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Waking up to the sound of soft humming was something Zack thinks he could get used to. Stretching out over the weather worn pew he'd fallen asleep on, he luxuriates in the warm sunlight spilling in through the hole in the roof like a fat, lazy cat.
The sun wasn't something he thought he'd ever get to see again. Freedom had been nothing but a desperately clung to pipe dream that kept him from going insane as he was torn apart, beaten, and bruised. Forced to listen to his best friend's screams of pain and being unable to protect him.
Zack takes in a shaky deep breath and pushes those thoughts aside. It was too nice a day to go down that dark path, and too nice company to go with it. A shadow passes over his face a moment later, bringing the scent of flowers and freshly turned earth with it. He cracks an eye open and finds Aerith hovering over him with a bright smile and a smudge of dirt on her cheek.
There's a carefully woven crown of lilies in her hands, to go along with the one already resting on her head, and Zack grins and sits up.
Aerith bestows the flower crown on him with a flourish, bending down after she'd settled it just right, to kiss the end of his nose. Warm affection bubbles up in Zack's chest as he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her in for a proper kiss.
She hums against his lips, delicate fingers coming up to slip into his hair. Her presence surrounds him. Soothing the still healing raw patches in his soul. He felt safe with her, protected from the darkness that liked to lurk in the corners of his mind.
The kiss eventually breaks and Aerith nudges him back on the pew, then settles herself in his lap.
Zack snakes his arms around her waist and rests his chin on her shoulder, eyes fluttering shut. They'd have to leave the church for Seventh Heaven soon. It was almost lunch time and Tifa was expecting them. (That and Zack wanted to check on Cloud. He was doing much better physically but, mentally he was struggling, it worried Zack. Even though Tifa barely left Cloud's side.)
For now, though. Zack just wanted to live in the moment. To enjoy the sun and the warmth of the woman he loved cuddled up against him. He's earned that much.