"…this entire time, you were hoping to find some traces of someone else in me…at some point you got over him and want to know me now?" he said calmly. "Had I fell in the church with different clothing, would you have noticed me and stuck around…or was it because of this get up and sword that you wanted me close because I reminded you of him, to protect you and to give you some hope that I was…?"
"…" Aerith looks down at her fidgeting hands feeling ashamed. It's true, she liked Cloud because she saw her first love in him, she wanted to know if he would somehow know about him and in time and their travels together, she started to fall for Cloud and wanted to know the 'real' Cloud.
"You projected him onto me, in love with his shadow…speaks volumes on how much you love and miss him." He states. "But…now," Cloud stares out the window and into the night sky, looking past the fireworks, a sight of temporary fixation. Behind that a night sky filled with stars, always burning in the background during the day and night.
A constant.
Reminds him of…
He reflects on the conversation they just had. All he wanted was to be accepted and noticed for who he was.
"H-how..do you feel about me?" Aerith asks hesitantly.
"Conflicted." Cloud says, feeling a bit betrayed by a dear friend. "Ever since our talk at Evergreen park, you mentioned about your first love. Thought it was odd to bring up during that time, on a 'date.' You'll always be special to me, you taught me so much, you're easy to be around and helped me to learn how to cherish every moment, and I love you for that. But…deep down, I know my heart belongs to someone else and it always has. She'sthe reason I..." Cloud stops abruptly before he realizes he was about to confess his motivation to join SOLDIER.
A pregnant pause passes and the cart starts to slow down.
"I hope you reunite with him and I'm sure you will." Cloud looks at her. "I'll continue to protect you. You are the last Ancient after all, feel like it's our duty to do so." Cloud states and nods.
"I'm sorry…I was being selfish and didn't consider your feelings. I knew you were destined to be together. You're both so intertwined...always finding your way back to one another" Aerith says sadly.
"Yeah…" Cloud's gaze returns to the night sky with a shy smile as he thought of rose coloured eyes.
"I miss him..." Aerith slightly chokes.
"We'll help you reunite with him." Cloud says affectionately and places his hand on top of hers and gently squeezes.
Their hearts belonged to someone else.
