Title: Defeat
Author: WonkasChocolate
Rating: PG
Pairing: Cloud/Aerith implied
Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy belong to Square Enix and Disney, not me. Sadly.
A/N: My first KH drabble! Written for an LJ comm challenge [187] Strength. Unbeta'd.

She frowns as she watches Cloud, leaning heavily on his sword, his sweat-drenched bangs plastered to his forehead. His breathing is haggard and there is blood smeared on his face, but whether it is his or Sephiroth's she cannot tell.

"Cloud…"

"I lost," he says, his voice weak. "I'm supposed to be stronger…"

When she reaches him, she wraps his arm around her shoulders and feels him slump against her. "You won't fade into darkness, Cloud," Aerith says softly.

He makes an indistinct noise and turns his head to look at her. "I don't know if I can come back this time," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You can," she says, leading him forward slowly, "and you will."

When they reach Merlin's, he collapses on the bed, wincing, and she fusses over him until he falls into a fitful sleep.

As she watches the slow rise and fall of his chest, she thinks he will defeat Sephiroth eventually, but she worries what will be left of him when he does.