Answers to Reviews:

oh kichijitsu: And more you shall have!

OmniStrife: Lol! I'm working on it! Promise! Glad you like it though!

Death-Scimitar: Wow, always with the full reviews! Thanks! Snuffles at your pocket for cookies Lol, you could be my human spelling and grammar checker! Heh, I really appreciate it thanks! Always looking for ways to improve ya know!

Katsura: Thanks! I'm continuing! Promise!

Elie-3173: Glad you like it. I'm quite happy with this one too!

Abbey: Zack rules, pure and simple, I'm glad someone else loves him as much as me!

Now… On with the fic!

Chapter Three

Cloud sat in his living room with the lights off but the blinds open, seeing as that meant actually having to move to close them than move again to switch the light on… Far too much effort for his liking. So he sat in the semi-dark, some yellow light crept into his room from the streetlights outside, the sound of car engines roaring as they went past.

He didn't know why he didn't bother switching on the television, maybe because he couldn't be bothered with that either, or maybe it was the anticipation of the fact that he knew that Zack was coming back.

And why was he anxious about that? Zack was a good guy, he was fun, cheerful, fair, always smiling, there was no reason for him to be nervous at all! But he was, and so, he sat in his living room, waiting in the quiet for his tutor to come and pick up his glasses.

He lazily let his eyes wander to the clock. Six forty-five… maybe Zack wasn't coming after all, and he wondered why he felt a little disappointed at that. Sure he enjoyed spending time with the SOLDIER, but why was he-

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

But then… maybe-

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"All right already!" The blonde cried, he spoke into the intercom "Hello?"

"Hey! Open up will ya kiddo! It's me!"

Cloud smirked at the man's tone; he released the lock and opened his door to find the raved haired SOLDIER doubled over, panting.

"Did I leave my glasses?"

Cloud nodded, stepping out of the way so he could enter. "Living room table."

"Cheers buddy." And he made his way to find said glasses. "Got 'em" He said, brandishing his specs, "Well… guess that's me. Be seeing ya!"

Cloud grabbed the SOLDIER's wrist, who looked down at him, slightly amused, "Do you… wanna stay a while? I can… order dinner or-"

Zack's eyes softened as he looked down at the blonde, slight smile on his face, "You don't seriously want an old guy like me hangin' with ya, do ya?"

Cloud looked down at the floor, letting out a dissapointed sigh, more like a First Class SOLDIER didn't want to hang out with a kid, "If you don't want to, that's okay but-"

"Hey, I never said I dint want to Cloud." Zack answered, his smile growing when Cloud looked back up at him, "Just asking if you really want me to. Didn't think kids would want to be around their teachers..."

Cloud scowled at him, "You said you'd stop calling me that..."

Zack laughed a little, scratching at the back of his head, "Heh heh, oh yeah..." he shook his head, still smile, "'Kay, I'll stay a while if it's what ya want. As long as it's not for extra classes, I don't have my stuff..."

It was Cloud's turn to shake his head, blonde bangs falling into his bright blue eyes, "No... Just wanted someone to stay a while, it gets lonely sometimes..."

Sympathy filled Zack's eyes then. He knew how that felt. And now he had the sudden urge to wrap his arms around the boy, hold him close and murmur warm reassurances onto his soft blonde hair, perhaps rocking him back and forward a little if the fancy took him. But he decided against that. He's pushed his luck enough with that kiss, he wasn't gonna keep pressing at that barrier of luck that seemed to have formed lest it give way and leave him flat on his face.

"Erm... you gonna let go of my wrist?" Yes, he'd opt for the safe option and bring Cloud back to the real world before the contact really did make him embrace the boy.

"Huh... Oh!" Cloud quickly withdrew his hand and - maybe, Zack couldn't see to clearly due to the blonde hair obscuring the boy's face - blushed. "Dinner then?"

Zack nodded, "Sounds good, what were you planning?"

The boy shrugged, "I was thinking of ordering a pizza... Though I could prolly cook something up, depends what I've got..."

Zack blinked, violet eyes wide, "You can cook?"

Cloud made his way over to the kitchen, rummaging in the cupboards, "Well yeah. You didn't think I'd be living off ready meals did you?"

Another unsure laugh and scratch of the back of the head from the SOLDIER, "Well, uh... To be honest, yeah. I mean, allot of people your age do, cuz they're too bust studying n'stuff. So er..."

Cloud laughed, "Just for that, I'm definitely cooking now!" He turned to his tutor, a bag of rice in his hands. "Do you eat rice? Veg?"

Zack nodded, "I'm not fussy, If it's dead and - or edible, I'll eat it."

Cloud smiled, nodding, "'Kay. Go sit n the living room, you can put the TV on if you like."

Zack grinned at him, doing as he was told. He was guest this time after all, best do as he says. He flopped down on the sofa, grabbing the remote and flicking on the television, skipping through the channels but not finding much of interest. Over five hundred channels... and nothing worth watching. Sighing, he left it on one of the rock- music channels, one that didn't play a bunch of noise that some considered music. Zack liked older rock music. Sure, it may have been one, maybe two generations before his time, but hey, that's what he liked. He nodded his head to the beat slightly, humming a little; it was one of his favourites after all. He knew every word and would've sung along, but didn't want to subject his host to that, being tone-deaf sucked.

The scent of Cloud's cooking wafted through to the living room, making Zack's mouth water. He wondered what it was that the little blonde was cooking, well, whatever it was; it smelled great, way better than any of the food he'd ordered in his entire life put together. He was seriously considering asking Cloud to move in with him now. The boy's apartment was so clean! Zack's wasn't exactly a mess but... Okay, yeah it was a mess. He did do his laundry, and always but any dirty clothes in the basket ready to wash... But he never put the clean clothes away. Why bother? He was just going to wear them again anyway... Oh... that's no excuse... I am a busy guy though, so... That's no excuse either. Yip, no help for it, I'm asking him to move in with me. Could use the company actually...

"Hey, smells good!" Zack called to his young blonde friend, who answered with a thank you. Within a few more minutes, the boy was walking into the living room to join his tutor, offering him a plate of rice laced with many vegetables and spices and what looked like chicken. Zack took it gratefully along with a pair of chopsticks as the blonde sat next to him on the sofa. "Hey, is this chicken?" he asked. The meat did look a little dark.

Cloud shook his head, "Duck." he answered.

Zack raised his eyebrows, "Really? Cool! Thanks bud!" and he dug in. Not only did it smell good, it tasted fantastic! He could taste peppers and mushrooms, and maybe a little bit of chilli too. He couldn't quite discern between all the herbs and spices, but there was definitely ginger in there and possibly some lemon grass involved. Zack ate it down ravenously, surprising himself at how hungry he was, when he finished, he took his plate through to the kitchen and rinsed it off, Cloud probably wouldn't let him wash up, so he'd make the boy's job easier. Cloud entered the kitchen to do the same just as he was exiting to the living room.

"Here, I'll get that." Zack told him, reaching for the plate.

"No, it's okay, I'll-"

"No, I insist, you cooked that lovely meal I should at least do my part."

"Zack I-"

"Look, just go relax, 'kay? I'll clean up."

Cloud let out a little sigh, "Fine. If you're going to be stubborn."

Zack gave him one of his winning smiles, "I am. Now you go sit, I'll be through soon."

So Zack took the dishes from the worktop and submerged them in the bowl of hot water full of soapy suds. His mind turning over the idea of asking the boy to come live with him. He knew for a fact he'd have to, for the whole looking after of his apartment and cooking thing, and for the company, but it would also help with Cloud's studies, so all the books he's need would be available at any time. Trouble was, how to word his request without sounding as though he was a guy asking his girlfriend to come live with him before he proposed to her... hmm... he'd have to think on that.

But, at that thought, Zack questioned if those reasons were the only ones. Was that really all? Or did he just want to be closer to Cloud for more... personal reasons? No, the boy was his student, that was grounds he did not tread on if he wanted to keep his job, the kiss shouldn't have happened. Luckily, Cloud had been asleep. But that wasn't the case now. If Cloud said yes to his request - and Zack whole heatedly wished he would - he'd have to wipe his head of any ideas of a relationship that went passed friendship before things got him in trouble. Yeah that would work.

But, since Zack was caught up in his own little world, he didn't notice a playful feeling Cloud sneak up next to his right side. As Zack turned to the left a little to place the now clean plate on the draining board, Cloud scooped up some soapy bubbles into his hand and quickly darted behind his tutor, standing up on his tip toes then throwing the bubbles down the back of his shirt.

"Ack! Cloud!"

Cloud stepped back to a safe distance and giggled, smiling at his tutor, "Hey Zack!" he said cheerily.

"Why you-" Zack growled and scooped up some 'ammunition' of his own, giving the blonde a grin full of mischief.

"Eep." Cloud darted out of the kitchen.

Zack laughed and gave chase, eventually catching up and pinning the boy to the floor, rubbing the bubbles on his face. Being careful to avoid the eyes of course!

"Okay okay! I give! You win!"

Zack smirked at him, "Now you know better than to throw bubbles down my back, ne?"

"Yes!" Cloud cried, still half laughing, "Now gerroff!"

Zack smiled, getting to his feet and offering the boy his hand. Cloud took it and Zack pulled him to his feet, violet eyes meeting bright blue. They lingered there for a while, probably longer than they should, hand still in wrapped around Cloud's.

"Zack?" Cloud sounded a little breathless, but his voice was a little high pitched with curiosity.

"...Cloud." This is it. It's now or never. "Wanna come live with me?"

Ooh I'm evil... heh heh heh... XD R'n'R please!