A/U: A little bit longer than the last entry. Again, remnants of Mystic's story Crystal Clear (gosh, I shall forever be grateful for her inspiration) but if you have read her story, then you'll notice her influence dwindle as I take my own stand! Mwahaha! I hope you enjoy.


[Week II]

Tuesday:

"Kunsel, please. Not now," Zack hissed, peering down the corridors. He worried that someone might spot them. Kunsel took a step closer and Zack took one away, the wall lightly meeting his back. Even though Kunsel was only slightly taller than him, such close proximity was overwhelming.

Light refracted off the glass walls in the centre of Area 43. There were four in total, and they created a glass chamber behind Kunsel, meaning the other corridors beyond the glass were perfectly visible. Zack felt like they were on the wrong side of a fish-bowl - like they were on display to anyone who walked passed. At the moment, no one was around, but the mere possibility of being caught sent goosebumps down his spine and stirred an irresistible excitement in his stomach.

"But, Zack," Kunsel whispered, his eyes studying every inch of Zack's face, "you said you'd think about it. Have you not, thought of me..." his voice lowered to barely more than a breath, "at all?" and Kunsel trapped him with a magnetic stare.

The intensity of Kunsel's gaze made Zack's chest feel constricted and his breathes tightened as Kunsel took another, infinitesimal shuffle closer. The limited space between them made Zack's head whir and his paranoia heightened. "I – well, yes but... Kunsel..."

Kunsel's eyes roamed down Zack's neck. For one moment, it was hard not to surrender to that hungry look; watching Kunsel lick his lips ever so slightly with the tip of his tongue, a burning desire in the man's eyes.

"Kunsel...I...please..." Zack whispered, wishing Kunsel would stop staring at Zack's pliant mouth with such a passionate need. If Kunsel tried to kiss him, Zack knew he wasn't going to resist. "We can't do this..." he pleaded. It was hard enough trying to be calm about this. Zack knew he would only use Kunsel and he didn't want to hurt him like that. Kunsel was always dorkishly nice to him, always there for him, but Zack didn't want Kunsel the way he sincerely wanted Zack.

"We want each other for different reasons," he managed to whisper as Kunsel pressed his hand to the wall by Zack's head. He saw the denial harden in his friend's eyes.

"Ah! Here you are, sir!"

The two of them gasped like they were choking on sushi. Zack roughly pushed Kunsel back from him and Kunsel transformed into an attentive, quivering wreck.

"I – er – it was – hello. Um, hi," Kunsel blurted.

"Cloud?" Zack cried, his voice cracking on the name. He stared at him like a deer in the head lights. His heart hammered against his chest, his breathe grew disjointed and his limbs went awkwardly tense. Did he see that? Zack though. Oh sweet Shiva, I hope he didn't see that. Shit, how embarrassing. Zack hoped his cheeks weren't as red as they felt. No, he won't assume anything, will he? How had Zack not noticed the bright bob of blond hair out the corner of his eye?

"Hi! You OK?" he asked in a pitch higher than normal.

"Um..." The cadet fidgeted a second. He turned his eyes to the floor, as if unable to meet Zack's, and managed to smile politely. At least the kid was smiling a bit.

"May I talk with you, please?" asked Cloud.

Clapping his hands together Zack smiled like his face had cracked, and captured the chance to escape Kunsel. "Of course! Right now? Sure, that's fine."

Kunsel spluttered something but knew he shouldn't make a scene before Cloud.

Cloud's smile became full-bloom and he gave a petite bow of relief. "Thanks, sir."

Not waiting for Cloud to say anything else, Zack strode off; jerking his head to indicate they should walk-and-talk, but the tiny smirk on Cloud's face insinuated he had wanted this. Turning left, Zack placed his hands on his hips, his head held high as if he were able to breathe again. "Ahh... So, how can I help, Strife?"

He was surprised to hear Cloud chuckle. Glancing down, Zack's stomach lighten to see his soft features blushing.

"You can't really," Cloud smirked. "You just sounded like you needed some help."

Zack stopped in his tracks, panic hitting his chest again.

"Just repayment," he mumbled sheepishly, voice softer than usual. "I won't tell anyone. I...should I have... I – I'm sorry." Cloud's cheeks looked feverish and Zack realised he was feeling extremely stupid.

"Hey no! It's...OK." Zack scratched the back of his head, his heart pounding. "Just wasn't expecting you to, er, say that."

There was an awkward pause, and Zack stole many glimpses of Cloud. He'd forgotten how drawing he was; his friendly eyes, tilted smile, delicate nose…

"I do have one question though," Cloud whispered at last, rocking on the balls of his feet. The words shook through Zack and he fought to stop staring.

"Oh?" Zack folded his arms and raised a devious eyebrow, suppressing his flirtatious nature as best as possible.

"Yeah. Um, why did you write me an absence note last week?" Cloud still couldn't hold his gaze and a bubbling laugh arose in Zack's throat. He couldn't help it. Fondness for the boy's behaviour bled through him again, forcing everything that was tense inside to slow down. He started walking once more and tapped Cloud's shoulder, urging him along.

"If I'm honest, it's because you looked as though you were going to cry."

"What?!" Cloud gasped, offended.

"Hey, don't take it personally! We all have bad weeks -"

"But!"

"An' you'll toughen up. Takihiro is a conniving dick, even to me sometimes."

A frustrated sigh sounded from his companion and a part of Zack grew more curious to understand him. "So... Thanks for rescuing me," Zack said gently.

He was surprised to see a grin sweep across Cloud's face. It disappeared in a flash, as if he were trying to hide it. "Kay," he replied. "I'm glad I actually helped. I got worried you didn't want to be interrupted after all."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Zack cringed, stomach churning with shame. "Well, I didn't want to be found like that but, I'm glad you showed up anyways."

Cloud beamed at him and Zack was spellbound. A wave of butterflies rose up into his chest, a swollen feeling of pleasure and excitement. He had to know more about this person, it was rare to find someone who held this much of Zack's interest. What was it that made Cloud unusual? A small thing, for sure, but intriguing nonetheless.

Clearing his throat, Cloud gazed off yet again. "So, I guess we're even now," he teased.

There was a flux of movement down the corridor and the sound of recruits heading to lunch caught their attention.

"Did you just have a study class?" Zack asked.

"Yeah, I was meant to -"

"Hey Cloud!"

The pair of them stopped and searched for the interruption through the rapidly thronging crowd. Zack noted a young brunette boy waving at them, his arm bouncing back and forth like an elastic band.

"Hi Soshi!" Cloud called back, waving with less vigor.

Soshi approached with a confident stride and stopped at attention before Zack, giving him a bow of acknowledgement. "Good day, sir," he greeted, making Zack straighten and harden his face with a hint of authority.

"Good day – Soshi..." Zack replied, trailing off in an attempt to imply he wanted to know Soshi's full name. Soshi didn't catch on.

"This is Soshi Samizawa," Cloud stepped in, trying to discreetly wave his hand at Soshi, indicating he should stand up again.

"Oh, yeah, pleased to meet you, sir!" Soshi grinned, standing tall.

"Yeah, and you. A friend of Cloud's, I presume?"

"You bet!" Soshi cried.

Zack's hands rose to his hips as he looked from Soshi to Cloud, trying to smile at how Cloud seemed a lot more nervous.

"Well," Cloud announced, clapping his hands together and moving to stand next to Soshi, "I guess I'll see you around. Thanks for your time, sir."

Realising he was leaving, Zack raised a nonchalant hand. The swell of cheer inside his chest deflated. "Er, not at all." His grin felt unconvincing and he couldn't help but scratch the back of his neck as Soshi swung an arm over Cloud's shoulders, pacing them towards the canteen.

"You were talking to Zack Fair?" Zack heard Soshi fail to whisper. "What's that about?!"

"Not a lot, I just helped him carry some boxes..." Cloud lied.

A slight smile tugged at Zack's mouth and he let his hand swing to his side. Coming to his senses, he strode off in the opposite direction.


Saturday:

Cloud was grateful for the afternoons off that came with Saturdays and Sundays. Awake and dressed at five in the morning, like usual, their late morning class was a gruelling combat-training session with Takihiro. Two hours later and Cloud still felt wretched. Takihiro had deliberately paired Cloud with Yuki, he just knew it. Yuki. That conniving, arrogant bastard had smashed into Cloud's back like a behemoth; bludgeoned it into a collection of swollen, mottled bruises. For a moment, Cloud had to wonder if he was really 'a worthless country-boy who couldn't even defeat a Blugu'.

With every hit Cloud had wanted to hit back harder. Bit-by-bit, his control had frayed like a taught rope. If Takihiro hadn't blown the whistle for the end of practice, Cloud swore he could have dominated Yuki.

After that, the long 'History of Materia' class was a struggle to stay awake in - not that it wasn't interesting. Cloud sure hadn't known that materia was created from crystallised Mako, either naturally or artificially. There wasn't much else he took in however (aside from there being a Mako Fountain in the Nibelheim mountains), after catching a glimpse of Zack Fair and the General pass the glass door of his classroom. Smiling, he had let himself succumb to exhaustion and his thoughts fill with Zack.

A warm, tingling tightness seized his chest when he thought of Zack Fair, and Cloud worried that he was thinking of Zack as more than a friend. But Zack did talk to him without formalities... Well, what was he expecting, a robot? Most higher ranks spoke to cadets like human beings. Cloud was just so used to thinking that the military would be one hundred percent seriousness, that the lack of it was surprising. Zack seemed loose; relaxed around Cloud... Then again, he didn't know if this was any reason to be excited. Maybe Zack was a nonchalant guy with everyone. Cloud had only seen Zack react to Soshi, and that SOLDIER who had clearly been making a move on him.

As Cloud wandered towards the showers, anticipating the warm water penetrating his muscles, he debated Zack's age...

Stripping down when inside the locker-room, he dashed into the showers and hit one of the buttons on the wall. A cascade of water thundered over his head and immediately flattened his hair. Cloud sighed at the warm liquid, sliding his fingers through his hair to remove it from his face, head tilting back to let the water course down his chest. His hands slipped down his neck, shoulders and arms, pleased to feel that he was definitely getting stronger. Cloud took another deep breath, in and out.

I wonder where Zack showers? Cloud opened his eyes, realising what he had just thought. He placed his hands on the tiled wall and tried to think of something else...but a naked image of Zack's toned body kept flickering across his mind. Cloud rubbed his eyes with the water, hands flushing through his hair again and glanced over his shoulder at the empty showers. Glimpsing down at himself, Cloud felt hot in the face and shuffled to a shower in the corner, just in case someone else joined him for a mid-day wash.

His heart thundered inside his chest as Cloud leaned one arm against the wall again; knowing he liked thinking of Zack this way, knowing he could not avoid imaging him in the showers. Peering over his shoulder towards the door, Cloud surged with excitement at being alone. His stomach coiled into molten knots as he thought of Zack, his chest heaved with each breath. All he could see was Zack looking up at him, smiling submissively, Cloud drowning in his deep blue gaze.

His self-control wavered as Cloud's arousal grew thicker. This was crazy, wasn't Zack just a friend? Did he really want to break that boundary - give into this swelling desire? It didn't require much deliberation. Zack was hot, and Cloud liked it.

Closing his eyes, wanting desperately to slide a hand down his length, a few lustful murmurs slipped from his mouth. It had been so long since Cloud had felt such an aching desire. He longed for nothing more than Zack's lips to part over the rounded head of his cock. This was so inappropriate. Cloud was not even ranked to be considered below Zack's status, and yet, the thought of feeling Zack's pulsing breath was too vivid a fantasy to turn down.

Sucking in his bottom lip, Cloud's hand slid down his stomach, skirted the length of his straining bulge...when the sound of someone's feet slapped against the tiled flooring. Cloud jerked up-right, his is face inflamed with embarrassment. The intruder went straight to a shower on the opposite side of the room and, with a quick look, Cloud recognised a cadet from his classes.

"Shit," he mouthed to himself.

Switching off the shower, Cloud paced backwards a metre, turning towards the wall for protection. Then, holding his breath, he sprinted sideways into the locker room. He dived at his towel and slumped onto a bench, groaning in relief and disappointment.


That Afternoon:

"You alright, Cloud? You look uneasy," Soshi observed. "What's troubling you?"

"Nothing! It's really nothing! Sorry..."

They were currently meandering around Midgar. The afternoon sun had pierced the greenish clouds and a cool breeze replaced the usual, stifling heat. Its pleasantness made Soshi want to eat out and enjoy the freedom.

Soshi folded his arms, dissatisfied with Cloud's answer. "Now Cloud, I realise you're not the talkative type, but somethin's -" He gasped, stopping in his tracks. "Is it a girl?" A wild smile played over his lips.

"What? NO!" Cloud jumped back, his stomach lurching, and Soshi laughed.

"It is, isn't it? Is she hot? Can I meet her? You should bring her out!"

"Soshi, stop it. I don't like any girls."

"Oooh, I see... It's a guyyyy!"

Cloud felt his cheeks heat up, his hands squeezing into fists.

"Aww, c'mon, Cloud. I'm only teasin'." Soshi grinned, leaning an arm on Cloud's shoulder.

"It's not funny," he mumbled, wondering if Zack's name was written across his forehead.

They picked out a cafe buzzing with customers; the air redolent with the smell of food, coffee, smoke and children's ice-cream. The atmosphere seeped into Cloud, filling him with a floating happiness, and he wondered if Zack ever went to this place, too. A blush steeped over him at the random thought, eyes darting to Soshi to check he hadn't noticed. Cloud felt ridiculous for wanting to know more about Zack - a lot more, in fact - but he couldn't deny his attraction to the man.

He shook his head hard and sucked in a deep breath. Cloud had to see him again, but for now, he needed to stop obsessing over the few minutes Zack had spent with him. Even so... Cloud wanted more minutes together.

On their return through Sector Eight, Cloud was stunned to receive an unexpected clout to the back of his head! He staggered forward, wincing in pain, grabbing the place he'd been assaulted. With an angry growl, he spun around. Cloud's gut twisted at the sight of Yuki and one of his friends. They stood tall in the glare of the afternoon light, hands on their hips and faces set in a grimace.

"What are you doing?" Soshi demanded, raising his fists. Cloud fought not to do the same as fury spiralled through him like fire.

They had been so engrossed in their conversation about the Fresher's Fantasy Party (Soshi mainly trying to convince Cloud to attend) that they had unconsciously dismissed the approaching footsteps as another of the many civilians around them.

"Blugu-boy thinks he's pretty tough." Yuki pulled up one of his sleeves to show a shallow cut on his arm, a blow from earlier training. Cloud smirked. "I think he needs pulling down from that pedestal he thinks he's on."

"What?" Cloud hissed, his jaw stiffening. "You need to take your head out your ass!"

"Yeah!" Soshi jeered.

Yuki's mouth twisted into a warped sneer of amusement. "At least mine fits. Your head is swollen with that ego of yours."

Stupid. It was stupid and Cloud knew it, but everything about Yuki's attitude; his voice, his very face; made Cloud want to tear things apart. Gathering his strength, irritating the bruises on his back, Cloud shoved at Yuki's shoulders and cried, "Your head fits because it's full of air!"


Later...

This was it. Everything went downhill from here, for sure. Cloud felt like such an idiot!

Smeared with blood and new bruises, Yuki, Soshi, Cloud and Yuki's friend all sat silently outside a foreboding-looking office. That stupid SOLDIER who had tried hitting on Zack the other day had spotted the riot and pulled the four of them apart. He had practically screamed at them until the life-stream shattered!

Cloud wasn't going anywhere in ShinRa now. This would tarnish his measly reputation for months and, to make things worse, he had taken Soshi down with him. Cloud bounced his leg, unable to sit still, keeping his face as stoic as possible.

The four offenders jumped as the office door hissed open.

Cloud felt his face drain white, his body spiralling into numbness, as Zack Fair sauntered into the hallway. First Class Zack kept his hands on his hips and stared seriously at the floor. Cloud and the others leapt to their feet, bodies at attention; though Cloud could feel himself swaying on the spot.

"You're lucky the General is away, otherwise you wouldn't have me to contend with." His voice was low, and Cloud shrivelled at the authority in it. Zack stopped in front of them and let his hands drop, using them to express himself, disappointment written in his every action. "Guys, do you know how immature that was?"

A hard lump formed in Cloud's throat.

"You're training to be SOLDIERs! What the hell were you thinking? You represent ShinRa and its army. Everything you do is scrutinised by the public, and you embarrassed yourselves and the company."

Cloud didn't want to be here. He wanted to be someone else, somewhere far away in a light that Zack would admire. But it was too late for that. Cloud knew Zack saw him young and immature now. He'd ruined it for himself - ruined everything.

"But the fact that you would pick a fight with each other in the first place is childish. Do you want to make it to even Third Class? Then you're gonna have to start handling your differences like adults. Guys..." Zack sighed and looked down the corridor. "Look, just don't do it again. You're released with a warning and will be on intensive cleaning duty for the next four days, OK? I don't like the responsibility of telling people off, so...get it together, you hear?"

"Yessir," they mumbled out of unison, Cloud unsure if he had spoken at all. Zack jerked his chin at them, his gaze sweeping across their faces. Cloud tried to hold his gaze as it lingered on him, but blood pulsed so loudly in his ears that Zack's voice seemed hushed when he spoke again.

"Dismissed."

The four boys turned to the right and marched five paces forward before they knew they had permission to amble away. Cloud's knees shook. He wanted to run back and say, 'I'm sorry! I'm not childish!' as many times as he could possibly manage in one breath. But he kept on walking away. It was too late now.


Sunday:

Sat behind his desk at seven o'clock in the evening, Zack Fair wearily set down his pen and sighed. Leaning back into his seat, he stared at the thick mission file he was only halfway through reading and correcting. He had been pushing a pen for so long today that he fought to concentrate on the material. What had he just read? He'd stopped taking anything in. Closing his eyes, Zack longed for the half-day weekends that came with being a Cadet and a Third Class.

Dragging a hand down his face, Zack decided he needed to get out. He needed fresh air and human interaction. It was lonesome whenever Sephiroth and Angeal worked in the field for days or weeks at a time.

All the same, he continued to stare at the file in front of him, guilt-ridden that he hadn't finished it. If he didn't finish it now, he wondered if he'd manage to get up an hour earlier tomorrow in order to complete it. Part of him knew he was lying to himself, another part of him ceased to care.

He withdrew his PHS from his pocket and held it in his right hand, then picked up the thick mission file and balanced it in his left. He weighed them up and down, staring at each one in turn. "Work – friends. Work – friends." Almost in a trance, Zack played this procrastination game for a few minutes.

Someone knocked on the glass door of his office. Zack dropped the items back onto his desk with a clatter. "Er, come in?" he called, clearing his throat.

The frosted glass door was pushed open to reveal Kunsel. "Hey," he said.

"Hey!" Zack grinned and stood up, almost knocking over his chair. He caught it and rushed to clear up his desk, sweeping aside waves of paper. The surface of his desk wasn't going to be visible for the next few days.

Avoiding Kunsel's eye Zack flipped open his PHS and pretended to check the time. "What's up?" he asked, pleased to see he had a message to read instead.

"Came to see if you wanna to go out! How about it?" Kunsel raised his hands as if to defend himself. "Not just you and me – er – Aerith called me. She said she'd meet us at The Advent Bar."

"Yeah," Zack said with a grin. "I just got the invitation." He vaguely held up his PHS before snapping it shut. "But The Advent Bar?" Zack groaned. "That's the cadet bar. I mean -" Zack stopped himself, giddiness swelling inside his stomach. There were a few new cadets he wouldn't mind talking to, actually. One in particular he had a few questions for. Flicking hair out of his eyes, Zack concentrated hard on hiding his change in mood.

"Aw, c'mon," said Kunsel, "you've been in here all day. Surely there's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow by now? And I haven't seen you almost all week." Zack pretended to think about this, staring at the work he still had to do and scratched the back of his head. "Nor's Aerith!" Kunsel added. "C'mooon!"

Sighing, Zack sauntered around his desk and swung his arms by his sides, seeing if he could touch them behind his back. "Yeah alright," he conceded, grinning as he hooked his thumbs into his belt loops.

Kunsel gave him a crooked smile. "You didn't really need persuading, did you?" he said, realising that Zack had just been playing him. Zack pretended to sigh forlornly. He enjoyed winding Kunsel up, making him guess his mind, fooling him into believing every tale Zack came out with. Kunsel probably humoured him far too much.

"Ah, I suppose not."

Kunsel chuckled and brushed his fingers over Zack's elbow, his gaze becoming more sincere. The feeling tingled up Zack's arm and sent a delightful shiver down his back. Oh, no, no! He knew that look; recognised the temptation rising in his stomach.

"Best we go then!" Zack cried, his voice a pitch higher than normal, and he forced a grin before striding out the office.

They left ShinRa headquarters and boarded the train to Sector Seven. After walking through the slums with a sense of awkwardness between them, Zack and Kunsel finally approached The Advent Bar. Zack sped up, glancing at the name over the bar door, excitement fluttering through him. He grinned, remembering when he used to come here as a cadet himself.

Swaggering through the door, hands sliding up to his hips, Zack scanned the dark, smoggy room. He was surprised by how nostalgic it felt; the twenty-odd sets of tables and chairs out around the room, the dart board in the far left corner by the bar, and the warm crimson paint that decorated the walls.

He spotted Aerith sat at the bar, a glass of lime soda next to her. She chatted to the familiar bar-tender and Zack stirred inside at the companionable scene. He missed the sight of her and wanted to be the one receiving her attention. Taking a deep breath, reassuring himself he'd get just that in a moment, Zack counted a few groups of six around the room. Other than that, the place was relatively empty. Zack observed all this in a matter of moments and only let his smile drop by a fraction.

Zack chastised himself. Well, what had he been expecting? It was Sunday, and it wasn't as late as most party-goers would consider decent drinking hours – Zack himself remembered late nights out as a cadet. Going out before nine o'clock just felt too sensible! Besides, some cadets had intensive cleaning duty…

He continued to waltz his way towards Aerith as the bar-tender nodded his head at Zack and Kunsel.

"Guys!" Aerith cheered, slipping off of her stool.

"Hey Aerith!" Zack said, opening his arms wide for her as she scurried to close the distance between them. She made a small noise of happiness when they hugged each other tightly, and the flowery scent of her hair filled his nose. A forgotten sense of peace steeped through Zack, triggering a genuine smile in him. "How have you been?" he asked as they pulled apart, glancing around the room again – just in case he'd missed something.

"Wonderful!" she replied, moving to hug Kunsel as well. Zack took this as another chance to search the room. You couldn't be too careful. "It's been so long since I've seen you!" Aerith continued over Kunsel's shoulder and Zack returned his attention to her.

They sat together at a table, Zack with his back to the wall so he could see the main door, and talked ravenously. He hadn't realised just how much he had been away from his friends lately. It felt good to ramble, laugh and listen.

"So, is Sephiroth coming back anytime soon?" Aerith asked, having pointed out how tired Zack looked.

"Not that I know of – wait..." He thought about it a moment. "Possibly, actually. Gaia I hope so. I'd like to spread the work out between Seph and Angeal again." Zack chuckled at the thought of those two. "It's Genesis I want to know about! Where's he been flitting off to?"

"He's been flitting off?" she asked. "Is Sephiroth looking for him then?"

"Mooost likely. Genesis went off two weeks ago and never returned." With a heavy sigh, Zack rubbed his eyes. "Man, I'm so tired."

"You really do look it." He was touched by the motherly smile on Aerith's face and would have reached over to squeeze her arm if he could be bothered.

"Yeah right," agreed Kunsel, "you should make Lazard get one of those Turks working for you!" He draped one arm around Zack's neck and he let out an awkward laugh, glancing at the door as he carefully removed Kunsel's arm.

"One of the Turks? No thanks, that's the last thing I need." Zack stiffened, spotting one of Cloud's friend sat on the other side of the room. As nonchalantly as possible, Zack tipped his head to the side a little, attempting to see around Aerith. He couldn't remember the cadet's name – something being with 'S'? But there was no Cloud with him.

Zack was curious to ask Cloud why he had picked a fight. He hadn't seemed like the type to lash out but, then again, it wouldn't be the first time Zack had misread someone's character – and it always bothered him when he did.

The rest of the evening, though pleasant, passed slowly and he couldn't help glancing at the door.