I wrote this fic as a Christmas present for my friends on LJ. I hope others will like it too. Contains shonen-ai/boy love so if you don't like that kind of stuff, this is not the fic for you then. (See author's notes in the end on clarification of Yule, or the Midgarian version of Christmas.)

Chapter 1

It is Yule in Midgar. Fresh snow covers everything in powdery white, singsong voices carry in the air from the surrounding houses. On an evening like this, even the normally dirty streets look clean and the candles on windows turn the scenery into a sea of twinkling lights. The weather isn't very cold, just pleasantly chilly, but Cloud has still taken a thick sweater on to ward off the cool air. He doesn't really need it, the Mako in his blood makes him impervious to such slight discomfort, but it just makes him feel better as he blends in with the few other people he sees on the streets rushing home to their families.

Cloud isn't heading home, but away from the place he currently calls home. He is still staying at Tifa's bar, the 7th Heaven, though he isn't sure why. Nothing really keeps him in Midgar anymore, but the lack of destination and direction has made him stay there. It has been months since the incident with the three silver-haired men, months since he saw the person - Sephiroth - he thought he had lost forever. In the end it wasn't really him, just his shell, except maybe on the final moment when Cloud again, for the third time - third time - had killed him. He hadn't thought he had it in him to do it again, but the realization it really wasn't /him/ had helped him do it.

"They say third time's the charm", Cloud murmurs to himself dryly, chuckling under his breath. He had lost his dreams yet again, he had been forced to deal with the sorrow once more. It didn't get easier. Each time he had to start over after the man was gone. And on a day like this, with so many memories -good memories -from the past, he just had felt the sudden need to be alone. Maybe that's why he had slipped away from Tifa's party, the bar too noisy with the shrill voices of the Midgar orphans' laughter as they played around the tree. Yuffie had been trying to get Vincent to try some of the punch that the party crasher Reno undoubtedly had spiked... Trust Reno to sniff a party from a mile away. The red-head always turned up if he wasn't out of town, invitation or not.

Snowflakes start falling from the sky again, enhancing the illusion that against all odds, Midgar has turned into a land of fairy tale. Not the white and dry snow that had fallen earlier, but big and damp flakes that cling to his sweater and stick to his spiky blonde hair as he wanders through the streets.

Lost in his thoughts, Cloud's steps lead him to Aeris' church. He goes there every now and then, to reminisce. He can feel the flower girl's presence there, where the Lifestream still idly mingles with the water in the pool where the flowers used to bloom. Sometimes he thinks Zack is there too with Aeris. He hasn't seen Aeris since the day he stopped Kadaj and Jenova.

it was Jenova, it wasn't Sephiroth, it wasn't him

Cloud pushes open the wooden doors, running his hand through the unruly blonde spikes in a futile attempt to shake off the snowflakes before they melt in his hair. The church is unexpectedly warm, even with the huge holes where the roof used to be. Yet the rafters high up are covered in snow, as if the warmth only stretches to the level of the floor. The pool of Lifestream mixed with water is practically steaming. No one has bothered cleaning the place up much, the benches are still strewn across the floor in pieces, and there rarely are visitors nowadays, most of the sick people already cured from Geostigma.

The blonde approaches the pool, his old SOLDIER issue boots clanking on the floorboards. He searches the debris for a while, and soon locates a stash of blankets from the time when he used to sleep in the church. Deciding that he might just as well make himself comfortable, he spreads them on the floor by the edge of the pool, sitting cross-legged on them.

Cloud's mind is filled with a mix of melancholy and nostalgia. He remembers the last happy Yule he experienced years ago, before the nightmare started in Nibelheim. Before the years in Hojo's experiments, before... all that pain. He spent that last Yule with Zack and Sephiroth, Zack who ever so cheerfully couldn't stop playing pranks, although the silly mistletoe had been one of his most successful in Cloud's mind. The memory makes him smile. Sephiroth had kissed him under that mistletoe, and Cloud had kissed him back, playing along with Zack's prank in a sudden burst of boldness. What had started innocently that evening, had developed to something serious, and turned into the happiest time in Cloud's life.

The blonde man fights back tears, lost in the memory. Gods how he misses Zack, his best friend, his only friend through so many years. And he misses Sephiroth, the pain of the loss stronger than ever. The good memories tear open old wounds and pull even more memories to the surface. No matter how deep he tries to bury them, they keep coming back. Cloud doesn't even realize he has been crying until he sees his reflection on the surface of the pool. He mirrors himself for a while, drying his eyes, and tries to coax some life into his blonde spikes that seem to droop more in sympathy than from the melted snow. Sighing, he kneels by the pool, dipping his hand in the liquid, feeling the at the same time warm and cool tendrils of the Lifestream twine in his fingers before they let them go again.

"Happy Yuletide, Aeris", he whispers in a muffled voice. To Cloud's surprise, the Lifestream ripples as if in reply, rising up to a woman's form. First transparent, but as it solidifies it turns into the former flower girl of the slums, dressed in the familiar powder pink dress with a darker red vest over it, long brown braid hanging down her back. The image of Aeris opens her emerald green eyes and smiles as she steps closer to Cloud walking on the surface of the pool.

"Happy Yuletide to you too, Cloud", she says, cocking her head to the side, smiling in her gentle and sagely manner.

"Aeris?" the blonde gasps. He feels his mouth hang open, he has seen Aeris' spirit several times, but never so closely, never so lifelike. She looks exactly like he remembers, exactly like she did on the day she perished.

"I know, I know, shouldn't creep up on people", Aeris laughs. "I have been given a message to deliver to you, that's why I am here tonight. A message, and a present from the Planet, and me and Zack."

"Zack...?" Cloud almost can't believe his ears. "Is Zack here too?"

"Yes, Zack is coming too but he got... detained for a while, he has to see to something first. We both have been looking after you, you know", Aeris winks at Cloud.

"Both of you?" Cloud frowns. "Do I really need looking after so badly?"

"You are dear to us, and we want the best for you, for you to be happy", Aeris replies, still smiling but a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"Happy... It is such a long time since I last was happy, truly happy", Cloud sighs. Melancholy is still lingering in his mind, under the joy of seeing Aeris, hearing Aeris talk.

"I know, Cloud. Being dead has some advantages. Not many things stay secret in the Lifestream, after all, it touches everyone", Aeris perks up. "So, what do you want for present this Yule?" she grins, almost mischievously. Zack must be rubbing off on her, Cloud thinks. But the question is serious and sincere, and he feels the memories and the sadness flood him again.

"What I want... I don't think you can give me what I want", Cloud stares at the floor, not wanting to meet the flower girl's eyes, afraid of what his own might reveal.

"It's not just a present from us, it's a present from the Planet. You have done so much for the Planet, it wants to give you something back. This evening, you can ask for anything, and it will be granted, whatever it may be", Aeris smiles sagely. Cloud looks up at her, then reverts his eyes back to the floor for a moment longer before he lifts his eyes to meet the Cetra girl's steady gaze.

"Whatever it may be?" the blonde asks, half musingly to himself, as if tasting the words, reassuring himself that he heard them correctly. "The Planet would grant me anything?"

"Yes", Aeris nods. "But only tonight, only for Yule."

"Anything... And I could keep what I ask, it wouldn't be mine just for Yule?"

Aeris nods. "That's correct", she confirms in a steady voice.

"What if I ask the impossible?" Cloud licks his lips, biting his cheek while his head mills with thoughts, with possibilities. Aeris moves closer, her steps forming ripples on the surface of the pool.

"You're the Planet's Champion, its saviour. You can wish for anything. Anything and it will be granted. Trust me", she says kneeling down in front of Cloud. "I trusted you when you were my bodyguard, trust me now on this", she smiles.

Cloud feels his stomach clench. He is starting to realize he's been handed a second chance - or third, or Gods only know how many chances he's lost over the years - on happiness.

"Aeris... can you tell me something? Before I tell you what I want for present?" Cloud asks, wanting to be sure.

"Go ahead and ask whatever you need to know", Aeris smiles and nods.

"Is Jenova gone? Truly gone?" Cloud holds his breath.

"Well... Yes and no." Aeris gestures with her hand. "She is gone from the Lifestream, she will no longer hurt the planet. You destroyed the last piece of her with Sephiroth and Kadaj, and the Lifestream in the rain washed the rests away. But there are still a few cells left, in people who have been hiding underground, who haven't been touched by the purifying rain. They can't do any harm anymore though. They have been separated from Jenova so long and with the "mother" gone they have no mind of their own. Her presence won't scar the Planet anymore. She has, in a way, become a part of the Planet now", the Cetra girl assures.

Cloud, feeling almost panicky, gathers all his courage, prepares to get turned down anyway despite of all the reassurance. He's afraid what Aeris will say, after all, he has never told anyone... He has kept it a secret for so many years that revealing it now seems impossible. But he has a chance, and he doesn't want to waste it. So Cloud asks the impossible, the only thing that still means something to him, the only thing that would make his life worth living.

"Aeris... Can the Planet give me back the only one I ever truly loved? Give me back Sephiroth?" Cloud fights back tears as the words leave his lips, afraid he'll get laughed at, mocked. Afraid that Aeris will be appalled, but she just looks at him with smiling eyes.

"I knew you'd ask for that", she almost laughs. "Was that why you wanted to be sure of Jenova? Don't worry, Cloud. We wouldn't bring him back if he still was Jenova's puppet."

Cloud just stares at her, barely comprehending what she is saying. "You mean..."

"I said anything. The Planet is wiser and kinder than you think, and it knows, it knows everything... It doesn't grant wishes like that lightly. You have given all you had, sacrificed more than anyone should, and it is time for your reward", Aeris rises up from her knees and steps back to the middle of the pool, twirling her hand as her staff suddenly appears out of thin air. She taps the end of her staff on the surface, and the Lifestream ripples again. This time it takes the form of a man, with long brown hair, dressed in a similar fashion as Cloud.

"Zack..." the blonde gasps.

"Hey Spike", Zack grins and waves his hand at Cloud. "Sorry I couldn't be here earlier but I had some briefing to do", he winks. Cloud wishes he could run to his friend and hug him, but he is standing next to Aeris on the surface of the pool.

"Zack, I've missed you", Cloud feels his eyes water yet again, and scolds himself for being such a cry-baby until his sense of humour catches up with him. "Briefing? Has SOLDIER moved to Lifestream now too?"

"Sort of, but not for long. I had to catch up with your Yule present and make sure everything is ok", Zack's grin widens even more and Cloud is sure the top of his head will soon fall off.

"You know, the Lifestream doesn't have much experience at handing presents like this, but I believe you should reach under the surface right... about... now. And mind the hair, you know how grouchy he gets when someone messes with his hair."

Cloud almost falls into the pool as he plunges his arm down in the watery Lifestream. First he can't feel anything, then strands of something touch his arm, then his hand meets another hand and he curls his fingers around it as he pulls.

"Sorry I couldn't get a chance to gift wrap your present, Spike", Zack chimes. The impossible grin gets even wider.

Cloud is still struggling to pull the limp form out of the pool and gift wrapping is the last thing on his mind. Finally he manoeuvres the unconscious man on the floor, tears streaming down his face again, but this time out of happiness. He grabs a blanket and wraps it around the man, using another to try and dry his mass of silver hair. It is Sephiroth - Sephiroth -and he's here, really here. Cloud's heart sings of joy, ready to burst. Aeris steps closer and leans down, placing her hand on the silver haired man's forehead, and as from cue, he draws a ragged breath, coughing up water. Cloud keeps cradling his treasured gift in his arms, not believing this is really happening. Sephiroth opens his eyes as Cloud kisses him gently on the lips. The eyes are clear, trying to focus on Cloud's, and there's no trace of Jenova in their depths.

"Cloud..." the man's voice is nothing but a whisper, but it's music to the blonde's ears. "Zack came to see me... and told me you wanted to be happy... Why are you crying, Cloud?"

Cloud hugs Sephiroth closer, burying his face in the still wet matted hair, kissing the man's brow. "I thought I'd never see you again", he murmurs. "I've missed you so much, I don't ever want to lose you again. I love you, Seph."

"I guess I'm sort of their official match maker by now", Zack chuckles as he mutters to Aeris, earning a gentle swat on his arm from the girl.

"Cloud..?" Aeris says in a soft voice, smiling down at the blonde. "We have to leave now, but we will be back to check up on you. Both of you."

"Remember now, Cloud", Zack adds, "presents like that are for life, not just for Yule." Cloud thinks he can see Zack hug Aeris as they fade back into the Lifestream with a burst of hearty laughter.

Wouldn't have it any other way...

Cloud wraps his arms tighter around his present. He knows he'll have to do a lot more explaining than with a puppy, but he doesn't care. Future seems like something to look forward to now, and the Yule's to come don't promise painful memories. His angel is back.

Author's notes:

1. This was really meant to be a one-shot in the dark, poked with a big long stick in the hopes of hitting something good. Then shit happened, Kirsty gave me a plot bunny to pet, and yea… Well if the ending doesn't seem to lead into anything, it's because it was meant to be a one-shot.

2. Fluff. Bite me.

3. Seriously, how many ways is there to resurrect Sephiroth? Everyone wants him back, no use wasting a good idea…

4. Yule well, it's anyone's guess how they'd celebrate it on the Planet, so I decided my Yule is sort of a mix of Christmas and New Year. In other words, you give and receive presents, and at the same time celebrate the New Year. It works for me.