by Ruff Collie
Chapter One: Sephiroth's Problem
Heat radiated from the fringes of the pulsing sun, slowly but surely creating heavy layers of humidity in the suffocating air. It was only noon, but the temperature was already a blistering ninety-five degrees farenheit. August's sky was filled with puffy clouds that meandered through the blindingly blue sky slowly, seemingly without any purpose or direction. The saturated air threatened to force sweat out of every pore on the human body; those braving the streets obeyed this warning. Myriads of people hurried through the town, their colorful collage of light clothing brightening up the gloomy atmosphere. Wide brimmed hats and glossy sunglasses were in no short supply in Costa Del Sol, and it seemed every store and kiosk was stocked to the breaking point with the latest trends.
Aeris Gainsborough was taking all of this lovely summer scenery in from a window on the top floor of Costa De Sol's inn. The Ancient was curled up on a cushioned chair, blissfully cool under the relentless AC unit. She sighed, leaning back and closing her eyes with a satisfied grin. This weekend was already shaping up to be amazing, and it was all because she had taken a risk she normally wouldn't have.
'Ah,' Aeris thought with a smirk, 'Everything went just too perfectly. Mom going away for the week on a trip to see her sister plus Seph actually having some time off equals a secret super awesome fun weeklong trip with Seph to Costa Del Sol!'
The flower girl giggled a bit, reluctantly pulling herself up from her comfortable roost to wait by the door. Sephiroth was down the street at a local resturant, grabbing himself and Aeris some dinner; he would be back any moment now. A soft smile crept on to Aeris' face as she thought back on the past three weeks with Sephiroth. The couple were practically cemented to each other when they actually had time to spend together; Sephiroth was always terribly busy with the war in Wutai, so shared time wasn't very common. This weekend even happening had been a blessing in itself. So what if it was technically illegal?
The mahogany door suddenly slammed open as a very annoyed looking Sephiroth stode in, startling Aeris so much that she nearly fell from her newfound perch on the bed. Curious, the Ancient peeked up at her disgruntled lover.
"Uhm, Sephiroth...?" she questioned uncertainly, eyeing him in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"I'll tell you what's wrong, damnit!" Sephiroth snapped, unceremoniously dropping a bag that presumeably held food on the small table unit in the room.
"Well?" Aeris prodded, crawling on to one of the chairs by the table.
"Fucking hormonal fourteen year old girls, that's what!" the general seethed, throwing himself down on to the other chair. "I can't go anywhere in this city without sunglasses, otherwise I'll be mobbed!"
Resisting the extremely strong urge to break out into laughter at this image, Aeris busied herself with opened the bag sitting innocently on the table. Her senses were immediately assaulted by the delicious aroma of Wutain delicacy; the flower girl felt her mouth water and her stomach rumble. She hadn't had anything to eat since her and Sephiroth had 'fled' Midgar.
"I'm sure you'll be okay, Seph," Aeris said idly, sighing happily as she chewed on some appatizing fried rice. "You've survived worse battles, I'm sure."
Sephiroth grimced.
"There is NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING worse that a militia of sexually depraved women who 'want to rub your hot body down with coconut oil and muss up your sexy, perfect hair.'"
Aeris choked on a bit of chicken as she heard this; she buried her face in her hands to hide her laughter, faking a cough.
"E-Excuse me," the Ancient wheezed, turning her back and heading towards the bathroom.
"Are you okay, Aer?" Sephiroth asked her retreating form, his face creased with concern, "Do you need anything?"
"N-No!" Aeris managed to force out, slamming the bathroom door shut behind her. "I'm just g-going to go get my bathing suit on! Say, l-let's go to the beach after this!"
Sephiroth resumed his meal, confused when he heard what sounded like insane laughter eminating from the bathroom.
"I hope she's okay..." the general muttered, staring down at his plate, "Food from Wutai has some pretty strange effects..."
oooooooooooooooooo A/N: Hah! First installment of 'The Beach Vacation Adventure' completed. I'm actually attempting humour! Gasp! I know this wasn't that great(or long for that matter), but this is only the beginning! Yes, it is a companion fic of sorts to Promises and Smiles - it's just a random vacation Aer and Seph decide to take during their first two months together.
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