AN: Second chapter, might be the last one I do for a while because of university. This is revisiting the events of the last chapter from Cloud's point of view, whilst the third chapter on will be from a more mixed viewpoint.
Pairing: Zack/Cloud
Warnings: Inexplicit male relationships (but just awkwardness in this chapter)

Cloud fidgeted slightly, struggling to stay still. They had been standing for inspection for a long time. Still, it would be worth it. He knew he wouldn't get a glimpse of Sephiroth today, but he had heard that he would see Commander Fair. He admired the commander greatly, he was so friendly and tried to make time for all of the cadets. He was determined to succeed, to not let his family and Tifa down. He would become a great SOLDIER.

Now Commander Fair was here, smiling and grinning at them as he walked down the rows. He was Cloud's true inspiration, a great SOLDIER who hadn't been made that way but had managed to succeed anyway. That was what Cloud wanted to do. Just as he was thinking this, he noticed the Commander's eyes upon him. He gasped, blushing and tugging on his collar, wondering if the other knew how much he admired him, and then, realizing what he was doing, he snapped back to attention, staring straight ahead.

The commander was walking closer now, and he kept glancing at Cloud. Cloud was panicking slightly, panting almost. He must have done something wrong. That fear was confirmed when the commander stopped in front of him and stared at him in silence for a few seconds before walking on. He couldn't work out what it was that he had done wrong, but there must be something. He ran through a checklist in his mind. He was gasping in air, near to fainting, when the commander spoke again.
"I want all of you to get your practice swords, pair off and train."

Cloud ran for his equipment, getting ready quickly. If he was ready before everyone else, it would be more likely that he could get a partner. After asking several people, he managed to find one who agreed to pair up with him for this 'if he had to.' Even now, he had the feeling he was being watched. He glanced up and found the Commander staring at him again. He stumbled slightly, and now the Commander was watching him even more intensely. He couldn't manage even the simple movements he normally could, feeling totally useless and clumsy. He was so stupid, no wonder the Commander was watching, he'd probably laugh soon. Cloud knew he could do it, but the Commander was putting him off. The Commander was so amazing, he could never match that. He jumped as the Commander called out.
"Hey, you, over here."

Cloud blinked, realizing the commander was staring at him. He raised his hand, pointing at his chest, and blushed slightly when Zack nodded.
"Yes, you, Chocobo head." Cloud felt tears prickling in his eyes, and the other trainees began to laugh. He remembered earlier, how he had been shoved around, them shouting at him for his unusual hair and funny accent. He stared down at the floor, blushing, feeling the tears running down his face. He walked over to the Commander, raising his hand and saluting smartly.
"Sir." He forced back the tears. He wouldn't cry in front of the commander, biting his lip when the other laughed. He wanted the commander to like him, but he wouldn't. He'd just bully him like the rest.
"What's your name cadet?"

Cloud blushed, feeling lucky that the other wasn't shouting, and was at least keeping his voice down. He didn't want to cause any problems.
"S...Strife sir..." He had managed to lift his head slightly, and was talking to the other's chest. He couldn't meet his eyes.
"Don't you have a first name?" The commander asked, smirking. Cloud felt ashamed.
"...Cloud..." He whispered, seeing the other nod.
"Well hello Cloud, I'm Zack."

Cloud blushed, looking down again. It wasn't proper for him to call the commander by his actual name, to ignore the rank structure. The other was staring at him. He knew he had done something wrong. He wasn't sure if Zack really expected him to say that. But Zack seemed to have realized.
"Oh, don't worry about calling me sir or commander or nothing, no one does."

Cloud nodded, still keeping his head down. He was so embarrassed about this.
"You're doing good kid. Just keep focused a bit more, don't care about who's watching you." Cloud nodded again, sadly. It was easy for him to say it. Zack continued. "Really, you don't need to be scared of me. I don't bite...well, I do bu..." He blinked in confusion, frowning at that sentence. He didn't know what to say to him, how to reply to the other's admission. Still, he would play along with the other's game.
"Will that be all ..." He lost his confidence, almost mouthing the last word rather than speaking. "Zack?"

"Yes Cloud. Go and continue training." At that simple permission Cloud fled, feeling terrified. He had to have done something seriously wrong for the wonderful commander to have bothered to talk to him. He kept feeling the Commander's eyes land on him, and it unsettled him, but he was doing better now, that the other wasn't constantly watching him.

Eventually the training session was over, and he would be able to hide back in his dormitory. He went to pack up, hearing the commander's order.
"Alright everyone, pack up, head back to barracks." Cloud returned his sword carefully to its rack, then froze as Zack called out. "Not you Strife. I need a word."

Cloud flinched but turned around, his eyes catching the bright purple ones of his Commander. He looked away, ashamed and embarrassed, and then headed towards the commander. He walked over and stopped, still feeling awkward.
"What is it Sir?" He couldn't keep his eyes off of the amazing hero that was his commander. He wished that the other would one day treat him as an equal. That would be his aim. To become worthy of the other's friendship.