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The tranquility of the garden was almost unmatched throughout Tifa's travels.
It was a surreal kind of beauty. The kind of beauty Tifa had only seen in pictures. Never something she could have imagined she'd see for real.
Yet, it was real. Tifa was there, sitting on a bench and wrapped by the arms of her girlfriend.
Aerith’s eyes were closed, her breathing was steady. She looked at peace here.
Like she belonged.
It was lovely. Warm. Calm. Yet, Tifa’s mind was anything but.
How… did this happen? Did she deserve this? What had she done to earn anything she had?
“I’m sorry.” Tifa blurted out.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Aerith replied instantly, not having even waited for context.
“I’m serious!” Tifa emphasized. “I'm sorry if I haven't done enough for you."
“Awwww,” Aerith interjected, grabbing onto Tifa’s waist tighter. “Is my big strong bruiser feeling insecure?”
Tifa let her body go limp in Aerith’s grip. “You’ve just… done so much for me and… all the team, really. You literally have saved our lives countless times and I haven’t done much in return…” Tifa glanced around the garden, frustrated. “I haven’t even given you flowers.”
“You do a lot for the team too, Tifa. You fight for us in a way I never could. And I love your company. That’s enough for me. And besides… I haven’t really given you flowers either, have I?”
Tifa paused, thoughtful for a moment. “I… suppose not directly. But Cloud gave me some you gave him, so that’s basically the same thing.”
Aerith pulled Tifa closer and rested her head on her shoulder. “Tifa. Sweetie. I sell flowers. If indirect gifts counts, then I’ve ‘given’ flowers to half of the Sector.”
“R-right.” Tifa replied, blushing at the increased contact. “That m-makes sense.”
Aerith began to lightly trace Tifa’s abs with one finger. Brunette hair brushed up against Tifa’s face as Aerith turned to whisper into her ear.
“Besides… by one definition… I think you have given me a flower of sorts, have you not?”
Tifa felt her face burn bright red. After a few moments of silent mortification, she collected herself and let out an exarragated groan at the joke.
“Right. You're a minx. I forgot that. Maybe I should be rewarded for putting up with you , actually.”
Aeirth just laughed. “Love you too, Tifa.”