He's been here before
Too many times to count, bathed in white light too bright to open his eyes, two pairs of hands on his body, one small and soft, the other big and calloused, both trying to get in as many touches as possible before the Planet threw him back into the world of the living. He could never open his eyes but he knew them, Aerith's gentle giggle, like she knew something that no one else did, and Zack's easy country drawl.
I want to stay, he tried to tell the every time, but the Planet drowned out his pleas, sweeping them off and scattering them through the lifestream until they beat again in his ears. Let me stay let me stay let me stay im tired please just let me stay with them
They seemed to know though, petting his forehead and whispering sentiments that wouldn't ever leave this place, that would exist in this world in between just for them, secrets and promises and one day we'll all be together again one day you'll stop hurting one day one day
When he feels the dragon digging its claws into his back his first thoughts are, absurdly, I grew up in Nibelheim I should have known better and Zack's going to love this. So when he fades out and fades back into a somewhere so white that it burns the backs of his eyelids he's not really surprised. He's grown to crave these fleeting moments, the closest thing he can get to peace and it's really a shame that he has to throw himself on the claws of a dragon to get there.
What he's not expecting, however, his Aerith's cool hand on his forehead as she whispers, "Open your eyes."
The Planet doesn't even need to steal his words this time, he doesn't know what to say.
"Now Spike, don't keep the pretty lady waiting," it's so zack and then aerith laughs and it hurts they've never done this before laughing and teasing and he's never ached this much before
Lips press a kiss to his temple and he flinches, it's too much and they must be almost out of time, and that's when Zack finally gets it even though Aerith must have known what he was thinking the whole time, as usual
"Open your eyes, dragon bait. We've been waiting for you," Zack says and Cloud doesn't need to open his eyes to see the fond smile on his face but he does and oh wow…
There they are, as flawless as ever, Zack's happy grin and Aerith's little smile and he's not sure if he'll ever catch his breath but he supposes he doesn't need to anymore
Naturally he's buried under a pile of bodies within seconds, subject to nuzzling and hugs and a mouth full of Zack's stupid hair. Aerith notices the tears on his cheeks and leans forward to kiss them away. Cloud closes his eyes again and takes it all in, soaking it up like sunshine, he's finally here this is finally happening and he wasn't sure if he could love them more than he did already but
Time is tricky in the lifestream, hours blend into seconds, and he's not sure how he lays there cuddling when them but it could be longer than his lifetime for all he cares, it could be forever, but Zack moves his big butt and drags Cloud to his feet, nearly bouncing in place and Cloud feels more tears well up unexpectedly in his eyes
He turns to look at Aerith, beautiful Aerith, all green eyes and sage wisdom and smiles just for him. There's so much he wants to say to both of them, to her, but she's smiling and it doesn't matter because they've got all the time in the world
"Someone else wants to say hello…" She grins and points over his shoulder and Cloud feels his heart skip another beat because it's always just been the two of them in this place but maybe
Cloud turns to see a shimmer of silver hair, a soft, apologetic smile under gentle green eyes and his heart sings
He's finally home.
0-FIN-0
…we're just gonna pretend that it hasn't been two years since I posted anything, okie dokie? I was watching Advent Children and suddenly this happened. I don't really know how or why.