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[asphodels]

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

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[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.]

[asphodels]

[ Aerith hums quietly, reaching to find one of his hands, letting herself cuddle close and grip at him, to bask.

This feeling... This is what she had wanted. With Cloud, before. That's what she knows. ]

I'm like it too.

[moseyin]

[Cloud's quiet for a while, stroking down her back with his free hand. The cab makes almost an entire circle around before he finally speaks up.]

Aerith...if the opportunity comes up where I can go home... I'm not going without you.

[asphodels]

[ She freezes, but then she leans back, her eyes drinking him in. ]

Cloud... [ When she shakes her head her hair goes with her. ] That's impossible.

[moseyin]

[He keeps hold of her arms, hands cupping her elbows.] Why? [he presses, leaning in a bit.]

[asphodels]

[ It hurts, but she watches. ]

Because I'm dead. I'm with the Lifestream now, and that's my duty. To watch over the Planet.

[ To watch over him, too. ]

[moseyin]

[Cloud shakes his head, jaw set as he looks for the words he wants to say.] You make it sound like- like that's what has to happen. The Planet isn't solely your responsibility, Aerith; and people've learned better. They can look after the Planet themselves.

[asphodels]

[ Aerith bows her head, closing her eyes. ]

But if we go back, Cloud, that's where I'll be. I'll be in the Lifestream.

[moseyin]

[Shakes his head again, tugging on her elbows a bit to draw her closer.] Then we'll stay here. You, and me, and Zack. We won't go back, not until we're old and gray and have lived as long as we can.