His eyes were endless: so tranquil, yet so alive and intense. She could not tear herself from them. They were circular pools of Lifestream bursting from the bottom of the sea. She wanted to drown in them... He returned her gaze with equal passion, ice staring into rubies. He watched the rubies tremble under heavy lashes lined with tiny pearls. He feared the same tears would be forming in his own eyes; the emotion was too great. As he blinked, they subsided; but her eyes again faltered, half-closed, and he soon had to blink again.

Tifa stepped closer to him absently, drawn by his gaze. Her heart felt fit to burst, swelling with such pure emotion that her eyes threatened tears. She felt his touch in response holding the side of her face. She closed her eyes softly and an inaudible whisper escaped her lips. The whisper was kissed away, but her tears were set free with her heart. Another touch pressed against her back, forcing her chest to meet his. Flowers erupted inside her and her body became limp as if threatening to faint had he not been holding her.

Their lips caressed continuously in an everlasting passion. Cloud felt her melt under his every touch. He shifted one hand from her back to her waist, felt the inward curve between her torso and hips. Again her body shuddered pleasantly at his touch. He opened his eyes as his lips came away from hers, reluctantly. Her eyes begged him for more. Instead, his lips found her soft, exposed neck. Tifa breathed labouriously.

Inevidably, their gazes met once again. Tifa's lips opened slowly, her mouth searching for words. All she knew was his name.

"...Cloud..." The whisper formed haunting echoes in his mind. Her voice was soft and sultry.

Cloud could no longer hide it. It was not like him, he knew. He never suspected himself to be the first to announce it, but the moment was too perfect. There was a short silence.

"I love you." He said without doubt or fear. His voice did not falter like he thought it might, nor did it sound unsure or insincere. His tone was of purest passion and certainty.

He'd never seen such an expression shown in Tifa until those words met her ears. Her eyebrows lifted as her eyes sealed in pleasant sadisfaction. Her chest rose, her hands grasped his. A genuine, blissful smile spread over her face such that Cloud was filled with equal bliss watching. Tears fell, but he knew that they were not out of sorrow.

"I... love you."

A touch brushed away her tears. Tifa leaned forward; intentionally or not she did not know; falling tightly into his embrace. He kissed her forehead and tears soaked his chest. Their arms locked closely over one another, wishing never to be released. Tifa felt his hands gently stroke her hair. The rythym of their hearts combined into one, one fragmented heart now complete. Her tears ceased in time and she met his eyes.

"I'm sorry... I... just..." Her last tear fell.

Cloud shook his head slowly.

"It's alright... I understand."

Tifa's head rested burried in his chest again.

"You're the only one who understands. All of the pain and lonliless and anguish... All those times I thought I'd lost you... and..."

Cloud nodded, taking in the blissful feeling of her cheek leaned against his chest. "Yeah."

"Cloud?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't ever... let go..."

Cloud nodded again, held her closer.

"I won't."