"Cloud," She murmured, staring out of the window. "I don't know what to do…"
"Do what you want," The words flowed from his mouth so easily. "I'll be okay."
She turned to face him; he sat on the edge of the bed, staring to the floor. She winced, knowing he was lying through his teeth. She wanted to say she regretted Zack ever showing up, ever letting her know he's not dead, as they had quickly assumed. She couldn't bring herself to regret it; however, it was possibly the best moment of her life, Zack, alive. They were best friends, she eyed Cloud wearily, and she felt like she was ruining it by confessing it all to Cloud. How she had loved him, all the things they did before—no, he's not dead, she reminded herself.
Then there was Cloud, she liked him, she really did. She fought to give him the same chance Zack had every day, she knew he saw through it. He missed Zack too, blamed himself for his death. When he had mentioned him offhandedly once she had nearly fallen on her face. She had known it was inevitable, if Zack never came back… She felt it, he had died. At least, he was gone. She had accepted it, and gladly joined Cloud, allowing him to protect her, as Zack once did. Not that she was entirely useless, but she was no ex-SOLDIER.
The stayed in silence, both silently deciding that it had to end. Not because Zack wanted Aeris back, though he did, but because Cloud couldn't live with her wishing for him. Cloud, he was just never Zack, and he knew that. Aeris flinched, immediately sorry she had ever thought that. Of course he wasn't Zack, there was no way he could be, he was Cloud.
"No you won't," She walked across the room, sitting beside him; he glanced over to her, a sad smile gracing her lips. "I know you better."
"…" He seemed to ponder her words, and nodded slightly. "But I will be."