-Cloud-

I felt an icy feeling creep up my spine as I saw how 'miniscule' our gondola was. It's not that I'm claustrophobic or anything… I would say I preferred one with a bigger cabin.

"Uh…" I turned to the guy who was standing by the platform where people enter the gondola ride. "Do you have a gondola with a wider room?"

The guy looked at me with lazy eyes, wiped the—ugh, disgusting—nasal mucus that started to trickle down his nose and shrugged.

"Dunno, man…" Then, realizing something, he placed his hands on his hips and grinned teasingly. Gaia give me the strength not to throw this man off the edge of this platform. "What's the matter? Ya afraid of enclosed spaces?"

I clenched my fists and squared my jaw in attempt to control the growing anger that was bubbling within me. I swear if Aerith weren't here, I would've thrown the man down the platform. Afraid? How dare he accuse me of cowardice? Why, I'll fight the monster Bahamut if it were standing in front of me right now! That'll show this pitiful, blue-collare—

"Cloud, let's go!"

Before I could even make my desire into reality, Aerith took my arm and dragged me inside the gondola. Lucky punk. As we went inside, I threw him a murderous look that made him flinch in fear. That's enough to piss his pants off! Satisfied, I took a seat opposite of Aerith and crossed my arms in front of my chest. Suddenly, the gondola made a wheezing sound followed by a couple of obnoxiously loud engine knocks. My heart almost leapt out my throat when the gondola started to move as the engine knocks grew louder.

"Hey!" I stuck my head outside the window of the cabin and looked for the irritating guy that made a smartass comment earlier. When I did found him, he was hacking away at the machine that seemed to be connected to our gondola. "What are you… more importantly, is this thing safe?"

He temporarily stopped beating the machine and saluted while showing me a toothy grin.

"Safe as a baby chocobo on a crib, sir!" He continued to whack the machine until the knocking sound quieted down and the gondola started moving. He grinned at me again and waved, like an actor waving at his fans. Damn, what I'd give to smack the guy! "The exit hatch is in the rear of the vehicle. Y'all enjoy the sights of Golden Saucer now~"

"Wha—hey, wait!"

It was too late to get off the gondola now. We were moving at a fast pace that steadily decelerated as we approached a curve that hugged the statue of Golden Saucer's owner. I closed my eyes and breathed heavily. I didn't bother to look at the sceneries. I just want this over and done with. Aerith must've noticed my lack of interest for she placed a gentle finger on my forehead.

"Oh, Cloud, don't be so tense. Look outside and see the beautiful sights~"

I sighed heavily as I relaxed a little bit. Might as well enjoy, or whatever that is. I uncrossed my arms and was about to follow Aerith's suggestion, but the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes… was her.

And my eyes never left her.

What is radiance?

If someone had asked me a week ago, I would've replied: My reflection on every lesser SOLDIERs eyes with my chest adorned with golden badges when I am promoted as one of the generals in the institution. That was my only goal in life, my only dream. I never aspired for anything else other than a position beside personages like Angeal. But, right now, that dream seemed like a distant memory. A memory that was once so vivid that gradually faded and was replaced by something palpable. If I were asked that question presently, I would've answered…

"Cloud?"

I blinked my eyes many times to orient myself to reality. These thought blackouts need to stop! I found Aerith staring at me with her wide curious green eyes. Those beautiful eyes that remind me of evergreen forests. I want to look at them forever.

Damn, stop it Strife!

"Are you okay, Cloud?" Aerith asked, leaning closer. "You look so stiff. Are you claustrophobic?"

It was only with that question that I realize I was gripping the handrail. I'm not claustrophobic! I wanted to say that out loud, but then, my outburst would make me look more pathetic than I already am. I wrenched my fingers from the steel bar and crossed my arms in front of my chest once more.

"Who's claustrophobic?" I replied almost immediately, turning my head into the darkness as I felt warmth creeping into my face. Gaia, don't make her see my face now.

Fortunately, Aerith returned her attention to the scenes outside with a giggle. After a few minutes, I stole a glance at her and totally faced her when I saw that her attention was completely fixed to the array of colours passing us by.

And here I thought I was the only one watching out for her…I smiled at her form that began to glow in the night. You are always watching out for me too, aren't you, Aerith?

I let out another sigh as I watch her ogle at the sights. A cheerful melody started to play from the speakers that hung outside the gondola, signalling the blooming of another set of fireworks that began to adorn the night sky. Aerith's smile grew wider and with innocent laughter, clapped her hands. The lights from outside shone upon her, forming a halo that surrounded her.

She was like a saint; a person untainted by the ugliness of the world, a light that would save the world from darkness.

"I was once so scared of the sky. It seemed so big and wide and immensely vast that I thought it would swallow me whole." I watched her lips move as she lowered down her head. "I was scared with a lot of things, actually…"

Aerith was biting her lower lip and her fingers played nervously with each other.

I never knew that she was frightened of some things. Ever since I met her, I knew her to be this full-grown woman, strong and brave. Right now, she has shown me a whole new side to her, a side she might haven't shared with someone else.

It's okay, I wanted to say. I wanted to enclose her hands into mine and look into her eyes. You don't have to speak of those things now. Take it easy. We… we'll have all the time in the world. That's why…

"But, when I met you, things changed… I changed…"

She faced me now; her eyes reflected the spectrum of lights that brightened the sky. Her emerald eyes were like the sea, which I had the scarce luck to see only once; but at that one moment, the sight had burned into my mind forever. I was looking at that scene again, only it took form of a girl that I had began to have these feelings for. I was gazing at a whole different person from whence I left that ill-fated inn by the countryside.

"You opened my eyes, Cloud. You showed me that not everything in this planet is made of anger, greed and hatred."

Her words confused me. "But, I didn't do anything special."

"You might think that, but what you did, what you continue to do, to me, it is everything." She leaned closer to me, her fingers reaching for my face. "Cloud… I…"

When she was about to touch my skin, the gondola suddenly went up the trail to a higher course. Aerith was thrown out of balance and landed directly into my arms! She let out a small shriek and hugged me tightly. I looked down at her and saw colour creep into her face, and saw the same thing happening to me in her eyes. We stared each other for a few seconds and laughed at our awkwardness! But, when the laughter died down, she buried her face in my neck and breathed in my scent. I sincerely hope she doesn't find me pungent. After all, we chased each other halfway through Golden Saucer.

"You smell nice, Cloud."

My chest swelled from only hearing her words and I brought her closer to me; then I realized... she fits perfectly with me. It felt like I was born for her, and she for me. I can't imagine having lived a life before I met her. No, I never lived. All my life I was always running, not knowing where to go, not knowing what I'm becoming. But, she appeared to me like a light that promised hope within the darkness. And I know, I'll never be lost if she's with me, if she'll go with me. I want to be with her always. I want to protect her and envelop her with warmth. She will never have to live alone ever again.

"Let's run away, Aerith."

-Aerith-

My eyes widened at his words. As I look upon him now, gone was the confused, awkward blonde SOLDIER that I met a few days ago. In his place was a determined, confident person who wanted to take on the world. His cerulean blue eyes softly sparkled as they gazed upon mine. I didn't know if it was because of the lights of Golden Saucer that surrounded us, or that the moon had showered our gondola with luminous light, but the radiance that exuded from his eyes has shown me a glance of his true self.

But why, I wonder? Why is my heart burdened with his words? What prompted him to say these things when he has a goal he has to attain? When he has a dream that he so desired that he would do anything for it? I left the warmth of his arms and with furrowed brows, shook my head.

"Why Cloud?"

He took my hands in his and brought them to his chest. I can feel his steady heartbeat in my fingertips and realized how special each beat was to me.

"Because I want to protect these hands," he said so tenderly, so longingly that tears began to gather at the ends of my eyes. He was so fragile, and yet he... "I won't let the institution do anything to you. So, come with me Aerith, please."

Yes, I want to go with you. Wherever that may be, I know I'll be safe if I'm with you. These words were stuck at my throat. I pressed my lips together and turned away from him. When my hands left his, I knew that I'd break his heart. Did he have one though? Was this another plot, another scam that the institution taught him? Whatever his reason was for this change of heart, I didn't care anymore. I may be wrong, I may be putting my life on the line... but I knew something now. Something so clear, something I've been holding on to since we left the inn.

I returned to my seat that was opposite from him and gazed outside the window again. The fireworks looked like fully bloomed flowers painted onto a dark canvas we call the sky. Their residues fell down like a rain of light that showered the drought and dreary world below.

I returned my eyes to him and beamed brightly. "I never got to thank you, Cloud, for bringing me out here."

The blonde's look of confusion turned to one of regret as he stared at the display of light outside. "I should've never brought you here. We should've just stayed at the inn and never left." He lowered his head now, his lips quivering. "Gaia knows what would happen if you stepped into the institution! We... we should've never met... I... I should've never met you... I should've never met you..."

"You're right, we should've never met."

Cloud averted his eyes to mine, surprised at my agreement of his statement.

"If we didn't meet, I would still be at the inn. I would be living my life simply within that piece of land I love so much. If we never met, I would be alive..." With a tender smile I placed my hand atop his. "But, that's not living. You brought me to the outside world where everything is beautiful and new! I would've never experienced anything if we didn't meet. I wouldn't have met Mr. Henrick, Mr. Fred, the children... I wouldn't have seen their smiles or feel their kindness. I wouldn't have experienced the thrill of starring in a play, or have my breath taken by the sight of fireworks that I only read in books. All of these experiences, these memories... I owe all of this to the moment we met."

"We should never have met Cloud... But, I'm glad we did." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for bringing me here."

The blonde furrowed his eyebrows as he scooped my hands into his and concealed his face with them.

"Please consider it, Aerith... We don't have to go to the institution. We can go anywhere you want to go, but please..."

I slowly lowered my head to bump into his and nodded.

"Okay."