driftfleet | Off-Season Kickback Time? Seems Legit.

[Huhwha. He lifts his head, sleepily dragging the towel halfway off his hair. He knows the v-

--oh!!

It's like she summoned his happiness; immediately a big grin splits his cheeks and he strides right over.]

Hey babe! Surprise visit?

[Apparently forgetting his state of undress, he bends down to kiss that blush off her face. She's so cute, ugh.]

[ Oh!! That is a boyfriend coming and kissing her cheek without a shirt on. She's half-neon now, but she's also trying very hard not to look at his chest for a multitude of reasons - not limited to both his nakedness and the scarring that decorates him.

That's for another time, she thinks, and she leans up to kiss his jaw gently. ]

Not quite.

[ It's much easier to focus on Zack's face. Intentionally hard. ]

I live here now.

[It takes a second for those words to sink in, and as soon as it does he laughs, light and gleeful. He wrapps an arm around her and swings her about, giving her another kiss for posterity.

Sorry, you wanted to focus on his face?]

You did it!! That's awesome! We get to see you every day!!

[ There's no way for her to stop herself from laughing, and her arms wrap around Zack as she holds on to him. His joy and happiness is infectious and it always, always has her smiling, especially now when she shares that joy. Careful, she leans up and gives him a kiss in return, humming gently.

He's so happy... She knows she made the right choice. ]

You saw me every day anyway. [ It's a point that had to be made, but she's smiling all the same. ] But I'm here for good.

Well, yeah, but now I get to see you more!

[he's excited!!! Angeal could call him a puppy right here and now and he wouldn't care. they're all together now, in one place, just a room or two away. nothing could make him happier at this point.

he sets her back down post-spin, and it's only then that he realizes- oh, shit, he's in a towel, shirtless, pantsless, and now said towel is barely hanging on to his hips. hastily his hands drop to keep it up, and the pink on her cheeks has transferred to his own.]

Uh... so, wanna have breakfast together? Wait- lunch? What time is it? I need pants.

You're going to get bored of me!

[ It's a tease, though, because she knows that the two of them - three of them - are never really going to get bored of one another. This is a dream come true in so many different ways, and Aerith wants to embrace it as quickly and as best as she can.

Twenty three wishes rolled into one. It makes her heart hurt.

Glancing away, she hums absently, her hands crossed behind her back as she deliberately stops paying attention to Zack and what's going on. ]

Go and get changed and I'll cook something, okay? That's my job. Meet me in the kitchen!

[Bless her for being chill about it. He grins, cheeks still pink, and blows her a kiss before heading for his room.]

You're the best! I'll meet you there in a minute.

[He's even gonna get dressed in the nice new casual outfit he pilfered from one of the stations with Cloud before they got to the planet. It's almost like dressing up!]

[ That's Zack - and it's one of the many reasons she loves him, even as she laughs and shoos him off. ]

Be quick!

[ And she makes her way down to the kitchen to start to try and make him something nice for breakfast. She should make something for Cloud, too, whenever he wakes up, and she hums over it before she gets started. It dawns on her that she's not entirely sure what Zack would like to eat for breakfast, but with limited supplies on the ships neither of them can be too picky, and she's on her way to making something when he comes back in to join her. ]

[he's quick! so quick! and it's definitely his eagerness showing; it's such an extra joy to have her here, and he doesn't even care that he's already seen her all the time, between her visiting and his own.

in a matter of minutes he seeks her out in the kitchen, trying to sneak up behind her and wind an arm around her waist while she's fussing around with ingredients, kissing the side of her neck.]

Gooooood morning!

[it's like 2PM but whatever.]

[ It is quick, and Aerith blames his super SOLDIER abilities for it - but she's not complaining. It means he gets back to her faster, and she can lean back into his body and tilt her head, a smile on her face. She's happy, and she knows she waited a while to come over but she had to be sure and certain.

Zack is real and he's comfortable and he doesn't let go, and it means the world to her. ]

It's afternoon, Zack.

[ She turns in his arms, leaning up to steal a kiss. ]

[is it still stealing when it's freely given in return? well, whatever, he's more than happy to kiss her back, hands resting comfortably on her waist. when he pulls back he keeps his face close, nose bumping hers, his eyes bright.]

Good afternoon, then! What's cooking, can I help?

[ It's incredibly domestic and Aerith realises it's not something they were ever able to do before. With Cloud and the others there was camping and sleeping in inns, but with Zack... She shifts, putting her things down to turn in his arms, leaning up to squeeze him gently. ]

Mm. You could set the table?

I could do that.

[but that means he'd have to let go... which he does, very reluctantly, after one last kiss.]

If you need help finding anything, I... think I know where everything is? I haven't cooked up a storm in here or anything, but I checked the place out, at least.

[ The kisses are a very good arrangement, and it's hard for her to give them up too. All the same... ]

I need to have a look around. It's different from the other ship.

[ She hums, thoughtful. ]

We need to make sure we get some nice things to store from the planet, right?

Yeah, hopefully the next place we end up is nicer than the last two. It'd be great to stock up! Go hunting, shop around, maybe visit another beach...

[he starts futzing about with the cutlery and plates, kind of informal (he's a mess-hall fella) but functional, anyway.]

I'd like to go to the beach again.

[ She remembers going to Costa del Sol, and it had been lovely for the short amount of time they'd been there, and the one before... ]

We could have another picnic.

Maybe I could try to treat you this time!

[....which is questionable at best, granted, because his food isn't exactly gourmet... but he would like to treat her sometimes instead of just her making food at the time. Cook or not, she deserves to be pampered.]

You don't have to treat me! I just want to be with you.

[ She manages to make something that smells decent enough, and she takes it over to the table. It seems so wildly domestic that her heart rushes in her chest, and she leans close, tilting her head to kiss Zack quickly. ]

[Never getting tired of that. He leans into her kiss with a beaming smile, then plops himself down and leans in to take a sniff. It smells like, well, rations, but there's a nice mix of different flavours and spices that make it more appealing than it has any right to be. It could be Aerith's skill, or just the placebo effect of being with her. Does he care? No sir!]

I don't have to do anything. But I want to! I wanna spoil you and make you happy. It's kind of important, y'know!

["kind of".]

[ Aerith is determined to collect as many things that will keep for a few months the next time they dock so that she has some nice things to prepare for her crew - rations work well enough, but they're not good. There should be something good on the ship, more than being tangled up with her boys and basking in the happiness of being alive... Not that that isn't wonderful in its own right. ]

I'm always happy when I'm with you, Zack.

Aerith, babe, I love you, but sometimes your selflessness is exhausting.

[is there such a thing as nonchalant, affectionate exasperation? Because he's feeling it now. STOP BEING SO ACCOMMODATING]

Remember how we talked about this? You're allowed to want more!

[ She just gives him a look. ]

I ask for the things I want! It doesn't mean I need to be spoiled. I want you to know that being with you is enough for me, okay?

[oooh, scary. he looks unruffled, stuffing a bit of whatever she cooked in his mouth.]

I see, I see. She's resistant. I'll just have to take the stealthy approach.

[ She scoffs, leaning over to poke his cheek. ]

I'll be watching.

[he puffs his cheeks out as if to resist the poke.]

Shouldn't pampering be part of the tiny wishlist? Since it means I have to be around you to do it.

Hmm...

[ Considering, she tilts her head, tapping her cheek. ]

Do I get to pamper you?

I think you already do that plenty. But if that's your condition, then I won't fight it.

Then we can agree. [ Aerith smiles, and leans over, kissing his cheek. It feels so domestic, so sweet, and she just... Feels warm. ]

Off-Season Kickback Time? Seems Legit.

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