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[asphodels]

"This is Aerith! I'm not here, but I'll get back to you!"

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[wingenvy]

Yeah, it's fine.

[He looks more fidgety than worried, if that reassures her any. He lifts a little bag and holds it out to her as he nudges the door shut behind him- it smells faintly of pastry and sweet, sugary things.]

I'm here to shamelessly bribe you for advice. [He glances around.] Whoa, hey, it's really coming together in here...

[asphodels]

[ Her eyebrows lift for a moment before she reaches out and takes the bag, shaking her head fondly. ]

You don't have to bribe me. Sit down and we'll share this. [ She walks over to the bed, settling down. ] I've been working hard! Now, what's the problem?

[wingenvy]

I know, I know. But it's fun to give you presents.

[Oof, she means business. He sits himself down, leaning back on both hands, and practically exudes embarrassment.]

Okay, so... you know how, like, you have two boyfriends? And it's a thing we're all okay with?

[asphodels]

I'm glad we can share this one, then.

[ Aerith reaches in and takes a pastry for herself before she holds the bag out for Zack, pausing as she blinks up at him. ]

... Yes, you and Cloud. Has that changed? Are you unhappy?

[wingenvy]

[He doesn't take one, waving it off. His mouth is dry enough as it is.]

No, god no, nothing like that. Seriously, I've never been happier. It's just, um. I was thinking. No, more like- wondering out loud? Ugh.

[THIS IS HARDER THAN HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. It's just Aerith, he can tell her anything! What the hell, when has he ever been shy.

With a heavy exhale he flops back on the bed and covers his face. Surely dying again would be easier than finally admitting--]

Is it okay if I want a boyfriend, too?

[asphodels]

Okay...

[ Aerith watches him for a moment, still a little concerned. He seems so out of sorts in an almost endearing way - it's cute, how embarrassed he gets sometimes, but...

Her eyes widen a little bit and she breathes out, tilting her head. There's a knot in her stomach and her hands grip her dress, but only because she knows she doesn't have the full story. The only thing she can do is watch him, breathing out gently. ]

I don't see why it would be one rule for me and a different one for you.

[wingenvy]

...Well...

[Okay, yeah, that's fair, and he doesn't have an argument against it, especially since it's in his favour. He doesn't move his hands, not just yet.]

...okay, it's probably never gonna go anywhere, 'cause things are already awkward enough... I just wanted to. I dunno. ...Be honest with you, I guess.

[asphodels]

You don’t know that until you try, though, do you?

[ Her uncertainty is nothing in the face of her optimism. ]

If it could make you happy then you should at least ask everyone involved. That’s what you told me, isn’t it?

[wingenvy]

[Ask everyone involved...

...yeah, that's true. He did kind of demand that of her, so to hold himself to a different standard about honesty isn't really fair either.

Ugh... still, though...]

Cloud's never gonna go for it.

[asphodels]

[ Oh.

Oh.

The realisation settles around her and Aerith smiles, leaning forward. ]

I wouldn't be so sure.

[wingenvy]

[....

Zack slides one of his fingers aside to look at her with one eye.]

Why would you think that?

[and why don't you sound very surprised...]

[asphodels]

[ She just beams at him. ]

I know Cloud just as well as you do, remember?

[wingenvy]

...Um. Well. Yeah, but...

[That just means she knows he likes her, surely.]

I get like... conflicting messages? All hot-and-cold.

[asphodels]

It's Cloud. Do you think he's going to admit what he wants?

[ She shakes her head, leaning over Zack and pressing a kiss to his nose. ]

Trust me.

[wingenvy]

[Zack wiggles his nose, the sensation not unpleasant, but he's not sure he's ready to be fully reassured.]

That's not it, though. I don't think he's into the idea.

[It's not exactly manly, if the stigma's to be believed. And not that he does but this is all new to him, and the impression he's gotten from Cloud is girls-only.]

[asphodels]

Maybe not completely. But do you think he's really thought about it?

[ Aerith hums, shifting to lay down beside Zack, within reach, staring up. ]

I wonder if he's even considered it a possibility.

[wingenvy]

[He just instinctively cuddles closer to her, sides pressed against each other, because that's how you do.]

Well, yeah, he probably hasn't even thought about it.

[He knows he's a handsome and very smart and capable fella but they're still figuring out how to be friends again, nevermind anything deeper.]

[asphodels]

[ There's no hesitation; she settles against him and draws him close, as loving as she can manage. ]

Then we just need to give him time to think about it.

[wingenvy]

[wh- SHIT NO NO ABORT ABORT NO THANK YOU]

You can't tell him. Aerith, no way, you can't tell anybody about this!

[asphodels]

I didn't say I was going to tell him!

[ She gives him a look. ]

I'm saying we should spend more time together! All three of us! Let Cloud see that it's okay!

[wingenvy]

[oh.

.......oh, okay.]

Like... more dates with everybody included?

[actually that's... a really good idea.]

[asphodels]

Exactly.

[ She huffs, turning her head away. You're lucky you're cute, Zack Fair, jumping to assumptions. ]

I can arrange one for all of us.

[wingenvy]

[He edges closes, winding his arm around her. Don't be mad, babe, he's just freaked out about all of this.]

I guess there's no harm in doing it... do you mind?

[He doesn't wanna cramp on her enjoying the one-on-one just so the boys can bond.]

[asphodels]

[ She relents, of course she does, shifting closer. ]

Why would I mind?

[wingenvy]

....I legit have no answer to that one.

[He knew what she'd say even as he asked it. Trying to help her avoid getting stuck in the middle of it, maybe? She's already, quite literally there.]