Aeris's eyes blinked open. How long had she been asleep? She had only intended to close her eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth of Cloud's body. Her partner at least was still behind her, his hot skin pressed against her own, his arms wrapped around her. So this was what it would be like. Safe, warm and comfortable. Thoughts and fears seemed so distant, so unimportant. All that mattered was this intimate quiet for just the two of them, pressed together beneath the blankets. Cloud's breath tickled her neck, his breathing regular. Was he asleep too?

Aeris wondered if she could get away with staying like this for the rest of the night. They were at a hotel in Wutai, having spent a good number of hours in and around the attached hot spring. After Yuffie's rescue from Don Corneo's clutches, the ninja had insisted they come here in repayment. Since the White Rose of Wutai, or at least her family, was picking up the bill, each of Avalanche had wound up with their own room. For the first time in so long they were able to sleep on their own. There would be no complaints about snoring or flailing limbs tomorrow morning. It also meant it had been the easiest, simplest and least risky occasion to hook up with Cloud since this journey began. Aeris snuck into his room around eleven; she was not sure what time it was now though it was still dark outside. There was no need to hurry back to her own bed.

Earlier Cloud mentioned wanting to bathe in the hot spring with her. The main bath had closed hours before; even then, mixed bathing was both discouraged and risky for the two of them. But now the idea had taken root and Aeris decided to get Cloud into a bath with her when next possible. She could not help but smile as they shed their clothes and embraced. Even if she could not yet share a bath with Cloud, at least had been able to stop by the hot spring. How long since she had last had a bath? Too long.

Cloud twitched behind her, his breathing settling back into a familiar rhythm. Maybe, just maybe there would be a chance to be with Cloud once more before their friends awoke? More love-making after the passionate encounter they shared some hours before was tempting. Her lips twitched as she considered that particular thought; thinking of it not as sex, but as making love. It felt a little more appropriate after that last embrace; the languid motions of their bodies, the need to be as close as possible, the kisses.

It had been different this time for other reasons too. She waved away his attempts to put on a condom, the action spooking him a little. But she had made her choice from the moment she entered the room; she had no wish to bother with the contraceptives anymore. Aeris shushed away his objections and pulled him to her before he had a chance to protest. He did not need any coaxing once he slid inside her. He felt different as they joined, the sensations new and exciting, the whole act more intimate this way. She fidgeted, remembering the burst of liquid heat, the feel of gooey warmth erupting within her as he climaxed. Cloud had groaned, deep, low and sexy before lying still against her. Even as he caught his breath he apologized for his inability to last any longer. While not as fulfilling as an orgasm, the sensation still felt good and she assured him it was okay. He insisted on making it up to her.

Cloud made her cry out with pleasure moments later. He was so used to her body now, how best to touch her, the rhythms and movements she desired the most. Aeris had squirmed against him in post-coital bliss as he kneaded her breasts, unwilling to move. She should have gotten up soon afterwards, should have not made herself as comfortable as she did. But it had been impossible to resist the lure of lying beside Cloud for one, two, five minutes. She had promised herself no more than another ten minutes in his arms, a few more quiet moments before she left to sleep.

She wanted more. This was worth all the potential problems. To sleep like this every night and wake in the morning in Cloud's arms. She just needed to tell him how she felt, let him know what she had decided in Cosmo Canyon, what she realised after Mount Nibel. And providing she was not somehow misreading every one of Cloud's reactions, she would be able to call him her boyfriend. All she needed to do now was to sit down with him and talk this through. She smiled at the thought of his delighted face and wriggled into his arms.

There was a sharp inhalation behind her; she had wound up disturbing Cloud's sleep after-all. "Morning," she said, pressing back against him, making the best of the situation.

"Aeris?" His voice was thick with sleep. "I thought you'd have gone back to your room."

She smirked. "I would have, but you are far too comfortable. You don't mind, do you?"

The arm around her waist tightened. "Not in the slightest."

"Good." She settled into contented silence.

"Aeris?" He sounded nervous.

"Yes?"

"Are... are you sure it was okay? About before?"

She gave an exaggerated, exasperated sigh. "Cloud; I would hope by now that you would be able to tell when you make me come."

"No, not that," he said, a little stressed. "When I c-, I mean when you stopped me putting the condom on."

Ah. Despite his faint protest back in Kalm, that he was now worried about not using the contraceptives amused her. She twisted around in his arms, gazing into his eyes and ignoring his furrowed brow. "I told you it was okay; I don't regret my decision."

"I know. I mean, I thought you enjoyed it. I just... I could have given you an infection. And you could get preg-"

His eyes were wide with worry when she cut him off with a kiss. Too cute. He blinked at her as she leant back.

"Cloud, I think I need to let you in on a little secret; I'm on the pill. I'm not going to get pregnant."

"Oh. Oh," he said, and blinked. Relief flooding across his face. "But-"

"And I trust you to not give me anything unpleasant." She leant forward and kissed him again. It took him a moment to respond but he started kissing her back and she felt his arousal brush her leg. "So, you have nothing to worry about. I very much enjoyed how that felt, and was planning on not worrying about the condoms from now on. Assuming you don't have a problem with that idea?" Cloud shook his head and his face broke into a sheepish grin. His cock hardened further, pressing into her hip. She glanced down and then back to his face. "Are you by chance wanting to try again now?"

"The thought had crossed my mind," he said, his smile widening. Aeris smiled back and pushed him down. Sliding on top of him, she pinned him to the bed as she shifted her hips back against his.

After far too much time lounging in a second post-climax bliss, Aeris forced herself to sit up. She shivered, the air now cold. She had been dozing in short, fitful bursts for some time now, conscious of the lightening sky outside. Cloud still felt far too good pressed against her and it was snug and warm beneath the blankets. She could just stay with him. Either they would deal with the rest of Avalanche learning about them in the morning, or they would somehow be stealthy. It would be they were caught that could be the start of their romantic relationship. She was fine with that. Or was she?

Looking down at the slumbering Cloud, Aeris realised she would miss out on the little dating formalities. Had been missing them. She missed the tension as she admitted her feelings, as she confirmed she wanted a relationship and waited for a response. Missed the first date when even touching hands was new and exciting. Missed all the little moments foreshadowing later physical intimacy. She missed the first kiss and how the later kisses would become more passionate. Missed the simple pleasures of learning about the other; what they had in common, what they liked and disliked.

There was no point in denying she and Cloud would not need those formalities; they were already so comfortable with each other. There was almost no chance of a problem if she asked Cloud out. But still she felt she needed to take him on a date, one that would not end with them in bed together. She might not be able to have all the traditional dating moments, but she could have some of them. Enough to make it seem like the start of a relationship and not just a continuation of sleeping together in secret. They would need to hold off on the sex and try to just date. She just hoped she would not frustrate herself too much while they waited.

Asking Cloud out would have to wait though. If she asked now, while they were both naked and in bed together, it would not make the distinction clear enough. She would take the next opportunity to have the date she had promised Cloud all the way back in Midgar.