"Zaaaaack!" I knocked on his apartment door.
A muffled clatter sounded from inside, followed by a loud, "Owww!" and a series of thumping noises, like someone hopping on one leg.
I sighed, already knowing what to expect.
The door swung open to reveal Zack, looking disheveled and grinning sheepishly.
"...What happened?"
"Huuu..." he slurred, the faint smell of alcohol wafting toward me. He was clearly a drink or two in.
"She said yes! The flower lady!" he practically shouted, throwing his arms around me in a bear hug.
I awkwardly patted his back, trying to steer him inside before the neighbors got curious. "Uh, congrats?"
The raven-haired man released me and plopped onto his couch. "Yup, already started celebrating. Here, take a beer!" He handed me one, his grin as wide as ever.
I accepted it, still processing the situation. "Why's it such a big deal? I thought plenty of girls liked you. One more doesn't seem like much."
"No, no, you don't get it." Zack waved his hand dramatically, nearly spilling his drink. "This time, I actually like her back. I've been into her for ages, but I finally worked up the courage to ask her out!"
He sounded so genuinely proud that I couldn't help but smile. "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, man! So, what about you? Got a crush on anyone, Spike?" he teased, winking playfully.
I shook my head quickly, but my face betrayed me as memories of a certain silver-haired general surfaced.
"Ooooh, who is it? Come on, you can tell me! Is it that girl from your hometown? Or maybe—"
"No!" I cut him off, turning away to hide the heat rising in my cheeks. "There's no one, I'm serious."
Zack raised an eyebrow but let it go, flopping back onto the couch. "Too bad. I'd miss having someone to hug all the time if I were you!" He clutched a pillow and made exaggerated kissing noises, thoroughly enjoying his performance.
I rolled my eyes, but his words brought back a flash of today's training session—and the moment I ended up on top of Sephiroth. It wasn't exactly a hug, but the proximity had stirred something undeniably warm in me.
"Zack," I began hesitantly, "since you are so close to Sephiroth, you have to know... does he like hugs?"
"...Oooooh~!" He immediately latched onto my question with a teasing tone.
"No! I mean—" I struggled to clarify, "You hug him all the time. If he didn't like it, wouldn't he push you away?"
Zack paused, his playful demeanor softening as he thought it over. "You know, I wasn't sure at first, but yeah, he doesn't mind. Actually, I think he likes it—he just won't admit it. But keep it on the down-low, okay? We can't have everyone trying to hug the General."
"Really?" I asked, skeptical but intrigued. 'His face in that moment was rather amused than angered or disgusted...'
"Yes, he really doesn't mind." Zack smiled widely.
I muttered a quiet "thought so" under my breath, trying to process the revelation.
"Pardon?" Zack grinned, leaning closer.
"Nothing." I took a sip of my beer, unable to stop the small smile tugging at my lips.
Zack then launched into a detailed account of how he'd asked the flower lady out, his excitement infectious. Meanwhile, my thoughts kept drifting to Sephiroth. I couldn't help but wonder—if I hugged him, would he react the same way he did with Zack?
I noticed how new I still was to this dating thing. My last girlfriend had been a few years ago, back in my hometown... and I'd never felt any attraction towards anyone after that, until...
I shook my head to get rid of that thought, excusing myself with "there was a fly" when Zack asked.
"... and now we have a date in three days! Isn't that amazing?" He bobbed up and down on the sofa, smile never leaving his face.
"Yeah, that's great." I smiled, putting down my empty beer bottle. "I think I should get going, it's already dark outside."
"Alright, I'll bring you to the door!"
My raven-haired friend hugged me goodbye before I left his apartment, walking back to the main ShinRa building. The sun had already set a while ago, quite early as it was winter. I looked up to the night sky which strangely was unclouded. A fresh breeze blew through my hair and tugged on the dark scarf I had taken with me from my old home.
As I passed under the streetlights, a figure ahead caught my eye. Tall, with unmistakable silver hair, he was reading a small black book as he walked.
"Ah... hey!" I called out, quickening my pace.
Sephiroth glanced up, his expression softening slightly as he recognized me.
"Out late, aren't you?" he said with mock authority, closing the book and tucking it away. I figured it might be another timetable of sorts, or perhaps just a notebook in general.
"I was at Zack's, Sir," I replied, playfully saluting.
He smirked, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Ah, I'm heading there now. I hear he has some... important news."
My heart pounded as his touch lingered. Zack's words echoed in my mind: 'He likes hugs.'
Once again I was glad that it was dark, otherwise my slight blush might have betrayed me. I tried to build up all courage I had inside me.
"... Then I wish you a nice evening and a good night, Sir!" With those words I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around the tall man's slim body.
My eyes were closed tightly when the only reaction that followed was a sound of surprise in the shape of a sharp exhale through his nose. When I noticed that his arms stayed in place beside him and not—as customary while hugging—around me, I suddenly felt ridiculously stupid and let go of him. His piercing, glowing eyes showed mixed emotions, most prominently some form of bewilderment.
"... Zack told me you like hugs", I explained myself mumbling quietly, face burning brightly, my gaze shifting to the ground.
I was still standing as close to him as when I had embraced him, so I noticed immediately when his body started trembling before he erupted into loud laughter. It was a rich, unguarded sound that filled the crisp evening air. That was the first time that I'd heard the General laugh like that and it gave me a feeling mixed of kicked puppy and confusion at this point. If I hadn't felt like the last idiot on earth before—when he had given me this absolutely puzzled look—then I did now.
Only when he finally calmed down, he met my wide-eyed gaze with a grin. "That silly man, I might have to slap him later", he mumbled to himself and I heard the amusement still evident in his voice.
Before I could fully process what was happening, Sephiroth pulled me into a brief, one-armed hug.
I was way too flabbergasted at this action, and before I could show any signs of returning the hug, he'd already let go of me again.
"Thanks for the laugh, haven't had that in a while." The General said and patted my spiky hair lightly.
I returned his smile—still not entirely sure whatever had just happened—and watched him turn around.
"Okay, time to go to Zack, not sure what he wanted to tell me... See you in class or Field Training, I'll message you." He waved with his back towards me and I managed to call out a quick "See you! And... you're welcome?"
When I turned around as well, I had the biggest smile on my face. It was in fact so big that after a few minutes of walking, my cheeks really began to hurt.
My brain was still busy processing what had just happened, but when it did, my mind replayed the moment over and over: 'I hugged Sephiroth... Sephiroth hugged me...!'
It was a short, awkward embrace, yet it felt like the most significant thing in the world.
I knew I was blushing furiously, but thankfully there weren't many people around at this time of the day and after entering our dorm, I knew that I was safe anyway.
If Kunsel wasn't in bed yet then he probably was studying. As for Zack... Beside all the awkwardness and confusion, I decided that I really owed him one now. 'Wait, Zack asked him to come... Then he's probably gonna tell him about that flower girl, too... And Sephiroth looked all serious, as if Zack depicted it as an important matter...' I had to snicker at that thought. 'Yes, he is probably getting a slap today... or two...'
I grinned, thinking about the hugs again. There wasn't much to say about them since they had been pretty short and full of confusion on both sides. If there'd ever be a second time, it'd have to go better... I decided.