"You don't want to disappoint anyone," she says, and can feel the weight of the air when Cloud stills, perched at the end of Marlene's bed. The child is sleeping, unaware of the need to thank her visitor for a gentle brush of her hair. Tifa leans against the doorway, has been watching the whole time.

"Just in case it turns out you can't make it."

Showing no signs he's even heard her, Cloud gets up and crosses the room, passing Tifa with an unreadable expression - not quite cornered, not quite embarrassed, not quite an expression one should wear when one returns "home." He, as usual, hadn't called or otherwise tried to contact the household before his arrival, and the kids had already been put to bed by the time he found himself able to open the door.

Tifa places a hand on the shoulder nearest to her, halting the blond. He rewards her with a turn of his head, eyes searching, and she smiles.

"I've always liked being surprised."