Title: Be My Future?

Summary: Cloud just lost his twin, his older brother is too protective, and his best friend is distancing himself literally. The blonde is having problems learning to trust without being completely crushed by others, but then Zack comes along and takes a genuine interest. Will Cloud be able to open up? A Zloud (Zack x Cloud) fiction! Other side pairings, but Zloud being the main one. (Again I will get Zloud to stick one of these days! It's my rule the world mission!) Just so you all know this is an AU, nothing to do with the games only the characters.

Author's Note: I do not own anything in this fiction besides basic plot line. Everything belongs to Square Enix and the Final Fantasy Franchise. There are also some Kingdom Hearts Characters. Hope you all enjoy! I told you I would be ruling this tab.

It Began With You…..

The empty bed taunted him from the other side of the room. They were all hoping he would get over it and clean the room out, take down all of Roxas' belongings but he couldn't. There was no way he could get rid of Roxas' things just yet. Closing his eyes he lay down on his bed trying to block out the sounds of the drunken idiots downstairs.

It would be ten minutes before Leon was up the stairs and knocking on his damn door. He would walk in whether Cloud wanted him to or not, and then he would sit on the end of the bed and try to talk to him, but by this point Cloud would be angry and frustrated and he would push Leon away, make him leave, and then tell him to leave him alone. From there he would be left alone for approximately ten hours and then the process would start again.

He heard footsteps in the hall and more than once voice. Seifer and Hayner were probably with Leon. Why would they come upstairs? To torment him? Closing his eyes he tried to pretend he was sleeping, but Seifer collapsed on top of him laughing his ass off.

"Cloud! Wake up and come drink with us! We need some childish entertainment; you always provide that for us!"

Leon crossed his arms skeptically before jerking his best friend off his younger brother, "Seifer, watch what you're doing before I hurt you." Leon was too over protective, and sometimes he made his life hell, okay most of the time he made his life hell.

"Guys, I don't think we should be messing with him if he's asleep. Let him relax, alright?" That was a voice he didn't know. Cloud sat up and rubbed his eyes scowling at the three men in his room.

"Leon, since when did the party move to my room?"

Leon looked at his younger brother apologetically, "I had a real reason to come in here, but I forgot what it was. Seifer distracted me."

A raven haired man stood on the other side of the room, close to Roxas' bed. He looked around curiously before his eyes landed on Cloud. He had the bluest eyes in the whole world. Leon smirked as he watched his younger brother stare quizzically at the new recruit of his friends.

"You remember Zack don't you, Cloud? He used to live next door when you were six. Roxas used to…." Leon quickly trailed off as Cloud winced at the name. "So Zack, how long are you in town for?"

The quick subject change was too obvious and not subtle. It made Seifer tense and sit up on the bed while staring absently at the wall. Cloud watched Zack for some type of reaction, but he didn't seem to give any type of notice as to what was going on.

"I'm moving back in across the street. My mom needs some help considering her surgery and it just seemed convenient."

"Great, so not only is the gangster two doors down, but now you're going to be across the street. This is not going to be fun." Cloud muttered softly.

Zack popped a smile and moved over to the bed sitting across from Seifer. "Hey, we used to have a lot of fun together! I bet we can continue the same course of action. Where is Roxas anyway?"

How had he not heard? Cloud felt the tears build and he looked down at the bed scowling, "Leon get the fuck out of my room! And take your goonies with you."

Seifer stood and exited quickly not wanting this half of the conversation. Leon drug Zack out by his ear making the other wince and yelp the whole way out of the room. Once the door closed he heard hushed whispers, probably explaining how shitty of a brother he had been. Cloud let the tears slip down his cheeks as he curled into his blanket and closed his eyes. He just wanted the bad things to go away, he just wanted to sleep.

The next morning, Cloud woke up to a stomachache. He checked the time and groaned when it read five in the morning. He was never up this early, what the hell? He had dreamt of him again though, and he sent one last longing look at the bed that Roxas had slept in not too long ago.

Slipping out of bed he groaned slightly and headed out of his room and down the hall. As he slipped into the living room he felt along the wall for a light switch. As he flicked it on he heard Seifer mutter curses under his breath.

"Turn it off kid or you're losing a hand."

Cloud quickly obliged and felt his way down the hall only stubbing his toe once. He listened for sounds of his mother, and when he heard only silence he figured she was gone again. She left for work pretty early in the morning most of the time. As he entered the kitchen he climbed onto the counter to grab a mug from the top shelf so he could make tea.

Green tea always made his stomach aches go away even if he didn't like the taste. Looking around he stuck a cup of water in the microwave and propped himself up on the counter with a fist. Leon and his friends had passed out in the living room yet again. Someone needed to parent those boys.

"Hey, I'm sorry about last night." A voice made Cloud jump and look up. Zack was sitting at the table drinking some coffee. Why the hell was he awake? "No one had told me and I sounded insensitive. I am really, sorry Cloud."

The blonde blinked slightly and looked away shrugging, "Not your fault, so don't worry about it."

Zack wasn't sure what else he could say, so he sipped his coffee silently. Cloud seemed tense, uncomfortable. How had he wormed his way into his brother's group of friends again? Leon was acting like Zack and he were the best of friends.

"You and Leon seem to be hitting it off really well."

Zack shrugged, "It's because my girlfriend is like your older sister." His eyes glimmered dangerously.

Wait….Aerith? Since when did she have a boyfriend though? Why hadn't she ever mentioned him? Cloud narrowed his eyes as he stared at Zack, "Aerith?"

"Yep. We've been dating for over a year now. I thought she would have told at least you! Man, I can see how much attention I get when I'm not around her." Zack pretended to pout as he stirred his coffee. "Oh well, that's what happens in a long distance relationship."

"So Leon likes you because you're dating Aerith?" Cloud spoke slowly to try and make sense of that. Wouldn't Leon like him less being the protective man that he is?

Zack shrugged and met Cloud's gaze again, "Leon likes me because Aerith likes me and is genuinely happy. That's why Leon likes me."

It made some sort of sense. Nodding Cloud shrugged and sipped his tea. His stomach ache was already, slightly, going away. Zack stirred his coffee some before yawning and leaning back in the wooden chair and crossing his arms against his chest. He seemed to be done with the conversation, good. Cloud gathered his cup and started to walk out of the room.

"Hey Cloud, can I ask a question?" His pause told Zack to continue. "How did Roxas…how did he kill himself?"

Cloud's heart raced at the sudden question. So, no one had told him how it had happened then? Without missing a beat he walked down the hall shaking his head, "I don't believe that's any of your business."

Zack stared after the blonde sullenly. He hadn't expected a real answer from him, not really. Leon had told him he wouldn't speak the boy's name, but he had been hoping that maybe he would say something. "Alright, see you around."

Cloud didn't hear of course, he was already halfway to his room. He cradled his cup to his chest as he thought the question again and again. How dare he ask Cloud how his brother killed himself, what kind of man did that? Wasn't it bad enough to have had to sit through the funeral, to have found him, to cry for him every night? Clenching the cup he grit his teeth and slammed his bedroom door shut hearing the groans from downstairs. He didn't even get to leave for school yet, it was too early.

Throwing a clean pair of clothes on, he plugged his headphones into his iPod and lay down on his bed blasting the music through the small speakers. He didn't hear Leon and the others getting ready for school, he didn't hear the knock on his door asking if he was ready, and he didn't hear the cars leave the driveway. By the time he realized he had to be at school he only had ten minutes, and by then he just didn't feel like going anymore.

Cloud turned his music off and stared at the empty bed across the room silently. He spent most of his time looking at the damn thing. Wincing he stood when there was a knock on his bedroom door. Was it already noon?

As he opened the door a brunette shoved his hand in the others face making him fall back on his ass. "Hey Cloud! You weren't at school today and Leon told me you were sick. You don't look sick to me."

"He must have been confusing me with someone else then." Cloud muttered rubbing the back of his neck, taking the outstretched hand that had been offered to help him up. "Why aren't you in school?"

Sora smiled softly, "The last few days here I wanted to spend with you. When you didn't show up for school I had to come to you."

Sora was moving; his best friend of ten years was moving and leaving him alone. Staring at the brunette he shrugged after a moment and beckoned him into the room. The soft blue eyes wavered over the empty bed before he beamed and grabbed Cloud's wrist.

"No! We're going to eat! I'm starving." He dropped his school bag by the wall and ran down the stairs, tugging Cloud along. "I left at lunch and I skipped breakfast."

"Stop waking up late and you wouldn't have to skip." Cloud surveyed the sky. It looked like it was going to rain any minute. "Where are we going?"

"The ice cream shop. It's our favorite place and always makes me smile." Lately it hadn't made either of them smile.

The blonde chose not to say this though as they walked. Sora talked on and on like he normally would, but Cloud could hear the strain in his voice. "You won't forget about me just because you move right?"

"Of course not, Cloud. Why would I ever forget you?" Sora blinked innocently. He knew he was the closest thing Cloud had to sanity right now, and he didn't plan on ruining that entirely.

They were silent for a while and when they reached their destination Sora pulled his wallet out. This was the perfect way to spend his last pay check. Grinning he ordered the usual treats and handed one off to Cloud who kind of just stared at it sullenly.

"Don't look so glum. Things are going to be okay, you know?" The other smiled softly before putting a hand on Cloud's shoulder. "We'll still be best friends. Things will be okay."

Why didn't Cloud feel like things were going to be okay then? He managed a small smile for Sora's sake and nodded anyway. "You know I'll be okay." If he could survive Roxas then he could survive just about anything, right?

They ate their ice cream and talked about the little things here and there. When they got back to Cloud's house Seifer was there awaiting their arrival. Sora hated Seifer with a burning passion. He despised him more then he despised their psychotic science teacher, Mr. Vexen. And that was saying something big right there.

"Where've you two been?" Seifer snarled. "We've been waiting for you to bring Cloud back; Leon is having a shit fit."

Sora scowled, "I took him out to ice cream. Not my fault I like to spend time with my friends before I leave." Seifer cursed under his breath before shoving the both of them inside. "Leon, we're back! I took Cloud out today."

Leon came down the hall rather quickly. His face was impassive but his body was tense. Cloud knew the signs of worry on that man's face. "I should have texted you, but I didn't think about it, sorry."

He knew the signs of a lecture, but he was happily surprised when his older brother sighed. "I should have figured you were with Sora. Sorry I overreacted." Leon was apologizing for freaking out? Who died? Oh right, Roxas.

Cloud rolled his eyes at his own sense of humor. "Call Zack and Hayner and tell them he is home. They can come back now."

Cloud blushed angrily as Leon barked at Seifer. He was acting like a military general. "You had your friends out looking for me? What kind of sick joke is that, Leon? I'm not a damn child, stop acting like I am! I'm sixteen alright?"

"Yeah and I'm eighteen. My job is to worry about you, so stop complaining before I go into lecture mode."

He didn't want one of those, but that didn't quell the surge of anger roaring through his chest. How could Leon think he could treat him like a child that needed babysitting? Sora rubbed the back of his neck before patting Cloud on the shoulder. "I'm going to head home. Mom wants me to help pack and what not. Come to class tomorrow so we can hang out some."

"Yeah okay." Though Cloud's eyes didn't leave Leon's even as he spoke to Sora. "Don't forget your bag in my room."

Sora bounded up the stairs and back down in less than ten seconds. Yeah right, like he would forget his bag at someone's house. His school bag was one of his most treasured possessions for unknown reasons. Waving he headed out the front door as Zack and Hayner walked in. Great, the four amigos were here to make his life total hell.

"Glad we found him!" Zack chimed excitedly patting Cloud on the back. "Where did you disappear to, huh?"

"You can all go to hell." Cloud growled storming up to his room. He had lost his fight with Leon after all. "Just leave me alone, Leon!" He loved his brother but at the same time he despised him. Why couldn't Leon just back off for once in his life? It's not like it was his fault Roxas decided to off himself, no it was Cloud's.

Leon acted like he could have prevented the worst, but there was no way in hell he could have. It had all been Cloud's fault, so he needed to back off before Cloud gave him a piece of his mind. Oh wait, he'd already tried that hadn't he? Damn.

He didn't get his door shut before Zack was standing there. "Hey, are you going to come to the ocean with us this weekend?"

"Why would I do that? I actually enjoy it when Leon is gone because then I don't have someone telling me what to do all the damn time."

Zack grinned before waving a hand in the air. This one was a little tense wasn't he? "Are you always so closed off, Cloud?"

"Yes."

Good to know. "Then I bid you good night." Zack bowed his head, turned on his heel, and walked down the hall.

Why the hell would he want to sit with a temperamental teenager? Cloud felt slightly bad for being so mean and cold, but then again the last few people he had trusted screwed him over. Sora was leaving and Roxas had checked out way too early for his liking. Great, now how was he going to fix this shitty feeling he had?

Leon and his friends were loud for hours. They were up all night drinking, partying, and doing everything they could to keep Cloud up. The blonde lay awake in bed wondering if he was ever going to sleep again. When things finally quieted down it was about four in the morning. Cloud was beyond tired, but his mind wouldn't let him sleep and sitting in here with Roxas' bed wasn't helping any. It was only Thursday; they should not be drinking on a school night.

Cloud watched the bed across from him before getting out of his own and heading down the stairs. He didn't want to sleep in his room anymore; he didn't want to be here anymore. Going into Leon's room he scanned it for the group of idiots, but no one was in there much to his disappointment. Why wasn't Leon ever there when he needed him?

When Roxas and Cloud were little they used to crawl into bed with their big brother when they got scared, but since the incident Leon hardly slept in his bed anymore. He was always downstairs on the couch. Sighing Cloud stepped back and ran into something hard making him jump.

"Sorry." Zack. "I was looking for a bed. Seifer kicked me off the couch." The black haired man rubbed his intense blue eyes sleepily with a groan. "My head is killing me." His voice was almost a whimper.

"You can sleep in Leon's bed; he hardly uses it anyway." Cloud muttered quickly shrugging. "You can go back to sleep."

Cloud was vaguely aware that he was still standing against Zack. He looked up slightly and the other smirked down at him. "Are you sure he won't be pissed if I do that?"

"Nah." Who the hell cared? It wasn't like Leon was one for not sharing anyway. Zack nodded and yawned again moving past Cloud making the boy shiver unintentionally. That man was warmer then he looked.

The other looked back at the smaller male and grinned. "Cold?"

Cloud wanted to step forward and say something to him, but instead he shrugged and walked off. His actions towards Zack had already proved to be interesting, so he wasn't going to push his luck on staying away from people. Today was Sora's last day, so he was going to focus on his best friend.

Zack collapsed on Leon's bed and closed his eyes instantly. It wasn't bright out but his head was killing him. After class today they were going to the ocean, and that was where his thoughts were focused. Tomorrow night he would be with his boys and girlfriend in heaven.

"Cloud, are you sure you want to come with me to the port? You don't have too." Sora kicked his feet lazily. They were sitting on a bench in the park.

Cloud didn't want to, but he knew he had to. Sora was his best friend and who the hell knew if they would ever see each other again. "I'm fine, plus if this is the last chance I can see you I will make full use of it."

Sora nodded and chewed his lip before entwining his hand with the others. It was a measure he took when he was nervous and unsure of himself. "I'm going to miss you."

"Yeah me too."

They didn't speak for a while and then Sora leaned over and kissed Cloud on the cheek. The other raised an eyebrow and looked at the brown haired kid. "I don't want you to come, Cloud; I can't see you be all sad for me. I want to remember you happy, so will you please stay?"

Cloud as surprised but secretly relieved. He hadn't wanted to go either. "Oh." He didn't know what else he could say besides that. "Okay then."

"Don't be disappointed, please….I just…don't want you sad because of me."

Cloud managed a weak smile for his best friend, "Don't worry Sora, I won't be sad. Have a good flight."

The boy nodded and shook his friends' hand as the family pulled up. "Come on Sora, we're late!"

The brunette nodded and gave Cloud a quick, chaste kiss on the lips before running off. "Good bye Cloud, I'll call you as soon as I can!"

The other nodded and watched his best friend of ten years disappear into a car and then down the street. Sighing he wrapped his arms around himself with a frown. Well, there goes the rest of his life. What was he going to do now?

"Goodbye Sora….good luck."

A/N

Alright one chapter down! What do you all think so far? Not much has happened and we don't know much plot wise, but it's kinda getting there.