Well, I'm back once more. And after the last few weeks I need something good to set my mind to. I had hoped to have this chapter updated quite a long time ago, but recently pretty much my entire life has been turned upside down and I have been screwed over so many times I have lost count. Hopefully getting this chapter out will be the beginning of new and better luck.
It was surprisingly easy for Zack and Cloud to simply walk out of the Shinra compound, but Cloud supposed that was because there was nothing unusual about a couple of SOLDIERs leaving with large packs on their backs. To the sentries, it would seem as though they were simply leaving for a mission.
Once they were in Midgar itself, both men decided to put on a cloak each and keep the hoods up. Now was the time to become anonymous amongst the crowds of the city, so they they would be harder to track once they did leave the city.
"So... What do we do now?" Zack asked. It was the first time ever that he didn't have a clear cut mission or goal in mind to follow.
"We will head to Kalm first, and stay there tonight. Then we will head to the coast tomorrow and get a boat across to the shore closest to Bone Village, it will still be a long walk up to the village, but it keep us away from main roads and travel routes."
"Bone Village? Sounds cheery..." Zack muttered, "But, sounds like a good start."
They continued walking as they spoke, heading for the exit from Midgar out onto the desert flats. No one person that they passed so much as glanced at them dressed as they were; black hooded cloaks covering their bodies and faces, large travelling packs and massive swords strapped to their backs. They were nothing unusual in the busy streets of Midgar; simply more faceless people moving about the shady city.
Cloud had almost forgotten what Midgar was like before Sephiroth and Meteor, there was so much more freedom and less stress over the city. The people spent their days worrying about typical things like rent money, groceries and work. It was a good change from seeing the people living in fear of incurable illness, end of the world, and Darkness itself.
"Hey Cloud?" Zack had noticed Cloud watching the people around them with an almost wistful look.
"Yeah?"
"You said once that they rebuilt part of Midgar and called it Edge, right?"
"Yes, they did." Cloud answered, wondering what Zack was building up to.
"What were the people like after that?" When Zack looked around the city of Midgar, he saw violence and crime, and a dirty city of broken dreams. He had always heard of people who had come to Midgar in search of their dreams, much like he had, but unlike him most had found themselves lost and broke in a city that would eat them alive. Many had fallen to crime or prostitution to simply try and earn enough to live. Very few ever got back out of those lives, not until they died.
Cloud sighed and cast another look around before answering. There was a small family walking past them at that point; a young child was running ahead of the parents, laughing and calling out, while the mother was yelling for the child to return to them and the father looked on with a content smile.
"The people were broken and scared." Cloud answered. "There were a lot of orphans by that point, and sickness was rife; much of it incurable, and people lived in fear of the next threat that would come. It took years for the people to get back on their feet and for a semblance of true normality to begin to return. Something always happened though, and I haven't seen the people this care-free and peaceful since I first came here looking to join Shinra."
"Oh..."Zack didn't know what to say to that. He had kind of pictured that such a catastrophe would have made the people stronger and more likely to help each other create peace. But if this was the best that Cloud had seen... Then the future wasn't a pleasant sounding place.
"I almost can't believe that the future of this world is so... bleak." Zack said, "I have always wanted to be a hero and to protect everyone, but it seems like I wasn't there to be a hero when I was most needed."
"Do not think like that." Cloud said firmly, "Even if you were there, there wouldn't have been anything you could do to change things. We are here now, and we are going to change things for the better from the past, not simply face them in the future."
Zack looked at Cloud, but the blond had turned his face away. There had been a raw pain in Cloud's voice when he had spoken, and not for the first time he found himself wondering what his own role had been in Cloud's life the first time around, and why it seemed to bring the blond more pain than happiness.
I hope that I didn't hurt him, or leave him alone... Zack thought sadly. He couldn't picture ever wanting to harm Cloud; physically or mentally, and the idea that he could turn his back on Cloud sent a cold shiver down Zack's spine.
The two men continued walking in silence for a while, heading down close to the slums as they neared the edge of the city. They soon came to a cross roads, but before they turned down the street that would take them from the city, Cloud stopped and stood there staring down a different road for a while.
"Cloud? You ok?" Zack was still worried about Cloud's health and injuries.
"I'm fine." Cloud answered automatically, his eyes glued to the top of a familiar building, visible over the tops of other buildings. He had wondered on more than one occasion if things would be different at the Church, and whether it would still house the woman that he had come to view as family. Would she be alive and well in this time? Would she have any memory of them if she was?
Cloud almost took a step towards the road that could very well give him the answers that he wanted, only to stop. If she was there, then there would be Turks there watching her, and maybe, just maybe, she would be able to live a free life if she never met him.
"Let's go." Cloud said, moving once more towards the exit of the city, leaving a confused Zack looking down the road that he was sure Cloud had nearly walked down. What had all that been about?
XxXxX
Once the two had gotten out of the city, Zack realised one major thing.
"Uh, Cloud? We aren't gonna walk to Kalm are we? I know its not that far but it will take forever to walk to..."
Cloud chuckled, the hesitancy in Zack's voice was, well, adorable. To put it bluntly.
"No Zack, we aren't going to walk." Cloud replied, and even as he spoke he was heading over to one of the Chocobo peddlers that rented the birds for travel purposes. The blond doubted even he would be able to walk to Kalm in his current state. And as he hired a couple of the birds, one a brilliant red colour and another a deep black, he found himself missing Fenrir. His sleek black bike would have gotten them much further than Kalm by nightfall.
When Cloud turned with the reins of the two birds in hand, he almost laughed at the pale face of Zack. Apparently the brave, strong SOLDIER was not to keen on Chocobo's.
"Aww, really Cloud? Can't we just walk?" Zack whined as he looked apprehensively up at the large beaks on the land birds. This time Cloud did laugh as he handed the reins of the red bird to his travelling companion.
"They are our best option Zack, and they are practically harmless." Cloud replied.
Zack watched as Cloud expertly checked the saddles of both birds before climbing up onto the black one and settling comfortably in the saddle, even going as far as petting the sleek black feathers before him, earning a pleased coo in response.
Trying to imitate the blond, Zack awkwardly climbed his way up into the saddle of the red Chocobo. Sensing the unease of its rider, the fire red Chocobo decided to ruffle its feathers and move around a bit, earning a yelp from Zack who was only half way on, and a chuckle from Cloud.
"This is not funny Cloud." Zack whined, finally managing to seat himself in the saddle, and pouting at the blond who was still watching with a grin as he sat easily atop the large bird.
"They are calm creatures Zack, unless you directly threaten them, they won't hurt you."
"Calm my ass." Zack muttered as the bird continued to shift under him.
Cloud chuckled once more before letting out a series of sharp whistles. Both birds stood still and ready, much like they would before a big race and Cloud nodded his head in approval at the good training of the Chocobos.
"Woah." Zack said, looking at Cloud in approval, "How did you do that?"
"I used to race Chocobos." The blond answered simply, "Now, hold on and we will get going."
Zack grabbed his reins tightly and huddled down in his saddle. Cloud once again let loose a series of sharp whistles, and almost immediately the two regal birds took off running.
The last sound that the peddler heard was a loud yelp from the scared man, and a yelled promise of pain later.
XxXxX
"Owwww... My ass hurts." Zack whined as he climbed off of the chocobo, or more accurately; fell off of the chocobo.
Cloud smiles as he climbed off of his own Chocobo and began to pet the creature in thanks for working so hard. The creature let out a series of soft coos, carefully ruffling its large beak through the soft spikes of Cloud's hair.
"Heh, not offen ya see 'em take a likin' ta riders." The peddler had walked over from his stall as he recognised two of the rental chocobos from Midgar, "'Specially 'im." He contiuned, pointing to the black one.
Cloud turned to regard the man as he continued to pet the chocobo.
"I'm just lucky I think." Cloud answered, thinking of all the times he had made friends with the chocobos he had raced.
"Probably your hair Cloud." Zack quipped from where he stood trying to rub the pain from his butt.
Cloud turned and was about to reply when the red chocobo proceeded to very deliberately peck the raven-haired man on the shoulder with a loud squawk.
"Hey!" Zack yelped, jumping away from the satisfied looking bird.
Cloud just laughed and turned back to the peddler.
"Thank you." He said, passing over some extra money. He then grabbed his bag before moving over to Zack and grabbing his arm in one had and his bag in the other and heading for the entrance to Kalm.
"I am never riding on one of those again!" Zack yelled indignantly, pouting as Cloud dragged him through the gates and into Kalm itself. It was well past sunset, so there were very few people on the street now, something that Zack was kind of grateful for; he was both being dragged, and hobbling along rather awkwardly due to his sore behind.
Finally Cloud stopped walking in front of the Inn and let Zack go, smirking at him before handing his bag over and walking inside before Zack could find a way to retaliate. Zack poked his tongue out at the blonds back and followed him inside, trying not to limp as he did so. How the hell was Cloud walking to normally after riding on those horrible saddles for the last few hours.
The Inn at Kalm wasn't the biggest or the best but it was cozy. The tavern area that they had come in through was well lit, had a nice warm fire burning in the far corner and was filled with comfortable looking chairs. There was also a mouthwatering smell coming from the kitchen despite the late hour. Zack walked up to Cloud, who was already organising a room to rent for the night.
"I'm sorry sir," The barkeep said, "But I'm afraid that the only room we have available tonight is a double room, with one double bed. The Kalm festival starts tomorrow so most of the rooms have been taken by other travellers."
"Thanks fine," Cloud replied, "We will take it."
Zack couldn't quite stop the feeling of pleasure that ran through him at the thought of sharing a bed with Cloud again. The last time had been amazing, and had ended way to soon when the blond had needed to leave to go to the Science Department. This time, Zack was determined to hold Cloud close and not let go in the morning.
Once Cloud had paid for the room and the two had ordered some food to be brought up, they made their way up the stairs and found the room that was theirs for the night.
The room itself was quite nice, all the furniture was made of a deep polished wood, and a currently dead fire place sat in the middle of the wall that faced outside the inn. The bed was a large double, and was covered in fluffy blankets and really nice looking pillows. Zack got the idea that this room was likely made for couples. Right there and then, Zack decided that he would use this chance to its full potential. Can't let such a nice room go to waste after all.
Once he had placed his bag down, and Cloud had done the same, Zack decided that it was time for some pay back for the torture of the chocobo ride earlier as well. Zack casually walked up behind the blond who was digging through his bag for a fire materia to light the fire. Zack knew from experience that if he was to charge the blond, or make his intentions clear, that he would never catch Cloud off guard. Once the blond stood up Zack wrapped him up into a bear hug from behind, lifting the surprised blond off the ground and earning a yelp of protest as the fire materia fell to the floor and bounced away. Zack then proceeded to throw him onto the large bed, before pouncing on top of him before he could get up.
"Gotcha!" Zack said, laughing at Cloud's now indignant expression.
"Zack!" Cloud struggled to push the larger male off him, but with little success. At the moment he was pinned, and he would be lying if he said that he didn't enjoy the feel of Zack over him.
"Nope. I told you I would get you back!" Zack replied, laughing at the half-hearted attempts to push him off. The raven-haired man then proceeded to poke Cloud mercilessly in the ribs multiple times, and while the blond was distracted trying to avoid the blows and to stop himself from laughing, he missed Zack moving closer to him until the raven-haired man's lips touched his own.
Cloud instantly melted into the kiss, soon returning it with a passion. Cloud doubted that Zack would ever realise just how much power he had over him. The kiss deepened as Zack proceeded to explore Cloud's mouth, and the blond was left squirming and breathless.
Zack smirked at the response he was getting, and began to run his hands up Cloud's sides under his shirt. The feel of the warm skin sent a strong wave of arousal through Zack, and he could feel the tell-tale shudder that went through Cloud as well.
Leaving Cloud's mouth for the moment, allowing them both to breath, Zack moved to kiss and nip lightly at Cloud's neck, loving the sound of Cloud's breath leaving him in a shuddering exhale.
As Zack continued to explore his chest, Cloud found it harder and harder to breath properly, especially as calloused hands brushed over his nipples, causing him to arch slightly into the touch. After the last few days, Cloud realised that such loving warmth and contact was something he was craving, and right now he was helpless against the waves of arousal that were running through him under Zack ministrations.
When Zack finally made a move to remove Cloud's shirt, the blond was all to eager to both help and to rid the raven-haired man of his own shirt. From that point on, all their clothing soon ended on the floor and for the first time they were both completely bared before the other. Cloud felt his cheeks heat up as Zack looked down at him with a fire burning in his eyes that left Cloud feeling as though there was nothing in the world aside from Zack.
For Zack, finally looking down upon the form of Cloud in all his beauty, he couldn't help but be almost hypnotised by Cloud's stunning blue eyes as they looked up at him with unquestionable trust. Zack would remember that look until the day he died; for the entire time that he had known Cloud, there had always been some form of barrier or emotion that Cloud kept up to keep others out, but at the moment... At the moment there was none of that.
Zack let his hands truly explore the body of the man he loved, and he soon found himself finding and focusing on all the spots that he could find that brought pleasure to Cloud; that made him gasp, moan or shudder. And Cloud returned the gesture in kind.
Cloud couldn't help the moan that escaped his lips when Zack swallowed him, and it was all he could do to threat his fingers into the deep black strands of hair to keep himself grounded with all the sensations currently wracking his body.
Zack loved watching Cloud writhe beneath him, loved knowing that he could bring out such beautiful sounds from the usually silent mouth, and loved knowing that Cloud was his.
When Zack finally entered Cloud, it was like there was no world outside of their little bubble for both of them. Nothing else mattered in that moment, nothing but movement and pleasure, and the love that they shared for each other.
Zack had nearly lost Cloud once already, and as he brought both himself and Cloud to their completion he swore that he would hold Cloud so tightly from now on that no one would be able to touch him.
In the aftermath, the two lay together, exhausted and sore but truly content and relaxed. They both fell asleep just like that; lighting the fire forgotten about, the food they had ordered cold and forgotten, and their troubles left behind, even if only for the night.
Tomorrow they could worry about everything and continue planning as they made their way to the Forgotten City.
I hope you all enjoyed :) A nice light chapter after the last few more serious ones.
I look forward to hearing from you all!
