Tying Up Lose Ends
For: Purple Parasol
Prompt: 'Tying up lose ends.'
Summary: Some things take time.
Sometimes he thinks it was a good idea, other times a bad idea. Still, life is life, and he lived his the best that he could these past years. It wasn't like he never saw her, but still, some things just take time.
Three years after Geostigma attacked, they went their separate ways. Marlene had finally settled down with her papa, and he was... he was wanting to live.
It took a lot to leave her, but she understood.
Never had he lived for himself, and done things for himself. Never had he been who he wanted to be. Instead, he had been some hybrid of cells and memories for most of his life. He wanted to be on his own; it was nothing against her, and she understood that, and he was glad for it.
She took Denzel, and after he left, he heard word from Yuffie that she and Denzel had packed up their things and were traveling the planet.
Denzel was angry at him sometimes, but it wasn't like before. He answered all his phone calls, he smiled when he saw him, and sent him cards and birthday gifts when he couldn't make it to wherever they were.
Life wasn't perfect; sometimes money was tight, but that was what his swords were for, and his skills. So he was finally a mercenary, himself, and not his Zack self. He could imagine this was what it would've been like if Zack would've lived and ShinRa wouldn't have found them...traveling across the planet slaying monsters, living each day as it came. It was a freedom he hadn't had until then.
Today is Denzel's twentieth birthday. They're having a party for him at the bar; the two finally came home and settled back in after two years on the road.
He's late, but he can bet Vincent is later.
Yuffie is chirping about something in the doorway, probably the rain. She hears Fenrir before she sees him, and Yuffie screams turning around. Yuffie pounces on him before he's even got the kick-stand down, and almost results in a wound for Fenrir, but not quite.
Yuffie dances around him, despite the years of age tacked on she still is a ball of endless energy.
He feels older and tired around her.
But probably not as old as Cid or Barret feel.
Cid is twisting a cigarette around in his mouth at the bar, Barret sitting with him. They greet him, no bitterness for his leaving because he didn't really leave them. He's always been there for them.
Reeve looks like he's aged the most. The title of commissioner can't be easy on him, and he's undoubtedly under a lot of stress. It's amazing he had time to make it here.
Nanaki is stretched out in the corner, Marlene resting up against him pouring over a thick book. She grins and waves at him when he enters, and as he walks by, he pats her head.
There is the birthday boy coming out of the kitchen now, a tray balanced on his hand. Denzel's been at the university in Edge for the past two years, Reeve helping to pay for his education. He had tried to pay for some of it himself, but she wouldn't have it; she knew how rough money was for him living on the road.
Denzel sets the tray down before moving up to him and clasping his hand tightly; he should've remembered he has to look up at Denzel now, instead of down. The boy-man was a weed.
"Cloud," Denzel says softly, "glad to see you make it."
He nods his head in acknowledgment, fishing out a package from his back pocket to hold out to Denzel.
Denzel points to a table with gifts on it, and he makes his way towards it.
As he turns back to the room, he takes the time to appreciate the sight. He has moved on from his past, ended that chapter of his life a long time ago. He's tired; he's enjoyed the life he's lived these past years, but he's tired.
He wants a home.
He needs one.
He needs to finish some things up; he's made peace with everyone...except her. There's one thing he wants to ask of her, one thing he needs to tie up.
There she is now. She moves out of the kitchen carrying the cake carefully; he wonders if she heard him come in.
She's beautiful as the day he left her, wearing a red sweater and jeans, her hair pulled back in a low pony tail. She wears no make-up, she never needed to.
He wants to touch her, but he doesn't, stays back as the group forms around the cake. Vincent arrives just in time to witness the singing.
It's a blur from there.
As usual, alcohol is brought out, and that's when the real party starts.
But she picks up the dirty plates and glasses and forks, and piles them onto a tray. She lifts the tray up and carries it back into the kitchen.
He glances around, noticing that everyone's attention is elsewhere before he moves forward.
She's at the sink with her sleeves pushed up scrubbing on a fork when he comes in.
She doesn't glance over her shoulder, "Denzel, go on and enjoy the party...I'll be out in a bit."
He swallows, "Tifa."
She drops the fork, turning quickly and blushing, "Oops, sorry," she smiles.
"It's fine," he says softly.
She watches him with her eyes as he walks over, picking up a towel to start drying some of the dishes. She smiles her thanks.
"So, where were you last week? I didn't have time to call, I'm sorry," she starts off light, a smile still on her face.
"Gongaga."
"Ya know," she pauses from her washing, tipping her head up slightly, "I miss that."
He doesn't ask and she continues.
She meets his eyes, "Traveling. I think as soon as Denzel is done with college I'm packing up and going on another trip, with or without him."
He swallows as she goes back to washing, "You wouldn't...want to stay here?"
"While you're out there having all the fun?" she smiles sadly, but only just, "No, I think...once he's done he'll probably get a place of his own. I won't have anything here for me, I'll be able to do what I want."
She grins at him again, but he can tell she doesn't like the thought of not being needed here.
"What about you?" She's light again, bumping her hip against his playfully. "What are you going to do?"
"I actually...wanted to ask you something."
"Sure, what is it?"
"I...want..." He hesitates...
She looks back up at him, serious, "What is it, Cloud?"
He forces himself to meet her eyes when he tells her this.
"I want to come home."
Her eyes widen slightly, and her lips part. "Here?"
He almost laughs, "What other home do I have?"
She's shocked, but he can tell it means a lot to her that he's said this. She grins wide suddenly, her happiness flaring up in her features.
"Of course, that would be wonderful. I can clean out the office, now...been looking for an excuse to do that, you know," she's talking fast, washing the dishes again, "We might need to get you a new mattress though... We can get one tomorrow... What about your clothes? Lord I bet you've been wearing the same shirt for five years. As much as I like that shirt, Cloud, it's probably seen better days."
He's almost content to listen to her talk about their future, and planning out their lives again.
Almost.
"Tifa."
She cuts off, glancing up at him and blushing. "Sorry, got a little carried away."
He shakes his head lightly, "It's fine."
She tilts her head to the side in question and he gives a tiny, reserved smile that makes her grin.
"Thank you."
Her features soften; he can see the thin lines that are forming around her eyes from where she smiled so much in her life... he can see how her features are tired with age, and how she looks frailer, and thinner.
But she's still beautiful.
"You're welcome. You know you didn't even have to ask."
So he doesn't.
He leans down and kisses her lightly on her mouth, and he feels her hands clench onto the front of his shirt. He feels the soapy water soak through his shirt as she sighs against his mouth, and he smiles into her lips.
He almost never leaves again, and when he does, it's only with her.
Tying up lose ends.
A/N: Thanks for reviews loves! I loved them all so much! You were all so kind last chapter. I've been so busy lately...it's kinda sad though. I found out today that my chemistry professor died thursday night... How sad is that? It's strange, too. It's easy to forget that proffessors are human. Hipathya: Thanks for the add to your C2! I appreciate all your compliments! Thanks
List
1. Le Pecore Nere- Dog Filled
2. Tri17 – Aeris' dress Filled
3. mistakenXsilence – piano Filled
4. sam – Tifa gets angry, cloud makes up Filled
5. Alice001 – CloTi fluff Filled
6. Aknskywalker – friendship Filled
7. Calistar Heir – argument Filled
8. x.one.winged.angel.x – decorating Filled
9. elebelly – irony Filled
10. Le Pecore Nere – sadness w/ flower, to happiness Filled
11. Meilinoa – Training Filled
12. Mandylion – Mistaken Identity
13. Paintball Willie – Tifa beats Cloud at Paintball
14. Lord Divestre Croft – accident (Hospital) Filled
15. Zaz9-zaa0 – Cloud babysits (who's this guy?)
16. Tifa Lockheart Strife – Songfic When You're Gone Filled
17. Iskra Revoir – Cloud the doctor loses patient Filled
18. G.M. Potter – Tifa gets sick/Cloud takes care of her Filled
19. Lachrymosity – Love subtle
20. sam – songfic (kismet)
21. src83 – Cloud&Tifa detectives (Solve murder) Filled
22. purple parasol – Tying up lose ends Filled
23. Cerberus angel – sweets Filled
24. DynastyWarriors - childhood at school and cloud alone and Tifa asks him to play with her
25. Julian K. Spire – Vincent appearance
26. Ur1Nonly - Tifa jealous, Zack jealous
27. ArEAf-rules – Post AC Cloud/Tifa argument Filled
28. Flower Girl – ClotTi fluff during sparring
29. anime girlie10 – Cloud w/ reading glasses Filled
30. KaleidoscopeLight – biological parents of toddler w/ fluffy convo
31. Lord Divestre Croft – Nightclub
32. xx-lheanna lockheart-xx – Cloud-bedtime story Marlene/Denzel
33. xXNejiluverXx – Drunk Cloud Filled
34. Verona Sage – "Go ask your mother"
35. Verona Sage – proposal
36. space-halo – Cloud/ Tifa dinner w/ dad
37. ArEAf-rules – Teenage Cloud/Tifa at party
38. sparky – that day seven years ago (Nibelhiem incident) Filled
39. Biskitty – phone convo
40. Tifa Lockheart Strife – Cloud finds Tifa's diary/drawings
41. Xxyuna4evaxX – Muse-unintended songfic
42. ChieriAn9el – Tifa is missing, Cloud freaks over nothing
43. Unpersonified - Tifa's death Filled
44. x.one.winged.angel.x - Cloud has an irrational phobia
45. Lord Divestre Croft - Cloud-girl"Gender Bender"
46. Iskra revoir - Beach trip
47. firefox99 - Cloud ticklish
48. xXNejiluverXx - jealous Cloud
49. Valentine's Ninja- Blind Date
50. laila - hangovers
51. zenbon zakura - snow boarding vacation
52. Sunset dreams - Cloud hyper off of sugar
53. Janneason - Cloud sick, Tifa nurses him and says 'I love you' subconsciously.
54. KaryuuNoHaneKata- ripped pants
55. Sunset Dreams - Young Cloud meets Tifa's overprotective father
56. Ur1Nonly - Marlene/Denz spy on Cloud/Tifa
57. x Sarizar - Cloud attempts laundry - results in pure chaos
58. Free Hero - Tifa coerces Cloud to watch Chick Flick (OMG LOVE)
59. Hipathya- Cloud lusting over Tifa