Title: Hysterical Tinge
Pairings: Undecided for now, but probably going to ZackxAngeal, CloudxSephiroth. Genesis needs some love too, even if we are not on speaking terms right at the moment.
Warnings: Descriptions of kidnapping, assault, rape...you get the picture. Remarkably, Zack's actually not too hurt in this one. Physically anyways...
Note: I hate this title. Any suggestions to what it should be changed to?
Needless to say, management was not happy that three of their top SOLDIERS had taken off without a word. The sergeant who met them tried to bully Sephiroth into handing over Cloud. Sephiroth shot him down with a glare from hell. He icily informed the gathering there that no one was to touch, speak to, or speak about the blond. He pushed non-too-gently out of the way, leading a smirking Genesis, a serious Angeal and a hiding Zack away from the crowd. In his office, Lazard simply rolled his eyes, sighing dramatically. Zack mistook this for anger and blurted out,
"Please don't punish them! They came to save me, it's all my fault! I'll take any penalty, just PLEASE don't get angry with them." Lazard stared at him, raising a hand to silence him.
"Zack, I am not getting angry with them. Now, will you please let me speak?" Zack glanced at him suspiciously.
"Do you promise?" Lazard sighed again.
"I promise, now please step outside. I need to talk to them." Zack nodded, slowly heading to the door. Lazard turned back to the SOLDIERS.
"First order of business. Zack. He has an indefinite time off to heal. He can come back when he feels up to it. But, he needs to be interrogated about what happened. Second, while the president is not happy, he realizes there is not much he can do. Third, who is that?" He pointed to Cloud, who was still asleep in Sephiroth's arms. The general shrugged.
"I have no idea who you are talking about." Lazard raised an eyebrow.
"I see. Well, that's everything really. You are dismissed." The director turned to his next problem. The three left the office. Zack stood, looking scared.
"Relax pup. We're not in trouble." Zack nodded, swaying on his feet. Angeal caught him, lifting him up. Zack protested this, but his pale blue eyes were blinking in exhaustion. "Just go to sleep, I'll be there when you wake up." Zack complied, his body going boneless in sleep. Angeal reached his apartment, laying Zack on his bed. Sephiroth put Cloud down next to him. The blond shifted, burrowing even further into the General's coat that enfolded his body. Angeal had to faintly smile when Zack, who was still asleep, wrapped his arms around the smaller boy. Sephiroth watched the two, his usually indecipherable eyes thoughtful. Angeal left the bedroom, padding to the living room. Once there, he pulled out a bottle of amber liquid.
"I need a drink."
The next morning Zack woke up to the feeling of softness all around him. Sitting up carefully, he ran a shaking hand over Cloud's head. He stood, rolling his eyes when he saw Angeal had left another batch of potions. He drank one, grimacing at the taste. Feeling slightly guilty, he gently shook Cloud awake. The blond sat up, glancing around, confused.
"Hey, spikey." Zack's voice was soft. "It's okay, we're at Angeal's place. You know, my mentor I told you about?" Cloud nodded, still unsure of how he had gotten here. Where ever here was. Zack handed Cloud a potion bottle. The blond took it, unsure of what to do. "You just drink it, silly." Obeying, Cloud tilted his head back, downing the liquid. He coughed, the cold liquid icily making its way down his throat.
"I need a shower." The words sounded scratchy. Cloud's throat was hoarse from lack of water, and from screaming. Zack handed him a glass of water that had been left out.
"Okay." The older teen led Cloud out to the bathroom. The blond stared at the oversized fixtures, his body starting to tremble. Zack glanced at him, confused.
"Can you...I mean..." The boy's voice was small, intimidated "Can you, watch the door?" The question was accompanied by a hanging of Cloud's head. Zack smiled, resting his hand on the door frame.
"Of course I can. I'll be right here if you need me." He pulled a few large, fluffy towels from the cabinet. Closing the door, he leaned against it. Sitting down, he banged his head back against the wood. He couldn't help but feel like he had failed Cloud. If only he had been stronger, if only he had been braver. His musings were interrupted by a soft clearing of someone's throat. He glanced up, beaming at Angeal. The older male raised an eyebrow.
"Don't brood, Zack. It doesn't become you." Zack sighed, rolling his eyes. Angeal was always perceptive. "This is not your fault."
"I know that. At least, I think I do. It's just...Cloud..." At the mention of the rescued victim, Angeal glanced around.
"Where is he?" Zack jerked his thumb at the door.
"Taking a shower." Zack sighed, looking at the floor. "He wants me to guard the door." Angeal nodded. He inhaled, unsure of how his next words would be taken.
"I was think that maybe...you should come stay here for awhile." Zack's head snapped up, his expression blank. Then, his face broke out in a genuine smile.
"Really? You don't mind?" Angeal let out a mental sigh of relief.
"Of course I don't mind, Zack. I would be quite happy with you here." Inside the bathroom, the water turned off. Angeal handed Zack some clothes to give to Cloud. Zack hesistanly knocked on the door, only entering when Cloud said he could. He placed the clothes on the counter.
"These are for you. I'm going to get some of my stuff, then I'll come right back, okay?" Cloud nodded, his trembling starting up again at the idea of being left alone with a stranger. He didn't want Zack to go, but it wasn't like he could stop him. Zack sighed, reading the terror on Cloud's face. "Angeal's a good guy, I promise. He won't touch you." Cloud nodded again, not really believing Zack. The raven haired teen lingered for a few more moments, then left. Cloud took as long as he could to dry himself off. He caught sight of himself in the mirror, and blinked. Bruises stood out on his skin, making him wince in pain when he touched one. A tear travelled down his cheek, the one thing that they hadn't hit.
Wouldn't want to bruise your pretty face, now would we?
Swallowing a sob, he pulled on the clothes. The shirt was at least two sized too big, hanging off his body, one pale shoulder exposed. The pants fit a little better, staying up when he tied the drawstring tightly. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to get it to cooperate just a little. The wild blond locks, now clean of his blood, still stuck out at odd angles. Giving up, he walked toward the door. He stopped, fear making him freeze. He trusted Zack; the slightly older boy had been a saving grace in his prison, a life line connecting him back to his sanity. But, he still was unsure of the others. Feeling trepidation, Cloud opened the door. A burly man, who looked like a older version of Zack, sat at a table. Angeal didn't move, knowing Cloud would probably appreciate the distance. He smiled though. Cloud didn't return it, his arms wrapping around himself.
"I-I'm Cloud." Angeal nodded.
"And I am Angeal." Cloud looked up at him.
"Zack talked about you a lot." It was true. Zack really admired the older SOLDIER. He relaxed. Anyone Zack looked up to couldn't be all that bad. Angeal was elated by the visible relaxing of Cloud's body. The blond still didn't close the distance between them. There was a silence, not an awkward one, but not a comfortable one either. Then, "I know you're wondering why they took me, aren't you?" The words were soft, almost miserable. Angeal blinked, feeling caught off guard. The question had crossed his mind. "Well, a little, I suppo..."
"I can't tell you." The words were desperate now, hysterically tinged. "Momma told me not to tell anyone." Angeal stood, wincing when Cloud flinched at this movement.
"You don't have to tell..." He was interrupted again.
"They knew. I don't know how, but they knew." The teen's eyes had a faraway look in them. Angeal wasn't even sure it was him Cloud was talking to anymore. Taking a risk, he cautiously approached the frightened boy. He gently gripped Cloud's arms, kneeling down so he was at eye-level.
"Cloud. You don't have to tell me anything, but I would like it if you did. You're safe now, alright." Cloud nearly burst into tears. Safe. Was that word even real anymore? He inhaled deeply, forcing those tears back.
"Are you sure about that?" The question was soft, Cloud's shaky breathing increased. "You don't know." The blond pulled away, holding out his hand. Angeal watched, in fascinated horror, as a ball of green light formed in the small palm. Lobbing it serenely, Cloud made sure it hit the wall. The light spread, forming a garden of small, pink flowers. Angeal turned back to Cloud, eyes unbelieving.
"You can do...natural magic?" Cloud nodded miserably, hand flying to his mouth. Angeal closed his eyes in resignation.
This was so not good.
Ah HA!! I knew there was a plot somewhere...More will be explained in the next chapter. Revews would be nice, please and thankyou...