Coming Home By: Chantelise Tillman 2010

He was tired, he always was at this time of night, and the rain had started to fall for what had seemed like hours ago. His golden blonde spikes were glued to his forehead with rain water, his clothes even wetter than his hair. He wanted to be home, and he was almost there. He could see the street light off in the distance; he could smell the welcoming scent that only belonged to the town of Kalm. 10 minutes was all it took before his bike was in the garage and his keys were unlocking the front door of his newly appreciated home.

He appreciated it so much more now after that hellish battle with Sephiroth. he had almost lost everything, the children, his home, friends, and most importantly Tifa. He had left, pushed her away, was always just a minute too late, but no matter what he did, she forgave him, and she was always his backbone when he didn't have one, and he loved her for that and much more.

By now he had started to make his way up stairs, wooden floor dampening beneath his boots, which Tifa would kill him for later. Cloud smiled at the thought of her lecturing him, it always made him smile.

Cloud entered the shower, rain clothes now in the dirty clothes bin. The warm water felt so good on his skin, melting any underlying coolness. He almost didn't want to get out. he was clinging to the relaxation the water gave, but his stomach had something else in mind, he slipped in his boxers not needing much else now that his body was warm. His journey to the kitchen was a short one as usual he was greeted by a note from Tifa, which always say something along the lines of I hope you had a wonderful day we missed you, dinner is in the fridge love you. Yeah, love you, they say that to each other now and he was so glad. Dinner for him was great, she had made one of his favorites, beef stew. He went back upstairs stopping at the door of what used to be his room now belonging to one of their adopted children; Denzel. He cracked the door and peeped at a sleeping Denzel, Cloud remembered how happy Denzel was when he heard he was getting his own room. Next was Marlene, her room up on the right, she was peacefully sleeping snuggling with her Moggle. He shut yet another door leaving Marlene to her dream world, now to his favorite room next, his and Tifa's room. He opened the door, lightly shutting it behind him. She was asleep, chest slowly raising and lowering he slipped his body under the covers, her warm and welcoming the scent of pumpkin spice filling his nose. He loved that smell, she was perfect, and he would never be satisfied. He wrapped his arm around her waist, she was up now, he could tell by the way her body stiffened and breathing pattern changed, but she didn't say anything. His hand continued to glide up her shirt. most of the time this action would end with heavy panting, sweat and bliss, but tonight they were both content with being in each other's arms. This was how he liked coming home; to a warm shower, good food, the kids' safe, and the woman he loved the most in his arms, and he wouldn't give it up for anything.