Drabble #32: Ink
Summary: You have a mark, right there...
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix
Cloud hated being a leader for many reasons. He hated having to be responsible for everything and being blamed when anything went wrong. That was why he was often found pouring over maps, marking out routes and making lists of supplies that the group needed.
Aeris sighed as she watched him through the glass doors, slowly shaking her head. She hated how Cloud worked so hard to gain the respect of everyone else. She couldn't understand how he couldn't see that he already had everyone's full confidence. Sure Barret could be a little short-tempered but he knew people made mistakes.
Deciding to take some action, she stood up, timidly knocking on the door to gain his attention. He just glanced at her before looking back down at the paper in front of him. She folded her arms, taking on the appearance of a mother about to nag their child.
"Cloud, don't you think you should sleep?" she asked lightly, leaning against the wall. Cloud still didn't look up.
"Later."
The flower girl clicked her tongue in annoyance before she caught sight of something on his cheek. Frowning, she tilted her head to the side in order to get a better look and had to control her laughter when she realised it was a line of ink, made by his pen. However, it appeared that it hadn't worked since he looked up at her with a look of slight confusion and annoyance.
"Sorry," she sniggered, shaking her head a little. "You have a mark...right there," she whispered pointing to her cheek. Cloud frowned and wiped at the skin but it refused to budge, causing Aerith to erupt in a new wave of giggles before she slowly shook her head.
"Here," she sighed, taking out a hankerchief from her pocket and gently licked the top before moving towards Cloud. The blonde jerked away, not used to anyone or anything touching him. Aerith sighed.
"Cloud, will you stop being so stubborn!" she cried. "Unless you want Yuffie to ridicule you all the way to Nibelheim," she added slyly, smirking as the leader stilled his movements, his cheeks reddening as Aeris rubbed his right one gently.
"There, all done," she whispered, giving a small smile. Cloud rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks still a little red.
"Thanks," he muttered. Aeris just shrugged and made to leave the room. "Aeris?" he called and she turned to face him.
"Yes, Cloud?"
"Don't tell anyone will you?" he asked. Aeris smiled.
"I promise," she replied before she left the room, still smiling to herself. Trust Cloud to get worked up about little things, she thought amusedly.