Silmeria - Happy reading.

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Chapter Seven : The Highwind That Took to the Skies

Cid Highwind was a rough, blond-haired man of thirty-five years whose accent reminded Cloud of his own, except it was thicker and rather rough sounding compared to the light lyrical accents that the people of Nibelheim were known for, but the accent, rough appearance and the dangerous cigarette dangling from the man's mouth wasn't what impressed Cloud, it was the fact that this man was a member of AVALANCHE and his personality was right up Zack's alley. The two of them were peas in a pod as they embraced before Cid ordered Zack to sit down so that he could fetch him a drink. Cloud stood in the middle of the brewery, looking around with eager cerulean eyes to take in the wooden walls, stone floors and tables that were scattered about to sit patrons. This place looked like more of a lounge than a brewery.

"You must be wondering why this place looks like more of a tavern than a brewery?" a soft asked, forcing Cloud to turn and acknowledge a mousy looking woman wearing a simple brown sweater and black jeans, a pair of round glasses hiding a pair of brown eyes and a soft smile.

"Yes, I don't see anything that looks like a brewery, ma'am."

"Shera." the woman corrected with a small smile. "Shera Highwind, at your service."

"Mr. Highwind's wife?" Cloud blinked in curiosity at the woman standing before him. She didn't look like anything the rough brewer would marry let alone go out on a date with, and it didn't take a fool to see Shera was a Guide and that she was of a low rank judging from the fact that he could barely feel her shields. Either that, or she was extremely good at hiding her abilities to the naked eye.

Shera's smiled widened, a small blush covering her pale cheeks. "We're not exactly a match made in heaven, but Cid is a very considerate man once you get to know him, and me? Well, I just got lucky to get bonded to a Beta Sentinel of Cid's caliber."

"Cid is lucky to have you Miss Shera." Zack called out from the bar-stool, turning to them with a small drink in his hand. "He'll be useless without you-OW, the hell, Cid?!"

"Shut up and drink your fruity crap, Fair." Cid growled, holding a thick clipboard in his hand. "I see you're still that little smart-ass, eh?"

"I wouldn't be if I wasn't, darling." Zack drawled smoothly, ducking his head when Cid took another shot at him. "You need to take it easy, yeah? Aerith told you to watch your blood pressure and cigarettes sure as hell aren't helping your case, Cid."

"Shut yer trap, boy. I'm still older than you and I can still take you and your little stick you call a sword on." Cid nudged his head to the back and there, nailed to the wall, was a spear that took Cloud's breath away in not only his beauty, but it's familiarity. He had seen it before in textbooks. He took a step forward until he reached the bar, leaning over Zack who grunted in surprise.

"Is that Venus Gospel? The spear that belonged to the Dragoon General of the Ancients?"

"You know your weapons, kid." Cid smirked in triumph. "Apparently, our Alpha Sentinel had inherited the Weapons of the Cetra and neglected to tell anyone. Barret found his weapon, Missing Score,-"

"Hey," Zack cut in innately. "Missing Score wasn't a Weapon of the Cetra, I had that made, and it wasn't cheap. He better be glad he got it."

Cid snorted, his blue eyes lighting up with amusement at Zack's light-hearted protest. The man would never admit it, but he cared for all of AVALANCHE like they were family and would let them have nothing but the best.

"Really? Do you have Ultima Weapon? Premium Heart and Princess Guard?" Cloud's excited face pressed against Zack's cheek, making the man chuckle in amazement. "Zack-I." Cloud suddenly looked embarrassed as he stepped back and realized who he was leaning against in such a casual manner. "I'm sorry, I get kind of crazy when I hear about the Cetra. We're descendants, you know?"

"That's actually a misconception, boy." Cid cut in gently. "We maybe all Sentinel and Guides, but few of us actually descend from the Cetra. I think about one or two are actually full-blooded."

"Although, there is a little trace of blood in Sentinels and Guides." Zack added. "There would have to be to be what we are, right?" Zack turned to Cloud with a small, teasing smile. "As for the weapons, no, I'm afraid that I no longer have them in my possession. All of the weapons belong to previous members of AVALANCHE."

"He has the Ultima Weapon, but it's only used for ceremonies." Shera chimed in softly. "It's really quite an amazing sword if I do say so myself."

"Wait, when did you see that weapon?" Cid scratched his head, his brows furrowing as he tried to catch the memory. "You weren't at any of the ceremonies."

"You often forget that I was a blacksmith apprentice during Xavier's Days." Shera chided. "I was the one that re-modified the Ultima Weapon and I strengthened your own lance for your birthday. Honestly, Cid Highwind, you'd forget your own head if it wasn't attached."

"Now, look here woman-"

"No, you look here, man, how many times have I told you-"

"Tell me what? You didn't tell me anything-!"

Cloud sat in the seat next to Zack, watching in amazement as husband and wife went back and forth, trading insults. "Should-should we leave? I mean, it's a little awkward."

"Nah," Zack murmured, nudging him in the shoulder. "Let em' cool off. Those two love each other to death and they'll be arguing until the Lifestream takes em."

Cloud resisted the urge to say how sweet it was, but Zack would only laugh at him for it. "How long have they been married?"

Zack clicked his tongue, lifting his eyes to the ceiling in thought. "About fifteen years? Being around them, it feels like they've been married a lot longer." Zack snorted at the thought. If they were married longer than fifteen years, he was pretty sure one of them would have been buried in the plains heading towards Kalm. But, as much as they argued, Zack didn't miss the loving expression that crossed Shera's features when Cid gave her a bouquet of flowers for the hell of it. Or, when Shera brought Cid a pack of his favorite cigarettes, giving her a rough grin in thanks. It was the little things that showed others how much they loved one another. It was something that Zack wanted.

He would have loved to stand there and argue with his Guide. Pressing his lips against their's to earn a laugh and stop them from being too angry at him. He wanted to wake up to the smell and feel of his Guide and have a lazy morning. He turned his eyes to Cloud, feeling his heart skip a beat when those blue eyes met his own. He watched, enraptured, as those pale cheeks turned an endearing red before Cloud quickly turned away, hiding an obvious smile and lowered eyes. His hand twitched, wanting to turn his face back and press his lips against those soft, pink, lips and do unspeakable things, but it was too soon. He didn't want to frighten Cloud and ruin the friendship they just started, but he wasn't stupid enough to see that the feeling was whole-heartedly returned. If it were any other person, Zack would have jumped at the chance, but with Cloud? With Cloud it was different.

There would be no quick courting following by an amazing adventure in bed. No, Zack would make sure that this courting would be long and loving, more than enough to sweep Cloud off his feet and into his arms where he belonged. Where he always belonged.

It wasn't until he realized how quiet it gotten that he saw that he was staring a bit too long. Instantly, he felt his face heat and he buried his face into his drink, lips twitching at the sound of Shera's soft, understanding laughter.

"About time you woke up from that little daydream." Cid mused, his own blue eyes turning knowing. "Want to share?"

Zack shrugged, downing the remainder of his drink before setting it down with a clink. "As much as you want to share plans for the S.S Highwind."

Cid tossed his head back, his body bursting with laughter. "Heh, nothing gets past Alpha Sentinel Fair, eh? How long did you know?"

"I've known since the beginning." Zack admitted with a bit of snark, his eyes following the trail of water down his glass. "I want to know whose ordering massive engines and transporting them into my city."

"Ah," Shera had to grace to look ashamed, knowing full well that Xavier was a lover of weapons. "We weren't trying to keep it a secret on purpose. It's just that-"

"Junon and Rufus have an airship fleet and we need to match their power." Cid stated bluntly. "I mean, we have SOLIDER and the Medical Guide Corp, but that's all. On a good day, we can match Weiss, but Rufus? The little brat has too much power."

"SOLIDER is enough for now." Zack held up his hand to stall the protest, looking like this was a story told over and over. "I'll consider increasing our troops and weapons, but these are times of peace, I'll not prepare a march to war for no reason."

"And if the other Alpha's are?" Shera challenged gently. "What will we do then?"

Zack frowned grimly and it and in the most deadly tone Cloud had ever heard, answered.

"We'll wipe them off the map. It's as simple as that."

The trek back to Tifa's Seventh Heaven was silent.

It wasn't hard to see that Zack was obviously disturbed by the conversation, causing Cloud to wonder if Midgar really was in trouble considering defense. It forced him to think about the atrocities that Xavier committed that made Zack think that making weapons and increasing troops spelt nothing but trouble.

"Are you okay?" Cloud blurted out, cutting the silence between them awkwardly and causing Zack to turn to him with a weak smile. It was small in comparison to the bright ones he had seen in the last few days. "I mean, after what Cid did-"

"It's fine." Zack cut him off with a soft sigh. "It won't be the first time AVALANCHE has done something like this, you know? They care, but I have ultimate command on whether or not the S.S Highwind and it's development continues."

"Regardless, such a large project shouldn't have been done without your permission." Cloud chided gently before flushing and realizing that he had been talking out of term. "I'm sorry-"

"No, no, you're good, Cloud, don't worry and you're right, but they only want what's best for me and Midgar, you know?" Zack scowled, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I-that sounds like a sorry excuse, doesn't it?"

"It does." Cloud murmured, but the smile was stretching across his lips. "But, I know that you know that their heart is in the right place, you know? AVALANCHE and Midgar love you very much, you know?"

"Yeah," Zack chuckled, a pleased flushed crossing his cheeks. "And you too, right? You love me too, Cloud?"

"Like a bad stomach." Cloud drolled before burst of laughter escaped his throat which was followed by a squeak as Zack took a swipe at him and took chase all the way back to Tifa's bar, caring less about the attention.

I love you, Zack, as a friend, Alpha, and well, maybe as something more too.