Drabble #3: Rain
Summary: They both loved the rain, it was a symbol for a new start, and that is what they both needed.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix
As she walked happily underneath the crying sky, she could not understand why people hated the rain so much. Some people complained that it was cold but she just thought it was fine if you had good clothes on. Some people said it was miserable and made everything bleak but to Aeris, the rain was a symbol of life going on, a symbol of a new start.
She loved going for walks in the rain, letting the water soak her hair and skin but never dampening the smile on her lips. She loved how it made her feel so refreshed and full of life. She did not care if she got strange looks from everyone as she hummed merrily under her breath and she didn't care how long it would take to dry out her dress and hair. She just needed some time alone to think about things and to hear the voice of the Planet. It was always clearest when it rained.
Cloud loved the rain. Mostly because he felt as if it was cleaning him away from all his sins and mistakes throughout his life, as if the heavens were washing him clean and giving him the chance to start over again. It also mirrored the tears that never escaped his eyes. The tears he held for his mother, his hometown and for everyone and everything that he had ever lost. He loved going for a walk in the rain. It let him forget the world for once and leave his troubles behind.
As he rounded the corner, he collided with someone and normally he would mutter an apology and move on but this time, the flash of pink caught his attention and he stopped.
"Aeris? What are you doing out here?" he asked in shock.
The flower girl smiled her trademark grin and just flicked her damp bangs from her face before she answered.
"I'm just going for a walk in the rain," she shrugged and Cloud knew he could not say anything to her to make her go back inside since he was outside too. However, he did not want to risk anything happening to her either so he went for the next best option.
"Well, will you walk with me then?" he asked.
She blinked, clearly shocked at the proposal and Cloud knew it was with good reason. Since when did Cloud Strife ever care about anyone but himself? Only Cloud could answer that and he knew what he would say. He would say since Aeris Gainsborough entered his life.
She was still glancing at his hand with a raised eyebrow before she smiled and placed her hand in his. The action made Cloud feel a slight twang of satisfaction and he gave a brief smile before they walked on, hand in hand.
Anyone who would look on would think they were lovers but neither one seemed to care about anyone else at the moment, too lost in the company of each other even if they couldn't quite bring themselves to admit their feelings yet. However, as Cloud caught a few of the looks directed at them he could not help but feel happy at their accusations. If he had to be paired with any girl then he would have chosen Aeris with no doubts. She had that effect on him that made him forget his troubles and want to start all over again. She was like rain.
Little did he know that Aeris thought of him in the same way. She could relate him to the rain so easily. He was something people were afraid of, something people saw as cold as miserable. The same opinion so many had of rain. Yet, like the rain, she couldn't help but love him.