You were just about to lock up for the night when the door creaked open, the little wind bells chiming as a draft slipped in. You had your polite “sorry, we’re closed” ready to go, until you saw who it was. Zack.

He stood there looking kind of awkward, which was so him. This guy’s a SOLDIER First Class, fights monsters like it’s nothing… but in your tiny flower shop? He looked out of place, rubbing the back of his neck like he wasn’t sure he should even be there.

“Uh, hey,” he said, and it wasn’t his usual loud, upbeat voice either, it was softer, almost unsure. “Sorry for stopping by so late. I know you’re probably closing up.”

He shifted a little, boots scuffing against the floor, like he was thinking maybe he should just turn around and leave. But then his eyes met yours, and he didn’t look away. Something about that made your chest feel tight.

“I, uh…” He hesitated, then finally let it out. “I was just thinking… maybe we could go for a walk? You know, clear our heads or something?”

He tried to make it sound casual, but the hopeful edge in his voice gave him away.

And suddenly, the exhaustion from the whole day didn’t matter anymore. The lock could wait.