Reunion - Chapter 3

Rated: T

The Reunion

Summary: Zack and Aerith finally get the reunion that they both desperately deserve.

Welp, here we are. The final chapter.

I may or may not have started crying (…I did) at some parts while writing this because damn, Crisis Core canon ending hurts like a fucking bitch but it was so therapeutic to write out a scenario where Zack and Aerith get to see each other again.

Hopefully we have even a single shred of hope given the remake so my fingers are crossed tightly for FF7R Part 2! T_T We need Zack and Aerith to reunite in canon that isn't in the damn lifestream! Please, Square Enix! These beautiful, precious babies deserve to be together and happy!

Also Zack and Cloud's bromance is life.

Hope you enjoy!

Aerith fell to her knees and Zack wanted nothing more than to run to her, but of course, Cloud picked a fucking wonderful time to stop supporting his own weight (as little as he could) and sent Zack nearly spiraling face-first into the floor. At the last second, he caught himself on the door frame and reluctantly had to accept that he had to keep Aerith waiting a few moments more so he could set Cloud down somewhere first.

"Hang tight, Spiky. I'm gonna set you down somewhere comfy you can rest." Zack whispered near Cloud's ear. "I'll come back for you, but right now, I gotta go see Aerith - I told you all about her, remember?"

The blonde let out a breathy version of what Zack could discern as his name.

Zack smiled in relief that Cloud's lucidity was coming back (fucking FINALLY) as he gently maneuvered Cloud over to one of the pews that wasn't completely rotting through. Zack lowered Cloud gently onto the wooden seat and made sure he was lying down comfortably before turning to leave.

"D-Don't…go, Z...ack…" Cloud muttered when he pulled away and Zack's heart lurched upon turning back around only to see Cloud shakily reaching out for him.

Pursing his lips, Zack removed his Buster Sword and the leather straps of its holster, laying both down before kneeling next to Cloud. Automatically, Zack took Cloud's shaky outstretched hand, squeezing it gently between both of his.

"I am not leaving you. I would never do that. I'll be just a few feet away..." Zack swallowed down the sudden lump in his throat upon hearing Aerith's sudden cry and knew he needed to get to her now. "…We're safe here and I'll be back, Cloud. I promise."

Cloud looked up at him and Zack choked back a sob when he seen Cloud looking back at him.

A few seconds later, the blonde's hand went slack; he closed his eyes and Zack knew he would soon be sleeping peacefully (he knew from experience given his many wonderful naps he'd taken in Aerith's church as she tended her garden). Laying down Cloud's hand down beside him, Zack brushed his fingers lightly through Cloud's Chocobo tufts before rising to his feet.

A quick internal pep talk later, Zack turned around to the girl he'd unwillingly left behind for way too damn long.

As he approached the huge patch of colorful flowers where Aerith knelt, Zack stopped in his tracks when she suddenly put her hands over her mouth. Even muffled behind her palms, it did nothing to silence the most gut-wrenching sobs he ever heard come out of a person. The fact that it was his Aerith (a girl who hardly ever cried) made his own heart feel as if it was being brutally yanked from his chest with a pair of rusty tongs.

Zack would rather endure four more years of Hojo's torture than ever hear Aerith cry like this again…

"...Aerith…" he whispered, surprised his voice didn't crack as he made it to her, standing a few feet in front of her before slowly kneeling to her level. Carefully, ever so carefully, making sure not to hurt her flowers ('Most people are more careful around flowers, you know' '…I guess I'm not most people'), Zack scooted closer.

Instead of responding, she shook her head as her hands finally fell from her face only so she could hug herself around the middle. Her eyes still were locked on his and the utter agony lacing those red-lined watery green orbs and the tears dripping down her anguished face had his whole body ache.

Zack wanted nothing more in that moment than to grab her and wrap her in the safety of his arms.

To touch her to make sure she was real. Feel the silken softness of her skin against his heavily calloused palms, cradle her petite frame safely against him, press her tear-streaked face into the hollow of his throat and comfort her like she did for him the night his friend and mentor, Angeal, died.

…but Zack was afraid.

Yes, him. A First-Class SOLDIER who was trained and naturally feared nothing, laughed into the face of certain death more times than he could count, was absolutely petrified into stasis. Utterly terrified that if he reached his hand out, that Aerith would reel back or push him away.

…and that would kill him.

If the girlfriend (if she still was considered that at this point) he'd spent the last five years wanting nothing more than to be back in her arms, pushed him away - it would destroy him. Zack was horrified to think that the tears she was currently crying were not from relief from his reappearance but stemming from anger or sadness that he dared come back after leaving her alone and waiting for so fucking long (even if he had no choice in the matter)…

If Aerith rejected him now, Zack truly had no idea what he would do…

Zack imagined her screaming at him to get out, that how dare he come crawling back after leaving her alone for so long (even if he couldn't even recall her even doing so much as raising her voice before). Imagined him sitting in shocked silence but knowing he needed to respect her wishes, he'd nod, grab Cloud, leave back out those doors and never come back if she asked him to. He'd be leaving his tattered, bleeding heart lying at her feet and departing as nothing more than an empty shell but he would…for her.

So, he patiently waited as she finally opened her mouth to speak.

Zack mentally and emotionally prepared himself for anger, bitterness, hatred but instead of telling him to leave or some other horrific statement he'd expected, she finally cried out with the most broken voice he'd ever heard in his life.

"I - are…Am… A-Am I… *sob* …Am I d-dreaming…?"

Zack slowly approached her like one trying not to scare off a skittish animal.

Brilliant emerald eyes were huge with pools of shimmering tears clumped on her thick black eyelashes, cheeks and nose splotchy and red from crying but damn if she still wasn't the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen even in the state she was in. Her soil-coated hands and dirty fingernails, sweat limp hair (must have been hot today), dirt-covered frumpy yellow apron covered in a tacky flower pattern and…wait…

…was that a pink dress like he'd asked her to wear when he saw her again…?

Coincidence probably…but, wait… was that -

…The ribbon…

Aerith was wearing the same worn pink ribbon he'd bought and tied in her hair during their very first date over 7, or was it 8, years ago by now?

It was still there…she was still wearing it even after all this time…

Zack heart lurched and he didn't bother muffling the sudden sob that tore from his throat before finally answering her in a breaking voice, "…If this is a dream, than we both are, Aerith."

Aerith looked him in his eyes; emerald gaze scanning his face for an indeterminate amount of time as she visually traced every inch, every line, every single mark on his face before gazing straight back into his eyes and it was like his entire body and soul was completely bared before her. His skin prickled under her scrutiny - down to the very marrow of his bones - wondering what she was thinking but he didn't have to ponder long.

"...Oh, ZACK!" she abruptly cried, reaching out to him with trembling hands and in a split second, he was only inches from her. Still, he didn't touch her; worried she wouldn't react well to his sudden affections, so he waited as she reached out and touched him first.

Aerith couldn't remember a time when she felt more of a sense of complete despair and utter relief all at once when her fingers finally reached out and touched the fabric covering his chest. Shaking digits and soil-coated skin of her palm experiencing warm cloth with the rock-hard musculature underneath versus the air that she expected.

How this Zack didn't fade into dust but was right here in front of her…

It wasn't like those other times when he'd disappear before reaching out to him…

Because this Zack didn't vanish…

Aerith sobbed loudly as she fully pressed the palm of her hand over his sternum, head fell forward slightly as she felt the frantic pounding of his heart and his chest rising and falling with unsteady breaths under her trembling palm. How absolutely wonderful it all felt.

All those nightmares - the horrific visions of blood, rapid gunfire, cold rain, a bullet-riddled chest and unpreventable death - of Zack fighting until his body physically couldn't hold him up anymore. Watching in utter horror and helplessness as the love of her life was ruthlessly gunned down and left for dead on blood-drenched cliffs. The dark sky opening up to pour sheets of icy rain over his battered, broken body until his heart stopped, breath ceased and all that beautiful life faded forever from his sky blue eyes…

Almost every night it was the same damn dream that felt way too real. All those endless nights she woke up soaked in sweat and tears, sobbing and screaming his name into her pillow, begging for him to come back. To please, just be alive, Zack… In those endless nights, how she would give anything just to be able to see him again.

And, like a long-awaited answer to a faithful prayer, here he was.

…He was back.

Zack kept his promise…

"...Y-You're real…" she whimpered, inwardly in the back of her mind knowing she sounded utterly wretched, but she didn't care when after five years, her Zack was back. "You're here…you're really here…" she uttered tearfully.

"...Yeah, I'm here…" he said with a sad smile and a trembling lower lip. "I'm sorry I took so long…"

Watching breathlessly when he blinked, her eyes following the few crystalline tears that slid down his tanned, sculpted cheekbones and slipping off his sharp jaw and it was like everything inside her broke straight open.

Aerith pushed aside all those fanciful ideas and detailed plans of what she would do upon seeing him again and just threw herself into him.

Not even giving a single thought to the flowers under her knees that were crushed and uprooted in her reckless actions - nothing mattered but Zack.

Clinging tightly to him as close as she could possibly get without outright crawling under his skin, Aerith hugged him. Knuckles and fingers ached as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and frantically gripped the fabric of his shirt and buried her face against his neck. The thrum of his pulse against her cheek and his heart wildly hammering against her breast was the absolutely most wondrous feeling in the entire world. She bit her lip and the sharp pinch of pain informed her instantly that she wasn't dreaming - she was awake - this was real…

And it was like she came alive again.

Zack was really here.

Alive.

Breathing.

Holding her just like she dreamt he would upon his return…

All those lonely miserable seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years faded into oblivion with the sensation of those wonderfully muscled arms returning her embrace. Big, warm calloused hands dragging and tenderly caressing in comforting circles across her back as he curled his body around hers like a protective barrier until she was completely surrounded by him. His incredible warmth, unsurpassed strength, intoxicating smell… Everything was just like she remembered and she never wanted to be without it again.

"Oh, Zack…I missed you…" she sobbed into his tear-soaked throat.

Zack was taken aback when Aerith abruptly flung herself into his unsuspecting arms.

Instinctively, he immediately accepted her into the circle of his embrace. Slight weight, the feminine softness of her petite body, dainty fingers clenching tightly onto his newly-acquired sweater and warm, teary face burrowing into his throat had him letting out a sudden cry that he didn't even bother stifling. Normally steady hands were shaking as he eagerly ran his thickly calloused hands against the fabric of her pink cotton dress, loose braid, stray wisps of auburn silk kissing his knuckles and sinfully smooth skin of her arms and shoulders.

Zack finally wrapped her up and simply held her like he had been dreaming about for five fucking years…

So much pain melting away with her touch and affections even after so long apart. The agony of his previous hellish torture, pain, aches, fatigue of the battle he somehow survived, and all the damn stress he'd been carrying like an herculean burden for the past half-decade melted away as her arms tightened around him like she refused to let him go.

Zack wouldn't mind if she didn't either…

"Oh, Zack…I missed you…" she wailed into his neck, nose brushing against his pulse point and he let out a huff of a laugh, a few tears trickling down his face as he nuzzled his cheek against her hair.

He sniffled, swallowed back another sob before replying, "I missed you too, Aerith…so much…" Lower lip trembled as he gently brushed his lips against the crown of her head in an imitation of a kiss.

Aerith let out a soft cry at his voice and burrowed her face deeper into his throat, arms tightening around him. In turn, Zack cradled her closer, being so careful to make sure he wasn't hurting her or squeezing to tight. Inhaling deeply and shoulders slumping in abject relief, Zack felt himself relax and muscles completely unwind for the first time in five whole years.

The scent of the garden was a mocking comparison to how Aerith smelt - the earthiness and clean, fertile soil clinging to her clothes and skin, the fruity shampoo she still used wafting from her hair and the distinct smell of lilies that trailed her wherever she went even when she wasn't among her garden.

…For the first time in so damn long, Zack felt safe…

So much so that time itself felt non-consequential in Aerith's thin arms.

For years, Zack was nothing but a jittery bundle of nerves. Whether it was waiting for Hojo to start their torture of himself or Cloud, debilitating anxiety when Cloud screamed but then stopped, eventually even quit responding to the messages he'd scratched into the glass of their Mako tanks. Or just how utterly and terribly alone he'd felt for so damn long. The escape and running and running and running; the constant anxiety and agony of wanting nothing but to be free and away from under Shin-Ra's thumb.

Body and nerves frayed, constantly expecting an attack, an ambush, always running and hiding and fighting just to survive until the next morning… But as Aerith's hands loosened in his sweater, fingertips and short nails dragging pleasantly over his shoulderblades and spine in comforting circles and mindless shapes, that deep ache he assumed would always be present began to fade away…

"...Zack?" Aerith asked, breaking him from his thoughts (he could have easily fallen asleep for a year like that) as her face finally left the hollow of his throat to look up at him with those gorgeous green eyes he'd missed so damn much.

The ex-SOLDIER reluctantly released his tight embrace to look at her properly, "Hmm? What is it? …Is everything alright?"

"It is now," she said with a teary smile, "…but, I just need to know…" Aerith bit her lip before finally asking, "…Where were you, Zack?"

Zack froze.

His cheek twitched and hands started shaking but he forced them still before she could notice (she probably still did though…she was always way too observant when it came to him).

Old but terribly loud demons began screeching within the confines of his head and he pulled back slightly further from Aerith in fear that she could somehow hear the echoes of them. Sephiroth speaking nonsense in a moldy basement surrounded by dusty books (nothing like the stoic proud man he knew before), a town on fire and all those innocent people dead or dying in the blaze. Being thrown like a ragdoll down metal stairs with the masume wound pierced straight through his side, Cloud falling next to him and he couldn't even reach him before it all went black. Waking up in a sterile lab, Cloud's screams of pure blinding-white agony joined by his own, Hojo's demented laugh or even the roar of the horrendous saw that crudely cut his ribs open to get to his organs…

No!

Aerith couldn't know what really happened.

His beautiful flower girl still retained that same innocence even if it was burdened by five years of waiting and difficult slum life - he still saw a brightness in her he never wanted to dim. Would die before ever letting that happen and Zack wouldn't be the one to take that light away from her. It was his burden he refused to share - especially now.

"It's…I…Aerith, I can't, I -" Zack struggled for words, the tremors returned but Aerith's gentle hands returning to caress his shoulder blades had him calm almost instantly and he leaned into her healing touch.

"No, I'm sorry, I-I shouldn't have asked," Aerith looked chastised, more tears gathering as she must have seen the horrific memories that etched themselves on his expressive face. Zack had always been easy for her to read; with her, he was sure to carry his heart on his sleeve and it seems five years did nothing to temper that.

"No, Aer. I will. ...I'll tell you someday…but not now…" Zack shook his head, "Hell, maybe not for a really long time. Maybe never, I just..."

"Zack, you don't have to, I'm sorry, I -" Aerith sobbed and Zack gingerly brushed his hand against her cheek as an interruption; she trembled and leaned into his palm.

"...I will when I'm ready - okay?" he decided on.

Aerith bit her bottom lip as it trembled between her teeth and she gazed knowingly into his eyes before finally nodding, "…whenever you're ready..."

The slight break in the intimate moment before was quickly recovered when Aerith leaned forward to rest her head back on his chest. "I'm sorry. It really doesn't matter now...I'm just so happy that you're back...that you're here with me," she admitted against his sternum, hands caressing his back mindlessly.

Zack was relieved when she dropped the subject; uttering a simple, "Yeah. Me too…" against the top of her head. Forcing his heart to calm and remember that he and Cloud were safe now, Zack wrapped his arms loosely over her thin shoulders as his eyes slid closed.

The quiet that followed was a bit awkward but still unbelievably comforting.

Only sounds to be heard was their combined breathing, heartbeats and the peace that always seemed to fill the church. There were so many things Zack wanted to say, wanted to ask about such as what she'd been through these past five years, but as Aerith previously stated, that didn't matter right now. So Zack enjoyed simply being together again. Having her in his arms and kneeling with her in her garden was enough for now - would always be enough for him.

The ex-SOLDIER melted into her but his eyes slid open when Aerith began leisurely running her hands ever so delicately over him.

The sensations of her fingertips making his nerves tingle in the most amazing ways. His beautiful flower girl mapping him with her touch and Zack was more than happy if she decided never to stop. Dainty fingers pressing only around the broad expanse of his back at first but steadily began wandering elsewhere. Her forehead against his sternum, Aerith marginally pulled away from him only so she could continue her exploration; gingerly brushing against his ribs and abdomen before lingering on his chest. Aerith fully lifted her head from his chest (Zack flashed a lazy smirk seeing just how flushed her cheeks had become) and stared at her hands as they skimmed up his pectorals, followed the line of his collarbone and shoulders before resting against the sides of his neck.

Fuck, he missed her touch…

Zack remained frozen and stared at her face as she moved higher. Eyes timidly locked onto his when her fingers slipped into his hair and Zack couldn't help but wince at the tangled knots she found there. In his defense, he hadn't had a decent comb since that one he'd found in a backwater town hotel during his escape with Cloud; he'd lost it somewhere along the way and the time when his hair was of utmost importance had long since passed.

Yet, for the first time in his life, Zack felt self-conscious about his looks.

He'd always been (reluctant to admit) a bit cocky and overconfident about his physical appearance but now, he felt so naked and bare with Aerith - wanting her to look at him and see someone still worth her while. All those doubts vanished when she finally was able to comb his hair out with her thin fingers before tenderly cupping his jaw within her cool palms and gifted him with the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen.

Desperately wanting the tense moment between them to fade and regain the beautifully intimate moments from earlier, Aerith pressed her head to his chest.

Focused on the steady beat of his heart, she swallowed down the tears, guilt and pain that still lingered as she recalled that look plastered on Zack's face. How her bringing up what he'd been through these past five years and mindlessly asking his whereabouts gave him such an utter sense of agony and despair that lined every inch of his face…

She did that - caused this beautiful, wonderful man even more pain, reliving something she knew he'd probably rather forget. That acknowledgement filled Aerith's stomach with stones.

Closing her eyes against that thought, Aerith's hands wandered over him. As silence reigned other than her stifled breaths and his heartbeat drumming steadily against her cheek, her hands moved more certainly. His relaxed muscles under her fingers was enough of an indication that the tense moment faded for now even if she would beat herself up over it later. Pushing that aside for now, Aerith silently began remembering every inch of his body strictly through contact, recalling the raised scars she felt underneath the sweater he now wore and feeling and seeing new ones marring his skin.

As much as she wanted to ask how they were acquired and kiss each one after he told her each story (like she used to so many years ago), she bit her tongue and moved on. Refusing to bring up the past anymore tonight - perhaps for a long time - or ever.

The past didn't matter - only the present - and she wouldn't let her guilt taint this moment any longer.

Aerith pressed her forehead against the center of his chest and she felt his pectoral muscles grow taut at her action and the sensation of them against her face had a dark blush staining her cheeks as she pulled away from him slightly. Aerith refused to look at his face, worried she'd still see pain, or even worse, that cocksure smirk he'd get when he knew he was getting her flustered without even trying.

Swallowing back her trepidation, Aerith braved a look at his expression and her shoulders slouched at the gentle smile curving his lips instead. Braver hands roamed up his chest and she'd be lying if she didn't enjoy the incredible strength and sinewy muscles and rock-hard musculature under her palms. Broad shoulders and heated skin - so intimate it all felt now after so long apart - like it was some of their first physical interactions all over again.

Further up, she cupped his neck, excited to finally be able to thread her fingers through his ridiculously spiky yet incredibly silken hair. Yet she faltered upon feeling him tense when her fingers stumbled upon some tangled knots in his normally smooth hair; her lips thinned. While it was obvious Zack had been through so much these past five years, it was harder seeing the obvious physical ramifications.

Yet she refused to pry any further.

Aerith knew he would tell her when he was ready and would probably be content if he never did either.

Zack was right here now and having him back was enough - would always be enough.

Her raven-haired SOLDIER slowly relaxed under her ministrations once all the knots were combed through with her sure fingers. Zack scooted slightly closer to her, hair now easily skimming through the gaps in her fingers and the ticklish sensation had her breathing out a contented sigh. Absolutely reveling in his intoxicating closeness. She'd missed him so much; missed absolutely everything about him - seeing him, hearing him, touching him. It was all so therapeutic after all the agony that laid in her heart for these past five damned years.

Having Zack back in her arms meant everything.

Zack's cloudless sky blue eyes boring into her own, Aerith cupped his incredibly handsome face in her palms. Smiling brightly at him while the thumb of her right hand brushed over that familiar cross shaped scar etched on his jaw and traced its shape. Aerith took a moment to languidly study his face. For years, she was so fearful that she'd never get to see him again. That the only way she could see his face was through fading memories and the precious few photos she'd acquired that would never do him justice.

It hit her now just how little he changed physically (he still looked exactly as she remembered other than the new scars and clothes), but yet so drastically in others.

Gone was the boisterous teenager with the innocent, youthful exuberance, cocky smirk that seemed to be permanently etched onto his lips and in his confident swagger. There was a maturity to him that was even more drastic than after his mentor's death; it was so much more bone-deep and personal. Whatever happened to Zack these past five years was beyond anything she could have even wanted to know or comprehend to make her playfully-coined, Zack the Puppy, into this haunted man before her now.

Lines and scars on his face that hadn't been there before, heavy shadows under his still piercingly bright blue eyes that held more agony than a person should ever have to experience. A tiredness yet the hints of one ready to jolt at the sightless inclination of danger in his posture that spoke volumes for the man who had always had excess energy and was always moving but still retained such a laid-back attitude. So much had changed...

…Yet, even considering all of it, this was still her Zack…

Tears filled her eyes than slipped steadily down her cheeks as she took him in. Her Zack. Retaining that incredible gentleness when touching her, confident yet so sweet smile, soft tone of voice, sinfully handsome face surrounded by midnight black hair and of course, those magnificent eyes. Ones she could drown in and stay blithely adrift for the rest of her life.

Aerith's gaze finally fell and froze on his smiling mouth - gorgeous plush pink-rose tinted lips beckoning her like a moth to a flame and she wouldn't deny her wants anymore or ever again. Aerith had never been very forward in their relationship (Zack was usually the far more affectionate one) but she was going to change that now… Hands gently grasping his face, she leaned forward and pushed herself up on her knees to close the distance between their mouths.

With heart hammering wildly in her chest, Aerith kissed Zack in the very spot they first met.

And…wow, it was nothing like all their previous kisses or even their most intimate moments they shared all those years ago.

It was everything.

It was like finally coming home…

While initially surprised at Aerith's brazenness (he could easily get used to this new forward side of her), Zack quickly melted against her lips.

Zack smiled against her petal-soft mouth, loving the sensation of her trembling fingers cradling his jaw while his hands rested against the soft cotton of her dress and the other tenderly cradling the back of her head. Zack broke their lip-lock for barely a blink, tilted their heads ever so slightly before he kissed her again. Slotting his mouth properly over hers to deepen the kiss and he shivered at just how perfect it all felt.

Aerith lips trembled against how own and she let out the softest moan as her fingers found anchorage by gentle grasping handfuls of his raven hair. Instead of the cocky smirk and the boost to his male pride he would have received all those years ago for being the cause of a girl making those sounds, his heart fluttered instead.

The overwhelming, pure love he had for this girl hadn't waned from their five year absence and if this incredible moment said anything, it only grew to a place where Zack knew he could never live without it - without her. Something so tender, priceless, wonderful and precious, someone a murderer like him never deserved - but she stayed anyway. Aerith waited for him for five years, never knowing for certain if he would return or was even alive - but she still waited; faithfully wearing the ribbon he bought her like a physical reminder of his promise to her…

The very notion she still believed that he would return after all this time shook him to his very core…

Zack pressed his mouth deeper, tenderly against hers; their noses brushing as he tilted his head and kissed her harder. Aerith leaned into his touch and affections as their mouths desperately caressed, parting and melding over and over until the world faded to only each other. Their combined breathing becoming heavy and deep, they kissed to make up for all the lost time; so many emotions and feelings of five lost years echoing and being expressed with the press of lips, pounding heartbeats and the tender touch of hands.

As all good things though, it eventually slowed to the barest brushing of lips before reluctantly, Zack broke their kiss with a soft pop.

Breasts heaving with shortness of breath, Aerith's eyes remained closed for a moment and in that time, Zack tenderly cradled her gorgeous heart-shaped face between his palms. Ever so gently, he wiped away the tears that still stained her cheeks with the calloused curves of his thumbs. Emerald eyes slipped open and gazed with him with so much undisguised love and affection, it nearly took his breath away.

There was so much to say, so much to discuss, but for now, it could wait…

"As much as I want to stay here hugging and kissing you all night," he gave her a familiar smirk and vastly enjoyed feeling how her cheeks flushed and heated under his palms, "I kinda want you to meet someone, if you're up for it."

Aerith's eyes widened as she stole a glance at where Cloud still lay before she nodded, "Of course."

Zack smiled, running his hands down her neck, across her shoulders (he lived for how she shuddered at his touch) and gingerly down her arms until their hands were clasped palm to palm (he simply adored just how small her hands were in his). Ever so gently, Zack stood and pulled her to unsteady feet.

The ex-SOLDIER let out a warm chuckle when her legs buckled and she fell against his chest (completely accidental, she swears). Their hands breaking apart momentarily as she wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head on his chest. His gorgeous flower girl giggles than smiles up at him, nuzzling her cheek tenderly against his sternum before tenderly kissing above where his heart still wildly pounds.

Zack is filled with such a deep sense of rightness, belonging, of being where he needs and wants to be - it's overwhelming - and he leans down and kisses her lips one more time; quietly, profusely thanking whatever deity decided to let him live as he pulls away. Zack doesn't even want to fathom not being able to experience this kind of love and affection again… In his heart of hearts, he knows he doesn't deserve her or deserve this happiness, but yet she waited for him and amazingly, still wants him.

There's three certain words he'd said to her what felt like a lifetime ago; words they would say casually to each other frequently back then but held such a different meaning now. The lack of her presence in his life and all the hell he'd been dealt didn't seem to matter in this moment. Zack was desperate to say them to her right now but he wanted to wait - to savor this time with her - and knew there would be so many more moments later…

Zack would fucking make sure of it - for nothing, not even the end of the world - was taking him away from Aerith again…

Aerith stepping back breaks him from his reverie and she grins up at him brightly; he's vastly relieved there are no longer tears lingering in her brilliant eyes.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go meet him." Aerith exclaims as she reaches and unhurriedly runs her fingertips along his forearms before clasping his hands with her own.

Zack is a bit distracted by all her touching (she definitely wasn't as touchy feely before but Zack would never complain about that) but he nods eagerly. Gently clutching her hand in his as they walk toward where the blonde is still lying where Zack left him.

He's surprised to find Cloud actually awake and looking quite lucid.

"Hey buddy, you have a good nap?" Zack greets his friend happily and sends a smile Aerith's way before reluctantly releasing her hand before kneeling next to Cloud. It takes a moment, but he's able to help the blonde get into a semi-seated position without tipping over. "Hey Cloud, now that you're situated, there's someone special I want you to meet, okay?"

Cloud glances at Zack when he speaks and that's better than the raven-haired ex-SOLDIER expected.

"Alright. Good." Standing up, Zack turned back to Aerith and flung an arm out toward Cloud, "Aerith, this is my best friend in the entire world and the absolute best honorary little brother a guy could ever ask for - Aerith, meet Cloud." Zack presented his non-moving friend with his typical flourish.

Zack turned back toward Cloud, "And Cloud, this is my girl, Aerith. The most wonderful, patient, beautiful and forgiving girlfriend in the Planet's history," he flashed Aerith a wink and charming smile; vastly enjoying the flush on her cheeks before leaning toward her to swiftly kiss her cheek, "I told you all about her, remember, buddy?" he asked when turning his attention back to the blonde.

Cloud kept staring at Zack but minutely, he turned his head, looked than blinked at Aerith.

"Hello Cloud." Aerith said, kneeling to be better eye-level with the blonde man, "It's so nice to finally be able to meet you. I remember when Zack used to talk about you sometimes. Not by name, just someone he knew and called them 'Spiky Chocobo Head' so I'm assuming that's you," Aerith couldn't help but giggle at the long (and rather un-amused) blink Cloud gave her and Zack's grimace when remembering the old name he'd called him once upon a time.

"...Z-Zack…" Cloud muttered, his half lucid eyes clearing more by the second as turned his gaze toward him.

Zack knelt next to Aerith, placing a hand on Cloud's shoulder to look him straight in the eyes, "Yes. I'm right here, Cloud. I'm not going anywhere. We're friends…brothers and I'm always gonna be there for you."

Zack felt his throat tighten when he witnessed the slightest twitching near Cloud's mouth and knew that was the closest he'd seen the blonde smile in way too damn long. Somewhere in there, Cloud was still fighting to regain control - he was healing and Zack would make sure to do everything in his power to make sure Cloud got better.

"...You're going to be okay, Cloud." Aerith broke in gently with a sweet smile, placing a flower she surreptitiously picked - a beautiful perfect golden lily that matched Cloud's hair - and slipped it into the breast pocket of his shirt.

Cloud slowly glanced down at the flower in what looked to be awe and Zack didn't even bother wiping the few tears that slipped down his cheeks at the sight.

Aerith glanced over at Zack; who felt her eyes on his face and turned to look back at her. Those brilliant eyes she loved were filled with nothing but relief and happiness and she knew hers were much the same. They were together now and nothing would tear them apart again.

"Yeah. You're gonna be okay…" Zack professed, laying a warm hand over Aerith's and Cloud's both and squeezed tightly. "…We all are…"

And this time, it would be…

The End!

I don't want to get into FF7 in this universe so just pretend all the bad guys spontaneously combusted so no meteor, no Aerith sacrifice, and the planet is back to normal. Cloud recovers fully over time, him and Zack become mercenaries and make tons of money. Of course, Zack and Aerith get married and have a bunch of beautiful babies and Cloud is the best damn uncle of all time because they all deserve the happiest of endings. That's my headcanon ending for this universe anyway til FF7R Part 2 proves me otherwise. XD

Thanks for reading! Hope y'all enjoyed!