25.
Title: #008: Holiday
Rating: PG
Pairings: Cloud/Tifa
Word Count: 446
Summary: Because everybody is entitled to have their own little holidays
Cloud gives a contented sigh, sinking back down onto the yellow tarp. It is a beautiful day, bright and sunny against a pure azure backdrop. The wind feels refreshingly cool against his skin and his arms are folded behind his head. He breathes deeply. The sweet scent of grass mingles with the smell of baked goods bringing a small smile to his face.
If he remembers, he must thank Yuffie for the sign.
To his right he can see the kids scrambling across the empty fields towards the brook. With his longer limbs, Denzel easily reaches the stream first though Marlene didn't trail too far behind. Earlier, Tifa had already outfitted them with the proper equipment and now both bait their poles and fling the lure into the gurgling waters.
Their obvious excitement is infectious and his grin widens a tiny more.
"They seem like they're having fun," observes Tifa.
"Yeah."
Cloud turns and studies her. She is focused on the children. There is a serene look on her face and her lips are curved in a happy beam. A sudden reflected light flashes into his eyes, forcing him to blink. He stares at the metal piece adorning her hands. After the events that happened four days ago, he hadn't known whether Tifa would continue wearing the ring.
An unexpected feeling of relief washes over him and he hurriedly glances away before she realizes.
It is strange, he wonders, how the silence between them appears to have changed in the last few days. Instead of a tense quiet, there is a relaxed quality and he's been grateful Tifa never once brought up the subject of his illness. Out of everyone, he knows she understands the most, and when the time is right, he feels he owes her the truth.
Rising to his elbows, the sounds of Marlene's shrieking laughter changing to shrill whoops floats to his ears. "Say.."
"Yes?"
Much to his chagrin the words choke in his throat and he hears himself saying, "Why don't you join them?"
When she looks startled, he mentally curses himself for the suggestion. "I mean," he hastily corrects, "It's boring here. You'd have more fun with them."
Tilting her head, Tifa watches him for a moment, then says softly, "But I like it here. It's warm and I can sit listening for birds."
He accepts her answer.
******
It isn't until he is lying in bed, waiting for sleep to claim him that he remembers; the birds had all begun their southern migration a month ago.
AN: Ohmygawd. I'm on a roll! Halfway done! The only ironic part is that this lapse of homework is given due only to upcoming exams. *cringes* I should be studying right now except I'm such a big fan of procrastination. YaY!
hopefully, this was obvious, but if it wasn't the drabble was just after the events of AC.
Thanks: Vanilla Raindrops, mom calling, and gingerbreadbear