Chapter 37: Return to Midgar

Zack had been gone for several hours now, and Cloud was trying his best not to panic. He knew they were probably just working on getting all the supplies, but honestly, this was the first time in five years he had ever truly been alone. He couldn't feel Sephiroth. At all. The presence that was a constant in his mind was absent, and Cloud didn't realize how much he had come to rely on it to not feel alone.

What had Sephiroth meant by coming back? He was dead. The voice in his head was just a whisper from the planet. It was a whisper because of what Cloud was, and how they were connected. But that was all. That's all it could ever be, because Sephiroth was a monster and he couldn't be released back into this world.

Sephiroth was the other half of his soul.

Sephiroth was the person who got them into all of this.

Sephiroth had been with him to stave off his loneliness these last five years.

Sephiroth killed their child.

So why did he already miss him when he couldn't feel him anymore? It was a betrayal. It was a betrayal to Zack in its highest form, and yet Cloud had the audacity to get angry at his mate for sleeping with Reno. The truth was, Zack and Sephiroth were both the loves of his life. He was meant for them both—even if he had lost one forever.

Cloud tried to reach out, searching through his consciousness for any sign of his murderous piece of shit mate, but all he felt was cold silence. He wiped furiously at his eyes, hating the fact that he still had tears left to shed for the bastard. That bastard who had once again left him alone. No, not alone—Zack was here now. They were free. He could let Sephiroth go fully. He could move on from this awful nightmare.

They were going to leave this terrible place. Go to a different continent where Shinra couldn't touch them. Just a few more days and they would be free. Free from Shinra. Free from Sephiroth. Free from Hojo. Just a few more days and he could bury himself in Zack's warm sunshine and never think about this cold dead place again.

He sprang up in the back of the truck the moment he heard approaching footsteps, not willing to admit the panic that had filled him at the idea that Zack might just take his advice and leave him for Reno. He dropped the blanket down to the bed, walking to the edge as he saw Zack, Genesis, and Kadaj approaching with their arms full of supplies. His apprehension only increased at the glare Zack shot him when he got close, and Cloud could only feel lingering anger pulsing through their bond.

Why had he brought up Reno? Why had he picked a fight with the best thing to ever happen to him? Why was he trying to ruin this? "Are you okay?" Cloud managed, walking to the tailgate as he frowned down hesitantly at his obviously pissed off mate.

"No," Zack answered, throwing the supplies into the back. "I'm not." Cloud was about to ask why, but he was never allowed to as Zack arms wrapped around his thighs, yanking him forward as he all but tossed him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. For his part, all Cloud could do was make an undignified squeak of surprise as an arm wrapped around the back of his thighs. "Give us a half hour. I need to talk to him before we head into Midgar."

"Take alllll the time you need," Genesis assured him, laughing as Cloud attempted to push himself up while thrown over that shoulder, only to receive a loud slap to his backside.

"Zack!" Cloud scolded, shock going through him as the ex-SOLDIER just started to walk out towards the outskirts of Kalm. "Zack! I can walk!"

"Maybe, but I'm not convinced you can do anything lately without arguing about it, so this is just easier." Zack flipped him over, setting him on his feet as they were near a cliff looking over the city with a direct view to Midgar. "We need to talk."

Cloud's stomach immediately dropped out at those words, fear gripping him as he stared worriedly at his still furious mate. "About the Reno thing?"

"No," Zack bit out. "We're not talking about Reno, because I owe you no explanation over a one night stand that I had five years ago while you were with Sephiroth. The fact that you felt the need to bring it up only proves what the problem between us is."

True fear gripped him at that, neediness oozing through him as he knew Zack was going to leave. They were both going to leave him. "What problem?" Cloud asked hesitantly, not quite sure he wanted to know.

"You tell me, Spike," Zack began, shrugging his shoulders. "There's something going on with you. I know that I took you without your permission, and that being locked in a hellhole together for five years was a good excuse not to talk about it, but if you don't want to be with me—you gotta tell me before it goes any further, because I can't handle not knowing if you want this."

Hearing the raw pain in Zack's voice, Cloud was once again reminded that he was a terrible person, and he had never deserved his mate. "Zack, I need to tell you something." This is when he would admit what had been going on with Sephiroth. He would tell his mate what had just happened in the truck. He would tell him everything, and let him decide if he wanted to leave him.

"Oh fuck," Zack managed, dropping to his haunches as he buried his face in his hands, shoulders absolutely shaking. "You really don't want to be with me?"

"What?" Cloud asked, whining as he felt the assault of his mate's misery, fear, and pain flood through their connection. "No!" Cloud dropped to his knees, crawling over to where Zack was crouched. "Zack," he tried, yanking Zack's hands away from his face to see the way his eyes were glassy with unshed tears. If he told Zack about Sephiroth now he would completely break him. After everything he'd been through. After how strong he had to be for the five years of hell Cloud put him through. What good could telling him about Sephiroth's ghost do now when he had banished the figment of his imagination from his head? "I'm sorry I got jealous."

Zack's eyes filled with hope as Cloud pushed himself forward, shoving the other back so that he could crawl into his lap. The alpha looked beyond traumatized as Cloud gave him emotional whiplash, and he hated hurting him like this. Cloud dragged Zack's arms to surround his waist, and he whined again as another onslaught of insecurities traveled through their bond. "It's alright," Zack managed, not sounding like it was fine at all.

"It's not," Cloud assured him, fingers sliding up into his spikes. "It's not alright. I was with Sephiroth, and you had every right to go to Reno. I treated you terribly. I chose the wrong alpha back then, and you deserved to bury yourself in whoever you wanted. I should never have picked that fight."

"Why did you?" Zack tried hesitantly, arms tightening around him as he searched for answers across his face.

"Because I'm a hypocrite," Cloud admitted. "The thought of you with anyone else makes me lose all sense of reason. So I acted like a complete jackass, but Zack—I do want to be with you. I love you more than anything in this world."

"I love you too, Spike," Zack admitted, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. "Please don't leave me again. Please." He said it like he knew Cloud would the first chance he got. "I just need the pain between us to be over."

"I think it will be now," Cloud assured him, leaning back on his hips. Sephiroth was gone now. They were out of the lab. A few more days and it would be over. "Can we live somewhere by the sea?" he requested. "Somewhere where you can smell the ocean?"

Zack nodded to him, cupping his cheek. "Sure, Baby," he pulled him in for a kiss, their lips pressing chastely together. "Wherever you want to go. Always wanted to be a fisherman."

Cloud rolled his eyes. "Liar. You did not. You'd be so bored."

"I won't be bored," Zack argued, voice raw with underlying pain. "I'll have you."

"You could run a surf shop?" Cloud suggested. "I'd enjoy seeing you in swim trunks all day."

Zack smiled at that. "Whatever I need to do to keep my mate happy. I'll have to start with my squats regiment again to keep in shape for your eyes."

"Maybe we could do a surf shop bar? I could learn how to make drinks." He didn't realize as he was saying it how a picture of their life together had made its way into his head. "We could get that cat and dog we talked about?"

Tears rolled down Zack's cheek when he said that, and Cloud opened his mouth to try to see where he had gone wrong, but he was quieted by a small box Zack pulled out of his pocket. Those strong SOLDIER hands were trembling as Zack opened the box, revealing two matching titanium rings. Cloud could only stare, mouth having gone dry as it hung open in shock.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Zack managed, grabbing out one of the rings as he held it in front of Cloud like an offering. "I know it's probably not like either of us ever planned, and I know it's sudden—but I don't ever want to lose you again, and in this you have a choice." Zack's eyebrows furrowed, clearly trying his hardest to hold it together as Cloud hadn't yet gotten his brain to work. "Marry me, Cloud?"

Cloud blinked slowly, mind not quite registering the words as he could only bring himself to reach out for the ring in fascination. The band was silver with a black plated ring in the middle, and as he stared at it in wonder he saw the sigils for alpha and omega engraved on the inside. His now mako glowing eyes flickered back to Zack, who looked like he might throw up in nervousness at any second if he kept quiet. "We need to go back to the truck." He stuck the ring back into the slot in the box. Zack just stared at the rings in the box, uncharacteristically quiet as Cloud winced at the pain coming through their bond. "No, Zack. I don't mean it like that." Cloud kissed the worry off his lips. "Of course it's yes. We just can't do it here."

Zack blinked in confusion, just staring as Cloud pushed up to his feet and reached down to help him up. "Huh?"

Cloud did everything possible to push lovehappinessadoration through the bond, smiling fondly at him as he held out both hands. "Come on. We can't put them on out here. That's not proper. We need witnesses to make it official."

"Official?" Zack blinked up at him, and Cloud shook his head at how adorable he looked as he came to the realization of what he was saying. "You're saying yes?"

He laughed, biting his lip to quell down his happiness as he nodded to his mate. "Of course I am. Now come on." He waggled his fingers for Zack to grab onto. "Let's go make Genesis marry us."

Zack surged to his feet, grabbing the back of Cloud's thighs as he did to lift him up on his hips. Cloud met his lips in a kiss, an explosion of emotions colliding between them as he wrapped tightly around his alpha. Their tongues slid together as Zack hiked him up on his hips, walking back towards where they were parked as he struggled not to break the kiss.

When he was finally set down, Cloud's head was spinning with affection and taking in everything that had happened between them. His fingers ran over his lips, smiling stupidly up at Zack whose face was split with his happiness.

"You two seem happier than a bit ago!" Kadaj pointed out, licking at his spoon from the icecream he had brought back. "Guess he said yes?"

Cloud raised a brow as he looked between Genesis and Kadaj. "You bought them, right? We don't have any money. They must have cost a fortune."

Genesis rolled his eyes, waving it off. "Don't worry, Blondie. We wanted to do this for you both. Took forever to get them engraved, but they turned out nice. Why aren't you wearing them?"

"Cloud wanted to do it in front of you," Zack explained.

"Oh?" Genesis' voice lilting in a tease. "Always into voyeurism where you two are involved." He jumped down from the tailgate where he was seated next to Kadaj, helping his omega down as well as they came to stand in front of them. "Well go ahead then. Both of you say I do."

"And then kiss!" Kadaj pointed out. "Though I think you already have that part figured out."

Cloud was beaming as he reached into Zack's pocket to pull out the rings, opening up the box as he held it up to his mate. "You first. I have to think of something sappy to say."

Zack nodded, pulling out one of the rings as he grabbed for Cloud's hand. "I should have gotten you out of that place five years ago. I swear I'll spend every day of my life making it up to you. I love you so much, Cloud. I know we're already mated, but I want you in every way I can get you—so say yes."

Cloud was biting his lip hard enough to make it bleed as he struggled not to cry, feeling his heart pounding in his chest as he pushed his hand forward so that the ring slid down on his finger. "Yes…I do." His chest was heaving as he grabbed for the second ring, watching Zack repocket the box as he grabbed for his mate's hand. "I'm sorry I'm always such a pain in the ass. You deserve better, even if you won't see reason. But if you want me—I'll love you until the day I return to the planet…and even after."

"How could I turn down the chance to have you be my permanent pain in the ass?" Zack questioned, letting Cloud slip the ring on his finger. "I do."

"Now kiss!" Kadaj blurted out, fists clenched with excitement in front of him as Genesis laughed.

Zack motioned over to the silver haired omega. "Well you heard your brother. Now come here." Cloud didn't wait for him to lean down, surging up to meet his husband…mate…lover…best friend…everything as he threw his arms around his neck and laughed against his mouth as Zack dipped him to applause.

He could no longer hold back the tears as their lips parted. He pulled Zack back into an embrace, never wanting to let him go as those strong arms surrounded him. It was just them. Sephiroth was no longer between them. He was dead and gone, and now their futures lied ahead of them.

"I don't think I've ever been this happy," Zack whispered into his ear, squeezing him tight. "Thank you."

"Thank you," Cloud reciprocated, sighing as he was kissed again as he radiated joy through their bond. "We need to go to Midgar now while I'm not pissing myself in fear. Where's my disguise?"

Zack kept one arm wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him over to the truck as he grabbed out two hoodies and sunglasses. "We figured to just keep it simple."

"Plus we blew our budget on those rings," Genesis added, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "Congratulations you two. You deserve it."

Kadaj lunged forward, springing himself into Cloud's arms. "Congratulations!" He turned to glare at Genesis. "Where's my ring?"

"On your neck!" Genesis defended, shrinking under the weight of Kadaj's glare. "And it'll be on your finger very soon, Darling."

"It better be," Kadaj threatened, hugging Cloud again, before pulling away and heading towards the driver's side door. "Let's go. I want to make sure to get into the city while it's still dark." Cloud shrugged to Zack at the obvious command, slipping on the dark hoody as he pulled his husband towards the back of the truck for the anxiety riddled re-entry into Midgar.

They had been tucked under a blanket through the re-entry into the slums. Genesis had some forged work visas to get them through the security checks. Cloud's eyes never left Zack's as they were huddled in the dark, fingers entwined as they risked their freedom once again to go back to the one place where everyone who wanted to hurt them was. They were going back to where they had let everything go so wrong. They were going back to where they had become friends.

In the end, they were able to slip past the security checks with ease. When they left the truck at the security check, they made their way through the slums towards Sector 7. Cloud didn't allow himself to hardly breathe until they were in front of a bar called Seventh Heaven and being ushered inside. He stared around the area in shock, surprised by how little had changed in all the time he had been gone. This bar was the same speakeasy Reno had dragged him to years back. …The same night he had first spent the night in Sephiroth's apartment.

The only reason he breathed then was to let out a gasp of surprise when he saw just who the girl was standing behind the bar. "Tifa?" He clutched Zack's hand hard enough to feel his bones shift as panic welled inside of him. "Is this a trap?" He hadn't seen the girl since the bar at Nibelheim. He hadn't seen her since the day they had gone up to the reactor. He yanked frantically at Zack's hand. "Zack, we gotta go. I don't like this."

"Callmmmmmmm down," Cloud's head whipped to the side as Reno stepped out from the shadow of the bar. It was empty besides for Tifa and the four of them. "Tifa's not going to tell anyone who you are." He motioned to the bartender, who smiled and waved at them before pushing out from behind the bar. "She's my partner's girl."

"Reno," Zack breathed out, entwining their fingers to relieve some of the pressure as he pulled Cloud closer by his side. "You really did help out."

"Yeah," Reno mused, eyes flickering down to their combined hands with a roll of his eyes. "I'm a real nice guy." He turned to Genesis. "Anyone see you?"

"I know how to hide," Genesis assured him, pointing to the bar as he turned to Tifa. "Can I grab a drink?"

"Help yourself," Tifa agreed, pointing in warning. "But only the well stuff. You all can be cheap drunks tonight." She stopped in front of him and Zack, stretching her arms behind her as she examined them. "When Rude told me we'd be helping a few old friends, I didn't realize he meant all the troublemakers from the bar. You know, Nibelheim was completely cleared out after what happened. Shinra employees took over all the businesses, including my father's. We had no choice but to leave and come to Midgar."

"I'm sorry," Cloud managed, not knowing anything else to say as he had become used to apologizing for most aspects of his life. "I should never have gone there."

"No," she agreed. "But if you hadn't, I would never have left. I would have been stuck there and never realized just what harm Shinra was causing to the planet. I would never have met Rude." Tifa shrugged. "I guess all things happen for a reason." She smiled at Kadaj. "I remember you too. Don't worry, I'll make sure to cook you plenty tonight."

"It's a special occasion," Genesis said from the bar, popping a cork on champagne as he came over with glasses. "Cloud and Zack here just got hitched." He poured and handed a glass to them both.

"You did?" Reno questioned, scratching his red spikes as he watched them. "Well that certainly didn't take long."

"We've already wasted enough time," Zack explained, pulling Cloud's hand to his mouth as he kissed their combined fists. "It's good to see you."

Reno shrugged. "Well—we'll get to just how good it is." He grabbed for a glass as Genesis handed them around. "Let's just be chill tonight, and we'll talk about the cost of shit tomorrow."

"The cost?" Cloud questioned, knitting his eyebrows as he watched Reno shift uncomfortably back and forth. "What cost?"

"Blondie," Genesis interrupted him, handing Kadaj and Tifa a glass. "Not tonight. Let's just celebrate, alright?"

"The others who usually help out with this sorta thing are out on a mission," Tifa explained. "So you just get me and Reno tonight."

"Where's Rude?" Zack asked, looking around expectantly for Reno's partner.

"Watching the Vice President," Reno explained, holding up his glass. "Now, let's cheers your dumbasses so we can get the celebration under way. I absolutely need to get wasted."

Cloud smiled despite himself, raising up his glass to clink against Reno's. "At least some things never change."

"You two being lovey dovey idiots?" Reno suggested, rolling his eyes as he downed his entire glass. "You're right. That never changes."

Tifa clinked her glasses with the rest of them, taking a drink in her excitement. "Let me go get the food ready. You all take a seat." She rushed over to the front door, flipping the sign from open to closed and locking it. "It's a private reception for tonight. Ooh! We need cake!"

"Tifa?" Genesis questioned her before she disappeared into the kitchen. "How long before food?"

She shrugged in through. "About an hour?"

"Perfect." Genesis grabbed another bottle of champagne, yanking at Kadaj's hand with the other as he moved over to a pinball machine. "We'll be back in an hour." Cloud watched in fascination as Genesis pulled a lever, the machine turning into an elevator that lowered into the ground. The ex-SOLDIER had clearly been here before to know the secret workings of things. How long had they all been working together against Shinra?

"Guess that leaves us," Reno mused, heading over to the bar as he grabbed for a bottle of tequila. "Let's do shots." Glasses clinked as his fingers closed around three glasses, coming back over to them as he slammed them down before sinking down at the table and motioning for them to do the same.

Cloud looked to Zack for direction, just seeing his mate shrug as he sank at the table with Reno, grabbing for the bottle to pour the shots as Cloud sat next to him. Was he really in a bar drinking with his best friend again? Was it real? Was it just another fantasy his mind had concocted while he floated in a mako tank and wished for death? Had they ever actually escaped?

Reno shot back the tequila, and Zack and Cloud followed suit, practically gagging as he wasn't used to the burn. He tried not to let it come back up, pressing a hand to the back of his mouth as he forced himself to keep it down.

The turk laughed wholeheartedly at his struggle. "Cloud! What was that? Bro, you can do better." He grabbed the bottle and refilled all of their glasses. "We used to be pros at this."

"That was a long time ago," Cloud defended, shifting closer to Zack as he realized that while some things didn't change, a lot did in five years. He picked the glass up anyways, shooting it back with better control as he slammed it down in front of him. "Besides, I bet you with all the treatments he gave me, my tolerance is now better than your alcoholic ugly ass."

"I'm not ugly," Reno denied with mock offense, taking another shot as Zack joined him. "Rude's going to be so jealous he missed Tifa's cooking, but Rufus wanted me to come hang out with you while you were here."

"Rufus did?" Cloud asked, stiffening as he watched him. "Rufus Shinra knows you're here?"

"Duh," Reno admonished, pouring another round. "You think you just managed to get out of Nibelheim and into Midgar without him? I told you there is always a price to things, but we don't need to talk about that right now."

Zack let out an exhausted sigh, shooting back the alcohol as he glared across the table at Reno. "Why did you have to tell him tonight? Your tact hasn't improved."

"Why do I need tact?" Reno questioned. "Rufus isn't going to hurt his most valuable asset now that he knows it exists."

"Reno!" Zack barked at him, at the same time that Cloud shot back from the table in terror. His mate turned to him, scooting the glass closer. "Cloud, sit. I know the ask, and I know that I have to pay it. We're not talking about it tonight, because we just got married and I just want to drink and have fun and fuck you before we have to deal with all this bullshit again, alright?"

Reno thumb motioned over to Zack, taking another shot. "Now that's having no tact."

Cloud didn't budge from his spot, crossing his arms as he glared in suspicion between Reno and his mate. "Babe, I promise…" Zack slapped his hands together in front of him. "I promise promise promise we're safe. Now. Please come over here and get drunk with me?"

He hated this. He hated the prospect of not knowing what Zack had promised them for his freedom, but he also knew Zack would never put them in danger. He made himself move, grabbing for the shot glass as he threw it back, setting it in front of them as his cheeks already felt warm with the drink. Zack smiled at him, that goofy grin breaking through some of his distrust as he was yanked closer to sit sideways on Zack's lap as arms wrapped around his waist.

"Trust me?" Zack asked against his ear, waiting for Cloud to nod, before he kissed his cheek and leaned back. "Alright, let's party!"

Tifa had come back with mountains of food, and Genesis and Kadaj had returned clearly sated and happy to join them. They celebrated most of the night, stuffing their faces with food and drink. Cloud laughed when Zack smeared cake in his face, following it up after with his lips as music played and his friends cheered—and it felt so normal. For at least tonight they were just a couple celebrating with their friends. They were finally free to do what they wanted. They were finally free to just be mates. Whatever the next day might bring—well they wouldn't worry about it for one night, and the black feather he saw sitting on the window of the bar…well…he wouldn't worry about that tonight either.

,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

A/N- Sooooooooo, who is enjoying Crisis Core? I am obsessed. It took me a while to get over how different Zack's voice is, but I'm absolutely enthralled in the game. I think the fighting system is better than FFVIIR with how fast and fun the use of materia is (don't even get me started on fusing materia cause that shit is cool)

But back to the story….they're very cute. This story only has a few chapters left, but I had always planned for a sequel. So I guess that will just depend on everyone's interest and how much you do or do not hate me with the ending. Thank you all for being loyal and continuing to read despite me being terrible with getting out updates. I hope you all enjoyed the sappy celebration, and are all as deep into your FFVII feels currently as I am!