A/N: I don't own any of the characters, Square-Enix does.
Welcome Home
He knew he had promised Elena dinner, but he just couldn't bring himself to keep that little engagement when this was all over, nor could he bring himself to tell her that it wasn't going to happen. Veld had taken a huge risk in appearing in Midgar to help evacuate the citizens, but Tseng was glad for it. They were all still alive, every last one of them looking just the same as they had before the battle with the Jade WEAPON. And Cissnei…Cissnei had stood there next to Veld and smiled, just like she had before Zack entered her life.
It was surreal, to say the least.
They left just after the last citizen was evacuated. Cissnei stood, rooted to the spot, looking between me and Elena as the rest scattered, going back to their little corners of the world. Veld ran back, grabbing her arm and pulling her with him. "Cissnei, we need to go. Now!" Reluctantly, she followed, keeping pace with the former leader. After that, she didn't look back. He supposed she was afraid of what she would see if she did, and he couldn't fault her for it. Elena wasn't the most discreet when it came to her affections, and even though they weren't returned, Tseng could see how Cissnei's mind could quickly jump to the conclusion that they were.
He regretted not being able to speak with her, ask her how she was doing, or apologize for any pain he may have caused her, but there wasn't any time to waste with Meteor looming just over Midgar. Reno and Rude had left to scout for any remaining civilians, leaving Elena with him. She was babbling on about some nonsense, but he could catch words and phrases about Rebecca here and there. He was more focused on the redhead who had departed for Gaia knows where, and he silently prayed that wherever she was, she would be safe from Meteor.
The storms started and the two of them ran for shelter, finding it in an abandoned building nearby. He hoped Reno and Rude had done the same, and thought about the others. Had they made it back to wherever they came from safely? He wanted to see Cissnei again and briefly wondered in the back of his mind if there would ever be a time where they could all be together again.
Elena sat next to him, silent for once.
Not too long after, the earthquakes started and they waited quietly, the two of them wanting to live through this for very different reasons.
