A gift fic for Red-Revolver, inspired by Sephiroth in the Ehrgeiz mini-game, "Battle Beach." But what does he have worth chasing after? Aeris of course! Sephiroth x Aeris by request.
The gods set sun and moon in the sky so that they follow each other around the heavens, never meeting except at the moment of eclipse, when they are seen to embrace. She was the sun in a city without a sky. He veiled that world in shadows but surrounded himself with his own pale light.
Aeris couldn't help but notice him standing on the deserted beach. His back was to her as he looked out over the ocean. The moonlight reflected off his hair, surrounding him with a silver halo. She watched as the ocean breeze caught in his hair, revealing his bare shoulders, well formed back, and muscular arms. The surf rose up the beach, teasing his toes, covering his bare feet, swirling around black leather pant legs, and then receded. Sephiroth stood motionless for a moment when he heard her approach and then turned to regard her. "You've come," he said.
Aeris moved down the beach toward him. "I hear you're leaving for Nibelheim tomorrow." She cocked her head and smiled.
"Zack talks too much." Sephiroth reached out to draw her into her arms.
"Who will be my bodyguard while you're gone?" Aeris asked. She shot him a coy smile, squeezed his hands, and took off down the beach.
Sephiroth sighed. He waited for a moment to give her a head start and then jogged after her. "Why do you do this to me, Aeris?" He watched her nimbly jump over the driftwood scattered along the shore. He heard her giggle and knew why he followed but he wouldn't let her win the game, at least not her way. Sephiroth timed his steps as he approached a branch washed up on the beach. As he jumped over it, he hooked his right foot underneath a curve in the wood and fell forward into the wet sand. "Perfect," he thought.
Aeris heard the branch snap. She heard the moan as he fell and the impact when he landed. She turned deftly and ran back to him. "Sephie! Are you all right? I've hurt you!" She knelt over him and placed her hands beside his shoulders in concern. Suddenly he rolled over, grasped her around the waist and pulled her down into the sand with him. His eyes narrowed and he gave her an evil grin as a wave washed around them.
"Gaia knows you don't need a bodyguard, Ancient. But just in case, I'll be sure to send the Turks."
We may love him, but I had to make him at least a little evil. ;-) Read and review, allay my insecurities. :-P
