They're sitting in silence as they watched a muted television show, quietly trying not to wake the two sleeping children. His eyes danced around the bed that they slept on, slightly wondering why the nurses didn't offer him a bed. He didn't think it was altogether fair that the kids got a bed and all he had was an old, rusted dirty chair with the cushion wearing out till it touched metal.
He shifted uncomfortably on his chair, rubbing his neck slightly as he moved his eyes back to the television. The show wasn't very interesting; it was some mindless television show to fill in the late hours of the night. He leaned back his head against the wall, trying his best to get comfortable so he could sleep, but as much as he tried, he just couldn't.
The ache in his back was beginning to grow and he wasn't even asleep yet. His hands were getting sweaty now, not because he was hot, or because the room was stuffy, but because her small gentle hand lay in it. Their fingers intertwined together as they sat in empty silence; not really watching the show but enjoying each other's presence. He thinks that maybe she's forgiven him; that maybe she's telling him that she knows he's sorry. He doesn't believe his conscience though, because he know he hasn't spoken to her yet, and she deserves an explanation at least.
"Tifa," his voice is low, almost barely audible, but without doubt she turned to look at him.
"Cloud," she replied, her voice steady but with a hint of sleepiness.
"I've been uh.." he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, "I wan-"
He stopped suddenly when her finger touched his lips.
"Relax, Cloud," she said with a small smile, "Just tell me when you're ready, okay."
She looked beautiful in that moment, the way the light touched down her hair and onto her shoulders. The way her eyes glistened in the night as she stared at him longingly and openly. He didn't realize it, but when her hand touched his, he awoke from his little dream and he realized that he had been staring at her for more than a moment.
"Okay," he answered instantly, turning his eyes back to the television.
She didn't say anything, but she still continued to hold his hand. He didn't really know why they ended up holding hands, but he didn't really care because all that mattered was that she was okay, and she was here, holding his hand. Her hand is much warmer, much alive than when he had held it when she was asleep. She would give his hand a squeeze every now and then, just so she could catch his eyes and give him a smile. He thinks it's sweet, beautiful that she would do that just for him.
He's working up a good paragraph now, a good sentence that will tell her everything. He thinks of the perfect introduction, and builds his conclusion at the same time. He has it all sorted now, all ready to tell her. He turns to her, and mumbles her name.
"Tifa," his body freezes, because she's asleep, eyes closed, fast asleep.
He stared into the distance, silently smacking himself in the head. He thinks he probably won't remember it all now if he has to tell it to her tomorrow, so maybe he'll just tell her now, even though she's asleep. It'll make it easier for him, plus she would never have heard it so it makes no difference.
"Tifa," he began softly, staring at her closed eyes, "Do you know what it is like to love someone?"
He didn't expect her to answer, so he continued, "It's when...
...nothing else matters; when all that I see, feel and believe that love I have for that other soul.
He watches her as she sleeps, the way her hair curls down her face, her lips pressed gently as she dreamt. She's beautiful, just like an angel.
It's when all of my being and everything that I am exists just for loving that one soul. That little thing that haunts my dreams, reality and shadows, something I can never forget. It scares me the most, but at the same time makes me the happiest.
He reaches up to touch her face, to brush back the hair that covered her eyes. He moves closer, watches her as she sleeps, wishing that she were really listening to him.
It's that thing that keeps me company when I'm alone, because where ever I am, or however far I am, that feeling is always with me. Always watching me, looking after me, giving me the inspiration to do the best I can.
He imagined her listening to him; imagined her sitting up in her bed watching him intently as he said every word to her.
It's this feeling, this thing that grasps my entire soul and claims it to eternal imprisonment. A moment of a lifetime filled with unbelievable love and warmth that nothing could ever replace.
He feels his heart growing with warmth at every word he said, at every whisper he murmured.
And I thought I lost it all that day I walked into the bar and saw that note.
He felt it so real now, so amazingly he realized that he was...
I realized that I've missed so many chances to tell you, Tifa, of how I felt, how I've always felt.
...so completely real; like nothing else in the world mattered, because right now, right in this instance...
I've never told you this, but you're beautiful, do you know that, even when you sleep, when you're lost in your world of dreams. There's never a moment, never an instance when you aren't beautiful.
He closed his eyes, listening to her even breathing.
And amongst everything that we have ever gone through, that I have ever gone through, you've always been there. Always been the one I could fall on when I needed a shoulder to lean onto even though I've done nothing but hurt you in return. You've always been there for me, Tifa, even when it hurts you.
He felt her soul reaching out to him..
Damn it, Teef, that promise we made under the stars that night at the well, I don't think you knew, but I...
Capturing his soul, claiming it hers..
I promised you the world, I promised you everything I could ever give you, that my love for you will always be there.
Because it never really was his, his heart always belonged to her.
And it has
His eyes opened, and the only thing he saw was the dark brown eyes in the deepest of oceans of beauty staring at him.
because I've never stopped loving you.." he finishes, his eyes slightly widen as he stared at her.
"Cloud," her tone is soft and her eyes are slightly teary.
"I.."