[ And she believes he'll keep it too. Cloud does his best, he really does, and that warms her heart; it makes her feel buzzed and excited, deep within her, settling around her shoulders. Under his faith, his trust, she feels like a flower in bloom, as if she's unfurling into a world that she wants to live in - a world that, again, she wants to protect. A world with Cloud Strife in it. ]
That's me! Someone has to have a head on their shoulders, you know.
[ She can hear the gentle tease in his voice and it softens her, making her feel like something under her fingertips is buzzing. Where is he? Can she come and find him now, before they go rushing off for flowers? Just a little time, that's all she wants. Just... Just a little more time.
When he speaks again, her hands lift to cover her mouth and her reply, soft, is muffled by her fingers. ] Mm. Me too, Cloud. I missed you.
[ it feels like his world stops with those last three words, like everything comes to a head, and he has to take a breath, fight for air a little. the desire to find her is burrowed bone deep and cloud has to combat against it, tooth and nail. this alone is more than he deserves. to hear her voice, to hear that she misses him, too.
it's too much and not enough all at once. he's quiet for a numbing stretch of time, every word he tries to summon gets stuck in his throat. if he closes his eyes, it's the memory of water, of the feeling of her under his fingers, damp and cold and light, that he has to suppress. he's not cut out to be a hero, never was. not like zack. ]
Can I see you? Maybe not now, but— sometime. When you're ready. [ and it sounds weak even to him, but he isn't hiding from her. he won't. ]
[ Aerith can hear the emotion even if he really doesn't want her to - the hitch in his breathing, the way he pauses and goes silent, and for a moment she closes her eyes and bows her head. Hands clasped in front of her, she gives herself a moment to wish - a little thing she had given up on so many years ago, hoping and hoping and wishing and giving them all up for one single thing.
It's different, now, after her White Materia, and she knows it - wishes and prayers are too heavy for her heart, even as she keeps doing it.
When she opens her eyes again, it's to Cloud's voice, and a small, slow smile settles across her lips. Easily enough, she nods, even if he can't see it, her heart beating faster and faster in her chest. ]
Of course. I'm ready now! I want to see you, Cloud. [ She needs to see him - needs to see him smile. ]
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voice. falls over oh no
[ And she believes he'll keep it too. Cloud does his best, he really does, and that warms her heart; it makes her feel buzzed and excited, deep within her, settling around her shoulders. Under his faith, his trust, she feels like a flower in bloom, as if she's unfurling into a world that she wants to live in - a world that, again, she wants to protect. A world with Cloud Strife in it. ]
That's me! Someone has to have a head on their shoulders, you know.
[ She can hear the gentle tease in his voice and it softens her, making her feel like something under her fingertips is buzzing. Where is he? Can she come and find him now, before they go rushing off for flowers? Just a little time, that's all she wants. Just... Just a little more time.
When he speaks again, her hands lift to cover her mouth and her reply, soft, is muffled by her fingers. ] Mm. Me too, Cloud. I missed you.
voice. rises from the grave ughhhh
it's too much and not enough all at once. he's quiet for a numbing stretch of time, every word he tries to summon gets stuck in his throat. if he closes his eyes, it's the memory of water, of the feeling of her under his fingers, damp and cold and light, that he has to suppress. he's not cut out to be a hero, never was. not like zack. ]
Can I see you? Maybe not now, but— sometime. When you're ready. [ and it sounds weak even to him, but he isn't hiding from her. he won't. ]
voice. my hEART
It's different, now, after her White Materia, and she knows it - wishes and prayers are too heavy for her heart, even as she keeps doing it.
When she opens her eyes again, it's to Cloud's voice, and a small, slow smile settles across her lips. Easily enough, she nods, even if he can't see it, her heart beating faster and faster in her chest. ]
Of course. I'm ready now! I want to see you, Cloud. [ She needs to see him - needs to see him smile. ]