Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
*
Tifa Lockhart knew that after everything she had been through lately, she would be a fool to pass up a good night sleep in a bed. Hell, just having a moment to herself felt like a miracle, after traveling the world for months now, trying to save it from a madman. Several madmen, for that matter.
But, she was in the middle of the most famous theme park in the entire world, and she would be lying if she said she wasn't tempted to explore it. Something which should wait till tomorrow, but the place looked beautiful at night. And honestly, if a certain someone dragged her out, she wouldn't say no. However, the person who knocked on her door wasn't exactly who she was expecting. As instead of Cloud Strife, it was Aerith Gainsborough.
"Hey Tifa, open up." Aerith called through the door cheerfully, before and after knocking on it.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Tifa chuckled, making her way to the door, and then opening it to see her smiling friend. Then she had a worrying thought, "Is something wrong?"
"Of course not, silly." Aerith said dismissively, before explaining, "I just thought we could have a little fun."
"A little fun?" Tifa raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, fun." Aerith pushed, then added mockingly, "You do know what fun is, don't you Tifa?"
"Of course I do." Tifa protested.
"Which is, hanging out by yourself all night?" Aerith questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey, you could have fun by yourself just fine." Tifa huffed.
"Oh, I know. I do that sometimes." Aerith admitted with a flirtatious smile, enjoying the blush on Tifa's face briefly, before she quickly added, "But, look where we are? In the middle of the most magical place in the world, The Gold Saucer. This is no time to have fun by yourself. It is the time to go out, and have the time of our lives."
"Are, are you sure you want to do that with me?" Tifa questioned cautiously.
"Who else would I want to do that with?" Aerith questioned with a flirtatious smile.
"Erm, I... I don't know..." Tifa lied bashfully, before questioning, "Are we going to go get the others, or were... were you thinking-"
"It would be just us?" Aerith finished for her, and then confirmed, "Yeah, I was thinking it would just us."
"Oh..." Tifa murmured.
"Unless, you want to go get the others?" Aerith offered.
"No, no." Tifa quickly protested.
"Or Cloud?" Aerith then offered.
There was a brief hesitation, then Tifa shook her head, "No?"
"Are you sure?" Aerith questioned disappointedly, "Because you don't sound sure."
"I'm sure." Tifa reassured, "Just you and me, a Girls Night at The Gold Saucer."
Another pause, then Aerith beamed, and wrapped her arm around Tifa's, as she guided her out of the hotel room, "That's an excellent idea."
Despite what some people might think, Tifa was very aware that she was being manipulated, almost to the point where it seemed like she was being made to believe this was her idea. But she knew full well, just like every other time the seemingly innocent Aerith Gainsborough batted her eyes, and used her charms to get what she wanted.
But, Tifa had just been thinking how it wouldn't take much to get her out of the hotel room, and honestly, this would probably be a good thing for her. So, she would give her friend this victory, and see where it took them. Honestly, she had a few ideas, but she was trying not to get ahead of herself, and read too much into Aerith Gainsborough seemingly picking her over anyone else.
For the next few hours, the explored the park, going on the various different rides, and machines. They raced on bikes, snowboards, danced like fools and even found themselves in a play. All fun, mostly platonic stuff. Mostly. But then they took a long cable ride, high above The Gold Saucer, as fireworks painted a beautiful picture in the distance. It was truly breath-taking. And maybe even, romantic?
Just a little bit. Although even that could have been dismissed, if it wasn't for the flirty comments Aerith was sending her way. And the more she thought about it, the more Tifa realized it wasn't the first time. It was however, the first time there weren't distractions, like the boys, or monsters.
*
So by the time they got back to their hotel room, Tifa was feeling pretty awkward. And something else, she wasn't so sure she could name. And there was just something in the air. Like something would happen, unless she did something to stop it. But for better or for worse, she didn't.
She didn't complain when Aerith not only casually escorted her to her room, but came in with her, and started rummaging through the minibar. Oh man, did she have any idea how much things in their cost? Cloud was going to be so grumpy in the morning. Well, more than usual. Tifa would be definitely paying for that. Although very soon, that was the least of her worries.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm being rude." Aerith apologized, before offering, "Do you want anything?"
"I'm good, thanks." Tifa dismissed.
"Oh come on, you're not going to make me drink alone, are you?" Aerith pouted, before finally pulling out a bottle and holding it up to the light, "Look! They have champagne! Honestly, I've never tried it, but it's supposed to be good, right? And more importantly, it's supposed to be about celebrating things. So why not celebrate tonight?"
"I've never had it, either" Tifa admitted softly, ending with a shrug, "I'm more of a beer girl, anyway."