‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍

ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ㅤ⇀ ⠀⠀𝖡𝖴𝖳 𝖨 𝖶𝖨𝖫𝖫 𝖦𝖮 𝖮𝖭 ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝙃𝙊𝙒𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙂 & 𝑯𝑶𝑳𝑳𝑶𝑾. ㅤ

⠀⠀ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀✧ ━┈⠀𝐈𝐕⠀₊⠀𝐕⠀₊⠀ 𝐕𝐈⠀₊⠀ 𝐕𝐈𝐈
⠀⠀𝐈𝐈𝐈⠀
⠀⠀₊⠀⠀&̲.̲​ 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐎 𝓛̲𝑰̲𝑴̲𝑰̲𝑻̲𝑺̲
⠀⠀𝐈𝐈⠀⠀—————————— ₊ ꓸ ꓸ
⠀⠀₊⠀⠀ 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐌𝐘 𝐎𝐖𝐍.
⠀⠀𝐈⠀⠀
⠀⠀◜⠀⋯ sᴏ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʟᴏᴄᴋ ʀᴜɴɴɪɴɢ.
⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀
Damn, he really has to work on his stealth — embarrassing for a mercenary.

He tilts his head upwards, meeting the drunken gaze of his social nightmare.

⠀⠀ “ Uh, no—- I mean— Just. . . my uh, sword. . . ”
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚢 ‍ @AvalanchActress]

Oh?

Maybe he'll get lucky. Maybe she's far too drunk to understand why the mercenary has vanished from her view.

And for a second, she is...! Expression scrunching up in confusion ...

...

And then she peeks over the counter, brunette locks dangling down towards the blonde.

-

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀
𝘋𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩��� 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳.
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

Pauses mid sip, spotting the owner of the drunken sing-songy voice in his peripheral.

Jessie — it's always 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 than simple pleasantries with her.

Should he make a run for it? No, she'll definitely catch him at the door.

Maybe he can just . . .
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚢 ‍ @AvalanchActress]

Uh oh, don't look now!

Someone's on their 3rd beer!

"Is... that a SOLDIER boy I spyyyy?~"

As if she isn't bad enough when she's sober!

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

Slips by in 7th Heaven to fix himself a glass of water, hoping to skip the unwanted pleasantries from strangers.
⠀⠀

[c 🦋 @_claiire]

that 'this is so clerith coded' photo that was going around -
oil painting I did 💖🫨

#clerith #FF7Rebirth

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ " Uh—- - " She called it instantly.

He turns away, denying any sort of eye contact.

⠀⠀ " . . . No. "

Answered in barely above a whisper, voice laced in slight shame.
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚢 ‍ @AvalanchActress]

"You don't believe in having any wishes for your birthday?"

Hmm. She wonders...

Gloved hand reaches up to stroke her chin.

"... You didn't grow up celebrating your birthday much, huh?"

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ " Hm? "

Mako-infused gaze meets the motion of her dainty digit, drawing him in the Cetran's direction.

Ensuring no one else around him requires his immediate attention, he quietly walks towards her.

⠀⠀ " . . . Uh, need something? "
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍─ ✧･ﾟ 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡 @blossomingwinds]

A slender finger beckons @DEFIVNT to come closer— flower girl peeking from behind a pillar as she sports a soft, albeit mysterious smile.

She hopes to draw him away from the others.

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ " . . . Wha—- "

Barely able to process the bizarre character she just described, he was thrown for another loop.

⠀⠀ " . . . I don't believe in that kind of thing. "
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚢 ‍ @AvalanchActress]

Starts with a "Ti," ends with a "fa." Not that she'd tattle!

"A chocobo with your hairstyle, merc. Now! Gonna tell your favorite eco-terrorist your one true birthday wish?"

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

If she were to glance upwards, she would catch the surprise that briefly passed through the mercenary's visage before settling to his default deadpan.

⠀⠀ " . . . Who told you that? "
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚢 ‍ @AvalanchActress]

"I don't!"

Pair of arms seem to squeeze tighter. Maybe mako-lined peripherals would catch the mischievous smirk slowly growing on the bomber's mien...

"I heard it's 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦'𝘴 birthday today..."

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ " Uh, thanks. "

Luminescent blues narrowed slightly as they land on an unfamiliar face, naturally raising some suspicion.

⠀⠀

[𝑳𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒚 @ImpulseCaptain]

“WHOA —!! Cool sword!!” @DEFIVNT

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀
⠀⠀ ! !

A slight jolt as he feels a pair of arms wrap around him from behind, prompting his head to turn and catch that they belong to none other than Jessie.

⠀⠀ “ Uh, you mind? ”
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚢 ‍ @AvalanchActress]

Hugs @DEFIVNT from behind — even if it's against his will.

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀
⠀⠀ “ Guess I gotta find a vase for you. . . ”
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀
⠀⠀ “ Huh? ”

Picks up the bouquet of flowers.

He scanned the vicinity, wondering if the sender would still be around — to no avail.

Turning his attention back, his thumb traces the soft petal, appreciating the delicacy of nature, as he learned from a certain Cetra.

—

[‍ ‍‍ ‍─ ✧･ﾟ 𝐀𝐞��𝐢𝐭𝐡 @blossomingwinds]

A bouquet of blooms for @DEFIVNT...

Right outside his door.

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

Feels like he missed a lot, yet nothing at all.
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

⠀⠀ " Last time I checked, being your bodyguard meant to protect you from danger. . . Wouldn't really classify going shopping as dangerous. "
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

A once-over at her dress from head-to-toe, he couldn't spot the holes she referred to. Either she hid them well with stitch work, or this was simply her expressing her desire for a change.

Either way, his conditioned brain to respond with drive towards the word —

[‍ ‍‍ ‍─ ✧･ﾟ 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡 @blossomingwinds]

It's not so much mischief as it is needing company, but...

... Well, maybe. Who knows how this'll pan out?

"I'm thinking of ... getting something new to wear. This old dress has holes in it. Buuuut... going alone is kind of boring.

Besides, you're my bodyguard, aren't you?"

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀
'𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙' from the florist has taken over any part of him that would refuse. He still has yet to really figure out why it has such effect on him.

Though despite his immediate sense to oblige, he can't let believe he's that easy to cave.

—

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

His head perks as she calls for his attention ; the tone used being one he’s become all too familiar with.

⠀⠀ “ Hm? ”

As his mako blues land on her visage, he catches the smile that suggests possible mischief.
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍─ ✧･ﾟ 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡 @blossomingwinds]

The flower girl rocks to-and-fro from her heels to her toes, boots creasing with every movement.

"Cloud?" she starts with a smile— in that kind of tone that usually means she's got a favor to ask...

@DEFIVNT

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀
⠀⠀ " Yeah. . . guess I just needed her reminder sometimes. "

Mako blues fixed on the connected digits before locking with the earnest emerald gaze.

⠀⠀ " Thanks, Aerith. "
⠀⠀

[‍ ‍‍ ‍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐄. ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ @DEFIVNT]

⠀⠀

𝘈 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 . . .

Though cladded in leather, his fingertips can feel the grace of delicate ones.

A sudden warmth engulfed the mercenary's frame, leaving a stunned expression that quickly lulled into softness.

—

[‍ ‍‍ ‍─ ✧･ﾟ 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡 @blossomingwinds]

At first, there's a bit of a mystery just on which 𝘩𝘦𝘳 he was referring to. An old friend? A long lost lover?

Or... most likely...

Yes. She knows, not only by context of their conversation or Cloud's expression, but because there's a soft whisper in the air— one that only-