Prompt: #26 Dispose
Summary: Does anything ever really get thrown away?
Dispose
It is still dark at this time. Dark and cold. He doesn't mind the chilliness though. The air during this very early morning as he makes his way along he sands of the shore feels good against his sweaty body. Not a native to the beach, he is still mesmerized at the sight of the seemingly endless stretches of water and sand before him. It seems to expand into eternity and he likes that too. He also likes the friction the sand provides that gives his morning run a better burn. The waves crashing beside him provide a dramatic soundtrack to his pounding feet as he pushes himself harder to gain more speed. He can't do things like this back at Edge and he misses the hikes that he used to be able to take where he'd grown up. The crisp, clean air of the mountains was different from the salty sea air that his lungs now inhale but no less therapeutic.
Before the sun can begin to peak through and start its rise, he quickly makes his way back to the villa. He's already seen how different and absolutely stunning the sunrises were during his previous morning runs and he's enjoyed all that he's seen. Only, this time he wants to share it with Tifa. So he swiftly moves through the front door and to the master suite where she sleeps. She lays there as he's panting to catch his breath and he finds he can't because she takes it away again. He's never going to get used to the vision that she makes while sleeping. He almost sits down beside the bed to just watch her and forget about the sunrise all together. All so that he can enjoy the few hours before she will awaken and greet him with her smile. But he can't. Her watching the approaching sun with him was more important at this moment because he knows it will mean just as much to her as it does to him.
"Tifa," he calls, brushing his lips against her forehead. "Tifa, wake up."
"Cloud?" she asks. Her husky voice filled with sleep washes over him and if he wasn't calm already, he would have been from hearing it. "What is it?"
"I want to share something with you," he replies by way of explanation.
She takes in his sweaty appearance but offers him an indulgent smile before quickly throwing the covers off her and climbing off the bed. He takes her hand in his and she lets him lead her back outside with him. It's another thing that he doesn't think he'll ever get used to. That a woman like Tifa would trust someone like him so completely. It's not something that he will ever take for granted.
He guides her to the edges of the water and positions her against this front. Mindful of the chill, he puts both arms around her to cocoon her in his warmth.
"Sorry. I'm all sweaty," he apologizes.
She lets out a breathy giggle. "That's all right," she says, turning her head and looks at him with silent question in her eyes.
"Wait for it," he instructs, pointing his chin in the direction of the water before resting it on her shoulder.
Not a moment later, she gasps in surprise as bursts of sunlight reach across the waters like a shining beacon across the jewel toned sea. Her hands tighten on his forearms in delight and she leans back against his chest to enjoy he view.
"Sometimes, I'm overwhelmed with the thought that we never really can dispose of all the bad of our past," he explains in her ear, trusting that she is listening intently. "Because our past will never really be gone. There's always that lingering presence of it no matter what we do." He draws in a long breath and takes in the scent of her hair mixed with the saltiness of the ocean. "But when I see this, I'm reminded that it's okay. It's okay because a new day will always shine and no matter what we've done and gone through before, there is always something new and beautiful just ahead."
Tifa turns in his arms and from the expression on her face, he knows that she understands his full meaning. She presses her soft hand against his cheek and the glow on her face tells him that not only does she understand, she agrees. He can see pride flash in her eyes with warmth and affection while she makes a soft affirmative sound. Then she reaches up and presses her lips to his and he's couldn't have dreamt of a more perfect moment right here in the light of the waking sun.
When they part, she lets out a soft laugh before rubbing her nose playfully against his and gives him a mischievous look. She pulls away from his arms and the sight of her surrounded by golden rays will forever be stamped into his memory.
"Come on," she urges him, while taking backwards steps towards the waves. "Let's go greet the sun."
Without waiting for him to respond, she runs the short distance to the waters and dives in. He doesn't even have to stop and think before he's already rushing towards her and thinks that this is the best way to start anew again.