Tidus knelt on the seat across from Cloud, head stuck out the window to gaze at the fireworks. It was Tidus' first time on a ferris wheel—actually, it was his first time at the Gold Saucer in general, but it had been worth the hour-long wait in line. Tidus seemed to be having the time of his life.

"Look at those ones, Cloud!" Tidus grinned, staring at the green, red, and blue sparkles that rose up and exploded in the air.

Cloud sat on the seat across from Tidus, his arms folded gently across his chest. He leaned forward just enough to peek out the window beside him and gaze upon the brilliant display of lights that were filling the sky.

"Yeah, they're pretty nice," he replied. Tidus ducked his head back inside the window, and turned to Cloud, brows raised.

"You're not having fun, are you?"

"Yes, I am," Cloud assured him, giving him a small smile.

"Then why do you look so sad?" Tidus asked, slumping down to sit properly in his seat. Cloud regretted that his emotions must have been written all over his face. He let out a sigh.

"Just thinking about the last time I was here. Aerith was telling me how she hoped that someday she could meet the real me. I had no idea what she meant back then," Cloud explained. Tidus paused, and stared at the blond across from him, whose eyes were now staring out the window. He looked so deep in thought.

"Cloud, those experiments at Shinra... They really changed you, didn't they?" Tidus asked, frowning.

"I guess between the experiments and losing Zack... I really did lose sight of who I was," Cloud replied. His gaze was still far from Tidus'. Tidus pondered Cloud's words for a moment, and his eyes wandered down to the floorboards below him.

"Does it still bother you sometimes?" he asked, quietly, scuffing his boots back and forth across the floor of the ferris wheel cart somewhat nervously. Cloud glanced at Tidus, and fought back another sigh. Great work, Cloud, he mentally scolded himself. You've managed to depress him on your night out.

"Sometimes," Cloud nodded. "But I know who I am now."

Tidus looked up when he saw Cloud get up from his seat. His eyes fluttered closed as Cloud pressed a soft kiss to his lips. He gave the older blond a curious look when they pulled away.

"You make it clear," Cloud smiled, softly. He averted his gaze in embarrassment when Tidus proceeded to stare at him, a look of amazement and gratitude etched into his features.

"I'm glad," Tidus finally said. Cloud nodded, sheepishly, and turned to move back to his seat, but Tidus caught him by the hand.

"Wait. Why don't you... sit over here?" Tidus asked. Cloud obliged, and sat down next to Tidus, who kept Cloud's warm hand in his own.

"Hey, look at those fireworks!" Tidus beamed, pointing out the window. He let out an excited chuckle, and Cloud squeezed his hand.

"They're beautiful," Cloud smiled, and this time, he really meant it.

A/N: So, obviously, I was going with the idea that Cloud went on his first Gold Saucer date with Aerith (even though when I played it, I got Barret, haha). Cloud and Tidus are already a couple in this as well, in case you didn't already figure that out. Anyway, Happy Cloud/Tidus day (July 10, aka: 10/7/2014)!