Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII.
Cloud's Goodbye
"Don't you love me?"
Cloud blinked as he stared at the Mako flowing below him. "Aeris? Is that you?"
"Cloud, you know who it is. Don't you love me?"
"How are you talking to me?"
"My heart."
He shook his head and sat down. "Aeris, I…"
"Cloud, tell me the truth."
"I…I can't love someone who's gone. You're dead, Aeris. I'm sorry."
"Cloud, you knew I loved you."
"Yes."
"And you knew Tifa loved you."
"Yes."
"Did you know who you loved?"
"No."
"But you've made your decision because I died?"
"No, Aeris, that's not it. It took your death to realize I always loved Tifa. I always wanted to be with her, even when I was a kid. I'm…sorry…"
"Cloud, don't be sorry. I always knew," the saddened voice echoed.
He stood and said, "Aeris, I came here because I never got to say goodbye."
"I know."
He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "I-" The sound of the Highwind's jets powering up filled his ears. "I have to go, Aeris. Goodbye. I'll see you again someday. Hopefully not too soon," he joked.
"Goodbye, Cloud Strife. I await your return to me."
The mercenary ran from the City of the Ancients, enjoying the wind flowing through his hair. His true love was waiting for him on that airship just ahead, not Aeris. His true love was the one he was engaged to, not Aeris. His true love was the one who helped him find himself again, not Aeris. She was Tifa Lockheart, not Aeris Gainsborough.