Author note: Hello, lovelies! Hope you're doing well.


To say that leaving was a bitter, yet happy affair, would be an understatement. Claudia had flourished under the weight of the impromptu Shinra orphanage, happier in ways that seemed alien to the thin woman. How much of that was Vergil, however… well, either way, there was plenty to be prideful over. And equal parts to be annoyed.

With the supplies, the townspeople had mostly thawed, deciding to set aside their inherent hatred of all things Shinra, especially when more supplies were set to arrive when I left. And since Claudia was now surrounded by kids, ranging in ages up to fifteen to below, they had thawed towards the woman. They didn't blatantly attempt to rip her off, and they kept the wagging tongues between their teeth.

Again, how much of that was the very real threat they'd be crushed… the assigned Shinra personnel were perfectly conspicuous, two thirds who would never become seconds, and the troopers had been chosen from people already used to mountain life. Or at least small village living. The only requirement I'd had was they not be short minded, and that they loved kids. Rufus had done beautifully.

Of course, not all was smooth. Tifa avoided the mansion, and when she ran across any Shinra she turned tail and darted back to her home. At the least she wasn't avoiding Cloud. If anything, he seemed to avoid her, becoming angrier and more sullen. Reno teased about trouble in paradise, yelping when my heel dug pointedly into the meat of his foot.

I knew Tifa would hate Shinra. That seemed normal, such a part of her character. That hatred would lead her to Barrett and Avalanche one day. It wouldn't be until Shinra dropped the plate, sacrificing thousands, that she realized what hatred led to. Unnecessary carnage. Hate bred hate, and it was always hungry. It would always devour as much as you let it.

Still, when Cloud announced, quite determined, that when Spring came, he'd see us again in Midgar, I wanted to tell him no. I wanted them to fix their relationship, to build something now, afraid at the changes. Tifa hadn't been in a coma, and she was angry at Cloud for sticking by us, by Reno. Afraid because he wasn't coming to join as SOLDIER. Reno had clapped him on the back, giggling with glee at his "apprentice".

Cloud had chosen money, and family. The appeal of both had been enough to lure him from his hero worship, it seemed, although he still seemed bashful when the first class hero was brought up in his vicinity. Maybe one day he'd switch back to SOLDIER, and be much more in tune with it, bolstered by the Turks.

When Vergil knocked on my door, to tell me my ride had arrived, I couldn't help but to feel a little bitter. My second longtime companion, leaving. So far, the only one who had never left me was Rufus. How long that would last, who could say. Rufus was going to potentially get caught up in a plot to kill our father. Then, he would be far from me.

Vergil smirked, lazily leaning against the door he'd closed. "Of course, our Princess is being lazy. You don't even have your boots on."

"You act like putting on boots is an ordeal." I huffed, pushing away from the desk to go to the thigh high boots beside the bed.

He hummed. "The ones you wear? I know walking in then is a hazard, at the least."

Contrary to his words, my leg was already settled into the soft leather, familiar and comfortable. Even as Riley, heels had been a weakness. My fingers slipped the zipper up, smiling faintly. Riley had wanted to stretch her height, at all costs. Sneakers never adorned her feet, unless forced by circumstance.

"How else would I ever be seen?" I huffed playfully, mock glaring. "All of you are way too tall. I'll never feel on even ground, if I don't cheat."

"It is true… my job would have been so much easier if you were pocket size." He sighed as though put out. "So many times, chasing after you."

I laughed, once, sharp, as I stood up. My arms spread as I tilted my head. "Why, Vergil! Are you saying I put you out? Made you work hard?"

"You were and are, a damn terror. I shudder to think what the lads back home will do when you discover boys." A mock shudder went down his body, grin sharp.

"Maybe I already have. After all, Cloud might be a chocobo but…" I giggled. "Such a cute one! Or maybe I've discovered girls."

"Aerith would be safe enough," he conceded, playing along. "Unless you prefer a dark warrior who hates your family."

Tifa. I prayed the girl would thaw. Hate was a poison that could and would fester and pollute everything. "Hmm, I'll take the sweet disposition with flowers any day."

Vergil had stepped closer, finger tilting my chin up. The smirk on his face could only be called devilish, gleeful. "A child's fantasy. I'm relieved you aren't completely grown up yet."

"I'm plenty grown." I said it automatically, a small ploy to make them think while I was mature, I wasn't dangerous.

"One day Princess, some guy… or girl, is going to take over a part of your heart. It'll be a nice pair of eyes, or maybe just the sound of their voice. And it'll be over. Our sweet little Princess won't want us anymore."

My hand grasped his, pulling him away from my chin. "Is that what happened between you and Claudia? You don't want me anymore, now you have a woman?"

This was fine. I could act somewhat possessive. He was my longest guard, someone who was more parent to me than my own parents. If not for Rufus, I'm sure Vergil would have been my first family.

He burst out in laughter, ruffling my hair despite my protest. "It's different for adults, kid. We don't go blind over our first crush, and growing pains are well behind us."

He sighed. "I am pretty sad though. What am I gonna do if you get a little boyfriend and I'm not there to threaten them, or rough them up?"

My eyes rolled. "Pretty sure I'm doomed to failure in the crush department. Too many of you meddlesome old men to deal with."

I had been shuffling past him, brushing a nonchalant hand through my hair to knock it off my shoulder. Fingers gripped my wrist, tugging me backwards, spinning me. My yelp was ignored, as arms wrapped around my smaller form. His warm breath tickled through my hair, tickling my cheek. I blinked the moisture away, but I didn't stop my arms from reciprocating the gesture, fisting my hands in the material of his suit jacket.

"Damn right. So many protectors. And I'll be back, sooner than you know it."

It was only a year long post. Rufus wasn't heartless enough to abandon employees in some remote village. Of course, if Vergil and Claudia worked out, sacrifice would need to be done. Either by her, or by him. A year was what could be safely given, and still draw a paycheck.

The journey home was done early enough we arrived before the sun had fully set. The disgusting and vibrant green of the reactors suckling mako was blinding. So odd, after not seeing it for weeks. It hadn't been much of a concern. The fact that even the air was different. Full of the smell of mako, and heavier. The breaths needing to be a bit more deliberately taken in.

Fucking great.

I could never be upset though at the people waiting. Rufus stood there, ramrod straight, his hand already stretched forward to slot my fingers in. He wasn't quite unprepared for the way I launched at him, wrapping my arms around him enthusiastically. I clung to him tightly, going so far as to force him to drag me a few steps, so the others could hop off.

"Welcome home," he murmured. "I trust you had fun."

He shifted me away to study my face. I nodded, swallowing down the fear I felt. It was churning now, almost constantly. Canon had broken. I might have completely fucked up.

He smiled softly, hand ghosting over my cheek. "Excellent. You're grounded."

"What?!" I jerked away, and he let me.

"Tseng kept me informed of your… activities. Repeated conflict with the mayor… damage to the property in general thanks to Boulder… and more importantly…"

I swallowed. "In my defense…"

"You snuck around, with an untrained boy, and almost got yourself killed."

"He had a week of training!"

His brows arched, almost as if he couldn't believe what had come out of my mouth. To be fair, neither could I. Was that seriously the best I could come up with!

"Oh, my apologies. A week of training, the boy must be an expert. Why, he could take on Sephiroth!"

"He is welcome to attempt it."

Oh… son of a bitch. Contrary to the harsh sarcasm in my brother's tone, Sephiroth was calm and deadly. Only his eyes revealed the frustration buried there, that danger had been near and he hadn't. At the least Genesis looked amused, while Angeal seemed apologetic, as well as disappointed.

"Ah, see. Sephiroth has agreed to a duel. We'll see if we have an heir to the throne." His eyes had narrowed, letting me know I was on thin ice.

"Yeah, because we should have expected someone would stuff a fucking monster in the basement." I shrugged away, crossing my arms. "And since when are you two friends? Leave Cloud alone, you'll make Reno cry."

"I'm alright with that," Sephiroth said.

"Wow, back a bus over me, it'd hurt less." Reno pressed a hand to his chest in mock hurt. "Anyway… not to get in the middle here but…"

"Reno," Tseng said warningly.

"Yo, the princess did good! She's breathing, isn't she?"

"As lovely as that is, the ideal was unharmed and safe at all times." Rufus waved a hand. "Sephiroth, see to it Sophie gets to a room, safely. I'll let you relax, but I'm not thrilled, Sophie."

You never are if I'm breathing more than a foot away from the Shinra building. I nodded, stepping over to Sephiroth, sticking my tongue out childishly at Tseng, who actually bowed. Weirdo.

My heart swelled when gloved hands reached out, and captured mine. A perfect mirror to when he'd come back from the war.

"Welcome home," he said softly.

Then my heart dropped. When would I tell him? Not now. Swallowing the guilt, I greeted the others as well, declining Angeal when he offered to cook. I made sure to let him know I'd be badgering him for my meal tomorrow.

The two SOLDIERS didn't follow us for long. They waved us off as Sephiroth swiped his keycard, headed into the elevator. I smiled happily until the door swished closed, then felt the smile slip.

"I hate this place," I murmured, suppressing a yawn.

"I know," was the whispered reply.

My body ached. I wanted to spew everything out, to pour out all of the sin I knew, both from the labs and from the game. It was nasty, how much I hid.

"Sophie?"

"Why is the elevator going down?"

"A surprise."

My brows furrowed when he led us off, using the front entrance. He pressed a hand to my back, guiding me. I gave into the need to cling to him, pressing myself into his lithe form. He allowed it without comment. Then went a step further. Before I could blink, I was in his arms, cradled close, breath fanning against his neck.

"I'm sorry for the familiar touch. This is faster."

I cuddled closer, sighing. "Sephy, I missed you so much. It feels good, feeling your strength around me."

"I missed you as well," he said. "Hold on tight."

I hummed in curiosity, then my gasp was choke off. My eyes snapped shut, arms gripping around his shoulders tightly, nails digging without permission.

"What the hell?" I snapped, body turned into his chest, as he nonchalantly leapt into the air, then down again. His feet seemed to only alight onto the ground for brief seconds before he launched again.

"Open your eyes. The view is nice enough."

"I'll take your word for it," I muttered.

He actually was stationary again, but the way the wind tugged around let me know he was high, much higher than I preferred to think about. Vibrations in his chest went through to my body, his laughter so quiet if he wasn't holding me, I wouldn't have heard it. This was what caused me to open my eyes, wide. It was so rare to hear, his laugh.

The silver strands danced in the wind; the jealousy natural that they wouldn't dare tangle. This high up, so near the mako tube, his hair caught the green, features lit up. The softness in his features caused me to reach out, fingers trailing down the marble cheek. Soft. When the hair slipped over my hand, catching in my palm, I giggled myself.

"Look." He urged me gently, coaxing until I sighed, glancing out.

He hadn't been lying. The view was one you wouldn't normally see. He'd leapt high into the buildings, walking along the edge gracefully. I wasn't sure which outer pillar he balanced us on, but there wasn't any fear. With Sephiroth, all the fears of anything seemed to sweep away. Who could be afraid, when he was the best person around to terrify even nightmares into submission?

"Are you mad at me, too?" I asked.

"Very." He heaved a sigh, coming to a pause. "I'm trying to understand. Angeal quieted me down, when I first heard you'd been injured, even slightly. I wanted to draw you back, by any means necessary."

"Greedy for my attention," I teased. He groaned when I poked his cheek. "I'm not in nearly so much danger as you. I'll always return, too."

"I want to believe that." He glanced at me, his grip tightening, pressing my form closer to his body. "How can I? You run off without thought. You keep things secret. I am the one Rufus praises as being able to know your moves, yet would I have known you were going to explore a basement?"

"Sephy, I… anything I'm keeping close. I'm… afraid."

"What makes you afraid?" He narrowed his eyes, brows furrowed. "I'll end it."

I laughed, cooing. "My hero. You can't solve everything by swinging your sword."

"You're underestimating me. Anything I need to do, I'll bare it."

"Even if I wanted you to give up SOLDIER? To run away with me?" My smile turned bitter, seeing him stiffen, features looking pained before straightening out. "It's all you've ever known."

"It is." He agreed easily.

"First class SOLDIER, Sephiroth," I said, watching as the full title made him twitch. Signs of his training, that they'd drilled into him. No matter how many connections I helped form, his core was SOLDIER. Breaking that… would it break him?

"I'm kidding." I gave up, dropping my head onto his shoulder. "Just keep living with me. Do whatever you want, be whoever, just… don't leave me alone."

He was silent for a long while. "For you… I am who I am. For you."

My smile softened, a small hum purring from my throat. My lips pressed petal soft to his cheek. "Same for me."

"Count to ten. I have a gift for you. You may want to close your eyes."

"Ooh, a present? Gimme!"

"Count down. You'll see for yourself soon enough."

I grumbled good natured, about him being stubborn. He sent me a pure look of challenge, and then leaped. My good-natured teasing evaporated, eyes slamming back shut. He counted for himself, moving swiftly. On four, my voice joined his.

He landed exactly on ten, a long drop from how high we'd been. The impact with solid ground jostled me, legs bouncing.

"You could have warned me," I grumbled. "My hair is probably a disaster."

"I told you to count."

"Counting doesn't tell people you're going to be jumping through the air, Sephy."

He hummed, dropping his arm from under my legs. He kept me steady until I was ready, glancing around. My whole body froze, despite any intentions.

The building was more dilapidated than I'd thought it would be. Signs of the wood rot settling in already in the fading sunlight, moss and ivy shifting up the sides. Trash littered the pathway, reminding me of a dumpster from my previous life, with paths carved in the middle. Dented metal, from where the plate had been damaged and fallen, support beams and sheets of the raw materials.

Sephiroth had went ahead and opened the double doors, pausing at the top of the steps.

"Where… are we? I'm not religious you know." Regaining my wits, I gave him a cocky smirk with a tilt of my head, heading up the stairs to stand at his side.

"Tseng informed me of this place. I believe we've both been eager for this day."

"Cryptic. I like it," I teased.

My heart was pounding. I went inside at his gesture, maintaining my usual confident stride. The pews were there, lining the walkway down. The damage wasn't as obvious inside, more cluttered. Support beams had fallen, and patches of light came through where the roof was damaged.

The odd patch of flowers… their fragrance lingered in the air, overwhelming almost when mixed with the almost otherworldly peace and calm that permeated the church. Tranquil.

As we neared, a form stood up swiftly, dusting their hands off on their skirt, cheerful greeting already leaving her lips. She froze when she spun to face us, mirroring my own frozen form.

"Oh!" Her hands pressed up against her lips, green eyes suddenly filling.

How many years had it been? Seven, nearly eight? This wasn't the little girl from my memories. This was Aerith from the game, Crisis Core. I felt terror jump into my veins, running through me like an electric current. Why couldn't time just stop?

Sephiroth caught the small whine that left my throat, too far away for Aerith to hear. She was coming slowly, the excitement on her face less, but still shining through her sudden weariness at my odd face.

His hand descended to my lower back; face filled with questions. "Are you all right? Your face… you're pale."

Unconsciously my body pressed into his hand. "I… I don't feel so well."

The small giggle reached my ears, turning my attention back. She was right in front of me, bouncing on her toes in excitement she was trying to repress. The excitement and kindness in her eyes were an anathema to me, mixing with the strong urge to grab her, cradle her close and affirm she was real.

Sephiroth was obviously torn, from pulling me from the situation, to listening to Aerith. His eyes glanced between us, obeying when Aerith raised a hand to halt him. He'd had his hand wrapped around my arm, ready to shift me behind his body.

I couldn't say what was happening. I loved Aerith, cared for her deeply. Letters exchanged between us were a lifeline for us both, connecting and strengthening our bonds. The bonds between all three of us. Yet now, I was scared. I knew too much, something I could push down and away, but with them both here… as though I'd tried to cover gaping wounds with band aids, and they just weren't enough. Vicious blood had soaked through, and now the wounds were visible. I felt the full fear of having both their futures in my soft palms, hands too weak to grip anything for long.

Then, her hands captured my face, cheeks flooding with the warmth of her palms.

"Heya. Gonna leave your favorite flower girl waiting?"

I glanced at her. She was smiling, already forgiving whatever had happened as easily as she breathed. I wondered if she was in a similar boat, seeing some sweat on her brow. Was the planet screaming at her, now that she and Sephiroth were near each other again?

"Aerith…"

She nodded. "Yep. It's me!"

Then she hummed, tugging me forward with one hand and into a warm embrace. Her other hand reached out, gently requesting Sephiroth, who gave her his hand without much hesitation.

"You're back," she cooed. "I've waited for you both, for a long time. My family."

"It's good to see you," Sephiroth said quietly.

"Sorry… sorry it took so long." I stuttered it out, feeling tears pool in my eyes.

She sniffed, still smiling. "It's okay. Let it out. You've been so strong, for so long. I'm going to."

The words were a balm to my soul. For the first time since the pesky body of a child had been shed, I cried. My hands grabbed her, feeling her body trembling with her own soft sobs, mixed with small giggles of happiness. I couldn't say how it happened, but we ended up kneeling on the rotting wood, clasping each other tightly. Sephiroth wouldn't kneel, but he allowed her to still cling to him by his leg, a steady and familiar presence to me.

He stood guard while we cried, silent and without judgement. Eyes daring the heavens or spirits to make a peep of protest.