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Chapter Text

Chapter Summary: After the long awaited reunion, Aerith takes Zack and Cloud home with her much to the behest of Elmyra.

"Here we are. I think these should fit him but I'm going to need to look for something in the attic for his friend. Poor boy is so thin so I'm sure one of your old pairs of pajamas would work," Elmyra's slightly frustrated tone was one Aerith had been all too familiar with from five years ago.

The slightly tense posture she'd accumulate whenever Zack had visited their home in the past was back; to Aerith, it made it easier to believe that this wasn't all just a lucid dream. It warmed Aerith's heart to realize that while her mother wasn't always Zack's biggest fan, she was at least accepting of his return and allowed him and Cloud to stay.

Sure, she hadn't been completely appeased by the five minute rushed explanation Zack gave, the ex-SOLDIER standing at parade attention at the front door (much to her giddiness), before Elmyra told him to shower and put his unconscious friend to bed in the guest room, but she accepted them inside their home regardless.

It wasn't perfect, but it was a start - baby steps would have to be enough.

All of it seemed so unreal still because merely an hour ago, Zack had been missing for five whole years and she had been questioning the possibility of him still even being alive when he came bursting through her church doors.

The reunion itself felt like a blur of emotions Aerith still had yet to process.

So many burning questions about his absence still bothered her but she forcefully pushed them to the back of her mind. Even the walk back to her house felt like it was happening outside of her body. Zack and herself quietly walking with Cloud's arm slung over both their shoulders, his steps clunky and slow while she ignored the blatant stares and questioning looks they garnered as they made their way through Sector 5.

Aerith focused on the path in front of them, one she walked countless times before, while she couldn't help but recall the brokenness in Zack's perfect blue eyes that wasn't there before. There was so much emotional baggage they both needed to unpack but that could wait. Now, all she wanted to do was take away that pain that was so embedded in his eyes; to hear him laugh and see that smile that was like the sun and have it warm her face again.

Yet the biggest part of it could still scarcely believe that this was reality.

That Zack was truly alive.

Five years of waiting and wondering and praying for him just to be alive. The fragile hope fading and her house of cards crumbling day by day. It had gotten to the point where she had almost lost all hope that she would ever see him again…and now, he was truly back…

Her long-lost SOLDIER had finally returned like he promised so many years ago…

Aerith tightly squeezed the skin of her forearm again just to feel that painful sensation in an effort to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The pinch was sudden and sharp with the blunt edge of her nail turning her skin white than red with the sting of pain that had Aerith breathing out a deep sigh of relief.

"Aerith…" Elmyra sudden voice broke her out of her reverie.

Aerith covered the red crescent moon with a trembling hand. "I-I'm sorry, what was that?"

Her adopted mother looked at her strangely but there was a somber warmth in her eyes that hadn't been there a few moments prior. Elmyra reached out a hand and Aerith remained still as the older woman gently brushed her cheek.

The familiar touch of those gentle fingers had Aerith finally feel the clinging wetness that she didn't realize was trickling in warm tracks from her eyes. The sudden realization that she was indeed crying was all it took for a explosive sob to rise in her throat; lower lip wobbling tumultuously even as she tried to control the abrupt and painfully sharp spike of grief that fell over her like an unexpected shower of cold rain.

Five whole years…

All the debilitating fear caused by years of haunting nightmares, visions of rain, cliffs, blood and bullets and the endless sky that took Zack away felt so real. Waking up only to face a possible future where she'd never see him again. Those years passing by and slowly but surely forgetting his handsome face, soothing voice and a blinding smile that put the sun to shame was finally over because Zack came back to her…

A choppy cry of emotion laced with grief, pain and the sweetest relief finally broke free from her lips - she'd never fallen apart in front of Elmyra until right now.

"...Oh my flower," her mother mused gently before wrapping her in a tight hug with the bundle of clothes for Zack resting between them.

A steadying breath had Aerith muttering out a broken, "I'm okay," the phrase automatic. A lie she'd perfected these last five years falling easily from her mouth even as her cheeks swam with tears and her throat grew tight with repressed sobs. But now those words were far more truthful than they'd ever been before…

Zack was here…he was finally home.

Heart near to bursting with the emotion of that internal statement, a sob was finally released from her mouth as Aerith buried her tear-stained face in her mother's comforting shoulder and cried and cried and cried.

Five years of holding every pain and doubt to herself while presenting the world with faked happiness, the dam finally broke wide open and Elmyra's arms were the only thing holding her together.

Elmyra didn't comment, merely wrapped her arms tighter around her trembling daughter. She'd stopped questioning a long time ago, knowing Aerith would never fully admit the anxiety and grief she lived with since Zack disappeared on his mission all those years ago. She merely got used to seeing all the fake smiles and broken grins while her adopted daughter's beautiful emerald eyes showcased nothing but agony, anxiety, and unshed tears.

The pain of those years was sadly all too familiar for Elmyra; her own husband's death still a dull ache beneath her ribs that never fully went away.

If she was honest with herself, it was the sole reason for her brushing aside and forced dislike of Zack. While he possessed a wonderfully kind soul, open smile and gentle heart and obviously cared for Aerith very much, he was SOLDIER. Military. Shinra... it was all the same. Whoever tethered themselves to one who was employed at such a profession, it always ended in heartbreak. So, when Zack left and never came back even years later, the look on Aerith's face slowly began matching her own in the mirror from her own years of waiting patiently for her husband to return home.

…He never did…

All Shinra caused was agony, nothing but pain for those left behind and she never wanted Aerith (who was the only reason she survived her own grief over the loss of her husband) to experience it but she ended up falling for the First Class SOLDIER anyway.

Elmyra held her tongue for a long time. Her rare terse comments about moving on and even planting doubts in her daughter's mind about Zack's true whereabouts were only placed with the intentions that possible scenario would hopefully numb the pain. Because even Elmyra knew Zack would never do that to her daughter but yet she continued sowing doubt because even the idea of Aerith losing Zack to another woman would hurt much less than the truth of him most likely being dead and Shinra covering it up per usual…

All Elmyra wanted was to protect her...

For so long, she tried fruitlessly to convince Aerith to let Zack go; to accept he wasn't coming back from the mission and move on with her life and even perhaps to find someone new. Whether it was because of his death or he just found someone else to be with, it didn't matter, she just hated to see that profound emptiness in her daughter's eyes.

Yet even after five years, Aerith refused to let go.

Writing letters, selling flowers with a broken smile while still tying her fading and worn pink ribbon on the top of her braid every single day. Aerith clinging to her first (and only) love with an iron fist, her steadfast will was a testament to her unbreakable stubbornness and faith that Zack would return one day and when he did, she would still be waiting for him…

…and Aerith was right…

It was an absolute shock to the system to see Aerith arrive with her long-lost boyfriend looking severely out of place in poor fitting clothes and a blonde friend who's eyes were open yet unseeing. The sheepish smile Zack flashed her as Aerith talked a mile-a-minute but it was Zack's eyes that hit Elmyra hardest.

Even as he gave a quick explanation with obvious holes in the story that edited horrific things Elmyra couldn't possibly begin to fathom, it was the look in his eyes that said it all. There was a pained broken spirit now inhabiting the once happy-go-lucky teenager her daughter introduced as her boyfriend all those years ago.

There was a story, a horrible one he had yet to fully tell, and Elmyra was scared.

The fear of him and his friend being on the run from the most powerful company on the planet was at the forefront of her mind, but seeing her daughter's hopeful face, Zack's forced smile and the blonde boy who's blank expression terrified her, Elmyra's walls she built crashed to the ground. Face still stern to hide the grief and guilt she felt, Elmyra let them in.

Despite her misgivings, Zackary returned; he'd come back for Aerith like he promised he would, and that would have to be enough for her.

While she wasn't crazy about Zack and Aerith's relationship in the past (mostly because of Zackary's previous womanizing ways), all it gave her now was guilt. It weighed heavily on her shoulders and eyes burning from unshed tears at the grief her daughter had been hoarding in her heart all this time. So, Elmyra pulled her adopted daughter closer to her chest and held on as tight as she could. All she could do move forward, be better toward the man her daughter chose to love and help them all heal. All she knew was that she refused to let Aerith hold all this grief alone anymore so she rubbed soothing hands over her daughter's back until Aerith finally got her shuddering breaths under control and ignored the cooling wetness of tears in the fabric on her shoulder.

After Aerith seemingly calmed, Elmyra pulled away slowly. A bit of sadness aching in her heart to watch Aerith scrubbing away tears from rosy cheeks with her hands that still contained soil under her short fingernails. Yet she didn't comment when Aerith finally looked at her with those doe-like green eyes, merely placed the bundle of clothes for Zackary in Aerith's trembling arms.

In that moment, there was so much she wanted to say her to daughter but the words that left were, "Alright. Enough dawdling, now go upstairs and give Zack those clothes and I'll be in the attic to find others that will hopefully fit his friend."

Aerith let out in the softest breath and gave her the most genuine smile. "...Thanks, mom," she whispered before she perked up and ran up the creaky wooden staircase with a spring in her step that Elmyra hadn't seen from Aerith in years.

It was the minutest smile, a spark that returned to Aerith's eyes that made the older woman who lost her husband to war so long ago, to finally smile as well.

Chapter Text

Wow…it felt so good to be fucking clean!

Zack couldn't bite back the immediate audible moan that released between slightly parted lips at just how absolutely incredible the hot water felt running over his aching body. The dirt baths, damp towels and rags, random bucket washings and freezing cold river baths while trying to keep Cloud's head above water were hopefully long behind him.

Never would he take running hot water and soap for granted ever again.

Zack let out a deep sigh as he moved the bar of soap over his body, letting it lather up before he proceeded to thoroughly wash his face, neck, bruised chest, stomach, scraped arms, underarms, back, groin, legs and finally the soles of his aching feet. Going back over his body again and again until the soap was nearly gone and he was cleaner than he had been in literal years. The water filled with blood, monster guts, dirt and who knows what else swirling in a circle before disappearing down the drain. Once it ran clear, Zack placed the diminished bar back on the ledge; he was now ready to tackle the worst part. Squirting some shampoo into his palm, he began to brush sudsy fingers though his filthy matted hair.

Zack's face crinkled and he cringed a bit at the memory of how Aerith had ran her fingers through it earlier in the church. The beautiful flower girl not even caring about the dirt, grime and oil embedded in the raven strands as she combed through it with her delicate fingers. Refusing to allow that to happen the next time she decided to finger-comb him, he rinsed away the suds and grabbed the shampoo again. Three washings and a conditioning later, his scalp and hair felt relatively normal; languidly, he brushed his fingers through the raven locks, reveling at how easy his fingers slipped through the wet strands.

After he was fully clean and rinsed, Zack rested under the spray of warm water, letting the water stream hit his face like a hot, heavy rain. The nostalgic feeling of warm rains in Gongaga hit him hard in that moment.

None of this felt real yet.

The SOLDIER couldn't help but press his short nails into his arm until the pinch of pain and crescent shaped lines of blood formed under his fingers. His bright blue eyes stared as the crimson blood mixed with the water and slid down the drain as his skin rapidly stitched itself together with a slight mako glow before fading back into his tanned skin. The wounds he sustained in the battle against the Shinra army almost disappeared, only a few stray bullet wounds left reddened marks and divots on his chest but those too would be gone eventually even if the horrid memory would always remain.

The pain not in his arm but the ache in his heart told him this was indeed real.

Try as he might to push away the images of all those he killed, they were flashing in his head. There was a horrific burning starting in the back of his eyes as he hung his head; letting the water run down his back as he pressed shaking palms against the white tiles to keep from collapsing. Shoulders trembling, he recalled it all. Sephiroth's madness and betrayal, the years of excruciating torture him and Cloud endured at the hands of a madman, escape, running halfway across the damn planet and not knowing if his comatose friend would ever awaken, the terror and adrenaline of the fight he should have lost, and topped off with the absolute joy at returning to Midgar alive and into Aerith's welcoming arms. Everything hit him at once as tears filled his eyes and threatened to fall…

Yet like a switch, Zack immediately shook himself from his stupor and stood up straight.

Now was not the time to let down his guard and fall apart…perhaps not ever.

Zack shook his head until the burning in his eyes ceased, running his hand down his face before shutting off the shower. It was only now he realized the heavy sensation of steam filling the bathroom in a thick mist and he cursed under his breath upon acknowledging that Cloud still needed to be bathed. And as much as he'd love to stay and relish in the hot water longer, he already felt terrible for putting himself and Cloud in Aerith and her mother's care. Wasting hot water was not helping the situation, so once the water was fully drained and tub clean, he pulled back the curtain and stepped onto the pile of dirty clothes he left near the tub so he wouldn't saturate their rugs.

As the water dripped down his body in thick rivulets, blue eyes slid around the bathroom and he felt his lips tilt up upon seeing fluffy pink towels hanging on a rack nearby.

Taking a few deeps calming breaths from the sudden spike of emotion and anguish she showed her mother, Aerith ascended the stairs. Mind rushing at showing that vulnerability she had vehemently hid away behind fake smiles and forced cheeriness for so long. Five whole years... It all just released at once when she found herself crying into her mother's shoulder. Like an overworked valve finally shattering, to be able to finally showcase how Zack's disappearance had hurt her was not what she expected to happen but it felt cleansing in a way she was still trying to fully comprehend.

Footsteps slowing as she got lost in her thoughts, Aerith nervously folded and refolded the clothes for Zack as her feet continued up the circular staircase until she closed the distance between herself and the bathroom.

Steeling herself, the flower girl stopped in front of the closed door.

Aerith's heart jumped when she didn't hear the shower on. How long had it been? It couldn't have been that long for her to collect clean clothes, did it?

Unless…

A sudden spike of needless anxiety overtook her. She knew it was irrational but her mind was in utter panic. Was this all a dream? Did he even show up in her church at all or was this all just another illusion of his return that she deluded into thinking was reality? Maybe the handsome SOLDIER was merely a figment of her tumultuous grief.

...Wait, no. Her mom saw him so it couldn't be...

Then maybe Zack was already finished showering! But what if he put on his old clothes since she took too long to get him clean ones? Maybe him saying he would shower was a distraction! Perhaps he merely threw on his old clothes and left her with Cloud so he could face Shinra alone! He might already be gone! He could have slipped out and she'd never see him again!

Heart hammering with anxiety, Aerith burst through the bathroom door without even bothering to knock.

The vision that greeted her caused her mouth to instantly dry up and green eyes to comically widen.

Instead of an empty bathroom like she feared, standing there in their tiny, yet cozy, bathroom surrounded by clouds of floral scented steam was Zack…in nothing but a towel. The normally oversized pink towels she'd bought a few years back suddenly looked a lot smaller while wrapped loosely around Zack's hips and one on his head where the raven strands actually rested flat for once.

Other than his widened eyes and coral flush gathering along his cheekbones, Zack actually remained fairly calm; admittedly easier when he noticed Aerith's eyes were not exactly focusing solely on his face.

Aerith's brain short circuited at the sight before it hit her just what happened.

"SORRY!" she screeched much louder than intended. "Here's some clothes!" she said, face burning scarlet in mortification at her impulsive actions as she all but threw the bundle of carefully folded clean clothes at Zack's face. In his rush to catch them before they landed on the soppy dirty clothes underneath his feet, he dropped the towel around his waist where it fell and pooled around his ankles with a heavy 'thwump'.

Zack flinched at the sudden burst of cold air in his nether regions. SOLDIER reflexes quickly realizing his sudden lack of coverage, Zack pressed the bundle of fresh clothes against his bare crotch, his face red as a tomato when he flashed the unmoving Aerith a crooked grin.

A grin that only grew as the flower girl stared at his now covered private area before letting out a loud "Eep!", rushing out of the bathroom and slamming the door behind her.

Once the door was closed, Zack couldn't help the bark of embarrassed laughter that left his mouth. Blush filling his face to the point where even his ears burned.

Yep, this was not exactly the reunion he pictured…

Aerith's back pressed against the door, heart hammering against her ribcage, threatening to break through her chest and face hot enough to boil water, she let out an almost hysterical giggle. But that instantly sobered when out of the corner of her eye, she saw her adopted mother staring at her only feet away at the top of the stairs. The older woman looking less than pleased and all too aware of what just happened, which going by the warmth of her face and probably a glassiness to her eyes, was quite obvious.

"Aerith!" Elmyra hissed quietly, all too aware of SOLDIER's advanced hearing. "Why didn't you knock first?"

Unwilling to describe her baseless anxiety as reasoning, Aerith blurted out, "What!? It's nothing I haven't seen before!"

Elmyra's eyes widened at the blatant statement, her lightly wrinkled mouth opening as if she wanted to say something to admonish her daughter. But in the end, she merely shook her head, pressed clean clothes intended for Cloud into Aerith's trembling hands and walked back down the stairs to make dinner.

Once her mother was gone and the words she'd just spoken finally registered in her mind, Aerith cursed under her breath. "...Shit!"

Chapter Text

Once the footsteps of both Elmyra followed shortly by Aerith's disappeared and all was quiet outside the bathroom door, Zack let out a deep breath he wasn't even aware he'd been holding.

There was a slight awkwardness remaining from the mother and daughter's short but tense discussion - not exactly an argument but close enough - words of which he hated his blessing/cursed SOLDIER hearing for picking up at all. The very last thing Zack wanted to do was create a rift between his girlfriend and her mother… Both of them were really putting out their necks for his and Cloud's sake and instead of making the transition as seamless as possible, his presence was already causing unneeded problems. Neck and cheeks burning in shame, Zack wanted nothing more than to apologize and help to mend whatever wound he just caused but he wasn't supposed to have even heard their private discussion in the first place!

Also, what was he supposed to do about it? Even if he wanted to, changing the past was impossible and the only way was forward.

It still didn't fix the situation…but for now, that would remain a problem for Future Zack to take care of because Present Zack had other priorities requiring his immediate attention.

Namely a stinky blonde cadet lying on the guest bed.

So refusing to let their argument bother him or focus on it too much, Zack instead gently placed the clean clothes Aerith threw at him onto the closed toilet seat. Picking up the towel he'd dropped in the mayhem, he continued to fully dry himself off. It was times like these that it was in his best interest to keep his mind blank, movements quick and efficient as he fully dried than got dressed.

Now dry and clothed in boxers, a loose v neck t-shirt and soft black jogger pants, Zack glanced at the foggy mirror behind the sink. Approaching it, he hesitated for only a moment before he wiped his hand across the beads of condensation clinging to the foggy glass until he could see his reflection staring back at him.

It was the first time he was able to see himself in such a long time.

The face that looked back at him still looked barely out of his teens but his eyes were haunted, ancient even. Dark bags lined underneath his vivid (practically illuminated) Mako-eyed gaze and his cheekbones were far more prominent than he remembered due to the lack of nutrition this past year on the run, but overall, he pretty much looked exactly the same as the day he left for the mission in Nibelheim… and for some reason, that terrified him.

Because he sure as hell didn't feel like that same guy…

Zack turned away from his reflection while brushing a slightly jittery hand through drying hair that was already spiking up where it had laid flat from the shower. Now was not the time to have an existential crisis, his friend needed help taking a bath. Re-prioritizing himself, the ex-SOLDIER pulled at the hem of his new clothes, appreciating how they fit so much better than the other ones they took from a random clothes line. He felt human again after feeling like a freak science experiment to a madman then a hunted animal for far too long.

...It was nice.

Zack adjusted his shirt once more to make sure he looked decent in case he ran into Aerith or Elmyra before gathering his dirty clothes and slowly stepping out of the bathroom.

Coast clear, Zack stepped fully out of the bathroom and into the hallway by the top of the staircase. His bare feet making soundless steps on the wooden flooring as he avoided the spots where he knew the boards squeaked loudly under any significant weight. Tanned cheeks flushed and ears burned recalling him and Aerith using these very same tactics while sneaking into each other's respective rooms the few times he'd been invited over (or snuck in) for an overnight visit. It was a habit he was going to have to break if he didn't want Elmyra finding out and subsequently throwing him and Cloud out of the house.

As Zack walked through the threshold into the guest room where he and Cloud would be staying for the foreseeable future, he was a bit relieved/disappointed that Aerith wasn't there.

The only one waiting for him was Cloud where he left him. The blonde lying on the only bed in the room with his half-lidded eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Ever since that small moment where he spoke in the church, Cloud slowly reverted to staying silent; only staring blankly and barely reacting to outside stimuli. It was rather disheartening but Zack knew it would take much longer for Cloud to substantially recover from the amount of Mako and whatever the fuck else Hojo pumped into him in the basement laboratory from hell. Zack tightened his fingers into the dirty clothes in his arms as his shoulders began to shake.

…Not now, not now…

A sigh slipped its way past Zack's lips as he pushed those foreboding thoughts away. Giving himself a moment to calm, he deposited his dirty clothes into the wooden hamper by the door before approaching his friend's bedside.

"Well, no time like the present, eh, Cloudy?" Zack said happily, hands on his hips and a smile on his lips that was more forced than he wanted. "You probably notice that I smell awesome now so it's your turn to stop stinking up the whole house, buddy." Zack paused as if Cloud would answer and it was a habit he refused to break because one day Cloud would answer him, dammit!

"…Yeah yeah yeah, I probably started out smelling worse than you do right now but we're not talking about me since I already had a shower," Zack flippantly waved his hand around as he teased his blonde friend. "So, what do you say? Ya ready?"

Cloud did a slow blink and that was enough of a response for Zack.

"Great! Let's get to it, shall we?" Zack chuckled before gently gathering Cloud up into his arms bridle style (which if Cloud was fully cognisant, would probably earn him a hard whack to the back of his head).

With well practiced ease, he picked up his comatose friend and headed back out the guest room door.

Zack smiled fondly at how Cloud slightly adjusted in his arms. Those dark blonde lashes fluttering atop his light baby blue eyes that peered at him in a sense of life Zack hadn't seen much of from his blonde brother-in-arms for way too long. Sure, it was a lengthy road ahead but these small signs of consciousness were making it easier to believe that Cloud would indeed fully awaken and be that same awkward shy kid who threw up all over Sephiroth's boots on the way to Nibelheim.

Smiling at the few nice memories SOLDIER provided him and pushing all the bad ones to the far recesses of his troubled mind, Zack returned back to the bathroom with Cloud in tow.

The thick air still retained the warmth of the floral steam from his shower he vacated mere moments earlier. While other men might be repulsed or feel demeaned by smelling flowery, Zack embraced it. Adoring the smell he always associated with Aerith; from the golden hued ones she grew in her church to the colorful ones planted throughout her yard. It always amazed him how she always emanated their sweet fragrance even when she hadn't been near them at all. Her gorgeous scent outweighing the dank thick air of the slums and brightening up Gaia with her smile and presence alone.

While on the run, he found himself collecting small bunches of colorful wildflowers along the path and at night while he awaited any sign that Shinra or the Turks tracked down their location, Zack would keep himself awake and alert by smelling the flower's sweet aroma and tenderly touching their silken petals. This small action made Aerith feel closer even if they were so far away in years and miles...

Now after all this time, it was something that didn't change even if she was in the same house.

Yet as much as he wanted nothing to be near her, a part of him was thankful Aerith was downstairs with her mother or occupied elsewhere when he gathered Cloud. In all honesty, he wasn't ready for whatever awkward conversation would happen between them after that whole fiasco. While it was far from the first time she'd seen him completely nude or even close to the intimacy they shared before, it had been five years since they were together…

And he wanted to take it slow, dammit!

While the kiss at the church had been far beyond anything he could have fathomed from a girl he essentially ghosted for five years, he would never complain. But to see him naked that soon? Within a few hours of returning to her and all because he forgot to lock the damn bathroom door? Zack shook his head from his thoughts, his cheeks and ears burning like hellfire. As embarrassing as the whole situation was, it was so strange yet incredibly liberating to just be shy in front of her again. As rare as it was, he embraced it. That small action made him feel alive and human in a way Hojo did his damnedest to take away. So while things with Aerith may be awkward for a bit, he wouldn't change it for anything.

Coming back to the present, Zack lowered Cloud onto the closed toilet seat before shutting the bathroom door and locking it for good measure this time.

Zack made sure Cloud wasn't going to tip over and fall onto the floor before securing the drain and began filling up the tub. Once the pleasant sound of running water and subsequent steam echoed throughout the small room, Zack turned back towards his blonde friend and with motions he'd done dozens of times before, the black-haired SOLDIER quickly and mechanically undressed Cloud.

The clothes he'd put him in were probably clean enough to wear again but they didn't fit well whatsoever; the pants and shirt far too big for Cloud's thin frame. Zack hoped whatever clothes Elmyra found fit him better.

After his friend was naked, he gently picked him up and placed him in the tub where thankfully, Cloud sat up when gently prompted. When certain Cloud wouldn't suddenly collapse and drown, Zack waited until the tub's water level was above Cloud's thin hips before shutting it off. Mako eyes glanced back at his friend and Zack couldn't help a smile upon seeing the blonde visibly relax; baby-blue eyes looking sleepy and content and even letting out the softest sigh at the comforting sensation of sitting in the warm water.

Zack slipped a wet hand over a smudge of dirt on Cloud's cheek, "Taking an actual bath feels great, doesn't it? Much better than those baths in the frozen lake, right Cloudy?" Zack conversed while kneeling at the foot of the tub. A genuine smile pulling up the corners of his mouth as he poured some shampoo into the water, swishing his fingers quickly at the spot until bubbles appeared on the surface. Cloud grunted seemingly in response and Zack smiled at how Cloud's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the layer of white foamy bubbles now scattered in the water and attaching themselves to the exposed parts of his legs. The blonde even curled his toes and pressed them to pop the foamy bubbled against the side of the porcelain tub.

Zack chuckled at Cloud's movements and wanting to keep him engaged in the moment, kept talking.

"Heh. Remember that time when we stopped north of Gongaga in that thick forest? Bathing in the river near there wasn't my brightest idea, I admit but fucking hell..." Zack shook his head in remembrance, " Damn, the sweat, swamp and monster gut stank from trekking through it all was driving me crazy."

Cloud grunted, his head canting toward Zack slightly as if in agreement.

"We barely avoided that pack of Touch-Me Frogs but I still can't believe I got pinched in the ass by that damn Kimara! Of all the places, seriously!? My ass? Fuck those damn bugs. That stung like hell!" Zack laughed heartily while reaching for the rag, smothering it with soap before thoroughly cleaning his friend.

Cloud let out what may have been a snort, Zack wasn't sure but he'd take whatever the hell Cloud offered.

"If it wasn't for the Mako I probably wouldn't have been able to sit down for a damn week! I'm just glad it was a pinch and didn't sting me there because I highly doubt you'd be willing to suck out the poison."

Cloud blinked and gave him what he swore was the stink eye but Zack merely chuckled before pouring some shampoo into the blonde's hair.

"Just kidding, I wouldn't make you do that. ...We're friends, right?" Zack gently smiled while brushing the shampoo through his friend's spiky locks.

And for the first time since they escaped that damned Hojo's lab, Zack was able to bathe Cloud safely and completely until the former Infantryman was squeaky clean. Golden spiky hair finally completely free of debris, pale skin cleared of dirt, sweat and grime; now it was nice and pink rather than rough and dusty from all their travels. After the final rinse, his whole look was ostensibly brighter than it had been since Nibelheim and now it reflected on both of them physically.

Cloud's lips pulled up slightly in the echo of a smile and Zack couldn't help but brush his fingers through his friend's clean wet Chocobo colored locks.

Zack whistled, "Wowie! Looking good there, buddy! Finally, all nice and squeaky clean and not stinky anymore!" Zack chorused happily as he drained the tub.

A sudden knock on the door had him tense up for only a split second much like when Aerith burst in the first time. Sure, his senses were scrubbed raw and he was always ready, expecting to be attacked at every corner but ever since he entered Aerith's church, Zack forced himself still. For he would rather cut his own arm off than even accidentally hurt Aerith in the slightest.

When no other sound was forthcoming, "...Uh, yeah?" Zack asked towards the door but the only response he got was the sound of light footsteps walking away from the door and towards the room on the left which he recalled was Aerith's bedroom.

Zack's eyebrows furrowed. A little disheartened at her lack of response but acknowledging that Aerith probably needed a bit more space, Zack easily let it go.

A few more seconds passed before the ex-SOLDIER stood up, unlocked than opened the bathroom door a crack. He looked out the door, hoping against reason he'd see a set of beautiful green eyes looking back at him but nothing but empty air greeted him. Upon looking down, Zack saw fresh clothes for Cloud folded nicely on the floor and he smiled regardless. Gathering the items, Zack set to work on putting the slippery Cloud back on the closed toilet seat before thoroughly drying the blonde cadet and dressing him like he had so many times before.

Thankfully, the clothes were a much closer fit than their predecessors, the cinched ties made it easier to stay in place on Cloud's thin hips and this shirt didn't completely swallow him whole. Cloud would probably be absolutely mortified of the feminine pastel colors and the adorable Moogle print on the shirt but they fit so much better he doubted Cloud would complain too much even if he was fully aware.

"Perfect fit, buddy!" Zack teased with a wink.

Zack bit his cheek at the look Cloud gave him but focused on finger-combing Cloud's drying locks instead. He was still in awe at how gravity defying his friend's hair was; shocked he met someone with even naturally spikier hair than himself.

"Don't you feel tons better? I will never take a hot shower for granted again, how about you?" Zack filled the silence with his normal chatter, hoping against hope Cloud would verbally respond. "That warm water sure made me sleepy though, so, whataya say? How about a nap? We deserve one after hellish day today - well, the past few years actually." Zack forced out a chuckle when he was suddenly interrupted by a loud almost unearthly growl coming from Cloud's abdomen.

A few seconds later, Zack's stomach made a growl almost in response.

The black-haired ex-SOLDIER didn't have to force out the loud laugh that escaped his mouth at the sound, "Alright, alright - food and then sleep. How's that sound?"

Zack was almost certain he saw Cloud nod in agreement.

Chapter Text

Aerith tried to be a mediator as best she could.

These were the two people she loved most in this entire world and while she understood her mother's worries about Zack and his ex-Shrinra status and the fact they were now on the run from the most powerful company in the world and staying at their house - Zack was back.

Nothing else mattered to her than that…

Not able to take her eyes away from him for long, Aerith gazed over at the dark haired ex-SOLDIER, who had barely touched the food he'd been given even if she could tell he hadn't eaten a decent meal in a very long time. And recalling the voracious appetite he had during the two years they dated, it was strange seeing him not eating all of it immediately and asking for seconds. The man in question was too preoccupied by gently coercing his blonde friend (who was actually sitting up quite well by himself) in the chair next to him to eat instead.

Heart pattering happily, Aerith listened to Zack's gentle voice as he encouraged Cloud to take another bite and she swore if she could only listen to Zack speaking for the rest of eternity, she would be happy. His voice was like a soothing balm on her weary soul…one of the many things she missed so desperately about him these past five years.

The flower girl spared a glance to her mother and the obvious sympathy on her face surprised her; she knew her mother's walls were cracking fast. Zack just had that charm and energy about him making it nearly impossible not to like him and the fact he was taking such good care of his sick friend only made it more apparent.

"C'mon, Cloud! Alright you leave me no choice than to do the thing you hate the most… " Zack's face grew uncharacteristically serious before he continued in a higher-pitched voice, "Open up the tunnel, here comes the train! Choo-choo!" Zack sing-songed, gently pressing the blob of creamy mashed potatoes against Cloud's lips but the blonde refused to open. His vacant eyes were staring at Zack and for some reason, it looked as if they were communicating in a way Aerith couldn't even begin to understand.

She desperately ignored the sudden pang of jealousy that invaded her heart at their obvious bond.

"Buddy, I promise I will eat too, I just want you to eat first so I can lay you down to sleep right after so you have time to digest and don't get a tummy ache from having actual food in your stomach for once - is that okay?" Zack waved the spoon and Aerith couldn't help but bite her lip to hold back the huge smile when she swore the blonde outright pouted at Zack before obediently (albeit it reluctantly) opening his mouth.

"Yes! Thanks, Cloudy Skies! You're the best!" Zack exclaimed, gently pressing the smooth potatoes into his mouth before brushing a quick hand through blonde chocobo-like spikes. Cloud let out of an unintelligable soft mutter of protest as Zack gathered another spoonful to continue feeding his friend.

"...You've been doing that for awhile, haven't you?" Elmyra asked suddenly and Aerith's shoulders tensed.

Zack didn't seem effected at all by the sudden questioning.

The SOLDIER merely glanced at her and gave a quick seldom nod and sad smile, "I have… lemme see, uh, the last, I dunno, 10 months to a year since we've escaped Nibelheim, he's been like this. He's actually a hel-h-heckuva lot better than he was before. He wasn't much more than a limp doll for a long time…" Zack bit his lip while spooning some more potatoes with tiny bits of chopped up meatloaf to his friend's mouth before continuing to feed him.

Zack continued, "...it was… hard to say the least. I - I had to do everything for him and I was so certain it was a losing battle those first few months with the Mako withdrawal being so bad. I really thought he wouldn't make it -" Zack's eyes suddenly teared up and Aerith wanted nothing more than to reach over and touch him but he was sitting too far away.

Zack swallowed thickly, "…but he's better now. We survived and we're gonna continue to do so. After what we've already lived though, feeding him is no problem at all! At least he can somewhat chew and swallow on his own now." Zack laughed softly trying to lighten the bleak situation like always. Casually wiping his face free of a few tears that slipped down his face before feeding Cloud his next spoonful with nothing but a sweet smile gracing his lips.

Elmyra looked chastised even if Zack did nothing to condemn her questioning.

"Zack?" Aerith asked and her heart skipped a beat when he glanced from Cloud's face and those incredible eyes locked onto hers.

He flashed her a soft shy smile, "Yeah?"

"Will he let me feed him? Your food is going to get cold."

"I-It's okay, Aerith. He's almost done, I got it. And heck, what I wouldn't have given for cold meatloaf and mashed potatoes when we were on the run - it's gonna be incredible regardless. Thanks for offering though." he added with a blinding white smile and wow, if her heart wasn't already lost to him before…

Ten minutes later, Cloud was finished eating and staring blankly at the single yellow lily Aerith gave him that she'd placed into a small vase on the table.

Even obviously starving, Zack ate slowly. Chewing his food thoroughly before swallowing as if savoring the sensation of having actual food in his mouth. He even was making small talk and making sure Cloud felt included in any discussion that came up. After only a single (heaping) plate full, Zack gently pushed the plate away when it was cleaned of the rest of the gravy with a roll of bread.

"Oh! There's more food in the kitchen! You want another serving? There's plenty…" Aerith halfway stood to her feet but Zack just shook his head and smiled.

"Nah. I'm full. It's probably best I take it easy for now. Don't wanna overdue it and make myself sick," Zack chuckled softly before turning to address her mother, "Ms. Gainsborough, it was absolutely delicious. Thank you…" Zack bit his lip, his eyes tracing the surface of the table for a moment before meeting her eyes and then her mother's with the most heart-wrenching look clouding them, "I - I really can't thank you enough - for everything. I - I promise I'll pay you back for all of this once Cloud recovers enough so I can get a job. Just make a list, I'll be sure to pay you back for all the food, lodging, clothes - "

"Nonsense!" to Aerith's shock, it was her mother who interrupted, "You don't owe us anything, Zackary. While I'm still concerned over what Shinra is going to do as well as you are, but you have my word that you and your friend are welcome here as long as you need to stay." Elmyra flashed the SOLDIER a coy smirk and continued, "And I think Aerith would have a few words to say if you even think of leaving anytime soon."

Aerith felt her own eyes welling when she watched Zack's lower lip tremble before his face fell, a tear slipped down his cheek as he uttered a heartfelt, "Thank you so much…"

"You're welcome, young man. Now, go get you and your friend situated upstairs and get some sleep. No offense, but you look dead on your feet."

Aerith shuddered at the phrasing but said nothing and bit her lip when she noticed Cloud suddenly flinch at that statement.

Zack merely chuckled, "I pretty much am; it's been a really long time since I slept through the night."

While that was alarming and Aerith wanted to say something, she remained silent as Zack rose to his feet. His eyes locked on her mother, Zack bowed to her slightly when he stood before gently pulling the barely lucid Cloud to his feet.

"I-I could go put Cloud to bed and come back and help with dishes? Please? I'd love to help any way I can," he offered.

Elmyra was already shaking her head before he finished speaking, "Don't be silly, Zackary. Go get some sleep."

"...You sure?"

"Positive," Elmyra smiled gently at him.

"Okay…Um, thanks again. You both have a good night," Zack said over his shoulder as he gently guided Cloud up the stairs and all remained quiet until the door to the guest room closed with a soft click.

Elmyra's shoulder's dropped and she opened her mouth as if to speak but closed it a second later. Instead, her stepmom let out a soft sigh before standing to gather the empty plates on the table and heading to the kitchen to clean up.

Aerith followed to help even as her eyes strayed to the staircase where she watched Zack disappear.

Chapter Text

The room, while filled with the sounds of the cleaning, the sink running, soft clank of metal cutlery on ceramic dishes and the occasional splash as Elmyra scrubbed them clean, the two women remained uncharacteristically silent.

Which was odd considering the mother and daughter duo were usually filling the air with easy light-hearted chatter at this time of day.

Stories from Elmyra's occasional afternoons in the doctor's clinic helping patients or something peculiar that occurred during grocery shopping would be told. Afterwards, Aerith would regale her mom with tales of all the interesting people she'd encounter during her flower selling topside at Loveless Avenue or funny mishaps and misadventures of the adorable (and quite cheeky) children at the Leaf House.

Typically a fun bonding moment between them as the lights above the plate dimmed and the city of Midgar quieted down for the evening ahead. A reassuring habit that formed naturally over the years, easing them into a comfortable sense of familiarity to finish off the day before retiring for bed to start it all over again tomorrow. This was usually their time to simply be together and share stories and relax in the familial presence while they cleaned up the after dinner mess…but tonight was drastically different.

The silence dragged on with the events from this particular evening playing on loop in the stifling quiet atmosphere.

Haunted by the absent, yet somehow not, glassy look in Cloud's unnaturally bright half-lidded gaze as well as the forced smile constantly plastered on Zack's face while his expressive eyes remained darkened by unseen shadows both adding to the cacophony of anxiety that surrounded them.

Yet, mostly, it was Zack's words that hovered over the suspenseful atmosphere most.

Footnotes of an untold story dredged in more violence and terror neither of the women could possibly begin to fully comprehend. A torment that Zack and Cloud were forced to endure these past five years while the world went on around (and without) them. A story dredged in betrayal, grief, pain and misery they somehow survived yet Zack was not fully willing to disclose even as it obviously ate him up inside until he was a hollow shell of his exuberant former self.

All of his inner agony masked behind his easy (yet painfully broken) smile, yet all the hurt he endured was physically etched into the new faint scars across the tapestry of his tanned skin. White, thin scars that were a bit too precise to be from any battle with human or fiend, all these tells combined with new age lines at the corners of his lips and dark shadows bruising heavily underneath agitated blue eyes showcased more than words ever could.

Neither Aerith nor Elmyra could imagine just how drastically their lives would have shifted since they had cleaned up after breakfast this morning…

Who knew cleaning two sets of extra plates, cutlery and glasses could change so much?

Aerith found herself processing the bits and pieces of Zack's story from the little he told her here and earlier at the church. While she wanted desperately to know more, seeing the exhaustion weighing her dark-haired SOLDIER down kept her lips sealed tight. She would never push him but if she didn't know what was exactly wrong, she felt as if she couldn't help and not knowing how to ease his pain was suffocating.

For so many years she desperately waited, wanting nothing more than to see Zack again. Praying and wishing for the day he'd walk back into her life, to see him push through those heavy church doors and wrapped back into her arms where he belonged.

…And he did.

Yet the Zack that came back to her was so inexplicably broken in a way she couldn't understand, and while she couldn't be happier to have him here with her, Aerith didn't know how she could help him.

...And that was killing her.

Almost on autopilot, Aerith finished placing all the leftovers in separate tupperware and placed them in neat stacks in the fridge. Once done, she brushed by her mom to access the lower cabinet drawers to grab a dry cloth in order to help with the dishes when she felt her mom's hip nudge her own.

The Flower Girl jolted from the sudden contact, "Yeah?" Aerith asked, clearing her throat when her voice broke slightly at the single word.

Elmyra's face was neutral even if her eyes were red-rimmed and troubled. It appears Aerith wasn't the only one struggling with everything that happened tonight. Her mom's yellow gloved hands still submerged in the sudsy water and mindlessly washing another pot as she turned to Aerith and flashed her a painfully gentle smile.

"It'll all be okay, honey. We're going to do everything we can to help them. I promise." Elmyra stated firmly, spoken with an assurance as if she was trying to convince both her daughter as well as herself.

A half sigh, half sob she quickly stifled left Aerith's throat as she bent down to finally retrieve a towel. Pursing her lips as she carefully grabbed a wet dish on the rack and began drying it with a bit too much gusto before replying, "I know we will… It's just…" her words trailed off in uncertainty before she finished with a simple, "Thanks, mom."

Aerith had only dried three dishes before Elmyra's hands suddenly went still in the water.

Glancing over, she noticed her mom's lips were set in a firm purse and she was staring out over the darkened garden through the window behind the sink. A distant look in her eyes told Aerith that her mind was focused elsewhere outside the monotony of chores.

"Mom?" Aerith asked.

Elmyra glanced over at her for a moment before replying, "I just remembered something. There's only one twin bed in the guest bedroom, isn't there?"

The Flower Girl's eyebrows furrowed at the sudden chance in atmosphere and the question itself, "…Yes." she answered anyway.

A sudden soft chuckle laced the older woman's lips as she flashed Aerith a coy expression, "Well, you don't want your boyfriend sleeping on the cold hard floor do you?"

Aerith's cheeks went scarlet before Elmyra shook her head with a bemused smile, "No. I mean, there's that rolled up mattress in your closet he can use." she clarified, giving her daughter a look before continuing, "I could finish up down here. Why don't you go help Zackary set that up before he ends up passing out on the floor?"

"I-I could help you finish up here first."

Elmyra's lips curled into a patient yet exasperated expression, "Just go, honey. Don't let Zackary have a terrible nights sleep just so you can help me dry the dishes." The smile slipped from her mom's lips for a moment, "That boy has been through enough today; he deserves a good night's rest, don't you think?"

Aerith nodded, fighting the burning behind her eyes at the warmth of her mother's smile and the unspoken words of acceptance. "Thank you, mom."

"You're welcome, my flower. Now get going before he falls asleep on the floor. If memory serves me right, I distinctly remember that boy easily falling asleep sitting up at the dinner table a few years ago so don't give him the chance to sleep uncomfortably now," Elmyra bumped her hip against her daughter's once more before turning back to the dishes she'd been neglecting. There was a tiredness in her mom's eyes but the small smile upon her lips was genuine; blonde and grey bun bobbing gently as she continued her work at the sink.

Smiling so big it hurt her cheeks, Aerith quickly gave her mom a side hug before she left the room. Her happy, light footsteps soon leading through the dining room than up the staircase before fading out of hearing range.

When all was silent in the kitchen once again, Elmyra smiled softly to herself.

Yeah, it would all be alright.

Aerith brushed the slight dampness from her palms on her dress as she approached the guest room. She was worried that Zack may have already fallen asleep but as she got closer, Aerith heard Zack's muffled voice speaking in a low gentle tone that thankfully indicated he was still awake.

Gathering up her nerve, Aerith took a calming breath, lifted her hand and knocked twice on the door.

Before she could even fully draw her hand away, Zack had opened the door and was standing in front of her. Bright curious blue eyes and an easy smile on his face that didn't quite mask the utter exhaustion in his gait and the purple bruises under his bottom lashes.

Aerith opened her mouth to speak yet a sudden shyness washed over her out of nowhere as he stood so tall and handsome, and he smelt so good…

Probably sensing her discomfort, Zack broke the ice. "Hey," he uttered softly.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Aerith asked, face burning slightly as she had trouble meeting his eyes. Dammit! She wasn't that shy teenager Zack knew all those years ago yet his presence was bringing that side of her back it seemed.

"I, uh, just finished putting Cloud to bed…" Zack gestured lazily to the blonde lying on the only bed in the room; blonde Chocobo-like tresses poking out amidst the pile of soft blankets and pillows. It really was so incredibly sweet and admirable how well Zack was taking care of his Mako-poisoned friend. How rare of a friend Zack was to go so far for those he held dear.

Aerith smiled at how Zack had taken the time to even tuck Cloud in the bedding, "That's good. I'm glad he's finally getting some rest."

"Yeah, me too. He was out as soon as his head hit the pillows," Zack chuckled, "I was actually about to turn in myself. So… uh, what's up? I-Is everything alright?"

Clearing her throat and steeling her resolve, Aerith smiled up at him, "Everything's fine but I really hope you weren't planning on sleeping on the floor," she stated coyly, ignoring the intense blush most likely staining the apples of her cheeks as she stared up at him. Had he always been this tall?

Zack's response was immediate with wide eyes and coral staining his cheeks, "Well, kinda, yeah."

Aerith flashed him a thunderous expression complete with an irked pout.

"What?" Zack floundered, nervously scratching the back of his head, "It's a twin bed and I'm over six feet tall! It would be cramped even if it was just me! Let alone sharing with Cloud. That kid is a damn blanket hog I'll have you know!"

Seeing Zack's animated expressions brought a sudden warmth to her chest she hadn't felt in awhile. Sure, he may be quieter and more reserved than the Zack that left all those years ago, but his boyish charm was still as evident as ever.

Feeling she tormented him enough, Aerith giggled and smiled sweetly. "I actually have a different solution for that. There's a thick folded mat in my room that you can use. I would have brought it out to you but I have trouble moving that dresser in the closet, so I need a strong SOLDIER to help me get it out."

A flash of something dark passed over Zack's expression, but before she could decipher the meaning, Zack's smile brightened "Really?" he replied, "Damn, that would be great. I'd appreciate it."

"No problem." Aerith replied before stalling near the door where he flashed her a curious look. In a sudden moment of bravery, Aerith reached out to gently grasp his much larger hand in her own. The electricity that shivered along her arm at the mere touch of their skin meeting had her quickly turning her face away from his bewildered expression so he didn't see how her cheeks positively burned at the simple contact. "Come on, it's right in here."

It was a short trip, mere yards away, but feeling his warm hand in hers calmed the frantic beating of her heart and the rise of panic she'd felt whenever he left her side. A sudden, inexplicable anxiety that rose in her chest, that if he merely left her sight, he would simply disappear forever…

Zack didn't seem to mind the contact whatsoever. He seemed to relish in the touch, his hand eagerly grasped her own; easily intertwining their fingers as he followed her to her bedroom which was past the bathroom and down the hall. A room he hadn't been inside for five years and the mere thought of that made Aerith's tummy flip dangerously.

Opening her bedroom door with her free hand, the Flower Girl hid her nervousness to lead him inside the dimly lit bedroom. After flicking on the light, Aerith gently tugged at his hand to lead him into the center of her bedroom before she exclaimed with grand gesture of her arm, "Welcome back to Casa del Aerith!"

Zack chuckled at that, a sound that caused a shiver that echoed from where their hands were still clasped together straight down to her toes.

"Nice. Looks pretty much how I remember…" he commented softly in remembrance. Mako bright eyes looking around at the space they used to spend so much time together all those years ago. It almost felt like a different lifetime but Aerith wouldn't change anything about it for the world.

Not allowing him to reminisce on their past too long, Aerith gently pulled at their clasped hands to bring him back to the present and towards her closet.

Zack followed faithfully at her heels as they approached and once by the door, he reluctantly released her hand as she pointed toward the rolled-up gray mattress leaning against the wall in the back of the closet. Zack smiled sweetly before he gently broke away from her, "So, that's the one?"

"Yep," she nodded, moving slightly out of the way as Zack worked to move the heavy dresser in her storage closet to the side.

With his back turned toward her, Aerith finally let out a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding. Hands folded as if in prayer against her chest yet she still couldn't fully relax. Feeling nervous over his presence and hating it because Zack had just returned to her and instead of overwhelming giddiness, she just felt downright shy now.

Being around him made her feel like she was 16 years old all over again…

"...Hey. I uh, I wanted to say it earlier, but... um, I'm sorry," Zack's sudden voice came to her closer than she was expecting.

Aerith jumped slightly, seeing that while he had already pulled aside the heavy wooden desk with ease and was moving a few smaller pieces of wooden paneling to safely reach the mattress while she'd been staring out into space and lost in her own damn head.

Zack's words finally dawned on her a second later and she asked in genuine bewilderment, "…For what?"

The black-haired SOLDIER's cheeks were flushed as he looked down at his bare feet before clarifying, "…For earlier, ya know," he scratched the back of his head again, the cute nervous habit still remaining after all this time, "After I got out of the shower…" his voice trailed off and Aerith was happy he wasn't looking at her to see how red her cheeks got at the sudden reminder of that.

Seems she wasn't the only one still thinking about that...

Biting her lip, she responded, "Why would you be sorry?" she let out a soft laugh, "I was the one who barged in! If anyone should apologize for that, it should be me."

"Nah. I'm a SOLDIER - well, ex-SOLDIER. Point is, I should have better reflexes than that poor attempt at catching the clothes you threw at my face or at the very least, I should have bothered to lock the damn door," he explained. The shy smile and coral staining his cheeks as well as the tips of his ears eased the dull tightness and anxiety in her chest.

Zack always had that effect on her…she was so happy that never changed.

"It's okay. I'm sorry about throwing them by the way! I shouldn't have, I was just…" Aerith let out a breath, a nervous giggle escaping before she continued, "You surprised me is all. I should have knocked." Aerith bit her lip before glancing up at him through thick lashes, "And besides, it's nothing I haven't seen before, right?"

"Right," Zack chuckled softly, the sound warm and rich and his body heat so close had her shivering as he finally removed the folded up mattress from the closet. He placed the bundle on the ground where it stayed leaning up against the wall before Zack closed the small distance between them. The intimacy of his mere presence had her finally feel brave enough to look up into his perfect face and gorgeous blue eyes she'd missed so damn much.

"...But, it has been five years. That's a long time. Truthfully, I didn't even know if you'd still want to be with me, let alone being naked in front of you that soon - even if it was an accident," he laughed thickly, his fingertips brushing against her arm in a shy caress that had her entire body tingle from the sensation. "I'm sorry, Aerith…" the apology sounded like it was for everything left unsaid, none of which were the one thing he was actually verbally apologizing for.

The five year gap between them felt smaller than ever right now, like suddenly, no time had passed between them at all.

Aerith's heart thundered against her sternum when she felt him begin to pull away. His nervousness evident in his flushed cheeks and faltering gaze and she wanted it to abolish it completely so she prolonged the contact by reaching out to grasp at his retreating hand.

"Don't be," she whispered brokenly, squeezing his hand tightly. Her eyes boring into his own to showcase and push away at least some of the burdens on his shoulders. Wanting nothing more than to absolve him of what he believed were faults of his own when he was innocent in the circumstances that lead to all the years they'd lost between them. She wanted nothing more than to help him heal...

Zack peered back into her eyes. The weight he was carrying was immense; a strain and burden perched heavily on his shoulders yet they dropped slightly as he seen the forgiveness, acceptance and hopefully the unconditional love she still carried for him showcased in her meadow green eyes.

It must have, for the sigh that left his lips sounded so relieved, "...Thank you, Aerith. For everything…"

Aerith smiled up at him; eyes never leaving his own as she squeezed his hand tightly before pressing them both to her fiercely pounding heart. "Thank you, Zack, for coming back to me…"

Zack chuckled, a shy sweet smirk on his lips as he peered down at her. For a long time, he remained silent before he stated, "Hey, I was right ya know…"

Green eyed widened at the sudden words, the last Cetra flushing red to the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes when she realized how close his face had gotten to hers. His warmth and scent surrounding her like a drug induced haze. Aerith flashed him a teasing smile to hopefully cover up her sudden bashfulness, "I don't know if I believe that, " she giggled, "What are you supposedly right about?"

Instead of a verbal answer, Zack pulled one of his hands away from her before he brushed it teasingly along the flare of her hip. Large fingers ever so gently pinching the fabric of her dress as he gave it a soft tug to pull her even closer where she could feel the warmth of his skin even through all the layers of clothes as well as his soft breath caressing her face.

"That you look absolutely stunning in pink," he gave her one of those smiles that never failed to make her heart soar. Aerith happily took the hint and slipped in closer, their chests lightly brushing from the proximity.

"Well, you told me to wear it next time I saw you… I wanted to keep that promise - just like you kept yours," Aerith said so tenderly, gazing deeply into Zack's eyes - the most wonderful shade of blue like a perfect cloudless sky…

Yet before she could drown in the color too long or even had a chance to glance at his lips, she watched Zack suddenly pull away. His eyes suddenly closed tight, hiding a large yawn behind the hand he'd pressed to cradle his face before shaking his head when it was over.

A moment passed before the SOLDIER gave her apologetic smile. It was only now she'd forced herself to look at the thick dark bags under his eyes and knew Zack needed his rest and she'd been keeping him away from that.

There was always tomorrow to continue this conversation after all...

Cheeks flushing in embarrassment at not realizing it sooner, Aerith grabbed his hand and stated, "Come on. Let's set up your bed, you must be so exhausted!"

"Yeah, I am," Zack admitted with a boyish nervous blush staining his cheeks. Like herself, he seemed reluctant to pull away from her side yet he did. Turning his back to her, he began to place the large furniture he'd removed back into the closet. While Zack was preoccupied, Aerith took the time to gather some extra linens, thick blanket and a pillow from the chest near her bed. Turning back to him, he was standing patiently by the door with the rolled up mattress in his arms.

The couple silently left her bedroom back towards the guest room.

Afterwards, it was a rather quick process to set up his bed, making sure to do it quietly as to not disturb the slumbering blonde on the bed. Aerith knelt down to finish smoothing out the sheets, she peered up at Zack who was stifling yet another yawn behind his hand. Biting back a huff, Aerith laid out the blanket and fluffed the pillow. She was angry at herself for not realizing how obviously exhausted Zack had been the whole time, his seemingly endless energy quickly waning.

"There, that should do it," Aerith announced quietly, a slight bounce in her step as she stood back up to take in the bed he'd be sleeping for the foreseeable future. She'd have to ask her mom about looking into getting an actual one soon…

Zack stretched his arms above his head before they dangled like limp noodles by his side, he looked ready to fall asleep standing up. "Thank you so much, Aerith. I really appreciate everything you and your mom are doing. I really can't thank you enough."

Aerith brushed it off with a soft wave of her hand, "It's no trouble at all. Promise." she reassured him, reaching out to rub at his tense thickly muscled shoulders.

Zack looked as if he wanted to say more but instead just whispered, "You're the best."

"Yeah, I know," she teased, patting his shoulders before reluctantly pulling away to head back to the doorway to exit the room. "Now get some sleep, alright?"

"Sounds good…" his blue eyes peered at her. Zack hesitated for only a second before he closed the distance between them. Once in front of her, he slowly reached out to gently cup her face in his large warm hands, his thumb brushing a tender stroke on the apple of her cheek. After the slightest big of hesitation, he leaned down to place a ghost of a kiss where his thumb just vacated. Yet before she could respond or register the action fully, he pulled away. "Goodnight, Aerith," he whispered, the smile curling his lips was so painfully tender and soft.

The place where his fingers and mouth brushed burned heavily; her cheeks stained with blush yet a shy smile easily accentuated her lips, "...Goodnight, Zack." she replied in a breathy whisper before he gently closed the door behind him.