#devcvec

[sacredflorist]

Continued from x | @devcvec

Aerith is still smiling at him, of course. The Turks are pretty much the only friends she has nowadays, and it has been this way since Zack disappeared. Maybe their goal is still to watch over her and to eventually bring her back to Hojo's lab, but they are always nice to her. They are not bad people at all. That's why she still enjoys their presence.

"But... won't you protect me if monsters show up ? You're my bodyguard, and a very badass one!" she assures, letting a chuckle escape her mouth as she pats his arm. "Please! Just a bit of more walking in the area ? And... I can fight too, you know ? Tseng and Reno let me fight!" That's not true of course, but she still hopes Rude would believe her.

[tsckcyomi-archived]

ok i've moved sleipnir and benedikta over to @devcvec

[sacredflorist]

Continued from x | @devcvec

Aerith knows Zack died. She felt him return to the Lifestream that day. After his mission to Nibelheim, he disappeared. At first she was angry, even thought he ghosted her. But she knows it's not true. No. Something happened. Because when he returned to the Lifestream, she also knew he was trying to get back to her. It was comforting, but also... it made her question everything. She needs answers. She needs closure. No matter how much it hurts.

The Turks are her best hope for that. After Zack disappeared, they were the only friends she had, even if they weren't entirely friends either. But they made her feel less lonely, which was already more than she could have asked for. This time, though, she asked Rude for the truth. Maybe she should have waited for Tseng, but she didn't take the time to think more than that.

And even if she knows Zack was dead... these words coming from Rude's mouth make her heart miss a beat. A punch on her face would have been less painful. And he never got her letters... She doesn't want to cry, but here she is, fighting the tears.

"I already knew he was..." She doesn't finish her sentence, though. She shakes her head, locking her eyes with Rude's. "Where was he ? What happened ? He disappeared for four years... I need to know. Even if it will probably hurt me. I can handle it."

[sacredflorist]

❛  i miss you ... more than words can say.  ❜ from zack-

Emotionally Charged Starters | Accepting | @devcvec

Aerith knows only too well why Elmyra doesn't approve the fact that she has become this close to a SOLDIER. But for the first time, Aerith feels like she could be herself with someone else than her adoptive mother. Everything feels natural when she's with Zack. On the other hand, she's also always scared she might lose him when he lives for a mission. He fights so hard to make this world a better place... He wants to protect everyone, but Aerith hopes he'll never forget to protect himself, too. Elmyra lost her husband to the war, and Aerith isn't sure of how she'd react if she lost Zack, no matter how silly it sounds.

She wishes she could hug him right now, but through the phone, it's not possible at all, of course. She sighs, letting sadness cross her features. She's glad Zack can't see the look on her face right now, but knowing him, he probably knows.

"I miss you, too. I wish you'd be back soon." She understands why he has to leave, but it doesn't make it easy at all. She takes a deep breath and smiles, trying to light up the mood. "I hope things are going well though, mmh ? You're taking care of yourself ?"

[sacredflorist]

Aerith can't help but chuckle. She knew Rude wouldn't believe her. Tseng, Reno and Rude are all very different in term of personality, but their job remains the same, and they're doing it well. They will never let Aerith get hurt and especially not because of them. She still enjoys the moments she spends with them, though. She doesn't feel lonely when they're around.

"Awww... I had to try!" She feints a pout before she offers Rude a playful smile. The Turks may be professional bad guys, but the ones assigned to Aerith always have a hard time saying her a firm no. Maybe that's also why she considers them as friends. They're around to watch over her, but they show her kindness somehow, too. They make her smile and laugh.

She puts her hands together and claps happily at Rude's next words. "I knew you'd say yes! Thank you!" She wraps an arm around one of his and smiles happily at him. "You know what, Rude ? You're the best!" She then chuckles again and lets go of him before she starts walking quickly. You're the best. She won't pretend she never said this to Tseng or Reno either, though. Just a small detail.

Lips pull into a thin line while Rude listens to the way Aerith attempts to butter him up. Successfully so, that is. Which man does not like having his ego stroked, after all? Yet gratification wars with duty, and the Turk remains stone-faced.

" ━ I rather doubt that." As much as Rude dislikes dealing with reports, he meticulously reads each and every one of them that may be of concern. And although Reno isn't quite as committed to the bureaucratic side of their job, he surely would have never missed telling his partner about Aerith fighting. And Tseng, well... Tseng wouldn't allow it, plain and simple. The Ancient must not be harmed, after all.

For a moment longer, Rude but stares at the young woman before a heavy exhale leaves him. They're already here so just a bit longer will change very little, and as she said… Rude is her bodyguard, in a way. "...But fine. A bit more walking, and that is all." He better not let anyone know that Aerith so easily wraps him around her little finger. "Lead the way."