Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Revival of the Departed ❯ Chapter 10

Title: Revival of the Departed

Author: J'dee

Series: Final Fantasy VII - this part based after Dirge of Cerberus

Rating: Mature - NC-17

Pairs: Tseng X Zack

Story: Alive and well, Zack has returned… but he's not alone. Hojo's experiments on him have caused some schizophrenic side effects that even Zack doesn't realise. Sephiroth and Jenova are alive and well… inside him, plotting their return and destruction of the planet. Will Cloud be able to kill Sephiroth again when he's housed inside the body of his best friend and mentor?

(Het/Yaoi/Non-Con)

Disclaimer: Make no money yadda yadda yadda, not my characters ect ect

 

 

Chapter Ten

 

 

Zack's forehead touched the cool surface of the window the silver haired reflection stared back at him reminding him of what he was slowly becoming. Swallowing he moved his hand to the window staring at the city below. The lights seemed to twinkle with a life of their own. He'd never had an office this cool in SOLDIER, let alone one with such a killer view reminding him of the moment he'd seen Sephiroth's office for the first time. It held a similar view and he pulled back from the glass looking away from it. He didn't need to think of the man who now shared his body.

“Zack…” Tseng's voice brought him too.

Zack turned to look at the older Turk. It was annoying Tseng was older yet for some reason he felt just that twinge of jealousy that he could keep his original hair color.

“Sorry… I just feel like a…”

“Remnant?” Tseng finished. “I doubt you are for this body was your own first.” The older man moved up to him.

Zack blinked at the sudden contact the Turk's hand moved to his arm and Zack swallowed he was greeted of the memory of Tseng bent over the bed in the medical bay recovery room and he pulled back quickly his face flushing.

Tseng looked at him. “Zack…”

“……” Zack stared at him like he'd grown an extra head.

“Grow up you have no choice in the matter. Cloud or Genesis.” Tseng shot him a look.

“I can't!” Zack ran his hand through his hair and growled when the silver bang fell in to view. “I can't do it.”

“Don't make me push you. You are ex-SOLDIER are you not?!” Tseng challenged.

Zack shot him a look. “What could you do? You fared no better against Sephiroth than Reno, Cloud or Vincent did.”

“You're not Sephiroth.” Tseng shot him a look.

Zack blinked for a moment taking a step back. “Hey Tseng… wait a minute… you're not suggesting what I think you are?” He glanced up to the security cameras.

Tseng looked up if just for a moment. “Those are merely show after what Sephiroth pulled and knowing he could come out at any given time. I took precautionary measures when Reno informed me you wanted a word.”

Zack felt the corner of the desk jab him and he shot the offending block of wood a disgruntled look for being in the way of his hasty exit.

“Wait! Why would you even suggest, let alone try such a thing?” Zack exclaimed.

“I'll do it because it needs to be done.” Tseng stated pulling his suit jacket off and slipping it over the back of the chair before undoing the tie and pulling it out from around his collar.

Zack turned away heading towards the door. “Then do it alone I want no part of-” He was cut off as he felt the gun touch base with the back of his head.

“You leave me no choice if you refuse to fight Sephiroth then I finish you off right here and now. I'm sure I could make something up to Cissnei about you giving up.”

Zack spun round angrily knocking the gun from Tseng's hand slamming the Turk up against the window. “Don't you dare make it seem like I broke my promise to her!”

Tseng's hand shot round grabbing Zack by the collar. “This needs to be done so grow up and deal with it!”

Zack felt the impact as he was spun round and pushed up against the window. The slightly shorter man's mouth taking his making him let out a startled gasp as the intrusion of a tongue making their way past his lips.

Letting his eyes close he felt the involuntary shiver run down his spine, the memories of Sephiroth taking Tseng made him groan.

“Tseng… don't… do… this…” He breathed before the Turk flipped him round and he was flung back first on to the desk.

 

Tseng moved in fast before Zack could push himself up off the desk his hands pinning the ex-SOLDIER down by the shoulders. Zack grunted with the impact.

Tseng looked down at Zack ever since Sephiroth took him; he had been loosing sleep over the what ifs involving Zack. Maybe his mind was making an excuse to take the former SOLDIER or maybe he genuinely wanted to give Zack that push he needed to gather the energy that he would require to take on Sephiroth.

“Tseng wait…” Zack pleaded.

Tseng's hand moved down Zack's chest slowly undoing the buttons of the collared pale grey shirt.

“Sephiroth didn't wait.” Tseng looked at him.

Tseng caught Zack's apologetic glance. “Look I'm sorry you had to go through that okay! I won't tell anyone I swear just let me walk out of here and I won't-” Zack tried to push Tseng back and Tseng saw the confusion on his face realizing the strength he thought he had was pretty much next to nothing again.

“You don't get it… this isn't about what happened between Sephiroth and myself this is preventing what Sephiroth will do if you let him gain control again. What would happen if he decided to strike against Tifa or Cissnei?” Tseng caught the mako blue glance.

Zack let his hand drop from Tseng's chest.

“Would he… do that?” Zack asked quietly.

“We don't know…” Tseng replied, his hand moving over Zack's chest slowly. His mouth moved to the former SOLDIER's again pausing inches above.

Tseng felt Zack's quick intake of breath and the blush that flashed across the younger man's cheeks. Tseng's mouth devoured lips while his hand slipped to the belt holding up the pair of jeans Zack wore, unbuckling the belt he pulled it off letting it drop to the floor his hand making short work of the button fly pants.

 

Zack's breath hitched his hands finding the edge of the desk and clinging on to it as Tseng's hand moved under the depths of the fabric. His hips bucked as he felt long fingers move over his flesh downward towards his length.

It was a new sensation from what he'd felt with Cissnei, he rarely let a man touch him. He was so adamant that women were his thing. Yet fingers moved along his length and he still gasped. He didn't want to be complacent in this. He didn't want to see Tseng in this light but he couldn't say no either. Especially when fingers curled round his length and began to stroke slow at first making him shudder.

“Ts-Tseng…” He felt his breath hiss as his hips moved with an urgency of their own. His face flushed again, the memory returning of the dream of Tseng over him lost in his own passion.

Zack tried to sit up suddenly eyes wide Sephiroth had taken Tseng and he realized now that the dream wasn't a dream. It was Tseng on him taking his body as a way of revenge for what Sephiroth did to Reno.

“NO! Wait stop!”

Zack saw the flash of metal and before he knew it his shoulders were held down to the desk. Zack glanced to the side his shirt pinned by the shoulders down by two pristine Wutian daggers. He blinked looking at Tseng.

“That's going to ruin the wood of your desk.” Zack quipped.

Tseng just smirked unbuttoning his shirt pulling it off

 

Tseng could feel Zack's eyes watching him. Who knew that Sephiroth could have woken such feelings from within. Slowly the younger man stopped struggling as if he was running out of energy to fight.

“Tseng… there has to be another way.” Zack gasped and Tseng lent over him.

Hands traveled the exposed chest of the former SOLDIER.

Tseng's mouth moved along the contours of Zack's neck making him gasp hands clasping the desk edge again. Slipping a leg between Zack's thighs he pushed the man's legs apart.

A hand found its way in to the jeans and downward to stroke the length urgently again. The younger man desperately sucked in air as his hips bucked a moan escaping his mouth. Tseng's lips moved up along the jaw line. Zack would always be Zack his emotion is what led his body to react. All Tseng had to do was awaken those emotions and let the younger man take it from there.

All he needed was just a small shove. The right kind of push while lending him the strength to hold Sephiroth a bay, just for a little bit longer at least until Zack got back to Cloud.

Slipping back he began to slide Zack's jeans down letting the denim fall to the floor, before slipping the boxers down freeing Zack's length from the constraints of fabric.

 

Zack gasped the cool air of Tseng's office slipping over his pretty much naked form. Pinned to the desk all he could do was watch as Tseng began to strip before him. The older man was so much more paler under the suit, skin that probably rarely saw the light seemed to glow with the faint light of the moon shining through from outside.

Running a hand through his hair slicking some stray strands back Tseng lowered himself to Zack his mouth taking over. Zack moaned as he felt the hardened arousal of Tseng's length touch the inside of his thighs.

Long raven hair slipped over the shoulder of the Wutai man brushing against Zack's exposed neck. Zack's hand moved slowly over Tseng's shoulder then round to the back of his neck fingers locking in the mane of long hair. A tongue slipping past lips as he let the older man control his mouth.

 

Tseng felt Zack's hips buck in to his hand as he continued to stroke along the forming arousal. The emotions of SOLDIER were always trained to be kept at a minimum. But this was Zack he was never good at keeping anything hidden.

The moan that left the younger man's mouth drove Tseng on. From not wanting any part of this he knew the man had conceded to the want Tseng had laid over his body.

His other hand moving between thighs to Zack's entrance he heard the hiss of breath as Zack pulled back gasping desperately for air. The former SOLDIER's back arching up on the desk.

Fingers nimbly beginning to stroke and stretch the entrance of Zack's heat, Tseng watched the look of bliss cross the younger man's face. A blush shooting across cheeks as Zack's mouth opened wider in a gasp of pleasure.

Slipping a finger in to the heated entrance Tseng began to stretch the ring of muscle making Zack's hips buck almost in anticipation.

“Ts-Tseng… God!” Zack's moan made him feel like he had that much more power over the former SOLDIER.

Each stroke Tseng's finger initiated rotated round drawing circles on the inner walls before curling in a motion leaving Zack almost thrashing under him.

 

Zack wanted to cry out at the feeling that was beginning to throb inside, he was close to breaking out in shivers. He hadn't realized Tseng's skill. He was getting lost in a haze of lust under the man as Tseng's lips began to move down the contours of his body.

Zack was close to loosing any resolve he had for control of the situation. Not that he'd had any to start with. It was Tseng he was dealing with.

He felt his arousal suddenly captured in to a warm wet heat and his hips bucked up. “Tseng… shit!” He looked down his face heating up at the sight of the head of the Turks taking him in his mouth.

Zack felt the shiver as he watched the man a new kind of fascination crossing his features. It drove an erotic chill through his body as the older man sucked. A second finger moved in to his entrance making his hips jerk up suddenly adding to the sexual sensations that began to tingle through his body. Digits began to slowly rotate moving in then partly out in a light thrusting motion.

Zack was being driven over the edge by Tseng, his hand moving to his eyes as hips bucked with the movement of Tseng's hand and mouth combination.

“I… I can't take… much more…” Zack sucked in a heavy gasping breath.

 

Tseng felt the twitch of the swelling arousal and he pulled back a third digit slipping in to Zack's entrance hips were bucking urgently and it was a sight to behold the former SOLDIER laid out over his desk like a willing sacrifice.

“Tseng…” Zack breathed.

Tseng needed no more than his name to know Zack was close to reaching his peak. Tseng just hoped this worked. He was no Cloud, he wasn't Genesis. But if he could at least awaken those motions then all Zack would need was a little push from Cloud then everything would be set in motion.

Slipping fingers out he moved between thighs before impaling the man's heat on his arousal.

“TSENG!” Zack gasped hips bucking up slamming in to Tseng's.

Tseng let out a moan lifting Zack's legs up pulling them around his waist. The younger man hooked his legs round tight as Tseng's hips began to move urgent as if he was driven on by the sudden need for the Turk's release inside him.

 

Zack could see behind Tseng the glistening lights of the city below as it stretched on forever. The view of lights was not what had his eye it was the silhouette of the Turk as he thrust in to Zack's body.

Zack could see the normally non existent emotion on the older man's face slip away, as he was becoming lost in pleasure of their bodies combined.

Zack's hips moved with the rocking rhythm of Tseng's hips pulling the man in deeper his hands finally slipping from the sleeves of the shirt before sitting up slightly. Placing hands on Tseng's hips he pulled the man in closer his mouth capturing the older man's mouth his tongue diving in hungrily to drink.

He was completely lost in the feeling. His guilt slipping away the older man had initiated this. Zack could strangely enough feel his strength returning, the feeling alone was like he'd just been given the best remedy after a curse from Genesis.

 

Tseng was thrown back as Zack's mouth moved over his, even more surprised as the younger man's tongue dove in to his mouth. Tseng felt his hand guided to Zack's neglected arousal. The younger man's hips bucking up urgently, the need was obvious. Zack was being driven, awoken by the sense of power and strength he was gaining from the act. The only side effect was a mako Jenova enhanced former SOLDIER on lust was when they took over fully. They were brutal enough to damage anyone not with the right enhancements.

Tseng's hand moved up and down rapidly over Zack's arousal the only way to make sure he wasn't hurt was to make the man release before he could cause damage.

Zack pulled back from the kiss gasping for air he lent back his hips moving.

Tseng watched the tanned body as it beaded slightly with sweat, hips pulling him in deeper as he thrust in to the younger man.

For so long Tseng had kept his sex life pretty much none existent until Sephiroth had woke up those needs. Tseng wasn't sure if it was a new curse to feel these emotions and get lost in them. Especially in office hours in his place of work with what he wanted positioned on his desk. Obvious desire across features of a man who had trusted him fully with his life.

“Tseng…” Zack breathed.

Pushing in further and deeper Tseng continued to take the younger man, his hand working along the length of Zack's arousal with faster strokes. Hips bucked more as he let the former SOLDIER ride out his pleasure in to his hand to the point where his back arched as he hissed as his climax spilled over his hand and abdomen.

Tseng watched as Zack seemed to fall back over the desk as Tseng felt his own need surfacing at the sweat covered man sprawled over his desk, letting his normally slicked back hair fall forward over his face he lent over the man his mouth capturing Zack's the younger man responding to the kisses with a moan as he thrust in deeper to the point where Zack's moans let him know that he was hitting that point inside the man where it was desirable.

`So easy to get lost in.' He mentally realized.

Zack's hips moved up pulling him in deeper and Tseng felt the friction trapping him in not letting go. Zack was close to spent and Tseng knew the younger man needed his strength in order to get home.

 

Zack felt Tseng's thrusts they were driving him to get lost in the feeling, it was a turn on that anyone of Tseng's minions as Zack had heard Barrett refer to them as, could walk in at any given moment. Flexing his inner walls he trapped the older man inside and he felt the hiss of breath. Zack's hand moved to Tseng's hip pulling him closer and the older man gasped as Zack flexed inner muscles against causing Tseng to gasp and Zack felt the Turks moment of climax.

It was a few moments before he felt his body let go and relax. Tseng slipped from his body falling back in to his chair.

The reality for Zack took a bit longer than normal to wake up. He was still reeling in the sensation of his climax, trying to catch his breath. Zack felt his body tingle all over it was a strange feeling yet a similar one especially since he'd felt it with Cissnei.

He sat up suddenly as her face crossed his mind. He had just let her boss take him over the office desk.

Zack sat there looking at Tseng naked sitting in his chair his hand slicking his hair back in to place. An emotionless expression was back on the older man's features.

Zack moved from the desk looking at Tseng blushing.

“I… uh… Shit…” He looked round quickly grabbing his clothes pulling them on. Yanking the daggers out of his collared shirt he pulled it on walking to the door. “Damnit Tseng that was unfair!” He turned round seeing the Turk stand up and motion in front of his right eye.

Zack blinked and he looked at the bang that hung in front of his right eye though he was used to seeing it silver it threw him to see it raven black.

“Tseng…” Zack looked at the bang.

“You hair color obviously depicts who has the most control.” Tseng stated grabbing his own trousers and pulling them on.

Zack's mouth moved he didn't know what to say or whether to be annoyed or thankful. So he did the only thing he could think of he opened the office door and ran.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Reno glared at the door as Zack raced out the former SOLDIER was definitely faster his collared shirt completely unbuttoned as he ran towards the stairwell and he vanished down there.

Walking to Tseng's door Reno caught the stairwell door open by Quinn and the silent Turk headed down the stairwell.

Reno slammed open Tseng's door he didn't need to know what was going on. Tseng was normally above such things, Reno was about to give him a piece of his mind. He was pissed off… he didn't want to admit it was annoyance or jealousy, he wasn't sure what it was. It just pissed him off that Tseng Mr. -no-relationships-with-work-colleagues- had gotten laid in the office when he wasn't allowed to.

“Tseng what-?” Reno stopped and blinked he was greeted by the view of a milky pale chest as Tseng was in the middle of slipping on his standard white uniform shirt on.

Tseng paused to look at Reno. “Reno.” He stated.

Reno was gaping he knew he was gaping and he felt his face blush before he motioned at the door.

“Going home.” With that he walked out shutting the door leaving their boss to finish getting changed in private.

“Reno?” Elena looked at him as he made his way to the elevator.

“I don't feel too good I'm… going home.” Reno remarked as he brushed past not another word hitting the elevator button and it binged to life doors opening.

 

Reno stepped inside and he caught the concerned look Rude gave him before he punched the basement button to the car park and the doors closed.

The elevator descending Reno lent up against the wall his hand moving to his face. “Tseng… Damnit…” He felt the blush on his face. Since when had he looked at his boss like that? “Argh Reno get a grip yo!” He scolded himself and started rapidly hitting the basement button. “Hurry up and get me out of here!” He hated Sephiroth right now he hated the silver haired man more than anything, what the hell was he doing to them to cause this conflict of emotions?

 

~*~*~*~

 

Zack was running down the fifty flight plus of stairs he was only briefly aware that someone was following him, and he prayed like hell it wasn't Tseng picking up the pace he knew whoever it was, they were moving at such a steady pace.

Zack stopped when he felt the energy was floating down the stairs not walking and he turned round looking over his shoulder. The exit for level thirty was half way between him and the man.

Brown hair one icy blue eye and a silver fringe cover what looked like a Jenova purple eye stared at him.

Zack felt like the younger man could see right in to his soul with that eye. The uniform gave him away though. A Turk. Zack had completely had enough of Turks and he turned round running down the stairs if this brat wanted to try to have a go like Tseng he had another thing coming.

“Leave me alone!” He shouted as he picked up the pace and continued to run jumping several steps at a time.

He felt he man follow yet he didn't say anything. He was creepier than Hojo himself Zack decided as he continued to run.

“STOP FOLLOWING ME!” He spun round and nearly fell backwards seeing the man was nearly breathing down his neck. The Turk's hand shot out round the back of his waist and caught the former SOLDIER as he nearly fell.

“I hear her… the voice of mother…”

Zack's eyes widened as he looked at the Turk.

“You hear her too? Look what ever you Sephiroth or Jenova are planning I want no part of it!” Zack's hand slammed in to the Turk's chest.

Nothing, the younger man didn't even flinch he only looked at the hand. “I despise mother… she needs to be cleansed of your body.”

Zack froze and looked at the Turk. “Who… who are you?” He asked.

“Let big brother know he can use my body instead…”

“No!” Zack shook his head. “He's not using any more bodies!” He went to push him back again when a door at the top of the stairwell opened.

“Quinn are you down here?” A female voice called.

 

Zack felt himself let go and he watched as the Turk looked up the stairs. “I'll be right up Sylvie.”

“Don't be too long… Tseng is calling a meeting in ten minutes.” She called back.

“Quinn.” Zack looked at the Turk. “Is that your name? The one who freaked Cloud out?”

“The blonde with the spikes?” Quinn asked.

“Yeah.”

“I just sensed mother in him as well…”

Zack raised a brow. “Is that like a special talent of yours or something?”

Quinn pulled the silver fringe back to show Zack the pupil-less purple eye. “This eye belonged to mother herself.”

Zack cringed. “Gross.”

“I lost my eye in battle.” Quinn stated.

“And they thought Jenova's was a good replacement? Who the hell is in charge of the medical team here? Remind me never to make an appointment.” Zack quipped.

“We will have to talk later about mother… I'm close to discovering a way to cleanse her from those she has infected.” Quinn looked up the stairs. “Rude has my number.”

Zack watched as the Turk floated up the stairs making Zack raise a brow. “Yeah… okay…” Shaking his head he went to descend the stairs the normal way.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Cloud placed the last dish from the tray away. He looked to the stairs hearing Tifa reading a book to Denzel and Marlene to help them get to sleep.

Pulling the door to the bar open he stepped out, ready to head up the stairs to check on the trio up there.

He glanced at the bar clock on the wall, Zack had been at the ShinRA WRO building for a while now and he was starting to get worried.

“Zack…” He really hoped that it was just a long meeting

Cloud heard his cellphone warble. Looking at the number reading “with held” he knew instantly who was calling.

“Tseng.” Cloud stated.

“Cloud.” Tseng's voice remarked. “We need to talk.”

Cloud sighed walking away from the stairs. “This is about Zack I take it.”

“Yes… We've found a way to help him repress Sephiroth…”

Cloud looked at the phone blinking. “You have? What is it? How much?”

“It's a bit more complicated than price. The cost is relatively cheap but only if both parties are willing and only a select few are eligible.” Tseng explained.

 

Cloud walked to the far end of the bar slipping in to a booth looking out the window waiting for Zack to return.

“Is it a blood transfusion?” Cloud asked.

“If it was a transfusion only two people would be able to help Zack out that would be Sephiroth himself and you. But I'm afraid it's not that.”

Cloud sighed. “You're wasting my time Tseng. Just tell me.”

“It's a willing sexual act between two people. One of them being strong enough to defeat Sephiroth three times and kill him twice.” Tseng replied.

Cloud froze. He looked to a Truck pulling up outside the bar. “You want me to seduce Zack?” He hissed.

“That is the general idea.” Tseng stated.

“After what happened last time do you really think I'd be able to-” Cloud paused upon seeing Barrett step out of the vehicle. “Given the location where I live.”

“I've sent a message to Barrett regarding the safety of the children. He'll take them for the night.” Tseng commented.

“Wait you mean it has to be tonight?” Cloud stood up as the door to the bar opened.

“HEY SPIKY!” Barrett announced loudly then held his hand up in apology seeing Cloud on the phone.

“We don't want the kids round Sephiroth now do we? I leave the rest up to you. Make sure you initiate it. Zack will never follow through otherwise.” Tseng explained.

“Me initiate it… Wait a minute-” Cloud was cut off as the phone call was ended and he glared at the phone before flipping it closed.

“How you doing?!” Barrett slapped him on the back. “I'm here for-”

“Marlene and Denzel are upstairs.” Cloud explained. “Barrett… did they tell you why?”

“Not a thing just said that your spiky friend was coming back here for the night. Given that when he let Jenova take over he took out Reno…” Barrett stopped and looked at Cloud, his expression serious. “You need me to take Tifa too?”

Cloud nodded his head. “Yeah. It would help.”

Barrett grinned. “Good I'll go let her know.” He headed up the stairs.

 

Cloud slipped in to a booth sitting down. Granted the bar was still open it was just one of those nights where there was a three hour no customer period which meant bed time for Denzel and Marlene. He hoped Barrett would talk Tifa in to going with him, Cloud could handle the bar for the two more hours it was due to be open or she could close it early.

Cloud moved to the base of the stairs listening to Tifa and Barrett talk. He watched as he silhouette appeared on the stairs before she descended and she looked at him standing there.

“Cloud…” She walked up to him her hand moving to touch the side of his face and she smiled. “Be careful okay?”

He blinked and looked at her before nodding. “You're not mad?”

Tifa shook her head. “No… You're learning to stand up more to fight for what you believe in. That's good.” She smiled.

“Did you want me to keep the bar open till he gets back?” Cloud asked.

“I'll close it early. Just let Zack know there's some dinner in the oven if he's hungry.” She smiled at Cloud. “You worry about him so much… just like a little brother…”

Cloud blushed. “It's just Tseng said there could be a way to help him… I want to see if I can…”

“But you're worried you know who might pick up on it and come out?” Tifa looked at him. Glancing behind as Barrett walked down the stairs Denzel and Marlene following.

“Cloud Barrett's going to take us fishing in the morning. Do you wanna come?” Denzel looked up at him smiling.

Cloud just smiled. “I have to work tomorrow, plus Zack's returning tonight someone has to be here for him. But maybe next time.” He placed a hand on Denzel's head.

Denzel nodded. “Tell Zack he has to come fishing with us tomorrow morning okay?”

Marlene smiled. “He doesn't have to. Denzel just wants to see if the stories he tells are true about catching fish.”

Tifa smiled placing a hand on their shoulder. “Come along now I'm sure we can call in the morning to ask Zack in person.”

Cloud smiled and he watched Denzel and Marlene run out the door excited, Barrett caring their over night bags.

“You take care spiky.” Barrett looked at him. “Don't let her win.”

“She won't.” Cloud replied.

Tifa placed a kiss on Cloud's cheek before smiling. She flipped the closed sign round and headed out the door after Barrett.

 

Cloud slumped in to the seat in the booth his hand moving to his cheek swallowing, if that didn't make him feel guilty about what he had to do then he didn't know what else could make him feel worse.

 

~*~*~*~

 

It was long past midnight before Zack managed to reach Edge, the WRO and new ShinRA buildings had to be several towns over just to be difficult. Getting out of the taxi he flung the cabbie some gil stating for him to keep the change.

Zack stopped seeing Cloud sitting in a booth by the window his head on his arms fast asleep. He shook his head and smiled, Cloud looked like how he remembered him to be when he was infantry, that young innocent expression on his face.

Walking up to the door he spotted the closed sign and raised a brow, he pushed the door open and blinked as it complied. Eyes scanning the bar he spotted nothing, no one except Cloud asleep.

Zack shut the door and flipped the lock making it click.

Cloud sat up suddenly and Zack looked at him. “Waiting up for me?”

“Yeah… Tifa said there was dinner in the oven for you.” Cloud blushed, Zack caught the young man's look to the open collared shirt.

Zack blinked. “You waited up to tell me that?” He began to do the buttons up and made a mental note to change before the younger man sensed something more than a word happened between him and Tseng.

“Barrett's taking them fishing tomorrow. Denzel wanted to know if you wanted to join them…” Cloud added.

“Ooooh now there's something I haven't done in ages, didn't know that kid took to heart my stories.” Zack chuckled heading in to the kitchen, he pulled the oven open and blinked looking at the covered plate and pulled it out. He lifted the lid and looked at the meal. “Man Cloud… where did you find this woman, cooks cleans runs a bar the perfect match…” He placed the meal in the microwave hitting a few buttons to heat it up.

 

Cloud looked down his face heating up. “You know where I found her.”

Zack chuckled from the kitchen. He pulled a glass down from the shelf helping himself to the beer on tap before pouring one for Cloud.

Cloud watched as Zack brought the glasses over and set them down.

“Shhhh okay?” Zack grinned.

Cloud blinked seeing the raven black bang hanging over Zack's right eye, his eyes widened. “Zack…”

Zack pulled back and cleared his throat. “Yeah… Tseng found a way to suppress Sephiroth, but I'm not… I just can't…” He shook his head walking in to the kitchen to grab the meal from the microwave after it beeped.

“What did he say?” Cloud's hand slipped round the mug.

Zack walked in with the plate of food and sat down opposite Cloud. “He mentioned you and… Genesis.”

Cloud blinked. “Genesis is still alive?”

“Apparently so. But it beats me where though. I could have punched Tseng for the Angeal comment though.” Zack huffed shoving a forkful of he food in to his mouth.

Cloud sat back in the seat just watching Zack eat. His friend and mentor Tseng wanted him to seduce Zack the man who taught him everything. He took the older man in to his memory. He was still Zack, he was still the same but right at this moment he seemed as conflicted as he had back on one of their earlier missions together.

“Does Tseng want you to find Genesis?” Cloud asked.

“More than find.” Zack grumbled.

Cloud blinked in shock, just how many people did Tseng want Zack to sleep with to gather energy to fight Sephiroth? “Will you?”

“Hardly. I just don't get that guy.” Zack huffed. “It's like he's talking another language for all I care. I'm sick of hearing his loveless quotes. You want to know why Sephiroth went insane, forget Hojo, forget Jenova it was loveless quote after loveless quote. I'm surprised I haven't lost it yet. Just thinking about finding him might drive me insane.”

Cloud smirked and made a mental note not to take Zack to the Loveless play.

 

 

To Be Continued…