May be best to have knowledge of CC up to Zack's promotion to fully understand this one. No spoilers though.
He knew he was pulling her heartstrings, but he couldn't do anything else.
He had gone straight to the slums as soon as he returned to Midgar hoping Aeris' soul-soothing church would work its magic on him a little stronger today.
As soon as he had entered however, the church decided to work its magic in reverse.
The world spun and flickered black as Zack stumbled his first few steps into the hall. Gravity took him by each ear and rocked him from side to side.
Bumping his foot into a stair, Zack turned himself around and collapsed onto it as he began to struggle to breathe through the onslaught of emotions.
Zack looked over his shoulder for that familiar ribbon of pink bobbing above her braid of hair. He prayed that by some miracle she hadn't heard him enter so he could leave without her knowledge and worry. It was for her own good. It didn't feel right for her to see him so vulnerable, as close as they were.
When Zack turned, his heard dropped -- Aeris was looking right at him.
'Zack?'
Her voice was full of a concern that latched onto his heart and pulled it down further. Zack felt a pang of guilt as he looked away and stared through the closed church door.
This was what he was hoping to avoid.
As Aeris began to creep towards him, the wave of emotion began again.
Zack bit his lip as he fought to keep everything inside and drew blood.
The container cracked and he let out a quiet sob. Then Aeris was there, wrapping her arms around him, stroking his hair, shhhing and soothing him through the rough ride.
He never said a word, she never asked why.
In that moment, Zack didn't think he had loved Aeris anymore than he did then.
Even if they were breaking together.