colorofthesky | IC Contact for lastvoyages

[She had known he was here.

Aerith hadn't been trying to avoid him- not really. All she could do was try to get into the swing of this weird new life she was living. She really wasn't used to making deals for her life; she was used to taking control or having it taken from her.

But she had a lot of leeway to explore, to learn what this place was and what she would see. She had been making friends.

But she saw him. How long had it been? Five years? The four previous, where she had been trying to find him, letter by letter?

He looked different.

He looked the same.]

Zack?

[Her voice was tentative, soft. But there it was. His scar.

His eyes.

Her voice rose to a pitch it normally never gets to, right up to a shout.]

Zack!

[Her feet started moving on her own. She didn't care whether he was tackled or met her halfway or she bounced off of him, she didn't care.

She just had to know he was real.]

[ Zack is always busy. If he's not working out, he's playing with his dog. If he's not playing with his dog, he's trying to keep the ship clean. If he's not trying to keep the ship clean, he's eating or sleeping. Or something like that.

He's just heading back after a long shift when a familiar voice calls his name.

He turns, and the shock on his face is obvious when he sees Aerith running towards him. It's a good thing he's got SOLDIER reflexes too, because otherwise he wouldn't have managed to catch her without losing his balance.

There's a soft 'oof' when she bowls into him, but look...he's got her. And looking at her with disbelief and wonder. ]

Aerith...? Is it...it's really you?

[Oh, that felt like him. It smelt like him, was completely him.

Aerith wrapped her arms around him tight, not wanting to let him go. She would have apologized if they had fallen over, eventually. But she was overwhelmed with emotions- finally finding him, finally- and the relief-

Well, no wonder she had to take a few moments to bury herself against his chest in relief.

But after taking in a slow, deep breath to steady herself, she pulled her face away to tilt her head back up to see him.]

It's me.

Didn't think I was an angel, right?

[A hint, a reminder of what he thought she was when they first met, him falling into her chapel. She wants to say so much, and do so much, now that they are together.

How stupid she had been, being nervous...!]

[ The entire moment feels surreal. Like he's dreaming. He's thought about Aerith coming here before, of course, but he never thought it would actually happen. Especially after so long.

He hugs her back, and the question, of course, elicits a bright smile. He can't remember the last time he actually felt happy like this, but just seeing her and holding her makes his heart feel so light. ]

I don't see any other angels around here, do you?

Just you.

[Nothing else mattered. There weren't any problems anymore. He was here, she was here- who cared if they were on a ship in space?

She almost felt light headed from giddiness. All the more reason to keep a hold of him and not let go.]

[ Zack laughs a little at that. ]

Oh no. Not me. I'm way too stinky right now to be an angel.

[ ...yeah, he's been cleaning all day. Sorry about that, Aerith. He gives her another squeeze, though. ]

Man...I just can't believe you're here. This is... [ ah, what is a good word for this??? He can't think of one, just- ] I've really missed you.

Edited 2024-08-02 20:57 (UTC)

That's okay. You can just be the biggest, best...stinkest angel.

[She chuckles, squeezing him back. She'll drag him to her room or his, and they can clean him right up.

But she wiggles a hand up to cup his cheek.]

I missed you too.

[Painfully so.]

Did you...ever get my letters?

[ Another sunny laugh. ]

I mean, I could, but...I should probably clean up so I don't stink?

[ His room is right down the hall so he should do that sooner rather than later.

The question, though, and the hand on his face...his smile doesn't disappear, necessarily, but his expression does soften and become...more somber. Because it tells him two things -- first of all, that they're from different points in time. And secondly...she doesn't know what actually happened to him. Which means...he has a lot of explaining to do.

He's seen this kind of thing before with Cloud so it's not so much of a surprise that he can't handle it. It just means they have some things to work through. In the end, it'll all be okay.

He takes a deep breath. ]

...I got the last one you sent. It was...how I found out how long it'd been.

[ A beat. ]

Do you...wanna talk more in my cabin? It's just down the hall.

[ Because this is...not a good talk to have in the open. ]

Good idea.

[She laughs. Zack being stinky doesn't bother her, but he'd feel better if he was cleaned up. Worked for her! Plus, she'd get to hang out in his room and play with Zeke while he cleaned up. Win-win for Aerith.

But that somber expression...ah. Well. It's going to be a bad one isn't it. Gently, she strokes his cheek, before letting her hand drop. ]

Yeah, let's...talk about it there. After you get cleaned up?

[Because whatever they talk about, it's going to be bad enough. He shouldn't be physically uncomfortable on top of it.

The fact he got the last letter...and he hadn't known how long...that tipped it off. It would be okay, eventually.

But it might hurt in the process.]

[ Zack looks down at himself with a bit of a sheepish grin. ]

Yeah. Sorry, I'm kind of gross.

[ That's what cleaning all day does to you!! He gestures down the hall and starts walking. ]

It's just there. And uh...I have a dog. Just so you know.

It's okay. In fact- if you need help with cleaning? Let me know.

[She's not looking after anyone currently, just the Greenhouse. So she has time to spare!

And she'd also just want to spend time with Zack.

Aerith walks with him, but she's already smiling.]

Let me guess: your dog likes people.

[So, she's going to get jumped on.]

What's their name?

You sure? You'll get stinky like me.

[ That's definitely not a 'no', though. He's...really missed her. And would like to spend extra time with her, even if it's on the clock. ]

And yeah, he does. His name is Zeke. A friend of mine who isn't here anymore gave him to me.

[ Zack walks up to his cabin, pushes open the door, and sure enough, a big, black lab comes bounding up to greet both of them. ]

Oi! Sit!

[ Zeke's butt plops on the ground, but his tail is wagging vigorously as he makes a soft 'awuurrrr' at Aerith. Clearly, he very much wants to say hello. ]

Edited 2024-08-13 01:43 (UTC)

That doesn't matter. We'll be stinky together.

[She's really missed him too. He's here. Yes, they're in space, far from home, but what does it matter?

They'll be all right now. This is better then any deal she may have taken with the Admiral.

But hearing the dog was a gift from a friend- one no longer here- was a sharp reminder of how much he's been through. Here, alone.

If only she came sooner.

But no time for guilt. There's Zeke, bouncing like an excited chocobo, until he sits. Good boy. ]

Well hi Zeke.

[And she squats down to offer her hands to sniff. She's absolutely going to be bowled over but she doesn't care.]

IC Contact for lastvoyages

Action; hallway outside of Zack's cabin

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