Zack and Genesis were being difficult, and Angeal was unable to tell if it was on purpose or not. He'd tried prompting them in various ways but always got the same, unsatisfying responses.

"Yeah, I'd fuck him," Genesis was saying. His legs were crossed and stretched out on the coffee table. Normally someone would have nagged him, even if he was just wearing socks, because the thing was glass and smudged easily, but Angeal had more important things on his mind—Sephiroth too, if the frown he was sending both of their boyfriends was any indication.

"I'd pay Gil to see you fuck him. Or…" Zack eyed the other two. "To see him fuck Seph. That'd be hot, yeah?"

Genesis narrowed his eyes at Sephiroth, looking him up and down. "Agreed," he finally decided. "He has this sort of presence that Seph would enjoy."

"Hopefully not as much presence as the last guy," Angeal interjected.

It was a calculated response. None of his other questions had gotten any decent results but this one made them both wince (Sephiroth too, beside him; Angeal wound his arm around the man's waist so he knew he was still sorry about that incident).

"…He doesn't seem the type," Zack said, scratching his cheek.

Sephiroth was even better at recognizing a tactical weak point than he was. "So this one won't become infatuated with me after we all take him to bed?"

"That was unfortunate."

"Yeah," Zack said, nodding at Genesis' words, "That… I don't think any of us saw that one coming."

"I certainly didn't," Sephiroth muttered. Angeal rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. Three times the four men had invited a fifth person to their bedroom—people they trusted and were all attracted to, and just for one night. They were plain about what they wanted (or didn't want—namely romance or entanglements afterward) and while the first two encounters had been memorable and fun, the third quickly turned sour after waking up the morning after.

I guess your dick was so good you made him fall in love with you, Zack had joked once, trying to make Sephiroth feel better—but it hadn't worked. The man was a Second class SOLDIER who had been a worthy comrade to all of them for a long time. The sex was great, but instead of transitioning back into friendly—and platonic—acquaintances, the SOLDIER grew convinced that their night together had meant something, and that he was meant to join the foursome.

Indeed, most of that preoccupation had centered around Sephiroth, for whatever reason. He inundated Sephiroth's PHS with incessant calls (he'd needed to get his number changed) and waited outside his office on a few occasions so he could get the chance to explain himself, and why he felt they were meant to be.

Privately, Angeal thought that Sephiroth had never fully recovered from the ordeal. It hurt him, too, but Sephiroth must have felt that sting so much more painfully—that someone you trusted enough to sleep with (even for just one night) could turn out so… exceedingly creepy and invasive.

So he was wary. Sephiroth was too. Genesis and Zack could tell, and it was highly likely they were as well. Angeal rarely saw Zack yell, but the smackdown his boyfriend had given that Second Class in the middle of a crowded hallway was still vivid in his mind (and one of the proudest moments Angeal could remember). Even Genesis hadn't turned the man's preoccupation with Sephiroth into a jealousy thing; he was just concerned, and hadn't stood for it.

So if they were talking so easily (and so often) about some other man, this Sector 4 mechanic, what did it mean…? They trusted him enough to not pull the same stunt? They barely knew him; that couldn't be the case.

Was he just that attractive that they were throwing their usual caution to the wind?

Sephiroth seemed just as stymied. He leant some of his weight against Angeal's side, knowing his boyfriend could handle it, and eyed the other two. "What is it you want from him, exactly?"

Angeal's eyes widened; that was certainly one way to get right to the point.

Zack laughed loudly. "He's just cute, alright? Don't read so much into it. I know better than to jump into anything without getting the full picture." Genesis agreed with him, starting a whole new conversation with Zack about Cloud's outfits.

Angeal was not convinced of anything, and nor was he content. He still had so many questions—like did that mean Zack wanted to get 'the full picture' where this mechanic was concerned? The way they talked about him was raunchy half the time but the other half… Zack had only met him twice, and Genesis once, but… it was curious.

So Angeal decided to get some of his questions answered to the best of his ability.

Aerith knew about the same as he did, but she did have a unique perspective. "Zack stopped by to visit yesterday," she told him, passing over the last of the flowers he was buying. "He was doing something in this sector."

"Oh, that's right. His mission went well." Angeal couldn't give details but the information seemed to please her. Aerith often worried for her best friend, and it was good to soothe that anxiety when he could. Zack had once fallen through her roof, so Aerith had firsthand knowledge of his durability, at least.

"He seemed chipper—not injured, or anything. These days I keep potions in a box under one of the pews just in case, though." Aerith rolled her eyes, then chuckled under her breath. She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and reached for a ribbon to tie the bouquet together for him.

"Has he mentioned anything to you about… a mechanic?"

Aerith glanced at him, her lips quirking into a smile. "He has. He said he only had enough time to visit one person before he needed to get back to your Director, and he chose me." She tugged the ribbon into place, and tied the bow. "It was a damn good decision. We all know I'm the most important person under the plate, where he's concerned."

"Ha. Absolutely."

Aerith flashed him a grin. "He was a bit disappointed he didn't have time for both of us, though."

"Do you know anything about him?"

Aerith tilted her head, considering him. Angeal stood a bit straighter, looking sheepish. "I guess I'm doing a bit of investigating. Not because I disapprove of Zack having a crush, or anything—I'm mostly trying to decide how serious he is about this man. If he is serious, I want to meet him."

Aerith seemed to deem his intentions appropriate enough. "I do know Cloud," she said, nodding slowly. "He's a special person. I've only met him a few times, but he's always nice. He likes the peace and quiet of the church, he says. Bought a few flowers for his Uncle when he was sick last November. He's… a little quiet, a little sad. But he has a good soul."

Angeal was relieved to see Aerith smiling gently as she thought about this Cloud—her stamp of approval was critical.

"Do you have any idea of how serious Zack is about him?"

The woman shrugged, accepting his Gil and tucking it into her pocket. "He's only met him twice," she reminded him. "But Zack got this look on his face when he told me about him. It…was kind of dopey," she laughed, "But cute."

"Hmm…"

"He didn't look like that when talking about your other hookups," she said, and lightly elbowed him. "I have an order for a deceased infantryman's funeral to get to."

"Of course," Angeal murmured, placing a gentle, and thankful hand on her shoulder. "I'll visit you again soon. Thank you for the flowers."

"There's more where they came from," Aerith quipped, sounding like the real saleswoman she'd coached herself to be. "Invite me over for dinner soon? I haven't seen the other two in a while."

"Will do. I'll make whatever you want."

"Oh man," Aerith groaned, placing a hand on her stomach, "You can't just make promises like that, Angeal. I can eat more than Zack sometimes."

Angeal laughed. "He told me. I want to see it."

"It's a date, then," Aerith said, winking and holding up one finger—that was Zack's usual move. The effect they had on each other was ridiculous, and lovely. Angeal waved as he left the church.

It wasn't even noon yet. Angeal's day off was usually a precious thing where he stayed indoors and focused on his hobbies, maybe throwing in an hour or two of gentle exercise if he really felt like it, though his training regimen the rest of the week was intense enough that it wasn't necessary. If any of his loves had their days off too, he would spend time with them. Even if they didn't that week he usually liked to bother them in their office. His day off was a sacred thing…

…But he really was curious. He got on the train, and instead of taking it up above the plate, took it to Sector 4.

Highwind Auto wasn't that difficult to find. His sense of direction was better than most. He dithered on the doorstep, uncharacteristically nervous. He wasn't dressed for any formal meetings—jeans and a SOLDIER t-shirt—but maybe it was better that way. He reached up to pull out the short, stubby ponytail his hair was in but decided to just leave that alone, too.

Don't stress this, he told himself, just go meet the damn mechanic.

The bells on the door jingled as he entered, and he smiled as charmingly as he could at the man behind the desk. This had to be him. Fit the description he'd been given (over and over again, actually, and even in almost poetic terms once or twice).

"Angeal Hewley," Cloud greeted, standing up straight, clearly spooked; he had been leaning over the counter and doing a crossword. Angeal wasn't surprised that he was recognized.

"Hey," Angeal said, raising a hand. When he lowered it Angeal realized he hadn't prepared a speech, and had no idea what to say to him. He had no real reason to be here, and that became increasingly apparent as Cloud continued to stare at him, looking unbearably uncomfortable. His shoulders were tense and he seemed to be cringing, almost.

"Uh, hey," Angeal repeated, "I'm Angeal. …You knew that. Well, I'm here because Zack Fair and Genesis Rhapsodos keep mentioning you, and I was in the area… and I wanted to meet you."

Cloud seemed even more awkward than he had been half a minute ago. He was…blushing even? And so clearly confused.

He shot a glance at Angeal's hand, and the SOLDIER immediately realized what was wrong.

"Oh!" Angeal waved his hands in dismay, one still carefully clutched around the bouquet. "I'm actually coming from a church in Sector 5—I bought these from Aerith. They're for my boyfriends, I wasn't thinking—"

"It's okay," Cloud assured, speaking rapidly and waving his hands in just as much distress, "That's not what I thought—"

It clearly was. The poor man had thought some absolute stranger had come to visit with flowers. No wonder he'd been so overwhelmed and uncomfortable.

"Ugh." Angeal hung his head. "Sorry. Now I look like a dick."

Cloud laughed—it was slightly tinged with nervousness, but it seemed he was genuinely amused. "Don't worry about it."

What would Genesis do, Angeal thought wildly. No, what would he do—what would the smooth-moves Angeal Hewley he knew he could be do if this was one of his boyfriends, and his ears weren't burning with embarrassment and he hadn't just fucked up his first meeting with someone?

"…Since I'm here," he muttered, walking closer to the desk, "and I caused you to suffer though that excruciatingly painful moment, you deserve one." He frowned at the bouquet and then plucked out a purple flower. He offered it, and to his relief Cloud accepted.

"What kind of flower is this?"

"What makes you think I know?"

Cloud frowned at him, but Angeal's eyes twinkled with gentle amusement, not hostility. "Aerith usually explains when she gives them out. And it looked like you picked this one in particular."

"Oh, I didn't know she did that. She already knows I'm familiar with flowers, I guess. It's an Aster."

Cloud twirled the thing between two fingers, studying it. "What's it mean?"

"Patience. For… dealing with that. And Genesis and Zack, as well."

The man gave a gentle huff of amusement. "Patience, huh... Thanks. Though it wasn't a hassle, talking with the other two."

"I'm glad to hear that. They spoke about you quite a bit."

Cloud was twirling a pen between his fingers, and the pen paused for a few moments before picking back up again. "They did?"

"They did." Angeal shifted on his feet. "Busy day today?"

"Not really, no. There aren't a whole lot of cars under the plate, if you didn't notice."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I've been filing and staring into space for two hours."

"Any luck with the crossword?"

"No. I suck at these things." Cloud tapped the side of his fist against the newspaper. "My Uncle Cid is working on a car in the back—it's our only project at the moment."

Angeal studied him, from the tips of his bright, silly hair to where the counter obscured the rest of his body. He smiled. Cloud did back, instinctively.

"Did you eat lunch yet?"

"No."

"I have some free time. If you're willing and are able to take a break, would you like to grab food somewhere? I've heard a lot about you, and I'd like to get to know you personally, if that's okay."

"…Yeah, that sounds good. I'll just go check in with Cid. Wait here a moment?"

Angeal nodded, and watched as Cloud disappeared into the back. He rocked onto his heels when he was alone, and sucked on the back of his teeth. This was risky, and unlike him, but he had a good feeling already. It seemed Cloud had the good sense to say no if he wasn't interested in this lunch date (Angeal hoped Cloud didn't think it was an interrogation, as Aerith had feared).

Cloud emerged after a short wait in a new t-shirt, one without the grease stains and the Highwind Auto logo. He also had a cup, and he filled it with some water from a pouring jug under the counter. He dropped the aster inside, to Angeal's delight, and then put the rest of Angeal's bouquet in the jug, to store them while they were gone. "Let's go," he said. They exited the shop, went around the side and Cloud waved a hand goodbye to his Uncle, still working on that car.

"Another one?" was all Cid said.

Cloud laughed. The man brought them to a burger joint a few blocks down, a tiny place crammed in next to a seedy weapons shop and a discounted furniture store. A huge, greasy burger sounded like just what Angeal needed. Cloud stood directly in front of him as he ordered at the counter though, far too close—Angeal could feel the warmth radiating from his back. He side-stepped him after the soft bulge in the front of his jeans brushed against Cloud's ass, and Cloud moved with him; he could only conclude it was on purpose. Luckily he was tall enough to still speak with the cashier over Cloud's head, even if a few spikes were tickling his mouth and nose.

Once their food was in hand they moved away, and sat at their tables. "Your shirt," Cloud muttered, shrugging unapologetically. "There's been a few poisonings."

"Ah," Angeal said, nodding as he understood. SOLDIER was emblazoned on the front, in big letters. "Thank you."

"No problem."

"Do you come here often?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's my Uncle Cid's favorite. He complains that they don't serve tea here, but everything else is good enough."

"How is it working at an auto shop with him?"

"It's alright. He's a good guy."

"Yeah? Have you been working with him for long?"

"Ten years. He has his moments, but I'm glad to be working with him."

"That's good. Working with family is either a pretty good arrangement, or just terrible."

"Well, it was necessity that brought us together, really. But it really is nice to be with him. I didn't get to see him as often as I would have liked as a kid."

"No?" Angeal took his second massive bite of his burger, crunching through the lettuce and other vegetables with satisfaction. It was good. He liked his medium-well but Cloud got his much less done; his plate was already sporting a puddle of red juice.

"Mm-mm," Cloud grunted, chewing. A pause. "I grew up in Nibelheim, and Cid lived in Rocket Town. They're close, geographically, but between them…"

"Is the Nibel mountains," Angeal finished, nodding as he understood. "That explains your accent."

"What? You… have a good ear. I've lived here so long it's almost gone. Cid's is a lot thicker."

"I do. It's cute," Angeal said, and winked before he could squash the urge. "I've heard it a few times—I've been in the area for missions."

"Then you'd know how difficult it is to cross the mountains. Going around takes weeks. Occasionally during the summer, when it's safest to take the paths across, he and his wife would visit my mom and I."

"That's nice," Angeal said, but not blandly, a meaningless thing to take up space in conversation—he could tell it must have been, really. He'd only occasionally seen his own family members as a child, and hadn't seen anyone but his mother since joining ShinRa. It seemed Cloud could tell he was being genuine, and offered a hesitant smile, his cheek smeared with ketchup. "How did you two end up in Midgar?"

Cloud shrugged a shoulder. "Both of us were in a bad place, and didn't have anything. So we figured it out together."

It was obvious Cloud did not want to discuss it. Angeal just nodded, waiting for Cloud to continue. "Cid leaves Midgar regularly to visit his wife, Shera. She's still in Rocket Town."

"Why doesn't she live in Midgar as well?"

"They've got big plans for stuff out there," Cloud answered simply. "She's taking care of their house, and working on those projects."

"Huh. That's interesting. If you don't mind me asking, what kinds of projects?"

Cloud looked reluctant. He had been reluctant to talk much about his uncle or their situation for this entire meal. If he didn't want to, that was fine—Angeal didn't know him, after all. There was no obligation. Still, Angeal offered that reassuring, kind, open smile he always gave, the one that encouraged misbehaving Thirds or a tantruming boyfriend to open up… and after thinking it over, Cloud did.

"Do you know why it's called 'Rocket Town?'"

"Because they build rockets, I presume."

"Because Cid builds rockets. Along with lots of other folks, but he was instrumental, back in his day."

"Then why is he here?" It was the same question again, though this time Cloud answered.

"Uncle Cid used to be chief engineer of ShinRa's Space Exploration Department."

Angeal instantly frowned; he knew what happened to that department. Cloud took a swig of his soda and continued, sounding like he was stubbornly pushing the words out. That was worthy of respect. "There were plans to go to space. They got close, but their rocket failed. There were backups in the works, and they knew what went wrong, and could have fixed it for next time—but the funding was too much; they couldn't convince the company to continue to finance them. So they got cut. Cid got laid off, and with no compensation. He was just… left to the wolves one day. He fought it, of course—yelled and screamed at anyone who would listen, and had to be escorted off the premises by Turks. He's bitter about it."

"…I understand his frustration," Angeal said, feeling it was inadequate. Cloud shrugged again, but it was a bad excuse for one.

"Rocket Town doesn't build rockets any longer. Now it's just… little stuff. He wants to make money here to start building himself an airship one day. Then he'll leave. He figures that even if he can't get out into space, he'll still have a good time in the 'upper atmosphere.'"

"Flying is nice."

Cloud looked at him curiously. "You've flown before?"

Shit. "In—in a helicopter," Angeal said quickly, his brain and words stuttering in momentary panic.

"Nice. Cid knew a guy who let me ride in one a few years back. It was great."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Cloud wiped at his mouth with his napkin. "But enough about me. Tell me a bit about yourself, Mr. Hewley." Cloud said it with a sly, flirty smile, and his eyes twinkling—Angeal was happy to see it.

"First, I want to know how you recognized me. You a fan?"

"I have eyes."

"I was just wondering if you did any research, after Zack's first visit."

"Maybe I did do a bit of that," Cloud admitted. "I've heard his name once or twice, but didn't make the connection until after he left. He seems like a good guy. I didn't realize until you said it earlier that you're…dating them?"

"Plus one more."

"Sephiroth," Cloud confirmed.

"Yeah."

"Then why the hell are you guys spending so much time flirting with me?"

Angeal blinked, taken aback—that was Sephiroth levels of direct. He hadn't expected it. "I… don't know," he admitted, aware that sounded like a shitty thing to say. "Zack, he—he hasn't stopped talking about you since the first time you met. And Genesis as well, now that he's met you. I wanted to meet you, to see…for myself."

Cloud just chewed a french fry, studying him. "I don't appreciate being toyed with by married men. You're not married, but…"

"We might as well could be," Angeal said, shrugging. "You're right, the four of us are in a very committed relationship that we have no plans of leaving anytime soon. We do, however, occasionally invite others into our bed, as friends. I don't know about Sephiroth, because you'd have to meet him so he can form an opinion, but it seems like you'd be welcome. Zack and Genesis seem to enjoy your company."

If Cloud was going to be blunt Angeal could give as good as he got. It was all out on the table. Cloud didn't even blink. He ate another fry.

"If you're interested in any of us like that," Angeal amended.

"I would have to meet Sephiroth so I can form an opinion," Cloud said lightly. It looked like he was processing all of this though. "And what about you?"

"Do I…?"

"Feel like you'd 'welcome' me. We just met."

"I know enough to tell you're a good person." He lowered his voice, trying to be seductive with a plate of meat and fried potato in front of him. "Sexy as hell. Beautiful, even…"

Cloud laughed right in his face.

"…Kids these days," he said after a moment, rubbing the back of his neck, a little flushed. That cracked Angeal up, and then the tension between them was broken.

"You're two years older than Genesis and I. Please."

"Yeah, yeah. But back to my original question—and because there's apparently more than I thought riding on it. Tell me about yourself, Angeal."

Angeal was happy to.

Generally, he had trouble talking with people outside of the military—almost all of them did. It was just hard to relate. Cloud listened to his stories with genuine interest though, and none of the dazed hero worship that so put Angeal off. He asked questions, and responded with empathy. He had a cute, dorky smile. He still had ketchup on one cheek.

They talked all the way back to the auto shop, where Cloud went back behind the desk.

"Looks like I have to let you go," Angeal said, surprisingly unhappy about it. He hadn't expected this at all. "I'll see you soon?"

Cloud scuffed the sole of one of his combat boots against the concrete floor. "…Next week is this thing," he said slowly. It's at ShinRa tower, actually. I'm showing my personal bike, been putting the final touches on it for months. I'll be there, if you wanted to swing by."

"Oh." Angeal vaguely remembered Genesis saying something about Cloud having 'a thing' coming up. "…Alright. We'll see you then."

"Okay."

Angeal took his flowers back and said his goodbyes. A great deal of his day off was over. It wasn't wasted, though. Somehow… Angeal felt like he got it.

No, he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do with Cloud either. Fuck him or date him or… just get to know him better, without worrying about any of that? But it was obvious what the differences were between Cloud and the last hookup. Cloud was calm and magnetic. Cloud was kind.

Something in Angeal believed in Cloud Strife, for whatever fucking reason. He wasn't worried.