This is done for Alan Bates 102 Clourith Theme Challenge over at the CxA Forums.

Theme chosen, LETTER.

Letter

It was early morning; the sun had just began to rise across the flat valleys of dewy grass somewhere south of the Temple of the Ancients. Aerith was quietly writing in a small book as Cloud slept beside her, only inches away. They normally shared rooms, but due to the lack of towns or cities, AVALANCHE had to sleep in tents for the time being.

Since their magical date in the city of desire, Golden Saucer, Cloud and Aerith's relationship changed drastically. They were close before, but after the intimacy they shared on the date, they became lovers in secrecy.

And as he lay there sleeping, almost peacefully, Aerith couldn't help but come to realize just how deeply and irrevocably in love she was with Cloud Strife. A man she once thought resembled her first love Zack Fair. But as immediately as she began to know him, she realized that Cloud was his own man. That somewhere deep inside of him, was a man all of his own.

It was undeniable that Cloud shared Zack's first class rank in SOLDIER and shared a few small gestures, but underneath all of that, was a simple and awkward man that she loved more than anyone else.

It was true, it was his small similarities to Zack in the beginning that attracted her to him, but after seeing the real Cloud—she soon genuinely fell in love with him for who he was.

As she glanced over Cloud's calm sleeping face, she couldn't help but notice his handsome and unique features. Smiling, she looked back at the small book and continued to write.

"Dear Zack,

I'm writing this letter to tell you…

I sent you 89 letters and waited and waited for your reply. I made excuse after excuse that, maybe, it slipped your mind—that I slipped your mind. And for years, I let the sadness take over me so much that I ended up crying for days. It was until only recently that I found out about your death… so it seems, it wasn't your fault that my letters went unknown or unreciprocated. For all the years I believed that you had just found someone new… I am truly sorry— I should really thank you, Zack. If I hadn't of ever met you, I would have never met Cloud. For that, I thank you. You'll always be my dear friend—"

Aerith paused her writing as Cloud adjusted in his blankets, he was still fast asleep. She glanced back down to her book and continued her fine cursive writing;

"… But, I'm not sorry for falling in love with Cloud.

Goodbye Zack."

Just as she placed her pen down and closed her book, she felt a gentle yet strong hand tug her body until her back was against the toned build of Cloud's torso.

They laid on their sides, his arms wrapping around her body, pulling her close. Aerith couldn't help but giggle at the soft kisses he placed on her neck and cheek.

"…Hey," his warm breath tickled across the skin of her face as he spoke quietly. Still laying on her side, Aerith flipped her body around until she was facing Cloud. As a smile spread on her face she murmured back; "…Hey,"

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