Drabble #62: Photograph
Summary: The hurt never stops…
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix
The blonde sighed as he stared aimlessly out of the window. It wasn't because there was anything interesting going on outside, he could just think easier when gazing out at nothing.
"Cloud!" came the shout of Tifa's voice. "Dinner is ready!"
"I'll be down in a second!" Cloud called back, exiting the room and making his way downstairs. Halfway down the staircase, however, he stopped and slowly backtracked. There, hanging on the wall was a photograph that definitely hadn't been there before. Normally he didn't care about what pictures Tifa or the kids put up but this one – this one affected him.
"Cloud!" Tifa's half shout cut off when she realised he was on the stairs. Her eyes glanced at the photo he was looking at and she swallowed.
"I found it," she explained. "I thought it was nice…for Marlene. You know how she talks about…"
"Yeah," Cloud cut her off quickly, his eyes still focussed on the picture. It was one of just him and Aeris. He remembered it being taken, at the Gold Saucer, the first time the group had gone. It had been for a laugh, to lighten spirits but now Cloud just felt empty when he looked at it. Knowing that he would never see that smile again or see those eyes sparkle with her laughter, it was agony. He remembered how he had stuffed it in the attic somewhere after they had finished their journey. He couldn't stand to look at it.
"Are you coming for dinner?" Tifa asked. Cloud took a moment to reply.
"Yeah," he said meekly. "Just give me a moment."
She left without another word and Cloud continued to stare as he felt his eyes burning but he quickly blinked back any tears that might be forming.
"It's never stopped hurting Aeris," he whispered softly, his hand travelling down her face. "It never will."
After a moment more he left for the kitchen. He would return the photo to its rightful place tomorrow.