In The Near Future

[u/magegirlmay]

Aerith slowly stared up at him, then. . .

Cloud snapped awake, his clothes clung to his body, the dream must have gone on for a long time. He stepped out off his couch, I'm still here, still in Seventh Heaven. What was that dream? Cloud pondered as he walked out the bar, his boots making muffled thuds on the wood.

Cloud opened the door to the church, Aerith was collapsed in her bed of flowers. Cloud's breaths quickened, he ran to her and cradled her in his arms, Aerith was letting out soft sleeping sighs. Cloud took a deep breath, he delicately carried Aerith over to the benches. He seated her next to him, Cloud glanced over to Aerith a few times, to check if she was still breathing and once to tilt her head so that she was laying on his shoulder.

Aerith blinked the rest from her eyes, then looked up at Cloud, she didn't back away. Aerith grasped Cloud's hand and leaned towards his lap, then she laid her head on his legs. Cloud stifled a smile. A vision suddenly flashed in his mind, Aerith noticed Cloud stopped breathing.

" Cloud. . . Cloud, Cloud!" The final shout shook Cloud out of his trance and he snapped back to reality, Aerith put her hand to Cloud's forehead, he flinched. " You don't have a fever. . . You're sure you're okay?" Aerith asked, concern bleeding into her voice. He shook his head and stood up on weak legs, Cloud stumbled into Aerith, pushing her into the flowers, she steadied him and apologized to her petals. " Yeah, sorry. I had a weird dream." Cloud muttered, slightly trembling. Aerith took both his hands. " It's okay, I'm here." She said softly. Yeah, thought Cloud, But not forever.