AN: Well, another chapter. :) It's got a shitty title but I couldn't think of one for this chapter, I'm sorry. This one is mostly just flirting between Zack and Cloud and Sephiroth just kind of being a creepy stalker and obsessing about his hair. (I love that he uses Vanilla shampoo...its so amusing) So yeah, please enjoy and it would be awesome to know what you think of it so far. Is it too slow? Or maybe I'm going too quickly? Or...I dunno, maybe its very boring. Just let me know! Thank you for reading. (Oh and for my IRL friend who is also reading this; AHAHAHAHAHA! I'm such a bitch! :D )

Chapter Eleven: Broken Showers

Cloud stood in the barracks showers, hot water cascading down his body and soothing his aching muscles. He had just come from a rather intense bout of training with Zack who had apparently taken it into his own head to train him personally. They had been using one of the training rooms on floor 49. Cloud was very glad to be able to access the rooms normally reserved for SOLDIER operatives. Zack, despite his relaxed attitude, was a hard teacher. Cloud ached just remembering the repeated battering he got from him, it was exhilarating and frustrating all at once. The training sessions had the added bonus of ending in long, desperate kisses. They barely had the restraint to stop themselves from ripping each others clothes off and going at it in the middle of the room. However, they were careful, neither of them wanted to be caught and so those kisses usually ended in more frustration and, for Cloud at least, a long, private shower with his imagination and right hand. He tipped his head back, eyes closed and simply allowed the water to flow over him. He remembered the feel of Zack's hard chest against his palms, the way his tongue played with his own. He sighed softly and smiled to himself. He was still a little unsure where things were going between them or whether it was a good idea in the first place but he had to admit that he liked whatever it was they had. His hand trailed down his belly, his ears pricked for any hint of sound but he heard nothing as he slid his hand further down until his fingers brushed his cock. He took a breath and braced himself against the shower wall with his free hand while his other began stroking himself to hardness.

Cloud was so lost in his imagination that he didn't hear the door open, nor the heavy footsteps that followed. It wasn't until someone cleared their throats that he froze. His eyes opened wide as he felt an intimidating presence behind him. He knew, despite the fact that he couldn't see him, that Sephiroth was inexplicably in the barracks shower room. He released himself but didn't turn, too terrified of what he was going to see in those strange green eyes. "I...apologise, I didn't think the rooms were in use." Sephiroth muttered awkwardly. Cloud could only smack his head into the tiled wall in response, hoping that the general would leave him alone again so he could die in solitude. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled, he could feel Sephiroth's gaze like a physical weight. He wasn't entirely certain but it felt as if he was running those eyes all over Cloud's body, admiring it, perhaps. "The showers on the SOLDIER floor are currently broken, I cannot get an engineer in until tomorrow so I am forced to use these...I...I will leave you in peace now and try again later."

Cloud groaned heavily and wished himself into a black hole, anything would be better than being caught wanking by his superior officer. Humiliation wasn't even a strong enough word. What was worse was that his erection hadn't softened, if anything the urge to continue was stronger than ever with those eyes on him. Sephiroth was watching. Standing behind him and watching him like a predator. It was embarrassing and oddly exciting. Cloud clenched his hands into fists and waited, finally, after an agonising moment Sephiroth left.

XXX

Sephiroth stood outside the infantry showers and took a slow breath. He had not intended to witness such a thing but he recalled the scene with perfect clarity. It sent strange, slightly unfamiliar feelings through him, he had never felt such intense desire for another person before. The urge to join Cloud in his shower had been almost overpowering but Sephiroth was known for his iron control and so he had forced himself to leave. He leaned against the wall and shook his head, trying to stop his thoughts from wondering back to the tense muscles of Cloud's slim shoulders. A sound disrupted his train of thought and he pushed himself into a more upright position. Zack appeared around the corner, topless and wearing a pair of light weight trousers with a towel flung over his shoulder. He was immersed in his PHS but stopped when he spotted Sephiroth and looked at him questioningly.

"What's wrong? Are these showers down too?"

"No." Sephiroth said stiffly.

"Then why are you out here?"

"They are...occupied."

"All of them? But its late..."

"Cloud is in there."

Zack's face lit up as he looked at the door before he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Sephiroth. "Why would that stop you from using the showers? From what I remember there's loads of them in there."

"He was...busy when I entered. I believe it would be awkward for me to return until he has finished."

Zack took a moment to realise what Sephiroth was hinting at before his tongue darted out to wet his lips. "Well...I'm going in." He said and pushed past Sephiroth and opened the door. "You'll just have to wait out here a little longer." He smirked and disappeared. Zack tried to keep his footsteps quiet, he moved towards the sound of running water and picked up on a soft curse. He paused before a grin spread across his face and he crept closer, he peered around a corner and saw Cloud leaning against the wall, eyes closed tightly and a small frown on his face. Zack's eyes slid down his body and he saw what his hand was doing, a small breath escaped him and he dropped his towel and kicked off his shoes. Without further ado he walked straight over to Cloud and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Cloud gasped and his eyes shot open, he looked up through eyes clouded by desire and when he realised it was Zack a grin spread across his face.

"Thank gods its you." He said quietly and wrapped his arms around Zack's neck. "I thought it was Sephiroth again." Zack laughed as he pulled Cloud close and kissed his wet hair.

"Bet that was embarrassing."

"Just a bit." Cloud admitted. He noticed Zack was still clothed from the waist down. "You're wet." He said and Zack laughed, he pulled Cloud into his arms and kissed him deeply, Cloud's arms lifted up and wrapped themselves around his neck. Butterflies flapped in his stomach, causing his heart to race as Zack's bare hands slid over his body. He smiled into the kiss and when Zack drew away he groaned in disappointment.

"Slow down there, Mr. Eager. You don't want me to lose my self control do you?"

"Maybe I do." Cloud said, an unusually bold statement from him that was slightly ruined when he blushed as he realised what he had said. He lowered his head, hiding his face from Zack who put a hand beneath his chin and forced him to look up. Zack chuckled lightly and kissed Cloud gently.

"If I was to lose total control I'd hurt you." He said quietly. "You're not enhanced, I could seriously do some damage without meaning to."

Cloud nodded vigorously, causing a damp lock of hair to fall into his eyes. "Sorry." He muttered.

"Stop apologising." Zack sighed and moved to where Cloud had put his Shampoo and soap, he picked the soap up and forced Cloud to turn around with a hand on his shoulder. "Let me help you wash." He said, burying his nose temporarily in Cloud's hair and closing his eyes briefly.

"Z-Zack?"

"Hm?"

"Um...I'm kinda...in a situation here..." Cloud muttered, hanging his head so his forehead was pressed against the tiles.

"Yeah, I'll help you with that too." Zack whispered into his ear and felt Cloud shiver in anticipation. He lathered the soap in his hands and began to run them slowly over Cloud's body, he smirked to himself as he shuddered and moaned. "Shh, Sephiroth's outside waiting for us to finish." Zack whispered, causing Cloud's eyes to open half way.

"S-Sephiroth?"

"Yeah. Don't worry, he's waiting by the door, he can't see us."

Cloud closed his eyes again, unwilling to admit that before Zack had walked in he had been about to cum while thinking of the silver general. "Zack?"

"Yeah?"

Cloud gasped a little as Zack's hands slid over his belly, he tipped his head back so he was leaning against Zack's chest. "What exactly...are we?" He whispered, his breath hitching as Zack closed a soapy fist over his erection.

"What do you mean?" Zack asked, kissing Cloud's throat and forcing another soft moan from his lips.

"I mean...what...are we to each other...? Friends...lovers?"

"I dunno, never thought about it." Cloud pushed his hips forward, one hand moving to clasp Zack's wrist. "Why? Does it matter?"

"N-no...oh god...!" Cloud gasped and tensed, his hand tightening on Zack's wrist and his teeth digging into his bottom lip.

XXX Sephiroth shifted uneasily from one foot to another, they had been in there an inordinate amount of time. He sighed heavily and picked up his shower bag, it was plain black and continued everything he would need for a shower; hair products (including shampoo and conditioner), hair brush (he despised tangles, it was one thing he truly hated about being in the field; the lack of time to brush his hair), a towel of the highest quality, hand made soap that was sold in a fancy shop on the upper plate of sector six (very expensive but worth it), his toothbrush and toothpaste. He sighed as he wondered why the showers on the whole floor were broken, he couldn't even use the ones near the training areas as they were all connected to the same system. He refused to go to the labs, he knew he could but he had no wish to bump into Hojo and end up roped into some more horrible testing that would leave him feeling terrible. As he gazed into the bag he remembered one of his earlier excursions into Wutai before the end of the war...

Sephiroth sat on his bed roll, slowly running his fingers through his hair with a frown of deep concentration. Genesis watched him as if fascinated by this strange ritual. "Sephiroth, why didn't you bring a hair brush if you're that worried?" Angeal said irritably as he crouched and poked at their meagre fire, Sephiroth glanced at him and away again.

"I did but it was destroyed." He said, a note of bitterness in his voice.

"You'll be able to de-tangle it when we get back to Midgar, why bother now?"

"You wouldn't understand...not with hair like yours." Sephiroth snapped, wincing as he pulled out another burr, he tossed it into the fire and swore under his breath. "I hate this country!"

"Don't we all." Genesis said with a heavy sigh, he leaned back on one hand and gazed into the flames. The camp around them was quiet, the survivors of the latest skirmish recuperating. "I would kill for a long hot bath."

"I would kill for a plate of my mothers home cooked stew." Angeal said, looking up at the unfamiliar stars.

"Hm. Your mother is an excellent cook, if we get leave soon I may have to visit her. She prefers me over you anyway." Genesis smirked and put on a high pitched voice, "You're such a polite boy, unlike mine. Such wonderful table manners. You're so much better looking. Oh my Genesis, right there! YES YES!" Angeal lobbed a pillow at him and Genesis laughed.

"The first thing I'm doing when we get home is soaking my hair in conditioner, this is just ridiculous!" Sephiroth muttered, interrupting the light hearted banter.

Genesis sighed heavily and stood up, he moved to Sephiroth's bed roll and sat at his side. "Come here, I'll help or we'll be up all damned night." He said, shaking his head. "Why you don't cut it short I will never understand."

"I like it long." Sephiroth replied curtly, stiffening as Genesis' fingers began to undo knots.

Sephiroth brought himself out of the memory and blinked, he sighed heavily and leaned back against the wall, he folded his arms across his chest and frowned at his boots. If he could he would happily rip all those memories from his mind, of Genesis' laughter, of Angeal's constant nannying and his own warm feelings towards both of them. Friendship had made him weak. It had exposed him to hurt and anguish and he was becoming sloppy. He had to stop dwelling on the past and move forward, he didn't need them, he never had. But deep down he knew that wasn't true, he had needed them, he had been so desperate all his life to find people who were his equals, and he had found them only to lose them again just quickly. A frown marred his face and when the door opened to reveal Zack, dragging a blushing Cloud behind him, he straightened and, without a word to either, went into the showers.

Zack watched him go and lifted an eyebrow. "What's crawled up his ass?" He muttered.

Cloud's eyes landed on the small wash bag. "He left his stuff out here." He said and released Zack's hand, without thinking he picked it up. "I'll take it to him." He said and went back into the shower block. He walked to the showers and heard the water running, he paused, suddenly unsure of what he should do. He took a breath and cleared his throat. "Um...S-Sephiroth sir? You left your bag outside." He called and turned a corner to find Sephiroth utterly naked beneath the steamy water, Cloud's jaw dropped a little and his eyes grew large.

"Put it down there." Sephiroth said without looking at him, Cloud did as he was ordered and backed away.

"I-I'm s-sorry..." He stuttered as he went, unable to look away from the sight before him.

"No...It's me that should be apologising." Sephiroth said with a heavy sigh. "I scared you, I had no intention of-" He stopped when he saw Cloud's red face and smiled. "Embarrassing you." He finished. Cloud's eyes moved slowly up and down his body, as if entranced by what he was seeing, Sephiroth shook his head. "Could you pass me my shampoo?" Cloud swallowed and nodded, he went to the bag and knelt, pulling out the bottle of vanilla scented shampoo and crept closer as if he were dealing with a wild animal that would tear his throat out. He tentatively placed the bottle in Sephiroth's hand before trying to dart away again but his other hand wrapped tightly around his wrist and he was yanked roughly forward, his foot slipped on the tiles and he gasped just as Sephiroth took advantage of his confusion and placed a kiss on his lips. Cloud froze, his whole body stiffening, his eyes widening and seeming to take on a greenish glow of their own. Sephiroth pulled away. "Hm. You are as timid as a mouse." He said and pushed Cloud away from him, he returned to his shower and smirked as he heard Cloud flee the room.

Cloud ran and skidded around the corner, he halted when he reached the lockers that lined the walls and put both shaking hands on his knees. That kiss had been so unexpected that he had responded the only way he could think of; by running away. He gasped and put a hand to his lips that still tingled from Sephiroth's sudden kiss. Somewhere, in the back of his head someone laughed. He felt a throb of pain through his head and clutched it with one hand as his knees gave way beneath him, he groaned and the world flashed bright white. "Cloud? Hey, Cloud? You all right?" It took a moment for Zack's voice to reach through his muddled mind but finally Cloud managed to blink himself back to the present.

"Z-Zack?" He asked in a low voice. "Yeah, it's me." Zack smiled and held out his hand. "What're you doing down there? You're all wet again."

"Uh...I am?" Cloud looked down at himself, he was indeed wet. "I...I must have got under the water when I passed him the shampoo." He breathed. "I'm sorry."

"No worries." Zack helped Cloud up by the hand and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Come on, let's get you back to the barracks."

XXX

Johnny lay on his bed reading a book, he heard Cloud on the bunk beneath his tapping away on his PHS. A soft giggle drifted up from below and Johnny scowled and tried to concentrate on the chapter. More tapping and then a soft buzz, another giggle. "Oi, Cloud, if you don't stop texting your boyfriend I'm gunna stamp on your PHS." He snapped irritably. "I got a test coming up and I don't want to fail it because I couldn't concentrate."

"Sorry." Cloud said and put his phone away, Johnny sighed and relaxed but then the bunk moved and he looked up to see Cloud's spiky head appear, those pretty blue eyes gazing at him solomnly. "Can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Could you cover for me tomorrow during training?"

Johnny gazed at Cloud in surprise. "Why?"

"I...I've got an extra training session with Zack and I don't want to pass up on the chance. He's a far better teacher than commander Bones."

"I know but...Bones'll do his nut in if he finds you've skipped out."

"Yeah...that's why I need you to tell him I'm sick." Cloud gave him a pleading look and Johnny sighed, he scrubbed at his hair and frowned.

"All right but you owe me."

"Thanks." Cloud's face brightened and he disappeared again.

XXX

Cloud fell to his knees, panting and holding himself up on the practice sword he was using. All around him were fields and bright blue sky that seemed to stretch for miles. A soft wind blew, causing the grass and meadow flowers to wave. It was difficult to truly believe that they were actually in a room high above a huge metal city. "Come on, it's like you're not even trying." Zack said from where he stood, leaning on his own practice sword and gazing down at Cloud. He had both hands crossed on the pommel and his chin resting on them. "I know you can do better than this."

"I...can't..." Cloud gasped and finally threw himself backwards into the grass, it even felt real. He stared up at the cloudless sky and sighed, sweat was drying on his forehead. A shadow fell across him and Zack sat at his side, leaning back on his hands. "I'm so useless." Cloud groaned and covered his face with both hands.

"No, you're not. I've seen you do some amazing stuff. You've got it in you it's just that for some reason you have difficulty getting it out." Zack sighed and let himself fall backwards, there was a puff of dandelion seed that drifted on the breeze and brushed Cloud's face. It really was incredibly realistic. Cloud's hand slid sideways and he caught Zack's, the two looked at each other and Zack grinned. Their fingers entwined and they both settled back to look up at the sky in silence for a while. It was unbelievably nice lying in the grass and holding hands with Zack, Cloud felt an unusual sense of peace settle over him and he wished that this moment could last forever. It was Zack who broke the silence. "Hey, Cloud?"

"Yeah?" Zack turned his head to look at him and smiled, he rolled over until he was lying on top of Cloud and gazing down into his flushed face. He used the fingers of one hand to brush hair from his eyes before leaning down and kissing him deeply. "I like this." He breathed as he pulled away. "I like us."

Cloud smiled uncertainly. "I do too...where did this come from?" He asked.

"Well..." Zack shifted and glanced away. "I got an order to meet Heidegger in his office this afternoon." Cloud sat up so suddenly he nearly head butted Zack, his eyes were wide in his face as he struggled out from under him and stood up. He stepped back a few paces and stared at Zack.

"H-he...he knows..." Cloud gasped.

"He can't know! No one knows...well...except Kunsel...and Sephiroth..." Zack added and winced at Cloud's horror struck expression.

"You told someone else?!" He almost squealed. "Are you insane?!"

"Well, Kunsel's cool, he wouldn't blab! I know him! He's a Second Class and a good friend."

"Zack, if anyone finds out..." Cloud swallowed in terror and turned away, one hand going to his hair. "Oh gods, I'm so done for! He'll have me executed for sure!"

"Calm down!" Zack said with a bright laugh, he got to his feet and walked over to Cloud, grabbing both hands in his own and forcing him to look at him. "It'll be fine. It's probably something silly or some special mission he's sending me on, nothing to worry about!"

"B-But what if...what if its n-not...?"

"Then we'll run away." Zack said and pulled Cloud into his arms, leaning down and kissing him deeply. "We'll run away and go live in Costa Del Sol, you could spend your days wearing nothing but swim suits..."

"Zack?"

"Yeah?"

"You're a pervert." Cloud laughed and pushed Zack away from him gently, eyes shining brightly.

"Can't help myself, I've got such a hot guy in my arms." Zack dragged him back and kissed him again, sliding one hand down his back. "Mmm. Yeah, you'd hot in a pair of speedos."

"I...heard...that...Hojo...wears...speedos..." Cloud muttered between kisses.

Zack pulled away and made a face of disgust. "Way to go and kill the moment, Cloud." He said and Cloud smirked.

"Come on, you'd love to see it. Don't deny your burning desire for Hojo." Cloud dodged Zack's lunge, laughing as he did so. Zack stumbled and righted himself, Cloud stepped backwards, smiling as he taunted him playfully. He lifted one hand and took his glove between his teeth, he pulled it off and let it fall to the grass. Zack's eyes followed it and he licked his lips. "Or perhaps you'd prefer to see Hollander in speedos?"

"Ugh...You trying to make me sick?" Zack grimaced and tried to catch Cloud again but he spun aside and danced backwards again. He removed his other glove and let that fall too. "Cloud, let me..."

"No." Cloud giggled brightly.

"All scientists are creeps." Zack declared, putting one hand on his hip and smiling. "I have no attraction to any of them."

"Hm. Ok then, what do you find attractive?" Cloud asked, lifting his now bare hand and slowly undoing the belt he wore around his top. That fell to join the gloves.

"Oh...I dunno, I quite like blonds..." Zack replied, stepping closer to Cloud who stepped away, teasing him with a smile.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Blonds who like to play hard to get."

"Hm?" Cloud unzipped his top slowly, his eyes fixed on Zack.

"Shy blonds with cute hair."

Cloud laughed and dropped a hand to his trousers, he pulled down the fly and licked his lips. His eye lids lowered a little and a devious smile appeared on his face. "Cute hair? Really?"

"Yeah, its soft." Zack lunged forward again, Cloud slipped away, just out of his grasp. "C'mon man, stop this and just let me touch you!" He moaned.

"You're not playing nicely." Cloud replied and slipped a hand down his bared chest, fingers resting just inside his boxer shorts. Zack groaned aloud.

"I'll do anything, please..."

"Oh, I like please." Cloud replied and when Zack came for him again he held his position. Hands closed around his arms and he was yanked roughly forward, Zack leaned down for a kiss but before he could Cloud lifted his foot and booted Zack in the knee. Zack cried out as he lost his balance, Cloud smiled and bent to pick up his sword from the ground. He had manoeuvred Zack right around the room back to where he had dropped it. He lifted it and put the tip to Zack's throat. "I win." He said and grinned.

"Hey! That's cheating! It's not fair!"

Cloud affected Zack's cocky attitude, he lifted a hand in a shrug. "Alls fair in love and war, Zack." He said and turned his back, he walked away, gathering his clothes as he went.

"That's scary, stop imitating me!" He called after him, wincing as he checked the damage to his knee. He saw Cloud give him a lazy salute as he exited the training room. "Gods he's so annoying...that hurt..." Zack smiled to himself and laughed brightly. "But he's so god damned hot." He sighed and shook his head as he stood shakily. Cloud's kick had been pretty brutal and he suspected he would have to put ice on it when he got back to his apartment.