Chapter 1
Aerith and Cloud were sitting on a couch in Cid's ship, while listening to him ramble on and on to himself. Well, it was mainly directed to Cloud, but he had chosen to ignore it. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOURSELF KILLED!" Cid yelled to Cloud, while flying the ship. Cloud had his eyes closed and his arms folded. "He tried hurting my friend. I wouldn't allow it, Cid." Aerith looked to Cloud after he spoke and smiled. She looked down to her lap for a moment and then sighed. "I'm going to bed." She slowly stood up and walked out of the room. Cloud opened his eyes and watched her leave. He bit his lip and looked to Cid, who was still talking. He shook his head and followed after Aerith.
He stood in front of her door and knocked on it slightly. "Aerith? Can we talk?" He shoved his hands in his front pockets and waited for a reply. No answer. Cloud sighed deeply, thinking that he had made her upset. "Listen, Aerith… I'm sorry if I hurt you. I-" He was then cut off, by someone putting their hand on his shoulder. He quickly turned around and saw Aerith. She was smiling, just as she always did. "You didn't hurt me, Cloud. You saved me." She looked up into his eyes. For the first time in a long time, Cloud smiled. A real smile. Aerith let her hand go off his shoulder slowly and then down his chest. Her eyes followed her hand's movements. Cloud suddenly got a huge lump in his throat, as he watched her quietly. Aerith rested her hands on his chest and slowly looked back up to him. They looked into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Just when their faces slowly inched toward each other, Cid yelled to Cloud, "CLOUD, IT'S YOUR SHIFT!" Cloud and Aerith instantly broke out of the trance that they had put themselves in and looked away from each other, while clearing their throats.
"Goodnight, Cloud." She told him softly, got on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, gently. Cloud stood there, seeming a little shocked. She smiled to him and then went into her bedroom. She smiled to him and then went into her bedroom. She closed the door behind her. Cloud shook his head and touched where she had kissed him. "Goodnight." He whispered and then went to take over Cid's job, so Cid could get some rest.