Disclaimer: Apparently disappearing for a few months still does not give me complete ownership of FFVII. So, you got it... all characters, past events, etc. still property of Square Enix. Oh well, better luck next time... =)
Wow, I'd first like to APOLOGIZE to all of you! I don't know, I just stopped writing this for a while there... I was working on this massive, mixed crossover fic and I just got lazy with "Detached." I promise not to do it again, promise promise!! I love you all and I hope you're still with me, 'cause from now on I'm actually going to update. In fact, I even started working on ch. 7 already!
Again, big, massive, way overdue apologies to EVERYONE who read this and was disappointed that I went poof for a while.
I hope you like 'Mistakes.'
---
She was running.
She didn't know where to, she only knew what from, and that was all that mattered. She was fleeing him blindly, feeling his indifference more acutely than she'd felt Sephiroth's blade. She felt the wind on her face, stinging her cheeks with its cold, and she felt it whipping through her hair, and she heard her heart pounding in her ears, and she was aware of her feet thrumming hard on the packed earth, but nothing would distract her from the keen pain lancing through her heart. She had understood why Sephiroth had killed her; she didn't understand now why Vincent would be, how he could be, so emotionless, so blank to her. So she was running to get past all that, to escape her own thoughts.
Cloud had no intentions of going out to look for her; he was merely out hoping to see her. He wasn't going to interfere if she felt she needed to see Vincent so desperately, especially since he'd probably deck Vincent one for not telling them about his plans to bring Aerith back to life, or at least that he was going to try to. That's why he didn't see her till it was slightly too late, and she didn't see anything at all.
Actually, as it happened, he did see her, but he recognized her belatedly... right as she crashed into him, in fact. Even lightning fast reflexes couldn't get him out of her way fast enough without knocking her straight to the ground, and he wouldn't risk that, even when he didn't distinguish her face as Aerith's. Resignedly he tried to slow her down and stay on his feet, but the momentum at which she slammed bodily into him took him straight to the dirt and her with him. He grunted when she landed on top him, elbowing him hard in the gut.
Aerith was jarred back to her senses when she ran into something quite solid and quite unyielding. She became aware that it was a person when she heard an irritated sound from beneath her, and she fought to disentangle herself from him. It only took a moment for her to recognize that spiky head, and she stared at Cloud, dismayed. She sat back down in the dirt hard, staring across at him.
"Cloud! Oh, of all the... Cloud, I'm so sorry! I... I didn't see you," she finished lamely.
"Yeah, I noticed." Still slightly disgruntled at being jarred to the ground, Cloud nonetheless jumped gracefully back onto his feet. Bending smoothly, he took Aerith's hand and helped her up, his irrationally irritated scowl fading. "It's all right, Aerith. You've no need to apologize. Walk back to the Inn with me?" Though phrased as a question, the ex-SOLDIER's inflection rose not a whit, and Aerith nodded in compliance to refrain from offending him (again) by refusing and leaving (again).
He led her by the hand back to the Seventh Heaven, entered silently and without question. She followed with uncharacteristic docility and obedience, too worn by Vincent's apathy to question Cloud at all. She noticed with obscured eyes that the Bar was practically empty, that just a few burly woodsmen remained, that Tifa had disappeared somewhere, probably into the kitchen hidden cleverly behind the liqueur-stocked wall. Ah... and the chair she'd occupied earlier was still empty. With a grateful sigh, she settled back into it as soon as Cloud had released her, who had wandered off by himself to get a drink from behind the bar. She sunk back into that chair and bent over her own knees, head in her hands, hazy emerald eyes on the floor.
"Aerith, drink." A glass, clear and refreshing with water, was held out to her. A long moment's hesitation preceded her acceptance of the water, and she took a dainty sip just to appease Cloud. When he was sure she'd drink the rest of it of her own volition, he pulled out the nearest chair, swinging it around backwards before sitting on it, his arms folded atop the back of the chair. "Are you feeling any better?"
Aerith had lifted her head to accept the glass and now stared down at the water, little ripples disturbing the liquid surface. Her hands were trembling slightly. Cloud did not notice. She stood another deep, steadying breath before looking up at him. He was gazing straight at her, but she had the feeling he wasn't really seeing. She sighed and straightened, squarely meeting his gaze, a flash of steel fleeting in her eyes. Softly, she replied, "Yes, a little... I guess... I don't know. Cloud... do you really love me?"
Cloud blinked a few times, not only caught off-guard but hesitant to respond. He didn't know how to describe the relationship he had with Tifa. He didn't know how he felt about Aerith anymore; she'd been dead for two years. But it didn't mean he didn't love her. He nodded after a moment, replying, "Yes, Aerith... I do." He couldn't bring himself to actually say the words "I love you" to her, not yet.
Aerith stared hard at him, a frown curving the corners of her mouth downwards. Without breaking her locked gaze, she discreetly raised one hand, raking slender fingers back through thick locks. She thought for a long moment before asking, "Honestly? But how? I don't understand. Two years, Cloud... why haven't you moved on? Why haven't you married Tifa, or someone else? I thought you two would be long bound to one another."
Cloud smiled easily, his eyes averted a little. He couldn't look at her straight on. "Well, you... you had a major effect on me, Aerith. I couldn't just move on after you died. I was in too much pain to get emotional about anything but your death."
Aerith sighed and finally lowered her eyes. Her expression was miserable but she struggled to conceal it, changing the subject as she inquired, "Cloud, can I stay the night here? I don't wish to impose on you at all, but I'd rather not stay up at the mansion and I don't know where else..."
"Of course, Aerith. Say no more." He gave her another smile, reaching out to lay his hand on her shoulder. "You can sleep in my room, all right?"
Another soft sigh rose from gentle vocals, escaping past lips that didn't know whether to smile or to frown. She gazed at him a long moment before nodding, still a little confused as to her own emotional standing. He rose to his feet and pushed the chair back in, holding his hand out to her to help her to her feet. Aerith took his hand hesitantly at first but she quickly tightened her grip, raising her eyes to meet his as she made an impulsive decision. "Cloud, will you stay with me tonight?"
He pulled her into an embrace immediately. "I will stay with you, Aerith... I will stay as long as you need and want me to. I'll probably stay even longer than that," he added, smiling wanly, his attempt at a joke falling flat in the face of her misery and confusion.
Aerith leaned dependently against Cloud as soon as he hugged her, one arm around his torso, the other, his shoulders. She buried her face against his chest, murmuring, "Thank you, Cloud."
Cloud was a little confused himself now, but mostly because he was a little inexperienced about true expression of emotion and gratitude. He was used to either having women throw themselves at him or skirt-chasing on his own. He knew that when Aerith said she wanted him to stay with her, she meant it in a completely platonic way. And, oddly enough for him, he didn't mind. He looked forward, in fact, to simply sleeping with the woman he had once and possibly still loved. He rubbed her back comfortingly, a slight smile reappearing on his features. "You're welcome."
"Let's go, please, Cloud..." Aerith's voice was slightly muffled and she pulled away from him to remedy that, though she spoke no more and cast her gaze down to the worn floorboards. She took hold of his hand, her grip excruciatingly tight.
He nodded, slightly surprised at the strength of her hold. He squeezed her hand reassuringly before pulling her gently away, leading her to and up the stairs. Aerith watched the steps as she passed behind him, green eyes troubled. Cloud, oblivious, led her into the bedroom she had previously gotten acquainted with. Aerith looked around a little uneasily at this now familiar interior. Wordlessly and abruptly, she made an impulsive decision and threw her arms around him once more in a silent expression of her gratitude. Cloud sighed softly, holding her tightly to calm her. He was truly confused but he'd rather not show it. He knew Aerith was looking for nothing but to be held, but he did not understand what made her seek this comfort so desperately. She'd suddenly just become so questioning and clinging right after...
Right after she'd gone to see Vincent.
Cloud sighed once more and released Aerith, letting her go where she would. He smiled wanly for her sake as he sunk to sit on the edge of the bed. She followed him immediately but rather than sit, she lay down, curled on her side, and rested her head in Cloud's lap. He blinked in surprise, gazing down at her; she seemed unaware of his uneasiness. Loose auburn curls obscured her expression and pale, irrationally determined features. Emerald eyes, half-closed with exhaustion, shone with a fierce light that further discomfited Cloud.
"Is something bothering you, Aerith?" He was hesitant to disturb her but he asked quietly anyway, worried about her overall well being. He lightly stroked her hair, strong hair with their tanned, callused digits surprisingly gentle.
"No, nothing, Cloud... I'm just overtired now." She shifted minutely, closing her eyes to dim their intense light. As an afterthought, she wrapped her arms tightly around herself.
He smiled with relief, still gently stroking her hair, his fingers trailing through the chestnut locks. "Sleep, then. I don't grudge you sleep when you are so clearly exhausted."
Aerith sighed softly and shifted once more, moving to find a more comfortable position on the edge of the bed. One small, delicate hand lifted to tuck auburn locks behind one ear. "Good night, then, Cloud. Thank you again." A small smile played at both corners of her lips as she drifted into a half-sleep, untroubled by night terrors. Cloud lay back, watching her for a long moment before he too closed his eyes, seeking repose as well. Aerith moved away from him unconsciously, curling her lithe body into a small, protective ball. An expression of beautiful tranquillity lit on her features at his rest devoid of dreams. Cloud turned a bit to curl beside the little ball she made. He smiled, still asleep, and passed one arm around her, pulling her close.
Aerith murmured softly, incoherently under her breath, unwinding somewhat and loosening her hold on herself. She wished to conform and fit against him, finding comfort for herself with his decidedly solid presence. He held her closer, subconsciously, understanding her need for closeness. It was one of the few things, Aerith found, that Cloud understood at all. He was very aloof and very oblivious most of the time, unless he wanted something. She found, however, he could understand her, or anyone for that matter, at a very basic level. She sighed softly and moved one hand to pull his arm tighter around herself, simply needing to be with him. Cloud's presence seemed to scare off the nightmares that lurked at the edge of her mind, nightmares born of her death and life. Cloud smiled, opening his eyes. He reached up with one hand, brushing her hair away and lowering his head to kiss the nape of her neck softly, ghost-like.
He would have been happy, content, just to hold her, had she not uttered such fateful words.
She stirred slightly against him, her frown returning faintly as she, her mind still murky with sleep, muttered quietly, "What? Vincent...?"
Cloud froze and could simply watch as jade eyes flew open, horrified, as she realized what she'd uttered. Aerith jerked upright to look at Cloud, clearly terrified of his reaction. He blinked once, slowly, staring at her before his frown returned in full, his mien going blank otherwise. He looked away from her. "No, Aerith... you are with me, not Vincent."
Aerith's eyes were wide, horrified. She nodded vehemently at his statement, tears burning behind emerald orbs. "I... I know that. I'm so sorry, Cloud. I didn't..." She chanced a glance at him once, praying silently for a response that wasn't furious, or worse, emotionless. She received the latter. He moved away from her, putting a huge distance between him, and laid his down back down on his pillow. Rolling over, he turned his back to her and refused to speak to her again, opting rather to lie in silence.
Aerith sighed despondently and curled herself back up, her chin tucked in towards her chest. Emerald eyes squeezed shut tightly, as if she could block everything out. It was hard to imagine how she could mess things up so badly on this, just her second day back from oblivion. It was hard to be the optimistic girl she had been once, though she tried valiantly. She tightened her arms around herself and fell uneasily back asleep, nightmares niggling at her mind and making her toss and turn fitfully the entire night.
Cloud grunted a bit before he closed his eyes to try and get back to sleep. It would be hard for him now. He tangled his legs in a blanket, then gave up the effort to cover himself. He was too upset to sleep now. Her simple, brainless utterance of Vincent's name had been like a slap to the face for him. He shifted less fitfully than she did, and eventually found peace in sleep.
Aerith, however, had moved to the foot of the bed to distance herself from Cloud's silently angry form, thanking her stars soundlessly that Vincent hadn't requested his cloak back from her yet. The last thing she wanted to do was disturb Cloud, but she'd just spent two years in a lake and her body temperature still fluctuated abnormally. The cloak proved the only warmth she'd find now. Plus, it gave her a feeble excuse to go see him in the morning. Aerith had resumed her sleep, surprisingly peaceful now for her hardened resolve.
Cloud did not rise with the sun as he had in his AVALANCE days. Aerith, however, did. She uncurled from her tightly wound position, surprisingly nimble for having slept in such a cramped manner. She rose, slipping off the bed and stretching herself out. Sighing softly, Aerith moved silently to the head of the bed and leaned over, brushing her lips softly against Cloud's forehead. She was sorry for what she'd done to him. She had never had any intention to do so; all she'd sought was peace and comfort and Vincent had been the first to offer even a ghost of either. She swept silently out of his room then, padding quietly down the adjacent stairs.
Cloud awoke a few moments after her kiss, sitting up slowly and looking around suspiciously a few times. Yawning, he stretched magnificently and shook his head to clear his thoughts before he began to scratch the back of it. "Hm... was it all a dream?"
Aerith stood just outside the Seventh Heaven, torn between going back and begging Cloud's forgiveness, and going to see Vincent. Idly, she fingered the edge of his cape, staring blankly at the sun-washed ground, light glinting off glossy chestnut locks with the angle of her head. She finally turned to glance back up at the bar, a soft smile lighting her features, her eyes sad. "Goodbye, Cloud." Turning around, she abruptly began to run for the mansion, Vincent's cape and her hair flying out behind her slender form as her pace never abated, even as she descended the spiral staircase hidden in one of the top floor's rooms. Outside Vincent's crypt, she halted suddenly and dropped to her knees, head bowed momentarily in prayer.
Then, rising to her feet with renewed purpose, she slipped silently into the tomb, her expression bleak as she thought on how Vincent forced himself to stay in such a place as this. Padding over to his coffin, she hesitated suddenly, still confused as to how to get his attention. Finally, she made a decision.
Lowering herself to her knees, she knocked decidedly on the lid of his coffin.
---
A/N: FIN! I figured it should be kind of long since I poofled on you guys... hope you liked it. Reviews? Maybe? I'd really appreciate it! Chapter 7 up soon with luck!
Wow, I'd first like to APOLOGIZE to all of you! I don't know, I just stopped writing this for a while there... I was working on this massive, mixed crossover fic and I just got lazy with "Detached." I promise not to do it again, promise promise!! I love you all and I hope you're still with me, 'cause from now on I'm actually going to update. In fact, I even started working on ch. 7 already!
Again, big, massive, way overdue apologies to EVERYONE who read this and was disappointed that I went poof for a while.
I hope you like 'Mistakes.'
---
She was running.
She didn't know where to, she only knew what from, and that was all that mattered. She was fleeing him blindly, feeling his indifference more acutely than she'd felt Sephiroth's blade. She felt the wind on her face, stinging her cheeks with its cold, and she felt it whipping through her hair, and she heard her heart pounding in her ears, and she was aware of her feet thrumming hard on the packed earth, but nothing would distract her from the keen pain lancing through her heart. She had understood why Sephiroth had killed her; she didn't understand now why Vincent would be, how he could be, so emotionless, so blank to her. So she was running to get past all that, to escape her own thoughts.
Cloud had no intentions of going out to look for her; he was merely out hoping to see her. He wasn't going to interfere if she felt she needed to see Vincent so desperately, especially since he'd probably deck Vincent one for not telling them about his plans to bring Aerith back to life, or at least that he was going to try to. That's why he didn't see her till it was slightly too late, and she didn't see anything at all.
Actually, as it happened, he did see her, but he recognized her belatedly... right as she crashed into him, in fact. Even lightning fast reflexes couldn't get him out of her way fast enough without knocking her straight to the ground, and he wouldn't risk that, even when he didn't distinguish her face as Aerith's. Resignedly he tried to slow her down and stay on his feet, but the momentum at which she slammed bodily into him took him straight to the dirt and her with him. He grunted when she landed on top him, elbowing him hard in the gut.
Aerith was jarred back to her senses when she ran into something quite solid and quite unyielding. She became aware that it was a person when she heard an irritated sound from beneath her, and she fought to disentangle herself from him. It only took a moment for her to recognize that spiky head, and she stared at Cloud, dismayed. She sat back down in the dirt hard, staring across at him.
"Cloud! Oh, of all the... Cloud, I'm so sorry! I... I didn't see you," she finished lamely.
"Yeah, I noticed." Still slightly disgruntled at being jarred to the ground, Cloud nonetheless jumped gracefully back onto his feet. Bending smoothly, he took Aerith's hand and helped her up, his irrationally irritated scowl fading. "It's all right, Aerith. You've no need to apologize. Walk back to the Inn with me?" Though phrased as a question, the ex-SOLDIER's inflection rose not a whit, and Aerith nodded in compliance to refrain from offending him (again) by refusing and leaving (again).
He led her by the hand back to the Seventh Heaven, entered silently and without question. She followed with uncharacteristic docility and obedience, too worn by Vincent's apathy to question Cloud at all. She noticed with obscured eyes that the Bar was practically empty, that just a few burly woodsmen remained, that Tifa had disappeared somewhere, probably into the kitchen hidden cleverly behind the liqueur-stocked wall. Ah... and the chair she'd occupied earlier was still empty. With a grateful sigh, she settled back into it as soon as Cloud had released her, who had wandered off by himself to get a drink from behind the bar. She sunk back into that chair and bent over her own knees, head in her hands, hazy emerald eyes on the floor.
"Aerith, drink." A glass, clear and refreshing with water, was held out to her. A long moment's hesitation preceded her acceptance of the water, and she took a dainty sip just to appease Cloud. When he was sure she'd drink the rest of it of her own volition, he pulled out the nearest chair, swinging it around backwards before sitting on it, his arms folded atop the back of the chair. "Are you feeling any better?"
Aerith had lifted her head to accept the glass and now stared down at the water, little ripples disturbing the liquid surface. Her hands were trembling slightly. Cloud did not notice. She stood another deep, steadying breath before looking up at him. He was gazing straight at her, but she had the feeling he wasn't really seeing. She sighed and straightened, squarely meeting his gaze, a flash of steel fleeting in her eyes. Softly, she replied, "Yes, a little... I guess... I don't know. Cloud... do you really love me?"
Cloud blinked a few times, not only caught off-guard but hesitant to respond. He didn't know how to describe the relationship he had with Tifa. He didn't know how he felt about Aerith anymore; she'd been dead for two years. But it didn't mean he didn't love her. He nodded after a moment, replying, "Yes, Aerith... I do." He couldn't bring himself to actually say the words "I love you" to her, not yet.
Aerith stared hard at him, a frown curving the corners of her mouth downwards. Without breaking her locked gaze, she discreetly raised one hand, raking slender fingers back through thick locks. She thought for a long moment before asking, "Honestly? But how? I don't understand. Two years, Cloud... why haven't you moved on? Why haven't you married Tifa, or someone else? I thought you two would be long bound to one another."
Cloud smiled easily, his eyes averted a little. He couldn't look at her straight on. "Well, you... you had a major effect on me, Aerith. I couldn't just move on after you died. I was in too much pain to get emotional about anything but your death."
Aerith sighed and finally lowered her eyes. Her expression was miserable but she struggled to conceal it, changing the subject as she inquired, "Cloud, can I stay the night here? I don't wish to impose on you at all, but I'd rather not stay up at the mansion and I don't know where else..."
"Of course, Aerith. Say no more." He gave her another smile, reaching out to lay his hand on her shoulder. "You can sleep in my room, all right?"
Another soft sigh rose from gentle vocals, escaping past lips that didn't know whether to smile or to frown. She gazed at him a long moment before nodding, still a little confused as to her own emotional standing. He rose to his feet and pushed the chair back in, holding his hand out to her to help her to her feet. Aerith took his hand hesitantly at first but she quickly tightened her grip, raising her eyes to meet his as she made an impulsive decision. "Cloud, will you stay with me tonight?"
He pulled her into an embrace immediately. "I will stay with you, Aerith... I will stay as long as you need and want me to. I'll probably stay even longer than that," he added, smiling wanly, his attempt at a joke falling flat in the face of her misery and confusion.
Aerith leaned dependently against Cloud as soon as he hugged her, one arm around his torso, the other, his shoulders. She buried her face against his chest, murmuring, "Thank you, Cloud."
Cloud was a little confused himself now, but mostly because he was a little inexperienced about true expression of emotion and gratitude. He was used to either having women throw themselves at him or skirt-chasing on his own. He knew that when Aerith said she wanted him to stay with her, she meant it in a completely platonic way. And, oddly enough for him, he didn't mind. He looked forward, in fact, to simply sleeping with the woman he had once and possibly still loved. He rubbed her back comfortingly, a slight smile reappearing on his features. "You're welcome."
"Let's go, please, Cloud..." Aerith's voice was slightly muffled and she pulled away from him to remedy that, though she spoke no more and cast her gaze down to the worn floorboards. She took hold of his hand, her grip excruciatingly tight.
He nodded, slightly surprised at the strength of her hold. He squeezed her hand reassuringly before pulling her gently away, leading her to and up the stairs. Aerith watched the steps as she passed behind him, green eyes troubled. Cloud, oblivious, led her into the bedroom she had previously gotten acquainted with. Aerith looked around a little uneasily at this now familiar interior. Wordlessly and abruptly, she made an impulsive decision and threw her arms around him once more in a silent expression of her gratitude. Cloud sighed softly, holding her tightly to calm her. He was truly confused but he'd rather not show it. He knew Aerith was looking for nothing but to be held, but he did not understand what made her seek this comfort so desperately. She'd suddenly just become so questioning and clinging right after...
Right after she'd gone to see Vincent.
Cloud sighed once more and released Aerith, letting her go where she would. He smiled wanly for her sake as he sunk to sit on the edge of the bed. She followed him immediately but rather than sit, she lay down, curled on her side, and rested her head in Cloud's lap. He blinked in surprise, gazing down at her; she seemed unaware of his uneasiness. Loose auburn curls obscured her expression and pale, irrationally determined features. Emerald eyes, half-closed with exhaustion, shone with a fierce light that further discomfited Cloud.
"Is something bothering you, Aerith?" He was hesitant to disturb her but he asked quietly anyway, worried about her overall well being. He lightly stroked her hair, strong hair with their tanned, callused digits surprisingly gentle.
"No, nothing, Cloud... I'm just overtired now." She shifted minutely, closing her eyes to dim their intense light. As an afterthought, she wrapped her arms tightly around herself.
He smiled with relief, still gently stroking her hair, his fingers trailing through the chestnut locks. "Sleep, then. I don't grudge you sleep when you are so clearly exhausted."
Aerith sighed softly and shifted once more, moving to find a more comfortable position on the edge of the bed. One small, delicate hand lifted to tuck auburn locks behind one ear. "Good night, then, Cloud. Thank you again." A small smile played at both corners of her lips as she drifted into a half-sleep, untroubled by night terrors. Cloud lay back, watching her for a long moment before he too closed his eyes, seeking repose as well. Aerith moved away from him unconsciously, curling her lithe body into a small, protective ball. An expression of beautiful tranquillity lit on her features at his rest devoid of dreams. Cloud turned a bit to curl beside the little ball she made. He smiled, still asleep, and passed one arm around her, pulling her close.
Aerith murmured softly, incoherently under her breath, unwinding somewhat and loosening her hold on herself. She wished to conform and fit against him, finding comfort for herself with his decidedly solid presence. He held her closer, subconsciously, understanding her need for closeness. It was one of the few things, Aerith found, that Cloud understood at all. He was very aloof and very oblivious most of the time, unless he wanted something. She found, however, he could understand her, or anyone for that matter, at a very basic level. She sighed softly and moved one hand to pull his arm tighter around herself, simply needing to be with him. Cloud's presence seemed to scare off the nightmares that lurked at the edge of her mind, nightmares born of her death and life. Cloud smiled, opening his eyes. He reached up with one hand, brushing her hair away and lowering his head to kiss the nape of her neck softly, ghost-like.
He would have been happy, content, just to hold her, had she not uttered such fateful words.
She stirred slightly against him, her frown returning faintly as she, her mind still murky with sleep, muttered quietly, "What? Vincent...?"
Cloud froze and could simply watch as jade eyes flew open, horrified, as she realized what she'd uttered. Aerith jerked upright to look at Cloud, clearly terrified of his reaction. He blinked once, slowly, staring at her before his frown returned in full, his mien going blank otherwise. He looked away from her. "No, Aerith... you are with me, not Vincent."
Aerith's eyes were wide, horrified. She nodded vehemently at his statement, tears burning behind emerald orbs. "I... I know that. I'm so sorry, Cloud. I didn't..." She chanced a glance at him once, praying silently for a response that wasn't furious, or worse, emotionless. She received the latter. He moved away from her, putting a huge distance between him, and laid his down back down on his pillow. Rolling over, he turned his back to her and refused to speak to her again, opting rather to lie in silence.
Aerith sighed despondently and curled herself back up, her chin tucked in towards her chest. Emerald eyes squeezed shut tightly, as if she could block everything out. It was hard to imagine how she could mess things up so badly on this, just her second day back from oblivion. It was hard to be the optimistic girl she had been once, though she tried valiantly. She tightened her arms around herself and fell uneasily back asleep, nightmares niggling at her mind and making her toss and turn fitfully the entire night.
Cloud grunted a bit before he closed his eyes to try and get back to sleep. It would be hard for him now. He tangled his legs in a blanket, then gave up the effort to cover himself. He was too upset to sleep now. Her simple, brainless utterance of Vincent's name had been like a slap to the face for him. He shifted less fitfully than she did, and eventually found peace in sleep.
Aerith, however, had moved to the foot of the bed to distance herself from Cloud's silently angry form, thanking her stars soundlessly that Vincent hadn't requested his cloak back from her yet. The last thing she wanted to do was disturb Cloud, but she'd just spent two years in a lake and her body temperature still fluctuated abnormally. The cloak proved the only warmth she'd find now. Plus, it gave her a feeble excuse to go see him in the morning. Aerith had resumed her sleep, surprisingly peaceful now for her hardened resolve.
Cloud did not rise with the sun as he had in his AVALANCE days. Aerith, however, did. She uncurled from her tightly wound position, surprisingly nimble for having slept in such a cramped manner. She rose, slipping off the bed and stretching herself out. Sighing softly, Aerith moved silently to the head of the bed and leaned over, brushing her lips softly against Cloud's forehead. She was sorry for what she'd done to him. She had never had any intention to do so; all she'd sought was peace and comfort and Vincent had been the first to offer even a ghost of either. She swept silently out of his room then, padding quietly down the adjacent stairs.
Cloud awoke a few moments after her kiss, sitting up slowly and looking around suspiciously a few times. Yawning, he stretched magnificently and shook his head to clear his thoughts before he began to scratch the back of it. "Hm... was it all a dream?"
Aerith stood just outside the Seventh Heaven, torn between going back and begging Cloud's forgiveness, and going to see Vincent. Idly, she fingered the edge of his cape, staring blankly at the sun-washed ground, light glinting off glossy chestnut locks with the angle of her head. She finally turned to glance back up at the bar, a soft smile lighting her features, her eyes sad. "Goodbye, Cloud." Turning around, she abruptly began to run for the mansion, Vincent's cape and her hair flying out behind her slender form as her pace never abated, even as she descended the spiral staircase hidden in one of the top floor's rooms. Outside Vincent's crypt, she halted suddenly and dropped to her knees, head bowed momentarily in prayer.
Then, rising to her feet with renewed purpose, she slipped silently into the tomb, her expression bleak as she thought on how Vincent forced himself to stay in such a place as this. Padding over to his coffin, she hesitated suddenly, still confused as to how to get his attention. Finally, she made a decision.
Lowering herself to her knees, she knocked decidedly on the lid of his coffin.
---
A/N: FIN! I figured it should be kind of long since I poofled on you guys... hope you liked it. Reviews? Maybe? I'd really appreciate it! Chapter 7 up soon with luck!