Disclaimer : I'm just a poor schmo who owns nothing. I'd be rich if I owned Final Fantasy VII, not a poor soul with fifty bucks in my bank account. :(

Author's Note : This is going to be a collection of Zack x Aerith drabbles and one-shots. They will be all different lengths, genres, and points-of-view. Some will follow the game, some won't, some will be AU. I really wanted to explore themes I haven't used before, like fluffiness, and romance, though I'm unsure if I can do them well. I'll give it my all to try.

Please do leave reviews. I appreciate constructive criticism immensely, and I really want to hear thoughts, good or bad. I'm also very willing to take request prompts or ideas! I'd actually love that. :) Thank you.

Secrets

Glancing out at the gaping arch at the head of her church, Aerith mused;

There were few secrets kept within the slums of Midgar.

The people, with their dreary and desolate lives, took immediate notice to change. Their faded but sharp eyes, meticulous from the trained art of theft, narrowed on any difference in their mundane existence.

Normally, these alterations were minute, tedious things. Perhaps bread prices had risen again, leaving the people with no choice but to heave poverty-stricken sighs and hand over half their pay instead of a quarter. In other circumstances, it could be the faint, cautious murmurs of rebel activity against their sly, well-shielded dictators. These, more often then not, received a roll of the eyes or a rough, calloused hand clamped to the mouth. Such rumors were unproductive, only burrowing deeper the bitter poison blackening the people's vindictive hearts.

So, in this efficient and speedy fashion, almost everyone knew of the disappearance of Aerith's SOLDIER.

The grinning, raven-haired man, who used to stroll by her side with an illuminating smile, was gone. Though the people floundering under the plate were naturally distrustful, the hearts of everyone tore a little at the cruel revelation. Even though his mako eyes sent their suspicion on edge, he had made Aerith happy. If anything else, those with nothing cherish what brought them joy.

Yet, Aerith was never one to dwell on the ills life had dealt her. She took her hand, even if it wasn't a royal flush, and played with one of the strongest poker faces in the world.

So though at first her flowers faltered with consoling and pity, their blooming faces convinced everyone that all was well.

Aerith kneeled against the wood-paneled floor, ignoring its creaking and how it would crinkle her dress afterwards.

"It's true," she whispered to her blossoms, allowing them to cuddle against her pale hands.

"But there are some things we do manage to keep to ourselves."

Breaking away from a spot that had long granted tranquility, Aerith walked down the aisle. If anyone peeked inside, they would have seen the lonely bride, clutching her wedding bouquet close to her chest.

"They ask why I'm not upset, you know?" she commented quietly, reaching a place, scuffed a little, that held her interest. She settled back down, remembering with a twinge of regret that there was no neck to wrap her around, no tan cheek to press against with her own.

"But I..." she trailed off, staring at the aged wood. "I am sad."

"I just keep it here," Aerith came to realize, pressing a hand to her heart. "I'm keeping it inside."

Her flowers shifted in the small breeze freshening the overwhelming aroma of flora, bobbing their heavy heads in question.

She gave them a faint, strained smile.

"There's no reason to be sad if he can't comfort me."

Aerith ignored the choking sensation in her throat, the burning behind her eyes. Pulling her knees to her chest, she rested her chin atop them, clasping her hands to keep them from shaking.

"No reason to cry without Zack to make it all okay."