AN: Thank you for the reviews. I now have a new computer, and should be updating more frequently. Sorry that this is quite a short chapter, no major events here.

Cloud's eyes slowly flickered open and he stared up at the bright, almost blinding light that had penetrated into the room from a gap in the curtains. He covered his eyes, groaning softly. He felt sick, his head seemed close to exploding, and he had no idea where he was. The curtains here were blue, the ones in the dorms were green. And this bed was far more comfortable than his own. He groaned louder at the exertion of trying to work out exactly where he was located. It was more trouble than it was worth.

He frowned slightly as the floor moved and he found himself rising gradually into the air, across the space, and then sinking down again. He was thoroughly disorientated, but where he was now was warm, and comfortable, and was rising and falling in a steady pattern. It was so comfortable. He smiled lazily, settling back against it to get some more sleep.

Zack looked down at him, nuzzled up to his chest, eyes shining with gentle affection. He was glad that the other seemed to be recovering from the night before with no ill effects. That was a huge relief. He had been worried about reporting to Sephiroth that he had managed to give one of the cadet's alcohol poisoning, and he was even more worried at the idea of Cloud being really sick. He knew that alcohol poisoning, especially at the strength which Cloud had drunk, could lead to fatalities or brain damage. But the other seemed to be waking up. Today, he had been lucky.

He leaned down, staring at Cloud's face. Those intensely bright eyes were closed for now, the long eyelashes resting on the boy's cheek. He wondered if Cloud knew that he was beautiful. He hoped that the other boys weren't giving him too hard a time over it. He ran a thumb across Cloud's cheek and the boy smiled. Zack felt his heart swell, and leant forwards, trying to push his lips to the other's forehead. He brushed them across the delicate skin, and then moved away at the flutter of the other's eyelashes. He made a mental note that next time, while he would succeed in getting Cloud drunk, he would make sure the boy didn't end up at passing out levels, and would ensure that he stuck only to drinks for the un-enhanced members of the populace.

Cloud's eyes opened slowly, and he saw Zack was there. He managed a weak smile, then blushed as he remembered what had happened the night before. He had made an idiot of himself, passing out in front of the other. He didn't know how he would ever recover from such embarrassment.

Zack grinned at him goofily, but was careful not to laugh, having learnt from the training session how sensitive Cloud could be about these things.
"It's good to have you back with us cadet! How are you feeling?" Cloud flinched at how loud the other's voice was.
"My head hurts."
"That's no surprise, you were on the SOLDIER drinks, I didn't know…tell me if you don't feel well in future."

Cloud nodded slowly, flinching in pain at the movement of his head, and felt confused. So this hadn't been some strange kind of initiation. He didn't know if he should feel relieved or annoyed. He settled on relieved. He frowned as something pressed up against his lips, then gulped as cool water poured slowly into his mouth.

"Here, this will help…" Zack reassured, letting the other drink. Cloud drank quickly, smiling up at him. It did help a little, he could feel the earlier pain beginning to recede, though he still felt dreadful. "There, much better…" Zack continued, aiming at reassuring the other.

When the glass was almost empty, Cloud began to cough. Zack quickly put the drink down and rubbed the other's back, holding him close against him.
"It's going to be alright Cloud, I'll look after you." The higher ranking man promised, continuing to rub his back in soothing circles. Cloud closed his eyes and let himself relax, a soft moan of pleasure escaping him. He was beginning to feel a little better. He turned to face Zack and smiled.

Zack smiled back, a smaller and more delicate smile than his standard over-confident grin. He could see his amethyst eyes reflected in Cloud's. Before he had even thought, he was leaning forwards, towards Cloud. Cloud leant up towards him in return. Zack could feel the cadet's breath over his lips.

Cloud stared up at him with wonder. He was getting to kiss the Captain, the man he had had a secret crush on for so long. He leant to close the gap then turned away rapidly, retching as he was sick over the floor. He collapsed back against Zack, his head hurting.

Zack sighed and went to clean up.