I have decided to do a series "sleepless nights" which will be a Cloud and Aeris in different situations, which prevent them from sleep. Stuff like nightmares (but I have already done them now), temperature of the room etc. So if you have any suggestions at all tell me in a review!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters belong to SquareEnix
Hold Me Too
Cloud glanced up at the clock, surprised to see it was almost midnight. He supposed he really should be heading back to bed since it was sure to be another tiring day tomorrow.
He placed his empty glass on the bar top, stood and stretched before exiting the brightly lit room into the golden hallway. The staircase was narrow and lit by little golden bulbs that lined their way up the dark wooden banister.
However, the room at the top of the stairs was what interested him. Aeris was in that room and he had a habit of always checking up on her every night to make sure she was okay. Aeris was just too precious to him to lose. He could not bear the thought of not seeing her every day. He would not be able to on without her by his side. He softly opened the door, not wanting to disturb her from her well-earned rest.
However, he frowned as he saw her outline in the darkness, tossing and turning repeatedly and screaming out occasionally. He gently closed the door, not wanting to alert the other's to the Cetra's nightmare. Once he heard it click, he walked over and grabbed her shoulder, gently shaking it and whispering her name softly, his other hand stroking her cheek.
Almost as soon as her name passed his lips, her eyes flew open and she jumped in his hold, her green gaze searching his face, showing that sleep still clung to her brain. When she did actually realise who he was, she relaxed slightly, wrapping her arms around his waist to prevent him from leaving and resting her head on his shoulder, burying her face in the fabric of his shirt.
"It was so vivid," she murmured, her grip unconsciously becoming a little tighter around him.
"It's okay now," he replied, rubbing soothing circles over her back. She nodded, giving out a long breath to calm herself. Cloud, thinking that she was recovered moved back a little but didn't get off the bed. He stroked her cheek comfortingly. "Go to sleep," he soothed. She nodded and slowly lay back again, her eyes drifting closed. Cloud smiled at how peaceful she looked and slowly stepped away from the bed. He had hardly taken two steps when he felt Aeris grabbed his hand, causing him to look at her.
"Don't leave me," she whispered pleadingly. "Please!"
He moved back to the bed, his hand taking a stronger grip on hers as he climbed onto the mattress and lay down next to her, his arm wrapping around her waist comfortingly. She turned on her side, her arms encircling his own, her face burying into his chest.
"Thank you," she sighed in content. Cloud smiled a little, kissing her temple.
"I'm your bodyguard," he replied, stifling a yawn as he spoke.
They fell asleep in each other's arms, a sleep filled with sweet dreams and not nightmares and it was the pure scene that Vincent walked in on when he was sent to awaken the flower girl. He smiled slightly and gently closed the door, pleased to see that Cloud had found a special girl like Aeris and was willing to protect her against everything, even a nightmare.