Author's Note:
Just a little FYI, in this story, Cloud is 17 and Tifa is 16 and are currently juniors in high school.
In a small room, we find our main heroines prepping for the wedding. Jill is feeling giddy, for she is marrying the boy she knew since they were children. She can still recall the day their mutual love truly blossomed. It was on a relaxing night at the beach near Nibelheim, where Clive confessed his frustration and the pressure for saving his brother. Jill comforted him, assuring him that he is doing everything he could, but he does not have to do it alone. He has friends and family that supports him; people who would assist him to save his brother. Including her…
Jill sighed as she remembers that same night is when they had their first kiss. A small, simple kiss to assure Clive he is loved and cherished, despite his own mother abandoning them. She can still recall the first thing he said after they kissed.
I never thought a smile could bring me so much joy.
"Aunt Jill?
Jill awakens from her nostalgic memory and sees her niece, Tifa Lockhart, helping get ready for the ceremony.
"Ah, forgive me, Tifa. I was just reminiscing about a happy memory."
Tifa smiles.
"I'm happy for you, Aunt Jill. I never thought that Cloud's uncle would be your old childhood friend, let alone marrying him."
"Indeed, but I am forever grateful for fate bringing us together."
A knock came from the door. Tifa insisted on getting it and opened it. Behind the door was Cloud, Tifa's childhood friend.
"Hey… Tifa…" Cloud said.
"Cloud…"
"Is Aunt Jill there? Uncle Joshua wants to let her know that the ceremony will start soon."
Jill walked up and responded to Cloud.
"Cloud, tell Joshua that I will be ready before then. Thank you."
Cloud nodded.
"Okay, I'll let him know. It's… good to see you, Tifa…"
And after that, Cloud left. Tifa sighs as she closes the door. But Jill can see the saddened look on her face.
"What is wrong, Tifa?" She asked.
"It's nothing…"
"Really… because I recall that whenever you saw him, you'd have this bright smile on your face and asked to play with him when you were children. What happened?"
Tifa explained to her what happened. Cloud and Tifa used to be close since Middle School, but after she got hurt that one time, Cloud distanced himself from her. She tried so hard to reconnect with him, but the first they talked after years of silence, she learned that Cloud will be going to the military instead of the same school with her. The two argued about it and they haven't spoken to each other since.
"I see," Jill replied.
"I just… I don't understand him, Aunt Jill!" Tifa said. "He promised me that we'd be together! That'd we'd always be friends…"
Jill can now see what is truly troubling her.
"Tifa, are you sure that's what you truly want?"
"What do you mean?"
"Let me tell you something important, okay? Come sit here."
Tifa obliged and sat next to Jill.
"As you know, Clive and I have been friends since we were children. I saw how far he'd willing to go to make his father and brother proud. And when he lost his father from that horrible accident, he stood strong and put on a brave face for his brother. Even after their horrible mother abandoned them. Yet, despite all that, I knew that deep down, he saw himself unworthy and weak because he couldn't protect his brother he once promised to his father."
Jill recalls the memories of Clive breaking down when he assumes he's alone. How he struggles from jobs after jobs just to pay the hospital bills to ensure Joshua's health.
"Clive has never gotten the love he truly deserved from his mother and it pained me to see him like that. It pains me to watch him see himself worthless and undeserving. But to me…"
Jill clenched her hands toward her chest.
"He is my treasure… and I love him for all the good he has done. Not just to his brother, but to his friends and family."
Tifa watches her expression as she talks about Clive. How Jill seems to glow every time she mentions him. Their trust and love for each other was amazing to her and can't help but wish she could have that trustful bond with Cloud.
"I wish Cloud and I could be like you and Uncle Clive, Aunt Jill. I just don't understand why Cloud wanted to go. I mean, he's smart, kind and strong. I just don't know why he needs to join the military!" Tifa yelled. "Isn't he happy?"
"When did his mood change, Tifa?" Jill asked.
"Around the time after I got hurt. But… oh…"
Tifa now realized why Cloud is doing this…
"He still blames himself for what happened…"
Tifa recalls the memory of when she got hurt. They were playing by the forest and Tifa accidentally fell off a bridge and into a river. Cloud tried to save her but failed. Tifa was okay and only got a small scar from it, but her dad blamed Cloud for it. Because of that, Cloud considered himself weak and worthless because of what happened.
"Cloud reminds me a lot of Clive when he was young. So allow me to give you this advice," Jill responded. "Be supportive to one you truly care about, deep in your heart. You may not think it's much, but your words and support may bring so much joy to one you truly admire."
"I want to, Aunt Jill," Tifa clenches her fist. "But I can't bear the thought of a life without him. He's my best friend, he supported me; listened to every complaint I had when he should've just told me to stop. He's…"
Tifa reminisces all the fun memories she had with Cloud. Every time they'd visit each others' house and play games together, explore every corner of Nibelheim, every time they'd walk home together from school. Every time they'd hang at the market and buy snacks together. How Cloud would listen to her play the piano, not caring she hasn't had enough practice and that she sounds amazing. She recalls how her mom said that Cloud would grow up to be quite a handsome man and she felt proud of it, unaware of what she truly felt.
To her, he was the happiest moment of her life.
"…He's my treasure," Tifa announced. "And I don't want to lose him…"
Tears ran down on Tifa's cheeks as she truly acknowledged her true feelings. Jill hugs her niece and assures her that everything will be okay.
"It's not too late, Tifa. You can still tell him how you feel."
"What?! I can't!" Tifa replied, "If I do and he rejects me… I'd lose him entirely! I-I can't bear that!"
"Tifa, my sweet niece," Jill placed a hand on Tifa's cheek and had her face her. "There's without a doubt no way that Cloud would ever reject you."
"But he's going away once we graduate…"
"But do you know why though? Truly?" Jill asked.
Tifa was silent.
"At least make up with him before it's too late. Don't make the mistake I did for not telling Clive how I felt before he ran off to the military. I'm already over 30 years old and I'm finally marrying the man I love. Of course, I was just very patient with him. He would've gone through his whole life, unaware of my feelings for him."
The two girls chuckles as the door opens, revealing Jote to arrive and inform them that the Ceremony is about to begin.
"Lady Jill, we must get ready for the ceremony."
"Thank you, Jote. I shall," Jill replied to Jote.
Jote was one of the former servants to the Rosfield family. And even though they lost all their fortune, Jote continued to support Joshua's wellbeing. Jill can see how much she truly cares about Joshua though. She is already preparing their own wedding in her thoughts. Along with Tifa and Cloud's wedding.
"We best get going, Tifa," Jill replied.
Tifa nodded and got up.
"Um… Aunt Jill?"
"Yes?"
Tifa hugs Jill sincerely.
"Thank you, for everything. I wish you and Uncle Clive the best in the future."
Jill smiles as she hugs Tifa back.
"Thank you, Tifa. And I shall pray for you and Cloud's future. May you both achieve happiness, together."
Author's Note:
Next Chapter will be the ceremony and Cloud and Tifa's apology (and more). I feel like these chapters were too short but I'm positive the next chapter will be my best one yet. I hope you guys enjoyed it; again, this is my first time writing a Final Fantasy fanfiction and I tried my best to stay as close to the character's personality as possible. Thank you again for reading my story. Until the next update.