Cloud walked over to the Cliff's edge, simply staring out at the ruins of Midgar.
Standing there unmoving, Cloud waited silently, as the sun started to fall, and twilight hit the dawn.
And gently, ever so softly, a presence grew behind him. Growing and growing, until he could feel the smile behind him, could smell the hint of warm honey and Mako in the air.
Cloud smiled.
"Hey, Zack."
Warmth trailed down his spine, a slight pressure against his back and Cloud fought the urge to turn, knowing that if he did, the warmth would vanish.
"Do you…remember what you asked me to do, before you left that first time?" Zack seemed to wilt a bit and started to move away, but Cloud shook his head.
"Don't be sad." He murmured, looking up. "You told me to live for the both of us, right? You basically told me not to die until I'm two hundred." Zack laughed. "Well…if you factor in Angeal too…make that like four hundred." Zack jerked upright, and turned, wrapping his arms around Cloud's waist.
"Yes…I remember now. What we had…before Nibelheim." Cloud snorted. "I told you that Town was a hell on the planet." Zack snorted.
"Well…I guess living day to day is hard…but I'm doing it, right?" Zack snorted again. "I know I can do better, but I'm learning, okay? I really don't have the house with a white picket fence and three and a half children you always thought I deserved-" Zack was laughing into Cloud's back now, and Cloud had a distant smile on his face, watching the sun continue to slip down the horizon. "But I'm…content. Tifa's pregnant, you know." Zack bolted back up right. "Yea, looks like Rude finally did something right after she stopped pursuing me."
A fist hit his shoulder and Cloud rolled his eyes, turning to the side.
"You know I am firmly gay, and even if I wasn't, she deserves better than some half living outcast-" before he could continue a hand clapped over his mouth, and Cloud blinked. The hand let go, and Cloud sighed.
"Okay, okay I'm sorry. I know you don't like it when I talk like that…" Zack hit him on the back, and Cloud rolled his eyes. "And no I will not lick your hand. You really don't have one anymore, remember?" Zack started laughing, and Cloud sighed.
"Just wanted to give you an update, is all." Zack propped his chin on Cloud's shoulder when the blond looked up into the night sky, wrapping both his arms around Cloud's shoulders.
"I miss you. It's…hard…but I'll keep going." Cloud sighed, and then as the moon rose, Zack's arms vanished from around him.
Instantly Cloud collapsed onto his knees, and stared at the Buster Sword, his own reflection staring back.
A single tear fell and Cloud turned away, standing tall while staring at the moon, letting the tear fall.
I'll get by.
But I miss you.