Drabble #83: Letter

Summary: It doesn't matter if they're written or spoken, those three words still break your heart

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix

Cloud knew something wasn't right when he entered the kitchen and the three people sitting at the table fell silent. Marlene and Denzel kept giving him curious glances as he took his seat but Tifa was staring thoughtfully at the table surface. After a moment, he was starting to get annoyed.

"What's going on?"

Now all three were staring at him with similar looks of surprise and disbelief. Marlene still had her spoon of cereal half way to her mouth.

"Didn't you see it?" Denzel asked slowly. Cloud frowned and looked to Marlene who still hadn't moved at all. When he looked at Tifa she was looking at him as if he had sprouted another head.

"I thought you would be the one to see her, not us...I mean, in the Church that time you said...and when Meteor was destroyed you were the only one to..." she began but Marlene had suddenly snapped out of her trance.

"I saw her!" Marlene said with a hint of annoyance. Tifa smiled gently.

"I meant on the airship," she explained and Marlene nodded in understanding. Cloud swallowed thickly and stared at Tifa.

"Aeris?" he asked. She nodded, never breaking eye contact. Cloud looked down at the table. "But why?"

"I don't know," she sighed. "She appeared in the kids' room and said she couldn't stay very long. She asked me to give you this." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a white envelope. Cloud stared at the neatly looped writing on the front.

"She went into the wrong room by mistake," Marlene added. "But said she didn't have time to go and see you."

Cloud was hardly listening as he ripped the envelope open and took the letter out.

Dear Cloud,

I'm sorry I couldn't give this to you personally, the Planet thinks I've seen you too much already and said I could only give you this message if I asked someone else. I knew Tifa wouldn't keep it from you.

Firstly, I want to say that I'm glad that you are okay now and have forgiven yourself. I hated seeing you so sad. Everything's alright now though, isn't it? Be strong Cloud, for me. I know you've got it in you. Look after Tifa and the children, say hello to everyone for me please.

However, the reason I wanted to give you this wasn't to discuss your feelings but rather mine. I wanted to say this so many times on our journey but I could never find the right moment. Now, writing it seems just as hard but I have to say it now so that there is never doubt in your mind again. I love you. I always have and I always will.

Yours,

Aeris x

"What does it say Cloud?" Marlene asked curiously. Cloud folded it up and put it in his pocket, smiling at the girl.

"Never you mind," he replied playfully, ruffling her hair. She giggled and moved her head away. Cloud stared at her for a moment and, in that one moment, he was sure he saw Aeris flashing behind those hazel eyes.