Drabble #91: Kiss
Summary: Just one kiss. That was all she had ever wanted
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix.
He was tense. She could tell and she hated seeing him that way. She watched him from afar, as he stared out of the hotel window with a frown. He was determined, his eyes set on his task. Nothing could distract him. She had done everything to get a reaction out of him. Teased, flirted even deliberately arguing with him about staying with the party just so he would look at something else but the horizon. Maybe if she kissed him he would respond. Just one kiss…
Whenever she tried asking him what his plans were he would just shrug and ask her to leave him in peace. He did it with everyone, even Tifa. Aerith couldn't understand why though. When they had first met, she knew he was cold-hearted and uncaring but he had always been kind and talkative with her. She just wanted him to show emotion towards her. Just one kiss and everything would be alright.
She sighed softly as she sat in the chair, her eyes never leaving his form. As if sensing her gaze, he glanced towards her. The moment their eyes met, the flower girl was sure that she saw something in his eyes. A look of helplessness and something else she couldn't quite place. That wasn't like Cloud at all. Worried, she stood from her chair and made his way over to him, letting her hand rest on his shoulders. He flinched at the touch but she did not remove it. Instead, she forced him around so he was looking at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked gently, a motherly tone in her voice. He looked down at the floor and then back out of the window, never letting his eyes meet hers. She narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Cloud!" she warned.
He locked eyes with her for a moment and she was shocked by the look of sadness in them. He leaned forward, his breath tickling her ear. She felt herself blush as she realised, if she tilted her head their lips would meet. She wanted to kiss him. Just once. One kiss. That was all she had ever wanted. She turned her head, forcing the courage through her body.
"I can't fall in love with you Aeris," he whispered as he pulled back. She remained frozen for a moment, still feeling his warm breath kissing her skin. That was the only kiss he would give her.
She understood. She knew why he wouldn't show his feelings. If Sephiroth ever found out, he would use her against Cloud. But she couldn't help but be angry. One kiss. That's all she asked for. Just one simple kiss to assure her that he really did have emotions.
And when she lay in his arms her life draining slowly she could see the regret in his eyes.
"What about my pain?"
Just one kiss.
That was all she had ever wanted from him. She didn't care if it ended after that.
Just one kiss.
As she took her last breath, she finally felt his lips brush against hers, their tears of pain and grief mixing. She fell limp against him the moment he lifted away from her. She could rest peacefully.
She had only ever wanted one kiss.