Warning! - This chapter may cause tooth decay due to all the sickly sweet and cute moments which take place within it. I beg forgiveness for letting my muse write such fluffy emotional stuff and promise nice naughty yaoi in the next chapter to make up for it :o) (Also sorry if the way I describe Cloud's illness is a bit over the, top but it just came out that way - again blame the muse)

Sniffles – part 2

As it turned out Sephiroth was the first to arrive at the apartment later that day, his cool calm outward appearance not fooling Zack for a moment as soon as he saw the worry in the great man's eyes.

"He's ok Seph, just exhausted from over doing it again as normal."

"But you said he was sick?" The general pointed out, the clearly confused tone being one the soldier was sure he'd never heard from this man so clearly before.

"He is sick but it's just a cold, nothing serious. He got wet a few times on guard duty this week and didn't take care of himself enough in between, so now he's suffering for it." Zack reassured gently, a small smile playing at the edges of his lips as he saw the relief flood through Sephiroth's concerned eyes.

"I wasn't sure how bad it was so I brought these." The general replied uncertainly, his right hand quickly disappearing inside a small paper bag and coming out with two different bottles of medicine. "After your call I did some research about the common cold and discovered that there are many different ways to deal with it." He began to explain, the joyous light he could see shining in the soldier's violet spheres making the slightly embarrassing account for him having the items a little easier to say. "I know you said that Reno was getting fruit juice, and soup I believe, but you didn't mention anything to help with the other symptoms such as coughing."

"So you bought him some cough medicine." Zack all but cooed, his whole body bouncing on the balls of his feet in delight that Sephiroth had done such a thing.

"Yes, I did." The general confirmed, as he felt a strange warmth spread across his cheeks over what was nothing more than a simple action. After all, if Cloud needed medicine then someone would have needed to go and get it for him sooner or later. He had simple acted with efficiency and retrieved it now so as to cut out that wasted time. At least that's what he kept telling himself.

"Seph, are you blushing?" The soldier teased lightly, his arms already wrapped around the general's body as he spoke. "That's so sweet of you and I know Spiky will be touched by the gesture."

"I was merely being efficient." Sephiroth replied calmly, although even he was now finding it hard to deny that perhaps his intention had been more personally motivated.

"Call it what you want Seph, but you still did it for him and that's what counts." Zack replied while grinning happily, his lavender orbs sparkling as he lent up to place a chaste kiss on the silvered haired man's lips. "I know you wouldn't do it for anyone else so don't brush it off like that ok? It means you care and that's what really matters."

"How do you do that?" The general asked softly, as he moved all of the items into one hand so that the other was free to return the soldier's embrace. "How do you make me feel more ... normal?"

"You are normal Seph, as normal as any of us can be in this place." The soldier replied gently, his expression being nothing but loving as he looked up into eyes which now met his own with so many uncertainties it reminded Zack of just how vulnerable the great general really was. "What Hojo did to you as a kid didn't take away your humanity Seph, it just pushed it aside for a while." He began, the need to make his feelings clear causing his normally light-hearted tone to become serious for a moment. "I always knew there was more to you then what you let people see, that hidden beneath that tuff exterior there was someone waiting to be loved, which is why I spent years as Angeal's pupil bugging you the way I did."

"I thought you were just being friendly, that it was just part of your nature to be that ... invasive ... of people's personal space." The general mused lightly, as he tried to lighten the mood once more. "Angeal was always trying to reassure me that you meant no harm with your overly familiar words and actions."

"I didn't mean any harm and I'm sorry if it did bother you. It wasn't my intention." The soldier apologised, a hint of sadness now evident in his voice.

"I admit it ... irritated me at first, but that was more because I was not used to such youthful energy being around me." Sephiroth soothed, his hand having started to trace gentle patterns on Zack's back to reassure the raven haired man that he'd done nothing wrong back then. "I was used to Angeal and Genesis because we had grown up together, their influence on my life helping me to be more open to others but in no way preparing me for someone like you."

"I guess I was a little ... lively." Zack sighed, a distant memory popping to the surface and making him chuckle slightly. "You know, what you saw, that was only a fraction of what Angeal had to deal with." The soldier spoke up proudly, a more joyful tone slipping back into his voice. "He'd always tell me to behave myself in front of you, said that hyperactive puppies needed to learn to calm themselves if they wanted to work alongside the general one day."

"Did he now?"

Zack couldn't help but smile a little brighter as he heard the hint of amusement in the words being spoken, the unvoiced questions being easily heard and encouraging him to continue with what he was saying.

"Yea. He said you'd grow to ... tolerate me ... like he did, once you got used to me."

"Tolerate indeed." Sephiroth huffed, but the faked annoyance was instantly lost to the smirk which played across his lips. "I wonder what he thinks about us now. Given our current circumstances I mean."

"I'm sure he'd rather not think about it." Zack replied with a snort of amusement, the memory of the commander walking away from them with his hands over his ears not too long ago somehow confirming his suspicions.

"I dare say he would not, but I'm sure that in some way he knew we would become close over time. Perhaps if only as friends like himself and Genesis are."

"And we did, didn't we, become friends I mean?" The soldier asked, his question escaping as a warm breath over the general's exposed skin as he pulled them even closer together.

"Yes Zack, we became friends." Sephiroth confirmed, his head dipping down slightly to place a light kiss upon a crown of raven coloured spikes. "But I'm glad that we are more than that now. That the feelings which I'd had for you, but denied myself, became ones I could share with you."

"So you liked me ... that way ... even back then."

"How could I not." The general replied with a faint chuckle, his free hand now moving round to cup Zack's face and tilt it up towards him. "After all, you were and still are a very handsome young man."

"Are you saying you only love me for my body?" The soldier teased, the roll of eyes he received showing that the comment was being taken in the light-hearted manor he'd intended. "I mean, I know this gorgeous body is just too hard to resist, but you know a guy could feel hurt if his mind wasn't appreciated as well."

Sephiroth's eyes actually sparkled this time, the humour of his next words already causing him to repress the laughter which was clearly bubbling up within him. "What mind?"

"Heeeeeyyyyyy." Zack wined in mock offense, his right hand letting go of the general's waist so he could give the man a playful smack on the shoulder. "I take offense to that." He pouted, the childish look only making the situation more entertaining for Sephiroth who proceeded to kiss his nose by way of apology.

"Don't sulk, it doesn't become you." The general scolded softly, his mouth moving down to capture the soldier's lips in a breathtaking kiss before more protesting words could come out. "And you know I love every part of you, so don't pretend I don't." He added, as soon as their kiss came to an end and just before Zack could regain his senses enough to speak again.

"So you love me huh?" The soldier whispered huskily, his warm violet orbs suddenly heating up with a lustful glow. "You want to ... show me ... how much you love me?" He asked coyly, the unspoken suggestion coming through loud and clear in the quiet room.

Just as Sephiroth was about to agree to Zack's proposal with a rather passionate kiss, his own body now humming with a rush of desire, they were interrupted by the sound of a rather loud and clearly painful coughing fit from the bedroom. The noise worked better than a bucket of cold water over their heads, as their mako enhanced hearing easily picked up the strained and breathless sounds being made by their blonde haired lover. Both couldn't help but moan softly as they pulled away from each other, the pair sharing a guilty smile even as they turned their attention back to the cadet who was currently their main cause for concern.

"Well I guess that answer my question." The general sighed, as he looked down at the two bottles in his hand and found the one he was looking for.

"What question was that then?" The soldier couldn't help but enquire, his soft smile and bright eyes slowly looking away from Sephiroth's caring expression to examine the medicine he was still holding.

"The information said that a common symptom of a cold was a cough, either dry and tickly or chesty. I was unsure which he had so purchased both to be on the safe side."

"See, you do care." Zack cooed again, his dazzling smile and look of gratitude making Sephiroth feel a warm blush rise up on his cheeks once more.

"I made sure to get the normal kind so that it would also help Cloud sleep. I was concerned that if we gave him the non-drowsy formula he would find it a good excuse to return to duties again."

"Clever thinking Batman." The soldier replied happily, the comic book reference falling flat on the older man who still had a hard time understanding the graphic novels which all of his other lovers seemed to enjoy reading. "Spiky would use the stuff like a band aid over a broken bone, if it meant he could get back to training."

"While I find your analogy a little ... extreme, I do not doubt the truth of it." The general sighed, knowing full well that the blonde would indeed return to his duties if he felt well enough. "Cloud can be even more stubborn than Genesis at times, his determination to prove himself being one of them."

"Which is why he's sick." Zack pointed out, as he moved back slightly and took one of the two bottles in his hand and began to inspect the label. "If Spiky had actually stopped for a few minutes and taken care of himself, instead of trying to prove something to everyone, he wouldn't be in the state he's in now." The soldier huffed, the warning across the back of the bottle clearly stating that the medicine would indeed cause drowsiness and bringing a slightly guilty smile back to his handsome face. "I know it's wrong to ... drug him ... like this, but it's for his own good. Isn't it?"

"My feelings about this are the same as yours." Sephiroth reassured, before placing a light kiss on Zack's furrowed brow and then moving away to give the soldier some space again. "I do not like the idea of ... manipulating him like this, but I also worry that he will abuse the relief a non-drowsy formula would provide."

"It's not manipulation Seph, that implies we're deliberate controlling him in a bad way." The soldier was quick to correct, his violet spheres widening as he realised that the general's concerns were more than just about Cloud's feelings if he found out that they had deliberately obtained this version of the medicine. "We want him to get better properly, to be back on his feet as soon as possible, but without the risk of him falling right back down again." Zack explained, the tightness in his chest easing as he saw Sephiroth begin to physically relax a little. "If we gave him the non-drowsy version you know he'd be out that door the minute it kicked in saying he felt fine, even though we'd both know that he wasn't."

"I understand that it is for the best, but it still feels like a deception of some kind."

The soldier couldn't help but groan softly to this statement, the truth of the words making them a little harder to argue even as he tried to.

"Ok, I give you it's a little dishonest of us. But our intentions are good not bad and that's what counts here." The soldier stated resolutely, his warm smile softening as he ran a hand along the general's jaw and drew the great man's face towards him once more. "I'm glad you did this and if Spiky is pissed when he finds out I'll take the heat with you on this one too. Ok?"

Just then another bout of rough coarse coughing caught their attention, the sound interrupting anything else either could have said and indirectly confirming the choice they had made. There was no denying that the harsh sound now being created by the cadet was not a healthy one, the dryness and distinct rasping noise which accompanied the initial outburst instantly forcing both men to turn and quickly make their way towards the bedroom.

"Spiky." Zack whispered softly, as he slowly pushed the door open just wide enough to poke his head though the gap he'd created between the door and door frame. "You ok?" He asked uncertainly, the darkened room now dimly lit by the natural light spilling in from the living room behind him.

"Zack." The cadet croaked, his voice a hoarse whisper before it was interrupted by a few rasping attempts to clear his throat. "What time ... is it?" The blonde managed to drag past his dry chapped lips, as an equally dehydrated tongue attempted to lick the parched flesh back to life.

"Don't you worry about that." The soldier replied quickly, his feet already carrying him swiftly and silently towards the pitiful looking curled up lump on the bed. "Just get some rest, ok." He instructed tenderly, as glazed blue orbs fought to stay open against heavy eyelids and look up at him.

"Okay." Cloud agreed huskily, the poor attempt to speak once again letting them know just how bad it really was.

Even with the faint light in the room it was clear to see the telltale flush across the cadet's cheeks, a quick touch to his forehead confirming the fever which was so evident on his hot and slightly sweaty skin. Yet Cloud himself was curled up so tightly within the sheets that it was hard to tell where they began or ended, his slender body lost somewhere amongst all the bedding as he shivered beneath the soldier's touch.

"You're burning up Spiky." Zack warned with some concern, his inside's conflicting over how to handle the situation. "You should probably lose some of these blankets and put a cool damp cloth on your head to get that temperature down." He pointed out gently, his words being kept to a low whisper so as not to cause the sick cadet anymore discomfort.

"Noooo." The blonde pleaded, the one word seeming to rip the very lining of his throat away as it drew more coughing in its wake. "I'm cold." Cloud croaked desperately between harsh scratching breaths, his body weakly curling in on itself a little more as he spoke.

"Ok, ok." The soldier soothed, as he carefully pushed a few damp drooping spikes away from the blonde's tightly closed eyes. "But Seph got you some medicine that I think you should take." He added tenderly, as he continued to run his fingers affectionately through the sweaty mass of golden hair. "It'll help with that cough of yours and make it easier to sleep."

This time Cloud didn't even bother trying to reply with words, his tongue once again dragging itself over his dry lips as it tried to coat them with a moisture which didn't exist. Instead the cadet nodded slowly against the hand which touched him with kind affection, the loving caress helping to bring comfort even if it couldn't stop the throbbing pain which still existed in his head.

"Perhaps a drink would be a good idea first." Sephiroth suggested, seeing how Cloud's normally soft kissable lips looked more like those of a man who'd been walking in the desert for a week than one who'd only been lying in bed for a few hours.

"Good idea Seph." The soldier agreed instantly, pleased that the general had also chosen to speak with a quieter voice when in the cadet's presence. "You stay here and keep Spiky company while I go grab a glass of water from the kitchen."

And with that the soldier was up and moving stealthily through the apartment, his silent retreat making Sephiroth smile as he realised just how careful Zack was being to keep the noises they made to a minimum.

"I take it you have a headache." He guessed faintly, the words being more of a statement than a question but still leading the blonde to open his tired sapphire eyes briefly to look up at him.

"Yes." Cloud rasped, his voice now a notable octave or two out from simply being spoken with a sore throat.

"I also fear you are losing your voice in all of this." The general pointed out, as his hand instinctively took up the place where the soldier's had been only moments ago and began the comforting actions once more. "It would probably be best not to speak again for now, just to be on the safe side." He added lovingly, the sight of his blonde haired lover suddenly looking so weak and vulnerable bringing out ever protective instinct within him.

This time Cloud replied without the use of words and gave a gentle nod against the open palm on his face to show he would do so, his sluggish mind struggling to keep up but still functioning well enough to hear and understand the advice he'd been given.

"Everything alright in here?" Zack asked as he reappeared in the room, a look of wonder appearing in his eyes as he momentarily paused to fully take in the sight before him.

Though he already knew how the sick cadet looked the image was somehow made more by the way Sephiroth now sat beside him, the general gently caring for the young blonde as if he were the most precious thing on all of Gaia. In truth it was almost breathtaking to see a man of such strength and power taking up such a tender caring role, the soft look of unconditional love and affection which now showed on his normally stoic features leaving the soldier momentarily speechless.

"Do you have the water?" Sephiroth asked calmly, his fingers never ceasing in their actions as he gave comfort and support to Cloud in a way which seemed almost alien for a man of his reputation. "I believe he will be asleep again soon and it will be hard for him to swallow the medicine once he is." The general advised softly, the tenderly spoke warning dragging Zack back from his thoughts to look down at the cadet for himself.

Sure enough the blonde's sky blue orbs were barely visible now, the delicate lashes of his eyelids fluttering lightly as he fought against the heavy pull of sleep. It was clear to see that he had no chance of staying awake, the exhaustion he was struggling against only being made harder to fight by the gentle soothing actions which were being administered to his body.

"Oh yea, right." The soldier stammered slightly, as his brain suddenly kicked back into gear and he hurried towards them once more.

A few seconds later and the pair saw another problem with their situation, Cloud's semi-conscious state being a minor thing compared to the fact he no longer had the ability to move properly. Both winced as the cadet groaned pitifully while trying to untangle himself from the sheets, his weak and aching muscles protesting even these simple movements as he struggled to sit up unaided.

Zack waited maybe a minute more before taking over and handing the glass of water to Sephiroth, his then free hands instantly working the sheets just lose enough so that he could raise the blonde into a half sitting position on the bed. He then positioned himself behind Cloud's back and supported most of the cadet's weight there, his actions being slow and careful so as not jostle the blonde and cause him any more discomfort than what he was already feeling.

Almost as soon as the soldier had both himself and Cloud arranged suitably the general began to move, one hand gently taking up a place to support the cadet's head while the other raised the glass to the blonde's parched mouth and slowly began to pour the much needed liquid between his chapped lips.

"Good Spiky, you're doing great." Zack praised, as he watched Sephiroth patiently tip the glass up a little at a time so that Cloud would have a chance to swallow what was being given. "Just a little more, ok?" He coaxed gently, as the cadet's lips tried to close against the flow of water and some ran down the side of his mouth.

"Sorry." The general murmured, as he quickly pulled the glass away and set it on the bedside cabinet.

"Is ... okay." Cloud croaked, a faint smile forming on his angelic features as the general carefully wiped the damp trail away. "My fault." He rasped, the notable crack to his voice even more obvious now that some relief to the dryness had been given.

"Ok, medicine time." Zack cut in encouragingly, his eyes not missing how Sephiroth had been about to argue the blonde's words. "Seph, you wanna do the honours?" He offered, needing to distract the man now that it was becoming obvious how worried he was about the cadet's poor health.

"Of course." The general replied with some detachment, his glowing spheres unable to hide the concern he was not letting his voice show.

A few second later and once again Sephiroth was placing an object against Cloud's lips, this time the item being the small plastic measuring spoon which came with the medicine. It was almost funny how the cadet's face scrunched up in disgust at the taste as the pink syrupy solution was placed in his mouth, a small sound of gurgled protest trying to escape even as the general forced every last drop off the spoon and down the blonde's throat.

"I know it doesn't taste that great Spiky, but it's gonna do you some good." The soldier reassured affectionately, his back teeth quickly biting down as he tried not to chuckle at the putout look on Cloud's innocent but sickly features and Sephiroth's look of despair as he realised he still needed give the cadet a second dosage. "Just think about how much quicker you'll be up and about again if you take it." The soldier suggested helpfully, knowing full well that if he was going to push any buttons to get the blonde to cooperate that would be the one to work.

As if by magic Cloud instantly opened his mouth again for the second spoonful, his heavy eyelids having opened briefly to give Zack a tired dazed glare in the process to show that he also knew what the soldier was doing. And this time it was the general who had to bite back a snort of amusement as he watched the interaction, a tiny upward curve of his lips being the only evidence of his relief and happiness that such a reaction had been shown. After all, if the blonde was well enough to respond to Zack's teasing like that then surely he was already getting better in some way.

Once again the cadet's face screwed up in disgust at the taste as he swallowed what was intended to make him feel better, his scrunched up nose and the appearance of a small pink tongue sticking out afterwards just adding to the overall cuteness factor of it all.

"That good, huh?" An amused voice asked from the bedroom doorway, the faint chuckle drawing two pairs of questioning eyes and a single pair of annoyed glazed ones.

"Hey Reno." Zack greeted the Turk, as he slowly made his way into the room to stand beside them. "You bring the juice and stuff?" He asked softly, his hand already stroking through limp golden spikes and gently soothing Cloud into a more relaxed state again.

"Yea, got the stuff you ordered doc." The red head teased, his cheeky grin fading slightly as he looked down at the cadet with a touch of concern. "Hey Chocobo head, how you doing?" He asked with a slightly more serious tone, his free hand quickly joining the soldier's on the cadet's body and carefully brushing a few stray hairs out of the blonde's partially open sapphire eyes.

"Yea, I'm good." Cloud mumbled sleepily, his reassurances not convincing any of them as he began to cough again.

"Why don't you try to get some more sleep?" Sephiroth suggested lightly, as he quickly replaced the lid on the bottle and set it down next to the glass of water on the bedside cabinet. "We can sort some food out for you later if you're hungry."

"Ok..." The blonde croaked, a small groan of discomfort escaping his body as it was lowered back down onto the bed again.

"Sorry." Zack whispered, as he hurried to cover the shivering cadet up again. "We'll be out of your hair in a minute." He added tenderly while placing a chaste kiss on Cloud's forehead, his mouth instantly twisting up in disapproval at the feel of the blonde's hot clammy skin.

"Are you sure you're feeling cold?" The general found himself asking almost instantly, the look on the soldier's face also making him worry now.

"Mmmmmm o ... kay." The cadet murmured drowsily, his heavy eyelids already closed again and his laboured breathing a little more evened out now.

Another dry cough passed over Cloud's slightly parted lids before any of them could speak again, the rasping sound still a little rough and uncomfortable as it was heard but at least appearing to cause less pain to the blonde than it had done before.

"Sweet dreams kiddo." Reno soothed, as he bent down to add his own affectionate press of lips to the cadet's feverish brow.

"We'll check on you again soon." Sephiroth added lovingly, his own tender kiss quickly joining the soldier's and Turk's before he stood to leave.

But Cloud was already lost to a land of dreams, his soft murmurings and scratching breaths showing that he had probably not even heard the general's words of comfort as they were spoken.

"Come on." Zack instructed the others warmly, his retreating figure already heading for the door to give the cadet the peace and quiet he would need to rest properly. "I'll make us some dinner while he's sleeping and you guys are changing into something more comfortable." He began, as they all stepped back into the living room and he quietly closed the door behind them. "That is if you're planning on staying the night of course."

"I think it's safe to say that Seph and I aren't going anywhere." Reno instantly replied, the general nodding his head in silent agreement beside him and letting the soldier know that he wasn't going to be the only one watching over the cadet that night.