kh_drabble | kekeke.

I have two things... actually, I have many things. But primarily two. First!

Challenge: [o69] Hero
Title: Normal
Word count: 239
Characters: Cloud & Leon
Spoilers: Mostly none, as usual. A small reference to Tifa that, again, won't make sense without context, and has no real significance to the plot overall.

Notes: Within a minute of reading the challenge I had my idea. I didn't want to focus on main characters or (immediately) obvious choices, and Cloud and Leon immediately popped to mind. There are very mild implications of Cloud/Tifa, which is very ironic, since I am a staunch Cloud/Aeris supporter. Anyway! I'm thinking this is going to be one of two submissions. I do so like this challenge.

Heroes.

Neither of them like to think of it that way.

They did what they had to, after all, and nothing more.

The word tumbles off people's lips like a leaf, and it drifts around their feet. All the words pile up and swirl around them, blinding them, binding them.

Heroes. They're heroes.

Look... there they go.

Cloud particularly dislikes it. Especially when he hears it in Aerith's soft voice, and he can practically hear the smile, and he hates it.

Leon doesn't mind as much. He just accepts it and goes about his business, simply ignoring the giggles and stares of the girls (of all age ranges) that pass him by.

They don't talk about it. They've done what they had to before... and this was no different.

Neither of them likes to think of it as saving the world, because neither of them is doing it for the world.

They did it for each other, for the people they care about, for the ruler that vanished... and for themselves.

The day that Tifa catches Cloud, one of the first things she says is You jackass! Why didn't you take me with you?!

And he knows Leon is hiding a smile, but that's okay, since he's smiling too.

Tifa gets it.

They're not heroes. Never were, never will be.

They're just two guys with swords and the skills to use them...

... who occasionally help other people out.