Cloud awoke to music playing in the room below him, the bass thumping the walls of the upstairs bedroom where he lay snugly in his bed. He grinned when he heard Aerith singing along to the song, her voice slightly out of key. The girl loved to sing just as much as she loved to fuck. He remembered once when the three of them had all been propositioned for an orgy with Don Corneo. Watching Aerith was like watching living art: she bobbed and sucked and fucked all at once, never breaking a sweat. Tifa was a bit more sloppy with her work, preferring to get drunk before hitting the streets. A lot of guys liked that, though; they said it made her tits bounce easier.

Cloud was more of the silent type. He worked the streets, offered his services, got the job done and collected his gil. He didn't bother with small talk. But that Zack man… was he just a dream? Had The Don slipped him something last night before tossing him back on the street from his limo? No. Zack Fair had been real. He had felt his hand touch his own; had felt that energy push through his skin and into his veins like fire. Hell, he even had a date tonight. And it was worth five-thousand gil! All he had to do was dress nicely and be polite to whomever was at the party. He wouldn't even have to take it up the ass tonight!

There was a knock on the bedroom door. "Yeah," he called out. Tifa walked in, obviously drunk already. He had woken up quite early; it was not yet ten o'clock in the morning. Usually he slept all morning. He shifted around on the bed and sat up. "What's up, Tifa?"

"Not much. Someone knocked on the door earlier, but they were gone by the time I got over to answer it. This was stuck between the crack of the door. Feels kind of heavy, hmm?" Tifa said, handing him a white envelope. The initials C. S. were in fancy handwriting in gold script - it made him feel important. He shook the envelope and heard something jingling inside. Ripping open the top, he turned the envelope upside-down. A couple of car keys fell into his lap on the blanket. On the chain holding the keys, a small metal tag was inscribed Z. F. Following the keys, out came a credit card and a folded slip of paper. Opening the note, he read silently to himself.

"…Holy shit."

"What is this, Cloud?" Tifa asked, her eyes wide. Cloud handed the note over to her.

Cloud- Take this card and treat yourself to some nice clothes. Make sure you treat Aerith and Tifa as well. I hope you know how to drive. - Zack

"Oh my gods, Cloud! Do you know what this means? You just hit the jackpot! Not even Aerith has ever had this opportunity! Yeah, she's had rich customers before, but not like this…. Not like this, Cloud. Take it and run with it, boy… or I will," Tifa said, grinning.

"I don't know what to say. All I did was show him to the train station last night. Tifa, he didn't even want my services. He said he liked my company and wanted to have me as his date this evening. He's going to pay me five-thousand gil just to look nice on his arm," Cloud said, waiting for Tifa's reaction.

"He's gonna what? Five-thousand gil… for just a date? No fucking?"

Cloud shook his head. "No, Tifa. He's different. He's… kind."

"Damn right he's kind. This man is a god. Fuck, Cloud - let's go shopping!" Tifa squealed, hopping up on the bed and jumping up and down on it. "Get up here!" she screeched, pulling Cloud up with her. They bounced with glee as Cloud finally allowed himself to recover from the shock of it all.

"Take it, Cloud. Take this chance like Aerith has always told you to," Tifa told him as they flopped down onto the bed. "Yeah, I'm going to. Who knows if it will ever happen again?" Cloud replied. "Mmhmm. And just remember that if he does try to take advantage of you tonight, make sure you give him his money's worth. The last thing we need is another pissed-off customer," Tifa said.

"Holy Gaia," Aerith said breathlessly as they found the car that had been left for Cloud. "Oh Ramuh! Strike me down if I'm dreaming!" Tifa exclaimed, her hands clasped together. Cloud whistled lowly. "The man has good taste," he said, sliding his finger along the sleek car. He unlocked the doors and slid behind the wheel, his pants squelching over the leather. Aerith and Tifa piled into the backseat and thumped their fists on the roof.

"Cloud, put the top down!" Aerith yelled excitedly. Cloud grinned and found the button, the top whirring down and allowing the women to hang loose. "Hey, Cloud, what do you think about taking her for a quick spin outside of Midgar?" Tifa asked.

"Maybe we should just go shopping and get back home. I don't want to push my luck," he replied, much to the distaste of his excited passengers. But that was just the way he was: cautious to a fault and too shy most of the time to make any ripples in the calm water. They set off to the nearest shopping district that offered the finest clothes Midgar had to offer - and most of the clothes were custom-made to fit.

Sector Six was home to the Honeybee Inn and to Don Corneo's mansion. He really hoped they wouldn't run into the scumbag there. Finding a parking spot outside of the sector, they made sure to lock the doors to the car and put down the roof, and made their way through the gates. When they walked into the clothing store, everyone stopped to stare. The three were well-known in all of Midgar, and the women in particular scowled at them; their husbands had more than once been customers of all three.

"What can I do for you ladies today?" the owner asked, then smirked at Cloud. Cloud sneered at the man. He didn't like being called a lady. He was no daisy-sniffing, limp-wristed kind of gay man. Hell no. What the hell was wrong with this man? Oh… that's right. The three of them were supposed to be poor. Surely they had not come to shop, right? Cloud reached into his back pocket and slammed the credit card down on the counter. "We came here to shop, Sir. And you will treat us with respect," he said, glaring at the man.

"Oh ho ho, and what if I don't? You gonna suck my cock like you have all the other men in the slums? I hear you have a pretty mouth on you, but it doesn't look so pretty to me," the man said, guffawing and putting his hands on his hips. "I think you three need to leave. I ain't runnin' no brothel around here, and I better not see you tryin' to turn tricks in front of the store, either!"

Cloud stood his ground and put the credit card back into his pocket. "We'll be done in a few minutes. I don't want any trouble. I just want to buy some clothes," he said, then turned his back to the man. "Tifa, Aerith… let's shop."

And shop they did. Several bags filled to the brim and multiple boxes containing custom-made suits were packed into the trunk, making the shop owner blush. "You all come back soon, alright?" he said as they were leaving, dropping his earlier rude demeanor.

"Like hell we will," Cloud replied, and they left him standing in a cloud of dust at the gate to the sector.

The phone was ringing off the hook when the three came through the door of Aerith's home. Aerith made it to the phone first, yanking it up quickly in case it was a call from one of her customers. "Yello!" she said happily. Her eyes darted to Cloud as she listened to what was being said on the other end. "Cloud? Yeah, sure, he's here. Hold on a sec-"

Cloud took the phone from her and raised it to his ear. "…H-Hello?" It was unusual for him to get a call-back. When he realized who was speaking to him on the other end, though, he almost fainted.

"Hey, Cloud. Did ya get the package I sent over this morning? Sorry if it was too early."

"No! No, not at all. Yes, I did get the package. We actually just got back from shopping. Um… Zack… Thank you," he said, not sure of what to say to the man who just might be his knight in shining armor. Hell, he was his knight.

"Hey, I told you I wanted you to look nice, didn't I? So just think of it as kind of a pre-payment… sort of a trust thing. I'm a very wealthy man, Cloud. I'm also very true to my word. I don't want you to think I'm just screwing with you," Zack told him.

"I know. I mean, I don't know how I know, but I just know."

"We're still on for seven o'clock, alright? I'll pick you up then. And Cloud?"

"…Hmm?"

"If you play your cards right tonight, you'll never have to work the streets again. Stick with me and i'll show you the world outside the slums."

Seven o'clock had arrived, and Cloud was waiting anxiously by the window, looking for any signs of life creeping around the corner of the walkway. When he finally spotted a dark form emerging from the road, he backed away from the window and placed his back against the wall. His heart was pounding through his chest, and he held his hand over it, taking deep breaths to try to calm himself down. Aerith snickered at him.

"Take it easy, Cloud! He might have a wallet full of money, but he's still just another paying customer - even if he's not taking you up the ass. Remember that. And remember your manners. Sit up straight at the table, don't slouch when you walk, and most importantly… Don't try to proposition anyone in the bathroom!" She straightened his tie and patted him on the shoulder. "You look good, Cloud. You are by far the cleanest, best-looking damned hooker that I've ever seen."

He grinned at her. "You look good, too, Aerith. Thank you," he said, looking at the shiny dress she had on. Tifa had looked nice as well. She had already gone out to the streets, refreshed from a nap she had taken earlier to head off a hangover. A knock on the door jolted Cloud and Aerith out of their respective thoughts, and Cloud took a deep breath.

"Here goes nothing," he whispered, and opened the door. "Hello, Zack," he said softly, meeting the man's violet eyes with his own. Zack, ever the gentleman, took Cloud's hand. Leaning down, he placed a kiss on the pale flesh there, and smiled up at him. Blushing, Cloud stuttered, "We, uh, should get going." Aerith cleared her throat. "Oh! Sorry… Zack, this is my friend Aerith. Aerith, Zack Fair," Cloud stammered. Aerith giggled as Zack kissed her hand as well.

"Such a gentleman, Mr. Fair!" she said breathlessly, outwardly taken by him. He winked at her. "Sorry. I can't take you out tonight, babe. I've got a date here with this cute blond," he said. "That's okay, I've got my own appointment to get to," she replied, winking back with ease.

"Shall we get going?" Zack asked Cloud, offering his arm. Cloud took a deep breath, smiled bravely, and stepped out through the doorway with him.

He had no idea what would be in store for him tonight.