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[powersouls]

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MAYBE HE SHOULD START TALLYING UP HERS

[meteorrains]

[There was no possible way this was going to turn into anything other than them being utterly ridiculous. Really, she should have realized this by now.

Even so, he leans in, just a little, willing to play along.]

Trust me. No one will know.

MAYBE HE SHOULD!!!

[powersouls]

Okay.

[She smiles as she fights the urge to laugh, and hopes that it just looks appreciative.]

I...

[Dramatic pause! She lowers her voice, as though she's afraid someone else might hear.]

I think I have a crush on Zack.

FINE. SHE WORRIES TOO MUCH ABOUT EVERYONE INSTEAD OF CHECKING HERSELF

[meteorrains]

[If by appreciative she means like a little kid trying to get over on their parents and not being able to hold in their laughter, then sure, she totally nailed it.

Still, this is the most amusing thing that's happened in a while. Far better than sitting tucked away into a corner and pouring over his tablet, reading the network until he felt as if his eyes might bleed.

So he leans in, just a little bit more, just enough for her to catch the twinkle that's suddenly present within his eyes.]

Funny. So do I. Think we should fight each other over him?

duh. next

[powersouls]

[Okay, plan failed, but he's playing along, so she'll go with it. She grins, leaning her elbows on the table.]

I guess so. I'm going to win, though.

HEY HAIR IS TOO LONG

[meteorrains]

Want to bet?

[He's leaning back now, crossing his arms over his chest as much as the thick coat will allow. Two can most definitely play at this game.]

HEY WATCH IT HER HAIR IS AMAZING

[powersouls]

[Yeah, she sees what he's doing. Cloud, no.]

I don't like betting with you.

EXCUSE YOU, YOU'RE BIASED

[meteorrains]

Because I always win.

[Cloud yes.]

SO ARE YOU NERD

[powersouls]

Only because you cheat!

[Slinging accusations!]

R U D E

[meteorrains]

Don't be mad because you lost.

[Kind of like he slung you into that snowbank.]

[powersouls]

You snuck up on me. I wasn't ready.

[At least she can dodge telling him a secret for a while longer this way.]

[meteorrains]

How else were we supposed to test it?

[It wouldn't have been the same if he tossed you when you expected it and knew what was going to happen, Tifa. You can't argue with this logic.]

[powersouls]

The bet was whether or not I could stop you. You didn't say anything about surprising me.

[Tifa, that's... stupid. But really, she's just arguing to be silly and tease him, because she desperately needs something silly right now.]

[meteorrains]

Being a sore loser isn't attractive, Tifa.

[Good choice of words there, Cloud.]

[powersouls]

[What a... strange choice of words, honestly. It throws her off for a moment.]

Being a cheater isn't, either.

[Yeah! Take that!]

[meteorrains]

Think what you want. You still owe me a secret.

[So there.]

[powersouls]

Okay, okay.

[Fine, she'll come up with something!]

Hmm...

[Maybe something... hint-y? Maybe. It could be safe. Just testing the waters! She leans back again, crossing one leg over the other and fiddling with an earring absently.]

Well, do you remember that night at the Gold Saucer? When we saw the fireworks?

[meteorrains]

[It's about time, Tifa. He was starting to think he'd go grey first.]

Kind of a hard thing to forget.

[powersouls]

[Is that... good or bad? For the sake of her courage, she's going to go with good. She shoots him a shy smile.]

That was... Um...

[Spit it out, Tifa!]

That was the only... date I've ever been on.

[She says that last part all in a rush, her cheeks turning red again. And, okay. The only date she'd been on since she was thirteen, but do awkward dates when you're thirteen count? She doesn't think so.]

[meteorrains]

[W E L P.

Of all the things he had been expecting to come from this silly little bet, that most definitely hadn't been one of them. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed so hard, maybe he should have just accepted the fact that she didn't like Vincent's cape and moved on.

And now it was too late. It was too late and the truth was out there, hanging heavily in the air between them and he should probably say something, anything.

A deep intake of breath and a slow, quiet exhale. There's a soft sort of expression that passes over his features, even if the combination of harsh artificial light and darkness makes it a little difficult to make out.]

Me too.

[powersouls]

[Oh. Well.

She relaxes, gaze dropping to her lap momentarily. Her face still feels hot, but that... wasn't as difficult as she expected, somehow. Not that it gave her the hint that she had wanted, but she feels relieved nonetheless. Tifa glances up again, her smile softer.]

It was nice, though.

LMAO I THOUGHT IT WAS YOUR TURN

[meteorrains]

[Come on, Tifa, did you really think it was going to be that easy? Especially when he's got Master Level Deflection constantly equipped?]

Could've been worse.

NOPE U NERD

[powersouls]

[Master Level Deflection is really awkward, but maybe she can mask her discomfort by joking?

Except she can't think of anything on the fly, so she just shifts her weight.]

Oh, um... I guess so.

[meteorrains]

[Note to self: Work on Master Level Deflection's success rate.]

Kind of surprising. You were pretty popular.

[powersouls]

[She shrugs. Less awkward, but... still awkward!]

I guess there wasn't anyone I was interested in.

[meteorrains]

Give it time. Maybe someone will come along when you least expect it.

[Cloud, why are you handing out relationship advice you know nothing about them.]