A/N: Hey everyone! Long time fanfiction reader, first time publishing a fanfiction. The story is set one year after the events of Dirge of Cerberus and focuses mostly on Cloud and Tifa's lives as well as some of Vincent and Yuffie's. There will be OCs present in the future. Constructive criticism is welcomed however only if beneficial to the growth of my writing skills. (In other words things like "This just sucks" won't be welcomed.)

When I was a little girl I used to dig my toes into the sand and let the waves wash up to my ankles and I used to think "This feels amazing..." I was little, so what did I know? At that moment, that was the best feeling in the world...

The curtains had been drawn so the sunlight didn't penetrate through the window, door shut so no other sounds entered and disturbed the peace. It had been a sleepless night for the man lying in the bed with the covers over his head in attempts to keep all other nuisances of the morning at bay however there was one object that broke the silence. The phone rang over and over again with no answer, the vibrating sounds of the device rocking against the wooden surface of the night stand. A large hand slammed over the infernal thing, making a beep as the call connected through, a groggy voice answering with the most unwelcoming 'Hello'.

"Cloud, I'm sorry to wake you." The voice over the phone said apologetically. "It's Reeve. Is there any way you could stop by today? I have quite the concerning case."

The blonde simply groaned in agreement before asking "What time?"

"1400 hours sound ok?" Reeve responded.

Cloud looked at the clock. The blinking red numbers read 8:00. He sighed, figuring he should be waking up anyhow. "Fine." He said as he sat up in his bed, the covers sliding off of him. He hung up the phone, stretching his aching muscles, hearing the cracks on his back. It was relieving however he was still exhausted. A loud yawn escaped him as he swung his legs over the bed and let his feet touch the cold floor. He looked over to the other side of the bed. Empty. It had been empty every time he woke up for the last month and he began to worry. He missed waking up to her face.

Standing from his bed, he walked over to the chair in the corner of the room, grabbing the black shirt hanging off of it and slipping it on before heading down stairs to the bar. The floor wood creaked as he walked down the steps, giving away his position. The woman tending to the bar stopped polishing her glassware and looked up at him, smiling. "Good Morning." She greeted although not her usual cheerful self. She sounded as tired as he felt, looked as tired as he knew he was.

"You're up early Tifa." He said taking a seat on one of the stools in front of her, studying her. Her eyes lacked the luster they usually had. She just wasn't herself.

"Yes well," She said looking down, "I have been waking up early the past couple of weeks. Once I'm up, I can't go back to sleep."

"Everything ok?" He asked as she poured him a glass of orange juice, still watching her from the corner of his eye as pretended to watch the orange drink swirl in to his glass.

"I hope it will be." She smiled. He detected nervousness in her, however shrugged it off. If there were something truly wrong, she'd say so, right?

"I have to head out today," He said taking a sip of his drink, "Reeve has a case."

"Oh." She said rather disappointed. "I was hoping you'd spend time with us today. Denzel really misses you. Ever since Marlene went back with Barrett it's been rough on him."

"I know." Cloud sighed. "I will try to be quick on this mission. Just think about the money Tifa. My delivery service has been a little slow."

He was right. She sighed and gave him another smile, supporting his decision, once more, as she had done over and over throughout the years. Sometimes they would make her life a living hell, since living with Cloud and his insecurities was such an emotional roller coaster, other times she was just happy he was there at all. He had changed over the past few years, become more stable. She hoped he had at least and that it had not been a front to appear as if it were all ok, that their life was now normal because their lives had been anything but normal.

"I have to start getting ready." Cloud said interrupting her thoughts. He finished his drink, placing the glass on the counter and made his way back up the stairs.

"You haven't had your breakfast Cloud." She frowned.

"I'll pick something up on the way." He waved off walking up the steps as he spoke. "It's a long drive over, I have to head out as soon as possible if I want to make it there in time."

She made her way upstairs to find him already changing in to his traveling clothes. Walking up to him, she grabbed his face, eliciting a small gasp from him before she locked her lips with his. His hands, at first lost in the moment, found their way on to her waist, finding himself involved in their kiss. He parted, only centimeters away from her, close enough to feel her breath on him.

"What was that for?" He whispered on to her. She answered with another kiss, just as passionate, if not more. She was trying to distract him, or herself, she wasn't sure, she just knew she needed him at that moment.

His calloused fingers ran under her shirt and against the skin of her back, sending chills up her spine. He parted their lips once more, this time moving them to her neck, nipping at the soft flesh. She was melting in his strong arms, about to collapse on to the bed with him, she would've had a small voice not interrupted like glass crashing on to a very hard floor. They looked up and heard the voice once more, calling for Tifa down the hall.

"Denzel is up." Tifa groaned as she parted ways with Cloud, making her way out of the room. She looked back at him, already zipping up his vest as if that moment hadn't even happened. Shaking her head, she stepped out, looking down the hallway to find the young boy looking for her. She smiled as a mother would to her son. "Denzel, were you looking for me?"

"Yes," He smiled back, "I was wondering if I could get some breakfast please?"

"Of course!" She said putting her arm around his shoulders.

Tifa whipped a few eggs and sausages for the boy, the smell somewhat making her uncomfortable but she pushed through. Denzel ate a hearty meal and it wasn't long before Cloud was back downstairs, fully clothed and geared for his trip. Denzel frowned, knowing he'd be leaving.

"How long will you be gone this time?" Denzel sighed.

"Not too long I hope." Cloud replied placing his hand on the boy's head. "I'm heading out now though so I can make it in time."

"Bye." Denzel said softly as he went back to his food.

Tifa walked around the bar and towards Cloud, planting a small kiss on his cheek which was returned by one on her forehead.

"I love you." She said softly.

"I know." He responded which caused her to huff. "I love you too..." He smiled before letting her go. "I'll let you know when I get there." He waved walking out the door.

"Did you tell him?" Denzel asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"I didn't get a chance Denzel." She sighed, feeling sick to her stomach.

"He'll find out eventually, it's not something you can hide forever." He smiled.

"I know..." She said keeping it together, trying not to lose her cool, beginning to feel dizzy and tired. "It's not something you tell someone before they leave on a trip."

A/N: Thank you for reading! Hope it wasn't too much of a drag, I know it was a little slow. It's late! X3