Drabble #55: Monument
Summary: Her Church was her monument
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix
Marlene really wanted to make a monument for Aerith, believing it would help Cloud to move on. After all, Cloud admitted himself that having the Buster Sword on that mountain top helped him cope with Zack's death. It allowed him to remember his friend. Marlene believed the same thing should be done for Aerith.
She started it off casually, by wearing a pink ribbon that held up a braid. Cloud stared at her a lot for the first couple of weeks but he would never say anything. She wasn't sure if it was good or bad.
It wasn't until after his Geostigma had been cured that the girl approached him. "Cloud? I think we should have a monument for sister," she said, tugging on his arm to bring his attention to her. For a long time, he was silent. Then he sighed.
"No Marlene."
Her face fell as she stared at him in disbelief. "But…"
"She doesn't need one," he continued, easily drowning out her young voice. She stopped talking and frowned. "The Church is her monument."
A look of understanding crossed Marlene's features and she let out a small 'oh' sound. "That's why you stayed here? You felt close to her?" she asked. Cloud nodded. Marlene smiled.
"Okay," she grinned. "I'll look after the flowers for her!"
Cloud's lips upturned a little as he knelt to her level. "I'm sure Aerith would love that."
Marlene's smile vanished and she suddenly threw her arms around Cloud's neck. "She'll be waiting for you," she whispered. "She really liked you, I could tell!"
Cloud smirked. "Let's hope so," he replied, holding out his hand to her. Marlene grinned and accepted. With one last glance over his shoulder, Cloud said goodbye to Aerith and led Marlene home.