Every so often, Cloud would be walking along with the ever-cheerful First Class SOLDIER, Zack Fair. Despite walking along in the 'protection' of such a strong and respected figure, lower-class soldiers made fun of him. They told him that Cloud would never make it to SOLIDER, and that his hair was more likely to be a lethal weapon than his sword. Even with Zack √ a symbol of strength and hope √ Cloud couldn't feel strength or hope. He still looked down and accepted the insults.
One day, after saying nothing about the insults he was hearing toward his friend, Zack couldn't stand it anymore. When the assaulters teased him, Cloud's shoulders fell to a slump. The 'bullies' just stood around, laughing. But Zack, unable to stand on the sidelines any longer, growled beneath his gritted teeth. One of his firm hands found itself on the top of Cloud's arm, but not quite on his shoulder. The older man pulled the blonde closer to him, so the younger one's cheek was on his chest. Flustered, Cloud gazed up at his savior, a red overtaking the normal pink on his face.
Luckily for Cloud, Zack wasn't looking down at him; he was looking at the idiots who were making fun of him, giving a hard, disapproving look. More than a hint of irritation shining in those dark eyes, Zack found those idiots too much of an eyesore to look at anymore. He led Cloud to his dorm, a haven.
Zack sat down on his bed, and Cloud sat on the opposite side, too embarrassed and shocked to speak another word. Eyes refused to meet and silence began to flood the room. The SOLDIER soon ended this silence, still slightly irritating, saying, "Why did you let them say that stuff to you?"
Cloud shrugged, unable to find the words. It felt like his lips had been sewn shut. Finally, Zack faced him, his face wiping clear of all anger, and melted into pure sympathy and concern. With one calloused hand, the dark-haired man placed it on top of one of Cloud's smaller ones.
"You...you're First Class..." That was all that could be heard. "You can do anything. So... can you... can you make them disappear?" It wasn't a response Zack had been expecting. With no response from the other, the blonde repeated himself. "Make them disappear..."
"Cloud..." Zack muttered. His grip upon the other's hand loosened, only to pull him in by the wrist into a tight hug. With two hands wrapped securely around his back, Cloud felt safe - something he hadn't felt in oh so long. He pressed his small, gloved hands against Zack's strong chest, closing those eyes of azure. Time couldn't find its place in this moment; the moment wasn't meant to end. And of course, neither wanted it to. They were unwilling to allow anything √ time, dinner, anything √ to force them to bulge another inch.