to: devotion
o n e s h o t
secret...
x x x x x x x x x x

The clouds look quite dreary tonight. I don't mind really. To me, anything is just fine. After all, my life is nothing less than monochrome.

Everything was prettier before. Yes, very much prettier than now. You probably wouldn't believe it. With the sky always so opaquely grim, nothing spawns the least bit of life anymore.

So maybe her life has been lived in the shadow of my own. That dirty feeling still taints my skin. It's the one poison that has no antidote, and it slowly eats at you, tearing apart your emotions. In the end, a hollow shell is left to wander mindlessly.

A simple mistake can lead to eternal grief. I should have said goodbye before I left, maybe even thank you. She was always there for me, yet I hardly noticed. My feelings for her weren't realized until now. Maybe they've always been there, but I just never dug deep enough. Now she's gone, and I can't even speak to her.

Tonight feels crisp. Waves of cool air gently pass by, playing with my spiky, blonde hair. My bright azure eyes meet with the ebon sky dotted with flecks of silver. Seems like the clouds finally got tired and gave way. Reminds me of what she'd always say.

"Don't worry, everything's alright."

But everything's not alright. I told her we would always be together. We're not together. We're separated. It's my fault, all my fault.

I wish she was here to comfort me. Help me make things a lot clearer. That innocent smile she would always flash, her soft, gentle voice, it made things so much better. Now, all of it was just a memory. A sad, sad memory.

Everything turns black in an instant. It takes me a few seconds to realize that I am now asleep. Perhaps I can dream of her. Shelves of books come into view. The entire area is a nostalgic scene of the library. She did love this place very much. In fact, she is here at this moment, looking through the endless collection of literature.

I walk slowly up to her, but only get within ten feet before she turns to face me. She gives me that charming smile then puts her index finger to her lips, as if silencing my excitement.

"I'm glad you came."

My voice was frozen. It was due to the fact that she said what I knew she would. All this time she really had waited for me even if my arrival was long overdue.

"I always knew I'd see you again."

She spanned the ten feet that sought to keep us apart and took my hand in hers. Her emerald eyes met mine in the sincerest look.

"I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise. I'm truly, sincerely, most definitely, genuinely sorry."

"Don't worry, everything's alright."

I winced at hearing those words. They sent goose bumps all over my arms. Everything felt so real.

"You did keep your promise. You came back to see me and that's all that matters."

"They told me you wouldn't move from that spot on the bridge until I returned. They told me you passed away."

"I did it for you. But you don't have to feel so guilty anymore. I died because it was my choice to wait. You have to move on. I really want you to. Let the sunshine in again. Everything won't look so bleak. And remember, we'll always be together no matter what, Cloud."

"Aerith…"

Before I knew it, she was gone. Slipped out of my hands again. My eyes finally opened, and the sun was smiling down on me. It felt more like she was smiling down on me. The toxic had been removed. I felt whole again. And in that moment of euphoria, I stopped and thought.

"All I needed was forgiveness."


Closing Notes: it's rather short, i know. please don't kill me.
Disclaimer: kingdom hearts and aerith/cloud belong to square enix