AN: While this should be obvious from the pairing alone, there is a (canon) age difference and power imbalance between Angeal & Zack. So, warning for that I guess?

Also, this fic was originally posted to AO3 if anyone prefers to read there. AO3 has the link to the original prompt if you'd like to see it.

Zack put all of his strength behind his swing. Only one monster to go. He just needed to end this mission quickly so he could get out of here and spend the rest of the day hiding from Angeal. Like a coward.

He sighed. Man, this was awful. He could practically feel Angeal's gaze pressing down on his back. On his entire body, actually. Gliding along his skin…

He jerked back to reality as the monster swerved. The force of his swing made him stumble past his target, leaving his back completely exposed with no time to block. Angeal was going to kill him! Zack pivoted on his heel. If he could at least get it on his arm-

The blow came, but it came in the form of a hard shove pushing him out of the way. He toppled forward into a roll before popping back up a few paces away. He twisted around in time to see Angeal finish the Belzecue with a series of punches that were almost too fast for the naked eye.

"Hey! I could have-"

Angeal snapped a scowl towards him, and Zack suddenly found his sword to be very interesting. Was that a new scratch? Damn. This one better not break on him like the last one!

He continued to look it over, making it a point not to notice the disapproval being directed his way. So much for one and done. That was Angeal's "lecturing" stance. He'd be lucky to get out of here sometime in the next hour. Zack tried not to squirm at the thought.

"You lost your focus." Angeal didn't need to add the silent 'again' for Zack to hear it. He hadn't been doing so well these past few days. Not since he'd seen Angeal- seen Angeal-

Zack turned around and pretended to check the area for any hidden monsters they might have missed in an effort to hide the blush he could feel creeping across his cheeks. Would the VR even show him blushing?

Would it show…other things?

He stabbed his sword into the ground in front of him. Better not risk it.

The dirt crunched underneath Angeal's boots as the SOLDIER First drew closer, until the footsteps stopped right behind him. Oh man, this was bad. Zack's body practically sparked from the amount of energy that rushed through him when Angeal placed a hand on his shoulder. He could remember what else that hand had touched. Or, rather, held…Grasped. Fondled. Stroked. Jerk-

"I have to go."

Zack flipped open his phone with one hand and grabbed his sword with the other. He didn't wait for a response before he darted forward. Angeal would only try to stop him.

The simulation ended in a series of cascading pixels, and Zack was out the door before it'd even fully materialized. He swung his sword up onto his back and then used his free hand to toss his VR headset into the group of Thirds who'd been patiently waiting their turn. He ignored the startled glances they gave him. He doubly ignored how he had to look to the rookies as he fled his training session.

Zack was at the end of the hall in literal seconds. (Man, he loved SOLDIER speed.) Distantly, he heard one of the group mutter something about how Commander Hewley must be terrifying.

Zack winced. He'd have to set them straight later. Angeal didn't deserve to have his reputation tarnished just because he couldn't handle the thought of his mentor being too close to him right then. Besides, Genesis already had a claim on the "scary Commander" shtick.

He locked his door behind him when he reached his apartment. And then, in a fit of paranoia, he dragged his bookshelf in front of it. Angeal wasn't likely to enter without his permission, but Zack had just run out of there like a flock of angry chocobos was after him.

He slumped against the shelf. He was such a dick. Angeal was probably worried about him now.

"Way to go, Zack. Really awesome." He banged the back of his head against the bookshelf a couple of times before resigning himself to Angeal's fretting next time he saw him. Followed by a long lecture once he realized Zack was an idiot who didn't deserve any sympathy or concern.

What had he been thinking? You didn't just run out on a commanding officer, even if that officer was Angeal. Especially if that officer was Angeal.

Groaning, Zack pressed his face into his hands. How was he going to explain this?