onepassingnight | 001 || dream a dream of me.

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001 || dream a dream of me.

[Some dreams have some fluidity. They remain constant, with an overlaying theme - much like a storybook of the consciousness. Others can be sporadic, having no meaning, and easily shifting from one thing to the next. They can be serious, or strange. They can be hopeful, or heartbreaking.

Or... they could be Zack's dreams.

As it is, a deep, dark violet night sky floods the area. You might see quite a bit of snow, as if walking up a steep mountain, with the ice wind blowing through your hair. And right at the cliff's edge stands a man wielding a long, sturdy sword, resting safely upon his back. The weight doesn't seem to bother him in the least - if anything, he's accustomed to it by now, both hands on his hips as glowing, bright blue eyes stare off to the distance.

What could be he thinking about?]

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You were turned into a frog? Where? [He didn't remember ever taking Aerith to Gongaga... had he? Unless she somehow found a way to visit by herself. Even then, why wouldn't she tell Zack?]

Don't worry - the worst they'll do is rip at ya. An' even then, you've got me to back you up!

Gongaga... where else? [ She knows that's not a help to his confusion, but she's not sure how to explain it seriously yet; why not just play around?

She pouts a bit at that second part, leaning toward him. ] You'd better! I'm your guest. But I can take care of a few fresh guys.

I didn't think you'd ever left the city before! Let alone go all the way out there. It's not just a little walk, y'know. [Especially since Gongaga was lacking in vehicles and he had to travel there himself.] Damn, you've got some stamina on you.

[He holds her close, smiling widely.] Ahh, don't even worry. If they try anything, I've got a few plans in store. Nobody gets away from me!

[ There's a bit of that awkwardness still lingering about being so close, but she tries not to show it too much. ] My hero~ Of course I've got stamina. I got up here, didn't I? ...But, Zack, I did tell you. It's... been a while.

Exactly... how long of 'awhile', Aerith?

[Because something doesn't feel quite right. Something was different about his friend - just... what?]

... A couple of years. Five. [ It comes out very slowly. ] We sold flowers together, and then you had another mission. Do you remember the flower wagon?

[Sorry Aerith, he's just. Going to jump back at that.]

W-what? Aerith, what're you talking about? I just saw you the other day!

[He remembered they planned on selling the flowers, going around and brightening Midgar up - he just didn't remember them actually going through with it yet.]

Zack, do I really look like "the other day" to you?

[ She puts her hands on her hips, tipping her head as she looks at him, troubled. True, she still looks plenty youthful--but she's twenty-two. ]

[Well, now that he's really paying attention, she doesn't. Blue eyes search the young woman in front of him carefully, slowly widening in disbelief.]

I... I don't...

Aerith. How?

...We're dreaming. That is... [ She leans forward. ] This is your dream, since its your friends here. Mine would have been a little different. ]

[He shakes his head once. Twice.]

So you're...

You're not really here? All of this's fake? [He's trying not to let his disappointment show, but it's hard. It means the Aerith in front of him is just a hallucination, and she's still back in Midgar, far away. Sure, he knows he has his duty, but...]

And Cloud... and everyone. They're not... real?

Hey... now you're overthinking it. Really, Zack, I'd expect that from Cloud, not you! Why would you think of us if we weren't real? We just... might be in different places. [ She takes a few steps away from him, her dress swishing over the fallen snow. ] Or times. I guess times can be places, too... But I can tell you I'm real.

[His expression then softens, moving to place her petite hands in his own gently.]

You're from a different time, too... aren't you, Aerith?

[He moves her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist.]

...can you just answer me one thing?

[ This time she moves with him, leaning her head back against his shoulder to look up at him. ]

...About my time? Do you really want to ruin the surprise?

[ Trying to deflect him from asking because she doesn't actually have any surprises, and that's one in itself. A terrible one. She should know where he is, how he's doing some kind of job that seems completely different from his work with Shinra until you realize it's hard work that makes people happy, how he's flirting up all the girls still or maybe that he's settled down with one--she should know. She should know that because he's alive to do all those things and perfectly capable of returning letters.

She's looking at him, but if he looks too closely her gaze will move just past him. ]

Are we happy?

[The question comes suddenly, almost interrupting her as if he was trying to get it out before she could protest. It's honest, and true, laced with quiet emotion that's difficult to pinpoint at first, but there.

Because if she's from the future... he needs to know. He wants to make sure hers is bright - filled with happy memories of friends, and pleasant times with him.]

We're okay. [ It's said quietly but positively for his sake. She can believe that. Whatever happened, he's not hurting anymore.

There's only so long she can keep her composure, though, and she lowers her face, naturally looking away with him behind her. She rests her arm on his wrapped around her. ]

That's your one question.

...Aerith?

[The worry is thick in his tone, catching that little falter.]

You alright? If I said anything I wasn't supposed to...

[ Her head bows, looking at their arms, as she says: ] That's two. It's not you, Zack. Could you let go, please?

[He doesn't want to. Whatever happened, he just wants to keep her by his side and not let her walk off or run away. But... it's Aerith, so he slowly, hesitantly, lets go.]

Aerith, come on. Tell me what's wrong.

[ She doesn't run off. She does walk away, four steps, hands clenched loosely at her side. She takes a deep breath, thinking of all the things she could say, shouldn't say...and that breath comes out in a soft sigh as she frowns to herself. How can she tell the truth without hurting him? It's just not possible, it's too awful. ]

...We don't date anymore.

[ That...may not sound much better. ]

[This is even more shocking than her telling him she was from the future. He feels a painful stab at his heart, shaking his head slowly in sheer, pure disbelief.]

W... hat?

[Excuse him, he's just at a COMPLETE loss for words. He thought everything was going so well!]

Is it...that surprising? [ After wondering if he ran off with another girl, his dismay is a relief... but then she feels guilty for finding any relief in this. If he didn't run off with a girl, something worse happened. There's nothing good about that. ]

--It wasn't your fault. And I still, I...care about you. A lot.

[ She shakes her head. ] Can we just have fun for now? As friends. Let's go meet yours!

[She didn't want them to be apart and neither did he - which meant there was some kind of third force in the making, breaking them up and causing all of... this. But the fact that Aerith wouldn't deliberately dump him just like that is comforting, and he allows himself to relax. For her.

Maybe now that she told him, he can stop it from happening.]

...y-yeah. Yeah, got a bit sidetracked there, didn't I?

[A *lot* sidetracked. But that was okay. Because how he's gently gripping her hand again, starting to lead her down the winding slope.]

[ She eases as it becomes clearer that the topic is dropped--now she just hopes it won't come up again. ] It's not everyday you have someone else interrupting your dreams. What were you thinking about up there? There was a lot of sky to see.

Oh, ah... y'know. This an' that.

[Because he's still not entirely comfortable talking about... that. Not yet, at least. This was only his second trip to Modeoheim and the memories still were fresh in his mind.]

Hmmmm. Up to you! Either way is baww-worthy. ;3;

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and now Cloud and Aerith are both breaking his brain.

hghgvh just don't tell him he's dead. ; )3( ;a

oh god no that is on Aerith's THINGS TO NEVER TALK ABOUT list

GOOD it would be upsetting for both of them sooob.

yes 8( dangit, canon.

at least they die happy together? ;;

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I'M SORRY SHE'S BEING DEPRESSING FOR ZACK

NOW HE FEELS BAD. ;;

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