Prepare yourselves for the Diabedus cuz this is sickeningly sweet.

Chapter 4 – Puppy in a Flower Patch

*Aerith and Zack meet in Chapter 11*

Zack stood before the tall double doors of the old church and glanced around. He'd only ever been down in the slums once or twice in passing during missions. It was pretty scary how sad it was down here. The church itself was barely more than the four walls and cracked stained glass. From the looks of it sections of the roof were coming down.

What kind of weirdo would hangout here... He glanced down at the thin envelope in his hand. Aerith... funny name.

He gave his surroundings one last quick glance before knocking firmly on the heavy doors. There was silence on the other side. He gave another tentative knock and was about to give up when a nervous voice called from the other side.

"C-come in?"

Zack peeked through the door. A pretty young brunette eyed him warily from beside a pew. Next to her a large section of the floor boards had been pulled up. From the soil there beautiful yellow and white flowers grew. She stood from where she keeled and brushed off her pale sun dress.

"Ah... H-hi there. I'm here to deliver a message for an...ah," Zack glanced back down to the letter, "Aerith?"

She nodded slowly, "That's me."

He grinned uncertainly and scratched the back of his head. "Ryo said you were a friend of hers? She got caught up with somethin' back at HQ or she should have brought it to you herself."

"Oh!" Aerith brightened immediately when he mentioned the Soldier Third and she seemed to relax. "You're a friend of Ryo's. Why didn't you say so?!" She giggled softly. Aerith met him halfway down the churches isles. She looked puzzled by the letter, but took it from Zack's outstretched hand.

"She hadn't mentioned anything…" Aerith froze as she looked down at the tiny bit of note paper that had been tucked inside. Her face brightened to a brilliant pink. Zack cocked his head to the side curiously, "What's it say?"

Aerith pressed the note to her chest quickly when he bent in to take a look. "Nu-Nothing!" She stammered and blushed even more. This only seemed to peak his interest further and he danced around her in an attempt to catch a glimpse of it.

"Aw com'on that doesn't look like nothing. What's it say?" There was a noticeable whine in his voice.

She straightened to her full height, which wasn't much to be honest, and glared at him sternly, "This is a private letter thank you very much!"

Zack rolled his eyes and his face fell into a disappointed pout. There was a flash of something devious in his eye and he leaned back against a pew with his arms folded. "Alright… So… How do you know Ryo?" He asked looking suddenly disinterested.

Aerith looked at him funny and gave a slight huff, "She saved me from a Hedgehog Frog. How do you know her?"

Zack kicked off from where he was leaning and stood tall, "I'm a Soldier, Second class of course." there was notable pride in his voice.

Aerith giggled softly, "Ooh… you're the 'Least Scary Soldier' she mentioned." Zacks face fell immediately and his stance drooped.

"I'm WHAT?!" He huffed indignantly, "I can totally be scary."

He crossed his arms in a pout and grumbled something. Aerith raised her hand to cover her lips as the giggling only grew. The little note sat forgotten in her other hand as she did so. Zack eyed it and in one swift movement snatched it from her hand. Aerith gave a sharp gasp and glanced from her now empty hand to the cheeky Soldier. Zack had to hold the note up above his head as the young woman hopped up and down in an attempt to take the letter back.

"Give that back!"

Aerith's cheeks burned brilliantly as Zack nonchalantly opened the folded note he held at arm's length above him. She watched humiliated. The look of victory on his face shifted into confusion, and then an embarrassed blush spread across his cheeks. The hand holding the letter dropped down a little and Aerith snatched it away from him. Zack gave her a shy sheepish smile and scratched the back of his head.

"Eh... well this is awkward."

She gave a little huff and held the troublesome note to her chest. She glared down at it again and blushed.

"That brat," She muttered irritably. Zack chuckled softly and a playful expression found its way to his face.

"Well… I am single," Zack said with a cheeky grin.

Her eyes widened. Aerith's pale cheeks had reached a nice cherry red. She smacked his arm and Zack just laughed. The offended look on her face wavered and she gave a soft shy giggle herself.