𝑨𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑻𝑯‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.

❝ … maybe we should grab something to eat first. cleansing sins sounds like hard work. you should keep up your strength, nicholas. ❞

she turned again, skipping ahead down the alley toward the glow of wall market’s signs.

❝ buuuut…❞ she called over her shoulder, ❝ if you’re in no rush…❞

she slowed, turning fully to face him, walking backward again.

a sly little smile.

❝ and i’ll leave the reward up to your imagination. it’s more fun that way. ❞

she flashed him a grin.

❝ for being my bodyguard, obviously. i can’t just drag you into helicopter chases and gunfights without giving you something in return. ❞

❝ of course i said ‘shit’! what of it? ❞
her hands flew to her hips as she walked backward in front of him again.
❝ i told you, i’m not a princess! ❞

she dashed halfway down the alley, then turned around to face him, hands on her hips.

❝ so come on! ❞ she called as she backed up a few steps more so he had to follow. ❝ let’s get this shit done! because the faster we get your mission done-❞

a grin.

❝ the sooner you get your reward.~ ❞

she lifted her head again with a forced smile.

❝ but you’re my bodyguard for the day, aren’t you? ❞ she chirped. ❝ and that counts for something! ❞

she went still. way too still for someone like her. her eyes dropped to her boots until her expression was hidden in shadow.

❝ i know, ❞ she whispered.

❝ besiiiides, ❞ she sang and poked his arm again, ❝ i have a bodyguard now. i think i’ll be alright. ❞

❝ big deal or not, ❞ she murmured as she dropped back to her heels, ❝ i’m still here, aren’t i? ❞

she pushed off the wall and smoothed down her skirt. she smiled at him. practiced. but… there was a wobble at the edges.

before he could even finish the word “deal,” she pressed a single finger right to his lips.

❝ shhh! ❞ she whispered. ❝ jeeeeez, nicholas- don’t get so worked up! ❞

she slowly slid her finger away.

❝ shinra thinks i can lead them to the promised land, ❞ she added with a small roll of her eyes. ❝ they’ve… kind of had an eye on me since i was little. nothing new. ❞

she lifted a hand and tapped a finger against his chest.

❝ so don’t worry about it, alright? really. it’s no big deal. ❞

her gaze flickered away from him.

❝ and… well, i’m the last one. ❞

she said it casually.

right. he wasn’t joking. with a breath, she relented.

❝ the cetra… the ancients… they were here long before humans. they could hear the planet… speak to it… guide it. caretakers, i guess. healers. ❞

she shrugged.

❝ but… i don’t know much. most of the history is lost. ❞

aerith was almost a bit startled when he swept an arm around her and guided her into the alley. not frightened, just… taken aback.
he was so suddenly close. her back met the wall, and she blinked up at him.

❝ nicholas, i-❞

she just… looked at him. like she was deciding whether he was someone she could let in.

she made her choice.

❝ nicholas… do you know anything about the ancients? or… the cetra? ❞

aerith slowed until her steps softened to nothing. she wanted to ask more questions about the punisher. but his low voice caught her off guard.

verdant gaze lifted to his, meeting the shadowed gaze behind those sunglasses.

// i’ll think about it

// bro????

❝ for example- your gun! ❞ she leaned in. ❝ where did that even 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 from? did you make it? is it a priest thing? a 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘴 thing? or is that classified? ❞

a giggle as she stepped around him. her fingers brushed his sleeve on the way.

❝ like i said… you’ve got way more interesting secrets than i do. ❞

she twirled, and was now walking beside him toward wall market’s main street.

she recovered quickly, and lifted her chin up with a grin to mirror his.

❝ and yes, ❞ she said, poking his chest, ❝ i’m absolutely holding you to our deal. if you want more secrets, you’re gonna have to spill the beans first. ❞

aerith almost walked straight into him! she skidded to a stop. her emerald eyes widened.

when he grinned, warmth bloomed across her cheeks. she instinctively reached up to tuck a loose bit of hair behind her ear.

❝ g–grand reveal? oh, nicholas… that wasn’t even the 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 part. ❞

a man in a yellow jacket holds a red first aid kit next to scream ALT: a man in a yellow jacket holds a red first aid kit next to scream

flora

when u gotta play dbd with the homies

the moment almost lingered, but in typical aerith fashion, she broke it with a sudden, playful spin and faced him again.

❝ buuut, since you’re so curious! if you wanna figure out the whole story… you’ve gotta spill another secret first. rules are rules, mister priest.~ ❞

❝ i don’t know what it is. but just having it… is enough. you know? it makes me feel closer to her. like she’s still with me. ❞

she grinned, then turned on her heel, walking ahead of him again.

❝ but, ❞ her voice softened, ❝ i appreciate it. really. and i will keep it hidden. promise. ❞

she brushed her fingers against her ribbon.

aerith caught the way his eyes scanned the area and didn’t relax until he was absolutely sure no one else had seen her materia. she tilted her head and stepped a little closer to him.

❝ are you… worried about me or something, nicholas? ❞ she teased.

Pondering Pondering My Orb GIF ALT: Pondering Pondering My Orb GIF

flora

aerith said

“i showed u my orb please respond”

❝ this materia… looks special, right? really important?” she gave a sheepish smile. ❝ it actually… doesn’t do anything. not a single thing. at least… not that i know of. ❞

she placed it gently back into her ribbon.

❝ but i keep it anyway. it was a gift… from my mother. ❞