Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Alliance ❯ Chapter 17

“Alliance”

Chapter 17

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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.*

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

 

 

The next morning, Tseng began his interrogation of the prisoners. Of the thirteen of them, four were women and Tseng started on them first—not because he enjoyed hurting women but because he knew that the males might feel instinctively protective of them and it might give them incentive to talk if it meant sparing the females from harm.

 

Zack, of course, was against it when he discovered his plan.

 

“You're kidding, right? You're really planning on torturing women?” An expression of protest was stamped on his honest, noble face as he delayed Tseng from going into the holding cell. Fortunately, Cloud was at the gym working out so Tseng didn't have his arguments to overcome as well.

 

“They are the enemy,” Tseng reminded the fighter with a cold look. “Regardless of what reproductive organs they were born with, they are ruthless killers that would see all of humanity warped or killed. This is a tactical move, Zackary…not a vindictive one.”

 

“Yeah, but still…” the former Soldier looked into the holding cells at the captives, his face troubled and indecisive. One of the women Tseng would be torturing was the one he'd brought down himself. Even with the vile thing she'd said about Cissnei, he would have given her a quick, clean death if it had come to it.

 

Tseng understood. Zackary Fair's honor and chivalry had always been a source of admiration to him and it was part of what convinced him to try and save him years ago. The Wutaian laid a hand on the fighter's shoulder and softened his expression. “You shouldn't be here. Why don't you join Cloud and try not to think of it? I'll let you know as soon as I've gotten some information.”

 

Zack struggled inwardly, his eyes going from the prisoners to Tseng and back again. “Just…don't do it for too long, okay? I know this is a dumb thing to ask but take it easy on `em if you can, will you?”

 

The Turk sighed. “Very well,” he fibbed. “I'll go easier on the females, if it will ease your conscience. Now go and spend some time with Cloud. Leave the unpleasant matters to me.”

 

Zack studied him with wary suspicion. “You're not planning on doing to those girls what their men did to Cissnei, are you?”

 

Tseng blinked, honestly surprised by the question. “What makes you believe I would lower myself to such a thing, Fair? While it would certainly cause pain and humiliation, the act of rape is abhorrent!”

 

Zack winced. “Sorry. I should have known better. See you later, Tseng.” He retreated quickly.

 

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

 

By noon, Tseng still hadn't managed to persuade any of the prisoners to speak and Zack stopped by the holding cells with Elena to check on the progress.

 

“These people are so accustomed to pain that I'm not so sure common torture methods will loosen their tongues,” the Wutaian explained.

 

Zack stroked his chin and regarded the prisoners thoughtfully. “So pain's a no-go, eh? Looks like we'll have to get inventive.” He looked at Elena and a slow smile spread over his lips. “Hey Elena, you've got a couple of cats, right?”

 

“Yeah,” she answered with a puzzled look at him, “but unless some of these guys are allergic, I don't see how my cats can help.”

 

“I don't want your cats,” Zack alluded with a sly look, “Just something they use.” He bent his head to whisper in her ear while Tseng watched with interest.

 

Elena looked up at the tall, black-haired fighter and frowned. “Why do you want me to bring that?”

 

“You'll see,” Zack favored her with a wink. “Trust me. If pain isn't working, maybe we can hit their pride.”

 

She honestly couldn't see how his request would do that, but she nodded and fished her car keys out of her blazer. “Okay, I'll go get it now.”

 

Tseng watched her go and he looked at Zack with a frown once she was out of earshot. “What are you planning to do, Zackary?”

 

“I'm going to be creative,” Zack answered with a mischievous smile. “Just wait. It's a surprise.”

 

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

 

A little more than a half hour later, Elena returned to headquarters with what Zack had requested. She met him in the holding cell area and gingerly handed him a knotted trashbag while Tseng watched with frowning bemusement.

 

“Here you go. I still don't know why you wanted this but it's all yours,” the blonde Turk said.

 

“Thanks, sweet stuff. Hey Tseng, can I get one of those surgical face masks, a pair of latex gloves and a spoon?”

 

The Turk leader was too curious to see what Zack intended to do to argue with him. He went to retrieve the items, passing Reeve in the hall on the way. The engineer asked him how things were going and Tseng briefly explained before raiding a medical supply cabinet and asking one of the nurses for a spoon. Reeve was now interested to see what Fair was up to and he went with Tseng back to the holding area to watch. Vincent saw him going and he went along as well.

 

“Thanks, man,” Zack said as he took the items from the Wutaian. He secured the mask over his mouth and nose, put the gloves on and held the spoon with one hand while picking up Elena's trash bag with the other. As the others watched, he walked to the holding cells and the guard unlocked it for him and let him in.

 

“Hey guys,” Zack said cheerfully to the assembled prisoners. His wings manifested, his adrenaline spike triggering them. They pushed through the openings in the back of the custom-tailored shirt he wore and the Deepground prisoners stared at him.

 

“You're the delivered one,” gasped one of the males.

 

Zack cocked a brow. “Okay. If you say so, pal.” The guy was looking at him in an almost worshiping way and so were his fellow prisoners…except the woman that Zack had personally captured. She looked like she wanted to pluck his feathers out and roast him for dinner.

 

“The perfected specimen,” another woman said in an awed tone. “You're awake!”

 

Zack started to get what they were talking about and he shrugged. “Yeah, I'm that guy. So since you're all looking at me like some kind of messiah, maybe you can just tell me now what Deepground's got cooking. It's okay. I'm the…uh…'perfected one', so you can tell me.”

 

“You've sided with our enemies,” said the man who had first identified Zack. “We'll tell you nothing.”

 

Zack heaved a sigh and began to un-knot the trash bag. “Kinda figured that would be your answer. Oh well, I gave you the chance to do this nice and peaceful-like. I guess there's nothing left to do now but feed you the special lunch I had delivered for you.” He scooped some of the contents out of the bag with the spoon and approached the first prisoner. “Hold still, now. I'm not going to like this any more than you will.”

 

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

 

Cloud and Tifa came down looking for Zack when he didn't return to the gym. “Have you seen Zack?” the blonde asked Tseng and Elena, who were staring through the window into the holding cell area with stunned expressions.

 

“What's going on, here?”

 

Reeve and Vincent were there too and so were Doctor Green and one of the nurses. All of them were staring with rapt attention through the window.

 

“Zack's a bit busy at the moment,” Tseng replied in a distracted voice, pointing at the window.

 

Tifa looked through and saw what the former Soldier was doing. “Is…is that…cat litter?”

 

“Yup,” Elena answered. “He asked me to bring it to him. I didn't understand why at first but now I kind of wish I was still ignorant.”

 

“I have to hand it to him,” Reeve murmured, “He's inventive.”

 

“I certainly wouldn't have thought of something like this,” Vincent agreed softly.

 

Cloud looked and his stomach twisted in protest. “You've gotta be kidding me!”

 

Oh, but it was no joke. Like the others, the blonde couldn't look away no matter how much he wanted to. He found his eyes glued to the spectacle and he swallowed nausea.

 

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

 

A couple of hours later, Tseng went to Rufus's office to give his report. Reno was already in there with the president and by the way his features were flushed, Tseng guessed that he'd interrupted something racy.

 

“My apologies,” the Wutaian said as he approached the president's desk and took a seat next to Reno. “I thought you might like to know that we've made some progress with the Deepground prisoners.”

 

Rufus relaxed in his chair, not quite smiling but looking pleased. “Wonderful. What information have you divulged?”

 

“Actually, I'm not responsible for breaking them,” Tseng admitted ruefully.

 

“Seriously?” asked Reno. “Usually guys crack under your `attentions' faster than a walnut in a vice, man.”

 

“Zack broke one of them,” Tseng replied.

 

Rufus frowned. “How? I can't imagine Zackary Fair being more skilled at torture methods than you, Tseng.”

 

“Pain alone wasn't enough to motivate them,” explained the Turk leader impassively. “I used all of my skills but some of them even seemed to enjoy the sensation of pain. Zack came up with the idea that perhaps we were striking at the wrong area. He suggested that their pride might be more vulnerable than their pain threshold.”

 

“And?” Rufus looked intrigued and Reno was staring at Tseng with curiosity.

 

“He force-fed them cat litter,” Tseng finished succulently. “Used cat litter.”

 

Reno's mouth twisted. “Ew, NASTY!”

 

Rufus's gray eyes remained fixed on Tseng and his expression froze. “Cat litter.” He repeated.

 

Tseng nodded.

 

“Did he also force them to wear bras on their heads whilst feeding them this gourmet lunch?” Rufus's lips were twitching and he was clearly putting forth great effort to contain his amusement.

 

“No Sir, but I imagine the thought occurred to him at some point,” Tseng replied with a faint smirk of his own. “Eventually one of them couldn't bear the humiliation and vomiting and he offered some information.”

 

“Which was?” prompted the president. He cleared his throat and pressed his lips together to control them.

 

“He said that his people were using the research they had conducted to create biological weapons,” Tseng answered. He frowned thoughtfully. “Just as Cloud hypothesized, as I recall.”

 

“Yup, Blondie thought it was something like that from the start,” Reno confirmed with a proud grin. “My baby might act like an airhead but he's pretty sharp.”

 

“I see,” Rufus pondered. “Was there anything else?”

 

“Our fears that we have a leak were confirmed,” answered Tseng. “The prisoner suggested that the `answer is amongst us'. Rather cryptic, but not difficult to translate. He also said that the major convergence of the Deepground forces are on the northern continent, close to Icicle.”

 

Rufus sighed. “We can't very well make plans to move in on them until we know who our mole is. I'm certain I don't have to tell you that I want this investigated, at top priority.”

 

“Of course, Koibito,” Tseng murmured. “We're going to try to get the prisoners to reveal the identity of the informant.”

 

“When we do find our mole, we'll organize a strike against the Deepground forces on the northern continent,” Rufus continued, “and I'm going to be part of it.”

 

“Sir,” Tseng began to protest, but Rufus held up his hand and gave him a level stare.

 

“I won't hide in this office while my people are out fighting to end this threat,” Rufus said in a level, firm voice. “I understand how you feel Tseng, but I'm not incompetent. I will play an active role in this fight.”

 

Tseng sighed and exchanged a look with Reno. “Whatever you think is best, Sir.”

 

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

 

“That was nasty,” Cloud informed Zack as Doctor Green finished getting the blood sample from him and puttered away to analyze it. “I mean really, really gross.” Beside him Tifa nodded with agreement, her lips twisted with disgust.

 

“Had to get `em talking somehow, Chocobo-head,” Zack replied with a shrug. “No matter how much Tseng made them scream, those guys weren't giving us diddly or squat. All I could think of was humiliating them.”

 

“Well, it did work,” Tifa agreed softly. “I don't think I'll be able to use a spoon to eat again for a while but you pulled it off, Zack.” She looked at him thoughtfully, her brown eyes flicking over his hair. “You need another haircut.”

 

“Yeah, I noticed that,” Zack sighed as he combed his fingers through his wild bangs. “It's growing pretty fast.”

 

“Maybe we should let it grow long in the back,” suggested the barmaid. “I'll bet it would look good on you.”

 

“Think so?” Zack asked. He looked at Cloud. “What do you think, Sunshine?”

 

Cloud looked at him, letting his eyes drink in the sight of him. “It's your hair,” he said with a shrug. “I think you'd look good no matter what you do to it.” He blushed predictably at the end of the sentence, making Zack and Tifa grin at him.

 

“You've really got it bad,” Tifa whispered in Cloud's ear. Aloud, she said; “I'm going to go see if the kids are home from school yet. See you later, guys.”

 

Cloud would have said something in response but his cellphone rang as the barmaid started to go. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID, smiling a little when he saw whom it was. He put the phone to his ear and greeted his friend.

 

“Hey Barret.”

 

“Spiky! We just landed at the Junon airport, where the hell are you and Tifa?”

 

Cloud was pleasantly surprised. “We're in the med ward at headquarters right now.” He motioned to Tifa, who had turned around to regard him curiously when he'd answered the phone. “Who all's with you?”

 

“It's just me, Cid and Yuffie,” answered the coal miner. “Where's my little girl?”

 

“Marlene's fine,” Cloud assured him, “Rufus got her and Denzel registered for school here and they should be coming back soon. Tifa was on her way to check, as a matter of fact.”

 

“Good,” answered Barret. “So, you comin' to pick us up or what?”

 

Cloud looked at Zack apologetically. “Yeah, Tifa and I will get a cab to come get you. Just wait there for us.”

 

“It's all right,” Zack assured him lightly when he hung up and put the phone away. “Whatever the doc has to say to me can't be earth-shaking news. Go get your friends.”

 

Tifa tactfully withdrew to give them a moment of privacy and Cloud impulsively kissed Zack on the mouth. “I'll see you later,” he promised.

 

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

 

“So, what's the word, Doc?” Zack relaxed on the examination table as the doctor returned with some paperwork. “Did you find anything funky or what?”

 

Doctor green shook his head and looked over the paperwork. “All tests conclude that you're a healthy young man, with the exception of a few abnormalities.”

 

“Like what?” Zack said with interest, sitting up on the table.

 

“Well, for one thing there's the wings…but you knew that already,” answered the doctor. “For another, your cellular regeneration process is much higher than average. That explains how quickly your hair is growing and the rate that you recovered from your previous, catatonic state.”

 

“Gotcha,” Zack didn't pretend that the explanation wasn't heartening. “So I've just got to get more haircuts than the average Joe, right?”

 

“Yes,” responded the doctor. “You have nothing to worry about, Mister Fair. While the man you attacked had high concentration of Mako in his bloodstream, your body has neutralized it and you can safely interact with your companions without fear of infecting them with anything. There were no diseases or viruses found in his blood.”

 

“Awesome,” Zack sighed happily. He'd been really worried about that…not for his own sake but for Cloud's. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt the blonde, even by accident. “So I can go now, right?”

 

“You're free to go,” the doctor said with a smile. He pulled a lollypop out of his lab coat and handed it to the black-haired fighter. It was their little secret and he chuckled at the way Zack's eyes lit up. He reminded Dr. Green a bit of his nine-year-old son, at times. Never mind that the man could tear down entire contingents of troops all by himself. When his mood was good, Zack had a quality of boyishness that made him endearing.

 

“Hey, thanks Doc,” Zack said enthusiastically as he tore the wrapper off and put the sucker in his mouth. “You're all right.”

 

He shook hands with the doctor and hopped off the examination table, heading out of the room with a bounce to his step.

 

Doctor Green chuckled, amused at his antics.

 

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

 

Zack was leaving the medical wing when he came across a nurse that had a mild accident and dropped some of her blood samples. She swore softly and started picking up the vials, which thankfully hadn't broken when they'd hit the floor. Zack stopped and hunkered down to help her.

 

“Here, let me give you a hand with that,' he offered. The blonde woman was averting her face and searching the floor.

 

“I lost one of my contact lenses,” the nurse said.

 

“We'll find it,” Zack promised as he looked around on the tiled floor. He spotted a blue lens and pinched it between his fingers, holding it out for her. “Hey, look at this! I think I found it already.”

 

The nurse looked at him impulsively and Zack froze. The eye that wasn't covered with a lens was bright, Mako orange. The other was a fake blue color, concealed by the contact lens.

 

“You've had Mako infusions,” the former solider said with certainty, staring at the woman.

 

She looked at him and he noticed the calculating way her eyes shot to the nearby door. If she had nothing to hide, she would have agreed and explained her situation. As it stood, she was seeking escape.

 

“Where do you think you're going, honey?” Zack said as the nurse lunged for the door and he tackled her.

 

“Let go of me!” she cried, struggling against his hold with abnormal strength.

 

“No can do, babe,” grunted Zack as he pinned her to the floor, “I smell `Deepground' all over you and you're going to give me answers!” He hissed in pain as her fingernails raked his arm and he barely twisted aside in time to avoid a knee in the groin.

 

“That's not playing nice,” he muttered as he pinned her wrists over her head. He looked into her off-colored eyes and smiled. “Sweetheart, I can only put up with so much before I've gotta be an asshole. Don't make me hit you, okay?”

 

She studied him and her struggles weakened, perhaps convinced by the honest expression in his face that it wasn't worth trying to fight. “I want immunity,” she declared softly.

 

She was afraid. Zack could smell the scent of her fear and see it in her eyes. He frowned down at her, feeling pity welling from within. “What the hell did they do to you, darlin'?”

 

“Promise me immunity and I'll tell you what I know,” she whispered.

 

Zack frowned. “That's not my call to make, but what I can promise you is that I'll fight tooth and nail to see that you're treated well. Is that enough for you? Will you trust me?”

 

She looked into his eyes and nodded slowly. “I think I can,” she said softly.

 

He released his hold on her, stood up and offered her his hand. “I'll take care of you,” he promised, “As long as you help us, nobody's going to hurt you.”

 

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

 

Cloud endured Yuffie's tight hug and sharp little kisses, smiling softly at the girl. “You act like it's been years,” he murmured.

 

“I just,” she said between pecks, “missed you so much! You're so friggen CUTE, Cloud! Pain in my ass but cuter than a baby chocobo!”

 

Cloud heaved a long-suffering sigh and glanced at Cid and Barret. “You two aren't going to do this to me, are you?”

 

Cid gave Tifa a tight hug and smirked at him. “If I did, people might think I'm a fruit. I'll settle for giving Tifa a squeeze, kiddo.”

 

Barret's chiseled features relaxed into a smile as he received a hug from Tifa as well. “Thanks for watching my girl for me,” he rumbled to the barmaid, enjoying the friendly contact.

 

“Marlene's an angel,” Tifa assured him with a smile. “She never gives us trouble and we're more than happy to help. She and Denzel should be back from school by now, so do you want to go see her?”

 

“You know I do,” replied Barret. “So, she doin' okay with her classes? She always had a little trouble with the spelling.”'

 

“She's doing great,” answered Tifa. “And with you here now, she'll do even better. Let's get into the cab, guys.”

 

“Damn, give the poor kid time to breathe, “ Cid muttered to Yuffie as Cloud tried to disengage her from around his neck.

 

“Oh, shut your trap, Highwind,” the slender ninja grumbled. “I missed him!”

 

They piled into the cab and Tifa was subject to Yuffie's affections next. She chuckled and returned the petite ninja's embrace and little kisses as the taxi drove away. Yuffie was like a kitten, all playful affection and fun. Of course, everyone checked their pockets as soon as they reached Headquarters. As endearing as her affection was, the ninja was still a kleptomaniac. Tifa had to retrieve her keys from the girl and Cloud got his pocketknife back from her, under protest.

 

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

 

Rufus stood up as Zack strode into his office. He eyed the woman that the black-haired fighter escorted and he shot a questioning look at Zack.

 

“What's this all about?” asked the president in a level tone.

 

“She's our mole,” Zack explained. He gently pushed the woman forward. “I've promised her she'd be treated decently. Don't make a liar out of me, Mr. President.”

 

Rufus was impressed. “How did you discover the leak?”

 

“Totally by accident,” Zack disclosed with a smirk. “What matters now is she's got the goods on Deepground. She's the one that's been telling them when we're moving in and she's the one that knows what we're up against. She says she's the only spy and I believe her.”

 

Rufus looked at the woman in question and hardened his expression. “Well then, speak up now. I'll do as Zack requests and spare you punishment if you tell me everything.”

 

The nurse opened her mouth and spoke, despite her obvious fear.

 

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

 

Rufus called for a meeting shortly after talking to the spy that Zack had accidentally discovered. He was faintly surprised by the appearance of Barret, Yuffie and Cid but he kept it behind a mask of stoic indifference as he explained the situation to the assembled people.

 

“They intend to unleash biological weapons against the public,” Rufus said as he paced around the table. “We can't allow that. Since we've ousted our mole, I propose we begin making plans for the attack, to rid us of this problem before it becomes unmanageable.”

 

There were no arguments and Cloud's friends stared at him with surprise. They had been told more than once that ShinRa was on the side of good but hearing it and actually seeing it were two different things. Cid's pen rolled off the table onto the floor and the pilot excused himself and bent over to retrieve it. While he was doing so, he happened to glance across the way beneath the table to where Cloud was sitting and he stared.

 

Two male hands were stroking his friend's knees. One of them belonged to Reno, who was sitting on Cloud's left. The other belonged to Zack, on Cloud's right. Cid was so startled that he bumped his head and cursed loudly before sitting back up.

 

Vincent solicitously helped him straighten back up and Cid blinked at Cloud, so taken aback by the knowledge that the kid was a penis-puffer that he was literally speechless.

 

~Okay, the guy's quiet so it's not that surprising I've never noticed this before. How the fucking HELL did he get involved with Reno of the Turks, though? His pal Zack I can understand but RENO? That's like oil and water!~

 

He straightened back up in his chair and stared across the table at Cloud. Rufus was speaking again but the pilot was too floored by his discovery to pay any attention.

 

“You're gay?” Cid hollered, pointing at Cloud's startled face.

 

Poor Cloud shrank in his chair as if Cid had denounced him as a traitor. Vincent glanced at Reeve beside him and the engineer put his face in his hands. Reno's eyebrows went into his hair and Rude grumbled something. Tifa gave Cid a remonstrating look and Barret just looked plain confused, while Yuffie stopped making a swan out of her napkin and stared between Cid and Cloud with interest.

 

“I really don't think this is the time to discuss Strife's preferences,” Rufus said sternly, eying Cid with annoyance. “We have much bigger concerns to worry about.”

 

Yuffie peeked under the table and spotted Reno and Zack's hands on Cloud's knees before the two men could withdraw them. She came back up with a superior look on her face and she made a “shame” finger at Cloud.

 

“Keeping all the good ones for yourself?” She accused with a grin. “I should have known!”

 

Zack, hunky creature that he was, attempted to rectify the situation. “Okay look,” he said as he released Cloud's knee and spread his hands, “You're all his friends, right? Does it really matter?”

 

Barret still looked confused. “The hell? Cloud's gay?” he sputtered, looking between Cid and the blonde fighter.

 

“Oh, for the love of Gaia,” Tifa huffed, standing up and putting her palms flat on the table. “So what if he's gay! Cid, stop looking so freaked out, he's not going to make a pass at you! Yuffie, quit looking so happy…it's creepy. Zack, stop making bunny ears behind my head.”

 

“Lady's sharp,” Zack commented as he took his seat again.

 

Tifa looked at Barret. “Are you going to freak out too?” she asked.

 

The dark-skinned man looked more bewildered than anything else. “Holy,” he muttered before looking at Cloud. “How long has this been going on, Spiky?”

 

Cloud shrugged, his face a lovely shade of pink. “A while.”

 

Barret looked from him to Zack, having not seen the evidence that Reno was involved too and making his own conclusions. “Well, if you're happy, I guess it doesn't matter,” he finished.

 

“Thanks,” Cloud muttered.

 

“Okay, he's gay and we're all thrilled,” Reno muttered. “So what's the plan, bossman? Are we kicking everything into gear or what?”

 

“Yes,” Rufus stated impatiently. “We're going to make immediate plans to converge on Deepground's base near Icicle. Everyone should rest while they can; I want us moving out in the morning.”

 

Barret looked a little concerned and Tifa knew why. “Don't worry, Barret. Denzel keeps a sharp eye out on Marlene and they have their own escort to and from school.”

 

“As long as you think she's safe,” the big man said, trusting Tifa above all others. “I'm gonna go spend some time with her now, since the meeting's finished.”

 

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

 

“Well look at it this way,” Zack consoled softly as he waited with Cloud and Reno for everyone else to clear out of the boardroom, “Now you don't have to worry about how you're going to tell them.”

 

Cloud shrugged. “I guess so.”

 

Reno could tell the blonde was upset by the way Cid had reacted and he patted him on the back. “Don't sweat it, Blondie. The guy was just shocked. What do ya say we go get a couple of drinks?”

 

Rufus glanced at Cloud on his way out, then shared a look with Tseng. Everyone that mattered to him already knew he was gay and he felt an odd sense of compassion for the other blonde. He just didn't know how to express it. Tseng nodded at him encouragingly and the president turned around and addressed Cloud once the others were out of earshot.

 

“If he's your friend, he'll get over it.” Rufus said simply.

 

Cloud looked up at him uncertainly and nodded slowly. Since there was little more he could do, Rufus took his leave with Tseng. He noticed Cid waiting outside the door and he smirked a little, sure that the pilot was waiting for Cloud to come out. Highwind wasn't a congenial man but Rufus was sure he was loyal to his friends. He passed the pilot and walked with Tseng to the elevators.

 

“Well, there's nothing I can do about it now,” Cloud murmured when he was alone in the room with Zack and Reno. “I could use a drink.”

 

“It's on me,” Reno offered as they stood up.

 

They made it out the door to find Cid waiting for them. Zack and Reno glanced at each other and kept going, giving Cloud and Cid a moment of privacy. Cloud stood there while his lovers walked away and he gazed at Cid warily, expecting another outburst. When Reno and Zack were far enough down the hall, the pilot spoke.

 

“Hey kid, sorry I put you on the spot like that,” Cid apologized uncomfortably. “It just shook me up a little, finding out like that. I know you're not a sissy, even if ya do take it up the wizwang.”

 

Cloud cleared his throat awkwardly as his face warmed with embarrassment. Cid's choice of words weren't exactly flattering but the pilot meant well. “Sorry I didn't tell you before,” he muttered. “I didn't know how you'd take it…or anyone else, for that matter. Tifa, Reeve, Vincent and Denzel were the only ones that knew until now.”

 

While he knew it wasn't his place to do it, he thought Cid should find out about Vincent and Reeve now, too. It was better for him to get over it before the fight tomorrow so that he wouldn't be distracted. “Reeve and Vincent are together.”

 

Cid had started packing his cigarettes and he froze, looking up at Cloud with his mouth twisted. “What, you mean like you and that Turk and your buddy Zack are together?”

 

Cloud nodded.

 

Cid frowned in thought and tapped a cigarette out of the pack, putting it between his lips. “Doesn't surprise me that much, now that I think of it.”

 

“But you freaked out when you found out about me,” Cloud protested, feeling a little robbed.

 

“'Cause you've been living with Tifa and the kids,” Cid shrugged. “I figured something would happen between you two sooner or later.”

 

Cloud sighed. “So you're really okay with this? You aren't going to be freaking out all day?”

 

“Takes some getting used to but it's none of my damned business,” Cid confirmed. “Now let's go downstairs with your boyfriends so I can grab a beer.” He waited to light his cigarette up, having enough courtesy not to expose Cloud and the others to his smoke in an enclosed elevator. Reno and Zack were waiting by the elevator for them and they looked questioningly at Cloud and Cid.

 

“Hope they have a decent beer selection at that bar downstairs,” Cid remarked casually as he pushed the “down” button on the elevator and waited for the doors to open.

 

Zack gave Cloud a knowing grin that said; “See, I told you it would be okay!”

 

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

 

-To be continued