[ When she first calls him out for being an idiot, face buried in his chest, he can't help but revel in the swelling sensation he feels in his chest. Cloud holds strong, hugging her tight as it starts to get a little chillier up here. Then she asks him why he has to be so dumb, and of course that smile persists.

...

And yet, ]

...

[ The longer this goes on, the heavier he feels with her. She sobs into his chest, and he draws another breath. His love for her only continues to grow stronger by the day. His devotion unshaken. But that also makes the other side of the coin more prevalent. They got lucky twice. The first time was meeting in Prismatica and chasing this relationship together. The second time was being taken away to another realm, removed from everything and most of everyone they knew. And...if there wasn't a third time? ]

[ "What am I going to do if I can't come back...?" ]

?! . . .

[ His hold of her reflexively tenses at that question, only to loosen his grip seconds later. No lies or empty promises. They swore that they would defy everything to make it back to the other. Cloud had even said that he would make the journey to Remnant if it meant helping her and the others save the world from Salem. To stop people like Cinder from taking away the people they loved. Yet every time he thinks of "how", his mind locks up. He carries on, day by day, with hope in his heart. But rooted deep down still... ]

[ "What if I fall?" ]

.....

[ He draws away, just enough so that she couldn't hide from his gaze any longer. Tears staining her cheeks while he tilts her chin to look at him. That silly smile is gone now. In fact, there's no smile at all. His eyes are as bright as ever, but they're torn between giving her an answer and keeping the truth in his heart. It's not that he thinks they will fail. He doesn't think she'll fall. Instead, as he wordlessly answers her, claiming her lips in a soft, lingering kiss, he sighs through his nose as he fights the urge to tremble under the pressure of these questions.

Because... ]

(I don't know.)

Yeah... [ Seeing her smile, forced though it may be as the tears fall, has his own breath catching in his throat. It threatens to choke him up, his own emotions having become more pronounced over the years in finding himself. He's always been so reserved, bordering on cold to those he doesn't know- acerbic in nature. But around those he cares for, his true self and feelings manifest. Weiss has seen him break before, and while he doesn't water up or cry, the huff that escapes him finally trembles as he laughs. ] Sorry. I overdid it.

[ And he'd do it again. Wetting his lips, his mouth feeling dry all of a sudden, his smile returns, torn between the happiness he's given her and the uncertainty that lies ahead for them both. She may not seek his strength and hope right now...

But he needs it for himself. To stay true to his course and to make sure she doesn't fall. No longer tilting her head for him, the back of his hand gently brushes up the side of her cheek, catching any further tears that dare fall when he says, ]

So let's cherish today. As long as we can. Till we know what to do.

[ About their future and the fate they wish to either fulfill or defy. ]

[ Everyday, huh? They say it almost every single day now. But if that meant texting her if they were ever separated for a day or two? He'll do it. If they're split up and have to wait? He'll count the missing days he has to say he loves her for. For right now, he takes her whole heart and returns his to her in kind. They belong to each other. And as far as he's concerned, that's the way it's going to stay. Even if there's those deeply rooted doubts, they're what remind him of what he fights against. For days like today. For smiles like hers. For kisses, annoyed huffs at his "dummy" ways, the mornings where his arms are wrapped around her when he wakes up... ]

Then...

[ Their foreheads meet. ]

I love you, Weiss.

[ From the heart. Not some passive yet true "love you" quip. He'll say it again if he has to, planting a softer peck on the lips before he whispers, ]

Weiss Schnee.

[ He didn't go through with it fully!! Despite the fact he won't be trying that again for a while, he's still shaking his head and stifling the urge to laugh. ]

You started it.

[ His face is still warm from that! But as for what he was going to say? He pauses and gives it some thought as they walk. ]

I uh...didn't have anything planned. [ He reflects. ] ...something about you being the best girlfriend a guy could ask for.

[ Now that he's not trying to blurt it out impromptu...his tone softens some as he huffs amused, before giving her, ]

"I love Weiss Schnee. The best girlfriend a guy could ask for."

... Something like that.

And you're stuck with me.

[ In all his grossness. By this point he's come to terms with the fact that Weiss can (and will) be a tsundere who also happens to be a lovey dork when the mood strikes her. ]

You rubbed off on me, y'know.

Alright... [ A beat. ] What do I call you then?

Ohhh... [ He's having fun with this. ] So you're an "excellent partner" and I'm a "best boyfriend". Think I'm getting it.

[ It's almost like she blacked out when she blurted to the world he was the best boyfriend nobody else could have...

That gets him to laugh, arm in arm with his girl. He can't let go of her to put his arm around her shoulders, so he instead flexes in her hold a little, squeezing her against his side. ]

Good enough.

[ It's a good thing they came back when they did, otherwise he'd be lending her his jacket. As they traverse down the hall towards their room, others pass them by as people begin retiring to their own abodes. They even pass by one of the elderly couples they'd been "learning" with earlier, who simply offer a wave and goodnight. But things are starting to quiet down now... ]

Wanna take another dip in the spring?

[ In their private one out back, of course. ]

[ A soak in the spring would do him some good too. They didn't do anything too crazy today! After that, he doesn't have anything else planned but making sure Weiss' night ends the best way possible. ]

... Y'know? You're right.

[ He actually sounds surprised by that. But it becomes clear to him why that's the case. ]

Prismatica wasn't the most hospitable planet outside the cities we helped reconnect.

[ But here? While there were sure to be wild animals and monsters, if the countryside was any indication, it wasn't all so bad. But the thought of camping... It takes him back to the old days. As they get to their room, he grabs for his key and gets the door. ]

I used to camp a lot while we were on the road.

Yeah. Lots of hiking, hitchhiking, renting chocobos... If there was a way, we'd figure out how to do it.

[ Once they're inside their room, the door automatically locks and he kneels down to take off his shoes. Fret not, Weiss. He'll be keeping the suit on just a little while longer. 😌 ]

From Midgar you couldn't see the stars so easily. [ Too much light pollution. ] But camping out on a clear night...

[ He sounds thoughtful, reflecting back on those beautiful nights when he'd be keeping watch or kept company by someone else in the party. ]