(Untitled)

[ebbingvigilence]

Characters: Aerith Gainsborough, Zack Fair
Status: Complete
Location: Costa del Sol
Date/Time: 29th July 2498, early'ish morning, probably around 8am.
Summary: After a good workout in the morning, Zack heads back to the inn to meet up with Aerith.
Warnings: N/A

Comments

[ebbingvigilence]

Aerith was getting better with each stroke that she took. Just seeing her so boldly stepping out of her comfort zone and furthering herself was enough to bring a smile to his face, but to be there while she was doing it meant all the more to him.

"Most of the kids hung out there when they could, since there wasn't much else to do around Gongaga at the time," He muttered with a laugh.

"I always remember how happy you looked while tending your flowers," Zack wasn't all that surprised that the church had been Aerith's favourite place. It had soon become his favourite place throughout all of Midgar after they'd met. Just seeing her tending to her flowers had brought a happiness within that Zack had never thought he'd experience. It was a thought that brought a warm smile to his face, but he kept it to himself.

"It made it special for me just thinking I'd find you there," He said after she's spoken of remaining there just so then he could find her. That sounded like something she'd do. Yet he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the thought either.

[sealevil]

"Really?" Aerith laughed. She knew how that felt, not having anything to do. Living in the Slums after all either meant you got in trouble or found alternate ways to occupy yourself. Thankfully Elmyra had raised her to know better, and it was probably fate that the church had been abandoned for her usage. Otherwise, she would have never met Zack in such a peculiar way, or Cloud. The old rickety place really did have a special attachment beyond her flowers.

Her smile returned as he continued to speak, and she gave him a nod. "I was happy," she replied earnestly. The flowers were essentially her friends as she lacked real ones...or maybe they were more like her children, since she tended them so much.

Slowly Aerith stopped swimming and simply relied on his support to keep her afloat as she turned her head to him. Zack's expression didn't give any leeway into his thoughts, but the way his words were spoken made something inside her soften up all over again. "I wanted it to be that way," she said quietly, reaching out to touch his arm. "You went out on dangerous missions, fought monsters, people... who knows what else. I wanted you to feel safe for once, instead of the other way around." her expression warmed as she added with a laugh, "Aren't I romantic~?"

[ebbingvigilence]

"You bet'cha!" The lack of anything to do was a large part of the reason why he'd left in the first place. It was just that Gongaga was no Midgar for those wanting adventure. Yet despite that thought, he had had fun while he was growing up, "There were often these stupid little competition that we'd make between us all." He reminisced with a fond smile.

There was a certain level of peace within just hearing of Aerith being happy. She deserved it, after all. "I'm glad to hear it," He said with an honest smile curving on his lips.

Zack slowed his movements down to an eventual stop when Aerith did. His expression softened at her words and touch, and he found that he had to hold himself back from doing anything inappropriate. They were just friends now, but that didn't stop him having to keep reminding his heart that.

"Even back in Gongaga I never really had a place that ever made me feel like I belonged, but..." Zack cut himself off, however, and simply shook his head and smiled at Aerith as he guided her body down so that he feet would touch the ground again. It didn't matter in the end, really, and as he heard Aerith's laugh, an amused expression highlighted his features, "You're definitely putting everyone else to shame in the romance department."

[sealevil]

Aerith followed Zack's guiding and shifted so her feet lightly landed on the ground again underwater. Though she forced back old habits, emotions were still running rampant inside. They were friends, she told herself firmly, though didn't deny Zack had still left a wound. But it was wrong to show it, altogether selfish to show him affection when she had denied him her heart. These conversations of the past--rather, his present, were just far too difficult to retain indifference on.

"But...?" her head cocked to the side as she peered up at him. A smile curled onto her lips, and she reached a hand up to lightly poke his cheek. "You're not trying to hide from me, are you~~?"

[ebbingvigilence]

"But~ I've got both you and Cloud, and that's all that matters to me," Zack said after she'd poked him against the chest. So he'd diverted his answer into something else, but he figured it was better that way for Aerith.

He'd let the moment get to him too much, and said some things he knew he should have just kept within. It wasn't fair on Aerith, and regardless of what he felt, he just wanted her to be happy. He simply had to live within the memories.

"So, wanna try swimming again?"

[sealevil]

Aerith smiled wide to Zack's response but said nothing. If it was that simple, he would have just gone right out and said it.

Her eyes dimmed down to the water a moment as she considered confronting him right then and there. She wasn't sure if cowardice or simple fear of a repeat performance compelled her otherwise, but when she looked back up to Zack, the smile had returned to her lips.

"We can swim all day," she said, grasping onto his arm with both her hands. "Let's go get those smoothies!"

[ebbingvigilence]

There was a smile, but Zack doubted that she really believed his answer. What he'd said was true, to some degree, but it hadn't been what he had originally been intending to say.

He waited to be called out on it, but it appeared that Aerith thought otherwise as that smile returned.

"Sounds good to me," Zack murmured. He didn't mind the hold at all, and instead began guiding Aerith towards the shore while he walked backwards, "Then we'll get to find out who thought up of the best smoothie combination."

[sealevil]

Aerith's hands lowered to grasp onto one of his, one of hers letting go so he could walk normally instead of backwards. She didn't want him to trip and hit his head, although it probably wouldn't hurt so much on the sand.

"Yup!" She grinned wide, and playfully nudged him with her hip. "But we both know I'm gonna win, right~?" Even though the serious talk loomed over her, she was presently content to swallowing it away until the time was right.

[ebbingvigilence]

Moving back and around as one hand was freed, Zack chuckled at Aerith's enthusiasm as he began walking alongside her. He didn't hesitate in nudging her playfully right back either.

"Nothing's set in stone yet, Miss Gainsborough," They both knew that she was going to win their little competition. He wouldn't have it any other way, "I'm sure it will come down to a photo finish... or at least a long and hard series of taste-tests."

[sealevil]

"Maaaybe," Aerith countered with doubt in her tone. She actually had no idea if her combination would even taste good, it was just fun to bug Zack.

"You'll just let me win either way," she laughed. That was how it always turned out. The one thing she could recall genuinely beat him in was probably a round of cards or the time they raced to the train station since she knew quite a few shortcuts. Who knew, maybe he was letting her win then as well.

Her expression faltered a moment; suddenly hating how those small memories could sweep over her. Was it this difficult for him too?

[ebbingvigilence]

Zack couldn't help but grin at her drawn out counter. It didn't really matter to him whose smoothie tasted better. Simply being able to banter like this was more than enough for him.

"I'd never do such things," The SOLDIER said with a playful gasp. It was true, but he just couldn't find it within himself to have it any other way.

He saw the momentarily lapse in her expression, and while he wasn't certain exactly what had caused it, Zack could take a wild stab in the dark at the topic. Squeezing her hand affectionately, he began to wonder if he was being too selfish in what he wanted. No... he already knew the answer to that.

Slowing his walk, Zack turned his attention to the beach stretching out around them as he quietly asked, "Would it be easier if I wasn't around?"

[sealevil]

Aerith glanced down as he squeezed her hand, and felt a small smile tug at her lips. Their playful banter was sweet, but childish. Just a barrier from the serious talk, she thought. When Zack slowed down his walk, she stopped completely to regard him.

"I'm always happy when you're with me, and I mean it." she hesitated for a split second, gently tugging on his hand. "You didn't want to come to Costa in the first place, did you?" Not that she blamed him in the least, she just longed for honesty instead of his smiling facade that told her everything she wanted to hear.

[ebbingvigilence]

Zack's movements were already slowing down to a stop as he felt the tug on his hand. Lately it felt like he'd been failing miserably in the 'making everyone happy' department. First Aerith, and then Cloud. Who would be next?

"I did and didn't. I wasn't certain if my being here would simply make things harder for you," The SOLDIER murmured honestly, but the smile never once faded from his face. Glancing down at Aerith, he regarded her quietly before continuing, "But at the same time, I wanted nothing more than to see you."

[sealevil]

It was almost unnerving to see that smile on his face, Aerith wasn't sure if it was genuine or forced. But, at the very least his words had been honest.

Her eyes glowed a little as she returned his gaze; it was a waste of words to tell him not to worry about her well-being. "It is harder," she replied gently, nodding. "But I want it to be. I want to feel all these things again when I'm around you," Aerith smiled affectionately. "Even if it's selfish. I know you won't stick around Costa for much longer, so... I hope you'll just humor me."

[ebbingvigilence]

Her admittance didn't really come as a surprise to him. Zack had already gathered that his presence had only made things more difficult for her.

"Even when you've got some love-struck fool who can't let go?" Zack asked with a soft smile. He hadn't been sure how long he would stay in Costa. He hadn't been certain if his presence would simply make things too hard on Aerith, but he had wanted nothing more than to be with the two he cared most for.

"I'll stick around for as long as you want me to," He found himself murmuring honestly. Reaching up with his free hand, Zack cupped the side of her face, "Your happiness is all that matters to me, Aerith."

[sealevil]

"You're not a fool," Aerith replied warmly, smiling. In his time, she was just as love-struck-- probably even more. Now she was just torn, and had felt pieces of her heart become distributed between the SOLDIER and Cloud.

Her finger tips lightly touched over his hand, knowing very well that she could keep him there if she wanted. It wasn't her right to keep him anywhere now, but the thought alone still made her feel warm all over. Without any hesitance, Aerith moved in to embrace Zack, pressing her cheek against his chest. "In that case, can you do a favor for me, Zack?"