Flowers and Fruit - Cloud Strife

Dedicated to:

Zuzub3an

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Cloud's arms were full of grocery bags as he walked down the street. It was his turn to do the grocery shopping for the house. It wasn't his favorite chore, but it was a calm, sunny day and he didn't have to interact with anyone at the store. He was enjoying the walk back to the house when he spotted a cart full of flowers. An older woman stood next to the cart, smiling as she asked passersby if they would like to buy a bouquet, or maybe a single rose.

Cloud stopped for a moment. He glanced down at the grocery bags with hesitation, but then decided to walk over. "Why the heck not?" he mumbled to himself, almost a grumble. It was a beautiful day and he wanted to see you smile.

"Handsome young man!" the woman called as he walked over. "Would you like to buy some flowers? Perhaps for a beautiful young lady?"

Cloud felt heat rise to his ears at being called out. He cleared his throat nervously and set down an armful of groceries. "Those- there," he pointed to a colorful bouquet in the middle of the cart. He didn't know much about flowers but he could see a few roses and maybe some daisies, along with others he couldn't name.

"A wonderful choice!" the woman's smile grew. "She'll love them!"

Heat filled his ears again. He awkwardly fished his wallet out of his pocket with one hand, gave her the money, then picked up the grocery bags before grabbing the bouquet. "Thanks." He turned and continued walking back to the house. He tried to be careful, remembering that flowers were fragile.

As he walked, he pictured the future smile on your face when he gave you the bouquet. He worked on what he would say. He knew you liked him, at least as a friend. He struggled to come up with words for how he felt. What if she refuses me? What if she laughs? But, what if after her laughter she says something ridiculous, like 'silly, I've felt that way about you for a long time.' His heart beat faster at the possibilities.

And then, he heard your laugh. Cloud stopped and looked around. He found you across the street, sitting at the patio of a small café with your back turned slightly to the street. Your head leaned back in laughter, but then leaned in again. Leon sat next to you, also leaning in toward the table. He smiled as he continued talking.

Cloud's heart sank. He clenched his teeth and then glared at the flowers in his hand. His grip tightened on the stems as he continued walking toward the house. His face filled with heat as he considered his own silliness. He quickly rounded a corner out of view of the café, found a trash can, and threw the bouquet inside.

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Cloud was sitting on the couch in front of the TV when you walked into the house with Leon.

You smiled at Leon. "Thanks for lunch!" You noticed Cloud scowl from the couch as you put your bag down near it.

"No problem," Leon shrugged, the notebook in his hand rising and falling with his arm. "Doesn't look like Cid's here. I'm going to go talk to him," he thumbed over his shoulder in the direction of Cid's shop.

"Okay, later."

"See ya."

You shut the door and turned to Cloud. "What's up, grumpy?"

He looked over at you, but there was a pause before he answered. "Finished grocery shopping. Just watching TV." His eyes returned to the TV.

You walked in front of him to take a seat on the couch. The TV played on but you weren't really paying attention. Sometimes it took Cloud a little bit of time before he felt comfortable saying whatever was actually on his mind, and you waited patiently.