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Tifa didn’t often have intimacy, although she secretly craved it. Something about the act of knowing someone so well you could tell just what they were about to say before they even took the breath to say it. Tifa was a self sabotaging woman though, constantly getting into her own way and tripping over her own feet before ever reaching out to get what she wanted. Always putting others before herself so reaching out for her own personal needs felt like she was betraying some part of herself. As if having anyone know how broken she truly was would lose them.
So, instead of obtaining the things she desired most, she made a habit of frequenting some of the more secluded bars in Wall Market — for their limited patronage — on the days she wasn’t bartending at Seventh Heaven herself. Tifa always did this alone, not doubting her ability to handle herself if she ran into trouble, and she became proficient at finding the ones where she could stay for hours and only ever see the face and shadows of other regulars. Nothing too wild or loud. One could say these outings were close enough to being the intimacy she craved. Always personal, private, and familiar.
Management at her most favourite bar knew her well by now and knew what she liked, only coming around to talk to her when they’d noticed that her glass was emptied. Despite the long nights she had already spent there, they still always asked her if she would like another, and still Tifa always said yes. Sometimes even when the hiccups of intoxication bloomed in her chest. It was only with the aid of the alcohol could she move into vulnerability and express the things lurking in her heart and mind.
This vulnerability was not spoken out loud, as she rarely had a friend beside her to do so, but one night a new face appeared. One that struck Tifa a little stupid and left her staring far too long in admiration while the woman ordered. Long enough that eventually the other woman turned and noticed her, tilting her head curiously. The petite brunette, dressed in a simple pink dress and leather jacket, made her way over to Tifa’s table after the bartender handed her a drink.