Sorry for the wait. I got a little carried away with this chapter, as I tried to bring several different elements together, and because it became a bit too long I broke it into two instead. I've edited this part, to a point where I'm happy with it, and will post the next bit in a couple of days once I'm done tidying that up as well.

Hope you enjoy :o)

Learning something new

Cloud sighed happily as the hot water began to fall upon his head, as the warm liquid trailed down over his supple form washing away the dirty sweat and grin which had formed there after a gruelling afternoon on the field. Strangely though the cadet was not bothered by the aches and slight pains which plagued his weary limbs, the tight muscles only now beginning to relax as the artificial rain beat down on his tired body and created a vague form of massaging effect on the tender flesh.

The blonde knew that he'd pushed himself too hard that afternoon, that the workout he'd been assigned while the other cadet's had sparred was more than enough for one day. But stubborn pride and a fierce determination had forced him to still endure Angeal's training session afterwards, the thoughts which had still been running through his head at the time blinding him to the near exhaustion which had been lurking just beneath the surface.

Slowly the room began to fill with clouds of steam and the blonde felt himself start to relax a little more, tired sky blue eyes becoming hidden beneath delicate eyelashes as Cloud drew in a deep calming breath before releasing it as a long controlled exhale of air. It was only now that he could appreciate the commander's concern for his health, as the hot spray of water helped to cleanse his body and sooth his mind, and understood why the man had chosen to bring their session to an early end. But it was not only his physical wellbeing that Angeal had been concerned about, the more experienced warrior seeing that the cadet wasn't just in need of rest but also a friendly ear to confide in. And if Cloud was going to be honest with himself then he had needed someone to talk to, a voice of reason to help him sort through the raging thoughts within his head so that the hopes and fears would be given order amongst the chaos there.

Taking another slow deep breath the blonde focused on the outcome of their conversation, the things which the commander had said not only being a comfort but also good words of advice. Of course that advice was only useful if there was someone to actually practice it with, the soldier's absence when he had returned home making the chance for the cadet to talk about his feelings impossible. Yet Cloud couldn't be upset about his dashed hopes, the small note he'd found on the breakfast bar letting him know exactly where Zack had gone and that if anything the soldier had intended to be back before him but was sorry if he wasn't. The memory of reading that line made Cloud smile happily, the stumbling words on the paper showing that Zack had literally written what he was thinking at the time and letting the cadet know that the words had come straight from the heart. With a tired but happy sigh Cloud pushed his stumbling thoughts away and reached out for the shampoo, his fingers closing around the bottle and working on a lazy form of autopilot as he began to wash his hair.

Twenty minutes later and the blonde had finished showering and was dry, his lithe frame now dressed in casual combat trousers and a baggy t-shirt as he sat in front of the TV waiting for the soldier's return. His intention had been to put off taking the nap Angeal had suggested until after Zack was home again, to help the soldier get the apartment ready and maybe even talk about his worries before the others arrived. The only problem with this plan was that it involved passing the time with a mindless activity while resting on a very comfortable surface, the relaxing effect of the shower now making Cloud's already tired body feel the need for rest even more than it had done before. Soon the real world began to fade away from the cadet as he gradually slid into a lying down position on the sofa, his heavy eyelids failing miserably to fight the sandman's pull as the sound of the film being shown eventually lulled him into a deep and much needed sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Zack hadn't been expecting Cloud to be home until nearly seven that night, knowing that Angeal would be meeting him for a training session and working through something with the blonde after his class. He was therefore glad that the commander had phoned to let him know about the unexpected early end to the session, the kindly spoken warning informing him that the cadet was more than just a little bit tired should he try to argue otherwise. There was also a hint that Cloud might want to talk to him about something, a suggestion that it would be advisable to give the blonde some time to explain his concerns about the planned evening event. It was therefore with these things in mind that the soldier hurried home as quickly as possible, his head already a whirlwind of thoughts as he considered what Cloud probably wanted to talk about and how he would also convince the cadet to at least try and get some rest before the others arrived.

It didn't talk long for them to get back and once they reached the apartment Zack opened the door and hesitated at the threshold, his mako enhanced hearing straining to listen out for any signs of movement within before they entered. What greeted him however was the faint sound of the TV and nothing more, the lack of activity inside or friendly voice to acknowledge his presence and welcome him home giving the soldier a strong feeling that Cloud was already asleep. With an unspoken signal to Reno to keep quiet the pair quickly made their way inside and then down the short corridor towards the living room, each man moving like a shadow as they silently placed the various items on the breakfast bar and then took in the sight of the peacefully slumbering blonde on the sofa.

"Cute." The red head whispered, his soft expression showing that this time he was not teasing when he said it.

And in truth the soldier couldn't help but agree with the simple description, the way Cloud's small frame was now curled up so innocently on the soft material with his hands held loosely against his chest and the gently balled fists tucked up just beneath his chin.

"Yea, he sure is." Zack replied affectionately as he turned off the TV, the rolling of Reno's sea-green eyes making him blush for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

Just then the cadet in front of them began to stir, his gentle movements and faint sounds of waking making both soldier and Turk feel a little guilty for perhaps disturbing him. It was clear to see that the blonde was tired, the slightly paler skin than normal being drawn across his features and the faint shadowing beneath his eyes revealing that he did indeed need to rest as Angeal had warned.

"Zack?" Cloud asked faintly, his senses telling him that the soldier was there even as his mind struggled to break free of the fog which filled it.

"Yea, it's me." Zack instantly soothed, as he hurried to kneel beside the cadet's steadily waking form. "But just ignore us and go back to sleep, ok." He ordered gently, as the blonde's eyelids blinked a few times and dazed blue orbs tried to focus on him.

"Us?" Cloud questioned softly, as the soldier's fingers began to gently move across his brow brushing a few stray hairs away from his eyes so that the sky blue spheres could see more clearly.

"Yea us, Reno and me." Zack replied soothingly, his heart warming even more as the cadet relaxed back against the sofa again and offered up a small but radiant and completely trusting smile to him. "You ok?" The soldier asked tenderly, the glazed sapphire gems which now looked up at him instantly making his insides flutter.

"Just tired." The blonde breathed, his lips curving up a little more as he lent into the touch which now affectionately stroked his cheek.

While this was going on Reno had remained standing to one side and out of the way, his own face holding a joyous expression as he watched the two interact. There was no denying that Cloud had looked adorable while he slept, but now with the pair combined it was almost sickeningly sweet and the red head knew he wouldn't have it any other way. He watched with a sense of triumph as the previously withdrawn and defensive cadet actually lent into Zack's touch, as the blonde gently nuzzled the soldier's hand causing the palm to open and cup his face even more than it already was.

For a moment the Turk noticed Zack's hesitation in his actions, almost as if he was also a little surprised by Cloud's response and unsure how to react. But then the soldier's fingers began to move again, the tips carefully gliding over the smooth skin as they traced the cadet's delicate features with a very obvious loving caress. Once again the blonde responded positively to the touch, his tired blue eyes slowly closing again as Zack's hand began to run through his tousled golden spikes causing him to release a faint but clearly contented sigh.

"You should have laid down on the bed." The soldier scolded gently, his reassuring caresses never once ceasing as he spoke. "It would have been more comfortable to sleep there."

"I didn't mean to fall asleep." Cloud managed before a yawn escaped him, his voice slowly becoming thick and heavy with sleep. "I wanted to help you get ready for later."

"You don't need to worry about that." Zack replied smiling happily, the pliant blonde in front of him making his heart beat happily within his chest. "Reno can help me set up while you rest."

"Are you sure?" The cadet murmured softly, the world of dreams slowly drawing him back towards it again.

"Yea, so just relax. Ok?"

"Ok." Cloud agreed faintly, his mumbled reply showing that his consciousness was even further away from them now.

This time Zack didn't reply with words, his hands continuing to work their magic until the blonde's gentle breathing had evened out again and his heart rate had settled into a slow peaceful rhythm. He then slid his arms under the cadet's supple body and carefully lifted him up, his strong arms easily holding Cloud's weight as he carried him bridal style towards the bedroom where he would be more comfortable.

Reno watched in silence as the pair disappeared into Zack's room, his heart rate increasing as he realised how naturally and almost instinctively the transfer from sofa to bed had been made. At no point had the soldier hesitated in his choice of direction, his purposeful strides leading him towards his own room and not the spare one where surely the cadet should have been placed. It only took his mind a moment to realise that there were clearly things which Zack had failed to mention in their talk earlier, his previous teasing comment about Cloud being a bitter and Zack's reaction now having more significance than before. He waited patiently for the soldier to return and the bedroom door to be shut before he spoke again, his words coming out as more of a statement than a question but still needing some sort of clarification or explanation as they were spoken.

"So you share a bed now."

Zack froze and even with his body only half facing the Turk it was clear to see that he was suddenly tense and weary, the air no longer entering his lungs as he held his breath, as nervous amethyst spheres slowly looked up to meet serious turquoise orbs.

"It's not like that." The soldier finally managed to say, his voice barely a whisper as he tried to protest the implication of the red head's words.

"Oh, I see." Reno began, his expression aiming for blank but his turquoise eyes glowing with a joyful light. "Then what is it like?" He asked calmly, his attempt to seem unaffected by the discovery failing miserably as his lips quirked up at the edges.

"We just sleep together, and I mean sleep as in sleep not ... well ... you know." Zack tried to explain, his floundering words at the end falling away into inaudible mumbles and then eventually silence as his cheeks darkened.

"Ok, I believe you." The Turk replied calmly, the soldier's clearly embarrassed state making him feel generous about not dragging the teasing out any further. "But how did it happen? I mean, he had his own room to start with. Right?"

"The first time was a sort of accident. No, not an accident, that's wrong." Zack corrected, an amused sigh escaping his lips as he moved towards the kitchen area and tried to find the right words. "It just sort of happened one night and then after that it somehow felt wrong to be apart, to sleep without being beside each other."

Reno wasn't really sure how to reply as he felt the words sink in, his heart flip-flopping with both joy at hearing such a thing but also fear of how quickly the two had become so close. It was with great restraint that he kept the doubting thoughts trapped deep down inside, the worries about Cloud's problems and how they would affect Zack still bubbling away within him even though it was clear that things were getting better.

"You should probably know that Cissnei had her suspicions about this." The red head pointed out, his statement causing the soldier to stop sorting through the bags in front of him and look up with wide questioning eyes. "She sort of worked out which room he was in that night she watched over him and asked me about it."

"What did you say?" Zack found himself asking, the need to know who else knew now burning a hole deep inside of him and starting to fill it with emotions all related to panic and the need to protect Cloud.

"Chill soldier boy." Reno soothed, as he moved over to help Zack finish the job he'd started and create a distraction to the worry he could see forming in those concerned violet orbs. "She only spoke to me about it and I told her I didn't know why he was in there."

"Did she believe you?" The soldier mumbled, his hands shaking slightly as he began to place the sodas and other drinks in the fridge to keep them cool.

"Why wouldn't she? I mean, on this occasion it was the truth." Reno pointed out, the slight edge to his words letting Zack know that he'd indirectly offended his friend by not telling him.

"I'm sorry Reno, I didn't mean to keep it from you." The soldier apologised, the Turk's back remaining towards him as he continued to speak. "It just sort of happened and then with everything else I wasn't sure how to tell you."

"You could have mentioned it earlier at the diner."

Zack winched as he heard the clipped tone in the red head's voice, the reply being a casual one yet also being an unspoken confirmation that he'd offended his friend.

"Should I have mentioned it before or after they took our order?" He asked lightly, his attempt at humour to break the tension between them having a small affect when Reno chuckled softly as he continued. "Or maybe I could have slipped it in when I asked you to pass the salt."

"Ok Fair, I get it." The Turk sighed, as he finally turned round to face the soldier again. "It's a personal thing and with you two still being new I guess you would want to keep it quiet." He conceded softly, the tightness in his voice easing away as he looked deep into Zack's eyes. "Just be careful and for Gaia's sake at least give me some warning about these things. Do you know how embarrassing it is for our little Cissnei to know something like this before I did?"

"I can imagine." Zack chuckled lightly, the playful pleading look in Reno's expression washing away the last of the tension between them. "I'm guessing she loved knowing something you didn't."

"Hell yea. That little angel of ours can be a real mean vixen when she wants to be."

"She's not that bad Reno." Zack sighed, as he moved to stand beside the red head and shifted through the bags again. "She just loves to push your buttons when she can, just like you do to her."

"Fine, I accept that we're as bad as each other." The Turk agreed, his reply being spoken with a kind of pride that turned the soldier's joyful smile into a big knowing grin. "At least I got to know about it before Kunsel." Reno aired thoughtfully, as he pulled the ice out of the bag and hurried to put it way before it melted any more than it already had. "When are you going to tell him anyway? I mean, it sort of seems wrong to keep him out of the loop but I get why you might want to."

It was at this point that the red head stopped talking and actually looked up at the soldier's face again, the guilty and apologetic look he was being given instantly letting him know that the other soldier already knew.

"Well shit." Reno swore, a few more choice words slipping from between his lips as he shook his head in disbelief. "Let me guess, he worked it out himself as well just like Cissnei?"

"Sort of." Zack confirmed, with a sheepish smile. "He was here one night when Cloud went to bed in the spare room and saw how much it bothered me. He sort of guessed there was more to us than just being friends and worked the rest out himself."

"You know it's actually a bit embarrassing to be the last to know about this, especially since we've talked the most about it all." Reno pointed out, a huff of mild annoyance following his words. "But I guess the important thing is that I know now and that you know we all support you in this, him and you."

"Thanks." The soldier whispered, his amethyst eyes shining with gratitude that the Turk had accepted the situation so well and not reacted badly to it. "And I'll try to let you know about stuff like this sooner, I promise."

"Good." Reno replied, his cheerful expression wavering for a second as a slight dusting of colour appeared on his own cheeks. "But you don't have to tell me everything, you know." He mumbled quickly, his sea-green eyes suddenly unable to meet the soldier's equally embarrassed ones. "I mean, I know I tease and all but I really don't need to be hearing about your ... uuuuummm ... more intimate moments."

"I got that." Zack murmured lightly, a faint chuckle escaping his lips and drawing one from the equally flustered red head as well.

After that things went a little more smoothly between them, the pair working quickly but quietly to clear the apartment and set up the table for their game later. Neither felt the need to go back over the conversation again as they worked, the things they did talk about being light-hearted and kept low so as not to disturb the sleeping blonde in the bedroom. Once everything was in place and arranged as much as it could be Reno left to get a few jobs done before returning later, his departure allowing the soldier to grab a quick shower and change his clothes into something a bit more comfortable for slouching around the house. It was only as he was about to turn the TV on to kill some time that Zack remembered Angeal's hint about Cloud needing to talk, the memory of those words instantly pulling him off the sofa and towards the bedroom.

Inside the darkened room he could easily make out the small lump beneath the covers, the lithe body he had placed there only a short time ago still safely cocooned within the warm sheets of their bed. Smiling brightly at the sight the soldier hesitated a moment before moving again, his need to hold the cadet and lie beside him outweighing the worry that he might end up waking the blonde with his actions. But thankfully Cloud remained asleep as Zack eased himself down onto the mattress, and carefully adjusted the covers over himself as well, his movements being deliberately slow so as not to startle the unconscious cadet with his presence.

It was only once he was settled comfortably that he dared to reach out and draw Cloud's smaller frame closer to his own, the cadet in turn letting out a small sound of contentment and snuggling in even closer once the initial contact had been made between them. And to this Zack couldn't help but smile with delight, the grin on his face reaching from ear to ear as he tightened the arm he had around the blonde's waist and pulled them even closer together.

"You're amazing." He whispered affectionately in Cloud's ear, a small muffled sound in response giving him reason to pause for a moment and let the cadet settle again. "Angeal phoned me earlier and said you might want to talk about something." The soldier confessed to the sleeping blonde, his heart skipping a beat as Cloud stirred slightly in his arms again but thankfully didn't wake up. "I think I know what you would say to me, or at least what you would try to tell me, and I want you to know that it's ok. I want you to get to know them like I do, but I know you're worried about it, that spending an evening with my friends is making you feel unsettled." Zack began, a brief kiss being placed upon the cadet's temple as he drew a steadying breath before continuing. "I'm going to be here the whole time so you don't need to be afraid, they're not like the other people that hurt you and I promise you'll have a good time. But if you do start to feel uncomfortable and it becomes too much then tell me, let me know how I can help."

Here the soldier couldn't help but release a faint sad sigh, his body shifting so that he could lightly run a hand along the soft skin of Cloud's bare arm in a soothing motion while his face gently nuzzled the blonde's shoulder and neck.

"I'm so happy that you're trusting me with this and I want you to know that I love you no matter what happens later. But if, at any point, you still feel the need to escape then I want you to know that that's ok as well." Zack managed, before a small lump blocked his throat for a moment and made the next part a little harder to say with a calm voice. "I want you to know that I'll understand if you need to get away from it all, that I won't stop you from running like I know you do, as long as you tell me first and promise to come back to me again afterwards."

As the words echoed softly in the room around them the soldier held his breath as if expecting a reply, the seconds ticking by in silence as the cadet continued to sleep soundly within his arms seemingly unaware of it all. And then, just as he had been about to give up, Zack got the answer he had been waiting for. It wasn't a verbal response to his words, the tired blonde in his arms still very much asleep and unable to give his thoughts and feelings words. But what the soldier did get was more revealing than any words could have been, the way Cloud's body suddenly became fully relaxed against him and a sigh of relief seemed to escape the cadet as the slight tension which had been present in his delicate frame melted away completely.

Smiling to himself Zack placed another chaste kiss on the blonde's temple, his lips lingering for a few seconds to give the moment a bit more depth and meaning after what had been said. He then settled his head back upon the pillow and drew Cloud's body against his own a little more, the embrace he held the blonde with being both firm and gentle as it tried to convey all that he was feeling without the use of words. And although the soldier couldn't see the brighter smile which had now formed on the cadet's face he could hear it, could feel and almost touch it, every time he heard Cloud's heart beat happily alongside his own.