Anew Decorum, it's been a while, huh? And this one is a two-parter! Here I present part one of "Improvisation", a.k.a. "Zack and Sephy have their first date which will of course lead to some smutty consumation".

In this aftermath of "The Madness of Angels", I've been a little blocked, and also distracted by new fandoms. ::guilty smile:: But Decorum will go on, at least for a while. Thanks to all of you who have been faithful readers and reviewers, welcome to the newbies, and to everyone...Happy Holidays from Amarissia and the Choir!

Sephy: "It's about time you continued this."

Zack: "Yeah, you promised us action ages ago."

Cloud: "Do I get to play with them again soon?"

Hopefully, Cloudy. Let me know what you guys think...by the way, SquareEnix owns the bulk of this stuff. Disclaim disclaim, yadda.

IMPROVISATION, PART ONE

Zack's first waking sensation was that of touch; long fingers were gently wafting through his bed-mussed spikes. With his eyes still shut and his mind half-asleep, Zack at first wondered if a cute pout would get Angeal to give him five more minutes. Then he remembered where he was, and shifted his head to get more contact with the fingers. They responded to this by massaging his scalp down to the nape of his neck, and every second of their touch sent thrills of happiness tingling all through Zack's body.

Please don't have been a dream, the teenager prayed, and opened his eyes. There was Sephiroth's arm around him, Sephiroth's exquisite face looking on him with an affectionate smile. Oh thank you, Gaia, thank you.

Sephiroth had been watching Zack sleep for nearly an hour, analyzing what it felt like to finally have him near enough to touch. It was rare to see Zack so still for so long, and the general couldn't help but take advantage of this chance to examine him closely. The few who had opportunities to feel Sephiroth's hair were always amazed by its brilliance and smoothness, but he himself found Zack's hair fascinating. The casual black spikes seemed to be entirely natural, so fine that he couldn't find a single tangle, and soft with a silkiness that was almost addictive. The neck and face that the general cautiously ghosted his fingertips over were white satin and pale with a hint of healthy color, the features perfectly made. No wonder everyone looked at Zack...

Mine, Sephiroth thought, then pushed away the childish thought to continue his staring, which was after all best accomplished while the subject was unaware. A gentle tracing of the pink lips prompted a quiet exhalation of breath, and rather than risk waking him, Sephiroth went back to smoothing the black hair. Zack was shifting now, so slightly that it was almost imperceptible. He was preparing to wake, Sephiroth realized, it wouldn't be long before he could gaze into those beautiful, pale blue eyes. There they were, and a beautiful smile beneath them. Before Sephiroth could think what to say, he was pressing his lips to that smile, engaging Zack in a slow, sweet kiss that drew a content moan out of the 2nd.

They didn't break the kiss until their bodies were pressed close, as though they had to have some close contact at all times. Zack ran his palm over the cascade of silver that draped down Sephiroth's back, and Sephiroth's hand was beneath Zack's shirt and rubbing up and down his side. Sephiroth looked pensive and blinked with a hint of anxiety, and Zack laughed (giggled, really) at how neither of them knew what to say.

"Hi, Seph. You're comfortable."

"Good morning, Zack. How did you sleep?"

"Great. I'm still kinda tired, though," Zack said through an obviously fake yawn. "Maybe we should stay here for a couple days."

"I would enjoy that. But I fear we both have duties to attend to today," Sephiroth sighed. "Angeal will be waiting for you, and many briefings for me."

"Yeah, I know. Seph? Do you still want this? Want...me?"

The uncertainty of the question made Sephiroth feel protective and guilty, though he wasn't sure why. Had he somehow given Zack the wrong impression? Had he done something wrong? Taking a stab at reassurance, the general sat up, bringing Zack with him, and pulled him nearly onto his lap. Physical affection was what Zack Fair thrived on, and he responded for as hoped, hugging back and nuzzling and clinging and exposing his neck for lingering, possessive kisses. He clutched Sephiroth's forearms in encouragement as the lips explored, and inhaled sharply when they found the most sensitive spot, just above the curve that led from neck to shoulder. The wetness of a tongue traced it, lapped at it, and then followed gentle suction from the lips and the faintest scrape of teeth.

"Seph," Zack moaned, nearly stuttering, cupping the back of the general's head. "Yeah, right there...please..."

But it was only a few moments more before Sephiroth kissed the slightly pinked skin and drew back. Zack whined softly, frustrated.

"Why'd ya stop?"

"Your body is too beautiful to mark."

Zack had his face against Sephiroth's neck. His cheeks flushed and he chuckled nervously at the compliment. "Me? Have you ever looked at you?"

"Yes. Did I embarrass you?"

"Nah, I'm good." But Zack's sigh was a sad little sound. "You're right, Angeal'll be waiting for me. We have to get up, huh?"

Feeling the same regret, Sephiroth kissed him to console them both. "Will you spend the night again tonight?" An eager nod answered that - very puppy-like, the general thought. "We'll have dinner here. I'll order something in."

"Let me cook. You remember that noodle-and-vegetable thing we had in your office? It reminded me of a spicy Gongagan pasta dish I'm very good at. Want to try it?"

"I would be happy to." The alarm clock on the bedside table began to make a low, continuous noise, which surprised Sephiroth, because he had for years woken in time to stop it before it went off. Zack whined in protest, and Sephiroth kissed his soft hair as he stood them both up. "I believe I feel the same reluctance to separate. But Angeal would not stand for me disrupting your training. And doing so would be unfair to you."

"Okay. I should go get ready before Angeal comes looking." But when Zack made to move away, he laughed - Sephiroth wouldn't release his hand. "I guess you're walking me to the door, huh?"

They moved slowly, remaining close together with fingers clasped, sneaking glances at each other and beaming shyly with new-couple nervousness. Sephiroth entered the security code into the main entrance's keypad with one hand, and with the other brought Zack's hand to his lips. The teenager shifted with what seemed to be pleasure, and it took all the general had to finally let go of him.

"I'll, uh, bring these back tonight," Zack mumbled, gesturing to the borrowed pajamas and slippers he wore.

"Keep them. I have many, and they suit you."

"How do you know I won't auction them off to your fan club?"

Sephiroth sensed he was being teased, and found that he liked it. "I don't think they would be as becoming on anyone else."

Zack laughed softly, his hand lingering on the doorknob. "Are you sure you've never done this before?"

"I don't know what I'm doing," Sephiroth whispered. It was new and strange to be admitting vulnerability like this.

"You're perfect. Now push me out before I lose my willpower and cling to you like a squid."

"I will see you this evening, Zack."

With an amused chuckle (and behind it a powerful urge to pull the young man back inside and keep him there), Sephiroth opened the door. He followed Zack one step out into the empty corridor...which, as it turned out, was not entirely empty.

Angeal had been up for hours, his mind shifting back and forth between the work he was doing, and the processing he needed to do of the new development between his two closest friends. His love for them eased the faint discomfort that came when he thought of Sephiroth touching Zack. If someone had to, he trusted no one more than his dear childhood friend...and Zack was no child, even if Angeal privately considered the boy his own. No, this was a miracle, a wonderful thing. Angeal would simply need time to get used to it.

Determined that things should carry on as usual, the commander had headed up here to collect his student for training. He accepted the fact that Zack had slept in Sephiroth's apartment (feeling sure that they hadn't gone too far yet helped) and was calm. Even so, it startled Angeal for a moment to see them step into the hallway together, with Zack clad in a pair of Sephiroth's pajamas. He quickly smiled to soothe the anxiety on his apprentice's face, and was greeted by the affectionate beam he was so fond of. Angeal and Sephiroth exchanged friendly nods of acknowledgment, then the commander turned his attention back to Zack and briefly pet his hair, to show the boy that nothing had changed between them.

"Hi, Angeal. Uh, I'm sorry about yesterday, when I was yelling and stuff."

"It's okay, Puppy. How do you feel?"

"Better." Zack glanced quickly in the general's direction. "A lot better."

Sephiroth's cool silver stare was warm with some hidden inner heat, locked gently on Zack, and his peaceful smile was one Angeal had only ever seen hints of.

Gods, he's happy. They're both so happy. Thank you, Gaia.

"Um, time for training, right? Can you give me, like, fifteen minutes? I'll meet ya in the gym."

"Make that the dining hall, we'll eat first. Get going, Puppy."

Sneaking a last, longing look at Sephiroth, Zack nodded. "Okay. See you tonight, Seph," he said happily, before bounding off down the hallway toward the elevator.

Once they were alone, Sephiroth looked solemnly at his old friend, feeling that there was a need for them to talk but not having any idea what he should say. Should he express guilt for making Angeal share what he prized most? Promise he would never interfere with their relationship? Apologize for having what Angeal had lost along with Genesis?

Angeal saw Sephiroth's tension, and sought to ease it by putting a hand on his shoulder. "I know he'll be careful with you," the commander said softly. "Please be careful with him."

"I will be. Angeal, this really doesn't bother you? You don't object?"

"What if I did? If I demanded you give Zack up, would you?"

Possessiveness tinged green with anger lit up the general's cold stare, and when he answered it, it was in almost a hiss. "No. Your friendship is priceless to me, Angeal, but no."

To his surprise, Angeal smiled. "Then I don't object."

"That was a test of some sort?"

"You can't blame me, can you? I always hoped to see you fall in love, but I worried it wouldn't happen."

Love, that word that Sephiroth had never really understood and therefore found daunting, but... "And are you now convinced?"

"Ha. I was doing it for your benefit, not mine. I know how you tend to second-guess and tiptoe around your own feelings. Zack won't let you doubt. Once he has hold of your heart, he never lets go, and you never want him to."

"I am not certain what to call this, but it is very strong. Is it wrong to feel so much so soon?"

Sephiroth's timid question touched Angeal's tender heart, and reminded him that Sephiroth had always been younger, no matter how much more skilled he was. However clueless he claimed to be (and to some extent, in this at least, he was), the general's heart was the same as it had been fifteen years earlier. The memory of that angelic child, capable of such devotion and love despite being raised without either, convinced Angeal further that Zack would be safe. More than safe. Lucky.

"Seph. Since the first time Genesis and I kissed, I've wanted no one else. There's no right way to do this, only what's right for you and Zack."

The general smiled a little, seemingly reassured. "And I can speak to you about these concerns? There is no...discomfort on your part, or a conflict of interest?"

"My interest is the happiness of you both. You can talk to me." Just not about anything intimate. If you're sleeping with my Puppy, I don't want to know. "Just remember, no one knows how to do this their first time. You learn as you go."

"That leaves a great deal of room for error. What if I do something wrong?"

"Just trust yourself, Seph. Zack does. And I do."

With that, Angeal left Sephiroth to consider these words. After a moment, the general went back into his apartment to prepare for the day ahead, smiling secretively.

zszszszs

As bright as he was, thinking was not Zack's strong suit, nor his first reaction to most situations. Dazed with the sudden bliss of being with Sephiroth -

Omigods, I'm with Sephiroth, and he's with me, his brain squealed, sounding vaguely like the few members of Angeal's fanclub he had met, who were so inexplicably excited to see he and his teacher together...

- Zack had not considered that a whole room of SOLDIERs and medical personnel saw he and Sephiroth embracing and kissing and quietly declaring themselves a couple. Now, cheerfully bouncing through the hallways on the way to his apartment, the 2nd noticed the people he passed staring and nudging each other. After the third or fourth time this happened, Zack understood.

Yike, and I'm wearing Seph's pajamas too. Not that most people would know what he wears to bed. They better not know.

Zack was almost to his door when he heard his name being called, and looked up to see a familiar face approaching. Devon was a friend of his, a fellow 2nd, a couple years older than Zack with shoulder-length auburn hair and dark green eyes. The eyes widened as they took in Zack's too-big attire and the fact that he had not been home all night.

"Zack, is it true?" Devon whispered, backing him up against the door and practically bouncing in his boots (there was a reason the two of them got along so well). "If it had only been Shirase I'd figure it was his concussion talking, but the 1sts are saying it too. Seriously, man? You and Sephiroth?"

Well, Seph did say he didn't want us to be a secret, Zack remembered, feeling his cheeks grow warm. He nodded, unable to hold back a grin and laughing a little as Devon sputtered and stared in shock.

"Dude, Sephiroth? Are you shitting me? And not a fling? You're, like, together?"

"Does everyone know?"

"If they don't, they will soon. It's all over. The 1sts are high-fiving and hugging each other, and I swear I saw Commander Hitchcock pick up Lieutenant Morgan and spin him around."

"So...positive reactions?" Zack asked with a hopeful smile.

"Mostly. Lot of jealousy, of course."

"Oh...yeah. I bet a lot of people are mad at me, huh?"

"And at him."

"At Sephiroth? Why?"

Devon laughed, but warmly, not derisively. Like many others, he found Zack's naiveté charming in the jaded, cynical world of ShinRa. "Seriously, Fair, one of these days you gotta wake up and realize how few people around here can talk to you without checking you out. I think I might be the only one, actually."

"Shut up," Zack scoffed.

"I should thank you. Lange, Anderson, and Murata each owe me fifty Gil. They were all betting on Commander Hewley." Devon laughed wickedly and ducked Zack's hand before it could sock him. "Sorry, dude, you're just too easy to rile."

"Whatever. I gotta go, Angeal'll kill me if I'm late."

"Ha, right, 'cause he's so tough on you. But hey, you've got the hottest guy on the planet to defend you now, huh?"

Zack felt a full blush and a happy squeal coming on, and quickly ducked into his apartment. If possible, he would prefer to embarrass himself in front of no one but Wuggles.

zszszszs

"Good morning, Levine."

"Oh...good morning, General. Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, thank you." Sephiroth looked curiously at his assistant. "Are you unwell, Levine?"

"I'm fine, sir, thank you."

Sephiroth wasn't so sure. Levine's eyes were heavy, presumably from lack of sleep, and he was staring up from his desk, hardly blinking. The hawk-eyed assistant always had an intensity to him that took the form of intimidation to most people, and he had always been an extremely attentive employee. But now Sephiroth stood awkwardly for a few moments, wondering if Levine was waiting for him to do or say something. He recalled what Angeal had once suggested - "You should say something kind to Levine every now and then." The general wasn't sure why such a thing was necessary, but he had obeyed, and did so now.

"Are you sure you are all right, Levine?" Sephiroth asked gently. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

The grumpy-looking man continued to stare, now with a bit of surprise, and his mouth opened and closed a few times. He coughed, adjusted himself in his seat, looked away and coughed again, then covered most of his face with a handkerchief.

"Thank you, General, I'm just fine. Getting over a cold, but really, I'm feeling fine. I appreciate...well, I have a great deal of correspondence to sort, I'd better get back to it."

"Of course. Thank you, Levine, for everything."

Sephiroth crossed the room in a few brisk strides to the inner office door, opened it, and quickly glanced back. Levine was coughing softly again, and it sounded oddly fake, the general thought, but he couldn't think why else Levine would be covering his face like that. Angeal would probably know, he read people well. And Zack too, he could ask Zack if he wanted to, in just a matter of hours.

Zack. The memory of beautiful blue eyes pushed all thoughts of reports and interdepartmental memos from Sephiroth's mind. It took more willpower than usual for him to sit down and focus on the day's work.

zszszszs

"Remember, Zack, bring your sword higher...good. Now, step back, reverse...okay, surprise me."

Those last two words were ones Zack loved. From a resting position, he launched himself into the air, turned a somersault over Angeal and landed behind, spinning faster than non-makoed eyes could see and swinging his sword. The famous Buster blocked it, but only just in time, and Angeal nodded approvingly.

"Very good. Your speed has improved and your form as well. You probably could have disarmed me if your mind hadn't been wandering."

"You could tell?" the teenager asked sheepishly.

"It's hardly a new behavior. And you have a good reason today, I suppose."

"Angeal..." Sword hanging idly from his right hand, Zack's other fingers smoothed back his messy spikes. "Are you really okay with this? I feel like you're a little...I don't know, conflicted or something."

"You're perceptive," Angeal admitted. "That's one of the things that makes you a good SOLDIER."

"Angeal, now that I know Sephiroth wants this too, I can't give it up. But...I'd do anything else you asked me to, anything that could help you. You do so much for me, more than I could ever repay, and I hate that I'm making you feel anything bad."

"Nothing bad, Puppy." A larger, rougher hand replaced Zack's own, affectionately petting his hair. "Never anything bad. This is something I'll have to get used to, true, and I wasn't expecting it. But I'm happy for you both. However odd this is for me right now, I'm more happy than anything else."

"And you trust me, right? I really do love him."

Angeal curled his arm around Zack's shoulders and drew the boy to his chest. The more time he spent with Zack, the more he found himself initiating hugs instead of tolerating them, and they were alone in the gym. Besides, he supposed the rumors that had long surrounded he and his student would die down now. Zack immediately wound his arms around the muscular torso and pressed his ear to the Commander's uniform sweater. Just like he always had. Nothing had been lost between them.

"I trust you. And I trust Sephiroth."

"So, no more dragging me to doctors?" Zack teased, drawing back with a wry smile. "What about hovering?"

"Oh, that you'll have to deal with as long as I live."

"Cool. C'mon, let's go again! I'm gonna disarm you this time, I can feel it!"

"If you say so, Puppy."

zszszszs

"Thank you for coming, Lieutenant."

"Of course, sir."

"Sephiroth."

Lydon smiled as he took the offered chair in front of the general's desk. "Right. Then it's only fair that you should call me Andrew."

"Very well." Sephiroth paused, questioning the decision he'd made to do this. "I..."

Lydon waited patiently, quietly amazed to see his invincible general looking hesitant, showing a vulnerability that very few knew existed. Rather than taking away from Sephiroth's aura of power and charisma, it only made him seem more real, and the lieutenant more inspired by and devoted to him.

"Have you heard anything in regards to Lieutenant Fair and myself?"

Lydon grinned with delight. "So it's true? I heard, but...s-Sephiroth, congratulations. We're all so happy about this."

"Why?"

Like most highly-ranked SOLDIERs, Lydon knew that their beloved leader had trouble understanding certain things that were innate to most people. Out of love and protectiveness for him, the 1sts always did their best to answer his questions and encourage him to ask more.

"Because we don't like to see you alone, s-Sephiroth. We think being in a relationship will make you happy, and we want that for you. We're all very fond of Zack, and believe the two of you will make a great couple." Lydon spoke cautiously - however comfortable he felt, Sephiroth's serious expression was hard to read, and gave no indications of how he felt about this answer. "I hope I'm not being intrusive."

"Please, I ask that you speak freely. This..." The general left that sentence dangling, but his face made the thought clear. This is not easy for me, but I need your help more than I am uncomfortable asking for it. "I require advice. You are married. You are in love. I need to know what behavior is appropriate."

Lydon blinked with surprise at the rush of words. As he sat, flustered and considering how best to respond, he was reminded by Sephiroth's uncertainty that he was dealing with someone younger than himself. In many ways, younger than any adult he'd ever met.

"There...there aren't really any rules about what is and isn't appropriate. Um, relationships are a lot like friendships, only more intimate. Every one has its own rules, you figure them out as you go."

Sephiroth sighed, though to Lydon's relief he didn't sound dejected. "Angeal said that also. What happens if you make a mistake?"

"Well, usually you apologize, you and your partner talk, and you don't make that same mistake again."

Sephiroth didn't have to ask what happened unusually; he couldn't bear to think of Zack breaking up with him. "How do I know what is acceptable?"

"You can ask. Zack's so good-natured and open, I think you'd have a tough time doing something so wrong that he'd leave you. Since you asked me to speak freely...sir, all of us know you have some trouble understanding how people interact with each other. If you make a mistake because of that, I don't think Fair will hold it against you."

Sephiroth nodded slowly, and some of the tension left his marble angel's face. "May I ask how your relationship with your wife began?"

"Of course. It was nothing very exciting. We grew up next door to each other in Mideel, our families have been close for generations. Lena and I were friends as children, we grew up, and one day I looked at her, and it was like I was seeing her for the first time." Lydon smiled peacefully, his eyes looking into the past. "I'm not sure how, but all of a sudden, the little girl I played water-tag with had become a beautiful, graceful woman. But still, she was the same person I had always confided in and counted myself lucky to know. Just like that, I was in love. Thank Gaia, when I couldn't stand my silence any longer and confessed my feelings to her, she said she felt the same. She knew I was about to leave to join SOLDIER, and still, she loved me enough to spend most of our engagement apart, and now our marriage."

Sephiroth was intrigued by that, as he couldn't imagine being so far away from Zack. "Is that not unpleasant for you both?"

"Well, yes," Lydon said honestly, scratching his head. "I mean, Lena and our families all intend to relocate here once everyone's affairs in Mideel are sorted out. My father owns an Item shop that he's trying to sell, you see. Until then, we write and email each other every day. Lena sends me videos of our little Maia all the time, and I play games with her over my webcam. I go home as often as I can. Thank you again for your Solstice gift, General. Two weeks with Lena and our baby was the best gift I could have received, and it meant the world to us."

"You are welcome," Sephiroth said a little uncomfortably; he had always had trouble dealing with gratitude. "What did you do when you and she first decided to progress from a platonic relationship into one of intimacy?"

"You mean, like our first date? Oh, well..." Lydon lowered his head in embarrassment and scratched the back of his neck, laughing nervously. "She came to my place and we made dinner together, and when she arrived I had candles and flowers and romantic music going. We had a nice, relaxing evening together."

"Hmm," Sephiroth hummed in agreement. "What about the initiation of sexual activity? Does one wait longer in a relationship than one would within a casual liaison?"

Lydon suppressed both bashfulness and amusement at the serious question. "Uh, some people do. Sir, I want to help, but really...it's different for everyone."

The general nodded, thoughtfulness swirling with uncertainty in his mercury-colored eyes. With one elbow on his desk, he rested his chin in an open, long-fingered hand, hair falling forward to sweep his arms. Emboldened by Sephiroth's vulnerability and need for reassurance, Lydon stood, approached him, and cautiously dared to lay his hand gently on the general's shoulder. Sephiroth forced himself not to flinch, to think of Angeal and Genesis rather than Hojo, and looked up expectantly.

"You'll do fine," Lydon murmured. "Zack's no idiot, and he'd have to be to let you go."

Sephiroth turned away, drawing in a slow, quiet breath. "Thank you...Andrew. You have been extremely helpful."

Lydon nodded, realizing he should probably give him some time alone now. "Will that be all, sir?"

"Yes, Lieutenant, thank you. You may go." When Lydon had been gone a few minutes, Sephiroth buzzed Levine in the outer office.

"Yes, General?"

"I would like you to inquire about an Item shop for me. In Mideel, owned by a family named Lydon. Find out the usual value range of such an establishment and offer the highest bid that will not draw undue attention, anonymously."

"Y-Yes, sir." Levine was puzzled, not having known that his employer had any interest in owning an Item shop, but to him, Sephiroth's word was unquestionable law. "Right away, sir."

Sephiroth thanked him and smiled with relief. Gratitude wasn't nearly so uncomfortable when he could repay a kindness.

zszszszs

"Still lazing around on that sorry ass of yours?"

"Pssh, as if. I've never been better. I'm just sticking around here long enough to get a sponge bath from the nurses."

"The female nurses?"

"I was gonna make them wear you-masks. I always thought you'd look hot in a tight white uniform, Fair."

Zack laughed, feeling a bit of his tension dissipate as he took a seat by the hospital bed. Kunsel laughed with him, but it faded as he noticed the redness and tears in his friend's eyes. "Aw, Zack," he said softly, and opened his arms. Zack's hug was warm and affectionate, but careful, and he didn't put strength into it until Kunsel squeezed him hard enough to hurt an unenhanced person.

"Zack, man, I'll take any opportunity to grope ya, but if I see you feeling bad for one second, I'm gonna make sure you wind up in the next bed over. What I did, you'd have done for me or any of the others in a heartbeat. That's what we do, we take care of each other."

"I know, but - "

"Fine, we'll make it even." Kunsel pushed his face against Zack's and caught his lips by surprise.

Zack kissed back, chastely, keeping his mouth closed. He was a tactile enough person to be able to do this platonically, enjoying the intimacy of this touch, the relief that Kunsel was alive and not regretting his decision to risk his life to save Zack's. Zack was happy to give his friend these few moments, and though all his passion was reserved for Sephiroth, he hugged Kunsel back and smiled as warm lips smacked against his own. He couldn't let it go on long, though, and pulled back as soon as he felt the wet swipe of a teasing tongue.

"Well?" Kunsel smirked. "We good, or do I get a blow-job too?"

"We're good," Zack laughed, shoving him lightly. "Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you these."

Kunsel accepted the bag with 'Nalla's Gourmet Bakery' printed on it and sniffed it excitedly. "Chocolate walnut truffles, my favorite! Thanks, man. The food here sucks."

"Pizza's on me too, as soon as you're discharged."

"So what's going on? Any word on what the hell those explosives were?"

"Not yet," Zack said solemnly. "I know the Turks have been busy, but we haven't been told anything yet."

"Why could none of us sense that shit? You usually can, right? And Martell, and Evans, and probably some of the others. What was that stuff, and where'd it come from?"

"That's what everyone's wondering. When they're not busy talking about what a hero you are."

Kunsel grinned. "Commander Hewley came by last night."

"Angeal? Really?"

"Yeah, to thank me for protecting his puppy. I ought to be your bodyguard, Fair, if it gets me presents like this." Kunsel indicated a fancy wine bottle on the nightstand beside him. The cork and label were embellished with real gold, and in ornate script it read 'Chateau Montaignes Vertes' - the best vineyard on the continent.

"Whoa."

"Yeah. Are you sure you two aren't fucking?"

"Yes."

"You're fucking someone, though, right? 'Fess up."

"Wh-What?"

"You're glowing. You're either in love, or pregnant. Is it wrong that I find the idea of that hot?"

"Yes. Well...since everyone kinda knows already..." Zack began, smiling shyly.

Kunsel was scrambling to sit up straighter. "Damn, and I never got into that pool! Okay, tell me."

"You know, I'm sick of you guys speculating about my love life."

"Yeah, yeah, we all need hobbies, we're sick sons of bitches, blah blah. Who is it? Not Reno, right? You'll never get him to commit."

"No. It's, um, Sephiroth."

"S-Se - " Kunsel stammered, brown eyes going wide. "Dude, you're serious, aren't you? You're fucking the general? Is Commander Hewley actually okay with that? Can I watch?"

"Yes, I'm serious. We're not fucking, we're together. Soon to be fucking too, I hope. Yes, Angeal's fine with it. No, you can't watch."

"Relationship? Are you...you mean...does Sephiroth even do that?"

"He does now," Zack said, shrugging, a little embarrassed.

Kunsel shook his head, and the movement made his hanging jaw wobble slightly. For a few moments he said nothing, just stared in amazement as he processed this information. Zack understood; he was pretty overwhelmed by the idea too. At last, Kunsel tried to speak again, but couldn't get anything out. So he held up his hand and made a fist, and Zack bumped his own against it, smirking.

"Okay, if I can't watch, at least promise you'll give me details."

"I'm sure you can imagine it for yourself."

"Lieutenant Fair?" a nurse called from the room's doorway. "The doctor is coming in for Lieutenant Kunsel's check-up, so you'll have to come back another time."

"Okay. I'll see ya later, man."

"Don't worry about it. Go enjoy your hot new honey, ya lucky bastard. Ha, you know, I should have known. It makes sense now."

"Huh? What?"

Kunsel pointed to the plain dresser behind Zack, next to the door. Zack turned, and was surprised by the object on top of the dresser and the fact that he hadn't noticed it earlier. It was a large gift basket that seemed to be full of fruit, expensive liquors, gourmet foods and fancy candies. Zack looked back to Kunsel questioningly, though he thought he knew the answer. Kunsel grinned in response.

"Yeah. Thank the general for me, will ya?"

To be continued!