Fairy Tale
by Genesis R
"Once upon a time, there was a girl. She was locked up in a tall tower, until one day, a hero came and freed her. They fell in love, and lived happily ever after. And that's about the sum of all fairy tales, right there. Are you sure you don't wanna hear a true story instead? They're far more interesting..."
Snuggled against Zack's chest, Aerith shook her head. "I like fairy tales, Zack. I like the way they end, with the hero coming for the girl. Kind of like you, falling through my roof, and now you're here to protect me."
The SOLDIER smiled. "Someday I'm gonna find a nice castle somewhere and buy it for you."
"Don't be silly," Aerith said, always practical, as she kissed his cheek. "But it does sound wonderful."
She was cut off by Zack's PHS ringing insistently. Grimacing, he pulled it out and answered, listening for a second before snapping it shut again and replacing it in his pocket.
"Another mission?" the girl asked, clasping her hands together tightly in her lap.
"'Fraid so. Sorry, but they say it's urgent."
Aerith nodded, standing up. Zack got to his feet as well, careful to avoid stepping on the flowers that surrounded them. He never understood how Aerith could be so protective of her flowers, yet whenever he asked her where she wanted to go for a date, she told him that the middle of the garden was fine for her. It was pleasant, though, with the sweet scent of the blooms and with the girl nestled against him, so he wouldn't complain.
They walked to the entrance of the church, Aerith not quite touching him, but also not straying more than a pace behind. Zack held out his hand and she took it, holding it tightly as if not wanting to let him go. Which, he figured, she didn't; he didn't want to leave either, but duty called.
As Zack pushed the door open and the stench and smog and miserable grayness of the outside world swirled around him, he glanced toward the center of the Plate, where far above them the Shinra Tower stood, aloof and alone and desolate. Aerith may live in the dungeon, he thought, but I'm the one trapped in the tower.
He turned to Aerith with a sudden grin. "You know those fairy tales you're so fond of? I think I just found a true one."
She cocked her head, green eyes curious.
"Once there was a would-be hero, trapped in a tall, dismal tower...with horrible food, too. He had lots of friends and could go anywhere he wanted, but he was still a prisoner, he just didn't know it. Until one day, he accidentally fell through the roof of an angel's church, and she rescued him. He still wasn't completely free from the tower, but now he had a place to go where he wouldn't be so lonely and lost anymore. And he and his girl lived happily ever after together to the end of their days."
"Oh, you." A fist lightly punched at his arm, but Aerith was smiling her slow shy smile that made the world all right.
"It's true. Honest-to-goddess, it's true, every word. Just look around you."
"I'd rather look at you," she whispered as she leaned closer for a kiss.
Sometimes the story is true. Sometimes the maidens are needed to rescue their heroes. But sometimes, in some stories, there is no happy ending. No one can be rescued every time and there is no happily ever after. And then again, sometimes there is.