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silly-bean · 2 years ago

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I posted 24,893 times in 2022

That's 1,391 more posts than 2021!

44 posts created (0%)

24,849 posts reblogged (100%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@panmennoby

@ibyte13

@harpothemarx

@vivi-mire

I tagged 624 of my posts in 2022

#ff7 - 155 posts

#ffvii - 153 posts

#cloud strife - 66 posts

#life ref - 28 posts

#zack fair - 27 posts

#sephiroth - 22 posts

#ask game - 21 posts

#bean things - 21 posts

#tifa lockhart - 19 posts

#vincent valentine - 15 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#ive started speaking in a minnesotan accent cuz a friend had a canadian accent for their dnd character and id been watching critical role 2

My Top Posts in 2022:

RRD Chapter 3!

Sorry it took almost a year but it's finally done! I had to move a scene from this chapter into the next one to get it out since I was running into a wall, but I hope it was worth the wait!

Read on AO3

Summary: Cloud utilizes his god-like stealth skills and Zack initiates the bromance of the century.

Word Count: 4,745

~~~~~~

Cloud watches the SOLDIER exit the room with wary eyes, waiting until he hears Zack (it’s Zack, he’s alive on the other side of that door) engage him in a conversation to strip and start pulling on his newly-repaired clothing. Logically, he knows the man meant no harm when he unknowingly stumbled over not one, but two of his traumas in trying to engage him in conversation, but he can’t quite bring himself to chase away the resentment curling in his gut; not with his oh so recent battle with the resurrected nightmare playing back in his head right alongside the old memory of smoke and flame.

He shakes off the cobwebs in his head and pulls his shoulder guard on, tightening the strap down and making sure it was sitting in the right place. He picks up the harness next, rubbing at the new stitching before he swings it around back and fastens it into place. His new boots go on next, laces and leather stiff. He keeps one ear on the conversation happening in the hallway as he finishes by strapping the skirt to his waist and pulling on his gloves. They’re not talking about him specifically anymore; the conversation has moved on to the “incident” at large and what SOLDIER is expected to help with. Then, he hears the words “Sephiroth” and “Midgar” and decides to pay attention.

“-should be arriving in a few hours. He sure wasn’t happy to get called back until I explained and has sent no less than three messages to me complaining about the slow flight since he started.”

“Really? Commander Sephiroth complains?”

“Of course, just don’t go spreading it around-”

Cloud stops listening, his thoughts racing. If Sephiroth was coming back to Midgar, well, then his choice really was made for him, wasn’t it? He goes back over the information he’d been able to gather from his brief conversation with Hewley.

My gear is in a secure room somewhere in the hospital. Hewley mentioned it being “downstairs”, so I’m assuming it’s on the ground floor somewhere, most likely not where the general public can get.

He turns around, eyes the window, and walks over to it. He looks out, gauging the distance to the ground, and determines he’s on the 3rd floor; a small fall by his standards. He casts one look back at the door. The two have stopped talking at this point, so only the ambient sounds of the building prevent it from being completely silent.

No, Cloud. You have things to do. Zack can wait.

Cloud shakes his head and turns back around, straightening his posture. He eases the window open and almost coughs at the air that streams in. He’s gotten used to a life without mako smog, and the bitter, slightly minty smell catches him off guard. Swallowing his nausea, he pulls himself up and flips around so his feet are braced on the outside of the building and he’s gripping the window, facing into the room. He takes a slow breath and kicks off, dropping to the ground behind the line of shrubs with barely a whisper. He pauses there for a second, listening for any sign that he’s been spotted, before standing up.

He picks his way down the building, away from the entrance, and exits the line of shrubs. He takes a moment to breathe, settling himself before starting back towards the entrance of the hospital.

Okay, so Zack had to grab my things from a room on one of the lower floors. It’s probably guarded, or, at the very least, locked to unauthorized visitors. I’d like to not just wander around the hospital trying to find the right room and give people plenty of time to notice I’m gone and find me before I get my stuff.

Cloud finds himself reaching for his sword, looking to wrap his hand around the hilt to reassure himself of its presence, and pulls his hand down with a snarl. He stops walking and shakes his head. All of it - everything that’s happened to him in the past however-long-it’s-been since he returned to Edge and found it under attack by the Remnants - is wearing on him, fogging up his mind and making it too easy for him to get caught up in his own head. Whatever kind of time travel bullshit he’s gotten caught up in now is just the icing on a cake made of garbage. Pain spikes through his head and he winces, pressing a hand to his temple.

“Shit.”

He rubs at the spot a few times before taking another breath and rolling his shoulders. His best bet for making it to his things before they lock the whole place down is to go right in through the front and bank on no one recognizing him as the possible terrorist who’s been laid out in one of their own beds for the past day, so Cloud starts walking again.

It’s like Vincent and Yuffie always said, “just act like you belong there and the average passerby won’t question you on it”.

He lengthens his stride and straightens up out of his perpetual slouch as he enters the front of the hospital. The front lobby looks like every hospital he’s been in, but the slight chemical smell still sends shivers down his spine and phantom pricks of needles down his arms. Cloud strides right up to the front desk and puts on his best customer service smile.

“Hello, how can I help you?” the clerk asks, looking up from his computer screen. His eyes widen when he makes eye contact.

“I’m here to pick up some belongings for a friend? He got caught up in everything happening yesterday but would like his pack to not sit in a hospital storage room.”

Cloud tries to keep his voice open and friendly, wincing a bit internally when he realizes he’s leaning on Zack’s personality to get him through the conversation. The clerk, however, is already nodding and checking something on the computer.

“Of course, Mr. SOLDIER. His stuff should be in room B-12, but there’s a chance it could be in B-14 if he was in the ICU?”

Cloud blinks in confusion before he remembers that, with his eyes and choice of attire, he makes for a pretty convincing SOLDIER 1st Class. He forces a smile again, this one a bit more strained with the reminder of his current situation.

“No, he was checked in for some broken bones and a concussion. Thank you though. Now, which way…?”

The clerk smiles and points down one of the hallways to the right of the desk. “Down that hallway until you hit the staircase and then head down a level. Come back this direction from there and you’ll find it.”

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11 notes - Posted May 10, 2022

How Jenova Works: A Headcanon

This kinda requires a bit of background in general epidemiology (the science of diseases, etc) so I’m gonna try my best to lay stuff out as I go. It also requires some suspension of disbelief and stretching of what’s actually possible with the way this stuff operates irl.

How Jenova is discussed within the canon of FF7 is very complicated and contradictory. It infects and changes other organisms much like a virus (think the resident evil ones), but it is actually alive with cells that seem to also be an infection vector?? And then there’s the degradation that results from Genesis being made “wrong”. It’s a singular organism and yet also cellular (the J-cells acting on their own), and yet also a virus (actually called a virus by Ilfana and also stated to have infected the other Cetra and caused them to mutate). Which, if you know anything about epidemiology you know how that’s… very not possible. For starters, only 2 out of those 3 technically qualify as living things.

Viruses are not living, and yet, they’re not exactly non-living things either??? It’s weird. Basically, viruses are made up of organic molecules (carbon-based, like all life on earth), but are just kinda weird biological machines. They have a form of DNA, but cannot reproduce on their own. They operate by attaching themselves to bits sticking out of the surface of living cells and sending the right signals to be let inside and then hijacking the cell to force it to produce more viruses which are then released into the environment (whether that be just the environment in general if it’s attacking bacteria, or into the body of whatever organism it’s infected). Really interesting and cool, but also lowkey really creepy and weird.

Bacteria aren’t inherently invasive or infectious. They are single-celled organisms and are just wanting to eat stuff and reproduce and then die. If doing so involves them infecting other organisms, then so be it. Bacterial infections happen when bacteria gets to someplace it shouldn’t be and disrupts the normal operation. They get in and start to take over by eating whatever’s there and spread. They also have the ability to quickly adapt to new environmental hazards by sharing pieces of DNA with other compatible bacteria (little loops called plasmids) and by having very quick life cycles. But they are made up of a single cell each and don’t have stuff like brains, etc. There’s no consciousness involved whatsoever.

So, where does this bring us in regards to Jenova? Well, let’s start with how I’m thinking it works and then get into how I think it developed in the first place based on that.

Most likely, its infections operate by some unholy combination of viral and bacterial. By that, I mean that the cells manufacture viral structures to release into a host, which then go out into the body to infect the host cells. When the viruses infect the host cells, they completely assimilate the nucleus (the part of the cell with the DNA in it) and convert the host cell into a variation of a j-cell. Then the new j-cell produces more effective viruses, which then go out to infect new host cells and it continues. By this method, we get the lovely DNA soup analogy we’re so fond of via all the original DNA still technically being there, but now it’s been shredded and repurposed into j-cell DNA.

This is where I’m going to bring cancer into things. That sounds really morbid but there’s a reason I swear. Cancer essentially happens when something with the replication function in a cell breaks. Cells usually only multiply when they need to replace old ones, but, sometimes this malfunctions, and the cells just start dividing and multiplying without control. This is what happens with cancer. In that way, the mutations that happen in Jenova-infected organisms are the result of the DNA being messed with and that function being cranked up, much like some viruses in real life can increase your chances of getting certain types of cancer (the HPV virus leading to cervical cancer, for example). The j-cells start forcing the foreign DNA to activate and cause rapid cell division, causing growth of all kinds.

Of course, I haven’t even touched on the aspect of reunion. There’s clearly a psychic component to Jenova, which could be explained away by it secreting chemicals that send signals to Jenova-infected organisms and triggers them all to start coming back together, but that wouldn’t make much sense in context, really, considering the vast majority of the clones just decide to start heading to the crater without coming in close contact to any original part of Jenova. So, I've just decided to leave it as fantasy bullshit where there’s a mechanism that causes all variations of j-cells to physically come back together to meld back into one whole and mix up all that new DNA into the soup, which in turn allows it to become more effective at infecting things because of all the stuff it successfully assimilated.

Next, let’s touch on the weirdness that comes with it somehow operating as independent cells and also as a singular organism. For this, I’ll dive into how I think it came to be in the first place. (this is more where the suspension of disbelief comes in)

Say, on some distant planet, there’s a species of alien that’s psychic. This psychic organism gets a bacterial infection and a viral one at the same time. Through the consumption of the host’s cells, the bacteria acquire the DNA necessary for psychic communication, but can’t really do much about it. The virus then also infects the bacteria and, in trying to hijack it, manages to activate the DNA needed for that communication. This lucky bacteria that’s done this also manages to overcome the viral infection and, however the process works, essentially allows it to force the virus to work for it. Using the virus, it sends DNA-based communication to its fellow bacteria which allows them to take on this psychic DNA.

As this spreads, the poor host becomes aware of the now-psychic bacteria but can do very little about it. Their body slowly succumbs to the infection, and the bacteria are now able to quickly communicate to adapt and overcome the host’s immune system. Then, hearing the psychic cries for help, another of the species shows up to help and ends up infected as well. This repeats a few times until a mutation in the virus happens that allows it to infect the host cells in addition to just spreading mutations among the bacteria. This is the start of the assimilation ability. From there, essentially, the bacteria continue to multiply and consume other cells and types of DNA to the point where there’s enough intercellular communication happening with the psychic stuff, in combination with the exposure happening to an actually-sentient species who is also psychic sparks, creates what is effectively a collective consciousness. Like, our brains are a group of cells which have developed in such a way that allows for consciousness to the point where it can *study itself*. So, is it so far-fetched that this bacteria could utilize that psychic component to speed things up and develop it itself??

From there, it proceeds as we know it. The infection spreads until it swallows all life on the planet, and then it uses the husk to envelop itself in a shell and head to the next one. Thus, we have a large mass of psychic bacteria which has developed a way to make more of itself via viral infection that essentially causes a weird cancer in the infected organism. Through its infection of the Cetra, and later its connection with Sephiroth, it learns concepts and the language that allows it to communicate with the infected people of Gaia.

Now, the degradation. And what is up with Project G.

Gillian is infected with J-cells and they slowly come to make up a decent portion of her body, disguised as her own cells and becoming G-cells. However, as is a natural thing, she naturally has some kind of immunity to the viral component that prevents total assimilation and the psychic connection from affecting her as it did Lucrecia. When they graft these cells onto the fetus that becomes Genesis, even though the cells have a chance to integrate themselves completely into his body, they’re still not *natural* to him. So, for a time, his body works as intended. However, after a certain point, the cells that are still completely his realize that there are cells just a touch too different around and deploy his immune system against them. The g-cells try to fight back, trying to assimilate them and causing the wing growth as well as the mental degradation. However, the assimilation isn’t working quite as intended and the infection - because that’s what it is at this point - continues to be fought off. In other words, a hell of an autoimmune disorder. The degradation is stopped by Minerva/the planet because the planet’s innate connection to the soul and all life on it does have the ability to force Jenova cells to deactivate if the will is strong enough, which is how Jenova was sealed away in the first place. Angeal never suffered degradation because he got his cells directly from his mother, so they’re not considered foreign the way they were for Genesis. However, his wing and subsequent discoloration, etc, happened due to Genesis’s influence on his mental state. Basically, the g-cells were responding to what he thought would happen and made it happen. Because, at that point, they were pretty far removed from the main body of Jenova genetically, and also Jenova was still technically in stasis and therefore had little control over the cells psychically, which meant Angeal was essentially developing shape-shifting abilities and didn’t know it.

(Note: I am by no means a professional. I probably do have more knowledge in the fields of biology and epidemiology than the average person considering I've taken university-level courses, but I do not have a degree in either of the two fields. Everything I'm saying about actual science in this is how I understand/remember it and I am probably wrong about some stuff.)

12 notes - Posted September 8, 2022

afterimage

It's time for me to reveal my piece for the 2022 FF7 Central Fanworks Exchange!! I wrote mine for the lovely KDblack

Summary: When Cloud closes his eyes, he sees the flash of a smile, the kind of easygoing grin he wishes he could mimic without coming across as an asshole. If only he could remember who the smile was attached to, then, maybe, he could stop feeling like something was missing.

Read on AO3

Word Count: 3,393

afterimage

~~~~~~

“This is one hell of a sword, Cloud,” Biggs says, running a hand over the materia slots on his blade. “Where’d you get it?”

The question takes Cloud off guard. He should be expecting it, really, what with the Buster being as unique a blade as it is. Still, he finds himself floundering for an answer. What comes to him is twofold: the image of a tall and broad figure, stubble dotting his jaw, and that of a slimmer one with black spiky hair all in disarray overlapping until he can’t tell the difference anymore. A pit opens in his gut, the grief and self-loathing twisting together as it crawls up through his chest. He blinks and realizes that Biggs is still waiting for an answer.

“It was my mentor’s,” he finally answers, his voice small in an attempt to hide how he suddenly feels like he’s falling to pieces. “I got it after…”

When did he get the Buster? He swears it’s on the tip of his tongue, the grief making it clear that something must have happened to the SOLDIER who taught him. He reaches for the memory, trying to bring it out of the fog his mind has been in since he recovered from whatever sickness had managed to bring him down so thoroughly. The action sends a burst of static-y pain through his head and he hisses through his teeth, bringing his hand up to press against his temple.

“You alright man?” The words reach his ears, but he barely registers them.

There are brief flashes of rain, blood pooling under a body slowly going cold, intermixing with a bone-deep chill and pain radiating from his jaw. He’s kneeling over a body in both, the figure dressed in 1st Class blacks and smiling up at him. One is serene, peaceful, and looking almost thankful as he takes his last breaths even as Cloud kneels over him pleading for him not to leave him. The other is foggier, face mottled with mud and soot and blood as the rain pours down around him. He smiles too, but this one is different, feels more regretful than it should be. The images blur together again, the feeling like he’s been gutted only intensifying as they overlap.

Cloud blinks and he’s back in the room on top of Beginner’s Hall. The blurry memories fade back into the background, the pit of emotion closing itself back up into its usual hole. He’s suddenly aware of how he looks: the former 1st Class SOLDIER, unable to keep a lid on his own problems when he’s out in public. He straightens and runs his hand through his hair in a motion that simultaneously feels like he’s done it hundreds of times and never before in his life. Biggs is looking at him with apprehension on his face.

“Fine,” Cloud answers, voice tight and controlled. “Are you done?”

Biggs blinks at him and takes a second to remember he’s still holding Cloud’s sword.

“Yeah,” he answers, then, hefts it up a bit by the grip and holds it out for him to take. Cloud strides forward and takes the blade from him, slinging it onto his back and locking it in place with a clunk. He turns to leave and reaches the door before something stops him. A memory rises: a laughing voice chiding him for being so obtuse with people who are trying to help him. His heart twinges a bit.

“The Buster,” he says before he can change his mind.

Biggs looks back up at him from where he’d started to put the sword maintenance materials away.

“What?”

“The- my sword. That’s what it’s called. The Buster Sword.”

He holds his breath, hoping Biggs takes the information for the olive branch it is. The other man blinks at him before a soft smile spreads across his face.

“A suitable name,” he says.

Something about the way he’s looking at him makes Cloud self-conscious, but the other man clearly reads his offer as intended. He nods in acknowledgment and leaves, ignoring the phantom feeling of a hand ruffling his hair.

-_-_-_-

Every time Cloud closes his eyes, he sees someone he can almost remember smiling at him.

It’s disconcerting, really. He’s not really used to people honestly smiling at him. And yet, there’s a blurry figure who Cloud knows is smiling at him dodging his heels almost every time he lets himself stop and rest. If that was the extent of it, he thinks he’d be able to put the fuzzy memory to the side to be examined later, but, every time he tries too hard to bring the figure into focus, pain bursts across his temples and sends his thoughts skittering away.

Afterward, he’s always left with only the vaguest shards of impressions of what he’d been thinking about before the episode and the sense that something important - something vital - is missing.

Even when he’s not actively seeking out answers from the foggy unknown of his mind, the littlest things remind him of that figure. Without fail, the record of his memory continues to skip over the jagged hole where there should be something, someone. If he doesn’t push too hard, sometimes he can get pieces: a scar, mako blue eyes, broad shoulders, and a warm hug. But it’s never more than that, never a clear image.

He wonders if he should be more concerned about his patchwork memory, how the pieces come to him like the rising tide and then fade back into oblivion after the static and pain swallows them. He wonders if he should tell someone else, and get an outside opinion. But the thought of letting someone in - even someone like Tifa who knew him like no one else - somehow causes even more fear than the possible consequences of staying silent on the matter.

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18 notes - Posted August 7, 2022

did anyone ask for more dragon cloud au content?

He needs to find shelter, fresh water, and a source of food. He should also probably figure out where they ended up, considering they could have popped up literally anywhere after their dive into the lifestream, but that comes after he makes sure Zack isn’t in danger. He backs away from Zack a bit and sits up. He expects the wave of nausea this time and is able to fight it off. It’s a feeling he definitely doesn’t miss from his recovery from the first bout of mako poisoning, but one he at least knows how to deal with. He takes a few more deep breaths to steel himself before heaving himself to his feet.

Spots dance before his eyes and he comes very close to vomiting once more. He almost falls back over before he manages to shift his wing and tail into positions that help him stay upright. His back twinges in protest once more, but he’s well-versed in ignoring the pain by now. He digs his toes into the wet sand and takes a few seconds to enjoy the feeling before he takes a step towards Zack. He crouches down next to him, and, though it takes a bit for him to convince himself that he’s not going to hurt Zack just by touching him, manages to get the other man into a bridal hold. He stands back up and the twinge in his back abruptly spikes, the sudden pain so intense he falls back to his knees and hunches over. Spots dance before his eyes yet again and he can’t manage to fight down the nausea this time before he finds himself throwing up onto the sand.

Eyes squeezed shut, Cloud takes a second to breathe as the pain fades back to the ache he’s become used to. He loosens his death grip on the precious bundle still in his arms and brings an arm up to wipe at his snout. He smacks his lips a few times, grimacing at the minty taste, and looks down at what he expelled. It’s mostly mako, the glow diluted by what is probably seawater. He shuffles backward from the puddle a bit and tries to stand up again, but the immediate resulting pain brings him back to his knees once more.

He takes a moment to sit there panting before he carefully lowers Zack back to the ground. As much as he hates to admit it, it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to carry him like a human at the moment. Cloud stands back up, this time on all fours, and stretches everything out. He hates how it takes pressure off his back, how it feels so much more natural for his hips and legs to settle like this. It’s a reminder of his failing humanity, a hint at what is to come.

21 notes - Posted February 11, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Lately, I've been really reading the FF7 timeline to copy it down for reference and I've found some *very* interesting details. Here's a list of stuff so far:

Bugenhagen is apparently born in 1877?? This means he's 130 years old in OG!!

Pres Shinra is born in 1940. Palmer is 3 years younger than him.

Hojo was born in 1945, making him around 35 when Sephiroth is born.

ShinRa was known as "ShinRa Manufacturing" before it was an electric company, and we apparently don't have a date for when it was founded but know it discovered Mako energy on September 23, 1959.

Heidegger is born in 1949, making him a year older than Vincent.

Both Vincent and Lucrecia are born in 1950.

Red XIII is born in 1959, which is apparently the same year the Gi attacked.

Grimoire dies ~1970, which means Lucrecia was around 20 when it happened. Can you imagine doing undergrad research trying to get ahead of the curve and you get your advisor killed by the equivalent of a minor deity cuz you wouldn't stop poking it? She wasn't even a grad student when it happened 😂

Barret and Reeve are the same age, having been born in 1972.

Cid is actually 3 years younger than both of them, having been born on Feb 22, 1975.

Construction on the Midgar plate starts in 1976, and ShinRa is known as an electric company by then, but we don't know when that actually changed.

Tseng, Rufus, and Rude are all the same age, having been born in 1977. SOLDIER is initiated in the same year to help bring an end to a long-running international war.

Oh, Jenova is also found in 1977, which means none of the trio can even be conceived until that year. The Jenova Project also starts up that year.

At some point between 1977 and 1982, Vincent is assigned to guard the scientists running Project S. Yeah, we have no concrete date for that.

Somewhere around 1980, the trio are all born. No actual birthdates for any of them.

Gast leaves Shinra in 1980, which means, that even if Sephiroth is born in late 1977, he literally never knew the guy. He apparently meets Ilfana at some point before 1985, but we have no date for that.

We also have no official date for Lucrecia going crazy and Vincent getting shot. Wiki says it's somewhere around 1984, which is fucking wild. Cuz it's stated that she goes crazy during pregnancy and Vincent confronts Hojo as a result of that, which gets him shot. And yet, Sephiroth is supposed to be born around 1980??? Which means there's no chance he was born that late? WHICH IS IT SQUARE???

Reno is born in '79, meaning he's conceivably older than Sephiroth??

We have no concrete date for Zack being born, just the "around 1984", except we know he's 16 in '00, which means he was born early '85 at the latest since he's canonically 2 years older than Cloud and CC starts in October of '00.

We have no idea how old Kunsel is! I usually place him as being born in '83 and a year older than Zack.

Aerith was born Feb 7, 1985 and Gast was killed 20 days later on Feb 27.

Cloud was born on August 11, 1986 and Tifa was born on May 3, 1987.

we have actual years for basically all the Tsviets being born and yet no date for Sephiroth.

Yuffie's mom is apparently named "Kasumi"??

The Wutai war begins "around" 1992, which means Sephiroth could conceivably be, at the youngest, like, 8 when it starts up and around 16 at the oldest. We also have no concrete date for when he gets deployed, but know he's apparently a 1st class already by then?

Tseng is also only, like, 15 when the war starts, which leads me to believe that he gets recruited by the Turks in the early days of the war. He's also a rookie Turk by 1997 when the whole thing that results in Kalm being bombed happens.

Cissnei is hailed as the youngest ever full Turk, and considering Tseng is one by the time he's 20, and Reno is one when he's late teens, she's gotta be as young or younger than Zack. I usually put her as being born in '85 and thus 15 when CC starts.

Before Crisis is fucking wild dudes. We have at least years for all the events and it gets the Turks involved in a huge number of events in the timeline.

Rufus isn't made VP until after Genesis deserts. Seriously. The mass desertion event happens in October of '00 and Rufus isn't VP until December.

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80 notes - Posted July 19, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #Long post #I am sorry about the length of this post 😅#Bean things

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setoangel01-fanfiction · 4 years ago

Text

Reunion - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - The Journey (Previous Chapter)

Rated: T

Fandom: Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Pairing: Zack Fair x Aerith Gainsborough (Zerith)

Summary: Zack (and Cloud's) journey back to Aerith after the change of fate fight in the Midgar Wastes...

WARNING: Strong language, brutal violence and references to torture.

...

Fanfiction.net

A03

...

Zack Fair had no fucking clue how he was still alive.

There were literally thousands of Shin-Ra troopers ready and willing to end his life and Zack, doing the only thing he could to protect Cloud, fought them all until he was miraculously the last one standing. The ex-SOLDIER First-Class running on absolutely nothing but pure rage and adrenaline that was quickly depleting; if there had only been a few more troopers with decent aim, Zack doubted he'd still be breathing right now, let alone standing.

Heart hammering with leftover adrenaline, head throbbing, arms and hands shaking from where they'd held the Buster Sword in a white-knuckled grip (it was the only thing still keeping him vertical), Zack stood in shock while staring at the wasteland filled with bodies.

"Wait…was that all of them?"

One thing was for damn sure, Zack had never remembered being more exhausted in his entire life.

Living on the run while dragging around a comatose man for - hell, was it already over a year now? Caring for all of Cloud's many needs, the constant movement, lousy diet of whatever the fuck he could forage, catch and cook (burn) with a Fire Materia, bathing in treacherous icy rivers, no actual decent sleep when Shin-Ra is breathing down your neck and using everything in their disposal to try and catch your ass, and not to mention that sick fuck Hojo's twisted experiments and pickling in a tank of Mako for four years didn't help anyone either. Especially poor Cloud who was still suffering from Mako addiction, withdrawal and still stuck in a damn comatose-like state…

But this fight…

Zack was certain, as he ruffled Cloud's hair one last time before walking away, that this would be his last stand.

His final sacrifice in this damned world and it was all to protect Cloud.

Even if he had died, it would have been worth it. If he'd only saved Cloud, that was more heroic than anything he'd done in his entire life. He would have accepted death and gone to the Lifestream with a smile on his face as long as his buddy was safe ('we're friends, right?'). And if Cloud had run into Aerith later on to tell her "hi" for him, that would be good too...

Yet somehow, Zack was here still standing and drawing breath (albeit it, not very well which was probably quite worrying but Zack was trying not to think about that right now) considering he should have been nothing more than a bullet-ridden corpse.

How?

Why?

He couldn't tell you.

After he noticed that all of the seemingly endless troops were nothing more than bloodied bodies dotting the landscape and he was dragging his half-dead ass over to Cloud to make sure his buddy was okay, he was suddenly thrown to the ground.

So certain it was the final troopers or some goons in a helicopter coming to finish him off, Zack lifted his head. If he was to die, he'd go down facing his murderers but instead of more barrels of guns, he saw the strange clouds over Midgar disappear with a thundering boom and a flash of light. Upon realizing that he wasn't going to die, he somehow drug himself back to his feet and was even able to put the Buster Sword away. Face toward the sky, he watched the blinding light clear and what looked like flickering stars surrounding Midgar before disappearing into the bright blue above.

...The fuck was that?

Something had happened - what it was, he didn't know and really didn't care to find out until him and Cloud were safe under Midgar's steel-plated sky.

Regroup.

What Zack needed to do immediately was grab Cloud and leave.

Even if he'd managed to annihilate a fair bit of Shin-Ra's army, they definitely wouldn't give up that easily and Zack had gone too damn far to quit now. Shaking arms, wobbling knees, sore aching - well, fucking everything - and a headache that had him seeing spots in the edges of his vision was sure as hell not enough to keep him from stopping now.

Oh.

And Aerith.

Zack needed to get to Aerith if it was the last damn thing he ever did and almost dying didn't change that. With that destination in mind, the ex-SOLDIER continued towards where he'd stashed Cloud before he'd confronted the troopers.

"Hey Cloud, you see that?" Zack chuckled a bit breathlessly as he turned the corner to where the blonde was safely nestled in the cliff's dusty crevice. "That was pretty damn cool, right? Fuck yeah. I still got it."

Cloud of course didn't reply other than the slightest grunt as Zack heaved Cloud up to his feet - right before falling straight back onto his ass.

Ow! Fucking hell!

"Oops. Sorry Spike... Alright, let's try that again." Zack took a deep breath through his nose and out his mouth before he finally got Cloud and himself back to his feet.

A few more false starts trying to walk in a coordinated pattern later, Zack finally recovered some of his breath. As much as he despised the Mako in his body (SOLDIER is nothing but a den of monsters) and Hojo (damn that fucker to the deepest, darkest pits of hell after he has the most painful, prolonged death imaginable, preferably at his own hands), at least his recovery time was much better than it ever was even as a First-Class SOLDIER.

Before long, Zack had gotten Cloud's arm over his shoulders while steadily making it through the last leg of their journey toward Midgar, the outline of the city getting closer and closer by the minute. As they neared the city with the steel sky, the sun disappeared behind the clouds.

It started to rain and Zack smiled.

Sure, the ground may now be slippery as fuck but with the soothing, cooling droplets steadily washing away the death, blood and sweat that clung to him for too damn long, he couldn't find it in him to care.

"Almost there, Cloud. We're almost there..."

<><><><><>

After hours of nonstop walking, they sneaked into the city when the sun was nearly kissing the horizon line.

Zack never imagined it was possible, but seeing the broken down slums and filthy streets was a fucking damned beautiful sight for sore eyes.

"Wow. Who'da thunk I'd actually miss this hellhole? Damn, it's good to be back." Zack chuckled at Cloud's sudden grunt as they walked steadily through Sector 8 - only 3 more sectors to go til Aerith - when a voice rang out from behind them.

"Hey! You there! SOLDIER!"

Zack froze and turned to glance over his shoulder.

The sight of a familiar uniform, a single guard - an infantry man approaching - had Zack react instantly. The ex-SOLDIER First-Class was running on nothing but pure protective instinct as the man stopped a mere foot away and abruptly reached for Cloud's limp form and the world was silent other than the blood rushing in his ears.

"Whoa...Is he okay?" was the question that went unheard by the raven-haired SOLDIER.

Zack didn't even think.

Just struck with brutal precision.

No mercy - they weren't shown any - so why should he?

Mako-enhanced muscles reacted instantaneously, pulling the Buster Sword off his back and plunging the blade straight through the man's entire chest cavity and out of his back in the blink of an eye. The sound of fabric, flesh, organs and bone ripping apart around the massive sword was drowned out by the pounding of his pulse thumping in his ears and his desperate need to protect Cloud at any cost.

...But then reality hit.

Zack's eye twitched, adrenaline faded immediately and he was suddenly frozen as he watched the man standing on his own for only a split second once the sword was removed. There wasn't even a grunt or cry exiting his bloody lips before the only-moments-before-living-breathing-man was nothing more than a crumpled corpse lying in a pool of his own blood, viscera and organs spilling onto the dirty street. He didn't mean to disembowel him…

"...O-Oh, fuck…no, I-I didn't…I…" Zack whispered when he realized what he'd done and his veins filled with ice.

What had he DONE?

If they were discovered and re-captured because of his recklessness…

No…

"FUCK!" he growled before using his Materia to cremate the man's body before flinging the limp Cloud and the Buster Sword over his back and ran like the fires of hell were licking at his heels and tears he wasn't even aware he was crying trickled like rain down his face.

'I'm so sorry…' <><><><><>

Zack kept running and running and running until he collapsed in an alleyway in Sector 6. So close to Aerith… but what Zack had just done had ice pooling in his stomach and he was sprawled on his hands and knees completely paralyzed with nausea and anxiety.

For what reason, he really didn't know.

Zack had been killing since he entered SOLDIER at the ripe age of 15 - it was kill or be killed and while Zack didn't enjoy ending lives whatsoever, it was sometimes necessary (if killing could ever be justified).

Hell, Zack had literally killed thousands mere hours ago.

Blood spilled and bodies cooling before grotesquely bloating underneath the unrelenting sun in the Midgar wastes and he barely blinked an eye as he fled the violent scene with Cloud. Among those bodies may have been friends at some point, colleagues, and someone he shared lunch with in the cafeteria could have been among the troopers he'd just ruthlessly slaughtered. So fucking many parents, wives, sons and daughters getting the news their loved one wasn't coming home all because of him…

Zack knew they would have killed him too given the chance but self-defense seemed a shaky alibi. It didn't sit right at all so he had to keep reminding himself that he did it for Cloud - because he'd rather kill a thousand more than ever allow that insane Hojo to get his grimy hands on his best friend again.

Turning away from Cloud's murky eyes that had been staring at him (...was that concern?), Zack crawled away from the blonde, hunched over behind a pile of trash and retched. The burn of bile coating his tongue and throat on the way out (he couldn't even remember the last truly edible meal he'd had) until he was left gasping for air and spatting any remnant stomach acid onto the concrete below.

Heart hammering painfully and tears burning his eyes, Zack suddenly stood to unsteady legs and began frantically pacing in the alley.

The abrupt ache in his heaving chest as he was forcefully reminded of Cloud's unrelenting screams and heartbreaking cries in that damn lab as Zack was strapped down to a cold gurney and could do fucking nothing to help him. All his First-Class SOLDIER enhancements and strength meant absolutely fucking nothing as he was forced to witness Cloud's unbearable torture. Zack mindlessly grabbed at his wrists where the leather and metal burned, blistered and electrified his skin as he tried over and over and over to escape - to get Cloud OUT - there may not even be scars left behind on his wrists but Zack could still feel everything done to him.

Hojo gleefully torturing both of them day after day, month after month and year after fucking year... They were both dissected - autopsied like soulless bodies - except they were both alive and conscious without a dose of anesthesia during it. Zack brutally shuddered; the sensations of that sick fuck Hojo's bare hands moving around, digging, touching, prodding his trembling and pulsating organs as he laid there with his chest splayed open still had his entire body shake with nearly unbearable tremors. All the injections, the mind-numbing pain, but nothing compared to the helplessness he felt the entire time as Cloud deteriorated.

Specimen C and Specimen Z.

No real names - they weren't even human to Hojo and his team of demented fucks. Him and Cloud were mere playthings to a madman all under the guise of twisted science, and Shin-Ra fucking funded it. So seeing all those troopers spread over the hills, knowing damn well, if given the chance, were going to take him and Cloud back to that lab…

Zack had no choice.

So he killed and killed and killed ("Come and get it!") under the flimsy guise of honor and dreams…heh. Director Lazard was right - becoming a hero truly was unobtainable…

And now he just murdered a uniformed man in cold blood who may have only been trying to see if Cloud was okay…how many more would die by his hands before Shin-Ra just left them the fuck alone?

…Maybe he was a monster…

"...Z... Z-Z-Zack…" Cloud's barely audible voice broke through the agony gripping his heart.

Cloud.

Oh fuck, Cloud!

Zack immediately ran over to where he'd left the blonde slumped over near a filthy trash can.

"I-I'm here, Spike. I'm here," Zack soothed, running his gloved fingers through Cloud's Chocobo looking tufts and he flinched at the few knots he found there.

Zack started to sob when Cloud leaned into his touch. He quickly ripped his gloves off of him - clean from rainwater but he still saw all the fresh and dried blood staining them regardless. He took a calming breath and wiped his face on his forearm before he ran his now bare fingers gently, always gently, through Cloud's hair - one of the few things in life that comforted him.

"Fuckin' hell, buddy, you need a bath - and yes, don't give me that look! I got a nose too! I know I stink!" Zack chuckled brokenly, he smiled but it fell flat as Cloud didn't reply…per usual. But hearing his name in Cloud's soft voice was such a relief after nothing but his own voice and the demonic cackles of Dr. Hojo in his head for so damn long.

It was hope in its purest form and that's what Zack needed now.

Cloud needed him and fuck his own existential crisis, Cloud came first!

…And Aerith of course but that would have to wait til they at least got some new threads…and a bath.

Definitely a bath.

Shaking his head of the lingering thoughts and nightmares that would haunt him to his grave, Zack pulled himself and Cloud to his feet and kept moving forward.

<><><><><>

Zack wasn't proud of it, but stealing clothes off a clothesline was the least of his sins in the past 24 hours.

They had plenty of gil but after he killed that guard (which he refused to think about too hard), Zack was weary of going anywhere where more people were around in the fear of being recognized and reported. He jacked some clothes that were relatively his and Cloud's size off a wire and was sure to leave plenty of gil attached with the remaining clothespin before disappearing back into the shadows.

Realistically, Zack knew to remain unseen, he should ditch his Buster Sword along with his First-Class SOLDIER uniform, but regardless of instincts telling him otherwise, Zack refused to let go of it. It was all he had left of his mentor, Angeal and he would keep it with him til he could pass it on to someone else or he died first.

Either way, he was never going to leave it behind.

After he gave himself a quick wash from a clean-ish rain barrel he'd found behind some (closed for the night) commercial businesses, he dressed in more formfitting black jeans than he was used to and a v-neck gray sweater but beggars couldn't be choosers. For the final touch, he ripped the pauldrons off his SOLDIER belt and suspenders before putting the leather straps back on over his newly acquired top and put the Buster Sword back in its rightful place.

Himself situated, Zack washed Cloud down mechanically with a damp extra shirt before dressing him. The blue jeans were a bit too big for his thin hips but one of Zack's two belts did the trick. The shirt was a button-up that annoyed him to no end but once he was fully dressed and back in his old boots, Zack sat back on his heels and smiled at his blonde friend. Cloud looked at him, a small bit of lucid-ness in those bright blue eyes was very promising.

"Looking good there, Cloudy, even if you are getting a little too skinny!" Zack said brightly as he pulled the blonde to his feet, "Ya know, you're gonna love Aerith, she is one of the best cooks I know! So don't worry, buddy, a few weeks of her food and you'll be back to a healthy weight in no time! Heh. Ooh! By the way, did I tell you how I met her?" Zack didn't even wait for any semblance of a response (not that there'd be any) before happily relayed the story as they continued walking.

Zack had already talked Cloud's ears clean off about Aerith and told this particular story over a dozen times by now, but talking about her made her more real and for now, that's what he needed.

Five years.

It'd been five years since he seen her - three years longer than they'd even known each other. And to know that the whole time he'd been gone - she'd waited for him…well, up until her last…and final letter.

'What do you mean, final!?'

"Please wait for me just a little longer, Aerith…" he whispered under his breath as they finally made it into Sector 5. <><><><><>

There was the church.

Zack painfully swallowed back the sudden lump that clogged his throat.

It was exactly as he remembered.

Perhaps a bit more worn in the passage of time (five whole damn years…), but the same nonetheless.

The atmosphere of warmth, safety, home, and Aerith still lingered like the intoxicating scent of the flowers she grew and it was like experiencing that first bit of sunshine on his face after being trapped in Hojo's lab for over four years all over again.

It was just the boost he needed to walk the last block.

As he got closer to the building, a part of him questioned if she would even be here at this late hour. Not to mention if she even wanted to see him after all this time had passed without a single word…no letter, no phone call, and no visit like he'd promised over five years ago. As doubtful as he was that she would still be waiting for him, something kept pulling him toward her church, up the steps and in front of those massive double doors.

Zack kept Aerith waiting long enough, he wouldn't do it anymore.

Even if she wanted nothing to do with him and had moved on with someone new, he'd respect her wishes. It would utterly shatter whatever was left of his heart inside his chest considering all he had done and went through to come back to her but he loved her (and always would) and would want whatever made her happy even if it meant to continue to have him out of her life…

Besides, Zack wouldn't blame her.

He wasn't the same man that left her - couldn't even pretend to be the same happy-go-lucky teenager with stars in his eyes wanting nothing more than to be a hero.

For who was he now?

A monster wanting the undeserved love of an angel?

Why would she even want him anymore?

Disheartened, Zack felt his throat tighten and almost pulled away from the door and ran the other way…but he had to see her… even if it was only one more time, perhaps just long enough to say goodbye...

Taking another few deep breaths to prepare himself mentally, Zack made sure Cloud was secure with one arm before reaching for the handle.

"Welp. Here goes nothing… Wish me luck, Cloud," he muttered under his breath before he grabbed the metal handle and pushed open the doors. Damn, the doors even had the same loud creaking noise, he remembered with a smile, before he slowly inched his way inside. Cloud's sudden stumble over a plank of wood had Zack turning his attention to the blonde for only a moment until he steadied himself - but then he turned toward where her flower garden had been and Zack finally lifted his head.

And… there she was…

Everything in his entire world stopped upon seeing her standing there and it was as if those five years trapped between them dissipated into dust... Zack's chest felt so damn tight (probably from forgetting to breathe) as he furiously took in every single feature he'd missed so damn much - and…

Wow...

Aerith was more beautiful than he remembered.

Doe-like emerald eyes, auburn ringlets framing her gorgeous face and the softest lips he'd ever kissed...even all those years ago, she had already been the most gorgeous woman he ever met, but now… Heh. She definitely wasn't the 18 year old teenage girl he'd foolishly left but a 23 year old woman now and he'd never felt more love for anyone in his entire life than at this very moment. More than her physical beauty, it was her passion, kindness, compassion, and genuine love she had for those she cared about - and he hoped with every fiber in his being that she would forgive him... All the intense feelings he'd had for her that he had to bury and treasure to keep him sane these past five years of hell came flooding back like a damn typhoon pooling through his entire body.

He wasn't even sure how he was still standing.

Zack just prayed he wasn't too late but his tongue refused to budge to even mutter so much as her name as he watched her eyes widen upon finally recognizing him. His heart throbbed in anticipation and anxiety of what she would say or do - but it only lasted a split second before he was forced to watch her drop her - wait, was that a staff infused with Materia?

...Aerith had a weapon?

But before he could follow that train of thought, Zack let out a strangled gasp when he realized that being occupied with Cloud, he couldn't catch Aerith as she suddenly crumbled to her knees.

#zerith #ffvii #ffvii crisis core #ff7r #zack fair #aerith gainsborough #cloud strife #zack x aerith #zack cloud bromance #ff7 remake #these babies need their happy ending #torture #hojo is a sick fuck #but what else is new #zack is best brother to cloud #bros 4 life #ff7r fanfiction #fanfiction

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up-sideand-down · 5 years ago

Note

Are zack and cloud still friends or not now that cloud is a turk? Sorry if this was asked or mentioned before

Nope you’re the first question.

Zack stopped when he saw Kunsel talking to someone he’d never seen before. Zack truly had never seen him before, not with that hair. He had trouble picking out what this man did...especially on the SOLDIER floor. He was wearing all black...but not a suit. He was wearing a leather bike jacket and black jeans.

Both Kunsel and the man laughed and shook hands. The blonde then walked off.

“Hey Kunsel,” Zack started, “who was that?”

“Oh that’s just Cloud,” Kunsel said, “he works upstairs.”

“Upstairs?” Zack said.

“Investigative Research,” Kunsel offered.

“He doesn’t look like a Turk,” Zack said.

“He isn’t supposed to,” Kunsel said.

“What did he want?” Zack asked.

“Just to catch up,” Kunsel said. Zack squinted.

“He’s your information source,” Zack said.

“One of them,” Kunsel said with a smile and nod, “but he’s a nice enough guy for a Turk.”

He saw Cloud again at the train station. He didn’t look at all out of place, even with a bat. He looked like a slummer going back down from the plate.

People avoided where he sat, and Cloud kept his eyes down.

Without knowing why Zack sat by him. He was spared one glance as the car settled, then the blonde looked back down at his boots. They had a wide berth.

“I’m Zack,” he said, offering his hand. The blonde glanced over again.

“I know,” he said.

“Kunsel tell you,” Zack guessed.

“And Aerith,” Cloud said. Zack leaned back.

“You know Aerith,” Zack said.

“No duh,” Cloud said, “and she knows me.” Zack struggled to figure out how he never met Cloud. Cloud finally snorted.

“I’m just fucking with you,” Cloud said, “I live right by the Leaf House. Aerith walks past me every day. That’s the extent of our relationship.”

“I didn’t know Turks lived in the slums,” Zack said.

“Just one,” Cloud said. He sighed as he stretched out his legs. “Upper plate is too rich for my blood.”

“Same,” Zack said, “but I don’t get the choice.”

“I hated living there,” Cloud said, “I’m too backwater for fancy apartments.”

“What’s your backwater?” Zack asked.

“Nibelheim,” he said, “reactor town. Yours?”

“Gongaga,” Zack said, “same thing.” For the first time he heard Cloud laugh...and then decided maybe he wasn’t that bad of a guy after all.

#my writing #turk!Cloud #kunsel #zack fair #cloud strife #they would totally be buds #their bromance would be legendary #libra207

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speaklike-a-child · 4 years ago

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#final fantasy 7 #final fantasy crisis core #ffvii #final fantasy VII #crisis core #me gongaga #me? gongaga #gongagavillage #gogaga #the price of freedom #cloud strife #zack fair #bromance

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lidoshka · 2 years ago

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I don’t even go to this fandom but I started reading fanfics about Final Fantasy VII and I wanna share some of the ones i liked most:

Refuge by Esama Cloud goes out looking for an UFO. (Final Fantasy VII / Star Wars: Clone Wars)

Salt of Midgar by calysto1395 "Does Zack know you're here?" He asked. Cloud gave a half-hearted shrug, then shook his head. "He's gonna worry." Barret said. "He's always worried." Cloud replied and frowned, looking straight ahead. Barret almost startled, hearing his voice. "I'm... difficult." Cloud added after a moment of silence. You and me both, Barret thought.

Doppelganger by RainingColours Cloud slips into a parallel universe where Shinra still reigns, and nobody is dead, except for himself. And things get complicated when a not dead General is apparently the dead Cloud's soulmate. Cloud definitely shouldn't have left Seventh Heaven this morning. A Soulmate!au with a twist.

The Strength of a Thousand by ToastedCatBread Cloud Strife was older than most of the typical cadets, but his blue eyes burned with the strength of a thousand men. The Firsts (and Zack) find out exactly how strong he really was.

For Better or Worse by Mad_Zazzy When the Lifestream throws Cloud back into the past with the vague mission to 'save the world, but better this time', he is left at a loss for what to do. With no allies in sight and Shinra returned to their full power. Could help come from an unlikely source, and is an alliance with his old nemesis even possible? Will Cloud be able to make it back to his friends, stop Sephiroth from losing his mind and make enough of an impact to reshape the future? Well, if it stops him from becoming a mass murderer with a serious God complex, then what's the harm in trying, hey? An unexpected bromance ensues, while Shinra fights to regain their strongest asset. A comedic, somewhat-serious take on 'time travel fix it', playing on a bunch of shippy tropes, which focuses more on action, cosmic horror and maybe even saving the world.

The Completely Inept Courtship of the One-Winged Angel's Cloud by Anonymous Cloud is not happy to find himself a trainee/infantryman again and the other Firsts and upper management cannot for the life of them figure out why the "Great Sephiroth" is stalking the blond and acting like a bratty, bullying seven year old with his first crush.

I have a few other fics in my “to read” page, but if you have a favourite fanfic that has Cloud as a main protagonist (cause he’s the only one whose bio I finished reading so far) please lemme know!

#fanfic recs #videogames #Final Fantasy

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hauntedhousecat · 3 years ago

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Can we all take a second to appreciate the bestest boy, Zack?

He needs more love. Possible spoilers to those that haven't played the games yet below the cut.

I can't tell you how much I've literally sobbed over this character over the years.

I knew he died in the game before I played it, it literally starts after he's dead. So you KNOW he's going to die in Crisis Core. But holy fuck it hurts every time I watch that scene. I sob very unpretty tears.

I'm so excited for Remake since finally Zack might get the happy ending he really deserves.

I also seriously hope that if they go this route that there will be a Zack option for Cloud. I can't help it, I love that pairing even just as a bromance pairing. It's too cute. IT'S SOOOOO CUTE!!!!! 💖💖💖💖🥰

So yeah, let's give Zack some love.

Thank you gif maker for being amazing!

#House cat chats #Meowing through the fence #Zack Fair is amazing #And I'm 100000000000% positive he'd taste like a blue raspberry icee #Just saying #Zack the puppy

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little-black-dress-zack-fair · 4 years ago

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I’ve noticed we have slowly begun to phase the “B” out of our Bromance

Zack to Cloud

#incorrect quotes #zack fair #cloud strife #zakkura #zack x cloud #clack #final fantasy vii crisis core #final fantasy vii remake #final fantasy vii #ff7 #ff7r #ffvii #ffviir #25 #50 #100

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kokohamstar · 5 years ago

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I love a lot of final fantasy pairings.. Clack, Zack/Angeal, Banora Ship, Promptis, Gladnis, Polyship roadtrip, Zack and Aerith, Cloud and Tifa, Lunoct, Lunyx, Squell, Squall/Seifer, and kingdom hearts pairings Cleon, Soriku, Isalea/Akusai, Terraqua, really into the Kai/Xion idea...

But how beautiful are friendships?? Cloud and Zack is fucking gorgeous as a bromance. I imagine Zack would spoil him as a friend anyways and throw parties for his birthdays and promotions. He would get him gifts and invite everyone. Cloud would be like "Why did you invite the firsts?!?!?!?!" and freak out all bashful because he was shy before he lost his damn mind.

Angeal and Zack were total big bro little bro action most of CC. Angeal would give a judgement to any partner Zack had before he approved of them. He would protect Zack's heart best he could and take him for drinks if he needed it after a hard breakup.

Noct and Luna even if they ended up not getting married would be close friends (if they were able to have been). Luna would have been almost as much of an advisor as Ignis, but the confidant in every other way that he needed.

There are just so many lovely friendships that I love as much as romantic relationships. I love love. Platonic, romantic, familial. Its all amazing.

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marengue · 5 years ago

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Crisis Core will always be my fave, but I’m looking forward to the Final Fantasy VII Remake~

Zack & Cloud have the sweetest bromance in CC, though~ ^^

#final fantasy #final fantasy crisis core #cloud strife #zack fair #ff #cuties #cloud #zack #square enix #game #Fanart

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silly-bean · 3 years ago

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RRD Chapter 3!

Sorry it took almost a year but it's finally done! I had to move a scene from this chapter into the next one to get it out since I was running into a wall, but I hope it was worth the wait!

Read on AO3

Summary: Cloud utilizes his god-like stealth skills and Zack initiates the bromance of the century.

Word Count: 4,745

~~~~~~

“Really? Commander Sephiroth complains?”

“Of course, just don’t go spreading it around-”

No, Cloud. You have things to do. Zack can wait.

He picks his way down the building, away from the entrance, and exits the line of shrubs. He takes a moment to breathe, settling himself before starting back towards the entrance of the hospital.

“Shit.”

It’s like Vincent and Yuffie always said, “just act like you belong there and the average passerby won’t question you on it”.

“Hello, how can I help you?” the clerk asks, looking up from his computer screen. His eyes widen when he makes eye contact.

“I’m here to pick up some belongings for a friend? He got caught up in everything happening yesterday but would like his pack to not sit in a hospital storage room.”

“Of course, Mr. SOLDIER. His stuff should be in room B-12, but there’s a chance it could be in B-14 if he was in the ICU?”

“No, he was checked in for some broken bones and a concussion. Thank you though. Now, which way…?”

“Thank you,” Cloud says, moving away from the desk. He takes a deep breath and shakes himself as he detaches his mind from the shreds of memory that always come to the surface when he finds himself needing the comfort and charisma of Zack’s personality. Squaring his shoulders again, he strides down the hallway of the hospital, keeping his eyes peeled for looks of recognition.

You belong here, you belong here, you have a totally legitimate reason for walking down this hallway, he recites in his head, trying to look more confident than he feels.

He reaches the staircase and pushes the door open, darting inside and stopping to heave a few breaths. He moves down the stairs quickly, not wanting to take the chance of being spotted in the stairwell by a frantic Hewley or Zack on a mission to find him and bring him in for questioning. Cloud throws open the door to the B floor - wincing as it bangs against the wall - and jogs down the hallway, keeping his eyes peeled for the room he was looking for.

The doctor had told him that he’d been in the ICU when he’d arrived, so his sword and materia were most likely being kept in the second of the two rooms the clerk had mentioned. He spies a sign on the wall that reads “B-14” and barges in, already sweeping the room for the tell-tale gleam of his beloved sword. He spots it in the far left corner and dashes over, grabbing the hilt and checking over the blades for damage with a practiced eye. He also checks the materia slots and, finding nothing out of place, he partially dismantles the blades and slides them into his harness. Next to where his sword was placed is a bin, and, upon checking inside, he finds his bangle and the various loose materia he’d had on his person. He puts the bangle on, securing it in place, and slides the materia into his pockets.

Alright, time for phase two.

He walks back to the door and opens it, poking his head out to check for people. The hallway is deserted and he steps out, straining his ears to check for any indication of his escape being discovered. There’s nothing out of the ordinary, so he strikes out back towards where he came from. As he’s approaching the door, however, he hears the pounding of running feet on the stairs.

Fuck.

Cloud whips around and runs back down the hallway; hospitals always were mazes with multiple stairwells, so his chances were good that he’d find one to dash up eventually. He darts around the corner right as he hears the stairwell door slam open behind him. Sprinting, he almost misses the door marked with the picture of a staircase and skids to a stop. He yanks the door open and darts through.

This is great, this is just perfect. Good old Strife luck, huh?

He’s already on the second landing and lunging for that door by the time he hears the door below him close. He shoves the one in front of him open and comes face to face with one Zack Fair. The teenager - gods, he’s just a teenager - stares back at him, eyes wide in surprise before he breaks out a wide smile.

“Strife, right? I’m glad I caught you, ya know. Angeal would have really let you have it if he’d been the one to find you.”

His voice - gods, his voice - is so much younger, so full of life and Cloud feels his throat close as he stares at the SOLDIER.

“Whoa, are you okay? You’re looking kinda pale. Here, let me help you,” Zack says, stepping forwards with a hand reaching out to steady him, his brown now furrowed in concern.

Cloud flinches back, his breathing coming harder as he fights back the panic threatening to drown him. This wasn’t at all like having Zack’s ghost at his back: supporting him in his moment of weakness, giving him the strength to continue the fight against the despair that clawed at his mind. This was all his dreams come to life, his dearest friend standing before him, restored to life and focused on him, worried about him. Just like he used to be.

“Don’t, don’t touch me,” he manages to choke out, backing away from the teen. He presses his eyes closed and tries to block out the echoes of his friend’s last words. He senses Zack take another step and backs up again, but the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching the stairwell below reminds him of his current situation. He’s got to get the fuck out of Midgar, and then he can let the tangle of emotions in his chest run their course.

He lurches forward, shoving past Zack, and takes off down the hallway in the direction he thinks will take him to the front desk. He ignores the indignant shout behind him, tuning out distractions as he runs.

“Hey! Wait! We really need to talk to you still! I promise you’ll be fine! Please come back!”

Cloud dances around startled civilians as he sprints, using the far wall as a springboard to launch himself around a corner and making for the lobby. He can hear Zack following, apologizing and yelling at him to “wait up!” as he does so. Cloud reaches the open space and charges towards the door, spotting the startled look on the clerk’s face as he rushes by before he’s outside. Freed from the building, he allows himself to speed up, lengthening his stride and leaping over obstacles as he makes his way out into the streets of Midgar.

-_-_-_-

Zack sprints down the stairs, following Angeal as they both make for the front lobby. He’s still reeling a little from the realization that Strife had given them the slip, but tries to focus on finding the guy so he can have the chance to ask him about his crazy sword! And also about why he decided to run instead of just talking to ShinRa, of course, but mostly about his sword, and his skills, and his hair and-

“Zack, he’s probably going for his gear,” Angeal cut off his stream of thought, already moving to continue down the stairs. “Go around to the other staircase and try to cut him off.”

Zack beams and throws up a cheeky salute. “Can do!”

Angeal chuckles a bit and waves him off before he disappears around the corner. Zack shakes himself and pushes open the stairwell door, jogging out into the main hallway. He moves as fast as he dares, not wanting to cause a panic just yet, cutting through the lobby and down the opposite hallway. He starts listening, stretching his senses beyond the general chatter of the hospital to try and pinpoint anything out of place. He sifts through conversations, the beeping of equipment, and the sound of people walking but doesn’t find any evidence of their escapee.

He rounds the corner and continues jogging, dodging around a few nurses, and spots the sign for the stairs just ahead of him. It’s as he’s reaching the door that he finally hears running footsteps. He reaches out to grab the handle, only for the door to go flying open before he can touch it, revealing a harried-looking Strife. They stare at each other for a moment before Zack remembers he’s supposed to keep the guy from running away.

He smiles at the man and says, “Strife, right? I’m glad I caught you, ya know. Angeal would have really let you have it if he’d been the one to find you.”

The blond’s eyes widen a fraction and he pales, looking almost horrified at being caught. Zack has to stop himself from frowning; he didn’t think he was that scary.

“Whoa, are you okay? You’re looking kinda pale. Here, let me help you.” He reaches out to try and steady the man, concerned. Strife flinches away from the touch, his expression now pained. His breathing is picking up, quickly approaching a panic attack, and his eyes start to flare.

“Don’t, don’t touch me,” he chokes out, backing up even more. His eyes close and he takes a shuddering breath, clearly trying to calm himself down. Zack takes a step closer, only for the man to retreat again. That’s when he registers the sound of Angeal approaching the stairwell from the lower floor.

Just as Zack sighs in relief, Strife seems to realize that he’ll soon be cornered and shutters his expression; all the previous vulnerability disappears behind a cold mask that would make even Sephiroth proud. He blurs into motion, slamming into Zack and shoving him to the side. Zack lets out a squawk and stumbles back.

“Hey! Wait! We really need to talk to you still! I promise you’ll be fine! Please come back!” he shouts, running after the escaping man.

Angeal’s so gonna kill me.

Zack rushes down the hallway in pursuit, gawking at the way Strife uses the walls to launch himself around the corner.

“Wait up! I’m sorry I startled you! Please come back!”

His pleas unheaded, they continue their chase down the main hallway, through the lobby, and out into the parking lot. Strife somehow manages to get even faster, clearing the lot in a second and turning to head deeper into the city. Zack pushes himself, digging into reserves he hasn’t had to use in a long while in an attempt to keep up with the man.

The chase starts in earnest then, Strife expertly hopping over and around cars as he weaves through the clogged streets. Zack keeps pace, stumbling a bit here and there as he almost misses jumps that the blond makes look easy.

“How are you so fast!” he shouts, panting as he leaps from the top of a semi-truck to the sidewalk and almost bowls over a guy walking with his head in his phone. Zack swears he hears laughter carry back to him and growls, picking up his pace. They round a corner and both have to duck out of the way of incoming gunfire.

“I thought they wanted you alive!” Zack yells, zig-zagging his way closer to what he can now identify as a blockade.

Strife doesn’t respond, too busy looking like he’s dancing as he dodges the flying bullets and closes the distance between him and the troopers manning the hastily-constructed barriers. Zack can’t help but gape as the man throws himself into the air and gracefully flips over a row of abandoned cars, then runs along the side of a building. He then launches himself over the blockade, swinging one of his blades around to deflect the continuous gunfire.

Zack finds himself pausing to gawk at the other man as he moves, stunned at the ease with which he maneuvers himself through the air. Based on how the gunshots petered out for a few seconds, a decent number of the troopers were just as awed. Then, a sharp voice barks something out and they swivel their guns around to continue shooting at Strife’s rapidly-retreating figure.

Zack swears and bursts into motion again, calling out a quick “Sorry, guys!” as he vaults the barricade and darts down the street. Vaguely, he notices that the troopers have stopped shooting at him, but he’s too focused on trying to catch up to Strife to really pay attention.

Traffic is still flowing on the next street - a main thoroughfare - they cross. Zack watches as Strife just throws himself through the air once more and clears all six lanes with a single, elegant bound. “That’s just not fair,” he grumbles and makes his own leap. He lands in the bed of a truck in the second lane and smiles sheepishly at the driver when the woman whips around and starts screaming at him.

“Sorry, lady! Official SOLDIER business!”

He waves at her and ignores the obscene gesture she makes at his back (how rude!) before finishing his own crossing. More gunfire sounds from ahead and Zack spits out a quick “shit!” as he rushes down the side street. Rounding the corner, he spots Strife flitting around and attempting to evade the actual mounted turret, what the shit, spitting bullets at him.

“Hey, what in Titan’s name do you think you’re doing!” Zack shouts at the infantry manning the turret.

He moves closer, trying to predict Strife’s movements to avoid the line of fire. It’s then that the blond apparently gives up on evading the normal and way leaps up again. He proceeds to bounce back and forth between the buildings on either side of the street, climbing higher and higher until he straight up clears the roof of one of them and disappears over it. Zack stands there for a second, blinking before it registers what he’d just seen. The troopers have also completely stopped firing, staring up at the place where Strife had vanished.

“Come on, man!” Zack moans.

He dashes forwards to round the building and catches a glimpse of Strife landing in the street on the other side. Zack gives chase, somehow pulling even more from his nearing-empty reserves. His breathing is coming hard and fast, his heart banging away in his chest. He’s more exhilarated than he’s felt in years.

There’s another blockade on this street too, but it’s much less equipped than the previous one: simply manned by regular troopers. Zack briefly wonders why they have yet to encounter any other SOLDIERs before he has to focus to dodge his own share of gunfire. Then, he hears shouting from behind him and tosses a glance over his shoulder. Another squad of infantry has appeared and set about blocking them in. Strife has stopped pushing the first blockade, simply shifting in place to keep from being hit. Then, a flash and a barrier springs into existence around him.

The gunfire peters out, the first squad realizing the futility of their efforts. Zack takes a step toward Strife. The man tenses and swings around to look at him. His arm raises and a hand closes around the hilt of one of his swords. The troopers raise their lowered weapons as one to aim at him. There’s a beat of silence, then two. Zack slowly brings his hands up, palms forwards to show that he’s not going for his weapon. Strife narrows his eyes, gaze flicking around to take in the infantry aiming their guns at him before settling back on Zack.

“Wow, that sure was a fun chase!” Zack says, wheezing a little. “You’re so cool, man! Dodging bullets like that instead of just blocking them! And when you leaped over that building! Man, I hope I can be that cool when I make 1st Class.”

Strife blinks at him, face blank, but Zack can see the bafflement in his eyes. There we go. Just need to keep talking.

“How are you so fast! I almost couldn’t keep up!” He takes a step forwards, noting how Strife shifts back about the same amount. “Maybe Angeal has a point when he tells me I need to do more exercise than just squats. If running can get me to be as fast as you, I might have to start!”

The troopers seem to take the lack of fighting as their cue to close in. Strife’s eyes dart around - noting their advancement - and he starts backing up too. Zack matches their pace, keeping his hands up and his best smile on his face.

“I really hope you running isn’t gonna make you worse off. I was looking forward to learning all about your sword and your materia and if the Turks - or worse, science - steal you away then I won’t be able to!”

The mention of the dreaded science department seems to shake something loose in Strife and he starts backing up faster, putting his back to the railing overlooking a set of train tracks. The two lines of troopers meet and trap the two of them in the kill zone. There’s rumbling in the distance and the sharp call of a train whistle.

“So, I’d really appreciate it if we didn’t have to do the fighting thing, cuz then we’ll probably never get the chance to talk! Not even if I agreed to owing Tseng a zillion favors! And Turk favors go really far, ya know?”

The rumbling gets a little closer. Strife’s eyes are wildly darting around, but his defensive posture never relaxes. His barrier shimmers in the evening light.

“So, what do ya say? Wanna come back to HQ with me? I’m sure I could ask Angeal to pull some strings and get you into SOLDIER.” The thought brings a wave of genuine excitement over him.

“You’d probably be able to jump straight to 1st Class, and it’s only a matter of time until I make 1st, so pretty soon both of us will be 1st Class together and we can be best bros!”

Strife stills, his eyes close, and some of the nervous tension seems to run out of him. The ghost of a smile appears on his face.

“‘Best bros’, huh?” His voice is soft enough that Zack is probably the only one who can hear him and carries a sort of weight. He opens his eyes again and looks straight at Zack. Something sad clouds his expression.

“If only…”

A train comes rumbling out of the tunnel under them, its whistle screeching and breaking the tension between them. Zack has a second to realize what Strife’s plan is before he’s leaping into the air and moving into a graceful backflip. The troopers open fire even as Zack rushes to the railing, but they’re too late. The train is already out of range, taking Strife with it.

Slowly, the sounds of the bustling metropolis filter back into his perception. The troopers flanking him pop the safeties on their rifles and sling them across their backs before heading back to wherever they need to report to. Zack lets out a heavy sigh and scratches the back of his head.

“Man, I really thought I had ‘im.”

It’s then that his PHS rings, the cheery jingle managing to startle him. He digs it out of his pocket and flips it open. It’s Angeal. He winces a bit, but answers the call anyways, knowing that not answering will just hurt him more in the long run.

“Zack Fair speaking!”

“Zack,” Angeal answers. “Status?”

Zack cringes hard. “Weeeeell, I kinda lost him.”

“...Zack.”

“We ran into each other in the hospital and he was kinda weird about it. He started panicking a little and then he heard you coming and ran and I chased him out of the hospital and then we ran through the city and he was so cool, Angeal! He dodged bullets and even jumped over a building!” Zack takes a second to take a deep breath before continuing.

“And then we ran into a blockade and then more troopers came up behind us and trapped us! And then I started talking to him and tried to calm him down but he was really not going for it and the troopers started closing in and it looked like he might surrender! But then there was a train and he did the sickest flip onto the train and then he was gone before I even tried to jump after him!”

Zack is jittering in place, barely resisting the urge to drop down into squats then and there. The call crackles a bit but there’s no other response.

“Angeal?”

His mentor’s exasperated sigh comes through the line. “Thank you, Zack. I expect you to be more thorough in your explanation of the events in the report.”

Zack groans. “Come on, Angeal! Can I go after him? I think that train is headed into the slums.”

“No, Zack. You’re coming back to the Tower to give your report.”

“Angeal-”

“The mission isn’t ours anymore. Orders are for us to return to headquarters and give our reports. Sephiroth is landing in 30 minutes and I want to have a briefing prepared for him when he arrives.”

Zack lets out a whine of protest even though the prospect of giving his report directly to the Silver Commander makes him vibrate in excitement.

“Who’s going after him, then? I assume we’re not just letting him go?”

A beat of silence.

“I’ve been told the Turks have officially taken over the mission of bringing Strife in for questioning, on orders of the President.”

Zack lets out an annoyed breath; the Turks sure got all the fun missions.

“Are you sure I can’t go after him?”

Zack pulls the device away to check the time. He’s still got a good 25 minutes before the Commander lands. Maybe if he just-

“Zack.” Angeal’s warning tone has him flinching on instinct. “I know how much you wanted to talk to him, but I can’t let you go rogue this time. Let the Turks do what they’re good at and I’ll see what I can do to get you some time with him.”

“Really!” Zack perks up immediately. “Aw, thanks Angeal! You’re the best!”

Another exasperated sigh. “I want you back in the Tower in 10 minutes, Zack. I’ll be counting.”

The call ends and Zack pulls the device away from his ear. He closes it with a quick motion and runs a hand through his hair before sliding it back into his pocket. He turns around, checking to make sure his sword is still slung over his back and starts making his way back to the Tower.

“Boy oh boy, is this a mess.”

#river runs dry #fic update #ff7 #ffvii #cloud strife #zack fair #time travel #time travel fix it #my fanfic #its been a year #but its finally done

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setoangel01-fanfiction · 4 years ago

Text

Reunion - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - The Reunion (Previous Chapter)

Rated: T

Fandom: Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Pairing: Zack Fair x Aerith Gainsborough (Zerith)

Summary: Zack and Aerith finally get the reunion they both desperately deserve. (Part 1 of 2)

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Fanfiction.net

A03

<><><><>

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.

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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.

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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.

<><><>

(Link to Chapter 4)

#zerith #ffvii #ffvii crisis core #ff7r #zack fair #aerith gainsborough #zack x aerith #fanfiction #zerith fanfiction #ff7 remake #these babies finally get the reunion they desperately deserve #zack is fucking alive #zack cloud bromance #zack is best brother to cloud #i actually finished this #yay #i'll probably write more zerith #they're too precious not to

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