[ 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. ]
[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.
[ 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. ]
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.]
[ 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. ]
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?
[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'...
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.
[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.
[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.
[Cloud turns to press his mouth into her palm, closing his eyes.] ...if you believe what everybody's saying, then whatever brought us here can send us back like no time's passed.
But even- [Cloud reaches up to hold onto her wrists gently,] -e-even if that's not true, this is what I wanna do. I've thought about it since we found each other again. Red, Cid, Yuffie, Vincent, Barret...even Tifa, she'd-
[Cloud stops himself before reaching to hold Aerith's face in return.] They'll be fine. And I miss them, so much, but I- I don't want to go back to a world where I'll never see you, or hear your voice or your laugh. I can't.
[ Aerith breathes out a quiet noise, shivering as she tilts closer to him, wanting to sink into his warmth and his kindness. ]
Cloud...
[ She puts her presents to one side, moving so that she can practically climb into his lap, mostly so that her arms can wrap around him and her body can press against his. She doesn't want to let go, and she can't, her arms tight and her eyes closed. Her stomach is churning, but she understands.
She can empathise. She doesn't want to give him up either. ]
I don't want to go back to a world where I can't be with you either. I... It's hard. Just watching. Knowing people are moving on.
[ Not forgetting, but... Mourning, and accepting, and... All she can do is settle and watch and bask in the Lifestream. ]
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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. ]
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He pulls back, eyes down toward her chin instead of meeting hers, and licks his lips.] ...okay, but now fireworks would be appropriate.
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I think I felt them.
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Is that bad?
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Do you think I have, Mr. Cloud?
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I've only kissed you and Zack, you know. That's it.
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Was it good?
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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'...
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No, that's okay. [ She doesn't want to get any redder than she already is. ] As long as you like kissing me.
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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.]
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This feeling... This is what she had wanted. With Cloud, before. That's what she knows. ]
I'm like it too.
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Aerith...if the opportunity comes up where I can go home... I'm not going without you.
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Cloud... [ When she shakes her head her hair goes with her. ] That's impossible.
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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. ]
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But if we go back, Cloud, that's where I'll be. I'll be in the Lifestream.
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But even- [Cloud reaches up to hold onto her wrists gently,] -e-even if that's not true, this is what I wanna do. I've thought about it since we found each other again. Red, Cid, Yuffie, Vincent, Barret...even Tifa, she'd-
[Cloud stops himself before reaching to hold Aerith's face in return.] They'll be fine. And I miss them, so much, but I- I don't want to go back to a world where I'll never see you, or hear your voice or your laugh. I can't.
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Cloud...
[ She puts her presents to one side, moving so that she can practically climb into his lap, mostly so that her arms can wrap around him and her body can press against his. She doesn't want to let go, and she can't, her arms tight and her eyes closed. Her stomach is churning, but she understands.
She can empathise. She doesn't want to give him up either. ]
I don't want to go back to a world where I can't be with you either. I... It's hard. Just watching. Knowing people are moving on.
[ Not forgetting, but... Mourning, and accepting, and... All she can do is settle and watch and bask in the Lifestream. ]
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