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It was after they left the Chocobo farm when he realised it – how, for the last several days, he was always aware of her. Aware of every little thing about her. He’d always know where she was and what she was doing; as if all his senses were attuned to seek her out at all times, to listen to the sound of her voice, to seek out her flowery scent. It was very useful in battle, him learning right away, on every instance, how to both support and protect her as they kill monsters together. It was a nuisance any other time; he had never felt more self-aware of his actions in his life.
He was her bodyguard so it was normal, expected even, for him to be like this, he’d tell himself sometimes. He knew that stint was long over for her but he can argue that they never set a timeline.
Since they left Midgar, or probably even before then, his eyes would dart towards her whenever she wasn’t looking. Occasionally at first, then steadily increasing in frequency the more days they were together. He had had to check himself numerous times and try to tear his eyes away from her, afraid she’d catch him. She did anyway, more times than he liked. She’d have a knowing smile on her face then and it was always hard to match her gaze so he’d pathetically look away.
It didn’t help that she was always a delight to watch as she reacted to almost every little new thing they encounter in awe – totally amazed by the world outside the plates. He secretly watched her with amusement when she raised her hands and looked up at the sky with wide orbs when she first encountered rain, and when she skipped jovially like a child upon seeing the wide expanse of the fields near Kalm.
He also noticed he’d been touching her a lot. It was innocent little touches at first, things he would do for everyone in their group as he helped them. His touches were all out of necessity until they weren't. He’d touch her as he helped her up after being knocked down in battle, he’d hold out a hand for her when they walked on steep trails, he’d touch her skin when he’d cure her – his hands always lingering a second too long every time.
The first time they caught a chocobo for her, he saw her struggling to climb up the bird so he wordlessly grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up. It was only an instinctive action that can be brushed off as normal by anyone watching - until he absentmindedly squeezed her calf, his gloved hand pressing on her soft skin just right above her boot. He looked up at her and told her with a soft voice, “we’ll get you a saddle with stirrups, ok?”
She looked at him then, eyes widening for a fraction of a second at the unexpectedly intimate gesture before she put on a smile to cover her surprise.
He took an entire day before he got her one, he had secretly enjoyed helping her get up and down her Chocobo in the mean time.
Cloud’s hyperawareness of her was most inconvenient when they arrived at Costa del Sol. The entire resort trip was hell for him. He couldn’t even bear to be in the same room as her. She walked around in her swimsuit with her damp hair down, cheeks and nose red from being kissed by the sun. She looked even more beautiful than when she had a full face of make up on when they dressed up in Wall Market.
And all that skin.
He was a man and he had a pulse – he needed to get away from her before he ended up wanting her, all of her, even more. He spent almost the entire trip in a segway, roaming the entire resort going everywhere except where she was.
He touched her hair when they were sitting by the Cosmo Candle. He tucked away the strands covering her eyes to see her face better, admiring the shadows that danced across her face from the fire. Her eyes were so sad then, he’d only seen those eyes once before, in her flower field when she visited him in a dream.
He wanted to kiss her then, to kiss the frown off her lips. His heart was beating so loud in his own ears.
However, his fear of rejection was just too strong.
She had already asked him once not to fall for her. She asked him, unfairly, when she already had him suspended on top of a rollercoaster, several floors of drop below him, held back only by the slimmest of steel bars and a fervent prayer. And he had only continued to fumble and stumble down, helplessly falling for her since.
He thought he was being subtle with the way he admired her from afar, always trying to catch himself when he thought he was going overboard or getting conspicuous. Until one day, just a couple of days after meeting Cid, the pilot purposefully stood next to him and followed his gaze. Of course, Cloud was looking at her.
Cid took a drag off his cigarette, “if you like her that much, do something about it.”
”I don’t li-“
Cid looked at him incredulously, “Really, man?” he was slighted that Cloud thought of him as a dolt. “You fuckin’ touch her when you cure her as if you’re retarded at magic.”
Cloud didn’t have anything to say to that. He’d even done it without gloves once or twice, her skin was way too silky for a girl from the slums.
Cid chuckled before he stuffed his hands in his pockets and sauntered away.
Even until now when Cloud knew he was allowed to openly stare, when he knew she wouldn’t mind him looking at her, he found himself sneaking glances. Old habits were not easy to break.
They were strolling along the amusement park at Gold Saucer with their friends. Yuffie and Cait had left their party to go on the more adventurous rides, complaining that the oldies were no fun.
He’d just been watching and trailing along as the rest of their group hopped from one attraction to another. Aerith and Tifa were holding hands and giggling as they pointed at all the things they found interesting, perusing the booths.
He watched as she tried to follow Barett’s instructions as he taught both girls how to aim a gun. Aerith was so focused as she attempted, unsuccessfully, to shoot enough tin monsters in the shooting stall to win anything. He had to hide a chuckle when she stomped her feet in frustration.
He sneaked her glances as she cheered Tifa on as the martial artist punched a high striker machine. Then he almost had to step in when she complained, rather enthusiastically, to the attendant that the game was rigged when Tifa didn’t get the highest score.
She wrapped an arm around Tifa’s and dragged her friend to the next booth that caught her eye, only looking back for a couple of seconds to wink at him and give him a toothy smile – that same smile she gave him at the Shinra tower expressing her gratitude. He was left again to follow them around.
He leaned on a railing next to Vincent with his arms crossed over his chest while they waited for the rest of the gang’s rollercoaster session to finish. He was so contented to just be in the same space as her, he didn’t feel the need to participate in any of the other activities.
A smile tugged at his lips as he watched his friends raise their hands as the rollercoaster came careening down, he could pick out her joyful screams amongst all the bustling noise of the park.
When they were done and the gang was already filing out from the ride, Vincent offered an advise, “Stop being a creep. Just ask her out already.”
He remembered then that their friends weren’t yet aware of a new development. He’d been so happy since last night that it didn’t occur to him to tell anyone that they’re together now, already more than satisfied that both he and Aerith knew what they felt for each other.
Cloud was sporting a boyish smile and staring at her when she noticed him. She walked over to him, reflecting his smile with one of her own, “heya!”
“Hey,” he greeted back.
“What’s up?” she couldn’t keep the smile off her lips.
He just shrugged, not taking his eyes off her as he admired her beautiful face.
Cloud looked different, she noted. She knew he was happy, as happy as she was feeling. But there was something else - his confidence perhaps?
She tilted her head, “tell me, what are you thinking?”
He reached out to her then to cradle her elbow and placed his other hand on the small of her back to pull her closer, catching her by surprise. He didn’t care that Vincent was right next to them or that their other friends may be watching. He was so enraptured by her.
With his gaze only leaving her eyes momentarily to flicker towards her soft lips, he gave her his answer right before he leaned in for a kiss.
“--that you’re beautiful and now you’re mine.”