AN This is just a drabble thing that popped into my head and wouldn't leave. It's not up to my usual standard, but I thought I'd publish it anyway.
Cloud stared at the ghost-like figure of his friend Aerith, the last Cetra.
"What's wrong?" He asked, because as much as he'd like to believe otherwise, the Ancient didn't usually leave the lifestream for social calls.
"Nothing's wrong Cloud." She assured with a smile. "I'm just here to give you an option."
Cloud said nothing, still on the alert for danger.
"The Planet was drained badly by what it took to fend off Meteor, and the geostigma." Aerith stated bluntly. "It will recover, but it'll take some time. If you take the option to go back, and prevent everything from happening, then you will be tasked with preventing this."
Cloud raised an eyebrow. "Go back?"
The Cetra nodded. "I know how you've blamed yourself. This could be the only way you'll stop, so I thought I'd offer it."
Cloud stared at her for a long moment, before shaking his head, smirking.
"What?" Aerith asked, warily.
"I've stopped blaming myself." Cloud answered. "And I like the way life's turned out. Sure, there's less people on Gaia than there was twenty years ago, and I still miss you and Zack, but apart from that, life's great. I've got a great family, great job, and I'm happy with it."
"You could have it all, including Zack and I, if you went back." Aerith retorted, curious to his reply.
"No I couldn't." Cloud shook his head, regret flashing across his chiselled features. "If I fixed everything, Marlene and Denzel would still be with their biological families. If Corel wasn't destroyed by Shin-Ra, Barret wouldn't have his gun arm, and he definitely wouldn't have Marlene if Dyne was still alive. If Shinra hadn't blown up Sector Seven, Denzel would have moved to sector five with his family. Maybe they'd be happier, but I'm selfish. I want to keep them in my life."
"Why?" Aerith asked, not out of malice but to see his answer.
"Because I promised Denzel to teach him how to take care of Fenrir, and Marlene wants to visit Wutai one day, and I need to teach them both to drive before they go. Because they sometimes want a bedtime story and won't get into bed until they have one. Because Denzel asked if he could call me dad. I love those kids, and I wouldn't give them up for anything. Not even you Aerith." Cloud smiled gently at the Ancient, before turning away. "Goodbye."
Aerith smiled, before fading back into the lifestream.
Is he happy?
Yes Zack. He is.