Happy Ever After
The blonde sighed as he heard the children running around upstairs, trying to get ready for bed as quickly as possible. He couldn't believe Tifa had left them in his care. He couldn't look after them!
Knowing he had no other choice, he pushed his chair back and made his way up the stairs, heavy steps showing his equally heavy heart.
He pushed open the door, peeking inside to check that they were in bed. They were. Their blankets came up to their necks as they sat up, backs propped against their headboards.
"Tell us a bedtime story Cloud!" Marlene cried after he was silent for a little too long. The warrior blinked at her, his eyes travelling to Denzel to see if this was some kind of joke.
However, their wide, excited eyes told him otherwise and he groaned. Tifa hadn't told him about this!
"I want something with Princesses in! And love!" Marlene cried.
"I want battles!" Denzel argued.
Cloud watched as the two glanced at each other before they turned to him with equally bright smiles.
"A Happy ever after!" They cheered.
Suddenly, the blonde's confusion was replaced by anger. How old were they now? Eight? Nine? Either way, how could they still believe that…crap? How could Tifa have kept them so sheltered?
"No." He muttered coldly, watching them stare at him in confusion.
"There are no happy ever afters. Believing in them is just a waste of your time."
With that, he shut the door, leaving the hurt and confused children alone in their rooms. He stormed down the corridors into his own room, slamming and locking the door behind him before he picked up a small photo frame, which held a small picture of Avalanche together and in it, was the image of his happiness.
…Aeris…