Not If You Ignore Me for a Week- Chapter Five: Thursday
Disclaimer: Me broke. Me no own wonderful Final Fantasy VII, all belong to Square Enix and their wonderful creators. I also do not own the Armani clothesline. And the bit about "getting his hair done by Peter"? That belongs to my dad.
Title: Not If You Ignore Me for a Week
Pairing: Zack/Cloud
Genre: Humor/Romance
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Yaoi, maybe some language,
Author's Note: Here's Chapter Five of 'Not If You Ignore Me for a Week', hope ya'll like it so far! Alright, it's the day after the exam. What are they gonna do? OMFG! 60 total reviews! I'm am soooo on a high! Sorry for the almost-latness of the chapter. I was at my mothers. BTW, does anyone watched Rockstar: Supernova? If you do, make sure to vote for Lukas Rossi! He rocks.
Dedicated to my wonderful beta, OmniStrife, author of Zack/Cloud story, Collide.
"Good morning to my possible new comrade!" Zack said brightly when Cloud wandered into the kitchen the next morning, dressed back in his new and freshly cleaned clothes. His hair was a mess as always and Zack was reminded of the night before when he gave Cloud that ever so chaste kiss.
Cloud raised a brow and sat down at the table. He yawned and looked warily at whatever it was that Zack was trying to cook. A knock came at the door and then it opened. Sephiroth walked in and his eyes went from Cloud to Zack who was attempting to cook.
He spun around on a booted heel. "I'm leaving."
Zack turned the stove down. "Aww… come on Seph! I promise I can at least make pancakes! Aerith taught me!" Sephiroth raised an eyebrow.
"Zachary, you didn't even know there was a kitchen until Cloud made you dinner." The General looked at Cloud and the recruit patted the stool next to him, smiling half-heartedly. "Cloud seems to think that it can't be that bad."
Cloud leaned over to the General and cupped his hand over his mouth, whispering into his ear, "It's actually quite horrible. But I'm humoring him and dragging you along with me." Sephiroth sighed and rolled his eyes.
Zack blinked. "Y-you got him to speak!" He exclaimed and ran towards Cloud. "Spike! Will you talk to me?"
Cloud picked up the bottle of milk and poured himself a glass. He looked towards Sephiroth and hid a smile. Sephiroth looked over Cloud's spiky hair and gave Zack a look. "I highly doubt he will, Zachary. Give him some time."
Sephiroth stood up and walked over to the kitchen, salvaging what was left of the pancakes and handing them to Cloud who looked at them warily before scarfing them down, leaving one for Zack who ate it, savoring the taste. "Zachary, come here." The raven-haired SOLDIER wandered over to him and looked up at his friend with a raised brow.
"What is it Seph?"
"Take Strife out for a day. You want him to forgive you, don't you?" Sephiroth asked and Zack nodded. The General pushed him towards the door. "Just talk."
Zack wrapped his arm around Cloud's waist and the blonde suddenly had a blush on his cheeks. "Alright Cloud. Let's go out." He opened the door and walked out, leaving Sephiroth in their apartment.
Cloud looked at Zack for a moment but then the raven-haired SOLDIER opened the door and stuck his head back in. "Oh, Seph?"
Sephiroth looked over from the television. "What?"
"Wanna know something about Spike?" Cloud's eyes widened when he realized just what Zack was going to say. He jumped on his so-called best friend's back and tried to close Zack's mouth.
Sephiroth smirked and sat up a bit straighter, still lounging on the large couch. He made it look like a simple chair. "Now I'm interested."
"Cloud is…" He struggled with the hands on his lips. "He's circumcised!" Cloud gave a dismayed moan and slumped against Zack's back, blushing as red as a tomato. Sephiroth's eyes grew wide and he choked on the air, shaking his head.
"And how do you know this Zachary?" Cloud took the moment to close the door and drag Zack away from their room. Zack laughed at Cloud's red and embarrassed face.
"You know, now he's going to think that I know from personal experience," Zack said cheekily and Cloud's face flushed again and he slowed down, unconsciously not letting Zack's hand go. Zack didn't mind. In fact, he drew the blonde closer to him as they walked outside towards the hill where all of this had begun.
"Sit down with me." Zack pulled Cloud down between his legs and Cloud struggled for only a minute until he realized that he couldn't break the hold of the SOLDIER. He sighed and sat between those long legs, ankles crossed and arms crossed over his chest. Zack sighed and rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around the blonde and bringing him closer.
"Look Cloud, I know that you're still pissed with me about last Sunday but I just want you to know that I'm really sorry and since today you're still ignoring me, I'm going to take this time to hold my favorite lovely blonde and just talk about things that you probably never knew about me."
Cloud sighed and relaxed just a bit against Zack's chest. It felt good to be held like this, wrapped up in safe, strong arms. His eyes traced the defined biceps of the combat expert and mentally compared them to the lean and sinewy arms of his own.
"But, since I know that you don't want to listen to me ramble on and on about something that you're not interested in, I'm going to start just naming off topics. Squeeze my hand once for no, twice for yes." He entwined his fingers with Cloud's and the blonde relaxed a bit more, leaning against Zack's chest lightly.
Zack looked across the plains of the empty area where the training facility was and rested his chin on Cloud's shoulder. "What would you want to know? About Gongaga?" Cloud's fingers gently squeezed his hand and Zack beamed, receiving a reaction from the blonde. "Maybe just about me?" A tentative double squeeze and Zack scooted back a bit, bringing Cloud with him.
The recruit moved with him and Zack settled against the tree, letting the blonde fully relax against him. "Now I'm going to have to find a way to have a one way conversation with myself," Zack mused aloud and the arm that was wrapped around Cloud's waist tightened a bit and moved his thumb across the others' hand. "Let's see… I'll start when I was living in Gongaga.
"I lived down in the slums of Gongaga, but of course the slums were nothing compared to the slums of Midgar where Aerith lives. I was stuck in a one-room home with my parents and baby sister. My father worked some shady jobs that I never bothered to find out about and my mother worked in the nearby sewing factory. I stole what I could." Zack chuckled. "Imagine that, a little me running around, stealing."
Cloud hid a smile. The image of a young ten-year-old Zack smeared with dirt and that ever-bright smile was just too adorable. His blue eyes fell to Zack's hand that was clasped within his own. He gave it two squeezes, hoping that Zack got his message of, "Tell me more even though I'm ignoring you."
Zack chuckled, the sound rumbling against Cloud's back. "Alright, alright. I'll keep talking." He rested his head back on Cloud's shoulder. "Now… where was I? Oh, yes, my stealth days. Well, anyway, that was my life until I turned seventeen. That's when I decided that I couldn't just stay in the slums forever, so one night, I packed up and moved out of Gongaga, leaving just a note to my parents that I was going to join SOLDIER.
"I arrived here, a scrawny little thing with clothes that had been my fathers. The only thing I had with me was my Buster Sword. While I had been steeling down in the slums, I met my mentor, Avalon. Scary old man, beat the shit out of me more often than not. 'Course, I really don't remember much cause his fist was always smacking me around…" Zack trailed off, tapping his finger against Cloud's waist. "But, he's the one who gave me his own Buster Sword, he's the one who created it and the only reason he could even use it was because he used to be the General of the army, the first of Hojo's experiments."
Zack resisted the urge to nibble on Cloud's ear, thinking said blonde would slap him silly for attempting even such a thing. Cloud pinched Zack's hand, snapping him back into reality and the SOLDIER pulled his tongue back into his mouth, wondering when it had developed a mind of its own.
"Uh, sorry there Spike. Got distracted for a moment," Zack coughed and righted himself, scolding his tongue for wandering like that. "Well, when I came here Sephiroth was already General. I have no idea how he managed to do that. He doesn't speak that much even to me. So, I got pushed through the same treatment as you, even got Sergeant O'Reily as my sergeant. Became his star student, that I did.
"Then SOLDIER exams came around and Sephiroth walked up to me outside of the forest. I acted as scared as you did when you first met him," Zack teased, shaking Cloud a bit. The blonde flushed and turned his head away, keeping his eyes lowered. That long pale neck was revealed to Zack again and he stifled a moan. "He told me that he was there to watch me and see if I lived up to what he had already thought of me."
There was a break in which Zack took a moment to reminisce how that meeting with Sephiroth had gone. He had only said that he was afraid when he met Sephiroth because he knew how scared and terrified Cloud had been when he had run into the famous General when trying to get to class in the morning. How he met Sephiroth was at the SOLDIER exam forest.
"So, you're the great General Sephiroth that everyone talks about?" Zack asked, raising a raven eyebrow. He looked Sephiroth up and down. "You have great hair, the leather looks hot and that sword is taller than any man I've seen…" Zack stopped in front of the General and grinned, sticking his hand out.
"We were never properly introduced! I'm Zachary Wolfe, but I prefer Zack," he said, grinning that ever to be famous grin. I love the last name! Fits very well.
Sephiroth's gloved hand slowly shook his own. "Nice to meet you, Zachary." He turned towards the forest. "Do you plan on going in there or are you going to talk all day?" He added a taste of venom to his words.
Zack didn't even notice it. He just shrugged his shoulders. "Nah… I don't really feel like it. I mean, I know I got to go and get in there just to even know what class I am, but I'm way too damn lazy to march all the way through there."
Sephiroth blinked. Who is this kid? He's not even cowering in fear like the rest of the annoying recruits! Even the SOLDIERS and Shinra's peons aren't particularly unafraid of me. He shook his head and gently pushed Zack towards the woods. "I don't care if you fall asleep right at my feet. I'll kick you rolling all the way to the clearing if I have to."
Zack looked up at him with a grin. "Really? You do care!" He jumped on the SOLDIER, grinning at the almost surprised look on Sephiroth's face. Zack jumped back down and rubbed his chin. "Hmm… that freaked you out. Well, get used to it. I'm a naturally clingy, friendly and sometimes hyperactive person. But, I promise not to jump on you unless it has a good reason to back it up."
Sephiroth coughed and pulled out Masamune, pointing towards the forest. "Get in there now before I make you myself." A roar echoed from the forest and Zack was back on him. "Private, get off me," he growled, shoving the recruit off him. "What was the reason behind that?"
Zack's eyes flashed hurt for just a moment before he shook it off. "The reason was that I was scared," he said and grabbed the plain and simple sword he had had stashed underneath his bunk back in the barracks. "Fine, fine. Come on, I have to make quick time if I want to make second class."
He disappeared into the foliage, though the General could still see him. He sighed and walked foreword, mumbling underneath his breath, "It's just my luck that I would end up with a recruit that's hyperactive, not afraid of me and likes to jump on me for any reason."
A squeeze on his hand snapped him out of his daze and Zack laughed, pecking Cloud's lips almost unconsciously. The blonde jerked back as if burned and Zack blinked, face still inches from Cloud's from when he had been pulling back. He hid his curse, he hadn't meant to do that! "Cloud?" The blonde jerked out of his arms and jumped back, shaking his head.
Zack got up, cursing his mind. Just when things were going great, he was even bonding with Cloud and telling him all about him times as a recruit, he had to go and scare the kid off. "Cloud, look, I'm sorry," he tried, failing miserably.
Cloud took a look at him and the hard exterior he had on crumpled a bit at the look of hurt and rejection that had plastered itself to Zack's face. He turned his head and jogged back towards the building, mind racing at a hundred miles a second.
Why had Zack done that? His mind feverishly asked. Why did he kiss me like that? I thought he saw me only as a friend! Unless… His mind flashed to the night before when he had woken up in the large blue and violet bed with his yellow chocobo clasped in his arms, touching his lips with curiosity. Had Zack been there last night?
He pushed the heavy metal and glass doors open, walking into the long empty hallways. Everyone that had taken the exams were probably celebrating in Midgar's rowdiest bars, waiting until Saturday evening for the results to be posted.
He walked into the gym and sat on the bleachers, placing his head in his hands. His heart and mind were both a jumble of emotions at the moment. He was still in his Ignore Zack for a Week pose and couldn't possibly just drop that. He was still angry with Zack! If Zack really liked him, would he have skipped out practice and ignored him just to go drinking with his sometimes friends?
Cloud choked back a sob as he realized just what the matter with him was. He couldn't really like Zack that much, could he? He wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his head into the dark cloth that smelt so much like Zack's spicy aftershave. I mean, I could like him more than a friend, couldn't I? I've known him long enough, he's always there for me…
What about Tifa? A traitorous voice in the back of his mind snapped. What about the so-called "undying love" you thought that you had for her?
That was different! I actually thought I liked her! Cloud snapped back at his mind. She was just a girl who I thought I could somehow woo with my SOLDIER skills and rank! She's probably already paired up with some Nancy boy who wears Armani suits and gets his hair done by Peter!
Calm down, chocobo. I'm just wondering about the sanity of this part of your mind. Just, what do you really feel for Zack? Is he just the friend you've always wanted but never had, or is he the guy that you wouldn't mind coming home to after a mission and having hot, wild and steamy sex in the hallway? I choose option B. XD
Cloud's face flushed deeply at that thought. Though, he couldn't lie to himself. The sex in the hallway part had actually occurred to him more times than he would have liked to count. His dreams even acted out a few of them.
The sex sounds nice, but, really… Cloud suddenly snapped back to himself and he groaned aloud. I'm talking to myself about my feelings for a psychotic, hyperactive SOLDIER who just kissed me. Great.
Isn't that a lovely thought.
Shut up. Nothing else came from the corner of his mind and Cloud got up, shaking his head with another groan. "I really, really, need this week to end before I start having arguments with my mind… wait, I already did." He sighed in defeat and walked towards the door.
"Cloud!" Ken called, jogging down the hallway. Cloud smiled. "O'Reily called in another practice tomorrow! Says we can't let our skills go to waste." Cloud groaned and hung his head. "He wants me to find Colonel Zack and tell him too."
"Alright, see you tomorrow," Cloud muttered and dragged his feet back to the apartment.
"What are you doing out here alone?" Sephiroth asked as he walked up behind Zack. The raven-haired SOLDIER turned halfway and gave a grim smile.
"I'm beginning to wonder if my MCHAMMER operation is going as scheduled. It seems as if I'm teasing myself more than annoying him." Sephiroth kneeled down next to his friend.
"What did you do today?"
"I was talking about my life when I got here and somehow I ended up planting a big kiss on his lips. Really freaked him out too," Zack grunted and crossed his arms. "I really screwed up, Seph."
"I doubt that," Sephiroth said after a moment. "You told me that you were confused. Have you ever thought that he is too?" Zack was silent. "Remember, you still have time to make up to Cloud. He's going to ignore you for a while too."
Sephiroth got up just as Ken ran down towards Zack. "Sir! Sergeant O'Reily wishes you to come to our final training practice tomorrow in the morning to survey the students."
Zack smiled. "Thanks, Ken."
Ken nodded and ran off. Sephiroth looked out over the setting sun and Zack sighed. A lot of time had passed and he didn't even know it. There was a very comfortable silence before Zack got up and slipped his hands into his pockets. He smiled softly. "Hey, Seph?"
Sephiroth turned to face him, getting ready to leave. "Yes?"
Zack laughed softly and turned his head away. "I… I guess I really do love him."
Okay… how about that? And to all my lovely reviwers; Sycaria-Lynx, Beatrix Ravenclaw, yukiislikesnow, SnarkyKat (well, you'll just have to wait and find out), In-the-Darkness-of-Hearts, tina, ali, oh kichijitsu, Andrea Roberts (You don't happen to like Jak and Daxter, do you?), For-Better-, Nyoko Iso (LOG IN!), kingdomhearts222, Heir To The World, Kokoro.Karazu, The person you can't rememb...(Thanks for the roses!), Artemis, Alatus.
And note, there will be alemon. I was asked about it and there will be a lemon. A very nice one!