Clacky birthday fic
As it is midnight here...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOR-CHAN!!! :D Hopefully it's a fabulous birthday. Or has been. Time differences make my head hurt. xD;
HAVE A FIC. ♥
Title: Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Author: rainbowserenity
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Pairing: Zack/Cloud
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: Squeenix owns my soul.
Warnings: None
Summary: Zack's convinced Kunsel has a not-so-imaginary girlfriend considering how often he's buried in his phone, but when he finally meets the person on the other end of the mail...well, that's no imaginary girlfriend. Or even a real one.
A/N: Happy Birthday fantasia0829! :D Fabulous people's birthdays call for fic. Yes, yes indeed.
SOLDIERs - especially ones of a high class and level - rarely got days off. When they did, they usually went out to grab a few drinks with friends, took a day trip somewhere, or saw their families. Very few of them actually remained anywhere in the Shinra building, which was why Zack did a double take when he saw Kunsel on the SOLDIER floor on his day off, messing with his phone.
“Uh, Kunsel, man?” Zack tilted his head in confusion. “What’re you still doing here? Did Luxiere mess with your schedule again? That guy needs to get himself a hobby. Or more missions.”
“Nah, everything’s fine. Don’t worry about me.” Kunsel paused to read an incoming mail and snickered to himself, his fingers flying over the keys to reply.
Zack frowned and arched an eyebrow. Usually Kunsel was pretty glued to his phone, but he always put it down so the two of them could chat. It felt weird to be pushed aside for a piece of machinery. But maybe there was a reason...
“Ohhh, ho ho ho.” Zack grinned slowly. “Are you exchanging mail with a lady friend?”
This really seemed to amuse Kunsel for some reason. “Guess I should be.”
Damn. He’d wanted something to tease Kunsel about. “Oh. Well, since you’re all by yourself mailing an imaginary friend, wanna go get drinks somewhere? It’s my night off, too.”
“Sure.” For some reason, this prompted Kunsel to quickly type in another message before flipping his phone closed and hopping to his feet. “Let’s go.”
--
Subject: You busy tonight?
From: Member 5
The bar in Sector 7 is his favorite. You can get in, right?
Subject: I’m too underage for this...
From: Member 7
I’m not sure. Maybe they’d let me in if I promised not to drink. I wouldn’t, anyway.
Subject: Remind me to tell you about the time he snuck in as a woman!
From: Member 5
Sneak in behind a group of people and find us! I mean, you’d just be there to see him, right? I’m onto you.
--
Due to all of the mako in his system, Zack couldn’t get drunk very easily. The worst he got was totally tipsy, the kind where everything was really, reeeeeeeeally funny. And on this particular night, he found it really, reeeeeeally funny to sit random girls on his lap, laughing (more like giggling, really, but laughing was more manly) as he planted kisses up their arms. Kunsel looked on, not tipsy since he’d only had one beer and could actually control himself. Kunsel was sort of wishing he couldn’t though. Zack looked like he was having a damn good time.
Such a good time, in fact, that he didn’t notice when Kunsel left the stool next to him for nearly twenty minutes, returning with someone trailing behind him.
“Zaaaack,” he chanted. “Can you put the lady down for two seconds? There’s someone - ”
A shout came from across the bar. “BEER PONG HOUR!”
“ - I’d like you to meet,” Kunsel finished, sighing as Zack let out a whoop and dashed away. He turned around. “Sorry. Maybe next time.”
“But...”
“Trust me, he isn’t gonna remember anything about tonight after beer pong. He may not be able to get drunk easily, but he goes crazy trying.” How anyone could hear themselves think with everyone cheering in the background was a mystery of the Planet. Maybe it was the mako.
--
Thanks to the miracle of that mako, Zack was petal-smooth and daisy-fresh, not to mention actually in his own apartment, much to his delight. Last time he’d gone out for a night on the town with Kunsel, his alleged friend had left him in front of the President’s office wearing nothing but a two-piece bikini. Luckily it’d been a holiday, so no one was in the office. Even so...
Zack rolled out of bed - alone, as usual. Like he ever had anyone in there. Contrary to popular belief, Zack Fair was simply a flirt and not a playboy.
...Not that anyone but Kunsel seemed to believe him. Oh well, no matter. He knew what was true and that was all that mattered.
After a quick shower, Zack slipped into his SOLDIER uniform and decided to catch breakfast at the cafeteria rather than making it himself - less effort. He hoped Kunsel or someone would join him, since he didn’t really like eating alone.
Luckily, he spotted his friend as soon as he got downstairs. Kunsel glanced up for about half a second and continued typing something into his phone.
“You definitely have a girlfriend and you’re not telling me,” Zack announced, plopping down next to Kunsel with enough food to feed all of Midgar. “Your face has been buried in that phone way more than usual. What’s up, afraid she might take one look at this face and run to me instead?”
“Heh.” Kunsel seemed really amused at that. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, grabbing a pancake off of Zack’s plate and stuffing it into his mouth.
“Man, you know damn well what I’m talking about.” Zack protected the rest of his food. He was a hungry growing guy after all, and needed all of this stuff. “So who’s the lucky lady, huh, buddy? You can tell meee.”
Kunsel snickered lightly. “There’s no girl. Seriously.”
“There has to be!” In a rare moment of frustration, Zack picked up a piece of melon and hurled it at Kunsel. However, Kunsel apparently had superb food flying-detecting skills and ducked just in time, so that it hit a 3rd class in the back of the head instead.
“What the - ”
“He did it,” Kunsel immediately said, pointing at Zack.
The 3rd class smirked and threw a piece of toast at Zack, but missed by a mile and hit a 2nd. There was only one way this could have ended:
“FOOD FIGHT!”
--
Subject: I have bacon under my helmet, ew.
From: Member 5
I can’t understand why you like him so much. The food fight this morning was all his fault.
Subject: Do I even want to know?
From: Member 7
I missed it. I had a class.
Subject: Probably not. Bet someone stuffed it in there when I wasn’t looking.
From: Member 5
That early!?
Subject: That must’ve been some food fight.
From: Member 7
...It was eleven in the morning.
Subject: It was, but hey, it’s a snack during guard duty later, I guess.
From: Member 5
Oh, right. At any rate, don’t go to the cafeteria for awhile. A lot of eggs were used as ammo and the janitors haven’t found a cleanser powerful enough to get rid of the smell. Maybe you should follow us to the diner for lunch today, huh?
Subject: Gross.
From: Member 7
Which diner?
--
“Man, this place makes the best burgers.” Zack shoved half of his in his mouth and took a big bite, moaning in bliss as he chewed. Mmm, meat.
Kunsel looked amused. “You say that every time we come here. Then you freak about how many of them you’ve eaten,” - Zack was on his third burger at the moment - “and force me to do extra training with you.”
“You love it.”
Kunsel did not dignify that with an answer. Or maybe he was about to, but his phone suddenly beeped and he flipped it open, reading for a moment. “Hey, can we stick around here for awhile? There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Your...girlfriend?”
“You totally need to give that up. Like I’d sacrifice a day in your company to be with some floozy.”
“Aw, you’re making me blush.” Zack laughed and slapped down some gil. “Sorry, but I can’t. Gotta give the new 3rds a recruitment speech. Lazard can’t do it since he’s got business to take care of and everyone would probably wet themselves if Sephiroth did it. Maybe another time.”
“This is why I’m glad I’m not a 1st. Too much responsibility.”
“A lot of privileges, though. Like the single apartments. Which reminds me, I’m sooo glad I’m off tonight. I mean, I know it’s not the whole day, but it’s better than nothing.”
“I knew that. So am I.”
“Great! Maybe you should bring your invisible girlfriend around. We’ll have drinks or something.” Zack stood and gave a little salute. “‘Til then!”
--
Subject: Why would I care about how many burgers he can fit in his mouth?
From: Member 7
I can’t go up to his apartment!
Subject: Think about it.
From: Member 5
Sure you can. I’ll be there. We’ll just be three guys having a good time. Unless you want me to leave at any point. I mean, I don’t want to interrupt if you want to have alone time, if you know what I mean.
Subject: ...You’re sick.
From: Member 7
No, no, that’s fine. Are you sure he’ll be there?
Subject: Hey, just a little info for sometime down the road.
From: Member 5
Pretty sure. He takes his nights off seriously.
Subject: He should shove them in your helmet instead.
From: Member 7
Okay, good.
...What should I wear?
--
As much as he liked going out, Zack also liked nights in his apartment, where he wasn’t under the public’s eye. In his safe little haven, he could pretty much do anything but set the place on fire.
However, he couldn’t help but wonder why he’d said it was okay for Kunsel and his invisible girlfriend to come over. He wasn’t much in the mood to socialize, but he did always have a good time with Kunsel. And hopefully whoever he was bringing was up for a good time, too.
The doorbell rang while he was getting a beer from the fridge, already in a relaxed mindset. Therefore, he was completely caught off-guard when he finally swung the door open.
“Hey Kun...sel...” The greeting fell from his lips as he stared.
Standing next to Kunsel with his hands fidgeting almost nervously was without a doubt the most amazing-looking guy Zack had ever seen. He was on the short side, but leanly muscled if the way his blue T-shirt was clinging to him was any indication. The color matched his brilliant eyes, which were nearly hidden under long, dark lashes. His hair instantly reminded Zack of a Chocobo - golden and fluffy in a way that made him want to run his hands through it.
“Hey,” Kunsel greeted sounding like he was trying not to laugh. Not that he was paying much attention. “This is my friend Cloud.”
“H-Hey.” Zack smiled. Cloud, huh? The named seemed to fit. “Come on in.”
Cloud just nodded. Was he shy? Nervous? Stuck-up? Zack wasn’t sure. Either way, he was suddenly very glad for the company.
“Can I get you anything? Soda, beer, water?”
“Soda would be fine.” Those were the very first (of very few, he’d soon come to find) words Zack heard Cloud say and they were practically music to his ears. Such a quiet, soft voice...
“Sure.” Zack handed his open beer can to Kunsel, much to the other’s protest, and grabbed two cans of soda from the fridge. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Zack took a long swig of his drink, vaguely aware that Kunsel was complaining about the lack of food in the fridge except for a suspiciously moldy item. “So, Cloud. What brings you to Shinra?”
“SOLDIER.” Cloud still wasn’t looking at him, which Zack lamented - he wanted to see those gorgeous blue eyes again.
“Are you in it? Don’t think I’ve seen you around before.” Actually, he knew he hadn’t. No way he would’ve missed seeing a cutie like Cloud.
“No. Not yet.”
“You gotta hang in there.” Zack smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring manner, considering his insides were spazzing like a Cactuar. “It’s tough, but I’m sure you can make it if you’re determined.”
“Thanks.” Was that a blush on Cloud’s face? “You’re a 1st class, right?”
“Yup!” Briefly he wondered how Cloud knew that. The announcement for his status change had been bypassed almost immediately by other stuff and it wasn’t like he was famous...yet. Hmm, he was still wearing the uniform sleeveless turtleneck and pants, though. Maybe that was how he’d guessed. “And division 0829,” - which meant he was high-leveled and mostly took missions outside of Midgar - “but no one cares about that stuff,” he added with a laugh.
Cloud’s face fell at this information for some strange reason. “Yeah.”
Despite Cloud’s quietness, Zack wasn’t at a loss for words. “So how’d you meet Kunsel?” Who was still in the room...somewhere.
“Mutual friend.”
“Lucky friend,” Zack commented, which Cloud blushed at.
How long they sat there and talked - or rather, replied in as little syllables as possible in Cloud’s case - Zack couldn’t say. It felt like he’d babbled about everything and nothing, yet when curfew came along and Cloud and Kunsel had to leave, all Zack wanted to do was keep Cloud there to...talk some more.
However that was not be, at least for tonight. When Zack walked the two of them to the door and said good night to Cloud, he pulled Kunsel aside with a silly grin on his face.
“You’ve got to introduce me to your friends more often.”
--
Subject: I’m nowhere on a high enough level, by the way.
From: Member 7
Is there a reason I’m suddenly serving under his division?
Subject: You will be soon, I bet.
From: Member 5
I have no idea what you’re talking about. Like I could pull strings like that.
Subject: Not if I die first!
From: Member 7
If I screw up and kill the whole team out of nervousness, I’m blaming it all on you.
--
Zack rarely looked over briefings for his missions. After all, he knew his infantrymen well and trusted them. Nine times out of ten he knew what the mission entailed, so there was no reason to be reading over boring papers.
Little did he know, in not doing so, he’d be in for the surprise of his life.
It started out normally. He was set to check out a reactor and possibly dispose of a monster disturbing it at a little town called Modeoheim a few dozen miles outside of Midgar. He had the same two infantrymen with him that always came and both were on the quiet side - determined, mostly - so Zack used the trip over there for a little daydreaming in between squats. His mind especially wandered to think if he could see Cloud again...
Before he knew it, they’d landed without a hitch and were walking up the snowy trail. They hadn’t run into any monsters so far, but Zack was staying alert. A random encounter could happen at any time...which was probably why they were random.
They happened fast, too. One second Zack had turned around to check on his men behind him and the next he was getting ambushed by a bunch of giant birds.
“Auuugh!” he cried, reaching for his sword and trying to swat them away. They were low-leveled, but there were so many of them. If only he could see through all of these stupid feathers and get his sword - !
“Zack, look out!”
The SOLDIER obeyed and ducked, wondering why that voice sounded weirdly familiar. It didn’t sound like any of his men, but there was a lot of squawking in his ear...
Then came the sound of gunshots, dozens of them, and before he knew it, the vicious birds were fading away in a green smoke, the surviving ones flying away in a flurry of feathers. Zack slowly stood up, glancing around in a daze. Whoa.
“Thank you...” he trailed off, turning to the cadet that had saved him.
“No problem.” The cadet paused for a second, a second where Zack just stared, and slowly pulled off his helmet to reveal familiar-looking fluffy blond hair.
“Cloud!” Zack’s face broke into a grin, despite how confused he was. “You - wha - how - ”
“Huh?”
“How’d you get in my division?”
“I was transferred this morning.” Cloud’s nose and cheeks were turning red. Maybe from the cold? “You didn’t know?”
“No.” Maybe he should read the briefings more often. “So you’re with me now? Like, in my division? Permanently?”
“Uh huh. I think so.”
“Great!” Zack grinned so much his face nearly split in half. “Man, missions are going to be way better now!”
“Really?”
“Yup.” There was no elaboration on that. “C’mon, let’s go kick some monster butt.”
--
Subject: My socks will never be dry again.
From: Member 7
He was impressed with me, I think.
Subject: Went someplace with snow?
From: Member 5
That’s a good thing, man! Shouldn’t you be thanking me?
Subject: I’m a mountain boy, but Modeoheim was ridiculous.
From: Member 7
No, he’s really impressed. He wants to give me some one-on-one training.
Subject: Socks are a small price to pay, don’t you think?
From: Member 5
...Seriously, thanking me. You should be doing just that.
Subject: I liked those socks.
From: Member 7
I don’t know what to do!
Subject: I bet they were pink!
From: Member 5
Thank me?
--
“Hey, Cloud! Glad you could make it!”
“Hi, Zack.” Cloud was just as quiet and soft-spoken as he was a month ago when they’d first met. Not that Zack minded. He found it kind of...endearing.
“Eager as always,” Zack laughed, watching as Cloud picked up the practice sword he’d been using in their one-on-one training. “Let’s get started, then.”
Since the beginning, when Cloud had saved him from giant rabid birds, the cadet only seemed to impress Zack more and more. He wasn’t being biased - it was an honest fact. Cloud was a good mover, speedy and precise, though not as strong as he could have been. Time would take care of that, though. Heck, with enough training, he had no doubt that the blond could rise through the ranks quicker than anyone. There was just one little problem...
Wham! “You don’t have confidence in yourself,” Zack commented as he pinned Cloud to the practice mat for the second time in a row. “You do in your moves, especially when it’s the heat of the moment. But sometimes you think too much and that’s when you lose confidence.”
“Not exactly something I can fix overnight,” Cloud mumbled, not meeting Zack’s eyes.
“I know. We’ll work on it. You’ll be a SOLDIER in no time.” Zack gave one of his heartfelt grins and pulled Cloud to his feet. “You’ll see.”
“I hope so.”
Zack opened his mouth to answer, but his phone alarm suddenly interrupted. “Damn, that’s curfew. Guess we’ve been here longer than I thought.”
“Oh. Uh, see you tomorrow then...” Cloud put his sword away and started to leave.
“Wait!”
The blond turned. “Yeah?”
“There’s, um, something I wanna ask you...”
--
Subject: ...
From: Member 7
He...asked me out.
Subject: What?!
From: Member 5
Seriously?! When? Where?
Subject: Sorry, I’ve been pinching myself.
From: Member 7
The café downtown. He asked me out to the café downtown tomorrow night at eight.
Subject: A lot.
From: Member 7
Wait, why do you care?
Subject: I don’t doubt it!
From: Member 5
Juuuuust wondering.
Subject: I’m at the café!
From: Zack
Clooooud, you here?
Subject: Almost there.
From: Cloud
Uh, yeah, sorry. Got held up. I’ll be there in a few minutes.
Subject: RE: Almost there.
From: Zack
I’ll be waiting!
--
Subject: Newsletter 29
From: Zack Fair Fan Club
Looks like love is in the air, folks! At least, it seems to be for your favorite SOLDIER and mine! Zack was seen having a dinner date with a mystery man earlier tonight at Fantasia Fried Chocobo.
At first it looked to be two friends simply enjoying each other’s company - however, an inside source managed to snap a few pictures of Zack and his mystery guy smooching under a reactor light! The romantic glow of mako looked just dazzling on the two of them, at least if the many more kisses they shared were any indication! The two will continue to go on weekly dates around Midgar. Perhaps another fan club is in order!
Thanks to member 5, HelmetHead, for the info!
------
Hurrrrrr. That crafty Kunsel. ;D Ahaha, I had this all written out for the longest time, but along came Dissidia and I wasn't sure if I'd have it typed up in time. DISSIDIA WHY SO DISTRACTING. Ahem.
I hope you liked it, Sor-chan! ♥
For more of my stuff, check this out! You know you wanna. xD
RainbowSerenity
HAVE A FIC. ♥
Title: Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Author: rainbowserenity
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Pairing: Zack/Cloud
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: Squeenix owns my soul.
Warnings: None
Summary: Zack's convinced Kunsel has a not-so-imaginary girlfriend considering how often he's buried in his phone, but when he finally meets the person on the other end of the mail...well, that's no imaginary girlfriend. Or even a real one.
A/N: Happy Birthday fantasia0829! :D Fabulous people's birthdays call for fic. Yes, yes indeed.
SOLDIERs - especially ones of a high class and level - rarely got days off. When they did, they usually went out to grab a few drinks with friends, took a day trip somewhere, or saw their families. Very few of them actually remained anywhere in the Shinra building, which was why Zack did a double take when he saw Kunsel on the SOLDIER floor on his day off, messing with his phone.
“Uh, Kunsel, man?” Zack tilted his head in confusion. “What’re you still doing here? Did Luxiere mess with your schedule again? That guy needs to get himself a hobby. Or more missions.”
“Nah, everything’s fine. Don’t worry about me.” Kunsel paused to read an incoming mail and snickered to himself, his fingers flying over the keys to reply.
Zack frowned and arched an eyebrow. Usually Kunsel was pretty glued to his phone, but he always put it down so the two of them could chat. It felt weird to be pushed aside for a piece of machinery. But maybe there was a reason...
“Ohhh, ho ho ho.” Zack grinned slowly. “Are you exchanging mail with a lady friend?”
This really seemed to amuse Kunsel for some reason. “Guess I should be.”
Damn. He’d wanted something to tease Kunsel about. “Oh. Well, since you’re all by yourself mailing an imaginary friend, wanna go get drinks somewhere? It’s my night off, too.”
“Sure.” For some reason, this prompted Kunsel to quickly type in another message before flipping his phone closed and hopping to his feet. “Let’s go.”
--
Subject: You busy tonight?
From: Member 5
The bar in Sector 7 is his favorite. You can get in, right?
Subject: I’m too underage for this...
From: Member 7
I’m not sure. Maybe they’d let me in if I promised not to drink. I wouldn’t, anyway.
Subject: Remind me to tell you about the time he snuck in as a woman!
From: Member 5
Sneak in behind a group of people and find us! I mean, you’d just be there to see him, right? I’m onto you.
--
Due to all of the mako in his system, Zack couldn’t get drunk very easily. The worst he got was totally tipsy, the kind where everything was really, reeeeeeeeally funny. And on this particular night, he found it really, reeeeeeally funny to sit random girls on his lap, laughing (more like giggling, really, but laughing was more manly) as he planted kisses up their arms. Kunsel looked on, not tipsy since he’d only had one beer and could actually control himself. Kunsel was sort of wishing he couldn’t though. Zack looked like he was having a damn good time.
Such a good time, in fact, that he didn’t notice when Kunsel left the stool next to him for nearly twenty minutes, returning with someone trailing behind him.
“Zaaaack,” he chanted. “Can you put the lady down for two seconds? There’s someone - ”
A shout came from across the bar. “BEER PONG HOUR!”
“ - I’d like you to meet,” Kunsel finished, sighing as Zack let out a whoop and dashed away. He turned around. “Sorry. Maybe next time.”
“But...”
“Trust me, he isn’t gonna remember anything about tonight after beer pong. He may not be able to get drunk easily, but he goes crazy trying.” How anyone could hear themselves think with everyone cheering in the background was a mystery of the Planet. Maybe it was the mako.
--
Thanks to the miracle of that mako, Zack was petal-smooth and daisy-fresh, not to mention actually in his own apartment, much to his delight. Last time he’d gone out for a night on the town with Kunsel, his alleged friend had left him in front of the President’s office wearing nothing but a two-piece bikini. Luckily it’d been a holiday, so no one was in the office. Even so...
Zack rolled out of bed - alone, as usual. Like he ever had anyone in there. Contrary to popular belief, Zack Fair was simply a flirt and not a playboy.
...Not that anyone but Kunsel seemed to believe him. Oh well, no matter. He knew what was true and that was all that mattered.
After a quick shower, Zack slipped into his SOLDIER uniform and decided to catch breakfast at the cafeteria rather than making it himself - less effort. He hoped Kunsel or someone would join him, since he didn’t really like eating alone.
Luckily, he spotted his friend as soon as he got downstairs. Kunsel glanced up for about half a second and continued typing something into his phone.
“You definitely have a girlfriend and you’re not telling me,” Zack announced, plopping down next to Kunsel with enough food to feed all of Midgar. “Your face has been buried in that phone way more than usual. What’s up, afraid she might take one look at this face and run to me instead?”
“Heh.” Kunsel seemed really amused at that. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, grabbing a pancake off of Zack’s plate and stuffing it into his mouth.
“Man, you know damn well what I’m talking about.” Zack protected the rest of his food. He was a hungry growing guy after all, and needed all of this stuff. “So who’s the lucky lady, huh, buddy? You can tell meee.”
Kunsel snickered lightly. “There’s no girl. Seriously.”
“There has to be!” In a rare moment of frustration, Zack picked up a piece of melon and hurled it at Kunsel. However, Kunsel apparently had superb food flying-detecting skills and ducked just in time, so that it hit a 3rd class in the back of the head instead.
“What the - ”
“He did it,” Kunsel immediately said, pointing at Zack.
The 3rd class smirked and threw a piece of toast at Zack, but missed by a mile and hit a 2nd. There was only one way this could have ended:
“FOOD FIGHT!”
--
Subject: I have bacon under my helmet, ew.
From: Member 5
I can’t understand why you like him so much. The food fight this morning was all his fault.
Subject: Do I even want to know?
From: Member 7
I missed it. I had a class.
Subject: Probably not. Bet someone stuffed it in there when I wasn’t looking.
From: Member 5
That early!?
Subject: That must’ve been some food fight.
From: Member 7
...It was eleven in the morning.
Subject: It was, but hey, it’s a snack during guard duty later, I guess.
From: Member 5
Oh, right. At any rate, don’t go to the cafeteria for awhile. A lot of eggs were used as ammo and the janitors haven’t found a cleanser powerful enough to get rid of the smell. Maybe you should follow us to the diner for lunch today, huh?
Subject: Gross.
From: Member 7
Which diner?
--
“Man, this place makes the best burgers.” Zack shoved half of his in his mouth and took a big bite, moaning in bliss as he chewed. Mmm, meat.
Kunsel looked amused. “You say that every time we come here. Then you freak about how many of them you’ve eaten,” - Zack was on his third burger at the moment - “and force me to do extra training with you.”
“You love it.”
Kunsel did not dignify that with an answer. Or maybe he was about to, but his phone suddenly beeped and he flipped it open, reading for a moment. “Hey, can we stick around here for awhile? There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Your...girlfriend?”
“You totally need to give that up. Like I’d sacrifice a day in your company to be with some floozy.”
“Aw, you’re making me blush.” Zack laughed and slapped down some gil. “Sorry, but I can’t. Gotta give the new 3rds a recruitment speech. Lazard can’t do it since he’s got business to take care of and everyone would probably wet themselves if Sephiroth did it. Maybe another time.”
“This is why I’m glad I’m not a 1st. Too much responsibility.”
“A lot of privileges, though. Like the single apartments. Which reminds me, I’m sooo glad I’m off tonight. I mean, I know it’s not the whole day, but it’s better than nothing.”
“I knew that. So am I.”
“Great! Maybe you should bring your invisible girlfriend around. We’ll have drinks or something.” Zack stood and gave a little salute. “‘Til then!”
--
Subject: Why would I care about how many burgers he can fit in his mouth?
From: Member 7
I can’t go up to his apartment!
Subject: Think about it.
From: Member 5
Sure you can. I’ll be there. We’ll just be three guys having a good time. Unless you want me to leave at any point. I mean, I don’t want to interrupt if you want to have alone time, if you know what I mean.
Subject: ...You’re sick.
From: Member 7
No, no, that’s fine. Are you sure he’ll be there?
Subject: Hey, just a little info for sometime down the road.
From: Member 5
Pretty sure. He takes his nights off seriously.
Subject: He should shove them in your helmet instead.
From: Member 7
Okay, good.
...What should I wear?
--
As much as he liked going out, Zack also liked nights in his apartment, where he wasn’t under the public’s eye. In his safe little haven, he could pretty much do anything but set the place on fire.
However, he couldn’t help but wonder why he’d said it was okay for Kunsel and his invisible girlfriend to come over. He wasn’t much in the mood to socialize, but he did always have a good time with Kunsel. And hopefully whoever he was bringing was up for a good time, too.
The doorbell rang while he was getting a beer from the fridge, already in a relaxed mindset. Therefore, he was completely caught off-guard when he finally swung the door open.
“Hey Kun...sel...” The greeting fell from his lips as he stared.
Standing next to Kunsel with his hands fidgeting almost nervously was without a doubt the most amazing-looking guy Zack had ever seen. He was on the short side, but leanly muscled if the way his blue T-shirt was clinging to him was any indication. The color matched his brilliant eyes, which were nearly hidden under long, dark lashes. His hair instantly reminded Zack of a Chocobo - golden and fluffy in a way that made him want to run his hands through it.
“Hey,” Kunsel greeted sounding like he was trying not to laugh. Not that he was paying much attention. “This is my friend Cloud.”
“H-Hey.” Zack smiled. Cloud, huh? The named seemed to fit. “Come on in.”
Cloud just nodded. Was he shy? Nervous? Stuck-up? Zack wasn’t sure. Either way, he was suddenly very glad for the company.
“Can I get you anything? Soda, beer, water?”
“Soda would be fine.” Those were the very first (of very few, he’d soon come to find) words Zack heard Cloud say and they were practically music to his ears. Such a quiet, soft voice...
“Sure.” Zack handed his open beer can to Kunsel, much to the other’s protest, and grabbed two cans of soda from the fridge. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Zack took a long swig of his drink, vaguely aware that Kunsel was complaining about the lack of food in the fridge except for a suspiciously moldy item. “So, Cloud. What brings you to Shinra?”
“SOLDIER.” Cloud still wasn’t looking at him, which Zack lamented - he wanted to see those gorgeous blue eyes again.
“Are you in it? Don’t think I’ve seen you around before.” Actually, he knew he hadn’t. No way he would’ve missed seeing a cutie like Cloud.
“No. Not yet.”
“You gotta hang in there.” Zack smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring manner, considering his insides were spazzing like a Cactuar. “It’s tough, but I’m sure you can make it if you’re determined.”
“Thanks.” Was that a blush on Cloud’s face? “You’re a 1st class, right?”
“Yup!” Briefly he wondered how Cloud knew that. The announcement for his status change had been bypassed almost immediately by other stuff and it wasn’t like he was famous...yet. Hmm, he was still wearing the uniform sleeveless turtleneck and pants, though. Maybe that was how he’d guessed. “And division 0829,” - which meant he was high-leveled and mostly took missions outside of Midgar - “but no one cares about that stuff,” he added with a laugh.
Cloud’s face fell at this information for some strange reason. “Yeah.”
Despite Cloud’s quietness, Zack wasn’t at a loss for words. “So how’d you meet Kunsel?” Who was still in the room...somewhere.
“Mutual friend.”
“Lucky friend,” Zack commented, which Cloud blushed at.
How long they sat there and talked - or rather, replied in as little syllables as possible in Cloud’s case - Zack couldn’t say. It felt like he’d babbled about everything and nothing, yet when curfew came along and Cloud and Kunsel had to leave, all Zack wanted to do was keep Cloud there to...talk some more.
However that was not be, at least for tonight. When Zack walked the two of them to the door and said good night to Cloud, he pulled Kunsel aside with a silly grin on his face.
“You’ve got to introduce me to your friends more often.”
--
Subject: I’m nowhere on a high enough level, by the way.
From: Member 7
Is there a reason I’m suddenly serving under his division?
Subject: You will be soon, I bet.
From: Member 5
I have no idea what you’re talking about. Like I could pull strings like that.
Subject: Not if I die first!
From: Member 7
If I screw up and kill the whole team out of nervousness, I’m blaming it all on you.
--
Zack rarely looked over briefings for his missions. After all, he knew his infantrymen well and trusted them. Nine times out of ten he knew what the mission entailed, so there was no reason to be reading over boring papers.
Little did he know, in not doing so, he’d be in for the surprise of his life.
It started out normally. He was set to check out a reactor and possibly dispose of a monster disturbing it at a little town called Modeoheim a few dozen miles outside of Midgar. He had the same two infantrymen with him that always came and both were on the quiet side - determined, mostly - so Zack used the trip over there for a little daydreaming in between squats. His mind especially wandered to think if he could see Cloud again...
Before he knew it, they’d landed without a hitch and were walking up the snowy trail. They hadn’t run into any monsters so far, but Zack was staying alert. A random encounter could happen at any time...which was probably why they were random.
They happened fast, too. One second Zack had turned around to check on his men behind him and the next he was getting ambushed by a bunch of giant birds.
“Auuugh!” he cried, reaching for his sword and trying to swat them away. They were low-leveled, but there were so many of them. If only he could see through all of these stupid feathers and get his sword - !
“Zack, look out!”
The SOLDIER obeyed and ducked, wondering why that voice sounded weirdly familiar. It didn’t sound like any of his men, but there was a lot of squawking in his ear...
Then came the sound of gunshots, dozens of them, and before he knew it, the vicious birds were fading away in a green smoke, the surviving ones flying away in a flurry of feathers. Zack slowly stood up, glancing around in a daze. Whoa.
“Thank you...” he trailed off, turning to the cadet that had saved him.
“No problem.” The cadet paused for a second, a second where Zack just stared, and slowly pulled off his helmet to reveal familiar-looking fluffy blond hair.
“Cloud!” Zack’s face broke into a grin, despite how confused he was. “You - wha - how - ”
“Huh?”
“How’d you get in my division?”
“I was transferred this morning.” Cloud’s nose and cheeks were turning red. Maybe from the cold? “You didn’t know?”
“No.” Maybe he should read the briefings more often. “So you’re with me now? Like, in my division? Permanently?”
“Uh huh. I think so.”
“Great!” Zack grinned so much his face nearly split in half. “Man, missions are going to be way better now!”
“Really?”
“Yup.” There was no elaboration on that. “C’mon, let’s go kick some monster butt.”
--
Subject: My socks will never be dry again.
From: Member 7
He was impressed with me, I think.
Subject: Went someplace with snow?
From: Member 5
That’s a good thing, man! Shouldn’t you be thanking me?
Subject: I’m a mountain boy, but Modeoheim was ridiculous.
From: Member 7
No, he’s really impressed. He wants to give me some one-on-one training.
Subject: Socks are a small price to pay, don’t you think?
From: Member 5
...Seriously, thanking me. You should be doing just that.
Subject: I liked those socks.
From: Member 7
I don’t know what to do!
Subject: I bet they were pink!
From: Member 5
Thank me?
--
“Hey, Cloud! Glad you could make it!”
“Hi, Zack.” Cloud was just as quiet and soft-spoken as he was a month ago when they’d first met. Not that Zack minded. He found it kind of...endearing.
“Eager as always,” Zack laughed, watching as Cloud picked up the practice sword he’d been using in their one-on-one training. “Let’s get started, then.”
Since the beginning, when Cloud had saved him from giant rabid birds, the cadet only seemed to impress Zack more and more. He wasn’t being biased - it was an honest fact. Cloud was a good mover, speedy and precise, though not as strong as he could have been. Time would take care of that, though. Heck, with enough training, he had no doubt that the blond could rise through the ranks quicker than anyone. There was just one little problem...
Wham! “You don’t have confidence in yourself,” Zack commented as he pinned Cloud to the practice mat for the second time in a row. “You do in your moves, especially when it’s the heat of the moment. But sometimes you think too much and that’s when you lose confidence.”
“Not exactly something I can fix overnight,” Cloud mumbled, not meeting Zack’s eyes.
“I know. We’ll work on it. You’ll be a SOLDIER in no time.” Zack gave one of his heartfelt grins and pulled Cloud to his feet. “You’ll see.”
“I hope so.”
Zack opened his mouth to answer, but his phone alarm suddenly interrupted. “Damn, that’s curfew. Guess we’ve been here longer than I thought.”
“Oh. Uh, see you tomorrow then...” Cloud put his sword away and started to leave.
“Wait!”
The blond turned. “Yeah?”
“There’s, um, something I wanna ask you...”
--
Subject: ...
From: Member 7
He...asked me out.
Subject: What?!
From: Member 5
Seriously?! When? Where?
Subject: Sorry, I’ve been pinching myself.
From: Member 7
The café downtown. He asked me out to the café downtown tomorrow night at eight.
Subject: A lot.
From: Member 7
Wait, why do you care?
Subject: I don’t doubt it!
From: Member 5
Juuuuust wondering.
Subject: I’m at the café!
From: Zack
Clooooud, you here?
Subject: Almost there.
From: Cloud
Uh, yeah, sorry. Got held up. I’ll be there in a few minutes.
Subject: RE: Almost there.
From: Zack
I’ll be waiting!
--
Subject: Newsletter 29
From: Zack Fair Fan Club
Looks like love is in the air, folks! At least, it seems to be for your favorite SOLDIER and mine! Zack was seen having a dinner date with a mystery man earlier tonight at Fantasia Fried Chocobo.
At first it looked to be two friends simply enjoying each other’s company - however, an inside source managed to snap a few pictures of Zack and his mystery guy smooching under a reactor light! The romantic glow of mako looked just dazzling on the two of them, at least if the many more kisses they shared were any indication! The two will continue to go on weekly dates around Midgar. Perhaps another fan club is in order!
Thanks to member 5, HelmetHead, for the info!
------
Hurrrrrr. That crafty Kunsel. ;D Ahaha, I had this all written out for the longest time, but along came Dissidia and I wasn't sure if I'd have it typed up in time. DISSIDIA WHY SO DISTRACTING. Ahem.
I hope you liked it, Sor-chan! ♥
For more of my stuff, check this out! You know you wanna. xD
RainbowSerenity