White. Everything was white. The walls, the floors, the ceilings, the furniture, the bedsheets, even the clothes the man huddled in the corner wore were the color of milk. Tifa had hesitated, preparing herself to enter this room of white, but she instantly regretted taking that first step. She stood out too much; he'd notice her immediately.
How long has it been? A week? A couple? A month? I don't know if I can see him. No. I should. He deserves it…
Tifa noticed dully that he'd moved all the furniture so it corresponded with his nephew's. Sadly, no books were allowed, so half the room was empty. She watched him for a moment, half-empty. The man's eyes were shaded and heavy. They drooped as his head rested against the wall. Tifa was wrong. He hadn't even acknowledged he wasn't alone anymore.
"Cloud?" she stood next to him. On the other side of the door was a guard in case something happened, but she had more than enough privacy. She dared to placed her hand on his shoulder, "Hey."
He turned slowly to see her face. His eyes widened for a moment, a flash of recognition. It was as if seeing the world again after driving through the tunnel, or waking up after a bad dream. Cloud smiled, "Tifa. You're here…"
"Yeah. Cloud, I…"
"Shh. Listen. Zex is telling me another story. It's a good one. Heard it a billion times, but it never gets old. He's so cute, isn't he? Must get it from his mother." his voice trailed off as he sat staring at the little boy that wasn't there. Tifa choked back a sob, and again questioned if she was ready to do this. He obviously wasn't.
A good fifteen minutes passed before Cloud's eyes spilled over. Under his breath, he muttered, "The End." and looked to Tifa. He smiled, "What's up?"
Tifa had reached her limit. She got on her knees before him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She'd begun crying, harder because she realized she couldn't tell Cloud. How could she? She'd just make it worse. This wasn't even Cloud. Just a shell of what used to be her best friend. Hoping it'd reach the old Cloud, Tifa hugged him tighter.
The shell blinked, then returned the embrace. They held each other, like they had years ago at the funeral. Crying together, without shame, for different reasons this time. As they calmed down, Cloud took deep breaths. In his mind, now wrecked and not straight, he wondered if this was okay. Would Zex let him be happy? Surely he didn't deserve it after killing him. Cloud felt fear take over. He pushed away Tifa. Zex would hurt her for sure. He had to make it look like he didn't want her there. Appeal to Zex.
"Go away! Leave, don't come back! I hate you!"
"Cloud…" she looked down at her feet. She knew this shell wouldn't care, but she had to say it. It'd been too long. She'd waited too long. Maybe if she said it earlier, this would've never happened, but, the words were meaningless now, and it wouldn't hurt telling him.
"Cloud, I love you."
He stopped. What did she say?
I have his attention. This is good. This is… "I. Love. You. Cloud. Can you understand me?"
"... Go away!"
She gasped, then recovered. Ignoring Cloud's "no"s, she leaned in, "Cloud, I know this is wrong. Or, maybe so wrong it's right, I don't even know anymore but… I love you… I don't know if you're in there or you're gone forever but..." she leaned in further, "Just allow me this moment of weakness…"
Cloud yelped, realizing what she was trying to do and put his hands firmly on her shoulders, "No! Zex will hurt you!"
She let out a sob, "I don't care what Zex does to me. You need to know, Cloud. I…"
Tifa shoved herself at him, pressing her lips firmly on his. At first his lips were hard against hers, like he didn't want to kiss her. His hands tried unsuccessfully to push her away, but ended up pulling her into him. His mouth softened, and he kissed her again. And again. And again. All over. On her lips, her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, her neck, her shoulder, back up to her lips. Again. Repeat. His fingers tangled in the soft black hair he'd yearned to feel. Cloud whimpered against her mouth, rejoicing in the taste he'd wanted his whole life. Tifa tasted like happiness, like freedom. He couldn't get enough. Freedom.
Freedom.. Free me.. Love… Free… Tifa. Tifa. Love. I love Tifa. Free me, Tifa.
Cloud didn't realize he said these things out loud, between kisses, and made Tifa laugh and smile. He didn't care. He loved her. And she loved him. They could be together. As they proved it over and over, Cloud's eyes never found the items tucked into Tifa's coat pocket. One was a note, the other was a black feather.
Unbeknownst to them, a crow sat on the window sill, observing the scene with speculative stares. It flapped its wings, and took off into the night. In its mind eye, it reread the latest victim's farewell:
Dear Everyone,
Thank you.
I never thought I could've made it without you guys. You were always there for me, and I know that if I was alone, I never would've made it as far as I had.
Axel and Reno. Thank you for being just the right amount of pervy and caring.
Yuffie. Your spunky attitude always made the workplace brighter. Don't change.
Leon. I doubt you'll ever tell your story, but know I would've thought you're awesome anyway.
Demyx, thanks for being a cool dude. Other guys would've called me queer for being in that bookstore so much. You were cool, even if you were Larxene's affair.
Xigbar, thank you for all the fun times in your restaurant. It was usually the highlight of my evening to hang out with you and everyone else, just eating pizza and laughing about nothing.
Cid, thank you for caring about me enough to build me that bookshelf, and my entire room, for free. Not a lot of people would do that, only people with a big heart. I liked your big heart.
Tifa. I know your secret. I never told him, but you should. Thank you for being there for him and taking care of him when no one else would. It's not your job, which just makes you even greater.
And Cloud.
Uncle Cloud, I am happier now. I'm in a better place. This isn't your fault at all. I don't hate you. How could I? You've always been there for me. Always. I wish I could've done the same for you. Oh, and Uncle Cloud?
…
I love you too.
Yours without lament,
Zexion
