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“Stay in my memories, where you belong.”
Cloud's voice was cold and clearly exhausted. Though it didn't hurt as much as the way Sephiroth's entire body began to crumble. He's been cut, defeated, again. Condemned to years of loneliness and the echoes of a past that wronged him over and over.
Cloud watched his foe's body disintegrate. Feeling a relief Sephiroth had never known.
“Hello? Hmm, I don't think you're supposed to be here.”
A far too playful voice crept into Sephiroth's mind once the darkness settled. A tone he knew and would rather not hear. His limbs were heavy, so he kept his eyes shut.
“You're not pretending are you? Well, it wouldn't be the first time the lifestream made a mistake.” A gentle hand shifted beneath his bangs to settle over his forehead.
Sephiroth figured she wasn't very bright if she was searching for a pulse. If he even still had one. But her fingers were surprisingly warm, alive almost.
“Strange, you look… clean.” Her hand brushed a bit of his hair away for a better view. Sephiroth wondered how long he'd have to stay like this. Maybe if he pretended to be dead she'd leave on her own.
That was until her knuckles ghosted his collar bones. Wandering down until landing at his chest. Shamelessly touching the exposed areas of skin. Sephiroth's eyes snapped open and he immediately grabbed her wrists, effectively tearing a surprised gasp from her.
“Oh, did I wake you? Uhm, that hurts you know.” Aerith's face quickly concealed the hint of fear behind them. Her body didn't nearly hide her true feelings as well as her voice.
“Do not touch me.” He bent upward to reach her line of sight. The sudden motion made her flinch even as he released her. But after a second her mouth slightly opened and she dared to lean in closer.
“Wow, your eyes are the same though. Do you remember me?” With all the curiosity of a child her gaze absorbed him. Lashes fluttering each time her eyes moved to a different area of his body. Sephiroth could only take so much of this.
“Is this space to hold me, to exist in a void?” Sephiroth stared into the endless white around them. Tiny specks of green mako fell about. Seemingly coming from and going nowhere.
“Uh no. The eternal void was your terrible plan. Think of this place like, a bridge. You're not home yet.” Aerith straightened herself, remembering she had a job to do.
“Home.” He repeated the word like he didn't know the meaning.
“That's right, though to be honest I'm surprised. I'm not sure why the planet helped you. Maybe Cloud did something…” Aerith's attention was lost for a moment. Looking aside at presumably nothing. Again sadness flashed across her face.
“I do not want your help, I wish to be left alone.” Sephiroth stood, looking down at her the way he was used to. The Cetra was as much a threat to his existence as she felt he was to hers. At least this way he felt a bit more in control.
“I think you mean ‘thank you’ . Look at yourself, all the black veins, the infection, I can't sense Jenova in you at all.” Aerith stood, leaning into his chest again with a squint.
Sephiroth froze. Now that she mentioned it, he hasn't heard Mother's voice at all. The heaviness in his limbs, so human, is all his power gone?
“Though if you took this jacket off I could inspect you more thoroughly.” She glanced up with a cheeky grin. As if expecting him to consider the offer.
Sephiroth decided the afterlife must have made her more of a pest. What was there to fear if you're already dead? He stared back without any sense of amusement. She pouted with a dissatisfied hum.
“Ok fine grumpy. Just follow me.” Aerith swung away. Her body and dress looked weightless. He might have thought her an illusion if not for her touch.
“Where?”
“A place you can rest. You might find someone you actually miss.” Aerith took a step into the endless white as if she could see a path. It didn't sound like a lie, but she didn't seem that excited either.
Still Sephiroth followed, hoping to at least enjoy some peace and quiet. But Aerith was humming. Looking over her shoulder every few seconds as if there was anywhere else for him to go. She stole many glances, still unsure how he got here.
“Hey, can I touch your hair?” The words on her mind finally spilled.
“No.”
“I'll let you touch mine.”
“Are you sure this is not divine punishment?” He refused to yield and Aerith sighed, slowing her pace further.
“I guess they decided you’ve suffered enough. Don’t worry, you're not stuck with me.” Despite attempting to sooth his worry, her words seemed heavy. Sephiroth didn’t know why she might be unhappy about never seeing her killer again. But her existence was never something he understood to begin with.
“How far is this journey exactly?”
“Depends on my mood.” Aerith flashed him a smile, all the darkness on her eyes disappearing again. “If you’re tired we can take a break. Dying is kind of exhausting.”
“I am not tired.”
“Well, do you feel any different than before?”
“Weak.” Sephiroth furrowed his brows. Yes, that might be it. He felt like he could sleep for days if he tried. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept on Gaia, all his years with Jenova gave him endless energy to do as he pleased. Suddenly a pair of delicate hands wrapped around his bicep and squeezed.
“You don’t feel weak. But just in case, you better stay close so you don’t get left behind.” Aerith turned away just as he opened his mouth. Sliding her hand into his and tugging him along.
They walked that way for a bit longer. Aerith kept her grip firm, charging into an unknown road of nothing. Sephiroth didn’t have the will to fight it. He had such strong emotions before. But all the regrets, desire for power, were just a memory he could barely remember now. He knows he hates her, or at least he should . But he can’t find the energy to do so.
“Are you not upset with me Cetra?”
“Aerith, and no. Not anymore. No one gets to live forever.”
“I could have, it was possible.”
“That was a lie. An illusion Jenova fed you, or else you wouldn’t be here.” Aerith unconsciously squeezed his hand. She hated thinking of Jenova. Remembering all the suffering that could have been avoided if that crater had never been found. “Anyway, I'm not someone to hold grudges.”
“You did not really live.” Sephiroth almost felt sorry for her. Perhaps immortality wasn't possible, but a fuller life was.
“Neither did you.”
“I spent time how I wished. I am far older than I appear.” The only regrets Sephiroth had were things one couldn't change. Destiny forced him under Shinra's care, but once his wings sprouted, nothing could confine him.
“I know. I missed out on a lot of great things because of you.” Aerith shrugged as though it was no big deal.
“And what would you have done?”
“Hmmm…” She stopped for a moment to think and Sephiroth nearly ran into her. “I wanted to travel more. Who knows, maybe my mom had family out there. Maybe get married, or adopt some kids? I wanted to have my own house, and I wouldn't have let Cloud be so hard on himself.”
“Is that all?” Sephiroth asked as though he was waiting for a reason he could relate to. Family was only ever exhausting.
“Of course not. I have several lost wishes. I never even got my first kiss.” She eyed him from the side. Not bothering to hide her glare.
“Such trivial things.”
“Well what would you have wished for mister wise guy?” She waited, though not really expecting an answer.
“...perhaps love. I'm not sure I know what that is.”
Aerith bit her tongue, her heart sinking with notion. Love, she had known. Given and found in the strangest of places. Shinra tried taking it all but never succeeded. Though the same couldn't be said for Sephiroth.
“There must have been someone who loved you.”
“Maybe. But it's been a very very long time.” The shadows of two annoying guys came to mind. He usually tried not thinking about them.
“You won't be alone here Sephiroth. Actually, you're wanted very much.”
A warm smile bloomed across her face. He could almost feel the sincerity if not for the strange sense her words of comfort were rehearsed. Words practiced for many but never herself.
“You said I might meet someone I miss, is there no one you wish to see?” Aerith stared back as though she'd been hit. “Why are you here?”
She swallowed, finally letting go of his hand and fiddling with her fingers.
“There are lots of people I cherish. But, someone has to make sure everyone reaches the other side.”
Sephiroth watched her expression grow somber. Perhaps he was cleansed, human. But a Cetra was always Cetra.
“You can't go.” He said softly and Aerith shook her head.
She wanted to, but her consciousness belonged to a different part of the lifestream. Aerith tried telling herself it was okay. That she'd get to see Cloud, Elmyra, everyone when it was their time. Aerith told herself she should be so lucky to get to hold their hand as they moved on. But deep down she knew it wasn't fair. Even in death, they couldn't be together.
“...I could stay a bit.” Sephiroth's mouth moved without fully realizing what he was offering. The strange spark of compassion was uncomfortable, almost making him shudder.
Aerith's eyes widened, her face turning pink. No one had ever offered. But she'd never spoken this long to any one soul either.
“Actually, uhm promise not to get mad?” She muttered. Pushing her hands behind her. Sephiroth's eyes narrowed, wondering what tricks the Cetra had pulled him into.
“Speak.”
“You can go anytime. I just have to touch you. I lied about the journey.” Aerith sucked her bottom lip in. Refusing to look him in the eye.
“Ah.” Sephiroth let out a long sigh. She'd been leading him in circles for only Shiva knows how long.
“I'm sorry.”
Sephiroth thought the planet truly was cruel. How is it he should get eternal rest while she stays behind in a loop of nothingness? How lonely has Aerith been all these years to be desperate enough to hang around the man that put her here?
“I'm not mad.”
“Really?” Her face suddenly relaxed into a beautiful grin. “In that case, we could swap stories till we run out. Or I could braid your hair, or we can pretend there's music and dance.”
Aerith threw her arms out and twirled around. The lack of interest clear on Sephiroth's face. Such meaningless things compared to her reality. Yet she giggled like it was truly enjoyable. Only stopping when he refused to participate.
“I'm only kidding. You can't actually stay.” Aerith dropped the playful tone. Stepping into Sephiroth's space. “You've already been here too long.”
He wasn't sure how she could know. He'd lost all sense of time. Was it minutes? Weeks? A year?
So much of this was his fault. Yet there wasn't a shred of anger. No sense of revenge. Just a child forever stuck serving those who don't deserve her.
“You should have had more time.” Sephiroth placed his hand below her chest. Even now, unable to convey a proper apology. No string of words could undo the sins of past choices.
He watched her swallow. Her breath hitching. The scar might still be there. A permanent reminder of who put her here.
“I have nothing but time.” She put her palm over his own. Letting him feel her heartbeat. Now a curse more than blessing. They both knew it wasn't the same.
“Are you sure I can't, do anything?”
“Aww you big softie. Gonna miss me?” She teased, knowing it might irritate him.
“Perhaps I'm ready after all.” His hand fell away and Aerith laughed. His face softening into an expression she thought almost looked kind.
“Alright fine. I have others to help you know.” She composed herself. Putting out both hands for him to take.
“We only have to touch?”
“Yep, close your eyes and just let me do the work. It'll only take a second.”
Aerith watched him expectantly. Finally ready to say goodbye before losing courage. Sephiroth accepted her hold, looking into her eyes as though it were the first time. He bent forward until his bangs brushed her nose.
Aerith's mouth opened slightly. Wanting to ask the reason, but he took that chance to seal her lips. He wasn't one for words anyway.
He could feel her hesitate. The split second she leaned away before committing to the warmth. Aerith eventually leaned in. Closing her eyes and humming against the gentle touch. She wondered if he'd ever kissed anyone before, if his lips were usually this soft or if hugging him would ruin the moment. Aerith wanted to enjoy every second, suddenly feeling greedy for something more, but her eyes were already starting to sting.
Aerith quickly found his soul. She cradled his light and lifted it through a passage with all the others. Knowing he'd be in good hands.
When Aerith opened her eyes again there was no one. Just an empty world of green and white.
“Good luck Sephiroth.”