Drabble #57: Star
Summary: She was his guiding star
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix
He scuffed his feet nervously against the dirt below him, his blue eyes fixed on the ground.
"So," a female voice said at length. "Why have you come this time?" It wasn't said in annoyance, more in amusement and curiosity. The blonde sighed, shifting his feet to stand still beside one another.
"I…wanted to thank you, for everything."
She giggled softly, a sound that sent a stab of pain to travel through his heart. He missed her laugh.
"I hardly did anything Cloud. I just…nudged you a little."
Cloud let a faint smile cross his lips. She had always been modest about her achievements. "Because of you, the Planet is safe again. That's the second time you've saved it."
"I wasn't the one who killed Sephiroth…three times," she replied with admiration in her voice. She moved her hand to rest on his shoulder, something she had done a lot when he was suffering from Geostigma. He shook his head.
"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even have been able to carry on. You were…are my guiding star. I couldn't have done it without you."
"I didn't want to see you hurt anymore. It was never your fault. I never blamed you, not once. You came for me, that's all that matters."
The blonde had the feeling that he had heard those words before but kept silent, letting his gaze wander to the blue skies above him. He didn't come here as often as he used to. After being forgiven by her, there wasn't much point in hovering around her. Except maybe, to tell her how he really felt about her.
"Cloud, I'm always here for you okay? I'll be your guiding star, always."
He smiled and let his right hand travel behind him to gently take hers. "I know," he whispered softly. "I love you Aerith. I don't want anyone else to be my star."
She sighed in contentment, squeezing his hand tighter for a moment. "I love you too."