Story Arc: Rise in Love

Title: The New Years Special

Author: RangikuCharlize

Genre: AU, Drama, Romance, Fluff, Angst

Rating: M (M this chapter) For NC-17 version, visit .?no=1296897043

Pairing: ZackxCloud

Summary: Aah, what the chapter title says... think of it as a second present :)

Warnings: Yaoi, Violence, slight OOC Cloud

Disclaimer: I don't own, I wish I did...

A/N: Second gift chapter for all those who want it- after this it`ll get serious again. Funny thing is I have the whole plot laid out already...

Sorry people, this is un-beta'd and I didn't even proof read properly in my rush to get it up in decent time- feel free to point out anything that doesn't make sense :) I'll fix it right away.

New Year's Resolutions

"Do we really have to be here?" Cloud sighed heavily. Dark jeans and a black t-shirt looking simple compared to Zack's outfit. His eyes warily wandered the front of Yuffie's house. Just as Zack had predicted, the six days between Christmas and New Years went by a lot faster than he could have predicted; so fast that he would have thought it a dream if it hadn't been for the ever present weight of a new ring on his finger.

"Yes we do, don't you want to see Sephiroth get drunk?" He leaned forward and rang the doorbell.

Cloud grumbled but the prospect of witnessing the impossible roped him in much more then he cared to admit. The door flew open to the couple's shock and a widely smiling face glared up at them. "Happy New Years!"

"Eve-" Cloud added.

"Eve, whatever! Not for long! Lighten up Cloud!" Yuffie grinned before dragging them in the house as Zack laughed. 'I'm light what are you talking about?' an outraged Cloud said grudgingly as they rounded a corner to the kitchen.

It was still early, 8:30 to be exact, and nothing too wild had started up yet. However, signs of what was to come were hidden in the corner next to Reno while. As it was though, Zack approached him with a New Years tiara and a large grin on his face. "Oh hell no!" Cloud said to him, "There is no way you are getting that on me! I'm not a girl!"

"Are you sure?" Zack smirked, "You're pretty like one." He leaned over him and Cloud scowled.

"I don't need to prove it to you." Cloud averted his gaze, "Because you've already seen it." Reno laughed in the background and Zack nodded. "The only possible way that is getting on my head, is if Sephiroth gets drunk and does it too."

The next thing he knew, Reno was at his side and Zack had a wide grin on his face, "My poor Cloud, you should not have said that." Reno patted his shoulder and looked at him after mockingly smiling towards the sky, "It can be arranged."

"Good luck with that," Cloud laughed before moving away to find food. It had been two hours since dinner and he was already starting to get hungry.

Zack watched him go and turned his attention to Reno, "Do you think this bargain includes Cloud?" There was already a smiled on Reno's face and he nodded.

"I think it was hidden in there." He laughed, "You've got to read between the lines, right?"

"Right, my friend," Zack and Reno patted each other's backs. Zack paused for a moment before asking seriously, "Do you have the camera?"

Reno smirked and held it up after fishing it from his pocket. Zack was glad that digital cameras were so small, he was sure that Cloud would have caught it otherwise. Grinning, Zack knew that this night would become a wonderful memory...

...unless he got too drunk and forgot everything. Zack hoped it wasn't the case.

The bell rung and Zack grinned. Things would start to get interesting now.

It had been two hours and the house was filled to the brim. Around eighty people had arrived, mostly from Turk Academy and Reno's friends as well as other teens from other schools in the area. Cloud was surprised that Yuffie knew so many people. Not to mention so many people that would stick by her even after falling out of the Populars. But Cloud figured that maybe they had all seen that Leon and the others were mostly is not always out of line. Now that someone had stood up to them, Cloud thought that maybe they liked the freedom to be who they wanted to be. That or they just wanted to get trashed on New Years.

Half an hour later, Cloud had lost Zack to a crowd of Turk Academy students. He had been feeling awkward ad they recounted memories of the past so he had whispered to his taller boyfriend that he was heading to the bathroom. Zack had merely nodded so Cloud wandered off. He had yet to find the bathroom, as it was. Yuffie's house was quite simple, actually. The main floor was like a giant circle. The kitchen led to the dining room, which led to the living room, which led into the TV room, which inevitably led back to the kitchen. Cloud left the living room where music was blasting. He had never seen so many rowdy teenagers in his life. Of course, he hadn't really experienced much in his high school years. This was all knew to him. As he slithered through the crowd, he turned his attention to the TV. There were a few large couches in front of it and a coffee table. The table was littered with plastic cups and a few bottles of Cloud didn't know what. More people sat on the couches, some drinking, some making out, some talking, and Cloud tried not to pay too much attention to them as his eyes scanned over the reporter on the TV, and broadcasting from a city where it was still an hour until the countdown began.

Slipping through the door to the kitchen, Cloud barely avoided getting ploughed over by a drunk teen that had tripped over something. The others laughed and Cloud ignored the taunts as well as the loud noises of a drinking game. Finally finding what he was looking for, he was met by someone he didn't know standing in a half open door. Cocking his head slightly, Cloud jumped when a hand wound its way around his shoulder. Glancing up, he saw a shock of red hair and Cloud scowled as he shrugged of the arm.

"If you're looking for a bathroom, this one is closed." Reno said, smiling slightly from a light alcohol induced haze.

"Since when do bathrooms open and close?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.

"Since the people inside them started throwing up." Cloud made a disgusted face. "Yeah, I know!" Reno yelled, "Anyway, I give you permission to go upstairs. There's a bathroom up there."

"You give me permission?" Cloud sighed as he walked away. He grinned when Reno started yelling for Sephiroth to come out of hiding.

Pulling away from the kitchen, Cloud went back to the living room through the dining room which had been turned into the holding place for the alcohol. The table was covered with random bottles as well as two stacks of plastic cups. A blending machine and ice had also been provided when someone had asked for it. Weaving around a few other people, he found the staircase and jumped the stairs two at a time. It was when he got to the top that he regretted not asking which door the bathroom was. Taking a deep breath, he moved forward. Opening the first door, he found a closet. Not caring much, he shut the door and turned to the next one. Opening it, he stopped halfway when a loud moan emerged. Slamming it shut with a blush on his face, Cloud turned around and hoped very dearly that the next door was the bathroom.

Shaking away his embarrassment, Cloud quickly found what he was looking for with a surge of relief. His business was quick and he quickly made his way back down to the main floor where there was more noise than he had left with. He located the source in the large, spacious kitchen. Watching from the doorway, he saw Reno and Sephiroth standing on the granite topped island. Shocked not only by the fact that the silver haired man was standing on top of the counter, but also by the fact that there was a smile on his face and a bottle of beer in his hands.

"We are talking...DRINKING GAMES~! Yeah!" Reno shouted and the crowd that had gathered cheered as Sephiroth raised his bottle.

"Bet you weren't expecting that, huh?" A familiar voice spoke behind him. Not having to see who it was, Cloud leaned back into the warmth of the body behind him. Zack draped an arm over his shoulder and Cloud could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"How did that happen?" Cloud asked.

"Reno has his ways...mostly conniving and evil, but still ways...Babe, have you been drinking...at all?" Zack questioned.

"Nope," Cloud shook his head, "But I have a feeling that's going to change soon." He commented when Reno found him in the crowd.

Zack just smiled and drug him closer to the island where Reno forced the rest of the beer down Sephiroth's throat. Thus kicked off the slew of drinking games that followed. These games mostly included chugging beer and taking shots. Cloud tried to stay as far away from the drinking as he could, but no matter where he went; there was always some kind of drink involved. Not that he was complaining. There was the pleasant buzz that accompanied it, and he was constantly surrounded by his friends and Zack.

Next thing he knew, it was five minutes from the countdown and he was surprised by how much alcohol he had retained. Only a few bottles and a shot or two (he had lost count, really), but for his inexperience, it was very good. To his surprise, it was Sephiroth and Vincent who joined Reno on the coffee table in front of the table. They quieted the music and Reno shouted, "Now everyone! It's time for our New Years speech!" In other parts of the house, people gravitated towards them. "It's time for us to reminisce over the year that has passed." There was a moment of silence before the crowd jeered at him. He laughed, "Okay okay! I was just kidding! In any case, the only memorable thing to happen this year was that the Populars were taken down, not only in battle," Cloud laughed at his words, "But also in basketball!" There was a roar and someone threw a cup at him. "HEY! Watch it Axel!" He pointed at another red head in the crowd who was laughing with an ash blonde boy. They looked younger and Cloud wondered if Reno and the other red head were related.

"Moving on!" Yuffie yelled, stepping up with the other three men. "We are two minutes away from the New Year and I want everyone to have a good and lucky year!" There were happy yells from the crowd. "Therefore," Cloud had a suspicion that Yuffie hadn't drank that much. "I want each and every one of you to find a partner for your New Years kiss! Don't be shy because this is your chance to get with that one person you've wanted to be with since the beginning of this year!"

Cloud was infinitely relieved that he didn't have to find someone random. As it was, he was very grateful that he didn't even have to seek Zack out. His boyfriend had appeared from behind him and was laughing as they moved towards the coffee table. Zack jumped on and yelled out, "Finally, to our ice king, a beautiful crown to show his status!" He produced a New Years tiara from behind his back and placed it on top of Sephiroth's head. The man didn't seem to mind and dropped down to the floor as he high-fived people around him. All the while, there were flashes from all around him. Cloud was sure that Reno had gotten some good shots. He hoped he'd be able to acquire some of them for the future.

Then the countdown started at ten and everything else disappeared but him and Zack. He didn't know if it was the alcohol or if it was just because Zack was looking at him in a way he couldn't explain/ It was nerve-wracking and like in all those sit-coms and dramas, time seemed to slow down a bit. Cloud smiled and followed everyone's lead and shouted the countdown as it hit five. He watched as Zack drew closer with a grin on his face as he formed the number around it. Three was when Cloud's arms began to move. One curled in a fist in Zack's shirt and the other felt up his arm to rest on his shoulder. At one, Cloud's lips tweaked in a smile and his eyes slipped closed. Zack's lips met his right after zero was shouted. It was a simple kiss that meant everything to Cloud.

If this was how the New Year was starting, he couldn't wait for the rest of it. He would be able to deal with all the troubles that came his way no matter what happened. As long as he had Zack and the others around him and by his side, cheering him on, life could throw anything at him and he would prevail. His success during the few months he had met Zack and the emotions behind them were all conveyed through a simple kiss. And as Zack pulled away, Cloud wondered if it was the same for his lover. When Zack's smile met his, he knew that he had made a positive difference in the man's life, and was very glad for it.

Time returned to normal again and Reno held up a cup of beer. Hands followed and soon enough everyone held a cup in their hands, hoisted above their heads. "Now let's get this party started!"

Started? Cloud had been there for over three hours and they were just getting started? After he thought for a moment, it made some sort of sense. After all, they had been partying for the old year, and now they began to party for the New Year...right? Zack pulled him out of his musings when he grabbed his hand and they made their way to the kitchen where Reno stood with Sephiroth. The red head grinned and held out a New Year's tiara. "Your turn, blondeie! Sephiroth did his part!" He howled in laughter as Sephiroth turned to him with a drunk-like curious face.

Zack laughed as Cloud pouted. The taller man took the tiara and placed it on the blonde hair. There was a flash of light and Reno yelled, "Cloud looks so pretty!" and laughed. He was obviously drunk. Reno grinned, "Drink up!" handing Cloud a bottle of beer. "I know I am- c'mon Seph, let's go girl hunting."

Cloud laughed but drank the beer anyway as Zack said, "Good luck with that tiara!"

It wasn't hard for Cloud to let himself go when Zack began to drink. In the back of his mind, he wondered if maybe he should be being more careful instead of less but he reasoned with himself. It was New Year's; they were in the safe (relatively) home of their close friend with many close friends whom (even if they were drunk) would keep an eye out for them. Cloud caught sight of Rude somewhere at some point and Vincent was somewhere or another. He hadn't bothered to keep track but as far as he knew, the two of them were mostly sober. He hoped.

Zack pulled at his hand when the clock hit one in the morning. Cloud was starting to feel tired but he had stopped drinking. He was glad of that fact because if he had kept going, he would surely be passed out at this point. Cloud thanked his good restraint as his vision swam slightly. He clung to Zack's hand as he was jerked through the crowd. He suddenly wondered how Zack was faring against the alcohol. It seemed he was alright though as he was laughing and his walking didn't appear to be noticeable unstable. However, Cloud knew that even he couldn't last much longer.

After another hour of wandering the house, receiving and giving unsystematic kisses to his boyfriend, Zack finally called it a night. Relieved, Cloud held onto his hand and was thankful that he no longer felt nauseous but simply a bit dizzy. Zack and he made a round of the house to say their goodnights (good mornings?). About a third to a half of the crowd had already left making it much easier to navigate through. Cloud barely remembered saying goodbye, but he did remember the long and lingering kiss that Zack placed on his lips just as the cold air bit at his cheeks.

They held hands as they walked down the street but said almost nothing as the fine silence enveloped them. Snow was falling and Cloud spent the better part of the walk home staring lazily upwards where stars starkly contrasted against their black background as the snowflakes melted on his face. The younger hadn't even noticed when they reached his apartment. Still gazing upwards, his vision was blocked by Zack's relaxed smile, causing his lips to turn up. "C'mon babe, we're here."

Cloud mumbled slightly and then turned to Zack, grinning at the taller man's close proximity. Leaning up onto his toes, he let his lips brush over the stained cheek and whispered, "Wanna come up?" then grinned when goose bumps rose on Zack's skin. Zack stepped closer and until Cloud had to crane his head upwards to see his face. The dark haired man leaned down and just as Cloud thought he was going to kiss him, pulled away with a smirk on his face. "Wha?" Zack distanced himself from the smaller man. He turned to the door and the jingle of keys pulled Cloud's attention and the door was open. The blonde scowled, "That was a dirty trick." He pouted.

"Sorry babe," He laughed and gestured for Cloud to get into the apartment stairs, "After you."

Cloud grumbled before grinning. He suddenly flew forward and grabbed the hem of Zack's shirt as he tugged him inside. Before Zack could react, he had taken his key back, closed the door (cheeks warming as the prickly sensation spread) and pushed his boyfriend against the wall. There was only the sound of their breathing as Cloud approached slowly. Zack's eyelids dropped to half mast and then he was lunging forward.

Only to meet air.

Cloud laughed as he sprinted up the stairs. Zack growled and took the stairs two at a time to catch up with his lover. He barely made it before Cloud shut the door. They were both smiling as their breaths filled the silence. Then there was movement when they both moved towards each other. They shared a heated kiss as they kicked off their shoes and began to undress. Cloud stumbled back a bit as Zack shoved off his boyfriend's jacket while simultaneously shoving his tongue down his throat. The warm muscle stroked his gums and danced with his own until Cloud broke for air. Without wasting a moment, the blonde dived for his taller lover's neck and began kissing up his jaw line as the older shrugged off his jacket.

Zack's hands freed themselves and he was pushing Cloud towards his room. Grinning, Cloud felt a buzz behind his eyes from the fading alcohol and pushed upwards to taste Zack's mouth again. The older nipped and sucked at his upper lip and suddenly he was in the air and being carried quickly to the bedroom. Even though Cloud's apartment wasn't that big, he found himself more often than not being carried by Zack towards his bed. The blonde would have laughed if it wasn't for the chest that was revealed to him.

The taller man was in the process of pulling off his jeans when blonde hair blocked his vision. Cloud tongued his way down the strong collarbone before kissing down to the defined pecs and pushing him to sit on the bed. "How come I didn't know you were this hot?" He asked, glancing upwards.

Zack's breath hitched at the sight. Cloud looking up at him was not the best mental image when all he wanted to do was ravish the other man. Taking a deep breath, he grinned and said, "Spike, I've always been this hot. I'm not appreciated enough." Zack sighed and tilted his head back.

"I should start appreciating then, hmm?" Zack groaned when Cloud scraped his teeth against his nipple before moving on. His tongue ran down and he sucked on random places over his abdomen before dipping his tongue into his bellybutton. The blue eyes that looked up at him then were too much to resist. Hooking his hands under the smaller man's arms, he pulled him up until the blonde was straddling him. He leaned in and ran his tongue lightly on Cloud's lips before claiming them.

Cloud pushed closer as Zack's hands slipped up the back of his shirt. What normally would have a been a comforting gesture was now arousing and it was only then that Cloud too notice of the bulges that appeared in both their pants in the time they had teased each other. The blonde tried to pull back but Zack followed his down and as they broke, Cloud heaved in a deep breath before his shirt was torn over his body. A hand undid his pants and he was suddenly helping to take them off as he slipped his legs out awkwardly because of their position.

Realizing that he was mostly naked, Cloud felt increasingly more nervous but as he watched the subtly play of muscles under the bronze skin and Zack's comforting smile, it began to fade away only to be replaced by lust. His hands felt up Zack's arms and their lips met again. Their next kiss just as urgent and loving as the last, repeating again and again. His hands fondled the tensing abs before he was pulled closer in a jerky movement. Their groins brushed together and simultaneous moans filled the silence of the room. The hand on his back tightened and his hips were pulled in again. Zack ground against him hard and slow. Cloud exhaled heavily and shuddered before he was suddenly flipped onto the bed.

Zack seemed breathless as he stood and said, "Move up a bit, will you?" as he finished pulling off his pants. Cloud didn't miss it when Zack pulled something from the drawer before he was being pushed down onto the bed by a hand on his chest and a tender kiss to his lips.

Before he could move, there was a hand snaking down. His breathing quickened as a fingertip trailed lightly against his skin. The touch was so maddeningly soft and affectionate that Cloud wanted to pounce on Zack and make him move faster. But just as fast as the thought passed through his mind, it was gone as a knuckle brushed over his arousal. He looked hazily at Zack as the violet eyes turned to him and he groaned, "Zack..."

"Can I?" Zack's eyes pleaded to him, "Please?"

It took a moment for Cloud to understand what Zack was asking for but as it hit him his cheeks warmed but the excitement spread over his body. The thought made images flash through his head as a hand idly stroked him through the fabric of his boxers. Without having to think much, he nodded eagerly. Fingers hooked into the hem of his boxers and Zack lips trailed down as the cloth was moved out of the way. Cloud kicked them the rest of the way off his ankles, suddenly feeling self conscious despite the tingle of alcohol.

It must have showed on his face because Zack looked at him sincerely and said, "You're gorgeous," He leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to his lips which Cloud readily leant into. "I'll be careful," Zack added as he shimmied out of his own underwear.

There was a sudden overload of sensations. Having been alone for so long, the blonde was inexperienced and was suddenly afraid of ending the experience before it was time. His body began to tremble from the feeling and his hands clenched on Zack's shoulders. The older simple planted a kiss on his temple before his ministrations continued.

His eyes met Zack's as the broader man said, "Trust me...?"

Cloud nodded immediately. They had gone through too much for him not to trust his lover. He would put his life in Zack's hands if the other asked for it. But he was getting ahead of himself because nothing so extreme would ever happen. Only in movies did the lovers get threatened with death. Flames licked up his spine as the burning intensified. Cloud could see the passion that enflamed them and the desire that drove them simply by looking into Zack's eyes.

When it was all done, his eyes met Zack's and automatically leaned in. An elbow planted on the pillow beside a mane of dark hair, he leaned down and kissed the red lips. Zack returned the kiss, emotions and thoughts being conveyed through it. Even as they broke, a hand encircled Cloud's waist as the blonde's head rested against Zack's.

Zack's smile was wide and open and Cloud returned with a shy one of his own.

After all...it was both of them or nothing now.

*Breathes deeply*Has nothing to say about anything-* sulks off*