Zack, still having Angeal’s contact in his PHS after Modeoheim.
He calls him every once in a while, just to hear him again. Just to hear the choppy, fuzzy sound of his voice over the voicemail. Just to leave a short, quiet message saying that he’s always thinking of him and hopes that he is proud.
Until one day, as he tries to call his old mentor, the line officially disconnects.
No voicemail, no voice, no Angeal.
And the only thing that’s left is a robotic reminder that the man on the other side no longer exists.
~
When Sephiroth finds Zack crying that night, he isn’t sure what to do. What to say. Just hovers off to the side, watching the broken boy in front of him, and realizing that he simply can’t stand there and do nothing.
He gently asks Zack what’s wrong.
Zack tearily holds up the phone, shows him the extinct contact. Tells him that he lost the last tangible memories he has left of him. That he’s forever gone. That he’ll never, ever hear Angeal’s voice again.
Only Sephiroth says that’s not true.
Zack stares at him, a glistening tear crawling down his cheek. Doesn’t say a word.
And Sephiroth uses the silence to pull out his own PHS, open his messages, and scroll to a voicemail from years prior.
He clicks on it.
Angeal: Hey, Sephiroth, it’s Angeal. I got caught on the train again—don’t think I’ll be back in time to meet my usual training with Zack. Do you mind checking in with him? I know, I know: you probably don’t want to. But please believe me when I say he’s really, really something special. It would mean a lot to me. Oh, and… if you do decide to spare some time for the pup, tell him I’m proud of him… alright? He doesn’t hear it a lot. Anyway, train is leaving now. Thanks, friend. I’ll see you later.
The voicemail ends.
“I admittedly… didn’t want to check-in that day,”Sephiroth says gently, hardly more than a whisper as he tucks the phone back into his pocket. Gazes earnestly at Zack as the boy gazes back in a tearful, numbing silence. “So, please… let me say what I should have said then.”
He places a hand on his friend’s shoulder, voice growing even softer.
“Angeal is so, so very proud of you, Zack. More than words can express…”
He gives a gentle squeeze.
“And so am I.”
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