Disclaimer- I claim no rights to Final Fantasy VII

Chapter Nine : Of Elegance and Bloodshed

"You're not eating." Cloud stated, staring down at the untouched bowl of potato soup. It was Zack's favorite and he was usually on his second bowl, but the first sat untouched, long gone cold along with the bread and cheese that Cloud placed on the plate beside it. Cloud bit his lips when Zack didn't acknowledge his words, merely staring at the wall of ingredients that were gradually emptying-they would have to make a trip to the plains and to Kalm soon.

"Are you not hungry?" Cloud prodded again, swallowing when Zack didn't respond. He took a chance by sitting next to the Alpha and placing a cool hand against Zack's forehead. "Well, you're not sick and you're not hungry-"

"I'm fine." Zack cut in softly halting Cloud's prattling with a swift smile that failed to reach his eyes. "I'm fine, sweetling."

"You're not." Cloud protested, valiantly ignoring the flush that dusted his cheeks at the term of endearment. "You haven't said anything nor have you eaten since you came here, Zack. You're not okay and I'm worried." Cloud reached out, placing a hand over Zack's and squeezed it. "Did something happen at the manor? With the investigation?"

"Yes." Zack whispered, staring down at their joined hands. What a difference, he thought with a bitter smile. While his hands were darker and covered with scars, Cloud's were pale, soft and fine-boned, one of the marks of his Omegan status. One would figure that him being a lord that it would be opposite, but Zack was always the on-hands type. He never backed down from hard labor despite the disapproval of his council and parents. He found it soothing and it built character.

"Yes?" Cloud prompted, tilting his head to meet Zack's eyes from under his bangs, his lips tightening when Zack didn't respond right away. How strange. "I wish you would tell me what's wrong. I can't help you-"

"I'm not here for you to help." Zack cut in smoothly, tightening the grip on Cloud's hand when the Omega tried to move away, insulted by his words. "I just want a shoulder to lean on for a moment. I don't want to talk about the investigation. I don't want to discuss my affairs at the manor." Zack wrapped an arm around Cloud's waist and tugged him closer, smiling when Cloud released a shuddering breath when their skin connected through their clothing. "I just wanted to see you."

"Oh." Cloud cheeks turned darker, and his eyes glazed with what Zack could only describe as happiness. "A-alright if that's what you want."

"It is." Zack buried his head into Cloud's shoulder, breathing in the Omega's scent along with the lavender and rosemary that seemed to linger on his clothing. "I just want to spend time with you for a little while."

Cloud nodded, a feeling of apprehension settling over him at the confession. He wanted to ask, but the question was stuck in his throat. He wanted to honor Zack's request, but the thought of the man of whom he had come to like and even love being quiet and withdrawn bothered him. Great. But again, he would honor Zack's request and comfort him as best as a friend could.

"How are you?" Cloud tried, a frown settling over his mouth at the tepid question. It wasn't the best to start on, of course, but it would get them going and it would get Zack talking and away from the distant attitude that he seemed to have developed.

"Fine." Zack responded, pressing his head further into Cloud's shoulder and neck as if he wanted to avoid the weak attempt at conversation. "Although, I do remember telling you that I didn't want to discuss what happened at the manor or the investigation."

"I'm not-"

"You are, sweetling. You can't fool me." Zack lifted his head and turned back to the food and taking a bite, despite it long gone cold. "However, I can understand your objectives." Zack's lips thinned. "I have been rude since I've came here and you're only trying your best. I'm sorry, Cloud."

"It's fine." Cloud rose from the table and approached the simmering pot, grabbing the ladle and bowl. "Stop eating that." he ordered gently. "It's cold and it'll upset your stomach. I'll get your another bowl and some ale."

Zack, amused and properly chastised, pushed the bowl away and rose from the bench, the click of his boots loud against the wooden floor. "You take good care of me, Cloud. Although," Zack patted his stomach with a grin. "If you keep it up with the good food then I'm going to go soft in the stomach."

Cloud snorted, a soft laugh escaping his lips as he carried the warm bowl of soup back to the table, grabbing a mug of ale on the way. "I worry about what they feed you at the manor, but whatever it is, it certainty isn't filling you up like it should." Cloud tilted his head, patting the bench seat, urging the Alpha to sit back down. "What do they feed you at the manor?"

"Sweet meats, potatoes, steak, wine." Zack rattled off randomly, his concentration already on the food before him. "Food that nobles are blessed with, but should be given to the poor during the winters. It isn't filling when you know that some less fortunate than you are starving while you sit in comfort."

Cloud's brows furrowed at the confession, biting his bottom lip, but saying nothing, merely taking his seat next to Zack as he dug in, the motions almost automatic. "We...can't help what situation-financial or status-that we're born into and you can't help everyone Zack."

Zack's chewing slowed, his eyes dimming at the remark. "If that's true then what am I doing sitting at the Lord's Seat? Why am I Alpha of Midgard if I can't help my people?"

"A Lord's job is to protect the many and not the few." Cloud stated, placing a hand on top of Zack's. "You can't expect to have your hands open to those who can't help themselves. Your ears, however, are a different story. You are Lord and Alpha of Midgar and you must always be ready to hear the plights of your people."

"I am." Zack responded, almost a defensive tone to the words. "I am always willing and able to hear my people."

"Thus, you must allow them to hold their own even in the harsh winters." Cloud huffed at the thought. There was many a time where Cloud thought he would freeze to death in the middle of the night. He thought that he was used to the cold thanks to Nibelheim's infamous winters, but there was something almost unnatural about the winters in the city. If he was bold enough to think then he would say that the Goddess had something to do with it, but he would never mutter such words in front of Minerva's Favorites.

"I know that I can't always help them, but I like the thought that I am able and willing to do so if need be." Zack frowned at Cloud. "Does that make sense?"

"It does." Cloud returned with a smile of his own. He paused, allowing to Zack to dig into the new bowl of soup and allowed his own thoughts to wander. It was obvious that Zack was worried about something and it hurt that the man wouldn't share his feelings, but Alphas were never good at sharing their thoughts to Omegas or Betas. It was just the way of the world and Cloud would have been fine with it otherwise.

If it hadn't been for the troublesome feelings he was developing for Zack.

It was subtle at first, but of course, who wasn't attracted to Zack's good looks and charms. He made sure to keep it hidden for he didn't know what was going on between Aerith and Zack, but when it was obvious that the both of them were just friends, then Cloud was put at ease and was more than willing to think about Zack in a less...appropriate way that wasn't fit for an Omega.

The only downside was Aerith's obvious disapproval over their attraction which lead to more than argument and tense night of work. He was thankful, however, that she was slowly warming to the idea however wary.

Cloud looked up again to see Zack staring at him with a warm, amused expression. The bowl of soup and cup of ale long gone making him wonder just how long he was wool gathering.

"I'm sorry?" Cloud tried, flushing when Zack chuckled and shook his head. "Ah." Cloud's cheeks burned hotter. "I'm sorry about that, Zack. That's a horrible habit."

Zack waved his apology away with a smirk and leaned against the table, his expression playfully inquisitive. "What were you thinking about?"

Cloud's lips curled into a mischievous smile and he titled his head away. "A thought for a thought."

Zack snorted, the amusement leaving his features and the air turned thick with tension. "You know how to play your cards don't you?"

Cloud shrugged, turning his head to meet Zack's darkened eyes. "You'll feel better." he prompted softly. "I'll feel better to know what's wrong with you. We're...friends, right?"

"Yeah." Zack felt a flash of disappointment and he pushed it to the back of his mind and pulled his lips into a tight smile. "Right. Friends."

"So?" Cloud looked hopeful and Zack didn't have the heart to turn him down, but the thought of telling Cloud of the betrayal and seeing the pity in his eyes caused his hackles to raise. Him. An Alpha receiving pity from an-

Zack shook his head and felt a rush of shame for going down that road of thought. Cloud just wasn't an Omega, he was a friend and one day, something more. And friends told each other things, right?

"I had the wrong people as confidants." Zack began quietly, drawing a hum of confusion. "The people I thought I could trust with my life turned their backs on me and took innocent lives for their purposes and desires."

"Lives?" Cloud prompted, a chill running down at Zack's words and the thought of his parent's missing bodies rose to the surface of his mind. Did these people do something to them? Something depraved?

"What happened?" Cloud asked, forcing down the urge to beg Zack to tell him everything. "Zack?"

Zack opened his mouth to respond before closing it and clenching his teeth. Even though he wanted to tell Cloud what happened, what he experienced and felt. The words couldn't escape his throat. He didn't realize that it would be this painful. Then, he felt anger and remorse at the betrayal, foolish even, for believing that Angeal, Sephiroth and Genesis felt even remotely loyal to him since the death of his parents. Loyalty didn't shift to generation to generation. It depended on the strength, competence and courage of the leader.

Loyalty meant little to those that didn't believe in the House that they served.

It was a hard pill to swallow for Zack and his throat tightened at the thought. The people whom he cared and cherished carried on as if his Word and House didn't matter and committed atrocities behind his back as if he was a child and his thoughts and feelings didn't matter at all.

As if he was a damned fool.

"Zack?" Cloud prompted once again, his voice soft and pleading. "What-"

"They betrayed me." Zack resumed his earlier words, his throat tight, but he pressed on because he wanted-needed-to tell someone how he felt. "Angeal, Sephiroth and Genesis betrayed me and experimented, tortured people under my watch and without my consent." Zack's hands tightened into fist on the table and his nails dug into his palms until they bled. "I can't imagine how those people felt. How much they suffered before they died." Zack lowered his head and felt the sting of tears before allowing them to slide down his cheeks and drop onto the table and his fists.

"I-" Zack continued, a sob escaping his throat. "I don't know if one of them were your parents, but I'm glad that-that they were gone so that they couldn't feel any pain that the others suffered."

"As am I." Cloud agreed, quietly horrified with the information placed at his feet. How was he continue? How was he to comfort Zack when the words couldn't leave his throat? What could he say?

"I'm sorry." Zack muttered. "I'm sorry that I couldn't preserve your parents bodies, Cloud. They-all-deserved better."

"I know, darling." Cloud continued soothed, reaching over and placing his hand over Zack's clenched fists. "I know that you tried your best. You're still trying, aren't you?"

"Yeah." Zack sniffed, feeling a rush of shame for crying in front Cloud and told him so, but was quick to be brushed off and soothed by not only Cloud's words, but his presence. "Thank you, Cloud-"

"No need to thank me." Cloud cut him off again gently, voice fond exasperated before he turned somber again, the information still lingering on his mind. "What are we going to do?"

"We?" Zack repeated, confused.

"Yes, we," Cloud pressed with a tight smile. "You don't think that I'm going to let you go into this alone, do you?" Cloud placed his other hand over Zack's other clenched fist and grinned. "Don't be silly."

"It's dangerous." Zack protested swiftly, pressing down the delight that he felt at how bold Cloud was being. However, this was no rebellion and he had no plans of overthrowing his council.

Yet.

"We need more evidence." Zack stated, staring into Cloud's eyes to make sure the Omega was understanding. "We can't just overthrow the council. Those families have held those seats for generations."

"So?" Cloud tilted his head as if he didn't know what the problem was with replacing a council. "I always said that people shouldn't be sitting down for too long. It makes you gain weight."

"What...?"

Cloud bared his teeth at his own minced words. "My father told me something once, Zack. He said, "Cloud, the good thing about the world is that it constantly changes and opinions are like the wind: it's ever fleeting and what people think will be totally different in seconds, minutes, hours or days. What's better, that those holding Crowns and Swords fade. In time, they too become irrelevant in the face of time. So, when a Lord stares down at you as if your nothing, remember this; he, too, shall fade into the pages of time only remembered by the the sword his blood shed."

Zack stared at Cloud for a long moment, in awe and in horror at the Omega's words. He was right, of course, but could he do it? Could he overthrow a council who sat in their chairs for generations?

"You won't be alone." Cloud promised swiftly, grasping their hands together tightly and with all the feelings of courage and warmth he could convey through the touch. "You have my word."

"I have you word, Cloud, that you will help me, but when will I have your love?"

"Very well." Zack breathed, shaking the thought from his mind. For now. "How shall we begin?"