Universe: FFVII
Timeline: Post-Dissidia
Status: Established Relationship

The sweet scent of apple pie wafted from the open door of the oven. Cloud smiled as he picked the pie up with his oven-mitted hands, and placed it on the kitchen table before Tidus. He saw Tidus' eyes widen with excitement as he gazed upon the warm dessert.

"Wow, this looks delicious!" Tidus awed, practically bouncing in his seat as he waited for Cloud to serve up the first slice. Cloud collected a knife from the drawer, and proceeded back toward the table. Steam rose from the pie as Cloud cut into it, and Tidus' mouth watered.

"Mmm, smells so good," Tidus smiled, leaning forward to get another whiff.

"Hope it tastes okay," Cloud said, looking a little iffy as he scooped a slice onto a plate for Tidus. It had been a long time since he'd baked anything, but he'd recently come across some of his mother's old recipes, and figured he'd give some of them a shot. He knew she would have been happy that he did.

"Anything that smells that good has to taste good," Tidus grinned, pulling his plate toward himself, and sticking his fork in. He cut the tip off of his pie slice, and brought it to his lips.

"Wait!" Cloud cut in, before Tidus could get the morsel into his mouth.

"What?" Tidus frowned, pulling his fork away, and eyeing the pie warily.

"Sorry, I just forgot the whipped cream," Cloud chuckled, lightly.

"Oh." Tidus grinned as Cloud rushed to the counter and grabbed his can of cream. He watched intently as Cloud skillfully drizzled it on in a little swirl.

"Now can I try it?" Tidus asked, his eyes flickering up to meet Cloud's, curiously.

"Now you can try it," Cloud smiled. His eyes remained focused on Tidus as he scooped up a bit of whipped cream onto his already full fork, and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Wow, Cloud," he marvelled, mouth full. "This tastes sooooo good!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's awesome."

"Hmm, let's see," Cloud said, serving himself his own slice of pie, topped with whipped cream. One bite, and he was sold, too.

"This is good. I didn't think it would turn out this well." It was true. He honestly hadn't been expecting such a sweet and delicious result. Back when his mother used to make the pies, she had used Banora Whites—or the affectionately-named 'dumbapples'—but because Banora had been destroyed a few years back, Cloud had no choice but to go with local fruit.

"Oh, give yourself some credit. You're a great cook, silly," Tidus smiled, giving Cloud a gentle nudge from where he sat.

"Yeah, well, there's one taste I like more," Cloud sighed.

"Really? More than this? 'Cause this is amazing!" Tidus beamed, pointing at the dessert with his fork, then shoving in another mouthful of pie.

"Yeah," Cloud nodded. Tidus' eyes widened again as Cloud pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You," Cloud smirked. Tidus stared incredulously at him for several long seconds, then burst into laughter.

"You're such a sap."

"Well," Cloud smiled, as he swallowed a mouthful of his homemade pie. "You've got only yourself to blame."