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CHAPTER 16

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Lunch time at the cafeteria was a time of chaos. Hungry cadets and captains would all gather at once and fill the wide space and every chair. Because there was more people than the division could handle, those who finished would leave the cafeteria and hang around somewhere before resuming their training or classes.

"Here you go, Cloud."

Zack appeared, balancing two trays of food, one in each hand. Cloud acknowledged his presence and quickly got up to help Zack settle down the trays.

"Thanks, Zack. Did you bring the extra chips?"

"You know it."

Zack grinned in victory, taking the seat that Cloud had saved for him. It was a habit for one of them to get a free table or at least two free chairs, while the other waited in line to get their food.

"Great. Thanks!"

Cloud cheered, quickly attacking his extra pack of fries. Zack just laughed at his lover's antics and focused on his own food. He was starving as well."

"How was your training, Cloud?"

The way the blonde hung his head low was enough for Zack to guess how it went.

"That bad, huh?"

He spoke softly, patting the blonde on the shoulder.

"Yeah….I even got a lecture from the captain."

Cloud whined, munching on his fries with eagerness.

"How about you, Zack?"

Cloud inquired curiously, licking the salt off his lips with his pink tongue.

~Nice~

Zack admired the sight before replying.

"Tough, as always."

It was Zack's turn to hang his head down, shuddering at the rough training his mentor put him through.

"We did push-ups, sit ups, laps around the entire room, VR Missions, close combat and sword fights all in one morning."

Cloud listened, blinking to himself.

"But isn't that what you do every day?"

"Each day I have to beat up my own records. And if I fail, Angeal makes me do the double."

Zack explained, chewing on his food.

"Hey."

"Hm?"

Zack looked over when Cloud spoke, and found the blonde looking at something else.

"What is it, Cloud?"

Zack inquired and followed Cloud's gaze, trying to see what he found of so much interest.

"Oh, I see!"

Zack chirped excitedly, spotting a spiky yellow head among the mess of brown and black heads.

"I'm going to call him to join us."

Zack said, getting up from his seat.

"Alright. I'm going to get that free chair over there."

Cloud received a nod from the dark head before getting up. Zack raised one hand up, waving it around in hopes to catch the attention of the other blonde.

"Cid! Hey, Cid!"

Zack watched the other man turn towards his direction after hearing his name being called, his face lifting up after spotting him.

"Hey! Zack, wasn't it?"

It took a second for Cid to remember the name, because he had just met the man last night, but he managed to do so. Cid walked over to the dark head, tray of food in his hands.

"Yep! Hey, come and join me and Cloud over there."

Zack said, leading the blonde to the table they were at.

"Sure. Thanks, man."

Cid grinned and followed Zack, giving a friendly nod towards Cloud's way when he saw the other blonde.

"Hey, Cloud."

Cid greeted, surprised at himself for remembering the blonde's name. But, how could he forget it when he had such a cute hippie name?

"Hi, Cid."

"It's cool to see you again. You guys disappeared last night."

Zack commented after taking his seat, watching the other man sit down next to Cloud.

"Heh, so we did, huh?"

Cid gave a sheepish grin complete with a small blush, while taking his seat and setting down the tray.

"How 'bout you, guys? Had fun on yer own?"

"Your accent is really funny."

Zack commented with amusement. Cloud just coughed on his juice.

"Zack!"

"What? It is. I find it very cute."

The dark head gave the younger blonde a confused and innocent look. Cid merely raised an eyebrow at the sincere comment and decided to shrug it off.

"I've been told that my accent was funny a lot o'times, but never once been told it was cute."

"Guess there's a first time for everything, huh?"

Zack smiled, taking in a few fries from Cloud, only to have them slapped away.

"Stingy."

"My fries."

"An' ye still haven't answered my question. Had fun, you two?"

"No."

Zack sighed with disappointment, running his finger around the base of his cup. Cloud merely blushed at the meaning and munched on the last fries, deciding to ignore it.

"Oh?"

The older blonde raised an eyebrow, watching the couple next to him.

"We are taking it slow, Cid."

Cloud spoke, looking over at Zack to make sure if he also agreed with that statement. Zack just pouted.

"You two look cute together."

Cid commented with a nod, and smiled when he saw Cloud blush.

"Thanks, man."

Zack grinned, sending a thumbs up towards the older blonde.

"So, tell me."

The dark head started, letting out a devious smile, bringing Cid's attention to him.

"How was Sephiroth?"

Zack spoke in a whisper, making sure that only the three of them would hear it. He grinned even wider when he saw the blonde's face turn red at the question.

"You can tell us."

It was Cloud's turn to whisper, leaning closer to the other blonde with pure curiosity. They were talking about his 'hero', after all. Zack felt the need to laugh and shake his head at the same time, but refrained from doing so.

"You guys. Until ye have something juicy fer me, I ain't tellin' anythin'."

Cid spoke after recomposing himself, turning his attention to his food. It took a while for Cloud to register what the other man said, but when he did, it was his turn to have red cheeks.

"It's a deal."

Zack nodded, getting an embarrassed glare from Cloud in return.

"Oh well, it can't be more embarrassing than my performance in the troops."

Cloud mumbled with a sigh, earning Cid's attention.

"The troops? You're not a SOLDIER like Zack?"

He asked curiously.

"Naw, he's still in second year of infantryman."

Zack explained, patting Cloud's shoulder.

"But I plan to join SOLDIER, soon."

Cloud said with a smile, receiving a nod from Cid.

"Sweet year that the second is. It makes you wonder how long it will take for it to end."

Cid spoke out of experience with a smile, getting a curious glance from both Cloud and Zack.

"You've been in the troops?"

Cloud asked curiously.

"Yeah. I'm starting my fourth year next week."

Cid explained, finishing his food.

"Wait, you're on the fourth year already? Did you apply for SOLDIER, too?"

Zack asked with excitement, making the older blonde shake his head with a chuckle, understanding why Zack had assumed that in the first place. He was dating a SOLDIER, after all.

"Gosh, no. I choose the air force."

"Oh? You're going to pilot helicopters?"

Cloud asked while tilting his head.

"I'm'a fly anythin' I get my hands on, guys."

Cid stated with a grin, stretching one hand forward horizontally, already envisioning himself out there in a flying machine. Zack smiled at the older blonde's antics.

"That's cool! Maybe one day you're going to fly me to my missions."

The blonde saw the dark head beam excitedly.

"That'll be fun!"

Zack squealed and bounced on his seat with a big grin plastered on his face.

"With ye bouncin' like that, I'm sure it will be."

Cid shook his head, taking a sip out of his juice.

"I think I will pass."

Cid gave both lovers a questioning look when he saw Cloud hang his head down and Zack laugh out loudly at something he just remembered.

"Oh, right. Cloud here gets carsick."

Zack explained to Cid, failing to notice Cloud's angry glare.

"I see. That sucks. But hey, maybe that's 'cuz yer not ridin' often enough."

Cid gave the other blonde a pat on his shoulder.

"That's it! When I become a pilot, I'll give ye some lessons!"

Cid spoke with pride, pointing towards himself with his thumb.

"Thanks, Cid. I'll try not to throw up when you do."

Cloud gave the older blonde a smile, accepting his offer.

Zack watched, feeling rather content in the moment. Until he remembered something.

"Oh yeah, Cid. I promised you that I would tell you more about my hometown, right?"

Cid blinked, chewing on his food and swallowed before answering.

"Yep, you did. I have no idea where Gongaga is."

Cid admitted, shaking his head.

"Actually, I don't know anything about it, either."

Cloud said, looking up at his boyfriend with interest.

"Then I, Gongaga expert, will tell you all about it!"

Zack spread out his arms out excitedly, knocking someone in the process.

"Ow! Watch it!"

The person wailed angrily, his tray sprawled all over him.

"I'm so sorry!"

Zack squealed, getting up to help his poor victim gather the plates and cup as well rush into the cafeteria to ask for a mop.

Cid had to cover a snicker with his hand when he saw Cloud hiding his face behind his hands.

"Ye gotta love the guy."

Cid spoke as he too decided to help, giving out a hand to help the fallen cadet back up.

Cloud just groaned in disbelief, getting up as well to help out his boyfriend.

"And he's supposed to be a SOLDIER."

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TBC