Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue.

Yoru: Well, the last chapter was filler fluff! Yay!

Kuronue: And this one isn't?

Yoru: Cloud is really sweet again! I'm jealous; it's been a while since I was on a date. (goes and sulks in a corner)

As they approached Ienzo's door, Cloud started to get nervous. He desperately wanted to kiss Ienzo, but would the other man accept it? He'd given no indication that it would be welcome. Besides, it was only a first date.

Cloud didn't realize that as his mind was in turmoil, so was Ienzo's. Would Cloud kiss him? Did he want him to? Would he flinch away unconsciously?

Damn Isa to hell, Ienzo thought maliciously. If it hadn't been for the other blunette, he wouldn't be this fidgety. Cloud was silent as well, and Ienzo wondered if he was planning something.

Upon reaching the door, Ienzo turned to Cloud and smiled shyly.

"I had a wonderful time," he said. Cloud nodded.

"Me too. Maybe we could do lunch tomorrow during your break?"

"I'd really like that," Ienzo replied happily. Cloud smiled back and leaned in slightly. He saw Ienzo tense, and pulled back quickly.

"So I'll…see you tomorrow, then," he said, waving a little as he turned.

"Cloud!"

He turned back around to have a pair of soft lips meet his own gently. Cloud's eyes widened slightly, and then he relaxed into the tender kiss. Wrapping his arms loosely around Ienzo's waist, he pulled him a bit closer. Ienzo's arms went around his neck, and Cloud never wanted to let go.

Ienzo lay in bed that night, thoughts drifting over and over the kiss. He felt like he was 16 years old again, getting his first real kiss from the captain of the blitzball team, Aeleus, on prom night. He may have been labeled a nerd back then, but that kiss had been amazing. He'd even gone on a few dates with Aeleus, despite the bigger boy's popularity. However, he'd never fallen hard for Aeleus like the blitzball player had for him.

It was nothing compared to the raw passion in Cloud's kiss. Not even Isa had…

Ienzo sobered quickly. Even the merest thought about his ex-boyfriend served to thoroughly ruin a good mood. Reaching over and picking up his phone, he quickly dialed his best friend.

"Myde?"

"IENZO! HOW WAS THE DATE WHAT DID YOU WEAR WHERE DID YOU GO DID HE LOOK HOT DID HE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY DID HE KISS YOU DID HE KISS YOU DID HE…"

"It was fantastic, I wore the blue silk, we went to the Crimson Glade, he looked gorgeous, he spent way too much, and yes he kissed me," Ienzo cut him off, chuckling a little.

"Is he a good kisser?" Myde squealed.

"The best," Ienzo replied, smiling. He had known that Myde would make him feel better. He laughed outright as he could hear his best friend bouncing around whatever room he was in.

"So you're going to go out with him again, right?"

"Tomorrow for lunch."

"Oh my God, Ienzo, I'm so happy for you!" Myde chirped, trying to keep his voice from soaring too high.

"Thanks. Myde, he's just…I just feel so…" He drifted off.

"Young? On air? Beautiful? Loved? All of the above?"

"Mhm," Ienzo assented.

"Awww, Ienzo." Myde had stopped bouncing and settled somewhere. Ienzo sighed.

"But I still keep thinking about Isa, Myde. I mean, isn't this how he…"

"Stop right there," Myde snapped. Ienzo's eyes widened; Myde rarely snapped.

"You are letting him control you, Ienzo. If you keep this up, you'll ruin every chance you get at happiness. Until Cloud came along, you were scared to go out with anyone because of how badly Isa scarred you. You have to get over him or you'll be scared forever."

"I know, but it's not that easy."

"It's been a year since you left him."

"And not long since I've been able to let someone touch me."

"You let Cloud kiss you." Myde's smile could be heard through the phone. Ienzo smiled back, even if his friend couldn't see it.

"I kissed him. He seemed nervous to kiss me, so I instigated it."

"See? You really are healed, Ienzo. You just have to take the last step."

"Thanks, Myde."

"You're welcome. So, tomorrow, you should leave your hair down."

Ienzo chuckled, "I can't. It gets in my way while I'm working."

"Just excuse yourself to the bathroom when Cloud comes and undo it," Myde whined. Ienzo laughed.

"He likes it no matter how it's styled," he said, and then blushed fiercely at the implication. He could hear Myde laughing happily on the other end.

"Oh, Ienzo, I really am so happy for you."

"How's it coming with Braig, by the way?" Ienzo asked, changing the subject before his face got any redder. A contented sigh blew through the phone.

"He still hasn't asked me out, but I'm pretty sure he likes me. Don't you think so?" Myde asked. Ienzo nodded, and then remembered that they were on the phone.

"I think so. He's just shy when it comes to romance."

It was 2 in the morning when Ienzo finally said goodnight to Myde. Putting the phone down, he lay back and fell asleep, images of lovely blue eyes dancing in his head.

Cloud finally shut the door on Tifa and Yuffie, who were trying their damndest to get every detail of the date out of him.

"So how was your date?"

Cloud groaned as Leon's voice washed over him.

"Don't you have better things to do?" he snarled at the man sitting on his bed. Leon laughed.

"Perhaps. Do you?" he returned. Cloud snarled, but sat on the bed next to his friend.

"It was really good. He's everything he already seemed to be and more."

"A good kisser?"

Cloud blushed hotly, "That was included in the 'more.'"

"That's fantastic." Leon smiled. The brunette always seemed quiet and stoic, but Cloud could always bring out the playmate in him. Cloud lay back on his bed.

"He's so…I don't know, amazing."

"Aren't you glad that he got that book away from you?" Leon teased. Cloud laughed.

"Yeah, I guess I am."