Tifa stared into the dark room, lit only from the moonlight streaming in through the window. She watched as he dropped his head into his hands, curling his fingers into fists in his hair. She had seen how much it hurt him, just going through the everyday motions. It pained her, seeing him try to go on, try to take care of them, while there was still a vital part of him missing. She didn't know if it could ever be found again. He would have to face more than the ghosts that haunted his waking moments; they were only the surface of his fears. As silent sobs wracked his body, tears slipped down her own face and she put a hand to her mouth to quiet them. Under normal circumstances he would have known she was there; sensed her presence and hidden this from her. But he had let his guard down; open and vulnerable where he sat before her. She hesitantly reached out an arm as if to touch him, comfort him, then pulled it back. It wouldn't matter what she did. Cloud would always stay out of everyone's reach, especially hers. He would always make it his burden to bear...
Alone.
(A/N: Inspired by "Pieces of Cloud Strife" on youtube. Song-Pieces. Artist-Red)