Hello readers! Here is chapter 8. Stuff is about to happen man! So please enjoy! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own any Final Fantasy characters or any music that is mentioned in here what so ever! All characters and music belong to their rightful owners!

Warning: This story does contain inappropriate language/ situations so if that's not your cup of tea then I don't recommend you reading this but I'm also not stopping you.

~Let's begin shall we

Chapter 8

Zack

The two weeks where almost up and I still haven't been able to get any farther with Cloud, though the time we have spent with each other has been awesome and perfect; there's still that void…It's like Cloud and I are back to where we started, we are like best friends again. We would go out and hand out and have drinks with the honey bees every once in a while yet with each passing day I grew more and more irritable knowing that he will be leaving me soon.

Cloud is currently sitting on my couch trying to beat the final boss on one of my video games, I always have to snigger every once in a while when he would scream curse words at the fictional characters.

"Oh you son of a bitch!" and there he goes.

"I don't think he can hear you Cloud"

"That's cuz he's. An. Ass. Hole-" He was cut off by the sound of his main character dying then the game over sign showing up on the screen. He stared at the screen in shock for a while before letting out a wail of screams and swears.

"Zack your game is a cheat!"

"No I'm pretty sure you just suck." I stated.

"Guh!" He had finally gave up and flopped onto the couch after jumping off of it and stomping on the floor.

"You give up?"

"I'll beat it tomorrow, right now I just want to kill something…" Strange how someone can sound so exhausted from playing a video game.

"Or you could just have a drink?"

"Or I could have a drink." He agreed. I smiled and got up and made my way to my kitchen. I opened my cupboard where I kept my drinks. Hmmm, maybe some wine, that's pretty romantic, right?

As I was pouring the red wine into the wine glasses I felt my phone vibrating in my front pocket. I quickly finished pouring the drinks and answered my phone without checking the caller id; I should probably start checking who it though, especially if it's the Don who is calling.

"Ah Zack!"

"Hey, Don what's up?" I tried to make my voice sound normal; it's really weird talking to the Don when Cloud is around. I was beginning to feel some sort of hatred for him, maybe it's because there was a chance that he had done something to Cloud 3 years ago.

"I'm having a party right now; you should bring that beautiful Claudia." He still hasn't shut up about 'Claudia' and by Claudia I mean Cloud since he had to go and do Jill a damn favor on the wrong day and time.

"Claudia was just a volunteer worker. We both probably won't be seeing her in a long time." The Don started to make some grumbling sounds. "And I'm busy tonight so I won't be able to attend to your party, maybe next time."

"Remember you owns you Zack" He stated in a low tone. The fuck did he just say?!

"Excuse me?" My voice was threatening. He really doesn't want to piss me off…

"O-oh I'm sorry my boy, just a slip of the tongue, well I'll see you at the next party then!" Was all he said before quickly hanging up. He had let his façade slip, that's unusual but I guess he's not used to getting rejected so easily.

I had entered the living room with the two wine glasses. I had gave Cloud his before sitting down next to him. He was quiet; he must have heard enough of the conversation to know that I was talking to the Don. Cloud really hates the man and I never understood why, but now I'm starting to feel understanding but not completely. I want to ask him what the Don had done to him but what if it's something really bad what if the Don had really done something to Cloud that was unforgivable…

I didn't realize that Cloud was talking to me until he poked my shoulder.

"Huh? I'm sorry what?" I was snapped out of my mental fight with myself and turned to look into the seriousness shown in his eyes.

"I was asking why you where so worried whether the Don had recognized me or not when I was working as the receptionist that day…" It's weird how it sometimes it feel like he could read minds or some shit. I started to feel awkward; I mean I still wanted to ask him but…

"I had started to get the feeling that something happened between you and the Don. Nobody could hate a person that much unless…"

"Yeah something happened." He stated, how could he be so calm? Maybe it was something that wasn't so bad. I gave him a questioning look; mentally urging him to explain. As if he heard my plea he started to explain, everything…

"Three years ago when we had gone to the Wall Market for the first time. You remember when the Don had invited us to have dinner with him in his mansion?" I nodded and he continued. "Well that dinner was the worst thing I could possibly imagine. He would always stare at me and though his smiles seemed friendly he just always sent this chilling vibe and it was making me go fucking insane." He paused and took a deep breath before continuing. "That night while you were sleeping I had woken up, it felt like we were being watched or something, I had decided to get up and get a drink of water. I tried asking you if you wanted any but you where sound asleep and I didn't want to disturb you. So I had left the room we were staying in and went to the kitchen. While I was in there, the Don appeared out of fucking nowhere…" Hearing this started to make my heart pound at a faster rate and I started to feel anger boiling up inside me. "He asked me if I was enjoying my stay there, of course I lied and said that it was great. I had thought about grabbing the toaster or something and throwing it at him but I didn't do it because the Don wasn't even doing anything… He then said that he had a gift for you and me and he wanted me to be the first one to see. I really didn't care what he had to offer us at that point but I followed him anyways." A gift for Cloud and I? I never heard of it." I followed him to some weird hidden door in the wall. That when I started to feel panicked but of course I had to be a fucking idiot. The hidden door was actually the door to his basement…" I thought the Don didn't have a basement…" But…What I saw down there…wasn't fucking sane!" He looked at me with determination and fear in his eyes. "He's fucking nuts! What was down there was sick!"

"What the hell was it?" I asked, I was angered…

"He had…a table and someone was fucking chained to it…no it wasn't someone, it was a fucking body, just a body…He said that this is where our jobs will take place and that he wanted to see me on that table… I had finally cracked and told him to stay the fuck away from us and that we had no interest in his fucking job offers, he even tried to make the pay offer bigger, way, way bigger but fuck no…" Cloud then took a big swig of the wine and continued. "I was about to leave when he grabbed me, at first I thought he was going to fucking kill me or something…But he just told me that it's okay if I told but then everyone I know, including you would be killed in the worst way possible…I didn't even answer him I just managed to get out of his grip and got out of that basement…" Cloud had chugged the last of his wine and avoided my stare before finally looking at me with, what? Guilt in his eyes?

I never felt so angry in years, no I was beyond angry so angry that I can't even put it in words… Cloud had passed out on my couch after a few more glasses of wine. He looked peaceful even though he's really drunk. The more I sat there the more regret I felt. I had chosen to work for the Don than to be with Cloud… I wanted to go back in time and give myself a royal beating.

I was going to wake Cloud up but I decided not to, we where both too intoxicated to drive so I picked him up bridal style and made my way to my bedroom. I laid him down in the middle of my bed. While I was covering him with the blankets my face had came dangerously close to his and I couldn't help to stare at his pale features and without thinking I gave him a small peck on the lips, I had realized what I had done and jumped back. It was a good thing he wasn't awake, his reaction last time to us kissing was a disaster and I don't want a repeat.

I went over to my closet and took out a blanket for me. I made my way to the couch and made it into a make shift bed. I turned off all the light and lay down. As tired as I was at 4 in the morning; I had the hardest time falling asleep because all I had on my mind was different ways that I could kill the Don and that I technically I only have 2 days left with Cloud…

I along with the other students had noticed him as he entered the class room with a scowl on his face.

"You pull a stunt like that again and you will be expelled, you hear me Strife!" The principle warned him and finally left him with the teacher to deal with. The blonde had somehow got a hold of the microphone in the principal's office and told the whole school to go fuck themselves and of course everyone had broken out in laughter causing all the teachers to lose control over the students. I thought it was all pretty stupid but seeing the culprit I felt that I just wanted to get close to him, talk to him, just be around him. He had spiky blonde hair but he had it grown out in the back and had it in a pony tail. He wore bandages on his face as if he were recently in some kind of scrap.

"You can sit next to Fair." Was all the teacher said to him before turning to write the assignments on the bored. Teachers can be so idiotic sometimes…

"And who the fuck is Fair?" he asked with an irritated tone. The teacher quickly turned to him. I quickly stood up and called "Right here!" before the teacher exploded on him. The teacher had started to calm down as the blonde sat next to me.

"To remind everyone in the room that there will be NO cursing what-so-ever!"

As the teacher started to lecture everyone about the consequences I turned to the blonde and smirked. "Hey the name is Zack." I held out my fist. He looked hesitant at first but then cocked a smile back.

"I'm Cloud." He said as he bumped his fist into mine.

We both had an understanding with each other.

I was warm, too warm. I know I have my AC set to 75 degrees F so there's no way I could be this hot. I opened my eyes only to see blonde spikes on my chest. It took me a minute or two to realize that Cloud was sleeping on me. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. He must have moved over here last night or something. He started to squirm until he lifted his head, he stared at me with his half awake eyes until they widened with shock, he jumped off me in a panic but started to lose his footing. I quickly got up and caught him in time before he fell. Unfortunately for me, I had also lost my footing. We both ended up falling, luckily the carpet made the impact lass painful for both of us.

"Ow, ow, ow…" I couldn't tell if Cloud or I said that because 'ow' was right.

"What the hell is going on?" Cloud asked as he started to get up. He shot me a look of suspicion and I immediately held my hand up in defense.

"Hey! I put you in my bedroom last night; I don't know how you ended up cuddling with me!" I said in my defense. Cloud's face started to redden with embarrassment.

"I-I wasn't cuddling!"

"Oh you so were!"

"Did not!"

"Did to!"

"Did not!"

"Did to!"

"Okay whatever!" Cloud said. He still had a red tint to his face. And with some mental agreement we both started to pick up and fold the blankets and started to tidy up the living room.

After we were finished Cloud said that he needed to go to Tifa's so he can shower and change but he then started to pat at his pants pockets. His face then morphed to confusion.

"What is it?" I asked. He must have lost something.

"Shit my keys. Did you see them anywhere while we were cleaning?" He asked as he started to look in the couch cushions'.

"Maybe there in the room. I mean you did sleep in there…"

"Oh.." He made his way toward the bed room.

"Well MOST of the night." I teased.

"Shut it!" He yelled from the room, I then made my way in there as well to help him.

We checked under the bed, in-between the mattresses, under the dresser, in the bathroom, kitchen, everywhere but couldn't find the damn keys.

"Shit! Tifa's spare key was on that, along with the rental car key." He started to rub the back of his head. He usually did that when he started to stress.

"I can drive you to Tifa's." I offered.

"Yeah but Tifa is off doing some errands on the other side of the city and she won't be back till tonight…" He explained. Sheesh talk about bad luck, well for me it's pretty lucky because I thought of the perfect day for us!

"Well you can use my shower and Ill lend you some clothes."

"Oh, thanks."

While Cloud was showering I was picking out some clothing for him to wear. Damn it's so hard to choose, he would look good in all of them! I finally settled on a white V-neck and some tattered jeans, perfect. I left them neatly folded on the bed and left the room, closing the door behind me.

I had decided to get some food to bring back so we can both eat.

"Morning Jill." I called out to the receptionist and waved as I passed by. She gave her usual toothy smile and a wave back.

I had gone to a sub sandwich place and got two subs and a few donuts and two coffees. I was now on the elevator on my way up back to my room. I had nearly dropped everything when my phone started to vibrate, unfortunately my hands where full so I couldn't answer. I'll call back later I guess.

For the second time I almost dropped everything when I entered my room and found Cloud sitting on the couch, the V-neck hugged his torso perfectly and the tattered pants helped emphasize the tightness of the shirt.

Cloud must have sensed my gawking and paused the video game look at me.

"Hey your back. Do you have any looser shirts? This one is too tight." He said as he prodded the shirt and pulled at it. I probably did have a larger shirt but I wanted him to stay in that one.

"Actually all my shirts are like that, sorry."

"Damn…" He looked down at it. He must work out, he wasn't as muscley like me but he looked like he was well toned. I held up the plastic back of food.

"I got us some food." His head then shot up with a glint in his eyes.

"Yeah!"

We where both quiet as we dug into our sandwiches; almost forgetting that we had coffee.

"So since you're stuck with me for the rest of the day, is it okay if I take you somewhere?" I finally asked, jeez I felt like some loser teenager asking a really hot girl out er, boy. Cloud looked up from his sandwich.

"Uh, sure I guess. I have nothing better to do." He said, I could tell he was trying to stop himself from smiling, and knowing that felt awesome.

"Where are we going?" Cloud asked for the 100th time, he sat in the passenger seat next to me as I drove to our destination.

"It's a surprise."

"Damn you." He muttered. I let out some laughter and I then began to see the sign and said.

"We're here!" Cloud quickly sat up to look around and his eyes widened when he saw the sign.

"Oh hell…" was all he said as dread overcame his features. The large colorful sign read 'Midgar City Fair'. It was one of the top 10 best fairs out there. I remember back when we where dating I had convinced him to go but it was already closed and gone by the time we got there; leaving me disappointed and leaving Cloud the happiest person alive.

"Damnit Zack it's bad enough that I have to be nauseous during this damn car drive! Now you want to kill me at the friggen fair!?" He complained.

"Eh- eh- eh!" I held up my finger to silence him. "Remember a long time ago I convinced you to go with me?"

"Yeah…" He said slowly.

"Remember that I made you promise?"

"Oh hell! That was a long time ago!"

"Promises last forever Cloud" I said with a smirk. To tell you the truth I had forgotten the promise, I barely remembered it right now. Cloud then let out a groan.

Cloud was tense when we entered the park. It smelt of dirt and fried food. Ahhh… I turned to Cloud who was starting to tremble.

"Ah c'mon Cloud, remember that 'thing' we would always do on the school bus to calm you down?" I asked. Cloud looked to me in shock; he was probably surprised that I remembered. He then nodded and relaxed a little; I smiled and took his hand.

"Alright, let's get on something!"

After ranting and arguing on which ride should go on we finally decided on one.

"I- I don't know if I can do this!" Cloud started to panic as the man buckled us in.

"Cloud calm down…It's just a Ferris wheel…" I tried to comfort him.

"No, fuck this shit!" He started to struggle in the buckle; trying to get out. Time for the trick…I took Clouds face and settled his forehead on mine.

"Look at me, just me. Don't even look at the background…" I said. Cloud's eyes tried to avoid mine but they eventually settle on mine. His mako stained eyes where panicked but after a while they calmed.

"It's all okay. See? We're at the top." I stated. Cloud pulled away from me to look around. The Ferris wheel had been moving alright. We were at the very top. Cloud didn't panic and to my surprise he had started to smile.

"Hey let's get on that roller coaster next!" He exclaimed with excitement as he pointed to the roller coaster that he had refused to go on not that long ago.

It was sunset when we finally left the fair and we both decided to go on a walk. We spoke about our trouble making times in elementary school and junior high…and highschool.

"…Or that time we put chocolate syrup on some toilet paper and shoved it in Mr. Hollander's face!" Cloud said with laughter in his voice. I did remember that!

"Oh yeah I still remember how he freaked out and ended up running into a wall." We both laughed.

"Hey what is this?" Cloud asked as he looked around. I had just noticed that we were on a bridge that went over a river, but the interesting thing about it was then wire fencing, it had padlocks all over it. Getting a closer look; the padlocks had two names written on them and then I realized what this was.

"Oh! This when couples would write their names on the padlock and lock it on to the gate and then they would throw the key into the river. I think they say that it would keep their hearts together even if they grow apart or some shit." I explained.

"Oh-" Cloud said but then froze and quickly leaned against on one side of the gate, discomfort evident on his face.

"What is it?"

"What? Nothing! What would make you think that something is 'it'?" He said with a nervous laughter. Oh he was definitely hiding something.

"Move over." I demanded.

"What no!" He said with panic. I made my way towards him and tried to push him away from the spot but he was putting up a fight. "It's nothing I swear!"

"It's something!" I was finally able to move him aside and what I saw made my heart to cart wheels.

'Cloud Fair X Zack Fair' was what the padlock had written on it. Cloud had my last name on it but the most interesting thing about it was the two silver rings that were locked on along with the pad lock.

"Our wedding bands…" I turned to Cloud Whose face was flushed red.

"I-I don't remember any of that!"

"Me either." I said in amazement. The thing that also made me happy about all this was that the lettering on the padlock was similar to Cloud's.

"I think you wrote it."

"I don't remember…" Cloud said as he examined the padlock once more before turning red again. I wonder...if he's feeling the same way I am, this beautiful warmth in my heart that I can't make go away… I smiled and turned to him.

"Hey let's go back to my place, I have something to show you." I said as I took his hand and started walking back to where my car was parked.

Cloud sat nervously on my couch waiting for me to put the CD in the player. These things are pretty old so I'm not even sure if it still works… aha! The song started to play and I turned to Cloud whose face lit up once he recognized it.

" 'Constant Conversations' by Passion Pit! Holy shit!" He exclaimed as he rocked back in forth to the beat. We used to slow dance to this song. I held out my hand to him.

"May I?" I asked. He was hesitant at first but smiled and rested his hand on mine.

"You may."

"May be a little rusty." I said, a bit embarrassed but Cloud just laughed and he got up from the couch.

"Same." Though we where both worried about how much out of practice we where it turned out that it was like riding a bike. We danced to the beat. The only things I was paying attention to though was the lyrics and Cloud's smiling face.

'I never want to hurt you baby. I'm just a mess with a name and a price and now I'm drunker than before they told me drinking doesn't make me nice~'

Cloud looked up to me and I don't think I've ever seen him this happy, even back when we were together…

We where halfway through the song when someone barged into my room and acting on instincts I pulled Cloud back behind me to shield him.

"What the hell!" I yelled.

Vincent stood at the door way, everything about him screamed that he was angry.

"Vincent?" Cloud peeked from behind me and cautiously made his way towards him but stopped when some stranger in a suit also entered.

"Good morning Mr. Strife. You ready to sign the divorce papers?"

No… I looked to the clock that showed that it was past 12 AM. Today is the last day; those bustards. I then looked to Vincent who was trying to hide a smirk. Cloud was quiet, was he hesitating? Hope then started to bloom in me.

"Mr. Strife?" The man asked but Cloud stayed silent for a moment longer before looking up and answering,

"Yes."

END CH 8

A/N

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I will try to put the next one up as soon as possible! And yes Cloud IS ready to sign the divorce papers but he is hesitating so we'll see what happens!

But yeah the song that Zack and Cloud dance to is REALLY good. You have to listen to it! It's called

'Constant Conversations' By Passion Pit. That song has been my jam lately and I can never get it out of my head!

The next chapter is probably going to be the most eventful chapter out of all of these so please stay tuned!

Thank you for reading!