Hi. Sorry, it took a bit longer than planned. Enjoy.
Before you go away
To say that the flying lesson had been a success was an understatement, the elation it had drawn from Cloud showing that whatever Reno's style of teaching would be the cadet would have fun experiencing it. And for this Zack was more than grateful to his fiery haired friend. The knowledge that not only would his Spiky be safe during his absence, but that the blonde would also enjoy himself, while learning a few new things as well, filling his troubled heart with relief. It was also good to see the two getting along so well, the easier smiles that seemed to form on Cloud soft pink lips as Reno and he chatted freely about the week ahead letting the soldier relax in the knowledge that his friend was slowly becoming Cloud's as well.
Needless to say the return to base was not the end of their time together, the three of them all deciding that it was too good a day to head straight back to the boring apartment after such an exhilarating ride. As a result they ended up at a local park kicking a cheap football around, one that Zack had purchased instinctively after seeing it in a shop window and declaring that he wanted to play with it. Needless to say the soldier had been teased a lot for his words and actions, the playful and faintly teasing references which both the cadet and Turk made to his puppy nickname making him squirm with mild embarrassment while shooting each of them dirty looks. Still he couldn't help but smile at the way the pair were now getting along, even if it was at his expense, and he was glad that he'd pushed for the activity. The brightly coloured sphere of plastic they all played with somehow managing to bring them even closer together, as a bizarre and completely made-up game involving the object formed between them.
"Hey, that's cheating." Reno shouted at the soldier, as he scrambled back to his feet again and made a chase for the ball.
"No rules, remember." Zack called back, his attention only partially on the red head as the rest focused on getting past Cloud and scoring a goal.
The cadet however was too busy laughing at the scene which had just unfolded before him to be of any real problem and so the soldier had no trouble getting past the last defence to score a goal, as the blonde sank breathlessly to his knees on the grass. Zack watched with delight as once again that day he was witness to a happy and carefree Cloud, the cadet now so relaxed in their presence that he actually allowed himself to flop down on the grass and closed his bright sky blue eyes trustingly. And in that moment the soldier felt a swell of emotion rise up within him, the sight of normally pale cheeks now flushed from pleasure and framed by shinning golden hair, which was splayed out over lush rich green grass, making something warm flutter in his heart just before it began to go south to his groin.
The dark blue denim of Zack's jeans suddenly began to feel a little uncomfortable as hungry lavender eyes drunk in the vision of a steadily rising and falling chest, Cloud's heart clearly beating a faster stronger rhythm now as it tried to replenish the muscles in his body with much needed oxygen. In addition to this a fine sheen of sweat had formed on the cadet's supple frame, from all the running he'd done while trying to keep up with them, and the soldier felt his breath catch as that coral toned flesh seemed to glow with a radiant light as the sun reflected brightly off the flushed surface. A heated set of violet orbs were unable to look away as they followed the contours of developing muscles, which were currently visible beneath a thin cotton t-shirt, the damp material now being plastered to the blonde's lithe figure in just the right places and accentuating his glorious body perfectly for all to see. It was only as his smouldering amethyst eyes dragged themselves down over that delightful vision of Cloud's torso that they met the end of the cadet's top, the hem having ridden up slightly where the blonde lay stretched out on the ground and now revealing a delicious view of glistening peachy hued flesh as well as the highly tempting dip of an exposed belly button.
In that moment Zack's heart did a flip-flop of excitement and whatever control he'd had over his mind was lost, the sight of such enticing skin turning his brain off and his body on. Fingers began to tingle and palms became sweaty as they remembered the feel of the blonde's hips in their grasp, the swelling flesh between his legs quickly pushing forward as it strained to recreate the motions their bodies had made together on the sofa once before. The soldier wasn't even aware that he'd licked his suddenly dry lips in a suggestive way, his mind already painting an image of his tongue dancing over that ivory skin and dipping seductively into the hollow at the cadet's navel.
"Yo, Blondie. You ok?" Reno's called out a little louder than necessary, his sea-green eyes having easily picked up on Zack's current state and while highly amused by it all knew he had to snap the man out of it quickly.
"Yea, I'm good." Cloud replied with a contented sigh, the expression which adored his delicate features being one of simple pleasure as he lay peacefully at their feet.
Thankfully the red head's voice had been at a level which was just right to snap the soldier out of his trance without attracting the blonde's attention, the cadet's eyes thankfully remaining closed as he continued to lie serenely on the grass and draw in slower and more controlled breaths. Zack on the other hand was now drawing in slightly faster breaths and his bright violet eyes were a little wider as they looked up to meet teasing turquoise orbs. One glance was all it took and suddenly the soldier's body felt hot and his face ignited with fire at the sight of the red head's knowing expression, the repressed laughter which bubbled within those sea-green spheres mercifully not finding a voice but still being more than obvious as it danced within the glowing blue-green coloured orbs. Embarrassment washed over Zack like a tidal wave as he quickly turned away and tried to bring his over excited body back under control again, his sun-kissed skin having become darker and more rosy in hue as a deep shade of red bloomed all over his body.
"How about we go grab something to eat?" Reno continued casually as if nothing of significance was happening, the overly pleased smirk which was plastered on his lips luckily not being heard in his voice as he spoke.
"That sounds good." Cloud agreed, his shy blue spheres finally becoming visible as he opened his eyes to look up at them. "I am kind of hungry." He admitted with a faint blush, one of his delicate hands unconsciously reaching down to gently rub his stomach as if soothing it.
"Well we did sort of miss lunch." The red head agreed, only just managing not to choke on his own laughter as the soldier's breath hitched notable and amethyst orbs were once again locked on that small expanse of the blonde's soft skin. "How about we go grab a burger or something?" He offered while discreetly nudging Zack's leg to get his attention again. "There's a great place just round the corner from here if you're up for it."
"Huh?" The soldier mumbled. His poor frazzled mind still misfiring as it tried to pull itself out of the gutter, get over the humiliation of being caught out, and desperately tried not to get so distracted again.
"Food." The Turk repeated, his lips quirking up even more as he gave Zack a look which said that the soldier was never going to hear the end of this one. "That sound good to you?"
"Uh, yea. Sure." The raven haired teen stammered, his handsome features easily revealing that whatever ammunition Reno was gaining from this it would last a while.
Fortunately Cloud was too busy climbing to his feet again to really pay attention to the silent conversation going on beside him, the soldier and Turk quickly sharing looks which spoke volumes of how much each was either enjoying or dreading the outcome of what had just happened.
It wasn't until they had eaten and Cloud had gone to use the restroom that those unspoken things had finally been given a voice, the words which each wanted to say finally having a change to be heard.
"Man, you've got it bad." Reno sighed, as soon as the cadet was out of sight.
"No kidding." Zack agreed without hesitation, the smile on his face being a happy one even as his violet eyes softly begged the red head to be kind with his teasing.
"Lighten up Fair." The young Turk chuckled, his own grin reaching from ear to ear. "I'm not going to make you suffer. Much." He joked lightly, a roll of lavender orbs showing that his playful comments were being taken well even if they weren't exactly wanted.
"He's just ..." Zack began, the words he needed to suitably describe the blonde failing him as they all came up short in quality.
"Perfect." Reno offered gently, the sparkle in his sea-green eyes being something more tender now as he spoke
"Yea." The soldier breathed in agreement, his head instinctively turning to look over to where Cloud had last been and would be returning from.
"I'll keep him safe for you, I promise."
Zack's head snapped back towards the young Turk in a second, the sudden topic change catching him by surprise and making his heart skip a couple of beats as it raced at the reminder of what was going to happen in less than 24 hours.
"He's tough and can take care of himself, so if there is trouble try to let him handle it himself first ok." The soldier started to say, his suggestion being firm almost like an order, but not quite, as it was spoken. "If you jump in straight away he'll know what we organised and think I didn't trust him to coup on his own."
"But you haven't asked me to do this." Reno pointed out. "Tseng did."
"Yea, but I'm betting Angeal had something to do with it and I'm pretty sure Spiky would work it out and trace it back to me from there."
"That's not exactly fair."
"Tell me about it." Zack chuckled in amusement, his head shaking faintly to push the displeasing thought to the back of his mind.
"I'll do my best to not get involved unless necessary." The red head agreed slowly, his expression saying he wasn't happy about the idea but could understand it. "You know Tseng will kick my butt if Cloud gets hurt on my watch again, but I'll give him a chance to work it out first if it makes you happy."
"Thanks."
"No problem. It's what friends are for, right?" Reno asked, his question drawing the soldier's attention back to him fully again.
"Thank you, for today." Zack sighed, the smile on his face becoming soft and the grateful look in his violet eyes intensifying. "He had a really good time and I think it's helped him to feel more comfortable around you."
"He's more relaxed because you're here." The young Turk pointed out, the truth of the matter not deterring him in the slightest. "But you're right about it helping him to feel more comfortable with being himself around me."
"He's looking forward to training with you." The soldier revealed with a light-hearted chuckle, as the red head's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.
"He said that?"
"Yep, yesterday, when we were at Angeal's for dinner." Zack stated happily, his expression becoming a little more serious as he continued. "He said that you might be able to show him some techniques for hand to hand combat which could be an advantage over the others. Something about moves you did to him that day I was busy, and he sparred briefly with you, as part of your time together."
"Yea, we did sort of go at it." The red head confirmed with a guilty look as he remembered flooring the blonde a number of times. "Sorry if I was a little ... rough ... on him."
"Don't be, he liked it."
"What?"
"You didn't treat him with 'kid gloves' as he put it." Zack explained, his fingers making air quotation marks at the term Cloud had used to show it was the cadet's own words. "And I think that's why he's happy to go along with this, even if it is an obvious attempt to keep an eye on him."
"So it's ok if he ends up with a few bruises at the end of the week?"
The soldier couldn't help but smile at the uncertainty he heard in the young Turks voice, the question being a valid one in many ways and the red head clearly needing an answer so that he could judge just how far to take things with the cadet.
"I won't like it but I'll accept a few cuts and bruises because they'll happen naturally. He doesn't want to hold back with his training so you shouldn't either." Zack replied, a small sigh of resigned acceptance and mild amusement passing his lips before he spoke again. "Just don't break any bones, ok. He can get a bit carried away himself when he gets into things and half the time doesn't know when to quite, even when he's about to drop. He'll probably push you like he tries to push me during training and if you're not careful you could end up hurting him."
"I'm quick Zack and the small amount of mako in my veins does make me a bit stronger than normal guys, but I don't have anything like your strength to use against him."
"I know that, but remember I've sparred with you and know exactly what you are capable of. Especially when you really get into the battle. Also that little toy of yours packs quite a punch, so don't even think of using it." The soldier added, his hard lavender spheres going to the place on Reno's body where he knew the Turk's EMR was discreetly hidden.
"I guess you're right." The red head had to agree. A cocky smile forming on his lips as he thought back over the times they had trained together, when supposedly Angeal and Tseng had been unaware of it. "I promise not to use the mag-rod on him but I want to show him how to use it, give him a chance to learn about some other weapons instead of just swords and guns."
It was at that point that both noticed a familiar figure emerge through the doorway which led to the restrooms, the sight of the easily recognisable individual, and currently discussed person, instantly brining their conversation to an end. It only as the pair watched Cloud approach however, that they saw how his steps appeared considerably lighter than before, the calmer and notably happier aura which now seemed to surround him making both smile softly. No longer did the cadet seem nervous about being in their company, the withdrawn and defensive behaviour which both had grown used to seeing in the troubled blonde appearing to be absent in the young man who currently stood before them. Instead there was a person who looked upon them with a shy smile and a contented glow in his sky blue eyes, the lingering shadows which still remained visible deep within the azure spheres now a little fainter than they had been before.
"Hey Spiky." Zack greeted tenderly, his handsome features softening to a look of affection for the cadet which made Cloud's pale cheeks warm slightly. "You good to go?" He asked with a gentle and loving tone, which only made his feelings for the blonde even more obvious.
"Yes." Was all Cloud could manage as a reply before he shyly looked away. The intensity of the soldiers gaze having caused a delightful and comforting warmth to form in his chest and begin spreading throughout his entire body.
"I was just chatting to Fair here about some ideas for your training." Reno informed the blonde, his words breaking through whatever little moment the two were having and causing blue eyes to look at him in surprise while purple ones went wide in shock and disbelief.
"You ... you were." Cloud mumbled uncertainly, his bright sapphire orbs flashing with various emotions as he tried to work out how he should take the news. "What ... what about ... me?" He stammered more than just nervously now, his worried and uncertain blue eyes dancing between both soldier and Turk as he spoke.
"I was just explaining to Zack that I wasn't going to be restricting our sessions to hand-to-hand stuff." The red head began, his confession of their private conversation making the soldier start to worry just how much Reno was about to reveal. "He also said I shouldn't be too rough on you, but I guess that's really up for you to decide." He added casually, the soldier's jaw dropping in stunned silence at the admission to their conversation while the cadet's blonde eyebrows went up in astonishment at the red head being so honest.
"I ..." Cloud started to say, his voice faltering in his throat as a tongue quickly appeared to remoisten suddenly dry lips. "I sort of knew ... that you'd do that." He said quietly, his body having turned more to face Zack as he spoke. "I just wasn't expecting you to admit to it." He continued, his hips turning slightly so that he was now looking at the red head when the reason for his uncertainty was explained.
"You thought I'd keep it from you?" Reno guessed, a faint chuckle filling the air around them as his smile grew and his lean frame leaned back into the comfort of the chair he was sitting on. "I aint gonna keep stuff from you kid, can't build a good working relationship that way." He stated simply, a glimmer of something else deeper and more important than that appearing in his sea-green eyes as he hesitated to add the last part. "Also doesn't go down to well to keep stuff from friends, or so I've heard."
In that moment Zack wasn't sure if he was too young to have a heart attack, his chest certainly doing a good job of tightening and squeezing the large muscle in a crushing, vice-like grip as a void of silence settled around them. Already Reno's words were echoing in his own mind and swirling around and around until there was nothing else there, his need for air forgotten as the last breath he'd taken became trapped in his throat until Cloud reacted in some way to what had been said. Fear began to form in his heart as the seconds ticked by with no sign of acceptance or rejection, the ache of needing to know waging a war with his desire to turn back time and gag the red head suitable so that this wouldn't happen.
"Honesty is important to me Reno." The cadet began, his words being spoken so softly that both soldier and Turk had to lean forward to hear them properly. "I don't want false friendships and I don't need a babysitter while Zack's away." He stated calmly, too calmly in Zack's opinion, as the blonde's voice continued to speak with very little emotion. "If you're doing this to keep Zack and Angeal happy, or if it's because Tseng ordered you to, then that's fine with me. Just don't pretend to be something you're not to make the job easier."
"Ouch." The red head breathed, his smile falling away as it became clear that the happy cadet they had seen only moments ago was now gone and the guarded blonde he'd meet at the beginning was once again standing in front of him. "A guy could be hurt by you saying things like that."
"I've been hurt by empty promises and cutting words before Reno, so trust me when I say that's nothing." Cloud growled lightly, a flicker of blue flame within his eyes showing that finally an emotion was starting to come through and that it was not the one they had wanted to see.
"I'm not making any promises, empty or otherwise." The red head replied evenly, his mind already reeling over how quickly his comment had morphed into this disaster. "I just know how you feel about secrets and didn't want you to think that I was about to start keeping things from you." He managed to say calmly, his voice continuing to hold its neutral tone while his turquoise orbs refused to look away from the burning blue which bore into them. "I'm also not saying we have to be friends, if you don't want to, but that the option is there if you want it."
"Then tell me something." Cloud began, his own voice now trembling slight as he felt some of the anger begin to fade and be replaced with an unfamiliar, yet strangely craved, kind of hope. "Are you just assigned to train with me, or watch over me as well?" He asked as calmly as he could, a silent prayer forming unbidden in his mind that maybe there was actually a chance of something like friendship forming between them.
Zack felt his heart lurch in his chest as the words passed the blonde's soft pink lips, the truth of the situation so evident in Cloud's wary sapphire eyes that he had to have already known the answer. Yet, here he was asking anyway. The question which was now put to Reno almost daring the red head to lie, the obvious distrust which was slowly building within the blonde showing that he was clearly expecting to hear the wrong answer being spoken.
"Training with you is the first priority, then, as long as I'm not needed for an assignment, I'm to keep a discreet eye you at times when you might be more vulnerable."
Again there was a minute of silence between all of them, the soldier and Turk remaining seated at the table while the cadet continued to stand a few feet away from them appearing unsure how to proceed. It was clear to see that Cloud had not been expecting that response, that the anger which had been building inside ready for the lie suddenly had nowhere to go and had drained away leaving the blonde at a loss for words or actions.
"I'm sorry for ... doubting you." The cadet finally said, his softly spoken apology easing the tension in Reno's body and allowing Zack to finally take the breath his body so desperately needed. "I have ... issues." He mumbled uncomfortably, his head turning away as he found himself unable to look at either of them.
"Zack's mentioned the problems you had with the other cadet's here." Reno carried on, as if the conversation was not really as heavy on their emotions as it had become. "I understand that you might not be ready to trust me just yet, but I'm hoping you'll give me a chance."
"I ... I want to trust you as well." Cloud replied slowly, his eyes closing briefly as if trying to bloke out memories he no longer wanted to see. "And I guess you've never really given me a reason to be suspicious of you, even if you did bug the apartment that one time."
It was a small joke, an attempt to lighten the mood and relive some of the tension which still lingered around them, and both raven and red haired men grasped it with both hands and held on tight.
"He only did that so I could keep an eye on you." The soldier explained, drawing the other two's attention towards him again and reminding them of his presence once more.
"I know." The blonde sighed wearily, his previously built defences breaking down to show a tiredness that seemed to go bone deep within him. "And I'm sorry for over reacting and spoiling the day. I know you both mean well, but I don't want to be treated like a child who can't protect themselves. I learnt to take care of myself from a young age and I'm not about to let that go to waste, or let myself become weak and defenceless, so that all of you can feel better about keeping me safe."
"It's not like that Spiky."
"But that's how it's starting to feel Zack, like because I made one really stupid mistake all those weeks ago people can't trust me to survive this place."
"I never meant for you to feel that way." The soldier whispered softly, his pale lavender orbs slowly disappearing behind closed eyelids as they found themselves unable to meet the gaze of Cloud's intense blue ones anymore.
"I know that as well." The blonde reassured tenderly, the gentle touch of his hand against Zack's face causing the soldier's amethyst eyes to open once more and stare up at the softly smiling cadet beside him. "Like I said, I've given you plenty of reasons to worry about me. But it needs to stop. This over protectiveness you're feeling has to ease back so that I can find my feet to walk strong again."
"You're already strong Cloud, you've proved that more than once."
"Then let me have some time for me next week, give me a chance to just walk around without feeling like I have a shadow following me every step I take." The cadet pleaded gently, his hand moving up to tenderly cup Zack's jaw so that there would be a loving touch to show that his request was not meant to offend or upset. "I won't make it into soldier if I end up relying on you and everyone else all the time. There's also no way the more senior officers will let me even try out, if they think I need someone holding my hand."
"You're right and I'm sorry." Zack sighed, his breath escaping as a warm puff of air which travelled down over Cloud's exposed wrist and made a faint trail of goose bumps rise along the cadet's arm. "I guess I'm just having a harder time at accepting things than you are."
"I'm dealing with them because I can't change them." The blonde pointed out, his insides twisting at the thought that the soldier might be misunderstanding his intentions. "I ... I love you, you know that right?" Cloud murmured, the softly spoken question holding so much desperate emotion it was now a complete opposite to what had been visible only minutes ago.
"Of course I do." Zack was quick to reply. His own sword calloused hands now coming up off the table, where they had been lying uselessly, to gently grasp the cadet's hips and draw him closer. "And it's because I love you so much that I worry, but you already know that." He added, the reminder being accompanied by his powerful arms encircling the blonde's narrow waist and gently pulling him into a tender embrace.
The response Cloud gave wasn't a verbal one, at least not one which could be considered to be words. Instead the soft hum of agreement which sounded against a mass of raven coloured spikes let the soldier know that he was right, the blonde's lips adding more silent reassurance as they pressed lightly against the crown of Zack's head to place a chaste kiss there.
"Not that I'm expecting the kind of reaction, but are we cool too?" Reno asked. The young Turk very much aware that the moment he was witnessing was still fragile, but needing to know that things between himself and Cloud would be alright.
As if realising how intimately they were now held against each other the cadet instinctively stepped back and looked nervously around himself, his wide blue eyes not recognising anyone familiar but still able to notice the few faces which now seemed to be watching them curiously.
"Shit." Zack swore softly, as he also saw what the blonde had seen, his arms still lightly draped around Cloud's waits and quickly picking up the slight tremble which had begun to work its way through Cloud's slender frame. "We should go." He informed them both, but more significantly to Reno, as he let Cloud go and rose to his feet. "We still have a schedule to finish sorting out before the end of the day."
"I'll pay." The red head offered, as he noticed the cadet's breathing had accelerated slightly now that he was more aware of the silent audience they had inadvertently gained. "You guys head outside and I'll catch up."
"Thanks." The soldier replied, not even trying to argue the offer, his worried amethyst orbs looking away from the slightly panicked blonde to give Reno a grateful look before he began to move.
Seconds later and Zack had Cloud safely through the door of the burger bar and away from prying eyes, the Turk now taking advantage of their absence to make a mental note of those who had followed the pairs departure and glare at any who dared to show some form of disapproval of what had been seen. Minutes later the red head joined the other two outside and was please to see that the cadet was calmer and more collected again, his fair skin coloured with a faint pink hue now that his embarrassment had settled into something more comfortable and manageable in just their company.
Clearly Zack had said something during his time away from them and once again Reno was given a shyly spoken apology for what had been said inside, as well as a timidly spoken thanks for the meal. But at no point did Cloud bring up the last question which Reno had asked him, whether he'd forgotten about it after his small panic attack or because he didn't have an answer the red head wasn't sure. All the young Turk knew was that as they walked back to the apartment his time to ask again was running out, his gut telling him that he needed to know they were ok so that the training session would not be ruined and so that he would know how to interact with Cloud while Zack was away. He couldn't leave it like that if the soldier was the only thing which connected them, if the small amount of friendship they'd started to former before this was only because of Zack's presence in their lives.
Reno's mind raced as he tried to find a way of bringing up the subject again without causing the same discomfort as before, knowing that if he said the wrong thing now it could all end badly again. He knew from what the soldier had told him that the cadet had issues, and rightly so, but to have the blonde admit such a thing as well had to mean something. After all, hadn't Zack already said that Cloud was careful who he let into his life and how much he trusted them? Surely then, by simply presenting Reno with the door to that information be was silently allowing the red head a chance to see inside.
Maybe if the cadet knew that the soldier had done more than just warn him not to get too rough things would be better, what if he let the blonde know that Zack had also told him not to get involved straight away if something did happen? But then the young Turk realised that saying these things would probably be a bad idea, that admitting to the soldier having faith in Cloud to hold his own in a fight would also indirectly reveal the fact that he was expected something to happen, and there really was no need to give the blonde more to worry about right now.
Reno's uncertain sea-green orbs glanced covertly over at the pair as his mind tried to work it out, the sight of violet spheres filled with conflicting emotions making his own heart react in sympathy to Zack's plight. Right now the cadet was calm as he walked quietly between them, his relaxed expression revealing nothing of the thoughts which must have been going through his own mind after everything that had been said.
Almost too soon the building for the soldier's living quarters came into view and once again they were back in Zack's apartment, freshly brewed cups of tea giving each of them something else to distract them as they set to work on the schedule again. But all too soon the task was done, the majority of the work having been completed in the original rotas and only really needing a touch up here and there before the changes were set in place. And suddenly Reno found himself without a reason to stay any longer, the afternoon having passed them by and leaving only the evening for the pair to spend some last minute quality time together before the morning came and Zack would be gone.
"Take care of yourself Fair." Reno instructed the soldier, as he hovered in the open doorway and prepared to leave. "And I'll see you tomorrow." He informed the blonde, who had also come to see him out.
"Sure." Was the softly spoken reply, the smile which accompanied it easing the knot which was still wound tightly within the red head's chest.
"We ... we're friends, right?" The young Turk found himself asking, the uncertainty he was feeling being very alien to him and his usual confidence. "I mean ... I'm not pretending, if that's what you thought." He added nervously, his turquoise orbs desperately trying to meet and hold the cadet's gaze. "I'm a pain in the arse and liable to get you into more trouble than it's worth, but ... if ... if you need someone to chat to, and not just about training, then you can call me."
"I'd like that and ... thank you Reno ... for everything. Also ... I'm not exactly the easiest person to get along with either, as you might have noticed." Cloud replied gently, his calmer and more accepting tone helping the twisted mass in the red head's stomach to unwind completely. "And I know you're trying to be a friend, a real friend, and I'm sorry again for questioning that. I should have known better."
"Our past teaches us lessons which guide who we are and what we do." The young Turk replied calmly, his smile growing a little more as he saw the understanding begin to dawn in the cadet's bright blue eyes. "It also gives us a reason to face the future in the only way we think we know how."
"You were hurt too." Cloud breathed, his voice holding a sympathy which was filled with admiration of Reno's strength for surviving and not pity which the red head had come to expect when people got to see a hint of his past.
"I'll be happy to swap war stories with you over dinner one night next week." The young Turk offered, careful to keep the invitation open so that it could be declined without upsetting the balance which had been restored.
"I'd like that." The cadet replied warmly, much to the soldier and Turks surprise and silent relief. His acceptance of the offer making Reno feel more confident in their coming time together and Zack's lingering concern about his absence fade just a little bit more.