A Miracle?

"Do you ever think we'd be happier somewhere else?" Aerith hugs her knees, moonlight shining down on her.

Tifa doesn't understand how they ended up sitting in the garden, but she doesn't mind. It's a reprieve from the bubbling sorrow and crushing guilt. "Aerith, how are you here?"

Aerith grasps her hand, but it slips through. "Just play along, okay?" She smiles as if … as if she were truly here.

A gentle breeze ruffles Tifa's hair and the pink ribbon laced around her arm. "Well, I wouldn't want to stay here. I'd," she stuttered, trying to find the right words, "I'd want to go somewhere else. Somewhere new. Somewhere we could be safe. All of us. And then we could live long, happy days together."

Aerith scampers to her feet. "Then let's go!" She lifts her arm in victory. "I'm sorry. We probably won't be able to go shopping topside here, but we will when we arrive at our new home."

"Aerith—" Tifa starts as she pushes herself off the ground.

"Do you trust me?"

"Huh?"

"Do you trust me?"

The playful gleam disappears from Aerith's green eyes. "I just … want to be happy with you." She holds out her hand.

Tifa's trembling fingers reach for Aerith's, and somehow, by magic or miracle, she doesn't phase through.

"I told you to trust me. Now let's go."

Tifa isn't sure if she's crying of happiness or grief.

A distant memory comes to mind. The dream she had several months ago. And this, she realizes, is a continuation of that dream. What happens if she wakes up now? She keeps walking. One step in front of the other.

"Y'know, I didn't mean to keep you waiting for so long."

"It's okay, Aerith."

Hand in hand, Aerith and Tifa go into the blinding light.

"A new world," Aerith says. "One of many, actually. Welcome to Radiant Garden."

a/n: okay, i was thinking about this story and i beat ffvii rebirth on the 14th, so yesterday. i thought about this story today and i was wondering if i could write more for it. and THEN, i saw a new review and i was like, "yknow what? im just gonna keep writing for this." im so sorry if this is not the direction you thought the story would go in, but aaaa thank you so much for the review denebtenoh. i just have kh brainrot. i just need a universe where aerti is happy and i'll make one if i have to, dammit. ffvii rebirth broke me T_T

anyway, ty for reading! i hope you enjoyed and please review and tell me what you think!

xo, hanasinspring