[ There's always a million reasons to hesitate, second-guessing like second nature. But when she answers, quick and easy, just like that - it's not a question or a dilemma or another way to think his way out of the precarious ease at which he is, with her, in his better moments. Away from all eyes, prying or otherwise, and the consideration of strangers (not that he cares what they think). It's just an order.
One that he doesn't need to think about to follow, which makes the manner of this awkward negotiation all the more easier. With the press of her lips still lingering against his, he backs up a step, another, and nods - before hooking back around the bar and making a beeline for the door. A man prone to forethought may have wondered over that last look she gave him before he was already turning to follow her request, may have found some apprehension in the prospect of being at the beck and call of a woman like Tifa even in far less intimate circumstance. She isn't an open book, is hard to read at the best of times and has probably mixed up a lot of better men, in the spare corner of a lifetime she's had so far to perfect the art. But he isn't the thinking type, today. Right now. For the moment.
The sound of the lock snapping into place is oddly satisfying. He pulls down the shade, just for good measure - that's it, bar closed, go get soused somewhere else, tonight. Suddenly it feels like a relief they've no reason to expect a flood of patrons, anyway.
With his simple task seen to, Cloud pivots back to face the empty (and now slightly dimmer) barroom again, but manages only a couple of steps back on his initial course before he comes to an indecisive stop. With that door locked, of course, there's no chance of strangers interrupting from outside - but what about friends, or one of the acquaintances they'd had help around the place? Anyone who knows the back way in might be a potential risk, and there's no door on the hallway-
But she didn't say Lock the door, and then assess all potential social disasters that a compromising position might precipitate. No, today that's not something he's going to worry about. Today, he's just going to - come back. Picking up his casual pace again, Cloud shakes off the momentary brush with paranoia and steps back up to her, forgetting the sight of the open hallway in his obvious glance.
no subject
One that he doesn't need to think about to follow, which makes the manner of this awkward negotiation all the more easier. With the press of her lips still lingering against his, he backs up a step, another, and nods - before hooking back around the bar and making a beeline for the door. A man prone to forethought may have wondered over that last look she gave him before he was already turning to follow her request, may have found some apprehension in the prospect of being at the beck and call of a woman like Tifa even in far less intimate circumstance. She isn't an open book, is hard to read at the best of times and has probably mixed up a lot of better men, in the spare corner of a lifetime she's had so far to perfect the art. But he isn't the thinking type, today. Right now. For the moment.
The sound of the lock snapping into place is oddly satisfying. He pulls down the shade, just for good measure - that's it, bar closed, go get soused somewhere else, tonight. Suddenly it feels like a relief they've no reason to expect a flood of patrons, anyway.
With his simple task seen to, Cloud pivots back to face the empty (and now slightly dimmer) barroom again, but manages only a couple of steps back on his initial course before he comes to an indecisive stop. With that door locked, of course, there's no chance of strangers interrupting from outside - but what about friends, or one of the acquaintances they'd had help around the place? Anyone who knows the back way in might be a potential risk, and there's no door on the hallway-
But she didn't say Lock the door, and then assess all potential social disasters that a compromising position might precipitate. No, today that's not something he's going to worry about. Today, he's just going to - come back. Picking up his casual pace again, Cloud shakes off the momentary brush with paranoia and steps back up to her, forgetting the sight of the open hallway in his obvious glance.
Not his problem.
It's her game, now. ] Good?