QUICK FIC: Tifa's Workout Motivation Part 1: A New Personal Best (Final Fantasy VII)

Fandom: Final Fantasy VII

Summary: Having Cloud as a workout buddy motivates Tifa to do her best, but what will she do when he doubts his own importance? (Cloud/Tifa)

Content Warnings/Themes: Working out

No sex in this part; this is set up. This shouldn’t be a long mini-story; maybe three or four quick fic parts.

“That’s it, Tifa. Keep it up. Just like that. You’re doing great.”

Tifa grunted and pushed her body back off the boxing mat, picking up the pace with her sit-ups. Usually, even she would have been slowing down by now, or at the very least struggling to maintain her optimal speed. Having a partner there to cheer her on and motivate her to keep at it really did make a huge difference.

Of course, it wasn’t just any workout buddy standing next to Tifa and keeping count while she tried to surpass her old personal best for sit-up reps. It was Cloud helping her, and his presence brought out the best in her. She liked standing beside him in battle, trusting that his sword would be there to complement her hand-to-hand strikes as they worked together to take down any enemy who got in their way. But having him there with her as she worked out was every bit as reassuring, albeit for different reasons. In the gym, she obviously didn’t have to worry about him backing her up and protecting her blindside or watching for any magic or ranged attacks heading her way while she worked to get in close. Instead, she was relying on Cloud to keep her motivated to do her best and push her body harder.

It was working even better than she’d hoped it would when she asked him to help her out. Some of their teammates laughed at the idea of Cloud as a workout buddy to pump someone up, but they underestimated how much having him here with her was helping Tifa bring out her best. Sure, he wasn’t the loudest or most enthusiastic cheerleader, but even words of encouragement spoken in a somewhat monotone voice meant a great deal to her when they came from him.

There was more to the great motivation he offered than just his quiet but sincere words of encouragement. She could feel his eyes on her as she went through her routine, admiring her body in her workout shorts and customary white tank top. He wasn’t as blatant about checking her out as many would have been if they’d been standing there so close and with such a good view of her body in motion, but Tifa had gotten very good over the years at recognizing when people were staring at her body. Aside from that, she was very conscious of Cloud’s presence and his gaze. He was an old, dear friend and a trusted teammate, but she knew damn well that she wanted him to be even more than that. No matter how brief, every glance that he took at her legs left mostly bare in her shorts, her flexing stomach, or her breasts as she pushed the pace and tested her body caused Tifa’s stomach to flutter.

She wanted him to keep looking at her and praising her. No, Cloud might not have cheered her on as loudly as one of her other friends would have in his position. But he could have remained completely silent, and she still would have been motivated to do her best. Those blue eyes watching her and occasionally checking her body out in quick glances that were still noticeable to Tifa were all the motivation Tifa needed. She continued to grunt as she exerted herself, tapping into reserves of stamina and determination that she knew she wouldn't have found if any eyes but Cloud's were watching her.

“That’s time,” Cloud called out. Tifa sighed and let her head drop down on the boxing mat beneath her.

“How did I do?” she panted, opening her eyes after a moment and looking up at Cloud. His eyes quickly looked up to meet hers, and Tifa fought not to grin. Since her eyes had been closed, she wasn’t sure where he’d been looking before her question demanded his attention. Had he been watching the rise and fall of her chest, staring at her bare midriff, or going lower to run his eyes up and down her legs? She wasn’t sure, but it didn’t matter. He’d been checking her out, and that was enough for her. They’d been dancing around their feelings for some time now, but even if Tifa couldn’t be certain that Cloud felt as strongly for her as she did for him, she was certain that he was attracted to her. It was an even greater thrill than nailing her workout.

“58,” Cloud announced, nodding at her. Tifa grinned.

“Nice!” She lifted her right arm from the mat, made a fist, and held it in the air in triumph. “Beat my old record by five!”

“Yeah, that’s impressive,” Cloud said, nodding again. “Good work, Tifa. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Thanks!” Tifa stood up and smiled at Cloud gratefully as he handed her a fresh towel to wipe off with. She almost asked him to use the towel on her himself instead of just handing it to her. Tifa normally wouldn’t have been bold enough to even entertain saying something so suggestive or forward, even though they were the only two in the gym. But the adrenaline rush from her workout, the pride in setting a new personal best, and the thrill from catching Cloud subtly checking her out all made her feel bold and daring. "And you should be proud, too, Cloud. I couldn't have done it without you."

“Yeah, right.” Cloud clearly didn’t believe her, and it was suddenly very important to Tifa that Cloud understood how much his presence motivated her. When he attempted to hand over her water bottle, Tifa grabbed his wrist, making him squint and look at her.

“I’m serious,” she said. She held onto his wrist with one hand and grabbed the bottle with the other, tucking the towel under her arm. “I couldn’t have hit a new record without you here to help me, Cloud.” She brought the water bottle to her lips and took a big swig.

“I’m not going to take the credit for something you accomplished on your own, Tifa.” He shook his head and pulled his hand back. “You’re strong because you work hard. I’m here to give you a hand and watch over you when you need it, but you’re the one who did all the work.”

Tifa set her water aside and finished wiping herself off with the towel. She was determined to show Cloud that he was her motivation. With the adrenaline still pumping through her system and her confidence still soaring from her success and his glances at her body, she felt bold enough to demonstrate her appreciation with a bold gesture that he couldn’t possibly brush off.

“I guess I’ll just have to show you how much I appreciate your support,” she said, licking her lips and summoning the courage to go for what she wanted.

What is Tifa's move? (multiple choice)