Disclaimer- I claim no rights to Final Fantasy VII
Chapter Eighteen: Cloud and Kunsel: A Budding Partnership
"Are you sure about this, Cloud?" Zack murmured, reaching up and placing a hand on top of Cloud's giving it a tight squeeze before pulling away and giving the Chocobo's reins a little tug to urge the bird forward. "You don't have to do this."
"You have responsibilities with Midgar, Zack." Cloud tugged his cloak closer to ward off the chills of the tunnels. Zack had made sure that his departure was quiet and underneath the cover of darkness with Kunsel as his main escort. With the incident with Shelk still fresh in their minds, Zack didn't want to take any chances with Cloud and Kunsel's lives.
"And I deem this mission as one of my responsibilities towards Midgar." Zack stopped just at the edge of the exit. Behind them, Kunsel slid off his own bird and joined them. "I deem your safety one of my top priorities."
"I am capable of taking care of myself, Zack." Cloud chided softly. "I am an Omega of Nibelhiem and we are far from the weak-willed Omega's hailing from the south - no offense."
"None was taken." Zack reached out again, taking Cloud's gloved hand in his own. "You have to promise me that you'll come back? I-" Zack gave Kunsel a short look before pressing on a touch embarrassed that he was admitting such feelings aloud. "I wouldn't know what I would do without you. I can't imagine starting my day without you or ending it."
"You can lay those worries to rest, Zack." Cloud turned to Kunsel with a sharp smile. "I have a sharp sword and even sturdier shield at my side."
"Indeed," Kunsel murmured, lips pulling into a wicked smile that would've worried Zack - had it been worn by another. "It will be good to see the open plains outside of Midgar." Kunsel turned to Cloud. "You have said your partings to the Lady Aerith and Ifalna?"
Cloud swallowed at the question. His parting with his new family had been somber at best. Both understanding his and Midgar needs to bring Sephiroth and Genesis to justice for their part in the kidnappings. But, he wasn't immune to the pain that laced his veins like poison as he walked out of the Apothecary he now called home. He didn't know when or if he would be able to return to Midgar, but he knew that he had people waiting on him - cheering him on and he couldn't let them down.
He wouldn't let them down.
"I was sent off with the love of a mother and a worry of a sister," Cloud murmured, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I am well protected."
"Good," Zack murmured. He would remember to visit Aerith and Ifalna on the way home. It was his fault that they were losing - or temporarily losing - their newfound family member. "I'll make sure they are well looked after while you're away."
"Thank you."
"Also," Zack continued, reaching down and tugging off one of the silver rings on his right hand before sliding it on Cloud's second finger. "You'll be needing it."
"Lord Fair." Kunsel protested tightly, his lips thinned white at the sight of the ring on Cloud's finger. "I don't think that's-" Kunsel's jaw clenched as he fell silent at the look his lord sent his way. He huffed, pulling the reins of his Chocobo when she became restless. "You were always bad at doing as you please." Kunsel gave them each a long look before urging his steed towards the exit of the tunnel. "I will be waiting at the exit - take your time."
Cloud tilted his head in confusion before turning to Zack with a small frown. "Is he alright?"
"He disagrees with my actions," Zack admitted softly reaching forward to caress the ring that now sat on Cloud's finger. "This belonged to my mother."
In a normal situation, Cloud would have cooed in sympathy, but the developing feelings between them made the admission appear in a different, more meaningful light. Cloud didn't want to believe that Zack was asking to start a courtship especially considering that Zack had misstepped with the ring. The final rule of courting between an Omega and Alpha was receiving a personal possession from the opposite party before the proposal was given. In simple terms: it was a marriage proposal, but that wasn't right, was it?
"Are you...?" Cloud swallowed against the lump that formed in his throat at the thought of what Zack was doing or intending. "You can't honestly be proposing to me can you?"
"I can." Zack responded. "I am."
"Why?" Cloud countered shaken at the situation that sat at his feet. He had developed feelings for Zack and he was confident that those feelings were returned, but marriage without courtship? Without the trimmings and ribbons? It wouldn't be accepted by Midgar and it wouldn't be acknowledged by her people. Not to mention it was the wrong time and place. With Sephiroth and Genesis on the run, Cloud nor Kunsel couldn't afford distractions and this was a major distraction.
"Why not?" a frown was appearing on Zack's lips at the questions. He thought Cloud to be happy about the proposal, but the sour smell revealed the truth about his feelings. "You don't want this?" Zack stepped closer placing his hand over Cloud in an effort to soothe and dissipate the sour smell. "I am causing you distress."
"You have proposed to me in a middle of a manhunt." Cloud's laugh was a fracture and with a touch of hysteria. "You'll have to excuse me for not jumping with joy." He looked towards the tunnel where Kunsel was waiting before turning back to Zack. "You do this because I'm an Omega? Because I am traveling in such a manner?"
The words stung, but Zack wouldn't deny the truth that lied within them. The world didn't favor Omegas traveling on their own and despite Kunsel's skills and prowess he wouldn't be able to pin down an Alpha who was a veteran at the blade or magic. However, with the ring on Cloud's finger, it would add an extra layer of protection for him and Kunsel and-
It would honor Zack to have Cloud bear his name.
The first time he met Cloud, his breath had been stolen out of his lungs at the sight of him. He was a sweet little Omega who was fiery and bright against the dull background that became Midgar since Zack's ascendence as Alpha of Midgar. He was quite taken back when Cloud was quick to mouth off to him and figured the little spitfire didn't know who he was nor knew of his reputation and wasn't that a breath of fresh air to all the ass-kissing?
The more time he spent with Cloud, the deeper he fell, and not once did Cloud treat him as if he was some God. He treated him as a friend, an equal, and an ally. Treated him with respect and expected it in kind. Cloud was a light to his all-consuming darkness after Sephiroth, Angeal, and Genesis' betrayal. And now he was going after them? in Zack and Midgar's name?
Cloud was Zack's knight-in-shining armor.
"I'm not marrying you because you're an Omega." Zack grinned in the face of Cloud's stunned silence. "I'm marrying you because you make my heart race and my thoughts halt. Love like that, Cloud. It's not found very often." Zack huffed when his statement was met with a shaken breath and delicate blush he pressed a kiss against Cloud's ringed finger. "You don't have to answer me now" The amusement from Zack's face faded and a stern expression took its place. "I expect an answer when this is over. I'm giving you this ring to keep me in your thoughts."
"I..." Cloud lowered his gaze at a loss as to what to do and even what to say. "I'll keep you in my thoughts and I'll give you an answer when this is over."
"Good." Zack was satisfied with the answer before grabbing the Chocobo's reins and urging it towards the exit. "The ring also identifies you as a member of the Fair Family. It will grant you passage to the more restricted areas of the lands surrounding Midgar. I have sent a letter to Kunsel explaining the situation to the borders leaving Midgar. That and the ring will grant you special permission."
Kunsel was waiting for them at the exit staring at them with a thoughtful frown. "Lord Fair." Kunsel greeted with a bow of the head before turning to the Cloud. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Cloud gave a short nod. "Apologies for the delay. I know that we are wasting light."
"It's quite alright." Kunsel brushed off his worries before turning back to Zack. "We're to arrive in Kalm before sunset. I'll send you carrier birds on progress as soon as I am able."
"There is a Chocobo Farm to the west of Kalm," Zack murmured, tilting his head to the side in thought. "You can switch steeds and proceed into the mountainous region." Zack's jaw clenched. "You'll have to cross that swamp where the Midgar Zolom resides. It won't hurt to send out a squad to-"
"No need." Kunsel countered swiftly. "The Chocobos will tread lightly across the water. If we are careful then we'll avoid the Zolom."
"I'm not in the mood for what if's and I'm certainly not in the mood to risk lives." Zack shook his head when Kunsel opened his mouth to protest the Alpha's words. "The Zolom is not to be underestimated. It's the reason why I block the roads during its mating season - which, unfortunately, is now. It'll be irritated and territorial."
"If it's woken up," Kunsel uttered displeased that his friend and lord were arguing about it. "You know that I am more than capable of handling the Zolom. I've killed one before, Lord Fair."
"You were lucky." Zack admonished.
"Enough." Cloud urged his steed to stand between the two men. "We're burning daylight and I would prefer to be in Kalm before nightfall and before the monsters decide to come out and roam the plains." Cloud lifted the reins and began moving towards the exit all but ignoring his guard and potentially future mate. "Come along, Kunsel."
Kunsel's lips twitched and he resisted the urge to preen as he urged his own steed to trail behind. "Of course."
"Be careful," Zack called out swiftly watching them with a wistful smile, the action turning into a thoughtful, worried frown as Cloud and Kunsel faded into the light of the setting sun. He didn't know what awaited them but Zack hoped that Minvera kept them safe and bring them both back to him safe and sound.
He was sure that this would be the right decision. He didn't like the fact that he wasn't going with them, but he understood that he was needed in Midgar to clean up the mess that Hojo left in his wake and he would do his best to ensure that Midgar remained on track and return to a prosperous land and then and only then he would join Cloud and Kunsel. He owed it to his people to close the book on this tragedy and even if it took all that he had he would bring Genesis and Sephiroth to justice and allow Angeal's soul to rest in peace.
"Until then, Good Luck, Cloud."