12.00

I own nothing but the plot.

T for safe, Zack/Cloud implied, grammar mistakes playing hide and seek. Drabble fic, kinda…

First fic in this fandom (even though I've read lots of fics here and read Yubinbasya doujinshis too much), hope you like it.

There was a creaking sound. Cloud half-opened his eyes, still groggy from his sleep. With soft voice, he groaned, "Tifa? What time is it?"

"A quarter to twelve. Still night, by the way."

Cloud knew it wasn't Tifa's voice. It was deep and boyish and shouldn't be here anymore. Not after the tragedy several years ago…

"What are you doing here, Zack?" He didn't dare to open his eyes fully. He was afraid that the dark-haired guy, who was sitting next to his bed and facing him directly with his usual smile, would disappear if he did. That trademark grin too… since when did he started to forget?

"Lovely night, Cloud. Just missing the time we spent together. Remember when we ran away from Angeal's wrath, after we skipped your class?"

Cloud smiled. He did remember that. They had to spend a night camping outside, since Kunsel told them that Angeal was furious. "Correction: you made me skip my class. And yeah—fancy night there."

"Genesis supplied us with marshmallows, since it amused him." Zack rolled his eyes. His light blue eyes which full of energy and life, even though he shouldn't exist anymore in this world. "And the sky was great too. We could see stars shining brightly. If only we could go outside and camp together tonight, we can see the same sky again."

Cloud chuckled softly. He let Zack messing his already messy hair with the same grin.

"You've grown well."

"Hmm…"

"Have you gained height lately?"

"Shut up."

Chuckle. "Hey, Spiky?"

"Yeah?"

"You okay here? Sleep well every day? Eat well?"

Cloud nodded slowly. "Still got nightmare few days ago, though."

"What's that about?"

"—your death."

.

"Lots of soldier lying dead. Blood everywhere. I crawled to you, who was dying…" His eyes were hot. They're tearful. That dream hurts. "…but I couldn't reach you. No matter how many times I tried, no matter how loud I called you, I never reached you."

The grin disappeared. Zack's hand was still on his head, his face next to Cloud's. There's no breath. Zack was cold, but warmth grew inside him whenever he stared into those mesmerizing eyes. Gently, he whispered," Open your eyes, Cloud. Look at me."

"Don't want to."

"Why?"

"You'll disappear to a place where I can't reach."

Zack smiled. "Then go back to sleep. Sorry for waking you."

"…are you going to go again?"

"I don't belong here anymore." He stood up, taking away the warmth Cloud loved so much. "Be a good boy and have a nice dream, okay?"

"And that come from someone who asked me to play truant."

Zack laughed. He started to blur in Cloud's vision. Waving his hands, he walked away from him toward darkness and bid a farewell:

"Live on, Cloud."

The last thing Cloud knew before he went back to sleep was the midnight bell, announcing that it was twelve o'clock already.

.

.

End.