#reader backstory

Introductions

Chapter 00

prologue part 1

A long time ago there was an eccentric little family living in a quaint little town.

The Smiths lived happily within the barbed walls of their home.

There resides 'Mother', 'Father', James, and lastly their eldest daughter Donna.

Now this family clearly wasn't like any other family living within this town; It was quite obvious that they were strange people, from the black lace they adorned to the way they referred to each other. When they walked the streets on sunday on their way to church everyone turned their heads to look at the spectacle that is the smith family.

However out of the four their daughter was the strangest by far.

the people of the town would often catch her wandering the streets talking to nothingness dwindling in the air. or she'd leave her house at the first glimmer of twilight to stroll through the forests.

Yes she was an oddball, but nobody really knew how odd she really was; and nobody knew how weird she was going to get after today.

Donna was violently awoken by the intensity of her brothers grip on her arms

"Donna, it's time to wake up, Mother and Father are going to be upset if you make us late to breakfast with the Weavers." Her brother had coldly stated in her ear.

She had forgotten all about the Weavers. In her opinion they weren't really that interesting; but they were a well off noble family of high stature which of course meant her parents needed to be in kahoots with them.

Rolling her eyes she ushered James out of her room muttering something along the lines of, 'I'll be down in a moment..'

"Well he ought to learn how to treat a lady, God I couldn't imagine what his 'love' is going through behind closed doors." She talked aloud to herself all while getting ready to meet with this stuck up pretentious family; But who is she to throw stones from a glass house, afterall her family is pretty well off. Even if some of them aren't all there in the head.

Its another one of those questions that will never have an answer

the townsfolk love to question where the family came from and how they got their money, as they seemling just showed up overnight one day; claiming a spot in town as if they'd been living here their whole life.

all the sudden she heard this screeching distasteful voice from downstai—

"ma choupette hurry up you are going to make us all late, and you know what happens when our parents are ups—

I briefly cut him off by slamming my door

"I was just leaving my brother dearest, tell our dear parents I'll be out in just a minute. I need to grab a snack for the road"

My brother audibly groaned when I said that

" Dearest you know you are going to upset them, why do you persist on angering them so much?"

I Promptly turned around to face him; to look him dead in his deep brown eyes.

"I don't care if wretched mommy and daddy are upset with me,, they think they can smoothe over the fact that they have fucked me over for my entire life with sweet words of nothingness? they can get angry at me for one thing, but in the end I have the most to be mad about"

James sighed, "Suit yourself Ma choupette, if this will smother your hotheaded flames I will go and tell our parents you need a minute."

'The utter audacity these people have, to go around parading me like I'm some sort of porcelain doll'

I thought to myself as I grabbed myself a basket from the counter to place yesterday's leftovers in. Deliberately I pick out an English muffin from the basket and head outside to where I'm greeted with the display of my parents sickeningly sweet grins.

"Donna darling what took you so long; You know your father and I like to be punctual."

'Mother' gave me a pointed look but I gave her one right back

"Did James fail to tell you I was preparing a little appetizer for the road? or did you just choose not to listen; seems you've both been choosing to do that a lot'"

They both gave another pointed glare as I entered the car but chose to not say anything.

'I don't understand why these idiots are such pills' I briefly thought before looking out the window.

'This is going to be a short but insufferable ride'

{760 words}

Rebirth Retold Chapter 12

Heavy spoilers for the Mount Corel Area Some dialog taken right from the game to stay canon

Masterlist

*~*

“What’s up with you?” Your feet wobbled unsteady, your back leg catching on an unstable patch of gravel nearly bringing you to the ground, as you looked to the hand that pushed you then traced along the slender arm up to the eyes of the perpetrator. Aerith, obviously, looked at you with curious eyes that swirled like the changing hues of Costa Del Sol’s aqua waters framed by her perfect chestnut bangs. “You look,” she scrunched her nose, the tip wiggling a bit as well, as she debated the right word to describe you, “distracted, almost dreamy.”

You puffed a sharp sigh as you pinched the bridge of your nose. You were growing annoyed at yourself for letting your head wander so much, and as a result you were growing sloppy. “Sorry. I didn’t sleep much last night.” Which was true. How could you? When his eyes haunted you, lurking when everyone else was preoccupied causing goosebumps to break out along your flushed skin and every nerve burst into flame. Even long after your lids had closed for the night they haunted you, your subconscious replaying the whole interaction over and over again leaving you on the precipice of madness.

You could still feel his warm breath fanning against your face as his fingers twisted in the sensitive locks at the base of your neck, his burning stare unwavering from your parted lips. The minty taste of him still coated your tongue and your thighs grew slick as you recalled the vibrations from his husky groan that rumbled from his chest into yours as he pressed you back into the gritty bricks behind you. He left no stone untouched as he stole the very air from your lungs, invoking thunder itself as little bolts of electricity shot through every finger and every toe. And, gods, how you wanted to rock yourself against the half hard length pressing into your inner thigh as he absentmindedly dug his hips into yours.

Those heavenly irises honing in on you like you were tonight's dinner and he had you right where he wanted you before pushing off you, clearly satisfied with himself as that devilish smirk painted against his pretty lips, leaving you simmering hotter than any hell fire Ifirit could conjure.

You weren't sure what pissed you off more: him riling you up and leaving you high and dry or that you were losing to pain in the ass, overly cautious, ex-soldier Cloud- fucking -Strife. And you couldn’t have that.

“Well, sharpen up.” The one and only barked only adding to your fury as the corner of his lip quirked up. Cocky son of a bitch. Your nostrils flared as you swallowed thickly. “Time to get to work.”

Your narrowed irises flicked up to the impending heights you’d soon be climbing through, and as much as you yearn to turn the tides back in your favor, the dumb asshole had a point. You had to return to the reason why they were journeying in the first place, and a treacherous unmaintained mountain is not where you’d want to be caught off guard.

Truth be told, you’ve never had to take this route in any of your travels. Corel was an optional stop to the saucer now that there were easier highways to the resort. You had thought about in once, when you caught a glance at its signs for a scenic hiking trail, but the jagged inclines of impenetrable rock, and the decaying trees that were ripped from the earth- roots and all- deterred you from the endeavor. It didn't help that the very first facility at the entrance was a heap of broken down stone with rusted wires and bent signs around it. You'd pass on the tetanus.

You were thankful that your career has been incredibly successful and that your clients were more than happy to shell out the money for the luxury train that ran through this mountain from the seaport right to the ground elevator of the ‘happiest place on Gaia’. Hell, on a few occasions, where time was of the essence, you’ve even been flown there from Junon’s airport. You wondered if Bill had helped your clientele find alternative trainers in your leave of absence or if they were all still waiting for your return to the theme park.

So anyway, you were not the slightest bit surprised the lifts had a huge out of order side against the side of its coppered tin walls, not that you’d have trusted it. “Out of Service.” Red’s full and resonant cadence read of the sign that everyone was staring at.

“So we gotta walk?” Aerith asked with an exasperated disappointment.

“Ah, you’ll be fine!” Yuffie dismissed loudly her voice a tad to condescending for your liking. “Fresh air, nice view…!” She continued as she stretched her arms far above her head. Sure it’s not a big deal for some of you, but from your understanding Aerith hasn’t exactly had a lot of experience, and hiking a full mountain is taxing even on seasoned travelers, yet here she was proudly running her mouth completely oblivious to how rude she sounded.

“The view ain’t all that.” Barret interjected, his eyes strained on the rock above him. “Not unless you enjoy starin’ at ruined reactors.” You peeked at him from the side taking note at the underlying sorrow in his tone. His face was set in stone but his clenched jaw and fisted hand gave it away that he was clearly distressed. His eyes lost their usual luster and in its wake were hardened darker pools of charcoal showing everything he’d never say; grief, and self-condemnation.

“Right…” Tifa drawled slowly weighing her words carefully to avoid upsetting him further. “You grew up around here, didn’t you?”

He brushed past her, ignoring her question altogether, and stalked towards the gate leaving the rest of you to stare after him. “Let’s get a move on.” He called back though it lack his usual bravado.

Cloud surged into motion after him without a word with you close in tow.

You could relate, if only a little. It was difficult to talk about the past especially if you were trying to atone for past crimes. If that was Barret’s experience as well then this homecoming could be one of the hardest things he may have to face. He’ll talk about it when he’s ready.

However, Yuffie, bless her soul, seemed to be completely oblivious to his torment as she excitedly ran circles around everyone to get up in Cloud’s face and waving her arms frantically- needlessly- to grab his attention. He huffed as his boots dug into the ground to avoid crashing into you, his arms crossing across his chest and brow scrunched together in annoyance.

“Hey, Cloud! Materia’s like… super-condensed mako or something right?”

“Yeah.” He deadpanned.

“So… that means, wherever we find mako… we’ll find materia too!” She pushed passed him, no longer interested in his answer, and ran passed Barret to the entrance only calling back with glee. “Alright! Timeout’s over, team! Let’s go!” A punch to the air punctuated her excitement as she got caught up in her own desire for materia.

Yuffie could be a real pain in the ass, but watching as Barret shuffled after her to explain how group dynamics worked brought a slow lazy smile spread across your face. Her natural ability to ease the weigh off other people is her true talent, and you hoped that whatever future lies ahead doesn't dim her shine. Plus free entertainment was hard to find. You bet your ass that you'd pick up your pace just to stay close enough to hear them bickering.

“What? So does that mean I gotta run everything by you first?” She inquired.

“Yep.” He emphasized the pop on the p to make a point.

“So, that’s the game… fine. Permission to sing, sir?” She sang earnestly.

“What?”

“Permission to scratch my back, sir? Permission to blow my nose? Oh, so tired… whoops! Didn’t get permission to yawn yet! Well? Do I get permission or not?” She asked back to back not even letting him get a word in, not that you think he deserved it. He laid that trap for himself.

“Sure,” He said as sweetly as humanly possible for him, “you can do it while you’re warmin’ the bench.” You chuckled, drawing the attention to the blonde beside you. When your eyes met an idea struck you: if he wanted to play then you’d play. You took a step to the right so you walked side by side, close enough that your hand could ghost along the wrinkled leather of his gloves. You watched the drag of his eyes travel down to your hands, the gears in his head turning as he fell for your trap. You could almost feel how strongly how much he wanted to take your hand in his own, and just when he gave into the desire you stepped away giving him a coy smile and a playful wink.

“That’s an abuse of power! Tyrant! Tyrant!” Your head turned sharply at the sound of Yuffie screeching. “Tifa, tell me your secret. How do you put up with this jerkface?”

You hadn't heard Aerith in sometime so instead of listening to the trio any longer, no matter how much you wanted to, you stopped and searched for the Cetra, your eyes softening as you saw the clear exhaustion plastered on her face. She was at the very back near Red who stayed patiently by her side as her feet were stumbling and slipping against the loose gravel. You waited till they nearly crested the hill where you were waiting to grab her hand, and help hoist her up. Her eyes were swimming with gratitude as she looked up at you, mumbling a quiet thank you as she dusted the dirt off her skirt.

You decided to linger around her in case she needed anymore assistance, and in doing so you had adequate time to really take in the scenery. The walkways began to taper off little by little as you scaled on. The loose grit smoothed down to dry dirt and sharp slabs bulging from beneath with winding pine roots trying to unearth themselves to find fertile soil. The foliage that peppered the ground were so brittle and frail that they nearly crumbled under your touch.

Places like these- locations with reactors- all have similar environments. The Planet’s energy is being sucked up right from its core and distributed to the bustling resorts, and thriving towns. Yet the forests, and plains show the damage. The desert around the Saucer for example, or the highway running between Midgar and Kalm. Yet no one but you ever seems to feel its’ pain.

You’ve been called crazy, understandably so, since you'd learned that most people cant feel or see the lifestream, and honestly you felt insane too. You had been deemed a failure in Shinra’s eyes but you've accepted that these abilities were probably the result of Hojo’s experiment, and with them comes the burden- the weight- of feeling its’ pain yet having no power to help.

You like to think that all of the lucent blue whisps that appeared to guide you in your darkest hours led you here, and now that its led you here. To a path you could do something to make a difference. To people who are willingly embracing you despite your reprehensible past.

You took a moment to catch your breath after climbing the top of a particularly steep crag and held out a hand to assist Aerith again. The two of you shared a look, giggling sheepishly, then you took a glimpse at the nice flat rest stop just ahead. And when you say rest stop you mean a decaying wooden bench and an old vending machine that flickered eerily however it did appear to be functional.

“Hey!” You called to the four in their own little group. “Aerith needs a break.”

Tifa turned first and immediately paced over to lend a hand regardless of you waving her off. “I’d say. You’re beat red.” She fussed as she held her hand to Aerith’s forehead.

“Sorry,” Aerith panted, “my legs’re killin’ me.”

“Let’s rest here.” Cloud declared with his eyes completely and wholly on you that swirled with a needless concern. You offered him an awkward thumbs up from your spare hand as you led Aerith to the bench.

“But, if we stop now, the materia-” Yuffie said with the slip of her tongue, “I mean the mystery men might slip away!” You rolled your eyes at her one track mind. Her obsession for materia was certainly annoying at times. “Hey I know what to do!” She proclaimed as she jumped up and moved into action. She was running up the path onwards with nothing but an explanation as she ran off. “I’ll go on ahead, and scout the area for us! You guys can catch up later. See ya!”

“Catch up later my ass!” Barret grumbled as he took off after her.

Tifa looked between Aerith and Barret as she hesitated who she should stick with. “I think I better go keep an eye on them.” She said as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she looked to Cloud for confirmation. “Barret’s not himself right now, y’know?”

Cloud nodded in agreement. “I know.”

“Take your time, okay?” She said as she pushed off her knees to a stand, giving Aerith one last assessment prior to dashing off with her boots crunching into the ground in search of Barret until she was no longer in sight.

And just like that it was the four of you sitting in the comfortable silence as Aerith caught her breath. After awhile the ground you had been staring at faded to a blur as you were swept into a moment of dissociation until a pair of black boots ground into your line of sight. You gaze flickered upwards to the man who adorned them, who was no doubt already searching for any signs of distress.

“What about you?” He inquired.

“I'm good.” You shrugged trying to play it cool. “Not my first mountain.” And it wasn't, but climbing and helping Aerith was proving to be quite grueling.

“Right.” He spoke absentmindedly his scrutiny swirling with mismatched emotions stayed fixated on you. You knew he could see straight through you, and it was both heartwarming and infuriating. “Just say somethin’ if you need a break.”

Alas nothing good came from your vulnerability and challenged ego. “Oh please, like you could keep up with me.” Would you ever be able to keep your mouth shut? Aerith ooooed beside you buying into your false bravado and eager to see the events that may unfold between the two of you.

“We’ll see.” He goaded. The sly smirk at the corner making you want to kiss the smugness right off his face and yet you missed it as he faced the next hurdle you'd have to cross. “Breaks over. Let’s go.”

You were pretty sure time stopped as the minutes turned to hours. Your thighs were burning with every step forward and your lungs equally uncomfortable as the air grew thinner. Your palms were aching with each ledge you've had to pull yourself on, and nails cracked from holding on with all the strength you had. Was this mountain particularly wicked or were you starting to decline? Poor Aerith really must be dying.

You were so focused between aiding her and surviving yourself you hadn’t realized Cloud had stopped until you’d walked right into his chest, eyes going wide as the intensity of his half lidded eyes stared down at you. “Shit. Sorry.” The words sounded heavy, sluggish, to your own ears. Why is it he can make your brain liquidate with just a heated stare?

“Can’t keep up?” He asked his attention flickering down to your parted lips. Maybe he wasn’t as unaffected as you thought.

“Some of us are trying to be helpful.” You shot back. You were practically giddy when the light in his eyes grew darker as they traced the way you tongue swiped over your bottom lip. You pushed at his chest to create some space before the others caught on then turned back to check on your friend. “Doing okay, Aerith?” Your voice the poster for a concerned ally.

“Yep! Feel great! I could do this all day!” She cheered, but the way her legs scuffed the gravel said otherwise. At least she still had some spirit.

“You’ve become one with the mountain.” Red explained just pace behind her.

“Say what?” You asked, the edges of your mouth curling into an amused smile.

“Really?! Thanks mountain!” Aerith exclaimed as she charged forward after Cloud, who hadn’t waited for the rest of you to begin scaling up the scaffolding. You smirked fully knowing what he was trying to hide from sight.

“The hell are you doing, Red?” Cloud asked only sparing Red a quick glance over his shoulder. Your thighs clenched. Down at the base of the cliff you had the perfect angle to stare up the his firm muscles flexing each time he climbed a ledge, or perfect glimpse of his ass as he heaved himself over the top.

“Relax. It happens to all new climbers. “If she passes out, I’ll carry her.” Red reassured him.

Red twisted his head back at your fountain of laughter with a growly rumbling from his chest. Oh, he’s serious. It only made you laugh harder. You could only picture him chewing on her dress while somehow balancing himself on two feet just climb the rock. You had to bite your bottom lip to stop it. “You that strong Red? I had no idea.” Once again laughter tried to overtake you as Red hung by his front paws, his claws anchored deep in the rocky ledge, as his back feet kicked off the side to rocket himself higher only yo sink his nails into the next ledge. It’s not funny. It shouldn’t be funny. Gods he's gonna hate you.

By the time you finally settled enough to climb the wall yourself the others were already trailing down the next chunk. It was odd to see them trust so blindly that you were still behind them. A true trust in your abilities for sure. You paused a second to watch the others move on without giving it a second thought to look back for you.

At the top a gloved hand waited to help pull you up and your heart stuttered in your chest. He waited for you.

With a heave you stood toe to toe. “Thanks for waiting.” You reached up to brush your thumb along his cheekbone.

“You okay?” He asked just above a whisper as he leaned into your touch like he'd missed the feeling from the day prior.

Your other hand tangled in his tank to pull him down to your height. You smooth lips just barely brushing against his chapped ones. “Now I am.” You confessed before pressing just that one centimeter closer to meet him, your mouth melting perfectly against him, and warm fireworks boomed all throughout your body. Turns out, you missed it too.

*~*

All the lighthearted fun came to a end in the aftermath of the Turks surprise parting gift. Two tons of flying steel shooting bullets and bombs at each one of you, and when it hadn't succeeded it switched to scorching fire or squashing you flat. It even burned a whole in your favorite boots. But, things didn’t turn sour until after it had been dealt with.

You found it unsettling that the Turks were also following the robed men. Were they hunting Sephiroth as well or were they after something else? Hojo also holds a special interest in. What did Shinra know about them that your ragtag group doesn’t?

Your apprehension didn't dwindle either, even after you met up with Tifa and crew. In fact the remnants of the old reactor only heightened your discomfort. You hoped beyond the most desperate prayer that the creaking grates held under your weight. A person could get mako poisoning just from breathing it in let alone falling into it.

The aftereffects of the explosion was horrifying even after all these years. Shinra hadn't even bothered themselves to clean up the debris. Pipes dangled precariously by a thread, hunks of ruined machinery falling through any cracks as the ground shook, and gaping holes in the walkways that you could easily fall through if you weren't paying attention. And the smell. It smelled like the babbling Brooks and a soothing breeze blowing across the summer trees and all things that life was made from. But it was twisted with an overwhelming pungent solvent mixed in. The effect on you was immediate. Pain blossomed behind your temples and your head felt pressurized yet faint. Your pulse pounded so clearly in your ears that you nearly believed you had gone deaf. To think that your developing body was submerged in this for months.

The merging of all things from the lifestream, and this man made atrocity was mans way of defiling the very laws of life itself. To drill into something so sacred should be impermissible yet the masses gather round and actually thank them. For what? Convenience? Luxury? What good would any of it be if life were to cease to exist and the Planet to run dry.

“Hey…” Yuffie’s voice droned on in the background, “so, what’s the deal with all these creepy hooded guys anyway?”

That was a question you had been meaning to ask as well. You were fortunate to have avoided them until now. You'd seen them in the distance as they ambled their way to Junon, and you were asleep on the ship when everything went down. Your skin crawled in their proximity. Their aura pulsated in greasy black waves with only one specific order whispering from their empty husks. Reunion. A sickening chill ran down the length of your spine.

“They’re Shinra’s victims.” Barret answered. That tracks.

“Huh…” She paused looking out. l towards the green pool. “Well, they’re in good company. I’ll give 'em that.”

“How do you figure?” Tifa turned to ask.

”When Shinra invaded Wutai it was… Pretty bad.” Yuffie kicked absentmindedly at some debris at her feet. “They leveled towns, killed thousands. And when the dust settled, they forced some bs truce on us.” She retold her story with a far off look that you've worn from time to time. Reliving the flickers of brutality came to easy when you're growing in the middle of it.

“I thought both sides wanted a cease fire.” Barret asked hoping to shed some light on the wars other side.

“The old geezers at the top did, yeah, but the rest of us were pissed!” Her fist met her palm. “They’d been running Wutai into the ground for years!” She yelled as she threw her hands up. “It was the last straw- we were done! Everyone was ready to kick those old parts to the curb. And that’s when Colonel Lodbrok’s team showed up. Three ex-soldiers ready to join the cause!” Your ears perked at the mention. Curious that not one, but three, soldier to defect to Wutai. Seems rather fishy, no?

“Who’d you say?” Cloud interjected as he walked from the back of the group.

Yuffie whirled towards him. “Lodbrok! His squad saved Wutai from those senile old fossils- paved the way forward! They didn’t do it alone though. While the colonel’s crew was rallin’ the people, their friend Viceroy Sarruf agreed to help. Then bam! Revolution. And that is how the interim government was born.” You'd never paid much mind to current events during the times of war. Not when you were fighting your own beneath the plate, and once you broke free you'd spent so much time wandering from place to place to stay hidden you never thought to read up on it. You knew more about the war with the Republic than this one which was kinda embarrassing, really.

“Revolution, huh? Y'all did good!” You snorted as Barret praised the young ninja. She beamed up at with a smile so bright with a childlike laughter as she soaked up the compliments. You forget she’s just a kid, sometimes.

“But… Why the interim?” Aerith asked from the side, her hand trailing through her bangs.

“Because, once this war with Shinra is behind us, the whole country’s gonna come together and decide what kinda government we want. Which is why we’re doing everything we can to make sure the interim ends in independence. Pretty cool, right?” She punched the air with her peculiar ‘ha ha ha’ that she does when she’s excited. And odd tick, but you all had your idiosyncrasies. Then she dashed off calling back at you. “Gonna stand there? Let’s get goin’!” You shook your head, but began to follow after her nonetheless.

But she was fast, and you didn't dare to leave Aerith’s side. You were sure she was doing just fine, but you wanted to be there just in case. In the lack of conversation and Yuffie’s exuberant presence breathing down your neck the ambiance quickly soured with the robes’ miserable groans taking point.

They were identical in most ways. All colorless skin, sunken eyes, and hooded cloaks. You couldn't make out any identifiable features. Well, maybe if you got closer, but you wanted as much space between them as possible. You were scared one touch would be all it took for their curse to grab hold and pull you down into its foreign clutches.

Did they feel pain? Their agonizing moans sounded like they came straight from the gates of hell, but if there was no consciousness, no host soul, who was in there to feel it?

Who were they all? Were they employees of Shinra, volunteers, or were they taken right off the streets and what experiment were they trying to perfect to have gone as badly as this. And lastly, how did it all link back to Sephiroth?

Your foot slipped out from under you and your hand snapped up to grip harshly at the railing beside you praying it wouldn't come loose. Relief washed over you that no one had seen you, it would’ve have suicide for your image, as you caught your breath. You straightened up and released your chokehold on the rusty tube beside you only for your wrist to be ensnared in a vice grip from behind. Your blood ran cold as the others walked on ahead.

You spun around quickly to frantically claw at his hand growing more desperate with each attempt. Why wont he let go?! “An..dy…” His mumbled words were filled with so much sorrow that it nearly broke your heart. His other hand outstretched towards your cheek. “Andro…meda.”

You ceased all attempts to break free as static took over the channel on your brain. What did he say?

Your arm was harshly ripped from his grip and your entire body pulled inti the firm planes of Cloud’s chest, your feet trembling as you stumbled back into him. Cloud was saying something in your ear an inquiry of sorts, but you were now hyper focused on the man in front of you. At first nothing stood out except the number 88 tattooed alongside his jaw like the other robed men, but the longer your eyes remained you could start to see what he once looked like. Salt and pepper hair that was thinning around his hairline, deep crinkles around his almond eyes like he had smiled a lot with the accompanying laugh lines that now looked out of place. Thin and cracked lips but arched at the top, and indentations on the bridge of his button nose like he wore glasses at one time. For a second you thought you'd seen a glint in his eyes like for just one mere second he had some clarity, but any trace was long gone now.

“Y/n?!” Cloud barked against you as he roughly grabbed your chin to look at you. His eyes were narrowed and sharp, his entire being vibrating with the need to take action. You hadn't meant to scare him so.

You closed your eyes and burrowed into his neck, breathing him in for comfort. “Yeah, sorry. I’m good.” You gave a weak smile to reassure him then stepped back to give him space though his hand stayed open like he hadn’t wanted to let go.

You wouldn't turn back to that shadow now solely focused on steading your legs. You couldn't unpack what just happened yet. Not now. It didn't go unnoticed when Tifa slowed to your side her eyes darting between you and Cloud then back to you as she undoubtedly fret over you. Cloud wasn't any better as he stayed three paces behind you, and didn't let his attention stray once.

You couldn't afford to lose your focus, but his face was burned into your skull. He knew her name. No one knew her name.

Their conversation about mako, and materia was distorted to the whispers in your head. Only when the surface began to bubble did you hear a world shattering cry. “It’s coming.” You whispered as you dug your ear into your shoulder to cease the ringing.

There was a hand on your shoulder, and an inquiry on their tongue, but you attention moved to the surface when the gargantuan beast breached the surface scattering mako droplets from its body through the air. It was breath taking, and frightening. It’s body was anything but smooth. Crumbly rivets swirled about it’s frame yet it was brilliantly silver and harder than any scale you’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s thick corded muscles twisted mid air to reveal the largest materia core recorded in history, before rotating once more to signal its depart. You saw your own reflection in its saucer sized eye, and with it tiny flashes of devastation that disappeared as it dove back into the mako disappearing with a piercing cry everyone heard. A few beads of mako landed on your cheek that your thoughtlessly brushed away. A weapon.

“Whoa!” Yuffie cried as she fell against the metal grate, the vibrations rattling clear under your feet.

“The hell was that thing?” Barret screamed and arm raised in defense.

“A weapon.” You answered, your eyes unmoving from the swirling green below you.

“That's correct.” Red spoke as he trotted over to your side. “Tutelary creatures said only to appear when the planet is in grave danger. Hojo has sought them for years.” You blinked the haze away to look down at him, your hand coming up to scratch absentmindedly at his head.

“Did you see what was inside it?” Yuffie burst and bounce with excitement. “That had to’ve been the biggest freakin’ materia ever! Just gotta figure out how to catch that overgrown fish.”

“The guardian of the planet?” Red asked astounded with the audacity of the little ninja.

“Whatever! I’m not about to let a materia that beautiful get away! And just so we’re clear, it’s mine- I called-”

“Shut up, Yuffie!” You snapped. “Are you so willing to destroy the planet for materia?! How is that any better than Shinra.” You spat and stormed off before you could say anything else. It was like you to lose control, but everything was happening so fast and you couldn't figure out how to handle it all. The man, your mother, the weapon, and now- How could she be serious?

Your foot steps against the metal clanged on even when the fury began to settle into ashes, and with it came some clarity. Guilt gnawed at your innards. You knew why she was so obsessed with materia, and obtaining it, but unchecked desperation was a deadly affliction. If not for the guardian of the planet where would she draw the line? Greed is what lead humanity here in the first place, and with the fiends emergence you'd think all planet dwellers would head its warning.

The soles of your boots halted at the edge of an old elevator. It appeared to be fully functional. All the thick braided cords were connected and intact. The door opened and shut accordingly, and it held your weight appropriately. Perhaps you should wait for the others before continuing onward.

It wasn't long until they came lumbering up the hill. You pushed off the operating console and skippered to the side to allow someone more skilled to have access to the panel. Tifa nudged up to you, looking around her hair that often fell into her face. “You okay?”

“I'm fine.” You said smile that didn't quite reach your eyes and a playful head tint to dissuade her concerns.

Stepping into the elevator was a bit, well much more that a bit, cramped. You body was quickly pushed towards the side as they filed in one by one until Cloud, at last, crammed in in front of you, his chest encroaching on your side in favor of being shoulder to shoulder with Tifa. With a ding that chimed above your heads the doors rattled open into coal mine. Before long the elevator dinged on the lowest floor and opened up into an old mine. You hadn't had a moment to look around lest you wanted to be left behind.

The grand peak you had read about in text books now stood grand before you, the point glinting in the afternoon sun. Of course the anchored gears into the sedimentary looked amiss, but it was once a coal mine after all. Now you stood on the on neglected tracks that once carried said coal straight to the heart of Corel only now the bascule bridge denied you passage.

“Dead end?” Yuffie huffed, very much the petulant child she could be.

“For now. Can’t cross till we lower it.” Red explained.

“Well this sucks.” She announced as she kicked the pebbles near her feet.

You gaze slides to Barret, who became the object of interest to everyone, and it was comical how long it took for him to realize all eyes were on him. “What?!” He barked, his meaty palm shooting up to the top of his head.

“You know this area… don’t you?” Tifa asked sheepishly obviously tip toeing around the obvious sensitive subject.

He scratched at the short hairs on his scalp looked to the mountain. Was the far off look in his eyes retelling all of his fond times or reliving the tragic events that occurred a long time ago? Eventually his hand lifted off his head to point up to the peak. “Control room’s up there at the top of the cliff.”

“How do we reach it?” Aerith asked.

“Through the mine.” He answered through clenched teeth. “Won’t be a walk in the park though. Place’s been abandoned for years.”

Near the base of the bridge cloaks of black stumbled erratically. It all happened so fast that it took everyone by surprise. At every obstacle thus far they had always halted their movements, and waited for the clear path to open up so imagine the horror that lanced through each of you as the first one stumbled right over the side to meet its inevitable demise into the craggy valley and into the unforgiving river that raged below.

“We’re workin’ on it! Just wait a minute!” Barret pleaded.

The hair on your arms and neck raised with alarm as the energy behind you began to change. The once gentle and resolute radiance was permeated by the same bleakness your robed friends were plagued with like a drop of black dye in the clearest of waters. Your breath froze in your lungs as an almost inaudible pressed in your ears, and everything in your being screamed at you to not look over to what you know you’ll see, but you couldn't run from this. You couldn't run from him.

Your fears were confirmed as Cloud took uneven unsteadied steps towards the edge. At first the others hadn't noticed anything was amiss, but as you took even paces towards him Cloud’s unresponsiveness registered on Barret’s radar. As his foot hovered over the edge you finally closed the distance roughly wrapping your arm around his bicep to yank him towards you. You gripped the sides of his face and pulled till he was level with your own.

Your thumb traced absentmindedly along his cheek your gaze piercing into him as an inner war waged on inside him. His eyes were not his own. The same color sure, but his pupils were nothing but dark slits not unlike the Midgar Zolom. “Cloud.” You called your throat constricting around the emotions welling in your heart. Your pulse sped up when your voice seemed seemed to have a clear effect on him. The foreign stare flickering back and forth from this unknown entity, and his own inner person. You could still feel him in there, the Cloud you were so utterly enamored with. “Cloud, come back to me.”

He gripped his head, falling back a step, and screamed in pain. His face set in utter torment before his knees buckled under him and his entire frame falling into you. He nuzzled his nose under your collar and hands clutched your sides hard enough you'd bruise, but his desperation to be as close to you as possible didn't deter you from hooking you arms under his to slowly walk him backwards to the test stop behind you. You refused to falter under his weight your sheer willpower enough to carry his burdens and your determination to be his pillar could overcome your own limitations.

Barret was quickly at your side to assist you and with his help you could comfortably lay him across the bench to rest since he was unable to hold up his own weight. You fetch one of the vacuumed cushions you always made sure to pack and ripped the wrappings off it with your teeth. Once the fabric inflated to its original state you slide it under his head.

“Perhaps the mako got to him.” Red speculated. “Regardless, he’s clearly tired.”

“Cloud could rest here while a couple of us go and lower the bridge, yeah?” Yuffie suggested. A pit of guilt licked at your lower stomach.

“Works for me.” Tifa agreed. You tried to step away just to offer your assistance but Cloud’s outer hand curled around your thigh and held tight. You looked down to where he clutched you. His arm was trembling, and cold, his eyes were squeezed tights and sweat trickled from his hairline. You couldn't bring yourself to try to pry him off, and truthfully you didn't want to leave his side. It was a unrealistic fear, but what if you went the others only to learn he'd leaped. “You should stay behind.” Tifa said as she looked over your shoulder, her voice wistful for something he could clearly not give her. Her gloved fingers tucked the raven strands behind her ears then the her hand fell to her bicep to rub the skin there absentmindedly. “He needs you.” She admitted with a tight lipped smile.

You only nodded in agreement. You had a feeling this cut her deeper than any normal childhood friendship bond could. You could hear the heartbreak, alongside the indisputable worry everyone of you were experiencing, tucked into every word. It was painted in her downcast eyes and inward shoulders.

“When that thing rings,” Barret pointed to the operating phone in the booth to the left. “you’ll know we’re done.” You nodded in understanding. “And you,” he pointed to where Cloud’s head flopped lazily to the side, “don’t move till you’re good and ready.”

“Alright, put your minin’ helmets on and follow me!” Yuffie broke out into a fit of youthful laugher. Whether so was trying to lift everyone's spirits or was genuinely oblivious to the disaster this trip had turned into you could only wished her ability for lightheartedness could be contagious.

*~*

You weren't really sure how long the ago they'd left spending most of it in your head, and the rest of it on the man laying in your lap. Your knew Aerith, and Red were probably just as lost as you were with the latest events, but you surprisingly was not handling it well.

You thrive on chaos and danger. It’s the been the only constant in your life, and you had made a home within it, but it felt like your like world was crumbling from under you.

The only thing you were sure of was that Cloud and the men were connected, and that means everything ties back into Shinra, and more so Sephiroth.

“I know you want to talk about it.” You said your tender gaze unwavering from Cloud’s relaxed face. “I just don’t even know where to start.”

“What do you make of these people?” She asked.

You stared out at the small group that have congregated at the base of the bridge. They no longer showed any signs of impatience, but that lingering thought still stuck to you. “Why did they jump off?”

“I don't know.” She admitted quietly.

“I think they're puppets.” You felt her cerulean depths slide onto you, watching with interest. “They haven't been impatient before right?”

“I don’t think so. They usually just wait around when they have no other place to go.”

“Exactly. Why jump off this bridge when there was no clear path, unless they were told to.”

“But Cloud-” She started.

“Is connected somehow.” You finished for her regardless of if she drew the same conclusion. You twisted your head to her, leaning the weight of it against the bench. “You felt it too, right?”

“I smelled a change for just a moment.” Red concurred from his place below the bench where he stretched his paws.

“It’s Sephiroth, I think.” Aerith said after sometime. “With the weapon appearing, and his search for the promised land cant be a coincidence. I just wished i knew more.”

“I’m sure with time we will soon understand.” He was right, but it didn’t really bring any reassurance.

You needed the information now if you were to help him. Was it possible that the hosts were still somewhere in the disabled bodies? You swallowed thickly before you opened your lips thinking about the incident that started todays downwards spiral, “That man… the one that grabbed me, knew my name.”

Aerith looked at you quizzically. “Y/n, he didn't say your name.”

“He did. I was named, on paper at least, after my mother who became Project Andromeda or Project “A” after she fell into a coma while she worked in mako research.” The two of them shared a look. “She was pregnant at the time so Shinra seized the opportunity to put her on a vent and submerge her body into mako in one of their many reactors to see if they could create a Cetra.”

“Let me guess, Hojo?” Red drawled.

“Who else.”

“So that man…” Aerith started, but then stopped. If she was thinking what you thought she was thinking you were grateful she didn’t put it in words.

You shuddered a breath, “He must've knew her or of her to know her name.” Or loved her, but you couldn't let yourself go there. Not yet. “It was a classified project.”

“I see.” Was all she said, and that’s really all there was to say. The only one who you tell you was him, and he’s in no position to spill.

When you looked back to your lap one gorgeous blue staring back at you without a trace of his earlier discomfort, and a true smile spread across you face. The weight that had settled on your chest was finally lifted. He's okay. “Morning sleepy beauty.”

He nuzzled his cheek farther into the fat of your thighs. “Hey.”

*~*

“Hello, hello! This is special agent Yuffie! Can you read me, Commander Cloud?” Her voice rang through the speakers as bright as sunshine. Cloud shook his head, amused by her perpetual cheer, and walked over to the phone. “How you doin’? Feelin’ better?”

“I’m good.” He responded.

There was some chatter that filtered through as if there was a struggle for the phone, before Barret’s husky timbre spoke through the static. “We’ll take a cart back down. You three follow the tracks till you hit the bridge in town. Figure we link up there before heading in. You copy?”

“Copy.”

“Oh, and set our route while you’re at it, will ya? The gentler the ride, the better. Don’t want anyone losin’ their lunch.” He chuckled.

“I’m beggin’ ya, Cloud please!” Yuffie pleaded like her life depended on her.

“I wouldn't mind some excitement, but whatcha gonna do?” And the line went dead.

Cloud faced everyone still here and squared his shoulders. He had a part to play. “Time to go.”

Cloud did what he could to push his growing fears back where it came from, but this latest episode had rattled him. He’d seen what was happening to Broden back in Kalm but he reasoned with himself that his time was farther down the road. ‘Don't take your youth for granted.’ He’s only twenty-one years old. He should have had years left, but it was hard to ignore the signs when he almost just walked ,off the cliff. He would have too, if it hadn’t been for you.

He wasn’t sure how or why but your voice had acted like a beacon, a light in the dark, to lead him back through the thick muffled void that threatened to swallow him whole. Your grip on his arm kept him grounded, and once he found himself pressed to your bare skin with your scent lining his nostrils he could finally feel himself again. When he woke he thought he might have died for a moment when your sweet face beamed down at him like the world was right again, and honestly he would've welcomed death if it had meant he got to be in that position every day with your fingers in his hair and the heat of your body seeping into his own.

But reality came knocking, and shit has to go on so he’s doing what he does best: put on a brave face and push forward.

When you reached the divergence in the tracks he quickly shot over to the navigation map to oversee what route their cart was charted to take. Once he figured which route lead where he opted to give Barret his thrill as a thank you, but he couldn't bare to move the level as your hand covered his. He swallowed thick as he met your eyes, then darting down to the sheepish grin, and back to your eyes. He let you pull his hand into the safer option.

“I owe Yuffie.” Was all you said and who was he to deny you when all he wanted was breathe the same air as you.

He was thankful for the fiends that provided him with something to occupy his mind from the darker thoughts that lurked between his ears but really you were proving to be all he needed to pull him off his axis. Your shining braid twisting through the hair as you moved around fiends, soft skin that brushed against his own from time to time that spread goosebumps in your wake, your bell like laugh as you bantered with Aerith and Red. Every little detail made his chest puff with longing, and he didn't know how much more he could take before all the desire in came to a head. He was no longer confused about what he felt, and he didn't give a shit if anyone else was looking anymore. He was done wasting what time he had left. He loved you, clear as day. It was fact. It was as true as the sun rising each day or the very blood that pumped through his veins. Youve stolen his heart that very first day you'd looked into his eyes, and he’d be damned if you didn’t keep it till his time was up.

*~*

Bonus scene 1

“So, Red…” Aerith started a hint of mischief playing on her tongue.

“No.” He flat out refused any whims she may be thinking. His delivery pulling out yet another one of your heart clenching laughs.

“I didn’t even say anything yet.” Aerith pouted.

“You didn’t have to.” He countered.

“One squeeze?”

“No.”

“Please? If not for me, at least for Cloud?”

He shrugged, feeling glad for once to be pulled into the silly banter. “I mean, I am kinda curious…”

A low growl emanated from beneath the tufts of red on his chest. A warning to heed.

“How ‘bout this?” Aerith started. “At the next inn, we treat you to a foot massage!”

“I was trained to give impeccable hand massages.” You chimed in though the thought of you treating him to one too had heat rushing to his face. At least he was in the front.

“Not you too.” Red sighed. You held your hands up in defeat and Cloud couldn’t contain the light laugh, your head turning quickly to eye him up.

“Did you just laugh? Guys!” You bounced on the balls of your feet. “Cloud Strife, just laughed.”

Bonus Scene 2

“Who’s this?” Aerith inquired as the both of you watched this cute little ball of golden fluff fly around Cloud even as he aimed to swat the creature away. To your delight it’s determination won out in the end as it chirped happily as it settle onto Cloud’s shoulder.

“Think of him as a tagalong.” Yuffie skipped directly into you too, wide smile in tow. She’s always so elated to stir up more trouble.

“Wait a sec…” Aerith whispered as low as possible into your ear. “That is uncanny.” She pointed between the tiny cluckatrice chick’s spikey coat and the near identical style of the merc’s hair.

“I know, right?” Yuffie cried out. “Meet ‘Cloud jr.’”

You stepped closer, as steady as you could as to not frighten the chick, and reached a finger out to scratch the tuffs just under its beak. The chick chirped and spread it wings, soaring around your head on its route to Cloud Sr.’s unamused face.

“Kill me.” Everyone chuckled at Cloud’s dismay, but the attention quickly shifting to Mama Cluckatrice’s grand entrance giving you ample time to soothe Cloud’s ruffled feathers.

With a quick look around to make sure no one else was looking you spun your finger around one of the front locks. You leaned in so your lower voice could be heard. “Don’t worry. You’re cute too.”

name:

death goddess

→ a goddess who represents or is associated with Death, the dead, the dying and aspects of the Underworld being the Absolute Death itself.

abilities:

afterlife manipulation

→ can manipulate the afterlife, an existence or region of reality where the individual's identity or stream of consciousness continues beyond the death of their physical body.

bloodlessness

→ has no blood or other circulatory fluid, being able to live without the necessary circulatory system in their bodies. Allowing them a sense of limitless stamina as they would have no need to oxygenate their cells with blood and survive horrible injuries since they wouldn't have to worry about bleeding out.

conclusion dominance

summary: [your name]’s backstory for she will be loved.

warnings: mentions of abuse, animal death, child abandonment, thoughts of homicide

a/n: this is mostly for me, but i wanted to share this with you guys in case you were wondering what i envisioned for the reader in swbl!

Chapter 10

Aftermath of a wild day, and early morning conversations

No Plot Spoilers for Rebirth

Mentions of hospital testing, isolation, and brief memory of torture

And with that the updates on the story have been completed. Thank you so much for being patient and rereading as I make the story something I'm proud of. Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season, and stay tuned for a brand new chapter sometime in January!

Masterlist

*~*

You stayed out on the beach well after the sun had set watching the oranges and pinks slowly turn to dark shades of blue and purple as you floated along the surface, letting the waves wash away the events of the day in the same way the tide erased any evidence of being used. The moon and stars twinkled above you, knowing nothing of your struggles, and in the vast expanse of it all your problems felt smaller in comparison.

In hindsight, you should have walked back with Aerith, or at the very least made prior arrangements to bunk with one of the girls. When you returned everyone was asleep and the door was locked. You had a sneaking suspicion that Aerith planned it this way, her eyes held that twinkle of mischief that always brought trouble. In the end you provided her the opportunity, and now you were reaping the consequences.

You shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, still dripping wet in this stupid bathing suit, burning bullet holes into the shoddy wooden door in front of you as if it was personally responsible for this mess. You cant believe youre seconds from actually asking Cloud to share his room. Just the thought caused your insides to somersault. You could just sleep on the deck, though you were not entirely comfortable with the thought of Johnny leering at you the whole night, who was still staring in your direction from down the hall.

You took a deep breath and only after you knocked three times did you let it out. For a minute you didn't think he was going to open and an uncomfortable nervousness creeped up on you making you feeling stupid, but before you could even turn around you heard the chain slide and the door opened with a click. “What.” He snapped before his eyes widen in surprise. It never occurred to you that he would wear something other than his soldier gear, other than the swim trunks earlier. He looked softer with his hair still damp, probably from a shower since you could smell the lingering scent of whatever bodywash he used, and a simple t shirt and shorts. And his hands, you felt them bare and on your skin earlier, however you didn't actually see them ungloved until now. “Hey. I thought you were Aerith.” You frowned, had he been waiting for her? As if he could read your mind he said, “She's been bugging-” He sighed. “She’s a pain in the ass.”

You pursed your lips before sighing a laugh, “Yes, she is. She uh, locked me out, and Barret,” you pointed down the hall to his room, “is snoring to loud for Red to hear me.” You muttered. “Is there another bed, oh-,” you asked as you peeked around him into the room pausing for a second to long as you stared at the single queen bed, the prospect of sharing it with him momentarily short circuiting your brain, “nevermind. Sorry to bother you.”

You turned from him quickly to hide the heat that rushed to your cheeks in embarrassment, scurrying down the hall to the front desk. Johnny sat behind it with his feet on the surface his head resting on the back of his chair as he eyes drooped. You knocked loudly on the surface of the desk when you reached it to ruse the obnoxious red head from his cat nap.

He jolted up, nearly falling out of the rickety chair as he did so, before sitting up straight and blinking the remaining haze of sleep away. “Oh, hey!” His timbre rough and slightly dimmed from his usual exuberant greetings. “Caught me off guard. What can I do for you?”

“Do you have any other place I can crash? All the beds are taken.” You asked tightening the towel around yourself as his eyes fell lower.

“Ah, shit.” He mumbled sheepishly, a lopsided grin forming on his face. “I don’t have any other rooms, but there’s a futon in my bunk you’re welcome too. I promise I don’t bite!”

You opened your mouth to decline, fully intent on finding a tree limb or a bench to sleep on, before Cloud shut the conversation down, his tone darker and flat like it did so many times before when a joke went to far, or Barret pissed him off. “Not happening.” You were surprised to see that he was leaning against the frame of the open door, his arms crossed, body tense, and darkened eyes focused on you, instead of returning to whatever he was doing before you came knocking. “Come on.” He said to you as he ignored Johnny’s frantic apologies behind you.

Your heart pounded with every step closer. He pushed the door open more to allow you inside, and as you passed you peered up at him through your lashes taking a peek at the chilling glare he shot over your shoulder before wrapping a warm palm around you, nearly sending your heart straight through your ribs, and directed you inside, the lock clicking back in place behind you.

He dropped his hold on you like he'd been burned and stalked over to the storage cabinet, opening it to rummage around. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

You stood in the middle of the room suddenly feeling out of place. His offer didn’t surprise you but it definitely didn’t sit right with you. “Yeah, no. There’s a chair over here I’ll be fine.” You pointed to the lump of earthy moth eaten cloth. You've certainly slept worse.

His brow quirked as he turned to stare you down like he couldn't believe you'd have the nerve to argue. He turned back to the closet to pull out another worn blanket. “Don’t argue.”

You crossed your arms across your chest, the nervousness fading away in the familiar back and forth between you. Was it strange that you enjoyed the bickering and banter that came along with testing Cloud Strife’s patience? You found it quite thrilling really, to be the only one that could get under his skin, and challenge him. You smothered the grin that wanted to form, turning to look at the queen bed not ten feet from you. It was worn but looked clean with thick white blankets- a terrible color choice you may add- to protect the user from the chill that came from the open arch that led outside. It wouldn't be as comfortable as the luxurious one on the ship, but that devilish voice in the back of your head knows you'll probably enjoy this stay more. You turned your gaze back to the blonde man. You wanted to see the look on his face when you said your next sentence. “Fine. We’ll share.”

Hmm, he never disappoints does he? Those mako pools you'd love to drown in widened in shock, his adams apple bobbed as his throat constricted, and a dusting of pink colored the tips of his ears. His hand fisted in the extra blanket he held as he glared at you. If only you could take a picture. “You’re not serious.”

Your feet padded against the chilly wood as you approached the bed and ran your fingers over the threaded stitches of the bedding. “Look, it’s only weird if we make it weird.” You pulled the side over to reveal the cotton sheets. You let the towel drop to the floor, and sat down on the edge of the bed. You bit at your bottom lip as you came up with a joke to ease the tension, your eyes flickering back to meet the eyes already on you. “I promise, I won’t bite.”

You couldn’t tell if he wanted to kill you or kiss you until you caught the almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of his mouth, the subtle smile was slowly becoming addicting to you. “You’re not seriously going to sleep in…” his words tapered off and eyes shifted away from you, too embarrassed to say the words out loud. You looked back down criticizing the lack of material of this cursed garment. You weren't exactly happy to be forced into his bed barely clothed, at least not in this circumstance.

“All my stuff is with Aerith, so yeah” You answered as you shuffled under the cloth to cover yourself the best you could. You tried your fucking hardest not to dwell on the idea that his skin could brush against yours under the covers if he agreed to share.

You heard him pace away from you, your gaze never leaving the pattern of the blanket across your lap, accompanied by the distinct sound of clothes rustling, before his footsteps stopped at the edge beside you, and a ball of clothes landed on your lap. Your hands turned the pieces over the familiar dark shirt you've clung to a few times he’s shielded you with his own body, your eyes flicking up to look at him with a softened gratitude. “It won’t fit, but better than nothing.” He spoke tenderly, face turned away from you and his hand scratching at the back of his neck.

Your chest warmed, and your stomach flipped. The gestured meaning more to you than him you were sure. You whispered out a ‘thank you" before shuffling out of bed and into the bathroom. You clutched the shirt to your chest willing your racing heart to calm as your back rested against the closed door. With a heavy exhale you placed the new clothes on the counter, and shed the delicate pieces of your suit, kicking them under the sink to never see again. You quickly pulled the tank over your head, and the accompanying boxer shorts on, before staring at yourself in the mirror. The fit was comical the shirt hung to your mid thigh and no matter how you positioned it one side always drifted down to your bicep leaving your shoulder bare. His scent enveloped you, leaving you light headed with want, and a tiny bit giddy that he'd given you something that he cherished. You can't imagine he had many of these laying around, and before tonight you’d never seen him in anything but this. You slapped your cheeks. You couldn't start thinking you were special. While you were sure there was something between you, you couldn't lead yourself on just because you may be reading his actions wrong. So before you could over think it even more you left the privacy of the bathroom and carefully crawled into the bed next to him, ignoring the way his heavy stare cause goosebumps to break out along your skin.

The air felt thick enough to cut, the tension almost a physical force humming in the space linking you. “Goodnight.” You whispered as you rolled away from him, your face directed at the doorway.

“Night.” He muttered, his stare still on you until he finally conceded his body shifting for a few second before he settled on his back next to you.

You nearly vibrated with how much you were hyper aware of everything around you. The crickets dancing outside in the prickly grass, the far off sound of the crashing waves, the brisk chill that the rustling wind swept through the open floor plan. Yet his breathing overshadowed everything else along with the subtle squeeks of the bed frame anytime one of you moved, and the heat that radiated from his body and sank into yours even across the good five inches between you. Why was he so warm? All you wanted was to crawl over to him and bask in the warmth he promised.

Instead you wrapped the blanket more firmly around your shoulders, and curled your knees to your chest. You had to wonder; Did he ever lie awake at night thinking about what it'd be like to be together? Or was this whole thing just a fantasy?

*~*

Cloud’s eyelids blinked open in the dark room, his mind hazy with the remnants of deep sleep, in a panic that felt like a hand around his throat. The room was unfamiliar in sight and smell but as his eyes adjusted to the darkness the pressure slowly eased as his brain pieced the surrounding together. Once the lingering adrenaline disappeared and his breathing returned to normal his head returned to the flat pillow, his brows pinched in annoyance and a low groan rumbling in his chest. He was use to waking up in the early hours of the morning, but he hasn’t had a restful sleep like this since he was a child before the mako enhancement and the obnoxious city chatter threw the thin walls of his Midgar apartment, and even if he tried to chase the blissful realms of sleep he knew it would continue to slip from his fingers like the sand in an hourglass.

Instead he let his gaze wander around the four walls looking for anything that may have stirred him from sleep. The moonlight spilled into the room from the open patio casting gentle shadows around the space, none looking suspicious enough to pull him from unconsciousness. He strained his ears to listen for anything, a creak, whispering, maybe even a fiend, but again nothing except the crashing waves and the cool morning breeze through the palm trees outside.

He went to swipe a lock of hair that fell into his eye but quickly became aware of the position he was in. Over the course of the last few hours or so he somehow wrapped himself around you. His right arm curled up under your head as a makeshift pillow, his other lingering over your waist to keep you snuggled close. Even your legs were entangled with his. One knee pressed in between yours, your thigh slung over his hip.

He had to wonder if it was you who chased him into this embrace or if his body took matters into its own hands and grabbed you like he'd wanted for so long. Butterflies, as Aerith described the feeling, fluttered a mile a minute as he just laid there contemplating what to do. He should pull away, he knew that, but you were so warm and inviting. Your soft curves melted against his body like the two of you were always meant to fit together. And-fuck- you always smell so good it made his head feel fuzzy. What he wouldn’t give to nuzzle into your bare shoulder, the strap of his tank having fell down as you slept, and really breathe in that warm vanilla.

Are you sure you don’t want to be more than friends with her? Tifa had asked him earlier on the beach, and he told her to drop it. That it was none of her business. Truthfully, he was to focused on the throbbing between his legs to think clearly and any little mention of you only made it worse, but thinking on it now he knew he wants to be more than whatever this is. He was starstruck the moment he met you, and his silent obsession grew with every little thing he learned over the last month.

He knew you liked to sleep under the stars instead of being in a tent. The stuffy ceilings reminded you too much of the slums you'd said. He adored the way you laugh at Barret’s stupid campfire stories. He loved how delicate you were with chocobos. How the creatures seemed to just light up in your presence. Most of all he loved how you challenged him, kept him on his toes, but his heart demanded more.

He wanted more than accidental touches and stolen glances. He wanted soft moments like this to hold you and shield you from anything trying to hurt you. To hold your hand as you walked around town even if he'd be insanely embarrassed to be caught being soft for you. He wanted to know everything about you and be the only expert in all of Gaia.

He lifted his hand up and brought it to your face letting the pad of his index finger slide down the slope of your jaw before cradling you cheek in his palm, his thumb brushing softly along your bottom lip. He was in love with you. The only girl that captured his attention, who could keep up with him and slay fiends like it was nothing, not to mention that smart mouth. You were never afraid to call him out on his bullshit. His heart was humming to the tune of the spell you’d cast on him, the incantation spoken from your lips every time you said his name, and gods he’ll let you, over and over, if you could stay like this.

He could stare at you for hours. You were just so fucking pretty, especially like this. With the moonlight highlighting your frizzy hair from rubbing against the cotton sheets, and those eyes hidden beneath long lashes that you'd bat at him from time to time. He aches to kiss your perfect button nose just to see how you'd react before leaning down to catch your lips for real, not just because he lost a bet.

You made quiet whimper and his chest squeezed painfully tight as a lone tear fell from your lashes before he wiped it away letting his thumb linger under the mole just under your eye. Another nightmare? He’d woken more times than he could count to your quiet sleep talking on the road. Each whimper and sob hurts like he was physically wounded, but then you'd wake and take off for an hour or two before the others would rise for the day and you'd pretend like it never had happened.

This time would be different. He pulled you closer, the hand under you head moving to thread through your hair that was spread out on the pillow behind you. He could be your lighthouse in the storm no matter how thick and immovable your lurking darkness proved to be. With his unwavering determination he would guide you back to him.

*~*

“Y/n.” You heard it over and over. A gentle whisper murmured over the repetitive beeping of the monitors. Who was Y/n? Was it calling to you? You've only been referred to as “Project ‘A’” or “Project Andromeda” or “the subject”. Yet somehow you knew it had to be you. The voice felt so familiar and safe that you found yourself trying to leave the uncomfortable bed despite the restraints being firmly in place.

You looked around the stark white walls. You weren’t awake very often, you only come to when those doctors wanted you to do something, but there were times when the foggy medicine they gave you worn off and you'd start to count the tiny tiles on the ceiling above you. It was hard to say how just how long you've been conscious before someone noticed, you had no way to judge time, but one time you had gotten to 1122.

Counting also helps distract yourself from the pain. There was always so much pain. You stopped begging for help a long time ago, and strangely enough once you accepted that this was just life it became easier to ignore. You'd rather be present and in agony than the cold numbness that came with the foggy meds.

You had grown so use to being alone that you knew the moment someone was looking at you just like you could hear the faintest of sounds as long as it wasn't the regular drone of the machine beside you. Occasionally it was one of the white coats to observe you, but more often than not it was that man. He made you feel small, scared, even insecure under his sunken scrutiny. He’d never address you, only talk about you even though you were right in front of him. Not even the thick glass that kept you inside could dampen his deranged cackles. He made you nauseous. His hair was greasy, skin shriveled and wrinkled like wet leather, and those beady eyes left you feeling exposed. There was no life when he was done with a ‘specimen’, and truthfully death would have been kinder.

When you opened your eyes again the white walls were gone, and replaced with an eerie alley. Most of the street lights were burnt out, the only light illuminating the path was the flicker of the middle lamp on the street, and a neon fluorescent sign that advertised a house special cocktail. Your three inch heels glided gracefully over the loose gravel, avoiding the suspicious puddles on the ground -piss or vomit from the smell- before you stopped at the decadent storefront for Madam M’s parlor. You breathed deep trying to brush off the echoes of the previous sessions, the fear of your upcoming punishment made your hands tremble before you balled into fists at your side.

You’d completed the assignment just as she wanted, no witnesses, classified information, and large sum of gil stolen from the hidden safe, but in the thick of the battle your blade lacerated the wrinkly old bastard at the wrong angle and his blood sprayed back at you like the gentle mist setting on a hose. Needless to say, the fine silk of the kimono- she insisted you wear- was ruined and there was nothing she hated more than ruined delicacies especially since it “costs money to be desirable”.

You thought about running away, to be a coward, but after the murder of your best and only friend you felt like you deserve the punishment. You're used to pain afterall. The moment you walked in she saw it. Her palm swung back and landed flat against your cheek, the smack echoing around the fancy lotus painted walls and continued to burn long after her hand left your skin. You grit your teeth, and take it, swearing to yourself you wouldn't flinch or cry. Once again, as she screamed obscenities at you, you felt insignificant,worthless, like you hadn't just stolen half a million gil and slaughtered a drug lord and his ten bodyguards like a day on a farm. You tried to remember that you single handedly fund all of her guilty passions within just eight hours of your time, but no, she knew exactly what to say to make sure you still felt like that little girl she took in after nearly losing your maidenhood to a group of common thieves.

The true punishment awaited you at the bottom of the steps in the basement. The clicking of her heels on each step were loud in your ears as you lifelessly followed her down into the salon that was designed just for you. She needed a punishment that instilled fear into your very essence, and being the vain woman she is she knew she couldn't leave a mark on your perfectly toned body that brought men from all over Midgar to see. Fortunate for her, her craft gave her the knowledge of a 'treatment' that could deliver her message without leaving a single scratch or bruise. You climbed onto the stiff massage table under the low flickering fixture. You'd spend hours well into the early morning, writhing under her dainty hands as she twisted her knuckles into your levator scapulae and down into your latissimus dorsi over and over again until she got bored or you finally broke.

She’d leave you there without another word and when she was finally out of ear shot you’d let yourself fall apart. Your throat felt like it’d been scrubbed with sandpaper and every sob that shook your body made pain shoot everywhere like fireworks at a Shinra parade. Sometimes she created so many knots in your muscles you couldn't move for hours other times, this specific session included, you were left so exhausted you'd welcome the darkness that snuck up on you, allowing it to swallow you whole.

“Y/n,” the soothing voice whispered again as if it was right next to you, rousing you from the relief you'd rightfully earned. “Wake up, y/n.”

Your eyes snapped open and your chest heaved with every hyperventilation. Your hands pushed at the body in front of you desperately trying to make space between the unknown threat, but he just pulled you in closer. The tight embrace soothed the panic bringing a sense of peace to your fight or flight response and slowly the tension drained from your tightly wound body.

You blinked back the water accumulating in your glassy eyes. Bright blue cut through the shadows surrounding you before more came into focus revealing his furrowed brow and firm scowl set on his plush lips as he peered down at you just inches from your face. The fog continued to lift as your gaze danced along the splatter of freckles across the bridge of his nose. Safe. You felt so safe right here in his arms.

As quick as you thought it, the sensation faded into thick a embarrassment, your face turning as red as Red’s fur, and the organ in your chest hammered against your ribs as if it was a battering ram. You apologized profusely as you tried to untangle yourself from his embrace, yet his grip only tightened around you, the new closeness burying your face into his chest. Your breath hitched as your hands came up to fist in his sweater, and your entire body zinged under his touch.

“It’s fine.” You peeked up at him through your lashes to be graced with the image of his face stained with a pretty pink. His eyes never wavered from your own as his hand moved slowly to your cheek to wipe a trail of wetness away. “You were crying.” He whispered, his breath fanning over your face in the little space.

“Nightmare.” You said just as quietly. His hand brushed back a strand of hair, his finger swirling it around his finger, and tucked it behind your ear. “I can move. I know you don’t like people in your space.” You offered, but made no effort to move.

“It’s fine.” His chest rumbled against yours. “I don’t mind… if it's you.” You swear your heart stopped. If it's you.

It's ironic, you thought, that his mako eyes could look at you in the softest way possible when the transformation into a soldier intended to make him intimidating, inhuman. Yet their gentle glow only added to his god like appearance. “Do you… Want to, talk about it?” He asked. His hesitation made him more endearing, like a diffident youth that had no experience in comforting another, yet he’d try for you.

Your gaze lowered to the steady rising and falling of his chest. If you told him would he look at you differently? Would he recoil as if you'd poisoned him too? You breathed in deep as you closed your eyes and let it out in a shaky breath. No more running. “I ran into… Madam M. I'm sure you know her.” Your whisper wavered.

“Is she your mother?” You opened one eye just enough to see the betrayed look you were expecting, and when you didn't find it a weight eased off your shoulders. Figures that he'd already know. You haven't had much luck in keeping your secrets around him.

The first rays of sun now shined through the holes in the torn up curtains behind him. A few streaks of light landed on his messy spikes making them appear more golden like Piko’s coat, and suddenly you felt homesick for a home that was never really yours. “Not in the sense that you mean. She took me in when Shinra dumped me in the slums.” He nodded in acceptance, a single spike came down to brush against your forehead.

“All I need to know is if I can trust you. Was this all a lie?” Maybe you should have expected him to doubt her, after all Aerith had told you that the two of them had to play her games for a while. Now you felt a tad guilty that you just assumed he, and the whole group, would cast you aside once they found out.

“I haven’t lied to any of you. Whatever she told you, that isn’t my life anymore. I promise.” You hope your genuine sincerity was conveyed.

His eyes searched yours as his calloused thumb, stretched out from the palm that now cradled your face once more, traced your bottom lip. His head ducked down to your level, his face inching closer and closer until the tip of his nose barely brushed yours. Could he feel you heart thumping through your chest trying to land safely in his palms where it belonged? You could only hope you didn't look as nervous as you felt. “And this?” He asked as his attention shifted down to where his thumb stilled on your bottom lip.

Loud knocking thundered through the room and shattered the moment. A squeak escaped through your parted lips as you flinched away at the same time Cloud nearly fell out of the bed. “Y/n! I have your stuff!” You cursed your perky Cetra friend as she sang in her teasing voice, her unfortunate timing ruining what she worked so hard to set up in the first place.

A bashful puff of laughter rang from your chest as you looked back at Cloud to flash him an apologetic smile. He quickly stood from the bed to make himself busy on the other side of the room, but you still caught the scarlet coloring on his ears. You reluctantly left the warmth of the bed, sad to burst the bubble that the two of you had been so cozy inside, to open the door greeting your friend with a simple ‘hey’ and completely regretted it immediately. You should told her to go way.

Aerith immediately smirks at you with a brow cocked in amusement as she made a show of looking you up and down at your current sleepwear. How could you have forgotten? “Good morning! Nice jammies.” Her grin is the biggest you think you've ever seen. You snatched your bag from her hand and shut the door in her face, her laughter almost louder on the other side of the door. “We’re going to get everyone breakfast!” She sang. “We’ll be back in twenty!”

You let your head thump against the hollow wood, possibly even getting a sliver on your forehead. You groaned. There was no way she wasn’t going to tell everyone. You gathered the courage to turn back when you heard him clear his throat, finding him hunched over his bag on the floor. “Bathroom is all yours.”

“Thanks.” You clutched the bag to your chest like a lifeline as you scurried off and sealed yourself into the cramped bathroom. You threw your bag onto the counter before leaning your weight against the door, and covered your face with your hands. What the fuck was that? Did Cloud Strife, ex soldier, legendary merc, about to willingly kiss you? He did lose the bet, but that felt much more intimate than a wager gone wrong. Maybe he wasn’t as closed off as you’d thought.

You threw your hands down away from your face before getting your shit together. You dug a brush out of your bag and ran it through your h/c locks and twisted it back into its usual braid. You peeled of the tank top that you were now hyper aware of how it smelled like him and folded it neatly onto the counter along with the boxers, and quickly redressed in the new outfit you acquired yesterday. Once done, you stared at your reflection in the mirror hoping it would give you some clarity.

You could feel hope swell with every breath and you needed to remind yourself that there were bigger issues to focus on, but you can’t stop picturing how he looked at you, the way he wouldn't let you go, and the vulnerability he was willing to share. You could still feel his palm on your cheek or his thumb stroking your bottom lip. Your heart still hasn’t settled, and your stomach was still crawling in butterflies. Your group had the planet to save, but your heart and soul wanted Cloud Strife.

A soft knock rattled on the door. “You okay?”

You opened the door quickly, afraid he might think something was wrong. “Yeah, sorry.” You did a little twirl trying to ease the weirdness going on by being playful, before looking down to pick some lint off your shirt. “What’d you think? It’s not my old ones, but-”

“It’s great.” Your eyes floated to his as the corner of your mouth tugged into a smile. He remained unreadable, damn his poker face, but the quick response was enough to know he meant it.

“Great.” You shifted from one foot to the other and paced into the room, glancing up at the clock as you passed it. “We should get going. They should be back any minute.”

“Right.” You reached for the door knob ready to tuck this event into your memory, with the hope there was more to come, when he softly called you name.

You turned around, curious that he had more to say, Cloud wasn't normally the talkative type, only to be met with his larger frame pushing against you bullying you back into the door. His arms came up to the wall on either side of your head as his eyes, now determined and smoldering, stole your breath away. Before you could even say his name, his lips crashed over yours, molding perfectly against you and for a moment everything stopped.

The world faded away as you melted against him and warmth blossomed everywhere your two bodies touched. Your hands flew up to his chest in an effort to ground yourself, the faint thump of his own heart beat rapidly under your hands. He was a bit inexperienced, and his lips a little chapped, but the kiss was soft and inviting until he grew a bit bolder and added more pressure. His hands fell from the wall. One to your waist to press himself that one step closer and the other ran through that one strand of hair that liked to curl by your ear to your jaw before tipping your face up with a finger to deepen the kiss.

Your lungs burned when he parted for air, your chest heaving as you struggled to get air back into your body. He didn't pull away like you thought he would instead you both silently stared at one another. You wished you knew what he was thinking or if he was just as elated as you were, but the cool aloof composure he presents to everyone slid back into place. He stepped back and scratched at the back of his neck, a tiny bit of nerves his facade couldn't hide. “Had a bet to settle.”

“Right.” Your lips spoke even though you were lost in your head your hand coming up to touch your mouth that was still tingling.

You awkwardly shuffled to the side as he reached out to pull the door open fully intent to follow him out the door though once it was open he turned to look at you again. A flicker of mischief sparkling within his eyes as he spoke to you, “Let’s mosey.”

You snorted a laugh through your nose as you left the uncomfortable thickness in the air behind along with his terrible attempt at joking around. It was as you shut the door behind you that you realized your heart decided what you wanted long ago and now all you wanted was follow this man anywhere on Gaia. You only hoped you'd have the courage to reach out and seize what you were already sure was yours.

*~*

True to character, Aerith was a complete pain in the ass. She hounded you for details, even pulling Tifa into her shenanigans, and was only subdued when provided with the details of your night in Cloud’s bed. You kept the kiss, and almost kiss, to yourself. It was something you wanted to keep between the two of you, for now.

You’d just finished your breakfast and stood up from the deck stairs, the wood creaking under you as you rose to your feet, and tossed the container into the trash by Johnny’s desk, who you were thankful was away for the moment, and returned to the others at the bottom of the deck near the entrance. Everyone agreed that Mount Corel was the next best course of action seeing as the few robes that had survived Hojo’s discussting experiment were seen moving that way, and the Saucer was that way too.

It was now or never. You thought. (Not really but, you know, it built confidence.) You bit the inside of your cheek, and tugged at the tips of your fingers as you built up the guts to come clean. What if they tell you to get lost? This could be the last time you’ve watched Barret shove bullets into the chamber on his arm. What if you never got to make fun of him for having a tantrum when it jams again? Aerith was crouched down and chatting to Red. You couldn’t bare it if you never got to sneak him treats again even after everyone else said he’s had enough to eat. Cloud and Tifa were standing near the hill ready to go, and you felt disappointed that you might not get to spare with her anymore. Of course the possibility of being kicked out was probably all in your head, after all you thought it’d be Cloud who would have an issue and that worked out okay.

Now or never. “Hey, guys?” All their faces turned to you, and being in the spotlight so to speak you felt like a piece of meat that a pack of wolves were circling. “I've been thinking…. that I’d like to stay- w-with all of you. Full time.” You bit your lip frustrated that everything was coming out all jumbled. You could see Barret opening his mouth for some ridiculous speech so you quickly held up a finger to stop him. “But…I have… a confession.” Tifa and Aerith shared a look, clearly worried, that made this harder somehow, but just blurting out, ‘I’m a murderer' didn’t feel like a good idea, though not much can make the truth any easier.

You looked down at your shoes to escape their piercing stares. “Madam M, who you know, took me in, as a child I mean, when Shinra dumped me in the slums and she-” You huffed, “She needed me to do her dirty work. Shady jobs, conning people, and more often than not, a hit. I hurt a lot of people. Mostly scumbags, but some were- anyway I understand if you want me to kick rocks. I just,” you sighed, “Thought you should know who you’re traveling with.”

An eternity of silence stretched on in agony, or anticipation for the optimists. You waited patiently for their verdict, and you suppose it would be the ultimate punishment to lose the ones you’ve come to love. It wouldn’t be like the times before when she had them killed. No, it’d be worse because they’d choose to leave you. You knew it was always a possibility. You just didn’t expect it would hurt so much.

“Are you done?” Barret’s rough bark felt sharper. This was it. “We’ve all done shit we ain’t proud of.” Tifa nodded along with him. “You the same girl we been travelin’ with?” You nodded, to worked up to trust your own voice. “Then shit. We in this together.”

“What he said!” Aerith shouted and threw an arm up in the air, before running into you to squeeze you in the tightest hug. “We’re here for you.” She whispered in your ear before twirling on man behind her. “What about you, Cloud? You’re being quiet.” Even now she had the audacity to tease.

“The more the merrier.” He said with the tiniest curl to the edge of his mouth before crossing his arms to pretend was uninterested.

Side quest spoilers for Junon Region

Rebirth Retold Chapter 4

Taking care of Gabe's Ranch

Again very little dialog is taken straight from the game to keep it as close to the canon game as possible.

TW brief mention of assault

Masterlist

Chapter 5

*~*

After a long uncomfortable night at the mouth of the mythril mines the early morning sun began to peak over the crest of the jagged mountain tops in pinks, oranges, and yellows. The steep inclines, its metamorphic ore only traversable by the sharp talons that black chocobos possessed, cut this area off from the rest of the continent, and with the aid of the ferocious sea the people who lived here were imprisoned on this corner of the Planet. Unless you had the funds to purchase a ticket to cross on one of the many cruise ships under Shinra’s command, or you were a fisherman, soldier, or a Shinra employee.

The area had flourished at one time, however the natural flora was now dried up and barren from years of pollution and prolonged mako use. The wildlife were thinning over time due to the growing number of mutated fiends hunting at a staggering pace which in turn affects the food supply of all local towns, Under Junon especially. And in your opinion, the worst feature was the long flat terrain of the plains between the mines and city fortress. There was little to no shelter to hide among or set up camp. If you needed a break you’d have to take your chances in broad sight and hope to Shiva no fiend would see you. If you were adept enough you could clear out the fiends in the old rusted workshops that were abandoned here and there, but the risk usually out weighed the potential benefit.

So it should be of no surprise that the first stop in the Junon region would be a chocobo ranch. What better way to get around this region’s atrocious landscape than by chocoback?

You’ve never actually been to this specific ranch. You preferred to cross between the city and mines quickly, often times forgoing a rest and camping inside the safety the mines provided, well until recently. You had heard about this ranch from Bill though. He often talked about how the owner had fallen on harder times a little while back, but lacked the drive to pull himself out of trouble so you had added it to your list to of farms to visit which just coincidentally worked out this time around. Now that you were here you wished you had come sooner.

The stalls and pens themselves appeared structurally sound, but inside the birds looked thin and restless. Their eyes felt hollow just like the dark empty depths of the mine you'd just crawled out of. The metal troughs were empty and a greenish film clung to the sides, long dried onto the metal from sitting in the sun. The ones that did have water in them had flies buzzing around and was murky like the swamps. Piles of hay and feed were scattered haphazardly and appeared to be inedible. You could clearly make out the shape of a boot track in one that was soggy. You circled around the main barn in search of any attendants and when you finally found one the woman quickly scampered away in shame under your scrutiny.

The others crowded around the house in the back and seemingly struck up a casual conversation with the one in charge. You had to stop yourself from stomping up there, and ripping him a new one. Instead you took steady measured steps up to the back of the crowd they'd formed. Aerith chattered on like a perfect ray of sunshine like she often did as you shuffled your way through your friends till you stood the front next to Cloud and Aerith.

He was unimpressive, like many of the other self involved old bastards you've encountered. Dry and peeling wrinkled skin like sun cracked leather faded in desert heat covered the man head to toe, except for the smoothness of his balding head. Black tattoos ran up his arms, across his shoulders and highlighted his collar bones before weaving down his torso, the lines creating an image of a man holding the fate of his world on his shoulders. You guessed he was in his mod to late forties though his appearance was very similar to people well into their sixties.

“I’m Gabe, by the way. Owner of the ranch here, and before you ask, my birds are not for rent, ain’t worth the risk.” You nearly scoffed as you crossed your arms across you chest. What risk? At this rate they had a better chance in the wild. “Used to run deliveries, but Shinra put the kibosh on all that. Still tryin’ to keep it goin’ best I can… well, was tryin’, till my carriage shit the bed. And since I don’t have the parts to fix her, both she and my business are as good as dead. Even the chocobos’re feeling down.” No shit, you thought.

“What if I fix it. ” You interjected, having no patience for the sob story of why he ‘cant fix it’. Both Cloud and Aerith turned to gawk at you with wide eyes and open jaws, clearly surprised you said anything at all.

“Kind of you to offer, but nah.”

“You’d rather let the chocobos starve? How responsible.” You snapped as you pinched the bridge of your nose. You knew what he was playing at. He wanted you to play this back and forth game before he would eventually “cave” and accept your help. You decided to save yourself the headache, and jump right into the details. “Just need parts, right?”

“Says the girl who ain’t gotta fix it… but even if ya were some kinda secret grease monkey, I wouldn’t be able to pay ya for your time. I’m flat broke.” You exhaled the rising anger through your nose. This conversation would get you nowhere. You turned to leave, someone else here would have the details, though his scratchy baritone clawed against your eardrums before you got a step in. “Curious about my birds? I’ve tried settin’ ‘em free, but they just keep comin’ back. Force of habit.”

You looked him dead in the eyes and held his gaze. Your words nearly spat at him. “You’re an ass. If you knew anything about chocobos you’d know they’d rather die than abandon their faith in their owner, no matter how displaced that loyalty may be.”

“What’d you sa- I know you! You’re that assistant girl from Bill’s farm ain’t ya?” His brows pinched angrily and nose scrunched in distaste. You could practically feel the waves of hostility roll off him.

You blinked once, twice, in disbelief. ‘Assistant girl’? “He was right about you. You’re just another deadbeat who can’t get off his ass,” You name flew out of Aerith’s mouth in a shocked gasp, “and fix his own damn problems.” His cheeks puffed and face grew as red as a tomato, his hands balled into tight fists at his sides, as you held him under your stern glare, disgust no doubt written all over your face. “I’ll fix your damn carriage, and save your birds. Not that you deserve it.” You left all of them there to watch him flounder like a fish as you set off to work. You wanted to check in on the barn before you set out to run around and fix his shit.

The gravel crunched under your stomping feet as you finally reached the large creaking door to the main stable. Chocobos were pretty adaptable creatures. To see them in such a bad condition meant they suffered from prolonged neglect. You've seen it before; ranches often run out of funds to care for their birds. Shinra was known for cutting off travel between regions and monopolizing travel so there was no need for people to rent chocobos anymore. No customer equaled no income which resulted in sick and dying chocobos. Hopefully you made it in time to turn this ranch around.

The employee you saw earlier was now hunched over herself with a pitchfork gripped tightly in her hands. She grunted in exertion with every shovel and shake as she worked hard to muck out the stall. She looked younger than your thought from your first glimpse, maybe fifteen or sixteen. Not that out of the ordinary around Gaia. Most kids had to start working around thirteen to survive these days, thanks to corporate greed and rewarding the ass kissers that rose within the ranks of Shinra. “Excuse me.”

She yelped and banged her head against a support beam. A sharp hiss slipping through her gritted teeth before she rubbed at her head and reluctantly moved to approach you, her straight brown hair swishing back and forth with her movement. “C-can I help you?” She asked, her quiet and meek voice wavering.

You gave her a gentle smile, as you studied her body language. Her swirling chocolate eyes flickering away from your steady gaze, her bottom lip wavering slightly under the pressure of her teeth, and her shoulders hunching inward with tension. She had dirt smeared across her mocha skin, one calloused hands clenching the pitchfork, and the knees of her overalls were stained with grass and dirt. You felt for her. A hard working girl like her didn't deserve to be under the weight of the crushing pressure of caring for so many chocobos alone, and by the subtle shake in muscles you're confident that Gabe must take out a lot of his anger on her. “Do you run the stables?” You asked calmly in your most soothing voice you could muster.

“Um, yes. It-it’s embarrassing to say that since it’s falling apart.” Her face fell as she refused to tear her eyes from her shoes.

“What’s your name?”

She leaned her equipment against the wall and leaned onto the gate in front if you. “Calla.”

“Hi, Calla. I’m Y/n. I travel all around the planet, and help out stables when they need it. I’d like to help you. Can you tell me what’s been going on here?”

“Um, sure, but I-I can’t pay you.” She said as she kicked at some of the straw lining the ground.

“Don’t worry about that.”

She nodded, a fiery determination simmering in her weary eyes, and her bottom lip trembled but she straightened her posture and began to break down the struggles shes been facing. You admired her resolve to work through her emotions, especially at her age. If you had one wish for the future of Gaia it would be to allow the youth of the future to be a child, to have a childhood instead of being thrust into the hardships adulthood to survive.

Anyhow, from your understanding all of Gabe’s clients brought their business elsewhere since the carriage broke down six months ago. She urged him to branch out and allow chocobo rentals to the influx of tourists who came from the central continent, but he deemed it too dangerous for the birds and closed the business down. The ranch wasn’t making any money so all the other stable hands quit leaving Calla in charge of everything. She was left with twelve birds to care for and no funds in either of the business accounts so she hasn’t been able to purchase enough greens to keep the chocobos well fed. Not to mention the troughs are too heavy for her to move by herself so the drinking water often got too warm and stagnant. As a result the chocobos weren’t getting enough water and one by one they were starting to get sick or too fatigued to do anything. “I just love them so much, but I don't know what to do.”

“That's why I'm here.” From outside the barn you could hear your friends discussing what to do next. You inhaled deeply and pushed that to the side for now. This was something only you could do, and if that meant being left behind, so be it. “First things first, you need to clean the troughs, thoroughly. Do you have any oats or wheat?” You asked, placing one hand on her shoulder.

“Oats, in the main house, I believe.” Calla sniffed and wiped at her nose with the back of her arm.

“Great! After you clean the bins, fill them up. You’re going to take whatever you have and mix it with any greens you have in stock. Three parts oats, one part greens. Got it?”

Calla fumbled out of the stall, nearly knocking her head on the wood again, and over to the small desk tucked into a corner of the room. She shuffled through the paper laying around for a pen and notebook then quickly jotted down your instructions. “Got it.”

You reached into your satchel and fished out a small glass container, crossing the room as you did so, and handed it to her. “These are for the ones that refuse to eat or if you feel like they’re getting sick. You only have to give them one of these, unless they don’t start eating in a few hours. In that case give them another. The treats stimulate appetite and help boost immune systems.”

“Oh,” Calla waved her hands in front of her in protest. “I can’t take something that valuable.”

You persisted. “Take them. Its really no trouble. I can make more if I need them.”

Calla’s attention momentarily faltered as her eyes darted behind you, to the new people entering the room, before her focus was back on you. She hesitantly took the stimulants from you in a shaky hand.

“Then I want you to empty the water container, clean them very well, and refill them. When I get back I’ll help you move them.”

“Are you sure this is okay? I really don’t feel right about letting you do this all for free!”

“Calla,” you waited till she looked at you, “You need help, and this is what I do. Let me help you.” Her bottom lip wobbled, before she nodded weakly. “You’re doing a great job. I’ll be back soon.” You paced towards your group, before slowing down and turning to address Calla once more. “And, Calla.” You paused until she peered over at you. “Give yourself some credit. These chocobos would be dead if it weren’t for you.”

She nodded weakly before ducking away to immediately start on her part, but the way her eyes sparkled with a newfound pride and a pep to her step you knew shed be okay. You faced your friends with a heavy sigh. You didn’t want to part from them, but you didn’t feel right asking them to come with you and delay their plans any longer. “I need to take care of this for now, so you guys can go on ahead. I’ll try to meet up with you later.” You pushed your lips into a thin line and shrugged.

Equally disappointed frowns pulled at their faces as well, except for Aerith who smiled brightly at you, and Cloud who was as stoic as ever. Not even the ghost of a frown on his blank face, and why is she smiling? Your brows furrowed, and an uncomfortable disappointment gnawed at your heartstrings. This could possibly be the last time you'd see each other, and neither seemed to care. The thought had you recoiling for a second. Since when do you care?

“Nope!” Her singsong voice captured your attention. She approached you and grabbed your hands firmly in hers. Her eyes reminded you of the ethereal greens that look like the dancing wisps of the lifestream. Her warmth always reminded you of a love from the mother you never had, and homesick for a life that could have been yours. “We’re in this together. You helped us with jobs in the grasslands, only fair we help you here. Right, Cloud?”

“Right.” The lack of attitude took you by surprise, but his eyes showed the honesty of his statement. You’re in this together. You looked around to each if them gathered around you. Barrett, Tifa, Red, Aerith, and Cloud each offering a nod or smile, Red even showed some teeth.

You caved easy. You didn’t try to change their mind, and you were sure you didn’t want to anyway. For the first time, you felt like this might be where you belonged. “Alright. First things first, we need to find a Mountain Chocobo.”

“Gabe said that a chocobo by the name of Belle and her pack was seen north of here.” Tifa explained. “He said she should be able to get us where we need to be.”

“Perfect, and everyone, thank you.” You bowed your head softly, hoping your gratitude could be conveyed properly before a big meaty hand clomped over the back of your head and ruffled back in forth pulling strands of silky h/c strands free from your braid. After trying to swat Barrett’s tree trunk of an arm away unsuccessful he pushed at your jaw line to lift you eyes to meet his, a cheeky grin stretched proudly on his rugged face.

“None of that, now. We got a job ta do.”

*~*

So… how do we catch her?” Tifa asked quietly from somewhere behind you. The group had found its way north to an abandoned, yet unexpectedly sturdy, ore refinery on a cliff that over looked the sea. The mid morning sun shone bright yellow rays that reflected off the crashing waves. that opened up into a field. You stood just inside the gates and crouched down behind a wall of barrels staking out the patterns of the chocobo flock frolicking inside the circular loop of cart tracks. At one time they were used to bring ore into the building and then once done was carted back out to the storage building, now it was just an obstacle keeping you from the alpha bird.

“Sneak up on her, I suppose.” You tracked her movements as she leisurely grazed between large tufts of grass. She was smart enough to graze in the center of the field where there wasn't a lot of shelter for predators to sneak up on her. She was a beauty. Her midnight black feathers looked as sleek as night itself. Her beak the color of a Junon sunset that was sharper than a yellow chocobo, and her shanks were larger in size and talons as sharp as razors to pierce the rock of the surrounding mountains.

Occasionally she chirped and chatted with the surrounding birds, but mostly minded her own business as she looked for the best looking grass to eat. “Well, she seems to be laid back,” you spoke your eyes never leaving the black beauty, “but she must be pretty headstrong to lead the flock.” You finally looked back towards them, your lips pressing into a thin line as you ran through your plans in your head. Before you said anything else a different chocobo began to squawk as it neared your group. You turned your head in its direction. If you could just distract it.

“What’s wrong?”Cloud asked as he crouched on your left and leaned towards you to get a glimpse at what held your attention.

You blinked at him once, twice before you sighed. He was beginning to be able to read you, and you weren't sure how you felt about that. “Those ones there,” you pointed to the two that were scampering in your direction, “seem excited to see us, but we’re not likely to get close to Belle if they’re making a fuss.” You tucked in a breathe when you looked over at him. He was so close, the mako hue made his eyes shine like the sea, his scent invaded your nose. You blinked hard and turned back to the two.

“So only one of us goes then.” He stated rather than asked.

“You got it. However, we might as well befriend them. We need six of them after all. Plus it’ll keep them distracted.” You nearly whispered.

“Give us a job.” You never thought Cloud would follow your lead. He always seemed like he needed to be the one issuing commands, though you suppose at one time he probably had to follow someone’s order given hes a military man.

“Yeah!” Aerith happily agreed with Cloud. You nodded, having no trouble setting your plan into motion.

“Why don’t you three,” you gestured to Tifa, Red, and Cloud, “go give those guys some love. Barret can you stand guard here? It should keep them all from taking off, and Aerith come with me? I’ll have you throw rocks to distract the ones closer to Belle so they don’t see me.”

“You got it.” Tifa answered as she slowly stood from where she hunched over and put her hand on your shoulder briefly before she and Red carefully advanced towards the cluster of chocobos. Meanwhile Cloud gave you one last nod before following after them.

Barret shook his grafted arm in an arc motion, going so far as to aim at random targets to make a show of it. “They won’t get past me!”

You chuckled at his enthusiasm, and rolled your eyes before thanking him. You looked towards your partner. “Ready?”

“You bet!” She held up her hand in search of a high five knowing full well you'd never leave her hanging. With a satisfying ‘clap’ the two of you crouched back down, as low to the ground as feasible, and slowly snuck up against one of the mine carts. You paused there, leaning around the corner of the cart, and searched for the next nearest chocobo. You looked to the other side at Cloud’s group to make sure they succeeded in drawing attention of the other two.

You smiled to yourself at the sight. The only one the birds were interested in was Cloud, he even drew the attention of two more. Two in front of him and two more around his back and side invaded his space. They pressed their beaks into his torso to sniff at his uniform, one of them sniffing at his ear and hair. His arms were raised and pushing gently against them, but even his soldier strength couldn’t rival an eager chocobo. Tifa was doubled over herself and clutching her stomach as she laughed while Red sat next to them with the biggest toothy grin you've ever seen on his face, and tail wagging at a rapid pace.

“You like him!” One of Aerith’s finger jabbed at your cheek.

You recoiled at the accusation and fell back on your hands. Your eyes wide as they darted between Aerith’s as you accessed if she was joking or not. You scowled at her laughter your cheeks heating up in embarrassment. “Wha- no! It’s not like that!”

“Oh, please! I see the way you look at him!” Aerith brought both hands to her face and pointed at her eyes. “Do you think I’m blind? Every time you see him, your eyes get all dreamy.”

You huffed like a child. “You’re delusional.”

“You know I’m right!”

“How on Gaia- I haven’t even- I’ve only known him for a couple weeks! You know what-never mind.” You brows knit together in irritation as you stared blankly at the grass in front of you.

She sighed wistfully, “I knew the second I saw my first love.” You reluctantly looked at her again, her expression ‘dreamy’ and far away. She smiled softly, almost sad. He must’ve been quite the guy to have the most positive girl on the planet look so lonely. You almost asked, your lips parted and the question on the tip of your tongue yet the loud ‘kwehs’ that chirped from Cloud’s group carried your train of thought, and your eyes, away.

Your pulse beat violently in your throat, and your hands grew clammy. His eyes focused on you and not the chocobo head butting against his hip. Shit, do you?

He gave you a small nod, his way of saying they were good to go. You exhaled deeply through your nose. No use thinking about it now. “Come on,” You shook your head and focused on the task at hand. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Right.” She dragged the word out implying that you just wanted to avoid the conversation, but quickly shifted into work mode. “You want me here?”

You made sure to look closely at the terminal and showed her the correct lever to make the carts travel forward or backwards. “Yeah. When I give the signal, hit this lever.”

She nodded. “Got it.”

One last quiet high five and then you began moving slowly along the carts on all fours to balance yourself. The dried grass pricked at your knees caps, and tiny pebbles molded tiny indents in your flesh. Your grit your teeth and crawled through the mild stings until you finally reached the end of the line. At the last cart you shifted your weight onto your legs and carefully poked your head around the hard edge to get a look at the space on front of you. Just one more chocobo ahead then smooth sailing to Belle.

You looked back to Aerith and gave her a thumbs up, the signal you two had agreed on. A moment later the cart you were behind lurched forward and you crawled besides it as it followed the tracks. As you neared the next chocobo you slowly switched to the other side to stay out of its eyesight. The gentle munching lightened your heart and had you smiling to yourself. Oh how you loved chocobos. You kept at it for another minute, keeping in pace with it before the cart screeched to a stop just a few yards from the target.

Belle looked up at the cart and you sank to the ground so no part of your body could be seen. You waited there for one minute, then two. At the three minute mark you seriously started to sweat that she might not look away, and you'd have to improvise. Then, finally, she straightened out her neck with a sassy chirp and averted her sight towards the old rusty building that’s been long forgotten. You inched forward, slow and steady trying to avoid anything that made noise.

You counted down the feet between you and her. The anticipation grew within you, the rush of taming a new chocobo one of the very things that drew you in to training in the first place. You were so close, literal inches away, when you stepped on a rock and twisted your ankle. A pained hiss slipped from between your clenched teeth, and Belle shot upward and twisted around to look at you.

Her wide saucer eyes stared at your slumped figure with childlike curiosity. Her head slightly turned towards you and a low cluck of her beak had you mirroring her inquisitiveness. Deep blue eyes, much like your solider friend, darted between your own searching you for an malicious intent.

“Hey there, Belle.” You spoke softly yet with confidence to convey your conviction to her safety with an outstretched hand and tranquil demeanor. A mirthful giggle bubbled in your chest as the cool beauty took a step forward, then another until her smooth beak nuzzled into your palm. “You’re not scared at all, are you?” Your other hand came up and twisted gently through a few of her midnight feathers before she knelt and offered her neck to you to help you stand.

Her eager chirps buzzed in your ears as she rose to her full height, lifting you up along with her, and quickly circled into your torso nudging at your satchel for the delicious aroma that wafted through the leather.

“I didn’t need to sneak up on you at all did I?” You fished out one of the homemade treats from your choco proof pocket and offered it on the palm of your hand. “Or did the others scare you?” Belle kweh’ed eagerly in response. “It was Barret wasn’t it?” You laughed a little more, scrunching your nose in a faux disgust look. “I promise, he’s a big softie just outwardly rough.” You patted her neck twice with a firm touch. “We could use some help getting around the area. Are you up for an adventure?”

She jumped in excitement, before moving into a position that would allow you to climb easily onto her back. She hardly waited for you to be seated properly before sprinting out towards every other chocobo she traveled with, chirping directions to her fellow flock members.

By now your friends have also found a feather friend to care for except for Barret, which was no surprise to you, but when the last chocobo realized it was him or being left behind the bird lumbered over and leaned down to offer Barret a ride.

Now equipped with your latest companions, the six of you kissed the rusty building and creaking carts goodbye. Barret shouted out a loud and melodious victory cry, which had Cloud groaning weakly besides at Barrett’s silly antics. You laughed so hard you almost fell head first off of Belle, the other girls joining in. You really haven’t ever had this much fun in your life, and you really didn’t ever want it to end.

Da du du daa duhn duhn du da daaa!

*~*

It was well into the afternoon when you arrived at the wainwright’s residence after two treacherous mountain climb which Belle scaled with ease, and an insanely close rock slide.

You started having doubts about this master craftsman when you seen the state of the ‘house’ he was living in. The shack was built out of old discolored wood that was worn down, and for some reason he used rusted corrugated metal to reinforce what was left of the door instead of replacing the damaged entrance, but the icing on the cake was the person sized hole in the roof that he patched up with a tattered tarp. The only thing that was noteworthy here was the view of the Meridian Sea.

You truly lost hope when you met him. He had to he quickly the planet’s laziest business man. The sheer audacity this man had to turn you away because he wanted to keep sleeping in the middle of the day. How on Gaia has he managed to stay in business? There was a stack of orders a rulers length tall on his for Odin’s sake. You had to crack your knuckles to keep yourself from giving him a wake up call he’d never forget.

“Think a swift kick’d get him up?” Cloud scoffed the corner of his lips ticking up in a wry smile.

“I like the way you think.” You agreed as you placed your hands on you hips.

“How about some magic?” Aerith questioned, pulling out her staff and waving it about as if she was putting on a show. The man cracked one crinkled eye open catching a flash of her weapon and jerked violently to an upright position and the head of the bed.

“Scared me half to death!” He screamed waving his hands side to side rapidly. “Look, you wanna get my ass up? Then you bring me exactly what’s on that list, got it?” He waved his arm, after shooting you the finger, over to the desk you snooped through. Without another word or further explanation he rolled onto his side so his back faced you and returned to his lazy past time .

“Well?” Cloud leaned his weight on one side and brought his hand to his hip. He must be as annoyed with this as you are.

You plucked what looked like a crude map with a tiny list of materials off the top of the stack. You puckered your lips to the side for a moment as you looked through the list before tucking the paper into your back pocket. “I say we get his ass up.”

Everyone shuffled back outside, and saddled back up without a word, eager to get this over with as quick as possible. Until you actually started to travel when Barret started ranting about how much of an ass that guy was, and how he was completely unprofessional. “If you didn’t want to do the work, why the hell would take the orders?!”

After collecting the materials at the first location Tifa shared your sentiment on the matter. “A nap on the job can’t possibly be good for his image.” She said as she dusted her hands of against her high socks.

At the second location, even Aerith chimed in. “The guy’s a jerk. Business requires amazing customer service, and building connections! Like how i gave Cloud a flower on the house the first time we met, and look at me now! He comes to me for all his flower needs.” She joked, as she scratched the top of her chocobo’s head for a job well done.

The only one who didn't have anything to say even after locating and digging up the parts of the last place on the list was Cloud.

Your attention wandered to him as you made the trip back, your gaze studying him from behind as you stayed in formation. It was still difficult for you to get a read on him. He was almost always cool and collected, almost stoic. Though there were times where you got a glimpse of what lied beneath the act. He could be quite the smart ass, and arrogant. He was cocky though with his skills he earned a little bit of slack there, not that you’re one to talk. He acted aloof, but you've seen the gentleness, and kindness that dwells in the depths of his soul.

You were becoming fond of the tiny wrinkle that formed between his knit eyebrows, or the way the tiniest of smirks would appear on his face when he did something that looked cool. Ever the showman, you’d joke. You guided Belle forward to bridge the gap between him and the rest of you.

“Hey, Cloud?” A rumble emanated from his chest to let you know he was listening. “Sorry for this.” You grabbed his attention then. “I know you were in a rush.” Your hands gripped the leather reigns harder.

A singular golden ray of the now lowering sun painted his face in gentle yellows, the front spikes of his hair falling into his gorgeous smoldering eyes. Your eyes fell down to trace the lines of him lips as he spoke. “Don’t mention it. We’re even.”

You squeezed your eyes tight. “Well, thank you.”

You’re not at all surprised that the guy was snoring loud enough to rattle the walls when you returned. You were a tad worried his snores would shake the foundation apart, like a giant earthquake would. Half the group waited outside, Barret too worked up from the earlier conversation and Tifa to keep him calm- ahem- company, while you, Cloud, and Aerith went in. You quickly crossed the room with the burlap sack, you’ve used to haul the parts with, pulled taut over your shoulder. At the edge of the rickety bed you dropped the heavy bag on top of his stomach. “Special delivery!” Aerith called out the second you gave him the bag.

He folded on impact with a loud umpf, then lots of groaning before finally looking through the sack.“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!” He exclaimed. He shoved the stuff to the side as he swung his legs over the side of the bed frame. “Name’s Freddie. So what was it ya needed again?” You inhaled sharply. Maybe it was because it looked like you wanted to slap the life right out of him, or maybe it was just the planet’s way of tagging you out, but Cloud grabbed you by the arm before stepping in front of you.

“The parts for Gabe.” Cloud’s words were flat and his irritation rolled off him in lukewarm waves.

“Uh, yeah. You did mention that. This’ll just take a sec.” Freddie hopped off the mattress and sauntered over to his workbench in the corner. You rolled your eyes as he made a show of crafting each part. You paced around the small room impatiently looking at the random diagrams that were hung to the walls. You honed in on the faint melody that seized your concentration, eventually zeroing in the origins to Aerith, as she too waited with bated breath. The tune vaguely sounds like something you'd heard back in the slums, and gently tugged at your heart strings.

After thirty or so minutes he finally presented the promised commission. “Tell me she ain’t a beauty. Got a wheel, bed, and brace. Nobody makes ‘em like I do, and that’s no lie. Go on- take it.”

You tugged the part from his grip and carefully inspected the quality of the parts carefully as Aerith chatted the guy up. You didn't want to admit it, but they were pretty damn good. At least his product makes up for the lack of customer service, though if it were you, you’d take your business elsewhere. This guy wasn’t worth the hassle. You shuffled everything back into the burlap and stretched your arms to the ceiling. You exhaled a relieving breath as the pain in your muscles subsided from the prolonged stiffness over the course of the day. “We good to go?” You asked.

With a curt nod Cloud replied “Yeah.”

You didn’t waste time thanking or giving a goodbye to the wainwright. You just wanted to finish up and hopefully make it to Junon before nightfall. What you would give to sleep in an actual bed for the night.

*~*

It wasn't until the evening that you returned to the ranch. You beelined straight to the barns to help Calla with the remaining tasks, opting to trust Aerith and Cloud to deliver the parts to Gabe. Calla’s hard work exceeded your expectations and brought a toothy grin onto your face. It seemed that the little bit of affirmation you offered her was the key to bringing out her natural talents. You believed she has what it takes to own and care for her own ranch one day.

Each trough was scrubbed so clean your own reflection stared back at you. Fresh food, prepared to the perfect ratio, filled each one, and most of the chocobos were chowing down. The stalls were entirely emptied out, wiped clean, and replaced with fresh straw. The birds inside were swaying from side to side content that their bellies were finally full, and energy slowly returning to their bodies. On your way out to the paddock you scratched one of them lightly under the beak, a sense of purpose being relit within you as it eagerly chirped at you for more.

Outside you found Calla hunched over the two feet by 10 feet silver water container, her lanky form kneeling in the dirt and arms working furiously at the mineral build up on the bottom.

“Hey. Nice job!” You complimented, taking up a spot against the wooden planks of the fence, looking in on her from the outside.

Her smile said it all. Brilliantly bright as she beamed up at you as you swiped at the sweat beading at her hairline, unknowingly smearing a streak of algae across her temple. She set the wire scrub brush down, and pushed herself to a stand, brushing the harsh pebbles and dirt off her knees. “Thanks! You were right about that supplement. Chochi is usually really stubborn but one of those treats and he gobbled the feed right up!”

“Glad to hear it.” You scaled the side then hopped into the pen next to her. “Let’s get this moved.”

The two of you moved the sixty pound rectangle to the side of the barn under the overhang from the roof so it’s shadow would always cast its shadow over the box. She thanked you profusely for all of your help with hugs, a handshake, and even a few tears. She made you promise that if you ever needed any help to search for her. You ruffled her hair a bit, internally nostalgic at finding yourself in the mentors position for once, and thanked her, but ultimately telling her not to worry about you. She’d do anything to return the favor. You wished you had more time to get to know her full story, but promised one day you’d seek her out to see how she’s doing. With a heavy heart, and a few more tears on her end, you parted ways. Before you could continue your journey you needed to have a serious discussion with the man in charge.

When you rejoined your friends Gabe had just finished installing the new parts on the carriage. You gave Aerith another high five for a job well done before he cleared his throat in a pathetic cry for attention. Your nostrils flared angrily with the low breath you inhaled, a whiff of motor oil lingering on the breeze.

“Good as new. I gotta say, that old dog really outdid himself this time. Helluva job. Don’t think my carriage has ever looked even half this good!” He gave your a once over with a discreet flash of false superiority before dismissing you as he turned his attention back to Aerith. “‘Preciate it, kids. I can finally get the business back up and running again.”

“That’s great.” she said, “But before we head out, I just wanna ask one more thing. If we hadn’t showed up, would you have even tried to give your birds a better life?” You nodded with her question. Part of you was curious, or maybe hopeful, he had a suitable answer, but deep down you knew he didn’t. If there ever was a time to pull his shit together, it would’ve been when his chocobos livelihood had been jeopardized.

“Maybe.” Gabe shrugged, his lack of empathy and morality had you seething with a white hot rage.

“Not good enough.” you barked through grit teeth, hands clenching at your sides.

“I see, but I get it.” Your face morphing from angry to genuine bewilderment when Aerith’s words regarded him with honest understanding. What? “Shinra’s a big company- and what they say goes.” Your jaw loosened when you realized what she was doing. “I can’t blame you for being too scared to fight back.”

“Hey! I ain’t scared of those sons of bitches. Not one bit.” His rasp rising an octave in defense.

“Oh?” She asked, her voice laced in thick honeyed mockery as she caught him in her carefully spun web. “Then why did you shut down the business?”

“It’s like I told ya- my carriage broke- and getting the parts to fix it sounded like a real hassle, so. So there ya have it! I just… let it go.” The deep frown on your face slide up in a sly smirk. This is why you loved Aerith.

Despite his fumbling you still had a bone to pick. “So you’re birds aren’t worth the ‘hassle’?” The revulsion you harbored for this winkled leather bag seeping into your words. His posture grew rigid at being challenged, his jaw squaring with the effort to keep his mouth shut.

“How responsible…” Aerith sarcastically scolded.

“Okay, fine!” He screamed, his decibel making her flinch though she recovered quickly. “I shouldn’t’ve been so quick to throw in the towel! Ya happy? Starting today, I’m giving this job my all. I’ll stock up on parts so I can keep the carriage moving, and make sure my birds never get bored again.”

“You hear that?” Aerith addressed the distant chocobo near the carriage, before turning to you for confirmation. “Then the deal is sealed.” She shook Gabe’s hand.

With the job done each one of your companions broke off to stock up on anything they needed by the nearby store counter. Eventually it was just you and Gabe, the latter returning to a the carriage. He crouched down to inspect the wheel he had just replaced, the wrench in his hand tightening the jiggle of one of the bolts. You discreetly confirmed none of your friends were in earshot before you stalked over to him. You hovered above him, your voice lowering and taking on a sharp dangerous pitch you only used on rare the occasion you needed to intimate a selfish prick. “Aerith might believe you turned over a new leaf, but if I find out you quit on those birds again, I won’t be so forgiving next time.”

“Yeah? And who the hell asked you? Old Bill send you to scare me?” He huffed and threw the wrench onto the ground the metal clinking roughly against the dirt. “Guy nev’r could mind ‘is own business.”

You sank to his level to glaze straight through his uncaring eyes to the pit of his rotten soul. “I don’t work for Bill.” You spat. “I save chocobos, and the next time you throw in the towel and just let them suffer because it’s ‘a hassle’ will. be. your. last.” You seethed enunciated the consonants of the last three words very clearly before bouncing back up and on the balls of your heels and sauntered to the crumbling staircase only halting your descent when his slimy voice grated against your ear drums.

“Ya know, ‘ere’s this rumor about a jockey could read a bird ‘n get it ta do whateva she wanted. Choco Whisperer they called ‘er” He paused to pick the wrench back up and to continue to fiddle with the bolt. “Guess she was somethin’ real pretty, the jockey that is. Everyone wanted ‘er. Turns out she was sponsored by Choco Sam himself!” The blood in your veins ran down cold. “Gotta wonder how she got his attention, eh?” A sickly cackle had you turning back at him. His implication both horrifying you, and lighting a match to your unrivaled temper. “Guess it don’t matter though. Went missin’. Nobody knew why. Though people say its cause she almost killed ‘nother jockey.”

You gritted your teeth and swallowed your fury. It wouldn’t help anyone if you lost it here. “Your point?”

His prying eyes scanned your body, leaving you feeling dirty and uncomfortable. “Well that was round the time Ol’ Bill hired you, wasn’t it?” A smug toothy grin stretched across his face like he caught you red handed.

Your face didn’t betray the faux confidence as you held his challenging stare, though internally a frantic claw worked through your chest and settled in the pit of you guy. “Must be a coincidence.” You left then. You spent the last four year visiting ranches, and leave it to this bonehead to connect you to the harsh past of your jockeying days. You walked at a brisk pace away from him as the distance between you would rewrite your actions that night.

You tried so hard to leave your unique talents behind when you left the slums, but that night four years ago, the underlying atrocity in you surged. You didn’t regret it, not in the slightest, and you’d do it again if it meant keeping that poor girl, or anybody, safe.

It didn’t happen like he was implying, and thanks to the security cameras in the gilded stall room saved your reputation.

You had stumbled into the stable to check on the chocobo you had raced an hour prior, it was an intense obstacle course and you were worried about a prolonged fatigue might effect your partner, only to find the one jockey you couldn't stand already within. You thought nothing of it at first. You tried to avoid him when possible. You had heard rumors he couldn't keep his hands to himself, and while the other women might not, or couldn't, fight him off you would never let anyone touch you like that again. Not ever. So you were brushing your bird when an unsettling ruffling of clothing caught your attention. As you strained your ears to assess what was going on you realized he wasn't alone. You still hear her cries as she pleaded with him to stop like yesterday. The dark creeping fingers still echoed across your skin as you watched her try to push him off, but she was frail and he was far too strong. Hells, he was twice your size.

There was no way on Gaia you were just going to watch him take advantage of her. So you took care of him. You applied extreme force to his joints, and pressure points before he even turned around. He crumpled to the floor in complete sobs, but you didn't stop there. You crushed his femur, and the hand that he had snaked under the woman’s blouse. He was far from death when you left him, but you later found out from Sam that you had damaged the ligaments in his arms and he needed emergency surgery to save his leg.

You turned yourself in immediately, completely mortified with yourself, however even though you were protecting someone you were no longer permitted to jockey. The saucer had made an exception that aloud you to remain employed, but only to train and care for the chocobos. Which you still do from time to time, but you make sure you never stay for too long. He was completely disqualified ever work at the saucer again. The last you heard, he had recover and took up a residence in the Dustbowl and make a living betting on the races.

Suddenly your arm collided with a solid wall of muscle, your eyes snapping up to the swirling mako pools peering down at you. His scrutiny was unclear, and stormy in a whirlwind you haven’t seen in them before, though you hadn't had the energy to decipher their meaning. The only thing repeating in your head was the fear that he overheard what Gabe had said.

“Y/n, you alright?” His timbre was smooth and calm that soothed the overwhelming emotion bubbling beneath your skin.

You swallowed the thick lump that had formed in your throat. “Uh… yeah. I’m fine. Sorry. Lost in thought.”

Cloud hesitantly stepped backwards to give you more space. “Alright.” His hand hovered in the air, the concern in his eyes trying to convey something to you that his lips couldn't speak. You gave him a tight lipped smile before you staggered away to stock up on your own supplies.

Cloud looked back at Gabe with hardened eyes, a compelling since of protection urging him to take action. He only wished he knew what the right action was. He’d spent the past sixteen days trying his best not to notice you, but he’s done the exact opposite. He quickly realized you were quick to act, your reflexes like lightning, before he’d even seen you in action. You ability to perceive danger and avoid any harm was a skill he so rarely seen in others, and the way you moved in combat was like art. Your body swaying between fiends, only leaving death in your wake, was like the perfected ballet of Loveless- he’d reluctantly seen when he had first enlisted at Shinra. To see you fogged over and dazed was unsettling. You looked so empty like a night without stars, and felt just as cold as the northern continent, that he nearly followed after you. To do what, he didn't know but when he looked into your glassy far off eyes, his heart clenched like someone had ripped into his chest and squeezed.