A/N: Thank you ATK1734 and Lumina for always leaving a review! I have nothing to say about this short update... except... Honey, I'm in love XDD *falls over laughing*

CHAPTER XXVII.

The Proposal

Tifa

We were all wasted by the time the fireworks ended. Everyone had scattered around the beach, and I stood by the fire, alone. I had texted Reno hours ago, but he didn't reply. I glanced sadly at my phone, watching the read notification with dread. Was he ignoring me?

Stupid Tifa. Dancing with your ex and then drunk texting Reno. I am officially pathetic, I thought bitterly as I pocketed my phone.

"Waiting for someone?" I turned around and found Reno waving at me. He was wearing jeans and a warm, full sleeved sweater that matched the color of his eyes. I realized that I had never seen him in anything except a suit.

"Hi…" I waved back nervously.

"Sorry, I just got off work. What was that text about, yo?" He raised an eyebrow at me, and I blushed under his scrutinizing gaze.

"Yeah… it was nothing. Sorry," I tried to wiggle my way out of it, but Reno smirked, holding my text up to me.

Where are you? I think I miss you…

"Oh my god… please delete that." I tried to snatch his phone but he withdrew it quickly out of my reach. I flailed around for it, but he caught my hand, staring into my eyes.

"So you missed me."

"I am drunk!" I tried to justify it, watching him smirk some more. He pulled my hand closer, wrapping his free arm around my waist.

"I am sorry. I know this kind of… crosses the whole 'friends with benefits' line."

"It's fine right? I mean you're drunk, so you won't remember anything I say or do tonight, yo," his voice sent a shiver of pleasure through my body. I nodded quickly and he leaned closer to my lips.

"I think I missed you too." His lips crashed against mine, and I gripped the back of his sweater with my hand. His other hand moved to my chin, and he held it up before I could shy away. The hot kiss made me dizzy, and I started losing all awareness of my surroundings as I held onto him tighter.

"My room?" I asked as we parted, and Reno's turquoise eyes traveled down to my lips.

"Yeah…" He nodded hurriedly as we both hailed a cab. His kisses grew more impatient in the backseat of the cab, and even though it was extremely embarrassing, I didn't want him to stop. I fumbled with my room keys as Reno pushed my hair away, wet, warm kisses trailing up the side of my neck to my ear.

"Hurry," he ordered and I bit down on my lower lip, trying to hold back a moan.

"I'm t-trying!" The door finally opened and we both stumbled in. I noticed Lightning's heavy boots in the entrance, and held my hand up in front of the redhead's face.

"Wait…" I peeked inside and Lightning was sitting on the floor, arms crossed over her propped knees and head buried between them.

"Is she okay?" Reno whispered worriedly.

"I don't know." I whispered back, pecking his lips one last time. "I'll text you?"

He nodded, smiling at me before he left, and closed the door behind him gently. When it was just me, I kicked off my heels and walked over to the pink haired girl. I sank to the floor in front of her, touching her shoulder gently.

"Light? What's wrong?"

Icy blue eyes shot up to meet mine, red and puffy. Lightning sniffled, and my mouth fell open.

"Are you crying? What happened?!"

"I messed up with Strife. And now he hates me. Probably."

I patted her head, admiring how soft her hair was. Snapping out of it, I leaned closer to her.

"Light… I doubt Cloud hates you. I am pretty sure he's head over heels for you. Did you two have a fight?"

She shook her head, burying her face in her arms again. After a long silence, she spoke through the sobs, but her voice was muffled.

"He said he l-loves me."

I was taken aback by this news, and sadness smacked me in the face. I ignored it, patting her back comfortingly.

"Then why are you sad? Isn't that great?"

"I said… I said…. Thank you."

I blinked, confusion washing over me. "Hang on… You don't love him?"

Lightning raised her head, but her eyes examined the wall behind me. "I do."

"But?" I pressed as the girl shook her head.

"It was just so sudden. I wasn't expecting it, and I blanked out. He prepared this really romantic thing for me, and he was so gentle. And I just… pushed him away. That's all I am capable of - pushing people away."

"You know that's not true," I scolded her as she dived into a pool of self-loathing. Jesus, Cloud and this girl really might as well be twins. "Light, you're an amazing person and a loyal friend. And I think you're a great girlfriend. Cloud does not hate you. I mean it. If he said he loved you… that means a lot. He's never said those words to anyone else. You don't know how special you are."

"What if he never wants to talk to me again?" There she goes with her negative thinking.

"I will slap you," I threatened as she sniffled again, mumbling something under her breath. "Look, just talk to him tomorrow. It's a big day for Zack, and I am sure you and Cloud can put everything aside for a few hours. Talk to him later in the evening, okay?"

Lightning relaxed, nodding as she straightened out of her slump. "Thanks Tifa…"

"It's fine. Let's go to bed. We have a crazy busy day ahead of us." I waited until Lightning was in bed, before taking a shower and changing into pajamas. I sighed as I lay awake for a while, staring at the ceiling.

Cloud told Light that he loved her…

I closed my eyes, trying to get my brain rid of every miserable thought which followed this news. I needed to be happy for Cloud and Lightning. They were both amazing people, who never failed their friends. They deserved to be happy.

I don't know when I fell asleep, but my alarm jerked me out of it. I jumped up in bed, finding Lighting already changed and ready to go.

"Morning," she called out to me as she passed me some hot coffee.

"Oh god, thank you," I took a sip, slipping into my indoor shoes. "Let's go. Studio in 10!" I changed in a panic, sending everyone a text in the proposal chat.

When we got there, everyone had already gathered. The studio smelled like coffee, and Hope was trying to gently slap the sleep out of Vanille, whose head just bobbed to the side sleepily. I was grateful that the gang woke up this early just for the rehearsal.

"GUYS!" I shouted at the top of my lungs and everyone quickly took their positions. "GO!" I played the song. Cloud and Lightning did their part perfectly, although they were way more awkward around each other than usual. Hope remembered his part well, but Vanille crashed into him, still only half-awake.

"Wake up, idiot!" He growled as the collision sent him straight to the floor.

"Don't injure each other, please!" I shouted as well as the redhead apologized, fighting back a yawn. "AGAIN!"

"Tifa, relax," Cloud told me as we took a five minute break.

"I can't relax. In a few hours we'll be doing this in front of hundreds of people in the square, and obviously it needs to be perfect for Aerith."

"I know, but just… breathe," he smiled at me and I hated how he still made my heart flutter like this.

"Thanks…" I took a deep breath, holding out my hand towards him. "Phone."

"Huh?" He handed it to me in confusion. I typed up a text quickly, and pressed send.

West gate at 17:00. Let's go on a date.

Cloud read over the text, groaning softly as he pulled the phone out of my hands.

"That's your alibi. Now keep her busy and bring her to the square like we planned," I told him and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"That's fine but, why the date?"

I took a big sip of water, sighing as I looked him square in the eyes. "Cloud… Aerith's getting married. Like… marriage. I am sure there are things you want to say to her."

He thought about it for a while, nodding quietly. "I don't mind. For old times' sake." He smiled slightly and I smiled back, noticing Lightning talking to Serah from the corner of my eye.

"And hey, talk to Light tonight. She seemed pretty miserable last night. Don't just brood and delay it forever," I narrowed my eyes at the blonde and he nodded again.

"Yeah… I'll do that."

"Alright people!" I shouted as I sprang to my feet. "Last chance, let's GO!"

Everyone did their best this time, and I could tell that there was no way to improve it any further. I showed everyone a satisfied smile, crossing my arms across my chest.

"Now that's what I am talking about! Okay, finally, let's do a dress rehearsal. Everyone, get changed! Chop chop, time is money!"

Fang brought out the cardboard box containing the custom shirts we had ordered, setting it on the floor. Everyone excitedly gathered around it. She passed a pair of scissors to Vincent, who opened it with one smooth cut. He held up a pink sleeveless shirt. "This?"

"Yeah, and everyone, tie a ribbon around your arm, or head. However you prefer it. Just somewhere visible," I instructed as I passed the shirts around. "Where are the flower baskets?"

"I got them!" Yeul smiled, showing me two baskets full of petals.

"Perfect! Bouquet?"

"Right here," Noel brought in a bouquet of pink flowers.

"A hundred roses?" I asked, looking over it.

"I counted. Twice." Noel reassured me, and I sighed in relief. Everything seemed like it was going smoothly.

"Great, okay Zack," I turned to the tall blue haired male. "It's all on you. Are you ready?" I watched Zack back off, twitching nervously.

"I… guys… I don't know about the flash mob… maybe I should do it somewhere private…" he gulped as I blinked. My hands balled into fists. Serah and Vanille held me back from lunging at him.

"I am hungover and busting my ass for you!"

"I know… I know… On second thought, I don't think I can do it." He began pacing around again, and I watched Cloud walk over and try to talk to him. Nothing was working - Zack was officially flipping out.

Cloud backed away as he watched the pink haired girl head straight for Zack. Lightning straightened her arms, slapping both of her palms on the sides of his head. She forced him to face her, before shaking his head a few times, rattling him.

"Light… dude… I can't do it… I just-" Lightning growled, cutting him off as she headbutted him with all her strength. They both threw their heads back in pain, groaning loudly. Her hands stayed on his head, and she forced him to face her again. She said absolutely nothing, but somehow managed to calm Zack down. He took a deep breath and nodded at her. She smirked, nodding back. They seemed to have a telepathic connection right now, and we all stayed silent so as to not interrupt it.

"Alright, come on." Lightning nudged him and Zack sighed, getting ready.

"Take it away, Tifa." She waved at me and I smiled gratefully at her. She just knew what to do with each and every one of us. "Alright guys, it's the final stretch. We can do this!" I cheered them on with a few claps, positioning myself as the music cued and Cloud did his part effortlessly.

We all hugged Zack when the dress rehearsal was over, sending words of encouragement his way.

"Thanks guys… for everything." He was almost in tears, holding onto Cloud and Lightning tightly as the rest of us stepped away. Both of them released a 'humph' in unison, patting his back.

"If you do a good job today, I'll tell you when my birthday is," Lightning promised and Zack's eyes brimmed with excitement.

"For real?!"

"For real," she smirked, patting his shoulder. "Now go get her, dude."

Aerith

"Hey," Cloud was leaning against the wall by the west gate, arms crossed, wearing his usual baggy pants and a leather jacket that was zipped up.

"Hey," I replied with a smile. His cerulean blue eyes were conflicted, like he had a lot on his mind. I touched his shoulder gently. "Cloud?"

"Huh? Sorry." He straightened up, offering his hand.

"You want to hold hands…?" I raised an eyebrow but he just nodded as usual. I hesitated, extending my hand towards him. Cloud took it, gripping it lightly.

"What's up with you? You texted me all of a sudden that you wanted to take me out on a 'date', and we're even holding hands."

We were already walking. Cloud turned back to look at me as I tried to keep up with him. He showed me a small smile. "It's the last time I can take you out on a date."

"Whaaat?" I furrowed my eyebrows together. "Are you going away somewhere?"

Cloud chuckled, shaking his head but said nothing else. We walked through the crowded west gate, looking around the bustling Christmas market.

"You're being really creepy. And Zack's being weird. I haven't seen him around much for the past week." I complained as we stopped in front of an ice cream truck.

"I have always been creepy, and Zack has always been weird," Cloud reminded me and I laughed.

"That's true!" I chirped as Cloud paid for our cones, passing me one.

"What flavor did you get?" I asked as he bit into his cone.

"Dark chocolate," he told me casually, scanning the other stalls.

"Want a bite of mine?" I offered with a smile. Cloud surprised me, bending to my height and opening his mouth. I blushed, and raised the ice cream closer to his lips so he could take a bite. He recoiled, flinching as he forced himself to swallow.

"Too sweet?" I asked, already knowing the answer. He nodded as we browsed around the market.

"So, how's your girlfriend?" I asked him as we bought some hot chocolate.

"Fine," he replied hurriedly and I pouted, tilting my head to the side.

"Come on boy, spill!"

He sighed, mumbled something under his breath and took a sip of his hot chocolate. "I told her I loved her last night."

"EXCUSE ME?!" I shouted as passersby turned to look at us. Cloud's death glare silenced me, and I tried to ask him about it in a hushed voice.

"Like… love love?"

"What else?" He replied monotonously, taking another sip as he stared at me.

"Wow…. That's a really big deal coming from you. What did she say?"

"Thank you," he repeated her words, following it up with a 'humph.'

I tried to hold back my laughter but it just burst out of me. "Whaaaaaat? That's so funn-"

Cloud's soft growl cut me off and I tried to make a straight face. "At least she's polite?" I tried to make him feel better, but my words didn't really have the intended effect.

"Yeah, I guess," he replied awkwardly, finishing his drink.

"Do you remember the first time I told you I loved you?" I asked, watching his blue eyes flutter over to mine.

"You explicitly told me not to fall in love with you."

"No, you dork. After that. Don't you remember anything?" I protested and Cloud fell silent, thinking about it. He was walking fast, but after a while his feet slowed down.

"Oh."

"Yeah. OH!" I emphasized, rolling my eyes. "And you remember what you said? 'HUMPH.' That's what you said. Like literally that one word - or sound, whatever."

"Sorry about that," he apologized, but I just laughed.

"Yeah, and you told Tifa 'I know' every time she told you she loved you."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," Cloud answered and I bumped my shoulder against his playfully.

"I am not trying to make you feel better. I am trying to make you remember. Anyway, I am pretty sure she needs some time to say it to you. You know how she is, right? I mean, she's still calling me Gainsborough, and you're still Strife. Give her some time, blondie."

This seemed to have cheered him up a little, and he smiled slightly.

"I guess so," he replied as we walked to the gigantic Christmas tree in the center of the courtyard. It was shining gracefully, lit up with hundreds of ornaments. Christmas songs played loudly around us. It was so packed that we had to squeeze between all the couples.

"It's gorgeous!" I admired the view as the sky started turning a darker shade of blue. I noticed that the spiky haired boy was looking at me, and our eyes met again. "Thank you for this date, Cloud," I told him with a grin. "It's so nostalgic. I am glad we're still best friends."

"No, thank you, Aerith. For being my first love. But you belong with yours." He said out of the blue. I laughed, smacking his shoulder.

"Okay, now you're being super weird. What's going on?" Cloud said nothing, looking around the crowd as if he was searching for something or someone. I couldn't see because I was blocked by tall people all around me. Finally, his eyes stopped somewhere on the right side, and he held a thumbs up at someone.

"Cloud?" I called his name again. He showed me a full, heartfelt smile - a smile that I had never seen before. He slipped out of his jacket, and I was surprised to see a pink sleeveless shirt inside, instead of his usual black. It said Zack x Aerith in bold, white letters in the front. There was a pink ribbon identical to the one in my hair, tied around one of his arms.

"What's going on?" Cloud's hand gripped mine tighter as he began dragging me, pushing through the crowd, closer to the tree. I could see that people were parting for some reason. The Christmas music stopped, and beautiful, romantic music that I had never heard before started playing.

Facing the tree and the blonde boy in front of me, I just stood there, paralyzed. Cloud let go of my hand, taking a few steps back and breaking into a dance. He sang the first verse, caught a pink rose in the air as someone threw it at him. He ran towards me and I took it from his hand. He spun back and Lighting slid in from his right, wearing an identical shirt and pink ribbon around her arm. She sang the second verse, twirling twice and heading for Cloud's arms. He picked her up and spun her in the air once before setting her down.

"What's going on?!" I shouted, slapping my hands over my mouth. I couldn't stop smiling, and my heart felt like it was going to explode inside my chest.

Hope and Vanille sang the third verse, and the first couple joined them again to dance. Serah and Snow sang the fourth, moving with the rest of the group in perfect synchronization.

"Oh my god, Vincent!" I giggled loudly as Vincent and Fang sang the fifth verse. Fang was light on her feet, and she did a beautiful ballet twirl, Vincent's hands around her waist. When they were done, Noel and Yeul entered from both sides, throwing flowers in the air. The group moved perfectly with the music. I finally spotted Tifa in the end and she really was the star of the show. Every move was flawless, and she ended it by handing me another pink rose. I took it, laughing as I took out my phone to take a photo.

Both the song and the dance were building up towards the finale. Everyone started side stepping, their hands coming together in a loud clap with every step in both directions. Cloud took the lead again, and I laughed loudly, whistling.

"Work it, Cloud!"

He spun away and everyone quickly shuffled, lining up on both sides. Yeul and Noel spread flowers on the floor all the way up to me, creating a bed of flower petals underneath their feet.

And there he was. Zack slid in between the others on his knees as our group broke into cheers. "Zack!" I clapped with all my strength, feeling a rush of happiness shoot through me. He sang the last verse, as the group broke into the chorus for support. He spun around as Tifa threw a bouquet of pink roses at him. He caught it, dancing his way over to me. I took the bouquet from him, and he dropped to both his knees. Tifa ran up to me, taking the bouquet from my arms as she stood next to me supportively.

"Z-Zack?!" I dropped my phone in shock, covering my mouth with both hands. Hope and Vanile started unrolling a long banner as they held it up at the very end of the group. It read: Just Say Yes.

"Are you serious?" I screamed as the song ended, and Zack pulled out a piece of paper from his back pocket. It was yellowed and had many folds, but I recognized it immediately. Tears poured out of me, and Zack continued to smile at me as he unfolded it and held for me to see.

"It's my… my… list!"

Zack grinned wider, pulling out a slim notebook from his back pocket this time. I took it and opened it. The pages were all blank, but as I flipped through them I noticed something shiny in between. It was a silver ring with a sparkling pink sapphire.

"I have loved you since you were fourteen, and I know that I'll love only you for the rest of my life." Zack finally spoke as I wiped my eyes away with the back of my hand. "23 things are too few, so make me a list of all your wishes. And I'll spend my life making every one of them come true." Zack picked up the ring from the empty notebook, holding it up as he took one of my hands in his.

"Will you marry me and become Aerith Fair?"

I nodded, crying some more as Zack slipped the ring around my ring finger. He got on both feet, bending to claim my lips. His strong arms wrapped around my waist tightly, and I gripped his shoulder with one hand as we kissed, my other hand tightening around the notebook.

"ZERITH!" Vanille's scream was followed by thunderous applause from all our friends, and the people gathered around the tree. Zack twirled me around in the air once, setting me down and continuing to kiss me, more passionately than before. I blushed into the kiss, my heart thumping madly as he continued, tilting his head to push further into it. When we parted, Zack threw his arms around my shoulders, hugging me as he kissed the top of my head, burying his face in my hair.

"This is the happiest day of my life," he whispered and I nodded, moving away to gaze into his eyes.

"Me too. I love you, Zack," I caressed his cheek.

"I love you," he smiled into another kiss as he softly pecked my lips.

Everyone rushed over to hug me.

"Thank you guys… I can't believe you guys did all this…" I hugged Tifa tightly. "You're behind the dance, aren't you?"

"You knew?" Tifa smiled warmly at me.

"Judging from how awesome the moves were, yes!" I gave her another squeeze.

The pink haired girl was waiting, and her arms went around me. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd leap and twirl and everything," I laughed as I hugged her back.

"It's the first and last time, trust me. Congratulations, Aerith."

My mouth fell open, and I threw my arms around her again, sniffling louder. "You called me Aerith!"

"Well, you won't be Gainsborough for much longer, anyway," she reminded me with a smirk as my cheeks darkened. Cloud was waiting, and I squeezed him tightly in the next hug.

"Congratulations," he told me as he smiled against my hair.

"Damn, boy can bust some moves," I joked as we parted, and he blushed, shaking his head angrily.

"Dance floor on fireeee," Zack chimed in and Cloud crossed his arms.

"Never again…" he mumbled as we both laughed.

"Guys! Photo!" Vanille handed her phone to one of the couples in the square, and they kindly agreed to take a photo for us.

"Zerith on 3!" Tifa shouted happily as they all positioned themselves around us, with Zack and I in the center.

"1...2...3….Zerith!"

Just then, the sky exploded, and I almost dropped the notebook and bouquet, startled.

"I called in a favor," Zack told me as the light of the fireworks showered over us. We all watched the colors dance in the sky, as Christmas music resumed in the courtyard. I saw some of the other couples in our group kiss, and I could no longer feel the cold on this warm, lovely night.

Zack took my hand, placing a kiss on top of the ring that sparkled brightly on my finger. I smiled, looking into the eyes of the incredible man I had promised myself to… for forever. And then he kissed me again, as we slowly slipped into another moment of our bliss.

A/N: I wrote the proposal to an indie song called "Me & You Together Song" by The 1975. ^^ I didn't mention it at the start of the chapter because I wanted readers to imagine whatever song they want for the Zerith ship. Sorry for the short update, there is still Christmas, a special chapter, and then New Year's Eve, so I hope you guys stick around for more fluff. Until the next update. :)