Disclaimer: Final Fantasy does not belong to me. Good enough, Square?
Night time, specifically between 11pm and 1am, was Cloud's time. Every night, after Tifa, Denzel, and Marlene were all in bed, he would climb out onto the roof to relax and unwind. He lay on the rooftop, hands under the back of his head, staring up into the star-filled night sky. Cloud reflected on his current life and couldn't help but feel that things were good. Really good. The planet was safe for the time being, The 7th Heaven was doing well, and the delivery service he started had really taken off. Among other things, Barret and the gang dropped by to visit now and again, and Denzel and Marlene were doing well in school. Cloud closed his eyes as a gentle breeze blew by, swaying his spiky hair slightly.
"It's a good life, isn't it?" The voice startled Cloud. He snapped his eyes open and turned his head. Zack Fair, SOLDIER First Class, was lying next to him, staring at the sky, hands folded on his stomach. "There aren't many who get the opportunity to enjoy a life like ours. We're a couple of the lucky ones, huh?" He rolled onto his side, propping himself up with his elbow and resting his head on his hand. He smiled with that big, goofy grin that Cloud remembered.
"Yeah," Cloud responded. "we really are lucky." He turned his head back towards the night sky. "We have good friends somebody to love, and great memories both shared and not. It's almost a miracle that we've led such exciting lives, ya know?"
"But there's always those times everyone has at some point in their lives where, despite how minor or great, tragedy strikes and they're forced to push onwards. For me, it was when SOLDIER collapsed from the inside out and when Angeal died. For you, well…I know of one particular event that fit's the description, but I'm pretty sure there are plenty of other things." Zack's mako-infused eyes were downcast at the reminiscence.
Cloud looked over at his downtrodden friend. "Hey," he started, "don't worry Zack. Plenty has happened, but I've always pulled through. No matter what, I'll continue to survive. No matter what…"
Zack regained his happy-go-lucky composure. "Thanks Cloud. Geez, who would've ever thought that you would be the one doing all the talking for once?" He chuckled at his small joke. "Ya know, discounting Angeal, who was more a big brother to me, you were my closest friend. I knew you'd do well in the end. . Well, I have to go. Plans with Aerith." Zack stood up. "Oh, by the way, I'd like to thank you, and by extension, Tifa, for not forgetting about me."
Cloud's eyes met his friend's and he said with a smile, "I couldn't even if I tried, Zack." The two broke out into laughter.
After settling down, Zack got back on track. "I'll see you around, buddy." With a smile and a salute, Zack slowly faded away in many tendrils of green light. Without getting up, Cloud returned the salute to the empty space next to him.
Cloud heard a window open below. He sat up to check what it was. Tifa, in her pajamas, climbed up onto the roof. She looked at Cloud with a quizzical expression. "What's going on? I heard laughter…"
Cloud stood up and hugged her. "It was nothing," he told her. "just a good talk with an old friend." Tifa just continued to look at him questioningly. He could only smile at her. The two sat down on the rooftop and watched all the stars in the night sky. A shooting star flew across in a streak of white light. Cloud thought to himself, "Zack, thanks for watching over us." Cloud had never smiled as much in his life as he had that night.
Please forgive if it feels a little drabbly. Accepting ideas for FFVII stories. Credit given to those who send me prompts to write. Please review so I know how I'm doing and can continue to improve.