The Stars In Your Eyes (Cloud x Reader) Chapter 1

    The Stars In Your Eyes
    
    Chapter I
    
   Cloud Strife x Reader
    

    Boredom.

    
    Boredom was practically killing you. You had nothing interesting to do during that evening, so you had decided to spend your time in any place other than the suffocating atmosphere at your confined apartment. You were sitting on a bench at the public square and, although the sun had set and darkness had fallen, it was thanks to the light emitted by the lampposts that stood along the sidewalks that you were able to at least read the wording and gaze at the images imprinted over the pages of the book which was occupying your hands. You sighed sedately as you continued staring at the opened book with a somewhat distant look, not paying much concentration to the many words printed in there. The textbook was mostly concerning Astrophysics; you loved that domain! You loved reading about the stars and learning about the different planets, the remote galaxies and the endless cosmos. It was your passion… to see the wonders of what existed beyond the Globe’s ether. You dragged your eyes from gazing at the book and directed them upwards, pondering the dark firmament above with a disappointed pout over your face. ‘hm… no stars.’

    
    Regardless of how much you loved stargazing, it was practically impossible here, in Midgar. The city is always alive, always illuminated by the bright yet fake electric and neon lights. Unfortunately for you, the ever-shining lights of the city would invariably overpower those of ethereal source. You did not like that; but what could you do? There was no changing that.

    
    You tilted your head to your right side and looked at the downbeat body which was lying motionlessly on the other edge of the bench. You reached over and poked his upper arm: “Reno.”

    
    “Mmm..?” He hummed sleepily.

    
    “Reno.” You repeated your actions, rocking him out of slumber. “What?” He mooed quite annoyed as he shifted slightly in his too sloppy to be called a ‘sitting position’.

    
    “I’m bored.” You stated.

    
    “And… what does that have to do with me?” He asked nonchalantly, totally ignoring your statement. “Let’s go somewhere else. I don’t wanna stay here all night.” You requested.

    
    “Then go… who’s keeping you?”

       
    “I can’t go there on my own… it’s gotten pretty dark, and I can’t roam Midgar’s streets alone, you know that!”

    
    “Ow, too bad… you’ll have to stay here then…” he said in a laid-back manner.

    
    “Reno! I’m bored to death! Come on!” You pleaded.

    
    “Where do you plan on going anyways?” He asked.

    
    “Um… I don’t know. Tifa’s perhaps?” You suggested.

    
    “No. Can. Do.” He refused quite bluntly.

    
    “Why not?”

    
    “Because… I’m tired… and exhausted… and the only place I wanna go to right now, is home. But most of all… it’s because I simply don’t want to.”

    
    “You’re mean!” You punched him lightly on his shoulder as he glanced at you through a single opened eye and he stuck his tongue out at you.

    
    “For crying out loud, Reno… please!”

    
    “Nope.”

    
    “C’mon! I know you like Tifa’s special Tequilas. If we went, you’ll be able to have some.”

    
    “Can’t buy any… I’m broke, ya know.” He mumbled.

    
    “Heh… like you ever pay for your drinks.” You raised an eyebrow at him, knowing that your straightforward statement would irritate him. And irritate him, it did. “Hey! Don’t start it, _______!”

    
    “Alright, alright… you’ll get your favorite drink, on me… I will pay for it… but that will only happen if you go with me.”

    
    “You mean, take you with me.”

    
    “Exactly.”

    
    “You’d really do that, though? Would you really pay for my drinks?” He questioned.

    
    “Hey! Who do you think is the one constantly paying your bills, including whatever you get at Tifa’s bar?!”

    
    “I know…” he grinned, “and that is the best part about being friends with you.” You glared at him, highly disturbed by his cockiness, and you sighed in disbelief. ‘Seriously! How did we even become friends?’

    
    “So?” You asked him, waiting for an answer. He grunted in response: “Why do you have to be so persistent?!”

    
    “I’m not persistent… I’m simply bored. So I thought I’d go to Tifa’s place and see my friends, I’m sure they’ll be gathering there.”

    
    “Oh yeah? Then why does my mind tell me that you do not want to see your friends as much as you want to see a ‘certain someone’?” He stressed the latter part a tad too much. “What?!” You exclaimed.

    
    “Let’s be straight here, _______, shall we? I know exactly why you would always drag me to the bar…”

    
    “I don’t ‘drag’ you there! You go to the bar all the time, and I simply happen to be with you on most of those times.”

    
    “But you wouldn’t go along with me if you weren’t desperately wanting to.” He mused.

    
    “Alright… so what’s your point?” You crossed your arms in front of your chest.

    
    “My point is… I know exactly why you would die to go to the bar.”

    
    “Oh yeah?” You questioned.

    
    “Mhm… you would want to see a certain… ‘Spiky Head’. Right?” He arched a perfect red eyebrow at you, accompanied by an infernal smirk over his lips.

    
    “W-what?! What made you think that?!”

    
    “I don’t simply think it… I know it.”

    
    “Not true!”

    
    “You sure?”

    
    “Pffft… yeah!” You answered, matter-of-factly. He only shrugged: “Okay… If you say so…”

    
    You then came to realize, only a bit too late, how flushed your cheeks actually were as you were attempting, but vainly, to prove Reno’s viewpoint wrong. Oh, but you knew precisely why you were blushing so radiantly. You see… the very idea that you were trying so hard to deny was in fact the very truth. Yes, the main – if not the only – reason why you’d go to Tifa’s bar was to see that same guy whom Reno had mentioned. He’s not just any guy… he is the guy: Cloud Strife!

    
    You have always meant to conceal the truth that you were completely lost in his charms. Seriously, who wouldn’t fall for the young man? But then you wondered: How did Reno know?! That smarty-pants fox!

    
    “_______.” You snapped out of your thoughts when hearing Reno’s voice calling your name. “Hn?”

    
    “You know what? I’ve changed my mind.” He hopped off the bench and stretched his arms above his head in a lazy manner: “Let’s go.”

    
    “Really?!” You jumped from your sitting position, excitement clearly apparent all over your form. “You’re the best, Reno!” You smiled as you slid your textbook into the bag that hung on your shoulder.

    
    “Yes, sure! I mean, I can grab a drink or two, and you can feast your eyes on your Prince Charming… more like, killing two birds with one stone.” He grinned evilly at you.

    
    “Reno!”

    **********

    
    At reaching 7^th Heaven’s bar, you greeted everyone as you walked in, earning a choking hug from Yuffie and loud ‘good evening’s from both Barret and Cid, and you proceeded toward the counter behind which Tifa was fixing drinks for the customers. You took a seat on one of the high stools, followed by your companion Reno who sat to your right. “Hey, _______! It’s been a while.” Tifa welcomed as soon as her eyes caught sight of you.

    
    “Hi, Tifa.” You greeted back with a smile.

    
    “How can I help you today?” She asked sweetly.

    
    “Um, no… I’m fine. Reno would probably like a drink though.” Tifa turned her attention to the red-head to your right and she sighed, then went on addressing you: “I assume… you’re paying?” She glared back at Reno: “As usual?”

    
    “As usual.” You nodded. Reno only grinned like a fool.

    
    You looked around the place in search for the blonde man, but he was nowhere to be found. You lowered your eyes with disappointment, and you rested your chin on your hand, letting a silent sigh escape from between your lips. Good thing that Reno was too busy guzzling his Whiskey which Tifa had just poured for him, so he wouldn’t pick on you the whole time.

    
    It seemed to be a very busy evening for Tifa, as most Saturdays would usually be; she was running around, doing her job so smoothly and without complaining. It is tiring however, you were aware… so you offered her your help since you had nothing else to do. She looked very grateful upon receiving your generous offer, but she assured you that she could handle it herself, saying that she was used to it. Although you insisted, she found it unfair to let you work on your day off. Seeing that you were doing practically nothing while sitting there, you reached into your shoulder bag and drew out the Astrophysics book, deciding to spend the time perusing its contents until the busy rhythm of the bar had subsided.

    
    Soon enough, the flow of customers coming in and out of the bar slowed down, leaving only few still sitting in the middle of the place, tippling and enjoying their favorite alcoholic beverages. Resultantly, Tifa was no longer running around the place, but she couldn’t help keeping her hands busy, as she ran a towel over the flat surface of the counter. With a sweet smile that thankfully, yet surprisingly, did not leave her flawless face, she addressed you: “Are you sure you don’t need a drink, _______?”

    
    “Thank you… but I don’t feel like drinking tonight.”

    
    You allowed a fair period of silence to pass as you watched Tifa doing her regular chores. You thought thoroughly before speaking: “Say, Tifa…”

    
    “Yes?” she locked her eyes on you while her fingers dried a shiny glass with a clean towel. “Em… I haven’t seen Cloud for a while… is he doing okay?” You asked.

    
    “Yeah… he’s fine.” She sighed through a forced smile. She was worried too: “He just… he doesn’t give himself a break. I feel that he intentionally keeps himself busy with work and all… we barely get to see him. Even when he comes back home earlier than usual, he’d be so tired that he’d go straight to bed.”

    
    “But… that’s not good for him.”

    
    “I know… I try to tell him that, but he never listens.”

    
    “I’m beginning to worry about him…” you expressed while a saddened look became apparent over your face. Tifa’s eyes softened at your words: “Don’t worry, _______. Cloud’s a big boy… he’ll figure things out. Besides, he’s not alone after all.” She winked.

    
    “That’s right.” Her attitude was enough to restore the smile on your lips. As if on cue, you heard the bar’s door opening, followed by the sound of steps proceeding across the wooden floor. The next thing you heard was Barret’s loud and brittle voice shouting: “Aye, Spiky!” At having the familiar title ring in your ears, you whipped your head to look at the man who had just walked in.

    
    “Speak of the devil.” Reno smirked, looking at you from the corners of his eyes, and you glowered at him for a brief second. “Cloud! You’re pretty late, you know!” that was Tifa’s straight reprimand.

        
    “Yeah… I’m sorry.” Cloud apologized, reaching the side of the staircase that led to the second floor. “Today was one hell of a day.”

    
    “Would you want me to fix you a drink?” She offered. He glanced at her while a ghost of a smile mounted his tired visage: “Nah… I’m too tired… I’m gonna go to bed right away…” His icy blue eyes shifted a little, finally getting to meet your own. The gaze upon you did not settle for long though, because it was quick to trail away from your form and downward to his feet. He thought for a brief moment then said: “I guess… one drink won’t hurt.” No longer intending to walk up the stairs, he dragged his feet in the direction of the counter and chose the empty stool next to you, flopping down and leaning over the countertop. Your heart skipped a beat at noting his closeness. “Good evening.” He greeted. You turned to look at him, but upon meeting his mesmerizing eyes and realizing that he had addressed you with his greeting, you couldn’t restrain your face from turning bright red. “Good evening.” You managed to reply. “It’s…” you tried, in vain, to keep yourself from blushing more embarrassingly: “It’s been a while.”

    
    He nodded: “Yeah…” His face cringed a bit: “My bad.”

    
    The two of you did not converse after that, drowning in a silence which density neither of you was able to attenuate, for you were completely caught into your own timidity while he lazily nursed his whiskey which Tifa had just served. You jumped slightly in your seat at each time Reno nudged or poked you playfully from under the counter, making you want to punch the life out of him. He knew very well how to get on your nerves, and you hated that. How did he even know about your secret admiration for Cloud?! You silently begged him to stop vexing you, but he would only reply to your appeals with a devilish grin.

    
    You turned to look at Cloud to find him pillowing his cheek on his palm while concealing the magical hue of his orbs behind heavy lids. His face, although tired, looked so peaceful, so cute. However, you felt bad for him; he has been pushing himself beyond limits!

    
    You were too engrossed in scrutinizing his sleepy features that you hadn’t had the time to avert your sight when his eyelids slid open. They were simply breathtaking! You could almost lose yourself in their fathomless depths. His lips twitched slightly into a small smile, which you returned without reserve. “You’re tired?” You asked softly.

    
    “Is it that obvious?” He chuckled under his breath. He sipped a thimbleful from his glass then asked: “So… you two are together?” He made a gesture with his hand, pointing in Reno’s direction. “Yep.” You nodded.

    
    “But don’t worry, big guy.” Reno broke into your conversation without seeking permission. “Don’t get it wrong… we’re not dating or anything.” You blushed at the subtext of his comment. Cloud, however, had a pungent tongue of his own; refusing to lock eyes with the red-head, he brushed the rim of the glass against his lips and muttered: “I know you aren’t. Why would she go out with you anyways?”

    
    “Wha-?!” Reno chocked on his own drink. “What do you mean by that?!” His eyes threw daggers at Cloud as he barked at him. Cloud only remained silent, not even bothering to reply or even listen to Reno’s complaint. You sniggered at the scene – at last, there was someone who could provoke the hot-headed Reno! “I was kinda bored, so I thought of coming here to change the mood… and, Reno here was kind enough to escort me.”

    
    “See! I can be nice.” Reno puffed his chest out with such an inflated pride.

    
    “You… wanted to be nice? Or was it simply because you needed someone to buy your drinks for you?” Tifa raised a questioning eyebrow at him as she hung her hand over her hip. Reno grinned and pointed coolly at her: “That too… I mean come on! I get to drink for free… her treat. I don’t even have to pay a single penny! Why would I say no to that?” He explained, quite conceitedly. Tifa shook her head in disapproval, while you sighed acquiescently. “_______! How can you stand this guy?!” Tifa questioned.

    
    You shrugged: “What can I do?”

    
    Cloud’s orbs trailed from your face to gaze at the textbook that you had placed on top of the counter. The ‘Astrophysics’ title that was displayed with bold lettering over the book’s cover was sufficient to catch the blonde guy’s eyes. “Astrophysics?” He asked.

    
    You took a quick glance at the mentioned book and back to Cloud: “Yes.”

    
    “So, you’re interested in stars and all…”

    
    “Yeah, I am.” You grinned.

    
    An authentic smile brushed his lips as he spoke with a hint of longing added to his voice: “When I was a kid, I used to gaze at the stars… almost every night.” He sighed after that.

    
    “So… you like it too?”

    
    “Yes.”

    
    “I envy you though.”

    
    “Why?”

    
    “Regardless of how much I love stargazing, I’ve never experienced it in my life, not once.” You chuckled wryly.

    
    “Really? Why?”

    
    “Well… you see… this is Midgar. And, you know… stargazing? In the city? That’s nearly impossible.”

    
    “I hear you.” Cloud agreed.

    
    “But I guess it is possible, if you go outside of Midgar.” Tifa commented.

    
    “Yeah… about that…” Reno, once again, got his mouth babbling: “You see… she hasn’t stepped one inch out of Midgar… How would you expect her to actually go outside and ‘explore the world’?”

    
    “Is it true?” Tifa asked, a little surprised. You timidly fixed a loose strand of hair behind your ear: “Yeah…”

    
    “She’s such a spoiled princess, I’m telling you.” Reno shrugged. “She can’t take a single step out of her house without being escorted by her trusted bodyguard, which happens to be me. Isn’t it right, my scared little kitty-cat?” He cooed in a teasing manner, which you returned with a frown.

    
    “Reno! That wasn’t very nice!” Tifa whipped the towel in her hand at the red-headed devil, causing him to yelp. “Tell you what? How about we pick a day so we can all go camping, somewhere outside Midgar? What do you think, Cloud?” Tifa suggested. Cloud nodded approvingly. “Alright… you can arrange that later, Tifa. But for now, I really need to go to sleep.” Cloud excused himself, rising from his seat and thanking Tifa for the drink. Before walking too far however, he reached for the top of your head with his gloved hand and ruffled your hair in a friendly manner: “Good night, _______.” He said. A pink blush burned your cheeks at the contact, but you managed to reply with a “Good night.” As Cloud passed behind Reno, he used the same gloved hand to punch Reno square on the head: “Ow! What was that for?!” growled Reno.

    
    “A gentleman should pay for his own drinks… he wouldn’t let a girl do the job for him… that is, if you are one.” Cloud smirked.

    
    “Hey! Say that again!” Reno spat. You giggled lightheartedly as you watched Cloud walk farther away and up the stairs. Even after he had disappeared from your sight, the genuine smile never failed to embellish your features; you were happy, satisfied that you finally got to see him that evening, to feast your eyes on his staggering charm even for a little amount of time.

    **********

    
    Tifa waved to you, bidding you goodnight, as you walked out of the bar, stepping onto the sidewalk that was dimly lit by the tall lampposts. You waited for Reno whose steps were slightly tottering, but as he reached where you were standing, you raised your hand and smacked him flat over the nape of his neck, causing him to snarl resentfully: “What the..?!”

    
    “How dare you embarrass me like that, Reno?! You can be a real pain sometimes, you know?” You rebuked him, hands over your hips.

    
    “Really?” He let out a laid-back chuckle: “Shouldn’t you be happy instead? Grateful even? Thanks to me, you got to see your ‘sweetheart’ again.” He cocked his head knavishly, sliding his hands into his pockets and strolled away. You pouted at his exasperating mischievousness. As you turned to follow Reno’s receding steps, a light object was tossed in your direction, hitting against your back and landing on the floor. You flinched a bit and automatically turned around, fixing your eyes onto the said object and examining its wrinkly round form. You reached for it and took it into your hand; it was a small piece of paper, crumbled into a tiny ball.

    
    You tore your eyes from looking at the paper and scanned your nocturnal surroundings, looking for the source from which the paper was thrown. It took you only a second to catch the silhouette that was standing in fair contrast with the light illuminating one of the second floor rooms of 7^th Heaven Bar. The man with exceptional blue orbs was leaning against the window’s frame, crossing his arms in front of his chest. You couldn’t help the accelerating drumming of your heart; Cloud… he had his eyes locked upon you, watching you from behind the window’s glass. He raised a hand and sent you a small wave. It was a simple gesture, but it got the very corners of your ears burning, much like the rest of your face. Unable to react properly, you looked back at the crumbled paper in your hand and you opened it, cautious not to rip it in the process. Three words were written in there, which you were able to pick out despite the darkness – ‘Come back tomorrow’ it read. Who knew that mere three words could cause you to grow wings and fly! Could be considered a bit of an exaggeration… but the overwhelming flutter of your heart couldn’t lie: you were perhaps the happiest girl in the universe!

    
    You raised your eyes and beheld the handsome man. You smiled at him, although you weren’t sure if he could discern it through the dominating darkness, and you gestured a wave to him, watching him receding farther from the window and out of sight. “You coming, or what?” The echoes of Reno’s call reached your ears. Tucking the small paper into your pocket, you made your way toward your red-headed companion, with a gracious smile still plastered onto your lips.

    To Be Continued…