Scars of Friendship

"Don't worry, Spike. You won't, I'll guide you every step of the way!"

–––––

After hearing Zack say these words, Cloud wiped nonexistent tears from his eyes and dramatically sobbed into the First's shirt as he drawled on and on about how 'he was eternally in Zack's debt' and 'how great a friend Zack was' and –

Did Cloud just call Zack a great friend?

"Zack, this is my first date!"

Did Cloud just call his meeting with Sephiroth a date?

"My first date," the blond continued to squeal. "With the General! My first date! Can you – "

"It's not a date."

Cloud slowly turned to Zack with half-accusing, questioning eyes.

"It's more of a… mission debriefing, I guess."

The confusion in those blue orbs gave way to disappointment and Zack almost felt guilty for unnecessarily bursting the boy's bubble.

Almost.

"Cheer up, Spike. You've been on lots of dates before."

The blond perked up. "Really? With who?"

"With me." Zack jammed a thumb to his chest, praying to Gaia, the Planet and Genesis that Cloud would get his hint.

"Oooh," Cloud pressed his hands together. "So we're dating?"

Sweet and innocent mountain boy Cloud Strife did not know the implications his statement carried.

However, Zack did and he had to suppress the urge to bawl like big baby while reciting sappy line after sappy line of romantic drivel.

"Yes Cloud, we are dating."

By the time Zack had run out of pick-up lines to feed an unimpressed Cloud, it was already evening.

The blond asked his friend (Cloud refused to call Zack his lover) if he could stay the night and to Zack's dismay, he realized that Cloud wanted to stay the night and not stay the night.

–––––

Cloud woke up later than usual and he blamed the dark-haired man sleeping on the couch (the blond refused to sleep in the same bed as Zack). Hastily, he brushed his teeth and got dressed before leaving for the Briefing Room.

The sound of his room door slamming against its frame jolted Zack awake.

"Cloud?" He called and when no answer came, he got up to check his clock.

10:14 AM.

'Cloud must have left already.'

Zack opened the drawer beside his couch to get his PHS and called the person he knew wouldn't be intimidated into immobilization by The Sephiroth.

Reno.

–––––

The redheaded Turk nearly jumped out of his skin when his PHS rang. He was sneaking around Rufus's office on a mission to sneak a peek on the newest recruits' files and he was this close to the cabinet, damn it!

The PHS rang again, causing Reno to make a mad dash for the door in fear of getting caught. He didn't notice Rufus, who was walking towards his office with coffee in hand and a knowing smirk on his face.

"What," Reno hissed into his PHS upon entering the elevator.

"You doing something, Reno?"

"Well, Slick," Reno spat, "I was doing something before you called." He pressed the button for Lv. 49, thinking that since he didn't see the new recruits' files, he should just see the new recruits themselves.

"I think Sephiroth's after my bestfriend." Reno's temper didn't faze Zack.

The redhead stopped in front of the Briefing Room and recognized the flowing silver tresses of the General in question. Beside the General was a mass of ochre on a shorter frame. "Is your friend blond?"

"You know Cloud?"

"Nope. But I do know Sephiroth." Reno ducked into the Materia Room, ignoring the curious stares of the scientists, and watched the pair disappear behind the elevator door. "They're heading out."

"Where to?"

"Dunno. But we're gonna find out."

"We're gonna follow them?"

"Yes. I'm a Turk. I have to know all."

Let it never be said that Reno was being paid to be nosy.

–––––

Sephiroth was having a pleasant time with Cloud. The blond respected his personal space, was easy on the eyes and quiet – only talking when spoken to.

As they dined in a secluded spot in a fancy restaurant courtesy of Sephiroth and his hero status, the General noticed how ill at ease Cloud seemed to be.

"Is the food not to your liking, Cloud?"

Before Cloud could think, he blurted out to question plaguing his mind the whole time. "Are we dating?"

Sephiroth was taken aback by the blunt inquiry of the usually reserved blond. He knew, however, that this was the chance he was looking for. He needed someone to parade around as his lover if he didn't want Genesis spouting LOVELESS on his heels and Cloud was the best company he have had in a while.

"Yes, we are," he answered with a low, intentionally seductive chuckle.

If anything, Cloud looked even more uncomfortable. This was not the reaction Sephiroth was expecting.

"Do you not wish to be dating me?" The General's ego told him this was impossible.

"I'm sorry, sir," the blond sighed. "I like you…"

Sephiroth smiled. Now this he expected.

"…But I'm dating Zack."

Scars of Friendship

The details of Sephiroth and Cloud's project will be revealed in the next chapter!

KyuubiTheKid, MeykoLove, Ruhina, Stoic-Genius, I hope you all received your bottles of Sephiroth Shampoo!

…You didn't? Damn it, Sephiroth!

Criticism is highly-appreciated! Fangirl-ing and squee-ing are absolutely welcome.