DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own the characters nor the FF7-verse. I own all the fluffiness though!! Yeah, you can't have THAT Squaresoft people!! *makes a little victory dance*
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Yay!! Aeris and Sephiroth have their first date!! Fort Condor is really such a romantic place, don't you think? ^_^ This chapter is all about making all A/S fans giddy, so.. stay tuned for the next chapter, eh? Seriously, this was a horribly difficult chapter to write - I hope it turned out OK?
CHAPTER 12.
Why do the stars
shine with uneven brilliance:
some twinkle, others glitter, still others die in night.
Why are the people tended differently:
here dazzling happiness and there shadows of pain.
Resplendent clusters, you
don't hear my counsel:
all of my flowers flourish in their rows,
all thrive in even care.
- Eila Kivikkaho -
Sephiroth stood in front of the small window of his and Aeris' room, and scanned the scenery with his eyes. He was thinking about Jenova.. She seemed more faraway than ever before during the last five years, Sephiroth mused. After the lecture Jenova had given him earlier he hadn't heard a beep from her. Maybe there was more to it, than that she was giving him the silent treatment. Sephiroth hoped that nothing had happened to his mother.. Jenova was still weak. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Aeris staring at him worried. The wound in his side was no longer bleeding as much as before, but it was still painful. He was waiting for Aeris to go to bed before he'd begin to heal it. He was used to pain, so the waiting didn't bother him. It was easier that way.. Sephiroth didn't want Aeris to see him at a vulnerable state. Something told him she would think less of him, maybe even pity him.
"OK, Sephy.. Take your coat off." Aeris said, her hands lifted to her hips.
"W-what?" Sephiroth turned to face her.
"I'm gonna take a look at that cut." Aeris sounded like she had made up her mind.
"I can take care of it myself." Sephiroth sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not gonna hurt you!" Aeris walked over to him, and looked down at him intensely. "Since it's kind of my fault you got injured.. I want to help." She explained.
"..Fine.." Sephiroth gave in with a deep sigh. Aeris started untying the belt holding his black leather coat while he took off his white shoulder pads.
"Aeris.. Zenobius didn't.. do anything to you, did he?" Sephiroth suddenly asked, grabbing Aeris wrist to make her look at him. Her eyes wavered, if only for a second, and he wasn't sure how to interpret that.
"No.. I'm fine." Aeris stammered, surprised by his question. There was such strange desperation in his voice..
"I was just curious." Sephiroth shrugged, and took off his coat, wincing in pain.
Aeris gulped, the entire side of his beatifully sculpted chest was covered in blood. "I'll go get a towel and some water.. That has to be cleaned." She said, and ran to their small bathroom.
As Aeris returned with a bowl of water and a towel, she stopped to stare at Sephiroth. He was lying on his back on the bed, his chest rising and falling as he breathed. His silvery hair spread around his head beautifully, and the heavy strands of hair never seemed to tangle. Sephiroth looked so utterly beautiful, Aeris felt her cheeks fluster as she sat next to him.
"What?" Sephiroth turned his eyes at her, smiling weakly.
"Nothing." Aeris said with her head bowed down, and soaked the white piece of cloth.
"If the blood makes you sick, you don't have to do this.." Sephiroth said, his muscles jerking as Aeris pressed the wet towel on his skin. "It's cold.." He shuddered.
"Don't you know you should always use cold water with open cuts like this? You'll have less blood-loss." Aeris smiled at him, wondering if his reaction had more to do with her touch than the temperature of the water.
"Whatever you say, nurse Aeris." Sephiroth sighed, trying to accustom himself to Aeris cleaning the blood from his skin. He closed his eyes, as she wet the cloth again.
The water in the bowl was soon coloured bright red with his blood, but Aeris hardly even noticed. Through the small window of their room, the last rays of the afternoon sun decended on Sephiroth, gracing his perfect skin. Aeris felt her brain melt, as she placed the palm of her hand on his wound. "Cure." She whispered shakily, watching the green light of the healing spell work.
"Hrmm.." Sephiroth murmured, his eyelids fluttering open. "You're done?" He asked, puzzled by Aeris' expression.
"Sephiroth.." Aeris bowed her head, smiling uncomfortably.
"Yes?"
When Sephiroth turned his eyes at her, Aeris felt like his Mako gaze was piercing her soul. "Are you still angry at me? Do you still think I lied?" She asked him shyly.
"I'm not sure", Sephiroth answered her, meaning that he didn't really care anymore. Even if Aeris was still lying to him at this very moment, he was still having the time of his life.
"The reason I couldn't tell you about the others.. I was afraid." Aeris confessed, lifting her eyes to meet Sephiroth's gaze again.
"Of me?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"I'm sorry.." Aeris smiled apologetically.
"I suppose it doesn't really matter anymore, anyway." Sephiroth heaved a sigh, turning on his side.
"It matters to me." Aeris smiled, stroking Sephiroth's silvery hair out of an impulse. Without really noticing it, he tilted his head against her touch. "I don't want you to think I want to hurt you." Aeris told Sephiroth.
"Why?" He asked, correcting his position on the bed.
"I like you." Aeris chuckled, as though Sephiroth was asking something obvious. "And I want you to join AVALANCHE." She blurted out her thoughts.
"Really, you're serious?" Sephiroth's expression was a mixture of pity and amusement.
"I'd like to spend more time with you.." Aeris fidgeted.
"So you're not just trying to blackmail me into abandoning my mother?" Sephiroth raised a brow.
"No!" Aeris raised her voice, climbing next to him on the bed. Sephiroth made room for her, a cautious look on his face. If she didn't know better.. it was fear.
"Why is it so much easier for you to believe I hate you, than to accept.. I might actually care for you?" Aeris asked him, without getting any response. Sephiroth just stared at her blankly.. Maybe he didn't know himself.
"Who taught you to think so lowly of yourself?" Aeris continued to push him for the answer, even though she knew Sephiroth didn't want to think about such things. "Please talk to me.." She placed her hand on his bare chest, but he brushed it off.
"Talking changes nothing." Sephiroth said, his voice cold and bitter again.
"Sephiroth.. I don't want to end up watching you die.." Aeris turned her back at him, feeling sad and frustrated. "I don't want to be your enemy.." She continued, hearing Sephiroth move around behind her. He soon sat next to her on the edge of the bed, and glanced at her briefly.
"Neither do I." He told her firmly.
* * * * *
"Aeris?" Elmyra asked, "is something wrong?"
Aeris was sitting midst her yellow flowers, staring at a white wild flower. Her face was bowed towards it, like in a silent prayer. "Aeris?" Elmyra asked again, finally catching Aeris' attention. As she lifted her gaze from the flower, Elmyra saw her bright emerald eyes were shining with tears, yet on her face was an expression of total confusion.
"Why did he have to shoot it?" Aeris asked, staring at Elmyra for answers.
"Honey.." Elmyra sighed, and walked over to Aeris. "Sometimes life is like that.. Things are born.. and others die." She explained, picking the small girl to her arms.
"But that little dragon.. It was just a baby." Aeris sobbed against Elmyra's shoulder.
"I thought you were afraid of it?" Elmyra asked, stroking Aeris' naturally curly hair.
"I was.. It had big scary looking teeth and scales and everything.. But why did it have to die?" She asked, her child's voice filled with despair. "It was just a baby, lost from it's mother.." She continued, holding onto Elmyra with her small fingers.
"It was a dragon. They're dangerous monsters.. The Gun-shop keeper was just protecting us." Elmyra tried to explain. "I know mum.." Aeris whispered, and Elmyra smiled sadly at her words. It was the first time Aeris had ever called her mother..
"I just.. I think it knew what was going to happen when that man pointed his gun at it. And it didn't even run.." Aeris explained, "like it knew it was it's destiny to be killed.."
* * * * *
"Where on earth are you taking me?" Aeris smiled, as she followed Sephiroth up a staircase. She had decided to go on the date with him, determined to change his mind about joining AVALANCHE. Aeris wanted to get to know him better.. The thought of them becoming enemies again was a little too much for her.
"I've been here before.. Back in the days when Fort Condor was still in the use of Shin-Ra." Sephiroth explained, stopping next to a wooden door.
"You have?" Aeris asked him.
"Yeah.." Sephiroth said, and opened the door that lead to a balcany.
"Wow, this is amazing." Aeris gasped at the scenery spreading before her eyes. The moon cast it's reflection on the calm ocean, that seemed to go on and on as far as her eyes could see.
"I used to spend a lot of time here, looking at the ocean.. This place still makes me feel like I can see the edge of the world from here." Sephiroth said, his eyes locked to the horizon.
Maybe you can, Aeris thought as she glanced at Sephiroth. The sea-breeze picked up a few strands of Sephiroth's hair, twirling them in the air like rays of moonlight. It seemed even nature wanted pieces of his beaty, Aeris smiled sadly.
"I never realized there is no such thing.." Sephiroth snorted, his head bowed towards the ground.
Aeris looked at him puzzled, there was suddenly something so beaten and depressed in him. She had no idea where such deep emotion had emerged from.
"Maybe that's the only reason I'm still alive.." Sephiroth raised his head, still avoiding Aeris' eyes.
"Hey.. Sephiroth.." Aeris took a step closer to him, and forcefully turned his head with her fingers. Her hand remained pressed against Sephiroth's jaw, for some irrational reason Aeris couldn't break the contact between them. "I don't really understand.." Aeris smiled at him, drowning in the depth of his gaze. "But I can't bear to see you so sad." She said, with a tremor in her voice.
"You see.. I always wanted the most impossible things.." Sephiroth whispered, and slowlt leaned closer to Aeris' lips.
He hesitated a moment, listening to the blood humming in his veins. It was wrong, he really shouldn't..
"Sephiroth..?" Aeris was taking small, shallow breaths, her lips almost brushing against Sephiroth's. "Is this really happening..?" She voiced her thoughts just as Sephiroth claimed her lips with his own. She returned his kiss, with equal passion.
Her touch felt as light as a feather, Sephiroth thought, surprised to feel her respond in such a manner. He felt her place her fingers behind his neck, gently pulling him closer to her. He was the first to break the kiss though, and reluctantly Aeris let him take a step away from her. As Sephiroth raised his gaze from the ground, he noticed Aeris' eyes shone brightly with tears.
"I've upset you." He apologized, and saw Aeris bit her lip at his remark. She walked over to him, and pressed her head against Sephiroth's shoulder.
"No.. I'm just really happy." Aeris knew her voice sounded exhausted. It was such an overwhelming a sensation to kiss a man of such perfection.. She smiled, as Sephiroth wrapped his arms around her awkwardly. It was so painfully evident, that he wasn't used to holding another.. And he was probably even less used to being held. Their relationship would be the rockiest road of them all, her instincts told her. But despite all that, as she listened to Sephiroth's calm breathing, Aeris couldn't stop smiling like a lovestruck schoolgirl.
* * * * *
"We won't get there tonight.." Cloud muttered. He wasn't sure where the spot Aeris had been kidnapped was exactly. He hadn't memorized it, for Cloud never realized he'd have to find it again.
"I wonder if we'll EVER get there.." Yuffie heaved a sigh. "I'm getting bored of the same old sceneries.. Can't we go and look for them somewhere else?" She continued to complain, but no-one answered her question.
"Aeris' alone with either Zenobius or Sephiroth.." Cloud told Tifa, who was walking beside him. "We shouldn't waste a minute to get there." He added.
"Yeah.." Tifa admitted, "but do you think Sephiroth would stand around waiting for us, if he has won?" She asked Cloud, who seemed to be thinking of the same thing.
"..I still can't believe how easy it was to convince him to help Aeris." Cloud pondered. "Why is he interested in her? What does he want? I wish I could figure it out.. This has to be a part of his evil plan.." He thought aloud.
"I'm not so sure." Red joined the conversation. "I think it's possible he genuinely cares for Aeris.." He suggested, but Cloud immediately shook his head in disagreement.
"He's incabable of caring.. During all those years that I knew him, he never liked anyone. He merely tolerated people. So it's ridiculous to think he could change that quickly." Cloud explained.
"Maybe.." Red shrugged. "I just don't think he's a threat to Aeris." He said, getting strange looks from everyone.
"You travelled with Aeris and Sephiroth, didn't you Red?" Tifa asked him, 'Spill the big secret, Red' written all over her face.
"Yes.." Red nodded in reply, "they behaved like old friends.." He told everyone, deciding it was best not to tell the others the whole story. He remembered the awkward looks Sephiroth and Aeris had exchanged the night he had walked in on them.. When he had walked back to the cave with Aeris, she had hardly spoken a word. Her silence had not been caused by fear of Sephiroth, though. It was embarrasment.. Red wondered what exactly he had interrupted.
"H-hey.. Cloud.." Yuffie coughed, pointing towards a forest nearby.
"Zenobius.." Cloud noticed a man walking by them, his eyes glazed over.
"I take it he won, then?" Red asked, his voice not so sure.
"Where's Aeris?" Tifa whispered, not wanting to attract Zenobius' attention. "He hasn't killed her, has he?" She asked worried, and looked at Barret and Red, who both seemed to know the answer.
"If she's not with him, it's very likely he has.. erhm.." Red begun, never finishing his sentence.
"You can't honestly think that weirdo killed both of them?" Yuffie's voice was loud enough for Zenobius to hear.
He turned his eyes, and as he noticed the AVALANCHEr's, a malicious grin spread across his lips. "We meet again.." He greeted them, the absent look in his eyes never disappearing.
"So it seems." Cloud said, grabbing his sword.
"Where are they then? You must know.." Zenobius walked closer, carefreely and not showing even the slightest hesitation.
"Who?" Cloud's expression was pure bewilderment.
"The girl.. and him." Zenobius snarled.
"Told ya he lost." Yuffie snorted, and the others immediatly silenced her with their eyes.
"We don't know." Red spoke up.
"Don't lie to me! I know you're protecting them!" Zenobius' voice was genuinely angry.
"We honestly don't know!" Cloud told the raven-black haired man, warning him not to come any closer.
"You think you are any match to my strength?" Zenobius laughed at the AVALANCHEr's, standing in front of him in fighting positions.
"Sephiroth was.. And I've fought him." Cloud told him, his words wiping the arrogant smile off of Zenobius' lips. Cloud was pleased that his words had hit the spot, but on the other hand he was worried. Cloud couldn't remember how he had survived the battle with Sephiroth. And if Zenobius was equally strong as he..
"Aren't you a bothersome little group.." Zenobius snarled at the AVALANCHER's. "But you don't really have to speak anything for me to know the truth.. They're in Junon, aren't they.. It's where you are coming from.. You probably came to finish me off, right?" Zenobius spoke, grinning smugly. "Well, don't worry.. You've found me." He laughed cruelly.
"I'm telling you we don't know where Sephiroth is!" Cloud tried to speak some sence into Zenobius, but he was too convinced that he was right. He was behaving so much like Sephiroth.. It was impossible to turn the head of such a person. Zenobius was simply too far gone to care about the truth.
* * * * *
"The truth?" Sephiroth said cautiously.
"OK.. How many girlfriends have you had?" Aeris giggled, taking a bite of her slice of pizza. They had just finished a bottle of champagne, and she was feeling very light-hearted. For some reason Sephiroth had not objected a game of spinning the empty champagne bottle.
"You included?" Sephiroth raised a brow.
"Yeah, whatever." Aeris shrugged, stuffing her face with pizza.
"Then one." He admitted, an ashamed grin gracing his lips.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Aeris stared at him. "No girlfriends? NONE?" She kept asking him, and Sephiroth replied by shaking his head. "What a crime against nature." Aeris sighed, chuckling.
"You know, I think you might've had a little too much to drink." Sephiroth smiled at her.
"What? Naw.." Aeris denied.
"My turn then." Sephiroth spinned the bottle, watching it twirl on the floor. When it finally stopped, it was pointing to him again. "Great." He sighed at the sight of it.
"Truth or dare?" Aeris smiled exhilerated.
"..I dare not to dare." Sephiroth muttered, watching Aeris burst into a hysterical fit of laughter.
"So the truth then huh?" She said, and tried to calm down.
"I guess so." Sephiroth answered her.
"Hmm.. Do you think I'm pretty?" Aeris asked.
"Yes, I do think you're very pretty. And drunk." Sephiroth laughed.
"Hey, I resent that!" Aeris told him, the serious tune of her voice suddenly changing into a giggle.
"Geez." Sephiroth smiled at her. "Your friends are gonna say I'm a bad influence, you know that?" He helped Aeris stand up, and walked her over to the bed.
"Well maybe I need a bad influence." Aeris smiled drowzily, as Sephiroth pulled the blanket to cover her. "Sephiroth?" She asked.
"Yes." Sephiroth leaned closer to her.
"I think you're very pretty too." Aeris whispered, studying Sephiroth's eyes.
"Well thanks.. I think." Sephiroth chuckled, sitting down in an armchair next to the bed.
"Don't you ever get tired?" Aeris asked, as he picked up a dusty, old looking book.
"Not really." Sephiroth answered her. "But I'm terribly sleepy in the mornings." He admitted after a brief silence, and then turned open the first page of the book he now held in his lap.
"Hah! Now I know all of your weaknesses!" Aeris laughed.
Sephiroth watched as she closed her eyes. She had such a serene expression on her face, it was almost breathtaking to watch her sleep. "Not all of them." He whispered into the silence of the room, a lopsided grin on his lips.
Huh, quite a long chapter? I guess I got a little carried away. Right now I feel like this isn't such a great chapter, but I'm probably wrong, right? ^_^ The plot will advance soon, but the next chapter is, yes you guessed it, another intermission!! Don't you just luv those? That'll be Aeris' dream too, but not as creepy as the last one. Soo.. I've got nothing left to say? Untill next time, everyone!!