"I'm a SOLDIER, Your Honor. It's what I do."
Those words passed through the headlines. The badass response combined with pictures of Cloud holding Brandt back from hurting a terrified Garrett and Emilia was everywhere. One couldn't escape from the talk about the incident. Everywhere from news, radio, newspapers, every media outlet covered it all.
To Cloud's horror he gained an official fan base after that stunt. And it was growing by the day. It rivaled the fan bases of the big three and Zack's. Now they were the big five. Cloud wasn't sure if he could really be placed that high in popularity just for stopping Brandt from hurting people.
Larson publicly announced he is refusing to work with Brandt and is pressing charges. Even if he didn't the judge would override his authority and press the charges himself. Larson went on to explain he is relatively fine after being checked out by a doctor. And he is planning to stay on the case as Garrett's attorney.
Not everyone celebrated the break in the trial. For the immediate circle of Cloud and Sephiroth there was growing concern they couldn't quite shake off.
"Zack, did you teach him that hold?" Angeal asked his former pupil.
"Nah. Why?" Zack raised an eyebrow.
"That's the same hold I had Sephiroth in."
"Huh. Maybe Hawke or Seph showed him?"
"I already asked. Neither of them admitted to showing him the technique." Angeal crossed his arms in thought.
"Now you're seeing what I'm seeing." Genesis scoffs. "I'm not paranoid about these things. I know Sephiroth best."
"This still doesn't prove a lot, Gen." Angeal sighed.
"Now hold on. What's going on? What does this have to do with Seph?" Zack placed his hands on his hips.
"Genesis claims Cloud is practically mini Sephiroth. But all I see are similarities." Angeal explained.
"...So I'm not the only one who sees it?" Zack thought he was going crazy.
"You're his mentor. You know Cloud best. What do you see?" Genesis caught on.
Zack shifted his weight. He glanced at the floor as he debated. A part of him knew that if he said anything, there was going to be some sort of debate on an intervention of some kind. But he had seen all of these changes coming a mile away months ago. And Sephiroth brushed him off.
"It all started the day I took him to the church. He had...some sort of dream. He wouldn't say what it was, but after that, I noticed the change in him. It wasn't a lot of changes. Just the little things that bugged me."
"Like what sort of changes?"
"I didn't see the shy and happy go lucky chocobo I first met. I tried to bring it up to Seph. He shut me down for it."
The Commanders exchanged a look.
"This sounds awfully familiar. I tried to bring up the same thing before he graduated into Second Class. Sephiroth wouldn't have it." Genesis explained.
"In your opinion, Zack, how much has Cloud changed?" Angeal inquired gently.
"...I don't see Cloud anymore." Zack bit his lip.
"When did that start?"
"After he and Sephiroth broke Genesis' record." The lieutenant blushed, not wanting the images that lived rent free in his head.
"See! It's not just me, Ange!" The red commander smacked his friend's arm.
"Okay, maybe you're not paranoid, Gen. But I don't know how to go about this. If we all team up against them, I don't see them budging. And we might end up losing their friendship." Angeal ran a hand through his hair.
"I can't risk that being his mentor." Zack frowned.
"So then what are we supposed to do?" Genesis tilted his head in frustration.
"For now? Nothing. Not until we know how to go about approaching them."
And so they did. When they had the time they made sure to gather for special pizza and movie nights. To their relief Cloud seemed more himself. All jokes and smiles as he happily ate homemade pizza.
It came with the realization that when not on duty Cloud was himself. Yet soon as he donned the outfit he was a different person. So there was hope yet for him. Maybe, the others thought, once the trial was over Cloud could fully relax. A lot had changed in a short amount of time that it could be overwhelming for anyone.
They also had to take in mind that Cloud wasn't accustomed to being the center of attention from the press. To know that any mistake he makes will be in the headlines. He learned that the day someone snuck a picture of him and Zack during a private moment. It was a harsh lesson on the reality of how greedy the world can be.
xXx
One day Cloud got a call from Emilia.
"How's it going?" The blond asked.
"Not good. Garrett provided his statement and proof of his story. It lines up with yours perfectly. However, the mako withdrawals are taking a bad hold on him."
"How bad is he?" Cloud frowned.
"He's currently in the intensive care unit. I'm not even sure if he can live long enough to learn his sentence."
"How will this effect the trial?"
"Larson and I are working on a special case of either recording Garrett's full story to show the court, or a video call and his face will be projected on the big screen behind the judge for all to see."
"And Brandt?" Cloud felt his stomach drop.
"He is behind bars for assault. The judge ordered his bond too high from him to pay so he's not getting out. From now on he will be at the trial in handcuffs. And if he acts out again he will be inside a specialized cage."
"Okay." The image of Brandt in a cage somewhat relaxed him.
"I'm going to warn you that when it's time for Larson and I to present evidence, it won't be easy for you. Tseng told me you haven't seen anything from the evidence he already collected that night."
"I think he was worried I would have a meltdown." Cloud bit his lip.
"I need you to be strong. Just because we gained Garrett as an ally and Brandt made it easier for everyone to see he's the real monster, this part of the trial is the toughest. Even if it makes you cry don't be afraid to show it."
"But you told me to never show emotion." Cloud felt like this contradicted the earlier part of the trial.
"That was for cross examination. But if you come off too unbothered by it all, it won't reflect well on your behalf. That doesn't mean put on a big show and be dramatic. Just enough to move their hearts."
"I see your point." The blond understood.
"One more thing. We're pushing for the judge to schedule the next date to be later this month due to the health of Garrett."
"Okay. Anything else I need to prepare for?"
"Just be strong. You're doing great. Let me and Larson handle it from here."
"Okay. Thanks for keeping me updated, Em." Cloud said before hanging up.
"Sounds like he's not doing too good." Zack said from across the table. Of course with mako enhanced hearing he heard the whole conversation.
"Not really. I don't feel bad? Is that normal? I feel like I should feel something for him. But...after what they did, I can't find any sympathy." Cloud wondered.
"I don't see anything wrong. You still forgive Garrett, right?" Zack raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I wouldn't take that back."
"Then you don't have to feel sorry for him. You've already forgiven him. In front of everyone, too. Nothing more is expected from you at that point."
"Okay. I wasn't sure if that was a normal response."
The rest of the "date" went along fine. At the end of it Zack paid for it and they left. Of course they noticed the photographers not completely hidden as they snapped away. They didn't pay them any mind.
"I wish we could go to that peaceful place. Everything has been...a rush. No break. Just chaos." Cloud admits on their walk back to HQ.
"I know, buddy. I know. I miss her, too." Zack sighed.
"I'm sorry you can't go see her. She's not mad at us for the fake dates?" Cloud felt his heart sink at the thought.
"I asked Tseng. He said not to worry. But he did tell me she expects that we both make up for her."
"Both of us? What am I supposed to do?" The blond was bewildered.
"I have no idea. I'm still figuring out what I'm gonna do to be honest."
"How long have you two been together?"
"She's got me whipped real good, Spike." Zack laughed softly.
"What does she like? Maybe one of us take her to a play?"
"Not much into those. She just likes flowers and seeing everyone smile."
"Is the church the only place she grows them?" Cloud wondered.
"Not that I know of?" Zack wasn't sure. But it wouldn't be put past him.
"I think I got an idea. But now the question is, will it be you or me who gives it to her?"
"You since you thought of it." Zack wanted to come up with his own idea.
"You sure? It might overshadow whatever you decide to do for her."
"Trust me, she will know I didn't come up with the idea." His mentor chuckled.
"All right." Cloud began to plan out his idea.
"Hey, Tseng." The blond called the Turk later that evening.
"What is the reason for this call?" For once he sounded annoyed. Was Cloud interrupting a moment?
"Can you help me find where I can buy flower seeds?"
"Flower seeds? What for?" Tseng typed away.
"This is my apology to a certain flower girl." Cloud elaborated just enough for the other man to catch the hint.
"Zack finally told you? She asked me to relay that request months ago."
"And you didn't tell me?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.
"Must have slipped my mind."
"I see why Zack calls you Papa Tseng." The blond chuckled.
"Does he really? Now I just might delay his gift on purpose."
"Please don't. And you didn't hear it from me."
"You can't bargain with me unless I get something out of it."
"How about we surprise the world with a statement from Rufus he wants me as his bodyguard after that display at court?"
"Now you're speaking my language. All right. I will do what I can on my end. Oh, found the shops. I will send you the locations to your phone. Might I add, these are rather expensive."
"Don't tell Seph that I used his card?" Cloud already had it in his hand. Sephiroth was away on a mission. And he remained focused enough not to reach through Cloud's mind. And he hardly used his card so one time use wasn't going to hurt.
"I heard nothing." Tseng was smiling. "You sure you want to buy them yourself? You could be followed."
"I'm going out in a disguise. But uh, can I borrow one of Reno's suits? I think I can fit his size, anyway. Oh, and a wig. I know you Turks must have some for more secretive operations."
"Now this I have to see." Tseng was smirking now.
Within an hours time Cloud left Shinra HQ dressed in a suit and a redhead wig. It was one of those highest quality money could buy. He wondered why they had a red wig lying around when the Turks already had a redhead.
Luckily all the shops weren't too far away. He went through them all, cautiously asking what each flower meant. In the end he chose three. Two packets of the same yellow flowers at the church. Two cattails packets. And two white flowers.
After he purchased them the clerk caught sight of his eyes. The whole procedure Cloud felt that the clerk was eyeing him curiously. But his eyes were recognizable. And combined with his face, it didn't take a lot to figure out.
"You're - "
Cloud raised a finger to his lips. The young lady nods, actually blushing. Silently he collected his bag of flower seeds and left. When he returned to Tseng's office he wrote down a note before placing it in the bag.
"Whenever it's convenient for you." Cloud handed it over.
"Do you wish I handed it to her, or do you trust Reno? My schedule is a bit full for a while." Tseng asked as he accepted the bag.
"Either or." Cloud shrugged.
In the end Reno and Rude dropped by the church. The redhead held out the bag with a smirk. Aerith gleefully accepts and read the note.
I'm sorry for all the drama of keeping your boyfriend to myself. I hope you like these.
Cloud
Aerith smiled at all of the new flowers she could grow. She even had an idea on where to plant them. She looked up to the Turks with a smile.
"Tell Cloud that I love them!" Aerith giggled.
"Will do, toots." Reno smirked.
