Work Text:
Cloud stifled a yawn behind his hand as he snakes his arm around Aerith's shoulder. She giggles as he pulls her closer, a giggle that always sent his heart fluttering no matter what. It's one of his favorite sounds in the entire world.
Another sound crosses his ears. A little sigh, coming from his eight-month old son, who's in his wife's arms. Denzel's on the verge of falling asleep, his eyes struggling to stay open. Aerith wraps his Chocobo-printed blanket a little tighter around him.
"Little man's so tired," she croons, stroking a head over the fuzzy hair.
"I don't blame him, it is getting late." Cloud comments, tilting his head back to check the time on the clock. 8:56 P.M., it read.
"Nine is late for you?" Aerith asks, tilting her head.
"Gimme a break. Between work, tending to him, and everything in between, I'm lucky if I fall asleep early." Cloud huffs, but he's not that grumpy at her.
Aerith giggles again, "True. But it's all worth it, so I don't mind." She leans ever so slightly, so she and Cloud are touching shoulders. Her arms absentmindedly rock Denzel back and forth.
As they continue watching TV, Cloud's eyes wander back to them. He takes in Denzel's pudgy little face. His eyes closed, little fists curled up, his mouth dropping open and closed.
How can such a tiny baby they created be so damn cute?! It was hard not to go "Awwww," at Denzel whenever he did anything.
His eyes wander back to Aerith. Her eyes full of life and happiness. And a feeling of content, as she cuddles close to him. How did he manage to find a girl as beautiful and full of joy as her? It really was like they were fated to meet, as she says. His mom would've been so proud.
"An older, more mature girl, that can keep you on the straight and narrow--and tell you when you're being a silly goose. That's the type for you, I'd say."
Well, he did it. He found her. And they now have a son, too. Claudia would've been ecstatic. Cloud knows she'd spoil her grandson.
His eyes go back to the tv, yet he's no longer focusing on the media that's playing before him. He's deep in thought. His mind always wanders more when he's relaxed, exhausted.
Life didn't feel real for him. Just a few years ago, the world could've ended. He could've lost everyone he ever cared for and loved, including Aerith. He was under so much stress, things kept happening, and they almost failed.
But they didn't.
The world was saved. He and Aerith started going out. Then, Cloud finally worked up the courage to propose to her. They got married. They had a baby. Both worked more normal jobs, Cloud starting a delivery service (with some merc work on the side), and Aerith was able to launch her floral shop. Surely, this is all a dream. Yet, every time he pinches his own skin, he's reminded it's not. And he breathes a sigh of relief.
He looks at his son once more. One of the biggest joys in his life, yet one of his biggest fears.
Cloud felt rather awkward and unsure around children. It's not that he outright hated them, it's just that he didn't always know what exactly to do. It didn't help that growing up, he was an isolated boy with very few friends. So, interacting with kids wasn't his strong suit. Then, came the issue of being a father. He didn't have a dad, all he ever knew was his mom. Aerith constantly found him wide awake at night while she was pregnant, binge-reading every single book on babies and parenting he could find. He just wanted to be a good dad, one that Denzel could trust and look up to. One who Denzel could talk about anything with. One who'd show up to any sporting or school events to cheer him on. He damn near gave himself grey hairs with all this stress.
It wasn't until after a stern, long pep-talk from Barret that he finally managed to get a level-head about the situation. And then his son was born, the day Cloud Strife finally understood parental instincts.
Denzel brought him and Aerith so much joy. The little noises he'd make at them, watching him reach milestones and learn, transitioning from bottles to baby foods. Cloud personally can't wait for when Denzel gets out of diapers.
And his favorite part, Denzel's smile. His smile was almost exactly like his mom's. On days when Cloud arrived home from work, sore and exhausted, he'd take one look at his son, and no problems would matter. Seeing his little man smile, squeal, and kick his chubby little legs while reaching for him melted away the stress.
A snore snapped him out of his deep thought, as he realized Aerith had fallen asleep. Still clutching Denzel close to her chest, which was steadily rising and falling. He grabs a nearby blanket, tossing it over all of them. Cloud gets comfortable, and snuggles close to the two people that mattered so much to him. He wraps both his arms around Aerith's sleeping form, making sure both she and Denzel are secure. He sighs, and plants a kiss on both their foreheads.
"...I finally understand, now. This is really all I need."
Cloud would soon find himself fast asleep, cuddling the two best things that ever happened to him.