Chapter 1 - The Mask

I will never forget that day. 49th Floor, Shinra headquarter. The elevator door slides open and I put on my Soldier headgear, letting the large steel element cover my features in preparation for a team meeting. This helmet is a vital part of the Soldier dress-code, aside from the sleeveless sweater and loose fitted pants. Shinra Soldiers were taught to always wear it as it serves multiple purpose, and most essential of all, it masks our identity. Every time I put on the headgear, I could still smell the dirt and blood splatters from past battles no matter how many times I wipe it down. It's gross, but it is Soldier protocol to have it equipped at all times, of course, there are certain rebels who refuse it, and Fair, is a prime example.

Zack was the only man in the hall at the time, so I naturally approach him upon entering the floor. He has his back against the cold wall, looking troubled, mind lost in daze. So I made an attempt to retrieve him back to the planet.

"I heard you are going on an assignment with Sephiroth", I said, interrupting his thoughts.

"Kunsel", He welcomed my presence with a grin. "Yeah, it's gonna be a long mission, we will be inspecting the Nibelheim reactor". He explained, while looking down on his black combat boots.

For reasons I could not figure out, Zack seems unbalanced today, something about him was odd, he is normally more upbeat, but I didn't think too much into it back then... "Well I am assigned to Fort Condor's reactor. I wonder what is up with them".

"Man, too bad we are not in the same team this time", He said, looking disappointed. "Guess this is goodbye huh?"

"Why the long face? Are you sad to see me go?" He couldn't tell with my Soldier headgear over my face, but I was giving him an odd look, I mean saying 'goodbye' doesn't sound like him at all... If only I knew back then, that he felt something would go wrong...

He just grinned, and punched my shoulder lightly, "I'm sad because of Aerith. You know... I'll be away from her for a while…" he muttered nervously.

Seeing Zack this way is certainly a rare sight, he's normally clueless about his surrounding, I mean we are talking about a guy who does squats in the middle of city center.

I chuckled, "oh right, I forgot our Zack Fair has grown up and is now in love".

He scratch the back of his head uncomfortably. "Whatever, screw you Kunsel", he tried to mask his embarrassment with a smile, but we both knew my words had hit the truth dead center. That moment I saw the face of a soldier in love. The soft expression he wears when he thinks about Aerith, the grin that appears on his lips when he reminiscence on a precious memory together, and the sadness in his eyes knowing he won't be by her side. This fighter understands his duty, but dies a little every time he leaves his love behind.

"Why don't you go see her now? You have sometime, I'll make up some excuses to Sephiroth". I suggested.

He's eyes widened like an excited puppy, only thing missing is a wagging tail. "Really?!"

I nodded, and watched him jump in joy. Then he thanked me and ran into the elevator. After that, I stalled Sephiroth for hours, I remember cursing that bastard Zack for taking his sweet time. Later I found out he spent majority of his time running around Midgar, looking for materials to make Aerith a flower wagon... And he did not made just one, but three. Even went out to sell some flowers with her. I always knew Aerith was not just another fling, what I didn't know was he'd turn into the romantic type of guy for her... I never knew he had it in him to love someone so much.

I was glad I told him to go find her... Because that was the last time Aerith has seen him...

...

I open my eyes, and the bright light shining through the hole in the roof invaded my vision immediately. Thankfully I have my trusty headgear on, or I probably wouldn't be able to keep my eyes open. The headgear protects my eyes from harm, all the way from the sun's UV rays to tear gas, however it is a bit heavy, unappealing, cast a blue hue on everything I see and hides eighty percent of my face. I guess that is the price we pay for protection.

I look up to the ceiling and see that angelic creature sitting on one of the wooden support beams, he seems to be observing me, as always. Zack said that thing is all that remains of Angeal and he has taken on a new role as Aerith's full time guardian.

I glance over to the flower bed, to find that she was still in the same position before I had fallen asleep. Watching her sea of flowers, back towards me. Her white camisole and blue skirt looks extra bright under the light, sometimes, I really think she is an angel.

I got up from the church bench to stretch, and let out a yawn, it must have been a loud one, because it caught her attention enough to glance at me.

"Had a good nap?" Aerith's voice echoed within the empty church. I really love her voice, it is soft, innocent and very feminine.

"The best", I replied smiling and made my way to her. "How long was I asleep?"

"Couple hours, you were snoring", she giggled.

I grinned, remembering the first day we met. The way she scrambled to get up and ran to my direction when I entered her church. Her eyes was swimming in tears and when she got a closer look, and realized I was not him, she frowned and dropped to the ground, sobbing. I didn't need to ask, she must of thought I was Zack, I guess not many people in Soldiers uniforms comes to her church. She has come a long way, when she find out I was not Zack, I saw fear in her eyes, as if she is in front of an monster. Ten months since that encounter, she has opened up tremendously, even let me nap on her church benches.

During these past months, she showed me her expressionless face the most, when I'm lucky I get to witness her smile, and all other times, she'd be crying. Her sob were soft and silent, as if she doesn't want anyone to know. Her tears always flowing, enough to water several small pots of lilies. Seeing her cries, I made an effort to visit as often as work allows so she is not alone dwelling in her own thoughts. I would tell her about Zack's silly stories, like the time he received a letter by a self-proclaimed treasure princess and later found she was an underage ninja tomboy, that one brought a huge grin to her face. Her smile is like the sun, and I became addicted to her light, so I've committed myself to making her smile my mission.

"I'll file a complain to Shinra on my helmet's design. Maybe they should make the thing cover my whole face, and then soundproof it" I suggested jokingly and sat down on the floor beside her, the old wood under my bottom creaks as I settled.

She looks at me, "I wouldn't want that". I watch her reach out to one of her flowers, and caress it as if it has a soul, like human would to their children.

"Because my smile is gorgeous right?" I joked again. I normally don't talk like this, I'm not a joker. I know Zack does though, he used to tell me how hard she laughs at them. I'm not Zack of course, but hey, whatever gets the job done.

She giggled again, shaking her head. "No... I really like talking to you. Too bad your smile is all I can see" she pointed her index finger to her cheek, I'm guessing she is referring to my massive steel helmet.

"You know, I'm actually very handsome", I can't say I was lying, I've been told I was, not just from my mother too, "I'm such a heartthrob, I'm afraid you will fall in love with me if I take it off. How am I gonna explain to Zack if that happens?" I said shamelessly. To be honest, I much rather wear a mask around her. The real me is... Well, I can be quite a jerk, kinda boring, and complicated at times. In another words, I get to be someone else like this, someone better, one that deserves to be her companion.

Aerith giggled slightly, then, her smile dropped, as if it was never there... Clear sign that she is thinking about him again.

There was a long silence. Then she gathered herself and spoke again, "Hey, why do you always wear that helmet? But I've never seen Zack in it?" She asked tilting her head curiously.

I shrugged, "Probably because Zack doesn't wanna mess up his hair. The director is always at his sleeve about this topic! Knowing him, he's probably too concern about impressing the girls, he's such a womaniz-" I coughed and stopped myself, realizing that is probably not something she want to hear, "keep in mind, this is before he met you Aerith".

Surprisingly she did not look one bit upset, instead, she laughed, beautifully. "I had a feeling that'd be the reason! He is so into his looks".

One moment she can be sad, and laughing the next. Who could blame her though? What she is going through is hard... And she is trying even harder to overcome it, even though she doesn't have any other solution than to toughen up and wait, and wait, and wait...

I watch her chuckle cheerfully, thinking a beautiful face like this only deserves to be happy. "It worked though", I said.

"Huh?"

"He told me you fell for his good looks", I clarified.

She shyly slapped my arm, embarrassed. I couldn't quite tell with the blue hue my headgear cast, but I think she may have blushed. How cute, Zack, buddy, I must say I'm a little envious of you.

"I fell for his eyes". She admitted and covered her cheeks with both hands.

How amusing, because everyone in Soldier has the same mako infused blue eyes, I guess since we are always covered behind our steel mask, not many people noticed. Still, I don't wanna burst her bubble by telling the truth.

Seeing her cast a shy expression really validates just how much she loves Zack. It's been fourteen months since we both had seen him. I miss him a lot, and I wonder where he is every now and then. Compare to Aerith though, my thoughts for him are unparalleled... she is constantly thinking about him. I don't think there is a single moment when he is not on her mind.

"Aerith. I'm sure he wants to come back much more than you and I can imagine. Until then, I'll report back any news I hear about him. You can count on me", I promised her.

Taking in my words, she paused for a moment and let's her vision get lost in her bed of flowers. "Thank you Kunsel. You are a good friend", she said softly.

Xoxox

Author's notes:

Yay, love triangle! Sooo… I wrote this because I suddenly saw a lot of potential in Kunsel's character. I want to make him a hot stud behind the headgear, and Aerith will not know who he is. I don't think I will write about Zack until later in the story, until then, flashbacks only.

Let me know what you think, should I continue? :)