Zack Fair's survival is one of those 'what if' scenarios that hit me right in the feels every time I stumble upon it in fanworks. There's this one fic called 'Lullaby for the Living' that absolutely wrecked me—it reimagines Zack barely making it out of that infamous confrontation, wounded but alive, and stumbling back into Midgar with Cloud in tow. The author nails the emotional whiplash of his return, especially how it fractures the timeline's expectations. Tifa's reaction? Heartbreakingly tender. The story digs into Zack's PTSD too, which most fics gloss over, and his dynamic with a guilt-ridden Cloud is pure gold.
Another gem is 'SOLDIER's Ghost,' where Zack survives but loses his memories, winding up as a drifter in Sector 5. The slow burn of him piecing together his past while Aerith unknowingly crosses paths with him is chef's kiss. The author weaves in original lyrics for the song Aerith hums at the church, which is such a thoughtful touch. It's less action-packed and more introspective, focusing on identity and second chances—something I didn't know I needed until I read it.