Yes, I know ... it's been a while. Sorry.
Ok, so here they are, back again, my favourite four boys and their life-experiences together. I do know where this is going, but as my mind is currently mush it's going to grow slowly so please be patient. I've been working on this for a while, inbetween everything else, and as a result each part needs to be re-edited a bit to make it feel better for me before posting.
If you get a chance to review that would be nice, but most importantly of all I hope you enjoy it.
Unexpected – Chapter 1
"Damn it." Zack cursed softly. Knowing that he shouldn't have turned his phone on until he'd actually left the apartment.
His sword calloused fingers desperately scrambling across the top of the breakfast bar to reach the device where, to his horror, it now lay ringing at full volume, as well as vibrating just as loudly, on the hard laminate covered surface in front of him.
Hardly daring to breathe, let alone answer politely, he snapped of a sharp "What?" before remembering that he was technically on duty soon and that it could in fact be an important work related call. "I mean, Fair speaking." He quickly informed the caller, wincing as he corrected his greeting. His voice now that of a harsh whisper as he glanced nervously towards the closed bedroom door.
"Zack man, you've got to help me."
Now that was something he hadn't been expecting.
"Reno?" The soldier asked in surprise, his violet eyes widening at the faint traces of fear he could hear in the red head's voice.
"Zack, I mean it, I need your help." The Turk begged, his tone also oddly low and clearly desperate.
If the cry for help, though quiet as it was, hadn't been enough to cause worry, the begging tone certainly had. Reno didn't beg. Well, technically he didn't beg, but Zack knew he'd only been allowed to see that side of the red head because of what they had been doing at the time and who else had been involved. When it came to work related stuff his fiery haired lover never got flustered and never got desperate, of that the soldier could be certain. It made the situation even more worrying and the raven haired teen reacted accordingly.
"What's wrong? Where are you?" Zack replied, his body instantly tense as feelings of concern for the other began to flow though him.
"I'm heading towards your place, I ..." The red head informed him, before stopping suddenly.
The abrupt silence instantly caused the soldier's muscular form to twitch in preparation for action, though he knew neither where his fiery haired lover was nor what trouble he was in. Before he could speak however Reno's voice could be heard again, but this time there was a clearly panicked tone staining it around the edges.
"Oh Gaia no, not again."
"Reno, Reno what's wrong?"
The anxiety-filled, and undeniably distressed, question had barely left Zack's lips when the sound of the Turk's curses were drowned out by something else. The ear-splitting, nerve shredding screaming he could hear instead being that of either a monster dying a painful agonising death or more innocently a baby crying. Whichever it was the noise was completely unexpected and deafeningly loud, so much so that Zack almost threw his phone across the room as he wrenched it away from his ear, his violet orbs darkening as he looked accusingly at the device in his hand. A few colourful curses were heard to fall from his own lips as he rubbed his now damaged ear drum, while glaring at the small sleek black object as it continued to spew unearthly sounds, and then looked up in surprise as the noise suddenly seemed to be echoing in the corridor outside his apartment.
"Oh no." The soldier breathed, as he slowly began to realise what was happening.
A second later there was a desperate knocking at the door and Reno's voice accompanying it as he demanded to be let in.
"Open the door Fair!" The Turk shouted, both through the door and down the phone.
"Uuumm, what door?" Zack asked, trying for an innocent casual tone but failing miserably.
"Don't play games with me soldier boy. I can hear the kid screaming in there too and there's only one way that's possible, now open up."
"Fine." The soldier sighed in reluctant agreement, before flipping the phone shut to end the call.
For the briefest of moments the room was calm and relatively peaceful, a fact which was made more obvious by the noise that continued to echo just outside the front door to the apartment. Groaning softly and knowing there was no real way of getting out of it Zack moved through the living room and down the small corridor to let Reno in, his progress becoming slower with each step as the temporarily muffled sound grew louder the closer he got to it.
The soldier had barely made a gap between the door and the doorframe when Reno came barging in, the young Turk clearly flustered as he shoved the door open and rushed hastily past Zack's bewildered figure while struggling with a variety of bags and a red faced screaming infant. Sensing that he was now being watched the raven haired soldier stole a quick glance out the door and instantly noticed a few of the other floor's residents looking at him questioningly, his face warming as he saw the mixture of annoyed and clearly confused questioning looks being sent his way.
"You order out for pizza and you get a kid instead, go figure." Zack informed them casually, his broad shoulders trying to give a relaxed, carefree shrug before he quickly closed the door so that no one would actually get a chance to ask him what was going on.
"Damn it, will you be quiet?" Reno's voice could be heard whining from within the apartment, as he struggled to calm the child that was now out of its carrier and in his arms.
Zack looked over at the pile of bags which had been dumped on his dining table and then back up at the Turk, watching in stunned amazement as the red head shifted the noisy, squirming mass in his arms to another position.
"You uuummm, care to explain ... this ... that?" The soldier called over, trying to be heard above the din.
"It ain't mine, if that's what you're thinking." Reno replied bluntly, his sea-green eyes no longer looking simply stressed out but instead glowing with repressed fury and showing he was not to be messed with.
"Ok. Then who's is it?" Zack asked, his face twisting into a slight grimace as the infant's cry reached a newer and even higher pitch.
Flinching in response to the sudden increase in volume the Turk didn't answer straight away, his efforts quickly focusing solely on trying to reduce the noise again, and his attention only coming up from the bundle in his arms when an unexpected flash of gold appeared in his line of sight. A second later and Reno forgot about the child he was holding, as his turquoise orbs took in the breath-taking vision of the slightly disoriented and dishevelled cadet who currently stood in the room with them.
Almost instantly his frustrated and somewhat pained expression melted away to be replaced by one of soft wonder. The image of his younger, more innocent, lover standing in the bedroom doorway and trying to suppress a yawn making Cloud look even cuter than normal. It was clear to see, from the adorably dazed expression on his angelic features, that the cadet had just been woken from a deep slumber. His sleep tousled hair, which always had a mind of its own, now even more wild in appearance as it haphazardly framed faintly flushed cheeks and tired, glazed-over, blue spheres. The scene before him was both breathtaking and awe inspiring, and instantly made the red head's heart melt into a big gooey puddle inside his chest.
From just beside him the soldier couldn't help but smile as he took in the sight as well, his violet eyes briefly meeting with Reno's warm aqua ones and realising that they were both now wearing matching expressions of tenderness as they lovingly watched the blonde in front of them. It was only when Cloud began to speak that both came snapping back to reality again, their goofy looks of doting affection quickly easing up as they heard the words being spoken in a gentle voice which was still a little muffled and thick from sleep.
"What's going on?" The cadet mumbled groggily, as he tried to rub the bleariness from his tired sapphire orbs.
"Shit, you're on night's this week." Reno swore regretfully, having suddenly remembered that Cloud had been assigned a guard position on the late watch for his duties that week.
"It's ok." The blonde replied softly, a pleasant smile gracing his delicate pink lips even though the other two were once again cringing at the sound still being emitted from the infant currently in their company. "Who's the little guy?"
"Huh?" Reno said. The pitch of the child's cry having blocked out some of what the cadet had asked.
"What, I can't hear you?" Zack called dramatically, and perhaps a touch sarcastically, while making a point of glaring at Reno for disturbing Cloud's rest.
"It's not my fault, he won't shut up." The Turk groaned, his turquoise eyes offering apology while also pleading for them to understand his predicament and help in some way.
"Give him here." A soft, and mildly amused, voice instructed gently. The cadet's hands already reaching out for the crying lump in Reno's arms, one which the red head was all too happy to pass over.
As if by magic the sound instantly stopped, the infant immediately calming as the blonde wrapped the little bundle safely in his arms and held it carefully while pressed close to his chest.
"Well I'll be." Reno breathed, his amazement at the sudden change in the small child clearly visible in his widened sea-green orbs.
"Hey, that's a neat trick." Zack agreed with relief and joy, a bright smile developing on his handsome face as he took in the scene before him.
Cloud couldn't help but grin in response to their words and actions but chose not to respond just yet, his attention now focused predominantly on the infant in his arms as the red faced baby boy finally began to calm down and gurgled up at him happily.
"Hey little guy." Cloud cooed gently, laughing softly as a chubby hand reached up and grabbed a fistful of blonde spikes which had drifted down over the cadet's cheeks and were now within easy reach. "Be careful with that, you can play but don't pull it." Cloud warned lightly, his calm tone managing to sound both assertive with the command but also patiently understanding of the child's curiosity.
The soldier and Turk watched in amazement as the infant gurgled a reply to the words and let go of the strands of hair, the response making it look as if the very young boy had easily understood what the cadet was saying and done just as he was asked.
"I don't get it." Reno declared in bewilderment, his baffled expression looking at both the cadet and chubby bundle in his arms in confusion.
"Get what?" Zack asked, his lavender spheres taking in the same heart-warming sight the red head was seeing and not understanding the problem.
"He wouldn't shut up for me, but then Cloud gets hold of him and poof. I swear it's like a different kid."
"You just have to know how to handle them." The blonde replied, his eyes still on the infant as he started to pull a selection of funny faces and getting a series of delighted giggles and enthusiastic gurgles in response.
Zack watched the exchange in wonder and felt his heart flutter with pride and joy at the cadet's behaviour. His precious, sleep deprived Spiky still managing to look sexy as hell in the baggy sweat pants and oversized t-shirt he wore, even as he carefully held the infant within his arms.
Not that Cloud didn't always look good like that, and totally ravishable if given half the chance. Because there was seriously something sexy about a dreamy looking blonde in baggy sweats and a borrowed t-shirt that was far too big for him and revealing a bit of bare shoulder. But that was beside the point right now, considering there was baby in his apartment, especially with that baby being in Cloud's arms. No way could he get all hot and heavy with his blonde haired lover with a really mini-minor in their company.
It was at this point that the soldier remembered who else was standing in the room with them and couldn't help but smile when he stole a quick glance across at Reno and saw a similar expression showing on the Turk's face. A part of him was silently relived to know that they were both finding the cadet's current appearance to be more than just simply adorable, and that he wasn't the only one to he shifting a little on the spot where he stood to relieve a bit of tightness in his trousers.
"What's his name?" Cloud asked, his softly spoken words gently breaking the quite calm which had settled around them. His attention so focused on making the little bundle smile that he was completely oblivious to the other two's fond looks, or the fact that his sudden question instantly brought both men snapping back to their senses once more and out of their slightly naughty dream-filled states.
"Would you believe it, it's Zack." The red head replied, a faint chuckle following the words to show that he was totally amused by the fact.
"No way." The soldier gasped in wide eyed amazement. "That's so cool."
"Yea, the name suits him too. Kid's a pain in the backside, just like you Fair." Reno teased wickedly with a mischievous grin.
"Hey." Zack retorted playfully, before turning his attention back to the cadet and the bundle in his arms. "It's a good name and don't let anyone tell you otherwise." He informed the infant sternly, while smiling down at the chubby face which now seemed to be watching him closely.
Cloud chuckled softly as the baby gurgled a highly motivated response to the soldier's heart-felt order. The string of burbling sounds it made, as possible agreement to the words which had been spoken, resulting in a small bubble forming in its mouth as chubby little lips moved accordingly.
Zack watched in a strange mix of amazement and bewilderment at the sight, having never seen a child this small up so close before, let alone one that could make bubbles appear on its lips while it spoke, and couldn't stop himself from blinking in shock when the ever increasing bubble finally popped.
"Uuuummmm, is he supposed to do that?" The soldier asked nervously, while pointing his finger at the place where the infant appeared to have ... popped.
However, before Cloud could answer his question, a chubby hand had reached up to grab hold of Zack's extended, and extremely vulnerable, digit. The infant quickly clamping a series of smaller chubby fingers firmly around the hovering larger slightly calloused one and instantly pulling it down towards his mouth.
"Oh, hell no." Zack cried out in mild panic, as he immediately yanked his endangered digit away and looked at the threatened body part as if it had somehow been contaminated by one of Hojo's experiments.
Unfortunately the little boy was clearly not happy about this turn of events and at started crying again, the sound quickly rising to a nerve grating level and resulting in both the soldier and Turk groaning in protest.
"Zack." Reno moaned, glaring at the soldier for causing the newest upset.
"It's not my fault." Zack protested, before realising that actually it probably was his fault and began to feel guilty about what he'd done.
"Hey little guy, I'm sorry." He cooed moving forward again, as Cloud gently rocked the small body backwards and forwards in an attempt to calm the infant once more.
The chubby flushed face slowly stopped crying as the soldier's hand came back into view, a little button nose sniffing weakly as tiny hazel coloured eyes took in the sight of the wiggling finger which was hesitantly being offered up to the boy's hand for a second time.
Zack couldn't help but smile as the room fell silent again, nor miss how the red head beside him sighed with relief, and then felt his lips stretch into a full-blown grin as fat little fingers reached up to wrap tightly around the single digit being held out towards them.
"Hey, he's got quite a grip." The soldier noted proudly, as the pressure around his finger increased a little more.
"They normally do." Cloud noted, his gentle voice drawing Zack's attention back towards him and away from the happily gurgling bundle in the blonde's arms.
Warm sky blue eyes connected almost instantly with soft violet spheres, the brightly glowing sapphire orbs quickly seeing the same tender look that was felt deep within being reflected in the other's expression. Both soldier and cadet comfortably revealing their feelings about what they were currently doing, without the use of words, and happily letting the other know how deeply the interaction was affecting them.
"Not that I want to break up this moment you two have going, but I've got to go." Reno cut in, his words making the other two suddenly turn and look at him questioningly.
"Go?" The soldier enquired. Glancing between himself, the pile of things on the table, and the Turk.
"Yea. Rude needs me to fly, so I've got to go." The red head informed them, already making his way towards the door.
"Hang on mister." Zack called as he tried to follow. But was indirectly pulled back by the tiny, yet incredibly firm, grip on his hand. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"I can't fly with that thing." Reno pointed out defensively.
No one verbally corrected him for calling the baby and thing, though the cadet's features did darken for a moment as he scowled. However, a second later and what the Turk had said was registered fully by the blonde's mind and he was quick to react, his frown instantly turning into a look of mild horror and concern.
"Zack he can't take the little guy on the chopper, it's not safe." Cloud protested almost instantly, his voice sounding notably distraught at the idea.
"Then Reno won't be flying. Will he?" Zack replied, his words sounding more like a statement of fact rather than a question and clearly becoming forceful near the end as he glared meaningfully at the Turk.
"I have to man, no choice."
"Then what are we supposed to do, this isn't our kid?" The soldier asked, his bright violet eyes suddenly going wide as he realised that there was another, more important, issue which had not yet been addressed. "And where the hell did you get him from anyway?"
"He's the son of one of President Shinra's friends, or more like business colleagues. They're visiting and we got assigned babysitting duties."
A notable snort escaped Cloud's body before he could stop it. Though, to give him credit, it was only because he was desperately trying to bit back the laugh which really wanted to escape. His head once again bowed down to look at the infant so that his blonde bangs would hang down to conceal his face and create a golden curtain between himself and the now openly scowling red head in their company.
"It ain't funny man. We're Turks. We, do not, babysit."
"Sure, so what do you call it when you watch over Rufus?" Zack teased playfully. The grin on his face reaching from ear to ear as he heard the cadet beside him crack so that a quiet, and clearly amused, chuckle broke free. While at the same time the words caused Reno to growl warningly.
"That's guard duty and Rufus isn't wearing nappies still."
"That's good to know." Cloud added casually, or at least tried to. His words being aimed at no one in particular as they were spoken while he pulled another funny face at the bundle in his arms. The light-hearted ribbing he was adding to the conversation drawing a barely concealed, and highly entertained, snigger from the soldier beside him. As well as a second, well deserved, glare from the red head.
"Look, just watch him for a couple of hours for me and then I'll be back." Reno half asked, half demanded, and one hundred percent pleaded, with a heavy sigh. His frustration with the pair quite obvious for all to see, but only being held in place because he was requesting this favour from them and knew there weren't really any other options available to him.
"Why don't you tell Tseng that you have something to do and get the kid reassigned to someone else?"
"The ... kid, …" The red head began, having caught himself before saying something insulting about the previously noisy bundle he had been burdened with. "…was assigned to Cissnei and Elaina. But then I made a reeeaaalllyyyy stupid comment and suddenly I was left holding it. I swear they did it on purpose."
"No doubt." Cloud agreed, knowing that if his fiery haired lover was actually admitting he'd made a stupid comment then it must have been an award worthy one.
"So, can you do it for me? Pllleeaaassseeee?"
"Not me." Zack replied instantly. "I've got classes to cover till three. I can't do sword-work and combat-training with a kid under one arm."
"Really? Are you sure?" The Turk asked hesitantly, before winching at the combined looks of annoyance he instantly received from the cadet and soldier.
"I'll do it." Cloud sighed begrudgingly, as he shifted the infant's weight to his other side now that the young boy had voluntarily let go of Zack's finger.
"You sure Spiky, don't forget you're on duty tonight." The soldier warned gently, his reminder about the blonde's schedule being more for Reno's sake at this point than Cloud's.
"It's only for a few hours so I'll manage." The cadet replied softly, a warm smile gracing his delicate lips as he tenderly looked down at the infant again. "This guy will probably need a rest later anyway, so I can sleep then as well."
"Man you're a life saver." The Turk cheered, as he quickly hurried forward and hugged Cloud in a very grateful embrace before turning to leave.
"Hey, wait a sec!" The blonde called, just as the red head made it to the door. "How do I contact you if there's a problem?"
"A Problem?" Reno repeated looking a little worried now.
"I'm not expecting one. " Cloud reassured gently, smiling in amusement at his fiery haired lover's concerned expression. "It's just in case."
"Ummm I would give you my phone, but I kind of need it today." Zack offered by way of an apology.
"Here take mine." The Turk said, already sliding the device out of his pocket and handing it to Cloud. "If you need me call Rude, or Zack, or hell even the girls. Although, come to think about it, they may not answer you cause they've been ignoring me since passing him over and doing a runner earlier."
"Not a surprise really, if you upset them." Zack pointed out evenly, still not happy with the arrangement.
"I'll be fine." Cloud repeated, slipping the phone into his pocket so it was safe and smiling softly as Reno bestowed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
"Thanks again. I'll see you later." Reno whispered tenderly against his ear, the warm breath ghosting over the blonde's neck and making him smile fondly at the red head next to him.
"Just remember you owe me one." Cloud breathed back just as softly, the sparkle in his bright blue eyes letting the Turk know just how he was expected to do such a thing when the time came.
"No worries." Reno replied, unable to hide his own pleasure at the suggestion. "I'm sure I can work something out." He added teasingly, another quick peck of lips signalling his immanent retreat from their company.
A second later and the red head was indeed gone from the apartment, the front door closing softly behind his retreating figure as he quickly made his hasty escape leaving the infant in the cadet's more than capable hands.
"I swear Reno owes us big for this." Zack grumbled as he scratched the back of his head thoughtfully.
"What do you mean us?" Cloud challenged calmly, a blonde eyebrow rising questioningly as he looked at the soldier who still stood beside him.
"Well, he did leave us with it." Zack replied defensively, not noticing the slightly irritated look he was now being given.
"You're going off to work, I'm the one stuck at home holding the baby." The cadet replied evenly, his lips forming a tight line to show he was not impressed.
"Hey it was your choice to have the kid." Zack retorted instantly, then stopped as he realised what they were starting an argument about. "Well, I'll be. He's not even ours and we're fighting over him already."
"You know it doesn't actually work like that." Cloud informed him gently with an exasperated sigh, a small humorous smile now gracing his delicate features as the tension between them eased.
"Yea I know. It's just weird how it happened." The soldier said with soft amusement, his strong arms already wrapping themselves around the cadet's shoulders and carefully drawing the supple body into a loving embrace.
"You'd better get moving or you're going to be late." The blonde pointed out with an appreciative hum, a slight tilt of his head towards the kitchen clock indicating the time being displayed.
"Yea, ok." Zack said, pausing for a moment to run his free hand carefully over the infants head and through a mess of soft ebony coloured hair. "I'll try and pop back between classes and check on you."
"That would be nice, but don't worry if you can't. I know you're busy." Cloud reassured gently. His plush, peachy-toned cheek affectionately nuzzling the soldier's muscular chest as a sign of reassurance, one that could not be given with a returned embrace while his own arms were currently full with the delicate bundle still held within them.
"Be good little guy." Zack whispered, so as not to disturb the peacefully child in the cadet's hands. "And you make sure you get some rest mama Cloud." He teased, quickly placing a chaste kiss on the blonde's soft pink lips before jumping away and dodging the expected kick which had been aimed at his knee for the comment.
"Oh feisty. I like that." Zack purred, as he grabbed his sword and walked towards the front door.
"Jerk." The cadet lightly called after him, the bright smile on his face showing that the insult was being said in good humour.
"Love you too." The soldier replied playfully, glancing back once more before leaving closing the door behind him.
"Ok, so it's just you and me." Cloud said gently, looking down at the infant in his arms.
He smiled as the little boy responded with a series of gurgles, babbles and other interesting noises, as the bundle in his arms appeared to try and communicate a relevant thought or opinion without the use of actual words.
"Yea, I thought so too." The cadet agreed, not really knowing what had been said but enjoying the ideas which had come to mind. "Let's see what uncle Reno left for us, hey?" He coaxed, as he began to move over to the pile of supplies piled on the table.
A few minutes later and Cloud had sorted through the bags finding all the essentials such as food, bottles, baby wipes and nappies. He quickly sorted the items out putting the food in the kitchen and preparing a changing area in the living room. Which, based on how the lower half of the infant's body was currently feeling, he was going to need sooner rather than later.
"Ok, little guy. How about we get that dirty nappy of yours sorted out, then you and I have a play with some of those cool toys or yours?" The cadet asked joyfully, a small chuckle following the words as the little boy started to babble happily about the suggestion while bouncing about energetically in his arms.
"You know, you're just as bouncy as uncle Zack." The blonde mused, as he carefully laid the infant on the changing mat. "Maybe there's something to the name after all?"
A couple of hours later and baby Zack was still wide awake and playing happily, the infant not showing any signs of stopping while the cadet himself was starting to feel more than just a little bit drained and was currently lying sprawled on the floor in the living room. Cloud sighed as once more the baby's large, soft ball was rolled in his direction, the tiny bells inside tinkling to announce its approach just before the toy itself bumped into his shoulder, and once again drew his tired blue eyes over to the little boy who sat propped up against some pillows across from him. A happy gurgle erupted from little Zack's mouth as Cloud pushed the ball back towards him, the blonde smiling in amusement as chubby hands clapped together in approval and he received an enthusiastic babble of praise at his actions.
"So, you're training me." The cadet challenged playfully, his soft chuckle turning to rich laughter as little Zack bounced happily and clapped in agreement to the comment. "Yep, definitely something in the name." Cloud concluded with an amused sigh, as the ball suddenly rolled back towards him again and innocent hazel eyes watched him expectantly.
By eleven the cadet was starting to feel the lack of sleep hitting him hard, the whole hour he had managed between getting to bed and Reno arriving now clearly not enough to keep him going. Little Zack on the other hand was still full of energy and to Cloud's horror had now grown bored of his various toys and was constantly crawling off in search of something more interesting to do within the other rooms. Unfortunately, being a soldier's apartment, most of the things he came across were way too dangerous for an infant and worst of all nothing was baby proofed.
The blonde groaned wearily as once again the young boy made a rush for the bedroom, his little body moving with a decent speed to escape the cadet's clutches and explore the more exciting places where he wasn't supposed to go. Thankfully Cloud was quicker and easily scooped the infant up in his arms before he could get too far, the wriggling mass of arms and legs causing him to huff in mild annoyance as he struggled to get a better hold on little Zack's squirming body.
"I told you, that's not safe." Cloud scolded softly once he had the child held safely in his arms, the index finger of one hand gently tapping a small soft nose to emphasis the point.
In response little Zack glared and huffed his own frustration back at the cadet, the little sulky pout which appeared on his chubby face making Cloud grin as he realised that the similarities were just getting better and better.
"I wish I had a camera." The blonde informed the scowling boy, his soft chuckle giving way to a full blown laughter when the determined infant altered tactics and his expression changed to look up at the cadet with beseeching puppy dog eyes.
"Sorry little guy, I've had practice dealing with big Zack who does that, so it won't work on me." Cloud informed the young boy gently, and chuckled again when he received another scowl. "Come on, how about we have an early lunch?" He asked, deciding a distraction of food might work better.
As if by magic the child's face lit up and cheerful sounds of agreement poured from little Zack's mouth, the other adventures temporarily forgotten as he bounced energetically in the cadet's arms once more.
"This is priceless." Cloud managed a little breathlessly, as he adjusted the infant's weight against his chest so that he could have one hand free to wipe away the tears of mirth which now ran freely down his cheeks.
By one in the afternoon the cadet had given up on sleep, his body having gone well past the point of being able to rest and falling into a numb sense of existence. They had enjoyed a fun lunch with little Zack happy to consume all of his food, rather than throw it about as some children preferred to do, and Cloud had been unable to keep the stupid grin off his face as the young boy had keenly gobbled down every bite offered. Now both sat quietly at the dining table, with little Zack perched contentedly on the blonde's knee, as the cadet tried to read an assigned chapter of his materia textbook in preparation for next week's class.
Strangely enough the infant was managing to sit reasonable still as Cloud read the information out loud, only fidgeting now and then to adjust his position or look up at the blonde questioningly, and the cadet was happily enjoying the way he was playing with his voice to make the rather boring subject actually seem like an exciting story. In fact, Cloud was so caught up in the dramatic explanation of how red materia could be used that he actually jumped when the phone in his pocket suddenly began to ring.
"Silly me." He told the confused and slightly startled infant on his lap, before looking at the caller ID and sighing when he saw that it was Rude's name which flashed up. "Hello?" he answered, guessing that it would be Reno checking in.
"Hey kid, how's it going?" The Turk replied instantly.
"Not a kid and we're doing ok." The cadet replied, his voice deepening to show his dislike for the nickname but then returning to normal again near the end.
"Sorry, it's a habit I need to break." Reno apologised, while laughing softly.
"Well break it soon."
"Sure, ok. So seriously, how's it going?"
"It's going ok. We've played, had lunch, played some more. We're currently studying the uses of red materia." The blonde informed the red head, while silently making funny faces at little Zack who was attempting to make his own silly expressions in response.
"Isn't he a little young to be reading?" Reno asked sceptically.
"Of course he is." Cloud sighed, the tone of his voice clearly saying that he wasn't that stupid . "I'm reading it to him."
"Umm ok, but isn't that a little ... boring for him."
"It's not what you read Reno, it's how you read it." The cadet informed him, a second before he stuck his tongue out playfully at little Zack.
A squeal of delight cut off whatever Reno had said and Cloud laughed softly as small pink lips tried to position themselves correctly and poke a mini tongue out in the same way. Momentarily distracted by the infant the blonde forgot about his current conversation with the Turk and poked his tongue out again, the action causing little Zack to squeal in delight once more and clap his hands together furiously.
"Hey, Cloud!" Reno voice shouted down the phone making the cadet jump.
"Huh, sorry Reno. Little Zack distracted me."
"So it's little Zack?" The red head enquired curiously. "Was I right about there being something in the name?"
"I'm not agreeing with anything, but there are a few ... similarities." Cloud agreed, knowing Reno could hear the amusement in his voice and would guess there was more to it.
"You'll have to tell me about it when I get back."
"You'll be back soon though, right?" The cadet asked, now paying closer attention to the conversation than little Zack.
"Not for a couple more hours, also Elaina called Rude to tell him to tell me that the presidents guests are going out for dinner with him this evening so the babysitting gig is carrying on until at least eleven tonight."
"Reno, I've got duty at twelve." Cloud groaned, already feeling the sleep deprivation taking over.
"Sorry." The red head apologised quickly, the rest of what he said coming out equally rushed and in a slightly hushed tone. "Look I've got to go, get big Zack to help you when he gets back."
"Reno I..." The cadet began a second before the line went dead, his hand instantly pulling the phone down from his ear so he could first look at it in shock and then glare at it in annoyance. "He hung up." The blonde declared with obvious disbelief and irritation at the red head. "He really hung up, that ..." Cloud started to fume, his attention immediately turning back to the infant on his lap so that at least someone would hear him rant.
It was only then that he saw what had been keeping little Zack so quiet for so long, the little guy having been happily distracted by the big textbook in front of him which he was now sucking to death along the bottom edge. The cadet instantly groaned in dismay at the sight and quickly pulled the sodden pages away from the dribbling mouth which encased them, his whole body slumping wearily back in the chair as he wearily took in the damage little Zack had done to the book.
"How am I supposed to explain baby drool on my textbook? Huh?" The blonde asked with a tired sigh, his slightly amused expression slipping a little as he realised that there was in fact a very real possibility that he could get picked up on it by one of his instructors. "Let's just hope no one notices and that if they do then uncle Sephiroth understands." He informed the infant with a resigned tone to his voice, the faintly concerned look which had formed on his angelic features instantly dissolving into a soft smile as the little boy once again gurgled happily and started bouncing on his knee.
By four Cloud was at his wits end, having spent most of the day trapped in the house with the bundle of energy known as little Zack and very little sleep. He knew that Reno was going to be late and that Sephiroth had made no plans to come round, but the whereabouts of the raven haired soldier were still a mystery. The cadet had given Zack extra time knowing it took a while to get out of class and home if something had happened, things such as extra tuition being needed or perhaps a rarely given punishment being assigned. That period of grace had now long since passed and Cloud glared at the clock once more before deciding that he couldn't take any more. Shifting the wriggling mass of little Zack as it tried to escape from his arms, the cadet dug the phone out of his pocket and quickly dialled the soldier's number.
After seven rings and still no answer Cloud growled in frustration and snapped the phone shut, his annoyance creating a tension which little Zack quickly picked up on and became distressed about.
"I'm sorry little guy." The cadet soothed gently, rocking the whimpering bundle. "I'm just a little tired. How about we have some dinner and watch TV?" He cooed softly, already moving towards the kitchen to start warming something up.
Thirty minutes later and Cloud found himself looking down at the mess which had resulted from little Zack trying, rather unsuccessfully, to feed himself. The cadet sighed as he lifted the sticky, slimy infant out of the travel baby chair and moved back towards the kitchen grabbing the spare clothes bag on the way. Thankfully the boy's parents had packed with an overnight stay in mind, or perhaps they just knew their son that well, and so all of the things Cloud needed to wash little Zack and get him changed into some clean clothes were there.
The blonde quickly filled the sink with warm water and after checking it was the right temperature, as well as adding some baby kind bubble bath, stripped the young boy before carefully lowering him in. The resounding ecstatic burbling and joyful splashes left Cloud in no doubt that little Zack enjoyed his bath time, it also left him receiving a small bath of his own as the t-shirt and sweat pants he was wearing became soaked through. By now however the blonde was too drained to feel anything and so accepted the situation with a tired shrug and willingly acknowledged the fact that he was going to be dripping wet by the end.
Sure enough, after hair had been washed, and little Zack was changed and dressed for bed, Cloud found himself clad in sodden fabric while staggering around the apartment trying to get the little guy off to sleep. His own mind having become nothing more than a foggy mess, as the need for sleep crawled across his senses, and the feel of wet material clinging to his body made him feel not only cold and uncomfortable but also sapped of strength as well.
By six o'clock the cadet was walking around the apartment like a zombie, his feet moving on some form of auto pilot as he stumbled around the living room while desperately trying to keep his body in motion. It wasn't just for fun that the blonde was now marching out the drills that had been ground into him since his first day at the academy, not a need for practice of his basic formation manoeuvres that kept Cloud's bare feet stepping in the correct formation. No, what kept the young blonde moving, even in his half dead state, was the knowledge that little Zack didn't like to be still. Ever.
Oh, yes, the cadet had learnt that lesson the hard way, for daring to think that just because the infant had finally fallen asleep he could sit down and get some rest for himself as well. But no sooner had Cloud settled down on the sofa and closed his tired blue eyes, the young boy's body still curled up in his arms and resting safely against his chest, then little Zack had woken up again and he had not been happy. As a result the cadet was now exhausted as he kept them both moving, his body being fuelled by a variety of emotions including concern and anger as he glanced at the kitchen clock for the hundredth time, his mind once again racing over all of the possibilities for why Zack was so late and what reason the soldier could possibly have for not calling.
With several varying thoughts running through his head Cloud's gaze flickered across to the phone on the table, while silently wiling it to ring. His heart beating with worry that something was possibly wrong, yet also ranting that if Zack didn't have a damn good reason there would be hell to pay. And so it was with a drained sigh that the blonde turned away from the item which still teased him mercilessly, because he knew that it was pointless to try ringing again. After all, he'd already attempted calling the soldier several times in the last twenty minutes and each time the phone had rung unanswered.
"Damn it, where are you?" The cadet mumbled looking back at the clock yet again and then over towards the apartment door, now silently hoping that Zack would somehow magically appear though it.
A faint dreamy murmur drew Cloud's attention back to the bundle in his arms and the fatigued cadet let out a heavy sigh, his tension easing just a little as he looked down as little Zack still fast asleep in his arms. He couldn't help but smile softly as a little nose wrinkled up and chubby fingers wriggled to grasp the front of his t-shirt tighter. The blonde's drained body, tired mind and strained emotions instantly melting away at the adorable sight.
"You're not so bad." Cloud told the infant in a gentle whisper, as he adjusted his hold on the smaller body so that it was positioned more comfortable against his chest. "Just make sure that when you grow up, you remember to call your boyfriend when he's stuck at home with the baby." The worn out cadet continued, feeling the need to point the injustice out to anybody at this stage. Even if that somebody was too small to really understand and too happily lost to sleep to truly care.