Disclaimer- I claim no rights to Final Fantasy VII

Chapter Six - An Omega's Talent

Cloud wasn't immune to the whispers or glances he received as he settled himself comfortably in Zack's tent, in awe at the large bed situated in the corner that was accessorized by the long table that was covered in maps and red pencils and that was followed by a metal tub that was filled to the brim with steaming hot water and a smaller table filled to the brim with fruits, meats, breads and cheeses.

Zack certainly lived a good life.

While the tent was nice and luxurious, Cloud didn't see a spot that he could lie down for a moment. It was still bright outside, which gave him plenty of time for a small nap, a quick wash-off and meal and he was off towards his parent's graves. While the plan sounded good, Cloud still hadn't resolved the issue of where he was going to sleep. His eyes turned to the bed and felt his cheeks heat at the implication. Surely, Zack didn't mean for them to sleep together? Not only was that improper but could be ruinous for Zack's reputation-well, what was start of his ruinous reputation. Him being here certainly didn't help Zack's image.

The flap to the tent shuffling caught Cloud's attention and he turned to see Zack entering with a grim frown that disappeared the moment he caught sight of Cloud. The tall man turned and zipped the tent flap shut giving them the illusion of privacy.

"Comfortable?" Zack questioned, moving towards the bed and sitting at the edge, his shoulders stiff. When no response came, Zack looked up and raised an eyebrow when he noticed Cloud staring at the wall. "Cloud? What's the matter?"

"Where will I be sleeping?" Cloud asked, his face still towards the wall, his cheeks warming at the abrupt question. "I mean, you said that we wouldn't be leaving until dawn, right?"

"Right." Zack looked around, his expression melting into a sheepish one when realized that where was only one bed-big enough for two, of course-but it was still improper for an unbonded Omega and Alpha to lie together as if they were mates.

"My apologies." Zack began, rising from the bed, groaning as his back cracked from the bent position. "I'll see to getting another bed." Zack stopped, glancing over his shoulder to see Cloud staring at the large bed with a longing that Zack could never really connect. He wondered what Cloud's lodgings were like back in Nibelheim? "Unless." he began softly, catching the Omega's attention again. "You would like to share?"

"Zack-"

"It's certainly big enough for two." Zack continued, turning back on his heel and approaching the Omega who looked apprehensive about the whole conversation. The Alpha smirked, staring at Cloud with half-lidded eyes as his voice deepened, taking on a rough tone and slipping into the light tones of Nibel. "No one has to know about it, little one. My men know better than to spread my business about the capital."

"Regardless." Cloud began, his tone firm and Zack knew the beginnings of a rejection from a league away. "I think it would be best if we slept separately."

"Of course." Zack stepped back, his own expression sheepish when he realized that he was out of line with his conduct. This was no way to treat an Omega let alone his friend. "I'm sorry. I was out of line. It won't happen again."

Cloud's demeanor softened and Zack was given the pleasure of seeing that bright smile again and it took every ounce of his will not to sigh in relief. Angeal was right. He really should learn to control his baser urges. It was getting embarrassing.

"You just relax and I'll see about getting that bed." Zack looked around, eyeing the tray of food before flushing again at the thought of not offering Cloud anything. Really, this was pitiful. "You can help yourself to anything on the table and you can wash up using the basin next to it. Excuse me."

Cloud blinked, watching as the Lord rushed out with flushed cheeks and grimace. Did he do something wrong? Was it too much to request a bed? Cloud frowned at the thought, tilting his head to the side in confusion and worry. He hoped that he wasn't inconveniencing Zack with his presence, but if he suggested going back to Midgar on his own he knew Zack wouldn't be pleased. He understood, but he hoped that Zack would understand that he was more than capable of looking after himself.

Speaking of looking after himself...

Cloud's head turned to the table food and on cue, his stomach growled forcing his feet to move in that direction, his mouth drooling as the scent of meat and fruit trailed into his nostrils. He quickly washed his hands before grabbing a small plate and filling it with meats, cheese and bread and sitting on the edge of Zack's bed. Hmm. It was rather comfortable, wasn't it? He paid no mind to feathered down mattress and continued digging into the plate, humming with pleasure at the honeyed meat and sharp cheese and the soft bread. Who knew he was this hungry?

Soon enough, the plate was empty and his stomach growled again, once more forcing his feet to move back to the table and grabbing a bunch of grapes and a banana before returning back to the bed and swallowing down as well, placing the plate on the floor and laying back on the bed and a flash of regret flickered in his mind. He should have waited until Zack came back with the bed before eating. He always fell asleep after eating. It happened to his grandmother who was an Omega and now it was happening to him.

Honestly, who could blame him? The food was good and the bed was comfortable and the air that managed to sneak into the tent felt good over his heated skin. However, no matter how good the food or how good the bed felt, he couldn't fall asleep. Not only would it be rude towards Zack, but he didn't exactly feel comfortable with so many strangers outside the tent.

Cloud blinked hard before rising from the bed and pacing the tent, a yawn escaping his lips and a shiver of exhaustion racing down his spine. He rubbed his eyes and slapped his cheeks before going back to the basin and splashing water over his face to snap himself awake. When that failed, he found himself back on the bed with his face buried in his hands and fighting a losing battle when Zack appeared again, his cheeks flushed from the wind and from the smell of it, a few sips of wine.

"Zack?" Cloud mumbled, looking up and flushing when Zack stared at him from the entrance of the tent, his violet eyes dark and inquisitive. "Did you find a bed for me? If not, I can sleep on the floor with some blankets."

"No." Zack responded swiftly, moving further into the tent, but not before closing it shut and once more, blocking the outside noise. "I found one, but it needs to be aired out and freshened with lavender. Was the food pleasant?"

"Yes, it was delicious, thank you." Cloud watched, warily as Zack approached the table and popped a grape in his mouth, the air silent about them and it forced Cloud further awake. "Are you well? Did something happen?"

"Just the incompetence of my team." Zack responded nonchalantly, startling Cloud at the brutality of the statement. "Other than that? No."

"Um," Cloud started, not knowing really where to begin. He had never seen Zack like this before-so deeply angry that it was a forced, cold calm. "Do you wish to talk about it? Did the investigation team find something?"

"Indeed." Zack turned back to him, approaching and sitting the bed next to him and bending over to unlace his boots and setting them aside before laying back down on the bed with a unrestrained sigh. "We found the wolves, but the fools neglected to mention in the report that that the main ingredient was mako in the mutations."

"Mako?" Cloud repeated, tapping his cheek in thought. "Isn't mako said to enhance the senses? It's an Opioid, isn't it?"

"That's right." Zack responded, a note of pride in his voice that caused a small flush to appear on Cloud's cheeks. "It can easily be overdosed, but that's if it's in its purest form, but if the mako is corrupted then the victim is disabled or in the wolves case, mutated into rabid beast."

"However, in its crystal form, mako can be used as an alchemist base that can strengthen weapons by ten times its original strength. But, I'm wondering if the crystal form has the same effects the liquid form has on animals?"

Zack frowned at the question, his brow furrowing. "I...never thought of that as an occurrence. Of course, my own batch of scientists were sure that it was the liquid form was the culprit, but I never thought to think about mako's crystal form." Zack snorted, nudging Cloud who smiled and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Thank you, Cloud. I knew that bringing you was going to bring about an interesting turn of events."

"O-oh." Cloud coughed, rising from the bed and clasping his hands behind his back all the while making sure to keep his face towards the entrance of the tent. "You're welcome. I'm happy to help."

"Of course." Zack murmured, rising and approaching him and Goddess, Cloud can the feel the heat and the smell of spices sneak up his nose and it took all of Cloud's strength not to lean back against Zack's strong chest and just let the Alpha take care of him. But, Cloud took a sharp breath and stepped forward, ignoring the bitter smell of rejection coming from Zack before turning and meeting that hurt stare. He opened his mouth, snapping it closed when Zack took a careful step back and returned to the edge of the bed, his shoulders slumping and the sight of it caused Cloud's heart to twist. He didn't mean for Zack to feel that way. He never meant for his friend-

Friend.

Was Zack his friend or something else?

They had known each for months and had been flirting for what seems like much longer than that, but Ifalna's words and his own insecurities popped up in his mind and he didn't want to hurt Zack any further than he already had by voicing those insecurities.

"Thank you." Cloud began, drawing Zack's attention back to him. "For taking me here and treating me as well as you do, Zack."

"I'm sensing a "but" in that sentence." Zack stated, tensing when Cloud turned, blessing him with a bright, yet, sad smile that caused his heart to tighten. "Well?"

"We can't keep-" Cloud began, suddenly at a loss for words. "We can't keep circling around each other like this when we know nothing will come of it."

"You don't know that, Cloud." Zack protested, his brow furrowing. "We don't know what the future holds for us. You and I don't know if we'll be married in the next or year or if you'll be carrying my child in the next three. Nothing is set in stone."

At the mention of marriage and children, Cloud's face exploded in a deep red before he shook his head. "I'm not of noble birth, Zack. I mean, it's a nice thought, but do you really think that your council, your people will accept me? They want an Omega of high standing. Who can stand up against the nobility of Midgar, Junon, Edge, or Corel. They need an Omega whom will lead them to a prosperous future-"

"What about what I need?" Zack questioned quietly, halting Cloud's tirade and sending him into shock when Zack spoke up again, the question firmer, stronger than before. "What about what I need? What about my heart and my soul? Do they not matter?"

The blood vanished from Cloud's face at the statement before it returned only from the shame he felt at the thought of forgetting Zack's feelings. "You're right. In the long run, we always seem to forget that you matter in this decision and just not what's best for your home."

Zack snorted, a bitter smirk gracing his lips at the thought. "My father and mother always told me to do what's best for Midgar. Make sure that our home is safe inside and out. Not once did they mention to take care of my own heart until my mother pulled me aside and told me that such a thing shouldn't need to be told to a Fair. We are of good heart and we take care of our own and then we see to ourselves. They always allowed the council to push them in certain decisions, but when it came to matters of love? Concerning me? They'd..." Zack shook his head. "They'd always build a unified front and stay their ground and it's about time that I did the same."

Cloud shook his head, a panic rising in his throat at the amused look that took over Zack's feature. "Zack? What are you going to do?"

Zack opened his mouth, to explain to him that he wanted to court Cloud. That he wanted the entire world to know of his infatuation with the Omega, but Zack saw the fear in those beautiful eyes and it was enough for him to snap his mouth shut, and clench his jaw. Another time. He would be patient.

"Nothing." Zack smoothed his face back into that playful smile before approaching Cloud and placing a hand on the Omega's shoulder and giving it a good shake. "You needn't worry about this rough, old wolf, Cloud. I'm hardly going to do anything irrational."

Cloud scoffed, but Zack didn't miss the relief that flash across those pale features and Zack felt a small pang of regret. He never imagined that love could be this difficult to obtain, and keep. Internally, he was horrified that simple, elegant things such as money and bloodlines could keep one away from loved ones and potential mates.

"Come." Zack commanded gently. "Let us go outside, hmm? I want to introduce you to Kunsel and the others. Get to know them."

Once more, Cloud felt a flicker of insecurity at the thought, but he nodded in agreement, allowing Zack to drag him out of the tent and into the setting sun. He had no idea so much time had passed and he wondered if his new family were worried?

"Kunsel!" Zack called out, waving a hand when the head of the guard turned his head. "Come over here for a moment, will you?"

Kunsel approached, and Cloud's nose twitched at the smell of rain and pure earth and before he knew what was going on, Cloud blurted out. "Are you from Corel?"

Kunsel's green eyes blinked before he threw back his head and let out a sharp bark of laughter. "Goddess! This one nose is sharp as a wolf, mi'lord." Kunsel dipped his head, a smirk painting his lips. "Aye, little one, I hail from Corel." he lifted his arm and took a playful sniff, earning a blush from Cloud and a snort from Zack. "I still have that earthly smell, huh? Thought Midgar got rid of that."

"Smells don't vanish." Cloud stated softly, a small pulling at his lips at the pout he received. "No matter where you are, your origin remains. My father ancestors originate from the Cosmo Canyons and he still smelled of fire and cinnamon even if he wasn't born from there."

Kunsel's eyebrows shot up at the information, shooting Zack a knowing glance. "Cosmo Canyon, eh? I heard some spooky things about that place." Kunsel waved his hands around. "I heard those people know magic."

"The only magic those people know is how to make an excellent wine." Cloud remarked dryly, causing Kunsel to roar with laughter and for Zack to shoot him a surprised look. "What? You've never had Cosmo Wine? It's excellent. It has a very sharp taste to it and kind of sweet."

"I had no clue that you had a taste for wine." Zack muttered, wondering if he could have Cloud try Midgar wines along with the ones from Kalm. "In fact, I had no idea you had a taste for alcohol."

"On occasion, and when the moment is right for it." Cloud responded, not seeing what the big deal was, really. "I don't drink that much to be honest."

"He's making a big deal out of it because the Omegas in Midgar don't drink." Kunsel clued him with a quip of the lips. "In fact, families who have Omegan family members are expressly forbidden to drink. No one wants a drunk Omega wandering the streets to get raped."

"Kunsel." Zack warned when Cloud paled at the blunt statement. "Watch your language. You know better."

Kunsel looked chastised, bowing his head to hide the flush of shame. "My apologies, mi'lord, Cloud, didn't mean to sound so harsh about it. However, that is the truth of the situation. M'ilord just wants Cloud to be safe, correct?"

"Wine barely touches my lips." Cloud tried and failed not to sound indignant about the entire affair. "You both needn't worry about my state of welfare." Cloud folded his arms, finding the Beta and Alpha looking sheepish and apologetic, something in which cooled Cloud off to a certain degree. He shook his head, suddenly exhausted from the day. Who knew a visit to his parent's grave would be so tedious.

"Zack?" Cloud questioned, quietly, nodding one last time when Kunsel bid them a good day when he was suddenly called away. "I think it's time I went to go visit my parents. Do you have the time?"

Zack's eyes widened, before a light grimace touched his face. Of course, Cloud's parents. "Yes, of course. You have my utmost apologies, Cloud. Why don't we visit, come back and rest? I know it's been a long day for you."

"It has." Cloud agreed with a small, tight smile. "But, I can't deny that I've enjoyed it thus far. It had its ups and downs, but nothing that ruined it."

"Good." Zack breathed, reaching up and ruffling Cloud's hair, chuckling when it was swiped away with a playful growl. "Let me go set up the carriage and we'll get going shall we?"

Later, years later, Cloud would look back and confirm that he had gone into shock and the scream that escaped his throat was raw and full of pain and at times, still kept Zack up some nights.

They had arrived to the graves, near the plains outside of Midgar, close enough to the city but yet far enough to need an escort if the occasion rose for it. However, what froze Cloud down to the bones was the fact that the graves were empty and the bones were gone. What was worse was the fact that it looked like the graves were dug up and the bodies removed.

"What...?" Cloud breathed, blinking hard at the sight and not moving when Zack tugged on his arm, trying and failing to pull him away from the sight. "What happened?" Cloud shook his head, turning to Zack and with shaking hands, reached up and grasped the man's cloak. "What happened!? Where are they!? Where are my parents?!"

"I-" Zack shook his head, for once in his life, at a loss for words. He tried to gather Cloud in his arms, only to be pushed away as the Omega rushed to the empty spots, peering inside before a whimper so heartbroken and wretched escaped his throat that it broke Zack's heart.

"Mi'lord." the driver approached him from behind, his face pale and harrowed at the situation that was laid at their feet. "Your orders?"

"Send for Kunsel. Immediately." Zack swallowed, his stomach rolling at the thought of a monster digging up the graves and devouring the Omega's parents. "Tell them to come with the blades sharp and hungry. I want whoever did this found and executed."

"M'ilord."

Zack approached Cloud, his nose twitching at the utter despair he smelt coming from the Omega before he bent down and retrieved the smaller man from the ground. "Cloud. Come. Let's get you away from here."

"Zack." Cloud whimpered again, forcing Zack to pull him closer to his body out of pure instinct. "My-"

"I know, my love." Zack murmured, continuing to lead them away from the empty graves, away from the point of the Omega's current despair. "We'll find out who did this. I promise."

Cloud shook his head, raising his head up and staring at Zack through grief-stricken blue eyes, but Zack caught something more primal and determined. Something that he had only seen in Sephiroth when the man was angry. He saw the lust for revenge in those eyes and Zack couldn't help but wonder what kind of talents Cloud truly had hidden underneath that soft skin and pale blue eyes that he adored.

He had a dreadful feeling that he was about to find out and that he wouldn't like the outcome.