#zerith fanfition

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

When the Sky Met the Earth

Fandom: Final Fantasy VII

Pairing: Zack Fair x Aerith Gainsborough (Zerith)

Rated: T

Story Summary: Zerith Flower Shop AU. Aerith quietly sells flowers in her tiny shop located in Midgar when the new tall, dark and devastatingly handsome delivery driver catches her eye - and steals her heart in the process.

.....

Setting: Takes place in Midgar but Shinra is merely an energy company so there was never SOLDIER nor Hojo to ruin everything. Yet not all is well because with the pollution still plentiful in Midgar, any plant life within the city struggles to thrive.

Characters: Aerith, hiding her Cetra heritage from the world yet wanting to use her powers for good in some way, opens the only flower shop in Midgar. It became a way to survive and also fill the dreary Midgar and its people's lives with a little bit of color and a touch of happiness. Yet because of what she is, she's still rather shy and hesitant to branch out, and other than her customers, doesn't know much of the world outside of the city.

Zack is a delivery driver from Gongaga. With no SOLDIER or other options available to him, Zack is naturally restless. Never being able to stay still in the stifling quiet of his tiny hometown, Zack was determined to travel by any means necessary. Which he fulfilled by accidentally making a business out of delivering people's special orders of Gongaga's Famous Imports of Mushrooms and various plants all across the world.

...This is the story of how they met.

...........

Damn, he was hot… No! Gorgeous!

That's all Aerith could really focus on regarding the delivery guy stepping into her shop.

Tall, dark and handsome would be all the other adjectives she could also associate with him. The captivating stranger delivering her soil and new batch of potted plants she ordered special from Gongaga stood easily over six feet tall, statuesque and incredibly athletic. Framed with thick broad shoulders and a nice rich tan that showcased a life spent out in the sunshine. Arms lined with impressive sinewy muscles, that would probably feel amazing to be wrapped in, all thick broad angles accentuated by a sleeveless wool turtleneck and loose cargo pants that did wonders for his already incredible figure.

Yet nothing could compare to his gorgeous face.

Sexy dimples framing a bright white smile and the prettiest pair of exquisite blue eyes she had ever seen. All this untamed beauty could only be finished off with the wildest yet adorable thick black hair spiked back to better show off his features with a single stubborn strand of ebony resting against his forehead. Even the cross shaped scar on his jaw merely added to his appeal…

Aerith was already in love and she didn't even know his name.

Yet what better way than to introduce herself first to get it?

...............

Damn, she was pretty… No! Beautiful!

That's all Zack could really focus on towards the florist when walking into her quaint shop.

Standing at least a head shorter than himself and paired with a gorgeous hourglass figure. Petite and lithe in the tapered waist cinched by her white apron but generous in the flared feminine curves of her shapely hips and modest breasts. All curves and softness he wanted to press against himself were hugged perfectly by the flowy pink dress that looked amazing contrasted against flawless milky skin. Hair made of bountiful russet curls flecked with hints of cinnamon in every other strand and held back in a pink bandana and lively ponytail that trailed down past her waist.

She couldn't be more his type if she tried.

Yet somehow she was when he became immediately enthralled in her enchanting face for the first time. Beautiful, dainty and heart shaped framed by two twisted ringlet bangs, accentuated by the cutest little button nose sprinkled with light freckles, softest looking cupid's bow pink lips and the most ethereal pair of green eyes he'd ever seen in his damn life. She was so heavenly, he could have sworn he'd died and was greeted into the gates of paradise by the most beautiful angel ever created by Gaia's hands…

Zack was already in love and he didn't even know her name.

Yet what better way than to introduce himself first to get it?

...................

"Hello, I'm Aerith."

"Heya! I'm Zack."

"…"

"…"

They'd spoken out at the exact same time.

Zack was the first to break the silence with a chuckle and embarrassed smile which Aerith followed shortly after with a breathy giggle behind a dainty hand.

"Heh. Let's try that again, shall we?…" he theatrically cleared his throat before offering her his hand, "Hi there! The name's Zack," the dark-haired man introduced himself. The easy confidence and charisma he exuded his entire life seemed to falter under the attention of the suffocating beauty in front of him. Never had he felt more shy or tongue tied than gazing into meadow green eyes that reminded him so much of the lush green pastures of his hometown nestled right in the irises of this city girl.

Aerith hoped the heat of the day concealed how her cheeks had burned, flushed scarlet under his attentive expression and those astounding sapphire eyes. While Aerith had met countless people from all walks of life in her time running the only flower shop in Midgar, she could easily determine that she had never met anyone like him before. So many people who lived in this city were worn and weary or so enslaved within their own lives and personal bubble, that they barely acknowledged her existence. Yet this man's sunny demeanor and hypnotic gaze that held the beauty of a cloudless sky in his iris never faltered his attention away from her.

"Hello Zack. My name is Aerith." Aerith placed her much smaller hand in his outstretched palm and was instantly struck by the gentleness of his grip, hands so large and warm even through the soft leather of his gloves.

Aerith… A beautiful name for an equally beautiful woman.

Melodic voice caressing his ears like honey and silk and the way she said his name like a breathy exhale? Zack was smitten. The sensation of her pressing her hand into his own, he registered just how petite in every aspect she was yet he felt the deceptive strength in her fingers, the bits of dirt clinging to her fingertips and under her practical short nails. She was fucking perfect. Zack hoped she couldn't hear the way his heart pounded frantically against his sternum.

"Nice to meet you, Aerith," he spoke her name like a benediction and never had she heard her name spoken like something to be treasured. She hoped he'd blame the heat of her shop to be responsible for the ample redness filling her cheeks. Wanting to make a good impression, she gripped his hand firmly, shaking it slightly and her heart skipped a beat at the deepening dimple in his cheek as his smile broadened further.

Realizing he still had a hold of her hand after their elongated greeting, Zack finally came back to his body. Desperately hoping he didn't freak her out or think he was some lecherous creep! The last thing he wanted to do was to offend her.

Feeling cowed at his own behavior and like he finally broke out of some kind of spell, Zack put his hands back on his hips (the place her hand had touched his own still tingled), put his customer service voice back on and asked, "I assume I have the right place. The order form said Gainsborough and I had you down for 10 bags of dark planting soil and some Gongaga bred flowers, correct?"

Aerith curled her hands together over her chest as if in prayer when Zack suddenly pulled back from their handshake (the place his hand was wrapped around her own was pleasantly warm). Finally acknowledging his statement and realizing that he was there for business, she flushed. Hoping he didn't notice how unprofessional and strange her behavior had been thus far, she quickly affirmed, "Yep, Aerith Gainsborough! That's me."

Zack nodded, "Perfect! I'll unload the soil bags last, but right now, I have a few fragile potted plants in the truck bed that should be attended to first. I'll grab those right away, but once I get back in, do ya mind showing me where I should put them?"

Looking away from his bewitching eyes and trying to act more natural (normal was best, right?), Aerith nodded. "Of course."

"Great! Be right back!" he left as quickly as he came and it was like he took all the oxygen in the room with him.

.................

The bell above the door still ringing, Aerith stared at the place he vacated and held back the tingle that echoed along her spine from the comforting warmth he left behind.

Aerith's strange connection to plants and life itself as the last Cetra, a heritage she valiantly hid her entire life, suddenly had rang to life around him unlike anything she'd ever experienced beforehand. It was akin to a burst of pure radiant sunlight through the dark clouds overhead. Like the Planet itself was ringing its approval; as if the echoes of the lifestream itself was pulling his very essence to her and vice versa. Akin to a puzzle piece that slipped in to complete some incomplete part of her soul, when she hadn't even been aware anything had been missing, until he clicked perfectly into place.

Never in her life had she felt such an instant connection to anyone.

Rather isolated her entire life, friendly and approachable certainly, but never letting anyone in too close to see the real her she valiantly sequestered away. The girl that always knew when someone she'd known, even in passing, had died the moment it transpired, the hushed whispers she spoke to the Planet or digging her strangely glowing fingers into dead soil only to watch as new plant-life emerged from their lush new depths.

She was different…Always had been.

A freak, an anomaly - the last of her kind the world forgot ever existed.

Yet even if her mind was warring against her desires to bring this stranger in any closer, her heart wanted nothing more than to find out more about him…and hoping he saw something about her that was worth knowing too.

.......................

As soon as Zack rushed back to his pick-up truck, he took a much needed moment to lean against the vehicle as if all the air had left his lungs in one fell swoop.

The heat of the metal from recent use of the engine not even phasing him; solely focused on calming the frantic pounding of his heart. Never in his damn life had he felt such an instant attraction to anyone. Doing this job and being born a naturally social butterfly, he'd met countless people on his travels, yet absolutely no one on the entire Planet had ever instantly drawn him into their orbit like this girl he barely spoken a dozen words to had. It was akin to a moth to a flame; inevitable. The severe need to be close to her even if it made no logical sense.

Meeting her was like he was seeing colors for the first time or experiencing his first sunrise after a seemingly endless winter.

Zack had always shone too brightly, been a little too friendly and overzealous most of the time due to his excitable nature and never being able to stay still. Yet as many friends he'd acquired over the years traveling Gaia, he felt rather lonely. Traveling to and from the ends of the Planet on business, never finding a true sense of home other than the brief stints he was in Gongaga. While he'd had a few romantic relationships prior, they never lasted long. Every woman he'd either dated or even had a brief fling with had never felt right. The women, while physically beautiful, were shallow and superficial, yet try as he might, he could never connect with any of them on more than a baser level that only went skin deep.

Even in a world filled with people - many he considered friends - he felt so utterly alone sometimes.

Yet the moment he waltzed into the quaint little flower shop ready for merely another boring day at work delivering Gongagan goods - it instead flipped his entire world upside down. And now, all he could see when he blinked was the comforting warmth of her ethereal green eyes, her sweet smile and this inexplicable pull he felt towards her…she felt like coming home in the best way possible.

Feeling chagrined, Zack only hoped he hadn't come on too strong for her tastes. Perhaps he could merely start by getting to know her better…and hoped she felt the same persistent need to connect to him too.

"C'mon, Zack…You can do it," he hyped himself up under his breath. The Gongaga native shifted into a determined stance and gathered the plant he needed from the front seat.

....................

Aerith was keeping her mind occupied with organizing a few stray bits and bobs behind the counter when Zack walked back in the shop. His smile was gentle and bright like a few scattered rays of sunlight that warmed her skin. His presence filling her chest like a fresh breeze on a stifling hot day, the hum of the Planet hovering around him in acceptance and excitement that had her heart skip a beat when his smile grew as his gaze settled into her own.

"Here we are," he announced. His azure gaze flicking down to the potted plant encased in a thick plastic tub and held in steady, gentle hands.

It was only that glance that tore her eyes away from his attractive face. Blushing, Aerith ignored the pounding of her heart to meet him in the center of the store, stopping next to the buckets of freshly cut roses she'd cultivated that morning.

"Ooh, which ones are these?" Aerith asked.

Zack flushed at the warmth she exuded when she closed the distance between them. The way the sunlight was filtering through the windows and catching on the amber and reds scattered in her brunette hair, giving her a halo effect like the angel she appeared to be.

Realizing she asked him a question, he quickly answered, "These are the Gongagan Lilies. It's best to transfer them while they're only sprouts so they can survive the long trips I make. When they're stronger, they can easily be transferred into deeper soil."

Aerith peered down into the tub, her fingers gently resting on its edge and purposefully brushing against his hands still holding it. The tiny green sprouts appeared healthy and full of life, she sensed their presence and knew they had been well taken care of - maybe even a bit spoiled in their previous environment. Feeling their pleased murmurs, Aerith smiled.

Zack flushed at her innocuous touch and the up-curve of her pretty pink lips as she looked down at the plants. Feeling a tad hot under the collar and his perpetual need to fill the sudden silence, he continued, "I, uh, gave them a little water before I left port this morning but it was a long drive here so they probably can go with a bit more soon. And as long as you water them regularly and leave them where they'll get plenty of sunshine, they should grow just fine!"

Lifting her eyes from the plants, she meet Zack's sweet gaze and smile that put the sun to shame. "Thank you so much. I've only seen these particular lilies in books before! I always thought they were absolutely beautiful and wanted the opportunity to grow some myself. I really hope they'll be happy and thrive here."

Feeling brave, Zack gently nudged her hand with his own still clenched around the pot. "Under your green thumb, I'm sure they will! I've delivered a bunch of stuff to Midgar but never flowers before. I've never even known that plants can actually grow here until I seen your shop! You must be one hell of an amazing gardener!"

Aerith flushed under his overwhelming praise, hands finally leaving the gravitational pull of his presence to brush down the small bits of soil on her apron in order to give her hands something to do to abate this endless nervous energy filling her chest.

"Thanks," she muttered sweetly.

Zack swallowed the lump in his throat at her bashful smile. He prayed this instant attraction wasn't one sided and her body was giving him the right cues to tell him she probably was interested but he'd never want to push anything.

Play it cool, Zack, just play it cool…

"You're welcome. So, uh…where did ya want me to put this down?"

The florist jumped at the question, eyes leaving the safety of the toes of her practical brown boots to peer towards a sunny alcove at the back of the shop. "Right over here would be perfect. Follow me!"

Zack did so. Keeping a professional distance, but with her back turned, he did allow his eyes to roam over the swaying of her gorgeous wavy hair and even the gait she walked as if treading on air. She was magnificent. The scent of flowers and plant life was apparent in the shop, but amidst it all, he caught the scent of her hair as she stopped in front of him and fuck, she smelt so damn good. Floral, fresh and full of life was the only description he could give it.

"Here we are!" Aerith announced, bringing Zack back down to Gaia amidst his place lost atop the clouds. Dainty hand was gesturing towards a shelf filled with tubs filled with colorful flowers of various shapes and sizes. Right in the center was just enough room for the new addition.

Aerith watched as he gingerly set the planter down, feeling flush as his body brushed beside her to do so. It was only now that she truly registered how incredibly tall he was. The addicting warmth of his skin combined with the scent of woodsy sandalwood cologne, the freshness of rich dark soil he carried with the slight tinge of clean sweat and motor oil only made him that much more real and alluring.

Biting her lip, Aerith reached for the watering can nearby and while she gently gave the plants the perfect amount of water they required, Zack's eyes never left her.

Hypnotized and lost in the way the sun glistened along her milky skin, the droplets of water that scattered bits of light over her. Yet it was the smile she guided towards the tiny sprouts that took Zack's breath away. A smile so tender and loving curving the edges of her mouth, nurturing and full of care for the smallest of life. And in a world filled with shallow people who could care less, she was like a beacon of pure light in a cold dreary world…

Yet when her curious eyes met his own and she caught him staring at her like a love sick puppy, he panicked.

"I'll uh, let you finish up here. I'll go get the rest of the stuff. Be right back!" he said suddenly, and when he left again, he took all the air away from her lungs this time.

...................

Bags of soil lined neatly in the storage room and the other plants she ordered all scattered in various areas of the shop. Aerith couldn't wait to see all of them in full bloom! All the Gongagan plants she'd researched were gorgeous and to have some in her shop!? it was like a dream come true…but she felt melancholy because she felt like the time with Zack was coming to an abrupt end.

And since she caught him staring at her watering the plants, he'd been almost standoffish.

She wondered if she did something wrong…

"I think that's everything." Zack announced, brushing his hands of any loose dirt after placing the final pouches of bulbs she ordered atop the counter.

Zack pursed his lips, glancing forlornly at her back where she stood in the alcove still peering at the Gongagan Lily sprouts. Every rational thought inside of his head kept telling him he was being strange, that this sudden attraction came from the mere lack of substantial contact with the opposite sex for the past few months…yet his heart told him otherwise. This inexplicable pull he'd felt upon meeting her was getting more insistent and as his time with her was nearing its end, it was now a frantic thump of protest against his sternum.

The florist glanced at him over her shoulder. A smile that was brighter than a summer day in Gongaga etched onto her mouth as she looked at him in a way Zack knew he didn't deserve.

"I can't thank you enough, Zack!" she exclaimed, her voice like a balm, a sweet melody to his aching heart. "When the vendor told me someone actually delivered fresh Gongaga Mushrooms, I didn't believe it… I'm glad I was wrong."

Zack swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat at the naked tenderness in her eyes. She was so beautiful it made his chest positively throb. While Zack wasn't a believer in fate, why did this feel like it? Like he known her his entire life?

"Yeah, me too," the unfiltered words came out of nowhere and he almost slapped a hand over his mouth when her beautiful laugh suddenly filled the air around him in infectious joy.

Zack couldn't help but join her.

Aerith bit down on another giggle about to leave her lips. The last Cetra peered around at her shop and knew she had no right to keep him here any longer than she already had. Hating that feeling as if this moment and this connection she had was coming to an end because of her own stubborn shyness, Aerith forced herself to approach him. She peered up at his questioning expression, smile sweet as she reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a generous wad of gil.

"Thank you so much, Zack! I really appreciate everything," She offered him the bills and while he was normally happy to accept tips, it didn't feel right taking absolutely anything from her…

Instead, he felt the want and need to build her a house with a field full of every flower on Gaia to surround it, only to see how it would make her smile… His heart throbbed painfully in his chest.

Zack's eyes left the green of the offered gil and lifted to meet the much more brilliant verdant shade of her irises.

"No, I can't accept that." he honestly stated with a shake of his head, gently pressing the money back towards her chest.

A conflicted look flashed across her expression as she slipped the gil back into her apron pocket. She huffed cutely with a pursed pout on her already tempting mouth, "You've done so much work and drove so far to deliver these! I need to offer you something!"

Yet all Zack could focus on was the fact that Aerith's smile was like the sun. Meadow green eyes sparkling with life and cheeks flushed a beautiful cherry hue as she gazed back up at him from her modest height. How the actual hell could he walk out of here without even trying? The worst she could say is no, right?

Using every bit of charisma Aerith had seemingly sucked out of him, Zack put his hands on his hips, a wide smile on his face as he looked at her and asked, "...How about one date?" Zack asked, the words seemingly coming from nowhere and yet felt so familiar on his tongue.

As if he'd asked her this same question before…

Aerith's eyes widened but never left his as those four simple words left his mouth. There was a flash of something substantial behind her eyes, as if in recognition or remembrance she clung to with both hands.

Yet before he could focus on that, it was gone, and instead, her smile widened.

For some reason, hearing him simply asking her out, she felt like crying and laughing at the same time. Although she'd never even experienced her first one, she already desired to kiss him until both their lips were swollen. It was so strange, those words, as if he'd asked her this question before, as if this very moment had already happened, that in some other life, she'd already experienced his lips on hers - as if them meeting today was simply meant to be.

The Planet hummed happily in her chest, combined with the warmth in her cheeks and the smile pulling at her lips.

Like something so wonderful had just occurred - like her life was about to change for the better.

And it was all because she met Zack.

So, Aerith smiled and replied, "Yes. I'd love to."

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

The Prodigal Son - Chapter 1

Rated: T

Fandom: Final Fantasy VII

Pairing: Zack x Aerith (Zerith)

Story Summary: Zack Lives AU. Leaving the Golden Saucer behind, the group heads to Zack's hometown of Gongaga. Where, after nearly a decade apart, Zack finally is able to reunite with his parents.

Chapter Summary: On the long drive to Gongaga, Zack confides in Aerith, opening up about his fears regarding visiting his hometown and the upcoming bittersweet reunion with his parents he'd left behind so many years ago.

...........

A03

............

"You've been pretty quiet since we left. Are you feeling alright?" Aerith's voice was soft, soothing against the crook of his neck and shoulder where her head rested. The concern so evident in her voice as she caressed the back of his hand where he inadvertently been grasping restlessly at the fabric of his pants.

Zack quickly looked up from the staring contest he was having with the floorboards at her sudden question. Restlessly peering around at his fellow passengers of the buggy Dio had gifted them to see if they heard her. Other than Red's comforting heartbeat pressing against his shin where the firecat napped at his feet, the rest of the party seemed to be completely oblivious to the conversation Aerith began or were kind enough to ignore it. That, or the engine and the loud sound of tires treading along the uneven dry ground probably did well enough to drown out her softly whispered words.

Cloud definitely would have interjected about Zack's strange behavior but the blonde was too busy driving with the nauseous Yuffie riding shotgun. Sitting across from them were Barret and Tifa, the two talking quietly amongst themselves with the energetic Cait Sith sitting a little too comfortably atop the latter's lap and gesturing around wildly while interjecting into their conversation. The only one who seemed to notice their resident energetic puppy had been downtrodden since they left was his loving girlfriend, Aerith, who had remained glued to his side since the talking robot cat they'd somehow acquired at the Gold Saucer determined their next destination.

Gongaga.

Hearing that they would be there within hours was like taking one of Barret's limit breaks to the sternum.

...Zack wasn't ready...

In his silence, he recalled passing by his hometown only months earlier while he was on the run with a comatose Cloud in tow. If it wasn't for Cissnei's warning, Zack probably would have been captured or outright gotten himself, Cloud and probably his parents killed that night.

Yet in that moment, a part of him so desperately wanted to see his parents regardless of the obvious dangers.

To merely bask in the town he was born. Inhale the thick heady scent of lush vegetation of the jungles, dip his feet into the blissfully cool clear streams. Re-taste their famous mushrooms and all the wonderful dishes his mother made with them that he missed so damn much when he moved to Midgar where, much like the city itself, felt so artificial. In his quiet desperation during that run from ShinRa, Zack wanted to just melt into his mother's gentle hugs or feel his dad's comforting hand on his back - he wanted to feel like a kid again. To finally feel safe after the hell he'd been through even if was for a mere moment.

Zack almost selfishly risked it all that night to simply be back in the place he grew up. Something he didn't realize til now how much he'd taken that peace Gongaga offered for granted.

Yet this time around, he wasn't weak, tired and alone dragging a comatose Cloud and being constantly hunted by Turks and Shinra's grunts. Now he was surrounded by these wonderful friends who eagerly fought at his side and would defend his hometown with their lives if it came to it. Zack wasn't alone anymore, yet now that his wish to finally see Gongaga again was finally coming to fruition - he was terrified for an entirely different reason.

Now that his desperation was diminished, Zack truly processed what going back to his birthplace would mean.

Everything had changed since he ran away from home to join Shinra with all the hopes and naive dreams of a kid wanting to be a hero like Sephiroth. Leaving the comfort of home, his parents, his friends and the community he loved and all he ever known in order to chase some fanciful dream; leaving in the middle of the night with nothing but a handful of gil, some snacks and a few changes of clothes stuffed in his cactuar backpack.

Nothing but the aspirations of a dumb kid who, even though he had ultimately made it to Midgar in one piece and climbed the ranks to SOLDIER 1st Class, it didn't matter in the end. It wasn't until it was too damn late and he was in too fucking deep that he realized the abhorrent corruption and evil agenda of the company he worked for. Ones whose Mako reactors and their never-ending conquest towards destruction and ultimate power had caused so much irreversible damage to the planet they were now scrambling desperately to save.

Whose experiments with SOLDIERS that eventually forced him to kill Angeal, drove a desperate Genesis into deserting and Sephiroth, a man he once called one of his dearest friends, into an absolute madman. Shinra completely destroyed Tifa, Cloud and Barrett's entire towns in a shady cover-up and had all they loved in the world stolen away from their very grasp. The very same company Zack had sworn his allegiance to had ripped away five years of his and Cloud's lives, pickling them in Mako and experimenting on them both as if they were less than human. Experiments all done by the same fucking psychopath Hojo that kept his beautiful girlfriend Aerith in a gilded cage, ruthlessly killed both her parents and kept her under surveillance her entire damn life…

...How fucking stupid could he be to fall for it all in the first place!?

"Zack! Hey! My love, are you okay?" Aerith asked again, her melodic voice breaking him from his depressing spiraling thoughts and memories he wanted so badly to forget.

It was then Zack felt both of her hands tenderly clutching his own were slightly shaking.

Not wanting to upset her anymore than his uncharacteristic silence had been, Zack finally answered, "I'm sorry. Yeah, I - I'm fine. Aer." Turning his hand over to gently intertwine their fingers together in a soft grip to reassure her as well as himself; to slip back into his happy-go-lucky persona that felt more fake every single day that passed by. Zack lifted his eyes to meet her tender emerald gaze and he hated seeing the heart-wrenching concern lacing those perfect doe-like eyes he loved so much.

Zack only wanted to be the source of her happiness, never her grief…but it seemed he was even failing to do that.

Aerith's free hand suddenly lifted to his face, dainty thin fingers brushing away a stray tear that he didn't realize trailed silently down his cheek.

The dark haired Ex-SOLDIER let out a mirthless chuckle at her piercing gaze, "...Well, maybe not," he finally admitted to himself and to her.

His Flower Girl remained silent for a long moment, merely being his rock and foundation much like she was when he lost Angeal. A constant source of comfort and love he felt so undeserving of sometimes. Ever so gently, she cupped his face, the edge of her thumb brushing in a tender sweeping motion over the cross-shaped scar etched into his jaw.

Without even speaking a single word, Zack knew Aerith wouldn't pry. Her touch let him know she was there; that if he wanted to speak, she'd gladly listen. If not, she'd merely comfort him like she was doing now. And as tempting as it was to keep the demons in his head all to himself, Zack knew it was better to let this off his chest now than have a complete emotional breakdown at Gongaga's town gates. Steeling himself, Zack quickly peered around to make sure the others in their party were otherwise occupied before he leaned down to rest his head against her own so the words were hushed breaths between them. Even after traveling all day in the hot sun and being in an acrid desert with only weeds around, Aerith somehow still carried the scent of the lilies in her garden lingering underneath the tang of sweat and dirt clinging to all of them.

For only a moment, Zack allowed himself to merely bask in her warmth, her calming aura that always kept him grounded.

Oh, how he loved her...

Closing his eyes for a moment to get his bearings, he opened them to meet her calm green peering back at him with a patience he'd never be able to understand. "...What if they hate what I've become?" Zack finally muttered softly, his voice shaking in admitting his fear aloud.

"Who? Your parents?" Aerith asked, her feather-light touch calming him more than anything else ever could.

"Yeah."

Aerith bit her lower lip, her eyes never leaving his own as she only pressed closer into his personal space he was always willing to share with her, "That's impossible. I don't see how anyone could hate you - especially your mom and dad! I - I don't understand why you would even be worried about that, Zack."

Zack took a calming breath before replying, "…Did I ever tell you how I left home?"

The Cetra's brows pinched at the question but she merely shook her head 'no', wispy ringlets of dark honey locks tickling his neck caused him to flash her a quick smile. Pressing his forehead against hers until the tips of their noses delicately brushed, he softly admitted, "I ran away from home in the middle of the night - only a week after my 13th birthday."

Zack watched with bated breath as Aerith's pretty green eyes grew wide at his admission. Probably recalling the many times she herself had snuck out of her house to the behest of Elmyra…but Aerith always had come back by morning.

Zack didn't. Worse, it had been ten whole years ago and he hadn't bothered to visit them, only sending the occasional letter.

"My parents gave me everything. I had the best damn childhood any kid could ask for and yet I leave them without warning in the middle of the night. The only thing I left behind for them to find was a note that I was going to join SOLDIER and once I made it to 1st Class, I would write them and tell them all about it." Zack shook his head, the few stubborn bangs that refused to be tamed tangled against Aerith's as she calmly waited for him to continue. "And remember, this was when the Wutai War was going on. A war I fought in. Here I was, their only child, just a fucking kid, barely 13 years old leaving to go fight on a damn battlefield when I had never even left the jungles of Gongaga before."

Aerith's fingers tightened their grasp on his own before he found the strength to continue.

"...Now that I'm here, it's crazy. Like, I know I was young and dumb as hell, but what the fuck was I thinking leaving them like that? How could I do that to them?" Zack breath shuttered in his chest as he slowly retreated from her gentle embrace to sit further back in his seat. The ex-SOLDIER determined to wallow in his own commiseration and feeling so undeserving of Aerith's comforting touch.

Aerith's hand had reluctantly retreated to rest in a loose clasp of prayer against her chest, heart aching as she witnessed the self-deprecation plainly etched in Zack's violet blue eyes.

"I'm a terrible son…" Zack muttered, imagining the grief on behalf of his poor loving parents, "I know now that it was stupid. I can't even imagine what they were thinking going into my bedroom in the morning to find me gone. My poor ma was probably beside herself while my dad likely searched the whole damn town looking for me hoping I chickened out or changed my mind or something..."

The saddened look on Aerith's face soon gave way to thoughtfulness, her eyes gazing up to his own as a sad smile lingered on her pretty pink lips. "It sees like your intentions were pure, though. I mean, hindsight is 20/20, and well, yes, it might have been insensitive to leave them like that - but you had a dream and you went after it. You wanted to become a 1st Class SOLDIER and you did it."

It was hard to disregard the underlying pride in his girlfriend's voice and hell, he'd been proud making SOLDIER as such a young age. Yet as he got older and climbed through the ranks and seen firsthand what all Shina and SOLDIER entailed, how many lives the company he worked for destroyed, the rose-tinted glasses slipped from his face and shattered at his feet. It took years but when he finally saw the truth, it stung like hell. The pride and honor the title once had felt like a cheap, hollow victory as he slipped on the SOLDIER 1st black turtleneck for the first time.

Especially after losing Angeal, the one man who showed him what true SOLDIER honor meant…

'Embrace your dreams, and whatever happens, protect your honor…as SOLDIER!' the same words he echoed from Angeal in the wasteland months ago rang in his head. A fight Zack knew in the depths of his soul he wasn't supposed to survive but somehow did haunted him now…

Zack subconsciously reached over his shoulder to grasp at the Buster Sword's handle, gripping the leather tightly as his vision fell to his lap. "Yeah. I did...But look where it got me."

The burn of tears blurred his vision as he stared at his hands now fisted in his lap. Trembling against the black fabric as he thought of everything his life entailed. Only 23 years old yet he felt like a hundred. He recalled that happy-go-lucky teenager he used to be. Remembered how all he dreamed of was to become a hero and try as he might to deny it - Director Lazard was right about it all along. Being a hero is an impossible dream. One he left Gongaga and his parents behind for…

Not being able to take the kicked-puppy look on his face anymore. Aerith reached for him. Gently grabbed both of her boyfriend's hands that were so much larger than her own and cradled them to rest against her pounding heart.

Zack peered up at her through teary black lashes when she finally spoke, "Is it really so bad?" she asked with a teasing lilt to her sweet voice. "Sure, I wish things went better or happened differently… There's so many times I wished certain things did or didn't happen. There's so much you went through that I would do anything to take that pain away from you." Aerith felt tears welling in her eyes as she lifted his hands to her lips and gently kissed his knuckles, "But if we didn't go through those things, maybe we never would have met. We might not be here now… Together... So, I think in the end, maybe it was worth it."

Zack's eyes left their conjoined hands and lifted to her beautiful heart-shaped face. Green eyes filled with tears yet the sweetest smile gracing her pretty mouth as she stared at him with more love than he could ever deserve. "Aerith…" he breathed her name like a benediction.

"Zack…" she replied just as gently, "I'm so happy we're here, on this journey together - aren't you?"

"Of course I am."

"Good. Than please believe me when I say I'm certain your parents are going to be so happy to see you regardless of what you think of yourself or how you left all those years ago. All that matters is now. And to me, you are the strongest, kindest, most gentle, wonderful and loving man I've ever known - what parent wouldn't be proud to have you as their son?"

Zack pulled closer to her, wrapping his arms around her tiny frame; his head coming to rest against hers once again. "I don't deserve you…"

"Stop saying that," she chastised him with a tiny wagging finger that ended up poking the tip of his nose. "Besides, I for one, can't wait to see where you grew up! I remember you talking about Gongaga all the time. I want to see it all so you better show me everything, mister!" she poked him in the middle of his chest this time.

"I will, I will, don't worry," Zack chuckled, hugging her against him so she could rest her head comfortably against his much more relaxed shoulders. There was still slight trepidation pounding in his chest but as he felt Aerith's comforting weight resting against his side, he knew with her around (as well as Cloud and his friends), he could get through anything.

Aerith was quiet for a long time before she let out a huff and exclaimed, " Besides, I should be the one who's nervous! I'm meeting my boyfriend's parents for the first time for crying out loud! And look at my dress! It's all dirty! Dammit! And my hair is all tangled! Oh my Gaia, I'm so sweaty and gross! I can't meet them like this! We need to -"

Zack outright threw his head back and laughed heartily, ignoring her adorably miffed pout she sent him at the rude interruption. "Aerith, sweetie, you've got absolutely nothing to worry about. You're so beautiful and perfect just the way you are, dirt and all." Zack smiled tenderly at her, brushing a smudge of debris from their last fight that had gotten on her cheek, "And even if my parents are pissed as hell at me, they're absolutely gonna love you. I promise."

Aerith blushed such a pretty pink as she hid her face against his chest. So damn cute… "Really?" she asked, voice muffled in the fabric of his turtleneck.

"Really," Zack smiled down at her before leaning down to press a lingering kiss against her slightly sweaty temple.

Both feeling relieved, the two settled back against the seat as the sound of the buggy lulled on. The dry acrid scenery of the desert passing them by in an gradient of golds and browns with the bright, cloudless blue sky over their heads. Exhaustion from the long day setting in, Aerith soon closed her eyes to rest a bit while Zack looked towards their destination. In the far distance, he saw the tops of familiar palm trees across the river, signifying they would arrive in Gongaga soon...

Squeezing his snoozing girlfriend closer to himself, Zack found himself as ready to face his past as he could be...

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

Gardening

Fandom: Final Fantasy 7

Pairing: Zack Fair x Aerith Gainsborough (zerith)

Rated: T

Story Summary: Zack brings Aerith a priceless gift, and during so, he's also unknowingly fulfilling many more of her tiny little wishes…she'll just have to think up some more. AKA, flowers get planted and a love flourishes…

...

A03

FanFiction.net

....

Today was going to be perfect.

The fresh scent of topsoil, the earth fragrant and fresh with new life begging to be nurtured under her experienced hands. The small seeds in paper packets and blooming bulbs in trays were nearly enough to bring tears of happiness to Aerith's rich green eyes.

Yet the euphoria she was feeling was nothing but a blip to the full force of the sun that was Zackary Fair.

It was amazing! Her SOLDIER came to visit her at her house rather than her church. Nothing new, but today was different! Instead of only being able to stay for an hour or two before being called off to save Midgar from certain doom, Zack was free to spend the entire day with her - the general's orders! Zack had to even show her Sephiroth's text to prove it and there it was in black and white.

...

"r u sure, seph?"

"For the third and last time, yes, Zackary. I am more than capable of handling things at ShrinRa for one day. Now, instead of continuing to inundate me with fruitless texts, go and have a pleasant day with your female companion."

"but seph! what if u need heelp?"

"That's an order, Fair!"

"...k thanks! see u 2maro! =-D"

"Affirmative. My office for briefing at 700 sharp."

"u got it!"

....

…Wow.

While wanting to reprimand Zack for using such terrible language and grammar to communicate with his superior officer, Aerith completely ignored it to focus on the amazing news! Spending the entire day with Zack was such an exceptionally rare treat she was fully determined to cherish; anting to savor every single, last solitary moment with her handsome blue-eyed boyfriend.

Yet among the gift of his own sunny presence (which would have been plenty enough for her), today, Zack came bearing physical gifts.

Unlike other girls, Aerith had never been someone to care for expensive trinkets to showcase affection such as jewellery, new clothes or purses even if Zack could easily afford it with his First Class paycheck. No, Aerith was far simpler; wanting nothing more than to spend time with him - and she always told him so. The most luxurious thing Zack had bought for her thus far was the bright pink ribbon she scarcely removed from her hair and some delightful floral perfume he mixed himself when they went out on their first date.

Yet instead of some fancy baubles or silk clothing peeking out at her from a large brown box he held out to her was something completely unexpected…

…Zack brought her flowers!

While she grew plenty of her own, Zack had brought her something she could have never found here - flowers cultivated outside of Midgar!

Zack had been deployed on so many missions all over Gaia lately, Junon, Costa Del Sol, and Kalm just to name a few. During these times, they would talk on the phone, text or he would simply send photos to her PHS from locations during his travels. In those small photos he sent, Aerith lit up seeing all the native fauna of the place where he happened to be staying and the flower pictures became a tradition between them. Whenever he'd leave on a mission, he left with a goodbye kiss and a promise to send her pictures of flowers that grew there, and for this past year, he had kept that promise.

But as Zack slowly tilted the box to present her with its contents, Aerith was nothing short of stunned.

Inside were multiple packets of seeds and bags of bulbs. All of the white and brown packaging had his adorably messy handwriting on each with the names of flowers he had sent her pictures of throughout the last year. Deciphering his writing, Aerith noticed the names of more common species from Kalm and Junon but among the packets, there were exotic species from Wutai and even from Banora. Oh! And there were sunflower seeds from Rocket Town!

But…wait, was that -

"...Gongaga?" Aerith asked, noticing the word and glancing up at her boyfriend questioningly.

"Heh. Yeah," Zack chuckled and Aerith noticed his right arm twitch as if he wanted to scratch the back of his head if his hands weren't occupied.

"...Wait, you went to visit your parents? You never told me that! How are they? When did you go see them?" the questions flew out of her mouth at an alarming rate.

Zack just smiled softly (he had such a wonderful smile), "I didn't."

At Aerith's befuddled expression, he clarified, "My mom actually sent them. I wrote her a letter about you - I told her my girlfriend loves to garden and grows flowers and well, the next thing I know, she's sending me back a letter with all these questions along with some seeds from the flowers she and my dad have been growing in the backyard since I was a kid." Zack chuckled nervously as if shy from the information and Aerith felt as if her heart was going to jump straight out of her chest.

Blinking, Aerith glanced back down to the box cradled in his hands, all the work of gathering seeds, drying them and labeling them must have taken forever and he never told her what he was doing!

How he listened so intently as she spoke during the time they spent together this past year, asked questions and was so genuinely interested about her hobby when most times, she thought he was simply indulging her. Yet he was learning so he could give this gift to her… Not to mention the bombshell of him writing a letter to his parents and mentioning her! Proudly calling her his girlfriend and even mentioning her hobbies!

A burning sensation grew in the back of her eyes and she felt a tear slip down her cheek.

"Uh…Aer, i-is everything alright?" Zack's voice broke thorough and she looked up at his adorably nervous face.

"...You really wrote a letter to your mom about m-me?"

"Well, yeah! And my dad too I guess. Uh…I-Is that okay? I thought it would be good to mention it since we've been together for over a year and she's been badgering me about telling her about you when I call, so I figured mentioning flowers would be a safe start-" Zack's voice faded as Aerith lifted her hands and gently cupped his sweet face between her palms. Not mindful of the tears that continually slipped down her cheeks, Aerith couldn't help but smile at Zack, a smile so wide, it made her cheeks ache.

…How did she get so lucky to have this beautiful angel literally drop into her life?

"It's more than okay. It's wonderful…You're wonderful…" she whispered, her thumbs brushing over his cheekbones and tenderly caressing the scar on his jaw.

Aerith smiled tenderly as she felt his cheeks heat up under her palms. Zack's looked positively (and adorably) flustered at her comments; for once, she was the one to embarrass him and she relished it.

"Thanks… So are you," Zack replied, nuzzling his cheek against her palm. Such a sweet puppy…

Zack's face was so handsome and kind and eyes pretty and warm that Aerith simply couldn't resist pushing herself up on her tiptoes to kiss him. But before she even get close to closing the gap, her chest bumped right into the cardboard box and Zack yelped as he managed to catch it before it could fall or the seeds could get crushed between them as she regained her balance.

Zack laughed.

Aerith flushed a pink so deep it matched her ribbon.

Probably noticing how Aerith tensed in mortification of her actions, Zack's chuckling died out and he easily broke the tension by suggesting, "Hey, I'm all for kissing later, but how about we plant some of these first?" he nudged her hip softly with the box.

Aerith's face was still reddened but she flashed him a grateful smile. A deep breath later, the green eyed girl straightened her back and easily played along, "Planting new flowers sounds wonderful! But… you'll do exactly as I say this time? Because, Mr. Zackary Fair, if memory serves me right, I remember the last time you helped me try weeding the church…" she placed her hands on her hips and flashed him her best withering stare (it didn't work, he just bit his cheek to withhold laughter).

The longer she stared, Zack's grew sheepish at the memory of that fiasco, his cheeks a bright coral red against his tan skin, "Uh… well, in my defense, all those green stems look the same to me!"

Aerith's withering glare worked this time.

"Oh! O-Of course I'll follow your orders exactly! After all, you're the professional here! Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it!" he announced with determination and a blinding white smile.

"Yay! Just what I love to hear!" she bounced on her toes and clapped, completely breaking character before jumping right back in it with a stern voice, "Alright, First Class SOLDIER, Zack Fair, I order you to plant some flowers and perhaps do some weeding, but make sure to do it correctly this time! Do I make myself clear?"

"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am! Operation Midgar Full of Flowers, Wallet Full of Money shall commence immediately!" Zack stated loudly, finally maneuvered the box under one arm and gave her a full SOLDIER salute with rigid stance and stern expression.

Aerith just giggled into her palms before pushing at his shoulder as Zack yelped when the box nearly went flying out of his arms again.

.....

Scratch that earlier statement - today was definitely perfect.

A few hours later, the couple were knelt in a patch of soft dirt.

The rich brown loam permeating the air and making the normally rank Midgar air sweet and fragrant with the scent of flourishing life. Aerith was barefoot, boots discarded as she dug her toes into the cool grass and merely enjoyed the soft breeze as her fingers raked through the dirt under her palms. The brown soil staining her fingertips and getting under her nails and most likely staining the white and blue dress caught under her knees, but she couldn't care less.

Looking to her left was nothing short of perfection.

The flowers and grass, soil and the promise of new life with every seed planted didn't much matter compared to the man kneeling right next to her. Aerith smiled softy. Her emerald green eyes tracing over Zack's handsome face as he had his complete attention on the soil in front of him. While Zack was known to have the attention span of a puppy on a sugar rush most times, when he put his heart into something, Zack easily gave 110% of focus on that task like he was right now.

Ever so carefully, the SOLDIER listened to her instructions, following her along as she showed him how to plant the seeds he gave her. Till the soil, dig the holes to make sure they were deep enough and far enough apart not to interfere with the seedling next to them. Showed him how much water to give the freshly buried seeds, the perfect amount as to not dehydrate nor to drown. With each step and seed and bulb that he planted, his confidence grew until he was doing it on his own and Aerith couldn't be prouder of her first student!

Heart hammering as she took in Zack's concentrated expression, Aerith took his moment of distraction to complete what she tried earlier - this time with much more success.

Leaning forward on her knees, Aerith gingerly pressed her palms to his broad chest. The incredible firm large pecs under her wandering fingers inflated with Zack's surprised intake of breath as he looked at her in surprise at her forward action. Still retaining her nerve, Aerith grasped at his leather suspender straps, using them for balance as she eagerly pressed her lips against the corner of his plush smiling mouth.

The SOLDIER smiled warmly at her action. Hands wanting nothing to grab at her waist to pull her closer and kiss her properly but with the dirt covering his fingers, he resisted. Instead, he chased her retreating face, brushing his cheek on hers before letting his lips leave feathery strokes along her jaw before planting the softest kiss by her ear.

"What was that for? You trying to distract me?" he whispered and he bit his lip upon feeling her shiver as she nuzzled her face in his neck.

Aerith whole body felt electrified at Zack's question and his warm breath caressing her throat and loose tendrils of hair hanging by her ears. "No. Not really… What if I said I just wanted to?"

"...Oh really?" he asked, pulling back slightly and Aerith mourned the loss of his warmth for only a second as she caught his coy smile."Because if I didn't know better, I think you're just distracting me from gardening…"

"What if I am?" her mouth spoke before her brain even registered it. The words that left her mouth made her flush.

"Hmm... well, if that's the case, I'd say you win," he affirmed with the sexiest smirk she ever saw but before she could respond, Zack's mouth pressed against hers. His head tilting so he could slot his mouth perfectly against hers; the action had her toes curling against the grass as she bit back a rising moan. Aerith's hands grabbed at his raven hair, fingers eagerly cording through soft strands and desperately grasping at him to pull him closer.

Yet all too soon, Zack pulled his mouth away with a sinful pop as Aerith panted frantically, cheeks flushed and confused and a bit miffed that he dared to stop.

"So, since we're almost finished planting the dahlia's, how about we move over this hill and plant the sunflowers near the bridge?" Zack asked all too naturally before flashing her a devious wink.

Aerith was affronted for only a moment before she glared at him, "Nope. I'm in charge, remember?" with little hesitation, Aerith gently pushed aside the remaining seeds and bulbs and pushed Zack onto his back. The SOLDIER easily caving to her hands as she pressed at his shoulders til he rested among the soft grass, the bright green a beautiful contrast to his dark hair. "And I say that you're not allowed to get up until I say so, am I making myself clear, SOLDIER?

"Oh, yes..." he grunted lightly for show as she plopped down on his stomach guard. "Crystal clear, ma'am," he replied biting back a chuckle before she leaned over him and kissed him for all he was worth.

...After all, the seeds could always wait to be planted later…