~Cloud's POV~

Sazh and I watch as Snow storms out of my condo, cringing as the loud slamming noise of the door wakes Dajh up.

"I don't know what's up with him lately," Sazh shakes his head. "Ever since we got here and he's been with that Tifa girl... She don't have a negative influence, does she?"

"No," I shake my head. "Rather, the opposite." I think I know what's happening. It happened to me once. At one point, I wanted to be with Tifa, but I felt like I was betraying Aeris every time I so much as looked her way. Now it's all gone, both the hurt of Aeris and the need for Tifa. I'm on a new track. Just thinking of a certain someone makes me want to smile.

"Hmm."

"I know what's happening. It'll pass, trust me."

"Is it a kidney stone?" He raises an eyebrow and I burst into a laughter.

"Good one, old man." He grins at me and then stands.

"That Vincent guy still missing?"

"Probably," I sigh. "He does that. Disappears for months and the returns and acts like he didn't just vanish off the face of the earth."

"Strange man."

"Yeah. Looks like Fang's taken a liking to him though."

"You got that right! Especially yesterday when the Turk guy gave her the wrong drugs to knock her out!" We both chuckle at the memory of Fang trying desperately to kiss Vincent, who's face I'd never seen so red, in exchange for his gun to shoot Yuffie with.

"So uh... About Lightning," I start, scratching the back of my neck. "Anything in particular about her I should know about her?" Sazh smirks over at me and puts his hands on his hips.

"Well look at you kids! Fallin' all over each other like dominos."

"Eh, yeah," I blush, looking down at the table. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"All I know is that she likes to be in charge. Well, that and spar."

I nod and grab for my phone, smiling at the man before sitting on my leather couch. Then I text Light.

Me: So Sazh says you like to spar ;)

Flicking on the TV while I wait for a reply, I boredly flip through the channels. When she finally does answer, I've practically falls asleep watching a documentary on Meteor.

Lightning: And what of it, pretty boy?

Grinning, I reply quickly, things working quickly over the keyboard.

Me: The guys are being boring. Wanna go somewhere and swordfight or something?

Lightning: Or something? ;)

Me: I could always stay here...

Lightning: Meet me at the picnic hill in twenty minutes.

Me: Whyyyyyyyyyyy?

Lightning: I've got to shower!

Me: Make it fifteen?

Lightning: Go away!

I laugh and shove my phone in my pocket. Since Snow is out somewhere and Sazh is snoring on the couch, I scribble a note down on a paper pad and leave it on the counter, grabbing my sword, my Mystile, and three materias before I leave. Master Magic, Master Command, and Master Summon I love you all. Luckily, have a pocket full of elixers just in case. She won't know what hit her if we end up using magic. I laugh again and walk a little faster, eager to see the woman I've become so fond of over this past week. Once at the 'picnic hill', as Light put it, I sit in the grass and pluck at the blades, the Fusion Swords laying flat next to me. Minutes later, I see rose colored hair blowing in the slight breeze and smile slightly, taking in the sight.

"I've been waiting," I tease.

"I told you twenty," she shoots back, but her voice holds that unique blend of impatience and amusement.

"And it's been twenty one."

"I hate you," she mutters.

"Better to beat me up like that then, huh?" I give her a cheeky grin and stand, grabbing my sword. She scoffs and draws hers.

"No magic first round."

"Rounds, eh? Think you'll last that long?"

"I'd shut my mouth if I were you," she smirks and makes the first move, spinning quickly around me to blindside me. I split my sword just in time to block her blows and slash at her with both the blade I use as a shield and my main blade. She rolls out of the way and hops to her feet, making her next move with her long leg as she kicks my spine and then slashes again ruthlessly.

"You're holding back on me, Cloud." Yes, in so many ways. I shove the thought I flush a warm red and block another hit.

"I don't generally try to hurt women, you know."

"Sucks. Do it now." I roll my eyes and keep my boosted strength restrained. No offense, but even with my added strength being suppressed, she's not hitting very hard.

"You're not exactly giving it your all either," I point out.

"Fine. No more restraints. Go!" Geeze! It takes the mako to hold back against her flurry of slashes against me. I block them all, not a single scratch yet. Now driven to attack through my adrenaline and my extra energy, I move on her, quickly darting in random spots until she can't focus on me before bringing my sword around to hit her with it. As I expected, and hoped for, she blocks it, but with some great difficulty.

"Too much?" I smirk when she's practically bent in half over my pressure.

"Never..." She wheezes out, shoving me off. I grin and parry a few more blows aimed for my face. Her frustration is blinding her attacks... Making them too obvious. Neither of us wants to hurt the other, so we just keep going until one of wears out. Our swung blades connect and I push hard against it, harder than I ever did before. Grunting under the struggle, she tries to push back, but it's no match for the strength of mako. Her foot slips and she nearly falls to the ground, but my arm reaches out behind her and catches her by the small of her back.

"Whoa there," I chuckle. "I think I win, huh? What's my consolation prize?"

"I think I might know," she gives me a sly smile, slipping her empty hand around the back of my neck. Closer and closer and cl...

"I hate to interrupt, but I need directions to the condo." Gosh dang it Snow! You just ruined our first kiss! Internally throwing a temper tantrum, I open my eyes and release a very red Lightning, turning toward Snow.

"Go straight from here until you reach the bar, then cross the road to the right and walk one block."

"Thanks!" He nods, running of.

"He's so annoying," I groan and gather my dropped shield sword off the ground, snapping it in place with my others. Lightning crosses her arms and watches me with a look of annoyance. "What?"

"So are you just going to pretend that didn't happen?"

"Uh... I didn't know if, er, I don't... Um.."

"Gods Cloud," she laughs. "You're so awkward!"

"Well yeah, I'm with y..." I'm cut off by a pair of lips I nearly melt under. I'm sure I'm tomato red when Light pulls away.

"Now that's how you go about it, not whatever the heck you were doing." Then she walking back towards her previous spot. I just stare at her blankly in wonder until she rolls her eyes. "I thought we were doing magic now?"

I don't think I've blushed so many times in a row in my life.

~|~|~|~|~

"How'd it go?" Snow asks the instant I step through the door, sweet air conditioning cooling my sweaty body. It may be November, but it's also Midgar, and we don't get much weather change here.

"What?" I play stupid.

"Your date with Light," he smirks. Sazh chuckles and shakes his head as I blush.

"It wasn't a date."

"Then why were you kissing?"

"We... It doesn't have to be a date for that to happen!" I rush, avoiding both men's gazes as I set my sword aside and move to the kitchen where they can still see me over the bar counter.

"Aw, you're turning into a tomato face!" The bigger man coos.

"So are you feeling any better?" I change the subject.

"I guess," he shrugs. "Though I didn't have any secret girlfriends to make out with on a hill."

"I am going to kill you," I scowl at him before grabbing a can of soda from the fridge. I'm feeling the need to eat the junk food after all that, and grab an unopened party bag of chips. Then I recline lazily on a comfy chair in my living room and stuff my face while watching TV, the remote resting on my chest. I hear a beep and choose to ignore it.

"Hey Cloud, say hi to Light!" I whip my head around to see Snow holding up his phone with a broad grin.

"Snow!" I whine/yell, reaching for the device. While stretching, my body falls off the chair and my forehead slams into the coffee table. Blinking a few black spots away, I struggle to my feet and practically tackle the blonde man as he laughs loudly, typing rapidly and sending. I rip his phone away and stare wide eyed at the video he sent Lightning. He got it all... Nooooooooooo! I almost die when my phone buzzes, but I open up the message from Light anyway.

Lightning: Nice to know you stay healthy ;)

Me: I'm having cravings, don't judge!

Lightning: Are you pregnant or something?

Me: Er... How would that work..?

Me: Never mind, don't answer that

Lightning: Stop texting me! I'm trying to cool dinner for Hope and Teef and you're distracting me!

Me: Man, I didn't even have to send a random shirtless photo :D

Lightning: .... Go away.

I laugh loudly at her response and put my phone away. I've been spendin' all my time just thinkin' 'bout ya... Great, now I've got that song stuck in my head. And now she probably thinks I'm a big fatso too... Lovely. I can't wait until I see her next, the amount of teasing will be just wonderful. Note the sarcasm.