I fiddled with the laces of my boots, once in a while looking up to the brunette in front of me. Her full attention was to the mini-field of flowers she was tending to. A comfortable silence filled between us. Neither of us felt the need for small talk – it was enough that we had time to spend together; because I was more often than not away for missions.
We spent most of our time together this way – her tending to the flowers and me watching her interestedly. We occasionally make a trip to the market or the playground or even her house, but we somehow always ended up in the church. It offered a sort of comfort to us - it was where we met, after all.
"Well-." Her melodious voice broke the silence. I jumped slightly, but swiftly recovered before she could notice. She started making her way towards me, and I looked up attentively like a kindergarten student. Aerith sat down beside me, her legs pulled to her chest, and her head tilted up to the hole in the roof, courtesy of me falling through it some time ago. Ah, good times.
"Zack," she started after a few minutes silence, her gaze turned to meet mine. I was momentarily captivated by the colour of her eyes – aquamarine, a serene colour - and her words didn't manage to reach my brain.
"Sorry?" I grinned sheepishly. She frowned and her pink, soft (get your head out of the gutter, Zack!) lips form a pout.
"I was just wondering…whether or not you were really serious on filling Midgar with flowers…" I started to shake my head even before she finished her sentence, heaving a sigh.
"Do you not trust me or something?" I said in mock anger and hurt. "I never go back on my word, Aerith." She smiled, sending my heart shooting out of my chest the way you see it cartoons. Silence followed my words. I shot a glance at her. Her head was tipped back, her eyes closed. She sat so still she was almost a statue.
"Can I…ask you a question?" I asked tentatively. She looked so contented, basking in the serenity that I was hesitant to break her daze. Aerith nodded without looking at me.
"What made you decide to plant flowers in the church?"
"Flowers make me happy," she replied simply. "And I happen to like being happy."
"Does it get…gloomy? You know, living in the slums and all?" As soon as the question made it out of my mouth, I silently berated myself – way to be insensitive, Zack.
Aerith turned her head and broke into a dazzling smile. "Not with you dropping in every now and then." Both of us chuckled at the joke.
"I admit, the slums do get me a bit down sometimes," she said after a pause. She got up and dusted off her skirt. "But that's why I want to fill this place with flowers. It'll make people happier, don't you think?"
I stood up. "You know what? I think it's the greatest idea I've ever heard." She laughed and I took a moment to admire the way her eyes twinkled and the way her hair falls over her forehead. She really is a beauty.
"Let's get started right now," I suggested. She nodded.
I looked around the church. "Okay. First we'll need to make a list of materials and tools so that we'll roughly know how the wagon will look like."
But of course, Sephiroth had to call me right there and then. What a wet blanket.