"I think it was always meant to be here" you commented thoughtfully as Cloud backed away from Zack's buster sword. Earlier this evening the two of you had moved it from the desert hilltop to Aeirth's church and to be honest this feltl more like a proper final resting place for your fallen friend. It looked picturesque , the ruins of the church, the flowers and greenery reclaiming the ruins, the rusted buster sword, it held a certain beauty.

"I think so too" Cloud replied as he stood next to you.

The two of you stood in a comfortable silence for a few moments as you rested your head against Cloud's shoulder, he wrapped an arm around you. "I miss them" you mumbled.

"I know" He replied, "I doto" he added. "I used to wonder if the pain would ever go away but I don't think it will."

"It's always there, it just gets duller with time" you said, Cloud nodded pulling you close.

"Is there any sort of memorial in Hazeltown?" Cloud asked suddenly.

"Nothing like this," you replied. "But Jace's buster sword and Zander's katana are placed where they died." you paused a moment, "Theirs this big rock on the outskirts of town, it actually faces Nibelheim, Jeremy carved the names of everyone who died in it and Alyssa wrote, well I guess it would considered a poem, 'A story we never got to finish, one we will tell to the world, our town lies in pieces but our hearts live on'" You quoted. Cloud didn't speak just held you tighter, he's not great with words but he always knows just what you need. The two of you stood there a few moments longer before heading back to Seventh Heaven. The ride back was a bit chilly, not that Cloud minded it just made you hold onto him a little tighter.

The two of you wandered into the bar, it seemed to be a pretty slow night, only Jacob and Alex were sitting at the bar and 2 small groups were in the booths. As you walked in Tifa looked up from pouring drinks, "Welcome back you two, how was your date?" she asked with a teasing smile. Cloud took this opportunity to bring the cake he had bought at the cafe into the kitchen. "You're not getting out this that easily Cloud!" she called after him.

"It was nice" You replied as you sat at the bar across from Tifa, a faint blush on your cheeks.

"Awe, what did you do? It's not like i'll ever get it out of Cloud" Tifa pressed.

"We just went to a cute cafe and talked." you replied, you left out the part about moving Zack's memorial, you'd leave that for Cloud.

"Did he try to kiss you?" Tifa asked as she leaned on the bar, a teasing grin on her face.

You absently bit your lip as you shook your head, "he was super nervous, we weren't even sure if we should call it a date." you admitted.

"What does he have to be nervous about?" Tifa scoffed, "you two like each other, i don't see what the problem is" she sighed, then she blinked a few times realizing how that might have come across as mean, "I don't mean to sound harsh but I don't get it. You two like each other, I've never seen Cloud as happy as he is with you, why don't you two make it official?" she asked, trying to choose her words carefully. You knew what she meant, Tifa is a really great friend and she just wants both you and Cloud to be happy.

"I think it's weird for both of us." you admitted. "I mean I was dating Jace for most of my life and Cloud hasn't really had a relationship with anyone . I think we're both scared of moving too fast and too slow."

Tifa frowned but nodded in understanding, "Has he at least told you how he feels?"

"Not really with words," you replied. "but I think I understand how he feels" you paused for a moment.

Tifa looked away "I just want you two to be happy"

You reached out catching her attention, "Don't worry so much, Cloud and I… we have a lot of personal baggage, I'm ok with whatever we are, we'll take things at our own pace." Tifa nodded in understanding.

As if on cue Cloud walked into the bar from the kitchen carrying two plates with slices of cake and took a seat next to you at the bar. "The kids already ate most of it, swiped the last two pieces for you" He said as he offered one to you and one to Tifa.

"Wow Cloud Strife serving us" Tifa nearly laughed, "I could get used to this" she added as she took a bite of cake.

"I could too" you agreed with a soft laugh causing Cloud to blush a bit though he tried to hide it. "But thank you Cloud that was sweet of you" You said before taking a bite of the cake, it was chocolate with a cookie dough filling, super sweet just how you like it. Cloud just nodded.

"did the kids really eat all of it?" Tifa asked, genuinely curious.

"In about 3 seconds" Cloud replied.

"Was there even a piece left for you?" you asked as you stopped eating with about half a slice left of your cake. Cloud just shook his head. Tifa instantly began hoarding her slice, but you pushed your towards Cloud, "Here have the rest" you told him.

Cloud just shook his head, "I got it for you, I know how much you like sweets"

"But you do too, Mr. Strife" You replied, he didn't have a response to that. "Come on we can at least share" You told him as you offered him the cake again. Cloud eventually agreed and you split the rest of the cake. Apparently you and Cloud were being a bit too cute because Tifa mumbled that you were being 'disgustingly cute' before wandering away to take care of the bar as she said 'dilly dally shilly shally.'

Once the cake was gone you decided that it was time to put the kids to bed as it was already well past their bedtime, so you excused yourself and hurried up stairs.

(Cloud)

You couldn't help but watch as Autumn left the room and smiled to yourself as you thought about your date. Autumn just never ceases to amaze you, all day her small gestures, it seemed like every time you were nervous about messing up, Autumn would sense it and reassure you that everything was fine and she was having a nice day with you.

"I see that look Cloud'' Tifa said, you glanced at her hoping that she didn't realize that she caught you off guard. "Oh don't give me that look, I see the way you look at Autumn, we all know you like each other, what's stopping you?" She was obviously frustrated.

You honestly couldn't think of a real reason why, you could always use the excuse that you don't want to ruin anything with Autumn but how can you ruin it if it's not a thing. You weren't feeling guilty, you're finally healing after the deaths of your friends, and you're getting your life back in order.

When you didn't answer, Tifa just sighed, "I just want you two to be happy, it's ok to take it slow." She said as she walked off to get another round for Alex and Jacob, but as she walked away she turned back, "Just don't take it too slow,you're gonna have to make the first move" she paused a moment before adding, "after all Reno is always waiting to steal Autumn away." she said with a teasing grin. You just rolled your eyes.

(Autumn)

When you got upstairs, you knocked on the kid's door, you were surprised that they were all ready for bed but clearly very wide away, you assumed from the sugar rush caused by the cake. It took a little convincing, a story and the promise of a french toast breakfast tomorrow but you eventually got the kids to bed. You were about to head downstairs when you realized you hadn't looked at your phone since the morning, so you went into your room and grabbed your phone before heading back down stairs.

You had a few messages, the first being from Tifa asking if you and Cloud would be home for dinner, followed by a second one saying "never mind you probably forgot your phone again." One from Alyssa, she mentioned that Vincent had shown up there and he'd probably home soon. You had an emailed response from Dr. Winters, saying that she would love to reconnect with you and suggested a few different weeks where you could visit, the first one seemed good it was only a week away and you were getting anxious about the sudden reemergence of your period. You absently frowned when you realized that you still haven't gotten a response from Skylar's mom, it's been two weeks and still nothing.

"Autumn" Cloud said, suddenly knocking you out of your thoughts. He placed a hand under your chin forcing you to look at him, it was as if he was examining your face searching for an answer.

"I'm ok Cloud" You told him with a soft smile as you took his hand away from your face and held it. Cloud gave you a skeptical look. "I promise I'm ok…" you trailed off knowing he wasn't going to accept that, he knows you too well. "I'm worried about Skylar, I've been calling her mom every day for the last two weeks and she hasn't responded."

Cloud nodded thoughtfully and paused for a moment, "I'll see if I can get any deliveries to Kalm, then we can go and just show up there" Cloud decided.

"That witch will hate that" you mumbled, "It's a great idea" You agreed. Your dramatic change in tone caused the usually stoic Soldier to laugh for a moment. "I love when you laugh" you said absently. You realized a second later just what you said and could feel your ears burning in embarrassment.

"You're cute when you're embarrassed." Cloud teased you in a low voice. You absently bit your lip realizing that Cloud isn't going to let this one go. "Autumn" Cloud said, suddenly catching your attention, you found that he was staring at your lips.

"Oh Cloud, something wrong?" you asked in a playful tone, before you bit your lip again.

"Autumn," Cloud repeated, getting a bit closer to you.

"You don't like it when i bite my lip?" you asked, trying to suppress a laugh.

Cloud put a hand on your cheek, "No" he replied looking into your eyes. "I like it too much."

Your plan backfired and you were more embarrassed than before. "Cloud I…" you trailed off.

"Oh just kiss already!" Tifa chimed in.

Both you and Cloud pulled away from each other blushing or at least you were blushing, you couldn't bring yourself to even look at Cloud. "I think I'm going to call it night" You announced, then turned back to Cloud and said, "thank you for today" Before you stood up and headed upstairs.

Once you were in your room you closed the door and slid down it till you were sitting on the floor. You took a deep breath and grabbed the wolf pendant on your necklace. "Why does he make me so flustered" you mumbled to yourself. After a few moments you sighed, "Come on Autumn, stop acting like a teenager and relax, you're an experienced woman and …. he's just extremely sweet, and gentile and attractive…. I am the worst at giving myself pep talks"

You stood up and changed into a pair of red shorts and a baggy black t-shirt that hung off your shoulder. As you brushed out your hair you decided to try the pep talk thing again. "Ok, we spent all day together and I was fine all day, why does he make me so…" you trailed off. "Because he's sweet and he doesn't talk much but he always knows what I need, he's always coming to my rescue and…maybe Tifa is right."

You placed your brush down on your vanity and decided to try to call Skylar's mom again to distract you. You heard the same nasty prerecorded voice, but this time you didn't bother leaving a message. You frowned completely forgetting your embarrassment over Cloud so you could focus on your worry for Skylar's future.

You headed into the bathroom and brushed your teeth to complete your nighttime routine. Once you were finished you tried to scurry right back into your room but you walked right into a familiar human, you felt yourself beginning to fall so you braced yourself but it never came.

(Cloud)

As Autumn began walking away you reached out to her but she didn't notice. You thought about going after to her but what if she's upset with you? You absently shook your head, of course she's not mad at you…

When you looked up, Tifa was standing in front of you with a nervous expression, you just glared at her.

"I'm sorry, I forgot how embarrassed Autumn gets." Tifa admitted timidly, you could tell she feels awful about it, so you softened your glare. "Go after her" Tifa urged.

"What if she doesn't want me to?" you asked.

Tifa sighed, "Cloud, this is what I'm talking about" She said, you were to say the least, confused. "Go after Autumn, I promise she won't be upset with you."

You paused for a moment, but finally said 'Ok.' You stood up and began heading towards the stairs when Tifa called out to you. You turned back giving her a curious look.

"Dilly dally shilly shally" Tifa replied, you just shook your head and when you were about to turn back she continued. "Just don't wait too long to tell her how you feel, you both deserve to be happy."

(Autumn)

"Are you ok?" Cloud asked with an arm wrapped around your waist, he held you tightly until he was sure that you weren't going to fall but his hand lingered. You nodded still a bit wide eyed from the shock of running into him, but you could tell by the look on his face he wasn't going to accept that answer. "Did I do something wrong?" He asked suddenly.

"Oh Cloud, no, please don't think that." You told him as you reached out and hugged him, "You didn't do anything wrong."

Cloud wrapped his arms around you and rested his chin on the top of your head. "Then why did you leave so suddenly?" he asked, you could tell he was just worried.

"I got nervous" you admitted as you pulled away just enough to to look up at his face.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Cloud asked, you stayed silent for a moment, but Cloud took your silence the wrong way. " We could go for a walk and talk like we used to or if you don't want to we can…" he rambled.

You cut him off by placing your hand over his mouth, "I don't think I'm dressed appropriately for a walk" You giggled as you gestured to your shorts and the t-shirt hanging off your shoulder. Cloud seemed to notice your attire for the first time, he tried to hide the fact that he was checking you out but was failing miserably. He reached out and pull your shirt back up to cover your shoulder. You nearly burst out laughing but managed to only let out a quiet giggle as you moved your shoulder so the sleeve would fall back off. Cloud looked from your face to your shoulder and was about to put the sleeve back on your shoulder when you stopped him. "Cloud, it's a shoulder. Everyone has a shoulder." you told him trying to suppress a laugh.

"It's your shoulder"

"There's nothing sexy about a shoulder."

"It's your shoulder" He repeated. The two of you stared at each other for a few moments before Cloud finally broke the silence. "Autumn… I…" he trailed off

"You don't have to be nervous with me" You told him with a soft smile.

Cloud nodded but still hesitated a moment, "Can I kiss you?" he asked, though you had a feeling he wanted to say something else.

Without a second thought you smiled and pulled Cloud into a kiss, while you and Cloud have only shared a handful of kisses this one felt different, almost like Cloud was struggling to hold himself back. As the kiss continued you couldn't help but notice that he ran a hand over your exposed shoulder.