Tifa simply shook her head, answering his question regarding Marlene. Of course the two would get along, they were close in age, and she could just imagine the two looking up to Cloud like the strong Soilder he was. They had to, who wouldn’t? She felt her lips form a smile, something out of instincts that she caught herself doing when in the presence of the delivery boy. Sometimes she questioned herself. Did Cloud ever notice this side of her? This….admirable side of her. Everyone else seemed to catch upon Tifa’s actions, and her feelings…but did Cloud? She felt a bit relieved however, if he truly did not catch onto her feelings, he had to be oblivious. And if he did, she thanked him silently for hiding them and not having her feel embarrassed.
Once he rose from his seat, she followed him closely behind. Nerves building up inside, she was a bit scared to meet this Denzel. What if he was different from most children? What if he didn’t appear to like her? Pushing that thought in the back of her mind, Cloud had great judgement, and he know what Tifa liked and didn’t like. Her smile still appearing on her face as she glanced up to Cloud’s back. Unfortunately Denzel seemed to still be sleeping, which scared Tifa a bit. He’s been sleeping for a long amount now, which only concluded that this sickness was serious. She hoped it was just a cold, or something that could cure within a few days, but Cloud was right, this sickness wasn’t going away.
Entering the room, she was able to see the boy for the first time, and immediately, Tifa felt a connection. He was so innocent, and so pure, all she wanted to do was to protect him. Glancing down, she didn’t dare to touch him, not yet at least. Cloud had that privilege because he saved him, and he probably felt comfortable under his presence. “He’s….so beautiful.” She made sure to speak in a very soft low tone, nothing loud to awake him. Now it made sense why Cloud had this need to save him, and as she stared at the boy, she knew he would fit in. Her eyes went up to Cloud, and her smile appeared once again on her face. Without speaking, she pointed to the door indicating to leave. Once the two were outside in the hallway, she grabbed a hold of Cloud’s upper arm, wanting him to stop. Her eyes drawn to the floor again as she spoke softly.
"Do you think…we’ll be good parents?"
Enhanced senses were able to pick up on Tifa's gentle words and his own heart seemed to be hitched into the back of his throat at the surprise of her warm affection directed at the smaller boy already. Then again, wasn't he just the same? Relief swarmed his senses regardless and Cloud was secretly elated to have this kind of moment with her. She seemed to really be happy from when he glanced at her and that was more than enough for the mercenary to feel at ease. Infected or not, it seemed to be decided that Denzel is welcomed to stay.
However, the feeling soon changed once she pointedly guided to leave into the hall to ask the question that they both struggled to comprehend. Cloud merely considered it carefully before lowering his gaze as well, absentmindedly gazing at her feet. "I don't know." Honesty was as good as ever to get anywhere with this predicament and, even if he tried to lie to comfort Tifa, she would be able to see right through it all. "Haven't really given it much thought, to be honest..."
Then, Cloud raised his head first to take in her brooding features while she wasn't looking before raising a hand of his own to be placed over her's that held his arm. He didn't exactly smile, but the mercenary looked at her with ease that was reserved for her only. "I guess... we won't know until we try. With all the fighting we had to do, I'm sure we can still pick up after each other... right?" It was typical to be relating parenting to combat but he felt it to be a start. If only Tifa could see how capable she was for all of this even if the idea was something that's never been done before. At least, that's what he saw in her everyday.
"We don't have to do this, you know." He offered for one last time. "It's okay, but I... I really think this can be better-- for all of us."
