Level 13: NC Characters and Plays
"Well.. He's still out, believe it or not.." Cloud says as he walks over to the fallen picture frame, picking it up gently.
"..Damn.." Zack murmurs while fumbling around with the door. Maybe he could fix it..
The blonde turns to look at the other briefly. Hearing him curse every now and then. He sighs, looking back at the shattered pieces of glass. Cloud cautiously picks up a piece, fitting it back in place over the painted picture of a Japanese water garden. It was a beautiful painting. Sephiroth would probably be furious when he awakens to see it damaged. Oh well. The cadet smirks, dropping it back down to the floor. The older male, now frustrated, stands up. Snatching off the oven mitt from his hand.
"Its not going to open unless we blast the whole door down. Leave it to Shinra and its damned electric locks.." The SOLDIER says dryly, turning to Cloud.
"Then lets knock it down."
Zack shook his head slowly. "Can't. That kinda force will trigger the alarm system."
"So we're trapped in here.." Cloud mumbles, dragging his feet over to the sofa were he plops down on it.
"Cloud, why didn't you just agree to stash him in your room?" Zack asks walking up and sitting across from him in a chair.
"Because I don't want him in there! He's a creep.." The smaller one snaps.
The both of them sat quiet for a moment. Worried and tired. What were they going to do now? Who knew when the general was going to wake up! They could be stuck in there for days.
"I'm going to wake him up." Zack stood suddenly, cutting the silence.
"We.. Shouldn't. He's got to wake up on his own." Cloud says softly, cupping his face in his hands.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing!-"
"Why were we making out, Zack?" the youngest interrupted, looking up at him cautiously.
The SOLDIER boy averts his eyes quickly, turning his back to him and walking away. That totally caught him off guard. He didn't want Cloud to know just how he felt right then.. He wanted to wait a bit longer. When the time was right, but he slipped up. He keeps walking until he reaches a wooden desk. He brushes his fingertips along the surface of it. The older teen could tell Cloud was still waiting for a reply. He could feel those icy blue eyes of his drilling into his back. His mind worked hastily, searching for something to say.
"Zack-" The cadet starts.
Zack shook his head softly, closing his eyes. "I heard you, Cloudy-boy. I don't know why, ok?"
Cloud looks down into his lap. His hands clenching his knees tightly. What the hell was going on? It was crazy! Had he always been gay? No. He still liked girls. He just happened to be surrounded by guys. Attractive ones. That made he feel all randy inside. He taps his injured foot gently. It only ached dully now. The shinra cadet was lucky he had a few days off from training. That gave him time to heal a bit from his punishment.
"Did… you like it?"
The blonde one jerks his head up, hearing the question clearly even though it was whispered.
"I.. Yeah, I kind of did. But it was weird. Because you're my best friend, you know?" Cloud says, scratching the back of his head.
Zack chipped at the wood of the desk with his fingernail, still facing the opposite way. "You're my best friend too. And I love you."
The other male's eyes grew wide with shock. Followed by a blushing. "You love me?"
"A-As a friend would love another friend, of course!" The standing one laughs nervously, finally facing him.
"Oh, right! Yeah, I love you too. We shared a friendship kiss then?"
That was a funny little way to put it.
"You're hilarious, Cloudy-boy. But I don't know how friendly that kiss was.." The black haired teen leans back against the furniture with a grin.
"Friends with benefits?" Cloud asks standing to his feet, stretching his arms up to the ceiling.
"H-H-Huh?" Zack stuttered, blushing himself and unsure if he heard correctly.
"What's that under your hand?" The younger one asks innocently, walking over to him and pulling the flyer from underneath his hand.
Zack watched closely, still flustered, as his pal silently read the red sheet of paper. After a few moments, the cadet laughs happily. Looking up from the paper at him. The taller one arches a brow gently, waiting for an explanation.
"It's the annual Shinra Festival! So awesome! And this year theme is: Gladiators!" Cloud smiles with dreamy eyes.
"Oh yeah.. Shinra's way of acting like it really gives a shit.. Meh." He takes the flyer boredly, reading over it.
"Either way, its really cool. SOLDIER gets to show off great techniques for crowds of people. Besides wanting to be as powerful as Sephiroth, I.. I also kinda wanted to perform in the festival as well.." Cloud confesses.
"Oh really, huh? Shinra officers are apart of it as well you know…" The elder states looking back at him.
"Yeah but, only in the parade. I want to perform. I will. Next year for sure!"
Zack smiles at him for a few seconds, concluding something silently. The shorter teen instantly drops his happy face.
"Don't you start with the weakling insults, you bastard." He warns the SOLDIER.
"No, nothing like that at all. I was thinking about trying out for a few parts in it actually. Gladiators.. sounds pretty coo'."
Cloud snickers, crossing his arms against his chest. "You? Act?"
The other slaps the flyer down. "Hell yeah I can!" He jumps on top of the desktop, striking a very theatrical pose. "I am a man of many talents! Besides, I was in my high school's play!"
"….As what? A butler? Paper boy?"
"A tree branch to be exact." He grins proudly.
Cloud bit his lip, avoiding a very loud and perhaps insulting laugh. What the hell kind of role was that? The older guy notices his friend hesitation and frowns, placing a hand on his hip. That was a very tricky role to play! Zack hops down to the floor and sits on the edge of the desk. Gesturing for the other to laugh it up already.
"Think what you want, but I'm trying out for the lead role. And when the spotlight is on me, Cloudy-boy, I'll be sure to point you out in the audience." He smirks.
Cloud smiles back. "Really? That would be so cool. It would mean.. a lot to me."
Zack places his hands on each of the cadet's shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. If it was a way to win Cloud's heart, he would gladly do it in a heartbeat. "Then its settled."
Slow handclaps sliced through their touching moment. Startling the both of them instantly. Cloud spun around, Zack peered over the cadet's shoulder as well. Sephiroth sat on the arm of his sofa, smiling softly through his long silver bangs. The blonde one narrows his eyes at him, dreading that he overheard them and now knew his reasons for joining. The raven haired male slides down off the desk and lands softly on the floor, sticking his hands into his pockets. Remaining as cool and calm as ever.
"Well look what the mad scientist dragged in.. Don't you knock?" Zack says coolly.
"No. Being that it is MY apartment and all…" The general says with equal coolness.
"How long were you listening?" Cloud snapped. He wasn't going to play their 'keep your cool' game.
"Oh, not long really. Came in on the part about Zack playing a tree branch.. I didn't have the heart to interrupt." Seph replied, running a hand through his hair. Pulling it from out his face.
"Aren't you the considerate one.." The teen SOLDIER grumbles.
"I do have a few questions though. Like, why is there a box of fireworks sitting in the middle of my bedroom floor? And.." The oldest trails off to point at his front door, letting the eyesore speak for itself.
"Long story." Cloud says quickly.
"Then make it short." The general says darkly, eyeing him.
"Look all that matters is I found you snoozing in the hall and brought you here. With Cloud's help." Zack spoke up, patting his buddy on the back.
Sephiroth raises his brows slowly, thoroughly surprised. He would never had thought Cloud would even care to help him after their episode in his office not too long ago. "Is that so? I'm touched."
"I bet you are." Cloud snorts looking away.
Speaking of that office incident.. "I didn't get a chance to apologize, Cloud. I honestly didn't mean any harm.. That day." The leader says as if it just occurred to him, overlooking the vague insult.
The blonde male looks towards him, intrigued. He didn't know Sephiroth was able to feel apologetic. Of course he didn't buy it. Sure he didn't mean any harm. He just wanted to score.
"You don't have to apologize. You're just wasting air." Cloud shot back, walking away towards the busted door. He decided to turn his attention on something other than the general and his words.
Sephiroth watches as the teen walked away from him. His expression dropped a bit at his failed attempt. He was so happy to see the shinra cadet was there. All he wanted was to clear the air between them for the longest. Alas, Cloud had proven himself hard to get now. But he would win him back. If it was the very last thing he did. Cloud was his and his alone!
"You look a bit sad, Sephiroth. Having relationship problems?" Zack spoke up having sat on the sidelines for a few.
Seph remained quietly, still watching the blonde poke around on his door.
The SOLDIER lowers his voice. "I see. Looks like you've stumbled upon a playmate that plays by his own rules."
"What do you mean by that exactly? …since you have so much to say.." Sephiroth hisses.
Zack leans in towards him, still keeping his distance. "Isn't it obvious? You've played with one too many people.. Cloud doesn't want you anymore."
The general snickers. "No such thing."
"You think that."
"Wrong. I know this. You think you've got him all to yourself now, huh? Whatever you can give him, I can deliver a thousand times better.." The tallest boasted quietly.
"Bullshit! You're no better than me." The other whispers back sharply.
Both of them sat back, resuming their normal poses as Cloud turned to them. The cadet blinks slowly, confused by their strange behavior. Zack smiles and waves. Rooting him on as he tried to fix the totaled door. The blonde shook his head and went back to investigating the fried security system. Dismissing them.
"Anyways.." Sephiroth starts again, eyes still Cloud. "I hear he has a thing for the Shinra festival. Don't bother trying to get the lead role. Its been taken."
"Yeah, by me!" Zack snarled back.
The silver haired one laughs, didn't he know who he was talking to?
"All I have to do is show my face and the part will be mines.."
Oh no! He's right!! The teen panicked in his mind. God, he hated him! ..should've left his ass on the floor.
"You're a real dick, Sir. Our deal is over. I have confidence that Cloud will not want anything to do with you anymore." The newbie SOLDIER says buoyantly.
"Cloud will what?" The blondie asks, turning around to face them a second time.
"..Uh! Cloud will.." Zack began to think up a line.
"..be shocked to see the star of the Shinra festival." Seph completed for him.
Zack growled gently, glaring at the smug general.
"Why?" Cloud asked.
"You'll see, Cloudy-boy." Zack adds.
This was war!
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"Settle down, settle down and listen up."
The huge crowd of SOLDIERs quieted down quickly in the rather large auditorium. All members were ordered to report there that Saturday morning to audition for different roles in the play-like performance. It was mandatory for them, so training was put on hold until after the festival. Once the noise completely died down, the speaker flips through the stapled documents in his hand, stopping at a certain page.
"Ok, this year it is required for all SOLDIER members to participate in the festival, and coincidentally, I, Rufus, was assigned director of the SOLDIER performance." The brownish-red head speaks clearly from his position on top of the stage.
"Meaning, if you all screw up I look bad. That cannot happen. So this will be treated with the utmost care."
A random cough was the only thing heard from the crowd of distressed fighters.
The executive flips his hair from his face before continuing. "As you all know, everyone was assigned a piece of script to perform in front of myself and two other judges yesterday. After great debate, we have assigned everyone a role in the play."
Tseng steps up on the stage, handing him the ballot.
"For the most part, role assignment was easy. Most of you have no talent." He pauses to shake his head. "But, surprisingly, we could not decide the person who would be playing lead role."
Murmurs gathered up from below Rufus. That was strange.
Zack, standing along the back wall, smirked widely. Folding his arms across his chest. That audition was nothing. He totally wrung the words right from the judges as he acted the role of one of the fighters. He added feeling, emotion and drama to the 2 minute script. Mostly, he imagined Sephiroth stealing Cloud from him in the worst way possible and used it to help him portray his wounded character. He still had a chance to nab that lead role right from under that arrogant general's nose!
"We were shocked to see general Sephiroth himself participating as well. And impressed by his performance."
Seph, standing on the opposite wall of Zack, grinned too. He always had a liking for theatrical art. Acting the script was almost second nature to him.
"So just give the general the part and move on!" A random man shouted from the group of people, followed by a several agreeing handclaps.
"..Booo! Automatic role assignment sucks! Booo!" The newer SOLDIER disagreed loudly, ducking down when people turned and glared.
"I had a feeling this would happen. So to keep things even, we changed the play around a bit. There will be two lead roles. Not only does this solve the problem, it also show the little people we are fair in everything we do. Now that this is said and done, a list will be placed on the wall. Know your role and pick up your scripts. Practice will be held in a week. Memorize it."
With that, the young second-in-command walks from the stage, leaving Tseng and Elena to pin up the papers.
The general parted the crowd roughly, pushing men out the way. When he finally got to the list, his green eyes scanned the names quickly. First he finds Zack's name. Frowning at his assignment. What were they thinking? Pairing him up with a mere weakling as him! Instantly he calms down once he reads the role description.
The silver haired commander turns from the wall and walks over to the table, were he found the raven haired one already standing. He held a script in his hand, flipping through the pages and pretending not to notice his guest.
"Oh. General. Just looking through MY lead role.." He bragged, fanning the papers at him.
Seph smiles gently, looking down at the table and snatching up a different set of papers. "Actually, I'm Tyravian. You're Nelius."
Zack stared as his script was snatched from him and was handed another.
"Apparently, we're rival warlords. Fighting against each other for crowds of noblemen to witness." Sephiroth explained.
"So I have to fight you, huh?" Suddenly, the younger one wasn't feeling so confident anymore.
"Precisely." He says evilly, placing an arm around the teen's shoulders and leaning in a little closer to whisper, "I can't wait to wipe that clever grin right off your face.."
Zack narrows his eyes as the older one pats his head and walks away from him. As if he's won something. This was a play right? Mostly? His fingers went to the last page of his script, looking at the outcome of the final fight between the two leaders. His eyes scanned down to the end, where they froze in horror.
"Outcome of battle will conclude the performance. Actors are to improvise."
"..Oh, shit." The SOLDIER proclaims, folding the script in half.
How was he supposed to get through this one? They might as well said stupid Tyravian would be the victor! How sadistic.. But then again, Rufus was in charge. Zack knew he was strong, but no way would he be able to defeat that.. Hercules of a man he called general. Well, he had a chance, since they were to use weapons. Assigned weapons. No way was he about to go against that damned Masamune. As long as it wasn't hand to hand combat, he might be able to pull it off. Or at least not lose too horribly. He didn't need to get totally beat to a pulp in front of Cloud and hundreds of other people..
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"Hey."
Cloud turned around from his room door to see his best pal walking up to him.
"Hey yourself. So, how did it go?" The other asks, opening his door.
Zack enters his room, closing the door behind him and sitting on the foot of his bed. He sighed a bit before noticing Cloud dressed in his shinra uniform. The cadet began to unbutton the jacket, soon whipping it off and flopping down on his bed. Untying his heavy, black boots.
"I, uh, I got the lead role. Just like I said I would, kiddo." He finally answers, still watching him undress.
"Wow, for real?" The blonde laughed, now undoing his pants buckle.
"Damn straight. Never doubt..me." The older one says remotely, somewhat captivated by his friend's unintentional strip tease.
Cloud pulled his legs from out the pant legs slowly, now sitting on the bed in his boxers and white t-shirt. He tossed the pants over his desk chair and held his hand out for the script, now more comfortable. The other male hands him the papers.
"You're telling the truth, that's a lot of lines to remember.. You don't seem so happy though. Too different from your parts as a branch?" The younger one cracked.
"Ha ha ha. And I'm siked! ..Problem is, I'm not the only one with the lead role."
"Oh? Who else?" Cloud asks, running his hand through his spiky hair a few times.
"My rival in the play also has the lead role. I'm going against Sephiroth…" He says gloomily.
"Well that sucks! I didn't even know he liked that sort of thing."
Zack lays back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "I doubt that he does. He's just..trying to make me look like an ass."
"I wouldn't worry about it. Its just a play and no one expects you to defeat him." Cloud replies, rolling the script up into a cylinder and bopping his bud across the abdomen.
"Well I can't let him cream me!… No pun intended."
He missed that chance. The SOLDIER adds in his mind.
"So what do you plan on doing? Kicking him in the nuts?" The blonde male chuckles at the thought of it.
Zack paused, arching a brow. It wasn't a bad idea actually. "..I just might. As a last resort. But mostly, I gotta hit the gym. Work on the guns, pecks, etc.."
"You don't have time. You have lines to memorize."
"Multi tasking was invented for times like this. You'll help me out, Cloudy-boy?" He sits up on his elbows, pouting.
Cloud rolls his eyes and gave a half smile. He didn't mind helping him out. "Ok. But you have to supply me with bacon cheeseburgers. And I also have to go to practice. Shinra officers have this complicated march to do as well."
"Thanks." The other smiled back, scooting over to him and gesturing with his finger for him to come closer.
"What?" the younger one asks, leaning towards him.
"You have something on your face." He tells the cadet.
"I do? What is it?"
"This." The bigger male grabs him by the shirt and pulls the shinra pup into him. Connecting their lips gently for a second.
Cloud blushed a bright red as he was released as fast as he was seized. For some reason, he couldn't keep from grinning. He was beginning to like when Zack suddenly did things like that. It was exciting, fun and sent tingles through him. The cadet's eyes slowly met with the other deep azure pools. He'd admit, it made him a bit shy. But he wanted more of it. Cloud missed the feel of affection he once felt from Sephiroth. Though, Zack wasn't Sephiroth, he still cherished the warmth of it. It was different with is best friend. The feeling was a bit deeper. More loving, perhaps.
"What was that for?" Cloud asked him, still locking glares.
Because I love you..
"Cause I wanted a kiss." Zack subbed the lines.
The other nodded gently, leaning in and kissing him back. He stole the kiss so fast, the cadet didn't get a chance to return it. The SOLDIER smiled into it, closing his eyes. Oh was it a wonderful feeling! The younger teen scoots himself closer, pressing their chests into each other. His fingers gripping and pulling the other male's sleeves. Zack, now turned on, runs his tongue along Cloud's bottom lip. In turn the cadet opens his mouth and allows his best friend's tongue in. While tongues met, hands roamed. The older teen's hands traveled down the younger teen's sides, guiding him to lay back. The blondie complies, recapturing the taller male's soft lips with his own once his head touched his pillow. Zack was shocked. He never would've though Cloud would be so easy going about this.
"Should we stop?" Zack asks during their heated kiss.
"Why?" The other replies breathlessly.
That was all he needed to hear.
The elder kissed his lips once more before lowering his head to his neckline. Where he began to suck softly. The other moaned out, arching his back and pressing his newly formed erection into him. Cloud's mouth dropped open at the response he caused, feeling a foreign hand cup his crotch. The raven haired man finally departed from his neck and pulled his own tightly fitting shirt from his body. The younger one sat up and looked at him for a few seconds. The situation sunk in. They were about to have sex. And he wanted it. Cloud wanted in more than anything. Zack blinks slowly at him, saying nothing. The both of them were breathing hard as if they were running a marathon. On his knees now, the SOLDIER moves back. Giving his friend better access to his pants. The cadet reached with slightly trembling hands and unbuckles his partner's belt. Then unzips the fly. The darker haired one gasps gently, re-closing his lust filled eyes. Quivering at the delicious sensation of Cloud's fingertips brushing against his harden manhood.
Cloud was hesitant at first, but he continued stroking the reacting erection through his pal's undies. Moving from the base and straight up to the top. Just under the older male's navel. Zack was pretty..tall in that department. Yet he hadn't encounter any other guy who wasn't. ..Well, the only other he slept with was well equipped too.
He wanted to see it.
The cadet's fingers curled over the brim of Zack's red boxers. Pulling them down softly, stopping mid-thigh. His blue eyes were greeted with the bare appendage. Saluting him fully.
"..I said I was big for my age." The older one whispers, running his hand through the other's electric yellow hair.
Soon those very same fingers grabbed hold to the short hair. Something warm and wet slid across the underside of his member. A second lick made his very legs tremble. To keep from harming the younger one, Zack released his hair. Dropping his hands to Cloud's shoulders.
"I never… tried before." Cloud explained, grabbing hold to his manhood and easing it into his mouth.
"..Oh, Cloud.." Zack moaned, pulling at his shirt. He didn't know how much more he could take before losing it.
The younger teen moved the member in and out his mouth, massaging it with his mouth slowly. He didn't really know how to do it exactly. So he tried to imitate the same actions he remember Sephiroth did to him that night he lost his virginity. He was fairly sure the general was well experienced in that field..
The SOLDIER licked his lips. Cloud was pretty damn good. He couldn't help but wonder if Seph was the reason for this. He quickly stopped thinking about it once the cadet slid his tongue over his tip..
"Fuck!.." The black haired male growled, ripping the blonde's shirt from him.
The shinra lackey jumps, startled by the sudden action. He leaves his buddy's crotch and looked down at his shirt. Gasping as it slid down his shoulder blades on each side. Completely torn in half. What was with them and ripping his shirts? Zack blinks a few times, returning to reality. He too was shocked by his own actions. He wasn't even aware of his behavior.
"I.. Liked this shirt." Cloud sighed, but smiled anyways. He couldn't be mad about anything at that moment.
"…My bad.. Look I gotta run. Got.. Stuff to do." The other mumbles, quickly tucking himself back into his pants.
"Wha-? If it's the shirt, I don't care. I'll get another.." The cadet says, hoping the other would stay.
"Nah, I just.. Should be going! I got to start on those lines, remember? Don't want general asshole to show me up!" He forces a laugh, fastening his belt buckle back in place.
"Right now?" Cloud frowns a bit. He wanted to get laid, damn it!
The SOLDIER practically leaps from the bed and hurries over to the door. He opens and waves briefly before stepping out. Almost letting the door shut on him before he remembered his left behind script.
"Heh. Left me scripty." He smiled, grabbing the papers from off the cadet's bed. Then made his way out the door and dashing down the hall without looking back.
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A/N: A double update for my loyal readers! Yay!
Crazy turn of events though, huh? Where will this lead to, you ask? I..do not know. XD Guess you gonna have to read on to find out! D: Thanks for reading so far though! I hope you likey as much as I do writing it! Thanks for the awesome reviews as well. -hugs-
Til the next dose of insanity!