Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Alliance ❯ Chapter 9

“Alliance”

Chapter 9

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(Warning: Possible spoilers for all FF7 game/movie titles)

*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can't get enough of this world and the characters.*

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Reno woke up early—under protest of course. As second in command of the Turks, he had more responsibilities than others in his department and he had a lot of things to help organize for the upcoming raid against the Deepground forces Cissnei found in the Ancient Forest. One of the reoccurring errors that kept coming up was location confusion. The paperwork kept coming out as “City of the Ancients” and Reno was about ready to throttle the people in filing department over it.

 

Preparing for another busy day full of headaches, the redhead stopped by Cloud's suite first, needing a bit of cheering up before beginning work. He let himself in with the second key he'd copied and he crept quietly into the suite, passing through the main living/dining area to the bedroom in the back. The door was cracked and he pushed it open cautiously and peeked inside.

 

Zackary Fair was sprawled out in the center of the bed on his back, still fully dressed in loose denim jeans, socks and a black muscle shirt. His wings had sprouted again—whether by his will or on their own during his sleep, Reno couldn't guess. The beautiful, feathery appendages were spread out under his back, spanning the width of the bed and hanging over the sides. Cloud Strife lay on top of the former Soldier, looking delightfully vulnerable in nothing but a pair of boxers as he slept peacefully with his head on Zack's chest. Both young men were snoring softly and one of Zack's arms was loosely embracing the blonde.

 

~Huh. I guess Fair really wasn't kidding about taking it slow. I didn't think those two would be able to fight temptation but it doesn't look like they went all the way to me. Still, that's nice photo material.~

 

Unable to resist, Reno fished out his cellphone and snapped a picture. He was a little surprised that Cloud was still asleep because he usually woke up with the sunrise—a habit that had annoyed Reno to no end when the blonde had been helping him train to get used to his heightened senses. He checked the photo he'd just snapped to make sure it came out right and he grinned.

 

~Cute. Blondie and Wolfy, cuddled up nice and pretty together.~

 

Reno was struck by a sudden sweep of possessiveness that surprised him…not because he felt it for Cloud but because he also felt it for Zack. He frowned and considered the feeling, wondering if it was an instinctive reaction to his acceptance of Zack as a love interest to Cloud. After a moment of examination, the truth settled in and Reno sighed.

 

~It ain't just because of Strife. Zack's freakin' seducing me with that sexy confidence and romantic streak of his. It's a little bit like the way Rufus and I started out. The boss didn't go for it with me right away…he made me wait and that made me so hot for him. There's something about a guy that takes control like that I just can't fucking resist. I doubt Fair's made promises to tie Cloud up and spank him good and proper but still…same principle.~

 

With those thoughts came another realization: If Zack did eventually go for Reno, he'd probably make him wait too. That revelation made the redhead groan. He'd had to wait for everyone he wanted to fuck and he was pretty damned sure he'd be stuck doing it again if he managed to catch Zack's eye.

 

~Ah hell, what am I complaining about? I don't even know if I've got a shot with him and if I do, it ain't like I don't have four other guys I can jump if he gets me too frustrated with the wait.~

 

Reno decided he'd stood there debating for long enough. He didn't want to wake the slumbering hotties up, but he knew Zack needed to get in as much flying and combat practice as he could before the strike. Maybe he could wake the black-haired fighter up without waking up Cloud? Of course, getting the blonde off of Zack without waking him was another matter. The Turk walked softly to the bed and leaned over, prepared to whisper Zack's name and give him a little shake.

 

Cloud mumbled in his sleep and smacked his lips a little and Reno ended up staring at the blonde's tempting mouth. He just looked so damned cute and young and sexy all at once. It drew Reno like a magnet and he pressed his lips against Cloud's gently, unable to resist tasting the soft flesh.

 

“Mmm?” Cloud murmured, stirring in response to the feel of his lover's mouth against his.

 

“Shit,” Reno swore softly. “Sorry baby, I wasn't trying to wake you up. Just couldn't resist.”

 

“Reno?” Cloud yawned, his eyes still shut. He almost seemed to be talking in his sleep. “How'd you get in without a key?”

 

Reno snorted. “Like I was gonna give Fair my only copy. You know me better, Cloud.”

 

Cloud smiled sweetly. “Yeah, I know you better.”

 

He was always so vulnerable and loveable when he was sleepy. Reno had never met anyone that was so laid-back and sweet when they were woken up. He himself was one of the grumpiest fuckers in the world in the mornings but Cloud was ironically tractable. It was like all that angst of his went away, giving a peek at what Strife must have been like before he joined the military and faced so much heartache and trauma.

 

Reno chuckled. “Quit being so damn cute or I'll have to drag you off of Zack for a quickie before I clock in.”

 

“Sorry,” Cloud sighed agreeably.

 

Reno bit back a groan. Blondie wasn't cooperating with his request to stop being cute and it was making his libido rise. He reached out for Zack's shoulder, intending to shake him awake. “Hey Fair, ya need to get up so you can—”

 

He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence. Zack's wings suddenly came to life and wrapped around the Turk, startling him. He grunted as the wings cocooned all three of them and pulled him on top of both Cloud and Zack. Reno ended up staring over Cloud's fluffy golden hair at Zack's face, inches away from his own. His goggles were knocked askew and they hung lopsided over his forehead.

 

“Yo, what's with the ambush?”

 

Blue-violet eyes opened and gazed into his and the Turk found himself marveling at the thickness of the black fringe of lashes surrounding those eyes. Zack blinked, his eyes focusing on him. He glanced around with a puzzled expression and became aware that his wings had sandwiched the three of them together.

 

“Whoops,” Zack murmured bashfully, unfurling the wings to let Reno up. “Looks like these things have a mind of their own. Sorry about that, Reno.”

 

Reno's pulse was racing in reaction to the brief, intimate contact and the startling way Zack had gone from being deeply asleep to wide-awake in two seconds. He struggled out of his sprawled position and got off of the bed, straightening his goggles on his head in what he hoped was a casual gesture.

 

“It's cool,” the Turk said levelly. “I figured Blondie forgot to set the alarm since he usually wakes up on his own before the sun finishes rising, so I came to give you a wakeup call on my way to my office.” He tilted his head and grinned. “You're like a fly trap or something.”

 

“Or a fox trap,” Zack said with a wolfish grin. He looked down at Cloud, who was lifting his disheveled, golden head and looking around with confused, sleepy eyes. “Morning, sleepy head.”

 

“What's going on?” Cloud mumbled as he stretched on top of Zack and yawned.

 

“Nothing much,” answered the former Soldier. “My wings just decided to add a little cinnamon to the mix.”

 

Reno chuckled at the metaphor and Cloud scratched his head.

 

“Huh?” the blonde queried. “What are you talking about?”

 

“I went to wake up your boy and his wings nabbed me,” Reno translated.

 

“Why'd they do that?” Cloud asked as he rolled off of Zack and sat up, peering at the digital clock on the right nightstand.

 

“Beats me,” Zack said with a yawn. He sat up as well and stretched his arms. He inadvertently struck Cloud in the back with his right wing as he stretched those, too. “Oops, sorry about that. Here, lemme put the stubborn things away.” He concentrated and rolled his shoulders and both Cloud and Reno watched with fascination as the wings retreated into his back.

 

“Maybe it was defensive instinct,” Reno theorized.

 

Zack raised an eyebrow at him and grinned. “To do what…hug my enemies to death? Wouldn't it have made more sense for them to slap you across the room or something?”

 

Reno shrugged. “Depends, man. If I was trying to steal from ya it'd be hard to get away with those things wrapped around me and if you had a weapon on you, I'd be screwed.”

 

“Hmm, good point,” agreed Zack. His first conscious tactic would have been to put enough distance between himself and an aggressor to get a weapon ready and gain some advantage, but Reno's logic also made sense. He didn't say it out loud but he thought the instinctive reaction was motivated by something far different than self-defense, though.

 

“Well, I've got to get going,” Reno said as he glanced at his watch. “Too much shit to do and not enough time to do it.” He remembered his other reason for stopping by and he reached into an inner blazer pocket. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Here ya go, Blondie. It's only fair, right?” He pulled out a keyring and tossed it Cloud's way.

 

Even half-awake as he was, Cloud caught it and he looked at the two keys attached to it. “What's this?”

 

“Keys to my place,” Reno said with a wink. “Since I filched a copy to your suite, I figured I might as well make copies of the ones to my apartment for ya. You can come over and make yourself at home anytime ya like, baby. Doesn't matter if I'm there or not.”

 

Cloud was touched and surprised by the trusting gesture. After all, of the two of them Reno had more to hide than he did. The fact that he was giving him permission to use his place whenever he felt like it spoke volumes about the level of trust he had for him now.

 

“Go kiss him,” Zack suggested softly out the corner of his mouth as Reno started walking out of the bedroom. The black-haired fighter nudged Cloud firmly for emphasis.

 

Cloud flushed. He'd wanted to but he wasn't sure how secure things were between the three of them yet and he thought it would have been rude to do it in front of Zack. He hurried after Reno, shooting a thankful look over his shoulder at his fellow swordsman. Zack smiled crookedly at him and started making the bed.

 

“Hey,” Cloud said as he followed Reno into the main part of the suite. The redhead turned around and Cloud put his arms around him and kissed him softly on the mouth.

 

“Ya didn't have to do that but I'm not complaining,” Reno murmured in a teasing voice as he returned the embrace.

 

“I appreciate the gesture,” Cloud murmured awkwardly, stumbling over the task of verbal expression. “I feel a little bad that I don't have a copy of my house keys in Edge to give you.”

 

“Well, ya don't live alone there,” reasoned the Turk. “Tifa probably wouldn't go for it so I'm not upset about it.”

 

Cloud sighed. Part of him thought it was time for him to have his own place but the whole point to he and Tifa living together was to give Denzel some semblance of a stable family unit. Marlene stayed with them a lot when Barret was on the job but they weren't actually her parent figures, so whether Cloud and Tifa lived together didn't affect her much.

 

“Maybe someday when Denzel's older I'll have a place of my own there,” Cloud said.

 

Reno shrugged. “We get enough privacy when I come to visit you there. It's not a big deal, Blondie.”

 

“You're getting pretty mellow on me,” Cloud said with a little smirk.

 

“Yo, take that back,” Reno chuckled. He gave the blonde one last, deep kiss before releasing him and heading out the door.

 

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Zack went to his own suite to shower and change his clothes, which left Cloud stuck with settling for fantasies about the water cascading over the other fighter's naked, tight-muscled body. He had enough humility to feel a little ashamed by how frustrated he was getting already and he doubted that he'd have had this problem if Zack had acted years ago, before Cloud discovered the bliss of having sex so many different ways.

 

There was no help for it, though. As the blonde stepped into the shower and turned on the water, his mind stayed on the black-haired man who was doing the same thing three doors down across the hall. He pictured how Zack had looked in those swimming trunks, the day they'd dueled with the umbrellas and his wings made their first appearance. The former Soldier had a magnificent physique and though it didn't have the scars he remembered from years ago, it was the same tightly muscled frame that he'd tried so hard not to fantasize about when he was a cadet.

 

Now he was free to let his imagination run wild and Cloud closed his eyes and thought of how Zack would look without a stitch of clothing, with the spraying water sparkling on his skin. Without even consciously thinking about it, the blonde dropped a hand down between his thighs and curled his fingers around his erection. He parted his lips and sighed as he began to stroke the length of his cock. It wasn't enough. The friction was a bit too harsh and Cloud opened his eyes again and sought out the bar of soap sitting on the perch in the shower stall. He grabbed it and soaped his hands up before replacing it and he resumed his fantasy, moaning softly as he sought out his stiffened flesh again with his lathered hand.

 

He kept going even as his face turned red with humiliation. He never would have dared to let himself go like this back in the days he was in training. He'd never been the sort to obsess over a hopeless cause, so when he saw how much attention Zack gave to the fairer sex he gave up on him. Now he was free to obsess but embarrassed at the same time because he couldn't be patient enough to wait for the reality to happen.

 

The sensations and mental images slowly did away with his embarrassment and he took the fantasy further, imagining what Zack's cock would look like sliding into his mouth. He wondered if the black-haired man would moan as loudly as Reno had when he did it to him and a groan of need burst from his lips.

 

The fantasy changed from Cloud sucking Zack off to Zack doing the same to him…then it became so vivid it was more like a memory, and instead of Cloud, some other man was being treated to Zack's skills. Cloud couldn't see his face but he saw the tensed thigh muscles and tight abdomen. The mystery man was sitting in a chair of some sort and Zack was kneeling between his legs, squeezing the base of his cock while pleasuring the length with his mouth. The throaty moans and grunts coming from the man indicated that Zack was doing a very good job, indeed.

 

The room was dim but it looked like an office, with modern style furnishings. Cloud was finally able to see the man's face as Zack paused and looked up at him.

 

“How's that, Director?” Zack's sexy, wolfish grin was confident and teasing and the recipient of his attention gazed down at him and panted softly. He had wavy blond, collar-length hair and handsome, noble features.

 

Cloud came out of the fantasy with a start, his eyes flying open. The blonde guy looked strikingly similar to Rufus Shinra, though his eyes had more blue in them and he wore almond-shaped eyeglasses. He knew that man and he was as surprised that he'd never stopped to compare his looks with Rufus's before as he was to realize that what he'd just seen in his head wasn't a fantasy, but a snatch of memory from Zack that had never surfaced before.

 

“Zack and…Director Lazard?” Cloud's lust was forgotten in the face of his confusion and dawning revelations. When Zack died, he'd unwittingly bequeathed some of his memories to Cloud, telling him to live for both of them. Cloud very much doubted he'd intended to give him THAT particular memory but now the question of how and where he'd learned to give head like that was answered.

 

“Well, that's one mystery solved,” Cloud mumbled, still reeling from the knowledge. He wasn't surprised that Zack would have that kind of skill, given the man's self-assured sex appeal. Zackary Fair wasn't arrogant by any means but he was a determined person and he never did anything half-assed.

 

Cloud started to absently soap his body down, his eyes blank and distracted as he worked his thoughts through his head. He'd never known Lazard very well; he'd been in charge of SOLDIER so Cloud never entertained thoughts of doing more than following his orders. Evidently, Zack didn't let the man's status as his superior stop him…but then, Zack wouldn't have, would he?

 

~I'm sure as hell not going to tell Zack I inherited his blowjob skills. I wouldn't even know how to say it out loud!~

 

It bothered him though…the resemblance between the former SOLDIER director and the current president of ShinRa. He supposed he'd never paid attention to it before because he'd never dared to look Lazard in the eye while he was under his command and therefore, he'd never gotten a very good look at him up close.

 

Deciding to just let it go for now, Cloud finished getting cleaned up and changed into his usual combat ensemble of cargo pants and a sleeveless shirt. His phone rang while he was finishing up with towel-drying his hair and he blinked when he saw that it was Rufus calling him.

 

~Huh. Funny coincidence.~

 

Feeling uncommonly mischievous thanks to the little treasure of memory he'd accidentally dug up, Cloud answered the phone.

 

“Bless you.”

 

For a moment, there was no response. “I beg your pardon, Cloud?”

 

Cloud smirked. “Did you sneeze a minute ago?”

 

“Er…no. I'm afraid I've got no idea what you're talking about but then, you have a talent for the random,” Rufus answered dryly.

 

Cloud resisted a chuckle. Apparently Rufus wasn't familiar with the myth about a sneeze meaning someone was thinking of you. “Never mind, it's not important. What do you need, Rufus?”

 

“I was hoping that you and Fair could stop by my office for a few moments before you start the day. I have something I'd like to speak with you both about.”

 

Cloud's mouth twisted and like the night with the dog collar, he wondered if Rufus had some sort of ESP and had read his fantasy/flashback. “Can you tell me what this is about?”

 

“It's nothing terrible, if that's your concern,” Rufus assured him. “It concerns Zackary's flight training.”

 

Cloud sighed with relief and rolled his eyes. One of these days he was going to have to stop being so paranoid when it came to Rufus. The man was clever and a brilliant tactician, but he wasn't a psychic. “That's fine. We'll come up after we're finished getting ready.”

 

“Excellent. I'll see you then.”

 

Rufus ended the call and Cloud tucked his cell into one of his pant pockets. He finished towel drying his hair and he went back into the bathroom to blow-dry it the rest of the way and run a brush through it. He brushed his teeth next and then he headed out the door, locking it behind him.

 

“Took you long enough.”

 

Cloud jumped and turned to find Zack lounging against the wall by his door. The former Soldier grinned at him and Cloud couldn't help but think of the vision he'd had in the shower, where Zack had given Lazard that same grin while he was in the middle of sucking him off.

 

“Uh, hi,” Cloud squeaked.

 

“You hitting puberty again, feather-head? Or are you coming down with a cold?” Zack's eyes twinkled with amusement but he also looked a little concerned.

 

Cloud cleared his throat and shook his head. “No, I just had a frog in my throat. President Shinra wants us to go by his office before we start training. He wants to talk to us about your flying lessons.”

 

“Hmm, think he knows someone else with wings to help teach me?” Zack pondered.

 

“I kind of get the feeling it's more about the scene you and Reno made yesterday, but I could be wrong.”

 

Zack winced. “Ouch. I haven't even been here a whole week yet and I'm already pissing off the big man. Well, let's face the music, buddy.”

 

As they walked to the elevators together, Cloud began to wonder if it really had been his imagination painting that “memory” in his head after all. Zack had seen Rufus before at a distance, though he hadn't spoken to him yet. If he really had been with Lazard sexually before, wouldn't he have noticed the similarities in looks too? The blonde glanced at his friend as they stepped into the elevator and he began to doubt himself.

 

~***********************************~

 

“Please, have a seat,” Rufus offered when the two of them arrived in his office. “Would either of you care for a drink? I have juice, bottled water and cola…unless you'd prefer something stronger.”

 

His manner was polite and even a little friendly, so Cloud began to relax, thinking he and Zack might get through this without a lecture after all.

 

“That's mighty nice of you, President,” Zack drawled, “I'll take some juice, thanks.”

 

Cloud stared at his friend, wondering why in blazes Zack had reverted to the country accent. He noticed that his left knee was bouncing and he realized that for some reason, Zack was nervous.

 

“And you Cloud?” Rufus regarded him with quiet, gray eyes. “Can I get you something?”

 

“Uh…water?” Cloud answered stupidly.

 

Rufus gave them both a brief look before his manners overpowered whatever question he was tempted to ask. He probably wondered if they were both stoned and Cloud couldn't blame him.

 

~We're a real pair of winners today; the Hick and the Dummy.~

 

When Rufus got up and walked across the room to get their drinks out of the mini fridge, Cloud turned to Zack and hissed, “What's with the accent? You sound like a hillbilly!”

 

“I know,” Zack whispered back with a cringe. “I can't help it…it happens sometimes when I'm on edge, man. What about you, though?” Zack crossed his eyes and stuck his upper lip out. “'Duh…waater?'”

 

Cloud covered his mouth as a giggle threatened. “I didn't sound or look like that when I said it and I was distracted by the dirt-digger sitting next to me!”

 

Rufus had sharper ears than either of them realized and he paused in what he was doing as he overheard their conversation. His mouth twitched and he cleared his throat as he grabbed a bottle of juice and a bottle of water out of the fridge.

 

“Hey, you're just as much a dirt-digger as I am, sweet cheeks. Half of Nibelheim is inbred, so I've heard.”

 

Cloud's mouth dropped open at the insult, even as the laughter kept trying to bubble to the surface. “Why don't you go swing on a vine or something, jungle boy?”

 

They both fell into silent laughter, trying hard to control themselves. It was like old times again and the familiar trade of playful insults had started without either of them meaning for it to.

 

“Shhh, he probably already thinks we're on drugs or something,” Cloud whispered as he struggled to clamp down on his mirth. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask Zack why he was nervous in the first place, but Rufus was coming back so he had no time.

 

“Are we going to start shooting spitballs next?” the president inquired mildly as he handed their drinks to them.

 

Cloud and Zack looked at each other, wide-eyed.

 

“Guess you overheard us, then,” Zack said sheepishly.

 

Rufus nodded and tapped his right ear with a smirk. “Excellent hearing does run in my family. Now, if the two of you are finished horsing around, I'd like to discuss the scene that you and Reno made yesterday, Zackary.”

 

Zack winced. He hated it when authoritative figures used the long version of his name. It made him feel like a naughty kid. “Yeah…well that wasn't what I had in mind,” he started to explain.

 

Rufus held up a hand. “I'm not interested in what you `had in mind'. It was a foolish idea to try your wings in the middle of a populated city. For one, there are power lines to consider. Do you know how many dead birds the city has to clean off of them at the end of each day? Imagine the difficulty they would have scraping you off. For another, we have traffic…both on the roads and in the air. Given your current status as a `fledgling' of sorts, I doubt you would have been able to steer away from a passing helicopter.”

 

Rufus paused for a moment to let it sink in and Zack shrank in his chair like a scolded puppy. The president concealed a smile and went on.

 

“Finally, let's consider the public display, shall we? There are videos springing up all over the internet and questions as to why a winged man is living in the ShinRa, WRO Headquarters…let alone why a Turk decided to leap off the top of the building. There are yet more questions about why after a known Turk operative tried to kill himself and a winged man rescued him, the two of them walked back to headquarters chatting casually and a wild-eyed blonde ran out and got a piggy-back ride from the winged man. I understand that you're readjusting right now Fair, but this organization doesn't need questions like that directed at us…especially not at such a crucial time.”

 

Cloud also cringed, not realizing that he'd be a subject of the questions as well. He wondered what kind of lecture Reno had gotten (and he was sure he'd gotten one as soon as he clocked in). He imagined the redhead's scolding had come with a paddle. He thought about telling Rufus that he'd tried to talk Zack out of the roof dive but he knew that would just sound like a boyish excuse to the president's strict ears.

 

“I guess I wasn't thinking about all that,” Zack said, stuffing his embarrassment down so that he could show a little dignity. “But I've got to learn how to use my wings. What do you suggest, Sir?” He looked the president up and down and he felt his cheeks cool down. He crossed his arms over his chest and took in the fine bone structure of Rufus's face, the sandy color of his hair and the shape and pigment of his eyes.

 

~Another guy a lot like you used to make me feel jittery, pal. I overcame it with him and I can do the same with you. Well, maybe not the SAME, but I can pull myself together and act like a man instead of a nervous teenager.~

 

Cloud noticed the way Zack had begun to study Rufus and he opened his drink and started sipping at it, keeping an eye on his friend and paying attention to his body language.

 

~Okay, maybe I wasn't wrong after all. Maybe I didn't just make that scene up in my head. He almost looks like he's undressing Rufus with his eyes. Shit, I hope Rufus doesn't notice…we've already made a bad impression today and Zack leering at him after he just chewed our asses isn't going to help. He may not be my boss but he's running the show here and I know Zack wants to be part of this strike force.~

 

“I suggest you go outside of town to practice your flying,” Rufus suggested. “Not too far since we don't know how far Deepground is scattered, but far enough away from populated areas to avoid the public eye. Now, I checked on this myself and I think I've found a good location for you. Cloud, I assume you're familiar with route 28?”

 

Cloud thought for a moment and nodded.

 

“There's an old farm a few miles out that way. It's abandoned and there's a barn you could use for elevation and a lake to provide a watery landing if you lose control. There's a rest stop not too far from there in case you need refreshments and the roads that way have been almost fully repaired.”

 

Rufus paused and smirked. “A pair of dirt-diggers should feel right at home there, I imagine.”

 

Zack returned the smirk. “Well, you know us country boys. Give us a pair of suspenders and a rope to swing from and we'll have a ball in that lake, leeches or not.”

 

Rufus grimaced a little at the mention of leeches and Cloud pressed down on Zack's shoe warningly with his own. The more Fair goofed off the more likely it was going to be that Rufus might decide not to include him in the raid.

 

“Yes well, that's…fabulous,” Rufus murmured. “I want you both to know that I do appreciate your working with us to end this threat. It's just important that we maintain a professional image and avoid alarming the public. Is that understood?”

 

Cloud nodded and so did Zack.

 

“I'll be more careful, President Shinra,” Zack promised.

 

Cloud took another sip of his drink just as Zack tilted his head and made an observation out loud.

 

“You know Sir, you look a lot like Director Lazard.”

 

Cloud's eyes bugged out and he spit water all over the place, making both men stare at him with surprise. What the blonde hadn't spit, he'd inhaled and now he was coughing raggedly.

 

“You okay there, Cloud?” Zack asked as he patted his companion's back.

 

Cloud pounded his chest with one hand and covered his mouth with the other, nodding mutely.

 

“Do you need to use my restroom, Strife?” offered the president.

 

Cloud nodded and tried to thank him but his voice came out as a coughing rasp. He excused himself and hurried through the door leading into Rufus's private suite. When he was gone, Rufus and Zack eyed each other.

 

“Director who?” the president inquired with polite detachment.

 

“Lazard,” repeated Zack with a sharp look. “He was head of the SOLDIER department, back around when you first became the VP.”

 

“I'm afraid I never knew him,” Rufus said coolly.

 

In the bathroom, Cloud's coughing fit eased and he rinsed his face in the sink and began to snicker uncontrollably. He didn't know why it was funny to him. Maybe his laughing fit was a hysterical reaction to the relief he felt in the confirmation that he'd inherited his oral techniques from Zack, rather than something darker and seedier. He'd assured Reno that he'd never been violated but a part of him had always worried that maybe he really had and the memory might come crashing down on him one day to crush him, like poor Cissnei.

 

When he composed himself and came back out, Zack and Rufus were eying one another with mutual suspicion. Cloud's good humor dropped a couple of degrees and he wondered if there was something more to Rufus's resemblance to Lazard than mere coincidence.

 

~*****************************~

 

-To be continued