Cloud looked around the room. Nothing had changed. The tiles were the same; certainly no one had come and replaced the dull countertops. Yet, everything felt different, like this wasn't his house or at all familiar. Across the islet, Leon sipped a beer as Cloud cradled his head in his hands.
"You know," he said, "Kid'll be fine. He always is."
"That's what's bothering me."
"What do you mean?"
"There shouldn't be an 'always'. Zexion should have his own place, his own job, his own life. I shouldn't have to worry about him 24/7 or have to always be on edge every time he goes to the hospital. This has been going on way too long."
"I hear ya. This will be over soon enough."
The blonde looked up at his friend, "Dude, how the actual fuck are you so mellow all the time? Don't you ever get worried, excited, angry, anything?"
"I get beer."
He smiled at that, but edged away a little farther from his friend. Ever since he found out Sephiroth's secret, he'd given up the drink and tried to keep his distance, "Sorry, I'm just really worried. I mean, Zex has never been shot…"
"I have."
Cloud honestly wasn't surprised, and didn't ask for a story Leon wouldn't tell anyway. The moment he was about to respond, the front door banged open. In strolled a swaggering Axel, a somber Tifa behind him.
"Don't you ever knock?"
"Don't you ever get laid?" Axel smirked, sprawling on the couch like a cat, "Seem grumpy enough."
"Can't. I'm in the friendzone remember?"
Leon chuckled, "Your imitations are getting better."
The redhead ignored him, "So what's the deal?"
"They asked us to leave; they're operating on him right now. If anything goes wrong, the hospital will call me. Otherwise, I'll get to see him as early as tomorrow."
"Sweet! We should have a party!"
Him and Leon got into a conversation about celebrations. All Cloud got from it was Leon sighing "you had a party to celebrate the party you had because you just wanted to party" and Axel replying "what's wrong with fuckloads of beer and bitches?" The blonde was looking at Tifa, as usual, to see she hadn't moved from the threshold of the apartment. Cloud paused, then left the guys to their debate, tuning them out just after "dude, you were yelling at a fucking lamp for having a fake golden finish, when the thing was goddamn purple!"
"Hey." Cloud had to snap his fingers in her face to get her attention, "You okay?"
She replied quietly, almost shyly, "Are you?"
"I'm… No. Not really."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault."
A flash of her old sassy self showed, "I can still feel bad, though."
He didn't deny her that, instead remaining silent. After an awkward moment, she passed him and sat in the kitchen with the other two. Cloud idly watched her, then went to his room to make a call. The dial tone lasted for a minute before Dr. Vexen picked up.
"What now?" he sounded distracted.
"Zexion is in the hospital, Doctor. One of Sephiroth's gang members shot him."
"Is the young man okay?"
"He will be, or at least, that's what they're telling me."
Vexen didn't offer any condolences. Cloud got a simple, "I'm waiting for this to have relation with me."
"I want you to talk to him when he's recovered. I don't know what's going through his head right now, but I doubt it's anything worth overlooking."
"Quite possibly… Good night, Mr. Strife."
Cloud put the phone on his night stand. A long exhausted breath dragged its way out of him as he fell back onto the comfort of his bed. After a while, he began reminiscing about Zexion's childhood, not noticing Tifa come into the room. She shut the door silently behind her and sat next to him. Tifa rested her head on his shoulder, humming silently Sweet Child O'Mine. Cloud heard her and hummed along.
She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories,
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky.
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that
special place.
And if I stared too long,
I'd probably break down and cry.
Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine
She's got eyes of the bluest skies,
As if they thought of rain.
I hate to look into those eyes,
And see an ounce of pain.
Her hair reminds me
of a warm safe place,
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by.
Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine
Where do we go
Where do we go now
Where do we go
Sweet child o' mine
Like they always did, they ended the song with a sideways smile.
Tifa let her voice drop, "Cloud, everything will be okay."
"Yeah."
The fake confidence in his tone meant close to nothing. They sat in dull silence, each rolling in their own thoughts. Cloud once again found himself staring at her. He thought of how well Axl Rose described a girl he never met. Tifa was from his childhood, the best part of it. And it was true that he couldn't stay around her too long without fear of messing up their friendship. He so longed to hide in her hair, hated to imagine pain in her eyes. "Cloud what are you staring at?" even though the answer was obvious. He hadn't heard her, though a question formed in his head. Unbeknownst to him, Cloud's fantasy had reached reality. The thought put words in his mouth.
"Why are you so beautiful?"
"What?"
Cloud blinked, realizing he'd spoken aloud, "I-I…"
They both blushed. Tifa attempted to gather her voice and leaned forward. As she was about to speak, Cloud's night table buzzed. The pair looked over to see his phone vibrating. Cloud hesitated, reaching over. He hit the green button.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Strife… I'm so sorry…"
