[ Since they found each other in this world, it seems that she and Cloud have tumbled from one situation to the next with barely a chance to breathe, let alone talk. All she knows, really, is that he's different from how she remembers him. It makes sense: he's been here longer than her (though how much longer she has yet to learn), he's made friends outside of their world and learned more about himself. He's more complete somehow, more the person he was always meant to be.

On one level, it makes Aerith happy. There's a lot she doesn't know for sure, but somehow she feels that this part of Cloud was one she was never fated to see. But he's grown, and changed, and she couldn't be prouder.

On the other hand, it makes her heart break with sadness, and she doesn't know why.

She accepts the hand he offers with no hesitation at all, and there's a tiredness in her smile that she does her best to hide, determined even now to show him the strongest part of her. ]

I'm a little tired, but this helps a lot. [ Her fingers twine through his. ] Thanks, Cloud. If you do get yourself hurt again, I'll have the energy I need to fix you up again. Although... I'd prefer it if my psychic visions weren't always so true, you know!

[ It's as much of an admonishment as she can bring herself to give him. She worries about him, doesn't want him to get hurt— and yet here they are, putting themselves in danger for a world not even their own...

ostensibly so that they can go home and put themselves in danger all over again.

(What of Ayaka? she wonders. She and Cloud are so close—) ]

What about you? You've had a busy day.