[His words wash over her, a simple wave of proverbial ocean and feeling all at once. It’s a beautiful collection of words. In many ways she agrees with him. Ideally, it would be nice if most people, most things didn’t have to endure unfairly. A part of her thinks, however, that perhaps those words are as applicable to her as they would be to flowers.

…Cloud is not the sort to say such things lightly or without thought. If anything, it is when he says his heaviest words that he is his most serious. Looking over to him, she watches him in a muted silence, holding onto what he says. Taking it to heart. She wonders if he knows what she’s seen. What she’s up against. If perhaps, he knows more than she thinks he does.

All of this time, she’s wanted to protect him. To guard him from things he doesn’t know. Things she doesn’t think he knows. Yet…]

Oh…! Right. Oops.

[Her gaze turns back onto the small package of plants she’s brought with them. Aerith plucks up one gently and then reaches past him to gently rest it in the little place he must be indicating.]

Here. I’ll hold it this time. I think you’re right. They’re close enough to be good friends without it being too much.