"So, can you tell me a little about your dreams?" Zack asked apprehensively.
"What? How do you know about them?" Cloud was alarmed. He tensed up as he quickly built walls.
"Easy. Tseng found your dream journal. He shared with me and Sephiroth. I believe we're the only ones who know about it." Zack ran a hand through blond spikes affectionately.
Cloud studied him warily. He had forgotten about the damn journal. He had hardly used it, therefore it was easy to forget. And now he's kicking himself for a stupid mistake.
"...Sephiroth read it too?" He couldn't believe it.
"Yeah. Tseng called us both in to read together. I gotta say, it put a lot of thinking for me. It made me realize how much pain you were in, and I didn't see it. I want to make this chance better. For the both of us." The lieutenant promised.
Cloud considered for a long moment.
"I don't know what to make of them. I hate how repetitive they are. And now that I'm stuck here I'm terrified they will get worse." He admitted, especially with the fact he will actually be sharing quarters with the general.
"I can assure you that Sephiroth doesn't want to do any of those things to you. He's sworn to me that he will never. Seph is good on his word."
"...I don't know." Cloud was hesitant to put any faith in him.
"Look, he genuinely cares. He has a hard time showing it but he does. These last few months? He asked me questions nonstop about you."
"What? Why?" Cloud was immediately on edge.
"To understand you. Nothing bad, he really wanted to know everything that I knew about you. He seemed driven to right a wrong he hasn't even done yet for you. So I told him everything. Please don't be mad."
"How am I supposed to feel? Oh, that's great, he knows everything about me! He could use anything to his advantage to make me bend - "
"I would advise not raising your voice. We're not exactly alone." Zack reminded, earning a huff.
"How am I supposed to make nice around him? When all that comes to mind are those nightmares. The words he says in them haunts me."
"Then watch him. Watch him and you will see he's not like how your dreams make him out to be. Give him a fair chance, he's really sticking his neck out for you." Zack advised.
Cloud didn't understand how Sephiroth was sticking his neck for him. Then again, if all of the other departments wanted him then he really was. He offered protection and thus far he kept to his word.
"...Fine. So what can we do for two hours?" He hated the time limit, but he supposed it was better than nothing.
"Thought you would never ask." Zack flashed a grin.
Turns out he took him out for dinner. Secretly Zack was advised that if Cloud behaves, then he can take him out in public. It was to show the city that the blond was truly alive and well.
However they can't leave topside.
That was fine by Zack. He only went under the plate when he really needed to see Aerith lately. So he opted to take Cloud to a restaurant.
And everyone stared. Making the blond uncomfortable. As they waited for their seats, there was a television screen that showed an interview with Director Lazard.
"I assure you Fenrir is alive and well. He is currently placed under General Sephiroth's care to be trained. He is now one of our rising star Soldiers." Lazard addressed the media.
The camera changed to an earlier clip of Cloud in the training room with Sephiroth. Cloud recognized that this was during the beginning of their training. So then this interview must have taken a lot earlier, but it was saved for most of the citizens to be off work and watch.
Eyes turned to Cloud. And he understood why Zack pulled him along to a public restaurant. He scowled as he inched closer to Zack.
"I'm not their puppet." He said lowly.
"Just bear with it, okay? I don't see you like that, you know this." Zack assured kindly.
A journalist came up to them. He had dark hair, and square glasses. He smiled at the pair, and Zack easily reciprocated the same energy back.
"You're Fenrir! I knew it! No one can mistake that hair. Must I say, that fight with General Sephiroth? Amazing! Do you have maybe just a moment of your time?"
Cloud was about to say he didn't, but Zack wrapped his arm around his shoulder. He glared at his friend, who ignored it to stay focused on the journalist.
"Sure! We got a minute until we're seated anyway." Zack was eager.
"Great! Let me just get my notebook. I always carry one just in case." He pulled out a small notebook, barely bigger than his hand, and a pen.
"So, first question, what made you become a mercenary?"
"I was rejected by the Soldier program. So I left." Cloud stated firmly, earning a surprised look from Zack. He continued. "I knew my worth and I wasn't going to be placed in Public Security. So I sought mercenary work. There are lots to do in that line of work underside."
Well, since he was going to be played like this, might as well give them a show. Cloud knew that the people will eat this story up. He watched as the journalist scribbled away.
"Would you give details as to why you were rejected?"
"There were a lot of reasons. None of them are good examples to just outright say."
"Oh, so you were a bad boy! Noted. So, then why did you ignore the first two challenges?"
"They were obviously traps to lure me in. My fame caught Shinra's attention. I didn't want any part of it. So I ignored them."
"But you couldn't ignore General Sephiroth's challenge." The reporter flashed a grin.
"Of course I couldn't. It's the General Sephiroth. I knew what I was walking into, but I couldn't help see for myself how I would fare against him." Cloud played along.
"And such an amazing fight it was! What was it like? It's not everyday someone lives to tell the tale!"
"It's powerful. Exhilarating. That feeling pushing beyond your limits and finding strength you didn't think you had. And then nothing else matters but him." Cloud thought of the way those eyes glowed and dilated with pure excitement.
"Him? You're being modest. You kept him on his toes!" The journalist picked up on this detail.
Cloud blushed, realizing his mistake. He couldn't for the life of him form any words to say to that. Luckily a waitress approached.
"Table ready for two." She smiled at the blond.
"Well, sad to say but that's the end of the interview." Zack to the rescue.
"Just one more question! Are you two together? As in like a relationship? Or is it brotherly?"
"Nah I'm taken. I see this cutie here like my baby brother." Zack winked as they were lead to their table.
Cloud stared at his friend. He hadn't known that Zack was seeing someone. Then again maybe he shouldn't be so surprised someone would be quick to claim him.
For the rest of the evening Cloud was uncomfortable with the stares. But Zack eased him into conversations. And he relaxed enough to actually eat and enjoy being around his close friend again.
When they finished Zack escorted him back to the living quarters. Soldiers lived in the separate building next to the main. The entire building was for Soldiers. Third and Seconds took most of the floors. There were a few work out gyms, one cafeteria, and a lounge.
The top floor consists of Firsts. Zack had his own room just down the hall of Sephiroth's. They passed Angeal and Genesis, who were both just turning in from separate missions.
"So this is the infamous Fenrir. I would have imagined you more...intimidating." Genesis tilted his head, eyeing the blond up and down. "How cute."
"Says the beauty of Shinra." Cloud narrowed his eyes.
"You think I'm beautiful?" The commander smirked.
"You're not my type. But I know someone who says you're a wasted beauty in the battlefield." He thought of Andrea.
"Hmm. I did think about becoming a model. Or a poet. But Soldier was my calling." Genesis studied Cloud. "Curious, what is your type then?"
"None of your business." The only sure thing he knew was that he liked long hair.
"Come now, Genesis. Don't frighten the boy. He's still adjusting." Angeal stopped the other commander from pushing further on the matter.
Cloud studied them. He couldn't shake images of both of them with their own wings. And now that he's met them, their wings fit their personalities respectively. And he wondered once more if they really had wings.
"What's the matter, Spike?" Zack noticed his mood change.
"...Just thinking. Of what it would be like to have wings." He was still lost in thought.
Genesis stared. Cloud didn't notice, still lost in his own mind. Angeal however noticed the slightest change within his childhood friend. Zack got thinking at the idea, and he had his own admiration.
"That would be nice. You know, to fly." He always enjoyed flying.
A phone rang. The sound made them all nearly jump. It was Zack's, and he answered.
"Yeah. Actually we're out in the hallway. Sorry, got distracted by Angeal and Genesis. They wanted a chance to talk to him."
A moment of silence as Zack listened. He sighed.
"He says you guys can get to know him later. His two hours of free time is up." Zack explained as he hung up.
Cloud snapped out of his thoughts then, suddenly apprehensive. He dreaded this moment where he would be back in Sephiroth's presence again. Even sleeping in the same quarters. That thought terrified him more than anything.
"Easy, man. Once you get your PHS in you can message me whenever you need. If it gets too bad then have Seph give me a call and I'll be over before you could say chocobo." Zack wrapped an arm around him protectively.
"What's his problem?" Angeal noticed how pale the blond was.
"He gets nightmares about Seph. But Lazard couldn't bend to let him stay with me." Zack explained the bare minimum, knowing Cloud was a very private person.
"Nightmares? Most dream other things about that man. Unless you're an enemy." Genesis snickered.
"Say that again and I will give you the fight you wanted." Cloud glared.
The sudden change of attitude took them all by surprise. Genesis felt the heat from those wild and deep blues. And now he understood why Sephiroth was so interested. Why he appeared to be addicted as he fought Cloud.
He had seen the video. He knew how Sephiroth fought. Never before had Genesis seen Sephiroth fight with such excitement. Almost to the point it could have reached sexual levels. But the cameras didn't get a good view of Cloud's face to see the wild look in his eyes.
"I wasn't implying you were an enemy." Genesis stated, knowing what set him off.
"What's going on?" Sephiroth approached, catching the heavy weight in the air.
"Nothing. Just a slight misunderstanding. One I think we all learned to avoid in the future." Angeal eyed both Genesis and Cloud.
The red commander looked away. Cloud warily shifted his weight. While it saved him from getting into trouble, this still looked bad on him.
"I won't tolerate arguments from either of you. Genesis, you're my commander. I expected better of you." Sephiroth caught on. It appeared he understood well enough of the situation of who instigated.
"It won't happen again. It was just a snide comment. I won't make the same mistake again." Genesis waved him off.
"And you. Don't start fights unless you plan on finishing them. I won't intervene should a higher rank than you decide to give you a taste of your own medicine." He turned his gaze to Cloud, who bit his lip.
"...Yes, Sir." He gave in.
"It's time to turn in for the night." Sephiroth turned to lead the way. Reluctantly Cloud silently followed.
"...So you read the journal." He said when the door closed.
"Zack told you. I should have known. Yes, I did. I find your dreams disturbing. And while it explains a lot, it only shows that I have my work cut out for me to gain your trust." Sephiroth sighed.
"Why do you want anything to do with me?" Cloud tensed.
"Because I want to show that I'm not like that. I have no desire to hurt or degrade anyone. What disturbs me is the fact you seem so determined to see those dreams become reality without even giving me a chance." Sephiroth stared, his expression guarded.
Cloud considered his words very carefully.
"I guess I'm being unfair. But understand that those nightmares, they haunt me at every turn. I can't make them stop. They're a constant reminder that I can't simply forget and put behind me." Cloud hated himself right now. Being vulnerable is one thing, but being vulnerable to the man who haunted his dreams?
It was a new kind of torment.
"Then allow me a chance to show you otherwise. Will you at least give me that much?" The general spoke in a softer tone, one that surprised the blond.
"...I suppose I can't say no when you ask like that." Cloud gave in.