Set Against the Grain

Drabbles following the exploits of Zack and Cloud, via Final Fantasy VII/Crisis Core.

NOTE: This part immediately follows the flashback in chapter 26 of A Day in the Life, except, you know, this is Zack's perspective.

--2--

"Wait."

Zack stopped and slowly turned around from where he stood in front of the sliding glass doors on the balcony of one of the top floors of the Shinra building.

Sharply dressed but haphazardly put together, Reno stood before him, leaning precariously against the railing keeping him from losing his balance. His tie was MIA, as was his suit jacket, and the buttons of his shirt were only half done, but his appearance still said Turk. Zack often wondered if the redhead dressed so just to throw everyone off. Because Zack knew Reno was a damn good Turk, and his appearance said nothing of his ability.

Reno blinked slowly before flicking his gaze inside the doors, then back to the brunet SOLDIER standing before him.

"Don't let those bastards kill you out there—that's my job."

Zack didn't know how to respond.

Reno was known for his uncaring, slapdash, and altogether belligerent attitude, yet it was rare moments like these when Zack caught a glimpse of the other man's actual character. The redhead almost never was honest with anyone, let alone with himself. So when Zack was confronted with the unguarded expression Reno rarely wore, he didn't respond sarcastically like one would expect when spoken to by those choice words. Instead, he nodded, a moment of understanding dawning on him, before he turned and left the balcony, heading through the glass doors to the lounge inside where warmer temperatures greeted him.

And to Cloud.

The blond cadet was seated alone at the far table with his head propped on his folded arms. Two other cadets were talking a few tables away, both offering an informal salute to the First Class, though not addressing him directly.

When Zack reached Cloud's table, he sat down silently next to him and mimicked the younger man's position, but tilted his head slightly to watch the blond. With the even, deep breaths Cloud was taking, Zack was pretty sure he was asleep. He was tempted to wake him up, if only to lead him back to the barracks where he would probably be grateful not to wake up with a crick in his neck and an ache in his back, but Zack couldn't really justify disturbing the sleeping cadet. His head was angled toward Zack, eyes closed and mouth slightly parted—blond hair obscuring much of the rest of his features, longer than Zack could remember it ever being.

He was so young. Zack could remember when he was that young—determined and excited to become a SOLDIER. No doubt Cloud would accomplish just as much.

Nibelheim. They would be traveling to Nibelheim tomorrow morning—Cloud's hometown. With Sephiroth. None of that actually gave Zack cause to worry, but for a reason unknown to him, he couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was inherently and eternally important. That it was bigger than any of them would ever know. And for that reason alone, he was both nervous and excited that Cloud would be joining them.

Not to mention Zack was dying to meet Cloud's family.

The brunet's thoughts were cut short when he realized Cloud was awake, had his eyes open, and was staring openly at the First Class SOLDIER. His head was still propped and the other two cadets were already gone from the room. The only sound that filled the room other than the buzz of the vending machines behind them was the sound of Reno's muffled voice through the balcony doors.

And that was how it was. Zack, known for being loud, obnoxious, and playful around the blond cadet, was quiet. Cloud, not one to talk unless it was absolutely necessary, was being just that—Cloud. Maybe it was the mission hanging over Zack's head. Maybe it was the late hour. But he couldn't bring himself to cut a snarky comment or even ruffle the boy's hair in jest. Staring at Cloud made him feel older than he was, older than he wanted to be. As if he could see infinite potential in the boy—that Cloud would become more than any of them ever thought was possible. That he was infinitely more important than they would ever know. And Zack was only a friend. Zack was merely one of the people Cloud would meet on the way to becoming.

So, instead, he smiled softly and tilted his head at the questioning gaze in the blond's eyes.

"He can write the fucking report for all I care. I did my job. And—"

Both soldiers looked up at the redhead's entrance, the insensitive voice cutting the moment in half. Zack would have rolled his eyes if Cloud hadn't beaten him to it. And he might have told Reno to shut the hell up, but the Turk had crossed the room in record time, exiting through the hallway door, his voice echoing down the corridor as he went.

Zack turned back to his friend, but found the cadet already standing. That's when he noticed how truly exhausted the blond was. Maybe he shouldn't be going tomorrow. But that thought was cut short by the beaming smile Cloud threw his way.

"So, to Nibelheim? Tomorrow?"

Zack smiled. "Absolutely."