A/N - How's everyone holding up? Wow, what a response from some of you from last chapter. I doubt too many people are reading this because they want to know what happens to Zack, so - yeah... fiddles with pen XD

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Cloud opted to spend the entire Saturday curled on his couch, clutching Zack's stuffed puppy watching the Shinra news. His swollen red eyes remained fixated on the screen, searching every face that was shown hoping to see Zack's. The only thing he saw were bodies being carried away from the wreckage, most of them weren't Shinra operatives, but his heart silently broke with every passing second. After a few hours the news began showing reruns of the images they have already displayed and Cloud rescanned every face in case he missed Zack's.

His stomach growled in hunger. He ignored it as he was terrified of missing an image proving Zack was alright. During commercials he buried his nose in the puppy's head, trying to detect Zack's scent, which had already faded long ago since the day they went to the carnival.

Hours passed as Cloud's eyes became heavier and heavier. He didn't sleep last night. He cried the entire night, aimlessly roaming the apartment, occasionally throwing himself on the bed only to restlessly get up again. He didn't realize that he fell asleep until the sound of his cell phone startled him awake. He flew off the couch, puppy still in arms and answered it without checking his display. "Hello?"

"Cloud, it's Sephiroth." Cloud tried to say something but his voice didn't work at that moment. "I just received a completed update of all Shinra personnel that were present at Junon. Cloud, Zack's okay." The relief in the General's voice was obvious.

Cloud burst out crying again, not able to hide the incredible relief from the General.

Sephiroth continued. "Zack is hurt, but he's alive. They brought him back an hour ago. He's at the infirmary and has requested to see you."

Cloud attempted to say thank you but it only came out as a choked sob.

"Go to him, Cloud, before he goes crazy." the General continued. "He's all worked up about not calling you when he made it back to Midgar like he promised."

Cloud nodded, only realizing after he hung up the phone that Sephiroth couldn't see him. He placed the puppy back on his couch and flew out of his door, not caring to wash his face from his tears first.

He never moved so fast in his entire life. His body carried him as if he were on autopilot. When he thought about it, he wasn't too sure where the infirmary was, but he let his body take him there. His heart would know where to find Zack…

Minutes felt like hours, but when he reached the infirmary it was full of SOLDIERs and infantrymen. He scanned the room and noticed a woman, probably a triage nurse, at a desk. He walked quickly over to her and leaned over the desk.

"I'm here to see Lieutenant Zack Fair?"

The nurse looked up and smiled. "You must be Cloud." She looked down at her list. "He's been talking about you non-stop. You can find him…" She ran her finger down her list. "in room 417." She looked over to a hallway. "Straight down that hallway. There's an elevator. Take it to the forth floor. Turn right."

Cloud smiled with a thank you and quickly walked down the pointed out hallway trying to avoid running into anyone. Once he reached the forth floor he ran until he found 417. Before entering he peaked in and saw Zack all banged up. He had a few cuts on his face and a bunch of bruises on his chest. He frowned and quickly walked into the room.

"Dear Shiva, Cloud, I missed-" he was cut off by Cloud's body pressing tightly against his in a bear hug.

Cloud needed to tell Zack how he felt, how much he missed him. He needed Zack to know that the last twenty-four hours were hell and that he worried so much. He needed Zack to know that he had fallen in love with him. He didn't know how to express such strong emotions so he just held Zack tighter.

"Gods, Cloud. I missed you." Zack buried his nose in Cloud's blonde hair and deeply inhaled his scent.

"Zack, I…" He fought back a sob. "I missed you so much. Are you okay?" He pulled back slightly and looked over Zack's face and bare chest. He touched a particularly dark bruise on his ribs and frowned.

"Silly, I'm fine." Zack smiled adoringly. "It'll take a lot-"

"A lot more than an army to take you down." Cloud finished Zack's sentence, frown deepening.

Zack smiled and put his finger under the blonde's chin, lifting up his face. "You know me too well." Cloud tried to smile. "I thought about getting back for your training the entire time."

Cloud grinned. "You thought about training the whole time you were on the mission?"

"No, silly." Zack's smile softened. "I thought about getting back to you, Cloud."

Cloud's eyes filled with tears as he gazed into the other's. His heart throbbed so hard that he thought it might burst out of his chest.

"The only thing more beautiful than your eyes with tears is your eyes when you're smiling." Zack's face softened along with his eyes and he smiled. "Can you show me those? I think it'll help me get better quicker"

Cloud laughed, smiling widely for his love then leaned down and kissed Zack.

Zack's body relaxed immediately and he wrapped his arms around the blonde, pulling him onto the bed with him and deepening the kiss. Cloud opened his mouth to Zack's probing tongue and he felt his body ignite on fire. Their lips fit so perfectly together and he knew this is where he belonged – in Zack's arms. More tears began to escape from his blue eyes.

When they needed to pull back for air, Zack wiped the tears from Cloud's eyes and smiled. "That's better. No more tears for Zack, okay?"

Cloud's smile widened as Zack pulled him in for another kiss. This time the second their lips touched both of their bodies began to react for something more. Zack groaned deeply into the blonde's mouth, causing the blonde to moan in response. Cloud moved his body closer to Zack's. He needed to feel more.

"I can come back later." a voice announced a presence.

Both Zack and Cloud looked over to the door to find Sephiroth standing with one of his unusual smiles across his face. The General cleared his throat. Cloud climbed off of Zack's bed and pulled up a chair beside it. He reached over and took Zack's hand in his own. "Don't go." Cloud smiled.

Sephiroth smiled and walked in to the room, eyes scanning Zack. "How are you feeling?"

Zack's smile widened, if at all possible, and looked over to Cloud. "Never better."

Cloud looked over at Zack with a grin then looked back at Sephiroth. "Thank you for everything, Sephiroth."

The General nodded and pulled up another chair beside Cloud and the bed. "I see you've got a proper 'welcome back', hmm?"

Zack nodded and squeezed the blonde's hand trying to fight the tears he felt well up since Cloud walked in the room. "Thanks for taking care of him for me."

The General nodded again. "If only Angeal could see how happy you are right now." Sephiroth's eyes saddened. "He would be so proud."

Zack chuckled. "Then he'd tell me to get up off my ass and so something productive."

Cloud looked over at Zack with questioning eyes.

Zack smirked. "Angeal is – was my mentor when I was new to Shinra." he began. "Tough as nails when I first met him."

"Somehow Zack managed to break down Angeal's wall." Sephiroth continued. "I've never seen that man smile except when he spoke of his Puppy." Zack and Sephiroth exchanged a smile.

"Angeal was the one who gave you your nickname?" Cloud asked smiling.

Zack nodded. "Yeah, he claimed I was over hyper and overactive, just like a puppy dog."

"You were, Zack." Sephiroth said. "I'm never seen a SOLDIER candidate with more energy than you. But that wasn't the only reason." Sephiroth looked over to Cloud. "Other traits that led to his nickname are bouncy, cute, and loyal as hell." He chuckled. "Forgetful, clumsy, awkward at first…"

"Cute?" Zack scoffed, ignoring the negative traits listed. "Angeal never said that!"

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. "What do you know about what Angeal and I talked about when you weren't around?"

Cloud laughed and looked over at Zack. "Well, you are cute."

Zack shook his head. "I'm not cute. I'm sexy."

Cloud and Sephiroth both laughed.

"What happened to Angeal?" Cloud asked. Zack and Sephiroth both exchanged a look. Immediately Cloud began to feel that that wasn't an appropriate question.

Zack looked down at Cloud's hand and gently rubbed it with his thumb. Sephiroth looked over at Angeal's Puppy sensing that Zack wanted him to explain.

"He gave his life to stop bad things from happening." the General said softly, eyes still staring at Zack.

Zack nodded. "He was a good man and an amazing SOLDIER."

"He was." Sephiroth's voice softened.

As if on cue to break the awkward sad silence, a nurse walked into the room. "Well, Lieutenant Fair, it looks as though the Mako in your system is taking care of business. You should be able to leave tomorrow. I'd still like you to stay the night just in case."

"Thanks Patricia." Zack smiled.

"No thank you required for a hero like yourself." She smiled back and looked at the other two men. "Visiting hours are about to come to a close. Best say your good byes now." She noticed the disappointment on the blonde's face. "You can come collect him tomorrow."

"May I have just five more minutes?" Cloud asked, pouting slightly.

"Aww, yeah, please Patricia. Five more minutes?" Zack asked in a pouty kid's voice.

The nurse smiled and nodded. "Fine, five more minutes. Then you need to let Lieutenant Fair rest." She gave them a small wave and left.

The General stood up and looked down at the two other boys. "I'll let you two say good bye in private." He smiled at Zack. "Call me tomorrow."

Zack nodded as Sephiroth left the room.

Cloud looked back at Zack with a soft smile. "I'm sorry about Angeal."

Zack shook his head. "He's done many great things in his life. No need to be sorry." He put his hand on Cloud's cheek. "All is good now."

"I broke up with Rhea." Cloud said.

"How did that go?" Zack asked, smiling. Now he's all mine…

Cloud leaned in and kissed Zack again. This time it was slow and lazy, as if savouring the last five minutes they had together until the next day. Their tongues immediately began exploring each other and their bodies reacted again. Cloud shifted out of the chair without breaking their kiss and climbed on the bed beside Zack. Zack pulled him closer and deepened the kiss. Both boys felt their hearts throb with emotion to a degree neither thought was possible.

"Come see me tomorrow when I get out?" Zack whispered into the blonde's ear when they broke for air.

"I'll be waiting downstairs by triage." Cloud whispered back, placing a small chaste kiss against the other's lips.

The small kiss powerfully pulled at Zack's body and he pulled Cloud back for another deep kiss. Cloud felt his face heat up and knew he was blushing uncontrollably. Never in his life did he feel this much love for someone. Zack was thinking the same thing his whole body sang at the feeling of Cloud so close to him.

Five minutes was up too soon as Cloud had to leave the infirmary. Zack buried his nose in Cloud's hair again trying to memorize his scent. Cloud buried his face in Zack's neck doing the same.

"Get better, Zack." Cloud whispered, closing his eyes.

"I'll be good as new tomorrow morning." Zack snuggled closer to Cloud.

Cloud sat up and looked down at Zack. "You better be…" He smiled sweetly as he got up off the bed. "I'll see you downstairs, then." He noticed that the dark bruise on Zack's ribs was already beginning to lighten.

Zack nodded with a smile. "Bye Chocobo-head."

Cloud tried to glare at Zack but he couldn't pull it off. "Rest well, Puppy."

Both boys chuckled. On the way back to his apartment Cloud was again on autopilot. He couldn't believe how much he cared for Zack or the fact that he just made out with another guy. It didn't faze him though. He actually felt happy. What a wonderful weekend…

-.-.-.-

Cloud set his alarm for six a.m., the earliest it had ever been set on a Sunday. He wanted to make sure to give himself ample time to get ready and get to the infirmary early in hopes that they would discharge Zack sooner.

After hoping out of the shower, Cloud dressed carefully so he'd look good for what hoped to be Zack and his first real day as a couple. He smiled at himself in the mirror and straightened his black long sleeve tee and added a belt to his cargo pants. This should do.

He prepared himself a quick breakfast before heading out his door to meet Zack at the infirmary. The halls were quiet at seven thirty on a Sunday morning and he enjoyed the peaceful walk to be with the one his heart wanted most. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face if he tried.

Upon arriving at the infirmary, he frowned as it was busier than it was the previous day. He thought it must have been quite the attack to wound so many people. Moving his stare from the patients, he made his way to the triage desk.

"Good morning, Cloud." the same triage nurse from the day before chimed.

"Good morning." Cloud smiled. "When do I get to take him away?"

The nurse looked at her watch and pursed her lips. "Discharge isn't usually until eleven."

Cloud frowned. "Are you serious?"

The nurse looked back up at Cloud with a wink. "I'll let Lieutenant Fair know you're waiting and I'm sure he'll bug the hell out of his nurse until she discharges him early." She picked up her phone and grinned at Cloud. "I'm sure you know as well as I do what happens when you say 'no' to the Lieutenant."

To think about it, Cloud wasn't really sure, but was not surprised. Zack did have the type of personality that would lend to becoming very persistent when told 'no'. Cloud smiled and nodded. "Thanks!"

"Good morning, Lieutenant Fair! How are you doing this morning?" the nurse said in an over-cheerful voice. Her smile widened. "That's very sweet of you to say! Thank you. Listen, Lieutenant, I have Cloud down here waiting for your discharge. You make sure to not keep him waiting too long, if you know what I mean." She giggled. "I can see that, yes, he is quite adorable." She winked at Cloud again.

Cloud felt himself blush and he looked down at the desk.

"We'll see you soon, Lieutenant." The nurse hung up the phone. "Care to make a wager as to how long it'll take for his nurse to throw him out?"

Cloud chuckled. "Fifty on twenty minutes."

The nurse smiled. "I say fifteen."

Cloud nodded and looked at his watch.

Not even ten minutes later Zack appeared from the hallway that led to the elevator, his nurse on his tail reading out instructions on what to do if anything should happen. As soon as Zack's eyes met Cloud's he stopped listening and gave an award-winning grin.

Without looking down, Cloud pulled a fifty out of his wallet and handed it to the triage nurse, then leaned against the desk waiting for the nurse and Zack to reach him.

"You two have fun." the triage nurse laughed as he stuffed the fifty down her shirt and left to tend to another patient.

"Are you even listening, Lieutenant?" Zack's nurse said.

"Yeah, yeah… come back if more ouchy. Got it!" Zack answered, pulling Cloud into a warm hug as soon as he reached him. Cloud wrapped his arms around Zack and buried his face into his chest.

"And?" the nurse asked, eyes softening slightly as she saw the two boys' relief of being with one another again.

Zack kissed the top of Cloud's head. "And see Hojo tomorrow. I know. This isn't my first time here, Patricia."

The nurse nodded and smiled. "Hopefully we don't see you here again, Lieutenant. Not that we don't love you…"

Zack turned to Patricia and smiled. "Thanks again, hmm?"

"You boys be good, now." With that she turned and left.

Zack turned back towards Cloud. "Hey there, Chocobo-head."

"Hey yourself, Puppy." Cloud grinned into Zack's shirt.

Zack chuckled. "What do you say we ditch this place and go have some fun?"

Cloud nodded, pulling his face from Zack's chest and looked up at him. "What do you have in mind?" he asked, almost seductively.

Zack smiled as he looked down at the cute blonde in his arms. "I wanna show you a place. I gotta stop home first to change, grab my keys and shit, though." Cloud nodded and the two left the infirmary with their arms around one another.

Zack led Cloud back to his place. Once in the door, Zack made a beeline to his bedroom to change. When he came out he started rummaging through his desk, throwing his keys into his pocket and looked over at Cloud, who was watching him affectionately. He smiled at him and made his way over to the door. "Ready?"

Cloud nodded. Zack placed a kiss on the boy's forehead before shuffling them out of the apartment, locking the door behind him.

They made their way to a parking garage where Cloud immediately recognized Zack's bike. Both boys took their seat, Cloud behind Zack with his arms tightly wrapped around his waist. Zack started the engine and they were off.

A few minutes passed in silence as Zack weaved his way through traffic.

"Where are we going?" Cloud shouted over Zack's shoulder.

"Just a little place I know that I want to show you." Zack called back. "Patience, gorgeous. You must have patience."

Cloud smiled and hugged Zack's waist tighter, heart throbbing.

Zack drove the bike out of Midgar and through the planes surrounding the toxic city. Cloud's eyes scanned the space surrounding Midgar, curious as to where Zack was taking him.

Ten minutes passed as Zack pulled his bike up to a path and killed the engine. Cloud took his helmet off and looked around. The place was bare, nothing but dirt and rock. "Where are we?"

Zack grinned and took his helmet off. "Come with me."

Cloud got off the bike. Zack reached for his hand, and Cloud took his with a squeeze. "I come here once and awhile to get away from everything." Zack began. He walked hand in hand with Cloud further up the path which was inclined upwards. "Kinda like my serene place, in a way."

Cloud looked up at the SOLDIER and smiled.

The two made their way to the end of the path which led to the tip of the cliff made of stone. The cliff jutted out from the rest of the rock offering a platform of such which provided a spectacular view of Midgar as a whole. Cloud's eyes widened at the sight and he took a step forward in awe. Zack let go of the blonde's hand and moved in behind him, wrapping his arms around the lithe frame.

"Zack… it's beautiful…" Cloud said softly, eyes roaming the view in front of him.

"I come here when I need to get away from it all." Zack practically whispered into the blonde's ear. Cloud shivered. "It's kinda my secret hideout." He placed a gentle kiss against the blonde's neck. "It's not much, but I wanted to share it with you. I get lonely up here all alone sometimes."

Cloud turned in Zack's arms and looked up at the violet eyes looking down at him. "I'll keep you company."

Zack smiled and lowered his head, causing their lips to meet in a soft kiss. Cloud wrapped his arms around the raven-haired man's neck and pulled him down to deepen the kiss. Zack responded by pulling Cloud closer, tongue asking for permission to enter his mouth. Cloud opened his mouth to allow the kiss to deepen more and brushed his tongue against Zack's, causing the older boy to moan.

At the second, a flock of birds noisily screeched their way over the hill top, causing both boys to look up at the same time at the intrusion. Cloud smiled and made his way over to the edge of the cliff. He took a seat on the rock and wrapped his arms around his legs. Zack followed suit, taking a seat beside Cloud.

"I was really scared when Sephiroth told me that they couldn't find you." Cloud said monotonously.

"I'm sorry…" Zack frowned, looking over the planes below.

Cloud looked over at Zack, sadness still in his eyes. "Why are you sorry?"

Zack's frown deepened, eyes not leaving the planes. "I never want to make you worry."

Cloud smiled and rested his head on Zack's shoulder. "You didn't make me worry. I was just worried about you. It's not your fault, obviously."

Zack rested his head on top of Cloud's. "Is that the reason for these lovely 'welcome back' kisses?"

Cloud's eyes narrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Zack smiled. "You're relieved that I'm okay."

Cloud lifted his head and looked at Zack. "Of course I am."

Zack looked back at the blonde, smiling, although his eyes held a certain sadness. "That's why you let me kiss you?"

Cloud smiled softly and shook his head. "I kissed you the first time before you left on your mission."

"Were you not drunk?" Zack asked, Sephiroth's teasing tone fresh in his mind.

"Maybe…" Cloud answered. Zack nodded and looked down at his hands. "But," Cloud continued. "I thought about it before that too. When I was sober."

Zack's genuine smile reappeared although he didn't remove his gaze from his hands. "Oh really now…"

Cloud blushed and looked out over the planes. "And once when I really shouldn't have been thinking about you…"

Zack's startled eyes whipped up and looked over at the blushing blonde. "Oh?" He chuckled. "What is this all about?"

Cloud swallowed the laugh that was threatening to break free and shook his head. His smile widened and knew he said too much, but was completely comfortable talking to Zack, so he didn't care.

Zack poked Cloud's side where he knew he was ticklish, causing the blonde to yelp and scoot away from him. "Come on, Spiky. Now I'm curious!"

"Shuddup…" Cloud laughed as he swatted Zack's hands away. "It was an accident."

"What was an accident?" Zack moved closer to the blonde, threatening to tickle again. "Thinking of me or telling me that you've thought about me?"

Cloud kept his arms up defensively, ready to fight off another tickle attack if need be. "It wasn't during sex, so relax!"

Zack almost looked disappointed. He let his arms down.

"It was during a blow job." Cloud continued, not looking over at the other.

Zack's heart stopped momentarily and his face, had Cloud been looking, was obviously heated from lust. "Tell me more." His voice was husky from the heat in his groin.

Cloud sighed as his smiled widened. "It was after the carnival…" Cloud began. "It just happened, I don't know." He began cracking his knuckles. "I couldn't stop imagining you instead of her." His voice wavered at this admittance.

Zack sat more comfortably and pursed his lips. "And how was it?" He couldn't believe he was having this conversation. He couldn't believe he was getting so turned on hearing how he turned on another man.

Cloud bit his lower lip to stop his smile from cracking his face in half. "It was-" He was interrupted by the sound of Zack's phone.

Zack chuckled and flipped his phone open. "Lieutenant Fair." Cloud listened to the one sided conversation and could tell Zack was trying to hide his frustration. "Yes, I'll be over as soon as I can get there." Pause. "I know the repercussions, I assure you I'm fine, but I'll make my way over." Another pause. "Okay, okay, can we finish this in person, yeesh, I'm coming…" He flipped his phone shut and looked over at the blonde, a faint blush still gracing his cheeks. "Apparently Hojo wants to get my check-up over with asap, so we gotta cut our date short." Cloud nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Can I see you after I'm done?" Zack asked quietly.

Cloud looked over at Zack, still smiling. "I'd like that."

Zack stood up and offered his hand to help Cloud up. Cloud accepted and was pulled up with ease. Before letting go of his hand, Zack pulled Cloud in for a bear-hug, squeezing the smaller blonde with his body. Cloud squeezed back and closed his eyes. This is my boyfriend, my best friend, my mentor, my Zack.

Zack kissed the top of the blonde's head and took him by the hand, leading him back to his bike. He tossed Cloud the keys and grinned, mumbling something about post-mission trauma and that he shouldn't be driving before his check-up with the 'Oh-So-Great' Professor Hojo. Cloud giggled excitedly and jumped on the bike. When he felt Zack securely behind him, arms around his waist, Cloud kicked the bike into gear and took them back the Midgar.

After making it back to his apartment complex and Zack promising to call him when he's done before he took off (but not without another kiss). Cloud wasn't sure what to do with himself. He was far too hyper to read his textbooks let alone sit down, yet he didn't want to do anything in case Zack gets done sooner than expected. He wanted to be ready to go at the drop of a hat.

Cleaning was always good even though he always kept a clean apartment. That should burn off some energy.

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Who's relieved about Zack? Lol, I adore you all! I'll post chapter 10 now since it is shooort!