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Sephiroth didn't matter anymore now that she had Cloud with her.
What an enigma he is, she thought as she leaned on the plane's railing.
"Out here star gazing?"
Aeris smiled at the presence of the sudden vioce and rested her head on his shoulder, as her fluttered around him.
"You could say that.", she stated as she shifted her weight so that her elbows and back were propted up on the railing. "So, what are you out here for?" Cloud looked deep into her eyes, and grinned. " Just to be with you,... and to compliment you. You're a great kisser!" Aeris gave him a smug look. " You're not so bad yourself!"
They both chuckled and stared at the stars.
Then Cloud put his arm around her waist, pulled her close, and embraced her in a protectful squeeze.
"I've missed you so much. I thought I'd never see you again, or touch you, or kiss you again. I thought I'd lost you forever when I saw what Sephiroth did to you." "Shhhh, don't think about it Cloud. It's all over, now, so put it behind you.",Aeris cooed, as Cloud sqeezed her tighter. "I love you, Aeris. I love you so much." Aeris grunted lightly in reply, as she could sense tears forming in Cloud's eyes. " I... love you too........but...you're suffocating me!", she forced out in a harsh, raspy whisper.
Cloud winced. "Oh! Sorry! I guess my feelings got the best of me!", he apologized, letting her go. As soon as he did, Aeris took in a deep breath, and exhaled: "AHHHHHHH! I can breathe again!!!" Cloud snickered as he tussled in her hair and she wiped his tears.
Tifa, who hadn't gone to sleep yet, could only stare at the two silently with a twinge of jelousy. She frowned, then quickly shook her head to erase unpleasant thoughts. By doing so, she caused loose strands of her hair to fall across her face and she quickly blew at them from out the corner of her mouth.
Some obeyed, and some didn't. The ones that didn't stayed in her face and she stared at them wairily.
Then she glanced back over at Cloud and Aeris. They were locked in a tight caress, and didn't seem to have a care or worry in the world .
I wonder how things could've worked out if Cloud and me were together instead of... there I go again! I can see it's take a while for me to get used to seeing Cloud with another woman in his arms other than me........
Anyway, Cloud is happy and that's mainly what matters. I should learn to respect that.
At least Cloud is acting more life-filled, now that Aeris is back.
He wouldn't eat or sleep and tried to find her no matter what. He acted like a misguided robot, a slave who had to follow a direct order and couldn't stop until it was granted, hungry for its ultimate goal and would go on non-stop until it was fufilled.
That goal was Aeris, and it was reached.
Yeah, I guess I'm glad she's back too. She's like an older sister to me, if not that , a second mother.
But what matters now is their love and security for each other.
As for me, I'll just sit back and watch. Then I'll go look for a man of my own.,Tifa told herself. Then her eyes widened at what she saw.
There were Cloud and Aeris, still engaged in emotional exchange, but were getting a little too... eager.
They were kissing to the extreme in a way that made Tifa get a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach and soul, but she disgarded it quickly. Gross, she thought, they're kissing like THAT on a beautilful night like this.
Aeris, who noticed Tifa staring at them with an awed expression, gently pushed Cloud away, glanced at him, then at Tifa to give him the signal to keep it cool.
"No, no, that's O.K.! I just... Cloud hasn't seen you in a while, so you guys go ahead and spend some time together."
Cloud and Aeris could only stare and straighten themselves up as Tifa got up and stepped over to them.
Cloud ran his hand over his mouth and sniffed while Aeris tugged on her jacket in slight embarssment and nervousness.
"Tifa, it's obvious that our relationship is bothering you."
RELATIONSHIP?!!!, Tifa screamed in her head. "No, it's not that, it's just...", she started while bending a finger and turning away. Aeris went up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Take it easy. You've already been through alot. I know the Lifestream must've been really tough on you---- going through all those choices and working so hard to bring Cloud back to his senses...
"You deserve to rest. If you like, Cloud and I won't...ahem... share our greetings in just anyplace carelessly."
OH, SO IT'S ONLY A GREETING, NOW!, Tifa bellowed in her head, as she felt her eyes widen. "How... did you know about the Lifestream?"
Aeris gave Tifa a smug, sly look. "I have my ways."
Tifa couldn't help but smile. She smiled automatically without notice, showing all her teeth,---and getting Cloud's attention.
Noticing his gaze, Tifa met it and they stayed staring at each other, stiff as a board.
Aeris glanced at the both of them, pausing for a second for each, then sighed and looked up into the sky. Closing her eyes, she announced:" Um, guys, like, it's almost dawn, and you've been like that for...", she cut off, as she opened her eyes, and saw them both with their backs to her.
Finding herself at a loss for words, she blinked, allowing a giant sweatball to go down the side of her face. She wished something would come up as an excuse to escape this embarassing atmosphere.
Her wish got granted.
Cloud let out a giant yawn and a stretch to prove his sudden tiredness, and also broke the long silence.
Then all at once, Tifa and Aeris darted their heads towards Cloud and warned him:"COVER YOUR MOUTH!"
Blushing with slight embarassment, the girls burst out in giggles. Cloud just stayed where he was and shook his head.
"Females", he whispered with a smirk. Aeris ceased her action, and glared at him from out the corner of her eye. Then she returned her gaze to Tifa who just stopped laughing.
"Well, I better be going. I'm starting to get a serious case of drousiness all of a sudden.", Tifa noted, turning to walk away. "Wait.", Aeris began, as she cought up with Tifa before she could go anywhere, and touched her shoulder.
Tifa faced her and winced as if to say:"Yeah?", then smiled.
Aeris smiled also, removed her hand, and folded it with the other in front of her.
"Tifa,...thank you, for everything.", was all she said before bowing to Tifa out of respect and then going back to join Cloud at the railing.
Tifa could only smile and then went back to her resting pad.
On her way there, she replayed Aeris's words:
Tifa,... thank you for everything.
Hmmm, I wonder what she meant by that?
Oh, well, There are many weird things about her that I don't understand. She's just so...so... different, it's like she's a kid or something.
They're the LAST people you'd expect to say something mediphysical totally out of the blue, or to put things in a way that only they can understand.
Anyway, I'm glad she's back, and that Cloud isn't downtrodden anymore.
And happiness is all that matters right now, and maybe, from now on.
