Speaking with Flowers

Rated: T

Summary: Zack and Aerith's time together is always cut short by his job at SOLDIER so Zack creatively finds a way they can spend more time together even when he's halfway around the world.

This gave me more of an excuse to draw Zack taking a selfie with a sunflower. I can easily picture him sending Aerith pictures of the different flowers he encounters during his trips with SOLDIER and in the end, the picture and this fict happened.

Hope you enjoy. ;-3

"...Do you really have to go?" the question was quiet, sullen unlike the usual chipper bell-like tones he was used to from Aerith Gainsborough, his beautiful Flower Girl.

Zack Fair's raven brows furrowed at the pained pinch in her somber expression she didn't try and hide and the Second-Class SOLDIER felt his heart break a little more.

Dammit, it never failed.

Just when they were thoroughly enjoying their limited time together, going out for a fun afternoon stroll or an evening dinner and date, his PHS would ring. Instantly bringing the bliss they always experienced while together to a screeching halt.

For example, tonight they'd delivered freshly-picked flowers to the Leaf House followed by a delicious homemade dinner where he was introduced to Aerith's mother, Elmyra. While a bit nervous at first because meeting one's parent(s) for the first time always made him jittery, Zack was certain he won her over with his charisma and country boy charms. At least he hoped so! She seemed to like him enough considering she laughed at his stories and jokes! Hell, sheeven invited him to stay longer for dessert! Zack readily agreed to her offer, but while it was being prepared, Aerith and himself came here to the church to give the flowers one final watering when his PHS beeped loudly inside his pocket.

So of course with everything going so swimmingly, the wonderful evening had to be ruined by his job.

During all of this stress with Angeal's desertion, Genesis' clone attacks and Sephiroth becoming more aloof than ever before, Aerith has been his sanctuary while SOLDIER and Shinra kept doing their damnedest to try to pull him away from her. Maybe he was spiteful and becoming more disillusioned with the company with each passing day but Zack still kept his chin up; continued persevering in the hopes that everything would get better. Perhaps it was fruitless but Zack was an optimist, he was hoping one day, everything would return back to the way it was before everything went to hell in a handbasket.

Also, Zack reminded himself he needed to thank Angeal when he found him (and he would find him and bring him back - he was certain of it) for pushing him through the Sector 5 plate and literally into Aerith's life. From the very moment Zack woke up and looked up into the prettiest green eyes in existence, Zack knew this gorgeous girl was special and would become an integral part of his life. Whenever Zack was with her, it was amazing how easily they clicked together. How quickly she calmed his frantic nerves and made him forget his worries for awhile with her mere smile. Not to mention how her attentions had his heart skip a beat even if it was nothing more than a tender glance in his direction.

With Aerith around, nothing hurt and everything except for simply being together mattered.

Zack never felt this way about another girl before. Every short-lived relationship or lustful fling he had previously felt downright piteous compared to Aerith. They had yet to even kiss, but already, he was completely smitten with this gorgeous girl.

And Zack had never been one to fall in love so fast…

Perhaps it was her soft smile, the way her meadow-green eyes sparkled and her bell-like laugh tinkled into the dusty air of the church whenever he was able to make her giggle even if it was at the expense of his pride. Maybe it was the way she could touch his arm or hand and tingles of electricity lit up to the base of his neck and throughout his limbs. Or possibly the ease in which she spoke with him, listened to his struggles, enjoyed his flirtatious behavior and flirted right back, teased him and how even if she admitted once that SOLDIER's scared her, yet she felt no qualms about himself. The way her face lit up whenever he waltzed into the church for a visit; her excited steps as she twirled around before approaching him with arms open wide and she instantly pulled him in for a tight hug.

But maybe it was something simple, like how she always smelt like sun-kissed flowers… Whenever he had the opportunity to be next to her, he couldn't help but softly breathe her in; the fresh floral scent, dewy leaves, rich loamy soil and pure life always lingering on her gorgeous pale skin and throughout her thick chestnut locks.

Whenever he was with her, it simply felt like coming home.

But the thing that made him feel as if his heart would pound straight out of his ribcage was that she felt exactly the same way about him…

Zack jumped a bit when the PHS's notification sound alarmed yet again and he was broken from the reverie of his comforting thoughts and back into the cold stint of reality. It was far too painful to come to terms that the time they got together always ended far too soon lately.

The black-haired SOLDIER bit his bottom lip and cursed the message he read and re-read from Director Lazard on the tiny screen of his PHS hoping the orders would magically change before his eyes. Nothing changed and Zack huffed. To think mere months ago, he used to be overeager to fulfill any and all of the missions thrown his way, going above and beyond to fulfill extra missions in his desire to become a First Class SOLDIER. Now that his dream was in closer reach then ever… he didn't even care to reach for it.

Since when had he become so jaded?

Oh right…

Angeal…

A deep sigh left his lips before Zack finally pulled out of his reverie enough to answer her, "Yeah…I do." in a sullen apologetic voice while sending her his best pouting puppy dog eyes from behind his thick raven bangs to showcase just how much he hated the news of his upcoming departure as well. "I'm so sorry, Aerith...but duty calls." he feebly shrugged.

"Oh…" Aerith's face fell at the news she patiently waited for. Her dainty soil-dusted hands clasped in front of her chest as she bit at her plump bottom lip. "I-I understand. It's your job…but maybe you can visit me again tomorrow? Yeah! And I'll even save you some dessert!" she continued a second later with a smile that didn't fully reach her eyes.

Zack felt horrible at the slight hope in her expression knowing he was about to crush it. "You know I'd love to, Aer, but…it's actually a mission outside of Midgar. I have to head to Rocket Town for a few days then to Junon for some security detail, but it shouldn't take more than a week! I promise!" he reassured quickly when her smile turned into a sorrowful frown and beseeching emerald eyes.

"No, no. It's okay," the false smile was back, more forceful this time as she lifted herself up on her toes a bit. "A week is fine…just seems like a long time."

"I know. But it should go fast with all the new flowers you're planting in your garden at home! And don't forget, when I get back we can start planning that wagon I need to build! That'll be fun!"

Aerith smiled more genuinely this time. "Right…It just… It feels like you just got back and you're leaving again. I wish we could see each other more."

"Yeah, me too…" Zack admitted, scratching the back of his head when his eyes fell on her flowers and suddenly, it was like a lightbulb turned on above his head. "OH! Wait, wait, wait! I know!" the Second-Class SOLDIER declared happily.

Aerith jumped a bit at the sudden loud proclamation but shook it off quickly, asking "What?" with a cute tilt of her head. She was so damn adorable…

"Flowers!" Zack said proudly, gesturing eagerly toward her small garden they'd just finished watering before he got the call.

Aerith flashed him a confused expression before pursing her lips, "Yes…those are flowers…"

"Oh, I know that!" Zack snarked teasingly with a playful wag of his finger before clarifying, "No! I meant I'll take pictures for you! I see so many cool flowers on my travels, probably some even you've never seen or heard about before, but I can show you! A-And hey, I'll even try and get some seeds to bring back to you so you can grow them at your house!" Zack was aware he was speaking a mile a minute but the happiness beginning to shine in Aerith's perfect eyes at his idea was far too wonderful for him to stop. "How does that sound?"

"Oh. Really? Wow, Zack, that would be fantastic! As much as I love my lilies, it would be so nice to have other varieties of flowers growing around here!" she put her hands to cup her mouth as her eyes grew misty at the generous and kind suggestion.

Zack smiled, so excited how his idea was the one to put such a beautiful smile on her face, "I know Junon has some pretty ones that grow near the beach! Not sure about Rocket Town, but I'm sure I'll be able to find some!" Zack spoke eagerly and was so contented to see the same happiness lighting up Aerith's garden green eyes.

"Thank you, Zack! That would make me so happy!" Aerith smiled tearily, closing the small distance between them to pull him into a hug.

Zack didn't even care that her delicate hands left dusty prints on his turtleneck, he just hugged her tighter. Zack buried his face in the bend of her shoulder and neck before taking a deep breath of her gorgeous scent; he smirked at the shudder that went through the beautiful girl in his arms. Feeling cheeky, Zack suddenly lifted her up and began swinging the slight girl in a circle. A huge smile on his face upon hearing her contagious giggle echoing off the tall ceilings and through the broken part of the roof where his laughter soon joined hers and escaped out into the night air.

Ten minutes later, Zack accompanied Aerith to her home.

While it was a bit awkward and rather sad having to go home and explain it to her mother how Zack had to leave. But instead of being upset about the news, Elmyra merely nodded and smiled at the couple before kindly packing up a dozen of the delicious spice cookies she'd baked for him to take on his trip.

"Now don't you eat them all, you better share some with your friends," Elmyra said with a teasing smile and wag of her finger.

"Yes, Mrs. Gainsborough, Thank you so much." Zack nodded and smiled oh so sweetly before gently bowing to her mom in gratitude and the upmost respect. The SOLDIER glanced at Aerith about to only nod in a goodbye with her mother right there watching them both but before he could, Aerith grasped Zack's free arm and guided him out onto the front porch.

Elmyra's eyebrow lifted as he gave Aerith a questioning look but the smile on her face didn't fade, "You have yourself a safe trip, Zackary!" Elmyra said with a gently wave.

"Thank you! Have a good evening, ma'am!" Zack called back before the front door closed behind them.

The couple were oddly silent as they slowly walked off the wooden porch and along the packed dirt path towards the bridge. Aerith bit her lip, her heart pounding furiously at her abrupt action but Zack seemed to have no qualms. The handsome SOLDIER merely flashed Aerith a smile as they slowly stopped in the center of the bridge before the stairs leading to the rest of Sector 5. Neither spoke for a few moments as they took in beautiful garden swaying gently in the cool night air; the soothing smell of fresh greenery and the sound of trickling water underfoot slightly calming her nerves.

Zack took in a deep whiff of the fragrant air surrounding them before letting it out in a contented sigh. Glancing at his girlfriend's beautiful face from the corner of his eye before he felt obligated to finally break the comfortable silence, "Thanks for everything tonight, Aerith. Even though it was cut a bit short, I still had a great time with you today."

Aerith gently squeezed his thickly muscled forearm, dainty fingers dancing around the pulse in his wrist right under the cusp of his leather glove. "Me too," she replied in a tender admission before bravely pressing her temple against his bicep for only a moment before pulling away to look back up into his hypnotic blue eyes. It should be illegal for eyes to be that pretty…

"And hey, I'll be sure to text you when I arrive in Rocket Town tomorrow! And the first thing I'm gonna so when I get some down time is go flower hunting and send you a bunch of pictures!" Zack promised with a gorgeous white smile that contrasted so lovely against his tanned skin.

Aerith giggled at the excitement lacing his voice, "I can't wait." Aerith tenderly smiled up at him, her fingers tingling with want to brush his bangs behind his ears so she could better see his adorable face yet she couldn't quite muster up enough courage to do so.

"Great." Zack replied, glancing around this little piece of paradise in the slums before looking back at her and continuing, "Well, um, I should get going. I hope you have yourself a goodnight, Aerith."

"You too, Zack."

Zack smiled sweetly at her before he made to walk away but Aerith still didn't relinquish her hold upon his arm and the Second-Class SOLDIER glanced down at her down-turned face curiously.

"…Aerith? 'Something wrong?"

Before she had the chance to completely lose her nerve, Aerith pushed herself up onto her toes and chastely kissed his plush mouth, "Goodnight. I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow." she whispered in one quick breath before rushing back into the house with her lips tingling pleasantly and her heart pounding frantically in her chest.

Zack stood there in complete shock for a few seconds before the biggest goofiest smile lip up his face and as much as he wanted to jump up and click his heels while whooping loudly into the night air, he valiantly held back. With one last tender glance at the house the Flower Girl disappeared into, Zack walked up the stairs. His heart pounding wildly and his smile never fading as he ran toward the train station and the soon departing plane waiting for him at Shinra.

And so started their communications.

Zack and Aerith had spoken and sent each other texts before, before this they only texted back and forth about happenings in their daily life but with this new incentive, it got more exciting; like a game of sorts.

Aerith bit her lip from her seated perch on her bed. Back resting against the headrest as she happily scrolled through the latest texts on her PHS.

Zack had already sent so many photos since they started this little floral communication of theirs. The SOLDIER made good use of his down time on missions to go and find all the flowers the town he was in had to offer. Sending her pictures of so many beautiful flowers from all the various places he'd visit! He'd even go further and ask some of the locals the names of them and of course with his gorgeous smile and charismatic personality, some would allow him to take some flowers to take back with him in order to give the flowers time to dry in order to gather their seeds.

While the dried flowers he brought back were lovely and the seeds would grow in her home garden in their own time, it still was a slow process. But while they were only small flecks deep in the soil, Aerith still adored and savored the pictures Zack sent of them thriving in their natural environment.

It was simply astounding how many different varieties there were. All coming in beautiful cascades of colors that didn't occur naturally inside of Midgar's iron walls. The pictures of flowers he sent her on his trips contained so many varying shades of red, pink, yellow, purples and even some incredible blue flowers that reminded her of Zack's eyes (even if Zack's eyes were much prettier, but she'd never felt brave enough to tell him that).

So far, Aerith's favorite was a photo he took of himself standing in front of a field of huge yellow flowers with a giant brown center. He stood there holding the camera toward himself smiling his gorgeous white smile. His hand gently grasping the thick green stem of a flower as tall as himself! Aerith was astounded that a flower could be so tall! Considering Zack's greater height, the flowers would tower over her. Yet Aerith seemed more astounded at the beautiful contrast of bright sunny yellow against his pitch midnight black hair with hints of blue in their raven strands. Heart hammering as she took in the cheeky expression he flashed the camera while taking the picture for her. Cheeks flushing as she recalled kissing him when he brought her back the seeds from that particular flower which Zack told her the locals called them sunflowers.

As she planted those on the side of her house, Aerith thought a sunflower was the perfect name.

It also fit that it happened to be Zack's favorite flower other than the ones he landed on in her church and where an angel saved his life and stole his heart he said with a wink. Aerith blushed at the memory; focusing back on the large yellow flower that suited Zack's sunny personality perfectly.

Scrolling further down the texts he send, Aerith made it to the latest photos of flowers he sent from Junon last week. Her eyes catching the current date and realizing it had been radio silence from Zack for nearly a week. A constant pull of worry made her gut clench as she saw all her unanswered text messages. Yet Aerith smiled as she went about her day; her smile slightly strained but the comfort of the Planet's voice told her he was okay…but she still missed him.

All was appeased when Zack called her a week later.

It was after midnight when Aerith's PHS rang near her ear where she'd fallen asleep scrolling again through the texts and photos Zack had sent her. Heart leaping into her throat, she immediately sat up and answered.

"Z-Zack! Zack, is that you?" Aerith asked desperately without even looking at the caller ID, her tongue heavy in her mouth from waking up so suddenly.

"...Aerith? Oh wow! I finally got through! Yes!" Zack's excited voice came through the slightly tinny speakers of her cheap PHS and her heart immediately warmed at being able to hear his voice for the first time in over two weeks. It felt like so much longer than half a month, it almost scared her how much she had missed even getting a single text…

A wave of relief spread through her body as she fell limp against her pile of pillows and blankets. "Oh, Zack…" she said, his name like the softest prayer on her lips. It felt so wonderful to be able to say his name again, "How are you?"

"I'm great!" The SOLDIER chuckled lively, "I'm just busy freezing my ass off near Icicle Inn," his voice occasionally broke up once with static but it quickly came back, "I've been trying to call you every day since I got here but the signal has been just terrible! Worse than even Wutai if you can believe it. Oh Gaia, Aer, I'm so sorry I couldn't get through to you sooner, I tried! if it feels like I've been ignoring you, I promise I didn't mean to!"

Aerith smiled at the tenderness in his voice, "Oh no! Don't worry about it! It's okay, I know how busy you are! I'm just so glad to hear from you. I'm so happy you're alright…" Blushing at how tenderly she said that, she quickly continued, "Wow, Icicle Inn? Isn't that almost all the way north? It's no wonder there's no signal, you're on the top of the world!"

"Tell me about it… I'm also stuck here with Seph and Tseng where they just finished their tenth 'who can brood and not speak for the longest time' contest. Oh, babe, it's been torture… You have no idea how happy I am that I finally got through to you! I was legit dying of boredom!" Zack's melodramatic whine had Aerith biting back a loud giggle, the last thing she wanted to do was wake her mother up.

"Oh, poor baby. I really am sorry about that but hey, you have me to talk to now."

Zack's happy sigh sounded over the speaker, "Yeah. I'm so happy I do. If I knew all it would take to get an actual signal in this joint was to climb up this damn tower, I would have done it last week!" Zack laughed as a sound of loud arctic wind swept through the speakers.

Aerith nervously bit her lip at the sound. "Oh Gaia, Zack! You be careful!"

"Careful is my middle name so don't you worry about me!" Aerith wanted to interrupt but Zack's voice filled her ears again, "Oh, just got a notification that my last picture I tried to send you finally went through! You need to check it out! I never would have imagined flowers could survive this far north but they do!"

"Oh. Okay." Aerith pulled her PHS away from her face, putting it on speaker so she could still hear Zack's voice when she checked her new messages. And just like he said, her phone notified her she received a new message.

Aerith opened the file and immediately her breath caught in her throat.

In the photo was Zack's black leather gloved hand tenderly holding up a flower against nothing but a pure glistening white snowy bank. The dark gray stem that was pushing out of the snow-covered ground gave way to bright teal leaves and finally up to the most fascinating thin petaled flower resting right in his snow-dusted palm. Its small center was completely white with six petals that appeared to be the color of blue ice, near transparent in their hue and absolutely magnificent with the black backdrop. They would have been near invincible with the snow behind them, it was a wonder Zack saw them at all…

"Wow…" Aerith breathed.

"They're beautiful aren't they?" Zack's voice greeted her.

Aerith nodded before remembering he couldn't see her. "Yes, Zack. T-They're incredible…"

"They really are. The lady at the inn says they're called an Ice Lily and they only grow in snowy climates and they are hardly ever seen outside the tops of the mountain peaks so she said I was super lucky to have even see one at all!"

"Oh my! That is lucky!"

"It was funny too since Seph almost tripped over me when I was kneeling down taking the picture. Oh man ya should have seen the look he gave me…"

Aerith giggled at the scene he described played out in her head.

Zack got quiet for a moment and Aerith was worried the signal got cut off when his gentle voice filled her ears again.

"...Hey, Aer?"

"Yes, Zack?"

The SOLDIER gently cleared his throat before speaking, "I um, I just wanted to say thank you, ya know, for humoring me with this whole sending you pictures of flowers idea. I know it uh, sounds kinda silly but to me, it feels like I'm taking you with me to all these places…and…" Zack swallowed nervously his voice trailing off.

"...and?" she prompted, her heart hammering and cheeks flushing at how tender his voice sounded. She was eager to hear more of it.

"Well, as I already told you before, I really hope to show you the sky one day…the real one. And I don't wanna just stop there. I'd love to actually take you to all these places, be able to show you some of these huge fields of flowers. Maybe we can find even find some that haven't been discovered yet! Anyway, I'd love to be the one to take you there, ya know, outside of Midgar…"

Without realizing exactly why, a single tear slipped down her cheek; yet a smile pulled up her lips at hearing the longing in his voice. One she felt so predominantly in the warmth echoing throughout her chest as well as the heat in her cheeks.

Gripping the phone tighter and wishing for nothing more than to fulfill all of those dreams and to make more with him, she gently responded into the phone, "Oh, yes, Zack. I can't wait…"