Universe: FFVII, but FFX characters can visit their world
Timeline: Post-Dissidia
Status: Established (and super sappy) Relationship

"Cloud, do you ever think about marriage?" Tidus asked one day. They lay with their backs to the soft green grass, their eyes on the blue sky above. Cloud swallowed, dreading having to deliver the answer he knew Tidus would hate to hear.

"Tidus, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't want to get married," he replied. He knew it would hurt to hear those words, but he had to get it out in the open now, before Tidus started hoping for something he couldn't have.

"Um, okay," Tidus said, glancing quickly at Cloud, then back to the sky. He rubbed the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed—and slightly offended—that Cloud had given such a definite answer with so little time to think about it.

"Is there a reason why you don't?"

Cloud took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. He tried to prevent his thoughts from wandering to Zack, but they did anyway. It seemed so unfair to deny Tidus the privilege of marrying him just because of his past, but Cloud had dreamt of marrying Zack ever since he was sixteen. It was his most precious wish. He couldn't imagine his wedding day with anyone else, even now—now that he had found someone as wonderful and loving as Tidus.

"I guess when I was younger I thought about it," Cloud started, trying to explain his thoughts in a way that would hurt Tidus as little as possible. "But, after... everything that happened, I just didn't want to anymore." Tidus didn't have to ask what that meant; he knew it was a Zack reason. In fact, he was getting quite used to those.

"Oh. Right. I guess... that would kinda turn you off the idea. So, you and I... Never?" Tidus asked, his face twisted into some sort of bittersweet expression—his eyebrows were raised, his eyes looked sad, but his lips still bore that unfaltering smile of his. Cloud tried to swallow his guilt, but it still stung.

"Never," Cloud replied, shaking his head, then turning his gaze back to the sky to avoid the look of barely masked pained that Tidus was giving him. "I'm sorry."

Memories of that day had never strayed far from Tidus' mind. In fact, Cloud's words had remained painfully clear. Tidus knew Cloud loved him; Cloud loved him a lot, but that didn't change the fact that Cloud didn't want to spend his life as his spouse. And so, Tidus avoided the subject and everything that went with it.

He avoided reading or watching anything about weddings, and he steered clear of any jewelry stores because he knew they would only tempt him. He would have loved to propose to Cloud, but if Cloud didn't want to be anything more than they were now, then Tidus would have to be content with that. He still wanted to remain at Cloud's side, after all.

Yes, Tidus had done a great job of avoiding the 'm' word in any way he could, and he'd convinced himself that life would still be okay without it. It was this kind of attitude that made it all the more surprising when Cloud had taken him out for supper one night, and on their walk home, had knelt down on one knee and popped the question. Tidus had nearly fallen to the ground from the shock. He couldn't believe the sight of the white diamond earring sparkling in the small velvet box that rested in Cloud's shaking palm.

"Please, say something," Cloud had pleaded, sweat starting to form on his brow as Tidus continued to stand there frozen, mouth open.

"Yes," Tidus said, quickly, his voice a little shakier than usual. "Yeah, of course, but only if... Cloud, are you sure?"

"I'm definitely sure," Cloud said, giving Tidus a sincere, yet nervous smile.

"What made you change your mind?" Tidus asked. He still wouldn't accept that diamond, not until he was absolutely positive that Cloud wanted this as much as he did. He hoped Cloud was doing this for both their sakes, not just his.

"Well, a lot has changed since you asked me about marriage, and you and I... We've certainly come a long way." Cloud paused, taking a moment to catch his shaky breath, and took Tidus' hand in his own. Tidus smiled down at him, his eyes full of amazement. He still couldn't believe this was happening.

"Tidus, I love you, and I trust you, and I want to take those things and turn them into something more. I want to be your husband. And I'd love it if you wanted to be mine." Cloud's eyes stared anxiously into Tidus', and Tidus' lips formed a full-out grin.

"Yes," Tidus chuckled. "I do want to. You bet I want to!" Cloud felt his heart soar.

Two years of planning went by quickly, but Cloud and Tidus didn't enjoy preparing for the wedding nearly as much as the enjoyed being engaged. First, there was the excitement of telling their friends. The girls were usually the first ones to notice the new gem sparkling in Tidus' ear. Tifa and Rikku had nearly cried with delight. Barrett and Cid had uttered gruff congratulations to Cloud, while most of Cloud's other companions had been very supportive. For the most part, Tidus' companions were happy for him—a little surprised, and maybe slightly confused—but happy.

Then there were nights when the men were just going about their normal routine—eating supper, curling up on the couch for a movie. Then it would hit them; they were getting married. And they would smile, maybe hold hands for a moment, share a kiss or two. Just knowing that their relationship was still moving somewhere, that their adoration for one another was still blossoming, it was certainly a gratifying thought, and it gave them new hope for the future.

Now, they stood facing each other, their hands entwined, in front of as many of their friends as would fit in Aerith's small and damaged church. Tifa, Barrett, and Cloud had spent the past few weeks fixing up the broken pews. Yuna and Lulu had been in charge of decorating the place with more flowers—as many hanging baskets and flower pots as they could find. It had seemed like the old place might not be fit for a wedding, but as a team, they had managed to pull it together, and got it looking absolutely lovely.

Tidus glanced behind him to receive an encouraging nod from his best man, Wakka. Tidus smiled, and turned his gaze back to Cloud. Cloud looked pretty handsome in his white suit, a white suit almost identical to his own. He liked Cloud's light blue tie; it really brought out his eyes. Cloud gently squeezed Tidus' hand. He had to admit, Tidus looked pretty spiffy himself in his light yellow tie, that silver diamond still glimmering in his left ear.

"Now, to exchange the rings," Yuna announced, smiling as she glanced at the men before her. Both turned to their best man behind them. Denzel smiled as he handed Cloud the ring, and Cloud gave him a gentle nod.

Tidus and Cloud smiled as they slipped the silver bands onto each other's fourth finger, declaring their eternal love for one another. And somehow, even already, they felt safer with those rings; they belonged to each other—both of their names engraved on the inside of each ring signified that.

Finally, Yuna declared them married, and their lips met for the first time as spouses. Their chests felt light with excitement as their friends cheered for them. Cameras flashed, and smiles, clapping, and laughter filled Aerith's once lonely church. And as the kiss ended, and Tidus and Cloud's eyes met, they knew that their days would never be lonely either.