A/N: Just a very, very short piece that was running through my head.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
It took Cloud a long time before he felt it was really okay that he lived with Tifa and built a life with her and the kids. At first he felt as though he had no right to be around any of them, and he was scared to death about being there. He was afraid he would hurt them again. Afraid that he would be hurt. Afraid that he couldn't give what they wanted--what they needed.
It took longer still before he began to feel as if he really belonged there, and even longer before he believed he might have something to offer them in return. To offer her in return. And then to drag up the courage to go out and buy a ring.
He kept it in a drawer for three days before working up the resolve to give it to her, and when he did, all of the words he wanted to say, the one question he wanted to ask, slipped from his grasp like sand sliding through his fingers. He stood there stupidly, holding a thin band out toward her, mouth clamped shut as though someone had glued it there.
Her gaze flickered from the ring to his face, her eyes widening with realization. She whispered, her voice hoarse, "Cloud, are you--are you asking me--?"
Cloud found that he could at least nod, and then mercifully, his jaw unlocked and he was able to say, "Yes," watching her apprehensively, terrified of her response.
Tifa stared a moment longer before abruptly bursting into tears, and then he was absolutely panicked. Maybe she didn't want this. Maybe she hated the ring. Maybe he should have--
His fears dissolved--mostly--when she flung her arms around him and, still sobbing, but laughing through her tears, said, "Yes."
-fin-