TW: Mention of reader dying in Cloud’s dream
You woke to warmth ghosting over your face. A constant, rushed breeze that swept past your nose and cheeks until they were slightly sweaty. Or were they damp?
With the slight crack between eyelids, it was hard to tell at first. But once you had gotten a moment or two to adjust, it was obvious what it was. Or should I say, whom.
He froze, those eyes you were searching for within the dark squeezing tighter in recognition. Like he hoped holding his breath and lying still would make you forget.
Unfortunately for him, he was doing a bad job at concealing the way his breath still flitted between his lips like it physically hurt to have them. And his arm, awkwardly wrapped around your side profile, shook with something between restraint and urgency.
You whispered again, more concerned as you realized where the dampness had come from. Reaching to touch his cheek, sure enough, there were tears. He flinched, fighting the urge to turn away.
> “It’s…nothing. Go back to sleep.”
> “Like hell it’s nothing. Tell me, Cloud. Please?”
He went silent, so silent you could almost hear the scales weighing his options in his head. But, eventually with a sigh, he muttered lowly.
Your concern only grew when you felt him shudder. You’d known about his nightmares, it wasn’t your first time comforting him after one of them. But the way he refused to look at you, it made you wonder. Made you fear what exactly it was that had him so afraid.
> “Did I…say something bad?”
A quick shake of the head. Like that was never the case.
You gasped lightly as he squeezed you even tighter. It looked like you got your answer.
It was times such at these you’d begin carding your hands through his poky blond strands and kissing his hair line. It’d be enough, because you knew he preferred it over talking about it, and he’d slowly drift off to sleep within your embrace.
But this time, you were surprised to see he actually wanted to open up more.
Hushed, a weakness in his voice that had your heart breaking in two, he told you that you had become one of those cloaked people. That you had began mumbling, you had forgotten everything, and that at the end you were sent soaring off a building by Sephiroth. Retelling the dream, you could tell Cloud was holding back every cry and sob that threatened to pass. By default, you were rubbing shapes into his back by the time he’d finished.
> “It keeps happening. I keep- making you worry.”
> “Because I choose to. I care about you, Cloud.”
Cupping his face, you gave him a determined but soft look you hoped he could make out. If not by that, you hoped your voice carried the way you felt.
He shuddered again, a sound guilty but relieved. Wordlessly, you shifted his chin to rest in the crook of your neck as you wrapped your arms around him. Hoping your warmth could remind him that you were still here, and that you weren’t leaving. He leaned in silently but gratefully.
You could tell both of you still wanted to sort the situation out, but knew it was impossible to tonight. But that was alright, you thought, since you knew it would take time and hoped Cloud knew you weren’t lying.
You would continue to care for him every time he woke up in sweat and tears.
