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Cloud felt like he hadn’t been outside in ages. Since his accident his life had been a rush of rest and recovery. It had been just over three months now and he felt he was in a much better place regardless of the huge eyes his children would give him or the worry that still strained Leon’s expression.
He’d behaved and used the damn crutches. He asked for help when he had to and he kept himself from doing anything stupid that would backtrack his progress. Now he was finally free. The bruises and cuts had long since healed. His ribs were a little tender but much better. The bandages were gone and his leg brace was finally removed.
He’d be wearing compression socks more than before but he was able to walk again without a spark of pain shooting up his leg. To celebrate, his kids with very little help from Leon had planned a picnic, and Cloud was not allowed to help.
It was how he found himself sitting on a thick quilt out in the backyard since Xion insisted it had to be a real picnic where they all sat on the ground. Most of his kids were running around with their own little jobs. Sora and Reiku were helping with the food while Riku and Roxas were setting up decorations. Laguna had shown up with more quilts to spread on the ground because Xion had evidently asked and Vanitas was trailing behind Squall, looking anxious with questions he wasn’t ready to ask yet.
Beside him, Ventus was practicing his violin. Cloud had no idea what the classical piece was, but it was the first full piece Ventus had learned to play that was a step above the beginner pieces like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Some notes still cracked, but Ventus’ face was set in determined concentration while he practiced and Cloud didn’t mind listening.
As long as he didn’t have to relive the Itsy Bitsy Spider being played for hours on end, he would survive. It helped that Ventus was so eager to practice and get better and he smiled shyly every time Cloud asked him to play so he could listen to him practice.
It was sheer good fortune that the other kids had begun tuning out his playing and as long as Ventus wasn’t practicing in the middle of the night, none of them complained.
“How are you feeling, Cloud?” Laguna asked. He was holding a stack of pillows and Xion would run up to him and take one at a time. She was placing them on the blankets where she thought they should go like she was a seasoned designer on one of those shows she watched with Yuffie sometimes. “Sick to death of people asking?”
Cloud snorted. “Oh, I hit that point weeks ago but it’s hard to complain about people being worried about me.”
“You mean Leon.” Laguna chuckled.
“Little bit.” Cloud muttered, glancing across the yard where Leon and Denzel were showing Vanitas how to light the grill. He hadn’t even realized his little brother had shown up but sure enough, a second later, Marlene stepped out of the house too. “I’ll be glad when things are back to normal and Squall isn’t afraid I'll disappear.”
Ventus missed a note but he recovered quickly, throwing Cloud a glance. “You’re all better now, though. Why is dad still worried?”
“It’s scary when someone you love gets hurt.” Laguna answered before Cloud could. “Sometimes you get stuck there. So worried they’ll get hurt again that it’s hard to move on.”
Ventus lowered his bow with a small frown. “Is dad okay then?”
“Oh yeah,” Cloud promised. “He’s okay. These things just take time.” Though it did help that Leon had been having weekly phone calls with his therapist that were apart from his usual appointments with Ventus and Vanitas. He’d told Cloud about it in whispers a month into his recovery but Cloud couldn’t approve more. Leon taking care of his own mental health after he’d been carrying their family only proved to Cloud how strong he was.
Ventus nodded along but he looked around to find his twin. He probably understood more than most what it was like to worry yourself sick. Vanitas able to use both of his arms again had had its own little celebration. He’d only returned to his kickboxing class two weeks prior and the positive shift in his mood had been noticeable.
Cloud jerked his attention back to Laguna when he started talking to Xion. “Let grandpa keep the last pillow, sweetheart. His bones are old.” he said.
Xion just laughed. “You’re not old, grandpa.”
“Grandpa just acts young.” Cloud said, with a hint of a tease in his voice.
“Hey, hey.” Laguna snickered. “I said my bones were old, I am spry and hearty.” And it also said a lot that Laguna planned to follow Xion's rules of sitting on the ground for their picnic instead of taking one of the many lawn chairs the way he could. He wasn’t actually bound to the laws of this nine year old girl.
His words made Xion giggle and Laguna handed off his pillow to Cloud to guard it for him while he dutifully went with Xion to make sure her part of the decorating was finished on time. People would be showing up soon but it was hard to know when children planned the party.
At least Cloud had some faith in the older kids to offer clear directions, and Leon no doubt knew about everything they had planned even if he pretended he didn’t.
“Papa.” Vanitas called with a borderline whine as he stomped across the lawn.
“Vanitas.” Cloud answered in a similar tone that made his son scowl at him.
“What was your first date with dad? He says it was a bar.” Vanitas said and Cloud got the impression that the answer wasn’t what he wanted.
“It was!” Squall called from across the yard, a smile stretching across his face. It just irritated Vanitas even more.
“Papa…”
Cloud snorted, “Well, we did meet in a bar. A bar brawl actually. We met there again some time later. Those were fun encounters but our first actual date… ” Cloud hummed. “We met up and went to dinner. Maybe it was lunch. I don’t remember, but we went to a Wutain restaurant and we were there for hours just talking.”
Vanitas turned enough to throw Squall a dirty look. “See!? I knew the answer had to be better.”
Squall grinned at him but Cloud snorted and ruffled his hair. “What’s with the interest all of a sudden?”
Vanitas stared back at him, huge eyes shifting as he thought for a lie or an acceptable reason.
Ven snickered, his song still on repeat as he played. He replayed notes when he messed up but Cloud was treating it as background noise. “Because this is a picnic and Naminé is coming.”
“Ventus.” Vanitas glowered at him.
“It’s not a secret, Vani.” Ventus said with a smile. “She likes you too.”
“Ahh,” Cloud nodded before the twins could start fighting. “Well, I don’t see any harm in you picking out a quilt that grandpa brought and making a little spot for you and Naminé to sit. Maybe it’s not quite a ‘date’ but it’s still a chance for you to hang out.”
Vanitas fidgeted and dropped down to sit beside Cloud. “I didn’t ask her though. Aren’t I supposed to do that? For it to be a date?”
“Not always. You know, i gave your dad my number and he called me and we made plans but it was never so formal as asking me out on a date. After a while we agreed we were dating but it’s not like a checklist. Everyone dates a little differently.” Cloud said, smiling as he recalled getting married on their first anniversary. His kids didn’t need to rush like that.
Not that he’d been rushing…
Vanitas chewed on his lip and started looking around for the picnic supplies they had. “Maybe I could then.”
“Naminé likes spending time with us, but you in particular.” Ventus added. “I’m sure she’d like to sit with you for the picnic.”
“Maybe.” Vanitas repeated.
“Papa, what do we do about ants?” Roxas asked, his voice carrying.
Cloud turned to him and exhaled slowly when turning at the waist didn’t ignite pain in his chest. “They’re aren’t that many ants. Bugs are bound to happen at a picnic. Just don’t set any food down and leave it unattended.
“Aunt Aerith told us to use the containers with lids.” Riku said, “Sora and Rei are using all the tupperware when they bring things out here.”
“Yeah?” Cloud smiled. “What are they making?”
“They were cutting up fruit the last time we were in there.” Roxas said. “Aunt Marlene was helping.”
He was glad to hear someone was around the kids if knives were involved. There was a apart of him who wanted to snatch the knives away from them but Sora was ten now and Rei was eleven. They couldn’t baby them forever. “Good.”
“I think we’re done with everything though. So we can just wait for people to show up.” Riku said.
“Or we can eat now.” Roxas offered with a laugh. “Lea and Kairi should be here soon.”
The pair had wiped off all the lawn chairs and they pulled out two fold out tables from the basement so there would be a safe, somewhat bug free place outside to set the food.
“I’m gonna set up a spot.” Vanitas mumbled, not bothered by his brothers mostly ignoring him as he got up and wandered away. Only Ventus offered a small smile while Riku and Roxas talked.
“I still don’t want ants on my plate.” Roxas grumbled.
Riku offered him a shrug. “So don’t set it on the ground.”
“Well duh.” Roxas said, turning back to Cloud. “Have you seen any bugs on the blankets?”
“No.” Cloud chuckled and quietly wondered where this little fear of his came from. It’s not like they had aggressive bugs in the yard, and Roxas liked to garden with Aerith. He wasn’t a stranger to his hands in the dirt. “It’ll be fine.”
“I just don’t want them on my food.” Roxas said with a whine. Riku ruffled his hair but was rolling his eyes. “Maybe I'll eat inside.”
“It won’t be that bad.” Riku said. “And you’ll prolly eat fast enough that bugs won’t get you.”
“I’m not worried about them getting me.” Roxas insisted. “Just my food.”
Ventus laughed then. “It’s not any different from a barbecue. We’re just sitting on blankets.”
“I guess so.” Roxas muttered, but he got distracted when Tifa stepped into the backyard with Rude right behind her. That wasn’t what caught the pairs attention though.
“Freya!” Riku looked delighted and he took off with Roxas towards the pair. Rude held that little girl on his hip, their daughter only just big enough now that they didn’t carry her around in her car seat all the time anymore. She was already crawling and Cloud didn’t think it would be too long until she started trying to stand.
That poor little girl was going to have a hoard of Strifehart children hovering over her as she grew up.
“Hey there boys!” Tifa greeted.
“Hi Aunt Tifa.” Roxas greeted and Rude knelt down so Riku could greet Freya with a smile. She was at the stage where she liked holding people's hands and Riku was thrilled whenever she grabbed his fingers.
Fatherhood looked good on Rude, but watching the man with a baby just brought back memories of when he and Leon would carry Riku around.
“Can i hold Freya?” Riku asked.
“Come sit, Riku.” Cloud said, voice somewhat raised. “Come sit and I'm sure Freya can sit next to you.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Rude said and Riku brightened.
“I’ll go get Freya’s plush.” Roxas said, already jogging inside. The kids kept a stuffed sloth that they’d picked out for Freya when she’d been born. They’d actually gotten two, one that Freya had at home and one that stayed at their house.
Ventus shyly lowered his violin back into its case, still too shy to play in front of other people though Tifa had heard him practicing before. “Maybe I'll help Vani.” he muttered. Cloud didn’t stop him, though he knew Ven was running to avoid Tifa asking him to continue playing.
Rude took a seat on the quilt beside them and sat Freya down.
“She’s growing so much,” Riku muttered, sitting beside her.
“Yeah, babies do that.” Cloud said. “That's why daddy is sad all of you are so big already.”
Tifa snickered. “Oh, I remember Riku’s first day of school. Leon was devastated.”
Rude hummed once, giving his own daughter a fond look. “It couldn’t be that bad.”
“Your day will come.” Cloud said dryly. “And it will be a big deal.”
Roxas flew back outside with a grin and dropped down beside Riku with the sloth plush that Freya recognized immediately. She reached for it with grabby hands and Roxas and Riku were incredibly pleased to win her affection.
Cloud had to hope they didn’t ask Leon for a new baby sibling that was actually a baby because that would just be pushing fate and the man had no self control where children were concerned.
“Awe” Tifa cooed, “She could really use some big brothers like you.”
“We like her too.” Roxas said simply.
“First round of food will be done soon!” Leon called from the grill just as Sora and Reiku came outside with Marlene, all of them holding bowls or platters. There was cut fruit, potato salad, deviled eggs and chicken salad sandwiches. Meat was cooking on the grill and it made the whole yard smell good.
“Hey! Just in time!” Aerith said as she appeared out the door next. She had a cake in hand and behind her was Naminé who was also holding a cake. “Lightning and Barret were pulling up as we came in!”
“Figures.” Leon mused, but he and Cloud exchanged a look from across the yard when Vanitas slid up to Naminé’s side. She was following him towards Ventus a few seconds later. Kids with crushes were adorable but Cloud never remembered it being like that when he was thirteen.
“Cloud, I'll make you a plate!” Denzel called.
Cloud sighed. “You know the point of today is proving that I'm okay. I can make my own.”
A chorus of the word ‘No.’ was shouted at him and the pout he wore had Tifa spiraling into laughter.
“Soon enough.” Rude gave Cloud an amused stare. At least Cloud assumed that was the case, it was hard to tell since the man never took off his sunglasses. “How’s your bike?”
“Still in pieces.” Cloud sighed. “But I've got a few things ordered and I'm hoping it’ll only take me a few weeks to piece Fenrir back together. Zack had offered to help.”
“That’ll be good for you.” Tifa offered, “A craft to keep you entertained.”
“A craft.” Cloud repeated, giving her a look.
“Daddy says that papa just wants his first love back.” Riku said, letting Freya climb on him.
“Daddy can shut up.” Cloud snickered, though he’d been teased most of his life for loving his motorcycle.
Roxas just frowned though and scooted closer to Cloud. “What if a car hits you again?”
Cloud smiled and threw an arm around Roxas to hold him against his side. “I’ve had a motorcycle since I was eighteen and that was the first time I've ever been hit. I know it seems scary but it’s not something that happens all the time. I’m not gonna be afraid of something I love to do and I love to ride.”
Roxas clucked his tongue and seemed to think that over. The accident had been a scare for all of them. Originally all of his kids had thought his motorcycle was the coolest thing but now a few of them were distancing themselves from the idea. “Okay. But don’t get hit again.”
“I’ll do my best.” Cloud agreed, ignoring the way Tifa and Rude were smiling at him.
“Papa!” Sora and Reiku marched over and both of them carried a plate for Cloud. One from the table of food they’d prepared and one from the grill sent over by Denzel. “These are for you.”
“Thank you.” Cloud said immediately taking the plates and crossing his legs so he could rest them on his knees. “You boys worked hard in the kitchen.”
“Cooking is fun.” Reiku agreed. “Una Denzel gave us the recipe for the deviled eggs and the chicken salad sandwiches. He said they were grandma’s.”
“Yeah?” Cloud smiled, not entirely sure if that was true. Denzel cooked things the way he remembered them but he’d also managed to have a few conversations with their biological father the last few months which was not something Cloud had decided to do yet.
It was entirely possible Denzel had gotten the recipes from him.
“Will you try one?” Reiku asked. “To see if we did it right.”
“Yeah, you can be the tester!” Sora agreed. “Well, we ate one already so I guess we were the testers but you’d know better, right?”
Cloud’s shoulders shook with laughter and he picked up one of the deviled eggs first. “Let’s give it a try then.” He wasn’t about to hurt his son's feelings regardless of what the food tasted like but the first bite surprised him. Some childhood memory unlocked alongside the taste. “Oh yeah. Spot on.”
“Really?!”
“Really.”
“You like it?”
Cloud chuckled and shoved the other half into his mouth. “Absolutely. I’m glad Denzel had some recipes for you.”
“He said he’d get us more.” Sora beamed.
“Can I try one?” Riku asked.
“There’s lots on the table.” Rei nodded.
Roxas jumped up. “Hey, Lea’s already making a plate!” He dashed across the yard.
“It’s a picnic! Of Course i am!” Lea laughed back.
Reiku looked back at his twin and smiled at Freya. “You want me to bring you some?”
“Please?” Riku asked. “And a hotdog?”
“Okay.” Reiku said, heading off immediately to grab another plate.
More people had been arriving. Yuffie. Reno. Vincent and Cid. Era and Xeha had shown up with their three kids and Ventus made his way towards them with a wave. There was really more space outside for a party than inside so the amount of food made sense now.
Sora smiled at Cloud. “The party wasn’t a surprise but do you like it?”
“I like it.” Cloud nodded. “It’s nice to be outside and you guys worked really hard on it. Thank you, Sora.”
“Good.” Sora said, hand on his little hips. “Cause you gotta be better before it’s time to go to Destiny Island again!”
Cloud nearly sputtered a laugh but he didn’t disagree. “You’re right. We’ll get there on time, promise.”
“Great!” Sora said and dropped next to Riku to greet Freya with a hello and a silly face.
“Aren't you gonna eat?” Riku asked.
Sora snorted. “I was eating while we were making stuff.”
There were moments where Sora said things that reminded him of his mom. This was one of those times. Her being brought up, even if only in his head twice in only a handful of minutes must have meant she was close by. Maybe she was glad he had recovered too.
Tifa gave Cloud a look as she patted his thigh. “Hey, we’re glad you’re all healed up. I’ve been missing my sparring buddy.”
“Isn’t that Rude?” Cloud asked her with a smirk.
“Sometimes.” Rude agreed. “But she needs people who aren’t afraid to get hit.”
Cloud nearly choked on a laugh since he’d chosen that moment to take a bite of potato salad. This was nice, having people around. All of the people who had supported Squall when everything had been unstable in their house. They were fortunate. He was fortunate.
Vanitas was sitting with Naminé, plates between them and his bunny on his lap now. Ventus and Aqua were fussing over his violin while Terra and Isa were eating with Lea and Roxas.
Kairi and Xion were having fun sitting on stacks of pillows with Laguna sitting near by quoting the Princess and the Pea.
So many people had shown up in his life and he couldn’t help the way he smiled when Barret tried to take over manning the grill from Leon and Denzel.
For the first time in a while, he remembered to be grateful to be alive.
“Cloud!” Zack’s voice cut through the growing chatter. He’d shown up with all three of his partners and both children.
“Keep it down!” Cloud grinned back. Everyone had shown up for his family and he wasn’t going to forget it any time soon.