"Okay, I said talk to him. I didn't think that talking would lead to you two getting together." Zack knew the moment he awoke the next day.

He walked out to the pair snuggling on the couch together. Evidently Sephiroth had called out for the day. He informed his new lover that he wouldn't do this often, however he will make the very rare exceptions. The pair looked up at Zack who eyed them with hands at his hips.

"Don't tell me you're taking your word back. Again." Sephiroth narrowed his eyes.

"Of course not. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you guys. It's just maybe going a little too fast for my liking." The lieutenant sighed in defeat.

"You sound like Angeal." Cloud made the connection. He turned to his lover curiously. "Is that why Angeal made you so grumpy? He said he talked to you about me, but wouldn't say what."

"Don't dwell on it. It's in the past. So long as he sees what he did wrong."

"I assure you that he did." Zack chimed in. "I was the one who told you he apologized to Cloud."

"I remember." Sephiroth knew at some point or another Angeal will find the time to apologize to his face. His friend was always personal when it came to these things. The man would rather say it face to face than over message or call.

"Anyway! I suppose this means you have today off, Seph?" Zack took a hazard guess.

"For the moment. I did inform Lazard if something came up then he is free to call me." Sephiroth doubted anything will.

"Well, there goes my plans." The lieutenant groaned.

"What do you mean?" Cloud tilted his head.

"I kinda wanted to finally get a start in your training. You've got a lot of catching up to do and eventually, I would like you to join me during my missions." Zack bit his lip. "But, since Seph over here has requested time off, then we can start tomorrow instead."

"Training?" Cloud perked up at the idea.

"No, no. It can be pushed back another day. But I will be working your ass twice as hard for it. Understood?" Zack crossed his arms in a poor attempt to be all serious.

"Yes, Sir!" The blond flashed a grin.

Zack felt his heart tug at the sight. How long had it been since he seen his pupil smile? Damn. If he had known the relationship could have given Cloud the extra boost into his recovery he would have encouraged it a lot sooner.

"Anyways, not saying I don't love you guys, but I hate being the third wheel. So I'm gonna go spend the day with my special someone. It's been a minute." In truth Zack didn't want to feel any sort of jealousy.

Seeing them snuggling together on the couch made Zack finally come to terms that he may have a small crush on Cloud. But he always pushed it aside because one, he was in a committed relationship with Aerith. She was too special to him to give up for someone else. And two, he realized a while ago he couldn't provide everything that Cloud needed.

Thirdly, Zack felt that even though it was a harmless crush, and he did put a stop to anything happening, he still felt as if he betrayed Aerith. And a sense of guilt washed over him. He knew it was stupid to be worried about. But he always prided in himself as loyal.

Zack quickly dressed himself in his uniform. He doubly made sure his wallet and phone was placed in a hidden pocket. Then he made a quick exit, waving goodbye to his two best friends. Whether they noticed his change of behavior the lieutenant didn't care. All that mattered to him was finally seeing Aerith.

The train ride felt slower than usual. When it was his stop Zack aimlessly bounded his way over to the church. When he entered she looked up from the flower bed.

"You're here! They said you would come any day now." Aerith smiled, gesturing to the flowers.

"They did, huh?" Zack chuckled. "Well, they're not wrong."

"Is everything all right? You look heartbroken." Nothing escapes Aerith.

"It's...been a tough few weeks. Have I told you about my pupil?"

"You mean Cloud? The little chocobo you proudly proclaimed made it into the SOLDIER program last time we spoke? What about him? Is he okay?"

"Well, things are looking up for him finally. But uh, he wasn't doing so good at first." Zack bit his lip.

"Tell me everything from the beginning. I feel like we're gonna be here for a while."

And so Zack told her everything. He didn't go into specific details he knew of the case. He didn't know a lot to begin with. Zack focused onto the difficult part of Cloud's recovery. He didn't hide the fact Cloud sought out physical comfort once. But once Zack set the boundaries the blond didn't try again.

Then he spoke about how Sephiroth became an important figure in Cloud's life. Zack had a bit more excitement in his voice as he recounted the way they fought. It was nothing like he had ever seen before, and he expressed he felt great pride that his pupil could give Sephiroth a run for his money.

He moved onto the night where Sephiroth nearly lost himself and almost killed Cloud's abuser. He didn't forget the detail that he and Cloud were staying in Sephiroth's suite this time. He explained how horrified he was as he listened into the conversation since he put his phone on speaker.

And to his amazement Cloud did it. He talked Sephiroth out of killing the man. Angeal's quick thinking had saved the SOLDIERs life. However his mentor said something to Sephiroth that upset him. Zack knew it soon as the general grew withdrawn from everyone.

Zack didn't go into much detail over Angeal apologizing to Cloud. He simply said that his old mentor realized his mistake the day he finally met Cloud. But it was the inspiration for Zack to finally grow a backbone and talk to Lazard behind Sephiroth's back and took his place for the next mission.

"And wanna know what I come home to? Those two. Snuggled up together on the couch." Zack didn't mean for his tone to come out that intense. He bit his lip as he came to terms that he knew Aerith would notice.

"That's a good thing. Isn't it? How come it doesn't make you happy?" She placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Because seeing them together made me realize..."

"Realize what?" Aerith tilts her head. "You can take your time."

"It made me realize that I had a crush on Cloud! And then - then I felt horrible with myself." Zack was shaking.

"Why is that?"

What? Shouldn't she be mad? Didn't she understand?

"Because I feel like I betrayed you." His voice broke as he answered.

"But you didn't betray me." Aerith placed her hand on his cheek as a tear escaped him. He looked at her with tear filled eyes and he couldn't hold them back anymore.

Aerith pulled him into a hug. Zack cried onto her shoulder. Reluctantly he raised his arms to wrap around her in return. He felt like he didn't deserve her at all.

"You said you stopped him from going any further. You set the boundary. He respected it. And now he's found his person. You didn't betray me, Zack."

"But...but what about my crush?" He sniffed.

"Oh, please. It's a harmless crush. You didn't act out on it. Instead you set a boundary and left him be."

"I still don't understand?" Zack couldn't see how she can be be calm about all of this.

"You said you felt horrible at the realization that you had a crush on him, right?"

"Yeah." Zack nodded, wiping away his tears.

"Then you're fine! Your heart reacted with the thought of me first. Now do you have any regrets stopping him when he felt you up?"

"No! I'm happy for them. They're my best friends." Zack shook his head.

"See? You're not a horrible person. You thought of me when he crossed a boundary. And you thought of me again when you realized you had a harmless little crush on him. As long as your heart only thinks of me, then I don't care for anything else."

He really didn't deserve this gem of a woman. Still Zack cracked a smile. Relief flooded through him as his worries and anxieties washed away. Aerith was the only one to have this effect on him. And this is why he couldn't break it off with her for Cloud.

"Thanks, Aerith. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime. You know where to find me." She winks. Then she pulls away to place her hands on her hips. "One of these days you better introduce us. I would really like to see for myself the man who almost stole you away from me."

Zack busted up laughing. He couldn't help it. Even when she was being all jealous and serious she was too cute.

"He's too focused on Sephiroth to try me again, Aerith." He assured. "But one of these days I will. I think you're gonna love him."

"As a friend I hope. Four people together is a little too much for my tastes. Too much work keeping everyone happy."

Zack actually choked. His cheeks blushed brightly and she smiled. This was the second time in her book that Aerith got him to blush so deeply.

"You mean you wouldn't have minded him joining us?" He stammered out.

"Hmm. After I get to know him a little more. Then I would have considered it." She smiled coyly. "I consider three a perfect number. It just means more fun!"

"Aerith!" Zack was close to having a heart attack.

Together they laughed the hardest they have ever laughed in a while. They spent the day together talking away about anything and everything. Then as the sun began to set, they dreaded for the minute he had to leave.

"But seriously, you're enough for me. And I hope I'm enough for you." She turned to him with all seriousness.

"Of course you are. You're my always." Zack flashed a grin.

"Good. Oh, before you leave, here's two flowers for the new couple. They have my blessing." Aerith handed him a white and yellow flower.

"What? But you haven't even met either of them!" This was a first for her.

"Doesn't matter. You've explained them in great detail that it feels like I've met them through you. Oh, and you better keep your promise that you will introduce me to Cloud."

"Tell you what, when the opportunity rises and we got time, I'll bring him down here." Zack accepted the flowers.

"Good! Now shoo before you miss your train and you're stuck here." Aerith giggled.

Zack left the Sector 5 Slums feeling a whole lot better about himself. He even carried a bounce in his step. When he entered the suite with the flowers, he was humming along to himself.

"Welcome home! Whoa, are those real?" Cloud greeted cheerfully. He of course noticed the flowers first.

"Yep. Courtesy of Sector 5 Slums Flower Girl! She sends these as her blessing to the two lucky couple." Zack grabbed a tall glass to use as a vase and poured water in it.

"You told her about us?" Sephiroth grew concerned.

"Relax, she's not one to gossip. If it makes you feel any better she's under the Turks protection. Oh and uh, don't tell anyone that you know I'm with her? It took ages to finally get onto Papa Tseng's good side that I'm good enough for her."

"I can imagine how that conversation went." The general chuckled at the image as he softened up with the idea that someone knew outside of their small circle.

"Several, actually. And yeah, it's about as well as you think." Zack placed the flowers inside the glass and put them on the counter for everyone to see.

"What finally got him to accept you?" Cloud wanted to hear the story.

"Uh...actually I still think he's butthurt. But I'm not one to listen sometimes and he eventually gave up telling me off."

"Tseng giving up? That's news to me." Sephiroth didn't believe giving up was in the Turk's vocabulary.

"Right? Anyways, so, how was everyone's day? Anyone hungry? Cause I'm starving! How about I whip up something special? It's time we celebrate!" Zack couldn't contain himself. He was already grabbing an apron and began to sort through the fridge and cabinets to gather inspiration on what to make.

"Is he always like this?" Cloud turned to the general.

"There is a reason why he's called the Puppy."