CHAPTER 17

~!~

After the chaos had settled down, the three young men headed outside to Sector 8, calmly walking before both Cloud and Zack had to return to their afternoon training.

"And there is also tactics and strategies. That's my favorite class."

Cloud said, his head half turned towards Cid.

"Ye like smart stuff, huh?"

Cid nodded in understanding.

"I do."

Cloud admitted.

"I don' know if I'm going to have that sort o' class in pilot trainin', but I know I will be havin' mechanics and technology."

Cid spoke with an excited tone.

"I can't wait ta get started."

Zack was walking on one side, arms behind his head. His mind had wandered somewhere else when the two blondes began on classes and studying topics.

~I like going straight to action, not dance around books~

"What will you be doing in those classes?"

Cloud asked curiously.

"Pro'bly dig around engines and control panels on different models. Or create my own, I don' know."

"Huh?"

Zack blinked. Experimental and practice subjects interested him, so his attention was drawn back to the blonde's conversation.

"I just can't wait to get started an' get my hands on wrenches and screws."

The older blonde laughed, waving his hands around as if imagining the tools he just mentioned.

"That's cool! The least I can get from my classes is messing around with materia or the simulation room."

Zack pointed out with slight disappointment.

"Hey making things show up in the VR sounds cool, too."

Cid turned his attention to Zack, a spark of interest visible in his eyes.

"You think?"

"Of course. Isn't it true that you can actually feel things like the wind, fire and even pain?"

Zack scratched his head, nodded.

"Yeah, I do feel the heat or pain when I get hit by a bomb."

"Bombs? What the hell ye do in there?"

Cid inquired with a raised brow.

"I practice against all sorts of danger I might find in a mission."

Zack hit his chest with pride.

"Heh, I wouldn't use the VR for that sort of thing."

Cid grinned, scratching his nose with one finger.

"What would you use it for, then."

Cloud inquired. Zack looked over, curious as well.

"Tellin' ye guys would probably sound silly."

Cid stopped in his tracks, placing his hands in his pockets.

"Oh, come on. Tell us."

Zack insisted, scooting closer to Cid.

"A'right, I'll tell you guys."

Cid grinned at the dark spiky head.

"Yeah?"

Zack's eyes widened in anticipation, coming even closer to Cid, who found himself blushing at the closeness. Cloud just crossed his arm, not enjoying the way the two men were close to each other at the moment.

"I would use the virtual stuff ta simulate rocket launches inta space!"

Cid announced excitedly, earning nothing but silence from both men around him.

"Space?"

Zack asked, unsure. Cid grinned and waved one finger at the dark head.

"Heh, eh. Ya see, we got cars, boats an' planes. We explored every ocean, land an' sky, except for space."

Cid began, lecturing like an expert on the field.

"Think about it. If we can fly around the sky, then we can also fly out o'this planet an' beyond!"

Cid stretched out his arms towards the sky excitedly.

"Jus' think of the possibilities. Think of all the shit we could find out there!"

"Woah!"

Zack's mouth dropped open, imagining the most wicked things his mind could form.

"You mean…we could even reach the moon?"

Cloud asked in a shy tone, as if afraid he said something tremendously stupid.

"Yeah! That's right!"

Cid nodded with a big smile.

"We could visit the moon or any o'those stars lying around us!"

Cid spoke, pointing to the sky at random. The light of the sun did not allow them to view either moon or stars, but the young men could envision it with their imagination.

"Cool….I always wondered what makes the moon glow."

Zack mused, looking up at the sky with a thoughtful look on his face.

"I bet it's made of glitter!"

Zack concluded, bouncing in excitement and earning amused looks on both blondes.

"Tell ye what, Zack. When I get to the moon, I will bring you sum' of that glitter."

Cid offered with a smug smile.

"Cool! I'll be waiting for that!"

Zack squealed excitedly.

"Bring me some, too, Cid."

"Sure, Cloud!"

~!~

Angeal slumped on his couch with a heavy sigh. It was a tough day, between keeping his hormones in check (because of the blondie) and training.

~God, I feel like a teenager~

Luckily, keeping up with the puppy's stamina helped Angeal to control his unwanted perverted thoughts about Cid.

A soft 'boing' was heard and the Dark General turned his head around to find his green pet tilting her head in a curious and questioning manner.

"Sorry, there are no guests tonight."

As if upset, the Cactuar bounced back to its vase, back turned to Angeal. The man merely shrugged it off and decided to water his plants before preparing something for himself.

He had taken care of everything for tomorrow's mission, so he had some free time to take care of his apartment, before leaving it for two full weeks.

A knock on the door, brought the man to stop in his way and answer the call. He was greeted by the grinning face of his childhood friend.

"Genesis. What brings you to my humble home?"

Angeal asked in a tone that indicated he already knew the answer.

"Oh, fair sir, I merely wish for some company."

Genesis strolled inside the apartment, barely giving Angeal time to step aside.

"Now that mister perfect is busy."

Angeal shook his head as he watched the red head growl under his breath.

"I only have you to seek out comfort!"

Genesis's voice changed from anger to a dramatic tone in one second. He made his way to the couch and quickly took a seat, book ready in his hand.

"Don't mind me, I'm just dwelling on my pain here, you know."

Angeal watched the Red General's actions, placing a hand around his waist.

"Is there something you wish to speak about?"

Genesis looked over with a painful expression on his face.

"I lost my chance, didn't I?"

Angeal nodded slowly, leaning his back against the wall. He hasn't moved from his spot by the door ever since Genesis made his way inside.

"But I know that that won't last. Did you see the guy?"

~If you mean his bare back and front as well that tanned skin? Yes, I have~

Angeal merely nodded, trying to keep his thoughts in control.

"He's so gross! And has no manners at all!"

Angeal frowned, not bothering to show his displeasure at the way his friend was describing his secret crush.

"He's not all that bad, Genesis, if you give him a chance."

The dark head tried, speaking calmly to the red head.

"Why are you defending him?"

Genesis narrowed his eyes in annoyance, eying Angeal carefully.

"Sephiroth is dating, Cid, that's why."

The Red General could not help but notice the angry sneer coming from Angeal.

~Is that jealousy? Is there something he is not telling me?~

"And we have to respect him for that."

~Especially me~

Angeal finished his sentence with a little control over his emotions, closing his eyes in utter defeat at the facts he just stated.

"I know…"

Genesis sighed, not being able to argue with Angeal. The dark head raised an eyebrow.

~He usually makes a scene when things don't go his way~

"Are you alright? You seem worried about something. Ever since this morning, you have been spacing out."

"What? No, no, it's nothing."

Angeal was not convinced, but allowed it to slip by changing the depressing subject at hand.

"Oh, that's right. I have something to ask you."

"No, I will not water your freaky cactus pet."

Genesis shook his head rapidly, crossing his arms over his chest in self-defense.

"Geez, thanks. Actually, I was going to ask you to train Zack. I'm going away in a mission for two weeks."

Genesis blinked, looking over at his dark haired friend.

"Train your puppy?"

Genesis spoke, surprise visible in his voice. He looked over from his book to face the other man.

"Yes. Just until I get back."

"What do I get out of it?"

Angeal rolled his eyes, but pondered on the question.

~Why does he make everything so difficult?~

"I'll make you a pie."

The Dark General offered.

"Apple pie and lasagna."

Genesis argued, lifting two fingers as if to make sure that his dark haired friend got it.

"Fine."

Angeal agreed, seeing no point in arguing.

"That was easy."

Genesis narrowed his eyes at the other man, showing his displeasure.

"I think it's a fair trade."

Angeal merely shrugged.

"I don't want it to be fair. I want pie, lasagna and that delicious soup you make with leftovers."

Genesis argued with a serious face.

"Are you even going to eat all of it by yourself?"

The grin on the Red General told Angeal that he was very serious about his demands.

"Nevermind…"

"And don't worry, I will return your puppy in one piece."

The red head spoke, claiming the couch all for himself by stretching his legs over its length.

"Thanks."

"Probably."

Genesis finished his sentence with a smirk, hiding his face behind his book afterwards.

"Genesis. Don't traumatize Zack."

"Of course!"

The red head's cheerful tone did not convinced Angeal.

"I mean it. I know what you are capable of…"

The Dark General groaned in a defeated tone, watching his friend resume his reading and ignore his pleas.

"Oh, that's right. I need to get a new phone."

Angeal was about to take a seat but stopped in his actions.

"What? What happened to your phone?"

"I threw it out the window."

Genesis shrugged with indifference.

"Okay. Why?"

Angeal tried, finally sitting down. He should be acting surprised, but surprisingly he wasn't surprised. So much surprise in that.

"No reason. I was getting annoying messages that I didn't want to read."

The Red General explained with a smile.

"What if Sephiroth had something important to say?"

Angeal groaned, running a hand over his raven hair.

"Then he would come and tell me personally."

Angeal sighed heavily, shaking his head.

"I give up."

~!~

TBC