Revive

Stars

Cloud woke up at around noon the next day, seeing the coral box set at the corner if his bed side table. He wanted to burn it and hide it away at the same time. He didn't want to see it again. He stood and placed the box in one of his drawers that held his shirts.

Tifa was already out of bed and, due to the amount of noise down stairs, the kids were still in the house. Cloud grabbed some clean clothes and headed for the bathroom.

He stripped off his pants and the thick bandages, turns on the hot water, and stands in the shower for a couple of minutes. Showers started to get painful for Cloud, he couldn't even wash his hair without wincing in pain. He washed himself as well as he could and hopped out. After he dried himself he looked at his chest wound. Blood streamed down his chest.

Cloud quickly dressed his bottom half and gingerly wiped the blood off his body. When it was gone, he ripped the new packet of bandages and wrapped it round himself. He looked at himself in the mirror and witnessed the bad job he did and tried again. He failed a couple of times, but when he did it tight enough, blood escaped underneath. Cloud chest burned and he hushed his scream so that no one could hear him, but the bandages were already soaked with blood.

"Tifa!" Cloud yelled towards the door.

"In a minute," she called, followed by a clutter of plates.

"Tifa!!" Cloud shouted loudly. "I need you, now!"

In a couple of seconds, Tifa opens the door, wearing a leather apron. She took one quick look at his body and hurried over. She tore off the bandages and replaced it with new ones. She grabbed the medicine bottle on the bench and forced Cloud to drink it. Some of the contents spilt on his neck and Tifa wiped it away with her blackened hand.

"You okay?" Tifa whispered, stroking his chin now.

Cloud didn't answer, but instead stared at her hand. "What are you doing down there?"

Tifa jerked her hand away, still smiling. "Cleaning up the fire place. And keeping an eye on the kids, of course. They love him so much. They're so much happier,"

"Who?" Cloud said, putting on his shirt.

"The kids, Cloud. Weren't you listening,"

"No," Cloud said, a bit frustrated, realising that Tifa was joking. "Who's making them happy? "

"Chase," she replied.

"He started today?!"

"Why are you so surprised? I said I needed a babysitter, "

"Yeah, but it's so soon,"

Tifa held both of his shoulders, staring deep into his eyes. "I hired him for both of us. So I can get on with work and so you can heal. It'll be fine,"

Tifa dropped her arm to the side and walked out. Cloud just felt more heavier than before and infinitely sicker. But he walked downstairs to greet Chase.

The kids were crazy. They screamed and ran around. Chase's smile was contagious as they smiled as big as he did. Denzel pulled Marlene's arm and they flew outside. Chase was about to catch up when he saw Cloud leaning on the door frame.

"I'll catch up with you guys, later," he called out to the kids. He walked towards Cloud, his arm out. "I didn't get to thank you for hiring me. I've heard so much about you, Cloud Strife."

Cloud said nothing, but shook his hand. He didn't realise he was famous and he knew that many people only knew him because of the delivery service.

"Have you ever ordered from the delivery service?" he asked, curiously.

"Huh? No. I knew you when you defeated Sephiroth single handedly. Go, you."