UPDATES! Yay! Sorry it took so long :/. Busy Busy Busy. If it makes you any happier, we're nearing the conclusion with each chapter! As of about chapter six or seven, I was thinking that this fic would probably be about 13 chapters, plus an epilogue. Now, I'm not so sure. I keep getting distracted and writing in side stories. Not that that's a bad thing... but remember Zemyx a few chapters back? Total Accident. Well, maybe not an accident. But it was one of those things that sort of just happened. This chapter is like that. I had fun writing it. Hope I didn't get too carried away though XD.

Anyways, enjoy! And thanks for the reviews on the last chapter! I really appreciate all of you who still follow even though my updates are sporadic xp

It had been three days since Namine had seen or heard from Axel and Roxas. It had been several hours since she left Axel's house, in search of either boy, and so far had come up with shit for clues as to where one or both could be. Agitated out of her mind, if only to cover up the cold pit of worry growing heavier in her stomach, the small blonde shoved her way through the crowded streets of downtown Hollow Bastion, en route to the outskirts of town when she saw it. A hill, tucked away in the corner of town, nondescript, and very low-profile compared to the rest of the city, but once she saw it she got a gut feeling telling her Axel would go there. To get away, there were very few places you could go in such a huge city, and she'd just found the last one she could think of checking before giving up completely.

Of course, being highly important to her personally didn't make it any closer geographically. The late afternoon sun beat down on her ruthlessly as she hiked through streets and began to climb the hill, nearly five miles from where she'd spotted it. Sweat beaded on her forehead and the back of her neck as she reached the top, only slightly out of breath, and nearly kicked her heels when she saw him. Axel was lying on a bench, looking dreadfully pale, and in a state that appeared to be somewhere between sleeping and hallucinating.

The girl rushed to her friend's side, falling on her knees while pulling his face into her hands. Her own expression was rapidly donning and discarding emotions; masks of anger, nausea, and fear emerging from her delicate face, as she shouted at him, "Axel, thank God! Where the hell have you been? Why haven't you answered my calls? Don't tell me you've been here for three days strait! I was worried sick! Do you know what I had to go through to find you? Axel, I scoured Hollow Bastion. I searched every sickeningly miniscule crevice in hopes of… Axel?"

The older boy, though smiling up at her, was crying. Namine stuttered, unsure of how to comfort him or, to be frank, what was wrong.

"He's not coming, Nam" Axel managed to force out. His voice sounded dry and cracked, probably a result of dehydration. And it tore Namine's heart apart to hear her big brother figure sound so… hurt. Axel reached up a weak hand and rubbed the petite girl's cheek before continuing, "I thought… maybe, you might be him. But I get it now. He's not coming…"

Namine inwardly questioned Axel's sanity. Anyone who'd known Axel over the past week or so knew about Roxas. But his best friend couldn't fathom why he was so attached to the boy. And she presumed that his roommate couldn't either. What the hell had happened between them? Inwardly she remembered what Vexen had told her about the Schizophrenia. Maybe Roxas had manipulated Axel? Either way, her worries became increasingly concerned with his physical health over his broken heart as she noticed just how famished and malnourished he looked. It was way too obvious that he hadn't eaten, drank, or had much sleep, if any, for the past three days.

After a brief sigh to calm her thoughts, Namine took one of Axel's much larger hands into both of her smaller ones and looked him in the eye, waiting to see her sober look unlock his comprehension. When she had his attention to an extent that satisfied her, the girl began slowly and carefully, like when telling a patient's family that Jane Doe didn't survive the operation. Hopefully the boy's reaction wouldn't be that bad, but in his current state of mind for all she knew he could have a worsened reaction.

Thoughts aside, she pushed forward, "Axel. I have some information for you. Important information. I need you to listen carefully, and promise me that you won't jump to any rash conclusions." She paused, and Axel's green eyes, which Namine noticed were uncharacteristically dull, nodded solemnly.

The girl's voice was quiet and kind as she continued, "You're dehydrated, and have been in the sun too long. We need to get you home and put you on an IV soon before you go into shock," she gave him a quick once-over and raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "and then you need some serious recovery time." Axel opened his mouth to speak, but Namine cut him off, "But I think I should tell you this first, because you'll probably get angry with me if I don't," Axel's eyes looked a bit lost. The petite girl let her bangs fall into her eyes as she looked down, and didn't bother to fix them when she met his gaze again, "and I don't want you to be mad at me." The pleading in her eyes would have made him feel guilty if he wasn't otherwise mentally preoccupied. Namine inhaled deeply, giving herself time to take in the startling presence in Axel's gaze. If it wasn't for the fact that she didn't have much time before the boy left town, Namine would probably have held off on telling him anything regarding Roxas, but the clock was ticking if they ever wanted to see him again.

She resumed from her pause as abruptly as she had started, "Axel, Roxas is sick. Very sick," Axel frowned, but she continued before he could question her, "He's a schizophrenic, Axel; A very dangerous one! We got the test results back this morning and the sedative they used on him was home-made and specifically designed to knock him out fast, and for a long period of time. Namely, before he could hurt anyone, including himself." Namine had lost her courage in the middle of the explanation. She was staring at a rather fascinating piece of grass under the bench Axel was laying on when she felt him shift his weight and sit up. The girl glanced up at him, but Axel wasn't looking at her anymore, he was staring blankly, with a hint of rage under the surface, at the sky ahead of them.

"Namine?" he asked calmly, without looking at her.

Namine shook her head roughly, sending her blonde hair flying, "Axel that's not it! He's leaving tonight. He stopped by Cloud 9 to apologize for that night he got drugged, and told them he wasn't planning on coming back."

Axel's gaze ignited as his vision snapped down to Namine. She didn't understand it. Why, after barely a week of knowing this kid, could he be so easily excited over him? When did he become this attached?

Suddenly though, he smiled. It was a sad smile, but she appreciated the effort. "Namine, I'm going to find Roxas. Don't worry about me, I'll pick up some food and water on the way." He knelt down next to her, and bent over to kiss her cheek. "I don't know about schizophrenia, but that kid's had a hard life; right now, I think I'm the only one who can help him. Can you understand that?"

She nodded silently. He gave her a familiar smirk, with an unfamiliar hint of guilt in it. The mischievous gleam that an 18 year old boy should have in their eye was replaced by pain older than she could imagine him having. Without another word, Axel left her sitting there in the park. She didn't understand it, but that look seemed eerily familiar, as if she'd seen it in another life time.

She got a sudden flash in her mind, like an odd mix between a memory and a vision, of a girl. Her short auburn hair and bright blue eyes seemed like someone she knew from a dream.

She rubbed her head with her hand, trying to see if maybe she'd gotten hit without realizing it. Something was strange, and there was more to Roxas and Axel then what any of them thought, or knew. Still, confused as a lost duckling, she opted for the 'Axel is a big boy and can take care of himself' card and began her long walk home. The most curious thing probably being that she had a sudden urge to buy a sketchbook… since when had she been an artist?

Xxx

Axel stumbled numbly down the hill into town. Three days without food, water, and running on minimal sleep had taken a serious toll on his ability to get from point A to point B. It took him awhile, and he looked deliriously intoxicated all the way there, but eventually he found a 711 that he could plunder to his heart's content; minus the stealing, swords, and really bad eggs.

Soon enough the redhead had somewhat restored his energy, thanks to some taquitos, two bottles of Gatorade, a banana, and the thought that his idiot of a crush was trying to walk out of his life forever. One might debate just who was the real idiot in this situation; the one who spent three days lying motionless on a bench or the one trying to run away from problems he seemingly couldn't control. Axel would have told anyone who outwardly disagreed at that moment that they had not one goddamn ounce of compassion in their being, but anyone was welcome to wonder so long as they kept it to themselves.

Regardless of people beyond the third wall and their opinions, Axel didn't hesitate to swallow the final portion of his remaining taquito whole and burst through the doors into the dimly lit hollow of a lounge. People were only just beginning to trickle in for whatever evening activities Cloud 9 would be hosting, so Axel didn't have any trouble spotting Cloud and company near the bar, about to clock in for the evening shift.

One-two-three steps towards them and Cloud had looked up, his face losing the glittering eye of a joke Zack had just told them, and his jaw tightening as he subtly, and unintentionally, took up a defensive stance. The change in their friend had drawn the attention of the dark haired man and Tifa to Axel as his long legs delivered him in front of them within a few strides.

Axel's eyes narrowed as he probed into Cloud's vision. The two men might as well have been the only people in the room, for the attention they gave to anyone else. The tension in the air was suffocating, and no one had even spoken yet.

"Where is Roxas?" demanded Axel.

Cloud had presumed that the smaller blonde would be this guy's reason for returning, and wasn't sure how to react to the redhead. He decided keeping his answers simple would serve everyone's best interest. "I don't know," he said plainly, watching carefully to gage Axel's reaction.

Rather than lashing out at such a useless answer, as anyone watching was beginning to suspect would be his next move, Axel's harsh façade cracked. His eyes began to look desperate. He shook as he inhaled, and ran a clammy hand through his hair as he directed his attention to the floorboards. "Please. I know he came here. Anything you can tell me would help."

Cloud blinked. Axel had stormed into their bar looking like he would tear the place apart short of getting what he wanted. Now he looked like… a kicked puppy. Only more desperate. The redhead was making frantic, nervous actions. He was scared.

Tifa was the first one to respond. Axel looked up as he felt a hand lightly grasp his shoulder. There was pity in her eyes. "When you guys came here a few nights ago, Roxas said he knew my grandmother. I called her the next day, and it turns out they're neighbors. I can give you his address if it would help."

Axel nodded quietly. He had an address. Honestly, he couldn't tell you what he'd thought Cloud and Tifa would be able to tell him when he came in. But an address was a fantastic start.

"Thank you," he mumbled, before turning to her with a smile.

Xxxx

Zack frowned. This situation was too weird for him. It was obvious that the kid they'd seen only a day or two prior had problems, but this guy didn't look much better. One moment he'd be furious, the next about to roll over and die, and now he looked… happy? Relieved?

While Tifa walked behind the bar to get a pen and paper, Cloud and Axel tailing her, Zack took a quick glance at Cloud. What would he do if Cloud disappeared one day? No note. No phone call. Best friends though they were, and engaged though Cloud may be, Zack still couldn't deny that he had… feelings… for Cloud. Feelings that went past something as simple friendship or brotherly love. But he knew it would fuck everyone over if at any point in time he decided to get down on one knee and confess, so he'd made peace with himself long ago and decided to sweep his feelings under a rug in his heart.

Looking at Axel he wondered, could he handle loosing Cloud? What would he do in that situation? No doubt he'd go looking for him and drag his stupid ass back to Cid and Tifa… but would he act as insane as Axel was? The redhead hugged Tifa, and thanked the couple immensely before dashing out the door in search of his friend. Zack took a few steps toward the bar, where Cloud was calling him over to help clean glasses.

The taller man pushed past the short door meant to keep customers out, and made his way next to Cloud, submitting himself to the habitual routine of grabbing a glass from the counter, drying it with the towel that hung from his apron, and turning to place it in the cabinet behind them.

"What's up?" asked Cloud, shuffling around the larger man to grab a new tray of freshly washed glasses and placing it on the counter before them. Tifa had left them to make rounds at the tables and take orders from early customers.

Zack shook his head slowly, "What do you mean, what's up? We're drying scotch glasses, like we always do before work."

Cloud slapped the back of Zack's head, drawing an annoyed grunt from his friend, who shot him a glare. Cloud frowned, and explained, now that he had the other man's attention, "I'm your best friend. I can smell when you're thinking too hard."

Zack's eyes widened sarcastically, but his expression remained bored, "You can smell when I'm thinking?" he exclaimed, waving his towel in the air for emphasis before leaning back against the bar to dry a glass one-handed, "Are you dumb?"

Cloud smirked, "You thinking about Axel and the kid?" he picked up another glass and began to work his towel inside of it.

Zack started to do the same, only with much less eloquence than Cloud. But he didn't have to worry about Cid biting his ass for doing a lazy job drying shot glasses, and he liked to take advantage of that pleasant fact. Punishment rained down by the boss-man would be rained down onto Cloud. This was law.

Rolling his eyes, Zack turned towards the blonde and waved a hand demonstratively, "I don't get it. Roxas has issues. That's obvious. Either he's in deep shit, like Al Capone's trying to cap him shit, or he's dangerous in one way or another and they want to lock him up. Meanwhile Axel's just… fucking bipolar. That dude's almost weirder than the poor kid!" He raised his towel hand to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. He didn't like complicated things. Thinking too hard gave him headaches.

Cloud chuckled, sounding only slightly creepy as his tenor voice played off the practice previously only known to be mastered by eight year old girls. Zack liked the sound though, and it made him smile a bit. His muscles relaxed, and he sighed with relief… unsure of what exactly he was relieved of but thankful for the gesture none the less.

"Its love," the blonde answered.

Zack looked at him dumbly, "Love?"

Cloud smirked, "You call them crazy, but when you think about it, love can make people do some pretty insane things."

Zack grimaced, "Like changing moods every twelve seconds?"

Cloud's dark blue eyes gave him a knowing look, "Like bottling up your feelings for years and assuming if no one notices then everyone can go on living uncomplicated lives."

Zack froze. That relaxed feeling he was enjoying? Gone. Just like that. Cloud could do that to him; change his emotions at the moment in extreme ways. But this was… unexpected to say the least.

The brunette narrowed his eyes, deciding angry felt better than startled, and shot Cloud a glare that clearly said to shut the fuck up, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Cloud gave the man a glare to rival his own, "Of course you do. You know exactly what and who I'm talking about. It's too bad that person was too stupid to think that maybe, just MAYBE, his feelings could be reciprocated. But instead of asking, like a normal person, he just went and decided on his own how the other person MUST feel!"

Zack roughly put the glass he was holding onto the counter, taking an aggressive step towards Cloud. Distantly he thanked whatever god there was that Tifa was on the other side of the room, and people were too busy trying to find places to sit to worry about the scuffle going on behind the bar. His dark eyes flashed with rage as he closed the distance between himself and his friend, but Cloud refused to be intimidated by the inches Zack had on him, both in height and in sheer bulk.

The larger man leaned in close enough that to other people saw, it would probably look like he was whispering a secret, "If you've known for so long, then why propose to Tifa? Why not say something?" His voice was quiet, but fiery with anger and, underneath, a bit of hurt. Somewhere in the last few sentences, the anger he'd used to cover up his shock had molded into genuine frustration. If Cloud had known, he could have done something. Zack was the one who didn't know. He wasn't wrong. He'd put himself aside for Cloud's best interest; whatever problems the blonde had with that were his own fault.

Cloud replied quietly, looking over Zack's shoulder into nothing. "I didn't know. You just told me."

Zack stiffened. He tried to step back, away from Cloud, but the smaller man gripped his arm, the one hidden from view by their bodies, and he had a surprisingly strong grasp. Zack's voice was pleading now, almost scared, "Please, Cloud, let me go. You shouldn't have pushed this. I need to get away from you."

Cloud ignored his pleas and relented only enough so that he could see Zack's face. The man's eyes were moving, constantly; searching frantically for something safe, some rock to hide under. Cloud had just flipped over his metaphorical rug, and was forcing him to stare at the mess beneath it. It showed on his face.

But as Zack searched Cloud's face, he only dug himself deeper into confusion. Cloud knew now. He'd just told him. What could he do? What did Cloud want him to do? He looked into the dark blue eyes that he'd loved for so long, and came out with nothing. Cloud's face told him nothing.

The blonde watched as, without a sound, a single tear began to make its way down Zack's cheek. "Please," he begged, his voice a whisper.

Cloud knew now. He'd suspected since before he could remember and, though he wasn't sure why, he'd chosen to ignore it until now. He'd made a life for himself, assuming that whatever suspicions he had were just in his head. But now…

He couldn't remember seeing Zack cry. Even when they were in grade school. But he couldn't remember ever kissing Zack either. And that's exactly what he did.

Zack's eyes widened as Cloud pressed his lips to Zack's. It was gentle, comforting; but just like anything Cloud did, it was sure of itself and without hesitation. Zack let his eyes drift shut as he raised a hand behind the blonde's haid, and pressed into the kiss. If this was Cloud's answer, it would be his only answer.

Zack held the blonde closer to him, drawing his fist around the soft hair and deepening the kiss. He needed Cloud, and Cloud seemed to reciprocate the need as the space between them evaporated.

"Jesus, boys, talk about unprofessional!"

The two men practically fell apart as they stared in shock at Tifa, who they'd momentarily forgotten about, along with everyone else in the room. Cloud blinked, "Hey Tifa."

Tifa smiled down sweetly, "Hi Cloud." It wasn't a genuine sweet though. To those who knew Tifa, it was her way of making fun of you before she kicked the living shit out of you. Tifa was pissed. Rightfully so, but that just made the situation even more horrifying.

Zack coughed a bit, and swallowed. Hard. His eyes flicked nervously from Tifa to Cloud. The latter offering nothing but reassurance in their shared fear of the monster Tifa would become momentarily. He just hoped that there wouldn't be any permanent damages done during the impending beating.

Cloud spoke first; he had the decency to look slightly ashamed as he rubbed a hand behind his neck, "Uhhh, sorry for kissing Zack, but I think we're both gay for each other."

Zack blinked, "Yeah. You're dumb."

Cloud glared, "Shut up! It's the truth! Not like we can tell her that we weren't just making out right in front of her!"

Zack opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off by Tifa laughing hysterically.

Both boys looked at her, Cloud with his blue eyes wide and Zack with a stupid expression, waiting for her to yell 'ha! You fell for it!' and castrate the both of them.

But when she opened her eyes, using one hand to wipe away the tears, she sighed pleasantly and placed her hands on her hips in a familiar fashion, smirking at the two men before her. "You're both stupid."

Cloud and Zack tilted their heads almost identically, wondering if she would look any less pleased from a different angle.

Tifa grinned, "Cid pushed me to date Cloud. He thought it would make Zack jealous, so you two would finally get together."

Zack's palm made audible contact with his face. Cloud's brow furrowed in confusion. "But I proposed to you. What if we'd gotten married? Weren't you supposed to be in love with me?"

Tifa gave him a displeased look, "Weren't you supposed to be in love with ME? Jesus, Cloud, I've known you were gay since we were sixteen and you told me you didn't want to fuck me because you didn't want our relationship to be sexual." Zack blinked slowly before turning to ask Cloud if that was true, but Tifa continued, "I asked Cid for advice, since he'd been the one who wanted me to confess to Cloud in the first place, and he told me all about your sandbox love for Zack here. So then I watched, I saw, and just when Cid wanted to give up and scrap the whole operation, seeing how it seemingly backfired, I bet him that you two would be able to see through a fake relationship and get together anyway." Cloud looked stupefied. Zack looked nauseous. Tina was beaming as she added, "Cid owes me soooo much money! I can't wait to see the look on his face!" There was a gleam in her eye that made the two men shiver. Fact: women are scary.

After a moment to soak it all in, Zack grumbled, "I should've known something like this would happen. It fits you two so well." He paused for a beat before giving a shocked look to Tifa, "Wait. Cloud's been in love with me. Since kindergarten. And you told me NOTHING."

Cloud continued to give Tifa a questioning look, both of them ignoring Zack's comment. "But aren't you, I don't know, heartbroken or something? I mean, you couldn't possibly have stayed with me that long without any feelings."

Tifa gave Cloud a sad smile, "It's okay; I may have been head over heels for you in the beginning, back when we were still in high school, but the truth is simply that I've known this would happen for so long that I was able to come to terms with it years ago." Leaning over the bar counter, she placed her hand on his cheek gently, "I love you Cloud. But I haven't been IN love with you for quite some time. Right now I just want what's best for you."

Zack stared dumbfounded at the heart-warming interaction. "Bullshit! You placed a bet with Cid that we'd get together, and then waited it out. FOR YEARS. Where the hell is Cloud's best interest in that?"

"Thanks Tifa," Cloud smirked, and kissed her on the cheek, before turning to Zack and leaning close enough to whisper so that Tifa wouldn't hear, "Dumbass, her being a total self-indulging bitch over the last eight or so years completely trumps her having the wrath of a normal ex-fiancé any day. So just shut the fuck up and accept it before she gets mad at you!"

Zack silently 'oh' -ed . Now he got it. He grinned and nodded, drawing a pleased smirk from Cloud.

"Of course, that doesn't mean I'm not a bit annoyed. I mean, I had to wait an awfully long time."

The two men turned, dreading what would be waiting in place of the girl that had just let them get off nearly Scotts-free. Tifa had an evil smile on her face.

"Payback is in order. You can start now. I'm taking the night off, full pay. You two get to work my shift for me. I'll be vacationing in Destiny Islands for the next week or so; don't try to call me."

Zack gritted his teeth, "You bitch! You KNOW how hard this place is to work with just three people, let alone two! And how come you get paid? Won't Cid care?"

Tifa tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Well, consider it a courtesy. You two will probably want some alone time now that you've discovered your feelings for each other. I don't want to be around to walk in on you guys getting nasty in the storage room or something." Zack's jaw dropped, Cloud, though his face stayed blank, had a pink hue to his cheeks that was previously absent. Her look turned from innocent to malicious in the blink of an eye, and her tone of voice dropped to a dangerous threat, "As for the workload; I don't care how you get it done. But if Cid finds out I'm gone, I'll just tell him about this little incident of Cloud ravaging Zack while on the job in public. Along with whatever seething punishment he'd dish for his favorite nephew, I'm sure I could arrange to have both your paychecks cut to supplement my own, as payment for the mental scarring I had to endure watching my fiancé and his best friend make out."

If Tifa had pixie dust, she'd be flying. Even if she looked ready to kill, the petite brunette radiated the glee that her thoughts made her feel, and it was turning over both Cloud and Zack's stomachs. She had them trapped, and would, for a long time. She was like a Pomeranian. Small, adorable, fun to cuddle, and the root of all fucking evil.

Zack and Cloud stared silently as their tyrant of a friend gracefully leapt over the bar and to hang up her apron, grabbing her purse and jacket, and slipping on some dark designer sunglasses. She looked to the both of them, smirking at the imagery of their faces pressed to the floor under her thumb, and walked through the employee's door, headed for the exit.

Zack let out a breath he hadn't been consciously holding. Turning to Cloud, he asked, "You were going to marry THAT?"

Cloud shrugged and picked up a glass. Tifa knew him better than just about anyone. He'd never been between her crosshairs before, but he'd known just as well, if not better, than Zack that she only got bat-shit psycho on someone when the person deserved it. Tifa was, on some level, hurt that she'd never really have Cloud's heart. But her way of dealing with it would be to sip margaritas on a beach and let overly tan hunks rub sunscreen on her back. She was probably dialing up Yuffie at the moment and telling her to get the fuck out of her job and come with Tifa on another adventure. He sighed. If this was the price Cloud would pay to make Tifa happy in the long term, he'd do it without complaint. Besides, it could've been a lot worse. After being in a relationship with someone for as long as he'd been with Tifa, they tend to know embarrassing things about you.

Tifa turned on her heel, a step before the threshold, and lifted her sunglasses suspiciously. Cloud gulped. Maybe he'd spoken too soon. "I almost forgot," Tifa called, from the door. That smile was back. Sweet. But so much evil was lying underneath. "Zack? Do be careful with Cloud. He's still a virgin. Wanted to wait until marriage and all that jazz. Use extra lube!" she winked, "See you in a week!"

Cloud wasn't blushing. His skin had abandoned its naturally pale tone for a completely different pigment. He was scarlet. And he was furious. To hell with deserving his punishment, this was humiliating. Cloud jumped over the bar and took one threatening step in his ex-fiancé's direction. "Ha! You're one to talk! I know for a fact that you were a virgin when we started dating! It's not like you have any experience either, even though you like to walk around with your nose up at everyone else!" His eyes were stormy with competition, and he mentally patted himself on the back. He hadn't delivered an insult that would bring her to her knees with shame, but he had wanted to get even. Nothing more. If they were both embarrassed, or if he felt better about being embarrassed, he could live.

Zack watched them quietly. He was beginning to see why Cloud and Tifa had been able to stay together for so long. Friendship aside, some of their most horrific qualities were ones they had in common. Where Tifa liked to rein as queen and dominate everything, Cloud forced everyone to stay equal or beneath him. If Tifa pushed, he'd push back, but only enough to level the playing field. And as long as he wasn't in any way beneath her, he'd let her do as she pleased. Intrigued as he was, Zack wondered if he should be worried about what this would mean with him and Cloud in the long run? But, as with most things, he chose to shrug it off and deal with it later.

Tifa sighed, as if disappointed with Cloud's response. Cloud stiffened, wondering what the hell Tifa was thinking. When she looked up, it was a look of delight, not resign, that she gave Cloud. And with that one look, Cloud knew he should have simply let her go. But no, he had to get back at her. Stupid Cloud. Tifa was on the same playing field as Cid now, and he hadn't realized it; the one where you just shut up and do what they say, hoping they'll choose to be nice.

The brunette batted her eyelashes playfully, "Sorry Cloud, but once it all became about the bet I had a bit of fun on the side. Its technically not cheating if you know your boyfriend is going to come out of the closet anyway, right? Oh well, I'll buy you ice cream and we'll watch Ten Things I Hate About You when I get back. Then we'll go shopping for new curtains. But first, I'm going to get wasted. Have fun working my shift!"

And with that, Tifa was gone. There were eight customers in the room. All of which were staring at Cloud. No one said anything for a few minutes. Eventually the people in the tables went back to their menus and conversations, deciding the show was over.

Cloud had surrendered his pride. It didn't exist anymore. That was okay with him, as long as he could just forget the previous conversation; which wasn't likely considering the amused smirk on Zack's face as he made his way back behind the bar, picking up a glass and his towel.

"So you're a virgin?" Zack asked, nonchalantly. Cloud winced, a blush rising to his cheeks once again.

His eyes, however, were hard and emotionless. He didn't look at Zack as he replied, "Not. A. Word."

Zack grinned as he picked up a glass, beginning to wipe, and let only a single word slip. "Owned."

Cloud's inner monologue: 'Note to self. Women are Evil.'

Talk about ADD. I wasn't even planning on having this be a pairing. Look back at chapter 5! ZERO foreshadowing! But, it happened. And I love it. Hope you do too. Review plz! More reviews = more of my attention put towards writing the next chapter = sooner updates! Much luv to all my readers ;D

P.S. Tifa in this chapter was written for a friend of mine. I don't even think she reads this fic, but if she ever does, I'm sure she'll appreciate it. Vger, this was for you!