Never Tear Us Apart: Part I

by tir-synni

 

Interlude II: Cloud

 

            Cloud ambled dazedly towards his room.  Zack.  Zack was going to mentor him.  Zachary Stoker, SOLDIER 1st Class, second to the great Sephiroth, was going to mentor him.  Why?  What could Zack possible have to gain by mentoring some stupid recruit?  Why was he doing this?  Another sexual escapade?

            At the thought, Cloud could not help but laugh bitterly.  Yeah, right.  Like Zack could go to such extremes for him.  Cloud trembled.  Everyone else just took what they wanted.  Why should Zack be any different?

            Swallowing hard, Cloud resumed walking.  No, Zack seemed nicer than that.  He would seduce someone, not--

            There he went again.  Zack would-not-be-interested-in-him.  Zack was too beautiful, too strong, too proud.  Even bedding Cloud in a one night fling was too low for Zack.  Zack was too good for Cloud.

            Tears burned behind Cloud's eyes.  Zack was beautiful.  Maybe if Cloud proved himself a strong enough recruit, he could earn at least Zack's respect.

            Or maybe Zack was like the others, and this was one massive prank.

            A single tear slipped down Cloud's cheek.  Zack had told Cloud to bring his gear up to his room.  What if it was a prank?  What if it wasn't Zack's room?  Was Zack setting him up?

            I wouldn't be surprised, Cloud thought glumly, creeping silently into the dorm.  If he was quiet, he wouldn't get noticed.  If he was walking willingly into a trap, he would prefer not to get beat up beforehand.

            The bunk was almost empty, besides several sleeping forms.  Cloud snuck to his bed and quietly began packing his things.  Zack had also told him to move quickly.

            Please, don't be cruel.  Please, for once, don't be cruel.

           

            Cloud arrived at the room without incident.  Breathlessly, he stood before the door, his hand raised in preparation to knock.

            Zack, you'll be nice, won't you?  Please?

            Hesitantly, Cloud knocked on the door.  The thuds rang loudly, and Cloud cringed.  Already, he found himself bracing for a blow.

            With a quiet squeak, the door swung open.  Cloud's body went tense, and he raised his chin bravely.

            "Hey, kid!" Zack greeted him cheerfully.  He swung his door open the rest of the way.  "Come on in, come on in!  Treat everything as your own."

            Cloud gaped after him wide-eyed as Zack turned around and walked into the apartment.  Unable to believe it wasn't a prank, Cloud cautiously followed him inside.  His shoulders were hunched, expecting a fist any minute.

            "Like it?" Zack perked, waving an arm expansively at his apartment  "What do you think?  In the bedroom, there's a balcony.  Has a great view of Midgar."

            Jarred by the unexpected speech, Cloud looked around for the first time.  It was spacious, Cloud admitted to himself, and neater than he had thought it would be.  He stood in the living room, a large, plush couch to his right, a chair carelessly tossed off to one side, and a television to his left.  In front of him was a door leading to the bedroom.  From where Cloud stood, he could see the overhead light glinting off of a metallic bedframe.  He couldn't see what type of bed, though.  Behind the couch was the kitchen.  Even without walking in, Cloud could tell it was never used.  It looked too new, too fresh, to be the recipient of regular use.

            "Nice, sir," Cloud spoke up finally.

            Zack rolled his eyes.  "Not 'sir', but Zack.  Just Zack.  No need to be formal with me."

            Cloud bit his tongue at his slip, but didn't apologize.  Fine, if Zack wanted to be informal, they would be informal.  "All right, Zack it is."  Cloud gripped his duffel bag tighter, and stared hard at Zack.  "Zack, why did you want to me?  There are plenty of other recruits with far more skill and talent than I have.  Why did you single me out?"

            The older man paused on his way to the bedroom.  Cloud's question seemed to take him by surprise...either that, or pissed him off.  At the thought, Cloud swallowed, but stood his ground.  It was best to get these things out in the open from the start.  If this was a prank or something equally cruel, Cloud just wanted it over with.

            Slowly, Zack turned around to face the youth.  Something had replaced the laughter in his shining eyes, and to Cloud's relief, it wasn't anger.  Was it compassion? Cloud wondered, confused by the intense stare.  Pity?  Sympathy?  He didn't understand.

            "Do you always expect every open hand to turn into a fist?" Zack asked quietly.  "You have a lot of potential, kid, a hell of a lot more than any of those recruits out there.  I believe you have more 'skill and talent' than all of those potheads combined.  That's why I'm mentoring you.  I believe you can make first class, and I want to do everything in my power to help you get there."

            Cloud could only gape at him.  He was speechless.  Something in his face made Zack's eyes widen.  "You thought this was a prank, didn't you?  You thought I didn't mean my offer?"

            The blonde clutched his bag.  He was so proud that he didn't lower his gaze.  "Yes," Cloud admitted quietly.  "Because every open hand has turned into a fist.  The only exception has been my mother, and I think it's a rule that moms don't count."

            Zack's silver eyes paled in surprise.  "Fuck, kid," he murmured.  "Does mine count?"

            Cloud met his eyes unflinchingly.  "Guess we'll find out."

            Silence fell, and Cloud found himself being thoroughly perused by the older man.  Zack was looking at him like he had never seen him before, like he was something new and different.  Those gorgeous eyes that captivated Cloud so much were sharp and bright, and the blonde knew Zack's mind was working a mile a minute.  Zack no longer looked happy and carefree; he looked as keen and dangerous as Sephiroth's blade.

            Cloud was no longer looking at Zack.  He was seeing a 1st class SOLDIER.

            Zack studied Cloud in silence for a moment longer before speaking up.  "Fuck everyone else," he said softly.  "Do you believe you have the ability to make SOLDIER?  Do you think you have the ability to make first class?"

            Something burned hot and fierce in Cloud's heart, and he raised his chin another notch.  "I know I can, Sir."

            The SOLDIER nodded, and then he was simply Zack again, a grin lighting up his face.  "I know you can, too.  Come on!  Let's get you settled in."

            It wasn't until later that Cloud noticed Zack hadn't protested to Cloud calling him 'Sir.'