One's lonely, Two's company, Three's orgasmic!

Zack woke up slowly, reveling in the warmth that was nestled close to his side, and he smiled when Cloud murmured and burrowed closer to Zack. The 1st Class SOLDIER had known, ever since he had met Cloud that the eager little cadet would be more than ordinary. It was true. Cloud pressed himself to achieve excellence in everything he did, and failures disappointed him. He seemed to think he had to be perfect in order for anyone to accept him.

Zack had made it his personal goal to show Cloud that everyone has flaws, and nobody's perfect. That innocent goal had soon led him to fall, head over heels, for the young cadet. The way his blur eyes sparkled, without any Mako in them, had always entranced Zack. Everyone assumed Cloud's spiky hair was coarse and rough, but in all actuality it was soft, and feathery. Zack smiled, running his fingers idly through those same spikes.

Cloud yawned and his eyes flickered open, looking for Zack, the first thing he did every morning. He smiled, and Zack grinned back.

"Morning, Cloud. How's my little ray of sunshine doing?"

Cloud rubbed his beautiful eyes sleepily while mumbling cheerfully, "Morning, Zack. I'm ok."

Shaking his head, Zack clambered out of bed, wincing as his bare feet hit the cold hardwood floor. He shivered, and stretched. He didn't know he was still running on mission nerves until Cloud accidently brushed his hand over Zack's back.

The SOLDIER had grasped Cloud's arm, restrained it, and pinned the younger cadet to the bed before he or Cloud knew what was going on. He instantly released his young friend, apologizing profusely. Cloud sat up, rubbing his wrist and apologizing himself.

"Zack," he said finally. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean to do it. Relax."

Zack frowned, and said in agonized voice, "That's just it, Cloud. I didn't mean to do it, but my reflexes took over. If I had had a knife in my hand, you would be dead right now."

Cloud saw the tears in Zack's eyes and heard the despair and self-loathing in Zack's voice. He swung out of bed and walked over to where Zack was standing, his back to the bed. Shyly, the cadet wrapped his arms around Zack's waist.

"You're too tense," he murmured, knowing Zack's enhanced hearing could pick up every word. "You need to relax."

Zack turned around in Cloud's embrace so he was facing him, and said, "You're right. But I need to go do a session in the VR room first. I've got a surplus of energy right now."

Cloud shook his head firmly, wincing mentally as strained muscles protested. "You will do no such thing. You got hurt on your mission last night, I know it. I could smell it."

Zack blinked at Cloud, surprise written across his face. "…What?" he finally managed.

Brushing some stray blond spikes from his face, Cloud explained, "You have a certain…smell. When you feel different things, your scent changes. You smelled like pain last night, that's all."

Zack nodded. "I guess I did get hurt, but it can't be too bad."

Cloud held Zack at arms length and looked him over, his clear blue eyes searching for any imperfection in Zack's skin. Zack felt himself blush as Cloud's gaze purposely lingered on a certain area, before turning Zack around and carrying on his inspection back there. Not a second later, Zack heard a soft hasp from Cloud, and gentle fingers began brushing across a spot across his shoulder blades.

"Does this hurt?" he asked, pressing gently.

A sharp pain where Cloud's fingers had been made Zack gasp and clench his fists.

"I take that as a yes."

Cloud moved away from Zack, and began rustling around in a bag under the bed. He had to crawl under it slightly, leaving his ass and legs sticking out. Cloud wriggled, swore and thrashed around under there for a moment. Zack was enjoying the sight of that pajama clad ass waving around, but finally he emerged, gripping a small blue jar tightly in one hand.

"This is the last of my mother's old medicine. She…" he paused, and swallowed. "She said…it was meant for use on those who were dearest to me, and she only sent me enough for one use. Hold still, Zack."

Before Zack could reply, Cloud had unscrewed the top of the jar and dipped two fingers into it, withdrawing them with a gob of a light green salve on them. He walked behind Zack and began spreading the balm on a large puncture wound. Cloud didn't tell Zack what it was, because the SOLDIER would seriously begin to worry about his sanity. Cloud didn't need that right now.

After scraping the jar clean, he smiled at Zack and murmured, "Good as new."

Zack reached back to touch the salve, only to find that it had absorbed into his skin, leaving it smooth and unmarked, with whatever wound had been there healed completely, something Heal Materia could never do. It always left scars, and some amount of tissue damage. He looked up at Cloud, who was staring absentmindedly at the jar in his hands.

"Cloud," he said uncertainly. "You didn't have to use it on me. I could have gone to the medics and gotten Healed."

"I know. But…something told me it was the right thing to do." He looked up, and smiled softly, those amazing eyes glimmering with unspoken emotions. "Zack…I think…I love you."

Zack felt his lips part slightly, and blinked, shell-shocked. "Cloud…I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything. You might regret it."

Cloud turned, and walked out the bedroom door, but not before Zack saw the tear rolling down his cheek. Mentally smacking himself, he an after Cloud and caught him after five steps. Loosely grasping the younger male's wrist, Zack pulled Cloud to his bare chest, holding him close.

"I didn't mean I don't love you, Cloud. I just didn't think you felt as strongly for me as I feel for you."

Cloud chuckled weakly, muttering, "This is getting angsty."

Zack grinned, and then said, "Yes. Yes it is. Only one way to fix that!"

"Uh-oh…"

"Uh-oh is an understatement. Anyway…Only one way, and that way is breakfast!"

Cloud stepped back and looked up at Zack. "Excuse me?" he said, not noticing Zack's predatory grin.

"I said breakfast. You know what I want for breakfast cloud? You."

Cloud swallowed, hearing the lust in Zack's husky voice. He began chewing on his lower lip, considering his advantages. Tease Zack and let him go all the way, or…

Grinning, Cloud reached up and kissed Zack slowly, feeling the surprise in the way Zack hesitated, then began responding. He dominated the kiss, licking and nipping lightly at Cloud's lips until the cadet opened them.

Zack broke away, breathing heavily. "Are you sure you want to tease me like this?" Cloud just took Zack's hand and steered him back to the bedroom. After laying down, he squeaked as Zack jumped on top of him, being careful not to squish him. The 1st Class smiled fondly at his friend, then switched back to predator mode.

Since they were both only half dressed, it made the business of running hands over skin that much easier. Zack kissed Cloud long and hard, entwining their tongues, enticing Cloud to respond. The blond felt slightly swept away by Zack's intensity, then realized it was the energy and stress from the mission that were making him so strong.

When Zack began licking and biting Cloud's neck, the cadet placed his hands on Zack's shoulders, murmuring, "Gently, Zack."

Zack eased up considerably, but the little bites and nips he was making still drew blood. Cloud found that the pleasure Zack's touches were inspiring over rode the pain, and he decided to bear it, considering the emotional state Zack was in.

Cloud began running his fingers delicately over every inch of Zack's skin, eyes bright with lust and curiosity. They had never really taken the time to fully explore each others bodies as Cloud was doing now. He made to sure to note the touches that made Zack gasp, and cataloged them in his mind, for future reference.

Finally, Zack's throbbing arousal snapped the last of his restraint. Apologizing, Zack forcefully removed their pajama bottoms, tossing them to the side carelessly. Cloud placed a firm hand on Zack's chest before placing a bottle of lube into the SOLDIER's hand.

"I want this to be good, for you and me. I know it will hurt, so we can at least make it easier. Zack, I promise you, once you're inside, I'll let you do whatever you want. Let's just…get past the first obstacle, alright?"

Zack nodded, and moaned softly as Cloud began slicking up the older man's erection. He couldn't help but move into Cloud's hands, the need for friction overwhelming his mind.

Cloud felt Zack trembling in need, and removed his hands, gritting his teeth. He knew that Zack couldn't wait much longer. Besides, he's had worse pain in his life, he was sure. He made sure to loosen all his muscles before nodding to Zack who began entering Cloud.

Zack knew what a sacrifice Cloud was making, not asking him for preparation, and he felt an overpowering amount of gratitude for friend. As such, he tried to enter slowly, allowing Cloud's body to get used to the intrusion.

"Zack…just do it. I'll heal."

With a cry, Zack let his control shatter, and slid into Cloud's tight body. The tight heat surrounding his arousal made his vision blur momentarily, but he could hear Cloud's gasp of pain. Steeling himself, Zack waited to move until Cloud had adjusted. When the blond gave him the okay, Zack withdrew a little, then pressed forward.

Cloud moaned softly, and looked up into Zack's eyes. He hadn't noticed that Zack had entered himself so Cloud was facing him, but Cloud was glad he had. Raising his head, he kissed Zack gently while rolling his hips. Zack moaned, and Cloud did it again, murmuring into Zack's lips, "Move, Zack. I'm ready."

That was the straw that broke the camel's back, Zack moaned and began thrusting powerfully into Cloud's body, making the smaller blond moan and gasp every time Zack's member brushed against a certain place inside his body.

When Zack's hand began stroking Cloud's neglected arousal, Cloud moaned, and felt an orgasm building. He clenched down in anticipation, and Zack moaned low and deep, throwing his head back.

"Do that again," he whispered, and Cloud obliged, glad to make Zack happy in any way. Zack responded by rolling his hips with each thrust, making Cloud see stars. It only took a moment more of the combined stimuli of Zack's hand and the movement of his arousal to send Cloud over the edge, his orgasm ripping through him ferociously.

Zack soon followed, the clenching of Cloud's inner muscles shredding every scrap of self-control he had held onto. He collapsed, panting, onto Cloud's chest, withdrawing himself as he did so. Cloud tried to move and gasped in pain. He instantly covered his mouth, but Zack had heard it. He instantly got off Cloud, looking frantically for a Heal Materia. Cloud tried to convince Zack he was okay, but the pain stabbing him all over contradicted his statements.

Zack finally Healed Cloud, and slumped down on the edge of the bed, head in his hands. Cloud crawled over to his friend and tried to put a comforting arm over his shoulders, but Zack wrenched away, pain in his eyes.

"Don't you understand?" he whispered brokenly. "I've used you, just like I used my squad. They're dead, and you'll be too if I keep using you!"

Cloud just stared at Zack, his gaze open and innocent.

"Are you using me when I say I love you? Were you using your squad when you sent them to do something you knew was in their capabilities? Am I using you when I help you relax? No. Zack…Do you love me?"

Zack murmured, "Of course I love you, Cloud! But-"

"You're afraid something bad is going to happen that can't un-happen! That scares you, doesn't it?"

Zack nodded. "I don't want to hurt you," he murmured. Cloud hugged his lover close, drawing warmth from their touching skin.

"You hurt me the most when you push me away, Zack. I want to help you. It's what lovers do. And I'm not talking sex, although that was good too."

Zack hugged Cloud, and whispered his thanks. Then, glancing at the clock, he swore and said, "You've got to get to class! You'll be late and-"

"Zack, I have the day off. And so do you. It's a holiday, remember? Now can we go take a shower? I'm all gross and sticky."

Zack's eyes lit up, and Cloud chuckled to himself as they walked towards the shower, Zack's arm draped over Cloud's shoulder, the two of them just laughing and talking. He knew he could adapt to this quite well, actually. Things were looking up all the time. And if Round One was any show of what Zack was capable of, Cloud was fairly certain the 1st Class would be having quite a bit of company.

Like, wow. This took me forever. Mostly because I was having way too much fun on YouTube. I listened to Pieces by Red while writing this, and I really recommend it. It's touching, and I like the melody. Umm…the next chapter will have the honor of being Reno's first and permanent appearance. Reviews, peoples, reviews. I swear if I don't get five reviews, there will be no Reno goodness! Although, I'd write it anyway, because I'm weird that way. Oh well! Thanks to my buddies!