A/N

Hmmm so far so good? I think so. I kind of like keeping Cloud with somewhat of a back bone. He isn't too innocent, just the right amount! So let's see where this wonderful journey takes us.

Chapter Two

"Why did you lie for me?" Cloud asked softly as they wandered out of the bases' territory. "I mean, we just met yesterday and I didn't even give you my name."

"You still haven't." Zack corrected with a grin. "So how about we introduce ourselves properly? The name's Zack Fair, nice to meet you."

Like he needed an introduction. Cloud met the open hand and clasped it tightly with his before nodding briskly, "Cloud Strife."

"And thus a friendship is born." He nodded at the other before releasing his hand and walking for town. The institution was close enough to the city to walk, okay, okay; it was the heart of the city. "Want to go get a drink?"

"I'm only sixteen." Cloud muttered softly. "They wouldn't let me in."

"No one asks questions when you're with a SOLDIER, kid." And with that he led the way. It was five in the morning, what bar was open at five in the morning?

Cloud followed anyway not wanting to upset his friend…no acquaintance. He wasn't going to start using that word until he knew he wasn't going to die for it. He slouched along behind Zack trying to look more awake then he felt. He was exhausted, his body and mind just wanted to shut down. Why was he going to a bar with a first class SOLDIER?

They entered the space and a few people looked up smirking at the dark haired wonder. Cloud collapsed in a booth and let his head fall on the table lightly, eyes fluttering closed. "How did you expect to get past combat training like this?"

He cracked an eye open to stare at the over eager Zack. "I had forgotten about it, so I didn't plan on going at all."

"Well isn't that a bad idea?"

Cloud scanned the nearly empty bar with a snort, "Are you sure you should be the one talking about bad ideas? We're at a bar at five in the morning."

Zack smirked and didn't bother with a reply. Cloud would see soon enough why he was here. The waitress walked over with a hand on her hip and a smile on her lips. "Long time no see, soldier boy. Gonna have the usual?" When he nodded he was looked at with innocent, brown eyes. "And you?"

She didn't ID him or anything; what kind of place was this? He looked at the woman and gestured to the black haired male. "Whatever he's getting."

Zack bit back some laughter before bringing his hand up to brush one of the bruises on Cloud's cheek. "So who managed to beat you down? You're not exactly the submissive type."

Cloud smirked and raised an eyebrow, "How would you know anything about me?" He didn't flinch away from the touch this time. Actually, he caught himself almost leaning into it. "It was just some guy and his friends, nothing to worry about."

"How many?"

Cloud looked up half expecting a smile but Zack was dead serious. "Excuse me?"

"How many men were there? A one on one fight is understandable, sometimes they don't mind those among recruits because of a dominance thing, but if they are harassing you with more than one person I have a right to know."

A right to know? Who the heck did this guy think he was talking to? Cloud raised his head up to stare at the other. "You have a RIGHT to know? What right are you entitled to, sir?" His words were dark, venomous. "Whatever is going on in my life is MY problem, so I don't give a damn what you think you're 'right' is!"

Zack leaned back in the booth a bit shocked and amused at Cloud's little outburst. This is why he was in the program then. "Kid, you'd make a damn good SOLDIER."

The blonde wasn't sure whether he was being toyed with or not, so instead of a snappish come back he closed his mouth and looked away not amused. The waitress returned with two plates and cups before setting them down in front of the males. "Enjoy."

She scurried off and Cloud looked down in mild surprise. He stared at the food before looking back at Zack to see he had already started choking down his portion. He was like a vacuum cleaner; did he even taste it? Cloud took a few hesitant bites before staring up at the man before him. Zack was oblivious to his gaze seeing as he was intent on murdering his food.

Cloud ate quietly trying to figure Zack out. He had come to his room, woke him up, lied for him, and now he was treating him to breakfast all before six in the morning. There had to be some kind of catch, right? Maybe he wanted to sleep with him, or maybe he was working with Nero to humiliate him? Did Nero take to emotional torture instead of physical abuse now? Cloud wouldn't mind that at all seeing as his mind was stronger than his body.

"You're really quiet, Cloud. Do you ever talk?" Zack looked up from his almost empty plate after a moment. "You've barely said more than two words to me in a more than normal voice." So the yelling hadn't been considered part of their conversation then.

"I talk when I have reason to. I don't really see much of a reason right now." It was a matter of fact tone. Cloud really hadn't been much of a talker anyway, so why bother with it if he didn't have to?

"Well why not consider us friends then? Would that give you more of a reason to talk?" He said it so nonchalantly Cloud knew it had to have been some sort of joke or set up.

"Maybe."

Zack smirked and took his last bite before downing the cup of juice and nodding, "Fine, then as of right now we're friends, Cloud. I want you to come to me with all your troubles."

A light blush crossed the blonde's pale cheeks as he looked away bitterly. Who was this guy? Sure, Cloud had adored him coming here and he had come to learn a lot about him from others, but who was he really? Why was he so interested in Cloud's life?

"How can I trust you when I know nothing about you?"

Zack gave him one of the most innocent smiles he had ever seen on anyone's faces. "You're absolutely right. My name is Zack Fair, I have an O blood type, I am six foot and three inches tall, my favorite color is blue, and my favorite food is ramen. Alright chocobo head, you're turn."

What did he just call him? Cloud's eyes snapped back to Zack trying to figure out what he'd heard. "Wait what?"

"Friends give other friends nicknames, right? You're hair is so much like a chocobo I couldn't help myself. I think I really like that nickname for you."

Cloud was trying to decide on whether or not he was going to allow this, but regardless he started to talk. "My name is Cloud, I have an AB blood type, I am five foot and seven inches, and I like the color red."

"Favorite food?" Zack pried pointing his fork at Cloud's plate. "I can see it's not eggs and bacon."

Cloud looked down at the plate and scowled, "It's five in the morning. I don't normally eat this early."

The black haired, blue eyed beauty laughed to himself before shrugging, "It'll pass. Once you become a SOLDIER the schedule just seems to all go together."

He was still a recruit, right. He was working on that though. "How old are you anyway?" Cloud asked looking away bored. "I mean, you don't look any older than me."

Zack turned his head to the side to smirk, "I'm eighteen, soon to be nineteen my dear, Cloud. Do I not look old enough to be where I am?" No he didn't. Zack was a first class SOLDIER yet he was merely eighteen years old. How had he come this far this quickly? As if reading his thoughts Zack sighed softly and looked at the table. "I had a close friend help me get to where I am."

"It was Angeal wasn't it?" Zack looked up mildly surprised. "The friend that helped you was Angeal." It was no longer a question and Zack turned away uncomfortable. The conversation ended.

"We have some unfinished business, Strife." Look who was back.

Cloud was half asleep, propped up against the damn tree that sat outside the institution. Grumbling to himself he tried to open his eyes before he was beaten too badly. Looking at Nero he glared crossly, "I'm not in the mood."

Not only had Zack gotten him up at an ungodly hour, but he had also taken him out training to make good on his promise. That was the last time Cloud was going to bring Angeal up! He hadn't expected the first class SOLDIER to kick his ass.

"Well I am." Nero grabbed the back of Cloud's shirt and pulled him to his body with a smirk. "That bruise seems to be healing nicely. Too bad I'm going to have to mess you up again."

Cloud reacted without thinking entirely. His fist shot out and caught Nero in the side making the male let him go. Pulling out of hitting range he crossed his arms to walk away. "Never turn your back on an enemy, Strife."

He could go to hell! The blonde turned and found himself striking out again. His fist connected with the idiot's jaw making Nero yell out angrily. The boy tackled the blonde and the two flew to the floor yelling and cursing at one another. Cloud ended up pinned again, he always did, and Nero was over him scowling. This time his nose was bleeding though and Cloud merely had a cut on his cheek from a ring the other had on.

"Get off of me!" Cloud seethed struggling wildly. "Go away! Why are you such a dick?"

Nero laughed coldly before his fist collided with Cloud's side and then his nose. The blonde let out a yelp of pure pain as he shoved Nero's face forcing him to the side. When he had him far enough that way his legs kicked up and he threw Nero to the side.

"Fight in the hall!"

"Get off of him, Cloud! If director Lazard catches you we're dead!" His roommate rushed from the crowd and grabbed Cloud forcing him off Nero. "Don't be an idiot, stop!"

Cloud was seething with anger and sleep deprivation. He jerked away from his partner and Nero sat up lunging forward. He took Cloud down again this time a louder voice jerking them from their fight.

"It is not acceptable conduct to be fighting on the premises!" Lazard? No it was a voice Cloud had come to recognize. Zack. Nero looked up at the first class SOLDIER as voices started in the cramped hall. "Both of you report to the director immediately! I will inform him you will be there."

Nero frowned and looked at Cloud. "We were just messing around. It's not like we were seriously fighting. Does this really call for a director visit?"

Zack looked at the other male before approaching him dangerously, "If you think of disobeying my orders, recruit. I will throw you out of here faster than you can blink. Now get your ass down to Lazard's office, now."

Nero flinched back and nodded heading down the hall trying to stop the flow of blood from his nose. Zack looked back at Cloud and nodded briefly, "So I figure we have about eight seconds to get the fuck out of here before that idiot finds out Lazard wants nothing to do with him."

Cloud blinked slowly as Zack's fingers wrapped around his wrist and pulled him off at an almost run. "Wait…you lied?"

"Hell ya I lied! If you get caught fighting you will be in big trouble! It's not like I expected you to believe me about all of that shit. I say stuff all the time, no one listens!"

Chuckling Cloud followed along obediently. Maybe he had honestly misjudged Zack. This guy wasn't that bad.

"You have a nice place." Cloud sat on the couch in Zack's apartment wiping his cheek. The blood was drying already.

Zack chuckled and tossed him a wet cloth, "Hey, clean up some." He hadn't seen Cloud this animated since they met. It was nice. "So Nero and his gang were the ones going after you, huh? Why am I not entirely surprised?"

Because Nero was a dick? Cloud wiped at his cheek with the cloth, but not having a mirror he really didn't have much to go on. Sighing, he eventually tossed the cloth to the side only to watch it get caught by Zack.

"Here let me help."

He moved forward and knelt down in front of the blonde to clean off the blood and cut. Smirking he watched Cloud flinch away, his hand closed around the males' wrist to stop him from moving out of his reach.

"What….what are you doing?" The light color of red tinged Cloud's cheeks again, and no amount of will was going to make that go away.

"We don't want this getting infected, right? So let me clean it up and I'll let you go." Zack's voice was light, simple. He didn't seem too focused on what he was doing and Cloud didn't realize why until he was looking into a pair of vibrant, blue eyes.

"Is something on my face?"

Zack jerked back slightly with a soft smirk, "Uh no, sorry." He set the cloth on the table and stood with a yawn. "Well, I had an early morning and I don't have to do paperwork until about one, so I am going to nap."

"Says the bastard that woke me up at five in the morning?"

Zack smirked and waved a hand yawning again. "I actually hadn't slept. I was merely going out for my version of dinner before coming back for some work and sleeping."

He had pulled an all nighter? Why in the hell would anyone do that? "You haven't slept yet?"

"I was actually on my way back here when I found you and Nero beating the crap out of each other."

Cloud felt bad for stopping the others nap. "I will go then. Have a good….er night?" Was it considered a night?

Zack smirked and sent the boy a flirtatious wink, "You can join me if you want."

"No!" The blonde went beet red and moved for the door tripping over the front table. Crashing to the floor he winced and pushed himself into a sitting position to catch sight of a laughing Zack. "I…I have to go. I didn't mean to intrude on your nap."

"Chill chocobo, I was only joking. Maybe I'll see you sometime soon okay? Try not to get into anymore fights with Nero."

Cloud nodded and let his hair fall in his eyes with a sigh. "Right, sorry. I have to do some homework."

Zack waved a hand as he walked over to help the other up. "Like I said no big deal."

Cloud took the hand and let himself be helped up before straightening himself out and waving. "See ya around."

As the front door closed Zack smirked and shook his head going to the bedroom. "I sure hope so, chocobo. You intrigue me."