#Cloud x oc

[shooting-star-hearts]

♡•Glitter For Skin•♡

✰ • 𝓟𝓐𝓘𝓡𝓘𝓝𝓖 ⇢ Cloud Strife/OC(Astrid Lovelyn) ✰ • 𝓣𝓗𝓔𝓜𝓔𝓢 ⇢ Fluff/comfort, Angst ✰• 𝓝𝓞𝓣𝓔𝓢 ⇢ Considering that this is oc x canon there will be...some things I changed that differ from canon ff7, such as Highwind scene...yeah I was a bit scared to add that one in sooooo no hate please? Thank you. Also I have horrible writing so I apologize for having to go through this if you choose do so 🥲 Anyhow...I wrote up this fic because it's been three years I've had this lil ship so...Happy Anniversary Cloustrid 💖(I'll also tag as x reader for anyone that wants to use as inspiration I'll allow it) ✰ • 𝓦𝓐𝓡𝓝𝓘𝓝𝓖𝓢 ⇢ Heartaches, Mention of a cut/blood, Suggestive at some point(implied nsfw) nothing explicit but do be mindful that this is 16+, no proofread(?), Cloud is a bit...ooc I think, he talks a little more than usual

Now playing - golden hour by JVKE

“Ouch!”

As a reflex, the paper flew from her grasp and was gently curled over the thin cut.  Her thumb soothed over the little red slit with her brows furrowing slightly; the cut was small but admittingly it did cause a bit of an annoyance to her finger. 

“Astrid~”

Tifa’s voice was followed by the jingling of the bells over the door, signaling someone’s entrance in the bakery. Astrid’s eyes left from her cut momentarily to flash a smile at her.

“Hey Ti! Closed up early?” 

��Mhm…You alright?” The dark-haired woman made her way around the counter, her eyes followed down at Astrid’s finger.

“A-ah- yeah! Just a paper cut! Hang on..” Astrid didn’t want to further concern Tifa. She opened up one of the cabinet doors under the counter, shuffling around items in search of band-aids. 

Tifa was already ahead of knowing what she needed.  “Need band-aids? I believe there’s some upstairs” “Actually that won’t be necessary, I’ll deal with it late-”

Before Astrid could reply, she heard the bells ring again and the door closing. Chuckling, she smiled at how sweet Tifa was being despite the case not being serious.

. . . . .

“How was business today? I’m guessing busy telling from how they were visiting my bakery immediately afterwards~”

“You bet!” Tifa wrapped a small, thin band-aid around Astrid’s ring finger. 

Evening on a weekend, perfect for when these two want to hang out after their shorter shifts. It had been two years and a half since Astrid’s official opening to her bakery, Promised Land, and since then she had been extremely happy over the fact that both her and Tifa’s business had brought them closer.

“You weren’t too overwhelmed I hope?”

“Tifa…you’re asking as if this is the first time I’ve dealt with a large crowd!” She laughed. 

“I know you’re capable but…being how you’re the only one working for yourself…you know you could always ask Fiona to help out, right?”

“I know! But you two seem s~o happy together even when you’re working! I can’t take that away~” The brunette shot a friendly tease at her.

Tifa simply averted her eyes and chuckled, a faint blush painted on her upper cheeks. “I don’t think one day of not being around me would kill her.”

“Oh c’mon, have you seen how clingy she is with you? I’m not lying when I say there isn’t one conversation I have had with her where she doesn’t mention your name~” Astrid’s teasing was full on Aerith-like at this point.

The more the brunette teased about Tifa’s love life, the more red on Tifa’s cheeks became visible from her smiling. 

“Alright, tough cookie…but seriously, I just wanna be sure you have the help you need, at least let me help out with tidying up some things around here?”

“Well, there isn’t much more to be done but…I know you won't say no either.” The girl titled her head.

Tifa pointed a finger gun at Astrid and clicked her tongue. “You know me~!” She went on to pick a broom and started sweeping away.

A new source of warmth entered the room as the sun set, pointing right at Astrid across the room as she stared at her band aid once more. Upon noticing the change in atmosphere, her green eyes softened at the new color that painted the walls of the bakery interior, her favorite color at that.

Gold.

The color of the sunset.

The color of their deal.

…And of course, the color of his hair.

Sunsets never failed to make her think of that one person during these times of the day. Ever since the first day of their budding friendship, a friendship that was sealed by their own hearts and a deal. Some may say childish for such a silly thing, but it wasn’t like anyone would understand how much that alone affected each other throughout their life. Even when starting out as outcasts, it didn’t take much for them to mean the world for one another. 

“Hey…did Cloud happen to text you?”

Tifa stopped in her tracks, a smile tugged her lips without facing the shorter lady.

“He…did say he’d come back early but…”

“Don’t worry.”

She turned around, flashing a reassuring grin, remembering the short conversation she had with Cloud earlier.

“...He’ll be here soon.”

. . . . .

Orange sunset: “Warmth and comfort”

“...You’re really good at that.”

Any kid—or adult for that matter—in this village would recognize that voice as the weird kid, or one of them at least. It was a strange interaction for the two children to face each other after all those times of visiting and having their moms bond since they were just babies, but now? It felt as though they had just met for the first time. Except by this point, they were longing for a friend to talk to, so one would say….it was only natural that they’d end up like this, somehow, someway.

The young brunette’s lips parted from the flute, cutting off the soft melodies that escaped from it. From the corner of her eyes, she saw him. His blue eyes—non-mako at the time—glistened widely in fascination with the girl’s talent. Then again, in all his years of knowing who Astrid Lovelyn was, he didn’t really know her.

“...Cloud?”

The same could be said for the brunette herself, or as 10 year old Cloud would know as the girl that feared him. He expected nothing more than seeing her run off to her room whenever she was aware of the boy’s presence.

…Or so he thought.

“...Thank you…!”

…So when he heard those two words ring in his ears, this took him by surprise. He’d ask her to repeat again but seeing he had gotten this far, he was pulled to talk further with her.

Except he couldn’t gather the words to create another sentence, he just…stood there, findling with his fingers.

♪Pink and orange skies, feelin' super childish♪

Cloud had only one plan: Ask her why she was being attacked by Tifa’s friends and go back to his lonesome self for the rest of his day, instead it felt like he was confronting a kitten that needed to be handled with extra care; one wrong move could cause some serious consequences.

Wait…why was this kid worried? I mean, he’s seen what this girl is capable of doing, she did scold the kids that lied about him convincing Tifa to endanger herself on Mt. Nibel. Albeit she isn’t violent as Cloud is but seeing her stand up for him deepened his curiosity of what else she was on about.

“Hey…are you okay?”

The tables had turned with who was the shy one in this case.

Cloud’s upper body moved back slowly at Astrid leaning forward to take a look at his expressions better. When the hell did she stand up? He hadn’t even been able to process the fact that he was standing the closest he’s ever been to her. The blonde was desperate to form words to tell, but nothing could rip from his throat to respond besides the common “uh..”

Oh shoot, is she smiling? Was it because he had just embarrassed himself in front of her by being such a dork? Or maybe the blonde just hadn’t considered how lovely he looked with tangerine hues glistening up his miniature spikes and blue eyes yet.

His eyes drifted from the young girl’s emerald orbs, finding himself staring at books leaning against each other. 

“What are…” His finger finished the rest of his question while pointing, intentionally diverting Astrid away from him before she could notice his blushing.

The brunette’s pigtails swayed in rhythm whilst turning her head, following the direction he was hinting at. “Oh..those? They're just…boring stuff.” 

She walked back over and picked up one of her books, showing off the cover to Cloud, “Growth in Gardening” it read.

“Stuff on gardening…stupid, I know.”

It was fast how Astrid instantly dissed her own interest. “...But you like it, right?” Was simply how he could respond. He wasn’t about to lie and pretend he knew anything about gardening, I mean, boy thinks flowers all look the same.

But, judging by how lush and flourishing the plantation had grew near Astrid’s house, this was definitely her biggest passion, or at least, one of possibly many others

“I do, but others think it’s weird for a girl to be working outside just to get all muddy and sweaty…” She sat down, flipping over a few pages to the section of yellow lilies. “So…I don’t really have anyone else to talk to about them besides my mom and…”

“…who?” Cloud tilted his head.

“...The plants that I grew.” She chuckled to herself. She must’ve felt like a freak in front of him. Guess all that outcasting really affected how she saw herself too.

“...Oh.” 

That was the only thing Cloud could murmur before letting the crickets fill in the rest of the silence. Astrid noticed his eyes averting from the corner of her eyes. By this point, the young blonde had completely forgotten the entire reason why he had come to visit her in the first place. He had considered leaving before things got more awkward–

“So…why did you come see me?”

Oh, that’s why he was there.

“Not that I don’t want you to be here but…you haven’t come to visit in so long…”

“...Why were those kids bugging you?”

“Oh…that…” She sighed, recalling how foolish she had put herself into trouble, only for Cloud to get pulled in just to defend her. “I overheard how they lied about you getting Tifa into danger, they were being jerks to you. It’s not fair how they’re doing this to you…I couldn’t just…stand there…”

“But you would’ve gotten yourself hurt.”

Astrid blinked at how Cloud saw it. ”I don’t….think they would’ve went that far-”

“Doesn’t matter. They shouldn’t have talked to you like that. They talk about you all the time and I just wanted them to shut up.” He blurted without thinking.

Okay now she was confused. “...Huh?”

“Yeah. They said some nasty stuff about you so many times. About how you’re weird and ugly and…all that.” 

Her eyes widened, the realization stunned her. Yeah she knew he was reckless and getting himself into trouble but…for her though…?

He fought them…because they were saying stuff about me…?

“Cloud…you shouldn’t have…why..?”

“Cuz….even if you hate me…they were still being mean about you.”

“Huh?!” Well that didn’t sound right. “Hate you?! What made you think I hate you Cloud??”

Cloud was just as surprised to figure out that he may have judged her wrongly. “...You always ran to your room each time I came to visit…”

…Oooh…

“C-Cloud I…I didn’t hide because I hated you, I did that with everyone! I was just…scared of people, but that didn’t mean I hated them!”

“I-”

Cloud choked up, both of them did. For a while Cloud had assumed that he was cursed with others taking a dislike to him but ... this was just a misunderstanding between these two kids all along?

One was overthinking on what to say and the other was underthinking, not the most ideal conversation if you can even call it that now. All in all, it was embarrassing, and it would’ve been rude if Cloud had just walked away without saying anything.

I guess the only thing left to do is…to apologize? For misunderstanding? For judging her past fears? Maybe?

“...Sor-”

“Ugh! I can’t take this!” 

Astrid stood up, stomping the ground in frustration. “This is dumb, we’re both being dumb!” Walking over back to the confused blonde, she had an idea in mind. “We can’t just keep beating around the bush like this! So if we don’t want that happening anymore, we’re gonna make a deal!”

“A-A deal…?”

“Yeah! A friendship deal!”

The little brunette extended her arm out, fingers widely open. “I can’t keep running away in fear and you can’t keep your own feelings hidden! So I’ll stick by you whenever you’re in a rough patch no matter how bad things get, but you have to be honest with me.”

“But…I-I don’t want you getting hurt because of me…”

“Well someone’s gotta be by your side! You can’t do everything on your own all your life, y’know?”

Yup, that sentence alone settled his decision. 

His eyes widened, he never really thought of himself as the type to be looked after. Again, lone wolf, lone life, it was what he was used to up until now. Spending way too much time trying to fit into a friends group didn’t even give him a chance to realize that there would be someone to genuinely be accepted by all along.

“...Deal.”

His hand glued onto hers, Astrid gave it a shake to seal the deal. He never saw her smile so brightly before either, it was a lovely complement to the orange glow on her face. Cloud’s lips tugged upwards into a half smile. The truth is, he would’ve been honest with her with or without this deal the moment he realized that he meant something to her.

This is childish….but she’s happy.

This wasn’t just a friend. This was the soul he vowed to stay close with and protect for the rest of his life.

Cloudy sunset: “Splitting relationship”

“Cloudy!!”

The brunette’s head turned over. Standing before her, his eyes stumbled upon the girl smiling up at him. For a moment, he had almost mistaken her for an angel, she never failed to look like one in these golden hours while the sun was setting. The sky was painted full of clouds, all surrendering the warmth of the sunlight that shone onto the kids’ faces.

The gentle zephyr breezed through the strands of her curly, long hair as he made his way to sit next to her on the dock. Both of their gazes fall upon the miniature wave of the water drifting into the light red thread in the sky.

♪Missed call from my mother, Like "Where you at tonight?" Got no alibi♪

“Are you okay? You seem like…”

The boy turned his head to face Astrid next to him. “Like what?”

Astrid tilted her head. “I dunno…you look like there’s a lot you wanna say…”

Her legs kicked back and forth, slightly hesitating to ask.

“What’s on your mind, Cloudy?”

There wasn’t an answer for several seconds, Cloud was equally hesitant, but after all, this was Astrid, a dear friend who’s been visibly obvious in her support for him. He sighed.

“...I wanna be a SOLDIER.”

“SOLDIER? Wouldn’t that mean you’d…have to leave off for Midgar…?”

The girl’s eyes softened, a hint of sadness hidden within her green eyes. She knew what that meant.

“..We won’t be seeing each other for a while.” Cloud’s head remained low, avoiding eye contact.

“..Yeah…” Astrid sighed. “Well…is it what you want to do? To become a hero?” 

“…It’s not just that.” The blonde picked up a knee and leaned against it. “I wanna impress someone.”

The girl’s head tilted to the side. “Hmm? I-Impress someone?”

“Yeah…I want to impress her. So I thought that becoming a hero as good as Sephiroth would finally make her notice me in…a new way.”

“R…really??” The smile widened on Astrid’s face. “May I ask…why?”

“..Because...” Cloud hesitated with a sigh, pink painted faintly on his cheeks. He was quite open with Astrid, so why not be honest with her? “..I like her.”

This was it.

Those three simple words made Astrid’s heart rush faster.

He didn’t even have to say that he felt the same for her. She just…knew it.

Was he finally going to confess? Was he finally going to tell his love for her? He’s always been so unusually affectionate to her even if it was just as a “friend”…she knew this was going to be it.

…This was it, wasn’t it?

She made up her mind: She’ll go in for the first move.

“You know, Cloudy…” Her legs swung in a light rhythm, the excitement within her heart felt like bursting out of its cage like a wild animal. Cloud turned his head to her as she spoke. 

“...You’re great with the way you are…you don’t need to prove or impress anything to anyone. I think you’re amazing and already a hero to me just by being an amazing friend but…I like you, for you and you only Cloudy~.” 

The smile remained brightly on her face, a warm glow of red flushed to Astrid’s cheeks. She could’ve sworn the blonde shot a momentarily smirk for a second.

But then…he turned back to face the sunset and…and then came back in silence.

…What went wrong? Did the words come out too weird and awkward? Was he trying to find his own words to express his feelings?

“Thanks Astrid, but…I don’t know if she’ll think the same as you.”

Wait…what?

“Wh…wh-what do you mean…?” Astrid’s smile slowly faded.

“I like Tifa but…I don’t think she’ll feel the same. That’s why I wanna impress her.”

[...]

Oh.

“I know it’s…surprising. Especially since Tifa and I aren’t the closest.”

Astrid didn’t even realize how widened her eyes were. Surely it wasn’t only surprising, but shocking. Her little heart remained at that same speeding pace, but this time, it was all for the wrong reasons. Had she misread his signals? Shouldn’t she be happy either way? Shouldn’t she have known this all along? Where was the part she had missed about Cloud’s feelings for Tifa?

…Does…Tifa like him as well…?

There were too many questions buzzing in the girl’s head. She couldn’t think straight.

“...That’s okay.”

Stupidly, those were the only words she could put together. Nothing more, nothing less.

The boy looked at her, he noticed how awfully quiet she’s been since he told her his crush.

“...The heart wants what it wants Cloudy…There’s…” She forced a soft smile. “...nothing…wrong with that.”

They both were one with the silence. The sun was slowly fading into the clouds, and so was Astrid’s fake smile; she badly wanted to cry her heart out but…this is her friend, her happiness, and if this was how he felt…then she knew well that she should be happy for him too.

“...When will you tell her?” The brunette spoke up, her green eyes glued on the sun’s disappearance.

“Hm?” Cloud’s turned to her.

“Your feelings for her…” Likewise, Astrid’s eyes met his blue ones. “When will you tell her?”

He looked away momentarily, this had him thinking of what time would be the perfect time to confess to Tifa. “I’ll be telling her about it tonight but...do you think it’d be best to confess when I come back?” He looked back at her. “Do you think…she’ll like me too…if I became a SOLDIER..?”

“I…I-I don’t know….” The tone was hinting at her breaking apart. Even she realized she couldn’t keep it together for long..

Cloud stuttered a bit on her response, he didn’t expect her to know but…it did in a way made him insecure about his idea.

It took all her strength and force to spark a small smile back onto the corner of Astrid’s lips.

“B-But….no matter what….”

Astrid faced Cloud with that radiant happiness she always carried around him, hoping that it wasn’t forced this time though.

“...I-I’ll be there for whatever happens between you too…just like what we shook on.”

“Thanks Astrid…and if I haven’t said it…” Cloud itched the back of his head shyly. “...You’re a great friend too.”

It never existed.

His feelings for her.

His protection for her.

His love for her.

…Only to realize they were merely just feelings for a very, dear friend.

And that those feelings…had been built off of imagination.

It got darker soon, as the sun sunsetted early behind more dense clouds that surrendered the remaining light left. The young blonde knew it was time to head back home. 

“Before I leave…I want to give you this back.”

As they stood facing each other, Cloud took off the gold necklace that hung from his neck from under his shirt, handing it in Astrid’s palms.

“You…don’t want it anymore?” She looked up at him with hurt hidden in her eyes.

Cloud shook his head. “I just…don’t want to lose it somewhere in Midgar. I think it’s safer with you.”

She looked down at the necklace. “D-Does it…still mean something to you…?”

“Of course it does.” Cloud responded softly. “That’s…why I’m scared to lose it.”

“...Yeah.” Her fingers curled on top of the jewel before looking back up to him. “...I’ll keep it safe…for us.”

Astrid could feel her eyes water up, and as a desperation attempt to hide her emotions, she hugged him suddenly. 

It took Cloud by surprise, not being used to affection that comes out of nowhere. “A-Astrid…?”

He could sense something was wrong, her grip refused to let him go. Eventually the young blonde relaxed. This was Astrid after all…a girl of nothing but love to give for others. His arms gently wrapped around her slowly. 

“Calm down...you’ll see me again.” Cloud awkwardly muttered.

Astrid was having a hard time focusing on what he said, being that she was in between keeping her breathing from becoming shaky and not letting him see the few tears that failed to stay behind eyelids. 

She was able to eventually clear her mind temporarily from his comforting touch, although she knew she had to let him go at some point, so she did.

“S-Sorry…I-I….I don’t know why I did that…” She looked down, a bit ashamed of herself.

“Hey….don’t worry ‘bout it, K?” Cloud reassured her before having to make his farewell to her. “Well…I gotta go now…”

Cloud began walking away from her.

“Cloudy..”

Until she called for him for one last time.

He turned over to look at her, standing under the spotted, clouded sky, her hands held closely to her heart. Her smile was as sweet as it could look.

“I….wish you nothing but the best for you.”

. . . . .

Her hand hurt so much when clutching hard on the jewel of the necklace.

Well….Astrid definitely knew what a heartbreak was now if she wasn’t gonna feel it later.

Describing her as a sobbing mess would be an understatement, it was hard to make less noise but she just had faith that no one would check on her. 

She felt ridiculous, crying over a boy after teaching herself not to care about what others think of her, and yet the thought of her own crush not feeling the same way she does for him bothered her?

Astrid, grow up…you’re better than this.

The young brunette sat up, caressing her cheek dry from the rest of her tears. Looking out from her window, the stars faced down on her brightly. She remembered how Cloud was supposed to meet up with Tifa tonight, just thinking about it made her hear their voices, but it was just difficult to imagine how they’d be together. Would they be happy? Would it work out? Would she….finally notice him like he had hoped for?

It was what he wanted, after all. And she knew.

That night before sleeping, Astrid had vowed never to fall for her friend like that again.

Pink sunset: "Budding romance"

“Cloud…I think you should talk to Astrid. I mean…really talk to her.”

“...You’re right, Tifa.”

. . . . .

The moment she felt fingers curl around her hand, all the thoughts and worries blurred the instant her gaze met with stunning, angelic blue eyes. She was so caught up in her own thoughts, Astrid hadn’t even noticed Cloud’s presence crawl up from behind whatsoever.

“Astrid…”

The blonde softly muttered from his lips, almost sounding like a whisper. Astrid struggled to talk, he could see how hard she was trying to either talk or not break down in front of him. She truly looked as if she knew that the world was gonna end that night.

Well.

That’s because the world is ending.

She was clearly scared as a result. A part of her was trying its best to be strong, something that her own cousin, Aerith, would do, but she felt as if she wasn’t brave enough, then she’d have to carry the burden of disappointment. Well, it wouldn’t have mattered anyways if the planet’s life was coming to an end, would it now?

Cloud softly sighed, he acknowledged her suffering and saved her from the trouble of responding to him. He got closer to her, his eyes looking down at her in empathy. He softly spoke in his lowest tone.

“..Let’s get off the Highwind for the night. Just…the two of us.”

He didn’t need to hear her say ‘yes.’

Her eyes said it all.

♪Can you even imagine fallin' like I did for the love of my life?♪

Their hands remained stuck together. Each moment that passed they held on slightly tighter, giving a few squeezes every now and as they walked onto the rocky mountain, decorated in patches of green here and there. They stopped at the top, their skin basking under the warm, pink-casted light of the sunset that they were both facing. They stood there, soft wisps of wind fluttering the tips of their hair gently. Their eyes locked gaze with the beautifully painted sky, the rosie scenery that resided in their nostalgic memories and hearts. 

It was exactly why the image of it being ripped and wrecked by the giant meteor beast scared them. They both flinched. It was clear that they were thinking of the exact same thought.

“I-It always felt like…the sunset either brings us closer or…drags us apart…each time we bask in its light…”

Cloud turned to her, watching her slowly walk away from him and creating more distance. It felt like a wave of relief washing over him upon hearing the brunette’s soft voice, but he can feel her worries and sadness louder than her own words.

“...But r-right now…I can’t tell what it feels like…” Her green eyes shift down to the ground. “...A part of me feels like….all of this…is my fault…”

Cloud mouth slightly parted, blinking in disbelief.

“The reason for how we got here and…why we’re here…you know well that I don’t deserve a moment like this Cloud…”

She sighed gently, then turned back to face Cloud with slightly watery eyes.

“...You didn’t just take us down here for the scenery…didn’t you?”

“...No.”

Cloud paused before continuing.

“...But you know well why I brought you here, and all I want…is to hear you say that reason.”

But here she was.

Eyes slightly widened at him, the state of shock was clear as crystal on her face. Her breath hitched as she immediately looked away, the red hotness creeping up her cheeks. She knew it’d only have been a matter of time until Cloud finally found what was in the depths of her heart, the feelings that she’d been trying her best to kill. The guilt was catching up, and the woman was at her limit of excuses to make.

She couldn’t tell if it would’ve been better for her to finally fess up to it, or if the world should’ve just ended right then and there.

She had been so lost in her doubtful thoughts she hadn’t realized Cloud standing right in front of her, her hands resting on his palms. She looked up through her lashes, and the blonde knew how fearful she was to tell him.

“Don’t be scared..” He gently gave her hands a few faint squeezes. “I’m not letting you do this alone. So…let’s both promise to be honest this time…deal?” Cloud tilted his head.

A deal huh.

If anything, maybe things would’ve been different had Astrid not come up with that similar scenario when they were younger. But even god knew they both needed it at some point in their lives.

Astrid seemed to calm down, nodding softly. Yet, the pit of anxiety in her stomach still rested comfortably, and it would only grow bigger the moment she opened her mouth. She’d have to, eventually.

“They all told me.” The blonde started.

“The lifestream….Tifa…Aerith…”

“They all wanted me to know about your feelings, Astrid.”

“In the lifestream…Tifa took me to you…during the time after I left…”

Astrid looked as if she had a million words to say, but she just couldn’t bring herself to even say a single word. She just looked away, the memories forcing her to relive the young pain she once swore to get over.

The blonde’s crystal eyes softened. “...I hurt you badly…didn’t I…” 

Astrid’s hand wrapped around her arm, her chest elevated and softly fell back down as she sighed through her nose.

“...I never blamed you, Cloudy.” She let out a sigh-chuckle while humming to herself. “If it was never meant to be then….”

Once again, she couldn’t find the words. Cloud blinked, finally hearing Astrid’s inner feelings, as if she had another hidden heart that she had just revealed to him. A heart that’s been hurting…and he blames himself for it all.

Astrid looked over to his guilty expression, one that can be rarely seen. And this…just devastated her more.

“C-Cloud…i-it’s not your fault..” She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “...I promise…i-it really isn’t..”

“If there’s one thing that can put me at ease right now…it’s to hear you talk to me, Astrid.” Every one of his words filled to the brim with sincerity. “You’ve always had an ear to everyone else…but there wasn’t once anyone’s returned the favor for you…I wanna change that, right here, right now.”

…He had a point.

“Please Astrid…you don’t have to hide your feelings anymore…especially not with…me.” His hand reached up to her cheek and lifted her head up to look at him. “...Please.” Cloud whispered gently.

…And he was right.

It had to be said at one point. All those feelings. Those memories. Those heartaches…

She took a deep breath, sighing away the small emotional rock that was stuck in her throat.

“...I-If anything…it’s my fault.” She looked off to the side, ashamed. “I should’ve never fallen for you in the first place…”

She shook her head.

“...but even so…it was like I was never allowed to get over it completely…even when I saw you again I…I wasn’t even sure how to be myself around you like I used to…” The brunette bit her lip.

The blonde started to realize. “...When I changed, so did you…”

She looked back at him to face him.

“But….no matter what…there were always those feelings we had for each other that stuck with us, huh…”

. . .

F…

Feelings…?

Our…feelings…?

Does he….also…?

“C-Cloud…”

Her body had a mind of its own.

Not realizing the closed-in space between herself and Cloud, her hands rested upon his chest, fingers curling into a hard grip at his shirt. Her form was kept still by the strength of Cloud's arms wrapped around her, hands resting up on her lower back. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the blonde’s crystal blue orbs. 

So full of emotion…

So full of feelings…feelings that can’t be put into simple, plain words…

It was a naturally magnetic feeling. Each second pulled each other closer, both having the strongest urge imaginable to get even more closer. It was like..they were both revealing their true selves to each other…

Oh…

How much she missed him…

How she missed his true self…

The Cloud she once knew and fell in love with all those years ago…

…

“I promise….never to fall for you again.”

The remembrance of that oath gave Astrid’s heart a sudden jolt. She snapped herself awake from the sweet dream that clouded her thoughts, finally gaining back control of her senses and only to realize that the real she knew Cloud didn’t feel like this for her.

He never did, never would either.

Those thoughts alone made her pull herself away from his arms. Tears overwhelmed her eyes, making them glossy and brighter to the reflection of the light. It was clear she wanted to cry, but something held her back, not allowing her to let the droplets escape from her eyes.

“I…I-I shouldn’t…I can’t…!”

Her hands formed into fists, a sign that she was still clenching hard on her remaining hidden feelings.

“...I can’t fall in love with the boy whose heart was never meant for me…a-again…”

She was scared, afraid to fall in love with him, only to have her heart crushed to pieces all over again with the unfortunate truth.

It was deja vu to the both of them.

But this time.

Cloud could see…her. 

His heart was at its fullest with his honest feelings for her.

And he wanted her to know.

Every. 

Single.

Bit of it.

“Astrid…”

Cloud’s eyes gave the softest look, he badly wanted to make amends with the fear he caused in Astrid’s heart. He wanted to prove his feelings innocent, that they were honest, from the bottom of his heart, and from his own real self, the same one who had been too blind to see how all of her past efforts were all out of nothing but the love she had for him. It was the same love for him that’s trapped in her but..

Only he had the key to unlock the trust of her love for him again.

“Whether this may be the last night we’re together like this…or we’ll have more nights to talk…just to get closer each time...it wouldn’t matter. I feel the closest to you at this moment, but if I’m never able to fix the trust of your feelings for me…then I’ll always be afraid…”

He drew closer.

“...Because I now know…I hurt the one girl that’s always understood me…”

His hand cupped her cheek once more. A single tear rolled softly down her cheek.

“...And it was the biggest mistake I could’ve ever made..”

“....C….Cloud…”

“...Is there any way I can fix this…?”

More tears started to spill, slowly. Cloud’s voice becomes a soft whisper. Astrid’s lips quivered, the more she looked into his eyes, the more she saw how serious he was about her.

“B-By knowing how I feel, Cloud…. th-that’s all I want…all I need..” Her voice was shaken up. “I-I never wanted to say a thing to you, I vowed not to…I-I knew I could never be the one for you…I kn-knew that there was always g-going to be someone else for you…. a-anyone but me…”

It was clear he was fighting for her trust again, and it was equally clear that it’s working. It was stinging Astrid’s heart in so many ways at the thought of this finally being her moment to finally accept her own feelings for him.

Their moment.

“No…you convinced yourself that Astrid.” Cloud brought himself closer to her slowly, trying to break her walls break by break at an unrushed pace. “...You were always there in my mind even when I didn’t realize it..”

“You understood my feelings for the longest time…but I hadn’t known about your broken heart that you were trying to fix by yourself..”

 He slowly leaned near her ear, blonde strands brushed against Astrid’s cheeks softly..

“You can’t do everything on your own all your life….y’know?”

He….remembered….

Finally, Astrid was speechless through tears, her arms thrown around Cloud’s form as she stuttered through her sobs. It was all going so fast yet time seemed to slow down to a halt.

Being in Cloud’s arms felt like a lifetime, despite all the times they lost together had she fessed up earlier…it didn’t matter now though. She felt like a huge weight was washed down even through the crying.

Soft lips were planted on her head…but Cloud knew they were far from being done.

. . . . .

♪She's got glow on her face, a glorious look in her eyes♪

By now the sky’s hues were radiating with magenta-purples, a sign of nighttime approaching. 

He held her close, laying on a soft patch of grass with his hands entangled in her reddish-brown waves of hair. To the sound of his gentle heartbeats, Astrid’s breathing did its best to regulate itself after crying.

Once she was ready…she spoke up.

“Cloud..I…I’m ready…”

The man’s arms loosened around her waist, facing the emerald eyes that reflected the remaining light of the sunset. Some hair rested upon her nose, to which he brushed off slowly and tucked it behind her ear.

“I never really cared about what others thought of me but…after that growing connection we had…it really stung upon realizing how I had conjured those memories as romantic when…it wasn’t true. After that I promised never to fall for you again but…” She chuckled. “...I guess fate didn’t like the idea of me truly giving those feelings up, when your true self was starting to melt from the ice…so did my feelings…and it hurt even more knowing how I knew I fell over again for someone who was….already in love…”

“Maybe I was, but…”Cloud’s hand rested still on her cheek. “...in the end, it all led me back to you.”

Seeing him move closer, she was at her last chance at resisting.

Instead however, as her mind reeled every memory.

Every memory of her heartaches…

Every memory of him…

Every memory of the times he’s spent with her…

Oh, Astrid…

You’re not just childly in love; you want to spend the rest of your days and nights with him, don’t you?

She wanted to spend her evenings with him outdoors and watching every glorious sunset with a feeling of reassurance, knowing that tomorrow she’ll wake up to see the same loving, blue eyes that glowed in her own times of darkness. To hold him gently through his pains, watch him smile when he knows that everything will be okay…

Yes…this was what she wanted to fight for….

The only sounds that they could hear were each other’s heartbeats as their lips interlocked.

♪My angel of light…♪

Red sunset: "Passionate love"

Soft glows of red streaks filled the bedroom across through the blinds. She closed the door, soaking up the serenity atmosphere as she faced her lover that she hadn’t seen for a week, an apologetic look at his face spoke for itself.

“Astrid…I-I’m sorry..”

“I know you are, Cloud..”

The brunette walked over to the bed, sitting next to him as he avoided eye contact. He felt ashamed abandoning her ever since geostigma had caught up to Denzel.

“I also didn’t know how to fight that battle…all those years of…mourning over her put me off from learning anything more of my heritage.” Astrid sighed, she too was in deep regret of how she had handled things. “...I’m glad to know that we’re getting stronger now…and to know that we have others that I can call…family…”

Family…

Oh how lovely that word sounded…something they both hadn’t heard since they were little, something they had longed for once more.

“....That includes you, Cloudy…” Astrid reached for his cheek, turning his head gently to face the loving look in her eyes. “...so we’re not letting you go off to face the impossible alone no matter what…got that?”

“Yeah…”

A faint tint of red appeared on his cheeks. He felt warm from her words and lingering touches, her thumb brushing some of his blonde spikes behind his ear. Cloud took his gloves off before removing her hand from his face, taking a good look at her palms whilst caressing its softness…

So soft…

“They wouldn’t have cured if it wasn’t for you…~”

The blonde smiled, his heartbeat steadied at a relaxed pace. She didn’t wince or feel any pain when he applied some pressure onto it with his thumbs, unlike when it was infected. The look of joy on his face was unforgettable upon washing away the geostigma from her hands, knowing that he’d be able to hold her hand again.

“This is a future that we fought for…” His hands held Astrid’s, looking into her eyes. “...so I won’t let it go to waste again. I promise.”

“Cloudy…you don’t have to promise…because you already know it’s what we want…” 

♪I was all alone with the love of my life♪

Astrid closed the leftover gap between them with a tender kiss. Saying that they missed the feeling of locking their soft lips with one another was an understatement, they practically yearned their touch after what they had been through. They couldn’t keep their hands to themselves no matter how hard they tried to resist. They separated in between kisses for air but they had no plans on stopping any time soon. 

Slowly, they ended up laying together. Cloud crawled on top of his petite girlfriend while cradling her legs up his thighs, his hand caressed up her waist tenderly under her shirt. 

At some point their loving stares locked with each other, Cloud’s thumb rubbed her bottom lip with a strip of red light streaking over it as well. It was obvious how much he wanted to take things a step further, telling by the look in his eyes that she knows all too well how to read. 

“I missed this…I missed you…” He absolutely longed to reveal his unconditional love to her. 

Sparks burned brighter with each kiss that led to a more passionate connection. Fire prickled at Cloud’s fingertips all the more as he stroked further up her form, craving to hold her smaller body into his loving embrace, it felt like his whole world was in his very arms…

It was a fresh breath of air to know he was in the same room as her, the same bed as her again…just like how it should be…

“...C-Cloudy…~” The pace of the girl’s heartbeat quickened from the euphoric state, she wanted him as much as he wanted her that moment. 

. . . . .

The warm lovers were tied up together in cuddles and kisses. Cloud’s mouth buried on Astrid’s head whilst tangling his fingers through her wavy hair. 

“Astrid..?”

♪She's got glitter for skin, my radiant beam in the night♪

He didn’t get a response from her, she must’ve been tired out. He smirked while giving a tender peck on her head. Just from that, she snuggled up closer to his chest which earned a chuckle from him. She was the absolute cutest in every way possible in his eyes, he could feel the fireworks in his chest go off with happiness to have her warm and safe in his arms again…

“I love you…~”

He slowly dozed off to the sound of a muttered "I love you too."

Golden sunset: “Long-living love”

Ding ding!

The bells rang in rhythm with sounds of footsteps that followed.

“Ah! Sorry but we’re closed..” Astrid’s eyes didn’t leave her focus on organizing the money in the cash register.

Tifa giggled in the back when she realized that her own friend hadn’t even noticed who just walked in. “Astrid…look up silly!”

“Huh?” She hadn’t even taken notice of the shadow approaching her until a familiar gloved hand was placed on the counter in front of her. “Cloudy~!!” The young brunette raced around the counter and threw her arms around her boyfriend gleefully, having him return the affection with his left arm while his right one was holding a small decorated box.

“For a moment I was worried that I wasn’t welcomed back~”

“Don’t worry I was just distracted…Tifa and I were just tidying up some things. I just need to bring the rest of the tools upsta-”

“Allow me!” Tifa hurried over to grab the rest of the stuff before Astrid could get to it. She giggled and winked at the two. “Gotta let the couple of the night have their deserved rest~” Tifa winked and walked out of the room before either two could reply.

“She seems…oddly chipper all of a sudden…” Astrid remarked, it confused her to how Tifa had just rushed out so fast. She looked back up to Cloud after hearing a soft chuckle escape from his throat, he had a smile that screamed he was hiding something as he averted his eyes. Astrid noticed and got even more confused. “Hey, why the mischievousness? Do you two…know something that I don’t?”

Astrid placed one hand on her hip and the other on the counter beside her, leaning towards Cloud with an eyebrow lifted to interrogate him. He didn’t reply, instead he simply placed the small box that was in his and pushed it towards her. The girl’s green eyes widened at the beautifully detailed box with a gold ribbon and a red rose attached to it. 

“...I think this package will answer your question~”

She let out a soft giggle and shook her head at his attempt at distracting her.

But as she carefully peeled at the wrapping, her heart slowly increased its pace. 

“C-Cloud…” 

“Open it Astrid…”

♪I don't need no light to see you shine♪

This girl could’ve been shaking from the excitement upon lifting the box open, facing a glittering golden ring, a mold of the yellow lily’s petals was circulated around a shining blue gem, reflecting the golden light off of its flat sides. 

“Oh my…C-Cloud…I-I..!” Her mind was still reeling at the fact that Cloud had just proposed to her and she didn’t even acknowledge how much she was crying her eyes out, not until her now-fiancé reached to caress the tears off of her cheek with his thumbs gently. 

“Astrid..?”

Through tears, Astrid lunged herself in a hug with him. “Yes Cloudy! I will marry you!! You mean the world to me!! I love you so so s~o much…!” Her arms tightened around him, it caused his heart to flutter with a loving smile that followed up.

Hearing a tap on the door window that Tifa had left from, Cloud could still see her presence whilst she raised two thumbs up and a wide grin plastered on the woman’s face for encouragement. The man smiled, he was the happiest in that moment. He wanted to see her excitement last for the rest of their days, to hold her like this forevermore…

That wasn’t the only thing that Cloud is giving however. 

“Ah right, I almost forgot…” He gently held Astrid’s arms for her to loosen her grip, allowing him to pull something else from his bag.

A pen and a marriage certificate.

“Just sign here…Astrid Strife~”

♪It’s your golden hour~♪

[cosmoboba]

Don't even begin to ask me why it took way too long to do these but. Cloustrid family comeback is worth it❤️🐥

The inspo!!⬇️

[empressofthesunwriter]

Anomaly

Anomaly; noun: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

While her older brother Zack rises in the ranks of SOLDIER, Dalia Fair is one of the biggest Idol’s Midgar has ever seen! All seems well for the siblings, till the Whispers appear and try to kill Dalia. Now brother and sister must unrevail ShinRa’s dark secrets and why Dalia is an anomaly in the eyes of the spectral beings.

Or:

Zack has a younger sister whom the Whispers want to get rid of because they must protect the sacred canon.

Spoiler Alert: Dalia won't let herself get killed or erased by the spooky grim reapers wannabe!

Also, canon who, it's her show now!

I made Dalia's wardrobe, take a look.

Also I want to say if I mess up Genesis please don’t be too mean to me, I do not really get Loveless, I think I’m too stupid to interpret it right *drop*

I tried my best, but if I can improve please tell me.

Now on with the story.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Chapter 4: Searching for answers

The Fair Siblings walked in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts. As they made their way back to their apartment, Dalia couldn't help but think about Cloud and the strange events that had brought them together. She wondered if they would ever find out the truth behind the Whispers and what destiny had in store for them.

Zack seemed to sense her unease and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"We'll figure this out," he said reassuringly. "We always do."

Dalia nodded, feeling grateful for her brother's support. She knew that they were in this together and that no matter what happened, they would face it as a team.

As they reached their apartment complex, Dalia felt a sense of relief wash over her. 

They were home, safe from the dangers of the outside world - at least for now. She looked up at Zack and smiled gratefully.

"Thanks for having my back." 

"Always," he replied before ruffling her hair playfully. "Now let's get some rest and we'll start working on our plan tomorrow."

She nodded eagerly, feeling more hopeful than she had before. 

With Zack by her side and a plan in place, she knew that they could overcome any obstacle - even destiny itself.

***

Meanwhile on the SOLDIER floor of the ShinRa building one Angeal Hewley rubbed tired his eyes.

He was still in his office, researching on his computer.

What Zack and little Dalia told him, worried him endlessly, even if he didn’t show the kids when they had visited him.

Dalia being hunted down by the Whispers, the legendary beings who protected faith's course and eliminated any obstacle which diverged it, scarred him.

He was scared for little Dalia. She still was only 14, barely had left her childhood behind, and wasn't a fighter.

Angeal knew his protege Zack would do anything to protect his sister, but he couldn’t be around her anytime.

What if the Whispers attacked her while she was performing as the Idol Rosethrone and Zack was with him away on a mission?

No, he didn’t want to think about that. The thought alone was chilling.

So after work, he stayed in his office and searched the Database of ShinRa for anything about the Whispers.

There wasn’t much which he didn’t know and the rest was classified.

What should he do?

Angeal leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.

He had to do something to help her.

Anything.

Not only for her but also for Zack.

The SOLDIER First Rang didn’t want to imagine how his protege would react if something happened to his sister.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. 

He quickly typed a message on his computer and sent it to his childhood friend Genesis Rhapsodos. 

Genesis was known for his extensive knowledge of ancient legends and myths, and Angeal hoped that he could shed some light on the Whispers.

As he waited for a reply, Angeal couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He had always been one to follow orders and stay within the confines of ShinRa's rules, yet this situation was different. 

He knew that if he didn't act soon, Dalia could be in grave danger.

Just then, his computer beeped with an incoming message from Genesis.

I’m on my way, old friend.

Huh, Genesis is still in the building too? 

Angeal thought he already had gone home.

His office door opened and not only Genesis but also Sephiroth walked in.

“That’s a surprise.”, said Angeal, looking at his two friends. “I thought only you would come Genesis.”

“Sephiroth read rudely over my shoulder, when I got your message.”, explained the red-haired SOLDIER First with a huff.

The black-haired haired fought off a grin as he saw how Sephiroth rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t think helping our friend was something classified.”, rebuked the Silver General dry as the dessert.

“Pride is lost, Wings stripped away, the end is nigh.”, counter Genesis with a Loveless quote.

“Alright, alright you two, calm down.”, told them Angeal. “I assume you both being here means you know something about the Whispers?”

He looked at his two friends, hoping they had some information that could help Dalia. Genesis took a seat on the couch while Sephiroth leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"We know a little," Genesis began, "The Whispers are ancient beings that have existed since the beginning of time. They protect the course of destiny and eliminate anything that threatens it."

Sephiroth nodded in agreement. "They have been known to intervene in major events throughout history, ensuring that things go according to plan."

Angeal listened intently, feeling a sense of dread wash over him.

"But why are they after Dalia? What does she have to do with destiny?" he asked.

The Crimson Commander shrugged. "That's unclear, but it's possible that her role as Rosethrone has something to do with it. The Whispers may see her as an obstacle or a threat to their plans."

Angeal sighed heavily, feeling more worried than ever before. "So what can we do?"

Sephiroth spoke up this time. "We need more information about their motives and their methods of operation. We also need to find out if there's any way to stop them."

Angeal nodded slowly, feeling a glimmer of hope at Sephiroth's words. With his two closest friends by his side and a plan forming in his mind, he knew they could protect Dalia from whatever fate had in store.

“Well we could start here.”, said Angeal feeling a bit unwell. This was directly going against ShinRa's orders. It didn’t make him feel good. “There is some classified information ShinRa has on the Whispers, but I don’t have the clearing for them. Maybe one of you...?”

Both his friends walked over, to read what was written on his computer.

Suddenly Sephiroth growled: “That Security Seal...that’s the one from the Science Department.”

He didn’t need to say more.

Genesis and Angeal made a face.

So Hojo had some information on the Whispers.

Of course, it would be the obsessed scientist who would have the answer for them.

Angeal's stomach churned at the thought of involving Hojo in this. He knew firsthand how twisted and dangerous the man could be. But if it meant protecting Dalia, he was willing to take the risk.

"Can we trust him?", Angeal asked, his voice laced with concern.

Genesis scoffed. "Of course not, but desperate times call for desperate measures."

Sephiroth nodded in agreement before turning to Angeal. "We'll go see him tomorrow and see what he knows."

Angeal nodded reluctantly, knowing that they didn't have much time to waste. 

The Whispers were closing in on Dalia and they needed all the information they could get to protect her. 

With a heavy heart, Angeal closed his computer and stood up from his desk. 

They had a long day ahead of them tomorrow, but for now, he just wanted to go home and rest - if he could sleep at all with the weight of their mission bearing down on him.

***

Once upon a time, she didn’t mind showing her face but after all things that happened...

She was thankful for the long black coat with the hood Elmyra had made for her.

The hood over her head gave her a sense of security, something she hadn’t experienced anymore since Zack...since Zack's disappearance.

Dalia walked the street of the Slums of Sector 5 in the direction of a special church.

Aerith forgot time again.

She would collect her sister-in-law and then they could go home to Elmyra.

Suddenly she felt a chill down her spine.

She knew what this meant.

Dramatically Dalia reached for her bow and an arrow.

A Whisper was before her, she shot at the apparition with precision and it vanished.

“Better luck next time, asshole.”, she spat.

Was it sad that she learned to live with the Whispers who followed her every step?

She couldn't help but feel a sense of anger and frustration towards these beings that seemed to be constantly after her.

It was exhausting to always be on guard and ready to fight at any moment.

As she approached the church, she saw Aerith waiting for her outside.

The two sisters-in-law embraced each other tightly, grateful for each other's company in this dangerous world.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Aerith said apologetically. "I lost track of time again."

Dalia smiled, feeling a sense of calm wash over her in Aerith's presence.

"It's okay," she reassured her sister-in-law. "I just had a run-in with a Whisper on my way here."

 Aerith's face fell with worry. "Are you okay?"

Dalia nodded, patting the bow and quivering on her back for emphasis. "I'm fine, thanks to the arrows you blessed.”

The brunette woman nodded in agreement before both women jumped into the air.

Something had crashed through the roof of the church!

“Aerith, stay behind me!”, commande Dalia, getting bow and arrow ready.

Together they walked into the church, ready for anything.

Well almost.

The black-haired woman didn’t expect to see HIM in Aerith's flower field!

“CLOUD!”, shouted Dalia and raced over to him.

“You know him?!”, wonder Aerith, still not coming near.

Dalia kneeled over the knocked-out blond man and cried openly.

Five years...

Five years it had been since she last saw him!

When he got with Zack to this mission neither of them returned from.

And now he was here!

She gently caressed his cheek, her tears falling on his face.

“Is this the Cloud you talked about, Lia?”, wondered Aerith, walking up to them. “The one who was your love and was with Zack on this damned mission he is still missing from?”

Not sure she could talk, Dalia nodded at her sister-in-law.

A gasp left Aerith's mouth.

“Do you think...”

“That he must know where Zack is? I bet! They both have to explain some things.”

It’s then that Dalia noted how the man under her hands started to wake up.

“Cloud.”, she whispered softly.

His eyes opened slowly and the black-haired woman had nearly a heart attack.

Mako eyes!

But Cloud wasn’t a SOLDIER!

Come to think of it, why was he dressed as one?

Cloud was now fully awake.

What Dalia saw in his eyes scared her.

No recognition whatsoever.

How was that possible?

“Cloud?”

“Who are you?”, he said, which broke Dalia's heart in a million pieces. “How do you know my name?”

***

Confused Dalia sat up on her bed and rubbed her face.

There were tears flowing down her cheeks.

What a strange dream she had!

Who was this Aerith?

Since when was Dalia good at archery?

Why did Cloud not recognize her?

Why did her brain make her dream such nonsense?

Argh, it was frustrating!

Dalia shook her head, trying to clear the remnants of the dream from her mind. 

It had felt so real, but she knew it was all just a figment of her imagination. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand and groaned - it was still early in the morning. She tried to go back to sleep, but her mind kept wandering back to the dream.

She couldn't help but wonder what it all meant. 

Was it some sort of sign or premonition? 

Or was it just her mind playing tricks on her? 

Dalia sighed heavily, feeling more confused than ever before.

As she lay there in bed, lost in thought, she heard a knock on her door.

"Dalia? Are you awake?"

It was Zack's voice.

She quickly wiped away her tears and called out, "Yeah, I'm up."

Her brother walked into the room and sat down on the edge of her bed.

"You okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

The younger Fair nodded slowly. "Yeah, just had a weird dream."

"Want to talk about it?"

She hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell him about the dream. 

As she spoke, Zack listened intently and when she finished he looked thoughtful.

"Hmm," he said after a moment's pause. "Maybe it means something."

Dalia rolled her eyes playfully. "Or maybe it's just my brain being weird."

Zack chuckled softly before standing up from the bed. "Well, either way, we've got work to do today."

The girl nodded eagerly, grateful for the distraction from her strange dream.

***

Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth stand before the door of the science department.

You could clearly see in their faces that neither wanted to go in and talk with Hojo about the Whispers.

“My friend, do you fly away now?”, asked Genesis.

“No, someone has to go to Hojo. Zack is my pupil, Dalia his sister, I should enter.”, said Angeal.

That’s when Sephiroth raised a hand.

“I should talk to the man.”, he reminded his friends. “I know him better than you both, I will detect if he is lying or hiding something from me.”

“Sephiroth I can’t possibly ask you to do this.”

“What are friends for?”

The silver-haired man gave Angeal a tiny smile, which warmed his heart.

He was glad to have such a good friend in Sephiroth.

“What are going to tell the slimeball.”, asked Genesis in curiosity.

Sephiroth nearly spat: “I will tell him I had encounters with the Whispers, I won’t tell him anything about the Fair siblings, they don’t need to attract Hojo's interest. Hojo will surely tell me something since his most precious specimen is in danger.”

Both Angeal and Genesis looked worried for their friend, even if Genesis would deny it.

“I hate it when you talk like that about yourself.”, signed Angeal.

The Silver General just waved a hand and entered the room, while Angeal and Genesis waited for him.

As Sephiroth entered the room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust wash over him. The smell of chemicals and decay filled his nostrils, making him want to gag.

He saw Hojo sitting at his desk, surrounded by vials and test tubes. The man looked up as Sephiroth approached him, a smug grin on his face.

"Well, well, if it isn't my favourite experiment," Hojo said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "What brings you here today?"

Sephiroth fought to keep his composure as he spoke. "I've had some encounters with the Whispers recently and I was wondering if you knew anything about them."

Hojo's expression turned serious at the mention of the Whispers.

"What do you know about them?" he asked sharply.

The silver-haired man narrowed his eyes, sensing that the creepy scientist knew more than he was letting on.

"Not much," he replied calmly. "But I thought you might have some information that could be useful."

Hojo hesitated for a moment before reaching for a file on his desk. He handed it to Sephiroth with a warning look in his eye.

"This is classified information," he said sternly. "You better not let anyone else see it."

The SOLDIER First nodded curtly before turning to leave the room.

As he walked out, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about Hojo's behaviour and that never was something good.

***

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

[gaecactae]

A Cozy Cloud

09. Holidays!🏝️

Hello peeps!!

I have a few words to say about this specific comic, so if you read them along, it will just. Make my day.

So this comic is just. Very very important to me, since it sparked the idea of the whole au. A little over a year ago I had this idea of little Tenko going on holidays. And well, to make this come true, I knew I need to actually create specific grounds, so we’re all on the same page there, as to. Why everyone is okay in this au 😅

So yeah!! I’ll also post a music that I highly recommend listening to while reading it; it’s the music I imagined it to happen to and it’s whimsical, it will give you the idea overall.

And well, since holidays are just around the corner, our beloved heroes and their babies will be staying in the lake house a little while longer! 🏝️ yay!

[chimkin-samich]

Random meme redraws that pretty much summarizes what happened/is currently happening/will happen in our storyline...

Also.

Context for the "don't look" one, and...

.....

A little memey spoiler as well...

👀

[twstfanblog]

🐍: *Looking around* Where the fuck is Kalim...

🔪: Hi Jamil~♡

🐍:

🐍: Why are you here?

🔪: Don't worry about that.

🔪: *Fluttering their eyelashes* Hold my hand?

🐍: *Sighs but holds Yuu's hand* Well, while you're here, you can help me find-

☀️: *Waving from the arena* Hi Jamil!!

🐍: *Tries to jump into the arena, but is held back by Yuu's hand*

🔪: There, there, I know. 'You're gonna kill him'. Let it all out.

[swordmaid]

and when you go to the sea, i will be waiting for you at the shore.

[rubixcuby]

Sometimes like this / also like that 🤞🥱😏🥴

[the-rodent-gentleman]

[template] by @phillipsgraves

[template]by @cityandking

AO3 Tags: meet-cute, nerds in love, height differences, facing the past

To see their story: AO3 | FF

[shooting-star-hearts]

We're gonna pretend like I didn't forget to post Halloween scenarios on the day of Halloween but personally fun is fun idc

so!!!! Childhood Halloween with the mainie shipiessss

Axelise!

On both sides of the coin- both didn't participate in Halloween at first, Annise's reason being that her father was too protective to let Annise go out to trick or treat, and for Axel, well, since Hell is where he was from, Hell had....a rather disturbing way of celebrating it(be it cult rituals, awakening evil spirits and sacrifices....it'd be a lie to say it freaked him out a bit, hence resenting both Halloween AND his birthday since he was born on that day).

Anyhow, once Axel got to Heaven things changed for the two. Annise's father had figured out how harmless Axel was for a demon so this resulted into letting his guard down in limiting Annise in things. Hence, she was able to celebrate Halloween for the first time with Axel!!! As well as it being Axel's first normal and fun Halloween and birthday

Annise thought up of fancy snazzy idea for costumes, esp since she was still curious about Axel's existence as a demon: being each other's bestowals, so Annise was a demon princess while Axel was an angel prince.

Cloubri!

As a kiddo Cloud was always teased for being a target of the dark army, and, sadly it kinda was true since the boy himself had bad feelings that he harbored from being outcasted. And for that m'boy wears a wolf costume to symbolize a lone wolf every year.

...so like, I doubt the story "little red riding hood" exists in the ff7verse but fear not for my bitchass made an ff7 version of that story where she's referred to as the "crimson caretaker." Why am I bringing this up? Cuz that's what Aubri would dress up as even though she knows very well that the costume itself is not a good disguise to blend in with monsters.

With that in mind, Cloud notices that and realize she's not protected, he then spending the rest of the night by her side while going tussle or treat'ing. When he asks why she isn't dressed scarier, she then answers that the autumn harvest should be spent enjoying it rather than living in fear over the dark army, so staying happy and having fun wouldn't allow the monsters to attack her.

From that point on whenever the two of them went out for the pumpkin fest, Cloud always wonders if he was protecting her or was protecting him from his own troubles that make him vulnerable.

And since Cloud chooses tussle the majority of the time, Aubri has to share him her candy because he doesn't have as much as her by the end of the night ;;

[cosmoboba]

.:[Our Warmth]:.

I shit you not. this was only supposed to be a warmup sketch but then my hand slipped

[empressofthesunwriter]

Anomaly

Anomaly; noun: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

While her older brother Zack rises in the ranks of SOLDIER, Dalia Fair is one of the biggest Idol’s Midgar has ever seen! All seems well for the siblings, till the Whispers appear and try to kill Dalia. Now brother and sister must unrevail ShinRa’s dark secrets and why Dalia is an anomaly in the eyes of the spectral beings.

Or:

Zack has a younger sister whom the Whispers want to get rid of because they must protect the sacred canon.

Spoiler Alert: Dalia won't let herself get killed or erased by the spooky grim reapers wannabe!

Also, canon who, it's her show now!

Chapter 3: Fair & Strife

!!!!Please read and review!!!!

***

As they made their way to floor 62, Dalia and Zack couldn't help feeling a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. 

The thought of finally finding a lead on the Whispers was both thrilling and terrifying.

When they arrived at the floor, they were greeted by rows upon rows of filing cabinets, stacks of paperwork, and endless rows of computers. 

It was overwhelming, to say the least.

Zack turned to Dalia with a determined look on his face. 

"Let's split up and search for Cloud Strife's name in the resident list," he said firmly. "We'll cover more ground that way."

Dalia nodded in agreement and they set off in different directions, scanning through pages upon pages of names until finally...

"Zack! I found him!" she exclaimed excitedly, waving her brother over to her computer screen. "Cloud Strife, age 14, living in…-"

Suddenly the young girl smashed her forehead against the table.

“Dali, what’s wrong?!”, asked Zack worried, rubbing her red forehead.

“I’m also a dumbass…”, she whined. “Cloud told me that he was an infantryman and tried to become a SOLDIER…Of course, he lives in the barracks of the infantryman.”

Zack couldn’t help it.

He laughed.

“Asshole!”, growled Dalia, hitting over on over with her tiny fist on his shoulders.

This made Zack only more laugh.

“We truly are brother and sister! I can’t!”

His little sister just whined and hit him more.

The SOLDIER Third Rank finally managed to calm down and catch his breath.

"Okay, let's focus. We need to find the barracks for the infantryman and search for Cloud Strife there," he said, trying to regain his composure. He checked Cloud’s info. “Apartment Block G. Seventh Floor. 7A.”

They left the record room and headed towards the barracks.

The excitement mixed with nervousness was back again, but this time it was stronger.

They were getting closer to finding Cloud Strife, a lead to unlocking the mystery of the Whispers. 

As they walked through the halls, Dalia wondered if her brother would have lived here, if they didn’t get a family unit as he joined ShinRA.

Normally all SOLDIERS, to-be and infantrymen lived in Apartment Blocks around ShinRa, but if someone was married and/or had kids they were moved to the Apartment Complex where the Fair Siblings lived.

Their apartment was originally designed for a young couple with one child however was remodelled for the sibling pair.

If Zack hadn’t been number one on the entrance exam for SOLDIER they surely wouldn’t have given them the chance to live together under ShinRa protection.

Anyway finally, they arrived at Apartment Block G and made their way up to the seventh floor. 

They found 7A easily enough and knocked on the door.

There was no answer at first, but then they heard shuffling inside.

The door opened slowly and a young boy with spiky blond hair peeked out nervously.

"Are you Cloud Strife?", Zack asked eagerly.

The boy nodded silently, looking like he was about to bolt at any moment.

“It’s him.”, confirmed Dalia. Seeing him again made her remember how good-looking she thought he was.

“Do I know you?”, asked Cloud warily.

Reassuring the only girl smiled.

“I know what we will tell you will sound crazy, but it’s best we talk in your apartment. Can we come in?”

“Who are you both exactly?”

“I’m Zack Fair, SOLDIER Third class.”, introduced Zack. “That’s my little sister Dalia alias Rosethrone!”

For that, Dalia smashed her elbow into her brother's stomach.

“Zack I wanted to tell him that in his apartment! No one who doesn’t need to know my secret life as Idol Rosethrone needs to know!”, she hissed angrily.

What if someone else in the apartments heard them?!    

Cloud looked at them sceptically for a moment, yet then he seemed to make up his mind.

"Fine," he said finally, stepping aside to let them in. "But I don't have much time."

As they entered the small apartment, Dalia couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the young boy. The place was sparsely furnished and clearly had seen better days.

But there was a giant poster.

Of Rosethrone.

Of her!

And on a shelf, she saw some of her CDs.

“I thought you weren’t my fan?”, she asked him grinning from ear to ear.

Zack pursed his lips at the poster. It was not anything naughty because Dalia was underage and she knew better than to do such things, however, it’s not like he liked the thought that people had posters of his sister in their homes.

Especially teenagers.

Especially boys!

Cloud looked embarrassed, but also a little proud. "I may have started to like Rosethrone music after the concert," he admitted sheepishly. "Her music is really good."

Dalia couldn't help but feel touched by his words. 

It was one thing to have fans who didn't know her personally but to have someone like Cloud, whom she had come to respect and admire, appreciate her music meant the world to her.

“Thank you.”

Cloud frowned at her.

“And you say you are Rosethrone? You have both blue eyes, but she is a redhead and you have spiky black hair.”

With a cheeky grin, Dalia just started to sing the chorus of one of her number-one hits to make Cloud believe she was indeed the Idol.

It seemed to work.

Thank god, her voice was so unique.

That Cloud was shocked was an understatement, he blushed furiously and facepalmed.

“Now I’m ashamed about the poster...”

“Don’t be, I don’t mind!”, she told him truthful. “I made this photo shoot for this poster knowing people would hang them up in their rooms. Really all is good.”

Now that this was out of the world, they settled into the small apartment, and Zack and Dalia began to explain their situation to Cloud. 

They told him about the Whispers, the strange events that had been happening around them, and how they believed he might hold the key to unlocking the mystery.

Cloud listened intently, his eyes widening as they spoke. When they finished, he looked at them in fear.

“I don't know anything about these Whispers,", he admins. “They certainly didn’t visit me. Also, I’m just an infantryman, I’m nothing special.”

“Aren’t you trying to become SOLDIER?”, asked Zack to clarify.

The blond nodded slowly.

“How is this going?”

“Could be better...”

The siblings gave him a sympathetic look. They could tell that Cloud was giving his all, yet he seemed to not advance.

Zack and Dalia exchanged a look. They knew that Cloud was holding something back, but they didn't want to push him too hard. After all, they had just met him and he was clearly scared.

"Okay," Zack said finally, trying to sound reassuring. "We understand if you can't help us. But if you do remember anything, please let us know."

Cloud nodded silently, his eyes downcast.

“I don’t get why the Whisper attacked Dalia after we met. I mean, she is the Idol, I’m nobody.”, mumbled Cloud.

“But the meeting left an impression on you, you became her fan.”, reminds Zack playfully.

At least the blond-haired boy grinned a bit.

Suddenly Dalia sat upright.

“Wait a second! What if this is the answer?!”, she shouted.

Her sudden outburst left Zack and Cloud both looking confused.

"What do you mean, Dali?", Zack asked, his brow furrowed.

Dalia took a deep breath before continuing, "Think about it. The first Whisper attack happened right after my concert when Cloud became my fan."

Cloud looked up at her with a mixture of shock and realization dawning on his face. "You think that my becoming your fan somehow triggered the Whispers?"

"It's possible," Dalia replied, excitement creeping into her voice. "Maybe they're after me because of my influence or something."

“Sis, a lot of people become your fans daily, why would Cloud become your fan being so big that it changes the course of destiny?”, wondered Zack, crossing his arms.

“There must be something special on Cloud then!”, she rebuked.

“I’m not special...”, mumbled Cloud.

“I think you are! You really dedicated to your dream this is admirable!”, complimented Dalia.

This turned the blond into a tomato, scratching his cheek embarrassed.

Zack couldn’t help himself and teased: “Aww, does someone have a crush on my sister?”

Cloud turned only redder, while Dalia gave her brother a look.

“Not helping Zack!”

Suddenly all hell broke loose.

Out of nowhere a swarm of Whispers appeared in Cloud's apartment, zeroing in on Dalia!

“Anomaly, you must be erased!”, they hissed as one.

Frightened Dalia screamed, trying to hide behind Cloud's couch.

Thankful Zack and Cloud reacted fast. Her brother drew his sword and Cloud took his infantrymen gun to shoot at them.

The Whispers were relentless, attacking from all sides.

Zack and Cloud fought back with everything they had, but it seemed like there was no end to the swarm. 

Dalia huddled behind the couch, tears streaming down her face as she watched the chaos unfold.

She prayed for a quick end.

Why was she so helpless?

Why must she always be protected?

Why didn’t she learn how to fight for real?

Because she always knew Zack would protect her, that’s why.

“Dali, Dali, sis, Imoto-Chan, it’s okay.”, she heard Zack coo. Strong arms picked her up and hugged her like a small child. Dalia hugged her brother tightly back. “They are gone, they are gone.”

“But for how long?”, she whimpers.

“This are also the Whispers. They really have it out for Dalia, I’m so sorry.”, told her Cloud, looking at her sadly.

What a nightmare she had to live through. These things shook him up and that was her third encounter with them.

“It’s not your fault, Cloud.”

“Actually, I think it is.”

Shocked Dalia and Cloud looked at the grim Zack.

“When I teased you if you had a crush on my sister, the things appeared, can you guys guess what this means?”

The two younger ones blinked at him in confusion.

Zack signed and placed Dalia back on the floor.

“I think the Whispers don’t want Cloud to have a crush on you Dalia or fall in love with you. Seems like it will change destiny in a way that they don’t like.”

Hearing the word love made both 14-year-olds blush bashfully.

“It’s...it’s just a little celebrity crush...”, confessed Cloud, turning redder any second. “Not like she would like me back...”

“Erm, actually, I did think about you more than I should have...”, was now Dalia's turn to confess and turn red. Both males stared at her flabbergasted. “Our meeting made a big impression on me because you treated me like a person and not some kind of divine being...yeah...”

In Zack formed the urge to coo at the two young teens, who shyly looked at each other with red cheeks.

But he needed to stay focused.

“This is all really cute, but I think I have the solution for our problem.”, began Zack.

Curious and hopeful the younger ones looked at him.

“You both have to stay away from each other and don’t get into a relationship. I repeat don’t date each other, destiny doesn’t want you guys together!”

The SOLDIER’S third words hung heavy in the air as Dalia and Cloud looked at each other with a mixture of disappointment and understanding. 

They both knew that Zack was right - the Whispers were after them because of their connection, and if they wanted to stop them, they would have to stay apart.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Dalia knew it was necessary.

She couldn't risk putting Cloud in danger just because of her own feelings. And she couldn't let the Whispers win by destroying their friendship before it even had a chance to blossom into something more.

Cloud seemed to be thinking along the same lines, his expression resigned but determined.

"I understand," he said finally, his eyes meeting Dalia's for a moment before looking away. "We'll stay apart."

The girl nodded slowly, feeling a lump form in her throat. It wasn't fair that destiny had to be so cruel sometimes, but she knew that she had to accept it and move on. She looked up at Zack, who gave her a small smile of encouragement.

"Don't worry," he said softly. "It will be okay, there are plenty of fish in the sea."

Yeah, sure.

The Fair siblings said their goodbye to Cloud and apologised for dragging him into this mess, however, he just waved their concerns away.

“I’m just sad we can’t even be friends. We three, I mean.”

“It sucks man, but better save than sorry.”

They all nodded in agreement.

With that, the Fair’s left and Cloud closed the door behind them.

A little tear slipped down Dalia’s cheek.

It was so unfair...

She couldn’t even be friends with Cloud.

All because destiny didn’t want to and would send his Whisper after them.

Just who was destined to be with Cloud and why was it so important that she couldn’t be it?

And why call her an Anomaly?

This still was strange.

As they walked away from Cloud's apartment, Dalia couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled in her chest.

It was true that destiny could be cruel sometimes, yet she refused to believe that she and Cloud were not meant to be friends.

She glanced at Zack, who seemed lost in thought, before speaking up.

"I don't want to give up on our friendship with Cloud," she said firmly. "There has to be a way for us to stay in touch without putting him or ourselves in danger."

Zack nodded slowly, his expression serious. "I agree. But we have to be careful about it. We can't risk exposing ourselves or Cloud to the Whispers again."

Dalia knew he was right, but she couldn't help feeling frustrated.

She had always been a fighter, someone who didn't give up easily, and the idea of giving up on her friendship with Cloud felt like a defeat. However, she also knew that she had to listen to reason and come up with a plan that would keep them all safe.

"Maybe we can communicate through encrypted messages or something," she suggested after a moment of silence. "That way we can still talk without revealing too much information."

Zack smiled at her approvingly. "That's a good idea. We'll work on it when we get back home. Maybe Kunsel can help us."

Dalia nodded, feeling slightly better now that they had a plan in place. She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the sense of unease that still lingered within her.

***

!!!!Please read and review!!!!

If you have time read Hippolyta featuring Dalia who tries to live her life after Aerith’s and Zack’s death.

[flame-shadow]

oh, mortality...

commission for @snavian and including @evilcatgirlwizard's Nashira - thank you!

[gaecactae]

A Cozy Cloud☁️

04. Home, at last🏡

😊😊 it brings me so much joy to show you this comic, I have no idea why haven’t I done that earlier!

Well, Tenko is at his forever home from now on! Story obviously continues 🥰

[chimkin-samich]

Clouds

Pt 1

Buckle up my dudes, this is gonna be quite the ride.

[v5m4k]

I haven't active in a while 😿(but sometimes if i have my time)

that one mpreg fic I've read

some ocs