Never Tear Us Apart

by tir-synni

 

Chapter IV: On to Midgar

 

            Zack woke to loud cursing.  Tense and ready, he immediately checked on Cloud.  The young man slept peacefully beside him in the sand.  The nightmares that had disturbed him in the middle of the night last night had eased, and Cloud's beautiful face was soft and sweet in the early light.  Comforted that his lover was all right, Zack looked around for the source of the shouting.

            Highlighted by the glow of nearby Costa del Sol, a boat was apparently stuck on the beach.  Its pilot was hopping up and down beside it, snapping viciously at the beached vessel.  As Zack watched the scene with growing amusement, an idea began to bloom.  He grinned at Cloud.

            "Don't worry, love," Zack whispered.  "I think I have a way to get us over the water.  I'll be right back."

            Brushing his lips against Cloud's pale cheek, Zack hopped up and jogged over to the boat.

            "Hey!" the dark-haired warrior called.  "It looks like you need some help there."

            The pilot stopped yelling for a moment and turned to Zack in surprise.  "Who are you?  What do you want?"

            Zack gave the man his most charming smile.  "Just someone hoping for a ride.  If I help you get your boat back in water, can you help me and my buddy get to Midgar?"

            The pilot blinked at him.  "Well, I'm heading by Midgar anyway, and I do need help...Where is your buddy?  Is he here with you now?  I have to go soon, you know."

            Zack strengthened his smile.  "He's sleeping behind me.  I'll help you push the boat out, and then I'll get him.  Sound good?"

            The pilot nodded, and together, they began pushing the small sailboat.  Zack knew he could have done it by himself, but he didn't want to hurt the old man's feelings.  With Zack's help, it didn't take long.

            "I'll be right back," Zack called, sprinting back to Cloud.  The youth was laying in the sand just like Zack had left him.  Cloud moaned weakly, then quieted when Zack picked him up.  The ex-SOLDIER snuck a kiss before carrying Cloud back to the boat.

            "Here he is," Zack announced, hopping on the boat.  "You'll have to excuse him.  He's been sick, and I want to get him to a doctor in Midgar."

            The old man's eyes softened.  "Your lover?"  At Zack's nod, the pilot continued, "Just lay him at the bottom of the boat.  He should be fine."

            Zack smiled brilliantly at him.  "Thank you."

 

            "Hey, what's the matter with him?"  The pilot's question awoke Zack from his light doze, and he blinked in confusion at the inquiry.  Then he heard Cloud's soft moans.

            "Shit!" Zack cursed, twisting around.  The captain had paused at the helm, staring at Cloud with wide eyes.  Beside him, residing on Zack's shoulder, Cloud was writhing as if burning from a fever.  His chapped lips were parted, emitting pained gasps.  Without hesitation, Zack pulled Cloud into his arms.  The tossing and turning stopped.

            "What I told you," Zack replied simply, cradling Cloud's slighter form, "he's been sick.  In Midgar I'll find him a doctor.  He'll be fine then."

            The pilot frowned, but his black eyes softened again.  Softy, Zack thought affectionately.

            "Well, he calmed down again," the man allowed.  "I guess it's all right.  Just keep an eye on him, all right?"

            Zack nodded reassuringly, even as he stroked Cloud's lightly bobbing head.  He turned to his unconscious lover and began whispering tenderly in his ear.  Cloud moaned quietly and moved closer.

            "Midgar, Cloud," Zack breathed.  "Our Promised Land.  A doctor will fix you up, and we'll begin again there.  We're on our way."

 

            "Oh, here!  Put on this."

            Zack struggled to slip one of Cloud's old uniform on his lover's unconscious body.  After a moment's realization that Cloud had inevitably grown over the last five years, Zack reached for one of his own.

            "It smells a little, though don't complain," Zack teased, putting the last of the uniform on Cloud's limp form.  Zack patted Cloud's shoulder and inspected him.  "You look pretty good with that.   Well..."  Except you're too small for it.

            Zack settled Cloud comfortably against the side of the truck and look at the pilot-turned-driver.  After sailing to shore, the man had allowed Zack and Cloud to ride in the back of his truck.  Zack was ecstatic.  This was much faster than walking.

            Zack practically bounced to the front of the truck.  "Old guy!  We at Midgar yet?"

            Zack wondered absently when the man would just turn around and shoot his ass.  That had to be at least the fifth time he had asked that.

            The old man snorted.  So far he seemed to be taking the nagging rather well.  "Shaddup!  You're lucky I even gave you a ride!"

            Zack grinned mischievously.  Lucky, nothing!  The driver had seen Zack picking Cloud up from the boat and looking desolately down the road, and he had caved in without Zack having to ask.  The old guy was a softy, that was all.

            Zack affectionately viewed the passing scenery, a thrill going up his spine, before plopping down beside Cloud.  "What're you gonna do when we get to Midgar?" he asked.

            Only the listless bobbing of Cloud's head answered him.  Zack swallowed thickly and fought to ignore the pain that spiked in him.  Taking a deep breath, Zack squeezed Cloud's shoulder and stood back up.

            "I know what I'm going to do," Zack pronounced, crossing his arms.  "I got a place I can crash a while..." He turned to Cloud, taking in his lover's flushed face.  Another spike of pain, and Zack continued on, almost desperately, "No, wait, the mother lives there, too..."

            Zack scratched his head, thinking of the lovely Aeris.  Sweet and compassionate, he had known her before he had met Cloud.  He had always meant to introduce Cloud to her.  Aeris excelled in drawing people out, and Zack knew his sweet, sensitive lover would get along great with her.  This wasn't how he had wanted them to meet.

            "Guess that's out," Zack said aloud, while actually that was high on his list of options.  Aeris was a healer, after all...But still...

            "Yep, gotta change my plans!" Zack said, beginning to pace.  "Hmm...No matter what I do, I need some money first..."

            This was actually the first time Zack had considered money, or a job.  How many jobs could an ex-SOLDIER consider?  He turned to his lover with a bright smile.  As with every other smile, Cloud didn't see it.

            "Hey, wanna start a business?" Zack asked hopefully.  No answer.  Zack stifled a sigh.  He was getting used to it.  "But what could we do?"

            Zack paused to think for a moment.  What could we do? he thought.  What can I do?  "Hey, Cloud, think there's anything I'd be good at?"

            Nothing.  Just...Cloud bobbing his head.  Zack clenched his fists convulsively and turned to the driver.  "Hey, old guy!  What do you think I'd be good at?"

            The driver never turned from the road.  "What're you yappin' about?  You're still young ain't ya?  Young folks should try everything!  You gotta pay your debts while you're young.  Go out and look for what you really want!"

            With a scowl, Zack turned back to Cloud.  "Try everything," the dark-haired youth grumbled.  "That's easy for him to say..."

            Zack walked around the back of the truck, doing squat-thrusts.  He couldn't allow himself to stiffen.  After the old man dropped them off at Kalm, Zack would have to carry Cloud the rest of the way to Midgar.  He needed to be able to carry him the distance.  But what could two ex-SOLDIERS do when they got there?

            "HEY!" Zack whooped, whirling on Cloud.  "Of course!  I got a lot of brains and skills that other guys don't!  That settles it!  I'm gonna be a mercenary!"  Beaming, he turned to the driver.  "Yeah!  Thanks, pops!"

            "Hey, didn't you even hear a word I said!" the old man yelped, but Zack ignored him.  Of course!  Why hadn't he thought of that earlier?  A mercenary would be perfect!  Zack turned to Cloud.

            "Listen, I'm gonna become a mercenary, and that's that!" Zack declared.  "Boring stuff, dangerous stuff, anything for money.  I'm gonna be rich!"

            The diver was shaking his head and saying something, but Zack didn't care.  He smiled at Cloud, one dark eyebrow teasingly raised.  "So, Cloud?  What are YOU gonna do?"

            "...uhh!..."  Zack watched, surprised, as Cloud reacted to his words.  His fevered, yet still beautiful face twisted with anguish, and he began to moan desperately.

            He heard me, Zack thought with a mixture of wonder and remorse.  He can hear me.  He heard me...when I said that!

            "Just kidding," Zack reassured Cloud quickly, sitting beside him.  "I won't leave you hanging like that."  Zack threw an arm around Cloud's shoulders and pulled him close.  "We're friends, right?"  Cloud stilled in Zack's grip, and Zack brushed his lips against Cloud's ear.  "Mercenaries, Cloud.  That's what you an' me are gonna be.  Understand, Cloud?"  Zack pulled Cloud deeper into his arms and kissed his lips tenderly.  "Mercenaries, partners, lovers.  That's us, Cloud."  Zack kissed his lips again.  "Together, forever.  I'll never leave you, baby."

            Cloud sighed against his lips, and Zack smiled.  "You can hear me, understand me, can't you, baby," Zack breathed.  "You're getting better  I know you are!  See!  Everything's going to work out just fine."

            Zack cradled the young man against him and stared at the passing scenery.