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Chapter Text

   Kneeling over cold slabs of marble, she focused any strength she had left into a final prayer. Eyelashes pressed tightly against her cheeks. Hands folded atop one another before her beating chest. How many times has she relieved this moment? How many more times would she taste death? A fluid and silent pain would spread everywhere all at once before vanishing as quickly as it came. Engulfed in an eternal space of empty green wisps. Fragments of souls passing by before reforming into new life the planet swallowed. Yet her spirit always stayed behind, another like her would never be born again. 

   She was ready to die even if she wished desperately to stay behind. To have just one more day with the strange group of misfits she now called friends. One in particular she had grown very fond of. His greenish blue eyes and blond hair were like sunshine in a world of broken steel. She made sure to warn Cloud not to fall in love with her, but had neglected to do the same. Only now she felt the weight of her mistake, how much more painful leaving was. 

   She could only hope this time would be the last. No more loops. They had won after all, hadn’t they? Saved the planet from the clutches of extinction, from Calamity himself. Was this not enough for the planet? What was the Goddess so displeased with to have turned back time over and over? She pushed away those pointless questions and focused back on her prayers. 

   “All I want is one thing,” she pleaded softly. Truly she wished for more but the planet was not always so forgiving. She wanted to live, no matter how selfish it may be. The desire grew deep within her mind and the faint burning of tears weld. “Please… tell me how to save them.” Her knuckles turned white against her interlaced fingers. “I’ll do anything, just let the others be okay.” 

    She knew Cloud would make it in the end. She saw the warm expression that bloomed across his face whenever Tifa passed by. She also knew Tifa held her childhood friend dearly at the forefront of her heart. And Aerith loved them both. The fact those two would one day find peace was of some comfort. And then there was Zack. Although not his complete self, the thought of reuniting with him in some form tugged at something in her. Perhaps one thing to look forward to. 

   It was almost time now. 

   In the distance she could hear the faint echo of metal and boots shifting along cold steps. Aerith tried to steady her breathing, the anticipation was almost too much. She felt lightheaded. Honestly all past memories had blurred together at this point, but the fear never subsided. The air turned to ice and her breath stiffened. 

   “Wait, that's too soon, ” Her heart raced frantically. “Something is wrong…”

   The sky above cut open and a rush of wind engulfed the altar. The distant patters came quicker now as Cloud broke into a sprint. 

   “Sephiroth!”

   Cloud must have been a single staircase away by now. Not quite like the other timelines. But the main plot unfolded all the same. Aerith's eyes squeezed tighter. With alarming speed the reaper soared down from above. The sound of metal exploded into the floor with deafening vibrations. But she felt… nothing. 

   To think I could go in such peace. 

   But it still wasn’t quite right. Her ears stopped ringing and her senses turned sharp again. Hair brushed against her face as it fell loose. The smell of leather slowly spread and the sensation of something firm had pressed against her back. Warm, surely she was mistaken. But her heart still beating at an unholy speed defied all logic.

   Aerith's eyelashes fluttered open and caught a glimpse of Masamune inches deep into the marble floor before her shoulder. She felt a deep inhale from the cursed angel just inches from her neck. Before she could look up to fully grasp the situation, a leathery hand slid across her mouth and pulled her back against who she knew instinctively might as well have been the devil himself.

   “Aerith!!” She heard Cloud cry out before vanishing. Black and purple smoke swirled around violently and the daunting altar of the Ancient’s was no more.

   When the smoke settled, she could see millions of stars sprayed across the galaxy.

   Is this heaven or hell?

   More sinister than beautiful, Aerith remembered the pockets of world in between time and space Sephiroth had managed to open before leaving Midgar.

   “Mhph!” Aerith only now realized she hadn’t been able to breathe properly and began clawing at the glove covering her face. The force gave away but did not ease up any pressure after finding rest on her shoulder. Still pressed tightly against what felt like a wall, he spoke so low it could have been a growl.  

   “You are mine now Cetra.” His breath brushed along her ear and trailed down her neck, goosebumps ignited all along her spine. The hand once holding Masumune slid away to wrap itself around her stomach. A flushed crept over her from the heat radiating from Sephiroth’s exposed skin against her back.

   “Se-phiroth?” The name escaped her half parted lips weakly. She felt like prey caught between a Behemoth’s claws. Aerith's mind was in a million places at once. Fear, confusion, and adrenaline pulsed into a forming headache. “... Am I dead? Or, a nightmare?” 

   “I won't make such a mistake again.” He scoffed, peering ahead. “This is my domain."

   Suddenly the grip holding her up loosened and Aerith folded over, barely catching herself with both hands. The long silver blade hovered from the corner of her eye, instantly snapping her into full alert. Aerith scrambled to her feet and quickly brushed out the wrinkles of her dress. Only then she was able to meet his gaze. Eyes almost luminated by a green hue cut though the dark space with pupils slit just like cat’s. She couldn’t read his expression at all.  

   “What is this?” Aerith’s eyes danced around trying to understand the environment, scanning for any form of exit. “I don't understand, this isn't how I remember.” 

   “Destiny is to be rewritten, although it rages to deny my birthright. Without fail I will return again and again until it yields. As you too soon will.” Aerith fixed her attention and firmly planted her feet into the ground. This Monster trapped in human skin never could accept his demise. She found it ironic, as beautiful as an angel, yet his heart couldn't mirror an ounce of comfort. 

   “You’re wrong about that. Whatever you may think, in the end you always lose. You’re no God, and the planet doesn’t belong to you. There was never a corner for you to belong within it in the first place.” The last sentence felt dry on her tongue. She wondered if she’d gone too far, if that was even possible. Aerith had always believed there was a place on Gaia for even the most troubled souls, but the man before her challenged any drop of her good nature left. Sephiroth took a calculated step closer as his expression hardened. 

   “There is no place for you either.” The corner of his lip slightly curled upwards. “How tragic, to be nothing more than a sacrificial lamb. How deeply does the planet truly cherish its last living descendant? Everything remains perfectly in balance as you’re swallowed by the lifestream and forgotten. Not once in the endless slew of lifetimes did it try to save you beyond its own benefit.”

   “Everyone's safety is worth more than my life. The time I spent alive was not meaningless. We all must return to the planet one day, so I’ve accepted my fate!” 

   Sephiroth slowly tilted his head to the side in disagreement, that mocking expression. 

   “You’re lying,” he cooed. Those two words pierced straight through her. Aerith fell back a step and Sephiroth took one more long stride before grabbing her wrist in one hand. He was too close for comfort now yet she froze. Afraid to tear her arm should she yank free.

   “I felt your body tremble beneath me. Aerith Gainsborough, you want to live.” 

    She averted her gaze as the sound of her name on his lips made her heart skip. Had he ever said it before? 

   “I- I was just afraid. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.” 

   “You too desire something different. Nothing but a half-Cetra, a pathetic remnant of a time when the Planet could sustain itself. Only to be discarded when need be.”

   Aerith gulped and her breathing became shallow. Deep down she’d never quite believed she was good enough. She was just the undercity peddler with a half working connection to the planet. She couldn’t always hear it and struggled to communicate properly. Hojo had made it clear early on she would never match up to her mothers divinity. It didn't matter how hard she tried. By default she was born inferior.

    I was always a last resort, the second choice. Either by the planet or Cloud…

   She quickly washed back the intrusive thoughts. Now wasn't the time to feel pity for herself, and she certainly didn’t want to show weakness in front of him. But Aerith wore her heart on her sleeve, and Sephiroth could easily read her emotions. He knew his words snuck under her skin. He tugged at her wrist and leaned in. His voice whispered to her like a soft lullaby.

   “I can save you from such an unfortunate end. I can give you back your future.” Aerith blinked rapidly before locking eyes with him. “You owe me your life, and that debt will paid in an eternity with me.”

   She couldn’t make out if she was hearing him right.

   “You really are insane to think that's a fair trade! Why in heavens…” suddenly her eyes widened with realization. Holy. The once tightly bound sphere within her bow was nowhere to be felt.

   When did I lose it? Did it fall into the lifestream or has he taken it?

   Sephiroth grinned seeing her mind filled with panic. Everything connected quickly for her and Aerith hated herself for thinking he was beautiful. No better than a siren, slowly lulling you to death.

   “Every time I take your last breath, you remain like a stain on my glory. Even in death you are a stubborn existence I cannot scrub away. If I gain the ability to see events that have yet to pass, you do as well. If I try to move my puppets, you intervene. Whenever I try to make a move earlier than the last loop, you are already there.” He paused for a moment to glance at her once over. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. To use you instead of erase you.” 

   Aerith may have well stopped breathing. Use. He somehow made being erased sound more pleasant.

   “So what, you plan to turn me into one of your mindless puppets? Do you think I would ever do anything to hurt my friends or the people on Gaia no matter how much you threaten?” Aerith let out a laugh feigning confidence. “And if you’re not gonna kill me what leverage do you have? Keeping me here won’t stop the planet from fighting back. It will find another way.”

   “Oh little Cetra, I will make it in your best interest, and by extension the planet's best interest. That is if you do not wish those you love to be killed before judgment day.” Sephiroth raised his free hand to cup Aerith's chin. She tried to shake him off but his fingers dug into her skin to firmly hold her upright before him. “And I will not be so quick and merciful as I was with you in the past. They will die in agony.”

     He was almost brimming with glee at the mere thought. “Should I make you watch as I stage another fire that slowly eats at Cloud’s flesh. I can only imagine what he would think. Perhaps having his childhood sweetheart slowly burn to ash before him as she screams in anguish till the end would break him. Ah, and you’re imitation of a mother-”

   “STOP!” Tears were fully streaming down Aerith's cheeks now as she muffled her sobs. “Please stop.” The smile eased from Sephiroth's face.

   Good, he thought. She was begging now. 

   “How can someone be so awful?” she cried between gasps. Never had she hated anyone so deeply. Even though she had heard the horrors of the deranged Soldier in Nibelheim, she never witnessed it firsthand. She was always more focused on the overall picture of saving everyone than any strong sense of vengeance. But in this moment she felt a bubbling rage foreign to her. “Something like you should have never been born.” 

   Sephiroth's grip tightened as he crashed into her lips with a rough kiss. Aerith’s voice caught against a sharp inhale causing a stilted noise to escape. Her mind was blank but her body moved on its own. Her only available hand began to helplessly push back against his chest. Not an inch of him budged. She could feel his muscles tense though his coat as the hand once restraining her wrist seamlessly slipped around her back, pulling her tighter. Sephiroth's tongue fought through her lips as he fully cupped the back of her head. 

   Her body writhed around trying to break free. She hated how powerless she felt, it reminded her of the time she’d spent in Shinra’s lab behind a glass tube with Hojo. Aerith tried kicking her legs against Sephiroth's leather boots but it all seemed futile. Her pelvis was already flush against his body. In the end she began to feel something harden beneath Sephiroth's coat and greeting her lower stomach. Aerith didn’t know where to focus, everything was overstimulated. 

   His kisses turned more aggressive as her hands clawed for anything it could grab onto. Her nails dragging across his body didn’t seem to have any obvious effect. Until she reached behind and had successfully gathered a fistful of silver hair. Simultaneously Aerith bit down on Sephiroth's lower lip and yanked down as hard as she could. Only then did their lips part as she gasped loudly like someone finally emerging from below water. Sephiroth’s head only tilted back slightly, eyes still peering straight into hers. He didn’t seem to even feel the trickle of blood escape the corner of his mouth. That stupid sly grin returned and she could have slapped him. 

    "So feisty this mouse from the slums.” Sephiroth licked his lip and lowered himself slightly to release the tension on his head before nuzzling into the crevice between her neck and collar bone. Both of his arms wrapped her backside in a deathly embrace that could snap her in half at any moment. 

   “I’ll work that out of you, eventually.” His canines lightly dragged against her skin with the looming threat to break skin. Aerith's breath was still uneven as she fought to regain composure. Her face burned from embarrassment and no sooner she thought it might catch fire.  

   “What do you want from me?” Her voice was almost a whimper now. 

   “You to fully submit. You won’t provoke or defy me, and I will give that which you desire. You and all your little friends will live, Cetra.” He delicately brushed away the soft hair cascading off the tip of her opposite shoulder before tracing his hand back up and over her eyes. “Of course that is, in a world reborn for me.“ 

   Aerith’s legs gave way as her mind sunk far off into a deep slumber. She’d hoped it was all nothing more than a dream, but she could have sworn she remembered the sensation of a leathery thumb wiping her tears away.

Chapter Text

   Aerith’s eyelids twitched, unable to open fully. The light was blinding. After being in that soul sucking void, the contrast was jarring. She hadn’t fully written off the idea she was actually dead. Perhaps a twisted trial the Goddess sent to see if she was still of worthy of influencing the lifestream. Yes a test of what seeds remained in her selfish desires by accepting Sephiroth's offer. Not that it was very good.

   A world reborn, he’d said. Sounded empty and devoid of any warmth worth living in.  

   She rubbed her eyes but once vision returned, things were not as she’d hoped. Besides the simple mattress beneath her, the room was barren and made of stone walls. Clean, but clearly not designed to be lived in. Only a small table occupied the space with a single window. She hoisted herself up for a better view but the light only stung more. She peeked out through her fingers in an attempt to shield herself, there was … nothing? A different kind of empty. As far the horizon visibly stretched, a white blanket covered every inch of land. 

   Snow? 

   It was impossible to tell if this was the world she left behind or just another confined space created by Sephiroth. Maybe the timeline glitched and she was stuck in purgatory. Worst of all, with him. 

   Aerith slowly traced over her bruised lips with her fingers. Remembering how hot she felt in stark contrast to the frosty room she now stood in. With a clear mind she recalled the way Sephiroth's slippery tongue thrashed around her mouth, trying to claim. Pecs flexing against her chest and the grip behind…

   “Ah stop that!” Aerith furiously shook her head to remove any lewd thoughts.

   Although there were times in previous lives' she desired to know the sensations of intimacy between lovers, the occasion never occurred. The first man she’d loved passed away after vanishing for 4 years, and the second she’s not sure could have even loved her in that way if they had the time. Protecting the world was more important after all, and Sephiroth was a far cry from any sort of lover. He ripped away sweet fantasies she could have at least savored in dreams and turned them into a horrifying version of reality.

   “I need to get out of here first, and figure out where Holy is.” She noticed a glass of water and a little pink ribbon she thought was gone forever on the small table. She winced at the thought of this gesture resembling some sort of “thoughtfulness” from that man. Of course her staff was not among them, must have slipped his mind. Regardless she quickly tied up her hair again, appreciating any bit of familiarity. Crouching down however, she eyed the water. It appeared normal but one never knew. She slowly lifted it and swirled the cup from side to side in case anything abnormal was laced inside. Her throat was certainly parched, but was it worth the risk of drinking an unknown substance? A heavy scoff made her flinch, almost dropping the contents. 

   “Surely poisoning is beneath even I.” She couldn’t sense him enter the room at all. In the past a dark aura made the air instantly stuffy when he was nearby. Usually the planet would alert her of whenever he was lurking around even before Cloud noticed. Aerith turned after fixing her startled expression to find Sephiroth leaning against the door frame. 

   “Come,” he commanded with a subtle jerk of his head before turning on his heels.  

   “Wait! Can’t you at least try explaining a little.” She glanced around the prison-like space. “You don't really expect me to live in here… do you?” The end of her words lost their courage, thinning into something almost pitiful. Sephiroth just stared in silence. Momentarily taking a glimpse of the room, unable to note anything wrong with it. 

   “My words come first Cetra. Questions come when I deem appropriate.” With that he turned once more and kept walking. An audible breath escaped Aerith in bewilderment, shaking her head in disbelief.

   Wow this guy, I was really out of my mind yesterday.

   Her feet fought to stay put in defiance but missing an opportunity to find leverage seemed unwise. With every heavy step she stomped away her pride and followed the long silvery blur before her. 

   She matched his footsteps, keeping a safe distance. The surrounding corridors were lacking in any color or trace of life. The lack of windows didn’t help. The air was so stale It was as if time didn't flow properly here. Yet for its old appearance, not a trace of dust or cobweb could be seen. Aerith found that all the more eerie. It was like a house, but not quite right. They descended stairs and several hallways that looked so similar she could have sworn they were walking in circles. 

   “Are you sure you know the way?” 

   “...”

   “Hm, sure looks like no ones been here for ages.” 

   “...”

   “But I guess you prefer boring and empty spaces, like yourself.” His pace didn't even waver. “Ah, I know, you’re still moving in.” 

   After being ignored again, Aerith let out a sigh and decided to stop poking the madman. Although barren, the walls were intricately decorated in brass candlesticks. Engraved marble flowed along the ceiling. Resembling something she might have drawn when thinking of the lifestream. 

     “Oh!” She hadn’t noticed Sephiroth came to a halt, shoving head first in his backside. It was like landing into a metal door. Only saving grace being the long wisps of silky hair to soften the blow. Sephiroth turned his head slowly with a slight arched brow as if contemplating she might have done that on purpose. Aerith rubbed her forehead in frustration. “What are you made out of, stone? A heads up would be nice, you haven’t made a sound this whole time.” 

   Sephiroth indeed had always been very quiet since he could remember. Unless something was worth being spoken aloud, it was a waste of energy. The only two people he once could have thought of as friends worth conversing with vanished years ago and died along with his old self. His weaker, incomplete self. Looking down at the young flower girl, he wondered how noisy the days would become. 

   “This way.” Sephiroth veered off to the right and opened a large door. He turned at the knob and waited for Aerith to pass. She bit her lip before finally entering what she’d envisioned a dragon's den. However, to her surprise the other side bore a large dining table. The entire hall was lit by large glass windows. 

   “Wow,” she exclaimed, bringing her hands together and almost forgetting the whole situation. The surface was laid with various fruits and jams she once dreamed about. It was more than anything she'd been able to enjoy under the smog filled plates of Midgar. Costa del Sol was the closest she could remember to seeing such luxury. But they never stayed in one place long enough to indulge in such things. Her stomach now began to twist with hunger. When did she last eat or drink anything? She stared at the table, then back and Sephiroth a few more times. 

   “You may eat.” he ushered. Aerith walked closer to the food hesitantly. “I don't intend to jeopardize your health. And humans are so…” hid eyes traveled along her from top to bottom with a disapproving sigh. “Fragile.” 

   “Right,” Aerith said unconvinced while eyeing the flaky bread rolls. To Sephiroth’s surprise she picked up a plate and began generously filing it without a fuss. He half expected her to starve as some form of retaliation. 

   After finding a place to sit down she looked back up nervously at the stoic man. She was in unknown waters now. For the first time she had no visions of the future and her mind was eerily quiet. To top it off, the creature before her happened to be the most dangerous and unpredictable thing on the planet. And now it was watching her eat breakfast?

   She wondered how she looked in his eyes. If this somehow resembled a feeding pen for Chocobos before sending them off to be slaughtered. She still had no idea what he wanted with her, and he was acting suspiciously docile compared to the day before. He hadn’t once touched her yet. 

   “Don't you want to eat?” She began taking a bite of her buttery pastry filled with apple jam. 

   “Food is not a requirement anymore.” Straight and to the point. Aerith rested her head into the palm of her hand while wondering if getting him to say anything of importance might be harder than she thought. 

   “So am I allowed to ask the great Sephiroth some questions now?” She almost rolled her eyes. 

   “I suppose. But only if the little Cetra behaves and finishes her plate like a good girl.” 

   Aerith bit back some nasty words Elmyra would surely have yelled at her for and pretended not to hear it. After a few more bites she’d finally organized her thoughts. She wanted to ask about Holy, but on the off chance he didn't have it, she thought it best he didn't know it was missing.

   “You said you would... spare me from death. So why not just leave me alone? Isn't this all a bit excessive for someone you find oh so insignificant?”

   Sephiroth leaned back into an empty chair, resting his hand upon the table. 

   “The planet will surely find another way to kill you if I don't intervene.”

   “Ha, do you have the right to blame the planet when it's your fault it happens in the first place. Could of at least tried backing off once before defaulting to making me as miserable as possible.”

   Sephiroth thought for a moment with his eyes seemingly fixed on nothing in particular. He tapped the table in a slow rhythmic pattern.

   “You are somewhat lovely when you're miserable.” Aerith stopped chewing to prevent herself from choking. Lovely. Even flattery from this devil came out twisted.

   Focus Aerith. He's changing the subject!

   “Are you going to answer seriously or not?”

   “Leaving you to run around would be the same as letting you get in my way.” His catlike orbs settled on her accusingly as if remembering every past encounter. “It appears you also enjoy making me miserable.” 

   Aerith fought the smug urge to grin.

   “That's not true, you're just always causing trouble.” This unholy menace terrified the planet so much the lifestream practically forced her into confronting him in every timeline. “I don't believe choosing an eternity of destruction and loneliness will really make you happy. Even if you manage to succeed, the planet won't stay still. Everything will loop again.”

     “If I win there won't be a lifestream like the one you know.” Aerith froze. The image in Bugenhagen’s study of the planet crumbling to dust haunted her. “The divine powers within the planet that alter time will be no more. However, I admit, why it kept insisting to repeat itself after my missteps was beyond me for a long time.” Aerith had wondered the same thing herself in every timeline. Why are they stuck in this never ending quest when it ultimately comes to a neat little close. 

   That sinister smile crept back into place and Sephiroth gently folded his hands upon a crossed leg. Aerith could swear butterflies were rioting around in her stomach. 

     “I finally had the realization that the planet didn't want me to die.” Aerith already didn't like where this was going. 

    “Losing the last Ancient was a sacrifice it deemed worth making but not necessarily the desired outcome. The world will still combust on its own eventually once Mako dries up. Yet the power of Mother can sustain itself, and Ancients regulate the lifestreams flow.” 

     “So?” Aerith shrugged while rubbing the back of her neck, already exhausted trying to comprehend his mess of a mind. “The time of my ancestors has already passed, and there'll be nothing after Meteor.” The remaining bits of bread on her plate no longer seemed so appetizing.

     “So it would seem.” 

     Sephiroth unhooked his legs and began to slink his way around the table. Before she knew it he was towering above her with a hand grasping the back of her chair and his other arm stretched beside her plate. She wanted nothing more than to shrink into a tiny speck and fly away. His hair scattered the blinding light, and his perfectly exposed chest sat right before her eyes even when she tried to look away.  

   Damnit, Why did he have to be so beautiful?

    Sephiroth didn't appreciate not having ones full attention. Even as they spoke she so obviously displayed doubt in his convictions. But he would make her see as he did, even if he had to wring the stubbornness out by force. 

   “Our children are the future of this world.”

   Aerith immediately stopped fidgeting and snapped her head up in disbelief. She searched for any sign of insincerity, but his eyes held no playfulness.

   “Mother and the lifestream will finally unite, until completely one in of itself.” 

   “You've truly gone mad. This is what you want me- I’m not … Jehova will ruin everything it touches.” Aerith felt that headache creeping back. The thought of little Jenova's running around was horrifying.

   “No, Mother is perfect. She can latch onto anything and make it home, it is the lifestream that rejects evolution.” He leaned further until Aerith thought his eyelashes might brush her cheek. “But you can control it. I saw it the Goddess to do your bidding alone.”

   Aerith flinched at the sensation of his voice on her neck. She certainly had taken control after the disaster Meteor and Holy brought forth. But only once.

   “Do not resist me, accept us. The future of Cetra will become something greater than their predecessors. I might even spare your companions.” He tilted his head to gauge her expression. She was trembling and it stirred something within him. The thorn in his life was now under his thumb and the subtle flush of her cheeks wasn't lost on him.

   Aerith wasn't sure she cared if her bloodline kept on and the thought of it almost seemed wrong. For an eternity she had to repeatedly accept a life full of goodbyes. The idea of a full fledged future wasn't something she ever considered in detail. Even imagining who she'd want to have kids with made her flustered. Let alone the one being Sephiroth. But the possibility of her own being born with Jenova permanently eating away at them made her want to cry. 

   “Jenova and the lifestream can never coexist. One will fight until it's got control of the other.” 

   “Perhaps as they are now. But through Reunion everything will fall into place. The lifestream will come to serve Jenova if it means protecting the planet.” 

   “Yet you still plan to destroy everything and everyone alive first?! That doesn't count as saving.” Aerith frowned at his indifference. Sephiroth had coiled a strand of her hair around his finger. Half listening and half learning the shape of her. 

   “The planet must be cleansed. Shinra was just the tip of it, everything will be remade.” 

   “You're contradicting yourself.” Aerith brushed his hand away. He was behaving too familiar, as if everything had already gone his way.

   “Like yourself, except you're not honest. Tell me Cetra, do you truly care so much about everyone? Can you honestly say no one at Shinra deserved death?”

   Aerith bit her lip. Hojo, Faz, the president, they all flashed in her mind. All the faceless white lab coats that stood complacent in everything. She thought of the needless and confined spaces and her mother. How they each escalated her passing. Or worse, how her mothers body was not even allowed to rest after death. Having her flesh bottled up into tubes.  

   “I have to be better than that. Being angry won't change what they did to me.” 

   Sephiroth could easily imagine the extent of her childhood behind glass doors. His was spent much of the same. Alone with the smell of bleach and sterile equipment strapping one down like a rat. 

  “Neither will being complacent. Rage, hatred, despair, all human emotions. You should have bit back the ones who wronged you. Perhaps then you would have found the strength to save yourself.” 

   The last drop of composure she had spilled over. Aerith pushed back with all her might farcing the chair to skid. She heard enough. 

   “And end up alone like you? No thanks!” Her nails dug into her palms. “You think you're so great, but you're not that strong. Anyone who hurt me can stay in the past, I'll forget them and enjoy my time with the people who love me. I did what I had to so I could have something to look forward to every morning. You just spend each day waiting for everything to end.”

   Sephiroth tried to close the gap between them before things got too out of control. This wasn’t going how he wanted.

   “It’s not like you got any of them either, you ran away from Shinra too!” Aerith felt a bit of shame as her fury unfolded. So emotional, Hojo would say. He always looked at her with disappointment whenever she cried for her mother. “It’s not my fault they took me, I never asked to be born part Cetra.” 

   “You must calm down.” Sephiroth reached forward but Aerith smacked his hand away. 

   “Don’t touch me!” without warning, Aerith spun towards the door and bolted. She didn't know where any of the hallways led, but anywhere was better than being with him. She'd always been light on her feet, had to be in the slums. Either from the sector mutants, the Turks, Shinra, or destiny. She was always running. Aerith always found a crack to wiggle though until Sephiroth. He was the one wall she couldn't climb over in every timeline. 

   A large double door came into view just below the balcony Aerith ran by. Almost flying she descended the staircase and grabbed both handles. Her heart pounding through her ears. She dug both heels into the ground. It took all her weight against the passage to make them budge. Sephiroth was nowhere near, but it didn't matter. Cold air sliced across her skin like a million needles. 

   “Ugh!” Aerith instinctively threw up her arms to shield herself. Falling to the ground against the wind in defeat. The snow was as high as her knees, and she hadn't a single orb of materia with her. Even the strongest barrier might not defend her long enough from the howling wind. 

   “Damn you!’ Aerith kicked the wall of snow. Of course Sephiroth didn't chase after her, there was nowhere for her to go. 

Chapter Text

   A thick leathery arm stretched across the kneeling girl. In one swift motion the doors were joined securely again and the frigid draft was no more. Aerith slowly lifted her head from her knees. She knew there was nothing out there, but if she sat here long enough, she hoped an idea might occur. Unfortunately the only thing that came to her side was an angel of false hope. Magnificent in every wrong way.  

   “You may try walking, but I don't recommend it. Searching for your frozen body will only make more work for me.” Aerith stood to face him. If she wanted to see his eyes she'd have to look up. Her line of sight rested right around the straps that crossed his torso. The height difference irritated her. Everything about him scraped away at her goodness. A balled fist hit firmly against his chest. Not that it appeared to make any difference. Still, it made her feel better.

   “I really hate you!” Again and again her fists landed with a thud each time. “Why do you have to be this way?! A nightmare that comes just to torment me, first in death and now in life.” The war hero never flinched even if the feeling was short of unpleasant. All he could do to keep his hands to himself was stare at her. She was the first to have settled so many consecutive hits on the man, but what did it all amount to? After a while Aerith noticed her hands growing numb.

   Sephiroth finally took her reddened palms. They felt so small, so fragile beneath his fingers. It was a mystery to him how the Cetra had even made it this far at all in life. With a sharp inhale Aerith rested her head against his chest and begged.

   “Please don't do this. There must be something else, anything else. If you have any ounce of compassion left, let me go. I know the human in you is still in there.” 

   Sephiroth wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace that could have almost fooled her as empathy. Aerith hesitated before gently reciprocating the gesture. A part of her needed something to hold onto. He might reconsider. But his grip tightened and Aerith knew it to be a snake's trap.

   “It’s already been decided.” He said flatly. Deep down she must have expected that answer. Aerith clenched her jaw with disappointment. Why was she even trying? Sephiroth's hand lifted her dejected face until her golden green eyes were in full view. 

   “I hope Hell finds you soon.” She meant every word, and Sephiroth found she really did look lovely.    

   “I'll save a place for you.” Something about the way her usually sweet and soft features twisted into such despair for him alone was satisfying enough. Aerith thought she might have been able to predict what would happen next by bracing herself for another rough kiss. But the reality was harsher than she remembered. 

   He abruptly lifted her without warning and she tugged on the buckles across his chest to keep her balance. It didn't occur to her the motion would only pull him closer. She couldn't tell what happened first. Him biting her lips or her backside colliding with the nearest wall. It was crushing. Aerith thought for sure she could feel every bone in her spine scrape against the stone. The weight of sephiroth's body came down on her like a mountain. A single hand cupped beneath her ass kept her afloat. 

   “Mmnh!” She resisted the weight of his torso to no avail. His lips never left contact with hers between each ragged breath. All the while his body pressed further between her, slowly inching her skirt higher back each time. The cold breeze prickled her thighs and the friction of leather on skin made her tense. “Wait!”

   In one swift motion Sephiroth had removed her boots before ripping at her jacket next.

   “These are the only clothes I have,” She gasped. He disregarded her concerns and tossed the red fabric away. Using the wall to prop her, Sephiroth quickly unbuckled his own jacket and Pauldrons before gravity took care of the rest. 

   “You don't need them anymore.” His attention found her neck. Dragging his lips lower towards her chest. Impatiently using his teeth to pull apart her buttons one at a time. 

   Panic and static filled Aerith's head rapidly. She could barely breathe. Her hands fumbled around his chest and over his shoulders. She wasn’t really feeling anything, but trying to find a sense of reality. She couldn’t focus on anything with her heartbeat pulsing through her head. She thought for sure Sephiroth could hear it.

   Her legs wrapped around his waist in an attempt to distance herself from the wall. She pushed until her body was completely flush with his. The motion must have excited him. Sephiroth roughly grabbed her thigh with a gloved hand and pushed it further up to feel her hips writhe beneath his length. Aerith could tell only her underwear and his pants stood between them. She tried to stop squirming. Every grind only stimulated him more and she began to feel the fire spread.

   Without warning her underwear was ripped off and Aerith hissed. She could have sworn she saw him smirk. His fingers trailed along her inner thigh, seeking out her lower lips and stroking the sides. Aerith let out a noise even she barely recognized.

    “You seem more than ready to receive me.” His thumb danced around her entrance, teasing her senses. She was more wet then expected and Aerith didn't hold back her glare. Her shoulders scrunched involuntarily with every stroke. The sensation was too foreign from when she did it herself. Aerith had lost herself to pleasure by her own hands before. But shock kept her body from knowing the difference from fear and lust.

   "Not there, stop!" Her voice shook, eventually glancing down curiously. Sephiroth had long been tired of waiting. The already form fitting leather below his pelvis stretched tighter now. It only took a single motion of the zipper to release his cock. It fell away from its confinement fully erect. He slowly rubbed it along her entrance forcing heavy breaths to fall from her lips. 

   “I'll try to make it quick for you.” Sephiroth's voice was a hushed growl crawling against her skin.

   “I… please just, it's my first…” Aerith choked. Her confidence turning into a pathetic shell of itself. Quickly realizing it wasn't going to stop, and left begging for something less cruel. Adrenaline swept over any slight pleasure Aerith might have felt. Every emotion was replaced with a knot in her gut. 

   “I know.” Sephiroth was already a large person by human standards. Of course his length had to be just as eccentric, no doubt enhanced by years of Mako and Jenova's cells. Aerith didn’t have much idea of what was or wasn’t normal. But she was sure she’d never considered pushing something as wide as her forearm inside her core. 

   Sephiroth made no effort to ease the first thrust. He plunged into her swiftly, tearing her apart. Aerith yelped and slammed her fist against his shoulder. 

    “Shit.” A hiss escaped his lips, feeling her entire body clench. Even knowing what to expect didn't stop her tight heat from  cutting at his patience. She wasn't wet enough enough to make it easy, but the suction on his cock spurred him to push quickly. The nails cutting through his uniform as her cries peaked just intensified everything.

   After a moment he worked back and forth, each time bullying his shaft a little deeper. Her moans were nothing short of sobs clogging her chest, and it only made him hard. Her impudent sass boiled down to a body that has no choice but to receive him.

  Her eyes kept shut trying to ignore the pain. Any sweet illusions of romance and kind gestures all torn away. Everything hurt, and she knew it was blood trickling down her thigh. He thrust faster once her fluids properly coated him. Using her body's betrayal to punish and rip her womb seemed to turn him on.

   “You’re too much, Please, slowly.” she whimpered in his ear and Sephiroth bit back a frustrated groan. This was his idea of slow. The sound of her begging already took everything he had out of him from wanting to break her. Her forbidden wails formed a song in his ears. Knowing no one else had heard them, or ever would, fueled his possessive nature. Gaia was his, and everything in it. Aerith clasped a hand over her mouth in an attempt to muffle her shameful cries. But he wasn't having any of it. Sephiroth tore her wrist from her face before pinning it to the wall.

   “Look at me Cetra," He demanded. She could barely keep her eyes open let alone look at his face. She swallowed when his breath grazed her temple. His skin was perfect, the sweat forming around his muscles only made them more pronounced. And each time a strand of his hair brushed against her skin, it could have been silk. His eyes locked onto hers with anticipation. It was difficult to read his expressions, she struggled to know if he was even truly enjoying himself. 

   "AH!” Aerith's cries fell away each time he slammed into her. Gravity brought no comfort. Just when she thought he couldn't push in any deeper, her body would sink in around him. His tip threatened her boundaries and Aerith knew he wasn't fully in yet. Hair stuck to the back of her neck as beads of sweat tickled around her brow. Her body started to give out around him.

   Sephiroth turned his attention to a fully exposed breast that had escaped her bodis. Small and plump with a little pink nub, hardening against the room's chill. His tongue assaulted her nipple a few times before biting down. Aerith let out a groan that had her back arcing into him. The sudden jolt made her clench hard around his cock and she felt every twitch. 

   Sephiroth's movements grew hasty. With an arm around her back and the other coiled around her thigh, he forced in all of himself. The pain began to build into something else. A throbbing ache formed an itch deep in her core she couldn't reach. Her hips eventually tried to match his rhythm, thinking perhaps at the right angle he could rub away this sensation. Her vision was hazy at best now.

   Just a bit more. Just till this feeling...

   Sephiroth knew instantly her willpower was melting away. She was finally grabbing at him for more, thighs opening ever so slightly to better receive him. He braced the wall with a hand before stretching her insides to fully accept him. The sound of wet skin colliding echoed throughout the foyer. Aerith's moans grew louder and more erratic. She could feel his cock swelling, burning the shape of himself inside her. Her body shuttered in an ecstasy she didn't know.

   “Not yet.” Near the start of her release Sephiroth grabbed at where her braid began and tugged roughly. 

   “AH!” The fleeting euphoria was again replaced with pain. Aerith returned the favor by burying her nails into the back of his exposed shoulder blades. Sephiroth leaned into her stretched neck with a sly grin. 

   “I thought you liked that though.” 

   “Asshole,” she spat through her gasps. His eyes lit with feral amusement. With two final thrusts Aerith felt his muscles flex. His hips stuttered only for a moment and she knew his seed had completely filled her. He took his time catching his breath, head cradled into her bruised shoulder and refusing to pull out. 

   Aerith struggled to get her heart under control. A mixture of panic and guilt slowly closed in.

   What have we done?

   Now that he'd fucked her, what was left? And for how long? A silent stream of tears spilled over her eyes. They ran along her beaming cheeks and fell onto Sephiroth's chest. He finally pulled away, holding her as gently as the son of death could. Her legs had grown numb, so he kept her close.

   “What is it, are you still in pain somewhere?” Aerith couldn't help but laugh through the sobs.

   Are you in pain, he says.

   She brought her hands up to cover her face. Her morphed laughter only intensified under the uneven hiccups. 

   After fixing his pants with one hand, Sephiroth cupped Aerith's shoulder before scooping her out from underneath. She wasn't paying attention, she wasn't really all there. Slowly he made their way back to where her assumed room was. The only warmth left the bare parts of his skin. The mansion must have been a maze because it seemed like he carried her for hours. At some point drowsiness overcame her and there was nothing to say. No sassy quips or talk of leaving. The numbness was almost peaceful.

   Eventually she felt a soft and squishy mattress embrace her. She refused to look at him even if he had nothing to say as usual. Before falling to sleep she turned to her side and muttered,

   “You're no better than Hojo. You're just like the rest of them.” 

Chapter Text

   A new morning came too quickly for Gainsborough. Light invaded her vision and she realized it was well past a reasonable hour. She shifted weaky, wishing desperately it had been her real bed. She could almost hear Elmyra yelling at her to come down for breakfast. 

   But playing pretend held little comfort. The throbbing in her limbs made sure of that. Especially her back, oh how it ached. Slowly, she found the strength to ease herself up and over the mattress. For a moment she stayed still, afraid to think back. Her dress was still unbuttoned in random places and strands of uneven hair fell loose. Aside from her red jacket folded at the water table, she assumed he hadn't seen her since yesterday. Left in her ragged state.

   Aerith blinked at the room numbly. Just wishing to disappear wouldn't make it happen, she had to start somewhere. Three unknown doors opposed each other. One she knew led to the hallway, but the others were a mystery. Thankfully the first one explored was all she cared for. A humble sized washroom with a tub at the corner. After relieving herself she tested the bath for hot water.

   “Thank goodness,” She sighed. The water ran warm and steady. It was enough for Aerith to ease out a thin smile. Comfort came in the form of small pleasures lately. A lone bar or soap lay nearby but that was enough. She hadn’t bathed in days. Her clothes were already dirty but now they were infused with her sweat and body fluids. Stripping away the thin pink gown, she glanced at the mirror across the wall. 

   “Oh.” Aerith’s fingers tenderly traced the edge of her back and down her waist. Little yellowish blue bruises speckled her spine and along the back of her arms where she’d been pinned. Little Finger shaped bruising kissed her her wrist and thighs where he’d taken her. The sight of it all made her embarrassed. She realized she’d never been touched in most of these places before, and he hadn't made it pleasant.

   “Inconsiderate brute. He didn’t even try.” Aerith let her hair free before neatly folding the plush bow. She eased into the steaming bath with a hiss and let the water soak in. Her muscles thrummed with each movement as if she'd gotten back from battle, She'd have to heal those later. But her mind wanted to think of practicality, it longed for comfort.

    She wondered what Cloud and the others were up to. She hoped they found the real Black Materia, she remembered slipping it into Cloud's pocket after they fell into the sleeping forest. She could imagine Tifa trying to cook something up around a campfire while Nanaki and Barret bickered about where they should go next. And Cloud, always beside her. Although quiet, he’d begun smiling along with everyone more often as of late. She’d gotten used to him being her trusty bodyguard when she was unsure of what to do next. 

   Aerith could almost hear his voice. But the sound of a leaky faucet slowly brought her back to a cold reality. 

   “I miss you guys. Please don’t leave me behind again.” With knees pressed firmly against her chest, She wrapped her arms around tightly. Pretending there was anyone to hug. 

   "What troubles you child? We are always here.”

   Aerith gasped, sensing the Lifestream once more. Time became obsolete in the water. She forgot how long she's dozed off, but the bath had chilled. She hadn’t felt anything since her last prayer. “You’re not supposed to be here, we wait for you.” 

   “Are the others safe? How can I find you?” The air around her lightly hummed. 

   “They don't stray as you do. Do not wait, find us.”

   Aerith crawled out of the tub and tried to search for anything unusual. The planet wasn't usually so generous when guiding her. Leaving the faintest whisper of a hint along her path. Lightly pushing her in the right direction but never being too helpful. After grabbing a towel she went back into the bedroom. 

   “How do I do this? Help me get out of here.” 

   “A body is but a container. But join us you must. The day is approaching quickly. ” Her fingertips rested just above her beating heart. Ah, they wanted her with them. The way she was meant to have been the day before everything went wrong. 

   “I- I can’t.” It was hard enough letting Sephiroth land the final blow, but doing it herself would be impossible. How would she overcome the fear that put her in the ground in the first place. Her soul couldn't move on the way her friends would in the lifestream. A Cetra's spirit had other responsibilities, and it made time alive even more precious. But he humming in her mind grew louder. 

   “You must. Come child, join eternal. You need not be afraid. You will never be alone again.”

   “Please, help me escape first.” She didn't want to go here. At least her body had been put to rest before.

   “You will never feel pain again.”

   “Surely there is another way. I can find one.”

   “You will never cry again.” 

   “Stop it!” Aerith frantically swung at the air as if it might push away whatever force was in her head. Her leg’s bumped the small table, shattering the water glass onto the floor. The whispers echoed against themselves, bouncing along her mind freely. Drowning out her own thoughts.

   “If you do not come, they will perish. The planet can't survive without you. Every last Cetra must join the stream.” 

   “What?”

   “It is destiny. Or they will perish. You have not seen it, but we know. Their faces will turn white, void of the Goddess’ blessing.” Aerith fell to the floor, cradling her soaking head. The headache was back, had the planet been trying to reach out to her all this time? “We need you.” 

   An image of everyone's lifeless body invaded her consciousness. Crumpled in the dirt before the Meteor disintegrated everything to ash. The memory whispers had shared to remind them of the days that followed if they failed. But Aerith always knew in past trials they would win, her death made sure of it. Looking at the rigid glass before her knees, Aerith slowly reached for a shard, hands trembling. 

   “This will set things right?” The shard felt light as a feather in her palm, barley resembling anything dangerous. Sephiroth said he would spare her friends but how could she trust that? Did he even have the power to control the disaster once it was set in motion, he never got that far. What about everyone else? She understood the weight of countless lives blissfully unaware of their impending doom. 

    “Leave this barren place behind. He brings you death, to take your body, corrupt your soul. You are not tarnished yet, join eternal.” Aerith froze in horror. Could the Lifestream sense a trace of him still inside her? Was it even possible for pieces of Jenova to find a way through her this way? What would happen if she died and took a piece of him with her forever? Would the lifestreama reject her as it had him? She didn’t want to ever find out. Shaking uncontrollably, her hands lifted the glass to her chest. 

   “Where do I…” Her eyes felt heavy with tears burning the edges. What would be the quickest, most painless spot to do it.

   “It's the way it's meant to be.” She contemplated the lower area of her neck even if her heart pulsed in protest. She could no longer tell which voices were truly hers. The shard pressed against her flesh and she told herself it was only pain. “Hurry child, time is not on your side.” The emotionless humming almost sounded afraid. 

   “I’m trying.” she cried out in desperation under the burden of being rushed.

   Suddenly the choir was no more. Their voices cut away as Aerith was ripped back to reality by a black blur. Sephiroth was silent and precise. Before she could blink, he had torn away the glass and pinned her down. She lay pressed against the mattress, hands bound by his grasp atop her chest. For once his stoic face was seemed almost frantic. His eyes were blown open, perhaps realizing he had not accounted for every possibility.

   “I admit, you find new ways to test me at every moment.” The silence in her mind settled. Aerith thought the planet abandoned her, but it was him, this place. Blocking her only connection to the outside world. 

   “Don't touch me.” Aerith became painfully aware of the fact she was adorned only in a towel. She wasn’t ready to face him again. She shuttered under his silky hair tickling her shoulders. Sephiroth's glare narrowed. 

   “I will rethink your confinement.” He glanced at the single table surrounded in bits of glass. “It appears giving less was still too much.”

   “Too much?” She scoffed. “When did you give me a fragment of anything? All you’ve done is take from me.” Aerith seethed. Sephiroth pressed his thumb against the reddened spot on her neck. His finger gently stroked the blemish from the glass. She hated it when he touched her like that, feelings that were foreign to her knotted up inside beneath the fear.

   “I underestimate your desire to displease me.” 

   “Everything displeases you.” He ignored that, focusing on the exposed parts of her skin. Observing what claims remained from the night before. 

   “Your clothes will be taken care of. But I cannot watch you all day in case of an accident.”

   “Oh, now you care about my things? No need.” Aerith avoided his gaze. After seeing such an intimate version of him, it was getting harder to retain the picture of an otherworldly demon in her mind. This monster's body was too human. The corner of her eye noticed a silver tray scattered in the hallway. The contents of what appeared to be soup and bread had been spilled.

   “I hadn't planned on using it this way.” A corner of Sephiroth’s lip turned up as he yanked her up. “But you demand all sorts of firsts.” He pulled a thin black rope from his inner coat and began lacing it around her wrists.

   “Are you serious? It's not like I can go anywhere!” Aerith didn't think it was possible to have any more freedom stripped away. He insisted she live yet wanted her no more moveable than a corpse. She was surprised he hadn't resorted to magic yet to silence her. 

   “I intended it that way, but apparently the little Cetra is creative.” His eyes burned into hers. The last knot was formed with a little too much strength and Aerith sharply inhaled. “Stay.”

   In one quick motion Sephiroth headed for the last mysterious door attached to her room. A closet. He reemerged with various buckles attached to fastenings.

   “Hold on a minute,” Aerith quickly scooted further away on the mattress. She hadn't considered her time alive would be spent being tortured. “I'm not some animal.” 

   “These were saved for the most rebellious soldiers. But I suppose it could also prevent injury.” Sephiroth knelt down and tugged on her wrists to keep her from wiggling away any further. He brought a thick leather buckle resembling a choker to her throat. Aerith thrashed her head away.

   “No way.” conscious of the simple towel, she was careful not to move too erratically. If it slipped, she'd find it difficult rewrapping herself in the current position. Sephiroth gently placed a hand behind her head to steady her.

   “Shhh, you'll find it more comfortable if you relax.” His venomous words crawled around her ears and down her spine. His voice had a way about it that gripped her mind. She suddenly found it hard to say no, there wasn't much point. The choker clicked into place with a silver hoop at the front. Sephiroth brushed her hair away from getting caught. The damp strands clung to his gloves.

   He meticulously began to fasten two long straps to the hoop below her throat. The garments were crisscrossed over her chest and behind her back. Every tug made her body jolt. Aerith's eyes followed each motion. He seemed too skilled for it to be a so-called ‘first’. The confines met at her wrists to form a final knot. She was completely immobilized like a lunatic. Not even the restraints in Shinra's lab had felt this tight on her skin. 

   “What if I have to use the bathroom?”

   “Your new attire has fixed that.” Aerith looked away the moment her cheeks grew hot. The air was frigid a moment ago. She tried wiggling to gain a bit more slack, but the bonds were stiff.

   “It’s uncomfortable. You can loosen it, I won't try something reckless.“

   “I cannot trust you.”

   “I promise.”

   “Then why do you provoke me?” Sephiroth grasped her face with both hands and peered into her hopeful green eyes as if there'd be an answer. “It's not enough that I’m reminded of you far more than my days will allow. Now I must worry about your foolish schemes. Mother does not like it.”

   Aerith frowned. He did not often reveal his thoughts freely. She'd been forced to think of him as well, but that was his fault. He was taking over space in her world not meant for him, creating intrusive thoughts she knew shouldn't exist. That the color black only made his appearance more intense. Or that his deathly pale skin never seemed ill. Or that his eyes were as clear as mako and his lashes were unfairly long. 

   “What rubbish goes through this Cetra's mind?”

   “That you could be kinder.” She spoke bluntly.

   “Kindness will not carry you far. There've been qualms getting what I desire regardless.”

   “Only because you are beautiful.” Sephiroth’s smug expression fell away. Aerith immediately regretted the words the moment they left her tongue. She knew all too well how much appearances could influence those around you. Her lack of perceived beauty had made life even harder in the slums. Shinra employees looked at her no differently. She had to lean ways of persuasion to gain other's help.

   His thin pupils danced around her's. Sephiroth knew he was extraordinary, but he expected getting her to admit as much would be difficult. Convincing Aerith to follow him blindly through charm alone was not something he considered an option. But perhaps she was not entirely immune. Aerith swallowed. Instinctively, her mind screamed to retreat even if movement was impossible.

   “Th-that is when you're not popping up out of nowhere to ruin my day.” The hands cupping her cheeks finally dropped.

   “My day is the one being threatened.” He stood, tugging each glove into place. “I'm leaving. Until then, try to stay alive.” The sound of his footsteps faded but Aerith could still feel his hands on her skin. 

   “Why did I say that? I look like an idiot.” She kicked her legs under the blanket for any extra warmth.

Chapter Text

   Sephiroth didn't feel the wind bite his face, flying through the northern Glaciers was nothing new. The cold invited few to even attempt making the journey this far, but solitude was more like home than anything else he knew. Growing up as Shinra's mutant protegee didn't provide much human interaction. Surrounded by faces who all knew his name, yet none of which he could call in return. Hojo's image was the only one burned into his memory. On occasion he wondered if it would have been better to finish him off, but the desire eventually fizzled with the remaining bits of his humanity. That was until a naive human dared utter that name to him. 

   It was said to be one of human's greatest joys or curse. To grow up and realize out you're just a reflection of your parents. But Sephiroth denied any ties to his father. The words “Hojo” and “Father” couldn’t mix no matter how hard he tried. He’d never been cared for the way most kids were, he was never “most” kids to begin with. He stayed in the same building as Hojo, but not really under the same roof. Shinra wasn't a home, it didn't belong to them. It was more akin to a Doctor's visit that never ended. Conversations devoid of meaning, only technical terms exchanged behind glass and telecoms. People were like insects to Hojo, he took bits and pieces of them and hoped they’d combine into something worth his time.

    You’re no better than him...

   The words kept tapping on his mind, he didn’t even notice his face scrunching up. The phrase certainly didn’t agree with him. Hojo brought Chaos unto the planet, Sephiroth intended to cleanse everything of such evil. Even if that meant starting from scratch.

   He wanted to tell her she just didn’t know the Professor the same way he did. But in a way that wasn’t true. The words made his skin itch because she did know exactly who the Professor was. 

   “Nonsense.” His attention was pulled to a outlying wanderer, a man in black robe. They were scattered along the planet, his fragments, people injected with Jenova that lost themselves. In the end they returned to mother, and by extension returned to him, becoming bodies he could freely use. And this once had sensed familiar movement nearby a small village. One of the few towns brave enough to take on this eternal winter.

   Most of Sephiroth's puppets had not reached this far, making it difficult to teleport around the snowy mountains. Cloud was still on the same continent, and he'd would never admit it put him on edge. Even if they were hundreds of miles away from his hideaway. Perhaps if it would have been wiser to stage the Cetra’s death. At the time he thought it amusing to play with him. Dangle the scared Ancient before them like a shiny new Summon. So close yet out of reach. He could lure Cloud anywhere he wanted with what was now in his possession. But now the thought of her seeing them again was losing its appeal.

   His prisoner was too unpredictable. One minute he was sure she surrendered, only to crawl away the next. Humans were weak to beauty, frivolous things, and a young girl would not be immune to those desires. Sephiroth was used to being a fire that lured disillusioned prey into his orbit before stomping them out. But he was not accustomed to being on the receiving end.

   Human emotion was something he could tune out, but the Cetra’s entire being called his attention. She was the embodiment of everything he could not have. A life that was like his yet turned out completely different. The lifestream welcomed a halfling like her without question, yet no matter his efforts always spat him out. The planet denied him. But this last Cetra was confined to a soft human body, something malleable with a will of its own, separate from the collective. If he could just plant his will into her. 

   He felt a rush imagining of it. Surely she was regretting her decision to be so obstinate by now. The leathery ropes will have added to the marks she sustained previously by the time he got back. More traces of himself cemented onto her smooth skin. He's break her eventually, the days brought an unexpected sense of excitement previously unaccounted for. Last night he decided  maybe it best to preserve the Cetra for as long as possible. He didn't know she would feel so good under his skin.

   Though it wasn't going well. He did not expect the Cetra would ever chose not to preserve herself. He planned to soften the resentment she held with a food offering, but somehow the whole ordeal ended with her tied to the wall. 

   “She is difficult,” he told himself. How else should he have prevented the Cetra from doing the unthinkable. You give a mouse a glass of milk and it tries to drown itself instead.  

    “Cease these feverish thoughts.” Mothers call became clear once more. The connection grew dull whenever he was around the Ancient. “The Cetra plays mind games with you.”

   “Everything is as expected.” 

   “You assume too much of her naivety. Cetra appear minor but are wicked. Do not forget the fate of the Gi. Now trapped in an eternal hell.” 

   “It has only just started. Forever is enough to break anything.”

   “WE are forever, her body withers to age like other mortals. Secure a child if that's what you wish. Then dispose of the vessel.”

   Mother was not keen on the idea of Keeping Aerith around past the planet's rebirth. Ancient blood repulsed it more than anything previously encountered in the galaxy. Jenova had no problems incubating within other organisms until now. Sephiroth understood mothers caution. Cloud by all means should have relinquished himself to the call long ago. Cloud's mind had already been taken on several occasions, but each time the damn Cetra touched him, Jenova disintegrated and he regained himself. 

   “All will be as it should soon enough. I will decide what to do with her when the time comes.” If a child really did bridge the gap between Mother and the lifestream, there wouldn't be a single place Sephiroth's hand couldn't reach. Every child born of the planet after would now be a part of him. 

- - -

   Cloud grew borderline insufferable after losing Aerith. Barret was one clip away from blasting him into the next life. Nanaki barely spoke to anyone after the incident and Yufie just glared. Only Tifa could calm him down on occasion. Losing Aerith was hard enough on her as is. But coupled with seeing him regress back into a shell of himself made each day a chore. After so much progress and healing, all to vanish in an instant. Cloud had been reduced to a hollowed out version of when they first reunited in sector 7. 

   “Here.” Tifa held out everyone's room keys at the inn. Cloud was in no shape to lead the group, so she did her best to step up. “They only had three rooms available, so some of us will have to share.” 

   “Oh Hell, I can't deal with guy any longer.” Barret ripped his sunglasses off.

   “Finally losing steam eh big guy?” Yuffie hit his arm a few times hoping to joke away the tension.

   “Fine with me,” Cloud bit back. 

   “Good, cause I’d sooner sleep beside Shinra himself than your hard ass.” 

   “Then why don’t you try it, give us some peace and quiet for once.” Coud refused to look at anyone, arms firmly crossed.

   “Com’on now, this ain’t the end yet.” Cait Sith as usual was invisible to the whole party. It was like he didn't even exist. 

   “Guys it’s too late for this, we're all exhausted,” Tifa sighed. Cid scratched the back of his head, trying to stay away from the charged atmosphere. 

   “Well don’t cha worry ‘bout us.” He pointed to Vincent in the back of the lobby, practically sleeping in a chair already. Cait climbed onto his shoulder. “This wouldn’t be the first time I slept in the ol’ girl and won’t be the last. She’s quite the comfort when you get used to the metal floors.” He sported a playful smile but just wanted to distance himself as soon as possible. Tifa smiled warmly.

   “Thanks Cid. Yuffie, you good with me?” 

   “You know it, I can’t wait to sleep in a real bed tonight! I call dibs on the spot closest to the window.” Tifa handed her a key as she ran off. 

   “Let’s just go to sleep so we can figure out what's next tomorrow.” All the youthful spark in Nananki’s voice was gone. He walked lethargically over to Barret as a volunteering roommate. Tifa sighed and handed Barret a key. Barret snatched it as nicely as he could, obviously having more to say. Tifa then turned to Cloud, still facing away, and put a hand on his shoulder.

   “Here, Try to get some rest, okay?” She held out the last key. 

   “Don’t do that, I’m not some kid.” Cloud shrugged her hand away. 

   “I’m sorry, I just…” the right words eluded her. What could she do to help him? She cast her eyes down, still gripping the key. The sight just made Cloud more irritable. He was the one supposed to protect everyone. Yet Tifa was standing here comforting him instead. He hated seeing her like this. He wanted to hug her, only the Goddess knew he needed that comfort just as much right now. But he couldn’t escape the failure that mocked his heart. It consumed him. He failed as a leader, a bodyguard, Soldier, he failed Aerith. She was so close to him, just within reach and then, gone. 

   “It’s fine.” Cloud took the key and walked off. 

   Once alone, Cloud felt like he could breathe. He sorted his things onto the bed, taking out the clear orb of what once must have been Aerith's Materia and pressed it to his forehead.

   “Where are you?” Cloud muttered under his breath. “How am I supposed to finish this now?”

   He was holding out that somehow, Aerith was alive and waiting for him. He knew she’d faced a lot on her own before leaving Midgar, but Sephiroth was something entirely different. Anyone unfortunate enough to cross paths with him was usually never seen again. 

   After a moment he removed the Buster sword. He could stare at it for hours as of late. Could almost hear the metal bits vibrate against each other in a magnetic pulse. It echoed an electronic song only he seemed to hear, begging to be used. Cloud didn't remember how or when he got it. He thought Sephiroth had it, but everything between escaping the temple and waking up in the sleeping forest was a blur. Just more holes in his memory. Cloud's eyelids grew heavy as he got lost in the pulsing static. 

   A sudden clink against the window snapped him back to reality. In perfect sync his feet jumped to a fighting stance. He grabbed the Buster sword and slowly approached the windows. But only snow cascaded along the outside lamps. A set of double doors overlooked the balcony on his floor. He opened them a crack, and again nothing but ice brushed his nose.

   “So this is where you’ve been hiding.” The voice made Cloud shudder, every hair on his body lifted.

   “Sephiroth!” Snapping his head up, Cloud could barely make out the black outline of a monster. Only that silver hair caught the light of surrounding lamps. “What did you do with Aerith?” His teeth clenched but Sephiroth just raised his eyebrows in a mockery. 

   “My things do not concern you.”

   “Shut up, She's not a thing,” Cloud spat. He wanted to fly up there and tear Sephiroth's smug face to bits. 

   “What strange emotions radiate from you. Is it truly your desire to help her, or free yourself of guilt?” The words prodded at Cloud's heart. He shook his head, hoping to shake off the bait. 

   “Where is she?”

   “The Cetra has been removed from the equation.“ Cloud's heart skipped a beat. Did that mean she was truly gone? “Ah, speaking of my things.. “

   Sephiroth's eyes narrowed in on the buster sword. Something about it had changed. Waves of dark energy coursed through it, the current was rather strong, and it called him straight here.

   “Your days are numbered.” Cloud braced himself for an attack when he heard a knock at the door.

   “Hey Cloud, you ok? I thought I heard voices?” That split second was all Sephiroth needed. He swung Masamune and unleashed a whirlwind that threw Cloud onto the floor. “Cloud?!” Tifa frantically pulled on the knob. 

   “Tifa stay back!” He didn't know where to focus. The buster sword on the ground, or her. Sephiroth just barely came into view beyond the balcony when static erupted in his mind. The headaches never got any easier. Every time the sensation of needles probing at his brain intensified. Cloud grunted. 

   “Cloud, you have to get up!” Tifa ran to his side and grabbed a hold of his shoulders. Through the haze of pain Cloud could see black boots approach his sword.

    “What do we have here?” Sephiroth put out a hand and the blade began to rumble. The Black Materia was pulled forth from within. Tifa watched with fear until she finally got a hold of herself. 

   “Why did you take her? Aerith never hurt anyone!” Tifa braced an offensive position. Gloves up and ready. 

   “No! Ugh-” Cloud reached for her amidst the pain, he couldn't lose her too. Tifa was the last thing holding him together. He tried to stand but the static was excruciating. Sephiroth didn't even spare them a glance, fully fixated on the black sphere before him. 

   “No,” he drew out a long breath, slowly cocking his head to the side. “This cannot be.” but the truth was so plainly laid out. Identical only in appearance to the orb he'd secured back at the temple, yet completely different. He was positive he'd forced the Cetra to relinquish the Materia to him through Cloud. So then what was this? The other was surely imbued with some sort of energy, but the one he held now was undeniable. He had been fooled. Just as mother predicted.

    “Aha-hahahahaha.” Sephiroth threw his head back and sinister laughter filled the room. He ran his fingers through his hair. “Of course you did.” Just as Cloud was breaking through for any composure, Sephiroth was almost out the same way he came.

   “I have to go.” He turned one last time to his Blond puppet being embraced by the Nibelheim survivor. “Someone is waiting for me.”

Chapter Text

  Aerith did her best not to focus on the ropes biting off her circulation. The first few hours were bearable at best, but now her limbs were tingling. She was cold and hungry. Everything had grown dark without the sunlight bouncing around. Even though her hair had dried, there was nothing to combat the natural elements. A thin blanket and poor excuse of a towel did little to preserve her body heat. She cursed at the poorly constructed window.

   Several phases of emotion washed over her that day. At first Aerith was patient, thinking about it would only intensify her discomfort. She tried to reach out to the Planet again, but was met with silence. Then the wave of anger came, imagining all the ways she could hurt Sephiroth the next time he showed up. That gave her a new found sense of energy.

   Just barely, her mouth could reach the ropes around her wrists if she bent far enough. She wiggled and bit at the knots. But after a while her teeth started throbbing and a kink formed at the side of her neck. The leather was tougher than a Behemoth's skin. The only thing growing loose was her resolve.

  Then it was anticipation. She found herself waiting for his return. Hoping for anything to get these bindings off. In a way the ropes made it like he never left. The pressure pulling around her back and up over her arms was crushing. It didn't feel that different from when he touched her. 

   “Nope, don't think about it.” Aerith caught herself. Every so often the image of sephiroth's body wrapped around her made her skin prickly. “What's wrong with me.” Aerith thumped her head against the wall repeatedly.

   The mixture of instinctual need and human disgust formed a pit in her lower stomach. Most of him repulsed her, but a sliver of him had shown her of lust. There were times in the past she'd touched herself, but she knew her own hand would never hurt her. Aerith breathed deeply, feeling each rise and fall of her chest against the confines. It was no better than a straight jacket, and her frozen thighs rubbed together. 

   “Screw him. He's got to have a weakness, a moment when hes not expecting anything.”

- - -

   Sephiroth stormed through the front passage of his estate, Masamune still in hand. Bits of snow fell to the floor in melted globs. He threw open a door to his study and approached a wooden cabinet. Inside were various treasures. Among them was Aerith's staff and what he originally believed to be the Black Materia.

   Holding the two Materia side by side now it was obvious. Perhaps not to the naked eye, but Sephiroth could feel great energy pulsing from within one of them. The cheap imitation however shattered under the pressure of his fist as a pathetic amount of Mako leaked out.

   Sephiroth breathed furiously and looked up to the ceiling, as if knowing exactly where the Cetra's room lay beyond the stone walls. 

   Aerith was still trying to conjure any form of rest. Rotating from side to side helped to relieve some of the pressure. A strange draft came from the wrong side of the room and she knew instinctively. Her eyes shot open, scanning the darkness. A large dark mass stood at the foot of her mattress. The creaky window allowed only slivers of moonlight to outline his shape. The soft glow greatly contrasted the hardened look on his face. Droplets of snow were still trickling off his leather coat. 

   “You dare deceive me.” The accusation dripped with venom.

   “I don't understand.” Aerith swallowed. Anxiety swelled inside her sleepy mind. Sephiroth trudged closer and Aerith caught the light flicker off Masamune still tightly gripped in one hand. She was now fully awake and scrambling to a safer position. Sephiroth snatched her by the straps around her chest. He easily lifted her until her knees just barely hung above the ground. She tried using her body weight to yank free. 

   “Let go! I've been stuck in this awful contraption all day. You might not be able to feel anything but I do.” 

   “Your friends had an interesting gift for me.” Aerith's eyes widened at the unexpected mention. She stopped for a moment.

   Are they close?

   Looking at the watery residue on his shoulders it finally hit her. The northern village, they'd already made it. Just like they were supposed to in previous lifetimes. The fragment of relief was short lived however, realizing her party had been intercepted by him. 

   “What did you do?” her voice thinned.

   “I simply followed where you led me.” He cocked his head to the side, staring at her half parted lips. “Did you think I wouldn't find it? It calls to me Cetra despite such tricks.” Aerith bit her lip after understanding the gist. Holy was one thing, but she’d put special care into prolonging the discovery of the true Black Materia. “A fair effort, but as usual, in vain.”

   “Did you hurt them?” Aerith braced herself for bad news and he glared. She shouldn't be worried about other people right now. 

   “And if I did?” The hand still gripping his sword slowly lifted. “Your Soldier is in pretty bad shape, he could barely stand.”

   “Cloud.” She shut her eyes imagining the worst. She searched beyond her mind feverishly, but found no traces that he'd rejoined the lifestream. Not that her connection was any good as of late. Sephiroth's jaw clenched and he threw her back. The sound of that boys name on her lips irritated him further.

   The mattress broke her fall, but her eyes caught sight of his long blade. Masamune was now high above Sephiroth's head. She knew what came next and tried to prepared herself despite the fear. She couldn't live like this much longer anyway.

   Swift as an arrow she waited for the strike, but only a wisp of air reached her cheek. The numbing straps that ate away at her skin burst apart. Aerith took a loud, full breath now that her ribs could finally expand. She groaned at the pain pulsing where her limbs had been bound. Her circulation returned with a vengeance and the sound of his sword hitting the floor reached her ears first. Before she could open her eyes, Sephiroth was already on top of her. 

   “Your face is rather funny. You assume I would strike you?”

   “Never stopped you before.” She clutched her wrists and rubbed them tenderly. It was true previous lifetimes left little faith in him to be desired. He took a bruised wrist and brought it to his cheek.

   “I keep my promises. Your friends will not be harmed, by me that is.” Aerith furrowed her brows trying to make sense of him. She’d made no promise to him, so any hypothetical bargain wasn’t necessary to uphold on her behalf. 

   “You can't seriously believe this absurd plan will work. I think you're just bored with your miserable life.” Aerith winced when his lips moved to the marks on her wrists. Hungrily tracing the bruises with his nose trailing behind. It made her heart act funny.

   “I do not get bored. I have been amused in your presence, but have never been weary of life,” his eyes shifted to hers. “You need not worry of me tiring of you.” her face flushed. 

   “I am certainly not worried! And I haven't agreed to anything you know.”

   “I have a lot of time.” Sephiroth's hand slid under her neck and unlocked the remaining choker. Slowly removing it he smiled. “Shame, it suits you.”

   “If you like it so much you can wear it.” Aerith said yanking her head away. Sephiroth tossed it to the side and slowly started pulling away her towel. 

   “W-wait.” Aerith desperately folded her arms over her chest and clung to the fabric with all her might. “You don't plan to do that again now? I haven't fully recovered.” Sephiroth's eyes narrowed, wondering why the Cetra had not healed herself yet. Surely that was one gift she'd inherited without the use of external Materia. 

   “I said I have time, not that I am careless with it. Human births take long enough.” He refused to uncurl his fingers from the tower, so Aerith took a quick breath and mustered as much courage as she could. With an assertive hand she found his front buckles and tugged him closer. 

   “I thought you were going to convince me to cooperate.” Sephiroth did not expect the Cetra to bite so soon and thought considerably. She was no match for his strength, it'd be easy to claim her whenever. But he did not care for the hassle of forcing her every single time. Despite Mothers urgency, they didn't always see things in perfect alignment. Humans were more complex than anything Jenova had found before. And Sephiroth knew they sometimes needed more intricate measures of coercion.  

   “Tread carefully Cetra, you are in no position to make demands.” Aerith did her best to keep a calm face, hoping he wouldn't notice the slight tremble of her hand.

   “Oh, I thought you considered it to have more benefit for you.” With hesitation she brought her lips to his. Awkwardly pressing herself against him and clearly doubtful of her own abilities. Yet he did not resist. 

   To her surprise, she felt the towel release back into her care. She hoped that'd be enough enough but Sephiroth went for something deeper just as she was about to part.

   Is he testing me?

   Aerith's muscles grew stiff, repeating to herself not to back away. He kept pushing the boundaries, waiting for her to crack. His tongue made it's way past her lips and she let herself relax into the hand keeping the back of her head in place.

   The heat of his body eventually found its way through her and Aerith just focused on the fact she was no longer shivering. She let the charade continue until her heart was beating far beyond what was comfortable. Her tongue glided across his hungry kisses one last time before she pressed a hand to his chest.

   She pushed gently with her fingertips, and to her disbelief, he withdrew himself. He let her guide him so she seized the opportunity. As if enamored by him, she gently traced the outline of his exposed peck muscles. He was solid everywhere. The whole thing was overly drawn out and she almost found it sensual. Still Sephiroth’s face never gave anything away, she just had to believe in her performance. 

   Sephiroth's eyes studied her, no immediate signs of fear, but he did not believe the Cetra to have given in. She likely couldn't truly keep her resolve if he pushed her a bit more. Sitting back onto his knees he took her by the hips as he drug her closer. In one fluid motion her leg was swung over his shoulder and roughly kissed. Aerith gasped and hastily held down the towel between her legs for any privacy. Her knuckles then felt a different kind of wetness on the sheet beneath her.

   “Oh,” she exclaimed, annoyed. Even in the night Sephiroth could see fine. The dark red spotting around her center registered immediately. His sigh was almost a groan.

   “It appears you are spared tonight.” He began wrapping the blanket around her shoulders as she sat up. “There are clean clothes for you. I will leave them with appropriate supplies.”

   Aerith relaxed, perhaps it was a blessing after all despite the embarrassment. She figured Sephiroth wasn’t particularly attached to her, so if the chances of pregnancy were low, the whole act of intimacy was pointless. She placed her hand atop of his leathery glove now resting on the mattress.

   “Thank you.” It was easy to sound sincere. Aerith could be thankful for even the smallest offerings. She’d learned to do it fir the Turks, and could learn to do so with the son of Calamity. Despite pretending to give her space, the men in suits never actually encouraged her well being beyond Shinra’s desires. If it meant going against the president, any bond she thought they’d formed with her was instantly put aside. 

   “Rest.” Sephiroth brushed his fingers through her loose hair. It had dried in uneven waves, making her look more wild than usual. She nodded with the slightest hint of a smile. Their eyes meet and for just a moment he lingered.

   I've got you.

Chapter Text

   Icicle inn was rather comfortable despite the name. The dark pine walls made staying bundled up inside all the more cozy by a warm fire. Unfortunately, its residents could not enjoy its company to the fullest. The entire party gathered in Cloud’s room.

   “You just let em get away!?” Even if Barret knew it wasn’t entirely Cloud’s fault, everyone could see how he’d given up on himself lately. “Man I leave you for 5 minutes-”

   “Barret!” Tifa interjected. “It's not like that, besides, Aerith might still be out there. Shouldn’t that be our focus?” 

   “Hm,” Nanaki grunted. “I do wish that to be true, but I haven’t sensed her once our last encounter.” 

   “Wait, you what?” Yuffie's eyes widened.

   “Aerith and I have a special connection to the plant, like strings attached to another main body. But right now, it’s like her string has been cut.” 

   “I wouldn’t put it past Sephiroth to pretend to have her as bait. I too doubt she’s even alive," Vincent said in agreement.

   “Everyone just shut up.” Cloud eventually found his voice. “You weren't there, I could tell. Something about the way he talked… Aerith is out there.” 

   “Well if that's the case what are we all waiting for?” Barret held his palm up. “Staying here won’t do anything.”

   “Aye but where to go? We’re low on supplies as is, and now we’ve lost the Black Materia.” Cait Sith twisted a few whiskers in his hand.

   “Yeah thanks a real bunch for that,” Yuffie snipped, still glaring at Cloud. 

   “We should head to my hometown. Bugenhagen should know something that will lead us in the right direction.”

   “But won’t that take us farther from Aerith? She could be right here and we don’t know it.” Tifa's fist rested between her chest. She grew more anxious by the hour.

   “I doubt she's somewhere so obvious if she’s even alive. He won't put her near civilians," Vincent interjected. His eyes were tired as usual, but his words made sense.

   “Just say the word folks, where to next?” Cid finally strolled in after stomping out a cigarette butt on the balcony. The hostess repeatedly yelled at him for trying to light one up indoors. Cloud was still impulsively tapping his leg on the floor from where he sat. He hated the idea of backtracking. Especially when he felt they finally had a lead. 

   “Trust me Cloud,” Nananki said before him. “If we can figure out where Sephiroth is hiding, it should lead us to Aerith.” His foot finally stopped its incessant movement. 

   “Fine. But if we get there and it’s just some bullshit, I decide where we go next.” No one could argue with that, so the team packed their equipment and quickly made their way back to the Tiny Bronco. 

- - -

   The clothes were… interesting. After bathing with the sunrise, she found a handful of simple dresses in her closet. All black. She also noticed the water table was missing.

   “Gee how exciting.” She sighed. The lack of color did not stimulate any of the joy she needed to somehow conjure up. But at least she still had her red jacket and pink ribbon. The important part was that a variety of toiletries were also left behind to assist her monthly needs. Though her sheets still resembled that of a crime scene. 

   The soreness around her joints had subsided but the ache lingered. Aerith had tried healing them several times, but to her disappointment nothing happened. It used to be so easy, but she just couldn't connect to the planet no matter how hard she tried here. Had it not made itself known yesterday, she would have believed the lifestream abandoned her. But now she was sure the bond was being weakened by some external Force. 

   A single dull thud at the door jolted her to attention. It seemed entirely random whether he'd permit privacy or not. But today he knocked first, so she ran over and rested her hand on the knob. After a deep breath she swung the door open with a pleasant expression. 

   “Yes?” She asked as though it was any other day in the slums. Two catlike orbs peered down, soaking in her appearance from top to bottom. To think her entire aura could change with just a swap of attire. He thought it suited her more.

   “What?” Aerith asked again. Putting out her arms and turning from side to side. “Don't I look nice?” she could have sworn his frown deepened.

   Shit.

   “Come.” He was already walking away before she could blink. Aerith pursed her lips.

   Maybe I'm trying too hard.

    Like deja vu he moved in silence until they reached the dining room. This time she paid special attention to every turn they passed. Just as before the table was laid with various options. Aerith's stomach grumbled.

   “You have to eat. A day without food is too long.”

   “And who's fault was th-” She caught herself before the bitterness crawled out. Sephiroth slowly peered at her from the corner of his eye. Aerith walked over to some fruit and changed the subject. “I am starving, Hmmm.” she put her hands together. “There's too much for me to decide. What did you used to eat for breakfast?.” she gazed at him brightly. 

   “...” Sephiroth stared at the table before looking away, as if he couldn't actually remember. 

   How is he even quieter? Say something!”

   “Meals were predetermined. They typically came out of foil packets.”

   “No wonder you don't like food anymore.” Again, his frown flatlined. 

   “Eat.” He reiterated.  

   “It'd be easier if you joined me. It's weird when you just stand there.” He seemed to almost consider the idea. Aerith swallowed, not actually knowing how she’d manage a full meal with him.

   “My attention is required elsewhere at the moment. I'm sure the Cetra can manage to feed herself.” She sighed, reaching for a lone pear.

   “I have a name you know. A-er-ith, you should try it sometime.”

   “...” Sephiroth eyed the young girl as she took a bite without hesitation. A thin streak of juice ran down the side of her mouth and she rubbed it away with her palm before licking her lips. It was almost like an entirely different person sat before him. Surely some new clothes and a good night's sleep weren't enough to evoke such a change. “You may look around afterwards if you wish.”

   “Oh? What if I find your stash of Materia and steal it all?”

   “Is that a joke?”

   “Never mind.” Aerith kept munching at a steady pace. Every bite made her hungrier. Halfway through the pear, her other hand was already piling an assortment of breads and bits of meat onto her plate. “Well, if it’s just me here, I don't need this much food.”  

   “Are you certain?” Aerith glanced wide eyed around the ridiculously large table, adorned with enough nourishment to feed all of Midgar. She then realized both of her hands were full of food. 

   “You’re making fun of me.” Her lips curled in a bit from embarrassment. Sephiroth coughed into his fist. She must have imagined him grin in that moment before returning to his usual form.

   “Behave in my absence. If you try anything, I'll know.” Without another word he walked out the door and vanished. Aerith just shook her head and enjoyed what felt like the first real meal she'd had in weeks.  

- - -

   Not far from the snowy mansion lay a colossal sized hole that ran deep into the planet's surface. The gaping wound was miles apart and bust the surrounding ground violently into jagged bits. The open space split so deep, one couldn't see the bottom from its edge. The endless blizzards helped to camouflage it somewhat. Every day Sephiroth would clear the area of any nearby monstrosities. The crater had resulted in several Mako leaks that intensified whatever deformed pests were crawling about.

   Sephiroth's true vessel lay at the heart of it all, and he didn't need hungry insects bothering him. The feigns gathered in great numbers but went down with a single slice. The task was rather mundane and his mind kept wandering. She was even more beautiful in black, but undeniably not quite herself. Or rather because she was acting like her true self, everything seemed off. He wasn't sure how to engage with such a warm reception.     

   “Do not hesitate. You have everything we need.” Mothers voice was determined to drown out his gibberish.

   “Almost everything.”

   “We cannot wait 3 more seasons to consume this planet.”

   “A child born of human flesh must be done under the right conditions.”

   “No, the Ancient is already secured! Proceed as planned. Before that boy becomes a problem.”

   “Cloud will succumb on his own eventually. Once his mind is gone, he'll pose no threat.” 

   “And the Ancient? Her lineage quells my call when you’re near her.” 

   “My will is the same as yours, Mother. None of that matters.” 

   “You’re taken with her.” 

   “I only wish to cease this endless cycle.” 

   “Then make haste.”

   A puppet near the middle of the continent had caught wind of a makeshift airplane traveling south. Sephiroth did not expect them to leave the north so soon. Things were already changing in his favor. Once the sun hit its peak, he decided it was time to check on how the flower girl was fairing. 

- - -

   Aerith wasted no time getting to explore the maze-like house. Some doors were locked, most were open, and all empty. It was like the same areas had been copy-pasted several times over.

    “My staff has got to be around here. I’m sure it was with me before we left the City.” Aerith finally found a large door that looked nothing like the rest. “Bingo.”   The inside to her dismay was as uninteresting as everything else. Besides a small desk to write and thick velvet drapes along the windows. A house this big was truly unnecessary for a being that didn’t actually know how to live in one .

   “Oh heavens what's the point?” she came to the terrible realization her poor excuse of a room truly was the most equipped. “I will die of boredom before anything else.” Aerith stopped looking into rooms and instead focused on trying to get off the second floor, or third, she wasn’t sure. She’d managed to find the exit once, but everything about that day was a blur. 

    After wandering aimlessly she found a spiraling set of stairs. They lead her down into a narrow passage with no windows. Only a few lamps adorned on the walls lit her way. A plain wooden door lay at the end with a golden knob. The darkness made Aerith uncomfortable, but there was no reason to turn back now 

   “Please be something useful,” she whispered. The passage opened into a fully furnished study. Her mouth dropped slightly. Endless Shelves of books and loose paper were collected in chaotic stacks. A grand fireplace carved of stone was also surrounded by a deep red sofa. She wasn't sure where to start looking first. Things appeared to be placed randomly. Several chests and cabinets also lined the high walls.

   One silver chest in particular caught her eye right away. The front crest had “Shinra Electric Power Company” engraved upon it. She looked over her shoulder a few times like a child about to steal cookies before picking it up. A thin veil of dust sprinkled the lid. She set it atop a wooden table by the nearest desk light. Inside were several worn letters and trinkets. Aerith recognized the handwriting on several of them right away. 

    “Hojo…” she muttered his name in disgust. There looked to be report cards based around Sephiroth's physical condition. There were numbers tracking the dosage of injections and his cell response. Not everything she understood. A shiver ran down her spine remembering her own experiences. They tracked mundane things too, just to strip more privacy away. The amount of times you ate, went to the bathroom, when puberty hit, or went outside, it was all in the reports. Aerith remembered the first time she started to need a bra being one of the most nauseating conversations in Hojo's lab. During a check up the Turks had brought her in for, she recalled the smile on Hojo’s repulsive face. He spoke about her body changing with the other faceless lab coats like she wasn't even there. Like she wasn't human.

   A discolored photograph was stashed below everything. She flipped the frail paper and saw a beautiful woman on the other side. She looked so much like him . The bottom of the image read ‘ Jenova ’. 

   “His…mother? That can’t be right.” Under her mumbling she never noticed the shadow rapidly forming behind her.

   “That is off limits.” Sephiroth snatched the photo away and slammed the metal container shut. Aerith just barely tore her fingers away fast enough from being caught. She recoiled from the fury in his voice.

   “I’m sorry, I-” 

   “You probe too much.” Sephiroth grabbed her wrist and she winced. The bruising around her joints were still evident. Aerith could smell the slight scent of death in him. No blood could be seen, but she knew better. “What were you doing?” He noticed the cabinet withholding her staff and Black Materia appeared untouched. But all the scripts and knowledge he'd secured about the planet had not been seen by anyone other than him in decades. Undoubtedly, he just hated others touching his things. 

   “I was just looking around, like you said.” His eyes thinned. He did say she was free to explore. But he also didn't expect her to find this place.

   “How bold, to think you would enter my personal room so easily.” 

   “What?” Aerith frantically looked around again. It didn't look like a bedroom. But perhaps the madman no longer needed sleep. A sly smile pulled at his lips 

   “If you missed me that much I would have come back sooner.” 

   “I really didn't know. I was just curious.” Aerith tried to lean back, but her wrist still lay within his grasp. Sephiroth stepped into her retreat until her rear bumped against the desk. Her other palm quickly braced the edge to keep from falling. 

   “It’s not everyday someone enters my quarters.” A hand began tugging back on the collar of her jacket. “I will repay your bravery.” Aerith instinctively tried pulling back up the sleeve that exposed her shoulder. Sephiroth tilted his head as he watched the cracks in her behavior take form. Big green eyes full of distress stared up at him. Her lashes fluttered with every nervous blink. "There she is.” 

   He placed a gloved hand on her cheek. Using his thumb to trace the bottom of her half parted lips. Aerith couldn't take her eyes off him. Her breathing quickened with the pulsing of her heart. Each rapid thump ran up through her ears. He leaned down and rested his head upon her chest. Silky gray hair caressed her skin, she wanted to touch it. “Did you know, I can hear it.“ Aerith bit her lip, his voice was low now. Sephiroth's hand had found its way firmly against her back, pressing her into him. “I know everytime you grow excited like this. I hear your heartbeat so clearly.”

   Aerith was at a loss for words. She didn't know whether to run with it or yell and scream that it wasn't like that. He ignited all sorts of nonsensical emotions that she found it hard to distinguish each one. The only thing she knew in this moment was that she wanted to tell her raging heart to shut up.

   “How much faster will it go for me?” The fingers on her back began grabbing bunches of her dress. The soft fabric was tugged up and over her knees with ease. She hastily sat onto the desk in an attempt to halt the dress from moving up further. 

   “Stop it, now's not a good time, remember?” She looked past him at the floor, cheeks burning. Having this conversation with her destined foe was strange enough. But imagining him exploring her down there in this state was even more embarrassing. Sephiroth's hand glided up her thigh and around her back until his finger rested at the top of her underwear. 

   “Oh that?” His finger played with the band stretching around her lower hips. “Blood has never bothered me.” Sephiroth's head slid into her view, blocking her eyes from averting his, until his catlike pupils could see her reddened face clearly. “A natural lubricant, not that you need it.”  Aerith snapped at the vulgar statement and slapped him. 

   “You always have to say the worst things!” she hoped it hurt but he barely even flinched. 

   “You must have a desire for being punished.” He pounced, and everything blurred as things flew off the table. She felt her waist flatten against the surface as her wrists were secured above her head. “I'll teach you how to be a good girl.” His voice was a growl against her ear. With every inhale her chest brushed against his. Sephiroth’s other hand explored her freely. His fingers roamed around the curve of her breasts to the soft pit of her stomach. He had been craving this, waiting almost a week before having her again was seeming more impossible. Maybe if he tasted her flesh once more, he could forget about her for a while. The hand surrounding her wrists tightened in excitement and she yelped. Aerith's body jolted in pain as her knees stabbed the side of Sephiroth's torso. Tears stung the corners of her eyes.

   Sephiroth slowly released some tension. Surely he hadn't pressed so hard to receive such a reaction. He scanned her face for a reason, until eyeing the more obvious bruising.

   “How curious, why haven't you healed?” Aerith gulped. Unsure if being honest was wise. “Unless, it does truly excite you to remember how much you invigorate me.”

   “I… can't.” She whispered through thin streaks of salty tears. “I can't anymore.”

   His leathery fingers uncoiled themselves from her slender wrists and rested them on the table. He stared for a little too long at her. Sephiroth thought she was a sight for sore eyes in distress. The heavy emotion's radiated off her and he could feel all of it wrapping his skin like a blanket. He wanted her to beg him for help. But when her eyes parted through wet lashes to look at him his fists curled up. He could hear her voice, “ Convince me.” His lip twitched before walking over to a drawer in the wall. Aerith sat up and began wiping her face. Not a moment later he had returned with a little green orb in his palm.

   “Here.” His hand took hers and placed the glowing Materia in it. “Take it with you.” The Young flower girl stared at him with disbelief. 

   “I can leave?” Aerith wrapped the smooth sphere in her palms and hugged it to her chest. The orb radiated the same kind of warmth she often received from the lifestream. It felt like her garden, her home. The inviting embrace of her mother or the hands of her friends all resembled the unique power healing Materia possessed. The tears came back. She sniffled, unable to control the flow. Tranquility filled her heart. Sephiroth's brows furrowed. 

   “This Cetra cries too easily.” He leaned beside her and brushed the hair out of her face. Before she could fully realize, Aerith reached out her hand and latched onto the side of his long coat. She rested her forehead against him to hide her face. Consoling her further was beyond his abilities, so he just let her sit for the time being.

   “I'm sorry,” She whispered. Sephiroth stiffened, her voice was barely audible. “I didn't mean what I said. You're not the same.” That itch returned to his skin and the wrinkle on his forehead deepened. Her claim had stabbed something inside him even if she retracted it. Different, but perhaps similar, the thought made him sick. Her breathing eventually evened out and she released his coat. “I'm alright.”

   “Then come.” He held out a hand. “It's time for your meal.” Aerith wasn't hungry at all, but she accepted the hand anyway. Palm still nuzzling the Materia, she let him guide her off the desk. She knew she'd probably never make it back to her room before the next sunrise if she had to navigate on her own. 

Chapter Text

   The dining table was set more appropriately this time. Mixed aromas of warm vegetable stew and buttered loafs filled the room. Like before, Sephiroth left her alone after she took the first few bites. That was enough reassurance for him apparently. Aerith found it increasingly difficult to finish everything halfway through. She placed the spoon down and rummaged through the pockets of her jacket. The orb was as glossy and vibrant as she remembered. Mako swirled around inside like a mini galaxy. Her eyes fluttered shut as she grasped the tiny sphere in both hands. With a quick prayer, thin veils of green energy had enveloped the flower girl. The soft wisps returned her skin to normal. One by one, any remaining soreness faded away. A smile eased onto her lips. Her flesh at least, was at peace again. 

   Aerith mosied over to the windows and let her breath fog the glass. The night was still young and drowsiness hadn't hit yet. Still, nothing was visible beyond the snowy mountains. Her eyes scanned for any trace of light in the far out darkness. Some proof that other life existed within her parameters. Her fingers turned numb against the window. Aerith began to dread the nightly chill that came routinely. The daytime was bearable, but the cold seeped its way through every nook and cranny once the sun set. She sniffled, recalling the lavish study.

   “Why does he get a fireplace? I bet he doesn't even use it.” She wrapped her hands around her elbows. “Would he notice if I stole some cushions?” Her nose scrunched up while tapping the floor with her foot. After just barely escaping his den earlier, heading back now would be absurd. “How long do I have to sit in the bath to get warm.” She grumbled. 

   From the dining room Aerith found it wasn't that difficult getting back to her assigned place of rest. To her surprise, the sheets had been changed. Not a trace of blood in sight. She looked around for any sign of Sephiroth. He was good at disappearing when need be. Aerith remembered it was almost impossible to keep eyes on him even when Cloud was chasing right behind. 

   After impatiently drawing some water, she crawled into the boiling tub. Aerith didn’t mind turning into a prune if it meant feeling this relaxed. She stretched over the edge for the bar of soap. Besides, with the bleeding it was more convenient to clean this way. The soap glided across her skin like butter and smoothed out all her worries. Even gently rubbing along her inner thighs and neither region made her flinch. No matter how gentle she was, the area was always tender around this time. Her fingers ran over her lower pelvis as the suds were dispersed. Aerith’s mind wandered farther away with each stroke. Midgar was always warm thanks to the pillars sucking up every drop of Mako from the planet. As a result the desert surrounding Shinra’s greedy metropolis grew larger each year. Adjusting to this glacial wasteland was not going to be easy. Yet somehow Sephiroth was always so warm. He looked colder than death to her, but he held as much heat as the sun. She supposed if she got too close she’d burn to ash anyway so it wasn’t that different. Still, in another universe, it might have been cozy all snuggled up in his big arms during the snowfall. The moment his head met her chest, her skin set ablaze everywhere. Those leathery fingers teased far more than she was comfortable with today. Remembering the sensation made her breath deepen. Aerith’s toes curled and she realized she’d been circling her lower spot for too long. 

   “Oh curse him!” She dunked her head under the water and immediately began washing other parts of herself. 

- - -

   Icicle Inn was a lot more lively these days than they were used to. Occupancy kept filling up with strange guests, or so the hostess thought. A women and five men came in just as the town had gone to sleep. Two of them were in all black suits and walked with a pace that insisted they were important. The other four were more obvious with their metal helmets. After reaching the front desk, a tall bald man refused to remove his sunglasses. The hostess thought it reminded her of another man she saw the other day who also kept his sunglasses on even at night. 

   “Hello and welcome to Icicle inn, how can I help you?” the receptionist smiled as politely as she could. They were with Shinra, and that always meant trouble.

   “Rooms for Six please.” The man spoke with a deep and tired voice. 

   “We have three available. We were fully booked until a group left unexpectedly this morning. So it’s your lucky day.” The small blonde girl in all black grunted. She looked up at the man beside her with a matching uniform. 

   “Seriously? Well just so you know, I get a room all to myself.” The young blonde snatched a key off the desk. The man's eyes furrowed but he didn’t deny or argue. He thought it was obvious she’d get her own room. But the energy to retort was long gone after spending the last 6 hours stuck in a helicopter with her. He looked back to the receptionist. 

   “That’ll do. About that group that left earlier. Do you know where they were headed?” The hostess shrugged. 

   “We don’t make it a habit to pry into our guests' business.” 

   “Figures,” the girl said under her breath with a scowl. The hostess looked up, trying to remember something.

   “But they did ask about any nearby locations further north. Unfortunately, aside from a few skiing trails, the mountains are too dangerous to cross. Not much is accessible without the risk of getting lost in the blizzards.” 

   “Hm, I see.” The man held his chin for a moment before taking the remaining keys and walking away. 

   “I told you they’d come this way,” she chirped. 

   “Elena, pipe down.” The bald man handed a key to the four troopers. “Get some shut eye. We regroup tomorrow after breakfast.” 

   “Yes sir!” With a brief salute, the men were already marching off. Once they’d all gone, Elena folded her arms and leaned against the cabin walls. 

   “Why are we here anyway? Isn’t chasing the Ancient freak Tseng’s jurisdiction?”   

   “If you’ll remember he’s still recovering from the last mission, and Reno just barely got back on his feet.”

   “Still seems like a waste of time. All that just for the Temple to be a bunch of nothing, no promised land in sight. I think the president is chasing a dead end.” 

   “Just do as you’re told and you’ll be fine.” 

   “Well I’m sleeping in tomorrow, so don’t wake me.” With a wave she was gone. The man in black signed deeply while staring at the ground long after she’d left.

   “I sure miss you partner.” 

 - - -

   Sephiroth glared at the metal Shinra box in his study. He tucked it up high enough on a shelf to where a certain snooping flower girl wouldn’t be able to reach. He ran his fingers through his silvery mane before relinquishing himself to the red sofa in the middle of the room. 

   “I shouldn’t have let her leave.” Regret settled in for straying off course. He could have just given her the Materia once he was finished. The Cetra was too delicate, she would just accumulate more scratches after he'd had his way with her. Trying to make her come to him on her own this soon might be a barren endeavor. “Tsk.” She put up a good front this morning, but he could clearly see the panic written all over her face the moment he grabbed her. 

   “ That is why I said just use her. Stop hesitating.”

   “It will all end as planned.”

   “ So don't care about the method. Just take everything and summon a world reborn. ”

   “In a few days she'll have no excuse.” The girl was crawling around places she didn't belong. When she said she'd find his Materia he didn't actually expect her to get so close. “Well that encounter ought to keep her away from this room.” The more he tried to forget about her the more vivid her image became. He could feel every curve of her body beneath the soft dress, yet he hadn't seen all of her yet. He was too quick the first time. 

  “ Stop that.”

   “What?”

   “If you're not going to mate quickly then don't go near her until her body is in prime again. Your focus is misguided lately.” Regardless of Mothers wishes, he'd come to like seeing the Cetra daily. 

   “We are eternal, it's better to keep things interesting.” Sephiroth rubbed his chin as a grin pulled at his lip. He could almost still feel where her nails scraped across his cheek. He'd have to make up for that. Sephiroth released a long exhale. He was still aroused to an extent. He'd been left cold this afternoon and quickly abandoned the Cetra afterwards. She followed along so peacefully for dinner, completely unguarded. After she sat down, the image of taking her over the dining table from behind suddenly flashed in his mind. Her hair gathered in his fist with her small body bending to his desires. He had to leave quickly before undoing the rapport he'd built in the study. 

   Sephiroth didn't need to sleep. His main body was technically resting even if his mind was free. He preferred to recoup here when jumping from the eyes of all his puppets scattered along the planet. But there was nothing in particular he needed to monitor, he wanted to see her again. He abruptly stood up and ignored the itch growing below. The flower girl should be sleeping now, so it would be fine to check on her. Anytime he needed to place something in her room, it was easiest at night. Sephiroth began waking down the pitch black halls. Very few corridors had windows that allowed the moonlight to leak through. They weren’t necessary, his vision was just as sharp after hours. In these moments he realized how much she truly slept. Humans lost so much of their limited time on this planet to their dreams. It was essential for them, he couldn't remember the time he used to dream.  

   “Ouch.” The sound of shuffling around a staircase snapped him back to reality. Sephiroth was naturally discreet, the Cetra never even noticed him. Her ability to sense him appeared to have weakened lately. “C'mon you!” She exclaimed her frustration in hushed tones. “I know you have something, you've just got too.” Sephiroth listened to her fumbling with a knob. After a few more strides she came into view. She adorned the simple nightgown he'd left and wrapped a sheet around her shoulders. After a few more tugs she gave up and kicked the barrier before her. “Fine, I'll look elsewhere.” The flower girl reached her hands out like a blind man to trace along the wall. She was headed his way. Her hands moved up and down the enclosure, presumably looking for another door. Sephiroth stood and waited. 

   After a few more steps Aerith found herself colliding with a boulder-like figure. She was already walking crooked and not prepared to hit her shoulder first before tripping over her legs. Sephiroth didn't even break her fall. He watched her topple over, half amused that this creature had survived the slums all this time. 

   “Damnit.” Aerith reached out from the ground and began grabbing at Sephiroth's leg, trying to decipher the sturdy object. The leathery boots instantly gave him away. “You!” her head shot up, scanning the void. He decided to just lean over and help now that his fun was over. A firm hand squeezed her arm.

   “More snooping? Didn't you learn your lesson earlier?” The outline of him was just barely starting to form. 

   “Just how long were you standing there? And I’m not snooping, I’m freezing.” 

   “What?” The air seemed fine to him. Sephiroth never noticed a difference in temperature. Anywhere he went, his body perfectly adjusted. Aerith suddenly grabbed his arm, as if preventing him from disappearing again. 

   “I need more blankets. Or some fire Materia if you’re feeling generous.” Sephiroth scoffed.

   “The last thing I need is for you to burn down the house.” He could feel how jittery she was under his attire. Did the cold cause that? “I will get you something, so go to bed.” 

   “Well, the thing is…” she shuffled a bit closer to him. “I can’t see where I’m going.” With an awkward laugh her fingers gripped tighter. Sephiroth was a bit perplexed, perhaps not being able to see him made him less threatening. A devious smile settled on his face.

   “I’m rather busy.” Sephiroth pried her hand away from him. 

   “In the middle of the night?” 

   “Perhaps if you said, please.” 

   “Huh?”

   “Then again, I’m not sure the next time I’ll be back.” 

   “Wait!” Aerith hastily reached out with both hands this time to secure any part of him. In pursuit of a real blanket she sacrificed the sheet protecting her bare shoulders as it fell away. “Then P-Please.”

   “Hm?” Aerith grunted in annoyance. 

   “I know you heard me.” she felt him pull further away. “Please… take me back to my room.” Each word came out disjointed, as unwilling to form the phrase as she was to say it. 

   “And?” His head tilted to the side in anticipation. Aerith resisted every urge to hit him again. She never imagined her pride being worth the cost of some coverage in this snowy hell. She took a deep breath.

   “Please take me back to my room and get me some blankets, thick ones. I’d appreciate it.” Sephiroth finally gave in and slipped a hand around her shoulder. He felt her shiver slightly underneath. Even the slightest touch from him made her skin feel as though a million cactuar needles were prickling her. Walking slowly from behind, his hand never lost contact. Aerith tried to keep a steady pace, making sure not to trip again. The night was eerily quiet. Their footsteps could have echoed if not for the shadows swallowing everything up. 

   “You should have mentioned it sooner.” His voice startled her.  

   “It wasn’t exactly my top priority.” 

   “And what counts as a priority?” No words could find her, and she became increasingly stiff. What was she supposed to say? Getting as far away from him as possible? She feared creating a foul mood, but the silence was painful. “Heh,” a puff of air escaped his lips. “I already know, Cetra.” Aerith frowned at the pull of her heart. For some reason she almost felt guilty. Once they entered a corridor with windows, it was clear they'd made it back. He felt her spine relax again.

   Sephiroth stopped walking once they reached her door. The view from behind wasn’t bad. Her hair fell all around her shoulders and stopped just around the curve of her waist. The thin nightgown clung to her body and left little to the imagination. She looked so fragile next to him. The urge to grab her was becoming unbearable again. Reluctantly, he removed his hand. Cold air immediately consumed the spot his palm once rested, stealing any built up warmth. She turned slowly, gazing at the floor. If she asked when he’d be back with her things, would she look too impatient? Sephiroth could tell her face had something else on her mind. But staying longer would be trouble.

   “What is it?” Before he could fully realize, two delicate arms were folding around his waist. She steadily pressed up against him until her cheek was flush against his chest. Sephiroth's foot quickly hoisted him from behind him in order to keep from swaying. His hand twitched, unsure what to do. 

   “Just for a moment, you owe me.” 

   “Excuse me?”

   “For today. It’s payback.” Aerith closed her eyes and let his body heat envelop her. The frigid air subsided whenever they made contact. “ Aerith you are going crazy.” Her conscience tried reprimanding her but logic had long left. She'd gotten increasingly sleepy since the bath hours ago. If she could fall asleep standing here she would have by now. 

   “You play dangerous games.” Sephiroth stroked her hair, letting it glide through his fingers.

   “It's called a hug. It’s supposed to comfort you.” She spoke through a yawn that escaped. “You're so warm,” she mumbled.

   Sephiroth's pulse quickened. The flower girl was physically his, and soon her mind would be stolen too. He placed a hand on her back and it only encouraged her to melt further into his skin. Mother was wrong, he hadn't lost focus. He could have her right now if he wanted. Her body was pitiful compared to his grand stature. It would take less than a second to have her on the ground and remove that poor excuse of a gown. His face scrunched up. But he already did want her, yet he'd allowed her to slip away twice. Her sincerity seemed precious, something in him didn't want to squander it. But how long could that last? She would eventually have to surrender her body nightly. Then where would that sweet defenseless expression be? He thought maybe simply holding her didn't feel so bad for now. “ Stop .” His mind filled with Mothers warning. “ Your focus is misguided.”

   “Sorry. I need to sleep.” Embarrassment crept into her cheeks as her grip loosened. She looked up at him, he hadn't said a thing. She thought perhaps she acted too presumptuously. His face was twisted in an expression she couldn't gauge. Was he angry, or disgusted? She moved her arms in front to try and distance them, but he wouldn’t budge. His hand refused to release her. “Sephiroth?” The sound of his name on her tongue took the last drop of patience. 

   “Enough of this ,” he thought. “I did not bring you here for comfort.”

   He cupped her chin and pushed back until they collided with the door. It shook on impact. He found easy access to her mouth as she gasped for air. His kisses were always sudden and left little room for escape. He was more impatient than usual, wasting no time in sliding her nightgown up over her hips. 

   “Mmhph!” Aerith held onto her dress desperately and wiggled her head free. “Wait, I didn't mean to-” Sephiroth had already hoisted her off the ground while barging through the door. He let them fall to the mattress, keeping a hand behind her to soften the impact. Her hands roamed around for any control, desperately trying to put space between them.

   “I thought you were cold? There are other ways I can warm you.” Aerith's face burned and she immediately regretted being so vulnerable. Of course he would just twist it around. “You are strange, Cetra. You were the one clinging to me a minute ago.” 

   “That's different.” She spat back. “Not everything is an invitation for sex.” The crass tone made Sephiroth's eyes widen with amusement. 

   “Then please enlighten me of your intentions.” 

   “I don't know, I-” The right words couldn't find their way out. She bit her lip and looked down. Was it compassion or a gesture of friendliness? It didn't seem right to associate such pure emotions with him. She’d let her guard down in the hall, he just seemed so normal. He watched her eyes dart around. “I just wanted to.” His hand found its way to her lower stomach, palm pressing flat against her skin.

   “You've gotten too comfortable. Do not forget who you belong to now.” 

   “...My mistake.” Aerith's voice was reduced to a lifeless whisper. Sephiroth continued to remove her dress until her breasts were exposed. It slipped over her shoulders easily. She was beautiful and full of uncharted territory. Despite her attempts to cover herself with her arms, he saw everything. She didn't yell or fight. Her dejected expression was stuck in place, her mind seemingly elsewhere. It was hard to tell if she was even breathing. He grit his teeth and gripped the mattress.

   “You will be ready for me when I say so. Your days of luck are almost up. Remember that.” He stormed out of the room and Aerith finally exhaled. She held back her sobs, completely humiliated. Sephiroth's knuckles refused to uncurl themselves. He couldn't understand why he was so bothered. After grabbing his sword he quickly left to eliminate any nearby feigns. Perhaps Mother was right. He should avoid her until it was time.

Chapter Text

  Aerith wasn't able to sleep at all that night. Her mind was a mess. By the time light fell from the skies, she had already changed into regular clothes without much thought. She was anxious, but Sephiroth never came by. A shaky hand forced down a bit of porridge. Somehow the reality of the whole thing was just starting to settle in. It had all played out like a hypnotic dream until now. Layered with sleep deprivation, she spent the entire morning on edge. The moment she grabbed him wouldn't stop playing over and and over in her mind. A constant annoying loop.

   “Why did I do that? He gave me healing Materia… because I shouldn't die? You touched him, that's weird. I was tired. He looked lonely. My bleeding has slowed. What do I do when I see him? I hugged him like an idiot. That asshole took advantage of you. I hate him. I shouldn’t have asked for anything.”

   Aerith walked the halls completely consumed in her own rambles. She didn’t expect to find anything, but needed to feel like she was doing something of value. She assumed Sephiroth would be gone again for most of the day. Last night he said he didn’t know when he’d be back. She assumed he was just trying to get under her skin, but now wondered if it might be a day or two. “Why did he get angry? Because I grabbed him? If he was disgusted, why did he jump on me?” Aerith's finger rubbed her upper lip while biting at her thumbnail. She couldn't tell if she completely hated his kiss, of if she just wasn’t ready for it. It was the way he moved without asking or warning that bothered her. Sometimes he acted like her existence mattered to him. Like she was someone worth more alive than dead. But then he would shatter the illusion and make her feel like something to be disposed of. 

    “Child, you are still here. This is not right. ” Aerith’s head snapped into focus. 

   “I’ve been trying to reach you.” She opened her heart and grabbed hold of the thin string connecting her to the planet. 

   “You are neither here nor there. You are not among us, yet your body is disconnected.”

   “But nothing’s changed. I’m still well and alive as always.” 

    “The land you stand on is wounded and dying. It is difficult to see you. A hole that eats away our essence is near.”   Aerith thought for a moment. It was always natural to hear the soft humming of the lifestream when she was in her garden. Flowers swayed in the wind and brushed secrets into her ear as she passed by. But here nothing survived. The ground was frozen and she hadn’t seen a single lifeform that could grow. Everything was stone, metal, cement. Not even the sun's blinding rays could penetrate the cold. 

   “He has the Black Materia. I know it’s here. Please, help me find it.” 

   “Unspeakable evil, we cannot touch that.”

   “We can prevent calamity from ever happening, can’t it be destroyed?”

   “It does not matter. As long as he lives, nothing is safe. You must return to us. It’s the way it should be.” 

   “I have to try. I can deal with him later.” The connection went silent for a few moments. Aerith feared they’d gone again. 

   “Find your Black Materia and get out stubborn girl. You must find living land, or our next meeting remains unknown.” Aerith nodded her head. 

   “Alright,” she said to herself. “I think I already know where to start looking.”

- - -

   Sephiroth's puppet was fading. Most of its lifespan had been expended after spending the last 10 hours cutting down monsters like a lunatic. The area had been secured long before the sun rose. But he kept going out, further and further, looking for anything to ruin. He needed to locate another vessel nearby. A hoard of black robes should reach the north region soon, but they were too slow on their own. Sephiroth quickly realized the art of distraction was not among his strong suits. Even when she wasn’t there, the flower girl's face was invading his mind. No reimagining of Reunion or breaking Cloud’s mind or the destruction of Shinra could block out the image. It only fueled his rampage. She should have stayed insignificant. The planet's last Cetra, their ultimate weapon, to be turned against itself and used to aid in his rise to Godhood. But oh it was going so wrong. Destroying obstacles was always simple, but trying to eliminate someone who should not be killed was a wall he could not climb. The wicked Cetra as Mother had said. She was slowly stealing bits of his mind reserved for other things worthy of his concentration. “ I never got her the requested cloth.” SLASH . Just as the thought emerged, he quickly buried it away under the vibrations of Masamune. Spilling the flesh of a deformed creature. 

   “Blankets are a trivial matter." He carried on south. But those fragile arms trying to wrap all around him fought for his attention. He wondered if she’d ever dare taking the initiative again. The gesture was outside his comprehension. It felt too intimate to, but she insisted it wasn’t with lewd intention. “Then for what? The cold, comfort, Pity, love?” SLASH. Another monster spilled onto the snow and stained it an ugly green. Sephiroth's shoulders jerked up and down as he fought to control his laughter. “That is a stupid idea.”

   He couldn’t recall ever being hugged. Embraced without expecting anything in return. He supposed it's something a mother would have done. If this cruel world hadn’t killed her and stripped Jenova of her birthright. This twisted life stole many things he could never get back. But the past was done, only the future could be made.

   “They will all burn. Do not worry Mother, I will purify this rotting world.” A black robe near the Corel Regin caught sight of a tiny airplane gliding southwest. Without a moment's notice Sephiroths consciousness filled the vessel roaming the desert. The other body would soon be buried under snow anyways, if something didn’t eat it first. It appeared his favorite soldier was heading towards Cosmo Canyon. 

- - -

   Breakfast at Icicle Inn was plain, but it was hot, and that was all the Shinra troopers really wanted. The Turks however were used to a finer palette and found the unsalted eggs with plain bread to be underwhelming. Elena pulled a forkful of undercooked eggs to her nose and let it fall back onto her plate after taking a whiff. 

   “Travel hundreds of miles without getting paid overtime on a frozen hill for this slop? No thanks.” She pushed the plate away. “Rude, you’re not really eating it?” Despite his ridged appearance, Rude ate politely with straight posture and a napkin folded in his lap. 

   “I’ve had worse. You’ll regret it later on an empty stomach.” Elena groaned and reached for some bread. 

   “Sir! Everything is accounted for. Backup is confirmed and transportation is ready for takeoff.” The four troopers that accompanied them stood in formation. Rude dabbed at his mouth with the napkin before placing it neatly on the table. 

   “Good.” He stood up. “Elena, we're leaving.” 

   “Roger that.” Elena shoved another piece of bread in her mouth before following them from behind. Outside the village entrance a second helicopter joined them. Fifteen more troopers and a few third class soldiers were among them. Rude pushed his glasses into place with a middle finger before securing his tie. 

   “Don’t let your guard down, and remember, the Ancient is your only priority. Once she is secured, leave immediately. She’s expected to be with the terrorist group Avalanche, and an ex-first class Soldier.”

   “Yes sir! Permission to shoot on site?” Rude wrinkled his nose. A particular bartender with beautiful black hair and ruby eyes was also suspected to be with them. 

   “Only if you have to. Remember Avalanche are wanted alive for interrogation. Leave them to Elena and I. Your mission is gathering the Ancient and returning her to Shinra. Don’t underestimate her.” 

   “Understood, sir!” The men saluted in unison before marching off into an assigned chopper. Rude tossed up a pair of keys.

   “Elena, you’re up.” 

   “Seriously?” 

   “It’s time you got more flying practice.” Elena grinned with confidence she always pulled out of nowhere.

   “I’ll get us there in no time sir.” Rude took a deep breath, preparing for a bumpy ride. It might have been best that they didn’t eat too much after all. 

   The first few hours were uneventful. Nothing but Snow and blank space. Once the snowstorm began to pick up, even Elena started showing signs of apprehension. 

   “Are we sure they even came this way?” She stared ahead in horror. Nothing could be seen beyond the white flurries engulfing the windows. Only the radar could detect their location now. 

   “It’s our best lead. We know for sure they stopped at the inn. They wouldn’t have come this far for nothing.” 

   “If we die out here, I will personally come back to haunt you.” The helicopter jerked from side to side under the pressure of the wind. Despite his calm demeanor, Rude gripped the control stick until his knuckles turned white to help her steady it. “Uh, sir, what is that?” Elena pointed to a yellow dot on the radar that seemed to be steadily approaching them. But yellow dots were fixed objects. 

   “Veer left, now!” Without warning the chopper sharply turned. The howling winds took that momentum and hurled them further into a dizzying array of circles. 

   “Sir, we have to land!” 

   “It’s too dangerous, we don’t have a clear sighting of the ground.” 

   “Who cares! If we can’t get out of this storm there’ll be nothing left of us to land!” Rude grabbed the telecom above his head. 

   “Troopers, disengage! Land immediately!” There was no response. “Troopers, your positions?!” 

   “Forget them, it’s out of our hands.” Elena gripped the control stick and pulled back with all her might. The landing wasn’t just rough, it sent spine breaking pain through everyone. The groans of Shinra troopers in the cargo filled Rude’s ears. He turned to Elena, seemingly unconscious. 

   “Elena?!”  He shook her shoulder violently in hopes of a response. 

   “Ugh.” She hissed through her teeth and swatted his hand away. “I’m fine. My head fucking hurts though.” Rude sighed and quickly regained his composure before turning around. 

   “Anyone still alive, say ‘I’.” 

   “I…” The men in the back reluctantly spoke up while rubbing their throbbing joints. 

   “I’ll check the situation outside. See if you can get the engine lights on for takeoff out of here.” 

   “On it.” Elena unbuckled her seatbelt and started messing with the machinery. Rude crawled out of the dented door after having to slide it open manually. He stared up the colossal mountain that almost flattened them. Now that they weren’t moving at such insane speeds, the snow was easier to see though. Rude could see smoke in the mountain. A small flame was visible even from a hundred miles up.

   “Great.” There went the backup. Little dots in the sky caught his attention as he squinted. Rude ran back to the helicopter. “Flare gun, Now!” One of the men tossed the firecracker his way and in one swift motion, Rude set it ablaze. The little dots began drifting towards the light. Some survivors had managed to eject themselves in time. Elena eventually joined her comrade outside.

   “Sir, The body took some damage but all the fuel lines seem to be working. I think we can make it.” 

   “And the radio?” 

   “I’m not sure yet. I’ll call for backup as soon as I get it working.” Rude’s face finally relaxed. She was young and impatient, but undeniably a Turk.

   “How many do you think made it?” Elena asked flatly. 

   “Maybe six or seven that I see.” Rude adjusted his sunglasses as if it would help the view.

   “Sir, Our helicopter can only hold nine.” Rude said nothing. “I best get that radio going then.” He suddenly grabbed her shoulder just as she began to turn away. 

   “Elena! What do you see over there?” He pointed far off behind the curve of the Glacier. Elena put a hand above her eyes to shield her from the snow falling over her vision. 

   “Uhh, a … house?” 

   “Tell the men to arm themselves. We’re not done here.” 

   “Yes sir!” 

- - -

   Cloud and the party wasted no time getting back to Bugenhagen’s Observatory. The second they landed, Cloud was nearly running. Nanaki and Tifa were the only ones who kept up. Cid insisted Barret stay to help with repairs. Vincent didn't care much for crowded towns and Yufie had had enough planetology speeches to last a lifetime. 

   “Welcome to Cos-”

   “Move it.” Cloud brushed past the gatekeeper and kept walking without so much as a glance of acknowledgment. 

   “Sorry.” Tifa smiled apologetically to the man but also kept a steady pace. 

   “Nice to see you again, but we’re kinda in a hurry!” Nanaki trotted by, tail wagging. Cloud barged through the front doors of the Observatory. Bugenhangen was already there waiting, as if somehow expecting guests.   

   “Oho, what is this? You’ve returned sooner than I thought.” The old man floated over. “Although with a bit of audacious greetings.” 

   “Grandpa! You’ll never believe the places I went to.” Nanaki couldn't contain his childlike demeanor whenever he came back home. 

   “Cut the chatter. We don’t have a lot of time.” Cloud disregarded any small talk. They could barely get him to move the last few days, but since his last encounter with Sephiroth, he was practically jumping all over. Nanaki stopped wagging his tail and sat down.

   “We wanted to ask some questions.” Tifa stepped forward. “Aerith is, she’s gone.” Her voice trailed off and her eyes fell to the floor. 

   “I see.” Bugenhagen brought a sleeved hand to his chin.

   “Is it possible to lose a connection with the planet? I used to feel Aerith’s presence, but after she vanished, so did our attachment.”

   “One does not simply lose their connection. I’m afraid my boy, that usually means she’s one with the source again.” Nanaki’s ears dropped. It wasn’t the response they hoped for.

   “No, Sephiroth is the one who took her.” This pathetic meeting wasn’t going to cut it for Cloud. “If he was trying to hide her, I know he could pull off a trick like this. He has the Black Materia, we need to find him.” 

   “Ohohoho, that's quite the conundrum. Perhaps Aerith has left some clues for you. If she’s still among us, she would surely be fighting.” Cloud pulled out the clear Materia Aerith handed him back in the sleeping forest. Nanaki’s eyes lit up.

   “That's- Aerith said that was her special Materia, before the whispers stole our memories.” 

   “Did she say what it was for?” Tifa eyed the sphere with confusion. 

   “She didn’t tell us anything.” Cloud responded, furrowing his brows. Aerith had a plan but shouldered everything alone. If only he hadn’t lost sight of her in the forest, she might still be here. “She told me to take care of this, and that she’d deal with Sephiroth. I think… she was praying when I last saw her.”

   “How peculiar. If I’m not mistaken, the strongest call of defense on the planet is from the sacred relic, Holy.”

   “Holy?” Cloud blinked, he’d never even heard of it.

   “Only the chosen ones can summon its power through their prayers. If Aerith truly was a Cetra, the planet would no doubt heed her call.” 

   “Maybe that's why Sephiroth was there, to stop her from using Holy.” Nanaki looked over to Cloud hopeful. “If we can find Aerith and get our hands on Holy, maybe we can stop both the Meteor and Sephiroth!”

   “Hoho, thats the spirit my boy. I suggest going back to the scene of event’s. There might be something else hidden in the city of the Ancients.”

   “But what about the Black Materia, it’s still too dangerous to just it leave alone right?” Tifa's eyes were unconvinces, nothing was guaranteed. 

   “Perhaps your friends in the black robes can guide you.” Bugenhagen stroked his beard. “They seem to be drawn to something not of this planet. Following them may yield promising results.” 

   A few sickly men in black robes had already crept past the guards of Cosmo Canyon. They didn’t say or do anything no matter how hard the locals tried engaging with them. The guards decided they didn’t pose any threat, planetology was for everyone after all. One of the robes however, moved with more intention than the others. Sephiroth hid within the body of a lost soul who had the number 035 tattooed on his arm. He figured it’d be better not to show his true face. He liked sneaking around like a cat, it gave him the upper hand. No one ever knew when he’d strike next. Sephiroth shuffled to the town's heart. A man with a gun for an arm stood there. 

   “Hey, so what did the old man say?” Barret still had some oil smeared on his face, he never could turn anyone down. 

   “He thinks Aerith left us something back at the Forgotten Capital.” Nanaki spoke excitedly.

   “We’re looking for a Materia called Holy.” Cloud walked out in front. “It could stop Meteor from destroying the planet. I think Aerith had it the last time we met.” His face had finally relaxed a little. 

   “But what about Sephiroth? I thought we were looking for him?” Barret scratched his head, not really following. 

   “We are, but figuring out what Aerith’s plans were before she disappeared is also important. Finishing what she started might be of more help to her right now. The sooner we leave the better.”

   "But we just got here. Everyone's strength is running thin, maybe we should rest a bit." Tifa watched him nervously. Cloud tried to be the strongest one, yet appeared fragile at times in her eyes. His headaches were growing worse and he wasn't sleeping right. 

   "We came here for answers and we got them. We leave now." Cloud looked to the sky as everyone headed back.  “The next time we meet, I hope you can rely on me.”  

   Sephiroth listened with complete stillness. They weren’t any closer to finding his Cetra, but Holy could be a different problem altogether. He strategically made sure to intercept Aerith before she had finished her prayer. But securing the holy Materia wasn’t part of that. He was positive she didn’t have it, he’d stripped her down enough times to know every belonging she might have hidden. Sephiroth assumed it fell into the lifestream, gone forever. On the off chance it hadn’t been absorbed by the planet, he had to be sure they never found it. If Aerith ever got her hands on it again, there could be trouble. After he’d heard enough, Sephiroth knew it was time to head back. He’d left her for too long. Just as his mind was about to slip into another puppet, he noticed some stalls selling fur blankets. He halted and flexed his fingers. If he took anything with him, he’d have to trek back home the long way. 

    “I keep my promises.” He thought, detaching himself. It wasn’t emotion, simply a matter of principle. Sephiroth waited till he was outside of town to transform into his normal body and carry back the things he’d taken. The little pink flower he found along the way in his hand was apparently also just principle.

 - - -

   After a bit of backtracking, Aerith found the spiraling staircase. The hallway was as daunting as she remembered. This time she'd brought a lamp from the dining room. Her fingers wrapped around the golden doorknob and she pushed it tenderly to avoid the wood from creaking. She peaked her head inside and scanned for Sephiroth. As expected, he wasn't around. Her heart raced and her palms grew sweaty. Before she had come with innocent intentions, but now she was looking to steal. 

   “Ok think. If I was an egocentric madman, where would I hide my most prized possession.” Her eyes darted from one shelf to another. The amount of stuff he had accumulated was overwhelming. She walked to the desk and set her lamp on it. It was still a mess from yesterday. The clear space created by Sephiroth's hand swiping away everything in order to make room for her was still there. She could almost feel him breathing on her neck. “I'll teach you how to be a good girl.” Aerith slapped her cheeks with both hands and shook her head. “Get out of this place and never think of him again.” She swallowed down the butterflies in her stomach and began rummaging through the drawers. “He kept healing Materia around here, he must have all sorts of stuff.” She sorted through a variety of pens and paper, but nothing special. “Hm, nope, not it, Nuh uh.” The drawers were so ordinary she could scream. Wicks to reset the lamps, oil to clean his sword, tissues. Next she scanned along the bookshelves with her finger, but everything was just as they appeared. No hidden levers or doorways.

   Aerith fell onto the couch and scanned the compartments closest to the ceiling. Her eyes zeroed in on a silver case.

   “The Shinra box?” Seeing as he’d taken care to place it far away, she figured the more important stuff might be on the top shelves. Accept there was no way she could reach it. Normal people had a rolling ladder, but nothing about Sephiroth could be associated with normal. After looking around, She dug her fingers under the edge of the desk and lined it up with the wall. She thought If the bookshelves were strong enough to hold her weight, she could use them as a step and shimmy across the edges. 

   Her legs shook climbing along the wobbly wood, but she was determined not to fall. It almost reminded her of the times she crossed rooftops with Cloud. The memory made her smile. Messing up Sephiroth's room was kind of fun. At least if she could get out before having to face his wrath. She slid along the dusty wooden ledge until she reached the Shinra box. She’d already seen its contents once, but various other boxes sat alongside it. With a trembling arm she lifted the lid of one box. More books. Aerith grunted and kept side stepping. Once she made it to the fireplace she began reaching for more containers, but her arms were growing sore. “Should I just throw them to the ground and search that way?” A knot was forming in the pits of her stomach. Less and less room for error was being left. If she didn’t get out tonight, there’d be no way to put back this mess. She reached for a leathery box, and just as her fingers brushed the side, she felt the shelf below her give way. She slipped fast. Clawing at everything to no avail. She reached for a wooden cabinet above the fireplace, hoping to catch the handle. But the cabinet wasn’t secured to anything and toppled over with her. 

   The impact wasn’t very forgiving. She heard her shoulder crunch over the hard floor and her fingers were sliced in several places due to the shelf corners. She was thankful to at least have the healing Materia of all things.

   “Ohhh.” Aerith whined and she rolled onto her back. She grit through the pain and panic, observing the damage. It looked like a hurricane came through. “What have I done?” She bit her lip and crawled over to the cabinet that fell. She tilted the case upright and heard the familiar jingle of metal inside. Her eyes lit up. She impatiently threw the doors open and a grin stretched from both her ears. “My staff!” In perfect condition, and all previous Materia still equipped. “Oh thank the Goddess! With this I should be able to leave.” But that wasn’t all. A sinister black orb rolled around the bottom shelf. Aerith swallowed and picked it up slowly. An electric sensation pulsed through her fingers where the glossy surface made contact. A shot of adrenaline flowed through her veins. 

   “Ok, time to go.” Aerith grabbed her staff and began running out the door. Halfway up the staircase she heard crashing. Her steps ceased, frozen with terror. He was back. "Was Sephiroth ever this loud before? Shit, is he looking for me?" Still she had to keep moving. Aerith made haste with lighter steps. She wasn’t sure of the exit but had to just believe she could find it again. She darted down the hallways and prayed she didn’t run into him. If he saw her, it was over. She clutched her staff and glanced at her equipment. Barrier, Wind and various support extensions. She cursed herself for not having more offensive slots. But getting to the city of the Ancients was supposed to be her last stop. She just needed to get there safely, not fight anyone. 

   She turned the corner and dug her feet into the ground. She skid so far it almost knocked her off her feet. Impossible. She stared wide eyed into the face of another person in all black. A young woman with short blonde hair. 

   “No, freaking, way.” Elena pointed at Aerith like some exotic animal being seen for the first time in years. “Rude, I found her! The Ancient freak is up here!” Elena was basically swimming with glee. “Oh I can’t wait to go home.” She drew her pink gun and the Aerith quickly brought forth her staff to shield her.

  "What is happening, how did they find me?” Aerith needed to quickly redo her entire plan.

   “Don’t even try it.” The gun pointed straight for the Ancient's head. “Tseng got pretty roughed up because of you.” Aerith winced, he was bleeding out the last time she saw him. But it seems he was rescued before it was too late. “Cat caught your tongue? Where are the others hiding?” Aerith heard several more footsteps approaching, she had to get past them somehow. If she timed it right, it was possible. She lowered her staff and slowly approached the young Turk. 

   “I wont give them away. Even if you take me, you can’t have my friends.” Elena scoffed. She began nervously checking the blind spots around her shoulders. 

   “Don’t think of surprising me, it won’t work. The sooner they show themselves the better." Aerith just shook her head defiantly. "The higher ups would rather you came in clean,” Elena smirked. “But I don’t have any problem making things difficult for you.”

   “I’m not going anywhere with you.” Aerith’s voice was firm. The gap between them slowly closed, and the other troopers should be here any second. “By the sound, maybe… five are coming?” 

   “Good, gives me no reason to hold back then.” Her finger hovered over the trigger.

   “Elena, no!” Rude's voice didn’t reach her in time. That was all the confirmation the Ancient needed. Just as he came into view Aerith sent a blast of wind hurling them back before breaking into a sprint. The impact knocked both Turks onto the troopers that followed oh too closely behind. She swiftly jumped over their bodies that scrambled against the current.

   “Sorry,” Aerith sang while waving at Rude as she darted by.  

   “Move!” Rude began shoving at the useless troopers weighing him down. 

   “Be careful, the other terrorists are hiding nearby,” Elena warned. 

   “Elena, you and these men search for the others, I’ll take care of the Ancient.” 

   “But sir! I was just getting warmed up.”

   “Thats an order. Remember, we’re not here to kill them.” 

   Aerith was as light as a feather on her feet. It felt good to have her staff in hand again. For the first time in a while she didn’t feel so powerless. She heard a few more armed Soldiers approaching and she swiftly cast a barrier. They were a low rank, no match for her. Just a few strikes was enough to stagger them till she was long out of sight. A deep rhythmic thumping approached from behind. Rude was gaining on her. He was the only one who could match her pace in the slums. She had to think quick to get away from him. He had his own dirty tricks. If he managed to touch her, she’d be out.

   “Aerith!” He shouted. “Don’t make this hard for us, or everyone gets hurt.” Aerith rolled her eyes. The Turks always leveraged the threat of innocent bystanders to guilt her into following them obediently. They had no idea what she'd gone through the last few days, 'everyone' wasn't on her mind. An indoor balcony was unfolding before her eyes, making her heart skip a beat. The exit. She glided down the steps, hopping over every other one to quicken her pace. With the twirl of her staff she knocked out two more troopers guarding the entrance. She extended her hand to the door before Rude abruptly landed in front of her. The quick change in direction almost had Aerith flat on her back. He must have jumped off the balcony and skipped the stars all together. “ Damnit ,” she cursed. Rude brushed off his jacket sleeve and took a step towards her. 

   “Why can’t you just stay put? You’re coming with us one way or another.” Aerith frowned, remembering all the years they had control over her. 

   “That complacent kid from Midgar isn't here. I’m not sorry. You helped steal too much of my life.” Rude sighed and prepared to lunge. Just as Aerith cast another gust of wind, his arms came up to block the impact. It set him back a few feet, but he retained his balance. Going back up the stairs was pointless, so she turned on her heels and kept flying through the first floor. She did her best to keep ahead, he wouldn’t stay behind for long. A sharp turn was coming up and she wagered everything on it. The moment she was out of view she unleashed a blast that shook every door open. The hallways were all the same, with eight identical rooms mirroring each side. Before Rude turned the corner Aerith picked a random entrance and duked inside. He’d have to search all sixteen rooms to find the one she was in. Unless, of course, he picked correctly the first time. She heard the thumping behind her halt, accompanied by a drawn out groan. 

   “Aren’t we too old for this?” He taunted her, but Aerith just held her breath. She hid near the center, and it sounded like he skipped over the first few rooms entirely. She scanned her space for anything. Across the room was a large mirror covered in sheets beside a glass window. Rude’s footsteps slowly approached and she covered her mouth. Her heart was ringing up into her ears again. She suddenly remembered him. “Did you know? I hear your heartbeat so clearly. ” Aerith pressed her eyes shut and she shooed the image of him away. She fought to control her pulse. Finally, he passed her spot and settled for a room further down to search first. Aerith swiftly snuck across the open space and gathered a sheet as quietly as possible. Once she was sure he had gone into another room she took her staff and slammed it into the window. It shattered into a million pieces that grazed her skin. She couldn’t feel it though. In that split second the deep thumping returned and she cast one final hurl of wind to slam the door shut in his face. She leaped out the window with barrier still in tact and the white fabric wrapped over her head. In the blinding snow, she became practically invisible. Rude kicked down the door and wanted to shove it through a wall after seeing the broken glass. 

   “Sir, what's the situation!?” Elena finally caught up. 

   “Outside now, she’s escaped.” 

   “What?!”

   “She won’t make it far, What about the others?” 

   “I don’t think there are any others. This place is empty, it gives me the creeps.” The whole thing was very odd. Aerith was also dressed strangely now that he thought about it. Even if the situation was peculiar, they didn’t have time for this. 

   “Let’s go.” Anyone not unconscious from Aerith's rampage had already gathered in the foyer. Rude pointed at the third class Soldiers left. “You two, with us. The rest of you stay behind to find your comrades to secure the area. Backup will come eventually. Elena, we're getting back to the Chopper now.” 

- - -

   Sephiroth had been flying for hours, but the new vessel he acquired was in good health. The sun was starting to set by the time he reached the northern glacier. He wondered how the Cetra spent her day. Would she still be angry? Probably. But upon returning, something immediately was off. The constant snowfall had erased any unsuspecting tracks, but everything else was just wrong. The front door lay open a crack, and had dents all along it. As though something had forced its way in . 

   The entrance had muddy puddles of melted snow sprinkled about. He could hear them. Several tiny heartbeats in his domain. Little weak rats had found their way through. Sephiroth dropped everything in his hands and emerged without warning to where the intruders crawled about. Ten Shinra goons were standing around his dining table, nibbling on some leftover fruits. Half were not spared a moment to even realize the light fade before Masamune severed six heads. The remaining troopers stood in shock, unable to comprehend all the red filling their vision. Then the shrieking began. Feet ran in all different directions. One man sank to the floor while the others tugged at the exit to leave. But the passage was sealed shut.

   “Impossible, I thought backup was coming!” Sephiroth plunged his sword into the chest of the screaming fool. His head scanning the remaining three.

   “Where is she?” Despite asking calmly, the men only grew more terrified. A demonic relic of war reincarnated they thought, back from the dead.

   “Please spare me, we were just following or-” another head hit the floor with a dull splat.

   “Wrong answer.” Sephiroth took a step closer to the other two and pointed the tip of his sword out. “I won't ask again.” The two trembling men glanced at each other. One poor soul had already wet himself. They knew the truth wasn't satisfactory.

   “She … “ he gulped. “The Ancient is already gone.” The man's voice cracked. It was his last breath. Both troopers' stomachs emptied onto the floor. Sephiroth gripped Masamune and stormed into Aerith's room. Empty. He couldn't hear her anywhere. The last place he checked was his study. Perhaps she was hiding there. But he was only met with the disgraceful state of his chambers. Rage and unease were building up rapidly. The empty cabinet on the floor was all he needed to see. 

Aerith was no longer here, and she didn't go empty handed. 

Chapter Text

   Aerith knew she could be stubborn and impulsive to a fault at times. If she saw an opening, she took it without waiting to see if the second option might be better. The snow was up to her calves and a slog to get through. There was no way to tell how long she'd been walking. Barrier helped keep away the bitter winds, but that didn't change the below freezing temperatures. At least the constant hike uphill kept her blood pumping. Her wind moved bits of snow into a more manageable path, but that path wasn't leading anywhere inspiring. She could be out here for weeks before she found any sort of civilization. That's when the dread set in. The realization she was utterly alone. 

   The sheet didn't provide much protection besides helping her blend into the snow. The Turks finding her wasn't even a concern anymore. She was beginning to wish it was. Perhaps escaping after boarding their helicopter would have been a better avenue. But the idea of being placed back in Hojo's lab was enough to make all logic dissipate. Regardless, her mind had no room for self pity, the sun was setting, and she needed to find shelter. 

 “When I get out of here I'm going to drink nothing but hot chocolate for a week.” her thighs burned with every step. Her pace slowed as each breath took longer to complete than before. “And I'll buy my own big fat blanket. I'll never complain to Mom about the summer again.”

   A slew of mountains that cut off the horizon were growing near. Chunks of rock peaked through their snowy tips. She thought there might be a ledge worth hiding under for the night. If only she had some fire Materia. The sheet had gone soggy against her body and acted more like deadweight than a shield. If anything the cotton refreezing against her sweat just made the chill more intense. But the mini summits before her got closer by the hour, she only had to journey a bit farther. At times like this she wished to grow wings and fly away. Sephiroth could do it, she never quite understood that part. Just this once, she wished to switch bodies with him.

   “That bastard,” she huffed. “ Oh I’m going to save you , he says. He's made more trouble for me in one week than I've had all year. No, the last five years!” Although nothing was ever so cruel as the pain she locked away in memory of her mother Ilfana, the son of Calamity was competing for a top spot in second place. “Oh Planet, can’t you hear me now?” She tried reaching out for guidance, a signal, anything. The plea was swallowed by the white void. “Of course, fine then. It works out for you all the same if I perish out here anyways.” Aerith wrinkled her nose in frustration. It was so strange. Before, the Whispers were infuriatingly clingy at every turn to ensure she was never harmed before her fateful day at the altar. But now she wasn’t worth even comforting in what could very soon be her final moments. The gentle caress of the Lifestream that once lingered everywhere she went was getting harder to recall. “I should have eaten more this morning.” 

   Had she been in better shape, the sound of hissing growing near would have been more noticeable. Only after the crunching of snow was right behind her did Aerith turn to the mutation. A lizard with iridescent scales and icy blue eyes had its eyes on her staff. The light bouncing off its pure silver tip must have shone through the storm. Monsters could be quite the hoarders. They often found all kinds of treasures on them. The creature's head swayed slightly, almost like a snake sizing up its prey. Aerith quickly gathered herself and gripped the rod. 

   “I won't go easy on you.” The lizard just screeched and bore its venomous fangs. Vile green salvia dribbled out. The one element she needed most would have finished the miserable thing quickly. But of course she was stuck going about it the long way. The creature lunged just as she dodged, abandoning the useless sheet. The thin cotton flying about distracted it long enough for her to cast Tempest. Several blinding shards of light emerged at will, trying to slice the scales. But its outer layer was too tough, no doubt hardened overtime by the rough weather with a side of Mako poisoning. The monster snapped its head around to spray globs of venomous acid. Aerith was doing her best to run about, never letting her barrier weaken. She had to find the creature's soft spot. With a single swoop the lizard’s tail whirled in a circle, knocking her backwards. She kicked against the snow but the creature was already on top of her. 

   “Ugh, c’mon now you.” Aerith grunted under its crippling weight. Holding her staff up with locked elbows was all she could do to keep the lizard's sharp talons just inches from her face. It was gearing up to spit acid at her again. Her eyes darted around frantically for an out before noticing the monster's lower stomach. The skin looked thin, with not a scale in sight. Aerith dug her heel into the squishy abdomen until it screeched in agony. The scream tore at her eardrums. Her head wanted to split but she couldn't miss this chance. With the sharp end of her rod, she stabbed clean through the monster's belly. It staggered back, hissing with rage. Too slow to attack, the mutant stumbled about. “Let's finish this shall we?” In one final blow, Aerith let her ray of judgment slice through its exposed stomach until nothing was left of the creature. Once more, brutal winds filled the deafening silence . She winced at all the dark green and purple blood. It stood out like a sore thumb and gave off the stench of rotting flesh. 

   Aerith had moved away from her original path now, and tried to regain her sense of direction. Her toes had already turned numb long ago. She didn’t even register the ground giving way beneath her feet. The snow had built up so far over the edge, one might not realize a surface to walk on no longer existed. Her scream was muffled as her legs twisted up in the sheet. Gravity took care of the rest as she was sent flying over the steep incline. Each roll spiraled faster, with her staff clutched firmly up front in an attempt to protect her face. Once the momentum slowed, she grasped for any stable ground. Her legs and hands trembled uncontrollably. Pure adrenaline allowed her to stand before pushing on. She wanted to cry, but even that took too much effort. 

   “I can make it.” She deluded herself into believing it wasn’t that bad. The small Mountain was within her reach now. A small opening appeared just as she’d hoped. The cave was shallow, but enough to block any harsh winds. Most of all, the inside was dry. Once curled up into a corner, she pulled out the healing Materia. That ought to keep the frostbite at bay. Shivering hands rummaged through her soaked pockets. “No, no no no!” Hysteria split through her fatigue as she stripped off the jacket, shaking it about in the air. The Black Materia wasn’t here. It must have rolled out during the fall. Aerith buried the jacket in her face before leaning against her knees. “Idiot, how could this day get any worse.” 

- - -

   Sephiroth knew he was fast, but never had he bothered to truly test that potential until now. Space would be a melted blur if not for his enhanced sight. Years of Mako infused eyes and natural born Jenova cells made him like none other. His mind cataloged every last inch of land in view, down to the hovering snowflakes. 

   “Will not a single day with her pass as I design?” He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this way. Panic was not on his list of welcomed emotions. 

    “Abandon this trial, even if it means rewriting history again.” Mothers echo spread over the back of his conscience. Fighting for a spot at the forefront. “We can conquer all without her. Holy is lost, I am absolute.” 

   “She has my property, the reunion of worlds lies within her palm.” 

    “Not worth the trouble. The Black Materia will call again. Just remove it after her death. ” 

   “You decide with too much haste, both will be returned to me in working condition.” 

   “ Fuck her or kill her, anything is better than this cycle of cat and mouse. You forget yourself, playing with poisonous food, meanwhile the Cetra stalls my everything.”

   “ Those who enter my domain will be extinguished first. And I shall conquer in this life, not another. The Cetra has spent her cards. Even the toughest sword will yield when the kinks are forged out.” Sephiroth knew trying to revert back to the way things always were, would also likely bring the planet and himself to its same final chapter. No matter how much knowledge he retained in each loop, mother was locked in place, more or less the same as the first time the Universe played out. Despite sharing parts of Sephiroth's mind among the collective, Jenova was hardwired into a default ideal. Only Sephiroth had the power to mold the fate of Mothers power to his wishes. Her will was his will after all. Speaking to her was like speaking to himself, just another part of his consciousness. 

   Shinra trash were among his favorites to erase. Every time one of them stopped breathing, he felt as though his planet got that much cleaner. But the last thing he needed was for more to show up when he was already preoccupied. The Cetra would be returned to him, and the electric power vermin would be left to rot. Simple, or so it should be. Sephiroth just couldn’t shake the bad feeling he had. Until she was back at arm's length, everything in his way would burn.

- - -

   The Turks weren’t having much luck of their own. Although they managed to get the helicopter back in the air, Shinra’s so-called rescue team wouldn’t be here for another twelve hours. To make matters worse, fuel was running low. They weren’t supposed to be out here this long, and the Ancient was nowhere to be seen. 

   “Sir, it’s time we call it off.” He knew she was right. Elena had no history with the Ancient, so her judgment was sound. But Rude just couldn’t let it go. Even if the job required him to make tough choices, that didn't mean he couldn't try to make the child's time under Shinra less uncomfortable. Aerith was always a little rebellious, but no one ever seriously got hurt. Maybe Reno would walk with a few bruises, but in the end she usually did as they asked. Maybe she had a trick up her sleeve and was fine, maybe she was picked up by her friends, regardless he had to be sure. If the Ancient froze to death out here it would weigh over him. Tsung would never let him live this down, and Shinra would be more than dissatisfied losing their key to the promised land. 

   “We'll search until backup arrives.” 

   “With all due respect sir, She's not out here. We're going in circles and it's about to be too dark to see the ground, let alone a person.” Rude was struggling to make a decision when the system alert sirens went off. “The hell?” The radar was picking up a red dot moving in their direction. It was traveling twice as fast as they were, but that shouldn’t be possible. Rude tilted his head and leaned closer to the screen, thinking there must be some error. But before he could come up with a logical explanation, something slammed into their aircraft. The entire body shook, sending any loose cargo flying about.

   “But we didn’t hit anything!” Elena was struggling for control, unsure if they were crashing or not. A gust of frozen air whipped across Rude’s neck before hearing the fading screams of Soldiers that once accompanied them. He turned to see a massive black figure hanging onto the doorway with long silver hair. 

   “Elena!” Rude was already unbuckling his seatbelt in preparation to abort the helicopter all together. She followed suit without fully understanding. 

   Sephiroth had ripped the side door clean off and thrown the Soldiers out into the abyss. His eyes scanned the cramped compartment. But not a trace of the flower girl was evident. Slowly, he turned his attention to the two Turks squirming in their seats.  

   “Where is she?” The venom in his voice made both Turks halt. Elena finally turned around in shock and for once had nothing to say. Rude was just barely piecing everything together. He’d heard whispers of the President's assassination being linked to the reclaimed war hero. But that wasn’t possible for a dead man, and after Shinra put the blame on Avalanche, the higher ups stopped mentioning Sephiroth all together. Yet here he was in the flesh.

   “This is above my pay grade,” Rude remarked before slamming his fist on a big red button. The Turks went flying out of the rooftop with parachutes ready to deploy. Sephiroth crumpled the metal in his hand like a piece of paper. The Chopper collapsed in on itself as it went down propellers first. 

   He kept looking for any other potential aircraft to search, but there wasn't anything else around. Elena and Rude hit the ground running. They had devices that would allow Shinra to ping their location, but it wouldn’t matter if they couldn’t separate from the flying monster first. Sephiroth wouldn't make it that easy though. He landed with enough force to send a wall of snow hurling over the two. Guns drawn, they prepared for the worst once the air cleared. But he stood patiently, Masamune ready to strike.

   “The Cetra?” He said again. His voice was lower. Each syllable came out slowly, despite growing more intolerant by the second. 

   “We don't have her.” the blonde Turk spat.

   “Elena.” Rude encouraged her to keep quiet.

   “It's true. The freak ran out in the snow on her own.” Sephiroth raised his blade to their eye level. If he sensed a lie, it was over for them. Rudes nose twitched as the ex-war hero’s head tilted. 

   “We lost contact with The Ancient long ago. She's still out here somewhere.” Sephiroth's eyes narrowed in. The Turks were always a pain in the ass. Too cocky for their own good. And now they'd created unnecessary problems by touching his things.

   “I suppose one wasn't enough.” His hilt shifted in hand. “Perhaps you can join your friend at the temple.“ Elena's eyes widened and she let her emotions get the better of her. She immediately pulled the trigger, but the bullet never made it past his blade. Before she could blink she was flying back with her gun on the ground. Rude dodged in front to block her from getting sliced. Masamune grazed his gun as it swiped past. His fingers might have been lost if not for the thin metal armor built under his gloves. He had to think of another way, fighting head on wasn't an option.

   “The Ancient is probably long gone with her group. I know her, she wouldn’t run into this storm unless she had a plan.” Sephiroth knew that wasn't true. Her friends were on the other side of the planet. And Aerith certainly would sacrifice herself blindly if she thought it benefited the lifestream. They were all alone up here, and she had no equipment for this terrain. Maybe death was her plan, and removing the Black Materia was her final stab at him. The sky was fading from orange as stars prepared to emerge. How long could a human last out here? The Cetra often made bold choices without a foundation for doing so. Sephiroth turned to the horizon, surely she would at least know to head south. Rude took this chance to put distance between them. The gun rose quickly, but Sephiroth was faster. 

   “Sir!” Elena screamed. Despite his attempt to duck, Masamune had made contact with his side. Rude staggered back, gripping his waist. Blood staining perfectly white snow. Elena had already removed her blazer in preparation for a tourniquet. Rage was boiling up in her, but the monster had already taken flight. 

   Sephiroth scanned the perimeter before deciding he'd have to check near ground. He tried to think where she would go based off the land. The puffs of air escaping his mouth became more frequent, he knew time was running out. There were mountains not far from here, that would be his best bet. 

- - - 

   Moonlight spread over the cave's opening and the raging storm no longer ate at her skin. Aerith’s eyelids wouldn’t open even if her mind was lucid. Her heartbeat slowed, like a flame starting to burn out. Her body didn’t feel the cold anymore, her flesh couldn’t register anything. Only her mind experienced the weight of drowsiness that grew stronger by the minute. Hypothermia might have frightened her if the end wasn't so peaceful. All the pain was melting away, after struggling for so long, she could relax. 

   Aerith thought of her mom, and how she never got to hug her one last time before leaving Midgar. She thought of Cloud and regretted not just saying ‘I love you’ at least once. She longed for Tifa's smile, the only real friend that never judged her. She knew they could've survived without her, but her heart ached knowing she failed without them. 

   “Heh, how silly.“ Aerith mumbled through the delirium. Fate couldn't be broken no matter how hard anyone tried. Her final days were written in the stars and not even the devil himself could change that. At least this way the ones she held dearly wouldn't have to watch her go. The thought of being forgotten crushed her heart further, but she knew Cloud’s final memory of her caused him even greater agony. She could bear this much alone.

   “Aerith!” Strange, she could hear him now. Crying out exactly the way she had remembered in other timelines. Her mind must have left this life already.

    “Don't cry Cloud, it's ok.” Her thoughts swam in circles. “I'll always be with you.” Aerith's body suddenly felt weightless. If she didn't know any better, almost warm again. 

   “Foolish girl. Wait for me next time.” Even though she couldn't see, she was able to smile. 

   “You came for me after all. You never change.” Firm hands pulled her closer. 

   “Shhh, Hold on till we get back.”

   “You know, I'm okay now.” Aerith's words came out weakly, her breath fading fast. “I'm sorry, I lost the Black Materia. I wanted to do one last thing for you.” Tears welled beneath her eyelids. “But I couldn't even do that.” she swallowed dryly. A gloved hand brushed the hair out of her face. 

   “It doesn't matter. I will get it later.” A faint laugh escaped her. 

   “That's why I love you Cloud. You always take my terrible ideas in stride and fix them.” If she wasn't half conscious she would have thought he hugged her tenderly. But she drifted off before she could thank him. 

Chapter Text

   For the first time Sephiroth could barely hear her heartbeat. Healing Materia would only go so far, her body and organs needed to be warmed up immediately. The help of his wing guided them back without delaying any longer. He’d never flown so fast while trying to shield someone from the current. The front doors slammed open the moment they'd returned. After taking her to the study, her limp body was gently splayed along the sofa. With an easy flick of his wrist, flames ignited from within the hearth. It didn't take long to heat the area when using magic. Fire was his specialty, he could make rocks to melt if he wished for it. Her soaked jacket was removed and put aside. She needed all new clothes. So did Sephiroth. Having to search by land allowed ice to settle into every crack of his uniform. He placed a hand on Aerith's chest, her pulse finally stabilizing. While she rested, only the sound of buckles unfastening and the cracks of firewood slipped into the night. His jacket and Pauldrons hung by the fire while removing both of their soggy boots. Now all that was left was to wait. He settled down with his back to her on the floor, taking in all the damage done to his room. Sephiroth sighed and ran a hand through his damp hair. 

   “You truly test my patience…” A sharp inhale stole his attention. The flower girl was becoming conscious again. She took deeper breaths while her body rose from its weakened state. Her lashes fluttered open a crack, not recognizing the ceiling. She squinted.

   “Another dream?” Her voice was no more than a murmur. Sephiroth turned to her.

   “You’ve escaped eternal slumber. This is reality.” Her head rolled to the side. Two brilliant cat-like eyes were staring into her soul. 

   “It can't be, you don't look upset.” Sephiroth took her icy hand and pressed it to his chest. Her fingertips were still a bit blue. 

   “I am real. And I am angry.” 

   “No, I was far away.” Aerith's eyes wandered while memories returned. “I was outside, in the cave, my staff.. the Materia!” She shot up in an attempt to stand. Her body was not prepared for gravity to overtake her limbs without mercy. Sephiroth's hands were already in motion to catch her, guiding the Cetra into his lap. 

   “And now you are back.” Aerith's head rested along the crevice along his chest. She thought she saw a vision of Cloud before the end, but perhaps she was mistaken. She gulped, eyeing the open cabinet across the room.

   “I lost it.” The confession was as much for her than him. A pathetic affirmation of her worthless attempt. 

   “You've already professed your foolish schemes in spite of my regards.” He put an arm on the couch and leaned in. "At least be aware of such terrible ideas."  Her lips curled in on themselves. She didn't know if the conversation she had with Cloud was even real or wishful thinking. But it ended up for the worse, having shared a vulnerable moment with the wrong person. Her hand covered her mouth, deeply regretting the slightest mention of ‘love’. She could almost hear the son of calamity laughing at her. Sephiroth grabbed a cloth nearby that had been soaking in a bowl of water. He pulled her hand away before wiping it clean. The cloth rubbed away any traces of blood and dirt from her nails. “Your rod looked as atrocious as you.” 

   “It's seen worse.” her eyes drifted to the door. “But what about -”

   “I've taken care of them.” Aerith gulped. She didn't particularly feel bad. They worked for Shinra and entering this place was a death sentence. Her arms had a slight tremble she couldn't shake. 

   “I thought I died.”

   “Almost. For someone who wants to live, you're not very proficient.” The corner of her mouth tugged upwards. 

   “Yeah, I guess I'll have to work on that.”

   “That is twice I've saved your life now Cetra.” Sephiroth frowned. The Black Materia was lost again. Perhaps worse than before. Finding it would be as nauseating as getting her to just stay with him willingly. But both were things he couldn't give up on. The moment he saw her lying in the cave, he assumed the worst. Trepidation drained him of any will to be furious with her. If she died again, what did any of it matter? Sephiroth took his arms around the Flower girl and pulled her even closer to his bare skin. 

   “I-I think I'm warm enough.” Although her limbs still tingled from the frost, the sudden embrace startled her. 

   “Not yet. I have to be sure.” He squeezed tighter. The familiar sound of her heart had almost become nothing more than a memory he had to live with. 

   “Well, you're holding me too tight. I can't breathe.” she felt her breasts rise and fall against him with every exhale. It slowly dawned on her that she was practically naked. Her dress was soaked, and clung to her skin with transparency. Sephiroth's hand cupped her from behind in a desperate attempt to make sure she couldn't get away. Aerith gasped under the growing pressure. Her knees were forced apart until she was practically straddling him. With every breath she grew painfully more aware of his presence, every inch of him could be felt beneath her weight.

   He'd gone quiet, resting his head along the slender curve of her shoulder. This beautiful monster now appeared almost afraid in her eyes. She placed a hand on his back and gently stroked his head with the other. His shoulder was solid like iron but hair was as smooth as she imagined. It parted through her fingers like water with every touch. 

   “I’m safe now.” she hummed softly. “Thank you for coming to get me. Honestly, freezing to death wasn't exactly on my bucket list.” She would never have expected to feel relieved to be back here of all places. She could feel the flexing of his back muscles against her fingertips every time he squeezed her tighter. Apart of her wanted to let her hands wander lower and feel all the rigid curves. The faint scent of cedar and pine still lingered on him. He smelled nice to her. She shoved the thoughts right back down. He kept doing this, being almost sweet before flipping the situation on its head. The room was cozy, but nothing was ever as it seemed here. His grip loosened a bit. 

   “The things you need are in your room.” Aerith bit the inside of her mouth. “Already?” She didn't want to go back to that cold empty hole. Now was the most comfortable she'd been since entering this forsaken place. 

   “Can't I stay here?” The thin narrow slits in his eyes slightly widened as his head lifted to meet her. He couldn't tell if it was from the fire burning so close or if her face was really as red as it appeared. 

   “Do you know what you ask for, Cetra?” Her pulse quickened, making her fingertips quiver slightly against his shoulder blades. She was hesitating. But Sephiroth could wait an eternity until he heard it clearly. 

   “I do.” Aerith tried to sound confident. She might regret it later, but for tonight she didn't want to have to think that far ahead. The weight of the future on her shoulders could wait for a night. A beautifully sinister smile stretched across his face. Butterflies built up as her braid was already being pulled free. His body shifted effortlessly, every muscle rippling through the motion. Once flat against the rug, the light of nearby flames danced on his skin. It was like she was really seeing his perfect stature for the first time. Every bit of him was carved out meticulously. She didn’t know if this was the body of Soldier, or a testament to Sephiroth himself. A leathery glove came to her chin. 

   “You won't be able to leave. You'll remain here until I say so.” His fingers trailed under the strap of her dress until it met the stitches above her chest. He watched her eyes carefully for the change in heart. 

   “...I understand.” 

   “Then you don’t need these.” With the easiest tug, her dress shredded under his grasp. The wet fabric was tossed into the fire before disintegrating. Aerith swallowed while watching it burn. His carelessness with things made her nervous, sometimes she thought he did not know his own strength. Her soaked undergarments were in just as poor shape. Sephiroth could see her nipples peeking out beneath the coverage. The twitch in his pants grew stronger.

   “You have to promise to be gentle.” 

   “Gentle is not something I can give.”

   “That is not true. Here.” Aerith reached for his hand and steadily removed a glove. It was the first time she'd seen him without one. She brought the back of his hand to her lips and softly kissed his skin. Her fingers treated him delicately even if the veins and hardened muscles proved it unnecessary. She prayed this plea would be enough to make him compromise. “Like that.” Whenever she touched him on her own, his self-restraint thinned. 

   “Tsk.” He tore off the other glove and allowed his hair to fall around them as he lowered to her level. “Like how you scratched my face?” The memory made her eyes widen. She’d never hit someone like that before. 

   “You were being unreasonable.”

   “No, you don't know your place.” Aerith’s breath hitched as his lips trailed over her skin. Staring above her throat and quickly migrating lower. “I’ll return as much as you give.” Rough hands followed suit, tearing away the poor excuse of a bra till the strings snapped. His tongue took its time along her tender breasts to distract from the fingers slipping beneath her underwear. Her hips squirmed in protest while her lower spot was stroked. His thumb found the nub above her entrance and pressed down repeatedly. He could almost fully reach around her ass if he gripped firmly enough. Anxious breaths slowly turned laborious. This sort of arousal was forbidden to her, wrong. Knowing she shouldn't be here with him, and would never tell a soul just made her more feverish. She didn’t want to admit it felt good. 

   A finger found its way to her opening, sliding against her walls. Each touch dragged slowly at first, testing her sanity. Aerith’s arms rolled up over her head, unsure where to put them. The fluids building up let his finger slip in and out with ease. His thumb circled her spot with more vigor. The growing pressure was making her mind go blank, she shut her eyes to steady herself. Sephiroth's canines slowly trailed along her nipples, occasionally causing her to flinch. Each nibble resulted in her seizing up around his hand. He smiled, she was too easy to read. Once her hips began inching towards him, he knew she was getting close. The beating of her heart suddenly picked up and Sephiroth abruptly pulled away. A whine escaped her. All the sweet pleasure vanished. Leaving her core aching an unsatisfied. Her eyes eventually opened, realizing the relief wasn’t coming.  

   “Tell me what you want.” He wore that arrogant smile again. Her insides twisted, he was gonna make her say it. Aerith squeezed her eyes shut and breathed. Between shame or the throbbing between her legs, the answer was obvious. 

   “...Don’t stop.” 

   “Stop what?” He just couldn't let her off this once. She bit her lip till it stung. Finding a way to express her desire without vulgar words was hard enough. 

   “Don’t stop touching me.” She couldn’t dare look at him. Wet fingers teasingly tranced along her knee and up her thigh. Each breath was getting harder to control, waiting was unbearable. 

   “Hm, You have to be specific. Touch can mean a lot of things.” He cooed smugly, clearly enjoying this too much. She thought this must be his sick way of getting back at her for the last few days. Aerith’s gaze eventually settled on him through fiery cheeks. Good heavens he was beautiful. The need to be quenched compelled any bit of self restraint she had left.

   “Inside me, I want you to touch me there.” Each trembling word was enough to send him reeling. One hand swiftly unbuckled his pants in a single motion. He caressed her face, taking in the way her eyes darted around him anxiously.

  “I can give you pleasures beyond this life.” The thumb on her cheek pushed its way past her lips. Pressing down over her tongue. “So never forget you belong to me Cetra.” Sephiroth kissed her deeply, marking his place in her existence. He wanted to taste all of her, own all of her, the lifestream, the universe. Aerith felt a  large burning mass fall over her lower belly. His hard member rubbed against her skin, waiting for the right moment. She gripped his arms breathlessly.

   “You said my name before.” Sephiroth almost seemed to hesitate. “I'm not just ‘Cetra’.” Slowly he sank to her ear with both arms beside her. His breath was hot against her skin, so close his nose brushed against her. 

   “Aerith.” The sound was all it took to make her entire body shudder. In that moment his entire length slammed into her. She cried out in both relief and pain. Nothing ever prepared her enough for the fulness that stretched her apart. Each repeated thrust tried burying itself further, leaving her gaping for oxygen. She grasped her forehead with a mix of euphoria and misery showering her face. It pleased him. He'd gotten the planet's perfect little beacon of hope to crumble over something so self indulgent. She was biting back her moans, trying to hold it all in. All the tension was too much while her toes curled in on themselves. “Just let it out. Only I am here.” she shook her head through the sweat building up. It took everything to contain the vulgar cries at the tip of her tongue, yet he barely seemed affected. “You'll end up screaming anyway.”

   “Mhph.” Aerith felt all of him slide out at once, it left her with an uncomfortable sense of emptiness. Once on his knees, both hands grabbed hold of her ankles. Her back drug against the plush carpet until her legs dangled around his torso. Her ass was lifted to meet his throbbing cock before filling her up again. Little moans caressed his ears, turning more coarse. The position made his tip slide against her more roughly. It burned inside, his length pressing against the boundaries of her uterus. Her desire was boiling over, both hands grabbing at the rug. Aerith was forgetting herself, where or who she was fizzled into the static shrouding her mind. She could barely keep her eyes open. Her cries dripped from her lips like honey, slow and sweet. “Yes-” the affirmation slid through a pleading whisper as her body clenched up around him. Sephiroth grunted, keeping his pace steady, meticulously riding along her every nerve with each stroke. Her voice was breaking free, the wails of pleasure couldn’t stifle no matter how she resisted. He rode through her orgasm, pushing her scream higher. Her pelvis twitched and she heaved, trying to find her breath again. Still he kept going, each thrust building momentum. The sensation overwhelmed her. The melting caress of him within quickly turned into electrifying shots flying through her legs.

   “Wait, I can’t anymore.” Aerith pushed against his solid thighs.

   “You’re not done yet.” Sephiroth grabbed her hands and pinned them back. Leaning over had him plunging deeper between her legs. She yelped under the pressure. The sight of her was fit to be devoured. The sway of her exposed breasts fell into the rhythm of his control. The trails of sweat falling around her neck made her glow against the fire. “I still have a lot to teach you.” A final knock had his hips slamming into her soft skin. A rough and low exhale spilled over his lips as he emptied inside of her. She writhed, feeling all of him fill every last drop of space she had left. Aerith’s back was finally released to the ground, already sore from the scrunched position.

   Again he refused to pull out, laying along her. Her body was completely lost beneath him. Parts of her still shook but she focused on the man before her. His skin was smooth against her hands. She pushed back strands of silver locks that clung to his forehead. Mysterious cat-like eyes found hers, not even the slightest bit of exhaustion to be found in them. 

   “Will you kiss me?” She ushered him sweetly and let her hands guide him closer. The lingering effects of pleasure had numbed any sense of this life's right or wrong. Aerith spoke whatever she wanted selfishly without a care. The spot on his lip she licked was salty from the sweat. His tongue wandered freely as she prepared to relinquish herself into the soft rug. A hand snaked around her waist just as her muscles relaxed. 

   “What are you doing?” He lulled between the few breaths that parted their lips. “I said we’re not finished yet.” Aerith gasped into his mouth as her legs tried kicking free. She could feel every inch of him hardened again from within. His growth stretched along her already tender skin, as if their previous entanglement hadn't just happened. 

   “How? I don’t think I can do this again.” She started to panic, thinking he must not be human after all. The smile on his face never faltered, not even considering her plea for a second. 

   “The first one was for you. Gentle.” His finger flicked away the hair covering her shoulder. “The next is mine.” Wicked delight ignited behind the flames that danced around his eyes. Sephiroth pulled her up by the arms in one swift motion. The strength to hold herself up was fleeting, let alone the ability to resist. But the fear in her eyes was clear as day. “We have all night thanks to you after all.” 

Chapter Text

   It was too late for regret or to wish time could flow back. Her options were spent. The hands that confined her had no intention of letting go. Aerith was kneeling when a broad arm turned her by the shoulders. Every drop of perspiration tickled her back as she flattened against his abdomen. She’d always been told to be careful what you wish for. Instead of freezing into the night, she was going to burn away until nothing was left of her former self. Sephiroth removed damp hair from the nape of her neck and watched little beads of sweat glide down the slope of her posterior. His cock pressed against her back, resting above the curve of her bottom cheeks. Aerith could still feel a mix of fluids running down her inner thighs. 

   “Haven't we done enough?” Her voice trembled ever so slightly. She knew there was no point in trying to reason. Once Sephiroth had a task in motion, damn all the odds if he let himself be interrupted. 

   “I have to see all of you.” A quick tug of whatever was left of her soiled underwear ripped away. His hand skimmed over the nobs in her spine. His fingers trailed slowly, pressing down harder each time until her palms braced the ground. Her skin was silky beneath his calluses. The more he touched her, the less satisfied he became. Like a hunger that couldn’t be satiated. The only reprieve was to keep indulging himself. Her ass was on full display for him, and he took note of how pink her opening’s were. Everything was still so wet, begging for another round. Aerith's elbows wobbled as her eyes nervously looked around. She couldn't see him anymore. Anything he did to her would be a surprise. She felt too vulnerable, unable to tell what he was imagining when crouched on all fours. Suddenly his hardened member was rubbing up and down between her lower folds. Her entire backside flinched as the arousal slowly crept back. Sephiroth leaned over and laced an arm around. 

   “Spread your legs.” The low hush vibrated against her ears. 

   “What? I'm already-” She tried to face him but his hand abruptly pushed her down with a force that bowed her back. When she tried to get up he immediately grabbed her wrists, securing them behind her back. He leaned into her once more.

   “Spread your legs, Aerith.” The order seized every muscle she had. Slowly her knees shifted along the ground until her face was flat against the rug. “Good, just like that.” Her face burned, she was sure she looked as ridiculous as she felt. The angle was embarrassing enough without the pressure of someone staring into the parts of herself even she couldn’t see.

   After succumbing to a satisfactory position, he released her arms. His hand massaged the smooth surface of her ass in circular motions, squeezing every so often. That vulgar itch she was becoming more accustomed to was growing stronger again. It bloomed in a place she couldn't reach on her own, the urge to yell at him to just hurry up crossed her mind. Sephiroth watched her entrance clench repeatedly before deciding he was sick of playing. Without warning his cock swiftly split her apart. Aerith cried into the floor as her hands pulled at the ground.  

   “Thats too much.” Head resting atop her fist, she panted through the discomfort. “You won’t fit.” Her passage was still tight, sucking him in further. 

   “You’ll learn to accommodate me.” His thrusts grew impatient. Forcing down his length was easier like this. He wanted her to feel around every inch of him. 

   “Mmhph, shit.” The curse slipped through a whispered hiss. Swells of pleasure were being overrun by rough strokes. Her knees throbbed against the floor as her body scrunched up. He rammed into her with all of his weight, paying no mind to the enormous biceps that channeled all of his strength into her spine. The pinch forming kept her lucid. Each of his fingers dug into the skin protecting her hip, making sure her torso absorbed the blunt of his ravaging, Aerith's fingers continually flexed in and out while trying to endure. She could have sworn he felt bigger than before. The work it took to fully enter her made her see white. 

   “Se-Sephiroth, wait. You don't have to be so harsh.” Her moans were a lullaby in his ears that encouraged him. 

   “But you're enjoying it so much.” He bent over to grip her breast, twisting a nipple between his fingers. “It’s so snug, your pussy wont let me go.” She squirmed under his hold, caught between the urge to crawl away or ride back into him further. He wondered how much more she could take before collapsing. 

   “Don’t say it like that.” Things she’d never even dreamed of in the darkest corners of the night, now unsettled her reality. 

   “Does the truth frighten you?” A breathy laugh crept over her shoulders. “I’ll keep your secret with me.” His hand trailed around her neck and rested there for a moment. Feeling every shaky breath and swallow she took. She shrank beneath his grasp, fully aware he could end her at any time. The Cetra's delicate existence was at the mercy of his desire. He gripped with a potency that should have frightened her.  

   “Changed your mind already?” Sephiroth smirked, the nerve. Of course he wasn't about to eliminate the only entertainment he'd found in weeks. 

   “You'd like that wouldn't you.” His thumb stroked her throat a few times before sliding into her scalp and gathering a fistful of hair.

   “I'm not like you.” She heaved. “I don't enjoy playing with others' lives.” The grip on her hair tightened. Aerith winced as he used the tension between her locks to propel himself faster into her rear. Nothing could stifle the cries that erupted. Every fiber of her knew it hurt, but her body wasn't behaving. Half of her wanted to scream for it to stop. But the other half kept whispering to hold on a bit longer. The bliss budding within her core was almost at the forefront again. “Just once more.” she told herself. The craving for an oncoming release intensified. Sephiroth felt her tense up and abruptly yanked the knot of hair until her upper body was off the ground. The sudden jolt made her scream. She completely arched into him. 

   “Not until I say so.” He hissed with a tone she'd never heard before. The playfulness had all but gone. Only that poor temper remained. She hated herself for thinking it was almost alluring. He loosened the grip on her hair, locking a forearm over her collar bones. Trying to balance on her knees while he being impaled was exhausting, and she subconsciously welcomed the change. But relinquishing her legs had her sinking deeper into the form of punishment going on below. 

   “It hurts,” she whined. All of her weight was resting on the thick veiny member that tore at her skin. Her hands searched blindly for his thighs in an attempt to push him back. Anything to slow him down. He grunted in disapproval. 

   “Tsk, you should know better.” His sneer followed up with an even rougher pace. Shifting into a series of rhythmic jerks that challenged the edge of her cervix. The jolt of pain had her arms swimming around frantically to get away. Before Aerith could recover she felt herself falling. Sephiroth bent them over, knees still firmly on the ground. One arm was all he needed to prop them both up. Squeezing tight, he pounded her from behind without remorse. Aerith’s eyes squeezed shut to focus on trying to breathe. She didn't recognize her own voice. For once the heat of his jagged exhales brushed over her ears. The sound of him losing himself made her melt. 

   “Sephiroth please!” She implored him to end the madness. Her body could only resist for so much longer. Just as her sanity was about to shatter, he set her mind free. 

   “Come for me.” His command washed over her. One final gasp rattled every aching muscle. Her body spasmed as she came. It that moment his cock swelled, and finished planting his seed as far as he could go without snapping her in half. Air couldn’t fill her lungs fast enough, everything was spinning. Sephiroth lowered his shaking Cetra to the ground. “Good girl.” He muttered tenderly while tucking loose strands of hair behind her ear. He could go on forever. His body performed at will and his arousal knew no end if he should so choose. His design was perfect in every way, even for mating. But the limp flower girl was already filled to the brim with his fluid. Considering she'd already escaped death once today, he decided not to put her through a second trial. 

   Aerith was too tired to move. Her eyes kept shut, not able to think about anything. Her shoulders couldn't stop shaking with every heave. Sephiroth sat up to grab his coat from beside the mantle. Smoldering leather slid over her skin. The weight of it further cemented her into the floor. She barely noticed the arm slither over her stomach to pull her in. 

   “Don't ever, try to run again. I will find you Cetra, and I will ruin you.” No matter how callous the threat came out, it hardly managed to register through her fatigue. His clothes still had the faint scent of pine from outside. She snuggled up under the molten leather and subsequently, into him. Aerith waited to fall into the next dream, unsure what she'd open her eyes to next.

- - -

   Cloud couldn't shake the tick in his leg, the ever present anxiety eating away his mind. Traveling around was taking too long even if with their own private transportation. Cid didn't mind flying at night, but the party was fed up. Staying cramped in the Tiny Bronco was only adding more bite to everyone's sleep deprivation. It took all day to reach the edge of the Corel Region. Costa del Sol would be the last stop before trying to get back to the Forgotten City. They'd managed to discover it thanks to pursuing Aerith last time, but finding it again was a mixed bag. The sleeping forest seemed to make time flow inaccurately, anything that happened there was no clearer than a dream. 

   “Man this place is gonna be crazy at night, we're just as sure to find room to sleep on the sand.” Barret wasn't just cranky, he was sick of squatting on metal crates. 

   “That doesn't sound to bad aye? Gentle breeze by ye ocean waves?” 

   “Says the cat that won't have to and just unplugs himself. Waking up to bugs crawling over me, no thanks!” Yufie would have shaken him if not for bracing the wall with one hand and covering her mouth with the other to repress the sickness. 

   “Guys I'm sure Johnny will hook us up, it'll be fine.” Tifa looked to Cloud for reassurance but his mind was preoccupied. He just stared out the window, arms folded. His silence said enough, he didn't want to stop. If he could, he'd probably fly away on his own tonight. 

   Once they landed, everyone stumbled onto the dock. The hum of music and people laughing still hung in the distance. Costa del sol never truly slept. The street lights were colorful and full of life. And the second round of excitement was just getting started.  

   “Well then, this oughta be a good time to refuel and grab some supplies. I'll meet y'all later.” Cid never came off as a loner, but he was surprisingly adept at keeping himself busy. 

   “See you later then.” Barret waved him off apathetically. 

   “I'd prefer to sleep under a real roof tonight.” Vincent was already disappearing into town before the rest of the group quickly followed suit. Nanaki fell behind to match Cloud's pace. He was still lingering by the dock and staring into the black horizon. 

   “Hey Cloud, you really think Aerith is out there?” 

   “I know it.” He secured his buster sword before joining his four legged companion. 

   “Hearing you say it makes me feel better. You know sometimes I'm hopeful, but others … ” Clouds expression softened. Nanaki was still young for his age, and had grown very attached to Aerith. Almost as much as he had in their short time together. Nanaki even warned him something might happen to her, yet he was unable to do a thing. Facing him was difficult lately. 

   “Don't worry about it. Most of us can't sense other people, but we still manage to find each other.”

   “I guess you're right. But I don’t get the sudden change of heart, Sephiroth never bothered her in Midgar.” 

   “Aerith didn't tell me exactly what she was trying to do in the City, and later I somehow ended up with the Black Materia. I think it had something to do with that.” Cloud looked ahead, biting back the corner of his mouth further and further. It was indeed odd no matter how he reasoned. “ My things do not concern you.” It was those words that ate away at him constantly. Sephiroth said it after questioning her whereabouts. Like Aerith's existence was his right, something Cloud wasn't privy to. But they'd barely met, let alone spoken outside of riddles before. It left a sour taste behind. 

   “Hey look!” The sudden shouting quickly snapped him to attention.

   “Yufie wait!” Tifa held the impulsive ninja back by the arm, preventing her from making any rash decisions. 

   “You chickens back for more?” 

   “Sir don't worry, I've got this.“ A blonde woman quickly put an arm out in front of her bandaged comrade.

   Cloud braced the Buster sword before emerging in front. At one of the luxury hotels were a group of Shinra troopers exiting. But that wasn't as surprising as the poor state the two Turks leading them were in. Cloud released his grip and Crossed his arms.

   “You look like shit.” he jerked his head up at the suits. They were in no position to fight.

   “Hmph, I've known better days.” Rude sported a crutch, with bandages covering most of his torso and arm. Elena didn't look much better with the giant bruise on her cheek and a busted lip. 

   “Tell that freak of your's we have unfinished business.” Elena glared at Nanaki. He was growling with his paws ready to pounce. “I’ll deal with you losers later.”

   “What?” Cloud raised an eyebrow. Rude hopped forward, signaling Elena to relax. 

   “I see you got away safely?” He scanned the party. “I don't see her.” Clouds eyes were suddenly very much awake. 

   “We're not sure what you mean.” Tifa's head tilted to the side. Rude coughed after gaining the young bartender's attention and tried to stand up a bit straighter. 

   “The Ancient, she ran into the snow, said you guys…” The color slowly drained from his face. Their expressions were all lost. Aerith never found her comrades, they were never there to begin with. 

   “You saw Aerith?” Cloud strode forward. The Shinra troopers pulled out their guns in unison to prevent him from coming closer. Tifa couldn't contain her sigh of relief while locking eyes with Barret. He nodded back in assurance. The Turks had gone silent.  

   “So she beat you up this bad?” Yufie gripped her stomach in an attempt to control the laughter spilling out.

   “Where?” Cloud's demeanor suddenly became more hostile. 

   “Back off pretty boy. If she's not an ice cube by now, that’s classified Shinra business.” 

   “Try me.” Cloud and Elena planted their feet, but Rude just gripped his forehead. He couldn't stop thinking about it.

   “Did Aerith abandon them? Is she working with Sephiroth now? Nonsense. What if she's still out there?” It tugged slightly on his conscience until a large helicopter with the Shinra logo broke any tension. Troopers swarmed the Turks as a metal ladder descended. 

   “Sir, it's time to go.” Elena helped Rude take hold before they were pulled up. 

   “Hey! We're not done here!” Cloud drew his blade and the mindless Shinra drones took aim. 

   “Woah whoa, Hey there now!” The town's mayor came running out of the hotel. People had begun stopping to watch the scene unfold. The happy atmosphere was quickly turning sour. He put both hands out. “Let's not get carried away, we’re civilized after all. We wouldn't want to open fire out here with all these lovely customers right?” Everyone’s shoulders pulled back and Tifa put a hand on Cloud's arm. 

   “C'mon, we better leave.” He grit his teeth, never taking his eyes off the helicopter. 

   “Hey Cloud, it's too late for this.” Barrett was waving them over towards Johnny's place. “We'll catch em later.” The ex-Soldier turned away begrudgingly. Nanaki's hopeful eyes met him. 

   “We know now, You were right.”

   The Turks were helped to their seats. But they did not expect to be greeted by the president himself and a mad scientist. 

   “Mr. President!” The two Turks quickly stiffened their backs to greet him.

   “At ease, you may sit.” The two glanced at each other before Rude cleared his throat.

   “The President didn’t have to come all the way out here on our account.” Rufus smiled.

   “Of course, you're both important employees that hold Shinra together after all. But don't flatter yourself too much, we were simply in the area for business.” 

   “If I may ask, how is Tsung Mr. President?” Elena was less intimidated by the hierarchy. As the new kid, she often said whatever was in her mind, not knowing the sins these men collected by the hour. 

   “His vitals have improved significantly. He's resilient if anything.”

   “So then,” Hojo waved his hand, already getting bored. “What about our specimen? It appears your success rate is rather low” He eyed the Turks up and down, dissatisfied. 

   “I’d also like to be briefed on the mission details before you start recovery in Midgar.” Rufus crossed his legs, waiting for an excuse he could accept. His face might have seemed young and sweet to people who didn’t know him, but the Turks understood he was practically gleaming after his fathers murder. Cold blood ran behind his every decision.  

   “There was an unfortunate accident-" Hojo cut off him with a loud sigh. 

   “How difficult can it be to secure one little girl from a group of misfits. Have you grown soft?”

   “It’s not that. Sephiroth seems to be residing in the glaciers. He intercepted us.” 

   “Hm?” The scientist adjusted his glasses, suddenly very interested. 

   “I see,” Rufus thought for a moment. “He needs to be expunged soon, shame really. Considering Wutai is overdue for cleansing.” 

   “It appears he’s been hiding in the Northern mountains. The Ancient seemed to be in his custody, or was…” A disgusting giggle erupted from Hojo.

   “How interesting. What an unseen fold of events! Say, how did the Ancient appear when you last saw her?” The Turks just shook their heads, unsure entirely what he meant. 

   “She looked more or less the same as usual.”

   "Tsk." Hojo sat back with a scowl and folded his arms.

   “Separating them might be a difficult task. Are you the only ones who know the location?”

   “Yes, Mr. President.” Rude was happy the sunglasses shielded any emptiness in his eyes. All of their company had died trying to get away. 

   “Wonderful. Make sure to add it in your report.” Rufus’ calm smile had returned.

   “Perhaps if we wait for a while, and seize the specimen when they’re not expecting it. Of course, if we could secure each of them as samples, who knows what sort of creations might become of the research I unfold!” 

   “One thing at a time professor. Your main focus is to enhance our weapons in preparation for war.”  Hojo just kept giggling to himself as Rufus turned his attention to the Turks. “And I want surveillance on the Ancient once your wounds have healed. It’s best we have an upper hand when going in next time.”

   “Yes, Mr. President!” The two spoke in unison. Neither wanting to mention the fact they didn’t actually know if Aerith would still be there once they returned, or if Sephiroth had any intention of letting the girl live had she not already frozen solid. 

- - -

   Aerith awoke feeling somewhat relaxed for once. She had rolled into her pillow with squished cheeks. The wall staring back at her was blank and a familiar worn out mattress sunk beneath her. As if time reset itself and the last two days never happened, she was right back where she started. She reached over for the pink ribbon beside the wall. It sat in her hand as memories glazed by. A sickly knot formed at the base of her stomach, slowly recalling each and every indecent thing she’d done. 

   “There’s no way, I would never.” Despite the denial, her body said otherwise whenever she tried to move. Her limbs were exhausted, her lower back particularly sore. Heat crept into her cheeks after running her hands over her skin, she was still naked. She wouldn’t have gone to sleep without a nightgown if it weren’t a dream. Slowly, she slid into a sitting position, wasting no time tying her hair back up. The realization she was no longer cold eventually dawned on her. 

   Her attention narrowed in on the new covering that enveloped her body. The blanket was thick and made of soft furs that caressed her fingers. Her hand gilded back and forth over the luxurious texture. Only the skies knew how long she sat there, just stroking it with a blank face. 

    “What now?” The question repeated itself over and over. She’d lain with the monster. How could she ever walk with her head up again? “I expected him to be more upset with me.” She bit at her nails. “No, that second round was definitely uncalled for. In what world was any of that gentle.” Aside from stealing the Materia, she’d trashed his precious study. Normally, her instinct compelled her to apologize, but imagining it made her cringe. 

   “I should have broken more things. He deserved at least that much.”

   “And what might that be?”

   “Agh!” Aerith jumped out of her skin and scrambled to hide herself under the blanket. Sephiroth just stood in the doorway with that stupid smug smile always stuck on his face. 

   “I’ve already seen everything. There is no part of you I don’t know.” Aerith wanted to die, if lightning or anything could just strike her now. She curled into a ball and covered her head with the blanket.

   “Go away!” Maybe if she ignored him long enough he’d leave. A fool’s hope. The smallest exhale escaped him, the flower girl's emotions were difficult to keep up with. He approached the mattress where she lay and placed a small tray down on the floor. The faint scent of eggs and sausage waft past her nose. She felt a heavy mass sink into the mattress beside her. 

   “Eat, it’s long past noon.” Aerith continued to wither under the blanket and tried not to focus on her hollowing stomach. “Eat this, Eat that” she was sick of him always mentioning it like a nagging mother. Sephiroth could only extend his good graces so far among her silence. His hand pried the blanket from her despite how desperately her thin fingers curled around the edges. Her face resembled that of a tomato more than a human. Aerith turned away on her side defiantly. He brushed the hair away from her ear, exposing her tender skin. Each time she shivered from his touch, it stroked his pride. He slyly grazed her cheek with the back of his hand. “If you don't I will force you.” His thumb roughly ran over her lower lip, waiting to push its way inside. Aerith smacked it away and quickly adjusted herself. 

   “Fine, fine, I get it okay?” After making sure the fur was secured tightly under her arms, she reached for the tray. She ate the first few spoonfuls begrudgingly, but the savory flavors quickly brought forth her appetite. The food here was always to her taste. She didn’t even notice Sephiroth just watching her. She froze mid-swallow and stared back. His dark lashes perfectly shaped each luminous green eye. If she focused closely enough, she could see the slit pupils slightly widen and shrink presumably along the flow of his heart. She wondered what he saw through those eyes, if the planet looked different to him. “What?” She was suddenly very self conscious. 

   “I thought you'd be more distressed, but you seem fine unfortunately.” 

    “Do I?" She snorted. “I've been nothing but distressed since I got here. You just don't know what my happy face looks like.”

   “Hm, you seemed pretty happy curling into me last night. I've never seen someone smile while falling asleep.” Aerith almost choked. She hadn’t fully processed how she felt. Her insides were flipping around, trying to repress the confused hurricane bubbling up. Anger, relief, shame, loneliness, the chaos surely just hadn’t connected to her mind yet. What could she even call this mess between them? Aerith from a week ago wouldn’t have dared to ask if she could stay in that room with him no matter how drunk on death she was. The only thing she was growing sure of now, was that she was becoming less afraid of him and more scared of herself. 

Chapter Text

   Aerith had cleared her plate long ago and was waiting for him to leave. Sitting next to Sephiroth was more awkward than she anticipated. Even with his clothes on, the image of his bare skin kept flashing by. She cleared her throat.

   “Ok, I finished everything. You don't have to stay.” He eyed the bit of egg on her mouth. 

   “My time is limited,” he brushed the crumb away, making her flinch. “So I'm making sure you truly stay put this time.” She sunk into herself.

   “You're not gonna tie me up again are you?”

   “Do you want me to?” He leaned in until her back bumped the wall. 

   “Obviously not!”

   “You're not very honest. You keep doing the opposite of what you say.” 

   “Hey yesterday was out of my hands. It's not like I have control over Shinra.” She put up her hands in protest. But her eyes avoided him, knowing full well she had every intention to leave. 

   “Ah yes, the little Cetra grabbed my Materia in hopes of incinerating some humans. And not passing it off to a particular young boy? Who in fact, has not come for you.” Reality was always bitter. She didn't want to talk about Cloud. Not after what happened last night. Did she even have the right to hope he'd find her anymore? He probably thought she was dead.

   “I really don’t have any plans to go anywhere. I'll stay for now.” 

   “For now?” Sephiroth placed a hand on the blanket above her leg. Blood drained from her face, it almost sounded like she wanted to stay.

   “I didn't exactly enjoy being stranded outside and all.”

   “But you enjoyed trashing my space.” the grip on her leg tightened.

   “Th-that was an accident.”

   “The mess was excessive. It appears you were throwing my things about for fun rather than in pursuit of anything particular.” 

   “You stole my staff.”

   “You stole my Materia, and then dropped it into oblivion.” 

   “It's not your Materia-” His hand suddenly slammed into the wall beside her. The vibration made her freeze. Those same hands held her very differently last night. “...I didn't mean to break the bookshelf. I was desperate.”

   “As desperate as this insufferable loop. Tell me, has an eternity of death made you numb to consequence?” 

   “I can't let this planet end.” Her voice fell to a Whisper. “I care about it, even if I also want to live.”

   “Then care more for the latter.” 

   “Huh?” Her brows furrowed.

   “How lucky for you the Black Materia is impossible to eradicate. Unfortunately for me, you are much more difficult to preserve.” Aerith struggled to comprehend his method of conveying emotions. Was he mad at her for delaying his plans, or getting hurt? Or did he see them as one in the same. “If there are any more ‘accidents’ ropes will be the least of your worries.”

   “There won't.” She hugged the furry covering tighter to release the tension in her arms. Yesterday's stunt may have bought more time than she considered. Shinra was another issue though. Now that they’d seen her, more trouble would undoubtedly follow. Sephiroth released her leg and slid his hand firmly around her cheek to steal back her attention. His eyes were swimming around the light green windows reflecting back at him, searching for a hint of any mischievous intent. Of course he didn't trust her.  

   “ If only I could change his mind ,” she thought. But that idea was a pointless endeavor. “It’s unfair.” Fate insisted they go back over and over until the planet met an ending it was satisfied with. Yet they were never allowed to rewrite their own history. If only Sephiroth hadn’t repeatedly gone through the same perverse experiments, everything might have been avoided. Aerith walked with scars, but she had overcome them to an extent. She’d found her place in this world and the few who did accept her were worth more than any wealth Shinra had combined. But the consequences of Shinra’s tampering had suffocated Sephiroth till nothing of his natural self was left. He lived in a hole Aerith couldn’t see the bottom of. His despair was so thick he decided everything just needed to be redone from scratch, and she didn’t have enough hope for the both of them. 

   She reached up and took hold of the leather hand, unbeknownst to the pitiful expression on her face. The gesture startled him. Sephiroth abruptly pulled away and just shook his head. Without warning he stood and began to leave. Aerith's wrist lingered in the air for a second too long. Being rejected so flatly stung a bit, but she wasn't entirely sure why she even cared at all. The feeling quickly faded and she decided the best thing for now was to clean up. She wanted to be dressed properly again. 

   “Oh!” The moment her knees began to straighten, she fell forward. Sephiroth froze outside the doorway after sensing the thud beneath his feet. Her legs melted to jelly as a tingling sensation sprinkled over her thighs. Aerith inhaled knowing instantly where the soreness originated. It kept making her think of his arms flexing around her torso while his hips remained glued to her. She buried her burning face into her hands. “Oh Aerith, please stop thinking about it. Pretend it didn’t happen if you have to, just please for the love of the Goddess.” 

    “Are you hurt?” Long fingers were prying her hands apart all of a sudden. Cat-like eyes observing her.

   “Uhm no?” Her thoughts were so deafening she never even heard him come back. Sephiroth started stripping the blanket back, scanning the surface of her body. “Hey, stop that!” She thrashed around, tugging another corner of fur over herself each time he removed one. 

   “Perhaps the storm affected you greatly.” Aerith thought there's no way he didn't know, yet to feign innocence.

   “I’m not ill you moron, it’s you! It’s your fault I hurt everywhere so stop looking at me already.” She threw her hands up to block his eyesight. Aerith sucked in her lip, immediately wishing she chose different words. She was too tired to deal with his anger so early, but instead a low chuckle escaped him. 

   “Ah, of course." His grip loosed. "Stay in bed.” 

   “I’m not sick. And I've slept long enough, I'd rather bathe.” He lifted a doubtful brow while she readjusted the covering. After hiking in the snow and surviving this demon's sadistic hunger, she'd sweat more in a single night than her whole life. But he wouldn't leave. Instead he laid a palm out before her. Her gaze shifted up and down curiously. 

   “Well? Or do you intend to wait forever?” She slowly took his hand, still keeping the blanket firmly secured around her. The second attempt to stand was already easier, but her wobbly knees had a mind of their own. His hand embraced the back of her waist to steady her. It made her arch slightly . His touch never failed to spread shivers under her skin.

   “Ahem, I can take it from here. You're busy after all.” Aerith pushed away and reached for the wall to hold herself. Now her elbow was shaking. She knew she looked absurd. He was just making the situation worse, causing her to get flustered. If he had just left, the feeling in her legs would return in a minute. Sephiroth refused to release her hand and yanked her back.

   “Are you playing games Cetra? Come.” He tore away the blanket in frustration. It's weight allowed for the fabric to slide away effortlessly. 

   “What are you doing?!” Her arm immediately folded around him.

   “You can't bring that with you. Enough of this.” Aerith's mind went completely blank as her stomach dropped into the pits of Gaia. She clung to him awkwardly to hide herself. Every part of her squished against his torso felt like torture. She knew he could feel her heartbeat, but if she moved back everything would be exposed. 

   “Why do you have to make everything so difficult for me?”

   “You complicate this life alone.'' After enough dawdling he just decided to carry the girl. She was easy to mold in his arms. Aerith held on for dear life in spite of the humiliation. His lack of modesty wasn't something she thought she'd ever get used to. “If you cling to me this much, I shall never go easy on you again.” 

   “Oh just hurry up!”

   His feet tapped lightly on the bathroom floor until placing her along the edge of the sink. Her arms struggled to find the best way to shield what bit of dignity was left. Relief only came once his back was turned. Sephiroth began filling the bath and removed his gloves to test the water. She watched somewhat bewildered. Most times he acted so out of this word. Witnessing him perform random domestic tasks looked so strange. She never saw him eat, sleep, or clean his sword. He started every day like a robot that didn’t require maintenance. Sephiroth peeked over his shoulder, expecting her gaze. She quickly looked away. 

   “Heh,” a breathy chuckle escaped him. “The Cetra is too uneasy.” He stood after the tub had filled noticeably.

   "If you're finished, I can take it from here." Aerith wondered how much longer he would insist on ruining her bath time. In just three long strides he was towering over her, sliding her into his arms again. Her skin felt as soft as it looked in the light. The curve of her small breasts were still noticeable no matter how hard she tried to hide them. “You are lovely enough.” 

   “What are you saying?” Aerith choked on her words, wanting to disappear. “If you’re gonna help, stop messing with me already.” She scrunched up further into herself. No one really considered her beautiful. She’d seen real beauties before, and she knew he must have too. Cloud had always been the most lenient with her whims to play pretend date, but even getting a compliment out of him was like trying to make a rock talk back.

   Slowly he lowered the flower girl into the water until she gripped the ledge. Kneeling behind, he released her hair. He was getting sick of seeing that pink bow. A faint memory of his days in Shinra was all he needed to know where it came from. Just another Soldier that tried standing in his way. If only he met her first, perhaps converting the Cetra to his side would have been simpler. But the memories of each life only came fourth after his mind was set free in Nibleheim. One at a time, he unfolded the twists in her hair.

   “I can do that.” Aerith reached her hand around. “I know how to bathe, you know.” Sephiroth smiled. 

   “I do know. I like watching you.”

   “You! I thought you were busy?” His hands smoothed out the strands of golden brown. 

   “I have a little time.” Aerith sighed. Moments in the Bath were the only bits of relaxation to be found here. Now she couldn't even let her guard down. Chilled soap suddenly slid along her nape. He held her hair to the side and watched the milky substance glide over her shoulder blade. 

   “I'll do it!” She fumbled around to retrieve the soap. Struggling to think of anything that would distract from the situation. “You must like vintage stuff, huh? Most people use showers and light bulbs.” He released her hair to the water. 

    “It's not that I like anything in particular. I hate most modern man made constructions, showers are just one of many.”

   “Why?” 

   “My time with Shinra was not that pleasant either.”

   “Oh.” Aerith's voice dropped. The labs were obsessive when it came to germs. Occasionally several times a day, she was forced into a dark tube. Scalding hot saltwater would spray from above. It hit with enough force to remove bits of skin if you weren't careful. “They got rid of those a few years ago actually. I guess Hojo got sick of his experiments walking out with blemishes not done personally by him.” Sephiroth kept stroking her hair. She leaned back a little so he could work it into the water better. “Now they just have men in hazard suits strip you down and spray some kind of disinfectant while he supervises.”

   “Doesn't sound that improved.”

   “Oh It's not.” Aerith's frown deepened. “I'd rather take the shower than him loo… anyway, it's in the past.”

   “Yet you never killed him.”

   “I wanted to. Sometimes... I imagine it when I think about everything. But I don't like myself that much when my mind goes to dark places. It's like I lost, if I fall to his level.”

   “There's no fault in wanting to remove stains. He does not contribute anything of value.” Aerith tilted her head back until she could see him.

   “Then why didn't you do it? I thought you would have been treated like Shinra royalty. Being a war hero and all.”

   “I was simply one of their many experiments. Shinra has a talent for making life dependent on them. I was too young before I realized.”

   “So Hojo did this?” She pointed to his eyes. Sephiroth sighed and grabbed her hand, pulling it back down. 

   “For the most part.”

   “I can't imagine what kind of parent just leaves their son with him.”

   “I wasn't. It was his right after Mother died. The lab was my home since birth.” Aerith's mouth hung slightly open. She never considered Hojo might go as far as to create something using himself. They looked nothing alike. The realization made her ill.

   “I'm sorry.” 

   “I do not need your pity. Everything will be set right in due time.” He continued massaging the strands of hair between his fingers. 

   “What if they come back here?” Aerith stared into the ceiling. It took her a lifetime to finally abandon the steel sky for good. Cloud gave her that strength, and now he was gone. If she ever got put back in Hojo's lab, she wasn't sure she'd have the courage to do it all again. Sephiroth's hand snuck into the water and around her waist.

  “Then they will meet their promised land quickly.” He moved her closer to the edge of the tub. “Idle hands that touch my things are dealt with.” Her heart skipped a beat. She almost asked to clarify which category she fell into. 

   “Well, I was protected because of my staff. I'd like it back.”

   “You don't need it anymore.” His hand slowly traced the side of her submerged abdomen. 

   “I highly doubt that.” She tried grabbing his arm to stop the tickling sensation. 

   “You have me now Cetra.” Aerith's breath hitched in her throat. How could she have anything of him? Was she just supposed to walk around and use the great Sephiroth whenever she ran into trouble like a summon? The thought almost made her laugh. 

   “Really? I never let go of free favors.” She tried joking away the implications of his statement. “You might regret it later on.” His fingers wandered lower. Massaging the outline of her hip bones. 

   “I do not regret. And nothing is free.” His middle finger kept advancing until Aerith inhaled sharply. Her shoulders tensing up over the rim of the tub. 

   “You are very sensitive.” She immediately grabbed his wrist still. Her mind almost lost itself again.

   “Um, yesterday..." Her mouth went dry, she didn't want to ever speak of it again. "I wasn't in my right mind, so...” Sephiroth pressed his lips to her burning neck. 

   “So?”

   “So, you can't just keep doing things like this.” She tried wiggling free.

   “The Cetra got her night and is now running away.” He smiled Coyly, twirling a piece of wet hair around his fingers.  

   “I am not. I didn’t plan for any of, well... you know.”

   “How cruel. Do you usually discard partners this way?”

   “P-partners?! I have never- and we're not like that.” Aerith thought she'd combust into a flame she could barely talk. He was speaking absolute nonsense and making her seem like some bad guy. 

   “Hmm, If I remember you're the one who asked to stay.” He took told of the hand trying to restrain his wrist and interlocked their fingers. Her focus scattered. Despite trying to pry him away, his other arm was already reaching for one of her legs. 

   “Like I said, I wasn't thinking straight. So don’t get used to it.” He teased the inside of her thigh. Lightly dragging his fingers back and forth. 

   “And then you asked me to touch you.”

   “Do you have to remember everything?”

   “No, I forgot where, remind me.” She couldn't take it anymore. Suddenly twisting around to violently splash water all over his face. 

   “Stop confusing me! I know you're messing around, it's not funny.” 

   “If you wanted me to join, you only need ask.” Sephiroth never lost his smile while pushing his long hair back and stripping away the drenched leather coat. She was too easy to rile up. Her true desires and sense of responsibility kept tripping over one another. 

   “Don't you dare, you just stay right there.”

   “Are you upset because you regret laying with me, or because you enjoyed every second of it?”

   “I'm angry at myself!” Her shame boiled over. “ I wanted to do it with someone I love.” She bit her lip, realizing the spoiled pipe dream. 

   “Then love me Cetra.” Aerith's eyes expanded in disbelief. “If that makes your time here easier just think of me, please only me.” It was an impossible request. He stood before entering the water. She immediately turned to shield her eyes. She was embarrassed enough without having to stare at his most intimate parts at ground level. 

   “You don't mean that, you don't even know what love is.”

   “Then indulge me. Show me why it's so important for you.”

   “I can't. You hurt too many people, people I care about.”

   “You can't save them all, their souls simply returned to where they belong.” Thick arms wrapped around the feeble Cetra. She felt her body being pulled about to make room for his legs. The tub barely fit the both of them. 

   “That doesn't mean they're not worth protecting. Our lives are short, and every moment matters. Whether we all end up in the same place or not.”

   “That is a wishful way of thinking. Though I don't intend to waste any time with you.” He licked the top of her spine and took her breast in hand. She sat perfectly within his grasp. “ As it should be ,” he thought. Nothing didn't fit. As if the universe had designed her just for him. She was the last remnant of her people, and he was the first. The old planet started with her and would end with him. How could it not be destiny's will? 

   Aerith thought her heart might burst. It was thundering so loud against her chest. The warmth of him all over her wasn’t something she should ever rely on, let alone crave. His hands danced around all the parts of her she never knew needed soothing. From every inch of her flesh to the depths of her soul, it calmed a repressed sense of loneliness she carried around. She spent so much of her life waiting for the people who said they loved her to come home, to find her, but they never did. They kept vanishing when she needed them most. Aerith wasn't even allowed to be upset, knowing it wasn’t their fault. But any solace found here would no doubt be temporary. Getting close to the son of death would just cause more pain in the end, she was sure of it. “ Love me?” she scoffed at the idea. She was tired of loving people who never reciprocated her feelings clearly. 

   “Come closer.” He breathed before nibbling on the spot beneath her ear. Suddenly her entire lower pelvis was cupped in his fingers. He gently stroked between her tender folds, circulating the bump above her entrance for any reaction. It wasn’t long before her pulse shifted into a series of shallow breaths.

   “Stop it, not in the daylight.” Pushing away with her feet just propelled her further into his grasp. She immediately recognized the stiff part of him resting along her lower backside. 

   “You’re an important piece of my future, regardless of the time of day.” His thumb rubbed against her clit as two other fingers slid into her. A small whine struggled to fully escape her. She was biting back her lower lip with shut eyes and gripping the side of the tub. Everything was still so tender. Every time his thumb flicked away at her, it felt like being pricked instead of the delightful strokes of last night. Aerith's head bent back into his shoulder. Sephiroth watched the flower girl struggle in his arms to regain any sliver of sanity. It was an amusing sight on its own, the rise and fall of her chest every time his fingers drug along her inner walls. Her hips writhed around his arm erotically. Like a puppet responding to the strings he so specially laid out. But her sweet voice and alluring expression just made him want to push further. His wrist knocked in and out with more vigor, expectantly waiting to see her response. 

   “Ahh!” her moans finally emerged as her back slipped under the water until almost fully submerged. The pent up tension growing between her legs had her feet trying to plant themselves, only to keep slipping along the tub’s base. She reached back to grip Sephiroth's upper arm. Her nails dug into his muscle. 

   “You have to relax.”

   “Easy for you to say.” Both of her hands latched onto him to keep from drowning further. “You just do whatever you want regardless of what I feel.” 

   “My needs also serve yours do they not? Right now, your entire being clearly says it feels good.” His fingers rolled around inside of her, wanting to feel her squeeze up around them each time. The momentum was used to help push her upright. A low groan sifted through his grit teeth as her back rode up against him. All her fidgeting provoked a desire to just take her from behind right here and now. Her skin kept slipping along his shaft like velvet. 

   “I think I've gone insane because of you.” It was as if she was speaking his own thoughts. Her cry bounced off the stone walls. It was this moment when her mind shattered over and over. Every time she climaxed she wanted to hold onto that pulsating ecstasy for a second longer. She convulsed around the parts of him still buried deep between her legs. Pleasure dispersed like a wave that slowly faded back into the ocean. 

   “You come so easily for me Cetra. Are you sure you weren't waiting for the day I’d find you?” 

   “In your dreams. I never thought about you before the whispers ruined my life.” He bit down on the curve of her neck before licking the spot. Aerith yelped, aware of the erection along her bosom growing. “Please, I can’t do it all again. Not like yesterday.”

   “I am aware of your fragility.” 

   “Coulda fooled me.” she huffed.

   “This Cetra provokes too much. Disciplining you has been enlightening, as my generosity appears to be lost on you.” Aerith swallowed. Perhaps he wasn't joking and yesterday really was his idea of gentle.

   “Can't you just let it go this time?” He liked it when she begged. So he took pity on the girl and drove her hand against his cock instead. Encouraging her to grab it on her own.

   The sensation made her jump. His swollen member was foreign on her fingertips. Had his own grip not been so tight she could have recoiled. The slow realization of what he wanted made her stomach hollow out.

   “Finish it yourself then.” Aerith hesitated, but slowly found herself curling each finger around. The base was too thick to fully wrap, but she tried. Even If she couldn’t see its grand size, she could feel every vein and the slight twitch whenever her hand moved. Perhaps this was his way of compromising. 

   “What do I do?” Her body shifted to the side, too out of her depth to entirely face him. Touching him this way felt more lewd than regular intercourse. Sephiroth smiled with a feral charm. 

   “You have to grip it harder.” He instructed. She adjusted her hold, squeezing a bit. “Harder. With as much strength as your small arms will allow.” She took a deep breath and this time tried to wrap him with both hands. Honestly she was afraid of hurting him, but drug her hands up and down anyways. “That's right, good.” He hissed through her strokes. She tried using her weight as leverage to push her hands down each time. Her sways made the water slosh about.

   “It’s not, uncomfortable?” Her green eyes were full of innocent wonder. His anatomy was so different from hers, she couldn’t tell if he experienced pleasure from touch the same way she did. 

   “No, do as you please.” Aerith let her hands wander around his cock. Her fingers rolled over the tip every so often. The circular motions made his head reel back ever so slightly. He could almost close his eyes, but didn’t want to miss a second of her. He brushed the wet bangs out of her face. Lose stands stuck all around her wildly. Her grip burned against his skin, and he fought the urge to just let loose on her. The image of her mouth struggling to fit in all of him was tempting if not for the water. Her breathing grew tired in an attempt to stroke him faster. The pulsating under her fingers seemed to be a good sign. Her nails lightly slid along his length while trying to keep up the pace. The scratches sent shivers through him. “Fuck this.” Before it was too late, he lunged for the flower girl and lifted her up to thrust everything he had straight through her tight entrance. The intrusion spread her apart roughly, making her shout. 

   “NO- Mhph!” He secured the back of her head and dove into a kiss to muffle her scream. Aerith clawed against his chest as hot fluid emptied into her. All the faded soreness from yesterday shot to the forefront of her core as he swelled. The water made him slip through too easily, not realizing how painful forcing her to expand to his full size on the first try would be. She fought back the sting of tears welling up. Once he’d tasted enough of her he let their lips part. It felt too good inside of her, he couldn't let the opportunity waste. It took all of his restraint to let her push away and break the connection. 

   “You have a purpose to fulfill. How did you say, every moment matters?” Aerith frowned and covered her arms. The motive diluted any trace of sincerity she imagined feeling from him. It wasn’t the real intimacy she longed for. Just fucking.

   “Leave.” She bit out. Sephiroth cocked his head to the side. He wanted to stay, pester her some more. But he’d let himself stray for too long, he never intended to linger past her breakfast. He reached for her face but she pulled back. 

   “Last night was just the beginning. It’s up to you how easy or difficult time here is spent.” With that he rose up and began to exit the bathroom. Aerith sat long after the water had turned cold. Trying to let him fill the loneliness in her heart just ended up leaving a space more hollow than before.

Chapter Text

    Sephiroth was growing tired of this. Every time he destroyed a flying drone, more appeared. 

   “A nuisance in every form.” They were Shinra property of course. “I should have gutted them.” Leaving survivors always meant trouble. And Turks were among the slimiest. They were trained to slip through missions quickly, stealing what they needed before running back to their President like a dog with its tail between its legs. Now they had his location. 

   In previous timelines they'd already discovered his real body, but it wasn't a concern, by now he’d also had the Black Materia. With the change in course, more time was required. At least his recent herd of puppets had finally reached the Northern Region. Soon Sephiroth would have his hands everywhere. Locating the Black Materia would also be easier once his clones were on the lookout. However, the drones were a bit unsettling. Shinra's style usually entailed blunt force without much thought. An army would be more expected, but dozens of peering metal eyes? What did they intend to supervise? 

   “Hojo.” the name sat in the back of his throat, uncomfortable to even speak. No doubt the depraved scientist would have caught wind of the Ancients' existence. For now, Sephiroth would have to cut back on the monster control. Mutants out here liked shiny things. It's not like they could hurt him anyway, so letting a few live to pick off the spying guests should be fine. He needed to get back to the Forgotten capital, not practice sword play in the snow. Problems kept piling up, yet Sephiroth found himself in a better mood than most days. 

   Things were finally connecting. Now he just has to see how long it would take. The Cetra was slowly opening up. Once she was carrying a part of him inside her, where else could she go? No doubt having his offspring would shatter her beloved. He frowned. Cloud, the relentless puppet. If only he would succumb to the call and disappear into the collective mind. In a way, Sephiroth also thought of Cloud as one of his things. The flower girl had mentioned ‘love’ back then, it made humans do stupid things. The idea of his property running off together was unacceptable. He shook the thought away. Cloud right now couldn’t win in a solo fight anyway regardless of his feelings. Sephiroth knew his puppet's headaches were getting worse, controlling Cloud would be easier than ever soon. Especially without his precious healer. 

- - -

   Cloud eventually let exhaustion get the better of him, or so he thought. His back felt like it was hitting a tree, he didn't usually sleep sitting up since leaving Shinra. It’d been days since he’d gotten more than a few hours of rest so the method didn’t really matter. But it was peculiar, his mind kept wandering, but his eyelids refused to open. Surely it was almost time to go. He considered just dozing off deeper until he heard a familiar giggle. 

   “Wake up, silly. What are you doing all the way out here?” It was as if a spell had been lifted. Her blurry figure slowly came into view.

   “Aerith?” 

   “Who else? Unless you’re dreaming of some other girl I should know about.” Cloud huffed and eventually focused on the light shade of pink in front of him. She was leaning over, peering down as if nothing had happened. 

   “Are you alright?” 

   “I think you should ask yourself that first.” Aerith tilted her head to the side with a worried expression.

   “Me? I’m fine.” Putting a hand on his knee, Cloud hoisted himself up. They were back in the sleeping forest. Dewy mist glazed everything in a green hue. “How did we… no, what happened to you?” 

   “What do you mean?” She put a finger to her chin. “Don’t I look like myself?” 

   “Seriously, Where are you?” 

   “Waiting for you of course.” Aerith sung as if the answer was obvious. 

   “Then why did you run off on your own like that? I’m really… we’re all really worried about you.” Aerith sighed and started walking with her hands behind her back. Cloud promptly followed. 

   “You probably don’t remember this place, but it’s special to me. It was the last time I got to see you.” Aside from the split second she'd seen his face crumple before her heart was silenced. “Well, a somewhat happy version of you.” 

   “What are you talking about, I’m not dead.”

   “Right, not you.” 

   “I’m coming for you. You’ll see me again.” 

   “I wish you wouldn’t.” She hung her head as her pace slowed. 

   “Why?” Cloud stayed exactly two feet behind before stopping. “Did he hurt you?” No words were able to find the girl before him. “If he touched even a-” 

   “There’s a lot more important things to focus on.” She promptly cut him off. “You’re in a lot of pain, right?” Cloud looked to the side and shrugged his shoulders.

   “Nothing I can’t handle.” The migraines were becoming less tolerable by the day. He should have fallen into the lifestream by now. 

   “You have to find yourself.” Cloud was sick of the riddles. He walked up and took her arm. Still, her eyes stayed locked to the ground. 

   “Just tell me what I need to do. I don't understand any of this.”

   “If you can’t become whole again, I don't think you’ll be able to save anyone.” Cloud loosened his grip. The sentiment stung coming from her. Aerith never cast doubt in his abilities before. 

   “Hey, I’m working on it. I’m just glad you’re ok.” He wanted her to return to her chipper self. Smile, anything to show it was gonna be ok. She was usually the one softening the mood and pulling him up. “So, I never got to ask you about that Materia.” 

   “Hm?” Her eyes suddenly lit up. 

   “The one you gave me, it looked empty.” She just watched him intently, listening. “I figured you wanted me to have it for something specific, but then, Sephiroth got in the way.”

   “I don't remember that well.” Aerith suddenly grabbed his shoulder and leaned in. “Hey, won't you show it to me?”

   Cloud was taken back by her close proximity. Her grip was so tight, he didn't even notice her eyes were different. “Maybe then I'd remember.” That awful headache suddenly came swirling back with a vengeance.

   “Ugh!” Cloud suddenly cradled his head. Static blinded him, slicing his brain like knives. Aerith's hand followed his shoulder as he slowly crumpled to the ground. 

   “You've got to snap out of it Cloud. Or everyone's going to die.” Cloud was heaving, doing anything to keep his eyes open. Aerith was backing away. He reached out a hand. 

   “Wait!”

   “I can’t wait. You let me die, and I’m out of time.”

   “Huh?” His sight was fading from black and white. The forest air was already thick, but the ache in his mind was just making it harder to see.

   “I thought you would protect me. But you just stood there, just like that time.” The fires of Nibelheim flashed before Cloud. He could hear their screams, the sound of metal severing heads. Looking around, it was like being in the heart of it all over again. By the time he'd turned back to see Aerith, she was almost gone. 

   “No, ngh!” He pushed off the ground with trembling hands. “Aerith come back, It's dangerous!” Somehow he found the strength to move with haste. With a hand still supporting his head, Cloud managed to wobble through the reminiscence of his lost childhood. Desperate not to lose sight of her again. Aerith ducked behind a tree. He almost thought he could hear her giggling. Once the woody brush was before him, not a trace of her remained. 

   “Help me Cloud.” Her cry echoed over his neck. He whipped around to catch her. But the nightmare was just settling in. 

   “Yes Cloud, why didn't you help her?” The maker of all his agony was smiling at him. With that sorry expression Cloud itched to rip away. 

   “Sephiroth!” He reached for his sword despite his shaking arms.

   “Do you want my help? If it were I, no terrible fate would befall her.”

   “No thanks. Your help is the last thing I need.”

   “Don't be so sure. Listen, can't you hear the Planet's cry?” Sephiroth's arms reached to the sky. “The essence that keeps this Universe afloat is running out. You won’t be able to stop the Reunion, let alone protect those you cherish.” Cloud wasn’t even listening, he swung with all his might. But the buster sword just fell through Sephiroth as he dissipated into a swirl of black feathers. 

   “Coward!” 

   “Now, now, I’m being quite generous here.” Cloud was frantically looking around, trying to figure out where he’d respawn. 

   “You can try to hide. But when we find you, it’s over.” 

   “How bold, considering the many times you’ve already failed. Your destiny of triumph is more bleak than you could possibly imagine.” The sound of thin metal being unsheathed set Clouds reflexes into overdrive. He promptly swung back to block the oncoming blow from Masamune. “If only you set your mind free, you could see things more clearly.” 

  “Shut up!” He slid forward with an uppercut motion in an attempt to remove Masamune from the demon's hand. But it only pushed Sephiroth back a few feet at best. “Your games won’t work on me. You'll just end up killing everyone regardless.”

   “No, not everyone. But time does run its course eventually. You have to choose wisely who’s worth it, Cloud.”

   “You sure like to talk a lot. I will find Aerith, no ones going to die.” 

   “But you already let her go. Many, many times. You simply cannot see what has already been laid once before.” Everything just made Cloud more unnerved. They worked so hard to find out she was alive, but now his words echoed as if she was already gone. He didn’t waste another moment and impaled the buster sword through Sephiroth's abdomen. The smug bastard had left himself open for far too long. For a moment the grand being almost seemed to go lifeless and limp over. Blood trickled out the edge of his mouth. But then a twisted smile curled up as a leather hand took hold of the blade. Cloud panicked and tried reclaiming his weapon. But Sephiroth wouldn’t let go. He was laughing at him. To his horror, Sephiroth started easing further into the blade, inching closer. “Do not deny me. Or you will suffer.” 

   The static induced headaches took hold of his mind, staggering Cloud. By the time he was able to clear his vision again, Sephiroth was gone. Instead an unconscious woman lay stained red along his blade. Cloud was mortified, immediately pulling back. 

   “No…” He took hold of the lifeless body, sliding down on his knees. “Aerith, hey.” He kept sweeping the hair out of her face. Lightly shaking her didn’t bring the response he wanted. “I can fix this.” His hand pressed into the open wound, a feeble attempt to stop the bleeding. He pulled her closer as tears began to burn at the back of his eyes uncontrollably. “Aerith, I need you to wake up. Please.” Her skin had already turned cold. Only the blood pooling around his knees held traces of warmth. His heart was pounding into his ears. It all felt too real. Like he'd seen it all before, felt this way before. The slow creep of snickering came in from behind. Sephiroth was laughing again. 

   “You have to snap out of it Cloud.” He could barely hold back the tears now. He couldn't deal with this. Cloud wanted to just disappear, it was hard to even breathe.

   “Cloud! Wake up!”

   The mirage faded away as his consciousness went dark. Cloud stirred in his seat before slowly opening his eyes. 

   “What's wrong with him?” Barret was holding onto the back of his chair, peering over. 

   “Cellular degradation most likely.” Vincent sat on a metal box, legs folded over top one another. “All Soldiers face it one day.”

   “Degra- what now?” Yufie never understood most of their rambles. She was just worried about the panicked ex soldier. 

   “Hey dial it back, I think he's waking up.” Tifa was kneeling beside Cloud. She had his hand in hers and tried to shake his shoulder with the other. Cloud blinked slowly, but his glossy stare still seemed to be in a trance. His mind far away. “Cloud, are you with us?” His eyes were still trying to focus.

   “A-erith?” His voice came out weakly. Tifa's lips curled into a thin line. 

   “No, we're on the Tiny Bronco. Remember?” He looked around at the metal enclosure. His head was still pounding, sweat covered his back. 

   “Must have been one hell of a dream.” Barret rolled his shoulders and eased back into his seat. 

   “Weren't we... In Costa del sol?” Tifa glanced back at the others worriedly. 

   “We left hours ago before dawn. You're the one who insisted we get a head start.” Cloud leaned forward with a groan, shaking himself out of Tifa's grasp. He didn't remember any of that. He couldn't even recall falling asleep the previous night. Yet he had a full conversation and led them onboard? Was he finally losing it? Losing himself. That nightmare felt more real than anything he'd done the last few days. 

   “You sure you're ok man? I thought you were gonna choke to death in your sleep.” Barret removed his sunglasses. Cloud swallowed and wiped the sweat off his face. He did feel out of breath now that Barrett mentioned it. Realizing everyone had witnessed him go through some sort of unconscious meltdown didn't help the growing nausea.   

   “I'm fine. I just needed some sleep. All this erratic flying would give anyone bad dreams.” 

   “My what now?” Cid took a double take over his shoulder. “Ya think you can do a better job? Be my guest you ungrateful shits!” Yuffie let out a laugh and the atmosphere seemed to return a bit to normal. Tifa wasn't convinced though. If anything, the way Cloud always brushed off his burdens made her more concerned. She was used to suppressing her own feelings to please others, she could tell he wasn't right. 

   “Here.” She handed him a canteen full of water. 

   “Thanks Tifa.” He tried to smile as normal as possible while taking the cylinder. “I'm always relying on you.” 

   “You say that like it's a bad thing.” She chuckled and eased back into her seat. “We're a team, remember. That's what we're here for.” 

   “Right.” Cloud stared into the water sloshing around. “A team, huh? Is that why you lost her?” His thoughts stayed shrouded in self doubt. ‘ You let me die, so I’m out of time.’ The remnants of her voice challenged what little confidence he had left. “No, that wasn't Aerith, it couldn't have been.”

   “Ahem, I know it’s still a bit early in ye mornin’, but I think we really ought steer clear of plain sight.” Cait had been antsy all morning. From the moment his electric body sprung back to life, he was nagging them non stop.

   “Will ya quit your yapping already? I already said ain't nothin’ gettin’ between me and the skies.” Cid was sick of feeling like today's target after being such a willing chauffeur. 

   “What's Wong?” Cloud turned to Cait.

   “Well the thing is, I sensed an updated Shinra report in the database. Highly classified, even I can't see all ye details. But what I do know, is they be headn’ this way! Icicle Village is a new spot of interest.” 

   “What's it Matter now? We're already over water, there's nowhere to land.” Nanaki had a good point. Cloud thought for a moment. Shinra usually didn't venture up this far, it was harder to dig for Mako when the ground was frozen. But if it had to do with finding the promised land, Aerith was likely involved in their vision. A part of him wanted to see what they were up to, but changing plans might just have them going in circles. Still, being spotted probably wasn't the best idea. 

   “Hey uh, guys what's that?” Yufie was the only one looking out the windows. 

   “Everyone brace yourselves!” Vincent shouted. A glance was all he needed to recognize Shinra missiles. 

   “How did they find us?” Tifa strapped herself in quickly. 

   “I told ye they were on a way!” Cait was jumping around in a panic, pulling at his ears. “But no one ever listens to me now do yeh!?”

   “Not again you assholes.” Cid had just got his girl up and flying again. “Everybody hold on tight. It's about to get bumpy!” The party felt their stomachs drop as Cid plunged the nose of the aircraft down. 

   “Shit shit shit.” Barrett was desperately clinging to the wall fastenings. There wasn't much security in his makeshift cargo seat. Cid’s scream was the only one that sounded different than the others.    

   “Ahahaha Whoooooo!” The first missile barely brushed past the tail stabilizers. Its momentum made the entire plane shake. But another shot was coming up fast. “Alrighty here we go folks.” The plane jerked back up and to the side. Everyone felt their weight shifting towards the ceiling. 

   “You can't outrun them.” Vincent might have known more about Shinra's equipment than anyone, but he never did inspire much confidence. 

   “Then what's your big idea, wise guy?”

   “We need to land. Better hidden from the ground than falling from the air.” Vincent spoke calmly, no matter how dire the circumstance. 

   “What land?!” Nanaki shouted. “The coast is still miles away!”

   “You kids just can't take a bit of excitement.” Cid veered back down again as the second missile plunged into the ocean. “There, ya see?” Cid sometimes let his ego get the better of him. He was so focused on the first two attacks, he never noticed the others hurling from behind. A second Shinra chopper had joined up. 

   “HEY!” Before Cloud could finish telling him to pay attention, the right wing was completely clipped. Everything shook as smoke exploded from the propellers. Cid slammed his fist on the dash.

   “Damnit! This ain't over.” 

   “We have to live first!” Yuffie was screaming again. Regretting every life choice that ever brought her to this moment. The plane was twirling downwards erratically from the imbalance. 

   “Whoa- guys!” Nanaki was losing his grip on the floor. There wasn't anything he could hold on to. 

   “Lookout!” Barret let go of his straps and lunged for the poor creature being thrown about. He just barely grabbed a hold of Nanaki as his back slammed into the mental ceiling. 

The rest went black. 

   “Everybody alright? If ya still breathin’ say Aye!” Everyone just groaned. Either not hearing or completely uninterested in whatever Cid might have to say. Cloud‘s hands patted over the parts of his body he could reach, wondering if he was really ok or if the shock from impact numbed out any pain. Once they smashed into the water the lights went out. Only thin strips of sunlight leaked in from the windows. He looked over to his side.

   “Tifa!” Cloud immediately unfastened his seatbelt and grabbed her arm. She was barely lucid. Blood was running down her brow at an alarming rate. 

   “Ow.” Tifa rubbed the side of her head. The collision must have caused her skull to scrape against the metal walls.

   “Don’t move. Can you remember where we are?” Cloud held a cloth up to her face. 

   “Uh, I think so.”

   “Can you move?”

   “Yeah...” She rolled her joints laboriously. The ache could be felt from her bones. “I just need a minute.” Cloud sighed with relief. 

   “I don’t think this is a simple matter.” Vincent's voice called everyone's attention. He was leaning on the ground, rolling an unconscious Barret onto his back. Nanaki was out cold beneath him. Blood was scattered everywhere, making it impossible to tell whose it belonged to. Yufie gasped and looked away. 

   “Shit.” Cloud ran over to the Cargo and started rummaging through a sack of Materia. “Cid, we need to get to land, now!” 

   “I can try to use the backup propellers, but I can’t make any promises.” 

   “Just do it anyway! Vincent, find something to stop the bleeding.” A huge gash had pierced right through Barrets back. The metal cargo lining was never meant for comfort. They were jagged and full of rusty bolts that stuck out far too much. Hitting them multiple times at inhuman speeds would slice about anything open. Cloud cast healing for both of his unconscious party members, but they didn’t wake up. Only the bruising subsided as small scrapes closed up temporarily.   

   “I don’t understand. Why isn't the Materia working?” Yufie was almost crying. “He’s made it through way worse before, right?” Cloud's gaze fell to the ground in silence as he clenched his teeth. Tifa turned with a somber expression, her voice practically a whisper,

   “That was Aerith.” Healing Materia could only fix what you already had. It couldn't bring dead things back to life. Once limbs were gone that was it. Organs couldn't be regrown and new blood cells couldn't be remade. Only Aerith's magic had bent the rules. Her healing was like turning back time, to before the body was injured in the first place. 

   The team felt the Tiny Bronco rumble as the engine struggled to start. After a while they were finally moving again. 

   “I think I can see the coast over yonder, just hold on till then.” Cid wasted no time shifting into gear. Nothing was going right today. Cloud cast healing again, using any mana he might have left to help his wounded comrades. It was hard to tell if it made any difference. Falling back he pulled his knees up to his head. 

   “Aerith, I need you.” His mind had forgotten how to conjure the courage to hold himself up. “I can’t do this alone.” 

    “I don't think you’ll be able to save anyone… Do you want my help?” The memory of Sephiroth's voice was merging into his own. 

   “Fuck you.” Cloud murmured under his breath. He swore no matter what, to not fall for Sephiroth's plea.

Chapter Text

   Aerith stood alone in the dining hall. Nibbling on a sandwich in hand, she leaned against the grand windows. The snow was almost pretty if not for the ice being a constant reminder of this confinement. But the gleaming mountains were beyond her blank stare. Each time she thought of Sephiroth her gut swirled around. Morphing any lingering anxiety into confusion. After leaving the bath, she had noticed the little pink flower that hung pitifully on the small water table. It was a poor excuse for a flower if she’d ever seen one. The petals were clearly drooping and it looked like it’d been wrangled out of the dirt by an animal. It was almost comical imagining such force of evil trying to handle anything delicate. It’s a miracle the plant made it back to this hell alive. 

    “Don’t do things like that. Just keep on using me and being mean.” Aerith had stopped chewing a while ago. “I can’t really stay, not in the way you’re thinking.” Her hand rested over the slight curve of her stomach. It made her wince. Aerith didn’t know the chances of actually becoming pregnant after the last few times. It seemed unlikely. But worrying about it was irrelevant, he would just keep trying. How many times a week would he call on her? No, how many times a day would he need to be satisfied? The implications of a child were beyond her years of experience. The idea of him hurting a treasure she thought impossible to ever have in any life just upset her more. If she did get pregnant, she wouldn’t be able to part with the child easily. Not after everything she went through with her own mother. But that would be a problem for another time. At the moment, imagining Sephiroth stripping himself down every day before her was dizzying. All the madness occupying her soul was beginning to spread to her head. He acted insatiable. Thinking back, she’d been too relaxed. She’d felt no indication he would climb into the tub earlier. He was messing with her mind. At first he appeared to touch her regardless of the intent to produce offspring, just for it to end in his favor regardless. 

   Aerith didn’t notice the juice from her layered lunch dribbling onto the ground. Her appetite had been lacking since this morning. But with everything going on, it was understandable. Her finger ran along the rim of the luxurious window. How could a monster change so much? The one who laid her grave also plowed through a storm to find her. She didn’t think he would care that much. Well, perhaps for the Black Materia, but the fool said it didn’t matter. If she got away again, is there anywhere she could hide? Aerith huffed, almost letting a laugh form. 

   “I think I see now why you were so paranoid about him.” Cloud was forever on edge since the day she’d met him. Seeing traces of Sephiroth in the shadows around every corner, taunting him. It drove the party insane, they never did see anything. If she left, would his spirit haunt her forever too? 

   Almost by instinct, she found herself wandering back to Sephiroth's room. The maze was getting easier to understand, Aerith was getting confident that she’d almost memorized the layout. With little to do, she hoped to find some direction in his cozy cave. Perhaps clean a bit of the mess she’d left behind. 

   “Geeze, I don’t know why I even feel bad about it.” She scrunched her nose at the thought. “With this let’s just say we’re even for finding me.” The golden knob turned easily, she kept half expecting him to lock it one of these days. 

   “Wow.” Aerith turned from side to side in amazement. There was already a lot to begin with, but now the mess was just a nuisance to look at. The man who cared for nothing, was surprisingly keen on books. More so than a bed, or windows or any other normal entertainment usually found in people's rooms. “He really doesn’t sleep then, huh?” It had occurred to her that she knew almost nothing about her destined foe. And this was as good a place as any to snoop. She’d begun to suspect Sephiroth didn’t have Holy, surely he would have kept it with the Black Materia. Of the two, Holy should be less important to him. 

   She mosied over to the pile where she’d fallen and slowly picked up the books one at a time. Most of them were about science and legends of the planet. Some of the scrolls had faded text, presumably dated long before her time. A few spines even had Shinra’s logo. Likely stolen from Hojo’s lab. It was strange, Sephiroth was apparently raised in a similar vein as herself, yet she couldn’t recall ever running into a young boy. Aside from the short years with her mother, she was entirely alone. She bit her bottom lip. Maybe he had been isolated just like her. Aerith scoffed. 

   “Alright, that's enough pity for you.” She grumbled to herself while placing books one at a time back onto their respective shelves. “He was their war hero dummy. He got to go all sorts of places.” She assumed he probably had friends, a lover, admiration. She couldn’t remember a time anyone really liked her all that much. Aerith would have given anything for human connection, but the harder she tried, the more people pulled away. Cloud was a sweetheart though, he always let her pull him along. He never really complained. She liked to think Cloud was actually learning to have fun again. Yet Sephiroth never even tried to please others and people were crawling at his feet. She remembered every time she went to sell flowers on the upper plate, everyone was in awe of the First class Soldiers. Men and women either wanted to be like them, or with them. They had their own fanbases, and each sector had their own favorite. “What was he like back then? Was reading his hobby or something?” 

   Aerith recognized a leather bound book on the ground. It was dyed black with a string tying the side shut. She had attempted to grab it once before the shelf collapsed. The book’s weight was easily felt and the cover was barren of any title. She took a moment to unravel the protective layer. Aerith gasped, it was written in the image of Cetra. Rather than an alphabet, her ancestors wrote through symbols. She wasn’t sure how she inherited the ability to read it, but after getting through the temple, Aerith found understanding the language came naturally. The front sheet had small faded images conveying “Forbidden ”. Flipping through the pages, it appeared to be a sort of spell book. Something she’d certainly need more time to decipher later. She placed it on the mantle and sighed. 

   “Can’t get distracted yet.” She put her hands on her hips and looked up at the bookcase. “Now then, what to do about you.” The one she’d stepped on had slipped out of its nook. It now slanted off into the next shelf. If she were ten feet taller she could easily adjust it, but the same problem as before kept appearing. How was she going to reach the top half?

   After looking around at a loss, she noticed the cabinet she’d taken down with her last time. It was sitting up right against the wall and still open. To her disbelief, her staff was once again just sitting inside. Aerith smiled and scratched her head. 

   “Someone's confident.” She walked over and took the staff in hand. All the blood had been polished off. Sephiroth didn’t seem eager to return it, yet he’d just left it out in the open like this. Even took care of it. “Did you want me to find it? Smug bastard.” Aerith knew the chances of killing him with her current equipment was slim, but she could still use it to annoy him. Leaving it like this just felt like he was mocking her. “Hm?” Her eyes lit up as the wind Materia reflected in her eye. Surely she could channel its flow to reposition the top shelves. “Well then, this just got a whole lot easier.” 

- - -

   Hojo was a peculiar creature that creeped among mankind. He preferred to hide away in his lab where the sun couldn't reach. If he ever had a regret, it was that he couldn't live forever. Endlessly toying with life, mixing and taking from it to see what results would be born of his curiosity. It was the love of his life that no one could understand. Well, they were beneath his genius. It was too much to ask such simple humans to comprehend his methods. 

   Where would Shinra be without him? His Jenova project single handedly made them triumphant through war. Yet they kept chasing after some childish fantasy about a promised land. Instead of giving him the tools to secure the very real and tangible Ancient. Ilfana's organs were still useful of course. But nothing could surpass the potential of a living subject, a female no less. He was giggling to himself again while watching some blank monitors. His assistants knew to just tune him out.

   “Now now, Don't be shy. Why not share your findings?” He mumbled to himself as usual. The few dozen drones he'd sent to the north kept losing their signal. They were expensive prototypes. One minute Hojo could see the snowy mountains, and the next a black blur filled the footage before cutting out completely. Rude had left a full report of all their helicopter locations. Yet he wasn't able to get even close to this suspected residence where the Ancient was spotted. Hojo was dying to see how she was faring. 

   He'd already sulked enough for not thinking to combine the shining star of his Jenova project with the last Ancient sooner. Had he been diligent, they could be supervised from his very own glass box. But all good things came with time. He did not expect his creation to find her willingly after all these years. 

   “You must take after me after all. Your stubbornness however is not so endearing.” Hojo had only found success mixing Jenova cells with the essence of Mako. But trying to combine what was left of Ilfana's cells with Jenova never bore any fruit. The two wouldn't harmonize despite his many attempts. It always ended the same. Both parties succumbed to infection and died. But two half humans being used as a proxy to combine Jenova and the lifestream? The outcomes were endless. 

   He was getting close to a breakthrough. A serum that could neutralize the negative effects brought on by Jenova. Normally he wouldn't bother to stop the beauty of chaos overtaking its hosts. But too many of their Soldiers were succumbing by cellular degradation. It was happening much quicker than before. And the President was putting pressure on him to strengthen their forces, rather than treat them as expendable. 

   “Excuse me, Professor.” An assistant entered the office after knocking. He didn't wait for a response though, Hojo was often too lost in his own ideals. 

   “What now? This better be worth my time.”

   “The President asked this to be delivered immediately.” 

   “Very well.” With a sigh he took the folder from the nameless man. Hojo's eyes scanned the document before a slimy smile cracked his face. He glanced back at his static filled monitors. “It appears we may meet sooner than expected.” 

- - -

   “That outta do it.” Tifa brushed her hands off one another. Proud of her makeshift bandage work. Their generous host had said a doctor wouldn't be back for a few days. The room's they were offered to stay in for the time being were more than enough. After reaching the coast, they were lucky to have found a thriving town from the start. Bone Village, they had called it.

   “Thanks.” Barret was smiling after waking up, but it was obvious he was in a lot of pain. 

   “If you need anything, just say so.” Cloud's arms were folded in indifference. But the truth was he hadn't left Barrett since they crashed. 

   “Aww don't you guys get all soft on me. It'll take more than a few scrapes to finish this guy off.”

   “Where's Aerith when you need her right?” Yuffie was hurling over a nearby bucket, still recovering from motion sickness. Nanaki smacked her with his tail to be quiet. But it was too late, everyone grew quiet and averted their eyes from one another. It was true. Aerith's healing magic wasn't like the others. It cost her nothing to use it, and she didn't seem to require Materia. Not only that, but the effects were stronger. She'd saved them from a few near death post battle injuries more than they could count. 

   “I guess we relied on her too much.“ Tifa put her hands together. Clouds fists scrunched up. Once again he was reminded of his shortcomings. How many more of his friends would get hurt along the way? 

   “Hey guys, don't fall up short because of me. We're on a mission remember? I can stay back and let you take a head start.” 

   “What?” Tifa gasped, as if the thought was preposterous. “We can't leave you here.” Tifa was adamant but Cloud was already considering the idea before he had said anything. It could be a week before his wounds closed up enough to walk. Let alone fight. Tifa looked to Cloud for backup, but he was just looking at Barret and nodding his head. His decision was made.

   “Well that settles it.” Cid came barging in. “Flying is a no-go. And I don't see any rivers we can sail across to get up north.”

   “Then we take it by foot.” Cloud's voice was firm. 

   “Are you sure this is a good idea? Maybe we should wait till the repairs are done and Barret is better.” Nanaki stalked over to Cloud. 

   “We managed it before. We can do it again. If Shinra's going north too then we're already behind.” 

   “Cloud, it doesn't feel right leaving like this.” Tifa pleaded. 

   “Then maybe you should stay.” Cloud didn't intend for the words to sound harsh, but the shocked expression on her face said it all. He hated it when she looked like that. “To be safe. I just don't want you to get more hurt.” He tried to soften the initial blow but Tifa was at a loss for words. She knew he was bullshitting her. He knew better than anyone she was capable of protecting herself as much as anyone else.

   “Hey now, you're not doing this alone.” Nanaki's voice was returning to its deeper tone. “The sooner we find Aerith the better. Thanks to Barret I only got a few bruises.”

   “Go on Tifa.” Barret knocked his head towards her. “You know me, all’s good.” She nodded her head. 

   “I'm coming too. So don't even try to go on your own.”

   “Hmm. Well, if that's the case I guess there's no point in fretin’ over the small stuff. I’ll stay behind too and fix up the old girl. In a few days, just send up a signal, I’ll find ya.”  

   “I’ll stay too.” Cait climbed on top of Cid’s shoulder. “Maybe there's a computer here that’ll give some information about Shinra’s scheme.” He looked over to Vincent just laying in the back. “I hope’d ye might help me with some firewalls ey laddie?” Vincent just shook his head in agreement. 

   “Well I’m going, who knows what Materia we’ll find out there.” Yufie punched Cloud's shoulder, hoping he’d cheer up a bit. 

   “Then it’s settled. We leave tomorrow, everyone rest up.” Cloud was already walking away as Tifa sighed in releif. She half expected him to try to leave immediately. For once Cloud was looking forward to getting a good night's rest. This time, he wanted to meet the real Aerith. Even if it was only fragmented in dreams. 

- - - 

   Sephiroth was sure of Cloud’s location now. That last illusion gave him enough time to wiggle through the deepest parts of his puppet's mind. Previously he’d only been able to control Cloud that strongly before he’d fallen into the lifestream, but without his memories, he would just keep breaking down. It was perfect really. If Sephiroth struck the same deal with the Cetra and Cloud to do his bidding in exchange for each other's safety, there wasn’t anything he couldn't ask that they wouldn’t do.

   The sound of stale rocks crunched beneath heavy steps. The Forgotten Capital was impossible for most people to reach, but Sephiroth had been here many times. Even if each visit was cut short. The place was unearthly, being in the home of the Ancients never felt welcoming. Everything from the remaining houses and temple remnants were deserted. Nothing from the old civilization survived, yet the essence of the planet ley thick within in the air he breathed.

    “Get out quickly. The stench is vile.” Mothers voice crept over the hum of the planet. He was near the Capitals entrance now. 

   “This won’t take long.” Sephiroth wasn’t eager to stay either, he could feel the glorious rage emitting from the air. The planet was upset with him, for what he’d taken. Within these walls the lifestream should have reunited with the last Cetra’s blood, yet he had claimed her instead. If Holy was lingering behind, there’s only one place it could be. 

    “Drop it into the abyss, from whence it came. Let the universe swallow its treachery, never to be used again.” Sephiroth had planned as much, half expecting it to have fallen in already. But he remained unnerved. His puppet said something about a different Materia Aerith had gifted him. Something he had never heard of. What good is Materia if it’s hollow? Perhaps his Cetra was still planning some sort of trick. It wouldn't be the first time. 

   His footsteps echoed as he approached the sacred marble floors. A single stream of light still flowed in from above. He looked to the sky, never having viewed the sanctuary from this angle before. Standing in the center was uncanny. He could imagine the praying girl right before his eyes. Sephiroth just stared blankly at the spot of marble where her blood should have stained. 

   “What do you hesitate for? The hour is running thin.” He couldn’t respond. A growing knot forming within the deps of his stomach couldn’t be untangled. Trying to decipher the emotion was even more unpleasant. It played out so clearly every time, he could still recall every defining second. Masamune wasn't in his hand, yet he could feel the slight resistance before his blade pierce straight through her back. He never missed, splitting her heart perfectly down the center. The urge to return and see the flower girl was suddenly becoming overwhelming. He wanted to hold her down and hear her heartbeat. Proof of her existence. Was she really alive? He’d spent an eternity without having such a thing at his side, the last few weeks with her amounted to no more than a fleeting blip in history. A deep agonizing groan pulled back his absent mind. The room seemed to slightly vibrate. Screeches from an abomination miles below reverberated through the crystalized architecture. 

   “It would seem I am not welcome here.” Sephiroth quickly gathered himself and took a quick once over the area. As he expected, no traces of Holy remained. Still he walked to the edge of the altar and peered into the lifestream. No doubt the Planet's weapons stirred even here, sensing him as a threat. The massive monstrosities were a nuisance no doubt, but nothing he couldn't handle if it came to it. Lingering a second more in this uncomfortable relic was a waste of time. Sephiroth unleashed his wing and took off for the sky. With his suspicions about Holy cleared, only one person occupied his mind.  

Chapter Text

   The sun had barely begun its descent, yet the house was unusually quiet. His Cetra wasn’t exactly good at being still. She could be heard scurrying around at all times of the day. Checking empty rooms, poking about his things. The house had purposely been left as barren as possible, so seeing what sort of trouble she could possibly create from nothing was almost part of the fun. He didn’t expect she could really be sleeping so soon. Unless their time in the bath had exhausted her further. Sephiroth had yet to decide if she was stronger than she looked, or weaker. 

   Approaching her room, not even the slight rustling of her skirt could be heard. Still, he quietly peered through the door in to be sure. Empty. He scoffed and a corner of his mouth tugged upwards. Of course, she had been upset with him earlier. Who knows what sort of revenge she’d conjured up in his study. Regardless the urge to see her again had been weighing down since entering the City of the Ancients. 

   It didn’t take long before he was standing before his own quarters. The door was left open a crack as soft light leaked beyond its edges. The uneven flow of the flower girls breath rising and falling became audible. She'd drifted off along his sofa, but his attention quickly shifted. The study had returned to a somewhat reminiscent form of its better days. The bookshelf was realigned, and the mess on the floor vanished, as if never there to begin with. Only traces of her atrocious arrangement remained as proof of her meddling. None of the new book placements made any sense. He’d carefully spent years cataloging them by date, theme, scholar, alphabet. It was as if a child was told to organize poisonous herbs from medicinal ones, but just gave up halfway and grouped them by color. He’d have to fix that. She’d even managed to set the fireplace to her own leisure. 

   Sephiroth peered down at the defenseless Cetra. He would have instantly known if someone entered the room, yet she remained completely unaware. He tilted his head to the side with a thin smile that contrasted his furrowing brows. After taking one of his books, crumbs had be littered all over the open pages. He picked it up gently to wipe the surface clean. A nearby plate on the floor had traces of muffin liners scattered about. In pursuit of tidying up, a new mess from the dining room had been added. Sephiroth’s hand rested on the edge of the couch as his finger tapped the soft velvet. To say he was a bit perplexed was an understatement. At this point she was a day away from dragging the mattress in here and just taking the room for herself. He wondered when she let herself get so comfortable.

   The back of his leathery fingers reached over to trail slowly up and down her exposed arm. She was wearing one of the other black dresses he'd left behind in her closet. The material was silky and draped over its owner effortlessly. Perhaps simple in design, but the button enclosure at the front reminded him of the previous pink gown she’d always worn. It didn't look plain on her though. Emphasizing her delicate nature, not all that different from the flowers in her garden he presumed. If only he could get her to part with that eyesore of a hair tie. The sensation of his touch made her stir slightly. He grinned, adding a bit more pressure. His fingers wandered over shoulder and under her chin. Lightly rubbing the area of her neck like one might have a kitten. He could feel it now through her veins, the peaceful pulsing of her heart. He let his hand linger there, brushing a thumb over her bottom lip. A small noise escaped from the back of her throat. He wondered what she was dreaming about. If she could feel him though her unconscious state. He leaned in closer while caressing her cheek. Aerith released a breathy sigh and shifted towards him onto her back. 

   Sephiroth often refused to indulge in what this world considered beautiful. His preferences never seemed to aline with most people anyway. So he just did as he pleased. Leaving whatever glorious chaos behind in his wake that he saw fit to enjoy. But when he looked at the Cetra, she was simply magnificent. He noticed it more frequently than before. He'd seen glimpses of her through Cloud's eyes at times. But nothing compared to touching her in person. The pink hue of her lips, her slender fingers, the curve of her thigh, everything looked worthy to be devoured. A faint scent of lemon still lingered on her. She must have eaten not long ago. Still stroking the side of her cheek, he bent down to kiss her neck, sucking on the tender skin. Aerith stirred a bit more as short and sweet mumbles escaped her lips. Sephiroth let his tongue glide over the area. The tickling sensation made her shoulders roll until her back arched vaguely. She was starting to wake up. 

   “Aerith,” he purred into her ear. 

   “Hm?” A breathy mumble came fourth and her arm instinctively rose to meet his. She found his hand and squeezed it. “Oh you,” she said as her voice began to return. The pleasant smile on her face spread effortlessly until her eyes opened.

   After alining with his striking pupils, her smile quickly faded into a state of shock. Whatever she was dreaming about, was likely not of him. A rather obvious guess as to who it might be spoiled his mood a bit. Sephiroth ignored the twinge of disappointment. After all she was in his vicinity, not another's. 

   “It appears you were busy.” His cat-like eyes widened and he squeezed her hand back. 

   “You-!” Aerith immediately cupped her neck. Blushing at the wet spot he'd left behind. “It's not polite to sneak up on someone sleeping!” She was more flustered than usual. Sephiroth lifted a brow.

   “What could you have been dreaming about? It sounded a bit indecent.” 

   “What?” She recoiled into the couch. “If anything's indecent it's you.” Quickly shaking off his hand, she slithered out from under him to sit up. Leftover crumbs gathered above her chest and Sephiroth used the back of his fingers to brush them off. Unbeknownst, Aerith swatted his arm away afraid he might try to remove her garment. He chuckled, she could be cute when she was this jumpy. He nodded toward the plate on the floor.

   “I suppose someone has finally made themselves at home.” Aerith eyed her leftovers with embarrassment. Sneaking into someone's room, using their things without permission and leaving food behind was certainly something Elmyra would scold her for. She planned to leave once everything was fixed, but got hungry after finding an interesting book about the origins of Materia. Before she knew it, she'd gotten a snack and lit the fire. 

   “I'll clean it up.”

   “You certainly got a head start.” Sephiroth looked around the spotless bookshelves.

   “Don't think anything of it. I just don't want to owe you anything.”

   “Aha, do you think a mere day of service makes us even? Your entire life is indebted.” He gripped her chin to prevent the Cetra from looking away.

   “I - I know that! I mean, owe you more on top of everything.” His smile never faltered. He wondered if she would truly be so bothered to spend a day rearranging things for his sake. Or if she was just snooping for another weakness. 

   “Well, your attempt is decent enough. One less problem for me, even if you created it in the first place. You could stay in here as long as you like if it's to please me.” Aerith gulped. Any praise from him was no better than a poisonous lure disguised as gratitude. 

   “Like I said, I just felt bad about breaking something that wasn't mine.” She began smoothing out her dress and fixing her hair. It was hard to believe it might already be nightfall if he was back. “And it’s hard to tell time in here, the room is… comfortable.” 

   “Shall I stay in your room instead then?" He scoffed. "Or were you waiting to spend another evening with me?”

   “What, no.” Aerith abruptly stood up and began to gather the remains of her plate. “Actually, I was just leaving.” Sephiroth slowly started to make his way around the couch. The Cetra backed away in perfect sync, keeping the sofa between them at all times. 

   “I could teach you something new tonight.” The flames reflecting within his eyes almost made them appear to glow. In these moments her instinct reminded her of how dangerous this person was.

   “No thank you. If you're happy, I’d like to be alone for today. Goodnight then.” Aerith turned for the door, breaking into a brisk stride. But a gust of wind blew over her back before a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind. She forgot how fast he could be. He only moved like that when no one was watching. 

   “Stay Aerith.” His voice was heavy on her shoulders. Every time Sephiroth said her name it caught her off guard. Somehow it felt like a form of begging. As if her name was the same as asking ‘please’. The plate shook in her hands. “You've taken up so much of my mind. I even went back to our place.” 

    “Our place?” She thought hard about what that could be. “ Why in the heavens would he go back there? ”

   “Truly uncanny, what spell have you cast on me? I'd love to use it on you.” His head burrowed into the warm crevice of her neck. He couldn't be serious. If she had the power of spells, surely she wouldn't be in this predicament. 

   “Let go, I'm still mad at you.” 

   “Make me.”

   “You are so childish. Let go because that's what a decent person does.” Her feet suddenly lost contact with the floor. He ignored her yelp and effortlessly turned her to face him. Her legs kicked about before finding a spot around his waist for support. 

   “I am not a mere person, and I have never claimed to be decent.” Aerith glared at him, he always had to have the last word. He backed into the sofa before sitting down with her. Gripping his shoulders from beneath each pauldron, she rested on her knees. She considered this might be the first time she'd ever been able to look down at him. His silver hair framed his face perfectly. Why did such a flawless creature have to be the bane of her existence? Her eyes stole a glimpse of his lips despite trying not to, knowing how obvious it must look. “Have you reconsidered? If you let me, I can easily change your mind.” Aerith gasped and pulled back. Blinking a few times she almost didn't realize she'd been only a few hairs apart from him. If anything, he was the one putting her into a trance. 

   “No, I meant it when I said I hurt today. And… I think it's wrong to carelessly touch someone you don't have affection for.”

   “Is not what I’ve done been affectionate by nature?” His lack of nuance made her sigh.

   “It's not the same thing. That's just, lust? That can exist regardless of who you're with.” Saying it out loud felt more shameful. Sharing his breath might have been the worst form of betrayal she could imagine for the Planet. 

   “Hm.” Sephiroth wasn't sure how people went about discerning the difference. We're they not part of the same thing? Being raised for Shinra encouraged him to not let feelings get involved. Take what you need, do as you're told, and finish the job. “I do not think so Cetra. I cannot simply swap you out with another person.”

   “Only because you need a specific child so badly.”

   “That is part of the whole point. Why does it upset you so?” The grip on her waist fell to her hips. “Ahh, if you wish me to touch you just for the sake of it, you need only ask.” He grinned, feeling her shiver beneath his gloves.

   “I’m being serious here.” She tried wiggling a bit to free herself. 

   “Never have I done anything without sincerity. Perhaps you are the one who should consider my words more.” He grabbed her wrists to still her, bringing them to his face and kissing them tenderly. “It's a simple thing, if you love me, most of your concerns will surely vanish.” Aerith's heart skipped, was he mimicking her? 

   “You don't understand. Loving someone includes being around them even in the absence of your own needs.” In some ways, he'd seen a side of her she never imagined sharing with anyone. But when she thought of those she'd cherished most, they sacrificed more for her well being than she believed this man possibly ever could. 

   “Then show me. I won't touch you, you have my word.” Sephiroth releases her hands, setting his own aside. 

   “What?” 

   “Your idea of ‘affection’, without carelessness.” Her mouth felt dry. He always found a way to turn the situation on her.

   "Maybe I don't want to." 

   "Then I'll proceed with my idea of such."

   “Ok ok, I get it." She quickly cleared her throat and looked into the distance. "Well, for starters, just being around that person. Even without a reason to.” The time spent with Cloud at the Gold Saucer suddenly flashed in her mind. She shook the image away. Not here, she couldn't let the memory be tainted. “Sometimes just sitting beside them can sorta, calm your heart in a way.”

   “So you intend to sit here and stare at me? I did not know that was enough to grasp your heart.” Aerith frowned at him, almost puffing her cheeks. He wasn't taking her seriously at all. 

   “Just be quiet for a bit, ok?” Sephiroth lifted a brow and tilted his head forward. She didn't know the limits she could push his patience. After a long breath, her fingers began unfastening the pauldrons before her. The two were held by a simple, but sturdy buckle. He seemed to always wear them, but they must be uncomfortable. Slowly she let her knees relax, and sank back onto his lap, setting the armor on the floor. Her eyes scanned his torso before sizing up the sofa. 

  "..." The son of Calamity watched her closely. Trying to imagine what strange scenario she had conjured up in that little mind. She was fighting to keep a neutral expression that contained her nervousness.

   “Um, take off your boots.” Aerith ignored the faint smile tugging at his cheek. He didn't wait for her to move and simply kicked them off. The sudden jerk caused her to sharply inhale. She bit her tongue, knowing he had purposely rubbed his leg between her thighs. But she was determined to set the outcome of tonight and not do things his way. 

   Aerith let both hands find a place atop of his shoulders. Her fingers trembled a bit as they slid flatly over his pectoral muscles. Even through his thick leather coat, she could feel the efforts of his time spent fighting. Eventually, she let her body weight press him down to the sofa’s base until his head hit the armrest. She found herself almost dizzy. The maker of her death lay beneath her so easily. Content on keeping his word with arms folded in front. After crawling a bit further over him, even her braid had slipped over her shoulder. That stupid grin was growing wider along his devilishly good features.  

   “Stop that.”

   “I have yet to do anything.”

   “It's all over your awful face.” His eyes fixated on her too much. It made her self conscious. Aerith slid his arms away and made room for herself to lay down. She wouldn't have to look at him this way. He was almost as wide as the couch, so finding a space to nuzzle in was surprisingly easy. After acquiring a position she could just stay in, she hoped to finally relax. Without magic, the fire naturally burned away over time. And not even this hole in the ground could escape the cool air that invaded every inch of the north. Aerith’s hand lay against his chest, she watched it faintly rise and fall. He was so quiet, so still most times, he barely resembled anything among the living. She tried pressing her ear to him a bit more, but even then his heart couldn’t be heard. 

   “I don’t believe you can get any closer.” His voice immediately brought her back, and she eased up. It was impossible to recall the last time she rested in someone's arms. It made her feel like a kid again, before the universe became so complicated. When he wasn't pestering her, one could almost be fooled into thinking he wasn't terrible. “Are you sleeping?” Sephiroth could only see the top of her head. She had stopped moving completely a while ago. 

   “Maybe. Can't you sleep?”

   “No, not as you do.”

   “That sounds terrible.”

   “I experience twice as much life as the average human body. Half your life is spent with your mind not really present.”

   “But then half your time has to be spent alone.”

   “A small price for Godhood.”

   “I don't think so.” Aerith's fingertips circled a small patch of his coat before her eyes. The leather had become soft over years of being worn down. 

   “Then are you going to fix it for me?” He watched her hand cease. Her entire body stopped breathing for a moment. 

   “Sephiroth, what would you do with a child?” 

   “Allow the planet to be remade, without imperfection.”

   “That's not what I meant. A child isn't an item you acquire. It has to grow, the results depend on what you pour into them.” Her hand gripped the edge of his jacket. As if bracing herself. “I mean, how would you be as a parent?” He tried to understand her words. She usually avoided the topic all together, refusing to consider the inevitable. The concept of a parent was foreign to him. His child would be born with his will, what more would there be to do? His offspring would naturally understand their roles, the same as a swarm of bees tending its hive. 

   “What troubles you?”

   “I don't want them to grow up alone. Not like me, or …us? You know, my mom gave up her life for me. But it's not a sweet thing, I wish I could go back and redo it all. I'd give up my heritage for a chance to have been born normal. Shinra would have never noticed us, she might still be here. At least not in jars. That would be worth more than any Godhood.” Aerith leaned up to face him. His eyes were glued to her, she wondered if he was watching her the whole time. “A child of mine could be born just human, you know. I'm only half Cetra. It might not be what you're expecting. Could you still take care of them?”

   Sephiroth had not considered the rarity. Even if the child didn't inherit her ability, his would nevertheless be transferred. Mother spread among cells directly within blood. However, in the case the lifestream did not carry through, his plans of merging with the planet would become null. But he could just keep trying for another. Either way, the chances of their offspring being part Cetra were fairly high. 

   “Any of my blood has special meaning to me.” He took her cheek in his hand. She looked incredibly worried. “My wish is to rid the planet of its suffering, not create more. There is no place in my future to replicate the teachings of Shinra. Our histories are fated to die there, along with their creators.” For a moment he could almost hear his older voice. A younger Sephiroth, ignorant, asking to live a normal life. An impossible wish. 

   “I could make you regret choosing me.”

   “I have once told you, I do not regret. Fate has already chosen. There is no one else but you.”

   “I think, if I ever had a baby, I might change. I would love them so much, they'd be more mine than yours. And if you hurt them, I might really be able to kill you.” Aerith watched his pupils slightly expand before narrowing back up. She couldn't remember ever holding his stare for so long. 

   “There shall not be a time I discard you, or any children.” Aerith was not convinced in the slightest. Imagining pregnancy was making her nauseous. Sephiroth exhaled deeply and wrapped his arms around the Cetra. Hugging her tightly. 

   “I'm not ready to be a mom.” She whispered to herself. But this beautiful monster had very good ears. Her shoulders jerked ever so faintly above him. As if to be holding back a sob.

   “Sleep, Aerith.” He stroked her head. “Think of nothing, just relax.” 

   Her arms were cool against his chest. With the wave of his wrist the fire relit itself. There was no spare covering, and he certainly wasn't about to get up. Taking her hand, he rubbed the back of it. He didn't expect her to grasp him in return, yet she took his glove rather firmly. After several minutes her heart slowed back down and he assumed she'd finally succumbed to her dreams. 

   She was rather reserved usually when it came to touching him. Sephiroth supposed laying here for a while would be alright. As it was, feeling her warmth followed by a light snore, did in fact have a calming effect. The knot in his stomach from the Forgotten Capital had all but gone. 

Chapter Text

   Why had he believed tonight would be different? The setting often changed, but the night was usually accompanied by endless fire, screaming, or the occasional faceless person pleading for help. The nightmares were almost daily now. Cloud was partially so sleep deprived not because he couldn't sleep, but because he was afraid to. Especially now that their group often slept in close proximity to each other. Allowing them to witness him breakdown each time over imaginary scenarios didn't help the remaining crumbs of his self worth. But tonight they’d gotten their own rooms. Not that it mattered. Looked like it would be another series of exhausting horrors stacked up.

   He'd seen it all at this point. His mother's final words, the beheading of his entire community, Tifa turning her back on him for joining the group that murdered her father. Sometimes she was also among those bleeding out. Or the dread of his entire party abandoning him, Barrett's disappointed face. And now Aerith's death was added to the list. No less killed by his own blade. 

   This time Cloud limped alone through the fallen ashes of his town. Empty, and with no light. The remains were eerily still. Leftover wood from the homes Shinra tried to cover up crunched beneath his feet. Soon to be replicated and replaced without anyone ever noticing. Utterly forgotten to time.

   “Just like you.” Sephiroth's voice echoed all around.

   “Get out of my head.”

    “Nothing more than a blank copy of something else. Albeit incomplete and, incompetent.”

   “Quiet! I am myself, no one else!”

    “You too are simply here to replace the leftovers of another time.” 

   “Shut up!” Cloud had no choice but to keep going forward. Nothing but death lingered behind. He fought to ignore the sinister laughter ringing through his mind. 

    “Can you feel it? The end is near. All this hopelessness and despair you've chosen. When you could have defied destiny with me. Might have saved her.” The migraine took hold without mercy. He had to keep closing his eyes in fear of them bulging out. Every vein pulsed like it was about to burst. 

   “Are you gonna show yourself, or just keep hiding?”

    “There's no rush. I like to take my time, let you decide for yourself.”

   “Ugh!!” Cloud’s body turned to lead, barely able to trudge further. It seemed he was on his knees a lot lately. The ground was becoming his only friend capable of supporting the burden on his back. Heaving through the headache, he squeezed his head. “Stop this. Aerith, please…”

   “Cloud?” That voice. Like the first wave of spring cutting through the storms in his heart. “Hey, you've got to get through this. Breath, okay?” It couldn't really be her. Cloud whimpered in a way he'd never thought possible. It was foolish to dive into the gruesome nightmares so willingly. 

   But then it all stopped, and his mind was empty. The illusion was holding his hand. Gripping both within her own. 

   “I know you can do it. Just like before, remember?” Once the static cleared, his vision returned. He gasped in disbelief. They were in the meadows of Kalm, surrounded by soft grass. “That's the spirit.” She giggled reassuringly. Cloud eventually steadied his gaze on the girl kneeling beside him. She certainly talked and looked like he remembered.

   “Aerith? Are you really there?” She looked at him a bit perplexed. The Cloud in her dreams never asked questions like that. The one in her fantasy was always a fake, playing along to past scenarios they lived out in her memories. 

   “I dunno. I'm not really anywhere. I'm sleeping, I think.” A hint of floral notes radiated off her. For the first time in weeks, Cloud thought he felt whole again. No lingering pain or throbbing left behind his ears. 

   “Finally.” He leaned forward, wanting to embrace her. But he'd always lacked the courage to do so first. So he settled for just resting his head along her shoulder. His spiky hair tickled her neck.

   “Geeze what's gotten into you? Miss me that much huh?” She chirped with an awkward smile. The gesture had flustered her. Something was definitely off about this Cloud. She squeezed his hand. “Is this how a first class Soldier acts? This doesn't count as a date you know.”

   “Heh.” Cloud smiled, unwilling to pull away. “I wish I could bring you back this way. Like none of this ever happened.” Aerith bit back the inside of her mouth. This Cloud talked like hers, a cruel joke on behalf of her subconscious. 

   “I'll be alright. You have to stay strong too.” 

   “...I'm not that strong. Some bodyguard I turned out to be “

   “Cloud, none of this was your fault. No matter what, you can't blame yourself.” Aerith released his hand and pushed him upright. He looked tired, thin even. Cloud’s eyes danced around her face, as if seeing her for the first time in years. Like he couldn't remember what she'd looked like.

   “I was afraid you had died.” 

   “What makes you say that?” Her breath caught in her throat. 

   “I saw …no, I saw what he wanted me to.” His face contorted just remembering the image of her stained red.

   “You have to promise me you'll never think of that again. Even if you think you're seeing something terrible, it isn't real. Just keep focusing on yourself, a lot of people believe in you after all.” Her smile was warm and inviting. He quickly grabbed her hand again, making her reel back a bit. Cloud was never this assertive in the past.

   “I keep saying it, but I'll say it as much as I have to so you understand. I'm going to find you Aerith. I'll bring you back, and we'll fix this mess together.” She longed so much to hear those words. But now that she had, fear of facing him again overtook any relief.

   “I wish you wouldn't…” She looked away with a pained expression. Clouds mouth went dry. It was happening all over again. The dream was about to spoil. He took her shoulder, desperate to change the outcome.

   “Aerith, talk to me. What do you need right now?” The question almost made her tear up. 

   “I'm not sure anymore. I used to know. But, I'm so disconnected from everything.” She tried to smile for him despite the hole in her stomach. “You know, I can't even hear the planet anymore. I probably couldn't help you even if you did find me. I'd just be in the way.”

   “That's not true.” Cloud huffed. How could she have become so defeated? “We all need you, with or without the planet. Even now, I have a clear head again because of you.”

   “Really?”

   “Really.” His face was still, full of confidence. Aerith gathered her thoughts and stood up to pat away the wrinkles in her skirt. Only in her dreams did her pink gown return. 

   “So, where are you guys anyways? What's the plan?”

   “That's my line.”  Cloud rose to match her height. “That Turk said he saw you, but the bastard wouldn't say where.” Aerith nodded her head. She had wondered if the Turks managed to escape. Turns out she worried for nothing. “So?” He called her attention. “Where to?”

   “I'm…” Aerith's voice tripped over her tongue. Almost choking on the words. “...not sure.” She lied. Aerith's eyes widened, she couldn't believe her own mouth. Cloud lifted a suspicious eyebrow. 

   “It's because of Sephiroth isn't it? He probably messed with your memory.”

   “Uh, yeah. Something like that. Probably.”

   “Can you try to remember anything else? When did you last see him?” Aerith's face flushed. The last thing she remembered was partially undressing their foe before crawling on top of him to talk about babies. Her mouth hung open before abruptly turning to hide her face. 

   ‘What's wrong?” Cloud moved in on her, quickly closing the distance. He tried to get in front of her, but she spun away again.

   “N-Nothing, just trying to think!” 

   “You're acting strange.” He reached for her arm, but she was faster at avoiding him.

   “I just didn't think I'd get to see you again.” She unconsciously kept backing away. If this really was her Cloud, she might prefer to die than confess her sins. 

   “Aerith.” He called sternly. “What aren't you telling me?” Her behavior unsettled him. The girl who led his stride never pushed him away. And, was she blushing? Aerith fidgeted with her hands, looking into the ground slightly mortified. She remembered her speech in the mountain, professing her love only for Sephiroth to overhear it. Then she lay with him, how many times? Two? Three? Did the bath count? And would the time in his study be considered as one of two? She was counting it out on her fingers like a fool. He watched her fumbling about, completely baffled. She was imagining the day her first time was stripped away. How she came so easily for the one who forced her. What if Cloud ever found out? “Aerith, come back to me.” She was almost hyperventilating, completely absorbed somewhere else. 

   “I just need a sec ok?” She waved her hand in front of them. Continuing to back away. Now she was the one with a headache. This was the last thing she wanted to talk about. “Oh! The Black Materia, its-!” suddenly a shiver struck through her entire body, seizing every muscle. When she tried to look at Cloud, a feather floated into her peripheral. 

    “Hmm, now how did you get in here?” His voice bellowed from within her conscious. Black smoke spilled from the feather once it hit her feet. Sephiroth emerged from behind. Wrapping his arms possessively around the frozen Cetra. 

   “Clever girl. But you don't belong to this space.” His glove folded over her eyes to force them shut. He leaned into her ear to drown out the sound of Cloud yelling her name. “Sleep Aerith. Return to your own sweet dreams.” she exhaled one last time before her body went limp. “Very good.” And then she faded away without a trace. 

   Cloud's regret set in so fast he could almost beat himself. He should have never let her get so far from arms length. But she was clearly struggling and needed some space. Apparently that was the wrong thing to do. Sephiroth could appear randomly, wreaking havoc in any way he chose. Once he got into Cloud's mind, it was like claws fastening onto his brain. Turning him into a cripple that couldn't move on its own. All he could do was shout from his stance as Sephiroth curled each arm around her body. He acted so disgustingly familiar with her. 

   “Sephiroth!” He was screaming but the son of Calamity didn't even spare him a glance. Fully fixated on the girl before him. His gloved hands slid over her breasts for slightly too long before finding the curve of her waist and latching onto it roughly. Aerith's eyes were shut as he pressed her body into him. His lips were on her ear, saying something Cloud couldn't decipher. And then she was gone again. In the moment her body vanished, control flooded back into his limbs. Reaching for the buster sword he lunged for the grinning devil. Sephiroth was quick to meet him, holding the blow back with Masamune. 

   “How peaceful this small space that was created for you. Too bad it's all but an illusion.”

   “Don't touch her with your filthy hands! You can't hide her forever.” Sephiroth's eyes narrowed in on the puppet before him. The pathetic Soldier had no right to say what he could or could not do. Sephiroth thought the girl was wasted on him. He had seen parts of Cloud's heart and desires. The fool was too afraid to even make any advance after all the time he'd spent with her. Aerith poured her joy and love into this idiot like a dog wagging its tail. Taking him places, trying to hold him, get closer to him. Yet Cloud could only reciprocate crumbs in comparison. It made Sephiroth angry despite always keeping his emotions in check. He found himself snickering before breaking out into a full laugh. Cloud grit his teeth, he hated how smug this prick was. “What's so funny?” He spit the question out, knowing he never could get a straight answer. But that egotistic smile just turned to one of pity, even worse. 

   Sephiroth considered telling the fragile Soldier he'd gone farther with the sweet flower girl in a week than he would ever have dared in his lifetime. He wanted to ask Cloud if he knew what she tasted like, if he could even imagine the music her moans made in the darkest hour of the night. He wanted to know if this knight in shining armor would still come for her if he knew the flower girl had called Sephiroth's name so erotically while he buried himself deep inside. 

   “The Cetra belongs to me. There is no place for her to return.” Sephiroth pushed back a bit more with his blade. Cloud's strength hadn't faltered this time. Thin green eyes peered into his puppet like daggers. He tried to take the boy's mind again, but the opening he'd spent days tearing down had closed up. “Tsk.” Sephiroth shook his head in annoyance. The Cetra must have done something. He did not expect her powers to spread even in dreams. She shouldn't have been able to enter the domain he’d created at all. “I'm afraid our sweet reunion must be cut short. 

   With a forceful swing, Masamune pushed Cloud back long enough to allow a retreat into the air. The dream began to morph into a swirl of colors before fading to black. Cloud wanted to chase him, but his consciousness faded quickly. Almost as though he was falling asleep within a dream. All his emotions melted away. Perhaps this once he would find some rest.

- - -

   The windstorm would have been brutal against his flesh had Sephiroth been able to feel it. But his body felt more akin to fire than anything else.

    “How?” He thought to himself. “In what way does she find it to manifest before me?” No one should have been able to enter or leave Sephiroth's mind without his permission. Whenever he wanted to take control of a puppet that shared Jenova’s cells, he needed only to slip within their consciousness. It was easy to overtake his hosts. He could show them any reality he wished. But the Cetra was different, off limits. Sephiroth had already tried infiltrating her dreams the day she arrived. But it proved impossible. Lack of connection was one thing, but her entire existence repelled him. Her mind stayed a mystery, and he assumed It should have been the same for him. Yet she had found a hole to crawl through into his space.

    “The Cetra are full of deceit. She would have known from the beginning, waiting for a chance .” Mothers voice poured with venom. But Sephiroth wasn't convinced. Instead of pulling Cloud into her own dream, she created a new one within his own. Had she moved Cloud into her mind, he wouldn't have found them. His connection to each puppet was uniquely tethered through their cells. It was almost as though Aerith was like them somehow, sharing that connection.

   “Impossible.”

    “If she becomes a regular disturbance, It must be dealt with.”

   “It already has been.” Touching her seemed to be enough to get her to relinquish any control she might have had. Her spirit faded away once he caught her, if she came back, he’d just have to do it again. Still, there shouldn't be a next time. 

   Since summoning the black robes to his part of the North, they now gathered along the cave Aerith took refuge in. Enough had made their way though the mountains, and he already had a job for them. Until their bodies ran ragged and withered away, they would search. Fumbling through every inch of snow until his Materia was discovered once more. 

Chapter Text

   Remains of scorched wood crackled in the foreground. The fire had fizzled out long ago, but the embers were still hot. Aerith's mind refocused on reality, feeling the velvet beneath her fingertips. Sephiroth had already gone. Leaning against an elbow, she peered over her shoulder. The table beside her had a plate of fresh fruit and bread left behind. Dawn must have come not long ago, but her appetite hadn't fully returned. After that last dream, she just felt more ill. Doubt instantly rooted itself. That encounter couldn't have been real. Cloud was in rough shape. The poor Soldier appeared so sickly, but she supposed she probably didn't look much better.

   “No, that wasn't really Cloud.” It wasn't unusual to envision his face while sleeping. “I think I miss you too much.” Still, her dreams usually didn't consist of new scenarios. Just old ones spent in the company of past loved ones. She'd been listening to Elmyra go on about the orphanage while sitting at the table coloring with worn out pencils. At some point she thought she heard a voice crying out for her. And before she knew it, there he was. But daring to have imagined a version of Cloud in pain, let alone Sephiroth is what bothered her the most. 

   Aerith touched her face where his hand had lingered before her vision went blank. His glove felt just as firm then as it did in reality. She'd never dreamed of him before. 

   “Well let's not make a habit of it.” With a yawn, both arms stretched high above her head. “So, where was that book again?” She strode before the wooden shelves with a finger to her chin. Not only was the manual she found yesterday gone, but the books had been rearranged. She specifically placed the publications she wished to read on the bottom shelf for easy access. Yet now they’d vanished back into the sea of paper. “Just great.” 

   Taking hold of her staff, she scanned the shelves. An old Shinra diary had documented the different levels of healing Materia. The more mako it condensed from the lifestream, the more potent its effects were. But Materia was an imperfect vessel that held limited amounts of power. Aerith knew her own abilities had superseded the boundaries of Materia at times. Yet she didn't fully understand how. She just knew at some point, she was able to convince the lifestream to bring forth a power so great it cleansed the entire planet. 

   It bothered her. How was Sephiroth not like all the other robed men she encountered before? He was Soldier after all. But instead of degrading like Cloud, he just got stronger from it. The Soldier experiments made people sick, and he was definitely human in some way if he'd been conceived naturally. 

   “There you are.” She knocked down the books of interest one at a time. The idea of using “healing” to cleanse Sephiroth was borderline lunacy. She puffed out her cheeks while pacing around. “But he calls her mother.” Jenova couldn't have been human. Her ancestors dated Jenova's discovery back hundreds of years ago at the Temple. But if Jenova wasn't a physical person, how did Hojo even manage to reproduce with it? “Ugh.” Aerith shuddered and forced the thought away. Some things might have been left best unanswered. 

   When escaping Hojo's lab, the creature Sephiroth had stolen certainly appeared to have human traits. Aerith paused, clutching her chest. 

    “What if that really was his mother?” Preserved in a tube, to be used forever even in death. Just like Ilfana. If his mother truly was the source of all the darkness and evil within him, no amount of healing could remove it from his soul. Just as there was no removing the burdens that came with “Cetra” from herself. Aerith sighed defeatedly.

   “I need some real sunlight.” In the last second before turning, she eyed the leather bound spell book up above. With a few nudges of her staff, it fell into her arms. “This should be enough to keep me from going insane.” Aerith was sick of having nothing to do. And what better place to read than before the grand windows lining the dining hall. It was one of the few rooms that even had windows. 

- - -

   Cloud woke up not only refreshed, but surprisingly painless. His lingering headache subsided for now, even if the sun was higher than he'd liked to see. Last night's vision was still fresh. Making his entire body jolt upright.

   “Aerith.” This one was different. Not like the other cruel manifestations of his mistakes. Every time he saw her previously in dreams, it just pained him more. But when she touched him last night, the hole in his heart closed up. He clenched the sheets. “That bastard.” Sephiroth had gotten involved just as she was about to say something important. The way his arms caressed Aerith's body made him want to throw up. For all his time in Soldier, Sephiroth had never been known to show any interest in women. If he did, he kept things extremely private. The man acted all high and mighty, too busy to indulge in the simple things. Aerith had surprisingly very little to say about the whole thing. Unless he was keeping her locked up in a hole, who's to say how close he'd gotten. If anything the monster might play with her mindlessly like food before growing tired and disposing of her all together. Cloud rubbed his dry throat. “I need water.“

   Throwing the door open, he'd almost forgotten they were all staying in a humble cottage. 

   “Cloud!” Tifa's smile welcomed him excitedly. Everyone gathered around a table, eating what remained of breakfast. 

   “No bonnie found in yer slumber, aye laddie?” Tifa chuckled at the cat's remark. Cloud's hair was rather disheveled.

   “What time is it? Why didn't you wake me?” He ran his hands through his head twice over.

   “I didn't want to disturb you. I called once but you were out like a light.” Tifa was just relieved he was actually sleeping for once. 

   “Yeah. Thanks, I guess.” Cloud walked over to the table and chugged a glass of water. “I am feeling a bit better.”

    “Well it's about damn time!” Barrett shouted from the other room. He was still bedridden, but very much a part of the morning communion. Vincent sat beside him, changing out bandages. 

   “You guys aren't gonna believe this!” Yufie came crashing through the front doors, swinging her arms about. “We can't leave yet!”

   “What now?” Cloud was practically groaning. 

   “Listen,” she looked over her shoulders as if outsiders would overhear. “Apparently this place is a trove of treasures just waiting to be found if you dig in the right places. And that means Materia!” Cloud braced his forehead.

   “Yuffie now's not really the time.” Tifa smiled awkwardly. Not wanting to crush her spirit, but more afraid of spoiling Cloud's mood. 

   “That's not all.” She walked a bit closer to speak in hushed tones. “I met a refugee from Wutai.” 

   “What?” Tifa covered her mouth. “So the war has officially started?” 

   “Knowing Shinra, I wouldn't doubt it.” Cloud crossed his arms. “Well good for him. But that's got nothing to do with us.” 

   “Nothing to do with us!? Those are my people, it's why I'm here!”

   “Hey Cloud, lighten up.” Barrett always let his soft spot out when it came to kids.

   “Right now, Sephiroth is our main problem. Or else there won't even be a Wutai left to fight for.”

   “But the thing is they didn't escape from Wutai. They came from up north. The same place those Shinra choppers were headed.”

   “I ain't following kid,” Cid mumbled. Fumbling with a lighter as a cigarette dangled out of his mouth. 

   “Ugghh!” Yuffie threw her hands up. “Tons of Wuitian’s are being secretly rounded up and shipped to Costa del Sol. He said afterwards some of them got separated, he was in the group sent up here. And it was all overseen by that ugly old scientist. Something fishy is going on and it might be related to what we're doing. We can't just leave them behind.”

   “I don't know,” Tifa spoke regrettably. “It does sound concerning, but we already came all this way because of what Bugenhagen suggested.”

   “That's right. We can't get distracted now.” Cloud nodded in agreement. Yuffie couldn't hide the disappointment on her face. 

   “Oh I see, that's how it is then.” Yuffie scoffed while clenching her fists.

   “Well we're goin’ north eventually right?” Cid paused to exhale a deep puff of smoke. “Who's to say we won't meet these Wutai folks when we get there?”

   “Yuffie.” Cloud leveled with her and softened his tone. “We have to find Aerith first before anything else. We're almost there now.” The young ninja cast her eyes down. Of course she cared about Aerith too, but when it came to her hometown, her heart was easily conflicted. 

   “Hey,” Tifa cut in. “Why don't you stay here with the others and see if you can find out more? There's not a lot we can do with just the information your friend gave right?”

   “I guess.” Yuffie just shrugged her shoulders.    

   “Haha, sounds good to me.” Cid slapped his knee before standing up to nudge her along. “I'ma need all the hands on deck I can get for a speedy fixer uppin’.”

   “Then let's get ready to leave immediately.” Cloud turned to Tifa. “You sure you're up for this?” 

   “Ready as I'll ever be. Red's already waiting outside.” She smiled back confidently. It seemed like a bit of Cloud's old spark was finally returning. 

- - -

   Now that Sephiroth finished aligning all of his puppets. It would only be a matter of time before the Black Materia resurfaced. In the meantime, he'd neglected to supervise his real body. With Hojo making it a part of his daily routine to send up spies, Sephiroth had to check everything more thoroughly.

   If the professor caught even a glimpse of Aerith, the whole area might become compromised. Although he didn't particularly hate the idea of a full out bloodbath where victory was basically guaranteed. The professor would be insane to face him head on. But deranged was exactly the way Hojo operated. 

   Flying back, Sephiroth thought to at least check on the Cetra. If she remembered anything about last night, it would be hard to gauge her mental state. He had no way of knowing the extent of her conversation with Cloud. The whole thing was rather vexing. Trying to chip away the girl's walls was becoming tedious. Sephiroth would get so close to making her fold in his arms, only to have her back away the second she remembered Cloud's existence. Even if Aerith had become slightly easier to manage, her heart was still free. If Cloud ever showed up, she'd no doubt disappear without a second thought. 

   Aerith was curled against a sunny window when she heard footsteps approaching. She had been struggling to sense him ever since she arrived, but today her ears were rather sharp. Sephiroth strode into the room without announcing himself as usual. It wasn't even surprising anymore to witness her helping herself to his things. She had a handful of his books splayed around the hem of her dress. 

   “I did not know you cared for literature.”

   “You don't know a lot of things about me.” He couldn't tell if if she was referring to last nights fiasco.

    “Does trespassing count as one?”

    “Huh?” Aerith twisted her head up. “I don't remember any mention of the books being off limits. I can't borrow them?”

   “...” Sephiroth's eyes swam over hers, looking for any trace of deception. She didn't appear to be upset at all, let alone remember anything. “You slept well then.”

   “I guess so.” Her fingers curled around the edge of the book. This beautiful monster had mentioned he didn't sleep, but in the end she'd still taken his only place of rest. Aerith wondered if occupying his sofa had actually forced him out. Who knows how long he'd been gone today, possibly running off the second she fell asleep. Although he had humored her last night, cuddling on a couch probably wasn't his idea of time well spent. 

   “It appears you intend to spend more time within my quarters than even I.”

   “I'll remember to stay in my own room tonight.”

   “Why, no pleasant dreams to be had?” He noticed her turn away shyly. Aerith couldn't say she was dreaming of Cloud in front of him. Cloud was a sore spot for her and the last thing she needed was the son of calamity rubbing it in. Even if the ex-Soldier couldn't find her, she longed to see him. Recreating their silly little dates in her hours of make believe. Sephiroth would probably laugh at the pathetic nature of it all. 

   “I'm done cleaning so I have no reason to stay. I can read these anywhere.”

   “And which is that?” He nodded to the script in her hands.

   “Uhm, a list of Spells I think. It’s a bit complicated. Even if I read the words, the way my ancestors spoke about using the planet's essence is hard to understand. Everyone relies on materia now, but the Cetra used it like a feeling.” Sephiroth took a step and leaned slightly closer. 

   “But you can read it?” 

   “Of course.” 

   “Did your mother teach you?” 

   “No one taught me. I just can. I think all Cetra can, or could.” His brows scrunched up while peering down at the page. Aerith thought he looked rather troubled. The source of his interest was difficult for her to grasp. “What is it?”

   “Nothing.” He leaned back. “It’s best if you can’t understand. The last thing I need is for you to get more foolish ideas that inconvenience me.” 

   “You never know. I’m a fast learner, so watch your back.” A cheeky smile tugged at her lip. Sephiroth's eyes dilated for a moment even if the effect was fleeting. The moments she smiled were surely far and few between since they day he brought her. Even rarer in front of himself. She was even more beautiful like that. Not necessarily because he cared much for joy, but rather that it meant she perhaps saw him differently as of late. Opposed to the horrors he usually conjured up inside of her to have made the Cetra wither so far away previously.

   “Have you eaten yet?”

   “Huh? I’m kinda busy as you can see.” Aerith motioned to the array of novels. “Unless you plan to join me I can eat whenever right?” She didn’t feel like confessing the persistent nausea that settled under her stomach. If she focused hard enough on other things it lessened. 

   “I suppose…” Sephiroth tilted his head to the side. Her eyes looked tired. But she’d been sleeping a lot lately. On his way back, he stopped by the study and noticed the plate he left behind this morning remained untouched. If he remembered correctly, she was usually quite generous with meals. 

   “What are you doing here anyways,” she blurted. Desperate to change his focus.

   “I came to see you.” 

   “Is that it?” 

   “That's all.” He didn’t look particularly happy or annoyed to see her. Aerith wasn’t sure if the sentiment was sweet or bizarre. Even if the way he spoke was painfully to the point, he never gave enough context for why he did anything. Like a true higher being, never explaining himself, just doing as he pleased. 

   “Aww, missed me that much?” She chirped while closing the book. 

   “Probably.” Her entire body stopped functioning for a second. He wasn’t supposed to play along. “I’ll return later, so be a good Cetra until then.”

   “Where? Is there some special place you must disappear to every day?” 

   “Because of a certain someone who couldn’t stay put, I’m repeatedly on cleanup duty.” His smugness always found a way back. Like he couldn’t waste any opportunity to rub in how much she constantly owed him. Aerith immediately stood up. 

   “Let me come with you.” 

   “No.” 

   “There's nothing fun here.” She latched onto his coat and leaned slightly forward. “Please.” 

   “The crater is dangerous.” She sighed at his words, almost rolling her eyes. 

   “Monsters aren’t a problem for me.” 

   “It is too difficult to focus on anything with you in my arms.” Aerith’s cheeks slightly flushed. Wondering why he would need to hold her at all. Surely he wouldn’t try something physical in the snow. “I meant I cannot accomplish anything from the sky if you accompany me.” His brow lifted with a dubious smile. “Did you think I would choose to travel by foot? Or were you imagining something else?” 

   “I- I’m just saying I could help.” She pushed aside the wave of embarrassment for letting her assumptions run wild. “I want a change of scenery.“

   “...” He watched her with skepticism. 

   “And you’ll be there. So it’s not an issue.” She put a finger up matter-of-factly. 

   “You would require a coat.” He eyed her thin attire. The flower girl may have been resilient to monsters, but the elements had already almost claimed her once.  

   “Really?” Her eyes widened. She immediately scooped up the books below her feet before making way for the door. “Then wait for me, I want my staff!” Sephiroth crossed his arms. Perhaps the Cetra would eventually teach him regret. 

Chapter Text

  Icicle village was booming with action, not that the residents were all that pleased about it. Two days ago some Tuks and an entire fleet of Shinra troops seized the whole area. Claiming the President had chosen them to be the next big point of progress in mining Mako. The Mayor had already tried explaining the ground wasn't suitable for a reactor, but little good that did. 

   New homes were being built in a rush to accommodate the influx of people. And the locals found Shinra's lack of transparency suspicious. Large trucks brought in endless amounts of concealed cargo. Not to mention the strange camps set outside of town as its area expanded.

   “This is far below my expectations. But it will have to be of use for now.” Hojo rubbed his hands together while overseeing a new lab. Temporary as it was, it needed a lot of renovations. 

   “Professor, we've secured several test subjects. How would you like to proceed?”

   “Hmmm.” Hojo overlooked the file of prisoners recently acquired. “For now, inject the micro dosage of S-C and J-C into half of them. The metal cages should do until my vaults are completed. Save the other half, in case my projects get hungry.”

   “Understood.” The assistant jotted down notes without any particular expression. 

   “Tell me, where are the female participants?” 

   “There are none. Our supplier’s deal was to send only the Wutaian men. Any women they find they keep.” 

   “How unfortunate.” Hojo cleared his throat begrudgingly. “I suppose these will make do. You may go now, I’m busy.” The assistant wasted no time retreating to the only elevator allowing one to exit the lab. 

   Shinra already knew there was little to no Mako to be found in the north. They just needed an excuse to suppress the locals enough from questioning anything. It was time they expanded their search for the promised land, along with the Ancient. Rufus was already making plans to abandon Midgar for his next big metropolis once the war with Wutai had run its course. And Hojo needed space provided by the camps to hold an influx of prisoners. Making enough tests to simultaneously enhance Soldier for war while finding a cure to cellular degradation was a tall order. However that was a small price to pay in return for moving so close to his favorite creation. Hojo sat down before several monitors. 

   “What do we have here?” A flying drone had caught footage of several men in black robes dragging themselves through the snow. “Quite unusual, where must you be going thats so important?” Taking out a control panel, the mad scientist started changing his drones course. “Well I don’t have all day.” The metallic creatures veered off in the direction the lifeless men. Hojo hoped to fly into whatever they were looking for. 

   “Anything you need sir, just let me know.” Elena was beyond ecstatic to finally be on a mission with Tseng. Her admiration for him was half the reason she wanted to become a Turk in the first place.

   “Elena, just make sure security is tight around the perimeter. I don’t want a single local looking into those camps or a single prisoner getting out. The first accident was bad enough.”

   “Yes sir!” The two walked through the snowy streets of Icicle Village, familiarizing themselves with the layout. Tseng rarely ever left the President's side. But until Reno or Rude fully recovered, he was on special orders to oversee this mission himself. Rufus had also considered that if they decided to engage with the Ancient again, Tseng was the best man for the job. If anyone could capture Aerith, it would be him. 

   Tsung walked with purpose, despite his mind wandering in a multitude of places. Half of him had thought Aerith would remain with her friends. Sure Shinra would chase after, but he thought as long as she stayed with that ex-Solider, in a sense she’d be free. But the inclusion of Sephiroth changed the game. Now he couldn’t foresee if she was a part of the threat to eliminate the first soldier, or the one being threatened. Regardless, Hojo was working up something wicked for them. He couldn’t understand why the Ancients party had left her. Rude said they engaged at Costa del Sol. Surely now wasn't the time to be vacationing at the beach.

- - -

   The idea of flying wasn't something Aerith ever gave much thought about. But now that she got to experience it firsthand, the whole thing couldn’t end sooner. Turns out heights weren’t very exciting when freefalling. Rooftops were one thing, but in the end she was happiest living below the plates, not above. After a while she shut her eyes to keep from passing out. She could have sworn Sephiroth was laughing at her. 

    “Sure, giggle all you want asshole. See if I care.” Aerith couldn’t complain, having been the one who asked to come after all. With both arms secured around his neck, she buried her face into him to deflect from the wind. Sephiroth just smiled at the poor girl holding on for dear life. As if he would drop her. His grip on her was firm, but it paled in comparison to the flower girls. Had he not been the strongest being on the planet, she might have broken the neck of any other unfortunate soul. 

   After what seemed like forever, Aerith felt her stomach drop. The descent was abrupt and unkind. Even after they had stopped moving, she couldn’t quite feel her legs. 

   “Do you ever plan to open your eyes or simply remain like that? What happened to a change of scenery?” 

   “Ugh, Isn't there a softer way to fly?” Aerith peeled her head away. Each white knuckle throbbing. “I sure am glad I never had wings. How are you not dizzy?” 

   “This is nothing to me, my abilities have no faults.” He squeezed her body and leaned closer, almost brushing against her reddened nose. “I too hope you never sprout wings.” 

   “I can walk from here thank you.” She abruptly pulled back, hoping the flush of her cheeks just appeared to be from the cold. Her hands pushed away from him until her feet were back on the ground. Looking ahead, she couldn't help but feel she was witnessing something terrible. “What is this place?” 

   “Home.” His response unnerved her. This wasn’t a place fit for anything among the living. The ground broke apart into a crater that Aerith couldn’t see the end of. An environment fit only for the most resilient monsters. “Come.” He started walking after motioning for her to follow. 

   Aerith clutched her chest as they began their journey into the gaping hole. She remembered the planet mentioning it was wounded nearby. The broken terrain didn’t appear natural. Everything about it felt wrong. Even snow refused to fall near this part of the north. Just bitter stillness hung in the air. 

   “I thought that the mansion was your home?” She looked around anxiously, wondering if this was a good idea after all. 

   “That is a temporary place of rest. Meant to store any lingering possessions I’ve yet to dispose of, and you.” Aerith swallowed. She didn’t particularly like feeling compared to items, even if it wasn’t far from the current reality.

   “A real charmer you,” she said snidely. Sephiroth stopped to face her.

   “Then would you like to stay here?” He grabbed her chin. Noting the hints of frostbite lurking around her cheeks. Each time she breathed, little white puffs escaped her lips. “I could find ways to keep you warm.” 

   “Stop that.” Aerith rubbed her arms, already feeling heat rise within her from the implications of his statement. His smiled dropped before suddenly turning. 

   “Stay.” Sephiroth threw out an arm and lunged forward. Before she could fully grasp the situation, his blade had split two wretched creatures in half. The sight of Masamune always ignited an innate sense of dread in her. It made her want to run away even if all logic suggested she had nothing to fear anymore. “Come” He held out a hand. “There will be more.” 

   Aerith did her best to keep up quietly. Even if they were moving down, the hike around countless icy cliffs was a chore. The effects of sitting idle for weeks had taken its toll on her stamina. She eventually realized Sephiroth could have just flown about easily, yet he tried to match her pace. The longer she stayed next to him, the more she realized how laughable coming to ‘help’ was. Everytime a monster appeared, its guts were on the floor before she could blink. Sephiroth wouldn't let her have any of the action. He was practically showing off. 

   With every passing step they took below, the less the sunlight could stretch. Soon only a sickly green hue illuminated from within the ice coated walls. Only a few times did she need him to assist with getting down impossibly steep ledges. It was strange to rely on him. Taking hold of his waist almost started to feel natural. Even if she thought he held on to her for a bit too long each time they landed. Unless she pushed away first, he would just stand there with his arms on her back. 

   “So this is where you go every day?” 

   “No, only when it's in need of a cleanse.” Aerith squinted at their surroundings. Clean? It was just a cave of rocks. 

   “Hm, you sure have some weird hobbies. This place doesn’t look that interesting.” 

   “Heh,” Sephiroth scoffed. “That is because you cannot see the power that lies here. It is the beginning of everything.” 

   “Uh huh.” Aerith breathed hot air into her hands. “Is that why you call it home?” 

   “I will show you.” Without any regard he suddenly gathered the Cetra off the ground. 

   “H-hey, warn a girl fir- Ah!” Her nails dug around the side of his coat once he took off. As if finally bored of their prolonged trek, Sephiroth darted through what remained of the cave's jagged openings. He lowered them into a massive chamber that appeared to lie at the heart of the crater. With the ceiling cutting high into the endless ice above. It wasn't difficult to understand the cave's importance. Aerith's eyes latched onto the disturbing mass of crystal before them. Inside appeared to be Sephiroth himself. Well, half of him. The son of calamity gripped her shoulders from behind, ushering the girl forward.

   “It is my true form. Soon to be complete.”

   “Then, what are you?” Aerith tried to turn her head far enough to glance at the body behind her. She remembered faintly helping Cloud through the final stages of putting Sephiroth to rest. But she didn't recall there being two of them. 

   “I simply am. Spread endlessly along the planet's surface. Those created of my remains become my will.” The flower girl flinched as his grip tightened. “Once all of my remains reunite, I will be whole again.”

   Aerith thought it sounded like something out of a nightmare. Truly unnatural. The being frozen within crystal above looked dormant. Below it's torso only black vines covered where it's body must have been severed. No human could survive something like that. Soldier or not. 

   “But I thought you were raised in Shinra. How…” Aerith suddenly found it very hard to breathe. Five years. For five years the war hero was pronounced dead, having vanished without a trace. Five years since Cloud and Tifa said their home was decimated. The time when Cloud thought to have killed him. How in the heavens had he ended up here? Seeing the traces of where his body was split made her skin crawl. 

   “Does it frighten you?”

   “It looks painful.”

   “Indeed. Although the feeling has long passed. But that's simply a side effect of being born this way.”

   “Oh.” The word faded away under her breath. She couldn’t stop staring at the bizarre enclosure. If not for Jenova, he likely would have not lived. Discomfort continued to clutter Aerith's heart. Knowing the world would be better had he died. Such an ugly thought pained her, no matter how true. Even if there was no changing his heinous origins, it was unfortunate things had come to this. Despite Sephiroth's childhood, until five years ago he had managed to survive fairly peacefully. What was it that tipped him over the edge of no return? 

   “Do not look so sorry.” Aerith didn't realize her own grieving expression. “Everything becomes as it should.” Her eyes only sank further. Nothing was as it should be. He shouldn't have had Hojo as a father or ever been curated in a lab. Forced to find purpose through taking life. She shouldn't even be alive right now. “What is it?” 

   Sephiroth's glove wrapped around her frozen cheek. Her lips had turned a faint shade of blue some time ago despite the thick coat surrounding her. She wasn't sure what to say. Her thoughts were rather messy. 

   “Kinda strange, that we never ran into each other. If we had met five years ago I…” 

   “Nothing would have changed.” His thumb brushed over her frozen ear. He could sense her distress. Negative emotions fueled his existence. The way her sorrow radiated around fed the desire to consume the universe. If everything on the planet felt this way in its final hours, nothing could stop him. “I only see the future. The past is already gone.” 

   After watching her lips shiver long enough, he took the chance to silence them. Aerith almost lost her footing had his arms not been so solid. His lips were cool upon impact, but the warmth from his mouth fought its way inside. The numb parts of her face quickly filled with heat. And without fully understanding herself, she kissed him back. That was the only affirmation he needed to start clawing away at her waist. He pressed her body roughly into his own until a small whine stifled the back of her throat. 

   She clutched the front of his jacket with one hand as the other lay flat against his torso as some sort of barrier. It was absurd. As if allowing herself to push away with one arm while holding on through another kept her from betraying herself. Whenever Sephiroth exercised his strength it was like being suffocated. He never braced her mouth gently, taking as much as he could get. Aerith felt her entire chest expand against him as her lungs fought for air. His grip had already forced her onto the tips of her feet. She bit his lip in retaliation until he broke away long enough for her to gasp. 

   “This Cetra is unexpectedly rough,” he grinned through the accusation.

   “You’re talking about yourself.” That pouty glare fighting to mask the color on her cheeks excited him. It was like watching her lose the battle between her virtue and desire in real time.

   “Perhaps we’re more similar than you allow yourself to believe.” 

   “I don’t think so at all. Sometimes I think you really are trying to kill me.” The hand around her head slid her neck. Curling beneath her fur collar until the back of his fingers felt the adrenaline pulsing through her veins. He could feel her swallow nervously. Even behind such dark lashes, his brilliant green eyes shone clearly.

   “If that were so I’d have done it already.” He leaned in and Aerith instinctively closed her eyes, expecting to have her lips taken again. The reaction almost made him chuckle, deciding to nibble on the tender spot beneath her ear instead. The tip of his canine made her inhale sharply. His tongue against her skin was like a drug. For a moment she considered it would probably feel good no matter where he put it. 

   Her eyes shot open, trying to get a hold of herself. If things didn't end here it would only escalate further. Bracing his shoulders, she tried to make him ease up.

   “Wait, that's enough.”

   “You would look so beautiful under this light.” He began tugging at the buckle around her coat when her eye caught something in the distance. 

   “What is that?” Aerith's body went stiff. Noticing a flash of silver reflected above the cave's entrance. It looked like an insect at first, heading straight for them. But soon after, several silver specks of machinery spilled over the surface. Sephiroth noticed the switch from arousal to panic even without the infliction of her voice. 

   A part of Aerith knew right away. She'd destroyed countless similar looking Shinra creations in the slums. The moment his hands released themselves, she was already pulling out her staff from behind. 

   “I don't think so.” A strong cast of wind was enough to send half of them crashing into the walls. Chunks of metal sparked against the jagged rocks until they blew into pieces. “Enjoy the ride!” Aerith never got sick of foiling Shinra's creations. Especially knowing the mastermind behind them.

   Before she could try for more, Sephiroth had blocked her line of sight. Already closing the distance between the remaining drones. With little effort, Masamune danced through the air. His hand barely seemed to move. Yet his blade sliced every contraption cleanly through their glass eyes. Their bodies crashed into the ground, still sparking. 

   “Incessant fools.” Just out of spite Sephiroth set the pile ablaze. He turned to the flower girl still clutching her staff. “We're leaving, now.”

   Aerith nodded and quickly ran over. Their little outing had overstayed its welcome. Remaining bits of metal crunched beneath her shoes. For a second she saw herself running in the slums with Cloud like the first day he'd fallen through her church. But the hand she reached out for was rougher this time. A part of her was shouting not to. But she let that hand guide her anyway. Even if only for a fleeting moment, the arms to take her in were inexplicably safe. Despite the urgency, he handled her with care before taking off. She tried relaxing a little, knowing the ride wouldn't be so pleasant. 

- - - 

    The assistant’s working beneath Icicle Inn's new laboratory knew to distance themselves whenever Hojo got into one of his hysterical fits. Nothing could reach him when he got like that. The professor was practically screaming, he was laughing so loud. Clearly smitten with whatever findings his little office contained. 

   Hojo was gripping his head as the screen before him flashed white without a signal. Not only had he located the Ancient, he’d discovered an interesting new growth within the crater. Despite unearthing Jenova decades ago, he never thought to go back and see what else could have taken its place. The footage rolled back to before it cut away. It was only for a second, but the first drone had caught a clear view of the crystalized cocoon carrying the body of his lifelong experiment. The mad scientist wondered how the cells within might differ from those found in Sephiroth’s other forms. Perhaps his main body would hold a key to the mind control tethering all of them. 

   And then there was the Ancient. She was a slippery one. Her defiance had surely shaved a few years off his life in stress alone. His projects had been put on an indefinite hold more than once due to the Turks lack of ability to catch her when necessary. Yet now she’d gotten into a predicament he could have only dreamed of arranging himself. Well, it would have been more agreeable to have her physically here, but all good things came with a little patience. The Ancient and his Project-S, potentially living together. They appeared to be rather close at a glance. Considering the Turks' report of their last sighting of Sephiroth, and his persistence in destroying every camera Hojo thought to install, the professor felt his project had quite a lot to hide. If they ended up procreating, it would be worth the wait before jumping in. But on the off chance that didn’t happen, He would just have to create a backup plan. Rufus wanted Sephiroth eliminated, but Hojo would never let his work be fully erased. 

   Hojo started giggling again as soon as he’d calmed down. The whole thing was just too damn funny. He could have sworn he’d seen it all before. It wasn’t turning out much different from the time he’d taken Ilfana and discovered Aerith's existence after subduing Gast. All within Icicle Village no less. Perhaps this new Lab would be one to remember. 

Chapter Text

Tifa was thinking it, Cloud refused to admit it, and Nanaki was tired of ignoring it. The silence was louder than any rustling within this eerie forest combined. 

   “Come on guys, how long are we gonna keep going this way? We’ve passed that same tree at least five times already.” Nanaki whined, fed up with their stubbornness. They should have turned back hours ago and just tried to start over. 

   “No way, it’s a forest. There are bound to be similar looking areas, right Cloud?” Tifa glanced at him, hoping to share a bit of optimism. But he just kept looking ahead, there was no point in pretending anymore. They were lost. Perhaps worse, stuck in an impossible loop regardless of where they turned. The same twisting tree, followed by a small river and patch of little white flowers always occurred in the same order. 

   Despite Cloud's frustrations, he had to keep moving on. It couldn't all be for nothing. Tifa wasn’t feeling that great either. Her emotions were all over the place. Over the last week no matter how much she tried, Cloud kept distancing himself. Leaving her to stress over the violent migraines he pretended weren't happening. This morning however he was full of energy. Taking the initiative to lead the group again and engage in light banter willingly. But after going in circles till the sun set, any motivation found had worn thin. Tifa struggled to just confront him. Afraid of pushing people into uncomfortable situations. Aerith was her friend too, but he acted like he was in this alone, and they weren't going to get anywhere with that attitude.

    “We should have reached the Forgotten Capital by now. Why had it been so simple before?” Cloud thought everything over from the start, yet found no answers. It was like the path opened right up for them to follow Aerith. Yet now the forest felt alive, actively pushing them out. But daylight had run its course. If camp wasn’t set up soon, they would suffer for it later.  

   “Seriously guys I don’t know what else you want to do. I can’t smell anything helpful out here. Why not get some sleep and make a plan to get out of here first? Maybe flying over the Sleeping Forest once the Tiny Bronco is fixed will get us there.” Nanaki ran to sit beside the trunk of a willow tree for coverage. 

   “Good idea. I’ve got some leftover bread and dried meat from this morning. Cloud, why not get some wood for a fire?” She leaned forward sweetly, waiting for a response.  

   “Yeah, I can do that.” Cloud turned mindlessly to gather sticks. Not realizing he’d stopped speaking unless addressed first. Nothing was going as planned yet again. How did things get so off course? Whenever they got a lead, something else blocked their path. He wanted to be done with the Capital today. But the sleeping forest wasn't normal. Chunks of his memory were already jumbled up from the last time. Regardless, he couldn't wait for the Tiny Bronco to be fixed. Cloud looked back at his comrades talking about something with a smile. 

   “That's plenty,” Tifa said. Taking some wood from his hands. Nanaki easily sparked a fire with his tail to preserve their mana. 

   “So where's that meat?”

   “Here. You can't eat all of it again, I'm serious.” Tifa passed a piece off to Cloud as well. 

   “Thanks.” 

   “Of course.”

   “Hey, don't look so gloomy guys. Today was a bit weird I guess. But we still have a lead. If Shinra is up North we must be headed in the right direction.” Nanaki tore away at his food. That alone was enough to put him in high spirits. 

   “That's true.” Tifa stretched her arms behind her back. “Tomorrow we can try going backwards. Staying here won't do any good.” 

   “I guess you're right.” Cloud was still staring at his food. He wasn't tired at all but the darkness suggested they had no choice. He prayed for no more nightmares.

- - -

   Returning to the manor was surreal. Even if Aerith hadn't completely come to like the depressing emptiness of it all, anything was better than the sharp outdoor winds at night. She was just happy to be on the ground again. The vertigo that accompanied flying was not something she could get used to. 

   Striding through the foyer, Sephiroth showed no signs of putting her down. She didn't care to complain though. His biceps were so wide she could almost fall asleep comfortably. Aerith sniffled, wrinkling her nose to shake off the last bit of cold. Why was she so tired lately? Unless Sephiroth had been constantly casting sleep to keep her in check. 

   “Where are you going?” She asked, not really paying attention to the surroundings. Perfectly content with letting the patch of his bare chest warm her cheek. 

   “You can not sleep yet. Open your eyes.”

   “Mmm no.” Aerith ignored him, nuzzling her head a bit. He hesitated before eventually plopping her into a chair. With a groan, she forced herself awake. Seeing the dining table stretched out before her, candles adorned the surface to keep the room illuminated. 

   “The day has nearly passed. You have to eat something.” Aerith agreed, but at the same time tried thinking back to this morning.

    “I must have eaten at some point right?” Honestly she'd rather go to bed.

   A bowl of soup was placed down under her nose. It certainly smelled good at least. Sobering up a bit more, she wiggled upright to give it a chance. After a few bites the savory broth became more enjoyable. Sephiroth sat quietly beside her with his arms and legs crossed. Even in silence his presence weighed over everything. She was just glad the bowl gave her something to look at. If Shinra hadn't shown up they might have done the unspeakable outside. His touch had felt good on her skin, to the point she was anticipating where his mouth might travel next. 

   Aerith almost choked on the stew and reached for a kraft of water. “Idiot, stop thinking about it! You're not like him.” He said nothing on the way back, not that his silence was unusual. She just wished to know what he was thinking. At this point his eyes were gonna burn holes through her.

   “What?” Aerith asked, peering over her shoulder. 

   “You are rather quiet.”

   “Not as quiet as you. I'm almost done so stop glaring at me.”

   “This Cetra lacks a structured routine.” His eyes were stuck on her face. Even if it was night, her eyes were far more tired than they should be. “Resting and consuming consistent nourishment are necessary.” 

   “What routine? I'm not some candidate,” she thought. “Is that Soldier talking?” 

   “Your caretaker.” 

   “Pfft.” Aerith scoffed while putting the spoon down. The word didn't suit him one bit. “More like debt collector.”

   “Are you ill?” He reached forward and rubbed the dark circle under her eye. 

   “Do I look sick? I could use more exercise, there's not a whole lot to do here you know.”

   “Leaving is not an option. Shinra is rather persistent.”

   “They've always been that way. You might have gotten used to being off the record, but Shinra has never stopped bothering me.” Once the bottom of her bowl was visible, she relaxed back into her chair. 

   “Are you troubled because of them?” Thinking back, she had been incredibly quick with her staff. Striking with a precision ingrained into her reflexes.

   “I'm annoyed. Since I was little Shinra took away so much, but they always want more.”

   “Those who left shadows in your past won't ever touch you again.” Sephiroth abandoned his chair and towered over her. “All is mine, and I have no intention of sharing.”

   “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

   “That is up to you.” 

   “I don't think you understand how pep talks work.”

   “Remove your coat.” He held out a hand. “It's past time humans go to rest.” Aerith had just gotten comfortable. Her stomach was full and the coat was incredibly soft. 

   ”Didn't you know my bedtime is at least midnight? You can go first.”

   “Do not play games.”

   “Make me,” She taunted. Sephiroth's eyebrow twitched. She used familiar words yet had the gull to proclaim him the unreasonable one before.  

   “If you remain unwilling, I will do it. And take more than just your coat.”

   “Fine.” The room felt incredibly still all of a sudden. Sephiroth stopped moving as Aerith's mind emptied. A jest gone too far. She immediately realized the consequences that one word would ignite. Taking her by the arm, he easily yanked her out of the chair. 

   “Wait, I didn't mean that!”

   “Once I'm finished you'll find sleep more agreeable.” Aerith was wide awake now, her heart slamming away. He could appear so calm one moment it was easy to forget his true nature was patient by design. Waiting until the perfect opportunity to snag its prey.

   “I want to rest now, so let me go to my room.”  

   “Midnight is still so far away though. I'll give you some more exercise.” He backed her into the table, taking note of all the fastenings holding her outerwear together. With every click of her buckles being undone, she felt heat rise from within. 

   “Stop it.” Her hands scrambled over herself, even if she was fully dressed underneath. Just the motions of him removing any layer of clothing sent shivers. 

   “You rather enjoyed it earlier. Where was it? Ahh, perhaps here.” A firm tug evenly parted her cloak down the middle. Exposing her chest and shoulders to the ticklish cool air. Sephiroth latched onto a spot below her jaw. Sucking till the area turned red. Aerith bit her lip. That was the spot. Every lick sent shivers up her ear. His tongue was hot and slippery. Leaving little red marks around her skin as if marking territory. Both hands fondled her breasts roughly. Squeezing until her nipples peaked beneath his fingers. 

   Aerith felt his hardening length bump against her thigh. It became increasingly harder to think. She couldn't explain the burn spreading throughout her center. It ached more wildly than before, and she found herself growing curious. Impatient even. Her fingers moved with a mind of their own. Sliding down to the stiff bulge and brushing it gently. He almost groaned, abruptly taking her wrist

   “Careful now, or I won't play nice.” He purred seductively. Like a sadistic lullaby pulling her under a trance. It made her heart skip and Aerith couldn’t tell if she had lost her mind to fatigue or was just that desperate. She took her new found courage and leaned forward to kiss him. A part of her believed he wasn't going to hurt her. His hips pushed against her in response until the outline of his cock was fully pressed to her lower belly. She just wanted this intense need to be dealt with already. The itch between her legs was spreading. Her fingers fumbled around his own belts. 

  “I think I want you,” she whispered unevenly. Her fingers fumbled around his own belts. 

   Sephiroth didn't have to think. He reached under and tore away her underwear. Paying no mind to her shoes or dress. Lust radiated from her, feeding his own. 

   Fully undressing took too long. Settling for an open coat and immediately tending to the zipper between them. 

   Aerith kept her eyes on his smug face. Only feeling hands pushed her legs apart for a moment before he entered with a force that took her breath away.

   Sephiroth shoved himself inside quickly from the start. Forgoing any preparation. Her cries echoed off the dining room walls with every driving thrust. Forcing her head towards the ceiling. He filled her with intent to stretch beyond her limits. Loving the way it made her clench harder. The pain was just a part of ecstasy at this point. 

    The war hero gripped the table and groaned. She was so fucking wet. Her fluids almost coated him completely. Her insides were incredibly warm, sucking every inch of his throbbing member, encouraging him to go deeper.

   “Mmhh!.” Her eyes were closed, lost in another world. The entire table shook. 

   “How is it?” He breathed into her ear, smiling like a devil. 

   “Perfect.” She panted. Aerith grabbed the leather around his hips. She heard sporadic cracking. But her sense of danger had long succumbed to the waves of pleasure. 

   Sephiroth's fingers broke into the table. Creating indents along the wood and splitting off. Remembering to have any restraint around her was a continuous battle. A few times he'd almost lost it and considered just using healing Materia to rectify any damage done to her. But some lining of judgment told him that wasn't a great idea in the long run. Especially if he wished to fuck her everyday. This was almost like some grand illusion in of itself. Her eagerness was startling, but a welcomed change. 

   “Sephiroth.” The name spilled out of her in a breathy whisper. Her legs wrapped around and nudged him closer. She was so openly asking for it, he thought well enough to oblige. 

   With a grunt, Sephiroth thrust forward until her back collapsed against the table. He snaked an arm behind her waist. Dragging her deeper into his cock. He had to make sure not an ounce of her could slip away. 

   “Look at me,” He demanded. Her face was burning. Aerith's eyes were heavy, but she did try. Stealing glances while her body tried to relax against the voracious rhythm of his torso slamming into her. 

   Aerith's shoulders scrunched as she ran a hand through her hair for anything to grab. Sephiroth was stunning. She couldn't understand how someone so awful could feel so good. 

   “Ngh!” Aerith's scream caught in her throat as he fell forward, completely engulfing the flower girl's body. Her coat slid to the floor. Along with the remains from dinner. The crash barely registered beneath the sound of skin slapping.

   His arms cemented around her like a barricade. Aerith could only cry into the sea of silky hair muffling her voice. His weight was a force she couldn't escape. Leaving her shoulder blades with the only comfort of coarse wood to scrape along. The abrasive table ate away at her skin. Restraining her like this left no room to recoil. His hips pounded with insatiable appetite, growing messier until his sack slapped vulgarly against her ass. Sephiroth huffed into her neck, he didn't even notice her trying to push him back. She could barely take it anymore, biting down on his shoulder. 

   Then she felt it. Something hot spilling into her core. Filling out into the already confined space even tighter. The pressure of his seed alone almost made her climax. Aerith wrapped her arms around him and gasped, finally catching a break. Sephiroth came first, but he was far from over. The needy girl beneath him was still rolling her hips into his cock. Her back had arched so far into him he could feel her breasts flatten against his own. 

   “You can't stop already.” She breathed.

   “I can go as long as you desire.” Just as she thought he would pull out, Sephiroth slammed his entire length back into her and held still. Making sure his tip smeared every last drop of semen throughout her womb. Aerith moaned in part due to the pain.

   “Wait a second.” She whimpered. “It hurts.” Sephiroth wasn't entirely sure what she wanted. Her discomfort trying to accommodate his size often persisted. But rather than squirm away, she'd latched onto him. Glancing at the obviously shredding table made him chuckle. The old wood wouldn't survive much more abuse anyway. He scooped the flower girl into his arms. She remained locked around his waist as he carried her off. Aerith could still feel his erection brushing under her ass with every step.

   The sweat on his torso smeared over her thighs as she straddled him. Aerith's eyes rolled back when her clit slipped over his abdomen. Her hips grinded around him, not wanting to lose the desire. Aerith whimpered and tried humping the curve of his muscles. He'd stopped touching her for too long and the need to finish was fading. 

   Aerith's room was closest, and the only space that had a spot slightly resembling that of an actual bed. Sephiroth's knees fell first. Lifting the hem of her dress over her shoulders as she laid back. The soft mattress made her release a long heavenly sigh. 

   “Better?” Just one word was so hypnotic. He always sounded deep, yet somehow soothing. 

   “Mmhmn.” Her arms crossed her breasts shyly. His eyes were focused on her almost frighteningly so. She'd had her meal, and was starting to feel like his. Having easily torn off her boots. A belated sense of embarrassment hit. He was still fairly dressed, yet the only thing Aerith had left was a floral choker and bracelets. 

   Leaning over, he took her leg over his shoulder. Still staring at the heat on her cheeks. He licked the inside of her thigh. Dragging his tongue along the juices that spilled out of her. 

   “After this you're going to sleep. No exceptions.” All Aerith could do was nod. She wet her lips with a pained expression. Sephiroth grinned. He preferred it when she begged out loud, but her face said plenty. 

   Once more her entrance split apart. She clenched her fists as his hips began to meet with hers. Slow just wasn't his style. Not that she minded for once. The unfinished itch from earlier quickly came back with a vengeance. 

   His eyes glowed in the moonlight. Revealing his smug pride. He watched her struggle to take all of him. Writhing around and twisting her back every time his cock rubbed through her. Stretching her pussy was still a work in progress, but witnessing her lose the will to resist each time was worth it. 

Holding her hips kept her from wiggling away. Only the sounds of their skin hitting sloppily between her moans surrounded them. 

   Sephiroth didn't know how he would leave after this. She was clearly gearing up for release. But it couldn't be over so soon. Aerith was gripping the sheets when her toes curled up. Her breath was ragged, almost teary. Her mind and body had completely vanished from her conscious. All she felt was the pressure building up between her legs. Sephiroth leaned over and braced the wall above her head. Underneath the blush and sweat, her eyes looked afraid. 

   She suddenly grabbed his hand and held it firmly to her chest. Squeezing while she came. Her climax had her shaking. Her hips danced around his cock. Drunk on sex and come. He pulled away and rubbed his length between her folds. Smearing his semen all over the surface. Claiming her like an animal. The tiniest slip over her clit made her jerk. He smiled and allowed his erection to hump her most sensitive spot a few times. 

   Aerith fought to get her breathing back under control. The giant shadow above her made her think she really was lost to darkness. Her body and sense of right were at a crossroads. She couldn't help but feel she'd walked right into the silver Devil's bed while he slowly ate away any remnants of her soul. 

   “Turn on your side.” He wasn't really asking. Already dragging his hands along her shoulders and pulling her into the position he desired. Sliding down behind her, he lifted her top thigh. Her ass was completely soaked from behind. 

   “More?” Aerith panicked. Her body was still pulsating from the last orgasm. “What about sleep?”

   “Indeed. After I've finished.” Once her warm hole was located, his cock stuffed itself back in. She gasped. The strange position had him twisting inside in weird ways. “You will learn to obey me the first time.” his hips started slamming into her. Sephiroth was still overly aroused. Trying to feverishly drain himself of the desire to spend the entire night buried between her legs. 

   “Ah! Too rough- mph!” Sephiroth's hand came up to clamp her mouth shut. 

   “Shhhh.” He purred into her ear. “Unless you want me here all night, behave.” His body was completely flush with her backside. Ravaging her swollen pussy despite the muffled sounds trying to escape her mouth. His breath burned the back of her neck. She tried not to focus on the sting of overstimulation. Relaxing her spine, she let him ride up behind her ass with ease. “Good girl.” Only when he was this close could Aerith hear the faint rasps forming in his throat every time he breathed out. It was the closest she could gauge as a moan from him, and she found the little grunts incredibly stimulating. 

   “Please. Slow down.“ She cried. Her pitiful plea just made him drive into her harder.

   “What to do.” Sephiroth turned her head back to face him. “Your face is so lovely right now.” Taking advantage of her open mouth. He slipped two leathery fingers inside of. “Suck.”

   Aerith hesitated, it felt so obscene. He tasted faintly of salt from grabbing at her sweaty body. Eventually her tongue coated him and began wrestling around. Her mouth was incredibly hot even through the gloves. And the rubbing back and forth made his cock crave more. He wished deeply to know what her lips would feel like around his shaft. How she would look on her knees as he finished down her throat. But he couldn't waste his seed that way. Watching her stifled moans through his fingers was so incredibly naughty. Sephiroth hissed, and removed his hand. A string of saliva followed. Grabbing her waist from the front, he let loose. Completely toppling over her.

   His hips plunged in and out erratically. Aerith screaming into the sheets while he restrained her wrists just amplified his lust. Her misery, her joy, her pleasure, he wanted all of it. Laying across her feeble body, he emptied into her once more. His rhythm slowly returned to ride out the last of his load. She panted like a dog in heat with nowhere to run. Looking so helpless on her belly while his cock still twitched inside. Her submission was intoxicating and he forced himself not to get excited again. 

   “Sleep now,” he lulled. Sephiroth eventually leaned up and kissed her glistening back. She barely moved. Her face was still in the sheets, not looking at anything. Slowly he pulled the pink ribbon free and untangled her hair. The twist was a mess, but it smoothed out between his fingers easily. After adjusting his pants, he took one last look at her. 

   Aerith felt his weight shift on the mattress with the sound of his zip. Against her better judgment, she reached for his coat. About to stand, the sudden pull made him pause. The war hero waited, watching her patiently. But the right words couldn't be found. She didn't want to just be left here like this after getting used like that. Maybe a part of her used him too, but she hated it. Always fucking and disappearing. She shouldn't want to see his face at all afterwards. But feeling like an object was worse. Just like being back at Shinra. Hours of silence followed each completed test. Abandoned in a cell. 

   “Please don't go.”

   “This Cetra is rather wild.” Sephiroth grinned. “Would you like to try until you pass out?”

   “That's not what I meant.“ Her hand hit him weakly. “I don't want to be alone.”

   “And yet I thought there was something about remaining in their own room tonight.” Aerith bit her lip. Of course he wouldn't stay, especially in a prisoner's room. She released his coat. Sephiroth sighed and caressed her face. “Ask clearly, Aerith. What do you want?” She swallowed her pride.

   “I want to stay next to you tonight.” Her eyelids were already heavy. Why did she even care? She'd be asleep within minutes and the night would pass instantly. Sephiroth went silent. And then she felt him leave. “Idiot.” She told herself. The drowsiness helped curb the hole eating away at her stomach. 

   The sounds of Footsteps eventually returned but she was too tired to open her eyes. It wasn't until something warm and wet slathered her arm that she flinched. Sephiroth had removed his gloves and coat before sitting back down. He placed a bowl of water beside them, taking a cloth to wipe her skin. His flower girl was a sticky mess. An arousing mess, but still one that needed to be cleaned. Gently, one delicate arm at a time was lifted before being rubbed once over. The tickling sensation relaxed her. Sweeping her hair away he started down her back with long slow strokes. Her skin was incredibly smooth. And full of red spots where his fingers had latched on. The damp cotton soothed all her soreness. Aerith imagined this was the closest thing she'd ever had to a massage. A pleasant moan could be heard under her breath. 

   “So needy,” he teased. Her body was extremely responsive, begging to be touched more. His hand guided the cloth around her butt. Her cheeks were still incredibly red and smeared with his lineage. He smiled, proud of his work before wiping it away. Aerith was turned upright in his arms. He pulled her back towards him and spread her legs. Even in darkness those cat-like eyes saw everything.    

   “Let me do it.” Aerith's voice was reduced to mumbles. Peeking through tired eyelids and still somewhat sane, she tried closing her legs back up.

   “Hush.” Sephiroth retracted the cloth from her praying hands. He encouraged her to lean into his chest as he peered down for a clear view. Despite his attempt to tenderly wipe her lower folds. Aerith sucked in a hiss of discomfort. With a few final strokes her chest was cleaned. The cloth had made her nipples swell again as the trails of water dried against the frigid air. With his bare hands Sephiroth massaged her breasts. Letting each finger fondle her hardened nubs softly. The creaminess of her flesh was often lost due to the gloves. Touching the last Cetra like this sent a surge of power through him. How much she had changed since her arrival. So openly craving his presence.

   Aerith's breath was deep and slow. Her heart patted away peacefully and he wondered if she'd finally succumbed to her sleep. Taking the fur blanket, he wrapped it generously around her shoulders. She weighed no more than a kitten to the war hero. He took her back to his study. She fit nicely on his couch. Not that he used it often anyway. He was sure her mind was somewhere nice that he couldn't reach about now. It was the one place he couldn't infiltrate. 

   Sephiroth's hand slipped under the blanket and found her stomach. His palm rested there, feeling her slowly rise and fall to the rhythm of her snore. This small person on a planet of millions would change his destiny. How long would it take now? It was hard for him to grasp what a child's early years would be like. Not like anything he had ever experienced. It almost unsettled him. A future he didn't know the outcome of would be born

Chapter Text

   Aerith wandered mindlessly though the dusty streets resembling the slums she spent her life running though. Yet these paths had no monsters, instead they led to endless possibilities. Only in dreams a pathetic sense of escape was found. She could create whatever reality she wanted to see. Each time picking from a different past memory to relive. Aside from the simple pleasures of tending the flowers in her church or listening to Elmyra talk about her day, going back through her dates with Cloud were the most comforting. A few nights before she could have sworn they were climbing rooftops together. However, memories were always fuzzy. No matter how much she tried to get lost in the fantasy, her dream counterparts never really talked back. Cloud would often just go through the motions of their dates physically. But emotionally, there was silence. A bitter reminder only carbon copy's stood to sooth her loneliness. 

   Her boot’s stopped shuffling after reaching a fork in the road. The other night had been different. That dream was new. And that Cloud wanted to talk, almost too much. 

    “He was in pain though, I never would have dreamed of him like that on purpose, would I?” Aerith looked up to the sky that didn’t exist. Only a deep gray fog floated beyond. It used to be bright and sunny. “Even my dreams have become dark and ugly now.” 

   “Cccceetra.” A call slithered out from the surrounding fog like rain slowly hitting the ground. “I feel you.” Each word was a low hiss that prickled Aerith's spine. She spun around, only to see nothing. 

   “Hello?” Grabbing her arm, she turned about. The voice was so quiet she thought perhaps it was her imagination. “Okay, that was creepy.” She continued to check the surroundings despite hearing no response. “Well I’m leaving, this isn’t how I want to spend my few hours of rest.” She turned a heel to join the memory of her and Cloud picking flowers together. 

   “...Aerith….” She froze. There it was again. Same yet different. “...Aerith!” 

   “Cloud?!” He was screaming her name frantically. Hauntingly similar to the times she drew her last breath. But that shouldn’t have happened in this lifetime. She turned towards a dark tunnel of smoke where his voice echoed out from. Without hesitation she ran through. The fog eventually thinned into a colorless and dull version of Nibelheim. In the distance she could have sworn to have heard crying. She’d only been here once, and the time hadn’t been pleasant enough to dream about willingly. 

   “Shut up!” A young man was screaming through tears. Aerith gasped and started moving quickly again. That was surely his real voice. “The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing!” She ran past a decrepit house before halting in horror. Cloud was leaning over a dead body, her dead body. The one thing she never wanted him to ever see again. 

   “Sephiroth, you asshole.” She wished he could hear her fury. All the hard work she'd done to prevent Cloud from knowing the agony of that moment was gone. Just for him to get a cheap vision of her worst hour. 

   “If you won’t join me, would you like to join her in your suffering? Let me help you.” Cloud was too busy cradling the remains of Aerith’s spirit to care about the demon's voice echoing down from above. 

   As soon as the sky split to reveal a shower of black feathers, Aerith was already reaching for her staff. She bolted for Cloud as the familiar sight of steel came plunging downwards. Before Masamune could pierce his heart, she lunged between them to parry the attack. 

   “Stop it!” She felt her arms buckle from the pressure of his blow. It shouldn’t have mattered in a dream, yet everything he did had so much weight. 

   Frustration twisted Sephiroth's his face, unsure how she had managed to infiltrate his perfect stage yet again. He slipped into the minds of his puppets through the cells they shared with Jenova. Aerith shouldn’t be able to just come and go as she pleased. At first he was willing to let it pass. As if he had somehow summoned her that night by accident. But he didn’t make mistakes. 

   “Know your place.” His eyes lit up with that feral determination she knew could only mean trouble. Sephiroth pulled back, already scheming the best way to remove her. Cloud was still gripping his head with one hand and the shell of his loved one in the other. The moment Sephiroth prepared to grab hold of the girl between him and his prey, Aerith slammed her staff into the ground. A shield of light enveloped her and Cloud. A simple cut from Masamune shattered the barrier. But once the light faded, the two were already gone.

   It was simple really. Aerith had already thought of where she wanted to go. She crouched behind Cloud and wrapped her arms around the shaking Soldier. Rubbing his shoulder.  

   “It's ok.” She hummed softly. His breathing eventually slowed. Once he'd opened his eyes, the corpse of his companion was no longer there. 

   “Aerith?” He reached up to meet her hand. Too afraid to look at her. Too afraid to see another fake, another dead loved one, or no one at all. Cloud was beginning to accept soon it would be just him and his insanity at this rate. 

   “Yep. Ya know, you really need to work on this whole sleeping thing.” She teased but he wouldn't respond. She hoped for a light chuckle or something. 

   “Aerith… are you dead?” 

   “I told you not to think of things like that, remember?” His grip tightened, it almost hurt.

   “Have I killed you somehow and your spirit is stuck here? It's my fault you were taken, I understand that you'd be upset with me.” Cloud thought perhaps this was his punishment. Maybe she was back to haunt him. 

   “Aw geez, I'm not dead silly, really. And it's not your fault.” She thought his hair smelled like sunshine. Like he'd been someplace warm and vibrant she hadn't seen in weeks. “You have to stay positive. Think of something happy.”

   “I don't know how to do that anymore. What am I supposed to dream of when everyone keeps getting hurt because of me.” His words made her bite the back of her lip. She hadn't been much better at taking her own advice either.

   “I dunno. Like seventh heaven or something. Ask Tifa to come and fix you up a drink.”

   “Seventh heaven is under the plate.” He responded bitterly. Aerith sighed deeply and pulled away.

   “But you're gonna rebuild it right? And invite me some time.” She stood up and walked in front of him. The defeated Soldier kept his head down. “Here.” Cloud was met with a flower basket being shoved in his face. “Take it.”

   “What are you doing?”

   “This is my dream now. And I want to have a good time so stop spoiling it.” He reluctantly took the woven basket and looked around. The area resembled the garden in front of Aerith's house. 

   “If you're really out there, I don't see how this is helping.” He watched her doubtfully. Aerith stole a glance before finding a patch of forget-me-nots. Whatever Sephiroth had shown him this time must have really unnerved his resolve. 

   “It's just a dream Cloud. It doesn't have to be anything but what you want. And right now, I want to see my garden. It feels like I haven't touched soil in forever.” He squatted beside her and plucked the flower she was obviously aiming for. “Hey, find your own patch.” She watched him take the stolen bloom and tuck it behind her ear. Those tired eyes were so serious. 

   “So you're somewhere without a forest?” Aerith quickly shut her mouth. “Is that the land, or are you trapped somewhere you can't see outside?” 

   “...” She couldn't bring herself to speak up. 

   “If it's really you, why won't you tell me anything?” His gaze was too much, it made her feel guilty. 

   “It's the area. I can only see snow…” She looked back at the flowers and resumed picking. 

   “Of course, damnit.” Cloud swore under his breath. This whole time she was in the north. He should have followed his gut when Sephiroth first came to take the Black Materia. They might have found her by now if they never left. 

   “You must be in the Northern Region. You've never been there, so I guess you wouldn’t know.” 

   “Figures huh? Just couldn’t be somewhere with lots of greenery.”

   “What else?”

   “...” Nothing but indecent scenarios kept loitering her memory. Cloud grabbed her hands to stop her from getting distracted. 

   “Aerith.” He tried finding her eyes again, they were shaking. Nothing ever really scared her. She'd been the one to march into Don Corneo's Colosseum of death first. The one who faced the Turks with a smile, and said no matter what they could defeat Sephiroth. Yet she was trembling every time he tried to reach her now. “Whatever happened, I'm still with you.”

   Aerith gulped. She'd already given herself repeatedly to the one thing on the planet she shouldn't. The only person Cloud could never forgive. If he really knew, she was sure he in fact would not stand with her ever again. Her eyes welled with tears just imagining it. There was no going back. 

   “I don’t think so.” 

   “Hey,” Cloud cupped her face to intercept the stream of salt water. “You don't have to say everything right now.” He'd never seen her cry. Despite her playful demeanor, Aerith never let herself become weak in front of anyone. It was hard to ignore the sickness in his stomach rising. Something terrible he couldn't gauge had made her this way. Done by that monster no doubt.

   “I'm sorry,” she muttered. 

   “Don't cry. You didn't do anything wrong.” The tears caught in the back of her throat. He was wrong. She had done something awful. Underneath the denial, a part of her had enjoyed some of the things she did with Sephiroth. She'd thought about him as an individual, what sort of things he likes or used to do. She imagined a future with him ever so fleeting and ways to cleanse the evil in his heart. Somewhere along the way she stopped blaming Sephiroth completely and looked at Shinra to shoulder his unspeakable deeds. Aerith couldn't control the stream of tears, hiccupping in between. This new life had created a path far harder to walk than she ever anticipated. Cloud stared at her helplessly. 

   “I wish this was real, and everything else had been a dream. The Black Materia is somewhere here as well. You probably won't be able to forgive me, but-” Cloud tried to stroke the tears away, even if it was impossible to keep up. “But thank you for always going along with my silly dates. Even if you didn't want to, I just wanted to spend more time together.” He wasn't sure if he was following. It was like she was saying goodbye.

   “I never said I didn't want to go. If there was something I didn't like, it wasn't because of you.” Her vision was blurred, but he still looked away shyly. “Next time we can pick flowers for real.” 

   “What?”

   “When this is all over. Let's go somewhere nicer.” The stream started to subside a bit. Cloud exhaled in relief and stared at her reddened cheeks. “I'm not the one who's spoiling the dream.” Aerith chuckled and wiped her eyes. That smile was always worth it. Everything they'd faced so far, no matter how hard things got, her safety was priceless. It wasn't until she'd been ripped away had he noticed how dark living without her was. Since she grabbed him earlier, not even a trace of the static in his mind remained. 

   “Right, I'm sorry.” Aerith remembered to pull herself together. “I’m not the most helpful right now.” 

   “Stop saying that.” Cloud was still holding her face. Her skin was so warm, how could this not be real? When he found her, would she remember any of this? Or would it turn out to have all been in his head? He leaned a bit closer to her. “I'm the one that should apologize.” He rubbed her cheek one last time before lightly placing a kiss on the surface. Aerith froze. It flustered her like the time they'd been in the gondola. Making her heart seize up. Her cheek was still salty from the tears. He didn’t care though, it was all a dream anyway. 

   A loud crack broke the tension, sending vibrations through the air. Aerith's beautiful setting was splitting apart as darkness seeped through its fragile confines. 

   “The puppet and its healer, how touching.”

   “Stay back.” Cloud placed an arm in front of Aerith. 

   “Is this how Cloud spends his nights? Fighting and running?” She watched Sephiroth descend as her fantasy dissolved. Already too emotionally drained to start this again. 

   Sephiroth's stare pierced the space between them. The Cetra’s eyes were swollen and red. She wasn't supposed to see any of this, but if she insisted on getting involved, so be it. 

   “Aerith.” His voice cut through her mind. “You were just leaving.” It sounded more like a command than a statement.

   “Don't talk to her. Your tricks end here.” Sephiroth smiled, tilting his head to the side.

   “Oh I am not the one full of tricks. The little mouse keeps leaving a trail for me to fix.” Aerith slowly reached for her staff.

   “Your shit is getting old. I see right through you.”

   “Are you sure? Whatever happened to the other girl you were holding earlier?” Visions of Aerith's death flooded Cloud's mind again. He groaned through the headache. The visions were hard to make out. Was it his sword or not that pierced her? The images kept changing depending on the scenario.

   “Cloud.” Aerith reached for him. His body wouldn't be able to handle these seizures forever. 

   “Aerith, come.” Sephiroth called out with resentment. She shot to her feet.

   “Release him.” 

   “You are mistaken. My regard is taken first, then I'll decide whether or not to fulfill yours.“ He stepped forward as Cloud remained crumpled on the ground. 

   “Don't move!” Aerith held out her rod firmly. “I can do this all night until he wakes up.” The wrinkle between Sephiroth's eyes deepened. Finding this place was already a pain in the ass. If not for his connection to Cloud, he may not have discovered them at all. The realm of sleep was infinite. 

   “Come.” He put out his hand this time. “And I shall let him rest.” 

   “No-” Cloud managed to put a hand out in front of her feet. “Run away.” Aerith swallowed the anger in her heart. Even in this state Cloud tried to protect her. She lowered herself to put a hand on his shoulder. 

   “Don't worry Cloud. It's not real, remember? He can't hurt me.” She slowly approached the son of calamity and took his offer begrudgingly. His brow twitched before yanking her to his chest. The scent of Cloud lingered all around her. The boy had touched his Cetra beyond proper boundaries. Taking the flower from her hair, he crushed it and scattered its remains. She looked back worriedly, Cloud was still heaving. 

   “Focus.” Sephiroth’s leathery fingers curled around her chin, forcing her attention back. “Look at me, Aerith. Only I can end your suffering.” Her cheeks were still puffy. Letting her shed tears for anyone else was unbecoming. 

   “Then do it already,” she spat. Sephiroth nodded his head towards the boy. For a second she heard him gasp in relief before her vision went dark. 

 - - -

   Aerith's eyes shot open. Having no idea what time it was or how long she’d been asleep. But she was burning up beneath the palpable stress. That fur blanket was smothering her. Last night was all a daze. She faintly remembered Sephiroth returning after thinking he’d left. She quickly realized her clothes were still gone, and the room before her now was clearly not the one she fell asleep in.  

   "Are you here?" She thought, sitting up immediately. Sensing the weight of two extremely still eyes watching her. He looked more displeased than usual. Sephiroth sat across the room behind his desk with a book in hand. His exposed torso caught her off guard for a moment, but his glare quickly sobered her up. She took that as her answer. The dreams had undoubtedly been real. 

Chapter Text

   If the contempt behind one's eyes were enough to slaughter, Aerith thought he could do it. Sephiroth glanced over her feeble existence, holding back whatever unreasonable objections he had this time. All while her own frustrations flooded back. How long had he been doing this? Trespassing on Cloud's slumber, showing treacherous visions. “ How could I be so foolish? All that about sparing my friends was a lie.” Clutching the blanket, she shot to her feet. 

   “How could you show him that?! My death is not some amusing event to be shared like leverage!” Sephiroth's frown twisted, casting shadows under his brow. Slowly setting the book aside. “He looked so awful, you did that, didn't you?”

   “This Cetra cares too much for an empty vessel. Since when have you been able to jump through my mind?” Aerith clenched her fists. She didn't entirely know herself, but none of that was very important to her.

   “Cloud's not a vessel. You promised you wouldn't hurt any of my friends as long as I stayed!”

   “I said I would let them live. And if I remember, you claimed to have agreed to no oath of mine.” Aerith huffed, letting her mouth drop. Now he chose to be coy and act as if she hadn't been physically compliant even without verbally saying so.

   “Wow, you're nothing but talk huh? You have everything you need, so just leave Cloud alone! Why torment him any further?” She stormed closer. “I can't believe I almost..” She caught herself, almost choking on the sentence. The corner of hatred reserved for this monster had grown soft. How could she have made space in her heart for someone like this?

   Sephiroth wished he could wipe Cloud's existence from her memory. If only dropping the Flower girl in a tube of Mako would erase her past like all the others. All she would be able to see afterwards is him. To think an empty puppet dared to kiss her. His things weren't behaving at all. They'd have to be put in check immediately.

   “No, not everything. Such energy is wasted on those who live in a place you cannot return. These attachments weaken you.”

   “I can't just stop caring about everyone who’s important to me because I'm not around anymore.” Sephiroth could almost feel the snap. Both palms flattened against the table as he stood. The chair screeching startled her. 

   “Because you love him?” Sephiroth smiled at her mockingly. As if her feelings were worthless. Aerith bit her lip. She hadn't really been honest enough with herself to ever say it out loud. Knowing her fate had always made it impossible to ever confess with her whole chest. Her affections weren't something to ever be reciprocated. The most she could do was try to be a loving memory for Cloud. Instead of another traumatic burden.

   “Clearly my feelings don't matter. I'm here, isn't that the point?” 

   “No, I can't understand it. How desperate must one be to cling to an incomplete human? He is not whole, and his attachment to you is not entirely of his own. The person you fight for does not truly exist.” Aerith understood vaguely what he meant. She knew Cloud needed to enter the lifestream. Only after her passing had the broken pieces of Cloud's mind come together. 

   “You're wrong. Cloud is still a full person who makes his own choices. Whether he regains his memories tomorrow or never, it doesn't undo every good thing he's done before that.” Sephiroth's restraint thinned quickly. 

   “If I play with his mind or not, Cloud will eventually succumb. All those who are tied to Mother will fade.” 

   “That's not true, he can fight it. You're just making it worse for him on purpose!”

   “Perhaps you do not remember the ending fate has for us. He will continue to be a disturbance.”

   “Then do you not intend to spare him as you once claimed?” Aerith was burning under the weight of the fur. It suddenly dawned on her that she had no real power. Regardless of if she obeyed or not, this spawn of hell could continue to wreak havoc on anyone she cared about till their final days. Only in the lifestream no one couldn’t touch her.

   “If you vow to fully submit.” The bitterness in his voice was thick. “Have you truly been such a willing participant? And not trying to sabotage my vision with every passing? I've been more than generous with your schemes till now.” The accusations came out rather confidently even if Aerith felt they were unfair. 

   “Nothing about you is Generous! You already took everything of mine. what else do I have left to give?” His eyes widened slightly as if he’d been waiting for her to ask. Aerith shrunk, wondering what she possibly had left to leverage. He wasted no movement’s slithering around the desk with dreadful eagerness. 

   “You’re going to forget about Cloud. And never seek him out, even in dreams.”

   “What, I can’t control that. I didn’t see him on pur…” Sephiroth pressed a finger to her mouth.

   “You will throw away any persisting thoughts of him. Don’t disobey me, and I won’t directly mess with what remains of his soul.”

   “Even if I could, why would I trust you?”

   “I’d like your mind instead Aerith. Yes, that just might keep me busy enough to leave them be. You will give me your everything. Your cooperation, body and heart. If you don’t think it’s possible, make yourself. There is a fondness to your company, and I intend to indulge myself.” Sephiroth’s eyes peered into the spot her heart was slamming away. The blanket around her frail shoulders swallowed the poor girl entirely. Such a tiny person had been so easy to collect, yet so difficult to truly own. “If you don't, I promise to become your despair in this life, and the next.” His dark eyelashes flickered to her lips. They were redder than usual from biting so much. He wouldn't mind adding to their swelling. 

   “I can't just turn my love on and off for people, it doesn't work like that.” Aerith struggled to comprehend the full burden of his demand. It was as if he intended to make an empty puppet out of her.

   “Well, it’s best that you learn. Relish in my being absolutely, until I am all that's left within you.”

   “I can’t understand why you're going so far…” her voice thinned. Losing all of its earlier grit. Aerith's face was slightly flushed from yelling so much. But his twisted idea of a confession wasn't helping any.

    “You can stay peacefully and I will treat you with care, or I will keep you in the worst way that pleases me. If you desire Cloud's heart that much, I could rip it out and bring it for you. Or shall I deliver the heads of every Shinra rat who experimented on you until they're eradicated? Ahh, You miss your mother right? I could even let you see her again before the reunion.”

   “Stop it!” Aerith covered her ears. She didn't want to hear her wishes being distorted into the ugliest way possible. Sephiroth leaned in and tore her hands away. His grip strained a whimper out of her. 

   “The choice will be made clearly. I want you to say it.”

   “You're hurting me.” Aerith tried pulling away, but he wouldn't falter. The muscles carving his body didn't even flex trying to keep her in place.

   “Answer me Aerith.” Her pulse was racing. Sephiroth almost exclusively said her name lately. She had hoped to make him see her as a person. She thought getting him to use her name might evoke a sense of humanity. But it only seemed to have made him more fixated.

   Cloud said he was on the way. She might only have to wait a bit longer. But a part of her didn't want him to find her anymore. What if Sephiroth killed him? The chances of her keeping everything that happened here a secret was slim. Her conscience would eat her alive if she reunited with her friends. And what if she was pregnant? Aerith was sure she could find ways to raise a child without Sephiroth, but what would the others think? Or worse, if Hojo ever found out. The more Aerith thought about it, the more she envisioned a future always on the run. Mirroring the youth with her mother. Aerith looked into his eyes, glowing with anticipation. He might try to act softer for her for now. But she didn't know how long that could last. Forever was a long time.

   “You won't hurt them anymore, no matter what?” Her lips hesitated on every word. The faintest smile formed on his face. It almost looked like relief. “And you're going to be nice to me. You're going to be as gentle as you can, right?” She tried to suppress the uncertainty in her voice. Sephiroth released her arms and cupped her face. His thumb wiping the space beneath her eye where Cloud had kissed her. 

   “That's right.”

   “You have to listen to me. And stop talking about killing people.” Sephiroth supposed exterminating problematic beings would be simple enough as long as she didn't know the details. Aerith's eyes darted below her line of sight erratically, afraid of what she might say next. Her breath had become strained. The deeper she allowed herself to become intertwined with this man, the harder it was to get out. The hands on her face sweetly slid around her in a tight embrace. Sephiroth's lips stayed close to her ear. 

   “Say it.” He softly muttered.

   “...I'll stay.” He sighed with dissatisfaction. 

   “That's not good enough, Aerith. I keep telling you, you have to be specific.” He heard her try to swallow through a drying throat. The hand on her back massaged the area gently, encouraging her to go on. Like a snake feigning innocence, he weaponized fear and tenderness all the same to make one bend the knee. 

   “I promise to do as you say. And give you everything… even my heart. At least, I will try.” The son of Calamity eased back until her nose almost met his.

   “I look forward to it.” That sly grin was wider now. He would hold her to this declaration till the day she died. No more distractions. Confusion was becoming all the flower girl knew. Looking into his awfully beautiful gaze, it was only certain she'd come to regret this. “Kiss me,” he cooed. Aerith blinked a few times in disbelief. Not a  moment was lost in exercising the new sense of power he had over her. 

   Her hands fumbled around the blanket. Without his usual attire on, the idea of touching him was more awkward. She simply leaned forward until find his lips. Only closing her eyes for a second before pulling away. Unable to look at him, he just laughed.

   “Again, Aerith. Do not be afraid.” 

   “You sure say that a lot now. You wouldn't say my name before.”

   “I prefer the sound of you.” She wasn't sure what to think of that. She was just trying to find enough nerve to kiss him in a way he'd be satisfied. This time her lips parted slightly, and she lingered a bit more. It wasn't long before he secured the back of her head. Sephiroth's mouth moved vigorously, taking in her bottom lip. “Tell me, how quickly do you learn?”  

   Aerith realized what he wanted. The moment her mouth opened wider Sephiroth licked her upper lip. She inhaled before fully meeting him. He allowed her tongue to invade his space until she'd thoroughly tasted him. She almost didn't mind having control for once. Until he began sucking down on her first. It made her squirm, putting him in motion.

   The Cetra's body was easily shoved onto the desk. Aerith felt hands immediately tearing at the blanket around her legs. Instinct had her knees crossing, but the grip on her ankle threatened her to ease up. He pulled a leg around his hip. Tugging until her bottom was flush to his own. The fur around her shoulders was delicately pulled back until the tip of her breasts were exposed. The desire to just rip the whole thing off occurred when Aerith suddenly took his wrist.

   “Wait! The thing is, It's kind of bright in here.” Sephiroth's room had been fully illuminated to mimic the time of day. But she was used to being taken in places her vision handicapped the indecencies being done. 

   “Nothing more remains to hide.”

   “But it's embarrassing for me.” Her focus fluttered about. His chest was basically eye level. The great war hero had to bend over to meet her. 

   “Alright. But you forget I see just as clearly in the dark.” Aerith's face burned, she hadn't truly considered that the shadows didn’t hide her previous endeavors. 

    He let her keep the blanket, licking away at the tip of her breast instead. She swept back a ticklish cluster of hair that had fallen over his shoulder. With his chest exposed she let her hand roam over its smooth surface. Her eyes followed the sculpted lines of his abdomen till she noticed the bulge in his pants. She couldn't tell if he was aroused or if that was just his size. She suddenly jerked away, afraid to be caught staring. Sephiroth immediately took her hand and brought it back.

   “You are allowed to touch me.” 

   “R-right.” The notion had her nerves swelling. Not many had ever gotten close to the angel of death and lived to tell the tale. Aerith thought perhaps it was ok to be a little greedy. His skin was so tender yet incredibly solid. She pressed down a bit more, his nipples had hardened. Tracing the nub under her fingertips made her heart flip. She wondered how much his body reacted for her. “What did you mean, about being fond of me?” Sephiroth paused from biting at her upper chest. Enough marks were made to have left a satisfying amount of tiny bruises by tomorrow. 

   “Of all the things that must be unmade, you are not one of them.”

   “Oh.” Her brows scrunched. That didn't really clear the fog in her mind. He watched her curiously. The fickle human was hard to understand at times. 

   “Pay attention Aerith.” Sephiroth gripped her hips before bending at the knees. His body sunk between her legs. Her green eyes were so big he could almost see the lifestream swirling around inside. She couldn’t imagine him kneeling for anyone. The sly devil couldn't help but smirk before pushing back the edge of her blanket further. Her exposed area was already glistening. He leaned forward, the scent of her arousal unmistakable.

   “Wait! You're not gonna...” She retrieved a fistful of the blanket to cover the sensitive area. Still in disbelief. “That's not right, it's dirty.” He ignored her. Letting a hand curl around one of her thighs to scoot her closer to the edge. 

   “There is no part of you I consider dirty.” His fingers were already slipping underneath the blanket. Easily finding her swollen lips and rubbing the area lightly. Aerith gripped the edge of the desk to steady herself. A bit of her fluid coated his fingers before he decided he couldn’t wait anymore. Imagining it was pointless, he’d just have to see for himself. 

   Aerith almost lost it the moment his tongue ran along her ever so slowly. Immediately covering her mouth. The first lick over her clit made her gasp. Every time his tongue ran up and down, waves of pleasure made her want to crumple up. The grip on her thigh tightened as he tasted more greedily. Sucking down on every area his lips passed. Her sweet fluid spilled over his mouth. His tongue lapped up her lust hungrily as if finding water for the first time in the desert. The sound of him slurping was only muddled by her increasingly messy breaths. Each wet stroke made her want to fall over. Whenever his teeth grazed an area, Aerith thought she must have really gone insane to have found the rough nibbling stimulating. Her fingers slid into his silvery mane. Letting the strands of silk envelope her. 

   “Mmnh!!” Aerith’s knees were folding up as her eyes closed. Only the glides of his mouth ravaging her pussy filled her mind. Sephiroth’s tongue teased her opening before letting his middle finger fill her entrance. Her hips rolled towards the beautiful man rubbing away at her diligently. He met her back by burying his face in and circling her clit wildly with saliva. 

   “Please.” Her voice pleaded meekly.

   “Hmm?” He looked up at her through thick midnight lashes, never moving from her spot of bliss. Seeing his face between her legs couldn't be real. She'd never been touched this way before. Every awful thought melted away. The eyes burning through her right now we're undeniably sexy. Different from the calming shade of mixed green and blue Soldiers had. 

   “ Oh planet, please forgive me.” her mind begged while her delicate fingers latched tightly onto his hair. “More,” she panted. She could almost feel him smiling. Trying not to think of his inflated sense of victory. Her entire lower spot was still swollen from last night. But his kisses ate at her impatiently. Taking a second finger to join her entrance, he began pumping in and out to the rhythm of her beating heart. 

   Aerith's cries fell all around him. He had to hold her from behind to keep her from squirming. His lips latched onto her clit passionately before sucking down. The heat from his tongue flicking away in every direction had her clenching around his fingers.

    “I knew it.” She thought. “ His tongue does feel nice everywhere.” A final yelp reverberated through her lungs. It sent a shudder rippling through her spine until finally melting overtop of him. Removing his hand, Sephiroth lapped up the rest of her release. Even as her body shook he kept sucking between strokes. It made her hips jolt. He found the moments after her orgasm were his favorite to play with. The sensitivity made her body move uncontrollably.  

   “You respond so well to my touch, why is that?” Aerith covered her mouth shamefully and released his head. The urge to be touched by him had grown like a craving gone wrong. The more frequently he touched her, the more she anticipated. 

   “I can’t help it.” She cursed herself. Wondering why even resist at all. He would just keep drowning her in pleasures until she yielded. Just imagining trying to fight him forever wore out her spirit.

   “Then beg for it,” He adjusted his pants before standing up. Freeing the thick and veiny erection from its confinement over her abdomen. Holding her waist, he rubbed it generously between her folds. His own breath had grown rather slow, she felt otherworldly against him. “Here.” he brought her hand to his cock. Letting her fingers brush over the tip. He began moving slowly into her hand.

   Aerith froze. Never having watched so curtly before. The surrounding skin was silky, twitching every so often. She watched Sephiroth rub his cock against her clit teasingly. Causing her to make small noises. Aerith took a hold of him firmly and slid her palm down his entire length. She could hear him exhale roughly. The fullness of his length provided a very different high from what his tongue had given. And the lewd display of his hips grinding back and forth only made her more feverish.

   “What are you waiting for,” she muttered. 

   “Convince me.” Sephiroth rested his forehead against hers.

   “...Please.” Her voice was a sad whimper. “I want you.”

   He hummed dissatisfied. All while grinning triumphantly into her eyes. Desire consumed her and finally, she released the blanket holding any false hope of agency. It fell around her waist, allowing both her hands to take hold of him. Her lips securing his mouth eagerly. A milky palm to slid up and down his chest, making sure to massage the skin around his nipple. All while he continued to taunt her entrance. She knew she didn't have the strength to move him, yet still tried pulling his back closer. When he followed her advance and stepped into her, it stirred something in her. She released his lips with a gasp.

   “Please.” Her voice was so soft and needy. She kissed his chin. “Please,” she asked again before spraying small pecks along his cheek. “Please.” Her final call was a helpless whine that she breathed into his ear. “Put it inside.” 

   “As you wish.” The head slid past her entrance one last time before shoving its way through. The first thrust always took her breath away. And he bucked forward with enough force to make her audibly cry. He groaned, immediately spurting a hot and thick substance throughout every corner of her womb. Those rebellious midnight rendezvous were over, and he was more than happy to help her understand where she belonged from now on. From the first time she stroked him he could have came right there, but patience was a virtue. Hearing the flower girl fall apart for him encouraged an already insatiable need. Knowing her relief wouldn't be delivered without his touch. 

   Slowly, his hips began to find their way in and out. Working his seed around until white streaks spilled at the seams. Once the pace picked up, Aerith swore he was getting harder. The already snug fit grew more uncomfortable regardless of the abundant lubricant. She allowed her head to rest between his chest while she moaned through the strokes. Her fists found clusters of his silver hair from behind. Focusing on the soft texture as her muscles began to tense up. The moment she clenched around him Spehiroth stopped moving.

   “Are you certain this is what you want?” He teased in hushed tones. Smiling at what was clearly obvious. A low whine escaped Aerith. Her hips tried moving on their own but he held down her thighs. 

   “Yes.” She uttered with irritation. 

   “Tell me again.” He peered into the crown of her head, imagining the frustration on her face.  

   “Sephiroth.” Aerith whined impatiently. Even at her most vulnerable he just kept pushing. She was beginning to wonder if she’d have to plead through the whole thing. 

   “Indulge me.” 

   “I want to stay, if you'll have me.” She was clawing at his hands, trying to get her hips free to move again. 

   “I already have you.” 

   “Damn it,” she whispered defeatedly. “For heaven's sake, I want you Sephiroth. So touch me, please.” 

   Sephiroth lifted her off the table and kissed her deeply. Plunging back in until he was buried to the hilt. Aerith screamed as gravity pulled her entire weight over his cock. He forced himself far too deep to be comfortable, yet she only felt unwarranted bliss. Her fingers attached to his back like an animal trying to hold herself up. The strength of a first soldier allowed him to position her easily for effective penetration. Each time he thrust into her, the sound of air catching in her lungs erupted. She was clenching up all around him. Her nails dug into his flesh. The subtle pain was euphoric for him but she was struggling far more.

   “Relax Aerith. It'll make it easier for you.” 

   “I can't!” Her eyes were squeezed shut through the panting. Wondering how the hell anyone relaxed while being skewered in the air. Her clit stung from overstimulation. And her entire bottom felt like it was on fire. “Ahh!” Sephiroth felt her fold over. Sobbing while she spasmed uncontrollably. A fresh stream of warm fluid greeted him. 

   He groaned at the wetness. It made slipping into her so easy. He didn't expect her to come again so soon. Any waves of delight were quickly turning to exhaustion. He sat on the sofa with her still draped over his neck. Tugging at her waist, he allowed his hips to roll up a few more times before slamming her down as far as she'd stretch. Sephiroth hissed into her neck and unloaded everything he had left into her womb. He could more or less control when he came and how often. But it was more fun to ride it out organically. Still, he figured Aerith was at her limits. 

   Her hips continued to shudder around his cock. Even after the pain and release died away, she kept riding into him. This wasn't what she'd wanted. Everything was over too soon. Just as her body had built up the nerve to fuck him, it relieved itself unexpectedly. Somehow she wasn’t satisfied at all.

   “So eager to please.” Sephiroth chuckled softly, stoking her hair.

   Sinking into him with regret, she buried her face in his shoulder. The days were becoming a blur. Pulling out made her whimper. She felt absolutely raw. He laid her down while stepping aside to retrieve the furry blanket. Aerith covered her face with her hands, still trying to catch her breath.

   “What's wrong with me?” The question was more for her than him. She couldn't recognize herself at all. 

   “Not a thing.” He meant every word. Sephiroth found it hard to believe no other Universe had tied their paths before. She was the ideal mate. Sephiroth draped the blanket over her hips for privacy. Although he wouldn't care if she walked around nude, she'd surely have a fit. 

   Aerith didn't know what to say to him. She could almost laugh. Torn between a genuine “thanks” or a “fuck you”. She promised herself, no matter how insane she got, she wouldn't let the planet die. No matter how much she clung to this fallen angel, the meteor must never be summoned. There had to be a way. Especially if he remained so close. 

   Sephiroth knelt on the floor beside her. Gently circling her belly with his hand before kissing it. He pressed an ear to her skin and lay still. This usually vexed and unreasonable monster looked unnervingly calm. Aerith stared at him. She didn't recognize this person either. 

Chapter Text

   Aftercare was not something Aerith would ever come to expect from the son of Calamity. Yet he had sat for an immeasurable amount of time beside her. Just stroking her body in silence. His hand traced her stomach multiple times before taking the hand closest to him. Massaging the tension out of her forearm. At first it put her on edge, until she realized the lack of sexual intention. She didn't have to say anything, Sephiroth could read her expression easily. Aerith wore her heart on her sleeve. Clearly upset with the agreement she'd bound herself to. But it didn't matter to him. With time, he was confident he could convince her to surrender every part of her soul.

   Aerith felt incredibly nauseous again. It made her wince. She'd have to find a way to put Cloud behind her, while somehow creating a path for him to succeed in this lifetime. 

   “Come.” Sephiroth lifted her and made for the door. She let her thoughts consume her as they wandered the halls. How much could she realistically get him to do when their desires contradicted each other so greatly. Convincing him to live less violently in order to keep her complacent seemed slim. 

   She didn't even realize they'd returned to her room until being plopped on the mattress. He just moved on his own. Drawing her a bath, combing through her hair with his fingers, laying out a new dress to change into afterwards. A valiant attempt at mortal kindness no doubt. But nothing changed the stone walls keeping her in the middle of an icy hell. Sephiroth lowered her into the bath and watched her closely. After such an explosive morning, she'd numbed out quite a bit. He couldn't tell if her body was just that exhausted or if something inside broke. That might not be so bad. Tearing her down until the only fragments remaining wished to obey. His Cetra, his Aerith. Her flesh already craved him, now for that bleeding heart.

   He had pleasured her rather extensively in the last ten hours. Since returning from the crater his appetite for her was out of control. She might need a few days to recover. Things were going almost well until Cloud had to get in the mix. Those wretched dreams. 

   “Aerith, you're going to rest today.” He stroked her hair. “Read if you must, but you will also remember to eat.” She simply nodded. “Good.”

- - -

   Sephiroth let the winds propel him south. His puppets were picking up a lot of movement. This isolated Region was suddenly becoming very crowded. If Shinra insisted on pestering him, he’d just have to send a message. Rufus should have been completely absorbed in the budding war between Wutai. But of course Hojo wouldn’t be that easily distracted from his personal work. 

    “I feel her.” Mother hissed.

   “Hm?”

    “That one might bend. Her thoughts swim around like a blemish when you’re near.”

   “That is something else. The extent of her ability is unknown.” 

   “No…” The wills of Mothers voice had been a bit quiet lately. Just content with the breeding finally being fulfilled. The sooner it happened, the sooner it would be over. “She mimics us, yet she is not.”

   “...” Aerith was certainly never injected with Jenova. But Sephiroth had wondered if it was possible for his DNA to mix among hers through itercorse. Even more considering she had an open wound the first time. Still, that seemed unlikely. The idea wasn’t very amusing. Only he was born of Jenova. Those who accepted her unto their bodies later in life either passed, or reunited. Aerith losing her mind to join the collective wasn’t exactly part of the big picture. Although, perhaps in that way she would be with him forever. 

   When he thought of the flower girl, the more unfit she seemed fit to dwell among humans. The vermin who overran the planet were no better than blood sucking eaters. Allowing greed to destroy their very home. But Aerith's presence was magnetic. Anger, lust, sorrow, it all decorated her features nicely. These emotions were often the strongest in people. Joy was too soft and fleeting. It didn’t simmer and boil to the surface the same way jealousy and rage did. However, Aerith was more open with him when she wasn’t experiencing such tragic things. Sephiroth couldn’t recall ever feeling genuine happiness from her. Just an occasional wave of peace. If there was a way to recreate that calmness, she might change her tune faster. 

   Icicle Village was already on the list of pit stops, but if he just went a bit further south, the snow melted away. There was a forest he’d been to many times in every universe, and flowers bloomed there in abundance year round.  

- - -

   Cloud jolted awake in a sweaty puddle before the others hours ago. His pulse was racing. A jumbled mess of emotions. It took everything to resist the urge to shake Tifa awake to make sure she was still breathing. They slept in peace, completely unaware. He ended up taking a walk to try and cool his head while the others slept. Aerith seemed distressed, he wished to comfort her the same way she'd done for him over and over. But he'd never taken that much initiative with her before. The longer he spent searching, the more it felt like any moment with her could be the last. 

    Then there was the more obvious issue. What the hell was Sephiroth doing? For two nights now Cloud had found her only for Sephiroth to intervene. It was like he was reliving the moment she was torn away at the Capital on repeat. But each time it got worse. Aerith had struck a deal with Sephiroth in return for his peace of mind. Any compromise with that bastard could only end with him taking the better half. If he even honored anything he promised. 

   Cloud thought back to her reluctance to reveal her location. It was possible her good nature was exploited for silence in exchange for their sake. That still didn’t explain why Sephiroth kept her around. What did he even have to offer? Aerith was so positive they would beat him. There shouldn’t be a reason to engage with him at all. The next time he ran into Sephiroth, he might just lob his head off. 

   The sounds of rustling not far off suddenly grew louder. At first Cloud thought it to be an animal, but muffled voices followed. He ducked behind a tree and listened. Not many people should know about this place. 

   “What the hell man, you said this was a shortcut.” A few Shinra troopers were rambling. 

   “It is, or at least that's what the lady at the inn said.”

   “Well she’s full of shit. It’s way past when we should have met our contact. And I don’t see trucks anywhere. I don’t see anything anywhere.”

   “What do you want me to do about it? Turn back time? I’ve got enough to deal with after that Wutain trash escaped. Those Turks have got us all under crack and wip to guard the town, I barely get any sleep, and that doctor gives me the creeps.” 

   Cloud remained extremely still as they approached. Yuffie might have been right. Something off was definitely going on further up. Whatever the Turks and that deranged scientist were involved in usually included Aerith one way or another. 

   “All I know is that if we're not back with the new equipment by tonight, Hojo's gonna end up stuffing us in the cages with the rest of those freaks.” The trooper sounded equally afraid as he was upset. It wasn't hard to believe they'd also gotten lost. 

   Cloud eased for his buster sword. Scaring these guys a bit might be enough to get more information out of them. And he couldn't let them keep wandering into the camp where Tifa and Nanaki were still sleeping. Just as he was about to jump out, he heard the sound of a man gag. It was a noise Cloud knew all too well. The sound of someone's last Breath. He peered around the corner and froze. 

    “Sephiroth?” 

   The demon was wiping his blade off on the dead man's uniform. The other goon fell to the ground and scurried backwards. Gasping in a panic induced fit, unable to even scream. Sephiroth put a finger to his lips while smiling devilishly at the trooper to keep quiet.  

   “Well, aren't you a long way from home?”

   “I-its y-you! You're supposed to be dead?” 

   “So I've heard.” He slowly approached the Shinra scum and flung his sword to remove any excess blood spoiling its surface. “Where were you headed? I know the way out.” The trooper was still hyperventilating. Trying not to look at his lifeless coworker. 

   “T-the coast! The professor is expecting a shipment from Costa del Sol there.” He hoped honestly would save him. 

   “Hmm.” Sephiroth raised his blade to the man's face.

   “Wait! I thought- Ngh!” A steady plunge sent Masamune through the man's heart.

   “Yes, you're free now.” The Silver Soldier stood for a moment before turning in Cloud's direction. “It appears my puppet has missed me.” 

   Cloud grit his teeth and came out swinging. Sephiroth anticipated as much, blocking the blow. His grin only widened.

   “You're a dead man!” Cloud growled.

   “I'm hearing that so often lately.” Sephiroth was practically giggling with glee. His favorite soldier was so easily ruffled. Cloud was more eager than usual to try landing the first hit. 

   “Aerith told me everything. When I find her, you'll wish you'd never been born.”

   “Ahh, did she?” Sephiroth couldn't remember the last time he felt this excited. Cloud always thought he had the bigger picture, but his fragmented mind only saw droplets. Cloud lunged again, only for Sephiroth to side step it altogether. Cloud's movements were precise. But the son of Calamity was just too quick. Every attack hit nothing but the ground. If Sephiroth was to keep his promise to Aerith, this encounter couldn't happen. Not that he was looking for the blonde Soldier. Fate just always worked out this way. 

   “Fight back damnit!” Cloud wasn't particularly fond of this humiliating game of chase. But it was the first time he'd found his foe without instantly getting headaches. This might be his best chance. 

   “A pity, I can't stay and play with you today.” Sephiroth displayed a mocking look of disappointment. Cloud seized the moment to regroup his strategy. He scanned the war hero for an opening. 

    “The hell?” Cloud was so focused on the wrist wielding Masamune, he didn't notice the bunch of flowers in his other hand. Something told him the son of Calamity hadn't come to pick a bouquet for himself. Clouds stomach twisted up. 

   “If you're bored you'll have to find another. Not that a puppet has true desires of their own.” 

   “You sure only spout bullshit. You're more empty than me. Your blood only runs cold, given you still even have a heart.”

   “Interesting… She said I'm rather warm.” His cat-like eyes fixated on Clouds' distraught body language. The boy hung onto every drawn out word. “Then again, my bed’s been kept so warm. It's hard to tell who's heat it is.” Sephiroth could barely contain his snicker. Cloud’s face was falling apart. It looked as terrible as he hoped. “Aerith can be a handful.”

  “I'll fucking kill you!” Cloud lunged. Only red filled his vision. The one possibility he'd pushed aside was being shoved in his face. He didn't even want to entertain the idea of Sephiroth invading her space in the night. How would she defend herself? Cloud thought this thing really was the devil reincarnated. 

   Sephiroth took to the air, just barely avoiding being cut. Cloud moved in a way he didn't know was possible. His blade had managed to slice the bottom of Sephiroth's coat and split a seam in his leg. 

   “Get back here!” Cloud bolted. Trying to grab the flying soldier's foot so he could slam his skull into the ground. Sephiroth was laughing. Having overstayed his welcome anyways. There was a shipment at the coast waiting to be incinerated. 

   “Sephiroth!” Cloud screamed till his body shook. He couldn't stay here any longer. They had to leave, now. 

   “Cloud!” Tifa and Nanaki were running towards him. But also, Yuffie? 

   Cloud struggled to pull his eyes from the sky. His fingers were tingling and his throat had gone dry.  

   “Aerith.” He died a bit thinking back to the very first time she'd asked for his help as a bodyguard. She was suffering, and it was all his fault. Sephiroth might have never known about her had he not dragged her along in this fight. Aerith wanted to help everyone, to the point she was reckless about putting herself on the Frontlines. No wonder she had cried. No one was that strong. Cloud's knees hit the ground and he tugged at his collar. He'd never felt this way. 

   “Cloud listen to me, breathe slowly.” Nanaki was speaking with his deeper voice. Tifa put a hand on his shoulder.  

   “Are you still with us?” She looked into his trembling eyes. 

   “Sephiroth is near,” Nanaki growled. He started sniffing the air. “Cloud… did you, see Aerith?” His question was laced with disbelief. 

    “What?” Tifa and Yufie began scanning the area curiously with their eyes. Cloud suddenly shot forward, grabbing his furry friend's shoulder.

   “No, but can you sense her?! Is she close?” The urgency in Cloud's voice made him consider if it would have been better to keep quiet. 

   “Not exactly.” He sniffed a few more times. “I smell something like her. But it's not the same. Something is… off.” He thought it best not to explain further. Realizing little good would come from trying to describe the way her scent had mixed with Sephiroth’s in an unnatural way. Just being around someone wasn’t enough to have their scent imprinted on you. If Aerith hadn’t physically been here, that meant Sephirth had touched her considerably. Sephiroth's scent was undeniable. It reeked of death and musk. Exactly like the creatures Hojo was constantly splicing together in the lab. But what lingered here was lighter, almost floral.

   “The heck have you guys been doing anyways? Weren't you on the way back?” Yuffie interjected. She thought she’d come and see what the hold up was. Cloud breathed deeply and composed himself. They had to get out of here first. 

   “No,” Tifa responded with defeat. “We never made it. We’re kinda lost actually.”

   “What?! You guys are barely an hour from where we landed though! You’re telling me you spent a day going nowhere?” 

   “It’s a bit more complicated than that,” Nanaki protested. “ This area is trying to keep us out. We walked till nightfall, yet somehow haven't moved.” 

   “Huh, are you sure that nose is working? I had no trouble at all.” Yuffie giggled, feeling quite proud of herself.

   “What are you doing here?” Cloud asked before securing his sword from behind. 

   “I come bearing gifts! And… a possible job? Fit for a merc?” Yuffie dug the toe of her shoe into the ground. They didn’t exactly leave off in the best way. 

   “I see.” Cloud crossed his arms, waiting. 

   “Look at this.” Yuffie held out a gold instrument. It looked like a harp. 

   “A musical device?” Tifa tilted her head curiously. 

   “My Wutain brethren gave it to me while we were digging. Turns out it’s supposed to help people pass through the forest safely!” Cloud took it from her and inspected the instrument. It didn't look particularly special. 

   “That's rather generous of someone you just met.” Nanaki eyed Yuffie, egging her to spill the rest. 

   “Well that's where our number one Merc comes in. In exchange, he asked if we’d help free the other Wutai prisoners being kept up north?” Yuffie’s sentence lost a bit of confidence. Afraid of upsetting Cloud. He sighed. 

   “Fine,” he agreed. The little Ninja looked up surprised.

   “Really?!” 

   “If it gets us out of here, sure.”

   “That's the spirit,” Tifa smiled reassuringly. Cloud had already decided they would need to go north, and Yuffie wasn’t entirely wrong about the ordeal. 

   “In that case, why not test this thing out? If it grants safe passage, we should arrive at the Forgotten Capital and be done before the sun ever sets.” Cloud nodded at Nanaki’s suggestion. Tucking the golden harp behind him. 

   “Let’s go.” 

- - -

   Aerith stood in front of the mansion's entrance. The door was quite heavy, but could be managed with her staff. She let the wind scrape past her cheeks a few times. Taking in the snowy mountains before closing the gap back up. Her fingers lingering on the knob. These feelings needed to be sorted immediately. Her affection for Cloud had been so clear to her. So easy. But when she thought of Sephiroth, she felt like she was making the hardest decision of her life. It shouldn't even be a question. Reject all of him. Why did he have to cling to her so? Holding her gently one moment and then touching her roughly the next. Just to mess with her heart? 

   She expected him to just lock her in that pathetic excuse of a room and fuck her when necessary until his lineage passed on. Yet he expected much more from her. Sometimes he did things he didn't have to. Had he given into her requests because he cared, or because he had nothing to lose regardless? Aerith squeezed her shoulder. He said things that made her heart ache. Things she'd never heard before. The war hero referred to her as beautiful, despite his own beauty clearly superseding all others. He even sought out her company. Usually she was the one holding onto the threads of dying relationships. A certain burden of ‘goodnesses' and ‘purity’ came with being the last Cetra. Accompanied by the constant cleanings at Shinra, afraid she'd be marred so easily. Yet he didn't act like she was dirty. Perhaps in his eyes nothing could blemish her. If anything he welcomed the ugly feelings that shrouded her childhood. 

    No one had ever desired her in such a way. She knew how plainly others perceived her. Her forthcoming personality didn't help much either in making friends. Perhaps that's why she had none before meeting Cloud. How much had he saved her out of responsibility versus his own will? Yet Sephiroth was here trying to create some freak of nature family with her. The whole thing was absurd. 

   Aerith huffed. Feeling like she must be rather easy. Too desperate to be loved. Just maybe a purpose was to be found here. Something she could do for the planet. After all, Meteor had always been summoned by now. The world should be crumbling. Yet another day stands. 

    “Cccetra… .” A strange hiss tickled the back of her brain. “So weak …. So vile.” Aerith gasped and spun in a circle. The voice was barely audible, yet the negative intention was clear as day. “How easily you've cast your kin aside, your love.”

   “Hello?” Aerith called out. Starting to trace back her steps through the house. 

    “Lustful whore, I will ruin you personally.” Aerith shook her head and walked a bit faster.

    “Am I dreaming?” She thought.

    “In exchange for your life, theirs will be lost.”

   “Stop that…” She put her hands to her ears. Her mind ached. The sounds in her head weren't like those of the planet. They were painful, like a migraine passing by. “No one's going to die. I'm going to make sure of it, you'll see.” Aerith encouraged herself. Shaking off the chill on her spine. The strange hissing faded away as quickly as it had appeared. Her mind was clearly overrun by guilt. 

   “Ugh.” She gripped her stomach, feeling like she might throw up. She told herself to ignore it. That what she feared wasn't the case. It wasn't possible. Even though enough time had indeed passed. Remembering to calm down, she noted that she still hadn't had a meal yet. “Yeah, that's it. I need to eat something.”

   Aerith wandered to the dinning hall and froze. The table was mutilated down the middle. Full of claw marks matching the indents of someone's fingers. Walking closer to inspect the cracked wood made her flush. How had she never noticed during that time? She slid her fingers over one of the dents that would have molded perfectly to the shape of Sephiroth's hand. She could almost imagine him gripping the table in a heated mess. Sending a rush of dizzying excitement down her spine. 

   Aerith shook off the feeling and grabbed a sandwich before sinking into a chair. A part of her wished to know what kind of magic Sephiroth used to keep food constantly available. Taking a generous bite, she chewed slowly. The flavors were certainly agreeable, but she found herself wanting to spit it out. Could she actually be pregnant? Was it supposed to feel this way? She felt more like she'd gotten a bad case of food poisoning. 

   For a moment, she held her belly. Wondering what a miniature Sephiroth would look like. Would it be a boy or a girl? Would it fly? She almost smiled trying to imagine anything slightly resembling the monster's face having an innocent expression. Maybe they would look like her. Could the brute even smile while holding a baby? Aerith suddenly slammed her chair back to stand. Holding her forehead. “Don’t imagine that, stupid.”

   Her ears twitched, there it was again. The sound of footsteps. They were so clear yet, far away? The last time she’d heard people it was the Turks. Sephiroth was usually quieter than a cat. Aerith ran out of the room to see where it was coming from. Pacing down the hall, she prepared to turn the corner. Keeping the staff in hand. 

   Sephiroth stared back at her with an equally curious expression. He had heard the pitter patter of her feet. But she looked rather serious while coming around the corner so sharply. 

   “Oh, it’s you.” Aerith relaxed her shoulders, lowering the rod. He lifted a brow, wondering what on earth she expected. She thought maybe her old senses were finally returning. 

    “Aerith.” He beckoned to her, holding out a hand. After blinking a few times she complied, accepting the gesture. His fingers coiled around hers, leading her closer until her chest nearly brushed his abdomen. She had to look straight up to see him. “Nothing comes to harm you.” 

    “Hypocrite.” Her thoughts were a mess, eyes obviously unconvinced. Sephiroth didn’t want her to feel unsafe here. Shinra coming once was a mistake that should have never happened. He stroked her head fondly, even though he wasn’t really gone for that long. He was smiling at her, so smitten with everything. Aerith couldn’t take it. She buried her face in his chest so she wouldn’t have to see his victory. The faint smell of fire and ash lingered on him. An arm wrapped around her back. “Can I really try loving this person? Is that allowed?” 

   “Here.” Aerith felt something ticklish brush her shoulder. Her vision filled with a blur of various purple and white flowers once she turned her head. “You’ll find more use for them than I.” 

    “Stop. Just stop this game already.” Her sanity screamed at her. All she could do was stare. What on earth was he trying to do? How was she supposed to play pretend lovers while the planet's demise approached. He held them out for her to take, but the stiffness in her heart was suffocating. She turned back into his coat where only darkness covered her line of sight. Wishing to disappear into the void. With both hands she embraced his waist. Gripping tightly at his leather jacket. It wasn’t really the reaction he expected. She seemed both displeased yet clingy at the same time. 

   “Has something happened?” Sephiroth tore his eyes from her, searching for anything off in the hall. Aerith shook her head but he wasn't satisfied with that. She’d barely spoken after this morning. 

   She couldn't mention the nausea. Not until she was sure. Half of her wondered if this man had the ability to know if something grew inside before even her. Aerith took a deep breath before backing away. The blooms were still suspended, waiting to be claimed. She took the bundle. Smelling their delicate petals. The scent of sunshine and soil. He must have gone pretty far.

   “Thank you.” She managed, glancing at him shyly. Sephiroth’s eyes narrowed on her red cheeks. He clenched his fists, trying not to grab her. 

   “What were you doing?” 

   “Huh? Oh, having lunch, sorta.” 

   “Sorta?” Sephiroth thought it was peculiar. Eating with her staff ready to go? Aerith couldn’t say she was daydreaming about babies. His babies. She blushed at the thought, using the flowers to cover her face before turning back the way she came.

   “Anyway, these are gonna need water or they’ll die.” Sephiroth simply followed her to the dining room. She always kept him unsure. For better or for worse. 

Chapter Text

   Aerith had already turned a kraft of water into a makeshift vase. The flowers alone brought new life into the dining room. And she paid special care to arrange the stems meticulously. Sephiroth sat indifferently with his chin resting above the knuckles of his hand. Finding the whole thing rather silly. Surely the flowers looked exactly the same weather you placed them in all at once or one at a time. A faint smile danced across her face every so often once she was satisfied with the order. So maybe it was worth it.

   “Do you like them that much?”

   “Yes.” Aerith was still staring at the vase proudly with a hand on her hip. “A flower's lifespan is short. It takes so much just to see them bloom once a year. But I've never met a gardener that regretted it.” 

   “These survived on their own.”

   “Hmm, well that's because Midgar is different. Nothing grows there easily.”

   “I am aware.”

   “Then you understand how important a florist's work is.”

   “Stripping the land of its ability to form life, you think it a favor to grow back a fraction of what was destroyed. Yes, very important.”

   “You’re no fun at all, you know that?” Aerith's cheeks slightly puffed out. He just couldn't help spoiling even the tiniest moments of peace. Talking like he alone wasn't the planet's biggest problem.

   “Our definitions of fun are different.”

   “Please share then.” she looked at him quite seriously until a sly grin spread across his face. As if the damaged table wasn't between them. “Never mind, I take that back.” Aerith put up a hand and sat back down. Staring at the unfinished sandwich from earlier. She knew she had to try again. Not eating would just make her sicker. Especially if something else was inside of her. Taking a deep breath, she gripped the food. With big bites she hoped to finish it quickly and be done worrying. 

   The son of Calamity let her entertain his evening. This Cetra was rather strange. One moment picking at toast, and the next attempting to swallow it whole. Aerith coughed as the dry bread stuck to her throat. Sephiroth moved a glass of water beside her. 

   “I assure you, the food will not disappear. You may go at your own pace.” A wave of ease hit seeing her appetite return. The last two days she seemed off. 

   “I know.” She wiped her mouth. Eyeing the last bite with determination. By the time Sephiroth returned to his spot, she had swallowed the last few crumbs. “So where did you go? Did you pick these from a nest of thorns?” Aerith gestured towards his torn coat. The edge of his lip tugged upwards. The excitement of seeing Cloud so absolutely worn down needed to be contained. Something like that couldn't happen again for the time being. Although, technically Cloud came to him. 

   “Disposing a nuisance.” 

   “What does that mean?”

   “Heh.” When was the last time someone had bothered about his day? Filing reports from his time at Shinra didn't seem to count. “Hojo's caused a disturbance. You could say some of his equipment was removed.” 

   Aerith hesitated to pry any further. Not that she cared if any harm came to that scientist. But whatever Sephiroth spent his time on, innocent bystanders would likely be caught in the middle. 

   “I don't know how you lived with him. I might've gone insane to-” Before she could stop herself, words had formed. The beautiful Soldier stared at her. “Sorry. That was kind of rude wasn't it.” Aerith fidgeted when his expression shifted. Not that his smile had been any less sinister. Maybe he was unaware others saw him as a madman, or just didn't care. There was still a lot she didn't understand about this person. 

   “I simply did. Without choice. In absence of something to compare yourself to, how does one know anything is amiss?” 

   “I suppose.” Aerith clenched her skirt. Had her own mother not loved her so dearly. Perhaps she would have grown up thinking the experiments were normal. 

   “I barely saw the professor. Whatever you've imagined is not the case.”

   “What about your mom?” She held her breath. His finger tapped the table's surface before going still. The air seemed to drop a few degrees. Mother wasn't just some random thing of the past. It was hard to think her question was just innocent curiosity. Still, Aerith refused to pick another topic. Determined to wait in silence until he left or deflected. 

   “Mother, was preserved in a lab.”

   “But did you ever meet before that?”

   “...No. Shinra works quickly.”

   “Then how did you find out?”

   “Fate. She calls unto me. To free her from such slumber.” Sephiroth's pupils thinned, appearing to see somewhere not here. “But Together, I son of Jenova, shall reset the broken planet.”

   “She said that?” Aerith tried to sound neutral. Resisting the urge to tell him the entire thing was lunacy. 

   “She wills it. All lost souls will rightfully perish within her.” Jenova was sounding less and less physical. Aerith couldn't fully discern how he was born. Unless Hojo lied and Sephiroth was just another creation. Perhaps Hojo thought feigning parenthood would force a bond between them that made the first Soldier subservient to Shinra's military. Either way, the sudden shift of bloodlust wasn't particularly nice. He didn't seem to have had a single human interaction with his mother. Aerith cleared her throat.

   “So, did they keep you in a cell? Afraid you’d find out?”

   “They didn’t need one.” Looking back, it was rather comical. The young boy who only dreamed of normalcy was loyal to fault. “I had my own quarters, and training.”

   “So you must have been allowed outside.” That might be why she never saw a silver haired boy in the labs. Sephiroth was given a longer leash. While her and Ilfana were seen as less than human, not even deserving of a window.

   “Missions start as early as twelve. I'd seen most of the planet before my sixteenth.”

   “What was your favorite place?”

   “Favorite?”

   “Yeah, as in the most interesting place to travel.”

   Sephiroth couldn't answer. Missions weren't vacations. Although his fellow First class comrades often enjoyed the spoils of local bars and company. Each region was vastly different, but he couldn't ever focus on those luxuries. Until a mission was finished, the ability to unwind just wasn't in him. 

   Aerith supposed the question was more difficult than expected. Sephiroth's face was complex. As if she had spoken a different language. He was like a perfect Shinra machine, the concept of having something favorable to look back on didn't exist. She forced down the sliver of sympathy tugging at her stomach. Reminding herself he didn't deserve it. 

   “Well I don't have a favorite either. I still haven't even seen most of Gaia. Kinda silly, being a Cetra and all. You think I’d know ”

   “You could have if you left Midgar.”

   “It's not that simple.”

   “I doubt the Turks alone could hold you.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. Contemplating the efforts even he had exercised in order to confine the Cetra. 

   “Not exactly. My mom and I were kept in a place without sunlight. Never knowing how much time was lost. By the time I made it out of the lab, the sectors were... a lot.” Aerith glanced out the windows. The sky here stretched out forever. “The steel sky was safe. It felt like home.” She suddenly thought of Elmyra. Wondering what she was up to right now. 

   “And now?” The question startled her.

   “I dunno. I haven't thought about it.” She couldn't imagine leaving her church for good. Yet it didn't seem right to return to Midgar after everything either. The open land of endless possibilities scared her as much as they held excitement. Aerith couldn't shake the feeling it was some awful conditioning she'd picked up from spending her childhood in the labs. Once her fate was sealed, it never mattered if she had a home or not. She was always one with the lifestream by now.

   “I am your home now.” The flower girl's eyes widened. Clutching her stomach. What a terrifying idea. It almost sounded romantic. Sephiroth rose from his chair and held out his hand. He didn't have to say anything. Aerith was already abandoning her spot to meet him.

- - -

   Getting back to the Capital was almost too easy after obtaining the Lunar harp. Not even a single monster crossed their path. It was eerily quiet though. The last time they'd arrived, the sky exploded with the shrills of whispers tearing through space. Now just the empty remains of a lost civilization lingered. The structures still standing had been overgrown and cracked due to time. This place desperately hung on, but life had undoubtedly moved forward without it. 

   Cloud imagined this place as something grand and mysterious. Yet it just reeked of loneliness. The remains almost gave off a similar feeling to Nibelheim after being burnt. He had thought Aerith might find comfort here, getting to revisit the home of her people. But no warm feelings could be found. If anything she probably felt more separated. Born too late. 

   “Where should we start,” Tifa asked. “This place is bigger than I remember.” 

   “The ruins. I last saw Aerith at the altar.”

   “Don’t let your guard down,” Nanaki warned. “We may not be entirely alone.”

   “Just great.” Yuffie stayed close behind the furry companion. She’d rather let him lead the way. Tifa hung back a bit to match Cloud’s stride.

   “Hey Cloud, you okay?” 

   “Why wouldn't I be?” 

   “I don’t know. You just looked really upset after Sephiroth showed up.” At the time she didn’t dare ask about the Shinra troopers bleeding out not far from where they found him. She was almost relieved Sephiroth gave her someone to blame it on. Cloud sometimes acted like a different person. Killing random troopers for no reason wasn’t something she’d ever imagine him being capable of. But in reality it was something he’d already done. 

   “Yeah well, he’s an asshole." Cloud clenched his fists. He needed to keep it together. Having a clear goal helped him focus for the time being. Everytime he thought of what Sephiroth said he wanted to rip something apart. 

   “Did he mention something?” 

   “...No.” Cloud's voice hardened. He had to stop thinking about it. But Sephiroth’s voice was drowning out his own. “My bed’s been kept so warm lately.”

   “Cloud?” Tifa was looking more worried.

   “I’m fine.” His tone was sharp. Clearly not being honest. 

   “What if… never mind” Tifa hesitated. She couldn’t say it. Not right now. But it was at the front of her mind. What if they didn’t find Aerith? Would Cloud ever return to normal? 

   After entering the great fortress, Cloud slowly retraced his steps. Taking note of anything that might be different. Nanaki also checked the ground thoroughly, yet couldn’t smell much of anything out of the ordinary.

   “So uh, do we know what we’re looking for?” Yuffie called out from behind a few pillars. The sanctuary was massive. Made up of several crystalized platforms held together by interconnecting bridges. If someone accidentally fell off the edge, an endless pit of Mako would swallow you. 

   “You’ll know when you see it,” Cloud said. He needed to believe that. 

   “Where exactly did Sephiroth show up? Aerith might have dropped something there.” Tifa was staring up at the ceiling. The green glow encapsulating everything was so hauntingly beautiful. 

   “There.” Cloud pointed to the largest platform in the middle of the fortress. It was illuminated by a light leaking out from the surface above. His heart started beating away the closer they got. This place filled him with dread. He couldn’t explain it, but this place evoked nothing but misery. He could still see her kneeling there. If only he started running sooner, was just a bit faster, then maybe things would have been different. 

   “I wish she hadn’t come alone.” Tifa held her elbow. Staring at the eerie altar of light. “We should have never let her walk away like that.”  

   “You didn’t know. Aerith can be stubborn.” Cloud tried to sound as comforting as possible, even if his tone often came across as stale. Tifa always appreciated the effort anyway. He walked under the light and looked up to where Sephiroth had come down. It gave him the strangest sense of Deja Vu. Suddenly, his skull started to ache. 

   “Ngh!” Cloud gripped his head in pain. Heeling over. The migraines may have subsided for a while, but now the pain ate away as though it had never left. Tifa ran over and took his arm.

   “Cloud! Are you okay? Whats wrong?” She tried shaking him out of it, but he wasn’t responding. She’d just have to wait it out. She remembered faintly every time Aerith had touched him, his panic attacks would vanish. But that must have been related to her healing powers. Powers she didn’t have, Tifa felt so helpless. Just like the young girl trying to cradle the remains of her father. “I’m here okay?” 

   “I got this,” he managed. Cloud took deep breaths as sweat started to form on his forehead. 

   “Let’s look somewhere else. I don't see anything here.” Tifa guided him back down the stairs. He kept cradling his head until the pain eased, despite never fully going away. This couldn’t be all there was. Something else had to be here. They regrouped with Yuffie and Nanaki at the bottom floor.

   “Find anything?” Yuffie shouted.” Tifa just shook her head. 

   Cloud rummaged through his pockets and took out the empty Materia. Still he felt nothing from it. No power, no secret message. Just a cherished remnant of someone he lost. He gripped the orb, realizing this was the only thing of Aerith’s that he had left.

   “What's that?” Yuffie asked while getting closer. Her eyes lit up. “Is that some new kind of Materia? I’ve never seen anything like it.” 

   “Hm? Not exactly.” Cloud turned to her thinking it was difficult to explain. 

   “Can I touch it?” 

   “Yuffie, that's not a toy -” Nanaki tried to warn her but the Ninja was already reaching for the empty sphere. 

   “Hey!” Cloud yelled as she grabbed for it. He pulled his hand back but the young girl's fingers were already curing around the top. Yuffie’s curiosity often got the better of her. Before they knew it the Materia was rolling on the ground and into the the lifestream. “No!” Cloud ran after the orb.

   “Cloud wait! Thats pure Mako!” Tifa called after him fearfully. He didn’t even hear her voice. Already knee deep in the liquid and rummaging around. 

   “The area is shallow here,” Nanaki assured her. “But prolonged exposure could be troublesome.”

   The Materia being colorless didn't make finding it any easier. But he couldn’t let it go. Aerith had left it specifically to him. He shuffled a bit further until his boot kicked something. Like a mad vulture Clouds arms dug into the lifestream and gripped the sphere with both hands. Pulling it back out, his relief was short lived. His mind filled with static, accompanied by sharp pulsing waves of pain. 

   “Ah!” He shouted and fell to his knees. Memories filled his mind. Awful memories, or perhaps illusions. Things he couldn’t remember or understand. Yet they felt so real. He saw Aerith praying. Sephiroth too, but not like before. Aerith was bleeding out, and Masamune was protruding through her back. Sephiroth didn’t flee, he was laughing. “Not again,” he thought. The nightmares were seeping into real life. But the vision kept playing out. He was holding her, crying for her, but she wouldn’t wake up. And dream Aerith wasn’t here to comfort him like in his sleep. Then it was Jenova, remembering having destroyed a piece of the abomination. And then he felt his heart stop beating for a moment. Cloud watched himself carry Aerith's body into the lifestream. This very pool. And he let her go. Cloud couldn’t breath, he was yelling at himself not to leave her there. 

   “Hey, are you awake!?” Nanaki’s voice ripped the Soldier from his trance. 

   Cloud slowly opened his eyes. Everyone was soaking wet and peering down at him. He groaned and found the strength to sit up. 

   “Thank goodness.” Tifa sighed. 

   “I’m sorry,” Yuffie cried. “I didn’t mean to.” While everyone relaxed a little, Cloud was completely lost in his mind. He couldn’t believe anything he saw anymore. He glanced down at the Materia in his hand.

   “The hell?” He mumbled. The color had slightly changed. Now a subtle shade of white. Still very translucent, but not completely empty. And warm. It almost emitted a soothing effect. 

   “What happened?” Nanaki asked. 

   “I don’t know. I think… I saw the future? Or the past?” 

   “Are you sure you're okay? We had to pull you out.” Tifa said while trying to assess his condition.

   “Nanaki, you said you and Aerith lost your memories. Because of the Whispers right? I think I just saw some of them.”

   “What did you see?”

   “Something that almost happened, or hasn't yet?” Cloud squeezed the Materia one last time before tucking it away. “Let's head North. We found what we needed.” 

   “Huh?” Tifa just stared at him, she didn't understand at all. But Cloud was already walking away. It all made sense now. Cloud's mind flashed over every past conversation he had with Aerith in Midgar. 

    “Why didn't you tell me?” He remembered Aerith saying he couldn't fall in love with her. That she always acted like each day with him was the last. Talking like it was goodbye. She knew the whole time. She didn't want him to blame himself. “It's too late for that, I do blame myself.” Clouds feet strode faster. “Is that why you don't want us to find you? Because you're going to die? Says who?” He suddenly felt very queasy. Aerith had told him she would take care of Sephiroth in the forest. Was she going to try to kill him herself? Cloud couldn't tell the order of things very clearly. Was the vision of Sephiroth murdering her after he took her or was that an alternative event? 

   Whatever it was. He thought Aerith must have wanted him to see the truth here. To change fate. If she survived, then their victory might be unrivaled.

   “Cloud wait! Where are you going?” Tifa and the others finally caught up to him. He turned with a fire in his eyes that had been missing. 

   “Chocobo’s will get us as far as the first snowy mountain. We'll hike from there to icicle inn and intercept the Turks. Aerith is somewhere up there.” 

   “What about the others?” Yuffie asked. 

   “Can you get back alone?”

   “Duh! They don't call me the white rose for no reason! And don't forget I'm not the one who walked in circles for a day.” Cloud almost smiled for the kid.

   “Good. Tell the others so they know where to find us when they're ready.” Cloud handed her the harp for a safe journey back. “And we'll find the Wutai prisoners. All of them.” Yuffie’s face lit up.

   “Aye captain!” She saluted with a smile before running off.  

   “How do you know Aerith is North? Just a hunch?” Nanaki asked.

   “No. She told me.”

- - -

   Aerith had never just “hung out” with the great war hero, if she could even call it that. He was reading something on the couch. She hid behind his desk, silently pretending to be absorbed in her own thing. It was impossible to read around him. Just staring mindlessly at the same page, not a single word registered for her. He usually wasn't around this much. Every so often she stole a glance at his perfectly still demeanor.

   Sephiroth could sense her fidgeting. Her arms kept changing positions while her legs alternated the knee it crossed. This was the easiest way to keep an eye on her. Her condition this morning wasn't ideal. Yet she moved on rather quickly, or at least appeared to. He was curious how she might try to uphold her end of the deal. Less she be foolish enough to attempt running again. For the moment Shinra wouldn't be an issue. He'd burned four ships. Scattered beneath the sea forever. He didn't want to see another drone for at least a week. 

   Aerith couldn't understand what about an essay documenting lifestream pools was so amusing. He was smiling to himself. The silver monster almost looked docile. Like someone who didn’t have murder at the top of their entertainment list. She wondered if this was the only shadow left of Sephiroth's former self. If this image was what everyone fell in love with and admired. 

   “If you wish to say something, say it.” The accusation made her jolt.

   “Not at all.” She quickly shoved her nose back in the book. 

   “I did not know you had the ability to read through paper.” He grinned while flipping his own page. She frowned at the document below her, just how much was he paying attention? 

   “Well maybe I can.” Aerith put her head in her hands. Not knowing how much longer she could pretend to care about this Shinra Journal. It dated the company's origins, but it was written so pompously. Clearly no one loved Shinra more than himself. It read more like the finest bullshit propaganda she's ever seen. Opposed to an educational history lesson. She wondered if all Soldiers were handed something like this for training. “Reading anything good?” She asked out of boredom.

   “Come closer and see for yourself.”

   “I don't want to disturb you.”

   “Is that why you sit so far?” 

   “No, the light is just better over here.” The truth was recently she sometimes felt a pull towards him. It was like nothing she'd known before. And she couldn't quite control the urge. The first time was when they returned from the crater, and the second was after he'd made her pledge her loyalty. Like an invisible string reeling her in. She wanted to touch his hair, his hands, hear his voice, and both times it'd ended with her agreeing to undress for him. Aerith knew she found him attractive, but not enough to throw her dignity out the window. Even if that's what kept happening.

   “Aerith, come.” Her arms filled with goosebumps. He kept calling her name in the most alluring ways. She walked over without much thought and let him take her wrists. “Sit.”

    "In his lap?" She thought. There wasn't much time to consider. He tugged until her knees bent. One of his thighs alone was big enough to sit on. His shoulder cradled her stiff back. Taking a gloved hand around her knees, he scooted her closer.

   “What are you doing?” She stammered. 

   “Helping you get a better look. Since you wish to stare at me so.”

   “Are you always so full of yourself?” 

   “No, you are dishonest.” He kept saying that about her. She hated being thought of as a liar. But he just had to be so damn smug about everything. 

   “I was just looking a little.” Her attention went to the open pages on her lap. He was using her like a book stand, resting his arms around her. 

   “Do you like what you see?”

   “...” Obviously it'd be a lie to say no. There was nothing about him outright unpleasant to look at. “Well, you're very beautiful.” She tried to sound matter of fact. Like it was more of an observation than her feelings.

   “Oh?” He said coyly, leaning closer. As if he didn't already know. Sephiroth was no different than forbidden fruit to humans. He rested his cheek on the back of her head. 

   Aerith's limbs locked up. He was acting so sweetly. It was too different from the one who threatened to multiply her nightmares. He flipped another page. Even his hand was attractive. Moving gracefully. She licked her lip. That unexplainable pull was tightening around her heart. Accompanied by a familiar wave of nausea. It made her dizzy, unable to focus. All she wanted to do was grab him. 

   “Breath Aerith.” Sephiroth's arm slid around her waist and rubbed her side. She gasped, not realizing she'd forgotten. “Hm, you are distracted.”

   “You're too close.” Aerith started fidgeting. “Doesn't your leg hurt?” Her butt squirmed around until her legs slipped apart. Feeling his thigh rub up between her. The subtle motion made her cheeks burn. Every part of him was so solid. She immediately scooted herself into a different position. 

   “Still yourself.” His warning grated on her ears and Aerith went rigid. Something shifted behind. Slowly her body relaxed back into his shoulder. Trying not to stimulate him further. She was becoming increasingly flustered by the bulge. “Ignore it.”

   “How am I supposed to do that?” She thought. The harder she tried not to think about it, the more it consumed her mind. Sephiroth was already back to reading. She couldn't believe it. Now of all times he chose to show self control. She wanted to slap him. Realizing all those other times he had just chosen not to. 

   Sephiroth started to think maybe this wasn't a good idea. She was supposed to be resting. Instead her pulse fired up wildly and echoed in his ears. He thought to try his hand at her idea of ‘intimacy’. It put her to sleep last time. "Just being near someone” she had said before crawling on top of him. Surely this was less erotic than that. Apparently the flower girl had a strange idea of what she considered tempting. 

   Aerith kept growing restless. He was right there but it wasn't close enough. She couldn't pinpoint this desire. It didn't entirely seem like her own. The burn between her legs was one thing. But the craving to touch him was hypnotic. She needed to distance herself. Go back to her room, anything. Abstaining was no easier than suffering some sort of withdrawal.

   Then a ridiculous thought came to her. Why shouldn't she get to touch him? He'd invaded her space countless times.

   Aerith shifted around and grabbed his front straps. Hoisting herself up to kiss his cheek. He put the book down in disbelief. The flower girl was crawling onto her knees to tower above him. Gaining the advantage. She found his eyes were truly mesmerizing in low light. With both hands she kissed him deeply. When he tried to kiss her back, she refused. He'd tasted so much of her, but Aerith had barely explored him at all. Sephiroth stroked her backside till she melted. Slumping back into his lap she noticed the hard bulge clearly between her legs. Her lips latched onto his neck as her mind emptied. 

   Sephiroth tamped his restraint as the flower girl straddled his lap. Her lips graced his skin tenderly. Instinct told him to rip her clothes off and bend her over the bookshelf for even trying to take him on. But the sudden shift was out of sorts. Only this morning he declared she could never see her love again. Refusing to even look him in the eye. 

   Aerith's hands slipped under his jacket. Every fingertip pressing into his pectorals. The pursuit to feel all of him was stifled by the buckles around his waist. He might have welcomed her touch, but he knows it can't end with just this. There was no rational need to entangle further. She'd been filled with his seed already. His loads were always large, remnants would incubate her womb for days.

   “Was it not enough?” Sephiroth cradled her cheek with his hand. Smiling at his needy Cetra.

   “No, it's not enough.” She tugged on his coat while kissing the inside of his palm. A sliver of her sanity returned and she dug her nails into his hand enough to sting. “What have you done to me?”

   “Exactly as I promised.” Sephiroth settled by her ear, lowering his voice. “You will never be able to leave Aerith. I will make you beg on your knees every night.” The declaration almost made her whimper. She was already unbuckling his pauldrons when he cupped her face. “Is your body up for it?”

   “Since when do you care,” she sighed breathlessly before kissing him again. He found the statement rather unpleasant. He shouldn't care. Yet he considered himself to have been quite accommodating for her. The thought of trying to care more spread a sickly sensation through his gut. He was a God, she was a tool. He didn't need to be gentle at all. If he hadn't needed her child he could fuck her until her bones shattered and be done with this game of house.

   Aerith rode her hips into him. Letting her hands slip behind his neck. Even when she was being assertive, her touch was softer than he deserved. Sephiroth's pants became painfully restrictive. In truth he wanted her to remain in his presence for a very long time. A clear decision eluded him. And any reasoning to deny her further was quickly melting. Her hand reached between them to stroke the stiff bunch of leather. 

   “Let me touch you.” She pleaded. “Or else it's not fair.” 

   “Get on your knees.” He already knew what he wanted to do to her a long time ago.

   “I am.”

   “On the ground.” She swallowed nervously, moving one leg at a time. In a haze she found herself between his legs. His eyes looked wild from below. Sephiroth took her chin. Roughly dragging his thumb over her lips while undoing his pants. 

   By the time he pulled away, she was practically panting. He held back his erection, waiting for her to take it. With shaky hands, Aerith reached forward. Sephiroth sharply inhaled the moment her chilly fingers wrapped around his cock.

   She massaged him between her fingers without much strategy, just wanting to feel the silky texture. It sent shivers down his spine. Her hands moved around him. Stroking the already wet tip. He was being rather quiet, but Aerith could see the muscles in his legs tense up every so often. She tried remembering the time in the bath. Both hands squeezed a little tighter. A low groan escaped him. Slowly her hands moved up and down. It was so stiff. Again she stopped after reaching the base. 

   “Aerith,” He growled. She was toying with him. Being far too delicate. And every movement intensified the blood pulsing through his member. 

   The memory of Sephiroth's mouth over her bottom consumed her. Wondering if hers would serve him the same way. Biting her lip, she leaned in and kissed the slit near the head. Licking the spot once afterwards. Aerith glanced up hoping to find any direction from his expression. He looked so serious, making it hard to know what he found enjoyable.

   Sephiroth was clenching the sofa in his fists, considering what he might do if he grabbed her instead. She took his silence as permission to just keep going.

   Once more Aerith let her lips leave a trail of kisses on the way down. Her hands moved with her, pressing the hard surface to her mouth. She licked him more feverishly. Swirling her tongue and sometimes sucking on the spot. When her nose brushed his pelvis, she cupped the skin around his balls. The area was soft and malleable, but made him sigh all the same.

   Warm saliva was coating him. Quickly cooling each time her lips moved. Her tongue dragged slowly back up the entire base of his shaft to the top. The taste was saltier than she anticipated.

   “Do you wish to please me?” His fingers were sliding through her hair. Stopping at the base of her bow.

   She nodded hesitantly. Unable to tear her eyes away from his. A hint of her true self was buried behind them, trying to crawl away. Maybe to run from herself. Sephiroth tugged her closer until her cheek rubbed against his cock. Letting the secreted fluid decorate her face. Her submission made him grin. 

   “Open your mouth.” The drum of Aerith's heart in her ears was deafening. The moment her lips parted he pushed through. Her tongue glided over the slippery tip first. The further he went, the tighter her throat got. He was halfway when she felt him bump the back of her throat. The jab made her cough.

   Just as she tried to pull away Sephiroth's grip on her braid tightened. He only allowed her to recoil so far. Aerith's eyes squeezed shut. It was hard to breathe. But the vibrations only stimulated him further. Her struggling face was more alluring than he imagined. 

   “Take all of it,” Sephiroth demanded. She breathed through her nose and tried again. When his cock hit the back, he kept pushing. “Just like that.”

   Aerith found the sensation uncomfortable, borderline suffocating. But to him the warmth was a delight. The rough contractions from her choking had his cock pulsing. Every swallow for oxygen brought him further to the edge. She barely noticed how unrefined her moans were. Fighting to find a rhythm that allowed her to breathe through the snug fit. 

   “Use your tongue Aerith.” His hand eased her head back and forth. Encouraging her to lick more greedily and suck with confidence. Each thrust has his cock visibly stretching through her throat. The heat wrapping him was delicious when accompanied by the occasional whine triggered by his fingers tugging a bit harder on her hair each time. “Good.” He purred. Sephiroth's breaths had become quite heavy. Closing his eyes every so often.

   Despite her cheeks growing sore, nothing compared to the burn spreading through her lower abdomen. She could feel her underwear getting damp. The slurping from moving her lips back and forth were absolutely shameful. She moved a bit faster due to her own impatience until teeth grazed his skin. The subtle sting had the great war hero hissing. Aerith's inexperience might have resulted in a rougher embrace, but he liked it that way. Her body was incapable of truly damaging his. So every small nip and squeeze from her surged a rush of excitement. The hand around her head demanded more. And she let him overtake her. Pushing all the way down until she couldn't breathe. 

   Sephiroth tore away that pink bow before twisting her braid around his fist. Hearing her gasp made him almost burst. She was completely his.

   Holding her in place, he began bucking his hips into her. Fucking her mouth diligently. He had to know what endless bounds of bliss she could provide. His entire length sawed through her throat. Savoring every thrust burned by the friction of such a tight entry. His movements quickly turned more erratic. Fucking through her obvious discomfort.

   His hand held the power of a hundred men, and they both knew she wasn't going anywhere until he was finished. She braced his thighs, trying not to pass out. He growled and shoved one last time until her nose brushed his pubic bone. 

   Aerith gagged as tears stung the edge of her eyes. Hot liquid spurt down her throat. It felt like she was drowning. She moaned under the pressure. He pressed harder, letting her milk every last drop. There was no choice but to start swallowing. She forced herself not to think about the bitter and thick taste. Requiring several gulps to clear the way.

   Even the sensation of her devouring his seed was euphoric. Reluctantly, he loosened his grip and pulled out. Only a thin streak of fluid spilled from her mouth. Sephiroth's hands embraced the flower girl's cheeks affectionately. She was heaving and red faced. Lips swollen. Drunk on him. He stroked her face, bending down to kiss her head.

   “You're doing so well. Hopefully your dinner won't be spoiled.” His devilish grin parted just enough to reveal a hint of his canines. "I wont grow tired of this." he thought. 

   “I'm full now.” Aerith could only shake her head. Panting, she licked her upper lip. His eyes lit up with feral delight before lunging forward. Flattening her along the ground.

   “Did you enjoy it that much?“ His hand was slipping under her dress. Aerith sighed and sunk into his touch. The pleasure had almost drowned out her nausea when a sharp pain twisted into her stomach. 

   “Nnhg!” She started coughing violently again and rolled onto her side. The abrupt change put Sephiroth on alert. He reached for her shoulder, trying to steady her. 

   “Aerith.” He called firmly. The coughing only grew more violent until red colored her hands. She covered her mouth to control the splatter. The pain in her stomach was unbearable. Heeling over to grip herself, she cried out in agony. Sephiroth moved her upright and cradled the girl. He couldn't understand. Wiping the blood off her mouth did little good. She gasped once more before the coughing fit subsided. 

   “It hurts.” Her voice had gone soft. 

   “Shhh.” Sephiroth listened closely. Her heart seemed undamaged. Perhaps healing Materia would be enough. He cursed himself. He shouldn't have indulged so much. Should have sent her to her room. He knew she was delicate, but what the hell was this? “Aerith,” he called. Gently shaking her shoulders. Her eyes had closed, falling unconscious. “Shit.” Sephiroth hugged her closely. He had hoped for early signs of pregnancy, but this was something else unaccounted for. Lifting her, he made haste to the nearest bathroom. 

Chapter Text

   Life in the grasslands never struggled. Aerith saw it often in dreams. Although her memory of the lush plains was few, the time spent here was precious. The chill of watching it all wither into dust before her eyes made her want to scream in anger. Calamity erupted from the skies. And she was forced to watch like a bug pinned to the sterile tables of Shinra's lab while it swallowed the planet's beauty.

   “A new future. The one you've made Cetra. How wonderful.”

   “You don’t know me. This version of the end isn't possible.”  Aerith was becoming familiar with the nasty shadow lurking within her mind. She finally realized the thoughts were too dark to be her own.

   “Feast your eyes on those forced to take your place.” The low hiss snickered.

   It was difficult to peel her eyes away from the end of all things. But she had to look, her body was moving on its own. A row of stones protruded from the ground beside her. Eight neat little graves disrupting the flat rotting soil. Aerith's lungs found it hard to function, her palms grew sweaty. 

   “That's not right. It's not the way things are meant to be.”

    “And yet it is. All for a few extra years of your pathetic life. How does it feel to change destiny?”

   “It can't be. I won't let it.” Aerith closed her eyes. She had to shift the nightmare, but the scene remained locked. Trapped in her one place left she knew tranquility. Her heart wildly thrashed about. Cloud was still alive. He wouldn't fail.

    “Don't be shy, bask in your choices.” The voice prickled the flower girls back. “Look, he's taking your place. The love you've betrayed. How human of you.”

    Clenching her fists, her eyes slowly opened. Back in the Capital. She was getting sick of this place. Cloud knelt the altar, a perfect mirror of her past executions. 

    “Cloud!” She bolted over the stairs and shook the unresponsive ex Soldier. “C'mon, wake up. We have to go.” His body folded over like a doll in her arms. Revealing the thin slit that had pierced his back. Covered in the blood leaking through his uniform. Aerith quickly inspected the wound. “No, Cloud please! Not you, it can't be you.” She swallowed what felt like sandpaper in her throat, she had to fix this.

   “Re… union.” His blue lips quivered.

   "Cloud?" Aerith's gasp for relief was cut short when he pushed her away. Finding his footing without sparing her a glance to shuffle away. Smoke enveloped the limping body, dressing him in a torn black robe. He hobbled with determination to join a mass of other hooded men. Mindless wanderers, nothing more than walking corpses. ‘Don't go!” Aerith shot up and ran after him. Tugging on his arm, trying to drag him back with inadequate strength. As a last resort she flung her arms around him from behind, hoping he'd snap out of it. "Fight it!" She pleaded. 

   “Why are you upset?” The boy in her arms slowly turned. But Cloud's face had vanished. “Aren't you satisfied?”

   “You…” Aerith immediately tried to back away, but her hands were immediately caught.

   “I couldn't have done it without you.” It looked like Sephiroth. But his voice mimicked the hiss in her mind. 

   “Let go.” She yanked her arms furiously to no avail. Sephiroth leaned closer, his eyes were so wide.  Aerith could have sworn specks of purple flickered within his thin pupils.

   “But you're the one clinging to me. This is just the beginning of our eternity.”

   “I didn't agree to this.”

   “Oh but you did.” He snickered. The grip on her wrists tightened, causing her to yelp. She could feel her bones breaking.

   “Stop! You're hurting me! Sephiroth!” Her cry echoed into the darkness. She didn't notice the hand grabbing her shoulder from behind.

   “Aerith, open your eyes.”

  Sephiroth just couldn't leave her, even if the moon was long past its highest point. After Aerith passed out he returned her to her room to be cleaned. The amount of blood was alarming. The tub had to be filled twice just to get the water to run clear. Although he considered himself careful when washing her body, he took note of the bruising on her back. Some spots undeniably matched his fingerprints, but he liked to think the rest were the fault of that busted table. 

   He couldn't recall her complaining much. She was rather quiet about injuries until being far beyond the limits of comfort. He thought of the first time she cried not long after arriving. Simply restraining her wrists had required Materia to repair the damage to her skin. “ Since when do you care?” Her words hung over him like a threat. 

   “So arrogant. I only care as much as required.” He failed to locate any other injuries, but still cast the strongest Cura. Her heart kept steady despite never regaining consciousness. Letting her sleep might have been the best thing to do, but if she woke up, he wanted to know first. He sat with her atop the mattress and lost track of time. At some point her breathing became ragged. Aerith whimpered painfully in his arms and stirred about. His hands rubbing at her shoulder, as if smoothing away whatever night terrors might have crept in. 

   “..Cl-oud…” Her mutters were slurred, but undeniable. Clenching his jaw was about the only thing the silver general could do to contain his resentment. Some things just couldn't change in a single day. 

   Then he felt it. A string forming between their bodies. It only lasted for a second. But it wasn't all that different from when he jumped through his puppet’s minds. “Sephiroth!” It came through so clearly and unmistakably in her voice. Her mind had been untouchable, but it was worth a try. He closed his eyes and searched for a connection. Stretching through the hundreds of souls tethered to Jenova. The outline of her was faint, but unmistakably there. Maybe he could touch her.

   “Aerith, open your eyes.”

   Her focus came slowly. The last thing she remembered was seeing red. Time in this house was already difficult enough to gauge, never knowing how many hours were lost. Most days were a disorienting mess, and the arms holding on too tightly weren't helping.

   “Mmh…” Her shoulders wiggled for space. 

   “Are you alright?” Sephiroth eventually eased up. 

   “I think so.” The attempted fib wasn't very convincing. Nightmares  kept spilling over the lines of reality. Making it harder to tell where they started and ended anymore.

   “Do not lie to me,” he bit out. Aerith went rigid, never expecting the nausea would come to this. This wasn't like any pregnancy she knew of. She was just growing incredibly sick. A part of her was disappointed, yet relieved. Was it heartbreak?

   “Do you think I'm dying? Like the planet?”

   “Nonsense.”

   “Every day I feel less like myself. There's nothing really ‘Cetra’ left about me.” 

   “Aerith,” he leaned over from behind and nuzzled her head. She still smelled of fresh soap from the bath.

   “I think I’m going crazy.”

   “You'll see clearly soon enough. Once you abandon those ideals that cloud your judgment.” 

   “Then why did you show me that?” Her lips trembled. Sometimes she wished she could trust him.

   “What?”

   “The end of everything.” Aerith pushed his arms away. “I don't want to live if I have to watch them all go. Is that what you wanted me to see?” She hid her face in her hands, their promise already crumbling. 

   “Have you dreamt of me?” Whatever terrible sights invaded the flower girl's slumber was surely her own illusion. Cloud's mind remained untouched tonight. Yet the corners of her subconscious regarded him so poorly. 

   “I hate you,” she whispered. “Stop trying to act all nice if you're just gonna be awful again." Sephiroth coiled himself around her and squeezed until she shuddered. "You're all I think about. You know, sometimes I think I might like you and it’s disgusting." Despite the claim he couldn't feel any hatred. Only sorrow and regret hanging over her like the thick smog of Mako below the slums. 

   “Such emotions are all part of the same thing. Your hate, rage, despair. I will claim all of it.” He kissed her shoulder hungrily. Aerith had never admitted such feelings of attachment before. It would have pleased him if not for her current condition. After all, hate fueled his most passionate victories. He knew how to pick at people until they were consumed by him. But with her he could never tell how much he was smothering successfully. 

   “I don't want those dark and ugly things. Don't you want to know happiness and peace? To have people you cherish, those feelings give me strength.” His touch made her want to fall apart. He made her feel like he would make it all ok. But she knew he'd just make it all wrong.

   “This planet passed its time for peace. Humans have already spent it. Those of any value to me are already dead.” He sighed into her ear. “Except you perhaps.”

   “Do you have feelings for me or something?”

   “Would that make it easier for you?” He chuckled at the sound of her heart tripping over itself. “You deliberately hid your condition.”

   “I thought… I was pregnant. Maybe.” She squeezed his arm and allowed her body ease into his embrace. “But now, I don't think so.” 

   Sephiroth had gone still. Her appetite and sleep did seem rather strange, even if he hadn't long to observe her. Her mood however was always hard to predict. Was it possible? 

   “I see.” He tried to sound calm. 

   “Maybe it was Jenova all- ugh!” Aerith curled forward in another coughing fit. This time with her hands prepared. Sephiroth swept back the loose hair spilling over her face, trying to make sense of it all. After a few heaves, Aerith could breathe again. She wiped the trail of blood from her mouth weakly. “I'm scared.”

   “You can't die just yet.” Sephiroth wrapped the fur blanket around her. Thinking back on anything that might have triggered this. Human medicine was often inferior to Materia depending on the circumstance. But clearly the Cura he cast had no effect. Getting her looked at by a doctor was the last thing he wanted. She shivered under his arms, and he heard her teeth chatter occasionally. Was the terrain here truly so uninhabitable? It was hard to believe a person could become this sick from the climate when he barely felt the wind on his cheek. 

   “It's so stuffy in here.” Aerith sniffled a few times. “Don't you know of any place with fresh air?” 

   “Only if you wish to freeze.”

   “I bet the stars would be visible.” 

   “You don't understand your own limits.”

    “Then I guess you just have to keep a close eye.” Aerith tucked the blanket in firmly and scooted a bit closer before bracing his shoulder. As if he had no say, she sat and waited to be lifted. 

   Nightfall was the only tranquil time to be outdoors. This sky was much better than the burning hell of that nightmare. The sight alone relaxed her. Reminding the poor girl the end was not here quite yet. Sephiroth settled onto the rooftop. The one place not six feet under snow. Fira warmed his hands enough to make sure she did not in fact turn to ice. The blanket alone wouldn't be enough. 

   “Satisfied?”

   “Mmhm.” Aerith surprisingly found being in his lap wasn't so awful when he behaved. “Could barely see them in Midgar.” 

   “Would you miss such a soiled place?”

   “Of course. My garden was beautiful, and the church… has memories. My mom and the children still live there ya know.”

   “Anyone else?”

   “Why? Are you gonna stuff them all in this house for my sake until your 'Reunion' ?” His silence told her the joke wasn't very funny. Heaven forbid he dare to even try it for real. “No, there's no one else.” The ones she truly wished to see were already free of Shinra. What Aerith wouldn't give to see a female face again. If she spoke to her mother or Tifa, she thought they could give her some guidance. Understand her heart and say it was all going to work out. 

   “Good.”

   “Because no one will miss me?”

   “Midgar falls first.” Sephiroth hoped she could detach herself. Instead of mourning for every pathetic town and soul that had to be extinguished. 

   “You really don't have any fond memories? People adored you a lot back then.”

   “Not I, just the image.”

   “Ya know there are less hostile places to live. This place isn't so different from Shinra.”

   “Unlikely. There is no filth here, unless you prefer the slums.”

   “No. I mean someplace cozy with the sounds of music. You live in a death trap. I used to dream of fresh air, no monsters, a full garden.”

   “It could… be possible.” Sephiroth had considered changing locations for a bit. The arrival of Shinra and her companions complicated things if their agreement kept him from just destroying everyone. And the influx of northern puppets would allow him to teleport here instantly. 

   “Thanks, but I doubt anything can survive meteor," she said sarcastically. "No point then really.” The corner of Aerith's mouth twitched at an awkward smile. His words and intentions didn't match up. 

   “A temporary house.”

   “Oh? Then I wouldn't want to come back here.” 

   “New life can be made anywhere.” Sephiroth slid his hands under the blanket and found her stomach. The sensation made her flinch. She might have tried to move if his warmth didn't feel so nice in contrast to the icy air. 

   “Well, a child needs...” The words turned to a clot in her throat. This wasn't a conversation she ever imagined having. Not with him. Yet his hands kept kneading her skin affectionately. “The house could use some updates.”

   “And what is that?” 

   “It'd be better if you figured it out yourself. Isn't it obvious?” Sephiroth couldn't discern anything amiss. It was exactly as he intended. Isolated, spacious, and quiet. But if a few changes made a difference to her, it might be worth considering. 

   “Your health must be addressed first.”

   “Maybe the lifestream could help.”

   “I very much doubt that.” The lifestream was essentially a floating casket for her. Even with her heritage, too much exposure to mako did the opposite of healing people. 

   “Do you remember when I said I couldn't heal anymore? I meant it. The planet can't reach me here.”

   “It hides away in fear. Denying Mother. But the lifestream cannot ignore the inevitable forever.” 

   “What if I lose all my powers? I’ll just be a mortal and your plan is ruined before it’s begun.” Aerith hoped it was just his aura that repelled the planet. Their whispers never made much sense, but not feeling the planet's soft hum ever again felt like a punishment. 

   “Birthright doesn’t vanish. To be born unalike, is to carry that burden forever.” 

   “Either way, I think everything will just restart again no matter what you do. This is all for nothing.”

   “Then I will find you from the beginning next time.”

   “I don’t understand you.” She sniffed. Even in death she may never escape him. If he tried to find her sooner, she might never meet Cloud and taste freedom. But then, he'd never be plauged by her death either. Cloud wouldn't know she ever existed. The thought tore at her heart. Sephiroth's arms suddenly tensed before gripping her tighter.

   “Wait.” She took his hand. Sensing him about to stand up. “Just a bit longer.” She snuggled into his coat while taking in the full moon. There wasn't a soul for miles. He was all she had left. 

   Sephiroth eyed the patch of dried blood at the corner of her mouth. Illnesses had to have cures, medicines, suppressants. He just had to figure out the source. Perhaps it was something unique to the Cetra. His expression hardened into bitter resentment. There was only one person alive who'd done extensive research on Ancients. Only one man who might know something.

- - -

   The trek north was grueling once the sun began to set. But the party was well rested and having Chocobo’s take them halfway speed up the process. Pure determination and hunger kept them from faltering amid the snowy lands. Luckily, Cloud and everyone had found a traders camp outside the forest skirts selling winter gear. 

   Tifa naturally led the group after a while. Nothing seemed to tire her out. She hated heat, fire, things that burned the skin. She found them suffocating unlike the cold. Maybe that's how Midgar’s desert had kept her rebellious enough for half a decade to pursue Shinra. Icicle village should only be a few more paces up. It was better at night. Less prying eyes. 

   “You don't think we'll run into the Turks do you?” Nanaki was practically whining. His childlike nature slipping out. Snow drenched his furry coat, making every step heavy. He was built for the sands of Cosmo canyon, not the slog of mushy ice. 

   “Doubt it, even they have to sleep sometime.” Cloud watched each huff disappear into the air. 

   “Guys?” Tifa stopped quite a ways ahead to wait. “You can't quit on me now. We're almost there, then rest okay?” 

   “If I didn't have any dignity, I'd let you carry me.” Nanaki attempted to pick up the pace.

   “Oh no, I'm not taking on anymore weight, thank you.” Tifa somehow had the heart to giggle. Cloud didn't hate the numbing hours with them. Their banter helped him relax a bit. Stop thinking of the visions he saw. But once they reached the town's outskirts, their hopes froze over.

   “Shit.” Cloud muttered. All of Shinra looked to have moved in. Their night of peace was but a dream now. Fences were built and lamps illuminated every entrance as Shinra troops loitered the perimeter. 

   “But we were just here last week.” Tifa was suddenly breathless.

   “Look!” Nanaki exclaimed in hushed tones. “All those tents? They must be expanding the city.”

   “No.” Cloud grit his teeth. He recognized the formation instantly. “It's a prison. Probably for Wutai rebels.”

   “What? But there's dozens! There's got to be hundreds of Wutaians in there. Oh Yuffie…” Tifa didn't expect things to have gotten this bad. 

   “Probably.” Cloud was already getting another headache. He thought it'd be a dozen Wutaians at most he had to rescue. Not half the town's population. 

   “So how do we sneak in?” Nanaki was about to collapse. Tifa and Cloud locked eyes. They'd done it once already. In unison they looked at Nanaki. “W-what?”

   “Sorry, but mind playing captive?” Tifa asked with a sorry smile.

   “No no no. I'll sleep out here. You guys don't know what it was like.”

   “Just till we get in long enough to snag a place to stay.” Cloud was rather confident. But that was likely his impatience trying to push them on.

   “Just get it over with…” he growled back.

    Snagging a few Shinra uniforms from two unsuspecting night guards only took a moment. They shouldn't remember much after being knocked out from behind. Thankfully the jumpers fit over their own clothes well enough with a bit of stuffing. Cloud banged once at the front gate with enough force to shake the whole frame. A low ranking trooper came to observe. 

   “Business?” The trooper asked.

   “Delivery for the professor.” Clouds voice was stern. But the sentence made Nanaki cringe. Tifa held him by a rope around his neck. The cord looped over his snout like a muzzle. 

   “About time. He's crankier than usual.” The trooper stepped aside and let them pass. The town's entrance was now clearly split. The usual path leading into town, and a temporary trail veering towards the camps. They kept quiet, weary of prying eyes. 

   “Never thought I'd miss Cait,” Cloud whispered.

   “Yeah, he'd probably have a lot of clearance. Maybe we should avoid the camps.” The sheer magnitude of Shinra's expansion grated on her. They were severely outnumbered if they got caught.

   “We should be able to get rooms at the inn. Red can sneak in through the back.” Nanaki resisted the urge to growl. Being treated like smuggled goods wasn't any less humiliating than being led by a leash.

   Cloud entered the inn as calm as possible. Tifa stayed outside with Nanaki. He didn't look much different than a dog in the shadows once his fiery tail was shoved into the snow. 

   “Hello, and welcome to icicle Inn!”

   “Two rooms for the week.” 

   “Troopers huh?” The hostess' smile was breaking. Revealing hints of disdain. “We Don't have enough rooms to accommodate both residents and Shinra.”

   “President's orders.” Cloud was stern, almost threatening.

   “The most I can spare is one room. You get two nights. That's it.” 

   “Fine.” Cloud took the keys as the host glanced him once over. Thinking he was oddly familiar. After going outside he flashed the room number to Tifa. “I'll meet you by the window.” They wasted no time scurrying round back. It was risky to move with their furry friend. And he was the first to be hoisted inside once Cloud unlocked the hatch. Tifa easily hopped over it's frame, landing silently. 

   “Is this it?” Tifa glanced over the space. One bed and a tiny chair. Not even a sofa. 

   “It’s all I could get.” Cloud unhooked his buster sword and stored it away in the closet. Not noticing the subtle flush of her cheeks. “Hey!” Cloud scolded from the corner of his eye. 

   “Just give me a few hours first. Especially after what you made me do.” Nanaki was sprawled out on the bed already and curling up. Tifa sighed, at least the bathroom was separate.

   “Hey, wanna scope out the bars? I bet some drunk troopers would be more than happy to spill their guts.”

   “Heh, You just want a drink.” Cloud put a hand on his hip.

   “Two birds with one stone,” she said smiling.

   “Fine.” Cloud turned to the bed. “But when we get back, you're on the floor with me. Got it?” Nanaki pretended not to hear him. 

   “That's ok. I don't mind.” Tifa put her hands up. She'd slept in worse places before finding Seventh Heaven.

   “Well I do. Let's go.”

- - -

   “Idiots, all of you! Can't even do such a simple task!” Hojo could barely see straight after discovering his ships had been destroyed. Every last one. Troopers found dead everywhere. There wasn't anyone left alive to even yell at. Those ships had condensed Mako and Jenova cells specially imported from his lab in Midgar. Now destroyed, he could never get them back. To say he was shorthanded was an understatement considering the influx of Wutaian bodies.

   Creating a concoction to reduce cellular degradation would take hundreds of tests being done on Soldiers. For that, the men needed to be infected first. Hojo seethed while swiping the top of his desk. Everything crashed to the ground as crumpled paper fluttered about. 

   “Now, who could have done such a thing?” 

   “Professor.” An assistant called out hesitantly. “A new shipment is on the way. And the President expects more Soldier candidates by next week. South of Wutai is rumored to be forging a resistance.”

   “Of course, hahaha.” Hojo's eyes were wide. His greasy hair even more disheveled. “Foreign trash is trying to sabotage my work. Open up the gates to cell 08.”

   “Specimen 08 is unstable. Its last caretaker was blinded.” 

   “Silence. Roundup twelve of the sickest Wutaians and send them in.”

   “But…”

   “My dear experiment must be hungry. And we’re overcrowded as is.” Hojo was rubbing his hands together. Appearing to have calmed down. “Oh, and bring me three of the healthiest prisoners. Sedated of course. Until things are back in order, I’ll need to prepare a control group of organs.” 

   "Understood."

- - -

   Sephiroth tried coaxing Aerith to sleep. Yet she was particularly stubborn tonight. Still cramping with a sore throat. She hung on his neck. Unwilling to let go even after he’d intended to put her down in front of her door. She used to show some level of apprehension around him at night. Now such hesitations were but a memory.

   “Hey, let’s go somewhere else. Isn’t there anything else worth sightseeing at night?” 

   “No.”

   “I hate this room.”

   “You may pick another.”

   “They’re all the same.”

   “Aerith.”

   “I’m really not tired.”

   “I’ll cast sleep-”

     “No! I mean, there’s no need.” Sleep was the last thing she wanted. Each time she closed her eyes, something worse than the night before was born. The physical pain was new. Manageable maybe. But the mental turmoil accompanied by fear and guilt was boiling to an immeasurable scale. Eating at her insides till they were raw. And now he was about to leave her in the dark with those hungry feelings. Aerith suddenly realized the only time she’d been able to actually sleep lately had been in his company.

   “Clean yourself, I’ll fix the sheets.”

   “Haven’t you already done that?” She could feel her face becoming hot. She was too disturbed to think about her tarnished dress being swapped for night attire after waking up. Although dry now, her hair was definitely damp at the time. It didn't matter how many times he might have seen her. The thought of being touched during events she couldn't recollect was a vulnerability foreign to her. Sephiroth licked his thumb before dragging the leather over her bloodied lip. Aerith quickly covered her mouth in understanding. He set her down with a smirk. 

   Simple cleansing spells were enough to return the blankets to pristine condition. Aerith took a moment to wash away the carnage under her nails and face. It was hard to see the blood at night if not for the few candles. Sephiroth was almost out the door when she finished.

   “You’re leaving?” Her voice thinned into a soft plea. The desperation made his fingers tingle. 

   “Something tells me you won’t sleep otherwise.” He refused to look at her. Getting anything done was impossible with her around. He couldn’t focus. Time slipped away. The bigger picture slipping away.

   “But then, you’d never actually know if I just stayed up all night.” Her playful tone wasn’t well practiced. Fiddling with her fingers like an idiot. Sephiroth sighed. Turning his head slowly. She was so lovely in the moonlight. Faintly trembling. He could feel her fear under that half baked smile. Something else had finally replaced him as the most terrifying being in her eyes. He just couldn't pinpoint it. Afraid of death? Her sickness? Fear for her friends? 

   Aerith took a step forward before freezing. Almost reaching her hand out. His eagerness to go unnerved her. Wondering if she’d finally crossed some invisible line. 

   “You could stay until I fall asleep right?” He eyed her more closely. She looked so frail compared to when he’d first brought her.

   “Get in bed,” he said flatly, practically glaring.

   “I was just kidding ya know.” Aerith cast aside her dejected eyes and mosied over to the mattress. After slipping under the covers she rose her hands in a surrendered pose. “See.” He remained unmoved, and she played with the end of her hair nervously. Looking around for her ribbon. But it was nowhere to be found. When she looked back, he was already gone. She pursed her lips together. “Com'on Aerith, get it together. He's not your friend.” 

   Once the trace of footsteps vanished, she slipped back out of bed. Taking the blanket with her towards the window. The absence of clocks was starting to grate on her. Was it only a few hours before daybreak or would the night be excruciatingly long? Aerith took a deep breath. Bringing both hands to her chest before closing her eyes. It was pointless, but she wanted to try.

    “Oh planet, please hear me. If you’re still there, don’t forget about me. I haven’t lost faith in everyone. I don’t think I can do this on my own. Please, protect them. I promise to do everything I can. There must be a way, I know it deep down.”  Her eyes pressed so tight it stung. Still she waited for some miracle response. If only the planet would give some guidance, a sign, anything.

   “Always so disobedient.”

   Aerith's whole body snapped upright. Practically stumbling over. His talent for sneaking around ws unmatched. 

   “Thought you were leaving?” She quipped while turning abruptly. He came forward with something in his hands. Her eyes squinted while still adjusting to the darkness.

   “Bed.” Aerith had half a mind to ignore him when he used simple commands. But if he stayed a bit longer, she would do that much. She could hear him not far behind while returning to the mattress. The moment her butt hit its soft surface, he knelt before her. Feeling his weight settle above her legs shouldn't have excited her so much. She eased back against the pillows for more space. And Sephiroth placed something warm in her hands. She sniffed a few times at the large cup. 

   “Soup?”

   “Drink all of it.” Her insides churned. He leaned a bit closer and locked eyes. Unwilling to negotiate.

   “Then, you'll hang around?”

   “So fussy.” His leathery fingers ghosted her cheek before trailing them through her hair. The anticipation sent goosebumps down her spine. Aerith exhaled slowly to steady herself as Sephiroth edged the steaming cup closer to her lips. 

   Eventually she took the first sip. The liquid was almost too hot. But the flavors coated her tongue like a blanket. The base was thick yet smooth enough to eat without any utensils. It reminded her of the potato and cheese soups Kalm had served them with buttered bread. 

   Aerith took her time. But seldomly let the cup ever leave her lips. He had a habit of just sitting still, watching her. The silence was never comfortable. Sephiroth always appeared ready to pounce, too unpredictable. And it left her on edge, waiting for the ax to fall. Even after finishing, she held onto the cup.

   “You really don't eat?”

   “It's not necessary.”

   “You're really missing out.”

   “Am I?” He could still see a bit of the creamy residue below her mouth. She ate rather carelessly, maybe it was the nerves. He licked the spot clean in the absence of any napkins. Aerith's stomach flipped and she set aside the cup after almost dropping it. He let his tongue drag a bit too slowly over her bottom lip. The first time made her spirit flutter. The second lick was unnecessary and yanked on that string in her heart. Aerith gave into the call and lined her mouth up with his. Her hands found him so naturally before taking hold. Sephiroth was more than willing to let her body have him.

   “Please stay,” she whispered.

   “How the tables have turned.” His grin was almost audible. Her head dropped to his chest. Trying to calm the urge to take things further. Her fingers itched to chase the curve of his muscles. “Mine,” he breathed. Tracing circles on her shoulder with his finger.

    “All is mine, Cccetra...” The hiss stabbed at Aerith's brain. Snapping her out of the trance instantly. Her hands pushed Sephiroth away, suddenly mortified by her actions. 

   “Sorry I… I'm not myself.” A disgusted look twisted at her brows. She braced her head and winced at the early signs of a migraine. “You were right. I should sleep alone.” He watched closely. Half expecting another coughing fit to start. 

   “For real this time.” Sephiroth finally backed up enough for her to lay down. 

   “For real.” She repeated. His finger attempted to brush her cheek once more but it made her flinch. Aerith yanked the blanket up and rolled away onto her side. “Goodnight.”

   After a moment of silence, he eventually stood to leave. Aerith squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath. Just as the threads dragging her to him were snapped, another began to form. And it took everything not to ask him to stay again. 

   “This isn't right. Something is wrong with me.” Aerith tried drowning her own thoughts out. "Hurry and sleep. I'll get better if I sleep it off." 

Chapter Text

   If Sephiroth paced any longer, even the hardened stone beneath his feet would soon wither. Trying to divulge a solution came with its own set of challenges. He could wager Aerith might recover on her own, or bear the weight of her demise. Outside intervention ran the risk of her slipping through his fingers. He stopped caring about Medicinal books not long after Genesis died. By the time Angeal was gone, all hope had withered entierly. Fixing broken people wasn't exactly a part of his skillset anymore. After his awakening, it was simple nature to let the weak be filtered out. But Aerith had to be the exception. Perhaps finding a private doctor was possible. Her voice faded in and out. “I thought I was pregnant.” 

   He paused, suddenly feeling rushed. Aerith was still quite young. Physical complications should be minimal. But there were always unforeseen factors. If a child made her sick, he'd had an entirely new set of problems. Sephiroth sighed so low it was almost a groan before pinching the bridge of his nose. This kind of mortal conflict was exactly the sort of thing he avoided. Human life was complicated, messy. But the world mother showed him was so simple. A perfect black void with him at the center. 

    Leave the Cetra be.”

   “Mother.“

   “It's their weakness. The cycle of a mortal is absolute. If she dies, she dies. The Cetra only need live long enough to conceive.”

   “No other soul bound to the lifestream exists. One can't be with child if they perish. A birth should occur under ideal conditions." Mother kept singing the same siren in his ear. Reciting the same outcome. Like a hypnotic cry to make him abandon this plan despite coming so far. He'd spent a lot of time rounding out the rough corners of his stubborn foe. He wasn't about to throw in the towel, even if that meant refraining from conception. "As long as she exists, potential is limitless.” A part of him almost forgot why he was in such a hurry to procreate. 

   "You wish to forgo offspring in place of risk? Then what is the point?”

   “I need her.”

    “We are God, we don't need anything! This human form deceives you. Until your body is whole again, approach her with caution.” Jenova clearly radiated waves of displeasure and was not fond of being ignored. But Sephiroth would only humor Mother so far. Her form was just as incomplete, and therefore he regarded her judgment no more sound than his own.

   “I decide the order of events. The universe, the Cetra, descendants, everything. That is the only thing absolute.”

   “The whims of flesh blind you. Once the planet is reborn, this fret will hold no meaning. The Cetra will be no more than a memory .”

   Sephiroth pushed mother to the back of his mulling. It was true only a potential child of theirs would live on in eternity. Aerith would one day, indeed vanish. If only she could live on forever like him. Or if he could at least preserve her somehow, prolong her existence. 

   With a sigh the silver general was pacing again. A terrible idea kept crawling into view since yesterday. It was hard to forget with the Shinra box atop the bookshelf catching his eyes every so often. After all, one person might have an answer. Sephiroth waved a hand in front of him as if banishing the thought. Perhaps some time in the snow would clear his mind. He needed to cut something. And it'd been too long since he checked in on the recovery state of his Materia. 

- - -

      Cloud was careful to make his drink last the entire night. He'd never had much experience in social outings and was just fine observing from a distance. Tifa however was already on her third and straight as an arrow. Even with the helmets, she easily attracted intoxicated chatterboxes. Just about anyone was willing to spill the town's gossip if it meant getting to flirt with a pretty lady. 

      “Didn't you hear? Shinra wants to make this their biggest reactor yet.” 

      “Actually, I did hear something like that on the way over.“ Tifa nods with empty enthusiasm. Another trooper approaches and she shoots back a glass. 

      “Hard to do anything fun with the Turks around.”

      “Oh really?” She giggles shyly to another faceless mouthpiece. “Maybe your supervisor will allow some time off?” 

      “HA, fat chance. They got Shinra's scientist in charge ‘round here. Fucking weirdo that one. I'm just glad I'm not his errand boy.”

      “You don't say...” Tifa takes a big breath before chugging the liquid. Tastes like whisky, mixed by an amateur. More officers shuffle by for a closer look at the girl with ruby eyes. 

   “But if you're free after patrols, my place is-”

   “Sorry boys, I'm all out. Be right back.” Tifa abruptly cuts off the flirtatious interrogation. Before they can protest she's lost in the crowd and finds Cloud's eyes. 

   He holds the same concerned expression while she unpacks. Both knowing Mako was impossible to mine in the north. Not a whisper of Wutai, and the Turks could care less about babysitting unless it involved a particular someone. 

   “I don't think they're lying,” Tifa said after getting some water. 

   “Maybe the locals have a different story.”

   “What are we gonna do? If the others show up, they might get ambushed.”

   “Barrett and the others can handle themselves. As long as Yuffie can keep her cool.” Cloud swirled his glass. Already over the taste of gasoline. 

   “I don't think she should see all of this.”

   “No good trying to hide it. It's part of the war she wanted to fight.”

   “I know, but still.” Tifa watched her ice melt. Defeating Shinra was starting to seem hopeless. Cloud leaned a bit closer.

   “Hey, we're going to figure this out.”

   “Yeah, I'm just worried.”

   “We need to find out where Hojo is hiding. I have a hunch only the big fish know what's going on.”

   “Why don't we head back first?”

   “But the night makes it easier to move around.”

   “Did you even sleep last night?” Tifa looked at him hesitantly. She knew he often just stayed up and tossed around. She could always see it in his face. The light in his eyes slowly flickering out. 

   “Well enough.” Cloud huffed. 

   “Cloud, we need you to be here. Fully here. So don't spread yourself thin.”

   “I can handle it.” Tifa shook her head at his words 

   “Just promise me you'll remember to take care of yourself.”

   “Sure. I get it.” Cloud offered his arm to her after seeing a few troopers with their eye on Tifa heading over. Apparently being drunk gave unprecedented amounts of courage to even the lowest ranks. 

   Bitter air quickly sobered up any fuzzy feelings the alcohol might have left behind. Wind scraped over their cheeks the moment they stepped outside. A group of sterile white coats filtered through the snow across the street. Flanked by two Soldiers and slipping into an alleyway made it clear they weren't just sightseeing.  

   “Hojo?” Tifa squinted.  

   “This way.” Cloud barely let her finish the thought before pulling her along the shadows. Struggling to calm his nerves enough to listen. 

   “Absolutely ungrateful, asking for that many new soldiers. He forgets who built his army. “

   “Professor, the mayor has requested a blueprint of the promised reactor.”

   “You think I care about that? Just give him a copy of any other damn reactor. You can do that much can't you? Seeing as your subordinates never returned with our much overdue supplies. I'm beginning to question if you're better off as data for my experiment.”

   “No sir! We'll take care of it!”

   “I hope so. I won't tolerate another delay. These flimsy camps won't be enough to hold an Ancient.” Cloud's ears perked up just as Hojo and the men slipped behind a metal door. 

   “He meant Aerith right?” Tifa whispered. 

   “Gotta be. Let's get closer.” The two moved lighting. Relying on dumb luck the passage might remain unlocked. Turns out it was their night.

   “Are these stairs safe?” The two peered down into the spiraling hole laid before them. 

   “Looks like they haven't finished building this crap. No locks on the door and the hand railing isn't even done.” Cloud folded his arms. 

   “Let's just hurry before someone comes. Promise me we'll head back after this.”

   “Got it.” Cloud said while testing out the first step with his boot. “You know, I can cover this if you need some sleep.”

   “Not happening.” Tifa joined him on the first step and shut the door behind them. Cloud may have let a smiled slip at not having to go alone, but Tifa was still frustrated with his constant refusal to rely on her.  

   They creeped slowly, trying to suppress the thrum of their own hearts. Thankfully sound wasn't going to be an issue. The labs machinery whirled into a chaotic scream. Gasping for energy that the land couldn't provide. It took several mako powered generators just to keep the lights on. Stacks of crates littered the walls like it was moving day. And they were grateful for the abundance of hiding spots. Cloud winced at a corner filled with familiar glass tubes. Big enough to hold a person.  

   “There.” Cloud motioned to a back room with light spilling out. Tifa and Cloud got close enough to crouch inside a crate made of tiny holes. 

   “Now then,” Hojo began with his hands behind his back. “I've thought of a solution to our little energy crisis. Mako energy is a force within all living things as you should know if you stayed awake during training.” Hojo eyed the Soldiers like spoiled children.

   “We're ready to proceed anytime, professor.” An assistant interjected while holding out a clipboard. 

   “Excellent.” Hojo took it before returning his attention to the men. “Seeing as we have an unlimited amount of bodies being sent in I'm sure your troops are tired enough having to deal with the sheer numbers. I am aware our supplies are tight, no thanks to you albeit.” The men ate every insult, giving way to no emotion. “However I do care about making things run smoothly here for us. So, once my incubators are fully installed. We can begin using the test subjects to power the city.”

   “Uh, humans, Sir?” One of the men spoke. Not sounding nearly as trained as his face.

   “No, Wutaian's. Expendable resources. And it will suit you well to think the same. Choose the most disobedient prisoners, the oldest, ugliest, whatever I don't care. Once we have sufficient power your men won't have to do everything manually. My project can begin at full speed, and more space will open up for you to live comfortably.” 

   “Understood.” The two Soldiers glanced at each other for reassurance. Quickly coming around to the idea.

   “Good. But to do that, I need the rest of my machinery from Midgar.” Hojo put the clipboard down and stepped close enough to feel their breath. What the scientist lacked in height, he made up for in madness. Suddenly his fist whipped out a syringe before plunging it into one of the Soldiers neck. 

  “Ugk!!” The mako infused man crumpled instantly. Curling into a spazzing ball before foaming at the mouth. His guttural squeaks quickly died out with any movement.

   Tifa covered her mouth to muffle the gasp. Shutting her eyes just as Cloud braced and arm behind her. 

   “So then,” Hojo started up again like nothing happened. Turning to the last Soldier clearly shaking with fear. “You're going to collect the next shipment of prisoners tomorrow first thing in the morning. You're not going to fail. You're not going to be late and there will be no excuses. Understood?”

   “Y-yes sir! I mean professor!”

   “Then get out!” The man practically fell over trying to scurry past his fallen comrade. Hojo sighed and kicked the lifeless body before jotting something down. 

   “As expected. First trials of AB-00 ineffective against cellular degradation. Ancient cells result in immediate neutralization.”

   Tifa tugged on Cloud's shirt. She couldn't take much more of this. He nodded, waiting till it was clear to sneak away. Tifa stepped out first when Hojo started giggling from the office. Cloud's curiosity got the better of him, and he turned just in time to see the various TV monitors displayed above Hojo's desk. The scientist was fully engrossed in the footage. Each screen playing a different view of the snowy mountains. 

   Then he saw it. One screen not like the others. Showing a sickly green cavern. And just for a moment, Cloud's heart stopped beating. 

   “Pst!” Tifa was already at the staircase. Trying to get his attention. Her anxiety almost made her scream at him, trying to understand what compelled the blond Soldier to stand right out in the open. 

   The scene unfolded too quickly. But Cloud didn't have to wait, Hojo was already rolling back the footage a second time. Laughing all the same. It moved in slow motion for Cloud. He saw Aerith in the flesh. Definitely her, that pink bow was a beacon of light against everything else. But he also understood the black shadow swallowing her like a virus. Sephiroth's hands were all over, his face too close to her lips. But before the context could be deciphered, the footage burst into static. 

   Cloud blinked thinking it was a mistake. Waiting for the footage to play once more. Instead a painful set of fingers dug into his arm like a knife as Tifa yanked him down. He was too overwhelmed move, and Tifa practically drug his ass up the stars before huffing it outside. 

   “Cloud, what the hell!” It wasn't smart to draw attention, but she'd had enough. He blinked some more and knit his brows. 

   “C’mon.” He suddenly took her hand. Pulling them down another alleyway opposite of the inn. 

   “Stop! What's gotten into you?” Tifa's grip was just as sharp even without Mako. And Cloud would have to suffer in order to drag her. 

   “There's a garage the next block down. I heard some troopers say the Turks keep their equipment there at the bar.” His eyes fixated on the icy path ahead.

   “So? We have to go back to the inn Cloud. You promised we were done after this. What about Nanaki?”

   “He's safe there. Maybe we'll even be back by tomorrow afternoon and…” Tifa yanked her hand away and jumped into his line of sight.

   “And what Cloud? Where do you think you're gonna go? You're scaring me okay?” Tifa felt like she was losing ground, but refused to break eye contact. 

   “I saw her, Hojo had footage of Aerith and she- he was… we have to go.” Cloud looked like he was gonna throw up. Tifa took back his arm gently this time. 

   “No Cloud. You have to sleep first. And all of us, together, will deal with this tomorrow. Aerith made it this far, I doubt Sephiroth plans to kill her so soon. We have to think this through.” 

   He didn't want to hear it. No, he wouldn't. Tifa just didn't know he told himself. She hadn't seen the way Aerith cried. Or heard the way that monster spoke about her. Cloud placed his hand over Tifa's and sighed. 

   “You're right, it wasn't fair to make you all come this way without proper planning. I know you're tired, I'm sorry for pushing you so hard.” His voice was soft, and for a moment she looked relieved. “It's my fault we lost her. I have to be the one to set this right.” In an instant Cloud tore himself away and started making his way to the garage. 

   Tifa was gonna go insane. He just didn't get it. All that time they spent building a team, growing strong as a unit, he was throwing everything away. And she was sure he'd get himself killed in the process. Tifa was always so compromising, the flexible one. But clearly that wasn't enough.

   “Stop!” She yelled with tears in her eyes. “If you go I won't be here when you get back. I'm sick of this! We're all trying so hard for you and all you think about is your own pain.” Cloud paused.

   “I'm sorry,” His voice was barely audible. But it's all he would spare. Tifa lunged at him from behind.

   “You're gonna die out there! Please Cloud, all I'm asking is to rest one more day!”

   “It's always “one more day”, and now it's been weeks! We're not getting anywhere like this!” Cloud didn't recognize his own strained voice. He never yelled at her. She was always right, always the solid rock of the team. But now she was tackling him, and her grip was overpowering. It was the first time Tifa had ever exercised her full strength on him. Clouds remaining stamina was about as potent as Mako fumes, and it didn't take much to lock him into place. She hoped to knock some sense into the crazed Ex Soldier, but it all just got him more panicked.

   “Tifa, let go!” 

   “No!” Cloud tried using his feet to get a better angle. Pushing back should give him the right leverage to peel away. But the ground was frozen solid, and one slip had both of them at gravity's mercy. Tifa heard a crack the moment her vision blurred. 

   “Cloud?” She whispered above him. He'd gone still, eyes shut. “Cloud?!” She shook him by the straps. Tearing off his helmet she searched for blood, putting an ear up to his nose. No external trauma, still breathing. Tifa swallowed her previous tears, filled only with adrenaline and fear now. She hoisted him up over her shoulder and began shuffling back.

   - - -

   Aerith tossed beneath her blanket all day. Eyes burning and head pulsing from no rest. The headache festering was no doubt due to the fatigue, but her body wouldn't shut down . 

   “Damn it.” She cursed under her breath while squeezing her eyes shut. She lost bits of sanity trying to deny it. But she wanted to see him. The source of all her troubles. Far too many hours were spent recalling the way he had ravaged her throat. The soreness wouldn't let her forget. Trying to simply swallow stung. Looking back, the whole thing felt out of body. Aerith couldn't remember thinking or feeling anything coherent other than a hypnotic need to touch the silver angel. 

   “Why did I let him do that? I should have bit him.” Even as she reasoned, the need to hold him festered deeper. Threatening to swallow her mind whole. She'd taken the initiative to throttle him, and it made her sweat just remembering the slide of leather under her skin. Aerith groaned while gripping her stomach in pain, turning once more. “Maybe if I see him, it'll hurt less.”

   She knew the idea was ridiculous. An excuse most children wouldn't even believe. But if sleep wasn't going to work, she could find a distraction. 

   Ignoring the time of day, Aerith didn't bother to change out of her nightgown. Although more scantily clad than what any decent person might find appropriate, the grace to care wasn't in her. No one would see her anyway. If Sephiroth had a problem, he could deal with it considering he supplied it. And above all, she was burning up. The cold no longer picked at her sensitive skin. But soothed the headache causing sweat to form around her brow. 

   She made her way to the dining room first and downed three glasses of water. Denying the food even a glance in fear of vomiting on the spot. At least now a bit more hydrated, she started searching. Looking for any signs of the smug hero. By the time she reached his study, she hadn't noticed the anticipation of her own heart. Upon discovering the room empty, disappointment had washed out any bit of repreive. 

   “Where are you?” She muttered. It wasn't strange for him to vanish during the day. But for some reason she expected him to start spending more time with her. At the very least she just didn't want to be alone when it felt like her body was disintegrating. Aerith decided to check the other rooms. Although empty and useless to her, surely he had a reason for all the unused space. “I want to see you.” 

   “This mind is so close now.” Aerith's head was foggier than usual. But the dark haze that accompanied her nightmares no longer shied away from encroaching on the daytime.

   “What are you?” She thought. The hiss in her mind sounded like it was laughing.

   “Incredible. Such efforts were lost in vain trying to adapt your kind. Yet now, here you are.”

   “I don't understand.” Aerith grasped her forehead. Reminding herself to breathe though the needle prickling behind her eyes.  

   “You're changing, evolving into my image, and soon I will be all that's left.”

   “Jenova?” she whispered, swallowing back the unthinkable. Aerith instantly recalled her time at the temple. The tale of a cosmic force that nearly annihilated every Cetra to the brink of extinction. They called it Jenova, and in this age, its remains should have been confined to the depraved corners of Hojo's lab. "How..." Aerith covered her mouth and leaned against the hallway. The lifestream tried to warn her. Every taboo screamed at her to look the other way. Yet she'd been living in absurdly close contact with Jenova's proclaimed son. No one had kept her so intimately before, how could she not be affected? 

   “I do hope you enjoy the slow process as much as I. Although I did not expect you to alter fate so easily.”

   “I haven't done anything for you, and I'm not going to. The planet isn't yours no matter how hard you fight it.” She kept a rhythm of deep breaths. Wondering if this is what Cloud felt every time his headaches took over. The black mist only got heavier, squeezing on the pain already pulsing through her body. 

   “You don't even realize.” Its call was venom in her ears. “This Cetra brings forth the seed of death. My seed. It binds us, I feel it.”  

   “That can't be.” Aerith cupped her stomach and slid to the floor. Trying not to cry. She hoped Jenova was fucking with her. But she'd had her suspicions already. Seeing as the monster had found a way into her conscious, the deal was sealed. Her heart was thumping away wildly, making her lightheaded. “You can't do that, it's not fair.“

   “I certainly can, that thing is mine. Just as he is.”

   “Shut up!” Aerith shouted as if that would cease the poisonous snake in her head. “It's not yours, not even a little bit.”

   “Refusing me will not make it so.”

   “He's not yours either…” Aerith said under her breath. Fighting to control the tremor spreading through every limb. If she focused hard enough, the darkness invading her thoughts might be silenced. 

    “Did you like my gift that night? The future I showed you? I will mark you with the scent of death every night till your last.” This thing was undeniably an evil the planet feared. Aerith couldn't imagine how long Sephiroth had lived with it whispering in his ear.

   “Sephiroth… I want to see you. Hurry up already!” The air tickled her nose no sooner than she willed the thought. She recognized the sensation instantly. Exactly how she remembered when having traveled with Cloud and the others. A flow of metallic static used to poke at her senses whenever he was near. A faint thump of footsteps briskly followed. By the time she looked up, a dark figure was approaching. Sephiroth's eyes fixated on her. Either trying to comprehend the reason Aerith was on the floor, or discern if the voice in his head had truly been hers. 

   Without hesitation, she found her feet and lunged forward. Only relaxing once the smell of leather and rose was on her cheek. The haze in her head immediately settled after wrapping both arms around his stature. 

   “Aerith.” His arms were suspended at his sides. The call he heard sounded distressed. Causing the perplexed angel to return home as soon as possible. He wasn't that far, nothing should have happened. 

   “Yes?” She hummed. Still enjoying the newfound peace in her mind with her head on his chest.

   “You called me, did you not?”

   “You heard that?” She muttered. His voice was so soothing, and she soaked up every word like medicine. It felt like her lugs could finally open up again. “Why did you go?”

   “I have never left.” His arms dropped. Trying not to touch her with the soiled remains of whatever unfortunate creature died on his hands. Sephiroth could feel her breath on his skin. Although her heart was calming down, her chest still moved with enough force to be felt beneath his jacket. 

   “Liar.” Aerith relaxed into his body heat. Waiting for her touch to be reciprocated. 

   “I do not lie.” Her skin was perfect in the daylight. That slip usually never saw beyond the closet since her extreme temperament towards the cold. He couldn't think of what inspired her to walk around so exposed. The lace covering her breasts was particularly thin. And the low cut accentuating her back was enough to spark hunger in anyone. It'd been a while since he last pressed her silky skin into the floor beneath him. He imagined running his hands up and down its curve. “What happened?”

   “Nothing, really.” Aerith was afraid to mention Jenova. Afraid to face the reality he was one in the same. That ultimately his wishes aligned with the creature he called mother. 

   “Why have you called me?”

   “I missed you.” She thought. Sephiroth suddenly grabbed her chin and yanked it up to meet his gaze. 

   “I heard that.” His green eyes were wide, as bewildered as her own. 

   “You, read my mind?”

   “No. You spoke to me.” He had never known a call outside of his puppets and mother. 

   “That's not possible.” Her mouth slightly hung. Thinking she certainly wouldn't have said that out loud.

   “For you perhaps.” 

   “I just," She swallowed. Never feeling so deprived in her life. "I was waiting. That's all.” 

   “For me.” A slow grin curled at his features. 

   “Who else?” Her grip tightened, but he just wouldn't hug her back. He wished dearly that he could read her mind. He'd bet his wing that her thoughts weren't nearly as tidy and clean as her exterior. Sephiroth leaned closer until her mouth was a mere hair from his. What he wouldn't give to make her say those thoughts out loud. She was obviously staring at his lips. And he found her eyes perfectly sexy when downcast. Clearly absorbed in him. He knew what she wanted, but took a breath before backing away. Aerith felt like cold water was thrown at her. 

   “Sorry.” She finally released his waist. Suddenly embarrassed for clinging on like a fool. 

   “You caught me in a mess.” Sephiroth eyed the grime his fingers left behind on her chin. Although hard to see on his noir garment. The smallest speck stood out against her flesh. “I have yet to clean myself.” She bit her lip. He was making an excuse to leave. 

   “I'll do it.” Aerith grabbed his hand. Ignoring the part about a mess. 

   “What?”

   “Let me help, as a thank you. For making the sound go away.” Sephiroth's brow knit. His displeasure was hard for her to understand. 

   “No. Wait for me in the study.” He pulled his hand free of her grasp and abruptly turned.

   "Are you mad?" Aerith poked. She didn't want him to go again. 

   "No."

   "Sounds like you are." He eyed her sharply just as she was about to take a step closer.

   "Wait." The command was so bitter. Freezing her on the spot. He turned again to leave and Aerith waited until he was gone to retreat. Taking her frustration with her to the study.

- - -

   Entering a spare washroom, Sephiroth tore his clothes off and entered the bath. He began scrubbing away the bulk of any remaining blood on his skin before the tub even filled. He wouldn't stay for long. 

   He exhaled deeply before running a hand through his hair. Aside from imagining the time Aerith finally surrendered herself to him, he hadn't given much thought to how he would actually handle it. The girl was unbelievably open, too trusting. 

   Sephiroth continued to douse his face in water. Had he asked her to get on the floor and strip for him she likely would have. Her attire always embellished her figure well. But choosing such a revealing slip was cruel. At least when he was doing everything to refrain from mounting her. The last time he lost himself she passed out in a puddle of blood. He had to get a hold of himself. Any lack in one's self control was unbefitting for him. 

   After unplugging the drain, he sat back for a moment to rub his eyes. She wanted to join him. He hadn't mused how she might try to take care of him outside of one's chambers. He didn't expect her to actually want to spend more time with him beyond obligation. Many things defied expectations. Standing up to dry himself, Sephiroth cast Cleanse to unspoil his clothing.

   She had definitely spoke to him through some connection. A mutated gremlin was bleeding out on his sword when he heard her cry. It was so vivid. On instinct he whipped around, half expecting the flower girl to have somehow followed him into the snow. “Hurry up already!” Half a dozen assumptions flooded him, all in bad faith while teleporting back to the house. Was she coughing again? In pain or bleeding out? Perhaps it was another nightmare, or something had slipped past his surveillance. Instead she sat crumpled on the floor like a lost moogle. Apparently waiting for him. Something had spooked her, but his curiosity was quelled the moment she touched him and all her fear turned to solace. It was too calm to have been because of him. And the softness made him fumble on the spot. It wasn't an emotion he sought from others, and it certainly wasn't something people felt when they crossed his path. 

   He quickly dressed before heading back. He told her to wait. And something told him that this time the stubborn girl would obey until he showed up. 

Chapter Text

Nanaki and Tifa took turns monitoring him. After returning late, they helped lay Cloud’s body on the bed. Tifa drug a chair next to the bedside and huddled up with a blanket. Nanaki stayed near the door in case of any intruders. It was his turn to keep watch again. Tifa was kind enough to grab some breakfast for the hungry canine before forcing herself to get some shut eye. 

   In a twisted way, she wondered if this was a blessing. Cloud was manic. Had he not passed out, he surely would have found their way into irreversible trouble. Tifa was losing the confidence to keep everyone grounded on her own. Sometimes she felt like Barret could read her mind. If he was here she could get him to drag Cloud back to gaia forcibly and make him focus on the ones still by his side. She flinched at the sudden wet nose nudging her leg. 

   “Still out?”

   “Yeah. He hit the ground pretty hard.” Tifa wiped her eyes. Ignoring the knot in her back from sleeping crooked. 

   “We’ll have to think of something soon. We only have one more night here. And staying cooped up in this room like a prisoner isn’t exactly fun.”

   “I know, sorry about that.” 

   “It’s not your fault. But it’s best if we remain prepared.” Tifa frowned, dreading the moment he woke up. They were running out of time, and he might bolt into the snow like a madman again. The hole left by Aerith was already eating at her, if she lost Cloud too, she might break. She was sick of losing, sick of rebuilding. Over and over again. Each time she found a shred of stability in her life, it was threatened. 

   “Have you eaten yet?”

   “Huh? Oh, not yet. Still feeling a little hungover.” She laughed nervously. 

   “I recommend the sausage. The eggs were… questionable.”  

   “Noted.” She relaxed a little. If anything Nananki’s hunger never changed. 

   “Why don’t we look into means of transportation around here? This place is close to a ski resort right? There must be ways to get there without all the tourists dying off.” 

   “Good idea.” Tifa stretched her arms. “Mind keeping watch while I snoop around?” 

   “My pleasure,” Nanaki said like true gentlemen. Sitting up fully proper. 

- - -

   Aerith's back was turned. Sitting so innocently as she often did these days on his couch. Taking up his space. Leaving the scent of flowers on things that didn't belong to her. There wasn't a corner of this room that didn't have nicks from her nefarious schemes or a memory not tied to his attempts at devouring her. 

   She twisted her hair slowly in the absence of a mirror. It would appear she finally located that pink bow since their previous entanglement. The last relic of her past life that he tried desperately to scrape away.

   Sephiroth took a slow breath before softly closing the door behind. There was a tinge of excitement. He could only compare it to the feeling he got when his puppets moved exactly as he demanded. He set the stage and only had to wait for the pieces to fall into place. Cloud always chased after just as he expected, showed up when needed, and lost control at the perfect time. Rufus was just as easy to manipulate. He barely had to lift a finger to get Shinra's war started. Soldier, Mother, reincarnation. Everything moved in sync. Everything but the Ancient, Aerith Gainsborough. The instinct to eliminate her was so strong. It always made sense. If she wouldn't bend, she had to go. But even in death she cursed him. 

   Yet this girl moved in unprecedented ways. This Aerith might never fight him again. She might just see his vision for the future. Simply tasting the few acts of submission she dabbled in at times made his expectations soar. He was already behind the couch and bending at the waist to take the hand still smoothing out her bow. 

   “Aerith,” he cooed into her ear. The grip on her fist tightened as the breath on her neck sent a warm shiver down her spine.

   She sensed him. Her perception was becoming sharp again. His footsteps were so clear, and the air thickened instantly when he entered the room. He was back sooner than expected. And she could feel the tickle of his damp hair on her shoulder. Sliding down her exposed back. There was so much she wanted to say. But whenever a moment occurred, her mind sealed itself. She never had someone she could fully confide in. Always having to be the one keeping secrets. Tight lipped about the future, the planet, her regrets. Always sacrificing her own wants and feelings for the good of everyone else. But she wasn't supposed to feel sorry for Sephiroth, she didn't have to be nice to him. And that somehow became a weight off her shoulders. Being selfish with him didn't make her feel the bad guy. 

  “What took you so long?” She sang casually. He scoffed. Knowing damn well that was the quickest cleanse of his life. 

   “So impatient.” Now that he had her attention, looping a finger around the pink ribbon was easy. Tugging it from her grasp. 

   “Hey, careful with that.” Aerith's hand chased after but the bow was already far out of reach. 

   “Keep your hair down. I prefer it that way.” 

   “It's still mine.” Aerith swallowed. Trying not to think of the length at which he assessed her appearance. 

   “If you wish for another, that can be arranged.”

   “You've already chosen all of my clothes. I'd like something of my own.”

   “I never said you couldn't choose. But not this.”

   “That's the opposite of letting me choose. So what, are you gonna take me shopping?” She laughed with cynicism. 

   “If that is what you wish.”

   “Then it's a date.” The words escaped before her brain could undo it. That phrase was reserved, and it sounded wrong to be spent on him. “I still want that back.” Aerith quickly diverged from her careless remark. Hoping he wouldn't linger on the overly sappy and painfully human invitation. 

   “Well see.” He stuffed the pink contraband into a pocket while brushing her brown locks over one shoulder. Making sure each leathery knuckle teased her skin.

   “Do you like it?” His eyes shifted to her thin attire. The slip was short enough to reveal the fuller part of her legs squished against the sofa. He doubted it even covered her ass. If she sat on his lap again, her bare skin would surely press into his leg. 

   Aerith glanced down at herself, not thinking much of it until now.

   “It's yours right? So this is your type of thing.” 

   “To be decided.” He teased while playing with its thin strap. 

   “So, will you sit with me?”

   “Is that what you called me for?”

   “I think so.” She ignored the butterflies nipping at her stomach. She was past playing coy after finally catching him.

   “You think?” His finger suddenly left her shoulder, triggering the emptiness she didn’t know how to fill. 

   “To be decided.” she shuffled over a bit. Hoping he would accept the invitation quickly. The cushion sunk beneath his weight and he crossed his legs before leaning back. She'd have to initiate everything. Aerith hooked her arm around his and waited for the nerves to settle. He observed her head slowly fall into his shoulder. Despite her desperation, she moved hesitantly with a scowl. 

   “Problem?” 

   “No, the opposite.” Aerith pursed her lips. The throbbing was indeed gone and she felt almost normal again. Whatever was changing within, she didn't want him of all things to be some sort of anecdote. She rolled over the ugly riddles Jenova fed her. Trying to accept a reality where she bore a part of him. Realizing Jenova's child might even kill her if not the universe. 

   “No, not Jenova's. A human, not a monster.” Aerith shook her head. She couldn't start thinking that way already. Jenova wanted her to be frightened.

   “You were in pain?” His voice brought her back. 

   “Yes actually. And it's all your fault.”

   “I'll make it up somehow.”

   “You're not sorry at all.”

   “Maybe.” Sephiroth couldn't apologize. Knowing he'd hurt her again. She cared too much about everything. It was too easy to burden her heart, and he enjoyed the game. Watching her cry for him, feel better because of him, beg for him, and start the whole thing over. 

   Aerith's free hand traveled over the tall shoulder closest to her. She fondled his silvery hair. Savoring the silky texture. Following the strands to the curve of his abdomen. Her fingers mapped out the dents of his metal belts. So many damn belts. 

   “Aerith,” he exhaled hotly in her skin. “You can't do that “

   “I haven't done anything yet.” A finger fished between the straps. Wondering how sturdy they were.

   “I’m not going to fuck you. Not until you're recovered.”

   “Wasn't asking you crude.” She grumbled while tearing her hand away. Her cheeks burned from his sheer forwardness.

   “Really?” the back of his glove made a path from her jaw to the base of her belly. Ghosting the tip of her nipple on the way. They peaked so obviously beneath the lace. Making her gasp sharply.

   “It's not nice to tease.” 

   “Such claims are for you.” His thumb dug into her thigh. Imagining that soft flesh spreading it's warmth around him. “What do you want?”

   “For you to stay.”

   “That's it?”

   “Yes actually. Don't leave after I fall asleep. I want you to be here when I wake up.”

   “That's a long time to simply sit.”

   “Read a book to me or something.” She grabbed his hand in an attempt to end the flame igniting within. “Just don't go.”

   “I'm yours for the day.”

   “Then can we lie down?” She looked up sweetly. The only hints of her suffering being the dark spots under her eyes.

   “You didn't sleep at all.” If only the human came with an operating manual.

   “Not a wink.”

   “Also my fault I presume.” 

   “Glad you realize.”

   Sephiroth tilted her shoulders until her back was flat against the couch. Her stare was too intense, never breaking eye contact. Snapping the straps off her slip would be too easy. The thrill of it burned away as he slid up to resume a sitting position. He hoisted her legs over his lap to keep his hands busy.  

   “That's too far away,” she pouted.

   “This is as much as I can do.” he began rubbing her legs with long languid strokes. Grinning at the pink of her cheeks. The rough rise and fall of her breasts.

   “Funny. I thought you were more capable.”

   “Heh, don't test me.” His hand passed her knee on the way up and continued under her slip. Stopping just shy of her pelvis so he could tug at her underwear. “I'm trying to be nice.”

   “If you want to be nice, lay down.” A smirk danced on her lip for only a second while extending an arm out to beckon him. Sephiroth had to physically remind himself of the blood spilling from her mouth to keep from smothering her. This Cetra was indeed dangerous. The subtle roll of her hips made him think she mastered the art of seduction lifetimes ago and had been holding off on him out of spite.

   “I meant what I said.” He leaned into her. “If I get any closer, I'm going to undo you.” The claim alone made an ache pool between her legs. And she kicked the hand getting too friendly with her undergarments away. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction. 

   “Geez you're making this so difficult.”

   “I can leave.”

   “I didn't say that.” Aerith snapped forward and latched onto his jacket. Instantly turning her interest to panic. “You said you're -” The sweet sounds of her voice quickly turned to haggard coughs. She wheezed a few times, but thankfully without much mess. Only a bit of blood coated her tongue before seeping down her chin. He wiped it away before she had a chance. Still her grip remained, more concerned with him leaving than anything. Sephiroth traced circles over the back of her hand with his thumb until her fingers were successfully pryied off. 

   “I'm not going anywhere,” His voice was low and velvety as he pushed her back into the couch. As if being too loud was cause for stress. Aerith ignored the itch in her throat trying to suffocate her. 

   “You better not.” She mumbled. “You're gonna make it up to me.” She didn't relax until Sephiroth unbuckled his pauldrons and removed his boots. Signaling his commitment to stick around. 

   When he looked back at her he had to blink. Twice more slowly for good measure. She was smiling at him. It was a softness the planet would certainly deem him unworthy of. Something he wasn’t sure he cared to see, was so mesmerizing. Believing greedily he might be the cause, without understanding what he’d done to warrant such a reaction. He studied her while fishing to the side for yesterday's book. In case the whole thing was an illusion. He might never witness it again.

   “What's that?” She nodded to the worn novel. 

   “Mako springs created by water pressure relative to regional geography and planetary alignment.”

   “Don’t you read anything other than planet stuff? 

   “No.” 

   “Boring.”

   “Said those who could learn a thing or two.”

   “Fine.” She sighed. Reaching for a lock of his hair and braiding it between her fingers. “If it’s your voice, I guess it’s okay.” 

   “You truly require this to be spoken?” 

   “Yep, you’re not getting out of this one.” 

   “Hmm.” Without further protest, he located the previous chapter of interest. Occasionally he’d steal a glance to see if she was even paying attention. By the time a satisfactory dent was made through the document, he could hear the light hum of her breath. Not quite a snore, but the small noises were enough to confirm her slumber. The warmth of her legs was like a blanket on his lap. Massaging her ankles ever so lightly, he was reminded of the enigma surrounding this human. Powerful enough to fight monsters and face him. Yet a little cough threatened her existence.

   Sephiroth couldn’t quell his curiosity. The solution might be simple, might be just within reach. Those intrusive thoughts returned. 

   “Just make him talk once. Confirm he has no value.” It would only take a second. He could make it back before she woke up. And return with a sound mind before deciding the next move. 

- - - 

   Cloud's head buzzed like he'd just gone through a blender. He could have sworn to have been lucid several minutes ago, but it took an excruciatingly long time to pry open his eyes. The pounding in his skull kept events in perfect order. Tifa, the bar, Hojo, the monitors, Aerith, that fucking monster on her, and a bright light just as his head slammed into ice.

   The rest of his body was fine, and he quickly gathered his bearings. No sign of Tifa, but the chair beside him with makeshift cushions was enough to guilt him for making her worry. He could tell the day was slipping and someone was in the bathroom. 

   Cloud eased himself up by the elbows, listening. Sounded like water. Perhaps Nanaki was taking a bath. He was weirdly private in human ways despite looking like an animal. Always insisting on his own room, his own bed, human food. Cloud swallowed dryly. The same rush from last night seeping back in. Tifa was going to hate him. But he was out of time, he could apologize later after setting things right. Yes, he had to make things right first. 

   With all the stealth of a First class, he fastened his buster sword and opened the window. 

   Cloud retraced his steps to the garage. Although more busy in the day, walking around was also less suspicious with open shops. Shinra really had moved in. Troopers were so mixed with civilians, it was impossible to tell who was on duty and who was just taking a stroll. 

   Thankfully no one seemed to be interested in the mechanic shop. The Turks would have the best snowmobiles powered by Materia. Slipping under the shutter gate, he quickly eyed up the easiest vehicle for grabs. After fixating on one, he heard a click.

   “Don’t!” The voice threatened Cloud to stop reaching for his sword. “Didn't notice at first, but the lowly uniform suits you.”

   Cloud sighed with irritation before turning slowly. Just his luck. Turks were a nuisance, but Tseng was rumored to be the worst. He held a gun just out of arm's length should Cloud try to lunge at him. 

   “Don't have time for this,” Cloud bit out. 

   “Then make time. You had one job.” Tseng pulled back the safety lever. Eager to shoot. 

   “Excuse me?”

   “If I knew you were just gonna lose her I never-!” Tseng stopped himself from slipping out of that perfectly practiced composure. A part of him was mad at himself. Locked into being the middleman unable to protect Aerith or just commit to treating her like an object. He had obligations to fulfill. And she picked him. The baby blue eyed Soldier with stupid hair. Just like that other idiot Zack. Each time Tseng believed someone else could pick up his slack and save her. Free the Ancient and clear his hands of at least this one sin. And yet again, they came up short. “If she dies, I'll kill you first. And if she doesn't, I'll make sure she never sees your kind again.” 

   “Maybe you should look in the mirror.” Cloud seethed, fed up being the punching bag of some man he'd never really met. “Last time I checked, you're the one who put her in the cell I had to break open.”

   “You don't understand anything.”

   “I know she was running from you. That you forced her into making a deal over a child's life so you didn't have to feel bad about bringing her in. Don't kid yourself into thinking she chose to be there.”

   “We did everything we could for her.”

   “You didn't do shit! Or else she wouldn't have asked for a bodyguard.”

   “And a fine job you've done. You have no idea what that thing is capable of.” Tseng’s grip tightened. Waiting for the ex Soldier to fumble. 

   “I know exactly what Sephiroth is. You helped make this dying system. I'm the one trying to clean it up.”

   “You're right. Soldier was a mistake. And there's no time like the present to start fixing that.” His finger found the trigger, and Cloud was ready. No longer sleep deprived and pumping with adrenaline. 

   Cloud whipped around fast enough for the first bullet to rickashay off his sword. The second missed while pulling free his blade. And Tseng had to take a break to steer clear of getting sliced. More bullets hit it's target, but the damn reflexes of a Mako infused Soldier were a sight to behold. If not for that blade, Cloud would be full of holes. The turk ducked behind a crate to reload, but Cloud wasn't having any of that. Before a new clip could fully lock into place, steel collided and the gun went flying. 

   Cloud might have been no match for Tseng in hand to hand combat. But he wasn't exactly feeling generous enough to play fair. He knew exactly where Masamune had pierced his stomach a few weeks ago. Cloud put all his weight into a kick that sent a guttural gasp of air flying out of the Turk. After staggered him, it needed to be finished. 

   “If you cared about Aerith you would have put her before your job and killed that son of a bitch Hojo.” Cloud's fist made contact with the freshly opened wound. Hurling any last bit of resistance out of the bleeding Turk. The man folded over and went limp. It'd been a while since he resorted to a bit of dirty work. And it didn't exactly feel right tying up the man before stuffing his body in a supply crate. Hopefully someone found him before the next snowstorm. If not, Tseng could join the souls he helped crush beneath the sector seven plate. 

   Cloud made one last sweep through the man's pockets for a set of keys and filled a satchel with supplies. The sun would start to fall soon. But he was good with a compass. Revving up the snowmobile, no one dared to ask questions when riding out in president Shinra's elite carriage. 

Chapter Text

   The northern mountains are cruel and unending for anything with a pulse. But a pair of goggles and determination were all Cloud needed to function. Every few miles he'd spot some black robes, and he knew this was the right direction. 

   “It's gonna be set straight. I'm going to fix this.” He couldn't remember dreaming last night. No visions of Aerith, Nibelheim, Sephiroth, anything. But the thrill of meeting her in his head had already lost its novelty. The real thing was somewhere out here, and he couldn't go back until she was safe.

   Rounding off the next big mountain was another cluster of robbed men. Cloud decided not to let his curiosity ruin him and stayed clear. But he hesitated for a moment after a magnetic pulse skipped down his spine. He shut off the engine and listened. The vibrations crawled under his skin, making his hair reach for the sky. So familiar, yet so wrong. Cloud removed his goggles and took calculated steps towards a chunk of frozen rock. The static hummed louder. Before he could think, hands were digging at the ice surrounding his feet. Pushing chunks aside and growing sweaty.

   "Well look at that,” he huffed. Aerith said the Black Materia was around “here” somewhere. If ‘here’ was relative to her, then any doubts he might have had turned to excitement. This had to be the right location. Cloud quickly slotted some Fira and began melting the ice. He would leave with more than one victory. 

- - -

    She asked him not to. Practically begged for him to stay. But Sephiroth was confident he'd return before sunrise. Everything upside down in his unending existence was coming right side up. Still in control, alive and Cloud still broken. But Aerith couldn't be sick, her dying would ruin everything.

   It took little effort to reach icicle village. He spawned near the tents and strode about openly. Some troopers ran, most just gawked. They'd probably assume he was a ghost or illusion of the night. He scanned the prison meticulously. Hojo wouldn't be here, too dirty. That man preferred the stench of bleach burning one's eyes away. 

   Sephiroth learned lots of things from books. Reports lost to time that most would deem irrelevant. But he knew two underground shelters existed somewhere beneath this town. A forgotten safe haven built shortly after the crater was formed hundreds of years ago. In case disaster ever struck again. Sephiroth smiled to himself. Those poor shelters wouldn't save them from his reign though. They were kind enough to build their own graves. Hojo was like a rat, hiding places no one dared to go so he could do as he pleased. A hole in the ground is exactly where a rat would go. 

- - -

   “Take back trials AB-00 and scrap the whole thing. I'm going to try something different.” Hojo waited, but there was no answer. “Sometime now preferably.” This time he looked up from his microscope. Nothing. He sighed and began walking into the main area. “Must I do everything myself!”

   “Ah, Professor.” Masamune slid out from the unfortunate assistant's throat with a squelch. Hojo's nose wrinkled in a way Sephiroth always knew meant he was more irritated than usual. 

   “Do you have any idea how long it took to train that one? Now I won't have a competent worker for weeks!” Sephiroth paid him no mind while clearing his sword of the blood. 

   “Where are they?” He asked calmly. Noting every breath the scientist took. 

   “You'll have to be specific boy. My time is too valuable to be wasted on chit chat.”

   “The diaries. Hollander’s.” Masamune tilted towards the scientist. 

   “Interesting…” Hojo adjusted his glasses. “What importance to you does his research have?”

   “...” Sephiroth held his glare, careful not to give anything away. But Hojo was strange in more than one way. He could read people's distress and turn them against you. 

   “Wait, don't tell me!” Hojo put a hand to his chin with that slimy smile. “If you've come to me it must be quite dire. Hmm.. ah, that's it, the Ancient!” He clasped his hands together with a chuckle. 

   “The diaries.” Sephiroth demanded once more. 

   “I'm afraid you're looking at them.” Hojo tapped his head. Sephiroth had to resist crossing that thin line of patience preventing him from cutting the man in two. “It would appear you've been having some fun with my special sample. I'd like you to return it.”

   “Write what you remember down. Or this lab will join your ships.”

   “Tsk,” Hojo's grin finally dropped to a scowl. Being ignored was one thing, having his stuff tampered with was another. Turns out the culprit just had to be one of his greatest failures. He took a different angle. “Then I presume you've taken the initiative to secure your future cells.”

   “I too haven't time for, chit chat.” Sephiroth dematerialized Masamune and set the dead assistant ablaze. Hoping the fire was a clear enough taste of his intentions.

   “Oh the youth know nothing of tact. How many times have you fucked her boy. My subject is ill isn't she?” Sephiroth's eye twitched before going silent. That was enough to solidify Hojo's suspicions. “And you think Hollander's work on cellular degradation might help.”

   “Will it?”

   “No, she is an Ancient. Her genetic makeup cannot withstand G or S or J cells in any capacity.” Sephiroth's brows twisted in a mix of frustration and puzzlement. “She's not degrading, you're poisoning her.”

   “I want the cure.”

   “There is none. Though the effects shouldn't be so harsh. Unless… Ha, haha.” Hojo couldn't contain himself. It just kept getting better. “You are far more sadistic than I. How many times did you inject your seed? She must be experiencing the worst overdose of her life! Even I don't administer my subjects with more than a few milligrams of cellular compound at a time. Oh how I wish I could see it. Say, does she bleed? Vomiting? Perhaps loss of taste or blindness?” 

   “So many words for someone without a solution.” Sephiroth took a step forward. 

   “That is why it was imperative that I supervise! You’re going to destroy my precious work!”

   “I think that's enough, Professor.” A leathery hand snaked around Hojo's throat. Pulling him up under a deathly grip, yet he still had the gull to smirk. 

   “The only known treatment is, hypothetical,” he gasped between rugged breaths. 

   “Do share before the lung collapses.” 

   “Ancients coveted a special Materia. Gifted by the planet itself… rumored to purify anything. Legend, not science.” Hojo hit the ground after stars overtook his vision. In a coughing fit he lost the ability to keep Sephiroth any longer. The silver Soldier stormed up the stairs, almost breaking to a sprint.

   A black wing broke free in the night, and he took off like a falling star. He couldn't believe it. Sephiroth would never forget such an oversight. He fucking knew it, should have taken it for himself. And now Holy was in the belly of some fish for all he knew. 

- - -

   Aerith tried ignoring the buzzing in her mind. She faded from being half asleep to moments of discomfort. But the cold was finally getting back to her. In a daze she crawled up and over. Thinking to take that man's lap for any warmth. But the sofa was as bare as her skin. Aerith slowly blinked. He was gone.

   “Oh…” Her eyes scanned the room. Not a sound or scent of him lingered. Aerith felt her eyes turn hot before moisture met its surface. She laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. Losing tears over something to trival. She couldn't understand why it hurt so much. Yes, the pain must be the culprit. The constant nausea that threatened to be her new normal. All with death's child to sweeten the deal. She was going to lose every shred of sanity not already broken. All he had to do was sit here. But asking for favors from him was like requesting clean water in Midgar. Even its best was never that good.

   “You're gonna get it,” she said hiccupping. Already planning the most effective way to annoy Sephiroth the next time they crossed paths. Perhaps scattering his books throughout every stupid room would do the trick. He could hunt for his precious library in the useless maze he built. Maybe she could even try cutting his hair when he wasn't looking. 

   Either way, she didn't want to stay in the room that made her ache just thinking about him. She could at least sulk under the comfort of her blankets. Grabbing her staff, Aerith made way into the hallways. Already expecting it to be well into the night. She wouldn't stumble through the darkness again, her staff emitted enough light. 

   Getting through the first floor she felt things were eerily quiet. No weird voices in her mind tonight, but she wasn't about to complain. Mulling over it again, getting Sephiroth to carry her around exclusively might be possible. Give back some of the weight he placed on her heart. There was also the appeal of being held. Aerith got lost in the illusion of comfort in those moments. She could pretend he cared about something other than the end and that she was safe. 

   “I really hate you.” Just as she mustered the resolve to ignore that beautiful face, she heard scraping in the distance. A reflex she didn't know of had her whipping around to rush towards the foyer. “He's back.” Every turn and twist of the house was meticulously memorized by now. The front doors were only a few heartbeats away. 

   The scrapping didn't sound particularly nice. It sounded like an animal gnawing on the frame. Still her pulse was racing the moment her feet reached the bottom staircase. The door was opening. 

   “You're…” 

   Aerith's blood pressure dropped so fast it gave her whiplash. Her little fantasy shattered and reality tanked her stomach. The man who kicked through the snow was shorter than expected. But more notably, it was a Shinra trooper. 

   The uniform was unmistakable against the moon's haze. She was too exposed, but would just have to deal with it. Her hands tightened around the staff and her heart hardened. They weren't supposed to be here. Shinra wasn't supposed to ever come back here. He promised. Said to use him and nothing would hurt her. What a load of nothing.

   Aerith tried closing the distance before the trooper had a chance to fully step inside. Her feet made little to no sound on the tile. She needed to end this quickly. There was no telling how many were outside. With wind she might be able to fling him back, or knock him out with the end of her rod. 

   The trooper shook globs of snow off his leg when Aerith came swinging from the sidelines. He would have been toast if not for the moonlight bouncing off the silver staff. The light flickered into the corner of his eye. In an instant he snapped around to catch it between his hands. Thanking the Goddess it wasn't a blade. 

   “Crap.” She seethed under her breath. Instantly trying to pull back her weapon to strike again. But the staff wouldn't give. She'd never met a trooper in all her life that could best her let alone overpower her. Especially in the heat of panic. The man yanked the staff away from his face and nearly tripped trying to step further inside. 

   “Aerith?” She couldn't remember the last time she was called so familiarly. She eyed the man closely, thinking it must be a mistake, some trick to make her stumble. But even the darkness was clearing up now.

   The moonlight created a beautiful halo around his hair like an angel. His perfectly blue eyes found her and locked into place like a sniper hitting its target. 

    Time froze. Unable to accept what was clear as day. To be relieved so soon might just leave a bigger hole for disappointment. There was still time to wake up. 

   “Cloud.” His name was so alien on her lips. It came out rather flat. But the sound was the sweetest he'd heard in days. The drought was finally ending. Aerith dropped her staff as he dove forward. His body collided so hard she would have fallen over if not for the arms bracing her back. 

   “Aerith!” He cried into her shoulder. 

   “Is this, really you?” Her hands slowly met him back. Running her fingers over the knit of his uniform. 

   “Yeah. For real this time.” Cloud had to tear himself away to get a better look at her face. Same as last time. Red and puffy eyes. But her face was thinner, missing the joy it usually carried. “I told you I'd come.”

   All she could do was stare into his eyes like a fool. She was too light headed to think of the consequences. She felt so high and out of body. 

   Cloud looked at her once over. Her hair was disheveled and sporting a slip that barely qualified as clothing. The bathing suits at Costa del sol were more modest than whatever the hell this was. It suddenly occurred to him that her hands were freezing. 

   “Please forgive me.” Cloud brought her hands to his lips to breathe hot air into the icy skin. Aerith swallowed the lump in her throat.

   “There's nothing to forgive. You actually came all this way.” 

   “That's not good enough.” His face had gone sour.

   “Cloud you've done more than I could ever repay. Really.” she squeezed back his hand. But her eyes were regretful. 

   The lost memories at the Capital consumed his brain. He wanted to ask about everything. The Materia, the dreams, her death. But time was of the essence. Cloud shucked his cloak off and wrapped it around her. And she melted under its warmth. It smelled like sunshine and metal. He bent down to reclaim her staff and took her hand first. The gesture alone was enough to make her think this all really was a dream. 

   “We have to go.” He began walking until he felt the tug of her weight. His head whipped back impatiently. She was stuck in place. Fear in her eyes like some caged animal. “What is it?”

   “I… I don't know if I can.” Her breaths turned shallow. “Might be a bad idea.” The invisible contract she made with Sephiroth tightened in her gut. She should be excited, overrun with joy. Maybe she would have a week ago. But now everything in her mind was muddy and dark. Even holding his hand felt wrong. 

   “Aerith, he's not gonna hurt you anymore. I promise.” 

   “He'll know.” Aerith whispered into the ground. Suddenly very lucid. If she left this house, what sort of disaster would follow? 

   Cloud’s eyes widened and he pulled her closer. Quickly scanning the perimeter. He'd been so caught up in the moment, he failed to consider where the son of Calamity might be lurking. 

   “Where is he?”

   “Gone...”

   “Listen to me. Whatever happens I'll deal with it. But right now, I need you to trust me.” Aerith nodded anxiously. When he tried to move again, she yanked once more 

   “Wait, my shoes. I don't have anything.” For some reason that triggered her eyes to swell again. She bit her lip angrily. Her only jacket was in the far back of the mansion. Her boots nowhere near, dress torn, and her bow confiscated. All she had to show for herself was a pathetic display of skin. Instead of the confident victor of Wall Market. She didn't want him to see her like this. Cloud glanced at her feet and steadied himself. His lips thinned. The only sound being a deep inhale, as if trying to stop himself from saying every awful thought. 

   “That bastard's days are numbered.” Before she could protest further, Cloud lifted her. “I got you.” 

Chapter Text

   Cloud had her sandwiched between his arms and the handlebar. Eventually the cold turned everything numb besides the strip of warmth he radiated against her back. Her toes should be ready to fall off. But time didn't exist in delirium. All she had to do was close her eyes and pretend nothing was wrong. 

   It took quite a bit of effort to relax. Such a harsh environment did more than just deafen sound at full speed. She couldn't actually open her eyes without feeling them get sliced by wind. Requiring full trust that the driver wouldn’t let her fall. At least this way she didn't have to talk. Maybe she should. Confess everything right now at the top of her lungs without the pain of him hearing it all.

   “Hey.” A hand wrapped around her front and squeezed lightly. “Let's take a break.”

   Her ears were still ringing, head lost in a sea of bad outcomes. Only now realizing they stopped moving. Cloud parked under the ledge of a rock facing away from the snowy current. The moment he moved, any bit of comfort vanished.  

   He unhooked the satchel and dug out some coal before striding further into the cove. He left her on the seat so she just waited. She’d never seen him in the flesh beyond the capital before. She knew Cloud better than she knew herself after living the same three weeks with him over and over. But this Cloud would now do and say things she couldn't predict. He was like a stranger in her eyes. Their futures, even if perhaps temporarily, had altered. A new kind of fear set in. If she could live, then others could certainly die. Would he get hurt in this timeline? What about the others?

   Once the fire was set he returned her way. Aerith couldn't help but be anxious since the last time she got stranded in a cave. But Cloud looked so calm. Like he had the whole thing worked out already. He picked her up again and sat her by the fire. The icy floor burned her skin, but at least it wasn't wet. The cloak only covered so much, but apparently Cloud had that covered too. 

   “The Materia has to debuff. Should be ready to ride again in a few hours.” He kept rummaging through his bag. “It's not exactly perfect, but these will hold for a few hours.” Cloud scooted closer and pulled out a few thick and furry mittens. 

   Aerith stared into the soft fox furs while nearby flames soothed her flesh. It made her think of that blanket. The fire in his study. She shook her head violently to throw out the image. 

   “May I?” Aerith looked up at him and blinked. Unsure what he meant. He motioned to her feet. She nodded after a moment thinking he didn't have to ask. But then she frowned. No, wasn't it normal to ask first? Cloud lifted her ankles carefully before trying to slip the mittens on like socks. He secured them with rope, careful not to cut off any circulation. 

   “There.” He whispered. Those mako infused eyes slowly outlined the state of her legs before finding her eyes again. Aerith never wore the most revealing things previously, but he could still tell she'd lost mass. He figured she was being starved. Weak prisoners were easier to control. She was being oddly quiet. Not at all like the dreams. “I'm sorry.” He repeated. 

   “Don't say that.” She choked. She hated it with her entire being to hear him apologizing. Not when she didn't even know where to start groveling herself. She had one role to fulfill and let her selfishness to survive ruin everything. It made it hard to face him with a smile. In the past everything she'd done was with his best interest in mind. Now she couldn't say the same. Even if she tried to explain it had all been for their safety, his safety. He wouldn't thank her for it. 

   “We didn't have time earlier. Take these.” He slid the green trooper scarf off before dropping it in her lap and unlacing his boots. He wasted no time standing up to unfasten the top harness and started shrugging off layers. When he reached for the buckles connecting the top to his pants Aerith gasped and immediately turned away. She might have teased him for doing something so reckless under normal circumstances. 

   “I'm fine! You have to wear clothes out here!” 

   “I am wearing clothes.” Cloud paused for a moment mid strip before heat pricked at his face. “I- I have my uniform underneath.” He couldn't say it fast enough to make her understand. She needed the clothes more than him. And being reminded of her bedroom attire made it hard to focus. Mostly considering where it came from. 

   “Oh, right!” She slowly shifted her attention to the fire. Trying not to look too stupid. 

   “Here.” He handed her the cloth and sat down. Cloud coughed once into his fist and ignored his own burning ears. “The village is under Shinra supervision. You'll need it.” 

   The uniform was still warm in her hands. It felt strange to take his clothes even if he only owned them momentarily. These would be discarded the moment they no longer needed a disguise. Yet the smell of his warmth and sweat was all over.

   “What's wrong?”

   “Aren’t you gonna turn around?” Aerith clutched the fabric and his eyes suddenly widened. In an instant Cloud moved to the other side of the fire pit and turned his back. He stared into his boots while scratching his head. 

   Aerith took a deep breath and quickly slotted herself into the jumper. Not daring to remove the slip first. For a moment she considered burning it, but the atmosphere was awkward enough. She couldn't deny the warmth was heavenly against her skin. The size was large enough to cover her hands and ankles. 

   “Thank you.” She said before zipping up the front. 

   “When we get into town you can eat as much as you want.” Cloud opened the satchel again to clear his mind and took out a chunk of sourdough. “This is all I have for now.” 

   “Ah, you should take it. You're doing all the work.” Aerith waved her hands up in protest.

   “What does that mean? You don't have to do anything.” He put the bread in her hand and sat back in silence. Instead of showing relief, she looked more burdened than anything. 

   “I wanted to help.” She said apologetically. Staring into the bread like she was somewhere far away. 

   “You have.” Cloud rummaged through his pockets and pulled forth a sinister black orb. Aerith leaned forward with her mouth slightly open. He found that which she lost almost instantly. As if destiny was fighting to set things back to its original track. “It was nearby just like you said. Though I don't understand why he put it in ice.”

   It suddenly dawned on her how useless she was to do anything. She'd never felt so pathetic in her life. It took so much to run away that time, and it almost killed her before the day was over. But Cloud was different. Not an ounce of fear in his eyes when stranded in the snow. He was patching things up and didn't even know it. She wouldn't blame them for never relying on her again. 

   “Where are the others?” Aerith gripped the stale crust and wondered how poorly her friends had been eating in pursuit of finding her.

   “They're waiting for us in a Village by the coast. But Nanaki and Tifa are here too.” Aerith looked around as if trying to find them. “They're in town since… we thought it safer if I came alone.”

   “Is that so?” Aerith tilted her head thinking that didn't sound right. 

   “Anyway, sure you're okay?” Cloud didn't want to think about the fight that might unfold when he returned. He had to believe finding Aerith would make Tifa go easy on him. 

   “Yeah. I just need some sleep.”

   “That makes two of us.” He nodded in agreement. Aerith almost smiled. It was easy to forget what it felt like to have others on her side. “Aerith.” Cloud cleared his throat. “Did anything else happen? For a moment I- we thought you were gone for good.”

   “Everything is kind of a blur.” Her nails scraped the bread. Dreading this part. 

   “It's been three weeks. Did he meet you often?”

   Aerith chewed at her lip. Even without taking her eyes off the fire, his gaze tore into her. It itched.

   “You mean Sephiroth? Yeah.” She bought her knees in and hugged tightly for support. 

   “There must have been a reason to target you.” He'd only heard her mention Sephiroth in the past sparingly. Always through a distant lens. But now it was personal. Too personal.

   “I guess because I'm part Cetra. He said a lot of nonsense. It's hard to know how much he meant of anything.” Aerith felt sick recalling her promise. The sheer notion of Sephiroth asking for her love was ridiculous. If they met again he'd surely want to stab her for real. 

   “Did he say anything that might give us the upper hand?”

   “He wants the Black Materia.” Cloud was still. As if bracing himself to hear something he didn’t know. “And a child of mine,” she thought. But she'd rather cut her own tongue than say that. “I guess he thinks I could connect him with the lifestream. Since he wants control of the planet and all.”

   “Sounds crazy enough to be right.”

   “Funny though, I've never felt more disconnected than I do now. His plans won't mean anything.”

   “He shared his plans?” Cloud wanted to be more forward. In truth, he couldn't care less what Sephiroth thought of the Planet. The madman would die all the same. He wanted to know about her physical state. 

   She never did mention the extent of her years in captivity. Cloud remembered hearing a snippet of Hojo's depraved ideas back in the vents of Shinra. He assumed Aerith didn't know. But now he wasn't sure of how many awful things she kept buried beneath those smiles. It was a corner of her life she never shared. 

   He had many inappropriate questions since long ago that were better left unsaid. Yet now it was all becoming relevant. Had Hojo tried breeding her previously? Just how involved were the Turks to be on a first name basis? Had she met Sephiroth before? He used to work for Shinra after all. Aerith might have been in a glass tube while he ascended the ranks to First. Is that how she met Zack? A soldier might have access to the labs. Maybe Zack rescued her and that's why she fell in love. 

   “The details aren't really important…” Aerith's brain rolled over how to avoid this. Sephiroth had indeed divulged everything. Made it painfully clear how he wanted her tethered to him. She couldn't say he raped her with her full chest. And it made her furious how complicated everything was. Sephiroth twisted her into his web so perfectly. Explaining the events of the beginning, couldn’t convey her current emotions at all. 

   It took an exhausting amount of effort to repress that night of pain. Just thinking about it made her want a shower. But then he saved her life and held her dearly. And slowly her hatred calmed. To the point she had crawled into his company and tried to satisfy her loneliness. No matter how she organized the events, everything felt like a betrayal. 

   If only it had been anyone but Sephiroth. It shouldn't be this damn hard to say she slept with someone. Cloud wasn't hers, and she wasn't his. They'd never made a lovers promise. But this was something else. They were a team. Or supposed to be. Sephiroth destroyed her beloved's childhood. And now she felt like some scummy double agent. 

   “Yes they are Aerith.” Cloud scooted a bit closer. “Where are your clothes? When did you last find food?”

   “My clothes?” Aerith's face might have combusted, realizing clearly how Cloud had found her. Her mouth opened slightly, and she fumbled at her collar for air. She'd been desensitized to modesty under Sephiroth's care. Getting too comfortable being unwrapped by his leathery hands. But Cloud of all people seeing her that way brought back any sort of humiliation ten times over.

   “How long were you waiting by that door to attack? Were you expecting Sephiroth?” Cloud was growing impatient with such simple answers. 

   Aerith suddenly realized how it must have looked. Like she was bravely trying to make an escape. Desperate enough to run away in her underwear. When in reality she would have dove right into their foes arms had it been Sephiroth. A new wave of nausea hit. Everything was so messed up. 

   “He picked- I mean it was hot, or actually it's cold you know. But I wasn't feeling well, so food isn’t-”

   “You're sick?” Cloud snapped forward. Trying to decipher her rambles. She did look different.

   “It's nothing really!” This was just getting worse. She hadn't even told Sephiroth she was pregnant. If Cloud found out, she wasn't sure which one of them would die on the spot first.

   “If he ever touch-”

   “Hey, how much longer do you think until the materia is charged? It's dangerous to stay here too long.” Aerith cut him off immediately. 

   “Shouldn't be too long.” Cloud finally broke his stare and looked into the snowy mountains.

   She was so uncomfortable, so unlike herself. Aerith wasn’t one to trip over her thoughts. If she wished to avoid something, she hid it under some sarcastic quip that lightened the mood. He didn't know how much he could take Sephiroth's taunts at face value. But if even half of what he thought was true, it couldn't be easy to explain. He knew it was selfish to make her say it. Yet he expected her to jump at the chance to express how awful that man was. That she was trapped in some cell or that the monster had used some sort of manipulation materia. In a sense, no one had ever been this close to their enemy for such a long period of time. Yet she had nothing to say about him personally. Maybe that was a good thing. “You should sleep. I'll keep watch until it's time to go.”

   “Sure.” Aerith nodded. Folding the green scarf, she looked about for a place to rest her head. Preferably somewhere she wouldn't have to look at him. 

   “You can sit closer if you're cold.” He crossed his legs. Almost like he was offering his lap. 

   “I'm okay really.” Aerith declined. Instead sizing up his familiar uniform. The short sleeves may be alright by the fire, but he'd surely get frostbite on the bike. “You should take better care of yourself first.”

   Aerith crept behind him to return the cloak he'd shared at the mansion. It was harder for him to refuse this way. And she quickly draped it around his shoulders before tying it at the neck. He was a bit chilly, but he'd never say it. 

   “I think you should get a look at yourself before giving advice.” He watched her sit a bit further away after being overly careful not to touch him.

   “I would, but this bodyguard keeps trying to one up me.” A thin smile settled into her cheeks. “He works so hard I can't even think about myself.”

   Cloud huffed and looked away shyly. Pretending to be oh so interested in the cavern walls. She eventually settled into a ball on the ground and cozied up with her back to the flames. 

   “I'll never let something like this ever happen again.” He suddenly broke the silence. 

   “Thanks Cloud, but you didn't let anything happen. Some stuff is just out of our control.”

   “Like dying?” He muttered ever so faintly. 

   “What?”

   “Nothing. You're supposed to be sleeping.” Cloud decided the strange semi-white materia in his pocket and that conversation could wait. His eyes never left the back of her head even after he thought she might have dozed off. Heavens forbid he closed his eyes and she vanished again. It took an unnerving amount of restraint to not crawl closer and poke at her. Desiring more affirmation that Aerith was in fact real and sitting there. Sephiroth had once tried to trick him into thinking Tifa was a fake. Was that even possible? Was this all a hoax too? But for now he ignored that headache. They just needed to get back into town before daybreak. 

- - - 

   Sephiroth was frantic for some time. Jenova kept whispering something relentlessly but he didn't bother absorbing it. His own thoughts too loud. The planet didn't want him anywhere near here. The forgotten capital was sacred. And he was no better than the plaque. 

   He was turning the place upside down. Thousands of years of history and organically grown crystal were being shattered. He searched and searched again. The same spot repeatedly until pulverizing the platforms just to make sure the materia wasn't hidden somewhere. 

   The pillars holding the Ancients city together crumbled one at a time before falling into the lifestream. A weapon that had been dormant began to roar. Making the walls vibrate with fervor. Screaming to get the hell out. But the threat fell on deaf ears. Sephiroth wouldn't leave until he was sure once more Holy wasn't here. 

   “You may think to have bested me. But I do not fail. I will find you.” Sephiroth repeated himself in an endless loop. “I will find it. I will find it.”  

   Aerith was warming up to him. Would have been with child soon. But now that man says she's being poisoned. By him no less. If that's the case could she live long enough to conceive? Could she even get pregnant at all? How long did she have? If he refused to touch her would she get better? But then what's the fucking point? 

   Sephiroth smashed another pillar and listened to the weapon hundreds of feet below wail in pain. 

   “Not here either.” Sephiroth looked to the main altar where destiny cursed his name. He was running out of areas to search. Maybe he should have brought Aerith. Asked if she knew where Holy was. Maybe she could pray for a new one. 

   Ridiculous. Sephiroth rolled his neck. He needed to stay grounded. It's not like he could just get another Black Materia either. 

   There couldn't possibly be anywhere else it fell in this city. He saw it repeatedly, over and over. Waiting patiently while Aerith ran ahead of her party. Sparing barely a glance at the city's magnificent makeup. Each time she streamlined straight to the altar and began praying immediately. Then his sword came, her braid fell, and the rest was history. 

   Perhaps that was his answer. Holy was simply lost to the waters. The weapon roared once more and Sephiroth summoned Masamune. Its relentless wails were grating. He didn't wish to be here either. But it wouldn't be too absurd to think the weapon had eaten Holy on its plunge into the abyss. He'd cut the belly of one before, he could do it again.  He paused and stared into the water. The weapon's scales glimmered under its green hue. 

   His abilities blended so easily into the path of vengeance. Death was a simple thing, yet life resisted him. 

   “The bringer of life, gift of the Goddess.” Sephiroth remembered Genesis. His agonizing obsession with Loveless. He wasn't sure why he heard those old words. But a cure could be tied to the lifestream where Holy would have undoubtedly been forged. 

   Sephiroth let himself fall to the bottom floors of the cavern. The Mako here was a bit different from what leaked out of reactors. The fumes were less toxic yet just as potent. Aerith wasn't like other humans. A part of her might truly need the lifestream to remain healthy. She grew up in Midgar. The most toxic landfill of all, yet never succumbed to Mako poisoning or developed an addiction. Her eyes were clear, unlike his, unlike Soldier. She did say she couldn't feel the planet anymore. Perhaps this was all she needed. 

   Sephiroth hollowed out a broken shard of crystal and knelt before the lifestream to fill it. Paying close attention to the rumbling deep beneath the waves. Aerith was the planet's chosen sacrifice. “Beloved by the Goddess.” He could hope this might grant her a small blessing. Some minor reprieve until Holy was found. 

   He tucked the vile carefully into a compartment in his jacket and stood firm. That blasphemous creature was rushing to the surface. Sephiroth clutched Masamune and prepared to slice his first planet's weapon into a million pieces. He’d never actually killed one before. Stepping into the lifestream, he slowly approached. The feeling of Mako all around was weirdly nostalgic. 

   His real body had been preserved in pure Mako like this and remained intact. Perhaps hers could too. Aerith had to be strong enough to withstand the effects of Mako. She was Cetra. More so than him. But he aggressively blocked that discovery out lifetimes ago. 

- - -

   “Tifa, calm down. It's going to be alright.”

   “It's been hours and the sun is coming up. I shouldn't have left him.” Tifa was pacing around and biting her thumb to shreds. 

   Nanaki sat patiently on the bed with far more faith in Cloud's return than the ex Soldier deserved. Nanaki was in the most dangerous position of being caught, but if he was worried, it didn't show. 

   “Cloud wouldn't just leave us behind. Especially you.” His claim should have soothed her. 

   “No, he might. Cloud is…different. He's been off for a while. It was bad before Aerith left.” Tifa settled by the window and kept fidgeting. “He's getting worse. Maybe I should have done something earlier.”

   “Losing Aerith is hard on all of us. He's still processing it.” Nanaki remembered the incident in Gongaga. Everyone thought Tifa had simply fallen. But Aerith told him in secret Cloud attacked her. She even requested the canine keep an eye on Cloud. 

   “His obsession with finding Aerith isn't helping.”

   “I thought you too wanted to find her first?”

   “Of course I do! It's just, everything feels strange lately. Like we're not supposed to be here, doing this right now.” Tifa moved beside Nanaki. “Aerith knew a lot of things didn't she? Things she couldn't share.” Nanaki nodded once slowly. Unsure of how much the young fighter knew. “Maybe she chose not to find us. What if…”

   Gloved hands came up to the window and fumbled with the ledge. The frozen glass was far higher and difficult to maneuver from outside. 

   The two tensed. Tifa's first instinct was to throw a blanket over Nanaki. He'd stand out like a sore thumb under Shinra's eyes. Not that he appreciated it. Slowly she approached the widow with her back flush against the wall. With one hard shove the window slid open. Tifa was ready to grab whatever came through when a blonde head popped in first. 

   “Cloud!” She gasped. Taking a step back. He eyed her for a second with surprise before his lip tugged upwards. He continued to jump over the frame and turned his back. Fishing for something outside. 

   Tifa couldn't believe it. He just shows up like this after leaving. After everything with a grin like it's ok? She grabbed him by the neck of his uniform and yanked the Soldier back. He stumbled to the bed with a grunt. Nanaki was still freeing himself from the sheets. 

   “Tifa!” He gasped, hand stretched towards the window. 

   “What were you thinking?!” She put her hands on her hips. “Do you have any idea how scared we were?” He still wasn't looking at her. Preoccupied and moving away again. “Does everything we've done so far mean anything to you?” she stepped in front, ready to give him a second concussion. 

   “A little help- oof!” Aerith tumbled over the ledge with her legs kicking and onto the floor. “...would be nice.” She groaned under her own weight. Truly feeling the effects of not exercising. 

   Nanaki’s head snapped up and he sniffed the air. Tifa's couldn't remember being so stunned words didn't come. She took a few steps closer before falling to her knees. Aerith was still rubbing her neck when the bartender’s arms stretched over. 

   “Aerith?” She ran her fingers through the flower girl's messy hair. Pushing uneven bangs away to get a clear look. 

   “Heya Tifa.” A large toothy smile spread over Aerith's face. Oh how she missed this. The comfort that bloomed whenever Tifa spoke. 

   Tifa's brows scrunched up and her mouth thinned. Aerith was here in the flesh, smiling as if she had never gone. She dove into a powerful embrace forcing Aerith's back to hit the wall.

   “I think you got stronger.” Aerith squeaked. Eventually hugging her back. 

   “Thank goodness.” Tifa sighed. 

   Cloud was smiling for the first time in a while. But Nanaki was lost for words. He crept a bit closer, watching carefully. 

   “Sorry.” Aerith could feel Tifa sniffling into her ear. “I'm late huh?” She stroked the soft black hair. She didn't want Tifa to cry anymore. She’d seen her cry enough from beyond this life.  

   Tifa pulled herself away and wiped her eyes. Her expression may have been soft for Aerith, but the hints of a glare snuck in when she turned to face Cloud.

   “We're not finished,” she said sternly before standing up. A threat no doubt to properly scold him later. Tifa took Aerith's hands and helped her up. “But right now, we need to leave.”

   A bit of Aerith shrunk. It seemed nowhere was safe enough to just sit a moment. She was tired from the travel, her body wasn't up to par anymore. And she didn’t even want to think about how that might not improve in the coming months. But she noted Tifa also sported a trooper uniform. 

   “What happened here?” Aerith glanced out the window. She'd never been to this side of the north, yet something told her all the new Shinra construction wasn't normal. 

   “It's a long story,” Cloud interjected. “But Tifa’s right, we can't stay.” 

   “Are there more snowmobiles?” Aerith suddenly felt time was running out. She had no idea if Sephiroth was back at the house yet. She'd seen how fast he could fly. He could arrive any minute.

   “No, it's too risky.” Cloud had already run into the Turks once. He didn’t even bother parking the snowmobile after getting back. As soon as they passed the gates they abandoned the bike to rush into town before the bulk of security even woke up. Riding out again would be suspicious. Especially with Red on the back. 

   “Hojo's shipment,” Tifa blurted out. Aerith tensed at the name. “A truck is leaving soon for the coast right? It should be empty.”

   “That ought to get us close enough to the others,” Nanaki said. He continued to steal glances at Aerith, sniffing from time to time. A part of him wanted to nuzzle her. Yet her eyes would catch him staring for just a second too long. Instead of relief, she looked nervous, and quickly averted his gaze. 

   “A doctor would have patched Barret up by now.” 

   “Doctor?” Aerith's eyes lit up suddenly. 

   “There was an incident.” Tifa tried to explain it simply. “But everyone's okay.”

   “Let's find those cargo trucks before the town wakes up.” Cloud was grabbing their only bag of supplies left. “We can deal with the prisoners later.”

   Tifa nodded earnestly. Aerith tried absorbing it all in horror. “Prisoner's? Barret is injured?” The universe had already begun moving in ways she couldn't predict. She prayed Sephiroth taking her life into his own hands hadn’t changed things for the worse.

Chapter Text

   Sephiroth stood longer than necessary. Scanning his vacant study meticulously. Of course she'd be upset. But none of that mattered. He needed to ask about Holy. At least see if the lifestream could sooth her pain. Turns out the weapon ate nothing but Mako energy. Sephiroth cut it so finely, he would have noticed any stray materia.

   Unease set in as he made way to the top floor. The house was too quiet. Her room too, empty. He'd already passed the dining hall and heard nothing. Yet her things remained untouched. Where would she hide without clothes?

   “Aerith!” He broke open the bathroom door so hard it cracked along the hinges. Nothing. He didn't even notice his own sigh. Right. She couldn't have died so abruptly. So how the hell does one vanish? He wished desperately to reach into her consciousness and see for himself. But only she seemed to possess a talent for creeping through his mind. 

    “No.” He thought. There was something missing. Her staff. Sephiroth recalled how on edge she'd been recently. Showing himself to Hojo may not have been wise. The Turks knew where they were. They could attack again. 

   Retracing the entrance, he searched for any means of forced entry. Sure enough, the outside door had new dents carved around the frame. As if someone attempted to break the hinges with a knife. Routine blizzards would have covered unwanted tracks. But a peculiar bump just outside the entrance gathered a pile of snow. Sephiroth kicked the ball and inhaled deeply to calm himself. A trooper helmet. 

   He didn't want them touching her. Talking to her. Hojo wouldn't hesitate to open her up and see what changes might have occurred since the last “checkup” with the Ancient. 

   “So be it.” His eyes narrowed before turning on his heels. He'd been far too lenient. His focus on Aerith may have blinded him to the problems closing in all around. But Sephiroth wouldn't let this slide twice. 

- - -

   Icicle village was typically quiet in the morning. Residents enjoyed a slower life that snow brought. Less people, less work and less trouble. 

   But this morning challenged those beliefs. The townspeople faced one misfortune after another since Shinra arrived. And now suddenly everyone was up and running to the cries of their neighbors. 

   Heat found its way into the village. Filling the streets with black smoke. No one knew when it started, but it spread suspiciously fast for a town made of ice. 

   “Units 345 and 67 are on evacuation duty! The rest of you are to get water into the camps immediately!”

   “Sir, the emergency hoses are still frozen! The fire won't nullify with our materia either.”

   “Then try again! How hard can it be to put out a fire in the middle of a blizzard?! Melt the hoses if you have to damnit!” 

   Dozens of Wutaians woke to the flames of their tents burning. Smoldering cloth collapsed above their metal cages to suffocate them. Screaming for help as their flesh began to shrivel. 

   The troopers, inexperienced as they were, had gone rigid. Unsure what to do. Their own tents were on fire. Most of them knew Shinra kept prisoners. But watching them get incinerated among blood curdling screams was not a part of their field training. 

   Sephiroth started in the camps first. He knew Hojo wasn't there, but the bulk of his work usually required living subjects. So if eliminating them hindered him, it was all the same. Sephiroth didn't really care if they were innocent. In his mind the prisoners should thank him. A mercy to die now rather than the lab. Although he knew the folks would burn slowly first, that was of no consequence. Their fear fed his strength, and the flames just got hotter. 

   He'd started into town once alarm bells sounded. Smoke piled so thick one could barely see five feet ahead. The Turks usually stayed separate from the lower ranks. Eating the more lavish part of Shinra's budget without a second thought.

   But alas the new apartment complex was empty. No sign of Aerith. It would have to burn. The bars were also empty. Even if it was early, that never stopped the Turks from a morning sip before. Strange, but that would burn too. Then Shinra's garage. Half the vehicles were missing. 

   Sephiroth's fists clenched. They must have left already. That just wouldn't do. Of course Sephiroth saved the lab for last. Turns out he didn't have to go far. Hojo was already outside and making a scene.

   “Professor, we have to evacuate immediately.”

   “Absolutely not! Do your job and get this fire under control.”

   “We have orders to get all elite Shinra Intel to safety. The chopper is almost here.” 

   “Your orders are what I say they are! My lab was just finished. Even if half the town dies there's plenty left to work with. So secure the area you fool!”

   Sephiroth was already short on time. Shoving Masamune straight through the Soldiers back. The blade would have nicked Hojo had he not jumped the moment he noticed a shadow emerge. 

   Hojo didn't expect to see his ghost again so soon. He was still bitter about the bruising on his neck from last night.

   “You truly cannot help but compromise everything. Even when I've been so considerate to leave you be against Shinra's orders.” Hojo wiped specks of blood from his glasses.

   “The Ancient, Professor.” Sephiroth remained uninterested in Hojo's squabbling. 

   “The specimen is not here. Although I do wish otherwise.”

   “I don't think so.” Sephiroth kept his blade pointed to the scientist's chest.

   “Difficult isn't it? Holding one little girl. Surely now you can understand my methods.” Hojo folded his arms. In moments like these he was reminded why he never wanted children. Yet somehow had ended up with two under his care for the pursuit of science. Now they were all grown up and still making a mess. Spilling blood instead of coffee. If only he could rip their brains out and make them do as instructed. 

   Sephiroth couldn't explain the unwelcome prickles that came with being asked to sympathize with Hojo. He had indeed used force to contain Aerith. And yet it wasn't enough. Would he actually need a container for her? Even that hadn't stopped her from escaping Shinra though.

   Cat-like eyes flicked through the scientist's face for a lie.

   “The Turks have all but vanished.”

   “The dogs do as they please. Unless needed, what should I care where they run?”

   A terrible fury swelled in his stomach. That didn't make sense. Would Shinra move independent of Hojo regarding the Ancient? Tseng might. He tried something similar with Zack. Being Rufus’ favorite pet let Tseng get away with about anything. And Sephiroth remembered him having a peculiar attachment to Aerith even before Zack met her. 

   Too many unknowns were piling up. His favorite puppet had also gone unaccounted for quite some time. In light of keeping their promise, he neglected to keep tabs on Cloud's progression into the north. His knuckles cracked along the hilt of Masamune. Wondering if this had been her plan all along. 

   “To think I might have had something along the lines of a medicine by now if not for my missing supplies.” Hojo prodded a bit more seeing Sephiroth hesitate. He certainly didn't want to die here. 

   “You've already denounced a cure, Professor.” 

   “A known cure. One can always be made. Of course, that is I have the required tools.” Hojo tried not to sigh in relief when the sword lowered slightly. “I too do not wish for the Ancients death. What a loss that would be. The most effective method would be to bring the specimen physically…”

   Sephiroth completely disregarded the man and began to turn away. He didn't have time for this. In no universe he was bringing Aerith to Hojo. And if she wasn't here, he had no reason to be either. 

   “Or a DNA sample!” Hojo blurted the next best thing to keep his obsession from entirely vanishing. “A living part of her must be assessed to see what's changed!”

   “... a sample.” Sephiroth reiterated after stopping for a brief moment. 

   “Yes.” Hojo brought his hands together excitedly. “Some skin or blood or bodily fluid. Anything or rather, everything you can get. Of course, I'll need the Ancients file from my lab in Midgar. You understand what I'm saying right?” 

   Sephiroth took a second to consider. Surely no good would come of getting involved with this person. But if there was a chance to improve her condition, the rewards outweighed the loss. Hojo would never touch her, he'd make sure of that. 

   “Well see.” Was all the silver Soldier said before disappearing into the smoke. 

   The only thing that mattered was locating Aerith. Shinra used the same routes to the coast when transporting anything. He couldn't rule out the chance of a helicopter carrying her. But ground transportation was far more discreet. Considering Sephiroth demolished the last chopper that invaded his home, the Turks likely wouldn't try that again. 

- - -

   Everyone allowed complete silence to choke the journey. Betting everything they didn't get caught. Hours turned to a grueling eternity. Originally Cloud thought to just overtake the drivers once they were far enough from town. But that was before they knew the Turks would be driving. 

   Tseng and Elaina were to personally oversee this shipment's success. As it turned out, Tseng was injured and instructed to take less strenuous assignments in the meantime.

   Tseng refused to divulge the perpetrator no matter how hard Elaina pushed. He'd been missing for half a day. Only to bust through their complex in the middle of the night half frozen to death with a reopened wound. 

   Cloud couldn't say he was entirely relieved to see Tseng alive. But it was one less thing for Aerith to cry over. She seemed rather distressed at the temple when he got stabbed.

   The four sat behind crates stacked along the back of the truck's cargo hold. Aerith rested across Tifa and Cloud while Nanaki laid beside her. The air was stifled by unsaid questions. Elena's ears were sharp. 

   Aerith could tell something was wrong. Cloud glanced compulsively at Tifa as if to check something. Only to be given the cold shoulder. She refused to even look his way. The bartender's expression hardened while sitting slightly turned away. So they chose to stare at her instead. 

   Aerith's fixated on the metal walls to distract from their gaze. Her eyes flickered over occasionally accompanied by an awkward smile. She wondered if they even realized how silly they looked. Staring like she was about to dissolve into thin air. Nanaki didn't fuss much. Aerith began to wish she sat across from him instead. 

   “Maybe now I can reach the planet again.” She thought. “We still have to stop Calamity.”

    As if on cue, something slammed into the truck. Aerith tumbled into Tifa's lap while everyone scrambled for something to hold onto. 

   “The hell?” Cloud gasped. Not a moment later they heard a scream and the truck began to tilt. 

   “Everyone hold on!” Tifa shouted while securing Aerith's back. They felt the jerk of a tire blowing out. And the vehicle squealed in pursuit of trying to break before tipping over. 

   The Turks srarted shouting. So the party quickly brushed off their aching joints and got ready for trouble. 

   “C'mon.” Nanaki insisted. “Looks like our ride is over.” 

   “Maybe we can sneak away,” Tifa said. 

   “Doubt it.” Cloud put all his weight into a kick that burst the back doors open. “Let's move.”

   He jumped out of the sideway door first and immediately held his hand out to Aerith. Tifa and Nanaki were quite nimble. Yet Aerith had a sway in her steps since earlier. As if she were drunk. She accepted his offer quickly and let him catch the brunt of her weight. 

    “After this I'm going to start exercising for real,” she reassured herself.

   “Careful.” Cloud said. He tried helping her stand straight again. 

   “I think we're actually near the coast.” Tifa immediately noted the lush trees. 

   “Uhm, guys.” Nanaki smelled a thickness in the air. He tried to get their attention first but it all happened too fast. Aerith and Cloud turned simultaneously to see the creature with silver hair glaring with intense hatred.  

   The Turks were a nuisance, and Cloud was almost endearing. But both? Sephiroth might have laughed if his rage didn't consume the moment. Mother was surely laughing though. So much benefit of the doubt he'd given to his prisoner. He supposed in the end that's what she was.

   A part of Sephiroth expected this. It was the most logical explanation. But seeing Aerith in Cloud's arms almost made him reset the timeline. Especially with that face she was making.  

   “If you know guilt, you shouldn't have moved.” Was all he could think. One moment acting like she never wanted to be parted, and now like he was her nightmare. In some ridiculous way he envisioned some relief in seeing him. To know he intended to shield her from Shinra to the end. But it never was Shinra. Just that blonde Soldier. 

    What Sephiroth didn't expect was the pulsing flow of dark energy also radiating from the truck. He recognized it immediately and simply knew . Once more his Black materia was with the girl who feigned helplessness. Once more she relied on another. They even wore matching uniforms. How cute. 

   Cloud moved in front of Aerith as Nanaki took off.

   “I'll get the others!” He was incredibly fast without the snow to slow his stride. And Sephiroth had no interest in the four legged creature. Tifa braced herself behind Aerith. Rapidly glancing between Cloud and the Turks. Unsure who was worse to turn her back on. 

   Sephiroth began moving forward in no hurry. All he could see was Aerith. His eyes tore through hers. Daring her to even try looking elsewhere.  

   “Well, fate has its own humor.” The son of Calamity sported a smile. But Aerith could sense bloodlust. Reminiscent of their first encounter. She knew he blamed her. Aerith bit her lip, it hadn't even been a full day yet. 

   “You!” Elena eventually got out from the side and turned her gun towards Aerith. “Because of you Rude almost died!” 

   “Elena stop.” Tseng was still struggling to break out of the broken doors. A single glance allowed him to assess the situation. Even if it was confusing as hell. But jobs must be finished, questions come later. “The Ancient is to be taken in.”

   “I don't think so.” Tifa jumped down from atop the truck and knocked the gun right out of Elena's hand. Everyone was so focused on Sephiroth they didn't notice her creep around. Elena lunged but Tifa was well equipped to restrain the young Turk. 

   “Elena, guard up!” Tseng yelled. He slid out the driver's window and charged at the bartender. Cloud knew he would hesitate to shoot. 

   “Tifa!” Clouds feet dug into the ground. His instinct told him to get her, but Sephiroth wasn't far off either. 

   “Go,” Aerith urged. “I'll hold him off.” Cloud's eye twitched. That was a shit idea. But he didn't have time to argue. The Turk already has his gun drawn. Tifa faltered at the sound of Tseng's clip clicking into place and that was all it took for Elena to connect a kick to her ribs.

    Aerith immediately cast wind to create a barrier between Tseng and Tifa. She was beginning to desperately wish she'd slotted some different material back at the inn. 

   “Wanna try that again?” Cloud taunted as the dust settled. His buster sword firmly pointed.

   “Don't push your luck.” Tseng decided that of all Aerith's friends, this one was the least charming. 

   “I'm not the one who got locked in a crate.” Cloud hated how smug this Turk always looked. They were all cocky. But this one had cheated death far too often. 

   “I can fix that.” Tseng pulled a second gun and dodged forward. Using the brunt of his weapons to block the incoming swings. 

   “Shit,” Cloud cursed as they fell into a rhythm of attack. A sea of bullets grazed his uniform and ended up spilling his satchel onto the ground. The black Materia rolled out among other things. Catching both of their attention. 

   “So you're not entirely useless.” Tseng complimented him dryly while trying to push back his sword. Cloud couldn't risk losing the materia to Shinra. He put his all into trying to disarm Tseng. They didn't have all day. 

   Aerith didn't see much of an opening once they all got tangled up. If she cast anything now, it would hit her friends. And there were bigger problems. Sephiroth only had one thing on his agenda. Her words of holding him off were more of a bluff than a promise. 

   He moved in so calmly. Unnerving her all the more. Like he knew she couldn't run, had nowhere to go. It's not like she'd abandon her friends. Maybe she should. Fleeing would get him away from here. She fumbled with her staff. Her power could certainly push him back, but what if it actually hurt him this close? 

   The fear in her eyes made his smile curl. As if he could see all the stupid little ideas running through her mind. Yet nothing good enough to try. She stepped back in unison, trying to keep distance. 

    “Great,” she thought. “Who cares if he gets hurt.“ Before her lips could shape the first whisper of a spell, Sephiroth toppled her. Pouncing the instant he saw her muscles tense. 

   “I could have killed everyone in the time it took you to try something.” Sephiroth kicked the staff away as they hit the ground. He anticipated her rod to pose the biggest threat. Yet she suddenly acted like she forgot how to use it. 

    Aerith immediately crawled towards her weapon. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so weak. And she regretted not eating that stale bread in the cave. A grip as hard as iron bit into her shoulders. Sephiroth quickly grinded her back into the ground. He always liked this position. Even gravity obeyed him.

   “What a familiar view.” He crooned with a slight tilt of the head. The uniform swallowed her up while strands of messy hair clung to the sweat of her brow. “Interesting. If you wished to become my subordinate we could have worked something out.”

   “Move,” she gasped breathlessly through the panic.

   “It's, “yes sir” or “please sir” to your commanding officers.”

   “Screw you.” Aerith started trying to pry his fingers off her shoulders. He gripped with a visceral force usually saved for those he didn't care if they got injured. The metal shoulder pads crumpled under his squeeze. 

   “Where is my Materia?” He lowered into her ear.

   “I don't know what you're talking about.”

   “So dishonest.” He grinned. “You must truly like the struggle.” His hand ghosted over her breast pockets before pressing into her torso more aggressively. His palms slid around slowly, searching the compartments. “I think you like this a lot.” 

   Aerith felt her face flush with more than anger. His fingers were tugging at all her curves, kneading into her softness. Feeling his breath on her skin again was making her crazy. 

   “Don't touch me.” She tried to sound threatening and kicked her knees up. This man was a mountain. 

   “You were practically begging last night.” His hand ventured to the thigh trying to buck him off. It took little effort to restrain her. Aerith's breath only hitched lightly but he noticed everything. Her heartbeat, her sweat, the plea in her eyes. She didn't want to fight. “Although maybe that was another lie. You make it sound so convincing.”

   “I, didn't, lie.” Aerith slipped her shoulder free and started clawing at the cloth around his chest. Jerking with a newfound vigor to push him off. “ You lied. You said you would stick around.” Now might not have been best for petty details, but she hated always being at fault in his eyes. Her emotions were a mess recently and finding solace in him challenged her to exhaustion.   

   “I almost misunderstood the nature of your leave. But you should know Aerith. I don't disappear easily, and I never forget.” He let her get a few hits in but his generosity ended there. His hand slipped beneath her shirt while the other pulled at her top zipper. “If you don't hand it over, I will strip you.”

   “I don't have it you asshole.” The leathery fingers under her shirt made her squeak. He would have felt the materia by now. He was toying with her. Aerith dug her nails into his arm. “Please, stop it.” 

    Sephiroth couldn't hide his amusement. To go from rebellion to pleading so quickly. So many angles to try. He brought back his arm to better untangle the mess of buckles keeping her top together. She squirmed wildly as he ripped open a seam along her cleavage with one firm tug. His eyes widened a bit. 

   “I suppose you kept some things. Did Cloud like my gift?” He stared fondly at the provocative black lace. 

   “Gee I forgot to ask.” Aerith groaned under his crushing weight and abandoned the foolish idea of overpowering him. She returned any remaining energy to reaching for her staff. It was so close. 

   “You should wear it for him again sometime. Remind him where it came from.” Sephiroth wasn't even trying to hold her anymore. Just sitting atop her was enough to pin the poor girl. He stroked her red cheeks pitifully while her eyes zeroed in on the magic staff. The soft caress made her shudder. 

   “I always return. Why didn't you wait?”

   “You expect too much for too little.” Aerith yanked her face away and kept inching further. Dragging along the ground with a friction that burned her elbows. He could watch her struggle for hours but the rest of her party wasn't so inclined. 

   “Get the hell away from her!” Cloud almost forgot the black Materia existed when he caught a glimpse of Aerith pinned to the ground. Eventually Tseng had to be abandoned. His bullets quickly ran thin. Once Tifa disarmed Elena, the Turks took a more defensive approach. They'd likely flee before ever taking on Sephiroth. 

   Cloud kicked up dirt in a sprint as reinforcements approached. Vincent and Yuffie weren't far behind Nanaki. 

   “Elena.” Tseng whistled to her while shoving the black orb into his jacket. They were quickly growing outnumbered. If they left now, there was still a chance to meet their suppliers by the docs. Elena nodded and quickly began their retreat. Tseng only spared a final glance to the Ancient. She had her group again, and he knew what battles were worth letting go. 

    Sephiroth materialized Masamune. Leaping to his feet in anticipation for Cloud's attack. Aerith gasped freely once no longer bound. She crawled forward to reclaim her staff. Metal clashing behind. 

    “No no no. This is all wrong.” Her palms sweat like crazy. Cloud was clearly trying to kill Sephiroth for real. Their blades brushed past skin far too comfortably. 

   “Aerith, can you stand?” Tifa was suddenly at her side.

   “Are you guys alright?!” Yuffie slid down beside them and gaped at Aerith. “Wow Nanaki was serious!” The young ninja looked at her with bewilderment. Half thinking Nanaki was a mess of incoherent delusion when he showed up.

   “Yuffie, get Aerith out of here.” Tifa helped both of them up. 

   “I can't leave.” Aerith protested. “What about you?”

   “I'll help Cloud. You're in the most danger.”

   “Don't hesitate, go.” Vincent's voice cut them off. He drew his gun steadily from behind and fixated on the blur of leather ahead. Aerith froze. Watching his finger dance over the trigger in slow motion. “May my sins be undone.”

   “No!” Aerith barely realized her body was moving. She jumped forward and swung her staff. A shot fired as she threw a powerful gust of wind that crashed through Vincent's hand. He grunted and staggered back before dropping the shooter. 

   Tifa and Yuffie blinked in a daze. Unsure what just happened. But Aerith didn't linger on the man clutching his broken arm. She turned around and saw Sephiroth falling forward. Black smoke spilled from the hole in his back. 

   “Wait!” Aerith screamed but Cloud already seized the moment. Cutting straight through their foes vital organs. Aerith fell to her knees, finding it increasingly hard to breathe. The body began to disintegrate into mist. “It's not truly him right…” she mumbled with shaking hands at her mouth. 

   “Aerith, what's wrong?” Tifa moved in front of the flower girls line of sight and took her wrists. Her face quickly lost it's color. 

   “I'm sorry,” Aerith cried. The words caught on a series of coughs that erupted. A familiar mix of pain and panic settled in her stomach. Instinct told her to close her mouth as metallic warmth flooded up. It coated her tongue, choking out what little air was left. 

   “Aerith!” Cloud yelled in the distance. He saw her heel into Tifa's arms as blood spilled from her nose and mouth. Aerith gasped and her vision turned dark. Various screams wormed through her ears in an incoherent mess. She heard Vincent's name. Something about a doctor. And then nothing. 

Chapter Text

   Aerith pried her eyes open to a room she’d never seen. Half expecting to reawaken in Sephiroth’s care. As if everything were a dream. But this area was far too comfortable. Too human. The windows were dressed in tasteless curtains and adorned with plants. While various dressers and toys lay about the room in a disorganized fashion. Only half covering a stained carpet from years of use. But most of all her joints rolled against a plush mattress. A real bed. 

   “Hello?” Aerith sat up and looked around for any familiarity. Immediately spotting a bucket of water stained pink. Surely from the blood the had to be wiped off her face. She wobbled up and pressed her cheek to the door. Muffled voices could be heard from the other side. Opening it slowly, she crept into the hallway. The humble corridor curved into a small set of stairs. She shuffled towards the center of the house where the sounds grew louder. 

   “You expect me to just sit and listen to this nonsense? First you say she could barely walk, and now she attacked you?” Barret struggled to grasp the party's concern. The hostile tone made her halt. Aerith crouched atop the stairs and listened. 

   “It’s not nonsense. There's a lot to consider.” Vincent said calmly despite being injured. He moved his arm freely thanks to healing materia. 

   “There was so much blood,” Tifa slumped over the dinning table. “Barret, is the doctor still in town?” 

   “Yeah, he did me a real solid. You guys should all get checked out.” 

   “Something tells me Sephiroth will be back. We shouldn't hang around too long.” Cloud was always straight to the point. 

   “But what about Wautai?” Yuffie’s voice was almost a cry. “We promised to help.” 

   “Now hold up a damn minute. Weren't ye folks trying to find this Sephiroth? Now we’re not? Looks like the lassie did y'all a favor if he shows up on his own.” Cid scratched his head. Feeling like the original goal was being lost.

   “Cornering him might be difficult with Aerith.” Vincent crossed his arms. 

   “What are you trying to say?” Cloud took a step forward and glared. Vincent had only recently joined the team yet already had many opinions.  

   “It’s possible she’s working for him. It’s not wise to trust her.” 

   “Sounds like you deserved to get...” 

   “Cloud.” Tifa cut him off promptly. She kept her head in her hands. Mulling over the events. If she didn’t know better she’d say it looked like Aerith was trying to protect Sephiroth. 

   “Aww hell, can’t we just have one normal day?” Barret waved an arm. “We found our girl, shouldn’t we celebrate or something?”  

   “She does look kinda strange.” Yuffie spoke hesitantly. “Maybe the creepy guy did something like mind control! We should interrogate her thoroughly.”

   "No, you're just gonna upset her." Cloud was firmly against the direction of this conversation. 

   "Is that most important?" Vincent asked. "Next time it could be you." 

   “Enough.” Nananki almost shouted. He rarely used his deeper tone unless trying to get everyone's attention. “The only thing Aerith needs is rest. I think we all could do with some.” 

   Aerith clutched her chest. It tightened to think about losing their trust. She stood to retreat, but the wooden floors creaked beneath her weight. Everyone's head snapped in her direction. 

   “Oh, hey guys.” She waved awkwardly, as if she had just come by. But they all knew she must have heard more than anticipated. 

   “How are you feeling?” Cloud asked.

   “I’m ok now.” Her eyes fluttered to Vincent. He eyed her indifferently. Although his arm looked fine, she was sure it still throbbed. 

   “Man am I glad to see you. Had us real worried there.” Barret smiled as if she'd never left.

   “I’m sorry about that.” Aerith did her best to reciprocate. 

   “Just don’t go running off again. The merc’s a pain in ass without you.” 

   “Hmph, doesn’t seem to make much of a difference,” Yuffie mumbled. 

   “Need anything?” Tifa asked.

   “Maybe some water.”

   “I'll get it.” Cloud was instantly rummaging through the cupboards for a glass. “I'll bring it to your room.”

   “I'm not crippled. Looks like I missed a lot huh?” Aerith started down the stairs. Unsure of her role in the group. What meaning did her existence have alive? “So what's the plan now?” 

   “You seem fairly well.” Vincent seemed to find her question suspicious. “How convenient Sephiroth wasn't around when you were discovered.” 

   “Hey!” Cloud snapped. 

   “He actually wasn't around a lot of the time.” Aerith couldn't take her eyes off the man in red and black. His judgment was precise. 

   “You'd think someone would run unsupervised.” 

   “It wasn't like that…” Her voice fell to a whisper. The guilt just wouldn't subside. She couldn't stop herself from thinking she should have tried harder. 

   “That's enough.” Tifa stood up from the table and strode towards Aerith. Blocking her from the man in red. “I got some spare clothes from town. Why don't you change and clean up?” 

   “But-”

   “Tifa's right.” Cloud interjected. “Just focus on getting settled in. We’ll take care of the rest.” 

   Tifa had a natural softness that made others relax. She casually dug through the dresser for a plain dress. So perfectly content, as if nothing were amiss. She didn't push topics that made others uncomfortable. And for that Aerith was grateful even if she wished Tifa to speak her mind more freely. 

   “Here. Sorry about your old clothes. You really loved that jacket right?”

   “No use worrying about it now.” Aerith took the borrowed garments, sighing quietly. Grey. Again nothing pink in sight. 

  “If trouble comes again, we'll handle it just like before.” Her smile was almost angelic when accompanied by those ruby eyes. Her beauty could soothe any heartache.

  “Thanks Tifa.” Aerith felt her shoulders relax. “I missed this.” No one ever gabbed on about the future as much as Tifa. She was full of dreams and ambition. From shopping trips to building a new bar to scoping out new gyms. In those moment's Aerith forgot she'd never actually get to see those things happen. Sometimes Tifa made her fantasize about her own bucket list. 

   “Hm?” Tifa tilted her head. Aerith's eyes flickered up with a hint of determination. For a moment the urge to spill everything bubbled in her gut. There were some things only a woman would understand. Her quivering lips were halted by a knock at the door. 

   “Can I come in?”  

   “Yeah, it's all clear.” Aerith replied. Cloud stepped through with a flask of water. 

   “Here.” He handed it over and glanced at Tifa. “I'll brief Barret on the details soon. Maybe we can talk a bit?”

   “I'll do it.” Tifa seemed to look right past him. Turning back to Aerith. “Just make sure to take it easy, okay?” She addressed the flower girl only and walked out. Aerith couldn't believe it. 

   “You guys fight again? Nothing serious right?” Aerith chewed the inside of her mouth. Now was the time the party's bond should be thicker than steel. But no one seemed to agree on anything. 

   “Don't worry about it.” Cloud coughed into his fist. Thinking back to how he acted that night before passing out on the ice wasn't exactly his shining moment. Tifa had every right to be angry. But he didn't want Aerith to blame herself for their bickering. Cloud almost slipped away into his thoughts when Aerith patted the spot beside her on the bed. 

   “What did you want to talk about?”

   “I haven't asked the others yet. But, are you okay to continue with us?” Cloud instantly regretted the question. Aerith's expression twisted into something of shock and dismay. Her bottom lip disappeared as she swallowed her disappointment. “Wait, don't misunderstand.” Cloud sat beside her. 

   “I'm so sorry about Vincent. Really.”

   “That's not what I meant. It's just, I thought maybe you'd want to see Elmyra again. Midgar has some good doctors.”

   “You mean for me to return alone?”

   “It's just you lost a lot of blood, and Sephiroth knows you're with us now. Eventually I'll have to end things. If its too hard, there's no shame in sitting out.”

   Aerith swallowed. She never imagined becoming a burden to the group. Trying to hide her from Sephiroth completely contradicted their quest. 

   “Cloud, I knew things would be difficult the moment I left Midgar. I won't quit now.”

   His hands uncurled from their fists. As if secretly hoping she'd say that. 

   “No talking you out of it?”

   “Nope.”

   “One day I'll be strong enough so you don't have to fight.”

   “You already are, the real you. I never stopped believing for a second, so have more faith in yourself.” Cloud was unsure how he could be any more “real” than he currently was. 

   “If he comes back, don't face him alone.”

   “Right. I'm on your side, you know. It's just...” Aerith's throat itched. “When I saw him I got a little confused.” Cloud leaned in a bit as if to say something, but then dropped his attention to the floor.

   “Whatever happened, we wouldn't think less of you.” He spoke so surely, it made her heart quicken. Aerith stressed constantly over whatever he might have imagined. Unsure if Clouds mind was far more sinister or a daydream compared to the reality. “That was you in the dreams right?”

   “You remember?” Her eyes widened, assuming he wouldn't even recall those nights. But of course. He had deducted she was up north and the location of the Black Materia from those conversations. His gaze wandered to her cheek and she instantly remembered the feel of his lips on her skin that time. 

   “Might not have found you otherwise.” His face were so close Aerith could see every strand of green mako intertwine with the streaks of blue still lingering within his eyes. She should be happy. Everything about him was lovely. Like fresh spring water. She knew she'd never felt safer with another, but when he opened his mouth again she stood up. She downed some water and brushed off her clothes. Deciding to change later. 

   “I think I'll get some fresh air. Sleeping too much isn't good either.”

   “I'll come with you.”

   “No, don't let me keep you from the others.” Cloud hesitated. He didn't want her to leave the house alone after everything.

   “Don't go far. I'm serious, Aerith.”

   “Wouldn't dream of it officer.” She wasn't used to him babying her. She looked back before leaving. “Oh, and don't make Tifa apologize first. The sooner the better mister.”

 - - - 

   Aerith took her time absorbing the fresh air and open sky. Such freedom was a blessing any day since a few weeks ago. And she found herself compulsively looking over her shoulder for a black shadow. Perhaps not entirely irrational, but she couldn't shake the feeling of Sephiroth. Half expecting to be struck from behind or dragged off each time she turned a corner. The sun was so warm, she was beginning to wish she had changed first. Blaming the heat for her paranoia. The uniform wasn't helping the strange glances from locals either. 

   She hoped to find a quiet spot to think. But someone else beat her to it. Vincent sat propped under the shade of a few trees. Scrubbing away at his gun. The metal was dented and entirely jammed. She slowly approached. 

   “Is it broken?” She leaned over him to inspect the gadget. Partially blocking the sun.

   “In disrepair. But manageable.” Vincent looked up once before returning to maintenance. 

   “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have used that kind of magic on someone.”

   “I saw conviction. Your whole being wanted to save him.”

   “You might be right.” Aerith knelt to meet his gaze. And he found her expression difficult to read, half expecting her to deny the obvious. The truth troubled her, but she couldn't seem to regret her actions. “Your arm is okay though isn't it?”

   “Any remaining pain is superficial. The main problem has been addressed.”

   “Can I?” Aerith held out her hand even though it shook a bit. She wasn't sure if now was a good time to try this. Vincent didn't speak, but raised his arm willingly. She took his hand gently and let her eyes rest. Searching her heart for a prayer. Something simple she'd done hundreds of times before. A warm fuzzy feeling bloomed in her stomach and she didn't even try to hide her smile. 

    “Thank the skies, finally.” She thought. That warmth spread through her fingers and into Vincent's body. Once her eyes opened, he flexed his fingers.

   “Interesting…”

   “Better?”

   He hummed in satisfaction and eyed her once more. Faintly remembering the others mention she was once intertwined with Shinra at some point. 

   “Why did you hesitate?”  

   “That's a bit complicated.”

   “Only if one makes it. Being forwarded is more efficient.” One side of her mouth curled up. He reminded her of Tseng in some ways. No nonsense in the ways of a Turk. No feeling, only facts. 

   “Sometimes, he seems very human.” Aerith sat with her back against the tree. It was easier to think that way. “I thought I might die a few times. But whenever I expected the worst, he didn't do it.” 

   “Even humans must face judgment. A monster can overtake anyone.” Vincent couldn't help but think of himself. The changes done to him without consent. 

   “I know. But, I really want to believe in the better part. They don't have to lose themselves.” 

   “Perhaps if she were here, things would have been different.”

   “Hm?” Aerith glanced over her shoulder. 

   “But don't get it twisted. Some are beyond redemption.” He remembered Lucrecia. The bitterest memories that haunted him. Fueled his existence. “The mortal part of that man is gone, and it's only one more sin on my plate.” 

   “You're too hard on yourself. You didn't create Sephiroth.”

   “I was a spectator.” 

   Aerith furrowed her brows. He had been in charge of the Shinra manor. But she couldn't recall ever hearing about him during her time in Shinra. Vincent looked rather young. She assumed he couldn't have been but a child around Sephiroth's birth. She didn't understand how he saw fit to claim so much responsibility. 

   “How unfortunate. To be born of the planet, yet raised without humanity. But I suppose Hojo isn't so different from a monster.”

   “Humans?” Aerith blinked a few times. Trying to piece the parts that didn't quite fit. 

   “No, what's written is already done.” Vincent seemed to speak only to himself. Suddenly standing to slot his gun away. “The pain is gone.” He said shaking out his arm a few times. 

   “Don't mention it.” Aerith smiled and he took that as a cue to leave. Apparently he only had so much energy for conversation. She sat until the grass itched through her pants. Jenova wasn't human. And if Hojo was the monster, what would that make of his mother?

- - -

   Sephiroth took the body of a puppet closest to his estate. All things considered, he allowed himself to numb out. He wasn't supposed to be feeling things. His role was to funnel the emotions of others into his will. Impulse couldn't get in the way.

   He stood before his couch where she often sat and thought of the best plan of action. In the end he just wanted to destroy something. The whole thing had gone to hell. The vial containing the lifestream was lost with his previous body. But most of all, the house was empty. He didn't feel the cold anymore, but that's how he imagined the place to be. Sephiroth kicked his desk over before sitting. 

   “Foolish girl. Foolish. You should have stayed.”

   "You trust without reason.” Mother mocked him. “Cetra do not obey.”

   “That boy has ruined it. She broke an oath.”

   "Then take. Things are for taking." Mother kept singing the same song over. Never letting him forget. 

   “There will be consequences. She will regret.”

   “Did I not foresee? The Cetra has taken from you.” Sephiroth assumed mother meant the Black Materia. Cloud handed it over so easily in every universe. Yet Aerith made it like trying to find a needle in a haystack. He'd never had to work this hard for it. Sephiroth remembered Hojo's offer. He couldn't make the Cetra suffer a long life with him if her days were numbered so soon. He could always get more of the lifestream. Although Midgar was quite far if he intended to fetch the scientists documents. 

   He couldn't shake the anger seeping in towards himself. To have been tricked into trusting her. He believed without hesitation that she would sit still. Her smile was poison. Making him question far more about his ideals than appropriate.

   “The planet will burn, so do enjoy your moment of peace.” Sephiroth supposed her friends were the best holding place for her until he got everything in order. He could just look through Cloud and see for himself when ready. 

- - -

   Once the sun began to fall, Cloud started looking for Aerith. He didn't think she'd actually stay out all day. She almost never left his side from the moment he fell into that church. And paranoia wasn't kind. His pace quickened, realizing he wasn't actually that familiar with this area. Turning towards the shore, he spotted Tifa resting on a rock. Her feelings must have been the same because she was already supervising Aerith from afar.

   “On lookout?” Cloud crept beside her and took a seat. Tifa just stared ahead to the rustling waters.

   “She's been sitting there for hours by herself.”

   “Aerith said she wanted to stay in the group, but maybe she's having second thoughts.”

   “You asked her to leave?” Tifa turned to him accusatory.

   “I wanted her to have the option. I don't know what I expected. But she seems ill.”

   “Of course she is. Who knows what happened.”

   “She won't tell me.” Cloud's voice thinned. Wishing he could just undo it all.

   “After Neihblehim, it took me months to feel normal again.” Tifa clenched her fists. “If I had to see his face every day, I'd lose myself.”

   For a moment time was lost in the burning sunset. Everything near the shore was kissed red and orange. Taking them back to that awful night five years ago. They watched the sway of Aerith's hair in the wind. Even in the distance they could tell her shoulders slumped. 

   “Tifa, you know you mean a lot to me.” He sighed, trying to find the courage. 

   “But you don't trust me.” She clutched her knees tighter. 

   “I trust you more than anyone. I didn't have anything when I first got back to Midgar. The jobs with Avalanche, the apartment, the bar, it was more than I deserved. It was all thanks to you.”

   “Yet you keep running off alone. You know what happened the last time Aerith went off on her own? Well you just make me feel those things over again.”

   “I didn't want you to get hurt.”

   “I hurt anyway. That's why we're all here. We started this as a group, you can't just change the rules when it gets hard.”

   “I'm sorry Tifa. I won't do something like that again.” 

   She bit her lip. Wishing she could trust him. His words were so sweet on her even if he spoke crassly to others. 

   “I need you here, Cloud. You brought us this far, so let's finish it.” 

    “It's a promise.” She didn't want to forgive him so easily. But she always found it hard not too. If he made a promise, she could only think fondly of the water tower. 

   “Aren't you guys coming back inside? Our hosts were generous enough to prepare dinner.” Nanaki greeted them softly. 

   “In a minute. Aerith is still seashore watching.” Tifa smiled at the canine. 

   “Hmmm.” Nanaki looked out. Whipping his tail around.

   “Something wrong?” Cloud asked.

   “What makes you think so?”

   “You've barely said anything since this morning. I thought I'd have to pull you off her when we got back.”

   “I see.” Nanaki thought for a moment. “You guys head back first. I'll get Aerith.” 

   “You sure?” Tifa raised an eyebrow.

   “Just save me some meat. I'm sick of vegetables.”

   “You got it.” Cloud glanced out once more before jumping up.

   Nanaki approached slowly, but couldn't help to grimace. Her scent undeniably bothered him. It wasn't hers anymore, mutating into something foreign. Something thick and heavy. Aerith's back perked up when she heard shuffling on the sand. She turned into his gaze.

   “Heya.” She sensed his unease. “Time to go back already?”

   “Don't leave on my account.” He stopped her from moving and sat beside her. At first she tried to continue watching the waves, but the silence killed her. They'd shared too many secrets. Nanaki wouldn't just let her stay quiet after everything. But his apprehension just made her more nervous. Waiting for her to make the first move. 

   “How is everyone?”

   “I'd rather ask you.” Nanaki eyed her suspiciously. “There's something on your mind right?” Aerith swallowed. She knew he was special, he saw right through her since Kalm. 

   “I don't know where to start.”

   “Then start with your smell.”

   “My what?” Aerith almost looked offended. Nanaki sniffed her once over to make sure. 

   “You smell like him. Nearly drowning in it.” Aerith's cheeks started to burn. She didn't know that was possible even if his nose was sensitive. She figured that explained his weird looks. 

   “Well I just got back. Geeze.” Aerith started sniffing her arm. “I guess I do need a shower.”

   “I doubt that will help.”

   “Eh? What does it smell like exactly?”

   “Like your body is changing. The traces should have worn off otherwise.” 

   “You're kidding.” Aerith looked horrified. “Please don't say that.” Her voice cracked. 

   “Ahem. Well, my nose might not be what it used to be. Perhaps I'm mistaken.”

   “... Changing how?”

   Nanaki cleared his throat and looked into the water. The topic wasn't exactly his favorite. But he knew she would understand considering the years Hojo had attempted to get them to intermingle. 

   “For my kind, when we find someone special, a mate. The intent of reproducing will change both parties' scent permanently. If the consummation is successful, the smell can be quite strong.” He waited patiently for some response. But she’d gone quiet. By the time he turned back, tears were flooding well over her cheeks. 

   “So it's like that.” Nanaki shuffled closer and nuzzled her arm. 

   “I don't know what to do.” She sniffled. 

   “There's still time. Don't panic yet.”

   “How can I tell them?” Aerith burrowed her head in her hands. 

   “Human rituals are hard for me to understand. Though if it makes you feel better, to heed nature's call is not something to be embarrassed over.” 

   “But I'm ashamed. He's our enemy!” 

   “Not all mates are willing. We don't always get to choose our partners.” Nanaki watched her carefully. “I know it's not the same. But what I'm trying to say is they'll understand it's no fault of yours.”

   “Will you keep it a secret for now?” She tried to calm herself. Wiping the tears from her eyes.

   “Of course.” He laid down and put his head in her lap. “Just this once.” he grumbled. Aerith slipped a smile through the salty tears. Running her fingers through his soft fur. She knew he secretly liked his ears being scratched. “Do you intend to keep it?”

   “I don't know.” Aerith whispered. Not wanting to consider the chance her child could be more “ it ” than human. The results were impossible to predict. And if this sickness was just the beginning, anticipating childbirth was nauseating. Granted she made it that far. But she never hated the idea of children. It was a miracle to live long enough to even dream about such things.

   “Are you attached to that man?”

   “I don't hate him as much as I should.” Aerith stroked his head slowly. Felling a bit of relief for the first time. At least someone knew her secret. 

   “I suppose we lost our foresight too early.” 

   “I don't think anything could have foreseen this. Sephiroth wants to change everything.”

   “So a child was intentional?”

   “For him, yes.”

   “Then you are in a lot of danger. The lengths mates will go to retrieve their children is extreme.”

   “Stop that, he’s not my “mate”.” Aerith ruffled his fur aggressively. “And he doesn't know yet, I think.”

   “Apologies.” Nanaki sat up to escape her wrath and straighten his coat out. “But hope is not lost.” 

   “Never.” They eventually made their way back once the redness in her eyes subsided. Aerith's heart was at least lighter. Leaving some of that burden behind in the water. She could only hope Nanaki was right. That in time, everyone could accept her as before. She even felt a bit hungry. 

Chapter Text

   “Wicked girl.” A thick smog clouded Aerith's mind. Gluing her eyes shut and weighed down by an invisible dorce. “Deceitful Cetra.”

   “Who is it?” She thought to flex a muscle, anything, only to get no response. The last thing she remembered was saying goodnight to everyone. 

   “I shall personally watch you disintegrate.”

   “Jenova? That's what they call you isn't it?” That ominous voice from the northern house stalked her even after escaping. Reverberating through her bones and sticky on the ears. 

   “Know that you bring your own suffering. The undoing of your own fate.”  

   Aerith pursed her lips, channeling all her energy into opening her eyes. But the void took all, swallowing time and making her ears ache from the silence. Only a faint stream of light dispersed from the sky. Apart from five feet ahead, the area was drenched in darkness.

   She took deep breaths, wanting to move her arms next. After mustering enough feeling, she tugged her hands. Sharp pain shot through her elbows accompanied by the sound of metal. Her wrists were chained, suspended above her head. No wonder they'd gone numb. 

   “Let me go!”

   "You thought to best me. Once I've formed within you, the era of Cetra will vanish.” 

   “You're lying. If that were possible you'd have done it already.” She feigned confidence, suspecting the sickness was too extreme to just be an effect of pregnancy. But optimism could blindside anyone. She shuddered to think the alien creature might actually become the infant itself. That Jenova was in her. 

  “Your comrades will turn on you. Your planet deserts you. Even now your body betrays you.” A distant laughter fell around like mist. 

   “You're wrong.” Aerith kept trying to regain control of her limbs. But Jenova knew her deepest insecurities. 

   “Did you wish to see your real mother in the afterlife?” Aerith could almost hear Hojo's voice mixed in the echo. “Your soul can no longer meet her. Never to rejoin any of your beloved. Your mind will stay within me for eternity. Until you've forgotten you ever existed. You won't even remember your name.” The laughing grew into an animalistic screech before fading. Leaving her to suffer alone without even the company of a foe.

   Is this what you wanted, Sephiroth?

   Aerith thought of him patting her back and whispering sweet nothings about being taken care of. Angry tears threatened to emerge. Everything about him just made her more confused. She bit back a sob and tried wiggling her feet. She was standing, but immobile.

   You said to use you if I was in trouble. But that was a lie wasn't it?

   Her head hung. Wondering for how long she'd be strung up like some insect. “Stupid Sephiroth. Everything is all your fault.”

   Slow rhythmic footsteps faded into her consciousness. Not far off, the jingle metal shuffling got louder and she squinted, a vague outline formed beyond the fog. 

   “Cloud?” She muttered. The image vanished as abruptly as it came into view. 

   “Ahh, her true desires.” The voice rattled Aerith to her core. His shadow loomed from behind followed by a whisper slithering into her ear. “You've never once earnestly called for me from your heart, have you?” He sounded so far despite the tickle of breath on her skin. 

   “Sephiroth? Why have you brought me here?”

   He glanced over her backside. Noting the chains, her throbbing joints, the despair in her voice. 

   “You assume the worst of me.” He slowly moved before her. Aerith's head still hung limp, so he lifted her chin to meet his predatory eyes. “Well, not that I blame you entirely I suppose.” 

   “Was this always part of the plan? To infect me?” Her eyes burned, still trying to keep it together.

   “I only come for your call. But this mess…“ He waved at the surroundings. “Is entirely your creation.” 

   “Why would I make this awful hole?! I don't even have control of myself.”

   “Perhaps you're waiting for someone. Or something to end your misery.” 

   “Stop with the riddles! If you really came to help you'd break these chains.”

   “But you don't want me to save you.” His thumb brushed her puffy jaw. For just a moment, a pained expression flickered across his face. But in a blink it had already gone. 

   “My feelings for Cloud are… complicated.” She glanced away, understanding his frustration and he tore his hand away. “For an eternity, I watched him suffer, all because of me.” She'd seen how the misfortune that followed Cloud knew no bounds. “Over and over, nothing could change that. Until now.”

   “Until the chance I made. I gave you this life. You can't just give it to another.” 

   “You wouldn't understand. He is good, he doesn't deserve any of this.” Aerith swallowed dryly. 

   “I understood every time you crawled into my lap. Each time you defied me I tried to understand you. Each time a promise was made you had no intention to keep. Every lie I let pass. Although I see every time I touched you, you imagined another.” He circled her. As if a vulture sizing it's next meal.

   “That's not true at all!” Aerith snapped. “I didn't lie. I wanted to spend time with you.” The confession fed her guilt. She knew better, but had reached for him anyway. She knew Sephiroth was the toxic flower in her garden. If she picked it, his poison would seep through her fingertips. But she didn't just pick him once. She kept going back to collect more of him, each time letting the toxins build up. And now the seed of Jenova was growing in her. 

   “Maybe this is what you wanted.” Masamune suddenly appeared in his left hand. 

   “Please don't do this.” Aerith's heart skipped as his sword followed the hem of her dress up to the first button between her chest. Her heart hammered so fast she couldn't stop her skin from seeking the tip of his blade. She didn't even feel the small trickle of blood fall away from the incision.

   Sephiroth's angled Masamune downward, and she sealed her eyes. Maybe it was a mercy. The only way to end the suffering for good. But the blade only ghosted her flesh, instead ripping straight through her gown.

   “I suppose you do rely on me for one thing.” He stepped closer. Slipping a hand around one of her exposed breasts. “To fulfill your darkest desires, to play with what's left of my heart.” He squeezed, listening to her breath hitch.

   “That's not fair.”

   “Did I perform well for you?” He leaned down, licking away the thin line of blood flowing from her sternum. His tongue burned, sending shivers down her spine. She tried not to look.

   “You used me first. I never asked for a second life. You just do whatever you feel like and drag me through your messes.” 

   “Yet you enjoyed it anyway.” His hands explored her stomach and hips. 

   “Some of it. Everything else was painful and humiliating and lonely.” He hummed unconvinced. Playfully tracing his fingers from the side of her hip to to the top of her ear, only stopping to tuck a strand of hair back.

   “I think you enjoyed much more than that. I’ve never met such a dishonest person. From the very start. Stealing my things, encroaching on my space, such a terrible prisoner.” He flicked the shackles around her wrists making her swallow a cry. Pure agony shot through the flesh under her restraints. “Was making me angry part of the excitement for you?” He grabbed an aching wrist, her fingers already turned white from the lack of blood flow. 

   “Can't you stop?!” She hissed through the pain.

   “I’ve heard plenty of your wails for a lifetime.” 

   “When did I ever try to hurt you? Everything I did was to protect myself.”

   “Running was meant to please me?”

   “Sometimes you act like you seriously hate me, of course I had to try.”

   “Strange words for someone who had a fit whenever I left.”

   “You isolated me idiot! You're all I had.” Her eyes continued to blink the threat of tears away. “Living there wasn't exactly easy. But at times you seemed so normal. I thought we could be like regular people for a while.” 

   “Your idea of comfort is worse than I. Imitating the pathetic show of humans is no dream of mine. We are not normal, that is our nature.”

   “You didn't give me a choice.”

   “You deceive even yourself. When he walked through my door the universe gave you a choice.” A part of her knew that moment would come back to haunt her. The way her stomach had dropped when she saw Cloud, instead of running to kiss him. The recipe for disaster was all over the walls. She had already drowned before considering she was in too deep. What was she to do, slam the door in his face? Just to create a new line of suffering for Cloud.

   “I still tried.” She muttered under her breath. “I tried loving you a little.” 

   “You always paint the sweetest illusion. You must find me quite funny.” He released her aching wrists.

   “It’s the truth. But you wouldn’t know. You never returned any of it back, I was just your incubator. For the future of grand nothingness you’ve conjured up.” 

   “Would it be so awful? To just live quietly being used by me? I could do anything for you. All you had to do was ask.” If he leaned any closer his breath would be on her lips. 

   “Anything but give me a little freedom. I’m not your pet. I need light and people and to make my own decisions. You can't even share a meal with me. Should I ask to be walked each day to see the sun? If I hadn't asked for a blanket you wouldn't even notice I was freezing to death. You never even gave me a real fucking bed to sleep on!” 

   “It just won’t work will it?” He sighed. Sliding behind her to trace her ribs with his fingers. Her body was so delicate, so malleable. He liked the way she found it hard to breathe whenever he stroked her skin. 

   “For even a moment, do you think you ever cared about me?” She tuned out the various ways his fingers teased the surface of her flesh. She needed to stay focused. 

   “What do you think?” He massaged her breast tenderly while pressing himself against her backside. His icy belts burning her skin. Aerith tried not to gasp too loudly or even dare resting against him for comfort.

   He was too close, and she had grown accustomed to his touch. Her nerves were mistaken, preparing itself for pleasure that wasn’t coming. He chuckled as her eyelids turned heavy and her nipples hardened. 

   “Your body trusts me more than your mind. You should have learned to follow, and came to me on your own.” His hand pushed its way through her legs. Attempting to regain her footing just made her hips grind further into him. But he leaned closer, digging past her underwear to tease her nerves. Making her toes curl and lose her footing. She screamed as the restraints sliced thought her wrists.

   “Sephiroth please!”

   “Free yourself, oh mighty Cetra.” He drank in the sight of her pleading expression. She wore desperation as attractively as any other emotion. He eventually raised all of her when he felt she had struggled enough. In that moment of reprieve Aerith didn't care if she had to lean on him and gasped. She just wanted the pain to stop. His hand returned shunt and wet, soiled by her arousal.

   “Really, you make it too easy.” His smile was full of sinister intent. He nuzzled her head. Letting his bottom lip brush her ear. “Don’t be coy, tell me your desire?” 

   “I want to go home, and I wish I’d never met you.” His had immediately wrapped around her throat.

   “Defiant till the end.” Slowly his fingers curled tighter. “You’re lying.” He supposed getting her to say she'd come back was idiotic. 

   “Fuck you.” She spat. 

   “No, I do the fucking.” In an instant he released her and brought forth Masamune. Aerith yelped as her feet struggled to relocate the floor. With the flick of his wrist the blade spun around effortlessly. The hilt pressed into her stomach, threatening the spongy area below her bellybutton. A new fear hit Aerith for the small light inside her. “Shall we play it out like fate designed for us? Of course, you were on your knees then. But this will have to do.” 

   “If you’re going to hurt me just get it over with.” 

   “No need to be so impatient. All the players aren’t here.” He sighed exaggeratedly while looking around. “Ah yes, your Soldier is missing. Should we bring Cloud? I'm sure pulling him into, whatever you’d like to call this, would be easy.”

   “You wouldn’t dare. Leave him out of it.” Sephiroth took her by the hair and slid Masamune lower. The hilt bumped against her clit, making her jolt. 

   “I also love it when it’s just the two of us. But you kept bringing him into the picture. Only seems right he should have the front row.” He shoved the handle between her legs, letting her slick build up around the surface. The threading along the metal was rough as it circled her entrance. Making her shudder against the cold. “You should see your face.” 

   “Shut up.” She knew her cheeks were colored inappropriately. Why couldn’t they have existed normally in another life? Maybe she could love him wholly. Aerith’s weight shifted with every motion. Never allowed to pull too far away. Her fluids pooled over the handle till it soiled his glove. 

   “I didn’t know you craved it so much. Perhaps this was technically your first penetration before death.” His other hand braced her shoulder to keep her from squirming. He teased the hilt ever so slightly into her entrance before pulling out repeatedly. Aerith cursed at herself every time the slightest noisy breath seeped between her lips.

   “I never wanted this.” Her tears finally dribbled out. She knew she hated it, but the arousal was making her act funny. He started stoking her roughly with the handle's edge.  

   “What do you think? Maybe it would turn Cloud on as much as it does you.” His thumb joined Masamune in violating her clit. Making her breaths headier before breaking into a cold sweat. Just when he thought she might get anything out of it, he pulled away. Aerith exhaled loudly. The feeling of being left dry was uncomfortable, but not as awful as climaxing under these circumstances.

   “What a mess.” He brought the handle to her mouth. Sliding her arousal over her cheek and pressing it to her lips. The rayskin wrap was uncomfortable and salty, but she refused to oblige. Turning her head up. She wondered how long this would last.

   The harsh metal eventually vanished before it was replaced by an aggressive kiss. Sephiroth saw to it to clear the mess himself. Licking away the traces of her slick that mixed with her salty tears. Even in dreams he found her taste was just as intoxicating. 

   Aerith wished she could slam on his foot. His touch was the only thing not physically painful. It made a different part of her hurt. A place eyes couldn't reach. For a moment she allowed herself to get lost in him. Until his tongue threatened to invade her mouth and she sank her teeth into his lip. 

   “Always so thrilling.” Sephiroth thumbed away the blood and she glared. Knowing that he healed too quickly. 

   “I really liked being with you, okay? Is that what you want to hear? That you consume my every thought? Even though you're the worst person I ever met, I wanted to touch you. That I feel your shadow on my neck every time I move. I can't even relax around the others anymore!” Her cries should have echoed, but the darkness swallowed them up. 

   “I moved for your sake. Foolish girl, you just won't behave. I only thought of making your time easier.”

   “Then why are you so mean to me?” Her voice turned hoarse. Her energy was spent. Unable to understand. 

   “I was simply made that way.” Her confusion reminded him of his pathetic years trying to blend in among humans. The ache he felt realizing he was too different to ever be one of them. But if monsters were made, God's could be made too. “But I shall deliver retribution to the planet that allowed such abominations to be created.”

   “Destroying everything won't change the past. You can choose differently.” Aerith pleaded. Trying to make him reconsider. “You don't have to live an eternity alone. It won't make you happy.”

   “Don’t cry.” He shushed her. Pushing the hair out of her face with the back of his hand. “It's only a dream.” He pulled back Masamune, leveling the blade with her throat. She peered into his eyes. The green hugh behind his slit pupils seemed to glow. 

   “I meant all of it. At that house. When I touched you I only saw you.” His face only hardened and she scoffed at his growing frown. “I know you won't kill me.” Sephiroth's eye twitched and Aerith heard a click. Suddenly her hands were free, and she hit the floor like a deadweight. Blood rushed back into her arms as she groaned. 

   “You think too much of yourself.” He stepped up to the girl writhing in pain. Trying to remember how he had cut her so easily in the past. Aerith rolled onto her back to face him. Joints aching. And she coughed as air struggled to fill her lungs fast enough. She couldn't help but giggle. Perhaps a bit too lightheaded. 

   “You're the one that should see your face.” Aerith finally understood. He allowed himself to get too involved. He just hadn't realized it. She'd only seen this kind of expression once before. When Cloud was trying desperately not to swing his own sword into her neck at the altar. 

   “Silence.” Sephiroth gripped Masamune with both hands. Searching for the resolve to make her disappear. Make her pay for the chaos she brought into his life. It was only a dream after all. But seconds turned to moments and time bled beyond awareness. He couldn't remember how long he'd been standing there. She kept watching him, waiting. 

   Aerith's mouth slightly opened before closing again. As if wanting to say something. And Sephiroth dematerialized his sword at some point. His hands dropped, thinking this was a waste of time. None of this was supposed to happen. She smiled weakly. Everything would have been easier had he remained the person who silenced her heart. Monsters weren't supposed to have feelings. 

   “I'm pregnant.” Her voice was more hushed than intended. It was the first time she'd said it out loud. Sephiroth froze. His pupils dilated, scanning the state of her body. 

   “Do not lie to me Cetra.” Aerith hoisted herself upright. Pulling at her dress to properly cover herself. 

   “I don't lie nearly as much as you think I do.” She rubbed her wrists. Seething at the cuts. It hurt far too much for a stupid dream. Sephiroth knelt before her and grabbed her hands. Glaring deeply into her eyes. 

   “How do you know?”

   “It's my body, of course I know. And, there were other things.”

    “In what way?” His hand bypassed the rip in her dress to press her flesh. She might have pulled away if not for the delicate matter. His palm moved around the surface of her belly. Kneading at the surface. 

   “What are you doing? You won't find anything this soon.” 

   “Then it is true?” He found her eyes once more.

   “Yes.” Aerith almost thought she heard him sigh. Sephiroth leaned forward to grab her and she instinctively flinched. She wasn't sure if telling him was the right thing to do. But it couldn't stay hidden forever. She didn't understand why Jenova hadn't mentioned anything. He'd gone still, simply resting on her shoulder. Aerith pursed her lips, if anyone was drained it was her. And he was heavy if not stiff. Lacking in the ways of comforting others. She almost yanked his hair, but exhaustion numbed her. She would be angry again later. So she found his back and rubbed it gently. Assuming this was as much of a hug as she could get.

  “Are you taking this worse than me? You know you have no right to be upset.” Bitterness coated her tongue. But Sephiroth eventually wrapped himself around her shoulders. It almost made the pain vanish. She squeezed him tightly. Not caring if her nails dug in too far. He wouldn't feel it. She didn't know where to put the feelings that tore her apart. His touch soothed her, and she hated the corner of her heart that craved it.  

   “The illness still lingers?” 

   “Oh? Suddenly interested in my health?” She rolled her eyes in disbelief. He was giving her whiplash.

   “You will return immediately.”

   “I will not.” She tried to wiggle away, but he was completely stuck to her. “A real doctor is in town, no thanks to you.”

   “Doctors can be easily acquired.”

   “You can't just kidnap everyone.”

   “Then I will take you.” Aerith shook her head. If he reappeared only chaos would unfold. 

   “Unless you plan to stop attacking my planet, forget it.”

   “You forget your place. Oaths are not broken easily. You still belong to me.”

   “Is that supposed to make me change my mind? I want to spend the time I have left with my friends.”

   "A cure, I will find one." Sephiroth turned his head to the side of her shoulder. Watching the curve of her neck as he fondled a few strands of almond hair between his fingers. He was so upset a moment ago. Yet now all he wanted was to sit here.

   Aerith sighed. She'd like to believe a simple fix was possible. But she couldn't ask him for help. Couldn't keep relying on death himself to save her. Of course everything fell apart when they were in the same vicinity. But this was her mind, Sephiroth might not be able to stay if she refused him. She thought back to the time he had kicked her out of the first dream with Cloud. Trying to remember how he did it. Her hands found his face and cupped his cheeks. Thankfully that was enough to lead him away from her shoulder. 

   “I'm going to sleep now. You don't belong here.” Aerith used her palm to gently move away his hair before covering his eyes. She quickly leaned in to kiss his head. Already willing his conscience to fade. His body dissolved into a familiar puff of smoke soon after. Now if she could just figure out how to shut her brain off. Or wake up. 

   Once she thought it was finally over, the new stream of smog began to regather. Swirling into the shape of Calamity. The outline was undeniably him, yet devoid of substance. He pounced on top of her and grabbed her by the hair. His face slowly came into form. Grinning and twisted. She could have sworn his eyes had a glimmer of purple.

   “You just had to ruin it!” The composure Sephiroth usually carried was gone. Aerith scraped at his arm frantically to pull him off. “Wicked Cetra.” His voice thinned into a shrill that wasn’t his own. She blinked a few times, searching his face again. His sneer was so ugly. Once Aerith got a hold of herself and took him by the collar. Pushing up onto her knees to retake his face in her hands. She peered into his cat like eyes. Little particles of toxic purple flickering every so often. 

   “Jenova.” She quickly realized the difference. “I see you.” It pushed her away with a force that sent her reeling. 

   “Do not touch me as you please.” It hissed. 

   “Then leave.” 

   “You shall be extinct before the year passes. What you think is of no consequence.” Aerith shook her head a few times, trying to get past the voice coming out of Sephiroth's shadow. 

   “I don’t believe you’re really his mother.” Aerith wobbled up. Finally regaining feeling in her legs. “I think that would be of great consequence to you.” It grabbed Masamune, keeping a slight distance from the girl. 

   “I should split you for him.” 

   “He said this place was mine, but that must also make it yours. You live in me now don't you.” Aerith looked to the unending sky of darkness while gripping her belly. Perhaps this was the result of their connection. A child of Jenova now linked her to Sephiroth in a way she hadn't expected. Why he heard her mind like that of a puppet. “I guess you’ve had more practice manipulating others.” The Cetra searched for Jenova's gaze. “I’ll get the hang of it, don’t you worry.” The shell of Sephiroth started to close in.

   “Do you think he’ll abandon my will for yours? He is me, I am him. When I call he will heed.” Aerith took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 

    “Focus Aerith. You get to choose what happens here.”  

    “I am here too. I dwell in all of you.” Aerith’s head twitched in annoyance. 

    “Get out.” She thought of the lifestream, her church, and the light that always bled through the broken rooftop. When she opened her eyes, that same warm light was seeping through the darkness and cutting it away. 

   “You’re the one that’s going to be gone in a year. The planet will survive, the way it’s supposed to. I’ll make sure of it.” 

   “We cannot separate. We are one.” Jenova stepped into Aerith's stride, gripping her hands and placing Masamune within them. “To vanquish me is the same as killing him.” Aerith's eyes widened. She hadn’t thought of a way to cleanse Sephiroth of the infection. The shadows guided the tip of the blade up until it poked the space along his chest. “Try it, if you can.” Aerith's breathing became uneven. Sword shaking in her hands. It was impossible. If it ever came down to the planet or Sephiroth, could she kill him? The sticky laughter erupting turned into a hysterical screech that stung her ears. “ Know that you are the undoing of your own fate.”

   “NO!” Aerith screamed as Jenova lunged his body through Masamune. She pulled back but the feeling of flesh splitting already vibrated through the blade. 

Chapter Text

   “Aerith! AERITH WAKE UP!” 

   Her eyes burst open, bloodshot. A constant scream thrummed through her ears before realizing it came from her own throat. She must have fallen off the bed at some point and was kicking on the floor. Cloud was above her, trying to pry the knife from her throat. She didn’t remember even grabbing it after dinner. Her chest squeezed against her ribs between every wild pant. 

   “I have to go. I need to-” She looked around frantically. Still feeling the second her fingertips split Sephiroth's heart. 

   “Get a hold of yourself!” After forcefully uncurling her fists, he tossed the knife. Taking her cheek into the palm of his hand to calm her thrashing. “Breathe.” His eyes were so calm. Demanding of attention. “Yeah, just like that.” His expression softened once her gasps slowed into something more manageable. Various eyes watched her with a mixture of concern and horror. Most of the party were still in pajamas. Cloud helped sit her up and cold air brushed down her back. Soaked in sweat. 

   “What the hell happened?” Barret rubbed his eye. 

   “A nightmare… sorry for waking you guys.” Aerith immediately started smoothing out her hair. 

   “Just a nightmare?” Tifa knelt to the floor and placed a damp cloth over her chest. “You’re bleeding.” 

   “Oh?” Aerith looked down and laughed nervously. “Oops, next time I’ll have to sleep with my hands tied.” Cloud's sinking expression didn't seem to find that very funny. He’d never heard her scream like that. He thought she was dying. When he opened the door, she almost had. 

   “Hey, this is serious.” He sat too close, suffocating her, searching for the truth she tried to deny. 

   “Why don't I ask the Doc about seeing you tomorrow. Might as well.” Barret nodded his head, satisfied by his own idea. 

   “I just, I need a minute alone ok?” Aerith's eyes danced across the room. Everyone was eagerly waiting for her to say something that would put their minds at ease. 

   “I dunno Aerith. Maybe someone should stay with you.” Tifa took her hand. It was still shaking. 

   “Agreed.” Cloud leaned back. Sizing up the room and confirming the window was locked. “I'll get a chair or something.”

   “That's not necessary.” Aerith waved her hands. Already imagining the headache that would ensue if Sephiroth ever found out Cloud stayed in the same room.

   “Are you certain everything is alright?” Nanaki raised an eyebrow.

   “Yeah. It was all a dream.” She nodded slowly for reassurance. “You guys should go back to bed. No point in us all being up.” Yuffie exchanged glances with the others before nodding towards the door. The room was rather crowded. 

   “I'm not leaving you alone again. Not until we see a doctor.” Cloud took the rag from her chest and inspected the wound like he was back in field training. Tips of spiky hair tickled her neck. 

    “Why are you doing this to me,” she thought. In the past it took so much effort to get close to Cloud. Now she couldn't put enough distance between them. 

   “A dream…” Cloud repeated, blotting the wound till the blood stopped. His eyes suddenly snapped up to hers. Aerith clenched her jaw. This dense soldier could be incredibly perceptive at times. Once everyone had dispersed, Tifa thought to join them since Cloud volunteered himself. 

   “Uh wait!” Aerith desperately grasped at Tifa's arm to keep her from going. “Won't you stay Tifa?” 

   The young fighter's eyes shifted between them. She knew Cloud could be a little intense. Yet Aerith usually had her own way of handling him, so there was never a reason to intervene.

   “Sure, why not.” Tifa smiled. Waiting for the nails digging her skin to soften. 

   Cloud's expression remained soured. Again she wouldn't divulge what he already knew. Since finding her the anxiety just hovered around. Removing her from Sephiroth's domain didn't mean they could remove him from hers. Even if he tried hiding Aerith in Midgar to lay low, what did it matter if Sephiroth just took over her mind every night? Cloud thought it was strange how Sephiroth always seemed to find him at the most random times. It shouldn't be possible. And there's no reason to suggest he couldn't do the same with Aerith. 

   “Cloud, get some sleep okay?” She wiggled herself up to the edge of the bed and took the rag from him. Tilting her head sweetly to help take the edge off. 

   “Let’s get you cleaned up first.” Tifa smoothed back Aerith's sweaty bangs. “It’ll only take a second.” She went into the bathroom after snatching a towel. A far more polite way of signaling Cloud to get out. 

   “You could have died.” 

   “Not with all of you looking after me.” Aerith's voice fell to a whisper after looking over her shoulders. “Just dream’s Cloud. They can’t hurt us and they always have to end.” He wasn't exactly satisfied with that. Especially when the nick on her throat said otherwise. 

   “You’re not very convincing.” He bit back further protests once he heard Tifa testing the shower. “If anything happens, tell Tifa immediately.” 

   “You got it. But, nothing’s going to happen. I promise.” Aerith took his hand and squeezed. For once he regretted always wearing his uniform to bed. Like magic her touch calmed the storm in his heart, just like all those migraines. He imagined the effect might be stronger without the gloves. And it was the first time she’d willingly touched him since her disappearance. Cloud suddenly leaned forward and kissed her head goodnight. The motion was quick enough to miss if she blinked too fast. The soft press of his mouth only lasted about a heartbeat. But in these brief moments he felt everything might be alright. 

   Aerith continued to stare blankly into the wall after he'd left. The gesture wasn’t so different from a parent putting their kid into bed. But she couldn’t help dabble in the delusion it meant more. It scraped at the locks on her heart. She buried those feelings away. Believing the Gold Saucer to be her one indulgence. The rest was history. 

   “Nothing like an eventful day to get the blood pumping.” Tifa strode out and took Aerith's hand. Guiding her to the bathroom. 

   “That's one way to put it.”

   “But actually, things aren't as bad as before.” She helped undo Aerith's first few buttons. Wincing at the strange cut. 

   “I find that hard to believe.” In every universe they had managed to move on without her and been victorious. 

   “We got so split up, I thought everything was falling apart.” Tifa sighed. “Now maybe things are back on track.” It felt right to be a full group again. And she'd resolved at least one issue with Cloud. 

   “Not with you Tifa. You're the glue of this operation.” Tifa paused as her lip pulled back. Aerith watched the troubled fighter lean against the sink beside her. 

   “That's not true. I don't know if I'm that helpful.”

   “Yes you are. I bet you were practically leading the whole time.” Aerith bent forward and out a hand by her mouth. “Cloud is terrible with directions.” Tifa couldn't help but snort. It was true that their travel greatly improved after finding Cid. 

   “I guess I don't know how to explain it. Cloud was so different, I couldn't help him. Or rather, he wouldn't let me. I came because of Shinra. But sometimes I don't know what I'm actually doing here.”

   Aerith linked her arm around the bartender and pulled her close. To question one's existence was a void that knew no end. Aerith had contemplated her own purpose to the point of exhaustion. In the end she supposed they were both insecure. 

   “I can't say for sure. But I have a feeling Cloud's going to need you soon. More than anyone.”

   “That's silly.” Tifa giggled. 

   “You'll see.” Aerith nuzzled into her open shoulder. She often daydreamed what life would have been like if she had someone like Tifa growing up. To the point she regretted not trying to sell flowers in sector seven more often. She smiled to herself, imagining a young girl with red eyes trying to face the Turks, or walking her to the church on lookout for monsters. 

   “Aerith?” Tifa peered down into the flower girl's heavy eyes. “You're not falling asleep are you?”

   “No. But you're so comfy.”

   “Come on you.” Tifa slipped out from under her a bit flushed. Turning Aerith away, she continued to help remove her garments. 

   “I can undress myself Tifa.”

   “Sure, there's a spare set…!” She gasped before yanking down the rest of Aerith's top. Fully exposing the flower girls backside. 

   “What's wrong?” Aerith tried to turn. Suddenly very concerned.

   “Your back, it's…” Tifa's hands gently ran down her shoulder blades. “You can't feel it?” Aerith caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Week old bruising from before still peppered areas of her spine with yellow and blue dots. Some were a familiar fingerprint shape that got her cheeks heated. Sephiroth was particularly rough with her on that dining table. It must have cut her more than she remembered. She was rather distracted at the time. If he cast Cura without her knowledge, she wouldn't even think to look for injury. 

   “Those are old. Practically healed already.” Aerith turned while covering her chest so Tifa wouldn't have to keep staring at the evidence. 

   “Did Sephiroth do that?” Tifa grabbed Aerith and pulled her into a tender hug. 

   “Tifa, it's ok. It doesn't hurt I promise.” 

   “He's going to pay for this.” 

   “Thank you for worrying about me.” Aerith stroked her hair. Squeezing back with all her might. “I really missed you so much.”

   “...I'll leave the pajamas on the sink.” Her voice was low, trying to suppress the frustration.

   “You'll have to let go of me first.” Aerith teased while rubbing her shoulder. 

   Tifa hesitated but the night wasn't getting any younger. If Aerith smiled and said everything was fine, it was hard to pry into what she didn't know. So Tifa waited by the bed. Double checking the sheets and pillows for any other stray knives.

   Although the shower itself was quick, time was wasted inspecting it. She used a shower most of her life, but it now looked strange with all the modern lights. She wondered if it'd be possible to ever get Sephiroth to attempt showering without the fear of it trying to rip his skin off. 

   Aerith observed her back once more after drying her hair. Healing Vincent went surprisingly well. If she tried it again, the marks along her skin should vanish. She closed her eyes and muttered a prayer until that cozy warmth spread through her bones. 

    “Oh planet, can you hear my plea?” The silence disappointed her more than expected. Communication was never easy, still she hoped for something more after leaving the North. But enough satisfaction came with the return of her healing abilities. Thankful it had been too dark for Cloud to notice before. She didn't need any more misunderstandings. It was hard enough to keep quiet whenever they thought he probably hit her, unable to admit she was just having her sanity routinely fucked away.

   Aerith turned off the lights and crept back into the bedroom. Shuffling quietly to the bed where Tifa was already snuggled into. With all the grace of a cat, she slid under the covers before shimmying closer to Tifa's back for warmth.

   “You know you can tell me anything. You don't have to carry it alone.” Aerith's attention moved to the direction of her voice, assuming she'd been asleep. 

   “Yeah, I know.” Her heart tore a bit from the lie. There were many lifetimes she almost spilled the whole truth. But the future was a delicate topic, and human emotions are fickle. If her friends ever tried to intercept her fate, Aerith wasn't sure she'd have the resolve to stop them. In the end she wanted to live, and in a way let Sephiroth take the burden of changing everything. Even now it was hard to be honest. Sephiroth had taken Tifa's home. Gifting only the memory of her dying father. 

   “I thought… I don't know what I thought. Maybe if he was talking to you, all those weeks, maybe you were trying to change his mind. But it seems you were just being treated poorly. I'm sorry.”

   “I don't know if anything can influence that mind, and hey, could have been worse. He didn't bother me all the time.” The last sentence was more of a mumble.

   “We ran into the Turks before. Rude said he saw you, looked real bad.” Tifa rolled over to face Aerith. 

   “Shinra went back on their word. Still looking for the promised land.” She tried thinking back, it all felt so long ago. Running away from the suits and getting stuck in the cave. That night was the start of it all falling apart.

   “Bastard's. After everything you've been through, I thought they'd at least know when to help.”

   “Turks never go against the job.” Aerith learned that the hard way. She stopped believing after Zack died. In the end their rapport with her was nothing more than a tool to make her do as they wanted. “They found out where Sephiroth was hiding, but you can imagine how that ended.”

   “Rude seemed kinda worried about you though.” 

   “Well he can shove it.” Aerith scoffed. “They just make more problems.” Despite their strange relationship, the Turks continually chose to do the wrong thing when presented with an opportunity to change the status quo. Sometimes they compromised for Aerith's comfort. But in the end she always ended up in Hojo's lab. “Thank you by the way.”

   “Hm?” Tifa raised her eyebrows. 

   “For what you did earlier. I think Elena really wanted to shoot me.” 

   “Oh that little thing? Piece of cake.” She turned into the pillow to hide her smile. Tifa was always weak to praise. She often forgot her skills were something out of the ordinary. Blind to the endless admiration that followed her steps. 

   “Does it still hurt?” Aerith brushed her fingers over Tifa's abdomen beneath the blanket. 

   “Stop, that tickles!” Tifa squirmed away to keep herself from laughing. At this rate everyone was just gonna wake up again. She took hold of Aerith's wandering hands. “She barely nicked me.” 

   “Okay.” Aerith giggled, wondering how long it would take Tifa to notice she was still holding her hand. 

   “We’ll catch you up on everything tomorrow. So get some sleep.”

   “Right.” She nodded. Trying to imprint Tifa's smiling face into her brain. She couldn't believe she was here right now. For everything Sephiroth put her through, she got that one more day. Perhaps several more days with people she loved. 

- - -

   The next morning was a little too lazy for a planet still in the clutches of extinction. But Aerith remained cuddled around Tifa's waist. The young fighter even skipped her usual morning run to stay in bed. But eventually the others would come looking for them, and breakfast didn't wait for the tardy. Tifa dragged herself up first. Fully dressing before tugging at Aerith's limbs from all directions. 

   “Tiiiifaaa, just go without me.” Aerith mumbled while shooing her away with a hand. Her face was still firmly planted in the pillow. When was the last time she slept in a bed?

   “Oh I don't think so. You have to eat with us. Breakfast is a group meeting so get dressed.” Tifa heaved one last time before successfully pulling Aerith up. The flower girl yawned. In no rush to slip into the borrowed gray dress. The next time she saw something pink, she swore to snatch it at possible costs. 

   “There they are! Finally showed up huh?” Barret kept an endless supply of energy. Half the party was still undecided if it was endearing or exhausting. 

   “Morning.” Tifa waved at everyone before grabbing a plate. She enjoyed not having to cook for once. 

   “Heya.” Aerith wasn't far behind. The sight of familiar faces relaxing around a table was like some fever dream. 

   “You sleep ok?” Cloud leaned against the counter as usual. Like he wasn't allowed to partake in the fun. Watching afar in case someone needed anything, or to be the first to jump into line of fire if there was an attack. 

   “Yep, just like I said.” Aerith poured some juice and handed it to him. She'd never seen him drink anything bitter like coffee. Childlike mannerisms sometimes snuck out from under that cold exterior. She bit the inside of her mouth at his tired expression. The same clearly couldn't be said for him. “You didn't have any weird dreams did you?” Aerith lightly touched his face without thinking. Suddenly very concerned she wasn't the only one Sephiroth paid a visit. Guilt plucked at her heart seeing the dark circles beneath his eyes. The moment her thumb brushed his cheek he forgot what he planned to say. 

   “Not at all.” He swallowed back a cough and looked away. He didn’t think it was that obvious. Sleep was an afterthought. He kept getting up to walk around the perimeter of the house. Just in case.

   “So then. Mind telling me what the hell we're doing?” Cid hit the table, causing the cutlery to rattle. He was busy mixing some eggs into bacon. 

   “Aye about that.” Cait jumped onto the table to prevent being ignored this time. “The terminals are a wee bit rumbled out ‘ere.” He scratched his ears and looked to Vincent. 

   “Outdated as they are, we picked up some interesting signals.” Vincent sipped on some blended concoction. Left up to him he'd probably live off an IV bag. “A high volume of shipments are being directed here from Costa del sol. All classified. All under Shinra's name.” Cloud and Tifa glanced at each other knowingly. 

   “Wutai related perhaps?” Nanaki asked. 

   “What?” Yuffie suddenly perked up. 

   “About your friends up North. There's hundreds of them under Shinra lockdown. We couldn't possibly free them all.” Cloud leveled with Yuffie. Tifa felt the topic of war was too much for a sixteen year old. But skirting around the issue would just delay the inevitable. 

   “What are you even saying? That's impossible, isn't it?” Yuffie's little fetch quest was just seeming more hopeless. 

   Aerith walked around the table. Trying to find easy things to swallow before taking a seat. All she could do was listen in hopes of catching up. 

   “The war has started. And Shinra is moving. They've completely taken the North to expand camps under the guise of a Mako Reactor. Camps full of Wutaians. Hojo plans to experiment on them.” Cloud explained their findings to the group. 

   “So we just leave them?” Yuffie's face dropped. 

   “No one said anything about getting left behind. Shinra ain't getting away with nothin’.” Barret smiled at the young Ninja. Already riling himself up to kick some Shinra lackeys. Meanwhile Aerith mixed honey into her porridge to make it more palatable. 

   “Even if we raid the camps. More captives are just gonna replace the ones freed a week later.” Cloud stole glances of Aerith while he spoke. Her face was scrunched up weirdly as she hunched over to stir her food. She looked confused, like everything was wrong. 

   “So we attack the source.” Tifa cut in with optimism. “Hojo's been transporting things from the coast. The high volume shipments from Costa del sol are probably full of Wutaian's. If we shut down the carriers, dealing with Icicle village should be easier.”

   “Then what are we waiting for? Let's get this plan in motion!” Yuffie raised her fist excitedly. 

   Aerith chewed her lip. There shouldn't have been a war. Shinra crumbled under Holy’s crossfire with Meteor before it ever got that far. Rufus should be injured. And prisoner camps? In fact, Tifa had a fairly close call yesterday with Tseng's gun. Too close. Aerith never had to stress about the others' safety before. 

    “Hey, you good?” Cloud put his hand on Aerith's shoulder to stop her from stirring. She didn't realize the spoon was making a loud whirring sound against the ceramic. 

   “Sorry, what did you say?” She looked up at him and set her bowl down. 

   “So is finding Sephiroth on hold or something?” Barret tightened the arm strap around his gun. 

   “Without the black Materia, he can't do much.” Aerith finally spoke up. “If we can find a way to destroy it, defeating him might be possible.” Her voice faded a bit in the end. The sentiment made her clammy after last night.  

   “I thought he already had that.” Cid mumbled while fishing behind his ear for a cigarette. 

   “Not anymore.” Aerith turned to Cloud full of hope. 

   “About that.” Cloud folded his arms again in embarrassment. “The Turks got it yesterday.” Aerith shut her eyes and took a deep breath. If she had to chase that Materia one more time she was going to chuck it into the ocean. 

   “So it's all settled aye? Next stop is the land of sand?” Cait looked around for confirmation.

   “My girl’s ready anytime to fly.” Cid took a big puff proudly. 

   “Hey Aerith, I asked the Doctor about you this morning. Said he'll take a look at cha.” Barret had almost finished his plate. 

   “Really?” Her back straightened. A wave of anxiety poured over her. She was going to have to face it eventually. Suddenly with new vigor, Aerith lifted her bowl and downed the porridge. Barely breathing between gulps until nothing was left. Cloud just eyed her silently from afar. 

- - -

   Despite her best efforts, keeping breakfast down was an entirely different matter. After everyone went their own ways, it wasn't long before a cramp seized her stomach. Aerith hid in the bathroom hunched over the toilet. She thought her appetite was returning yesterday. Even had some weird cravings this morning. But her body betrayed itself.

   For the first time Aerith started to assume the worst. She didn't know how long she could last like this. Feeling herself getting weaker each day. She started to wonder if Jenova was fucking with her for fun. 

    “Your end is inevitable.” The sickly voice of death wrapped itself around Aerith's head. All she had to do was think of the alien creature and it wiggled into her ears. 

    “Get. Out.” Aerith bit back. Not in the mood for mind games.

    “Our integration is not far now. It's not for you to decide.”

    “Then tell me how to fix this!? Isn't a baby part of your grand plan or something?” 

   “The results of your breeding are of no concern to me. If it breathes, all the same. If it kills you, all the same.” Aerith groaned while wiping her mouth. 

    “Sephiroth doesn't seem to think so.”

   “He plays too much. But to be eternal is our right to do so.” 

    “That's why you always lose, you know. You think messing with life doesn't have consequences.” Aerith cleaned herself off and tried finding ways to block out the voice. 

    “Lose? In the end I am that I am. While you rot in the soil.”

     “Oh heavens.” Aerith paced around while gripping her head. This was going nowhere and a migraine was coming on quickly. She opened the window seal to get some fresh air. Smelling the wild flowers that lined the railing. “Oh stewards of the planet, please. Just say something, anything. I promised not to give up.” 

   Aerith closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. At the very least Jenova was finally silent. Maybe the thought of sharing its mind with the planet scared it off. The wind blew across her cheek and for a second, she almost heard humming. She instinctively put her hands together and tried to find a connection. 

    “Child…  what have you done?”

    “Finally.” Aerith whispered. She could almost cry.

   “You didn't heed the warning.”

   “I don't understand.”

   “A poisonous seed. You betray the blood of Cetra.”

   “What, it's not even born yet. It could be human.”

   “And monster. It feeds off us. Feeds off you.”

   “But, it's also Cetra, right?” 

   “Only the unwise would gamble such a thing.”

   “Can't we save it? Clear the infection.” Aerith asked for more than just the infants sake. She'd never known of a Soldier injected with Jenova to be to undo the procedure let alone live long enough to try. Part of that had always scared her a child. Perhaps Sephiroth wasn't as immortal as he thought. 

   “You choose now to test such theories?”

   “Then when? Will you not help me?”

   “What's done cannot be changed. Do as you must. But if the child is rancid, we all pay the price.”

   “ The Cetra half could be stronger.” Aerith muttered to herself while rubbing her stomach. Trying to wrap her head around the logistics. Nanaki had asked if she intended to keep it. She wondered if it might be too late. If Jenova had truly tainted it. A premature death might just send the infection straight to the lifestream early. Maybe that was what Jenova was hoping for. If the baby lived or died, Calamity won. 

    She sat in the bed thinking the doctor's visit could come soon enough. In all the confusion she found herself remembering Sephiroth. She wished she could talk to him. Make him lie to her and say this was great and not some terrible abomination. Being separated from him was supposed to be freeing. Instead she just felt more stuck. 

   "I guess I don't have much time."  Sephiroth wouldn't stay still forever. And she needed to be prepared. At this rate if he showed up, Aerith wasn't sure she had the will to refuse him. 

Chapter Text

   Aerith continued to poke about the room. She'd already gone for a walk, cleaned herself, polished her weapon and even made time to read a bit of the local tab while chewing on toast. But nothing could distract her from the obvious. She was agonizingly aroused, and it was just getting worse. She expected her hormones to be wild as the pregnancy progressed. But it was becoming impossible to think about more important tasks. 

   Earlier she thought it might be fun to watch Tifa do her morning workout. Occasionally cheering praises whenever Tifa finished a set. Until her eyes kept wandering to strange places as the young fighter worked herself up. Her bare thighs and abs were glistening in the morning heat. Aerith caught herself watching the way her breasts bounced with each breath more than once. She had half a mind to ask Tifa if her chest ever got as sore as hers felt now. If there were any exercises to make the swelling go down. 

   After a rather seductive set of lunges, Cloud thought to join himself. Aerith watched with her head in her hands on the back porch. It just kept getting worse, but she couldn't look away. They were running, and then Cloud was taking his shirt off. Sweat pooled below his jaw before flowing down the curve of every damn muscle. Particularly his back. Aerith was already miserable, but now she was losing her mind. 

   Suddenly both of them made eye contact with her and Tifa started waving. Aerith's cheeks immediately flushed. Surely her lewd thoughts were written all over her face. Cloud took a step in her direction, as if they intended to come and get her. 

   “Aerith! Wanna help me with sit ups?!” Tifa shouted from across the yard. Cloud kept approaching, and Aerith swallowed. Slightly light headed. She'd seen him without a shirt before at the beach. Didn't even think twice. But the two looked so open, practically naked today. 

   “N-no thanks! I promised to help somebody with uhm, something.” Aerith shot to her feet once she realized Cloud was coming over. 

   “Might be good for you.” Cloud called out. “Light exercise can improve mood and boost energy. Start slow with the basics, and you might even be able to knock Barret over. Also, you need more protein…” He got into that training mode. Where everything was so matter of fact and straightforward. Completely oblivious. 

   Aerith could barely hear him. His sweatpants hung low around his hips, as if weighed down by his perspiration. Teasing the abdominal curve that dipped below his elastic band. Her eyes shot to Tifa to ground herself. But even the outline of Tifa's bra was visible from here. Her white top was completely soaked. Sticking tightly to the impressive curve of her breasts.

   “... it's not so hard once you get the hang of it.“ Cloud's voice drifted back into her consciousness once he got within ears reach. Aerith almost felt her soul leave the moment his shirt was used to wipe any excess sweat off his neck before throwing it to the ground.

   “Can't you workout elsewhere?! And for the love of Shiva, put your clothes back on!” Aerith snapped. Throwing her fists down angrily before storming off. Cloud went completely stiff. Almost jolting when she slammed the door behind her. 

   “Hey, what did you say to her?” Tifa ran up from behind. 

   “I don't know.” Cloud looked down at himself. Unsure what was so wrong. 

   “You can't just overload someone with your little workout plan. You scared her off.” Tifa crossed her arms. Unappreciative that he made her cheerleader run away. 

   “She looked interested. Or so I thought.” Cloud glanced back at his shirt on the ground. 

   “Well next time just let me handle it okay?”

   So Aerith hid in her room. Trying to suppress the urges. The desire to be close to someone right now. She never considered herself the most virtuous person. But pleasuring herself in another's home wasn't at the top of her list. Especially with her comrades littered around the property. 

   Still she tried thinking about anything else. Biting at her thumb till the skin was raw. Her breasts stung and her center craved to be satisfied. The worst was when she imagined him. Could almost feel the hot leather dragging along her skin. If it were Sephiroth she could get him to touch her. Make him scratch the part of her no one else had seen. Either with his fingers or tongue whatever, she didn't care at this point. Aerith was panting as she flopped onto the bed. Tugging at the collar of her dress. Then again, even getting Sephiroth to indulge her before she left wasn't the easiest. 

   “Just a little.” She told herself. “To make it stop.” Her hands eagerly raised to fondle her chest. Massaging out the soreness made her whimper on the spot. Having sensitive nipples was a new annoyance. “Ooh~” The pain slowly melted down the more she squeezed. Repeatedly loosening the tissue between her fingers. Trying to rub out the previous week's stress was oddly effective. 

    She curled up further onto the bed. Continuing to knead her aching tits tenderly. She couldn't help but imagine Sephiroth's hot tongue lapping over them. Biting and teasing the tips as he often did. Aerith sighed sweetly and closed her eyes. Such fantasies only made her wants multiply. And her thighs squeezed together. Trying to ignore any hints of wetness. Her hips wiggled, determined not to give in. 

   She wanted to hold him so badly. Stroke that silver hair. Let its softness fall around her shoulders while embracing the hardened parts of his body. Breathing got harder as her hand wandered. Letting curious fingers brush over her knees to rake up her skirt. Once her thighs were exposed, they got massaged too. Circling all the kinks out. Her muscles were far overdue for some stretching. Any other day she might have taken Tifa up on that offer. Eventually her wrists brushed the surface of her underwear. The slightest tease was enough to make her head reel. 

    “Oh shit...” She thought. There wasn’t enough time to shower again. Yet her fingers continued to roll over the thin surface of her panties. She would just have to change into some fresh underwear. A thin layer of perspiration soon added to the heat already fogging her mind. With how on edge she was, imagining Sephiroth’s tongue sliding over her just once would be enough to finish it. “I need you.” 

    “I hear your desires little Cetra.”

    Aerith immediately pulled her hand back and sobered up. She'd never experienced Sephiroth's voice in her head so clearly before. He once spoke of hearing her, but never responded. It felt absolutely unnatural and violating. She covered her mouth and scanned the room. Mortified by the idea she might not be alone.

   “That can't be right.” Aerith almost laughed as she exhaled. Running a hand through her hair. She was hearing all sorts of voices in her head today. 

   “Control yourself. Or I will take you now.” Once more Aerith's eyes widened. 

    “Get out of my head!” Was all she could think over and over. She was sweating for a different reason now. She might die if he actually heard all her lewd thoughts. 

    “You called upon me.” His smirk was practically audible. Aerith nearly jumped out of her skin when a knock rattled the door. 

   “Aerith, you there? The doctor is back, he's taking visitors.”

   “Just a minute!” She sprung to life faster than thought possible. Smoothing out her gown and fixing any loose hair. Getting a replacement bowtie was starting to become a priority. At the very least that pesky arousal had greatly subsided. Once settled she rushed to open the door.

   Cloud's eyes washed over her. His attention seemed to catch at the most unprecedented times. Her cheeks slightly flushed beneath a sheen one might have after cooling down from a run. He blamed it on the climate. The house could get stuffy in the evening. 

   “Are you feeling ok?” Cloud pressed the back of his hand into her forehead. The metal bits of his glove were chilled. Making her sigh. “I wasn't trying to pressure you this morning. You don't have to workout with us if you don't want to.”

   “Of course I'm ok silly.” She brushed his hand away. Trying desperately not to look into those beautiful mako eyes right now. “I didn't mean what I said earlier. You guys are just so motivated, I guess I got jealous.”

   “Oh.”

   “So, where is the doctor?”

   “Nearby…” He couldn't help but get lost in her. Trying to spot the difference. If the lighting caught at just the right moment or she turned a little to slow around a corner, something about her felt older. He knew she had another year on him, but Aerith often carried the demeanor of a child still experiencing life for the first time. However in passing glances, she could appear sexy. The term never quite fit until recently. 

   “That's not exactly helpful.” She put both hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. 

   “Are you ready?” A furry creature wedged itself between them. 

   “Yeah.”

   “Maybe I should go with you.” Cloud offered as he took a step back. 

   “You don't have to oversee everything Cloud. You should take a break too. Besides, Nanaki is coming with me.”

   “Huh?” His ear flicked to attention. 

   “Isn't that right?” Aerith eyed him threateningly. 

   “Oh, ahem yes, that's right.”

   “If you say so…” Cloud rubbed his neck. Finding time to talk with Aerith was a challenge lately. She never hovered around him anymore and continued to cut any interaction short. But he wasn't one to seek out others' company himself. So he couldn't press her on the matter even if it left a sense of emptiness behind. 

   “I'll lead the way.” Nanaki quickly started down the hallway. Planning to get it over with quickly. Regardless of intentions, he hated doctors. He expected it would take a couple hundred years to get over the time spent in Hojo's lab. 

- - -

   After a routine sweep of creatures swelling around the crater, Sephiroth was prepared to leave the north. Yet he found himself wandering through the “house”. That's what she called it anyways. It was more of a container to him. Still his focus shifted out of bounds. Aerith pulled him into a dream, then kicked him out? Using his own trick. He didn’t think she even remembered the first time in his dream. 

    “Clever Cetra.” His thoughts bounced around as he walked with his hands behind his back. Each floor was painfully still without her. But that would be set right in due time. “A child… a success.” No matter how hard he tried, Sephiroth couldn't picture it. But he basked in the sensation of impending victory. It was more pleasant than the anger and urgency pecking away at what remained of his composure. She couldn't be pregnant and just leave. As if some excuse regarding a doctor made everything ok. 

   When he heard her voice in the middle of the night, he almost dropped everything. Almost let it slide. He was just going to get her again anyway. But then she muttered that name, ‘Cloud’. And all his patience disintegrated on the spot. He wanted her to regret it. Wanted her to hurt for making him look like a fool. She did present herself so lovely, tied up like a gift just for his consumption. But the longer he stayed, the harder it was to just end it. Her pathetic woes insisted on sincerity. That her actions were not baseless. 

   Sephiroth stood in the doorway of the room she once occupied. Tapping on the doorframe. 

   “A bed…” He thought of her reddened face, screaming like it was so obvious. By all accounts the room he prepared seemed adequate. Though looking at it again, perhaps it was barren. The shabby mattress and lack of furniture was clean. But it wasn't so different from a dog house either. Complete with a pillow and a water bowl for company. Sephiroth hummed irritably, he needed to make way for Midgar. Get into the labs ASAP. But one distraction just flowed into another. 

   “Is that why you slept in my room?” The hallways could go on forever if he kept pacing in circles. He questioned it all. What was real, what was the facade. “Curled your legs around me just to get out of the pen?”

    A shudder then sprinkled over his shoulders, putting him on high alert. A feeling not his own. It came from everywhere yet nowhere at the same time. He whipped around to find the source. Something probed at his mind, trying to connect. 

    “...Oh shit…” The sound of her voice echoed in his head. Panicked and breathy. An image of Aerith flashed through his mind. Or rather a memory. Her memory. Of him kneeling in the study between her legs. He'd never seen through her eyes before. Yet she was grabbing at his hair and falling apart. “I need you.” She practically gasped right down his neck. 

    “I hear your desires little Cetra.” He huffed. Unbelievable. All that trouble hiding just to fantasize about him in the end. That stubbornness was her own weakness. 

    “That can't be right.” Aerith responded half heartedly. All the erotic mewling gone from her voice. 

    “Control yourself. Or I will take you now.” Sephiroth crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. If it was going to be like this she should just return quietly and beg for forgiveness. 

    “Get out of my head!” She shouted a few times for good measure. 

   “Ahh…” he smirked with understanding. She can't even control her own call. “You called upon me.” He responded in kind, and the connection suddenly cut out.

   His head was free once more. With a twisted smile he lost control of his growing laughter. Maybe he didn't have to do anything and she'd crawl back on her own. Perhaps letting her suffer a bit more among her comrades was better. He doubted she'd been honest with them about the nature of her time here. If she failed to reintegrate with them, there weren't many places left to go. Of course, she wasn't going anywhere. Not with their child anyway.

   Sephiroth returned to the poor excuse of a closet that kept traces of her. Folding up her red jacket, he finally made way for Midgar. The scientist would have his requested things.

- - - 

   “Won't you just come inside?”

   “I will wait right here, and not a step closer.”

   “Pleeeease.” Aerith pouted outside the humble clinic. In truth she was afraid too, but for different reasons than Nanaki.

   “You may divulge everything in earnest afterwards and I will happily listen. But this is as far as I go.”

   “Seriously? I don't even know what to ask though.” 

   “You flatter me, Aerith. But I can assure you I don't know any more about human births than you and would be of no help.”

   “Shhhh!” Aerith looked over her shoulder as if others might be listening in. “Don't say it out loud,” she whispered. 

   “It's going to be alright. Just calm down, stress isn't good for the baby.”

   “I thought you didn't know anything?” She quipped. Trying to stall. 

   “Are you perhaps Aerith Gainsborough?”

    Both of them jumped at the sudden addition of another person from behind. An older gentleman in white peaked out from the front door with a welcoming smile. 

   “Yeah, that's correct. Are you doctor…”

   “Doctor Klein.” He stepped out and held forth a hand. Aerith shook it gently.

   “Nice to meet you.” 

   “I believe your friend Barret mentioned you'd be coming by. A real chatterbox that one.” 

   “Sounds like him.” she smiled back. 

   “Well why don't you come inside and we can have a chat. Make sure nothing is amiss.” Aerith just nodded and followed the doctor from behind. Glancing at Nanaki for reassurance. He too nodded, encouraging her to see it through.

   Aerith sat across from him in a makeshift office. Most of his tools lay about within suitcases. Making her think he must travel for his services regularly. 

   “So, I believe a bit of coughing was mentioned. And some bleeding?” Dr. Klein was quick to break the ice. Aerith avoided his eyes to fumble with her dress. 

   “That's right.” She cleared her throat. Suddenly very thirsty. 

   “Why don't you tell me about it.” 

   “Well the thing is… is it possible something like that could uh, be related to a type of pregnancy?” Aerith tensed. Hoping the hard part was over. The doctor just raised his eyebrows. But he'd seen younger mothers in his time. 

   “Are you pregnant? First we'd need to confirm a few things. Various complications can occur. And if there's bleeding it's important to check the safety of both you and the fetus. How far along are you?” 

   “I'm not sure. Maybe… three weeks?” She rubbed her sweaty palms against her skirt. 

   “Did you have a late period? Or did the bleeding start first?”

   “It's not time for my cycle yet. I guess I got ill first.” Her voice shook a bit.

   “I’d like to take a blood test if that's alright.”

   “Sure. Why not.” Aerith shrugged beneath an awkward smile. The doctor walked to a cabinet and pulled out a device attached to some materia. 

   “Technology has really gone far despite all Shinra's meddling. Never imagined a day they'd help manufacture materia for us plain folk.” He rambled on cheerfully in hopes of making her relax. Unexcited mother's were usually a bad sign. But he wasn't one to pry into a patient's personal issues unprompted. After a moment he shuffled back over with a syringe. “Won't feel more than a poke, I promise. The results are almost instant.”

   “Okay.” Aerith leaned back while he located a vein. Forcing herself to look at the paintings on the wall. Anything but think of the white coats in the lab of her childhood. A stream of blood quickly mixed into the handheld device. 

   “There, see, all done. Now while that settles why don't we check your heart and blood pressure.” Dr. Klein couldn't find anything wrong with Aerith's vitals. Everything seemed to be functioning right. But he scolded her a bit for being on the thin side. 

   “You might see an immediate improvement in your energy if you up your daily intake. Lucky for you the local cuisine has a variety of nutritious fish, that's also quite tasty.” 

   Aerith didn't notice herself smiling more naturally the longer she sat and listened. He had an answer for just about everything. The whole ordeal suddenly felt so human. The handheld started to beep and the conversation halted. 

   “Ah there we go.” He moved back to the counter to grab the device. He paused before turning fully, his smile slightly faltering. “That's strange.” He mumbled to himself. Tapping the screen a few times.

   “What does it say?” Aerith blurted. 

   “Oh, do you mind if I take another blood test? A couple actually.” 

   “Is something wrong?” 

   “Well I'd like to double check, machine's aren't perfect I suppose. Half the results are empty, or just not reading at all. But what I can see is that according to your hCG levels, you're at least two months pregnant Miss Gainsborough, possibly further.”

   “What?!” Aerith stood so fast the chair screeched. Color quickly drained from her face.

   “You haven't seen any other doctor yet? It's very late for a first check up.” He scratched his head a few times, wondering how her timeline could be so distorted.

   “I don't understand.” Aerith gasped, suddenly struggling to find oxygen. The Dr. took her arms and guided her back to her seat. 

   “For starters, It's not uncommon to experience dizzy spells and overall discomfort this far along. And this also confirms your severely anemic.”

   “Anemic?” Aerith braced her forehead. Trying to make sense of it all. 

   “Essentially your body is struggling to make enough blood cells. This could be the result of the bleeding. Might be an easy fix. But in rare cases Anemia can be brought on by a parasite. If something is actively eating away your healthy blood cells, there won't be enough for you, or the baby, causing some fatigue.” 

    “Parasite…” The word caught in her head. Drowning out the rest of his words. 

   “I'm not quite sure about the cough though. It could be a symptom of a bug you caught while traveling. With a few more tests I'd like to try and pinpoint the problem.” 

   He waited for some type of confirmation, but Aerith had gone mute. Staring far off into the distance. No longer fully present. The doctor set the device aside and pulled a chair next to her. 

   “Is the father aware of your condition? I'm not sure how far you and your partner plan to keep traveling. But it'd be best to take things easy for a while. New environments can be hard on the immune system.”

   “F-father?” She choked out.

   “If it's difficult I can speak with them. Or we can do it together. In the meantime I'll prescribe an iron supplement for you.” 

   “Thank you.” She managed. Still trying to organize the new information. “The father is currently away at the moment. On a business…trip.” The doctor just scoffed before adjusting his coat. 

   “Well he should return quickly. The next few months will be particularly important for you. I know a good hospital further North. I could get you a connection in Icicle Village.”

   “No!” Aerith quickly cut him off. Shinra had completely overtaken Icicle village. And the thought of running into Hojo right now almost made her throw up. “We've already picked a hospital. But thank you, really.”

   “If you insist.” The Dr. raised an eyebrow. She was by far one of the more odd patients. 

   “So, how many blood samples do you need?” 

   “Oh right, two will do.” He hit his knee before standing up to grab a few more syringes. “You can come by again tomorrow and I'll let you know if I found anything else.”

   “Thank you again Doctor Klein.” She managed a pleasant smile, but all the light had left her voice. 

   “Of course Miss Gainsborough. I recommend taking a tablet twice a day with some sort of meal. Here.” He handed her a paper bag. 

   “How much is everything?”

   “Ah, it's already taken care of.” Aerith's eyes widened, nothing was ever free. “Your friend Barret helped me with quite a bit after his arm healed. Consider all expenses paid.” 

   Aerith shook his hand one last time. Unsure how to express her gratitude. By the time she walked out, Nanaki was relaxing nearby in the grass. 

   “How did it go?” He sat up excitedly but Aerith just shook her head.

   “It's all messed up.”

   “What do you mean? Is something wrong with… you know?” Nanaki eyed her stomach.

   “Let's go somewhere else. I need to sit down.” Aerith wiped her forehead. “There's something else I forgot to mention yesterday.”

- - - 

   Midgar was never a grand sight for sore eyes. Only fools who dreamed of progress and money saw a future under the poisonous city. But it was disgustingly familiar. There wasn’t a corner Sephiroth didn’t know. It made infiltrating Shinra’s Headquarters a simple thing.

   The science department near the top floor was oddly barren. Labs powered off temporarily while most assistants had been transferred weeks ago. But that made getting around unbothered more agreeable. Staying too long had little appeal. And watching Hojo’s monstrous freaks stuck in incubators of induced sleep just made him want to cast meteor even sooner. Hojo’s office would be the highest, surrounded by the most locks. But Sephiroth had memorized every combination since he was a child. He used to try sneaking in when training was over to see his father. But that never ended quite well. 

   Sephiroth flicked over useless documents littered around the scientist's desk. Hojo was obsessed with keeping new findings to himself. He meticulously memorized others' research in order to destroy physical evidence. Sephiroth thumbed his chin, trying to think where the rat would hide such important files undigitized. His head turned from each corner of the room, looking for any special compartment. Everything past the 65th floor had walls lined with metal panels. Sephiroth ran his hands over their grooves.

   “Ah, so predictable.” Sure enough one ridge was raised slightly higher than the others. All he had to do was push hard enough to make the wall click before springing the secret door open. Sephiroth smiled thinking the old man was pitiful. The scientist believed himself so above others he didn't even bother to install a lock. He must have assumed no one would even think to check here. Well, except for Sephiroth himself. Hojo didn't give any instructions other than to fetch his things. Somehow that just irritated him more. 

   The secret compartment was no bigger than a closet, lined with file cabinets. It didn't take long to find the drawers marked for “Ancient.” Most folders didn't seem to have much to do with Aerith. He flipped through several tabs referencing a Professor “G” and subject 0 “Illfana”. In the back however, was one file marked “A”. Sure enough, a binder containing Aerith's records. Upon opening the first page for confirmation, Sephiroth was greeted by a picture of her in a blue dress. Presumably from her childhood. She didn’t look too different from now, still with a stupid bow in her hair. 

   It reminded him of his own file. Uncannily so. Being a manufactured weapon allowed one to disassociate from the bizarre practices of Hojo’s weekly check ups. If he saw another go through it, he wouldn’t think twice. But thinking of Aerith being subject to such treatment at that age made his throat tingle. Hojo liked photos. Even after recordings became standardized. 

   The next page was tolerable. A young Aerith drowned beneath a hospital gown meant for adults among various IV’s hooked up. But that was always the start. The further he flipped, the closer the camera got, and the less coverage was allowed during tests. Obscure shots documented skin behind the ears, spine, and more private areas. Parts of her exposed chest and arms had various incisions at some point. Likely testing out the extent of her healing abilities. There was a particularly nasty note left behind about Aerith biting an assistant after trying to take a sample of her cervix. “Remove the imbecile who misplaced her muzzle. Tests must be conducted while the subject is awake.” 

    Sephiroth slammed the binder shut. He already knew how the rest might follow. The worst checkups were after puberty. His hands were a twitch away from crumpling the file and just saying to hell with an imaginary cure. But he closed his eyes and breathed. No use came from getting upset over what was already done.

   Glancing back at the drawers, he couldn't imagine how much depraved work filled the dozens of other files. Clearly the other Cetra clearly hadn’t been as lucky as Aerith. Sephiroth opened the cabinets up top to see if he missed anything else. 

   “Figures…” Dozens of little jars were labeled with the organs of some creature Hojo had taken special time to preserve. Various fluids were meticulously separated from bone and flesh. He picked one up and inspected the bottom. ‘S.0. Cetra: Liver’. The name Ilfana once more was scribbled beneath. He put the jar back with a sigh. Of course, her mother. She only mentioned the name once. 

   A separate shelf of purple petri dishes glimmered behind a locked case. The glass enclosure kept the sinister remains chilled at just the right temperature. A lone “J” embellished the lock. He'd seen it many times. Injected into anything Hojo could get his hands on at one point. Seeing Cetra and Jenova separated so clearly left a bitter impression. Sephiroth immediately sealed the closet. A mistake not of his own. But that didn't lessen any of the resentment. It was something he chose not to think about. It didn't change anything. His goals were still just. 

   The labs were as grim as he remembered, and enough time had been lost in the labyrinth. But he didn't intend to waste the trip. Wandering through Scarlet's territory inevitably led to the labs where Materia was forged. Condensed Mako, siphoned from the lifestream itself. Sephiroth broke the steel door off a separate walk-in refrigerator. The screech of metal bending didn’t matter, the entire floor seemed abandoned. Perhaps Midgar truly had sucked as much life as it could get and Rufus was just waiting for the opportunity to uproot his entire utopia elsewhere. 

   Scarlet had collected various Mako crystals and lifestream samples from all over the planet. Testing the properties depending on location. Sephiroth scrutinized dozens of liquid vials. Wondering what the difference might be if Aerith drank it. He settled on one from Kalm. Although he preferred his first finding at the Ancients' city, beggars couldn't be choosers. 

   Before leaving, Sephiroth clicked his tongue. Flipping through Aerith’s binder once more, he unclipped the various photos of the bare child being strapped and poked at by cold objects. In the blink of an eye they burst into a flame that vanished as soon as it spread.

   “No need for those anymore.”

Chapter Text

   Aerith managed to sip a generous amount of soup after taking her medication. Half truths were easier than a full lie. So she explained her condition as a temporary case of anemia at dinner. She might have felt worse if the relief on everyone's face wasn't so apparent. She didn't want them worrying for her sake. The least she could do was not slow them down further. 

   Nanaki sulked across the table though. Still processing what Aerith divulged in private. She detailed the ways Jenova spoke to her. That the creature had bonded with her somehow. It made him less inclined to keep her secret, even if he swore to never betray her trust. 

   A child was harmless in nature. But if it was tied to Jenova, that changed things. And Nanaki quickly realized the situation was more than a mess of simple feelings. He urged her to tell Cloud soon. If anything, the Doctor was right about traveling. Their journey wasn't for the weak, and Aerith's body could only keep up for so long. Especially if the fetus was growing at an accelerated rate. Her stomach would show eventually. 

   But Aerith shut down the idea immediately. Pleading with him to keep quiet a bit longer. She got so worked up another coughing fit started. Followed by a trickle of blood escaping her nose. In the end he agreed to take things at her own pace to calm her down. But if she ever passed out again, Nanaki warned that he wouldn't keep still. 

   Aerith finished eating quickly. Cloud's constant stare was a weight she couldn't quite handle yet. She was thankful for the others constant banter that kept the room from ever getting too quiet. Retreating to her room for privacy seemed like the best thing. Saying the doctor prescribed rest wasn't a complete fib. Cloud clearly had more to discuss, but she was struggling. 

   Her body was sore and needy all day. It naturally led her to imagine a certain silver haired bastard. That unnatural desire to touch him tapped at the back of her brain. Convinced that would make some of the pain go away. But she was ready for the nausea this time. Aerith braced the wall before her bedroom and covered her mouth. She heaved twice, and swallowed it right back down. 

   “Careful.” Cloud put a hand against her back. She jumped, not realizing he followed her. “Do you need more medicine?”

   “I think it's a side effect. No biggie.” Aerith turned to him and backed into the door. More afraid of him catching on than anyone. 

   “Barret might have something to settle your stomach. He got something for Yuffie I think, for the motion sickness.”

   “Got it. Did you need something?”

   “I guess not.” Cloud took a step closer. “You were out most of the evening.” His cheeks ever so faintly warmed. 

   “Oh.” Her arms dropped. She was so used to pestering him, she hadn't noticed he might want to spend time with her. Cloud never inserted himself into others' lives unless invited. He'd sit outside a friend's house in the rain until they dragged him inside. It never occurred to her he was waiting for her. 

   “Let me know if you need anything.” Cloud cleared his throat before turning away. Afraid she might get upset again. 

   “I have a minute.” Aerith reached out and took his arm. “Bad idea.” she thought. Cloud blinked, waiting for her to define what a minute meant. “Well don't just stand there.” Aerith opened her door and smiled. The bed was the only place for him to sit as she fumbled about. “I need to organize some things anyway.” She finally got her hands on some new materia and was eager to update her weapon. “Get him out of here.” Her body and mind couldn't agree on anything. 

   “I'll find a way to get the black Materia back from Shinra.” Every time she moved, he caught a faint floral scent. 

   “Don't worry about it. Anything is better than Sephiroth having it.” Aerith tried not to stare at him while switching out her gear. That blonde hair framed his face perfectly. It made the green particles around his blue iris even more electric. Though they appeared normal compared to the cat-like nature of that man. Aerith scrunched her nose. Pushing away the thought of Sephiroth. 

   “I guess so.” He hunched over the bed, pressing his thumbs together.

   “Cloud it's okay, really. Who knows, we might even run into them at Costa del sol.” Aerith exhaled before lining her staff up to the wall. She didn't ask him to come in so he could be depressed.  

   “You weren’t supposed to get dragged into all this.”

   “I kinda like not having to pull.” Aerith chirped while lifting a brow but he just sat somberly. “We can't just leave them, I wanna help.” Hojo was the one worm that always got away. He might have ruined her life, but if the same could be prevented for others, she had to try. “Being held against your will is a nightmare, all you can think about is when it will end.”

   “Right.” Cloud shifted. “I didn't mean to make you remember something like that.” Aerith bent forward and exhaled though her nose. Looking under that downcast expression. 

   “Don't tell me you were like this the whole time I was gone.”

   “No.” He scoffed defensively. 

   “Maybe the doctor can help you with those migraines too.” She poked his shoulder playfully. Hoping he would stop looking like a guilty thief.

   “I haven't had any lately.”

   “What?”

   “They've gone down since a while ago.”

   Aerith’s lip moved as if she had something more to say, unable to help but think of Sephiroth. He swore to leave Cloud alone if she remained complicit. But that promise should be void now. She didn't expect any sort of grace from him. Not after the fury he bore, even if it was a dream.  

   “Actually…” Cloud fumbled with his pockets. Unsure how to explain the materia she'd given him and the strange visions of her death. “I wanted to show you something.”

   “That's …” Aerith's eyes widened when he pulled fourth the strange orb. Not quite white, but clearly not empty. “What happened to it?”

   “Thought you could tell me.” He held it up higher. Aerith inspected the materia closely. The whispers sucked her memories away once, but she retrieved them already. She wasn't sure what could be left to give back. 

   “This is the one I gave you?” 

   “Yeah, almost lost it at the Capital.”

   “You shouldn't go back there.” The phantom wound that marked her backside suddenly throbbed. It was impossible to tell if her prayer had been fulfilled before losing Holy. The urge to panic had only been suppressed by knowing the Black Materia was lost. 

   “We didn't have any leads. It was all I could think of.” Cloud watched as she cradled it tightly with both hands. Unfortunately, she looked just as confused. 

   “Here.” Aerith placed it back in his palm. “Keep it safe for me a while longer, okay?”

   “Why? What’s it for?”

   “It was a gift. So it's something for you to use now.” Despite the resemblance, the materia hummed weakly in her hands. If Holy could be restored, Cloud might be able to do it. 

   “But it doesn't do anything.”

   “You just don't know how to use it.” Aerith tilted her head to the side with a grin pulling at the sides of her cheeks.

   “Very funny.” Cloud shoved the materia back in his pocket. “I saw weird visions when I picked it up.”

   “Like what oh fortune teller?”

   “You.” Cloud swallowed. He didn't want to even entertain the idea. “It was like the nightmares, but more real . And then you were gone.”

   Aerith's face dropped. Of all the memories to be given. The planet could be cruel at times. She tried to step away but Cloud took her wrist. 

   “Did you know about it?”

   “Cloud-”

   “You keep secrets. You think we can't tell, but I see you.”

   “What's important is to focus on the present.” 

   “Why won't you tell me? You act like something bad is gonna happen. Like you're waiting for it to happen.” 

   “Nothing bad will happen.”

   “I put you in a river, I- you can't disappear again.” His face twisted with desperation. He knew he must sound crazy, but Aerith seemed to understand exactly. She didn’t ask him to elaborate. And that bothered him more. 

   “Relax Cloud. Everything's ok.” Aerith put a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you think you saw, isn't our reality. Memories are the past, not the future.”

   “What's any of that supposed to mean? Past, future, memories? It's out of order. How can something that hasn't happened be the past? How can I remember things that I never saw?” His grip tightened like he was bracing himself and shot to his feet. 

   “Cloud, my arm.” Aerith tried pulling away. He never had the gift of foresight before. His mind wasn't capable of handling it. Not yet. 

   “You just accepted it? That's why you abandoned us in the forest?” He'd seen her lifeless body twice now. Might have held it yesterday. As if she wasn't already looking like the underfed locals in the slums. 

   “Of course I don't want to die!” She felt sick to her stomach. Trying to explain it would surely confuse him further. Aerith suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth. Preparing to swallow back the supper trying to crawl its way up. Curling forward with a choke finally made him shift focus. 

   “Aerith.” He braced her shoulders. Quickly regretting having said too much.  

   “The water here must not agree with my stomach.” 

   “Did the doctor say anything else? This isn't normal.”

   “I don’t think there’s a normal way to be sick.” Aerith used his arm as a crutch. 

   “Talk to me. I just want to help.” Aerith grew tired of fighting it. She selfishly wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed gently. Knowing it would shut him up. 

   “Can you trust me?” She asked softly.

   “Of course I do.” Cloud's hands relaxed on her shoulders. Always frazzled by her forwardness.

   “Then don't think about those things. Death, the future. Just focus on right now. Care only about each day as it comes.” Aerith closed her eyes. Indulging in the moment of physical connection. He was too sweet for his own good. 

   “Will you ever just tell me?” His hands fell just below her shoulder blades. Unsure of venturing further. 

   “Shhh. You're not thinking about right now.”

   “Alright I get it.“ Not constantly stressing over the future just wasn't in his programming. Not thinking about becoming a soldier. Impressing the beautiful girl of his childhood. Finding the next job, predicting Sephiroth's next move, revenge. All while worrying about the slippery flower girl who asked him to be her bodyguard. “Now” couldn't exit. Didn't have time for it. 

   But he tried. Wanting to enjoy her warmth. The proof of her existence. Her body molded easily into his. So close yet so distant. Always one step ahead and never waiting for him to catch up. Aerith took one last breath before pushing herself back. 

   “I'll see you tomorrow then.”

   “Yeah.” Cloud nodded obediently. His hands lingered a little too long. Looking for the nerve to let go just as he found comfort. But rest came to him easier that night among Barret and Nanaki with a less heavy heart. 

- - - 

   Sephiroth wasn't a fan of having to fly everywhere personally. It greatly reduced his vessel's lifespan even if there were plenty more bodies to occupy. But in pursuit of transferring items himself, teleporting was out of the question. 

   To his luck, Bone Village sat perfectly between Midgar and Icicle village. And he had every intention of making that detour. It took little effort to locate the small town by the shore. Sephiroth already had something he needed to retrieve from Aerith. But the jarring call from her this morning sealed the deal. Crawling into his ear to moan about missing him. If he wasn't on the way to meet that damn scientist he would just grab her now. Not a soul could stop him. 

   The weather tonight wasn't exactly pleasant. Most people retreated long ago into the cozy pits of their home. Allowing his shadow to lurk around freely. The buildings lacked identity if not for the faint hum of humans stirring within their walls. So he listened. Waiting patiently to catch the familiar thrum of her heart. It didn't take long. A house echoing that soft patter only she possessed eventually appeared. 

   Sephiroth dropped to the window and unlatched the hitch. A room on the second floor remained illuminated only by a dim tableside lamp. Revealing the disgustingly cluttered amount of mortal trinkets. But those paled in interest to the body curled up in the corner. 

   He slid past the shutters and strode over the floorboards weightlessly. Waking anyone else would be a nuisance. His presence only seemed to soak up what little light was left. Aerith was tucked beneath a thin blanket without a care in the universe. The time without her had been rather uncomfortable for him. Yet she slept perfectly placid. It was the only pleasant thing he'd seen in days. But eventually the documents in his hands stood as a reminder of why he came. 

   A series of vials were meticulously removed from his leather pockets as he set aside her file. Taking out her old red jacket and placing it beside the lamp. A shadow formed as he loomed near her head. Sneaking around was always a bit of fun, he never did get caught. His fingers gently brushed through her hair. Careful not to disturb the sleeping beauty. When he reached the ends simple magic severed a few locks. Sealing them securely into one container. He supposed a few nail clippings might work, but fluid had also been mentioned. 

   Suddenly Aerith sighed and it knocked him out of the mindless possibilities. Her lips parted for a series of deeper breaths. Allowing her chest to rise higher as her brows knit. Sephiroth traced two fingers over her neck to rest them on a vein. 

    “Sephiroth…” The thin string of her consciousness wiggled its way into his mind and latched onto the connection they'd somehow formed. She was calling him again. If he obliged, he might be summoned into her domain like previously. A stray smile curled along his lips with the quickening of her pulse. 

   “Such a naughty Cetra.” He found her to be quite needy in the time at his home despite the denial. Aerith feared being alone more than anything, and would surely have found company in her dreams. If it was anything like this morning, he could only imagine. 

   But he wouldn't answer, not this time. Aerith wasn't across the continent anymore. Her real body lay open before him. Taking a gloved hand, he gently tilted her face to line up his mouth with hers. It was probably the softest kiss he'd ever attempt. Yet still it caused her to stir beneath him. The quiet noises caught in her throat tickled his ears. And greed had his tongue seeking out more even if she couldn't kiss back. 

   The feel of her lips could have undone him. He wanted to feel all of her beneath his crushing weight. Press into her flesh until they were one and never concern himself with being separated again. The desire to bite and suck at the softer parts of her was starting to bubble over. But too much might awaken the girl so Sephiroth released his claim on her reddened lips. After securing her chin, he monitored her sleep. 

    “Whatever you dream of, it is by my hand only.” If she dared dream of another undressing her, he'd revel in thoroughly punishing her later. After a moment he bit the tip of his glove and pulled it clean off. Slipping two fingers into her mouth, he eased them back and forth over her tongue. Building a generous amount of saliva before scraping the clear fluid into another vial. He repeated the action a few times. Dipping past her lips to rub against the wet surface of her tongue before dispersing it into the container. The warmth felt nice against the pads of his digits, reminding him how nice she felt on the other parts of his skin. He was curious what she was experiencing on her end. She behaved surprisingly well in her slumber. 

   He sealed the vial and decided that was enough for the scientist. Sephiroth wasn't interested in sharing much more. In another swift motion, he took out the lifestream sample. Only a few ounces, but the potency was a gamble. As slowly as possible, he poured the liquid down her throat. It might be a foolish hope, but no option would go unexplored. He ushered her mouth shut, licking the residue off her lips and placing another kiss to make sure nothing was wasted. Their lips remained one until he heard her drink it down instinctively with her spit.

   “Good girl. Swallow everything.” the back of his index finger rubbed across her throat in satisfaction. His thin pupils caught the slight crinkle of her nose. The light huff through her nose. Casually peeling away the top of the blanket revealed her deprived state. Unsurprisingly, her breasts had already peaked through her attire. 

   “I'm feeling generous, Aerith. So I'll help you this time.” He whispered and sat beside her on the bed. After unhooking the buttons past her navel, the top easily fell away at her sides. Her tender breasts were on full display, helpless and abnormally swollen. Practically begging to be touched. He couldn't tell if the rush of delight was just seeing her again, or knowing there wasn't a thing Cloud and the others could do about the fact she'd always be under his thumb. 

   Sephiroth worked his hand slowly up her stomach. Massaging a line between her cleavage and belly button. She must have liked that since her breaths turned to a series of relaxed sighs. Aerith's head flopped to the side of her pillow as if that were already too much. Taking a hold of her breast, he squeezed lightly. Intrigued by what other sounds she might make for him. He hummed and glanced over the pristine condition of her flesh. A finger rolling away at her pink nipple while he thought.

   “I should leave you with something.” He tasted the smooth curve of her breast. Licking over the tender parts of her body before finding a nice spot above her collar. Without hesitation he started to suckle the smooth patch. Careful not to nip too hard. His tongue devoured the bit of flesh between his lips for over a minute. The light bruising should last at least a few days. Long enough for someone to notice. Aerith slightly whimpered each time his teeth grazed her. Sometimes sighing louder than before. His free hand fingered the band of her pants lower.

   “Endure it. Such a fickle girl, yet I continue to let you stay with those humans.” He liked to think such words would reach past her dreams. He slowly shifted onto the bed above her. Planting a knee at either side of her hip. Both hands raked back and forth over the curve of her waist. Groping at the delicate curves along the way. 

   Her breath fell into the rhythm of his strokes. She was so small, making it difficult to imagine how she might carry another being. But just knowing that was reality sent a thrill through him. He had done everything since finding out to keep busy. But now the idea of leaving her behind just didn't sit right. Not after saying she's pregnant. Said she needed him. 

   Sephiroth had half a mind to fill her up right now and make her scream so loud everyone in town woke up. Make her cry for daring to go and plead to let her come. But he knew better. And the reminder of her current health made the pants restraining his desire all the more painful. Yet she slept so sweetly without a care. Unaware of how much he was struggling.  

   His fingers curled under the top of her pants and tugged gingerly. The motion made her shift, forcing Sephiroth to pause every so often. A bit of shimmying got it past her hips enough to slip down her thighs. Once more he heard her voice in his head. 

   “This body can only know my name. Don't forget who you belong to Aerith.” He cooed over her. Tracing possessive circles around her stomach. He almost gave into her call. Curious what erotic scenario she'd dreamt up. Something told him it wouldn't be nearly as gentle as he was being with her now. Considering last time the Cetra was chained up within her own mind. 

   He ran a thumb down her underwear. Working the cotton between her entrance. She was already damp and sticky. After locating her clit, two fingers rocked back and forth over the nub. The first audible moan to escape her lips made him lessen the pressure. Unsure if she was coming to. But her eyelids simply fluttered. Sephiroth continued to circle the sensitive spot generously until a stream of little chirps were spilling out of her. Quiet and heady. He found it rather cute despite the lewd nature. 

   “Hmmm.” Sephiroth groaned. Her underwear had soaked through, and his cock was getting stiff. Her hips subtly rutted beneath his fingers. As if chasing his touch. Blood rushed through him at the sight of her body's encouragement. Pulling off her panties required too much patience. So he tore the fabric like paper between his hands. 

   He lowered himself and nudged her legs apart. Checking her face every few seconds for some response. He placed a trail of kisses over her lower stomach. The only bit of flesh still plump and squishy. Imagining it growing tighter because of his seed sent another wave of excitement into his spine. It ruffled the feathers he kept tightly folded away. Sephiroth would have to think of ways to make her eat more until her appetite returned. 

   He hadn't craved a human meal in over five years. But he couldn't recall it ever being as strong as the hunger that came whenever he was around her. He mouthed at her nipple. Sucking ever so lightly. Wondering how much more they'd swell once she began producing milk. If they were this stiff already, she might require daily attention to keep them supple. He tried to imagine what she'd taste like. How she might look dripping with fluid when needing to be milked.

   The scent of her arousal only got more intense, and Sephiroth eagerly shifted himself lower. Not hesitating to drag his tongue over her center. He savored the sweet taste of her desire. Although abundant in fluid, he ignored the other empty vials in his coat. Something he would never share. 

   Aerith's breaths became messier as he licked rhythmically. Claiming every inch of her sex with his lips. Sephiroth's tongue flicked wildly against her clit and after a while he stopped caring if she woke up. At least then he'd be able to jump her for real. He clamped a fist around his cock and squeezed to keep from clawing at her thigh. It wouldn't surprise him if his pants burst. Trying to hold back was not an art he planned to master. 

   Apparently being a little rougher was all she needed for that final push. Sucking down on her swollen nub had her hips twitching. Her knee even knocked him involuntarily. So he sucked harder, refusing to let her escape. A heavenly gasp eventually spilled from her throat and he shoved his tongue down her tight hole. Feeling her entrance constrict as she found bliss. Wishing to feel it squeeze another part of him. That was a dangerous game though. If he started there, it'd be difficult to stop until the whole house was awake.

   Sephiroth felt her relax a bit, so he slowed the pace at which he drank. Stroking her slowly while her body came down. Once her heart settled he checked her face again. Cupping her cheek to watch those thick lashes. Aerith was a much heavier sleeper than expected. Perhaps that came with being pregnant. It made him a bit paranoid. Wondering who else might be able to simply wander in and she'd never know. Cloud might have been a coward in the eyes of love. But Sephiroth knew how he looked at her. The urge to ignore everything and just take her resurfaced. 

   Shifting his weight forward to get a better look had his cock brush against her leg. The sensation was almost enough to make him throw it all away. Growing on the idea he could just pull out of her before finishing. But he gripped the sheets beside her head and groaned through it. 

   “When this is settled, I'm going to have you day and night. Best to pray that small womb can hold more than one.” He breathed raggedly into her ear and snaked an arm behind her waist. Slowly pulling her closer. Aerith murmured something inaudible as her eyelids started to twitch. Sephiroth stroked her side, waiting for her to become lucid. 

   The doorknob suddenly began to rattle and he released her. A wave of his hand instantly turned the lock to save a few seconds. He would have known if his puppet was awake and wandering the halls. A series of playful taps vibrated the door accompanied by another woman's voice. 

   “Psst, Aerith, are you awake?” 

   Sephiroth couldn't help but roll his eyes. Aerith's body took a deep breath as her mind came to. By the time her eyes fluttered open, the man above her along with the various documents had vanished. 

   “I can't sleep.” Tifa whispered again through the door. Aerith blinked a few times, feeling oddly relaxed. 

   “Tifa? Hang on.” She called back while rolling into her side. “I don't remember locking the door.” Aerith sat up and gasped. “Oh heaven's sake!” The wet dreams had a will of their own but she didn't expect to have near fully undressed herself. “What the ...” She inspected her torn panties but quickly discarded them for the person still waiting behind her door. Aerith shrugged her bottoms back up and just threw a blanket over her shoulders to cover the rest. Unlocking the door she peeked her head out. 

   “What's up?” Aerith whispered with teary a yawn.

   “Thought I might check on you. After last night, I got this bad feeling.” Tifa looked apologetic for waking her. 

   “Aw you don't have to worry so much.” Aerith opened the door wider. “Want to come in?” Tifa just shook her head.

   “I won't keep you. But, we might start moving again tomorrow. Did you get everything you needed from the doctor?”

   “I think so.” Aerith thought it best not to mention the coughing fit from earlier. If what the Doctor said was true, she doubted there was much modern medicine could do. “We can't stay here forever after all.” Tifa nodded blankly but continued rocking on her feet. “Is something else bothering you?”

   “Oh me? No, I'm fine.” She giggled nervously. Honestly she wondered why Aerith hadn't asked her to be an escort to the doctors. A part of her thought they were closer than that. “Here, take this.” She took Aerith's palm and placed something inside.

   “But Tifa, it's yours.” Aerith glanced back and forth at the red hair tie. 

   “I have a spare. Besides, you keep fussing with your hair. It's driving me crazy.”

   “That obvious?” Aerith tried to hide her embarrassment. 

   “Mmhm.”

   “Thanks Tifa, I appreciate it.”

   “Goodnight then.” 

   “Night.” Aerith waved her off before shutting the door again. She poked at the lock, trying to remember. Then with a sigh she went back to the bed in a daze to fix her nightwear. She supposed it was possible to find pleasure in dreams, but her limbs really felt like jello. Regardless, the tragic state of her underwear bothered her the most. It wasn't until the draft caught her cheek she realized the window was open.

   “I definitely remember closing you.” She murmured. Pushing the glass shut until it clicked. She glanced around. Noticing a black feather by her feet. Aerith promptly scooped it up and ran her fingers over the delicate edges. For a moment she thought of the crows that hung around but quickly realized that was stupid. 

   She rushed into the bathroom and immediately stripped. Scanning her body for some sort of evidence. Sure enough, a large red spot decorated her collar bone. Her cheeks burned. Touching the purplish mark with her fingertips. “Asshole!” She thought. He'd come to have his fun and just left. 

   The dream was shamefully indulgent. A rather smug Sephiroth had her bent across a chair while having his way. Aerith already decided not to stress over the things she couldn't help. She blamed it on the hormones. Yet here he was manipulating her body from the other end like some fool. She angrily took a damp cloth and wiped away any remaining wet spots between her legs. The cloth made her shudder when it glided over her folds. Her clit was still pulsing now that she thought about it. 

   Once settled, Aerith decided to try sleeping again. Looking around the room to be sure all perpetrators had gone, a red clump by the lamp caught her eye. She ran over and held up the jacket. 

   “There you are.” She hugged it tightly. Unable to explain the comfort of having something of her own again. Before thinking she brought the fabric to her face and smelled it. His scent was everywhere. As if the red denim were made of leather. Taking both the feather and jacket in hand, she crawled back into bed and under the covers. 

   Aerith clutched the items while taking deep breaths. Her stomach hollowed out whenever she was alone like this. The weight of being pregnant was its worst when isolated. Pushing aside her emotions was easier in the day with other things to worry about. But at night, her fear had nowhere to go. She flicked the feather across her neck anxiously. Letting the soft bristles kiss her skin. 

   “What am I going to do?” She whispered. She found it strange Sephiroth might return her clothes just to play with her body and leave. “At least wake me…” Aerith bit her lip. Stories of expecting mothers often gloated about being cuddled all night by their partners. She desperately wanted to feel safe. Have someone say she was doing a good job. She imagined how that might sound in his voice, lulling her to sleep. But that just made a fire spread between her legs again. 

   “Ugh!” She groaned. Rolling to her other side and forcing her eyes shut. Her arousal knew no end today, she could only try sleeping it off.

Chapter Text

    Junon was much brighter than Midgar. Natural life hadn't been completely snuffed out. Yet Tseng still found himself missing the dark glow of Midgar streets. The green smog hovering around had its own charm. In a city so corrupt, it was easy to feel like one of the good guys just keeping order. But anywhere else, the sins of his own outweighed an entire village. 

   But he had work to do and life kept going no matter who lived or died. Rufus was waiting patiently in the presidential chair that overlooked Junons canon. After reaching the desk, Tseng placed a black box on its surface.

   “Mr. President.” 

   “About time.” Rufus turned around and eyed the box. Small enough to fit in his palm, yet supposedly full of untapped power. “I want testing done immediately. Get in touch with Scarlet's division.” 

   “Right away, sir.” Tseng bowed. Just as he reached to take it back, Rufus put his hand over top.

   “Aside from the materia, was there anything else?”

   “If you mean the fire that broke out after my leave, it's being investigated as we speak.” Tseng didn't quite raise his head yet. 

   “I don't really have an interest in natural disasters. I'm referring to the Ancient. A little birdie told me Hojo was… distracted.” 

   Tseng's finger almost twitched. But he was careful in the way one presented himself. Not many troopers had access to Hojo's lab. He tried narrowing down who the snoop could be. To have something like this reported to the President by anyone other than a Turk certainly didn't look good. 

   Rufus' interest had peaked since Rude reported the secret mansion in the north. But the war was still a top priority. Tseng intended to keep the fact he saw Aerith a secret. In light of everything, he hoped the Black materia was enough to please Rufus. He assumed wrong. 

   “If Hojo is putting my work on the backseat, he must have found something rather promising.”

   “I'll confirm the scientist's intentions. His research so far has been kept private.” Tseng finally straightened his back. 

   “I look forward to it. I expect a report by tomorrow.” Rufus removed his hand and leaned back into the chair far too large for any human. Tseng waited to be dismissed before immediately dialing arrangements to return north. Just glad to have been given the assignment. Rude and Elena's report was troubling to say the least. And no one else had much experience handling the Ancient. 

   Aerith could be rebellious in the past. And left Tseng with more muddy knees and cuts from her shenanigans than he'd ever admit. But she grew up to show a rather submissive face in favor of mind games. The other Turks had the pleasure of watching her in a more polite form. But if pushed into a corner, she could bite. And Tseng was the only one not surprised she attacked Rude’s entire fleet of Troopers. Although he gathered the M.I.A. reports to have been Sephiroth's handy work. He didn't take her for a murderer.

   Tseng was still trying to figure the whole thing out. But the relief of seeing Aerith previously was unexpected. She wasn't working with the silver Soldier. That much was clear. But if she was being pursued, the race to apprehend her wouldn't be fun. They never had to fight for her autonomy before. If the reports were right, Aerith decided her odds were better off in the snow with Sephiroth than just going with the Turks she'd known her whole life. And that bothered him more than it should have. 

- - -

   “Hellooo? Anybody there?” Aerith waved a hand in front of him. His mouth was still lax. But the amount of color that returned to her face was remarkable. He couldn't believe it.

   “You look, better today.” Cloud moved away from the counter to study her in full. 

   “Really? I do feel fine.” Aerith twirled a bit while looking down at herself. This was certainly one of her better mornings. 

   “Then want some perch?” Tifa smiled at her while grabbing plates for everyone. 

   “Not fish again .” Barret groaned. He had just woken up and was coming down the stairs with Cait on his shoulder. As good as the seafood was at first, he quickly grew tired after having it for a week straight. 

   “Actually, I think I do.” Aerith helped Tifa get some cutlery. Thinking she might like that a lot.  

   “I guess you slept well.” Cloud kept leaning into her space. Inspecting the new hair tie. He recognized it immediately as Tifa's. 

   “Out like a light.” Aerith turned a bit to hide her flush. All she could think about was Sephiroth this morning. She woke up with his feather in hand. The evidence got stuffed into her pocket. Still unsure why she didn't just toss it. Even now her fingers would secretly caress the bristles between her fingertips when she thought no one was looking. 

   “It looks good on you.” Tifa said in passing. She spared Aerith's new ponytail a glance while setting the table. 

   “You think so? Maybe you should pick all my clothes.” Aerith giggled. She'd been sick for so long, she forgot what it was like to feel normal. She wondered if the pills were all it took.

   “When we get to Costa del Sol, we can go shopping.” Tifa whispered into her ear so Cloud wouldn't hear. 

   “Deal.” Aerith nodded. Remembering they never got the chance before the plate fell. Tifa rarely had time for fun. The guys were always so serious. Not that many opportunities came about in the slums anyway. But Aerith was always more than happy to indulge her. 

   “Hey, no secret conspiring. You two need to stay focused.” Barret pointed at them while taking a seat at the table. 

   “Oh is that what you were doing yesterday?” Tifa put her hands on her hip and looked him square in the face. “Fighting with the locals about Avalanche and terrorists? Almost gave us away.”

   “That's different.” Barret put his glasses back on and leaned back. 

    “I suggest we don't waste time. We'll have to leave before noon if we want to arrive with adequate daylight.” Vincent was still lurking in the corner as usual. 

   “Right. Everyone better be packed. Or it's getting left behind.” Cloud reminded everyone as they nodded. 

   As much as Aerith would enjoy a leisurely morning, she ate rather quickly. There should be enough time to visit the doctors and be back before the others even noticed she was gone. She overheard Yuffie ask Cloud and Tifa to help take care of a few more monsters before they left. Apparently that's how they had been paying rent. Aerith tried not to linger on the fact they didn't involve her. She knew it was for her sake. That they were only thinking of her best interest, but the hint of loneliness was still there. 

   Finishing off the last of her tea, Aerith decided not to bother Nanaki again. He was kind enough to go once. Today's visit should be quick anyway. She didn't want to think about the pregnancy more than necessary. Sometimes she could pretend everything was normal and that the truth could go unseen forever. That way the tingling in limbs would go away. The fear of being due as the planet fell apart, all while that man would surely come for her. 

   Being short on time gave Aerith the courage to knock first. She didn't expect much, but it was worth checking. And she eagerly waited at the doctor's residence. Practically bouncing on her toes until she heard the lock click.  

   “Oh Miss Gainsborough. Good to see you.” Dr Klein was still in his casual attire with a cup of coffee in hand. 

   “Sorry to bother you like this, but I can't stay much longer. I hoped to see you one last time.” She waved with a bit more cheer than yesterday. 

   “So soon? Come on in then.” He opened the door wider for her. Aerith didn't bother to sit down. She intended to be quick. 

   “The nausea isn't so bad today. I wanted to thank you.”

   “Well that's good to hear. To be honest, I had a difficult time getting clearer results, Miss Gainsborough.”

   “You still helped me more than you know.”  

   “I'd like to show you something.” Aerith followed him into the back room where he kept his equipment. “I decided to try a good old fashioned approach, your blood is rather peculiar.” Dr Klein ushered her to a microscope. She took a peek, but didn't really understand what she was looking at. Millions of little circles danced about. 

   “Wow, that's a lot of movement. Is it supposed to be like that?” Aerith squinted into the scope.

   “Yes, it's a live sample.” He chuckled. Suddenly reminded of the years he spent with interns. “Notice those clear and solid circles? Those are your cells. The thinner dark ovals are something foreign. Or so I thought.”

   Aerith felt her skin crawl at the mere thought. She raised her head and listened carefully.

   “The ovals are like leeches. Attaching to your healthy cells. I had a bit of a fright watching them yesterday. Your cells were being destroyed upon contact. But almost immediately after, new cells reformed. I've never seen anything like it.”

   “… so does that mean it's harmless?” Aerith tilted her head. 

   “Honestly, I'm not sure. Whatever's attacking your cells, dies with them. It can't seem to merge properly. But then both the foreign body and healthy cells are born again out of the old. Restarting the cycle. It's hard to tell if your body is healing or hurting.”

   Aerith gulped and looked back at the slab beneath the microscope. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to start a biological war with Jenova. 

   “By all means it shouldn't be possible. New cells can't multiply if they're dead. I'm afraid this is a bit out of my depth. I was hoping we might have more time.”

   “I appreciate you checking again. I think I understand a little now.”

   “Well how nice for you. I, however, am more confused. It's unfortunate to lose such an interesting patient.” He walked her to the door and patted her back. “I wish you luck Miss, and a healthy delivery.”

   “Yeah.” Aerith rubbed her stomach. “Me too.” As she reached for the knob, the door began opening on its own. Her hand just missed its target before stumbling over. Dr Klein jumped forward in fear of her collapsing forward.

   “Aerith?” Cloud caught her despite his surprise. 

   “Cloud! What are you doing here?” The relief of being held died the second she registered his face. 

   “You weren't in your room. Cid’s ready to go now.”

   “He sure is quick.” Aerith straightened herself out, but Cloud kept her close.  

   “Aha is it you then?” The Doctor adjusted his coat and folded his arms. Still calming his heart from almost seeing a pregnant woman faceplant.

   “What?” Cloud raised an eyebrow at the man as Aerith whipped her head around.

   “You ought to settle down until she's due. And rethink this whole traveling nonsense.”

   “Excuse me?”

   “Oh wow, we really are late!” Aerith immediately began dragging Cloud away with a force that almost toppled him. “Goodbye!” She waved to the doctor without really looking. Her brain was too busy short circuiting. 

   “Ow, Aerith, stop.” Cloud could barely keep up with her. 

   “You really should work on knocking before entering others' homes,” She huffed. 

   “I wouldn't have to if you stayed put. At least tell someone before you leave.”

   “Maybe you can install a tracking device next time.” Her nails clawed through his glove. 

   “It's not like that.” Cloud forced them to a halt. He knew he'd been a bit overbearing since she got back. But things weren't exactly peachy either. “What was he talking about?”

   “Nothing. He thinks I need more rest. But what better place to relax than the beach? C'mon.” Aerith immediately started nudging his arm again. Ready to get away and forget this entire slip up. 

   “What are you due for?” He started walking again as she led them towards the house. 

    “That? Due for my next appointment of course… or would have. But I'm feeling better already.” Beads of sweat formed at the nape of her neck.

   “He looked ready to pick a fight.” Cloud glanced  behind him with a scowl. The doctor was glaring and they'd never even met.

   “That's because you just barged in. Anyway, I still need to grab my things. I'll only be sec.” Aerith let him go once they were far enough from the scene of the crime. 

   The party continued loading onto the Tiny Bronco as Aerith darted into the house to gather her staff. Barret was still giving his thanks to the locals who lent them the townhouse. There was a predicament however. Aerith stared at her red jacket with no excuse prepared on how she got it. The only thing she knew was that it wasn't getting left behind. She slipped into it and watched her reflection. It was the first time she recognized herself in what felt like a lifetime. 

   “Half truths. Not a lie.” She nodded to herself. 

   She skipped down the stairs to find Nanaki waiting by the door. He had her bag of medicine in mouth. When she got closer, he instinctively growled.

   “Cut that out. You're the only one who can tell so zip it.” Aerith took the bag from his canines.

   “I can't help it. The stench is… thick.” He eyed her jacket like it was the filthiest thing he'd ever seen. “I prefer the scent of you by far.” 

   “Thanks, but I can't exactly do anything about that can I?”

   “I didn't know you had any of your old clothes.” Nanaki's tail whipped around. It smelled like Sephiroth was in the damn house. He was alerted the second he woke up, but by then Aerith was already gone. He prompted Cloud to go find her. 

   “Maybe your eyes just aren't as sharp as your nose.” She hopped to the door but he sat in her way. That tongue and cheek might have worked under normal circumstances.

   “Aerith, don't do anything dangerous. You have no reason to protect him.” If not for his nose, no one would have a clue he'd been here. And Aerith was in no hurry to spill. Sephiroth was marking his territory so openly. Clearly stating he could come and go as he pleased, knew their location, and was allowing her to be here. 

   “He was gone before I even woke up. What? Was I supposed to scare everyone about the boogie man making a midnight delivery?”

   “I suppose not.” Nanaki stepped aside. The atmosphere was better recently. And talk of Sephiroth would no doubt spoil it. They were leaving regardless. Best to just start over.

   Aerith ran towards the Tiny Bronco with a bit of excitement. She was ready for some familiar scenery and a tiny adventure. Nothing but uncharted possibilities of the future lay ahead. Tifa and Cloud didn't share the same enthusiasm though once she came into view. The two stopped chatting immediately. Completely stuck on the red around her bust. They froze in unison, unsure what to even ask. But Aerith just smiled and waved like nothing was amiss. 

   “C'mon guys, hop to it.” Aerith tried passing through, but Cloud snatched her arm before she could ascend the Tiny Bronco. 

   “The hell?” 

   “Cloud.” Tifa reached for his arm to make him ease up. 

   “I know… it was there when I woke up.” Aerith softened her voice. It was the truth after all. 

   “Take it off.” Cloud demanded. Tifa suddenly began poking at the jacket like it might be poisoned. 

   “It doesn't look dangerous but it's kind of odd Aerith, don't you think? Maybe you should leave it.” Tifa thought it'd be easier to reason. Ignoring how her gut twisted from trying to figure out the ways Sephiroth managed to get this to her. 

   “Nuh uh.” Aerith yanked her arm back to face them. “This is all I have left. I'm keeping it.”

   “Did he-” Cloud's eyes narrowed.

   “Nope. I didn't see anything.” Aerith cut him off by putting both hands up. 

   “It's true... I visited her last night, there was no one.” Tifa was trying to convince herself more than anything. But those ruby eyes still pleaded with Cloud to just drop it.

   “Let's just go.” Each word had a bite. He didn't even try hiding his dissatisfaction before turning away. 

   The awkwardness was a price Aerith was willing to pay to keep her jacket. She was surprised by her own gusto to wear the evidence so openly. But they'd have to pry it from her cold dead hands at this point. The rest of the party wouldn't really notice anyway. She was already imagining a way to pulverize Sephiroth until he conjured up her pink ribbon the next time they met. She fiddled with the feather in her pocket. Grateful Tifa sat beside her. Not that she couldn't still feel Cloud's eyes burning holes through her backside. Aerith put a hand over her chest and breathed. Next time. 

- - -

   Hojo kept himself locked away underground till it was impossible to tell if it was still day or night. He didn't care that the locals above were traumatized or barely holding on. That was Shinra's problem. And Hojo finally got a successful delivery. 

    Most of his lab was set for completion. Now he just needed to start testing. Majority of the surviving prisoners were among those already injected with a mix of Mako and Jenova's cells. Now it was time to start stripping back their layers. 

   Hojo was securing one of his tanks when a thump slammed into a table from behind. 

   “Sooner than even I anticipated.” A lopsided grin sunk into the scientist's wrinkles. He turned around slowly. “She must be worse off than I thought.” 

   Sephiroth ignored the bait and shoved Aerith's file in his direction. Never taking his eyes off the man forever stuck beneath that sterile coat. 

   “Is this all?” Hojo drawled. Using a finger to flip open the first page. 

   Sephiroth tapped the table with his finger. An old habit that gave away when he was conflicted. But Hojo was in no rush. He waited patiently for his greatest experiment to reach into its coat and pull fourth some glass tubes. Sephiroth walked up to set them gently beside her file. 

   “Not very much.” Hojo adjusted his glasses.

   “Results first. Then you get more.”

   “Hmmm.” He hated being given orders. But the thought of losing a direct supplier of Ancient DNA was bitter. “We'll see what I can do with such limited resources.”

   “Are you incapable?” Somehow the flatness in his tone only grated on Hojo's nerves even more. 

   “Don't forget who comes to who boy. It's a delicate process. I'll have to forge something that will allow her body to accept your genetic code in harmony.”

   “Then start quickly.” Sephiroth turned. Wanting to be anywhere else. He could have been holding her right now. At least she demanded enough down time to give him an excuse to read again. It was one of the few remaining mortal indulgences that didn't bother him. Finding the opportunity was difficult after Cloud popped up in Midgar. 

   “Ah-ah, and where are you going?” Hojo waved a finger. “I need your sample as well. Blood is the most effective.”

   Sephiroth exhaled loud enough to hear. Lethargically he pulled off a glove, ready to make this quick. Hojo was already preparing a syringe. It didn't take long to find a vein, and he wasn't kind about jabbing the needle into its desired spot. 

   “If only you weren't so stubborn, all of this could be avoided.”

   “Shinra wont ever see the infant. Nor will you.”

   “Tsk.” Hojo jerked the needle in further, garnering a slight wince from Sephiroth. “I didn't imagine her to be such a willing participant! How fortunate. It'd be a shame if she just disappeared one day and you never saw such a grand creation either.” 

   “Hypothetical, Professor.”

   “Ah yes, it was the specimen's idea to be placed below a mountain of ice.” He sneered through such mockery. Rubbing doubt into his creations' pride. 

   “It's of no concern to me.”

   “Of course it is, I designed you that way.” Hojo muttered through his deepening frown. He hooked up another vial once the first was full. “I suppose that filthy sector could only hold someone for so long.  Stricter precautions are always necessary.” Hojo retracted the needle after taking far more than any regular human could handle. 

    Assuming they were finished, Sephiroth readjusted his gloves. The foul sensation of Hojo's fingers lingered on his skin. As expected, being here only made his mood worse. Without wanting to indulge in the madness any longer, he began to walk away. 

    “Next time, I will require her blood.” Even without being acknowledged Hojo knew his request would be fulfilled. He could just tell. Sephiroth was as desperate as him. 

Chapter Text

   Yuffie clung to an already unstable Aerith while trying to exit the Tiny Bronco. The dock wasn't that long, but they couldn't get away from the waves fast enough. They’d only flown a few hours, but she couldn’t wait for it to just be over.

  “Yeayyyy- Umpf… e’ve officially landed Officer.” The ninja swung her arm around in salute of no one. 

   “Your swaying is making me see crooked.” Aerith groaned and realized she was practically supporting both of their weights. Tifa allowed herself to giggle a bit but Cloud just crossed his arms. He always thought of Aerith as having a stomach of steel. 

   “Didn't know flying bothered her so much.” He stepped down with what little luggage they kept.

   “Well Cid might have slipped an early drink this morning.” Tifa bit her smile. They might as well have been dancing drunk. 

   “Hey Aer- hic! Got any extra medicine?” Yuffie tugged at the front of the florist's dress. 

   “Uh, I don't think that would help.” She reminded herself to breathe slowly. Irritated by the returning nausea when she'd had such a great morning. “Let's just get some wat... hmph!”

    “Not on me!” Yuffie fell away in fear of having breakfast dumped on her. Once her butt hit the ground the sky stopped spinning. But Aerith kept stumbling forward with both hands around her mouth. 

   “Hey!” Cloud shouted from the dock but they'd wandered too far. Aerith didn't even notice herself colliding with another person. 

   “I'm sorry!” Aerith rested on all fours while rubbing her backside. She only looked up after realizing they hadn't responded. Not even a yell. Her green eyes locked onto the body lost beneath a black robe.

   The face was hidden but she'd seen them dozens of times. Most still hadn't found a way off the beach apparently. The longer she stared the more its face appeared to morph. A smirk curling onto its lips. For a second she could have sworn its eyes mimicked that of a snake. Aerith gasped as she tipped back. Rubbing her eyes with her palms. 

   “Cut it out you two.” Barret was close behind and already pulling Yuffie to her feet. Aerith couldn't seem to move. The strange face had already vanished as the robbed man crawled to his feet. Grumbling along like nothing happened. She wondered if this was how it was going to be from now on. Slowly losing herself and seeing traces of Sephiroth everywhere just like Cloud. 

   “Eww it's shedding.” Yuffie tensed her shoulders as if trying to shake off goosebumps. Aerith's attention moved to the ground. A few black feathers drifted about. 

   “You okay?” She heard Cloud’s footsteps approach and quickly scooped the feathers without much thought. Shoving them into her pocket with the other before he got too close. 

   “I’m good.” Aerith found her feet just as the party had regrouped outside the entrance of Costa Del Sol. 

   “We’ll get rooms first. You should relax there.” He couldn't get used to the sight of her jacket. Every time he saw it, his skin crawled.

  “Aww worried about me? You can be my crutch then.” Aerith smiled and looped her arm around his. He was too easy to rile up. He could barely form another word. 

   “Johnny might have something if we ask nicely.” Tifa grinned a bit mischievously from behind and took Cloud's other arm. 

   “Yeah, didn't you two become close?” Aerith teased while leaning into him and emphasizing the word close . His ears were turning red. 

   “Are we gonna walk or what?” He was getting a headache just thinking of all the foolish schemes that redhead would come up with. 

   The girls giggled but Aerith couldn't help catch her eye on the black robe from earlier. It had stopped moving after getting past the welcome center. In fact it appeared to be staring right at her. Aerith shuddered at the chill spreading through her bones. She immediately released Cloud and put her hands behind her back. 

   “Yeah, let's walk.” Aerith cleared her throat and matched off. 

   “Huh?” Tifa's face dropped, suddenly very self conscious. It was easy to tease Cloud if she just followed Aerith's lead. But if her partner disappeared, it suddenly felt awkward. 

   “C'mon.” Cloud was eager to get going. So Tifa allowed herself to be escorted in silence. 

   Aerith rubbed her shoulder while glancing around the streets. There were various strange men in robes loitered about, barely existing. Most didn't seem to have the ability to even focus on anything in particular. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. 

   Johnny practically begged them to stay after eyeing Tifa. At one point Aerith thought they might be able to get him to pay them to sleep here. To their delight, his renovations had transformed the broken down seaside inn. Most importantly with functioning showers. 

   “Lots of new business’ been popping up around lately. You guys are lucky to have me or you'd never find a place.” He was completely smitten.

   “What kind of ‘business’?” Cloud asked. Johnny looked over his shoulders before getting closer than the Merc was comfortable with.

   “Well that's the thing bro. Kinda shady. You didn't hear it from me, but Madam M might know a thing or two, if ya catch my drift.” He whispered despite no one else being around. 

   “Hmm, smells familiar.” Aerith crossed her arms. 

   “You really think they'd come all this way?” Cloud tilted his head to the sky. 

   “Madam M and Andrea sure did. Who knows what else crawled outta Wall Market?”

   “Yeah but can't we take a short break first?” Tifa stretched her arms out and winked at Aerith.

   “I second the motion!” Yuffie jumped with excitement before running towards the rooms. Barret wasn't far off to make sure she didn't break anything. 

   “We don't have time for that.” Cloud only frowned. 

   “Thought you told me to relax?” Aerith tilted her head.

   “That's different.” He coughed. “The rest of us can get a head start.”

   “I dunno. I think if Tifa comes with me I'll be feeling one hundred percent in no time.” Aerith slowly started baking towards the exit. 

   “Well, can't go against the doctor's orders.” Tifa shrugged like there was no other choice. Skipping closer to Aerith. 

   “Tifa-” Cloud felt something whack his leg just as he reached for her. 

   “Let's gather information from the locals. If anything is amiss, they should know.” Nanaki seated himself to steal the attention. Cloud looked back and forth between his friend and the girls already disappearing down the sandy stairs. 

   “What locals? Everyone here is on vacation.” 

   “True, but someone has to keep things running year round.” 

   “Are they gonna be okay?” Cloud stared into town. Already having lost sight of them. 

   “You worry too much, the girls are perfectly capable.”

   “That doctor said something about staying put.” Nanaki coughed at the remark. Practically gagging on his own breath. 

   “You spoke with the doctor?”

   “Not exactly, why?”

   “Er, nothing. I was just curious.”

   “Did you?” Cloud eyed his furry friend. Nanaki never mentioned the whole thing now that he thought about it. In fact he seemed irritated the night he and Aerith got back. 

   “I only escorted her. I don't care for doctors.” Nanaki stuck his nose up. 

   “Great, no one knows anything then.” Cloud crossed his arms. “I should have gone with her,” he mumbled. 

   “She seems better doesn't she? Then all is well.” Nanaki reasoned. As if peeling away the doubts. 

   “...Her jacket.”

   “Of all the strange things, that's the most harmless is it not?” 

   “You believe that?” Cloud peered straight into his eyes. Thinking the whole thing was wrong. He couldn't place why everyone was trying to paint everything like no big deal. 

   “I believe in whatever helps her.”

   “Clothes don't just teleport.”

   “... Probably.” Nanaki dropped his head. The truth was it made him just as uncomfortable. Knowing Sephiroth was in the room over while they slept. Not understanding why their foe didn't just take Aerith. Didn't wake her or torment them. The strange relationship they harbored was more unsettling than if Sephiroth had come intending to fight. Nanaki hated the tickle in the back of his throat. The sliver of doubt that Aerith had actually spoken with Calamity last night. 

   “He's fucking with us.” Sephiroth found his room rather easily back at the Icicle inn. There’s no reason to think he couldn’t also find hers. Cloud heard his knuckles crack from curling in too tight. 

   “Let's keep focused on what we can do right now. It's best we left when we did.” 

   “Right. Madam M was working with some hotel last time. She wouldn't stay unless something big was in it for her.” 

   “I'll grab Barret.” Cloud waited for them to regroup. Hoping to put everything behind him. Aerith's sickness, her strange behavior, Sephiroth. But he wasn't a hopeless dreamer. The hair on his neck stood up just thinking about it. 

- - -

   Sephiroth knew she wasn't here anymore. Sensed her drifting this morning. Everyday the strange connection between them grew, resembling that of his puppets. He felt where every single one was at all times. Even spotted her near the coast earlier. Yet he lingered outside of Bone village. Leaning against a tree and trying to understand what might be compelling about such a stale place. What it was about the monotonous routine of human life that she craved.

    “It'd be a shame if she just disappeared one day… ” Sephiroth brushed away the fools' words. There wasn't a single place she might go that he couldn’t reach. Though she could try. Could stall his schedule further. Sephiroth tried to consider what would make her want to stay. Bribes and threats didn't have the lasting effect one would expect. 

   But no matter how long he observed, he felt nothing of the people here. They meant so little. Everyone everywhere was no more significant than the pebbles beneath his shoes. They could perish now and he'd never think of them again. In the end he couldn't move her to such an obvious place. Too open and too vulnerable. 

   Hojo was only going to become more invested. Sephiroth stared blankly ahead. Wondering what trick he might pull when the cards had all been dealt. The scientist wouldn't just hand over a cure. Sephiroth needed leverage, one promised look at their baby would work, but that was off the table. If anything, he'd prefer Aerith never knew about this whole exchange. 

   His brow almost began to ache from the frown pinching his temple. Mother was being oddly quiet. But the silence was more insulting this way. Mothers thoughts were obvious. More than once Sephiroth presented Aerith with a choice. And each time, she never picked him. The next time he caught her, it'd do more peace of mind to just chain her to the wall. 

   A part of him liked that idea. The next place would be tighter. Returning her weapon and giving free range of the mansion might have been an oversight. A small shiver delighted his spine thinking she would always be right where he placed her. Just with arms reach whenever he wanted to see her, waiting for him. 

   But then he saw Hojo. The way their goals oddly overlapped and the fantasy turned rancid on his tongue. The previous fallout within her dreams hung over his judgment. “I tried loving you a little…” He couldn't understand if that meant she'd been successful or found loving him at all a complete failure. Aerith just wanted normalcy, but he couldn't pretend to be mortal or kind for her. Though perhaps, he could provide space to breathe. Someplace she considered worthy of a home under the right circumstances. 

   Sephiroth tried rubbing out the scowl between his brow causing a headache. Sector 5 was supposed to be a perfectly curated “home” as well. Yet she still left it all. Whatever idea he thought might placate her, was only met with more contradictions. All reasoning cut out the moment a black dot caught the corner of his eye. A sharply tailored man stood out among the muddied hems of the locals. 

   Sephiroth stayed within the shadows and closed in on the man staking out the townhouse Aerith previously. occupied. The cottage was empty but Tseng inspected the perimeter closely. Eventually helping himself inside without bothering to knock. Tseng stood in the kitchen, unsure what he was looking for exactly. Anything might provide a clue as to what the Ancient and her group were planning. Large windows coated the room in sunlight but he still felt the moment everything dropped a few degrees. Tseng instinctively reached for his gun and spun around. 

   “I believe you took something of mine.” Shinra's greatest weapon was always a towering feat to behold in person. Tseng was thankful to have never been paired up for assignments often. But now wished he knew more about what made the lunatic tick. He'd spent the majority of Sephiroth's days as a Soldier looking over Aerith and learning to serve Rufus. He didn't understand why now their fates crossed. 

   “In what way does the Ancient concern you?” Sephiroth's eyes widened at the implication.  

   “I suppose that too, is also mine.” He grinned smugly. This was the last place he'd felt the black Materia before getting shot. But upon visiting Aerith, he sensed nothing nearby. Shinra's dogs were rather meticulous in stealing treasures.

   Tseng steadied his hand. Trying to appear perfectly calm. The man before him certainly looked like the Sephiroth of his memory. But the creature now was chillingly empty. It was impossible to get him to work with vigor with Angeal and Genesis always covering him. Yet now he moved with such intent. Tseng often thought him a bit lazy, even spoiled. But how terrifying he could be once set in motion. He wasn't sure the silver general had even blinked yet. 

   “Shinra won't hesitate if you continue to meddle in our affairs. Stay away from our property.” 

   “Your property?” 

   “Yes. As are you.” Tsengs finger sat firmly against the trigger. “I’ll remove any hindrances the president seems fit. So you will stop pursuing the Ancient.” Sephiroth couldn't help but laugh. Some things never changed. Tseng was still just as presumptuous, and to Shinra they were simply tools to be consumed. 

   “You're mistaken.” The floorboard beneath him creaked as he shifted forward. Finding the gleam in the Turks eye all the more amusing. "The Cetras being already carries a piece of me, that of which cannot be undone. She is bound for eternity.”

   Tseng couldn't hide the slight shake of his hand or the way his lip twitched, threatening to rip away his perfect mask. Of course Hojo was distracted. Why he'd been so obsessed with finding the northern mansion. Tseng couldn't believe he never considered it earlier. But it was always unknown if Sephiroth even liked girls. Tseng's mind went blank, and his finger hit the trigger for him. 

   “Oh don't be upset. This is what Shinra wanted.” Sephiroth anticipated an emotional reaction. Teleporting behind Tseng through a puff of smoke. He lurked by the Turks ear while hovering Masamune below his neck. 

   “All unethical programs were put in hold. She was not to be touched.” The gunshot still ran through his ears. He swore to himself he'd never let it happen. Hojo spoke extensively about Aerith's potential children. The scientist theorized about her intermingling with other species among other various modified humans. But Soldier candidates had always been his favorite. 

   “You didn't think it'd be you did you? You always did read her letters. Though I don't remember any of them being addressed to you.” Sephiroth smirked. Knowing every word seeped beneath the man's skin. 

   Tseng felt a heat grow in his chest. Such anger needed to be kept in line. It was his job to find the parts people were too scared to show. He didn't appreciate the sentiment being returned. And that was his secret. That he'd never allow another man to look at her, let alone touch. Zack was the only one he almost trusted. The only one good enough. But the good ones never lasted very long. 

   “You're just a monster. A failed relic of Soldier, and your time is over.” The gun grew slick with sweat as he tried conjuring a way out. 

   “But I am so much more. And Aerith is mine.” Sephiroth sensed Tseng's stance shift. He pushed the blade along the skin of his throat. “It would only hurt her heart, but if you get in the way, I will enjoy finishing what we've started.” 

   Sephiroth let Masamune split a line through his flesh. He heard the Turks breath grow unstable as his other gloved hand kept the back of Tseng's neck in place. His fingers pressed into his spine. Leaving a little reminder that one little snap would be all it took to paralyze him. 

   “Tell Hojo the next time I bring a gift, he better have answers.” Sephiroth shoved the Turk into the kitchen table. Not bothering to see if he managed to stop the bleeding before leaving. Far too many humans thought to challenge his patience recently. His fists flexed on the way out. Fulfilling Aerith's promise could only extend his mercy so far, and it was time for her to follow through on her end. 

- - -

   Shopping with Tifa was more fun than Aerith expected. Everyone wanted the red eyed beauty to try their latest product. Often giving them free samples and promising discounts. They even managed to get some ice cream on sale. 

   “Wow Tifa, you're really good at this.” Aerith licked her cone. Already craving another sweet treat. 

   “I had a lot of practice. Gotta know the right thing to say, living in the slums and all.” Tifa swung their hands as they walked. A soft smile was enough to make most people outside of Midgar’s poverty fold. 

   “Now if only Cloud would learn that fast.”

   “He almost scared all my customers away. Nearly gave Marlene a heart attack the first time they met.” Tifa almost laughed just remembering how awkward he was the first night back in Madgar.

   “He's so difficult. Even when he's enjoying it.” Aerith finished her ice cream and was licking her fingers. 

   “I still can't believe you got him in a dress.”

   “He'd do anything for you.” Aerith was too busy cleaning her hand to notice Tifa's face turning bright red. 

   “Anyway, it's good to see you're feeling better.” She tucked some loose hair behind her ear.

   “I feel like myself again.” 

   “You look more like yourself.” Tifa eyed her ponytail. “I'm sorry you lost it. That ribbon was important right?” 

   “Yeah, it was.” Aerith looked away. Sephiroth said he'd get another one for her. But trying to imagine him shopping anywhere was ridiculous. Maybe she could find something for him instead to keep all that hair out of his face. His silver hair was so delicate, she wouldn't mind playing with it and braiding it back. Aerith bit her lip to stop herself from spiraling. She huffed. 

   “Hm?” Tifa leaned over. Noticing the sudden shift in energy.

   “Hey, why don't we get some swimming suits? It's so hot out.” 

   “Sure. Can't go into the best without them I guess.” 

   Aerith led them into the nearest shop. Taking everything off the rack that looked like it might flatter them. The variations of colors and patterns excited Aerith every time. Midgar didn't have clean enough water to swim in. She'd never even seen a beach before Costa del sol. The two shared a dressing room while shifting through the endless pile of frills.

   “Hey, can you get this clasp for me?” Aerith was tired of struggling with the top of a pink bikini. It was the size she always wore, but the straps just wouldn't give. 

   “Here.” With a light tug Tifa secured the back. She was already sporting a white two piece that supported her bust without hiding anything. 

   “Thanks.” Aerith finally let herself exhale. Stepping back to look properly into the mirror. 

   “Um, wow. You look…” Tifa struggled for the right phrase. Aerith was always on the petite end, but now her chest struggled to sit within the confines of basic straps. 

   “Bigger?” Aerith tilted her head. Her chest always felt swollen as of late. But her eyes didn't stop there, taking in the shape of herself. As if she were a bit bloated. Aerith couldn't believe how normal she looked considering her struggle to eat properly the last few weeks. As if any previous conceptions of illness were an illusion. 

   “I mean, it looks good on you.” 

   “You don't think it's too much?” Aerith twisted her hips, trying to inspect her butt. 

   “Not at all. I kinda like the sexier design.” 

   “That's because it looks good on you,” She said with puffed cheeks. The flowy bits of white chiffon hung around Tifa's hips perfectly. Everything complimented her figure. But Aerith wasn't used to leaving her legs uncovered. That was until she met a certain jerk always trying to rip her clothes. She adjusted the straps around her shoulder. Attempting to ease some of the pressure off her breasts. 

   “What's that?” Tifa reached over and brushed a finger against her neck. Aerith gasped in horror. Having completely forgotten about the hickey from last night. 

   “My bra has been irritating my skin lately.”

   “You sure? It looks too high up.” Tifa leaned in, battling with Aerith's hands for a better look. “Aerith let me see,” she giggled. 

   “It's nothing...” She felt the moment Tifa's body froze. The bartender was no fool. She'd seen Cloud disappear after dinner and follow Aerith. Although often wondering about the boundaries of their relationship, she couldn't imagine him doing something like this. Then reality hit her. And for the first time, Tifa wished Cloud was the flirtatious type. 

   “Is the rest of you okay?” She took Aerith's arms and moved in front. Scanning her friend's body closer this time. She couldn't help but glare at the red jacket laying on the floor with the rest of their clothes. Upset for having been so naive this morning. 

   “Of course.” Aerith cupped Tifa's face to stop her wandering eyes and smiled earnestly. Playing coy would only go so far. “He didn't hurt me, I promise.” 

   Tifa blinked. Unwilling to process the calmness in those green eyes. She suddenly realized what had been bothering her. Aerith wasn't afraid. Perhaps a bit frazzled at the start, but she never acted like someone on the run. The moment Vincent was struck by her magic it should have been clear. Somehow Aerith didn't have a single bad thing to say about her time with Sephiroth. Perhaps the details were too gruesome to recount. But Tifa sensed something more.

   “I don't like this.” Her eyes settled on the small bruise above Aerith's collar.

   “It's a little complicated.” Aerith swallowed as her heart began to pick up. She didn't plan on saying anything to Tifa. But it was getting harder to hide everything. 

   “More complicated than Zack?” A sudden bang on the dressing room door made them both jump.

   “Do you ladies need help with anything? A different size or color perhaps?” The associate was polite, but they knew they'd been in here too long.

   “Everything looks great!” Aerith called back.

   “Well let us know if you need something.” The woman hesitated before walking away. 

   “I guess we should go.” Aerith dropped her hands. “I wanna play in the water this time.”

   Tifa didn’t intend to let things slide. But this wasn't the right place for a long conversation. They gathered their clothes and prepared to check out in their swimwear. Before leaving, Aerith found a lace wrap for modesty's sake and began fussing with her hair after grabbing a sunhat. 

   “Here.” Tifa helped smooth away her ponytail until the hat sat comfortably. Rearranging the golden locks to cover the bite mark better. Aerith could only smile apologetically. Even if the discussion left a bad impression, Tifa kept thinking of her. 

   “Shall we?” Aerith held out her arm.

   “Let's.” Tifa nodded. Committed to just having a good afternoon. Not knowing the next time they’d get one. They didn't get very far before spotting Barret and Nanaki by the front of a luxurious hotel. The two ran up, curious as to what the boys were up to.

   “Heya!” They chirped in unison. 

   “Well you two sure don’t waste any time. Someone might think we’re actually on vacation.” Barret grumbled. Mostly upset with his circumstances. Marlene would have loved the beach. 

   “Hey, we’re working very hard. Gotta look the part if you wanna blend in.” Aerith put her finger up and winked. 

   “Then can you blend in with these jerks.” Barret motioned to the lobby. Cloud looked to be arguing with a concierge. “They won’t tell us a damn thing.” Aerith eyed Tifa and they entered the hotel slowly. 

   “I’m sorry sir, but our guests' info is confidential.” 

   “Look, I already said I know her. I know she stays here, just tell me-”

   “Excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to know where Madam M is?” Aerith leaned forward sweetly as she sauntered beside Cloud. He glanced at her in surprise but had to do a double take after realizing she’d changed clothes.

   “Sorry, I can’t help you.” The host sighed, already tired of this exchange. 

   “Ehh? But what about her show tonight?” Aerith whined as if the news was terrible. She grabbed Tifa by the arm and pulled her forward. “We flew in non-stop just to make sure Madam’s special pianist made it in time.”

   “Huh?” Tifa’s eyes widened. Suddenly realizing everyone's attention was on her now. 

   “You know how she can be.” Aerith spoke in hushed tones to the man behind the front desk. “If we’re unable to make practice, I’ll have to tell her why. It’d be unfortunate if she took it out on you.” The man sucked in his lip. Probably imagining the terror of being yelled at by such a woman. Granted he survived the encounter. 

   “S-she scouts talent at the beach. You should be able to find her there.” 

   “Great!” Aerith turned on her heel. Scoping Cloud's hand and winking at Tifa to follow back out the entrance.  

   “Aerith, I can’t just play on the spot!” Tifa whispered. Still flustered from the last time Madam pushed her. 

   “Don’t worry about it. You’re the best player I know.” Aerith spoke with confidence, considering Tifa was the only pianist she knew. 

   “Where the heck have you guys been?” Cloud eyed both of their new garments. Unsure of where to look and trying not to think about all the skin pressing into him.

   “Shopping.” Tifa exclaimed excitedly. Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly and Cloud couldn’t remember the last time she looked so happy. Tifa never talked about the things she wanted to do. The last time she was brave enough to ask for a night out, he fell into Aerith’s church and that was the end of that. He'd forgotten all about it until now. A bit of guilt settled in for never trying to reschedule with her. 

   “Looks like you guys have to change.” Aerith finally released them once they were outside again with the others.

   “Aw don’t tell me.” Barret’s shoulders dropped.

   “Yep! We’re going to the beach.” She was practically jumping on her toes until she spotted a few more black robes off in the distance. Aerith instinctively tried reaching into her pocket to caress the feathers she’d collected only to brush her side. She looked down, having forgotten that her regular clothes were put away. The desire to touch them was becoming something of a habit. She adjusted her sunhat instead to give her fingers something to do. She glanced around, wondering if he would come here. Trying to measure how long it would take Sephiroth to find this place, if he hadn’t already.

Chapter Text

  “Wow it really is busier than last time!” Aerith put her hands together in excitement. Several more stalls trying to sell trinkets cluttered the shoreline of Coastal del sol. 

   “And noisier.” Cloud crossed his arms as if trying to block off the crowd around them. Already less than thrilled to have gone shopping again. He settled for a pair of black swimming trunks that matched Barret's perfectly. The only difference being Barrett saw no reason to wear a shirt. Cloud kept a sleeveless zip-up hanging loosely around his torso. Leaving just enough open to showcase the results of years spent training.

   “Should we split up? Madam M should be here somewhere.” Tifa put a hand above her eyes to block the sun. 

   “No.” Cloud responded before she'd barely finished. “We stay together.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure Aerith was nearby, but her attention was elsewhere. Gazing past the waves and barely even listening. Too dazed to even notice the child backing into her leg.

    “Oh?” Aerith gasped and immediately turned her attention to the small person firmly planted in the sand. Silver hair, an unusual color no matter how many continents they visited. She appeared to have dropped her ball after falling. “Are you alright?”

   Aerith knelt down to grab her toy. Holding it out with a smile to keep those glossy eyes from tearing up further. The girl hesitated, but seemed to relax after getting her ball back. 

   “Upsy-daisy.” Aerith made a whooshing noise when hoisting the kid onto her feet. 

   “Maria, watch where you're going!” A woman called as she shifted through the crowds.

   “Is that your mama?” Aerith pointed, waiting for some sort of affirmation.

   “I'm sorry about that. She gets a little excited every time we visit the beach.” The older woman let out a sigh of relief. Scooping her daughter up in one fluid motion. 

   “Don't mention it.” Aerith said while brushing sand off her knees. “Stay close to your mom okay?” She grinned playfully at the little girl. 

   “I swear, she never listens to me these days. I think she enjoys stressing me out.” She tucked some loose hair behind her daughter's ear. 

   Aerith got lost in that loving gaze. Wondering how much anxiety her own mother felt trying to keep her from running through the halls of Hojo's lab. Whenever Ilfana finally did catch her, rather than being upset, she hugged her tightly. As though it might be the last. 

   The woman was already walking away and joining up with a man that put his arm around her. He looked so pleased. Leaning in to kiss what she could only assume to be his daughter's head before his wife's cheek. Aerith swallowed, feeling a slight burn behind her eyes. It was such a perfect sight it almost made her ill. Tifa once asked if she'd ever pass on her mother's materia to her own children. And she'd never even considered it before. Yet now she was with child, deemed corrupt from the start, and no husband. 

   Her nails dug into her palms. It was all Sephiroth's fault. She could feel it in the corner of her heart. She wanted this so badly, a family. She ignored such desires for so long, yet he just walked into her life and opened Pandora's box. Bestowing upon her the most twisted version of it all. Perhaps divine punishment for going against fate. 

   “Hey, you coming?” Cloud broke her out of the stupor. Waiting from behind for the situation to be resolved. Aerith blinked away the sting in her eye and tugged her sunhat down. 

   “Yeah, just got a little distracted.” 

   “Well keep close. It's crowded enough, and with kids running all over it's even more of a pain.”

   “I thought she was cute. Don't you like kids? You might have some one day, Mister.” 

   “H-huh?!” Cloud's breath shortened. Choking on his own words. “I can't even think about something like that right now.”

   “Awww that's because you're just a little thing yourself.” Barrett leaned in to drop an arm around Cloud. Shaking him loosely. “Still a one year old huh Merc?” 

   “One year old?” Aerith couldn't help but chuckle at the strange remark.

   “Cut it out.” Cloud shoved Barret's arm away. Trying to hide the embarrassment on his face. 

   “Hey guys, look over there!” Tifa was ahead and already spotted a secluded area not far off. Beneath an umbrella was a woman in luxurious gold and black beachwear. She lay along a cushioned bench, perfectly shielded from the sun. It didn't take long to recognize such an extravagant display.

   “I'll keep an eye out for any trouble.” Barret hung back, scanning the area. 

   “Indeed, meeting Hojo may have been a fluke, but seeing the Turks was not something to take lightly.” Nanaki sat on guard in agreement.

   Any suspicions were confirmed once they got closer. Madam M wasn't one to spare any expense. Men stood around with fans and filled her drink. If anyone was able to get connections, she could do it. 

   “Didn't take it you liked the sun so much.” Cloud wandered up first with a hand on his hip. Madam M found the gesture endearing even if he came off as cocky to others. 

   “I don't . Blasted heat is almost as bad as those slums.” She waved her hand around exaggeratedly. As though the resort was nothing spectacular. 

   “Then why are you here?” Aerith stood at her other side. Shifting from one foot to the other and playing with the sensation of sand around her feet.

   “The night is lovely but in order to play I must keep our guests happy. And the daytime is… easier.” Madam M pushed down her sunglasses and looked to a crowd of women relaxing along the shore. Scanning them thoroughly. 

   “What's that supposed to mean?” Cloud asked.

   “Don't worry your sweet little hearts about it. It's nothing to concern yourself with.” 

   “Actually, I think it does.” Tifa moved in front to block her view. Madam M sighed apathetically and shooed the men hovering around her away. 

   “Heard there's some interesting new businesses lately.” Cloud said as he stepped closer.

   “Of course, I'm a business woman.”

   “Then mind selling to us? What's with all of these people?” Aerith kept her hands behind her back. Fidgeting under the heat. The sun was starting to make her sweat.

   “For the right price, perhaps.” 

   “Just cut the bullshit.” Cloud cocked his head to the side as Madam pursed her lips. Waving her fan slowly in consideration.

   “A new Mansion has opened up. It runs like a hotel and is quite exclusive. Every fourth night, sponsored guests celebrate at my hotel. And only a select few are actually invited back to the acclaimed estate.”

   “Friends of yours?” Cloud lifted an eyebrow.

   “Do I look like I lie with slop? No one knows who runs the thing.”

   “So then why are you at the beach?” Aerith wiped her forehead. Wishing she could sit right about now. 

   “To find worthy escorts! All these wealthy pigs are single and hoping for fine company in the evening. Indulging in a beautiful fantasy to fill some void in their worthless existence.” Madam was losing her patience, but her tone didn't deter them. 

   “How do we get invited?” Tifa asked.

   “Always so eager. I only have a few openings left.” She glanced at them each before settling on Cloud. “Women only, I'm afraid.” Tifa and Aerith locked eyes at the same time. Little grins threatening to come out. 

   “ No .” Cloud barked. Already knowing what they were thinking. 

   “Anyways, I'm not sure what you girls have to offer.” 

   “What do you mean? Tifa has lots of skills and who wouldn't wanna hang out with a cute girl like me?” Aerith huffed like they were obvious catches. 

   “Hmm, you did play well last time. And that physique is above average.” Her eyes dissected Tifa, nodding in approval. “Yes, I'll hire you!” 

   “Huh? I didn't say-”

   “You want in, don't you? Then be grateful I have a job for you instead of having to smile dumbly at guests!” Madam M cleared her throat. Forcing herself to calm down and lower her voice. 

   “Hey, what about us?” Aerith waved a hand up. 

   “That is his problem.” She slammed her fan shut and pointed it at Cloud. “If you want to go as a man, you'll need a formal invitation. You might be able to score an all expenses paid dinner with us tonight if you win the Seashell hunt.”

   “Great.” Cloud was already rolling his eyes.

   “Sounds fun!” Aerith put her hands together excitedly. Trying not to let the oncoming nausea ruin her day. Madam rose to her feet and signaled her entourage to come shield her from the sun. 

   “Well then, you're coming with me.” She beckoned Tifa with a finger. 

   “Me? But it's still the middle of the day?”

   “Oh you know every score on this planet? I will not tolerate mistakes tonight. And you can't go dressed like that. Formal attire, all of you!” She glared one last time at the group of misfits before sauntering off. Tifa might have protested, but they'd already come this far. 

   “So.” Cloud exhaled. Looking to Aerith for some sort of direction.

   “So we better find this Seashell hunt.” Aerith's chipper expression faltered as she leaned forward to grab the chair Madam was laying on. 

   “Hey there.” Cloud stepped in, noticing her sudden deep breaths. But within a blink she was up again.

   “Let's get some water. Can't be too hydrated.” 

   “...yeah.” He moved beside her to offer his arm. But she only stared as though unable to understand. He felt his limbs turn rigid. He didn't want to have to spell it out. Cloud expected her to just take the offer but paranoia had her glancing around first. Checking if any nearby robes were watching. Though she eventually wrapped a hand around his bicep. Cloud tried deciphering that hesitation. For what other permission she was waiting for. Aerith swallowed the knot in her stomach as they made their way back. Barely registering what Cloud had relayed to Barret. Only remembering Nanaki watching her closely before whispering to her to go rest. 

   “We have to do this. Tifa already went on ahead,” she groaned.

   “Aerith I think you've had enough sun today.” Nanaki spoke deeply as though he were scolding a child. 

   “You guys find out where this secret Mansion is, even better who owns it.” Cloud cut them off. Satisfied with the game plan. But Nanaki never took his eyes off Aerith.

   “Cloud can look for shells with one of us.”

   “Then we'll never win.” Aerith rubbed her forehead in annoyance. Wiping more sweat away and adjusting her hat. 

   “Hey!” Cloud and Barret exclaimed in unison. Even if it had some merit, she wasn't one to express doubt in others.

   “Aerith, go back to the hotel.” His voice hardened and the others found themselves speechless. Unsure when things took a turn. 

   “What happened to worrying too much?” Cloud mumbled under his breath. Nanaki was rather persistent in telling him to relax, only to be just as stubborn.

   “I'm trying to have some fun here.” It was almost a plea. Just one semi-normal day was all she wanted.

   “The crowds are growing. I sense it might be dangerous.”

   “You go back then. We have a ticket to win” Aerith took a hold of Cloud's arm and stormed off. 

   She ignored Nanaki calling after her. Fueled by emotion and digging her heels into the sand until they reached the staircase leading back into town. Cloud tried matching her pace. She weaved through obstacles like a madman, almost swinging him into a few nearby pedestrians. 

   “Did I miss something?” He eventually caught up once they reached the top of the stairs. 

   “I'm not that sick! I can help you know.” Aerith turned and threw her fists down. She might not have understood everything the Doctor said. But if her body was keeping up with any changes induced by Jenova, she wouldn't break so soon. Cloud could only recall a handful of times got angry. But her frown had a tendency to curl into a small pout. Even her prickly sides came out softly. 

   “Heh.” He sucked the chuckle back in as quickly as it came out. Immediately catching the warning in her eye. 

   “Well, maybe I'll just win this thing by myself.” Aerith thought to step away but he grabbed her arm the moment she attempted to lean back. Standing for too long ended any momentum they once had. He preferred she stumble into him than another stranger.

   “You need to pay attention.” He said bitterly. Trying to mask the way his heart skipped. It was always easier to speak critically than just be open. But a part of him hoped she already knew that. Aerith's nose nearly grazed his chest by the time she'd fully braced herself. In the end she heard his breath hitch as her fingers pressed into his stomach for support. She was suddenly very grateful to the sunhat for blocking his sight. Though it just made him more nervous. He couldn’t see her face, yet felt every breath run over his sternum. Cloud scolded himself for not just zipping up the jacket earlier.

   “Line up before it's too late folks! Last call before this year's Seashell festival officially ends!” A few women dressed in bright beachwear shouted excitedly atop a makeshift stage. Appearing to be the cause of the growing crowd. 

   “Let's check it out.” Aerith quickly gathered herself. Remembering their purpose. 

   “Dear travelers, sailors and adventurers! We invite you to celebrate our main event! The one to find Isla’s Conche will be blessed! Fulfilling her lover's promise!” Women in luxurious green and blue skirts danced about the stage dramatically.

   Cloud took Aerith's wrist as they shuffled closer. Only half listening to make sure she didn't get swept away again. He didn’t care much for fairytales. The last time he believed in something, all his nightmares became a reality.

   “Legend has it that on this very island, Poseidon left a piece of his heart in the form of a shell. An oath to return to his mortal lover!” The women cried out excitedly, but Aerith was struggling to listen herself. The more people closed in, the tighter Cloud's grip got. 

   “Relax Cloud, we’re not in any danger.” Aerith whispered. She tried wiggling her hand free enough to take his arm instead. At least that way her circulation might return. 

    “Isla waited for years, but one day Poseidon's shell had gone amiss, and he never returned. Heartbroken, she refused to leave. Searching until her last dying breath. Alas, if anyone should find Isla’s shell, they may be reunited once more! Along with the chance to win a free night at our most luxurious hotel!” The crowd murmured with intrigue. Clapping as the women finished their dance. “Should anyone believe to have located Poseidon's heart, come find us before the night is over!” Just like that people began to move once more. Aerith allowed herself to lean on him. Concentrating on her breaths beneath the sun's rays. 

   “You wanted water right?” Cloud tried tugging her in the direction of another stall. 

   “Shouldn’t we get a head start? someone might beat us to it.”

   “We got time, I doubt they hid the shell someplace easy.” 

   “Don’t say that. Part of the magic is believing in the story.” 

   “It’s just part of the promotion. C’mon.” He led them to a food stand and sat her down on a nearby bench.

   “Well I’m taking this seriously.”

   “Don’t move.” Cloud tilted her hat up to make sure she heard him before shaking his head and getting in line. Aerith had to admit she appreciated the small break. Even if more black robes swayed around the nearby fountains. They made her nervous but Cloud seemed indifferent to them. They didn’t appear to have any awareness, but the idea of being spied on tapped at her shoulder. She bit the inside of her lip. Wishing she could have talked to Sephiroth last night. He hadn’t made any moves against them yet. It had the opposite effect as relaxing her. If he was gonna do something, she’d prefer he ripped the band aid off. 

   “Here.” Cloud held a cold drink before Aerith. 

   “Guess I should have brought some medicine along huh.” 

   “We can just go get it. Johnny’s place is right down the road.”

   “Right…”

   “Figured you’d be more excited.” Cloud shrugged after handing her the bottle.

   “For water?” 

   “Just to be out I guess. “Next time” and all.” The bottle slipped right through Aerith’s fingers as the cap was unscrewed. “Hey! What's with you today?” Cloud lunged forward to keep the liquid from emptying onto the ground. 

   Aerith had forgotten about that promise. She hadn’t been the one to ask for a next time, knowing there wouldn’t be one. Even if he didn’t express all the words, it was about as close as he might ever get to saying “date”. She fumbled with her legs. Trying to wipe away the spilled water and looking to see if those men in robes had gotten closer or if it was just her imagination. 

   “Maybe you should head back for a while.” 

   “Geeze, my hand only slipped.” She swiped the bottle back with a playful huff and took a sip. 

   “Well, did you have any ideas where to start looking?” 

   “I was gonna suggest the dock’s.” 

   “Why?” 

   “Well if I was Isla, I’d wait for Poseidon by the water. Like waiting in the driveway for your loved ones to come home. They have to pass it first before they get to you.” 

   “Is that experience talking?” Cloud crossed his arms.   

   Aerith forced herself not to choke. Suddenly feeling her face burn. She supposed she was hopeless. She spent years waiting for Zack to return her letters. In every universe she wrote, hoping each time would be different. And afterwards she wasted evenings on that corner below the Loveless sign. The exact date she met Cloud wasn’t always memorized, so she’d go weeks in advance, hoping for that chance meeting. 

   “I-It’s common knowledge.” Aerith jumped to her feet to hide her shame. She never considered herself a fool for love but perhaps the reality was different. She swayed a bit as a sense of vertigo washed over. Cloud immediately took her shoulders and guided her back down to the bench. 

   “Can’t take my eyes off you for a second.” He knelt before her this time. Inspecting her complexion. He might have gotten ahead of himself this morning in assuming she recovered so soon. As if on cue, a loud rumbling sound came from her stomach.  

   “Oh wow, was that me?” She looked around and laughed awkwardly, as if It could be anyone else.

   “Eat something while I look around.” 

   “Oh and leave all the fun for you? No thanks.” 

   “Just sit ok tiger?” Cloud was quick to grab a few snacks. Mostly varying in sweet treats he had a feeling she’d like. The stalls didn’t sell proper meals anyways. Even as the crowds began to thin, the streets were lively enough with families to create a false sense of safety. Aerith barely got to swallow the first bite of some cookie before footsteps quickly approached from behind.

   “Guys where's Tifa? We need to move!” Yuffie skidded to a stop beside them.

   “Slow down, Tifa's busy. What's going on?” Cloud stood back up and adjusted his top.

   “It's Shinra. A big boat just arrived. Who knows what they're unloading.”

   “It won't be safe to just stay in the open like this either.” Cloud put a hand to his chin. Realizing they had less time than he thought. “Yuffie, stay with Aerith.”

   “What? We have to find the shell or Tifa's gonna be all by herself tonight.” Aerith put the remaining treats in her bag and got up to show she was prepared. 

   “I'm not staying here. If anyone gets those bastards it's gonna be me.” Yuffie shook her head defiantly. Even if Cloud was older he wasn't the boss in her eyes. His frown only deepened, feeling more stuck. 

   “You two go on ahead. I'll look around for the shell.” Aerith chimed in quickly.

   “Like hell you're -”

   “It's the only option Cloud. I'll stick by Johnny's place ok? It's the next place I'd check.”

   “Well are we going or what?” Yuffie looked to him while keeping on her toes. 

   “Fine,” Cloud bit out. Aerith was an adult after all. He almost turned before facing her once more. “If you don't find anything I don't care. Go back to Johnny's and stay there until we get back. We can always find another way into the hotel.”

   “Roger.” Aerith nodded with a smile. A little push from Yuffie was enough to get him moving again.

   Unfortunately Aerith didn't actually know where to look for such a mysterious shell. And the unease in her stomach wasn't exactly motivational. She took her hat off and fanned the heat away with it. Although the Seaside Inn renovations were impressive, the various alleyways surrounding its entrance weren't so welcoming. She couldn't imagine the shell being shoved back here even if it was inconspicuous. Still she wandered around easily thanks to the lack of people.

   An imbalance in the air fell before she could properly grasp her surroundings. The hairs along her neck stretched out and an invisible weight settled on her shoulders. She knew the sensation. But she was always too late, and a hand was already over her mouth. Dragging her deeper into the alleyway. She might have screamed if she wasn't trying to breathe. It all moved in a blur. The last thing she remembered was seeing her sunhat fall away. She felt her feet hit ruble as she was pulled behind some crates and shoved into the wall.

   “Oh what fun you're having.” A pair of leather hands kept her shoulders pinned at arms length. Of course, he'd seen her with less. But the choice was bold for the middle of the day. 

   “Get off!” Aerith tried kicking his leg. Dropping her bag of clothes in the process and spilling fourth the feathers she'd accumulated.  

   “Strange collection.” Sephiroth bent over as if to take them away when Aerith lunged for his arm. 

   “Those are mine,” she insisted. He peered up curiously and heat pricked her cheeks. 

   “How many do you want?” He almost laughed, a grin tugged at his lip.

   “I don't want anything.” Aerith tried holding his gaze. 

   “All you must do is ask.” He didn't even try to hide the mockery in his tone. Her embarrassment surely amused him and she cursed herself for giving him the satisfaction. Sephiroth tilted her jaw as if looking for something. Cloud's scent was still on her. “If you ask nicely, I'll give you more.” He continued to scan her face before finding his mark. He pushed her hair away with a smile to lick the bite mark on her neck. 

   Aerith attempted to repress the small noise trapped in the back of her throat. His tongue scorched worse than the sun, and moved so agonizingly slow. 

   “Why are you here?” She tried to steel herself. Knowing he felt every time she swallowed. 

   “Yes Aerith, why am I here?” He sighed heavily into the crook of her shoulder. Drinking the sight of her exposed skin. Running a palm over her stomach and thumbing at her side. Aerith squirmed, almost giggling from the ticklish sensation. 

   She shifted a hand through his hair to keep the locks out of her face. The touch only lulled him closer, reminding Aerith how heavy he was. An immovable fortress trying to claim a spot in her heart. For a moment she almost thought she could hear his voice. Or rather his will. Mine. Mine. The sensation thrummed through her mind each time he stroked her waist. 

   She didn't understand how he was so calm. She was on the verge of melting despite the cold sweat that never left her hands. His presence just made the heat worse. Fire followed him everywhere. It spread through whatever he touched. Igniting beneath the spots he teased along her flesh.

   Aerith was undecided if it was courage or insanity. The desire that welled up whenever she thought of him. Unable to organize the feelings that indulged in the possibilities of family. A bit of excitement danced within her thinking she might leave something of herself behind. But the light was quickly squashed as soon as she remembered there wouldn't be a place to leave anything when he was finished.

   “What are you thinking?” Sephiroth peered up at her seductively as if only to taunt her more. Make her feel worse for desiring something so forbidden. 

   “That everything hurts.” Her eyes began to burn as she blinked away the weakness. Sephiroth's hand circled her back. As if trying to rub out the sore spot. 

   “I can fix that.” His venom was always sweet. A beautiful illusion of what she wanted to hear most. Aerith shook her head.

   “I don't know how to do this.” Her hands instinctively found her stomach. The source of all her problems.

   “Because you insist on playing these games. If you returned it'd get easier.” The words strung together like a siren's song. Calling her to let him move all the pieces. 

   “This child isn't normal.” 

   “That in itself is perfectly normal. I expected no less.” Sephiroth placed his hand atop her own. Something most humans might associate with comfort. 

   “The doctor said I was already a few months pregnant...” Aerith abandoned better judgment and tugged him closer. Wanting to hold something. Sephiroth was becoming more accustomed to her various desires when latching herself onto him. She seemed to like being squeezed back, so he held tightly even though she appeared plenty smushed. 

   He tried not displaying too much of his own excitement in the face of her misery. Several months was quite impossible. But an accelerated pregnancy would certainly put things back in his favor. Her shoulders shook beneath him and he heard a familiar sniffle.

   “How perfect.”

   “No? It's terrible.”

   “Aren't you curious who it will resemble more?”

   The question was so human her mind went blank. Unable to tell if he was mocking her again. Though she'd dabbled in bizarre daydreams from time to time. Wondering if she'd recognize herself at all in Calamity's offspring. If there'd be nights she fell asleep with a baby in her hands or another body beside her.

   “I'm scared, what will happen to me?” Her concerns were muffled into soft nothings beneath the leather. But he always heard too much.

   “One day you will see such fears are trivial. Let me take care of it.”

   Aerith's chest rose and fell with a crushing weight each time. He seemed to be the only one enjoying this. Not even Jenova was particularly thrilled. And heaven's knew the planet was upset enough with her.

   “I wish that was possible.” Her hands found his face to lay a kiss to his cheek. Although his words likely weren't for her benefit, she appreciated the sentiment. 

   Sephiroth scoffed as if that was somehow enough. Something so gentle was difficult to accept, so he kissed her properly. Keeping her slotted against the building until a small whine escaped her mouth to fill his own. He took that as an invitation to have more. Still tasting the sweet remnants of the treats she'd eaten. 

   Aerith groaned once his hand began exploring her body. One hasty tug would be enough to shred her clothes in public. She felt herself losing control of him as he slipped beneath her top to feel her body's response. 

   His tongue invaded her space as her nipples were pinched. Slowly feeling her petite hips rolled into in response. The swelling was constant, and it felt nice to finally have them touched and stretched. It was one area she couldn't ask to be massaged. She clasped a hand around the one fondling her and squeezed. Such open desire tore his reservations and she immediately realized the mistake.  

   Sephiroth moved hastily, using the wall to keep her still as he played with the boundaries of her bottoms. She hummed against his lips in a panic and tried pushing him back. If she got aroused here, a bikini could hide little. He only chuckled against her ear and she almost lost herself. His fingers dipped past her belly button in search of something more exciting. Sephiroth had never considered fucking someone in public but their first’s didn't seem to have limits.

    Aerith immediately yanked on the silver strands spilling around them. It was enough to stop him but he didn't appreciate the jolt. Snatching her hands and trapping them between his fists.

   “I can be rougher for you.”

   “Anyone could walk through here.” Aerith was panting and suddenly very concerned about how long she'd been away. 

   “Ah yes, how unfortunate,” he drawled. Clearly unbothered.

   “I can't go back, you know.” Aerith's voice wavered despite her best efforts. She needed to sound confident even if she didn't have the power to stop him. “I don't want to fight.” She whispered. 

   “How nice to live in such a fantasy.” Sephiroth took something from his pocket and pressed it into her hands. “Drink it.”

   “What is that?”

   “You already look ...” Sephiroth's head snapped to the side as if he heard something. A sinister grin soon settled into his features. “Ah, puppet.”

   “What?” Aerith hushed her voice. Desperately trying to free herself from his grasp. 

   “He searches for you.” Aerith sensed his demeanor turn colder. “Is it fun touching him here?” Sephiroth slid a hand up her bare arm. Slowly dragging his fingers over her shoulder and digging into her collar bone. “Does he ever reciprocate?” 

   Aerith gasped from the pressure. Of course he'd been spying on her. This place was littered with his remnants. Thinking again, Sephiroth showed up the moment she was alone. Aerith suddenly wondered if Nanaki felt something earlier. If he was right about telling her to go. 

   “What about here?” A thumb brushed the hickey below her throat. “Or here.” He pulled her into an embrace that mimicked something much sweeter. Almost like the night Cloud had tried asking about the white materia. 

   “Aerith!?” Cloud's voice echoed in the distance. She immediately began to squirm against her captor. All the pleasurable heat in her stomach turned to a pit that hollowed out. 

   “It's not like that,” Aerith pleaded. “Please let me go.” There were enough problems to deal with. At this rate Tifa really was going to end up on her own. 

   “Don't get comfortable, Cetra.” The threat was thick and prickly across her flesh. Surely a promise to meet again soon. He pushed the vial in her hand to her chest as he backed away. Letting her know it was important. 

   Aerith could have sworn she saw him wince before taking off into a plume of smoke. She wanted to ask about the strange item but he vanished as soon as he arrived. She couldn't understand. Didn't know whether to be relieved or worried he let her stay. 

   “Aerith, where are you?!” She heard him call again and immediately scooped up her belongings. Running out of the alleyway she almost bumped right into him. 

   “Cloud!” She didn't know what expression to show. Bewilderment was perhaps better than guilt. He had her hat in his hand.

   “I told you to go back to Johnny's.” He was clearly alarmed. Only now registering how disheveled she looked. 

   “I was still searching. What about you guys? Did you see anything?” Aerith willed her pulse to calm down and reached out to reclaim her hat. Cloud stilled. Even if the heat was strong, Midgar wasn't that different. Yet her breath was uneven and her face flushed. It was the sort of sexiness he'd didn't associate with her. He quickly pushed the thought away.

   “Did you hurt yourself?” He reached for the red spot on her neck and Aerith flinched. Placing the sunhat across her chest as she fixed her hair. 

   “Not at all. So?” Aerith kept pushing. Shinra's business was still important.

   “No sign of Wutai. Just a bunch of executives.”

   “Something tells me they'll be at tonight's party.”

   “I didn't see anything at the docks by the way. Yuffie looked too.” 

   “Oh.” Aerith's face dropped. There went her best guess. 

   She followed him back in silence. Insisting she change clothes only after the Seaside Inn was visible. Cloud nodded and regrouped with the others outside. Aerith always looked nice. But the bathing suit was distracting. For a while he almost forgot they weren't actually here to take it easy. And that maybe wasting time eating snacks with her and shuffling through crowds wasn't the best. 

   Aerith quickly discarded her bikini and reached for the borrowed grey dress. She needed to take her medicine anyway. But the vial Sephiroth left remained a mystery. She removed the lid and tried sniffing it. If she didn't know any better she'd think it was just common water. 

   “Poisoning me would be silly…” Aerith worked up the courage to knock it back in one go. If he came to deliver this little thing it was all the more peculiar. She tasted nothing. It was almost disappointing. The dresser wobbled as she rustled through it to find the doctor's pills. It wasn't until the liquid settled in her stomach she felt a pulse spread. Aerith slapped her mouth shut to suppress the gasp. 

   The sensation that flushed through her veins was foreign. She might have panicked if it didn't feel so good. The fog that had slowly built throughout the day lifted from her mind. Leaving her as light as she'd been this morning. The liquid was like a molten blanket in her stomach, suppressing any stubborn traces of discomfort. 

   Aerith whipped her head back around to the red jacket still on the bed. Perhaps Sephiroth left more than she thought last night. But she couldn't rule the possibilities of the pills out either. Regardless, she was determined to take any medicine provided. A smile crept into her cheeks. 

    “A cure.” He said. She didn't exactly believe him then. But the madman always did things his way. A knock at the door quickly brought her back.

   “Coming!” She ran over with a new vigor only to have white fill her vision. “Johnny?”

   “Just some new bedsheets in case you need them. And soap, and extra towels, and a complimentary thank you note.”

   “Uhm, thanks but you don't have to do all that,” she giggled. Johnny always went above and beyond in the strangest ways. The red carpet he found for her in Wall Market suddenly came to mind.

   “I insist. Only the most hospitable hotels in town get awarded! So be sure to leave a review.” He winked as he strode in to place everything in a spare closet. 

   “Right.” Aerith peered her head out the door to look at his wall of trophies on display. “You sure have won a lot.”

   “Tell me about it. It's quite the collection right? All kinds of awards are out there! I started collecting other things too. Good luck charms, like my first rock, first shell, first gil.”

   “Shells? Could I have a look?”

   “Oh yeah, I'd love to show ya!” Johnny practically danced out the door, waving for her excitedly to follow. Cloud was downstairs when he caught them running along the upper floor. He could barely contain his sigh. 

   “What's wrong?” Nanaki asked. 

   “Johnny. I'll be right back.” 

   Cloud ran towards the last room at the end of the top hall. Johnny was a real hassle even if he was harmless. And Aerith was slippery enough lately. Never in the last place he left her. He half considered the tracking idea not so bad even if she intended to ridicule him. Before he even reached the door he could hear that redhead blabbering away about the most recent trouble he'd gotten into. The floorboard creaked under Cloud's weight and Aerith turned with a smile.

   “Cloud, look at this!” She pointed to a glass case Johnny kept filled with silly trinkets.

   “What are you guys doing?” Cloud looked around the dusty shelves littering the room. He thought this was the place Johnny slept in, but it was more akin to a storage area. 

   “Look, doesn't this seashell look like a heart?” Aerith asked while waving Cloud closer. 

   “Isn't it awesome? I found it the night you guys arrived. I just knew it was good luck.”

   “You don't say.” Cloud crossed his arms. Somehow not surprised.

   “Hey Johnny, I know you found it, but could we have this?” Aerith asked sweetly with her hands together.

   “Wait seriously? You want to take my precious tokens sent from the heavens?” He looked as though she wounded him. 

   “Yeah. Turns out that thing is cursed. If it's not put back in the ocean, Poseidon's ghost will haunt this place forever.” Cloud's face remained dead serious even after Aerith raised her eyebrows at him. 

   “No, I only found it. I wasn't claiming it or anything.” Johnny stuttered with wobbly hands as he fumbled to remove the shell. “Here, take it. I can't afford to lose customers.” 

   “Close call, glad we found you in time.” Cloud put it in his pocket and Aerith tried suppressing a snort. 

   “You always have my back bro.” Johnny slapped Cloud's arm and he swallowed some retort. The pain in his ass kept saving it. 

   “Well we better take care of this. See ya round Johnny.” Aerith sang cheerily as she pushed Cloud out the door. “Look at you, mister swindler.” She said gleefully. 

   “Learned from the best.” The hint of a smirk danced across his face.

   “Hey I'm an honest florist. Anyways, you know what this means right?” 

   “That everything worked out?” 

   “That we have to go shopping again! Madam M said we have to look nice.” Aerith was jumping up and down again. “I wonder how Tifa will look.” 

   “Great.” Cloud could barely keep up with her. Just standing seemed difficult earlier and now she wanted to run around. He supposed this was better. Sometimes it seemed like Aerith's mind was somewhere else. As if she was slipping away whenever he turned his back. 

Chapter Text

   Retrieving a winning ticket was simpler than expected. In exchange for Isla's shell, the hosts were more than excited to explain everything an all expenses paid night at Costa del Sol’s most luxurious Hotel had to offer. With extra emphasis put into selling how comfortable the rooms were for “couples”. The girls giggled knowingly while glancing between what must be young love birds. Aerith ignored the implications, they didn't plan on staying. Cloud's ears perked up as dinner was mentioned. The evening party reserved for guests lasted all night apparently. He quickly accepted a black envelope with all the details. 

   “Maybe we should head on over early?” Aerith looked to the sky. The sun was setting quickly but that didn't stop the bustle of people preparing for nightlife. They rejoined the others in the middle of town and for once, Vincent allowed himself to be seen. It was almost impossible to catch him during the day. 

   “I don't see anywhere selling no fancy knickknacks. Everything from top to bottom is beachwear.” Barret said while waving an arm around. He'd already changed into something warmer. 

   “I was afraid of that.” Aerith sighed. Scanning the street shops again in case she missed something. Nanaki began circling her, all while sniffing. Cloud thought he'd been acting weird today too, but moved his interest to the others.

   “What about that mansion Madam M spoke of? We can try to find an insider at the party, but it's better to have a backup.”

   “That building belonged to Shinra. Even if they abandoned it, they wouldn't just resell it to anyone.” Had Vincent not spoken, one might mistake him for a mannequin. 

   “It's right outside of town too. Just private enough to do whatever nasty shit they want.” Barrett grumbled.  

   “Maybe the buyer works for Shinra then? The ships involved with Wutai have to pass by here at some point right?” Aerith tried to keep her voice steady as she shooed Nanaki away. Her hand discreetly swatted at his nose but he kept averting her to sniff somewhere else. 

   “Hey, for the size of that ship, not a lot of people got off. Maybe there's something in the cargo.” Yuffie was optimistic while kicking the rocks at her feet.  

   “We could stake out the area. Rats come out at night,” Barret said under his breath while nodding. 

   “Don't do anything stupid. We shouldn't be gone all night.” Cloud hoped Barret took his words to heart. Yuffie and him were almost too radical in the face of Shinra. He didn't want them getting hurt. 

   “Yeah I know. Make sure Tifa gets back ok. Darn girl keeps trying to do everything on her own.”

   “Psst, cut that out.” Aerith whispered to Nanaki. Finally giving him her full attention. He rubbed his body along her leg like a cat. 

   “I'm trying to fix your scent.” He said it as though that were obvious. 

   “No one else can tell.”

   “And no one else must suffer, humor me.”

   “Red sit still. Do we need to get you a scratching post or what?” Barret smiled at his own joke even if it prompted a growl from Nanaki. Knowing full well he hated being compared to common animals.

   “I guess now's as good a time as any to get moving. The hotel should be able to help us get clothes.” Cloud signaled for Aerith to follow. The party would start in a few hours.

- - -

   Sephiroth could almost hear his composure cracking. And he'd always found himself to be well practiced in the art of waiting. Between the trips to Midgar, Hojo's lab and retrieving samples of the lifestream, he just wanted this cure to be settled. Hojo demanded blood, but Sephiroth wouldn't cross that bridge until the scientist could provide a good enough reason to cut her.

   Especially when Aerith was looking at him more softly. Perhaps she thought it was some sort of kindness leaving her be. Her words denied him but her actions said otherwise. That delicious fear that used to radiate every time they met got duller with every passing interaction. It twisted into something a bit more anxious. More hungry. Then there was that strange stash of feathers. 

   Sephiroth's footsteps echoed through the halls of Shinra's abandoned science department. The lifestream seemed to have served her well. That pleading face was brighter than he'd remembered in a long while. He grabbed a few more samples from Scarlet's lab and tucked them away. It was something worth reporting to Hojo. 

    “It's upon us. That child grows quickly.” Mothers voice seeped in all around through the shadows. 

   “Perhaps fate is on our side.”

    “So don't waste the window of opportunity. The moment your hand breaks through, take everything.” 

   It was his belief the moment the child was born he'd have unfiltered access to the other side. And when that happened, the Black Materia was required to seal the deal. Yet this was his second time inside Shinra's metal fortress and he sensed nothing. 

   He kept his heart slow and focused. Resisting the restlessness. He didn't want others around her when she was pregnant. Touching her or even looking. It was illogical to expect a cure overnight. But at this rate he would have to take Aerith back before its completion and converse with Hojo in secret. Though Sephiroth preferred everything be in order first when she was returned to his care. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Next time, his eyes wouldn't wander from her sphere. Leaving her alone for hours while he pretended to play delivery boy for the scientist just wouldn't work. 

   Sephiroth paused after wandering far past the intended exit. Losing himself to the metal hallways that shaped his past. This area was reserved for Hojo's most secret specimens. He glanced around the various tubes and cells. One of the doors specifically caught his attention. A bit of pink paint peeled away at the handle. He pried apart the entrance and the scrape of metal ate at his ears. 

   He didn’t know such a colorful place could exist in Shinra. Even the luxuries of their President was minimal in comparison. An explosion of paints covered the wall. Staining the rug and spilling onto the sterile furniture. The mural was tacky, and he was certain the room belonged to Aerith at one point. Overly vibrant without reason in the hellish labyrinth. She expressed a rather idealized version of nature through her scribbles. Something more serene than the reality outside. Even now rust ate away at the dried and flaky paint. Slowly dissolving until it too would be lost to darkness. A clean slate. 

   Perhaps Aerith was a fan of the arts. He never took her for someone who cared for books either but she surprisingly ended up keeping herself busy. Sephiroth searched for a memory, but he couldn’t recall ever seeing her or her mother. All those years he slept on another floor, she was here the whole time. 

- - -

   Cloud secured their room keys quickly. Thankfully the hotel had its own shops beyond the lobby. An entire floor was dedicated to extravagant fabrics and party favors. 

   “You think we have enough gil for these?” Aerith ogled the displays. The thick skirts with gems embellishing the front were far more decadent than what she'd ever seen in Midgar. 

   “I guess we don't have much choice.” The atmosphere was a bit intimidating. Cloud took charge on the field. Crawling through grime, not flaunting among high society parties. 

   “Oh for the love of- don't tell me you came looking like that!” Madam M was adorned in her usual golden black kimono. Dripping in shiny accessories and delicate makeup. 

   “Of course not, we're still shopping.” Aerith said matter-of-factly. She couldn't help but be a little excited at the chance to play dress up. 

   “That is the last thing I have time for. The party starts in thirty minutes.” Madam M clapped her hands together and a male entourage ran over to greet her. “See to it this gentleman is dressed appropriately for tonight's occasion.”

   “Yes ma'am.” The man bowed before inspecting Cloud. As if trying to size up his shoulder to hip ratio on the spot. “Follow me sir, if you'd please.” 

   “Watch it.” Cloud snapped and jumped away from the man's hand. He hated fittings even when it was necessary to order uniforms at Shinra. 

   “You, follow me.” Madam M pointed her fan at Aerith and turned back in the direction she came from. 

   “Sorry Cloud, gotta go.” She waved with delight despite sensing his discomfort. She almost felt bad for having to leave him. 

   “Aerith, wait-” The entourage was ushering Cloud into another area as she skipped off.  

   “Your friend is already prepared. I suppose we'll have to make do with what little time is left.”

   “Nothing you haven't done before right?” Aerith chirped.

   “My skills are not wasted on just anyone, so don't you forget it.” Madam M was practically sprinting with the speed at which she walked. Taking them both into a private dressing room lined with various mirrors and racks of clothes. 

   “Oh, Aerith!” Tifa jumped from her seat with a smile. “Everything worked out, thank goodness.”

   “Tifa, you look amazing.” Aerith ran over to inspect the sparkly blue dress. A tight fitted mermaid gown fit snugly around Tifa’s curves. 

   “Enough chit-chat.” Madam M was frantically throwing cloth over her shoulders as she scanned the racks. “Get changed immediately. We'll finish your hair and makeup afterwards.” 

   “Aww I don't get to pick the dress?” Aerith pouted. Madam M glared back at her.

   “With your sense, absolutely not!” 

   Truthfully, Aerith couldn't say she enjoyed the process this time. The gown was far tighter than she believed should be possible. Madam M remembered her measurements from before, but everything was suffocating. The lace up back surely didn't have to be pulled so snug. Aerith could have sworn a year's worth of aggression was being taken out on her waist. 

   Madam M’s taste didn't seem too different from Don Corneo's. Another blood red gown hung off her shoulders. Exposing all of her most delicate features. Aerith tried not to wince at the way her hair was twisted from her scalp. The end result was lovely, but she was just glad to have it over. Her usual free flowing braid was far more comfortable than the tightly curled bun behind her head. Madam M didn't take to kindly to the bruise on her neck either. Aerith covered it shyly with her hand, trying not to alert Tifa. But the woman worked quickly, finding a thick choker to cover the base of her skin.

   “Lastly, take these.” Madam M handed them both a pair of masks. “This party caters to our clients' privacy. It should be obvious, but don’t ever give away your real name.” 

   “Understood.” Aerith replied with a mischievous grin. Although Tifa hesitated. Finding the whole thing sketchier by the second. They followed Madam M to the banquet hall in silence. The high ceilings and chandeliers lit by hundreds of candles felt like something out of a storybook. 

   “And Cloud?” Tifa asked.

   “A bit hard to tell by the masks but, still getting ready maybe?” Aerith put a hand over her eyes as if she was looking beyond the horizon. 

   “I doubt he’s taking this well,” Tifa giggled softly.

   “Alright, I don’t care what your business is, but remember this. If you make a scene or do anything to jeopardize my event I will personally ship you three back to Midgar in pieces. Understood?” Madam M put a hand on each of their shoulders. Gipping just hard enough that the tips of her nails grazed their skin. 

   “Yes ma’am!” They said in unison. 

   “Good.” 

   Aerith wanted to play but Tifa was immediately pulled towards the stage. She sighed and glanced around once more for Cloud. Since he wasn’t here, she figured this might be the only chance to indulge herself. A buffet table wasn’t far, and those snacks from earlier were hardly holding her over. Knowing Cloud, he probably wouldn’t even think of food until the job was done. 

   She ignored the curious eyes that watched her for too long and grabbed a plate. Shifting through the various sandwiches and d’oeuvres. Patrons observed her in a manner far too inappropriate for the occasion. Not helped by the fact men greatly outnumbered the female guests. But it wasn’t that different from what she already dealt with in the slums. At this moment, the only thing Aerith cared about was finding something salty enough to go on her crackers. 

   “May I interest you in some champagne?” A young waiter held a tray out beside her. 

   “Oh wow, tha- actually, do you have anything without alcohol?” The waiter eyed her a bit strangely as Aerith smiled awkwardly. She could almost forget about her situation. But reality wasn’t so considerate. 

   “Water pitchers are located at the end.” He motioned to another table. 

   “Ah, thanks.” Taking a bite of her sandwich, she wandered down. Shoving as many crackers and cheese into her mouth as she could before finally freeing up her hands enough to juggle the water pitcher over a glass. Apparently hunger had it's own vengeance if left alone for too long. 

   “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Another hand swiped the glass from her and she nearly choked. 

   “Culwd.” Aerith struggled to swallow the flaky bread in her throat. Even if his voice wasn't a dead giveaway, the mask did little to hide his bright blond hair. 

   “We have no idea what's in this stuff.” He whispered while sniffing the glass.  

   “Itws wust.. water.” Aerith swallowed the lump painfully and clawed at her glass in search of relief. Cloud pulled away and took a sip. After deciding it wasn’t laced with anything he handed it back. Aerith would have been more embarrassed if she didn’t want it so badly. They’d never shared food before and she tried not to think about what side his lips had touched before gulping it down.  

   “I’m just saying, I don’t see anyone else actually eating.” He was right. For some reason the buffet was being treated more like decoration. Anyone with a plate carried it like an accessory, although most settled for a glass of wine. 

   “Then why did you drink it?” She set the plate down despite her appetite just beginning flare up. 

   “Soldier has a higher tolerance for this kind of thing. Normal poison wont hurt me.” 

   “So cool.” Aerith said dramatically with a silly grin. Finally able to get a clear look at the slim fitting suit Madam M picked for him. The collar was lined with intricate gold details. Her taste was very clear. “You look so handsome like that,” She cooed. Cloud felt his cheeks heat up beneath the mask and he immediatley looked away. He wanted to be the one to tell her how lovely the dress was first, but she always beat him to it.

   “Where’s Tifa?” 

   “On the piano. That leaves us to the dirty work.”

   “Stick close, this place gives me the creeps.” 

   “No one’s going to talk to us if we look like a couple.” Aerith put a hand on her hip. 

   “Couple?” Cloud was barely able to push the word out. 

   “We gotta interrogate, remember?” She leaned forward and hushed her voice. “So get out there and flirt.” 

   “Excuse me?” If Cloud was out of his element before, he was really feeling it now. 

   “I do hope I’m not interrupting, but would such a fine lady give me the honor of this dance?”

   “No-” Cloud instinctively reached for his buster sword, completely forgetting it wasn’t equipped.  

   “Of course!” Aerith cut him off and took the stranger's hand. She gave Cloud a stern side eye before allowing herself to be swept away. Signaling him to move on his own. Making friends was never his strong suit. But something told Aerith that wouldn't be a problem. Men and women alike tended to flock towards the blond haired beauty with mako eyes regardless of sexual preference.  

   The older gentleman was clean, but something about him gave her goosebumps. He was as wide as Palmer despite almost standing as tall as herself, and his cologne was so thick she wondered what it intended to hide. Aerith flinched the moment his hand slid dangerously low behind her back. She quickly reclaimed his arm and looped both hands around to keep him still. All while leaning closer as if completely oblivious.

   “Do you stay here often?” She asked innocently. 

   “Oh yes, since a month ago. Though I don't remember ever seeing you before.”

   “I'm visiting with a friend.”

   “The dance floor is a bit crowded. How about I show you the balcony then?” The wrinkles on his cheeks folded into a smile.

   “Sure.” Aerith tried locating every door and exit before they passed a thick set of curtains that closed out the light behind them. Pockets of secluded areas should have been expected. But now she was left wishing a weapon was strapped to her leg. By all means the night sky would be stunning if not for the company. Costa del sol was coated in endless stars as warm hues of orange and red bled from the street lights below.  

   “Beautiful isn't it. Although not so much when alone.” He offered Aerith a glass of Champagne he swiped. 

   “Thank you.” She held the glass to her lips despite having no intention to drink it. He ushered her to the railing and the music from the main hall faded away. He inhaled, raking his eyes over the suggestive red dress. Taking liberties to touch her arm as though they were close. Imagining things Aerith wished weren't so obvious.

   She was never naive despite her chastity before meeting Sephiroth. Had Zack not died she'd have given herself to someone she loved long ago. But her newfound experience certainly put into perspective the things that were possible between partners. And thinking of this man fantasizing about it made her skin crawl. Suddenly the idea of doing anything she'd experienced with Sephiroth to another had her stomach churning. Aerith swallowed to settle the food she'd just eaten. 

   “So what made you stay?” She cleared her throat. “You came a month ago?”

   “Yes, that's right. A special cottage opened up not far and it's been well worth the investment. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.” It almost sounded romantic. As though he'd fallen in love with the city. 

   “I know the one. Shinra used to run it right?” 

   “The lady is correct. Though it's supposed to be a bit of a secret.” He whispered the last bit, moving into her bubble as he angled himself over the railing. A genuine smile bloomed across her face. She didn't expect to get this lucky with the first guy they found. 

   “Let's just say I have a few connections. Honestly I came to Costa del Sol looking for a little excitement.”

   “Excitement? Well you're certainly in the right place. Perhaps it was fate.” The man took her smile as an invitation and snaked an arm around her waist. Taking as much as he could get in his palm. Aerith reminded herself to breathe. She needed to stay pleasant, not smack the fool. 

   “How so?”

   “It’s a bit dangerous. I'm not sure if the lady would be interested.” 

   “I can handle myself, that is if you ever want to see for yourself.” Aerith tilted her head sweetly. Pretending to adjust the corner of his mask so her fingers brushed his ear. The man stared straight into her green eyes. Thinking considerably for a moment.

   “Hmm, and how does the lady fancy women?” Aerith blinked. Trying not to show too much of her surprise. She wasn't sure what he was getting at, or what sort of answer he wanted to hear. 

   “Are you curious about my preferences? Who doesn't love a beautiful woman? Though certain men have also shown to give a good time.” She placed a hand over his own. Resting lightly against the railing and gazing at him as though he was special. 

   “Well the cottage offers unique privileges to its members. For a premium price of course.” He grinned, loving any opportunity to flaunt his wealth. “The after parties are a true sight to behold for… the adventurous.”

   “I wouldn't mind some company. Nighttime can be a little lonely.” Aerith sighed with sincerity and looked down into the bustling streets. Nighttime certainly was the hardest to get through. It always ended with her thinking fondly of the person she was supposed to hate. 

   “You'd never be lonely in my circle. The more the merrier I always say.” He laughed and squeezed her waist. Tugging her even closer. “I have quite the collection of exotic beauties, and I'd love to share them with you. It'd be a night you'd never forget.”

   Aerith thought she might be sick. She squeezed his hand to hide her unease. It wouldn't do any good to get cold feet now. 

   “I've heard some of the most beautiful women are from Wutai. Though I've never gotten the chance to see for myself.” The words were dry on her tongue, and her skin crawled as excitement flashed across his face. Like he knew just where to find some.

   “You won't be disappointed.” The man leaned in for a kiss and Aerith immediately put a hand on his chest to distance herself. The growing anger was already difficult enough to hide. He was definitely competing for a spot next to Hojo for worst characters she'd met. A moment of clarity seemed to hit the older man as he realized he may have said too much. 

   “Who- ugk!” His mouth gaped open for a moment and he fell forward. Aerith didn't have the heart to catch him even in her confusion. The moment he got too close to her neck she stepped aside and let his body collapse. It was hard to see anything through his suit. But a tiny hole had torn through his spine. Aerith covered her mouth and gripped the hand railing. She really didn't want to get sick here of all places. Not far off, the sound of shoes landing along the balcony tapped softly. 

   “An escort doesn't suit you.” His words lacked kindness. That same frown had been permanently stuck to his face for as long as she'd known him. 

   “Tseng?” She squinted at the shadows. It was his favorite place. He emerged enough for her to see him adjust the pistol silencer. The older gentleman was clearly dead but Tseng pulled the trigger once more for good measure. No room for error. The champagne finally slipped from her hands and spilled onto the floor. “Do you have to do that?” Aerith backed away from the body.

   Tseng continued to walk closer until the broken glass was at his feet. He glared at the spilled liquid and crushed the remaining bits with his boot. 

   “Is it true then?” He never cut her much slack, but his tone tonight was especially cold. 

   “Is what true? That you always spoil my evenings? I had things under control.” Aerith thought it might be a good time to creep back towards the party. Turks hated crowds, it had a way of scaring them off.

   “He was a talker.” Tseng tapped the body with his shoe to make sure. “I didn't do it for you.”

   Aerith always hated that about him. Acting like things were strictly business. As if he were a machine that didn't need feelings to operate. In truth he'd spoiled most of her friendships and budding crushes. Tseng made her childhood even lonelier than it needed to be. The only ones he couldn't seem to control were Zack and Cloud. 

   “He was my informant.” Aerith put her hands on her hips and glared back. “You know what's going on here, don't you?” Tseng tucked the gun away and ignored the accusation.

   “Go home, Aerith. Or I'll have to bring you in.” He typed something into his phone and she stormed over to try knocking it away. But he was quick to save the gadget from being thrown into the abyss. 

   “Is Shinra seriously kidnapping Wutaian's? That's low even for you.”

   “You don't know anything about us.”

   “Are you seriously telling me that?!” Aerith pushed him hard enough to stumble if not for the railing supporting his back. He never did fight back and it infuriated her more. She remembered throwing rocks at him as a child whenever he scared a potential friend off. He just stood still then too. Even as rumors circulated that an evil ghost followed her around.

   “You're just a child. Stop getting involved in things you don't want the answers to.” Tseng held his head high as if she were much smaller. 

   “I haven't been a child for a long time. You must be thinking of someone else.” Aerith grabbed the railing at either side of him. Even if they both knew that wasn't enough to trap a Turk. 

   “And you express it through degenerate parties?” Tseng bent himself back along the balcony. A certain distance had to be kept at all times.

   “This degenerate party has Shinra written all over it. These are your people.” She leaned up onto her tippy toes. Hoping to smother that composure.

   “I've already done everything I can for you. Either go home, or stop digging.” 

   “And what exactly have you done for me? Or was putting me back in that lab really a fair trade? Am I supposed to be grateful about the plate just because I wasn't under it?” Aerith pressed a hand to his chest and felt his every muscle seize up. He might have even stopped breathing. She only had the chance to test this a few times in the past, but it was hard to get this close. 

   She knew Tseng was strange. The few times she'd ever managed to catch his wrist he went mute and shut down. Always leaving immediately after. It wasn't long until he assigned Reno and Rude to take over his day shifts. For the most part she assumed he hated girls with the way he hovered comfortably around Rufus. Or maybe it was just her he couldn't stand. 

   “Do you think at all for yourself?” Aerith baited him to say anything. When she thought he might be disassociating she began to run her hand slowly up the front of his suit. 

   “Those tricks won't be effective on me.” He held her stare. Afraid to look anywhere else. That dress was too mature. He never had the heart to stay during her check up's in Hojo's lab either whenever she switched into the thin hospital gowns. It made everything more real. And his judgment couldn't be grey when following orders. 

   “I think it's already effective. So spill what Shinra's really doing here. Isn't this below your pay grade anyway?” Aerith leaned forward and put more pressure into the hand running up and down the buttons of his jacket. As if threatening to pull them open. If her guess was right he wouldn't touch her. He never initiated contact. 

   “That's classified.” His breath stayed even. But she felt his heart hammering through her fingertips. 

   “So? You killed someone right in front of me. And that's not even the worst of what you put me through. You could actually help me for once.” Aerith slipped her fingers beneath his lapel and let her body heat seep through his shirt. 

   Tseng considered seeing how far she was willing to go. After all, he wouldn't be the one crossing the line. He could still pretend he never broke the rules. That Aerith simply joked too much. An immature side she never quite lost. 

   “The planet is changing Tseng, for the worse. Isn't it time you made your own decisions?”

   “Was that your logic when letting that thing close to you? I don't remember your goals being so in line with the science department.” Tseng eyed her stomach and she suddenly realized they were talking about two very different things. But that was impossible. Even if Tseng often knew things about her no one else should. 

   “Th- that's classified.” She couldn't do it. Aerith broke first and finally let him go. Stepping away in horror. A million thoughts overtook her at once. Did this mean Shinra knew? Hojo? Or was it just a guess?

   The disappointment was palpable. Not that he even had the right to be upset. Hojo's plans were made clear to the Turks from the beginning. And Shinra had long given it's blessing to use the Ancient as the crazy scientist saw fit. But he told himself nothing Sephiroth said could be taken at face value. Even if her face now said otherwise. 

   Aerith almost jumped out of her skin the moment Tseng's phone went off. He answered calmly as usual. Watching her carefully the whole time. 

   “Yes sir. Right away.” A beep ended the call and he straightened his clothes before slipping the phone back into his pocket. “This is your last warning.” He turned back towards the shadows. 

   “You always say that.” Aerith rolled her eyes. 

   “And I always follow through. Though I never leave the pockets of my jobs unchecked.” He snuck back into the darkness and over a ledge. Aerith wasn't sure where the heck anyone could go this high up but it was useless to worry about a Turk. Especially when she should be worried about herself. She quickly realized getting caught with a dead body would put the whole event on high alert. 

   “Crap!” Aerith ran over to the body and lifted the hem of her dress. The wounds were precise but that didn't stop a mess from spilling around. With a deep breath she knelt beside the man. Putting her hands together, Aerith sang a small prayer in her heart. Trying to heal the wounds enough to end the bleeding. After gaining enough courage she rolled the body over. Pure adrenaline took over any squeamish urges and she dove into his pockets. Tearing out loose coins, a pen, handkerchief. Nothing of value.

   “Oh come on.” Aerith groaned and ripped his jacket open. Still damp from the blood. Sure enough, even the insides had pockets. She felt around them lightly until locating a silver skeleton key. A tag hung from the end with a serial number. A gut feeling told her this was what she needed. Lastly she grabbed the man's wallet and stole his ID. 

   She considered moving the body, but it was hard enough to maneuver in this dress. And a trail of blood would just make the whole thing pointless. The best she could think of was to disappear quickly before anyone else came by.

   “Ok, let's just find the others and go.” Aerith took a few deep breaths. Fanning herself with her hands in hopes to calm down until prepared to re-enter the banquet hall.

Chapter Text

   Aerith slipped back through the velvety curtains and tried waltzing as casually as possible back into the crowd of masked people. More guests had arrived and the chatter was deafening. 

   She rubbed sweaty palms against her skirt and looked for the table with water. Her senses were all over the place. She could barely focus enough to walk straight let alone locate her comrade's. Aerith bumped into a group of men laughing and apologized. 

   “That's alright dear. Are you alone? We should dance.” The group huddled around and a wave of claustrophobia came with it. 

   “No thanks, I'm a little dizzy. I'm looking for my partner actually.” Aerith touched the side of her face to make sure her mask was still intact. 

   “That's no good. Here, some food might make you feel better.” A man held out a plate full of the various treats she'd sampled earlier. She licks her lips but shook her head no. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about food.

   “Just a little will loosen you right up.” Another man smiled. His cheeks were red and alcohol radiated from his breath.

   “Hm?” Aerith sucked in her bottom lip. That didn't sound right. A pair of slender arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind and tugged her away from the vultures. 

   “Darling, where have you been?!” 

   “Ti- uh darling?” Aerith was rarely startled. But the relief of finding her friend and panic of almost revealing Tifa's name gave her whiplash. Tifa grabbed her rather possessively. Making her do a double take to make sure it was the right person. The men could barely scrape their jaws off the floor. It was as if a Goddess had fallen right into their lap. 

   “Do join us, we-”

   “Sorry gentleman. Our time is already paid for. And you know how the Madam can be.” Tifa smiled politely but her tone was stern. It seemed everyone was familiar with the wrath of Madam M should anyone cross her. Tifa put a little too much strength into grabbing Aerith's wrist. She dragged her to another corner of the room. 

   “Tifa, am I sure glad to see you.” Aerith felt like she could finally breathe.

   “Well I'd sure like to find Cloud and get the hell out. The situation might be worse than we thought.” She looked around nervously as if they were being watched.

   “That mansion that opened up, it's tied to Shinra. I think that's where they're keeping Wutaian’s before they get sent up north.” Aerith hushed her voice.

   “I bet. Don Corneo organized the whole thing. That sleaze moved into town about a month ago.”

   “What?” Aerith frantically tried piecing the bits together. 

   “I saw a couple of his lackeys hanging around. We should go before they recognizes us.”

   “Good idea. I already got keys to the mansion, I think.”

   “You what now?” Tifa's eyes widened but Aerith thought it'd best to explain the missing body later. 

   A scream ripped though the hall and Aerith almost fell over until she realized they were shrills of pleasure. Placing a hand over her heart to catch herself. The mess on the balcony was waiting time bomb. 

   “Another bottle then! Being more for the lovely man!” Someone shouted excitedly and the girls immediately locked eyes. They made their way towards the commotion, pushing back into the crowds. 

   Cloud was sitting absolutely frozen on a velvet couch. Trapped between various men and women fighting for his attention. They poked and prodded at his attire without a care for his personal space. Flirtatiously running a hand over his sleeve or trying to touch his spiky hair. Though he would occasionally shoot a disapproving look, he kept his arms firmly crossed. 

   “Come on, just a hint? What name could belong to such a pretty young man?” An older gentleman beamed as he tried handing Cloud a glass of champagne.

   “Not interested,” he bit out. But the cold shoulder just excited them more.

   “So feisty.”

   “Hey look at those eyes. Is that Mako?” The woman nearest to him took Cloud's cheek and turned it towards her. “I've never seen it up close. You must be rather exceptional.” The crowd hummed in interest. 

   “I am.” Cloud yanked his head away to see another man looming over from behind. He grabbed Cloud's bicep and squeezed.

   “You're pretty firm despite your size. I bet you can withstand quite a bit of roughhousing.” 

   “In your dreams maybe.” The crowd gasped before breaking into laughter. Waiting to see what lucky individual might catch the mysterious blonde's fancy. Cloud was a second from losing it but everyone seemed to think it was entertaining. He didn't know how much more of this he could take. It was impossible to learn anything with a new person throwing themselves in his face every two seconds. 

   “I think he needs help.” Tifa whispered and grabbed Aerith's hand. Another curious individual reached for Cloud's mask. Trying to steal a peak before Aerith wedged her body between them. 

   “Whoa there, that's off limits,” Aerith teased. The couch was already full. So the girls each took a side of Cloud's lap. Linking their arms around his neck. Any relief he might have felt didn't last long. He wanted out. And now everything was so close, they were too close. He felt them mold to the shape of him. Their body heat seeped through his suit. He couldn't tell who was touching who and was on the verge of passing out. Soldier or not. 

   “You don't look so good. Had enough fun?” Tifa asked pitifully. Brushing the back of her hand against his forehead and angling herself to cut off as many eyes as possible. 

   “Hmm, our room should be ready? Want to head in early?” Aerith swatted the strays trying to caress his hair from behind away. “How about it, my love?” She hummed against his ear. Giggling along with the others. She was starting to feel lightheaded herself. Almost floaty. 

   Between Aerith's voice in his ear and Tifa's hand on his face, he wanted to explode. But only a soft and defeated whisper came through as he lowered his head. 

   “Guys, come on. Please.” He was even more adorable when he blushed. But even they understood his limits. Taking an arm on both sides, the girls helped Cloud to his feet. Effectively cutting him off from the curious patrons.

   “Sorry folks, the man has spoken.” Aerith smiled even as the sounds of protest echoed all around. 

   “Our room is full tonight. But there's always next time.” Tifa flung a bit of loose hair behind her shoulder as they pushed through the crowd. The idea of meeting the mysterious boy again seemed to placate them. And as if he were never there, people quickly regrouped. When Aerith glanced back another had already filled Cloud's spot on the couch. 

   “Whew, that was close,” Tifa exhaled. 

   “You guys are terrible, you know that?” Cloud was still recovering. Clearly upset but unwilling to let them go. For once he feared himself getting dragged away. 

   “I know you like the attention.” Aerith smiled to herself and gripped his arm tighter to steady her own steps. 

   “And where the hell were you? Is that guy still around?” He snapped but Aerith barely seemed to register his concern.

   “He's dead.” She slipped the phrase so casually she didn't notice their disturbed expressions. “Oops, did I say that out loud?” Aerith put a hand to her mouth and started giggling again.

   “Hey, you didn't eat anything did you?” Tifa grabbed Aerith's arm. Trying to get her to focus. 

   “She did.” Cloud blurted out. 

   “What,  Madam M told us specifically not to touch anything.” Tifa gasped and Aerith just started laughing even more.

   “Well she didn't tell me,” she said with a shrug. Tifa braced her forehead. Everything happened so fast. 

   “What's in it?” Cloud asked. Pushing them to start walking again. They were almost at the exit.

   “Oh well, you know.” Tifa blushed slightly. 

   “No, I don't know.”

   “Hehe, it'll loosen you right up. That's what he said.” Aerith placed her head on Cloud's shoulder lazily as they walked. Forgetting any sense of urgency. 

   “Who said? Hey.” Cloud shook the arm she was attached to. Trying to knock some sense into the flower girl. 

    “It's some kind of relaxer. Makes you more, “agreeable”.” Tifa said. 

    “Let's just get out and hope Barret didn't get into any trouble.” Cloud sighed. As long as the effects weren't harmful, she'd be fine sleeping it off.

   Aerith was only half present as they made it through the hotel. At some point she almost appeared to be sleep walking. Mindlessly giggling to herself every so often. She didn't move so differently from the men in black robes. Whenever she sighed and tugged his arm, Cloud winced. You could get away with just about anything if your partner was barely conscious. He couldn't help but wonder if the effects kicked in before or after she parted with the old geezer. 

   Tifa was easy to keep eyes on. She graced the piano most of the night until the band took over. But even then a swarm of patrons were eager to take her time. Not that he could do anything against his own blockade. The guests here were mostly regulars. And despite the masks, they seemed to single out the newbies easily. 

    “Darling, my love…” Aerith replayed the phrases in her mind. They swirled around in a blend of Cloud and Tifa's voice. Merging with the poetry she remembered from that of the Loveless play. But those weren't the voices she was looking for. “Sephiroth…” She hummed while fishing for a pocket of feathers that wasn't there. “Where is it Sephiroth? Sephiroth, Sephiroth, Sephiroth.”

   “Quiet Cetra. I heard the first time.” The response certainly mimicked the real thing. But the voice melted so seamlessly into her own thoughts Aerith always second guessed it.

   “Your cries reach thine ears. Hehe.”

    “I do not cry. You are delirious.” 

    “I am not.” Aerith mumbled defensively through half lidded eyes. 

   “Hey, we're almost there.” Cloud shook her gently again to make sure she was still with them as they stepped into an elevator. Only then did they remove their masks. 

    “I got a date. But he was a bad guy. Why are there only bad guys?” Aerith scrunched her nose and felt something get pulled from her face. 

    “Is that a joke?” Sephiroth's voice echoed flatly. She could almost see him pinching his brow.

   “I want to meet someone nice.”

   “There is no such thing.”

    “Cloud is nice.” Aerith's voice was barely audible as she nuzzled her nose into his silky suit. 

   “Tifa, is it supposed to be like this?” Cloud tried to pry her hands away from tearing his suit down. He couldn't walk otherwise. 

   “She didn't exactly go into detail.” Tifa tried taking her arm. “Aerith, you doing okay?”

   “Must you go?” Aerith thought. Suddenly the idea of being left alone settled in. As if her body knew it was time for bed and everyone would go their separate ways. Aerith thought to grab the person in front of her but missed. Slipping right through Tifa's arm's. 

   “That's enough.” Cloud took hold of Aerith properly and decided to just carry her the rest of the way. Johnny's place wasn't that far. 

   “How much did she eat?” Tifa asked while opening a door for them. Costa del Sol was one place they could walk around dressed to the nines and no one batted an eye. 

   “Hell if I know. We'll drop her off first.”

    “Don't do that.” She thought while clutching the jacket closest to her. She didn't want to be dropped anywhere. “Our room is ready for us,” Aerith yawned.

   “Room? What have you done?” Sephiroth's question remained unanswered. She stopped discerning his voice from her own. Lost in the connection she'd forged between them. “...Stay.” 

    Tifa ran ahead while Cloud climbed the endless stairs of Johnny's Seaside Inn. After fixing a bed, she eventually signaled Cloud over. He laid Aerith down gently, growing more worried about the bizarre effects. Although Aerith wasn't very responsive, her eyes were still open. Here, yet not here. 

   “Stay with me.” She might have whined if she had the energy to produce more sound. Instead she reached for Tifa's sparkly skirt. 

   “Would you give us a moment? I want to change her clothes.” Tifa freed the tightly wound bun and smoothed out Aerith's hair. 

   “I'll be downstairs.” Cloud rubbed the back of his neck. 

   They'd left behind their clothes at the hotel, but they could get it later. Johnny had plenty of spare shirts. Tifa slipped out of her own dress first. Quickly swapping the restrictive garment for loose sweatpants. She grabbed another pair for Aerith. Maneuvering the flower girls bustier was a bit more challenging with the lace up back. But Tifa was good with her hands. Aerith gasped loudly the moment her waist was freed. Rolling back onto her side to face Tifa.

   “Buy me dinner first.” Aerith giggled and batted at the delicate fingers trying to work her bodis apart. 

   “When I could make dinner?” Tifa smiled at the silly girl. Slipping an oversized T-shirt over Aerith's head.

   “Ok fine, you can sleep with me.” Aerith wiggled into a corner to make room. Not really looking at anything and melting into the soft mattress. 

   “Let's just get some pants on first, ok?” 

   “Then give me back my feathers.”

   “What?” Tifa tried not to laugh. Managing to shimmy the sweatpants up Aerith's legs. She pulled the blanket over and leaned in. Using a napkin to remove the rest of her friend's lipstick.

   “Sephiroth...that tickles.” Aerith muttered and grabbed the wrist by her mouth. 

   Tifa immediately froze up. The name was unmistakable even if her words were slurred. She studied Aerith's face and bit her lip. Lastly removing the jeweled choker. She'd seen plenty of hickeys before. It was difficult to get a bruise here any other way. 

   “You never stay.” Aerith brought Tifa's hand to her cheek as she mumbled. Sensing their time was limited.

   “Aerith, what is Sephiroth to you?” Tifa whispered clearly beside her friend's ear. Time stopped as she waited. Her stomach curled. Was Aerith not talking to her this whole time?

   “Tifa, everything okay?” Cloud knocked at the door.

   “Uh yeah, be there in a sec.” Tifa groaned as she looked between the door and Aerith. Maybe she should tell Cloud to go alone. But Aerith was finally closing her eyes with Tifa’s hand snuggled between her cheek and pillow. “I’ll be back soon.” She felt her hand get squeezed as she pulled away.

   “Liar. I hate you.” Aerith didn’t suppress the disappointment even if her voice was soft. Tifa nearly fell off the bed. She didn't think she’d ever hear those words from Aerith. 

   “... I promise ok?” Tifa tucked the blanket in around her shoulders and hesitated. She couldn't pin the strange feeling. But the sooner they got Barrett, the sooner they'd be done.

   “She good?” Cloud asked as Tifa shut the door behind her. 

   “Yeah. Hey, don't you think it's a little… never mind.” She shook her head. 

   “What?”

   “Nothing, that party just weirded me out.” 

   “Then that makes two of us. C'mon.” Cloud removed his overcoat and headed back towards the docks. 

   Aerith dug her fingers into the mattress. Searching for any external warmth. Costa del sol was tolerable at night, but Johnny's place lacked proper windows in favor of viewing all nature had to offer. A slight draft was always present. 

    She hummed pleasantly when a firm heat enveloped her shoulders. Aerith felt her bangs get brushed away and realized she wasn't alone anymore. The smell was finally right too. Leather and slight rose. Her hands moved on their own. Attempting to wrap around the source. 

   Sephiroth laughed and lifted her from the bed. Cradling her close as he leaned against a wall. This was the only place he didn't have eyes on. His puppets couldn't locate the slippery girl after she called. But at the mention of a room, he figured a hotel was most probable. 

   “Hmm, what have you gotten into now?” He tilted her jaw up. Trying to see if her eyes might focus. 

   “...” Not even through her mind did Aerith want to engage. She simply moved in a trance. Occasionally pressing herself against him more snugly. A low chuckle vibrated through his chest.

   “Is it confusion? Or a toxin? Those friends don't seem to be taking very good care of you.” He eyed the lingering bits of smeared makeup. Noting the frivolous dress discarded at her bedside. She said something about a date. But her voice was sloppy. He couldn't smell any alcohol on her. Not that he expected to. 

   “Lie with me.” Aerith murmured into his chest. She wanted to stretch out properly. 

   “Do not tempt me.” Sephiroth balanced her as he rummaged through his pockets for a remedy. He didn't have much use for them anymore as ailments no longer affected him. He had an elixir, but something told him this was the effect of some cheap party trick. “Be a good girl.” Sephiroth popped the lid off with his teeth and took the entire remedy in his mouth before feeding it to Aerith. Thankfully her lips opened without resistance and accepted the offering. She swallowed it down without much thought. Just enjoying the presence of him. 

    He broke the kiss with a heavy breath. Dropping his head back against the wall as she sunk into his embrace. They could go right now while the effects of whatever she'd consumed wore off. He found himself laughing just remembering Hojo's pissed expression.

   Sephiroth had been delivering bits of the lifestream to the scientist. Hojo was explaining some trial tests and holding out a needle when Sephiroth heard Aerith's voice. It was already difficult to care about Hojo's ramblings. Especially when Aerith was giggling like an idiot in his brain. He wondered if she'd truly be delirious enough to invite any stranger into her bubble. It shouldn't be a problem with her so-called comrades beside her. Yet she was seeking company and looking for a place to bundle up.

   He dropped everything and immediately left the lab. Ignoring whatever qualms Hojo was yelling from behind. He never considered Costa del Sol an area of crime. Yet she'd managed to get drugged. Seeing how eagerly Aerith snuggled into him, he imagined anyone might try to steal a chance with her. He stroked her smiling cheek. Too vulnerable for her own good. 

   “Don't play with me. If you're lonely, the solution is obvious.”

   “Shhh. No nagging in dreams.” Aerith tried adjusting her shoulders. Her consciousness finally catching up. 

   “You dream of me that often?” Sephiroth gave her a squeeze and her eyelids fluttered to attention. 

   It took a moment to absorb the man before her. The last thing Aerith remembered was sitting with Cloud and Tifa at that party. But now the light was gone and crickets filled the silence. Panic settled in as she tried understanding how she got here. How much time was lost. 

   “Relax Aerith.” Sephiroth rubbed her shoulder and she glanced around. It certainly looked like her room. 

   “Where is everyone?” Aerith began feeling her clothes. Noticing they'd been changed.

   “Hm, try again.” He sighed without interest. 

   “You didn't bring me here, did you?” If she made it out of the party she had to believe the others were alright. 

   “You called me.” Aerith caressed her stomach. Wondering if the child was related to their strange connection. She didn't remember calling for him. 

   “You can put me down.”

   “I don't think I will.” he careened into her neck. “What's this about a date? Taking strange substances. Whose child do you think you're carrying?” 

   Aerith's face quickly flushed. Trying to remember what in the heavens she said to him. It was hard to think with his lips ghosting her skin. 

   “Then what was that liquid you gave me earlier? It made me feel, strange.” 

   “You drank it already? Such a good girl. I thought I might have to medicate you myself.” He smiled against her ear. The strange praises made her shiver. Realizing she trusted him too blindly. “Part of the lifestream.”

   “Is that supposed to help me?”

   “Depends on how you feel.”

   “I don't think the effects last very long. But, I'm more comfortable now.”

   “Then it's a start.” Sephiroth made way for the door and Aerith started panicking again. 

   “Wait! Where are we going?”

   “You wish to spend the evening in bed? Though, I can't promise we'll be finished before they get back.” A devilish smile settled in. The idea seemed to agree with him and a hand tugged at her pants. 

   “Not funny.” She was sweating now. Her entire body felt like fire. “It's too busy at night to be out by the way.”

   “So many worries.” He opened the door and Aerith wanted to crawl out of her skin. Everything was way too open. Sephiroth stood out like a sore thumb. She couldn't decide if she wanted to hide her face or keep it glued to the road just to know if anyone was coming. 

   “Please put me down.”

   “Without shoes?”

   “I will get some!” Aerith started squirming. She needed to get him away from here immediately. Nanaki was already gonna have a field day. He chuckled at the poor attempt to free herself. Obliging only after she'd gotten worked up enough and realized it'd have to be on his terms. Considering everything, he could also be petty.

   Aerith quickly swiped her beach sandals and started pushing him down the stairs. Only slowing down once they got past the inn’s entrance. 

   “Where are my friends?” Midnight had to be upon them, yet not a soul was at the Inn. 

   “It would appear they left you behind.”

   “They did not.” Aerith huffed. Pretending the sentiment didn't hurt. 

   “I don't really care. My concern lies with you.” Sephiroth pulled out one of the various black robes his puppets wore. Securing it around Aerith's shoulders and flipping the hood over. “And you still have many promises to deliver.”

   “Like what?” She peered up through the fabric. Feeling a bit better to be properly hidden. Sephiroth tilted his head with a displeased expression. The Cetra was rather forgetful.

   “A date.”

Chapter Text

Sephiroth may have proclaimed a date , but the evening was far more stressful than anything Aerith would have normally tried to enjoy. Gauging his true intentions was difficult when Cloud could be anywhere. The more she thought about it, the harder it was for to pass a corner or street without double checking all sides of them. What if she’s not back before they return? Why did they go without her? Aerith was biting on her thumb to shreds when Sephiroth snatched her hand. 

   “Are you expecting an attack? Save your dread for another day.” 

   Aerith only now noticed her heart thumping away. She inhaled deeply and looked up at the silver hair spilling from under his hood. She almost jumped Sephiroth earlier when he tried to leave the alleyway, still very much exposed. If anything, Aerith going out publicly while hiding his face would be easier. Especially if a chunk of recent tourists came from Shinra. In the end she was able to secure a robe to Sephiroth’s neck. The man was still far too tall, but they blended in better with the night. 

   “Do you really expect me to believe you came here for fun? You secretly like parties or something?” Aerith whispered even if there was no reason to. The crowds were just as loud at night thanks to the bars. But Sephiroth simply frowned and squeezed her wrist. 

   “If you'd rather not...” His eyes rose to the stars. A cold reminder he could just remove her from the group altogether. 

   “I didn't say that!” Aerith refrained from poking him further. After wiggling her wrist free enough to take his hand, she decided to take the lead. Her fingertips trembled ever so slightly. Sephiroth was just wandering about. He didn’t actually seem to have anything specific in mind. “Now first, you should feed me.”

   A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lip. It wasn't difficult to get her moving. She hesitated at the inn, but her eyes lit up once the street lights surrounded them. He let her pull to her heart's content. Aerith was a bit more handsy in fear of Sephiroth escaping her sight. Believing disaster would bloom wherever he strode. 

   He threaded himself through her fingers as she weaved through the crowds. It garnered a small squeak from her and more disturbed glances. The population viewed those in black robes as a disturbance. Aerith whipped her head around to glare. Perhaps a bit flushed, though it was hard to tell beneath the hood. 

   There was a seafood shack not far off she wanted to try. The delights of fried food weren't exactly easy to find in Midgar. And the journey she started almost two months ago was full of dried meat and bread. But once they reached said destination, Aerith gasped and turned on her heels. Nearly bulldozing into Sephiroth. 

   “L-lets go somewhere else.” She placed both hands on his chest and pushed.

   “Ah, I wondered how long it would take for you to notice.” 

   “Well I see now, so move it.” She mumbled angrily against his unwavering torso. Of course he knew Cloud was here and refused to say anything. The restaurant was completely open along the seaside. Boxed in only by decorative lights and umbrellas on each table. 

   “We should join them.” Sephiroth's mockery came with a smile. Aerith peeked over her shoulder. The whole team was together. At some point they found Barret and stopped to have dinner. It was probably Yuffie’s idea but in truth none of them had eaten properly yet. A tiny ache in her heart spread. Of course they needed to eat, but she would have preferred to have been invited. She didn't even remember getting back from the hotel. Cid was smiling about something and eagerly pushing drinks in everyone's direction.

   “Excuse me, if you're not going to order, I'll have to ask you to leave.” 

   The harsh tone startled Aerith. The locals were already fed up with the mindless robes loitering the streets. The host was only half looking at them while jotting down orders. He didn’t actually expect them to talk back, the men in robes never did. Sephiroth himself remained quiet, slowly tilting his head. 

   “Uh, a number four please. To go.” Aerith threw the words out before she could think. Unwilling to make a scene here. 

   “Fries or biscuit?”

   “Whatever you recommend.” Aerith tripped over the words as she glanced nervously at Cloud's table. 

   “Name?” The host asked, scribbling onto a ticket. 

   “Maycomb Blume.” 

   “‘bout ten minutes.” Aerith nodded and tried shoving the source of all her problems out of the entrance. She pushed him behind a souvenir cart. 

   “Is this a date or torture?” She huffed. Placing both hands on her hips. She could barely make out Sephiroth's eyes, but the stupid grin on his face was clear as day. 

   “Oh? I thought you enjoyed this sort of play.” He took her jaw in hand and yanked it up. “Parading around as though you're on some sort of vacation with my puppet. Did you think I wouldn't see? All while whispering in my mind whenever you choose. You are rather cruel Cetra.”

   “I wasn't trying to be.” Aerith scolded herself for not trusting her gut, she was being watched after all. 

   “If only that were enough. You'll have to try harder.” Those leathery fingers squeezed just enough to convey his displeasure.

   “And what exactly do you want me to do then?” Aerith held his stare. Trying to maintain a straight face despite the tightening in her chest. He pinned her similarly in the alleyway. Sephiroth was too unpredictable and unashamed to be in public. He might try something salacious again right here. He hummed as he thought.

   “Perhaps you can enlighten me about your earlier endeavor.” His thumb tapped its place of rest along her cheek. 

   “Earlier…” Aerith frantically searched her memories for whatever nonsense she might have spewed. “You wouldn't mind reminding me, would you?” 

   “Unbelievable.” Sephiroth clicked his tongue. If he thought about it too hard it would just irritate him. How this sort of person consistently trampled his ambition in every lifetime was beyond him. 

   “The people here need my help. I’m not here to play, not that you'd understand.” Aerith shook her head free from his grasp. The crazy idea to ask him for assistance almost crossed her mind.

   “No.” He didn’t understand. Especially how a drugged up girl could be of help to anyone.

   “Forget whatever I said earlier.” Aerith put her hands together. She suddenly had no idea what she was supposed to be doing. Asking him for help would be laughable at best. If not downright insulting to her friends. Wutai was suffering, calamity was approaching, and now she was playing moonlight rendezvous with their foe. 

   “This is your human activity. Satisfy me tonight and maybe I’ll let you return peacefully.” Aerith frowned. Why would he allow that at all? She lowered her head and tried to think. Sephiroth and Cloud were unfortunately similar when it came to finding activities they might fancy. Except Sephiroth's overall disinterest seemed more genuine. 

   “Sometimes they do fireworks by the docks. Or so I’ve heard. I haven't actually seen it.”

   “How original.”

   “Hey, are we doing this or not?” Aerith leaned up to her toes to seem taller. It'd barely been an hour yet he was already less than agreeable. 

   “Order for Macomb Blume?!” The host was so loud Aerith jumped. Sephiroth was first to move. Sauntering to the front and retrieving the bag from the counter. He dropped a bag of gil behind without knowing the cost of anything. He turned back to her and gestured an arm out. Signaling her to lead the way. 

   Aerith took one last look at the back of Cloud's head and gulped. She was already here. Might as well try to make it pleasant. And in truth, she really was hungry. 

   Plenty of benches were planted along the shoreline. Aerith was actually grateful for the apprehension people had towards the black robes. It made crowds scatter. No one wanted to be around them. She sat first and let out a sigh. A bit of privacy was good enough to finally relax a bit. Sephiroth placed the bag of food beside her gently. 

   He stood silently from behind, staring into the back of her hood. He wasn't sure how much longer he could entertain this game of cat and mouse. It wouldn't be any trouble to just lift her and fly off. If he covered her mouth no one would hear her scream. Not that anyone here would care anyway. His fingers twitched. Unsure what he was waiting for. He'd been making plans for this moment. But then Aerith slid off her hood and peered up from over her shoulder. Doe eyed and completely unaware of his desires. She looked at him strangely before patting the spot next to her. 

   “There's plenty of room ya know.” Just like that she changed focus to the paper bag. Tearing it open and inspecting the savory aroma. 

   Once more Sephiroth decided patience might be in his favor. The bench was a snug fit. Their arms inevitably brushed but she was absorbed in unwrapping a sandwich. He tried remembering any past excitement for food as she dove in. A small grin was stuck on her face at the mere sight of some fried fish and seasoned bread. Something so inconsequential to him was enough to light her eye. Aerith sighed through her nose after the first bite. Almost forgetting she wasn't alone. Sephiroth watched carefully. She looked more like the girl he'd taken at the beginning. Fatigue found her rather quickly at his estate. But just a few days away had prompted this much recovery. One by one the pieces of local fry disappeared until crumbs decorated her lap. 

   “You should have gotten more.” He handed her a napkin. 

   “Guess I was hungrier than I thought. It's not like we have regulated mealtimes.” Aerith licked a finger before wiping them. Traveling made downtime hard to plan. But she knew food was going to be an issue the further along she got. The team was fairly efficient with one main meal a day. But she would require more than that. For a while her main concern was just eating at all. “I thought it was making me sick. The baby I mean.”

   Aerith touched her stomach. Unsure if the slight bulge was just the recent meal or not. Sephiroth's mouth opened slightly. His recent findings with Hojo were not shared. She doesn't know it was an effect of his own fluid. But perhaps a child of his blood would create similar complications inside her.

   “But you are fine now?” He brushed a lock of messy hair behind her shoulder. Trying to determine her complexion. The gesture made her cheeks flush so it was hard to tell. The feeling of leather ghosting her skin never failed to make her tingle. 

   “For now. The nausea comes and goes. Maybe some of that is normal. I don't really know, successful births were kinda rare in the slums.” Aerith chewed her bottom lip. Regretting not volunteering for more medical work outside of gathering plants. 

   “Worrying yields nothing. It's not a permanent illness.” The sentiment was only half empty. Sephiroth wasn't sure what to predict either, but his stance on finding a definitive cure remained true. He placed a hand beside her own. Wanting to feel for himself if any visible changes had occurred.

   “You could try to be more convincing.” Aerith leaned into his shoulder. A part of her realized she wouldn't have much value to him after giving birth. He just needed her around long enough to deliver successfully once for his theory to be tested. 

   She had a feeling once all her comrades knew the truth, none of them would want her to keep the thing. Deep down, the fear of disappointing them ate away at her. If she had to choose, Aerith might just raise it on her own. She'd return to Midgar alone like Cloud suggested before. Elmyra would thoroughly scold her. But Aerith knew her mom would secretly love the idea of the family growing. 

   That fantasy didn't leave room for Sephiroth though. No matter how hard she tried, Aerith couldn't figure how any future existed beyond his ideals. Yet Sephiroth undoubtedly wanted this the most. She couldn't help but wonder if his newfound interest in her would last the test of time. If the baby didn’t make it, or was simply human, he might move on from her all together. 

   He continued to knead and rub her stomach as though he'd never touched anything like it before. He expected to eventually hear another heartbeat. The pressure on a full stomach had her shifting in place. He touched her casually without question. She couldn’t remember how it got to a point where it felt so normal.  It didn’t help that the heat radiating off him was making her sleepy. 

   “Your comrades are useless. Call me the next time there’s trouble. It would appear you've learned to communicate in ways like mother.”

   “I don't want to be like you. Can't you tell that thing to be quiet?”

   “Hmm?”

   “Jenova is really annoying. She whispers to me sometimes.”

   “...you hear mother's call?”

   “More like harassment.” 

   Mother hadn't mentioned anything to him. He wasn't sure how that was possible. Mother and himself shared everything through one consciousness. He should have been aware if that were the case. 

   “Are you certain?” He leaned forward. Trying to find her face.

   “Mmhmm. It talks just like you. Very depressing and overly confident.” Sephiroth was about to probe further when a loud hissing pierced his ear. The noise was quickly followed by a sea of explosions. “Hey look!”

   Aerith sat up excitedly and pointed to the sky. The night became alive with varying warm colors and sparks. She'd only seen fireworks once before at the Gold Saucer. It was hard to remember them being this loud or close though. 

    Aerith's mouth opened as a canopy of manmade stars swam above before fizzling away. The moment one died, another colorful burst took its place. This sort of feat certainly wasn't possible under the plates. Midgar's smog was so thick she doubted even the wealthiest could enjoy fireworks topside. 

   “What do you think?!” Aerith shouted endearingly over the blasts. She grabbed Sephiroth's robe and shook him with her eyes glued to the lights. As expected, he didn’t share her enthusiasm. But she turned to him anyway, curious to know if he found the commotion at all interesting.

   But Sephiroth wasn't watching the show. He kept his head down with a hand over eyes. He didn't seem to hear her at all. Aerith stood to shield his face. Her hand tapped his shoulder and she leaned close to his ear.

   “Are you okay? Maybe we should go.”

   “These lights are vile.” Sephiroth took a deep breath and rubbed his temples. 

   “Huh?” If anything she expected him to complain about the noise like an old man. “Let me see.” Her hands tried taking his face but Sephiroth wasn't so compliant. Aerith crouched even further to fight for a glimpse of him. Only for a moment she was able to see those eerily green cat eyes. His pupils constricted so far she wasn't sure if the slits had completely closed up. 

   “Leave me be.” Sephiroth tried shooing her out of his bubble. 

   “Is this one of your secret weaknesses?” Aerith tried not to laugh. He certainly appeared to be in some pain. Though she couldn't say he didn't deserve it. He simply ignored her and continued to seal his eyes shut. 

   Aerith took one last glance at the spectacle before flipping her hood back up. They didn't actually have all night. For all she knew her friends were done eating. Alcohol would only slow them down so much. She grabbed Sephiroth's wrists and started pulling.

   “I'm bored. Take me somewhere else.” Sephiroth was still mute, but he didn't hesitate to come along. Allowing her to determine their path while his sight readjusted. Her pace slowed once they got closer to the main streets. “You should have said something.” Aerith tried peeking at his eyes again.

   “I have never subjugated myself to such treatment.” He blinked a few times in succession. Waiting for the tension between his brow to fade. 

   “You're not trying to have a bad night on purpose right?” Her pout deepened. Sephiroth might just be wasting her time. Looking for some excuse to take her back under the illusion of it being honest punishment for some bet she lost. 

   “If I wished to take you I'd have already done it.” A familiar warmth spread through her chest and her eyes widened. He was certainly good at mind games. Almost made her believe he just wanted to spend time with her. 

   “Over there, I haven't been that way yet.” She pointed to a nearby path decorated with vendors and a band playing music. Sephiroth responded by stepping closer. Waiting for her to lead. Aerith squeezed his hand and started moving again. Taking the son of Calamity shopping wasn’t exactly on her bucket list. But She decided long ago no day could be taken for granted. And Aerith had a feeling she wouldn't be seeing Costa del sol again anytime soon. 

   Handmade goods by the locals were always stunning. Cloth, jewelry and paper ornaments were unique to their crafter. Traveling light was non negotiable, but that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the view. Sephiroth suddenly halted under a tent of nicknacks. The stop was so sudden she almost fell backwards.

   “I've decided not to return it.” He stated matter of factly. “Pick a different one.” Her eyes fluttered to the shelves of ribbon and sparkly pins. Slowly remembering something he'd said in passing once before. 

   Aerith covered her mouth to muffle the small gasp. Sephiroth deliberately stole her pink bowtie weeks ago. He mentioned taking her out, and she had been the one to declare it a date. She didn't really mean it though. Didn't believe it would actually happen. 

   “You have to give it back.” Aerith glared after realizing what he meant. 

   “I can't seem to remember what's become of it.” He almost shrugged as though the keepsake meant nothing. 

   “Did you seriously lose it?”

   “Perhaps this makes us even.”

   “How so?!” Her voice almost cracked.

   “I don't recall my materia running away on its own.” Sephiroth reached into her hood and pulled free some hair. Watching it part through his fingers.

   “That's not the same thing at all.” Aerith huffed in disbelief. He was never going to let that one go. 

   “Shall I decide?” Sephiroth was already eyeing a few silky ropes. 

   Aerith couldn't help but stare. No one ever just bought her gifts for the sake of it. Let alone picked things they wanted to see her in. One moment Sephiroth would seem so aloof, but then get hung up on something so small. She couldn't understand his motivations at all. 

   “...nothing black.” She could already see what he was gravitating too. “And it can't be too heavy.” Aerith observed the displays more seriously. Her pink bow really was perfect. She doubted anything could truly replace it. Light pink ties of a similar fashion were strung along a table. She almost reached for one.

   “What is the point if it's the same?” Sephiroth scrutinized her obvious choice. 

   “The point is that I like it.” Aerith's fingers ghosted over a velvety tie. It was a bit thinner than her old one. Sephiroth tugged the edge of her robe his way. She stumbled before one of the vendor mirrors. 

   His long fingers coiled around her hood and pulled it back. One handful at a time he gathered her messy locks and smoothed them out. Her hair was still somewhat tangled from Madam M's previous makeover. 

   Aerith's eyes froze over her reflection. He was being so gentle. Her heart skipped the way he gave each swipe over her neck his full attention. After gathering every brown lock, he grabbed something dark blue and placed it behind her head. Positioning the ribbon in a way she might imagine it above her ponytail. Aerith shook her head no. The color reminded her of funerals. 

  Sephiroth put it back and repeated the process. Regathering her hair and stroking it a few times until every strand was secured between his fist. The slight tension on her scalp sent a wave of goosebumps down her back. After selecting something purple, he held it up again.

   “I don't think so.” Aerith was losing confidence in his tastes. “Do you only like dark things?” 

   “No.” He set the ribbon down. 

   “Could have fooled me.” She held the loose bits of her robe up. His bias should be obvious. Perhaps a lack of color was the only answer for him. 

   Sephiroth hummed in consideration. There was one shade that he often associated with satisfaction. Without another thought he brought a new piece to her hair and secured it in place. Aerith angled herself a bit to view it better. She caressed the soft fabric. A deep red. She didn't hate it. Most people associated the shade with passion or love. But Sephiroth was likely thinking of one's final moments before death. The color that most frequently decorated his blade. 

   “I'm not so sure...” She tried not to shudder. If he ever stabbed her again, a sea of crimson would be the last thing he saw of her. 

   “I like this one.” Sephiroth purred in her ear. Firmly planting both hands on her shoulders. Aerith could barely look at the bow. Distracted by his reflection. If he careened any further his lips would be on her throat. Watching his affections being displayed upon her like this had her mouth running dry. The parts of his porcelain face not hidden were undeniably beautiful. And that silver hair glimmered beneath the moonlight. Her entire body was turning uncomfortably hot. 

   Sephiroth stroked her ponytail again. Slowly letting the locks slip from his fingers and cascade along her backside. The silky ribbon tickled her nape as it fell. It mimicked the softness of his feathers. A smirk painted his face. Knowing full well she wasn't looking at the bow anymore. Aerith was positively frozen. He chuckled and wrapped an arm along her center until her backside was flush with him. 

   “Or should we try this again?” He whispered. Simultaneously tugging her hair free.

   Butterflies erupted into a violent storm below her gut. Aerith snatched the ribbon from his hand. She couldn't keep watching him stroke her hair lovingly while mouthing at her skin. 

   “This one is fine.” She shoved his arm off and fumbled with her hood. Sephiroth overpaid again but he didn’t care to speak. Dropping some coins and walking away. The merchants didn't seem to care much. They were hesitant to engage with anyone in robes anyways. None of the men in ominous black drapes ever spoke.

   Aerith walked silently until they were free of the main shopping crowd. She knew he was just a step behind. A few kids running past bumped into them. One turned to shout an apology but continued giggling without a care in the world. They didn't stop until their parents were in view. Holding their toys from the arcade and jumping into their fathers arms. Aerith stiffened under a palm tree.

   “Why did you let me stay?” She asked softly.

   “Why indeed.” He wasn't too keen on explaining the recent trips to Midgar and the scientists lab. 

   “Cloud doesn't get headaches lately. And I think he sleeps well. Is that supposed to be for me?”

   “Think of it what you will. From the start I said this life will be different.”

   “I need to know the reason. You're confusing me.” Aerith turned to him and leaned against the tree. “Should I just expect you to keep following me around quietly like this even though I ran away?”

   Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. She shouldn't expect anything of the sort. Even more with his child growing within her by the day. He certainly doesn't intend to share these upcoming moments with her comrades. Aerith will be in her most vulnerable state. 

   “I am not entirely without pity. You don't have a choice no matter how things unfold. So even if you think of this time away as a gift, it's only temporary. I only have so much mercy to give. And you've spent most of it.”

   “Pity huh?” Aerith wasn't exactly sure what sort of explanation she expected. Let alone wanted to hear. Though the idea of being given false kindness soured her. 

   “Is there something specific you're looking for? A reason you find worthy to accept?” Sephiroth tilted his head. Sugar coating her situation was pointless. He knew she wouldn't appreciate it anyways. 

   “Gee I don't know. Maybe that you had some self awareness. That you cared I was miserable in that house so you wanted to let me breathe. That I was lonely and now you're trying to make it up. That you care about me at all. I'm kind of carrying a piece of you.” Aerith crossed her arms and glared. Anything might be better than some half hearted charity. 

   “Ah, you want me to sing a song of affection.” A chuckle reverberated deep within his chest. Just wanting to stay close seemed too obvious. “Yes, you've soiled my mind to a point that being away is quite unbearable.” 

   Sephiroth reached for her even though she flinched. He could see she was conflicted. It's exactly where he wanted her to be. Cloud wasn't such an easy choice these days. And a baby forced her to get invested in ways she never thought possible. Aerith was part Cetra. A mother and child of the planet's very essence. Sephiroth expected her instincts to push her towards nurturing those less fortunate. Even if that meant a baby born of great evil. 

   He predicted she would accept the pregnancy from the moment he saw her praying for every worthless life at the capital. She called it “hers ” once, less than his. He expects she’ll abandon her friends if she must for it. Because deep down Aerith is perhaps the loneliest person he's ever met. She reminds him painfully of his younger self. And Sephiroth knows if he offers himself up, she'll bite. If the timing is right, Aerith won't refuse someone trying to remain by her side willingly. It's his offspring too after all. He pities her greatly, because he's going to make her unable to live without him. 

   “I am here precisely because I want to see you. I am sick of waiting, Aerith. Perhaps you are too.” Sephiroth rested a palm above her on the tree. Bending down far enough to catch a glint of moonlight in her eyes. “I can only love you so much if you're not there.”

   Aerith almost lost her footing as her back slipped off the trunk. The phrase sounded wrong on his tongue. Sephiroth snatched the front of her robe to reel her back in. 

   “Cut that out,” she snapped. 

   “But you wanted a reason. I'm not sure how else to make you understand. You swore to give your entire being to me. And I can't wait to collect.”

   Aerith felt her back press into the tree. A part of her shamelessly wanted him to say he'd grown fond of her. She started to miss him for whatever stupid reasons she could come up with. She didn't want to be the only idiot feeling that way.

   “How fun has it truly been? Do your friends know the ways you serviced me? The things you crave?” 

   “I'm going to tell them.” Aerith's tone was defensive. She blushed for answering too quickly. The truth would come eventually, but the gritty details should remain private.

   “Yet you've already had so much time. Are you embarrassed of me, or yourself?”

   “Your memory sure is fuzzy. The beginning isn't all sunshine, and I'm not really looking forward to that conversation.” 

   “So that's it.“ Sephiroth sighed. He took her face between both hands. Her cheeks were incredibly warm. “How frightened you were then. Not at all like these eyes now.” His gaze flickered over her. As if trying to remember her first few nights. She tried to shrink away from him. Now she tries stuffing him into a shape she can manage. Her fingernails were already digging into his wrists and trying to hold him even more tightly.

   “Are you sorry at all? Regardless of everything, I still haven't forgiven you.”

   “Sorry? You mean if I regret. It had to happen eventually. Human hearts are too fickle to wait for naturally. Though, if it had to be done again, I might change a few things.”

   Tears of disappointment trickled over. Aerith knew an actual apology was doubtful, but it still stung. Sephiroth's pupils dilated. His thumbs wiping away at her stream. He had to remind himself not to show too much excitement. 

   “These emotions feed me, Aerith. Your pain is one of the most divine things to ever run through my veins. I do wish you could feel it too.” His lashes fell to those quivering lips. Surely holding back various insults and curses meant just for him. “I wonder, how many ugly emotions did you carry before this? Did you share them at all? Or did you smile in the labs?”

   “I told you I don't want these feelings. I just want to have peace in the end. I want to know they're all going to be safe. And you're ruining it all.”

   “Keeping away won't undo your suffering. They're  blind to your fate, Shinra still seeks you, and that boy is destined to live beside another. This world does not favor you. Return with me, and all of those things fade.” Aerith sniffled to keep her nose from running. She wasn't going to cry. Her emotions were scattered. She supposed she snapped at Nanaki earlier. But she hated the way she liked feeling his body on her the most. 

   “And I'm supposed to just give up and believe you wont hurt me?”

   “Yes, you are mine. This future exists because of my will, it was not by mistake.” His hand traveled to the place above her stomach. She was his the moment he laid eyes on her. He just needed her to see it. Aerith recoiled into the tree. Its grooves pressing through her cape. 

   “This is wrong.” Her pulse quickened. This universe shouldn’t exist at all. With all these deviant feelings clouding her judgment. 

   “I am never wrong. You are stubborn.” Sephiroth sensed the unease swirling around. He laughed and boxed her in. Rubbing slowly at the curve of her waist. “Do you truly not wish to be touched?”

   “Don’t change the subject.” Aerith tried grabbing his wrist. “I know what you’re do-”

   “Tell me you don’t like it. Tell me about here? Or here?” He seized her wandering hand and brought it to his lips. Mouthing at the delicate surface. He set a trail of kisses down her forearm without taking his eyes off her. Aerith’s mouth slightly parted, trying to conjure up any reasonable protest. But no sound would come out. She loved the feeling of him so much it irritated her. She blamed half of her discomfort since leaving on just not being able to hold him.

   “I have to stay. There are people here that need my help.” She yanked her arm back and he came with it. Making work of the clasp around her shoulders and pulling it open.

   “And who’s helping you? You hunger so deeply for this. What kind of dreams about I were those exactly? I'd love to get a peek.” Sephiroth's lips were on her neck. Tracing a path to where the previous bite mark was still healing. Aerith’s breath hitched when she felt his tongue. His fingers quickly tangled around her head to keep her from moving.

   She never said anything about indecent dreams. She tried remembering if she ever let it slip, but the mouth nibbling at her collar was awfully distracting. Keeping anything private proved a challenge. Her thoughts would randomly find him these days. Aerith cringed remembering the time he spoke back when she attempted to touch herself. 

   Sephiroth suddenly squeezed her breast and a thin moan escaped her. She bit down on her lower lip shamefully. Whoever changed her into the loungewear decided a bra wasn’t necessary. 

   “That's it…” He hummed against her skin happily and squeezed again. The heat growing at her center quickly spread until her limbs felt like jelly. “So sensitive.” He smiled and started hiking up her shirt. Aerith's heart was racing. Even if it was pitch black out, they were still in the middle of the park. He grabbed her a bit rougher, trying to provoke more sweet sounds. 

   A light flickering in the distance suddenly caught her attention. Her eyes were only half open but it didn’t seem like any normal street light. She blinked a few times and her heart sank. Nanaki’s tail was whipping around as he strolled along with the others. Heading straight for Johnny’s seaside inn. Aerith began pulling at Sephiroth more desperately. Though he was still fully absorbed in seeing just how much he could undress. 

   “Stop, we have to go back.” 

   “But we’re just getting started.” Sephiroth pet her stomach and glanced to the side. The buster sword shone under the moonlight even at a distance. 

   “Haven't you bothered me enough tonight? Take me back.”

   “Answer me first, Aerith.” His grip remained solid despite her squirming. Aerith watched them disappear behind a corner and gulped. 

   “I… I like being touched by you, sometimes.” Her voice was but a whisper. 

   “Oh? But this Cetra does know how to lie.” Aerith huffed through her nose. 

   “What do you want from me?” She pulled her shirt back down and began shimmying herself upright. If she grabbed his face that might stop him momentarily. 

   “I told you, satisfy me.”
    Aerith wanted more than anything to wipe that smug look off his face. She lunged forward and kissed him. The rushed movement made it a bit more forceful than intended but she found his lips easily. He’d been teasing her all night yet she hadn’t taken anything for herself. She could have drowned in this moment, her entire body screamed for release. Her hormones kept her on the edge all week without taking her the full way. Their lips parted with a gasp. But that wasn’t enough for him, and she clasped a hand over his mouth. 

   “I’m thinking about it!” She blurted. “I know I can’t hide forever.” The words made her mouth dry. She wasn’t even successfully hidden as is. He was right here, just as he’d been at bone village. He was always a step behind and above her. “Can’t you wait just a bit more?” 

   Sephiroth foraged through her eyes for some truth. He wanted to reclaim her, but he also wanted to hear her ask for it. He wanted to hear her beg. Aerith might be closer to the tipping point than he thought. 

   “We’ll see.” Sephiroth pushed the remainder of her cloak free and let it fall to the ground. It only took a second to tear his own off. In a swift scoop he collected the small girl into his arms and took off. Aerith quickly remembered how much she hated flying. Squeezing her arms around his neck without remorse. 

Chapter Text

   The jump to Johnny's inn was only a few seconds for Sephiroth. He caught a glimpse of her group stumbling before its sandy entrance. The tacky inn had no windows. Allowing him access from the back as silently as he found her. 

   Aerith groaned once his feet hit the floor. He ought to be scolded for taking off like that. Her brain was half scrambled. But if they didn’t get caught, she’d bite her tongue. 

   “Quickly.” She tapped his chest and pointed to the bed. The sound of Barret's drunk rambles were beginning to echo from outside. Sephiroth lowered her to the bed slowly and pressed the ribbon into her hand. 

   “Do let me know if your dreams require company.” Aerith smacked his shoulder and shoved him away. If Sephiroth had been spying on her dreams too she'd rather die now.  

   “Get out of here already.” She whispered and slid under the covers. 

   He had to return north eventually. Hojo was mumbling about some prototype. And knowing Aerith didn't have the black materia, only a few guesses remained of where it might be. Aerith smoothed out the new ribbon as he turned away. The color was almost identical to her jacket. Maybe Sephiroth was more perceptive to fashion than she thought. 

   “Thanks I guess. For tonight.” She muttered softly. Sephiroth paused for a moment. He didn't consider the evening something that required gratitude. She didn’t even finish the fireworks show. But when he looked back her cheeks were faintly pink again. Perhaps frustrated to have enjoyed his company at all.

   Aerith jolted when she heard several footsteps approaching outside her door. She scrambled to a flat position. Swatting her hand in the air frantically to signal him to leave. Half of him would love to see their faces if he walked out the front door. But he'd let her squirm a bit longer. Sephiroth slipped back into the night once the door knob started to jiggle. 

   “Shhh, she might still be asleep.” Tifa snuck in first. She had a finger on her lip but Nanaki shoved past anyway. 

   “And let this glorious food go to waste?” Yuffie hiccupped between slurred words. She swiped one too many refills from Cid regardless of her age. She stuck her head through the door and bumped Tifa.

   “Bed Yuffie, now .” Cloud snapped at the ninja and grabbed her by the collar. Promptly pushing her down the hall in Barret’s direction. “Watch her.” 

   “Sheesh, you guys are no fun.” Yuffie tossed the takeout at Cloud and pushed out her tongue. When he turned back to Aerith's room, Tifa was already standing over her. He placed the food on a nearby desk. 

   “Still asleep?” He asked.

   “It seems so.” Tifa chewed the inside of her mouth and brushed away Aerith's hair. Her neck was redder than she remembered. The old bruise was still on her collar, but now a new one had appeared next to it. 

   “Red, you good?” Cloud watched Nanaki sniff the perimeter of the room like a mad dog. 

   “I think, I shall stay here tonight.” He stopped at the foot of her bed.

   “Something wrong?” Cloud instinctively reached for his sword. 

   “No. I just feel like it.” Nanaki reassured him. Tifa nodded at the idea and pulled the blanket over Aerith's shoulders. She still couldn't shake this bad feeling. Even after getting a few drinks in her system.  

   Cloud moved beside her to get a closer look. He was afraid she'd be hungry. But seeing her so peaceful now, he guessed there was nothing to worry about. Since her return nights were difficult. He remembers her screams, the knife kissing her throat. Her face grew dull and sunken the following days. Yet now she looked perfectly normal. Colorful and round. Cloud almost touched her cheek but decided against it. He brushed Tifa's arm instead.

   “C'mon. We've got a lot to do tomorrow.” Tifa nodded and followed him out.

   Nanaki exhaled after a moment of silence. Aerith's effort was commendable, but he nudged her hand with a wet nose anyway.

    “You can open your eyes now. It's only me.” She slowly peeked through her lashes. A bit embarrassed to have been caught pretending. 

   “That obvious? I was trying to sleep though.” Aerith yawned. 

   “Was that before or after your little adventure?” His tone hit a nerve. As if she needed permission.

   “Hey, you guys left me in a pinch. He was gonna hang around if I didn't do something.”

   “They said you were sick when we met up. That you ate something funny.”

   “I don't remember, Sep- he brought medicine I guess.” Aerith sat up and held her forehead. Realizing how silly it all sounded. “I'm fine now.” 

   “Are you hungry?” Nanaki motioned to the bag of food. There was no use in grilling her over it. It’s not like she could fight the madman off. Though he didn't expect her not to fight at all. Almost seemed like she didn’t mind his ominous visits.

   She sniffed the air. More fried fish and it smelled delicious. Aerith couldn't believe her mouth was watering again.

   “Yeah, will you bring it?” Nanaki hopped over and took the bag between his canines. Dropping it in her lap. Aerith licked her lips and moved to the edge of the bed. She was borderline starving. 

   “Don't eat too fast. You'll choke.” He scolded as his tail whipped across the floorboards. Aerith smiled at him through messy bites and patted the bed beside her. 

   “No one else is around, you can sleep up here.” Nanaki cleared his throat and looked over his shoulder a few times. That wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of him. But after a moment he climbed up and sprawled out more comfortably. Aerith giggled and fed him a few bits of fish. 

   “I don't like this at all. How many times is he going to come and go in the night? I can't cover you forever.”

   “He just wanted to see me. I might have called him by accident, he thought I was in trouble.” Aerith crumpled up the takeout bag and threw it at the nearest bin. 

   “Called? Like a number?”

   “No, he's in my head. And he knows I'm pregnant.” There was a second of silence before Nanaki's fur began to ruffle. 

   “Aerith you can't stay here anymore, we need to hide you immediately. We have to tell Cloud.”

   “I know. I'm running out of time, but I just can’t seem to do it.” She gripped the sheets.

   “Then we fight the next time he comes. Stop trying to do this by yourself.” He glared at the open windows.

   “What if I can distract him for a bit? Give Cloud enough time to find himself. Sephiroth doesn't have the black materia yet. I can stall.” She began to wonder if this was the best option. If Cloud fought Sephiroth before he got the materia. Holy might not be necessary at all.

   “You mean to let him take you? That's absurd. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

   “No, I want to live. So much.” Aerith groaned and flopped back onto the bed. If she could have died, it would all be set right. 

   “I don't understand.” Nanaki crawled beside her. 

   “I might have promised I'd go back. It's why he's being so… quiet.” 

   “Aerith, that is a terrible idea. He's manipulating you.” Nanaki wished he'd fought harder to keep her inside the inn today. 

   “It's not just that. I keep trying to make sense of it, but how can this work if I stay here?” Aerith slowly rubbed her stomach. She tried to imagine going through late stages of labor fighting monsters. 

   “We’ll make it work. My village is more than qualified to help you deliver. Cloud will understand. Nothing good will come of being around that man.”

   “Nanaki... I think I miss him. Sometimes, I feel less scared when I see him.” Aerith winced at her own confession.

   “That's just an illusion. You're bonded because of the infant, that feeling will go away after birth.” He pleaded her to reason, but Aerith kept staring at the ceiling.

   “Hey, let's sleep. I don't wanna think about this anymore.”

   “Aerith you-mph!” She rolled over and latched onto his fur. Pulling him into an embrace and scratching his ears.

   “We’ll talk about it tomorrow,” she mumbled. Nanaki tried wiggling free but her eyes were closed. He knew she wouldn't want to discuss it again. 

- - -

   Aerith was not prepared to be woken by incessant hammering at the door. Cloud came by first like the drill sergeant he was. She cursed the sun coming too soon. Nanaki must have gotten up hours ago and left her to rest. 

   “Heya.” Aerith greeted him groggily. Swinging the door wide open and shifting a hand through her tangled hair. She tugged her top languidly over her midriff to straighten herself. He swallowed and took a step away. She used to always be ready before him. But these days she’s almost too casual. Sleepy eyed and drowning in wrinkled lounge wear. Her shirt was loose, but that didn't hide the fact she wasn't wearing a bra. 

   “Are you feeling better?” Cloud caught himself staring and quickly averted his eyes. 

   “Yep, coulda done with more sleep though.” Aerith was rubbing here eyes when a rumble vibrated through her stomach. 

   “Breakfast is ready.” Cloud pointed behind himself and she covered herself shyly. 

   “Can't leave 'em waiting then.” She made it one step before Cloud took her shoulders and pushed her back in. 

   “Maybe get changed first.” He said lifting a bag. Aerith beamed.

   “You got our clothes back.”

   “Madam was pissed though. She was screaming about some mess when we came back.” His words suddenly left Aerith very awake. She'd have to explain that .

   “So, how'd it go last night? I don't remember much after the party.” She started separating her items onto the bed. 

   “Fine. You got food poisoning, so we brought you back first. Tifa said something about a key?” Cloud decided not to mention the drugs. Next time he'd remind her not to eat things given by strangers. 

   “That's right!” Everything on the balcony was slowly coming back. Without finishing the first task, Aerith ran to the closest. The key should be in a pocket of that ball gown along with the man's ID. Cloud made himself comfortable and noticed the takeout was gone. Though Nanaki could have swiped it last minute. 

   “Ah, there it is.” She cracked a smile. Cloud thought she really did look brighter since yesterday. Old Aerith was slowly coming back to him.

   ”I'm glad you're okay.” He muttered a little too loudly. Not really planning to say anything at all. 

   “Why wouldn't I be?” She swung both arms out. The perfect picture of health. “Thanks for dinner by the way. Nanaki told me about it.” She moved back to the bed to resume getting her clothes.

   “Don't mention it.” Cloud kept to the wall with a detached expression. Hiding how smitten he was to have remembered to bring something back. Aerith threw a grey dress over her arm and reached for her red jacket. Cloud didn't realize he was glaring. He couldn't stomach looking at that anymore. A constant reminder about what he didn't know. 

   “Leave it.” He snatched the denim from her hand. 

   “Cloud!” Aerith reached out but his arm was too high. The childish gesture surprised even him a bit. 

   “It's hot out today. You don't need it.” 

   “I'll let you know myself if it's too hot.” Aerith jumped to her toes. Her hair bounced around freely and Cloud blinked a few times. A little pink mark decorated the top of her collarbone. Just barely visible at the edge of her shirt. 

   “Hey you guys ready? Everyone's downstairs.” Tifa tapped on the door frame and came in. 

   “Yeah, just a sec.” Aerith reached around Cloud and plucked her jacket while he was distracted. He opened his mouth but she skipped to the bathroom without looking back. Cloud was struggling to hold back his irritation. He almost grunted before walking out with his fists tightly wound. Tifa raised an eyebrow. That was strange, but she had something else on her mind. 

   “You were pretty out of it last night.” She said and let herself in. Sinking onto the bed. 

   “That's what I keep hearing.” Aerith quickly slipped into her dress from behind the shower. Staring at the red ribbon in her palm. 

   “Do you remember anything?” Tifa drawled. Picking at the bed sheet with her finger.

   “Everything's kinda fuzzy after we got Cloud.” She took a deep breath and started pulling up her hair. She'd never felt so nervous because of an accessory before.

   “Yeah, I meant after that. You were half awake when I put you to bed.” She shuffled her feet. Maybe she should just spit it out.

   “So you changed my clothes.” Aerith peeked her head around the corner and smiled with relief. Exhaling with a hand on her chest. 

   “... who else?” Tifa tilted her head. She couldn't exactly rely on Yuffie for that sort of thing. Aerith's face went blank for a second. Realizing it was weird to assume otherwise. But she wouldn't put it past Sephiroth to take liberties. 

   “We can't keep them waiting for us. You never skip breakfast right?” Aerith ran around and took Tifa's hand. Changing the subject was easy. Tifa dreaded confrontation. Aerith felt a little sorry for taking advantage of that.

   Breakfast was just pre packaged cereal on an outdoor picnic table. Johnny hadn't quite figured out everything , but it's the thought that counts. Aerith couldn't really say she cared, she just had to eat something. Now. 

   Cloud made it his job to assess everyone and count heads. Even the one loner hanging back in the shadows. His eye twitched seeing Aerith come down in those clothes again. He’d kick himself in the ass if he could. He knew he was being unreasonable. But that wasn’t all. Her hair was finally braided again. And the bow was different. When did she get that exactly? 

   Barret scoffed at the sugary raisin bran and shoved it aside. He'd had enough booze last night to hold him over till he got some real food. Yuffie however was more than happy to take his share. 

   “So how long are we supposed to wait Merc?” Barret grumbled.

   “We’ll get there. Aerith doesn't know yet.” Cloud stood to the side. As usual, refusing to partake in breakfast.

   “Eumph?” Aerith pried herself away from an overflowing bowl. Mouth stuffed with crispy cereal. Tifa snorted and flicked away a piece stuck to the side of her mouth. 

   “While we were at the hotel, they kept watch over that cargo ship.” Tifa said while pouring herself some milk. 

   “And whaddya know. More crates by the dozens got unloaded after dark. All headed to that old Mansion outside of town.” Barret shook his head.

   “Looked big enough to hold people.” Yuffie slammed her spoon on the table. 

   “We won't get far if we go up guns first.” Cloud side eyed Barret. He knows that's what Avalanche would do. But there were times a more tactical approach was needed. Aerith swallowed and nodded her head. Already getting the gist. 

   “If Don Corneo is in charge, we have to be careful.” Tifa said. 

   “How the hell is he with Shinra anyways? Thought the rat went bankrupt after the plate fell.” Barret said and Aerith suddenly dropped her hands. The patrons at last night's party must have been filthy rich. Hoping to accumulate something beyond simple sexual connections. But the nature of it was more than scandalous.

   “To sell Wutaian girls… he's making the money back.” Aerith blurted. Everyone was quiet as Aerith mulled it over. But she couldn't understand why Shinra would risk all that just to give a few wealthy employees a good time.

   “Sounds disgusting enough to be true,” Tifa fumed. They were in a similar situation not too long ago. 

   “I'll kill him!” Yuffie shot to her feet when a metal glove shoved her right back down. 

   “Cool it. The northern camps are led by Hojo. Maybe these problems aren't related.” Cloud said with a sigh. This little side adventure was turning into one massive headache. 

   “That guy last night tried to invite me to, ya know, an event at the mansion. He mentioned Wutaian's specifically.” Aerith spoke while staring into the soggy bits of cereal swirling around her bowl. She could go for seconds. 

   “What?!" Cloud's head snapped in her direction. "Why didn't you say-” 

   “You could say I got us an invite.” Aerith quickly pulled up the stolen ID with their right of passage to stop Cloud from spiraling. She looked rather proud of herself but Cloud wasn't amused. The guests couldn’t stop touching him. He had to assume it was the same for her. 

   “He just, gave it to you?” Tifa reached for the key in disbelief. This would make getting in a hell of a lot easier.

   “Not exactly, there was an accident. And he died.” Cid and Barret simultaneously choked on their coffee. Although Cloud and Tifa glanced at each other nervously. They thought she was kidding last night and high off her mind. 

   “Not bad, miss gardener,” Yuffie snorted and broke out into a laugh. Barret nudged her arm. He didn't really care himself, but it wasn't in him to joke about the dead.

   Aerith didn't see any reason to mention Tseng. The situation was complicated enough. And they still didn't understand what any of this had to do with the war. Maybe it was stress. But she reached for more cereal. 

   “You know what this means.” Aerith raised an eyebrow at Cloud and he groaned.

   “Let me guess.” He was sick of dressing up. 

   “I guess you're our escort tonight, Mr. Albert .” Tifa passed Cloud the shady ID after reading the front. The man was in his fifties if it wasn't fake. 

   “How did he die?” Cloud shoved the card in his pocket. Disgusted at the thought of posing as the creep. Aerith took her time chewing. He just had to ask.

   “We're still eating here ya' know. Gotta start the day off right my mom always says.” Aerith went back to stuffing her face and Clouds frown deepened.

   Aerith deliberately kept herself unavailable for further questions. Ignoring Cloud all together and keeping Barret busy. He was always more than happy to talk about Marlene. Tifa herself smiled thinking of home. She missed the slums, her bar. But nostalgia kept getting swallowed by unease. Every time she looked at Aerith, she wanted to ask things she shouldn't. She didn't remember Aerith buying a bowtie yesterday. 

   Aerith smiled and watched her friends chatter all morning. But the desire to get away grew harder to swallow. She spent so much of her life without companions. Yet now she had them and couldn't speak the worries on her tongue. Aerith wanted to ask Barret about how he faced parenthood alone. Was it scary in the beginning? When did he realize things were going to get better? Did he want more children? Was Marlene even planned? 

   Aerith imagines how Barret might congratulate and hug her if he found out. What sort of words of comfort Cloud might stumble over while Tifa tries to guess the newborns features. But then she hears that question. 

    Who's the father?

   Being around them feels like standing before a confessional. It makes Aerith fidget. She picks at her nails while Yuffie winks at her for getting the upper hand last night. Aerith strokes her braid only to be reminded of the new velvety secret. Her silent betrayal. All while Cloud silently watches her from the corner of his eye with crossed arms. A bit of sweat pricks her neck. She has to tell him. 

   Aerith takes a deep breath and lightly shakes the front flaps of her jacket for air. Maybe it is too hot. Or the jacket is reminding her of more uncomfortable lies.

   “...Aerith? AERITH.”

   Aerith jumps out of her seat when Cloud's hand comes down on her shoulder. She didn't notice anyone talking. Her eyes meet that beautiful Mako gaze and she gulps. She immediately corrects the trace of fear in her face but not fast enough. Cloud's eyes are narrowing. 

   “Ya know I was just thinking. This will probably be our last day here. I'm gonna look around a bit more.” Aerith put her hands together excitedly as if clapping away the strange atmosphere. 

   “Alone?” Tifa asked. Peeking over her shoulder and away from the others chatter.

   “Yeah, I’m not in the mood for anything exciting. Just window shopping.” 

   “I'll go with you.” Cloud said and stepped closer.

   “Thought you didn’t like going out on dates?” Aerith mocked with a giggle. She knew he’d rather stay out of crowds. But the way his frown thinned afterwards made her regret it. Of course Cloud preferred being included in things. 

   “I’ll go. I haven’t seen much of anything myself.” Nanaki brushed past her legs.

- - -

   This wasn’t exactly what Aerith had in mind, even if she supposed it was better to be with the one who knew her secret. Though she wasn’t excited to pick up from last night. But Nanaki was fairly casual as they wandered the streets of Costa del sol. Keeping an eye out for unsuspecting guests. 

   “I’m not just gonna run off you know.” Aerith said while stopping to buy a fried sausage. Nanaki coughed. Realizing he’d been far too focused on the sky.  

   “Of course I do. But one can never be too careful.” 

   “Sure you do.” Aerith shook her head and started walking again. It took all but three bites to nearly finish the savory snack. There was an uncomfortable tightness in her stomach. Waves of nausea came and went. But more than that was the insatiable hunger.  

   Aerith tossed her napkins away and froze before the trash can. Her reflection stilled in the window of a small boutique. Delicate little garments were strung along the display and Aerith's hand subconsciously found her stomach. Once more she wondered if the slight pudge was from the food or not. 

   “What do you anticipate the sex will be?” Nanaki asked curiously.

   “I haven’t thought about it.” Her attention remained glued to the tiny jumpers. She wasn’t sure she cared about the gender. Did Sephiroth care? 

   “Well, you may not wish to linger.” Nanaki’s tail whipped past her skirt. “We’re not really alone.” 

   Aerith quickly adjusted herself and turned away. She had a feeling Cloud was hovering when they passed the fountain earlier, but chalked it up to a coincidence. But if Nanaki still sensed him, there was no mistake. She started to think maybe she was avoiding him too much. For a time just breathing the same air as Cloud made her happy. Now it made her feel like a terrible person. Their relationship wasn’t so comfortable anymore. 

   Nanaki followed her through the parks and to the shoreline. She had her eyes locked on a bench overlooking the water. The same bench that was illuminated by fireworks last night. She couldn’t imagine Sephiroth just walking through some small town with her and sitting by the waves. Yet he did. Bought her a gift and sat through her meal. Almost human.  

   Aerith sighed and slowly lowered herself onto the bench. The scenery was different in the day. She wondered if Sephiroth liked the sunlight. She associated him with creatures of the night, but he was surprisingly busy in the day. She hissed softly and clutched her side.

   “What’s the matter?” Nanaki plopped in front of her. 

   “Ohh, these cramps.” Aerith rubbed her side. Her tits were always sore before they left bone village, but the burn kept spreading. The aches moved to her shoulders and hips. She could almost feel it in her bones.

   “You probably ate too fast.” Nanaki spoke dryly and Aerith glared at him. “Or not, my apologies.” 

   “I should have asked for more.” Aerith whined.

   “We could go to a restaurant. Although you just had breakfast, you might get ill.” 

   “No, not that.” Aerith shifted in her seat. “Sephiroth brought me some sort of tonic. Said it was from the lifestream.” Nanaki’s fur visibly ruffled from the sound of that name. Something about the way it rolled off her tongue so easily put him on edge.

   Aerith hadn't mentioned to him much outside of the doctor’s pills. He wondered how long she’d been taking this strange substance. If thats why she’d been looking so normal lately. Nanaki’s claws kneaded against the soil anxiously. He realized there was something between them he couldn't see. Was Sephiroth visiting her daily now? Aerith shied away from expressing discomfort surrounding the pregnancy. It stung to think she’d confide in their enemy of all things. 

   “Just how often are you seeing him?” Nanaki leaned over to nuzzle his nose against her stomach. Listening for any abnormality. Humans were so fragile.

   Aerith knew it wasn’t exactly Sephiroth’s fault, but a part of her was angry. She was stuck suffering with his child and he wasn’t even here. Her body would end up through all nine stages of hell before it was done.   

   “Not often enough.” Aerith groaned before she could think. Even as a joke that was far too honest. Nanaki slowly backed away and she bit her lip till it stung. “I’m sorry, forget I said that.” Nanakis' eyes sunk to the ground.  

   “I don’t want to lose you, Aerith. You got me out of that horrid lab. All the darkness and loneliness, I can still smell it. The scent isn’t that different from him, or you now. I think you’re making a mistake if you go back.” 

   “I can handle myself more than you think. And I got to see so much because of you all. I don't regret anything.” Aerith's smile was a bit strained. 

   Nanaki hated the look in her eyes. What were the chance's they'd ever meet again? Would Sephiroth let her go after she gave birth? Nanaki couldn't imagine him keeping her around for the sake of it. Yet Aerith was already making up her mind. His ear flicked the moment he heard footsteps rustle in the grass. He looked up at her earnestly.

  “Tell Cloud first, Aerith. It’s best that you do.” 

   Aerith snapped her head to the side and realized Cloud wasn’t that far off. He eventually decided it was silly to sneak around. Nanaki took a moment to stretch. Sauntering off once the ex-Soldier was in earshot. Aerith wasn't sure if she should be grateful for the privacy. 

   “What are you doing?” Cloud asked and glanced at Nanaki. Wondering what made him leave. 

   “Thinking.” Aerith perked up. She closed her eyes and tried to organize how the hell she'd explain this to him. 

   “About your future self?” He asked.

   “Heh, kind of.” Aerith's fingers slightly shook in her lap. Her stomach was in knots. 

   “So? Does she know what to do?” Cloud stared at her ribbon. Trying hard to remember if he'd ever seen it and simply forgotten.

   “Not at all. I'm starting to think my future self doesn't like me very much.” Aerith shook her head.

   “Sure doesn't sound like somebody I'd like.” 

   “Probably not. Guess I shouldn't have said something like loving her.” Aerith gave a half hearted laugh and scratched the back of her head.

   “That's a bit too late,” Cloud muttered. Aerith felt her heart skip. He took a seat beside her. Staring the waves as if he hadn't just said that. 

   Aerith swallowed and fidiled with her skirt. “I have to tell him.” She thought. “I have to say something.”

   Cloud didn't seem to mind the silence, but it was eating her alive. Aerith looked at him and could only think of how Sephiroth sat there not too long ago. He'd been rubbing her belly in this very spot. She kissed him. Aerith's face started to grow hot. She gasped and squeezed her eyes shut. She needed to forget about him right now. 

   “What?” Cloud jerked forward. 

   “Actually, I was thinking that maybe you were right.” Aerith clenched her skirt for courage. 

   “Hm?” His cold demeanor softened. Aerith peeked back at him. The subtle breeze shifted his golden hair over those deep Mako eyes so perfectly. She didn't want to hurt this person. Anyone but Cloud. 

   “About me going back to Midgar. I'll just slow you guys down if I stay.” When she did find Sephiroth, her disappearance wouldn't be noted if he believed her to be at home.

   Cloud suddenly tensed as his expression scrunched into something unpleasant. He only mentioned that at first because he thought she might not improve. But she was better, he thought that awful idea was long forgotten.

   “I hurt Vincent once already, and I caused trouble for you again last night.” She tried to speak casually, like it was the logical choice.

   “You're not slowing us down. Did something happen?” Cloud fumbled with his pocket to make sure the key and man's ID was still there. Aerith did lots in her own way. No one blamed her for not being able to fight until her full strength was back. 

   “Not right away. But I should head back once we leave Costa del sol.” Aerith sighed. It would be a long ride back. Maybe Cid could get her close to Midgar. 

   Cloud scowled, he couldn't understand the shift. Aerith was distancing herself from him, he was sure of that now. She couldn't even look him in the eye. Cloud couldn't help but stare at her collar. It was covered by the jacket, but he remembered this morning. 

   “What happened last night?” His voice was cold. Aerith's eyes widened. Nanaki couldn't have said anything. Cloud grabbed her arm. “You wouldn't just kill someone for a passcode.” The pounding of Aerith's heart calmed only slightly. She practically forgot about that. The only thing eating her mind was Sephiroth. 

   Cloud decided something must have scared her off. He didn't know why she didn't just ask for help. Aerith flinched when she felt cold metal on her neck. Cloud's fingers were coiling around her jacket and pulling it away. 

   “Cloud!” Her face instantly flushed. Scrambling to cover her neck with her own hand. She also forgot about the hickey. But now the memory of Sephiroth sucking and biting at her neck was filling her head. Cloud's frown only deepened when he realized how desperately she tried to squirm away and cover herself. Like she knew exactly what he was looking for. 

   “I shouldn't have left you alone with him, I promised to protect you. All of us will. You're safer with us.” Cloud was practically pleading. Suddenly unsure of what he'd do if she left. Everything got more colorful the day they met. His relationships with everyone got easier. He could relax sometimes. Even if the planet was on its last leg. 

   “But it's easier if you don't have to, right?” Aerith took her other hand and squeezed his wrist.  

   “No. It's not easier.” Cloud wanted to shred her jacket into a million pieces and toss it into the sea. 

   “Cloud, I need you to let go.” Aerith said sternly. She abandoned the idea of pulling him off and slid a palm gently over his cheek. His shoulders were stiff. A pained look darted across his face before he finally eased back. 

   “Are you angry with me? Was there something I missed?” He sounded so defeated. Aerith was spending more time alone. She didn't seem to need him anymore. And each time he lost sight, things happened in the shadows. Always just out of reach. 

   “Of course not. I just want you all to be safe.” Aerith's hand started to slip away once he calmed down. But Cloud promptly pressed it back to his face.

   “Then stay.” He smiled awkwardly. Those beautiful bluish green eyes steadied on her and Aerith's heart dropped. He looked like someone in love. 

Chapter Text

   Aerith couldn't find any words to ease the awkward stroll to Johnny's inn. When Cloud asked her to stay, she was unable to press the issue further. A part of her realized in that moment, no matter what he did, she'd have to go. 

   Aerith eventually just suggested they go back. She didn't want to sit there any longer. Thinking about fireworks and babies and Sephiroth while staring at Cloud's sweet face. He was going to hate her. It was making her nauseous. 

   His smile was so unfair. All she could do was nod in agreement. A false sense of peace, it's all she had to offer. Sephiroth was a poison that spread through every minute she spent next to Cloud. Aerith started to think the guilt wasn't just from the things she'd done with him in secret, but the notion she didn't regret them. 

   Nanaki's ears twitched the moment their feet hit the sandy entrance. He immediately sat on his hind legs  and stared at Aerith with anticipation. She just shook her head with a pained expression. The window of opportunity kept shrinking. 

- - -

   Hojo's nose scrunched till his forehead creased along the edge of his glasses. Like everything, he'd reached an unsatisfying impasse. Sephiroth would expect some half baked cure by now. And he certainly didn't want his last living sample to die yet. But Sephiroth refused to deliver the girl's blood.

   Something to kill off the surplus of J-cells might have been simple. But Hojo refused to destroy Jenova. The marvel of a half bred Ancient with his weapon was the appeal. He needed to see it for himself. If Jenova could be born anew. 

   Hojo was surprised she even managed to get pregnant. He shook with the desire to examine her personally. How could Sephiroth's semen survive long enough to fertilize anything in a Cetra? It's something Hojo intended to test before she was taken from Midgar. 

   He mixed together a little blue vial. A diluted serum of his older trials to treat early onset degradation. It didn't work very well. Only slowed the spread until Soldiers grew immune and the serum stopped working all together.

   Jenova always won over her hosts. 

   Hojo rubbed his chin and hummed. Sephiroth mentioned something about the lifestream alleviating symptoms. He hadn't considered that. Condensed Mako from the reactors poisoned people. But its pure form may have different properties. 

   The old scientist began giggling to himself. He didn't need a cure. The Ancient just had to survive. 

   Hojo smiled. Yes, he'd just make a temporary medicine. Something Sephiroth had to keep coming back for. Something that made it impossible to cut ties after his specimen gave birth. 

- - -

   Sephiroth spent less time by the crater. But he always remembered to do an occasional sweep. It was almost therapeutic, the only bit of routine left. With Aerith gone it just felt good to cut something in half. 

   “ Just a bit longer.”

   The words he cared to hear least. Would She truly jump in his arms once her little game at the coast was finished? She seemed to somewhat enjoy their night out. Sephiroth wondered if he should have tried something like that sooner.

   “I like being touched by you…”

   A faint curl tugged at his lip. He knew that already, but he didn't expect hearing it to make him so pleased. He'd smother her plenty once she's back. There won't be any cracks to slip through again. 

   Sephiroth gazed at his real body frozen in Mako. How much longer now? He assumed Shinra had his materia. Perhaps he’d get an idea after he saw the scientist. 

   “Mother.” Sephiroth muttered. Months used to pass without anything being ushered into his consciousness. But since claiming Aerith, her call was constant. All to have suddenly gone mute again. “Do you speak with the Cetra?” He waited patiently. Aerith had spoken with certainty.

   “ It is so, the girl's body changes.” 

      Sephiroth's gaze narrowed. Aerith could communicate with him, he supposed it wasn't that strange. But something about it all itched.

   “How has she received you?”

   “The Cetra refuses me. Stubborn creature. Though futile, all minds join once the shift begins.”  

   “I've yet to feel her as the others. Her mind is sealed.” Sephiroth wasn't sure how to feel about mother having straight access to Aerith when he had to be invited. 

    “For now perhaps.”

   “Is that all?” There was another pause. He didn't imagine mother was so busy chatting with the Cetra that she just forgot to engage with him. 

    “What more do you seek? You ignore my counsel to wait for its birth. So wait we shall.”

   Sephiroth took one last look at his body. Perhaps mother was finally coming around. His will was absolute after all. Whatever he decided would become reality. 

   “Don’t speak with the Cetra unprompted. My influence over her has already taken hold.” He didn't typically instruct mother, but he didn't need Aerith getting spooked this far in. 

  Mother once more fell silent. Unwilling to confirm or deny. Sephiroth suddenly wondered what they could have spoken about. But he had a lab to visit. He wouldn't leave Aerith alone again tonight. Considering the state she was left in yesterday. It would appear her team was dabbling in events too risky for someone carrying his child. 

- - -

   Cloud was not in the best mood. He stared at the floor and tapped his boot repeatedly. The girls seemed to think it would be better if he dressed as a woman again. 

   “What if they realize you're not the same guy?” Tifa eyed the stolen ID. Even if they wore masks, Cloud's features were hard to cover.

   “Look, no ones gonna deny a pretty girl entry. You're guaranteed this way.” Aerith put a finger up as though the whole thing was simple. They had him surrounded as he sat on the edge of her bed. 

   “Exactly. We can ask Madam M for another dress.” Tifa had nothing but optimism, but Cloud scowled. He was irritated enough. 

   “Not happening, so shut it.” He glanced at the door bitterly. The last thing he needed were the others to catch wind of his last crossdressing incident. The girls sighed in equal frustration. 

   “Already happened once, what's one more time?” Aerith tried to reason. She was afraid of them getting separated. But they didn't have time to argue all night. They still needed to get dressed.

   “It's weirder if a man doesn't show. I'll be waiting with the others outside.” Cloud quickly pushed past their disappointed expressions. It'd only take a moment to change into the suit. Any longer and he feared they'd pull out some makeup for him. 

   “Welp, guess that's it then.” Aerith huffed. 

   “C'mon, we don't even know what time this thing starts.” Tifa started pulling out their gowns from the closet.

   Aerith didn't have a lot of experience dressing up. But Tifa seemed to flow naturally. Tying up her own hair and picking a lipstick color confidently. Aerith was so memorized she jumped when Tifa's fingers reached for her braid. 

   “Waddya think about leaving it down?” Aerith's voice came out too high. Suddenly aware that she had nothing to cover the hickeys in her neck. 

   “There's no time to curl it. It will look better if I pin it up. Tifa raised an eyebrow. Now wasn't the time to be picky. 

   “I don't mind if it's a little messy.” Aerith scrambled to pull her jacket shut. Tifa watched her fidget for a moment before realizing. Tifa didn't know why she was hesitating to just come out and ask. The marks couldn't be an accident. Aerith was alone last night for a few hours. Far too long.

    “Here.” Instead she walked back to the closet and grabbed a box. “I put our jewelry in here. Though Madam M will want them back.”

   Aerith's face slightly flushed when she pulled out the thick choker. That would definitely cover it. Tifa handed it to her. Silently observing the way her friend's demeanor turned bashful. She wanted to ask so badly. Know the reason behind those rosy cheeks. 

   Tifa kept her back turned as she zipped herself up. Aerith couldn't remember ever changing so quickly. Though her dress refused to behave. She was sure it wasn't this hard to get up yesterday. 

   “Tifa, mind lending me a hand?” Aerith inhaled. She tugged at the back lace while looking into a mirror. Nothing lined up right. 

   “Sure.” Tifa giggled. “I got it, just…” She tugged but it just wouldn’t close. Tifa gave it a few yanks, igniting a gasp from Aerith. 

   “Must be a growth spurt. Not much wiggle room.” Aerith offered an awkward smile. Her stomach screaming against the pressure.

   “I don't think it works like that.” Tifa put all her strength into closing the dress. Careful not to rip anything. There's no way a body could change that much in a day. Tifa stared at her soft backside. Was Aerith thicker? It was hard to tell with those loose dresses. 

   “What is it?” Aerith asked. Noticing her friend had suddenly gone still.

   “Oh, nothing.” Tifa shook her head and heaved the enclosure shut. She made quick work of the laces to keep everything in place. Noticing how every tug made the flower girl sway.

   Aerith braced her stomach. Planting both feet apart to keep her balance. The dress was certainly uncomfortable now. She'd be lucky if she could even bend over.

   She looked at her cinched waist in the mirror and frowned. Was this safe? What if the baby felt like it was being crushed? Tifa didn't let her worry for long. Immediately taking Aerith's hair with pins.

   “Think you can do your own makeup?” 

   “O-of course I can! I know a thing or two about going out.” Aerith stuttered. Realizing she knew nothing about going out. No one ever invited her to things in the slums. It's not like her sector had fancy bars or anything.  Tifa watched the way Aerith hesitated from the corner of her eye. She tried to stifle a laugh. Getting dolled up for fun just didn't happen. She couldn't remember the last time she got to do this with other girls.

   The two rushed outside, careful not to trip under the emerging stars. It was dark, but that didn't mask their unusual attire. Yuffie whistled at them as Barret tried to think of something appropriate to say.  Cloud was busy wrapping his buster sword with cloth. Vincent located a cello case that might allow him to sneak the weapon in. If the man on the ID truly had any authority in the building, no one should ask questions. 

   “I guess we just walk right in then.” Aerith said nervously.

   “That's the idea anyway.” Cloud hoisted the case onto his back. 

   “Alright. You guys raise hell inside. And when you're done, we'll be ready.” Barret laughed excitedly and braced his gun. 

   “Shinra's ship will be easy to acquire at night. We should be able to ship everyone home the same way they got here.” Vincent said. He truly was livelier at night. He was already ahead of the group. 

   “Right. Rescue, eliminate, and steal the stupid president's boat.” Yuffie chanted. 

   “Don't do anything until you get my signal.” Cloud stared her down. If it was too dangerous, it wasn't worth risking his friends. 

   Aerith braced Tifa's arm the whole way. The dress was painfully restrictive and only getting worse. She could almost feel each thread of the corset cutting into her backside. Tifa stole a few glances whenever Aerith’s pace seemed to waver. The gown was strangely tight the more she observed. Aerith’s breasts didn’t seem to sit like a glove behind the bustline. Not to mention the way she walked oddly straight to keep the back from cutting into her flesh any more than it already was. Aerith was absolutely stuffed, giving the whole look a more provocative aura. 

   The team split once they passed the docks. Cloud expected overtaking the ship to be the easy part. As long as there weren't any Turks. It didn't take long to get out of town from there. At some point they all pulled out their masks from yesterday.

   A lone gravel street connected to the secluded hotel. Nature only hid the grand building so much. Especially with the way the front was decorated with paper lanterns. The three of them paused before the entrance. 

   “Isn't it kinda quiet.” Tifa whispered. For a place with tons of people, it looked deserted. 

   “Maybe whatever it is hasn't started yet.” Aerith said while looking around. 

   “Or better, maybe it's an off day for everyone.” Cloud gripped the skeleton key. He inhaled when it slid perfectly into the grand double doors. Unfortunately, light and music flooded from within the moment he pushed forward. Cloud only made it a step inside when several men dressed like butler's snapped their heads in his direction. They looked completely baffled.

   “Heaven's sir! The auction has already begun.” An older gentleman attempted to take his case and coat but Cloud jerked away. 

   The girls watched as another man shut the doors behind them. He too, equally eyed Aerith and Tifa 

   “Are they guests? Or for the master?” The butler tried to step closer. Cloud immediately wedged himself between the girls. 

   “These are my guests. Don't touch them.” He snapped. Aerith almost snorted. His authoritative voice wasn't that convincing. Cloud was still trying to gauge just how much he could get away with.

   “Of course. May I see your ID sir?” Cloud forgot to breathe as the man looked it over. His fingers twitched, ready to grab his sword if the whole thing went south. “Ah, Mr Albert. Your seat and room is reserved per usual. But do be mindful when you enter, the auction has started.”

   The butler bowed and extended an arm towards a large hallway. Cloud suddenly realized he had no idea where to go. This place had a million rooms but he was supposed to be a regular. 

   “Thank you.” Aerith offered a casual smile and gently pushed Clouds back. It was more suspicious if they just stood there. 

   The hallway was vast and lifeless. Any music still playing at the entrance grew eerily quiet the further they went. The slow tap of heels against carpet became their only company. Tifa peeked over her shoulder to make sure they weren’t following. 

   Aerith couldn't help but gawk. The walls were oddly familiar. Though far more colorful with gold and obnoxious velvet floors, it made her think of Sephiroth's place. Uninviting stone with no windows. 

   It felt like so long ago now. The times she ran through his labyrinth trying to make sense of it all. She could almost imagine him turning around the corner with flowers.

    “Aerith?” Sephiroth's voice flooded her mind. 

   “Shit.” Aerith suddenly jerked. Her entire body locked up as she braced the wall in a panic. Cloud and Tifa jumped into an attack stance. Pivoting immediately to find the source of her alarm.

   “What do you see?” Tifa asked. 

   “Wish to return so soon?” Sephiroth's voice echoed over. 

   Aerith hit her head and cursed. She half expected Sephiroth to actually appear. His voice spills out as though he's actually in the room. 

   “Sorry, it was nothing.” Aerith forced herself to bury the thought of Sephiroth. She couldn't talk to him right now. Contacting him was becoming dangerously easy. Things would just get more complicated if he tried to show up here. 

   “Sure you're up for this?” Cloud looked her over. He wasn't sure if she was already sweating, or just breathless. They hadn't even done anything yet. 

   “And what, leave you guys alone? I'm ready as I'll ever be.” Aerith straightened herself and marched along.

   “Maybe we should just start checking doors.” Tifa said. They were far enough from the entrance. 

   “You think one of these is Corneo's room?” Aerith put a finger to her chin. This truly was a bizarre mansion. 

   “Doubt it. He probably hoards a suite on the top floor.” Cloud muttered. Just remembering the pigs quarters at Wall Market gave him goosebumps. 

   “Hey you guys hear that?” Tifa pressed an ear to a door. She slowly turned the knob and peaked inside. It took a bit of work to pry the metal entrance open. But once it gave away, she immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.

   Dozens of girls were laying around. Barely conscious with no focus in their eyes. They were all dressed up accordingly and in masks. 

   “What the hell?” Cloud walked in first. The smell of perfume and dust was suffocating. 

   “What's wrong with them?” Aerith asked. The girls barely even noticed them. Completely unaware of their surroundings. 

   “Gas!” Cloud couldn't believe they almost fell for the same trick twice. He should have expected as much from Corneo. 

   “Hey! No early picking.” A deep voice cut through the silence. Cloud whipped his head around to see security at the door. The man put a hand on Aerith and Tifa's shoulders and shoved them inside. “You gotta sit through the auction like everybody else.”

   The guard grabbed Cloud’s arm. He instinctively reached for his sword only to be greeted by the leather cello casing. When he looked back, Aerith slowly shook her head. It was too early to start a ruckus. They hadn't even located Don Corneo yet. 

   “They’re with me.” Cloud said.

   “Yeah, sure they are.” The guard snorted. “Drunk fool. Get back to your seat.” He yanked Cloud out and slammed the door. The girls immediately attempted to cover their faces with bits of skirt. 

   “Hey, are you alright?” Tifa tried shaking a few women. But they only stared back with glossy eyes.

   “How do you suppose we move them like this?” Aerith asked. She waved her hand in front of another for any response. 

   “I don't know…” Tifa lifted a girl's mask. “Are they all Wutaian?” 

   “Gotta be.” Aerith crouched beside a particularly young woman. The gas was starting to make her feel lightheaded. “Maybe if we cover the vents, they’ll wake up soon.”

- - -

   Cloud was shoved into a theatre box overlooking a humble stage. The guard grumbled something before shutting the curtain. Cloud only had a moment to gather his surroundings. The audience was absolutely full. Only a few boxes lined the auditorium. Perhaps this Albert really was a hot shot around here. 

   Only the stage remained illuminated as rows of girls were ushered out. An auctioneer shouted prices and the crowd quickly took over. Fighting for the highest bid. Cloud only got more anxious. Unsure if he should wait or run. Every moment here was another second they spent trapped. This was a bad idea after all. They severely underestimated just how many “guests” they were up against.

   “SOLD. Next lineup if you please.” The auctioneer chanted as the women were dispersed. A few men left the auditorium, presumably to collect their prize. Cloud almost decided to sneak back out when the next line of girls stepped up. He'd know that long black hair anywhere. Tifa stood right in the middle of six others. Cloud scanned them over and over. Aerith was nowhere to be seen. 

   “Starting at ten thousand gil!”

   “Fifteen thousand!”

   “Thirty thousand!” 

   “Shit.” Cloud braced the railing of his box. Things were moving too quickly. 

   “Fifty thousand!” The laughter and sounds of men chatting got louder.

   “One hundred thousand!” Cloud shouted before he realized. Grabbing the card with Alberts initials beside him and holding it up. 

   “SOLD. To our generous sponsor A.” The auctioneer pointed in his direction and Cloud slumped into his chair. No time to relax though. Another row of girls immediately took the place of the last. And this one stood out more than any other. Only one didn’t have black hair.

   Clouds eyes widened. He finally had sight of both of them again. The bidding card crinkled in his fist as he waited for it to start again. 

   “Pst, sir, your room is ready.” Cloud snapped his head towards the soft voice. Another man dressed in formal attire held back the curtain of his box. 

   “I’m not finished.” Cloud tried to respond as calmly as possible. The man just tilted his head with a strange expression. He eyed the bidding card.

   “Sir, you can’t change after a bid has been placed. One line per customer, per night.” Cloud’s heart almost fell through his stomach. Who’s stupid rule was that?

   “Starting at twenty thousand!” The auction immediately resumed. Murmurs of clients bounced around the auditorium. Cloud's pulse rang up into his ears as he glanced between the stage and the butler. That security guard was coming by again. 

   “Sir?” The man asked once more. Far less friendly this time.

   Cloud swallowed dryly and clenched his fists. He’d have to get Tifa first. But before he left, he needed to know who won the bid. Hear a voice, something, any lead to know where Aerith would be going next. 

   “Eighty-five thousand!” Someone screamed from the back of the auditorium. Cloud Squinted.

   “Is there a problem?” The guard stepped into Cloud's box and stepped past the butler. 

   “No. I dropped something. I can’t see well.” He felt like an idiot but Cloud fell to his knees. Tapping the carpet slowly as if he’d lost a pair of glasses. 

   “Any lost items will be returned to your room.” The guard took another step closer. No longer having much patience for this strange client with yellow hair. 

   “One hundred thousand!” Cloud froze. He knew that voice. It sounded like Scotch. The rat worked for the Don. He couldn’t let the winning bid go to him of all people. 

   “One hundred and thirty thousand!” 

   “SOLD!” 

   Cloud sprung to his feet. Trying to find the source of the final call. He couldn’t see a card in the audience. It must have come from another box. The guard reached for Cloud’s arm and he snapped. With Soldier speed he bent the wrist behind his back. A swift punch to the guards throat stifled whatever scream might have been heard beneath the roar of the audience. 

   The guard fell to the ground and Cloud stepped over his body to grab his cello case. The butler's mouth hung slightly open. Unsure what just happened and unsure how to respond. Cloud adjusted his hair and tried to seem casual. He was an important guest here after all. 

   “Take me to my room. And have this man fired. Make sure he’s gone by the time I come back.” Cloud said.

   “Y-yes, immediately sir! This way please.” 

   Aerith’s eyes strained to see anything beyond the stage spotlight. The ray was blinding after being in that dark room. They’d only managed to shut the vents for a few minutes before they got ushered out. They pretended to be as lifeless as the others. Moving along like puppets without a mind. Aerith remembered to strap her staff to her thigh this time. But being separated from Tifa felt like a mistake. The thought of Sephiroth almost slipped in but Aerith shook her head. She couldn’t call him again. 

   As quickly as the shouting began it ended. Numbers were spat towards the stage but all Aerith could think about was trying to stand up straight. Her back was starting to ache from the dress. By the time her eyes adjusted she was being pushed off stage again with the six others that accompanied her. 

   A man in all black and a full face mask lead them to an elevator. Aerith watched the man select the thirteenth floor. She bit her lip. Was every floor full of girls like this? Every room? How could they possibly get them all out by tonight? 

   “Move.” The man snapped his fingers and started pulling the girls from the elevator like a herd. They eventually stopped before a set of velvet double doors. Aerith braced herself. Whatever lay inside, it was up to her to make sure these girls came out okay. 

   The suite was overly indulgent. Tacky red velvet and fake gold paint kissed every bit of furniture. All the preferences of someone from Wall Market. The luxurious couches and overfilled living room screamed of false wealth. Once everyone was inside, the fully masked man shut the doors behind them. Aerith heard the lock click into place twice. 

   “Ah, there we are. Let me get a closer look!” Someone tall and slim emerged from one of the suite's several bedrooms. He put both arms out excitedly as though he were welcoming a class. Aerith went stiff, trying not to draw too much attention to herself. 

   The man hummed and inspected them one at a time. As interested as he was, his displeasure was palpable. He grabbed the first girl in line by the waist and squeezed.

   “The lot seemed thinner from far away.” He muttered. Without warning he shoved a hand down the front of her dress and started digging around. Aerith blinked at the strange display. His complete disregard for her personal space was almost as alarming as the young girl's lack of response.  “There.” He said cheerfully and tore out the padding around her breasts.

   Most of the Wutains weren't fed well. Yet their dresses insisted on a variety of curves and voluptuous hips. Without the bra and extra padding, the girl’s dress hung slack. He pressed his hands against her chest. Nodding satisfactorily at the new flatness. 

   “Good enough I suppose. Fuckers keeping all the pretty boys for themselves.” He spoke freely to himself. Thinking of them no differently than a pile of dolls to play with. He simply glanced at the rest and sighed.  “Alright everyone. Strip. Get rid of those stupid layers.”

  The man fell onto the nearest couch and pulled out a cigarette. Aerith would have liked nothing more than to get out of this suffocating gown. But she wasn’t about to do it for this creep. Her lack of movement eventually caught his eye. He glanced up at the girl with almond hair behind the smoke that escaped his lungs. 

   “Never seen one without black hair…” He lazily threw an arm behind the couch. 

   “I’m only half.” Aerith said. Quickly dispelling anything that might seem suspicious. The man's eyes widened. 

   “She speaks! Sit, keep me company till the others come around.” He smacked his thigh and spread both legs for her. Aerith sucked in her bottom lip. Unsure if she should just take him out now or try talking for a bit. She didn’t exactly want to get closer.

   Aerith approached slowly. Once she was within arms length, he pulled her into his lap without another word. Goosebumps spilled over her arms the moment she felt his hands rake over her back. His fingers pressed the bit of fat spilling over the top of her dress. She heard his tongue click.

   “Suppose they feed you well enough huh.” He didn’t sound too happy.

   “AH!” Aerith jumped. He suddenly squeezed her breasts and groaned even more irritably. 

   “Those real too huh?” He leaned over her neck. Not caring that the fallout from his cigarette burned little holes in her dress. She took both of his hands.

   “What would you prefer?” Aerith asked. She kept his hands occupied and leaned back. She didn’t need him feeling out her legs and finding her staff. The man sighed slowly. Resting his chin on her shoulder and watching the other’s slowly discard their clothes. 

   “I’d prefer a tight ass. All this money and all I get are the fucking leftovers.” He mumbled to himself again. Shaking himself from her grasp. He put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “You still a virgin back there?” Aerith’s skin crawled. His cologne was greasy and thick beneath the stench of imported tobacco. 

   “If I may, why not request a male? Shouldn’t they give only the best to top customers?” Aerith put a hand on his thigh and slowly rubbed it. Hoping to distract him if not offend the man. He simply scoffed and squeezed her tighter. She lightly wheezed. Trying to ignore the fact she could barely breathe. 

   “The fat Don’s a filthy liar. Promised us whatever flesh we wanted. But Shinra owns his ass and takes all the men. Invested too much money to back out now.” His other hand dug beneath Aerith dress. Searching for the curve of her bottom. She could feel him starting to shift impatiently behind her. The girls were almost fully naked. Some took a seat while the others kept standing. Waiting for further instruction. 

   “Be thankful that you ended up here.” His breath turned ragged against her neck. Aerith could feel his groin pressing against her backside as he watched the group before them. “Coulda been sent away to become a lab rat. A freak Soldier sent out to die in some pointless war.” The man licked the nape of her neck and started fumbling with her lace. “You’ll have a warm bed. Tonight anyway.” 

   Aerith shuddered. She supposed Soldier candidates had to come from somewhere. But Shinra wasn’t even willing to use their own people anymore. She regretted not being able to finish off Corneo the last time they met. Aerith tried squirming away. She’d heard enough.

   “Is Don Corneo here?” She asked.

   “Quiet savage. I said strip.” He blew a big puff of smoke and angrily tugged at her laces again. Tifa must have double knotted them to get the dress closed.

   Aerith whined when the tug constricted her dress even further. Without another thought she jabbed her elbow into his stomach and scrambled away. 

   “Fucking bitch.” The cigarette flew from his mouth as he choked. Aerith pulled up the layers of her skirt and unhooked her staff. She’d have to be careful not to hit any of the girls. 

   “Quickly, get dressed and run!” Aerith yelled the order. Hoping the women would respond subconsciously. Even if they were slow, it was a head start. The man lunged for Aerith. Attempting to knock away the weapon. She jumped to another corner of the room to distance herself. “I’d leave now if I were you. This whole place is gonna be shut down before the night is over.” Aerith’s sweet demeanor was nowhere to be seen. The man laughed in disbelief. 

   “Put the stick away girl. I’m not in the mood for foreplay.” He started unbuttoning his shirt but Aerith only glared. He couldn’t actually think this was a joke. He shook his head angrily at her continued defiance and turned away. Already sick of this game when there were plenty more. Aerith thought to just blast him with lightning when he suddenly pulled a Wutain into his grasp from behind. Soft noises fell from her lips as he bent her body to his will.

   Aerith couldn’t believe it. He was completely unphased. She'd have to do it manually or risk hitting the girl with magic. Aerith ran up and rammed her staff into his side. Knocking him of his feet from behind. One of the girls screamed and Aerith’s head snapped up. Some of them were finally waking up. 

   “Grab your things and get out of here!” She repeated. Hoping the order wouldn’t fall on deaf ears.

   “I can play rough.” The man wiped his mouth and pulled out a switchblade. His calm aura was quickly turning into something more cruel. Aerith didn’t expect him to smile. “Drop it!” He yelled. Yanking the nearest Wutaian over by her hair and holding the knife to her throat. 

   Aerith steadied herself. Trying to gauge if it was a bluff or madness. When she didn’t respond he pressed the blade to the girl's chest. Slowly dragging it over her shoulder. A cry erupted from the young woman and Aerith immediately dropped her weapon. Thin red droplets pooled at the incision. 

   “Good. Now get inside the bedroom.” He jerked his head to the side. Aerith obliged without taking her eyes off him. She backed into the private quarters as he stalked forward. Keeping the knife flush with the woman's throat in case someone tried anything funny.  Once she passed the threshold he dropped the Wutaian and shut himself inside with Aerith. 

   “I’ll punish you separately. You’re gonna regret that.” He pointed the knife excitedly. Aerith tried looking for anything that might give her an advantage. It was hard enough to move. She suddenly had the pathetic idea to call Sephiroth and winced. She’d rather fight than call him. She didn’t know how fast he could even find her. The chances Cloud or Tifa were on this floor was slim. 

   She took another step and glanced over her shoulder. The suite had a balcony. The man started laughing again.

   “Go ahead, jump. I’d love to see what happens when you hit the ground.” Aerith knew they were too high. But some of her friends might be back from the docks. 

   She made a break for the glass doors. Pushing past them and skidding over the railing. Her eyes only had a moment to scan the ground. But she saw nothing. Her heart sank. A second later hands grabbed at her hair and yanked her back into the room. 

   “You really are a crazy bitch.” He huffed. Dragging her to the side and shoving her face first into the wall. Aerith felt his entire body press into her from behind. She would have turned to grab him if her instincts didn’t tell her to cover her stomach. She immediately braced herself for impact. Trying to keep as much pressure off her belly as possible.

   She heard the soft rustle of metal accompanied by a zipper and started to panic. His fist kept her hair painfully wound between his knuckles till she was fully boxed in. When Aerith tried pushing against the wall he slashed her shoulder. 

   “Stop it!” Aerith yelped. Feeling hot blood trickled down her arm. 

   “But we only have tonight before it’s all over right?” The man cut her arm again and groaned when she squirmed against him. Rutting himself into her backside. “You never answered my question. Are you a virgin back there?” He slowly moved the knife to her face when Aerith bit down into his hand. 

   He howled and dropped the blade. Aerith didn’t want to lose this chance. Swinging her head back into his skull despite the pain. He stumbled and Aerith looked to the doors. Her staff, she had to get it. The moment she tried to run her balance fell apart. The man fisted the hem of her dress. He yanked the fabric till he heard it rip. Aerith turned to catch her bearings and he swung at her stomach. 

   Aerith’s world stopped at that moment. She’s sure it must of hurt but everything went blank. The blow landed between her ribs but it was low enough to make her cry out. She wasn’t quite sure what happened after that. She screamed first, but now another’s shrill had taken its place. Delicate hands were wrapped around her targets throat. He was tall, but weaker than most men she came across. He didn’t have much range of motion himself with his pants hanging around his ankles. She pushed him out to the balcony. Squeezing harder and harder until his screams were nothing but a string of desperate gasps. 

   “How dare you.” She seethed. She might have cried if she wasn’t so angry. She needed to check herself immediately, make sure the child was okay. The man kicked and scratched at her wrists. But it just made Aerith’s nails dig deeper into his throat. She glanced over the railing. She could push him over, or simply wait till his lungs gave out. 

    “Kill it. Kill him.” 

   Aerith’s eyes widened and she dropped the fool. That dark, sticky voice slithered into her mind.  

   “Cleanse the planet. Kill it. Start over.”  

   Aerith stepped away. Ignoring the man gasping for air and struggling to stand. She gripped her head at the sudden headache. 

   “Get out.” She retorted. Jenova had impeccable timing. 

    “It is your desire. Finish it.” 

   “I’m not a murderer.” Aerith whispered. She took deep breaths. She had to calm down and think clearly.

   “Euk!” The man’s last cry was cut early. Thinning into a gurgle that couldn’t quite reach his throat. A gust of wind rattled the balcony doors. Tearing items from the shelves and sending lose objects flying. When Aerith looked back up, a long thin blade had pierced the man straight through from behind. 

Chapter Text

   She didn't know where to look. Only that it was impossible to not gape in disbelief. Aerith flinched when the thin sword ripped free of the man's chest with a violent yank. She didn't know what awful realization hit first. Who the blade's owner was, or the fact she didn't feel sorry for the scoundrel at all.

   She jumped back to keep the blood from staining her dress. A large shadow from behind took the place of the crumpled body. He was clearly dead yet Masamune came down once more. Twisting through his throat until the head was cleanly severed. Aerith swallowed nervously. Trying not to puke. She was suddenly very aware of all the times she was the one on the other end of that. Sephiroth never did hesitate.

   A single black wing flapped as Sephiroth found his footing over the balcony. The wind it produced was so strong Aerith had to shield her eyes. It was a rare sight. He only exposed it to her twice before. By the time Sephiroth stepped over the bloodied mess, every feather was tucked away again. 

   Aerith almost stumbled on the knife. Still staring at the crimson floor and feeling faint. Sephiroth's fury seeped through the air. She couldn't remember the last time she was this nervous. Her hands never left her stomach. Reality only settled when leather brushed her face. 

   “You're shaking.” He held her jaw as he closed the gap. Moving her eyes from the corpse and tearing her mask away. He thumbed the splash of blood on her cheek. It was almost the same color as her lipstick. Aerith looked up timorously and took a deep breath. His expression gave little away. But his voice was cold. Though the gesture was enough to express some form of concern. Aerith closed her eyes and leaned into his palm. 

   “You're late.” She tried to sound chipper. But he knew. Could hear the way her pulse was about to explode moments before he arrived. Aerith was capable of many things, but she'd never killed someone with her bare hands. It certainly wouldn't bother him. The way her heart screamed it sounded like she'd made up her mind. But he was relieved to have come sooner than later. As expected, she held too much forgiveness for the living. Even if that life was rotten.

   Sephiroth moved her shaky arms aside and knelt down. Silver hair spilled over her skirt as an ear was pressed to her stomach. 

   “I'm sorry, I can't tell if anything's wrong. I was careless, I-” Aerith rambled. Unsure what he might do to her if something happened to the child.  

   “Shhhh.” Sephiroth tried to calm her fearful heart. He took her waist and pulled her closer. Something about her pulse was different. Though faint, a new thrum sang in contrast to her own. He slowly exhaled. Unsure how to process this sort of excitement. Though it was difficult to enjoy anything in this state. 

   Sephiroth knew what sort of cries festered through the walls of this establishment. The tacky room and her disheveled hair just confirmed the obvious. At least she saved him the pleasure of taking that man's last breath.

   “From now on, you will call clearly.” He stood slowly. Even if the reprimand came out rather harsh, Aerith stopped trying to hide her troubled expression and embraced him back. 

   “You found me anyway, didn't you?” She inhaled the scent of him. Somehow he never got dirty. 

   “Leaving my domain for this? You've yet to convince me that freedom agrees with you.” He eyed the lace-up decorating the slope of her back. The dress was rather extravagant. Certainly not something she would have picked. Sephiroth swept her messy hair away. Let to imagine what sort of tussle she got into. Once he saw the scrapes along her shoulder, his temper reignited. How dare someone else touch her. Cut her? Where the fuck was that so called bodyguard? 

   “You best have means of persuasion to keep this place from burning.” She felt his muscles tense. Ready to rip something apart.

   “Lots of girls are trapped here, I didn't go through this for fun.”

   “Ah, but that's not my problem is it? My conditions are only half the deal. What about yours?” He tried to lean back to see her clearly. But Aerith held on for dear life and began ushering him to the bedside.

   Her strength was pitiful, yet he yielded to her touch. She pushed him down and kicked of her shoes. The necklace came off last as she crawled into his lap. Even after straddling his waist she climbed higher. Wrapping both arms around his neck and falling forward until his back was flat along the mattress. 

   “Is your method to seduce me?” Sephiroth started pulling out the pins caught around her curls and tossing them aside.

   “Only if it’s working.” She hummed with her head in his neck. Rubbing her nose against him to shake off the silver hair tickling her cheek. 

   “Aren’t those friends of yours nearby?” He picked at the lace of her corset backing. Tugging at it playfully. Aerith shuttered at the thought. He was right, but she didn’t want to leave right now. She finally felt safe.

   “I hate this.” 

   “Then move.”

   “Not this .” She retorted. Sephiroth never really understood her rambles. One moment she could feel one way, and something entirely new the next. Aerith was shoving back a laughable dream. Where the silver Soldier was a part of their group and she didn't have to be separated. He’d shown grace to her, if only the same could be done for humanity. But this evening probably just reaffirmed why he didn't give a shit.

   Aerith slipped a hand under his jacket and stroked his chest. Tilting her head up till her lips brushed his ear. The dress already left her breathless. Now it was just excruciating. All she could think about the last few days was touching him.

   “Undo it for me.” She whispered and pulled an arm behind her. Fiddling with the lace up. “Too tight.”

   Sephiroth dipped a finger beneath the bow tying her corset into place. He tugged at the strap, tightening it further around her ribs. She gasped at the pain. Digging her nails into his skin until she heard a snap. The enclosure broke and her stomach finally knew freedom. Aerith sighed in ecstasy, practically melting on the spot. 

   “Thank you.” She continued to slide her hand over his peck. Feeling her stomach knot each time she grazed his nipple. 

   “Can’t even dress yourself properly.” Sephiroth's hands raked along the sides of her waist. Helping to loosen the fabric. 

   “Nothing fits properly.” Aerith slowly pushed herself up until she was sitting atop of him. She knew the night couldn't hide her burning face. But she put both hands over her belly anyways. “It's growing too fast.

   Sephiroth stilled himself solid. She looked absolutely undone. Her hair was wild as the top of her gown slipped from those delicate shoulders. Her makeup had been made to accentuate her lashes and darken her lips. Matching the seductive crimson dress akin to the color of death. All while she stroked the swelling around her belly shyly. Reminding him whose seed it was. She'd never looked like she'd belonged to him more than she did now. He could make those cheeks burn hotter. Fill her with even more of himself.

   “You're beautiful.” He placed a hand over her abdomen. Her thighs clenched when he stroked her stomach. The bunches of skirt drowned them, but it didn't stop her from trying to grind into his waist. Biting the inside of her lip every time the rough bits of his belt rubbed through her underwear. 

   “How about this time?” She leaned forward to take his face with a needy expression. Trying to breath through the growing need. Her eyes pleaded. 

   “I don't know Aerith. You haven't been a very good girl.” A grin snuck through when he saw her disappointment. “No black materia, refusing to come home. Asking for more lives than agreed to be spared?” 

    Home. Somehow the word sprung a wave of butterflies through her gut. Sephiroth tried to sit up as though he was planning to leave and Aerith pounced forward. Pinning his shoulders with both hands. She'd suffered too much this last week because of his teasing. 

   “I know it was you. That night while I was asleep… you owe me.” Sephiroth almost snorted.

   “I'm afraid I don't remember.” His canines flickered. 

   “I can remind you.” She pushed a foot between his legs. Dragging her shin slowly over the bulge in his pants with enough force to hurt. A wave of pleasure bubbled into his chest and he inhaled sharply. She would have just grabbed him down there if it weren't for the layers of skirt between them. 

   “Aerith.” He warned. Grabbing her hips. The lifestream seemed to have helped. But it didn't fix everything. 

   “You also ruined my underwear.” She unclipped his Pauldrons and yanked his jacket even further apart. His body was as perfect as she remembered. Not even the night could hide his beauty. “I liked that pair.”

   “How long has it been since you ate?” He seized her hands. Trying to stay logical. To not give into the silk spilling over his abdomen. 

   “I can take it. I'm really not that fragile.” Her voice was interwoven between thick breaths. She was a step away from whimpering. 

    “A cure-!” His last words abruptly turned into a hiss. Aerith didn't want to hear it. She seated herself atop his crotch and began to roll her hips back and forth. Taking advantage of his hands and interlacing their fingers. 

   “If you don't I will.” Aerith continued to slide against the swell in his pants. The harder he got the better it felt and the more she wanted to smother him. 

  “What have they given you? I don't recall this Cetra misbehaving so much.” He relaxed. Enjoying her momentum.

   “I didn't take anything. This is your fault. You got me pregnant. You ruined my life.” The resentment and desire was so overwhelming. A tear fell away from her cheek. “I'm going crazy Sephiroth. I don't know who I am anymore.”

   Her emotions were a mess. He could barely decipher them all. Everything was twisted up into a broken mess of lust and anger and loneliness. He was familiar with those. Liked those feelings. Could help her with that much. 

   “You're mine, Aerith. That's all you have to be from now on.” A smirk crept in as he shredded the side of her skirt. Gaia she was wet, and the rush of cool air against her thighs made her gasp beautifully. Sephiroth shimmied up against the headboard while she clawed at his belts. Although clumsy, the determination was there. Those nervous fingers struggled to get anything off. He grabbed her chin and for a moment he devoured her. Smearing her lipstick and biting at her lower lip to make her stop. 

   “I'll do it.” He said. Untangling the endless loops with ease. The ex-war hero looked silly with lipstick staining him. Aerith giggled and began to kiss his face while she waited. He certainly couldn't recall her being so excited before. Sex was one thing, but she looked almost happy. 

   “Have I ever said that I like your eyes? Or your nose?” Every so often she took a break from his mouth to press a kiss into his cheek. Alternating from his forehead and chin. Not that he had a chance to respond between her pecking.

    A shudder ripped through her the moment she felt his cock spring loose. Its full mass fell against her stomach. 

   “And your hair.” Aerith ran her hands through his scalp. Rocking herself forward to create friction against that throbbing member. Threaded sequins scraped along his shaft. It wasn't long before he was leaking from the tip and soiling her bodis. 

   “Were you always this naughty?” Sephiroth gripped her thighs. Thinking it'd be easy to just rip the rest of the gown off. He found her praises endearing. He knew he was ethereal, but hearing it from her came with unexpected satisfaction.

   “Maybe...Euk!” She clapped a hand over her mouth to suppress the whine. Sephiroth tore her underwear and plunged two fingers into her entrance. It took little effort with the way she was already dripping. He hummed with satisfaction at how well she took him. He didn't even have to do anything. She was already rutting against his fingers. Seeking out that special spot on her own. 

   “Has he ever touched you here? Does he know the filthy sounds you make?” Each question slithered over her skin. 

   “Stop it. I don't want to talk about him.” Aerith's head dropped to his shoulder. Chasing the building pressure between her legs. Further grinding his hard length between their bodies. 

   “But he's so close. They're on this floor now.” 

   “Shit.” Aerith bit her lip the second his thumb slid deliberately over her most sensitive spot. His palm dug into her clit as she rocked. A part of her knew this was an absurd gamble. Of course Cloud and Tifa would have finished first. She hoped they at least freed the others before trying to get her. She couldn't bring herself to stop now. Not with the way her body craved to be touched. 

   “Perhaps he wishes to see you like this.”

   “He wouldn't. He's too gentle.” Aerith gasped the moment Sephiroth grabbed a fistful of her hair. Her head fell back. Mouth hanging slightly open for air as her eyes remained shut. Completely lost in every divine stroke of his fingers. 

   “Is my puppet too good for you now?”

   “...Yes.” Aerith breathed. She couldn't help but roll her hips harder. She was so close. “You've ruined me.”

   Sephiroth felt her tense and tore his fingers from her entrance. The grip around her scalp tightened, angling her just right to force down a kiss. Unkind and bruising. Just the way he liked it. He was starting to think she did too the way her needy moans spilled over his tongue. Pleading to have his attention back at her center. 

   “Show me.” He demanded. Letting his hands fall away to give her free reign. Aerith got a hold of her breathing and licked her lips. The idea was insane. She knew they had to be quick. Especially if Cloud was close by. 

   With a deep breath, she took a hold of his length in both hands. Nervously stroking it a few times to find the courage to impale herself. The arousal was there, but so was fear. The first few thrusts were always painful. Accommodating his size never got easier and it was like a bandaid that needed to be ripped off before she found enjoyment.

   Aerith braced his shoulder for support. Trying to line herself up properly. She'd never done it on her own. Sephiroth chuckled and rubbed circles into her hips. Pushing her skirt back further so he could watch. Once the tip of him found her entrance she flinched. Her heart was beating like crazy. 

   “Tik-tock Aerith.”

   “Oh will you be quiet? I'm working on it!” She scolded him as quietly as possible. Frustrated by her own embarrassment and afraid of being overheard. Suddenly she froze as a crashing noise tore through a few rooms over. 

   “...Aerith! You here!?” Cloud busted into one of the suites. The mansion had dozens of rooms. But eventually they'd come knocking on hers. Sephiroth sensed her hesitation. The distress on her face. Like she might end it all and decide this game was too dangerous after all. 

   “Focus.” His fingers dug into her flesh without warning and slammed her down in one go. The delicious scream that ripped through Aerith's throat made him twitch. Everything was too much. Everything felt electric. It had been too long. Too long since he was milked between her legs. Just as hot and slippery as he remembered. 

   He couldn't decide what he loved more. The way she cried, the way she vibrated, or the heat that swallowed him entirely. Aerith bit her own lip until it stung. Unable to contain the whimpers finally subsiding. She was sure Cloud heard that. Now they had even less time. 

   “What's wrong with you?” She hissed. Half from the ache of being split apart by his unnatural length. Her legs trembled.

   “I only seek to finish what you've started.” Sephiroth began to nurse her hips back and forth.

   “Asshole, I'm not like you, I need more time.” Aerith gasped. Trying to adjust to the stretch.

   “Tell you what, Aerith. Make me come before they get here, and I'll help you out of this mess.” He started pulling down the top of her dress. Further exposing those perky breasts. He groaned when she clenched under the pressure. He certainly did enjoy fear if it prompted such a desperate suction. She realized the more he stripped away, the more she'd have to put back on before the others found her. 

   “Please Sephiroth.” She begged him to restrain himself. But the plea just made him more excited. His hands kept her hips firmly planted. Lest she try running away. But she was small enough to thrust into from below with little effort. He liked watching her try to contain her mewls. Liked watching her swollen breasts bounce free as inaudible sounds of pleasure caught behind tears. 

   Another crash was heard nearby. Closer this time, accompanied by a scream. More Wutaians. Aerith heard Tifa yell something about a safe place downstairs as they apprehend the pervert who bought her. Once more the dust settled and she heard Cloud shout her name. 

   “Does it excite you? Why not let him watch? This might take a while.” Sephiroth bucked his hips up roughly in hopes of inciting a scream. Wanting everyone to hear. 

   Aerith buried her head in his chest. She bit the tight skin around his nipple. She intended to retaliate, but the bastard liked pain. A deep and sexy groan vibrated through him the second her teeth almost broke skin. He twitched inside her, picking up the pace. Aerith started panting.  

   It was too late to back out, and the sweet strokes of release were finally coming around. The longer her womb was pulled and rubbed to fit his cock, the more any previous urgencies slipped away.

   Aerith tried matching his rhythm, letting him stroke all the right spots. She slid halfway out before crashing back down. Sephiroth finally let out a gasp. Squeezing her leg hard enough to bruise. 

   “Is that what you like?” She slid both hands over his chest. Slick from the layer of perspiration. He didn't need to answer. The way his head tilted back told her everything. She barely even recognized her own hips chasing unspeakable pleasures. Again she raised herself before dropping back onto the mass overstretching her entrance. She eventually found her own pace. Damned anyone coming or not. 

   “Good girl.” Silky praises left his lips. “Needed this didn't you? I'll give you as many babies as you desire.” He crooned into her ear and rubbed her back, feeling her crumble around him. She was dying inside to know that he could tell how much those words turned her on. 

   He thrust impatiently into the hot and wet slick running down her thighs. Soiling the sheets and making his leather pants stick to her skin.

   Aerith bounced with abandon. Lost to the sound of her own excitement. Getting a little closer to the edge each time. He wasn't far behind with the way she was coming on. Like she’d been dying for his cock and couldn’t be satiated. 

   “Please… faster Sephiroth, let me come.” she moaned. Her hips rolled wildly. Entertaining any angle she could get. Trying to make him finish.

   “You look better with a bump here.” Sephiroth pressed softly into her lower stomach. Creating pressure where his length already pushed the boundaries of her cervix. 

   “Don’t do that. I'll pee.” Aerith whined. Too much attention was coming from everywhere at one. She needed to let go. 

   “Then do it.” He pushed a little harder. Feeling himself thrust within her.

   “What?!”

   “Soil yourself for me. Your soldier's face would-” She shoved a hand over his mouth. He couldn't seem to decide on just pleasuring her or making her miserable. 

   “I said stop talking about him. Just let me enjoy this in peace.” Aerith closed her eyes and kept slamming herself down. Her thighs were burning. But she moved like someone possessed. His devilish smile spread, his perfect little Cetra. He licked her palm and nipped at her fingers. 

   “You're out of time.” Sephiroth grabbed her ass and tilted backwards. He locked both arms around her soft backside. His biceps flexed, keeping her flush against his chest. He planted his feet and began pounding her senseless.

   Aerith squealed through her tightly shut mouth. Oh how she wanted to scream. He found the way her little moans were stifled even more erotic. She was holding her breath to keep quiet, getting lightheaded and making her pussy squeeze him. He doubled down on the brutal pace, grunting each time his balls hit her ass until the bed shook. If she wanted it so bad despite the circumstances, he'd give it to her.

   A part of him knew he shouldn't. But it felt like a lifetime had passed since he had her. And she was taking it so well. The sloppy sounds of her sanity being pulverized filled the room. All that tension was reaching a crescendo. Aerith clawed at the sheets and buried her face into his neck. If it wasn't obvious the suite was occupied before, it was now. And her comrades were done checking up next door. 

   A pitiful whine slipped free as Aerith felt herself lose control. Her hips violently twitched with bliss. Riding the orgasm out on each unrelenting thrust. Her moans turned raspy against his ear. He fucked through her heat, and she felt the moment his breaths turned thick and raspy. 

   A growl tore through his entire chest. He wanted to be so deep he'd have straight access to her womb. His hips shoved into her one last time once the tightness in his balls grew unbearable. And he delighted in every second of it. Hot seed flooded into her. Making sure to keep his Cetra fully bred even though her stomach was occupied. He used a hand to shove her ass further down his cock. Even when he thought it might be settled, another thick rope spurt into her. Maybe she'd have twins.

   Aerith was breathless by the time he relaxed. Her entire body tingled. Sad to feel the rush over just like that. Her hips wiggled back and forth around him. He'd finally gone a bit soft. Allowing him to sit inside more comfortably. A wave of shame and excitement rippled across her spine when she imagined she could fall asleep happily while keeping him warm like this.

   “I could love you.” She muttered softly, completely delirious. Her eyes remained shut as she slumped over him. Too spent to feel any urgency. 

   “Aerith?” His pupils thinned. He couldn't have heard that right.

   “Shhh. Quiet now.” She tucked her arms around his lazily. Ready to find sleep.

   Sephiroth heard Cloud banging on the front door of the suite. Once they got in, it was only a matter of seconds before they found this bedroom. Although he didn't care, something told him Aerith would. He pinched both of her ass cheeks until she yelped and was fully awake.

   “Aerith?!” Cloud responded to her cry. Their muffled voices rang from beyond the main room.

   “Move!” Tifa signaled before kicking the door in. 

   Aerith was properly panicked again as the afterglow faded. They weren't quiet about entering the suite. Immediately guiding the Wataians out and trashing the space, calling for her. Sephiroth put a finger to his lips. Waiting for that frightened gaze to settle on him.

   “Be quick little Cetra.” He whispered with amusement. Aerith immediately rolled off him and began wiping her wobbly legs. She was a sticky mess. Sephiroth was already on his feet and sliding a massive wardrobe over the door. Even the buster sword would have to swing generously to get past the layers of wood. But the sound of furniture scraping reverberated through the floors. 

   “In there.” They heard Cloud stop. He must have heard them shuffling. 

   “Cloud, Look!” Tifa gasped. Aerith's weapon was lying around out there. Only so many rooms were left to check. 

   Aerith felt sick as she desperately combed fingers through her hair. She jumped the second the doorknob started jingling. Sephiroth chuckled, calmly placing his uniform back together. She shot darts at him with her eyes. 

   “Fuck, why is everything locked?” Cloud started yanking on the knob. 

   Aerith immediately waved Sephiroth over and turned her back. Holding the front of her dress in place and sweeping away her hair. Redoing the corset was tricky after he broke the ribbon. But his strength could easily pull it shut again. Aerith braced herself for the pinch. 

   “Hmm.” Sephiroth suddenly released her top, wrapping both hands around her stomach from behind. He leaned into her neck, massaging the tender part of her belly. “I don't think that's a very good idea.” The gown was clearly uncomfortable for her. Not something an expecting mother would enjoy squeezing into.

   “Th- then just tie the top. Hurry!” She whispered frantically. Squirming around and swatting his hands away. As he finished, a loud bang shook the entire door frame. Tifa had broken the knob straight off. 

   “Something's in the way.” Tifa grunted as her shoulder pushed into the door. Willing it to open. But Sephiroth continued to move leisurely. Kneeling in front of Aerith and inspecting her torn skirt. She could barely get enough air into her lungs. Why wasn't he leaving?

   “You're dripping.” He said as if she didn't know. Diving between her legs, he licked the mix of their lovemaking off her inner thigh. Surrounded by the filthy aroma of their lust. It made getting aroused again too easy. He mouthed at her entrance. Making sure to suck the most tender area. Aerith was too late to cover her moan. The stimulation was borderline painful now. Her hands yanked at his hair to try and pry him off. 

   “Aerith, are you in there?!” Cloud shouted again. Kicking with greater force until the wardrobe wobbled. 

   “Sephiroth, you have to go.” She pleaded as quietly as possible. Using her fingers to skirtch his scalp lovingly. But she saw the shift in his eyes. The displeased glare. He was changing his mind. Aerith heard Cloud's sword shred the door. Stilled only by the wardrobe on the verge of collapsing. She dropped to her knees and took Sephiroth's face. 

   “Please. I'm not done here.” Aerith kissed the side of his mouth. Tasting herself on him. 

   “Your party is no longer safe. If something happens to you, I will punish them, and I will claim you regardless of any promises.” Sephiroth watched her eyes water. Surely she knew this was no place for someone carrying a child to be. Her comrades would continue to push her in their ignorance. He listened to the thrum of her stomach again. Hugging her close and showing no signs of leaving. 

   The swing of Cloud's buster sword gained momentum as the wardrobe gave away. Tifa was the first to push out whatever broken bits she could to lighten the barricade. She tried pushing through the small gap. 

   “Aerith!” She noticed her friend's backside immediately. Her concern only increased trying to decipher whose arms coiled around her.

   “Tifa, watch out!” Cloud waited for her to pull back before swinging again. This time the blade cut clean through.

   “Please go.” Aerith pleaded. She couldn't see a version of this where he didn't fight Cloud. She couldn't handle any more stress.

   “Get out of the building Cetra. I will finish it.” Sephiroth placed another vial in Aerith's hand and kissed her. 

   “Don't touch her!” Tifa was the first to shout. Prying the wardrobe apart enough to squeeze though. 

   “Sephiroth?” Cloud's eyes fell instantly to the stream of silver hair. Catching the glare in those catlike eyes as the general stood. Cloud's foot immediately started slamming into the last corner of the wardrobe. 

   Sephiroth's wing exploded into the room. Forcing everyone's eyes shut long enough to step away. Tifa slid against the gust of wind. Fighting to regain her footing before running over. Aerith's eyes never left the black shadow jumping over the railing. A strange kind of emptiness hit her. 

   “What happened?” Tifa asked. She dropped Aerith's staff and sank to the floor. Cupping her friends face. 

   Cloud stayed behind them. Completely frozen by her ragged appearance. Guilt slammed into him for letting her go alone. He'd never known such shame. Such failure. The room smelled thickly of death and sex. He scanned the perimeter. Immediately noticing the crumpled body. Blood was everywhere, and a knife wasn't too far from where Aerith sat scrunched up. He tried piecing it together. Sephiroth couldn't have been in the bidding room. Was it just a coincidence he ended up here?

   Cloud tore a blanket from the bed and quickly moved to cover the corpse. He almost threw up upon realizing how wet the sheet was. Tifa cradled her friend, assuming the worst. She shouldn't have gone along with such a dangerous plan. They got out unscathed once at Wall Market, but that was dumb luck.

   “I'm okay, really.” Aerith wiped her eyes. Holding still enough for Tifa to dab her face with a handkerchief. The fighter stole glances at Cloud. She could tell he was suffocating. He did that a lot recently. Boxed himself off and disappeared into himself.

   Cloud still didn't really feel like he was here. They'd already walked in on several girls being used tonight before apprehending the culprits. But not Aerith. Not her. Cloud heard his gloves crunch between his fists. He had to stay calm. Resist the urge to stomp on the body before him. Sephiroth might still be near. Cloud didn't want to ask. Didn't wish to know.

   He inhaled slowly. Finally turning around and offering a hand. It was all he could think to do when the right words wouldn't come. Aerith accepted him gingerly and hoisted herself up. He wanted to die. She was completely ravaged. Aerith was barely holding her dress together. Her knees shook like a newborn fawn. 

   “Thank you.” Aerith breathed. Still coming down from the panic of everything. She managed to smile at them.

   “This was stupid.” Cloud's words were sharp. He tore off his jacket and draped it around her. “We're never doing something like this again.” He was upset with himself more than anything. Should have just put on the dumb dress and gone with them. 

   “Agreed.” Aerith nodded. Slowly regaining control over herself enough to stop jittering. “I want to get out of here.” 

   Aerith already knew what they must be thinking. What they wanted to ask. But the somber atmosphere kept them quiet. She must have looked dreadful. She didn't feel like making more excuses. And they had a job to finish.

Chapter Text

   “Take Aerith outside. I'll find Corneo.” Cloud hurried them into the hallway. Keeping a steady hand pressed to Aerith's back. Tifa tore the remaining bits of Aerith's skirt off in preparation to run. 

   “No!” Aerith snatched Cloud's arm. “Let's all leave together.” She didn't know how much time they had. But she wouldn't take Sephiroth's words lightly. Whatever happened, Cloud couldn't get left behind. 

   He opened his mouth to protest, but her eyes tore into him. A desperation he'd only seen on occasion. Whenever she knew something he didn't.  

   “Did you rescue everyone?” Aerith asked. Looking to Tifa for confirmation. 

   “We checked what we could on the way up, but there's so many rooms…”

   “Barret's loading up whoever they can into a truck.” Cloud pushed them towards the stairs. 

   The building started to rumble. Lights flickered as the floor shook and the walls groaned. Aerith's stomach sunk.  

   “The hell was that?” Cloud braced his sword and looked to the ceiling. 

   “We have to go.” Aerith's gaze darted around the hall until she spotted a little box. She lunged for it. Smashing the surrounding barrier with her staff to sound the fire alarm. She had to believe this was enough. Whoever made it now was out of their hands. 

   Everything vibrated as they made their descent. Rubble fell away under the scream of sirens. Aerith struggled to keep up. But she was already falling behind and panting. They weren't even climbing, yet her lungs burned. Each huff was drowned out under the screams of Wutaians once they hit the third floor. Hallways filled with guests stumbling over each other in a panic. 

   “This way!” Tifa shouted from the stairway. A blood curdling cry cut through the chaos making Cloud’s whole body jerk. 

   “Sephiroth,” he muttered. His fingers twitched. Instinct told him to sprint. A tall dark figure was shifting through the mess of scampering bodies at the end of the corridor. Masamune cut through anyone still waving their dick around or in a suit.

   Aerith's eyes widened in horror. Smoke was already clogging the halls. The heat of flames would soon suffocate everything with a pulse. She jumped when the ground shook once more. 

   “Leave him.” Aerith took the back of Cloud's shirt and pulled with all her might. 

   “Why?” Cloud snapped. He whipped around in disbelief. Their foe would be far easier to catch in tight quarters.

   “He's not why we're here right?” Aerith squeezed.   

   “What did he say to you?” Cloud's grip on the sword relaxed.

   “To leave.” She slid a hand over his own. Leading him back to the stairway where Tifa ushered out the few Wutaians in sight. 

   Cloud mindlessly let himself be pulled along by Aerith's hand. He stopped ignoring those itchy thoughts and looked at her for real. The remnants of smeared lipstick. The sheen on her legs. The now very clear hickeys her jacket once hid. 

   It made him think of the first time he found her. The night they spent in the cave. It all felt so delicate. He couldn't ask clearly then. But now Cloud wished he hadn't hesitated.  

   “Barret!” Tifa waved him down as they stumbled outside. 

   “What the hell are y'all doing?! I thought this was a rescue mission not a demolition!” Barret shouted from the back of a Shinra truck. Yuffie was helping load the girls. They moved as though it were routine. Climbing back into the vehicle that got them here. 

  Another blast erupted from the sky. Nearby trees became dusted in orange from the spreading embers. The entire top half of the building was on fire. Turning black and crumbling in on itself. 

   Sephiroth wasn't just clearing out a few rooms. He was going to erase the whole building from existence. 

   “We have to go back! This can't be everyone.” Yuffie closed up the truck and made a break for the hotel. Barret's hand snatched her by the collar. 

   “We gave as good as we got.” He tried to calm her down. He learned a long time ago that saving every life was a pipe dream. 

   “No!” Yuffie screamed as more explosions tore apart the windows. The wails of those left behind were swallowed under the crackling of fire. Aerith stood before it all and stared into the sky. Near the rooftops she could feel him watching. Waiting to see if she had made it out yet. Aerith closed her eyes. She had to tell herself it was worth it.

   “Aerith, get down!” Cloud wrapped himself around her shoulders and dragged her away from the fallout. He ignored the urge to look back. That was almost him up there.

   “Hey guys?” Tifa pointed up. A man’s shrieks cut through the wind. He was falling. Nothing more than a black mass plummeting from what was once the 30th floor. Cloud covered Aerith's eyes the moment the body kissed the ground. But that didn't stop the sound of each bone shattering. 

   “Is that …”

   “Corneo.” Cloud breathed. Yuffie tore herself from Barret's grip. Showing no hesitation when her foot connected with the body. She could barely see through her tears.

   “Bastard! Stupid ugly old bastard.” Yuffie stomped on what remained of the Don’s arm until Tifa pried her away. Hugging the sobbing ninja and rubbing her back. 

   Aerith heeled over to vomit. Everything was starting to sink in. She wanted to apologize. Say it was going to be alright. That they had a truck full of survivors. But deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if they'd done more harm than good. 

   Returning to the docks was unbearable. Vincent drove the truck ahead. Yuffie refused to speak. Barret reminded everyone they looked like shit. And Tifa just stared at the ground angrily. Ambulances rushed past once town caught wind of the accident. Aerith knew there'd be nothing to save. Nothing but a few black feathers. 

   Cloud didn't let go of Aerith the whole way. Waiting for her to say anything. She'd gone catatonic. Unsure how much was her fault. If this was what the consequences of leaving Sephiroth's would be. 

   She thought she was ready for this life when they left Midgar. But now the ache in her belly said otherwise. Just remembering how weak she'd been against a single man made her want to scream. Her body was slowing down, preparing itself for motherhood. Her feet dragged and she clenched the vial Sephiroth had given her. She could still feel his seed trickling down her thighs.

   “Everything is prepared.” Vincent said. Cid and Cait stood by the boat. On standby with a small crew they bought off to set sail. 

   “Y'all ain't gonna believe this. There’s a heap of men aboard this ship. Sedated, but alive.” Cid’s cigarette illuminated his face. Trying to smoke away his obvious nerves. He didn’t mention the group of Shinra guards they had to knock out.

   “I presume their next stop was Icicle Village. Or rather, Hojo's new lab.” Nanaki jumped off the ship's deck to join them. “Shinra must have been funding Corneo’s little project in exchange for the men.”  

   He sniffed the air as though it were foul. Nanaki's head snapped to Aerith but she was too exhausted to meet his gaze. She'd be a mess if not for Cloud's overcoat. 

   “How soon can they leave?” Cloud asked.

   “Immediately.” Vincent eyed the cargo truck loading up everyone they recovered. 

   “I'm going with them.” Yuffie said. Everyone's muttering had gone still. “I'll make sure they get home safely. I have to.” 

   Aerith watched the young girl shake. She blinked away tears. Trying to appear confident. Aerith could only imagine what she was feeling. The Cetra were already long gone before she was born. But the time with her mother in captivity was enough heartache for a lifetime. Yuffie shouldn't have to experience the same for her people. 

   “This will be the last boat, ever.” Aerith cupped her hands. With this, Shinra had lost their supplier.

   “You're still going north right?” Yuffie looked up wide eyed. Full of the vulnerability of a child.

   “Promise. We'll get the others home safely.”

   Aerith leaned against a wooden handrail as Yuffie said her goodbyes. If everything went well, they were sure to cross paths again. Yuffie was the one who found them after all. Nanaki kept his distance. She was sure he had a lot to say. 

   "Aerith.” Sephiroth's voice flooded her thoughts. She glanced around. Unsure if she called him by mistake again. 

   "You didn't have to burn it.” Her heart was tight.

   "Where are you?”

   "All those people…” She squeezed her eyes shut. 

   "Parasites.” Sephiroth cut her off. Still furious.

   "Some were innocent.”

   "Then I send a blessing. Their suffering is no more.”

   "How can you just do that?” Aerith couldn't understand. He has no regrets. No second thoughts.

   “So soft Cetra. What is saving a hand tonight if beds are filled every full moon? Will you lay yourself bare each time?”

    Demolishing the trade of Wutaians entirely was the best outcome. But victims shouldn't have paid the price. Aerith wiped her eyes. The boat's engine was starting up. Yuffie waved at them.

    “I never vowed compassion, only your life. They touched you, yet you did not call for me.” Sephiroth's spoke as if to condemn her. A sore reminder of what could have been avoided if she’d never left in the first place. 

   “Aerith? You ready to go?” Tifa called her softly. Watching the way her friend bent strangely along the railing. 

   “Sure am. I could go for a shower.” Aerith forced a smile and stretched herself upright.

   "Are you angry?” Sephiroth asked. 

   "No. I'm glad you found me.” Aerith took a deep breath. There was nowhere to go but forward. 

   Cloud was a hovering mess. Aerith barely had room to walk between him and Tifa. He offered to carry her after noticing she'd been barefoot the whole time. Aerith just shook her head. She couldn't tell if she was feeling woozy from the smoke, the guilt, or both. All she knew was she wanted to crawl into a corner and sleep. 

   They wouldn't leave after reaching her door. Cloud reached out to the cuts on her shoulder.

   “Do you have materia? I've got one in my room-”

   “I got it covered Cloud. Thank you.” Aerith turned the door knob and stepped inside.

   “Sure you don't need anything? I could make us a drink after all that.” Tifa put her hand on the doorframe. Trying to invite herself in. Aerith could see the uncertainty on their faces. The questions. 

   “I just really want to sleep. We leave tomorrow morning, right?” Aerith said sweetly. She'd love a drink. But that was off the table for now.

   “Yeah, but-”

   “Goodnight.” Aerith waved at them and shut the door. She sighed deeply when the latch clicked into place. Just getting to the shower was a chore. Aerith wobbled. Immediately stripping off Cloud's jacket and letting her dress fall. There was barely anything left of the poor fabric. Madam M was gonna kill them. 

   Once under the running water Aerith slid along the tile. Standing was too much. Remains of blood and ash swirled around the drain. She wasn't very diligent with the soap. Her eyelids were getting heavy. Aerith groaned at the discomfort in her belly. She stretched her arms outside the shower curtain and fumbled with the dress pockets. 

   “There you are.” She muttered. Taking the vial and leaning back under the warm rain. She started to miss that stupid bath. A tub would be far more relaxing. 

   Aerith shot back the remedy, immediately gagging afterwards. It burned on the way down. Leaving a trail of tingles long after she'd swallowed. Aerith covered her mouth to muffle her coughs. 

   “Is it not the same?” She slumped into a corner. Everything was sore. She didn't dare touch her center. Allowing the soap to run down her thighs instead. Working her fingers over her chest and arms wasn't any more pleasant. Her nipples didn't respond well to even the slightest touch. She felt absolutely pathetic. No more than an easily bruised piece of fruit. What good was she to anyone in this state?

   Aerith sniffled and threw the vial. She heard it smash against the wall but kept her head in her knees. Aerith from before all this might have been able to save someone. She would have handled that guy easily and joined Tifa and Cloud in the raid. Instead they wasted time trying to rescue her. 

   “Aerith?!” Tifa swung the curtain open. Aerith jerked, staring up in fear. Tifa had her clothes. Her jacket in one hand, and Sephiroth's feather's in the other.

   It was hard to read Tifa's face. Perhaps concern was the strongest among everything else when she heard a crash. She just couldn't leave it alone this time. 

   After Aerith shut the door, she kept standing outside like an idiot beside Cloud. She convinced him to leave after a few minutes. Working up a new wave of confidence. She couldn't keep pretending to be blind. 

   Tifa knocked twice before peeking inside. She quickly realized Aerith was still in the shower and went to her drawers. They needed to start packing anyway. But then a little black feather fell from a pile of clothes. Tifa slowly unfolded the clump. When she shook Aerith’s red jacket, several more tiny remnants floated out. 

   Then something shattered. Tifa heard tiny cries from behind the stream of water and ran over. Aerith looked exhausted. But that's not what scared her. She immediately dropped the clothes when Aerith tried to stand. Her friend's stomach was unnaturally round. She might not have thought anything of it if they didn't spend everyday together. But Aerith's body certainly didn't look this way a few nights ago.

   Tifa reached out to shut off the water and take Aerith's hands when she stumbled forward.

   “What's happening to you?” Tifa's eyes darted over her body. The legs and arms of a powerful mage were shaking under her own weight. 

   “I wanted to tell you...” Aerith whispered through a lump in her throat. “I'm pregnant.”

   The disbelief on Tifa's face made Aerith want to bite her own tongue. She stepped out of the shower and slumped against the young fighter for support. Tifa scooped up a nearby towel. Unable to possess the gravity of such a thing. Questing every interaction they'd had since her rescue. 

   “But that's not possible.” Tifa couldn’t accept something like that. Staring down at the pile of black feathers. She was just going to ask about the nature of her secret relationship with Sephiroth. She already had a few guesses why Aerith might entertain their foe. But she couldn't understand what Sephiroth was getting out of it. Until now. 

   Aerith wrapped herself up quickly but seeing Tifa’s face made her heart squeeze. The disgust and regret was too much on top of everything tonight. 

   “Please don't cry Tifa. Don't be upset.” Aerith wiped her cheek. 

   Tifa thought she'd be more angry, but the devastation was stronger. She put an arm behind the flower girl and helped move her to the bed. 

   “I'm so sorry.” Tifa couldn't stop her eyes from watering. “We didn't find you soon enough did we? No wonder you've been ill, the doctor-”

   “Shhh. You're supposed to say, congratulations .” Aerith put a finger to Tifa's lips. The corner of her lip curled into a weak smile. A bit of that burden was lighter now. One less person to hide from. But Tifa lowered her head. She couldn't pretend to be happy. Not when trying to understand how it happened in the first place. 

   “No, what if this is something else?” Tifa peeled away a bit of Aerith's towel to inspect her stomach and winced. She'd seen firsthand how creatures could mutate in Nibelheim. Mako reactors could poison anything. And Sephiroth's entire existence was like a toxin that disfigured whatever he touched. 

   “It's not exactly normal. But it's true. There’s a child in me.” Tifa dropped her head in her hands.

   “This whole time we've been traveling. Pushing you. This stupid plan. Why didn't you say anything?” 

   “I'm sorry. I messed up.”

   “We’ll kill him, you'll never -” The air in Tifa’s throat vanished the moment she looked at Aerith. There was so much rage in her heart yet Aerith held onto a somber smile. “... you don't want to?” 

   “The thing is,” Aerith swallowed. Her mouth was incredibly dry despite the humid beach. “I want to see him.” Aerith slowly started pulling her nightgown over herself. Trying to give any excuse not to look into those disappointed eyes. 

   “I don't understand.” Tifa's voice turned harsher. It wasn’t a sound Aerith was used to.

   “Sephiroth intends to erase everything. But I want this baby, and I know he does too. What if we can change things? Rewrite the future?”

   “But we did so much to find you.” 

   “Thank you for that, really. I wanted you to find me so much. I tried running a few times, but I was so lonely Tifa. That place had no life, no music, only him.” 

   “Then let us protect you! Don’t throw your life away.” She grabbed Aerith’s hand. Tears started falling from the flower girl's face. 

   “This life isn’t really mine though. I’m not supposed to be here. I don’t know what my role is anymore.” Aerith felt nothing but shame. For so long she wanted to stay by their side. But now that she had the chance, she wasn’t sure of her place. Not once had she helped fight since returning. Her staff was collecting dust, the planet’s call was but a whisper, and Cloud had yet to regain his memories. She didn’t even want to think of the new advancements Shinra had begun.

   “Says who? You belong with us.” Tifa pulled her into an embrace. Aerith giggled through her tears. She could only imagine hearing such words all her life.

   “I love your voice Tifa. You always make me feel so warm.” Aerith hugged her back. Still smelling the faint scent of smoke in her hair. 

   “He’s going to hurt you Aerith, I just know it. You looked so ill before, you should see how much better you are now.” After a moment of silence, Aerith cleared her throat. It might have seemed as though she was improving, but she knew every day was getting harder. In every universe, Sephiroth held the key to her life in his hands.

   “The thing is, Sephiroth found something that could help me. He's been sending me medicine.” 

   Tifa slowly started to realize and leaned away. Sephiroth had wormed himself even deeper into their lives. She could barely stomach how much Cloud's existence was already being eaten by Sephiroth. 

   “So we’ve done nothing for you.”

   “Tifa…”

   “All this time you’re suffering and we just drag you along. But that thing keeps hovering by you. Making us look like fools.” Tifa chewed on her lip. He must have been there tonight to save Aerith. To deliver some shitty medicine they didn't know of. Then there was her jacket. He really was in Bone village, right under their noses. 

   “Not at all! I’m so happy to see you again. You don’t know what this time means to me. I wanted to tell you sooner, truly, I won’t hide it anymore.” Tifa snapped her head up at the declaration. “I'll tell Cloud, everyone.”

   “Aerith, wait you can't.” Tifa suddenly grabbed her shoulders. Every moment Cloud almost fell off the deep end played through her head in a never-ending loop.

   Cloud was a delicate doll Tifa tried holding close till now. He was always in quicksand but no matter how hard she pulled, he just kept sinking. The headaches, the nightmares, the times he almost killed himself, they were still there. Waiting for the perfect moment to spill over the cracks in his mind 

   So much of their problems were at bay for now. But if Cloud knew what grew inside of Aerith, Tifa wasn't sure what to predict. The thought made her shudder. 

   She couldn’t trust Cloud to think rationally. Would he just shut down and close himself off? Or would he go mad and run off to take care of things himself? None of those covered how he'd deal with Aerith. Tifa had a feeling he'd want to erase the thing inside her immediately. 

   “But it's going to be obvious soon.” Aerith touched her stomach. She could practically feel the baby growing. Each day the clock ran faster than the previous. 

   “You have to trust me on this-” 

   “Hey you guys up?!”

   Aerith and Tifa flinched when Barret started banging on the door. Tifa threw a blanket over Aerith’s body before she could think. 

   “We’re here!” She shouted back. Aerith had never heard her voice crack before. The door slowly opened before he walked in with Cloud. “Everything okay?” 

   “Scuse us.” Cloud looked away a bit flushed. Aerith’s hair was still wet and the way Tifa had her bundled up made them think she was still indecent. 

   “I know it’s short notice, but get ready to leave tonight.” Barret was straight to the point.

   “What’s wrong?” Aerith asked. 

   “Shinra caught wind of our little night out and are on the way. Turns out exploding buildings are an Avalanche trademark,” he huffed. 

   “But we didn't do that.” Tifa was starting to panic. Too many problems were stacking up.

   “Doesn’t matter.” Cloud met her gaze before finding the courage to peek at Aerith. “You up for this? You seemed a little woozy.” 

   Aerith couldn’t seem to speak. She wanted to confess. Nanaki swore it’d be alright. The mood tonight was already sour, there’d be nothing left to spoil. But Tifa squeezed her hand nervously. Her seed of doubt was so palpable.

   “Of course, we’ll be ready when you are.” Aerith finally found that familiar smile. A mask she was used to wearing in tough situations. She could audibly hear Tifa’s sigh. But Cloud frowned. She hesitated too long, it suddenly occurred to him what she might have been talking about with Tifa. 

   “Good, ‘cause we ain’t got a choice. Y'all can sleep on the plane.” Barret nodded now that everyone was on the same page. Aerith agreed even if her gut kept twisting. Sephiroth wasn’t going to be happy to find her gone again.

Chapter Text

   Aerith got herself together regardless of fatigue with Tifa's help. An awkward rustling of clothes and zippers filled the room as she redressed. Tifa shoved whatever belongings were within reach mindlessly into a satchel, unable to make eye contact. Afraid of the words she might regret.

   Aerith knew it wouldn’t be easy to accept. Nanaki's perspective had spoiled her. Sephiroth's relationship to everyone she loved was volatile, and the longer Tifa had to think about it, the worse she felt. Aerith knew to tread lightly, but when Tifa angrily scooped the feather's by the shower to toss them out, she jumped.

   “Wait!” Her body protested as if a part of herself was about to be discarded. A deep inhale filled the room. Aerith bit her tongue, but she wanted those. Needed them. Tifa's fist clenched before slamming them into the bin. 

   “I need to get changed.” She couldn't watch her friend fuss with that dress any longer. Pulling at her jacket in every which way to try and hide the insidious bump. 

   “Okay…” Aerith reached out but Tifa was gone before waiting for any response. Aerith sighed. Wishing to be anywhere else. She pulled her damp hair up and peered into the trash. 

   “Just one, maybe the others were too many.”  She stroked the soft bristles to soothe the twinge of guilt before putting one back into her pocket. 

   The party didn’t take the shield of night for granted. Costa del sol was so preoccupied with the fire, no one noticed them slip away. Aerith swiped a blanket for coverage. Several curious eyes would be far too close for comfort in Cid's plane.

   “If we're smart, we might be able to take the village in a day.” Cloud said while buckling himself into the Tiny Bronco. 

   “Now you're thinking Merc! If Shinra's busy here, why the hell not?” Barret laughed. As far as he was concerned, tonight was as close to success as Avalanche usually got.

   Aerith relaxed into the stiff chair and tried closing her eyes. This new substance Sephiroth delivered didn't offer such instant relief. Was she growing immune? Nanaki jumped aboard and paused to brush her hand with his nose before sniffing. Aerith pried an eye open and smiled. She scratched his ear as if to say everything was alright. 

   “So, how ‘bout a detour.” Cid rubbed his hands together excitedly as he started the engine. 

   “Don't have time.” Vincent sighed and crawled into the back. 

   “Well word has it y'all are gonna need some Shinra slacks. Just so happens I know where to get 'em. Along with a bit of insurance .” 

   “It better be close or forget it.” Cloud groaned. 

   “Ya gonna love it. Lil 'place we call Rocket Town.”

   “Whatever man, just get a move on.” Barret waved him down from the cargo hold. “Sure hope that kid's gonna be alright.”

   “Yuffie can take care of herself.” Cloud muttered. 

   “Just wait till you're a father one day and see how that attitude fares.” Barret dropped onto a pile of crates and shook his head. 

    Aerith couldn't decide if the noise was helping or not. Tifa's silence still echoed behind. Every nervous sigh and squirm seeped through Aerith’s skin. She could hear the shift of leather each time Tifa moved her legs around.

 - - -

   Sephiroth would have liked to watch it all turn to ashes. Very little was as peaceful as the sounds of sinners' last moments fading to silence. He couldn't really say if there was a difference between what Aerith considered a good or bad person. The one she seemed to be most disgusted with was at the top suite. A large and gluttonous man Sephiroth had never seen. Several women in a poor state were scattered around the room. Perhaps some would need medical attention, something they couldn't afford.

   The Don released the head of someone being used for his own pleasures the moment black shadows entered the room. He must have heard rumors in the slums about an ex war hero. Shinra's legend. He didn't even make to the edge of the bed before the entire floor erupted into flames. The women would never recall such a night. Would never face the aftermath, it would simply be no more.

   There could be no room for doubt. Sephiroth wanted her off this damn beach, so he let the man fall after his blade cut through the Don's stomach. He saw her evacuate, confirm the body, and take what they could, but it still wasn't him she was leaving with. The grip on Masamune could have snapped the handle when Cloud had the nerve to put his coat over Aerith. As if he had the right to comfort her when allowing this to happen in the first place. Walking away with the rewards of his victory. 

   Sephiroth opened his mind in search of a puppet closer to town, but a new path had been forged. Something once off limits. It made his feathers ruffle and as he reached straight for it.

    “Aerith?” 

   A moment of silence. Perhaps he'd been mistaken.

    “...You didn't have to burn it.”  

   Sephiroth inhaled deeply, unsure of what changed, but part of this connection was finally within control. He first thought to reprimand her. Tell her how unacceptable tonight was. But only a pathetic inquiry followed. The last time their bodies shared such warmth she coughed blood for days. 

    “Where are you?”

    Aerith sounded more defeated than expected. Far too invested in the lives of things that could not be simply mended within a day. Sephiroth thought she might appreciate having the source of her trouble erased all together. Apparently she didn't like that option either, not that he really cared. She'd been fooling around this forsaken beach for too long over a fool he could have taken care of weeks ago.  

    “Are you angry?” Sephiroth asked. 

    “No. I'm glad you found me.”

   In an instant the sweet hum of her voice vanished. Aerith shut him out again. His brow knit when the connection vanished. The tether was unstable. Yet despite the reservations, she thanked him?

   Sephiroth tried not to look so smug. Those stubborn edges were smoothing out. He's certain the phrase love had slipped out earlier. Even if she was just coming off the heat of human pleasures. She was desperate. For what entirely Sephiroth was still undecided. Sex? A hero in the moment? Or perhaps the company of someone she didn’t have to hide from. She still hadn’t told the others anything…   

   Sephiroth looked to the sky in search of some connection to a body in the North. He was in the middle of speaking with Hojo when a chill went through his spine. Sephiroth didn't get chills. He might have considered it almost spiritual if not for all the strange tingles he'd been getting whenever Aerith tried to call him. Yet, there was no voice or sign it could be her. This feeling undeniably wasn't his own. So just as the scientist turned his back, Sephiroth's mind slipped into another along the beach.

   His intuition always proved right. Aerith's heartbeat was wild despite the distance. The sound was as familiar as one's own breath. The building excitement every Soldier felt before claiming a life. Leaving her alone was a ticking time bomb. Each time he found her she was a mess. As if fate was trying to erase her in his absence. He didn't want to do this again, vanishing once she's stable. They don't deserve her. Have no right to see her everyday. She's carrying his future, she belongs to him. 

   Sephiroth watched his breath float away when his eyes reopened. Simmering palm trees had been replaced by a snowy village. He had something of a gift for Aerith, and it was ready.

   If only this tiered road with Hojo would find its completion. It was easy to imagine him fuming after being ghosted. The scientist was only going to get greedier, and their relationship had run its course. Sephiroth never foresaw the child growing this quickly. Aerith's time in labor will be cut considerably, and the sickness might not last much longer. His attempt to merge with the lifestream could even be upon the season. 

   Sephiroth slipped into the underground lab without any words or greeting. But his presence was something the scientist had known since he was but a Tonberry's height.

    “Coming and going with such little respect for my efforts. I question how bad you truly need this,” Hojo snipped. He fumbled with a table of loose vials. Some Sephiroth recognized as the lifestream and his blood, the others were far more dubious.

   “Company is not something I waste easily.”

   Hojo slammed a hand on the table as he stood, making its content's rattle. 

   “Perhaps you're best left to your own devices. But considering your lack of education on the subject and continual visits, something suggests a bit more gratitude is in order.” Sephiroth eyed the counter behind him. Several petri dishes and a scope were splayed out. Whatever the scientist discovered had put him in a foul mood. “Just how often have you been feeding the subject bits of the lifestream?” Hojo's tone was rather accusatory. Sephiroth had tried passing Aerith a vial every chance he got.

   “Every few nights.” Sephiroth kept his face fairly blank. 

   “I did not take your ambitions to be for Ancient lineage alone.” Hojo's claim cut through Sephiroth's mask for a moment. Thin pupils widening in interest. “As I thought.” Hojo huffed in disbelief.

   “Explain.” 

   “I doubt you have the capability to understand such a simple thing! You should have brought her to me directly.” Hojo waved his arms hysterically. 

   “I suggest you try.” Sephiroth moved until his frame towered over the old man. He could only entertain this for so long.

   “If the way the lifestream interacts with your blood is anything like how it moves through her, any lingering J-cells will be completely eradicated by the time of delivery!”

   Sephiroth's stomach knotted in a way he was unfamiliar with. He once suspected something like this, but he refused to consider it fully. The child needed to be equal parts himself as much as it was Cetra. But finding a cure to his own DNA contradicted such a thing. If mother was excreted from Aerith before the baby was born, what was the point? 

    Aerith feared their child would not be of Cetrean descent. But his lineage was proving far more difficult to preserve. The lifestream rejected him, but he did not think it could exterminate him. Though Aerith was a stubborn creature. Even when he returned years after his defeat to reclaim Cloud she sent a rain to wash away his efforts. 

   Water from the lifestream…

   “You assume too much professor. The effects don't last that long.”

   “Considering it's barely been her first trimester you best hope so boy. Stop giving it to her immediately. Only take what I provide till the last snowfall.”

   “It won't be that long.” The words turned to sand the moment the words left Sephiroth's lips. Hojo completely froze. Many mistakes were being born of late. This lifetime was not something he had an eternity to practice. 

   “Oh? And, how soon do you think it will be?” Hojo pretended to relax, but the enthusiasm bubbling beneath his voice was clear. 

   “...soon.” Sephiroth didn't know what compelled him to speak truthfully. Perhaps it was curiosity. 

   “Remarkable.” Hojo grinned, taking a moment to consider. “Just imagine the possibilities! Multiple births within a year. How many do you suppose she might carry at a time?”

   Sephiroth fought to keep his head clear. He'd been so focused on the planet, it wasn't something he gave much thought. Did he want more? Realistically Aerith could remain fertile for decades. Would she dare run after their first? He could keep her filled every season, aching and in need of his care. 

   “Perhaps four? Six? Jenova has shown excellent adaptability to species that support litters. She might comfortably have three at a time.” Hojo paced around.

   “Professor .” Sephiroth took care not to react too much, but the harsh tone was enough to make even the hairs of Hojo's neck stand.  

   “I'm sure you won't require all of your offspring. The least you could do is trade something of equal value for all my efforts trying to save her.” Hojo crossed his arms. A mixed infant in the labs would yield an entirely new line of research. 

   “And save her you have yet to do.” Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. Hojo collected himself and turned back to the table.

   “From now on, only use this serum.” He held out a blue vial. 

   “This is your cure?”

   “It is a remedy for the symptoms. A cure is not in our best interest. Otherwise you might as well have bred her with a mortal.”

   The way Hojo spoke made his skin itch. Our . The notion was repulsive. But the idea of placing Aerith in another's bed was worse. He'd never cared much before. But if the universe restarted again, Sephiroth would be sure to get Aerith out of the labs first. 

   “This is not sufficient.” He stated while pocketing the liquid. 

   “Indeed, and you know right where to find me.”

   Sephiroth felt something snap. Dealing with this man was always difficult. Even without humanity, the ties of a father were not easy to sever. A leather fist shoved Hojo back against the table. Sephiroth could see every greasy pore and wrinkle around that crooked smile. 

   “I will not amuse you each day, and I will not bring her here. You will provide medicine in advance if you desire anything more.”

   “I'm not sure that will be possible. I've yet to receive compensation.” Hojo's teeth flashed through his grin.

   “I have given you blood.”

   “Yet not a drop of the Ancients. Bring it, and I'll consider a week's advance.” Sephiroth's grip tightened. He hated the idea, but it was doable. 

---

   Aerith forced her eyes shut even if sleep never came. The winds created an unpleasant trip, and every slight movement made her want to hurl. She envied Vincent's ability to snooze anywhere.

   She swallowed in time to the whirr of the inner fans in an attempt to ignore the sweat beading along her neck. She used to power through the nights so easily without sleep or proper meals. But they hadn't gotten decent rest or food since yesterday morning. She regretted not grabbing a snack from Johnny's pantry. 

   “It is not strength that keeps you, but folly.”

   Aerith's breath hitched. Of all the times. She bit her lip to keep from speaking aloud.

   “You die so slowly Cetra, I have but eternity to watch.”

    “If you're bored, go talk to Sephiroth. I'm trying to sleep.” She'd like to imagine the creature could hear the hiss in her voice. 

   “I'm not limited by one mind at a time.”

   “Great, then you have plenty of options.” Aerith stirred beneath her blanket as if she could roll away.

   “Minds that surrender feel nothing amiss. Salvation lies before you.”

   “No thanks. I'd prefer to stay myself in the end.” Aerith shuddered at the thought of becoming as empty as the ones in robes. If Jenova thought it some sort of mercy to suggest ending her pain this way, she'd rather the creature just remained silent. 

   “It is inevitable. The boy beside you is weak too. So close….”

    “Maybe I should just invite Sephiroth in here. You two can gloat amongst yourselves.”   

   “Get ready folks! Once we land, get yer shit and get back ‘ere!” Cid shouted over his shoulder. The engines were always loud but the sudden noise made Aerith flinch. 

   “Hey.” Cloud reached for her. Her eyes were screwed shut as though breathing alone was difficult. Aerith instinctively jerked away in fear of him moving the blanket, but Tifa lunged first. Grabbing his wrist nervously before he could even touch her. Cloud eyed them both suspiciously. Nothing since yesterday has been right. 

   “You shouldn't wake her.” Tifa scrambled for an excuse. 

   “I'm good,” Aerith yawned. Pretending to come out of some deep slumber. It'd be best not to have them poking at her. 

   “You don't look good.” Cloud said flatly. 

   “What a charmer.” Aerith teased and turned to the window. She'd have to stay fully awake in order to keep unwanted guests from her head. 

   The landing wasn't any smoother. But Aerith was grateful for the dark helping to conceal her wobbles. Cid extended a hand to her when climbing out the hatch.

   “Thank you.” Aerith accepted him gingerly. Cid sucked in the side of his mouth as if wanting to say something. But quickly brushed it away as the rest crawled out from behind. 

   “Hey Missy, ya see that out yonder?” Cid took her by the shoulders to steer her towards a hill Illuminated by a few lamps. Waiting for her eyes to find it. “That ol shed is yours truly. It's comfy enough, why don't ya rest there till we're ready?”

   The thought of real sleep was enticing. But she feared she wouldn't wake up for days if she dared to nap now. 

   “Hmm, you sure? What if I find more of your collection?” Aerith tilted her head to the side questioningly.

   “Hey now.” Cid laughed nervously and fumbled for the cigarette behind his ear. Yuffie had been the first to point out the pictures of women in bikinis he kept taped to the cockpit weeks ago. As nice as the offer was, Aerith didn't want to leave all the work to her friends. But when she turned to face the party, Tifa audibly gasped. Cloud and Barret immediately stopped prepping the plane's fuel line to find the source of her distress.  

   Tifa's feet moved on her own. Snatching the folded blanket from Aerith's hand and whipping it over her chest. 

   “That's so thoughtful Cid. I think that's just what we need.” Tifa hurried her thanks. Pushing Aerith up the hill before he could respond. 

   “Hey, they've been weird, right merc?” Barret scratched his head. He'd lived with Tifa long enough to know when she was out of sorts. 

   “Yeah.” Cloud was getting tired of this.

   “The heck happened in that hotel anyway? Kinda overkill if you ask me.”

   “Good question.” Cloud watched them shrink in the distance. Why shouldn't he get to ask about Sephiroth? Are they keeping secrets now? He took a step forward when Nanaki brushed his leg. 

   “I'll keep watch. Get what we need.” Nanaki glanced at him reassuringly before running off. 

   “Lassie's eye? Mysterious creatures.” Cait climbed Cloud's shoulder to get a better look of the land. From what he could tell the area was full of thick greenery. 

   Tifa didn't stop pushing until they were inside. Ignoring Aerith's whines. Her own heart was beating into her ears. Why was everything falling apart so quickly? 

   “Tifa c'mon, I'm sorry okay? I'm really too tired.” Aerith let Tifa plop her into a couch. Her thighs were burning just from the uphill trek. 

   Tifa scanned the small cabin to make sure all the curtains were closed and darted through the single bedroom to check for unwanted guests. Aerith felt her head falling back. Maybe she'd call it a night after all. 

   “Aerith look.” Tifa tore the blanket away with the front flaps of her jacket. Wet spots were quickly growing around her breasts. Aerith looked down and patted the damp areas curiously.

   “Uhm-”

   “You're lactating.” Tifa barely believed it herself. Her finger gently tugged at Aerith's neckline for a clearer view. 

   “But, I haven't given birth.” Her breathing was already labored. Her breasts were always sore, now this was just a nuisance.

   “That doesn't matter. Women can produce weeks in advance.” Her stare froze between something of horror and disbelief. Even if it was common in the weeks leading up, this was unnaturally soon.

   “Oh.” If Aerith had the strength she might have been more worried. Tifa clenched her fists. Aerith truly knew so little. Was so under prepared yet put into such a position. 

   “Aerith, we need to talk.” Nanaki let himself in without knocking. Tifa's whole body jumped in surprise. She scrambled to cover Aerith.

   “It's okay, he knows.” Aerith caught her fingers and smiled. 

   “You told her? Good, we should gather everyone.” Nanaki sat properly before them.

   “What?” The girls snapped at him simultaneously. 

   “Aerith, you may be due way sooner than I thought. It's imperative you relocate somewhere safe. Raiding the north is unwise.”

   Tifa tried to keep up. They always shared an unseen bond, they were special. But a piece of her cracked to think Nanaki was told first. And since when?

   “Let's not be rash. Telling the others will just make things worse.” Tifa straightened herself.

   “I regard your judgment highly Tifa, but I disagree.” Nanaki's voice dropped. The lie had already woven itself too deep.

   “You don't know Cloud. He's not well. You saw how he was at icicle village.” Tifa clutched her chest as Aerith glanced between them. 

   “He will have to handle it. Aerith is changing and Sephiroth will come. Reality cannot bend for Cloud alone. We should prepare.”

   “We can hide Aerith, but Cloud can't know. It will hurt him, he can't fight like this.”

   “With all respect, Cloud's feelings are not my main concern.” 

  Tifa could almost shout. She felt like her world was collapsing a third time before she barely recovered from the second.

   “You think I'm not also thinking of Aerith? What do you think Cloud will say, Nanaki? I'm happy for you? What's its name? Sephiroth murdered our parents, he took her against her will. Why should he let that thing in her live?!”

   Aerith winced. Tifa's voice was so cold, so unnaturally honest. It hurt to know her true feelings. Even if they were undeniably true. Aerith's desires were selfish. And her attachment to Sephiroth was complicated. She wished she could share her memories of the future. The fate that awaited them. The thousands of times she relived her death, only to watch each of them pass away from inside the lifestream before restarting the whole process.

   Yet this time was so different. She had to believe it meant something. The planet was giving her a chance. Pointing her in the direction she'd done nothing but avoid.

   “And just how long do you expect to keep this secret?” Nanaki sighed defeatedly. Tifa's concerns were not baseless, but it didn't change much.

   “I don't know. We can decide after the bastard’s dead.”

   Aerith thought she might be sick. Hunting Sephiroth wasn't exactly her favorite topic anymore. The thought of killing him just made her want to cry. She once believed in it so strongly and had pushed them into fighting destiny to erase him herself. 

   “That's ridiculous, Aerith might go into labor before we even have the chance to locate Sephiroth let alone stop him.”

   “Then I should have been told about this sooner!”

   “She asked me not to, you have to think about this logically.”

   “Logically? Did you also know Sephiroth was coming at night all this time and making fools of us?! He could have taken her and killed everyone in the process!” Aerith could feel their anxiety. Each time their voices raised her finger twitched.

   “If he wanted to kill us he'd have done so already.”

   “I can't believe you.” Tifa braced her forehead. 

   “I'm right here ya know.” Aerith's whine cut through the air. The pain in her face half from knowing it was all her fault. “We're all going to be okay, but right now I need you guys to be quiet.”

   Tifa bit her lip, ashamed to have lost her temper so easily. After a long moment she sighed. 

   “I'm sorry, let's clean you up.” She hooked an arm around her friend before glancing at Nanaki. “It's too late to change course, but we can't let this distract Cloud.” 

   “Then what do you propose?” Nanaki pried into the impossible request. Aerith's physical appearance was almost too unusual to hide. 

   “We’ll go North as planned. But you and Cid will stay on the plane to keep watch over Aerith.”

   He really didn't like such a temporary fix. Just another day delaying the inevitable. But the luxury of options had run out. 

   Tifa set Aerith on the bathroom floor as though she were made of glass before filling the bath halfway. A fresh scent of soap and warm water did little to cleanse the strange atmosphere. Aerith had never sensed such bitterness from her before.

   “We don't have time to wash your dress, but I can show you how to ease the pressure.”

   “Tifa.” Aerith called softly, but she poked pointlessly at the bath. 

   “Lots of new mothers would come through the bar looking for a place to stay, I learned a few things.”

   “Tifa, everything is going to be set right.” Aerith pressed her warmth into the backside of the young fighter. Wrapping her arms like a blanket and squeezing her shoulders. “I'm truly sorry.”

   Moments turned to minutes, with only a few sniffles offered in response. Aerith hugged her trembling body. She'd seen Tifa cry for her sake after her death, but never in the flesh, it somehow hurt all the same. 

   “Stop saying that.” Tifa knew it wasn't her fault. Fate was simply cruel, always taking things away before they'd had a chance to blossom. There should be nothing to forgive, but Aerith was sorry all the same. As if saying her piece and preparing to do something unforgivable. 

   “I'm so happy I got to see you all again. But there's something I must do, so I might have to go away for a little while.”

   “Don't go to him, Aerith. There has to be another way.”

   “Maybe. But, I think this is the best for now.” Aerith leaned against the tub. “Sephiroth won't do anything drastic until he finds the Black materia. But maybe you guys will find it first. And in the meantime, I have a feeling he'll be pretty distracted.”

   A hint of that coy smile tugged at Aerith's lip as she held her stomach. Sephiroth's focus had shifted to her in many unexpected ways. She didn't expect him to be so clingy or leave her among her comrades for so long. He seemed to enjoy their intimacy in a far more human way than Aerith would credit a murderous creature raised by Shinra. Perhaps Sephiroth's heart was not all gone. If anything, the urge to see him got worse. What ridiculous magic had he used? Jenova? She may have actually lost her mind in that mansion.

   Aerith's cheeks heated when something even more absurd crossed her mind. Love? She'd felt many forms of love for many people. But this…

   "Aerith, be prepared.”

    Aerith's entire body jolted. Forever unsettled by the voices rattling through her mind. 

   “What's wrong?” Tifa tilted her head.

   “Wait, not now I-” Aerith groaned and clutched her head. 

   “Enough. I won't extend time again.”

   Aerith smacked her cheek to try and regain control. She was certain she hadn't invited Sephiroth in. And it took far more effort to block him out a second time.  

   “It's because you're sore right? Here, we don't have a lot of time, but I'll try to be gentle.” Tifa helped lift her dress off and hung it over a stool to dry. Aerith chewed the lining of her lip in fear he might try interrupting again. “May I?” A slight flush covered Tifa's cheeks.

   “Uh sure, go ahead.” Aerith was beyond decency now. They'd shared enough showers in underdeveloped towns. Or so she thought until a light moan clogged the back of her throat. 

   “Sorry, does it hurt?” Tifa slowed the pressure being adjusted to Aerith's left breast. One hand cupped her underneath so the other could slowly squeeze the top with her palm. 

   Aerith shook her head. It felt strangely nice, almost relaxing. Liquid slowly dribbled over Tifa's fingers with each pulse. 

   “I guess it's up to you how often you do it. But slowly kneading excess fluid out will reduce the swelling.” 

   Only after a thin layer of white had soiled Aerith's entire front did Tifa dip a rag into the bathwater. Aerith couldn't help but hiss when the coarse fabric dragged over her nipples. Her skin was rubbed clean before Tifa restarted the process. 

   “You're amazing Tifa. You know so much about everything.” Aerith giggled to stop herself from garnering anymore indecent noises. Reminding herself now was not the time to feel aroused. 

   “It's nothing.” She smiled shyly. Slowly stroking her thumb over the fattiest parts of her breast. Each time pressing a bit harder until more milk drained. 

   “Don't worry about him so much. When the time comes, you'll know what to do.” Aerith hoped to reassure her. Even if she always regretted not being there to help put him together.

   “Huh? Oh, I don't know these days.” The attempt to hide her true feelings was poor. Instead focusing on the task of pumping Aerith's breast. She couldn't deny she wanted to be there for Cloud more than anyone. Yet he never called for her. If anything he was running into places she couldn't reach.

   “He's a little.. mixed up, that's all.” Aerith wasn't sure if she should bring up his memories. Tifa had discussed a few inconsistencies with her. But Aerith was careful not to say things she wasn't supposed to know. 

   “When you disappeared, it's like a part of him broke. He scares me sometimes. Like he's slipping away and all I can do is watch.” Tifa shook her head. Wiping Aerith clean and carefully wrapping her fingers around the other breast.

   “Like those headaches?” Aerith remembered the times Cloud would zone out. A fog covered his eyes. Just like men in robes. 

   “I don't think he's had any lately. He sleeps well enough. That's because of you isn't it?” Tifa glanced up. Despite her strength she often felt inferior to the strange whims of their healer. But Aerith just shook her head regrettably.

   “It's Sephiroth. You can think of it like an agreement, but being here complicates things..”

   “I don't know what he said to make you believe that, but he's not gonna let any of us go. You're sacrificing yourself for nothing.”

   “No, not for nothing. I'm going to make it count.” Aerith's grip was firm when she stilled Tifa's hands. The pressure was finally letting up. 

-------

Previous chapter's Art update! <3

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter Text

   Tifa begged Aerith to sleep while they prepped the plane. Refueling would only give her an hour, but that was the best they had. Cid's bed seemed clean enough. Aerith half expected the cabin to be a mess. But he clearly spent more time in the sky than at home.

   Aerith redressed before wiggling under the soft blankets. A hand towel was slipped beneath the bodis of her dress to catch any more leakage. She couldn't be running around with wet spots over her breasts. For the first time she regretted not wearing a bra. Always preferring the free flow of her dress, but now it wouldn't hurt to have something to catch the flow of milk. 

   Keeping away from the dark edges of her mind kept her stirring around. Everyone was out there doing their part. The echoes of metal scraping against electric cables and their grunts echoed all the way through the windows even at night. The more she thought about it, the more she felt they didn't really need her here.

    Maybe I should talk to him…  

   Sephiroth still doesn't know she left, and the last thing she needed was to untangle another misunderstanding. Aerith sighed and turned over to fish his feather from her jacket. Twirling the silly bristles under her neck. She suddenly wondered what grabbing his entire wing would feel like. 

   The party diligently attached cannons to the front of Cid's plane. If Shinra tried to strike again, they'd be ready. Apparently troopers used to do fieldwork out here during the first war before they abandoned it. Providing Rocket Town with no shortage of spare Shinra uniforms.

   Cloud wiped the sweat from his neck and turned to face the sound of grass rustling.

   “She okay?” He thought it strange Nanaki and Tifa returned alone. 

   “Just tired. It's been a long night.” Tifa gave him a knowing look. Only a few hours ago they were running through the halls of a now decimated hotel. 

   “About that,” Cloud stepped forward. She must have seen it too back then, Sephiroth coiled around Aerith like a snake.

   “It's been a long night for you too.” Barret slapped the ex soldiers back with his good arm. “Your eyes are so red it's freaking me out. Go lie down or something.”

   “I'm fine.” Cloud snapped defensively. 

   “You're not,” Vincent said. “How can half a man's strength lead a hunt?”

   “Take a nap Cloud. Unless you think we can't grab a few uniforms on our own?” Tifa put her hands on her hips as though she were scolding a child.

   “Fine. But wake me if something happens.” Cloud glanced at all the eyes suddenly on him. Judging. 

   He looked for the nearest tree and slid against a warm patch of moss. His body was beyond exhaustion, but his mind was wired up and moving without him. He found himself mindlessly drawn to Aerith's old materia in his pocket. She told him not to think about it, not to ask questions. Yet refused to take it back, leaving him to ponder alone without guidance. 

   Something was off. Cloud couldn't exactly put his finger on it. Aerith wasn't exactly the type of person to scream for help just because Sephiroth showed up. But he didn't expect her to just be okay with it or act like it never happened. 

   He shook his head, trying to let sleep find for even a moment of repreive. Maybe the lack of down time was getting to him. They had Aerith back after all. The headaches were gone, Shinra had lost them, and Sephiroth stopped harassing him. 

  Cloud's brow scrunched again. No, that wasn't normal either.

- - -

   Sephiroth was already planning all the ways he'd ignore her excuses. The nerve to shut him out again after all his leniency. The sort of boldness would have been punished immediately if not for her delicate state. Each time it was her turn to deliver, she was not there to pay the price of their bargain. 

   Johnny's was quickly approaching and he'd tape her mouth shut if he had to. Hojo put him in a bad enough mood as it was. The syringe in his pocket was a bitter reminder. Sephiroth flew back to Costa del Sol as quickly as possible. Transporting physical goods made it impossible to just jump around. But Aerith's group should be fast asleep at this hour. 

   However the closer he got, the less Aerith's presence was felt. Now inside the room once full of her scent, nothing but a worn shack welcomed him. Empty bed and disorganized drawers. Sephiroth inhaled slowly, that d amn Cetra…

   “Sorry man, told you I'm booked! I'm sure some nice looking fellas like you can afford the suites in town.”

   “This area is under investigation. Evacuate until further notice.”

   Sephiroth's eyes drifted to the door. Turks, just one more nuisance tonight. He moved outside the window, hovering out of reach.

   “H-hey you can't just go in there. People are sleeping.” The door to Aerith's room was swung open as two men in black suits darted inside.

   “Occupied huh?” Tseng turned to Johnny with a scowl that could have cut. 

   “Uh, early checkout?” Johnny laughed nervously before peeking inside himself. He was sure Cloud booked another night, and they usually cleaned up after themselves. But the bed sheets were scattered.

   “Looky here boss.” Reno kicked a pile of red fabric by the wardrobe. Tseng lifted the hem and recognized the dress immediately. Or rather, what was left of it. He wiped out a gun and pointed it at the innkeeper's face. 

   “Where did she go?” Tseng didn't believe in coincidences. By the time he returned for his daily report, not only was Shinra's hotel burned, but their ship of Wutaian's had vanished. Aerith moved faster than expected. Not that the state of her dress was any less concerning. His chest tightened imagining her anywhere near that hotel. 

   “Whoa I dunno, honest!” Johnny jumped. Raising his hands above his head.

   “He's useless, just put ‘em out.” Reno clicked his tongue. He hated working overtime.

   “There's enough unwanted attention here as is.” Despite the refusal, Tseng never lowered his gun. 

   “Always making me do the clean up.” Reno huffed. The hair of Johnny's neck shifted as an electric charge filled the air. Before he could even shout the young redhead was across the room and slamming the back of an electric baton into his head.

   “That's gonna hurt tomorrow.” Reno jumped over the body with ease. Tseng was on one knee. Inspecting the dress closer with a flashlight. Traces of blood, ash, it smelled of thick perfume. “Think the princess would really stay here?”

   “She already did.” Tseng relaxed and brushed his hand off. From what was left of the fire, he didn't see her body or the terrorists among them.

   “Isn't this promised land shit over? Reno got his special materia, why are we out here anyway?”

   “The materia is too unstable. It destroyed half a block in Junon. Until it's in a more advanced lab, we'll move as scheduled.” Tseng shut off the flashlight. Rufus had underestimated the power of the black materia. Scarlett’s tampering nearly took out the vice president and a good chunk of locals. There was no other lab as developed as Midgar. It'd have to go there for now. 

   “So we're wasting our time.” Reno flopped onto the bed and kicked his feet up. If Aerith didn't want to be caught, there was a fat chance anyone would find her.

   “Up.” Tseng nodded his head on the way out. They weren't actually supposed to be looking for the Ancient, he was simply curious. They just needed to make sure the exchange of bodies between Corneo and Shinra went through. But he didn't expect to actually see Aerith the night before. And like clockwork, the entire mission fell apart.

   Sephiroth mulled over their rambles. He assumed the black materia would have been near Hojo. But of course Rufus was just as possessive.  He might benefit from listening a bit longer. But another voice suddenly shook his core.

   “Hey Sephiroth, how fast can you fly?”  He seized the branch beside him, forgetting the Turks presence. She spoke so casually, so light. As if she hadn't been giving him the run around all week. 

   “Cetra, I won't ask again.” His voice dropped. 

   “I don't just have a built in map, I don't know where I am.”

   “Try.”

   “Somewhere north, but we haven't left the continent and… the weather's still warm.”

   “North?”

   “We're going to icicle village.”

   Sephiroth snapped his head up. That was a terrible idea. Hojo was there. Why was caring for one single being so complicated? Every time he left her alone, she did the exact opposite of what he wished.

    “So, I guess you're coming to find me?” Aerith cleared her throat. There wouldn't be long before someone came back. 

   “Are you asking me to?”

   “Do I even need to say it?”

   “Yes.”

   “I'll come back as promised.”

   “That is already known.”

   “No now, I’m saying we should go now” 

   “Where?” He couldn't let it be that easy after everything. 

    “You're terrible you know that?”

   “Memory fails me.”

   “With you, you idiot. At least until the baby is born.” Aerith added the last part for food measure. She couldn't let him think she'd just be alright with this forever.

    “And where is that?”

   “You're ugly mansion.”

   “Perhaps you can wait.”

   “...home?”

   “Good girl.” Aerith shuddered. If anyone else said that she might have hit them with her staff. “Don't go yet.”

   “I’m right here.”

   “I feel you.”

   “Excuse me?” She snapped as if she’d been violated. 

   It would require focus, but Sephiroth was sure he could find her. The stronger their bond got, the more she was like an extension of himself. Perhaps mother was right. She was becoming like them, yet not. A vessel he couldn't control, yet her consciousness attached itself to his. Sephiroth supposed he could just track Cloud like before to find her. But it turned out they weren’t always next to each other these days. 

- - -

   Cloud didn’t often dream since Aerith returned. The night’s were simply black until sunlight spilled over the horizon. But now Aerith's face was there to greet him each time dawn broke, as it was meant to be. Yet tonight there was no sun in his slumber. Not even the moonlight wanted to be seen. That lavish hotel followed his steps. Endless halls of red carpet and a thick heat in the air. Someone else was shouting for him. 

   “ Aerith?”

    “Hey, can't we go? I want to go home.”

   “We have to finish the job.” Cloud couldn't abandon a mission even if his mind screamed otherwise. 

    “Please…” Her painful cries echoed around. He should have listened, but his body never did the right thing. Even as the halls shook and walls crumbled, he ran forward instead of going back. He reached for the black door at the end of the hall.

   His own regrets were forever caught in his throat. Sephiroth kept Aerith in a fatal embrace. Her body beneath his on the floor, head hanging limp as he feasted on her heart. Her crimson dress made it impossible to tell where the blood started and ended.

    “Always too late.” Sephiroth's lips curled into a grotesque smile. Cloud panicked when he looked down to see blood on his own hands. 

    “No!” He leaped forward to drag her from death's hands. “Let's go back now okay? I'll take you home.” 

    He begged even though her warmth had faded. They sank through the floors into a pit of mako. The same river from the City of the Ancients. Cloud held her face, if he just wanted long enough, she'd come back. 

   But death didn't wait for Aerith. It chased her, followed her shadow and claimed her light without warning. Sephiroth's hands emerged within the Ex-Soldier's reflection to yank her beneath the surface. Her body slipped away, she image of her fading the further she sank.

   “No!” Cloud's entire body jerked upright. Already chilly from his drying sweat. He hadn't had a nightmare in weeks, and his attention immediately snapped to the cabin. 

   “What's wrong?!” Tifa and Barrett nearly tripped over their own feet int he dark.

   “We've been here too long. Where's Aerith?” Cloud fumbled for his buster sword, trying to stand straight. 

   “The tank will be full in fifteen minutes, just hold it.” Barret said while looking for anything suspicious.

   “That'll have to be good enough.” Cloud scowled. Tifa could sense his desire to inspect the cabin and lunged for his arm.

   “She's sleeping. Just calm down, you're sweating.” Tifa ran the back of her hand over his forehead. “I think you have a slight fever.”

   “It's the weather.” He tried to keep moving but Tifa yanked him back. Perhaps it was the way she pulled a little too hard or didn't offer to accompany him, but Cloud turned to her as if she wasn't real. 

    Only Jenova would try to keep me away…

    “What did you talk about?” Cloud accused her coldly.

   “What?” The blood drained from her face. 

   “You've been hanging close to her lately.”

   “What are you saying? Aerith wanted some privacy.” Tifa couldn't understand these manic episodes. His mind scattered in ways one couldn't keep up with. 

   “Did she want to be alone? Or was it you ?” Cloud pinned her shoulders to the tree and shook her. 

   “What the hell man!” Barret immediately tried pulling him off.

   “Cloud stop!” Her arms struggled for the right leverage.

   “What did she say to you?! Why was Sephiroth there, did you know before we reached the hotel? Send her to his room?” Cloud was panting. Now that he thought about it, Sephiroth clearly came that night to return Aerith's jacket. Yet Tifa denied such a thing was possible. Even from the beginning at icicle village she was the only one trying to stop him. 

   “Get it together damnit!” Barret didn't hold back. The moment his fist connected with Cloud's jaw, his body crumbled to the ground. “Are you okay?” Barret rubbed Tifa's bruised shoulder. 

   Cloud wiped his bloody lip, waiting for the stars in his vision to subside. But when he finally looked up, the knot in his stomach came back tenfold. All the lights in the cabin had suddenly gone out. The hill was completely shrouded in darkness. 

- - - 

   Creaky floors greeted Sephiroth as he found a way inside. His shadow usually brought the fear of death but Aerith anticipated as much. Darkness was more of a warm blanket than curse these days. And when the door to Cid’s room clicked open she immediately sat up.

   He never said much anyways but she wished he wasn’t so still. Standing blankly, waiting for her to reveal her true desires. He'd waited so long for her to call of her own will, he wondered if there might be a catch. But Aerith held her hand out, beckoning him closer. Her entire being relaxed into him the moment he sat beside her. She sighed against his chest, lest she forget the smell of rose and leather. Her skin was hot, and Sephiroth took note of the bump pressing into him. He looked down curiously, checking to make sure the size of her stomach was real. 

   “That was fast.” Aerith mumbled. Finally feeling that strange itch to be near him satisfied.

   “What is this?” Sephiroth pulled at the towel around her chest. The top of her gown was left open and stuffed with cloth.  

   “No manners at all.” Her cheeks flushed as she quickly smacked his hand away, immediately pulling the blanket back up. 

   “Injury?”

   “No, I’m lactating. It’s for the baby if you must know.” The confession was strange on her tongue. A concept she never imagined for herself. 

   “I do know.” Sephiroth laughed. He wasn’t that unaware of the cycles of human life outside of Shinra’s military. When had this development even occurred? He wanted to pry but the girl clearly had something else on her mind.

   “Before we go, I have a request.” Aerith took his gaze. Ignoring the way’s his voice made her want to curl up and doze off even more. “First, I said I'd go with you, but I also promised someone I'd do something up north.” 

   Asking him for help was always accompanied by shame, but now it just seemed silly not to use him. Just how far might he bend? Sephiroth's eyes narrowed.

   “We're going that way anyways right? And you're not on good terms like Shinra either.” 

   “You've yet to say what it is.”

   “The prisoners. We have to let them go, should be easy for someone like you.”

   Sephiroth exhaled and stroked her hair, fingers catching on the ribbon he bought her. They would indeed pass by, but not in the way she was imagining. And he knew she'd be disappointed. There wasn't much left to rescue in icicle village. Most of them burned in the crossfire of his fury the day she disappeared. Whoever remained was already mutated by Hojo or half dead. He was more concerned with the issue of her blood. She wouldn’t just give it without reason. 

   “Sounds foolish in such a condition.” Sephiroth's fingers ghosted her stomach. Seeing how her face drooped, devoid of energy. 

   “I'll be okay. But, we have to leave soon… and don't forget my staff.” Aerith's head rested against him as she closed her eyes. Matching her breaths to the sound of his own. Sephiroth counted heads outside on the way in. It didn't look like they were preparing to stay. 

   “When light finds you again, we'll be home.” He pulled a sleep materia from his pocket and laid her down. Although he didn't seem to need it, a light spell was placed regardless. Flying made her sick enough when she wasn't pregnant. 

   Sephiroth patted his coat to make sure the syringe was still there. If he wanted to get a sample, it had to be now so he pulled the blanket away. Her arms were bare, but the towel around her chest was ridiculous. He tossed it aside with the intention to button her back up when a little bead of white started to build. He paused before thumbing at the nipple curiously, smearing the thin liquid over her pale flesh. 

   He pressed a bit harder. Forcing more fluid to dribble around the swollen tip. He slowly squeezed again curiously to watch bits of milk squirt free. A strange urge to devour sunk in. His thin pupils locked onto the vulnerable state of her body and before he knew why, his tongue was dragging over the trail of nourishment. She tasted like fresh honey after being stuck in a storm. Was it supposed to be sweet? Or was it his interpretation? He hadn't tasted food in years.

   He peered up at her sleeping face. Warm with hints of honey, just like her hair. Sephiroth's lips closed around her bud and sucked. Sampling the life she would extend to their offspring. His licked the hardening tip until little mewls rose within her throat. Aerith's chest relaxed against the mouth massaging her. 

   Sephiroth slowly rubbed her other side while he nipped at the one filling his stomach. It glided down his throat, spreading through his veins like a drug. The sensation was pleasant, almost addictive. The shiny residue stuck to his fingers the more he squeezed. Her body started to squirm, lightly arching against his buckles. Gaia it made him want to strip her bare. Feel all over her, taste everything fresh without the thick scent of that hotel.

   Seeing her swollen and leaking for him must be a divine gift of the Goddess. If she wanted release, she had no choice but to call upon him. No once could take care of her better. He sucked a bit harder and ran a hand over the curve of her belly. His seed, the first ever consummated. Bursting from the body he craved so deeply. 

   Sephiroth released her nipple with a gasp and swallowed prematurely when she moaned. Was he thirsty? Is this what it used to feel like? 

   “More.” She breathed in a half lucid state. Her small hand wrapped around his head, guiding him back. He chuckled and gave her other side the same treatment. Lapping up beads of overflowing cream before latching on fully. He groaned as she scratched his scalp through her haze. Her mind lost somewhere in a dream. Each time her fingers filtered his hair, the fire in his chest got stronger. Her other hand wandered mindlessly between them. Shifting past his belts and stopping at her center. 

   “Hm?” Sephiroth watched her sigh, those fingers slowly pushing between her legs. “None of that, sleep.” Sephiroth pressed her wrist above her head, smirking when she whimpered. If she started touching herself now her comrades would come running for a different type of scream.

   He needed to hurry with the syringe, but one look at her chest rising had him licking his lips. Sephiroth's mouth molded to the hot and slippery curve on her skin. He drank what he could without restraint. Even when he heard the sounds of footsteps quickly approaching. 

   He knew better. Cloud was not to be underestimated. His power was something Sephiroth once hoped to covet in his desire to consume Gaia. But centuries of coercion always ended the same. 

   Furniture was being turned over, something crashed, but it all sounded so far away. The taste in his mouth was so euphoric. Years of simply existing crashed together in this moment and Sephiroth realized he was starving.

   Cloud shouted something but his lips continued to press further into Aerith's skin. He couldn't hear, couldn't care. 

   Sephiroth didn't even feel the moment his body scattered. The buster sword must have cut through his torso yet even then he felt bliss. The last thing he remembered was his consciousness being severed. The pleasure instantly dissolved and the warmth of Aerith was no more. There was simply emptiness as one body crumbled and his soul slipped into another. 

   “Aerith!” A million things ran through Cloud's head at once. His hands moved on their own to cover her exposed chest. Pulling up the blanket while sinking onto the mattress. Why wasn't she waking up?

   “It's me, it's okay. We're gonna get out of here.” Cloud cupped her face and watched those eyelashes flutter between her strained breaths. There was no external wound he could see but he grabbed an Esuna anyway. Sephiroth had clearly lost his mind. 

   “Don't go,” Aerith murmured weakly enough to crack his heart.

   “I'm right here.” He said softly. Taking her hand and placing it on his cheek. Surely she'd understand the gesture. That she was safe. 

   Her fingers slid behind his ear and ushered him closer. Cloud obliged when her lips parted slightly. He waited for her to speak. But the sound never came. He wasn't really thinking straight from the start. Then his mind emptied for real when warm skin met his own. 

   Aerith found his lips so easily, as though it were routine. She had no hesitations when she felt the embrace of another. Cloud always imagined she'd be gentle. But he never expected the hum in her throat to be so soothing. He closed his eyes and let her take him. Momentarily forgetting all the rage to the song of her breaths. 

   Aerith was still coming around. Expecting to be elsewhere. Staying would only prolong everyone's suffering. And there was little merit left to stretching Sephiroth's patience further. But something wasn't right. The body above her now moved cautiously. He had not anticipated her touch. 

   She sensed the tremor in his hand. The stiffness in his administration. Then her thumb found the little stud in his ear, smelling iron and sunshine. All wrong. 

   Aerith was quickly overcoming the effects of a poorly cast sleep. Honey blonde filled her vision when Cloud broke away. Her throat dry as sand. His eyes darted around her face far too calmly. He wasn't upset though she desperately wished for it. Aerith hoped he might protest. Even if that sort of rejection would have sunk her heart before.

   Cloud kept quiet, afraid to say the wrong thing. He misunderstood the fear behind her eyes and didn't want there to be doubt. So he slid his arms around her and hugged tightly. Exhaling into her neck. He decided there was no reason to frighten her further about Sephiroth. Perhaps it was best she never knew he'd been here.

   But Aerith did know. How did Cloud even get here? Where was Sephiroth? She waited for Cloud to say anything that might fill in the gaps. But he just kept holding her. 

   “I~” Aerith's voice came out choked.

   “Sorry to wake you, but we can still make it before sunrise.” Cloud whispered. 

-------------

Previous chapter 40 art update

Chapter Text

   Barret was the first to rush into Cid’s room, nearly tripping over the chair Cloud had shredded. The buster sword lay on the floor among various bits of busted furniture. Tifa and Nanaki weren't far behind to witness the death grip Cloud kept on Aerith. Nothing would convince him it was simply paranoia again.

   “What happened here?” Nanaki darted to the bedside, smelling a very stressed mother. Cloud peered up from cradling Aerith's head to glare at Tifa.

   “Sephiroth. He almost had her.” The position he found them in eerily mirrored those dreams. Mouthing at her flesh like a true nightcrawler. As if he intended to consume her soul. 

   “Cloud I…” Tifa swallowed, unsure how to explain the disaster. If she knew she wouldn't have left the house, she just wanted Aerith to finally sleep. But Aerith's heart was still running a mile. Completely lost for how only a few minutes asleep had altered the entire evening. 

    Cloud saw Sephiroth? Did he just leave me? I… 

   She was suddenly very aware of her open dress beneath the blanket. Her body shifted nervously, just how much did Cloud witness? Aerith didn't know how much longer she could trek on, her body was so heavy, so hungry. She tapped his side for some breathing room.

   “It's time.” Vincent emerged to throw a duffel onto the ground that spilled several trooper uniforms.

   “Alright, everyone, get changed and go straight to the damn plane this time.” Barret put his foot down. “I know you're all tired, but we're either doing this or we're not.” 

   “Yeah.” Cloud slowly unhooked himself from Aerith to grab a uniform first. Tifa reached for two as usual when he tore one from her hand. 

   “Aerith changes on her own. I'll supervise.” Cloud's voice was hard, effectively sinking her heart.

   “Huh?!” Aerith practically fell off the bed, still clutching a blanket to herself. “Cloud, I'm not a kid. I want her here.” The only other woman at her side was suddenly being pushed away. But no one moved, stunned by the hostility radiating around. Cloud's eyes kept fixated on Tifa's, looking for some hint of a monster, something he could have let slip. 

   “You're being unreasonable,” Nanaki huffed. 

   “No, I'm the only one still sane. What's wrong with all of you? Sephiroth was just here, for the second time in one night!” Cloud's voice made Tifa flinch. Sephiroth was getting faster at finding them and clearly no longer concerned with tormenting him. He was sure had he not found Aerith in time she’d no longer be here.

   “What am I missing?” Barret just scratched his head doubtfully. It wouldn't be the first time Cloud claimed to have seen Sephiroth without proof. Most of the time they just followed his word. Believing in this mysterious shadow of a monster they never witnessed. 

   “At the hotel, he was there too.” Tifa whispered.

   “And you just thought to keep this to yourselves?” 

   “I'll Keep her company.” Nanaki offered gently. Nuzzling his fur over her leg. 

   “Either way, I'm staying.” Cloud tossed a uniform to Aerith. She stared at it blankly.

    “Sephiroth?” Her mind wandered. Trying to find his voice, a sign things were alright, anything. “Sephiroth!” 

    Tifa’s lips thinned at the clothes in her hand. Never had Cloud looked at her so hatefully. She knew it was wrong to leave Aerith behind with him, but when her eyes started to burn she had to get out. She couldn't fall apart here. 

   “Cid's already waiting.” Vincent said, turning on his heel to follow Tifa. If Sephiroth was truly around, best to stay in pairs.  

   “Aerith, there's no shame in sitting this one out.” Barret crossed his arms and nodded. Rescuing her had been important, but her return wasn’t accompanied by flowers and sunshine. Some of that joy in her eye was missing. Maybe it was time to release her from the burden of this journey. 

   “She's coming with us.” Cloud said matter of factly.

   “Did I ask you Merc?” Barret snapped. 

   “Perhaps if she stayed in this village till we finished.” Nanaki interjected. The townspeople here could accommodate a young mother better than a town overrun by Shinra.

   “And leave her alone for when he comes back?!”  

   “Are you guys done yet?” Aerith swallowed the ache in her chest and waved a hand around as if to cut the tension. “Sheesh, it's not like this is the first time we've run into Sephiroth right?” 

   “This was different.” Cloud averted his eyes when he felt his cheeks run hot. Instinct moved him in the heat of the moment, but Aerith was undeniably exposed beneath the body greedily touching what wasn't his. Cloud caught the curve of her chest, red and shiny from where Sephiroth’s mouth had been. And she was beautiful, soft as her voice and nipples pink as her lips. Then she…

   Cloud covered his mouth. Completely lost in the reality of a kiss he barely recalled.

   “Cloud, you can't actually watch me change. We’re not in Wall Market you know.” Aerith managed a crooked smile to express how silly this was. He couldn't be serious. 

   “Uh what?” Barret raised an eyebrow.

   “It's nothing.” Cloud stuttered. 

   “Hmmm, you guys haven't changed either. Should we all just strip together?” Aerith stood up and kicked her socks off when Barret stumbled back. 

   “Stop fooling around you guys. You got five minutes before I drag your asses back myself.” He hurried out of the room to hide his blush. 

   “It makes no difference to me, but I’ve heard it’s not gentlemanly to stare.” Nanaki watched both of them curiously. Nudity was a foreign concept to him outside of what he learned being around humans. 

   “I-I wasn't- this is fine.” Cloud fumbled over his quickly fading confidence and turned to face a corner of the room. Closing his eyes and waiting. 

   “Nice try Merc.” Aerith made quick use of the moment his attention was turned long enough to drop the blanket and toss a spare uniform over his head. She darted into the bathroom and immediately flipped the lock.

   “Hey!” Cloud banged on the door. Did the bathroom have a window?

   “Hurry up Cloud. Or I'll be the one walking out on you half naked.” Aerith frowned at the reflection staring back. Her stomach must have bulged a good five inches all around. Thankfully the oversized uniform was bulky in many areas.

   “Aerith, you can talk to me.” Cloud’s head rested against the door. Sephiroth could have killed her by now if he wished. At first Cloud thought the bastard was just trying to get to him though her. But this new obsession always took the form of cornering her, touching her, taking her.

   “Don’t we talk everyday?” Aerith heaved the uniform over herself with a grin. She’d seen so much of his face lately it might as well have all been a dream. Perhaps in this life he would live freely without guilt. 

   “That’s not what I meant,” his stomach suddenly felt like a chunk of lead. “My bed’s been kept so warm, it’s hard to tell who’s heat it is.” Sephiroth’s words suddenly echoed over the thoughts he’d been trying to pretend didn’t matter. 

   “I’m almost done Cloud, have you even started?” She tapped the door playfully with her finger.

   “If he hurt you, you don’t have to keep it to yourself.” Cloud held his breath. Aerith had gone quiet. 

   He’d stand there forever if he had to, but the truth ate away at him. Her silence might as well have been the same as a confession. She was unnaturally private about anything of importance surrounding her life. She never told him of the horrors in Hojo’s lab, he had to find bits from outside sources, of course Sephiroth would be the same. 

   “Hah.” Cloud thought he might be sick yet he laughed. All the suppressed doubt rose to the surface, suffocating him. How stupid he was. She was practically naked when he found her, what else needed to be said? 

   “Cloud? We should go.” Aerith’s voice was so soft, as though trying to comfort him instead. And he just found it all the more absurd.

   “Yeah, give me a second.” He swallowed, clutching the uniform in his fist.

   Aerith fidgeted on the toilet. Pulling at the straps of her uniform and wishing everything wasn’t so hard. She crossed a line with Sephiroth that could never be undone. She groaned with her head in her hands. In the end she was the one to invite him here, this was all her fault. 

   Cloud knocked twice to signal he was ready. Nanaki had stayed by the entrance in case he needed to intervene. He hoped maybe she’d take this chance to tell him the truth, but in the end he understood her reservations. Aerith wanted to pretend everything was ok, his expression was so dark when she came out, but Cloud stuck unnaturally close. And the reality of what she'd done couldn't just go away. She chewed on her lip, remembering how it felt against his. 

   Where was Sephiroth anyway? Cloud managed to switch places with him without a trace? She couldn't even fathom the chaos if he reappeared now. 

   “Whoa there.” Cloud braced her back. She didn't notice the way she wobbled down the hill. Though she'd blame it on the slope, Cloud knew better. The dark circles around her eyes were clear, he had them too. Aerith gasped when her feet left the ground. Her hands slid around the warmth of his neck, finding his chest the closest she would get to a pillow. 

   “You're really trying to make me look bad huh?” At this point she would become literal baggage.

   “Wouldn't have to if you just asked for help.” Cloud almost smiled. Remembering the first time he carried her out of hell. “Wow.”

   “What?” Aerith looked up curiously. 

   “You were so light before.”

   “Are you picking a fight?” She almost hit him. Of course she was heavier. 

   “I didn't mean it like that.” Cloud chuckled and even in the dark Aerith could feel the warmth of his smile. She gulped, wondering how long that would last.

- - -

Sephiroth's soul rematerialized in the body of some fragment near the grasslands. He took a moment to regain his bearings and settle into the vessel. He knew this continent, but more importantly, he now knew which one she was on. 

   His fingers twitched, still remembering the sensation of her body arching into him. Her heart was so close, pulsing through his ears. Torn away by the hands of those unworthy. Masamune lay comfortably within his grasp as he looked to the stars. Cloud would regret that. They all will. Sephiroth realized he’d not just been too lenient, but misunderstood the nature of her comrades' attachment. They seemed to think Aerith was theirs, that she belonged with them. 

   His wing shook the ground when taking off a second time. Aerith's entire being down to the last hair was his. He gave her back this life, he allowed her to be there, he touched her first. Unacceptable, she carried his child yet slept next to those he'd consider strangers. And he allowed it for what? She softened him in ways that could only bring trouble.

   If she was going to hate him it’d be in his domain. No more games outside the parameters of control. She could fight him, cry, love him or fuck him, whatever it was, it was going to be in the space he created. 

- - -

   Cloud struggled to buckle Aerith in first. He pondered for a moment how wide her torso appeared, but the push of Barret and Vincent trying to enter kept him moving. 

   “Am I crippled now too?” Aerith took the seat belt away to adjust it herself the most comfortable way possible. Cloud sat across her nervously. Eye contact was difficult.

   “Alright, saddle up!” Cid shouted. Flipping on the starter. Tifa was the last to board after helping Cait up. 

   “Tifa!” Aerith tugged her shirt, all too aware of the harsh gaze watching them. “Thank you for letting me borrow it.” She held out a little red tie and handkerchief.

   “Oh, I guess you don't need it anymore.” Tifa took the folded items hesitantly. They weren't given to be returned. Her heart pinched, another rejection.

   “That everyone?!”

   “Yeah let's get a move on!” Barret shouted.

    A chill suddenly pricked Aerith's spine. A sensation she knew all too well. But this homecoming wouldn't end with a few words or light tease to Cloud's psyche. She sensed fury. An insatiable need to claim and punish. Cid's hand hovered over the controls and Aerith felt her heart stop.

   “No, WAIT!” She screamed, ready for impact. Just as he hit the gas, the entire aircraft shook. Something solid slammed into the ceiling panel, forming a large dent.

   “Fuckn hell!” Cid flipped off the engines as and emergency alarm deafened everyone. 

   “Please tell me that wasn't us.” Barret said. 

   “I'm afraid not.” Vincent said, already pulling for his gun. 

   “Everyone stay inside.” Cloud moved for the door when Aerith jumped. 

   “No! Just, don't go.” Aerith squeezed his hand. Suddenly realizing she didn't know the next time she'd see his face. 

   “What are you-”

   “I'm sorry.” Aerith's lips moved, but her words were drowned out by the metal hatch being pried open. A violent wind filled the confinement as black smog filled the air. Sephiroth crawled inside, shoving his wing through the door and locking his eyes on his target. 

   Aerith was closest to the door, and no sooner anyone could blink away the nightmare Sephiroth tore her seatbelt to shreds. Her fingers had gone numb, unsure what to expect. He moved silently with precision, his glare louder than any words. The entire area was filled with his essence like a virus. The smell of fire and Jenova was thick enough to choke on.

   Vincent was the first to try standing for a shot. Sephiroth flinched when the bullet pierced his wing, but continued to move as though blind to anything else. The only thing that mattered was getting Aerith under his control. 

   “Are you crazy?!” Barret yanked Vincent back. The bullet barely missed her head. Anything could rickashay this close.  

   “Get off her!” Cloud caught his footing and lunged. Sephiroth caught the ex soldier by the throat. Having been cut already once tonight still fresh in his mind. The blonde was too reckless, even now trying to scratch out those snake-like eyes and reach his Cetra.

   “Cloud!” Tifa pushed her way to the front. Tripping over the tight walkway. One could barely stand straight in the tiny bronco, and it was nearly impossible to fire any weapon without hitting their comrades.

   “Sephiroth stop!” Aerith grabbed his face. Using her body like a wall of cease fire. “You promised, remember?” Her voice shook. 

   That useless promise. It caused more headaches than rewards. But Sephiroth felt the tremble in her fingertips. The base of her belly swollen against his hold, and he threw the soldier down for a swift retreat. Aerith was engulfed by his wing as they fell away. 

   “No!” Cloud's body pulsed. Oxygen fighting to fill his lungs and making him lightheaded. How many times would he witness this? The temple, the nightmares, he couldn't protect Aerith no matter the circumstance. Not a trace of her ever remained. “Cid, restart the engine! I’ll handle the door.”

   “I’m startin’ to think I’m not the craziest one here.” Cid tossed his cigarette and pulled his goggles back on.

  “They could be anywhere by now.” Tifa tried helping him back up.

   “Just stay on course, trust me.” Cloud could have screamed, but he’d rather hear it from Sephiroth. He knew exactly where the bastard lived. 

- - -

   Aerith hated flying, but the shift in weather was far crueler. The wind could have cut her cheeks if not for the arm cradling her face. She knew the ground had to be turning white and dawn was approaching. Sephiroth's body became the only warmth after a certain point. And as much as she appreciated the hands heating her back, she did not miss these mountains. 

   Hours must have passed before Sephiroth landed. He still wouldn't speak, not that she minded. It always took a while for her head to stop spinning. The ringing in her ears would fade after. Aerith expected a return to his estate, already half dreading the dark halls.

   But the sound of music… people slowly filtered through the headache. 

   “Good morning sir, are you looking for a room? Ah, sir?”

   Sephiroth didn't spare even a glance, striding straight through the lobby. No steps were wasted shifting through hallways to find the second floor. Aerith immediately tried blinking away the water in her eyes from being outside. Sephiroth refused to put her down, clearly with a destination in mind.  

   Once a room to his liking was located, a swift kick burst the door open. A lone woman shrieked when Sephiroth marched in. 

   “Excuse me, who are you?! This room is already occupied.”

   “You're mistaken.” Sephiroth glared at the defensive human. 

   “I am not! My key number…” The woman quickly felt a wave of dread once the large man dropped a young girl on the bed. She was wearing one of those creepy Shinra uniforms and groaning. Only bad things had plagued this town since they showed up. “M-management will hear about this!”

   “Out.” His tone was harsh, shaking the space. Summoning Masamune to convey his intentions. The clear threat was enough to have the woman scurrying out over her suitcase, and Sephiroth promptly locked the door. 

   Aerith couldn't hold it in anymore, running to the bathroom and heeling over the toilet. Even without eating her insides were upside down. They had to find other ways to travel. Aerith wiped the spit off her mouth, staring down the bowl of bile in a daze. Was this really it then? From now on navigating some strange path alongside Calamities son?

   Sephiroth moved to the sink to fill a paper cup. He leaned down to place it in her shaking hand, using a few fingers to brush her bangs away. Aerith chugged the offering nervously. Gasping once the edge left her lips. 

   “You're gonna get us kicked out. You know there's no rules against renting a room like a normal person?” Aerith glanced at the scattered toiletries left by the stranger.  

   “We're not staying.” Sephiroth's eyes were locked on her. Only half listening.

   “You shouldn't have come like that, they're all probably terrified now.” Aerith slumped. The devastation in Cloud's eyes was going to haunt her.

   Sephiroth leaned closer to sniff the area beside her cheek. She froze when he pulled a strand of blonde hair from the trooper scarf. He could smell Cloud on her, like a residue that needed to be scrubbed off. But that didn't scrape the tip of how poorly this day was going. The hell was she wearing? Stomach filled with their future yet she dressed for battle. Foolish girl learned nothing. 

   “Your days of fighting are over.” Sephiroth dragged her to her feet. Lifting her once more to place her back on the bed. 

   “What’s that supposed to mean?” Aerith frowned. 

   Sephiroth just shook his head and turned to pull out a leather box. It was a hassle to get it back, but when he returned to Cid's cabin to grab Aerith, the syringe remained on the floor.

   “Sit,” he demanded. Opening the case on a nearby dresser.

   “This is Icicle village, right?” Aerith's eyes widened with hope and she moved to the window. She'd only gotten a glance when Cloud rescued her. The small town was slowly being brought to life through the sunrise. “We can still save them.”

   “No.” Sephiroth's voice was flat. Clearly distracted by the little box in his hand. 

   “Then what, is this your idea of some holiday?” Aerith snapped her head around. Why else did they come? She couldn't imagine a late night dinner or snowboarding being accompanied by the view of nearby prisoners. “We’re here anyway right? If I make a distraction and then-”

   “Silence.” Sephiroth slammed the case shut. He was frustrated enough. Didn't want to be here at all, not when she was awake, having to please that man. And now pests were on their trail, and Cloud would catch up. 

   “You- stop that!” Aerith batted at the hands suddenly tearing at her collar and removing her scarf. She wasn't sure whether to laugh or be appalled. It all happened so fast. One moment he had her pressed to the bed and was tearing the zipper of her uniform down the middle. 

   “I said sit,” He huffed. Working the top off her shoulders and exposing her chest. 

   She was wet again. A damn mess had smeared all over her icy flesh and Sephiroth had to remind himself to breathe. If they had more time he might have let them stay a day. Take his time warming her body with his own, let her cling to him in the frosty evenings while he licked her clean and had her properly fed. But that must have been another life.

   “I'm not in the mood.” Aerith snipped. Kicking around with what energy she had. Feeling goosebumps cover every inch of bare skin. 

   “Moving will only hurt more.” Once enough of her arm was exposed he pulled forth the syringe. The veins just beyond her delicate skin pulsed before his eyes and he pierced her not a second later.

   Aerith cried out the moment her skin broke. A sudden pinch wasn't the worst pain she'd ever felt by far, but the baggage associated with needles was a weight that never left her heart. And the surprise of it all had her borderline panting. The sharp tip left an ache that haunted her childhood. 

   “What's wrong with you?! Stop!” She clawed at his arm. Unsure how to regulate her own panic. Aerith had forgotten her fear of needles with time since being in Hojo's lab. But the memory of her mother being poked till the day she died never faded.

   Sephiroth kept her pinned to the mattress, never taking his eyes off the vial. Seconds felt like an eternity as he waited for it to fill. Aerith's fear was so strong. Bouncing off his senses and trickling bursts of excitement down every limb. For the first time he struggled to enjoy it. He just kept thinking he didn't want to be here. He doesn't want to be here so bad he's going to get that week's advance. 

   Aerith sniffled, her chest heaving as she scrambled to look at anything other than the thing in his hand. She suddenly felt so small again. Even when the needle is removed her body feels as though it's paralyzed. 

   “Aerith, breathe.” Sephiroth took a hold of her face after pocketing the syringe. Her eyes were unfocused, but when they found him she glared as though he were a true monster. As if she wasn't on the verge of collapsing, but ready to tear his head off.

   Sephiroth couldn't help but get lost in those raging green eyes. He must have been smiling because her snarl deepened. He traced the edges of her reddened cheeks with a thumb, placing a kiss on her head. She might have enough fire inside to keep up with him.

   “Rest. I will return immediately. And do not, under any circumstances, leave this room.” He moved aside. Hand on her stomach as if to warn her.

   “The hell you will, What was that for!?” Aerith snatched his wrist. Eyes pleading for some reason she could accept.

   “To take care of you.” It was as much as he was willing to offer. Sunlight was starting to break, spurring him into motion. He placed another blue vial in her hand before standing. “Drink it.” 

   “You can't just do things like that without warning. Where are you going?” Aerith chased him to the door, only to have it shut in her face. “Sephiroth!” She banged a few times, yanking on the knob. 

   He quickly melted the lock as soon as the latch clicked. No one was going in or out.

----------

Previous Chapter art updates. Thank you Shanlie.art for the meal :p

Chapter 3

Chapter 32

Chapter Text

   Aerith didn't waste too much time with the lock. Whatever Sephiroth had done jammed the whole knob. She could smell the faint remnants of smoke. 

    “Sephiroth, talk to me.” Aerith called out, kicking the door in frustration. “I know you can hear me!”

    She huffed through her nose, looking around the room again. Her body was at its limit, it would be all too easy to let the sheets consume her if not for the endless stress each new hour brought. The days were starting to blend together.

    “I won't take the medicine if you don't come back.”

   “Do not provoke Cetra. I'm in no mood to entertain your games." Sephiroth was already halfway down the street. The only thing that mattered was getting to the lab.

   “Then what the hell is this? Do you think I really can't get out of here?” Sephiroth nearly groaned. She was going to be a pain in the ass till the end. He should have cast sleep…

   “Rest or I will punish you.”

   “Maybe I’ll find you first.” Aerith noticed her staff folded up on the floor. He at least remembered to bring it. She wondered if he left it behind out of trust or oversight. 

   “Aerith, don't try something you'll regret. And regret I can give.” His voice suddenly turned dark. This wasn't an issue he was prepared to deal with. If Hojo found out she was here a very different chaos would unfold. 

   “Then maybe you should have warned a girl before stabbing me first!” Aerith scooped up her staff, feeling every harsh bend and squat pull at her muscles. 

   “You would not have agreed.”

   “Kinda difficult if I don't know what I'm agreeing to.” She swung open the main window and looked down. Sephiroth tried saying her name but she blocked him out. He could try stalling another day. 

   A terrible sense of vertigo hit as she assessed the jump. The snow had piled up so high she might be able to ride it down, or at least let it soften the landing. She couldn't help but swallow. This sort of height should be nothing, she'd made far more reckless jumps in the slums, but none of those had been with a tiny life inside her.   

   Aerith closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Sleep and food would have to come later. With a swift barrier cast, she crawled over the ledge and tried sliding down the snowy wall. The descent lacked grace and snow burned her skin as she tumbled the last few feet. But aside from the shock of ice under her uniform, she brushed the landing off. 

   A part of her knew Sephiroth wouldn't play fair. But she was never one to be straight with rules either. 

- - - 

      Sephiroth was nearly ran through the alleyways and gawking troopers. The sun had fully risen, and he was not accustomed to being out in the day. He doesn't know why he expected her to stay put. She felt so weak, so tired he doubted she could move much at all. Imagining her running around in her current state just made it more dangerous. But Aerith found her own ways to make him miserable. Madness. Turning him restless in the days she was gone to borderline manic the moment she was in his arms. 

   Still he knew the scientist would be there. A true creature of his den, obsessed with his scientific work of horrors. Sephiroth was not so quiet about entering this time. Barging into Hojo's office and tossing the vial on the table. 

   The scientist swiveled around his chair, clearly stunned. It took a moment to detach himself from the papers on his desk. 

   “Ungrateful and hasty.” He said curtly.

   “It's done.” Sephiroth's voice was hard, and the scientist eyed the tube of red liquid. 

   “Hmmm.” Hojo held it up to the light. He didn't actually expect such a quick return. 

   “The cure.” Sephiroth put forth his hand. He needed to get out of here. 

   “I must test it first, could be anyone's blood.” The old man looked up with a smug glint in his eye.

   “Shall I burn it all? I assure you I will find what I seek myself and leave nothing for you. Including that.” Sephiroth eyed the vial, fingers twitching to ruin something. Maybe a bit of chaos would quell the nerves. 

   “Alright boy, no need for impulsions.” Hojo pocketed the blood. With no sense of hurry, he slowly unlocked a nearby cabinet. “She must be quite ill. Had you simply brought her in, there's no reason you couldn't supervise. My work is to be shared after all.” He laughed to himself despite Sephiroth's refusal to even entertain the idea. “Ah there we are, a week's supply as promised.” 

   Sephiroth didn't notice himself gravitating to the cabinet. He was a moment from taking the whole shelf with him. Hojo held another briefcase out with the medicine before yanking it just out of reach.

   “And when you return, I will require twice as much blood.”

   “No.” Sephiroth didn't miss a beat. Snatching the case from Hojo's hands. He might have felt it childish if not for the constant voice in his head telling him to leave. 

   “My services are never free. The sooner you learn it the smoother this will go,” Hojo scowled. 

   As expected Sephiroth turned away, pretending not to have heard. But Hojo was perceptive in his own way. Sephiroth almost always vanished from his lab except for the times he carried items. With enough patience, Hojo thought it may be possible to figure out where he was flying to. If it was medicine, then where else but to the Ancient?

- - -

   Cid prepared to land where the snow had fully hardened. He didn't need much runway but the mountains were not without risk. The party had grown tired after the first wave of bickering ended. Cloud rushing Cid, Barret trying to calm him down despite his own irritation. And then there was Vincent, strangely eyeing the way Nanaki and Tifa would share glances. The strange dog whispering a thing or two to her. 

   Tifa struggled to keep up. Hunched over in her lap and unable to participate. She squeezed the hair tie Aerith returned. It hurt so much she must have gone stupid. 

   Cloud didn't want to look at her, barely acknowledged her touch when she tried to help him earlier. A part of her was ashamed of freezing up. The sight of Sephiroth engulfing the pit sent her entire nervous system into shock. The smoke, the gunfire ringing in her ear, the screaming. Aerith was yanked out of the chair, the belts around her shredded like paper, and then they were just gone. 

   Tifa bit at her bottom lip, rubbing the little tie between her fingers. Aerith folded it in a handkerchief like it was precious, yet didn't need it anymore. Didn't need her anymore. 

   “Get ready folks.”

   “Hey Tifa, Tifa? Tifa!” Barret snapped his fingers beside her head, making her whole body jerk upright. “You with us?”

   “Uh yeah, got a little sleepy I guess.”

   “Well stay on your toes, this is Shinra turf now.” 

   “Yeah, I know…” Tifa shifted to unbuckle herself, accidentally dropping the handkerchief. “Oh-”

   Her eyes blinked to attention. A note had been slipped inside, it looked like Aerith's handwriting. 

- - - 

   No one would recognize the wandering girl in a trooper uniform even if she seemed to move without purpose. At least that's what Aerith hoped for. Guessing where Sephiroth went was supposed to be easy if not for the painful state of town. 

   “Strange...” She muttered to herself. So much of the village was, burned? Blocks of homes had black walls despite the snow and half destroyed taverns. She was sure the area didn't look so tragic just a few weeks ago when Cloud brought her through. With her eyes on the rooftops she tried imagining what Shinra could have done to make such a change. 

   “Hey, watch it!” A bitter old man spat after bumping shoulders. 

   “Oh I’m sorry.” Aerith adjusted the scarf around her chin, remembering she didn’t have a helmet. 

   “If you were sorry you’d get the hell outta here.” He juggled a few boxes as a woman ran over to pull him away.

   “Forgive him, he’s just tired from the move.” She quickly said, forcing a laugh. 

   “Moving in?” Aerith asked. She couldn’t help but tilt her head in surprise considering how secluded the area was.

   “Out, thanks to you no good-” 

   “C’mon dear, can’t miss that first truck again.” The woman tugged at her partner despite his glare. Making sure to look the uniform up and down with disgust one last time. 

   Aerith wanted to pry, but quickly understood Shinra was not welcome. Looking at the streets again, perhaps the incident was recent. Maybe that's where she should start looking. Shinra.

   A little knot formed in her already uncomfortable stomach. She couldn’t think of many reasons why Sephiroth might come here, maybe it had something to do with the Black Materia, but then why take her blood? 

   She wandered for several minutes without a lead, slowly feeling the chill seeping through her boots and gloves. Then the smell of a nearby stall had her stomach rioting. Warm chestnuts. Aerith’s mouth immediately started salivating, unable to remember her last meal. Worst of all she had no money. 

   “Hey, how much are those?” She couldn't stop herself. 

   “Ten gil a bag.” The vendor crossed his arms, clearly eyeing the uniform more than her face. Aerith almost gasped, outrageous, from her own years peddling she was positive the man wanted to rip her off. 

   “That's a bit steep for some nuts, don't cha think?” 

   “After that stunt you guys pulled, I don't think so.”  Aerith continued to stare at the sizzling nuts coated in fine sugar. She could have whined she was so desperate. 

   “Then, how about a trade?” She swallowed, already regretting what she’d do for one bag.

   “Ha, Like what kid?” The vendor laughed. Most troopers were just teenagers living off Shinra rations. 

   “How about something a bit more useful for the climate?” Aerith unhooked her Barrier and held it out. Materia this powerful rarely saw common streets, and it’s deep green color flaunted its full development.   

   “Is this a joke lady?” 

   “Not at all, but I'd like three bags please.” Aerith noticed him scowl, knowing damn well the materia was worth at least half a million gil.  

   “Fine, no refunds though, missy.” He took the orb hesitantly, waiting for some catch. But Aerith just scooped up the biggest paper bags she could see and started shoving chestnuts into her mouth. 

   “Fa-nk oou.” She garbled through full cheeks and wobbled on. With just two steps she halted, swallowing the lump of sugar in her throat and whipping her head back around. “Ah, can you point me in the direction of Shinra’s base?” 

   The man stood blankly for a moment like she was a foreign object. He pointed a finger off to the right, unable to tell if this kid was serious or just trying to get a rise out of him.

   “Thanks!” She chirped and started stuffing her mouth again. Aerith decided these must have been the most delicious treats she’d ever tasted. The joy of having something warm to chew on almost deluded her into thinking the trade was even remotely fair. The sweet and nutty comfort was enough to distract her from the reality she’d lost one of her best defense tools. 

   Base wasn't far, and troopers were too busy lugging around supplies to check for an ID. The entire operation was oddly unorganized, and Aerith found it easy to skip through the front gates. 

   She watched the frantic rush of everyone trying to clean rubble and rebuild as fast as the snowy terrain would allow. Whatever Shinra has done, the accident hurt them too. The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. 

   She swore not to get involved or do anything rash until the others arrived. Her body wasn't equipped to handle that much danger, and there's no one she trusted more than Cloud to save someone in a pinch. But the Wutaian's meant to be saved didn't seem to be around. Yuffie said there were dozens… maybe hundreds. 

   Then she saw the bodies, or what remained of them. A slow puff of hot air escaped Aerith's mouth. 

    Oh, this is where…

   Her heart skipped a beat. The truth was coming together quickly and all she could think about was what to tell Yuffie. She promised her. 

   Of the metal cages still standing, some corpses hadn't fully burned, and were being removed as swiftly as Shinra saw fit. Aerith noticed a barrel being wheeled away. Those nuts suddenly threatened to come back up, something told her none of them would get a proper burial. 

   Aerith had seen cages like these before in the labs, usually reserved for creatures. Tents had been used to shield them from the public should anyone get too close. 

   Sephiroth didn't waste a moment getting back to the small inn. The second his hand was in the doorknob he snapped it clean off. To his frustration and somewhat surprise, Aerith was not in bed. He might have checked the bathroom if not got the open window freezing out the space. 

   What truly got his blood boiling was the little blue vial on the bed. Indeed having refused treatment. Mother's voice rang in his ear. Taunting him, reminding him how relaxed he'd become. 

    “Aerith.” His voice called out coldly. Forcing a thick shiver down her spine once the message hit.

    “Oh, now you feel like talking?” She looked around for his shadow. Wondering if she'd gotten close.

    “Do you find this amusing? To test me so. You forget yourself, and these hands do not guarantee mercy.” Sephiroth pocketed the medicine left behind. He peeked over the window to the faint trail of footsteps. 

    “What happened here? You know, don't you?”

   “I'm coming now. Stay out of sight, foolish girl.” Sephiroth cursed himself for not sealing the window. Imagining her falling from this height put him into orbit. Aerith had a death wish despite her pregnancy and that recklessness would steal centuries from his life. 

    “That's why you wouldn't help me. You already killed them?” The last bit came out as a broken question, an opening for him to deny it. 

    Fuck. Sephiroth thought, she went to the damn camps. 

   “Would you prefer they stay caged as you for eternity? Till they become one with monsters?” Sephiroth still remembered the day he discovered the truth beneath Mt. Nibelheim like it was yesterday. The vermin he'd spent his youth helping Shinra cultivate.

    “I'd prefer they got to go home to their families!” Aerith held her forehead to combat the growing headache. 

    “It was already too late Cetra. You left without warning, there was no stone I’d leave unturned.” Sephiroth jumped from the window and immediately began tracking her presence. If she cut him off the connection would disappear. 

    “Are you saying it's my fault?” She didn't want to keep thinking of the domino effect that night brought. Cloud coming to save her was a cost with no ceiling. Destiny traded her life to save the planet, but the delicate balance had flipped. Her life in exchange was now replacing others.  

    “I do not consider it something worthy of blame. Aerith get inside somewhere and hide, wait for me.” Sephiroth picked up his pace. Praying Hojo stayed beneath the ground like a rat. 

    “Those lives meant something.” Aerith's face burned under the wind. Her limbs grew numb with only her staff to lean on. 

    “Their souls were lost the moment they arrived here. Now where are you?”

   “... at the base. I must look stupid to you.” How ridiculous it was to ask for help. Showing him a hopeful face when he knew all along. 

    “Yes, but a fool that I need. I will cut whatever distances us, and more will fall if you don't return.”   Sephiroth started running when the connection finally dropped. Aerith suddenly had nothing to say. 

  - - -

   She found refuge in a nearby lodge. The house had been covered in caution tape, hopefully meaning no one would be inside. 

   Something about the humble home was uncanny. Clearly they deemed it important enough to protect. The house looked abandoned, dust covered every inch, but it was enough to block the outside wind. 

   Aerith pulled off her gloves to huff into her bluish fingertips. She struggled to warm up, and the eerie silence weighed in her mind. This whole operation was for nothing. Besides the few they saved in Costa del Sol, she just felt like a failure. 

   After a few minutes of sniffling, Aerith snooped around for a fireplace. Making sure not to forget a fire materia this time. But the longer she looked around, the more a strange static hovered. 

   Despite looking worn by time, the house was strangely modern. Various electronics and monitors were dormant, covered in thin sheets. Aerith continued breathing into her hands, rubbing them together as she moseyed to the bookshelf. Maybe she'd find something to distract her while waiting. 

   Shinra's logo was plastered over dozens of tapes and she rolled her eyes, picking a few up out of curiosity. But the moment her eyes glossed the titles her throat clogged.

    ‘Day 65, professor Gast and Ifalna, Tape-4, Jenova.’

   Aerith's mind emptied. Eyes blinking, waiting for the illusion to end. What did this even mean? Never in all her lifetimes has she come across something like this. The tape slowly fell away from her fingers and she immediately grabbed more from the shelf. All titles started the same. 

   Professor Gast and Ifalna.

   “Mom?” The dusty air stung her lungs. Why here? Her mother never mentioned the mountains, never spoke of a home outside of Shinra. Ifalna was like a ghost without footprints. Not in a soul would remember Aerith or her mother with time. They had no family to continue on, yet shadows of her mother may have been hidden. Scattered around the planet in secrecy. She pulled another from the shelf and felt her heart drop.

    ‘Daughter, 10th day after birth; Aerith.’

   “Those are so off limits!” A voice snaps. Aerith's body locked up as it always did when it heard that voice. “Are you deaf or just slow? Leave Imm-” Hojo inhaled, suddenly adjusting his glasses.

   The trooper uniform set him back a moment. He came as soon as the front door sensor was tripped, expecting to chase some new recruit off. He did not, however, expect to find the center of his life's work to be leisurely standing around. 

   Aerith's heart pounded into her ears. Mind blank and only knowing that she couldn't turn around. Couldn't face him, couldn't let him see. 

   “My, I have the strangest sense of deja vu.” A low chuckle vibrated in his chest and Aerith heard the click of a lock.

   She should run, attack, but she was terrified. Afraid of seeing his smile at the way her stomach pulled at the slacks. He'd know . The smallest changes in her appearance were catalogued since birth.

   “Almost exactly like the first time I ever laid eyes on you. She must have stood just as you were. It's unfortunate about your father, but I suppose loose feet run in the family.”

    Father?  

   The room might have well been spinning. Not even as a child did Ifalna drop hints of her father. Aerith sometimes wondered if perhaps she was the result of one of Hojo's experiments. That her mother didn't have a lover or husband, and so she chose not to talk about it. Surely if Ifalna had loved another she'd have said so.

   “Come now, let's get you examined.” 

   Aerith heard the floor creak as he stepped closer. He spoke like she never ran away. Picking up right where they left off, as if it was all inevitable. 

   But on the second step she found her wits, she had to move eventually. The cabin only has one entrance, but she'd destroy the door if she had to. She bolted, trying not to look at him. Trying to forget his face. 

   Hojo anticipated as much. Jumping forward to grab at her hair. That braid made it all too easy, and a swift yank was enough to have her reeling back. Aerith cried out at the pain. For a moment stars filled her vision and the next he was pinning her to the table. 

   “You seem unwell child, do stay, rest.” He could barely contain his excitement. It'd only been a few months since he saw her after the plate fell, yet he could feel her stomach pressing into the front of his coat. 

   Aerith groaned at the fist curling around her hair. She tried clawing at his wrist, her whole body sunk like a dead weight. Then she felt the free hand tracing the tip of her belly. Groping at the sides and making her throat fill with bile. 

   “Incredible.” The wonder in his voice turned crazed. “Just a sample, only one for now. I guarantee it won't harm you.”

   “Don't touch me, you're not getting anything!” Aerith swatted at his glasses. Hoping to gain an advantage by knocking them away. But his blurred vision just made the scientist more frantic. The hold on her braid moved to her wrist and nearly crushed it. 

   “So ungrateful. I saved you all those years ago. You really think they would have made it out here? Without Shinra, without my research?!” Hojo was practically panting. Leaning closer to see better. His hand continued to rub at her sides. Trying to map out every inch. He usually never got to be this hands on since the President allowed her to stay under the plate. 

   “Sephiroth!” Aerith finally cried out. She kicked at his legs but it didn't have much effect, and the painful bend of her back against the table made it hard to breathe. Hojo was tugging at her shirt when the door burst open. 

   “Aerith!?” The soft glow of sunshine filtered through her tears. Her savior, the one she loved so dearly, the ones who's heart she'd have to break. 

   Cloud tore the scientist from her easily. His fist connected with Hojo's jaw and sent the man several feet before colliding with the floor. He reached for his sword when he felt a thump behind him. Aerith had collapsed, heaving for air. 

   “C'mon.” Cloud wanted to hurt him, but his better judgment knew to get her away from here. He put an arm under her, quickly pulling Aerith to her feet. Hojo's hysterical laughter bellowed around them

   “Now don't be like that! Who else will fix your illness dear? I do wonder how you'll fare ahahaha!”

   Aerith's eyes widened in horror. Looking over her shoulder as Cloud ushered her out.

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Previous chapter art. Ch. 27 ( art by shanlie.art )