Prompt: #37 Survive
Summary: She was the example that he should live by.
Survive
When he thinks about it now, it's funny to think that he'd thought he'd been trying to live. He thought he was trying and not doing a very good job of it either. All he needed to do, was look at how Tifa had lived those two years in comparison to how he had, to realize that he hadn't been living at all. Guess the old saying was true. About how you don't really see things that are right in front of you face. Tifa had taken life as it had come and found small things every day to be glad about. Little inconsequential things in her daily life that wouldn't matter to any one else and find a measure of contentment. Those simple little things that not everyone can see. He had definitely been guilty of being one of the blindest.
She'd exclaim and celebrate whenever the kids had achieved something, his too. She went on little outings around the city with them and have an ice cream, which the kids loved. She kept things exciting and happy as much as she could. Making the most of everything. Even Denzel, as sick as he'd been and as much as he has been through, had embraced these little happinesses that every day could bring. Tiny things that he more than most, had overlooked or simply ignored by being selfish and afraid. Those small, unappreciated joys.
Tifa told him that he wasn't the only one having a hard time and that the rest of them were going through the same things. She told him that, that was tough, but they all had something to deal with. But as long as they did it together, they could fight it. It's sometimes easy to forget that Tifa has lost just as much as he has. But she's never given up. In some ways, she reminds him of Zack. Not in that boisterous and zesty sort of way. Tifa was more composed and calm, but not stuffy or stuck up. Like Zack, she was industrious and has always been eager to work. Work and do anything and everything to provide for others and not only herself. Tifa had her bar and she worked hard raising the kids too. Kids that weren't even her own. As busy as she always kept herself, she still managed to care for all of them too. All of their friends knew they always had a place to stay with Tifa. He's so proud of her. Whenever he looks at her his chest fills with pride. Pride that she's chosen him. Chosen him like he'd always dreamed she would.
He's decided already to live and live well. He's vowed it and he's not going to just survive anymore. Because that's really what he's been doing. Not living, surviving. So, with all this appreciation, communication and discovery, he thinks he's finally going to do that. To live... and there was no way he was going to be able to do that without Tifa.
He just has to get up the nerve to actually say it to her and make it that much more permanent and real.