OOM - Helping and contemplating

[dontloselight]

There is always something that needs to be done in Hollow Bastion. It isn't exactly the sort of thing one would find exciting, but it makes Cloud feel useful, like he has a job to do and he isn't wandering aimlessly, looking for something (his light) he wonders if he'll ever see again

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[sells_flowers]

He might be surprised if he knew that his progress has not gone unnoticed.

Someone has been watching him.

Soft footsteps barely make any sound as their maker carefully treads across the broken ground - sidestepping this hole, that chunk of broken concrete, this twisted metal grate - each foot placed carefully, one after another. There's no cause to hurry.

It would take a foolish person, to come at this former soldier at a run. Very foolish indeed, when he carries a sword taller than most grown men. He's fierce, he's even been called dangerous by some (but seldom ever in his presence) - but the person who walks toward him is not afraid.

Could never be afraid. Not of him.

There isn't room to sit beside him, so instead the person stops behind the rock on which Cloud is sitting and gently tucks a small flower behind his ear.

[dontloselight]

The soft, almost feather-like touch against his ear feels almost too gentle to be real, and he closes his eyes for a moment, still and silent.

But he knows better than that. He knows it's real, and he knows who it is. He knows because there is only one person he would allow to do it, only one person who would dare to do it, and the thought both calms and unnerves him.

He doesn't deserve kindness like this.

Opening his eyes once more, he turns his head, hand reaching for the flower by his ear, and faces her. His usually hard expression finds itself softening almost against his will.

Still, he is quiet.

[sells_flowers]

She smiles.

"May I join you?"

She has to give him the choice. He might say no, though that's unlikely. She knows him better than most - knows when to press him and when to stay silent. This, she thinks is not a time to stay silent.

So she waits, twirling a flower stem between her thumb and index finger.

[dontloselight]

That smile. Something about it makes him want to talk to her, want to tell her things -- even if they are unimportant, and uninteresting. She's always had that effect -- and it's never been just on him, either. That's the way Aerith is with everyone.

He turns back to stare ahead, flower also in his hand, though now quite forgotten, and nods.

"What brings you out of headquarters?"