Thank you all so much for the support!
Chapter Two
Angeal had originally expected jealousy. Bursts of inexplicable or irrational behavior, at the very least.
It wasn't that he wanted any of those things, but it just seemed realistic under the circumstances. Sure, Zack and Cloud had never behaved in a manner that justified his concerns, but having three people in a relationship…just because it sounded nice didn't mean it would automatically be smooth sailing. And if things went wrong after those two had been together for so long, it didn't take an expert to figure he'd be the odd one out.
So he'd kept his guard up and expectations low, still putting in his best effort, but with caution—with as much awareness as possible, hoping at least he wouldn't be blindsided if something did go wrong.
They hadn't been together particularly long (a few months, he figured) when it finally clicked though.
There was nothing to worry about with these two. Whether or not they'd last forever was up in the air, but he was sure jealousies wouldn't be a factor regardless. Once he'd accepted that truth, things had only gotten better among them.
That, of course, didn't mean they weren't still working out a few issues here and there. It was becoming more and more obvious he wasn't the only one who had entered the relationship with some lingering concerns.
"We spent all day together," Cloud said, a hand on his hip. Zack countered it by folding his arms across his chest, looking as good as ever with his amused expression. "Don't give me that look! I'm just saying, it's fine if you wanna come with us."
"Work doesn't count as spending time together," Zack insisted firmly. "You seem to forget that I've worked with both of you at different points, so I know. Aside from a lunch break, you probably don't even give yourselves the chance to look at each other."
Assuming their breaks lined up, Angeal thought with a frown. Just because they worked together didn't mean they literally worked together—they handled different aspects of their business, sometimes going the entire workday without seeing one another.
"I think Zack has a point, Cloud," Angeal decided, reaching out and putting an arm around the blond just because he could.
Cloud sunk comfortably into his side, letting out a short sigh. "I'm not saying he doesn't have a point, I just mean…I don't want anyone to feel like they're being left out."
"I dunno how many ways you want me to tell you I don't feel left out. If anything, I feel bad! Ang and I've gone on twice as many dates as you guys because you keep getting it in your head that work counts or that we're keeping score or something."
"I know we're not keeping score," Cloud grumbled, running a hand through his hair. "I just…I really want things to work with all of us."
"Things are going great! Stop overthinking it," Zack encouraged, shooing them toward the door. "Have an awesome time tonight, seriously."
"We will," Angeal said, smiling as Zack leaned in for a kiss.
He had expected Cloud to get the same treatment, but found himself laughing when Zack opted to give the blond a slap on the ass and a wink instead.
"I don't wanna see either of you until tomorrow," Zack joked, waving goodbye one last time before shutting the door to the house he shared with Cloud.
"I swear, he's such a pain in the ass," the blond muttered, though he was chuckling under his breath by that point. "Literally this time."
"He means well."
"I know he does. And I know he's right. Maybe I'm just trying too hard."
"I appreciate all the effort you're putting in, and I'm sure Zack does as well," Angeal told him. "But it's important not to forget yourself, too. You make sure Zack and I have so much time together, but that means you're not able to spend as much time with either of us."
"I kinda noticed that," he admitted quietly. "But then I felt like the time I did get with each of you or altogether was perfect anyway, so…it was worth it in a way, if that makes sense."
"I understand. It doesn't have to be that way though—we can all get what we want from this relationship," Angeal said, smiling warmly when he met Cloud's eyes. "I was worried at first that this may be strange for you two, seeing someone you've been with for so long off with another man. But it's almost like our problem is the opposite."
"What do you mean?"
"You're both more concerned about the other not spending enough time with me."
"Well, yeah. I mean, there's definitely no jealousy—we wouldn't have agreed to this if we thought it'd make things weird with us, you know? Zack and I are solid."
"I know that now."
"And actually, it's one of my favorite things—hearing about the stuff you guys get up to when you go out," Cloud explained, the fondness obvious in his tone. "We never wanted you to feel like an outsider—like me and him being together for so long meant you were less important."
"I never felt that way, but I did worry for a while it might end up like that if there was an argument or something along those lines. You've both done more than enough to show me otherwise by now though." He paused, smiling warmly as he met Cloud's eyes. "Why don't we focus on tonight instead of all this? I want to make this time together count."
"What'd you have in mind?"
"Well, I was planning to bring you back to my place and make you dinner, but I think a night out might do us some good," Angeal suggested. "Why don't we go to that place you like—the Nibel one that Zack doesn't like?"
"Really?" Cloud asked, clearly skeptical.
"Just because he doesn't like your hometown food doesn't mean I won't."
"I guess I'm just used to compromising on a place we both like," he said, smiling a bit. "But yeah, you know what—that'd be great. I bet you'll like it, actually. The foods are just heavier than what Zack's used to."
"I'm sure I'll find something I like," Angeal assured him, opening the door to the passenger's seat of his car. Cloud stole a quick kiss before sliding in, Angeal hurrying around to the other side.
It was only a ten minute drive, but it flew by, worries forgotten as they got into the details of their days. Again Angeal was awed to think how they really were in different worlds despite working so closely together. Cloud had spent most the day on a delivery just outside the city, while Angeal had stayed in the shop to get started on their next order.
Everything they said was something that could wait though—a conversation they could have the next time they did get to interact at work.
"Maybe we should make it a rule not to talk about work tonight either," he suggested, carefully parking the car as they arrived.
Cloud looked over at him curiously. "So you don't wanna talk about our relationship, you don't wanna talk about work—what do you want to talk about tonight, Mr. Hewley?"
"I'd like to talk about you," he replied smoothly.
"Nothing to say," Cloud said with a shrug. "You already know everything there is to know."
"I doubt that," Angeal said, taking Cloud by the hand as they walked inside. He responded with a two when asked how many, the pair following the hostess over to a cozy looking booth in the far corner of the restaurant. It was actually a lot busier than he'd expected, but it didn't take long to block all that out as he met Cloud's eyes again. "You know, I've always wondered how you became a deliveryman of all things."
Cloud laughed, clearly surprised by his boyfriend's first inquiry. "How do you not know this already?"
"I don't know—but that's what this is all about, right? Filling in the missing details."
"There's not really a story. Zack had graduated a couple years ahead of me and he'd just…I mean, you know him. He'd gone from intern to signed on so quickly—it was obvious he was on the fast track with ShinRa," Cloud explained, smiling at some unspoken memory. Angeal rubbed his thumb over the blond's knuckles, waiting patiently to hear more. "I ended up applying for the internship slot that opened when he got his official position. I didn't get it."
"ShinRa has never been known for their good judgment."
He laughed softly. "Yeah, well, I can see it was for the best now. Hearing some of Zack's stories about that place…"
"I've been much happier since I left the company," Angeal said solemnly.
"I bet. But basically, I was fresh out of school, and—" Cloud cut himself off, glancing up as their server arrived.
"Cloud! Long time no see!" the man greeted, a big smile on his face.
"You know how Zack is," Cloud replied with a shrug.
The man laughed, nodding at that. "At least he's friendly about his complaints. Is he around too? I can bring over a third menu if—"
"Oh, no, he's at home. This is my date for the night."
"I see," the man said, his smile present but shrinking. "Can I get you guys something to drink, an appetizer maybe?"
"Nibel ale," Cloud responded, not bothering to eye the drink menu. "Just a bottle though, not the big pint this time."
The man turned his gaze on Angeal. "And for you?" he asked, his voice unmistakably sharp.
"I think I'll just have water for now, thank you."
"I'll be right back with those then!"
"Wow," Angeal muttered, chuckling softly when their waiter was out of hearing range. "Is he a friend of yours?"
"Oh, no. I'm not even a regular here—they only remember me because of Zack," Cloud explained, rolling his eyes. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said you were my date, that's probably why he looked at you like you were some kinda home wrecker or something."
"You have nothing to apologize for. I'm glad you said that—we don't owe anyone an explanation. I'm more curious why they remember Zack so well if he doesn't come often."
"You know how waiters come around to check on you, make sure everything tastes good?"
"Of course."
"Well, Zack's always really honest about how much he doesn't like it," the blond said, grinning as he shook his head. "He's nice about it, but it always turns into a big joke. I think he's the only person who could tell someone their food is awful and still get them to laugh about it."
"I can imagine."
"Seriously, if you ever want a good laugh, bring Zack here and you'll see for yourself. He can never just order a salad or something he knows he won't mind—he always goes for something he's never heard of and just hates it."
"I might have to do that one of these nights." Angeal paused, catching sight of the waiter returning with their drinks. He eyed the menu quickly, settling on a Nibel stew—Cloud got his usual, which was apparently some type of casserole Angeal had never heard of before. The waiter only sent him one more subtle scowl before leaving them in peace, both choosing to just ignore it this time. "So—you were telling me how you came to be Midgar's sexiest deliveryman?"
Cloud laughed instantly, looking like he choked a little on his beer. "Don't call me that."
"What? I think I'm allowed to say it now."
"Seriously, there's gotta be a better compliment you can come up with," Cloud insisted with a smirk. Angeal just smiled in return, giving Cloud the time to get back to the real subject. "So the internship. Obviously I didn't get it. I was really down about it, but I needed a job so I started applying all around. The first call I got was from a delivery service. I did an interview, got the job, and that was that. Not a great story."
"I don't know about that, I enjoyed hearing it."
"You already know the better story. How I was going to start applying for different jobs but decided I'd rather work for myself instead. How I started saving all my gil. Just like you know I would've had to keep saving for years if you hadn't suggested we get into business together."
Angeal couldn't help smiling fondly at the soft look on Cloud's face.
It was a bit harder to look back on some of that time himself. Working for ShinRa had never been fulfilling, and after a difficult breakup…well, he'd been ready for a big change in his day to day life. He'd needed it, the mundane routine highlighting the absence of the only man who had made it tolerable.
But now he had his dream job, two amazing boyfriends, and a renewed sense of purpose. Maybe it hurt to look back, and maybe there were times when he missed the man who left him behind…but at the end of the day, he wouldn't change a thing.
"Ang?" Cloud gently prodded.
"Sorry. I was just thinking how lucky I am," he explained, shaking the stray thoughts from his head.
"Lucky?"
"Yes. It was all good timing, wasn't it? We were both at a point in our lives where we wanted change, neither of us were ready to go for it alone. It wasn't exactly a great business decision though, rushing into it together the way we did."
Cloud snorted. "Yeah. I can't say I knew much about cakes."
"But here we are, still in business. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I thought you'd mostly just handle deliveries, but you've done so much more than that. Our business would've sunk in the first month if you hadn't stepped up the way you did."
"Ang, we're already sleeping together, you don't need to flatter me."
"It's not flattery. I was naïve to think I could handle all the other aspects of the business by myself. Getting into the cake business is a lot more than just baking."
"Yeah, but you had years of business experience."
"There's a big difference between working for a big business and running a small one."
"I guess we are a pretty good team."
"We are," he agreed, smiling warmly. It didn't fade until their food arrived, Angeal wasting no time to trying a large spoonful. It tasted...interesting. Not bad, but not quite what he'd expected. "What's in this anyway?"
Cloud eyed him for a long moment. "You probably don't wanna know."
The frown deepened on his face as he looked from his boyfriend to his bowl, then back up again. Before he could decide whether or not he really did want to know, the blond was outright laughing at him, the sound far too light and infectious for him to be anything other than amused as well.
