Title: early morning quiet
Rating: G
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Relationship: Tifa Lockheart/Cloud Strife
Wordcount: 200
Short summary: Cloud slips out with no destination in mind. Tifa joins him in seeing the sunrise.
Cloud slips out of the room, out of the house. He has no particular destination in mind; he just needed to move and confirm he’s not in a dream. Outside is peaceful and quiet, like it should be right now. He takes a seat on the ground, a few steps from the door, not minding the feeling of cool earth, but rather appreciating it. This is one of the things they fought for, after all.
“Can’t sleep?”
A moment later, Tifa joins him sitting on the ground. Cloud is a bit surprised to hear her voice, considering she has returned to working nights. Then again, could anyone who has experienced what they did readjust to “normalcy” so quickly? He shrugs. Sleep comes when it comes. And when it doesn’t, well…
“Well at least the sunrise is beautiful.” Tifa’s voice is soft. “And you are here, right?”
Her smile is gentler, warmer than the dawning sun. Cloud wants to confirm it, though.
“Yeah.” Cloud takes Tifa’s right hand with his left. It’s become easier to do so lately. “I am.” He tightens his hold. “With you.”
When Tifa squeezes his hand back, Cloud knows he doesn’t need to say anything more.