A/N: So, back to business as usual. This prompt was from TornAngelWings. Thanks!


Disclaimer: 'Being awesome' is not a valid reason for breaking copyright laws.


For what seems like the billionth time, he eases himself into the minuscule gap between Cid and Barret. Pomp, circumstance and ridiculous amounts of ticker tape are in the air, because it's yet another day dedicated to the celebration of AVALANCHE's role in saving the planet. Sometimes, privately and with a guilty smile, he wishes he hadn't- peace and quiet was far easier to find with doomsday nigh.

Junon's famous marching band leads the way, playing in good form this time. Usually, they're a little out of practice. The violinists are especially cheerful; the conductor keeps eyeing them and then Cloud, as if implying that his gaze would be better at attracting the mercenary's attention than the spirited music.

Still, he understands the need for the ritual, so, even though he's forced into close proximity with Cid's cigarette-infused jacket and Barret's ample supply of armpit hair, he can't begrudge them. It isn't just about celebrating AVALANCHE; it's also about the paraders showing their skill and appreciation. It gives them a sense of self-importance.

Although he never actually thought self-importance was quite so vital to the running of countries, Reeve has recently been giving lectures at the WRO office that have changed his mind.

"All workers must be made to feel they're important, even if they aren't," he'd winked to Vincent, voiced hushed. Actually, he'd quite admired the sentiment; a little utilitarianism was no bad thing in a leader.

Still, he could find no better evidence that self importance made people happy than Yuffie Kisaragi, a case in point. A child who, by stealing their materia at Wutai, could have completely derailed the planet's rescue, and who regularly impressed her self importance over Reeve's real importance by snatching his trousers and running them up the flagpole.

(Although, to be honest, she does this to anyone foolish enough to let her. Bringing a spare pair, and regulating one's underwear choices to the least embarrassing possible on workdays, is never a bad move.)

Strange, though, that the importance she attributes to herself seems to keep her constantly in his thoughts. If he didn't know the ninja to be impulsive, he could almost believe there was a strategy there. After all, after the Wutai incident, and indeed any incident in which something valuable was stolen, no one was left who doubted Yuffie's 'unique' brand of genius.

He ponders the thought, until Cloud shifts uneasily three chairs down. A dot, in bright green, rushes into the midst of the violinists.

"Dammit. Why's the brat have to ruin it? I was enjoyin' having people tell me how good I was", Cid grumbles.

The dot makes a few complicated hand gestures to the violinists, and all of a sudden the entire marching band stops. With gravity and care approaching the levels of an undertaker, the violinists solemnly heft their violins in one hand and twirl them above their heads. Cloud coughs, and realises where he's seen such a thing before. The cough becomes a laugh, and that sets everybody off.

A few minutes later, Yuffie strolls casually back to her seat, her green cloak still rolled under one arm, and a cat's grin emblazoned on her face.

"How awesome am I to set that up? Betcha those guys get to sign some autographs tonight."

He smiles a secret smile. Yuffie (and her violinists) may think the world of themselves. But because of that, someone else does too.


A/N: Possibly pre-relationship fluff. Phew.