Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII

A/N: Sorry for the delay, I've had family issues, as usual. Shit, my family drama never takes a break. My grandmother was admitted into the hospital yesterday and my uncle has decided to create an uproar between my other aunt and her boyfriend. Jeebus, it's just crazy. -_- Anywhoo, I wrote this chapter to alleviate some stress that I currently have and it sort of helped, but I think the chapter came out a little more sad than I had originally planned. Meh, oh well. Hope you enjoy it, anyway. :)

Garden of Everything
For: Miss Layla

By the way, I don't know much about the time line or events that took place during Crisis Core because I never got to play the game. Gr. But yeah, if there are any errors or whatever, just overlook them and think of it as AU or something, I don't know. Anyway, enjoy!


Zack had had a long two months and just really wanted to see his girlfriend. Being a first class Soldier was a privilege. Albeit, a tiring one.

It took two whole days to get back to the slums, Sector 5 and he was restless; the closer he got to Aeris' home. Once he got there, however, it was like a giant burden was lifted off his shoulders when he saw Aeris run out to him and hug him before he was even off his bike.

He chuckled and embraced her back just as tightly.

She inhaled deeply into his jacket and smiled. "You smell like ash... and cologne."

Zack raised an eyebrow. "Do I?"

"Yes," She replied, pulling back from his embrace. "I like it."

Before he could say anything else, Elmyra (Aeris' mother) came rushing out of her house while wiping her hands on her apron. "Zack!" She cried in delight, happy at his safe arrival. "Come inside, come inside." She ushered them both while he grabbed his luggage.

The evening was calming and peaceful for the three of them. A few good laughs and amiable talking was exactly what he needed after the trip he'd had. Shortly after, Aeris led him to the room he'd occupy for his short stay and the two talked for a while and shared kisses before she left him to get the sleep he needed.

A few mornings later, Zack opened his eyes and immediately closed them to adjust to the brightness seeping through the window. Once he did, he got himself ready and walked downstairs, only to find that Aeris wasn't there.

Elmyra looked at him with a smile on her face before offering him a bagel. "She's at the Church."

With a quick 'thanks', he was on his way, quickly finishing the small breakfast.

When he arrived at the church, he smirked and realized this would be the perfect opportunity to sneak up on Aeris. He'd never been able to surprise her before. Luckily, the entrance doors were opened slightly and he slipped through without making a sound. He paused when he saw her.

The light coming through the broken roof was shining on her and the area surrounding her, giving her an ethereal glow. She was in her blue striped dress and her hair was braided as always, the ribbon he'd given her placed in her braid as well. She was humming to herself while digging up soil and doing the typical gardening routine.

Zack ran a hand though his hair and decided to put off the scare, just for now, so he could watch her for a few more minutes while she was unaware and in her own natural state of activities. He quietly sat on the nearest pew and leaned forward, elbows on his knees, examining her closely.

After a few minutes, he overlooked the fact that Aeris had somehow noticed his presence, and she grinned to herself before speaking out loud. "You know, some would consider what you're doing stalking."

Zack jumped and looked at her incredulously. How had she known he was there? He was a first class Soldier, dammit! He was a master at stealth... or so he thought.

She turned her head toward him with a smirk on her face and a twinkle in her green eyes. "Well?" She prompted.

Zack cleared his throat but his face turned back to a state of cockiness. "It's not stalking if the other person wants them there."

"Hm," she murmured, turning back to her work. "So you're right."

Zack got up from the pew and walked to the edge of where floorboard met garden and sat down. "You take your gardening very seriously." He said, hoping to change the subject.

Aeris smiled at him flicked some dirt his way, chuckling when he wrinkled his nose. "You could say that."

"Now, now, Ms. Gainsborough." He said in a mock disciplinary voice. "I don't think it'd be wise for you to do that."

"Oh, really?" She challenged, her grin widening at his obvious instigating.

"Yes," He nodded, "I happen to be a very strong Soldier, and cannot have dirt be thrown at me."

"Well then," She said gathering a handful of damp soil into her palm. "I guess this doesn't count as throwing then." She smudged the dirt along the right side of his face and down toward his neck. When she was done, she laughed loudly at the shocked look on his face.

He snapped out of it and growled playfully, "Oh, you're going to regret that."

She gave him a childish teasing face, "Oh yeah? And how am I going to reg- AH!" She shrieked when he threw a clod of dirt at her head. She narrowed her eyes at him when he fell back laughing at catching her off guard. After that she dragged him down next to her and thus, a dirt throwing war was started.

After a while, the couple was covered from head to toe in dirt and they lay side by side, breathless and laughing at their childish yet, fun antics.

Aeris turned to look at him and giggled when she saw a dirt clod stuck to his hair. She reached up to wipe it off but instead found herself running her fingers through his locks. Her eyes traveled down and met his blue ones. The emotions in them made her body warm.

"I go back tomorrow." He said quietly, looking away through the broken ceiling, toward the sky.

Aeris felt her heart drop. She'd known already, but she hated that she had such little time to be with him. She didn't say anything in reply and the two of them lay there in silence. After a while, Aeris broke the quiet. "I love you."

Zack looked at her and laced his fingers through her own. "Who wouldn't?"

Aeris slapped his arm with her free hand with a laugh. "Egotistical jerk," She murmured playfully.

"But I'm your egotistical jerk." He said smugly.

"Yes," She whispered, looking into his eyes. "You are."

The air around them changed and a split second later, Zack had cradled Aeris' face and brought his lips down onto hers, catching her off guard. She let out a surprised squeak but it quickly turned into a moan. He rolled over so he was on top of her and she was clinging to any part of him she could grab.

The kiss didn't send sparks or fireworks behind her eyelids, but it did feel... so right. So completely right that she felt her eyes water at the emotions and intensity that was poured through this heated kiss.

When they parted, Aeris knew her cheeks were stained red behind the dirt and she gripped Zack's forearms, panting.

Zack let out a small laugh and rest his forehead against the woman below him. "Who knew the flower girl could be so feral."

Aeris' eyes remained closed but she smiled at his joke. "Looks like you've rubbed off on me... In more ways than one." She added with a smirk.

"Oh, and dirty mouthed, too!" He laughed, falling back on the ground next to her.

She curled up next to him and sighed in content when he wrapped an arm around her. "So, where do you plan on heading to, come tomorrow?" She asked, playing with the collar of his turtleneck.

"The team and I are headed to some town called Nibelheim." He said, running his fingertips along her shoulder and arm.

"I think I would like to live in a small town." She said quietly, tracing patterns onto his chest.

He raised an eyebrow at her, though she wasn't looking at him. "You would?" He felt her nod.

"Yes. Somewhere nice and quaint where I could plant a beautiful garden that people would appreciate... and somewhere ideal for children to grow up. You know, in later years, of course." She added, feeling her cheeks heat up again.

Zack's eyes raised up toward his hairline. The thought, surprisingly, did not sound bad. Having mini him and Aeris'? No, not bad at all. "I think you'll find that place." He stated calmly. "I can picture it now; little tykes running around the house while you try to keep them under control. Of course, the dad wouldn't be too much help 'cause he'd be causing half the mischief, too."

Aeris looked up at him with an unreadable expression and he knew at that moment that the only future he wanted was with her. "I promise you, Aeris, one day we'll find that place." He said, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

Her eyes watered and she placed a hand on his cheek. "You make me so happy." She said in a breathy tone while her voice cracked under the emotions she was feeling.

"Now, now, no need for waterworks." He smiled, wiping her tears away. "I'll be back before you know it. No small town is gonna keep me from my girl."

She buried her face into his neck and inhaled deeply. "Promise?" She whispered hopefully.

He brought her hand up and kissed her palm. "I promise. I'll come back for you, Aeris. Always."

They lay in the garden for the rest of the day talking and kissing, covered in dirt. But neither cared. Aeris wanted to spend time with him before he left, and Zack was counting the days that he needed to be at Nibelheim before he could return back to her. The next morning, Aeris stood next to him as he mounted his bike with a strained smile on her face.

He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead and then her lips. "I promise you Aeris, I'll come back for you. In the meantime, think of that place, okay?"

Not trusting her voice, she forced a smile on and nodded. "I will."

He gave her one last lingering kiss that left her breathless and put his goggles on. "I love you. I'll come back to you."

"I love you, too." She answered giving him one last, chaste kiss. He reluctantly sped off and away and she stayed rooted to the same spot until he was gone from her sight. She clutched a fist to her chest, the pink ribbon in her hand, and let out a dry sob.

"I'll wait for you." She whispered, clutching the pink ribbon more tightly. "I will."


So, yeah, sort of depressing, but it was okay, right? Anyway, happy belated new year everyone! Please review :) Much love.

Thank you so much and gives Rice Krispy treats to:
Jing Yee
Miss Layla
Kohryu
Sana-chan9
Kisdota-The Freak Gamer

Valentine'sNinja: PuppiesX
Valentine'sNinja: Aeris first drink
Valentine'sNinja: Zack cooking dinner
Valentine'sNinja: AU college crush

Babyviolin: The carnivalX
Babyviolin: going camping
Babyviolin: snowball fights
Babyviolin: Zack's birthday
Babyviolin: Christmas shopping
Miss Layla: truth or dare
Miss Layla: fireworks
Miss Layla: Zack's ex-grilfriends
Miss Layla: Preggo Aeris
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