I'm starting to feel like that messed up white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland who keeps running around saying there isn't enough time, because seriously there isn't and I really miss being able to just sit and write. Ok, must stop rambling and let you all read in peace :o)

As always, I hope you enjoy.

Something to think about

The next morning found Cloud waking to an uncomfortable feeling throughout his entire body, as the remaining aches and pains from his day of cleaning all came together and were slowly revealed to him. The cadet groaned softly as he tried to sit up in bed, the muscles along his back and shoulders instantly protesting the simple stretches they were being forced to perform. The faint sounds of discomfort hadn't been loud but they had still been enough to wake Zack, his violet eyes quickly opening and looking around to see what was wrong. It only took him a few seconds to work out the problem, his expression becoming sympathetic as he settled his gaze upon the blonde.

"You ok?" He asked gently.

"Yea, I'll be fine." Cloud replied with a sigh, as he tried to ignore the stiffness which had settled in his limbs. "I just need another hot shower and then I'll be ok."

"Ok, you go first and take your time." The soldier advised happily, as he eased back onto the bed again now that he was sure the cadet was alright.

"Is that concern for me or an excuse to spend more time in bed?" Cloud joked lightly, his teasing question making Zack's heart flutter.

"Both." The soldier admitted happily, as he snuggled back beneath the covers and closed his eyes.

Zack couldn't help but grin wildly as he heard the cadet start to chuckle softly, the glorious sound filling the air around him and caressing his very soul so that it felt a deep sense of peace. He continued to lay feigning sleep as he felt the blonde rise from their bed, the sound of soft footsteps slowly fading away and letting him know when Cloud was gone from the room. With a happy and contented sigh the soldier rolled over and stretched out on the bed, his face instantly brushing up against the cadet's pillow and exposing him to a familiar and delightfully pleasing scent.

Almost immediately Zack felt a sense of calm ease through his body, the wonderful experience causing him to unconsciously reach up and grasp the blonde's pillow with both hands and pull it in closer towards him. This time when the soldier drew in a deep breath there was no mistaking the intention behind it, his face buried deep into the soft material as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to drown in the heart-warming aroma. The fragrance was like liquid gold through his veins, Cloud's very essence like a drug which both soothed his body and excited it at the same time.

Knowing that he didn't have to get up straight away Zack remained where he was for a few more minutes, the sound of Cloud's gentle laughter which still echoed in his mind now mixing with everything else and causing things low down in his body to begin to respond. Shifting slightly to relieve some of the steadily growing pressure between his legs the soldier found his arms moving to a new position on the bed, his hand indirectly reaching out and connecting with the lingering warmth on the sheets were the cadet's body had just been. Slowly Zack's fingers began to trace lightly over the space where the blonde had slept, his progress starting from where the head of blonde hair would have rested and gradually moving down, each digit gently rising and falling with every dip and curve that Cloud's glorious body had left behind.

A slight blush suddenly began to creep over the soldier's handsome features as he realised what he was doing, his fingers now deliberately following the outline of where the cadet's perky little bottom had been resting only a short time ago. A second later and Zack felt his mouth go dry as he imagined what it would be like to actually caress that part of Cloud's body in this way, the next breath he took catching in his throat as he pictured them both naked while doing it. Almost instantly the soldier felt the pleasurable heat coursing through veins rush straight to his groin, the very obvious erection he now felt pressed against the mattress making it impossible to deny just how much of an effect the blonde really had on him.

Forcing himself to take a deep calming breath Zack counted to ten before releasing it again, the action being repeated at least three more times until he had his body under control again. Inside the soldier's chest his heart was beating a fast joyful rhythm even as he tried to fight off the desires which now flowed through him, warning thoughts of Cloud returning to find him like this quickly helping to replace the rising lust with very effective mood-killing embarrassment. Groaning softly the soldier rolled over again to lie on his back, the calloused palms of his hands coming up to rub rough circles over his eyes and then his temples as he tried to focus on calming himself. With a frustrated groan of unfulfilled desire and lingering want the soldier threw the sheets back and rolled out of bed, a few quick squats thankfully helping to work off the remaining sexual energy which still flowed through his veins. A low rumble from his stomach suddenly echoed in the room and Zack smiled in both amusement and relief, his body mercifully providing him with its own distraction and reminding him that it was in fact time for breakfast.

"Now that I can do." The soldier answered the sound happily, as he began to make his way out of the bedroom.

Ten minutes later and the apartment was steadily filling with the delightful aroma of hot filtered coffee, the scent quickly being joined by that of freshly cooking pancakes as Zack worked to prepare them both a decent breakfast for the day. It wasn't unusual for the soldier to switch the CD player on while he fussed about in the kitchen, but with his attention only half focused on not burning the meal, and the other half on thoughts of the cadet, Zack didn't notice how his hips had started to sway in time to the music being played. Nor did he notice how his voice had begun to accompany the lead singer as he sang along to the lyrics of the song, the soldier's joyful mood only increasing as the rhythm flowed through him and lifted his spirits even more. Grinning happily to himself Zack was completely oblivious to how he now danced about the kitchen while he cooked, the beat which he could feel pulsing through his veins guiding his body to move as if it were in a nightclub and not his home on the ShinRa base. Had the soldier been aware of his actions though he might have felt a little embarrassed by them, especially if he had looked round and seen the cadet who now stood in stunned silence watching him from across the room.

Cloud knew that it was rude to stare at someone but right now he couldn't help it, the sight of the soldier and his little performance in the kitchen making it impossible for the cadet to think let alone move or look away. In truth there was no way to describe the vision he was witnessing other than to compare the movements to that of a stripper, the grace by which Zack moved showing off every muscle in his toned body and being something which the blonde he had never seen before. Unable to tear his eyes from the erotic scene Cloud could feel his heart beating frantically in his chest, his next breath catching in his throat when he noticed how the soldier's clothes was being reshaped as he danced. The cadet's eyes quickly became the size of dinner plates, the thin layers of material which covered Zack's well toned body were drawn tightly against the large frame and allowed everything which was technically hidden to be seen clearly.

To the surprise of both men Zack's phone suddenly started to ring, the loud and unexpected sound instantly bringing the display to an end and also snapping the blonde back to reality like a slap in the face.

"Hello." Zack spoke up happily down the phone, a deep rich laugh responding to whatever the caller had said. "Yea Angeal we're fine, both of us."

Cloud remained frozen to the spot and blinked for a minute as he slowly came back to himself, an undeniable heat flowing through his veins and drawing his attention to the rather embarrassing problem he now had. Understanding that it was a reaction to what he'd seen the cadet groaned softly before catching himself and quickly looking up, the fear of being caught in this predicament causing a blush to sweep over his entire body. Knowing that the towel which was wrapped tightly around his waist was the only thing to conceal his growing problem, and even then it was barley managing to do that, the blonde felt his body being to tremble slightly as he quickly looked about for the best escape route before he was spotted.

Realising that the bedroom was still too far away to reach undetected the blonde retreated back to the safety of the bathroom, a silent prayer of thanks going up the heavens when he got there without being seen. Cloud was fully aware that his actions were a contradiction to the words he had spoken only the night before, the confession of being ready for more intimacy between them echoing in his mind. But now was not the time for exploring those options, especially when he had classes to get to, which is why the cadet soon found himself standing under the shower once more. A few minutes later and Cloud made his way back into the living room again, his body a little colder than before but at least back under control, and Zack thankfully unaware of the whole incident as he observed the cadet emerging the bathroom for what he thought was the first time.

"Feeling any better?" The soldier asked cheerfully, as he looked up and smiled happily at the blonde.

"Yes, thank you." Cloud replied softly, his progress through the apartment coming to a halt as Zack spoke again.

"I hope you're hungry because I might have gone overboard with the food." The soldier admitted with a faint chuckle, his eyes going back down to the table so that the cadet's followed and also took in the sight of the mountain of food. "I guess it's a good thing though, seeing as how Angeal's coming over." He tried to add casually, his amethyst spheres looking up again as he spoke to see how the blonde would react to the knowledge of their unexpected guest.

"Why?" Cloud asked nervously, his shoulder's tensing slightly and letting Zack know he had been right expect such a response to the revelation.

"I'm not sure exactly." The soldier replied honestly, their eyes staying connected so that the cadet would know he was speaking the truth. "But he wanted to speak to you before classes started and I think it might have something to do with yesterday's punishment."

"Oh." The blonde breathed softly, a thoughtful expression now forming on his delicate features as he looked away.

"Look, try not to worry about it." Zack offered gently, as he moved round to stand beside the cadet. "He did say it was an idea and that he wanted to go over it with you, so that probably means you'll have a say in what happens. Also if it was something serious he would have called us to his office, not be coming round to join us for breakfast."

"I guess." Cloud agreed softly, his face coming back round to watch his own hand as it slowly reached up to lay flat over the soldier's heart.

For a moment Zack stood at a loss for words, the unexpected contact which now existed between them not being unwelcome but definitely surprising given the conversation they were having. The cadet's touch on his body was light and almost hesitant, the small palm pressed gently against the fabric of his clothes but firmly enough to feel the way his heart had now begun to beat a little bit faster. But really it was the way Cloud now held himself that made the soldier question what was happening, the feeling of peace which seemed to be emanating from the blonde being almost a contradiction to the worry they had both been feeling only moments ago.

"Cloud, are you ok?" Zack managed to ask, his breath catching in his throat as deep rich pools of blue looked up at him.

"I'm fine." The cadet breathed lightly, a soft look of happiness showing on his face as he smiled. "I was just thinking."

"About what?" The soldier probed gently, his own hands unconsciously reaching up and settling themselves on the blonde's narrow waist.

"About kissing you." Cloud confessed shyly, his cheeks flushing slightly as he fought not to look away.

"Dare I ask how your mind went from knowing that Angeal was coming round to wanting to kiss me?" Zack teased playfully, his words earning him a low groan from the cadet and a small slap against his chest from the palm which rested there.

"If you must know I was thinking more about last night." The blonde admitted timidly, his voice becoming quieter as he spoke. "About how the punishment sort of ... brought us together ... made us closer." He mumbled by way of explanation, his face now turning away and unable to remain focused on the soldier's in case his words had brought up bad memories again.

"Yea, I guess it did." Zack agreed, his relaxed tone easing Cloud's concerns so that he could look up again. "But that doesn't mean you have to hit Seph and demand a day of hell every time you want to get closer to me." He began with a chuckle, his words causing the cadet to squirm a little in embarrassment. "Next time just ask, ok?"

"It's not like I planned it that way." The blonde grumbled, his emotions now wavering between wanting to hit the soldier again and his desire for the kiss he had spoken of.

"I'm pushing my luck here aren't I?" Zack guessed, his words matching Cloud's thoughts exactly.

"Yes, you are." The cadet replied, his voice holding a hint of warning to it which actually made the soldier smile even more.

"Do I still get my kiss?" Zack asked in a low seductive tone, as he eased his face down closer to the blonde's

"Maybe." Cloud breathed heavily, the smouldering heat in his eyes letting the soldier know the answer was really a yes.

"Good." Zack whispered back, their lips brushing against one another's lightly for a fraction of a second before he made the tiny move necessary to bring them together.

The kiss itself was both soft and gentle as the soldier's mouth played against his own and the cadet was swept away by how careful Zack was being. He could easily feel the raven haired teen's unspoken desire flowing just beneath the surface, the way the larger body almost seemed to radiate a heated need as it pressed against him. Yet at no point did Zack take the kiss beyond that of a tender caress of lips, his body quickly pulling away as he fought to keep the moment between them just an innocent show of affection.

"I shouldn't." The soldier panted softly, his fingers flexing so that they caressed the blonde's hips even as he tried to let go. "Not while you're dressed like this."

"Why?" Cloud breathed, his pulse now racing as he forgot his earlier reservations and instinctively moved forward.

"Because Angeal's coming over and I really don't want him arriving to find us like this." Zack explained, his arms straightening a little to put some distance between them again and his violet eyes now silently begging the cadet to accept the decision.

"But if he wasn't then ... ?" Cloud asked hesitantly, his sky blue spheres briefly looking away as he found himself unable to finish the question.

"I'm not sure." The soldier admitted with a nervous laugh, his response making the blonde turn to face him once more. "I admit that I wasn't expecting this from you right now and can't deny that seeing you ... dressed in so little isn't making me excited, but I'm still not sure how far you're ready to take this yet."

"I'm not sure either, but I'm not afraid to try." Cloud replied softly, his whole body relaxing as if the words were a weight being lifted from his shoulders. "I know this is something we both want and that you won't hurt me, that it's my uncertainty which is holding us back."

"You shouldn't do anything you're not ready for." Zack interrupted, his voice tight as he tried not to ruin the moment. "I can wait for as long as you need to be comfortable, there's no rush to get there."

"Zack." Cloud snorted, his small expression of amusement making the soldier blink in surprise and confusion. "I'm standing in your arms wearing only a towel and just asked you to kiss me." The cadet pointed out while blushing furiously, his humorous tone making Zack smile as well. "I don't think you have to worry about me needing a lot of time."

"Ok, I concede that this is a little more ... intimate than anything else we've done so far." The soldier agreed with a cheerful sigh, his arms now drawing the blonde's body against him and into an affectionate hug. "But there's still a big difference between this and what you're implying we can do, so forgive me if I want you to have a little bit more time to be sure."

"Alright." Cloud agreed softly, as he suddenly realised that perhaps it wasn't just about him needing to take things slowly now.

"Maybe you should get dressed." Zack spoke up, after they had silently held each other for a few minutes. "Angeal's going to be here any minute and breakfast is getting cold." He added, his normal cheerful tone not quite where the cadet knew it could be.

"Ok." The blonde sighed, his body moving back and up on his toes to place a chaste kiss against the soldier's lips. "But I want to talk about this some more later tonight, maybe after dinner, if that's alright?" He said before moving away, the light he now saw shining in Zack's eyes making his heart flutter happily.

"I'd like that too." The soldier replied, his smile brightening even as he spoke. "Now get your backside moving or we'll have to explain to Angeal why your clothes are in my room and not the spare one."

"I don't understand, is there something wrong with that?" The blonde enquired nervously, his retreating figure stopping so that he stood just outside the room in question.

"Let's just say that no one knows about our sleeping arrangement and I'd really like to avoid a lecture from Angeal about it."

"Wouldn't I get spoken to as well, I mean it is both of us, right?"

"Oh trust me Spiky you'd get your own special little talk with him, but it would be a completely different one to mine."

"Zack." The cadet began, his mind suddenly focusing on something he had meant to ask the night before. "Does Angeal know about you and Kyle?"

"He knows we became close, although I never really talked to him about it." The soldier answered, a heavy sigh making the blonde feel bad for bringing the subject up. "We kept our working relationship professional, so there was never a need for someone to question us, and the time we had together once he arrived was pretty limited."

"So you never told him."

"No, not outright." Zack chuckled, the memories causing conflicting emotions to play across his face and become heard in his voice. "I think he knew there was more too it by the way we kept in touch, but he never asked me directly."

"Then how can you be sure he knew?"

"Two reasons really. The first being that when he found out we had planned on meeting up he gave me this awkward speech about the birds and the bees, which just made me want to crawl in a hole and die."

"That must have been an interesting talk." Cloud noted softly, his body now shifting restlessly in the bedroom doorway as he debated on going back to hold the soldier in a comforting embrace.

"Tell me about it." Zack sighed, as he rubbed the back of his head and allowed an embarrassed smile to appear on his face. "And believe me when I say you'll get to hear it firsthand if he catches you like that in there."

"He wouldn't?" The cadet gasped in disbelief, his sapphire eyes widening as some of the colour appeared to drain from his face.

"Don't bet your life on it." The soldier snorted, the blonde's expression making it hard not to smile a little more.

"What was the other reason?" Cloud asked hesitantly, a gut feeling instantly telling him it wasn't going to be a good answer.

"He stopped asking questions after the report came in that Kyle had been killed." Zack replied, his voice now stained with pain again.

"I'm sorry." The cadet whispered as he moved to stand beside the soldier, his arms quickly wrapping around Zack's waist and drawing their bodies closer together. "I don't mean to hurt you with my questions."

"It's ok, really it is." The soldier replied reassuringly, his arms going around the blonde's shoulders to complete the embrace. "And I get that you might want someone else to go over this stuff with so don't worry about talking to Reno. He knows more about it than Angeal does, plus he won't give you any lectures if you ask."

"I didn't plan on asking anyone, I just didn't want to say something in front of the wrong person."

"And I appreciate that." Zack thanked him gently, his voice attempting to become more light-hearted and jokey as he spoke again. "Now get dressed before I make it an order cadet."

"Yes Sir." The blonde teased back, his playful response making them both smile a little brighter.

Five minutes later and Cloud was sitting at the table fully dressed in his uniform, the meal in front of him a little cooler than he would have liked but no less delicious because of it. It was just as he was taking a sip of coffee to wash down the current mouthful that he heard a knock at the door, his attempt to rise and answer it being stopped as Zack came out of the bedroom and gestured for him to stay where he was. Knowing that there was no point in arguing the blonde shrugged and settled back in the chair, his hand already moving to add more syrup to the mountain of soft fluffy pancakes he was slowly working his way through.

"Good morning Cloud." Angeal's voice spoke up, the greeting coming just as the cadet had filled his mouth with another forkful of food.

Unable to reply with words the blonde merely smiled sheepishly and waved in response, his cheeks burning slightly as both the soldier and commander began to chuckle at the situation.

"It's good to see you looking so well." Angel noted cheerfully, as he took a seat across from Cloud and accepted the cup of coffee which Zack handed him. "And that you have developed such a healthy appetite."

With his mouth still full the cadet remained silent and nodded in agreement, his cheeks now on fire as he struggled to chew the food and swallow it without choking. Thankfully this time the men watching him didn't laugh out loud, the violet and brown eyes focused on him glowing happily and silently communicating their enjoyment of what was happening. Rolling his own sapphire orbs in mock despair the blonde chose to ignore them both for a minute, his obvious embarrassment only making them smile that much brighter.

"So what's this idea of yours then?" Zack spoke up, his question being one which Cloud had wanted to ask as well.

"It involves drawing out your punishment a little longer, if you're up to that." The commander replied confirming the soldier's suspicions, his face now turned to focus solely on the cadet.

"How and why? I mean wasn't yesterday enough." Cloud enquired uncertainly, once he was able to talk again without it being impolite.

"It is true that yesterday's activities have more than covered for the incident, but I ask that you consider this for a different reason."

"I wouldn't have to do more cleaning would I?" The cadet asked, his body instantly protesting the idea as it reminded him of the lingering aches he was still feeling.

"No." Angeal replied gently, his chocolate brown eyes softening as he spoke again. "I'm concerned about how the other cadet's will react when you return to class, that perhaps certain individuals will not be willing to let the matter go."

"You don't seriously think they'd try something in class?" Zack gasped, his face a look of both disbelief and also apprehension.

"You know as well as I do that 'training accidents' are not always what they claim themselves to be." The commander noted evenly, his brow creasing as he turned his attention away from the soldier and back to the cadet. "I want time to observe them with you around, but at the same time make sure that they are unable to hurt you."

"How?" Cloud asked, his expression revealing the confusion he felt about the whole situation.

"I will inform the instructors that you are ... suspended from training for the rest of the week." Angeal began, his words receiving the reaction he had been expecting.

"I can take care of myself."Cloud growled softly, his sky blue orbs darkening. "You don't need to stop me from training just to see what they do."

"I am fully aware of your abilities and have no doubt that if something did happen, you would be more than capable of handling it." The commander noted evenly, his face becoming stern as he took in the blonde's defensive posture and aggressive tone. "But I want the others to have some time to cool off before you have to face them again, just as I want an opportunity to see how they act towards you without actually giving them a chance to do anything about it."

"Come on Spiky, it's not that bad." Zack pleaded from where he now stood, the worry in his amethyst spheres making Cloud's rising anger falter.

"Fine." The cadet growled after a moment, his acceptance of the idea clearly a reluctant one. "But I want you to go over everything we did in class again in the evening so that I don't miss out."

"I agree to those terms." The commander replied calmly, his expression relaxing so that a faint smile formed on his lips. "Although you should probably know that you are already ahead of your peers in their combat training and so anything we do may seem a little boring by comparison."

"That's not possible." Cloud gasped in surprise, his sapphire eyes widening as he took in the commander's serious look. "I mean I missed all of those classes so it shouldn't be possible."

"You have a natural talent which has helped you to pick up things a lot quicker than them." Angeal pointed out, his words now echoing something which Zack had said not so long ago. "Plus you have benefitted from the extra tuition that Zack and I have given you, which has made your skills far in advance of theirs."

"Really?" The blonde couldn't help but ask, his voice openly revealing his surprise to hear the commander say such things.

"Yes, really." Angeal replied with a kind smile, his eyes holding the blonde's for a moment before he began to speak again. "You have a lot of potential Cloud, never doubt that or what you are truly capable of."

"I ... I'll try not to." The cadet whispered back, his words not exactly being the ones the soldier or commander wanted to hear but close enough for them to let it slid this time.

"So how is this going to work?" Zack enquired, after a minute of silence had passed between them and the blonde had been given time to absorb what he'd been told.

"I will escort Cloud to class this morning so that the facade is continued." Angeal explained evenly, his obvious dislike for this part of the idea becoming apparent now. "Everyone will think that he is still in trouble and it will add weight to him not being allowed to join in during the afternoon sessions."

"What will I be doing instead?" Cloud asked with a sigh, his body slumping back into the chair and showing that he'd finally accepted the plan.

"You will still be attending the class but only as an observer to what is being taught. I dare say the Sergeant in charge will find something for you to do so that your time is not wasted, but that will be up to him and out of my control."

"So basically I could end up doing more cleaning." The blonde grumbled, a look of annoyance showing on his face.

"That is unlikely as you will have to remain in the room under his supervision, so if anything it will be polishing the training swords when they are not being used. But I dare say it will more than likely be completing reports which he should have done." The commander offered, his face displaying a slightly apologetic look as spoke.

"As long as it's not cleaning latrines again I can handle it." Cloud sighed, his response barely finishing before Zack cut in with his own opinion.

"Trust me Spiky you won't be saying that by the end of the day." The soldier stated miserably, his sympathetic look making the cadet frown while Angeal fought not to grin as he remember Zack's hatred for paper work.

"Come on." The commander spoke up, before the blonde could respond to the soldier's warning. "You need to finish eating and I want to fetch something from my office on the way to the lecture halls before classes start."

"Alright." Cloud agreed with a faint sigh, as he picked up his fork again and began to load it with food. "I guess it wouldn't be a good idea for me to be late today." He noted evenly, before filling his mouth with food again.

"Indeed, it would not." Angeal agreed, his warm brown eyes meeting with Zack's concerned amethyst ones and silently communicating that everything would be alright.