i love you. it's an intimate confession, one brimming with emotion and hesitancy, a known secret between them that went unshared until now. the three words he's only ever dreamed of hearing but now that he's in the moment, he feels nothing but the urge to run away from them. it's a bad habit, one that's taught him harsh lessons. he can run and run and run, but no matter how far he goes or how many calls he lets go to voicemail, he can't escape his past or the people who matter most to him. his past hides in each face, in every thought, lurking around ominous corners, reminding him of those he's lost and steering him away from the present, away from those he loves out of fear that he'll lose them too.

tifa was a beacon of light calling him home, seeking him out in his pit of perpetual darkness. ever since they were children. their relationship was one built on a childhood promise that had eventuated into an unspoken commitment well into adulthood. they always found each other again, no matter how far he fled he would always return to her, so long as she would take him back. there's no running from this confrontation now and as her confession continues to spill out into the open, he realises the feeling that sits heavy in his chest is one of remorse at the time they've lost. at what could have been.

his boots feel full of lead, rendering him static, when all he wants to do is close the distance between them. fingers once curled into a stern fist relax, eyes averting as her voice trembles with emotion. he was always so caught up in the whirlwind of his own troubles that he failed to consider how they affected tifa. even now, the fear of being vulnerable with her hangs over his head like a dark cloud; the words, his own confession he yearns to relinquish and give voice to, feel like chalk in his throat.

“   tifa... i━   ”   everyone i love leaves me and i don’t know what i’d do if you did too. it rings in his ears and he feels that same sentimental feeling he got whenever they were reunited after time apart. however, this time it feels too important to ignore. all he can offer right now is to love her unconventionally and he hopes that will be enough. once silence has bled into the room long enough, cloud closes the space between them and draws her into his arms. his embrace is unforgiving as he holds her against him. his voice, low and breathy against the shell of her ear, wobbles with devastation at his own inability to give her the kind of love she deserves.

Giant,

While you were never exiled from the kingdom, you left it with hardly any other choice. You’re a bit different from everyone around you. The lens you look through is softer, more contemplative. While those around you run about, you like to walk a little slower. Study the world. Lend a hand. You know you’re a bit odd. Maybe not how exactly, but you know. People can clam up around you and while you want to soothe their anxiety you also feel no pressure to change. After all, you’d never ask anyone else to. But with corruption spreading rampantly in a once seemingly just court and your oddball nature, the kingdom turns its back on you. Different is deemed dangerous. Those closest to you recommend you leave for your own safety even though you could easily defend yourself. But for their peace of mind, you do.

You enter the Enchanted Forest with a reverence for it. It’s so much more than the mere protection it provides for you. You hope to find a purpose here. To help others, to help yourself. With your quiet strength, keen observation, and warm nature, you navigate the forest with ease. It works with you, rather than questions you. Upon reaching the opposite side, you are introduced to the Giants, who recognize you as one of their own. A gentle people, they use their wisdom and strength to protect the forest.

Despite their imposing size, the Giants more often than not disarm intruders with their compassion and unique insight. Understanding becomes your greatest weapon as you help unite the peoples of both kingdoms once the corrupted kingdom is overthrown. After the war, you become a guide for the forest. Preserving its beauty and sharing it with all those who seek to explore it. You have found where you belong. Everywhere, just as you are.

tagged by: @universestreasures​ ( thank you rari!! )

    “   t - tifa…   ”  his  voice  rasps,  eyes  narrowed  into  a  pained  squint  as  she  comes  into  focus.  it  feels  like  paralysis,  his  inability  to  move  his  limbs  as  his  body  registers  its  surroundings.  he  wasn’t  in  any  direct  danger  but  any  memory  of  his  journey  to  midgar  was  wrapped  up  in  a  tight,  blurry  little  bundle  that  wouldn’t  budge  no  matter  how  hard  he  pulled  at  the  edges.  the  mattress  underneath  him  felt  like  a  marshmallow,  so  soft  it  was  almost  uncomfortable;  the  sturdy  four  walls  that  surrounded  him  unrecognisable.  he  lifts  his  head  and  is  greeted  with  the  worst  headache  of  his  life.  cloud  gasps  and  his  hand,  now  with  returning  feeling,  clasps  his  forehead  as  if  doing  so  would  prevent  it  from  rupturing.      

he  collapses  back  against  the  pillow.  where  am  i?  how  did  i  get  here?  questions  pool  into  his  mouth  and  go  unvoiced  once  he  looks  at  tifa  again.  tifa.  amidst  all  his  confusion  and  pain  and  exhaustion,  there’s  an  inexplicable  comfort  to  be  had  in  the  sight  of  her,  like  the  comfort  of  home,  before…  before━    

you  remember  me.  that’s  good.

cloud  sighs  and  his  confusion  perseveres.  any  sound - minded  person  might  think  her  words  preposterous.  

“ . . . guess  that  depends,   ”   despite  his  casual  answer,  his  vision  begins  to  cloud  like  he's  due  for  an  oncoming  migraine. if  he  picked  apart  their  conversations  dating  back  to  their  reunion,  he  could  weed  out  the  sentences  that  didn't  quite  fit,  the  moments  of  confusion  that  left  them  sitting  in  an  awkward  silence  or  the  misunderstandings  that  meant  truth  often  went  amiss. it  was  overlooked  for  the  most  part,  but  tifa  was  perceptive  and  cloud . . . remained  in  the  lurch. his  confusion  knots  at  his  brow,  weight  shifting  until  he's  leaning  back  against  the  wall,  arms  crossed over his chest.

     𝐭𝐡𝐞  𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥  𝐬𝐤𝐲  𝐰𝐚𝐬  𝐚𝐥𝐥  𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐝  𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫  𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧;  and  yet,  this  moment  now  was  something  beyond  her  wildest  dreams.  the  warmth  of  the  sun  might  have  been  a  little  much  for  other individuals,  but  not  for  AERITH  GAINSBOROUGH.  no,  she  welcomes  it  with  all  her  heart!  she's  standing  there,  pink  and  red  clad,  basking  in  the  light  like  a  newly-bloomed  flower.  she  is  rooted  in  the  moment,  boots  planted  onto  the  ground  with  her  heart  open.  hands  rise  to  clasp  above  her  chest,  and  bright  greens  soon  disappear,  for  her  eyes  close  in  content.  a  tilt  back  of  her  head,  she  allows  the  sun's  rays  to  shine  upon  her.  the  cetra  relishes  the  moment  like  it  is  the  last  to  come;  and  as  if  gaia  responds  to  her  very  presence,  a  soft  breeze  rolls  along  by:  the  planet’s  way  of  saying  hello.   ❝  hmm,  ❞   an  inhale  and  exhale  follow  suit  to  tifa's  inquiry.  a  beat,  and  aerith  opens  her  eyes  again  with  a  smile.  greens  lock  onto  her  best  friend,  [  it's  safe  to  call  her  that,  right?  ]  and  the  brunette  gives  a  nod.  ❝  yeah,  way  bigger.  there's  so  much  to  see  in  this  world...  ❞   excited,  the  florist  hops  on  over  to  tifa,  arm  quickly  linking  with  hers.   

    ❝  i'm  ready  for  it!  are  you,  tifa?  ❞

@nibelfist 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚗.