new. Junon? Healen? But then he soothed her.“You know that place around the corner from you?” he asked, and Tifa’s mind went blank. There were a million places around the corner from her, and none of them were especially ‘nice’ to rent. She shrugged. “You’re going to leave your beautiful ivory tower to come live ‘modestly’ in a space-saver apartment near me?” she asked but then he looked so confused.“No,” he said, “That townhouse near you. I want to buy it.”Now it was Tifa’s turn to be befuddled when she watched him procure his PHS. Already he was flipping through screens and Tifa’s face dropped when he pulled up this one listing. She had in fact seen the property before on plenty of walks with the kids or to pick up groceries or goods for the bar. She knew it well and likewise told herself when it went up for sale that she’d envy anyone who bought it.“The one around the corner from you,” he said again, and his voice hitched. He was working through his sickness while he tried in vain to show her this thing he wanted to pursue, “Then Bishop can live with us, and Remi, and the kids…” he said, as though he’d thought this whole thing through. This was the first time she’d ever heard of this, between him ending his lease, let alone wanting to buy a house. Still gazing at the property, it was so close to where she lived while he steadily pushed his finger from room to room.“And you thought of this… when?” she asked and soon he answered, his eyes still focused on the screen. “Last night,” he said, “While you were gone.” Eventually, he held the phone up to Tifa’s face to show her the three-story floor plan, but she hadn’t said a word. She was so distant, so he spoke again, “Tifa, you’re not looking at the pictures…” and finally she glanced at him in shock.He spoke again. “I thought it’d be cool. There’s so much room… For us, and for like kids.”She couldn’t believe it. He was making plans.When she hadn’t said anything he was worried. “…You don’t want to?” he’d asked, when what he meant to say was ‘do you want to live with me?’ Ask in two years, was what he expected her to say, but maybe she wouldn’t. “I really want to,” she finally said, her eyes firm on his, “but are you serious?” Why did she never think he was serious?His dummy voice cracked again, and he said it. “Yeah,” he answered, plain and simple, and she was so pleased. She was over the moon.“What’s the catch?” she asked with growing excitement, and he grinned, glancing for whatever reason at Yuffie’s stupid book. Tifa saw him do it, too, and felt the need to speak.“When I welcome you to the neighborhood, I get to say, ‘Are you lost, baby girl?’” and Reno grinned, enamored with the fact that she ‘kind-of, sort-of’ said yes?So simple, he told her, “I am baby girl,” and he watched her laugh and she reached. Her face was all smiles, and she drew near to be on top of him. She couldn’t believe what he’d been telling her, knowing now that he was serious. “If you’re baby girl then that means you’ve been held against your will and forced to fall in love with me for over a year?” she asked.“… yes,” was all he said, and she was smitten.“I can’t believe you,” she murmured seated now on his waist. She looked like she might cry when suddenly he hoisted himself up to wrap his arms around her, both of them blissfully happy in the late afternoon sun. It was nearly time for the gloaming. “You get so weepy,” he said, watching her face change and she laughed again. “It’s been a wild and weird week,” she muttered, followed by, “I might need a drink.”She watched him shake his head, knowing that he didn’t need one (given the state he was in), but he smiled all the same. “I’m sorry,” he said, but she shook her head. He knew they had fun aside from Sorrel, and in Tifa’s own way, she was telling him he didn’t need to say more, but he did anyway. “I love you,” he whispered. He felt the weight of how well she took care of him, whether he knew quite to the extent she’d done so or not… Always in his corner, he really wanted her to stay, if only by her choice, versus her, always reluctant to accept gifts due to their frivolous nature when there were so many areas of greater need – but this one, to really be with him, she didn’t say no.They held a long kiss before she reminded him, “One more day here and then we get to go home,” and he couldn’t wait.“What do you want to do?” he asked, and she shrugged and gave him another kiss. “Asa has off,” she said, “And she wants to hang out with us before we go.”He grinned and finally said, “Cool.”She’d already made plans and they could look forward to making more. Finally, Reno held her close and though he shouldn’t, he wanted to be honest with her, and so he whispered, “I know I saw you earlier from up here when you were outside.”Still holding him close, Tifa’s eyes momentarily shifted to the sunset while she listened.“What did you say to her?” he asked, and Tifa smiled, realizing he must have gotten up not long after she’d left and seen her with that woman somehow, all the way up there. Tifa wondered if he'd seen her nearly power up to punch the lady but, always protective and loving in her own way, she only shook her head.“…She won’t mess with you anymore…” was all she said.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“… How did Tifa learn her real name?”Seated inside Seventh Heaven at one of the first few booths, Elena and Rude sipped their morning coffee across from Johnny who’d been busy folding boxes on Yuffie’s behalf. Beyond him, both of the Turks tried not to focus on Yuffie’s sullen face stationed right behind the bar. At her back, both of her micromanagers looked on, impressing upon the woman that she not stop working.“Yeah, yeah,” Barret muttered in between Yuffie’s incessant whine, “Keep cutting…”At her slowest speed, Yuffie was barely fulfilling food prep, while alongside her and Barret stood Vincent. Both of Vincent’s arms were crossed at his pink apron right before he moved on – he wore it well. Back at the table, Johnny answered Rude’s question.“Tifa’s friend in Costa said Soleil’s parents came through years ago. They wanted to take her home, but Soleil had already fled by the time they got there, or moved or something… Anyway, Tifa’s friend lived a couple doors down from her, and Soleil’s parents stopped her with a picture and asked if she’d seen her. That’s how she learned her real name and told Tifa the same.”Alongside Rude, Elena’s face was devoid of expression, though she’d been so pleased to hear that tiny detail just yesterday. The moment she had, she dispatched every telefax she had on hold to Mideel, Soleil’s name emblazoned across the front in all CAPS.Quietly, Elena sat with her fingers crossed before she hummed. “We’ll see…” she said, and Johnny grinned.“You’re a really good friend,” he said, “…You know that?” and Elena looked up. So many takeout boxes were stacked all around them, but enough framed Johnny’s face. “If it wasn’t for you, Reno wouldn’t have stood a chance,” Johnny said, and by her side Rude nodded.Yesterday, mere seconds after Johnny had spoken to Tifa that early morn, he’d called Elena. Expecting the call to go to voicemail (due to the early morning hour), he was surprised she picked up. Instantly he babbled on about what he’d told Tifa and vice versa with what Tifa had told him. Initially, he’d been scared to tell Elena everything, including what he’d confirmed with Tifa about Soleil, but Elena was relieved. To her, Tifa deserved to know, and if anyone was capable of breaking the news to her in a way that was easy it’d be him.“You’re a really good friend, too…” she said right as the front door flew open. The cold air hit all three and they peered over at who walked in, only for each to flinch when they saw Cloud.“I thought I heard a bike…” Johnny whispered, and soon he waved though the motion was ignored. As soon as Cloud stepped through, he barely glanced at Johnny let alone bothered to look at Elena or Rude when he stomped past. Without a word, Johnny’s hand slipped down. Casually, it shrank by his side when all three heard and saw Cloud be fully addressed by his Avalanche cohorts from the bar. Elena witnessed too much of Cloud’s adulations and was peeved.Based on what she’d seen, Barret and Vincent were all too happy to glad-hand this man just for showing up (at the eleventh hour, no less), well after Yuffie had checked out and for well over a day, had checked back in. Yet Cloud received all the praise for being ‘so helpful to Tifa’, when the one person who’d consistently done that was sitting right across from her and Rude.Elena shifted her gaze to Johnny.“…you’re a much better friend than he is…” she whispered, and Johnny snorted. So focused again on folding, Johnny’s face bore a grin.“Thanks, Elena,” he said before she really wanted to know–“What’s the story with you and Tifa?” she asked with the slightest tone. Her eyes moved from Rude to Cloud before they jumped back on Johnny. “He’s always so bothered by you…” she said, “I just assumed it was because of Tifa. But… why?”Peeking up now, Johnny lightly glanced at the bar before he looked at Elena and Rude. Cloud was still chumming it up with Barret and Vincent and hadn’t contributed to a lick of work – so much so that Johnny didn’t care if he heard.“My parents moved a lot when I was younger,” he said, “Dad was always looking for prospects and we moved to Nibelheim for a few years before we moved again, eventually to Midgar and so on. My parents were always ‘late’ to success you could say. Typically, they’d set up shop somewhere right after a major financial boon hit some niche town, and Nibelheim happened to be one of them. Which was fine.“…Anyways, there weren’t many kids there when we moved, but Tifa was the sweetest. She was so nice when everyone else barely spoke, not to mention she was the prettiest. Obviously, I talked to her because I’m not scared, not like that guy…” Johnny motioned with his thumb in the direction of Cloud, and both Elena and Rude watched the man continue to yuck it up with Barret and Vincent.“He was always watching her from afar which was weird,” Johnny said, “ I even told him to go talk to her a few times, but he’d never listen or just refused. So strange… Like when that thing happened at Mt. Nibel and Tifa fell, I wasn’t the only one who thought he did it. But she swore he didn’t… It still bothers me… Like had I been there, maybe it wouldn’t have happened or might have been different… Anyway, before her accident, Tifa’s mom had passed, and it hit her really hard. We were eight…”Elena and Rude were silent and eventually Johnny went on.“…After she fell, she woke up from her coma some days later and was bedridden until she got better. That’s when I came by to see her every day. Whatever she wanted to do, watch cartoons, Westerns, and so on, we’d do it, and sometimes she’d play piano if she was up for it. She’s really good, you know…” Johnny hid a partial smile when he glanced at the floor.“That picture in my room of her and I when we were kids…” he said to Elena, “That was a year after her mom died, and you wouldn’t know it, but she was in a lot of pain…” his words buckled, and he thought about muting himself should he say too much…“It changed her a lot,” he said, “But sometimes she’d be really happy, you know, like maybe I did that for her? And it sucked… when we moved…” He nearly ground his teeth but went on, “After we moved, no one knew anything happened in Nibelheim, I didn’t either, not until I saw her in Sector Seven a couple years later. She told me she lost her dad…”Hit again with that fine line of saying too much, let alone revealing too much of his own emotion, Johnny winced.“I don’t know how she does it…” he said, “She’s so strong.”For a moment he was silent before he feigned happiness. “But I think you know the rest,” he murmured, “and why I’m here.” Without a care in the world, he glanced over his shoulder at Cloud. “I think he gets mad because he thinks I had her first or something…” Johnny said, “But she’s always been her own person. Really, Tifa does her own thing. It was never about who she’s with. She’s always been her.” A smile pulled at Elena’s face and soon her PHS chimed. Some unknown number flashed across the screen, and she answered it.“Hi?… Oh, hello… yes… thank you…” she started to whisper, “Yes, that’s great… we’ll see you soon.”Gazing at her as soon as she ended the call, Johnny asked, “You gotta go?” and she nodded as she looked at Rude.“Rude and I have to run to a house tour for Reno before we head back to the office,” she said.Elena glanced at the others, but Rude didn’t hesitate to speak. “You should come with us,” he told Johnny. Just like Elena, Rude knew Johnny’s presence wasn’t nearly as appreciated as it should be. “I distinctly remember you telling Reno to buy this place after all,” he said and Johnny grinned. He’d remembered the subtle hint Johnny dropped to Reno mere moments before he fed Tifa that lousy proposal: “Wouldn’t that be so cool, man?Seriously, after you ask Tifa, go buy this place around the corner! It’s right over there and you all could live like kings!”
Still grinning, Johnny stood up before he turned to Yuffie to let her know he would leave. Finally, the one time Cloud actually waved at him was purely to watch him go – but, all the same, Johnny gladly accepted it, along with everyone else’s thanks and praise when he stepped towards the stairs to shout. Soon, quick feet followed down, and both Denzel and Marlene had their arms out to him, reaching for a hug. Marlene’s hands were especially full with Remi in her arms.“I made Remi pretty,” she said. She hoisted the furred creature up to Johnny’s face and his expression fell.“I really think she’s a girl,” Marlene said, and Johnny stared at the furred noodle’s new pink and glittered body leash, fully attached with a matching glittery cord. Reno was going to hate it– “Where did you get that?” he asked and Marlene motioned to her dad, “Daddy bought it for me when he got here.”Gingerly, Johnny pivoted toward Barret only to witness ‘Daddy’s’ very stern new expression, daring Johnny to remove the new harness and leash.“Oh, okay…” Johnny said. Reno would have to deal… but then he watched Marlene beam.“Will we see you tomorrow?” Denzel asked, “When Tifa gets home?” and Johnny reassured him with a yes.“Absolutely!” he shouted before giving them both a hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he told them before he finally left with Elena and Rude. For just a second he glanced back at Yuffie who gave him a sweet wave that he likewise returned. Smiling, he knew the next time he'd see her was for yet another one of her escapes. He was counting on it. Out front now, Johnny handed Rude a newly pink and bedazzled Remi that Rude accepted with glee. He loved animals.Held high over his head, Rude wobbled the creature back and forth, uttering sweet affirmations to it like, “Who’s so pretty? You’re so pretty!” only to watch the creature’s milk-white eyes blink. Beside him, Elena laughed while Johnny kept pace. “Hey…” Johnny asked her, immediately falling into step, “Did you take the quiz?”Grinning, Elena nodded and likewise told him exactly who he’d guessed she’d get as her result. So happy and vindicated, he began to point. “Ha! Told you so!” only to watch her point right back.“Maybe so, BUT, you know who’s extra excited to see HIS Crystal Pluto tomorrow?”Unabashedly, Johnny’s face was all teeth and they gleamed. Thumbing towards himself, he radiated with the utmost powers of faith and love, no different from a star.“THIS GUY!” he yelled.----- “I can’t believe you’re leaving me,” Asa breathed. Her face leaned into a straw that her mouth couldn’t find, even when the damn thing was firmly planted in the fishbowl-sized container still half-full with her favorite drink… Something-something-colada?In between sips, Asa had developed a severe case of hiccups and they’d been sweet.“Tell me you’ll be back?” she asked. Her arms were suddenly outstretched toward Tifa and she reached, where over the table and on the other side, Tifa graciously accepted them with a laugh. Tifa whispered through a gurgle that they’d both be back, while beside her sat Reno, who’d solely been grinning while he continued to stare. Sober today, his glass of water hadn’t stopped collecting condensation while he watched these two full-grown women drink themselves stupid.Earlier in the day, all three had driven to the Sandstone Saucer for Asa’s benefit before circling back to Costa for an early evening dinner at Asa’s very much beloved and coveted local canteen, Braska’s. Surrounded by Tiki torches on the outer deck, aside from their beverages, all three were nicely sated from vindaloo, tapas, and other small plates, everything to fully cap off Tifa and Reno’s epic week. Tenderly, Reno watched these two women fight over who was going to miss the other one more when suddenly Tifa got up.“I’ll be back,” she chirped, now watching as she motioned toward the restrooms as if she needed to say more. Right as she stepped away, Reno’s eyes followed. With equal parts concern and humor, both sets of emotions stayed amplified on his face with every step that she swerved. Guess he could pay her back for taking care of him yesterday if he needed to?…Eyes still on Tifa, Reno suddenly heard Asa by his side. “…So fitting for you…” she said, and Reno turned, seeing Asa oddly have his black card out in front of her in both hands. He didn’t know how she got it without him noticing. He swore he’d kept it in his wallet…The curve in Asa’s smile ticked up and she hadn’t stopped looking at it. “…So perfect for you…” she said, and affectionately her eyes flicked up toward his. Still in her fingers, she neatly presented it to him like a gift. Daintily, he accepted, now free from her clutches, and only then did he murmur thanks. Holding it now, momentarily he stared at the card himself.“She misses you…” she murmured and again, Reno’s eyes met hers and he watched her grin. He was so stoic around her now, eventually having realized the power she possessed as well as the association with Sorrel she still had with the woman being somewhat in her circle. To those who actually lived in Costa, the city was very much a small space with an even smaller social circle with which to dwell. As soon as Asa uttered ‘she’ he knew exactly whom she meant.“You still hang out with her?” he asked, and lightly, Asa nodded with a withering grin.“Sometimes,” she said, as though she were sad. So tipsy, she let out a sigh.“You remember what she used to be like…” she muttered, “…she used to be fun,” and truthfully, Reno did remember.“She was…” he said, “…until she wasn’t,” and Asa felt that too. Soon Reno’s whole body craned back in his seat, and he looked at the stars. Somehow they appeared so bright…“But Tifa’s way better,” he heard Asa say, and he chuckled at that.“She is…” he muttered, now fully hearing Tifa hurry back to their table and, more specifically, his side.Arms out, Tifa’s limbs cantilevered her towards him like a counterweight, and she looked worried as though she’d missed something. “It’s late,” she told him with a look so grim. She held her phone out with the time, “I need to call home.” Desperately she wanted to call the kids before they went to sleep, even though it was still pretty early in the evening for where they were in Costa.Being as flustered as she was when she was tipsy, all Reno did was smile. “Okay,” he said, motioning to the server that he needed to pay. To his side, Tifa dashed around the table to be beside Asa. She gave her the biggest hug and already Asa read her mind, knowing exactly what she would ask.“I’ll see you before you leave tomorrow,” Asa said, beating Tifa to the punch, “Bright and early before you both catch your flight,” and Tifa beamed.“Thank you so much for today,” Tifa told her, now watching the woman humorously slide her entire body straight off her seat.“I got this,” Asa said. With her own card out, she intercepted the server with hers first before Reno did with his. Familiarized with Asa’s face, the canteen server took Asa’s card without a second glance, and quickly, the person dashed away.Always disturbed whenever someone else paid when he’d already offered, Reno smirked but graciously accepted thereafter. He couldn’t win against these two, especially given the state they were in. Strong as ever, Tifa pulled him with both arms to drag him to the resort a few blocks over. She really wanted to make that call–“Thanks,” he shouted at Asa while Tifa continued to tear him away, “for everything!” and Asa waved right back.Still in a drunken stupor, she shouted, “I’d do it again!”A short while later, minutes passed and finally, Asa received the receipt she’d been waiting for along with her card. The server chuckled when she presented it to her with Asa realizing then that the meal had been fully comped, including the heavy bar tab. To Asa’s drunk-addled brain, Manager So-and-So knew her and said the whole bill was on the house. Still perusing the steep numbers that somehow totaled to a lowly zero gil, Asa frowned, right as she left a generous tip on the table just to satisfy her.“You all know how to treat a lady…” she slurred, right as she slapped the small fortune down. Thankful and laughing, the server waved her goodbye, watching Asa now steadily stumble off in the direction of home.Before she left, Asa’d guzzled the rest of her drink. Her hiccups continued to intensify the further she walked, and even further now down the street. Having taken the same route every night like she always did, she turned down shortcuts and a handful of dark alleys, knowing she was safe despite her unassuming size and demeanor, when finally, she came to a stop and proceeded to turn. Ever so faintly, she’d heard something and now she could see… Grinning, she let out a chummy laugh toward the dark.“…I see you…” she heralded no one, while at the same time she watched nothing stir.So amused, Asa bit her lip as she leaned further toward the dark. Somehow she commanded a stance that signaled to herself and to anyone present, that she’d won. A complete and total farce.“Always lurking in dark doorways and corners…” Asa mused. And still, nothing.Fine, she thought as she rolled back her shoulders. She popped her neck with gusto as she grinned. She’d have herself a soliloquy then.“It’s your fault you insisted on only sleeping with one person…” she said. Maybe she’d rouse the demons if she bayed… or maybe if she’d laugh? “Isn’t that bad for business?” she asked, “You and all your hangups…” She was being mean, but throughout all her frustrations she didn’t care, even as a friend, “They all make you look weak like your mother said they would, when I told you from the beginning you should’ve just gone home.” Such simple words had turned into vicious shouts, and still, nothing. The darkness said nothing.“You should have always gone home…” she fumed with a lilt. Her accent was starting to creep, and a native tongue slipped out. So pure, it curled with those delicate phonemes, every one of them lending a blessed comfort with every drawl that would likely drag her home if they could…Sure, Asa thought, she could miss it, too… “When they leave,” she said, “You should, too,” and this time, she really watched the gloom. So slow, it turned to leave her, and for a moment Asa wished it wouldn’t. Face me, she thought, but it wouldn’t.“Go home…” she finally uttered, so soft yet so firm. “Go home.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
On their last day, Tifa was sad.“I’m so happy Asa could sit with us for breakfast,” she said, “I’m really going to miss her.”Hours before their flight, Tifa packed the remainder of what she had left, but soon her mind wandered to what she didn’t care to mention – like what Reno should expect when he joined her back home.“Just so you know,” she said, “When we get back, Cloud will be there at Seventh Heaven.”So patient, she waited for the usual groan to sound off by her side but… it didn’t.With so much care, Tifa turned and gazed at Reno. Through the hotel windows, the dawn was breaking over the sea, and while the light poured in, there was Reno with his back to the sun. Just like her, he was securing his luggage and hadn’t stirred when she’d spoken.Impishly, Tifa cocked her head to the side.“Did you hear me?” she asked, and so cooly he replied, “Yeah. Cloud’s going to be there.”Somewhat in awe, Tifa was both pleased and bewildered that he didn’t make a fuss. Dropping any sort of hint that Johnny or Cloud would be in their midst always triggered a reaction in him. Yet this time it didn’t.Still, she waited, but nothing snide came. Impressed, she was this close to tending to her bag when he suddenly spoke. “Will Johnny be picking you up like last time and twirling you in his arms?” He’d asked with such a flagrant grin, and still – the remark was so tame. He could be meaner. She knew he could be. With so much mirth she laughed, because of course Johnny was going to do it again.Six months ago, when they first returned from their initial trip to Costa, they’d both touched down in Edge when Tifa received a slew of texts. Each one was somewhat informational, announcing some degree of her arrival (“two hours away”, “one hour away”, and “YOU’RE HERE”). Of course, Tifa knew she was there well before she read the texts – it’s just that the person who’d sent them had been so excited. Soon, when she and Reno cleared the concourse, there on the other side was Johnny sprinting towards her. He bounded up by her side with so many security guards screaming, “Stop!”, each of them believing this man to be a threat to national security based on intensity alone. But no – it was just a man simping for his best friend. Johnny slowed when he picked her up, tossing her in his arms to spin her like a doll. Once that happened, the guards eased off, leaving Reno to be the last one standing, looking especially pissy. Whatever… Johnny missed her. Giggling at the thought, Tifa hadn’t stopped. “You could have called Elena and Rude to come get us,” she said, “Maybe they would have done the same to you if you had?” Again, she waited, expecting Reno to say something coarse. But no, he only shrugged.“What is happening…?” She was so amused, “This isn’t you. Who are you?” So much like her, he was sly when he grinned. “I’ve accepted your adoring fans,” he said, “…Sort of.”For a moment, he glanced at what she was wearing, and she’d seen him do it, too. Peering down at herself, she looked up again to see him striding towards her. Now by her side, he held her close.“You’re not going to let him have these, are you?” he asked. His hands squeezed her sides, and she chuckled when he grabbed her ass.Dressed for comfort, Tifa’s in-flight gear had been a no-brainer. Easily this was the least sexy thing she’d worn all week (simple t-shirt paired with simple tennis shoes), except the one thing Reno clung to was exactly what he’d inferred: her leggings.“You hate that I let him have these,” she said. She said it so calmly when he’d been so close, and, yes, he did. He feigned a chuckle, a noise easily misconstrued for a growl. Here we go…, she thought. This was the Reno she knew.Tenderly, she kissed his cheek while he failed to pout. She was placating him.“It was just two pairs…” she teased.“OH!” he chided. Tense but calm, he didn’t stop her from softening him. “That’s two more than I have…” he said, but still, her kisses lingered. Seldom were they interrupted aside from her laugh when she’d kiss his neck. Without speaking, he leaned into them.“Technically, you have all of them,” she whispered, which made him snort.“So, you’re saying ‘what’s mine is yours’?” he asked. So skillful, her hands slid underneath his shirt and around his waist, amplifying sensations he had elsewhere.“Mhm,” she whispered, and now he grinned, consumed by where she was going while she pawed and nipped. Soon, he heaved a sigh when she stroked him, then giving into the notion that what she was doing was working. He was so relaxed – what were they talking about again? Sensitive to her touch the more her fingers circled, he said, “Can I do anything?” and he felt her lips slow. Gently, she pulled her mouth towards his before she looked him in the face. At ease, he really looked like he was pleading, but still she said no.“I can do things for you though…” she murmured. Her hands were right where he wanted them, and suddenly his breathing hitched. “It’s a long flight,” she said, and he didn’t argue.One last time, for old times’ sake and having the room for the dwindling hour that remained, they’d fully say goodbye.Reno took his spot at the edge of the bed before he let her do with him as she pleased. So soft, she caressed him at first before she set to work. In his wildest dreams, he’d never be able to touch himself like she could. He was so transfixed on the feeling, fully focused with his eyes closed on her gentle coaxing, each of his grievances dispelling the moment she stroked with her fingers and mouth. He craned his head back, knowing if he looked, he’d come too soon. She needed no guidance in making him beg either. Always caught in between, he walked that fine line of wanting her to do more while also wanting that brilliant release. He’d fight it, he told himself. Fast and then slow, her variations increased, building now to an intensity just minutes before he came undone. So close, he chanced a look and, by gods, the visual. Between her hands, her mouth, and that searing look he craved, he gave in with the sharpest whimper. Successful as always, she’d bring him home.Labored breathing escaped his mouth and finally he exhaled her name. As though involuntary, his body curled towards hers when the sensitivity was too much. He begged her to stop when her mouth teased, knowing all her pleasures derived solely from his aching shakes.“Fuck…” he breathed. He felt and missed her touch the second she moved away. He wanted to kiss her. Grinning from his lap, she wiped the sides of her mouth before she stood. She planted a single kiss to his cheek before she sauntered off toward the bathroom and he sighed. He might have whispered a thank you if he found the words.Soon, his eyes followed after her, wherever she went, and in a matter of minutes he joined her. From behind, he wrapped his arms around her waist while she busied herself at the bathroom sink. Completely upright, he’d always make an attempt to hold or be held by her.Giggling to herself when she felt she was ready, Tifa turned around. So happy but also sad, she held his face. It was time to go.So tenderly she kissed him before she asked, “Are you ready?” and she watched him grin.“Yeah,” he whispered, “Let’s go.” ----- Their departure was swift once they set it in motion. They slung what was left of their baggage by the suite’s door where they’d soon wait. The bellmen would be up at any minute to take them down, giving Tifa and Reno one last chance to look. Gazing at their suite, Tifa said the faintest goodbye to such a beautiful space. It’d been so warm, safe, and inviting, especially on their most challenging days and nights. To them, it’d lent a place to heal, which had benefited them both. In a way, it felt so much like home. Tifa especially knew she was going to miss it for reasons unsaid, even when Reno reassured her they’d both be back.“I promise…” he told her the moment she shut those paneled windows that overlooked the sea. In an instant, she felt the absence of that familiar wind and she sighed, overcome now by something entirely different and unseen. After so long with having to go without, this small luxury had brought so much peace. She’d really enjoyed something she’d rarely seen, and she wanted to do it again. And if not there, it’d be elsewhere like in Gongaga, tied to that little house by the sea. With no running water nor working lights, that space held a power all its own that likewise felt like home. She’d like to revisit it again.For a moment she fidgeted while her face fought a frown. She thought of the new home she wanted to see in Edge. So shiny and new, all the pictures Elena sent them had made her laugh. A picture of Johnny in a bathtub that was oversized. Rude’s sweeping arms taking up so little space in such a large master suite. She’d seen bay windows that looked over a busy and bustling street, spying that familiar sidewalk that ran adjacent to her bar… Yet another photo she clung to had been the pocket yard with soft touches of grass and a patio where she could plant whatever she liked. It was the perfect size for Bishop and a wonderful hiding place for Remi, should the creature inevitably disappear and reappear again. Other rooms fit Marlene and Denzel so well, and yet there was more–Reno pulled at her side, and she realized she’d been staring at that open sea. The bellmen were up and collecting their things when he kissed her, then asking if she was ready to leave. She grinned, wiping something from her eyes that he hadn’t seen. Finally, Reno pulled her close and they both walked out. ----- Soon, they graced the lobby with the man at the concierge desk fully ready to receive them and see them out. The desk attendant had been so welcoming when he took their cards. The charm of Tifa’s gilded dolphin was so bright on that pink card’s face. She’d like to keep it but told herself she shouldn’t. Things were just things, she thought, and she’d cherish it whenever they came back.The gentleman at the desk had been the same one they’d met their first day. He smiled, recognizing that simultaneous look of satisfaction but also misty-eyed grief with each guest faced with the timing of them having to leave.“Thank you so much for staying with us,” he said. He sounded so sure, as if he hadn’t heard a bajillion complaints about Reno all week… “We’re so happy to have had you. Please…” he said, “…Come again.” With nothing left to hold them back, the pair turned to leave, when suddenly Reno saw someone who made him pause.There by the resort entrance was Sorrel. She was standing in something scale-like that shimmered. Whatever this garment was, it was long, white, and silken that he’d seen many, many times before on better days. Hair down and in all her regalia, she truly was a spectacle to behold. She looked just as good as she ever did aside from her straight face and cutting eyes the second theirs met.Her glare pierced through him, and she had every expectation that he wouldn’t leave, but no – there by his side, Tifa took his hand and gently led him out.So soft, Tifa didn’t hesitate to move as she grinned. It was as if she hadn’t seen Sorrel either. Tifa would nearly walk right through her if she could. This woman was just a sad apparition of someone long dead to them both and, momentarily, Reno even wondered if the woman was real. With each step, Sorrel’s face reeled with silent rage, but they didn’t stop.Still grinning, Tifa was unmoved when she effortlessly walked past. Eyes averted, Reno focused entirely on Tifa when they stepped away, mere seconds before they both graced the sunlight and their ride to leave.Unnerved and so annoyed by Sorrel’s presence, Reno didn’t dare look back. Reminiscent of a past he knew, he was so distracted that he failed to look up.Glancing down at the pavement now for far too long, he fixed his gaze on someone new who was equally as familiar. He stared at this woman who approached them right before the woman shot past. Startled, she looked so much like Sorrel that he was spooked. Truly, this person was a carbon copy before he realized this version was also aged. She was so much like Sorrel in form, but the most striking thing about her had been her eyes. Ashen and bright, he was so glad they hadn’t lanced right through him like he knew they could, knowing now that he hadn’t been their intended target in the least.He heard the woman’s heavy footfalls, realizing then that the person this woman was after had been Sorrel. …her mother… Eyes down, Reno didn’t need to confirm it either, but he’d heard.What he didn’t see was Sorrel’s look of immediate surprise, desperation, and subsequent anguish. Something he’d rarely seen but once.Through gritted teeth, Sorrel heaved, “…How?”That sharp intonation of hers was all fear, and suddenly she turned in an attempt to flee. As soon as she did, however (and while the woman drew near), there in her way stood Asa.Milliseconds ticked by and Sorrel stared down this once beloved friend she’d seen from time to time. In utter shock and disbelief, betrayal rippled through her, and for a moment, Sorrel could cry. Asa had done this to her, she thought, but – how?!Still grinning, Asa’s form and grace were so sweet. She was so kind when she reached for her arm. True to Asa’s word, all she wanted was to see her home.A fresh and mutual comfort washed over them both when Asa wrapped Sorrel up in her arms. She’d bewitched her enough to make her stay, all while she grinned.“Go home,” she whispered.So soothing did Asa’s words creep, even when Sorrel’s mother ripped her from her arms.“…Go home.” ----- Finally on the plane, Tifa forced a grin while she stared out the window. Sadness kept creeping in and though she blamed it on the hormones, deep down, she desperately wanted to be home already. Far and away from this continent she would go, and eventually, she might see it again.“Hey…” Reno whispered.He watched her by his side and sweetly brushed her arm. “You good?” he asked and apprehensively, she nodded though another expression forced its way across her face. She’d been so sweet to help him through all of his bullshit that week. He was more than willing to do the same for her. He couldn’t wait to drag her back to their bed back in Edge, dreaming of falling asleep with her there in his arms. It wasn’t that she was sad either – he knew she was grateful, and in that moment, he’d prided himself on providing that for her.“I’m fine…” she lied. She peered out the window once more, manifesting one more lasting impression she’d have of that beautiful beach. She’d experienced a different life here once. And now it was time to leave.“I’m going to miss this place,” she whispered, “Just like last time.” Her voice hadn’t stopped catching, and he held her hand. Just like before, he reassured her that they’d both be back. “You get so weepy,” he muttered and finally, he witnessed her true grin.“We’re drinking nothing but whiskey on the ride back,” she said, “That way, I won’t be the only one…”She witnessed him smile too, right before her face fell. “We could always go to Junon…” he said. “What kind of trip would this be without the Gay Dolphin?” to which she laughed and he likewise leaned in.“Only if you let me drive,” she whispered, and he kissed her.“Deal,” he said, feeling and witnessing her be more at ease.“I love you,” she told him, and he replied just the same.Soon, the intercom came on and the captain spoke. Along the aisles, the flight attendants took their usual positions to review ‘in case of emergencies’ by pantomiming skits with inflatable life vests, barf bags, and the like. Always so exhausted by these things and having to sit through one too many times, Reno’s eyes settled on Tifa when the procedure finished.“What are we doing for eight hours?” he asked, and Tifa’s face paused.Though her laptop was fully charged, she hadn’t given much thought to what they would do…“Oh…” she muttered and instantly he knew.Grinning, he’d already caught her eye and they both knew. Back to where this all began… and hey, why not? The seatbelt sign flickered and they gave each other the same damn look. Pleased as punch, these two were always on the same wavelength, so much so that the next few words were so in tandem when they equally fell out of the other one’s mouth:“ARE YOU LOST, BABY GIRL?!”