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Aerith Gainsborough's body was swimming with anticipation and happiness she never experienced before.
The lights, colors, and sounds a blending of utter euphoria bathed the entire environment around her in brilliant light yet nothing compared to the electric pulses from every nerve in her body caused by Zack Fair's bare hand wrapped tightly around hers. Their fingers threading like perfect puzzle pieces notching together and the addicting warmth of her boyfriend's palm against her own was like her own little slice of heaven.
Finally.
After so much waiting and unbearable anticipation, they were at long last having their date he promised her before he left for Nibelheim; a promise made in what may have been a separate lifetime ago.
And as far as dates go, Aerith was certain that nothing could be better than the Golden Saucer.
Never in her quiet sheltered life under the steel sky did she imagine such a bright wondrous place existed and to be here with her Zack? The black-haired blue-eyed angel who fell though her ceiling seven years ago and just recently came back into her life after a five year absence?
…it was akin to a beautiful dream she never wanted to wake up from.
But it was even better because it was really happening.
"Aha! Here they are! I really need to clean out my pockets one of these days." Zack chuckled from beside her. His warm voice a soothing balm to her frantic thoughts overwhelmed by so much excitement and the copious amounts of sweets her and Zack shared this afternoon. She could still taste the slightly burnt sweetness of the caramel dumbapple they split mere minutes ago lingering pleasantly on her tongue.
In his free hand were two tickets for their Gondola Ride he procured earlier in the evening.
Aerith was tempted to clap her hands together in a flurry of excitement but that would mean letting go of Zack's hand. And after getting him back after five endlessly long years, Aerith was hard pressed to ever stop touching him; blatantly refusing to ever let him go again. Ever since her SOLDIER returned, she always made sure to be in constant contact with him by either holding his hand, touching his arm or hugging his waist.
Even during the times they found themselves separated from the group in order to sneak away and make love, she couldn't get close enough. Sweaty hips pressed flushed, practically fused together, his engorged sex buried balls deep inside of her as her legs wrapped tightly around his narrow waist. The two of them being as close as two human beings could ever physically be and it still wasn't enough. During sex, Aerith had to also be holding his hand or kissing him with her arms locked around his neck or back, and while it was a bit inconvenient and didn't leave many options for differing positions, she was so happy that Zack relished in the closeness as well. Thick muscled body curled protectively over and around her own and always holding her close throughout intercourse and didn't relinquish the hold afterward, corded arms securely wrapped around her as they slept peacefully throughout the night.
Zack never complained or called her clingy, the black-haired SOLDIER only seemed to melt into her touch and affection like a flower turning towards the sun or a puppy begging for more attention.
It was simply intoxicating.
Hell, she had a hard enough time even letting him out of her sight, terrified that if she looked away, Zack would simply disappear…
Thinking back to those five lonely years and how much she missed him put a lot into perspective now that he finally returned. All the times she felt so selfish upon looking at her three flower carts Zack made with his own two hands; how she dared tell him she didn't like them - that they weren't cute enough - when he worked so hard to fulfill all her little wishes with nary a complaint and always with a smile on his beautiful face.
Aerith refused to ever be that way with him again.
Instead, she was savoring every single solitary second in his magnetic presence and making damn sure Zack knew how much she appreciated everything he did for her.
"I can't wait, Zack! It's going to be so much fun!" she replied while bouncing a bit on her toes, hoping the excitement lacing her voice was enough to showcase her elation and to quell the emotions she had to keep pushing aside. "Thank you for doing all this…"
The ex-First Class SOLDIER smiled warmly at her, gently squeezing her hand tightly against his warm palm. The soft pulse in his fingers had her heart clenching In her chest.
"Of course. Anything for my girl." he said, leaning down to tenderly press a chaste kiss against her temple.
The Flower Girl sighed happily in pure contentment while leaning her head against his broad shoulder as they waited for their turn. Both falling into comfortable silence, merely enjoying the other's proximity and warmth while they stood in line behind other happy couples waiting anxiously for their turn to board the Gondola.
Aerith's eyes curiously soaked in her surroundings and she perked up when her emerald gaze caught on the forms of Cloud and Tifa in the distance where they looked to be playing a few games in the arcade nearby. They must have finished at the Battle Square already so hopefully it was a sign that they did well! Perhaps even won!
A smile lifted her lips as she began waving excitedly to Tifa when the barmaid caught her eye. The brunette smiled back but got distracted when Cloud suddenly turned to her to get her attention and the bright red flush that flooded Tifa's cheeks at his proximity had Aerith suppressing a giggle against Zack's rock-hard bicep.
Oh, It was just precious seeing how her two newfound friends danced around their feelings for each other.
Both knowing each other since childhood but so blind to their own and each other's affection. It was quite sad that those two were both so hopelessly in love but also cripplingly shy and in complete denial about it but her and Zack were determined to bring them together no matter what.
She just wanted them to be as happy as her and Zack were together…
"...Gil for your thoughts?" Zack's soft voice broke her from her musings.
Aerith began panicking when he gently pulled his hand from hers and she was about to grab it back but his arm wrapping around her waist stopped her. Aerith melded to his side, nose brushing over his warm firm chest to breathe him in; his heady scent of woodsy cologne, leather, sword oil, and light musk such a comfort to her.
"Only 1 gil?" she teased, her thin fingers grasping onto the wool of his sleeveless turtleneck as she tenderly kissed the spot above his thrumming heartbeat.
Zack chuckled, his hands gentle as he brushed them over her bare shoulder and down her arm; the heat of the day made her jacket quite stifling. Zack finally replied, "You drive a hard bargain… Hmm, alright, I'll make it five gil but only for you."
"Um…Okay!" Aerith giggled when Zack squeezed her sides playfully, "Now… Let's see. Alright, I was just thinking about how good you smell. How excited I am to ride the Gondola with you. Um, how happy I am that you're back. How amazing it is to be here with you…and how much I love you..."Aerith replied, voice muffled by his black turtleneck and so thankful that he left his pauldrons, harness and sword back in the hotel room so she could burrow into him without fear of hurting herself on all the equipment he wore.
Zack wrapped his other hand around her until they were pressed together, his cheek leaning against the top of her head as he hugged her tightly. "Aww, I feel the same…I love you too, babe. But I gotta say, I think you smell better, you always smell like a flower garden…"
Aerith wrapped her arms around his waist, clasping her hands behind his back to keep him as close as possible before continuing her train of thought, "…I'm also thinking about how Tifa and Cloud need to get their head out of their asses and kiss already."
Her casual comment had Zack throwing his head back and laughing, the effervescent sound the perfect melody to her starved ears as she enjoyed the vibrations of his voice where her head was pressed tightly to his firm chest.
"Damn straight." Zack chuckled thickly, taking a second to steal a chaste kiss from her lips, "Life's too short to dance around your feelings…I learned that lesson the hard way. I just wish Cloud took my advice more seriously."
The morose way he spoke had Aerith gripping the fabric of his shirt tighter.
Ever since Zack returned, Aerith lived in a constant state of wavering between utter complete bliss and frantic unshakable fear and paranoia. So ridiculously happy that he came back to her but so afraid that any slip in her vigilance could have him be taken away -- this time permanently. The voice of the Planet a drum of fear and want in her chest. Perhaps that was why she always needed the physical contact with him, that if she didn't let him out of her sight or stop touching him, nothing could ever take him away…
Because in her very core, Aerith knew that Zack shouldn't have returned.
The Cetra part of her knew he should have died on his way back to her… but something changed.
A beautiful switch that had him returning to her instead but there was this underlying sense of foreboding that she was steadfastly ignoring.
For five long years, she waited.
Sent 89 letters.
Cried a million tears.
Spent seemingly endless days in a fog, her Zack, her sun, her sky, the light and love of her life gone but not extinguished. So long she waited, hoping praying and wondering if she was waiting in vain. So many times she wanted to give up, to move on with half of her heart missing, but she couldn't because she knew he was still alive and if he was able, he would have returned. As much as she lied to herself that he just found someone else, she knew in the depths of her soul and the marrow of her bones that he would never do that to her.
Than that day came where she was tending her flowers and instead of a cold rain and the sensation of her heart being ripped out like she was fearing it would be, she suddenly felt a glimpse of radiant sun on her skin and when she turned around… there he was.
Bruised, bloody and hurt but beautifully alive.
…But he wasn't the same Zack that left.
There was a solace and knowing in his eyes, a knowledge deeper than a regular human should ever understand…
"Next!" the voice of the attendant had Aerith pulling away from her thoughts and their melding embrace but before Zack could fully unfurl himself, Aerith grasped his hand and held on tight. Zack smiled at her and gently gripped back. Approaching the attendant, he handed the teenage girl attendant their two tickets and she ripped the stub off them both before handing them back and motioning for them to board the Gondola.
Zack pocketed the tickets before both him and Aerith sent the obviously bored teenage girl a kind smile and soft thanks as they boarded the Gondola. As they sat down together, Aerith still refused to relinquish his hand; holding tightly to him as they sat hip to hip on the plush seats. The flower girl looked around the cozy golden cabin before jumping in surprise at the slight movement as the Gondola began to move along its circular line. Aerith relaxed at Zack squeezing her hand, heart quelling as she quickly adjusted to the slow steady movement of the golden carriage.
"So, didja have a nice time today?" Zack asked softly, their shoulders pressed together, palms melded and fingers intertwined.
Aerith let out a breath she wasn't even aware she'd been holding before nodding and replying, "It was better than nice, it was perfect." Sending the gorgeous ex-SOLDIER a smile as she pressed her temple against the warmth of his bare shoulder. "Thank you for the date, Zack."
There was a flash of something in his eyes that left too quickly for Aerith to catch.
"No, thank you… I still owe you a lot more than this. Still have five years worth of dates to make up for, ya know?" there was that sly grin that had her heart hammer against her ribcage.
Aerith's eyes softened at that but answered honestly, "You came back to me, that was more than enough…"
Zack leaned down to brush his forehead against hers, "Not for me. I kept you waiting for five damn years and I want to at least treat you good once in awhile - which is why I was sure to get you some more of these!" Zack sat up straighter and Aerith flinched when he pulled his hand away to reach into his pocket but before she grew cold from his lack of warmth, he grasped her hand again. In his other was a colorful bag of wrapped taffy she had eaten probably more than she should have but they were just so good! They had nothing like those sugary stretchy jewels back in Midgar.
Emerald eyes shining and smile so wide it hurt her cheeks, Aerith giggled as Zack pressed the treats into her free hand and she immediately opened the crinkly wrapper to showcase the bright colored taffy hidden inside. Aerith immediately opened one but instead of putting it in her mouth like Zack expected, she gently pressed the sticky treat to his lips and giggled like crazy when Zack ate the treat than started playfully licking at the tips of her sugary fingers like a starving puppy just to hear her laugh louder.
Aerith, giggles still escaping her smiling parted mouth, helped herself to another piece of taffy, gently suckling on the tips of her fingers where Zack's tongue had just been. A sly gin on her lips as she saw her boyfriend's cheeks turn the most beautiful coral shade against his tanned skin.
Heartbeat accelerating, Zack cleared his throat, reminding himself they were still technically in public and not to get carried away with his minx of a girlfriend as tempting as it was. They had plenty of time for that later in their shared hotel room...
Determined to keep his mind out of the gutter, Zack turned his eyes away from his gorgeous girlfriend and instead looked outside of the carriage as Aerith busied herself with eating a few more sweets. His Flower Girl's happy content humming and warm body pressed so tightly against his own was a salve to his spirit. Being with her again was definitely worth all the hell it took to get back to her.
Aerith mumbled happily as the lump of fruity sugar slowly melted on her tongue, her head pressed to his shoulder and his hand so warm where he gripped her own. She couldn't remember a time she'd been more happy in her entire life.
"...Best. Date. Ever!…" Aerith declared, turning her face to give a sticky kiss to his bicep.
Zack chuckled, "I dunno, it's not over yet…"
"Hmm?" Aerith perked up at his strange tone, swallowing the last small bit of taffy in her mouth as she looked up at him.
"Look, it's almost time." Zack's chin tilted toward the window.
Aerith's eyebrows crinkled, "Time for what?"
But he didn't answer. Instead, Zack's vivid mako blue eyes glanced out the window of their Gondola carriage and before Aerith knew it, there was an echoing boom outside.
The flower girl jumped, terrified the Golden Saucer was under attack but the sudden burst of bright blue, orange, pink and white exploding in a shower of light had her heart soar. Their shapes akin to flowers blooming into the dark night sky, the colors a vibrant explosion against the black backdrop before leaving in a wisp of white smoke, the after-image of their brilliance showcased behind her eyelids whenever she blinked.
It was magical.
The showers of light playing across the sky, one she used to be so afraid of, was a spectacle she never imagined she'd ever witness. And Zack's warmth against her, his incredible presence and being able to experience it all with him here made it even better.
"...Oh wow...so beautiful…" Aerith whispered in a breathy gasp when a bright blue firework lit up the sky.
"Sure is…" Zack replied relevantly a few moments later.
At the gentleness of his tender voice, Aerith pulled her eyes away from the show of fireworks. Emerald eyes taking in Zack's gorgeous face and upon looking at him realized that Zack wasn't talking about the fireworks at all. His perfect vibrant blue eyes she called a mere 'so pretty' long ago hadn't left her face.
She was so happy and yet she felt like crying.
Lip wobbling slightly, she whispered, "Oh, Zack, I love you so much…" A teary smile on her face as Zack brushed his fingers along the curve of her cheek before cupping it in his palm ever so tenderly.
"I love you more." he replied, his hand leaving her face to instead wrap around her waist to pull her closer to him where she eventually ended up sitting in his lap. Aerith's arms around his neck as the ex-SOLDIER leaned forward to press his lips on her cheek, the array of colors dancing across their faces as she giggled at his gentle kisses. The Flower Girl enjoying the fireworks still bursting out the Gondola window but not as much as the sensation of his soft lips pressing tenderly against her cheek and along her jaw then down the side of her neck. The thrum of pleasure, flush of her cheeks and increased heart rate pounding against his heaving chest.
After a few moments, Zack pulled away and she took the opportunity to cup his magnificent face in her hands.
Taking in every curve and feature, thumbs brushing along his sharp cheekbones, jaw and finally along the cross shaped scar when she finally couldn't take the temptation anymore. Aerith leaned forward to claim his lips as the finale of fireworks lit up the evening sky. The taste of the taffy both of them had just ate lingered on her tongue as it tangled with his own but his own addicting sweetness beneath the sugary tint tasted far better.
Definitely the best date they had so far.
Everything outside of the carriage ceased to matter. Their own little perfect paradise, their own promised land, was contained together in this tiny space. The taste of each other's mouths, the brush of hands, warmth of bodies and the synchronization of their heartbeats was all that mattered. Even after the kiss ended and both just held each other and took in the glow of the fading fireworks in the sky, it was like they were the only people two in the world...
At least for the night.
So much had changed since they met, seven years since he literally fell into her life and five since he went on the mission that should have taken him away forever - he came back to her.
Whatever happened in the past - it was over, that past is forever. The future was looming in the distance, An unsure future with a blank page... it scared her but at the same time, she knew it was a new beginning for they both got a second chance. And while nothing was set in stone, it didn't seem to matter right now. Sure, the threat of Sephiroth and the Planet screaming in her head about the End of the World still loomed in the back of her mind, but in this one moment, it didn't matter. Because regardless of what the future holds, at least they have the present.
They have tonight and they have each other…and no matter what fate threw at them, they would get through it together.