ATTRACTIONS
~Re-edited~
There will be five parts to the mission.
This is part three.
Zack begs Cloud for forgiveness – what will the blonde do?
Chapter Fourteen: Forgiveness
"Yo, we're here!"
The men in the back of the helicopter immediately sprung up - scuffling around in a manic frenzy. Reno had called back to them, meaning only one thing: they had finally arrived. There wasn't a single member of the company taking things slow and patiently. The General would be there! They had to be at their best!
It was only Zack that refused to make an effort.
The rest of the group had been resting peacefully, with nothing to trouble them but the gloomy mission ahead. However, poor Mr. Fair had not been so fortunate. He had been distressing over the current situation with Cloud for almost the entire flight. It was all he could think about after overhearing his two comrades disturbing conversation. He was angry - extremely angry. That had to be dealt with at a better time, though.
All he cared about now, was Cloud.
"Earth to Fair! I said we're here. The baby has finally landed – woohoo!"
Normally I would be confused as to why Reno is so relieved.
However, the man now knew exactly why the redhead was so delighted with the landing.
Sephiroth had completely humiliated him.
Zack had to stifle a laugh.
"Yo, what you smirking bout?" Reno asked him, bending down to pick up his night bag.
The Soldier forced the laughter away. "Nothing."
"Hmm."
Something's definitely on his mind...
Without further question; Reno rapidly turned away from his amused friend and began heading towards the front of the copter. Thankfully, Sephiroth had already jumped down and began making his way towards the Inn, which meant that the redhead could finally regain his previously destroyed pride.
That asshole...
"Make sure you've got everything!" Reno hollered back to the men, grabbing onto the side of the helicopter and leaping down onto the snow.
The Soldier quickly followed him. "We're here!" he declared, jumping enthusiastically out of the stationary helicopter.
Reno stared confusedly at him. "Why you so happy?"
He seemed so stroppy earlier...
"Just realised something," Zack replied simply, leaving the poor Turk yearning for information.
"What?" Reno cried, running after the Soldier in desperation. "What did you realise?"
Zack turned to the Turk, grinning. "I've been given a second chance."
With that, he turned back round towards the Inn and left the poor redhead even more puzzled than before.
"Second chance with what?" Reno yelled, startling the entire squad of men behind him.
Zack went to further explain the matter, but was interrupted.
"If you keep that noise up," a figure yelled the distance. "The people in the town will be startled as well as the monsters, and our mission will be a failure."
Reno snarled at the man.
Sephiroth.
"Killjoy," he spat, throwing the man his most deadly look. "Way to ruin my fun - our fun."
Zack had been thinking the exact same thing.
Well, and something else too...
... Hypocrite.
"Is Cloud in a better mood?" Mark asked his friend, throwing the blonde a wary look.
Nathan nodded happily. "Yup! My Chocobo is in a fantastic mood!"
Only Zack can call me that...
"I'm fine now, Mark," the blonde reassured him, tightening his grip on Nathan's willing arm. "Sorry for being so moody earlier. I hate travelling, so it was probably just that."
Mark didn't look the slightest bit convinced. However, he decided it was best not to comment.
"We are sticking together!" Nathan exclaimed, smiling so widely that his cheeks threatened to split. "Isn't that right, lover?"
Cloud resisted the urge to throw up.
"Yeah," he groaned, forcing a similar smile onto his moping face. "Of course."
Urgh, this is going to kill me...
"Seems like everyone's arriving," Mark declared, watching as a large group of Soldier's emerged from the top of the mountain. "There sure are a lot of people here..."
"Looks like it," Cloud agreed, confused as to why Shinra had sent so many men on the mission.
Oh god, there's Zack's friend...
The blonde watched as Reno appeared out of the distance.
Oh no...
As he had rightly predicted; Zack came following seconds after the redhead.
"I'm sick of this place already!" he heard the Turk whine, throwing his arms stroppily around Zack. "I hate how cold it is!"
"Stop whining!" the Soldier laughed, targetting a pretend punch at his moping friend. "You've got me here with you, right? It'll be a breeze!"
Reno gazed at him flirtatiously. "Warm me with your heart, Soldier? Melt the snow?"
How DARE he flirt with him like that?
Zack quickly turned bright red. "What the hell was that? Could you be any more cheesy?"
The blonde scowled up at the pair – grimacing as they began howling like two idiots. Was this jealousy he was feeling? No, that wasn't right. He was supposed to be making Zack jealous; not the other way round! His mission couldn't be failing already!
"You don't need blondie no more," Reno cooed, edging closer and closer towards his friends burning face. "So whatcha say buddy? Wanna be my lover?"
Tell him to get off you! Tell him to shut up! Tell him that 'blondie' is waiting for an explanation!
That's when he realised what Reno had stated.
He doesn't... want me anymore?
"Quit messing with me," Zack moaned, pushing away the amused redhead. "I've had a stressful past few days and I don't need you making them worse!"
Thank Gaia... He's putting him in his place.
"Don't get like that, yo. Was just having a laugh. Gotta pull that stick outta your –"
"ATTENTION MEN!"
Reno fell silent at the disruption.
"Right," the interrupter barked, glancing round at the crowd with an inspirational confidence. "We are here for an important mission. You will be instructed where to go and who to go with. Do not be messing around – we are here for a purpose. If you have any more questions, ask me."
Reno rolled his eyes at that man. "Yo, who's that big shot?"
"Tony," Zack replied, smirking down at his pouting friend. "He thinks he's the big boss around here, don't worry. He'll be put in his place by Sephiroth."
Typical.
Seconds after the comment was made; the General predictably marched angrily over to the 1st Class Soldier and began lecturing him about his position - completely proving Zack's earlier statement. The timing of it had been perfect.
"That man really needs to get laid," Reno snorted, gazing curiously at the worked up man.
Zack turned to him, raising an eyebrow.
I bet you'd like to be the one to do that, wouldn't you Reno?
"So, who's giving us these instructions?" Zack asked him. "This isn't a well organized mission."
Reno dived into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "Me!"
He can't be serious...
"You?" Zack choked, taken back by the Turk's sudden authority. "How come?"
"Chillax man," Reno snickered, handing Zack the slip of paper. "I was just told to give this to you. You're in authority here, not me. You've got your own little group of kidlings to lead – so have fun."
I've got my own little group?
Zack began to read the slip of paper.
"Oh god..."
Just as he'd predicted, the name Cloud Strife was listed on the information slip.
Reno looked over his Soldier to see what had bothered him. "Oh, you've got blondie! How very coincidental!"
"Uh huh," Zack groaned.
I'm so nervous about confronting him...
"He still annoyed about you dumping him like that?"
Zack bowed his head ashamedly, offended by the viscous comment. What was he on about? That wasn't... He hadn't...
"Who dumped who?" he asked, wondering what the hell his friend was getting at. "We were never together in the first place. I just... I've decided to ignore Sephiroth and follow my feelings."
Reno seemed to like the idea even more than the man himself. "Yo, good!" he beamed, victoriously punching his fist in the air. "Sounding all loved up and poetic there."
Zack scowled up at him. "I am not loved up!" he snapped, resisting the urge to pout.
Not much anyways...
"Whatever," Reno grunted, pulling out his first cigarette since the flight. "Gaia, I've needed this."
"Why?" Zack asked, although already knowing the answer to his question.
Reno however, was still unaware of that. "Just craved it. Sometimes all you need is a smoke, know what I mean?"
Zack shook his head at the question. "No, I don't."
"Anyway," Reno sighed, desperate to avoid another smoking lecture. "You best go and see to those kidlings! Good luck with Blondie, too. The kid looks pissed."
Zack quickly turned his attention towards the blonde who, as Reno had so rightly put it, looked extremely irritated.
Oh Gaia. This was going to be more difficult than he'd originally planned it to be.
"Thanks man," Zack said gratefully, patting his friend on the back, before departing. "I'll try my hardest!"
Reno exhaled heavily in response.
At least he gets a chance to be with the guy he likes...
"Argh!"
"Look Cloud!" Nathan gasped, pointing towards an approaching figure in the distance. "Check out that fine hunk of junk coming our way!"
The blonde sighed at his friend. He could at least try to act a little more straight.
Cloud looked up at the blurry figure and wondered who it could possibly be.
Maybe another Infantry Man?
"Do you think he's our leader?" Mark asked from behind him, gazing unknowingly at the approaching man. "I hope so. He's a decent guy."
Cloud didn't get how Mark could see the guy already.
He could barely even –
Oh God...
"Hey, it's that guy from the other day!" Nathan pointed out to them.
Cloud clenched his fists in irritation. "Please... please don't let him be our group leader."
"Why not?" Nathan snorted, looking unsurely down at the panicky blonde. "There's nothing wrong with him is there?"
You wouldn't say that if you'd heard what he said to me...
"Good afternoon team!" Zack greeted them, finally approaching the assembly of men. "Who's ready to kick some monster butt?"
All members of the group bar Cloud saluted him in response.
"How's everyone doing?" Zack asked, deliberately resting his eyes on the scowling blonde. "Looking forward to the mission?"
Cloud turned away from those intrusive eyes and folded his arms in a moody manner.
"Let's go then!" Zack said enthusiastically, throwing his muscular arms into the air. "Let's not let our company down! Put your all into it!"
He's always so bloody passionate about everything...!
Nathan decided that he would lead the group, much to the blonde's utter relief, and began walking ahead with a smug grin on his face. He loved the authority - being bossy was what he did best. Thankfully, it allowed the blonde to finally get some of his own personal space. He didn't exactly need to make Zack jealous anymore...
Cloud decided to lag behind, to avoid both the Soldier and the other men.
His awful mood had returned and he didn't want it rubbed onto any more innocent people.
However, Zack had others plans.
Deciding to be daring, or perhaps just stupid; he slowed his pace down to a painful speed and positioned himself right next to the reluctant blonde. Cloud quickly glanced up at him with a look of disgust, before resuming his previous task of professional sulking. He refused eye contact... The silence sliced through the pair of them and the Soldier almost contemplated turning around and heading back towards the rest of the group.
Gaia help me...
His heart hammered against his chest– his tongue turned dry – his breathing became erratic. What if Cloud rejected him? What if he didn't want him back? What if...
... It was too late?
"I'm sorry!" he blurted out, bowing his head down to the floor in shame. "Forgive me!"
The blonde hadn't expected such an abrupt apology. "Excuse me?"
"I'm really sorry, okay?" Zack whined, forcing himself in front of the blonde. "I messed up, I know. It's really hard to explain, but it's true! Someone told me that if we became a couple it would ruin your chance at becoming soldier and – and I didn't want that! So I pushed you away! I didn't want your dream ruined..."
Cloud stared up at the man, baffled.
Zack really didn't know how to handle these types of situations.
"That's why you said those things?" he hissed, glaring up at him with unsympathetic eyes. "You could have just told me what had been said. Then I'd of told you how ridiculous it was, and that I didn't care whether it put my job on the line! Do you know how upset I was by it all?"
Zack's mouth fell open once more. He really wasn't used to this side of the the blonde...
"Why didn't you put it in a nicer way?" Cloud barked, finally able to programme his anger. "Why did you say those things to me? I thought you hated me, Zack! I thought you'd got tired of me! Why did you ever listen to what someone else said? How could you be so stupid? You said... I just..."
Zack couldn't believe the response he was getting. "I-I just."
"Just leave it," Cloud snapped, pouting childishly up at the stunned man. "It's too late now - just forget it."
Oh no, it isn't!
Two hands flew out and grabbed the blonde by his wrists – hauling him towards a small gap in the mountain. The determination Zack felt was a thousand times more powerful that the blonde's reluctance. He dragged the man into the dark opening - gripping tightly as he struggled and fought in his strong grip.
"What are you doing, Zack?" the blonde screamed, wriggling and cursing in frustration. "What if someone -"
Cloud couldn't finish, however. The man simply wouldn't allow him to.
Doing what he told himself was the best course of action; Zack bent down to the sulking blonde and forced their trembling lips together.
You can't just...
Cloud's eyes immediately widened with both surprise and anger. Did he really think this could solve it? He desperately tried to pull the man away from him – whining as he struggled desperately. The blonde didn't want this. How did Zack think he could just pull him into a dark place and kiss the problem away?
However, much to his sheer annoyance, the man would not allow himself to be pushed away. He grabbed onto the blonde's free wrist and positioned them both at his sides. That wasn't enough though. His left leg flew between the blonde's open ones and forced them wider apart, ultimately trapping his body between him.
Mission accomplished. The blonde was completely locked in.
"What are you doing?" Cloud cried, finally able to break the kiss. "You can't just... You can't just..."
It was no use, though.
The blonde couldn't fight Zack.
Not when those beautiful eyes were burning into him; flashing with both guilt and regret.
Zack rested his head onto the man's and purred softly into the blonde's ear.
"I'm so sorry..."
I really shouldn't be forgiving him this easily.
"I'm so sorry," he repeated.
I should be giving him a piece of my mind!
"I thought wanting you like this would put your job at risk," Zack admitted, still not pulling away from the blonde's shoulder. "But I realised that it didn't matter. I just..."
Cloud managed to choke a few works. "You just...?"
"Want you."
Zack slowly released his grip and stepped away from the smaller figure.
Cloud glowered at the apologetic Soldier.
"Am I forgiven?" Zack asked him, hope apparent in his uplifted expression.
I really shouldn't let him take control of me like this...
It was no use, though.
Of course he was forgiven.
"Fine," the blonde sighed, still pouting up at the relieved Zack. "But on one condition."
The Soldier cocked his head. "And that is?"
"Next time you have a problem, tell me first. Okay?"
The Soldier beamed at the bossy Cloud. "Okay!"
How could I ever stay mad with him?
"Besides," Zack added, throwing the blonde a mischievous look. "I've realised that boyfriends need to be honest with each other and confront problems as a team."
Cloud released a strangle sentence. "Boyfriends? Are we... do you mean... Are you..."
"If you want to be," Zack answered coolly, making it out to be absolutely nothing.
Of course I want to be!
"Yeah," Cloud nodded, finally allowing himself to smile. "I'd like that, Zack."
Everything's back to normal.
Cloud moved forward to the now happy man; yearning to catch up on a few missed kisses that had been so rudely snatched away from him. Usually he was good at holding grudges, but surprisingly not when it came to the Soldier. This hadn't exactly been his plan - what had happened to the jealousy route? It didn't matter now, anyway. All he wanted was to kiss the past feelings of doubt away. Now that they were... boyfriends... they could do this kind of thing without complication. Well, as long as they didn't get caught that is.
However, Zack had other plans for him.
"Not now," he said softly, holding his hands in front of the disappointed blonde. "People will start to suspect things. We have to go back and act normal. If we stay here, they're bound to smell a rat."
Cloud pouted up at him.
"Don't worry though," Zack grinned, sending an anxious shiver up the blonde's spine. "I'll definitely make it all up to you later – I promise."
Oh, trust me.
He turned away and immediately began heading back; leaving the baffled blonde to wonder what exactly the man had meant. His body was still emitting fireworks and his stomach had that familiar warm feeling inside. That tone of voice had been so... sexy. He had never heard the man sound so seductive.
What does he mean by, making it up to me?
What will he do, now that we're... boyfriends?
Should Cloud have been concerned about the ravenous look on the man's face?
I love how Cloud had this whole jealousy thing planned out and just failed at it!
How will Zack make it up to him? ;)
Warning – the next chapter will be much ruder than previous ones.
PLEASE REVIEW. What else must I offer you? T_T xx