(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

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[ebbingvigilence]

To say that he was proud of her was an understatement, and as Aerith closed her eyes to take in everything, Zack's expression softened. He remained silently at her side as she took in her surrounding. This was something Aerith had to discover without his interference, but he did remain watching over her as the sounds of the beach surrounded them both. He knew she just needed to realise that the water wasn't something to be afraid of. It was dangerous, yes, but if it was respected it could be one of the most relaxing places on Gaea

[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?"

[ebbingvigilence]

Some might beg to differ on that subject, but he didn't say anything further. Instead, he found his attention momentarily flicking over to regard the touch to his hand moments before she moved in to embrace him.

Zack's arms instantly curled around to return the gesture. Pressing his cheek to the top of her head, the SOLDIER gazed out towards the beach as he said, "I'll do whatever is in my power to do so."

[sealevil]

Zack's embrace always proved to be warm and inviting, which had Aerith smiling widely like a child. For a long moment, she said nothing but simply enjoyed the moment.

Slowly her head tipped back just slightly enough to regard him, Aerith finally replied, "Be a little more selfish. It would make me happy."

[ebbingvigilence]

Everything that had been bothering him up until now seemed to simply slip away as he held her in his arms. If he was being selfish, he could almost forget the differences between them now and simply believe that they were back on their last date. But was that being selfish, or more trying to find something to stabalise himself with

[sealevil]

If that was what he considered to be selfish, then Aerith wouldn't have any complaints. She returned his smile as she pressed back into his embrace, shutting her eyes.

"That doesn't count if we want to do the same thing too," she laughed, slowly sliding her hands up to cup his face, and leaned her head back to see him properly once again. "I want you to be happy, Zack. It won't happen unless you stop worrying about stepping on everyone's toes." her smile remained as she leaned up on her toes to press a kiss to his forehead, but it wound up softening so only a small trace remained on her lips. "And you stop blaming yourself for everything."

[ebbingvigilence]

"Hey~ how come that doesn't count?" Zack asked with a pout before he found Aerith's hand cupping his face. Her words caused him to fall silent as she spoke, and he found his eyes closing as he felt the press of her lips ghost along his forehead.

"What can I say, I guess it's just in me to worry for others," He murmured softly before he slackened the hold on her until his hands came to rest on her hips. It wasn't just the self-blame that went storming through his mind ever since coming here, but the reality behind the whole situation. Still, he found himself smiling at Aerith as his gaze reopened.

"But even despite what I'm thinking... I am happy. You and Spike mean everything to me, and just being with you both," Zack's words trailed off as a hand rose up to scratch at the back of his neck sheepishly, "Aah now I'm just sounding all sappy."

[sealevil]

"And protect them," Aerith added with a smile as she lowered from her toes. She didn't blame him, after all, when she was younger she practically relied on it. Cloud had told her to look at things from his perspective the day before, and she was still struggling to just that. The timeline between them was sometimes easy to forget. "You're the hero after all, right~?"

She laughed, shaking her head. It was utterly relieving to see that this wasn't turning out catastrophic as she initially feared. They could even go about the rest of the day together without any awkwardness, or so she was hoping. "You're being honest, silly. That's not sappy." A teasing grin appeared on the flower girl's face as she poked his chest. "We all know you're a softie at heart, anyway."

[ebbingvigilence]

Zack's expression didn't falter, but he did feel his chest clench at the playful tones coming from Aerith. Some hero he'd turned out to be... or will turn out to be. "You bet'cha!"

He did his best impression of puffing up his chest as she poked it, but Zack didn't deny the fact that he was being honest. It still left him with an odd feeling of being exposed, but he shoved it aside as he reached out to take her hand in his again.

"Softie at heart, huh?" The SOLDIER muttered while he gently tugged on her hand and gestured for Aerith to follow again, "So long as you don't tell anyone... I guess that's okay for you to know." Bumping his hip against hers, he glanced at Aerith from the corner of his eyes as he muttered, "Wouldn't want to hurt the 'tough guy' image and all."

[sealevil]

Aerith giggled as his chest puffed out in a very Zack-like manner. He didn't seem offended by her words as he might have, or laugh them off which seemed like another possibility.

She gladly grasped onto his hand, continuing their trek onward. "I won't tell a soul!" she promised cheerfully, pressing her free hand to her chest as a swear. "But if Cloud ever found out somehow... you could just accuse him of the same thing," she offered wisely. "He's softer than the both of us put together!"

[ebbingvigilence]

There was no doubt that Aerith would keep it between them. He'd have to be pretty dense not to think that anyone else could see it, but just thinking that only Aerith did brought a happy smile to his face.

"Oh I've no doubt about that," There was a laugh in his voice as they continued back onto the beach and towards the main street. Half turning his body around to face Aerith, he made the most neutral face as he could as he playfully teased, "But he hides it well behind one of these so people can't see it."

The expression didn't last long on his face, however, and soon enough he'd returned to smiling, "Spike's definitely one of a kind."

[sealevil]

Aerith glanced up as Zack partially turned to her, and snorted loudly at his impression of Cloud. He did have that expression down rather well, but lately he had been smiling more. Or smirking, usually at her expense.

She slid her hand up his arm so that they could walk closer together, and smiled as her gaze returned to the street. Vincent often wore the same expression, so she couldn't exactly say the blond coined it though. But his awkwardness and social ineptitude were all his own. "I agree," she laughed. "He's breaking out of his shell though! I think bugging him starting to pay off!" Not that it didn't already.