Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters.
A/N: Ugh… I want to apologize about the overly rushed feel of the previous chapter. Well, that's what happens when I write something on a whim… Hopefully, this one will make up for it (hopefully)!
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07. Under The Colored Lit Sky
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"I hate to say this again, Leon, but why is this banner still here?" Yuffie yelled, furious that Leon still hadn't put up banner she had asked him to that morning.
"I'll get it up soon." He assured, only half paying attention to her.
It had been a week since Leon witnessed the eye-popping event at the postern. But he had kept it to himself and tried being normal around others. It was hard for him to pretend nothing was wrong, but the last thing he wanted to do was bring others down with him. He had spoken to Aerith several times after the incident, and she also acted as if nothing happened. But… she and Cloud were with each more often now. Leon spoke to Cloud once, but it was only when he asked for help about the Hollow Bastion events that were coming up.
It was the first anniversary of the day Hollow Bastion was saved by Sora, the Keyblade Wielder. All the citizens also felt it was about time they brought back the town's former name as well- Radiant Garden. During the time of the preparations for the celebration, Leon was kept so busy that he forgot about his personal issues. But it had allowed him to speak with Aerith about other things other than their personal lives. And if it was possible, he had been more… cheerful.
He grabbed the banner that Yuffie had told him to put up. It was completely red and made of a special material that wouldn't get drenched if it rained. In big yellow letters, it read, "Radiant Garden". The banner was to be put up at the postern where the main events were always held. Rolling it up neatly, Leon carried it under his arm and headed for the postern. There were already plenty of people volunteering to help (practically the whole town) so he could put up the banner there without a problem. When he arrived, there was already a set of ropes and ladders there for him to use.
"What took you?" Cid grunted. "I was expecting you here since this morning!"
"I was busy." Leon said, unrolling the banner as Cid took the other end. Each attached hooks to the holes on the end and motioned for the men helping to haul it up. Once it was hauled up, the bright yellow and deep red attracted much attention.
"If only Aerith could see this." Leon thought, a bit depressed that she wouldn't be able to see it until later that day. She knew the banner was going to be put here, but she would be too busy helping in the marketplace to look at it now. However, she had been looking forward to seeing it. Leon wondered if Aerith was going to see it with Cloud… that was even more depressing.
"Nice job." Tifa said, walking up to Leon and Cid smiling. "I hope it doesn't rain."
"Yeah." Leon agreed.
"The only problem we'll have is the food getting wet." Cid obviously didn't seem to care if it rained or not as long as he wasn't the one outside getting wet. "Well, I better go and double check if it'll rain or not." He walked off quickly, as if the rain would fall any minute.
"We had this same celebration for Hollow bastion once." Tifa said, staring reminiscently at the banner. "But it seems like so long ago."
"Yeah. We'll be doing this again next year… but it'll be for Radiant Garden."
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When Leon reached the market place, he noticed that most of the tables and stalls had already been set up and ready to go. All that was left were the finishing touches. Aerith was there too holding a clipboard. Leon walked up to her. She looked up and smiled at him awkwardly. Ever since the day at the postern, Aerith had seemed more awkward around Leon. He knew why but didn't push it to ask. He didn't want to talk about it anymore than she did.
"How is everything?" Leon asked, taking a look at her list.
"Everything's going along well." She replied, handing him the clipboard. "Once the tables are out, we can start setting up the food."
Leon checked the list over. Then spotted something that he had to read twice to make sure it was really there.
"Fireworks?" he said aloud, still rereading the word.
"Um… No one told you?"
"No…"
"Well, at the last minute everyone suddenly said they wanted to launch fireworks at the Great Maw." Aerith explained. "I'm sorry, I should've told you beforehand."
"No, it doesn't matter." Leon gave her back the clipboard. "It's just that I wasn't expecting there to be fireworks."
"I wasn't either, but I think it's a great idea." Aerith circled the word "Fireworks" then lifted her hand to move her bangs from her face. For a second, her fingers brushed against her lips and it brought back painful memories to Leon. To avert his attention to something else, he asked, "When is the fireworks display going to start?"
"They haven't decided yet. But I'm pretty sure it might not be until much later tonight when it's dark."
"I see." Leon looked around for Cloud. When he couldn't find him, he told Aerith that he would see her later and took off. If Cloud wasn't helping like he was supposed to then he'd have to find work for him. If he could find him, that is. The only other places to look for would be back at the Postern or the Great Maw. They were both close by, so he headed for the Great Maw and to his luck, Cloud was there setting up the mounts that the fireworks would be put in. The town citizens that were also working there greeted Leon warmly; Cloud simply looked up and silently acknowledged him then returned to his work.
"How are things?" Leon asked, lending a hand.
"There's no trouble here." Cloud answered. He and Leon were having their own issues to deal with, but they didn't let that get through to the fact that they both were still friends. But for how long they didn't know.
"What are you doing here?" Asked Cloud.
"To help."
"You sure about that?"
"Yeah."
"Or are you here for something else?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.
"I don't want to talk about that."
"Neither do I."
Leon threw a piece of a mount support at Cloud. Cloud caught it and glared at him.
After a second of cold stares, Leon smirked and said, "You're going to need that piece if you want to finish that mount you're working on."
Cloud looked astonished for a moment, and looked over the piece he held in his hand. Then he couldn't help but chuckle a little too. "Let's just get this job over with." he said, placing the mount in its respective position. Leon agreed, and with help from the other town citizens they had no problems finishing up. By the time they finished, it only felt like they had started.
"This should be it." Leon scanned each mount carefully then turned to the town citizens. "I'll leave the rest to you." Then he bid them goodbye and they got back to placing the fireworks in their proper places. It was already getting dark, which meant it was about the perfect time to set up the fireworks before setting them off.
"Are you going back?" Leon asked Cloud.
"Yeah."
"Let's go back then." Leon started walking.
"What?" Cloud stared at Leon's back, puzzled.
Leon turned around, looking serious. "I don't think Aerith wants to watch the fireworks alone."
"…You're right."
But when Cloud took a step, Leon looked skeptical at him.
"What about Tifa…?" Leon's words struck Cloud hard. He hadn't thought about her for a while.
"I'll think of something." Cloud continued walking. Leon followed, wondering what he was thinking.
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"Oooh! I can't wait to see the sky lit up with sparks!" Yuffie squealed. Everyone from town, or at least the ones still awake to see the fireworks display, were all waiting at the postern. It was already very late, and everyone was looking forward to the show. Leon stood in the very back of the crowd- with Aerith. Cloud had suddenly suggested that Leon watch the fireworks with her. When Leon asked why Cloud was saying such things, Cloud replied, "You should settle some things with her." Then walked away. There was no doubt that he was with Tifa now.
"They should be starting any time now." Aerith looked at the sky. "We've been waiting too long already."
"Yeah." Leon noticed that there weren't that many stars in the sky. A perfect night for fireworks. But for the moment, the empty sky looked a bit lonely. It made Leon feel more anxious when he thought about what he was going to ask Aerith later that night.
"Oh, by the way, where's Cloud?" Aerith looked through the crowd in search of Cloud's bright blonde hair.
"He's watching the fireworks with Tifa."
"Oh… is he?" Aerith looked disappointed. Leon stared at her, just noticing that Aerith had often looked a bit lonely whenever Cloud was with Tifa.
"Does she feel more for Cloud than for me?" Leon wondered. Maybe the reason Aerith was so oblivious to Leon's feelings because she was somewhat more involved with Cloud. That would make sense…
"It's taking so long!" They heard Yuffie whine. And she was right, it was nearing midnight and everyone was getting tired.
Since it seemed they would be waiting for a while, Leon decided that maybe he should ask Aerith what he wanted to know while he had the chance. Aerith was a little ways in front of him, her back facing him. Before Leon could get her attention though, a sudden boom pierced through the mutters of the people.
"It's starting!" cheered Yuffie, jumping up and down.
Each time a boom was heard, people cheered along with Yuffie. Aerith hadn't uttered a word, but from her expression she was breathless at the beautiful sight of colors disappearing in the sky. Leon stood beside her. When he saw how speechless she was, he couldn't help but smile.
"How long has it been since we've seen fireworks as beautiful as this?" Aerith finally said, still appearing breathless.
"A long time." Leon replied, also taking in the sights.
"It would be nice if we could do this each year."
"Yeah."
"But I wonder…" Aerith looked away from the colorful sky, her face a bit sad. "…What is Cloud thinking right now?"
Just when Leon had forgotten about his worries, they came back again. The question he wanted to ask her was stuck on his mind again as her sad face was glued to his eyes.
"Aerith… I want to ask you something." He began. She looked up at him, and he hesitantly asked, "Is it alright… if I love you?"
She blinked, dumbstruck. "Why… are you asking this so suddenly?"
"I just need to know if it's alright with you." Leon spoke carefully; trying not to let his emotions control him. "Because if you don't feel the same way… then it'll be fine with me. I just need to know…"
No one was able to hear what Leon had said over the loud booms of fireworks exploding in the sky. Only Aerith did. She turned away, as if trying to avoid answering his question, looking a bit troubled.
"I… I have mixed emotions right now…" Aerith looked away. "About you… about Cloud…"
"…Do you love him?" Leon dared to ask.
When Aerith didn't answer, it was Leon's turn to look away in despair.
Boom!
Boom!
The fireworks continued exploding in the background. But to Leon and Aerith, all seemed quiet. Though feeling depressed and forlorn, Leon lifted Aerith's face with both hands and said quietly enough so only she could hear, "I'm… I'm alright with you loving another. But please… if I don't ever get a chance again, let me kiss you just this once…"
He bent down and kissed her soft lips. After seconds of what seemed like an eternity, their lips broke away and they stared into each other's eyes. Leon's hands still gently held onto Aerith. He let them fall to his side and said to her, "You can hate me. But I won't regret it."
Aerith only looked up at him, as if his kiss stole her words.
Though they didn't speak to each other for the rest of the night, they stayed by each other's side, quietly watching the sky light up in colors.