Homecoming - Chapter 4

Replenish

Rated: T

Chapter Summary: During a late night dinner, Zack reveals more of what him and Cloud have been through these past five years, Aerith mediates on how to help Zack heal and Elmyra begins to understand.

OMG it only took Rebirth releasing and me finishing it to reignite this story again. XD I just severely needed some Zerith fluff after everything. The fact we have to wait who knows how many more years for the final part got me goin' crazy. T_T

Anyway, welcome back! I had this chapter done for awhile but I wanted to fill in a gap before this happened but I scrapped it and decided just to push on with this story. Hope you enjoy. ;-3

Aerith tried to be a mediator as best she could.

These were the two people she loved most in this entire world and while she understood her mother's worries about Zack and his ex-Shrinra status and the fact they were now on the run from the most powerful company in the world and staying at their house - Zack was back.

Nothing else mattered to her than that…

Not able to take her eyes away from him for long, Aerith gazed over at the dark haired ex-SOLDIER, who had barely touched the food he'd been given even if she could tell he hadn't eaten a decent meal in a very long time. And recalling the voracious appetite he had during the two years they dated, it was strange seeing him not eating all of it immediately and asking for seconds. The man in question was too preoccupied by gently coercing his blonde friend (who was actually sitting up quite well by himself) in the chair next to him to eat instead.

Heart pattering happily, Aerith listened to Zack's gentle voice as he encouraged Cloud to take another bite and she swore if she could only listen to Zack speaking for the rest of eternity, she would be happy. His voice was like a soothing balm on her weary soul…one of the many things she missed so desperately about him these past five years.

The flower girl spared a glance to her mother and the obvious sympathy on her face surprised her; she knew her mother's walls were cracking fast. Zack just had that charm and energy about him making it nearly impossible not to like him and the fact he was taking such good care of his sick friend only made it more apparent.

"C'mon, Cloud! Alright you leave me no choice than to do the thing you hate the most… " Zack's face grew uncharacteristically serious before he continued in a higher-pitched voice, "Open up the tunnel, here comes the train! Choo-choo!" Zack sing-songed, gently pressing the blob of creamy mashed potatoes against Cloud's lips but the blonde refused to open. His vacant eyes were staring at Zack and for some reason, it looked as if they were communicating in a way Aerith couldn't even begin to understand.

She desperately ignored the sudden pang of jealousy that invaded her heart at their obvious bond.

"Buddy, I promise I will eat too, I just want you to eat first so I can lay you down to sleep right after so you have time to digest and don't get a tummy ache from having actual food in your stomach for once - is that okay?" Zack waved the spoon and Aerith couldn't help but bite her lip to hold back the huge smile when she swore the blonde outright pouted at Zack before obediently (albeit it reluctantly) opening his mouth.

"Yes! Thanks, Cloudy Skies! You're the best!" Zack exclaimed, gently pressing the smooth potatoes into his mouth before brushing a quick hand through blonde chocobo-like spikes. Cloud let out of an unintelligable soft mutter of protest as Zack gathered another spoonful to continue feeding his friend.

"...You've been doing that for awhile, haven't you?" Elmyra asked suddenly and Aerith's shoulders tensed.

Zack didn't seem effected at all by the sudden questioning.

The SOLDIER merely glanced at her and gave a quick seldom nod and sad smile, "I have… lemme see, uh, the last, I dunno, 10 months to a year since we've escaped Nibelheim, he's been like this. He's actually a hel-h-heckuva lot better than he was before. He wasn't much more than a limp doll for a long time…" Zack bit his lip while spooning some more potatoes with tiny bits of chopped up meatloaf to his friend's mouth before continuing to feed him.

Zack continued, "...it was… hard to say the least. I - I had to do everything for him and I was so certain it was a losing battle those first few months with the Mako withdrawal being so bad. I really thought he wouldn't make it -" Zack's eyes suddenly teared up and Aerith wanted nothing more than to reach over and touch him but he was sitting too far away.

Zack swallowed thickly, "…but he's better now. We survived and we're gonna continue to do so. After what we've already lived though, feeding him is no problem at all! At least he can somewhat chew and swallow on his own now." Zack laughed softly trying to lighten the bleak situation like always. Casually wiping his face free of a few tears that slipped down his face before feeding Cloud his next spoonful with nothing but a sweet smile gracing his lips.

Elmyra looked chastised even if Zack did nothing to condemn her questioning.

"Zack?" Aerith asked and her heart skipped a beat when he glanced from Cloud's face and those incredible eyes locked onto hers.

He flashed her a soft shy smile, "Yeah?"

"Will he let me feed him? Your food is going to get cold."

"I-It's okay, Aerith. He's almost done, I got it. And heck, what I wouldn't have given for cold meatloaf and mashed potatoes when we were on the run - it's gonna be incredible regardless. Thanks for offering though." he added with a blinding white smile and wow, if her heart wasn't already lost to him before…

Ten minutes later, Cloud was finished eating and staring blankly at the single yellow lily Aerith gave him that she'd placed into a small vase on the table.

Even obviously starving, Zack ate slowly. Chewing his food thoroughly before swallowing as if savoring the sensation of having actual food in his mouth. He even was making small talk and making sure Cloud felt included in any discussion that came up. After only a single (heaping) plate full, Zack gently pushed the plate away when it was cleaned of the rest of the gravy with a roll of bread.

"Oh! There's more food in the kitchen! You want another serving? There's plenty…" Aerith halfway stood to her feet but Zack just shook his head and smiled.

"Nah. I'm full. It's probably best I take it easy for now. Don't wanna overdue it and make myself sick," Zack chuckled softly before turning to address her mother, "Ms. Gainsborough, it was absolutely delicious. Thank you…" Zack bit his lip, his eyes tracing the surface of the table for a moment before meeting her eyes and then her mother's with the most heart-wrenching look clouding them, "I - I really can't thank you enough - for everything. I - I promise I'll pay you back for all of this once Cloud recovers enough so I can get a job. Just make a list, I'll be sure to pay you back for all the food, lodging, clothes - "

"Nonsense!" to Aerith's shock, it was her mother who interrupted, "You don't owe us anything, Zackary. While I'm still concerned over what Shinra is going to do as well as you are, but you have my word that you and your friend are welcome here as long as you need to stay." Elmyra flashed the SOLDIER a coy smirk and continued, "And I think Aerith would have a few words to say if you even think of leaving anytime soon."

Aerith felt her own eyes welling when she watched Zack's lower lip tremble before his face fell, a tear slipped down his cheek as he uttered a heartfelt, "Thank you so much…"

"You're welcome, young man. Now, go get you and your friend situated upstairs and get some sleep. No offense, but you look dead on your feet."

Aerith shuddered at the phrasing but said nothing and bit her lip when she noticed Cloud suddenly flinch at that statement.

Zack merely chuckled, "I pretty much am; it's been a really long time since I slept through the night."

While that was alarming and Aerith wanted to say something, she remained silent as Zack rose to his feet. His eyes locked on her mother, Zack bowed to her slightly when he stood before gently pulling the barely lucid Cloud to his feet.

"I-I could go put Cloud to bed and come back and help with dishes? Please? I'd love to help any way I can," he offered.

Elmyra was already shaking her head before he finished speaking, "Don't be silly, Zackary. Go get some sleep."

"...You sure?"

"Positive," Elmyra smiled gently at him.

"Okay…Um, thanks again. You both have a good night," Zack said over his shoulder as he gently guided Cloud up the stairs and all remained quiet until the door to the guest room closed with a soft click.

Elmyra's shoulder's dropped and she opened her mouth as if to speak but closed it a second later. Instead, her stepmom let out a soft sigh before standing to gather the empty plates on the table and heading to the kitchen to clean up.

Aerith followed to help even as her eyes strayed to the staircase where she watched Zack disappear.