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I've liked the pairing of Zack and Aeris for a while. There was just a lot of support in favor of this pairing. For instance, they were a couple in the past. Also, Aeris was likely first drawn to Cloud because he reminded her of Zack. In the date scene between Aeris and Cloud, Aeris even states that she wants to get to know Cloud. To me, this supports the idea that Aeris doesn't like Cloud for who Cloud is but likes Cloud because of his similarities to Zack. The biggest thing that really made me think that Zack and Aeris was meant to be is that Aeris dies in the end of the game. Therefore, Aeris and Zack are both in the Lifestream and they could start again if they wish to. That is if they haven't already by the end of AC.

I didn't care for ZackxAeris at the beginning. I was more focused on Cloud and Tifa, lol. Honestly, I didn't even give the pairing much thought at all. Plus I hated Aeris back then so I didn't care if her boyfriend was Zack but once I grew to respect Aeris, I saw her in a whole different light. Come "The Maiden," and seeing how Aeris reacted towards Zack, I really started considering the couple. Once hints of Crisis Core started showing, I became an instant fan when Aeris went over to hug Zack from behind when he was crying. I thought that was the sweetest thing ever and so here I am. biggrin

And no matter what anyone says, I feel that their destinies are intertwined, that they both have a connection that can't be broken no matter how far apart they are. Lots of evidence in The Maiden and the coming Crisis Core show that. (Plus, the end of AC tells me that they live on together in the Lifestream. biggrin )

Because it fit. Because it all fell together. The first time that Aerith first brought her old boyfriend up, and that Cloud being a SOLDIER 1st was 'just like him', it raised a flag that something was up. Later, in Gongaga, though I did not have Aerith in my party at the time, I knew that the Zack they talked about was somehow important, being a named character we had not met yet, and that his tale would relate to the party in some way, especially the bit about meeting a girlfriend in Midgar.

Then comes disc three, and I'm dicking about in Nibleheim looking for an E. skill. I wander into the basement, and the flashback hits, and that, added with all the information we had before, confirmed what I has been suspecting, that the first boyfriend that Cloud reminded Aerith of, had been that same SOLDIER Cloud had taken up the role of. It helped tie the narrative together and explain a lot of Aerith's behaviour in disc one. Of course CC et all have helped further, but you asked why, and the original game is why.

I have to say that just about everyone else just summed it up for me.
I never really liked the idea of Cloud and Aerith being together at all. I mean, sure, it is kinda cute, but I think Cloud was just a little too messed up in the head. I did however very much fall in love with Zack the moment that he was mentioned. I guess you could call it love at first sight. Ever since then he became my favorite character of all time. Kinda strange I guess, considering there wasn't much known about him except that he was in SOLDIER, he was 1st class, he was Aerith's ex Boyfriend, and that Cloud pretty much based his entire personality off of his. I figured out a bit more as the years went by and my love for the tragic background character grew. I simply can't imagine a better couple in all of FFVII. After beating Crisis Core, I know for a fact that all the time that i spent adoring the couple was all worth it. And yes, Maiden can be mentioned, and I think that the ending on Advent Children pretty much proves it. (if you CAN prove anything as far as relationships go in that game. I dont know... there will always be people who will argue)
Anyways, that's pretty much it.

I like them mainly because they make cute little chibi comics. n.n