Loser of The Year
"You make me want to shut it all down, throw it all away, cause I'm nothing if I don't have you." Zack always though Aerith was for him. They'd get married, have kids, live happily ever after. But that was when the break-up happened. That's when his world as he knew it fell to pieces. And there was nothing anyone could do. Then, Genesis got an apprentice. And it all went down hill.
Warnings: This is a ZackXOC story. My oc is a male. It's yaoi. If you don't like it, then don't read it. You've been warned.
Author's note: Nothing has changed in the story, simply compiled a couple chapters together to make the chapters longer and the number of them smaller. Hoping to have Chapter 12 out soon, but a lot has been going on in my life. Give me some time.
Disclaimer: The title and quote at the top is a song, called Loser of The Year by Simple Plan. I make no money off this and is simply for mine and everyone's enjoyment. I also do not own the FF 7 name and make no money from that either.
My name is Adrian Knox. I'm a proud SOLDIER 2nd class working for ShinRa Electric Power Company. Today is my 18th birthday, and I've just been handed an apprenticeship under a 1st class. I couldn't be more excited. Except...
At exactly 5pm the alarm rang, signaling the start of another long day. Bleary eyes looked up from pillow, dark black hair sleep tousled and falling into the tired eyes. A hand reached out from the mountains of blankets, turning the screaming alarm off. A sigh was heard through the silent apartment, before the head fell back to the bed.
Usually, Zack Fair was up like a bullet, starting on his warming exercises of squats before heading to shower. After, he'd walk leisurely back to his room, one towel around his waist, the other drying his hair. He's then proceed to dress in the standard dark purple 2nd class soldier uniform before heading out to train with his mentor, one Commander Angeal Hewley. But today was going to be long, painful, and just overall agonizing. Especially because of what had happened yesterday.
"It's not you, it's me. She said. You deserve better. She said." Zack mumbled miserably. Another sigh. "If she wasn't the one, then who is?"
On the opposite end of the 2nd class floor, in another, similar apartment, another 2nd class soldier was waking up, in a lot happier of a mood. Dark purple hair fell into mismatched eyes as a young man, just turning 18, stared into the mirror, checking over his uniform.
"I. Look. Gorgeous." The teen said, smirking at the image of himself in the mirror. That's when his gaze drifted to his eyes, and his face fell. The right eye was a green that reminded him of the trees at home, while the left was a blue that matched the sky. The only thing that kept him from being perfect, and he couldn't change it. He had thought the mako would change his eyes to a more green color, but it had only intensified the difference in the two irises. Much to his frustration. His frustration was interrupted by the beeping of his PHS, signaling an incoming call. Walking to the nightstand the teen picked it up.
"Second class Knox here."
"Knox? It's Lazard. I have an assignment here for you. I need you down here as soon as your ready."
"Of course sir. I'll be right there." Hanging up the PHS, 'Knox' placed it in his pocket before turning and grabbing the standard helmet. He hated that it covered his hair and gorgeous face, but it was necessary to hide his hideously mismatched eyes. Grabbing the standard 2nd class broadsword he walked from his room, grabbing his key card on the way out, and heading towards the elevator. He pressed the call button and waited, vaguely aware of another 2nd class coming to stand next to him, also waiting for the elevator. Upon it's arrival both pressed a button for their desired floor. Knox stood there, quietly taking in the depressed and overall deflated mood of the other. Quite like a scolded puppy, if he said so himself. Neither said a word, and as the elevator stopped, it was Knox who stepped out, leaving the upset soldier behind him.
"No need to worry Lazard! I have arrived!" Knox said, opening the doors to the office. His grin intensified upon seeing his friend, Kunsel, also a 2nd class, standing there as well. "Hey! Is Kunsel going with me on the mission? How cool would that be?" Knox look over at Lazard, and after a nod of approval, Knox walked over to Kunsel, bumping fists with him. "So what's the mission Lazard? Must be pretty big if your sending two 2nds."
"It would seem some monsters are attacking the sector 5 slums. I need to two of you to go down and exterminate them so the citizens can relax." Lazard said, leaning back in his chair. Knox nodded, already heading for the door. Kunsel sent a half hearted salute before following his friend. Kunsel sighed,
"You could at least show a little bit of respect for him you know. Especially when you hear what he got you for your birthday." At this Knox stopped and turned to his friend, a smirk gracing his features.
"And what would that be Kunsel? And I thought I warned you about hacking people. The TURKS will be on you soon, and then what? I'd have no friends here. Who would I turn to when I break up with someone?" Knox said, half jokingly. Kunsel smiled and walked past his younger friend,
"You know what? I don't think I'm going to tell you. You've got to learn patience." Kunsel pressed the call button, a smirk slowly gracing his features. The elevator opened and the two went in, pressing the button for the ground floor.
"I have plenty of patience Kunsel." Knox said, crossing his arms. The two stood in silence for several minutes as the elevator descended.
"…"
"…"
"Seriously what'd he get me?"
Low grumbles could be heard as the SOLDIER 2nd walked along the debris of the sector 5 slums. Kunsel had refused to divulge the info on his birthday present, and so Knox had to wait, patiently, to finish his mission and the rest of the day to get said present.
Anyone who knew Knox, knew patience was not a strong point of his.
"Figures I'd have the evil friend who knows everything yet tells nothing." Knox sighed, kicking a rock towards the side. His broadsword was strapped to his back, the last battle being quite some time ago. "Where'd the monsters go? They run off cause they saw the awesome Knox coming or something? Heh, that's probably it." Knox smirked before stopping in the path, looking around. "God I'm bored."
"Excuse me?" Knox looked over, seeing a young girl, a teen, standing there, She had long brown hair in a braid down her back and bright green eyes. A flower cart was next to her.
"You shouldn't be out here, there's an outbreak of monsters at the moment." Knox said, walking over the to the girl.
"It's ok. I was just wondering if you could help me with something." She said softly, a small smile on her face.
"Uh, I suppose I could. There's no monsters here currently so I have some time. What is it?" Knox said, tilting his head in confusion.
"Well, I just broke up with my boyfriend recently-" She started before Knox cut her off.
"Whoa, hold on there! Heh, I know I'm sexy and all, but I don't like to be someone's rebound ass, so if that's what your looking for I'm going to have to say find someone else." Knox said, waving his hands around in front of him, laughing nervously. The girl giggled before shaking her head.
"It's not that. He's a SOLDIER 2nd class too, and I was just wondering if you could give him something for me?" She asked. Knox looked confused before nodding.
"I suppose I could find him. What's his name?"
"Zack Fair."
"Zack Fair? Can't say I know the name. What's he look like?" Knox asked, looking to the teen. Honestly, if she broke up with him, why bother finding him? Unless she regretted it. 'Girls. Never know what they have till they throw it away.'
"He has black hair with bangs framing his face, he spikes the back up. His eyes are violet and he has both his ears pierced." She said describing her ex, or maybe used to be ex?
Knox listened to the description, before he realized that was the sullen SOLDIER he saw on the elevator not 3 hours ago.
"Yea I saw him before. I can give him whatever you have for you. What is it?" Knox questioned as he looked around, making sure monsters weren't sneaking up on them.
"It's just a note really. But he needs it." She said, handing a letter to him. Knox took it and placed in in his pocket.
"No worries. Second class Adrian Knox will make sure one 'Zack Fair' receives his letter. Anything else I can do you for?" Knox smiled at her as her eyes lit up.
"Nothing, thank you!" She smiled and waved slightly before pushing her flower cart towards what looked like a church. Knox shrugged and turned, continuing his patrol.
Kunsel laughed as he saw his friend walk up to Lazard's office. From helmet to boot, Adrian was covered in slime. The scowl on his face was priceless.
"Well Knox, looks like you were on the wrong end of a monster." Kunsel laughed more as Knox swiped some of the slime and threw it at him. He ducked, allowing the mess to hit the wall.
"Real funny Kunsel. Really. I'm dying of laughter." Adrian drawled out, his eyes twitching under his helmet. Pushing passed his friend, Adrian walked into Lazard's office, seeing Commander Hewley and…Zack Fair? Well that was easy.
"Ah, Knox, I was just talking about you. You and Kunsel are finished with your mission?" Knox didn't answer as he stood off to the side, sulking as slime dripped off him and created a puddle on the floor. Kunsel entered the room, still snickering.
"We sure did Director. All monsters exterminated." Kunsel looked over to Zack and smiled apologetically. "I heard about you and Aerith, Zack. I'm sorry you two didn't work out." Zack sighed before attempting to smile.
"It's fine Kunsel. There's always someone else out there, right?" Kunsel nodded before looking to Adrian.
"You still sulking that I laughed at you Knox?" Kunsel held back a chuckle as Adrian slowly turned his head, slime sliding down the front of his helmet.
"Just wait Kunsel. I'll get you. And it'll be good too." Commander Hewley looked between the two 2nds while Zack laughed lightly.
"Knox." Lazard called. Adrian turned to look at the Director. "I have a very special birthday present for you. I'm sure you'll be thrilled." Lazard continued. Adrian perked up at the mention of his present, having completely forgotten about it in his gloomy, slime covered mood. "From today until you make 1st class, you'll be the apprentice of a 1st class soldier." Adrian made a confused noise in his throat.
"But commander Hewley already has a student Director." He said, looking to the dark haired duo. He saw Kunsel smirk from his place next to Zack and felt himself deflate in realization.
"Commander Hewley will not be your mentor. Commander Rhapsodos is." Adrian groaned as Kunsel laughed.
…Except Genesis and I, have two completely different and clashing personalities. And we hate each other.
Seemingly at the mention of his name, Genesis walked through the door of Lazard's office. His red/brown hair moving gently as he walked, the slightly heeled knee high boots thumping against the tiled floor. He wore the usual soldier uniform with the red and black overcoat, his red gloves covering his hands. Stopping beside his fellow 1st class, Genesis nodded to his friend before looking to his new, slime covered, apprentice.
"Adrian."
"Genesis."
A rather long silence followed after the acknowledgements, mentor and apprentice giving each other rather put off looks. Genesis broke the silence first.
"You still playing at SOLDIER?"
"You still playing Hero?"
Both scowled at each other, Adrian's eye twitching under his helmet.
"What did you say you little brat?!" Genesis huffed, clenching his fists as he glared at the younger male. Adrian copied him.
"I could ask the same thing, you old geezer!" Kunsel sighed and walked over to Adrian, grabbing him by a rather clean piece of his belt, before dragging him towards the door.
"I'll go get him cleaned up Commander Rhapsodos, then the two of you can rip each others throats out." Adrian glared at his friend before catching the eyes of Zack. The weight of the letter in his pocket made itself known. Adrian grabbed it from his pocket and chucked it in the other 2nd's direction, a quick 'For you' managing to get out before the door closed behind the two. Zack caught it, confused, before looking at his name printed neatly on the front. It was from Aerith. Zack stuffed it in his pocket for later as his mentor started chatting with his friend.
"Really Genesis, is that any way to welcome your new apprentice?" Angeal asked, a chuckle lighting his words. Genesis scowled.
"That little beast is lucky I agreed to oversee his training. And how does he show his gratitude? By calling me names and belittling me!" Genesis huffed softly. Angeal looked at him with a smile.
"Honestly Genesis, it looked like you started it." Zack laughed quietly to himself as he watched the two, Angeal trying to calm his friend and Genesis ranting about.
'That no good beast and his infuriating comments.'
Adrian watched as the goo and slime slide down his body onto the porcelain bottom of the tub and shower combo. It swirled slightly around the drain before disappearing on it's way to the sewers. He made a disgusted noise before shuddering.
"That stuff was on me. In my hair. My gorgeous hair!" Adrian quickly reached for the shampoo, allowing a rather generous amount to accumulate on his hand before scrubbing it roughly into his hair.
Outside the door, Kunsel laughed, hearing the distressed mutterings about what monster slime would do to his hair.
"Him and his hair. It's a wonder he made it through boot camp." Kunsel took out his PHS and proceeded to check his email's as he waited for his friend to finish his 'preening'.
To: Zack
From: Kunsel
'Hey Zack! I'm taking Knox out for a special birthday drink at Goblin's Bar. You want to come with?'
To: Kunsel
From: Zack
'Sure, that is if your friend doesn't mind. don't want to intrude or anything.'
To: Zack
From: Kunsel
'Seriously? Knox is a closet attention whore. He'd probably be mad if I didn't invite you lol. We'll be there at 7. Meet us there?'
To: Kunsel
From: Zack
'Alright! I'll meet you two there!'
Meanwhile, Adrian was still furiously scrubbing his 'tainted' hair.
"Ugh! Monster slime!"
Zack, having finally arrived back to his own apartment, stared thoughtfully at the letter laid on the coffee table in front of him. The handwriting was no doubt Aerith's. But what could she possibly have written to him for? It was her who broke them up. Did she regret it? Did she want to get back together?
Would he want to get back together?
Zack sighed before picking up the envelope and opening it, taking the piece of paper from inside. Here went nothing.
Dear Zack,
I know you're probably hurting, and confused, but we were not meant to be. And I'm sorry for that.
Remember I told you how I could hear the planet? It said something to me recently. It didn't make sense at first, but I understand now. You're love is not meant to be mine, it's meant for someone else, someone who needs it desperately. There are things at play that I do not understand, but the planet whispered at how vital you would be to this person. How he would die alone and afraid if you're not there.
Zack, I'm not sure what this means, but I hope you can forgive me.
I can give a little help to who this person is though. The planet whispered of eyes matching the land and sea. Is there anyone with eyes like that?
Aerith.
Zack stared at the letter. That was why she broke up with him? The planet told her to? And who was this person who would die without him? Why was he so important?
"I don't understand Aerith. But, I'll try my best." Zack whispered, staring sadly at her name on the paper. If Aerith wanted him to find and love this person as much as he loved her, then he would try his best to accomplish this.
It would be his own personal mission. And if he wanted to be a 1st class SOLDIER, he couldn't fail his missions.
