Oh yeah! It is chapter 25 time! Thank you all who are reading this story, we hope you all are enjoying it and everything! Now let's get to it!

Ch.25

"Hey Zack!" Cloud yelled as he walked into the door of their apartment. He quickly looked around, assuming that his brother was already home.

Once Cloud took a moment to catch his breath, he noticed there was a nice aroma in the area of the apartment. He looked over to the kitchen area and saw that Zack was cooking in the kitchen. His older brother looked up from the meal he was preparing, which looked liked simple grilled cheese with some various spices and additions.

Zack smiled cheerfully as he looked over to Cloud. He quickly picked up the pan he was grilling the sandwich in and placed it off to the side onto a hot pad. Once it was set down he ran over to Cloud and threw his arms around him. "Cloud! Good to have you home!"

Cloud returned the embrace that his brother was offering, squeezing him just as tight as he was being squeezed himself. He stood there in the warm presence of Zack for a few seconds as he internally was beaming with excitement at finally being back. He of course was quite ecstatic, but he attempted to keep his emotions better in check than displaying them all outwardly. Though, maybe that was due in part to the issues he had encountered lately with others and having been embarrassed.

He soon became aware once again where he was and came out of his thoughts. "Yeah, it's really good to be back too Zack. I've missed you quite a bit," he replied honestly.

"Same here buddy," Zack said. "But hey, you went on a big mission didn't you? I was excited to hear that you went off on that, since it can only mean good things! You gotta tell me all about it!"

Cloud stifled a chuckle at Zack's excitement. "Well someone is kinda curious. Yeah I can tell you about it. But first, I really want some food. I'm tired and hungry. Also… maybe try to not squeeze me so hard. I'm a bit sore as well," he admitted with a small grunt.

Zack let go and took a step back. He chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry about that, guess I was just too excited to see you back. But yes! Food! Take a seat, you can have the sandwich I just made. That way you don't have to wait much longer."

"Oh really? Well thanks for that," Cloud replied hastily. He threw down everything he had and then sped to the kitchen to grab the sandwich that had just been made. He then made his way over to the table and sat down to eat. Though, before even a minute had passed, Cloud had already sucked up the food like a vacuum cleaner, leaving nothing but a few small crumbs.

Zack half turned around, as he was still grilling up the next sandwich, and he laughed. "Whoa whoa, did they not feed you on your missions? Ha ha, you must be far more exhausted than you look."

Cloud turned his head to Zack, his cheek still puffed out from chewing some food. "I werljadlfa fasdf haidmm…" He took a few more seconds to quickly chew the rest of the food and then tried again. "Sorry, I was just hungry. I kinda still am. I mean, we were fed well, but I just have a large appetite for some reason today. You're fixing more right?" he asked with a hopeful look on his face.

"Well by seeing that you just scoffed down that one, I guess I gotta give you this next one," Zack replied with a laugh. "I wonder if I am ever going to sit down though and eat my own."

"Oh, sorry about that. You should get yours so that you can eat as well. I think I can wait on it then." Cloud's reply sounded a bit disappointed, as he really did want more food. But he didn't want to deprive Zack of eating as well.

"You could also grab something else from the fridge you know," Zack said as he went back to focusing on grilling his sandwich.

Those words hit Cloud as he then remembered what Zack said was true. "Oh yeah… I guess I kinda forgot. I can get something there and just fix it then."

Cloud walked over to the fridge and peered inside before pulling out what looked to be some nice looking meatballs with spaghetti. He quickly unwrapped it and tossed it in their microwave for a couple of minutes. As it dinged, he opened the door for the heat to hit him square in the face, but overpowering the heat was the smell of the food. As Cloud seasoned his food then to eat, Zack was just finishing up the cooking that he was doing as well.

"Hey it looks like you're done just in time so that we can eat together. We can talk about the mission stuff over food if you want," Cloud suggested as he threw a look Zack's direction as he headed into the dining area to sit at the table with his food.

"Yeah, good timing for that," Zack said as he placed his sandwich on a plate and headed over to the table and sat down.

They started to eat quietly at first, but after part way into his sandwich Zack looked over at Cloud. "So how was the mission? Not to hard for you I hope."

Cloud stopped eating for a moment as he began to try to speak. "Well it was...different to say the least. I wasn't used to going with the Turks on a mission. But they told me it was also to help test me or something. But I do have to say Zack… I understand about the workload of a 2nd class now. It seemed very hard sometimes."

Zack raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "You worked with the Turks on this mission? I didn't expect that, but that sounds interesting. But if they were testing you, that means you might get to move up to 2nd class soon! And heh, I did tell you it was a lot of work. But I know you can do it, you know to keep pushing through."

"Yeah, the Turks were a bit more uptight than I thought but somehow it worked out. I'm sure you know about them already. But I tried my best though. I might need a bit of time before I'm ready for 2nd," he joked as he let out a nervous laugh. "I mean… they said I did a good job at least. Well, one of them did."

His mind drifted off at that last thought as the person who had told him that was Cissnei. He remembered the embarrassing things that had happened with her as he felt his cheeks warm. He knew that was something that he needed to speak to Zack about though. However, he thought he would allow themselves to finish what they had started first as he kept his thoughts to himself for the time being, trying not to show any signs of being flustered.

"Hmm?" Zack hummed as he took notice of the redness starting to show on Cloud's cheeks. There was that and the now more spaced out look in Cloud's eyes. "Something the matter? Did one of the Turks say something to you besides doing a good job?"

Cloud's face seemed to grow a bit more flushed as quickly looked up at Zack, but then darted his eyes away as he dropped his head. He started to remember the entire encounter he had first had and what he had done that made him so embarrassed. He almost didn't want to say anything, but he knew he could trust Zack with the information. After all, he did want some advice on how to handle thing with that situation. "Ummm… well yeah maybe," he replied with a shaky voice.

Zack perked up. "Oh really? Well now you have my attention. Something has you bothered and I want to know now," he chuckled softly.

Taking a deep breath of air, Cloud then breathed out and tried to start. "Well, yeah it was this girl-"

Now Zack laughed a bit louder, a grin sweeping across his face. "Oooh a girl! Now this expression of yours makes sense. You gotta a little crush on someone?"

"W-What? N-No that's not what it is...I don't think. I, uhh…" Cloud's words left him as he stammered over them quickly, trying to refute what Zack had said.

"You can't try to hide it now Cloud, it's written all over your face," Zack said as he continued to hold that cheeky grin over his face. He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. "So come on then, tell me about her."

Cloud tried to gather his thoughts, though he was slightly embarrassed again. "H-hey! Come on Zack… you were supposed to help, not make fun of me…" Cloud pouted as his cheeks puffed up and he scowled slightly. "I-I just don't know."

"Heh sorry, but I can't help it. Seeing you get flustered over the thought of a girl is amusing. But I am serious, tell me who she is. You've gotten me really curious now."

After dropping the sullen look from his face, Cloud relaxed a little bit more and tried to gather is thoughts. "Well, okay...just maybe try to help some. Cause, I'm not good with that stuff."

"Oh of course I'll help. I'm just waiting on you now as I'm all ears," Zack replied as he awaited to hear the story.

Cloud began to tell him what had happened, all starting with him first entering into the SOLDIER briefing room just a few days prior. As he told of those events and what had occurred with Cissnei, Zack couldn't help but snort mildly.

"What?" Cloud questioned as he stopped.

"It's nothing, but it's kinda what I thought. The way you were staring at her, you're obviously in love," Zack stated as he smirked at his brother.

Cloud's face contorted and turned red again. "Hold on what?! But I'm only thirteen! I can't be in love. Right?"

Laughter echoed from Zack's mouth once more. "Well, it can happen anytime Cloud. It just depends on the situation. Just from what you're saying it sounds like that. Sorry for interrupting you again. Let me let you finish it all before I say anything else."

Cloud eyed his brother curiously, narrowing his eyes before then looking away. He then continued to tell his story, telling of the rest of the briefing as well as the various things that happened on the mission. Even when he had just gotten back that same day earlier was within his tale. Finally an hour had passed and they had both finished their food once Cloud finally stopped speaking.

"Well that's pretty much it as far as what happened," Cloud ended as he waited for his brother's response.

"Hmm, well I'm glad to hear the details of the mission as it sounds like you handled yourself well. If you keep performing like that I'm sure you'll be second very soon. I am proud of you," Zack smiled gently at his brother.

"Really?!" Cloud started. "That would be so cool to do. Though, the work is pretty hard...But then that means we might get to do more missions together."

"Haha, yep pretty much. So you gotta keep working at it and get there. Remember your goal there."

Cloud nodded happily at Zack's response and was about to say something until Zack continued. "But for now...why don't we talk about the other thing that you went through," he replied snarkily.

The blond almost sighed and internally facepalmed, knowing what was coming now. Though he did ask Zack for help and he knew his brother would do that. However, the teasing sometimes could get out of hand but he tried to bear it. "Yeah, I guess we should…"

Zack decided to speak up. "Well, you know what I mentioned before. You may have thought I was joking, but I was serious. After hearing everything that happened, it sounds like that you kinda have a thing for this...what was her name again?..."

"Cissnei."

"Yeah, Cissnei, that's right. I mean, heck she might even have a soft spot for you judging on what you said happened earlier this evening. It's not much to go on but it's just a thought."

The two brothers sat in silence for a moment until Cloud finally worked up the courage to move on. "Well, I guess that could be true. I mean, I have all these emotions swirling around in me right now, and it was even more so when around her. But…" he paused as he held his tongue.

"But what?" Zack inquired, wondering why Cloud had stopped.

"Well, it's just...she's a Turk, and I'm just a SOLDIER…" he paused briefly before continuing. "How could that even work...not saying it's what you said it is...just a 'what-if' thing, ya know?"

Zack cocked his head. ""What is this? Romeo and Juliet? Why should should it matter what your jobs are?"

Cloud was surprised by that response at first, but the more that he considered it, the more that he realized that what he asked didn't really make sense. "Well, I was just thinking because of the amount of work… ah, I guess you're right. I don't know…" he replied, lost for more words.

Zack got up from his seat and walked over to Cloud, and began to ruffle his hair. "Don't get so worried over this. You're in love, so don't be so afraid."

"Well I mean, maybe? I've just never felt like this before… it's weird. Have you ever felt that then? What I'm feeling?" Cloud inquired, curious to know if his brother could relate to him and help.

Zack stopped ruffling Cloud's hair as he brought a hand to his chin. He hummed for a moment before speaking. "I'm not sure actually. Sure I have flirted with some girls around Midgar before… but I don't think I ever got embarrassed or anything around them."

"Ah, okay then." Cloud sounded mildly disappointed in that response, as he hoped he could get a for sure answer from Zack. He felt better having talked about things, but he was still feeling slightly uneasy too. "I guess I'll have to figure it out then. Maybe."

Zack smiled and went right back to ruffling up Cloud's hair a little. "I know you'll figure it out. But if you ever wanna talk more on it, I'm right here for you. I'll try my best to give what advice I know about talking to girls."

"Yeah, all right then. That sounds good. But, could you stop ruffling my hair?" Cloud asked, hoping that Zack would listen to him.

"But it's sooo soft!" Zack exclaimed childishly. "And you haven't been here for days. I've missed out on a lot of hair ruffles!"

Cloud then slowly stood up as Zack still had his hand on his head. "Oh yeah? Then I'll just do it back to you spiky head," he jested as he began to ruffle Zack's hair.

The two of then played and laughed for a few moments until they finally simmered down. "Well still, thanks for the help Zack. It's nice being back home again after a bit."

Zack smiled as he gave a hug to Cloud. "Of course. Now I'll clean up the dishes, I figure you probably wanna hit the sack after those longs days. So go ahead and get the rest you need."

Cloud agreed and decided to go to his room for the night after they cleaned things up. After getting in there, he closed the door behind him. It was true that he was mildly tired, but he just didn't feel that he was sleepy. He wanted to spend time with Zack of course, but for now, he felt as though he needed some time to himself.

He laid back on the bed and stared endlessly at the ceiling as many thoughts danced inside of his head. Most of those thoughts ended up focusing on one thing in particular; Cissnei. Cloud still wondered why he couldn't get her out of his head. Maybe what Zack said was true? About love? It's something Cloud still was new at trying to understand. He hoped that maybe things would start to become more clear at a later time.

This scene between Zack and Cloud ended up longer than we expected, but we rolled with it haha. Cloud is still a growing boy, but he is starting to learn about other things XD

Thanks again everyone for reading! Let us know what you all think as we are curious to know!