"Awe Sky, you'll see them soon" you tried to reassure her. Marlene had left a few days ago to go on her annual father/daughter trip with Barrett and Cid just stopped by to pick up Riley and Denzel to go fishing, and poor Skylar just seemed sad.
"I know…" she trailed off, after a few moments she turned back to you, "What if my mom and dad don't want me?" she asked timidly, you could see the tears beginning to form in her eyes.
You bit your lip, unable to find the right words, instead you just hugged Skylar, you didn't want to think about what would happen if your suspicions were correct.
"Then you'll just have to stay with us forever" Cloud replied. You glanced up to him with a soft smile, he's still not very talkative but when he does speak it means a lot. "Why don't you go get your helmet" he told her.
Skylar nodded before releasing you, you could still see the tears in her eyes but she's such a strong kid. You couldn't imagine what she must be feeling, after all when you were her age you were surrounded with so much love, your mother was always your biggest supporter, you just couldn't comprehend how a parent could do this to their child. Skylar began to head up stairs but when she was almost there she turned and ran back to hug you and Cloud, the two of you shared a look, knowing that no matter what happens the two of you will always be there for Skylar.
You absently frowned as you watched Skylar leave, you felt Cloud wrap an arm around your waist and you turned giving him your attention.
"I thought holding you would make the frown go away" Cloud said innocently.
You gave him a soft smile as you placed a hand on his cheek, "I'm sorry" you replied.
"Skylar's situation is bothering you" Cloud said, you nodded, "But its not just that" he added. You nodded again, you weren't sure how to put into words that you think Cloud would be make a great dad one day but if he stays with you he won't have that chance, plus its not exactly something you want to bring up in a new relationship. Cloud pulled you in a hug and kissed your forehead. "Autumn you can tell me anything" he prompted.
You held him tightly trying to work up the courage to speak your mind. After a few moments you finally spoke, "I just hate that someone as awful as Skylar's mom can have a kid and I will never be able to" you told him. Cloud nodded thoughtfully and just held you close. You took a deep breath, catching Cloud's attention, "you know if you stay with me I would be taking that chance away from you too." You looked away.
You were a bit startled when you felt Cloud grab your chin forcing you to look at him, "Autumn, I knew that going into this" he told you, "I love you, that won't change" his voice softened a bit and you relaxed, it was silly that you ever felt insecure about this but Cloud always knows exactly what you need.
"I love you too Cloud"
He smiled before closing his eyes, leaning in for a kiss, you followed his lead and closed your eyes, only to open them a split second later as you heard the noisiest footsteps ever. You looked to the stairs to see Skylar running towards you, helmet and your leather jacket in hand.
"Time to go!" Skylar announced.
"Why don't you go say goodbye to Tifa we'll be there in a minute" Cloud told her, Skylar nodded than ran off into the kitchen.
You were about to head into the kitchen when Cloud spun you back to him and held you close, "Just where do you think you're going Miss Knight" Cloud asked.
"Oh did you need something Mr. Strife?" you asked with a teasing smile. Cloud responded by attacking your neck with kisses which tickled a bit and you couldn't help but giggle. Then Cloud took this opportunity to capture you lips in a passionate kiss which you gladly returned. After a few moments you pulled away from each other just enough so you could look into his shockingly blue eyes. "Are you satisfied Mr. Strife?" You asked innocently.
"For now" he replied kissing you again. "but if you keep teasing me, we'll never leave" He told you.
"Then lets get going" You told him as you wiggled out of his grasp and grabbed his hand forcing him to follow you into the kitchen.
You nearly laughed at the scene in front of you. Skylar was completely normal, but Tifa had her feet up on the kitchen table, was wearing a face mask and sipping on some tea.
"You look comfortable" you commented at the same time Cloud asked. "What the hell is on your face?" You turned to him "Its a face mask, be nice" you scolding him holding back a laugh, thought you had to admit Tifa did look completely ridiculous.
Tifa ignored Cloud and focused on your comment, "For the first time in forever the house is empty, I'm going to pamper myself until I have to open the bar"
"Then I guess we should get going" You replied.
Skylar gave Tifa a hug before running outside pulling Cloud along with her. He waived as he passed Tifa. When they were just about out the door you heard Skylar ask "Why does Tifa look like an alien?" to which Cloud responded "She does look like an alien doesn't she."
Tifa scowled in their direction before turning back to you. "Be safe, and try not to kill Skylar's mom"
"I make no promises" you replied. "Will you be alright by yourself?" you asked but before Tifa could respond you added, "Wait thats a silly question, I guess enjoy it while it lasts" you laughed.
"Oh I will, who knows when the next time I'll have a quiet house" Tifa replied.
You said your goodbyes and headed outside where Cloud had already started Fenrir and was waiting for you. Skylar was sitting in front of him again and you took your place behind him. Once you were settled Cloud took off, speeding out of Edge.
The ride for the most part was pretty relaxing, though you were tempted to mess with Cloud like you usually do, but decided against it because Skylar is here, instead you watched as Cloud would occasionally point out various wildlife and landmarks to Skylar, you couldn't help but smile at how adorable he is. As you gazed at the landscape you were amazed at how different it, The last time you rode to Kalm, it was mostly desert or vast wastelands of jagged rocks and dying trees but now, wildlife is returning, plants and shrubs were growing, at an almost alarmingly fast rate. It seems the world is finally healing. You absently rested your head on Cloud shoulder, you felt as he shifted to glance at you before he turned back to the road ahead of him.
A few hours into the trip you found yourself in the same small town you stopped in months ago and you were getting some serious de-ja-vu as you waited by Fenrir with Skylar. You sat on the same brick wall as last time as you watched Skylar wander around trying to stretch her legs for a bit. You glanced away at the town it was still pretty run down, but there were more people around. Maybe now that the world is healing small towns like this will grow and thrive, smiling to yourself at the thought.
"It must be my lucky day," A familiar voice said, you glanced to your left to find Kane looking at you, "Never thought I'd see your pretty face again, Autumn" he mused.
"Oh" You replied awkwardly. You were a bit freaked out that he remembered your name.
"What brings you back here?" he asked, "Must be my charming features" he added with a cheeky grin.
You shook your head, "Just passing through" you replied, you glanced at the door to the convenience store hoping to see Cloud but he was still inside.
"Maybe you should stay for a while"
"No thank you," you replied getting frustrated, why couldn't a simple no be an acceptable answer.
"I could show you around, take you out tonight" he prompted as he hoisted himself on the brick wall to sit next to you.
You scooted over a few feet away from him, "I have a boyfriend" you replied; while you hated the fact that you had to use that, at least its true.
"I don't see him anywhere"
Your eyes widened, now you're really uncomfortable. You glanced back at the convenience store and thankfully this time Cloud was walking over, you could see the annoyed look in his eyes, but the rest of his face held his usual blank expression.
"He's right there" you gestured to Cloud as he approached.
"That same guy?" Kane questioned, "He doesn't look tough. I'm more of man than he is" You rolled your eyes, they always go for the toxic masculinity comeback.
Cloud ignored Kane's presence and pat Skylar on the head as he walked by to get to you. "You ready to go?" he asked. You nodded with a smile. As you were about to jump of the wall Cloud wrapped his arms around you and held you close for a moment before placing you on the ground. He pulled you into a quick kiss before pulling away. "Come on" he said as he began to lead you to Fenrir
"Sky put your helmet on, its time to go" you called to her. Skylar nodded and ran over to Fenrir as she put the helmet back on. She waited patiently as you and Cloud approached, Cloud took his usual place before helping Skylar up and once they were settled you took your place behind Cloud. As Cloud began to speed out of the town you whispered to him. "A little jealous?"
"Should I be jealous?" Cloud asked, you could hear the amusement in his voice.
"you have no reason to be jealous" you told him sincerely.
He paused for a moment, "I may have been a little jealous" Cloud admitted.
You held onto him a little tighter, you were about to speak when Skylar piped up, "Can you two wait to be cute till I'm not here" Skylar teased.
You and Cloud shared a look before deciding its best to honor Skylar's wishes. The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful but you couldn't help have the worst feeling as you approached Skylar's home.
From a distance the huge manor house looked the same as when you picked up Skylar weeks ago but as you approached the landscaping was unkept nearing the point of being overgrown. Once Cloud parked, Skylar jumped off the bike and rushed over to the call box on the gate. You and Cloud shared a worried looked because no one answered the call box.
You walked over to Skylar, "well maybe we can just go in" you suggested. Skylar grabbed your hand and allowed you to lead her to the entrance where Cloud was already opening the heavy iron gate, though he made it look easy. Walking down the long driveway to the front door seemed to take an eternity but Skylar didn't seem to notice as she skipped ahead of you. Cloud noticed your unease and wrapped an arm around you waist in an attempt to soothe you. You offered him a smile before picking up your pace. Skylar had already opened the front door and she was no longer in sight.
As you walked in your heart broke for Skylar; the house was dark and empty. It looked like it had been abandoned for weeks. Skylar stood silently in the center of the room before falling to her knees. You rushed over to comfort her with Cloud close behind. You pulled the poor kid into your arms unsure what to do or say, you were angry, how could anyone abandon their child? Skylar just cried, Cloud kneeled and placed a hand on Skylar's back unsure what to do. You weren't sure how long you remained on the floor just holding Skylar as she cried, you and Cloud would share a look every so often but neither of you knew what to do.
Eventually Cloud excused himself for a moment but as he stood Skylar reached out him, which stopped the ex-soldier in his tracks. "Please don't leave me" Skylar cried.
Cloud kneeled back down to Sky's level. "I'm just going to make a few calls, I promise i'll be right back. I'm not going anywhere" He tried to reassure her.
Skylar looked at him for a moment, debating if she should believe him or not before finally accepting his answer. As Cloud walked away you tried to comfort Skylar, she was crying less but perhaps she just ran out of tears.
"Will Cloud come back?" she asked quietly.
From your angle you could see that Cloud standing on the porch and seemed to be making a phone call. "He'll be back I promise." you told her.
"But what if he leaves too?" Skylar asked.
You frowned, you knew she was referencing when Cloud would leave for days, or weeks or months at a time. "He's not going to leave us, I promise" you told her, but from the look on her face you knew that she didn't believe you. "Do you remember when we talked about PTSD?" you asked.
Skylar rubbed her face in an attempt to wipe away her tears before looking up at you and nodding. "Cloud is healing now, and part of that healing is believing in him" you told her. Skylar nodded thoughtfully before looking away with a frown. "I know it's hard but I'll always be here for you, so will Cloud, Tifa, Cid and all of our friends. You can tell me anything" you told her, She stayed silent but it looked like she was thinking about it. "It's not good to bottle up your emotions" you told her.
"Like how Cloud does?" Skylar asked.
You nodded, "But he's learning to open up" you told her, "It may ease your mind."
Skylar paused for a few moments before speaking as if trying to find the right words. "Why didn't my parents want me?" she finally asked in a small voice. You weren't sure how to respond so you just held her a little tighter. "I'm not sick anymore" She said as tears ran down her face. "Did I do something wrong?" she cried.
"Skylar you've done nothing wrong" you told her, pulling away so you could face her, "None of this is your fault" you told her in a softer voice trying to put her at ease. "I don't know why they left, I don't understand how they could." you mumbled more to yourself.
"Sky don't you remember what I said this morning?" Cloud asked as he approached, you turned to look at him. Skylar perked up at the sound of Cloud's voice and shook her head in response to his question. Cloud kneeled to her level, "We're just going to have to keep you forever" He told her.
Skylar nearly tackled Cloud in response, clinging to him as she cried but this time in happiness. Cloud paused for a moment in shock before hugging her, you couldn't help but smile.
"I'm sorry I doubted you" Skylar told Cloud.
"It's alright," he replied, "We should get out of here." You nodded in agreement. Skylar was understandably pretty upset so Cloud ended up carrying her back to Fenrir.
"Who did you call?" you asked curiously as Skylar began to calm down.
Cloud paused a moment as if to choose his words carefully. "Cid" Cloud replied, then turned to Skylar, "As much as I want to keep you with us, we have a couple of days of riding, I have a lot of deliveries and Autumn has work to do in Junon." Tears were beginning to well up in Skylar's eyes again, Cloud nearly panicked and rushed to add, "Cid is going to pick you up from Kalm…" he trailed off as Skylar began crying again. The ex-soldier tried unsuccessfully to calm her.
"Awe Sky please don't cry, I know its hard to understand and we really do want to keep you with us but he's right now its not safe or fair for you be stuck on Fenrir for a few days." You looked to Cloud hoping he's explain why he called Cid.
"Cid is going to pick you and instead of the fishing trip.." he was cut off again.
"I'm ruining their fishing trip!" Skylar cried as she tried to wiggle out of Cloud's arms, he struggled to keep a grip on her, but ultimately succeeded.
"No Sky, you're not ruining anything" you tried to reason with her but she was too distraught to listen.
"Skylar will you please listen," Cloud asked, you could tell he was frustrated and had no idea what he was doing, but you know he just has Skylar's best interest at heart. As if sensing Cloud's frustration, Skylar finally listened.
"Cid is going to take you, Riley and Denzel to the Chocobo Farm for two weeks, we thought that might cheer you up more than a fishing trip" Cloud told her, "And by the time you get back Autumn and I will be home and so will Marlene" he added. Without a word Skylar just hugged Cloud, who sighed and relief when he realized that he did just fine.