Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy!

Always

Tifa stood at the sink, finishing up the dishes, glancing occasionally at Cloud. He looked like he was deep in thought. About what, though? Tifa thought to herself, as she placed drinking glasses up in the cabinet. She wanted to talk to him before the night owls began pouring into Seventh Heaven; she wouldn't get the chance until tomorrow. She knew Cloud wouldn't break the silence.

"Cloud?"

Tifa could feel his eyes on her. She was always afraid that she would do something wrong and make him want to leave again.

"Yeah, Tifa?"

He was patient, while she managed to ask, "Are you gonna leave again?"

She looked away from the dishes to meet his eyes, which were full of confusion. "I took the rest of the week off, so I don't have any deliveries till next week. Did I not mention that?"

She shook her head. "That's not what I meant..."

He stood up from the table and walked over to her. Cloud wrapped his arms around her. "Tifa..."

She let him hold her as she continued, "It's just that...well, you've been acting...different...lately." The only way she could keep her voice from shaking was to speak quietly.

Cloud rested his chin on top of her head and breathed in her sweet scent. "No," he replied, just as quietly. "I'm not leaving. I don't know if I would have the strength to do that again. To you or the kids."

"Then why?"

She pulled away slightly to look up at him, but he didn't meet her gaze. Instead, Cloud looked at the floor. Tifa laid her hand against his cheek. "Cloud?" She could see loss and pain in his eyes.

His voice shook as he said, "It's been...three years...since..."

Tifa understood at once. Of course he would act differently. He still feels guilty for what happened, she thought. Tifa wrapped her arms around him. "Aeris," she whispered.

He nodded once, tightening his arms around her.

"Cloud, I don't want to make you feel worse, but I really need to ask you something."

"I'm listening."

She took a deep breath. "Did you...love Aeris?"

He paused for a minute, trying to find the right words. "In a way.... It's not the same as my love for you."

Tifa's heart could have burst out of her chest at that moment, but another question came to her. "Would you have chosen her...if Sephiroth hadn't..."

Cloud interrupted her to kiss her lips softly. "No. You'll always be the woman I truly love, Tifa."

Kinda corny I know, but it just came to me out of nowhere. Please comment! ^_^