AN: Feb 18 Prompt is "Color."
If you haven't read my one-shot "Color," I'd suggest paying it a visit! It would give some context for this drabble~
Summary: Cloud tells Tifa about the colors. She can't believe it happened to him too.
Tags: AU, friendship, confessions, fluff
On days where she worked an earlier shift, Cloud would meet her at the bar to hang out. When she opened the back door, he was leaning next to it, scrolling through his phone, but looked up when she emerged. A smile brightened his face.
Tifa always took a moment to drink in his colors whenever she saw him. Soft blonde spikes fell messily around his head. His ocean blue eyes glimmered underneath the fluorescent streetlight. He was wearing a navy-blue jacket with a purple scarf around his neck and black jeans. His shoes were black as well.
She reached out and wrapped him in a tight hug. His scarf was soft against her face and smelled earthy, like him. She took a deep breath before he pulled back. She held his hand.
"How was your day?" he inquired as they turned out of the alley and down the street.
She hummed. "Well, almost got a drink spilled on me about an hour ago, but I managed to get out of the way in time. Other than that, pretty good."
He nodded. "Good to hear that."
"You?"
Cloud shrugged. "Cleaned my apartment mostly. I didn't have work today."
They were quiet for a few minutes as they walked. They often aimlessly wandered the streets just for the sake of enjoying one another's company, surveying street vendors and taking in the sights. Her fingers flexed against the back of his hand and she saw the corner of his lips curve up just a bit more.
"Wanna walk around the park?" he suddenly asked. She nodded and walked a little closer to him as they made a left and headed for the entrance.
They stopped at a vendor selling steamed buns and grabbed a couple before continuing down a row of overhanging trees. As she looked up, she could see the slender white sliver of the moon filtering through the branches. Most of the leaves were dead and gone by now, as they were well into the winter season. She was grateful that it had been a mild one.
They stopped along the edge of the lake. She took a bite of her pork bun and chewed as she watched the shimmering lights reflect off of the water. His thumb rubbed against her hand. Tifa swallowed and watched him for a few moments. His brow was furrowed.
"Something wrong?"
He bit his lip. "I… want to tell you something... but you'll probably think I'm a little crazy."
Tifa shook her head. "I won't! I promise." She tugged on his arm and he looked down at her.
"Okay…"
He led her over to a nearby bench and sat down with her. Cloud took a deep breath, staring down at her hand laced with his. Half a minute passed before he met her gaze again.
"When… when I saw you again two months ago… something really strange happened." At her wide eyes he added, "Amazing! It was amazing! But it was… still a strange thing."
"…What happened?"
"Well…" He scratched the back of his neck. "I… I saw colors again for the first time since I moved away from our village five years ago."
She swallowed hard on the piece of bun she'd been chewing, staring at him, mouth agape. He fidgeted, continuing.
"I'd been seeing gray for five years, but it's not like that anymore. I can see now that you're wearing blue jeans and a red sweater and a black bomber jacket and red shoes and your favorite earring that you wear every day is silver and—"
"Me too."
He blinked. "What?"
She laughed, throwing her arms around him. "Me too!" He held her close, and she felt like she was going to cry all over again. "I… I thought something was wrong with me. I can't believe that happened to you too!"
She pulled away and gazed up at him, cupping one side of his face. He still looked a little bewildered, until they both started into a fit of laughter, embracing each other again.
"I'm so happy you're back in my life Cloud," she whispered.
He hugged her tighter, his face nuzzled into her neck, her black hair tickling his nose.
"Me too Teef."
