Never Fade

Disclaimer: FFVII (c) Square-Enix.

A/N: Inspired by the LJ community, 25phrase.

How she got there was unlike anything she had experienced. She watched herself gently sink lower and lower, the waters covering her gently like silk. And she… she was lifted, higher and higher.

She felt so light, like a little bubble gingerly floating up towards the sky.

But there was no sky and no earth. There was just white… pure white that wrapped itself around her as she continued being pushed upwards by some invisible but firm force. It was like a fog but nothing so suffocating. She thought she could hear a sweet melody being played… but it wasn't in her ears. It was more like… someone playing a violin at the back of her mind, faraway.

But it was soothing… and peaceful.

She must have dozed off as she drifted further and further upwards because the next thing she knew, the whiteness had dissolved into the majesty of the universe above her world. Millions of billions of trillions of glittering stars all around the green and blue swirls that pushed past her like a slow moving river. She laughed slightly as she was pushed along. She twirled and spun with the movement of the Planet's life force. She could hear other voices but didn't seem to make out any words. It was like a hum… a hum of those who had come before her when their life's journey came to an end.

Then she saw him, nearly twirling right into him.

There were no words between them, merely a smile on his face. For her part, there was surprise and then warmth as she smiled in return. A piece of the puzzle fit suddenly into place and everything clicked together to make a picture once she saw him.

He held out one hand to her and she reached back. Grasping his hand, the long-forgotten feeling of holding him returned and he pulled her gently towards him. She floated willingly into his arms.

Looking up, green eyes searched blue ones amidst the slow, pulsing swirls surrounding the both of them.

Finally she parted her lips to speak.

"Is this real or is this fading?" Her voice sounded like an echo here.

"…as real as you wish it to be… but it will never fade." His voice, also echoing slightly, flooded her mind with memories. It was as genial, as amiable… the same as she remembered.

"I'm sorry I never made it to Midgar on time."

She shook her head. "I understand. Now at any rate."

He grinned suddenly. "And you fell in love with my best friend, didn't you?"

She chuckled. "Define love."

"Ah… I see."

She smiled, reaching up to stroke his face. "My job is not finished yet. I must help the others."

"I know you do. And I'll help all I can." He caught the hand that caressed his cheek.

"…I've missed you, Aerith."

Her smile widened and she tiptoed to kiss him. "It's good to see you again, Zack."

.

End.