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It was moments before they began their descent into the Northern Cave that Cid took Cloud to one side.
He would have preferred to put the conversation off longer, perhaps leave it for a more appropriately private setting, but time wasn't exactly on their side.
He couldn’t trust Barret to be the one to have it, either. The man was too personally invested, thinking of Tifa as almost like a second daughter. After what they had caught sight of the night before from the Highwind, he very well may have ended up trying to castrate Cloud.
Cid didn't miss the way Tifa's eyes shadowed the young man beside him longingly as they parted from the group. Cloud, to his credit, tried his best to appear stoic, only allowing their gazes to cross briefly before offering a discreet, reassuring dip of his head.
Still, it was hard to miss the adoration swimming in his eyes.
Young love.
Once they had put enough distance between themselves and their camp, Cloud turned to Cid, eyes narrowed and voice dipping.
"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" He asked, the slightest flicker of hesitance in his eyes.
With a snort, Cid padded his hand firmly against Cloud’s shoulder. Surely, he knew better than to doubt him.
"Listen, kid. That was a real rousing speech you gave back there and all, but I actually had something else I wanted to talk to you about."
Though the tension in Cloud’s stance relaxed, there was still a furrow, a weariness in his brow. He folded his arms, heavy gaze pressing Cid to continue.
With a nod, Cid’s hand lowered, slipping into his back pocket.
"I don't know how much Shinra devoted to physical education when you were going through training, but if you and Tifa are going to be doing that from now on, you might want to take some precautions. We've already got enough brats on this team as it is."
Cloud was still wearing a grave, serious expression, knowing the weight of the battle facing them.
It felt out of place as he slipped him that small, square, plastic package.
Still, Cid couldn’t help but smirk, revelling in the abrupt and drastic shift in Cloud’s demeanour it awoke.
His pale cheeks were immediately awash with a vibrant hue as his eyes bulged.
As sensitive as the subject matter was to broach, Cid would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it on at least some level.
There was something satisfying about turning the young man who had devoted so much effort and energy toward looking part of the stoic and unflappable Soldier; into an awkward, bumbling mess of nerves.
If there were time, and he'd had his PHS on him, Cid would've taken a photo.
It was an endearing sight, an expression that seemed far more suited to someone as young as Cloud.
Nervous, and clearly in love.
A glimmer of hope on the fucked up planet they lived.
"W- what?" Cloud dithered, eyes darting between Cid, the condom, Tifa, and the rest of their unsuspecting party, unsure of where to settle. "Wha-, whe-, how did you?!"
"It's a giant rock and open tundra, Cloud," Cid drawled. "Not exactly ideal coverage."
"This isn't happening,” Cloud murmured, eyes darting frantically across the horizon in search of the nearest hole to crawl in. “There's no way this is happening. Let Sephiroth cast Meteor, I'm ready to end it all."
"Will you knock that shit off?! Don't cause a damn scene."
"Look, this isn't any easier on me. Just be thankful I managed to talk Barret down from being the one to have this conversation. I'm not here to lecture you. Hell, I get it. It's why I've got my cigs with me. This might be it for us. May as well enjoy ourselves.."
"It's not just that!"
Cid’s eyebrow lifted, taken by Cloud’s sudden, urgent tone. Though, as quickly as it had burst forth, Cloud’s voice lowered again, coloured by insecurity. It was a facet of his personality Cid was becoming steadily more familiar with, one that felt infinitely more genuine.
It allowed Cid to trust in what he would say next.
"It's been so long since I was with her. As myself,” Cloud continued. “After everything, I- I didn't want it to end without her knowing how I felt."
"Well, god damn. Good for you, son. That Tifa's a fine lady."
Cloud’s eyes narrowed.
"Hey."
"Relax, kid. You know I’m spoken for. I just meant you'll be good for one another. She'll keep you out of trouble."
"I sure hope so. I think we've had enough of that for one lifetime."