Chapter 1: Facing Reality

It was silent that day…or more like he was silent. Pondering the questions that floated around in his mind…yet he couldn't pinpoint one individual question.

Everything was a blur to him, but he still felt like he was living a dream.

Not a dream…he wanted to believe that everything was unreal, that he was actually living a dream. Someone had kept that from happening…

He hoped that when he had the courage to finally open his eyes he would find her laying next to him. Her eyes closed, body engulfed in the bliss of relaxation.

He didn't want to live in reality; he wanted to block the pains of losing his friends out of his mind.

Zack wasn't dead…Aeris wasn't dead.

How many times has he repeated this in his head? Too many times to count, he assumed.

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Cloud finally decided to open his eyes, fed up with the lies that kept repeating in his mind. He turned around to find the orange glow from the sun shining in his face.

He had slept through most of the morning, but was well rested considering how late he had gone to bed the night before. Tifa had decided to have a little "talk" with Cloud last night after her bar had closed.

~ It was lonely and bright that night and he was spending it alone. It was only him and his lost memories. Those memories had occupied his mind most of the time no matter what he tried; he just couldn't keep his mind off her. Watching her die…it was the worst moment of his life and he blamed himself. He looked up at the stars thinking about nothing in particular.

"Long day?" A voice asked from behind him. Cloud slightly turned his head to see Tifa standing over him. That ever-present smile on her face…an emotion he didn't seem to show often. Cloud looked away and shrugged slightly. Tifa untied her apron and took a seat next to him, setting it in her lap.

They were sitting on the stairs of Tifa's bar, 7th Heaven. It had been busy in the bar earlier so Cloud had stepped outside from the noisy crowd to get some fresh air. He sat outside until Tifa closed the bar.

An awkward silence was shared between the two. Tifa took this as an opportunity as she moved closer to him and took his hand. Cloud slightly retracted his hand but Tifa held it tight. "You're thinking about her again aren't you?" Tifa asked in a light voice…with a hint of an inquisitive tone.

Cloud didn't want to answer that question but the answer was written all over his face.

"Cloud you have to forgive yourself!" Tifa's voice pleaded. "…But I…" Cloud looked back down at the wooden stairs. "What do you think she would say about the way you are acting? Huh?" Tifa prodded.

Cloud's silence filled the air. Tifa had to answer for him once again, "She would forgive you and tell you to move on." Cloud turned his attention to Tifa. "You think that I…could be forgiven?" Tifa's dark eyes met up with light blue eyes filled with the hope of a SOLDIER…she was always the one that got lost in those blue orbs. "Of course Cloud." Tifa said with a reassuring smile. Tifa could spot a faint smile amongst Cloud's lips as well, which was good enough for her.

"Come on!" Tifa said standing up and pulling Cloud with her, "Denzel and Marlene are looking for you inside!" Tifa explained eagerly pulling Cloud towards the open door to 7th heaven. Cloud nodded following her into the dim area.

"And Cloud?" Tifa said in a light tone once Cloud made it up the stairs. "Huh?" Cloud asked looking back at Tifa. "We're going to be okay." Tifa said. "Y-yea." Cloud replied with a small smile before going into Denzel's room.

He knew what she was trying to do; Tifa was trying to help him face reality. But still Cloud pretty much denied any help he could get. He felt as if the world had turned its back on him…yet he was still plagued with the sins of despair. But he didn't realize what the real problem was.

Cloud tried to close his mind off to all these thoughts when he heard the door open. Tifa gingerly stepped into the room. Cloud tried to read the expression on her face but he couldn't focus.

"Cloud, you awake?" Tifa asked in a light tone. Cloud wasn't aware that he was still laying on his side half asleep until Tifa pointed it out.

"Yea..." Cloud said sheepishly as he sat up against the backboard of the bed. His response obviously sparked some kind of light inside of Tifa as a large smile appeared on her face.

Still, Cloud knew the reason behind that smile. She was happy to see him.

He hadn't really been at the Bar that often. He stayed at the Church in the Slums. Its sweet scent always reminded him of her. At least it made him feel like there was someone out there for him. But she had to be taken from his life.

Cloud scoffed and turned to look out the window next to the bed.

Somehow Tifa completely blew his mood off, her happiness overwhelmed any other emotion she could have, remotely, been feeling.

Tifa made her way around the bed and sat next to Cloud. "You came back…" She said smiling at him. "Of course…I can't leave you here by yourself…" Cloud said quietly looking down at the plaid sheets that cloaked the bed.

Tifa placed her hand on Cloud's and gave him a smile, but it slowly diminished as she thought about what she wanted to tell him. This was Cloud's reality. Tifa, Denzel, Marlene, the bar, all his friends, even the delivery service!

Frustrated to no end, she would desperately ask herself questions and try to figure out why he refused to accept any of this. Even though Cloud wouldn't tell anyone where he disappeared to, she knew. He couldn't hide his feelings from her.

Cloud was still stuck on Aeris.

Tifa looked forward to her relationship with Cloud and what could, and should be a healthy, romantic relationship. All Tifa could muster up to what Cloud had said was a meek nod. "It would be better if you could stay with me all the time." She caught herself saying quietly.

"S-sorry."Cloud said wearing yet another sheepish yet sympathetic expression on his face. "I'll stay more and help you out okay?"Cloud finally said after what seemed like a long dejected pause. "Really?" Tifa asked excitedly. She had to restrain herself from hugging him. "Yea." Cloud muttered, "I need to stop living in the past." It was like he had read her mind. But Cloud was right, facing reality wasn't that hard. Speak for yourself…she thought. "I'm glad you're going to make an effort." Tifa said and held her arms out waiting for a hug.

A small smile tugged at Cloud's lips as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. Tifa wanted this to be her picture perfect moment that would last forever.

When she had finally opened her eyes she was staring at a photo of the Flower Girl. I took this picture…Tifa said in her mind as she stared at the Flower Girl tending to the flowers. She could pick up that faint scent of flowers on Cloud's clothes…it reminded her of Aeris.

Was she really gone?

A/N: Well I was just inspired one day to write a fanfic. I always loved the pairing Aeris and Cloud =]. I also like Tifa and Cloud. So you will sort of see a mixture of both in this fanfic. I might start a separate fanfic of Aeris X Cloud. Thanks to Kitty-Chan-Kilara for being my Beta Reader! I Love Chu! –Super Glomp-

Review and inspire me for the next chapter! I hope this isn't confusing to you guys ; If you are confused don't be afraid to ask!

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