Silmeria - This idea has been sitting in the barn for a while and why not give it a try and see how you guys like it?

Disclaimer- I claim no rights to Final Fantasy VII

Chapter Two - Violet and Cerulean

Aerith Faremis was a wonderful woman and over the harrowing week of Cloud's grief over his parents sudden death, he had come to adore her like the sister he had never had while Ifalna with her kind eyes and stern nature, had become like a second mother. No one would replace Claudia and Crimson Strife, but Ifalna and Aerith had come to a very close second. Unexpectedly, Cloud found himself curious about Midgar which lead to a very extensive tour despite the piercing cold and falling snow. Aerith was more than happy him to show him the markets, inns, blacksmith and alchemy shops, but what drew Cloud's attention was the large manor that overshadowed the city. His rather innocent question drew a small hum from Aerith that forced them to stop near a flower cart which was helmed by a little girl at the moment.

"That, Cloud, is Fair Manor." Aerith stated, her green eyes staring at the buildings with a calmness that rattled Cloud's nerves unexpectedly. "It is where Lord Zachary Fair resides. He is ruler of Midgar."

Cloud paled at the response as yesterday's conversation came to his mind. "You mean the man from yesterday? He presides over this city?"

Aerith's attention flickered to him, the hood of her cloak overshadowing her eyes and showed only her smiling, full lips. "Yes, the man whom you insulted was none other than Zachary Fair, Lord and Alpha of Midgar."

As if appearing from the dead, Cloud's mother appeared before his mind's eye, her expression severe and her blue eyes darkening with the approaching scolding before he shook the image away and blinked back the sudden sting of tears. Aerith remained silent as he discreetly wiped the tears away with the sleeve of his cloak. He sniffed, hoping the cold would be the blame, but even after a short week, Aerith knew it would be a simple lie.

"I didn't know that he was lord of this city." Cloud murmured, patting his cheeks dry of tears. "I'm sure he must have felt insulted."

"Nay." Aerith remarked kindly. "In fact, Zack was quite surprised that anyone would talk to him in such a manner. He's used to the respect and ass-kissing." Aerith smiled at Cloud's shocked look at her rather detailed example, but was quick to shake it off. Aerith was always surprising him in one way or another.

"He sounds like a good man." Cloud stated, turning his head back to the manor that looked rather lonely from this distance. He wondered how many people lived in it? Were they nice or malicious? "Does he have family?"

At the question, a sad smile pulled at Aerith's lips. "I'm afraid not." she responded, placing a hand on his arm. "Like you, he has lost his parents and rules the city with just his servants and the council."

"Oh." Cloud suddenly felt saddened for the man. Zack seemed like a rather pleasant man and it didn't fit for him to be alone with his servants and council. "I see. I suppose that's something that we have in common."

"True." Aerith acknowledged, grasping his arm and guiding him away from the mansion and his prying and curious eyes. "But, unlike Zack, you have a family now, right? Mother and me."

Cloud could give Aerith an exasperated, yet, fond smile as they traveled down the winding, cobblestone roads, not minding the cold and the crowds. Not for the first time, Cloud wondered what it would be like if Aerith was an Alpha? If someone as kind-hearted and mischievous as her took him in? The thought was silly, but Cloud still dreamed of it. Still longed for it. It was one of the reasons why he despised being an Omega. He fell too quickly and loved too deeply. He wondered if his mother did the same? Cloud lowered his head, his eyes watching as the snowflakes hit the ground before melting underneath his boots. What did it matter now if she loved and long as he did? What did it matter how she felt? She was gone, in the heavens with his father and at peace. In the end, that's what really mattered.

"Are you okay?" Aerith asked suddenly, noticing that his eyes were wet with tears. She placed a hand on his arm in sympathy, her eyes reflecting the sadness that he was feeling. "Cloud?"

"Fine. I'm fine." Cloud was quick to reassure, placing his hand over Aerith's and giving a small pat. "Just reminiscing."

"You know." Aerith began, having yet to remove her hand from his arm. "It's okay to grieve. It's okay to miss your mother and father."

"I can miss them, but I just can't sit and be sad all the time, you know?" Cloud patted Aerith's hand one last time removing it and lowering it back to his side. "I'm sure they wouldn't want that for me either."

Aerith sighed, her green eyes assessing the Omega before a sad smile touched her lips. Unbeknownst to Cloud, Aerith could hear the muffled sobs that he tried so hard to hide at night. She could hear the nightmares he experienced and she could hear him crying out for his mother and father. There was no doubt that he missed them both dearly, but he was trying so hard to be strong and Aerith didn't have the heart to fault him for it. After all, Cloud could be in a worse situation. Unless they were married, Omegas didn't have much choices in job occupation if they were orphaned before they came of age. Aerith and her mother were more than happy to take Cloud once Crimson explained his situation through a letter and then in person. The Strife Family were good people and had helped the Faremis' out of a tight situation when her father passed, so, they were more than happy to help out.

She just wished that it ended differently for all parties involved.

"What is he like?" Cloud asked, drawing Aerith from her degrading thoughts. "What is Lord Fair like?"

"He is kind." Aerith responded sincerely, a happier smile on her lips at the thought of her old friend. "He is trustworthy and a man that is full of honor and warmth. The people here love him and would die for him. It is not often that such loyalty is found in times such as these."

"He is kind, but he is also traditional." Cloud stated, his brows furrowing at the thought. "Is he not?"

"Lord Fair does certain things to appease the council." Aerith responded vaguely. "And one of those things is abiding by the Old Laws. Those that state that Omegas must be cared for with the utmost respect, Betas must remain in the middle, carrying the balance, and Alphas are to rule the world as they see fit. We all have our place in this world and Zack's is to make sure that Midgar remains a hub of prosperity and advancement for all types."

"It sounds like a lonely existence." Cloud murmured, pity in his tone and sympathy in his eyes as he stared at the towering manor, wondering if the man was satisfied with the lot the Gods gave him, but shook his head at the thought of it. Of course, being blessed with nobility and identified as an Alpha, this Lord Fair had it all and wanted for nothing. How good must it feel to never worry about your next meal or if you would have enough fire wood to survive the winter. Such things were not to be the worries of the nobles, but of the common folk. It was one of the reasons as to why Cloud had a small dislike for nobles who bore no sympathy for their people, watching them suffer through the winter months cold and hunger while their stomach were lined with meat and wine and their bodies warm with fire.

The thought caused Cloud to turn away and push his hood further down his face to hide the anger in his eyes and his pinched lips. He was positive that his emotions were mixing with his scent judging by the frown Aerith was throwing him, but he couldn't care less.

"He is not like what you are thinking, Cloud." Aerith whispered, her green eyes filled with defense for her old friend. "Zack has made sure that the poorer families are well fed through the winter months and that they have enough medicine should they catch ill. He is not one to let his people fall ill and suffer. He is not like the Nobles of Nibelheim-"

"You know of them?" Cloud's head shot up, shocked that his new friend would know of the suffering at the hands of the nobles in his old home. He bore no love for them and vice versa. His father and mother were the same. "How?"

Aerith's slim shoulders slumped, her expression turning resigned as if she was hoping to avoid the eventual conversation, but she raised her head, staring into Cloud's curious eyes that she knew would turn into surprise, if not betrayal at the actions of his father.

"The Strife's and Faremis' have known each other long before our meeting weeks prior." Aerith began softly, turning on her heel and leading Cloud back to the Apothecary. It was getting dark and she didn't want her mother to worry. "Your Father helped us out when mine died no more three winters ago. He made sure to act as an Alpha proxy when he visited so that my mother, an Omega, could keep the shop. Madam Claudia didn't mind at all. In fact, she was the one who encouraged it."

"My father was a proxy?" Cloud was floored at the information. Not only was it rare for an Alpha to become a proxy, but some people found it disgusting and immoral when the original Alpha's death was too soon which, he was sure, was the case with Aerith's father. Still, he couldn't judge his father for his actions. In fact, he wasn't really that surprised that his father took up the mantle. It was just like him to protect people who were as kind as Aerith and Ifalna. Knowing this forced Cloud to realize how guilty he was about their last moments. How bitter he was towards his father for leaving Nibelheim when his mother was still so ill. He saw now that it was a kindness towards his mother and not a mercy killing. His father didn't want his Omega to die in their cold, isolated village.

No, he wanted her to die in Midgar where the skies were open and freedom was aplenty in more ways than Nibelheim could ever perceive.

"Yes." Aerith responded, giving him an unsure look when she noticed how wet his eyes were. "Cloud? I didn't-"

"No." Cloud murmured, shaking his head. "I understand and I'm not judging. In fact, I wanted to say thank you. I-I understand my father's reason a lot better now, Aerith. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

Aerith's sad eyes and smile, which had been prevalent throughout the day, vanished, and a smile, bright, and pure taking its place as she linked her hand with his and continued down the winding roads towards home.

Strange, Cloud thought, with light bounce in his step, that such a foreign place like Midgar could become home so quickly.

The smell wouldn't leave his nose.

It was irritating that once Zack inhaled, he could still smell the citrus and pine that invaded his senses no more than two weeks prior. He could still remember the fear in Cloud's eyes when his muscles tightened with arousal. He could remember how angry he was when Aerith kicked him out of the shop, a stern warning in her eyes as the door shut between them, placing a barrier between him and that sweet, sweet, Omega.

He wanted to see Cloud again. Wanted to embrace that wonderful, sweet smell and-

"Zachary."

Zack blinked hard, forcing his gaze up when he met stern blue eyes and a grim frown. There, standing in the door way, was his mentor and council member, Angeal Hewely, the man who taught him everything about being a Lord and Alpha.

"Uncle Angeal." Zack greeted smoothly, holding out his gloved hand towards the chair situated in front of his desk. "Welcome, won't you sit?"

Angeal stepped into the office, shutting the door and locking the deadbolt forcing Zack to realize that the man wanted no ears or eyes for their conversation. The action forced Zack to have his attention on his Uncle as the man sat in the guest chair, his posture stiff and formal, the epitome of an Alpha.

Zack was jealous, almost.

"You have been visiting that Apothecary again." Angeal began, cutting to the chase, his lips thinning when Zack narrowed his eyes. "With that Beta and Omega-"

"Lady Aerith and Ifalna." Zack cut in quickly. "They have names, dear Uncle."

"Nonetheless, Lady Aerith and Ifalna know the edicts of conducting relations with the Lord of Midgar. Sephiroth has warned you countless times about interacting with unbonded-"

"Widowed-"

"Widowed." Angeal corrected grimly, as if that made the situation ten times worse. "Omegas and what is this about an apprentice?"

"The Faremis' have taken in an apprentice." Zack responded smoothly, turning the tables and seeming as if Angeal had been prying too deeply into an unseen problem. "That is not uncommon in their field, Uncle."

"No." Angeal murmured, a curious light entering his eyes that made Zack wary. Angeal was never a man to sate his curiosity. "It is common enough, but an Omegan Apprentice? No, I think not and this does warrant investigation-"

"Which, I will take care of, Uncle-"

"No." Angeal cut him swiftly, rising from his seat. "What you will take care of is the Lady Cissnei of Junon, she is a cousin of Lord Alpha Rufus Shinra and he was quite delighted when you inquired about her welfare and most of all, interested in taking her hand."

"Manipulative as always, Uncle Angeal." Zack murmured, anger gnawing at the back of his throat. "When?"

"Tomorrow. Do not be late. Good day to you, Nephew."

"Good Day, Uncle."

Zack waited for the door to click shut before pushing the glass of wine he had onto the floor and watching as the red liquid seeped into the cream colored carpet, staining the insignia of the Fair Family and effectively ruining the carpet. The stain wouldn't come out and it was his Uncle's favorite and he would be upset at the childless destruction, but at the moment, Zack couldn't care less.

He took his small victories where he could find them, after all.