Tifa stretched as she walked out the back door of Seventh Heaven. What once was a dirt lot, was now a beautiful garden thanks to Aerith. However, she didn't have time to enjoy it or relax.

It was an hour before the busy weekend started. Everyone's second favorite bartender was missing. She didn't have to search that long, as she noticed the sturdy blue and white striped canvas hammock swaying back and forth.

She quietly walked over and smiled, trying not to disturb the sleeping couple. No armor or gloves. Zack's head resting on Cloud's chest, listening to his heartbeat. His right arm wrapped around Cloud's waist.

Cloud's left hand slowly moved up and down Zack's bare tan arm. His right hand on Zack's head, fingers playing with black spiky locks. Unconsciously moving the hammock with his left leg. Smiles on both their faces.

Anyone who knows them can see that they belong together. Zack got Cloud to really open up and realize he's not alone. Cloud keeps Zack grounded, from taking unnecessary risks. Reminding him to not go anywhere he can't follow. They complete each other.

Tifa took her cell phone out of her pocket, capturing the picture-perfect moment. It was nice seeing Cloud like this. Guilt free, truly happy and in love. She never asked whom or what he wanted forgiveness from. It was none of her business.

"Shhh." Cloud's left pointer finger on his lips. "I don't get to hold him like this often, let me enjoy it."

"Always the small spoon, never the big." Tifa teased, stifling her laughter when Zack let out a small growl. Obviously unhappy at the loss of Cloud's touch, eyes still closed and searching for his hand. She watched silently as Cloud kissed the top of Zack's head, lacing their fingers together and Zack sighed.

"You complain, but I know you like it." Taking another picture. "You look so adorable that I couldn't resist."

"Even though you broke many hearts in Midgar and now Edge. You're still the guy and girl of many people's dreams."

"Shame on you for being a heartbreaker." Dramatically placing her right hand over her heart and looking away from him.

"C'mon Tifa," Cloud grinned, keeping the playful atmosphere between them. "You're still my childhood crush. We'll always have Nibelheim."

Don't you forget it."

"I really am happy for you, Cloud. Zack is your Soulmate. We get to see the real Cloud Strife when he's with you."

"Maybe you don't realize, but you've become more open with people. It takes some getting used to." She finished. "You also have no boundaries of public displays of affection when it comes to Zack."

"Was I really that miserable?" Cloud asked.

"Considering everything we've been through?" Tifa replied, as if she had to think about it. "Just a little." Using her right pointer finger and thumb to demonstrate the gap.

"Anyway, enough about that." She continued. "It's been three months. Geostigma is cured, and the planet gifted Zack and Aerith back to us after saving it again. Our lives are finally back to normal."

"What exactly is normal about all of us?" Cloud asked. "Not everyone will be convinced that we found Zack and Aerith in a secret lab underneath the Midgar ruins. Rufus and the Turks definitely know that's not the truth.

"Then, we tell people to mind their own damn business. No one will believe anything Shinra says anymore. All their dirty secrets were exposed online."

"Especially the truth about the Sector 7 plate." Tifa's grip on her cell phone tightened, her other hand balled into a fist. "Avalanche won't hesitate to kick their ass again."

"I know how you feel." Cloud said. "Reno actually thought that I would help rebuild Shinra."

"What's really bothering you, Cloud?" She quickly changed the subject.

"Nothing." Staring down at Zack. "Just an observation. Seriously, it's nothing for you to worry about."

"Okay." She replied, pocketing her cell phone and walking away. Cloud watched her leave, knowing this conversation was far from over.

Five minutes later, Tifa returned with two drinks in her hands. "I'm a bartender, cheaper than a psychiatrist and free drinks for my more discerning customers."

"You're giving me the hard stuff." Taking the juice box with the straw inserted from her left hand. "Fruit punch. You know me so well."

"Best Friend." She replied, sitting down on a patio chair that matched the hammock. "Zack's worried about you. He notices something's wrong, and you won't open up to him about it. So, rehearse what you want to say with me."

"Okay." Cloud sighed. Not annoyed by the conversation, more like a heavy weight finally being lifted off of him. "Sometimes, this doesn't feel real to me. Just another fever dream or hallucination caused by Geostigma."

"I fall asleep every night in Zack's arms and wake up in them." He began. "And I know Geostigma is cured."

"But some mornings I watch him sleep, as if he's going to disappear. I find myself staring at my left arm searching for that black bruise and remembrance ribbon, until Zack pulls me away from the mirror."

"Part of me is afraid of being happy. I hate feeling like I could lose this happiness at any moment. That He will never be a memory." Cloud's last words more of a whisper.

"All of us never thought we would have to fight any part of that memory again." Tifa said, refusing to say Sephiroth's name. "The past belongs in the past. If it still tries to test us, then it will fail every time."

"I know I'm not alone." Cloud continued. "I do feel lighter, but I think some of what I'm feeling are side effects. Maybe I should go to one of the support groups for survivors of Geostigma."

"You talk too loud." Zack said, yawning interrupting the conversation."

"Sleeping Beauty is finally awake. C'mon lazy bum it's time to work."

"Boss Lady, don't be so mean. Let me bask in my Sunshine a half-hour more." Giving Tifa his best puppy dog eyes. "Please."

Tifa stood up, hands on her hips staring down at him with a fake glare.

"Damn, I forgot you're immune to that."

"Twenty minutes, Fair." Tifa replied, walking away but Cloud noticed the wink she gave Zack.

"You tag teamed me." Cloud said, looking down at him.

"One of us had to get you to open up." Zack explained, meeting Cloud's eyes. "We were worried about you."

"Just when I thought I was getting better at that." Looking away from Zack.

"Look at me, Cloud." The use of his name forced Cloud to look at Zack, who leaned up to fully face him. "Some things are just harder to talk about. How do you feel?"

Cloud dug the heel of his boot into the ground, anchoring the hammock into place. "Like a weight has been lifted off me. I just have to take it one day at a time, with you by my side. I will do everything I can to not lose you again. Just enjoy life. Try to get back to whatever is considered normal for me and us."

"I'm here to stay, not going anywhere." Giving Cloud a short but sweet kiss, hoping to reassure him. "It would be very disrespectful to the planet if you regifted me, or returned me to her."

"We both know if I tried to regift you, that you would be sent back to me within five minutes or less." Cloud smiled at him. And, I burnt that receipt the moment I saw you in the church."

"So, you're stuck with me until the end." Zack stated.

"Not until the end." Cloud replied. "Always." Earning himself another kiss from Zack.

"Seriously, I understand wanting to get back to normal." Zack said. "I never thought I would have a second chance at life."

"You're still mine. I'm letting you take care of me for a change. Helping with the delivery service. Our cozy home in Gongaga. Spending the rest of my life with you."

"That's my normal." Moving to his original position, listening to Cloud's heartbeat. "And it's nice being the small spoon." They were starting to doze off until…

"Zack Fair get your ass in here now!"

"Your full name and swearing, " Cloud said. "You're in trouble."

"Just when I was getting all nice and cozy." Zack reluctantly moved off Cloud, standing up. "I'm blaming you."

"I love you, Handsome." Meeting Zack halfway for a kiss and enjoying his new normal. "Have a good night at work."

"Love you too, Sunshine. I hope you enjoy the rest of this beautiful summer day without me."

"I will." Cloud moved into a comfortable position on the hammock. "Now go before Tifa really gets pissed."

Cloud watched Zack leave; the sound of an incoming text message caught his attention. Taking his cell phone out of his pocket and smiling. Staring at the pictures that Tifa had taken earlier, until he fell asleep.