"Don't go."

Oh, how Zack hated those three little words, especially when they came from the beautiful girl lying in bed next to him. Her smaller hand clung to the back of his half-on shirt tightly, as if she was afraid that his retreating back would be the last of him that she would ever see. Giving up on his attempt to leave her bed and sneak out of the house before she awoke, he rolled back around to wrap her in a tight embrace, wishing his arms' hold around her was enough to convey how much he truly did not want to leave her side.

"Aeris…"

"I know we've been over this." Her voice sounded strained with the need to hold back tears, as always doing her best to appear controlled and not let her emotions rule her, "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

And, as always, she was right. So with nothing left to retort, Zack simply buried his face against her hair, the familiar smell of her shampoo mixed with flowers and something that was most definitely her helping to sooth his troubled mind as he held her even closer.

He let her cling to him silently for what felt like only a sweet second to him but what was really around half an hour, releasing a resigned sigh as it became clearer outside, and his imminent need to return to the dorms became too much for him to bear. If he held her like this for any longer his resolve to leave was going to get shot down the drain, and then his superiors would have his ass on a silver platter for not showing up for the morning training session.

She must have felt the increasing tension in his muscles, the way he tightened his hold around her just a tiny bit, because she lifted her face from his chest and gave him one of those incredibly beautiful yet sad smiles that he had come to dread – Mostly because he was aware that he had put them there in the first place.

"You have to go."

It was not a question so much as a statement. It was at times like this when he realized how much she knew him, understood him…Heavens, how he loved this girl. He could not bring himself to open his mouth and say something coherent, so he just pushed her down on the bed and kissed her like his life depended on it, trying to convey in a single kiss all those thoughts that he could not voice.

I love you. I don't ever want to leave your side. I'll come back to you. I love you so much. I wish I didn't have to go. You're the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. I love you.

When their lips finally parted his eyes stung slightly, yet he disregarded the thought and simply kissed her once more. However, this time it was different, the kiss was soft, gentle. A promise.

"Come back to me?"

Her words barely betrayed the light shake of her voice, but he was acutely aware of its presence. He leaned closer for another kiss.

"Always."