Love is Like a Rose - Chapter 2: Perfection
It was well past midnight, and there she sat, in the same chair she was in as she watched Aerith unknowingly break Leon's heart.
Her eyelids were heavy with exhaustion, but her overactive mind wouldn't let her sleep. Not just yet. Her fingers toyed with the perfect, soft petals of the elegant ivory rose. The moon hung high in the dark sky; it was nearly three in the morning, and she still couldn't get her thoughts off Leon.
It started out as an infatuation, she supposed. Yuffie was just curious about the man beneath the cruel, sapphire gaze, the strength behind the Gunblade. But the deeper she delved into Leon, the deeper she fell for him. His shining sapphire orbs hid his emotions frighteningly well. The first time she had seen behind the shield was only hours ago, when Leon had poured out his heart to Aerith.
How could Aerith do that to Leon? Yuffie thought angrily. She knew that Aerith cared deeply for Leon, but just as a friend. But Aerith barely even acknowledged his presence as soon as Cloud strolled into the room. And Cloud...he was at the Coliseum for all this time and he just decided to show up now? It had been months since she and Leon had participated in the competitions and ran into Cloud. Yuffie felt her blood boil and clenched her fists. She began shaking uncontrollably and stood up. How could Aerith hurt him like that? After all Leon had done for her? She didn't even apologize for it!
"Yuffie?" a soft, feminine voice called from the doorway of the library.
Yuffie spun around and recognized the figure as Aerith. She cringed inwardly. Aerith was the last person she felt like talking to right now. "Yeah?"
"What are you doing up so late?" Aerith asked, shuffling into the room. She wore a terrycloth robe and fuzzy slippers. Her long hair fell down her back in soft curls and swayed from side to side as she walked over to the couch.
"Nothin much," Yuffie replied, trying to keep her anger in check. She turned away and tried to calm down.
"Couldn't sleep?"
Yuffie nodded. "Mmm." It wasn't a total lie. She really couldn't sleep.
Aerith frowned. Something was wrong. "Same here." She wound a strand of hair around her index finger and sighed. "Are you angry with me?"
"No, why would you think that?" Yuffie asked sarcastically, biting off each word.
"If it has anything to do with today--" Aerith began.
But the time bomb inside of Yuffie went off. "Of course it has to do with today! How could you do that to Leon? How could you just forget about him like that? After all he's done for you?" Yuffie yelled heatedly.
"Yuffie--"
"You know, it sure did take Cloud long enough to get here. Leon and I saw him at the Coliseum while we were there for a tournament. He said he'd leave right after his last battle, but he didn't. I wonder what he could've been doing all those months?" Yuffie tapped her chin in mock thought. "For all we know, he could've been doing any female that walked by!"
Aerith bit her lower lip. No. Yuffie was just saying that to get her angry at Cloud. "Yuffie--"
"How could you play Leon like that? He helped you out in the worst of times, he's been there for you more times than Cloud ever was!"
Silence filled the library. Yuffie's opal eyes were ablaze, and Aerith's emerald gaze was hurt. Yuffie could tell her words had hit home, and she instantly regretted it. Dammit...me and my big mouth, Yuffie thought, mentally kicking herself. She watched Aerith's face contort itself into dejection.
Yuffie cleared her throat uncertainly. "Aerith--"
"Don't. Every word you said was true. Every single bit of it," Aerith whispered sadly.
"No! Don't listen to me; I'm just pissed off about having to deal with a moody Squall all day," Yuffie pleaded. Even though it hurt her to see one of her best friends in such pain that she had inflicted, Yuffie had to admit that it felt good to let all that out. "You shouldn't let me talk to you like that! Yell at me, laugh at me, hit me, something!"
Aerith shook her head and closed her eyes tiredly. "But you're right."
"No, I'm not." Geez, what was with everybody actually listening to her for a change? "Cloud loves you! He did everything he could to make sure he'd find you. He even made a deal with Hades at the Coliseum--"
"He made a deal with the devil?" Aerith asked incredulously, jade eyes wide in shock.
Yuffie mentally kicked herself again. Stupid, stupid! she scolded herself. Cloud had told her and Leon only after he had made them promise not to tell Aerith. "Uh, wait!"
Aerith's widened eyes narrowed. "Why didn't he tell me?"
Yuffie tried to explain. "You see, there's a very good reason--"
"How could he just waltz in like that and not even tell me that he sold his soul to the devil?" Aerith wondered aloud, a faint blush of anger crossing her cheeks. "Does he not trust me or something?"
"Aerith--" Yuffie tried again.
"I can't believe it. I mean, we've been friends since--"
"Aerith! Listen to me, dammit!" Yuffie cut her off. "He didn't want to tell you because he was afraid you'd run away from him and find someone else to love." She paused for a moment before adding, "Like Squall."
Aerith blinked. "He was afraid...of me?"
"Just don't tell him I told you, all right?" Yuffie grumbled, sinking into a chair adjacent from the one Aerith sat on. Yuffie exhaled loudly, combing her bangs with her fingers. Her voice came out soft and that of a child as she spoke. "I'm not mad at you," she admitted. "It's just that when Leon saw you run to Cloud like that...his eyes..." She couldn't find the words to describe the raw emotion that she'd seen in his eyes.
Aerith cocked her head to the right. "What about his eyes?"
"Even though I've known Leon for practically my whole life, I don't know a single thing about him. I don't know his favorite color, his favorite season, I don't know anything. When I saw him today--yesterday--it was like I was seeing him for the first time. His eyes were filled with so much hurt and I was afraid he'd break down or something. And we all know that Leon just doesn't do breakdowns."
Aerith put her elbows on her knees and held her head in her hands. "What have I done?"
"His eyes are usually so calm and cold and relaxed...it scared me, Aerith," Yuffie whispered.
"It scared you that Leon is capable of emotions?"
"I don't know. He gives off the impression that he's always under control, no matter what."
"There are some things you can't control," Aerith said wisely. "And I'm sure Leon already knows that."
Yuffie shrugged. "I've never seen him look so vulnerable. It was...unnerving"
Aerith stood up. "It's worse than I thought. I guess I should go talk to him, huh?"
"That would help."
Aerith raised her arms over her head and stretched. "Thanks. G'night, Yuffie."
"See you in the morning," Yuffie said as Aerith exited.
Yuffie groaned loudly before rubbing her pounding temples. She guessed the gift of sleep wouldn't be given to her tonight. This sucks. Of all the people I choose to obsess over, it's the one guy I'll never be able to have. Yuffie let her eyes slide shut. Everything was so complicated. How did she let herself fall in love, with Leon of all people? The one that annoyed her to no ends with his lack of personality? The one who constantly reminded her that she was nothing but an annoying little brat? The one who had helped her feed the Dalmations in Traverse Town? The one who had fought alongside her at the Coliseum...
I give up. And finally at last her weary mind slipped into a peaceful slumber.
Leon let his Gunblade fall to the floor with a clatter. He wasn't sure how long he'd been down here, training. He fell to his knees, breathing heavily. He needing something to get his mind off the ache in his heart. Picking up his Gunblade once more, he used it as a cane to support his weight as he got to his feet. Leon unleashed another attack against an imaginary opponent. Slash, parry, dodge, slash, guard, slash, counterattack, slash, and parry.
He stopped suddenly when he sensed a presence in the waterway. Heartless! he thought impulsively. Then, Wait, the Heartless are gone. Leon cleared his throat and called out gruffly, "Who's there?"
A timid voice answered him. "How are you doing, Leon?"
Leon felt his stomach wrench into knots. He wanted to run. He didn't feel like he had the strength to face her. Instead he set his face in his trademark scowl to hide his emotions. His eyes narrowed to slits as he growled, "Just peachy."
Aerith stepped out of the shadows. She smiled a half smile of both happiness and sorrow. He'd never been able to resist that smile, but he somehow managed kept a firm frown. "Where to start, where to start..." Aerith murmured, walking closer.
"How about you start with how you led me on like that?" Leon demanded, gripping his Gunblade tightly.
"Leon, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to toy with your feelings. But can you blame me? I was confused. I'm only human."
He mumbled something under his breath and dropped his gaze to the floor.
Aerith noticed this and frowned. "If it makes you feel any better, I stayed up for countless nights thinking if you were the one."
Leon looked up at this.
"And for a long time, I believed you were." She paused, studying his reaction. His eyes stayed the same. Hard and cold.
Leon shook his head and said nothing.
Aerith clucked her tongue impatiently. "I know it's not easy to talk about this, but we have to."
"Well I'm all talked out," Leon said sardonically. "How about you?"
"Leon--"
He held up a hand to silence her. "Aerith. Don't worry about it. I realized that I was chasing the wrong light the entire time."
"Wrong light?" Aerith questioned, raising her eyebrows. Did he mean who I think he meant? she thought. But he couldn't...I mean, Yuffie? "What are you talking about?"
"Don't worry about it," he repeated firmly. "And don't apologize for being happy, Aerith. Cloud makes you happy, and seeing you happy makes me happy."
Aerith smiled brightly. "Thanks for taking this well. I was expecting to have a much harder time explaining all this. I really do love you, Leon. You've helped me when I thought all hope was lost. You're a great friend and person, never forget that."
Leon turned away. "It's really late. You should go up to bed, Aerith."
"You should too. There's no need to watch for Heartless anymore, so you can sleep soundly now."
"Whatever," he answered, lifting his Gunblade and letting it rest on his shoulder.
Aerith nodded. Despite the cold answer, she knew that he was actually okay with this. She looked back at him and said, "I really am sorry, Leon. I know that my words can't take the pain away, but I hope you can truly forgive me." Aerith held up a hand to silence him as he opened his mouth. "And don't say that I've been forgiven. I know that you're very good at hiding your emotions."
Leon sighed softly and nodded.
"Sleep well," said Aerith before she made her way from the waterway to the castle.
When the sound of her footsteps faded away, Leon's thoughts drifted to the rose and Yuffie. Why did he give his rose to Yuffie? Did he really care for her as more than a friend? Yuffie had been through a lot with him. She was the first one he told about his love for Aerith. She had seemed kind of skeptical at first, but encouraged him to tell Aerith about his feelings. And so he did. But trouble came walking through that library door and knocked his life off-balance in less than a couple of hours. Cloud always had the worst timing; esterday was no exception.
Leon always thought that he was a level-minded guy that thought well on his feet and handled bad situations to the best of his ability. But yesterday...seeing his second love running into someone else's arms...he just snapped. He couldn't even remember how he got out of the library. All he remembered was watching Aerith snuggle deeper into Cloud's embrace. And although he'd never admit it out loud, it hurt. A lot. He stood on the balcony, wondering if he could ever love again.
That's when Yuffie came to him.
Leon always thought that there was nothing but an annoying brat underneath the bubbly, happy-go-lucky exterior. But the words she had spoken to him last night had touched him in a way he hadn't known possible. She had given him hope. Something that he desperately needed. And hope let him realize that love comes to those who believe in it.
Thus he found himself falling for a girl nearly a decade younger than him.
Leon left the waterway along with his thoughts. He couldn't think anymore. He was just too tired...so tired. It seemed that all the nights he spent in Traverse Town keeping watch had caught up with him. His eyes were bleary with fatigue, and his steps were slow and lethargic. It was all he could do to keep moving. Leon began to use his Gunblade for support as he shuffled down the halls. The world was spinning, and sleep beckoned him. He struggled to keep awake, but he keeled over with a thud, letting the Gunblade fall beside him.
Yuffie heard a faint, "thud!" in the hallway just outside. She jerked awake at the noise, having fallen asleep on the plush couch in the library. Yuffie stood up and raised her arms above her head, stretching each vertebrae of her backbone. She ran a hand through her short dark hair and went to inspect the noise. She opened the library door and let her opal eyes scan the hall. About five feet away lay a limp form with a sword beside it. She took another step and realized it was Leon's limp form that lay on the floor. She hurried over and crouched beside him. "Squall, Squall!" she said, shaking him.
Leon sleepily opened his eyes. "Yuffie?"
"Squall, are you okay?" Yuffie asked worriedly, helping Leon into a sitting position.
"It's Leon," he corrected, groaning as he shook his head to clear it. "Yeah, just got a bit tired while I was walking back from the waterway, that's all."
Yuffie's pink lips dropped into a frown. "How long were you down there?"
"I dunno...since Cloud came back..." Leon said softly. He wished he hadn't remembered anything as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He couldn't meet Yuffie's gaze.
"Oh. I, uh, see," Yuffie replied uncertainly. Obviously the Cloud-Aerith thing was still a touchy subject. "Come on, you look dead on your feet; you can lean on me while we walk. I don't think you can make it to your room on your own."
Too sleepy to argue, Leon let Yuffie slip an arm around his waist and guide him down the hall. For a small girl, she's pretty strong, he thought lazily as he began to doze off again. They walked in silence, their footsteps and breathing the only sound.
Yuffie's heart was pounding double-time. This was probably the closest she'd ever get to holding Leon in her arms, so she savored the moment. She let her head rest against his chiseled chest and listened to the steady thumping of his heart. He was so warm, unlike the cold persona he used to keep people away from him. Shivers ran up and down her spine when she felt Leon sling an arm around her shoulders. She fought the burning blush that swept up her neck. For a brief moment, it was like time had been suspended and that they were the only two in the world.
But all good things must come to an end, Yuffie thought with an almost inaudible sigh, keyword being almost. "Are you okay?" Leon asked quietly, having heard her sigh.
"Huh?" Yuffie was jolted out of her thoughts. "Me? Oh, um, yeah. Just a little tired. It is late you know," she answered quickly. They turned a corner and came to a stop. Yuffie cleared her throat and said, "Well, here we are."
Leon dropped his arm from her shoulders and gave a tiny smile of gratitude. "Thanks. I'll just..." Leon began to fall over, eyes drooping shut. Yuffie caught him around the middle and steadied him.
Yuffie shook her head and laughed gently. "Here, I'll help you." Yuffie opened the door and led Leon to his large king-sized bed. She helped Leon out of his jacket and shoes, and fluffed the pillows for him.
Black silk sheets. How fitting, Yuffie thought with a small smile. Leon fell onto his bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow. Yuffie pulled the covers over him, and was suddenly hit with a wave of fatigue. That's when she remembered that she had only gotten about twenty minutes of sleep. Her eyelids began to close and her consciousness began to fade.
Yuffie gave her head a firm shake. C'mon, Yuffie, she told herself. Stay awake long enough to at least make it out of Squall's room. She tiptoed to the door, making sure she didn't wake Leon. "Sleep well, Squall," Yuffie whispered before shutting the door.
"It's Leon," he muttered, letting his eyelids droop shut.
Yuffie walked down the hall with a slight quirk in her step. She was exhausted, but holding Leon in her arms for a moment left her with a strange sort of energy. Sure, Squall had his faults, such as his lack of personality and uncanny way of hurting people, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. Well, at least until you fall in love with them, she thought with a wide smile.