Drabble #40: Separation
Summary: He hated being seperated from her
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix
"Are you going to the Church, Cloud?" Marlene asked without looking up from the picture she was drawing at the kitchen table. He could feel Tifa's eyes burning into his back but did not dare turn around, fearing the expression on her face. He gave a small nod before pulling the door open and stepping outside. As soon as it closed, the barmaid gave a hard sigh before sitting beside the young girl and forcing a smile.
His boots thumped against the wooden floor of the old building, a deathly silence hanging in the air. His eyes were focussed on the flowerbed in front of him. The colours were meaningless to him, they were only important because they reminded him of her. She had loved her flowers and her Church very much. He always knew she was in touch with nature.
He gave a sigh as he reached his desperation and carefully crouched down to inspect the petals. Everyday since he had defeated Sephiroth, he had visited the Church and made sure that her precious flowers remained well cared for. It made him feel closer to her. He often wondered if she watched him from the lifestream. He hoped she did.
He had been separated from her for over two years and each day felt like a lifetime to him so the thought that she was looking out for him both comforted and upset him.
He stopped digging out the weeds for a second, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He had not cried for her in a long time, he was surprised he still had tears to cry. It took a moment for him to calm down and clear his eyes before he took up his trowel and began digging up the weeds again. He had been strong so far, he couldn't let it all fall to pieces now.
After all, their separation was not going to be forever. He would see her again sooner than he thought. Still, he was man enough to admit that it hurt. It hurt a lot.
"I hate being separated from you," he sighed, turning his face up to the hole in the roof, letting the sun flow all over his pale skin.
A white flower broke free from the flowerbed, fluttering in the gentle breeze until it landed at his feet. He stared down at it for a moment before gently picking it up between his gloved fingers.
"We won't be separated forever."
Cloud smiled a little, kissing the petals softly.
"I know," he whispered back before he sighed. "I still hate it though."