asphodels | df inbox

Hmm...

[ She taps her chin, pretending to think about it. ]

Pancake day?

[...Aerith... why...]

Is that the most important thing that comes to mind?

Nope. But you're so easy, Zack.

[ She leans up to kiss him again, because of course she knows what day it is. She never forgot it. ]

[Ooh, she played him good. He just grins, though, his pout melting away at her kiss.]

So do you want anniversary pancakes, then?

[ You're very cute like this, Mr. Zack. ]

I don't mind what we have. I'm glad to spend it with you.

That's such a cheating answer. I'm asking what you wanna do today! I think we should celebrate properly.

[Even if there's some weird shit going on down on the planet, it doesn't mean they can't enjoy themselves for at least one day.]

Do I get to spend the whole day with you?

[ She'll need to check in with Cloud too, of course, but today is a special day for her and Zack. They've waited long enough for this moment. ]

You absolutely do, if you so desire.

[He sure as hell wouldn't say no to hogging her company.]

Or did you want to invite Cloud, too?

It's not just my day, you know.

[ But she hasn't stopped smiling. ]

Not today. I... I think I want today just to be ours. Is that bad?

Hey, you know me. It's never a waste of time when I'm with you! We used to get stuck with such short visits before, so it's awesome that I get to spend a whole day with you here.

[stupid Shinra and their stupid missions, dragging him off at inopportune moments. And then when he finally got a vacation, they'd sent him off to a whole other continent...]

I don't think it's bad. You've had days with just Cloud, yeah? I doubt he'd mind.

It's much better, isn't it? I always wanted to try and do as much as we could in the short time together, but I wanted it to be special, too...

[ And after he left she had spent much of her time writing him letters that he didn't really get to read. ]

I'll say good morning to him and then we can spend our day together.

[He noticed that, actually- he always showed up with nothing but himself, no plan and no ambitions, and it was Aerith more often than not who came up with something to do. He's never been very good at planning ahead- he's better at on-the-fly, going with the flow. No amount of scolding from his betters had trained that out of him.]

Sounds like a plan! Where do you want to go? To the planet maybe, outside the city? Or maybe the Iskaulit? We could probably come up with fun stuff to do no matter where we end up.

[The planet probably offers a bit more adventure, but he doesn't want to drag Aerith down there if the location bothers her.]

[ It's not as if Aerith minds too much; her life was a little boring when she had been younger, other than dancing around and doing what she could to avoid Shinra and Tseng and everything else. She had her mom and her flowers and the Church, but... Being with Zack was always different, always interesting. ]

We can start with the Iskaulit, maybe? Then we could go down to the planet for dinner.

I like it! Versatile. Hey, ever gone ice skating? I heard there's a rink on the ship, now.

Ice skating? No. [ She tilts her head, thoughtful. ] Should we do that first?

Oooh, we should, then! Everybody should try it at least once.

[Because he's such a goddamn expert, Mr. Tropical Jungle Hometown.]

Then that's our first stop! We can decide what to do after that when we're done, right?

Yeah! Skating is bound to make us feel hungry, anyway. Working out always does!

[At least it does for him.]

[ Aerith just gives him a look. You're cute, honey. ]

Then let's go there right now.

[He knows. He is very cute. With a grin he offers his arm out to her, with the intent of escorting her to the shuttle, arm in arm, like a proper gentleman.]

Ready if you are!

[ One of the cutest, for sure. Aerith beams, taking his arm and beginning to half-drag him towards the shuttles. ]

Let's go!

[He is happy to be dragged. And so they go! The ship isn't too far from the Iskaulit, and while there's a bit of shenanigan action since Zack wasn't exactly sure where the rink is, soon enough they find it. Zack whistles at the sight, stepping over to the edge and peering across the surface.]

Wow, it really is a whole rink... how do you think they keep it frozen?

[oh shit, wait]

Hey, will you be okay? I didn't even think to bring a jacket!

[ Aerith appears more and more excited the closer they get and when they finally make their way over to the rink she's clearly delighted. Her eyes light up and she practically beams. ]

It's amazing! It must be some kind of materia, right?

[ But, ah, she shakes her head. ]

I'll be fine. I've been to places as cold as this in my normal clothes.

You- oh, right, you guys went up north, didn't you? Heh, look at you, all tough cookie.

[He steps back over to her to playfully poke her bicep.]

Next thing I know you'll be carrying us to bed or something!

I grew up there, too.

[ Brr. It was cold. For now, though, she just grins and flexes. ]

I'm very strong now, Zack. Cloud believed that SOLDIER wanted to recruit me!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject