100 gil
Cloud Strife x GN!Reader - Fluff
Word Count: 1196
Summary: In which you pay the new merc in town for a job well done, and he pays you back without you even knowing
The first time you saw him, you blanked completely. You were the one who had requested for help from the new merc, but you weren't expecting this. You werenât expecting a man like him.
You realized you were staring when he started walking away, quickly catching up to him and grabbing his wrist. "Hey, wait! Sorry about that, I just spaced out. Are you the new merc?" you asked, utterly embarrassed and hoping he'd still help you.
"Yeah. So what's the job?" he asked.
'Wow. He's pretty straightforward.' you thought. "Well there's been a few reports from my tenants about wererats, and I can't exactly check it myself. I'm not much of a fighter."
"Alright, I'll take care of it. But if there's no wererats, I am still getting paid, right?" He asked curtly, looking towards you for an answer.
"Yeah of course, I'm not an idiot. You either get paid for getting rid of 'em or for confirming that there aren't any." you laughed. He nodded at you, and while you expected him to leave right away, he stood staring at you. Confused, you were about to ask what was wrong when you realized the feeling under your hand. It had still been on his wrist, so you quickly whipped it back.
"Oh, sorry. Didn't even realize." you said, once again embarrassing yourself in front of him. He grunted, but didn't budge an inch, still staring at you. You shifted under his gaze, getting slightly uncomfortable. You looked up at him and met his eyes, "Uh, what is it?" you asked nervously.
"You look really familiar. Where do I know you from?"
You blanked. You couldn't remember seeing him before, and with a face like his there's no way you could've forgotten him. Your eyebrows furrowed as you tried to think of where you could've met him. "Um, well, Marle is basically my grandmother. Maybe you've seen me near her apartments?" you suggested.
To which he replied with a simple "No."
"Oh. Um, well, maybe at Seventh Heaven? I work shifts there sometimes with Tifa, and I run the bar when she's not available." you suggested, as it was really the only other place he could've seen you since he didn't live in your building.
"Oh... yeah. Yeah, that's probably it." The man couldn't even look you in the eyes, so you figured he probably mistook you for someone else and just didn't want to embarrass you or himself by admitting it.
âAlright. Well now that thatâs out of the way, do you think you couldâŠâ you trailed off, not wanting to seem rude by cutting off the conversation so abruptly but also wanting the wererat situation cleared up.
âShit, sorry. Yeah, Iâll get right on it.â he said while turning to get on his motorcycle.
âOh, really quick, uh⊠Whatâs your name? I donât wanna just call you âmercâ, you know?â you yelled.
âItâs Cloud.â And with that, he was off.
~ x ~
âHey Tifa, whoâs Cloud?â you asked as you walked into the bar. Tifa glanced at you, a look of surprise on her face.
While you greeted Marlene and Barret, she said âHeâs an old friend and the new merc, why do you ask?â
âHe said I looked familiar when he came by my building, but I swear Iâve never seen him before. He said he saw me working here.â you said, still thinking about your encounter.
âOh yeah, he definitely saw you here. Multiple times actually.â Tifa said as she laughed, leaving you puzzled. When had he seen you here? Tifa usually ran the bar on her own, only calling you in when it was especially busy or if she had to go on a mission with Avalanche. Neither had happened in a while, so how could he have possibly seen you? Youâd only gone for a drink a few times, and every time the bar was empty except for you and Tifa.
Your confusion had probably shown on your face, as Tifa laughed again. âYou really donât remember seeing him at all?â
âNo! I swear, every time Iâve come in lately, itâs just been you and me. And maybe Marlene.â you sigh, wondering if Tifa was just messing with you or if your memory had actually been failing you.
âWell I promise heâs seen you here. I donât know, maybe you never saw him.â she said with a chuckle. Just as you were going to ask her what she meant, the doors to Seventh Heaven opened.
You turned around, and your eyes were met with piercing blue ones. âHey,â said Cloud as he approached you at the bar. âThere were a few wererats near your building. Theyâre gone now.â
Your face brightened at the news, âThank you so much. God, I donât know how I wouldâve gotten rid of them if it wasnât for you. So how much do I owe you?â
â100 gil.â
âThatâs all? Are you sure?â you asked with uncertainty. Sure, Cloud seemed plenty strong, but 100 gil seemed so little for the job he had done.
âYeah. 100 is fine.âÂ
Barret turned to the two of you, looking at Cloud with an incredulous look. âThe hell? You ainât never taken a job from us for less than 1000 gil. Not even taken one from around town for less than 300. Whatâs got you discountinâ, huh?â Barret says with a smirk.
You glance back and forth between Barret and Cloud, âOh, well if thatâs the case, then 100 gil is way too low! Here,â you say as you grab Cloudâs hand and put the gil into his palm. âThis is the 100 for the job, and an extra 150 for your hard work.â You smile up at Cloud before turning around to ask Tifa for a drink.Â
With your back turned, you donât see Cloudâs glare at Barret, nor the smug smirk Barret sends back. After finishing your drink and conversing with the others, you realize you donât have any gil on you to pay for your drink, asking Tifa to put it on your tab. As you wave, your eyes meet Cloudâs, and you flash him a small smile.Â
Once youâre gone, Barret and Tifa turn to Cloud. âWhat?â Cloud asks, already suspicious of what theyâre going to say.
âSo, when are you gonna admit that you have feelings for my best friend?â Tifa asks with a smile. Cloud looks at her shocked.
âWhat? What are you talking about?â he stammers.
Barret leans back and lets out a loud laugh. âOh come on now, even Marleneâs been askinâ me when youâre gonna say âI like you'."
âWell tell her itâs not gonna happen. I donât have feelings for anyoneâ Cloud says as he gets up to leave.Â
As the other two laugh and continue talking, they pretend not to notice the light blush on Cloudâs face or the very small smile he wears when he says your name. What they actually donât notice until after heâs left is the 150 gil he leaves next to your drink, and the 100 he leaves next to his.




















