Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

One foot in front of the other. Again. Again.

The precious bundle in his arms shifted.

He stopped and adjusted- gently, gently- then, bundle securely held, adjusted his grip on the other precious thing- the makeshift sledge he was dragging behind him.

Then forced himself to start walking again.

One foot in front of the other. Again. Again.

His world had narrowed to his two precious bundles and his two feet. It was a soundless and gray world, but if he just kept moving-

Suddenly, there was someone standing in his way- one hand thrust out, the universal signal for stop-

He stumbled to a stop, gripping both bundles tighter. The one in his arms whimpered and he shifted, gripping more gently-

While focused on that, the red blur of the other man reached out and grabbed his other arm- his mouth moved but he couldn't make out words-

He snarled at him, gripping bundle tighter and stepping back- dropping the sledge's handle and using his free hand to scramble for the sword-

But just as his fingers touched the grip, sound suddenly came back into his world-

“Cloud!”

Name. His name.

Cloud looked up-

She was standing in between him and the other man. One arm was stretched towards like she wanted to touch but wasn’t sure she should. Her long dark hair wet with the rain that Cloud was suddenly aware of again.

“Tifa.” He wasn’t aware of opening his mouth until her name came out, but she looked relieved when he spoke.

“Cloud,” she said again, coming closer, slowly. The way she approached her cat when she thought he might run off again, as if he was a wild animal.

 Cloud wanted to protest, but she was here, alive, and she wanted to be closer to him. She was smiling at him, but it was her worried but trying to reassure smile. “You’re here-” and then her eyes and tone changed and she darted closer. “Cloud, you're bleeding!”

He was?

Cloud let her gently touch his head and winced, realizing she was right. “I'm fine,” he told her anyway, “But they need help.”

“They?” Tifa asked, brow furrowing, her eyes still locked on Cloud’s.

Cloud- not hesitating, he trusted Tifa, and Tifa would probably be better at helping than him- shifted and peeled away enough of the bundle so Tifa could see.

Denzel peeked briefly at her before hiding his face in Cloud’s chest and gripped his suspenders even tighter.

Tifa’s hands shot up to her mouth briefly, before she straightened up, and breathed out. She lowered her hands and gripped them into fists. Her eyes met Cloud’s again and she gave him the tiniest nod in understanding. “I see,” she said, her voice calm, “Well, why don't we all get out of the rain? You can come with me and I’ll get you both some food and drink.”

A smile began to grow on Cloud’s face. Until he noticed one of the bystanders reaching to the makeshift stretcher and pulling away one of the tarps Cloud had managed to scrounge up and revealing Zack's bloodied and unconscious face.

“Stay away from him!” Cloud snarled, but Tifa gently wrapped her hands around his free hand.

“Cloud, it’s okay. We’re going to help him. We’re going to help all of you, I promise.”

Cloud scowled at the man, then looked at Tifa.

Her red eyes were confident and her smile was sincere. Tifa trusted these people.

Cloud trusted Tifa.

He nodded.

Tifa’s smile grew. “Come on Cloud. Let’s get you all out of the rain.”

Chapter Text

Tifa kept holding onto Cloud and kept her smile firmly on her face.

Cloud was alive. Cloud was here.

Tifa had tucked her memories of him away with the others, treasured but too painful to think about on a regular basis. She’d almost lost hope of ever seeing him again.

But even though he was alive and here, he was bleeding and out of it. Tifa was pretty sure he was only upright because of the child in his arms and the unconscious soldier behind them. A young boy with light brown hair, his face hidden in Cloud’s chest so Tifa couldn't see too much, but occasionally he'd turn his head and stare at her before hiding again.

Cloud was also had Zack with him. Zack Fair, the friendly Soldier that had come to Nibelheim with Sephiroth. The last Tifa had seen of him, he’d been going to fight Sephiroth. Maybe he’d won and that was how Master Zangan had had the time to get her away? Maybe-

Focus. None of them were in good shape and helping them came before questions.

Tifa had kept up a steady stream of reassurances and chatter as she guided Cloud gently, hands wrapped around his upper arm as she guided him to Seventh Heaven where the others were.

“Hey everyone!” she called as Barret and the others looked up at this entrance. “Could we get some help here?”

Barret had been about to roar when he saw the Soldier uniforms. Then he’d seen the boy clinging to Cloud and how Cloud held him. As always, Barret grew soft at the sight of a child and he’d sucked in his protests and questions and grabbed the blankets from downstairs.

Biggs ran for the doctor from the clinic and Jessie got her cure materia while Wymer used his first aid skills with Barret and Wedge helping.

Tifa had led Cloud to one of the chairs and gently got him to sit down.

Cloud kept holding onto the boy and staring at Zack as Jessie used her cure and the others removed his armor and accessories and began cutting away what remained of his shirt.

Tifa’s heart broke at the distraught look on Cloud's face and how tightly he was hugging the boy. She was reminded of when they’d been young and the stuffed wolf Cloud had owned- the one Mrs. Claudia had made for him.

Still, the way Cloud and the boy were drawing comfort from each other touched her. The other kids had called Cloud a weirdo and a menace but Tifa knew he had a hero’s heart.

“Cloud,” Tifa asked, keeping both voice and touch gentle as she rested her hand on his arm.

“Tifa.”

“Do you think it would be a good idea if he went with the other kids while Zack's taken care of?”

Cloud frowned, but he looked at Marlene and Betty, then Betty's dad. He studied him for a moment, then looked at the child. “Denzel-” he started-

"No," the boy said, clinging to Cloud even tighter.

Cloud sighed and stroked his back gently, before looking back at Tifa and shaking his head slightly.

Tifa nodded, then turned to Betty's dad and shaking her head, then turned her attention back to Cloud as they headed out. “Zack will be okay, Cloud,” Tifa said gently, “so let me help you now, okay? And is Denzel hurt?”

He blinked at her then looked Denzel, frowning. "Denzel, you hurt?"

The boy's only response was to shake his head.

Cloud's frown didn't go away, but he switched his gaze to Tifa.

"Can I check on you anyway, just to be sure?" Tifa asked.

"...I'll be right here," Cloud said quietly.

Denzel drew back enough to stare at Cloud, then turned to face Tifa.

Tifa quickly but thoroughly checked. There were a couple bruises but mostly she cleaned off dirt and blood. Was it Cloud's blood? Zack's?

Tifa tightened her lips and kept calm for all of them. "There, all done Denzel. Cloud, it's your turn."

Cloud nodded and Tifa set to work bandaging his wounds. Even though they weren't nearly as bad as Zack's, they still needed to be taken care of. 

Cloud sat still, without complaint or any response, until she finished. "...thanks, Tifa."

"Happy to do it Cloud," Tifa said, and was rewarded by the briefest of smiles before Cloud scooped Denzel up again and returned to his staring at Zack like that was keeping him alive.

Time passed in a blur. The doctor arrived.

"He'll be okay, right?" Tifa asked as the doctor examined him.

"Yes, I think he'll be fine," he said, giving Jessie and the others a nod for their good work, then turned back to Zack. "Soldier, I see. What's he doing down here? Well, I suppose I don't need to know that, ignore me."

Cloud sighed in relief.

Tifa got some of the stew she'd been planning to serve to her patrons later and filled two bowels, before bringing them- along with two glasses of water- to Cloud and Denzel. It took some encouragement but both of them started eating.

Tifa pulled up another chair and sat down next to Cloud.

“He’ll be fine, Cloud,” she said out loud, squeezing his hand gently.

After a while- long enough that she thought that she thought he wasn't going to respond- Cloud nodded.

Barret grumbled “Good riddance” as he gathered up the cut up pieces of Zack's cut up uniform and tossed them.

Tifa winced and looked at Cloud, but he didn’t seem to have heard, still staring at Zack as if the intensity of his stare would help the older man live.

Tifa’s heart twisted yet again. Cloud was so out of it- barely hanging onto awareness- the only reason she was allowing herself to hold onto him like this was because her touch seemed to have a steadying effect, both helping him remain grounded and remaining upright and in the present.

“What happened?” she asked quietly, hoping not to be overheard.

“...Shinra. Shinra, they-” Cloud started, then cut himself off and looked down at Denzel.

“I'm sorry,” Tifa whispered when he didn't respond.

Cloud looked up again and shook his head. “I’m  glad you got away,” he told her, slightly.

Tifa frowned slightly in confusion, not sure of the connection before being interrupted by the doctor sighing and stepping back.

“Well, this young man had a close call, but he'll be fine now. If it wasn't for all the Mako in his system he probably wouldn't have made it. As it is, I'm not sure how soon he'll be back on his feet, but-”

The conversation went on, but Tifa was distracted by Cloud sagging. She darted to him and supported him but was relived when looking in his eyes. The look was of pure relief.

"Cloud?" Denzel whispered.

"It's okay Denzel."

"Cloud, why don't you rest here?" Tifa asked. "The bar's closed today-"

"It is?" Wedge asked before being shushed by one of the others.

"The bar's closed today," Tifa said, slightly louder. "So the three of you can rest here for now."

"You sure?"

"It's my bar, of course I'm sure," Tifa said, smiling. It was a little sad that her customers would be disappointed, but she'd make them a extra nice something tomorrow. And anyway, Cloud came first.

Cloud stared at her a moment, then smiled back. "Thanks Tifa."

Barret stepped up and silently handed her the blankets.

Tifa wrapped one of the blankets and wrapped it around Cloud, who waited for her to finish before shifting and adjusting so it covered Denzel more.

"Tifa?"

"Yes Cloud?"

"...thanks."

"Don't worry about it, Cloud. I'll see you later, okay?" Tifa said gently, aware of the others exciting out the doors as they left the bar.

"...promise?"

"Of course," Tifa said, aware of her heart beating faster at Cloud's word and the memory of a starry night sky. She smiled at Cloud and backed up and out, gently shutting the bar's doors behind her.

“Alright Tifa,” Barret said sternly, bracing one arm. “They’re patched up and sleeping. Now, explain.”

Chapter Text

“I’ll explain but not here,” Tifa said, brain spinning. 

“Well, you just gave them the bar,” Barret pointed out, “so where-”

“Marle's,” Tifa said firmly, turning to Stargazer Heights and leading the way there.

OoOo

The door shut behind Cloud’s friend and the others.

Denzel stared at the shut door and then looked up at Cloud.

The man’s Mako eyes were half lidded and drooping lower but he was also smiling at the door his friend had just gone through. And he was staring with a mushy look.

Was Cloud’s friend a girlfriend? Denzel wondered but didn’t ask.

Noticing the look on Denzel's face even in his tired state, Cloud faced Denzel again. He smiled at him comfortingly before shifting just enough to ruffle his hair gently. The way his dad would have, if he hadn't-

Denzel's eyes suddenly burned and he gripped Cloud tighter, his head dropping closer to Cloud's chest.

Cloud had saved him. He hadn't come in time to save Mom and Dad, but Cloud had come for him and killed the people who killed his parents. He’d tried to help Mom and Dad too, and when Mom had asked Cloud to take care of Denzel, he’d agreed. Cloud had carried Denzel all the way here, even though he’d been hurt.

Denzel hated Shinra.

His dad had worked for them but they’d killed him and Mom.

Dad had come home from work, pale and stumbling. He'd hugged Denzel and Mom really tight and then he’d insisted they had to get out of Midgar. He hadn't really explained why they had to leave, giving only bits and pieces as they left.

He’d found something- or seen something- Denzel wasn't quite sure which. Dad had been trying to protect Denzel by not telling him everything.

But whatever it was, he hadn't been supposed to know about it. And it involved kids.

“She barely looked older than Denzel,” he’d said at one point and he sounded really sad.

That had made Mom worry even more. She’d been trying to get him to explain more as they were trying to get out of the city-

And then Shinra had caught up.

Shinra was supposed to be the good guys, but they weren’t! They’d killed Mom and Dad! Denzel would never forgive them!

But Cloud had saved him. Cloud was a hero. Cloud would keep him safe.

Denzel clutched Cloud’s shirt tighter. It was a Soldier uniform, like the one the black haired man had been wearing. Soldiers worked for Shinra, but so had Dad before he realized they did bad things. So Cloud and his friend Zack were just like Dad, realizing that Shinra was bad and leaving it, and that's why they were in the slums.

"Denzel-" Cloud sounded worried.

That was the last straw for Denzel, who clutched Cloud tighter and sobbed-

Cloud froze before hugging him closer, and then, when Denzel kept crying, began singing to him softly. Denzel couldn't focus on the words over the sound of his own sobs but the voice was soothing and the man's presence was soothing enough.

Denzel knew he wasn't alone. Cloud had saved him. Cloud would take care of him.

His tears finally began to slow and then stop before Denzel fell into sleep, knowing that he was safe and protected.

OoOo

As always, Tifa found Marle's room to be a haven.

“Thanks Marle,” Tifa said, as they all sat around the table.

“Of course, my dear girl,” Marle said, patting her hand affectionately. “But what's going on?”

“That's what I would like to know,” Barret grumbled.

Tifa smiled at him anyway, because she knew he was just worried. They all were.

Her smile dropped as she remembered why they were worried. But she comforted herself by reminding herself that Cloud and Denzel had been getting ready to rest as they left. And Zack too, was going to be okay.

“There's a lot I can't answer right now,” Tifa said out loud. “But I just reunited with-” how could she describe Cloud? How should she describe someone who was so important to her? “With my childhood friend, Cloud," she finally settled on. "We grew up together, right next door to each other. Our mothers were friends and we've known each other since we were born. But… when we were teens, all the boys left town for Midgar, Cloud among them. He said he was going to join Soldier. And then, years after he left, five years before I came to Midgar-” Tifa looked at Jessie, the only one she’d talked to about what happened to Nibelheim.

Jessie looked confused, then gasped.

“What?” Barret asked.

“So-” Jessie started gently, “he wasn't there when-”

“No,” Tifa said. Then, to the others “5 years ago, there was a problem with the reactor. Nibelheim had never been the safest place, but even more savage monsters started attacking. So Shinra sent two Soldiers- Sephiroth and Zack Fair- to investigate.”

There were loud reactions to both names.

Tifa just nodded to acknowledge them before pressing in. “I don’t know what happened but Sephiroth went insane and killed most of the villagers- including Cloud’s mama and my papa- and burned the town down. I only survived because my martial arts teacher rushed me to safety and medical care. But the last thing I saw before blacking out was Zack rushing to face Sephiroth. To try to stop him.”

There were exclamations of sympathy. Wedge and Jessie both hugged her. Biggs and Barret both rested a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. Marle reached across the table to squeeze her hands.

“So you've been hiding from Shinra ever since?”

“Yeah,” Tifa said, nodding. “So, I haven't seen Cloud since then, but I know him. There's no way he’d have anything to do with Shinra if he knew what happened. And he’s with Zack, who was there, so he must know. And even if he didn't, there's no way he’d betray us to Shinra, especially not after we helped him.”

“You seem pretty sure about that, even though you admit you haven't seen him in years,” Barret said. “People change.”

“People change, but not like that. They don't turn into different people.” Besides, Cloud had never been a tattletale. Even when he got into fights with other kids, he never involved the adults. And-

Tifa's mind flashed back to the starlit night on the water tower. But she was not telling the others about their promise, not unless it was the only way to protect Cloud. And telling Jessie and Marle about it would probably do the opposite. They'd corner poor Cloud the first chance they got and demand to know what his intentions were, asking a young girl out alone in the middle of the night-

“Besides," Tifa went on, voice louder as she tried to drown out those thoughts, "do you think the type of guy who drags a wounded friend to safety while carrying a child is the type to turn in people who helped him?”

Everybody looked like they were thinking about that.

“I think we should give them a chance,” Wedge offered.

“They need help and they have reason to hate Shinra,” Biggs added. “I agree.”

“Well, guess we can’t exactly throw them out on the street now,” Barret said grumpily. “Speaking of “them”, you’ve explained who the adults are, but what about the kid? Is that your friend's son?”

“I don't know,” Tifa admitted.

“Well, it’s not like it matters this very second, does it? The boy isn't willing to talk to us right now, but he’s comfortable with Tifa's friend,” Jessie pointed out.

“I'll ask around,” Marle said determinedly. “It’s possible your friend found a runaway or a lost child or something like that. Or maybe he’s had a kid. Sounds like the age might match up.”

Or Cloud's adopted him, Tifa thought, glancing at Barret, who was an adoptive father himself. That was another reason she hoped Cloud would feel better soon.

Whatever the case, she'd have to ask Marle about getting some clothes and things for Denzel.

“We’re gonna have to be careful, too,” Barret pointed out. “If Shinra's looking for survivors of your hometown, then they’ll be looking for those two too. Might be why they’re so beat up even.”

“Yeah, we’re going to have to be careful, but it'll be worth it,” Tifa said confidently.

"Besides, Shinra wants us gone anyway," Biggs pointed out.

Nobody could argue with that.

After a bit of discussion, they hammered out the basics of a plan and left to get started.

Before they separated, Barret pulled Tifa aside.

“Hope you know what you’re doing,” Barret said quietly. 

Tifa smiled at her friend. His sunglasses couldn’t hide his worry, and while she didn’t like that he was worried, the fact that he was worried about her made her feel cared about. “Don’t worry Barret, I'm sure.”

Barret grunted, not looking reassured, but he accepted her answer and left.

Tifa had thought that she was hiding her feelings well, but maybe-

Jessie flung a friendly arm over her shoulder.

“Don’t worry Tifa, your friend’ll be fine! They all will! So… tell big sis Jessie the truth.” 

“The truth?”

“That’s right, the truth.  Exactly how long have you been pining for this Cloud guy?"

Chapter Text

Cloud was- Cloud was-

Underneath a starry sky, sneaking looks at Tifa, at the girl he loves-

“Promise me, you’ll come and save me-”

OoOo

Mom was giving him one last good bye hug-

“Take care of yourself, Cloud-”

OoOo

Looking over at the Soldier he was coming to respect even more than Sephiroth-

“With me and Cloud here, there’s nothing to fear!” Zack boasted, “Oh yeah!”

OoOo

Zack was coming down the hallway towards him- annoyed, then smiling as he recognized him.

“Cloud? Together again, huh?”

OoOo

Tifa, bleeding, but still smiling at him. "Cloud, you came."

OoOo

Wind through his hair, the truck rumbling beneath them-

“We’re friends, right?”

OoOo

“Come and get it!”

OoOo

Scrambling through blood and mud on too weak arms and legs.

Despite that, he still managed, ripping through pockets on cooling bodies, finding potions and shoving them down Zack's throat- even finding a cure materia-

OoOo

Making a makeshift sledge, dragging Zack on it-

Hearing a scream.

For a moment, still disoriented, he thought he was back in Nibelheim. He thought he'd heard Tifa screaming at Sephiroth- and then, when he'd discovered the source of the cry had been a black haired woman, for a moment he'd been convinced it was Tifa, lying there dead-

"Cloud?"

Cloud jerked awake- clutched Denzel tighter-

“Cloud," Tifa said gently, "Cloud, it’s okay.”

“Tifa-”

“Yes, it's me,” she said reassuringly. Her hands reached out and covered his where he was holding onto Denzel.

She was close, so close, Cloud couldn't stop himself. He shifted Denzel so he could reach out for her cheek, stroking it, a gesture he’d made before- “I thought you were dead.”

Tifa blushed at his touch but smiled and placed her hands on his. “I'm not. I'm here,” she reassured him with a smile.

Cloud nodded even as his eyes scanned her. Beautifully whole, no stab wounds or any blood- beautifully alive and whole. He wanted to reassure her, but couldn't quite smile, not until he knew-

Quickly, he checked the still sleeping Denzel, who was also whole. Then he checked on Zack, who was not whole, but was looking better than last night.

He couldn't help sighing in relief.

"Wow, look at you two holding hands already. You aren't wasting any time!" An unfamiliar female voice commented.

"Jessie!" Tifa snapped, then turned back to Cloud.

Cloud was already pulling his hand back, hoping he wasn't blushing. "Sorry."

"No need Cloud. I'm glad you're here too," Tifa said.

"Should I just leave you two alone and go to the-" the other woman asked, pointing at a - pinball machine? 

“Jessie,” Tifa said in the sort of scolding way she used to talk to the kids she babysat.

Cloud gave the pony tailed woman a  look- Tifa trusted her, so he should probably make sure he was able to recognize her-

Tifa turned back to Cloud and smiled at him. “Cloud, this is my friend Jessie. Jessie, this is my friend Cloud.”

“Oh yes, your friend,” Jessie said, giggling.

Cloud scowled at her. What was she laughing at?

But then Denzel groaned.

Cloud soothed him- then looked up to scowl again but the woman- Jessie- was looking guilty and mouthed “Sorry”.

“How is he?” Tifa asked, almost whispering.

Cloud looked down, wondering how answer that. It would be easier if his head wasn't aching. Not as badly as before, at least. “Sleeping,” he answered, frowning thoughtfully. ”It took a while to get to sleep.”

“I see.” Tifa sighed.

Cloud nodded and ran his free hand through his hair. Now that he was sure that everyone was okay, he started trying to start putting things together, tried to focus. Except there was static and holes in his memory.

“Cloud... how are you feeling?”

“I'm fine.” His stomach disagreed. Loudly.

Cloud winced.

He wanted to impress Tifa. He'd promised to become a Soldier for her.

But Tifa squeezed his hand and smiled reassuringly.

“I've got something. I’ll go get it. I’ll be right back, okay?”

Cloud tightened his grip. He’d thought Tifa was dead, he’d just got her back-

"I can get you guys some water before I start on those ids," Jessie said, keeping her voice quiet, and headed over towards the bar.

"Thanks Jessie," Tifa said, before turning back to Cloud. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand again. "It's okay Cloud, I'm right here."

Cloud nodded. "Tifa... how did you get away? After what Sephiroth did to you-"

"In Nibelheim?" Tifa asked gently, "It was Master Zangan. I don't remember any of it actually, but he got me out of there and to doctors in Corel, and then here. I've been here since then. This is Seventh Heaven, by the way. Like it?"

"Yeah," Cloud said, not taking his eyes off Tifa. He did like how Tifa smiled when talking about it. And ... "Seventh Heaven, huh? Good name." Tifa was pretty and kind as an angel.

"Thanks, but I didn't pick the name, so I can't take the credit for that."

"Here you are," Jessie announced, coming back with a tray and three glasses on it.

"Thanks Jessie," Tifa said.

Cloud nodded in agreement and took the glass. He hadn't realized how thirsty he was until he'd started drinking.

Jessie said something else to Tifa before getting on the pinball machine and- riding it down? Huh.

Cloud felt better once he'd finished the glass of water, but it also caused him to realize another problem.

 At least this problem would be an easy fix. Though he would rather stay here, with Tifa, Denzel, and Zack. But this was Tifa's place and she felt safe here, with her friends. And she thought that they would be safe here. So...

He looked around but couldn't spot it.

"Tifa?"

"Yes Cloud?"

"Where's the bathroom?"

"Right over there. Do you want me to take Denzel?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Denzel shifted as they moved him, then relaxed again as Tifa took him carefully, cradling him against her.

After Cloud made sure that they were both comfortable, he left.

After he finished and then finished washing his hands, Cloud splashed water on his face and then gripped the edge of the sink and staring into the mirror. His eyes had the Mako glow of a Soldier's.

Okay, Strife. Focus. What had happened?

They'd been to sent to Nibelheim. Him and Zack and- and Sephiroth. Cloud gripped the edge of the sink tighter.

Sephiroth had seen something weird in the reactor- Cloud couldn't remember what right now- but he'd gone nuts and locked himself in the manor's basement for a week. When he'd finally come out, he'd sent the town on fire and started killing everyone. He'd killed Mom. He'd burned Cloud's childhood home.

He'd almost killed Tifa and Zack. And-

Cloud reached down and touched his stomach. Sephiroth had stabbed him there, hadn't he?

Yeah. Cloud had managed to toss him in the reactor, but not before Sephiroth had stabbed him.

After Cloud had done that, he'd tried to go back for Tifa and Zack, but he'd collapsed and-

"Cloud!"

Cloud jerked upright when he heard first Denzel's voice and then Tifa's.

He sped out of the bathroom and found Denzel on the floor and Tifa kneeling next to him, arms around him as she talked to him soothingly.

"Denzel?"

“Cloud!” Denzel shouted, springing up- Tifa steadied him for the brief moment before Denzel threw himself at Cloud.

Cloud caught him and he lifted him up, holding him securely.

“See, I told you he was here,” Tifa said comfortingly.

“Yeah, I'm right here,” Cloud agreed, hugging him back.

Denzel didn't say anything, just buried his face in Cloud's shirt and clung to him tightly.

Cloud carried him back to the chair and Tifa offered him the blanket back and he nodded to her gratefully as they tucked it around Denzel.

That done, Tifa gestured to the bar area and mouthed that she’ll be back.

Cloud nodded at her, then looked down at Denzel as he gripped his shirt tighter.

“Cloud-”

“I'm here,” Cloud said, gently and patted his back. That was how you comforted kids, right?

Zack would be probably be better at this.  But Zack was covering with bandages and was sleeping through this. Zack sleeping through someone needing comfort? That was an even worse sign than all the bandages.

Zack was out of commission- so Cloud would have to take care of everything until he woke up.

Cloud hugged Denzel tighter.

Thank goodness Tifa was here-

C’mon Strife, focus.

Finding Denzel and his parents- what happened before that?

He’d been- he’d been-

There- there had been an attack. Zack had been hurt.

Cloud had thought he was dying. Thankfully, the people sent after them- Shinra of course, Shinra was the worst- had been well equipped so Cloud had been able to find potions and even a healing materia. It had been enough to keep Zack alive.

After that Cloud had dragged Zack out of the wastelands and into the city, where he’d been scrounging up in a makeshift stretcher when he’d heard Denzel's mother crying out-

The sound had thrown him back into nightmarish memories-

Nibelheim burning around him, Mom calling out to him, Tifa lying motionless in her own blood on the reactor floor, Zack falling through the air-

Cloud breathed out.

They were here. They were alive.

Denzel was even calming down now.

“I've made stew,” Tifa said gently, approaching with a tray with bowls on it.

Cloud's throat tried to close in on itself but he focused on Denzel and Tifa, the ones who still needed him. “Mom’s famous stew,” he said out loud and ruffled Denzel's hair. “Everything she made was good, but her stew was the best. Zack loves it too. He’ll be excited to eat it when he wakes up.”

“I'm glad,” Tifa said, still smiling. "It did seem like he was always ready to eat though.”

“Well, that's true too,” Cloud admitted, chuckling slightly, then looking down at Denzel. "C'mon buddy, you should eat some too."

"That's right, let me know what you think," Tifa said.

Denzel looked from one to the other, then nodded and accepted the bowl and began eating.

Reassured, Cloud ruffled his hair again, then smiled at Tifa. "Thanks Tifa," he told her before accepting his own bowel and and began eating.

They were alive and they were going to be okay.

Chapter Text

Denzel was still eating when more of Tifa's friends came back. Cloud, on the other hand, had spent years in the military which had taught him to eat fast, even with food he loved. And considering that Mom had taught Tifa how to make her stew, this was his favorite food on the planet.

“We’re back!”

Cloud twitched upright and reached for Zack's sword, but Tifa stopped him, holding him back gently.

“Biggs, Wedge, you're back!” Tifa greeted them cheerfully.

Okay, so these were people Tifa trusted. Cloud relaxed slightly, then squinted. Actually, maybe they’d been here before? It was hard to tell. The most recent events were foggy in his memory. His injuries and blood loss must have made it hard for his brain to record what happened during that time. Even though his thinking was clearer and he could actually focus now, those memories remained foggy.

“Cloud,” Tifa said, turning to face him, smiling. “This is Biggs and Wedge. They're friends of mine. Guys, this is Cloud, my childhood friend.”

“Hey there,'' Biggs said, grinning in a friendly way that reminded Cloud of Zack suddenly. “So, not sure what your situation is, but it seems like you're low on supplies, so we brought you some necessities! Clothes, soap, etc!”

That explained the bags they were holding, Cloud supposed.

His instinct was to protest and say he was fine, but Zack was going to be off his feet for awhile and Denzel was just a kid.

So Cloud nodded, slowly. “Thanks.”

“Hey, it’s no problem. We’ve all suffered because of Shinra.”

Cloud tensed again. How did they- right, Tifa’s friends. So it wasn't surprising that Tifa had told them about Nibelheim. “Right,” he said out loud, looking back at Zack and Denzel.

"Besides," Wedge added excitedly, "Any friend of Tifa's is a friend of ours!"

“Here,” Biggs said as he approached the bar where they were sitting and offered a pile of clothes. “Figured these should help. No offense, but you might want to change. Soldiers in the slums kinda stand out."

"Good point," Cloud said, accepting the pile of clothes. They were a lot more colorful than he would've liked- that shade of green made him resist the urge to scowl- but beggars couldn't be choosers. Tifa's friends didn't need to do this, but they had anyway.

New clothing would go on the list of needed things, but there were a lot of other things that were a lot more important and thanks to Biggs and Wedge, Cloud could focus on those other things first.

"Thanks," Cloud said out loud, "Right, I'll go change. Be right back." He tucked the clothes under his arm, then ruffled Denzel's hair. The boy watched with big eyes, but now that he was awake and aware and more familiar with Tifa, he didn't need to have Cloud in his sight every second.

Cloud smiled at Tifa, who smiled back, before leaving.

As he changed, he heard Tifa's friends trying to draw Denzel into a conversation. When he proved to not be feeling talkative, they respected that and chatted with each other and with Tifa.

They talked with the ease of old friends. Cloud wondered how long they'd known each other. He was a little jealous but it was good that Tifa had good friends. It was good to have good friends- Cloud thought of Zack and hoped that he woke up soon- but also, Tifa liked people. She always had.

He came out and found another pile of clothing sitting next to Denzel. "Got some new clothes too, buddy?"

Denzel nodded.

"Do you want to change?"

Denzel shrugged.

"Well, it's up to you."

Denzel looked down at it.

"We also got some for- his name's Zack, right?" Biggs asked, looking at the still sleeping man.

"Yeah."

"He might be more comfortable in these," Wedge held up some sweats.

"He might. And... he did saw that Soldier was a den of monsters." Not there was much left of Zack's uniform after his wounds had been taken care of.

"All of Shinra is."

"Yeah," Cloud agreed, hands clenching into fists before focusing on the present and holding out his hands for the clothes.

"We can give you a hand."

That would make things easier, Cloud thought as he nodded. As they did so, vague memories came back to Cloud. Zack had done this for him, hadn't he? The memories were even more foggy than the ones before running into Tifa, but Cloud thought he remembered feeling so weak he couldn't move, only flop about as Zack spoke to him, cheerful and encouraging, as he changed his clothes. There were other memories too, of Zack carting him about like a useless sack of potatoes.

Right... that was why Zack had fought all those troopers alone. Because Cloud had been too weak and hadn't woken up in time.

Don't worry Zack. I'll take care of you this time. I promise.

He was balling up the remains of Zack's uniform pants as he was thinking this, preparing to toss them when two pieces of paper fell out of his pockets.

"Huh?"

"What are those?"

Denzel, who was closest, picked them up. "This one's a letter and this one looks like a note. They're both signed "Aerith." He made a face. "They're mushy sounding."

"We shouldn't read them then," Cloud said and held out his hand. Denzel handed them over and Cloud tucked them away for when Zack woke up.

“Aerith?”

“Are those from his girlfriend?”

“She lives down in the slums, doesn't she?" Tifa asked, frowning thoughtfully. "She must be worried.”

“But I don't know where she is-” Cloud said.

“...I think I do,” Biggs said.

“Do you?” Cloud asked.

“Maybe. I know a Aerith. I’ll ask her.”

“...he kept talking about her,” Cloud said, gazing worriedly at the unconscious figure.

“Yeah,” Tifa agrees, squeezing her hands together. “He kept talking about how he missed her. About her smile, her laugh, her flowers-”

“Flowers? In the slums?” Biggs repeated. “Has to be the same Aerith then. Flowers are rare enough topside, but down here?”

"So your friend does grow flowers?"

Biggs nodded.

"If he could see her again," Cloud said, "It would help him. I know it would-"

"Don't worry Cloud. I'll talk to her."

"Then…thanks for that too."

"I told you, no worries. Come on, let's get you guys to your new home."

“New home?”

“I found you a place to stay!” Tifa said cheerfully, “The landlady’s a friend, so you won’t even have to worry about rent!”

Cloud stared at Tifa before smiling. “You're the best.”

“And don't you forget it,” Tifa teased gently, tapping his shoulder. “C’mon, follow me!”

Chapter Text

In the Avalanche basement, Jessie's fingers stopped as a thought occurred to her. “If Shinra’s hunting them, then the names “Strife” and “Fair” will raise red flags, won’t they?” she pressed her hands together and hummed thoughtfully. “If I can't use those names for their ids, what should I use?” 

She thought for a moment, then suddenly giggled mischievously.

OoOo 

Barret grumbled as he continued wiping the tables down.

Seventh Heaven was their home, Avalanche's home, and even those who lived elsewhere spent more time here than they did at their homes. They all pitched in and helped out, with cleaning and getting supplies and anything that needed to be done.

But the bar was Tifa’s baby. She was the owner, cook and bartender, and she was the only reason it worked.

Which is why while Barret cleaning was very normal, it was odd to be doing it without her. Normally Tifa was the one who took charge of everything and she would be here as well. But she was a little distracted today. 

Barret grumbled again at the thought of the Mako eyed Soldier who hadn’t even seemed aware of Barret and the others, only taking his creepy glowing eyes off of Tifa to check on the kid and his Soldier buddy.

Shinra and their Soldiers were nothing but trouble!

But Tifa was kind hearted, and had a huge soft spot for kids, and apparently the blond was someone she'd known before.

And even Barret with his suspicions wouldn't have been able to kick them out with that kid clinging to him like that.

He scowled and scrubbed at the table harder.

And something- something about the blond man was bugging Barret, reminding him of something else-

Or someone else.

Barret cursed under his breath as it hit him.

The way Tifa’s friend had held the kid reminded Barret of himself and Marlene, after Corel had burned and they’d lost everything. He'd carried her everywhere…(for a long time?).

“Daddy,” Marlene asked, tugging at his pant leg. “Will the new boy play with me?”

“I don’t know,” Barret said gently, bending closer. “It looks like he might not be feeling well, so he might not feel up to playing.” 

“Oh… I know, I'll draw him a picture! And his daddy and his daddy’s friend too! Maybe that will help them feel better!”

“What a good idea, angel!”  Barret said, giving his daughter a gentle smile. He continued to smile at her as she skipped away, then sighed once she was far enough away.

Yep. Nothing but trouble/trouble ahead/He wasn’t looking forward to this. 

OoOo

"It's called Stargazer Heights," Tifa told Cloud as she led them forward. "Marle's the lady who runs it and she helped me get set up here, back in the day." She gave Cloud a cheery smile over her shoulder.

Cloud smiled back. He was leading Denzel by the hand and had one hand resting on Zack's shoulder while Biggs and Wedge carried Zack's stretcher.

"That's it, see?" Tifa pointed and Cloud followed her finger to see a two story building... and a figure waiting in front of it.

“Well, you must be Tifa's friend,” the gray haired woman said, hands on her hips as she looked him up and down. Then she looked at Denzel- eyes softening- then at Zack. “How's your friend?”

“Still hasn't woken up yet.”

“Hmm. Well, let's get him into a proper bed. That can only help.”

Cloud nodded and followed her up the stairs with the others.

“It’s this one here. Sorry, but I couldn’t find three beds so there’s going to be some sharing.”

“It’s fine,” Cloud said as he looked in. He knew how lucky they were to have this room at all, and besides, Denzel wouldn’t take up that much space. Not to mention how cloud and Zack were used to sharing at this point. Especially during that time period that cloud didn’t want to think about/made cloud’s head ache to think about/rephrase.

It wasn't a big room, not like Mom’s cozy home. It was about the size of his barracks room though, and not only that, it smelled a lot better. And it probably would’ve felt bigger if it didn’t have two beds in it. She really did have a nice place here.

Denzel went on the bed, their few belongings went on the desk and Zack's Buster Sword went in the corner of the room, in clear view of the bed. 

Cloud knew how important Zack’s sword was to him. It made Cloud feel better too, to have a weapon within reach, just in case Shinra did track all of them down.

A weapon. Cloud had lost his rifle. It had just been Shinra issued junk, so it wasn’t a great loss, but it did mean he’d have to get a new weapon.

Cloud scowled thoughtfully, but set that aside for later.

That taken care of, Cloud turned to see Tifa's friends transferring Zack to the bed. The black haired man groaned slightly and shifted without waking. 

Cloud adjusted him, making sure all his limbs were on the bed, and then pulled the blankets over him.

Then he turned to Denzel. "Come on, you too buddy."

Denzel nodded and let Cloud tuck him in. Once Zack and Denzel were as comfortable as Cloud could make them, he started towards the door.

"Cloud?"

"I'm not going anywhere buddy. Just gotta talk to the others for a bit."

"Okay." Denzel said but didn’t take his eyes off of him.  Cloud decided at the last minute to leave the door open so Denzel could see him as he walked over to the others. 

“So, what do you think?” the landlady asked.

“It’s good, thanks. Much better than a room in the tower, that's for sure. Smells better too. Thanks," Cloud said, then added “Thanks for everything.” as he looked around at Tifa and her other friends.

“Don't worry about it. We might not know what exactly happened to you guys, but you're looking out for them,” Biggs said, nodding to Denzel and Zack. “Besides, any friend of Tifa is a friend of ours.”

Cloud smiled slightly. It was good that Tifa had found good friends.

There was a little more discussion. Cloud did his best to pay attention- he felt much better after resting and eating Tifa's food, but still not fully back to normal yet- but then the others said their goodbyes and left him and Tifa together.

"Are you going to go too?"

“Actually,” Tifa said, smiling shyly. “This is my room,” she pointed to the room next to  his. “So we’re neighbors again.”

“I guess,” Cloud said, smiling. He did like the thought of Tifa being close by.

He always did, but especially now, the more of her that he saw like this- alive and vibrant- made it easier to push that image of her away, the one of lying on  the cold reactor floor, bleeding from Sephiroth's sword.

“It's been five years since we last saw each other,” he said out loud, “and now we’re neighbors again.”

Tifa made a confused noise.

“Oh yeah Tifa- you said that your teacher got you out?”

 “Yeah, he carried me to safety and got me to the doctors.”

“That’s good. Where… where is he now?”

“Oh.” Tifa looked away again, and Cloud tensed. Nothing good could be making her make that face. “Well, he’s traveling again.”

“He left you?” Cloud asked, his voice coming out like a growl.

Tifa shook her head before meeting his eyes again, “It’s fine. I have Marle, Barret, and Marlene, and Jessie and Biggs and Wedge.”

“And me,” Cloud said automatically.

Tifa’s eyes widened, startled, before smiling. “And you,” she agreed. “Just like you have me.”

Cloud nodded abruptly, hoping he wasn’t blushing. 

Thankfully, Tifa spoke again, distracting him. “Cloud,” she asked gently, “what happened?”

“What happened?” Right. “After Sephiroth… after he killed Mom, I followed you and Zack to the reactor. Sephiroth beat Zack when Zack tried to stop him but I managed to get the jump on him.”

“Then… you really were there. I thought I imagined it.”

Cloud shook his head. “I was hiding,” he admitted. 

“Why?”

“Because I was ashamed of not getting into Soldier. That's why I didn't talk to you in town. Or when you wanted to go into the reactor, and I stopped you.”

“I remember- wait! That was you?” Tifa covered her mouth with her hands.

“...y-yeah. Sorry.”

Tifa shook her head (then reached out and took his hands gently. “No, no Cloud, it’s okay. You came back. You came for me when I needed you. Thank you."

“Well, I did promise. It’s good that Zangan got you out. After what Sephiroth did there-  Shinra tried to cover it up. Zack and I… had to go on the run. I was out of it, but Zack- he took care of me. He didn't abandon me.” The memories were blurry and slightly out of reach. Cloud hoped she didn't ask for details.

“He sounds like a good friend.”

“The best,” Cloud said. He couldn't help looking over his shoulder into the room where Zack was. He still hadn't woken up… 

“He'll be okay, Cloud.”

“Right. Thanks Tifa. If it wasn't for you- I was just trying to find a safe spot from the rain but thanks to you, we have beds to sleep in and food to eat and even clean clothes. I couldn’t have gotten them any of that.”

“Sure you would've,” Tifa said confidently, “it just would have taken a little longer. But Cloud? I'm really glad I found you. I'm really glad you're here.”

“Yeah. Same here. Thanks Tifa.” Cloud wanted to hug her. He wanted to hug her so badly.

"Cloud?"

"Tifa..."

"Cloud?" Denzel called from within the room.

Both of them froze.

"Coming, Denzel." then, quieter, "sorry, Tifa."

“It’s alright, Cloud. We are neighbors, after all.” She reached out and took his hands, and squeezed them gently and too briefly for Cloud's taste before letting go again.

“...Right.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Cloud.”

“Right,” Cloud said and watched her walk away and enter her room- before she vanished, she gave him a little wave before shutting the door behind her.

Tomorrow.

Cloud smiled and went to comfort the kid.

Chapter Text

“You know, Cloud Lockhart has a nice sound to it,” Jessie mused out loud.

“What?” Tifa asked, almost dropping her tray.

“You know,” Jessie said innocently, “ since I’m making their ids and Shinra might be looking for them, so can’t use their names.”

"Well, that makes sense," Tifa admitted, "but there's other names-"

"Oh hello there there!" Jessie said, doing her best imitation of Tifa's voice, "I'm Tifa Lockhart and this is my husband, Cloud Lockhart. When our hometown was destroyed by a natural disaster, we were separated and we thought the other was dead and we just found each other again.”

"Jessie!"

...

“X! I haven't seen you in so long!”

“Yeah, sorry Aerith,” Biggs said, scratching the back of his neck. “I've got some some...things going on. Complicated things. But I do have some good news. I've met some great friends. Would you like to meet them? I even know a great place to eat. It's probably the best place in the slums!”

“Better than Casey's cafe?”

“Much better,” Biggs promised.

Aerith clapped her hands excitedly. “Alright, you've convinced me! Let’s go!”

...

X- Biggs- was up to something.

Aerith could tell by the way he smiled and the way he laughed. It was the way he acted when he was worried about something. Or someone.

Aerith wasn't sure what he was up, but she trusted her friend and kept her smile up as he introduced her.

“Hey Tifa! Aerith, this is my friend Tifa. This is her place.”

“Welcome Aerith. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Tifa, where-“

The door opened and a blond man followed by a sandy haired boy came in.

“Hey Cloud, this is Aerith,” Biggs called, gesturing him over.

“You’re Aerith?” The man demanded, coming closer.

Aerith was about to scold him for being rude when Tifa went over to him and squeezed his arm gently.

“How’s Zack?” she asked him gently.

“Zack?” Aerith demanded whipping her head around so fast she was pretty sure she hit Biggs with her braid. “He’s been here? The whole time?”

“No, not the whole time!”

“We just got here,” the blond man said.

“We?” Aerith questioned.

“Yeah. Zack got us out. But… he’s still recovering. You…want to see him?”

“Of course!”

The man smiled the slightest bit, then looked down at the boy, then at Tifa, who smiled as if she knew just what he was thinking.

“Denzel, would you like to help me in the bar for a while?” she asked gently.

The boy nodded, but did look up at Cloud, who smiled and ruffled his hair. “Be back soon.”

Denzel nodded back, reassured, and then ran to Tifa, who threw an arm around him.

...

Aerith was numbly grateful that they had left her alone with Zack. She'd never seen him like this- quiet and still- so unlike himself.

She'd told herself that he'd forgotten all about her, but he'd been trapped and suffering.

Aerith hid her face in her hands, telling herself not to cry and get herself under to control so not to wake Zack- she was so overwhelmed that she didn't notice the bed creaking.

“An angel?” Zack asked- voice hoarse, but a smile present in his voice.

Aerith gasped and dropped her hands, tears pricking at her eyes as relief flooded her.

“Because-” Zack went on, smiling at her, “because I'm not ready for heaven yet. See, I've got this gorgeous girlfriend waiting for me, and I promised her I’d come visit- and that I’d take her to to see the real sky-”

“That's right, you promised, and you're late,” Aerith said, trying to keep her tone light as she took his hand and squeezed his hand, “so you’d better make it up to me.”

"Uh oh. You going to put me to work again?"

"Could be. But don't worry, this angel is going to help you live,” Aerith promised, before gathering up her courage and leaning down and kissing him, a kiss Zack very enthusiastically returned.

...

It had seemed like a good idea to bring food at the time.

But then Cloud had walked in on Zack and Aerith kissing and quickly walked out.

Thankfully they hadn't noticed him.

Honestly though, he should have guessed. Of course Zack would wake up for his girlfriend. 

Shaking his head slightly, Cloud walked back to Seventh Heaven, planning how to tell Tifa that Zack and Aerith had something other than food to keep them busy.

He walked into the bar to find Denzel, Marlene, and Tifa dancing to the jukebox. They were all smiling and laughing, pausing only to long enough to turn and share those smiles with him.

"Cloud, come dance with us!"

"I'm coming," Cloud said with a chuckle, and went to join them.