Disclaimer: dood, fanfiction. Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, and the characters and universes therein are the property of Disney and Square Enix. I receive no remuneration for this work; it is a parody and as such utilizes the Fair Use clause of the Copyright Act.
Leon was spending the evening alone in a darker corner of an open air cafe. After the last straggling diners vacated and he was left on his own with the slow, peaceful music emanating from the opposite corner, he glanced around furtively for a moment, then stood from his table and closed his eyes. He raised one hand to the side and held the other arm lightly over his own waist, then began moving with the music: one, two, three, one, two, three.
He wasn't sure why he kept coming here, nor why he was prompted to do this (it wasn't as if he needed the practice), but it had become a habit, sort of a weekly indulgence. It was his private time, away from the Restoration Committee, away from all the work and the people and the stress...but not away from one pair of attentive eyes.
Aerith coughed delicately to give away her presence, then stepped forward amongst the candlelit tables with her hands clasped before her.
Leon quickly dropped his arms to his sides, shifting one foot uncomfortably as he greeted her.
"A little chocobo told me you might be here," she said, smiling serenely. "You dance well."
"We were all trained–" He stopped short and his posture changed subtly. He leaned against the wall behind him and folded his arms across his chest, his head canted down.
The girl's smile grew fondly at the familiar stance. "Dance with me?"
Leon automatically opened his mouth to decline, but one look into her eyes and he found himself unable to say no; it was far too late to talk himself out of this one. He closed his eyes briefly, then stepped forward and offered his hand to the young woman.
For a few minutes they danced in companionable silence to the pleasant waltz, one of Aerith's small hands resting easily in Leon's, the other set gracefully upon his shoulder with his free hand curved platonically at her waist.
"So he couldn't make his own presence known? I know he's been watching me," Leon said quietly.
"Oh...he has, has he?" Aerith smiled that soft, wise smile of hers.
"Why? You've known him for a long time, is...is he not comfortable around me? He barely attends the Committee meetings, he doesn't look me in the eye..."
"Hmmm. You like him, don't you?"
"I...what? N-no, I just..."
"You should tell him," she said. "He likes you, you know."
Leon's eyes widened a little, but he quickly schooled his expression.
Aerith giggled. "He does. He's just a little...shy," she said affectionately.
"Oh."
"So you should ask him."
"..."
She smiled encouragingly, then squeezed his hand lightly and removed herself from their formal embrace.
"Thank you for the dance. You are very talented." Her eyes twinkled as she dipped into a little curtsey. "I'll be sure to pass the word along."
Then she left, and Leon was left once again to his own devices. He tapped his fingers on the nearby table thoughtfully, then took a breath. "Cloud?"