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[asphodels]

"This is Aerith! I'm not here, but I'll get back to you!"

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[moseyin]

[Cloud ends up significantly further behind her in line, which was his plan anyway because he wanted part of this to be a surprise.

When he finally catches up to Aerith just outside the gift shop, he holds out a wrapped package for her to take.] Here. It's uh, it's like a room-warming gift, I guess.

[asphodels]

Cloud! [ She moves her bag of gifts on her arm, taking the wrapped package. ] Can I open it now?

[moseyin]

Uhhh sure- no, wait. [He points over toward the ferris wheel.] Let's get on that, first.

[asphodels]

[ You're making her wait? Cruel, cruel man. ]

Okay. Let's go before we get distracted again.

[moseyin]

[That's him, Cloud "Cruel Man" Strife.

At least the wait for the ferris wheel isn't nearly as long as the wait for the roller coaster; they're on in a matter of minutes, climbing up into an open air car and looking out over the spread of the park and surrounding city; even with how high this thing goes, it doesn't even get close to matching the top of the tallest building.]

Sorta seems like Midgar, doesn't it? [Cloud wonders, staring out over the cityscape.] Minus the plate. But I guess you don't need a plate to have slums.

[asphodels]

[ Aerith finds it a little shocking how few people actually want to ride the Ferris Wheel, but she soon realises that since it's such a couple-y thing... Maybe not many people are here on a date like she is. It makes her all the more thankful for Cloud - and, this time, she moves and sits right beside him, leaning over him so she can see the view.

It's nicer, she thinks, than the distance from before. ]

You just need people thinking they're better than you are. [ Aerith shakes her head. ] It doesn't make it less beautiful, though, does it?

[moseyin]

No, it doesn't. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. [Being able to think what you want, that's a precious commodity that few people have ever had taken away from them. Cloud is perhaps a little more grateful for free will than he should be, sometimes, but he'll never take it for granted.] ...okay, you can open it now.

[asphodels]

That sounds almost poetic. [ But Aerith is captivated by the sight before her and when she breathes out it's with a soft smile. It's Cloud that brings her back and she softens, hands pressed on the package. ] Here?

[moseyin]

Well. I read it on the front of a magazine, so don't be too impressed. [Seriously.

He sits back in the chair, making their cab sway slightly as the wheel crawls to a stop with them near the top of the arc. He gestures toward the package, a little embarrassed, but more interested to see her reaction. Aside from the two-picture frame, there are a couple disposable cameras in there.]

[asphodels]

But you remembered it, didn't you?

[ Still, she does to unwrap the gift, slowly, and when it's revealed her eyes widen. It's something so simple and yet it means a lot to her - and she leans close, tilting herself up and pressing a kiss to his cheek, just close enough for it to be almost the corner of his mouth. ] Cloud!

[moseyin]

Wh- hey, look, [braves a kiss back onto her cheek, face pink.] You asked for the cameras, right? And three walls' worth of photos. You can put your two favorites in this so you don't have to pick. [His own way of offering his blessing with Zack. It's...still weird, but he doesn't hate it, is all he's trying to say. He knows Aerith has more than enough room in her heart for them both.]

[asphodels]

[ Her fingers trail over the photo frames gently and for a moment she feels completely overwhelmed. The idea that she has two men that care about her, that want her to be happy, that respect the nature of her overflowing love and want to stay at her side all the same... It makes her feel a thousand times bigger than she really is, and she doesn't quite know how to grasp it. Instead, she turns to look at Cloud. ]

Thank you.

[ This time, there's no hesitation. She leans up and touches his cheek, urging him to turn so that she can lean up and give him a kiss. ]

[moseyin]

[It's a little hesitant, a lot softer than most of what Cloud does, but he'd honestly had a feeling they were building up to it so he doesn't make her wait too long before lifting a hand to her cheek as well, thumb brushing down to her jaw.

He pulls back, eyes down toward her chin instead of meeting hers, and licks his lips.] ...okay, but now fireworks would be appropriate.

[asphodels]

[ Her smile is soft and fond, gentle as she leans close, stealing another kiss just because she can. It's new and different, and she feels a flush of warmth, something that's building into something like love. ]

I think I felt them.

[moseyin]

That's so cheesy, [Cloud snorts playfully, even though he's kissing her again and reaching for her hand to pull it into his lap, lacing their fingers together.]

[asphodels]

[ She's a little more interested in actually giving Cloud his kisses than she is in replying, but even she can't resist a little laugh against his mouth. ]

Is that bad?

[moseyin]

Nah. [This is sooooooo nice though, even though he's getting a little shy as his face goes pinker.] Uh. I haven't, um, kissed a whole lotta folks before, so...tell me if I suck at it, okay?

[asphodels]

[ Aerith bursts out laughing, grabbing his hands. ]

Do you think I have, Mr. Cloud?

[moseyin]

Yeah- no, I mean, I dunno. [open mouth insert foot] You just seem like you know what you're doing.

[asphodels]

[ He's lucky he's cute, huh. ]

I've only kissed you and Zack, you know. That's it.

[moseyin]

Oh. [sorry aerith] ...nice confidence then. I couldn't even tell.

[asphodels]

[ She is 100% hiding against his shoulder now, not that's she's blushing, nope. ]

Was it good?

[moseyin]

[THIS JUST IN: CLOUD IS SUPER WEAK TO PEOPLE SHYLY HIDING AGAINST HIM]

Wha, of course it was! [He drops their hands in favor of putting his arms around her and rubbing her back.] I could go into detail if you want us both to burst into flames or somethin'...

[asphodels]

[ That makes her laugh, giggling against his side. ]

No, that's okay. [ She doesn't want to get any redder than she already is. ] As long as you like kissing me.

[moseyin]

I think it's fair to say I'm definitely good with it. [Aahhhhh she's so soft and smells good and aasfhjvbj he's such a fucking idiot for not doing this before...everything.

The smile slips off Cloud's face but he still holds her, his cheek pressed to her hair as he stares out over this alien world that looks so much like their own.

He's decided.]