Sickness
"Mommy!"
Aerith let out a soft sigh as her son's call travelled down the stairs. She had just made herself comfortable on the sofa, certain that Sora was asleep but she had obviously been wrong. She stood up in time to greet him as he entered the room, his nose red with the cold and his eyes puffy from lack of sleep. For a six year old, a cold was a big deal. He raised his hands up, seeking comfort and she immediately lifted him up in her arms, stroking his hair in reassurance.
"Can I sleep in you and daddy's bed?" he whispered. She smiled gently; remembering how he always used to sneak into her and Cloud's bed and snuggled in between them. She wordlessly carried him up the stairs and pushed open the door that was right at the top. Immediately, her blonde lover turned to face her with a sleepy expression. Aeris smiled at him as she laid Sora down, who had fallen asleep almost instantly and was now curling into Cloud's side. She reached across the bed, placing a hand against the blonde's forehead. He moaned gently, closing his eyes again as she gave a soft sigh.
"You're fever doesn't seem to have gone down," she explained. Her eyes fell upon an untouched glass of water on his bedside table and she shook her head slowly. "You need your fluids Cloud," she added, running a hand through his hair. It was sticky with the sweat of his illness but it did not bother her in the least. He took a deep breath and turned his head to the side. Aeris took a tissue from the box and brushed across his skin, wiping away on the sweat in an attempt to make him more comfortable. His eyes closed once more and after a moment of listening to his breath evening out, she stood up and made her way to the wardrobe. She had barely opened the door when Cloud called out her name, his hand fumbling against the bedcovers. She turned to face him, nightgown in hand before walking across and sitting beside him. She took his hand and stroked the skin gently with her thumb.
"Relax Cloud, I'm here," she whispered, leaning down and kissing his forehead. He made a soft moan, obviously still half-asleep. She looked between her husband and her son with a gentle, loving expression on her face. They may both have had a sickness right now but looking at their peaceful faces, she could not think of two people she would rather be with as she changed and snuggled into bed beside Cloud, wrapping her arms around him securely.
There was nowhere else on the Planet where she would rather be.
