Forgiveness - Ch.2

[Back at the Seventh Heaven]

Tifa left a message on his cell phone. She was in great grief and didn't know what else to do to make him come back. It was the first time she saw him so upset and was afraid that this time, he might leave for good. She was on the edge of the breakdown and had no choice but to call Noctis. She knew she would make things worse by calling him, but she didn't know who else to call.

Noctis answered up the phone and couldn't believe who was calling him. At first he was surprised and very pleased to hear her voice, but then his face changed into concern when he heard her crying. He knew something was wrong and told Tifa to endure for a few minutes until he arrived. When he hung up, quickly grabbed his coat and without thinking twice, went to Seventh Heaven. It was very dangerous for him to go out like that in the middle of the night, but that didn't matter to him. She needed him and he was willing to do anything for her.

Tifa was in the bar consumed by her grief, trembling with her tears that wouldn't stop falling. Minutes later, she heard knocks on the door, quickly stood up and headed to the door. She thought for a second that the figure in front of her was Cloud but when she cleared her sight and wiped her tears, she saw Noctis staring at her with concerned eyes. She immediately started to cry and he took her into his arms. He tried to reassure her but she just couldn't stop crying. When she recovered from her breakdown, he asked her what happened and she told him everything. Her words were piercing his heart like a thousand needles and that's when Noctis realized; that there was nothing he could do to make her feel better. The only way she could get back to herself was to get Cloud back. He dried her tears off and promised to help her find him as if it was the last thing he would do. She smiled upon hearing his words of comforting and she thanked him with a hug. She was attracted to him as well yet her heart already belonged to another man.

Meanwhile, Cloud was still at the church trying to regain his composure. He wanted to talk to someone to ease his pain, but unfortunately, the one who was always there to listen to him was no longer around.

Tifa was more than just his best friend; she was his confident, his soul mate, his companion and his almost lover. He never realized how much he needed her until now; his regretting for not having the courage to tell her all those nights when they were left alone in the bar; of how much she meant to him and how much he wanted to be with her. He always had a crush on her, even with Aerith around; no matter what he did, she was always in his mind. He hoped that someday she would be able to see right thought him and finally tell her about his feelings towards her. But it was too late now; he was losing her, all because of his insecurity.

Although he was devastated about all of this, somehow, he knew deep down inside that this would happen. She wasn't going to wait for him forever and it was obvious that she would try to move on with her life. He didn't blame her, not once. Cloud tried to forget about her while he was still in there, but he could still hear her voice and laughter in his head. Cloud shook his head in frustration and tried to avoid those thoughts of her, but there was no use. He still loved her with the same passion that he did when he met her for the first time. He approached to the pool and kneeled to grab some water to splash his face and pondered at his reflection on the water. A precious memory came to his mind. He remembered the promise he once made to her under the stars and within his memory, he began to cry in sorrow. His pain was consuming his insides and it was eating him alive, bit by bit.

A few moments later, he got up from his knees and went back to Fenrir to leave the church and drove aimlessly in the middle of the night.
                                                               
The hours went by and there was still no sign from Cloud. Tifa was beginning to lose hope and Noctis held her hand to reassure her.

"Don't worry, he will be back." He curled his thumb in her hand.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked with tearful eyes. Noctis placed one of his hands to cup her cheek and wipe her tears.

"Because… He loves you." His voice trailed off. "I knew it from the moment I saw him staring at you. The way he looked at you, it’s crystal clear that he really cares about you. Otherwise he wouldn't be so upset…"

Tifa felt warmth upon hearing his words of comfort and smiled slightly at him. She then placed her forehead on his shoulder and Noctis did the same with his chin on her head. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply to smell her sweet scent.

He really liked her a lot but knew that she was truly in love with Cloud; she was out of his reach. He even planned on telling her about his feelings that same afternoon, but when he saw the chemistry between Cloud and her, he realized that he was out of place.

"I'm sorry…" She broke the silence. Noctis gazed at her with a puzzled look on his face. "I didn't mean for all of this to happen…" She paused for a moment before she continued. "I'm really so-"

"Don't…" he interrupted her and Tifa looked at him. "Don't ever apologize for that." She lowered her gaze and looked down with regret. He grabbed her chin in order to gain her attention.

"I'm really grateful for you. You are a wonderful person and I'm glad that I've met you." He trailed off his gaze.

"Cloud is very lucky to have you." As Tifa's eyes begin to fill with tears and once again, Noctis held her cheek and caressed her with his thumb.

"I know he will do the right thing." Tifa nodded in response and then wrapped her arms around his neck. Noctis smiled at her gesture and returned the embrace with the same tenderness.

"Thank you." She whispered. Noctis closed his eyes and remained like that for a while; wanting that night to last forever, but he knew that it was time to let her go.

To be continued...