Chapter Text
Tifa, Barret, and most of the group were asleep in front of the campfire after a long, tiring journey. Cloud noticed Aerith was still awake, deep in thought. He sat beside her, hardly leaving any distance between them.
“Hey, what’s on your mind?” “Well, I learned a lot today. The Elders told me a lot of things. About the Promised Land. About the Cetra. I really hoped—or I wanted to believe that I wasn’t the last of my kind. But there’s no one else. I’m… alone... I’m all alone now.”
Without thought, Cloud reached for her shoulder, and sheepishly pulled back his hand before she took notice. “But… I’m here for you, right? I mean, I’m your bodyguard, remember?”
Aerith wiped the tears staining her cheek and softly chuckled. “Yeah, for how long I wonder?” “As long as you want me around”, Cloud grinned.
“In that case… you better not go anywhere.”
“You don’t have to worry about that”, Cloud said confidently.
Aerith slightly smiled at that remark but Cloud could see she was keeping more bottled up than he liked. After some hesitation, he slowly wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer—waiting for her to accept his gesture. As if she was longing for his embrace, she hurriedly threw her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. Cloud gasped at the contact and after a moment of fluster, he rested his chin on her head and sunk his fingers into her hair.
She wept into the corners of his shirt and the sound of her whimpering tugged at his heart. Aerith always kept everything locked deep inside—endlessly carrying around a cheerful smile and a light that illuminated hope. Seeing this vulnerable side of her made his chest unbearably heavy.
“Hey. It’s okay. I’m here.” He caressed every inch of her back, every strand of her hair until she fell asleep in his arms, and when he could only hear her breathing and the crackling of the campfire, he planted a light, fleeting kiss on her forehead.
Aerith’s eyes fluttered open and she mischievously gaped up at him. Her lips were so achingly close to his own—the nearness made his jaw drop. “Cloud… did you just, kiss me?” “What, I— I… thought you were asleep!” Aerith noticed his tone of voice was higher than usual and she giggled.
“I was but I couldn’t sleep anymore. And then you…” He cuts her off. “Sorry, I— I don’t know why I did that.”
“But I liked it,” Aerith teased. Cloud dropped his eyes and his cheeks grew noticeably hot. Before he could turn away, she grabbed his chin and said, “You don’t have to hide. It was sweet.”
Cloud, still avoiding her gaze, changes the subject, “Are you… feeling better now?”
“Yeah. Thanks to you.” She continued to caress his skin, admiring how his blond hair shined under the moonlight.
“You’re so pretty,” she whispered, tilting her head, and shamelessly enjoying the clear panic on his face.
Cloud’s eyes grew wider, and the next moment, he clasped her hand and drew it closer to his face. His thumb traveled over the lines of her fingers—staring intensely into her green pools; his eyes lingering on her lips.
To his surprise, Aerith gently pulled away and stood on her feet. Taken aback, he stared at the ground, questioning if he did something wrong.
She began to walk away, and he contemplated grabbing her arm, but feeling dejected he could only sit there and curl his fists.
“Cloud, are you coming?” Cloud snapped up his head, confusion and relief painted on his expression. “Uh, where are you going?” “I want to see the lake before the sun comes up. Actually... I want to see it with you.”
Cloud couldn’t help but smile widely as she extended her hand in front of him. He took her hand in his palm and they shyly walked towards the boardwalk together, fingers intertwined.
-
Aerith sat first in front of the lake, legs dangling above the water. Cloud joined her and sat directly next to her; their thighs brushing against each other.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it? The lake under the moonlight.” Oblivious to Cloud’s gaze on her, he replied, “Very…”
When Aerith turns to him his eyes seem focused on the water below them.
Swinging her feet, she asks, “So… why did you kiss me?”
“Aerith… it was nothing. It was more like a peck.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. It was actually kind of sloppy.” Aerith joked.
Cloud, unable to face her, made a sound of discomfort.
“I just—I was worried about you. And I wanted to comfort you. It just happened. It’s not a big deal.”
“Oh yea, is that why you can’t look at me right now?”
Cloud grunts, continuing to peer in her opposite direction.
Aerith tugs at his arm. “Cloud, come on, look at me.”
After a bit of wavering, he finally meets her eyes.
“Cloud, be honest with me, what am I to you?”
The pounding in his chest quickens and his palms feel sticky. He wants to get on his feet and run; escape the question he feared would come. What could he tell her? That he’s always nervous when he’s around her? That it feels like his chest is going to explode every time he’s near her? That her mere touch sends shivers down his spine? That he worries about her more than anyone else? That he undoubtedly thinks of her as more than just a friend? But the only words that escape his lips…
“You’re… someone… special.”
Aerith beams at his answer. “Hmm? Special? In what way?”
“Uh. You’re someone I like having around. Actually, maybe there’s no one I like having around more than you.”
Aerith didn’t expect such an honest answer and struggled finding her next words, something that’s rarely ever an issue for the talkative flower girl.
Instead, she brushes her fingers on his hand resting on the deck and feels him tremble beneath her skin. Satisfied with his reaction, she sends him a cunning smile.
Cloud desperately tries to remain calm. “Um. What about you? What am I… to you?”
“Mmm. Well, you’re… Cloud,” she says sweetly. “You make me happier than you know and I hate it when you’re not around. I think you’re my favorite person. And there’s no one in the world I’d rather be with right now.”
Cloud shyly smiles. Squeezing her hand, he says, “I’m really glad I met you, Aerith.”
“Me too,” Her giddy voice makes his smile widen.
“You know, you’re less grumpy these days. You smile a lot more often...”
“Hmm. I guess you just have that effect on me.”
He ogles her flirtatiously and the corners of his mouth naturally lift as he hears the sound of her laugh. Cloud looks at her intently and briefly becomes trapped in a trance—his eyes lingering in places that should be forbidden to friends. It’s a line he isn’t brave enough to cross yet… despite being on the edge of a crumbling surface.
Cloud clears his throat, putting an end to the silence surrounding them.
“We should get back and get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow, mister!”
“Yeah… we should. But let’s just stay here a little longer.”
In agreement, Aerith smiles brightly and with their fingers entwined on his lap, she rests her head on his shoulder.
Cloud gently positions her head against his chin, nestling her, and basking in the flowery scent of her hair.
“Maybe more than just a little longer,” he adds.