This is a rather sad drabble inspired by the end of Chapter 5 of Crisis Core.

No real warnings this time, apart from a teeny tiny bit of possibly onesided Zangeal.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core or any of the characters therein. If I did, Genesis would never have gone mad and neither he nor Angeal would've died. And Zack wouldn't have either.

XXX

Angel

Zack leaned into Aerith's embrace and wished, just for a moment, that he was leaning against hard muscles rather than soft flesh. Wished that her arms were muscle bound and strong, rather than delicate. Wished that it wasn't Aerith that was holding him but Angeal. Tears collected in his eyes as he smelt Aerith's unique flowery scent and he wished that instead he could smell sweat and oil and that perfect Angeal scent.

Hell, even the smell of feathers would be welcome now.

But no, there was only Aerith's soft body, Aerith's delicate arms and Aerith's flowery scent.

Zack felt even worse for wishing that it was Angeal holding him rather than her.

"It's alright Zack. I know this is hard for you. I know you want your friend to be here rather than me. I don't mind. Just let it out. You'll feel better, I promise." Aerith whispered softly.

"But you don't know everything! I just – I just – I loved him. I loved him and I killed him. And he smiled. He smiled as he died." Zack said, fiercely.

"Then he wanted you to kill him. He wanted you to be the one to send him to the Promised Land. He was happy that you had." Aerith said, stroking Zack's hair.

"Even if he wanted me to kill him that doesn't make me feel better! He went on and on about honour and dreams – well what about my dreams and my honour? Is it honourable to kill the man you love? Is it? Do people dream about it? I don't. I just wanted to be a hero." Zack cried, leaning deeper into Aerith's comforting embrace.

"You are a hero, Zack. You really are. Your friend proved it – heroes value the greater good above their own. For you and your friend, that meant killing him. To save him. Or would you rather he became a mindless monster like other monsters?" the flower girl said.

"No... No, I don't want that. I don't know what I wanted." Zack muttered, listlessly.

"Just remember Zack – you saved him. You saved him. He's gone to the Promised Land and will be happy now."

"I wanted him to be happy here. You said before that SOLDIERs were monsters. So did Genesis after he got his wing. And then he said it – he said that his wings made him a monster. Why couldn't he see that they were beautiful? Two perfect white angel's wings on his right shoulder.... He looked more like an angel than a monster. I even told him that." Zack said softly. He was so tired.

"Then he was an angel. Your Angeal, a perfect angel. You saved him Zack. You really did. After all, anyone else wouldn't have seen an angel. But you did Zack. You did." Aerith's soft voice lulled him onto sleep.

And as he fell asleep Zack could just make out a dark haired angel who had two wings on his right shoulder watching him, guarding him as he slept.

XXX

Review if you liked it. Oh and for those of you who're reading The Changes I Would Make, there is an open poll on my profile for what side pairings I should have in it. There're loads of choices, so you're sure to find something you like.

See you soon.

Rethira