Chapter15
Aeris examined her fresh new reflection in the crystal looking glass she held firmly in her cold hands. I look so different... She sat silently in the family room along with Tifa and Cloud, whom were deep into an affectionate staring conversation. I wonder what other pictures Cloud would keep in his memory box. Aeris bent over the table slowly and returned to her seat with the box full of pictures Cloud had brought for her. "...May I look at these?" Aeris asked softly, her voice high and gentle. Turning away from Tifa, Cloud gave a slight nod of his head, then rested all of his attention on the Shining Cetra before him. Tifa squeezed his hand tenderly, whispering "sweet nothings" into his ear in attempts to receiving his concentration, desperate for his touch of words.
"Cloud," Tifa whispered, kissing his right cheek slowly. Please... Please look at me... Kiss me back... Please...
Aeris fumbled through the box until she came to a picture of a man that she held dearer in her heart then any thing else. Rufus... Aeris thought to herself desperately, dying to have him with her at that exact moment. I miss you so much... I wish you were here now... alone , with me... A faint smile washed over her quavering lips as she traced the outline of the prominent Ex-Presidents face with her index finger. Aeris stopped in her actions and trail of thoughts as a certain question proceeded to pierce her mind viciously, "... Cloud?" Cloud lifted his head from Tifa's shoulder to stare intimately through Aeris's misty eyes. "Where did you get all these pictures?"
"Through files and boxes in the sectors of Midgar, back when it was trashed. It wasn't easy, but they were worth a lot, so..."
"Do you know all the people in these pictures?" Aeris inquired, displaying deep interest.
"Know them? Some. Others, I've heard of and that's all..."
"...Oh... Thank you," With no more words to exchange, Aeris stood to her feet, placing the box of pictures down on the coffee table, her lover's picture in the pocket of her short jean skirt.
"What do you want for dinner?" Tifa inquired audibly, wanting only Cloud to answer.
"... I don't care, whatever you want," The taken blonde replied absent mindedly, his thoughts clearly stolen with the mysterious goddess that glowed like fire before him. "Are you leaving?"
Aeris looked away from his penetrating eyes to show she wasn't interested in communicating with him at the given moment, but so many questions pierced her restless mind that she just couldn't give into silence. "No... but if you wouldn't mind... I'd really like some questions answered. I feel so empty and confused..."
Cloud pulled away from Tifa's grasp to sit straight up so that she could give Aeris his full attention, which wasn't that much more then he was already giving her, "No, no. Go right ahead."
"Cloud... I don't mean to offend you, but... could I just have a moment alone with Tifa... Please?" The Cetra looked down and blushed with extreme embarrassment from feelings of not enough worth to ask questions such as that request.
"Sure, if that's what you want..." Cloud stood to his feet, hiding all emotions that plagued his saddened mind, while Tifa showed that she was completely taken aback. The spiked haired male figure hesitated a moment, then after exchanging wondering glances with the fair fighter, he left the room to find entertainment else where.