Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ First Class ❯ Sick Day ( Chapter 4 )

Sick Day

 

Sephiroth looked up at the clock for what seemed like the hundredth time. It was 10:17, which meant that his second-in-command was over an hour late. It wasn't unusual for Zack to come in late, especially on a Monday, but he was never this late.

 

He reached for the phone for the third time, actually intending to call Zack's apartment this time. It was late enough that it wouldn't seem like Sephiroth was calling because he was worried, which he was, but to chew Zack out for being so late.

 

He dialed the number and waited for an answer, preparing himself to yell at Zack for being late…and for making him worry, but Zack wouldn't need to know that.

 

“…Hello?” The voice on the other end barely sounded like Zack, it was so exhausted sounding and weak.

 

“Is there a reason you are over an hour late to work?” Sephiroth asked, his tone strictly business.

 

Zack groaned. “Huh…?” There was some shuffling, then a pause, and then, “Aw fuck!”

 

There were more shuffling sounds and then another groan and a muffled curse.

 

“Sorry,” Zack said, “Be right there…”

 

Sephiroth sat there a few moments after he heard the click on the other end, wondering what the hell was going on, before setting the phone down and returning to his paperwork to occupy himself until Zack arrived.

 

Fifteen minutes later, Zack arrived and Sephiroth nearly dropped his pen when he saw him. For lack of a better description, Zack looked like shit. He was pale, there were dark circles under his eyes, he hadn't combed his hair and his uniform looked like he had just thrown it on, not caring what it looked like.

 

Zack sank into his chair and gave the pile of papers on his desk a thoroughly miserable look. Sephiroth watched him as he grabbed the paper on top and his pen, and started in on it, propping his head up with his free hand.

 

Sephiroth sighed quietly and went back to his own work. It wouldn't do to worry about Zack when there was work to do.

 

But, he found, as he did his work in complete silence, that it was strange not to have Zack interrupt him every few minutes with something completely pointless, and he wondered when that had gone from being annoying to something he actually enjoyed.

 

He looked up and saw that Zack was sprawled on his desk, his face buried in the crook of his arm. He sighed again and got up, figuring that he should give the man a break and send him home.

 

“Zack,” he said.

“…What?” was the muffled response.

 

“Go home.”

 

Zack lifted his head a little. “I don't think I can make it there…” he said.

 

Sephiroth was about to make an exasperated reply, when he realized that Zack was being completely serious.

 

He walked around next to Zack's chair and held out his hand. “Come on.”

 

He knew he had work to do, but screw Shinra; he was going to help his friend.

 

Looking relieved, Zack took his hand and Sephiroth helped him up and then out the door and into the nearest elevator. He pressed the button labeled “45”, figuring it would just be easier to take Zack to his apartment, since Zack's own was further away.

 

“Where are you taking me…?” Zack said, leaning against him.

 

“My apartment,” Sephiroth said, as the elevator started to descend.

 

Zack didn't say anything, only leaned more of his weight against Sephiroth. Sephiroth could feel the warmth coming off of Zack, even through his leather coat, which led him to believe that he had a fever.

 

The elevator stopped and the door opened. Sephiroth helped Zack down the hall to his apartment, and slid his keycard through the lock, before helping Zack inside.

 

He eased his friend onto the couch and Zack slid his boots off with shaky hands and leaned back.

 

“Lie down,” Sephiroth said.

 

Zack did as he was told and Sephiroth went and got the blanket from his bed, bringing it back and draping it over Zack.

 

Zack curled up under the blanket with a small sigh.

 

Sephiroth, confident that Zack would be alright by himself, figured he'd better go back and finish the paperwork.

 

“I'm going back to the office,” he said, “You may stay here as long as you wish.”

 

He headed for the door.

 

“Seph…”

 

He stopped at Zack's call and turned back toward his friend.

 

There was a small smile on Zack's face. “Thanks.”

 

Sephiroth inclined his head in response, then continued toward the door.