Cloud woke up the next morning at 3:27. He sat up looked over at the sleeping Zack. For some reason, his finger hurt. He looked down and saw the silver band around it. That's right. He clenched his fist and looked over at fiance. But looking at him hurt. Zack was shipping off today. Tears started to stream down his cheeks. It hurt so much. He leaned over and kissed Zack's temple. Zack smiled and looked up at him.
"Hey babe." His voice sounded groggy.
"Oh, I didn't mean to wake you up." The older man noticed the tears on Cloud's face. He lifted his hand and wiped them away with his cheek.
"Hey, don't cry." He sat up and embraced Cloud in his large arms. Cloud hugged hi middle.
"I can't help it...you're leaving today, and it just kills me to think that I won't see you for a really long time." Zack smiled.
"It'll only be about 8 months, give or take. And don't worry, I'll get to come back home a couple weekends. I'll be back before you know it."
"Promise?" Cloud looked into Zack's eyes.
"I promise. Now lets get some sleep." He dragged Cloud down with him and fell asleep instantly. But Cloud didn't. All he could think about was that he wouldn't see Zack for what seemed like an unreal amount of time.
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Voices could be heard outside of the door. Cloud opened his eyes slowly and looked over. Where was Zack? He scrambled out of bed and flung open the door. Zack and Reno were discussing something outside.
"Woah, nice boxers Spike." Reno pointed at Cloud and laughed. Cloud looked down and blushed. The boxers were adorned with little hearts.
"Shut up!" He felt offended. It was his favourite pair. They had been a gift from Zack for his 21st birthday. He looked at Zack, "You weren't in bed, and I thought you had already left..."
Zack ruffled Cloud's hair, "Of course not silly. Do you really think I'd leave without saying goodbye?"
Cloud twirled the ring around his finger, "No."
"Hey, Zack, you ready? Rufus'll be here in about half an hour." Reno checked his watch. He was dressed in his ShinRa Corp. suit, and his ponytail was tied back neater than usual. Rufus is a pretty intense person to have Reno all dressed up, Cloud thought to himself. Zack squeezed Cloud's shoulder.
"Hey, let's get some breakfast." He led them downstairs to the kitchen. As they walked through the living room, Cloud noticed Zack's records were laid out on the coffee table. Zack noticed him looking, "Yeah, I was thinking about taking some, but I think you need them more than me."
Cloud nodded and went to get some stuff out of the fridge, but was stopped by Zack. "Hey, let me make breakfast, you do it every morning."
Cloud stood back, and didn't say anything as Zack reached in and pulled out the eggs and bacon. As Zack was cooking, Cloud went to the living room and sat down. He grabbed the records and started to go through them. Electro, Queen, ABBA, Styx, Aqua, and many more. Zack loved them all, not just because hey were his favorite bands, but because Cloud had taken the time to find them and buy them for him. Cloud stopped when he found the signed record of The Bangles. He laughed as he remembered how he had gotten it. It had been sitting on a shelf when Cloud spotted it. As he went to grab it, another woman reached out her hand.
"Hey, this is mine!" Cloud had said to her, but she tried to yank it from him.
"I saw it first!"
Cloud had no choice other than to take it by force. He pushed her back and made her stumble, quickly snatching the record from her and running for the counter.
Zack brought out their food. He sat down and put his legs across Cloud's lap and handed him a plate. Cloud put the record down and took the plate. But he couldn't bring himself to eat. He nibbled on the bacon. Zack sighed and put his plate down.
"What's the matter?"
Cloud set his plate on the coffee tabled and tried to hold back his tears, "you're leaving today!" He couldn't hold them back anymore. They came and he reached for Zack, hugging his middle. Zack put his arms around him, and held him there for several minutes until a knock could be heard at the door.
"Hey, that'll be ShinRa." Zack stood up, and Cloud wiped away the tears on his face. "You ready?" Cloud nodded. Zack took a deep breath and opened the door. Rufus ShinRa was standing outside, a few of his body guards behind him.
"Hello Fair." Zack nodded, "You ready, SOLDIER?"
"Yeah, let me get my stuff." Zack turned around and walked into the living room. A bag was laying next to the couch, and Cloud only just realized it's presence. Zack looked at him, "well, I guess I'll see you later." He smiled and choked back tears. Cloud shook his head and tears started to pour from his eyes again. He ran up to Zack and hugged his neck. He stood on his tiptoes and planted a kiss on Zack's lips. It didn't matter to him that Rufus was right there, all that mattered right now was Zack. Zack pulled away, "I gotta go." He kissed Cloud's forehead and waved to his other friend's who were at the top of the stairs. With one final look at Cloud, Zack turned and walked out the door.
Cloud couldn't move. He stood there, staring at the back of Zack's head. Come on Cloud! You have to get out there! Go say good bye! The voices in Cloud's head were clamoring, and he didn't like it.He ran outside behind Zack. As Zack was opening his door, Cloud grabbed his hand.
"What's the matter babe?" Zack looked down at Cloud. Cloud choked up again and could only hold onto Zack.
"Can you wait a moment?" Cloud looked at him, then Rufus.
"You can have a few extra minutes." Rufus nodded his head. Cloud patted Zack's hand.
"Wait here. I'll be right back." Cloud turned and high-tailed it back into the house, nearly running into Reno as he did.
"Hey, watch it, yo!" Reno yelled after him. But Cloud didn't hear him. He reached his door and threw open the door. He ran to his dresser and opened one of the small drawers. A small box was inside, and he pulled it out. A small necklace with a golden cross with small wings around it was revealed when he opened it. He grabbed it and ran back outside to Zack. He put his hand in Zack's and dropped the chain. Zack held it up and smiled.
"I love you Zack." Cloud looked into those green eyes, not wanting to look away. Zack smiled and kissed him.
"I love you too." He slid in the car and shut the door. Cloud watched as they backed out. He ran down the driveway with them, never looking away from Zack's eyes. He stayed at the end of the driveway until the black car had disappeared, and even longer after that. Zack was really gone. Why? Cloud stayed there until he felt sick to his stomach. He ran up the driveway, into the house, and ran to the bathroom. He flung the toilet seat open and puked the contents of his stomach into the bowl. Oh yeah. This was gonna be a long few months, he thought to himself as he flushed the toilet.