A/N: Slight change of plan - partial chapters and non-explicit chapters will be posted here, but to read the full chapter/fic you need to read the version on Ao3.


Cloud ducked into the alleyway, his heart racing. Had any of his companions had noticed his detour? Not from what he could see; Tifa and Barret were still heading away from him. Aeris had taken the initiative to organize the party following the previous day's discussions. Red XIII was to scout around the edge of the small town for any clues on Sephiroth's destination. The flower girl gave the others shopping lists of supplies they would need in the wilderness. Cloud had thought no more about it until he opened the folded slip of paper the brunette handed him. Rather than money and a list of items it instead contained a key and said: 'Hi Cloud! Leave with the others, wait five minutes and meet me back in my room. I already sorted things for us! Aeris.' So this was why Aeris had been up first this morning and why she had been waiting downstairs.

The implication of the note sent his pulse rate sky-rocketing again. He could not remember ever being this excited or nervous. He tried to ignore his erection as he darted out of the inn and waited for the time to pass. Five minutes felt like an eternity; the others were long gone and not due to regroup for a hour. Still, he bided his time as directed, waiting those long, agonizing minutes before returning to the inn. He glanced backwards, checking neither Barret or Tifa had wandered too close. Cloud avoided the innkeeper and other straggling guests as he made his way up to the girls' room. Pushing the key into the lock and opening the door sent excitement surging through his stomach.

The room was empty. He felt trapped as a rush of nerves and embarrassment enveloped him. Had he misinterpreted the note somehow? Was this some kind of cruel joke? Had something held Aeris up somewhere? Was she not coming at all? Patience, he told himself. It had only been five minutes. But that left just fifty-five minutes for anything else, and every minute Aeris was late just ate into that time a little more. He swallowed, his right leg jigging as he sat on the bed and tried to take his mind off of the wait. Not easy. There was nothing to do. Nothing to read, nothing to watch, and his mind still surged with anticipation. Relax, relax he told himself. No good. He glanced at his watch. One more minute gone.

How long should he give her before going to look for her? Or perhaps it was better to think of it as show long he should wait before assuming she was not coming at all? Ten minutes? Fifteen? If she was not going to meet him then at least he had to go and get his provisions as it did not seem like she would have gotten them as she claimed. But then he had no idea what he should get. The scrape of a key in the door interrupted his thoughts, and his heart lurched, worried it might be Tifa, or some member of the staff. He hunched forward, ready to move, half-formed excuses now crowding his brain. The lock clicked open and to his immeasurable relief Aeris stepped into the room. Her face brightened into a wider smile and he felt himself smiling in response. Blood rushed to his groin as she locked the door behind her and approached him. He stood, now unsure of what to do. Should he lean forward and kiss her, or would they talk first? Should they kiss or hug or should he just start stripping?

"Hi..." he tried, buying himself just a little more time to sort out his absent memories.