Reunion

Excerpt:

She looked... different. Not that she didn't always look beautiful, but today, there was something about her that made it hard to look away. Maybe it was the way the morning sunlight caught in her dark hair, the sparkle in her ruby eyes, or the way her smile lingered after she parted ways with him. Or maybe it was the simple fact that, for a moment, she had looked at him like she wanted him to say something. To do something.

But, as always, he didn't. Zack's voice cut through Cloud's thoughts. "But seriously, man. If you don't make a move soon, someone else might."

Cloud's jaw tightened. He didn't have to ask who Zack meant. Emilio.

That guy had been circling Tifa for years now, flashing his easy grin, acting like he had a chance. And maybe he did. Cloud had no idea what Tifa actually wanted-if she even saw him like that. But the thought of Emilio asking her out made something ugly twist in Cloud's stomach.

"It's not like that," Cloud said finally, but even to himself, it didn't sound convincing.

"Uh-huh," Zack drawled, clearly unimpressed. "So, you won't mind if Emilio sweeps her off her feet?"

Cloud's fists curled at his sides. "In his dreams maybe." His voice was steady, but a flicker of something flashed in his eyes-something almost cocky. A rare sight. It vanished just as quickly, but Zack caught it, his smirk widening.

Zack snorted. "Right. But what if she did?"

Cloud didn't answer.

Zack let the silence hang for a moment before sighing. "Look, man, I get it. You're not exactly great at talking about your feelings-"

Cloud shot him a glare.

"-but Tifa's not just any girl. She's the girl," Zack continued, undeterred. "You care about her. You always have. And maybe she's been waiting for you to do something about it."

Cloud's chest tightened. He hated how much Zack's words made sense.