A/N: Finally, Clock's final chapter. I cannot believe it either.

Please read at least from Chapter 9 for a refresher. Or from Chapter 5 if you want to start where the plot started.

Each narrator is speaking to the person they love. So Cloud is talking to Aeris, Tifa to Cloud, Vincent to Lucrecia.

Hope you enjoy! Leave a feedback if you can!

Chapter 10: Heaven7

Tifa:

The moment I can move, I run to Barret. I know from where I stand, this is the most critical task I can do with the highest rate of success. I must ensure we all survive; I have to make sure that if there is a tomorrow we can all still fight.

Hastily casting cure magic, I run to Barret then to Cid. Yuffie has recovered and is already up and about, helping Nanaki.

We just need to help Aeris and get out of here fast, then maybe – just maybe - everyone can come out of this alive.

I look at Nanaki limping on the ground, he looks my way with a bowed head and sad, pained eyes. I move closer to him and he gestures his head towards the spot near the altar where you are. I see you cradling her in your arms as if she has died.

I make my way to where you are weeping uncontrollably. Green light glowing and fading as you cast magic – one after the other. Unwilling to stop until either she moves or your body can no longer.

The thought that Aeris may be dead is suffocating. Each step towards you and her feels heavier than the one before.

I get close enough and you look my way and despite all the blood I can see pure heartbreak on your face.

My tears start falling.

"She told me she will never leave me," you say when I get near enough, your lips trembling and curving down like a child asking for help to make the world fair.

I could only nod. What do I say? What can I tell you to ease your pain?

You hug her limp body closer, tighter, as if making yourselves meld into one will somehow make it better.

I kneel close to you and tentatively place a hand on your arm. I can feel the rest of our friends' eyes on us, I am certain their hearts are also breaking for this tragedy before us.

I motion to touch her and you instinctively turn your body away as if trying to keep her from me. She's yours, Cloud. I know. But she's my friend too, so you have to also let me grieve.

Her eyes are closed and her mouth drawn in a tight pained expression. I did not see what exactly transpired as I was desperate to make sure the people I can reach will survive. Were her last seconds filled with pain and misery? Our optimistic flower girl – to go out in such pain…It only adds to the ache in my chest.

I motioned to hug her body and this time you let me. Aeris is also precious to me and my heart is also breaking.

I take her cold hand with both of mine and touched my cheeks on her back of her hand. "I'm sorry, Aeris. I am so sorry," I whisper. I hold her wrist to gently lay it back down then my heart start pounding faster.

A pulse. A weak one – but it exists!

My eyes widen as my tears keep falling. I turn my gaze to your grief-stricken face. "Cloud…" I could hardly let the words out fast enough.

"Cloud, she's not dead…"

Cloud:

It has been twelve days, yet you haven't woken up. Though I guess I should still thank my lucky stars that there is still hope for us.

I changed it – we changed it. We defied fate and we won. You may not be conscious yet but you are alive! When you wake up, it will be a new exciting world for us.

Vincent is in the cot next to you; he too is yet to awaken from this nightmare. I am wishing that someday when you are both awake, this will just be a memory that will one day be forgotten.

"It's nearly time, kid," it is Cid who has entered the room. It is now time for us to depart for the Northern Crater to deal with Sephiroth.

I would love nothing more than to stay here with you and be the first one you see when your eyes open. However, we still have Sephiroth, Meteor, and the planet to take care of.

Though it was a short rest, we have more or less recuperated. I nearly killed everyone but the gods have been kind – everyone is alive. Everyone is bruised and battered because of me. I want them to blame me but none of them have. I do not deserve our friends. I do not deserve this love with everything that I've done.

"I'm coming," I tell him before he exits the room to give us our privacy.

I will be back, this I promise. I have defeated Sephiroth before. I will do it again – as many times as I have to. As I hold your hand, having defied fate, I am even more hopeful – no, I am confident that this time around, we'll have our happy ending.

Wait for me, Aeris. Wait for me my love, I will kill that madman and return to you. Then our happiness will truly start.

I lean down and, again, whisper words of my unyielding love and devotion.

I lean closer and press my lips on your unmoving ones. Before I leave, I ask one thing from you, "wake up, Aeris. Please. I beg you."

Tifa:

The world feels so much different now after everything that had come to pass. We are thankful to have survived and are slowly trying to build our lives back. Some semblance of normalcy is what I am after. Even though picking up the broken pieces of our lives is not an easy task, we are still slowly trudging through.

I open the doors of our tiny bar for the first time, smiling at you with an optimistic gaze. We have relocated in Edge and you and Barret helped me build Seventh Heaven again. I smile as I put my bar apron on. Finally something to do and keep busy with. I am hopeful this business can only do us good.

"You look so pretty, Tifa!" Marlene commented, always such a sweet child.

"Thank you. Being a bartender suits me best, I think," I tell her. This boring life is so much better than always fighting. I take a glass from the counter and make a big show for Marlene as I whip up a drink.

"First drink of Seventh Heaven goes to our first customer, Marlene!" I serve her the fanciest strawberry shake she's ever seen.

She claps her hands with delight as Barret takes some money from his pocket and hands the little girl a gil. She excitedly hands me the money and I make even more fanfare as I put her payment on the till and give her a receipt.

Cid, Shera, and Yuffie visit us for the opening. Marle and our other friends from Sector Seven are also here. This day makes me so happy, Cloud, it makes me hopeful for the future ahead of all of us.

Let's move on, shall we? It's time to put our dark past behind us.

I'm thankful as you help out serving at the bar for opening night although I know you'd rather just do everything that requires stockroom supply runs.

"Try not to scare our customers away, ok, Cloud?" I tease as you scowl further.

When we're nearly closing you take out the rubbish into the back of the bar. Once you're done, you look at me as if asking for permission to clock out. I nod and you hastily take your apron off and make your way upstairs to her room where you spend most of your time.

Today marks the hundred and eighth day since we last saw her beautiful green eyes.

Vincent:

Cloud might as well have died in that altar. For what he has become is a shell that moves and breathes but is hardly living. Cloud Strife, with the guilt in his mind and the pain in his heart, has become just like me.

I have heard from the others how in the past hundred-eighty days, Cloud hardly ever smiled. How he'd both grieve and serve the undead child of Gast and Ifalna. He'd work without hardly any sustenance, relying on the mako on his blood to keep up with the mercenary way of life. They worry that if this keeps up, the damage he's doing to himself would prove too much. Outside of work, he hardly ever goes out; hardly ever talks to any of them – no one could fathom what is in his mind.

It is puzzling why Tifa begged me to talk sense into Cloud. She said Cloud will not listen to anyone and she wants me to give it a try.

I am the last person he should talk to if physical and mental well-being is the topic at hand. Until a year ago, I was sleeping in a coffin punishing myself for my crimes.

I am here though, in Seventh Heaven, willing to talk – or lend an ear - if that's what a fellow sinner needs.

I wait outside Aeris' room as Cloud changes her bedsheets and wipes her body. Aside from taking on work to feed himself and to keep a roof over Aeris' head, these acts of service for her are the only things that can keep Cloud from staying all day in bed.

He is replacing her IV when he tells me I can come in.

I look at the Cetra's sleeping form. I could tell that Cloud looks after her well. Cloud is tremendously devoted. Oh, how I pity this kid!

"When you were unconscious, what was it like?" Cloud starts, we don't look at each other, our gazes fixed on the bed where Aeris lays.

I have already anticipated this question but I am afraid my answer will not satisfy.

"Nothing. There was nothing," I say. "At least that's what I remember."

It is not the answer Cloud wants but it is the only one I could give.

"That doesn't give me hope," he says.

"What does? After this long, why are you still hoping?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "I don't know. I just cannot give up on us yet."

He has come such a long way; disregarding the laws of time, recklessly tried to change events without a care for the waves it will create. It is such a steep price to pay if it all results to failure in the end.

"Do you think this is the life she'd want for you?" I am a hypocrite for asking him this. Knowing something and acting upon it are two different things. I have known for a long time you do not want my life for me – yet I cannot bear to forgive myself still.

I hear a knowing chuckle come out of him. "They sent you," he says referring to Tifa and Barret.

"They're worried."

"I know," his voice was low as he looks to the ground. "I know they worry. I…I don't want to be like this either. I also want to be happy. But how?"

He turns to me, "tell me, how can I be?"

I fully grasp what he is saying. You can't – it is the truth, my truth and his.

Happiness is not something that comes easy to the likes of me and him.

Do we love too much? Do we go about love all wrong?

I do not know if these words are meant for him or me. "Maybe you can try, kid."

Tifa:

It is a surprise when I see you visit me at the bar outside of an agreed shift. Talking to you as a friend is a very rare occurrence this year.

I'll make you a drink, I offer as I begin to prepare the Cosmo Canyon. I take out some snacks and present it to you at the bar, hoping you'd eat something.

"How's things?" it is even more surprising that you ask. This is good though, Cloud. I want you to be curious about anything else but what's been plaguing your mind.

"I'm glad you asked. Business is going well, as I'm sure you've noticed with how busy last weekend was. We're introducing a new drink tomorrow, do you want to try it? I will make you one," I say cheerfully.

You say thanks and do not refuse. My smile grows bigger. Excited about this development, wishing that this heralds a change.

We chat some more, you ask about Barret and Marlene, even about Cid. You even smile (much to my delight!) before eventually your mood turns somber.

You keep dreaming that she's suffering, you say. She's in pain. You could even sometimes see it in her sleeping face.

Your eyebrows furrow as you stare at your glass, unwilling to let me see the child-like confusion in your eyes.

"Do you think I'm the one keeping her here? I always ask her not to leave me, I want her to wake up. Maybe she's trying, but if she can't -" you stop the words threatening to spill out. Unwilling to say the words we've all been thinking but could never voice out.

You look at me now, "Do you think I'm making her suffer by asking her to stay?"

What can I say to that?

"You have got to forgive yourself, Cloud," I don't answer your question and tell you this instead.

You look down and shake your head.

"At least try, please. You must try," I beg.

When you raise your head and look at me again, a tear is already rolling down your face. "She – before she prayed, she asked me for one thing," you say in a shaky breath. "She - she asked me to let her go."

You put a hand on your head as your shoulders shake. You're broken, Cloud. Perhaps more than you ever were. My heart constricts within my chest. I am at a loss on how I can help you. Tell me, what can I do to ease your pain?

You look into my eyes as my tears start falling.

My lips quiver at the pain I see etched on your face, at the desperation and hopelessness behind the question you ask next.

"Should I… Should I let her go?"

I quickly move to the other side of the bar towards you and wrap my arms around you. You cry harder and I embrace you tighter.

Oh Cloud… Whatever happens, choose only what you can bear to live with.

I can only tell you this.

Cloud:

I must choose what I can bear to live with…

I retreat to your room as I wipe my tears away. It has been two hundred and thirty-three days since the Forgotten City. I've been pining for you in this lifetime longer than the time I've spent with you.

Our future together now feels like a very distant wish. It was foolish for me to dream about a happy conclusion to this.

I lie down next to you and carefully wrap my arms around you, cherishing your warmth, breathing in your scent. I kiss you gently, perhaps for the last time.

They say love can come more than once, but the one I feel for you is rare even in many lifetimes.

I move my lips next to your ear.

"I am sorry, it has taken so long," I whisper. My heart violently hammers against my chest before I utter the words I never thought I'll ever say.

"Aeris, I'm letting you go…"

Cloud:

The morning sun shines through the window heralding yet another day. I feel your body next to me and I wrap my arms tighter around you before I open my eyes. You still have your eyes closed, still deep in sleep. I tuck away loose strands away from your face before I press my lips gently onto your cheek.

Memories from last night floods back into my head and I want nothing more than to hug you closer. Though my body is weary from exhaustion, I will myself to sit up and get out of bed.

I am about to stand up when I feel your hand on mine, keeping me on my spot.

You snuggle further down the covers as you beam at me. "Bring her here," is your request.

The corner of my lips turn up before I raise our interlinked hands and kiss your knuckle. "Ok, I will."

I make my way to the other room to get our little girl. I find her awake but not crying, almost as if chatting in her cot. I pick her up, kiss her, and make my way back to our bedroom.

She squealed with joy upon seeing you, already reaching her hands out the moment she sees her mother's face.

I hand her over to your embrace before I lie back down in bed. Unwilling to part with my girls to start the day.

You look at me with sparkle in your eyes as if you have a secret to share.

"I had a really nice dream," you say.

I nod willing you to go on.

"A merc fell through the roof of my church. He was a very greedy one though, as payment to take me home, he asked for three dates."

I smile already knowing I will like this story.

"Yeah, greedy fucker. So, did you agree?"

You smile wider as you reach out your hand to the side of my face. Our little one tries to snuggle closer to your chest.

"Not exactly," you say as you move your face closer. "He was so handsome I decided I'd marry him instead."

Your touch your lips to mine and I eagerly kiss you in return.

On the two-hundred-thirty-seventh day, you woke up and you taught me how to smile again.

-END-

A/N:

That took almost two decades. FF7 Rebirth's trailer made me go back to writing fan fiction. Then I thought I'd read the old reviews here – such lovely and encouraging words made me try (again) to finish this story.

I have always flip-flopped between a sad ending and a happy one for Clock. I thought a sad ending might be more fitting as they are the ultimate star-crossed lovers – at the same time I couldn't bear to leave it with a sad end as a part of me also wants my favourite couple to have their happy ending. I had so many different endings in mind over the years but this is the one I am sticking with.

I do hope you enjoyed reading this. I really loved writing this story even though there were days when I ask myself why I made this a multi-chapter fic.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed or will review/rant/provide feedback. When I say reviews are appreciated, I really mean it. It really makes my day.

Btw, I am moving to AO3 as I now have some explicit/pwp fics which I don't think are appropriate to post in this site. I have the same account name there: Nesza.

Bonus:

Cloud: *cradles Aeris' limp body and cries* "She's dead, she's dead. Oh my God! I will be miserable for the rest of my life!"

Tifa: *has her wits about her and runs over and throws a Phoenix Down towards Aeris*

Aeris: *wakes up, wonders why Cloud is crying and Tifa is fuming*

Tifa: *wallops Cloud over the head and shakes her head* "I just fucking can't with you, you stupid Chocobo head!"