He knew he cannot keep on avoiding this situation any further. If he let Genesis have his way, he'll definitely destroy everything in his path, everything the three of them have built together. He stared across him defiantly, a single immovable force to be reckoned with. He had easily killed his fragile army, most probably because their commander was fragile as well.
"What are you planning to do now? There's nowhere for you to go from here on." Sephiroth demanded, standing his ground.
"If you wouldn't let me to the laboratories then I guess I need to destroy it from where I'm standing."
Even when his army was annihilated he's still unfazed. That alone deserved praise, Sephiroth thought. Back when they lead the first Wutai War, it was the same. Many soldiers have marvelled on his display of strength and determination. He was a sight to behold.
"You can try." The silver-haired man replied tauntingly. Genesis's face turns into anger.
He was met with an all out attack, sword magic flying towards him in rapid successions. He needed to disable his attacks or he'll wreck the very ground they stood at. He deflected most of it with a swing of his sword, sending the rain of fire at all directions, destroying anything it came in contact with. He lunged towards him in a swift motion, swords clashing heavily. Genesis had weakened considerably, he immediately noticed. The red head parried and imbued more magic into his sword, as he tried to create a distance between them. Sephiroth only closed the distance even more, not giving him any space to manoeuvre. He pushed and pushed forward until they reached the farthest wall, frustration settling clearly on Genesis features. Cornered, he then summoned all the magic he had imbued on his weapon, in a desperate attempt to regain advantage. An explosion engulfed them both, the glass walls shattering behind him from its sheer force. The next thing he knew was the feeling of falling, as the silver haired man sent the both of them flying outside, sixty-seven floors down.
Sephiroth felt as their fall had been broken by a flurry of feathers, one that had sprouted behind Genesis's back, and the other, flapping behind him. He was caught and carried swiftly onto the rooftop by Angeal, Genesis following suit.
"What are you, exactly?" Sephiroth demanded as he shrugged Angeal away, wide-eyed, sword poised once more for battle.
"An abomination, just like you." Genesis replied in what seemed to be a triumphant tone. He looked like an Angel of death, a single, menacing, dark wing on sight. Sephiroth shivered uncontrollably, face pallid.
"Lies."
"It's true Sephiroth. The three of us are all created this way after all." Angeal interjected, situating himself beside Genesis, sword drawn. A single white wing hung on his right shoulder, a stark contrast from the ebony feathers that Genesis had.
"Then why are you dying?" The silver haired man asked, calculating eyes gauging the both of them.
"Because I am imperfect unlike the both of you! "The redhead shouted, seething hatred overflowing.
Sephiroth felt dumbfounded. What is he talking about? They were but mere orphans that Shinra had taken under their wing. They may have their lives forfeited, but it was a small exchange for strength, glory and honour. At first he thought he was the only one, until they came, both suffering the loss of their family. He had none to begin with, but he didn't ask, because he wanted and needed nothing else. He had everything he could ever hope for. He even had friends—or so he thought.
"All of this—for nothing. I'm going to rot away and get treated as a failed experiment. I am going to die not even knowing who I really was—" The red head continued as his voice shook along with his body.
"I am going to take everything with me."
"Genesis—don't!" Angeal felt panic rise within him, watching as Genesis tries to summon the being inside of him. He will get totally consumed by it with his current state, overtaking him and his weak body completely. He turns to the stupefied silver haired man at once.
"Go now, I'll stop him. I'm begging you Sephiroth—leave now." Angeal implored in urgency.
Sephiroth doubted his plan but he cannot do anything against the desperate look on his eyes. He can stay here and make the situation worse, or he can leave them be and go on empty handed. And so he obliged in utter reluctance and dashed to the nearest exit, sparing one last glance of the two. This would probably be the last time that he'll see them both. He stopped on his tracks and watched them. He had lost. In the end he was defeated by his stubbornness. After all this time, they had never treated him as their equal. A blinding light had enveloped the both of them now; only their silhouettes can be seen from afar. Sephiroth thought it looked like a dying sun, bright, deadly, yet beautiful.
He had always been beautiful in his eyes.
"Genesis—you can stop now. He's gone." Angeal said as he walked towards Genesis, wincing against the blinding light that burned his skin. There was nothing left but a hot, smouldering feeling. He reached out to his changing form, grasping him tightly.
"It'll be okay—I.. I won't let you turn into a monster—"
"It's okay now—"
Angeal pleaded, as he absorbed the uncontrollable energy that Genesis released. He was perfect after all. He can take all of it—all this light, all this pain, all this fear, all this anger. He took all of it in an unwavering embrace as he continued to plead him to stop. He took all of it until his body felt like it's about to implode upon himself. He took all of it until there was nothing left but the tears that were undoubtedly falling from his eyes. His whole body buzzed from within. He can feel the feathers as it fell from his back, one after the other. It was done.
"Angeal—"
He heard his soft voice against his ears, and he tightened his embrace until his arms and legs gave away. His fall was caught in return, and he was brought closer. And he lay there, his head between Genesis's arms and chest.
"Im sorry, Angeal—"
The brunet man heard him say, and he smiled albeit his numbing body. Genesis was crying fully now, he realized. He reached up a hand with difficulty to cup his face, looking at him once more. His blue eyes were glistening. Drops of warmth and despair fell and dripped onto his face. He had decided since the beginning, there was nothing for him to forgive. He already knew this day would come. There was only one thing he could do, and that was to stay by side until the end. There might be nothing to gain, but there was everything for him to lose if Genesis dies. He just couldn't let it happen. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself. He tried to wipe his tears away with his gloved hand.
All these precious tears—I hope it was for me. Angeal thought wishfully as the redhead cried in silence.
"You can stop now, Genesis. It's okay—you've done everything you could—"
The two of us alone cannot change the world.
They were after all, too small and too consumed by their personal motives to even leave a dent in a world that is much bigger and cruel. The sun was setting now, and Angeal felt at peace, cradled against Genesis. They both watched the heavens that were ablaze, until the last of light can be seen on the horizon. Everything else felt distant and unimportant. He felt utterly tired and burned out.
"Let's go home, Angeal."
He heard Genesis say, and he smiled, closing his eyes. He was already at home.
.
Cloud did go to the Soldier's infirmary nonetheless after being petrified on the spot most probably from shock like Zack. He had lost his sense of time and had not managed to do anything else. He scanned the expansive room for the brunet, but he guessed that the professor would have taken him somewhere that is more suited for the severely injured. Dismayed, the blonde almost didn't notice someone calling out to him more than once.
"Hey Cloud— You okay there?" The blonde snapped out of his obviously worried state and whipped his head on both directions, looking for the Soldier that called him. It was definitely Kunsel's voice, Cloud thought, scanning the beds once again for the helmed guy. He felt confused when a brown-haired Soldier waived at him, calling his attention. He knitted his brow in return until he dumbly realized that it was Kunsel.
"Cloud—what are you doing here? Are you hurt? You've got blood all over—Ahh, I guess you can't recognize me after all huh." The Soldier continued waving for him to come closer. The blonde did, and grabbed a nearby stool to sit beside him. He was rather normal-looking, Cloud decided, without his helmet; a brown bed-head hair with equally brown eyes.
"What happened to you?" Cloud promptly asked, not being able to drown his ever growing concern.
"A great deal of ex-Soldiers ambushed us and as you can see, we got destroyed completely due to our lack of numbers. They were—a freaky bunch of Genesis copies if I say so. If you saw them you'd be really unnerved. They operate like a hive mind—I shiver just from the thought of it—" Kunsel trailed off, and Cloud saw the stroke of fear in his eyes.
"Yeah I saw them. They were—I think Zack managed to stop them."
The blonde cannot say how it was more frightening to see the carnage that Zack had left on the Third's lobby. It was utterly brutal. That thought alone made him wonder what it would feel like to be sent on an actual Wutai War. Soldiers will have to slaughter each other and bathe in their blood if they needed to; if it meant winning or surviving.
"I'd be dead meat by now if it wasn't for him, really." Kunsel replied, face serious. Cloud felt conflicted whether to tell him or not that the brunet was severely injured in return. He does not want to guilt-trip his friend, he thinks, so didn't say a thing. The blonde jumped when the phone on his pocket vibrated, and immediately checked it. Luxiere was calling him.
"Sir." The blonde replied shortly, opting to just listen. His hand trembled slightly, and he tried to control it.
"Cloud, where are you? Go check the infantry's infirmary. I got a call just now that our squad got ambushed as well. Check out the situation. I'll be there in a minute." Cloud's heartbeat throbbed forcefully. If things weren't bad enough already, now there's this.
"Alright Sir." The blonde replied albeit the mass the seemed to have gotten stuck in his throat. He hung up and regarded the Soldier beside him, politely excusing himself. His stress and his nerves had gone through the roof at this point, as he walked briskly towards the bloodied halls that are being cleaned up and to the elevators going down below. Gaia forbids if his friends got hurt badly as well. Why is everyone intent on getting hurt anyway? He didn't realize he was running as he burst to the infirmary, looking for the familiar form of Ramza and Delita. He soon found the blonde seated on the waiting stools by the lobby, looking dishevelled. He saw him in return and he got up, sprinting towards his direction. He was hugged tightly and he instinctively returned it, because he was hurting as well, even if not physically. He pushed him gently away afterwards, inspecting the other blonde.
"I got shot by the arm but I'm alright, Delita—that idiot thought it's cool to catch bullets—"
Ramza trailed off as he started to shake, visibly trying to fight his tears. Cloud's hands tightened on his arms in return, and watch him collect himself.
"Is he—going to be alright?" Cloud asked gently, his gaze still fixated on Ramza's now ashen face.
"Delita's in critical condition. If it weren't for his helmet he probably got shot on the head as well. I had never wanted to kill someone so badly until that moment, Cloud—" The blonde trailed off once again, eyes wide. Cloud reached out to his head instead, and ruffled his hair.
"Did you get him?"
"Yes. I shot him. I'll be damned if I didn't hit him. He's alone after all. We just drove away from there as fast as we can but two grunts have died before we managed to get here. And then I saw that First—he didn't pay any mind to us at all and just watched as we leave."
"Maybe we should've stayed instead—" Cloud blurted out as the guilt started bubbling in his gut. Ramza pulled away from him at that instant, a disbelieving look forming in his face.
"Stop—don't say anything. Nothing will change even if we blame ourselves at this point. I know you have your reasons. We aren't that incompetent either—though we were caught by surprise." Cloud's hand tightened to a ball as Ramza's face dissolved back to worry.
"Was it Genesis?"
"No, it was Angeal Hewley. He destroyed the reactor, I think. You know Cloud, I was starting to wonder, just—why would they do that?"
Cloud can see the burning question as it swirled on Ramza's amber eyes. All this time he didn't concern himself with other people's motivations unless it affected him or his family directly. He knows very well that if he was still on the streets he'll never give two shits over it. But it had become too much for him to ignore. If those reasons are hurting the ones that are important to him—then he's sure as hell that he would stick his business into it.
The ultimate testament to it was Zack's complete and utter regret towards everything that was happening. You can pretty much hold that guy hostage as long as you involve someone innocent. He had wished he would stop being like that just a tiny bit, but at the core of his being, was a selfless guy who wants to save everyone. Take it away and he will crumble—and it hurt him deeply seeing him like that.
"All I know is there are things that we're not allowed to know yet, unless we become Soldiers as well."
"How about you? You look worse actually. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Don't worry about me. It's Luxiere who might get the short end of the stick."
The blonde sighed deeply. Ramza wanted to ask Cloud more as he gazed into darkened blue eyes but he completely diverted the attention from himself. He had closed in, once again.
.
The days have dragged on as Shinra slowly pulled itself together. All the damage has been accounted for, all the injured and all the lives lost, and yet Cloud still haven't heard anything from Zack. He had exchanged emails with Kunsel back and forth and he doesn't have any idea where he was either. Gaia knows how many times he had ventured to the Soldier's infirmary but to no avail. Where is he? Where did Hojo take him? He was broken to bits the last time they were together and he cannot get him out of his damned mind. He felt like going crazy thinking about him, he cannot even sleep at night. He doesn't want to worry Ramza because the poor guy's already worrying too much about his friend. Damnit. It felt like everything is closing into him, and he doesn't know who and where to turn to. He dismissed his obsessive thoughts as the elevator stopped at the 49th floor.
He felt nothing in contrast as he stood before the director of Soldier, Lazard Deusericus. He stared at him blankly, his words not registering in his mind. It seemed like Shinra is promoting recruits left and right, including him. He felt completely detached from reality. The blonde man probably noticed him as he stopped talking, and regarded him curiously.
"You don't seem to be excited about this, aren't you?" The director then asked, a small smile grazing his face. Cloud cannot deny the obvious. He wouldn't even try. Just what is the point of all this, when the reason for him joining is gone? At first he had thought his family was enough, but he realized he wanted more things in his life. He realized he could dream, and that dream could become a reality if he just worked hard for it. He then realized he could love –love someone more than anyone else, more than himself. But now he was suddenly gone.
"I just didn't expect it to be this soon sir." Cloud replied dully.
"I see. I remember two particular Soldiers that were fond of you. I think they'll be proud, regardless of the circumstance. You're from the slums, correct?"
"Yes sir."
"I was too. I grew up with a single mother. Our life there was a bit difficult but we get by. I always thought that when I get to Shinra I would be able to do something about the situation down below but I guess I applied for the wrong post. Isn't that the reason why you're also here?" Lazard replied, his kind eyes still observing Cloud.
"It was sir—but things got a bit complicated since then."
"I understand your sentiments. Do you need more time to sign the papers?" The blonde man asked, pushing the contract towards the recruit's direction.
Cloud regarded the piece of paper on the desk and reached for the pen. He thought when this day comes he would feel accomplished, proud and ecstatic, but it was the complete opposite. There was nothing there but a gaping void. No pat in the back or a joyous smile from Zack. There's just nothing.
He breathed out the air he was holding in. He glanced at Lazard and he was still regarding him patiently. It felt like he was back at square one. It felt like that night when he was alone by the playground in the slums. It seems like he needed to gamble once again. Until he finds the whereabouts of Zack, he's gonna suck it up. This is what he does best. If he needs to turn Shinra upside down then he will. If they order him to fight for whatever cause there was then he would. But he'll surely get to the bottom of this mess. He had done it before, and he can do it again. He knows Zack's alive and they better be keeping him that way. Until then, he will be their obedient Soldier.
"No sir, I have decided."
.
"I'm gonna take you home." Ramza said as he stared at his friend. He still look pained but he guessed the Mako did help a lot on his speedy recovery.
"Only if you're going home with me." Delita replied curiously, watching the blonde that's seated beside his bed. The blonde sighed an exasperated sigh and averted his eyes. Delita can't help but feel happy even in his injured state because the blonde hasn't left the side of his bed since. He may sound like a maniacbut it made him feel rather important.
"I hate you, you know—"
"Yeah..?"
"Stop smiling you idiot—don't do things like that! You almost got killed!" The blonde replied in a desperate, hushed tone, brows knitting. Delita always adored his anger for he never raises his voice. He doesn't understand how someone can get angry like that but he does, ever since they were little. Probably because he doesn't want to attract attention, or maybe because he doesn't want to feel scandalized by doing so. He never needed to raise his voice in return either.
"I know?"
"What—you're not even sorry one bit?"
"No..? Why would I?"
"I hate you—" Delita reached forward and gave him a peck on the mouth, cutting his reply short. He smiled when he only blushed in response, and knew that he won.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I won't do it again." Delita replied sincerely. His heart skipped a bit when the blonde started tearing up, instinctively reaching out to cup his reddening cheek.
"You're very important to me, so please.. take care of yourself." The blonde replied, mustering every ounce of confidence that he had. Delita looked so calm but here he was, worrying to oblivion.
"The same goes for you." Ramza heard him say and he finally returned his gaze, giving in to the warmth of his hand. He had just taken him captive, he thought, and somehow, he doesn't want to escape.
.
Ramza can't help but notice that Cloud had become withdrawn to himself more than before. He rarely smiled at this point, and often times he's either just staring blankly into the distance, or brooding over something. That something was most probably Zack Fair, for he went missing after all the events that took place at Shinra. It's like someone had turn Cloud's internal light bulb off, and now he had lost his spark. It makes him sad seeing him like that, but he knows that he was still there, hanging on. There was something inside him that surely will never die, that he was sure of. If only he would talk to them about it—
"Let's order everything you want! It's my treat. Zack will surely be the one doing this if he's here, though." Kunsel declared quite happily as he flipped through the restaurant's menu. Ramza snapped from his thoughts and the three new Soldiers smiled gratefully albeit the feeling of undeniable awkwardness between all of them.
"I know, don't look at me like that. I am concerned as well. We cannot talk about this within Shinra's walls though, so I brought you guys here. Zack's report only says he's gone MIA. But that's just a cover-up for sure."
"Do you have any idea what happened to him?" Ramza started, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.
"Not exactly. But just so you know, Lazard isn't the only one who has power over the Soldiers. There is the President himself—and then there is the science department who oversees the Soldier's constant improvement. Think of weapons for a moment—and how they evolved to be more effective and deadly as years passed by. It's the same for us Soldiers, we are created to be Shinra's ultimate weapons." Kunsel replied, words spilling from his mouth.
"So you're saying that they have more control with things that concerns Soldier than the Director?" The blonde continued prying, as a waitress came to serve them glasses of beer.
"Well, yeah. This is off neither the report nor the public information, but I'm pretty sure Genesis planned on ultimately destroying Shinra's science facility. It's a massive weak point if someone knows where to look. But then of course they have General Sephiroth—" Kunsel stopped short as if he got caught red-handed. The three boys only stared at him, waiting for what he'll say next.
"You're probably wondering why the hell I'm telling you this. It's just that—nobody would bat an eye from the higher ups if we die or go on missing. We'll just get replaced by somebody else that's much stronger and capable. They will just have to create another weapon. We only really have each other in Soldier. And I have stayed because I have met and made friends with great people there. I'm not even that strong. To most others, this is the only way they know how to live."
"What did Shinra do, exactly?" Cloud interjected, his impassive face breaking.
"I can speculate, or I can go on building intricate lies to destroy Shinra's image, but in reality I can only see one angle. Whatever type of inhumane things or political tactics Shinra did to assume power, in the end; it all boils down to two ideals clashing against each other. I'm not justifying whatever Shinra is doing but I'm just a tiny human in the end concerned with tiny human things."
"Small things doesn't equate to being unimportant." Delita replied, and the others strongly agreed internally.
"You know, I can see how strong you guys are—and I can understand the way it makes Zack feel to have people like you on his side on the battlefield. He may deny it but he liked the thrill of it. A part of him lives for the action. So please—help me find him. I cannot do it alone. We are the only ones left to remember him. I'm not asking you to choose sides or fight for justice. I'm not asking you to help me change Soldier either—someone already tried to do that and failed as we all witnessed."
"Even if you didn't ask us, I would—I will find him." Cloud replied without hesitation as he stared back at the Second. Kunsel realized Zack was right since the beginning. He never backs down—Zack would say, and he can almost hear his voice, as he smiled proudly about his discovery.
"Well, just to make myself clear. You understand this is might be the end of our careers right? If we found out something, or do something that is against Shinra, it'll get ugly. You know what happened to those deserters." Kunsel replied in a warning tone, even though he was feeling hopeful inside.
"I know. This isn't just about me or Soldier anymore either." Cloud replied in a determined tone. He exchanged glances with Ramza and Delita, heartbeat racing. The other blonde nodded in agreement, Delita only smiled.
"Yeah. This is for our friends, for our families, and for our loved ones." Kunsel replied reverently, returning Cloud's gaze. It might mean only a single thing for him personally, but for someone else it might mean the world. He is getting too sappy for his own good, but damn, this is what being with Zack and Soldier did to him.
Ramza cannot help but smile. Something had shifted inside Cloud. His spark was back. He had made the right decision. Yes, this is exactly where he is supposed to be, Ramza thought. This is not only about duty and promises any more. He won't be blindly stumbling forward either, just going along with the tide. This is about honour. He had an overwhelming feeling that this is what his father wanted him to learn all along, and he will tell him proudly that he did.
"Okay but for tonight let's toast to your promotion, shall we?" The three boys nodded in acknowledgement.
" To Soldier!" Kunsel declared happily, raising his mug of beer in the air.
.
Cloud sat there by the stool in the bar, acutely aware of his surroundings. Laughter, clinking of glasses, and cigarette smoke hung in the air around him, and he didn't like it.
"I'm not asking the Turks, I'm asking you." Cloud said as he continued to observe the glass of liquor that was served for him. He didn't even touch it, nor does he want to. The ice had been melting slowly he figured, and he had this urge to freeze it back with a materia in his pocket.
"You mean you want me to serve my head in a silver platter?"
Reno replied as he gestured with his glass on hand, looking at the blonde. He was awestruck by all of this if he's going to be honest. Everything had changed since they have parted ways. Their lives, the way they lived, the people they spend their time with. It includes this blonde by his side in particular. He still didn't like booze though, it seemed. Tifa has been regarding them with great curiosity but she didn't say anything. A Turk and a Soldier were sitting side by side, after all.
"I'm begging you to help me—" The blonde replied in a soft tone, eyes downcast.
He cannot deny it, Reno thought. Cloud was really, rather desperate if he was asking for his help. Or maybe, just maybe, he had learned to trust his friends and knew he can't do things by himself forever.
"You're really desperate to get me killed aren't cha?" The redhead teased, as he continued trying to make the blonde feel uncomfortable. He ain't a sadistic jerk, but Cloud is fun to poke at. He's not scary even when angry.
"Look—I wouldn't ask you if I have another choice. You're the only one I know who could do this." The blonde pleaded as he turned towards the Turk, obviously getting frustrated.
"I'm not gonna gain anything from this." Reno fired back as he tried to keep a straight face.
"Fine. Forget it. Sorry to disturb your free time." The blonde replied as he turned towards his neglected drink once again.
"Oi—I'm just kidding you ass. I'll help you just a tiny bit, you do the rest yourself. My neck will be on the line here." Reno replied as he finally gave in. In reality he isn't that hard to persuade especially when it comes to his friends or family. He choked on his drink as Cloud once again turned to him and gave him a rare smile.
"Thanks—" The blonde replied sincerely, relief washing over his face.
"Holy shit—you'll really do anything for this guy huh?" Reno replied, coughing the burning liquid away from his throat. The seriousness was back on Cloud's face.
"Yeah." Cloud replied earnestly, reaching for his glass. He had made up his mind and took a mouthful.
"This better be worth it yo. Now I need to suck up to boss even more."
Reno lit a cigarette and sulked internally. This was kinda a good thing, yes, but he felt a bit on a disadvantage here. Well, probably both him and Cloud to be honest. They'll both get fucked hard by the end of this. Tifa approached him and filled his glass once more. He automatically brightened.
He had been frequenting her bar since it opened, Tifa thought and it made her happy, to be honest. The bar was technically theirs, after all. Maybe it was time to finally move on. She gave the redhead a smile as she plucked the cigarette off of his mouth and sucking a puff. His eyes widened in surprise. Reno thought it was worth it after all.
.
Cloud wandered the top plates looking for Aerith. The kids told him she isn't there most of the afternoons nowadays and had started selling flowers. It's almost sundown now and it makes him worry thinking a girl like her was wandering the streets at night to work. Maybe he should just call her, he realized, until someone closed in on him from behind, distracting his non-existent concentration. His mind was all over the place.
"Would you like a flower? It's only a gil." Cloud whipped his head to her familiar voice and smiled.
"I would love one."
He obliged her, like he always would, and she smiled back, eyes twinkling. She reached for a flower in her basket and gave it to him. The blonde looked at it for a second before he reached out, tucking the flower into her hair by the ponytail. It suits her and her sundress perfectly. It looked like a beacon in the dark. She uncontrollably blushed at his action and giggled happily. She looked content and he wished she would stay that way, without any worries.
"That uniform suits you." Aerith said as she regained her senses, feeling proud. She inspected his brand new Soldier uniform, circling around him.
"You think so? I never imagined I'd ever see myself wear one. Feels unreal to me." Cloud replied feeling rather conscious of himself.
"Yeah you look so cool! Hmm—but is everything alright with Shinra? The power has been going on and off for the past week. They kept saying it's only a technical problem on the news.."
"Yeah. Everything's alright, don't worry. I'll walk you home." Cloud replied, giving her another reassuring smile. Aerith fought the blush that was trying to come back.
"Wow. I feel like I have a personal bodyguard for a day. Feels kinda nice." She teased him, as they walk side by side on the busy streets of Midgar. Cloud took the basket from her arm, and they continued walking past the sea of busy people.
"Do you want to stay there with Tifa? I can help you move out anytime with the kids." The blonde asks, before his mind gets consumed by other things.
"Yes, I like it there, though she's busy as well working at the bar. Reno drops by frequently as well now, so.. I feel at ease knowing my family is close by."
"I see—I'm glad, really. The truth is I feel a bit guilty for leaving you behind." Cloud replied for he couldn't stop himself. He needs to confront these lingering feelings once and for all before everything piles up and crushes him down.
"No—don't.. I'm a bit scared, Cloud, but I'm a big girl now! And I know you're doing your best. So I'm doing my best as well." The blonde looked at her and only saw her unconditional acceptance. He smiled fondly in her direction and for a moment he had an urge to pet her head.
"Yeah you're such a big girl now.. Just be careful, alright. I don't want you getting in trouble." Aerith stopped walking as the blonde reached for her arm, and she looked back at him, meeting his blue eyes that were filled with sudden emotion. She felt like something had changed in him the moment she saw him standing there amongst the crowd, and right now before her.
"I lied earlier—but I'm going to tell you everything when it's over. I hope you understand. You just need to trust me."
She nodded in response as the words got caught in her tongue. Butterflies were fluttering in her gut, and her heart was racing through the highways as she looked at him, feeling like they've just met for the very first time. He wasn't holding anything back, right here, right now—he was fully open for her to see and it makes her breath hitch on her lungs. She wished she can hold on to this moment for as long as she can, but it's like catching lightning in a bottle. She'll just have to keep the memory in her head, tucked away carefully and safely, in a heart-shaped box, forever.
"I'll always be here, no matter what happens, okay?"
She says amidst the playful city lights, dancing in the night sky. He smiles once again and he lets her go, along with the fleeting feeling on her heart. She bashfully took his hand and leads the way, chasing her last thudding heartbeat. She almost cried.
What a wonderful feeling it was, Aerith thought, falling in love for the first time.
.