Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Zack and Aerith had been traveling for some time when they started riding up rugged terrain on the motorcycle Zack had bought in Midgar. They were traveling from Gongaga trying to see all the world had to offer, after happening on a file in the Shinra HQ, courtesy of the Turks, Zack had contemplated leaving SOLDIER, and seeing what Shinra had done to Corel was the last straw. His first stop was to get Aerith, she had a right to know who she was and where she came from, the file had all the answers. So after a discussion with Elmyra, she reluctantly let her daughter travel with him. They had already been to Aerith’s hometown of Icecicle Inn and from there they decided to travel back down to Gongaga for peace and to let Aerith understand what Shinra had done to both her mother and father.

They had stayed in Gongaga with Zack’s parents for quite some time before Zack had the idea to start traveling again. The first stop was a village hidden in the mountains, Aerith didn’t know why he had insisted on stopping in Nibelhiem instead of going to somewhere like the Gold Saucer of Costa del Sol but he was adamant and with that, he had convinced her that what they needed was to see the village first hand instead of hearing stories from when he had been in SOLDIER.

The grassy fields turned to rocky steep inclines that seemingly had no end. The motorcycle and side car were not the best in terms of avoiding the potholes and bumps and seemingly Aerith was going to pay for that later with the bruises she was starting to accumulate.

“Sorry I know it’s not the smoothest I promise it gets better,” Zack had said.

“It’s ok I know that not every road can be as smooth as the ones in Midgar, though I did wish the bumps didn’t hit as hard in this sidecar. My legs and butt are gonna be black and blue by the time we get there!” Aerith responded.

“Well we will just have to take care of that when we get there then,” Zack said with a wink. “We shouldn’t be far now give or take another 5 minutes.”

A sign quickly came into view as well as some houses, the first signs of life for miles, there was a wooden archway that welcomed visitors to the village that was right in front of them. Zack drove over to the archway pulling off to the side to allow other vehicles to pass through if needed.

“You know I have some friends here I want you to meet and one of them was in the military with me, we kinda left together but we went separate ways and I am excited for you to finally meet him,” Zack exclaimed while removing the key from the bike and reaching out his hand for Aerith to take. “He decided to come back home while I still wanted to see much of the world since that is not something I have gotten to do since the war ended.”

“I am sure that your friend is a great person but this place sure is different from Midgar are there interesting things we could see before meeting up with him?” Aerith asked the midday sun was passing through the mountains and as Aerith had learned people usually are away from home and instead are doing what they can to help the people around them in the village. Aerith stepped out of the sidecar and walked over to the wooden archway that welcomed visitors hand in hand with Zack, almost pulling her along and under the wooden arch.

“Zack is that you?” A woman's voice asked as a girl just younger than both Aerith and Zack walked over in a denim skirt that ended a little above her knees and a white crop top with some red hiking boots, her long hair was pulled back by a tea fabric headband with side swept bangs poking out from underneath.

On the way back to HQ from Nibelhiem about 3 years ago, Cloud had explained to Zack the reason that he enlisted was so that he could impress someone and have the strength to protect her if she ever needed it again, and upon learning that Zack had realized that Cloud had meant Tifa, which was the reason behind the texts she had sent asking about a certain blonde soldier. “Hey Tifa!,” Zack’s right hand shot up to wave at the girl. “Have you seen Cloud by chance?”

“I saw him right before he headed off to the mountain trail for work he should be back soon for lunch, you and uhh…” the girl paused.

“Aerith,” Zack responded.

“Oh, this is the beautiful Aerith you have mentioned so much about in your letters to Cloud. He has told me so much about your travels and the both of you are welcome to come to hang out with me in the meantime until he gets back for lunch we were going to meet up anyway!” Zack’s face was a little puzzled but he was honored that Cloud had explained to Tifa what he had been up to after leaving SOLDIER.

Aerith and Zack looked at each other and then back to Tifa, “Sure that would be great!” Aerith replied. The three turned from the entryway and started walking towards the water tower in the center of town which directly to the right were a line of houses to which Tifa guided them towards the house directly in front of the water tower.

The three walked through the door of Tifa’s home that she shared with her father, and they walked over to the living area and to the couch where Tifa had motioned for them to sit. “I am sure you both are a bit tuckered out from your travels would you like some water or tea or anything to drink?” Tifa asked.

“Some water would be great,” Aerith replied as Tifa walked over to the kitchen pulled out 2 glasses filled them up with water from the tap, and walked back over putting the glasses down on the coffee table in front of the couch and sitting down next to them.

“So it's not easy sending you letters due to your travels and we don’t get good cell reception here so I’m sure you have many questions for Cloud so you can catch up but I haven’t had the opportunity to send any messages to you either. So I would love to learn more about your travels as well, But of course, if you have any questions I will answer to the best of my ability.”

“So I am from Midgar but not really it's complicated but anyways it's so interesting to see how different life is out in the countryside, especially from a girl who is close to my age,” Aerith said. Aerith had her hand sitting on her lap and as she stammered the words out Zack’s hand gripped around hers seemingly telling her she could do it and to speak with confidence.

“Well there’s not as much to do here as in Midgar I assume but I manage to keep busy I teach a fitness class for the elders here and after that, I get to do my chores, study, train, and sometimes I even get to have a little time off to rest and relax. I don't think that's as different as life in Midgar then again I don't know.” Tifa replied.

“Train?” Zack said inquisitively. “OH, THAT'S RIGHT. I REMEMBER CLOUD SAYING YOU WERE STUDYING MARTIAL ARTS.”

>

“Yep and I’ve pretty much mastered it as well but I manage to train most if not every day regardless cause if you don't keep your mind sharp and use it you will lose it,” Tifa replied smiling her head tilted slightly to the side. There was a creek from the entryway and then a slam.

“Hey Tifa,” an older man, Tifa’s dad exclaimed as he rounded the corner into the living room. “Who the heck are you and what is the Shinra boy doing here, I told you everyone involved with them people are trouble especially that Strife boy,” Tifa’s dad shouted. “puttin’ you into trouble all those years ago.” The man whispered under his breath.

“Sir I’m not involved with Shinra anymore and It is good to see you again name’s Zack in case you don’t remember,” Zack said. “Also that doesn’t sound like the Cloud I know are you sure that’s what happened.”

“Dad it is ok they were just passing through and they looked tired so I invited them in for some water,” Tifa jumped up from her seat, “I was just about to go train and I will show them the way to the inn ok, foods on the stove. I’ll be back later!” Tifa said in a rush guiding both Zack and Aerith out the door as her dad glared.Tifa closed the door behind her as Zack and Aerith both looked confused at her.

“So what was that about?” Aerith said breaking the silence between the 3. Tifa just gestured to keep quiet and grabbed Aerith’s free wrist dragging not only Aerith but Zack as well while opening the door to the house next door, one Zack had recognized from a few years back as Cloud’s house.

“Wait isn’t this…” Zack was cut off by Tifa shushing him and her turning to open the door.

“Hello, Claudia it’s me and I brought guests,” Tifa said after entering and closing the door behind her dragging the pair with her. “Cloud’s not back yet is he.”

“Hey Tifa, and Come on in guys make yourselves at home!” A woman in her late thirties turned from the stove she was at with a smile, her hair was tied back in a short ponytail and she wore an apron over her orange dress. The woman reached over and turned the burner off then covered the pot that had been simmering with a lid. “My oh my if it isn’t Zack, and who I assume is Aerith. I’ve heard so much about the both of you from Cloud.”

“Yes ma’am,” Aerith replied. “It is very nice to meet you, I get to hear all about Zack and Cloud’s military adventures from time to time so it’s finally nice to at least put a face to one of the people from the stories.” Tifa walked up to the raised area that acted as the living area and gestured for the other two to follow her gesturing towards the couch and sitting on the right side. Claudia walked from the stove up to the sitting area and sat down on the loveseat that was next to the couch.

“So Zack if you’re wondering Cloud should be home shortly he is pr’bly on his way back right now. Anyway, I hope everyone’s hungry, I got some stew on the stove and there’s enough to go around!” The woman said cheerfully.

“So anyways a ton of stuff has happened since you passed through,” Tifa said. “I am sure Aerith would love to hear more about the town and about, the past here as I would love to learn more about Aerith as well since Midgar is so far away.”

“So I grew up in Midgar, yes but I am not from there I was born in Icecicle Inn, it feels so weird to say now but I just recently found out about it and I sold flowers around Midgar for a while until Zack came back to Midgar and asked if I wanted to travel with him. Which I said yes to, of course, and here I am.”

“Well it’s nice to finally meet you Aerith,” Claudia replied. A small creek sounded from the entryway as footsteps rang out on the hardwood floor.

“Hey Mom, I’m back!” Cloud said while closing the door.

“Cloud c’mere we have some guests today!” Claudia responded as Cloud rounded the corner, wearing blue jeans that had faded and were stained with dirt and an oversized button-up.

“ZACK, IT’S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU,” Cloud ran up to the group and sat on the loveseat beside his mom, resting his hand on the coffee table next to the couch. “Hello there I imagine you’re Aerith, I’m Cloud it’s so good to finally meet you, Zack used to go on and on about his beautiful girlfriend who lived in Midgar it’s nice to see firsthand the girl he was talking about.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well!” Aerith replied. Cloud's hand tapped nervously on the table, having seen his friend for the first time in a while it was a little overwhelming, especially with meeting someone new Tifa’s hand reached over from the armrest of the couch onto the coffee table and gently positioned it with the top of his hand, signaling to Cloud that it was going to be alright.

“So Cloud what do you do now since leaving Midgar?” Zack questioned.

“Well, I became part of the town watch so basically I go up the mountain and take care of any fiends who threaten to come into town since I now have the combat skills for it,” Cloud responded. “That being said lots has changed, The other guys never really decided to come back, and having returned I was greeted with a warm welcome home, mom thought I needed to settle down anyway, cause I’m sure you know about how life works in the country Zack but Aerith may not, it’s not uncommon to get married at a young age around here.”

“That’s crazy but then again when you meet the one you’re supposed to be with you know so I guess it’s not that crazy if you think about it.” Aerith responded.

“I mean mom was talking to me about it when I was 16 so.”

“Yeah, 16 is young,” Aerith said with wide eyes taken aback by the practice. “In Midgar, I thought 18 was young but 16 I couldn’t imagine.”

Cloud’s stomach cut through the noise, “Hey how about we all get some food while we all catch up,” He said scratching the back of his head with his free hand out of embarrassment.

Claudia walked over to the stove and Tifa got up from her chair and walked behind the middle-aged woman. Claudia took the lid off the pot while Tifa reached up and pulled 5 bowls out of the cabinet and placed them on the counter next to the stove. Tifa then took a bowl out of the stack passed it over to Claudia for her to fill up with stew and passed it back to Tifa who took it over to the table in the center of the room and placed it down in front of a chair.

“Cloud mind grabbing an extra chair?” Claudia asked. Cloud walked over to the nearby closet in the living area grabbed a dining chair brought it over to the table and placed it down on the far end. Claudia upon filling up the last bowl placed the lid back on the pot and went over to the table to sit down, following the placement of the last bowl. Tifa walked back over to the kitchen area and opened a drawer to grab some spoons placing them down one at each seat.

“C’mon down guys let's eat!” Cloud said taking the seat he had just placed down as Tifa sat down between Claudia and Cloud, Zack stood up from the couch grabbed Aeriths hand to help her to the table, and let go of her hand only to pull the chair out for her then pushing the chair slightly back in after she had sat, then sitting down himself. Aerith had closed her eyes and started thanking the planet quietly under her breath, barely audible to the rest of them.

“What is she…” Claudia asked.

“Shhhhh,” Zack interrupted mouthing “I will explain everything in just a moment”. Aerith opened her eyes back up and turned to look at the confused faces gazing at her, Zack turned to her and scratched the back of his head “Oh I might have forgotten to mention to them that you were a cetra.”

“A cetra,” Cloud asked.

“Yes also known as the ancients, I can hear the voices of the planet, the lifestream, or the current of the planet I can more or less hear it. So the people who have been lost and have returned to the planet I can sometimes sense them but the thing is. I’m only half Cetra. My mom was the last Cetra” Aerith responded looking down at her hands in her lap, discouraged. The others just sat there and thought for a moment the silence broken after a few moments.

“You mean we don’t just die and that’s it,” Tifa said confused.

“Wait is that where the legend comes from?” Cloud asked.

“What legend?” Said Zack.

“So basically when you lose someone here it is said that the person that died takes a trip up and over Mount Nibel,” Tifa responded looking down at her bowl.

“Well, I guess in a way it is where it comes from,” Aerith responded. Cloud glanced over at Tifa lost in thought still staring at her bowl.

“You know it wasn’t your fault you took it literally anyone could have. Grief shows itself in different ways,” Cloud said giving a gentle nod Tifa’s way.

“Mind if I ask what happened,” Zack said his mouth full of stew.

“Zack they don't need to say anything it was bad and if it brings back bad memories then it’s not something that should be talked about until the person is,” Aerith said.

“It’s fine Aerith, I only remember bits and pieces but I can tell you what I do remember,” Tifa responded her eyes pained but still smiling.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to you know,” Cloud's hand went over to Tifa’s spot. “I can fill them both in later if it pains you to talk about it still.”

“No I want to talk about it, maybe if I talk about it I will remember more about it,” Tifa answered back, smiling at Cloud, his eyes full of worry and concern.

“So when I was 8 I lost my mom, she had passed on and, I chose to go try to find her on the mountain.” Aerith and Zack both looked across the table at Tifa stunned.

“I am so sorry,” Aerith said. “I know she is still here watching over you and making sure you are happy.”

“Thank you Aerith,” Tifa responded, “So in my hasty decision I ended up dragging the other kids along with me and while they turned around Cloud was the only one who stayed behind trying to get me to come back to town.” Zack and Aerith looked at Cloud who was trying to hide the blush creeping across his cheeks and the tops of his ears. “Anyways the bridge on the mountain gave out and we both fell apparently and well I was asleep for a whole week and with that, the other kids had blamed Cloud. I am still really sorry about that.” Tifa looked over at Cloud.

“It…it’s nothing… really… there were more important things happening…” Cloud said.

“When the incident happened Cloud had made it out with a few scrapes and he wouldn’t say but he was really worried, and Tifa’s dad popped over here and told him to stay away from Tifa,” Claudia said, Cloud trying to still hide.

“So yeah that’s what happened,” Tifa said.

“Oh so that’s why you told him you were going to to train,” Zack said.

“Yes just keep it quiet though,” Tifa responded.

“You four don’t worry about the dishes I will get them,” Claudia said seeing the empty bowls across the table. “And don’t forget you all are always welcome here regardless of what happens. Cloud I imagine you are going to take the rest of the day off since it’s a special occasion?”

“Yep, It was really quiet up there on the mountain anyways so I’m free to take the afternoon off,” Cloud responded, Tifa looking over and smiling and Zack standing up and cheering.

“I get to spend some time again with my brother in arms!” Zack shouted making both Aerith and Tifa smile at his excitement.

“Hey, how about we all go up to the waterfall?” Tifa said.

“That sounds like a great Idea!” Aerith replied. Claudia looked over at the group and smiled.

“You 4 have fun!” as soon as the words left her mouth the group had gotten up and were walking over to the door.

"Yes, m'am!” Cloud responded.

Chapter Text

“So where’s the waterfall,” Aerith asked.

“Oh it’s not far don’t worry we will show you the way!” Tifa responded with a wink. Cloud opened the door for all of them to pass through then shut it behind him. “This way,” Tifa led.

“Mountian guide Tifa is back!” Zack said with enthusiasm.

“Guide?” Aerith questioned walking hand in hand with Zack as they passed by the houses on the outskirts of town.

“Yep, Tifa was the guide for the mission we had here a few years back,” Zack responded Aerith looking over at him.

“Yeah, ironically he already had a pretty good guide with him at the time,” Tifa gently put her hand on Cloud’s shoulder giving him a small push and laughing.

“I wasn’t against you coming along,” Cloud responded.

“Yeah, I know you just wanted to see me again after those 2 years, what you gotta thing for country girls, Cloud Strife?” Tifa asked playfully grinning from ear to ear turning around and slightly bowing with her hands on her hips.

“So what if I do,” Cloud said shyly. Tifa mischievously smiled back and continued to walk on.

“Well this is different,” Zack said surprised “Last time he was hiding from her the whole way.”

“Oh really?” Aerith quietly asked Zack playfully. “Sounds to me like it isn’t that different.” She whispered with a smile. Aerith picked up her pace slightly to match with Zack’s and brushed his hand with hers and they grabbed each other's hand in response.

“Come on guys we aren’t far now,” Tifa said waving back at the other 3.

“We are coming, could you slow down a little, Zack and Aerith don’t know the area like we do so it’s taking them a touch longer,” Cloud yelled back.

“I mean it’s just over the hill so take your time,” Tifa replied back and then she went out of view.

“Sorry about that,” Cloud apologized. “Sometimes she gets excited to get to get out of the main part of town.”

“Understood, Yeah I wanted to get out of Midgar as well and get to the fresh country air”. Zack said.

“Hey,” Aerith said back.

“I didn’t say that it was all the time everyone knows the best air in Midgar is the church,” Zack said.

“That’s the truth because even the flowers like it there!” Aerith said smiling. They were coming up just over the crest of the hill.

“We should be able to see the waterfall real good in just a second,” Cloud said.

“Great can’t wait,” Aerith picked up her pace dragging Zack down the crest of the hill. Just beyond them was a clearing with a path that branched off, one way leading up the mountain and the other over to the river and waterfall. The water was tranquil and the shoreline had patches of grass growing.

“The water is completely different from how I remember,” Zack said. “A few years ago the current in the river was so bad it was difficult to swim through it.”

“Swim?” Aerith asked.

“Yeah, the bridge up the mountain gave out and we ended up losing on man in our group,” Cloud responded then walking over to Tifa who was at the water’s edge.

“It’s the season”, Tifa said as the others approached her, “we have one season where the current is extremely dangerous and a season where it is peaceful”.

“That makes sense with the melting snow from the mountain,” Aerith replied. “So what’s going on between the two of you and if you two are afraid to confront it I will gladly push you two together and scream kiss like a child playing with dolls.”

“Aerith!” Zack said choking back a slight bit of laughter, “I know I’m wondering too 'cause the two of you were acting different than I remember.” The two broke out in laughter “No we are… just friends…” Tifa said choking back laughter.

“Friends my left foot,” Aerith said pouting while the two continued laughing.

“Aerith don’t push them see they are just being friendly,” Zack replied.

“Yeah no we’re dating,” Tifa said flatly cutting off the laughter.

“Wait are you kidding?” Zack asked.

“Nope”, Cloud responded. “You can’t tell anyone though.”

“Why?” Aerith asked.

“Because my dad still hates him,” Tifa responded.

“So why are you telling us,” Asked Aerith.

“Because I would trust Zack with my life if I had to and I know since you’re with Zack I can trust you too,” Cloud responded with a smile.

“Well congrats, I guess,” Zack said confused.

“When we do decide to get married, which is hopefully soon, I want to at least do that properly, asking for permission and everything,” Cloud said.

“So how long has this been going on?” Zack Questioned.

“Give or take 3 years,” Tifa stated.

“That long?” Aerith said.

“Well technically yes it started with a letter I received shortly after you had left the village, well actually right after the caravan had left I saw a note that was left on the water tower. I spotted it from my window after heading back in my room to continue my daily studies. I noticed a teal mark on the envelope the same shade that my dress was the night of the promise.” Tifa said.

“A few weeks later, I was able to leave the army with no clue how many months had passed,” Cloud said.

“And well, from there, it’s just been a thing, we would either sneak out and meet up or do like today where we just meet up during lunchtime or training time for me,” Tifa said.

“Mom figured it out after a week but she has been extremely supportive to she has allowed Tifa to spend time over in the mornings and even helped Tifa plan some of her lessons,” Cloud said. Zack and Aerith looked over at each other, Elmyra had been skeptical of Zack in the beginning from all the pain that Shinra had brought Aerith and her biological mother, but eventually came around to liking Zack and even depending on him in terms of Aerith’s safety. Zack knew Elmyra would have helped him hide away from Shinra if or when he needed it due to her love for Aeritih and Zack knew it was likely the same situation for Tifa and Cloud where Claudia had taken Tifa under her wing to hide her from the hatred her father possessed for Cloud.

Fortunately for Cloud and Tifa, there was little to no risk of death from the people who didn’t want them together like Zack and Aerith had for them since Shinra rarely, if ever, lets SOLDIERS go without a fight. However, opinions can be changed and do change. What Tifa’s dad says now may not be what he will say in the future so there is a chance for them to stop hiding. Aerith was lost in thought too it seemed her hand intertwined with Zack’s she was staring at the ground a solemn look on her face.

“I know you are thinking that we can help them,” Zack whispered to Aerith.

“Well they are certainly in a slightly better situation than us, but if my mom can come around to liking you, Tifa’s dad can eventually come around to liking Cloud,” Aerith whispered back over to him.

“So you got a plan?” Zack asked still whispering.

Aerith spoke up releasing Zack’s hand and walking over to Cloud and Tifa. “Ok, here is what we are going to do about your dad,” She said cheerily. Cloud and Tifa both looked over a little shocked at Aerith’s declaration. “So Tifa is it ok if I come back with you to your house this afternoon and talk to you and your dad? We know he doesn’t exactly like people who have been associated with Shinra and likewise my Mom was a similar way when I met Zack, so maybe speaking with someone who has had horrible experiences with Shinra may open up his mind to seeing that not everyone who has worked for them is a bad person.”

“You know that is not a bad idea,” Tifa replied. “Ok let's go for it, so just you coming over later or is Zack going to as well?” Tifa questioned.

“Just me, I feel like things will go better that way!” Aerith responded smiling and giving a wink. Cloud and Zack looked over at each other.

“So I guess we get to hang out later as well, have some guy time while the girls get their girl time,” Zack said with a nod walking over to Cloud and giving him a whack on the back much to Cloud’s surprise. Cloud straightened himself up with a smile while both the girls laughed.

The sun loomed over the horizon of the mountain and the sky started changing colors from the blue that was known around these parts to a yellow-orange color signaling the time and the need for the four to get back to the main square.

“Well that’s the cue to head back,” Tifa said.” Aerith and I will start to head back first since I want to get home before Dad without him seeing anything just yet”. Tifa looked back at Cloud with a smile and started making her way back to town with Aerith at her side.