[Being disappointed about this seems unfair, somehow. He's being honest, and she knows where they stand, which is all she ever really wanted. And he feels the same way she does! Which is good. This is good, and she's being ridiculous, and whatever negative feelings she's having she just needs to push aside.
She looks up again, smiling softly, and while it might be a little uncertain, at least it isn't forced.]
I can still stay by your side here, too.
[Whether or not her feelings are reciprocated or they're together, he's still her best friend. Leaving was never even an option she considered.]
[It felt close, so dangerously close to something it shouldn't, couldn't be. Not right now, not while they were in this place. It felt so close, and yet-
And yet he couldn't quite stop himself from reaching out, from allowing the backs of gloved fingers to ghost across the chilled expanse of her cheek, slipping over it quickly before retreating. It's difficult to see in the dim glow, but there's a definite smile forming across his features, soft and gentle and rare.]
[It's barely a touch at all, so it shouldn't make her cheeks heat up, or send her heart racing. It does feel dangerous, less like a reassuring gesture and more like... a little bit of something else, especially with the way he smiles at her like that.
She's being so stupid. Tifa takes in a breath, fighting that sudden, ridiculous urge to reach for his hand, and leans back a bit, even as her smile turns into something wider and more silly.]
Okay. Good.
[And then, because it's still bothering her:]
I'm sorry if I... If I made you uncomfortable.
[With the awkward half confessions and hints. She's so bad at this.]
[They're both terrible at this. About using words and communicating. It was a wonder they'd gotten as far as they had, really.]
It's not your fault, Tifa. I just- [A pause, eyes flickering away for the briefest of moments before falling back upon her face.] Don't want you to get hurt.
[This is an impressively honest conversation for the both of them, and for once, she's even brave enough to hold his gaze. His answer, once again, wasn't one she was expecting, and her words come out hesitantly.]
[Because I'm not good enough for you. Because I'm not sure if this is what I really want. Because what if I get sent back? It'll only make it worse on you knowing what we had.
What if you get sent back and I'm left here alone? What if-]
[Pretty awful deflection when it's so obviously a deflection. She frowns, reaching up to toy with an earring as she considers his answer.]
I guess it does.
[She doesn't want to push him to explain, though, because she's not trying to change his mind. She just wishes he'd be a little more honest with her on this part. They were doing so well!]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
She looks up again, smiling softly, and while it might be a little uncertain, at least it isn't forced.]
I can still stay by your side here, too.
[Whether or not her feelings are reciprocated or they're together, he's still her best friend. Leaving was never even an option she considered.]
no subject
And yet he couldn't quite stop himself from reaching out, from allowing the backs of gloved fingers to ghost across the chilled expanse of her cheek, slipping over it quickly before retreating. It's difficult to see in the dim glow, but there's a definite smile forming across his features, soft and gentle and rare.]
I think I can handle that.
no subject
She's being so stupid. Tifa takes in a breath, fighting that sudden, ridiculous urge to reach for his hand, and leans back a bit, even as her smile turns into something wider and more silly.]
Okay. Good.
[And then, because it's still bothering her:]
I'm sorry if I... If I made you uncomfortable.
[With the awkward half confessions and hints. She's so bad at this.]
no subject
It's not your fault, Tifa. I just- [A pause, eyes flickering away for the briefest of moments before falling back upon her face.] Don't want you to get hurt.
no subject
Why do you think I would get hurt?
no subject
What if you get sent back and I'm left here alone? What if-]
This place tends to do that.
[-Nice deflection there, Cloud.]
no subject
I guess it does.
[She doesn't want to push him to explain, though, because she's not trying to change his mind. She just wishes he'd be a little more honest with her on this part. They were doing so well!]
no subject
I just- [This wasn't going well at all. On a scale from one to ten, this was definitely rating at a solid eleven.] Need some time.
no subject
It's okay. I understand. I'm not upset, I promise.
no subject
Of course she wasn't upset.
Of course she'd give him all the time he needed.
He just wished he didn't always have to ask for it.]
You've waited a long time. Sure you can wait a little longer?
no subject
[Her smile is back, but it's shy this time.]
It's worth it.