A/N: Hey! This is my first FFVII fanfic story. It's been 3 years since I wrote anything on this site and oh boy thanks to Tifa Lockhart. She inspired me to clear the clutter off my head and start dusting of my keyboard. *cracking knuckles* This story is dedicated to Tifa fans out there who thinks she deserves better than being with Cloud. hahahah! I just wrote this in 15 minutes tops so don't expect perfection.
This is story has lots of angst so bare with me but expect a happy Cloti ending. Enjoy!
Cloud was bustling his way trying to get through the walls. Panting heavily, he pushed the closed door of an old ruin church as if it's the last time he will ever do it. His steps where haltered by a bright light from above descending towards him as he shielded his eye from the brightness of it. He didn't know how it happened but of all of a sudden, he found Aerith in his arms looking lifeless but breathing. Her head falling back on his right arm as he shifted it towards his chest to see her face looking as beautiful as ever.
"Aerith?" He breathes her name like it's the first time he saw her again. Her red hair hasn't change a bit. Her skin as flawless as ever and her flowery scent that is so like her is just the same. How he missed her for the past 4 months after getting cured of Geostigma. That was the last time he was with her and by then he realized he longed for her so much.
He thought he was over his guilt, he thought he was okay by now but as the months went by he knew he needed to see her, be with her again even for just a single moment.
"Mmm". The flower girl slowly stirred and opened her eyes as for the first time she was being brought back to life.
Warm green hazel eyes met cerulean eyes and longing emotions can no longer be hidden as two smiles light up each other faces.
"You're back now" Cloud whispers as he hugged her head tightly closer to his chest burying his head to her neck. His heart beating faster holding her as if afraid to let her go.
"I am and I missed you". She murmurs while lifting her left arm as she brushes her finger tips to his jaw up to his lower neck feeling the heat. She needs him, she needs to know that she was alive again to make him realize the words and feelings that were left unsaid between them.
She knows that he has not realize it yet and he needed to show him what he has been missing all along even if it means for her coming back again to his life.
They stayed like that for awhile as if all those years of being separated had led them to this very moment.
Meanwhile, ruby sad and blurry eyes are silently observing through the doors of the old ruin church. A small melancholy smile grazes her lips as the back of her hand wipes the lonely tear that escape her eye. She tried to hold it as long as she can but it slipped through as if escaping the hurt she has within. She painfully swallowed a sob as her right hand holds tight to her chest trying to numb the hurt by the sight of her friend's reunion. She composes herself and sigh heavily knowing he's happy now after, all this is what she wants for him.
Tifa Lockhart knew what she was getting into when he agreed to help Cloud bring Aerith back to life. She's his best friend after all, both of them are and she can't hold anything to Aerith. She sacrificed her life and saved the world twice even saving Cloud so he's still here living with her. Yeah physically with her but emotionally a miles away far from her.
After he's been cured of Geogstigma, you thought he'll finally stay with you and the children? You thought he would have the time to finally notice you after all these years? She laugh at the absurdity of her presumption as the little voice back in her head try to talk some sense into her. Sometimes, talking to yourself is the best thing to see things in perspective even if it makes you a fool. After all, all she have is herself and she needs to stay strong not just for herself but the children. No, she does not need a hero that's for sure. She does not need Cloud in her life but she wants him and that's made all the difference between her and Aerith.
Aerith always seem to need a protector or a hero of some sort and Cloud was that one for her. But Tifa, no she was done playing the damsel in distress long before. She loves Cloud just who he is, the boy in the neighborhood she grew up with. Sure she did once forced him to be her knight in shining armor if she ever be in a bind but isn't what every little girls dream until reality throws them under the bus?
"They're happy now. That's what is important right?". Convincing herself that this is what is best for the three of them.
"But will you be okay Tifa?" Her little ninja friend walks closer behind her as she puts a hand on her shoulder.
"I have to be". She smiled with hurting eyes evident on her gaze as she turn around and look at her ninja friend. "Thanks Yuffie for helping us".
"Prff! Helping "US" more like helping only Cloud." The little ninja sarcastically said. " Now, don't get me wrong. I love Aerith and of course it's good to have her back but Tifa, you can't just give up like that on him. Okay, I know that chocobo head is a pain in the neck and oblivious to everything but I know he cares for you and you for him. Maybe you see things differently, but I know he has feeling for you even a blind man can see duh, he just does not know it yet. You better fight for it you know. It's not like they're married yet for Gaia's sake!".
Sometimes, her little ninja friend can be overtly optimistic and she wish she has that kind of optimism too. "I know. But you're not the one who is with him all the time, seeing him so distant and lost, hearing him calling Aerith's name as he sleep. No you, you are not there Yuffie." She said with a pause. She shook her head and sadly continues. " And even if he cares for me I don't think I can compete with Aerith. She's my friend and I know she loves Cloud too. That's something I can't do to both of them."
"Even if you are miserable?" The ninja had to make her question her statement. Tifa can be so good to be true. Yeah like hell, sometimes her goodness is just too much. Cloud does not know what he's missing.
"No, I am happy for them. I don't feel miserable Yuffie." As Tifa hold her friends hand and inhales deeply to calm herself. "We should go now. Give them their moment." She said as she urges her friend to leave the church.
Yuffie unconvincingly follows Tifa shaking her head as she tries to process everything. "What are you gonna do now? What about the kids? Are Cloud and Aerith going to stay in that one roof with you? Can you take that?" Gaia, Tifa think. Yuffie screams inwardly. She wants to scold her friend sometimes for being too nice.
Yuffie's words hit Tifa with a stark realization of things she has do deal with. She thought that the pain would be over after having to see Cloud being happy but no, she has to face the aftermath of what's to come. Cloud moving with Aerith, Cloud leaving her and the kids, Cloud and Aeirth getting married. And her? She does not know yet but she knows she's tough for this. She'll move on of course ... as if she have any other choice...
"I don't know yet". She replies heavily to her ninja friend. "But I can assure you I'll be alright. I guess it's time to move on and find my own happiness Yuff." She squeezed her friend's hand lightly and smiled as they slowly walk back into the bar.
On that day, Tifa Lockhart walked forward to her future strong as ever forgetting the painful memories she had with him but only carrying the good ones. She's finally letting go and moving on.
His boots are worn out, his black leather jacket and helmet thick with dust. The road ahead becomes all grey blurry as his sweaty gloves try to wipe out his dusty goggles. He's been driving for 4 hours and he looks exhausted under the blaring heat of the sun. The heat is just too much today and he needs a stop to rest. He's throat is parched from the long drive but it's all gonna be worth it right. He's going to visit an old friend. Last time he heard, she's running a bar in Midgar. After all, they've ended in good terms when they both chose different paths as they left Nibelheim years ago.. It would be good to see her once again.
A warm content smile formed in his lips as he saw the sign of 7th Heaven indicating his long journey has finally come to an end.
To be continued ...who's that guy?