Day 3: jacket – game

...

Somehow it became a game. How would find the jacket that would complete SOLDIER First Zack Fair's uniform? It started with an offhand comment Zack made about the unique style of all the other Firsts – except Angeal – and how he was a tad jealous. Even if it was between him and Cloud, the cafeteria they had been in had hear it all. And so Zack ended with a new jacket every day.

The type of jacket offered to the newest First could be put into two categories: purposefully awful and "I tried". Zack wore them all. One day or more, depending on his mood. Cloud had enjoyed as much as Zack the little game. He had quantities of photographies of Zack in those clothes: stripped cotton jacket, shearling jacket, badass leather jacket, the oversized one in a weird blue-green hue, the purple longcoat that floated in the air and touched the ground when Zack squatted, Reno's gift, et cetera.

Cloud had good photographies to laugh or blush at. Yet he had a serious problem with this game. Two maybe. One, he couldn't see Zack's biceps with those stupid jackets. Two, he wanted to win. Badly. And, if possible, with a jacket that would let Zack's arms uncovered.

He had ungodly hours for the last weeks which mean he did not have a second to go find the perfect jacket. He ended up asking his mother to send him a piece of fabric made from nibel wool. Cloud being the worst seamstress in nibel, she had asked Zack's mensuration and made the jacket, letting the embroidery to him.

Has he spent hours in an abandonned room with enough light for him to work on the jacket, he felt like he was at nibel anew, next to his mother and working in tandem. It was worst enough that Cloud's anxiety about giving such a gift to Zack lessened.

But first, he needed to give his mother and his' creation before Angeal. Two days before he had found the perfect jacket as he said and the only reason Cloud still had a chance was because Zack was on a mission. Cloud was persuaded that Angeal, as a mentor for Zack, knew perfectly his tastes, so he finished his work faster than light and now were searching frenetically for an idea.

The SOLDIERs' lounge was overcrowded, as always since the start of the game, and people were hovering around Angeal. Cloud spotted Genesis, sulking in a corner with a mug of coffee. A sudden illumination made Cloud grin. He hid this expression as he made his way to Genesis.

"Aren't you...uh... worried, sir?" he whispered to the red-head.

The man scoffed and glared at him. Cloud straightened, he still wasn't certain how to handle Genesis.

"About what exactly, Cloud?"

"Well... Zack had a crush on Angeal for years. Isn't it going to make it flare up?"

"Why would I be worried and not you, then?"

"I am."

Cloud met Genesis eyes. He hoped the man would notice his honesty and start panicking too. As Genesis stayed quiet, observing him, Cloud decided to push him a bit more.

"Angeal, he didn't have a crush on Zack I hope?"

Genesis' eyes widened minutely, Cloud knew he had succeeded. Genesis jumped on his feet to go grab Angeal and the box with the jacket. Everything under everyone incomprehension except Cloud. The young man sighed in relief. He had eliminated his worst enemy in this competition. Now he just had to wait for Zack. And hope the First would like the nibel-styled jacket.

.

Zack arrived almost half an hour later, a huge grin plastered on his face. A lot of people had already left, replaced by others because of their schedule. Cloud had managed to delay his first hour of work so he could catch Zack.

Cloud swallowed as a ball obstructed his throat. Some SOLDIER approaching Zack with a bundle of plastic surely holding a jacket made Cloud jump on his feet then climb on a table. Zack immediately saw him.

"As your boyfriend, do I have benefits like asking to be your first choice today?" his voice quavered on the end but Cloud was proud he had managed to do something that brought all attention to him and carry on to the end.

"Sure!"

Zack's eyes zeroed on him as he shrunk down and sat on the table to hide from most of the gaze turned at him. The First skipped toward him and settled at his knees, bouncing slightly on his heels. He beamed at Cloud as his hands settled on his thighs, chastely.

"You're always my first choice, Spike!"

Cloud blushed fiercely at Zack lack of shame and acknowledgement of their relationship. It always made him warm inside when Zack talked casually about his love for him or his obvious preference.

"There!" Cloud shoved the package between Zack's hands. "That's my jacket."

Around them a chorus of sighs and moans echoed. The duo observed the SOLDIERs and others slumped on themselves like someone had announced the end of their fun. Some left, scowls on their faces or a blasé look.

Zack shrugged at their antics, he put the paper box on Cloud's thighs. Cloud glared at the stupid box on him, it was not heavier than a mug of coffee but at the moment he felt trapped.

"It's... it's mom's and me. She did the shape at your measurements, and I did the rest," Cloud started babbling as Zack lifted the jacket from the box in silence. "It's short enough not to touch the ground when you squat. And-"

Zack cut him by putting the jacket on in a grand fashion. Cloud was left mute as he saw how good the clothe was on Zack. The jacket was only closed by two straps across the chest that could be left open. Two gaps on the sides made that even if the clothe went beyond Zack's ass, you could see it's curve. The burgundy tissue madeZack's eyes stand out.

Cloud's mom had the hands of a goddess. He would send her offerings for her work until the day he died. Which could happen soon if he went onto a battlefield with Zack because he would spend his time ogling the First. Perfect biceps were under his focus. Focus that returned to Zack's face when he heard a high-pitched sound coming from him.

"Zack?"

The First made a face, his brows where knitted high above his huge eyes and a pout grassed his lips. Cloud was certain Zack was going to cry.

Zack grabbed Cloud's face, overwhelmed by the gift his chocobo just gave him. It was tailored, like Genesis and Sephiroth's coats were, but by someone he cared about which made the gift ten time better. He sniffed then chuckled as he stared at Cloud's face. The boy's cheeks were puffed up by his hands.

"I'm so in love," Zack whispered against Cloud's lips. He didn't break eye contact with the blond who whispered back:

"I love you too, but not blinking make you creepy."

Zack chuckled then bumped his nose against Cloud, making his laugh too. Behind them someone groaned loudly, Cloud didn't hear what they said, but Zack stuck his tongue to them before.

Cloud was the best boyfriend Zack could imagine. He glanced over the jacket, maybe it wasn't protective, but his Shinra issued turtlenecks weren't either. The pauldrons would fit perfectly on the new clothe. Maybe he could paint them for them to be the same colour, though.

Zack looked back at Cloud who smiled hesitantly. Apparently he hadn't convinced Cloud that he loved his gift. And yet Zack felt like flailing and start yelling to express the bubble of emotion in him. Maybe roll around too. Which wasn't going to help Cloud feel better. And people would look at him weird. Which wasn't a problem, but having a nervous Cloud overthinking was.

Zack straightened up, a grin plastered on his face. Cloud's eyebrows knitted together at the sight. He knew the First had an idea behind his head.

"I have a reward for the winner!"

"What? Since when?" Cloud asked. "What is it?"

"Since now," Zack answered. He leaned down, grinning as his hand made its way up Cloud's thigh. "Since I really like the winner."

Cloud emitted a 'eep' sound he would deny making and slapped away Zack's hand, "We're in public!"

"I know. That's why I'm taking you," Zack flung Cloud on his shoulder before the trooper could utter a sound. "-and my jacket so we can test it."

"Zack put me down!" Cloud squirmed against the arms holding him solidly. "Wait. Test it? Zaaack!"

The SOLDIER snickered and dashed out of the room, direction his apartment.

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