Final Fantasy VII

Angst

Cloud/Zack

Summery: Memories of Rain, and all it's meanings

Disclaimer: if momo managed to own Cloud and Zack, this scene would not be necessary!

Avalanche

After a day of travel, the group made it to the Kalm inn just in time to miss the down poor that had been following them near half a mile.

"Man. It's coming down hard." Yuffie huffed, staring out the window. Cloud merely sat in the chair by said window, one elbow on the chair's arm, palm holding his chin up, bright blue eyes staring out into the darkened sky.

When familiar near silent footsteps echoed near him, Cloud didn't bother to react, lost in memories.

"He- Zack loved the rain, didn't he."

Zack.

The name made him want to sing, but at the same time broke his heart.

Zack.

The man he'd tried to forget, tried so hard to erase the memories of their time together, but the blasted puppy had buried himself so deeply into Cloud's soul, it wouldn't have surprised him if Zack was still alive...inside him.

Aeris watched the emotions battle inside blue eyes, smiling gently when Cloud finally answered, voice hoarse.

"Yea. It never rained in Gongaga like it does around here. He loved it."

Aeris hummed. "I remember once, he had managed to get me far enough from the Plate's shadow, that when it rained, we could feel it. Zack seemed baffled, but then he let out this sound of utter glee and started dancing. Not even five minutes into it he dragged me into his dance, laughing all the while. Got us both soaked."

Don't worry, Spiky. You know I love only you. I do have a lady friend in the slums, but you're the only one I'm fucking the brains out of and proud of that I am!

Cloud snorted to himself.

I can't believe I doubted him for a moment. The last time he danced in the rain I remember, I was with him from the start. And then five minutes later he'd try to molest the blond no matter where they were.

Cloud abruptly stood, and spun on his heel, turning towards the bed he dropped the Buster on.

"Cloud?" he looked at Aeris briefly, then shook his head.

"Going out for a bit." Cloud removed all his armour, revealing arms thinner than most would believe, his hands more delicate even with the blood that stained them. Armed with only a bangle Cloud left the group, and simply stood in the rain, looking upright.

Memories.

So precious, I almost don't want to touch them.

Memories.

So acidic, I want to throw them away.

Zack. Zack, Zack, Zack, Zack.

Beautiful blue eyes

Thick wiry black hair

A cheerful genuine smile

Everything but nothing

Dead but never gone

Zack.

Memories.

Cloud stood outside of the Inn - well within sight of Aeris so far away, still gazing out the window – and looked up, letting his sight settle on the sun hiding behind the tempestuous clouds – "Why do I love the rain? Why must I dance underneath a good storm? Because they show me the clouds! They show me agitated antsy little clouds, they show me my Cloud. But my Cloud never cries, he never lets me release his tensions or help him, so all I can do is be happy for him, while the clouds pour down rain for him." – and remember.

Remember things I tried to forget, remember things I never wanted to recall.

Remember Zack.

It was the rain that brought my tears.

It was the rain that hid my tears.

And it was the rain that gently washed them away.