Calm before the storm
In the end Monday passed them by without incident, the cadet returning to his classes and the soldier to his duties as if nothing significant had happened over the past few weeks. They had met for lunch and then trained in the evening as planned, the sun slowly setting on their first day back to a normal schedule and having calmly come and gone without any problems. Next it was Tuesday to smoothly go by as if nothing was wrong, then Wednesday and very quickly Thursday to follow the other days without incident. And so before Cloud and Zack knew it they were into Friday and had settled back into a routine which was almost like their old one, before that fateful day in the showers, and though it was something they had not been expecting neither dared to question it.
Once again the cadet was going to his lessons, just as he'd done before and working through each subject attentively. The homework he was set always being done on time and the readings they were assigned being completed as necessary. The additional evening training sessions had continued as before, but now with the soldier taking the lead in most of them. Angeal's help in this area having taken a small step backwards due to some issues in Junon he was still dealing with. But Cloud hadn't minded in the slightest and understood that the commander had other things to worry about. The blonde also secretly glad that once again it would be just Zack and himself sharing this time together, but now in a way which was more than it had been before.
The soldier had also been glad that things were turning out the way they were, the return to what could be called normal somehow marking a new beginning in their lives and giving him hope that everything would be alright. But secretly Zack had continued to worry about the cadet, the more physical aspects of Cloud's development still being a concern for him even though he tried not to show it. Each afternoon that week he had escorted the blonde to his classes after lunch and been forced to walk away; his thoughts still preoccupied with how easily something within Cloud's training could be manipulated and used against him. Trips and falls could easily be covered up during stamina and endurance sessions, injuries ranging from simple sprains to fractures were always a possibility if the workout wasn't done correctly or the person was distracted. But combat training was the hardest for the soldier to walk away from, remembering what had happened the last time, and knowing that there was very little he could do if something went wrong.
To Zack's relief however Friday also came to an end without any problems. The cadet of his dreams clearly still unharmed and well, and currently waiting for within the safety of the large room they would be working in, a practice sword already in his small gloved hand as he warmed up for the training session they were about to share. Even from where the soldier stood by the door it was clear to see from Cloud's appearance that the cadets had been put through their paces that day, the blonde's official uniform shirt now discarded by his belongs on a bench nearby in favour of just his undershirt. The plain white t-shirt he often wore beneath his formal attire now damp in places and clinging tightly to his supple frame as it moved.
"So what'd you do today?" Zack casually asked as he dropped his own things beside the cadets, the question being both out of interest and a way of announcing his presence to the other.
"Nothing new." Cloud replied just as offhandedly, his body turning a full circle as he brought the blade down in an impressively controlled arch.
"Show off." The soldier called out playfully, the tone of his voice holding more than just a touch of pride in it.
This time the cadet simply smiled in response, his eyes never leaving the imaginary enemy in front of him as he cut through them again.
"Any preference what we work on?" Zack enquired cheerfully, as he placed his own heavier sword on the bench and went to fetch one which would match the blonde's better.
"Not really." Cloud countered indifferently, as he spun again and repeated the same manoeuvre from before.
"Maybe some defence work then, seeing as how your attacks are pretty good right now." The soldier suggested as he began to work through his own warm up exercises. "We can go over the ones we were working on a few weeks back and see if you still remember them."
"Sounds good." The cadet chuckled, his lithe figure easily slipping into a confident stance as they turned to face each other.
Zack smiled cheerfully as he noted how Cloud's poise was perfectly balanced and ready for a defensive move, the blonde's weight shifting lightly on the balls of his feet as he studied his opponent and waited for any sign of which attack was coming. It was a perfect example of how a soldier should be when preparing for a fight, the tensions within the cadet's lithe frame hitting of readiness but not giving away how he might react and making him vulnerable for a counter attack.
"We'll start off with basic one step moves." The soldier explained, his own larger frame taking up a battle ready stance almost identical to the blonde's. "Then when you're comfortable and I'm sure you're doing ok we'll step it up."
"Got it." Cloud said as he nodded in agreement, his gloved hand tightening its grip on the hilt of the sword a little more as he prepared for the first attack.
A second later and Zack moved forward in a smooth forward thrusting motion, his blade aiming straight for the cadet's left shoulder but never making its mark as the blonde's own sword knocked it away. As the recognisable clang of metal resonated within the room both looked at each other approvingly, the soldier's smile spreading into a knowing grin as he saw the challenge flash in the blonde's eyes and Cloud's soft lips curving up a little more as he silently thanked the soldier for not holding back. The moment only lasted for a matter of heartbeats, the close press of their bodies shifting as Zack pulled back and began a second attack on the cadet which was once again deflected without hesitation.
After an hour of working through everything they had done to date the pair were equally hot and sweaty, though the blonde's lean frame showed it more than the soldier's. His angelic face seemed to glow a wonderful shade of red from the flush of exertion and where his top had been damp before it was now soaked through in places, the material being almost like a tease as it hugged the slim body and accentuated each and every curve of developing muscle. The quick rise and fall of Cloud's chest beneath the sodden fabric also showed that the cadet had clearly reached his limit for the day, his upper torso now trembling slightly as he fought to draw every last ounce of strength he had to keep going.
Deciding that they had both had enough Zack called a time out, his stance slipping into a more relaxed pose with one hand on his hip as he let the flat of his sword rest against his thigh.
"What's wrong?" Cloud asked, his own body relaxing so that the blade in his grasp was held more loosely. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." The soldier replied with a light-hearted chuckle. "But I think we should call it a day. I'm tired and you look about ready to drop."
"But we haven't really sparred." The blonde objected, with what could only be described as a slight pout. "I mean, we've gone over everything and practiced but not really ... used it."
"That's true." Zack agreed thoughtfully, his warm violet eyes carefully assessing Cloud's appearance and trying to judge if it was really a good idea to continue. "How about this..." The soldier began, as he meet the cadet's eyes and became a little bit more serious. "... we have one mock fight before calling it a day ..." He started to negotiate, his raven coloured eyebrows rising in warning as the blonde's pink lips parted to utter a protest to the idea. "... and we'll make it a full out battle, no holds barred. As long as you agree to it being only one."
"Really?" Cloud asked in surprise, the offer not being one he'd expected.
"Sure."
"No holding back ... at all."
"Nope, as long as it's just the one."
"Ok." The cadet agreed happily, perhaps too happily for Zack's liking as they slowly began to move back into defensive stances.
"First one down or to get a strike wins." The soldier quickly added, knowing that there had to be some limits to the game or it might never end.
"Got it."
The next second and the blonde was moving towards him, the unexpected attack forcing Zack to defend himself and step back to avoid losing a leg to the precise downward arch of Cloud's blade. A soft growl of amusement, pleasure and gentle warning escaped the soldier's body as he ducked another blow and swung away, his own instincts kicking in and quickly bringing him back into the battle so that at the cadet's next swing of the sword he was ready.
Ten minutes later and both were breathing hard in the near silent room, the last sounds of their blades crashing together having faded away into nothingness again. Both stood facing their opponent with a fire now burning brightly in their eyes, smouldering pools of blue and violet heated by something more than just the spar as they watched the other and tried to work out their next move.
For Zack it was a thrill he'd never felt before when he'd sparred with someone, a sensation of excitement and if he was honest exhilaration which was going in a direction it really shouldn't have been going. He'd told Cloud that he wouldn't hold back during this little battle between them but that had been a small lie. The truth being that if he really did use his full strength and abilities against the cadet it would probably cause a serious injury for the blonde and he would never risk that, not for anything. Yet even though the soldier was being careful he had to admit that he was currently using more effort than he'd thought necessary when they had begun. His body in fact feeling a satisfying pleasure of exertion, as a small bead of sweat actually rolled down the side of his face and dripped onto the material of his top.
"You know you're pretty good." Zack commented warmly as their bodies remained posed and unmoving, his bright violet eyes never leaving the blonde's lithe form as he kept his guard firmly in place.
"I've got some good teachers." Cloud replied evenly, his expression remaining unreadable while his own sky blue orbs sparkled with a joyous light.
"Maybe." The soldier agreed with an accepting shrug, his feet suddenly moving left before skipping back right and bringing him round to the blonde's side. "But a lot of it's you." He added as their swords collided briefly before Cloud skipped away to a safer distance again. "We've just helped you to develop on what was already there." Zack huffed as he dodged the cadet's counter attack and jumped to avoid a blow to his knees. "Can't build on shit, it makes crappy foundations, if you get what I mean." He grunted after performing a backwards flip and landing several feet away from the blonde's reach.
"Are you running away, Sir?" Cloud teased openly now, his controlled features cracking into a wondrous and clearly mischievous smile as he spoke.
"You wish." The soldier barked with a laugh, his next series of movements creating a double fake which threw the blonde off balance and placed Zack at Cloud's back.
A second later and the cadet realised his mistake in judging the soldier's misleading steps, his racing heart actually skipping a beat as his mind instantly registered the press of cold steel against the hot flesh of his exposed neck. Strangely though this was not what made the blonde's next breath hitch, the thankfully blunt edge of metal only pushing into the soft skin of his swan like throat and not cutting it as he swallowed dryly in response to the other touch on his body. The blonde's senses came alive in ways he'd never imagined as he felt the strong arm which was now wrapped around his waist holding him in place, his smaller frame trembling from the unexpected thrill of now being pinned securely against Zack's well defined chest in such a tight embrace.
Heat flooded Cloud's veins as he felt the wall of muscle pressed firmly along his back, the soldier's perfectly formed physique somehow enclosing him in a hold which communicated so much more than words ever could as it both dominated and protected him. It was more than the cadet had expected from their playful encounter, the more experienced fighter's attack having caught him by surprise in more ways than one. Yet even this hadn't been enough to make the blonde drop his sword and surrender. His fingers only allowing the chipped and worn blade to slip from their grasp and land on the mats with a soft thud when Zack had actually spoken, the smooth rich voice which breathed warmly against his ear igniting a fire along every nerve ending of his body.
"Got you."
And in that moment, as the words soaked into his soul, Cloud didn't care about his defeat or the implied threat to his life. The confining embrace on his lean frame not causing panic within him but in fact making his already accelerated heart rate pick up its pace. And so for a few seconds nothing happened as neither of them moved or spoke, the soldier waiting for a response of some kind and the cadet unable to give one as he desperately fought to bring his breathing back under control again. No longer was Cloud's body desperate for air from the physical exertion but instead from the closeness of Zack's touch, the muscles along his back able to feel the soldier's loving warmth spreading throughout them as he allowed himself to be pressed tightly against Zack's well defined torso and enclosed in an even firmer embrace.
The soldier couldn't believe he was pushing his luck like this and knew he should be putting a stop to it, but something about being this close to the cadet was making it almost impossible to pull away. He could sense the tell-tale tremble running through the blonde's lithe form and knew it wasn't just from their mock battle, could feel Cloud's heart beating alongside his own as his larger frame dominated the cadet's smaller one into a position of surrender. He could feel the blonde's chest rising and falling against his arm and understood what it meant, could feel and almost taste the difference in the air around them as his hold on Cloud turned into something more.
"Zack?"
The way his name was gasped nervously made the soldier pause and snap out of his thoughts, his whole body quickly moving back and away from the cadet as he heard the uncertainty and perhaps unease in the blonde's breathless voice.
"I'm sorry." Zack whispered apologetically, a deep inhale and then exhale of air from his chest helping him to pull himself together again. "I shouldn't have ... uuummm ... done that," he added sheepishly. The tone he spoke with at least sounding a little steadier now as he focused on collecting Cloud's sword, from the floor where it had fallen, and putting both of their blades away on the racks again.
"No it's ... it's ... ok." The blonde mumbled bashfully, his already hot and flushed cheeks darkening to a deeper shade of red as he spoke. "You got me, I'm ... I'm yours."
Zack stopped in his tracks as if frozen by an ice spell, his whole body slowly turning around to stare at Cloud and see for himself whether those last words he'd heard spoken had actually been real or just a figment of his imagination.
"What did you say?" The soldier found himself asking, his brain having no control as his heart joyfully demanded to hear those words again.
"I'm ... yours." The blonde repeated softly, his voice barely a whisper now.
For a moment all that was heard were their hearts beating loudly in the silent room as nervous sky blue eyes looked into questioning violet ones, the shimmering sapphire orbs now glowing with love and a nervousness which almost begged for what had been said to be accepted and understood. And Zack did understand as the double meaning behind the surrender washed through him, his heart soaring as he realised that once again Cloud was making himself vulnerable by admitting to things he'd been so afraid to show in the past.
"Then maybe I should take you home with me." The soldier suggested calmly, his expression softening even more so that the playful response would help to ease the blonde's remaining tension.
"I'd ... I'd like that." The cadet replied faintly, already knowing that really there was no other choice but still glad to have Zack say such things.
With the more heated moment gone the pair walked over to the bench and collected their things, the couple barely taking two steps towards the door before Zack's arm was slung over Cloud's shoulder and drawing them even closer together.
"Zack?" The blonde asked uncertainly, the over-friendly proximity of their bodies in such a public place making him anxious.
"Don't worry." The soldier reassured gently, his bright lavender spheres offering nothing but love and supportive comfort. "Everyone's either at the mess hall or in their rooms by now, so no-one's going to see." He began as they passed through the doorway and started to make their way towards home. "It's Friday night Spiky and people have lives you know. Last thing anyone's going to be doing is extra training down here."
"I used to do it." Cloud pointed out evenly, his blunt response making Zack flinch slightly as he realised that his thoughtless words and mocking tone had probably wounded the cadet a little.
"Yea, but you're more dedicated then they are." The soldier hurried to say, his expression becoming slightly panicked as he quickly tried to correct the mistake . "Which is why you're so good at kicking my butt these days. That was pretty cool by the way, the way you tried to get my knees out from under me back there."
"It's ok Zack. I know you didn't mean it like that, I just ..."
"Just what?"
It was probably a stupid question, one he should have already known the answer too, but right now the soldier couldn't work it out and needed to know what the blonde had hesitated to say.
"I guess that sometimes I just forget that I'm not like everyone else. I mean, you're right, who else would be doing extra training on a Friday night?" Cloud sighed, his shoulders slumping as his head dipped forward to watch their feet move along the carpeted floor.
Zack cursed softly as he watched the blonde beside him retreat into himself again, a gesture which was all too familiar from their past and something he really didn't want to see happening again.
"Someone who really wants to be in soldier, that's who." The soldier replied tenderly, his lips quickly pressing a chaste kiss to the cadet's temple even as they moved though the entrance of the building and into the open courtyard outside where people might see. "I've told you, Sephiroth only accepts those who really prove themselves and you do that every day. I know it might suck to think about what everyone else is doing, especially after I've opened my big mouth, but the truth is by showing that kind of dedication you get noticed."
"Tell me about it." The blonde grumbled, his tone implying something else even though he did appear to be listening to Zack's words carefully now.
"Dreams and honour Spiky, that's what it's all about. You have a dream and you honour it with everything you do." The soldier pointed out, the gravel beneath their feet crunching slightly as the path twisted round and joined the more solid paved route home. "The shit you went through shouldn't have happened, because your talent should have been noticed sooner by the other instructors and supported better. Maybe if they had encouraged you instead of riding your arse all the time you wouldn't have felt the need to push yourself so hard."
"It's not just that." Cloud argued weakly, his sad blue eyes glancing up and the hint of regret not being missed by the soldier as he saw it flicker briefly in the blonde's unhappy expression. "I ... I didn't just do it to make myself better."
"Oh?" Zack replied softly, lightly, the sound nothing more than a gentle way of coaxing the cadet to continue with his explanation.
"It's not like I had anyone else to spend the time with, was it?" Cloud sighed, his smaller frame instinctively, and perhaps unconsciously, leaning in against the soldier's larger one as if seeking sanctuary and protection from something which only he could see and feel.
"Well now you've got me." Zack chirped happily, his intention to change the sombre mood as soon as possible giving him the strength to push his own unsettled feelings aside.
"Yea, I do." The cadet agreed faintly, a hint of something calmer entering his voice as he spoke.
The rest of the journey back to the apartment was done in silence, the blonde quietly enjoying the warmth and feelings of safety which emanated from the soldier's body and Zack taking comfort in the way Cloud had finally relaxed into the hold around him. Already they were focused on spending the rest of the evening together, on cooking dinner or ordering take out and then collapsing in front of the TV to watch a film before heading to bed. It wasn't the most exciting way to spend a Friday night, staying at home and not going out to get drunk or dance the night away. But there was something just as wonderful in knowing that they would have each other's company during that time, that no matter what happened in the world around them they would be by each other's side all night long.
It was just unfortunate that neither had noticed the other cadet, who had been standing in a corner of the courtyard waiting for a friend, his vengeful eyes able to see the very obvious personal exchanges between them even if he hadn't heard the words which had been spoken.