Hi
Ok, so this is the moment you've all be waiting for. Sorry I didn't get it posted on Friday as planned but stuff happened and this is the first chance I've had to upload the newest chapter. I've actually got a lot going on at work right now so my update for IBD might also be another week away, but I'll do my best.
I hope you enjoy and please review to let me know what you think.
Scene 6
There is a moment in time when a person realises the mistake they have made, when an inspirational light suddenly begins to shine and make them see what had not been seen before.
For Zack this moment came almost twenty minutes after he had left the Capulet's home, the feet which carried him through the lantern filled streets faltering as he slowed to a stop and found himself turning to look back from where he had run. Because now, instead of the thrilling rush he had been promised at crashing the party the young lord felt only an ache, his thoughts of loving the fair Aerith now washed away by those of his enemy's son and the tender kiss they had shared beneath an apple tree.
Irony brought a warm amused smile to the raven haired youths lips as he remember the warm press of soft flesh upon his own, as the words his father had spoken over the years regarding tasting from the tree of knowledge now held more meaning than he could have possibly imagined. For, in its own twisted way, he had indeed tasted Gaia's blessed fruit as Reno had advised him to do and found truth in its sweetness. The sin he had taken upon himself in the process being inconsequential when compared to the joy it had felt in doing it.
And yet now, as he thought back to that moment, he understood that he was damned with this new found knowledge. The self discovery of what moved his heart, mind and soul so strongly might also be his undoing. With no fear that his parents would find fault with the nature of his newly found love, considering their own union, the young Lord couldn't help but wonder why he ran. His heart warning him that it was most certainly not the preference his body showed that would cause discontent, but more likely the one for who that affection was now felt.
But too late had he learnt of his hearts true desires and too late was he to act against them, the fruit he had willingly feasted upon without understanding indeed giving him knowledge that would damn him to hell and back. For truly he had purged the blonde of sin when they kissed and in fact taken it upon himself completely, had allowed his own heart to be made vulnerable so that it had not only taken the angel's burdens unto itself but given rise to never before felt ones within him. The might organ now bruised and beaten in a way that could not be healed, the strong muscles in fact struggling to beat properly as it became weighed down by things which it should not have been cursed to do so.
And yet, as he stood in the shadows looking back towards where he knew the blonde beauty would be, his angel to love for all time, the young Lord couldn't help but think that he would gladly taste of that sin again just one more time even if it damned him for all eternity.
"Zack?" Kunsel hissed, not daring to speak louder as he called to the other from a few feet away. "We must go." He urged sternly, the distance he could see forming between them in the other's eyes giving him cause for concern.
"Go then cousin." Zack chuckled oddly, his bright violet orbs flashing with something alive and reckless as he looked back at the soldier. "But do not look for me until dawn has risen, as I will not be easily found."
And with that the young Lord took off back in the direction they had come, the family and friends he left behind only daring to call his name out but once in fear that it might be heard by the wrong ear while still so close to their enemy's home.
"He thinks not with his head but with his ..." Reno began to inform the confused men around then, a firm kick from Kunsel quickly silencing his insult as it was cut off by a cry of pain.
"Enough." The young soldier stated glaring angrily, the seeds of doubt about their night's activities now having firmly taken root within him. "Our interfering has confused his senses and now he runs towards death like a madman possessed."
"It is not death he runs to but love, or lust given how quickly he did turn from us."
"Either way we should go after him." Kunsel retorted, the humour and look of disagreement he saw shine in sea-green spheres pre-warning him of the reply he would get.
"I will not chase a dog when his bitch is in heat, nor will I chase a man when he acts in the same way. Though Zack proclaims to find his attentions drawn to another I will still wager that it is Aerith he seeks to spend the night with and I am not one to interfere with that."
"But what of his words of being the fool and wearing the jester's hat? Surely we should go and try to stop him before he …"
"Kunsel." Reno cut in, instantly silencing the man's protest's with a bark of laughter as his name was spoken. "Zack flies with borrowed wings from cupid himself, his … heart … guided by Aphrodite's hand as he looks for love and to be satisfied by it. If he truly has found another than we are unable to help him as he is unable to help himself in these matters. And so my friend I beg of thee to leave it alone and retire for the night as instructed, so that we at least may find some peace before the sun rises in the morning."
"I hope you are right." The young soldier sighed heavily, his hazel brown eyes looking once more to where his cousin had last been seen before they continued their journey. "I really hope you are." He added, the words being more of a prayer as they were spoken and the sound of their retreating footsteps filled the night air once more.
XXXXXXXXXXX
For Cloud his bath had been anything but relaxing, the normally calming scented oils which gave it such a wondrous fragrance unable to ease the tension that now resided within him. Instead of enjoying the warm water, and soaking in the delightful aroma which drifted in the air around him, the young blonde had in fact found himself becoming more frustrated by his wandering thoughts. His mind like a raging storm as it refused to quieten until all the turmoil trapped within it had been purged.
And so the young Lord had given up on his attempt to find solace as he bathed and simply focused on washing his hair and cleaning the nights sweat from his body. The excuse he used of being more tired than he'd realised instantly silencing Tifa's words of concern, or her fussing, as he'd dried and dressed for bed after only a short space of time in the water. The young women quickly retiring for the night herself, so as to leave him in peace once she was happy that he was tucked up safely for the night.
It should have been no surprise then that only a few short minutes would pass, after her departure, before Cloud rose from his bed and found himself moving towards the large coloured glass doors within his bedroom. His hands moving of their own accord to turn the handle and allow him freedom onto the balcony just outside, the call of the moon and stars being too strong to resist as they whispered words and promises he could not hear.
The late summer's night was not cold on the blonde's exposed body, his white cotton sleep pants and loosely fitted pale blue night shirt being adequate enough in the cool air. And so Cloud stood trying to find some peace in the world as the sounds of the party drifted up around him and the soothing sent of the rose garden below filled his senses. So lost in his attempt to find comfort and peace of mind was the young Lord that he did not notice when his home was once again invaded, the masked youth who had blessed him with a pure and sin-free kiss having climbed the back wall of the property and found refuge amongst the flowers once more.
"Oh, how could this be?" Zack whispered, barely daring to breath at the sight before him much less ask his question out loud. "A vision of beauty made more so even in such casual dress. Though his attire is clearly not suitable for company it does surely please my eye, the perfectly tailored costume he wore earlier having no appeal now as this one shows the wearer of it in even more wondrous detail."
And though his words were that of poetry and made from heart-felt emotions the young Lord was right, the loose fitting nightwear indeed hanging even more teasingly on the blonde's lithe frame and portraying an image of even more breath taking innocence than before. With every gentle movement of the cool night's breeze a little more of that supple body was hinted at. Each gentle gust of air, as the soft wind blew, shifting the light fabric so that it brushed against the developing muscles hidden beneath and outlined the image of true temptation. Each brief glimpse was more than enough to stir a longing deep within Zack's chest, a heat rushing through his veins to pool at his groin as he saw what fine fancy eveningwear had not shown and admired the casually dressed vision which technically was not meant to be seen.
"Oh spirit's, why do you mock me so?" Cloud sighed heavily, his voice so soft it was barely audible above the din of the festivities still going on. "Why do you send me an angel when I am to be courted by a demon?"
"Angel?" Zack gasped, his avid gaze on the blonde flickering away momentarily to stare down at himself. "Is it me that he speaks of in such a way? Am I truly blessed to be seen as something so divine by one who is already beloved by the Goddess?" The raven haired teen murmured lightly, his violet orbs quickly returning to the sight which they truly desired to see.
"T'is like a poison in my veins to know his name, the pain I now feel in my whole being after having had his sweet kiss fill me so." Cloud mourned, his very breath catching as he looked down and away from the night's sky. "There is surely no cure to my suffering, no potion to treat such an agonising toxin of this love as it moves through my blood."
"He speaks of love with such sorrow." Zack breathed sadly, his chest tightening as glistening pools of blue rose up to look at the stars once more, the moonlight reflecting off the wonderful sapphire orbs as crystal like shimmering tears began to fall over pale cheeks. "Have I truly injured him so?" He asked desolately, the sight of Cloud crying breaking his own heart in two.
"Why then do I not hate him for this? Why in fact does my heart ache to see him once more?" The young blonde cried out desperately, his face looking towards the heavens as if they might hold the answer. "Why does the touch of his lips upon my own make me feel whole, even when I am broken by the thought that I will never feel them again?" He whispered more softly, the intimate nature of the question making him speak with a timid and quietened tongue.
"Sweet blessed spirit's give me a sign. Should I speak and sooth his aching heart, or turn away now and easy his suffering as best I can by departing?" The raven haired teen demanded to know, his heart and mind pulling him in two different directions as one sought to comfort while the other fought to save.
As if the fates themselves had heard him Cloud spoke again, this time his words giving Zack hope that should he reveal himself, his company would not be turned away.
"Zack, Zack, wherefore art thou Zack? Deny they father and refuse they name. Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love. And I'll no longer be a Capulet."
"A name is but a word only." The young Lord replied without hesitation from his place in the shadows, his softly spoken words instantly drawing the young blonde's startled attention as if it had been shout. "One used to label that which is unknown and in turn give it meaning."
"Who goes there?" Cloud demanded roughly, the shock of being caught defenceless and in such a state making his stomach twist upon itself terribly. "And what reason do you give to excuse your presence before me at such an hour." He forced out as strongly as he could, his delicate hands desperately hurrying to wipe away the evidence of his sorrow from the man before him. The blonde so caught up in his storm of emotions that he was unaware that the person who now stood in front of him was in fact the one who had caused his tears to fall in the first place.
"I greatly fear that the excuse I give will not justify my behaviour." Zack admitted humbly, his head dipping low as if to bow in apology for what he had done. "For I acted without thought and now stand before you as a poor example of a gentleman."
"Gentleman indeed." Cloud snapped back, his tirade of hurt and angry words faltering as he saw a shadowed outline of the one who spoke and familiar features were seen more clearly. "Truly a rouge you must be to intrude upon a person's space in such a sneaky and ill-fitting manor." He proposed thoughtfully instead, the lighter tone with which he now conversed revealing that there was no longer as much fire within him as there had been before. The searching look in his ocean coloured eyes showing that his mind now sought confirmation of what his heart was already telling him, the joyous light which began to shine in fathomless blue depths exposing his true feelings once more for the raven haired Lord to see more easily.
"True I am no saint." Zack chuckled lightly, as he sensed the unease between them change into something more hopeful and filled with nervous excitement. "But more of a fool in love than a sinner am I." He stated openly as he stepped away from the shadows and into the moonlight so that his angel might see him more clearly.
"You ..." The blonde stuttered, his tight voice catching in his throat as he tried to speak. "You came back."
"How could I not return when the one who now holds my heart was so far away from me?" The raven haired Lord asked tenderly, the pretty blush which suddenly rose on Cloud's delicate features in response to his question making him smile more brightly than the very sun itself.
"You woo me with words like a saint and yet your actions are more akin to those of the sinner." Cloud explained calmly, his softly spoken concerns not quite matching the look of relief and unspoken desire which now presented itself in his sparkling blue eyes.
"In truth I am both, now that sin was shared between us." Zack couldn't help but respond, his heart fluttering as the angel's blush darkened to a shade of pink so vibrant it was almost magical. "Unless, of course, you would be willing to pray with me once more to cleanse us both of its presence." He added timidly, the implications of his own words surprising even him as deeply felt desires were suddenly given a voice for the other to hear.
Almost at once a wondrously revealing show of colour quickly spread not only over the blonde's beautiful face, but also down his neck and beneath the nightshirt he wore. The newly blossoming complexion instantly letting the raven haired Lord know that Cloud understood exactly what he was now referring too and was not adverse to the idea at all. In fact, based on how he seemed to swoon at the idea, the blonde was actually just as excited by the proposal as he was though undeniable nervousness now filled them both.
"You presume much." Cloud managed to say evenly before his shyness took over completely, his voice slipping to a shaky breath as he looked into those wonderful amethyst jewels and spoke again. "But if it is my sin to taint thee, then it is only right I should take it back."
It was as good as a yes in Zack's euphoric mind and it therefore took the young Lord barely a minute to climb the vines which grew up beneath the blonde's balcony, the strong thick branches bending and weaving along the walls and up the side of the building in a perfectly woven alignment. And the young raven haired Lord couldn't help but wonder if it was by luck that they had grown this way or perhaps by a strange twist of fate that the hardy plant had formed itself into such a perfect ladder for climbing.
"A rouge you surely are to scale such walls as these so easily." Cloud pointed out, his elated ocean blue eyes lighting with humour even as he chastised the other for his actions. "You also imagine that such an exchange should be made now, a thought which is indeed most unbefitting of a gentleman."
"As I have said I am no rouge, but just as surely I am no gentleman." Zack laughed joyfully, his heart soaring to the heavens as a shy and endearing smile appeared on those soft pink lips he ached to touch. "I am cursed by love to want something which is more precious than the sun, the moon or the stars. It drives a man to act without thought or reason, as he attempts to gain what is surely beyond his simple reach."
"Your words are like honey to the bee, sweet and appealing in nature." The blonde replied with a trembling voice, a hint of caution clearly heard even as his own exhilarated tone showed he was just as keen to experience such a display of affection once more. "I will not be drawn by such things, nor swayed by their beauty if it be false." He warned calmly, the need which now shone in those fathomless blue depths calling out to the raven haired teen so that he could do nothing but answer with his truest hearts reply.
"Then be not lured by my words or my good charm, instead look to what lies within this vessel and truly see what my soul feels for you."
"Eyes can deceive and a hearts desire can distort what is real so that it appears as if a dream fulfilled." Cloud whispered, his voice barely a breath of air as he spoke with a mixture of fear and trepidation. "How can I trust that what I see is truth and not some lie my own soul has conjured up to fool me?"
"Then fools together we shall be, for the title of Montague I will renounce and Capulet shall be my dying name as long as you are with me."
"Dying name may indeed be more true then you think, should my parents and kin find us." Cloud gasped, the reality of the things they were talking about now quickly sinking in. "I cannot let you risk you life by being with me, though I swear that it in fact kills me to say so."
"Blessed then and not cursed am I to be Zack, to forfeit the name of Montague in hopes that another may save your heart its ache."
"You jest with me on such important things." The blonde whispered sorrowfully once more, that desperate need still there within him even as he began to pull away. "Though dream we can at night, neither of us may refuse our names when the sun does rise upon the morrow."
"To name a rose anything other than a rose would not spoil the beauty of its bloom, and so to dare to rename something just as precious I have no fear that it will cease to be that what it was before."
"Then what name would you chose to take sir, what label do you place upon yourself so that I may say the name without fear of us being parted?"
"As my mother would say I am just as fair of face as I am of nature." Zack laughed openly, thoughts of what his parent's would actually say should they find out about this meeting making him smile despite himself. "So no longer Montague but Fair I shall be, if that will please you that is."
"Fair indeed." Cloud huffed, though his warming smile said he was not as negatively affected by the words as he made out. "And what of me then? What label would you bestow upon my head instead of the name of Capulet?"
"For one such as you it is hard to say, to be so pure of nature is unheard of this day. But with your blessed beauty there is only trouble in life, and so my sweet angel I give thee the name Strife."
"Strife?" Cloud gasped, his big blue eyes growing wider. "You would compare me to trouble and conflict, my new name labelling me with discord and quarrelling." He spat angrily, an unexpected fire now burning in sapphire like gems as he pushed the other way. "Insult to me does not win you favour, nor will it find me willing to remove a sin which I now believe is surely not alone on those wicked lips you speak with."
"I mean no harm by my words." Zack quickly apologised, his large muscular form moving forward to place them closer together once more. "But trouble and conflict do exist around you, the effect of which dampens your spirit which should be free to live." He pointed out, the words being hard to argue given what had already been said and shared between them. "And though there is no open quarrelling or discord, the road we now find ourselves on is not the one out parents have chosen for us." Zack reminded them both sadly, his earlier grin now that of a soft reassuring smile as he tried to give comfort with words when touch was not yet permitted. "I would not hurt thee for all the stars in the heavens, but should we chose to walk this path together it will not be an easy one and I fear it will hurt you in ways that I am unable to prevent."
"I understand what you are trying to say and though the name is not of my choosing it does appear to suit me well." Cloud agreed with sad acceptance, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he looked away from bright violet orbs and gathered himself again. "But, if you would allow it, and wish for it also, might I request to take the name Fair in its place?"
For a moment there was a calm so quiet that it was as if the very world had stopped turning, the sounds of the night falling to perfect silence so that it was them and them alone beneath the moon. Hearts beat loudly as one waited for an answer and understanding dawned in the other, as unspoken prayers were answered and as a blonde's real question was heard.
"Would it please your heart to take my name, to renounce all else for me alone?" The raven haired teen asked softly, his strong calloused hands being cautiously gentle as they dared to carefully grip a delicate chin and force an angel's face to look upon him once more. "Would you truly be content with the name Fair, when you have but known it's owner for such a short space of time?"
"I know no other name more beautiful than yours and so I beg of you to share it with me, to bless me with its presence and your own until the day that I draw my last dying breath on this world."
Zack took in the gaze which was now aimed at him and fought not to look away, the intensity of the words that had been spoken being nothing in comparison to the need which now presented itself to him. In bright blue eyes he saw a love so deep it appeared endless, the vast sea of emotions within ocean blue orbs so great that they would drown any man should he fall into them completely. There was no denying that Cloud understood his hearts desire, that though their time together had indeed been short the blonde knew exactly what it was that he felt and what he wanted. And to Zack's relief he found it matched his own feelings perfectly.
"Then share it I shall and with no other but you, the name Fair being ours and ours alone when you take my hand in marriage. The vows you make to me, and I in return to you, on our wedding day, being the start of our new life together in this world."
"I will gladly accept such terms as these, my heart rejoicing to know that our courtship, though short, was not done in vain." Cloud breathed happily, his soft pink lips rising up into a most wondrous smile as he spoke.
"If courted are we, and wooed you be, might a man ask of his future bride for a small show of affection before he departs for the night?" Zack asked huskily, his mood having changed to something more heated now that he knew the other was to be his.
"That would depend on the gesture he speaks of." Cloud replied softly, a twinkle in his eyes revealing that the warm blush on his cheeks was not completely a result of embarrassment at the request.
"Nothing more than a brief kiss to seal the deal, a gentle press of lips to bind our words with a heart-felt show of affection."
"Then ask he may, and give I will, and know that this sealing of our promises to one another is also to my liking."
Zack couldn't help but smile brightly as those beautiful pink hued cheeks became as red as the rose petals of the blooms which grew beneath them, the sight of such innocence when spoken with such confident words making his heart race within his chest. Surely there was no other who could be so perfect as the blonde, no other mortal man that could be both purity and temptation in the same wondrous form as this.
Words were not needed as the raven haired Lord reached out with strong hands and finally touched that which had not been his to claim until now, the rough calloused fingers being light as feathers as they drew the blonde's slim figure towards his own so that their was not even room for air between them. Heated breaths ghosted over flushed skin and trembling parted lips, the air one would release from his body being quickly drawn in by the other as they fought to control the sensations which now drove them on. Their mouths coming together in a gasped and pleasure filled breath, the barley repressed moans which escaped each of them being easily heard by the night while stars looked down on the unseeing pair as they kissed.
Both sets of sapphire and amethyst jewels became concealed by closed eyelids as the owners chose to feel rather than see what was experienced through this touch. As Zack moved with a gentleman's nature and courtesy for this third kiss they shared, his rouge like behaviour still bubbling just beneath the surface but held firmly in place by his will to do no wrong in such a delicate moment in time. The sensation of full plump lips, as they hesitantly pressed themselves against baby soft ones, igniting a fire deep within each young Lord as heart-felt passion was once again born between them.
Neither hurried to end the dance which now existed between them as moist heated breaths were felt closer than either had thought possible, both content to lightly play their lips upon the others and taste the sweetness which they had found existed there. Neither had known that such wondrous sensations could exist between two people, the longings they hadn't know could even be felt in life stirring deep within them and taking each to dizzying new heights of desire. Yet, in this moment of swirling emotions neither moved to take what they were feeling further, both content to simply enjoy the newly discovered sensations which now coursed through their veins without actually giving into the other stronger needs that had started to flow through their bodies.
Time lost all meaning as it began to pass them by without sight or sound, the frantic beating of both men's hearts unable to count the seconds as each young Lord became caught up in the feelings consuming them. Neither wanted this experience to end, of that much they were certain, and yet the need for air forced them to do so. Their chests moving in unison as small gasping breaths were drawn in and much needed oxygen was replaced so that no longer would they feel so light headed in each other's arms.
A moment later and glazed blue orbs looked up shyly to meet hazy violet spheres, the wondrous sparkling azure coloured spheres glowing with a love that was undeniable and easily mirrored the other's feelings perfectly.
"Would a man be unjust in asking for just one more show of affection this night?" Zack asked heatedly, the slight vibration of his deepened voice causing a rush of please to run along the blonde's spin and make every nerve ending within him tingle.
"I see no reason why such a request cannot be granted." Cloud managed breathlessly, his racing heart and clearly flushed features being but only a few of the signs that he was more than happy to feel more of the man who now held him.
Once again their lips met under the light of the moon, but this time the chasteness of the kiss went a little further. As powerful arms tightened their embrace of a lithe frame and pulled it in even closer, the effect in fact lifting Cloud off his feet so that they floated barley touching the floor just as one would imagine from a fairytale. And in response the blonde tightened his hold around the raven haired teen's neck and forced their press of bodies even closer together, the pulsing sensations which now controlled Cloud leading him to part his lips in silent invitation for more.
Zack felt his heart skip a beat as those already tasted lips opened beneath his touch, as the press of their mouths intensified and an unspoken offering to explore further was made. He didn't hesitate to accept what was given by the blonde angel as his body began to control his actions, his heart skipping another beat as acceptance of the offer was made. The next second and his tongue dipped cautiously into that place of concealed purity, knowing that it was the first to be granted access to such holy grounds, and though driven by a rising madness to claim all he still remembered to pay it the respect due by not entering harshly.
Cloud gasped and drew a quick breath through his nose as unknown sensations assaulted him, as needs never felt before came to life within his very core and reached out to every part of his being. Zack's kiss was like gasoline on a fire, the longer it went on the more intense the burning need within him became. The brightness and heat which bloomed deep in the blonde's soul making his body react in ways that should have been embarrassing, yet within this moment felt more than right.
Together they learned to dance a new dance in life, one where their lips continued to move but this time joined by their tongues as the new partners became even more entwined with each other. Warm wet muscle teased and caressed within the cavern of their mouths, the new sensations of playful lust creating soft moans and panted breaths to escape both as they felt themselves being pulled towards a greater destination.
It was by some twisted cruel hand of fate that their moment of passion was rudely interrupted. The sound of another's voice calling out Cloud's name instantly drawing both men back from the brink and into the real world once more.
"Quickly, hide." The blonde gasped, his delicate features flustered and almost the same colour as his now kiss brushed lips.
And hide Zack did, his own heart racing wildly at the excitement of it all as he hurried to scramble back down the vines again. His form only making it halfway down the plant, to merge with the shadows there, just as Tifa appeared on the balcony and glared meaningfully at the clearly startled angel he had left behind.
"And what pray tell was so important that it did rise you from your bed on this cold night." The women huffed, her motherly affection clear for the raven haired teen to see even as the blonde's reaction amused him.
"I was feeling a little warm." Cloud stammered nervously, his excuse being quickly accepted, though weak as it was, due to the flushed complexion which now adored his fair face.
"My so you are." Tifa gasped, his feet carrying her quickly to his side and a tenderly placed hand rising to his brow before he could protest her checking of his health. "Perhaps I should send for the doctor." She mused thoughtfully, her eyes now having seen the blonde's fuller lips, as well as his embarrassed state, and beginning to reach another conclusion to his sudden fever.
"No, I'm alright." Cloud protested in a rush, much as she had expected him too. The way he then looked away from her shamefully and moved his body as if relieving some unseen discomfort only helping to confirm her suspicions.
"Twice this night I have found you flustered my young Lord and each time it has been in the presence of this garden." She teased with gentle amusement, his bright blue eyes unable to control themselves as they looked up at her with mild panic. "I cannot help but wonder what mystical being now resides within its shadows that could affect you so."
From his carefully balanced perch Zack couldn't help but grin at her choice of words, nor stop himself from enjoying the fresh new blush that rose on the already warm pink cheeks of his beloved. The light-hearted jesting with which the young women spoke with showing that she was no real threat to Cloud. Even if her accuracy to their situation was closer than either liked to admit.
"You know not what you speak of." The blonde tried to protest, his lack of confidence in his words only making the brunette girl even more determined to continue the game. And barely holding back his chuckle Zack couldn't help but respect her determination as he listened closely to hear more.
"I speak of the thing which raises a pretty blush upon your fair face and makes you forget that you are currently being courted." She informed him, the sting of her mention of the Prince hurting both men as they flinched away from her honesty.
"Court me he shall no longer." Cloud spoke up in response to her words. "For I find him out of favour, for taking what was not his to have yet."
"Taking?" Tifa questioned uncertainly, a fire now burning in her wine coloured eyes as her deeply felt need to protect the blonde made itself known to the world. "To what insult, upon you, do you speak of?" She demanded to know, her request for the information being correct for her place as servant but being said with an unarguable tone normally used by that of a master.
"A kiss he took without thought or consent to my wishes. An insult to my virtue he did make, by taking what was my first to give." Cloud informed her angrily, the bitterness this wound had created now given freedom to be seen as his emotions continued to control him. "He is no man but a monster and I cannot, no, I do not care to know him any longer."
"Then I shall speak with my Lady, Lord and master on this and inform them of your wishes." Tifa replied softly, her tone having gentled to one of sympathy and understanding to his pain.
"It will do you no good to speak of this to them for I fear you will not be heard." The blonde sighed sadly, his sorrowful gaze drifting up towards the heavens once more. "Though reassured I was that consent be needed for this match, I fear that the words were only meant to bait the trap for which I am now caught in."
From where he sat Zack felt his insides begin to burn, felt a fire greater than any he had ever known before rise up within him like a might volcano erupting. Cloud was his, his to love, to honour, to cherish and to protect. And yet, right now, the blonde was suffering alone once more and speaking of being captive to a fate worse than death for either of them. It was simply then by some miracle that the raven haired youth held his tongue and stayed his place, the need to know more stilling him enough that he would hear more of the things spoken between the angel and the one who was clearly his guardian in this place.
"If trapped you are, and woeful is this fate, might I ask why then did you hold such joyous light in your eyes when I first arrived?"
"The light you speak of is for another." Cloud whispered softly, his voice so low it could barely be heard as if he were afraid to speak such things. "I am already wooed and promised to be wed, if I can but escape this prison and make it so."
"What?" Tifa gasped, her shock at the situation cutting through the smouldering rage which still existed within Zack. The blonde's words, as he continued to explain to the young women, only making the tide of anger withdraw even more and be replaced by a sense of peace and tranquillity.
"I did as you said and looked for love this night, my heart finding more than it ever could have hoped for."
"But not with the man you are intended?" Tifa's asked, her uncertainty in these things very clear to see.
"No, not with him." Cloud confirmed sadly, his voice once again wistful and desolate as he revealed what he had seen of the Prince in the man's company. "I have looked into his eyes and found him to be cruel and unkind of heart. His feelings for me are not those of love but of ownership, of possession over me and the power it will give him in turn."
"But he acts kindly towards his people, always providing what they need when asked for." The young women tried to say, her voice faltering as she saw the truth of the blonde's words in his eyes.
"He gives as freely as any rich man does, the position of power he holds over us all making him feel as if he is beyond mortal man's reach." Cloud sighed heavily, his heart certain of these things though he knew not why. "No Tifa, I'm afraid that while he is generous it is only because it suits his needs. And though he owns all he will also take what is not his should he be denied it, of that much I am certain."
"Then what will you do?" The young women asked, her question thankfully being the exact same one that Zack now wanted to ask.
"I will take my leave of this place and, with the gift of a new name, shall disappear from the land I have grown to call home."
Tifa wasn't the only one to be taken by surprise by such calmly spoken words, the raven haired Lord nearly falling from his perch as the unquestionable certainty of the blonde's declaration hit him squarely in the chest.
"And how can you be so sure that this sprite who so quickly courts thee is honourable? How can you be sure the saint you speak of so fondly is not in fact a sinner?"
"Because he made my lips pure again by taking away the Prince's sin and placing it upon himself." Cloud stated firmly, his determination to not look away as he spoke in itself telling her how strongly he felt about this.
"One sin removed only to be replaced by another does not a saint make."
"But with humble words and tender heart he cleansed me of that tainted touch. Took my burdens upon his back and made my heart beat a little more freely within my chest. If he be a sinner than sin shall I also, because what I feel for him cannot be stopped and cannot be consider wrong. It is love of that I am sure, and without him I feel that my life is truly to be over."
"Love it is and always shall be." Zack spoke up, his words of reassurance startling both Lord and servant as they revealed his continued presence in their company.
"Zack." Cloud gasped, his already saddened face falling to a look of fear as he realised the danger they were now in. "I thought you were gone and safely away from here."
"Zack?" Tifa's echoed not a moment later, her own burgundy eyes going wide as the name and the image of the man before her sunk in. "Zack Montague, son and only heir to Lord Montage?" She gasped before the raven haired teen could speak again, the words of comfort he wanted to say now pushed aside by the startled woman's rising voice. "What are you doing here?"
"No longer Montague, but Fair instead." The young Lord informed her proudly, his eyes turning to the blonde at her side and filling with unquestionable love and loyalty. "And leave I could not while my bride-to-be's honour was called into question."
"Montague you are so deny it not, also sinner and rouge indeed you be. Lie not to me and not to my young Lord, or else I'll cry for help now and have you done in for wounding us so." Tifa challenged evenly, the weight of her gaze informing him that she would most certainly be a victor in any dispute they should have.
"No denying of name, but simply a renouncing of it." Zack informed her calmly, his hands rising up in a sign of peace. "A changing of title, through a changing of name, so that love might be possible between us."
At this Tifa turned her attention back to Cloud once more, her very next breath poised ready to argue the foolishness of the claim. But in the space of a heartbeat she once again saw the joyous light which had been there before, the one which had been dimmed by their brief exchange of words about the Prince, and understood that there was no point in arguing such an idea as this was a conversation both had already shared without her presence and clearly agreed to. It was also plain to see that her charge was indeed consumed by love and that nothing would sway him from this path, the emotions she now saw presented on his delicate features shining brightly for another in a way that she had never thought would be possible.
"Would you really choose to throw away what is yours by birth right in the name of love?" The women asked more gently now, her cautious tone still there but somehow softened by what she had seen in the blonde's overjoyed glowing eyes.
"I throw nothing away so carelessly as you imply fair maiden." Zack informed her seriously, his violet orbs once again straying towards Cloud so that he could look into beautiful blue depths as he spoke again. "But I would gladly trade it for any other so long as it may be shared with the one who now also shares my heart."
"Then aid you in this quest I will." Tifa calmly reassured them. Her own heart suddenly beating strongly with determination to do whatever was needed to keep that love alive, now that she had seen how strongly it affected both young Lord's before her.
"Really?" The blonde gasped in delight, his lithe frame instantly rushing forward to embrace her in thanks for what she was now offering them. "Thank you Tifa, thank you."
"Do not thank me yet sweet Cloud, for the path is not easy and we still have much to arrange if we are to fulfil your heart's deepest wish." The young women replied tenderly, her fingers running through his soft golden locks with that of a mother's comforting touch. "But swear that I will do what I can to make your dreams come true."
"Thank you." Zack spoke from where he stood, his own smile being bright and filled with both love and relief as he watched the blonde step away from the young woman and turn to face him.
"Thank me by arranging this wedding day as soon as possible, so that he may be safe and happily married to the one he loves." She informed the raven haired teen, her next words making both Cloud and Zack realise that time was indeed of the essence. "For if he be not married when the Prince proposes there will be no saving of his virtue, the blessed vows you share with him on your wedding day being the only things to make him yours and keep him protected in all eyes of the law."
"Then away I must and arrangements I will make." Zack replied in a rush, his body already humming with thoughts and feelings sent to drive a man to madness. "And word of time and place I shall send at midday tomorrow, the market being our meeting place so that no cruel eye may see more than what should be seen there." He informed them both, his violet gaze now turned to Tifa so that the woman would know not to doubt his word in this.
"Then meet you I will and message I will retrieve." The young woman agreed warmly, her hands gently urging the blonde forward towards him even though it was clear she still held some reluctance to do so. "Now bid your love goodnight with a gentleman's grace and let him rest as he should, the hour being later than you care to know as dawn's light begins to appear over the horizon."
And just as she had said the sky was indeed loosing its darker shade in the distance, the hints of colour lighting the world spread out before them and warning of the coming sun which was soon to rise.
"Sleep well then my angel and dream of me, for I shall always dream of you." Zack whispered tenderly, his arms having replaced Tifa's around the blonde's lithe body and drawn it in once more against his own.
"Dream I shall and patiently I will wait until I hear from you." Cloud agreed softly, his warm blush rising again as he felt Tifa's contented smile grow brighter at this show of affection. "Though I confess the wait be a torment and the hours will feel like years while we are parted."
"The let me leave a small reminder of our love, a chaste kiss to sweeten your lips so that ever time you touch them you will think of me fondly and be reminded of what it is you wait for." Zack whispered softly for only Cloud to hear, his mouth descending upon the blonde's only a mount later so that no words of protest might be spoken because of the company they were in.
From where she stood Tifa watched as a true gentleman's kiss was laid upon Cloud's soft lips, as a knightly-rouge did indeed prove himself to be a saint and not a sinner during such an intimate act between them. Pleased by what she saw the young girl gave them a little longer to share in such a sweet show of affection, neither her words nor actions being needed to interrupt it as both slowly brought the moment to an end in their own way with equally loved-filed gazes being aimed at the other.
"Come, Cloud." She called out softly, knowing that without this tenderly spoken command the young men would probably stay here all night. "Zack must be gone before daybreak or else be discovered in your arms. A thing which I fear will not be overlooked so light by others, as I have done myself."
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." Cloud sighed sadly, his lips retaining their tiny smile even as the light in his eyes dimmed a little.
"Never were more true words spoken." Zack agreed soothingly, his hand now running down a finely sculpted cheek to cup it with a lovers touch. "But necessary it is and so I will go, even though it pains me to do so."
And with that the raven haired youth began to step back to separate them once more, his fingers straining to touch the delicate surface they had been placed upon for as long as possible. The rough tips leaving a tingling trail along Cloud's sensitive skin as they drifted away, as the distance Zack now put between them no longer allowed the digits to remain there.
With a nod of thanks at Tifa, and a smile of love and devotion to Cloud, the raven haired teen turned and took his leave of their company. His retreating form being watched the whole time as he slipped amongst the shadows and then disappeared over the back wall, his parting glance at the blonde being met with an equally heart-filled gaze of devotion. And then he was gone.
"Come, to bed." Tifa said gently, once again wrapping her arm around the trembling blonde and knowing that the tremors which now coursed through his body were not just ones caused by the early morning chill. "When you wake the sun will be shinning brightly and I will away to market, the gift I return with for you being more valuable than all the gold in Midgar."
"And I will watch the hourglass, the sun dial and anytime piece that sits before me until your return. My thoughts being that of him and his vows to me, as I wait for word of our union."
Knowing that no more words were needed between them Tifa quickly tucked the young Lord back into his bed and covered him over with thicker blanket to fight of the chill, his baby soft skin having succumbed to the exposure of a night spent outside and now leaving him equally cool to the touch.
Only once he was sound asleep again did she leave his side and return to her own room, the dreams she knew he would have making her own heart jealous to know that such a love could indeed exist in this world. But more importantly of all was her desire to make him happy, to give him whatever she could to keep his dreams alive, her resolve to meet with the other young Lord growing stronger even as she began to worry for its consequences.
And so the setting moon and rising sun swapped places to watch the continuation of their fates, the spirits giving away nothing as they too observed the start of the ill-fated events soon to pass.
