TRAJECTORY
Disclaimer: Obviously I do not own FF7 and write this for fun not profit.
Summary: AU, Seph/Aer. Sephiroth needs Aeris to complete his mad quest but Aeris has other ideas. Bit of a dark fic, mature themes, hopefully with a happy ending because I'm a sucker for those.
AN: Soo.. I wrote this stupid thing, thought I'd post it, maybe someone likes it. English is not my first language so sorry about any weird language.
CHAPTER 1.
Aeris Gainsborough was dashing madly through the slums, her pursuers hot on her trail. It was the Turks again and this time they seemed particularly determined to capture her. She weaved her way through back alleys she knew like the back of her hand, trying to stay as low as possible. Her destination was the one place where she always felt completely safe and at peace. Her heart leapt with joy as the familiar tall form of an abandoned church came to view.
Aeris hurried inside the church, perhaps she could lose her pursuers by hiding here a moment. She hugged the entrance walls, trying to melt into the shadows as much as she could while peeking around the corner to see if anyone was in sight. The slums looked as empty as always this time of evening, but the piles of rubble, various debris and the hastily put together shacks could hide many things. After a while of silence peppered with the odd cry of a monster in the distance Aeris allowed herself a few calming breaths. It looked like she'd made her escape. When she turned to check on her flowers for comfort however, she froze.
She was not alone in the church.
A man carrying an ominous looking blade stood in front of her flowerpatch, his back turned to her. He was dressed entirely in black and had long, flowing silver hair that was slightly blowing in the breeze. He looked utterly out of place in her sanctuary. Aeris bit her lip in thought. She didn't think he'd heard her enter since he appeared to be deep in thought, standing still as a statue with his head slightly bowed towards the flowers. Should she make her presence known or brave the streets again, risking discovery if the Turks were still out there searching for her?
After a moments consideration she chose to take her chances with the stranger, even if something about his stillness disturbed her for some reason. She took a few hesitant steps towards him and cleared her throat to catch his attention. Very slowly the stranger lifted his head to glance at her over his shoulder. His features were half cast in shadow, but Aeris could recognize the Mako glow in his eyes. Suddenly Aeris found herself questioning the wisdom of approaching him. He looked at her coolly, and though there wasn't anything overly threatening in his expression, Aeris felt a chill go through her. "Uh.." She stammered and shifted nervously on her feet. Something deep within told her that this was no ordinary man, and that she should beware.
He finally turned to face her fully, icy green eyes still watching her. Aeris felt like shrinking under his scrutinizing stare. It was like he was sizing her up, like he knew who she was, somehow, even though Aeris was certain she'd never met him. She'd remember such an imposing figure. Briefly she wondered what he was doing at the church anyway. Somehow she doubted he'd come to admire her flowers.
His silence was defeaning.
"Are you uh, waiting for someone? I just came to.. umm, tend to my flowers." Aeris stumbled over her words, hating the little quiver in her voice as she addressed him. "I'm Aeris Gainsborough, by the way." She said, attempting a friendly smile but most likely failing miserably. The stranger didn't return it.
"I know who you are."
Aeris' blood suddenly turned to ice. He was clearly a SOLDIER, or at least had been at some point, it was obvious from the glow in his eyes. Had he come for her too, to take her back to ShinRa?
"Uh, on second thought I think the flowers can wait a while longer. I'll just be on my way then." Aeris told him, taking a nervous step back and then turning for the exit. Just as she reached it, she felt him grabbing her wrist, pulling her against his chest. "Leaving so soon? You and I have business to discuss." His deep baritone voice spoke in her ear.
Aeris tried to wrest her arm free, but his grip was like iron. With a growing panic Aeris became aware of just how alone she was in this isolated place with him. "Please, let me go, I didn't mean to disturb you."
"I don't think so. There's something you and I are going to be doing." The finality in his voice was terrifying, even though she couldn't see his expression. Aeris felt tears spring into her eyes. "Please don't! Please.. I'll scream!" She pleaded, trying to catch a glimpse of his eyes over her shoulder to gauge his intention. No matter her threat, she knew there was little chance of anyone coming to her rescue. Muggings, rapes, even murder were all too common in the slums and people knew to mind their own business.
"Come along now." he ordered, and then began to drag her by her wrist towards the exit. Aeris tried to dig her heels into the ground but it was no use. She might as well have been trying to stop a train. "Stop, let go of me!" Aeris banged her fist against his cloak covered back in desperation. The stranger cast her a disdainful glare.
"I'd advice you not to try my patience." The threat was clear in his voice. Then he continued outside, into the fading sunlight, dragging her along like she was a child's toy on a string. Aeris recognized the path he was taking with some confusion. He was moving away from ShinRa headquarters. Away from Midgar. Aeris struggled to keep up with his long, determined stride. "Where are you taking me?" She asked his back, stumbling over piles of rubble that didn't seem to slow him down at all.
No answer.
"You can't go this way!" Aeris struggled weakly against his grasp. "It's almost nightfall, all the monsters will be coming out to hunt."
A bitter chuckle reached her ears. "Leave the monsters to me."
He continued marching all the way through the winding paths between piled up junk, and showed no signs of stopping as they reached the edge of the city, opening up to dark open plains. "I want to go home," Aeris wailed miserably. The grueling pace was starting to take it's toll on her, and the rustling shadows in the woods frightened her. A flock of birds took flight nearby, screeching in fright. Aeris pressed herself closer to her abductor for safety, and felt his back stiffen in response.
"We'll make camp soon" he said gruffly.
Aeris didn't bother answering. Out here without a weapon of any kind she was at his mercy.
After what felt like hours of marching her companion finally found a spot to his liking close to a small babbling brook, sheltered from the wind by some boulders. "Stay here. I'm going to gather up some firewood." He told her, then set out into the darkness. Aeris watched his back as long as she could make him out in the dark woods, then sat against a boulder, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them for warmth. She stared at the ground in front of her dejectedly. Though she felt like crying the tears simply wouldn't come.
Quite some time passed waiting for her abductor's return and listening to the noises of the woods around her for signs of danger. Aeris tried to make herself as small and unnoticeable as possible.
She felt a wave of relief when she finally heard approaching footsteps. She looked up to see the now familiar face. The man arranged his wood and kindling expertly and started a fire for much needed light and warmth. He then dropped his meager possessions in a worn out travelling bag and began to set up a tent. A single tent, Aeris noted with discomfort. This person didn't seem the gentlemanly type judging by the way he'd been manhandling her all afternoon, either ignoring her protests or answering in short, clipped sentences.
She dreaded having to spend the night sleeping on the ground, but it didn't look like she'd have a choice. Once her captor finished setting up the tent he dug out a sleeping mat and a blanket and put both inside, settling then to sit by the fire, staring into the flames. He looked so lost in thought Aeris almost believed he'd forgotten about her until he suddenly spoke up, keeping his eyes on the flames. "There are some dried rations in my backpack if you're hungry."
Aeris looked up in surprise then scurried over to the bag. She dug out some jerky and dried fruit and sat closer to the fire to eat. It wasn't a meal for the ages, but right now anything that filled her growling stomach felt heavenly. As she ate, she looked over at her companion. "What's your name anyway?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course it does! I can't just keep calling you mister." Or creep, Aeris added in her thoughts.
Some more awkward silence. Aeris shrugged and continued to finish her meal.
"Sephiroth."
Startled, she lifted her head. He'd turned his eery green eyes at her. They really were quite stunning, the color of the lifestream itself. Finally, it registered in her brain he'd told her something. "Huh?"
The man turned his head away, a flicker of annoyance passing on his features. "Sephiroth. It's my name."
"No last name?"
Sephiroth then gave her a look that told her in no uncertain terms to drop this line of questioning. "No. It's just Sephiroth."
They sat by the fire a while in silence. Aeris was enjoying the fire's warmth and the starlit night sky, but after the day she'd had her eyes soon started to droop closed. She yawned.
"You can take the tent for the night. I'll keep watch." Sephiroth told her, again avoiding looking at her, as if he was bored of her presence.
"But I thought.." Aeris glanced at the tent hopefully.
"Do you want to sleep on the ground then?" Sephiroth snapped.
"N-No.." Aeris turned and quickly made her way to the tent that had never looked more inviting. Before entering, she turned back to look at Sephiroth. There was something haunting in his expession and Aeris felt an odd moment of pity for him. "Umm," Aeris stammered and Sephiroth glanced at her, all traces of emotion instantly vanishing from his face. He looked at her expentantly. "Umm, thank you. For the tent and the food I mean." She managed to tell him. Sephiroth didn't answer, merely turned his head away again. Deciding he was done talking for the night Aeris crawled into the tent, wrapping his flimsy blanket around herself for warmth. It smelled like him, she realized just as she drifted into sleep.
