Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 32: Strife Among Friends
Summary: Cloud has to adjust to his new arrangements, and part of that involves dealing with his young friends.
Author: Illusor Meaneld
Rated T: for Descriptive violence and injuries, No Adult Situations, No Cussing.
Disclaimer: I did not create, and do not own the characters from Final Fantasy 7, They are owned by Square-Enix, and I am simply borrowing them for my own (and hopefully your) enjoyment.
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After the SOLDIER Prep. Director "Dismissed" The Disciplinary Hearing Council, and the Cadets they had been punishing, Cloud did not even have the chance to stand before Zack had leapt out of his seat. The raven-haired youth not bothering, or perhaps remembering to acknowledge the other adults in the room before he shot OVER the desk and in two bounds pulled up in front of the small blond. Cloud almost flinched as the older youth's arms wrapped around him, but Zack remembered Cloud's injuries at the last second and proceeded to give him a very GENTLE hug.
"Hey Buddy!" Zack grinned as he lifted Cloud off his feet, practically nuzzling his spiky yellow hair. "You okay? Does anything still hurt? You're not dizzy are you? Should you be walking on that ankle? Can-"
Cloud couldn't help it, his shoulders started quivering as he fought the urge, but inevitably he started laughing. "Great Leviathan Zack!" He gasped, as he patted Zack's back soothingly, "I promise I'm okay! My shoulder is just a little bit stiff, but I feel fine!" Cloud grinned up at him, and he felt his smile soften at the raven-haired SOLDIER who smiled back, he really never got tired of being around Zack. It always made him feel comfortable, and happy. He heard, more than saw, the other Cadets being filed out, and the adults also vacating the room, leaving the remaining young boys to their own devices.
Cloud's attention was dragged forcibly away when he heard the unmistakably irate voice of a particular red-head.
"Hey! Quit smotherin' my partner yo!"
Cloud raised one eyebrow at Reno, but couldn't resist a chuckle at the almost jealous look on the other boy's face.
Zack looked up in confusion at the Turk, and smiled a little sheepishly, "I'm not smothering him, I'm being gentle!" the SOLDIER 2nd insisted.
Cloud sighed and squirmed pointedly in Zack's arms. Taking the silent cue, Zack gingerly, and rather reluctantly set him down. Cloud smiled at Zack, smothering another chuckle at the worried look in the older boy's blue eyes, before turning to Reno. The red-head was glowering, his arms folded across his chest, and Cloud could see a very distinctive suspicion glittering in the green eyes, Cloud knew that look, Reno had some questions, and he wasn't going to let Cloud get out of answering them. Since he knew Reno wouldn't ask while Zack was present, Cloud sighed, and moved to throw his left arm over the red-head's shoulder.
"Hey, chill Reno, I'm sorry I worried you… I hadn't intended to." He smiled encouragingly,
Reno snorted, and grumbled a little under his breath, but Cloud could already feel him relaxing.
Zack stood beside them, scratching at the back of his head uncomfortably as he scanned Cloud over, "Sure you don't need any help Spikey? I hear you were really hurt… and you looked so tired when I saw you earlier."
Reno suddenly tossed a glare at Zack, and the young SOLDIER 2nd stared back in confusion. Cloud raised one eyebrow at the red-head, and the cause for the boy's jealousy suddenly dawned on him. The nurse had told Cloud when he'd woken, that Zack and Angeal had come to visit briefly, … for whatever reason, Reno hadn't been able to check in on Cloud, it was just in Reno's nature to resent Zack a little for that.
Cloud chuckled again, trying to lighten the mood, "I'm okay Zack, really." He assured the raven-haired youth, and then glanced between the both of them, he finally released Reno and took a step back, putting his hands on his hips, and grinning at both of them with one eyebrow slightly raised.
"So… I have new sleeping arrangements? Either of you know what Dorm I'm bunking at now?" He asked 'casually'.
Zack and Reno both grinned, though the red-head's smirk was a little sly.
"s'not what you think yo, You ain' gonna be sleepin' with any new jealous Cadets… I totally talked 'em inta somethin' WAY better." The red-head began smugly, Zack nodded enthusiastically as the other boy spoke, unable to resist the surprise. Cloud could have practically snapped on cue when the raven-haired youth jumped into the explanation.
"Yeah, You're gonna b- OW!" Zack yelped as he was interrupted by Reno's shoe stamping on his toes.
The red-head glared at him again, and Zack huffed in disappointment, his face unconsciously falling into his infamous 'kicked puppy look'.
Cloud's lips twitched, but he turned to give Reno a disproving look, the Turk shrugged and ignored it, continuing his eager answer. "You got special permission to bunk at my apartment yo! Jus' like how it SHOULD be! We're gonna be roommates like real partners!"
Cloud felt both of his eyebrows shoot up, He was bunking outside the compound? At Reno's apartment? His mind quickly ran over how this might affect his plans… but all he could feel was a comforting warmth, followed by a sharp pang of regret.
He liked the thought of having his own space… he liked it A LOT. He'd never been much of a crowd person, even after a hundred years. Reno's apartment was about as close to his previous 'hermit-like' status as he could get while still working for Shinra…
But at the same time, he knew it couldn't last. He was going into SOLDIER, and the closer he got to Reno, the more devastated the other boy would be when Cloud left. With a quick mental shake, he wiped the 'stunned' look from his face, and plastered a bright grin there instead.
"That's awesome Reno!" Looking at the other boy's enthusiasm, it didn't take much for the planted smile to become real. "So you two are going to help me move my stuff then?"
"Yeah," Zack nodded cheerfully, "Angeal said it would be best if we get you moved out before the other Cadets get back from lunch."
With a soft laugh, and a brief shake of his head at Zack's incorrigible enthusiasm, Cloud proceeded from the room, and down the hallway to the dormitories of Squad Sekhmet. Reno and Zack kept pace on either side. It was a short walk from the meeting room, to the squad's dorms, and by the time they reached the room Cloud had detailed where all of his belongings could be found. After he unlocked his trunk and opened his cases, the other two refused to let him handle anything.
Zack immediately insisted on grabbing the bulk of it. Explaining that with his Mako-enhanced strength he didn't even notice the weight, and Reno hastily grabbed up Cloud's Turk attire and weapons. Glaring at the other youth when Zack moved to take it from him. Cloud heaved a sigh at the blatant rivalry between the two sixteen year olds, but before he could say anything Reno turned his head to look directly at Cloud with an intent that made the young blond wince.
"Hey Cloud," Reno began, his eyes only leaving to flick occasionally in Zack's direction.
"Yeah?" Cloud responded drily, he didn't like the look on his partner's face, and he braced himself mentally.
"Who's your best friend?"
Oh boy… it starts… Cloud sighed again mentally. "Reno…" He began slowly, warningly.
"Oh, that's a good question! I wanna know too!" Zack piped in, his gaze resting with insatiable curiosity on Cloud.
"Guys…" Cloud tried again,
"C'mon Cloud, you can tell us anything! Who's your best friend?" the young Turk pushed,
Cloud sighed audibly this time, and pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. "Tifa Lockhart." He said quickly,
Reno snorted, "That doesn't count!"
One of Cloud's eyebrows rose, "Oh? Why doesn't that count?"
"She's a girl! We asked for your BEST friend, not your GIRL friend!" Reno rolled his eyes.
Cloud had to hastily cover his mouth with one hand, Girls can be best friends too… But apparently Reno hadn't learned that lesson yet.
"It can't be a pet either." Zack added,
"Yeah, it has to be human… and it has to be RECENT!" Reno's eyes were gleaming now,
"Recent?" Cloud repeated skeptically, "As in what?"
"like 5 years, no friends you ain' seen since ya were 2 or somethin'." The red-head continued to grin.
Cloud folded his arms and gazed at the two boys next to him, each in turn. He was NOT going to play this game! … He'd opened his mouth to say as much when his perverse sense of humor kicked in, five years? He'd only been here in this Time for about six months even still the '5 years' stipulation cut out MOST of his friends, Cloud realized with a nostalgic pang. Nanaki didn't count due to the 'human' clause, and Shelke was a girl… so that just left…
"Vincent Valentine." Cloud blurted, and then a moment later mentally winced,
"Who?" Reno gaped, his expression instantly falling when he realized he'd been outmaneuvered.
"He's a guy I met in Nibelheim." Cloud returned, hoping neither boy had noticed his chagrin. "Anyways, regardless of WHO he is, … I've only known you two for a couple of months! I lived outside of Shinra for fourteen years!"
Reno frowned, but with a sigh he reluctantly accepted Cloud's rebuke. They were halfway through the Shinra building now, and making their way steadily to the exit closest to the sector where Reno's apartment lay. Cloud only got a few moments reprieve before the young red-head tried a new strategy.
"So which is cooler, SOLDIER or the Turks?"
"RENO!" Cloud scolded, glaring at the other youth.
"He likes SOLDIER better!" Zack returned, the grin on his face a little smug. Reno took a quick step towards Zack, glowering darkly.
"Oh Yea?" the red-head growled dangerously,
"That's IT!" Cloud spat, drawing startled looks from both of his friends. He stepped quickly between the two, shoving Zack firmly in the chest with his left arm; just enough that the Mako-enhanced SOLDIER swayed back a little. His right hand shot out to rest solidly against Reno's chest, Cloud couldn't help the painful spasm that shot through his recovering arm when he moved it so abruptly, but he tried to suppress it. Noting the suddenly guilty expression flash across Reno's face, he wasn't as successful as he would have liked.
"Stop bickering, both of you." Cloud ordered firmly, "I want you to repeat after me." He glanced between them both until they nodded,
"I am Cloud's Friend." Cloud stated,
"I am Cloud's friend." They both repeated dutifully,
"But it's OKAY if Cloud has OTHER Friends too!"
"But it's okay if Cloud has other friends too." Reno's gaze dropped to the floor, and Zack winced, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot as guilt and sorrow warred visibly on his face.
Cloud nodded, "Now I want you both to shake hands, and for the rest of the walk you're going to talk to each other, and get to know EACH OTHER okay? I like you both, and I would be very happy if you two could get along."
That said, Cloud firmly shoved at both boys until they were walking ahead of him, next to each other. Zack ducked and rubbed the back of his head nervously, and Reno shoved his hands into his pockets, for a moment both teens were silent.
When Reno glanced back at Cloud, the blond raised one eyebrow very slowly and pointedly, then jerked his chin at Zack. The red-head cringed a little before turning to the SOLDIER.
"So… Um… How are ya?" The Turk scuffed his shoes a little on the floor as he walked.
"I'm pretty good, you?" Zack returned easily,
"Good." again they fell silent, "So, um… how's it? Teachin' Cloud's class n' stuff?" Reno mumbled.
"Oh," Zack straightened a little and grinned, "That's pretty cool, … Cloud's a good student, he works hard and he never quits."
"Heh," Reno slowly relaxed, allowing an answering smirk to grace his face, "Yeah he does that."
"He struggled a little at first," Zack continued, "But he learns really fast, so he's one of the best students in the class now!"
"Struggled?" One of Reno's red brows rose, "What'cha mean yo? I ain' ever seen Cloud struggle at anythin'."
Zack scratched at his chin for a moment in thought, "Well… he was kinda klutzy at first, he kept tripping, … but he hasn't done that for a while."
Reno's suspicious gaze shot back to Cloud, who silently nodded. Scowling a little the red-head turned back to Zack, "S'what's yer opinion of Cloud's skill?"
"Eh? You mean now?... I think he's awesome! He's going to be a great SOLDIER!" Zack cheered, pumping one fist into the air enthusiastically.
Cloud couldn't restrain his sigh, when he saw Reno bristle, but the red-head managed to keep his pride in check.
"Yeah, Cloud'll be great in whatever he decides ta do." The young Turk agreed vaguely.
Zack grinned, not in the least perturbed by Reno's reluctant attitude, much as Cloud had expected, Zack couldn't really dislike someone without a good reason. "Hey Reno, how about your turn? What do you do with Cloud that's fun?"
Reno unconsciously tugged at his goggles while he thought, "Well, me an' Cloud hang out all the time yo! Bein' partners and all… We went ta the Turk's Playgroun' jus' tha other day, an' I KNOW Cloud had a blast."
"Turk Playground?" Zack visibly perked, "How… uh… wha… what's that?"
Reno immediately smirked, "Tha's a Turk Secret yo!"
Zack pouted, "Aw, c'mon! You can tell me! And then… then I can know! I promise I won't tell anybody."
Cloud had to cover his mouth with one hand, effectively hiding his smile and stifling the snickers that threatened to slip out.
"Wha's the point of it bein' a secret if we run aroun' tellin' everyone?" Reno raised his eyebrow sardonically, "'sides… sounds like ya already heard of it somewhere, I sure ain' gonna spill 'at one. 's'more fun this way anyhow."
"aww man…" Zack's shoulders slumped in disappointment,
Reno snickered, "Anyways, as I was sayin', Cloudy an' I also went down ta my favorite lookout an' checked out girls an' stuff."
Zack's eyebrows rose, "Oh really? Are there a lot of cute girls there?"
Reno chuckled, "Oh yeah! … there's lots! Ain' that right Cloud?" the red head turned back to grin at the blond, only to hesitate at the stern set of Cloud's jaw, Cloud shook his head, pointed back at Reno and then gestured sharply towards Zack, his silent reminder of his earlier instructions that Cloud was not to be included in the conversation.
Zack glanced between Cloud and Reno in brief confusion.
Reno sighed, and then glanced at the taller raven-haired boy calculatingly. Cloud almost groaned at the sudden dance of mischief in his partner's eyes, "Though, actually, … if ya really wanna check out hot chicks… ya gotta go to tha hair salon." The red-head's smile was just slightly predatory, Oh no… Cloud winced,
"Huh? Really?" Zack cocked his head curiously, "The salon? But I thought guys don't go there."
Reno nodded, "So if guys don't go there… who does yo?"
"Um… girls?" Zack frowned,
"Uh-huh," Reno was still grinning, "LOTS of girls! … So whaddya suppose'd happen if jus' us two guys went in?"
"We'd look silly?" Zack suggested, scratching at the back of his head.
"Naw, it'd be just us, an' ALL those girls."
Zack slowly grinned back, "all to ourselves?"
"Yep!" Reno crowed, "We'd get 'em all to ourselves!"
"Whoa! That's pretty sneaky." Zack snickered, "You really think that'd work?"
"Sure thing yo! I can totally hook ya up!"
"Sweet!" Zack whooped,
Cloud watched in both amusement and exasperation as the clever young Turk twisted poor naïve Zack around his finger. Hook, line, and sinker… Cloud stifled another groan, half chuckling to himself, Oh well… I suppose it's not the worst thing Zack could walk into… He shook his head again, and sighed, it was an innocent enough experience for the young boy to learn from. … And he HAD decided not to interrupt the two boy's conversation… he just hadn't anticipated the urge to intervene being this difficult to ignore.
When they reached the door leading outside, Cloud immediately turned to head down the street in the direction of Reno's apartment. A hand firmly dropping on his arm halted his progress, and he glanced back at the red-head in surprise.
"Hey! Where're ya goin?" Reno tightened his grip a little and grinned,
"Uh, I assumed we were going to your apartment…" Cloud returned with a frown.
"We're goin' ta OUR apartment al'righ'," Reno smirked, "But we ain' gonna jus' walk there yo."
Cloud darted a glance at Zack, who shrugged, then the blond returned his gaze to the red-head and with a sigh of defeat gestured for his partner to lead the way.
Finally releasing him, Reno tucked Cloud's belongings further under his arm and sauntered to a side-door positioned off the main doors of the Shinra building. After a very short flight of stairs, Cloud found himself in one of the underground Shinra parking garages. Reno sidled up next to the guard offices, poking his head up to the window.
"I need a car, yo." The red-head slouched against the window-sill.
Without looking up the guard inside handed out a clipboard with a small stack of papers on it, "Fill out these forms please." The uniformed employee muttered boredly,
Reno took one glance at the paperwork, and glanced back up at the officer with a sardonically raised eyebrow. "A-HEM." The young Turk 'cleared' his throat with deliberate emphasis.
The Guard finally glanced up in irritation, his mouth open to comment, but upon spotting Reno's unmistakable suit and the company he kept, the officer's eyes widened a little and his mouth snapped shut. "Oh! Sorry sir,… should have just told me you were… ahe… sorry," a little flustered he grabbed the offending clipboard and pulled it back in, "What sort of vehicle will you be requiring Sir?"
Reno grinned, "Nuthin' fancy this time yo, don' need any firepower or anythin' jus' gotta get from point A to point B, in style."
"Right." The guard murmured, pulling a different clipboard from the drawers, he placed this one in front of Reno, along with a pen. "Sign here please."
Once Reno had scrawled his signature across the indicated line, the Guard handed him a key with a number attached and nodded him on his way.
"You can drive?" Zack stared in amazement when they had walked out of earshot of the guard,
"Turk Prerogative!" Reno grinned, "Had ta get my license ASAP yo."
"Why didn't you have to file any paperwork?" Cloud asked, frowning in confusion,
Reno snickered, "We Turks spend so much time escortin' all the higher ups, like the pres. And you fancy-pants SOLDIERs around, they don' even ask when we come for a car. We jus' get what we need and go!" He grinned smugly at Cloud, "You'll get that sorta treatment too when ya make full Turk!"
Cloud smiled, but mentally smothered another wince, "So you just take off with the vehicles? No questions asked?"
"They'll call me if I keep it more'n twenny-four hours." Reno shrugged, "But I won' need it that long."
"That's so awesome!" Zack punched his fist in the air excitedly,
Cloud chuckled, well, well… you learn something new everyday! He mused. In short order they located the Vehicle Reno had acquisitioned. It was a sleek black sedan, with tinted windows and Shinra logo license plates.
"Not bad." The young SOLDIER murmured appreciatively,
"Not the best either." Reno winked in return, "I've driven some pretty sweet rides."
Cloud rolled his eyes a little, "Alright, so we're going 'In Style', shall we go then?"
Reno unlocked the door, and carefully placed all of Cloud's belongings in the trunk. He insisted the blond take the 'shotgun' seat, while placing Zack in the backseat. As soon as Reno started up the car Cloud's hands instinctively gripped his chair. But despite his subconscious fears, the young Turk pulled smoothly from the parking structure and out into the general traffic of Midgar.
"S'wha'cha wanna eat Cloudy?" Reno cocked his head at his friend, one hand resting lazily on the steering wheel while his free hand tapped unconsciously on the side-rest.
"Pardon?" Cloud hesitated, "I thought we were taking my belongings to your apartment, Reno…"
"Yeah, but there's nothin' that says we can' eat first… all'a those brats got hustled off ta lunch… 's'only fair that you getta eat too y'know?"
Cloud couldn't particularly refute this logic, and pondered the question for several moments,
"C'mon Cloud, what's yer favorite fast-food?" Reno prompted again,
"Um…" Cloud began; he wracked his brain, coming up with several options only to discard them when he remembered they hadn't opened until after the Meteor Crisis. "I don't know…" He finally admitted, "I haven't really checked out the fast-foods around here much."
"What? Ya don' eat fast-food?"
"I thought you got out of the Shinra building more often than that Cloud." Zack added, frowning a little in concern.
Cloud chuckled at both of them, "I usually eat in the mess-hall."
"Gah!" Reno spat in disgust, "You eat that crap?"
Cloud's smile tensed immediately, and he turned an exasperated look on his partner, "Now hang on just a minute, it's not 'crap'… NOBODY would sign up for the Military if they fed terrible food!" Cloud sighed and shook his head, "They have pretty good food there actually, it's fresh and hot, well prepared, there's a healthy variety and it's pretty decent quality." He leveled his gaze on Reno again, "Now it's not GOURMET, but it's far from trash… I just never felt the need to go waste all my money on junky food when there was plenty of perfectly edible meals right there at the building."
Reno heaved a sigh, "Fine, whatever yo, … I get it, ya like the stuff…"
"It really isn't that bad Reno." Zack chimed from the back-seat, the young SOLDIER had positioned himself in the middle seat, and now leaned forward over the two front chairs to regard the other two boys.
"A'right! A'right! I get it!" Reno waved them both off, "So whaddya wanna eat?"
Cloud chuckled again, "I don't know Reno… what would you suggest?"
Reno rolled his eyes, before turning towards Zack, "Whaddya think Cloudy likes ta eat?"
"Um…" Zack glanced at Cloud consideringly, after a brief pause he answered, "Steak."
"Steak it is Yo!" Reno stated, both his hands gripping the steering wheel with intent. Cloud yelped loudly as Reno stepped on the gas, dashing up to the next intersection and executing a u-turn without slowing.
"RENO!!" Cloud yipped in surprise, "That was a STOP SIGN!" Both of his hands were gripping the seat until the knuckles were white, and he was having horrible flash-backs of taking his turns teaching Yuffie how to drive. His foot was instinctively pressing against the floor-board wishing ineffectually for a brake.
"There wasn' anybody there!" Reno cheekily argued,
"IT was there for a reason!" Cloud snapped back, I wish I was driving!! The panicked thought dashed through his mind unbidden, it had been an even LONGER time since someone else had driven him places. He hadn't really missed his Motorcycle until this moment, and the hunger for his own vehicle hit him like a ton of bricks.
Reno took one look at Cloud's ashen face and sighed heavily, his speed slowed a little and he relaxed back into his seat with a grunt.
It took Cloud a bit longer to settle down, they had made it to the fast-food in question by the time he'd managed to sooth his own frazzled nerves.
Reno ran through the menu with practiced ease, ordering Cloud a 'steak sandwich' and several other meals besides. One of which he asked for a triple-order of.
Once the food arrived, Reno insistently had it passed out within the car, Giving the 'three combo meals' to Zack, and saving a few of the extra items for himself. Cloud had to close his eyes at the sight of Reno eating WHILE driving, and he determinedly focused on his own food. Much to his surprise, the steak-sandwich was actually quite good, he enthusiastically told Reno this.
"Tol' ya!" Reno said with a chuckle, "The food at the buildin' ain' anythin' special."
"It's not bad," Cloud stubbornly argued back, "But this is a lot tastier than I expected."
Reno smiled, a very honest, pleased little smile that warmed Cloud's heart. He grinned in return, and the drive to Reno's apartment was surprisingly comfortable.
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