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"But, I'm here to offer you support, Sir!" The scanner model smiles down at him from her flight unit and those words make Cloud wish he could vomit. Some minor system blaring in his ears when he grits his teeth so hard he feels some of them chip.
It takes everything in him not to scream. Because they've sent her back to him. The phantom he can't seem to escape.(Not that he actually wants to. She's the glue holding him together.) Four days have passed since she died—since he killed her—and he's surprised Command sent her to him so soon. They spaced out their encounters. Whether to punish him or to keep their secrets he has no clue. But, the waiting is always hell. They'd kept them apart for six months once, tried to give him a different partner, and it almost killed him. Though he's not sure what the higher ups are playing at this time but, he knows better than to question it, or them. Knows better than to go sticking his nose in things he doesn't have the clearance for. He's a combat model, all he needs to know about is the war. That's what he should be focusing on. Although he's failing that with her right in front of him.
Tifa's smiling down at him. The same way she always does when they meet for the "first" time. It's a friendly one but, detached, and it makes Cloud's core ache. He already misses her previous smiles. Misses her warmth and the memories of the past 10 months they'd managed to cling to before the orders came through and he had to end her once again. It's an endless song and dance. One thats spanned five hellish years…For once…For once he wants a chance to keep her. Even if that's not something he's allowed to want. Emotional entanglements were forbidden. He'd never see her again if those wants came to light.
There's a jolt to his systems that pulls him out of his spiraling thoughts. Cloud gazes up at her, watching that smile start to slip the longer he stays quiet. He should say something. But he can't bring himself to. He gives her a curt nod, instead. Even though seeing her deflate tears at his insides. He needs to keep his distance.
Maybe, if he can stay away, she can live this time. Maybe…Just maybe..he can finally stop this war and they can finally be together.
Tifa nods back at him, turning her suit and flying off further into the factory.
'Goliath class target's signal is coming from deeper in. Suggestion, continue onward.' Cloud's pod bobs around his head, projecting the half complete map they've managed to get. Steeling himself he starts forward. He has a mission to complete. He can worry about what comes after when this is done.
It's after hours of fighting machines and chasing after the Goliath's signal that things go sideways.
Tifa is missing an arm and a leg, there's more Goliath class machines closing in on them, and Cloud knows they're running out of time. His chest throbs when he looks at where Tifa's sitting. Her bottom lip is trapped in her teeth. The single hand she has left is slightly trembling. He wants to say something but the words won't come. He's as good as useless. At least, this time, she won't be dying alone. (And it won't be him that kills her.)
"I guess.. we don't have any other options.." Tifa says suddenly, drawing his attention.
He's about to ask her what she means when she pulls out her black box. Everything clicks into place. He does the same.
"It was an honor to serve with you, sir." She murmurs, her fingers tightening around the box. She's clearly scared and Cloud is so so tempted to break his composure and hold her for a final time.
But he swallows that all down, finger sliding into place on the kill switch, clearing his throat he says "The honor was all mine."
Her eyes meet his through the blindfold, he can see the ruby red so clearly in his minds eye, she smiles at him. A true one this time and it sucker punches Cloud in the gut. The world goes white.
Cloud knows peace.
But, only for a little while….