Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Up in the office, Cloud sat, sorting out his routes and schedules for future deliveries. He kept a map of Gaia with which he marked his trails with pins and used threads to work out the distance, the shorter the thread, the shorter the trip.

Down in the bar, Tifa stood on a stool where she reached for a bottle of red wine. But, as soon as it was in reach, Tifa heard an ominous laugh from behind her, and when she turned around, she saw the man of her nightmares, the one she and Cloud feared more than anyone else. Long silver hair and snake-like eyes revealed himself to be Sephiroth, and with another cruel chuckle, he approached Tifa with his masamune pointing at her, and Tifa slightly bent back, shuddering.

“You! What are you doing here?” Tifa said in fear, “No, you’re not real, you’re just my imagination!”

“Oh, am I?” Sephiroth asked smoothly, “And if I’m not?”

“Then I’ll call Cl- my husband!” Tifa said, “He’ll protect me!”

“Your husband?” Sephiroth asked, “So you’re married. Who is the lucky man? No don’t tell me, I think I might have an idea…”

Sephiroth climbed over the bar and when next to her, observed her right hand bearing a ring on her finger. The symbol of a wolf that Sephiroth knew about, the protector of the Strife family. He then looked up at Tifa’s eyes which swelled with tears as she raised her fists.

“Might this spouse of yours be someone I know?” Sephiroth asked, “That ring tells me he is. Now, how might he feel if I did this to you?”

Sephiroth thrusted his sword in Tifa’s direction to which she flinched and screamed. As she fell, her life flashed before her eyes, of her childhood memories with Cloud, her accident at eight years old, the promise under the stars, her near-fatal encounter with Sephiroth, meteorfall, the geostigma epidemic, her wedding with Cloud, it all flooded her vision before she landed. The landing conjured a crack in Tifa’s ankle followed by a sharp pain in the affected area.

Her lungs were winded but soon regained function, causing Tifa to hyperventilate, but when she sat up, much to her relief and her shock, Sephiroth had vanished, but she still thought she could hear him chuckle and tell her: “I’ll see you soon Tifa, have fun with your husband.”

Sephiroth’s voice faded before Tifa returned to her senses and tried to get up but collapsed once again. This time, the pain was worse than before and she took a look at the source of the pain in her ankle, which had turned a shade of purple and Tifa gasped once again.

“Tifa!” a voice called. Cloud came racing from the stairs and to Tifa’s side where he held her and looked down over her body as though to check for injuries. He gasped at the sight of her ankle, but still patted her calf, comforting her.

“Tifa, what happened?” Cloud asked.

“Cloud, I thought I saw Sephiroth, he was, right there!” Tifa tried to point but her hand shook, “He threatened me with his sword, tried to stab me. Oh, Cloud, I’m scared!”

“Sephiroth?” Cloud asked in a shocked voice, “What do you mean?”

“I thought I saw him,” Tifa said, “But after I fell, he disappeared.”

“Now that I think about it, I did hear your voice, but I thought you were talking on the phone,” Cloud said, “I thought you were being harassed; that’s why I came down, then I heard your scream and I just ran. Are you alright?”

“Cloud, I’ll be fine,” Tifa said.

“Let me take a look,” Cloud said. Cloud observed Tifa’s ankle which he’d noticed had caused her to flinch when he touched it. He removed the footwear on her affected leg and put it aside, where it revealed a larger bruise and swelling around it.

“Tifa, I think you’ve broken your ankle,” Cloud said, “did you hear a crack when you fell?”

“A crack?” Tifa asked, “I did, and it was a loud one.”

Cloud stared at his wife silently at that moment. Tifa mumbled incoherently and said his name until suddenly, he lifted her up off the ground and held her close to himself. Tifa was given a moment to put her arms around Cloud’s neck and reciprocate her feelings by leaning into his shoulder to rest.

“Cloud I…” She spoke, before being cut off.

“Shhh… Tifa, you’re going to be fine,” Cloud told her. The courier was caught off guard when the door creaked from behind them. To his relief, it was only Marlene and Denzel who were in school uniform and had their bags on their backs. The two stopped at the sight of Tifa in Cloud’s arms, their faces filled with concern for the barmaid.

“Cloud, what happened to Tifa?” Marlene asked as though to cry, “Is Tifa hurt, is she going to be alright?”

“Marlene, Denzel,” Cloud said, “Tifa fell and broke her ankle, I’m taking her upstairs. Could one of you get some healing materia?”

“Healing materia, on it!” Denzel said. With this, Denzel ran off from Cloud’s sight, with the latter carrying Tifa upstairs and down the hall to their bedroom, onto the bed, where Cloud comforted her.

“Cloud, you don’t have to stay,” Tifa said, “You were sorting your routes, weren’t you? You can go back now, I don’t mind,”

“Tifa, that doesn’t matter right now,” Cloud said, “right now, all that matters to me is that you’re alright.”

“Oh, Cloud,” Tifa said. Without a second thought, the couple moved in closer to each other, and the next moment, they kissed as they did all the time without shame or regret. Cloud pulled Tifa in closer to him, and with his arms around her, he held her tight, secured perfectly.

By the time the kiss ended, Denzel was seen at the door's entrance, holding a green orb that he’d brought over to his adoptive parents. The boy had stayed for a while, watching Cloud equip the materia and healing Tifa’s ankle. Her bruise was now gone and she no longer winced when her ankle was moved in any direction, from which Denzel smiled and left.

“Tifa, what were you doing before the fall?” Cloud asked as he stroked Tifa’s ankle.

“I’d left a bottle up in the cupboard,” Tifa said, “It’s a vintage that I found last week, a red wine, made in Nibelheim in 1986. I thought we could share it.”

Cloud’s eyes widened, before he told Tifa, “I see… where did you find it?”

“When we went to visit Cid and Shera in Rocket town, I was allowed to look through the wine cellar in their house, and one of the bottles I found was the one from Nibelheim. I asked Cid and Shera if I could keep it, and they both said yes. I was amazed it was brewed the year you were born.”

Cloud nodded before Tifa got up to walk, Cloud following behind her. Downstairs Tifa walked up onto the stool once again and got out the bottle. It was a truly elegant bottle with red glass and a golden seal, with the label showing a painting of the water tower in colour, and read “ Nibelheim red wine, 1986 ”.

Tifa passed the bottle to Cloud who observed it and smiled to her.

“When would you like to drink it?” Tifa asked.

“I don’t know,” Cloud said, “perhaps after dinner when we’re taking a bath,”

“Oh,” Tifa said, surprised, “that works for me. We haven’t taken one in a long time…”

It truly was been a rare occasion. Mostly, they took showers which were short-lived due to the need to conserve water, though it wasn’t to say the fun was non-existent. A bath though was different - it could be longer, as well as there being bubbles and the ability to have a meal. However, there was the problem of the water losing its temperature over time and the bubbles dissipating, therefore they couldn’t last forever either, but could still be enjoyed in that time.

The rest of the day, Cloud spent setting up the bathroom with the help of the children, whilst the wine was left to chill in the fridge. After dinner, Cloud told the children to get the bath and bubbles ready, as he gathered the wine bottle and led Tifa upstairs, where the children prepared to leave.

“It’s all ready, Denzel and I are going downstairs to watch TV now, have fun!” Marlene said as she and Denzel walked downstairs.

“You ready?” Cloud asked.

Tifa nodded in response as Cloud covered her eyes and walked with her into the bathroom where to Tifa’s surprise, the lights were off, but there were still lights to be seen. Moments later, Cloud uncovered Tifa’s eyes, and she let out a noise that was both happy and surprised.

“Oh, Cloud,” Tifa said, “This is so special, thank you!” The room was dim, with candles displayed around the bath, near the window, and the bubbles were plentiful, with steam being emitted from them. The couple prepared themselves, then laid in the bath, as the bottle was popped, causing the cork to go flying to the door.

They both laughed at this scene, as Cloud poured their first glasses. After the bottle was put down, Cloud and Tifa took their glasses, giving a chink.

“What should we drink to?” Tifa asked.

Cloud stumped at Tifa’s question and began to ponder. A wine made in Nibelheim, he thought of their own childhood home where their oldest memories about each other were held and the picture on the bottle of the water tower.

“How about,” Cloud said, “to our future?”

“Yeah,” Tifa said.

The two took their first sips of the wine and immediately, the aged flavour became obvious. It was still in its prime, with a sweet, distinctive flavour. Cloud looked back to the label of the bottle, then to Tifa who smiled to be in his presence. He began to reminisce, what if he’d done things differently, or if things had been different?

As his wife’s body leaned into him, Cloud looked down to her and began to imagine.

Chapter Text

At first, Cloud wondered, what if he wasn’t able to rescue her on time?

Down in the village, Cloud’s foot was captured by an enflamed house frame, causing the infantryman to cry out in pain. Around him, villagers were being slaughtered one by one, by the very military he once served. Cloud struggled in vain, as he attempted to shake off the frame, but it was too heavy.

Then from the distance, his eyes found him, an old man with muscles and a cropped top and cape. He approached him quickly and pulled the log off with the strength of an ox. When Cloud had come to his senses, he saw that the old man was Zangan, Tifa’s mentor.

“Cloud, are you alright?” he asked.

“Zangan, where’s Tifa?” Cloud asked hurriedly. From this, Zangan turned to Mt. Nibel where the reactor was stationed. Cloud trembled for a moment before he continued, “Mt Nibel! She followed Sephiroth, didn’t she!”

“I’m afraid so,” Zangan said, “and she’s all on her own. I fear the worst for her. Please Cloud, make sure she’s alright.”

“I will!” Cloud said, “Thank you for saving me.” With this, Cloud ran off on the trail that led to Mt. Nibel. What Tifa’s father would think of him going up to see her Cloud didn’t care about, so long as she would be alright. Adrenaline flowed throughout his body, guiding energy to where it mattered most, and he fought any monster that came his way with ease.

Soon, however, when he had made his way to the top of the mountain, he saw that Tifa was already downed, with a massive cut along her chest where her crimson gore flowed out, staining her clothes. Cloud’s anger welled up as soon as he saw the man whom he knew was responsible for her wound, the man whom he’d once admired. Sephiroth came out, carrying the head of JENOVA in one hand, and his masamune in hand.

“Cloud…” came a weak voice from Cloud’s side. There Zack laid, wounded, and the buster sword barely in reach. “Finish Sephiroth…”

Cloud nodded as he picked up the buster sword and began to face the so-called ‘war hero’.

“You dare to face me?” Sephiroth asked rhetorically, “A lowly infantryman face a SOLDIER First-class? Don’t make me laugh.”

“Tifa, my mother, my town, give it back!” Cloud said, “SEPHIROTH!”

With this, Cloud charged toward the great man, attempting to strike him at every opportunity that arose. Soon, however, Sephiroth gained the upper hand and stabbed him in the chest area. With Cloud skewered onto the masamune, Sephiroth lifted him and brought him towards him and took him into the room where JENOVA’s head originally belonged.

“Don’t test me!”

Cloud however did not He fact, he was far from done. When Sephiroth had thought him defeated, Cloud grabbed the blade of the masamune and managed to lift the SOLDIER off of the ground, a feat that caused the great Sephiroth to shudder.

“I-impossible!” Sephiroth said, “Who… are… you?”

Instead of giving an answer, Cloud raged and threw Sephiroth to one side, simultaneously disarming him from the masamune. A machine within the reactor exploded upon impact when Sephiroth’s body had been launched onto it. He then fell into the pits which seemed endless. Sephiroth was surely dead now, and Cloud carefully pulled the masamune from his body.

He went out of the room and immediately, his eyes travelled down to Tifa’s body, still on the stairs. He travelled down to her, but soon collapsed a few stairs in, and his body found Tifa’s. With barely any strength remaining, the infantryman put his arms around Tifa and pulled her close to himself in a tight embrace, before his vision began to darken with spots painting his view, getting larger and larger by the second until Cloud was rendered blind and closed his eyes.

Back in the real world, Cloud gave Tifa’s abdomen a pat, as if for comfort, and kissed her head, Tifa looked up at him with a smile, which caused him to smile back, and she kept her eyes on him before he moved on with his vision.

Cloud briefly slipped back into consciousness again but was too weak to move. He could see the sight of Hojo examining him with much disappointment.

“For heaven’s sake, why can’t you separate them?” He asked.

“Sir,” another infantryman said, “we can’t! His grip on her is too strong! They’re stuck!”

Even Cloud felt it. His arms were wrapped around Tifa firmly, as though they would never let go, though he couldn’t think why. Perhaps it was his love for her that bound them. Hojo though gave another laugh.

“I think I have another idea,” Hojo said, “we shall use the girl as a surrogate mother! Now get her into surgery, quickly!”

Cloud’s arms tightened around Tifa once again before he slipped back into unconsciousness and was carried away. From then on, it could only be imagined what inhumane experiments would be done on Cloud, Tifa and Zack until possibly the end of their lives.

4 YEARS LATER -

One day, Zack escaped from his mako tank, after a manager had attempted to serve him his food. Next to him, he saw Cloud, bathing in mako, and across from him was a sort of a glass coffin wherein laid Tifa who had noticeably gained a slight amount of weight, especially in her abdomen which had a slight podge to it. Zack then looked up to see that her chest had been stitched up with a scar left over.

“Tifa, what did they do to you?” Zack wondered, “Hang on, while I get Cloud out of there!”

Zack weakly limped over to Cloud’s tank filled with mako and freed him. Upon the opening of the tank, Cloud collapsed to the floor and Zack propped him into a sitting position next to the tank. He then returned to Tifa, and with the press of a button, he opened her pod and pulled out her and onto Cloud’s lap. He then found the buster sword resting on the wall beside his own tank, which he returned behind his back before he'd come up to the scientist, taking his lab coat and put around Tifa.

“There,” Zack said, “It’s a bit big but it’ll keep you warm.”

With this, Zack picked both Cloud and Tifa up over his shoulder and walked outside, where Nibelheim to his shock, was reverted to its pre-disaster state. Zack was in shock, and when he saw a group of infantrymen marching toward him, Zack only knew what this could mean. They’d tried to take Cloud and Tifa away from him, but Zack stopped them and made his way back to the Shinra manor.

There, having diagnosed him with mako-addiction, Zack had gotten Cloud changed into a fresh set of clothing, a set of SOLDIER First-class clothes to be exact. For Tifa, Zack had found a sweater which he’d put on in favour of the lab coat, as not to arouse suspicion. After dressing, Zack had looked at a note from Aerith and announced to the couple:

“Cloud, Tifa, I need to go to Midgar. Are you two coming with me?”

Of course, there was no answer and Zack had taken both Tifa and Cloud with him, away from the village. On the back of a truck, Zack told the couple of his plans when they arrived in Midgar, such as him wanting to become a mercenary and assuring Tifa that she could take any role she wanted. The trip was short-lived as more infantrymen came for them.

Zack escaped with Cloud but had almost forgotten Tifa. Therefore, he went back to rescue her, by separating her from the soldiers and then continued forward. The road was steep and dangerous, with Zack running into many dangers along the way, but managing to survive them all for many months, during which, Tifa’s abdomen had expanded, and Zack had suddenly had a bad feeling of what that meant. Was she pregnant?

Zack quivered at the thought and found that there was another scar on her lower abdomen. With this, he started to worry about what that meant. They must have used her as a surrogate mother, Zack thought as he continued to drag them.

It was then at the edge of Midgar that tragedy struck. Zack had been struck down by many infantrymen, and in his waking moments, Cloud had found him, lying and dying.

“Cloud…” Zack said, “so you’re awake. I’m sorry, I tried to get you to Midgar.”

“Zack!” Cloud said, “How long have I been asleep?”

“Five… years…” Zack said, “Cloud… take my sword, I want you to be… my living legacy.”

In his dying moments, Zack passed Cloud the buster sword, and Cloud mourned, as he saw Zack close his eyes, and his last breath was drawn. Cloud screamed, bashing the ground in anguish, a feeling he’d never wanted to feel again. He’d then heard voices from behind him, the same place he’d woken up. Some infantrymen picked up a woman, and from her long black hair, Cloud knew exactly who it was, and rushed towards them.

“Don’t you touch her!” he said, kicking the two troupes. Cloud then put the buster sword behind his back and saw Tifa leaning down, and wearing a blue sweater. With a burst of energy, Cloud ran to pick her up over her knees and held her there.

“Tifa…” Cloud said, “Tifa, can you hear me?”

Cloud heard Tifa let out a soft moan of discomfort as he looked down and saw her inflated stomach. Cloud’s tears fell down from his eyes at the sight before he ran down the hill, making his way to Midgar. There was little danger on the way there, although, he did eventually collapse when he made it to the train station of sector seven.

People surrounded them, and eventually, Tifa woke up beside Cloud whom she was both relieved and shocked to see. At least he had his eyes slightly opened to Tifa’s relief.

“Tifa, you’re finally awake,” Cloud said, “We’re in Midgar.”

“C-Cloud,” Tifa said “Cloud, how long was I out for?”

“F-five… Years… I think…” Cloud said.

“FIVE YEARS?!” Tifa said in shock, “It can’t have been that long! Where were we?”

“Tifa, I don’t know,” Cloud said. Tifa began to break down and people went away. Cloud comforted her, and there they stayed for several moments before Cloud caught sight of an old woman with her hair tied up.

“Oh, what happened?” She asked in concern. She then looked down to see that Tifa was pregnant, “Why is your wife upset?”

Cloud looked to see the woman and told her, “She isn’t my wife,”

“Then whose baby is she pregnant with?” the old woman asked.

With these words, Cloud looked down in shock to notice that Tifa’s stomach had grown in size. He then turned back to the woman and told her, “I don’t know,”

“Well, when she’s ready, get her to the clinic,” The old woman told Cloud. The couple stayed for a few more moments before Cloud got up and walked Tifa into the slums where people turned and looked away from them. When another place to sit down was chosen, Cloud began to speak to her again.

“Tifa, do you know who the father is?”

With this, Tifa shook her head, “The last thing I remember is chasing after Sephiroth… He killed my father.”

“I… I see…” Cloud said, “What will we do about the baby?”

“I don’t know…” Tifa said, “I guess we’ll wait and see…”

Cloud looked at Tifa with concern in his eyes, about what would become of the child. During the week, the old woman had given Cloud and Tifa a place to stay within Stargazer Heights, where there was barely anything but some beds and a bathroom. The two often interacted with each other and Tifa had persuaded Cloud to do jobs around the slums with her, and soon they had come across AVALANCHE, a group of eco-terrorists who were fighting against Shinra, the leader of whom was a tall muscular black man named Barret Wallace who had an automatic gun for an arm and with him was his daughter, a little white girl named Marlene who was very shy of Cloud, and even towards Tifa at first but in time had grown accustomed to her.

By the end of the week, Tifa was in labour and Cloud had rushed her to the clinic where he stayed by her side through it all. To Cloud’s surprise, childbirth was not as quick as he’d thought it would. Many hours went by, and the baby still wasn’t born. During that time, Cloud neither ate nor slept, only Tifa mattered to him. Occasionally she would reach out to grip his hand and Cloud would stroke it comfortingly.

Eighteen hours passed since Tifa entered labour and at last, she’d given birth to a healthy little boy who had blonde hair much like Cloud’s, which was even spikey like his. Tifa was filled with sweat and puffing in exhaustion as she marvelled at the life she’d brought into the world.

“Oh, what a beautiful boy you are,” Tifa said, “Oh Cloud look at him! Isn’t he the most gorgeous thing in the world!”

To Cloud though, his head was shaped like a cone which he found repulsive, though when faced with Tifa’s beautiful garnet eyes, he found he couldn’t help but agree. After the birth of the baby, he had his genes tested alongside Cloud’s. To Cloud and Tifa’s horror, he was found to be the baby’s father. The news sent a wave of guilt through Cloud and sorrow through Tifa who looked at Cloud, with tears flooding her eyes.

“But how is this possible?” Tifa asked.

“Tifa, I would never do anything to harm you!” Cloud said, “I don’t know how this is possible either!”

“I don’t know why, but I believe you!” Tifa said, “Perhaps Shinra had something to do with this.”

“Maybe,” Cloud said, “I don’t remember what happened in those five years, but if Shinra has something to do with this, I’ll destroy them if it’s the last thing I do.”

Time had passed since the birth of Cloud and Tifa’s son. Tifa had named him Sky due to his eyes being the same colour as Cloud’s pre-mako ones. Tifa had learned to fight again whilst AVALANCHE had helped the couple raise the boy before tragedy struck when one day the plate dropped and Cloud was forced to leave Sky in the care of Elmyra, a woman he’d met during his time in sector 5, along with Aerith, her adoptive daughter who was travelling with them.

Cloud in the real world imagined the rest of the scenario to have been roughly the same, only he’d confessed much sooner at the time when he held Tifa in his arms. Tifa looked up to him and expressed concern on her face.

“Cloud, what’s wrong?” she asked.

“Tifa,” Cloud said, “do you ever wonder what would have happened if, in Nibelheim, I couldn’t have rescued you?”

“I think I would have died,” Tifa said, “Why, what were you thinking?”

“I thought that Hojo would have kidnapped both of us,” Cloud said, “and do some awful experiments on us, such as using you as a… no, I don’t want to say it.”

“Were you thinking about it?” Tifa asked.

Cloud nodded and told her, “Now I wonder what would have happened if I’d taken you outside the reactor.”

Chapter Text

Cloud emerged from the chamber of JENOVA, having defeated Sephiroth as just a mere infantryman. There on the floor, he saw Tifa lying on the stairs, a massive cut lining her chest with the blood painting her clothing.

“Tifa!” Cloud yelled lightly as he ran towards her. With a single movement, he swept Tifa into his arms and peered toward the entrance where he flew out with the speed of a bird and climbed up the chain to the outside of the reactor. Outside, the sun was beginning to rise. From the path up to the reactor, Cloud some infantrymen running up the hill, prompting him to hide behind the reactor.

There Cloud checked on Tifa. He turned away as soon as he saw the wound upon her chest, tears beginning to flood his eyes, and looked up to her face where she’s sustained a scratch. Gently, he stroked her hair away from her eyes and wondered, was she done for?

“Tifa, please be alright... I’m going to check if it’s safe now,” Cloud said as he gently propped Tifa against the reactor wall. Quickly, he pulled down his suspenders and pauldrons, before taking his jumper off entirely and putting it around Tifa, leaving Cloud with his singlet and neckerchief. As Cloud peered from the side of the reactor, he saw the face of a friend: an old man with a beard, dressed like a martial artist. Cloud gave a wave and saw the man run towards him with a look of worry.

“Zangan!” Cloud said.

“Cloud!” Zangan said, “You’re alright! Where’s Tifa?”

“Over here!” Cloud said, leading Zangan to Tifa’s body. There Zangan gave her a look of sorrow as he observed her wound and then the pulse of her wrist.

“She’s still alive,” Zangan said, then turned to Cloud, “Cloud, did Sephiroth do this? Where is he now?”

Cloud nodded and told him, “I cut him down inside the reactor… I brought Tifa out with me. Her father’s already dead, I saw his body.”

“Alas,” Zangan said, “Cloud, it’s no longer safe for us around here. Could you help me take Tifa to Midgar?”

“Midgar, why Midgar?” Cloud asked.

“They’ll hunt down any survivors from Nibelheim!” Zangan said, “We’ll head down into the village first. There we’ll gather supplies.”

Cloud flinched and gasped as he realised, "Zack! I left him inside the reactor! I need to go get him!"

"Cloud wait!" Zangan yelled before Cloud ran off. Straight away, however, Cloud came back back to Zangan.

"Sephiroth's just fainted outside the reactor!" Cloud whispered, "Hojo and some men are coming up the hill. I don't think I can get to Zack unarmed. What do I do?"

"I'm sorry, Cloud," Zangan said, "I'm afraid we can't get to him anymore."

Cloud stood silently from Zangan's words and nodded. With his hand opened towards Tifa, Zangan cast a cure spell, with a tear leaving his eye. Cloud picked Tifa’s body up again and ran with Zangan out the door which lead to the path leading to the burnt-down village. Although the fires had mostly died down, there was still some excess material left over. Where the general store used to be, Cloud found a fine long sword in its scabbard with its pommel containing a linked materia slot and two separate ones on either side. He then took a round shield that was still in good condition, surrounded by a rim of iron and a boss with five materia slots, all separated. Cloud took the items and secured the sword around his belt, with the shield as a side arm. Zangan approached the infantryman and gave him four materia: fire, elemental, cover and restore, which Cloud slotted into the pommel of his sword, linking fire and elemental.

When all was gathered, Cloud and Zangan left the village, carrying Tifa’s body and started their long journey to Midgar. During the trip, Zangan familiarised Cloud with the way of the sword and with it, he would ever so often heal Tifa’s wound sometimes even after Zangan had done so himself. Cloud had always been the one to carry Tifa, and whenever monsters from the field approached them, Cloud fought them off and defended Tifa which Zangan had expressed his admiration for.

Even more amazing was that Zangan appeared to have picked up on Cloud's love for Tifa. One day when they had stopped to set up camp, he’d seen Cloud heal her and stay with her longer than he’d usually had. After he healed her with his sword, Cloud touched Tifa’s face gently, tracing his thumb through her eyelashes and silently stared at her for many moments before he told her:

“Tifa, I wish I could see your eyes again. I’m sorry, I never made it to SOLDIER, I’m only an infantryman. Could you ever forgive me?”

Of course, there was no response and Cloud sighed and turned away to Zangan who approached him, with a hand on his shoulder.

“I heard everything, Cloud,” Zangan said, “listen, I’ve been training Tifa ever since you left Nibelheim. She’s a fine student, the finest I’ve ever had. She’s a quick learner, she learnt so much in the two years since you left. Two years I’ve gotten to know her very well, and the day you arrived in Midgar, she was been waiting and waiting, though she wouldn’t tell me for whom. Trust me Cloud, if she’d known you were there, she would have been so happy, you're her childhood friend, after all, SOLDIER or not. I believe she was waiting for you, wanted to see you again,”

“But I wanted to become  a SOLDIER!” Cloud said, “I wanted to protect her and this happened.”

“I see,” Zangan said, “But you were able to rescue her, and as her teacher, I am thankful. I know Tifa will forgive you for being later than you’d hoped. Now Cloud, promise me this - If Tifa ever wakes up, promise you’ll stay with her. She’s lost so much; she needs a friend to support her, someone she already knows would be best. I think she would want that.”

“I promise…” Cloud said, “She won’t be lonely.” For Tifa was his friend, one of his very few now, and to leave her alone and make her feel all alone would be worse than failing to live up to his promise, Cloud thought. She deserved better than that.

“Thank you, Cloud,” Zangan replied, “Remember, once we get to Midgar, we must find her a suitable doctor. The cure spells aren’t helping as much as I’d hoped. Now, could you change her bandages?”

Cloud nodded and had done what was asked of him. Even the bandage supply was running out, with only enough rolls to last until Midgar and perhaps a little later. Nonetheless, Cloud was determined to get Tifa safely to Midgar and helped Zangan in any way he could to support her needs, such as giving her soup to sustain her hunger and practising some other basic medical procedures, most of which Cloud normally would never want to do, but Tifa was his loved one, so it didn’t matter.

Many kilometres were covered by foot as Cloud and Zangan made their way to Midgar with Tifa. Cloud worried that Tifa wouldn’t make it and consistently healed her until after many weeks, they arrived in the slums of the city below the vast steel plate that hovered above them, blocking out the sunlight high above the sky. Now it was only a matter of where to take the wounded Tifa, for a Shinra hospital was not what Zangan wanted to subject her to, as didn’t Cloud.

Unfortunately, they had to settle with quack doctors in Sector 7. Fortunately, they accepted her as a patient and both Cloud and Zangan were relieved. Extensive surgery was required to fix her wound which alone had told Cloud just how bad it was, and he would always check in to see if she was doing alright.

“Cloud, I’d best be going soon,” Zangan said one day, “I wish not to settle down in Midgar. Please, give these to her when she wakes up. Tell her that we’ve travelled together to get her medical attention.”

Zangan passed Cloud some papers containing martial arts techniques. “Where will you go?” Cloud asked.

“I don’t know,” Zangan said, “perhaps I’ll find a place to live in peace. Until then, Cloud, farewell, and remember stay by Tifa’s side, you need not hide your identity anymore.”

Zangan left the morning after the conversation, leaving Cloud to check on Tifa regularly throughout the days she was unconscious, and made sure the doctors didn’t do anything out of reason to her. These days were filled with worry for his childhood friend, and whenever she wasn't receiving treatment, Cloud would go in to see her. There he would hold her hand, checking her pulse, which never failed to assure him, and as he did this, he would talk to her, telling her stories about his days in Shinra and how he wished to see her wake up again, to see her red eyes. One day, Cloud witnessed Tifa opening her eyes whilst he was stroking her face and he’d never seen anything so beautiful. The garnet in them shined into Cloud’s eyes, with a smile radiating on her lips and she’d let out a soft sound.

“Cloud, is that you?” Tifa asked softly.

Cloud nodded and asked her, “Tifa, how are you feeling?”

“You kept our promise!” Tifa said, “You really came for me when I was in trouble!”

“I did,” Cloud said, “But Tifa, I never became a SOLDIER. I was only ever an infantryman, I’m sorry.”

“Cloud, you don’t need to be,” Tifa said, “I'm just so happy to see you again. By the way, where are we?”

“Tifa… Zangan and I…” Cloud said, “We took you to Midgar. Sephiroth left you with an awful wound, and no amount of cure spells could fix it, so we had to take you here. Zangan’s left now, by the way, but he told me to give you these.”

Cloud passed Tifa the notes that Zangan had given him and Tifa was left to observe them. It was her martial arts instruction book. She skimmed it and thanked Cloud. Within due time, Tifa was ready to leave the hospital and together, she and Cloud explored the slums of sector 7. There they’d met an old woman who too was against Shinra. Her name was Marle, and when she heard Cloud and Tifa’s story, she’d given them a place to stay at Stargazer Heights.

Over time, the two did everything they could to pay off Tifa’s medical bill and earn a living. Cloud became a mercenary, hunting monsters, and keeping the slums safe, and Tifa relearned her martial arts skills, as well as selling buns at a stall that had become popular in the slums.

One day, She and Cloud met a man named Barret Wallace who carried his infant daughter Marlene in his arms. He was the leader of AVALANCHE, an anti-Shinra resistance group that Cloud and Tifa joined willingly and made friends with other members such as Biggs, Wedge and Jessie. Soon after, once Tifa had made enough money, she opened up a bar and restaurant called 7th Heaven which became the home base for AVALANCHE.

The group become closer as time went by, and one night, after Tifa closed up the bar, she looked at Cloud with a smile and walked with him out in the slums hand in hand. There, staring at the night sky, painted with thousands of stars Cloud turned himself to Tifa.

“Tifa…” Cloud said, “You’re so beautiful.”

“Cloud…?” Tifa said.

“Tifa, there’s something I’ve wanted to say to you for years, but now that we're together like this, I don’t know what to say,” Cloud said.

“Cloud, words aren’t the only thing that tells people what you’re thinking,” Tifa said.

“Tifa…” Cloud said. Slowly he leaned toward her and wrapped his arms around her. Seconds later, his lips pressed against her, and to his amazement, Tifa returned the kiss. They would always have each other, they thought, and they continued their kiss.

Since then they became a couple but left a low profile, choosing only to spend time with each other in private. They began to share an apartment together and went as far as sleeping in the same bed, but Marle had her suspicions and always made sure the two were never becoming too close. Cloud became a comfort to her, and they would always prioritise their needs over their own and became the only people they'd ever opened their hearts to. One day, however, the plate was dropped, with AVALANCHE having bombed two reactors. Biggs, Wedge and Jessie had all fallen, and Cloud, Barret and Tifa had set out to rescue a girl named Aerith Gainsborough, whom Cloud had met in the sector 5 slums. And their journey began.

Cloud left his imaginary vision and turned Tifa to him. She looked up at her husband, surprised by his sudden actions before he told her:

“I think we would have become closer much sooner,” Cloud said. With this, Tifa gave a chuckle before Cloud leaned in to kiss her.

“I love you, Cloud,” Tifa said. By the time she’d leaned into him once again, Cloud noticed the bubbles had almost wholly dissipated now, and after the last sips of wine were drunk, the bath ended and Cloud and Tifa walked to their room, where on the way, Cloud asked Tifa:

“Tifa, what do you think would have happened if I’d come earlier?”

“Let me think,” Tifa said. When they were in their room and dressed into their pyjamas, Tifa responded, just as Cloud had laid down:

“I’ve got something, Cloud!” and sat on the bed beside him.

Chapter Text

Tifa leaned over the body of her lifeless father, crying tears of anger and sadness. Zack Fair stood by, but Tifa dismissed him and continued to mourn over her father’s body.

“I hate it all,” she said, “Sephiroth, SOLDIER, mako, Shinra, I hate it all!”

These words caused Zack to step back, and when Tifa picked up the masamune, she heard a voice call out to her.

“Tifa, don’t do it!”

An instant later, Tifa was restrained. Even with her advanced martial arts skills, she struggled to break free. When she turned around, she saw an infantryman, but there was a twist. He was unmasked, and when Tifa saw him, she knew right away he was someone on her side. At that point, she stopped struggling.

“Cloud, is that really you?” Tifa asked.

Cloud nodded, “I’m sorry Tifa, I didn’t get into SOLDIER. I came to make sure you were alright. I can’t lose you like I lost my mother,”

“Cloud…” Tifa said, “Cloud, Sephiroth did this! He went through there.”

Once Cloud let go of Tifa, Zack slowly walked over to him, and gave him the Buster sword. “Cloud, you do the honour…”

Cloud accepted the Buster sword and ran his way upstairs. Already, Sephiroth had looked lovingly at JENOVA who rested in her tube and had stared infinitely into the distance, especially at Sephiroth.

“Mother, let us go together to the promised land,” Sephiroth said, “We will reclaim this world together from these foolish humans. Come, mother,”

But by the time he finished his sentence, Cloud had slashed Sephiroth in the back, and Sephiroth winced, “who… are… you…?”

“My mother, my home, give it back!” Cloud said, “Sephiroth!”

Cloud then pulled the blade out of Sephiroth’s back and the ‘war hero’ collapsed, his blood flowing from his wound at a fast rate. Cloud only viewed briefly before he made his way out of the chamber and back to Zack and Tifa.

“Sephiroth is down,” he said, “Let’s get out of here before anyone else arrives.” Cloud then went to kneel before the body of Brian Lockhart to whom he said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, Tifa’s safe though. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure no one harms her.”

“Cloud?” Tifa said.

“Tifa, Zack, let’s leave.” Cloud simply said. With a nod of confidence, Cloud, Tifa and Zack left the reactor and at the entrance they all discussed where they could go, whilst also looking out for Shinra troops. Zack looked at his phone, as though searching for something, then suddenly stopped.

“Hey Cloud, Tifa,” Zack said, “I need to go to Midgar. There’s someone there waiting for me.”

Cloud and Tifa then started to deliberate whether they should go with him, and discussed what they could do there, before turning back to Zack, telling him “We’ll go with you if you don’t mind!”

“Of course!” Zack said. Down the hill, however, came an old man running towards the trio. When he came into clear view, Tifa ran over to him and hugged him.

“Zangan, you’re alright!” Tifa said.

“Tifa, thank goodness,” he said, “How are you, are you hurt?”

“Zangan, Sephiroth,” Tifa said, “Sephiroth, he killed my father. Cloud struck him down though. Here, I have his sword as proof.”

Tifa broke away and showed Zangan the sword which he held for a brief moment, before commenting, “It’s a miracle he managed to swing this. Alas, a weapon like this is too dangerous in the wrong hands, we must find a place to hide it so that no one may take hold of it. But we must make tracks. Where are we headed?”

“To Midgar,” Zack said, “There’s someone there waiting for me.”

“Cloud, can we trust this man?” Zangan asked.

Cloud nodded, “Zack is my friend…” he said. The four headed off that morning after supplies were gathered, and all had paid their respects to those fallen in the flames of Cloud and Tifa’s home. Cloud lingered around his burnt-down home longer than Tifa had lingered around hers. Eventually, Tifa made her move towards Cloud, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Cloud…” Tifa said with a tear forming in her eyes.

“Tifa, I’m sorry I couldn’t become a SOLDIER,” Cloud replied.

“It doesn’t matter,” Tifa said, then said quietly “You kept our promise. Thank you...”

Tifa’s heart could not take any more and seconds after her sentence, her tears had overflown like a dam had broken inside her eyes, “They took everything from us!” she said, as her face rested on Cloud’s shoulder. Cloud looked down at the woman he made his promise to, and tried to process the event that was occurring right now. Almost automatically, he put his arms around her and held her in his arms. From his side, he saw Zack and Zangan dismissing them as though to give them privacy.

Inside Cloud felt like a cool hero capable of rescuing Tifa, and felt happy to give her such comfort. At that point, Cloud’s hug became tighter, as though he thought someone was going to take Tifa away from him and he pulled her in even closer.

“Cloud…” Tifa said, “Cloud, you’re hurting me…” With this, Cloud released Tifa from his comfort before she continued, “It’s stupid, I know crying’s a waste of time.”

“That’s not true!” Cloud said solemnly.

“Thank you…” Tifa replied.

When everyone was ready, they all left the village together and started to travel. It was Cloud who was kept by Tifa’s side. He carried a sword of his own after Zack complimented his use of one, and with it, fought alongside Tifa whom he complimented on her fight skills. Over time, they became closer both to each other and to Midgar. The road was dangerous but the monsters stood no chance against the combined powers of Cloud, Tifa, Zack and Zangan who put in all effort before Midgar.

Once at the gate outside the sector 5 slums, Zangan suddenly stopped and told the group that he could not settle in Midgar for he was too well-known. Before he left, he gave Tifa a manual containing all her martial arts, as well as one last one for if she ever needed it, known as ‘final heaven’.

“Thank you, Zangan,” Tifa said, “I hope we’ll meet again one day.”

“I hope so too,” Zangan said, “Keep training, Tifa, you’re the finest student I’ve ever had. Cloud, please keep Tifa company, she needs a friend. I will find a place to take Sephiroth's sword, somewhere where it can be displayed. And Zack, I hope you’re girlfriend is glad to see you. Farewell.”

The group all waved goodbye to Zangan as he left, with Tifa’s eyes forming tears as he vanished into the horizon.

“Cloud, Tifa, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend,” Zack said, “She tends to the flowers in the sector 5 church. Come with me.”

The trio entered the city, and from that moment, it became obvious that there was a large metal plate shielding the sky from the sun. Straight ahead was the church which seemed in good condition and Zack pushed open the doors.

Inside, there was a hole in the roof where the light came through and lead down to a bed of yellow flowers. There, it was tended by a young woman wearing a pink dress and a red bolero jacket, and her hair was tied up in a braid which was topped with a pink bow. When she turned around, her emerald eyes became obvious, as did her beauty and smile. Zack came forth and walked up to her, slowly.

“Hey…” Zack said.

“Zack, you’re back!” the girl said as she ran up to him. Zack opened up his arms for her and she came crashing in as Zack lifted her off of the floor and spun her around. Joyfully she laughed as Cloud and Tifa looked at each other for a brief moment before stepping in together.

Zack put his girlfriend down and told her, “Aerith, I want you to meet my friends. The mission didn’t go well, unfortunately. Nibelheim, it was burnt down, by Shinra…”

“Shinra?” she said in shock, “How could they do something like that? Zack are you sure?”

“I saw it with my own eyes,” Zack said, “We were some of the very few survivors. Here they are.”

Zack turned Aerith around and she saw two people, a man and a woman, and Zack continued, “Aerith, I’d like you to meet Cloud and Tifa. They’re childhood friends and Cloud here has recently renounced his service with Shinra. We met when I went to Modeoheim.”

Aerith went up to the couple and said to them, “Hey Cloud, Tifa, I’m Aerith, Zack’s girlfriend. I tend to the flowers.”

“Nice to meet you, Aerith,” Tifa said.

“Nice to meet you too, Tifa,” Aerith said, “you must be tired and hungry, would you like to go somewhere to eat?”

Tifa looked at Cloud and asked, “What do you think?”

Cloud nodded. That day the four found a suitable place to eat and had gotten to know each other through a conversation about Midgar and places to find work. Over time, Zack and Cloud became mercenaries, whilst Tifa sold buns at her own stall right where Aerith sold her flowers. Aerith’s cart was repaired by Zack when it broke, and Cloud watched their interactions.

Soon, Cloud had found it in him to approach Tifa. In his hand, he held a bouquet of flowers as Aerith had told him that if he ever found the girl he loved he should give her a bouquet. “Perhaps she’d appreciate it,” she said to him as she prepared the bouquet with her telling Cloud about each flower and their meanings.

“Tifa,” Cloud said with a tap on her shoulder. A moment later, Tifa turned around to Cloud and when she looked down, she saw the bouquet and blushed.

“How sweet, when did you get so thoughtful?” Tifa asked as she took the bouquet.

“A guy can change,” Cloud said, “It has been two years.”

“I suppose it has.” Tifa said, “Did Aerith make this bouquet?”

Cloud nodded and told her, “I missed you, Tifa.”

“I missed you too, Cloud,” with this, Tifa looked into Cloud’s eyes and stared. Cloud stared back as their faces moved in closer and within moments, they kissed. Cloud put his arms around her as they kissed and in response, Tifa did the same and deepened the kiss until eventually, they broke apart.

“Cloud…” Tifa said, blushing, “thank you…”

Cloud and Tifa’s relationship would never be the same after that kiss. Not long after, they joined a resistance group called AVALANCHE, and a man named Barret Wallace was the leader. He had a daughter, Marlene, whom Tifa had grown attached to and wanted to find a home for, so she opened a bar in sector seven known as ‘Seventh Heaven’ which also served as a base for AVALANCHE. Zack and Aerith also joined the cause and helped in any way possible, but not all methods were agreeable.

Soon after bombing reactors 1 and 5, the sector 7 plate dropped and whilst three AVALANCHE members named Biggs, Wedge and Jessie all died, everyone else was alright and left Midgar to start their journey.

“Impressive,” Cloud told his wife.

“Thanks,” Tifa said, “Do you have any other ideas?”

“No, not at the moment,” Cloud said, “I think I’ll go to sleep now.”

“Alright, goodnight Cloud,” Tifa said.

“Goodnight, Tifa,” Cloud replied. With this, Cloud kissed Tifa’s lips beside him and held her in one arm as the two drifted off into sleep.

Chapter Text

Cloud came rushing out of JENOVA’s chamber and down the stairs where Tifa’s wounded body laid. Cloud leaned down to pick her up in his arms and carried her to the other side of the staircase where JENOVA clone pods were all lined in a row. There Cloud gently put Tifa down and stroked her hair out of her face. To his surprise, Tifa slowly opened her eyes and looked at Cloud.

“Cloud, is that you?” Tifa asked weakly. Cloud looked down at Tifa’s chest where she sustained a large cut that caused her to bleed out at an alarming rate, and Cloud could barely look, instead focusing on her red eyes that gave off a gentle aura.

“Tifa…” Cloud said, “I’m here now. I’ve taken Sephiroth down; he’ll never harm you again.”

“Cloud, you kept our promise,” Tifa said, “You really came when I was in trouble. Cloud, thank you… but... I feel weak, I don’t think I can make it.”

“Tifa, no!” Cloud said, “I can’t lose you too… We’ve lost so much.”

“I’m sorry, Cloud,” Tifa said. At this point, tears started to spill from her eyes as she continued, “I wish I could hold on just a little longer…" She then paused for a moment before she said, "Cloud…”

“Yes, Tifa?” Cloud asked.

“Kiss me…” Tifa said, “I’d like to experience that at least once.” Cloud gaped in confusion for a moment but sunk his head in to attach his lips to hers. The kiss felt wonderful, a comfort to Cloud’s heart for the last moments he felt he had with Tifa before she left to return to the planet. He put his arms around her, deepening the kiss, as Tifa used the last of her strength to curl her hands around Cloud to return the hug, a moment Cloud would savour as long as she held on.

When the kiss ended, Cloud laid behind Tifa, holding her, warming her. Her eyes were now slagging down as Cloud cradled her head, and gave her comforting strokes. “I love you… Cloud…” Tifa told him gently.

“I love you too, Tifa,” Cloud said, "You'll be alright,"

“Cloud… Thank... you...” Tifa said quietly, “I’d like… to… take a rest… now…”. Moments later she became unresponsive. She stopped breathing and fell limp. Cloud tried to call her name but to no avail, at which point, he started to weep, seeing the only woman he ever loved die before his eyes, his tears poured over her body and her wound where her blood had stained her clothes.

“Tifa, no!” Cloud cried, “Don’t leave me, please! Tifa, wake up, you can’t die…” Cloud’s voice then softened, “I’m sorry, I failed you. I don’t deserve to live…”

When Cloud saw Sephiroth come out with the head of JENOVA, Cloud immediately picked up Zack’s sword and charged at Sephiroth. The SOLDIER tried to slash Cloud but the infantryman had the upper hand and once again struck Sephiroth’s body. Cloud then proceeded to lift Sephiroth whom he’d brought into JENOVA’s chamber and threw him aside into the void of the reactor.

Cloud made his way back outside again and went over to carry Tifa’s body outside once again. Down in the burnt village, Cloud found the old windmill where he and Tifa made their promise. There he dug a hole large enough for Tifa’s body and gently, he laid her down, and poured the dirt over her body. With every load Cloud added, he savoured a last look at Tifa, with his tears of guilt and sadness started pouring over her at a fast rate until her face disappeared in the dirt. Once the last of the dirt was laid, Cloud found a stone to carve on. On it, he wrote: ‘Tifa Lockhart - daughter of Thea and Brian Lockhart, lover of Cloud Strife. 3rd of May, 1987 - 1st of October, εγλ 0002’.

He then made his way back up the reactor once again where he found and carried the body of Brian Lockhart which had succumbed to rigor mortis, thus Cloud was careful making his way down to the village again. There he found the grave of Tifa’s mother, Thea and dug a hole next to it. There, he buried Brian’s body and carved his name next to Thea’s with his date of birth and date of death.

At his house, Cloud dug a hole for his mother whose corpse was mostly burnt but still able to be buried. He followed suit with the burial, writing her name, a message and date of birth and death on her stone which he’d left outside his house.

Now, he went outside and dug a fourth hole on the right side of Tifa’s grave. Cloud then gathered a stone and started to carve, writing: ‘Cloud Strife - son of Claudia Strife, former SHINRA infantryman, knight of Tifa Lockhart. 11th of August, 1986 - 1st of October εγλ 0002’

Days after the stone was carved, the grave was found filled with dirt and Cloud Strife was never seen or heard from ever again. Years later, Sephiroth revived himself and destroyed the world of Gaia with no hero to defeat him.

The morning came and Cloud opened his eyes. Next to him was Tifa breathing quietly in his arm and Cloud stroked her hair, contemplating whether or not he would tell her about his nightmare or to remain silent and let her enjoy her nap.

He chose the latter and let her cuddle with him, knowing she would be warm and comfortable in the arms of her childhood friend, her husband, her knight in shining armour. For a long time, she stayed with him before Cloud saw the first flutter of her eyes opening and she looked up at him.

“Good morning, Teef,” Cloud said, kissing his wife. It was as though he was in heaven with her, having died and woken up alive with her by his side. The two got out of bed that morning and went downstairs where they had breakfast together. Every so often, Cloud would look at Tifa with loving eyes.

“Cloud, you’re staring…” Tifa told him.

“Just remembering how beautiful you are,” Cloud told her, touching her face, “Tifa, do you ever wonder what would have happened if what happened in Nibelheim never happened at all?”

“I think I might have a few times before,” Tifa said, “but never too in-depth.”

“I wonder what would have been different,” Cloud said, “I wonder if you would ever have found out.” as Cloud finished his breakfast, and put his bowl on the table, he began to think.

Chapter Text

Zack, entered the village of Nibelheim, accompanied by the great Sephiroth and two Shinra infantrymen. Nibelheim was a very peaceful-looking town, where all business was running as usual, and in the centre, there was a water tower, which seemed like the perfect spot for a date. At the entrance, one infantryman saw a girl wearing a hat who was sitting by the fence as though in waiting for someone.

The man, Cloud Strife looked at the girl with a sense of guilt plaguing his mind. Two years earlier he had told her that he would become a SOLDIER as great as the illustrious Sephiroth, but he was rejected, with the reasons being that he was unfit to be a SOLDIER. The group went to the inn that day where they signed in, and later went outside where the same girl, who happened to be their tour guide took a picture with the two SOLDIERs.

Before the picture, Cloud went to visit his mother and took his helmet off for her, for he knew she would be happy to see him, SOLDIER or not, for a mother’s love was greater than any other love in the world, a love without condition and boundaries. Although she told Cloud she was proud of her son, Cloud disregarded her statement, still feeling the shame of never becoming a SOLDIER. She then went on to talk about women which Cloud had shown even more disregard for, as the only woman Cloud was interested in was Tifa Lockhart, who so happened to be their tour guide, and was told by Zangan that she had become an expert martial artist during his absence.

Then on the mountain, Cloud with his identity concealed travelled with Zack, Sephiroth and Tifa up Mt. Nibel where up top stood the Nibelheim mako reactor. By Sephiroth's orders, Cloud was the one who stopped Tifa in her tracks from entering the reactor herself, and when he did, she complained.

So they waited outside the reactor, and suddenly from the distance came a monster and two menacing-looking gunmen. Cloud stood in front of Tifa, raising his gun and tried to shoot at the mob, but to no avail. He himself was shot and fell to the ground, and when Zack came out, he defeated the mob and came over to Tifa and Cloud.

“He… tried to protect me…” Tifa said.

“I know…” Zack said. The kind-hearted Tifa lifted the mysterious infantryman up and dragged him down to the village, following Zack. Cloud was stationed in his hotel room and when he woke up, he found Zack sitting on the bed beside him.

“Tifa’s safe, don’t worry,” Zack said.

“If only I were SOLDIER…” Cloud said, “Zack?”

Zack remained still, then said pessimistically, “SOLDIER is like a den of monsters. Don’t go inside.”

“What happened?” Cloud asked.

Zack stayed silent for a moment before saying, “I don’t know man. I thought I knew, but…” Instead of answering, Zack laid back on his bed with a groan, before asking, “By the way, do you know Tifa?”

Cloud turned away from his friend, his arms crossed over his legs as he told him, “Sort of…”

“Talked to her?” Zack asked.

“No…” Cloud said with a shake.

Zack leaned up on the bed a little before he confessed, “I’m sensing some issues here… shouldn’t you do something?” Cloud remained silent and Zack replied with a simple, “I’m one to talk…”

Zack got off the bed and picked up his sword. Cloud looked to him and told him, “Hey, Zack. You know, I’ve never seen you use that.”

“This is a symbol of my dreams and honour,” Zack said, as he pointed the sword towards the window, “No… It’s more… That’s right… I had almost forgotten. Thank you, Cloud,”

Cloud looked at Zack, confused. Zack put his sword down and stretched with a “Right!” being said from him. He then did a couple of squats before telling him:

“I’m gonna crash. Night!” And jumped onto his bed, where he fell asleep. Cloud looked out the window, where he saw the water tower, the same one where he once had a secret meeting with Tifa two years earlier, and made a promise to her. He then looked to the door where Sephiroth had entered and saw Cloud in good condition.

“Glad to see you’re alright, Cloud,” Sephiroth said smoothly, “We’ll be here one more day. You may visit your family in that time.”

“Thank you, Sephiroth,” Cloud said.

The next morning, Tifa arrived at the inn where she met Zack, and he told her, “Morning, Tifa. About that man who defended you Yesterday, he’s doing well.”

“I’m glad,” Tifa said.

“By the way,” Zack said, “I received your email Yesterday. Sadly there are no blonde SOLDIERs that I know. That infantryman that protected you though, I think he might be someone you know.”

“Really?” Tifa said, “Can I see him?”

“Of course, I’ll go get him,” Zack said. With this, Tifa took a seat on the couch and Zack went upstairs, where he saw that Cloud had been stretching. When he turned to face Zack, Zack told him, “Hey, Cloud, Tifa’s in the foyer; she’d like to see you. I told her you were someone she might know.”

“What!” Cloud said.

“You should see her,” Zack said, “She seemed quite happy to know you were there. Come with me!”

Zack took Cloud’s hand and dragged him out of the room, much to Cloud’s embarrassment. Downstairs he found Tifa patiently sitting on the couch, rocking back and forth. Tifa saw Zack come down the stairs, dragging a familiar man with him. When she got a good look at him, she saw it was the same man she had made a promise with two years ago. Cloud Strife.

When Zack cheekily pushed Cloud towards Tifa, he blushed and she looked at him with wide-open eyes.

“Cloud, is that you?” Tifa asked.

“Hi…” Cloud said, “It’s been a while, Tifa,”

“Cloud, it’s really you!” Tifa said, “How have you been? Why did you never write back? Why did you leave without saying goodbye? I missed you so much.”

Tifa gave Cloud a hug, and Cloud answered, “Tifa, I wasn’t able to join SOLDIER, they wouldn’t let me in. I’m so sorry.”

Cloud looked back to Zack who said, “Uh… I’ll leave you two alone.” and went back upstairs.

“Cloud, I don’t care,” Tifa said, “I only wanted to see you again, SOLDIER or not.”

“Tifa…” Cloud said… When he looked at her again, he closed his eyes and moved his face into hers. Within seconds, he kissed her and Tifa kissed back. This was a short kiss, as the two slowly pulled away and looked at each other.

“Cloud,” came a voice from the stairs. From the stairs came Sephiroth walking slowly, as he told Cloud, “I see you’ve caught the eye of a village girl, how lucky,”

Cloud blushed and looked back at Tifa, “I wish I could stay longer, but I’ll have to go back to Midgar tomorrow. Tifa, I’ll find the time to talk to you, I hope I can see you again soon.”

“Me too, Cloud,” Tifa said, “I’ll call you whenever I can.”

Later that day, Cloud invited Tifa to his house where they both sat in his room, there Cloud told her about the incident at Mt. Nibel seven years earlier, what really happened. She had gone to Mt. Nibel to see her mother and when everyone else had left her, Cloud had followed behind her to ensure her safety, however, it didn’t end well, as Tifa took a wrong step and fell off the bridge with Cloud following behind her. Whilst Cloud suffered only scraped knees, Tifa ended up in a coma for a week. All the adults were quick to blame Cloud for the incident, including Brian Lockhart who forbade him to talk to her ever again. The only adult who didn't blame Cloud was his mother, who assured him that it wasn't his fault.

“So that’s why you stopped talking to me…” Tifa said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I blamed myself…” Cloud said, “I thought you didn’t like me,”

“Cloud, it wasn’t your fault,” Tifa said, “And of course I love you. You were concerned about my safety, thank you. I’ll tell this to my father once you’re gone,”

“Tifa, you don’t have to-” Cloud said.

“Cloud, you don’t have to hide, you know,” Tifa said.

“Thank you,” Cloud said. With this, Cloud and Tifa kissed once again, and when that day passed to the next, Cloud had a moment with Tifa before he left on the Shinra truck. Before he left, he gave her his phone number, and as he boarded, his eyes never left her as he drove away, until Tifa disappeared.

Tifa told her father that day that Cloud was one of the infantrymen, and that she spoke to him. She told Brian about the day of her accident, in the way she remembered it, and the details Cloud told her. Brian’s view on Cloud started to shift, and Tifa continued to tell him that she and Cloud interacted the other day and that the day before, he attempted to protect her from some monsters.

“Is there anything else you want to tell me?” Brian asked.

“No, that’s all,” Tifa said, “I’m going to go for a walk now, Papa, if you don’t mind,”

“Go ahead,” Brian said, “And Tifa, I’m sorry about what I said to that kid, I didn’t want to lose you too. You can talk to him if you’d like.”

“Thanks, Papa,” Tifa said. With this, Tifa left the house and took out her phone where she dialled Cloud’s number. Cloud instantly picked up and the two began their conversation. They interacted every day from then on, and eventually, Cloud left the military to be with her. Later they got married, and Cloud was thankful for having left the military, for Shinra had been subject to terrorist attacks and were revealed to be taking a toll on the planet.

One night in bed, as Tifa turned off the radio, she asked her husband, “Cloud, do you ever regret joining the Shinra military?”

“Sometimes,” Cloud said, “I’m glad I quit though.” As Cloud said this, Tifa snuggled into Cloud’s shoulder and told him, “I love you”, and with this, Cloud held Tifa and went to sleep with her.

Cloud looked up to Tifa with loving eyes, and he told her that perhaps Zack would have gotten the two together had Sephiroth not found out about JENOVA. After Marlene and Denzel left to go to school, Tifa went over to Cloud and gave her husband a kiss, telling him:

“I’m sure he would have,” Tifa said, “I’ll have to open up the bar soon, Cloud. Where are you headed today?”

“Around Edge, then to Kalm, then Fort Condor, then Junon,” Cloud told her, “I’ll be back this afternoon.”

“See you then, Cloud,” Tifa said. Cloud kissed his wife once again, but before he could make another move, the two heard a familiar, ominous laugh, though they could not find its owner. Cloud rushed to pick up his sword and shouted:

“Show yourself!”

Chapter Text

Tifa gloved her fists and scanned the bar for intruders. From a corner table, she saw a human form materialising into the man who nearly killed her as a teenager, the same man who threatened her Yesterday.

“Sephiroth!” Cloud said, “What are you doing here?”

Sephiroth gave another smooth laugh before he said, “Don’t you remember Cloud? I will never be just a memory to you. I’ll keep coming back until you forget me, or until you die. there is one thing though: the JENOVA cells inside of you, make you immune to cellular degradation. You’re biologically immortal.”

“What!” Cloud shuddered at the thought and looked at Tifa who was in equal shock. Sephiroth laughed this off and continued by saying, “That’s right unless something happens, you’ll live a long life without that woman.”

“Get out of my house! Leave us alone!” Cloud said, “You’ve caused us enough pain!” With this, Cloud pulled out part of his sword and pointed it towards Sephiroth. With a shout of rage, Cloud charged toward Sephiroth but before he could penetrate his skin, he vanished and Cloud’s sword was jammed into the wall.

He turned to see that Sephiroth had gone over to Tifa and teleported as soon as she shot a kick towards him, reappearing from behind. Sephiroth began to strangle Tifa’s throat, and she struggled to escape, due to Sephiroth’s superhuman strength. Cloud charged in from behind, but Sephiroth grabbed Cloud’s throat and forced him to look at Tifa.

“You must be the man whom this woman is promised to, Cloud,” Sephiroth said, “She told me yesterday that she was married. Actually, she said she had a husband, and before that she almost said your name, I believe. She must love you very much, as I’m sure you love her…”

Cloud struggled in rage to break free from Sephiroth, before he continued, “Don’t deny it, Cloud. I know you love your wife. I remember that day, we were in your home town. I was at the reactor, going to see mother, and the woman's father was there. He was a fool to face me, I killed him. Then your little wife chased me in a fit of anger. She was foolish as well. I cut her down with my blade which she had no idea how to use. Perhaps it was a mistake on my part - you struck me down because of it. You love her that much, don’t you!”

Cloud struggled further before suddenly, he was paralysed and could only sense. Stop materia! Cloud thought. After being put down, Cloud was forced to watch his wife being pinned to the ground by Sephiroth’s foot. He stomped on her rib cage just below her breasts and then on her stomach which caused a shriek of extreme pain.

Although Cloud couldn’t move much, he felt a tear spill from his eye at the sound and sight of Tifa’s suffering. He saw Sephiroth pull out his blade and cut across Tifa’s face albeit only slightly due to Tifa being able to dodge them with slow reflexes. Her breathing quickened as Cloud saw the masamune about to stab Tifa’s skull, and with a build-up of adrenaline, Cloud broke free from his state of paralysis and stabbed Sephiroth in the back with his fully assembled sword.

After pushing in deep enough, Cloud pulled out, letting Sephiroth’s blood flow. Sephiroth turned around, in time for Tifa to perform her waterkick, knocking Sephiroth down. Cloud stabbed Sephiroth in the skull, sending a scream of his ringing before he breathed and said: “No… I shouldn’t have come back too early. Cloud, next time we see each other, I’ll be ready. I… will take… your wife… away… from… you...” after this, he vanished into thin air, as did his blood, but Tifa’s wounds did not.

Cloud kneeled and picked Tifa up. He let her snuggle as she was brought over to the couch and healed by him with healing materia. After this, Cloud held Tifa’s cheek and stroked her lovingly, whilst giving her his loving gaze.

“Tifa,” Cloud said, “Are you ok?”

“Yeah…” Tifa said, “Shouldn’t you be going to work?”

“I need to make sure you’re alright,” Cloud said, “get some rest before you open the bar, alright?”

Tifa nodded, “Will do,” she said. Cloud then gave his wife a kiss, before he vanished and came back with a glass of water, offering it to her. Tifa gulped the cup down and put it on the coffee table. After this, a knock on the door was heard.

“I guess it’s opening time,” Cloud said. Tifa lifted herself up from the couch without trouble and walked to the door where she flipped the sign to open and opened the door, only to stop midway. Behind the door was a man familiar to Tifa, a man who was like a father to her, a man who saved her life, a man who taught her many things. He was an old man with scars of age, and his hair was white, though he still showed some muscle, and was dressed like a martial artist with his crop top and red cape.

“Master Zangan!” Tifa said, “Is that you? I never thought I’d see you again.”

“I’m glad you remember me,” Zangan said, “Tifa Lockhart.”

“Strife,” Tifa corrected, “I’m married now…”

Tifa raised her right hand which held her wolf ring, a symbol of the family she and Cloud formed in Edge. Cloud made his appearance and he too was surprised by the sight of Zangan, whom Tifa had let in and had seated. Zangan when he saw Cloud was stunned as he saw him approach.

“Cloud, you’re alright!” Zangan said, “I heard that Tifa had opened a bar some years ago, so I decided to see her once again, now that the threat of Shinra is no more. Tell me, how has your life been?”

“We have a family,” Tifa said, “of us and two children: our son, Denzel is adopted, his parents died some years ago, and our daughter, Marlene, she’s a friend’s daughter. He’s in Corel so she’s been left in our care.”

“I see,” Zangan said, then looked to the family photo, “That must be the family, then. And who’s that in the other photo?”

“They’re our friends,” Tifa said, “We all took down Shinra four years ago, and we’ve been friends ever since, though, only Cloud and I stayed together. Everyone else just lives their own lives now.”

“And Cloud, how did you escape?” Zangan asked.

“It’s a long story,” Cloud said, “Zack woke up after being in a mako coma for four years. He set me free and we went on a long journey to Midgar. Zack wanted to go there because that’s where his girlfriend was, but he never made it. He was shot down by infantrymen and died. Not long after, his girlfriend died too. I thought I was a SOLDIER 1st class, I’d suffered mako poisoning, Tifa saved me and found me some work,”

“I’m very sorry to hear,” Zangan said, “But I’m glad that you’re both safe. How is married life?”

“Wonderful!” Tifa said, “Cloud and I are very happy together.”

“That’s good,” Zangan said, “have you kept up with your training? Did you get my letter?”

“I did,” Tifa said, “I learned Final Heaven in time for our battle with Sephiroth. I’ve been continuing ever since. Ever since I was young, I wanted to surpass you, but I’d prefer not to fight you.”

“I understand,” Zangan said, “You and Cloud were able to beat Sephiroth, and I’m no longer in my prime. You’ve more than surpassed me. I’m sorry I left you, but I had to keep in hiding from Shinra. After I left, I found Maru up on Mount Nibel, and I took care of her. Sadly, she passed away two years ago.”

Tifa nodded. For the next few minutes, the two continued to speak, and eventually, Zangan left for the day, with Cloud informing Tifa’s former instructor that he had a delivery service and that if he ever needed anything, he only needed to call.

Back in the bar, Cloud went up to his wife whom he took to the living room to kiss passionately, before he left the house and went off to work. The evening he returned, he finally told her about the dream he had the night before, and Tifa was shocked.

“Cloud, don’t do that!” Tifa said to him.

“I really thought I lost you that day,” Cloud said, “I was so sad. So much so that I really did have those thoughts back then. When I saw you again, they vanished. I don’t know if it was me or my fake persona, but they vanished… Tifa, I’ll make sure something like this never happens again.”

“Cloud, I’m not going to be around forever,” Tifa said, “Besides, I want you to live a long life, with or without me.”

“Then I’ll keep you company,” Cloud said. “I’ll live out my life with you. If it’s true that I can’t degrade then the least I can do is stay with you. Perhaps even then, I can still find you. I'll love you forever, my Tifa.”

With this, Cloud stroked Tifa’s face and kissed her temple. In his mind, he knew he’d make sure no harm ever came to his wife - he’d protect her until the very end. Whenever Sephiroth came, Cloud would defeat him and keep everyone he loved safe, especially Tifa.

Reflecting on the Nibelheim incident, Cloud knew that even through the happiest of outcomes, there would still be consequences. He thought perhaps if he’d taken Tifa outside the reactor, or had she not been injured that Sephiroth may have won, though perhaps certain things may never have happened, such as him passing the black materia to Sephiroth under JENOVA’s influence. The dream scenario, Cloud knew that Sephiroth would have won, though perhaps the first scenario he envisioned was not what would have happened, perhaps if he didn’t move Tifa aside, she would have died, and Cloud would never have been able to regain his true self. Even in the scenario that nothing went wrong, Sephiroth could have discovered his origins years later, Cloud thought. But there was no way of truly knowing what would have happened, for the human imagination was only so great.