He could feel the rain wash the blood from his face.

Pain that had seared across his chest before began to dull to a numbness that his body was gradually accepting, and it was then that he knew he was slipping away.

Faintly, he heard laboured breathing grow nearer. Someone was crawling across the mud towards him. Before long, Zack's blurred vision allowed him the sight of a young face, white with fear and illness and framed with wild blonde hair that had become plastered to his cheeks. Cloud's shaking hands found his limp arms, and he felt relieved. The boy was safe, and he would be with Zack until the end. The fallen warrior smiled weakly.

"Zack…"

The poor kid was barely conscious himself, but he looked close to tears. There was a grim feeling of pity within Zack as he considered his young friend would have to watch him leave this world, mere hours after he had promised them both a new life. With all the strength he could muster, the SOLDIER raised a hand and clasped it around the back of Cloud's neck.

"You need to be strong, buddy." He rasped, locking his dwindling sight onto the bleary eyes above him. "For the both of us."

Cloud's lip quivered as he grasped his friend's razed forearm. "Anything, I'll do anything…"

Zack felt his chest sting as he heaved another precious breath inside him. "Stay with me. All you have to do is stay…"

The boy nodded, shuffling closer and settling in his kneeling position next to him. Zack, aware that the numbness grew throughout his body, had now begun to forget about the ghastly tear in his chest and the crippling gashes in his limbs. He stared up at the dark grey sky and sighed as he escaped into his thoughts, knowing he would probably encounter them all at once in his last few moments. And true to what he had always heard, flashing in front of his eyes was an influx of echoing memories… and they started with one person.

"We shouldn't be doing this. Not here…"

Fluttering reminiscences of voices resounded deep in his mind.

"I don't care."

Their voices…

"Angeal? Stay tonight… Please?"

"I'm not going anywhere."

He was slipping into these images as if they were happening all over again. The recollection of a strong, beautiful face swept into his head, taking over his vision. A dark forest painted itself behind, and he was inside the memory, feeling the gentle fingers on his cheek again.

Angeal smiled his charming smile and leaned further into Zack, who took his lips into his own again. The air around them - already humid - had grown warmer.

Zack realized he was waist-deep in water. They had been on another assignment out in some wild, muggy forest that day and escaped from their tent to cool off. He remembered this, and how he'd felt as if the world had disappeared in that moment to give way to one thought: it was his Angeal alone who deserved his attention, and there was no room for anything else…

They were against each other's bare, soaked skin. Zack suddenly considered that the last time they'd revealed this much flesh in front of each other had been during an awkward communal shower not long ago – and his pulse raced as he realized this was nothing like that; it was a first time all over again, and now he had Angeal's body not only to see but to feel, with no limits or boundaries – he was deafened by his heartbeat, and gasped as a brand new sensation took him…

The memory flickered out like a candle and a new one lit up in front of Zack. With this one came a new feeling entirely; there was a greater confidence swelling within that told him, in his deteriorating consciousness, that it had occurred far later than the last one. A different voice spoke this time; more aloof, but somehow concerned.

"I know what's going on, Fair." Sephiroth murmured, his face set and serious.

Zack should have felt terrified. He should have felt guilty. But nothing within him would allow any shame or fear to throw him. He would defend what he and his lover held, and anyone else would have to deal with it.

The youth straightened up. "That so? Guess it was only a matter of time before you spotted something, General."

Sephiroth raised a brow. "Your defensiveness is admirable, Zack, but you'll find little use for it around me. Angeal is my friend and comrade, and you must know one thing before you continue your little… visits."

Zack had begun to feel vulnerable in an instant. He waited for the blackmail, the anger… But it never came. Instead, Sephiroth's expression softened, and he took a step closer. His eerie eyes locked into Zack's, and he spoke.

"I swear if you ever let him go, or cause him any sorrow, I will be the first one you answer to."

The young man was surprised for a moment, but replaced it with a reassuring smile that his superior gradually returned.

This too ebbed away. In a fleeting moment another recollection replaced the previous.

"So d'you have someone special back home?" The blonde teenager asked tentatively.

Zack smirked. "Yeah."

"What's her name?"

"Ang…ela."

"Angela?"

"Mhmm." Zack fought to suppress a snigger. "Beautiful lady. Blue eyes, dark hair – like mine. Strong one, too… she's even a little taller than me."

Cloud produced an expression of mild shock. "How does a girl even reach that height?"

Zack had been about to give another phony reply, until 'Angela' appeared in the doorway, armed with a cardkey that was recognizable immediately as the one to the motorbike warehouse.

He narrowed his eyes as if he knew his partner had been up to mischief, but smiled politely. "Zack. Driving lesson."

Cloud seemed to be mulling something over in his mind as Zack left him with a salute and a wink. If the kid figured it out, so what? Might even teach the younger generation to be more open-minded…

Zack felt a twinge coming from his lungs as he breathed in. The memories began flooding in quicker now, as if they hurried to remind him. In an instant he found himself fall from the lighthearted images preceding, and was confronted with one he knew was entrenched deeper still within him.

Could it have been…?

A handsome face, previously smiling and whiter now than usual, suddenly became overcast with traces of sadness. They lay facing each other, the breeze from the window cooling their bare skin and rippling the sheets that covered them. Angeal touched Zack's chin softly, and the younger man watched as his mentor's expression gradually became more and more forlorn. There was something amiss, and it made him anxious.

"You look so sad," Zack whispered. "Did I do something wrong?"

"You couldn't do a thing wrong, pup." He smiled weakly. But this, too, faded as quickly as it came. He seemed to be thinking deeply.

"…You have to go somewhere, don't you?"

Angeal looked back into his eyes. The answer had been given to him already.

Zack tried hard to fight the feeling lingering in his throat that threatened to give him tears. He swallowed. "For how long?"

His partner's eyes, duller in colour than usual for some reason, left his face. He gazed downwards. "I… don't know."

Zack wasn't sure what to think, or say. For a moment he touched Angeal's powerful chest, simply trying to find the heartbeat again. It fluttered beneath his fingers. He savoured it, wondering when he would be able to feel it again after tonight.

"Whatever happens, Zack… I-"

"I love you, Angeal."

There was a silence, and he gazed hopelessly into Zack's face. A single tear fell from his paling, bloodshot eyes, and he clutched his young companion's hand, holding it close to his heart.

"And… I love you. Don't forget it… Even when you might doubt everything around you…"

Zack remembered the grim foreshadowing in Angeal's words that night, and as the following memories forced their way in front of him, he felt powerless to stop the torment that came with them.

"I can't stay!"

"Please, Angeal…"

"This…" the white wing unfurled from behind his shoulder. "This only confirms what I thought. We're all monsters, Zack, and everything they told us… it was all lies…"

"We're not monsters!" he felt tears and anger rise in his voice. "You could never be a monster... Angeal, please – remember what you have in me. I'll do anything I can to help you…"

"You can't…"

The scene changed again. A redheaded man stood before him, his eyes scathing.

"It's too late, young one," he muttered, "He has discovered the wrongs he has been dealt, just as I did. ShinRa made us this way. You are a fool, if you think you will have him back…"

Sephiroth's distressed face replaced that of Genesis.

"Zack, you have to let this go. He isn't coming back."

"Stop it!" Zack was sick with fury and desperation. "Stop telling me the same fucking thing they all say! I'm going to find him, if it goddamned kills me!"

"You don't understand!" the General whirled up from his seat and loomed over Zack. "They both betrayed us, he and Genesis. You and I have both lost… But they cannot be saved…"

"You know what?" Zack snarled. "Screw you. We'll see exactly who betrayed who in this shitpile of a mess."

The rage left a bitter taste. But it wasn't long before another, more painful memory flowed into view – and upon the recollection, that rage was supplanted with the most terrible, wretched feeling of despair Zack had ever experienced.

"I'm so sorry…"

Zack felt he had destroyed his own heart when he delivered the final blow to the monster that had taken over his friend. The beast had fallen, but when he saw it shrink and flicker away to reveal the form of his beloved Angeal, lying defeated and broken on the ground, the agony in Zack's innermost being became close to unbearable. He dropped his blade and, shaking uncontrollably, fell to his knees by Angeal's side.

"I… I'm-"

"Don't say sorry…" he rasped, lifting his hand to clutch Zack's wrist. "Remember - you had no choice. I would have killed you… and so many more…"

"But I…" Zack's chest burned as he drew breath, "This... It feels so horribly wrong, Angeal… I never wanted to lose you, let alone this way!"

The man's own eyes had filled with imminent tears as he gripped tighter on Zack's arm. Through what was clearly pain, he gave a fragile smile. "You couldn't do a thing wrong… pup."

Zack didn't dare try to control his tears. Placing a quivering hand on Angeal's paling, beautiful face, the youth sobbed quietly, disbelieving of anything that was happening.

"I'm proud of you, Zack…" Angeal's voice had dulled to a low murmur. "My Zack… I know you can continue what I never finished. You could be the greatest… hero that anyone could hope for."

"But you are a hero. Don't you see? Nobody I know could ever come as close to the brave man I see in you. Nobody could ever understand… how completely incredible you are. I never forgot what you said to me… I never forgot, even when I doubted everything else!"

Angeal's tears matched that of his young friend as he gazed up at him, sadness and adoration in his greying eyes. "Then you did everything I hoped you'd do. That is why… I'm so proud…"

He cringed against what was obvious agony, and let out a shuddering breath. Zack, eyes suddenly wide with unspeakable dismay, desperately drew his beloved's head up into his arms. "Don't go… Please…"

With what was seemingly his last strength, Angeal latched his fingers onto Zack's shoulder, gazing into his glistening eyes. "No matter what happens… Follow your heart… Prove yourself in your own right. N - nobody else's."

Zack, though he nodded, still could not accept the way Angeal's eyes had started to die back; the way his skin grew cold to touch. He ran his finger through hair now flecked with mako silver, and whispered, "For as long as we exist, even after we're gone from the planet… I'll love you. That's a promise."

A weak breath escaped Angeal. "I… love…y-"

But the fingers grasping his shoulder slowly slackened and fell away, and Zack – now horribly alone – bent over the body in his arms and trembled with hopeless sobbing. And in his grief and terror, he cried out as long and as hard as his burning lungs would allow…

The images that followed became nothing more than shadowy reminiscences now, tainted by the echo of Zack's own screaming that still resounded in his mind. For a brief moment he thought he saw Sephiroth's face, changed by betrayal and insanity as fire smouldered behind him – but its effect was dulled. He still felt the sorrow that gripped him the night he watched his loved one fade away, and wanted these images to end…

He could feel the rain upon his face again. He wondered how much time had passed, but judging by the fact he could still see – rather than feel by now - his hand around the back of Cloud's neck, all those vivid memories had played out in the space of a mere moment; a lapse in time. But it had been a great enough number of seconds to blur Zack's vision even further, and he could feel his pulse slow. He felt as if one of his lungs may have collapsed, as it soon became more and more of a labour to breathe. He knew by now he was nearing the end, and for the sake of his terrified young comrade, he pulled forth a final smile.

"Whatever happens, Cloud…" he murmured, "I need you to continue on. Finish for me what I started…"

"I don't know where I'd begin." The boy said unsteadily.

"You'll know what to do," Zack replied quietly. "Follow your dreams. You have the strength, I know it… to be my living legacy…"

Cloud's youthful face, full of trepidation and uncertainty, reminded him that once, he himself may have looked just the same. They had all been young and scared once, but with each others' help, they had overcome it. And one day, Cloud would grow to breathe strength into his own companions…

The numbness had spread through Zack's entire body, and he could no longer feel any pain. Now, a different feeling altogether washed over him. As his vision diminished to mere daubs of dreary colour, he felt – for the first time – a little frightened. Cloud's voice echoed – "Zack… Zack?" – as he felt himself slip away into darkness. The last thing he heard was the reverberation of a long, mournful cry… and then there was nothing.

:

"Zack…"

Who was whispering his name?

"Can you hear me?"

But… he was dead… wasn't he? How was he still able to hear?

"…Zack."

The voice had spoken clearly now, sounding closer than before. And it was so familiar… Could it be…?

Zack tried to reach forth, but there was only darkness. He couldn't feel anything; his arms would not move – if they were even there. He suddenly felt afraid, like he was trapped – and so he called out.

"Help me…"

He knew he'd spoken, but he couldn't hear his own voice. He was blind, disembodied and fearful that this nothingness was truly the end. Surely this couldn't be it… There had to be something beyond this…

Please…

"Zack. It's okay. I'm here."

That voice…

"Angeal? Please… I'm scared…"

"It'll be alright. Just open your eyes, Zack. Open your eyes…"

He hesitated. It was almost as if he'd forgotten how to see.

"Open your eyes…"

Suddenly, like a wave washing over him, there came a deep and comforting warmth. And the darkness before him turned into a dazzling light, engulfing his vision and filling him with hope. But what was this, descending from the bright centre of this light towards him?

A feather… white. From an angel's wing…

"Is it you?"

A hand appeared from within the light, extending before him. With nothing to lose, he reached forth towards it – and this time, he could see his own. He grasped this strong hand, and felt himself float. It was pulling him up, into that glorious, warm light…

"Hold on, Zack."

There was an intense stream of air. He could see nothing except whiteness, and could feel only the familiar grip of that hand. It felt as though he was going on a journey, and he knew in that moment that though he had left his body, something still had yet to begin. It was another step…

Suddenly, he halted. That hand had let go of his, and he stood, gradually becoming aware of a soft rushing sound. And then, through the blinding radiance, a tall figure became slowly visible. Zack felt that warmth grow around him again, and he knew immediately that he was safe.

"Angeal…"

The figure spoke through a white haze. "You've done it, Zack. You can rest now."

The younger warrior smiled. "Would you say, then… that I became a hero?"

"The greatest anyone could hope for." Suddenly, the figure walked forward, and behind his head shone a halo of light. Angeal, exactly the way Zack remembered him at his very best, smiled a beautiful, tranquil smile. "And I am proud… ever so proud of you, Zack."

It was really him, his own brave love, magnificent and strong in the light – and Zack felt recognizable emotions entwine themselves throughout his ethereal being. He breathed out, the relief and comfort gracing him once again.

Angeal touched his face, and he felt the area on his cheek tingle. His old friend's eyes glistened, and his smile beamed. "Look at you… How strong, how stunning you've become. I can hardly call you a puppy any more."

"I didn't tell anyone, obviously, but..." Zack gave a lopsided smirk, "I missed it."

Angeal's soft laugh filled him with solace.

"I missed you." Zack continued. "Sometimes too deeply to cope with."

In that moment he felt choked with emotion as he felt the blissful familiarity of his friend's sturdy frame and secure embrace. For years he had been deprived of this, and he smiled widely as Angeal returned this indescribable affection, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"I've watched over you," he whispered, "when I've been able to see clearly enough. The boy, Cloud… You saved him. You'll be a very big part of his life."

"I hope so." Zack replied. "But I'm not done yet. Can I still… talk to him? I have a feeling he'll need my help at some point. I just know there'll be times when he'll think he's failing..."

"There are ways you can still help from within the Lifestream," Angeal said, "but I've yet to figure it out. We can try, though. You're right… You're not done yet; neither of us are. But we need to carry onward first."

"You mean, there's something ahead still… and you've stayed here all this time, in between?"

"In a way." He looked down, his wonderful eyes glowing. "But I was waiting. To continue my journey, with you."

Zack smiled. He had never broken his promise to love this man, even beyond life, and he decided it was for this very reason. Angeal was faithful, caring, beautiful – to the highest extent that a person could ever be, and the true honour in all this came not from being called a hero – though it had helped – but from the fact that Angeal was his, forever. These were the things, in the end, that had given him pride to have lived the life he did.

Zack looked deep into the splendid blue eyes of his saviour; his angel, and took his hand.

"Then let's go."

:

~ Fin

:

A/N: Awwww. Well, it's been a long road to completion but there we have it. Thank you for reading, and for bearing with me, as this has been a story I've held close to my heart for a few years now; so much so that I've become a little deluded into thinking it's Crisis Core canon! XD I thank you for reviewing and complimenting my work; it's helped me both improve my writing style and appreciate my creativity.

note: I have been writing a set of little vignettes based on the established relationship between chapter 7 and 8. You will be able to view them in my account. x