A/N: Sentimental moment took me over for this little oneshot. It's set after the whole thing when Tifa goes into the hills, Cloud follows her and she gets hurt. I have never actually witnessed this since I haven't been able to play the game yet but this is what I've been told. It got me to thinking what things would be like between them after all of that and so here's what was produced. Enjoy, R&R, and I own nothing FFVII (Cloud hasn't come in the mail yet, darn). And for understanding purposes, flashback is in italics.

"Take My Hand…Walk Me Home"

By MakoRain

The dancing flames cast shadows throughout the room, crackling to mix with the music gliding all around. Tifa's fingers grazed the box lovingly and lifted its lid to play its song-their song. The fire mingled with the chiming notes pulled at her mind and soon she was back to that cold December day, debating if she should venture out into the snowy wonderland or wait till it cleared.

She had nothing to be afraid of really, but ever since Shin-Ra moved in with his mako reactors Tifa no longer felt safe in her home town. How absurd that just the man's presence could make her so…uneasy. Plus, after her accident, things had been different…with her friends, her dad, Cloud.

As if on cue, Cloud was beside her, standing with her and surveying their surroundings. Just his presence made her feel better and more willing to face the cool walk ahead of her through all of that snow, only if he was coming with.

Why did she have to get hurt? It wasn't his fault and she was sorrier than ever she had ever been so stupid. If only she could take it all back and not have this even more awkward silence between them. He saved her and did nothing to hurt her and yet it was more strained then ever before with him.

Tifa looked back carefully and couldn't fight her blush. What was wrong with her? Just take his hand, let him know it's okay, tell him you don't care what everyone thinks, that it doesn't matter, as long as he's happy.

With the internal struggle going on in her head, she almost missed what Cloud said.

"Are you walking home, Tifa?"

Her mind stopped and she smiled at him. Of course she was going home…where else could she go?

"Yes."

And with a nod of his head, Cloud took a tentative step forward which she matched easily. Soon they had a good pace going and made some distance down the road when Tifa's hand brushed up against his and before she could pull back, she kept her hand there comfortably, waiting for what would happen next.

Her cheeks were on fire when she turned to face Cloud and saw his bright blue eyes shining back at her accompanied by her fingers surrounding hers quite nicely. She gave his hand a little squeeze and saw his smile brighten to almost match hers. That's when she knew that nothing mattered, nothing but her hand in his where it would be always.

The crackle of the fire was all she could her and she looked down to see the music box finished with its melodies. Tifa closed it carefully and held it while gazing into the fire before turning its key to revive its song. The music once again poured out of the mahogany box and lulled her into comfortable solitude…except she wasn't really alone.

"I only have eyes for you," was whispered in her ear before he slid next to her on the sofa in front of the fire. Cloud put his hand around hers and pulled her close to snuggle in front of the flames while they drifted off with their song, as it was meant to be.

The End