Ok so here's the next chapter. Sorry it's a little long but it didn't feel right cutting it into two smaller chapters.
Anyway I hope you enjoy and please remember to review :o)
A day off
It wasn't often that Zack slept in on his days off, the normally energetic soldier happy to get moving as soon as the sun was up. But today was different. Today he had a reason to stay snuggled beneath the covers after turning the alarm off, a reason to ignore the early morning sunshine which peaked in through the crack between the curtains. He hummed in approval as Cloud's body shifted and settled even closer to his, the blonde still asleep but happily pressing himself into the comfort of the soldier's embrace. Zack smiled affectionately as he tightened his hold on the smaller body, the action being greeted with a soft sigh of contentment from the blonde's delicate lips. In that moment the soldier decided that there really was no reason to get up yet and certainly no excuse good enough to move from such a perfect place. With a smile which shone a little brighter on his face Zack settled himself back against the pillows and closed his eyes, the desire to get up being pushed away as he drifted off to sleep again.
The next time the soldier awoke the light in the room was a lot brighter, in turn letting him know that they had been asleep for a while. Glancing over at the clock on the bedside cabinet he groaned softly realising that they had indeed over slept and were now technically behind schedule for the day.
"Hey Spiky." He whispered gently against the cadet's ear. "It's time to get up."
"Just five more minutes." Cloud mumbled, burying his head deeper amongst the pillows and blankets until all the soldier could see was a head of blonde hair.
Zack laughed softly as he began to dig the cadet free of the surrounding protection, his amusement growing as in turn the blonde buried himself even further down into the bed.
"If you keep going you're going to fall out the other end." He warned cheerfully, to which Cloud instantly stopped moving.
A second later and the blanket was thrown back to reveal a dishevelled and slightly flustered looking cadet, his eyes still a little foggy from sleep and his hair in a tousled mess as it surrounded a slightly flushed face.
"You ok?" The soldier asked, the grin on his face revealing the restraint in place not to laugh again.
"Yes." Cloud replied a little breathlessly, his attempts to evade Zack's wake up having resulted in his near suffocation beneath the covers.
"Come on." Zack coaxed, pushing himself out of the bed and offering a hand down to the cadet. "We've already slept in enough."
Cloud followed the soldier's directional glance towards the clock and once his eyes had focused on the numbers being displayed they widened slightly in surprise.
"Is that really the time?"
"Sure is, so we sort of need to get moving."
"But I thought you set the alarm." The cadet enquired as he continued to lie on the bed looking confused.
"I did." The soldier admitted, blushing slightly now. "But I sort of turned it off and thought a few more minutes wouldn't hurt."
"And when was that?" Cloud enquired teasingly, his eyes starting to sparkle as he realised that the soldier was now the one looking embarrassed.
"Maybe a couple of hours ago." Zack confessed, scratching the back of his head and looking around awkwardly.
"So I take it the plans for today are going to change a little?" The cadet enquired playfully.
"A little." The soldier agreed sheepishly.
"So what's first?" The blonde asked as he finally climbed out of the bed and started to make his way towards the bedroom door.
"Shower, dress and ... I guess lunch based on the time."
Cloud's soft chuckling filled the air as he left the bedroom and started making his way towards the bathroom, the delightful sound making Zack's heart flutter happily. A few minutes later and the sound of running water let the soldier know that the cadet was showering, or at least about to shower, so he headed towards the kitchen to make coffee while he waited for his turn.
It was nearly twenty minutes before Cloud emerged from the steam filled room, the sight of the blonde walking through the apartment towards the bedroom making Zack's breath catch in his throat. The soldier silently thanked Gaia that he was currently sitting at the table, the hard wooden surface managing to help conceal the way his body was now reacting. They exchanged quick smiles just before the cadet entered the bedroom and closed the door behind him, leaving Zack to silently fight the raging hormones which now flooded his system. He groaned softly as the image of a nearly naked blonde flashed though his mind again, the scene of Cloud walking past with only a towel wrapped round his waist playing over for him once more. The memory of dripping blonde hair and flushed skin quickly filled his veins with heat, the mental picture of glistening beads of moisture running gracefully down over developing muscles sending that heat straight to his groin.
As a result Zack didn't even bother turning the hot tap on as he started the shower, his body already filled with a liquid fire which pumped through his veins. He groaned softly in despair as images of Cloud looking all flushed and wet raced through his mind again, the sensations of holding and kissing the blonde mixing with the vision and making his body react even more. Taking a deep steadying breath the soldier grit his teeth together and quickly stepped under the cold spray, the air escaping his lungs in a gasping breath as the near freezing temperature poured down over his heated skin. Zack allowed a few colourful expressions to pass over his trembling lips as the arctic like exposure started to make him shiver, the curses slowly turning into half-hearted prayers of thanks as his body finally got the hint and started to behave itself.
Ten minutes later and the soldier was making his way out of the bathroom and towards the bedroom, his progress through the living room being a little rushed so as to avoid the cadet sitting on the sofa. Cloud watched in slight shock and confusion as the normally glowing soldier hurried past, the honey coloured sun-kissed skin he was used to seeing now actually looking a little ... blue. Shaking his head and putting it down to still being half asleep Cloud lent back against the cushions and closed his eyes again, a smile forming on his lips as thoughts of the semi naked soldier dressed in only a towel made his heart beat a little faster and his body feel all warm and tingly inside.
It wasn't long before Zack was also dressed and he couldn't help but cringe when he observed the cadet's clothes, the casual combat trousers and t-shirt he wore looking faded and worn out.
"Ok, change of plan." He announced as they began to make their way from the apartment.
"Oh?"
"Yep, we're going clothes shopping."
"Why, do you need something?" Cloud asked oblivious to the true meaning of the soldier's words.
"Nope, but you do."
"Me, but I'm fine."
"Spiky, if that top gets any thinner I won't need to imagine what you look like underneath." Zack teased, hoping to keep the mood light while he tried to get his point across.
"I would have thought you saw enough earlier that you wouldn't need to use your imagination." Cloud replied nervously, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to continue the playful banter the soldier had begun.
Zack stopped walking and did a double take as the blonde's words sunk in, his expression going from one of mild shock to pure joy as he realised the implications of the words. Almost a second later and a faint look of panic formed on his face, quickly followed by a bright red blush of embarrassment, as the realization of having been caught staring burned though his body.
"You ... you saw that?" He asked nervously, his voice catching in his suddenly dry throat.
"Yes." Cloud replied softly.
"Sorry." Zack mumbled, bowing his head a little lower to watch his feet dig aimlessly at the floor.
"Don't be." The cadet responded, his voice dropping to a faint whisper. "I was ... looking too."
Zack's head instantly snapped up and violet eyes blinked several times as they tried to focus on nervous sparkling blue spheres, his heart now beating wildly in his chest at the blonde's confession.
"You ... were?"
"Yes."
"... and?" The soldier hesitated to ask, mentally smacking himself for pushing his luck by asking such a personal question.
"You looked a little ... blue." Cloud informed him with an amused smile on his face.
"Cold showers will do that to you." Zack replied laughing gently.
"Cold?"
"Uumm ... yea ... cold ..."
Once again the soldier felt his face heat up as if it had just burst into flames, the single raised blonde eyebrow questioning his actions while the sapphire eyes sparkled with a mischievous light of perfect understanding. Zack was just about to respond to Cloud's contradictory expression, when his words were cut off by a familiar voice calling out their names. Both soldier and cadet turned towards the sound and smiled brightly when the flash of bright red hair revealed who had been calling out to them.
"Hey Reno." Zack greeted the Turk as he approached them.
"Hey soldier boy, Cloud." Reno replied, smiling brightly as Zack shook his head at the nickname.
"Hello Reno." The cadet responded happily, his carefree appearance betraying nothing of the conversation they had just been having.
"So what you guys up to?" The red head asked casually.
"Spiky's never been outside the base before so I thought it would be fun to spend the day exploring." Zack explained cheerfully.
"Really?" Reno asked in surprise.
"It's true." Cloud admitted looking a little embarrassed now.
"So what have you got planned?" The red head continued, choosing to ignore the cadet's discomfort.
"We were just going to grab some lunch, but the main idea was to go shopping and get Spiky some new clothes."
"Oh Gaia." The cadet beside him breathed softly, as he covered his bright red face with a pair of trembling hands.
"Sorry." The soldier apologised, chuckling softly. "But you know it's true. Those clothes you're wearing are fine for lying about the apartment, but you do need some new ones for going out in."
"I have my uniform." Cloud protested weakly, his words a little muffled as he remained hidden from them.
"Uniform's don't count on days off." Reno cut in before Zack could say the same thing, their eyes meeting in agreement about the cadet clearly needing a new wardrobe.
"I didn't think they were that bad." The blonde whispered timidly.
"They're not," Zack spoke up quickly. "You just need some new things to ... give you more options."
A single blue eye peeped out between spread fingers and both soldier and Turk held their breaths as they waited for the cadet to speak. A few seconds later and Cloud's hands slid free of his face to reveal a slightly flushed and self-conscious expression.
"I guess I could do with a few new tops." The blonde sighed softly in acceptance, pulling unhappily at the edges of his faded t-shirt.
"Good, now how about we go grab something to eat and I'll show you guys some places to check out." Reno suggested cheerfully.
"You're joining us?" Zack enquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Sure. I've done my job for the day so have some spare time."
"What were you doing?" Cloud asked casually as they began to walk again.
"Oh just checking on someone ...I mean something for Tseng." Reno replied, catching himself and winching at the slip.
"Someone?" The cadet asked in surprise.
"Uummm yea, but forget you heard that part, ok?" The Turk replied quickly, actually looking uncomfortable that he had been caught out.
"Why?" Cloud asked, taken back by the sudden tension in Reno's appearance.
"Trust me Spiky, if Reno says to forget it then you should." Zack informed the blonde seriously, his eyes glancing over at the Turk's with a knowing expression.
Cloud looked between the two questioningly, his curious gaze being met with firm expressions from both the soldier and Turk which betrayed nothing.
"Do you know?" The cadet asked suspiciously, his attention solely on Zack now.
"No." The soldier replied firmly, his eyes never leaving Cloud's so that his answer would be accepted. "I just know that sometimes Reno get's jobs he can't talk about ... just like I do."
Once again the cadet's expression became questioning, his mind clearly racing over this revelation and what it meant for them.
"So you can't always be honest with me?"
"When it comes to us I can." Zack replied quickly, his heart skipping a beat as Cloud's voice became guarded and a little distant.
"It's not Zack's fault." Reno cut in hastily, his voice drawing the cadet's attention instantly. "Sometimes we get assigned things which require high level clearance and we can't talk about it."
"So ... you have to keep ... secrets."
"There not exactly secrets, just ... things were not allowed to discuss." Zack offered feebly, knowing that it probably wasn't helping his cause.
"..."
"Spiky?" The soldier breathed nervously.
"We should go." Cloud replied faintly as he began to move away, his feet now carrying him along an unfamiliar path towards a place he didn't know.
Zack and Reno exchanged a quick glance and both shared an equally concerned expression, the cadet's sudden mood change catching them both by surprise. They had barely spared a second to look at each other, yet by the time they looked back Cloud was already a short distance ahead of them and moving away at a steady pace.
"Hey Cloud, Spiky?" Zack called out as they hurried to catch up with the blonde.
They caught up with cadet easily enough but he still refused to meet their eyes, instead focusing on the floor at his feet as Reno led the way and the soldier tried to get him to talk. But Cloud continued to remain quiet as they left the compound and began to make their way towards the diner which Reno and Zack often used, his thoughts clearly going over what had just been said and being troubled by it. They reached their destination with the cadet still silent and a little lost to them, his distant gaze giving both the soldier and Turk a reason to be worried.
"Hey." Zack said, gently placing a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Are you ok?"
"It's hard to live with ... secrets." Cloud whispered not looking at either of them.
"Yea, it is." The soldier agreed, gently drawing the cadet against his body and silently thankful when the blonde didn't pull away.
Reno waited patiently as the pair held each other a little longer, both seemingly lost to the rest of the world as it passed them by. He watched as Cloud buried himself tighter into the soldier's embrace and noted how Zack seemed to draw comfort from the action, even though he still looked equally confused about the cadet's reaction.
"Spiky, is there ... something you want to ... talk about?"
"No."
Once again the solider and Turk exchanged a look which said that something was wrong, the blonde's answer having been too quick and too defensive in tone.
"Cloud?"
"After last night and ... and what we ... said. I just don't ... I don't want there to be ... secrets between us." The cadet explained carefully, still hiding his face from them.
"I promise to be as honest with you as I can." Zack whispered back, gently tightening his hold on the smaller body pressed against him. "But you have to understand that there will be things I can't talk about."
There was a short pause as the soldier waited for the blonde to respond, his heat beating almost painfully in his chest as it counted out the seconds.
Reno watched the soldier's eyes close in a silent prayer and instantly felt the questions rising in his throat, the need to know what had happened between the pair making its way to his mouth. He had barley opened his mouth to speak when violet eyes opened and met with his, the normally bright spheres hardening with a mako flare warning him not to say a word. The red head was silenced instantly as they shared a look which said they could talk later, that when they were alone he could ask, but not now while Cloud was in their presence. The Turk quickly decided that another tactic was needed to move this awkward moment along, something to lighten the mood and get them back to enjoying the day.
"You guys aren't going to be all mushy like this all day are you?" He whined playfully, the dramatic act of mock disgust drawing a soft chuckle from the cadet who now moved back from the soldier.
"No, we're good." Cloud replied, as he quickly pulled himself together and gave the red head a faint smile.
"Good because I'm starving and that was starting to make me nauseous." The Turk responded with more faked revulsion.
Zack smiled brightly as Cloud once again laughed softly at Reno's theatrical display of horror at being stuck with the love sick couple all day, offering the Turk a silently mouthed word of thanks as they entered the diner behind the cadet. It wasn't long before the subject had been forgotten, or at least brushed aside for the time being, as they all sat back and enjoyed a pleasant lunch together. Zack happily talked about the arrangement he and Cloud had made with Angeal, proudly announcing all of the cadet's achievements throughout the gruelling sessions with the commander. The blonde in turn had blushed at each of the soldier's declarations and after a bit of uncertainty begun to add his own feelings about the whole process. The one thing both had agreed on was that the past few days had been worth it, especially now that they were going to be able to return to a normal schedule. In turn Reno chatted happily about the things he had been doing since their last meeting, his humorous experiences making for an entertaining conversation which Cloud was sure Angeal wouldn't have approved of.
After an hour or so of chatting and eating they left the diner and hit the shops with a purpose, the soldier and Turk both making it their mission to rebuild the cadet's dying wardrobe. To Cloud's horror his attempts to keep things simple were quickly dismissed by the pair, as they began to compete over who could find the best combination of clothes for him, and his insistencies of only needing a few tops were completely ignored. In the end he gave up protesting as he was forced to try on various shirts, jumper, trousers, jeans and who knows what else as Zack and Reno both went a little crazy with their choices. At one point he had even tried to point out that he couldn't afford half of their options anyway, having only a small amount of savings to spend, but the issue was quickly pushed aside as the soldier paid for everything.
Before Cloud knew it several hours had passed and they were once again back in the diner, this time enjoying a well earned dinner and surrounded by bags containing his new clothes. The cadet glanced across at the pile carefully stacked beside Reno in the booth and sighed softly, a small smile gracing his features as he thought about the fuss they had made of him. It had been a little awkward at first, as the soldier and Turk got carried away, with Cloud feeling more like a doll than a person as he was dressed and re-dressed in all sorts of things. But after a while the mild irritation and unease had given way to something else, to stronger feelings of an unfamiliar happiness as it started to spread throughout his body. In the end the cadet had to admit that it had actually started to feel nice being the centre of their attention, the memories now filling every fibre of his being with a warm pleasurable glow.
"You ok?" Zack asked gently, as he noted the dreamy look in the blonde's eyes.
"Yes. Just tired I guess." Cloud replied, his words being closely followed by a yawn which he tried to hide.
"So I see." The soldier replied chuckling softly.
"I guess we did go a little overboard." Reno added, glancing across at the heap beside him.
"A little?" The cadet enquired, raising a blonde eyebrow questioningly.
"Ok, a lot." The Turk agreed smiling brightly. "But this way you have no excuse for having nothing to wear when we got out."
"Go out?" Cloud choked back, his eyes widening slightly.
"Sure, now you've got the right clothes we seriously have to hit a club sometime."
"I ... I don't know if I ..."
"Calm down." Zack cut in quickly, his arm instinctively going around the cadet's shoulders to give comfort. "Reno's not saying we do it now, but it is a good idea for another day."
"Ok." Cloud breathed nervously.
"Good. Now come on and eat up, it's getting late and we should be heading back soon."
The cadet smiled brightly in response and nodded his head in agreement to the soldier's words, silently grateful that they would be going home soon. It had been a long day after all and while a part of him didn't want it to end, the idea of a warm bed was starting to sound quite inviting.
They finished their meal and walked back towards the compound together, happily enjoying the conversations which continued between them. Reno had helped to carry some of the bags back, but now handed them over as he said his goodbyes and left them to make their own way back to Zack's apartment alone. He continued to smile brightly as he watched the pair walk away, their faces turning briefly as they waved before disappearing out of sight round a corner. The smile quickly faded as he turned and made his own way back towards home, the questions from earlier once more running through his head. There hadn't been a chance to speak about it during the day, the soldier always close to the cadet as if fearful to leave his side, and the curiosity now burned deep within him. Reno sighed as he walked along the path which would lead him towards his apartment, his mind already trying to work out a time when he could catch up with Zack when Cloud wouldn't be around.
It didn't take the soldier and cadet long to reach their home and both sighed happily as they collapsed onto the sofa, the long day finally catching up with them. It was Zack who suggested that they put Cloud's new clothes away before anything else, the idea of adding more of the blonde's things to his own making his heart beat a little faster in his chest. The cadet had rolled his eyes at the soldier's excitement but happily allowed himself to be pulled up out of the chair and dragged into the bedroom, his own happiness of what they were doing clearly visible on his delicate features. After a few minutes of sorting through the bags they began to place the various items in the correct places and neither could keep the bright smiles off their faces. Both understanding what the simple act meant to their developing relationship, that by adding more of Cloud's things to Zack's within the apartment they were somehow reinforcing the bond which was forming between them.
"You didn't have to do this." The cadet said, still feeling a little guilty over how much the soldier had spent.
"I've already told you I don't mind." Zack replied happily as he hung another shirt in the wardrobe.
"I can pay you back, I just need time to work out ..."
"Spiky." The soldier cut in firmly, turning now so that he could look at the cadet. "I don't want you to pay me back. I know you didn't plan on buying all this stuff and ..."
"I can probably give you some of my pay each week." Cloud continued, ignoring Zack's words. "It won't be much but ..."
"You're not listening." The soldier sighed, noting how Cloud was now trying to avoid his gaze. "I know you can't afford all of it and I don't want you to feel like you need to pay me back. It's my fault you got all this stuff, and Reno's in a way, so don't worry about it."
"I can work something out." The blonde protested faintly from across the room.
"I don't want you to work something out. I know what you get paid and it suck's so don't even try and budget for this. I earn more than enough to cover it and beside's, who else am I going to spend my pay cheque on?"
"I just don't want you to think I expect this, that I ..."
"Hey." Zack interrupted, now moving to stand behind the cadet so that he could wrap his arms around the blonde's slim waist. "I don't think that so stop worrying and just enjoy it, ok?"
"But I ..."
"Last chance to agree." The soldier warned lightly.
"But ..."
The next second and Cloud found himself being spun round in Zack's arms, his words barely changing into a startled squeak as warm lips pressed down against his own sealing off the protesting murmurings. The cadet only hesitated for a moment before melting into the kiss, his arms coming up to wrap around the soldier's neck pulling their bodies closer together. Zack responded by deepening the kiss, his tongue passing over Clouds parted lips to explore the warm space within the cadet's mouth. It was only when his advances drew a small moan from the blonde that he stopped, when he could feel them both trembling against each other that he pulled away. They held each other tightly while panting softly in the quiet room, the shopping momentarily forgotten as they both drew in small gasping breaths.
"Do you give up?" Zack asked, as soon as he could trust his voice to speak.
"If I say no will you kiss me again?" Cloud enquired teasingly, his trembling voice betraying his confidence in asking.
"If you say yes then I will." The soldier informed him, laughing softly as he adjusted his hold around the blonde's body.
"Then yes." The cadet replied happily, his heart skipping a beat as Zack's lips claimed his again.
They soon became lost to another deep passionate kiss, their hold on each other tightening as they gave themselves over to their emotions. This time neither pulled away when the sensations began to grow stronger, as heat started to run through their veins and their bodies began to respond. Zack moaned softly as Cloud's body lent into his, the blonde now using his arms to pull himself up and closer against the soldier's chest. In response Zack's hands slowly began to glide over the cadet's back, with one hand reaching up between Cloud's shoulders and the other hand travelling slowly across to the base of his spine. A low moan could be heard from the blonde and his body pressed forward even more, with Zack in turn using his new hold on the cadet to draw him even closer. It was only when the soldier's hand began to move down from its place on the small of his back and over the firm round cheeks of his backside that Cloud suddenly broke away from the kiss.
Violet eyes opened and stared down into lust filled and surprised glowing blue spheres, the bright shimmering sapphires showing that while the act had not been rejected it had also not been expected. Zack quickly moved his hand's back to a safer place on the cadet's body and looked down at the blonde nervously as they both continued to draw in gasping breaths.
"I'm sorry." The soldier panted, as soon as his breathing would allow it.
"It's ... ok." Cloud responded, letting this head fall against the soldier's chest now that they weren't pressed together so tightly.
"I went too far." Zack continued, still not entirely convinced by the cadet's answer.
"It's ok." Cloud repeated, this time looking up to meet the soldier's eyes. "Really, it is."
"You ... you're really sure ... it's ok?"
"Yes." The cadet whispered softly, as he lowered his head against the soldier's body again.
Zack didn't know whether his legs were shaking because of what he had just done or if it was because of how Cloud had accepted it. All he knew was that something had just happened, something which had changed the rules about the types of intimate contact allowed between them. No longer was he restricted to just their mind blowing kisses, but had indirectly been given permission to explore with more personal touches. While the idea of taking the new experience further burned within him the soldier also understood that the moment had passed and that their heated arousals were now replaced by a tender loving embrace. So he allowed himself to relax into the comfortable silence which had settled around them, knowing that what they were feeling was somehow deeper than what it had been before.
"We should probably finish sorting this stuff out." Cloud suggested faintly, his words drawing Zack out of his deep thoughts.
"Yea, you're right." The soldier reluctantly agreed, knowing that it was probably a good idea but still not wanting to let go. "It's getting late and Angeal will kick my butt if you're tired tomorrow."
Another small chuckle escaped the blonde in his arms and Zack couldn't keep the grin from his face as he soaked up the wondrous sound.
"You're imagining Angeal kicking my butt aren't you?" He asked, now chuckling at the mental image himself.
"Yes." Cloud admitted happily.
Smiling brightly the soldier placed a brief kiss to the top of Cloud's head and then reluctantly moved away so they could finish what they had been doing. It was only as he went to pull another item from one of the bags that he looked down at his hand, the limb still warm and tingling slightly from the experience of where it had been allowed to touch. Zack felt his heart began to flutter at the memory and glanced back over his shoulder to watch the blonde from across the room, his eyes absorbing every detail of the cadet's joyful glow. Perhaps he hadn't intended to let that happen but he wasn't about to regret it now, especially after Cloud had accepted it so well. By the time they had put everything safely away where it belonged it was late in the evening and Zack's warning about Angeal not being impressed if they were tired echoed in both their minds.
The soldier's plan to keep the cadet busy and distracted all day worked out very well, with Cloud drifting away into a deep sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Zack tucked them in amongst the covers and watched over the blonde for a little while, knowing that there were still concerns about returning to class running through Cloud's head. He carefully observed every twitch or sudden sound from the cadet in case he was having a bad dream, ready to wake him if necessary. But after a short time the soldier relaxed and allowed his tiredness to creep in, the blonde's peaceful slumber helping to sooth away his own concerns about the coming day. Soon the room was filled with the sounds of gentle breaths as both slept peacefully side by side, their worries lost to a land of dreams and light.