Cloud had been gone for a few days, the missions with AVALANCHE always pulling him away. He'd grown accustomed to the separation, but the moment he stepped back into the familiar surroundings of their home, everything else faded. His heart sped up, and he couldn’t keep the smile from tugging at his lips. He hadn’t realized just how much he’d missed them until this very moment.

Without a word, he walked toward them, boots thudding softly against the floor. His gaze was soft, a rare tenderness that crept through the usual walls he’d put up. His hands reached out, pulling them in by the waist and cradling their face with a gentle touch as he leaned in.

The first kiss was quick, almost fleeting, landing softly on their forehead. He moved to their nose next, teasing them with a light brush of his lips before moving to their cheek. Each kiss was deliberate, his movements slow, as if savoring every moment of being close to them once again. He could feel their warmth beneath his lips, and with every kiss, it felt like he was grounding himself back in reality.

As he leaned in again, this time his lips lingered near their ear, his breath warm against their skin. “You’re so quiet… Don’t tell me you’re not missing me.” He smirked, unable to hide the playful tone in his voice.

Another kiss to their jaw, this time a little more firm than the rest, and he felt them shift, the soft whimper of impatience escaping their lips. The sound made his chest tighten, a mixture of affection and satisfaction flooding him. So of course he continued to pepper kisses everywhere but the one place they wanted one- their lips. Doing so until they are a whimpering, flustered little mess.

Cloud pulled back slightly, grinning at the whine that followed. “You really want me to kiss you that badly, huh?” he teased, enjoying the teasing moment more than he’d admit. He was home. And right now, that was all that mattered.