sekiharatae: Adult male protecting his mate (cloti protect)
sekiharatae ([personal profile] sekiharatae) wrote2009-05-29 12:02 am

(crack)Fanfic -- "A Small Problem"

So... awhile ago, I asked [livejournal.com profile] yuenmei  if she wanted to give me a prompt, and I'd write her a b-day fic. Yesterday, she decided to prompt for a Cloud/Tifa fic, with Cloud being protective.

This isn't her birthday fic.

However, when I finally went to bed, (at 4:30 last night) I was lying there and started trying to think of a good idea for her prompt.

This is not a good idea.

But this is what my overly tired brain churned out. Once I started writing it, I couldn't even remember where the protection angle was supposed to come into things. *face palm* I kept going, hoping it would occur to me (again) but it hasn't.

Moral: Ideas you come up with at 4:30 in the morning with no sleep should probably be forgotten.

Still, here's what I have so far, and maybe it'll make someone smile. Please let me know: Should I keep going?





Tifa put her hands on her hips, and directed her best glare at Yuffie. The one that made both Barret and Cid straighten up and act like adults, immediately, just because she said so. Yuffie was no exception, and promptly stopped laughing to gulp in trepidation instead.

This was particularly impressive, considering Tifa was – at the moment – only about a foot tall, and wearing a sarong made out of a cocktail napkin.

“Change me back right now,” the miniaturized bartender ordered.

Yuffie nodded, hastily socketing the required materia, then concentrated and cast.

Distressingly, nothing happened. Tifa’s tiny foot began to tap impatiently.

After double-checking her materia, the ninja tried again. Still nothing. Either her heal materia was defective, or there was something odd about the transform materia she’d used earlier. The evidence in favor of the latter was rather convincing: the mini spell shrunk whatever it was cast on, clothes and everything. This one had only shrunk Tifa herself, and did it while she had a ribbon equipped.

That foot was still tapping, the gesture remarkably threatening. It got worse when Tifa folded her arms. “What did you do, Yuffie?!”

“Nothing!” the younger girl protested, “it’s just a transform materia! I tried it on a Zolom yesterday!”

“Then why am I still the size of Marlene’s Marcie doll? Why did the spell even work in the first place?”

Yuffie shrugged, and attempted to appear nonchalant while still quaking in her knee high boots. “Well... it might have kind of sort of been an experimental materia,” she explained.

“Experimental?” Tifa demanded.

A small nod.

“As in: not really sure what it might do, so it needs to be tested?”

Another, even smaller nod.

“And you used it on me?!”

For a person with a chest the size of a matchbox, Tifa could really yell.

“I tested it first!”

“On a Zolom! And I bet you didn’t try to change it back into its normal, huge, rampaging self afterward, did you?”

Point. She definitely hadn’t, choosing instead to book it out of there and let the spell wear off on its own. “Look, it’ll probably wear off in another half-hour or so. Just be patient.”

If she hadn’t been reduced to a mere twelve inches tall – if that – and wearing paper clothing, Tifa would have snorted at the idea of Yuffie counseling anyone to be patient. “Fine. Tell me where you got this ‘experimental’ materia while we wait.”



Three hours later, they were still waiting, and Tifa was heartily wishing she could shake the younger girl. They’d tried casting esuna again – more than once; they’d tried draping her ribbon around her waist like an over long sash; they’d tried a remedy – although Tifa couldn’t manage much of the thick liquid in her current state: nothing worked, and both women were close to the end of their ropes. Yuffie was near frantic, horrified she’d turned her best friend into a fashion doll. Initially Tifa was angry, and struggling to hold her temper; but as the clock ticked off the minutes, she was also starting to worry she might be stuck as a trophy model for the rest of her life.

“I still can’t believe you thought it would be a good idea to use something you found in an old Shin-Ra storage facility on me!” her normal equanimity long since evaporated, Tifa’s tone was sullen.

“I’m sorry!” Yuffie said, for what must have been the hundredth time. “D’you want me to try the esuna again?” The ninja was collapsed on a barstool, her head in her arms, exhausted from the previous, repeated attempts. But if it kept Tifa from killing her in slow increments (exceptionally slow if they couldn’t fix this), she was more than willing to keep at it.

“No...” sighing, Tifa acknowledged that Yuffie had done her best for the moment. “I’ll just... try to be patient.” She was good at being patient: she’d waited years for Cloud to get his act together. A few more hours wearing a cocktail napkin shouldn’t be so hard.

Cloud. She really – really – could use a hug, and – although it had taken some coaching at first – he was a fantastic snuggler. His body was always so warm, and he smelled so good, and there was something about the strength of his arms and the breadth of his shoulders that made her feel safe. Like everything was going to be okay.

Tifa really – really – needed to believe everything was going to be okay.

Unfortunately, Cloud had taken the kids to spend the afternoon with Barret, and she was far too small to properly enjoy it, even if he were home to give her the much-needed embrace.

Her morose train of thought was probably the reason Marlene startled her so, when the little girl threw open the door and announced, “We’re home!”

Yuffie promptly started up out of her doze, falling gracelessly out of her chair. Tifa just barely managed to keep from taking a similar tumble from the edge of the bar, as she turned too quickly on the slippery surface.

Marlene, not having noticed the state Tifa was in, rushed across the room to help Yuffie to her feet, as Denzel and Cloud came through the door in a more sedate fashion. It was Cloud’s quick blue gaze that spotted the diminutive bartender where she perched on the granite counter. His sudden, surprised stillness caught the attention of both children, who turned to stare as well.

“Tifa?” they gasped, inching forward to make sure their eyes weren’t playing tricks on them.

Blushing and beyond embarrassed, she was grateful when Yuffie’s squeal of outrage pulled the kids’ focus away from her. His hand fisted in the ninja’s jacket, preventing her escape, Cloud’s eyes remained locked on Tifa. Given his calm, and the hold he had on Yuffie, he’d already figured out what had happened while they were gone.

“Marlene?” the little girl turned trusting, curious eyes to Cloud’s face when he said her name. “I think Tifa would be more comfortable if she had some real clothes. Do you think maybe Marcie or her friends have something she could wear?” The entire, extended AVALANCHE family knew of Marlene’s current fascination with Marcie, and Cloud had been required to look for the special edition ‘Lockhart’ doll everywhere he went during the weeks before her birthday. Being cooed at by motherly women was not something he’d forget in a hurry. Marlene’s face lit up with excitement at the idea of playing dress-up with Tifa, while said individual looked both relieved at the idea of something a little less drafty to wear, and anxious about the thought of being a child’s plaything. Cloud hastened to curb the enthusiasm of the former, and the fears of the latter. “Be very careful carrying her upstairs, Marlene, and just show her where the clothes are. Tifa can handle it from there.” Nodding, Marlene dashed over to the bar and gingerly scooped Tifa into her arms, before heading up to the children’s room.

Once the pair was out of sight, those blue eyes turned to Yuffie. “How long?”

Still hanging limply in his grasp, she didn’t even bother to pretend to misunderstand. “All afternoon. Three, maybe four hours.”

Cloud nodded. “Denzel, please go call Barret, and tell him we have a code YUFFIE here at the bar.” The little boy nodded and followed Marlene upstairs, while Yuffie spluttered in outrage.

“You assigned me a codename?” she demanded, “Like a code red or a code blue or something?”

Unperturbed, Cloud walked the few paces necessary to reach the bar, and dropped her in one chair while he perched on another. “Yes. You’re worse than a code red. Congratulations.”

For a moment, he was certain Yuffie was going to throw a tantrum like she used to. Her face was red, her hands clenched, and her eyes bright. He hadn’t expected her to throw herself at him, wailing. “I didn’t mean to,” she sobbed, hands fisted in his shirt, “it was just supposed to be a harmless joke.” Her arms moved, as if to shake him for emphasis, but he was far more solid than she; instead, she just managed to push herself back and forth on her heels.

Sighing, Cloud wrapped her in a loose hug, one hand rubbing her back. Practice soothing Denzel and Marlene allowed him to be comforting rather than awkward, if still a bit stiff. “I know, Yuffie. But it was still a foolish thing to do, and being sorry isn’t going to be enough. You have to help fix this.”

Her response was to cry harder, even as she nodded into his shirt. The spell didn’t last long, however, and ten minutes later she was assuring him – in a watery mumble -- that he was much better with people than he used to be.

“Thanks,” he replied blandly, as he searched under the bar for a paper towel she could use to wipe her face. “Now show me this materia.”


So... additional ideas I have yet to use include:

Cloud using a regular transform materia to shrink himself, so he can give Tifa her much-needed hug.

Possibly investigating the adventures of the miniaturized Zolom.

Trying a cornucopia or white cape to reverse the transformation.

Continuing to try and remember why this was supposed to be a protection fic...


[identity profile] yuenmei.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
Hahahahaha! Crackfic, indeed, I have NO idea how you thought of this, but it's hilarious. I like that you managed to make it really funny and also kind of scary at the same time... you were right to say that Tifa was angry at first, but then it sunk in...

I love the last few lines, about Cloud being better with people and his bland reply, hahaha. He is so unfazed by everything!

The idea of Cloud shrinking himself is also very funny, though there's part of my brain that wonders who'd protect them with Cloud all shrunken, but my brain is still in protect zone...

I have no idea how this was a protection fic, but it doesn't matter because it is fun ^_^ Thanks for posting... I'd definitely be curious to read more!

[identity profile] jessicamariek.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
*gigglefit* OK, that is the good kind of crack. (Have Tifa and Marlene squabbling about outfits, maybe? Marlene wants her in some sort of floofy, lacy and undoubtably itchy ballgown, and Tifa's more like "Um, how bout them shorts?") The idea of Cloud mini-ing himself and hugging her is adorable.

The idea of mini-Zolom is...kinda scary.

I like this!

[identity profile] windrider1.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
All I could think while reading this was the SpongeBob episode where he steals Mermaidman's belt and shrinks everyone in Bikini Bottom. I was laughing so hard. Poor Tifa. :( This is very cute and well written and I love, love, love Cloud's bland: "Thanks". Yes, keep going!

[identity profile] ashfae.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
This is GREAT!!!! Oh, please do continue it! It's hilarious, with this edge of dramatic tension/angst-potential underneath.

And if you want to do cracksmutfic I'm sure mini!Tifa and mini!Cloud could find interesting toys to play with while they were so small...heeeeeee!

Oh man, I needed that amusement after this week. Thanks!

[identity profile] quoth-the-ravyn.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
And a cracktastic start to my Friday!!!!!

That was hysterical. =)

[identity profile] qwi-xux.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I started out smiling on this one, what with the description of Tifa's look making Barret and Cid behave. Then I was outright giggling at Tifa being under MINI! HAHAHA!

HAHAHA! Oh, I can't stop laughing at the image of a tiny Tifa scolding Yuffie! Or at the image of a tiny Tifa at all! I'm imagining this really high-pitched voice coming from her, too, which isn't helping my giggles.

"For a person with a chest the size of a matchbox"

*dies laughing*

I love reading stories where the actual rules of the universe are incorporated, and you did it splendidly with mentions of spells, ribbons, remedies...not to mention you did it in such an absolutely hilarious way.

First: Cloud realizing what had happened and grabbing Yuffie, but in that calm, collected way of his--fantastic.

Second: The idea of Marlene getting DOLL CLOTHES for Tifa--made me giggle all over again.

Lockhart doll?!?!?! Oh, that is too priceless. :D

A code Yuffie! *cue more hysterical laughter* They have a code for her!
Cloud with Yuffie was sooooooo sweet.

And you have to finish this! Though I would laugh myself silly (well, more than I did at this one) if Cloud shrunk himself with defective materia. (He'd probably be more inclined to find something to fix Tifa--not much he can do if he's small. Even though the very image of it is making me laugh. If Tifa gets back to normal-sized, she's going to be very cuddly indeed. ;)

You should totally write more things at 4:30AM. ;)

[personal profile] nekohooch 2009-05-29 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
This was hilarious! I loved the Lockheart doll...at least Tifa has some clothes that are like her's that will fit! Unless...they are the wrong size in certain places...that would suck!
This made my gloomy day brighter! It has been raining nonstop for the past three days...stupid weather...But Thanks for the fic anyways!

[identity profile] valentineninja.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
You know, sometimes the best ideas come at the most random times. I can be half-asleep too when I get an idea to write something myself, so it was good you had this one!

I was laughing from the start and I seriously love how you wrote Yuffie, especially her interactions with Cloud. Poor Tifa though, I do hope they find a way to help her. You know... inserting Reno and Rude in there for more humor could work, AND Cloud can be protective of Tifa with Rude around... but I'm sure you'll come up with something way better. Can't wait for more and thanks for this!

Joey

[identity profile] amethyst-key.livejournal.com 2009-05-29 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
XD Oh, my gosh!

*Gigglefit*

That is WAY to cute.

*Imagines Tifa in doll clothes* Bwahahaha!

;P Cloud should SO shrink himself to give Tifa a hug.

[identity profile] shadowneko003.livejournal.com 2009-05-30 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
A good fanfic to end my day.

And Cloud should shrink himself ;P

[identity profile] ticklemepanic.livejournal.com 2009-05-30 06:10 am (UTC)(link)
bahahahahahahahahaha god, you have to love Yuffie XD
I think Cloud should shrink himself and go hug Tifa :D
Then Marlene can "play" dress-ups with mini Cloud and Tifa lmfao XD
Oh that would be so amusing!
This was great :D
Loved it!
You have to write more stuff :D

[identity profile] oceanee.livejournal.com 2009-05-30 10:07 am (UTC)(link)
*Giggles madly*

Oh my,this was all sorts of awesome. I laughed so hard... no, really, Cloud's arrival and his grabbing Yuffie was great, and then picturing Tifa dressed as a doll... Oh, and, Lockhart doll? Very nice touch!

'Code YUFFIE' - *dies laughing*

I really hope you'll continue this. Cloud shrinking himself sounds really nice, but I agree with what some people said earlier, I don't think he'd do it voluntarily, because there's not much he could do to help Tifa while mini-ed.

Would be great to see them snuggling when she's back to her normal self though! ^^

And, you know, I'd like to know what happened to mini-zolom too... just a few words in passing maybe, at the end of the story. Kind of like Scrat's adventures in Ice Age! lol

[identity profile] escarboucle.livejournal.com 2009-06-27 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
Crack!Fic, but good fic nonetheless XD

I can't wait to see the following chapter(s?) XD

Thank you for sharing :)