Day 6: diary – box

…

"Well," Zack said, chest heaving as he held on the lid of the industrial box they had hidden in. "We just have to wait for the back-up now."

Cloud grunted and tried to find a better position in the ridiculous box they ended up as they flew from the monster on their heels. They had been separated from the rest of the group exploring the back of the industrial building for monsters. Which they found. Too much for three troopers and a SODLIER to exterminate.

Their salvation was one of the many box scattered around, empty of their materials. Cloud had jumped head first in the box when Zack had the intelligence of putting his feet first in their hideout. Though he had had more time to go in. now Cloud was in a weird position, his nose on Zack's knee and his arms braced to support his weight.

As he wriggled himself to be in a more comfortable position, Cloud felt something slip out of his internal chest pocket he had sew – badly – in his uniform. He heard the 'thump' of the book falling on the ground and tried to find it even if he didn't see anything.

"What's that?" Zack asked, already flicking some pages. "Oh."

"Give me that back!" Cloud yelled, his heart hammering. He couldn't see with the slight light coming from the part where the lid and the rest of the box connected, but knew Zack could. He tried to grab the book only to hit his hand against the metal. Cloud whined at the pain that shot through his arm.

"Oh, shit. You okay? I'm sorry I started reading before I realised what it-"

Zack was cut short as something collided against the box, making it tip to one side. Cloud fell on Zack, blushing hard as he felt the abs under one of his hand. Their hideout fell back on its initial side, but the two stayed quiet, their heart hammering.

"Wow, okay. Sure. Fin-" Zack babble was stopped again by a collision that ended his word in a short yell.

The box rolled onto its side, knocking the two boys against each others. Their chaotic breathing was heard as they listened to the monster turning them. At least Zack could make its position, not that it helped in their situation.

A growl followed by a bigger, more controlled crash, moved the box again. Except they started rolling down a slope. Zack squeaked, his free arm wrapping around Cloud to keep him from bumping against the metal. Cloud held onto Zack by instinct. He ended up crushed under Zack's weight.

Zack shook his head before looking at Cloud to assure him of his health. He was red as a tomato, but still breathing and in one piece. The sound of paws running down the hill caught his attention.

"Time to move, Spike!"

The SOLDIER wiggled around then struck the lid open. He jumped to his feet and pulled Cloud out. The poor boy could only follow the movement. He was happy to be on his feet, but he hadn't the time to think before Zack pushed him to run. He noticed the monster going down and didn't argue with Zack.

Weapons and shrapnels scattered the ground, none of them stopped to pick them up since most were only piece or abandoned because short of ammunition. As they ran, Zack remembered he dropped Cloud's notebook. He turned around, saw the monster, and the book, a few feet away.

"Oh, shit."

Cloud turned around at Zack's shout. At his bewilderment he saw the dark-haired running toward the battered box. Zack squatted just as the monster's eyes zeroed on him. The blond's voice caught in his throat. His eyes frantically scanned around him for a good weapon.

The monster jumped on Zack. Quick on his feet, the Second rolled away, a book in his hand. Cloud gritted his teeth, if he hadn't taken his diary Zack wouldn't be there. He couldn't believe the instinctive act of keeping his diary on him, away from the shitheads members of his squad would cost him Zack.

A glint caught Cloud's eyes as Zack jumped around, trying to save himself from the monster's attacks. Cloud took the piece of sword, not longer than a kitchen knife. Zack fell on the ground, a perfect prey for the monster a few feet from him. Cloud aimed and took a calming breath. The thing bounced with a roar that was cut short by the blade plunged in its head.

Zack rolled on his side to look above his shoulder at Cloud who breathed loudly. Cloud's heart hammered in his chest, he couldn't believe he made it. He saved Zack. With a broken bit of sword.

"That was-" started Zack only to be cut off by a roar from the horde of monster on the hill. They saw them, and rushed toward them. Zack groaned, but he was on his feet in an instant.

Cloud stayed immobile, still dumbstruck by his luck. Zack grabbed him by the waist in passing and secured him on his shoulder. Cloud couldn't even complain when a horde was on their heels. He was just a poor trooper. Zack was the SOLDIER capable of physical feats.

.

Cloud tried to be impassive as Angeal finished his lecture to the both of them. But he couldn't help fidgeting under the dark glare of the First. It was the first time he met Zack's mentor and never had he imagined the encounter to go like that. At least Zack didn't exaggerate on Angeal word vomit when he was in a lecture.

"Now, I want you to promise you won't let comrades behind you anymore."

Cloud would have liked to make him remark the troopers scattered away like ants and they couldn't have followed all of them. He and Zack weren't shepherds for idiots. But Zack nudged his ribs and beamed at Angeal.

"Sure, we won't. We made a mistake, but it'll be a learning experience! Isn't it?"

Angeal squinted his eyes at his mentee. He looked at Cloud who made his best puppy eyes like Zack was doing.

"Good, I count on you two. Now we're going, Zack. We have our own lift home."

"I wanted to stay with Cloud!"

Angeal sighed and turned around, already leaving.

Zack harrumphed, a pout on his lips. He rocked on his heels with irritation, then gave Cloud a tired smile.

"Don't worry, he's always like that. In a few hours he'll remark that he was partially wrong and shouldn't have said that. He's just a worrywart."

He jumped on his feet and started following Angeal's trail, bouncing with renewed excitement, waving at Cloud. He froze and came back to push Cloud's diary into the blond's hands. Zack smile made the blond flush hard.

"You're badass too, Spike. I won't forget this awesome kill with a bit of sword." he knocked on Cloud lightly – which mean it still hurt with his SOLDIER strength – and trotted on Angeal's trail.

Cloud fixed Zack's back. At least he hadn't looked at the lasts pages. He only read Cloud gushing about how badass Zack was, not his silly crush from those last weeks. Cloud sighed longingly: Zack found him badass too. A goofy smile took it's place on Cloud's lips and didn't disappear even when he was lectured by his own superior officer.

Zack found him badass.

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