Chapter Four: Dinner Date


Nightshroud: Many thanks to Foi, Heka, and especially SecretBox for the reviews. Greatly appreciated! Now, I'm sure you all want me to shut up and get out of the way so you can see the date.

Leon: Yes, now go away.

Nightshroud: Leon, we wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen during your date, would we?

Leon: gulps and cowers away

Nightshroud: Good boy. Now, here we go!


Leon was walking quietly down the streets of the burough towards his house. It was dark already, and he was feeling fatigued. He sighed as he reached his door, only to feel his hand held by a smaller, delicate one.

"Leon, do you have a moment?" asked Aerith shyly. He nodded and waited for her to continue. She seemed nervous, which was highly unusual for Aerith. Leon raised a brow at her out-of-the-ordinary conduct.

"I was wondering if you'd be busy tomorrow night."

"N-no, I should be free."

"Great. Would you...want to have dinner with me?" she asked hopefully. Leon blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sure, that would be great. What time should I get you?" he asked.

"Around seven good?"

He nodded and she smiled. "All right, see you then." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then turned and walked away towards her house. Leon stood very still for a few minutes and let everything that happened sink in. Then he put his hand to his head and staggered back into the doorway.

"I'm going on a date with Aerith! Does she really want to, or was this Yuffie's scheming?"

All this thinking was giving him a headache, so he went back in the house and went to sleep.


"Don't you think it's strange that neither Aerith nor Leon showed up today?" asked Merlin.

"Eh, they're still young. They need to have lives outside this dump," mumbled Cid.

Yuffie giggled and clapped her hands. "I know what's going on. Hehe, and it's all my doing!"

Cid sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh boy...poor kids."


Leon stood in the mirror and sighed. "What should I wear? I could wear the usual...but...maybe I could try something new."

He decided to go for jeans, a black shirt, and a brown leather jacket. After mentally preparing himself, he strode to her house with all the confidence he could muster. Unfortunately, that only managed to last until she opened the door.

"Aerith...you look...beautiful."

"Thanks, Leon," she said with a faint blush. He took her hand and led her out.

"So, where did you have in mind to eat?" Leon asked. She smiled cutely.

"The perfect little restaurant! I'm sure you'll like it."

He let her pull him along to the restaurant. It was a small, restaurant past the marketplace (let's just add an extra area in there k?).

The two walked in together, and the hostess greeted them. "Table for two for the lovely couple?"

At the word "couple" both blushed and looked away. The woman shook her head and led them to their table. Leon, being the gentleman that he was (or not...), held Aerith's chair for her to sit, then took his place.

"So, was there a reason you asked me to come with you?" asked Leon hopefully.

Aerith's face flushed a bit. "U-oh, well, I just thought that maybe you needed a break." She didn't notice the masked disappointment on Leon's face, since she was too busy being disappointed in her own lack of courage.

"You shouldn't stress yourself over me," he said.

"I care about you, Leon," she said softly. "Of course I'm going to worry about you."

He smiled and touched her hand. "Aerith..."

The waiter suddenly placed their food in front of them. While Aerith ate her salad and sandwich, Leon had steak.

Once they had finished eating, Aerith suddenly giggled. "What's so funny?" asked Leon with a slight smile.

"You look so cute with that steak sauce on your lip. Here let me get it." She took her finger and gently wiped his lip. His face turned red and he looked down.

"Err...thanks."

She smiled. "You're welcome."

They both got up, and Leon suddenly wrapped his arm around hers. "Hey, there's a place I want to take you, if you want."

She nodded and he led her out and past some more buildings till they came to a lake. It had some trees along the edge, and a small bench on the side. They sat down and watched the moon's reflection waver across the water. Aerith rested her head on Leon's shoulder and sighed. Leon looked down in surprise, then smiled and rested his head on hers. They were snuggly settled when Aerith suddenly spoke.

"Leon, this has been a great night. But-" and here she moved her head away from him "-I have a confession to make. I really asked you to dinner because I wanted to ask you something. I-"

She stared into his eyes, and suddenly moved forward and pressed her lips against his. He didn't react at first, but then wrapped his arms around her waist and melted into her kiss. She pulled away after a few more moments and rested her head on his chest.

"I love you, Leon."

He held her tighter and whispered, "I love you too, Aerith," before kissing her head.

She smiled and settled into his hold. After a few moments, Aerith giggled and looked up at him.

"So, who's going to tell Yuffie?"

He chuckled and kissed her lips gently. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."


Nightshroud: Yay! Cute! Should I end it here? I think that's a good end, but if you have any ideas, I'm open. K leave a review and some love!