Ch.8

"Us?" Tifa asked. "But I don't recall Cloud being-"

"I was the infantryman…" Cloud murmured much to the surprise of Tifa and Zack. "The one you helped… carry back to town."

Zack eyed Cloud carefully. While he didn't mind having help telling the story, he wasn't entirely sure if Cloud speaking up would be the best thing. He still had far too many worrying thoughts about before. Just seeing Tifa was what triggered him before so surely talking about the event could be just as bad. But as of right now Cloud seemed fine. He seemed quiet, but overall fine.

Tifa on the other hand frowned slightly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Cloud lowered his head. His fingers tightened around the glass before he finally exhaled deeply. "I… I didn't want to seem like a failure… didn't make SOLDIER."

Tifa hummed softly before placing a hand on Cloud's arm. He whipped his head up to meet her gentle gaze. "That's all right Cloud. What matters is you're here and alive. I'm just happy to see you again."

Cloud lowered his head again. "Oh… oh okay then. Thanks."

While Zack didn't have a need to invade into the moment, it did leave him to wonder again. Was there really anything between the two of them? Or had there been something before? It was still no place to ask, but it left a weird uneasy feeling in the back of Zack's mind. Eventually though… he figured he would get to the bottom of it at some point and maybe then the feeling would go away.

After Tifa stepped back and looked at Zack again, he cleared his throat. "Right… where were we? Oh yeah… so we were there, doing what we were. Then you know the stuff with Seph…. Sephiroth happened."

As Zack talked he could see that Cloud was tensing up and he knew it was probably at the mention of Sephiroth. He hadn't realized it at first when they were journeying from Nibelheim to Midgar, but he concluded Sephiroth had left Cloud with scars that would never heal. Or more really they were found too late for the scars to be healed away.

But after a few times when Zack would stop by a lake or river to have them wash up, he would notice the pale skin that ran vertical across his abdomen and back. The length equal on both sides… which Zack eventually came to grips with that it had to have been done by Sephiroth. Hojo had messed with them a ton, but this was something else.

It honestly left Zack feeling a little guilty. He had not been able to stop Sephiroth and asked Cloud to handle it for him. It seemed like Cloud actually pulled it off but it left him weak and near death, Zack could remember that much before they were found by Hojo. But he had no idea what had gone down between Sephiroth and Cloud in full.

Suddenly he heard a voice calling to him. He shook his head and saw that Tifa was giving him a confused look. "Zack? You okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You just kind of started spacing out after mentioning Sephiroth."

"Huh? I did?" Zack scratched the back of his head, giving a quick chuckle. "Sorry about that. I guess I got distracted." He cast one last look to Cloud who was looking back at him. He looked far less tense than he had just been moments ago.

With that, Zack finally continued. "So Cloud and I both ended up defeating him… but it took a lot out of us. To put it simply… a certain creep of a Shinra scientist, who shall not be named, found us. Kept us down in that manor. The next four years… well I think that would be best explained some other time…"

Cloud was tense again, no doubt having an inkling of a feeling to what Zack was alluding to. Though Zack swore he could almost see Cloud's hands begin to tremble. Carefully reaching over he placed a hand on top of Cloud's and slowly laced his fingers between the blond's. Giving a gentle squeeze he could feel the trembling slow down and Cloud started to feel calm again. He looked to Zack giving a thankful small smile followed by a nod.

"We made it out of there after that," Zack said. He was still telling Tifa the story, but he kept his focus on Cloud this time. "Then we spent almost an entire year traveling to get here, and now… well we made it."

"Wow… I never knew… Shinra would just turn their back on you like that? Weren't you one of their best?" Tifa asked.

Zack smiled bitterly. "Yeah, but I guess when they saw no use for me anymore, they wanted to just get rid of me. But hey! That's in the past now and now Cloud and I can start our new lives!"

"You have plans then?"

"Yup, within due time Cloud and I are going to become mercenaries. Could do some good around here for the people who need it.

Humming thoughtfully Tifa leaned forward on the bar. "So got any good starts?"

"I mean I delivered something today for someone, it isn't much but gotta get my name and effort out there somehow."

"Well…" Tifa stood back up and stretched a little. "If you guys are interested in earning a little bit of gil, I think I could help you guys out?"

"You mean like work at the bar?" Cloud ended up asking.

"Not quite. What I mean is this… I am working with some friends. They wanna stop Shinra from destroying the planet, so there are plans to get back at them and stop them."

"Isn't that kind of dangerous though? You know you guys are going up against Shinra, right?"

Tifa placed her hands behind her back, rocking on her feet slightly. "Oh we know, but we are still going to do it. But… if you think we don't know what we're doing, then don't you think it would be nice if you helped us out? You did want to be a mercenary after all. I'd say this would be the perfect opportunity."

Zack stroked his chin. It was a rather interesting opportunity that was now presented before him. Not only a chance to make some money, but also a chance to get back at Shinra. Killing two birds with one stone… it was all just rather perfect sounding. Besides, he was a former Shinra employee, he would be rather beneficial to help out Tifa and her friends. Even if it had been 5 years… and plus he still had Kunsel! That was a definite bonus, though that information could come later once he met these friends of Tifa.

Though there was a moment of concern. If he joined in on fighting back against Shinra… he had to figure out where Cloud would factor in. He still didn't feel like Cloud was ready to head out into anything dangerous yet. If they were to go against Shinra… if they came across Hojo… there was a good chance that it could trigger another episode for Cloud.

"I don't want to turn down a deal like this… but I can't bear Cloud getting hurt or having an attack. Maybe he will recover before we do anything too crazy. Or maybe… I don't know… I'll just figure that part out later."

"Okay! It sounds like a good deal. So just who are these friends of yours?"

"We're in a little group called AVALANCHE."

Zack jumped up to his feet, nearly staggering backwards. "A-AVALANCHE?! Tifa! Do you even know who-"

"They're not the same!" Tifa interrupted. "I mean, it's the same name, but it is just for getting people to pay attention compared if we just had some random other name. We aren't like that old AVALANCHE."

Zack breathed in slowly, letting the tension leave his body. "Okay… sorry if I freaked out about that. Just… past experiences you know."

"I understand. I'm sorry I should have explained that first," Tifa said with a nod.

Zack went back to sitting down. "We're good now though. I'll still be happy to help."

"I'll help too," Cloud whispered softly.

"That's great to hear, Cloud. Besides, we have a lot to catch up on since it's been."

"Right. And… gotta make sure to actually keep my promise this time, even if I'm not… not SOLDIER."

This drew Zack's attention more so than before. "Wait… they had a promise to one another? I mean I know how it was before to an extent… but…"

Tifa was smiling. "Thank you Cloud. That means a lot to hear it."

Zack cleared his throat suddenly. "So now what? When should we do all this? Like meeting your friends and stuff?"

"We're having a meeting later tonight. I'll be closing the bar earlier for it. So just stop on by a little past eleven tonight and I'll let you guys back in."

"Okay, guess that means Cloud and I can wander around the Sector some more and try to help out some others."

"Okay, but feel free to stop by any before that, just in case you guys need anything else," TIfa offered.

Zack smiled cheerfully. "Sure. Oh! How much do we owe you for the drinks?" Zack asked as he started to pull out his freshly earned gil out of his pocket. Though he wished he could have saved it for something else, he did plan on getting drinks anyways later on. So it still all worked out in the end.

Tifa shook her head. "You don't need to pay me. It's on the house."

"You sure about that?"

"Seeing the two of you again is enough payment, trust me. Plus you need it more," Tifa said before she smiled.

With that out of the way there wasn't much else to do at the moment. It was still daylight outside so Zack wanted to make sure to get around and help out some others if he could. "All right then, time to go hunting for more jobs then!"

"You know actually," Tifa said suddenly. "If you really want something to do, you could help collect some things that need to be brought to the bar."

"This day just gets easier and easier!" Zack grinned happier. "Whatcha need us to deliver or get or whatever it is?"

Tifa went to explain the items that she needed and where they needed to go. She even made sure to give Zack a list of the places to stop in Sector 7 just in case he somehow ended up getting lost. He highly doubted he would, but it was always nice to be safe.

When the two of them were out and about, they walked side by side like before and after a few minutes Zack went forward to reach for Cloud's hand. He looked at him in surprise though when he did it, as if he were confused by Zack doing so.

"What's the matter, Cloud? Don't you still want to hold hands?"

"O-Oh yeah," Cloud murmured.

"Something on your mind again?" Zack asked as they walked.

"Maybe…"

"Is it about Tifa?" Zack asked slowly.

Cloud looked at him again, once again looking confused. "How did you… oh, we did just see her."

Pressing his lips together, Zack tried to think of what to say. He had no idea what he was even trying to ask or what he was expecting Cloud to say. Clearly he was thinking about Tifa though, but what it meant for the two of them, he wasn't sure. It actually made him feel a little worried though he knew that he shouldn't feel like that. Cloud and Tifa were childhood friends after all. Anything that they had was something that he couldn't get between.

"Do you wanna maybe… you know go back and stay at the bar? So you can be with her?"

"I… I don't know," Cloud answered. "I didn't think she'd be here."

"Hey me neither man, but isn't that a good thing she survived?"

Cloud nodded. "Of course. It's good to know. We probably got to catch up… like you and Aerith. I just… I don't know what to say."

"You just need to talk with her, that's all there is to it. But you can take your time, no one's rushing you."

Cloud gave a small hum. "Thanks. But I think I'll stick to helping you."

"All right then! Let's get a move on!"

The remainder of the day was spent roaming around the sector, collecting what Tifa needed. Though along the way the two of them did have to stop back at the apartment for a meal, but other than that everything else seemed to just move rather smoothly.

Zack had done most of the talking between them as he was used to, but slowly Zack saw that Cloud was finally coming around. He was talking more and engaging in more of the conversation so Zack couldn't end up hogging it all.

It was just the light things that they were talking about, as Zack did want to keep it simple. Noting things they saw around the sector or items they were considering buying. There were so many little things to investigate and take a look at, but Zack knew it could all be for another time.

"Besides," Zack continued. "Once we get enough gil we will totally try and get up to Sector 8. Cause you know that is where all the really cool stores are."

"Yeah, that sounds nice. But wouldn't a place up there be more expensive?"

"Oh for sure. But… I wasn't thinking like moving up there. Kunsel probably did enough to get us the place we have now, so I think we should stick here. It would just be for a fun visit if anything."

"Plus we can get to Sector 5 easier from here and see the flowers in Aerith's church," Cloud added.

"You really like those don't you?"

"I can't really explain it… but I felt really relaxed."

Zack smiled. "Okay, I am definitely remembering this time now to make a note that we will visit Aerith tomorrow. I will make sure I can buy as many flowers as you want."

The slightly bit of pink began dusting Cloud's cheeks. "You don't need to do all that."

"Of course I gotta. It's to help you feel better."

"Because when I get better, you're going to train me right?"

Zack blinked as he stared at Cloud for the moment. "Oh, still thinking about that are you?"

"Yeah, cause I really want to train with you. Even if it is just small things."

"I know Cloud, I also think it would be cool. I just don't want anything bad to happen if you got too stressed."

"So!?" Cloud snapped suddenly. "It doesn't have to be like fighting monsters or stuff like that. But can't we at least do running or some exercises? I doubt a jog or something else would stress me out too much."

Zack gapped at Cloud, still completely caught off guard by probably his most coherent moment yet. He tried to find his words but for the moment he seemed to be lost. Cloud was still staring at him with wide and determined eyes, not wanting to give up at all. He wanted to get stronger rather sooner than later and he wasn't just going to sit around and wait.

There was also the fact that Zack honestly knew that he couldn't keep Cloud just sitting contently at home, even if there were fun things to occupy him. Just trying to keep him from danger or anything… it wasn't going to cut it. Zack knew Cloud and he knew that Cloud had a strong heart.

Smiling Zack reached out and placed a hand on top of Cloud's head. "Aw you're right, Spike. I can't keep trying to baby you like this. If you really think you can, we could start doing some morning exercises like how I used to do back when… well you know, when I worked at Shinra."

Cloud's face lit up, a complete switch from the glare he had been sending a moment ago. "Really?"

"Of course, really. I want to keep you safe, that is true, but having your strength up would benefit the both of us," Zack said before slowly ruffling Cloud's hair. "So be prepared first thing in the morning to listen to your drill instructor; Mr. Fair."

Cloud snorted as he pushed away Zack's hand from messing up his hair any further. "And is it really proper for my instructor to be messing with my hair?"

"Well is it really proper for my student to be in love with me?" Zack asked with a light laugh.

Though he had meant it as a fun joke, it seemed to have sapped away all of Cloud's confidence. Now all that was there was his quiet and shy self, with his face slowly turning more and more red by the second. He turned his head away slowly, as if he thought he could hide his face from Zack. But they were just in the middle of the street with no real place to just run off and hide.

Zack stepped closer to Cloud, who was still refusing to look at him at the moment. "Hey… everything all right?"

"Yeah… it's fine."

"Maybe… maybe he is thinking about this more now that he is awake. Thinking about his feelings… just like me? Should I maybe…"

Zack cleared his throat. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Huh?" Cloud finally turned to look at Zack, the redness fading from his cheeks. "Talk about what?"

His usually tick kicked in and Zack was rubbing the back of his neck again. It wasn't that he felt bad about the subject that he was trying to talk about, he just wasn't sure how to go about it. Where could he even start? It all felt so confusing even now. "You know, like us? You and me?"

"O-Oh… I mean if you wanna talk about it…"

"It's just if you got something on your mind, you know you can tell me Cloud," Zack said as he wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "That's what I'm here for."

"I… I don't know how to really give it words," Cloud said. "I just keep thinking about what I already know, and how much better I feel since I have told you."

"Huh, really? You mean, like you really have thought about me like this for a while?"

Cloud nodded his head. "Yeah… I just never said anything cause I never thought it was going to go anywhere. Like… why would a 1st Class have any interest in just some random infantryman?"

Zack could feel his heart twisting slightly. It ached at Cloud's words. He never had thought Cloud would have been so pessimistic, not until he saw how Cloud was when they got to Nibelheim. But that was just because Zack thought the guy was in his hometown and was only an infantryman. He had no idea that it was actually applied to more than just that, and it hurt to know Cloud was that pessimistic about himself.

"Oh Cloud," Zack said before pulling him into a tight embrace. "Never think that it has anything to do with rank. You were still one of my best friends back there. I could spot you out in a crowd even with your helmet on, remember?"

Cloud didn't say anything verbally, but he gave a slow nod instead.

"Plus we aren't working for Shinra anymore. Ranks mean nothing and as I said, it never did. You and I became friends back then because we found something to connect on. I didn't care that you were just an infantryman, you were just another backwater boy like me. So don't you ever think that you aren't worth anything, cause that is never the case."

"Thanks Zack," Cloud whispered softly. "That really helps to hear it."

"You're welcome. Just never forget it, okay?" Zack quickly went to ruffle Cloud's hair as he laughed, knowing it would most likely frazzle Cloud again.

It did as he expected and Cloud scrambled away briefly from Zack, trying to fix his messy spikes. "Hey! C'mon, cut it out."

"What? Seriously? There's no way I will stop messing with your hair. It's way too fun."

Cloud pouted at him, trying to glare, but Zack could see the underlying embarrassment that was building. Eventually Cloud sighed and closed his eyes. "Let's just get back to the bar, okay?"

"Fine fine," Zack said as he shrugged. "But I am totally not going to stop teasing you."

As the two of them walked again Cloud smiled slightly. "I guess I gotta find a way to tease you back."

"Ha! Good luck with that," Zack said as he smiled smugly. "I'd like to see you try."

Thanks to everyone so far for reading this! I am glad you are all enjoying what I have made so far.