FFVII doesn't belong to me, they belong to SE

Life on Standby

Chapter Three: Sandpaper and Silk

He looked around, the think beams of light breaking through the curtains, he smiled lightly throwing his arms into the air, he yawned and started to get up from bed, but something caught his eye, a picture. He squinted his eyes and picked it up, a warm feeling flowing through his body; it was a picture of Aeris and himself, on their first date. She looked so happy, waving to the camera, the white shirt she wore fitting snugly around her curves. Zack stood behind her, both arms around her shoulders giving one of his trademark grins, while his sunglasses sat on his spiky head.

He placed the picture down on his nightstand, he loved her so much, he wanted to marry her, he wanted to have children with her, he wanted to grow old and watch the grandkids with her. He wouldn't know what to do if she left him, just the thought of it broke his heart. He shook his head and headed over to his bathroom.

The locker door slammed shut, Cloud grabbed his duffle bag and made his way out the crowed dressing room. He stopped short of a mirror, he looked at himself and sighed, he wore his faded blue jeans and white t-shirt.

When am I gonna get promoted. I can't stand wearing this outfit, the pants are about two steps from falling apart.

"Hey Cloud, what are your plans for the weekend?"

He looked up, grinning back at him was a young man with a Cheshire Cat grin and dark brown hair falling around his cheeks.

The frail looking blonde shrugged, "I'm going to a bar with Zack tonight and tomorrow I'm gonna have dinner with his girlfriend and him."

The Cheshire Cat man smiled, showing his pearl white teeth, "His girl eh, I hear she's a real looker, a knock out if you know what I mean. Face like an angel, body like a…."

"I'm not interested, she's his girl after all." Cloud pushed his way past the young man, "And besides I have my eyes else were."

"This place is pretty crowed huh?" Zack shouted over the loud rock music over to his smaller friend.

Cloud nodded pushing back some drunk that knocked into him, "Why are we here again?"

"Trying to find your skinny ass a date for tomorrow." Zack laughed roughly and patted his friend on the back.

Cloud looked down, sighing heavily, "I don't want a girl from here."

"Aw come on Cloud, there are tons of hot chicks here," he draped an arm over Cloud's shoulder, "Besides, I don't need you hitting on my girl." Zack gave off another loud laugh.

Aeris walked quietly down the Wall Market, even during the late hours like these, the Market was still filled, it kind of made her uncomfortable, men gawking at her and sneering.

I hope I find Zack, I hate walking here at night.

She quickened her pace, not wanting to be in this place any longer then she had to be, she didn't even know why he called her so late at night.

He sounded kind of drunk to me, Oh god, why is this happening tonight.

After 10 minutes of walking around, she finally found it, 'The Angel Wings'. Aeris shook her head, this was no regular night club.

She was right, this was no regular night club at all, she scanned the smoke filled room, squinting and peering at all the men smoking and drinking, most of them hanging over scantily dressed women.

"Zack!"

She spotted him, he was sitting at the bar, laughing and drinking with three girls giggling and hanging all over him. Aeris held back tears, she stomped over to the bar, all the while getting ready to beat Zack to an inch of his life.

Oh crap.

He noticed her walk into the bar, she looked pissed. He started to get up and walk over to her, sming and holding his arms out, "Angel, these girls are waiting for Clo…."

She gave him her strongest right hook, it wasn't much, but it made her feel better, "Zack, you always do this, always." She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face, "Always, I can't Zack, I can't do this anymore."

She turned away from him, making her way for the door, she suddenly felt his calloused hands on her wrist.

"Aeris" She heard him whisper, "Please let's talk about this."

She rolled over and threw her arm over his naked back, she moved in closer to him and kissed his arm. He stirred in his sleep and rolled over, holding her in his arms, his calloused hands running over her silky back, she tucked her head under his chin, and fell back asleep.

Another chapter, getting closer to the actual plot. Lol, any suggestions will be welcomed. Love for all.

Celest no Tenshi