High places.
The concrete was cold and smelled dusty and dark beneath bare feet, and the flower girl listened to the wind as it dragged its fingers through her beribboned hair. It was damp; like a mourning, wet sky was on the way, but the flowers could use the moisture. Honestly, so could Aerith- walking the slums every day (oily puddles and foul shouts and dirty lighting, LOVELESS shining in neon filth) often left her feeling stained, something scrubbing down every night could only ease and not erase.
But here she was, out in the dark of a new moon edged with a promised rain-fall- sitting on the edge of the church roof, because she wanted to feel like she'd risen out of the greasy blackness of a city ready to release its human monstrosities now that the dim had swept everything up. If a pretty pair of blue eyes and that warm laugh were there, she'd have no need for the perch.
A smile graced her pale pink lips, her twisted braid whipping around as the wind rose and fell. Yes, the feel of his arms around her and the strong steady beat of his heart as she leaned her cheek against his sleeveless sweater- worn wool and his breath on her hair and his callus-edged fingers- would make Midgar melt away much more quickly; not to mention it was a warmer alternative. But she couldn't have Zack around all the time.
Or for much time at all. She felt a lingering sigh build in her chest, smile slipping. Time with him always slid between her gently grasping fingers, far too quickly. The hollow ache that accompanied his absence could sometimes be quelled with the care of her flowers, but most of the time she quietly let herself feel the loss of his strong form leaning up on the pew, or perhaps watching her from a column. Sometimes she pretended that if she looked up, he would be crouched right across from her, grinning and with dirt on his gloves.
Hey beautiful. Did I tell you about this newbie we have on base? I'm keeping an eye on him for now... you would love him.
Yes, his voice... sunshine tearing up the clouds and making her forget what cold and empty felt like. Sometimes the silence that stole the chapel once be took his leave would give her headaches.
The ache she felt now was solidly bedded beneath her rib cage, much worse for its throbbing and sharp pangs. Doubt had snuck into her thoughts for the first time today, as she let them reach like sun-seeking vines towards the memories of the Soldier she loved best.
Yes. Yes, she loved him. His bravery and humor and azure eyes; eyes that had made her ask him if the sky was really blue, somewhere.
Zack, she thought, feeling the Lifestream surge without his familiar bright burn of a presence. Where are you?
I've been writing, but I haven't heard from you... Tseng says you're on a very important mission, but it's been almost three months now. I can't sense you there anymore.
The desperately seeking girl felt her emotions well up, filling her lungs and spilling warmly out of her eyes, and she was almost shocked. Optimism and believing that everything would turn out all right was something that shone through her very being, glowing past her skin. The night and the three-month long silence had stripped her of all defenses, and finally she let the tears pour out of her as the rain began to fall.
A while later, bangs running into her eyes and shoulders shaking slightly, she looked up into the falling sky.
Zack.
Please be safe.
