[The flutter of nerves that pool about the small of her back intensify in those moments. He nears her and Aerith, who is not at all shy about contact with others, has a muted breath of apprehension. Again, she knows he won't do a thing to her. He could, but if he did, it would cause such an uproar that he likely would not be prepared for it. Besides, that's not the kind of man he is.
At least, not according to her. Sephiroth is more cunning than that. Such a pathway would be an easy one. And easy would not be satisfying.
"I will learn your secrets."
It's a more horrifying statement than it likely ought to be. Largely because if there is someone in this world who could, it would be him. He could share them with others. He could put her in danger, though she hardly knows if the people in this world would have such an invested interest in someone like her. Cloud has repeatedly told her to be careful and though sometimes it seems she's not listened, she takes his concerns seriously enough.
The feeling that follows is akin to an unbearable weight. Waves of strength that slam against a proverbial box weathered and riddled by time and circumstance. He tries her resilience. Tests her. And she can feel that were he to press too hard, that so-called strength might buckle beneath a considerable pressure that she is not ready to face. When it feels at last, as if she might snap, tight metaphorical pulled cord beneath the impressive tension that lingers betwixt them, it ends.
In a way, that is. He still feels ever present there. She wonders if that is all her. It very well could be. Not long after, he grants them both space again and she's left chilled by the experience, wondering what such a thing must look like to others.
A lovers' spat, perhaps.]
If you want them so badly, you'll have to earn them.
[She manages to say, a tone that is far more even than her insides.]
COME AT ME, BRO.
At least, not according to her. Sephiroth is more cunning than that. Such a pathway would be an easy one. And easy would not be satisfying.
"I will learn your secrets."
It's a more horrifying statement than it likely ought to be. Largely because if there is someone in this world who could, it would be him. He could share them with others. He could put her in danger, though she hardly knows if the people in this world would have such an invested interest in someone like her. Cloud has repeatedly told her to be careful and though sometimes it seems she's not listened, she takes his concerns seriously enough.
The feeling that follows is akin to an unbearable weight. Waves of strength that slam against a proverbial box weathered and riddled by time and circumstance. He tries her resilience. Tests her. And she can feel that were he to press too hard, that so-called strength might buckle beneath a considerable pressure that she is not ready to face. When it feels at last, as if she might snap, tight metaphorical pulled cord beneath the impressive tension that lingers betwixt them, it ends.
In a way, that is. He still feels ever present there. She wonders if that is all her. It very well could be. Not long after, he grants them both space again and she's left chilled by the experience, wondering what such a thing must look like to others.
A lovers' spat, perhaps.]
If you want them so badly, you'll have to earn them.
[She manages to say, a tone that is far more even than her insides.]