Announcing the return of Zerith Week for its sixth run on August 1st to 8th, 2026! A love that transcends time and spaceâjoin us to celebrate the reunion of our star-crossed lovers đŠˇđđŤ
For this year, we take inspiration from several fan-favorite tropes as well romantic quotes across media.
The rules are simple:
You are free to interpret the prompts however you like.
All types of fanworks, including fanart, fanfics, graphics, gifsets, video edits, and much more are welcome.
Tag us on your post and mention the prompt/day your work is created for.
Use the tags #zerithweek and #zerithweek2026 within the first five tags.
And most importantly, have fun and celebrate Zerith!
đ Rules and Guidelines
đ We also host the event on X/Twitter and Bluesky.
Thank you for joining us for another week of Zerith loving! Let us fulfill their tinyâno, giganticâwishes together!
Fandom : Final fantasy VII | Pairing : Zack Fair / Aerith Gainsborough | Notes : written for @zerith-week 2025 | Theme : Day 8; Academy (Free Choices)
Summary: At the Shinra Academyâs annual year-end festival, the campus glows with lanterns, music, and laughter. Zack starts the evening on security duty, but Aerith pulls him into games, strange food, and clumsy dancing until they escape to a rooftop. Under the fireworks, they share a quiet moment, celebrating the present before stepping back into the unknown.
The sky above Midgar had turned into a gradient of gold and rose, announcing the end of the day. The cobblestone paths of the Shinra Academy glimmered under the warm glow of lanterns strung between the buildings. Students, some in uniform and others dressed more casually for the occasion, weaved through the decorated stalls. The sweet scent of crepes mixed with the spicier aroma of grilled skewers, carried on the air alongside bursts of laughter and music.
Zack strode confidently through the crowd, his âSecurityâ armband in plain sight. His eyes swept the surroundings out of habitâspotting clusters of people, noisy groups, and the shadowy corners where trouble could start. His mission was simple: make sure everything stayed safe during the Academyâs year-end festival.
â âYou look way too focused for someone whoâs supposed to be having fun,â a playful voice teased from behind him.
He turned to find Aerithâs bright smile waiting for him. She wore a simple, soft green dress that contrasted beautifully with the warm orange glow of the lanterns above. Her hair was loosely braided, a small white flower pinned at the side.
â âIâm working,â he said with mock seriousness, pressing a hand to his chest.
â âUh-huh⌠âworkingâ,â she repeated, miming air quotes with her fingers. âYou know, it doesnât really count if you spend half the time smiling at people.â
He raised an eyebrow. â âThatâs just my natural charm.â
She rolled her eyes and, without warning, grabbed his hand. â âCome on. Youâve âsecuredâ the area enough. Time to actually enjoy yourself.â
Zack hesitated for half a second, then let her pull him toward the first stall. The lanterns swayed gently above them in the evening breeze, laughter and music blending into a warm background hum.
The first stall featured a miniature crossbow shooting game. Aerith picked up a dart, aimed carefully⌠and missed the target by several inches. Zack burst out laughing, earning himself a playful elbow to the ribs.
â âThink you can do better, Mister SOLDIER?â
â âWatch and learn.â
He took her place, adjusted his aim, fired⌠and hit the bullâs-eye on his first try. Aerith crossed her arms in mock offense.
â âCheater.â
â âNatural talent,â he said with a smirk.
They moved on to a food stand. Zack pointed to a skewer coated in a bright red glaze.
â âWhatâs this?â
â âThe vendor said itâs⌠spicy. Very spicy.â
Zack, ever fearless, took a big biteâand immediately choked, eyes watering. Aerith laughed so hard she nearly doubled over, handing him a glass of water.
â âYou knew!â he accused, still coughing.
â âMaybe,â she replied with an innocence that was anything but.
They wandered from stall to stall, trying their hand at the duck fishing game, sampling overly sweet pastries, and stopping now and then to watch the dancers gathered in the main courtyard. The music was lively, and Aerith, caught up in it, grabbed Zack to pull him into a few clumsy steps.
â âFair warning,â he said, âIâm not good at this.â
â âPerfect. Neither am I.â
They danced, awkward but laughing, surrounded by the warm glow of lanterns that painted their faces in amber light.
Later, as the festival reached its peak, Aerith led Zack to a service staircase that climbed to the roof of one of the buildings. From up there, the view of the campus was breathtaking. The lanterns below formed a glittering carpet, and in the distance, the city stretched all the way to the horizon.
â âNot bad,â Zack admitted, hands in his pockets.
â âJust wait. Itâs not over yet.â
As if on cue, the first firework exploded overheadâa golden burst that showered into a thousand sparkling fragments before fading. More followed, painting the night sky in red, blue, and violet.
Aerith sat at the edge of the rooftop, eyes fixed on the display. Zack joined her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The festivalâs noise felt far away up here, replaced by the crackle of fireworks and the soft breath of the wind.
â âItâs strange,â she said quietly. âAll this joy⌠and yet, we never really know what tomorrow will bring.â
â âExactly,â he replied. âThatâs why we have to enjoy it while it lasts.â
She turned toward him. In the fleeting light of the fireworks, her smile looked both joyful and tinged with something softerâalmost bittersweet.
â âYouâre right. So⌠letâs enjoy it.â
And they stayed there, watching the sky burn with color, holding onto the moment as if it could last forever.
𩷠Academy AU: Everyone loves a good high school AUâor, in this case, the Ever Crisis Academy AU! What kind of day would Zack and Aerith have were they your typical high school students?
đ Free Choice: Their vacation is coming to a close but there are still plenty of places Zack and Aerith have yet to visit! Why don't you take them to your favorite location?
Mention us in your post and use the tags #zerithweek and #zerithweek2025 in the first five tags~
Fandom : Final fantasy VII | Pairing : Zack Fair / Aerith Gainsborough | Notes : written for @zerith-week 2025 | Theme : Day 7; Afterlife Echoes ( Wutai)
Summary: Zack and Aerith visit an ancient mountainside temple in Wutai, dedicated to fallen warriors of past wars. Amid soft chimes and whispers of the wind, they feel a deep, almost spiritual connection with the spirits that still linger, offering both comfort and reflection. Together, they experience a serene and melancholic moment, realizing that bonds and memories can endure beyond time.
The warm Wutai wind brushed against the mountainsides, carrying the scent of pines and wet wood, of ancient incense and damp earth. Zack walked slowly, his boots barely grazing the stony path, each step echoing in the almost sacred silence. Beside him, Aerith moved gracefully, her hands brushing the strings of bells hanging along the path, which jingled softly, as if the wind wanted to whisper forgotten secrets.
The temple, nestled in a small clearing overlooking the verdant valleys, gradually revealed itself. Its dark tiled roofs gleamed under the soft light of the setting sun, and the walls were covered with lichen and wildflowers. Every step drew Zack and Aerith closer to an atmosphere vibrant yet serene, where past and present mingled in a gentle breath.
âDo you feel that?â Aerith asked, her voice soft yet full of wonder, as she brushed a bell whose chime seemed to respond to her touch.
Zack nodded, his dark eyes fixed on the stones engraved with ancient symbols. âYes⌠as if⌠as if something wants to speak to us.â
There was a subtle vibration in the air, barely perceptible, yet it made his heart beat a little faster. The echoes of long-gone warriors seemed to float in the atmosphere, a faint murmur intertwined with the windâs whisper. Zack, a former SOLDIER, felt this connection more intensely than he would have imagined. Each carving on the temple walls, each bell, each breeze, spoke to him of men and women who had fallen long ago, yet were somehow still present.
Aerith stopped and drew a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. âItâs⌠sweet, but sad at the same time. Do you feel their presence, Zack?â
He stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. âI⌠I feel it. These warriors⌠I think theyâre still here, as if watching over the mountain.â
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the chaos of the outside world faded. There was something fragile and precious in that instant, a spark belonging only to them, a gentle warmth resonating deep in their hearts. Aerith felt her fingers brush Zackâs hand, a light touch heavy with meaning, and he held it gently, a barely noticeable smile on his lips.
âDo you think they⌠hear our prayers?â she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, as if speaking aloud might disturb this sacred quiet.
Zack paused, eyes wandering over the carved wood that told stories of past battles, courage, and sacrifice. âMaybe⌠maybe they hear more than we think. And maybe theyâre teaching us something, even without words.â
The wind made the bells vibrate, their clear chime blending with the steady beat of Zackâs heart. He felt strangely light, as if the souls of these forgotten warriors were passing on a silent strength, an ancient courage. Aerith felt it too, a shiver running down her back and arms, but it was not fear. No, it was a shiver of connection, a resonance with something greater, existing beyond time.
They continued walking slowly, exploring the templeâs paths. The stone walls were cold under their fingers, yet contained the warmth of ancient stories. Statues of proud warriors, armed and steadfast, seemed to watch them with impassive expressions, yet Aerith felt as if their eyes followed every movement, understanding the fear and vulnerability behind Zackâs smile.
âYou knowâŚâ Aerith murmured, breaking the silence, âI think they like that we remember them. Not just their battles, but⌠who they were.â
Zack turned to her, struck by the truth in her words. He felt his shoulders relax slightly. âYes⌠youâre right. And itâs an honor to walk here with you, toâŚâ He paused, searching for the right words. âTo share this moment.â
Aerith smiled, and that smile was a flash of light in the shadow of the ancient walls. She placed her hand in his, and the simple contact sent tiny invisible sparks through the air between them. The temple seemed to envelop them, not in cold silence, but in a gentle, persistent melody, each bell ringing like an echo of their emotions.
They finally reached the heart of the sanctuary, a small clearing surrounded by carved stones and unlit torches. The ground was covered in a carpet of green moss, and the air carried the scent of recent rain and wildflowers. Aerith knelt gently, brushing her fingers over the carvings. âItâs as if every stone has a storyâŚâ she whispered, almost to herself.
Zack knelt beside her, placing his hand over hers. âYes⌠and they speak to us. They remind us that even after death, some things⌠some people⌠remain.â
A soft bell rang at that moment, as if punctuating his words. Zack felt a wave of emotion pass through him, realizing he had never felt such a connection, with the world or with anyone else. Aerith looked up at him, and he saw a mixture of serenity and wonder in her eyes, as if she could see the protective souls dancing in the golden rays of the setting sun.
âZackâŚâ she murmured. âI think they love us. Theyâre happy to see us here, together.â
He smiled softly, and just seeing her like that made him feel more alive than he had in years. âMe too, Aerith. Me too.â
Their closeness became natural, almost instinctive. Zackâs fingers brushed Aerithâs hair, and she tilted her head slightly, a playful yet tender smile on her lips. The wind made the bells vibrate once more, and this time the sound seemed to wrap them in a bubble where only their bond mattered.
Time stretched, each second resonating in the mountainâs silence, and Zack knew this moment would be etched in his memory forever. There was no sound of war, no imminent danger, only the breath of the wind, the chiming of bells, and the echoes of benevolent souls.
âDo you thinkâŚâ Zack began hesitantly, âthose who have left would like to see what weâre becoming?â
Aerith smiled, placing a hand on her heart. âI think they would be proud. And happy to know we support each other, even after everything weâve been through.â
One last bell rang, like a farewell or a blessing, and Zack felt warmth flow through him, a mix of peace and strength. He knew that here, in this mountainside sanctuary, they had found something rare: a connection that transcended time, an echo of warriors past guiding them, and most importantly, a spark of light between them, fragile yet incandescent.
They remained there, side by side, watching the sun disappear behind the mountains. Shadows stretched, and stars began to pierce the night sky. Every bell, every breeze, every vibration seemed to whisper the same message: some sparks never die, and sincere bonds endure across ages.
Zack slid his arm around Aerithâs shoulders, drawing her closer without a word. She leaned into him, a soft sigh escaping her lips, as if the wind itself approved of their closeness. The bells continued their gentle chorus, the sound mingling with the rhythm of their hearts, each echo carrying the weight of memory, courage, and hope.
For a long moment, they simply stood there, letting the silence speak for them. Zack could feel the warmth of her presence against him, the subtle rise and fall of her breathing, and a peace he hadnât known in years settled in his chest. It was as if the souls of the fallen warriors, once silent and forgotten, now celebrated life itself through this shared, quiet intimacy.
Aerith tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes reflecting the first glimmers of starlight. âDo you think theyâre smiling at us?â she whispered.
Zackâs lips curved into a gentle smile. âI think they are. And maybe⌠maybe theyâre reminding us that even in the darkest times, we can find light. We can find each other.â
The temple seemed to breathe along with them, shadows stretching and retreating like gentle waves. The ancient stones glimmered under the moonlight, and the wind carried a melody both mournful and sweet. It was a song of endurance, of memory, and of bonds that survive even death.
Aerith rested her head against his chest, letting herself be enveloped in the quiet safety of the moment. Zack closed his eyes briefly, feeling the energy of the mountain, the whispers of the bells, and the lingering presence of those who had come before them. It was a harmony of past and present, a reminder that every life leaves its mark, every struggle matters, and every connection holds power beyond comprehension.
Finally, as the first stars appeared like scattered gems above the temple, Zack spoke softly, almost to himself: âWeâre not alone⌠and maybe we never were. Not truly.â
Aerith lifted her face, eyes glimmering with unshed tears, and whispered, âAnd we never will be. Not if we remember them⌠and each other.â
They stayed like that, wrapped in the arms of time and memory, until the night deepened and the mountain breeze turned cooler. Slowly, reluctantly, they began to move back toward the path that would lead them home. Yet the echo of the bells, the gentle presence of the fallen, and the warmth of their bond lingered, marking this moment as timeless.
In that sacred place, between the living and the echoes of the past, Zack and Aerith had discovered something enduringâa connection that no war, no loss, no passage of years could ever fully erase. And as they walked down the mountainside, the stars above seemed to shine just a little brighter, as if honoring both the living and those who had long since departed.
The wind carried one final chime of the bells as they left the clearing, a farewell from the souls who had watched over them, a promise that even afterlife echoes could touch the hearts of the living, guiding them toward light, peace, and the fragile, enduring beauty of shared moments.
Summary: Zack and Aerith are on the run, and he takes her to Icicle Inn so she can learn more about her past. The discoveries they make while snowed in together bring them even closer.
The wind howled ferociously outside and the snowflakes blew sideways as a blizzard descended on the town of Icicle Inn. A lone shack on the outskirts of town sheltered two fugitives, the last Cetra and her ex-SOLDIER companion.
Zack had promised to show Aerith the world, and he wanted to make good on his vow. This cold, icy land was a silent testament to unspoken secrets and ancient mysteries, so it was high on her list of places she wanted to visit. The connection to her past, her people, called to her like a siren, and he was curious about this placeâs secrets, too.
Aerith coaxed a fire out of the dingy old fireplace in the corner as the creaky door flew open, revealing a very wet and cold Zack bearing more firewood. This place was the opposite of the warm jungle he'd grown up in, and boy did he wish he was in Gongaga right now.
Still, being with Aerith was worth the icy misery. And as convenient as it would have been, staying at the lodge was too risky, so this was the best they could do. Besides, theyâd made an important discovery today, a treasure trove of videos left by her parents in an old lab. Her father was a professor and her mother knew things about the Cetra not even Aerith did. There were still a couple more videos left to watch, which theyâd snatched and brought here right before the snowstorm had descended.
Together they got a good hearty stew going over the fire, and as Aerith tended it, Zack stripped his outerwear off to dry and then set up the video equipment. It wasn't so different from his parentsâ old camcorder, and he fondly remembered playing back the tapes encapsulating his childhood and reminiscing on the past.
Now it was Aerithâs turn to walk down memory lane. As she snuggled up to him, piping hot bowls of stew in hand, he draped a blanket over her. They ate the delicious stew in silence, then he started playing the last couple of videos. As the grainy footage played out before them, he watched her more than he watched the videos. The affectionate smile on her face, her light laughter here and there, the tears shimmering in her green eyes as she saw her parents in a brand new light.
When Ifalna switched from calling Gast âprofessorâ to âhoneyâ and âdarling,â Zack wondered if Aerith would call him an affectionate nickname like that someday. Then her parents discussed Aerithâs name, and to Zackâs surprise, Gast had been the one to choose it. For some reason heâd always assumed it was her Cetra parent who had given it to her, but nope.
Maybe Gast had taught himself enough about Cetra culture to know a good name for their daughter, impressing Ifalna with what heâd learned.
Aerithâs parents also teased and bantered with each other in a way that reminded Zack of how he and Aerith flirted with each other, and then Ifalna mentioned something about how she sensed Aerith was different.
âWow, even back then my mom knew I was a complete weirdo,â Aerith said, her lips twitching.
Zack chuckled. âI don't think she meant you were weird. I think she meant you were special.â
âIn more ways than one, that's for sure.â
The video continued. Gast swore to protect Ifalna and Aerith. He called them his beloved treasures. A few tears slipped down Aerithâs cheeks, and she hurriedly wiped them away. Then her mother said she was happy, that if she hadn't met her fatherâ
All too soon, Hojo invaded. As if Zack and Aerith didnât already have enough reasons to loathe the man. He ordered for the camera to be shot, and the video feed cut off. All that was left was audio, and it was going nowhere good. Zack stopped the recording, but Aerith shook her head and put her trembling hand over his.
âNo, I want to listen to the end. Itâs the least I can do for them.â
He nodded, understanding. Some things you couldn't turn away from, even if you knew they would haunt you forever.
Aerith bravely listened as her father got shot and her mother cried out and her younger self sobbed and screamed. Then that, too, shut off.
Yet another memory Hojo and Shinra had ruined and stolen from Aerith. Empty static filled the shack. There were no more videos to watch.
The grief and shock over what Aerith had just witnessed was obvious from her expression. âThey tried to shoot you,â she finally mumbled, her eyes a thousand miles away, âso of course they shot him, too. Guns, why is it always gunsâŚâ She looked at him, her gaze focusing, her lip trembling and eyes shimmering with tears as she tried so very hard to be brave. âIâm glad it was quick at least. I wouldnât have wanted him to suffer, and I know Mom wouldnât have wanted him to suffer, either. She had to suffer for so long, and Iâm just glad he didnât, too.â
Zackâs heart ached for her. âOh Aerith, Iâm so sorry.â He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
His compassion made her come undone. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed. She was normally so carefully playful, so sweetly guarded, hiding her pain behind a smile. This was an Aerith completely unmasked and raw and vulnerable, finally allowing herself to rage and grieve, for her father and her mother and herself all at once, and all he could do was be her anchor in the storm. He caught muffled snippets of an expletive-filled tirade featuring the very best of Midgarâs colorful slum vocabulary interspersed with crying before she calmed down enough to speak normally again.
It was more than understandable. Hojo and Shinra were enough to make even the sweetest of church girls swear like a sailor.
Zack said nothing, just held her and gently stroked her arm as she kept processing. She spoke of several things, of how she should be crying more or harder or longer but was now more angry than anything, before landing on the topic of Hojo.
âI thinkâŚI think he was jealous. Of my dad.â She chuckled, but there was no real joy in the sound. âHe was jealous my dad got to do all that research with the last Cetra. Research he thought he deserved to do instead. And I think he was jealous she fell in love with my father and had me. Hojo wouldâve wanted it to be him, not because he cared about my mother, but because of his big stupid ego and delusional god complex.â
âSounds about right,â Zack muttered, dark thoughts swirling through his head. Whose life hadnât that asshole ruined?
âBut I canâtâŚI canât focus on Hojo too much, or Iâll be angry forever,â Aerith said, clenching and unclenching his shirt. âAnd thatâs not what my parents would want for me. ThatâsâŚnot what I want for myself, either. I donât want what he did to define me.â
âIt wonât,â Zack said, planting a tender kiss on her soft brown hair, and she gave him a knowing look. He was in a better position than most to reassure her about this.
âI donât regret watching the videos, either,â she said. âI know it was a lot, but Iâm glad I watched them. I learned so much about my parents.â She laughed lightly through her tears. âMy dad must've been one hell of a scientist for Hojo to be that threatened.â
âDamn straight he was. Wish I couldâve met the guy.â And Zack meant it. Imagine how differently things mightâve gone if Gast had been in charge of making men into SOLDIERs instead of Hojo. Of course, Gast also clearly had a conscience, so the moment he realized SOLDIERs were getting Mako poisoning from the experimentation, he probably would've put a halt to it, and Shinra wouldn't have stood for that.
âAnd it was nice to see my mom so happy,â Aerith added, her voice still a little shaky as she wiped her eyes. âI think that was the first time I've ever seen her like that. She was so sad when I knew her, even during the happy moments, and for good reason. I'm glad to know she had at least a little joy in her life, even if it was short-lived.â
ââCourse she was happy. She had you.â
âMe and my dad,â Aerith corrected. âI don't remember him at all. Watching these videos was the first time Iâd ever seen his face or heard his voice. He was so curious but really warm and loving, too.â She smiled to herself. âI guess I know where I get my curious streak from now. My desire to see the world and experience everything I can.â She looked at Zack again. âIs it bad, Zack? Is it bad that I'm so used to scientists hurting people that it's a shock to see a good scientist who really cared about my mother's welfare? No wonder she fell in love with him.â
âIâm glad she did, otherwise we never would've met.â His face fell, and he sighed deeply. âI just wish things had turned out better for the both of them. What Hojo and Shinra did to them was terrible.â
âYeah, it was.â Aerithâs eyes clouded over with pain and anger to rival the storm raging outside, but when she looked at him again, the pain and anger melted into affection. âThank you, Zack, for bringing me here. To think, this is where my parents fell in love and had me. Where they made some of their happiest memories together. Cetra or not, itâs not every day I get to hear a message from them from beyond the grave.â
âOf course. I'm glad we stumbled on these videos so you could see what they were like. They werenât so different from us, really.â
âYeah, I see the parallels. The last Cetra falling for a Shinra employee of all people. It feels like a tragic fairytale, doesnât it? Starcrossed lovers who have to fight fate to be together,â Aerith said, her voice taking on the musical tones of a storyteller.
âThat Shinra employee fell just as hard for the last Cetra,â Zack said softly. âAnd heâs not a Shinra employee anymore.â
âTrue.â She smiled sadly. âI'm hardly the only one who's suffered. Youâve been through so much, Zack, and Iâm sorry your life has been hard, too.â
He shrugged. âMaybe itâs been hard, but itâs also been beautiful. Iâll take the hardship if it means I get all the beautiful moments.â
She nodded. âI know what you mean. The hard moments suck, butâŚthey donât erase the beautiful ones.â
âExactly.â He sighed and scratched his head. âThough to be honest, telling myself that is more like a coping mechanism than anything,â he admitted. âI can't change the past, as much as I would like to, so I try to make the best of what Iâve got.â
âLetâs do that here, then. Whatâs your takeaway from this situation?â
âThat your parents really love you. I hope you can take comfort in that.â
She tilted her head like a curious bird. âLove, huh? You don't think they're really gone?â
The way she was looking at him, he knew he had to get this right. He gently grasped her hand, and she wove their fingers together.
âThey live on in you, Aerith,â he said at last. âYou're their living legacy, their little angel, their beloved treasure, and I know they'd be proud of you. Maybe we really do return to the Lifestream when we die, like what you told me happened to your mom, but I don't think we ever lose what makes us us. I don't think we lose our bonds with other people.â He searched his memories for an example. âTake my mentor AngealâŚI know he's gone, but I feel like he's watching over me sometimes. I don't have any proof or evidence or anything, just this gut feeling heâs looking out for me.â
Her expression softened. âYeah, I think you're right. Our loved ones live on in us. I want to honor their memory and have a memory worth honoring someday.â
âTrust me, Aerith, you already do,â he murmured.
Her breath caught, and she looked at him with doe eyes. He smiled and leaned close, staring into her eyes and daring her to stare right back, and she giggled and rose to his challenge, leaning a little closer. His grin got bigger and he moved so close they were practically kissing. She laughed and cupped his face, then kissed him in a way that took his breath away and made the pain of the past lose a little of its sharp edges.
His arms went around her as he deepened the kiss. When he was with her, he was at peace. Safe. Home.
She adjusted her position so she could sit on his lap, and the remaining stew and even the storm outside were quite forgotten as they kept kissing with a hunger and eagerness he hadnât expected. Something about being stuck in this cozy shack during a blizzard together, opening up about their traumas and memories and feelings, must be doing things to both of them. Or maybe theyâd waited so long to be together that their feelings were spilling out all at once like an avalanche.
He would've been happy to make out with her forever, but after a while she pulled back, her pupils dilated and chest heaving and lips pink as she panted for breath.
âWoah,â he mumbled, oh-so-eloquently because sheâd just reduced his brain to mush.
A playful smile twitched on her lips. âI just wanted to say thank you,â she said as she traced the scars on his cheek. âMy darling.â
He grinned right back at her, his heart leaping in his chest. âYouâre welcome, my angel. Or would you prefer âbeloved treasure?ââ
She tapped her face and pretended to be deep in thought. âHmmm, now that's a tough one. I do like hearing I'm your beloved treasure, but, considering how we met, âmy angelâ feels more fitting for the two of us, don't you think?â She tilted her head in that adorable Aerith fashion. âSince you confused me for an angel and all.â
He kissed her cheek and smiled. âMy angel it is, then.â
As they hunkered down for the night, cuddling together under several layers of blankets next to the warm, crackling fire as the snowstorm raged on outside, Zack was once again glad that heâd brought her here. Not only had she learned more about her past, he had learned more about her family and her as a person, and the two of them had also learned more about each other. He felt even closer to her for it. Yes, the past would haunt them still, but together they would keep facing the ghosts.
And more than that. Every day was a new adventure with her, and he couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
âď¸ đ đş
A/N: Aerith and Zack are two characters who have been through so much yet still find the joy in living. Itâs a good reminder to make the most of every day, and I wanted to write something about that idea, that despite everything theyâve been through, they donât lose hope and keep going. I first got the idea to write about the Icicle Inn visit and the two of them finding out about Aerithâs parents last year, and I was happy to see a prompt for Icicle Inn for this yearâs event. I also just really wanted to write some fluff about them snowed in and cuddling lol.
𩷠Afterlife Echoes: Reunions, reincarnations, or perhaps a happy ever after in a different reality? Take your pick!
đ Icicle Inn: As their travels bring them to the frigid northern continent, what items do Zack and Aerith have in their itinerary for this winter wonderland?
Mention us in your post and use the tags #zerithweek and #zerithweek2025 in the first five tags~
Fandom : Final fantasy VII | Pairing : Zack Fair / Aerith Gainsborough | Notes : written for @zerith-week 2025 | Theme : Day 6; Energy Sparks (Gongaga)
Summary: In the humid, tropical streets of Gongaga, Zack and Aerith explore the city together, their steps echoing through puddles and flickering Mako lights. As sparks from the reactor jump around them, their playful touches and shared glances ignite an emotional current, turning the phenomenon into a symbol of their growing bond. Amidst the electric atmosphere, every gesture and whispered word draws them closer, making their connection feel both fragile and irresistibly alive.
The humidity of Gongaga wrapped around them like a wet blanket, blending the scent of salt, hot metal, and tropical greenery. The puddles on the ground reflected the flickering neon lights, and with every step Zack took, the water barely splashed, leaving behind a trail that shimmered. Aerith walked beside him, occasionally brushing against the worn walls, her fingers grazing the warm stone as if trying to capture its soul.
â Do you think⌠these sparks⌠can feel something? she asked, looking up at the softly crackling cables.
â Sparks⌠with feelings? Zack joked, but his gaze never left hers.
A soft laugh escaped Aerith, and a shiver ran down her spine when a bluish spark jumped between them, almost like a wink from the Mako reactor. Zack reached out hesitantly and placed his hand over hers. A gentle, almost electric jolt ran through their fingers.
â Hey! she exclaimed, surprised and amused.
â I told you it might sting, he replied with a crooked smile, his thumb brushing the back of her hand.
They walked like that, closer than ever, letting the rustle of leaves and the crackle of wires become an intimate whisper. Each spark seemed to capture a fragment of their bond, vibrating with the force of a fragile but already intense connection.
â You know⌠Aerith whispered, her voice almost lost in the heat and tension, Iâve never felt this before.
â Me neither, Zack admitted, offering her his shoulder to lean on for a moment. The sparks around them⌠theyâre a bit like us, arenât they? Wild, unpredictable⌠and a little dangerous.
A flash of Mako lit their faces, revealing nervous smiles and shared shivers. Aerith felt her heart pounding faster, and without thinking, she lifted her hand to brush Zackâs cheek.
â Youâre burning, she said softly, and Zack let out a quiet laugh that made the air around them hum.
â If itâs you lighting the fire, I wonât complain, he replied, leaning his forehead against hers.
The wind picked up, rustling leaves and electric wires. The reactorâs flashes reflected in their eyes, as if Gongaga itself was joining their secret dance. The sparks in the air were no longer just Mako discharges: they were their emotions laid bare, their fragile yet irresistible attraction.
â Hold my hand again, Aerith whispered, almost trembling.
â Always, Zack said, squeezing her fingers gently.
They walked side by side, their gestures and glances intertwining, making the air around them vibrate. The cityâs whispers, the crackling wires, the tropical humidity⌠all merged into a silent symphony, a promise that some encounters are destined to ignite sparks in the heart, to turn the ordinary into magic, and a single moment into eternity.
