I'm here again

[colorofthesky]

Who: Zack Fair & Sephiroth
Where: The beach, in the evening.
When: After this conversation.
Rating: ...PG?
Summary: After losing two friends in less than a week, Zack feels like reaching out to the one friend from Gaia he may never see again outside Wonderland.
The Story:

[ This week has been the hardest he's had to endure since arriving in Wonderland.

The loss of Aerith took him by complete surprise. They'd talked about it once, of course, when he first arrived, but after living and being with her so much, her disappearance hit him that much harder. To lose Kunsel so quickly afterwards pushed him into a state of numb disbelief, and to some extent, he still feels that way. It's only because of Cloud and Angeal that he's doing a little better than he was; their mother-chocoboing has helped a great deal, and he appreciates it more than words can fully express. It makes him want to spend more time with them, to cherish the time that they do have.

It's why he's out here tonight, a little fire burning bright a little ways off from the ocean.

Though he doesn't want to lose any of his friends from home, Zack knows, without a doubt, that he'll see them once again. Angeal met him when it was his time to join the Lifestream. Cloud, he's encouraged as a ghost, and he knows they'll be together one day, too. Aerith, he knows, is waiting for him, and Kunsel he'll see again too.

There's only one person in Wonderland from Gaia that he may never see again.

He brought a cooler with a few beers and a large towel for himself to lay on. It's nothing fancy, and honestly, it's not meant to be. He just wants to spend some time with his friend. ]

Comments

[soldierfirst]

[If Sephiroth was the kind of man prone to such gestures as the rolling of his eyes, he would be indulging in such action. He does however give the impression of it without actually doing so— talent indeed, one borne of too many meetings with certain of ShinRa's higher-ups.

He's still looking away, focused on the ebb and surge of gentle waves lapping the shore. But one hand does raise to tuck his hair behind his ear, opening his profile up to Zack. It's a quiet acceptance of the other man's presence, a sign that his words will not be dismissed immediately.]

Things here are... different.

[It is not entirely a bad thing, just as it is not entirely good.]

[colorofthesky]

[ Zack doesn't say anything about that not!eyeroll -- he's known Sephiroth long enough to read the signs, but he's satisfied that the other is at least considering what he said.

He makes a soft noise, rather like a hum. Thoughtful. ]

I know.

[ Not good, not bad -- just different. This place will never be like Gaia, but that's not what he really expects. What any of them should expect, really.

No perfect place exists, and there's one thing this world provides that they wouldn't have had at home.

He rolls onto his back again and stares up at the sky. ]

We have time.

[ Maybe not as much as they might wish or hope for, but some time is better than none at all. ]

[soldierfirst]

Some, at least.

[Aerith's departure is nothing if not a poignant reminder that the time Wonderland gives them can be fleeting indeed. Sephiroth had not even known her that well— she was more acquaintance to him than anything else— but she had been important to Zack, and he had disliked seeing his lieutenant so depressed by her leaving. Zack is right; the time they are given is not something that should be wasted.

It is just not in Sephiroth's nature to trust easily, or forgive readily.]

But you did not extend an invitation purely to dissect my personal relationships, did you?

[colorofthesky]

[ A small breath of laughter escapes through his nose. Whether it's in jest or not, the question tickles his sense of humor. ]

Nah.

[ He flops over on his back again and smiles. ]

I just wanted to do it.

[ They never had the chance to really "hang out" much during their time with ShinRa, and he's really been wanting to share something with his friend. ]

[soldierfirst]

[Sephiroth looks over at Zack as the younger man flops down, a faint suggestion of a smile creasing his lips. One shared evening certainly doesn't erase the pain of recent events and recent truths, but it does ease things at least a little bit.]

I suppose I should then consider myself lucky to be your target.

[This statement does contain a hint of a jest, moreso than had his previous. Sephiroth eventually leans over and snags Zack's cooler, pulling out two drinks and handing one to his companion.]