Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.
A/N: Sorry for the infrequent and sporadic updates, I am taking 15 hours at school and then running the house and taking care of my kids, I have less time to write. Rest assured that although the updates times are weird, I will keep posting chapters as I write them. Also, I have a poll on my profile and I would like to hear from you. I want to thank you all for all the fantastic reviews! This story has meant a lot to me and I appreciate each and every one of you for your time.
In this chapter we get to see just a glimpse of some of Zack's less than happy times in his past.
Now, how about we get on to the chapter and find out what happens now...
Thank you to my fantastic beta SubZeroChimera!
"A good word is an easy obligation; but not to speak ill requires only our silence; which costs us nothing." –John Tillotson
To You I Give My Heart
Chapter 16
~A Place to Call Home~
Zack didn't know how long he sat there, feeling her chest rise with her breaths was soothing to his raging heart. The baby seemed to have calmed and Bugenhagen stayed there while the new father-to-be came to terms with the situation as best as possible. Without moving his head from her chest, he asked, quietly in a low whisper, "How do you know my name?"
"The Turks that were here before left pictures with your names. They told us that you are very dangerous."
All Zack could do was make a sarcastic noise, "Pfft."
"Let me ask you. Are you dangerous?"
Finally lifting his head, Zack turned to the old man who wore a smile. Bugenhagen asked him a question that he already knew the answer to. This man was odd, for sure, but he saved Cloud's life and for that he would be forever grateful, "What do I owe you for all your trouble?"
"Woo Hoo. I was not going to ask for compensation, but since you're offering I suppose I can come up with something."
"I have gil."
"I don't want money Zack," Bugenhagen smiled and bounced in place.
The brunette cringed. All the things that they went through in the lab, this was something that he became used to. Everybody always wanted something for their trouble. They always wanted something in return for favors and it was always what he wasn't willing to give up. Whether he wanted to give up or not, it consistently came down to him compromising his pride. Now, this old man seemed to have something specific that he wanted.
From his position on his knees, Zack looked up at the old man's face. A storm built up behind his eyes, he wanted to fight his way out, wanted to take Cloud and hide away forever. The fact remained that these people knew who they were and where they were and it was just a matter of time before his and Cloud's time was up. Furrowing his eyebrows, he swallowed hard as he closed his eyes, readying himself for what he knew he had to do. He only had to remember that everything he did was for Cloud as always, and now his child.
When he opened his eyes again, the old man had moved closer, still with a smile that he couldn't decipher. Nervous and shaking hands reached up to the old man's waist band and tugged open the tie that held them up on his waist.
Alarmed, the old man tilted his head and backed away immediately, "Oh my, no. You misunderstand me!"
Zack froze, hands still in the air where the man was standing before. The storm of blue glowing light in his eyes died down to a small squall, "I… -but you said you didn't want money…"
A smaller, frail and wrinkled hand reached out to his remarkably velvety black spikes. The soft caress was what his mother used to do; it was both comforting and relaxing. The warm hand moved down the side of his head to his cheek and then his chin. With a firm, but painless grasp, holding Zack's chin allowed the man to move his head as he seemed to inspect the former Soldier. Greying eyebrows pushed together and gloominess laced with his words, "What did they do to you son?"
Zack didn't answer, he couldn't answer. His voice seized up on him but he spared a loving glance to his sleeping blond lover.
Backing away again, Bugenhagen reassured, "That is quite alright. There is no need to tell me, just remind yourself of this, you are no longer there. You are safe here."
The combination of the man helping Cloud, finding out that he was going to be a father, the man's thankful rejection to Zack's advances and the simple words 'you are safe here' was too much. Falling back to his backside, the heels of his hands covered his eyes as he openly cried. It wasn't as if he never cried before, this was different though. All the other times, he was in despair, pain and everything that the often overused word, scared, described. This time, it was relief.
For so long he was tested, he was pushed to his limits and beyond. Without so much as a thought for his own wellbeing, he put his faith in the belief that one day they would be safe. One day he would be able to wake up and not have to worry whether or not he and Cloud would be killed that day or the next. Starting to think that it was just a dream, it was getting farther out of his grasp as each day passed.
Renewed hope shined in his heart, the simple fact that most took for granted, safety. Cloud's mako sickness was on the mend, with the help of this small and slight old man, he could see his and the blonde's happiness again. With the heavy tears subsided, a glass was nudged against his arm.
"Here, drink some water. Woo Hoo. I tell you one thing, you certainly know how release that inner turmoil. I have a better way however."
Wiping at his face, Zack drank the water and curiously asked, "What do you mean?"
Taking the now empty glass, Bugenhagen bounced, "There are plenty of things that need to be done around the village if you want to stay for a while."
Hesitantly, Zack calculated his reply, "I don't want to put you or the village in danger. If we are here, then it is, and that is something that I can't live with."
"Nonsense, I refuse to kick you and a pregnant woman out and expect any good would come of it. Now, stop arguing with me and just accept the offer," The proud stance that the man stood in, the calm and gentle look in his eyes set Zack at ease. Pivoting, the man spoke over his shoulder, "Come on out to the Cosmo Candle and we can talk."
Taking time to compose himself, Zack took Cloud's hand, "Hey Chocobo, I'm gonna go see what's up, if we really can stay. You stay right here and just…" Tenderly his lips touched the ivory skin of her temple, he lingered wanting to feel the slightest movement from her. Nothing stirred from her, however, so he stood and opened his eyes. The peaceful way she laid there, he told himself that she was so tranquil because he was near her, taking care of her.
Getting outside Sharna's hut, Zack noticed dozens of people gathered around the large fire that set in the middle of the quiet village. They all talked amongst themselves and none of them seemed upset or angry. When Zack was spotted, silence fell and blanketed the entire crowd. An encouraging wave of his hand, Bugenhagen urged the larger man forward.
Standing in front of the gathered villagers, Bugenhagen began, "Many days ago two lost souls were sent to us. As you all know by now, Shinra is after them," Pausing for the murmuring to die down, he started again, "Hojo is after them."
One man called out from the crowd, "What would you like for us to do Master Bugenhagen?"
With a smile, the old man winked at Zack and finished up, "I would like to welcome them here, for you to accept them as members of this village."
Silence was followed by another round of whispering. Zack's eyes searched the crowd, looking for anything that told him what to think. Just as with the old wise man, their faces were unreadable to him.
The man that spoke out before spoke again, "I have some extra building supplies for him."
Again furrowing his dark eyebrows, he wasn't sure what the man meant by that. Before he had a chance to ponder the meaning, another villager spoke, "I need help in the caves with digging."
A young woman with a baby in a carrier on her back spoke, "The well wheel needs to be repaired again Girndy has been too busy to fix it."
Another man spoke, "There is plenty of space in that old house on the other side of Kitchi's hut for him and his woman."
Looking to Bugenhagen, Zack's total confusion showed to everyone at the gathering. A few giggles and an outright laugh caught his attention. Asking the old man, Zack inquired curiously, "What…?"
With a pat on the back, the man calmed Zack's fears, "Welcome to the village, Zack."
With a sweep of arms and hands, the stunned brunette was ushered over to the other side of a hut, just out of sight of the Cosmo Candle. More noise and ruckus jerked his attention to piles of wood, nails, plywood and various other things being set down close to his feet.
"My name is Solack," The man who spoke first at the gathering slapped Zack on the back hard enough to make him lose his balance. Regaining his footing, Solack pointed to the pile, "This should get you started."
"Started with what?" Zack watched as the crowd dissipated and left him standing in front of a small dilapidated dwelling. Rubbing the back of his head, his thoughts churned, but came back more confused than he was before. Could it be that they were helping him and Cloud without any reservations? That was at least what he understood, but now this. Obviously he was supposed to fix this rat-hole of a shelter.
Out of the corner of his eye, Zack saw a young boy standing with his hands on his hips. The boy studied the pile alongside the former Soldier. Walking around the pile slowly, the boy rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "So, are you going to get started?"
"And what exactly am I supposed to do?"
The look that the boy gave him suddenly reminded him of Cloud. He didn't know that he missed the 'you are such a dumbass' look she used to give him and now, the boy did a very good interpretation, "Uh, your hut… duh." Zack couldn't hold it, he burst out laughing and the boy looked at him with a 'you have completely lost you mind' look.
Catching his breath, he looked at the boy's young face and innocent eyes, "I'm Zack. What's your name?"
"I know your name, everyone knows your name," Tilting his head, the boy examined the tall man across from him, "You don't look like a crazed multi-armed people-eating monster. I guess I can trust you," Playfully putting his fists on his hips, he grinned, "My name is Pipki."
"Well Pipki, I've never done anything like this, or this extensive kind of renovations. Would you mind helping me?"
Crossing his arms across his chest, Pipki rolled his eyes and sighed, "Fine, but there is something that you have to promise first."
A wide smile showed Zack's white teeth, "Of course."
"Okay, promise me that you'll be on my team when we play Jenquel ball."
Rubbing the back of his head, Zack asked, "What is Jenquel ball?"
"What?! Oh my Gaia!" Slapping his hand to his forehead, the young boy shook his head, "Never mind, let's just get this hut built before I have to find a wife," Pipki began moving some of the construction materials around and directed Zack on what to do.
It seemed that the boy knew what he was doing and Zack couldn't help but laugh at the naturally funny kid. By sunset, Zack and Pipki were already half way done with the three room hut and the kid assured him that they would be finished by tomorrow. However, the dark-haired boy informed him that he was not helping him and Cloud move in.
That evening, Bugenhagen invited Zack to dinner. As sore and tired as he was he wanted to thank the man who wanted them to stay. Getting to the house with the impressive view, he remembered to duck when entering this time.
Talking late in to the night, Zack told him some of what happened in the lab. Of course he left out the more demeaning things that he was forced to do and endure. He talked of how he met Cloud and how he fell in love with her. Telling Bugenhagen of the way Cloud killed Sephiroth; the old man was surprised that the sweet innocent looking girl in the village clinic was capable of that kind of strength. Zack told him way more than he thought he would ever tell anyone, definitely more than he told Conrad.
The next day, as promised, he and Pipki finished with their project. When Zack got back from getting some lunch, a large bed and a table with two chairs were set up inside his and Cloud's lodge. Really liking the sound of that, he repeated that thought in his mind, a nice and comfortable place for him and Cloud to live.
Whoever it was that gave them the furniture built it overnight and specially made it to fit his larger stature. The generosity that the people showed them gave him a sense of obligation, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing this time.
Getting Cloud from the clinic and carrying her in a bridal hold, he walked through the door of their new home. The symbolic gesture on his part was a dream of his come true, but as usual, the dark shadow of disappointment loomed over their lives.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads, favorites, subscribes and/or reviews, I appreciate your time and I dedicate all of this to you. To quote another author, "Getting reviews makes me feel all warm and squishy."
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