Chapter Text
Universe: FFX
Timeline: Post-Dissidia
Status: Past Relationship
Tidus was surprised, to say the least, when he opened the door to his home in Luca, only to see his old war comrade standing there. His jaw fell open as he stared upon his friend, dressed in that familiar outfit with the leather pauldron and wolf on it. Cloud smiled softly, though a little wearily.
“Hi, Tidus. It's been a while.”
“Uh, yeah,” Tidus stuttered. “Like...”
What had it been? Four years? Five? But Cloud didn't look like he had aged a day. He might have looked a bit more worn, especially under the eyes, but his charming expressions and strong jaw hadn't changed a bit.
“Years? I know,” Cloud said, his voice almost apologetic. He lowered his head a little as Tidus continued to stand there in shock, and realized his unannounced visit might not have been the most courteous way to meet up with an old friend. But then again, Tidus was more than just an old friend, wasn't he?
“Sorry, I shouldn't intrude like this,” Cloud mumbled, hurriedly.
“How did you get here?” Tidus asked, just as quickly.
“In the end, it was an old wiseman and a magic spell that got me here. After years of searching,” Cloud added, head and voice low.
Tidus took a step out onto the porch, and closed the door behind him. His hand reached for the back of Cloud's neck, and he pulled their heads together, foreheads touching. They breathed slowly, softly. Their eyes fluttered between the ground and each other's gazes.
“So, you never gave up, huh?” Tidus smiled, softly. “You said you'd find a way, and you did.”
“I promised I wouldn't lose you, remember?” Cloud smiled back. His eyes fell gently closed as he breathed Tidus in—his soft, warm, suntanned skin; his contagious grin; his ocean-like scent. In all those years, Cloud hadn't forgotten a single detail, but he couldn’t describe how amazing it was to be here, soaking Tidus in, and confirming that all those wonderful memories from Cosmos' world had been real.
“I missed you so much,” Cloud whispered, his voice meek, desperate. It was in that moment that Tidus realized how long and how hard Cloud must have been trying to find him. He remembered how lonely Cloud had once been, and it killed him to think that their parting had put Cloud through that same pain again.
“I missed you, too,” Tidus smiled, weakly. Finally, lips pressed together, easing into the contact. Cloud whimpered tearfully at the sensation that seemed too good to be true—Tidus' lips brushing against his own, their warmth filling Cloud's entire body with a sense of comfort and belonging. The long-awaited kiss came to a tragically abrupt end when the door handle behind them jiggled. Tidus pulled away far too quickly for Cloud's liking, and Cloud was left with a sickening feeling when he saw Yuna appear in the doorway.
“Tidus, dinner's ready. Oh, Cloud!” the brunette called, cheerfully. Cloud's eyes travelled down to the woman's swollen stomach, her hand rubbing it tenderly. Cloud's mouth was so dry, he couldn't give her any sort of greeting in return. When he remained speechless, Yuna took another step forward to pull Cloud into an embrace, which Cloud only half-heartedly returned. His arms were heavy and numb.
“I don’t know how you made it here, but you’re welcome to stay for dinner. You must have quite the story. Come in before the food gets cold,” Yuna said, with a warm grin.
“'Kay. Be right there,” Tidus nodded, giving her a quick smile. It fell away as soon as she closed the door behind her. Tidus' head hung low, and his eyes took a long time to meet Cloud's. Even when they did, they were ashamed—perhaps even scared.
“Yours? Your child?” Cloud choked out. Tidus nodded, solemnly, guiltily.
Cloud stumbled back a step or two as he shoved a hand into his hair. Everything was wrong. This was not the way things were supposed to work out. The Tidus that Cloud remembered... He had still been so young, nowhere near ready for parenting. He had still been a child himself, cracking jokes, making light of any bad situation, but Cloud doubted he could laugh their way out of this one.
“I'm... I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have come,” Cloud stuttered, swallowing tears that were bubbling up in his throat. He turned to leave, but Tidus caught his hand.
“Cloud, don't go!” he begged.
“I have to.”
“Cloud, please! Please, listen!” This time, Cloud couldn't help but spin to face him again; he just wanted to see his handsome face, the one he’d been dreaming of for years; it just hurt to see that face looking so sad, so full of regret. “I'm the one who should be sorry. I... gave up too soon. I didn't think there was a way to cross worlds,” Tidus said, voice hardly above a whisper. “I betrayed you, didn't I?”
“No,” Cloud shook his head. “You're just... the strong one, as always.” He forced a weak smile, and Tidus had no idea how. “Moving on was never my forte.”
“Cloud,” Tidus murmured, leaning his head towards Cloud's again, but Cloud pulled back. He gave Tidus' hand a squeeze before tugging away.
“I'm happy for you,” he lied, the words painfully burning his insides.
“Cloud!” Tidus shouted, before gripping Cloud’s shoulders, and pulling him back. He mashed his lips hard against Cloud's this time, but despite the force, Cloud simply stifled a noise of surprise, and accepted the kiss. How could he not? It was probably the last one he would ever get. It was quick, but it was enough, especially when Tidus brushed a hand over his cheek as they parted.
“You can't leave yet. You just got here, and you tried so hard to find me. And, I owe you like a hundred apologies, and— Oh, right, supper! Stay for supper. Yuna's got a huge pot of stew cooking, and she did invite you, and there's gonna be lots left over anyway, and—”
“Tidus—”
“You've got to be starving, right? And sleepy. Stay over,” Tidus continued to ramble.
“Tidus, I'm fine. Really,” Cloud tried to assure him, but he was pretty sure he was failing. His smile was weak and false. His eyes were most likely still shining with tears that he was fighting back with all his strength; he couldn’t even begin to focus on this feeling of defeat in the pit of his stomach.
“Stay over,” Tidus said again, more insistent than pleading this time.“We've got a guest room that's never been used. I'd really like you to be the first one to use it. I think... it would do me a lot of good to know you're there, safe in the next room.”
That was it. Those were the magic words, the ones that made Cloud tremble with emotions, and he couldn't stand to object to such a request. Everything he'd done in the past several years had been for Tidus, and if this one thing would make Tidus happy, then he would do it.
“Okay,” Cloud finally replied. Tidus' mouth popped open in surprise and contentment. “Okay,” Cloud repeated, making sure Tidus knew he was serious. Tidus took Cloud's hand again, and brushed his thumb over it, gently.
“Stay, and I promise I'll try to make it up to you,” he whispered, as he led Cloud toward the house.