Disclaimer: The Final Fantasy series belongs to the freakin' amazing Square-Enix. I'm just borrowing a few characters for a while... So without further ado...

- Waiting -

I can still remember the last day I saw you... We were at the church in the slums; I was tending to the flowers when you'd come to tell me that you might have to leave Midgar. The news made my stomach churn, but you seemed so carefree about it. So I pushed it to the back of my mind and suggested you come with me to sell some flowers. You snuck off while I was talking to a customer though, and I only hoped that you would come back before you had to leave.

You did that night. Just when I was about to go home for the day, you came through those wooden doors with that wonderful smile on your face. My heart fluttered as you strolled over to me, but it sank once you said you'd be leaving the next day.

"I'll come back," you murmured as I wrapped my arms around your strong torso; burying my face in your chest as I struggled to hold back tears. You pushed me away gently before brushing a soft kiss against my lips and saying, "Just wait for me, 'cause I'll definitely come back." With your promising smile and warm eyes, I believed you without a doubt.

I tried calling you every day after that. When you never answered, I figured there must be a problem with reception, since you told me you would pick up right away when I called. Then I finally got through and I'd never been so happy to hear your voice. I was a little disappointed that you couldn't talk longer, but hearing you was enough. "I'll come see you," your voice said through my phone, and my heart soared once more.

I couldn't stop a smile from coming to my lips as I said, "I'll be waiting."

"Mmm, it's a promise."

I did wait. I waited years for you to come back like you said you would. I'd wait to hear your laugh again... To feel your arms around me just once more... To see that smile that could fill my heart with joy. I waited, just like I promised I would. But one day, while I was standing next to the spot we'd first met, thinking of you, I stopped waiting... because I knew that you couldn't come back.

I can still hear your laugh... Still feel your arms around me... See your smile... Because even if I stop waiting, Zack, I'll never stop loving you.

A/N - (sigh) I love the Zack/Aeris pairing, but their story is so sad : ( Playing Crisis Core knowing he was going to die was heart-breaking too... Anyways, please review : )