Chapter Fifty: The Ring
Zack returned when a nurse gave him word that Aralyn was awake. Her eyes were only half open as she drifted between dreams and reality. She gave him a weak smile when she saw him. "Hello," she said in a voice quiet and hoarse from disuse.
"Nice to see you awake," Zack said, grinning at her. "You nearly gave Sephiroth a heart attack…maybe more literally than you know. He hasn't left your side until now, but don't worry, he'll be back soon."
Aralyn's smile widened slightly and a little color seeped back into her pale cheeks. "He's not…mad at me?"
"He's infuriated, but with himself. He's convinced that this is all his fault and this and that and…well, suffice to say he's quite distraught."
"He shouldn't be," Aralyn sighed softly, moving her hand so it lay across her stomach. "When will he be back?"
"Not long. He's not the type to take extended shopping sprees."
"Shopping?"
"Hey, don't ask me." Zack took a seat beside her bed and ruffled her hair. "How are you feeling, girl?"
"I feel all right."
"You think you could walk out of this place?"
"No. As much as I'd like to…not yet. But could you help me sit up?" Zack helped to reposition the pillows and her body so she could sit easier. By the time she was sitting, she seemed to have shrugged off most of the drowsiness.
"Zack?" Aralyn asked as he adjusted the pillows behind her. "I don't remember it all that well, and it was hazy, so I don't think I saw right."
"I'm surprised you remember anything at all." Zack examined her expression and asked, "What's bothering you?"
"In the fires…was Sephiroth…" she almost whispered the next word, "…crying?"
Zack shook his head, chuckling. "Would it surprise you?"
"Over me?"
"What else?"
Aralyn cringed. "It's so…wrong. I-I did that to him."
"Oh come on, Aralyn, now you're getting as bad as he is," Zack complained. "Come on, snap out of it. Why is it so hard for you two to smell the pheromones?"
Aralyn flushed at the expression. "I don't think he thinks of me like that…"
"As if to prove my point!" Zack exclaimed. "Yes, he cried in the fires, and that wasn't the last time he did that night. He was terrified to lose you. You know of anything else that's done that to him? The Wutai War? Losing half a battalion in a battle? Facing a summon unarmed? Can't you see what you've done with him? You have his heart, girl, and the rest of the world doesn't even think he has one!"
"But, the night of the dance, he said we were wrong to be together…he pushed me away…"
"His head is wacked. So is yours. Is it really that hard to see the difference between what he says and what he does?"
Aralyn looked unconvinced.
"Do you love him?" Zack asked her.
"Yes," she said without hesitation.
"Then, because Seph's tongue tied, socially awkward, and otherwise handicapped in the ways of love, I'll tell you what he can't: he loves you. I swear on my honor it's true."
Aralyn fiddled with the sheets, twisting them in loops around her fingers.
"Ask him," Zack urged. "Ask if he loves you."
"You're awake," a familiar voice breathed.
Zack turned to find Sephiroth in the doorway, looking at Aralyn fervently. He walked forward, and then kneeled at her bedside. He opened his mouth to say something, but Aralyn pressed her finger to his lips. "No," she said. "No apologies."
He closed his eyes for a moment before he leaned closer, gently stroking her cheek. "I won't speak them, but that doesn't mean they are not there."
Zack backed away, feeling like an intruder on this reunion. He moved behind Sephiroth and looked where a small box was held in his hand, carefully concealed from Aralyn's view.
The box was lined on the outside with dark blue silk, and looked very expensive. It was also small, fitting snugly in his palm with room to spare. Zack pondered on this, curious as to what had inspired Sephiroth's impromptu trip to town.
Zack nearly fainted from surprise as he realized what it was. Sephiroth had said that it would prevent another catastrophe like this one, and yet it had to be something tiny but very valuable…
Something very much like an engagement ring.