An inaudible scream passed through the teen as he struggled to move forward to the body that was surrounded by blood and feathers that were the color of snow. Tseng and Cloud did their best to keep him in their grasp, but since most of their strength hadn't returned, the raven being more persistent now than he had ever been, had broke free. Helplessly he clutched at the dark cloth that still dressed Angeal's chest, tears swelling in his azure orbs and burning his face as they streamed down. The mentor that had taken care of him since he was moved up to SOLDIER, Third class, was now but an empty, cold shell underneath him.
This was the man who guided and helped him through missions. The one who was always looking after the mischievous teen, who always found himself wrapped up into trouble and relied on Angeal to somehow snake him out of the situation. The First who proven to be Zack's comfort zone and shelter when something was too much to handle for his generous, warm heart. He was the very same person who he looked up to more than the legendary Sephiroth. The man that had requested for the raven to be promoted to First. The mentor who slowly became a father figure, though beyond that was something more, something that would remain hidden even if it was sitting in plain sight.
But now he was no longer alive, Zack being the one to end the man's life. He felt as if nothing mattered anymore, not his recent promotion to being now ranked with the very same man that he loved, nor the cheerful brunette he had feelings for and would rely on later when he made his return back to Midgar.
Angeal was dead, and so was the safety he felt with him.
The happy exterior that was always worn now broke as if it were a piece of delicate glass that had been hit with a blunt object. Right now, Zack Fair was no longer the enthusiastic puppy everyone knew. The teen was shattered, crippled inside as he clung to the inanimate body, sobbing into the chest that belonged to his mentor.