[ After the last letter she allowed herself to send, Aerith did her best to start treating the idea of Zack's return as something more akin to a treasured long shot of a secret dream, rather than the eventuality she spent years believing it was.
That doesn't mean she's given up.
She still wears pink almost every day, just in case the moment to make good on the promise she made to always wear that color when they were together finally arrives, but it hurts to talk about him now. Aerith's learned to keep looking forward, and that helps. Leaning into the want to make life better, even if she hasn't figured out how, exactly keeps her looking on the bright side, and doing what she can to make sure others around her are doing the same, one flower at a time.
Even though over the years the garden she started at her house expanded at a tremendous rate, tending the patch of lilies at the church is a task she'll always find a way to lose hours to. The flowers here are good company, and even though the church is full of memories it still feels safe and comfortable - like a second home.
Aerith never expects to hear what her heart desperately wants to believe are familiar footsteps after the door creaks open behind her during one of those afternoons spent fussing over her flowers, and when she does, her heart jumps into her throat, leaving her unable to breathe as she looks over her shoulder, a tart rebuff for what's likely just Reno lingering on the tip of her tongue. ]
[Despite getting back safely being his first priority, Zack hesitates to push the Sector 5 church doors open once he's arrived. Funny though: excitement had been bubbling up in his gut since he'd left Gongaga and swelled the closer he got to Midgar, to the point where he'd babbled on and on (to a practically comatose Cloud) about seeing Aerith again and how he had plans and it was going to be a Big Deal™ once they reunited -- yet once he made it, through sheer luck and determination and perhaps divine intervention, anxiety began to rear its ugly head.
What if she didn't want to see him? What if she resented him for not writing back all those years?
Hell, what if she forgot about him?
Unlikely -- Zack likes to think it would take a lot to make anyone forget someone like him but stranger things have happened. He did take down an entire platoon of Shinra grunts on his own and survived, after all.
He tries not to think about any of that once he's made it -- finally -- to where the Leaf House kids said Aerith would be. And after rehearsing several greetings and deciding to just roll with it, Zack makes his way in through the church's threshold.
He almost sing-songs an I'm baaa~ck but the sound gets stuck in his throat once he sees her. Sunlit and beautiful, next to her adored flowers, just as he'd always remembered her all those years trapped in that vat of mako. He has to blink several times to make sure he's actually seeing her.]
Ah...
[Voice croaky with emotion, he clears his throat and allows himself to smile as he takes several steps further into the church. His feet feel like lead and a part of him is sure he's going to crash right through the already-questionable floorboards any second now. The other part? Totally enamored.]
[ The cheerful sound of Zack's voice resounds through the church like an abrupt crash of music. The sound hits Aerith like a ten-ton boulder, leaving her straightening from her place by the flowers with round, stunned eyes. She has imagined this moment so many times, but here, faced with the real thing, no image she's conjured in her thoughts can do the feeling of really, truly, seeing him again justice.
As thunderstruck as she is, Aerith finds herself moving towards him even as her mind reels, keeping her caught in stunned, almost reverent silence. It feels like she's staring at a miracle, so much so that when he tells her his name - like she could, or would ever forget - Aerith laughs sharply in surprise.
The sound is a sobering one, snapping her back to reality and compelling her to move, the slow plod of her steps replaced by an eager sprint that ends only after she throws her arms around him, practically knocking herself off balance with the way she springs into the tight hug.
This is happening, he's back in her arms and she's holding on for dear life and the realization finally hits all the way home, making tears well up in her eyes. ]
I know– [ Her voice shakes, but she tightens the hold she has on him and tilts her head so that her cheek rests against his, privately vowing to never get further than this from him again.
Aerith rests a shaky hand against the side of his face when she leans back to look at him, her eyes roving over his face like she can't bring herself to stop studying him, like if she stops staring he'll disappear again. ]
It's really you. What happened? Are you okay?
[ Whether he knows it or not, she's dealt with Shinra for long enough to know that nobody who goes missing under their watch for years is likely to come out of the experience 'okay', but, one thing at a time. She's got nothing but time to devote to listening to everything he has to say about where he's been. ]
[The thing about waiting for the other person to make the first move is regretting that you didn't take the plunge yourself to begin with. But Zack isn't the type to live life with many regrets, so once Aerith crashes into him and hugs him a lot tighter than her slender frame could ever suggest, he retaliates in earnest, embracing her wholeheartedly, his arms coming around her -- snug, but not crushing -- and even lifting her off the floor for a few moments, just to make sure he's got as much of her gathered to him as physically possible.
He's thought about this more times than he can count and even in his more detailed fantasies, it doesn't measure up to the real thing. Aerith is here, hugging him, happy to see him. She feels warmer than he remembers, familiar still, smells fresh and flowery, and oh. Pink. She even wore pink!
(Was it a conscientious choice on her part? Or just a complete fluke that she's wearing the ribbon -- the ribbon! -- and a cute pink dress today?)
Emotion starts to well up in his chest, over his cheeks...once his eyes prick and threaten to water, he squeezes them shut and he sets her down before the rest of his body follows suit and crushes her. He still keeps her close, afraid she might fade from sight otherwise.
Yeah, this is happening. Can't let himself get too caught up in the emotion of all of it just yet. It's been less than a few minutes already!]
Y-Yeah. It's --
[What happened?
Ain't that a loaded question?
Briefly he debates on answering it outright, although that would just mean a trauma dump of epic proportions that no one deserves. Not to mention how crazy and convoluted the truth really is. So, Zack just cackles, a touch nervous, and shakes his head slightly -- still pushing his cheek into her soft palm, liking the gentle warmth of it all.]
-- it's really me, yeah. A lot. And define okay.
[Each response a half-joke, really.
His expression softens, voice going even softer.]
No, I'm okay. I'll tell you, I promise. I just -- I just wanted to see you before anything else. I didn't think I'd make it back. So much has happened and all I could think about was...
Aerith didn't know if she was sure at first, but the wonderfully familiar feeling of Zack in her arms again drives the point home. Squeezing her eyes closed, She lets her head lower enough to hide her face against his chest, aware that if she doesn’t look away from him for a moment and get her bearings, she really will start sobbing.
A few tears break the waterline when she feels her feet leave the floor as Zack scoops her up to get a tighter hold, and even though she’s sniffling, she can’t remember feeling more grateful for anything in her life.
It’s only after Zack puts her back on her feet that Aerith lifts her head and looks at him again. One arm stays wrapped around him like she can somehow keep him rooted to the spot if she hangs on tight enough, while the other loosens enough to allow her to bring a hand to his face and touch his cheek.
Her bright eyes are wide with concern, and her head’s so full of questions she needs another moment spent looking over his face, again and again, to try and pluck the most important ones from the noise. ]
Before anything else?
[ He didn’t think he’d make it back? So he’s on the run?
The prospect makes her stomach sink like a stone, the arm around him tensing reflexively. ]
Does that mean you're leaving again?
[ And, if he is, does he know she was coming with him? She’s picked up some healing materia over the years and learned something about how to draw on her strengths. While she’s never going to brandish a sword like Zack’s and charge into combat, she can make herself very useful.
And, besides, it’s not like if that is what ends up being the case he’s ever going to be able to tell her no. ]
[With Aerith resting her head against his chest, she's likely already hearing the rough and rapid beat of his heart beneath his ribs. Everything is happening so fast, it's a wonder his knees haven't buckled under him yet.
(There's still time.)
Oh, but her apparent concern just warms his heart, and Zack can't help squeezing her. Just a little. While his own body hasn't fully healed from the assault outside of Midgar but now, with her in his arms, he's feeling like a million gil, his mind at peace.
His arms still snug around her waist, he makes no effort to release her, rubbing an affectionate hand over her back.]
Not plannin' on it, no.
[Zack chuckles, putting on a goofy grin he's sure Aerith can see without even looking up at him.]
You want me to?
[He shakes his head and without waiting for her response--]
I still don't know what I'm gonna do or what's gonna happen -- all I knew was that I had to see you first. I've been waiting...what, five years for this? It was all I could think about. I didn't have the nerve to think about anything else.
[Just surviving, just keeping Cloud alive, just making it here.]
[ When he asks if she wants him to leave Aerith looks up abruptly, on the verge of some very vehement rejection of that idea when he continues speaking and takes the wind out of her.
Five years, sometimes it's felt like five hundred. ]
I tried to ask Tseng once, but he wouldn't tell me anything about you. I sent you letters, but I don't know if I sent them to the right place, or if you saw them.
[ It had taken a long time for her to stop writing those letters too. They felt like her last link to him and mustering the strength to put that aside and try to move on with hope in her heart had been one of the hardest things she can remember doing.
Now that he's here, it feels almost wrong that she stopped. Hopefully, he understands why.
Aerith looks over his face for what has to be the thousandth time in less than twenty minutes, puffing out a determined sigh before she rises onto her toes again, her forehead resting against his. ]
Zack, what happened? I promise, whatever it is, I'll help you. We'll do it together.
[ Whatever he needs, whatever he asks of her, Aerith's willing to throw herself into trying to make it happen. She has five years without him to make up for, and she's not going to waste that chance. ]
[Ah, Tseng. Zack owes him his life, essentially. Half of him wants to seek the Turk out, thank him for his efforts throughout the years. The other realizes how stupid dangerous that is. Especially since Aerith could get caught in the proverbial crossfire.
He sighs, trying not to even think about that.
Her forehead is soft and smooth, just like the rest of her, and this close, the fringe of her bangs tickle him. She smells heavenly, a stark contrast to the sulfuric, dank smell of the slums. It soothes him just being this close to her. Zack sighs, slumping slightly. He's never going to want to leave her side again.]
Mmmn, I'll...tell you. I promise. Just gimmie a moment.
[Let him have this. Shinra can come bursting into this church any minute now. Hell, they probably have the whole place bugged and under twenty-four hour surveillance.
[ Settling against him when he slumps against her, Aerith nods gently, hearing the weariness in Zack's voice. Where he's been and how he got here are important, but it's not as important as the fact that he is here. ]
You can have all the moments you want Zack.
[ Aerith doesn't know if that's the truth, but, as she lifts her head to press a kiss, first to his forehead and then to the bridge of his nose, it is what she wishes were true. She wants this to last. Wants Zack to always be able to reach for her and find her close by.
With a quiet sigh, she turns her head slightly, enough to kiss both of his cheeks, her arms going tight around him again, as though she could keep them both anchored to this moment through force of will alone. ]
We should go to my house. You can get some rest there, it's safe.
[ She doesn't know what her mom's response will be but she'll deal with that later. Her mother knows how long she's waited for Zack's return, and they both have experience with chasing off Shinra, should her worst fears turn out to be true. ]
[Somehow, Zack doesn't sink right in to the floorboards. He wants to, and doesn't at the same time. Aerith's touch makes something spark within him, softens him up, turns his bones into powder -- all at once. He's had his fair share of flirty touches here and there, years before he'd met her, and nothing he's ever experienced comes close to the flutter in his chest whenever they make contact. His expression softens and his embrace tightens around her. Yeah, everything's going to be okay.]
Mm, yeah. Good idea.
[Aerith has managed to survive the slums and avoid Shinra capture for years -- there's probably nowhere safer in all of Midgar, than her house. Unless her mom's one of those types to approach him with a shotgun and demand what his intentions are. But, heck, if it means being around Aerith and even getting the chance to sit and rest on something that isn't the hard, cold earth or -- worse -- a musty and rickety clinic cot, then he'd gladly face down the barrel...
Zack reaches down, takes her small, dainty hand into his own.]
[ She doesn't want to let him go - now, or ideally ever again - but when Zack takes her hand Aerith can't help but pull the rest of the way out of that hug so that she can cover his hand with her free one. Her eyes go a little wider while she looks up at him. ]
It's safe there, I promise.
[ Aerith's had years to imagine bringing Zack over to her house. As the garden grew from the flowers she brought from the church, she thought about what he might say after seeing her progress often. Selling flowers had been his idea after all, and she liked to think he would be pleased that she's had to expand to have enough to keep up with business.
Maybe after he's had time to rest she can show him the garden, and tell him all about the time she's spent working on it with him on her mind.
For now, it's going to have to wait. Instead of the flowers, her mind works over all the shortcuts she knows back to her house. Taking the street might be okay, but she's not going to risk it. She squeezes his hand gently and takes a few steps towards a door at the rear of the church. ]
Come on. There's a way out from the back, we can take the side paths. My house isn't far from here.
[Zack obediently follows behind her lead. He's somewhat familiar with Midgar -- or had been familiar with it, given his years-long absence -- and can get around it okay without maps or directions, but Aerith's got him beat in that regard, probably knows every possible route in and out of Sector 5 like the back of her hand. It makes him feel safe, or safer, at least. The slums have their reputation for a reason, and Zack can't put his guard down even if he wanted to. A habit from years as a SOLDIER.
He grins at her and gestures for her to go on ahead with a return-squeeze of their joined hands.]
It's your call.
[And for the sake of levity, he adds--]
I'm more worried about your Mom. You know, I never got the chance to meet her, so I don't know what's expecting me when we get to your house. Is she more of a Mama Bear or like those old-timey wives on those old-timey TV shows?
[ Even though they're sticking to side alleys, that they don't run into any trouble once they've left the church makes Aerith feel better. She still doesn't know the kind of hot water Zack's ended up in. If it's enough to make someone disappear for years, she doesn't want to let herself dwell on how serious things might be. At least whatever it is, it hasn't staked him out in the slums, and for now, that was going to have to be enough.
His ability to keep the conversation light, at least outwardly, on their way toward her home makes Aerith impossibly grateful for him all over again. To her, it reads as evidence of Zack's seemingly bottomless hopefulness. Not many people can go missing, come back, and start joking around about meeting their girlfriend's mom for the first time. It's gratifying to know that even after all this time he's still the same Zack. ]
She's - I guess a Mama Bear. Don't worry, she's nice! I promise she doesn't have a shotgun or any kind of gun!
[ She pauses long enough to look around them and change direction, taking another shortcut in addition to the first one. ]
We're close. Don't worry Zack, my mom knows I've been waiting for you for a long time. I think she's going to be happy that you came back.
[It might sound crazy -- in fact, to Zack, it does -- but hiding out from Shinra by laying low in the slums is actually safer than staying somewhere like, say, Gongaga or Kalm. It's the last place they'd think to look, although Aerith's own history with the company changes things a bit. He supposes they'll cross that bridge when they get to it.
He follows behind her, grateful for the lack of encounters -- both human and non -- and her own willingness to help him in spite of the years he'd been gone. Not his fault, of course, but he wouldn't blame her if she ever moved on when the letters went unanswered. He's stoked that she didn't, though, and wonders if that makes him seem selfish?
He shakes that train of thought off and follows her through the second shortcut, a path that doesn't look well-traveled. Huh. Impressive.]
You know, you didn't have to wait. I'm actually surprised you did...
[ Aerith hums thoughtfully after Zack tells her he's surprised that she waited for him, turning on her heel to walk backward, facing him before she rolls her shoulders in a shrug. ]
I knew you were still out there.
[ If he asks, she'll try to explain how and why, though Aerith's never tried to put those feelings into words before. Instead of dwelling on the subject, she shakes her head at Zack and gives him another smile. ]
You shouldn't be surprised Zack, you did so many good things for me before you left.
[ Without him Midgar would be a lot less full of flowers after all.
Her expression softens, and she turns back around to look ahead of them, smiling to herself. ]
Besides, you're one of my favorite things to talk about.
[Thankfully, he's behind her and she can't fully see him almost break apart from the mere pressure against his heart her words had. He swallows down whatever emotion wells up in his throat and flashes her one of his cheesy grins when she turns to face him, just in the nick of time. Nothing wrong with emotions and showing them, of course, but now isn't the time. Can't meet Aerith's mom when he's a bawling, unrestrained mess as a result of years of keeping it altogether for someone else's sake.]
You know, when you think about it, you did a lot more for me than the other way around...
[Although...]
Hope you didn't tell her everything about me, huh?
[Jokingly, of course. He jogs a little to catch up to her.]
...like the kip-up attempt on the sand? Or the time that little bugger in the slums stole my wallet?
[ After he falls into step beside her, Aerith reaches out and takes Zack's arm, resting her free hand on him as well, like some part of her thinks something might swoop down from a crack in the plate above and carry him off. She didn't expect getting what she wished for more to be quite so scary like he's a thousand times more precious after having returned in one piece.
And it is precious, all of it, down to the questions he asks and the memories they bring back.
Her eyes dart sideways, a little smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. ]
You did a great kip-up that day Zack!
[ She would almost be convincing too, if it wasn't for the way she follows the words up with a light laugh. ]
Well, I told her about how you were with SOLDIER, and how you wanted to help me fill Midgar with flowers. She was pretty impressed with the cart.
[ Less so with the years of waiting and pining that happened since, but they're not far from her house now, as evidenced by the sprigs of grass and stray blossoms growing in the odd patch along their path, growing denser as they approach the weirdly idyllic spot the Gainsborough house stood ]
[Zack's face lights up from the memory of the cart. The cart, the one he'd made for her so she can liven the spirits of the people and fill Midgar with flowers. An ambitious endeavor, for sure, but it was theirs, a memory he'll treasure forever.]
It was a beautiful cart, what can I say? But we do have to make a new one -- a better one, even!
[If they can. They have more time and resources now, ironically, but it's not exactly the safest idea. One word of a flower wagon whispered in Shinra's walls and the Turks will swarm them within the hour. Maybe not at Tseng or Cissnei's command, but...
Zack shakes those thoughts off. Easily done once they're within close range of the Gainsborough house. He's never been here before, too busy or too shy to make that sort of move when he was younger; now, it feels like he's meant to be here. It's all so welcoming and warm, very different from any place within Midgar, like it has its own sunshine and energy. A small pocket of sunshine and paradise in a clouded slum.
This is definitely Aerith's house.]
Oh, man! Look at this place! It's like its own little world outside of Midgar!
[He quickens his pace to a light jog to approach one of the flowerbeds along the path.]
[ Her heart feels full, standing here with him in her garden. Many of the flowers that spread in all directions, covering every stretch of ground and sprouting from every pot and container, were barely a few leaves when Zack came into her life, it's almost metaphorical, but she's too caught up in getting to watch him see the place for the first time to mention. Maybe later, maybe now they really will have time. ]
Do you like it?
[ She comes up behind Zack, unable to stop herself from taking the time out of his sight to look at the flowers while gesturing toward Zack excitedly mouthing the words 'this is him!' Which, she knew they knew, they seemed to know everything and say nothing, but after all the years talking about Zack to them, it feels right to point him out. ]
Come inside, there's a balcony upstairs, you can see the whole thing.
[ And, though she doesn't want to say it - maybe it's safer if they're in the house. The thought is grim but the smile on her face doesn't falter, reaching for his hand and lacing her fingers through his before she takes a few steps towards the door, privately praying her mother was out, and there weren't any Turks lurking around to ruin the moment. ]
Do I like it? I don't know much about flowers but I can tell you, without a doubt, I love it! This is what I was talking about when I said you should fill Midgar with flowers.
[He's almost kneeling by the flowerbed and gesturing toward the various types -- he'll learn them all by name and be able to differentiate, one day -- when Aerith approaches. He misses her little chat with the flowers, sadly (especially since he'd tease her to no end about it), but it's alright. They've got plenty of time for introductions.
He stands upright and lets her lead him toward the house. There's a bit of hesitation in his steps -- he's excited to see her home, meet her mother, relax, of course, but part of him feels...undeserving, like he's intruding somehow. It's not easy to shake it off, no matter how much Aerith reassures him, how many times he tells himself it's okay...
Zack looks around them one last time before going through the threshold.]
I feel like I should be carrying you in or something, you know?
[A playful suggestion, hopefully it'll settle his nerves.]
[ Not expecting the suggestion, color rises to her face when Zack mentions carrying her into the house, and without breaking stride she reaches a hand out, gently shoving his shoulder. ]
Oh, you. Still so silly!
[ Once they're both through the front door, Aerith can't stop herself from looking out at the garden warily while she swings the door shut behind them, locking it just in case. There's still a hint of that seriousness in her expression when she turns back around to look at him, head tilting to the side as she crosses the distance between them to rest both hands on his arm. ]
It's been a really long time Zack. [ She begins, gently, carefully, still making up her mind as she goes about what it is she wants to say to him, now that he's here. ] Do you need to go upstairs and lay down? I want you to tell me everything that happened to you, I have so many questions, but, if you're tired I can wait a little bit longer.
[The inside of the Gainsborough is as warm and inviting as he'd always imagined it would be. A perfect reflection of its residents. It kind of reminds him of some of the homes back in Gongaga, not in terms of appearances, but how lived-in and comfortable and welcoming they are; it's easy to envision a family within, enjoying a meal, kids running on the creaky steps, a mom in the kitchen cooking or cleaning and gently reminding them to be careful. It's been years since Zack considered any of that, having gotten used to the cold and impersonal accommodations provided by Shinra.
It hits him with a hard pang of nostalgia. It has been a really long time.
He blinks back any potential teard and swallows hard just in time for Aerith's approach. He smiles, tries for the confident and easygoing one he's known for but it doesn't come...and it's okay. She's seen him at very low points before, back in the church after Angeal...
Zack shakes his head slightly, his expression subtle but still fond.]
I've been laying down -- or up -- asleep for a long time.
[Between the lab and the convalescent clinic here in Midgar, he thinks he should be afraid of laying down ever again. But this is fine.]
But yeah -- I can tell ya everything and we can sit and talk, yeah? Anywhere's fine. Upstairs on the bed, outside in the garden, down here... It's up to you.
[ This close to getting the answers she's wanted for so long, Aerith feels her stomach knot up, afraid of what he's going to tell her. Her lips purse into a thin line and she gives him a nod, trying not to let her thoughts turn too terrible when he mentions being laid up for so long. ]
Let's stay inside for now.
[ As good as it might feel to sit out with her flowers and talk about this, Zack doesn't have to spell anything out for Aerith to get the sense that laying low is smart right now. Aerith glances toward the table briefly before she turns back towards Zack, throwing her arms around him and giving him a tight hug instead of leading him over. Soon, she imagines, he'll tell her everything, and they'll be left with a whole new future to contend with, Aerith wants to make sure Zack knows she's happy he's here, no matter what the truth is. ]
I missed you, before anything else, just know that, okay?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
That doesn't mean she's given up.
She still wears pink almost every day, just in case the moment to make good on the promise she made to always wear that color when they were together finally arrives, but it hurts to talk about him now. Aerith's learned to keep looking forward, and that helps. Leaning into the want to make life better, even if she hasn't figured out how, exactly keeps her looking on the bright side, and doing what she can to make sure others around her are doing the same, one flower at a time.
Even though over the years the garden she started at her house expanded at a tremendous rate, tending the patch of lilies at the church is a task she'll always find a way to lose hours to. The flowers here are good company, and even though the church is full of memories it still feels safe and comfortable - like a second home.
Aerith never expects to hear what her heart desperately wants to believe are familiar footsteps after the door creaks open behind her during one of those afternoons spent fussing over her flowers, and when she does, her heart jumps into her throat, leaving her unable to breathe as she looks over her shoulder, a tart rebuff for what's likely just Reno lingering on the tip of her tongue. ]
no subject
What if she didn't want to see him? What if she resented him for not writing back all those years?
Hell, what if she forgot about him?
Unlikely -- Zack likes to think it would take a lot to make anyone forget someone like him but stranger things have happened. He did take down an entire platoon of Shinra grunts on his own and survived, after all.
He tries not to think about any of that once he's made it -- finally -- to where the Leaf House kids said Aerith would be. And after rehearsing several greetings and deciding to just roll with it, Zack makes his way in through the church's threshold.
He almost sing-songs an I'm baaa~ck but the sound gets stuck in his throat once he sees her. Sunlit and beautiful, next to her adored flowers, just as he'd always remembered her all those years trapped in that vat of mako. He has to blink several times to make sure he's actually seeing her.]
Ah...
[Voice croaky with emotion, he clears his throat and allows himself to smile as he takes several steps further into the church. His feet feel like lead and a part of him is sure he's going to crash right through the already-questionable floorboards any second now. The other part? Totally enamored.]
Hey Aerith. It's...me, Zack.
no subject
As thunderstruck as she is, Aerith finds herself moving towards him even as her mind reels, keeping her caught in stunned, almost reverent silence. It feels like she's staring at a miracle, so much so that when he tells her his name - like she could, or would ever forget - Aerith laughs sharply in surprise.
The sound is a sobering one, snapping her back to reality and compelling her to move, the slow plod of her steps replaced by an eager sprint that ends only after she throws her arms around him, practically knocking herself off balance with the way she springs into the tight hug.
This is happening, he's back in her arms and she's holding on for dear life and the realization finally hits all the way home, making tears well up in her eyes. ]
I know– [ Her voice shakes, but she tightens the hold she has on him and tilts her head so that her cheek rests against his, privately vowing to never get further than this from him again.
Aerith rests a shaky hand against the side of his face when she leans back to look at him, her eyes roving over his face like she can't bring herself to stop studying him, like if she stops staring he'll disappear again. ]
It's really you. What happened? Are you okay?
[ Whether he knows it or not, she's dealt with Shinra for long enough to know that nobody who goes missing under their watch for years is likely to come out of the experience 'okay', but, one thing at a time. She's got nothing but time to devote to listening to everything he has to say about where he's been. ]
no subject
[The thing about waiting for the other person to make the first move is regretting that you didn't take the plunge yourself to begin with. But Zack isn't the type to live life with many regrets, so once Aerith crashes into him and hugs him a lot tighter than her slender frame could ever suggest, he retaliates in earnest, embracing her wholeheartedly, his arms coming around her -- snug, but not crushing -- and even lifting her off the floor for a few moments, just to make sure he's got as much of her gathered to him as physically possible.
He's thought about this more times than he can count and even in his more detailed fantasies, it doesn't measure up to the real thing. Aerith is here, hugging him, happy to see him. She feels warmer than he remembers, familiar still, smells fresh and flowery, and oh. Pink. She even wore pink!
(Was it a conscientious choice on her part? Or just a complete fluke that she's wearing the ribbon -- the ribbon! -- and a cute pink dress today?)
Emotion starts to well up in his chest, over his cheeks...once his eyes prick and threaten to water, he squeezes them shut and he sets her down before the rest of his body follows suit and crushes her. He still keeps her close, afraid she might fade from sight otherwise.
Yeah, this is happening. Can't let himself get too caught up in the emotion of all of it just yet. It's been less than a few minutes already!]
Y-Yeah. It's --
[What happened?
Ain't that a loaded question?
Briefly he debates on answering it outright, although that would just mean a trauma dump of epic proportions that no one deserves. Not to mention how crazy and convoluted the truth really is. So, Zack just cackles, a touch nervous, and shakes his head slightly -- still pushing his cheek into her soft palm, liking the gentle warmth of it all.]
-- it's really me, yeah. A lot. And define okay.
[Each response a half-joke, really.
His expression softens, voice going even softer.]
No, I'm okay. I'll tell you, I promise. I just -- I just wanted to see you before anything else. I didn't think I'd make it back. So much has happened and all I could think about was...
[He makes a vague gesture between them.]
...this.
no subject
This is really happening.
Aerith didn't know if she was sure at first, but the wonderfully familiar feeling of Zack in her arms again drives the point home. Squeezing her eyes closed, She lets her head lower enough to hide her face against his chest, aware that if she doesn’t look away from him for a moment and get her bearings, she really will start sobbing.
A few tears break the waterline when she feels her feet leave the floor as Zack scoops her up to get a tighter hold, and even though she’s sniffling, she can’t remember feeling more grateful for anything in her life.
It’s only after Zack puts her back on her feet that Aerith lifts her head and looks at him again. One arm stays wrapped around him like she can somehow keep him rooted to the spot if she hangs on tight enough, while the other loosens enough to allow her to bring a hand to his face and touch his cheek.
Her bright eyes are wide with concern, and her head’s so full of questions she needs another moment spent looking over his face, again and again, to try and pluck the most important ones from the noise. ]
Before anything else?
[ He didn’t think he’d make it back? So he’s on the run?
The prospect makes her stomach sink like a stone, the arm around him tensing reflexively. ]
Does that mean you're leaving again?
[ And, if he is, does he know she was coming with him? She’s picked up some healing materia over the years and learned something about how to draw on her strengths. While she’s never going to brandish a sword like Zack’s and charge into combat, she can make herself very useful.
And, besides, it’s not like if that is what ends up being the case he’s ever going to be able to tell her no. ]
no subject
(There's still time.)
Oh, but her apparent concern just warms his heart, and Zack can't help squeezing her. Just a little. While his own body hasn't fully healed from the assault outside of Midgar but now, with her in his arms, he's feeling like a million gil, his mind at peace.
His arms still snug around her waist, he makes no effort to release her, rubbing an affectionate hand over her back.]
Not plannin' on it, no.
[Zack chuckles, putting on a goofy grin he's sure Aerith can see without even looking up at him.]
You want me to?
[He shakes his head and without waiting for her response--]
I still don't know what I'm gonna do or what's gonna happen -- all I knew was that I had to see you first. I've been waiting...what, five years for this? It was all I could think about. I didn't have the nerve to think about anything else.
[Just surviving, just keeping Cloud alive, just making it here.]
...you didn't hear about what happened, did you?
no subject
Five years, sometimes it's felt like five hundred. ]
I tried to ask Tseng once, but he wouldn't tell me anything about you. I sent you letters, but I don't know if I sent them to the right place, or if you saw them.
[ It had taken a long time for her to stop writing those letters too. They felt like her last link to him and mustering the strength to put that aside and try to move on with hope in her heart had been one of the hardest things she can remember doing.
Now that he's here, it feels almost wrong that she stopped. Hopefully, he understands why.
Aerith looks over his face for what has to be the thousandth time in less than twenty minutes, puffing out a determined sigh before she rises onto her toes again, her forehead resting against his. ]
Zack, what happened? I promise, whatever it is, I'll help you. We'll do it together.
[ Whatever he needs, whatever he asks of her, Aerith's willing to throw herself into trying to make it happen. She has five years without him to make up for, and she's not going to waste that chance. ]
no subject
He sighs, trying not to even think about that.
Her forehead is soft and smooth, just like the rest of her, and this close, the fringe of her bangs tickle him. She smells heavenly, a stark contrast to the sulfuric, dank smell of the slums. It soothes him just being this close to her. Zack sighs, slumping slightly. He's never going to want to leave her side again.]
Mmmn, I'll...tell you. I promise. Just gimmie a moment.
[Let him have this. Shinra can come bursting into this church any minute now. Hell, they probably have the whole place bugged and under twenty-four hour surveillance.
Let him have this.]
Please.
no subject
You can have all the moments you want Zack.
[ Aerith doesn't know if that's the truth, but, as she lifts her head to press a kiss, first to his forehead and then to the bridge of his nose, it is what she wishes were true. She wants this to last. Wants Zack to always be able to reach for her and find her close by.
With a quiet sigh, she turns her head slightly, enough to kiss both of his cheeks, her arms going tight around him again, as though she could keep them both anchored to this moment through force of will alone. ]
We should go to my house. You can get some rest there, it's safe.
[ She doesn't know what her mom's response will be but she'll deal with that later. Her mother knows how long she's waited for Zack's return, and they both have experience with chasing off Shinra, should her worst fears turn out to be true. ]
no subject
Mm, yeah. Good idea.
[Aerith has managed to survive the slums and avoid Shinra capture for years -- there's probably nowhere safer in all of Midgar, than her house. Unless her mom's one of those types to approach him with a shotgun and demand what his intentions are. But, heck, if it means being around Aerith and even getting the chance to sit and rest on something that isn't the hard, cold earth or -- worse -- a musty and rickety clinic cot, then he'd gladly face down the barrel...
Zack reaches down, takes her small, dainty hand into his own.]
Lead the way?
no subject
It's safe there, I promise.
[ Aerith's had years to imagine bringing Zack over to her house. As the garden grew from the flowers she brought from the church, she thought about what he might say after seeing her progress often. Selling flowers had been his idea after all, and she liked to think he would be pleased that she's had to expand to have enough to keep up with business.
Maybe after he's had time to rest she can show him the garden, and tell him all about the time she's spent working on it with him on her mind.
For now, it's going to have to wait. Instead of the flowers, her mind works over all the shortcuts she knows back to her house. Taking the street might be okay, but she's not going to risk it. She squeezes his hand gently and takes a few steps towards a door at the rear of the church. ]
Come on. There's a way out from the back, we can take the side paths. My house isn't far from here.
no subject
He grins at her and gestures for her to go on ahead with a return-squeeze of their joined hands.]
It's your call.
[And for the sake of levity, he adds--]
I'm more worried about your Mom. You know, I never got the chance to meet her, so I don't know what's expecting me when we get to your house. Is she more of a Mama Bear or like those old-timey wives on those old-timey TV shows?
...she doesn't have a shotgun, right?
no subject
His ability to keep the conversation light, at least outwardly, on their way toward her home makes Aerith impossibly grateful for him all over again. To her, it reads as evidence of Zack's seemingly bottomless hopefulness. Not many people can go missing, come back, and start joking around about meeting their girlfriend's mom for the first time. It's gratifying to know that even after all this time he's still the same Zack. ]
She's - I guess a Mama Bear. Don't worry, she's nice! I promise she doesn't have a shotgun or any kind of gun!
[ She pauses long enough to look around them and change direction, taking another shortcut in addition to the first one. ]
We're close. Don't worry Zack, my mom knows I've been waiting for you for a long time. I think she's going to be happy that you came back.
no subject
He follows behind her, grateful for the lack of encounters -- both human and non -- and her own willingness to help him in spite of the years he'd been gone. Not his fault, of course, but he wouldn't blame her if she ever moved on when the letters went unanswered. He's stoked that she didn't, though, and wonders if that makes him seem selfish?
He shakes that train of thought off and follows her through the second shortcut, a path that doesn't look well-traveled. Huh. Impressive.]
You know, you didn't have to wait. I'm actually surprised you did...
[His face burns a little from embarrassment.]
Or that you even told her about me.
no subject
I knew you were still out there.
[ If he asks, she'll try to explain how and why, though Aerith's never tried to put those feelings into words before. Instead of dwelling on the subject, she shakes her head at Zack and gives him another smile. ]
You shouldn't be surprised Zack, you did so many good things for me before you left.
[ Without him Midgar would be a lot less full of flowers after all.
Her expression softens, and she turns back around to look ahead of them, smiling to herself. ]
Besides, you're one of my favorite things to talk about.
no subject
[Thankfully, he's behind her and she can't fully see him almost break apart from the mere pressure against his heart her words had. He swallows down whatever emotion wells up in his throat and flashes her one of his cheesy grins when she turns to face him, just in the nick of time. Nothing wrong with emotions and showing them, of course, but now isn't the time. Can't meet Aerith's mom when he's a bawling, unrestrained mess as a result of years of keeping it altogether for someone else's sake.]
You know, when you think about it, you did a lot more for me than the other way around...
[Although...]
Hope you didn't tell her everything about me, huh?
[Jokingly, of course. He jogs a little to catch up to her.]
...like the kip-up attempt on the sand? Or the time that little bugger in the slums stole my wallet?
no subject
And it is precious, all of it, down to the questions he asks and the memories they bring back.
Her eyes dart sideways, a little smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. ]
You did a great kip-up that day Zack!
[ She would almost be convincing too, if it wasn't for the way she follows the words up with a light laugh. ]
Well, I told her about how you were with SOLDIER, and how you wanted to help me fill Midgar with flowers. She was pretty impressed with the cart.
[ Less so with the years of waiting and pining that happened since, but they're not far from her house now, as evidenced by the sprigs of grass and stray blossoms growing in the odd patch along their path, growing denser as they approach the weirdly idyllic spot the Gainsborough house stood ]
no subject
It was a beautiful cart, what can I say? But we do have to make a new one -- a better one, even!
[If they can. They have more time and resources now, ironically, but it's not exactly the safest idea. One word of a flower wagon whispered in Shinra's walls and the Turks will swarm them within the hour. Maybe not at Tseng or Cissnei's command, but...
Zack shakes those thoughts off. Easily done once they're within close range of the Gainsborough house. He's never been here before, too busy or too shy to make that sort of move when he was younger; now, it feels like he's meant to be here. It's all so welcoming and warm, very different from any place within Midgar, like it has its own sunshine and energy. A small pocket of sunshine and paradise in a clouded slum.
This is definitely Aerith's house.]
Oh, man! Look at this place! It's like its own little world outside of Midgar!
[He quickens his pace to a light jog to approach one of the flowerbeds along the path.]
This is awesome!
no subject
Do you like it?
[ She comes up behind Zack, unable to stop herself from taking the time out of his sight to look at the flowers while gesturing toward Zack excitedly mouthing the words 'this is him!' Which, she knew they knew, they seemed to know everything and say nothing, but after all the years talking about Zack to them, it feels right to point him out. ]
Come inside, there's a balcony upstairs, you can see the whole thing.
[ And, though she doesn't want to say it - maybe it's safer if they're in the house. The thought is grim but the smile on her face doesn't falter, reaching for his hand and lacing her fingers through his before she takes a few steps towards the door, privately praying her mother was out, and there weren't any Turks lurking around to ruin the moment. ]
no subject
[He's almost kneeling by the flowerbed and gesturing toward the various types -- he'll learn them all by name and be able to differentiate, one day -- when Aerith approaches. He misses her little chat with the flowers, sadly (especially since he'd tease her to no end about it), but it's alright. They've got plenty of time for introductions.
He stands upright and lets her lead him toward the house. There's a bit of hesitation in his steps -- he's excited to see her home, meet her mother, relax, of course, but part of him feels...undeserving, like he's intruding somehow. It's not easy to shake it off, no matter how much Aerith reassures him, how many times he tells himself it's okay...
Zack looks around them one last time before going through the threshold.]
I feel like I should be carrying you in or something, you know?
[A playful suggestion, hopefully it'll settle his nerves.]
no subject
Oh, you. Still so silly!
[ Once they're both through the front door, Aerith can't stop herself from looking out at the garden warily while she swings the door shut behind them, locking it just in case. There's still a hint of that seriousness in her expression when she turns back around to look at him, head tilting to the side as she crosses the distance between them to rest both hands on his arm. ]
It's been a really long time Zack. [ She begins, gently, carefully, still making up her mind as she goes about what it is she wants to say to him, now that he's here. ] Do you need to go upstairs and lay down? I want you to tell me everything that happened to you, I have so many questions, but, if you're tired I can wait a little bit longer.
no subject
It hits him with a hard pang of nostalgia. It has been a really long time.
He blinks back any potential teard and swallows hard just in time for Aerith's approach. He smiles, tries for the confident and easygoing one he's known for but it doesn't come...and it's okay. She's seen him at very low points before, back in the church after Angeal...
Zack shakes his head slightly, his expression subtle but still fond.]
I've been laying down -- or up -- asleep for a long time.
[Between the lab and the convalescent clinic here in Midgar, he thinks he should be afraid of laying down ever again. But this is fine.]
But yeah -- I can tell ya everything and we can sit and talk, yeah? Anywhere's fine. Upstairs on the bed, outside in the garden, down here... It's up to you.
no subject
Let's stay inside for now.
[ As good as it might feel to sit out with her flowers and talk about this, Zack doesn't have to spell anything out for Aerith to get the sense that laying low is smart right now. Aerith glances toward the table briefly before she turns back towards Zack, throwing her arms around him and giving him a tight hug instead of leading him over. Soon, she imagines, he'll tell her everything, and they'll be left with a whole new future to contend with, Aerith wants to make sure Zack knows she's happy he's here, no matter what the truth is. ]
I missed you, before anything else, just know that, okay?