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Sweat drips down my back and my hair sticks to my neck. It’s not any cooler in this inn room than it was outside. The only difference is that the sun is not scorching my skin now. Light peeks through the wallboards and the scent of fruity flowers wafts in the air mixing with something that makes me think of mold. I want to believe that is just my imagination.
Either way, I shouldn’t complain, for Johnny is letting us stay here for free. A room and privacy are more than I could have asked for after everything. And the Seaside Inn is so secluded that anyone from Shinra probably won’t wander here.
We are safe.
For now.
And that’s enough.
Inhaling deeply, I gather my hair and whirl it into a messy bun. My nape protests but my backside is happy for the breeze that sneaks in from a crack in the wall and caresses it. I’d kill for a shower…
But maybe I could have one. The stall in the corner doesn’t look too convincing but perhaps it can offer at least a tiny relief from the heat.
Stepping closer to the shower, I can’t help but think how much I secretly enjoy this peace and quiet of having my own room. This almost feels like a beach holiday. The one we can’t truly afford but are having anyway because we’re living our lives like each day could be the last.
Any of them could be the last one.
So better enjoy what I have now.
Tilting my head, I smile. So, a long show–
A knock on the door. I turn around and hurry to open it. I was probably too slow, and now, something has come up. Free time is over.
“Aerith?” I blink and step aside, letting the woman in. Her dress dangles around her calves as she strolls into my room.
“Everyone else left for the city.”
I nod. This is no news.
“Red too?” I confirm since I’m pretty sure I saw him near Aerith’s door when I slipped into my private quarters for the rest of the day.
“Well, not him. He is relaxing in the shadows under my balcony.”
“I see.” Closing the door, I peek at Aerith who is roaming around the room, checking out the walls as if they were interesting. “So, what brings you here?”
“It is hot outside.” Aerith spins on her heels, locking her emerald gaze into mine. She inches closer, leaning forward so my gaze directly falls on her pink dress. Her skin is beaded with a thin layer of sweat and I can distinguish the white lace peeking from her neckline. “Isn’t it?”
My heart jumps but I manage a nod. “That’s right. I was just about to take a cold shower.” Perhaps she will get my hint.
A giggle sails out Aerith’s mouth as she shakes off her red jacket and lets it fall on the floor. Her boots follow with thumps. White socks are damp around her toes and one of the heels looks like it’s about to fall apart.
Aerith is so perfect even in her sweaty, nearly broken socks. Swallowing, I watch as she lifts her feet one by one, tugging off the pieces of clothing.
“Aerith?”
A smile that could melt the earth. “Yes?”
“What are you doing?”
“My shower…”
“Yes?”
“It isn’t working.” Aerith slithers out of her dress that piles around her ankles. I probably should turn my gaze to the wall or the window, but I can’t help myself. The white lace of her bra compliments the curves of her breasts.
Sighing, I shake my head. That bra manages to be both innocent and seductive at the same time. I can’t imagine wearing something similar but I’m not immune to the appeal.
"I'm stiff from all the traveling. Can you help?" Aerith gazes directly into my eyes again.
“With…?”
“The hooks.” She turns her back and collects her braid over her shoulder. I guess, she is really going to use my shower and I can’t do anything but wait for a little longer.
“Oh… yes, of course.” Wiping my hands to my skirt, I close the little distance there still is between us.
The left strap of Aerith’s bra has dug into her skin, leaving a red abrasion. I want to trace it with my fingertips, and my hand flinches as I force it to wander lower and sneak my fingers under the elastic back of the bra. The upper hook is twisted and refuses to open immediately. My digits slip as I press the pieces against each other and slide the hook out of place.
Aerith’s hair smells of flowers. The scent is stuck with her no matter what we go through. I inhale and allow her fragrance to fill me. The yellow lilies. The same aroma that greeted me, when Cloud came back from his first mission with Avalanche. When he gave me that flower…
That feels like ages ago. A lot has changed since. And now, this scent of safety wafts from Aerith.
Blinking, I let go of Aerith’s bra.
“Thank you.” A mere whisper.
I’m about to back down when Aerith wheels around so quickly that she almost crashes with me. Swallowing, I watch as her bra slides on the floor, to the same pile with her dress and jacket. Her floral fragrance won’t leave me alone.
Perhaps… perhaps… it was always her. The first lily too.
I probably should think about the one who brought the flower to me, but Aerith’s sparkling gaze has captured me. Her panties are the same white lace as her bra. It’s easy to notice the hint of brown hair through them.
It’s not like me to watch women like this. But there is something special in Aerith. In the way she carries herself, how her hips sway as she shifts her weight from one leg to the other, and how her breasts stay perky even with the support of the bra, pinkish nipples slightly erect even though the weather is sweltering.
Beautiful. Aerith is beautiful.
A delicate flower.
“Weren’t you going to take a shower?” Aerith tilts her head and starts to undo her braid.
“Eh? But…”
“Get undressed. We can’t know for how long yours will last, and I bet you are in the need of cold water as much as I am.”
I shift in place. Should I or should I not? There is nothing strange about that. Sharing a shower with a friend in this kind of situation.
While I still ponder, Aerith releases her hair, and her caramel curls caress her body while she lays a see-through orb on my bed. It’s almost like a materia shell but empty from any kind of magic. Peculiar. I have never seen such a thing before.
As I remain staring at the orb, Aerith grabs my arm and yanks me closer by surprise, making me stagger. She doesn’t mind, and in the instant, I’m steadily on my feet again, her fingers find the hem of my top and tug it upwards. They are warm as they casually brush my skin… like this was something we always do.
But something like this has only happened in fuming dreams.
And as in those dreams… I lift my arms, letting her lug the top away.
“The skirt too.” Aerith smiles even though her tone is surprisingly commanding and leaves no room for argument. I put my hands behind my back and unzip my skirt. A heavy leather piece of clothing falls to my ankles. I step out of it and pull the combat boots from my feet.
Before I have time to straighten up, Aerith hauls the band of my sports bra from behind and starts to pull it up. Without further thought, I help from the front and realize too late that everything is now on the view.
As if hearing my mind, Aerith spins me around.
She’s like the sun. Burning me as her gaze traces my body, stopping on the scar just below my breasts. She lifts a finger and slides it along the mark on my skin. “Was this when…?”
Almost heaving, I avert my gaze. “Nibelheim. Sephiroth.”
A hiss. Hands cup my cheek, raising my face. Something flickers behind the emerald as it locks into my eyes. “A lot was lost, but you survived.”
I feel my lips parting, yet not a sound comes out.
“You are beautiful. Don’t even try to think otherwise.”
Can Aerith truly read minds?
“I…”
“Shhh…” She presses her fingertip on my lips. Almost like a kiss. Yet not even close.
Finally, I nod, and she tosses my bra away.
“Almost there~” A giggle bounces through the room as Aerith crouches before me and starts to tug my thigh-high socks down. Her face hovers in front of my panties. How strongly must I smell right now? After that sweaty walk from the port all the way to Johnny’s inn?
Aerith’s fingers run along my thighs together with my socks. I pant as my pulse begins to thrum in my ears. It has been forever since another person has touched me like this.
So tenderly.
Probably, I have never been caressed so softly.
It’s most likely wrong to feel this way. Yet, everything is right in this moment. Aerith pulls down my socks and snatches my panties which she slides down awkwardly slowly as if we weren’t simply getting undressed for the shower.
As my panties land on the pile of clothes, Aerith straightens up and beams. She yanks her lace briefs off in one smooth motion while a light laughter bubbles out of her. “Done! And then into the shower, we go~”
When I don’t move, Aerith reaches to me, taking my hand into hers and entwining our fingers. “Come on!”
The gentle pull is enough. My feet move on their own.