Cloud gazed at the man in front of him in confusion, at just how protective he really was. It made the blonde feel inadequete, especially when he was capable of protecting himself. Of course, he was mostly out of it at the moment, but that wasn't the point. To him, it made no sense, they hadn't known each other long, and beyond the few things they knew, they were strangers. Yet here they were, Cloud being wheeled around due to a severe case of mako poisoning, with Zack fighting off yet another monster, while most would have left him behind. Maybe five years in the clutches of a deranged scientist did that, Cloud didn't know. Perhaps it made sense to Zack, but to the other it was a complete mystery. So before he could pass out again he decided to ask.
"Zack?" Said man whirled around with a relieved grin.
"Cloud! I'm glad you're ok! I was really worried! Do you need anything?" The blonde rolled his eyes as he struggled to sit up, giving up when the pain was too much.
"Zack." The man regarded the younger with concern, all traces of playfulness lost to the seriousness of the situation. "Why do you care so much? We barely know each other, and you've saved me countless times, treated me like a lifetime friend." The energy he had exerted thus far deteriorated, and Cloud drifted into the clutches of unconciousness.
Zack was silent for several moments before answering. "Because Spiky, we're similar and there's something connecting us, I just don't know what." And with that, he patted his head and left Lazard to watch him once more.
A/N: Takes place before Zack goes into the Depth of Judgements. I still haven't finished Crisis Core. I don't wanna see Zack die lol. This is my reasoning for not finishing. But yeah, this just turned out because really, they don't get to know each other all to well, and Cloud is an adorable little insecure chocobo. Uh, yeah XD Hope you liked it.