Merry Solstice. Jack&Aerith thread.
The sound of the winter winds howling outside the safety of a home could be unsettling for some, perhaps frightening for others. She didn't see them this way. The sound of wind whirling through the trees and beating against the windows was rather comfortable, actually. In the wind, she could hear Jack. She could just hear his hoots and hums, and exhilarated calls out to the sky and the moon. The wind carried his voice for miles, and when it picked up, she could just hear him saying, "Honey," in that playful, sarcastic voice of his, "I'm hoo-oome!"
December 20th, 2012. The day before the Solstice. The day before the supposed 'end of the world' that Jack sincerely loathed. This day in particular wasn't special in any way, but somehow it felt special. She hadn't really seen Jack since.. Since 'then.' It really hadn't been that long ago, but it felt like ages. She tried not to be pushy, since she knew how much fun he was having, despite all the work he was doing. Course, if you love what you do, you don't work a day in your life. Jack was the example that proved the rule. Plus, she was doing a lot too, in more southern countries that she constantly had to make sure Jack didn't accidentally overwhelm with a freak storm.
Winter Storm Draco? Yeah, that was a result of Aerith telling him little-to-no snow in any of the states that made up the bottom of America. He just kind of took it out on the rest of them. And Canada, of course.
But now, he was one day away from the Solstice, and - as a direct result of Aerith having a couple separation issues - he deserved a 'little break' for the 'big day.'
She mostly just wanted to give him his presents before everyone else. And, you know, whatever else girlfriends want from their boyfriends when they're in a ridiculously good mood. ( And no, that does not mean money. )
"Oh!" She jumped as a window burst open behind her, just as she sealed the last colorful box. Whirling around to hide it with her body, Aerith saw Jack tumble inside just in the nick of time. "Oh." She relaxed - how she had been surprised was beyond her, considering - breathing out, as her eyes lit up and her pupils dilated just a little. "Jack!" She giggled, as if she was a child who's daddy just came home from the war, running across the wooden floor and basically throwing herself on him in a big, warm hug. Her arms typically went around his neck, but this time wound around his waist and pulled him in, embracing the cold and the scent and the everything about him.
"Oh, here, don't move!" She pushed away from him, going to pick up a neatly packaged box, with green wrapping paper, silver ribbons, and a silver bow on the top. It took about seven seconds for Aerith to transition from surprised, to overjoyed, to affectionate, to giving. "I know that it's not Christmas, and it's not even the Solstice yet, but I just wanted you to have this right now." She held out the package, eyes as big as saucers, twinkling with excitement. She bit her lip, before saying in a sing-songy voice,
"Merry Solstice, Sugar Cube."
