Author's Note: I apologize so much for how long this update has taken me. I promise to be more prompt in the future. :)

I can't say I love this one, but it came out, and I hope you enjoy it.

THANKS SO MUCH to everyone who reviewed since the last drabble. PLEASE review this time. I appreciate it more than anything.

Heaven

"Aerith! Hey, Aerith!"

The girl in question turned around with an expectant smile, the gesture widening as Zack sped down the aisles. The slapping sound of wet boots left drops of water in a trail between the pews, and Aerith's brow furrowed at the somewhat unwanted sight.

Zack rushed to a stop in front of her, his raven hair adorned with flecks of frozen white, ice hanging off a few of his spikes comically. His face was flushed from the cold more than the run, making Aerith want to shiver underneath the warmth of her clothes.

"Hello, Zack," Aerith greeted, glancing back down at the flowers that had curled into themselves at the chill. A few of them had grayed along the edges, and it worried her that they may perish in the frost. Normally, most of her blessed flowers made it through the winter, and so it was more difficult when those fragile few fell.

"Have you gone outside yet?" Zack questioned, wiping the trail of water that had trickled from the melted ice down his cheek.

"Have I gone outside?" Aerith reiterated a little motherly, taking in the man who looked a little more like a boy. "It's a storm out there, Zack!"

"A storm?" Zack frowned, gesturing towards the doorway, where flurries of white fluttered through the air and flowered the ground. "It's snowing!"

Aerith clasped her hands behind her back innocently, and Zack crossed his arms in response.

"Don't tell me you never go outside when it's snowing."

Though his tone was incredulous, his blue eyes glowed with excitement and barely hidden intentions, and Aerith could already feel her heart beginning to beat with a child's anticipation.

"It gets cold," Aerith protested as way of explanation, "and the flowers-"

"Here," Zack offered along with his interruption, shrugging out of the heavy SOLDIER-issue jacket that had previously adorned his shoulders. He waited until Aerith slipped her arms into the warm fabric before grabbing her first visible hand.

"Alright, come on!"

He pulled her along, her nervous laughter precious on his ears as they neared the waiting cold.

"Zack!" she shrieked, previously unsure demeanor completely gone in the rush of play.

When the first rush of cold air bit at her face, Aerith sucked in a quick, almost painful breath. She was used to the unexplainable but perpetual warmth of her church, always filled with sunlight and the sweet caresses of buds heated with life.

Zack released her hand after they had tumbled into the street, snow piled past their ankles. His black boots crunched as he spun, letting the flakes cover his closed eyelids and his relaxed grin. Even with his arms completely exposed to the cold, he never once shivered or showed an inkling of discomfort, and Aerith watched him a cloudy sort of haze.

Thought consumed her so that she didn't notice when Zack stopped, disappearing into the snow too perfectly with his black hair and tan skin, hiding when it should've been impossible.

An icy ball of snow and slush snapped her out of her haze.

"Zack!" she exclaimed, half surprised and half restrained laughter. She scrubbed the snow out of her eyes, gaining a view of Zack poised with an entire arsenal in his strong arms.

"Ready?" he inquired playfully, letting out a robust laugh when Aerith scrambled away from what she hoped was his field of vision. The army of snowballs falling on her head proved otherwise, and she quickly ducked down to scoop some of the freezing slush into her hands.

Crouching beneath a pile of snow that had offered her a few seconds protection, Aerith waited until she could see Zack's shadow splayed across the snow. She leapt out, tossing her snowball with a beginner's haste. She covered her face, waiting for an abrupt counterattack, but when none came, she tentatively peeked between her fingers.

Snow covering half his face, Zack was staring at her, somewhat dumbfounded, but before she could comprehend her victory, a dastardly smile split upon his lips.

In an instant he jumped forward, his arms curling around her waist and sending them both flying in the snow. It fell all around them, amplifying the heat that radiated from Zack's makeshift embrace. Aerith laughed softy, still smiling when Zack lifted himself on his arms so he could see her reddened nose and cheeks.

After a few seconds, they both stilled, and when Zack began coming closer, Aerith felt her eyes shut expectantly.

Instead, she received another snowball in the face.

Zack fell on his side with laughter, clutching his stomach without restraint and letting out strong chuckles in the snow, his entire body gaining a layer of white skin. His good mood was contagious, and Aerith couldn't be angry at someone who could stay so innocent after so many terrors.

The thought threatened to somber her mood, but Zack propped his head on one hand, as if knowing her state of mind, and said two words.

"Snow angels."

Ten minutes later, it looked like about twenty fallen angels had been catapulted into the slums. Aeirth and Zack lay together in their last winged imprints, hands connected across the gap.

Aerith sat up after a few moments of peace, taking in the sweet shapes that would now greet anyone passing through the streets.

"The angels really are beautiful," she admitted, knowing this time with Zack was worth the time she would later spend huddled around the fire.

At her words, Zack sat up, his serious eyes never leaving her face.

"I think so, too."