Chapter 8: Strawberries & Cream
Disclaimer: Square Enix owns Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, its predecessor and all their characters.
A downpour of gold, the soft hues of the rising sun cresting with joy bathed the room in its glory. Aeris stirred amidst the tumbled covers of the bed. Sighing comfortably in the soft sheets, she pulled the blanket over her bare chest and tried to sit up. And as she did so, she became aware of a strong muscled arm wrapped possessively around her waist and a leanly muscled thigh wedged confidingly between her legs keeping her close.
Aeris smiled, even in his sleep, he had a natural instinct to keep her close to him. She rolled over to her side, propping herself up on one elbow, allowing his arm to rest comfortable around the curve of her hip and studied his sleeping face lovingly. Her fingers caressed his cheeks, feeling the smooth golden tanned skin glide beneath. His breathing was even and warm against her fingers, his full pale pink lips twitched a little under the contact. His blonde hair fell over his eyes creating a golden fan, giving him a look of unintended sensuality.
He looked just like a little boy sleeping like that, save for the quiet strength he possessed carved into that swell of natural muscle that was lean and stone hard and covered by skin that was surprisingly soft and warm like silk.
Aeris smiled and gently kissed his forehead.
She couldn't quite remember how she had come to be in Cloud's room in Costa del Sol. Twirling a lock of finely spun gold between her fingers, her brows furrowed slightly, lost in thought. Two words from the research papers jumping before her eyes from her memories… She sighed and gingerly touched the long clean scar on her abdomen, wondering what it meant…
Experiment: Success
--
A few hours before…
Cloud had taken out a small whistle from his pocket and blown. In a few moments, there came a soft "Wark!!" followed by a blur of gold and dust. Aeris's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sun-golden feathers of a chocobo that nuzzled its head against Cloud's cheek. Cloud smiled slightly and pulled out a handful of greens, letting the great bird nip away happily. "A gold chocobo?" Aeris queried, still awestruck. Cloud nodded stroking the great bird's head. "This is Cera. Cera, meet Aeris."
"Wark?" Cera cocked her head to one side, blue eyes wide open. Aeris laughed and stroked the great bird's head. "It's nice to meet you too." "Wark…" Cera purred fondly as she rubbed her head against Aeris's hair. "You know… She kind of looks like you." Cloud raised an eyebrow and Aeris burst out in peals of laughter, Cera had mimicked Cloud and done the exact same thing. He simply shrugged it off and held out his hand to Aeris and helped her onto Cera. "You need clothes." He stated simply, turning away as the makeshift dress robe hiked up her thighs. Aeris looked down and noticed her bottom peeking out from beneath the cloth. "You don't like the view?" she teased. "It's… Inappropriate." He finally came up, an invisible smile on his lips. "Ready to see everyone again?"
"Actually…" She started. Cloud looked at her curiously as he swung himself easily onto Cera. "Do you think you could give me a bit more time? Just to ready myself?" Aeris pleaded, a queer look in her eyes. "It's just that… I would like to spend some time with you… Alone. We've never really had that before." He searched her face for a while, decided that there was no point arguing with the girl of his dreams then nodded. "… So where would you like to go?"
"How about Gold Saucer?"
--
Aeris sat alone in the hotel room by the window, staring out into the sunset as she waited patiently for Cloud to return with food. "Room service is just so impersonal. I'll just head over to the grocer real quick so we can whip something up together." She had to admit, the mental projected image of Cloud in a frilly pink apron was hilarious, but the thought of actually doing something together made her feel special and her heart sing.
But now that she was alone in a room that seemed both surreal and very tangible, she was vulnerable to the thoughts, questions and emotions she since had pushed aside…
I can't believe I'm still alive… But she was scared, terrified of the implications of the experiments that had been performed on her. Would I hurt Cloud by being around him? No, she decided. Cloud was strong… And she trusted him with her life… Her second one. But can I really be sure?
She sighed, not knowing what to think nor what to do. Suddenly the sunset wasn't as appealing as it was initially.
There was a clack as the room door unlocked and a tousled Cloud came striding through with grocery bags threatening to spill over in his arms. Aeris's worries were momentarily forgotten and she had to laugh at this. "Did you buy the whole shop down?" "I wasn't sure what you wanted so I got a bit of everything." He stated completely serious as he put the grocery bags down on the speckles bar counter. "Gee… You don't have to be serious all the time you know…" Aeris skipped over and peered into one of the grocery bags, smiling as she saw something she adored and hadn't had in ages. She reached in and grabbed the whole punnett and a container of cream. "Strawberries!!" She squealed giddily, selecting a large, red strawberry. "Strawberries always go good together with cream don't you think?" Holding the juicy strawberry between her fingers, Aeris dipped it halfway into the frothy white cream. Capped in a layer of white, she brought the berry to her lips and bit down, red juice mingled with cream trickling down her chin. "So good!!" She squealed in delight, taking another bite before dipping another strawberry in cream and offering it to Cloud.
Cloud stared at the large red berry, regarding it cautiously before he took a small bite. The sweet, fresh taste of strawberry with the soft, frothy texture of sweet cream permeating his mouth. Chewing thoughtfully, Cloud raised a hand to cup Aeris's cheek and kissed away a dollop of cream at the corner of her mouth. Aeris giggled then nearly gasped aloud as he pulled away… At the warm and intimate look in his eyes. "Cloud?"
"I am not going to run anymore." He tilted her chin up and gently pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was electric and Aeris pressed herself against him, arms wrapping around his neck. The hand on her waist moved to her back, stroking along her spine while the other weaved its way through her hair. His tongue parted her lips and she moaned. Their need for each other was overwhelming. Finally breaking away for much needed air, he buried his face in the hollow between her neck and shoulder, holding her so close to him she could feel him trembling. "I love you…" He whispered brokenly. "Oh Gaia… Aeris… I love you so much…"
Aeris's emotions crested with joy at those three simple words and let herself lean into him, let the sensual warmth of his nearness surround her. She wanted to be closer to him, to feel his arms around her, to bask in the glow of their love for each other. "I love you too…"
Spring green and sapphire blue gazed at each other achingly. It was if Time herself had stopped, the moment felt as if their love had erased their painful past, enveloped their future, a future that could only be if they were together. I long for you… More than you can imagine. That is the irrevocable truth.
They moved at the same time, slow as a dream. With one hand at her throat and the other behind her head, Cloud brought his lips to hers, kissing her as if he'd never let her go, letting her feel the frustration he'd been suppressing for so long… Aeris's hands dove into his hair, the slick golden strands winding themselves around her fingers and she abandoned any hope of deliverance. She was drowning…
Without breaking away, Cloud lifted her and sat her on the counter, the forgotten strawberries pushed aside and tumbling to the floor in a series of small bounces. Aeris pulled him tightly against her, wrapping her legs around his waist. Leaning back, she pulled him on top of her. His kisses were like a drug, so addictive she just couldn't get enough. "Cloud…" she gasped. "Aeris…" he whispered unsteadily, the endearment flowing easily from his lips, as their clothes peeled off.
It was heaven, the intoxicating feel of his warmth against her skin, hands and lips that were caught in a tangle of desire and need. Then a hurting that felt good. So good that Aeris couldn't stop the breathless cries that sprang from her lips, her senses spinning far beyond her control…
--
Cloud stirred and blinked open ocean blue pools. Aeris gave him a small grin. "Hi there sleepyhead." His warm hand found its way to her face brushing against the soft skin gently. He smiled slightly, his bruised eyes filled with an aching tenderness that made Aeris's heart melt and whispered huskily. "…I'm not dreaming..."
Aeris giggled, bringing his palm to her lips and kissing it lightly. Their lovemaking had been many things, instinctive and passionate, a celebration of the senses. It was as if they were made for each other, their bodies melding perfectly with each other, like pieces of a puzzle "No… I'm as real as you want me to be." She groped the sheets and tried to pull it up to her neck; blushing slightly at how completely naked and open she was to his gaze but his hand prevented her. "Don't." he said softly, propping himself up with an elbow and pulling her close, looking down at her with tender eyes. "You're beautiful just the way you are."
"And fat." Said Aeris ruefully, but she made no further attempt to cover herself. When he looked at her like that, all her inhibitions slipped away, and she could almost believe it herself. "You're not fat."
Cloud assured her, bending his head to kiss her lips softly, so sweetly it was like a benediction. His hand slid possessively over the flat planes of her stomach. "I wouldn't have you any other way." Aeris trembled. "Even if… Things change?" she ventured huskily. "Nothing will change between us… Not after all that has happened." Cloud whispered, running long fingers down her spine, inciting a gasp from his angel. He smiled against her skin, planting soft lingering kisses along her neck.
"I'm never leaving you again…"
"Never… Letting you go."
Do you really mean that? Even if you find out…
What really happened to me?
--
(Moon-eyed) Ah… It felt so good to write such a fluffy chapter!! (Smiles) Who loves kisses? All hands? Anyways everyone! Good news! I've flipped a coin and it's HEADS!! So I've finally decided on the ending!! Happy or sad? Hmm… What do you guys think? (GRINS)
Aww… Cloud is such a softie… I really enjoy the challenge of writing his sensitive side, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside somehow?