aflowers | 𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓉 ❀

Try thinking outside of the box~

Well, we're going to have to raise some to at least get started. Figure you could have a real flower shop there, once it's done. People came there for healing, for your kind words, ... maybe you're the priest after all.

I.

Okay.

Let's start with money, then. We can raise some? It shouldn't be hard... right?

But that won't be your reward. That wouldn't be fair!

What would be "fair"? It's what I want?

It would make you smile.

So your payment for fixing the church is making me smile?

Is that wrong?

If it's what you want, no.

Though I do have more to offer than a smile, Cloud!

A kiss?

For starters~

Would it be acceptable?

For starters?

Yes. What is after "starters"?

A more appropriate reward, if you want it~
And don't you dare say money!

You're gonna make me guess?

Wouldn't you be disappointed in me if I didn't?

No. I expect you to leave me in the dark about these things.

A nice hot meal?

Sometimes guessing games are more fun.

[ She laughs. Is he serious?! ]

...Sure. A nice hot meal sounds good, Cloud~

Doesn't sound like that was the answer though.. Can't you give me a hint?

A hint? OK~

Remember what I said? If it's with you, anything is okay.

This is dangerous..

( He knows what he wants, but he's not about to guess that - especially suggest that it should be on the table for doing her favors. He would rather they both be up for that sort of thing without any obligations. )

You don't owe me anything, Aerith. I mean, you know what I mean? ...

[ It takes a few moments, but Aerith realizes quite suddenly how it sounds. ]

I know that I don't owe you anything, Cloud. I know what you mean.

I'm not saying this out of a feeling of... obligation or anything, you know? I'm saying it because it's something I would want.

I want it to.

I want to make you feel good.. because I want to. You'd let me?

I want that too. I'd let you.

Not as part of any deal, but because I want to let you.

Good.

You want to guess what I want?

Could it possibly be to come over?

Or am I getting ahead of myself?

I'll unlock the door.

[ It's strange, how four simple words can hold so much promise, can make her nervous in a way she hasn't felt for a very long time. The silly giddiness of the drink, inspiring talk of weddings and priests and pancakes, is still in her system, but the enormity of the words exchanged through text, between rooms, has done a lot to sober her. The bottle stays on the desk in her room, next to the draped fabric of her red jacket and the ribbon and ties that usually hold the curls and waves of brown that fall instead down her back and the sides of her face.

It's past two in the morning, and they're asleep, or they should be. Instead, Aerith is exiting her room in the inn, the door closing with a soft click behind her.

The steps between her room and his seem almost impossibly big even as she creeps across them, the wooden floors cool under her bare feet. That restlessness is there her steps, despite the easy way she flirts and teases, four simple words that make her stomach twist with as much excitement as they do nervousness. It's not like she's ever hid her attraction from him, all easy smiles and playful words from the moment they ran into each other on the street, from the moment he crashed through the roof of the church with only the flowers to break his fall. Flirting is easy, teasing is easy, and when it comes down to it giving herself over to him is easy too, only there's still that inclination to knock on a door she knows is unlocked, to show some small modicum of decorum that hasn't even been asked of her.

She doesn't, despite the temptation; her fingers curl but release a second after, finding purchase on the doorknob instead, twisting and opening, and for a moment she just stands there in the doorway, all green eyes and pink dress and loose hair and a smile that hints at the shyness. ]

Hi.

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atoysoldier - 2020-09-15 02:09 (UTC) - Expand

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aflowers - 2020-10-01 17:15 (UTC) - Expand