Disclaimer I don't own… Never will, belongs too Squeenix and Disney
Leon's jaw worked slowly as he ate. Cloud had, generously, made breakfast for the two of them. At first Leon hadn't known what to do, but he decided to eat it would be the politest thing. It proved to be the right choice! But one thing troubled him, when they were both sat in silence (which wasn't something either minded) Cloud didn't make eye contact with Leon once. Usually, they would at least spare a glance at the other! The only thing that the stoic brunnette could think of was that Cloud had heard something from his nightmare... When they occured, Leon wasn't exactly quiet.
He decided that he should say something, anything to break the silence at that moment. They usually were tollerable, but this was... Almost awkward. Leon searched in his mind for any kind of small talk, anything to break the first barrier... He cleared his throat, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Cloud? Er... Thank you for this. For breakfast... I appreciate it." He looked down at his now empty plate. It really had been good. "Where did you learn to cook?" I can't make simple talk for shit! Maybe I should just leave him to it?
" Aerith taught me. And so did..." Cloud went still. His whole body tense, eyes fixed on Leon's.
"Cloud? Cloud, what is it?" No response... Nothing but harsh breathing and... His eyes are watering.. Wait, what?! Oh man what did I do now! Leon stood, walking around the table and pulling the blonde into his chest. He felt the man shake slightly.
"Za..ck...Zack...Zack..." The name fell from trembling lips like a mantra. Who's Zack? A feeling of jealousy rose in his chest. Who ever it was, they had hurt Cloud at some point. "Why did he... die..." Oh, that explained it. This Zack guy had died. Suddenly, Cloud pulled back from Leon, standing and turning to the door. "I'm sorry, Leon.. I should go!" Leon tried to stop him, but he had gone out of the front door before he could even blink.
"Okay... Goodbye, Cloud." He frowned. It was going so well! What had even happened? Had he said something? Done anything wrong? He didn't know, and couldn't figure it out. Only one preson could tell him who this 'Zack' was, Aerith.
--
"Aerith? Who's Zack?" He leaned against the doorframe to Aerith's kitchen. Aerith, however, nearly dropped the pan in her hand.
"Z..Zack?! How did you..?" She turned around, eyes glistening with tears, ready to be shed. "I guess Cloud must have said something... Well, Zack was... Cloud's best friend. And mine too, he's how I met Cloud after all! He was my boyfriend for a while but... He was more like a brother. Cloud was so close to him and then he..." She stopped, a few tears trickling down her rosey cheeks. "Sorry.." She wiped her eyes, her bright smile returning as she held one of her plaits in her hands. "He was killed, Cloud was there... He watched it all happen, heard Zack's last words. Zack knew Sephiroth too. They were friends. His death was such a shock to us, especially Cloud. He's never really let go of it, he blames himself I guess."
Leon looked at the floor, suddenly feeling very stupid. He'd brought back a painfull memory Cloud had probably let stay in the back of his mind for years! It wasn't fair on Cloud... Leon knew how it felt anyway. I should apologise. But he probably wont want to see me now I've done this! This is why I don't want friends!
"Leon, don't apologise to him. He will know you didn't know anything about it! Just let him calm down for a day. He won't blame you." She smiled at him. Somehow, Aerith always knew what was on his mind. That brought a smile to his lips. At least he knew what not to do now.
--
There was a loud crash in Traverse Town. A crowd startet to gather next to the Gizmo shop. In a small crater, a body was stirring and waking. A pair of vibrant eyes opened slowly, locking on the first face they saw. A puppy like grin spread across the persons features. Well cut my hair and kick me! I'm back?
--
Cloud's feet turned sharpley. That hadn't sounded good!He ran, his buster sword at the ready. When he saw the crowd, he approached. He pushed his way to the front where an elderly man was hovering over a...person? Someone with a towel draped over them, at least. From what he could see, who ever it was had taken a big hit, but there wasn't any blood... What had happened? He took another tentative step forward, his Buster sword back on his back. If the person was a threat, he would have felt something by now.
"And that's what happened! I honestly haven't a clue what was happening there! Oh, thanks miss!" A girl stepped back, an empty cup in her hand. Wait...that voice... Cloud's hear beat seemed to triple. He looked over at the figure, the towel slipped slightly, revealing a black spike of hair. Could it be...?
"Er...Excuse me, but..." He tapped the man on the shoulder. As he turned, Cloud felt as if his whole world was turned upside down. His heart felt like it was going to burst right out of his chest! Tanned skin came into his view, bright violet eyes looking up at him, that unmistakable smile beaming like the sun in Agrabah. It was increadable!
"Oh my god! SPIKEY?! Is that you?" Cloud's mind decided to shut down at that point.
"Zack..?" It was... Cloud fainted, he vaguely felt someone lift him and the warmth that came from them. Zack smiled at the unconcious boy in his arms. He never thought he would see the blonde again! Sheepishly, he looke around at the people who had helped him.
"Heh, could someone help me find somewhere to but him? He's heavier than he looks!"
--
As his eyes opened, Cloud could hear voices from downstairs. That was a bad dream... It must have been a dream. No one comes back from the dead, right? He lifted a hand to his forehead, wiping the sweat and taking a deep breath. His head was spinning and his stomach was growling ferociously! Aerith probably had something to help that anyways. Standing slowly, so as not to agrivate his head even more, he shuffled to the door and checked he was dressed. He slipped a shirt on, opening the door. From the kitchen he could hear some one talking. It was.. That was Leon.
"Well he should wake up soon." Another voice chimed, this time it was the hyperactive ninja, Yuffie.
"Yeah! Cloudy-pie doesn't sleep much, even after being knocked out by me!" Cloud smiled slightly, stepping down the first few steps. One of them squeeked and he stopped without thinking why he should. A chair moved in the kitchen and alerted Cloud, he quickly ran to the bottom of the stairs. He reached for the door handle and took a deep breath. He hated when people talked about him, especially when he didn't know why.
As he stepped into the kitchen, his sight was obscured by a flash of black and purple. He was tackled to the ground by someone and winded too!
"Spikey! Your up! Damn I missed you! How've ya been? Treating the Buster well? She's my baby you know!" Cloud got a grip on his thoughts. It was Zack. He hadn't dreamt it! The ebony haired man kneeling up above him grinned, his eyes sparkling.
"Zack, get off, I can't breath!" Zack stood, scratching the back of his head and offering a hand out to his friend.
"Sorry 'bout that... I'm just so excited to see you! It's been yeeaaars!" As soon as he had got up on his feet, Zack had him in a headlock, rubbing his hair with one hand. Cloud started lauging, making the other people watching the strange spectacle stare.
"Zack! Come on! Get...Get off!" He was finally released. Standing straight, he looked at Zack. Zack looked back, his expression serious. "I'm glad your back."
"Me too. Listen, I'm sorry... I didn't protect you well enough! I-" Cloud shook his head, leaping at the taller man and bringing him into a bear hug. "Well, I guess this means I'm forgiven, right Leon?" Looking across, the scarred brunette smiled gently, nodding. He obviously didn't want to intrude on their reunion. "You can let go now Spikey, I'm not going anywhere! How about you show me around? But...take a shower first, you stink like sweaty chocobo's!" He laughed and ruffled Cloud's hair again.
"Alright. I wont be long." As he left the room, he looked back as if making sure it wasn't all a dream.
"Now, to business." Leon looked at the strange new man. He had a strange glint in his eye, and that was added to the gleam that was similar to that of Cloud's eyes. "I've been watching... And I'm willing to help you! You like Cloud, yes?" Leon was shocked to say the least. A dead man had been spying on him? Well, Cloud probably. "I will take the silence as a yes! But it should be simple..."
"Erm... I appreciate it but... I don't think it's a good idea. I'm no good at those things. Sorry, Zack." He shook his head. Being around zack for the last two hours had been... strange. He had smiled more in that time than he had in two years! The ebony haired man's head cocked to the left.
"Didn't seem like that last night... You were doing fine on your own!" A grin spread on his lips as Leon blushed.
"Wh..What?! What do you mean?"
"You mean.. YOu were REALLY asleep?! Oh man! You were grinding and kissing and everything! I thought you were gonna go for the goal! Oh and Spikeys face when you fell 'asleep'!" Zack smiled gently, shaking his head. Leon raised one eyebrow. This was probably the strangest man he had ever met.
Leon had alot to catch up on.
Thats chapter 2!
I couldn't resist... Sorry! It just flowed out...How is Zack going to try and help Leon? What will Cloud do? Will there ever be peace again in Traverse Town? Find out soon!
x Muffin x