In a Bed of Flowers

Chapter 3: The Power of Fear

Sitting up, Zack closed his eyes tight as he stretched his arms over his head. Yawning, he shook out the night's sleep before heaving a great sigh and allowing his arms to collapse in his lap. Blinking, he took in how the morning sun was shining through the windows, casting a foggy light throughout the room. The signs of a sunny day were on the horizon and Zack, despite how horribly the last few days had gone, forced himself to have a positive outlook.

He'd tried to think the same way every morning since waking up outside Edge, and so far not one of his days had ended quite as well. But still, he put forth the effort to be optimistic. Today was going to be better than the last, he'd make sure of it.

Shooting into standing, he slapped the rest of the sleep off his face, literally, before heading over to the bench sitting on the other side of the room. The guest quarters were pretty nice, at least as nice as could be expected. Like the rest of the house, the walls consisted of the metal skeleton that made up the outside as well, bolts and supports visible. But the bed, though a little small for him, was comfy and he had a three-drawer dresser beside the bench.

Picking up his SOLDIER uniform from where he'd left it the night before, he stared down at it and tried not to frown. He couldn't help but think that the outfit was a little outdated now, even inappropriate, but no one in the house was even close to being as tall as he was, so he was stuck wearing it until his first paycheck. After all, Tifa and Cloud were housing him for free at the moment, and feeding him to boot. He couldn't very well ask for clothes either.

Shrugging, he started to slip the dark jumpsuit on over his boxers, leaving the shoulder plates and leather extras on the floor as he had the day before. Finishing off the ensemble with his black socks, he glanced quickly at himself in a small mirror hanging on the wall, to make sure his hair was laying back as it should, before heading out the door.

Zack had always been a bit of an early riser, so he wasn't surprised that as he headed out towards the kitchen, no one else seemed to be about. He wasn't that hungry, so as he entered the kitchen, he glanced around for only a moment before deciding it might be inappropriate to scavenge for himself. It would appear that the general rule was that Tifa made the meals and he didn't want to intrude on their system.

He did notice a rather large pile of dishes stacked up in the sink however, many of them glasses that he'd seen sitting out in the bar. He knew that Tifa's 7th Heaven opened every night at seven, so he could only assume that these were the remains of her prior evening.

He didn't know how she did it, working all night and then getting up to take care of whoever happened to be home. But, then again, he'd noticed that most people living under the Strife roof worked rather diligently at more than perhaps he would have expected. No one in the current day and age had time to be lazy, not if they wanted to make money.

Yet there he was, stuck with nothing to do.

Heading towards the sink, he decided to take it upon himself to do the dishes for Tifa. After everything she'd done, it was the least he could do. Maybe he'd make a habit of it, helping out around the house until his own work got started.

Pulling out the pile of dishes that had been set in the sink, he then started to fill it, spraying soap in the bottom before dumping some of the glasses inside. Thankful there was already a relatively clean dishtowel there (he wouldn't know where to find them), he started to rub the glasses clean.

It didn't take long for the water to fill, the bubbles rising, and once that was done, the room remained silent aside from the occasional squeaking the rag made against the glasses. But it was something to do, so he couldn't complain.

Yet after some fifteen minutes of silence, it was easy for him to pick up on new noises. Furrowing his eyebrows, he raised his head, curious as to the new sound that was drifting through from another room in the house. It was almost like a thumping, an irregular heartbeat that bounced off the walls.

Allowing the glass he'd been scrubbing to drift back into the sink, he rubbed the suds from his hands on a dry towel before letting his curiosity get the better of him. Leaving the kitchen, he allowed his sensitive ears to carry him down the hall towards the back of the house. As a rule of courtesy, he'd avoided wandering around aimlessly, not wanting to be taken for snooping, so he wasn't exactly familiar with the layout of the building. But near the end of the corridor, to the right, was a doorway that had been opened. Peeking around, he saw that there were some metal stairs, only a few, that lead down into another room.

Here, with no walls for buffers, the sound was even louder, the clinking of chains also apparent. Quietly, Zack stepped down two of the stairs before crouching, giving him a full view of the underground room.

It wasn't a large basement, if it could even be classified as such. It didn't go underground enough to even stop the advancements of windows, but still, he didn't know with what other term to describe it. The sun shone in through the glass, giving him a clear view.

It was Cloud, much to Zack's tensing unease. He had wrapped his fists in cloth and was hammering away, quite fiercely, at a punching bag suspended by chains from the ceiling support. Clad in only a pair of leather cargo shorts, his toes were balancing him atop the concrete floor, his bare chest breathing steady yet hard as he slammed away. Sweat coated his skin, glistening in the early morning light.

For a moment, jaw slack, Zack found himself gawking. Cloud really was in magnificent shape. His muscles were taught beneath his flesh, twisting with each move he made and tensing with every hit. And the punching bag was quite the victim, flying back a great deal during the whole exercise. When considering the runt he'd once been, it was difficult to comprehend that this was the same guy. Never would Zack have imagined that Cloud could have so much leanly built muscle definition. He wasn't necessarily buff, but strong nonetheless. Zack supposed, however, that had it not been for his own mako injections once upon a time, he wouldn't be nearly as impressive as he was either.

Cloud had suffered mako poisoning as well as JENOVA cell injections, and lived through it. No doubt he was now privy to the same advantages Zack was.

A SOLDIER through and through it would seem.

So focused on Cloud, on the way his muscles flexed across his six-pack, Zack didn't even noticed the small child that had come in through a door on the other side of the room until his presence sent Cloud to a halt. Denzel, still dressed in a t-shirt and pajama shorts, said something to his father, but Zack couldn't make it out, not at his distance.

Cloud then ruffled the kid's hair, causing Denzel to laugh before raising his fists in the air. Mock flexing, he displayed his guns for Cloud to see, as if he had something to show off, before punching the bag himself. It barely moved and the two started speaking in low tones once again.

Pursing his lips, Zack diverted his gaze, suddenly feeling as if he were intruding. Careful not to make a sound, he backed up the few stairs and into the hall once again. It was so strange to him, seeing Cloud so… attached to a kid. The last time he'd seen the blonde, that was, before he'd come to Edge, he'd thought of him as no better than a kid himself. Yet now, here he was. With a family, a business. A life so rich and vast that Zack's own history seemed minuscule in comparison.

Walking back into the kitchen, his thoughts started to drift back to his own parents, but before he could get that far, he was surprised to notice that he wasn't alone.

"Well good morning," Tifa said, rather chipper for someone who was up until four in the morning working a bar on a regular basis. "Have you been up long?" She was standing by the sink, her eyebrows raised in a knowing fashion.

Zack sighed. "I felt bad," he explained, gesturing to the dishes. "You've been taking care of me for free this whole time and I haven't been able to do anything in return. I know it's not much, but…" He shrugged.

"Ah, I see," she replied with a smile. "I appreciate the gesture, though it won't be long until you're working too, so don't stress about it too much." Her reassurance really didn't make him feel any better.

"I'm used to working for everything I get," he explained as he joined her beside the counter and submerged his hands in the sink once again, picking up where he'd left off. "I'm more than happy to help around the house," he glanced up at her, "if you want." He knew the offer wasn't much, but he didn't know what else he could possibly do. Being in SOLDIER, he'd always been busy. This sitting around, waiting business was rather foreign to him.

"Well, I'm not sure what there is to do really," Tifa replied as she grabbed a new towel from a drawer and started to dry the glasses. "Though if I think of anything, I'll be sure to let you know." Abruptly, she stood straighter, as if alert. "Actually, I might have something you can do," she glanced up at him with a smile and he raised his eyebrows expectantly. "I have to go run some errands later and pick up some groceries. But Cloud will be gone already. If you could, I'd appreciate it if you'd watch Denzel. He hates coming shopping with me."

"Oh…" Zack turned back to the dishes. "I mean… I guess I can do that." He didn't have a whole lot of experience with kids, but he supposed that Denzel was old enough that it wouldn't be too difficult.

"Do what?" Turning, both the adults glanced down to see that Denzel had come back from his time with Cloud. He was alone however, so the blonde must still be busy. He was staring up at the two of them suspiciously, hinting that he'd heard his name mentioned but knew not the context.

"Zack's going to watch you when I go out later," Tifa replied simply as she turned back to the dishes. Denzel glanced up at the tall SOLDIER then, his face contorted into something akin to rebellious disgust. Zack, offended by the look, frowned.

"Why can't I go with you?" Denzel asked, turning his attention back to Tifa.

"Because all you do when I go out is complain, so now you can stay home," she explained simply, not even bothering to look back at the young boy. And by the somewhat defeated look that crossed Denzel's face, Zack could only assume that what she'd said was true and the kid knew it. "I expect you to be on your best behavior and-"

Tifa was interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing. It wasn't the same one that Zack had heard from inside Tseng's office all day, so he could only assume, based on the way that Tifa dried her hands and headed out of the kitchen, that it was a home phone he'd failed to locate as of yet.

Door clicking closed behind her, the two left behind remained silent, Denzel staring at Zack with that expression of revulsion once again.

Zack crossed his arms over his chest. "You don't like me very much, do you?" he deduced, though it wasn't hard to come to such a conclusion. Denzel wasn't exactly covering up his feelings.

"No," he admitted easily, his own arms crossing over his chest, mimicking the older man towering over him. He wasn't at all intimidated, apparently totally unfazed by Zack's bigger size and muscled exterior. But then again, why should he be? He was Cloud Strife's son, a man that would probably kill to protect him.

From anyone.

"Do you mind telling me why?" Zack asked curiously, trying not to get too annoyed with Denzel's attitude. He was, after all, just a kid, so Zack needed to understand that his maturity wasn't exactly topnotch. But then again, neither was his.

"Because my dad doesn't like you," he explained, Zack raising his eyebrows questioningly. Yes, Cloud was, well, ignoring him currently, but he hadn't realized that it'd been that obvious to even Denzel. Unless of course this kid knew something he didn't.

"How do you know?" he asked somewhat immaturely.

"Because I heard him and Tifa talking about you," he replied, Zack suddenly very curious to hear what the kid had heard. So Cloud had at least talked about him to someone? That was more comforting than being totally ignored he supposed. "He said that… that he didn't want to even look at you," Denzel stated, Zack flinching slightly at the words. "That you… you scare him. And I hate anyone who scares my dad!" his speech had suddenly sped up. "My dad isn't afraid of anything and if he's scared of you, then you must be a really bad person! So I hate you!"

"He said that?" Zack asked quietly, completely ignoring the last bit of Denzel's explanation. "He's actually…" Cloud was scared of him. To look at him, to talk to him. To acknowledge him. But why? "Did he say why?" Zack asked, turning his attention to the kid once again.

"I don't know," Denzel replied. "I only heard part of what they were saying." He paused, as if considering whether he should tell Zack or not. "He said that… that every time he looks at you, it reminds him of something bad. You make him feel bad." Denzel looked away then, perhaps considering the fact that even though he'd overheard the conversation, he wasn't knowledgeable enough about Cloud's past to understand it.

Zack, however, despite Denzel's vague words, knew exactly what the child was talking about. So it would seem that the reason Cloud couldn't look at him, or talk to him, was because when he did, all he was reminded of was that day, five years ago, on that cliff outside Edge. To Zack, it didn't seem that bad, but he'd been the one dying. He'd been the one at peace despite the fact that leaving Cloud was the last thing he ever wanted to do. But Cloud… his best friend and lover had been ripped from him in the most confusing, brutal way and time in his life. Zack could imagine that thinking of such a day would be… trying, for lack of a better term.

"And I don't want you to watch me," Denzel continued. "I don't want anything to do with you. Not if my dad doesn't, not if you scare him." He was taking great offense to the fact that Zack could apparently strike fear into Cloud. His father was his idol, the strongest, bravest person he knew. That some strange man would come in and disrupt that was highly disturbing to him.

"Your dad scares me too kid," Zack replied as he turned back to the dishes, his tone soft. "He was my best friend once," he continued, talking more so to himself than Denzel. "We fought together, ran together, did everything together." He was shaking his head, Denzel staring at his back curiously. "And then I had to make the stupid decision to leave. And now Cloud won't even look at me…"

"You did something worse than that," Denzel accused, apparently thinking Zack's explanation a lie. "You must have done something a lot worse to make my dad afraid of you." Because as far as he could tell, his father wasn't even afraid of Sephiroth, and he'd tried to destroy the world. Whatever Zack was guilty of must have been much worse.

Zack laughed bitterly. "Leaving was the worst thing I could have done to Cloud," he explained, voice still soft as he turned to look down at Denzel over his shoulder. "Someday, you'll understand why. But you're too young now."

"I am not," Denzel rebuked stubbornly. It wasn't that he was giving Zack attitude, but his voice was firm in his determination. "I'm old enough to understand anything, if someone just explai-"

"Don't harass him Denzel." Zack had expected that, were they to be interrupted, it'd be by Tifa coming back in the room. He was surprised, then, when both he and Denzel turned to see Cloud walking through the door, dressed in his usual black and looking ready to leave. "What goes on between Zack and I," he explained coldly, walking up to his son, "is none of your concern." He ruffled the child's hair, Denzel frowning further at what his father had to say.

Zack was too shocked to comment on anything however, eyes wide as he stared at the blonde. No, Cloud hadn't looked at him yet, but he'd said his name, and was standing with only some five feet between them. Compared to the days previous, it was a huge change. And to Zack, he counted it an improvement.

Denzel, however, was becoming less and less happy by the second. There he'd been, trying to defend his father, and the very man had come in and scolded him for it, kind of.

"I thought you didn't li-"

"Enough Denzel," Cloud, his tone of voice never rising, interrupted calmly. "Go get dressed." Nudging the boy softly towards the door, Cloud's word was final as his son headed, glumly, out of the room. He glanced back at Zack as he did, as if to blame the other man for his reprimand, before vanishing into the hall.

Zack didn't really care what Denzel thought of him however, his focus still trained on Cloud. As he stared at him though, he found himself considering how delicate the blonde was with Denzel, as if he knew the only thing the child needed was a slight push in the right direction. He hadn't been stern; he hadn't raised his voice. No, his velvety tone, even in its softness, had been enough of a warning. His presence by itself demanded respect and Zack was positive, as he'd been suffering through it lately, that Cloud's silence was far less forgiving than any amount of yelling ever would be.

He'd always been on the quieter side, but it would seem he'd found a way to use that to his advantage.

"I want to see you in my office," Cloud broke the silence, though still refusing to look at Zack as he did. Instead, he started to lead the way through the house, Zack jumping into action to follow him. His nerves were really on edge now as they left the kitchen the same way Denzel had. But as they entered the corridor, they were alone, Cloud intent on his destination.

Making sure to keep a generous girth between them, Zack tried not to let his heart strangle his throat his excitement was so unhindered. Instead, he gulped as Cloud pushed his way through a door on the left, to the same room where Tseng worked. A joint, shared office perhaps?

Careful not to seem terribly anxious, Zack follow him inside, glancing around only quickly before focusing again on Cloud. The room was simple enough. A single, large desk was set up on the right, a window behind it. There were other chairs set up, extra seating, and a few filing cabinets on the left. Papers were stack neatly around the room, giving the small space a somewhat congested feeling.

Cloud had stepped his way around to the back of the desk, pulling open a drawer and lifting out a thickly filled manila folder. Zack, paranoid and tense, considered whether or not he should close the door behind him, but decided against it. He didn't want Cloud to feel trapped.

Not that the blonde seemed uneasy. Rather, he was quite calm, rifling through another drawer until he located a small leather booklet before finally coming back from around the desk.

"I know you're not working yet," he started, Zack rejecting the urge to jump at the sound of his voice, "but it'll help if you look through this folder beforehand," he came up to Zack, only close enough to hand him the manila folder. He still didn't look at him. "It entails all the places from which we pick up and deliver, what routes we take, charges and how they're paid, special instructions, all of that. You'd do good to learn as much of it as possible.

"This," he handed Zack the small leather booklet, quite careful to make sure they didn't touch each other as his newest employee retrieved it, "is your certification. Tseng made them up a little while ago after someone got away with stealing from one of our clients. Generally, at least with our bigger vendors, they'll ask to see that, so have it with you."

"Oh, uh, sure," Zack muttered as he flipped it open, glancing down at the badge only quickly before flicking his focus back to Cloud once again. Yet, still, Cloud was blatantly refusing to look at him, his blue eyes cast to the side as if his mind were on more important matters than his newest employee.

Because that was what he was, Zack realized. Cloud's employee…

"If you have any questions," he started again, making his way around Zack and back towards the door, "ask Tseng. He should be able to help on everything in that folder." Zack turned to follow his every move, his previously hopeful attitude dying as Cloud drifted further and further away. "I'm leaving for a few days, so I won't be here." And as if that were some sort of acceptable goodbye, he reached the doorway, about to walk out.

Zack felt words choke up through his throat.

"Wait!" he issued, unaware that the word had been on his lips until he'd said it. His outburst had caused Cloud to stop, the blonde's back to him as he stood in the doorway. "I, uh…" Zack wasn't even sure why he'd spoken up. What did he want to say? Not even he knew. "I just…" his shoulders fell, his whole body deflating. There was nothing he could say. "I want to say thanks. Thanks for… the job… and everything…"

Cloud didn't want to hear anything from Zack - his best friend. He'd tolerate only Zack - Strife employee.

That was all he was; all that Cloud could put up with.

Pausing for only a moment longer, the blonde twitched his head only slightly to the side, as if he'd considered perhaps looking at Zack, but then thought better of it. Without a word, he walked from the room, disappearing into the hall.

Zack, feeling worse and worse by the moment, slumped back into one of the chairs and leaned his head against the manila folder in his hands.

He sighed.

oOo

"Denzel really loves Cloud, doesn't he?" Zack stated his thoughts out loud as he stared out the kitchen window at the backyard. Ever since Cloud had left some two hours before, Denzel's attitude had changed dramatically. He was very brooding all of a sudden, sitting alone on a swing with his bare feet dragging in the dirt. He stared at the ground, frowning. "And Cloud loves him too…"

"They're alike in a lot of ways," Tifa explained from the table behind Zack. She was getting her bag together, preparing to leave to run her errands. "Denzel went through a lot before he came here. A lot of death and loss, and I think that, even though he doesn't know a lot about Cloud's past, he knows he can relate. Kindred spirits I suppose." Zack turned to look at her, to find her smiling as she stared past Zack and out the window. "And I think Cloud just… wants to spare Denzel all the heartbreak he had to go through. To stop his suffering before it could get any worse, like his own."

"Like if he can heal Denzel, he can heal himself?" Zack asked, returning his attention to the window again.

"Something like that," Tifa replied as she came up next to him. "It was strange actually, when Denzel first came to live with us. For awhile after the war, Cloud was okay, but slowly he started to drift away, going to live at the church I later learned. But after he found Denzel, he came back, more determined and like his old self, like he'd been during the war, than ever. He poured his attention into trying to get Denzel better."

Zack turned to her, eyebrows furrowed.

"Denzel had been infected with Geostigma when we'd found him, an infection caused by the JENOVA cells that had leaked into the lifestream. It was a horrible, painful disease with… with no cure." She flicked her eyes to the floor, as if remembering a sad memory. "One way or another, no matter how it was fought, it always killed its hosts.

"But Cloud," she glanced up at the window yet again. "He was determined to find a cure. It was like Denzel gave him a reason to live again, something worthwhile. But then he…" Her face tensed. "He contracted the disease himself and it was like… he just gave up. He hadn't found a cure and was going to die himself, so he just… lost hope. He left us then, feeling useless and started living at the church again.

"It's at about that time that rumor of Sephiroth's return started and Cloud was forced to do something about it. He… he finally came to terms with everything that had happened, came back home. And then Aerith, at least I think it was her, she brought a cure for the stigma and everyone still living with it was able to be cured." She glanced up at Zack. "It's that water at the church that does it. Geostigma is still contracted, but just a little of that water and it goes away."

"I really have missed a lot," Zack stated, his arms crossing over his chest, but Tifa became even more serious about his statement as the two glanced at each other.

"I want to warn you about the stigma Zack," she started, the tall man beside her furrowing his brows. "Most people who are cured seem to have no recurring symptoms. That is, except Cloud." Zack's eyes widened. "It's never anything serious, but I think it has something to do with the fact that he actually has JENOVA cells inside him, unlike others who simply caught the disease by being exposed to them. But you're like him, so there's a good chance you'll get it too.

"Just watch for the symptoms. Light-headedness, black discharge. It progresses faster in Cloud than most as well, so don't let it get out of hand. Just… tell someone if you notice anything like that." Zack, realizing that this really was serious, nodded quickly, his lips pursing. Tifa sounded rather certain he'd contract it, so at least he had that to look forward to.

And it kept coming back in Cloud? So he'd have to watch out for it his whole life? Joy.

"I'm going to head out now," Tifa stated, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Denzel probably won't cause much trouble, he's pretty quiet when Cloud's not around, but just keep an eye on him." Zack nodded, watching her as she turned and headed towards the door that lead out to the bar. And as she disappeared, he turned his attention back to Denzel, his thoughts drifting as he watched the child swing slowly back and forth.

Everyday he was living there, he learned a little more about Cloud. Some huge part of his life that had happened in the last five years. Most people's lives weren't that eventful, but it would appear that Cloud didn't have that luxury. Like Tseng and Reno had explained, when things were happening, Cloud was right in the middle of it.

The thought made Zack feel guilty. He'd shown up out of nowhere, disrupting the calm Cloud had finally managed to find.

Maybe things would be better if he just… avoided Cloud like the blonde was him. If they acted only like colleagues. Not that he'd been trying particularly hard to get his attention anyway, for fear of the reaction he'd get, but still. If Cloud wasn't ready to face him, then the least Zack could do was make it easy for him. After everything he'd done for the world, and all he'd been through, it was the least Zack could do. Make things as easy as possible for him.

The thought was depressing for Zack, but he didn't know what else to do. If Cloud didn't want to see him, then… then that was just the way it was.

Eyes having dropped to stare at the floor, he only vaguely noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Glancing up again, he saw that Denzel had stood from the swing and was running towards the other end of the yard, out of range of Zack's vision.

Abruptly, the ex-SOLDIER felt his nerves spike. Denzel was out of sight and he was the most important person in Cloud's life. And he was currently responsible for him. The warning lights started to flash in his minds eye, his SOLDIER instincts kicking in. Dashing to the door, he headed out into the yard himself, only wearing socks, and headed off in the direction that Denzel had gone.

The yard wasn't fenced in and when Zack wasn't able to spot the kid anywhere, he jogged out and around to the front of the building, nearer the street.

At first, he'd thought that Denzel would be easy to locate, that he'd just gone to play somewhere else. But as he found himself standing outside the front door, glancing up and down the crowded street, he felt further panic settle in the bottom of his gut. Denzel was gone.

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit," he muttered. Cloud was never going to speak to him now. He'd lost his kid! How had this happened? Tifa had said he'd be quiet. Did he do this often, running off?

Stepping out into the street himself, Zack glanced around quickly, searching desperately for Denzel. What would Cloud even think if he knew this was happening? He'd hate him for sure, at least more so than he already did.

Gah, where was he?!

Teeth gritted, Zack continued to scour the street, people that passed him by casting him odd looks. After all, he was standing in the middle of the path without shoes looking like a crazy person.

That was, until he spotted that mop of brown hair. Breathing a sigh relief, Zack darted across the street, swiftly making his way down to the right some until he'd finally caught up with the boy, which, in all honesty, shouldn't have been that hard for him. He had been in SOLDIER after all.

Denzel was crouching, looking down under some metal fencing between two buildings.

"So, uh, what're you doing?" Zack asked, his arms crossing over his chest as he stared down at the boy. Slowly, as if annoyed that he'd been interrupted, Denzel turned his head up to glare at Zack, even more spite in his eyes than there had been previously. Not that Zack really cared. He was just a kid after all. He'd worry more about being liked after he could get Cloud to warm up to him again. Until then, no on else mattered.

"There's a chocobo," Denzel explained, glancing back down through the hole in the fencing. "A baby one. It's green." Zack, who'd cocked his eyebrow doubtfully, bent down so he could get a better look through the hole in the fence as well. And much to his surprise, he did in fact see the sea-foam green tuft of chocobo feathers.

"Must have gotten loose," Zack deduced.

"Or someone abandoned it," Denzel replied, sounding almost hopeful, and Zack rolled his eyes. He truly doubted someone would give up a chocobo of that color. Last he'd checked, the ones that were anything but yellow were worth quite a bit. But he kept his thoughts to himself, not wanting to cause Denzel any more grief than he already had.

"I'm going to go get it," Denzel suddenly decided, creeping closer to the fence. Seeing where this was going, Zack quickly reached down and, as the kid sank down in through the hole, grabbed him by the arm.

"I don't think so," Zack decided. "Get back out here right now and come-"

"Don't touch me!" Denzel stated temperamentally, attempting to struggle out of Zack's grasp. His wiggling wasn't doing any good however, Zack merely tightening his grip as he pursed his lips in disapproval.

"Get out of there right now," he demanded. "You're not going after that choco- Ow!" Pulling his hand back abruptly, he glanced down at his arm where he could see the reddening teeth marks that could only be made by a small human child. "Hey!" he yelled angrily as Denzel sank fully through the whole and came out the other side. "You get back out here right now! I'm taking you home and you can… sit in the corner until Tifa gets home! Hey!"

Denzel wasn't listening, he was creeping up behind the chocobo. He barely fit between the two buildings and Zack knew it'd be futile of him to try and follow. He'd no doubt get stuck.

"Denzel, I'm serious!" he exclaimed. "Get out here right now!"

"You're scaring it!" the boy accused as the chocobo lifted its head to look at them. Giving a rather squeaky "warp," the little bird turned and ran further down the alley.

And Denzel ran after it.

"Denzel!" Zack yelled as the boy dashed after the bird, vanishing around a corner. "God dammit!" he shook the fence angrily before running down to the left, looking for any opening that would allow him to follow the kid. Eventually, he came across an alley that didn't look to lead to a dead-end and, flailing to a halt, began sprinting down it.

And as he came out the other side, he stepped out into another street. Glancing around quickly, he saw that small shaggy head of brown hair duck down between some rather startled people some ways to the right. Bolting after him, Zack refrained from muttering profanities in order to focus on breathing properly.

He was going to punish that kid so much…

Denzel, no doubt still in pursuit of the damn bird, rounded a corner and out of sight once more, Zack pelting after him even faster. Pushing his legs to carry him as quickly as they could, he was determined that if Denzel didn't take any more inaccessible routes, he'd be able to catch him. And so as he rounded the corner himself, he set his focus on the boy running after that green, warking piece of poultry.

But then, as he glanced up to get a better idea of where they were headed, he felt his stomach drop, worry forming in its place. They were just perpendicular to one of the more highly populated roads, this one ushering vehicles through. It was actually a highway of sorts, Zack already making out the sounds of roaring engines. If they kept running, they'd end up right in the middle of it.

"Denzel! Stop!" he shouted as loudly as he could.

"Go away!" was the response he received and he growled, pumping his legs as fast as he could. He had to grab the kid, and he had to do it quickly.

He had only seconds!

Breath heavy, he strained his muscles to the limit, his SOLDIER speed closing the gap between him and Denzel considerably. But he just wasn't fast enough. Before he knew it, they'd reached the end of the street, the chocobo darting out into the road to be followed rather foolishly by Denzel. The boy did have common sense enough to look both ways, but he never stopped.

He ran right out into traffic, a few horns honking in warning as he dashed towards the middle divider.

Knowing he couldn't stop, Zack gulped and prayed to the Ancients that there weren't any cars coming. Bolting out into the street, he glanced both ways only as he crossed, eyes widening when he saw the grill of a very large bus headed right at him.

SOLDIER instincts kicking in, he did the first thing that came to mind. Jumping, he pulled his body into the fetal position, front flipping himself just barely out of the way as the bus, horn blaring, rushed by behind him.

He dashed quickly to the middle divider splitting up the two-way road. Yet his attention had momentarily been focused on saving himself and diverted from Denzel. So when he finally caught sight of the kid again, he was sent speechless by what he saw.

The damn bird, shocked and scared by the cars, was running around in the street, vehicles whipping by it and honking their horns loudly. And Denzel, his focus and concern totally intent on the chocobo, only looked quickly before dashing out to rescue it.

He didn't see the truck.

Pushing himself into running again, Zack darted out into the street after the kid, his hands outstretched.

Not expecting Denzel in its panic, the chocobo was easily caught by the boy, who grabbed it up in his arms. Yet, at the same time, he heard the screeching tires of the truck and looked up, eyes widening as it squealed towards him.

Zack was only inches from grabbing Denzel and pulling him out of the way. But he knew there wasn't time for that now.

He had only one choice.

The truck was trying to stop, but it just wasn't possible. Not at that distance.

Zack, finally reaching Denzel, used all his strength and pushed, sending the shocked-still child flying across the street to the other side.

And the last thing he saw were those stunned, bright blue eyes staring back at him.

oOo

"Where is he?!" Cloud asked as he burst through the door. He spotted Tseng and Tifa first, the two of them standing on either side of the hospital bed. Rounding on them, he felt the tension from the speedy drive back dissipate somewhat at what he saw.

Denzel was sitting on the bed, his tear streaked face glancing up at Cloud as Tseng moved out of the way so the blonde could come up on the right side of the bed. His tiny arm was in a cast, a bandage wrapped around his forehead. But to Cloud, it looked far worse than anything he could have imagined.

He'd gotten the call some two hours before, Tifa explaining that there'd been an accident and that he had to get home right away. He vaguely remembered her saying that Denzel was okay, that he'd just broken his arm, but the mere thought of the boy being hurt had sent him into a panic. She'd said that Zack had shoved him out of the way, that he'd saved his life, but none of it had registered. After that, the conversation was a blank to him. He'd had to get home; he'd had to get to his son.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he bent over Denzel, taking the boy's face in his hand as he did. He placed the other on the boy's shoulder, comforted just by the fact that as he touched him, he was warm; he was alive. "What happened?" His normally calm, collected demeanor was dented by his panic, his blue eyes taking in everything he could about Denzel's condition.

Aside from his bandages, his left cheek was severely bruised as well as his other arm. As if he'd been thrown into something at a high speed and with great force.

"I-I-" Denzel stuttered, his eyes tearing up as he stared at his father. "I didn't mean- it was an accident- I didn't know that the truck- I-I'm so s-sorry." He started to cry, tears rolling down his cheeks as Cloud sat down on the bed beside him. His panic was finally starting to dissipate, his parental attitude coming in to take over.

"It's okay," he soothed. "It's alright." Careful not to knock the kid's wounds, Cloud pulled him into a hug, attempting to comfort the crying boy. He rocked him back and forth, Denzel taking hold of Cloud's sweater with his free hand and fisting the fabric. "Shh, you're okay."

"I'm sorry," he said again, his voice muffled against Cloud's chest. "I d-didn't mean for it to happen, b-but it was all my fault." He burrowed his face as far as he could into Cloud's shirt, both Tifa and Tseng watching the scene with concerned brows.

"It's okay," Cloud said again. "You're fine, everything's okay now." He felt his own heart finally beginning to slow, his eyes closing as he was soothed by the feeling of Denzel securely wrapped in his arms. His son, the most important thing in his entire world, was safe.

Everything was fine.

"I'm sorry dad," he muttered brokenly. "I didn't m-mean for him to get hurt."

Eyes blinking open, Cloud, holding Denzel tighter still, felt something stir in his memory. Something from his conversation with Tifa some hours before. His son hadn't been the only one involved, he'd been… shoved out of harms way.

Zack. Zack had gotten him out of the way.

Eyes flicking to Tifa, he knew she could read his questioning stare. He couldn't remember the rest of his conversation with her. What she'd said after he'd tuned out, so worried about Denzel that he'd failed to understand the last part of the discussion. But it'd had something to do with Zack.

Zack…

"Denzel was out in the street," she started to explain, her arms crossing under her breasts. "I'd asked Zack to watch him while I was out, but I guess Denzel saw a stray chocobo and went after it." She glanced at the boy, her expression not scolding, but not supportive either. Just blank. "From what I've managed to get out of Denzel," who, now that he was protected in his father's embrace, had quelled his tears, "Zack told him to come back, but he didn't listen. Instead, he went after the chocobo, Zack chasing him the whole way.

"And when they got to the main road, he kept going after it even though he'd been told continuously never to go that way," she took a deep breath, Cloud's eyes never leaving hers. "There was a truck, one that Denzel didn't see, but that Zack did. He threw Denzel out of the way," causing his injuries, "and Zack…" She closed her eyes. "He was hit instead."

Cloud felt a cold chill sink over him, his lips pursing as his son, ashamed of his actions, tried to hide against his father's chest. Denzel was a smart kid, mature for his age after everything he'd seen and been through. And he knew that by acting the way he had, he'd been in the wrong. His actions had resulted in horrific consequences.

Eyes falling to the sheets, Cloud continued to hold Denzel as he considered what he'd just heard, not sure how to react. Or perhaps he was just too afraid to react.

"When we got here," her and Tseng, "I asked that the same doctor you see treat Zack, that you two had many of the same things in common as far as your… physical characteristics." Those of a SOLDIER. "The hit was… pretty bad and, had it not been for his SOLDIER advantages, he'd be dead."

But he wasn't. That was what Cloud took from her words. Zack could have died, but he hadn't. He was alive. In one form another, he'd lived.

Eyes closing, Cloud released a deep breath, somewhat surprised at the emotion that assaulted him next.

Relief.

"In fact, because of his SOLDIER benefits, he only suffered a few sprains. A lot of bruising of course, and some cuts and gashes, but nothing that shouldn't be healed in a few weeks," Tifa continued. "And to think, such an accident would have killed a normal person."

Cloud nodded, his eyes still closed as he tried to come to terms with the emotions roiling around inside of him. When he'd heard the news about Denzel, the first worry that had come to him was over his son's life. Whether he was ever going to see him, talk to him, hold him again. He'd felt the same anxiety he'd found when he'd considered Aerith's death, and Zack's.

All he'd wanted to do was get to the hospital. To see Denzel and make sure he was alright. And when he'd humored the worst, because he had over and over and over again, he'd begged that he be allowed to see his son just one last time. To see him breathing, smiling, alive. He'd have given his own life a million times over for that.

Just to see him again.

Yet there he sat, Denzel in his arms, safe. But Zack, well, he didn't know where he was. Zack, who'd given up everything, literally, to try and protect them both. He'd died. Cloud had seen him take his last breath right before his eyes. And now, somehow, he'd miraculously returned. He'd done what generations had believed was impossible no matter what attempts had been made otherwise.

He was alive. And he'd had no qualms with throwing his life away once again in order to save another.

His second chance could have been over that fast, only days after he'd returned.

Cloud, gulping, pressed his face into Denzel's hair, eyes still closed. When he'd feared that he'd lost Denzel, he'd come, he'd found him. He was there with him, cherishing every moment. Yet when Zack had reappeared, he'd pushed him away. Why?

Why had he done that?

Because he was afraid, that was why. He'd been too terrified of losing Zack again, of his death, that he'd failed to see him alive right before his eyes. His fear of being without Denzel made him understand that. He'd feared losing his son, yet he'd been unable to comprehend the fact that he'd gotten his best friend back. And all because he'd been afraid.

It was his fear that had blinded him from seeing Zack that way. The past had cornered him, blurring his vision of the future. A future where Zack was there, something he'd never imagined possible again, and now…

Now that image had almost been wiped clean once more.

He could have lost him all over again, and this time without having even given himself the chance to realize what a gift he'd been granted. He'd been blessed beyond what anyone else had ever been.

And he'd almost thrown it away.

Regret overtook his relief. That, and a new kind of fear. One that was spurred by his new understanding. Fear that coursed through him as he considered what Zack had done that day in order to save Denzel, and what he'd almost given up.

Zack was a hero, not Cloud. He'd been selfless in his actions, always had been. But Cloud… he'd always been selfish. He'd fretted over Denzel, afraid to live without him. And he'd ignored Zack, again afraid to live without him. And now he was doing it again, living in fear of what he might have missed out on; in what he might lose.

All of it selfish.

He didn't deserve the people that loved him, Tifa, Denzel, his friends; Zack. But he now knew that, even though that be true, to reject them would be the worst of his selfish acts. He had no right to refuse their affection, their presence. He owed that to them all, and especially to Zack.

Zack…

He was so afraid. So afraid to feel that and then… lose it again. But perhaps that too was where courage was born. Bravery was not something that was created out of nothing. It was spurred by terror. To stand up and fight in the face of fear, that was to be courageous.

Perhaps, if he stopped running and turned, he could face Zack with a brave face. He had nothing to offer but his worthless courage.

Yet he had to try…

"Once the doctor comes back," Tifa's voice entered his thoughts, his eyes flickering open, "he's going to release Denzel. There's no reason to keep him overnight, but he has to come in for a checkup tomorrow. Mostly just routine stuff."

Cloud nodded. "I'll take him," he replied, unaware of the way Tifa's gaze had softened upon him.

"Tseng and I were already in to see Zack," she continued. "They're keeping him for a few days, just to watch him. He was asleep last time we were there, but if you want to go see him, Tseng and I can come get you when it's time to take Denzel home." Cloud wasn't sure how she did it, how she read his mind, seeming to know exactly what was running through his head. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she'd been the one to piece his subconscious back together. Like she knew him better than he knew himself.

He didn't want to leave Denzel, but he knew his son was alright now and that he'd be safe with Tifa. He needed to go see Zack. He had to.

"Is that okay with you?" Cloud pulled back from Denzel, who had long since gotten control of his tears. He didn't look like he wanted Cloud to leave, but, after a few moments, he nodded. Reluctant, but understanding. Zack had saved his life, that was all the boy registered. And that was enough of a reason to release his father to go visit him.

Even if they didn't like each other.

"You'll come get me when you go home?" he asked, Denzel nodding again as he traced his finger down the front of his father's sweater. "I'll see you in a little while then," Cloud confirmed as, slowly, he stood from the bed. He allowed his hand to rest atop Denzel's head, his fingers sifting through the boy's hair for a moment before he finally retreated out of reach. Walking towards the door, he cast Tifa one more look.

"He's in room 247," she stated quietly, Cloud nodding only once before leaving the room. Much as he wanted to stay with Denzel, part of him, a long buried and dusty part perhaps, was begging to see Zack. He made his way down the corridor, watching the numbers count themselves up.

244, 245, 246.

247.

The door was open and, with only a moment's hesitation, he entered.

The room was empty aside from its lone occupant. The lights had been dimmed, the purple and pink colors of twilight drifting inside. A single lamp above Zack's head was ignited, shining down on his still figure. The glass in the window was slid open, allowing the warm summer air to drift inside, shifting the drapes and disrupting Zack's spiked black hair only slightly.

Cloud, pausing at the end of the bed, stared at his old friend, lips tightening.

Like Denzel, there was a bandage wrapped around his head. But he also had quite a few band-aids streaking down his left cheek, a single scratch exposed on his right. His arms too were wrapped, being treated for burns he'd acquired on the asphalt. And, elevated slightly, was his left leg, but Cloud could tell it was merely so to prevent further damage to the sprain.

Most of his chest and his other leg were covered in a blanket, and Cloud wondered how much damage had been done there as well, a frown creasing his lips.

"Don't look so happy to see me." Flicking his eyes up to Zack's face, Cloud saw that his old friend was staring at him from beneath half-lidded eyes, a mocking smile pulling at one side of his lips.

Finally getting a good look at him since he'd learned of his arrival, Cloud found his eyes traveling the familiar contours of his chiseled jaw - that little cross scar to the right. Of his lips, which always seemed ready to form into a smile. And those eyes, clever and pointed just so that he constantly seemed to be onto something, or into something, or causing some kind of misguided mischief. Yet they were the same eyes that bore his unrivaled determination. And his total and utter happiness.

Cloud remembered those days, when he'd been able to read Zack just by the look in his eyes. He'd always worn his heart on his sleeve.

"Though I guess I should just be happy you're looking at me at all," he continued when Cloud said nothing in response. Lips pursing with guilt, the blonde rounded his way from the end of the bed up the side, so he was standing beside Zack.

His sighed, forcing the shaking tremble from his breath.

He didn't know what to say. Or what to do. All he was accomplishing was staring down at Zack, which, compared to days previous, was quite an improvement. Yet past that, he was lost. It'd been ten years since he'd had any kind of real connection with his best friend. At that point, they'd been the most important people in each other's lives. He remembered those days spent holed up in Zack's apartment, alone, hiding from his designated infantry dorm. There'd been a feeling of carelessness between them, as if nothing besides each other had mattered.

That was right before Nibelheim, when they'd been convinced nothing could go wrong. That nothing could break them apart.

But now, all that seemed like a dream. Or perhaps someone else's life. Cloud couldn't relate anymore, but Zack… he'd only just come off the cusp of living that life. There was a ten year difference between their understanding and Cloud… he didn't even know how to go about attempting to breach it.

Or if he even wanted to.

Their life had been easy back then, when they'd been young and reckless, and when love had been enough to hold them together. Yet now Cloud had a family, a career, and baggage far beyond anything he'd had as a teenager. Introduce Zack into the mix, then add Cloud attempting to make something happen between them on top of everything else?

He wasn't sure he wanted the strain.

Or maybe he was still just afraid and coming up with excuses. He couldn't tell.

"I know I'm good looking," Zack rasped, "but staring is rude." He was joking, Cloud blinking when he realized that the accusation was correct. His lack of things to say had landed him into gawking down at the man below.

"Sorry," he muttered, his stare diverting from Zack's face and down to his leg. Silence fell between them once again, Zack sighing a few moments later.

"You never were one for too many words, but this is… kind of ridiculous," Zack laughed just barely, his comment once again voiced in a playful manner. But Cloud could see through it, see what he wanted in the way his eyes stared when their attention was brought back together again. Zack was desperate. Finally, after days of torture, he was getting some kind of attention from his best friend. And he wanted more.

"What do you want me to say?" Cloud asked softly, his tone just loud enough for the other to hear.

"Anything," Zack replied, a small smile tugging on his lips. "Everything. Sing for all I care. But talk to me." All he really wanted was to hear that velvety voice directed at him once again. After the days of agonizing silence and neglect, he'd settle for just about anything.

Cloud paused before opening his mouth again. "Thank you," he started. "For saving Denzel. If you hadn't been there, I don't think he'd be here right now." And Cloud wouldn't be able to live with that. Denzel was his child, his everything, and his world would be shattered without him.

"I think it was me throwing him out of the way that got him hurt in the first place," Zack replied, his tired eyes straining to remain focused on the blonde. They wanted to close, the painkillers were fighting him into sleep, but he refused to give in.

"Perhaps," Cloud agreed, "but a broken arm is better than the alternative." Had it not been for Zack's SOLDIER enhancements, he'd be dead, and he was grown man. Denzel wouldn't have stood a chance.

"I guess," Zack took a deep breath, Cloud noting how his chest trembled as he did. He was exhausted. "Maybe now he won't hate me so much. That kid," he raised his eyebrows at Cloud, "is real protective of you."

"I know," Cloud verified. "But he already lost one set of parents, so I suppose he's afraid of going through that again." The blonde understood the feeling, only it wasn't until that very day that he'd considered dealing with it. Denzel's mother and father had perished in sector seven, and when he'd found a new family, he'd latched on and refused to let go. Not pushed away as Cloud had.

"I never would have pegged you as the type that'd adopt a kid," Zack started, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared up at Cloud. "Last time I saw you, you'd barely been more than a kid yourself."

"Things change," Cloud replied, his tone almost cold. Zack, eyes flicking to the side, took note of the change, his heart dropping. The blonde's message was heard loud and clear. Time had moved forward, Cloud growing up with it. Dreaming of the past was futile, even if to Zack it didn't seem that long ago.

Not that Cloud was one to talk however. He was just as stuck in the past, though perhaps less invested in reminiscing. But, the way Zack figured it, not all memories were bad and the good ones were worth remembering.

Though, from what he'd gathered, Cloud's good times were far and few between.

"I've noticed," Zack finally replied, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He glanced back up at Cloud only to notice that the blonde's attention had drifted elsewhere, his blue eyes focused on something Zack couldn't see. "You're so sad…"

That grabbed his attention.

"What?" Cloud furrowed his eyebrows, apparently offended by Zack's observation as he turned to look at him again. His reaction brought a full smile to Zack's lips.

"You," he wasn't afraid to repeat himself. "You used to be so much… happier. And hopeful. Shy maybe, and quiet, but optimistic against all odds. But now… now you just seem so… sad…" His smile had vanished halfway through his explanation, his own expression dropping into one of curious gloom.

"It's hard to be happy and optimistic in the world we live in," Cloud replied, almost as if he was reprimanding Zack for bringing up such absurd emotions. Like it should be expected that Cloud not feel them anymore. Not after everything he'd been through.

"Maybe you've just forgotten…" Zack stated rebelliously, looking down at the sheets again. He missed how Cloud's lips pursed, his whole jaw becoming stiff. "But I guess the world is in pretty bad shape. No time for things like joy." He shook his head, Cloud's expression softening back to it's normal coldness at the grief layering his old friend's voice.

"There are small things…" Cloud murmured, staring at the floor beneath his feet as Zack once again glanced over at him.

"Like Denzel?" he inquired and Cloud nodded just once. "What about me?" At first, Cloud didn't make a move to respond, as if digesting the words. But then, ever so slowly, he twitched his attention back to the man in the hospital bed, his brow furrowed slightly. "Never mind," Zack shook his head and sighed. "I know I don't bring joy to anyone, least of all you." He missed the way hurt flicked across Cloud's face. But the signs of it were gone as soon as they'd come. "I scare you…"

Cloud looked away again.

"But you know… you scare me too," he continued. "I never thought I'd ever say that about you. Ever. But… well, like you said, things change. You've changed. The old you was so young…"

"We were both young…"

"Yeah, but still," Zack gulped and took a deep breath. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that this… man you've become," Cloud glanced back, "terrifies me. Not because of how strong you are or anything like that. But because you're not the person I used to know and I still can't… get over you. It's like I have all these feelings still, and have no idea what you're going to do."

Cloud didn't know how to respond to that. Zack had basically admitted that he still felt the same way about him as he had ten years ago. It caused his heart to speed up. Not in excitement, but in fear. He couldn't handle that, someone… loving him in that way. It was just too much. He didn't want that kind of pressure, that kind of responsibility. It was one thing to care for his family, for Denzel, and quite another to consider a relationship that was…

It was all too much.

"I'm sorry," Cloud shook his head, stepping away from the bed and going over to the window. He stared out into the city, unable to look back at Zack. He didn't know what else to say, what else he could say.

He was so lost…

"I know you are," Zack muttered, already regretting having said anything on the matter at all. Yet before the conversation could continue, they were interrupted as Tseng, peeking in at first, walked into the room.

"Tifa's taking Denzel outside now," he explained, ever serious. "It'll probably be easiest if you take him home on your bike. I don't think he has the energy to walk." Cloud had turned to look at the Turk, nodding in understanding and having no issues with the course of action.

Tseng, tilting his head once to Cloud in affirmation, then looked to Zack, blinked as if to acknowledge him, and turned back the way he'd come. The two remaining listened as his footsteps echoed down the hall.

"I guess you're leaving then," Zack eventually stated, not seeming to feel one way or another about the fact. Cloud simply nodded, finally getting up the gall to glance back at Zack after his unfortunate admission.

"We'll be back again tomorrow," Cloud verified, Zack's eyebrows rising questioningly. "Denzel has to have more tests done." Oh, so they weren't coming back to see him. Zack sank back down in the bed, trying not to seem too disappointed. "And we'll come see you as well," because, as Cloud knew very well, Zack wore his emotions all over his face. He could read him like a book. "We won't leave you alone here."

"You'll come?" Zack asked tentatively, their eyes meeting once again. "You'll come and talk to me again?" Cloud didn't reply at first, knowing that what his old friend was really asking for was more than the formal discussion that took place during hospital visits. Something more meaningful than wasted words.

"Yeah," Cloud decided. "I'll come and talk to you tomorrow."

Zack smiled slightly at that, seeming to take relief in the guarantee as he leaned back against the pillows. Cloud watched him for only a moment longer, glad that he was relaxing before, with a slight nod towards the other man, heading towards the door.

He could feel Zack's eyes on him the whole way out.

A/N: A little progress between Zack and Cloud. But that's how it's starting between them. Little by little. Poor Zack though, hit by a truck. Kind of ironic actually. Though I have to say, I hate all the fanfics that paint Denzel as an annoyance in Cloud's life. In the movie, the complete movie, it's very apparent that Denzel is important to him, not something he has to put up with. And as a parental figure, Cloud will always put Denzel first. As any decent parent would know, that's simply the way it is.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Again, please let me know what you thought, I love the in-depth reviews I've been getting.

R&R PLEASE AND I LOVE YOU ALL!