Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy

A little bit of romance just in time for valentines day!

Together, Always

Cloud shuffled his feet and nervously pulled at the bow tie around his neck. He could feel beads of sweat forming on his brow, and it troubled him. In every fight, even against Sephiroth, Bahamut, Jenova, all of them, he had not experienced anxiety such as this.

"Nervousness looks strange on you Cloud," remarked Vincent from his position next to him. Cloud looked up in shock; he had hoped his failure to control his emotions had gone unnoticed. Hiding his embarrassment he broke his friends gaze.

"I'm not…ties too tight, that's all," he mumbled, trying to save face.

He looked away from his smirking friend, to gaze across the gathered crowd. There were dozens of familiar faces gathered there in the old church, testament to the travels of the group and the great deeds they had accomplished together. Even the Turks had gathered there, their once enemies now considered to be close friends. It was a sight that he supposed should make him feel more at ease, but the idea of all these people watching…

He was given no more time to fret over the forthcoming events however as the organ began to sound and the moment was upon him. There were excited murmurs from the crowd as Marlene appeared, clothed somewhat reluctantly in a pink dress and escorted by Denzel who looked as nervous as Cloud felt. As the pair made their way towards the altar, however, they both shot him equally broad grins before going to stand opposite to him, waiting for the rest of the procession. Cid and Shera were next, Cid managing to look remarkably distinguished for once, accompanied by Red and Reeve, all shooting him smiles of encouragement before gathering with the children.

As the organ music rose into a crescendo and Cloud felt that he could hardly bear the tension anymore, Yuffie appeared dressed in a strikingly sophisticated gold dress beaming happily at everyone. If Cloud had not been so distracted by his own emotional turmoil he may have noticed Vincent's uncharacteristic turn up of the mouth as the Ninja princess turned her smile on him. But the moment passed quickly, and all heads faced the rear of the church in expectancy. There, stood on a proud Barrett's arm was Tifa, dressed in a stunning, elegant white dress, a veil covering her delicate features and slight smile, and a train stretching out behind her as she glided towards him. For Cloud it was as if time had suddenly stopped. She was so beautiful, and graceful, smiling a greeting at their friends. He could hardly hear the organ music anymore due to the thudding of blood in his ears, his entire attention centred on her, the woman he was about to marry. Would he be able to be the husband she deserved, he wondered, his anxiety flooding him. It was at that moment however that her eyes met his, and that smile invaded him.

It was then that he knew. He loved this woman, and he would do anything to give her the life she deserved. She had been through hell with him; she had seen him for who he was, all his deepest darkest secrets. When he had been lost it was she who had found him. She knew him inside out, she knew who he was, and still she wanted him. She loved him. There was no need to be nervous or scared. From this moment he had the opportunity to give back to her, to let her feel the security she had always given him. He loved her, more than anything, and now she was going to be a part of his life always. His nerves left him entirely as she reached him at the altar and he took her hands in his, and smiled back at her. She would be his wife and he would be her husband, and nothing would ever tear them apart. Together, Always.

XXXOOOXXX

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