AN: May 6 Prompt was "Favorite Trait." Sorry this is late~
Cloud admires Tifa's kindness.

Tifa had decided that morning that they should take a walk on trails outside of Costa. She wants to be surrounded by the tropical plants and trees that line the border of the small town, flora they're not used to seeing back in Edge. She wraps her arms around his and leans into him as they walk together, pointing out all kinds of flowers and little animals they pass by. There isn't nearly this much life back home, and the jubilance in her eyes at exploring it with him makes his heart swell more than he thought it could. And perhaps he could find a secluded spot for them to nestle in and try something new…

But about an hour into their hike, Cloud hears something shifting near them. He tenses, his hackles rising, his grip on her hand tightening as he turns to find the source. Tifa stops mid-sentence; she hears it too.

"Is someone there?"

His ears perk up as whatever it is makes a frightened noise at being discovered. It only takes him a few more seconds to discern it.

"Someone's crying," he says quietly to Tifa.

Her eyes shine with concern. She steps lightly toward the bushes and peeks inside.

"It's alright," he hears her say, extending her hand. "You can come out."

After a bit more coaxing, a girl no more than five or six emerges, clinging to Tifa's arm. She sniffles, tears streaming down her cheeks, blubbering words that Cloud can't understand. Tifa pulls the colorful sarong from around her hips and begins to dab the child's face.

"Here. Are you hurt?"

The girl grips the cloth, holding it to her nose. A few seconds pass by, and then she squeaks in harsh breaths, "I-it's my mommy. I can't find her."

Tifa looks back at Cloud while the girl blows into her wrap. He knows that look in her eye - that compassionate, kind look that says, We have to help. He nods to her.

"What's your name sweetie?" Tifa coos, patting her on the head.

"M-meryl."

"Okay Meryl. My name is Tifa. This is Cloud." She sweeps her hand back to him. Cloud gives the girl a small smile in reassurance, and she sniffs, nodding. "We're going to help you find your mommy. Can you tell us what she looks like?"

Meryl's eyes widen in acceptance and joy. "Y-yes! She… she has orange hair. And her eyes look like mine. And she has freckles."

Cloud makes a mental note of everything Meryl says. Tifa asks, "What was she wearing?"

"A… a yellow dress. It has daisies on it. Th-they're my favorite."

"Okay. Why don't you and I stay right here, and Cloud will go look for your mommy."

Tifa sits with her, holding her hand and smoothing her hair. Meryl clings to the wrap, but looks at Cloud and asks, "Will you find her?"

His smile widens just a little. "I'm pretty good at finding things."

"He's the best," Tifa adds with a wink. "It'll be okay."

It doesn't take him long to spot the woman down one of the trails. She's shouting Meryl's name, and he can tell she's getting more frantic by the minute.

"Excuse me."

She spins to face him, her yellow sundress twirling. Her chin-length red hair sticks to her face, and there's panic in her eyes that look just like Meryl's.

"Yes?"

"My name is Cloud. My girlfriend and I found Meryl. She described you to us."

Her relief radiates off of her as her eyes well up. "Oh thank you! Please take me to her! She wandered off, chasing a butterfly or something, and I was so afraid."

Meryl recognizes her mother immediately, letting go of Tifa and running into her arms.

"Mommy!"

Her mother scoops her up and holds her tight, kissing her tear-stricken face. Tifa gets up and Cloud comes to her side.

"Oh thank you so much. I'm so glad such good people found her."

"We're happy to help," Tifa says with her glowing smile.

Meryl's mother begins to turn away when the girl shouts, "Oh! This is yours!" She reaches out with Tifa's sarong. "Thank you very much for helping me find my mommy."

"Of course sweetie."

"Thank you again." Her mother smiles and bows her head, and they depart.

"What's that look?" Tifa asks him once they're alone.

Cloud didn't realize how large his grin had gotten until she pointed it out. He pulls her into his arms and kisses her forehead.

"I've always admired that kindness of yours. Always been a little envious of it too."

"Envious?"

"You give it so easily."

She wraps him in a hug, staring up at him with a smirk. "Well, I've got plenty more where that came from."

They find that secluded spot after all.