Hi everyone! This is a ZackxCloud fic that I was inspired to write by my friend Bloo :) She and her friend Sam did amazing cosplay pics that really got me inspired to writing this fic.

There are no real warnings for this story overall. There will be the occasion kisses and whatnot displayed between Cloud and Zack. Also some violence will be involved. Nothing to drastic though.

This story will be told in Cloud's point of view, okie?

So thanks again Bloo!! -huggles-

On we go!

--begin--

Title: Hiding from the Truth

Chapter Title: Evident Reality

It was the week of the annual SOLDIER end of the year party. Everyone always looked forward to these parties after suffering a tough year of sparring, materia testing and other arduous tasks. I have to admit, this was one of my toughest years yet. Training to stay in SOLDIER was not as easy as I thought it would be, especially since I had just became 3rd class last year.

Being selected as one of the few to move on into SOLDIER 3rd class was the happiest moments of my life. It showed to me that I wasn't weak and that I had potential to become something and do something with myself. I proudly accepted my uniform last June. But now…I have doubts whether I should have accepted this great honor.

After spending the summer in Costa del Sol with the others who were promoted into SOLDIER 3rd class, I entered the school year, better and confident then ever before. I was acing through my classes and even rocked at sparring. Yeah, I was beating those other 3rd class SOLDIERs. People even nicknamed me "The Raving Chocobo".

But after the night in October, I lost confidence in everything. I lost concentration in sparring and even lost interest in materia class, which happened to be my favorite class. The instructor of my sparring class, Instructor Shisou, noticed this change in my behavior and thought it was due to the new "medicine" I was put on. This medication was like no other…practically every member of SOLDIER was given it…but it wasn't the medicine and he soon realized that as well. Materia class was horrible after October. I could not remember any of the combinations and different types and miserably failed the field test.

Finals were no better but at least I passed those. I don't know how I passed but I somehow managed. I did not want to attend the end of the year party. I knew I would get nothing out of it and would probably just get teased by my fellow 3rd class members at how bad I had got at sparring. It was true, after October I wasn't able to defeat a single thing, not even the weakest of enemies, the level one red saucer, which had only 570 HP. I was continuously teased and made fun of, which always lead me to a night of tears and nightmares. I always ended up burying my face in my pillow crying my eyes out about how weak I had become. Ever since that night in October, nothing has been the same. My nightmares were always of that night and I always woke up screaming and panting. I have become extremely secluded, always running to my dorm after classes and just hiding there, not wanting to associate with anyone for the fear of being made fun of.

I was disappointed to hear that there were no missions being held during the summer. I really wanted to sign up and participate in so missions. However, Wutai has been on the down-low for quite some time so ShinRa decided to have the Turks go in and do observation of the people in Wutai and see if there were any plans of an attack. So I knew that summer was going to be quiet and I would need to remain hidden from everyone else. Maybe I should have joined the Turks I thought to myself…

--

I started organizing my books onto my shelf as I needed something to pass the time by. I could hear people down the halls laughing and talking…all of them talking of the end of the year party. Gaia, how angry it made me to keep hearing about this party. I was so furious that I ended up throwing my materia textbook out the window. After a few seconds I heard a big thump and people gasping as the sound came out of nowhere. I looked out the window to see my materia book had landed straight in the metal trash bin. Wow, I guess that really is a sign isn't it? I wanted nothing to do with this year and I wanted to erase every memory of it.

I continued tossing things out the window, even tossed out a couple of level one materia. I continued my rampage until I came across a crumbled piece of paper. I opened the paper and slunched down to the floor as the words haunted me as it had the first time I read it. "Tell a soul…and you'll regret it". Tears slowly formed in my eyes as I read the words over and over, knowing it was in reference to that October night.

I tossed the paper to the side and tears flowed down my face. I hated being reminded of that night. I was sick of the nightmares, sick of everything. I started crying harder, clenching my fists as the tears pooled on the carpet.

I think I remained like that for a couple of hours because I finally opened my eyes and saw that nightfall had engulfed the region and I was lying on the ground. Although it was June, the weather was unusually chilly and I felt myself shaking. I slowly got up to close the window but had extreme difficultly in doing so. My arms felt weak and so did my legs. I ended up falling to the ground only to encounter sleep once more.

--

I heard some noises down the hallway as I started to slowly wake up. I heard several gasps and squeals as I got up and walked to my bed. I plopped myself onto my bed as the chattering got louder and louder. I was confused as to why so much noise was going on so late at night.

Finally I heard a knock on my door. I quickly glanced at the chocobo alarm clock and it read 11:45 PM. I ran my hand through my disheveled hair and got myself out of bed. I heard another knock as I approached the door. I slowly opened the door and I was dumbfounded to see who was standing in my doorway.

My heart started racing and images started flashing through my mind as I continuously stared at this individual. I didn't know what to do or say. This was the person that…he… crimson red…

"Um…hi" the spiky haired individual said while cocking his head sideways, trying to figure what was wrong with me.

I suddenly came back to reality and stupidly apologized and allowed him to come into my room.

He thanked me and smiled in such a way I swear my heart jumped. As I closed the door, I heard people complaining that how upset they were not going to be able to see anything.

I quickly focused my attention on the individual. His beautiful black spiky hair was perfectly flowing with the wind. His muscles were that of a god and I couldn't help to find myself starting to blush. His eyes were gorgeous and flustered blue with mako. I noticed he was talking to me but I couldn't make out the words.

He finally approached me and looked at me curiously. "You all right?" he said. I shook my head frantically and finally managed to say "yes".

I felt like I was hallucinating. There standing before me…was the man I thought I could never end up talking to…especially after October…there was Zack Fair…the highly respectable SOLDIER 1st class, who was admired and liked by all. There he was…standing in my bedroom.

I fell to the ground as the memories of that haunting October night starting flooding my mind and Zack took notice that something was wrong with me. He knelt down next to me and off his. He lifted my head with one hand and placed his other hand on my forehead. I couldn't help but blush. I felt like my face was painted in red dye at that moment.

He continued to look in my eyes and I couldn't help but continue staring at him. His eyes were so mesmerizing. It felt like I was being drawn into an ocean full of mystery and warmth. He finally took his hand off my forehead but kept still looking at me.

"Cloud…" he began saying

"Goodness…he knows my name…" I thought as I continued to blush even more

"It seems to be that you have a slight fever…" he quietly said as I looked down in disappointment.

"No need to worry though" Zack said as he handed me a bottle of mako supplement. "It appears your mako level is really low…drink that and it will help restore your mako to the proper levels."

How did he know that my mako was low? Its true…I had skipped my appointments to getting the mako treatments for the last 2 weeks. It's probably why I was very weak and couldn't do simple things such as closing the window, which by the way, made its presence all the well known by blowing in a gust of chilly wind.

"Let me get that for you" Zack said as he went and closed the window. I gulped down the mako supplement and started to feel better within minutes.

He stretched out his hand and I stared at it astoundingly for a few minutes and finally put my hand in his and he lifted me off the ground. I quickly withdrew my hand from his as I was shy and quickly made that noticeable with my gleaming red face. He once again took a hold of my hand and brought me to the window. I gazed into his beautiful eyes as he still held my hand and now was looking down at me.

I knew that I was blushing like crazy. I mean how could I not…no matter what happened in October, my heart still could not deny me the feeling that was creeping up on me…the feeling of warmth and happiness that was slowly encaptured with each passing moment.

We gazed into each other's eyes for a few minutes until he finally broke the silence.

"Cloud…would you go to the end of the year party with me?" Zack calmly said while smiling.

I could feel my heart racing really fast. I couldn't believe it. He was asking me…to the party?

As if my heart wasn't racing fast enough, he did something I would never forget.

He drew me closer to him and lifted his face to mine and pulled me into a kiss. I felt the mako rush through me as I was instantly filled with love and hope and true happiness. It was my first real kiss and it made me feel so happy. His lips were so soft like silk and it sent chills down my spine. I couldn't move my arms or anything…it was like time had stopped for an eternity. Nothing could have made me feel better at this point. I was in bliss. I was kissing Zack and he was kissing me back.

As we pulled out of that beautiful kiss, I felt my legs begin to wobble and I lost balance. Zack caught me and simply said "I guess that means yes" and managed to smile so beautifully at me.

I couldn't help but smile and once again blush as he helped me to my bed and tucked me in. He was so gentle that I felt like I was floating in heaven.

He flicked the light switch off and kneeled down next to the bed. I could see his eyes sparkling with mako. He whispered a soft goodnight and kissed me on the cheek. I felt my face go red as he ran his hand through my hair and quietly got up and left the room.

I smiled and closed my eyes and I was suddenly pulled into sleep…and for the first time, I slept peacefully.

--end--

Ok...so that was chapter 1! what did you think?? I love ZackxCloud :)

More to come soon!