Disclaimer: I do not own FFVII or any of it's spin-offs!
Warning: Adult situations and course language
'Hello Mr. Jones. It is very nice to meet you.'
'It is very nice to meet you too, Mr. Tohachi. I look forward to our business adventures together.'
"Bloody hell…" Cloud whispered as he walked over to a box and threw a pair of socks in with one hand while the other held open an 'English Etiquette and Customs' book. A conversation in English was being broadcast throughout his apartment as he packed his clothes and desperately tried to remember certain English customs. He knew English well enough, but the customs… damn. Groaning in frustration, Cloud threw the book on his bed and walked towards the kitchen, scratching the back of his head as he went over the public transit system in New York.
The flickering light from the TV cast everything in a blue glow, including Cloud as he walked through the living room, eyes downcast. If it hadn't been for the sudden flash of light on the Television, Cloud wouldn't have even turned to look at the mute system.
On the news, a story was being broadcast about a recent fire taking place in an incredibly familiar place…
Sitting down heavily on the couch that had been pushed to the side, Cloud grabbed the stereo and television remote, using both to turn one system down and the other up.
"- the owner of the establishment refused to be present for the camera, but has been quoted as stating that "It's an unfortunate turn of events, but we're lucky that no one was injured"."
The news broadcaster stood outside a still smouldering building in the gambling and host club section of Tokyo, a clipboard in hand and an umbrella in the other. She had a serious expression on her face as she read the latest news about how it was fortunate that only one other building had been damaged.
"- in what was described as a large explosion by one bystander leaves arson investigators with some clues in which to investigate."
The scene flashed to a dishevelled looking business man, glasses covered in raindrops as he peered at the camera. "Oh no, I saw it all," He started, arms flailing about, obviously already intoxicated. "I was walking by and suddenly, BOOM, an explosion went off! It was so bright and hot, like an explosion from the movies!"
"More on this story as it develops." The reporter stated after she was put back on the camera. The news suddenly changed to the weather report, forecasting more rain.
Running a hand through messy spikes, Cloud looked out the window, sighing heavily. That had to have been Zack who… no, no Zack wouldn't have been that stupid. Setting explosives on the Yakuza hideouts was suicide, plain and simple. There was no way Zack would survive after that.
Growling, Cloud stood up and continued to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, pissed off now. He shouldn't be thinking about Zack, the Yakuza, or anyone but himself and his business. Besides, he wasn't worried about Zack… no, he was worried about… fuck, he was worried about that fucking bastard.
Slamming a glass down on the counter, Cloud squeezed the clear container, coming increasingly close to smashing the glass with his own hand as his frustration mounted in his thoughts about Zack. A few weeks ago Cloud would have been damn happy to have let Zack just walk away and never think about him again. But now, for some unexplained reasons, Cloud couldn't stop thinking about the raven haired male.
The glass was starting to give when frantic knocking at Cloud's apartment door caused the blond to release the item quickly in surprise. Wheeling around on the spot, Cloud eyed the front door through the entrance of the kitchen, eyes narrowing. Who would be coming over at this time?
Walking towards the door, Cloud jumped as more knocks resonated through the wood of the door. He hesitantly reached for the doorknob, all of his instincts telling him to just walk away from the door and pretend he wasn't home, even though his television was still playing the news.
A few more knocks occurred before Cloud finally took a few deep breaths and opened the door as he straightened his back, bringing himself to his full height.
Again, baby blue eyes locked with piercing violet, only this time it was the man outside the apartment whose eyes were wide in fright.
"Z-Zack?" Cloud stammered out, not expecting this at all. In hindsight, he really should have.
"C-can I come in?" Zack asked, shaking at the doorway, black hair plastered down on the sides of his face with his suit stuck against his skin. Cloud looked down to see a small puddle forming at Zack's feet, increasing as the moments passed.
Nodding his head dumbly, Cloud stepped out of the way to allow Zack passage into his box filled apartment. Zack shuffled in and walked into the living room, looking around before heading to a window. Shutting all the blinds in the little apartment he eyed the streets suspiciously before turning to Cloud, watching the blond lock and bolt the door.
"I saw the news report…" Cloud said, turning around slowly to see Zack had stepped closer to Cloud. A cold chill seeped through Zack and across to Cloud, wrapping chilled fingers around Cloud's skin.
"I targeted two… but they wouldn't report on the second. No one wants to hear about an exploding whore house." Zack whispered, his voice steady despite the rest of his body shaking.
"Y-yeah, I guess not…" Cloud stared intently at one of the buttons on Zack's dress shirt, eyebrow furrowed in concentration. He took a few swallows, trying to gather his thoughts and emotions. They had said their goodbyes, and Zack shouldn't be here. They had no attachment to each other anymore. They never really did…
"I'm sorry I came here, but… but I had to… I mean I had no where else…" Zack looked down at his shoes, scratching the back of his head. He hadn't wanted to come to Cloud's, but as he ran down the streets of Tokyo, heart thudding in his chest as the blood rushed through his ears, he found himself chilled to the bone and a fire in his soul. He wanted to share that fire with someone, someone special.
That's how he found himself here. He couldn't explain it, it even sounded crazy in his head. Yeah, he had saved Cloud a few times, and yes, they screwed. But that wasn't enough to build anything remotely close to actual feelings… was it?
"N-no, it's okay, you just… surprised me," Cloud said looking up to see Zack was looking down, deep in thought. Well this was real progress between the two of them. They couldn't even meet eye to eye.
"You can sleep on the couch tonight, but tomorrow you have to leave. Not because I want you to, but… well I leave tomorrow." Cloud continued after Zack seemed unable to speak. There was a first for everything.
"T-thanks. Is it possible for me to use your shower?" Zack asked, finally looking up. They looked each other in the eyes this time and Cloud noticed some smudged ash on the brunettes face and a small gash across his jaw line. Cloud tentatively reached up to touch the cut, soft fingers brushing against stubble covered and hardened jaw. Zack flinched as Cloud stroked the cut, but didn't move away as Cloud's fingers moved slowly away from the mark up to his rain coated lips.
They stood there, a moment of wonder and confusion, mixed with longing, before Cloud pulled his hand back, coughing once.
"S-sorry, I'll go grab you a towel and some soap." He mumbled head downcast as he shuffled off to grab what he promised. Zack continued to stand in the middle of the living room creating a small puddle as he stared at the wall ahead of him. A rough, calloused hand reached up to trace the path Cloud had made with his fingers, hand shaking.
Zack was afraid. Not for his life, not for what he had done, and not for what his 'family' was going to do to him. No, he was afraid of what he had created between him and Cloud. He was afraid that he had actually made something… something he would never be able to enjoy because of his fucked up circumstances. Pulling his hand away, Zack saw crimson blood on his fingertips from the slash on his jaw.
"Here."
Zack jumped as he felt Cloud behind him. Whirling around, Zack watched as he fumbled with a fluffy white towel and a bar of lemon scented soap.
Cloud was about to pass the objects to Zack, but instead placed them on a glass side table. "Give me your jacket." He instructed, hand held out to Zack. He could at least try and dry his well made suit jacket if nothing else…
Zack shrugged the jacket off and passed it over, watching as the blonde's eyes traveled over his chest. Looking down at himself, Zack realized he had two guns resting at his sides.
"D-did you want me to-"
"No." Zack shot out quickly before sighing heavily. "No, I just… I'll take them in the bathroom with me. I promise not to shoot your tile walls."
He laughed nervously, trying to lighten the mood. Cloud eyed him suspiciously before nodding. Picking up the towel and soap, Zack nodded his appreciation before going for the bathroom in the bedroom.
Putting the jacket down on the couch, Cloud watched Zack leave, hands stuffed in his pockets as they tightened into fists. He wouldn't allow himself to touch Zack like he had just moments ago, so he tightened his hands and pushed them farther into his pockets, physically stopping himself. This road they were on was never meant to be travelled down.
Meanwhile Zack had shed his dirty, wet clothing and stepped into the almost scalding hot shower. He washed quickly and well, wanting to wipe away the dirt from the city, his crimes, sins, and his overwhelming emotions that he didn't quite understand. When he was done he stood in front of the mirror, hand slowly tracing the handle of one of his guns.
It seemed like hours to Cloud as he sat on his messy bed before a puff of steam escaped from the open bathroom door. Stepping out Zack had a towel wrapped around his waist, his guns and holster in his hands. He paused as he saw the blonde sitting on the bed.
"Oh… I'm done, but my clothes were still wet…" He mumbled, looking down at his practically nude form.
Cloud shrugged slightly and looked at Zack's sleek, black guns. "Are you ever going to put those down?"
"I… I don't want to, but I guess I have to some time, right?" Zack too looked down at his guns, knuckles white around the metal and leather of the holster. He forced himself to let go of the deathly grip he had on them, and looked around, lost as to what to do.
Cloud just stared at Zack, blue eyes roaming over the other man's features, before coming to a rest on the slash across his jaw, now noticing it overlapped another scar, making an X.
"Where did that scar come from?" Cloud asked, head cocked to the side as he looked at Zack.
Zack's eyebrows furrowed, a hand moving to gently trace the old wound, realizing where Cloud was looking. "Oh, this? It's… it's from a past life."
'How about I tell you when I know I can trust you?'
Sephiroth's deep voice bore into Zack's head, causing him to shake his head in a futile attempt to forget his first meeting with the man who would forever change his life.
"Are you okay?" Cloud asked his voice closer than before. Zack blinked a few times, noticing Cloud was standing close to him, concern in his eyes.
"Y-yeah, sorry… I'm just really tired." Zack said, trying to smile although no warmth showed in his eye. "Just really tired."
Of everything.
"Yeah, me too…" Cloud whispered looking at Zack with eyes filled with mixed emotions. "Tired like… like I just want to sleep forever, you know? So I don't have to think, or trouble myself… so I can just breathe and get away from it all… get away and have that peace, even for just a little while."
"Yeah…" Zack nodded his head, looking at Cloud carefully. "Just find peace."
Cloud's eyes never left Zack's as they the two of them drew closer together, almost touching but not quite.
"M-maybe… maybe we can find peace some day…" Cloud mumbled, licking his dry lips. "Maybe… together?"
"Maybe…" Zack whispered back before he moved forward to kiss Cloud. It was tentative and slow, both of them unsure of what to do. Cloud's hand came up to gently touch Zack's arm as Zack slowly relaxed his grip on his pistols, dropping to the ground with a dull thunk.
This was crazy and unwise, they both knew it. They should never have met again, not after they had walked away. Only Zack had come back. He came back and now all the emotions and feelings that had been snuffed out instantly burst into a flame that would not be extinguished, no matter how hard the two of them willed it to just die.
Pulling away only a little bit so they were still sharing the same breath, Zack went to cup Cloud's cheek with his blood stained hand. "Peace… if only for a moment."
Cloud nodded as he moved to kiss Zack again, still gentle and slow as if they were both new to it all. Hands wandered as they stepped back towards the bed. They weren't thinking about what they were doing and what they were about to do. All thought centered on how this felt so… right. It was a complicated issue, how they met and acted around each other, but it was their complicated issue.
Theirs and no one else's.
Zack's towel slid off and soon Cloud's clothes followed as their hands danced across skin, and cool sheets pressed against them, creating a space in which sensation and emotion went hand in hand.
Soft gasps filled the room as kisses were exchanged and sweat beads rolled across goose bump covered flesh. There was no hurry in any action; each kiss experienced, each thrust met in perfect harmony between two souls looking for that something that only those who truly want to live experience.
Pale hands, soft like gentle rain wandered down the spine of a fierce dragon, taming it into submission as the fierce beast allowed itself to be overcome by the chilling and calm water.
It wouldn't last, they both knew it. Nothing ever lasted, despite humans desperate attempts to keep hold of it all.
Their movements became hurried, breathes laboured as they came close to that perfection together. Their eyes locked in that moment as a sense of peace rushed through them, flooding both with desperately sought ecstasy.
As the patter of the rain hit the windowpane in the bedroom, one last kiss was shared in that perfect moment; one last kiss to chase away the demons. One last kiss to say all that could never be said in words.
One last kiss to seal the promise made.
Authors Note: SORRY! Life got in the way of me writing, and then when I did write it, I forgot to give it to my beta, and then she got caught up and… yeah. Anyways, here's the latest chapter! And we're down to the wire. TWO more chapters after this and my second fanfiction will come to a close. So stick by to see how it all ends, and to find out what this 'promise' is between our two star-crossed lovers! And again, thank you for all the reviews (although reviews went down last chapter. If you don't like the chapter, tell me! I need criticism as much as I need the positive remarks!), favourites, watches, and reads! Love you all!