This chapter is full of cuteness and sickeningly sweet moments, but it was just something I had to write.
It might also sound like a concluding chapter but it's not, there is still a way to go for them all.
Please enjoy and please remember to review :o)
Like a family
Cloud had never been inside Angeal's apartment before and could only stare speechlessly at his surroundings. The place was even bigger than Zack's, which the cadet hadn't thought possible, and was furnished to feel both warm and inviting. There were clearly two separate bedrooms leading off of the living room and what Cloud could only imagine to be the main bathroom down the hall. He was even amazed to see that not only was the living room twice the size of Zack's but that it also had a separate dining area at one end.
"Pretty impressive isn't it?" Zack asked, noting the look of wonder on Cloud's face.
A small nod and smile was his reply and Zack took the opportunity to give the cadet another quick hug before Angel interrupted the moment.
"So Cloud, what would you like to eat?"
Cloud flinched in Zack's arms and the soldier looked at him with concern.
"I ... I don't mind." Cloud stammered nervously.
"Do you have a preference, we are after all celebrating you being a hero."
"A ... hero?" Cloud whispered looking at the floor. "I'm not a hero, I'm just ..."
"You saved my butt and the other guys who were with us." Zack cut in quickly, already seeing where this was going. "You are a hero to me."
"But ..."
"Zack is correct, you saved their lives, you are a hero." Angeal added, his voice clearly indicating he was not to be argued with.
Cloud nodded and a small embarrassed smile formed on his lips.
"So ... food?" Reno cut in, partially to break up the awkwardness but mainly because he was actually hungry.
"What do you boys feel like having?" Angeal asked deciding it was best not to ask the cadet again, at least not directly.
"Oh, those chicken things you do." Zack suddenly cried out making them all jump slightly.
"Chicken things?" Reno asked raising an eyebrow.
"There great, trust me." Zack responded grinning at the Turk.
"Sure man, why not." The red head agreed happily.
"Cloud?"
"That sounds good," was the soft reply.
"In that case Zack I will need your help in the kitchen."
"Whhhyyyy?" the soldier whined.
"You are aware that it will be quicker if I have help and as you suggested this meal you can help make it."
"But Angeeeeaaaallll."
"I don't mind helping." A faint voice offered, interrupting the soldier's childish behaviour.
All eyes turned to the cadet who was still pressed tightly against Zack's body.
"That is very kind of you to offer Cloud and it would be a pleasure to have you help me." Angeal said smiling at the cadet.
Unlike the soldier's kitchen, which was separated from the living room area by a counter/breakfast bar, Angeal's was a separate room altogether. As soon as the commander disappeared through the doorway Cloud began to move away from the soldier's embrace to follow. He paused for a second, as if hesitating on something, then quickly rose up and a placed a chaste kiss on the soldier's cheek before hurrying away.
Zack's hand slowly rose to the now tingling skin on his face and his fingers brushed gently over the spot where Cloud's lips had just been. He was drawn back from his dream like state by Reno's eyes glowing at him from across the room and a steady blush crept up his face.
"Hey, no worries man." Reno declared holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I personally think it's kinda sweet."
Zack's blush deepened and he groaned softly at the Turks very obvious amusement. Feeling a need to change the subject quickly, Zack made his way towards the kitchen indicating for Reno to follow. Inside they found Angeal and Cloud already preparing some of the ingredients and Zack couldn't help but smile at the way the cadet's face had become so serious, as he took in all the information Angeal was giving him. It also warmed the soldier's heart to see Angeal smiling, the commander clearly enjoying the task of educating someone in a subject other than battle.
"So what do you want me to do?" Zack asked announcing his presence.
"Cut this." Angeal replied, tossing something over his shoulder without looking round.
Zack caught the item easily and grinned at Cloud who had watched the seamless interaction in wonder. He smiled brightly as he made his way across the room, grabbing the chopping board and knife he would need, before setting himself up in the corner out of the way. He had just started cutting when Reno appeared beside him and hopped up onto the work surface to watch.
"Off!" Angeal ordered without looking and Reno obeyed instantly while Zack laughed.
"What's so funny soldier boy?" Reno asked defensively.
"Nothing. I did the same thing my first time too, except I was pushed off."
Reno's anger disappeared instantly as he burst out laughing at the image which came to mind.
"Really?" Cloud's voice hesitated to ask.
"Yep." Zack replied his tone strangely proud of the memory.
"What else did ..." Cloud's trailed off as if he were afraid to finish them.
"What else did I do?" Zack continued smiling at the cadet's question reassuringly.
A snorted laugh from Angel made them all look at the commander in disbelief .
"The question you should be asking is, what didn't he do?" Angeal said ignoring the jaws which dropped around him.
The room was soon filled with the delightful sounds of voices as they joked and laughed together, as stories of Angeal and Zack's mentoring experiences were shared, and tales of Reno and Zack's trouble making schemes were described. As a result the meal preparation became quite entertaining, while Angeal also tried to teach Cloud about various cooking herbs and techniques.
The kitchen itself was bigger than Zack's so had plenty of room to work in, but it was still a little snug with four bodies moving around within it. The close proximity to so many people would have normally made Cloud feel apprehensive, but strangely he didn't feel scared about being surrounded by these men. In fact he soon found himself happily relaxing into the joyful atmosphere, soaking up the knowledge and stories eagerly. Of course not all of the stories were appropriate for Cloud, at least not in Angeal's eyes, and several times Zack and Reno had to dodge a clip to the ear for their crude comments.
"Hey that wasn't rude." Reno cried, ducking another one of Angeal's attempts to cuff the back of his head.
"It was inappropriate for such young ears," he said indicating the cadet beside him.
"Fine." The Turk replied with an exaggerated sigh and a smile, which Angeal returned happily.
Zack only laughed at the friendly banter between the Turk and commander, glad that the first time Angel had done that it had been taken so well by the normally defensive red head.
"So what do I do with this?" Cloud asked drawing the commander's attention back to the task at hand.
"That goes in here and then we leave it for ten minutes" Angeal said completing the task as described.
"So how long till we eat?" Reno enquired happily, the scent of whatever was cooking making his mouth water.
"Ten minutes, so go wash up" Angeal instructed shooing them all out of the room.
The stories continued throughout the meal and Cloud lost himself to the wondrous tales of adventures in far of lands, of near death experiences involving pranks on several members of senior staff and of disastrous training sessions. He relaxed in their presence and allowed himself to laugh when they laughed, evening drawing up the courage to let the odd humours comment slip from his lips as he grew more confident in their company.
It was only when the sound of a small alarm interrupted their recent tale that Cloud's mood feel instantly and the soldier looked up across the table, clearly worried by the cadet's sudden mood change. They both knew what the alarm was set for, knew that it was time for the blonde's next dosage, and knew that the pills were still in Zack's apartment.
"If you will excuse me." Cloud said softly, already rising from his chair.
"You're leaving?" Reno asked clearly confused. "But we haven't had pudding."
Cloud smiled faintly at the Turk's clearly upset tone and had to admit he was also going to regret leaving and not being able to sample the apple pie they had prepared.
"I'm sorry I have to." Cloud mumbled by way of an apology.
"Couldn't you miss one? I mean I know you shouldn't but ... could you?" Zack asked cautiously, well aware of the look he was getting for Angeal.
Cloud hesitated beside the chair, his hands now wringing the life out of the napkin he held.
"I ... I don't know," he admitted uncertainly.
"Miss one what?" Reno asked oblivious to the conversations theme.
"My medication." Cloud answered flatly, to which Zack and Angeal both flinched slightly.
"What you taking?" Reno continued as if nothing was wrong.
Cloud replied by giving the Turk the name of the medication and Reno mulled it over in his head for a minute.
"Shouldn't be a problem to miss one," he aired thoughtfully. "Just make sure you take the next one on time."
"How do you know?" Zack asked cautiously.
"Man, you still don't get what being a Turk means" Reno sighed "Tseng makes us learn all sorts of stuff, in case it comes in useful."
"And yet he hasn't managed to teach you how to dress properly," Angeal tossed in casually.
The response he got was a shocked Reno nearly choking on a new mouthful of food, a side splitting laugh from Zack who nearly fell of his chair and a small chuckle from the blonde cadet who had yet to move.
"Sit down Cloud," he ordered softly and smiled when the blonde did as instructed.
They finished the meal happily, the incident being quickly forgotten, and then enjoyed the dessert while more embarrassing stories were told. Cloud was first to excuse himself and leave the table, clearing a pile of plates up as he moved, before heading towards the kitchen. A second later and the sound of running water could be heard coming from the room and Zack was quickly up and heading towards it before Angeal could ask him. The commander watched with a sense of pride as Reno also stood, excusing himself first, and followed the other two carrying the remaining plates in his hands. The commander sighed happily as the sounds of laughter and dishes being stacked could be heard coming from the room.
In search of a more comfortable seat Angeal rose from his chair and moved to the living room area of the apartment, where he couldn't help but overhear the conversations going on in the kitchen. The commander laughed softly at Zack's idea to call their task 'mission clean up' and silently agreed with the other two when they openly groaned. He sat back on the two seater sofa and began to listen intently to the system which was being set up by the boys, smiling as jobs were assigned in the clear up operation. He chuckled at one of Zack's embarrassing admissions, also remembering the time well, and let himself relax against the soft comfortable material beneath him.
He soon found himself drawing away from their conversations, including the revelation of a past exploit which he probably shouldn't know about, and began to realise just how happy he felt. He hadn't imagined the evening turning out this way, hadn't planned on it becoming such a relaxed and enjoyable event. Not only was he content with the knowledge that the cadet was getting better but Zack was back to being his puppy again, the young solider full of life once more.
Angeal smiled as his heart grew lighter and filled with warmth, his fatherly affection for the boy finding some peace at last. It was only now that he realised that there was more than just Zack's happiness being felt within him. That somehow the cadet, and even the young Turk, had managed to find their way in as well. It was if the young soldier had not only returned to his rightful place in Angeal's life, but had also brought reinforcements to support it there.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a cry from the kitchen and a second later Cloud flew into the room as if running for his life. Almost instantly Zack appeared, the remains of some sauce still on his face and a glint of revenge in his eyes.
"You're so gonna get it." He warned the cadet playfully, while raising sauce covered hands menacingly.
"No." Cloud choked out between laughing breaths as he backed way.
"If that get's on my furniture you will be cleaning it up." Angeal warned humorously.
"Got it." Zack acknowledged without backing off as the commander and cadet had silently hoped.
"Zack no!" Cloud cried as the soldier suddenly lunged forward, with super speed, and grabbed him.
Within seconds Cloud's body was smeared with the marinade sauce, his clothes face and hair each receiving a good coating of the slick liquid. Angeal wasn't sure how to stop the soldier's assault on the cadet, especially as he didn't want to get the substance on himself either, and was therefore glad when the pair fell away from each other laughing. Zack gloated in triumph as he stood a few steps away from the now dishevelled blonde, admiring his handy work, while Cloud could only grumble at his now very sticky appearance.
"I suggest you go and wash that off before it starts to dry." Angeal suggested, indicating Cloud's hair.
"I'll probably need a shower to get all this off." Cloud admitted examining the parts of his hair he could see.
"You can use the one in the spare bedroom." The commander offered helpfully.
"I couldn't," Cloud stammered, suddenly lost by the unexpected offer.
"Of course you can, besides we can't have you walking around like that." Angeal scolded softly.
"But I don't have any spare clothes or ..."
"There are spare towels here and Zack can lend you some of his clothes, they might be a little big but they should do."
"Thank you." Cloud breathed, smiling nervously at the commander.
"Come on then." Zack said smiling happily as he grabbed Cloud's arm and dragged him towards the spare bedroom. "Shower's in there," he said indicating another door in the room by pushing Cloud towards it. "The towel in there's clean so use it and I'll get another one for when I need it next time. I'll have a quick dig through my stuff and leave something out on the bed for you to change into."
The soldier stopped talking now, noticing an odd silence behind him, and looked back across the room towards the cadet who stood hesitantly in the bathroom doorway.
"You ok?" He asked lightly.
"Thank you ... for everything." Cloud replied timidly, before disappearing into the room and closing the door.
When he had finished washing the gunk from his hair and dried off, Cloud left the bathroom to find a spare t-shirt and pair of combat trousers lying on the bed. They were indeed a little bit too big, but thankfully the trousers had a drawstring belt which did up enough and the t-shirt was comfortable as it hung loosely on his body.
Back outside in the living room he found Reno and Zack sprawled out in front of the TV, having finished the washing up, and watching some random film involving a car chase. Cloud smiled as he listened to the pair debated the realism of the scene and how certain bits just weren't possible, although Reno argued that they were because he had either done it or seen someone else do it.
Cloud hesitantly took a seat on the empty sofa across from Angeal and smiled when the commanders eyes came up, from the book he was reading, to meet his own.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you."
Angela's attention turned back to the novel and so Cloud let himself get drawn into the film and the continued disputes going on between the Turk and soldier. It wasn't long before the events of the day caught up with him, the feeling of a good meal in his stomach, and the freshness of a hot shower leaving him in a relaxed state. He curled up against the cushions on the sofa, telling himself that it was only so he could be more comfortable, informing his eyes that they were only allowed to close for a minute to rest during the adverts. The cadet's eyes never opened again and soon the soft sound of his gentle breathing could be heard as he slept.
It wasn't long before Angeal found that the room had gone quiet and when he looked again there were three sleeping forms spread out around him. Thankfully the cadet was asleep on the sofa, so a blanket over his body was all Angeal needed to do to make him more comfortable. He lifted Zack easily and carried the soldier into the spare room, depositing him on the bed carefully, before tucking him in amongst the covers. The only person he was worried about now was Reno, knowing from personal experience it could be dangerous to wake a sleeping Turk. Thankfully the red head in question had already moved, weather by conscious or unconscious movements Angeal wasn't sure, and now lay on the sofa which the commander had only just vacated. A second blanket appeared and soon Reno was covered up, just as Cloud was across from him.
Checking that everything was off and that all his 'boys' were safe Angeal made his way towards his own bedroom smiling as he realised that somehow things had changed, that somewhere along the line they had become like a family.