Disclaimer: I own nothing! All characters belong to Square Enix.
Bright-Eyed Boy
By Catsitta
Do you remember when we first met, Cloud? How I pushed you in the mud because all the others told me to. You cried, I think. Not that you let anyone see your tears. You just kept all bottle up inside, but I could see the hurt in your eyes. I know I never told you…but I am sorry.
I'm sorry for all the times we fought. For all the times you tried to save me from myself and I pushed you away. I'm sorry for being selfish. But you know what? I'm not sorry for loving you, even if you could never love me back.
I don't know when I started to think of you as more than just a friend. Perhaps…perhaps I always have and just never realized it until the world was dying all around us. You were so strong, Cloud, fighting to save the Planet and carrying the burden on yourself. Though why did you have to do it alone? Strength can be put together, augmented, shared. I could have helped you, if only you had let me in.
All those dreams you let crumble into dust, just because you did not feel good enough. Why? It was not your fault. None of it is. From when the bridge collapsed and I spent a week in a coma, to when Sephiroth came back from the dead: none of it could be blamed on you. Yet, in those blue eyes of yours, I always see regret, guilt, anguish. Beneath that desperation, was there ever a drop of hope?
People told me to move on. That my heart was only going to get broken.
SOLDIER boys always run off to war and never come home.
You promised me, Cloud, that you would. That you would come home and keep me safe, no matter where you were and how far it was away. You went chasing dreams and idols. You wanted to be strong. You wanted to prove that there was more to the little blond kid that you were than just empty prayers.
Maybe I should have listened to them. Maybe I should have given up. Maybe now, I would not have my heart being broken into a thousand pieces. Then again, would my heart have shattered less had I only see you as my friend? You knew all my secrets Cloud and you kept all your own. Is there something I could have done? Should have done?
Because instead of the bright-eyed boy I know, before me lays a stranger. A stranger with mako-tainted eyes like yours. And silly chocobo hair like yours. But he lay deathly silent, a broken doll on the pavement. How did this happen, Cloud? When did this happen? You were supposed to be unbreakable, my protector…yet your motorcycle is a twisted heap of metal and your body hidden with a sheet.
Please tell me that this is not you Cloud.
Please tell me that my bright-eyed friend is still at Seventh Heaven, asleep in his room up above the bar. Please tell me that is not your bike mangled beyond recognition. Please tell me that you have not forgotten your promise Cloud, to always be there for me.
Cloud…Please wake up.
I love you.
Fin
A/N: Why did I write this? I have no friggin' clue. But it ties in with 'Fourth Time's the Charm.' Anywho, reviews are loved!
Word Count: 542