Universe: FFX
Timeline: Post-Dissidia

Cloud descended the stands of the stadium, quite used to being the last to leave, and walked out to the main entrance. Blitzball fans from all over Spira were gathered around Tidus and Wakka and the other players of the Aurochs. Cloud smiled a little as he watched Tidus give his autograph to a young boy who was bouncing up and down with excitement, but it hurt to smile. That feeling was back, and Cloud couldn't fight it no matter how hard he tried.

He turned away slightly, and stared back into the stadium where Tidus had just played an incredible game. He should have been happy for him—he was—but he knew he was about to dampen Tidus' spirits like he had so many times before.

"Good game, eh?" Wakka grinned as he passed by Cloud, giving him a pat on the back. "Your boy played well out 'dere." Cloud forced an awkward smile as Wakka strolled off, then he continued to wait as the crowd around Tidus began to clear.

It took a few minutes before the fans wandered off, but when they did, Tidus was quick to run to Cloud's side.

"Did you see me? That last shot was pretty cool, huh?" Tidus beamed, his face lit up with excitement as he spoke. "We beat that team right out of the water! Uh, pardon the pun."

"You did great out there, Tidus," Cloud said gently, but he had to turn his head away when he felt the familiar sting of his emotions. Tidus' enthusiasm fell away, and he raised a hand to Cloud's face.

"Are you okay?" he asked, gently.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Whatever it is, you don't have to hide it from me. Your tears make it pretty obvious that something's bothering you. Is it because of coming here?" Tidus asked, cocking his head to the side. Cloud was finally able to face Tidus again when he felt Tidus' thumb on his jaw, coaxing him to turn back in his direction. Cloud closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again and looked Tidus in the eye.

"It's not that I don't want to be happy. I just can't help but feel like... I let so many people down by not going home," Cloud said, his voice meek. His eyes fell closed again when Tidus pulled him in against him.

Cloud let his head fall into the crook of Tidus' neck, and he tried to relax there, but it wasn't an easy task when there was so much tension within his body, so many dilemmas plaguing his fragile mind.

"You'll find your place in Spira, too, if you decide to stay," Tidus whispered.

Cloud buried his face in a little closer to Tidus, and tried to remind himself that he was allowed to fall to pieces when they were alone. Tidus never seemed to mind, and he always had a way of making even the direst of circumstances seem more manageable.

"I guess... I just need to think about it for a while," Cloud whispered back.

"Yeah," Tidus smiled, wrapping his arms a little tighter around Cloud's waist. "You think about it. I'll be right here while you do."

A/N: Heya, acesdesire, here! Are you liking what you've read so far? Or are you scratching your head wondering how in the name of Cosmos these two characters would ever end up together? Well, if you haven't already done so, be sure to check out my main story about them, "Behind Those Sad Eyes is a Smile." A lot of these oneshots may make more sense or be more believable to you if you've read that story as well.

But even if my main story is not for you, hopefully you will find something in this collection of drabbles that you enjoy (don't worry, I'll be adding tons more, as I probably have at least 50 oneshots about these two!)! Don't forget to subscribe or check back soon for updates!