Chapter Two: Reflecting on the Past

Nightshroud: Okay, on to the next chapter. I hope you like!
Leon stood at the Bailey, leaning against the wall while looking silently out over the canyon. He had been there for a while, silently thinking.

"Aerith..."

He tried to remember when he first realized his feelings for her. When he first came to Radiant Garden, he remembered being being silent and moody to others, but she always managed to break him out of his shell, and unfortunately for him he began to grow clumsy and bashful in front of her. But it wasn't until they were older, right before the Heartless invasion that he realized that he loved her. The only thing that kept him going during the invasion was finding Aerith and protecting her. And they had been so close in Traverse Town, but now that they were back here, in Radiant Garden they didn't seem as close as they once were. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He was about to turn and leave when he heard three voices whispering. He turned and looked to see the three treasure-hunting fairies, Yuna, Rikku, and Paine.

"What do you three want? I told you I don't have any treasure."

Yuna, the apparent leader, flew forward a little to him. "That's not it. It's just..."

"We can see you're in love!" said Rikku with a grin.

Paine sighed and put her hand over hear face. Leon felt a blush coming and turned his face. "What gave you that idea?" he asked.

"Maybe that blush on your face!" Rikku continued, poking him in the cheek. Leon gently swatted her away, and looked slightly irritated.

"Man, she's more annoying than Yuffie and even less useful."

He blinked back to reality and saw Yuna and Paine scolding Rikku. Yuna flew over and apologized. "It's just that...we want to help you out."

For the first time that night he smiled. "Thanks, but I don't think it's wise to pursue those feelings."

Paine flew over and poked him in the chest. "What do you mean? That's not the brave Leon we know. Just tell her how you feel!"

He backed away and looked a bit flustered. "It's just I..."

They heard footsteps, and Rikku whipered loudly, "Someone's coming!"

The three fairies flew into the air and hid behind the top of one of the arches. Leon looked and saw Aerith walk through the gate and enter the Bailey. She walked over to him and smiled.

"I haven't seen you in a while. I was getting worried."

He looked away towards the canyon and said queitly, "I'm sorry for worrying you. I was just here...thinking."

She didn't press him but leaned her elbows on the stone ledge and put her head in her hands. "It just seems unreal sometimes that we're back here. It seems like so short a time ago that we fled from here to Traverse Town. You know, we wouldn't have made it if it weren't for you. Cloud wasn't there, or Tifa, and you were the only one who was able to beat back the Heartless so that you, Cid, Yuffie, and I could escape."

Leon remained silent, staring out into space. He didn't like to think of the past much, which was why he always immersed himself in work.

She didn't wait for him to reply but continued. "You know, I always admired you for that. For your unbreakable strength in the face of difficulties."

Leon blinked in shock. "Aerith, you're one of the strongest willed people I know."

She nodded thoughtfully and said, "I don't always feel that way, you know. And when I don't, I always have you nearby to help me forward."

They were quiet for a while. Leon was dozing off on his feet, when Aerith moved silently.

"Well, I'd better get hom now. I'll see you later, Leon."

As she walked away, Yuna whispered, "You lied, you know. You do have a treasure, and you'd better not lose it."

He nodded and walked after her.

"Leon?"

"I...uh...wanted to make sure you got home all right."

She smiled and wrapped her arm around his. His cheeks turned a slight pink, but he was thankful that it was probably to dark to notice.

They walked to the burough and over to Aerith's house. She let go of his arm and walked to her door.

"Thank you, Leon."

He gave a look that spoke, "What did I do?"

She turned back and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"For being my light."

Nightshroud: Yay, more LeonxAerith fluff! I hope it was good. Let me know. I don't know why I put the Gullwings in this one, it was just sort of random. Ah, well. I'll have the other Radiant Garden's characters in the next chapter.