(no subject)

[leatherandmogs.livejournal.com]

Characters: Zack and Lulu
Progress: Complete
Summary: Zack and Lulu go on a daytrip to see the sunlight.
Location: Treno and just outside the darkness.
Date: June, 1803
Warnings: Zack's perving on Lulu's chest and... awkward alert at the end.


Lulu stirred in the bed that had once been Tifa's. Her stomach was aching and her back hurt but she was used to it by now. Her hair had been entirely untied, leaving a long, dark brown, almost black mane that reached her knees when she was stood. She was dressed in a night gown she'd bought. It was white, which wasn't her taste, but it was all she could get for now. Shifting awkwardly, she groaned slightly. She'd taken to sleeping slightly propped up with pillows as it eased her back but today seemed to prove that rule wrong. Setting her gaze on Zack as she rested her hands on her stomach, Lulu smiled slightly. "Good morning."

Zack turned and smiled, as he always did when he saw Lulu since being beaned with that rock, and stood. "Morning Lulu, how're you feeling?" his eyes swept over her, and though his cheeks coloured a bit, he didn't let his eyes linger on anything but -her- eyes. Sure, she was attractive, and with her hair down.. very fetching, but he didn't quite think it was alright to let such thoughts fester. "Can I help you with anything?"

She watched him silently for a few moments before smiling a little more. She was definitely quite fond of him and had been definitely lucky she'd been found by him and not a crazy person. Sure he was a few years younger than him but she was getting more and more comfortable with him. "You can help me get up...?" She pushed away the blankets, flicking her hair over her shoulder and lifting the strap on her dress back to her shoulder before shuffling to the edge of the bed awkwardly.

Don't stare, don't stare don't.. okay, he stared. Still, he wasn't uncouth about it, and the look in his eyes was one of affectionate admiration. Lulu, to him, was incredible. She was brave, being all alone without the father of her child close, handling all this with nary a batted eye. Just one of many things that made her attractive in his eyes. Clearing his throat, Zack nodded, and knelt near her, slipping his hands beneath her legs and back. Without much strain, Zack gently turned her as he lifted Lulu, setting her slowly on her feet, keeping one hand on her back as he released here, "There ya go.. How's the back today?"

She wiggled her toes against the floor, steadying herself with both hands on her stomach. "Sore... but no more than I'm quite used to now." She smiled softly before turning to head into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She was gone for around ten minutes before emerging with a calm expression. The same generally serene expression she always wore. Of course she was scared about raising the baby without Wakka, but she wouldn't admit that ever.

If she ever did mention it, Zack was liable to offer his help in that, too. The truth was, Lulu rarely expressed any real need to have him around, though she seemed friendly towards him.. When she got back, he'd put his sword on his back, and had been doing squats, limbering up for the day. "Mmh, breakfast, then?" he grinned boyishly to her, "My treat today."

"I should get dressed first... but shameful as it is, I don't really feel like it." She sat on the bed, grasping a hairbrush and swiftly combing through her hair before nimble fingers, despite her nails, began braiding her locks. She was quick at it now, it didn't take as long as it used to, but if she was able to move more she'd be a lot quicker. "Any skill in braiding, Zack?" She smiled slightly, wondering if he'd take her seriously.

He tilted his head, thinking, "Some." he shook his hair around, "Dunno why, but I can do it.. Guess maybe I got bored one day and learned?" he smiled down to Lulu, doing his best not to be looking down her nightdress, though it was hard considering how.. ample.. she was. "Why, do you need some help with it?"

"Four hands are quicker than two, hm? I can't do it as quickly as I would've done." She spoke as she twisted threads of hair into braids. "Maybe you learned because of a girl? It's appealing, at least to me, for a man to be able to do things women are supposed to know." Perhaps that was insight into how she was obviously the dominant one in her relationship with Wakka.

"Mmh, well, it could have been a girl's doing." he rested on his knees on the bed beside her, taking some of her hair in his hands and expertly weaving it into the tight braids she wore, "I dunno what kind of guy I was, but I must have been a pretty self-sufficient one. This uniform has all kinds of patches and stuff, and my boots are well kept.. I have a sewing kit. Did you know that? I didn't, until the other day."

Lulu laughed quietly, smiling contentedly as she and Zack worked on her hair. "You told me you were a SOLDIER. Apparently, you were a first class one, and worked a lot of missions." She occasionally grasped two or three beads and finished the braids off, working quickly through her hair. "I'm glad you're not softened to technology, as I expect some people from your world are. I wouldn't be this pleasant if you were weak."

"Ah.. well, I dunno if I'd make as good a SOLDIER now as then.. but I figure Cloud clued me into everything important. Well, besides you I mean, I can remember you." he rolled his shoulders, finishing a braid and starting on another one, "I'm glad you don't think I'm some kind of creep, heh. I'm -pretty- sure I wasn't one, though Cloud did kinda call me a slut. Sorta."

"Oh, no doubt you've probably got a list and a half back home, Zack. Still, you have been nothing but a gentleman to me, which I find very comforting," and comfort was something a woman in her state needed more than most things. She finished a braid and began another, looking at Zack from the corner of her eye. Suddenly, she got a sharp kick. "Oof!" She paused her braiding, resting her hand on her stomach. "Good morning, little one," she murmured fondly.

Zack blinked, finishing her newest braid by his hand, and resting a hand on her shoulder. "You're alright? I could get you something to drink, to calm the little spitfire." he smiled blithely at her assertion of his gentlemanly status.. maybe he had simply had bad luck with women? That didn't make him a womanizer, he was relieved to think.

She shook her head slightly, the beads rattling in her hair. Grasping his hand on her shoulder, she drew it down to rest on the underneath of her stomach, right where the baby could be felt kicking the hardest. She trusted Zack and she wanted him to feel what her child was doing. Lulu didn't care if it wasn't appropriate. It felt right to her.

Zack held his breath when she took his hand, and spread his fingers over the area she placed it. Waiting, he felt another rather sharp kick. An appreciative noise came from deep in his chest, "Well now, that's some healthy kid you got there Lulu." he smiled warmly, blushing brighter now than when he'd been trying not to ogle her. "Guess it's gettin' impatient, hmm?"

"Mm... I am, too." She smiled up at him, her hand resting on the back of his as the child decided to squirm a little. "Heh... it likes you," she murmured, her gaze finding their hands again. After a few more moments, she removed hers, leaving his where it was, and returned her attentions to braiding the rest of her hair. She really was comfortable with him.

His blush darkened subtly at that statement, and Zack silently resolved to stay with Lulu as long as she needed him.. well, up until they sent her home, or found her husband.. then he figured it would be awkward, and he should take the classy way out and back off. But for now, he held Lulu in a half embrace, his hand on the squirming child just past the barrier of her stomach. "Well.. it's gonna be born soon, right? It'll have to like me, at least for a little while, though it'd be good to get you back well before that.."

"I hope to go home then... but I suppose no one can determine the future." She smiled softly and finished the last braid, reaching to knot them all at the back of her head, sliding decorative ornaments through to hold the bun in place. "There. That took a lot less time than if I'd worked alone." She smiled at him then sighed gently, rubbing the back of her neck. She really ached bad and it was beginning to get tiresome.

"Well.. in the worst case, you're stuck here with me, so it ain't all that bad. I'll look after you two." he smiled, and removed his hand with a bit of reticience, noting her rubbing her neck. "Why don't I draw you a bath.. a hot soak might be good for soreness." his smile was warm, and easy.

"I'm alright. Getting in and out of a bath is quite difficult these days. More stress than it's worth." She shifted to stand again, feeling steadier on her feet than she did right after waking up. Crossing to her dress, she tilted her head back over her shoulder to look at Zack. "Avert your eyes." A clear, crisp, direct order. One she expected him to follow.

Being a gentleman, Zack did indeed look away, even raising a hand to the side of his face that was closest to her. "Alright then." he picked a spot on the wall and studied it, trying to ignore the idea of her changing.. Honestly, Zack's mind would get him into trouble one day! "Your cheeks have more colour today, though." casual statement.

"Probably through exhertion," she muttered, dropping her night gown and pulling herself into the dark grey and black leather dress, tightening it in certain places, loosening it in others. Once she'd done that, she looped her necklaces over her head then turned to face Zack, after sliding her shoes on. "You can look now," she stated plainly.

Zack stood and stretched before looking, and he was struck again by how the woman looked.. He figured it was something to do with all the black, but she managed to look dangerous, yet motherly, and entirely too womanly, in his opinion. "Do you want to go for a walk?" he knew exercise was good for pregnant women, and even if it wasn't his, and she wasn't his either, he did care for the two of them.

"That would be nice. I could use the exercise." She did note, however, that if Yuna... the Yuna from her time had been around, she'd have demanded Lulu sit down and rest. As much as she appreciated the concern, she often had to tell everyone she was pregnant, not sick. Even if she got sick sometimes. Lulu grasped her moogle doll, hooking it into one of her belts before looking to Zack quite expectantly.

The man crossed the room, and gently lifted her in his arms, carrying her skillfully and easily down the stairs. With a little grunt, he hit the landing, and set her carefully on her feet, holding out an arm for her, if she wanted to hold it. Sometimes she did, and sometimes she didn't. "Where to?"

"Anywhere. I wish we could see a morning sky... but I suppose travelling out of Treno would be foolish in my condition." She shook her head with a soft sigh, curling her hand around his arm. Treno was nice, sure, but she didn't like the perpetual night. Lulu, oddly enough, loved the morning. The sunlight. It was probably due to being raised on a tropical island.

"You're pregnant, not ill." he smirked playfully, "I'll rent a chocobo drawn wagon, I like those birds, and we'll head out to where we can see the sun. It'll be nice, and the walk to the stables is good enough." he walked at a leisurely pace, pleased to be able to provide something for her to look forward to.

She smiled for a moment, watching the ground as they walked. "I will pay my way, Zack. You've already paid so much gil to keep me in that room with you. I couldn't stand making you pay even more." It was true that she was starting to feel pretty guilty for not paying much at all towards their bills. She only paid occasionally...

"Hey, it's no big deal. I have plenty, and that's the cool thing about having money. You spend it on what makes you happy. Takin' care've you's got me feeling pretty good." he patted her hand with his, smiling. Really, the only time she spent money was when she insisted.. Zack must have had plenty indeed.

Lulu nodded slightly, but said nothing more. She knew he was an insistant man, as much as she was stubborn, which would only serve to have them butting heads until someone caved in. She'd cave this time. "What shall we do when we leave here? Move on somewhere or return to Treno after a short trip out?"

"I don't know were anything else is around here.. we'll take a short trip, and on the way in we'll see about buying a map. Then we can think about going other places." he smiled to her, trying not to appear as if he were staring down her dress. He could have been, but he honestly wasn't, tempting though it was.

She nodded again, glancing around the dark streets. Zack's eyes glowed that eerie blue but her own red eyes shone brightly in the street lamps. If asked, she'd state her eyes were brown but they were quite clearly red. She didn't know really what to say anymore. She'd have asked about his past but, well, he didn't know.

Zack was silent for a time, until he spoke calmly, "Why do you think I only remember you, Lulu?" he seemed much happier, honestly, now that he wasn't dwelling on his past failures.. Not so weighed down. "I mean, Cloud and I are like brothers, he says, but I remember just meeting you a little while ago.."

"Probably because it is in your imediate past. Cloud is a long term friend. You must have lost your long term memory but retained most of your short term memory." She'd dealt with amnesiacs before. Sin's toxin had often wiped the memories of people. She expected Chappu had probably forgotten everything before he was killed. Which eased her heart just a little.

"Oh.. well, it's comforting t'have someone I recognize, y'know? I dunno how many people we pass that I mighta known.. Well, actually, I know I'm not from this world, so it makes it sorta easier. Just sucks that I'm letting Cloud down so much.." he sighed gently, and seemed to grip her hand a little tighter.

"He'll understand. He seemed a reasonable man." She sounded quite certain, but Lulu rested her free hand over the one rested on hers. Squeezing lightly, she walked closer to his side, smiling gently. Really, anyone would've thought they were a couple. Quite the familial scene. Two dark haired adults with a baby on the way. Still, Lulu expected a redheaded baby. Wakka's genes were strong.

Whereas Zack would likely not really care about the baby's looks. If Wakka wasn't around, he'd fill in and help look after the kid, and it's mother, as best he could. He had the vague feeling that he'd have done this easily, even before losing his memories, just being a decent sort. "Yeah. I dunno why I worry so much. If he were ticked, he'd let me know."

She nodded, smiling gently. "If you're worried, maybe you should call him later." She shrugged slightly, her necklaces jingling with her movements. Still, evey movement she made caused a rattling or jingling of some sort. Buckles scraping buckles, beads knocking together, her necklaces swinging with her gait. She wasn't exactly hard to hear coming. She wasn't difficult to spot, these days, either.

Zack would have had difficulty missing her on any day.. Then again, he had a pretty good eye for good looking women. Why, there was one at his side right now~! "We're here! Lemme get us a ride." he smiled, patting her hand again, and stepped up to the counter, "We'd like t'rent a bird, and a wagon if it's possible. We're lookin' t'ride out to where ya can see the sun again."

The person at the counter was swift to comply and Lulu stood with her hands on her stomach, quietly waiting for the cart to be pulled round near to them. When it was in view, she looked at Zack with a 'yeah, right' expression. How she was getting up on that thing was beyond her. She was heavily pregnant, climbing wasn't going to work well!

He gave her his best smile, and carefully lifted her into the wagon, with a look of shock from the young boy who'd brought it around. He made it look easy~! "There ya go Lulu, you comfy?" he wasn't mocking her, and there was honest concern in his voice. He might not be treating her like she's sick, but he did have some tact.

She smiled slightly, resting her hands on her stomach. "I'm fine. As comfortable as I can get, really," she always spoke in soft tones, when not irritated, and it did sound a lot like she was always at peace. Which was true, for the most part. She tried not to let much affect her and if anything did she would keep it to herself as usual. Worrying people or complaining wasn't her style.

Zack nodded and smiled to her, "Alright, I'll make sure to go slow, so you don't get bounced around too much." he stroked the Chocobo like he knew it well, though he really didn't, and the bird responded to his expertise with a warbling wark. Humming, content, Zack hopped onto the driver's bench, and gently shook the reins, setting the bird off at a leisurely pace.

Lulu was quite content, too, really, resting where she was. "Thank you, Zack." She was glad he wouldn't go fast. She didn't need to be jiggled about in her state. Still, where she sat, Lulu watched him for a moment, realising that she was fast becoming fonder of him. He was sweet and caring, a gentle man with a big heart. She really was glad she could be with him here, and not some 'creeper' as he'd once said.

He half-turned on the bench, guiding the Chocobo expertly, which might appear odd to someone who knew he had no real memories.. though it proved to be quite a clue to his past, now didn't it? "Hmm? Well, you're welcome, Lulu. It's no trouble." his smile was as warm as ever, but then he turned back to the bird, urging it along in a soft, encouraging tone. As they went, it seemed that dawn was breaking, eventually, in every direction but behind them.

When she saw the sun rising, Lulu smiled warmly, her eyes cast over the sky. "It's beautiful..." she spoke softly, her red eyes glowing in the bright daylight. Her smile softened and Lulu felt her baby relax for the first time since arriving here. So, it was her own discomfort making the child unhappy. She should've known that by this point but she forgot that even if everyone else couldn't feel her discomfort, the baby surely could.

"Mhm.." he smiled, and continued to lead the Chocobo into the sun. He let out a pleased noise at the feeling of sun on his face. Turning, he brought the Chocobo into an area with several rocks big enough to be sat upon, and hopped down, stretching. "Heh.. if I knew where there was another town, I'd take ya there." Zack had spotted the smile on her face, and the look in Lulu's eyes, "Alexandria's too far, but when I get a map, if something is closer, we can go there." he stood at the edge of the cart, ready to help the mage down.

Lulu shifted to be helped off then stretched once her feet found the floor. "That'd be nice. Anywhere sunny will be fine. I'm just used to the sunlight more than anything. Spira is a warm place, aside from the mountains. Coming from a tropical island is a little like coming from paradise into the normal world. It's daunting and a little depressing." She chuckled lightly, shifting to sit down on a rock.

"Heh, well, I guess I can understand that." he stretched again, and looked around, sitting down on a rock as well. Zack leaned back a bit, just enjoying being out in the sun, "Right, someplace sunny and warm, but not too far." he cast a glance to her, then her belly, and smiled, "Can't take the chance that it'll want out while yer on the road, hmm?"

"It's possible. I've got less than a month left in my term." She frowned then, resting her hands on her stomach. She was scared. Facing that without Wakka there was going to be scary enough but in a strange place without any old friends nearby to keep her safe... it was worrying her. She knew Zack would help, but it still panicked her.

Zack knew he really couldn't allay all of her fears, but he did scoot forward, and pat her shoulder gently, not letting his hand linger too long, "It'll be okay Lulu. I know I ain't much relief, but I'll be here t'help ya." his smile was encouraging and reassuring, "We could look into doctors around Treno, too, or wherever we're going, just to be sure."

Lulu nodded, smiling gently. "Doctors should be a wise thing to seek. I'm sure that they've handled things like this a lot. There seem to be a lot of children here." She rested back a little, making a quiet noise at the pulling ache in her back. She was used to backache, sure, but it had never been this bad before she was pregnant.

The ex-SOLDIER smiled gently, and moved to rest on his knees behind her. His hands rested on her sides for a moment, before he brushed her mass of braids over her shoulder, and began to rub and prod at her back rather firmly, something else he seemed to be versed in. He had been a man of many talents, it seemed.

The black mage let out a very appreciative sound, her head hanging a little. "Mmmn..." her eyes slipped shut, the dark makeup perfect as always. "You have a list of talents, it seems, Zack." She did notice he had a list of talents that tended to refer back to the expert use of his hands, causing a slight blush to rise on her skin.

"I guess so.. I just wish I knew why, y'know? Right now, the only thing I have to go on was that I wanted t'keep ya safe, and make sure you were alright." So here he was, doing that. He continued to stroke and rub at her back, humming softly, his hands quite warm, considering.

"You've certainly been doing that." She smiled and rested her hands either side of herself, on the rock she sat on. "Mmn... thank you, this is wonderful. It's helping a lot." She could even feel the baby settling down to sleep now she wasn't as stressed out as she had been. Really, Zack was doing wonders for her health.

"Heh, well, if it helps, then I've got no problem doin' it." it felt pretty good to be helpful, and her observation about his skill with his hands was pretty accurate. "Just let me know next time it starts to hurt, this is no trouble at all." he fought off the light blush he felt creeping up.

She looked over her shoulder to him, smiling lightly. "I shall." Shifting to the side, slightly, she patted the space beside her a little. "Sit with me?" She really was quite fond of him, and his boyish charm was endearing. Especially with how gentlemanly he was. He didn't tend to talk to her chest. Of course she caught him glimpsing. She'd be a little worried if he didn't.

Well, he was a nice guy, but he wasn't made of -stone-. Or gay. Smiling, Zack nodded, and sat beside the Black Mage, giving his shoulders a little roll, "Sure thing, Lulu. What's on your mind?" honestly, it was one of the more important things about her, to him.. Lulu was serious, tough, and -smart-. Wise, as well, honestly. A great foil for his boyish enthusiasm, and he recognized it. He wasn't exactly unwise, but he wasn't always the most forward thinking person.

"Nothing in particular, I'm just... comfortable with you." Lulu curled her arm around his, resting her head on his shoulder. A soft sigh of contentment escaped her and Lulu let a smile remain on her lips. While she knew she was intelligent and wise beyond her years, she wasn't arrogant about it. Still, knowing nothing about this world had her a little annoyed.

"I see.." the blush deepened, and he couldn't help but smile. Sure, he knew he was a nice guy, and capable of many things, but it never hurt to have someone you admired appreciate it.. "Well, I'm comfortable around you too. Heh." honestly, he liked her. It was plain in the way he treated her, even if he just claimed general niceness.

"I'd noticed," she laughed softly, just enjoying the daylight and the stillness. It was nice to just sit and enjoy the sunlight. She'd been stuck in Treno since she'd arrived and it got tiresome only ever seeing a dark sky. Really, she'd been very out of sorts when she'd gone to sleep the first night and woken to find it was still dark, despite sleeping on and off for nine hours.

Zack made a mental note to find a map of the area, though he'd heard people claiming that shops sold 'World Maps', which sounded quite interesting.. with people and places appearing out of the blue, did those maps remain accurate? Or were they simply maps of Gaia from before these events? The raven-haired man laughed along with Lulu, and even the Chocobo seemed in good spirits.

Lulu was content where she was and just listening to the sounds of everything was very relaxing. Really, the dark haired mage wasn't one to talk unless she was required to. Silently contemplating everything as she usually did, instead. People called her cold and unfeeling for it, but she prefered it that way. She didn't need people knowing how she felt and when she felt it.

The man beside her, on the other hand, really didn't have anything to draw on for conversation.. Normally, he'd have had some funny anecdote, or something that would have brought some conversation, but without it, he simply enjoyed Lulu's closeness, and the sounds they were relaxing to. Eventually, though, and he regretted it, he'd have to take her back into Treno.. That map, and getting her someplace sunny, suddenly loomed as very, very important.

After a short while, Lulu yawned quietly. "Mn... the baby tires me out so quickly..." she murmured, nuzzling his shoulder lightly. She lifted her head, keeping an arm curled through his, her other supporting her stomach. "I think I'll be both glad and upset when its born. I'm so used to it being inside me that I'll miss the moving, but I'll be happy to gain my strength again."

"Heh, from what I've heard, you won't have much time to miss it moving around inside you, 'cause you'll be busy takin' care of it." he chuckled softly, "As active as it is now, I can only imagine that it'll be more lively once it's out and about." he couldn't hide his grin, though.. Zack was excited.

"Indeed. And I can savour the silence, for now, because if it's anything like its father, no sleep will be gotten." She smiled, rubbing her stomach. "Come, we should return. We haven't eaten anything yet today and the little one is letting me know." She laughed lightly, shifting to her feet, smiling at Zack.

"Right!" he got up and chuckled, stepping to the edge of the cart again, "We'll grab something to eat, and find a map! Then we can plan out where to go, once we're back at the inn." he didn't much feel right calling it home, and so he didn't, "I guess we should consult with someone from Gaia.. too."

"Mm. Maybe speaking with someone might help." She carefully grasped the edge of the cart, determined to get up into it herself. Pushing herself onto it, she was quicker than she expected, but exhausted once she finally sat down. Maybe it was right to just let Zack lift her in and out of it, as he did with the stairs.

He frowned gently as she heaved herself up, afraid she might slip, but she didn't, and he let out a breath he'd been holding. "Alright, let's get back. This was nice." he scratched the Chocobo under it's beak, feeding it a few Gysahl Greens before swinging himself up onto the driver's bench again, settling down onto the worn wooden seat.

Lulu rested her hands on her stomach, smiling softly. "It was nice, yes." She took in the area again, just looking over everything cast over by the sunlight, taking a breath of sun fresh air, before nodding slightly. She was ready to go back now. She'd had a moment in the sun and was a lot less tense for it. And thanks to Zack's massage, as well. He really was a talented man.

He nodded gently, and set them on course back to Treno, as slowly as they'd come, figuring that, well, she was still pregnant, so could still stand to not be jostled so much. "C'mon boy, just another little walk back, and you can go back to your stable, hmm?" honestly, the bird wasn't thrilled to be out and about, but Zack didn't expect much from it, either. At least it was obedient.

"You're quite fond of them, aren't you?" She smiled, watching him as he reined the chocobo. It was sweet how content he was with the birds. She'd been quite fond of them herself when she'd travelled the Mi'ihen Highroad with Yuna and the others, but riding one side-saddle, because of her attire, wasn't ever really that comfortable. So, she tended to walk alongside or ride as passenger on Wakka's chocobo.

"Mhm.. they're just big sucks, mostly. There's the odd few that're closer to the Reds in temperment, but Yellows are generally docile and helpful creatures." he wasn't quite sure how he knew, honestly. But he didn't fret on that. "It's relaxing, taking care of them. This one isn't the best of the bunch, though, but at least he ain't bad."

She smiled, settling back in her seat to watch him. So, he knew about chocobos and had skilled hands. He could fight well, and he was a gentleman. Really, Lulu was thankful that she'd been found by him and not someone insane enough to cause her a lot of trouble. She was happy seeing him so calm and content with the big yellow bird.

Eventually, they made it back to Treno. Zack made a quick stop at a cartographer's, shelling out a considerable sum for a large, fully detailed (if somewhat inaccurate these days) world map. He took them back to the stables, and led the Chocobo inside, getting down, and offering Lulu a hand down. "Here we are~!"

She gripped his hand quite hard as she got down, her nails likely pressing into his skin. "Perhaps we could eat in our room? I really don't feel up to sitting in public." Mostly because she didn't feel even slightly as attractive as she used to. She knew she was pretty with an incredible body, even if that was self-indulgent to think that. Still, with being pregnant, aside from the baby belly, she'd put on weight in different places and didn't move as swiftly as she used to. She felt very un-sexy.

"Sure!" he seemed as pleased by that prospect as eating with her in public, "Guess I get ya to myself for th'meal then, hm?" his smile was easy, almost casual, as he hadn't really meant anything by it. Flirting just came naturally to Zack. "We got a map, too, so we can check that out and figure out where to go, too. What'd'ja wanna eat?"

Lulu laughed softly. "Confident, aren't we?" She quite enjoyed teasing him, which could've sometimes come out as sarcasm but Lulu expected Zack was quite like Wakka, if substantially more intelligent, and he'd take it as the playfulness it was. "I... honestly, I'd like something meat. Anything that was alive and kicking at least a day ago." She laughed slightly, shaking her head. She figured that was her craving, as she'd eaten a lot of coeurl meat back home.

"Me? Always. Heck, you're hangin' around with me, ain't'cha?" he smiled, and took her hand, bringing her knuckles to his lips in a playful, gallant gesture. "Meat it is. I saw a meatpie vendor on the way in, we'll grab some of those, and maybe something sweet." he grinned at her, figuring she had a bit of a sweet tooth sometimes, too.

Lulu quirked an eyebrow and had it been anyone else she'd probably have slapped him while she had the chance but Zack had been so good to her that she hadn't the heart or desire to hit him. In fact, she was quite flattered. "Alright. You get the food and I'll make my slow way up the stairs." She smiled, taking the chance to brush her hand affectionately over his cheek. Really, she did have a sweet tooth. At the same time as wanting meat, which made for some odd concoctions.

"Alrighty." he smiled, and walked her to the inn, just to make sure she made it safely, before taking off to get a few of the steaming meat-and-gravy filled pies, and a couple of sugary fruit ones as well. Zack also stopped off to pick up a small gift for Lulu, which he figured might pick her up a bit. A red rose, preserved somehow and worked into a hair ornament. He knew pregnant women often felt like they weren't as desireable, and whether or not it was his place to make her feel that way, she was at least his friend, so he was going to cheer the woman up.

By the time Zack returned, Lulu had managed the stairs, without cursing, and decided to strip back down and get into a fresh nightgown. She kept her hair done, and her makeup in place, but all the leather and metal and fur sometimes tended to weigh her down even more and with her having a bad day, physically, she didn't need more weight. She'd also made the beds and opened the window to let in some fresh night air. Lulu sat on her bed, her legs crossed under her, supporting her stomach and easing her back.

Zack came back with several boxes, a jug, and the smaller box his gift for her had come in. Really, he expected Lulu to be the type of woman who didn't like flowers because of their temporary nature, dying when gifted. This one would last for years and years, so perhaps it would be nice for her. He set the pies down, the clatter of plates and silverwear meaning he'd stopped to get some, and put the jug beside them on the table. "Evenin' Lulu." he smiled, and nudged the door closed with his foot, and snatched up the little box, grinning as he flourished a bow and presented the box to the woman, "This is for you."

Lulu laughed gently, taking the box with one hand, having found herself cuddling her moogle doll, just for some home comfort. "You didn't have to get me a gift, Zack..." Still, she wasn't the type of person to outright refuse a gift. That was just rude. Lulu rested the box on the bed, lifting the lid off and gasping slightly at the contents. She lifted the hair ornament, brushing her fingers over it, a smile and a blush on her face. Probably the first blush to actually be visible to him. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Zack." She smiled, reaching to clip it on the knot of braids. It nicely complemented the decorative bars through the knot.

Zack smiled, trying not to find her girlish blushing as fetching as he did, and nodded, "Well, I might not have to, but I certainly wanted to. It looks lovely on you, not that you need the help." with that statement, he whisked off to plate a piping hot meat pie for Lulu, setting a knife and fork beside it, and looking to her, "In bed or at the table?"

"In bed. I'm actually comfortable for a change, I don't want to spoil it," she still couldn't help the blush that was stuck on her face. She needed the compliments as much as she refused to admit it and Zack was helping her keep the confidence that slipped more often now she was so pregnant. She set a pillow down in front of her to put the plate on, as it was difficult enough to reach things past her chest, let alone her stomach.

Gently, Zack set the plate down in front of her, and moved to the table to pour her a glass of the cider he'd bought. Non-alcoholic, of course, but even so, it was still like apple juice with a bite. He got his own food, and carefully sat beside her, settling the drinks on a box he set just in front of them. "I gave ya a beef one, but there're two chicken pies, an apple, and a strawberry rhubarb one as well." he smiled and nodded, looking a little embarassed, "I forgot to ask what you'd like, y'see."

"Anything is fine." She began her meal, quietly appreciative of the variety. Whilst he was mostly attentative, Wakka would've probably only brought back one he liked. Still, she wouldn't have complained if Zack had. She was fond of most meats. "I hope that isn't alcohol," she joked dryly, gesturing to the glasses of cider. She knew he was more than intelligent enough not to buy alcohol for her and expected he wasn't selfish enough to drink it around her.

"Heh, yer pregnant. If you wanna have a drink, you gotta wait 'till you have the kid, and stop feedin' it." he made vague motions towards her breasts, generally accepting that women breastfed their children. He was a country boy, even if he didn't know it. "So, no, no alcohol."

Lulu nodded, smiling at him. "I'm glad you understand," she really was, though. If he'd have been unaware as to why she couldn't drink, aside from it being unhealthy for the baby, she wouldn't have explained it as politely as she could've. She smiled, continuing to eat, sipping her drink every few moments. She really was content now.

"Well, I try not to be a total jerk, y'know?" he leaned over and kissed her cheek sweetly, before settling down to eat. Zack was as glad as she was about his understanding; really, he'd been afraid of alienating her or something by now. He tucked into his pie, humming in a delighted manner over the richness of it, and the tastiness of the meat.

She smiled, laughing gently as he kissed her cheek. "I'm glad. I don't take well to men with an attitude. My summoner's boyfriend found that out quickly." She vividly recalled the several times she called Tidus a fool or told him off for being an idiot. Still, he was her friend and she cared about him like a young brother. As she felt Yuna and Rikku were like sisters. Wakka, Auron and Kimahri had been on her level. Auron more than most.

"Ah, well, I have an attitude, but I don't cop it with gals like you." he hoped she took it as something other than 'pregnant', "I mean, it ain't like I wanna get my butt kicked, y'know?" he smirked playfully, using his elbow to tickle her ribs gently. "I try not to be foolish as a rule, I guess. No real point in it, right?"

"Right. You're quite smart for a young man." She was, after all, a few years older than him, and likely wiser for it. "And I do hope you mean a woman who could snap your neck, and not a pregnant woman," she added, smiling lightly. She figured that's what he meant. He was a smart guy. Suggesting pregnant women were hard to deal with was just stupid.

"More meant a Femme Fatale. A woman as beautiful as she is deadly." he was speaking quietly, to his food, but he obviously meant her. "You'd likely be able to fry my ass, pregnant or not. I'm just muscle, I ain't no kinda mage." not that he'd seen her cast anything, but he hadn't doubted her abilities.

Lulu laughed quite openly, sipping her drink as she did. He really was clever. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Zack." It was definitely a compliment from Lulu. She admired an intelligent and witty man above most others, and Zack was no exception. He was clever, funny and tended not to aggravate her much at all.

"Heh, well, I'll take that as the complement it is, then." he grinned at her, taking a slow pull from his drink, before working on polishing off his pie. Meat pies weren't as big as fruit pies, so it was pretty easy for him to finish one off. "I remember enough about materia to know it doesn't work here, which really limits me.. but I'll do my best t'keep ya safe." he'd already told her that, and recieved a sharp reply, so he amended that, "When yer not guarding -my- back, that is."

Lulu smiled lightly, finishing her own pie a few moments after. Rubbing her belly to sooth her baby, she found where its head was resting and gently stroked there, feeling it relax quickly. "Well, at least you learned that lesson quickly." She seemed to have a slight smirk and Lulu made a contented noise, smiling gently a moment later. "Mmn... I'm quite relaxed, now..." she murmured, glad she was finally settling comfortably. It'd taken long enough.

"Dessert?" he queried, getting up carefully to tidy their dishes away, so as not to topple the remaining cider in their glasses. Standing at the table, the man turned to regard her, his glowing blue eyes a distinct difference from her piercing red ones. He'd only known one other girl with eyes near to that shade, and that was Tifa.. but her's were more brownish red than Lulu's red ones.

"Mm... that sounds good," she nodded and sipped her drink, watching him. She had also noted the difference between their eyes. No one apart from Paine had the same eye colour as her back home and she hadn't spoken much at all to that young woman. They seemed the same. Quiet in their own thoughts. In fact, Paine reminded her of a teenage Lulu. Smiling to Zack, she finished her drink, rolling her shoulders a little, leaving a trace of deep purple lipstick on the glass.

"Apple or strawberry rhubarb?" he smiled at her. 'Yes' was also an option he was prepared for, though he would do the smart thing and dish out a half-slice of each in that case. He opened the two boxes, letting the fragrant smell of the sweeter pies to overpower the lingering smells of meat and gravy.

"Both," she replied, laughing lightly. A soft smile was on her face and Lulu shifted in her place, looking to him contentedly. She really was getting a lot of growing affection for him. Even if she wanted to go home and quickly, Lulu knew that things could've been worse here. A lot worse. It could've been absolutely dreadful.

"Gotcha." he nodded, grinning, and dished out two slices of each, cutting them in half and swapping them both so they had the same style of serving. Zack handed a plate to Lulu, and refilled their glasses, "Honestly, I could eat pie every day for th'rest've my life, heh. Good ol' pie."

She laughed lightly, setting her plate in front of her. "You're quite the country grown boy, aren't you?" She began on her pie, humming appreciatively to the taste. She really was enjoying it. A soft smile was on her lips and Lulu couldn't help but be content and relaxed. "I'm afraid that where I come from this would be quite luxurious. It's a small island with huts and a temple. We make our own clothing and food usually consists of island fruit and animal meats."

"Heh, I kinda talk th'same game don't I?" he snickered softly, and sat on the edge of the bed, munching on his slices of pie. After listening to her speak of it being a luxurious meal, he chuckled, "Well, I'm glad you think so. I guess there're folks that'd think this is like.. chump's food. Fruit and meat sounds nice, though.. rustic, but comforting, y'know? That whole familiarity schtick."

"Mm, I suppose you're right. Though, it gets a little tiring after a while. Especially being the matriarch of the island." It was true, really. A lot of the older women were too old to run things and everyone looked to Wakka as their leader, which meant Lulu tended to run things. Wakka was heartfelt but he needed a lot of pushes in the right direction. She pretty much ran Besaid Island.

"Heh, you're a gal of all sorts of talent then, ain't'cha? Politician, logistician, mage, mother-to-be." he let out a low whistle of appreciation, and took a bite of his pie. Really, he found her ability admireable. Zack wondered if he had been as useful a person, back when he knew who he was.

"You seem quite talented yourself." She smiled and continued to eat, quiet now. She was happy and the fact that Zack kept giving her little ego strokes was helping to make her feel a lot less like Hell and a lot more comfortable in herself. It was sweet, and she didn't let herself indulge by commenting after each one, but she was quite thankful.

Zack was observant, and didn't need to get responses to know that his complements were helping her ego. She handled herself a little differently when she was more comfortable, and when her mood was up. He didn't mind dropping hints that he found her attractive, or personable, or anything like that. "Well thank you very much." he smiled in response, and finished up his dessert as well, sighing afterwards and patting his stomach.

Once she'd finished, Lulu shifted to the edge of the bed. "Excuse me a moment." She loved being pregnant, she really did, but her bladder really didn't. Heading to the bathroom she was gone a short while and when she returned she had no makeup on. Her naturally long black eyelashes helped frame her red eyes and the colour of her lips was a pale pink, keeping in theme with her pale skin. She really was pretty, even without the makeup. When she managed herself back onto the bed, Lulu lifted the blanket so she could sit with her knees up and her legs apart to ease the baby.

Zack had changed into his own night clothes, which consisted more of shorts and an undershirt than anything else, and he wore the latter out of modesty. Sitting on his bed, he looked away while Lulu got herself set up on her own bed, and spread the map out on the table between their two sleeping places. "Okay.. so.." he trailed off, staring for a moment at her face devoid of makeup, "Er.."

Lulu had started on unfastening her hair, deciding she wanted it down. "So...?" She quirked a dark eyebrow at him as she removed her hair ornaments, setting them aside and untying the knot of braids. As she waited for him to continue, Lulu unthreaded her braids, working gradually through her hair. Still, the look on his face was priceless.

He gave his head a little shake, tearing his eyes from her face with an obvious blush on his cheeks, "Right! Er, I got this map for us, so we can figure out where we wanna go!" he cleared his throat gently, taking a few gil from his pocket, and making a little stack over a dot, "That's Treno," it was labelled, you see, "So we have some options, I think."

"I don't mind. As long as it isn't too far and there are doctors and sunlight, I'll be fine." She smiled, rubbing her stomach through the blankets. She really didn't mind, as long as Zack was there. And then Lulu paused because... she shouldn't have been thinking that way. She had to get home as soon as possible, but she knew that when or if she did, she'd never forget Zack. Never.

Zack nodded with a warm smile, though there was a hint of sadness when he said, "Well, if you're really lucky, we'll find a way to send you home t'your husband. That way you and the baby won't have anything to worry about." as much as he liked her, Zack was thinking more of her happiness than his, and he seriously doubted that he had all that much to offer, considering she was already married and all.

Lulu smiled, untangling the last braid, as they were quicker to undo than to do up, and she reached a hand to him, urging him to come and sit with her on her bed. "Listen to me. I'm very grateful to you for everything Zack. You've been so kind and sweet. Thank you." She smiled softly. Lulu wanted to be with Wakka again, but she would miss Zack too if he went anywhere. She really cared about him. He was sweet and gentle. Probably the first man not to talk directly to her chest, too.

Zack, still blushing from when he'd gotten stuck admiring her face, sat on the bed beside her and smiled faintly, "I didn't do anything that a decent guy wouldn't'a done for ya.. Ain't anything special that I helped." there was an earnestness in his voice that said, really, he believed that people should be as helpful as he had been. Hell, he'd never expected anything in return from Lulu, "But.. you're welcome Lulu, of course you are."

Lulu took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I understand that, but a lot of men are too pigheaded to understand a woman like me. And I don't mean a pregnant woman. I'm glad we met." It wasn't like Lulu to smile so much or be so open and relaxed with anyone aside from Yuna, really. Even Wakka didn't get the full force of a calm and happy Lulu, but Zack was getting to see her relaxed and content. At least she was willing to express herself that far. Anything else would take a lot of work.

The man returned her squeeze, and nodded, "Well, apparantly I'm good with women. Guess I was just raised right." indeed, his mother had been a tough woman in her own right, and Zack was like his father; easily taken in by a woman who didn't really need him, but appreciated him. Not that Zack would know that. "I just do what comes naturally.. Treatcha right, and make sure yer happy."

Lulu shifted a little to sit up more, and rested her hand on his cheek. He was such a sweet man. "You were raised right. A little rough around the edges but that isn't something I can't smooth out." She laughed slightly, and although her humour often came off as an insult, this was clearly one of the times she didn't sound sarcastic.

He blinked, and looked into her eyes, finding himself quite lost in the scarlet pools. "Lulu.." he managed, his voice nary a whisper.. She was close enough that he could smell her, and her statement made him crack a smile, even if there was a part of his mind ringing bells. A married woman really shouldn't be 'smoothing him out'. He paid it no mind.

Lulu tilted her head a little, her red eyes, well, the one not covered by hair, fixed on his blue ones. "Hm?" She smiled softly, one of those understanding smiles that she tended to wear whenever she needed to reassure someone. She didn't know what she needed to reassure him off, but there that expression was and it didn't plan to leave.

"I.." he really couldn't make himself pull away from her, his eyes glowing softly in the light, the reflection of his in hers making hers seem a little more purple than red.. Did he even know what to say? He faltered, biting his lip for a moment.

The black mage rested her hand on his cheek, her smile vanishing for an expression some might consider almost nervous. And then Lulu completely forgot who she was as her lips touched his it was a fast moment, where she didn't seem able to hold herself back and then, suddenly, she jerked back, her red eyes wide and panicked, a hand coming to cover her mouth.

Zack had returned the kiss briefly, though it only lasted an instant, and he jerked back at about the same time, looking shocked. "Oh jeez..! I.. I shouldn't'a.. I mean I.." he seemed beyond flustered, going so far as to stow his hands in his lap, blushing and looking somewhat ashamed of himself. Mostly because he'd liked it.

"No, no... I shouldn't have... um..." She cleared her throat, her face flushed. "I... I think... I'm going to get some sleep... um... while the baby is settled." She didn't look at him as she spoke, she looked at the sheets and once she'd spoken, Lulu shifted to lie down more, wishing the moment would completely end and neither of them had to face the awkwardness.

Zack nodded, "Right. Yes. Sleep would be great." he stood up, rubbing the back of his head and coughing conspicuously to change the subject. Hastily, he retreated to his own sheets, before his treacherous body made the situation worse. "S-sorry.." he managed, extinguishing the lamp and casting them both in gloom, save for the streetlight outside, and his glowing eyes.

Lulu didn't say anything in reply, she just closed her eyes, tightly, and hoped she'd wake up without an awkward day to follow. Really, she missed her husband and she'd keep telling herself that she'd been drawn to Zack for his sense of humour, as that was what drew her to Wakka. She'd keep telling herself that Zack was just there to help until she'd had the baby.

Zack, on the other hand, shut his eyes after a long time staring at the ceiling. Okay.. so he'd made a stupid mistake.. things didn't have to get weird. A quick kiss, hell, it could have been an accident! He dwelled on it, though, berating himself for making moves on a married woman, but he knew why his heart really wasn't in it. Zack honestly liked Lulu, and she was the right kinda girl for him. His nature couldn't hide all the time, after all.