Hello!

**This is a shounen-ai/boys love story. If one doesn't like imagining two boys getting romantic with each other, one does not have to read it. For those of you who like it sit back, relax, get a snack of your choosing and enjoy! Reviews with positive and constructive criticism are much appreciated! Italicized writing are thoughts by the characters.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII at all. Only Seph and Cloud posters that I converse with from time to time. :D

Writing your life story in a little box is a lot harder than expected. One Cloud Strife realized this while staring intently at his sign up sheet. There was the standard d.o.b and blood type, but then "living situation" came up. He wasn't really sure how to answer that since he ran away just two days ago. He lived in an orphanage in the small town of Nibelheim since he was five and his parents' faces were a blur.

The administrators there told him that his mother and father didn't want to put him up for adoption, but they had no choice. Fake smiles could only go so far. Cloud never really got along with the other kids there. Fights were a regular occurrence, so being able to defend yourself was necessary. A girl named Tifa was really the only person that didn't try to attack him. There was also Johnny, although he was more Tifa's friend, they still got along. One day Cloud revealed to the two that when he was old enough, he would take that bus to Midgar and join the military.

The now sixteen year old was sitting down with another 500 people, filling out the paper given to him. "Nomadic". Only thing I can think of. Cloud filled out the rest of the information and took a once over. He took a deep breath and handed over his sheet to the secretary. She had dark brown hair and a white clip holding it in a ponytail, and lavender eyes. Her name plaque said 'Mai Kendall'. Cloud found her to be not all too threatening. The secretary stamped a black seal of approval, copied the sheet, and gave the copy to him. "First day is on Monday, your uniform will be on your bed in the barracks by then." she supplied. Cloud nodded and replied a quiet thanks.

Cloud walked away, trying to contain his happiness. Then realization hit him. Monday. Next week. Where do I stay? Panic flooded the apparently homeless blond boy. Do I have enough gil for an inn? How much does a room cost in Midgar? He pulled out the money from his pants pocket, pulling out 500 gil. How much for a week though? Cloud ran his hand through his hair, knowing he didn't have enough to stay until Monday. "Well, crap." he sighed softly.

"Someone's not having a good day." A playful voice spoke up. Cloud looked over to where the voice was coming from. A tall man- Certainly taller than me -with raven spikes for hair grinned at him. Something about the smile made the teen feel uneasy. "Excuse me?"

"It just sounded like you were a bit upset, that's all. Anything I can help you with Spike?" the strange man continued to grin. Spike? "No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Because I don't mind." Cloud wasn't sure what this guy wanted, if he was putting on some weird act or if he was serious. It was hard to tell with that grin. "Um, who are you?"

"Oh! My bad, I'm Zack it's nice to meet you! I kinda work here and came to see the new possibilities. I'm guessing from that crumpled up application in your hand, you're a possibility?" Zack introduced himself.

Cloud nodded, blond spikes bobbing along.

"I see! But you know, the first day is next week." Violet eyes searched over Cloud. "And you look a tad distressed."

This guy was seriously bothering him now. How is he doing that? What did he want again? "You wanted something?" Cloud asked.

Zack shook his head "Not really. I just wanted to help you out." he smiled. "You wanted to 'help out?'" Zack nodded.

"No thank you." Cloud turned around and headed for the exit. He heard the tall man follow him "Well, okay. You don't look like you know where you're going though."

Cloud sighed and increased his pace. "Yes, what about it?" The other caught up easily.

"I could show you around if you'd like, It'll be fun and I'd be glad to do it!" Zack suggested enthusiastically. Cloud stopped abruptly. "No. Thank you." He started walking again.

Cloud heard no more footsteps behind him and sighed with relief. That Zack guy. Cloud did appreciate the thought, but he wanted to do this himself. Besides, it was a total stranger. It didn't feel right to be indebted. He did say he worked for Shinra. SOLDIER was a branch of the Shinra Electric Company, so Zack might have been an executive or a healer even. Maybe he's a soldier?.

He turned a corner. But shouldn't a soldier be, I dunno, aloof or something? The variations of who he could be swirled in his head. Another thing to think about; how he acted. He was so energized it almost wracked his nerves to mush. Where did he get that energy from? Bubbly people were something that Cloud couldn't understand. Were they oblivious to the world's problems? Or is that all a facade? He tapped his fingers against his leg, trying to calm himself. Zack. He didn't hate Zack.

He just annoyed the blond in record time.

- - -Jingle Bells Batman Smells Robin Laid An Egg The Batmobile Lost Its Wheel And Joker Got Away!- - -

Zack Fair was in his apartment, munching on a newly made sandwich at the island in his kitchen. It started pouring outside, and the rain was tapping against the living room window. Wonder if that boy is caught up in that. The blond that he met earlier that day entered his mind, and he didn't know why. I don't even know his name. Spike fits though. Zack smiled at the thought, then frowned slightly. The boy didn't seem very friendly, totally shunning his propositions. "What did I say?" he asked to no one.

He only asked if he needed help, and showing him around town wasn't a bad idea. Was he too forward? While the boy pondered this, his phone blared to life with a catchy theme- Flash! Ahhh! *guitar riff* - and he answered it. "The one and only!"

"Zackary." a baritone voice answered.

"Hey Seph, what's up?" Zack asked the other. "Do you have that report done, the meeting is tomorrow morning, 0700. " Zack cringed. Forgot about that. "Oh yeah I have it right in front me!" Silence.

"I'm serious, I have it done and over with!" Zack nodded with affirmation. "Good. Your zipper is open by the way." "Wha-!" Zack looked down in panic. It was zipped.

"Idiot." Dial tone. Zack grumbled and closed his phone.

He walked over to his desk and took a seat, finishing up the report that Sephiroth mentioned. After about thirty minutes of going in and out of consciousness, Zack eventually finished up his work. The rain let up, becoming more of a mist. The young boy he met earlier, again appearing in his thoughts. He crossed his arms behind his head, and lay back in his chair. Spike said he was going to be one of the new recruits. From the way he looked at him, it seemed to be the that the boy didn't know Zack. Zack wasn't some arrogant fool, but he was aware that he was well known. Not as well as Sephiroth, but people knew him.

Where's he from? What's his name? Why was he so upset? The questions were never ending, and Zack was getting more frustrated by the minute. What was his problem, really, he only wanted to help! Did he not know how to talk to people or something? Zack thought more about that last question. Maybe he didn't have many friends, ergo the not knowing how to talk. If that was the case, surely he could help the poor guy feel more welcome. Or maybe he should just lay off like the boy probably wanted. But that didn't mean his curiosity died there. Spike clearly wasn't from around Midgar.

Neither was Zack but he was more accustomed to it than the other was. He was from a quaint town called Gongaga, where people held a sun kissed glow and took their worries in stride. Maybe he's from the country too. Now that I think about it, his voice did have a subtle northern thang in there. Did I just think the word 'thang'? Zack shook his head and got up to get a glass of water. "I seriously need to go food shopping." His fridge held a Brita filter, a bag of bread, some deli meat and cheese, and a container of something that didn't even have a color he knew. He poured his water and put the container back in. The black haired teen soon became consumed by boredom.

He finished his drink, put the cup in the sink, and grabbed his coat. He left his apartment and headed for outside. After a few squats in the elevator, his mind started to wander again. Why does he bother me so much? A lot of people seemed to like his company. Sure, Sephiroth threatened to slice off his family jewels from time to time, but he liked him deep down. Deep deep down. "What's so special about you that you bother me so much…?"

"I'm hurt to hear that Zack, I thought we were special."

Zack snapped out of his thoughts to see Kunsel entering the elavator. "I wasn't talking about you Kunsel." Zack said with a grin.

"Then who were you talking about? Don't tell me those blows from Angeal's attacks are finally getting to you?" he teased. Fair shook his head "No, remember I said I was going to check out the new possibilities today? Got up super early?" Kunsel nodded. "Well there was this boy there. He sounded and looked really defeated even though his application said he got in. Thought he'd be happy, you know? So I asked if he needed help with anything, I even offered to show him around but all I got was the cold shoulder!" They both stepped out of the elevator. "I just wanted to help a little."

Kunsel smiled empathetically "Some people can't handle overexcited puppies Zack. Maybe you scared him."

"Maybe, but that doesn't explain the way he looked, his eyes I mean. They looked kind of uneasy, sad almost. Almost like he didn't want anything to do with anyone." Zack headed for the exit. "Maybe I should just let him be. You wanna go for a drink?"

"Sure. But, this kid sounds like he may have a lot on his plate. And he sounds pretty foreign too. Perhaps you could take advantage of your 'socialite' status and help him out." Kunsel walked beside Zack.

Zack sighed then placed a tired smile. "Won't hurt trying, right?"

A/N: "Suro-chan why don't they like each other, this is a Zack x Cloud!" Don't worry readers, they will get together eventually. ;D Look forward to the next chapter please! Review!