Here we are {Part Six~Final}

Zack Fair x Dead!Angel!Reader
Part six: Here we are

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It has been three years.

Three years since ________ left.

And it tore his strong, yet fragile heart apart.

Zack was standing outside of the Midgar, along with Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth. They were sent on a night time mission, since there have been reports about the Wutai troops roaming around during the night time.

Sephiroth and Genesis were disscussing something about the mission and the cadets that were to come for the training. And of course the four of the 1sts are going to train them. Angeal simply walked around and scanned the area for any spies, but found none.

The cerulean eyed ravenette was leaning on the one of the many gloomy willows that seemed sad as himself tonight.

Tonight,

And every night since then.

His blurry gaze was settled upon the pure and clean sky, adorned with billions of the brightly shinning gems. Today's day was exactly like then when she died. The rain mixed with the pristine white snow that was pilling up on the lifeless ground and basically went up to their knees.

He bit his slightly trembling lips and lowered his head a little, trying to hold back the pure tears he never let out. He never forgave himself; How he didn't save her - but he could.

The moment he let her slip through his hands, she was gone.
And there is nothing he could do to bring her back.

Never again...

Suddenly, he felt a gloved hand on his shoulder, which made him lift his head slightly and look over his shoulder. There, by his side, stood his tutor and friend, Angeal. Zack looked at him through his ebony bangs and with watery eyes, giving a small crooked smile. Angeal smiled reassuringly and with empathy as he slightly pat Zack's back and they both looked at the sky.

"Thinking about her again, aren't you?" Angeal shook his head and chuckled out of pity "I guess you're the only one showing it..."


{Flashback}

A small group of men tried to return to the ShinRa on foot, along with the limp body of _______ in Zack's arms. Her already blood stained white blouse and black blazer were drenched in ravenette's tears that never stopped falling. He clutched her closer to him with every hasty step he took, trying to convince himself that she's still here.

That's she's not gone, that she is simply in a deep slumber and she'll wake up anytime now, only if he took one wrong step and stepped on a branch or a stone.

Genesis was leading the small party, trying to guide them back by his memory - He has been here before, after all. He cut through every single innocent plant and branches that were in his way with his faithful Rapier. He had to unleash his rage somehow, so this was the most harmless way. For the people that surrounded him, at least.

His head was tilted down slightly, shining tears almost pouring out of his sky blue eyes. Reno kept on trying to calm him down, but to no avail; For Genesis heard and saw nothing around him, since his childhood friend and little sister perished before his eyes. He kept on slashing down everything in his way, until his sword clanged on another one, that seemed to be much bigger than his own.

Genesis looked up confused, surprised and slightly enraged that something dared to stand in his way, which he was clearing to get ________ as soon as possible back to the infirmary and maybe revive her. His saphire eyes were met with a pair of cerulean ones and that's probably what returned him to his senses. There in front of him and his group stood his two best friends and about five more soldiers

"Genesis! Well, I see there was no need to worry, it seems like you're all alright!" Angeal exclaimed, but then frowned slightly when he noticed Genesis' trembling lips as his head was tilted down and the grip tightened on his Rapier. He put his hand on Genesis' shoulder and asked in a concerned and somewhat fatherlike tone

"What's the matter? Is anyone hurt?" Genesis couldn't answer, for he simply looked away and put his hand over Angeal's on his shoulder. Sephiroth looked from away from Genesis and to the rest of the party, ________ not visible from Cloud and Kunsel that stood in front of Zack and Reno.

"What happened?" Sephiroth asked with a genuine concern, seemingly placing the things to the place faster than Angeal. The auburn haired man shook his head bashfully and looked away as Zack only muttered, almost inaudible

"_-_______..." Sephiroth motioned to the soldiers to take five, but also to stay put

"What happened? Did she faint or something?" Sephiroth asked as Angeal slightly paled out, he did treat you like his apprentice after all. Tseng was going to kill him if something happened to you!

Oh, how was he right... And how much he wished he wasn't...

Zack clutched ________'s limp body closer to him, as if she was going to shatter into million if anyone even touched her in a wrong way. Never has he ever acted so protectively over someone or something, but it was his angel, after all. Angeal approached her and put a hand on her forehead, breath captured in his throat as she felt her porcelain cold skin

"S-she... Is she..?" He couldn't even finish the sentence, more like 'not wanted to'. Sephiroth's catlike eyes traveled from _______'s once beautiful rosy face down to the gash that could easily be described as a hole. The only thing that held together her tortured body was her weak spine, but that wasn't noticeable because of her clothes.

Genesis returned the sword back into the sheath and clenched his fists, looked straight in front of him and took a deep breath, simply to swallow back his tears. Even he, the 1st class SOLDIER, wasn't able to contain his emotions at the time like this.

"Yes."

That was the answer everyone was dreaded by. Not everyone loved the gentle (h/c) hair coloured girl, but many did. And they loved her dearly. And now, that fragile but brave woman with a body of glass and heart of a warrior, was gone.


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Angeal joined Genesis' mourning for the rest of the way, Sephiroth taking the role of the stone hearted leader. But even though he wasn't showing it, he didn't know how to deal with the death of the younger 'apprentice' of theirs, how they liked to call _________. Even though she was a loyal Turk, Tseng has given her a permission to train with the SOLDIERs.

What is Tseng going to say?
What are her friends going to say?
How will they all react?

Reno was devastated, that's for sure. She was his best friend that he would occasionally get drunk with and do all kinds of stupid things nobody else would dare.

Nevermore... Or?
Divider by Canzeda



Black.

It was the colour everyone wore today.

Almost everyone of the ShinRa's superiors, workers, staff and all of the SOLDIERs and the Turks were there. It seemed like the time has stopped when the four of your best friends, Genesis, Reno, Rude and of course, Zack, arrived at the Midgar cemetery at the front of the funeral procession, along with your casket on their shoulders.

The ravenette was near to tripping couple of times, choking on his own tears and the heavy wood seemed hundred times heavier, rather than it was a flower lying withing.

Everyone cried. And I mean everyone. Women, your best friends, Cissnei, Elena and Solo cried their eyes out. They couldn't believe that their younger sister is the one that's now resting in that cold prison made of dark wood. Even the sky seemed to mourn over your poor soul, that was by then long gone from that fragile and crushed body of yours.

Beautiful white rose petals were falling from the silvery sky and onto the soft ground, dropping the temperature significally. If it wasn't the graveyard, the scenery would be perfect and beautiful.

Elena and Cissnei made you beautiful an hour before the funeral, Kyouya and Solo doing the medical part by sewing you up and trying to make you look like you still had your vital organs, at least a little.

Two Turks women have dressed you in a beautiful white dress that made you look like a pixie, like you would call the girls in a short dresses back at the city. Your hair was down and washed, along with your face, which was void of pain. I'm telling you; You looked exactly like a little fallen angel that was now trapped in a deep slumber.

You were put down into your final soiled tomb that your body will never leave again.

Moments before the casket was closed shut and lowered under the ground, Zack's breath stopped in his throat. His body seemed to disobey him and he rushed to see you one more time, to hug you and promise you that you will never be alone and forgoten

"_______... I know I promised I will be your soldier, but..." He wiped the tear as everyone looked at him with sad gazes and understanding "In the end, it seems like you've become my soldier, heh..." He chuckled and everyone gave a sad smile, some even sworn that you wore a ghost of smile, as well.

Zack kissed your faint blue lips once more, taking in the coolness from your lifeless body. He thought, that if he tried enough, he will bring you back to life..

But he couldn't.

He reluctantly pulled away with a grin and tears streaming down his face

"Goodnight, my angel...~"

Everyone said their last goodbyes, Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth either patting Zack on the back or giving him a friendly half hugs. It really meant him a lot, he wasn't left alone, after all.



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Nobody knew, nobody saw the fragile young woman in a beautiful white dress, standing behind all of them and next to a certain pristine white willow, back in the horizon and next to one of the majestic graves. Although she was as transparent as a mist, she was still there.

Crystaline tears clouded her vision as her (h/c) hair swished without wind to usher it. Her trembling lips barely let the words out

"I...

I'm right here, g-guys...


Divider by Canzeda


{End of flashback}


Zack's jaw clenched as he tried not to cry in front of Angeal, but to no avail. Pure, transparent drops rolled down his tanned cheeks, but he quickly brushed them away. Angeal, being the good friend he was, simply looked away and prenteded that he saw nothing.

Angeal chuckled and Zack looked up at him to see what's so funny. Angeal simply pointed to the one of the stars, that seemed to glow the faintest, but it was still there

"Hey, Zack? You see that?" Angeal pointed out with a smile and the other ravenette followed his pointing direction with his eyes

"Yeah, why?" Zack asked, not quite sure that he understands the point of staring at the bunch of the glowing stones, millions of star years away.

"Because, that little star-" Angeal was cut off by another masculine voice and the third voice that chuckled
"That's _________, Zack~" Sephiroth exclaimed and Genesis pulled out the Loveless from his pocket with a smile.

"To become the dew that quenches the land,
To spare the sands, the seas, the skies
I offer thee, this silent sacrifice...~"

Genesis recitated with a smile and Zack gave a sad chuckle, but it really was true. Now, that you were no longer here on the earth, the ravenette had an angel that kept on protecting him.

The only thing was that he was never aware of that~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


{Reader's P.O.V.}

You felt yourself laying down on something incredibly soft, not even the finest silk nor the fuzziest cotton could describe this.
Subconsciously, you shifted in comfort and felt someone's gentle hand caressing your forehead. It felt exactly like your mother would pamper you when you were younger.

Your (e/c) slowly fluttered open and you hummed in satisfaction, your vision as blurry as if you were using your precious eyes for the first time. When your rubbed your eyelids slightly and your vision cleared somehow, you looked up.

There, right upon you was hunched a very pretty mid-aged woman, her hair was dark brown and her beautiful eyes were bronze. You were apparently lying on her lap, she was petting you like you were her own child. Her maternal smile widenned when she noticed that you woke up

"Have you had a nice nap, my dear?" She asked with a soft and gentle voice, that nearly resembled the one of your mother.

You smiled up at her and remained lying down, feeling kind of too worn out to get up just yet
"Yes, miss... Do you mind telling me where I am?" You asked the first question that came to your mind, but you still wondered who this lady is. She giggled and continued on caressing your face

"You, my dear, are in the Lifestream!" She answered with a genuine smile as your eyes widenned and you suddenly sat up straight, surprised that you weren't lightheaded from a sudden jolt

"L-Lifestream?" Your eyes darted around and it took you a while to take in your surroundings.

The two of you were on a beautiful grassy field, decorated with beautiful tiny magenta orchids. About ten metres away from you, there was a perfect shinning lake that seemed like it had no bottom. You were simply in awe. It wasn't possible to tell that you were no longer alive if it wasn't for the glowing cerulean wavy strokes that decorated your surroundings, appearing here and there.

The gentle giggle snapped you out of your gaze and you turned back to the woman, who was smiling gently at you. Something was very familiar about her, she resembled someone, but you simply couldn't tell who.    

And that's when she asked you a question that made something click in your head

"You are a true kitten, are you not... ________?"

Your eyes widenned and your jaw dropped, realising momentarily who this lady is

"A-are you by any chance Gillian?" She nodded and you gulped
"Commander Hewley's mother?" Again, she nodded with a gentle grin.

"And you are _______ ________ of the Turks, correct? Angeal has told me about you, how he trains you although you belong to the Turks..." She reminisced her apparently dear memories, missing her son dearly.

You smiled apologetically to her, feeling her maternal pain, but also understanding her.

She wasn't the only one missing someone...

"Um... How did I get here, ma'am?" You asked and she waved in dissmisal

"Drop the titles, my dear. We are friends now, aren't we?" She asked in a gentle tone that made you feel like you've known her for your entire life
"And to answer your question; You simply appeared here. You see, while I was taking a walk, I found you in a deep slumber right here~" She patted the place next to where she was sitting.

"But I suppose you do not wish to talk about how you got here, correct?" Gillian asked you with understanding and you bit your bottom lip to stop your lips from trembling and tears from falling.

Apparently, this couldn't escape her wise eye and she got up and walked over to you, bringing you in a soft hug. You of course returned it and cried your soul out, feeling your world tearing apart when you realised that you are never going to be able to touch, hug or kiss the certain ravenette ever again.

What you didn't realise before or simply weren't paying attention, was that Angeal's mother was an angel. She had a beautiful pair of pure white wings spreading softly around her. What you were aware of even less was that you had a pair of angelic wings, as well. Although, yours were transparent. Completely.

But that didn't make them less beautiful. On the contrary, they looked like they were made from crystal. Your outfit was still the lovely dress you were dressed in by your friends.

Gillian's gentle voice brought you out from your daze and made you smile through the tears

"You are missing someone as well, don't you?" Your answer was only hugging her tighter, which she understood.

Oh how much was she right... But how much you wished she wasn't.

Maybe this isn't so bad...

But he is so far away...

But also, for how long?



Divider by Canzeda



~Timeskip~


Another three years have passed.

It was one of those kinds of evening where you simply cannot sleep, no matter what you do.

So, the certain ravenette got up from his bed and walked over to the large window his room possesed. The sky was gorgeous, deep blue colour. The stars never seemed to shine brighter, but maybe that was just him. However, several stars seemed to glow the most, somehow outshining the other;

Those were the stars of his best friends and tutors,

The ones that left not so long ago.

First Angeal, then Genesis and Sephiroth.

But however, the single star that was tad bit away from this small bunch was outshinning every single star in the sky:

You~

He smiled softly, as if you could see him. Zack got used to talking to you and the others ever since you guys left.
Zack propped himself on his elbow and leaned on his palm, that friendly grin never leaving his tired face

"Good evening, _________! How've you been?" He asked and chuckled to himself, imagining how you'd say that the day has been tiring, but you're still hanging. The small gesture would be rounded by your adorable giggle he would never get enough of.

"Well, mine's been pretty boring too... Heh... Oh!" He exclaimed and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly

"I've met this girl a year or two ago, Aerith. We were real good friends and I kinda fell for her, hope you don't mind it..." Zack chuckled and spread his arms widely, as if trying to hug you

"But you know I've always loved you the most... I've never forgot about you, _________..." He sighed, then cracked a crooked and tired smile
"But if angels stick together, then she's with you by now... Oh! And take care of Angeal and others, too!"

Zack's little, but meaningfull monologue ended by him sending a kiss to that
special little star and waving goodbyes to all of the others.


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{Reader's P.O.V.}


A single teardrop rolled down your warm cheek without you even realising it. A genuine smile was plastered over your glowing face, along with beautiful tinted cheeks. You reached down to the starry lake and put your palm along the water surface, cerulean strings wrapping around your wrist.

Although you couldn't touch him or talk to him, you could at least look at Zack as he would talk to you every night. This was the only portal that connected the Lifestream and the other life.  

The emerald eyed brunette placed her gentle hand over yours reassuringly, smiling ever so softly. Your gaze traveled to her smiling face and understanding eyes, your own filled with crystaline tears. You sniffled softly and then smiled, wipping off your tears with the other hand

"See? He still cares about you, flower~" That soft sentence made you grin and hug Aerith with all your might. Ever since she died and joined you and Gillian, she was like your very own sister. She told you so much, how Zack told her about you and how much it hurt her to see him hurt. Of course, he grew attatched to her and began to really love her, but she could never replace you or fill in the missing spot in his damaged heart that grew wider by every day that passed by. Of course, she either couldn't help but to feel a little jelaous of you because of his stories about you. You were practically his princess, his world. But Aerith understood. She was making him feel slightly better and somewhat pulled him out of depression, but she never tried to make him forget you. Oh, no! Just on the contrary! Aerith would even ask Zack to tell her more about you, so she was feeling like she knew you all along when she met you.

You felt a hand on your shoulder and another arm slumped over your shoulder. Aerith smiled kindly to whoever this was and politely went somewhere to not disturb the conversation.

"Wonderful evening, isn't it?" You heard a silky and familiar voice ask somewhere from above
"Yes, I'd agree very much so!" The other one exclaimed from your right.

You couldn't help but smile at the kindness of the two of your close friends and you gave a shallow sigh. Genesis kneeled down to your height in a sitting form and removed his hand from your shoulder. Angeal grinned lightly at you and then glanced at the glowing lake.

"You know, ________..." Angeal started and looked back at you, his sky blue eyes glowing from the lake's reflection "You might meet Zack again sooner that you think..."

Genesis smirked at this and removed some of his hair from his eyes to see you better. Your eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion, (e/c) orbs glowing with curiosity

"What do you mean, Angeal?" You asked and received a knowing chuckle from Genesis

"Just wait and you will see... You will see~" That was the only thing Genesis told you before he got up and took Angeal with him.

What did they mean by that? You are dead and he is alive, it's not like Zack could see his guardian angel, right? You looked around too see if Aerith or Gillian are around to try to ask them to help you clear some stuff up, but they were nowhere to be found. When you asked Sephiroth about this, he only smirked and told you the exact thing Genesis has told you before;

"You'll see..."


~~~~~~~~


The Mako-infused eyed man was standing on the dusty cliff, surrounded by tons and tons of enemy soldiers. The heavy Buster Sword seemed to be even heavier than it actually was and it was pulling the tired and exahusted ravenette down. The crimson trails of hot blood were tracing his arms and bruises and scratches were decorating his body. Zack's breathing was becoming more difficult by every second, but he couldn't let himself simply die. He had to protect and make sure that Cloud is okay, for the love of everything! But it more and more seemed that he is not going to be able to fullfill his promise and stay alive.

Zack was getting beaten to the pulp and there was nothing his angel could do. He was fighting wholeheartly and bravely, exactly like a newborn puppy that was trying to figure how this world works out. But nothing without a battle!

Finally, his legs gave him away and he collapsed, coughing heavily and trying to stabilize himself, but to no avail. All Zack could do was watch as the heartless enemies approached him and pointed their riffles at him. He closed his eyes tightly shut and braced himself for the end.

Bang!


Bang!


Bang!

That was the last thing you were able to hear before heavy sobs left your trembling lips, your face burried into your palms. But he wasn't dead yet, oh no! He still had to tell Cloud that he was his best friend and that he is his living legacy. Zack's last smile made your heart shatter into million pieces as if you were still alive and could do something about him dying right in front of your eyes.

But you couldn't...

Moments after, you heard Zack's final exhale and his beautiful cerulean eyes close once and for all.

'Is this really the end?' He asked himself 'Well, I guess that's it for me~'



Whiteout...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"H-huh? Where am I?" Zack asked himself more than anyone. His eyes didn't obey to his try on openning them.

"Hey, you're awake! Welcome~" A chirpy voice was heard, apparently incredibly happy that Zack was actually there.

"A-Aerith?" Zack weakly asked, slight confusion in his voice. A soft giggle was heard in a response.

"You are really terrible at guessing, Zack!" It was obvious that the young female was teasing him, since it was apparent that she was trying to immitate his voice, but failing.

That voice. He knows that voice! But who does it belong to? Zack tried to rummage through his mind and figure out who this actually was. But there simply wasn't a face in his memory to which he could connect the voice. That sweet, angelic voice he has heard about million and half times, yet he couldn't remember.

"The stars are absolutely beautiful tonight, don't you think~?" She asked sweetly
"Are you done thinking, dear?" She asked again and she seemed to be smiling and sitting or lying right next to him.

And that's when something clicked in his brain and his azure eyes snapped open, looking at the starry sky that was sprawled all around above him.

"________!"

"Took you long enough~" You giggled and slightly propped yourself on your elbow so you can kiss him. Zack was absolutely paralised, his mind couldn't process the happiness he was experiencing right now. You pulled away and looked him in the eye, smiling softly and you tilted your head to the side in a slight confusion
"Everything okay?"

Suddenly, Zack hugged you with all his might and jumped on his feet, bringing you up with him. Your feet hoovered just above the ground as he spun you around and kissed you. The two of you pulled away and he mustered the largest grin you have ever seen. He was so happy that he was actually holding and kissing you, that you were really there and not the product of his cruel mind. Zack placed small butterfly kisses all over your face, making you laugh out loud from happiness. You were exactly as happy as he was, maybe even a bit more than himself.

"_________! I. Missed. You. So! MUCH!!" Zack said between kisses, making you blush and giggle even more. You grinned and wrapped your arms even tighter around his neck
"I missed you, too dummy! I've waited so long so see you again!" You told him and he placed you back on the ground, your transparent wings wrapping around him and grazing over his single white one that he didn't even pay attention to.
"You know... I've never cried over anyone. But when you left me..." He began and you hugged him even tighter, not wanting to hear the rest.
"It's fine, we're together now~" You burried you face in his chest "And nothing can probably tear us appart... Maybe Aerith~" You chuckled and looked up at him, his face as red as strawberry. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and smiled

"She told you, huh? Look, I really didn't mean to fall for her, but she is so much like you!" Zack tried to explain, but you hushed him by pressing your finger to his lips and then kissing him. You lowered your head slightly, coming to a somewhat sad conclusion

"So... You are her boyfriend now?"

He looked down at you and took your chin between his thumb and index finger and raised your face to look you in the eyes. Your (e/c) orbs were somewhat glassy, with transparent tears just waiting to spill out.

"Maybe before and while we were still alive..."

Then, he kissed you.

"But, _______..." Zack smiled at you and hugged you tightly "You make it hard to be faithful..."


                                                                     ~With the lips of angel~


+~The End~+