Once upon a time, there was a Godly valley with mountains that could touch the sky and trees that cast long shadows. The people who live in the small mountain town are hardworking and happy, so long as they never stray into the forest where the wolves lurk in the darkness. Adults brave the trees in groups to hunt the vicious pack as they have for decades, the conflict is deep with no sign of victory for either side. But wolves are not the only threat, nor the village's only secret - and the link connecting them is a simple cloak of Red ...

Every night, from the highest peak of the uninhabited mountains, a single Wolf howls to the good folk of the valley – as a warning, as a message, and as a reminder of what they did:
"Beware, beware, the Path where the Witch once stood. Beware, beware, of the Wolf in the Wood."

Cover art: thequalityrunaway DOT tumblr DOT COMpany/ post/138570607597/for-confessions-of-the-red-cloak-au-once-upon-a

Meek was the word for Aerith when she stood before the Vicar, Elmyra boasting triumphantly and the Vicar smiling kindly with a book held for Aerith's first lesson. Aerith wished the floor would swallow her and let her disappear away from here to somewhere far. Somewhere green …

In her mind, she imagined with all her might the greenery of Edea's garden, but all that appeared was the forest trails she walked with Zack, without his presence beside her these paths were unknown and scary.

Back in the present, her shoulders slumped the more she heard Elmyra talk, it was like the woman, her kind companion and steadfast friend, had turned a blind eye to her discomfort. It felt very wrong, Aerith felt alone …

"I'll trust her to you, Vicar, a thousand thanks for your lessons, I'm sure you can shape Aerith up in no time." The woman turned and patted Aerith on the head, Aerith felt smaller still, "I'll expect you back at noon, child, be a good student."

Aerith nodded, her eyes on her boots. She tensed when the Vicar sat beside her, Elmyra's footsteps heading out of the Church to leave the pair in the house of worship that felt so cold to Aerith. So dead on the inside, no life, and no joy and no comfort. It felt like a prison, a castle crypt, and not even the beauty of the stained glass or polished bells could distract her from the constant chill. I don't want to be here.

The Vicar didn't speak for a long time. When Elmyra's footsteps had long vanished he said at last, "She is gone, child, please speak your mind. I have taken a vow of silence and will never repeat your confessions."

Aerith looked at his kind expression briefly but flinched away, unable to say what she thought to his face, unable to believe how rude she was about to be. "I … I don't want to be here."

"I can see that, Aerith. These lessons will not bring you happiness, will they?"

The girl bit her lip very hard as he spoke, but the abuse to her mouth couldn't stop the building tears from finally falling. She brought her hands to her face and sobbed, "But if I don't Elmyra said she'd leave, I don't want to be alone … but I can't learn your lessons, Vicar, I'm not Catholic, and I never will be. I already know who I am."

The man put a hand on her shoulder "Don't hold back, child, speak your secrets and let their weight go."

Aerith wiped her eyes again and again, whispering about her troubles. She spoke of her Mother, who she missed dearly but had never had the chance to mourn for her Father's sake. She talked about the work her Father conducted on her Mother's magics, how all the scientists rebuked his findings as heresy and took his funding from him, and left Aerith the task of keeping his hopes up as both his job and his wife was taken from him. She worried about him, she admitted, speaking of the greying hair he had gained, the weight he had lost and the uneasy sleeps he often woke from.

She spoke of Elmyra, unable to understand the sudden change in her, how she had been so content and supportive not but a month ago and now Aerith was here under threat of being abandoned by her. She spoke of the coldness and loneliness in her heart every time she thought of her friend, and she whispered of her dilemma of what she could do in a situation like this. Aerith spoke until her voice hurt and the Vicar had to fetch her some water.

When she was done she was exhausted, her eyes were sore and her voice had run out of words and apologies.

The Vicar had listened to everything, never interrupting, offering only the occasional word when Aerith struggled to phrase her thoughts. His eyes, crimson and strange, had never wavered and his patience was astounding. When she finished, Grimoire produced a clean cloth and dabbed at her eyes "Do you feel better?"

Aerith hiccupped, but nodded, she felt a lot less tense. "I'm tired …"

"You did well," Grimoire let her take the cloth to clean her face, she listened as he spoke "Laying out your worries is a laborious process, better to have someone listen than to do it alone." He patted her shoulder "Now, why are you here?"

The girl shook her head "I don't know …"

"From what you said before you came here as part of a deal to keep your friend by your side."

Reluctantly, Aerith nodded. How simple he makes it sound, it seems so silly to hear it back like that. I sound like such a child for throwing a fuss …

"She asked me to teach you the ways of the Lord, a task I would have happily taken, but before any lesson can be learnt the student must be willing, and it is clear to me that you are not willing."

More tears fell from her eyes "I'm sorry!"

"You have no need to be sorry, Aerith. Though the Lord has his arms open to embrace any child who wishes to join him, there is no obligation to return the embrace. When he began the world, he gave his children the ability to choose their own lives and their own happiness, and you decided a long time ago." He smiled, "You chose the same joy as your Mother, everything she taught you has her love in it, she wanted what was best for you and the gifts she gave you have more meaning than any I could give you."

Aerith smiled, her cheeks hurt but she smiled regardless, "You always say things just as they are. Yes, that's how I feel exactly."

The Vicar stood up and hummed "This is a tricky situation, you are required to learn but in doing so it would make you unhappy, and that cannot do."

The girl smiled at him as he paced, her hands twisting into the cloth he gave her as a source of comfort. This kind, patient and understanding man had taken her troubles and eased them, he had explained her problems better than she had and was happily resolving them for her too. Aerith felt like an equal in his presence. She wasn't small, or young or ignorant in his eyes, and the relief it brought to her made her glow.

At last, he turned to her and said "I have a proposal for you, Miss Aerith. I will teach you some of the Bible stories, and you can teach me some of the tales of your culture. We will both be teacher and student, and clearly, I will not be able to take your lessons to heart, and neither will you."

Aerith stood up with shining eyes "Would that work? Will Elmyra be happy with that?"

Grimoire chuckled "Well when you can tell her about Adam and Eve and the death of Christ I'm sure she'll be pleased." He put his book down "I can teach you the basics so that you are not outcast in this town so that the doors aren't closed to you, but I will never demand that you do anything you do not wish to." He chuckled "Most of these lessons you already know, they teach us to be good people, not just good Catholics. Does this sound agreeable to you?"

Aerith pondered for a short minute. Sharing teachings let her learn about another and they about her, an equal trade in knowledge but no strings attached. Elmyra would be happy that she would know more of her religion and she would stay.

With a smile, she agreed "Yes, it does."

Grimoire bowed slightly "Very well. As we only have a short time before noon, I suggest that, for today, I just offer you the Ten Commandments."

"Ten Commandments?" Aerith asked, sitting beside the Vicar again as he leafed through the book with fragile pages, all written in Latin and decorated with pictures of colour and of impact.

"Yes. One prominent Bible figure, a man called Moses was called up to the top of a mountain by God where a terrible storm raged. When he came down to his fellow pilgrims he carried two stones in which God's chosen rules for mankind had been written." He found the page and it revealed a wild mountain with a man climbing it, an old man with a large cane and flowing robes.

Aerith pointed "That's Moses?"

"Yes."

"He's a bit old to be climbing mountains," she said.

The Vicar chuckled "Indeed!" he composed himself quickly "His determination overrun his age, his dedication was very admirable. But back to the Ten Commandments, they read: Thou shalt have no other gods before me, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, Honour thy Father and thy Mother, Thou Shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour, Thou shalt not covet a neighbour's house, a neighbour's wife, a neighbour's possessions."

Aerith rubbed her forehead "That's a big list."

The Vicar nodded "I find it best to remember them one at a time. Most important ones for daily life are; Thou shalt not steal, kill, commit adultery, lie or desire what is not yours."

Confused, Aerith sat up "That's it? But isn't that just common sense and good manners?"

The Vicar beamed "Correct!" he closed the book "These lessons I have seen those perform when they've never heard of God. I pondered for many nights and realised that these laws were in fact not laws at all, but the makings of a good person." He held a hand up "Being a good person can be seen as coming from God, but in actually it comes from the person themselves. Not many are aware of this small distinction, so it means that I can teach you these universal lessons and you can take them to please Elmyra and you can keep your peace with your Mother."

Aerith threw her arms around him in unrestrained joy. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Grimoire patted her shoulder "You have no need to thank me, Aerith."

The girl sat back and composed herself, the Vicar had a small blush on his cheeks and looked a little flustered, she giggled a little. "I think I do need to thank you. No one, not even Edea, has been as understanding of me as you have, in this town at least. I think you are risking something for me, maybe your reputation or perhaps your God's faith in you, but you've chosen me over all of them and I cannot thank you enough."

The Vicar's eyes were wide "Aerith, where did you get the idea that I was risking something?"

Aerith hesitantly replied, "Elmyra said it was the duty of all Catholics to tell others what to think." Her hair tickled her arm when she moved her head "If it's a duty that's being unfulfilled isn't it dangerous for you?"

His face a little uneasy, the Vicar nodded "Perhaps. But I promised to educate you in the Catholic faith, and that is a promise I will keep. I won't fall behind, and I won't go beyond my promise." He sighed to himself "There is no fear, here. I already had the choice to tell you to convert when I met you, but my curiosity that led me to the Church and to discovering God in the first place wouldn't let me change your individuality. I simply had to know more and what better way than this?"

He stood "I believe this burning curiosity of mine is God's way of telling us something, you and me, and maybe to others too."

Aerith was awed "You have such a good understanding of your God."

"Ah," Grimoire chuckled "He is a mysterious figure. I simply do what I feel is right, and will await judgement at the gates of Heaven when my life is over. This," he gestured between them "seems right."

Aerith didn't go back to her house, she walked around the marketplace at noon, peering through the shops and thinking of her 'new' lessons the Vicar had taught her. And the even more important ones they had actively discussed outside the seven rules to being a polite neighbour.

I am so very lucky, though it's not what Elmyra wanted for me I hope that this will please her, and we can go on as we did before. Maybe we could all be happy again?

She was alone in her thoughts until an insistent bump knocked into her knees. She exclaimed in delight when she saw what it was, she knelt in the street and extended her hands, "Hello, doggy."

Angelo's tail wagged and her grey head leaned into her scratches. Aerith smiled and let the old girl sniff at her hands and shoulders. The dog was in the process of sniffing her arms and hands when she pulled back sharply, her face an animal's version of surprised. Aerith was confused and watched carefully when Angelo sniffed at her again.

"What is it, girl?" Aerith murmured, petting her ears again. This time, her tail wagged and she even managed a few excited skips of joy. The dog kept sniffing at her, looking more and more pleased with every little scent she found on her skin.

"You're a strange old thing," Aerith chuckled, standing to be on her way only for the dog to loyally, and persistently follow her. Angelo kept good pace despite her limp and old joints, the girl slowed out of pity and occasionally ordered her to go home but Angelo wasn't deterred.

Aerith patted her head a few times throughout the slow walk back to her house. She intended to pick up her cape and her basket and go to relax with Edea, but first, she would have to return Angelo to her mistress. She gave the old dog a curious look "Won't your owner be worried about you?"

Angelo just wagged her tail.

Giggling, "I guess that's a no.", Aerith cracked open her front door. Her green eyes were wide and when the door creaked her heart jumped into her throat. Luckily, Elmyra wasn't in the kitchen. Aerith pulled the ribbon from her hair and slipped into the warm room. "Stay," she told the dog as she stepped over to the table, placed the ribbon in clear view, and picked up her red cloak and her basket.

She pulled a new ribbon out of her basket and tied it to her hair as she stepped back out of the house. This ribbon red, just like her new, favourite, item of clothing.

Angelo had stayed, she stood slowly, her legs shook worryingly when Aerith appeared and pressed her nose to her leg. Her nose pressed almost continuously to the Red Cloak, and her old face seemed pleased.

Once she had fastened the button Aerith patted her head "Let's find Mrs Rinoa, hmm?"

Rinoa was in her shop, talking intimately with a tall, broad-shouldered, blond man. Her fingers brushed through his hair and he had a hand at her waist, their faces weren't close but their voices were low. They didn't appear aware of the world around them. Aerith hovered by the door uncertain, but tapped on the doorframe after a moment to determine their desire for privacy; if they really wanted to be alone, they would be in the back of the shop and not by the doorway of the butchers. With that courage, she made herself known.

Both looked at her and the blond man, dressed in a bloody leather apron and a rolled up shirt, paled at the sight of her. He clutched at the counter for support, as if he had seen a ghost. Rinoa's response wasn't much better.

Aerith pointed behind her "I-is this a bad time?"

Rinoa shook her head sharply "No, no." she pushed her hair out of her eyes and back into her practical bun but continued to stare. "Is that …"

Aerith realised it was the cloak again. This cloak had a lot of meaning for a lot of people … Maybe there's a story behind this too. Angelo leaned into her leg just then, sniffing at the cloak's edges and wagging her tail. She touched the corner of the cloak, by the button and said: "Edea gave it to me …"

Rinoa's eyes were wet when Aerith raised her head. "Are you alright?" she asked, but the woman turned and walked unsteadily out of the shop and into the living quarters without so much as a backwards glance.

The man stayed, more composed but obviously shaken, he reached out for Rinoa as she left but dropped his arm just as quickly. He looked frustrated and in pain.

Aerith dared to ask "Have I upset her?"

The man shook his head "No."

Aerith lowered her vision and twisted her fingers together "It's the cloak, isn't it?" she sighed "So many people seem to react to this …"

Her unexpected host cleared his throat awkwardly "There's just history between her and the past owner …"

"Squall," Aerith murmured, nodding. Whoever he was he had touched a lot of lives, maybe she should ask Edea about him? Or would that be too insensitive of her? The curiosity to know him was eating at her with every hint and clue as to who he was. How did so many people know him? How had this cloak left such a mark upon them? She got the impression that he was a good man, one that people had loved and admired at some point, but then what? Something dark was here, and it wasn't just her ignorance.

The man flinched. "My brother." He said at last, after an overwhelming silence.

Aerith blinked "Your brother! Then you know Selphie and Irvine too?"

He nodded "My brother and sister," he confirmed "Edea raised us. All of us." He walked and held out his hand "I'm Seifer. I think Rinoa mentioned a newcomer, I haven't seen you around here before."

Aerith took his hand and winced at the tight grip, her smaller, thinner palm almost folding in his. She squeezed back to hold out against his force and managed to focus enough to introduce herself properly, "I'm Aerith, I moved here two weeks ago." She peered after Rinoa, wondering as to their relationship. "Are you friends with Mrs Almasy?"

The blond man snorted in amusement "She's my wife."

"Oh! I do beg your pardon," Aerith said, blushing at her assumptions, she checked his hands but didn't spot a ring or any other mark of union on them. She assumed they must have had one, Elmyra was always admiring rings and speaking of marriage, perhaps they were too poor for rings? Or perhaps they were too practical to wear them for work.

With another glance at the empty shop, she asked: "Are you sure I haven't upset her?"

Seifer shook his head "No. It's just a bad joke to wear red in this village, Squall was the last and only one to wear red and the colour upsets her."

Aerith winced "I'm so sorry, I had no idea, I-"

"Clearly." He cut her off and scowled. "Just don't wear it here again."

Aerith timidly nodded and backed away towards the door, almost tripping over the dog. Her hands caught the cloak's edges and her breath had gotten stuck in her chest, the cold finality in this man's face was terrifying. It wasn't aggressive, exactly. But the force he said it with made her realise that he would not say another word about it.

Without further comment, the man turned to the dog, "Did she wander off?"

Trying not to stutter with the abrupt topic change Aerith answered, "Yes, she found me and followed me home. I wanted to bring her here before going to see Mrs Edea." She clutched at the basket in her hands and tried not to shake like a lamb in a slaughterhouse.

Seifer's face fell at the mention of his Mother "I see. Come here, silly old thing," he tugged Angelo inside by her collar and had her sit on her bed of old rugs. The dog gave him a few happy licks and he scratched her ears with just as much affection and no anger.

He pulled himself up to his full height, one that dwarfed everything else in the room, and addressed Aerith once again, "Thank you for bringing her here," he hesitated abruptly. The sudden pause made Aerith do the same in an awkward wait for the second half of a conversation that might never sound.

Eventually, he moved to the counter and pulled out a package with eyes downcast "Could you bring this to Edea for me?" he looked ashamed for asking "Tell her … can you tell her that if she and the others apologise to Rinoa I'll be happy to come see them."

Aerith took the parcel, it was cold to the touch and gave under her fingers, meat most likely – a meal for his Mother. The butcher waited for her response and, still very intimidated by him, she meekly nodded and put the package in her basket. "I'll tell her," she agreed.

The blond man smiled, "Thank you, Miss."

Aerith had to admit to herself that a smile did make him look less scary though the smile hardly suited him – the lines on his face went against the upturn of his lips, and one across his nose made him appear always displeased. He was an another enigma, intimidating but a caring husband too, kind to his companions and yet quick to anger.

She returned his smile with ease, accepting that she still had a bit to learn about him before she could judge him as friend or acquaintance.

He waved her out the door, Angelo tried to follow her again and it made her laugh. Aerith waved at the dog and quickly navigated her way through the paths to the old village. She sighed once she was over the bridge and in the original residence.

What a day it's been … she rubbed at her forehead and wondered if it would be too rude to ask Edea if she could have a nap? Her previous night had been restless with her worry over Elmyra's ultimatum, and today had been an unstable rush of emotions that made her long for a comfortable bed.

Her house, however, was not an option with the tension between her and her maid still so high.

She passed Selphie's house and spotted her in the window hard at work, with a small smile and wave that the housewife didn't see she passed her by. Her house was very homely looking, and feeling. It had a welcoming aura around it just like the married couple did, the smell of baking bread made Aerith think of family meals and warm fires.

Her absentminded wonderings started up again and she imagined people in the homes the dwelled in.

Other places, like the butcher's shop and the Vicar's church, had warm people inside them but the buildings were cold. Strange that they found happiness there, Rinoa was welcoming and chatty, the Vicar was kind and understanding and yet their homes didn't suit them. Rinoa's home was a slaughterhouse in part, and the Vicar's home was too dusty, old and heavy for his peaceful and expanding thoughts.

Edea's house didn't really suit her either, Aerith thought after glancing at the parcel for her. She loved her home and garden, but it was so lonely, she would have suited a place that was busy. Aerith smiled, imagining Selphie and Irvine when they were younger; a house full of kids must have made her home lively and full. Maybe it did suit her, once …

The thoughts of homes made her think of her own. The townhouse was fine and it suited her small family well for their sudden downsize, but it didn't feel like home. The house had no garden where she could find her peace, and her Father's study was so out of the way that it was rare to drop in on him and see how he was. Before his study had hardly been used, he insisted on working wherever his wife and child were and now he remained alone. Elmyra's presence was in the kitchen mostly, but recently it disjointed with her own, Aerith wasn't happy to sit in the kitchen anymore. Her own room was not relaxing either, too dark and too enclosed with only the view of rooftops to disorientate her.

She breathed, welcoming the forest air as the tension rolled from her shoulders out through the soles of her feet. The Earth beneath her almost seemed to drink up her negativity and replace it. Aerith's steps were lighter and she even yawned. I think I would have preferred a home out here, oh that's silly! Who could live in the woods? Even Zack lives above the treeline …

Edea welcomed her with a smile, and Aerith, much to her embarrassment, fell asleep on the bench as they chatted. She barely remembered to hand her the package, and her fight against sleep was doomed when Edea caught her shoulders and lay her head down in her lap to rest.

When she woke an amused Zack was hovering over her "Hey Red, rise and shine."

Aerith sat up abruptly, once she realised just who he was and what state of her he was watching. Edea was gone, and her head now rested on a leather pack that looked too wild to belong to a little old lady. She blushed and turned her face away "Zack! How long were you standing there?"

Zack grinned again "Not long, I stopped by on patrol hoping you'd be here, and here you were." He leaned with one hand cupping his head and his body balanced on his ankles as Aerith subtly tried to neaten her appearance, her hair, her clothes. "You looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake you up …"

"So you did stare at me," Aerith mumbled pulling the red hood up over her head and as far down her face as it could reach. How embarrassing! I hope I didn't snore.

"Aw, don't be mad," the man begged, gently tugging at her unmovable wrists "You looked so cute, and I just couldn't wait to see you again." Aerith peeked out from between her fingers and saw his pure blue eyes twinkling merrily, his smile not fading as she remained hidden in her red shroud. "Have you had a good day, Aerith?"

Aerith mumbled "It's been fine …" better now for seeing you. She let him pull her hood back, his touch very gentle, and her cheeks were burning and he took a seat beside her. He moved with such ease it was like they had sat like this for years, and Aerith was comfortable with his warmth and presence beside her.

"Where's Edea?" she asked.

Zack rubbed the back of his neck "She went to return a parcel … it smelt of salt and blood, guess it was a meal of some sort." He snorted "What we bring her is better than that junk."

Aerith tilted her head "Oh, you provide her food?"

Zack grinned, looking pleased and proud. "Yeah, it's a little understanding we have. She makes us potions when we need them, and gives us a safe place to stay out here if we need it. We give her food and what news we've managed to find about Squall."

"I thought he was dead," Aerith softly interrupted.

Zack winced and rubbed his neck "It's beginning to look that way … don't tell Edea I said that. She's not given up on him." he looked strained "It's hard seeing the old lady cry."

Aerith didn't bother to hide her confusion "When will someone tell me what happened?"

Zack raised an eyebrow "They haven't told you?"

Aerith shook her head "I asked, I've asked many people around the village, but they won't talk about it or they don't know. Edea and Selphie looked like they might cry. Genesis looked so angry, Seifer and Rinoa didn't say a word, I bet there are others like them to. It's so frustrating." She glanced at her companion expecting to see the same compassion that she bore, only to double take when she spotted him looking utterly furious.

"Damn Cowards!" he punched the wall on his far side, arm swinging around with brute force and Aerith felt the wall shake through her shoulder blades. She flinched and instinctively put an arm's length of distance between them. Zack got up and stuffed his balled hands under his arms with a little growl. "Bastards, how dare they pretend it never happened! Unforgivable!"

"What?" the girl whispered.

Zack snapped his attention back to her and slowly shook his head "I'm sorry, Aerith. Not today, I won't tell that story in anger," he breathed deeply "They deserve better than what I could say now." He glared back at the village and his knuckles cracked with the force of his grip on thin air "I'll say this, though. Every single one of them is guilty, they're the reason Squall's Dead. They pretend it never happened, I have seen them try to forget, but we can't. I see what they did every day, and so should they!"

Aerith shivered at the ominous words "Can't you give me a short version? Please, I have to know."

"I'm not sure I can, Red." The wild man pulled his hands through his hair and gripped at it "It might be a distant memory for some, but to me, to my people and to Squall's mate; it's still so raw."

He was shaking. Utterly trembling with the emotion of the private event. More curious than ever Aerith held a hand out "Please …"

Zack breathed a few times heavily. He looked at her, Aerith pulling a face shamelessly to try and get him to talk, and slowly he caved. He slumped to his knees before he and took Aerith's hands in his "They killed him."

His thumbs brushed over her knuckles, again and again, Aerith let him control himself though the gentle, rhythmic touch, not once scared for her own safety. His eyes were stormy, but there was a deep sorrow in his eyes too and his touch was feather light and distracting for him. He sighed and offered a little more information, "That village was … is, a Catholic village. Some of their rules require harsh punishments when broken, but Squall wasn't interested in following the rules. He hadn't for years, and he was shunned for it, but never … never targeted."

Aerith noticed his hands shaking. Her fingers curled around his when he spoke again, he was taking a long time to process his thoughts and his eyes were frantic to find the words that wouldn't trigger an emotional outburst. "I'm not sure what exactly happened to make those villagers turn on him, frankly I don't want to know, it'll only make me hate them more." He shuddered. "But something bad happened in their village and he was blamed for it despite the fact that he had done nothing wrong, it was impossible for him to have done some of the things he was accused of …"

He pressed Aerith's hands together inside his own. "Then they killed him." his eyes were closed, but Aerith saw the tears on his lashes. "It was so horrible, Aerith. Cloud's never been the same since. I have to tell Edea every season that there's still no sign that Squall could be coming back … it breaks them both …"

Tenderly, Aerith wriggled one hand free of Zack's and brushed at his closed eyes as lightly as she could. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, regretting forcing him to speak when she saw him looking so distraught. Patiently she took away his tears and slowly cupped his cheek, smiling to herself when he leaned into it. "Thank you …"

Zack opened his eyes, at last, looking miserable. Aerith pulled him close to her, her heart aching at the utter loss in his face. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise how hard it was for you. Thank you," she kissed the crown of his head and ran her fingers through his hair soothingly.

Zack sighed with a ghost of a smile "You're welcome, Red." He covered her hand and leaned into it more "It's good practice, they already ignore the memory, don't want to end up like them." He gave her a serious look "I'll tell you the whole story one day, my side of it. But … there're a few things you're going to need to know about me first …"

He chuckled nervously, "If you're still good to go on a date in a few days then I'll tell you everything about me. Then you'll understand Cloud and … Squall too."

Aerith brushed a few unruly bangs from his face, "So secretive ..."

Zack rubbed the back of his head with a rascal's smile "Not intentionally, Red. It's not just my secret, and there's few we trust with it," his eyes twinkled with humour and sincerity, "But I trust you," he touched the cloak with the tips of his fingers "and there's no way I'm willing to repeat our past mistakes …"

Thanks for your comments, please leave another. No double update this week - week been busy.

thequalityrunaway DOT tumblr DOT COMpany/ post/141026879897/i-remember-you-his-friend-stayed-with-him-that - FANART! For chapter 15