Sometimes, a List Helps

Word Count: 991

Number one: he is obedient. (Once you get the intended timing across, anyway. Now, please.)

Number two: he is loyal. Sort of.

Angeal stared at the second item on his list. That morning, he had gone to pick Cadet Fair up for training, and found the boy rolling around on the mats with Genesis. The redheaded 1st had the cadet pinned. Considering the relative difference in strength, ability, and experience between a cadet a year into the program and a SOLDIER 1st class, this fact was unsurprising, and also made the fact that Cadet Fair had the room to struggle the way he was doing obviously intentional on Genesis' part.

Watching his handpicked cadet writhe under his best friend, Angeal would not have needed three guesses to figure out why Genesis was allowing Zack that space.

He had separated them, of course, and scolded Genesis. (Zack was Angeal's handpicked cadet. If Genesis had wanted one, he should have made the proper arrangements. Of course, Angeal knew that Genesis didn't really want one, and was only playing with Zack because Angeal had proved his interest by selecting him.) Genesis had borne it gracefully, and left the training room with a flirtatious wave and wink in Zack's direction. Zack's blush was so bright, Angeal would probably have been able to read by it on a dark night.

Angeal frowned and returned to his list.

Number three: he is comfortable interacting with people who significantly outrank him. This applies even in situations when others of his rank are easily observable and displaying more obvious signs of nervousness respect.

Number four: he is honest and genuine in everything he does.

Number five: when he does feel compelled to be dishonest, he is so obvious about it that the subterfuge is revealed almost immediately every time, saving the need for review of interactions based on false pretenses.

Number six: he never makes you feel the need to second-guess yourself.

Unless he thinks you're being too stern, Angeal thought, and wondered if he shouldn't start separating out a list of cons. But even though he might not ever tell Zack, Angeal also considered his sternness a character flaw. He knew many of the SOLDIER in his unit looked up to him as an almost paternal figure (although really, he was much too young), and many people had the image of the stern father in their heads, but Angeal wanted to learn to be more supportive. Zack was just childish enough to really need that support, and not just crave it. It forced Angeal to be careful, and to moderate his sternness with affection.

Number seven: he is a never-ending source of affection.

Once you earned it, anyway. Zack wasn't a stuffed animal, and he didn't know everybody (yet, said a nagging voice in Angeal's head – and he knew, it was likely only a matter of time before Zack really did know everyone who worked in the massive ShinRa compound by name) but he certainly was able to get along with anyone at the drop of a hat, and with those people he did know, a sunny attitude was almost a given. Unless he was pouting, of course – but half the time, that was just to be cute anyway.

Number eight: he is unendingly energetic. In fact, he might even reasonably be described as hyper by default.

Number nine: he approaches all challenges with a positive, can-do attitude. (Although when thinking about the situation with Genesis this morning, it might be better if he wasn't quite so quick to accept challenges in the first place.)

Number ten: he learns quickly when provided with either positive or negative consequences, and rarely provokes negative consequences to begin with.

Number eleven: he can sleep anywhere.

Most people didn't know it, but the ability to go to sleep at a moment's notice, in any situation and any position, was an asset to anyone who lived with the grueling schedule of a SOLDIER. You didn't always know when your next break would be, and sometimes the safest campsite was halfway up a tree.

Number twelve: he can focus on anything if directed to enough times.

That sort of sounded like he had ADD, but when Zack focused, he made things happen. If getting to focus in the first place was the greatest challenge he ever faced, the cadet would go very, very far.

Number thirteen: he's always happy to see me, which makes me always happy and excited to see him.

Being a general was stressful work; anything that could ease that was worth it.

Number fourteen: he knows the value of a good cuddle, and doesn't expect casual physical affection to automatically turn into sex.

Well, so far, anyway. Zack might still be a little young to be thinking about those sorts of things, but regardless, Angeal appreciated the cadet's ability to chill out and snuggle up. Serotonin is a thing, yo, and human contact makes for great stress relief.

Number fifteen: he's proud of himself when he does well, but also humble enough to constantly try to do better.

Angeal regarded the list with a smile. He was sure Zack had many other amiable and endearing qualities that made him well and thoroughly qualified as a candidate for special attention from a distinguished 1st like himself – qualities that had nothing to do with sex appeal. In the morning, he would hand the list over to Genesis, and that would be the end of cradle robber remarks.

On second thought, maybe he should take item number fourteen off the list.

—

Genesis reviewed the list Angeal had handed him, titled "Reasons to Consider Zack Fair for Acceleration through the Cadet Program (in no particular order)" and felt his eyebrows slowly inching up his forehead. When he got to the end of the list, he turned to his best friend, laughing, and asked, "Angeal, is Zack your cadet or your dog?"