Zerith Week - Day 2 - Kisses / Dating
Because there aren't nearly enough Crisis Core kisses. T_T As much as I love Aerith's pink dress and the whole reason she wears it is because Zack mentioned she would look nice in it and she continues to do so for five years... GAH! T_T I can't. I picture this as their first kiss. It's a few weeks after Angeal's death when Zack returns to Aerith with a new haircut and a fresh scar on his cheek to thank her for being there for him when his world was falling apart. A few new things come into perspective for the young SOLDIER and his Flower Girl.
"Hey," Zack's soft voice breaks the silence of the church more than the harsh creaking of the wooden doors.
Aerith stands at the sound, glancing back at the SOLDIER, completely unsure of how to feel at this moment.
The last time she saw Zack, he was sitting between the two rows of pews in her church with a new sword leaning against the wall nearby. Broad back to her and shoulders trembling as his sobs reverberated through the church making it feel as if someone was ripping her heart out of her chest. Her normally happy-go-lucky SOLDIER breaking down tore her to pieces and all she could do was wrap her arms around him to try and hold him together as he cried for hours and hours. Zack refused to say a word and Aerith didn't ask, all she did was hug him tight, tears silently falling down her face as Zack cried himself hoarse. Chest trembling with his broken sobs, he cried until his eyes were puffy, cheeks wet with tears and nose as red as the fresh wound on his cheek he refused to let her heal.
Now, he walked into her church with his head held high and chest pushed out; the black feathered bangs that always framed his face were gone, pushed back to join his spiky hair except for a single stubborn strand hanging over his right eye. The fresh wound on his cheek now a cross shaped scar combined with a determined firmness that was new in his blue eyes. It was at this point she knew something other than his physical appearance had changed. "Zack the Puppy" was seemingly no more. Yet beneath the new look and firmness to his jaw, when he caught her eye and smiled at her, she knew underneath it all, it was still her Zack.
Perhaps a little more worn and weary but remaining the same underneath.
"...Sorry I haven't visited sooner," Zack continued when she still hadn't responded; gingerly walking forward, his boots sounding heavy as he made his way toward her down the aisle.
"It's okay," Aerith said. The flower girl pushed past her own wandering thoughts and immediately closed the distance between then to give him a hug. It hit her now just how long these past few weeks have been without him and she tightened her arms around him.
Zack hesitated for only a second before returning the embrace.
Such gentleness he bestowed upon her. This man, this SOLDIER, who was the strongest person she ever met was as gentle as a brush of wind or the touch of the flower petals she sown. His large hands enveloping her in his thickly muscled arms where she felt the safest. A weight that had been on her chest since the day he left that day with a promise to visit and a smile that didn't reach his eyes was finally gone. She was so happy he seemed better, not completely healed, but improving.
Wanting to talk to him, Aerith pulled away to look at him fully, but before she could, Zack pulled her back against his chest. Strong heartbeat pounding in her ear as she wrapped her arms back around his narrow waist.
There was a brief comfortable silence before he spoke, his words tender, "I want to say thank you. Ya know, for being there for me. I - I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there, Aerith... I don't know. And I'm sorry for not explaining everything about last time I was here. Truthfully, I don't think I'm ready to tell you everything yet but, for now, just - Thanks. I can't thank you enough for that night." Zack admitted, his warm breath against her neck.
Aerith tightened her fingers in the sturdy wool cloth of his top when she heard the break in his voice, the slight tremble in the tone that told her how effected he still was yet still didn't want her to see. Again, trying to be too strong. "You don't have to thank me - You know I'd do anything for you, Zack..." she replied steadily, holding him tighter.
Neither sure how long they stood there just holding one another. Breathing the other in and both feeling more secure than they'd had in a long time.
Zack bit his lip, his throat tight as he recalled how hard these past weeks have been since Angeal's death; how this gentle petite girl that grew flowers in a broken down church was the only reason he was still relatively sane. She didn't say a word, didn't ask questions, simply held him and kept his heart from completely shattering in the confines of his chest. 'Thank you' could never cover how much he owned his angel; the depths of gratitude and love he held...but if there was one thing he could thank Angeal for was showing how fragile and short life could be.
Zack didn't want more regrets…
"...Aerith?" he breathed, smirking a bit as he noticed the rising goose pimples rising on her neck.
"Yes, Zack?" she asked, voice much steadier than he felt.
"I know this is sudden and you can say no and slap me if you want to since this is probably the worst timing ever, but… would it be alright if I kissed you right now?"
Aerith froze, successfully pulling back just enough to look at his face. She wanted to tease him a bit, say something clever and witty about why he took so long but the look in his eyes stopped her. A face prepared for rejection - one she could never imagine on the cock-sure SOLDIER. Little did he know she'd wanted to kiss him since day 1. Why wouldn't she want to kiss a beautiful black haired angel who fell from the Heavens into her quiet lonely life and filled it with more happiness than she could have ever imagined.
Not trusting her voice to work, Aerith smiled shyly and nodded her head.
Zack smiled beautifully, his white teeth so brilliant against his tanned skin as the relief filled his face. The smile fell slightly as he lifted his hand to cup her cheek, a nervousness filling his stomach that he'd never felt before. He'd kissed many girls, and gone a helluva lot farther than just a mere kiss before but this was Aerith. She isn't just another girl, she is the girl, and even with his vast experience, he was terrified of messing this up.
The Flower Girl noticed his slight hesitation and ignoring the butterflies erupting in her stomach, she eagerly pulled herself closer to him. Grasped the wrist of the hand that was cupping her face while gently using the other to caress his shoulder as she put her face close enough to bop her nose against his with a soft giggle.
The move surprised the SOLDIER but after a brief moment, Zack smiled, chuckling at her cheekiness before pushing through any more doubt that plagued him. Aerith was the one for him, he was certain. The past year of knowing her was all innocent dates, ribbons and flower carts and Zack was ready to move forward; to kiss her and let it be known physically what he felt for her. To seal the deal essentially. A soft chuckled left his mouth at the thought before mako blue eyes slid shut and he closed the final distance until his lips were pressed ever so gently against hers.
And just like that, it felt as if all the air left the room and his lungs.
Aerith's lips were so soft and warm, pliable and sweet; her inexperience immediately apparent but it only made it better knowing it was her first kiss, that she would give it to him made it even more endearing if that was even possible. After so many weeks of hell to be given such a gift… A breath of relief, of pure bliss left him as he pulled back just a millimeter to tilt his head and dove right back in to kiss her again.
The Cetra felt tingles down her spine at the first press of his mouth on hers. She could do little other than to grasp his wrist tighter, melting into his touch as she chased his mouth when he barely pulled away. Eagerly learning and imitating every caress of his petal soft lips against her own and not caring as her lungs burned from lack of air. All that mattered was chasing his mouth as he pulled away to adjust, Aerith greedily kissed him again and again as Zack gave her his all. Her first kiss becoming twenty three within a few moments as the world other than each other faded around them.
The only thought for either of them beyond the sensation of pure bliss was - "Finally…".