A week goes by quickly for Zack, at points seemingly incredibly dragged out, buying more stuff for his house, stuff that he wouldn't need help from Genesis or Cid with. The only person he really talked to during the week was Aerith, and a few of the kids in town, all of which were when he went out to deliver flowers with Aerith. But he had grown accustomed to leaving Aerith as she went up to Cloud's house. No matter how much he wanted to talk to the blond and try and make an impression he couldn't bring himself to even look at the blond's house without feeling like crap. He was very happy with how his house was coming together though. He had his bedroom set up; he had a table set up in the dining room which was attached to the kitchen. He had had his couch set delivered during the week so he only needed a television in that room. Lastly he had a well stocked kitchen. He was happy with it over all.
Not once during the week did he talk to anyone like Cloud or Genesis, and he had only seen Reno and Rude once after his first encounter with them. Marlene was someone he saw quite often during the week though. She really was a sweet girl and it seemed as though Aerith had set her straight about their relationship as well, which despite everything, was doing very well, and they couldn't help but be very close friends. She really did seem better now that she knew Zack was gay, though it seemed as though she had told Elmyra who eyed him sometimes when she thought he wouldn't notice. It was rather unnerving.
A week after his encounter with Cloud though did something different actually happen, something he had not been expecting. The sound of the doorbell rang through the house form where Zack was reading a book in the living room, needing something to do because of the absence of a television. He sighed as he stood up, "Coming!" he called loudly. He briefly wondered why Aerith would be coming to his house now, he had already gone delivering flowers with her earlier, maybe he had forgotten something at her house or something. He put his book down on the table beside him as he headed down to the door. He sighed as he opened the wooden door and looked up. He froze completely at who he saw, the first thing he couldn't help but notice was that he hadn't changed at all.
"Hello Zack, it's been eleven years now hasn't it?" the man on the other side of the door asked with a smirk, crossing his arms. Zack opened the door more and motioned for him to come inside which he did.
"Sephiroth? Is it actually you?" Zack couldn't help but ask not caring how stupid it sounded; he was having trouble believing his own eyes at the moment. The first thing Zack had noticed about this man was his hair; it was long, nearly down to his thighs and it was a very exuberant colour: a practically shining silver. The tall man stopped and turned and looked at Zack with a smirk.
"Who else would it be, Zack?" Sephiroth answered with another question. Zack's face lit up immensely as he looked Sephiroth over quickly. He could feel himself getting overly excited just looking at this old friend of his and he couldn't help it when he threw his arms around Sephiroth's chest happily. Sephiroth seemed to have been expecting it to, he moved his arms slightly as he accepted the hug, though not once made a move to hug Zack back, obviously just letting the young man get it out of his system.
"Man, Sephiroth I can't believe you're actually here!" Zack yelled letting go of the taller man but grabbing his shoulders and looking him in the eyes. Sephiroth chuckled lightly at the words.
"Likewise Zack." He said with a smile. "What brought you back out here after all those years, I have to admit I was shocked when Aerith told me."
"Yeah I moved back about...3 weeks ago...wow I can't believe it's already been that long. But anyways, aren't you busy with work or something?" Zack asked shaking his head.
"I'm all done with work for a while, I believe I'm entitled to a break every once and a while." He said with a smirk.
"Oh, right. Of course." Zack said scratching the back of his head. "So you went and spoke to Aerith?" Zack asked tilting his head to the side slightly and leaning against the wall.
"Not really...It was more like she spoke to me. She saw me walking up to my parents house and stopped me right away." He said with a chuckle. "She seems happy to have you back. Did she really remember you?" Sephiroth asked one silver eyebrow raising high on his forehead.
"Uh yeah she did. But...she was the only one who did." Zack paused for a moment, "Oh, but I did get Genesis to remember, I had some pictures from when we were little and I was showing them to him, it seemed to hit something." the tan skinned man said with a large smile. Sephiroth looked shocked if anything at that news.
"Really?" Sephiroth said in practically a sigh then he was silent for a moment before chuckling again, "He is the last one I would expect to remember anything...Him and Strife." he said shaking his head and pushing his silver hair back over his shoulders.
"Yeah...I haven't really talked to Cloud much...Aerith delivers flowers to him everyday but I kinda split before she goes up to his place." Zack said with a shrug. He paused for a moment before realizing they were still standing in the hall beside the door. "Oh! Please come inside." he said quickly walking down into the living room and sitting down, Sephiroth followed him and sat down in the arm chair.
"You don't want to see Cloud? Weren't you good friends with him back when we were little?" Sephiroth asked cocking an eyebrow. Zack didn't know how to answer the question right off the bat. He had to think about and try to come up with an answer that wouldn't completely embarrass him.
"Well, I heard from Aerith about how he is...and I don't want to relive what happened when I saw Genesis again...Having people completely forget you exist...it's terrible." Zack said looking down at the floor with a sigh. He paused before looking up at Sephiroth again, "You seem to remember everybody though." he stated. Sephiroth nodded at the statement.
"Yes, things like the past are something easy to cling on to when you spend most of your time in a place as hectic as Midgar or Junon." Sephiroth said, which shocked Zack. "Who would want to forget such peaceful times...though I guess living somewhere like here a peaceful life is just what happens, wouldn't you think Zack?" Sephiroth ended with a question.
"Well, yeah I guess so. So far it sure seems a lot...quieter than Midgar..." Zack said glancing out the window with a small frown.
"I constantly change where I live...and I can assure you...the difference is immense." Sephiroth said with a smirk. Zack just nodded in agreement. "What time is it?" Sephiroth asked. Zack blinked once before looking over at his watch.
"About 5, why?" Zack said looking back up at Sephiroth unable to help but cock his eyebrow in question as he did so. Sephiroth smiled at him.
"I was thinking about going out for dinner, would you like to join me?" Sephiroth offered with a smirk, "It'll be nice to catch up more, I'm sure a lot has happened in the past eleven years." He finished with a small shrug, closing his eyes before looking back into Zack's who looked almost shocked at the sudden offer, but quickly remembered the overall success of his outing with Genesis, aside from a few minor details he would rather not think about at the moment.
"Alright, that sounds like fun." Zack said with a smile, "We can head out now if you want." He said pointing towards the door.
"Alright, but I'm going to make a phone call first. If you'd excuse me." Sephiroth standing up and putting up a hand as he reached into his pocket and pulling out a thin cellphone and walking towards the back door, heading out onto the empty patio. Zack's eyes followed him and for the first time since he came here he remembered that he too had a cellphone, not that he was completely sure where it was.
Sephiroth stepped back in after about five minutes, in which Zack had continued to read. He put the book down quickly though as Sephiroth closed the door. "We going to head out now?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow questioningly completely unable to hide his current excitement. Sephiroth, no doubt, noticed this, as Zack saw a smirk pull onto his long, pale face.
"Of course Zack. You can drive us, right?" Sephiroth said looking towards the front door, taking a few steps in that generally direction, stopping in the mouth of the hallway which followed the side of the stairs to the front door and the doorway to the kitchen. Zack jumped up and started towards the door, brushing past Sephiroth and pulling on his shoes and opening the door.
"Of course I can." He paused as he was about to step outside, "You're not going to complain about the size of my car...are you?" he couldn't help but ask, just in case. Sephiroth chuckled at the words.
"Why? Did Genesis say something?" He asked with a cocked eyebrow as he started to pull on the boots he had been wearing when he arrived. The look on Zack's face explained his answer clearly enough, "Don't worry, I spend most of my time in or around...small cars. Just because this little city seems to have a thing for big trucks, doesn't mean everyone here is obsessed with them." He said shaking his head before heading out of the house before Zack could get the chance to say anything. The dark haired man took a second to absorb what Sephiroth had said and he couldn't help but know he was right. Aerith and Elmyra didn't own a car at all(though that hadn't stopped Aerith from making fun of his small car) and from what he had seen from Cloud he didn't own one either, of course none of the three seemed like they would drive a huge monster like Cid and Genesis did. He sighed slightly, shaking his head as he decided to follow Sephiroth outside. The silver haired man was examining his small black car with a small smirk. "It's a nice little car." he stated.
"That's the first compliment it's gotten since I moved here." Zack said shaking his head, unlocking and opening the driver side door and sitting down inside. Sephiroth followed suit on the other side. Both men closed the door and pulled on their seat belts before Zack started up the car with a small rev as the engine started up.
"You know where you're going, right?" Sephiroth asked and Zack just nodded knowing that Sephiroth too hadn't really changed much since they were little and he would be a much easier travelling companion then Genesis had been and he wouldn't have to wrestle him out of the car and to the ground just because something didn't go perfectly. Zack pulled himself out onto the road and started heading down towards the place he had had lunch with Genesis about a week ago. Sephiroth was leaning against the window and staring at the small city with an amused smirk on his face.
"No matter how long I leave this place...when I come back it always manages to be the exact same as I left it." The older, silver haired man said in a low voice. Zack chuckled slightly at the statement.
"I could barely believe it when I first showed up. It's like it's trapped in time or something..." Zack said with a laugh, shaking his head. If it were trapped in time being forgotten wouldn't make sense but Zack didn't dare think further into the idea knowing it would probably hurt his head. Sephiroth had gone completely silent, yes, he was definitely the exact same as he was when they were younger, constantly keeping to himself; even this gave him a sense of nostalgia. Zack had no idea that they were both pretty much thinking the same thing at that moment, thinking of how neither of them had really changed at all in all those years.
Zack pulled into the parking lot after a short while of driving and parked near the entrance. "Alright...well I guess we're here." He said with a smile looking at the clock on the car radio before turning off the car. It was 5:07PM It was a bit early to be eating for his usual tastes, but he didn't really care. At least he got to spend this time with an old friend. He stepped out of the car and stretched. Sephiroth immediately started towards the building, and after a moment Zack joined him. They seated themselves next to a window in a booth, sitting across from one another. The same waitress who had seen to Zack and Genesis approached them. Her eyes never left Sephiroth, boring into him with what Zack was pretty sure was lust. Zack looked Sephiroth over and the shock that had been threatening to appear on his features disappeared as he noticed two things about Sephiroth. 1; He did not seem to have a care in the world that he was being stared at by the woman as he causally looked out the window. 2; He really was an attractively built man and he could see why any woman, including this waitress would want him. After a while, knowing she wasn't going to get Sephiroth's attention by staring at him she turned to Zack.
"Vould you like anyzing to drink?" she said in her accent. Her gaze turned back to Sephiroth as he moved to look at her, his gaze sharp. She looked slightly taken aback at the look.
"We will each have a water if you don't mind." He said before tilting his chin towards the kitchen. Her eyes opened wide as she huffed and walked off. Zack sighed and Sephiroth went back to look out the window. Zack started surveying the rest of the patrons bouncing from table to table, sometimes seeing people who looked familiar from when he was young or were people he had seen since he had arrived, others looked completely new to him. His gaze ended up resting on the two who had been here the last time he had come. The gay couple Genesis had ridiculed. He must have been looking over there for a while because Sephiroth ended up following his gaze and commenting. "They're together aren't they?" he asked making Zack jump.
"Uh yeah, they were here when I came with Genesis...they seem to have a really nice relationship." Zack replied looking from the silver haired man to the couple then back, "Do you know them at all?" Sephiroth shook his head.
"Not much." he very subtly pointed at the one with white hair, "His name is Weiss, the other is Nero. Nero owns a store around here...Weiss works at the hospital, that's all I know." He said looking back at Zack. "Now do you know what you're ordering? Don't worry I'll pay." Zack didn't want to have Sephiroth pay for him, but looking into Sephiroth's eyes he decided not to bother putting up an argument with the man.
"Yeah, I guess." Zack said with a shrug. They were cast into a silence where Sephiroth went back to looking out the window and again he shocked Zack by speaking so suddenly.
"You saw them-" he motioned to Nero and Weiss with his chin, "When you were here with Genesis. What did he say about it?" He asked Zack, not seeming as much curious as he was expectant as though he already had a feeling what Zack was going to reply with but just needed to be sure.
"He just told me how he thought gay people were disgusting and not much else about them." Zack said with a shrug, trying to keep his tone as casual as he could, he wasn't sure how well that worked, and Sephiroth didn't give away any hint either as he just nodded and went back to looking out the window, it was kind of like he was expecting something by how he kept staring, Zack didn't dare question him though.
"And here are your drinks." the waitress said as she placed two glasses down in front of either men. She glanced briefly at Sephiroth who did not look up so instead turned to Zack and gave him a sour smile, "Are you ready to order?" she asked pulling out a notepad and a pen from her pocket. Zack noticed that she seemed to have tugged her shirt down quite a bit more then it already had been revealing a large amount of cleavage, Zack nearly rolled his eyes and Sephiroth didn't even noticed as he turned to her and placed his order. She did not look impressed at the lack of attention she was getting but jot down his order anyways. Zack ordered as well and she nodded as she left. Zack kept his eyes on her and noticed her jerking up her shirt at the front as she left, she got a chuckle out of the tan skinned man, which in turn got a cocked eyebrow from Sephiroth. Zack shook it off and Sephiroth went back to his staring. Zack was gladly the one to end the silence this time around.
"I was told Tifa works here...but I haven't seen her around at all. Not here, not in the city." He said after glancing around the room again. Sephiroth didn't look away from the window as he replied.
"Do you know what two places are the hottest on the Planet at any time of year?" he asked. Zack had no idea how this was relevant at all but he answered the question anyway.
"Costa del Sol and Junon, right?" He answered getting a nod from Sephiroth who just glanced at him out of the corner of his eye as he waited for him to catch on to what he was saying which he did after a moment, "Oh, do you really think shes on vacation...it's only May." Zack said wrinkling his eyebrows together. Sephiroth shrugged and Zack started to figure maybe it was possible, in a place like this it sure could be. After a while the waitress came back with their food and Zack courteously said thank you, but she just glared at him. Zack started to eat but Sephiroth was staring at the window. This time Zack was really tempted to question what he kept staring at when he smirked and turned to the plate that had been set in front of him and began to eat. Zack bit his tongue and continued on his meal hoping Sephiroth didn't notice the way he had been looking at him, and if he had he didn't say anything.
"Sephiroth." the voice was clear and sharp and made Zack jump slightly, but Sephiroth acted as though he had been expecting it as another man walked up and sat down next to the silver haired man. Zack blinked a couple times in confusion and didn't take his eyes off this stranger who exchanged a look with Sephiroth. For some reason he seemed familiar but Zack couldn't place a name to this face.
"This is Zack Fair." Sephiroth said motioning to Zack who waved as icy blue eyes landed on him and looked him over for a while seeming to examine everything.
"Fair?" he repeated the name over a few times to himself before he seemed to come to a conclusion. "You lived here before. Didn't you move to Midgar when you were younger though?" Zack was shocked, but he slowly started to realize who he was talking to. His confused scowl turned into a nearly delirious smile as he finally placed the name to the face.
"Rufus Shinra!" His tone was slightly disbelieving but Rufus just grinned at him as an answer. Zack let out a short laugh, "Man it's so good to see you!" Zack yelled sticking a hand out to shake with Rufus who took it, seeming to have been expecting the furious shaking of his arm as he glanced from Sephiroth back to Zack.
"Good to see you too Zack." Rufus said pulling his arm back to himself and smirking at the tan skinned man. "You moved back here recently I presume?" he asked. Zack just nodded not sure what exactly to say to the other man. Zack could barely contain how happy he was that Rufus too had remembered him, maybe not everyone was so forgetful around here. Rufus seemed to notice this attitude because he frowned slightly taking a sip from Sephiroth's water, not even earning himself a stern look from the other man which slightly shocked Zack. "You know Zack, the only reason I can even recall you now is because I was recently going through my father's documents and noticed your surname." He said with a shrug, Zack's excitement deflated slightly at this realization but he was still pretty happy to get to see yet another of his childhood friends sitting right in front of him.
"That's alright, I remember you, and I get to see you again and that's what matters." Zack said with a nod. He noticed Sephiroth nudge Rufus's arm but said nothing at the relatively subtle gesture as Rufus stood up. Zack couldn't help the slight confusion that crossed his features. Sephiroth stood up after Rufus and turned and looked at Zack. Rufus had already walked off and didn't look back.
"I would like to talk to Rufus in private if you don't mind Zack." Sephiroth said with a small smile, but still it looked like a smirk coming from Sephiroth. Zack just nodded as Sephiroth walked off and the younger man went back to eating though now a sense of paranoia had taken over, he was sure he was the topic of this conversation. He hated it when people talked about him behind his back, he hated not knowing what people really thought about him so he was quickly starting to get a little fidgety as they were gone for a longer and longer amount of time until finally he decided that he had to go see at least what they were doing. He stood up and and walked off in the direction they had gone, the path seeming to lead to the bathroom. Zack paused before walking in, he didn't see them right off the bat so he went over to the sink and leaned against the counter, looking at himself in the mirror with a sigh.
"Se-seph-" It was Rufus's voice Zack was sure. He looked over his shoulder at one of the stalls looking right to the floor where he saw to pairs of feet very close together, practically intertwined. Zack's eyes widened and he stood there in shock. "There's someone out there." Came an almost breathless voice from Rufus. Zack was in denial, he would not believe what he was hearing.
"Let them listen..." Sephiroth's voice was husky as he spoke in a low voice. Zack felt the blush start to creep onto his face he couldn't, no... wouldn't believe what he was hearing. The blush intensified as he heard Rufus let out a loud unrestrained moan which seemed to bounce off the wall and centre out on Zack's ears, burrowing into his brain where he was sure it would forever haunt his dreams.
"D-damn it...Sephiroth..." Rufus husked out earning a chuckle from Sephiroth. Rufus seemed to be panting rather heavily as he let out a moan or a groan here and there. Zack couldn't stand it anymore as he turned around and went to leave. He looked down at the bottom off the stall and this time only saw one pair of tall boots, clearly the ones Sephiroth had been wearing. Zack couldn't help the shudder as he left the room and went back to their seat. He poked at his meal having a little bit left but honestly wondering if he would be able to keep it down if he did eat it. He looked around and saw Nero and Weiss leaving hand in hand and a sudden pang hit him and he felt overwhelmingly guilty for how he was reacting. He had no right judging Sephiroth and Rufus, though the fact that they would do something like that in such an...open place was slightly shocking. He could also honestly say he hadn't been expecting something like that out of either of them. He drift off into thought quickly, leaning against the table and staring out the window a small frown on his face. A couple times the waitress came up and asked if he was done and each time he would reply he was wait for his friends to come back.
He had no idea how long they have been gone when they both sat down across from him again causing him to jump slightly in shock. He looked at both of them and tried to keep the blush off his face as he questioned them, "You were gone for a long time. I was starting to worry that you had ditched me." he said with a rather forced laugh shaking his head and smiling at the two of them. Rufus looks at the table then off to the side as though looking around at the rest of the people in the building. Sephiroth though had a calm face on, completely unfazed by anything as he smirked at Zack, his lids lowered only slightly as though he expected something of Zack but said nothing, this made Zack more nervous then he thought he would be, which was saying something after what he was sure he had just walked in on.
"I haven't seen Rufus in nearly a year...we had a lot to catch up on. I am sorry Zack, we would have included you but it was about work. Neither of us can really have word of our work leaked to anyone outside of our companies. You do understand right Zack?" Sephiroth finished in a question. Zack just nodded, not trusting himself to make words without blowing his little secret here, but maybe that made Sephiroth even more suspicious...or just confirmed what he had already guessed. "You haven't finished your food yet? You were nearly done when we left." Sephiroth said with a smirk gesturing to Zack's plate with his fork. Zack was almost amazed by the speculation, but he was more worried as he looked into Sephiroth's eyes...and that was when he knew for sure that Sephiroth knew that Zack had walked in on the two of them and that he had wanted Zack to hear everything they did. Zack didn't know what to say didn't know what to think, his whole brain felt completely frozen for a moment and for every moment he was quiet he had this feeling that Sephiroth was becoming more and more proud of himself as though he had won something. Zack couldn't help but think completely that Sephiroth hadn't changed at all since they were younger. Everything was some sort of silent challenge for him to win, and there would never be a time when he wouldn't win, but Zack had to stay at least slightly stubborn, he couldn't let Sephiroth have all this pride in himself.
"I got into a nice conversation with the waitress, I was distracted." Zack said rolling his eyes and smirking at Sephiroth as he forked a bit of his food and stuck it in his mouth. Sephiroth obviously wasn't giving up without a fight though as he shot back quickly and without hesitation as though he had already been expecting that exact answer.
"Yeah, what is her name then?" he asked. Zack stopped mid bite for a moment before collecting his composure again and shrugging as he tried to recall the name Aerith had given him however long ago it had been.
"Rosso." he said with a smile, mentally patting himself on the back at his little victory. Sephiroth didn't seem to have much more to say as he just nodded. The two of them ate for a short while before Rufus stood up as something had clearly gone off on his phone.
"Well I have to get going now." he said glancing at the small screen of his phone before putting it in his pocket and turning to Sephiroth and Zack with a smile. "It was good to see the two of you again, I do hope to see you again soon." He said with a brief nod to both of them in turn. They nodded back.
"It was real nice to see you again Rufus." Zack said with a large smile to the blond man who smiled back as he walked off. Zack sighed before turning back to look at Sephiroth. He had to clear this up because it was eating at his insides and still threatening to make him sick. "Hey Sephiroth..." he started, Sephiroth looked up at him and cocked an eyebrow as though urging him to continue. "You weren't really talking with Rufus in the bathroom were you." Sephiroth said nothing for a moment as he went back to eating cleaning off his plate before smirking at Zack.
"You know very well what we were doing don't you Zack." he said with a cunning little smile, Zack should have expected nothing less then that. The black haired man let out a sigh knowing now that Sephiroth was right and knew everything and like always no one could hide anything from this sharp and cunning young man. Zack sighed as he looked to the side and out the window in defeat, quickly cleaning off his plate as he moped. Sephiroth though couldn't help the pride in his features at his personal victory.
"You ready to get going?" Zack questioned. Sephiroth nodded as he rose a hand into the air and made a small motion to who Zack knew was the waitress. Rosso approached after a moment.
"Are you two finished here?" she asked looking between the both of them. She didn't seem to be making any attempt to make herself more appealing to Sephiroth this time around, she must have finally gotten the hint. Sephiroth nodded and she picked up their plates, "I vill be right back vith your bill." she said walking off. Zack turned to Sephiroth.
"Are you sure you don't want me to at least help pay for this?" he asked with a small frown. Sephiroth just shook his head.
"It's fine, besides I'm sure you need all the money you need now that you're by yourself. Am I right?" Sephiroth said cocking an eyebrow at his own question as he let Zack think it over, but in the end Zack nodded in agreement. "Don't worry about this. It is almost literally nothing." He said putting his hand out as Rosso came back with the bill and the machine. She looked at his hand before placing the bill in it. He looked at it for a moment, examining everything on the little sheet. Sephiroth pulled his wallet out of his pocket, and a credit card out of that, working around the small machine that was placed in front of him as though it was something he did every day and didn't grow up in a tiny little town in the middle of no where. Zack found it amusing. He waved Rosso off who took the machine away as fast as she had brought it over. Sephiroth stood up as she walked off and Zack did as well and the two of them headed towards the door.
"Do you need a ride?" Zack questioned as he walked towards his car.
"No I'm going to head down to my house, it's just down the street don't worry I'll be fine." Sephiroth replied looking down the street. "Besides there is someone else I have to go talk to. Anyway, it was very nice to see you again Zack, I'll be around for the next week." Sephiroth reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a business card. He turned it over and pulled a pen out of his deep pockets, Zack just watched as Sephiroth scribbled something down on it before handing to him, "Please, I would love it if you contacted me and we could get together again share a few more memories." He said with a smile as he walked away. Zack watched as he walked away before looking over the card in his hands, and as he had guessed it was a business card which now had Sephiroth's cellphone and phone numbers as well as his address. Sephiroth was quite a ways away before Zack finally realized he was actually leaving.
"See ya Sephiroth! It was great talking to you again!" he called loudly. Sephiroth glanced over his shoulder at the tanned skinned man who was flailing his arms enthusiastically and smiling like an idiot. Sephiroth gave him a short wave in return and Zack was satisfied as he calmed himself down and sat himself in his car. Then a thought finally hit him, something which he was surprised hadn't completely dawned on him before, Sephiroth's gay. He had to sit there for a second and let that thought actually sink in. He could barely believe it...after the ordeal with Genesis he had had a feeling that gays would be completely shunned from this place...especially by people who grew up here. Apparently he was wrong, there were now Nero and Weiss, and Rufus and Sephiroth. It was almost dumbfounding. Then he had to wonder, did Genesis know? Though the question was self explanatory, of course he didn't know or he wouldn't have spoken so highly of Sephiroth. He sighed and shook his head as he started up the car pulling out onto the road and driving off towards his house, he couldn't help but be a bit happy with how things had turned out today, despite everything. If anything it gave him a little bit more hope...that maybe his feelings weren't completely futile.
Today he was going to break his streak of no contact with Cloud. After the success with Sephiroth the other day he was ready for another round of heart break...if it came down to that. Aerith had told him she wasn't going to be delivering today which was fine by Zack as it gave him more freedom over when he went and faced the blond. And that time was now. He sucked up every last ounce of courage that he had as he walked out of his house and across the street up the driveway before standing in front of the pale blue door. This is when he finally froze and no matter how many time he took deep, calming breaths it didn't seem to help. After a minute or so of coaxing himself he reached out to ring the doorbell, no sooner that his finger had touched the button had the door started to open making Zack jump back and nearly fall down and/or trip over a rather fluffy white cat that high tailed it out of the house when the door opened.
"Zack?" the voice was quiet as Zack straightened himself out and looked down at Cloud who was looking up at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"Hey Cloud, I was just wondering if we could talk." Zack said with a hopefully winning smile. He couldn't help but scratch the back of his neck lightly. Cloud's face showed nearly no emotion and Zack noticed he had a few of Aerith's flowers wrapped up in his hands.
"I'm sorry Zack I was just heading out." Cloud said shaking his head. He seemed to quickly pick up on the disappointed air Zack gave off though and smiled as he looked up at Zack, "But you can come if you want, I normally go by myself...It's pretty lonely." he offered with a tentative smile. Zack brightened up and his imaginary tail was wagging at full force at the sound of the blond's words.
"Alright, as long as I'm not imposing I'd love to keep you company." Zack said. Cloud smiled as he closed and locked the door before heading down to the side walk. "Where are we going anyway?" Zack had to ask looking down at Cloud with a cocked eyebrow and a bright smile.
"The hospital." Was Cloud's short response.
"Uh, okay..." Zack didn't know what else to say but he was curious as to why he would be going there, but Cloud seemed to notice the question behind Zack's single word answer and sighed.
"My mother has been in the hospital for a few years..." Cloud started, "I visit here once a week and give her the flowers I get from Aerith." he continued. Zack just listened, kind of upset by the thought. Cloud noticed but didn't say anything more and with Zack not knowing what else to say about that the two of them just drifted off into a awkward silence. Zack hated it, but he didn't know what to say. He didn't know whether he should apologize or just change the topic, but now...the awkward silence was starting to become a little bit more comforting so he decided he would let it continue.
"Cloud!" Came a loud, stretched out call. Zack didn't recognize the voice but Cloud surely did because no one could have missed the roll of his eyes as he sighed loudly.
"Great." Cloud huffed out and Zack couldn't help but cock an eyebrow as he looked over his shoulder to see who called for the blond. He saw just a blur of dark brown which had attached itself to Cloud. Zack's eyes widened as he looked at Cloud who looked like a lost puppy his arms out at his side and a pair of arms wrapped around his neck.
"It's been so long!" the person said. Smiling and trying to pull Cloud even tighter in an embrace which seemed to worry Cloud, and Zack for that matter since it looked like she was trying to snap Cloud's neck let alone smother him in her chest. Zack looked at Cloud's face and saw the small amount of pleading that was there. Zack sighed, this alone got the attackers attention and she let got of Cloud and looked at Zack with a sharp almost murderous look about her. Luckily for Zack, Cloud managed to cut in before she could say anything to or about him because Zack was still trying to figure out why she looked familiar.
"It's only been a week and a half." Cloud said with a frown turning the girls attention back to him. She frowned but it turned quickly into a smile.
"I missed you for that week, I missed everyone...but," She then rounded on Zack and in one instant he realized who he was looking at. This was, no doubt, Tifa Lockhart, he could tell by how he swallowed hard and his heart started to beat much faster at her intense look, "Who are you and what are you doing with Cloud?" she asked taking a step towards him and crossing her arms.
"Uh..." Zack took an involuntary step back and glanced at Cloud who was looking at the ground. He looked back at Tifa before straightening himself out and smiling at her. "I'm Zack Fair." He said holding out his hand in greeting, "I moved here a couple weeks ago. But actually I used to live here when I was a little kid, but I don't blame you if you don't remember me." He said adding the last bit because he knew he wasn't going to get that lucky and he was glad he had braced himself because Tifa was none too kind about it.
"Really, I don't remember you at all." Tifa said giving him a sceptical look it hurt, no matter what, Zack couldn't help but feel hurt. She didn't introduce herself though and Zack wasn't completely sure why but he didn't press the subject he knew it was Tifa so it didn't really matter.
"Tifa, we were leaving." Cloud said, there was not even the slightest bit of impatience in his voice, he seemed really good at concealing his emotions Zack was slightly envious of that wishing he could pull off this calm attitude all the time as well. Tifa looked pissed off though as though she could pretty much see through Cloud's facade.
"Come on Cloud, you can't just leave me for this nobody. I have so many stories to tell you!" she exclaimed and Zack found it ironic, he could tell by her tanned skin that she had been in the sun, just like Sephiroth had said, he would have to assume Costa del Sol. But none the less her words cut to the bone, there was no need to be so harsh about it.
"I'm going down to the hospital, Tifa." Cloud stated and Zack could tell how much sharper these words were and they seemed to really shock and maybe even hurt Tifa as her gaze softened completely and she slouched slightly.
"I'm sorry Cloud, I didn't realize it was something so important." She said, a small smile pulling onto her features as she clasped her hands together behind her back. "Tell your mom I say hi alright? I'll see you later." she said, and Zack was completely shocked...utterly speechless at how timid she suddenly seemed to be. What was it about Cloud's mom that possibly made her so upset, maybe it was a touchy subject, he didn't want to press on it, the last thing he wanted to for Cloud to hate him, and he would like to make a good impression on Tifa too if that were possible.
"It's alright Tifa and don't worry I'll tell her." Cloud said turning around and continuing to walk on. Zack and Tifa both paused though. Zack turned to her.
"I'll see you around alright? It was good to see you." He said and she just smiled. She nodded as she turned and walked off in the other direction. Zack sighed before jogging back to walk step in step with Cloud again. "She hates me doesn't she." It wasn't really a question but he didn't mind the fact that Cloud decided to answer.
"I think she might not...she just...gets protective of me. I don't know why." Cloud said with a shrug.
"You're not going out with her or anything are you?" Zack couldn't help but ask. He was relieved when he got a small monosyllable chuckle from Cloud.
"No nothing like that...she's just a really caring person. Besides I don't think any guy would willingly go out with her. I mean sure...she's attractive, but with a temper like that? I don't think it would be worth it." He said with a thin smile. Zack smiled back but he didn't like how that made his chances sound. That statement made Cloud sound very straight, a complete turn off even coming from someone as gorgeous as Cloud.
"Right, she's been like that forever though. I guess some people have just learned to deal with it." He couldn't help but wonder whether or not Genesis still flirted with her all the time or not. He probably hadn't learned anything from all the punishment he had received when they were children and Zack found himself picturing the same scene unfolding with them the ages they are now and couldn't help but be amused by it, amused enough that he hardly noticed that he and Cloud had fallen back into silence.
They were silent for the rest of the walk and Zack would find that the reason for that would be that they had no more distractions. When they walked into the hospital they spoke to no one as they got onto the elevator going up to where Cloud's mom's room was. Zack could continue to say that he didn't like the smell of hospitals, he never had and he never would. He could barely help but frown from the instant they walked into the building which was very, very unlike him. There was a slightly morbid feeling in hospitals anyway though, though that couldn't be helped, no matter how you looked at it someone in this building was dying. They walked down the bland hallway before stopping in front of one room where there was a cart filled with plastic gloves and smock like garments. Zack was not looking forward to putting them on. He turned to the nearest nurse. He couldn't help but be shocked when he saw Weiss walking towards him, his long white hair tied up in a long pony tail with one piece stick out at the side.
"Can I help you with those?" he asked. Zack just sort of nodded and let Weiss put on the smock as Zack pulled on the rubber gloves. Cloud was doing pretty well on his own, though it was very clear he came in here quite often. "She's doing fine, nothing has changed, her condition is stable but we're still worried about her." Weiss explained, "I'm afraid she still can't leave." He said, Cloud didn't seem shocked what so ever Zack guessed he had every right not to be. When they were all suited up Weiss let them go into the room. It was a nice little room, the walls were an off white colour like the rest of the building and there was a chair in one corner, a bathroom through a door off to the side and a desk with a few shelves and drawers, the one thing Zack noticed once he walked in were the flowers she already had next to her bed, they were very clearly the ones Aerith grew, varied in shades of yellow. Zack couldn't help but smile as he stood in the doorway not wanting to intrude on the moment.
"Hey mom." Cloud said his voice even more hushed then usual. He pulled the chair from the corner up next to the bed where the blond woman was lying. Her hazy blue gaze never left Cloud a small smile graced her very pale features, she looked sick, but it didn't stop her from looking gorgeous. Seeing the two blonds sitting next to one another it was not difficult to tell they were related, both of them had a rather distant look to their eyes and their hair just looked so perfect.
"Hello Cloud." Her voice was equally as quiet as her son's. She looked at the flowers Cloud held in his hand, "Are you doing well?" she asked looking back into Cloud's eyes, her movements were very slow. Cloud just nodded in response as he unwrapped the flowers and put them into the vase with the others. "And how is Aerith?" she asked.
"She's fine too." Cloud said as he sat back down and looked at his mother.
"And the cats?" She asked. Cloud sighed, though smiled, he was completely used to this barrage of questions. Zack just watched, attention still hadn't been brought to him and he was very glad. He didn't know how he would kill the mood but he had a feeling he would, it wasn't like he was going to say something like: 'Mrs. Strife, I'm in love with your son, would you allow me to marry him.' or something stupid like that. But now...now it was in his mind and he didn't trust himself to open his mouth at all.
"They're fine too. Don't worry, everything's fine." Cloud said shaking his head with that ghost of a smile still upon his features. Zack couldn't pull his eyes away from the small blond. He just looked so innocent, so pristine. It took a lot of self control not to sigh lovingly and melt against the wall. "I actually found a little black kitten in town the last time I came here and brought it home. It's a bit shy...but it's getting along well with the others." Zack was snapped out of his imagination as Cloud spoke. So far Zack could remember the fluffy white cat from earlier and the calico and the black and white cat from the last time he visited the blond, he had never seen a black cat and he couldn't help but ask now.
"How many cats do you have...?" He asked, both the blonds looked up at him both looked relatively confused.
"Five...why?" Cloud replied but his gaze was sharp as though daring Zack to laugh at him for it. Zack was about to answer when Mrs. Strife beat him to it.
"Cloud, who is this young man? I don't recall having met him before." she said in her quiet voice looking from Zack to Cloud. Cloud's eyes softened again as he looked back at his mother.
"This is Zack Fair, he moved in across the street a few weeks ago." Cloud explained, his mother nodded slowly and smiled as she turned back to Zack and smiled at him.
"Well it's nice to meet you Zack, I always love getting to meet friends of Cloud's." She said with a small laugh, Zack could tell that it didn't happen much just from the way she had said that and the tone of her voice.
"It's nice to meet you to ma'am." Zack said, he wasn't going to even bring up the fact that she had met him before it was futile anyway because there was no way she could possibly remember him. She smiled at him so sweetly as she spoke.
"I'm sorry for imposing on your time together. Cloud you should go do something with your friend. I'll still be here whenever you want to talk to me, sweetie." She said, her gaze had drifted slowly back to Cloud as she spoke, Zack felt choked up, she was quite the sight and he couldn't help but wonder what exactly was wrong with her. Aside from looking very fragile it didn't look like much was wrong with her but he wouldn't ask, maybe he could ask Cloud later though. Speaking of the young blond man he looked rather torn, which Zack found a personal victory no matter how cruel that sounded. He was actually thinking of picking Zack over staying with his ill mother. Or maybe...he just didn't want to disobey his mother but Zack cast that thought aside.
"Alright, whatever you say." Cloud said with a smile as he stood up. He leaned over and placed a kiss on his mom's cheek, and she did the same to him. Zack just smiled and waved at the sickly woman as she waved at him, giving her one of his winning smiles which she returned with a small smile of her own. Then he followed Cloud's lead and rid himself of the sterile clothing they had been given to wear before throwing it in a basket and exiting the room. Weiss looked over at them as they walked by. He waved good bye and smiled at them and they both waved back before leaving.
On their way back home Zack noticed the little ice cream shop that had been there since he was a little kid and stopped Cloud. "Can we?" he asked pointing at the shop front. Cloud gave him a look but Zack just laughed, "Come on, I'll pay." he said. Cloud sighed in defeat and let Zack lead him into the small very cold store. Zack walked up and to the counter, barely examining the very young girl at the counter as he ordered. "Uh, a two scoop cone, one mint chocolate and one caramel." He loved this combination because it combines a bit of everything. Mint, chocolate, vanilla and caramel; okay maybe it wasn't everything but it sure was a lot for an ice cream cone. The young lady on the other side laughed lightly at how excited Zack seemed with the order as she took his money and went to get his cone. Zack licked his lips as it was passed to him before he handed Cloud his change.
"Just a vanilla cone please." Cloud said quietly. The girl nodded as Cloud paid and went and got him his ice cream. When they were both content with their purchases Zack led them out of the building and towards the park across the street, to the bench where he, Genesis, Sephiroth and Angeal used to hang out all the time. He sat down with a sigh as he continued to lap at the mass of cold yet refreshing ice cream in front of him. Cloud wasn't nearly as fierce with his, but of course, he didn't have to worry about it falling all over the place.
"I haven't had good ice cream in months." Zack sighed as he continued to gorge himself. Cloud chuckled and Zack smiled at him.
"It's not like you'll die without it." He said looking at Zack for a moment before laughing again. He reached out and wiped the end of Zack's nose, "Now be careful or you'll get more on your face then in your mouth." He said showing the tan man the small glob of ice cream. Zack laughed and licked it off Cloud's finger making the blond blush brightly as he looked down at his ice cream. Zack chuckled and he felt like he had just gained another personal victory with that one, and the fact that Cloud didn't look at all disgusted by his actions was an added bonus he wondered briefly whether he should test his luck any farther or not. He ended up telling himself to go for it.
"Hey you can't complain about me." Zack said reaching out resting his hand on Cloud's cheek, wiping a bit of ice cream off from the corner of his mouth. Cloud looked up at him, Zack couldn't tell what exactly he was seeing in Cloud's eyes when blue locked on blue. Zack just decided it was now or never, this was his one chance and he wasn't about to blow it. He leaned in closer taking a sharp breath as he ever so softly pressed his lips to Cloud's as though he may break him if he wasn't careful. His lips lingered there as though waiting for a response, he didn't get much of one but Cloud didn't push him away which he took as a good sign. After a moment he pulled himself away and looked at Cloud, he was unable to hide the worry in his eyes as he looked down at the small blond. His eyes were distant as he turned and looked off to the side then down at the ice cream in his hand. "I-I'm sorry, Cloud." Zack said sitting back normally but his eyes never left Cloud.
"It's alright Zack." Cloud said, he looked back up at Zack, the faintest of smiles on his face, much to Zack's surprise. "But...I think I'm going to go home now Zack. If you don't mind."
"No not at all, it was nice spending time with you. I hope we can do it again sometime soon." Zack said with a smile. Cloud nodded at him as he stood and and went to walk away, looking at Zack over his shoulder.
"I'd like that." was all he said before walking off. Zack waited a moment, until Cloud was out of ear shot before he let himself fall back and let out a loud loving sigh. He chewed at his bottom lip as he stared up at the sky, he could barely believe that had just happened. His luck had just sky rocketed and it was the best thing he could ever remember happening to him ever. After a moment of his head being off in space he brought himself back down to finish his ice cream before getting up and heading back home himself.
Ding Dong! The doorbell sounded through the house and Zack stopped his decorating in his room, getting all the little things he had brought in order. Pictures of old friends presents from friends or parents, and even a couple from teachers. Nothing of course to remind him of that horrible person he was glad he had gotten to leave. While working through the piles of stuff he ended up finding his cellphone, under the graduation picture of himself, Kunsel and Luxerie; the two people he had really become good friends with when he was younger and lived in the city. The sound of the doorbell excited Zack though, he always found it fun to answer the door or the phone or the mail for that matter and thinking of where he was he was only more excited. Maybe someone new had remembered him, or maybe Cloud had come by to visit him. Possibilities ran through his mind as he reached the door and opened it. He was greeted with a chuckle from a brunette man who had been leaning against the door and hadn't expected his stand to disappear as suddenly as it did as he toppled down into the house.
"Damn it Zack...do you just ENJOY beating the crap out of me?" Genesis asked glaring at Zack as he sat up and rubbed his head. Another chuckle met Zack's ears much lower and powerful and he looked up to see Sephiroth still standing outside. Zack looked back down at Genesis.
"No, you just like to put yourself in situations where I, or inanimate objects, find the need to hurt you." Zack said with a smile, earning a very sharp look from Genesis which just made him laugh. "So what are you guys doing over here?" Zack asked looking back over at Sephiroth, cocking his head to the side slightly.
"We just came to talk." Sephiroth said shrugging his shoulders as Genesis finally started to pull himself onto his feet.
"Alright, come on in. I know the perfect place." Zack said with a huge smile as the idea formed in his head. The other two looked at each other then at Zack as they walked in, ditching their shoes at the front door before following Zack upstairs and into his room.
"Once you ask to do my hair I'm leaving." Genesis muttered, but his words didn't go unheard. Zack couldn't help but laugh, mainly because...with who he was with...it could very possibly happen.
"Don't worry about that." Zack said as he walked over to the window and pushed it open all the way, loving the cold breeze of fresh clean air that brushed against his arms and face. He took a deep breath and he climbed through the window and onto the roof. Sephiroth followed him and it was clear he remembered doing this when they were younger. The two now out on the roof about fourteen feet from the ground looked into Zack's room at Genesis who looked very unsure with the whole situation.
"Are you sure that roof's going to hold three full grown men?" Genesis asked sticking his head out the window and looking down at the shingles.
"I'm pretty sure, it was probably reenforced after the first time it was broken." Zack said with a shrug as he climbed up over the window and over his room before sitting down. Sephiroth sat down next to him and chuckled.
"Wasn't it Genesis who broke it the first time?" he asked. Genesis had climbed out onto the roof and looked at Sephiroth with a cocked eyebrow.
"Yeah, he was jumping around and went right through into my room." Zack said rolling his eyes. Genesis opened and closed his mouth a couple times as though trying to figure out whether to yell at the two of them, or question them. In the end he sighed as he climbed up and sat down next to Sephiroth. Zack leaned back, lying down and staring up at the quickly darkening sky. "So what did you guys want to talk about?" Zack asked glancing over at Sephiroth cocking an eyebrow in a questioning fashion.
"I was curious since we talked the other day...what did you do while you were in the city?" Sephiroth asked looking down at Zack, wrapping his arms lightly around his knees.
"Well I joined SOLDIER when I was 17... and I had pretty much been working there until I moved here again." Zack said shrugging slightly. "And what about you, Genesis said something about you being some sort of agent?" Zack asked.
"Yes, I was and still am a modelling agent. I'm rather pleased with it, and I get chances to come out and still live here whenever I find it necessary, a lot of the work can be done over the phone." He said with a shrug, "I'm guessing working in SOLDIER you never got the chance to come back out here."
"Yeah, and besides my family lived in Midgar so I didn't really have a reason to come back out here except to visit friends...but...I had a few things keeping me from doing that." Zack said with a shrug not really wanting to talk about it in detail. Sephiroth clearly caught the hint and dropped the subject.
"Though you know...it's funny how fate works. I'm sure if we had stayed in Midgar a little longer we would have heard of each other sooner or later...and then there's Angeal, he actually works at Shinra...so I am slightly surprised to hear you haven't been in contact with him." Zack was shocked at the information he was being given, he had no idea that Angeal worked in Shinra too but he guessed that wasn't too surprising, most of the people who lived in Midgar did in someway work for Shinra.
"Well, it is a big building, I mean, I didn't even get to see Rufus at all and he works in the building too." Zack said with a laugh. The three of them were silent for a while before Zack said, "Maybe fate would have brought us all to Midgar. Sephiroth, Angeal, Aerith, Genesis and myself. Maybe everyone would remember me then." He said with a laugh.
"Or maybe fate is bringing us back together here and now." Sephiroth brought up. Genesis didn't seem all to happy with the conversation.
"Yeah, like Angeal would give up work to come back here." He said with a sigh, "Besides, I only just barely remember Zack now, I mean, I can't say he hasn't been here before, he has pictures and you remember him, Sephiroth. It's just, it hurts my head, y'know." Genesis said with a sigh.
"No, not really." Zack said shaking his head before laughing at the glare he got from Genesis.
"You know, you just got lucky that last time we fought, I could easily kick your ass the second time around." Genesis nearly spat and it just made Zack laugh more and even made Sephiroth chuckle. Genesis just rolled his eyes and went back to staring up at the sky, now the cloak of darkness had completely covered the sky and it was alight with stars.
"Wow..." Zack sighed smiling up at them. Genesis cocked an eyebrow, not really getting it. Zack didn't get to answer before Sephiroth did.
"You really do need to leave this town sometime Genesis." the silver haired man said looking from the sky to the brunette, his hair shone as bright as the moon. "In the city the number of stars in the sky is very limited. Out here it's stars as bright and far as the eye can see." He said looking back up at the sky. Genesis blinked before following his gaze. "You shouldn't take even these little things for granted. Life in the city is much more difficult then living out here." Sephiroth said, looking down at Zack, "Am I right?"
"You have no idea." The tan skinned man replied with a sigh closing his eyes for a moment before looking up at the moon and stars high above them.
"Yeah. I guess you're right, I never really thought about it though." Genesis said his eyes not leaving the gorgeous display in the sky.
"Of course you haven't." Sephiroth said with a sigh.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Genesis said finally pulling his eyes away from the sky to glare at Sephiroth.
"Exactly what you think it does." Sephiroth said meeting Genesis's gaze with a sly look of his own and a small smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. Genesis huffed as he looked back up at the sky, though his gaze softened incredibly.
The three of them sat out there for who knew how long before finally Genesis yawned obnoxiously. "Hey Sephiroth don't you think we should get going? It has to be late by now." Sephiroth nodded.
"I guess so." the silver haired man replied standing up and walking back to the window, his hair waving behind him in the wind, it really was a sight. Zack watched Sephiroth's hair finding it oddly comforting before he got up and followed Genesis back down to the window. The three of them climbed into the house and Zack ushered them out the door, waving until they disappeared into the night. He closed the door and went to lie on his bed, the window open a fraction flooding his room with a very fresh air, an air he was slowly getting used to again out in the country.
"Man..." Was all Zack could manage to say he ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. Silver hair ran through his minds eye and he wondered when he would be able to finally tell people what had happened in his past, it was not something he was very open with now...but he figured soon enough it would come out. But he didn't like how close soon enough sounded.
OMFG I finished it. I didn't think I ever would, I was writing so slowly in the beginning, it too me nearly a month to finish the first 3000 words...after that though it really started to write itself especially near the end. So here it is~ and I boost the entire thing up to an M rating because no it can actually be considered that. I know how dare I have the first couple references not ZackCloud but NeroWeiss and SEPHYRUFUS...get used to it...it will happen a lot...heh. So yes, reviews are welcome, pour you heart and soul into them, give me the URGE to write more of this story. Especially sine Zack and Cloud are finally getting closer 8D. Also, just so you know, Missed. is properly written with a period at the end, but FF won't let me do such a thing.
~Fire