Never Tear Us Apart

by tir-synni

 

Interlude III: Zack

 

            "I don't know what to do, Seph!" Zack exploded, pacing in Sephiroth's living room.  "Over the past five months, the kid's absorbed everything I've taught him like a sponge.  He's the best in his class, earned the respect of many of his teachers, but he still flinches away every time I raise my hand to clap him on the back!  Sometimes, he'll relax around me, and then the walls will leap up again!  What do you think?"

            Sephiroth lounged gracefully on the couch, his glowing emerald eyes dark with thought.  Even in repose, the only one in the room a trusted friend, Zack knew Sephiroth was ready to move at the top of a hat.  He wasn't the mighty General of the ShinRa army for nothing.

            "Strife stated that he was antagonized in his hometown," Sephiroth started eventually.  "I think that might have something to do with it.  Have you noticed he stands his ground with his peers, but never with adults?  It makes me wonder."

            Zack stopped in his tracks.  "You think the adults beat on him?"  His voice had gone low and soft, and by Seph's raised eyebrow, the silver-haired beauty had noticed.

            "It would explain much," Seph pointed out.  "If authority figures strike you, it would make it difficult to fight back.  And if the authority figures attack someone, that gives the children permission to join in.  It would explain his skittishness and why he's wary around you."

            "Because he sees me as an authority figure," Zack murmured.  "How can I reach him?  Let him know I'm not going to hurt him?"

            Seph shrugged and flashed him a rare smile.  "Perhaps the same way you reached me?" he offered quietly.

            Zack shot him a brilliant grin and plopped down beside Seph on the couch.  "If I was able to reach you, I know I can reach Cloud," he stated.  "I can help him get to first class."

            "You think he can make it all the way to first?"  Seph raised an eyebrow.

            The younger man nodded emphatically.  "I know it!" he insisted.  "He's talented, skilled, determined, growing more confident of his abilities, intelligent, beautiful--"

            "Beautiful?" Sephiroth interrupted.  "I did not realize that was a requisite for first class."
            Zack blinked at him.  "Did I say that?"

            Seph nodded.

            Zack fell silent.  A memory of lovely, solemn blue eyes flashed in his mind.  He remembered the way when they brightened with delight at his stories of SOLDIER, and the way they darkened when Cloud was daydreaming.  Zack thought of the way Cloud's dainty nose wrinkled when he revealed a shy smile.  When Cloud offered at the beginning of the second week to cook for him so they wouldn't have to order out again, his soft laugh at Zack's joy in his cooking.  Another memory burned in Zack's mind, of once massaging Cloud's slender body after an intense day of training, the youth too tired to protest.  Zack remembered his silky skin, his lovely face relaxed with coming sleep....

            "Yeah," Zack murmured.  "Beautiful."  Then he shook his head briskly.  "But that's beside the point.  As I was saying, Cloud's definitely first class material.  He just needs to get past this damn block of his!"

            Seph nodded, a small, secretive smile dancing upon his soft lips.  "Get him alone, talk to him," he proposed.  "Meet him as a friend, not as an 'authority figure.'  Let him know you're not going to hurt him.  After all, you have already made much progress with him.  Just a little more, and the last barrier will fall."

            Zack noticed his strange smile, but dismissed it for the moment.  "Thanks.  I'll do that.  I'll talk to you later, Seph, tell you how it went."

            Seph laughed quietly.  "Yes, tell all the details."

 

            Zack hurried back to his bedroom, thinking back on his conversation with Sephiroth.  Anger flushed through him as he recalled Seph's theory.  The intensity of it caught him by surprise, as did the protective rush that filled him.

            He's just a kid with potential, and someone I would like to have as a friend, the dark-haired SOLDIER told himself firmly.  He's the first recruit I've ever decided to mentor because of the fight I witnessed.  I chose him because of that skill.  And the reason I haven't been dating recently is because...because I have a new job now, and I have to devote time to it.  End of story.

            Satisfied, Zack opened his door...and froze.

            The smell of home-cooking wafted to where Zack was standing.  Zack inhaled it deeply, following the invisible trail with his eyes to where Cloud was cooking in the kitchen.  The young SOLDIER swallowed hard, watching Cloud's graceful form reach up to grab two plates from the cabinet.  Apparently, he caught sight of Zack out of the corner of his eye, because Cloud turned around and smiled shyly at him.

            "It was my day off," the blonde explained, "so I did a little shopping.  I hope you don't mind.  It's just a little recipe my mom used to make."

            Zack swallowed hard at the beautiful picture Cloud made, silhouetted in the light with his pink lips curved in a smile.  So beautiful, he thought, unaware he was even thinking it.

            "No problem," Zack managed.  "It smells really good."

            Cloud grinned proudly.  "Thanks.  Come on in and sit down.  It's almost done."

            The recruit turned to the stove again as Zack entered the kitchen.  Zack glanced at the table to his right, blinking as he realized Cloud had already set the table for them both.

            "A-all right," Zack stammered, losing his resolve.  Cloud...Cloud....

            Another shy smile as Cloud began putting the food on the table.  Zack breathed in deeply as he started making his plate.  It smelled delicious, a small variety of fruits and vegetables with some meat he couldn't identify, plus Wutanese noodles.  After several bites, Zack decided everything tasted better than it looked.

            "This is very good," Zack said sincerely.  "Where did you learn to cook?"

            For the first time, the SOLDIER realized he didn't know that much about Cloud's past.  He had never thought to ask.  This was the first time Cloud had lowered his defenses enough for Zack to even try to ask, the episode with the massage not counting.  Cloud was barely conscious that time.

            Cloud seemed too relaxed to even notice the question might be invading his privacy.  "I had to learn," he replied.  "It was just me and my mom, and someone had to know what to do around the house when Mom was sick.  Since I had to learn how to cook anyway, I decided to be damn good at it."

            Cloud smiled proudly at the older man, but the smile faded somewhat when he noticed the confusion on Zack's face.

            "What's wrong?" Cloud asked, his brilliant eyes dark with worry.  "Is something wrong with the food?"

            Zack shook his head.  "No, it's great.  I was just wondering about your dad.  Where was he?"

            Cloud bowed his head and played with the pasta on his plate.  "He left Mama and me when I was really young.  He said he didn't want some 'fucking kid' on his heels and stormed out.  I never saw him again."

            The flash of rage Zack had felt earlier returned, as well as the wave of protectiveness.  Breaching the boundaries that had held them since the first day, Zack reached out and gripped Cloud's hand.

            "His mistake," Zack murmured fiercely.

            Cloud's wonder-filled blue eyes met Zack's flashing ones, and for the first time, Zack saw true hope in Cloud's eyes.  Neither one spoke again, but for the rest of dinner, Cloud let Zack hold his hand.