Prompt: #48 Sympathy
Summary: She's glad that she's not the only one anymore.
Sympathy
For the majority of their relationship, it was her who seemed like the one who did all the work in order to keep it together. There have been plenty of times where Cloud had withdrawn and reverted back to how he had been and sometimes, even worse than that. Sometimes he would do something and thoughtlessly hurt her and each of her friends would give her a sympathetic look in response. She hated each and every one of those pitying looks. Because that's what they were. Pity. Feeling sorry or her because she had to be the one to struggle with the way Cloud had been. It always made her feel like being with Cloud was a mistake. More than once Yuffie had confronted her about why she would put up with Cloud's "pain in the ass" behavior. She never knew what to say in response to that. It sounded inane and cliched and idiotic to say, "Because I love him" to Yuffie. She isn't going to deny that she loved Cloud because she did. She's always loved Cloud. She loves him fiercely and loyally. She's had to or else she wouldn't have put up with him when he would get... so distant and run away. It hadn't been easy to be so sympathetic to the things he's been through. She's always been more than aware of how traumatic a life Cloud's led. But sometimes… it got old and frustrating.
It's hard to admit that there were frequently times, just before the Advent, that she had thought of calling it quits. In those weak moments where she questioned why she did it. Why she put up with it. She's not sure that if things had continued as they had been, that she wouldn't have left Cloud eventually. Those times were hard because it was constantly shoved in her face that her love hadn't been enough for him. It was such a depressing time for her overall. Waking up alone. Tending the bar alone. Having only the radio to keep her company while the kids were at school or when Denzel had been sick and Marlene had to sit with him. Helplessly watching Denzel's health deteriorate and always struggling to keep a positive attitude. The endless voicemails that never got a response. Sometimes it was all she could do not to cry. But she hadn't had the luxury of giving in to the tears. The kids didn't deserve to see her looking like that. Especially when they felt Cloud's absences as much as she did.
She tried to be understanding. Even more than understanding. She tried to muster up more sympathy too. But when she went to visit Aerith's church, seen the proof that it really was where Cloud had taken refuge and that he was sick with the stigma as well, it was to the breaking point. It had been all she could do to keep an encouraging smile on her face and promise Marlene that she would give Cloud a big lecture.
Then the Advent happened and Cloud woke up from his dilly dallying. Now everything has changed. Changed for the better. They called it "Advent Children", but her , it was more than that. She likes to think of it as the "Advent of Cloud" too. Because he came back. He's been back ever since.
Now things couldn't be better. They still have their hang ups, to be sure. What kind of a relationship would they have if they didn't? But they get over them together and there's no more sadness and one sided sympathy. Because Cloud is working on it too. Their relationship is easier because they're both working on it now.