Chapter One: The Vagrant
Cloud looked up as Tifa entered Merlin's house. The mahogany-eyed woman held up a single Munny. "Did anyone lose this; it was in front of the door when I came in."
Cloud, Zell, and Yuffie shook their heads and Cid glanced at the woman before snorting. "I really don't think losing that's going to break anyone's bank."
"Well, it's still polite to ask," remarked the woman.
"If you don't want to keep it, then here," the Gummi mechanic held up a glass jar with more Munny in it.
"What is this for anyway?" asked Zell as Tifa dropped the found Munny into the jar.
"It's bail Munny for when Spiky takes the bait," answered Cid.
Cloud turned to look at the other man, "What bait is going to land me in jail now?"
"Jailbait of course," answered Cid in a completely serious tone. This did not stop Zell from smirking, Tifa from chuckling, or Yuffie from cracking up completely.
Cloud's eyebrows drew together, "Cid-"
"We've all seen the way you look at Jailbait, Spiky," answered Cid. "It's not like it's going to surprise any of us when you call for bail Munny."
Mako blue eyes narrowed, but the door opened and Leon entered before Cloud could retort. Steel blue eyes took in the former SOLDIER's glare before Leon raised an eyebrow.
"Now what?" he asked flatly.
"Spiky's got a bug up his ass 'cause I was teasing him about Jailbait," Cid answered before Cloud could respond. This sent both women into a giggling fit.
The scarred man rolled his eyes. "Look, I find teasing Cloud to be just as entertaining as you do, but didn't I ask you not to call the kid that?"
"I didn't call him that," said the elder blonde. "I referred to him as that. I won't do it when he's around…wouldn't want to give Jailbait any more issues than he's already got."
"Cid," Leon began sternly, "I want you to take it easy on the kid."
"Haven't I been doing that?" asked the Gummi mechanic. "I don't want to upset him any more than you do…If he takes off then it's just you and me trying to fix this mess." Cid gestured at the computer he had been working on.
"Oh, that reminds me," said Zell as he stood. "I was supposed to fix the lighting in the computer room."
"You haven't done that yet?" asked Leon.
"We had a whole block lose power this week; I've been busy," responded the tattooed man.
"I know," said the Gunblade wielder. "Sorry to jump on you, I just don't want the kid to go blind in there."
"Yeah, plus that place is creepy enough as it is," added Yuffie.
"Tell me about it," said Zell. "I'm stopping at the hotdog stand after I'm done. Anyone want me to bring them back anything?"
"I'll take two chilli dogs," said Yuffie.
"You just had lunch," said Tifa, earning her a shrug from the hyperactive ninja. "No wonder you have so much energy."
"I'll bring back plenty," said Zell on his way out.
"Assuming they aren't sold out again," Leon said under his breath.
"Well between him and her," Tifa indicated Yuffie, "Is it any surprise?"
"Not to mention all the kids that go there," added Cid. Then he turned to Cloud, "Hey, you should take Jailbait there sometime. I'm sure it'll be right up his alley…of course, you might want to give me time to build up more funds if you intend to go up his alley…"
"That's it," said Cloud as he stood quickly and headed toward the door. "I'm leaving."
Cloud slammed the door behind him and stormed off. Without paying attention, he ended up at the Bailey. After pacing for a moment, the blonde man understood why Leon and Riku often came to that location when they wanted some space. No one seemed to linger there. Cloud leaned against a wall, arms folded and eyes closed.
After some time had passed, it could have been minutes or hours, Cloud was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he was not sure; he heard footsteps walk past him and stop as someone leaned against the opposite wall.
"What do you want, Zack?" asked the blonde man without opening his eyes.
"I want you to shit or get off the pot," answered the violet-eyed man.
Mako blue eyes snapped open. "Excuse me?"
"Tifa talked to me after you stormed off. We all knew Cid was going to react this way about the kid," commented Zack. "At least he's only teasing you. A lot of others will think poorly of you if you get involved with this kid."
"His name is not kid," commented Cloud, "And do you honestly think I don't know that? I also know that they'll all have a reason too. I could completely ruin his life-"
"You could ruin both your lives," interrupted Zack, "Which is why you need to think this through and then make a decision. Now, you know I'm behind you either way, because I'm your friend and hell, the kid's hot, but I would really like to hear the story behind this."
Cloud raised his head now. "This isn't just about his looks."
"I didn't say it was," stated the black-haired man. "I know the boy is beautiful, smart, and that if it weren't for him, half of the worlds and most of their population, including myself, would still be wherever we went after we disappeared. Trust me; no one appreciates that distinction more than I do. What I don't know is how you ended up attached to him."
"I woke up in a world I never even heard of, you and Tifa were gone, so I went to look for you," explained Cloud. "That's when I ended up signing that contract with Hades. Riku was in a similar position, only he was just a kid, and Maleficent took advantage of his situation. We met a few times while we were under them, and we got along. Sometime after Cid brought me back here, I went to the castle ruins and Riku found me there. We kept in touch after that."
Zack nodded slowly. "That was after he escaped the dark realm and found his friend. You were trying to come to terms with what you had done and had just learned that Sephiroth returned with everybody else." A small smirk touched his lips, "You two must have made a nice little support group for each other."
"That's exactly what it was like," agreed Cloud. "No one else understood what I was trying to deal with, except for him; and the things this kid believes and can do…He just kept reminding me what was important, and that you're never too far from the light."
"I'm glad you had that kind of support," stated Zack, "But it still doesn't sound like that kind of love to me."
"What do you mean?" asked Cloud, sounding genuinely curious.
"I mean, you love him, but not like a lover should," said Zack, "And you want him for the wrong reasons. You want to be with him because you hate being alone but you don't like to open up to people and explain yourself. With him, you don't have to. That isn't right for you, and it isn't fair to him. You both deserve better."
Cloud sighed. "I don't want to use him."
"Then don't," Zack commented without pause. "Back off the kid a little, be his friend…that's it. Then, you can try to open up to everyone else and maybe you'll find someone you actually want for the right reasons and are willing to work on a real relationship with. You know Tifa's been pretty worried about you…"
"Don't start that up," interrupted the blonde. "I think I have enough to work with for now."
"Well, I think you should talk to Leon anyway." Zack raised his hands and smiled at Cloud's startled expression, "Not like that. It's just…you're not the only one who's gotten close to Riku."
Cloud looked confused for a moment, and then his eyes widened slightly. "Are you saying that Leon…?"
"I'm saying he's also been way too protective and attached to the kid," stated Zack. "You know how he likes all his ducks in a row. You might want to let him know that he doesn't have to watch you around Riku anymore."
"Yeah, it'll be nice not having him glare at me half of the time," said Cloud, "And I certainly won't miss all of Cid's crap."
"Oh, you know he loves us," commented Zack with a smirk. "Come on; let's get back to work."
Cloud nodded, "Hey Zack?"
"Now what?" asked the former colonel in a teasing tone.
"Thanks," muttered Cloud.
"Aw, you're so cute when you aren't trying to be cool," commented Zack with a chuckle.
Cloud rolled his eyes and the two friends continued walking to the Postern.