"I take it you saw the news with the amount of times you called me." Tseng greeted.
"What the hell was that?" Cloud demanded.
"Rufus was doing what he does best, turning the situation around."
"In whose favor?" The blond was suspicious.
"You suspect ulterior motives." The Turk caught on.
"And? You haven't lied to me yet. Do I have good cause to worry?"
"I can assure you it's neither of them."
"Can you? Tell me one hundred percent and I'll drop it." Cloud pressured.
This time the doubt began to show as Tseng hesitated. As the silence ticked to a full minute the blond sighed.
"Knew it. So which one is it?" Cloud asked.
"I have been by Rufus' side since your departure."
"How do I know you're just trying to keep me as a friend and not an enemy?"
"You're getting increasingly paranoid."
"Look around! Can you blame me? Was all that talk that Rufus promises to keep the peace all lies? How can I trust them when they've lied to my face in order to keep me away from Sephiroth for so long? And you, but so far you're the only one showing effort to make it up to us."
"It isn't Rufus. But I don't think it's Lazard either. Not with the way he was shocked on live television." Tseng held his ground.
"But you can't rule him out?" Cloud countered.
"I am a Turk. I can't rule anything out."
"...Fine. I'll give you that. By the way, since I have you on the phone, I'm accepting the stupid name. And I'm coming back to fill in Lazard's old seat. I'm taking my time away to restructure the department." Cloud informed.
"That's...mature of you. I am actually surprised." Tseng hadn't expected this at all.
"Any ideas who will be taking Heidegger's seat?" Cloud asked.
"We are currently looking at all possible candidates. Since you are planning to return and accept the name, you will now have a say on the matter. I will be keeping you informed about all of the candidates." It was like a switch turned on with Tseng, as he was now addressing an heir of Shinra.
"Please do. Oh, I'm going to need to find someone to train alongside me to eventually take over as Director. If my ideas work and Soldier is improved, I will step down and continue my Soldier career."
"We have candidates for that department if you're interested to look at them."
"I will be doing my own search, thanks. Oh, one last thing. Can you do me one little favor?"
That evening on the news there was quite a stir. While Cloud wasn't showing himself to the press just yet, he allowed a few choice words to be released on his behalf.
"Youngest brother and new heir to Shinra, Cloud Shinra, has released the following statement: General Sephiroth and I are doing fine. We aim to come back to work when we're both ready. After some consideration I will be taking President Lazard's old seat. There will be plans to change the structure of Soldier as a whole. Once the changes are in place and the department runs smoothly, I will step down as director and return to my regular duties as Soldier. Thank you all for the support of meeting my destined heart."
"You didn't inform your brothers about this?" Genesis asked.
"Nope. I told Tseng to keep it quiet. I think he agreed just to see the shock on their faces." Cloud smirked.
"A taste of their own medicine. Perhaps it's the antidote that they needed." Angeal commented.
Cloud's phone rang. He checked the name and saw that it was Tseng. Although he was suspicious, he answered anyway.
"Hello, brother." He greeted.
"How did you know?" Rufus was slightly taken off guard.
"Because you know I will answer for Tseng but not you."
"Then why answer anyway?"
"To see what it is you have to say when you were told not to contact me."
"You just want me to get in trouble." Rufus huffed.
"Maybe that too. So, is this a complaint? Or are you gonna pull the whole I shouldn't have done that without consulting you first?" Cloud was getting bored of this.
"Neither. I called to say I'm proud of you."
"What?" Cloud frowned.
"No tricks. I swear on Tseng's life." Rufus replied. "You took your own initiative without our guidance. Although I wish we could have had some warning beforehand. But you have made it known you're aligned yourself with us. So I will allow this slip to pass."
"Like you can do anything." Cloud scoffed.
"Oh? Are you hiding behind Sephiroth?"
"No. I know I can beat your ass in a fight." The younger declared with confidence.
"Hmm. I wonder that. We might have to schedule a mock fight and see for ourselves." Rufus was curious.
"Let's do it. But, it will have to be after I'm done with my duties as director." Cloud remained confident.
"Curious to see the changes you will bring in effect. Anyway, I feel like I've taken enough of your time. I bid you goodnight. I won't pull this trick again unless it's an emergency." Rufus promised before hanging up.
"Was it Rufus?" Sephiroth noticed the change of tone Cloud used in comparison to talking to Tseng.
"Yeah. He said he was proud of me." Cloud relayed.
"And yet you guys sounded like you two want to fight?" Zack raised an eyebrow.
"Just testing which of us is stronger." The blond assured.
"I'm betting on Cloud!" Zack exclaimed.
"You haven't even seen either of them in action." Angeal chuckled.
"And? I see talent in there."
"For a second, you sound like you want to mentor him." Genesis commented.
"I mean...why not? If Angeal graduates me faster I can apply to be his mentor." Zack shrugged.
"What?" Cloud was taken aback. "What talent do you even see? I haven't even been on a mission with you or anything."
There were curious reactions from the others. Angeal had a mix of concern and curiosity. Genesis was more guarded, but the tilt of his head showed that he was shocked. Sephiroth was just as guarded, but his eyes shared the same sentiments as Angeal.
"Why do you think so lowly of yourself?" Zack asked what everyone thought.
"All I've got going for me is what family I come from and somehow being paired with Sephiroth." Cloud had a tug of a frown.
"Come now, give yourself more credit." Genesis encouraged. "I usually have a good eye for talent. I knew something about you was special when we met."
"But you've never seen me in action?" The blond pointed out.
"We don't have to. It's the way you carry yourself. We've been around long enough to see talent when we see it." Angeal added.
"How do I carry myself?"
"Well, this will be interesting. Zack, if you do end up mentoring him, you've got your work cut out." Genesis commented.
"I don't understand?" Cloud was at a loss.
"You carry yourself with confidence, and yet you think lowly of yourself. That's quite an odd combination." Angeal elaborated. He turned to Sephiroth. "You might be able to help him better with that."
"I can try. But some help would be appreciated. If he's comfortable with that, anyway." The general knew he wasn't the best to inspire people.
"I guess? I get the feeling you guys would do it anyway." Cloud shrugged.
"Right you are! So, shall we finish both bottles tonight? We did kinda go a little tame last night. But since this is our final night, let's get wild!" Zack decided a change in topic.
It was incentive enough for them to get a little crazy. While the previous night they took to drinking slowly, this night was different. And Zack egged Cloud on maybe a little too much.
They were like two peas in a pod. Not entirely walking straight, yet they still managed to keep balance. A few times they mixed up their words. More than one occasion they finished each other's sentences.
"You would think these two would be paired by the Goddess." Genesis commented with humor.
"Don't start, Gen." Angeal sent him a look.
They both glanced at Sephiroth. He made a point to ignore them. His focus was mainly on the younger two anyhow.
"I think it's time for bed." Sephiroth intervened when the two young men began to have this great idea to try and swim while possibly black out drunk.
"Aww! But we haven't even got into the water yet!" Zack pouted.
"No. I will not risk your lives." Sephiroth remained stern as he gathered Cloud in his arms.
The blond nuzzled his face into the general's chest. He realized in that moment how cold Cloud felt. And Sephiroth hoped he wouldn't get sick from this.
"Do keep the puppy from breaking anything." Sephiroth advised Angeal.
"Will try my best." The commander sighed.
Soon as Sephiroth carried Cloud into their bedroom, the blond began to feel the general all over. He studied Cloud, noting that he was still out of it from the alcohol consumption.
"Wait. I won't have you while you're like this." Sephiroth grasped thin wrists. He positioned both hands on either side of the blond's head.
"But I won't feel brave enough sober..." Cloud made a noise.
"Am I really that intimidating?" The general wondered.
"A little bit. But it's more of I'm nothing compared to you." The admission made Sephiroth study Cloud. He admired those blue eyes.
"Nonsense. You have a strong sense of justice. You stand up for yourself. And us, when the situation calls for it. You accept my friends without judgment. You're proving that you're worthy to me by the day. And the only reason I haven't ravished you yet is because I don't want to pressure you into anything you don't want."
"You...really mean that?" Cloud asked timidly.
"I wouldn't have said anything otherwise." Sephiroth promised.
"I...I think my heart just fell in love a little." The blond blushed.
"Then I hope you remember this conversation in the morning. For now, let us rest. You've had a wild night." Sephiroth turned to his side and pulled Cloud close.
The blond didn't fight as sleep claimed him. The next morning Sephiroth awoke. He waited a few minutes to see if Cloud would awaken. When he didn't stir, the general carefully climbed out of the bed to make his way downstairs.
"Ah, we were wondering if one of you would be able to send us off." Genesis smirked. "Tseng is picking us up shortly."
"You're all packed, I take it?" Sephiroth asked as he started a fresh batch of coffee.
"Yeah. I'm making sure Zack didn't forget anything." Angeal informed.
"Do we get to say goodbye to the cutie?" Zack perked up.
How this young man remains chipper after so much to drink the previous night was a wonder. The general was curious as to how Cloud would be once he woke up.
"I'm not sure. He still seemed to be dead asleep when I left." Sephiroth informed.
"Aw, man. I wanted to reassure him my heart is still set to train him. That is if someone will graduate me!" Zack sent a look at his mentor, who sighed. "I mean, come on! I'm long overdue!"
"I will see if Lazard will make an exception when we return. Otherwise we will have to wait for Cloud's approval when he starts." Angeal gave in.
"Hoo-rah!" Zack grinned ear to ear.
As the coffee pot was just finishing up a fresh brew, Tseng landed on the helipad. He didn't bother to get out, instead opted to wait for his passengers. Sephiroth walked with them to their ride.
"You take care of him!" Genesis spoke over the helicopter blades.
"Don't worry about us!" Angeal assured.
"Give him a big hug for me!" Zack waved.
"I will." Sephiroth promised.
He watched them as they ascended. And suddenly he felt a tug. Sephiroth turned just in time to see a panicked Cloud rushing towards him. The general embraced him tightly as the blond practically jumped into his arms.
Everyone had a good view of them hugging tightly before Tseng turned towards the company building. What they missed out on was a heated kiss.