Drabble #28: Ocean

Summary: You learn something new everyday

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix

"How about we all cool down before moving on?" Cloud suggested, looking around at the group for any sign of disagreement. There didn't seem to be any except the anxious look that crossed Aeris' face. He waited until the others made their way to the beach of Costa Del Sol before he approached her, as she stood staring at the ground.

"Hey, are you alright?" he asked, keeping a slight distance between them. He thought if he went any closer, she would tell there was a blush on his cheeks. She sighed and looked up at him.

"I...I can't swim," she admited softly, her cheeks heating up a little with shame. Cloud blinked, not really expecting the answer she had given. However, he didn't see why she was upset about it, having grown up in Midgar, with no rivers or oceans near by, he wasn't really surprised that she had never learned how to swim. He gently touched her arm, making her look up at him again.

"It's not a problem," he said. "I'll teach you the basics okay?" Her eyes lit up in excitement but the surprise was still evident on her face.

"You would do that for me?"

"Of course," he answered without hesitation, immediately feeling his cheeks burn in embarrassment. He rubbed the back of his neck as he continued. "I...I'm your bodyguard remember?" he added as a cover up. She smiled and gave an eager nod.

"Thank you Cloud."

"Just go and get ready, I'll meet you down there."

It wasn't too long after Cloud had changed into swimming shorts and walked to the beach, when Aeris appeared in a pink bikini. As soon as he saw her, he turned his head away and desperately thought the blush that appeared on his cheeks. He was just glad that the water would be covering her most of the time, he didn't want to have a...noticiable reaction to her body.

"Sorry it took me so long, I couldn't find my bikini," she chuckled softly. Cloud nodded a little, glancing into her eyes and looking away again before his gaze shifted.

"Okay, just step into the water then," he commanded, leading the way. He stopped when the liquid reached his waist, turning to look at Aeris who stood beside him, awaiting his instructions. "Okay, stay there," he said as he walked a bit further out. He turned and reached out, gently taking her hands in his.

"Now kick forward towards me," he said gently, walking backwards the second she started the movement, encouraging her to move towards him. He was surprised how fast she was picking up on it and needless to say, he was impressed. It had taken him nearly a week just to grasp the basics.

"Cloud?"

"Huh?" he asked, snapping out of his slight daze. She giggled and tilted her head to the side, drops of water clinging to her skin and glittering in the setting sun.

"You stopped teaching me," she whispered, her hands tightening slightly with his own. He blushed and glanced down at their entwinened fingers before shyly looking back up at her.

"Yeah," he gulped, his face heating up even more. "Aeris...I..." he began, stopping suddenly as he thought about his words.

"Yes, Cloud?" she prompted softly.

"I think we should head in," he sighed, lowering his eyes away from hers, missing the disappointed look that crossed her face when he did so. She forced a smile and released her grip of his hands.

"Okay," she agreed, hiding the disappointment in her voice as she turned to walk towards the shore. Cloud watched her, giving a deep sigh. He couldn't believe he had just chickened out! He was so close to saying how he felt about her and he had backed out. He rubbed the back of his neck shyly as he followed the figure of the flower girl. Maybe tomorrow, he would have a bit more courage.