"Tifa, ya know… I ain’t much for sappy talk, but there’s somethin’ I been wantin’ to say. We’ve been through a helluva lot together, and through it all, you’ve been… more than just a comrade in arms. You’re tough as nails, always pushin’ forward no matter what the world throws at ya. It’s just… sometimes I catch myself thinkin’ I gotta be there to watch your back. Not ‘cause you need it, but ‘cause it's… it’s what family does. And you’re family, Tifa." he pauses, laughing as he awkwardly shifts from one foot to th next. "Damn, this ain’t easy to spit out, but what I’m tryin' to say is you’re like a daughter to me. Always have been in some way. And I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to you—I’d move heaven and Earth first. That’s a promise."
𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 . 𝐇𝐄'𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 . she listens to barret speak , the entirety of her attention on him . his sentiment is something she feels tenfold and is returned to him as well . it extends across her like a familiar warmth , a blanket of assurance and security that she hadn't known in quite some time ( since she'd lost everything five years ago . . . ) . after nibelheim she'd taken care of herself . of course there were those who came and went , but it had always been up to her to watch her own back . to have someone else look after her and be concerned for her well - being was foreign , but very much comforting .
as he shifts on his feet she can't help the smile that pulls at the corners of her lips . tifa had seen such softness with marlene , but she'd never been on the receiving end of such earnest candor . admittedly , it's quite nice to see such vulnerability . ruby gaze widens , her voice almost breathless , ❛ daughter ? ❜ the two syllables are repeated with surprise , her voice near gravelly as her gaze rises to meet his . barret had crossed paths with her not long after she had procured seventh heaven ; he'd seen her growth since the very beginning of her time in sector seven . her independence beyond her life in nibelheim was an accomplishment he had witnessed firsthand and if not for his own help and encouragement she'd not be where she was today . her expression softens , her heart full of the revelation that she saw barret like her own father . though her own father was no longer with her , barret had filled in that absence with his presence . it was something tifa didn't even know she needed until now .
she takes a few steps towards him , red doe eyes glazed over as she meets his eyes . ( was she crying ? ) a teardrop , one like the charm on her earring , spills over her cheek . she makes no effort to wipe it and instead smiles , a soft laugh falling from her lips . every effort is made to not encroach on his space , as if still maintaining her reservations . ❛ i appreciate that so much . it's been some time since i've felt at home again and i'm so happy to have you and marlene . ❜ small strides are made towards him before she offers him a hug . her arms can't reach around him but the small of her remains by his side in a half - embrace . ❛ it's a promise , ❜ tifa repeats , eyes thinning as she finally chooses to invade his space . just this once .
