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» Log One | Zack and Cloud «

Two whole weeks.

It had been two whole, entire weeks since the miraculous discovery that his best friend was not only the most adorable thing in the whole, entire world, but that he could also bake.

Cloud could bake. And somehow, it had taken Zack this long to find out about it.

Store bought never quite tasted the same as home made, and those little, overly brown disk with slimy looking imitation chocolate chunks that ShinRa peddled in the dessert line definitely didn't compare.

Which was why he was now doing something he normally put off until the last possible moment - or worse, failed to do at all and ended up getting take out or eating in the cafeteria - grocery shopping. Specifically for ingredients to make this pie he had been promised.

It was made a bit more bearable by the fact that he was doing so with Cloud, and that all he really had to do was push along the basket and try to not toss extra, unneeded items inside - although a few definitely made their way in. It was nice, getting to spend time with Cloud doing something other than going on a mission, where both of them could relax and simply enjoy each other's company.

And the baked goods one of them was going to make. Couldn't forget about the baked goods.

"So," They had been standing in the same isle for the past ten minutes, and Zack was starting to wonder exactly how involved this whole pie making ordeal was going to be. "Just how many ingredients do you need for this thing?"

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Pressing upwards, knees digging into soft cushions that offered little support in his endeavor to somehow be closer, silently cursing himself for not just allowing Cloud to come around as he had originally intended. If he had, they could be nestled into those cushions instead of fighting against the rigid back of the sofa.

Suddenly, as if a light bulb went off above his head, an idea sprang into his mind. Like most of Zack's idea's, it was particularly well thought out, or even really good, but it would be executed to perfection.

Hands slipped downwards, coming to rest upon the slender curve of hips, before wrapping around, squeezing for the barest of moments in warning before lifting, dragging Cloud upwards, intent on bringing him over the barrier that stood between him.

Which meant they ended up landing in a pile, Zack's flopping onto his back, head banging softly against the thankfully padded arm, Cloud resting precariously upon his chest. But it did definitely solve the problem of not being able to get close enough.

Cloud, completely unaware of what Zack was intending to do, only tightened his grip that he had on Zack's arm and around his neck, heart skipping a beat, when Zack's hands landed on his hips.

He didn't even think about it when they shifted around. Not until it was too late and his feet suddenly no longer were on the floor and he was pitching forward. Reflexively, the arm he had around Zack's shoulder and back gripped his shirt tighter and a startled noise that embarrassingly enough sounded very much like a squawk escaped him.

"Ah---! Zack?!"

There was one swooping moment of stiff-legged vertigo, grabbing at Zack for balance and stability he had no way of getting like this, and then he hit a soft-but-firm resistance with a startled huff.

"What'd you do that for?" Cloud finally asked, cheeks warming as he realised the new position - laying sprawled out on top of Zack - but it was a pretty good one...

There was nothing particularly graceful about each movement, about the tug and the pull, about the controlled free fall or the way they landed. But it had garnered another exceptionally adorable sound, something very near a squawk. Had caused Cloud to cling to him desperately, as if, even having been the source of the suddenly movement, he still trusted him entirely to keep him safe, to make sure he came through unharmed.

Laying there with the steady weight upon his chest, one leg dangling lazily off the edge of the sofa, staring up into those brilliant, dazzling blue eyes, he couldn't imagine why he'd been so reluctant, why he'd waited so long to make his move.

"Kind of hard to get close enough like that." Or as close as he wanted them to be. Now, like this, he could feel the way Cloud's heart raced, the way his chest rose and fell with each breath. Could rest one hand upon his lower back while the other brushed blond spikes away from that flushed face. "I gotta say, you look pretty good up there."

"... I guess." Because it was true, the back of the couch had been in the way. Still, being yanked over the back of it had been startling... Of course he'd trusted Zack to not let him fall any further than intended, though. Not that he'd really thought any of that, exactly, but it didn't occur to him to think that Zack would let him fall on the floor or anything.

"... Zack," Cloud muttered, ducking his head a little but smiling at Zack from underneath lowered lashes. He opened his mouth and then closed it again, because what could he even say; Zack always looked good, and right now his bright eyes were glittering with residual smug mischief in a way that was both exasperating and set his heart beating.

"It's pretty comfortable here," he said after a moment, hesitating before he leaned up to rest their foreheads together, noses brushing. The reality that he was now pressed against Zack from head to toe brought a warm flush of shy pleasure.

Those bright eyes fluttered closed, tongue darting out to wet suddenly dry lips, dragging the bottom one between his teeth and biting it softly. Nose bumping against Cloud's, lashes fluttering against those flushed cheeks, a cute, playful gesture, as if an internal debate was currently raging, as if torn between hesitation and simply diving back in.

Lips brushed against their matched set, gentle and slow, careful and barely there, not wanting to take things too quickly. At that moment, it felt as if they had all the time in the world to move at which ever pace they chose, to go from point A to point B at whichever speed felt right. Every thought of the promised pie or what ever other pretense had been used to get them here was forgotten, no longer mattering quite as much as it once had.

There would be other opportunities for Cloud to bake for him. This sort of thing, these sorts of moments, only happened once in a life time. And he was going to take full advantage of it.

"Then you can stay with me for as long as you want." Whispered words accompanied by another soft brush of lips, smile crossing his own in the next breath.

Watching Zack from this close was a little... embarrassing wasn't the word Cloud was after, but staring at Zack while he had his eyes closed and biting his lip set a nervous, flushed twisting alight in his stomach and chest, making his heart beat faster.

Then Zack leaned in and up a little again and Cloud tilted his head to accommodate without thinking much about it, and at the first brush of their lips together again, his eyes fell closed as well. A soft, wondering little noise escaped, something which almost made Cloud duck his head out of the kiss, because that...

That was just embarrassing.

But he didn't, just braced himself on Zack's shoulders until they had to pull apart, face flushed more from lack of air than feeling flustered, now.

"Um---" Cloud hesitated, then snorted, even as his gaze dropped in shy little pleasure at the offer. Even as impossible as it was. "Don't be ridiculous, Zack. I mean... not that I don't... but that's just..."

Ducking his head, he buried his face in Zack's chest. That was so utterly, ridiculously cheesy and yet so stupidly sweet... and completely impossible.

Embarrassing, perhaps, but that sound made his heart race, made it pound wildly within his chest, knocking harshly against ribs. How could only person and everything about them be so utterly, completely perfect? The way Cloud fit against him, the way it felt when their lips brushed, the way those blue eyes looked staring up at him. There were flaws, little cracks and ripples in an otherwise pristine surface, but he saw past them, through them, loved and adored them.

"Then stay for tonight." They made exceptions for first, allowed them to get away with things others would never dream of. No one would question him, and he could answer any that arose on Cloud's behalf. And maybe call in a favor with a certain second class and get them both the next day off as well. It would likely leave Sephiroth and Tseng less than pleased with him, but getting to spend that much more time with Cloud would be worth whatever wrath they displayed.

"Kunsel owes me a favor. I'll get both of us tomorrow off." It sounded completely crazy, and honestly, it probably was. Crazy and reckless, but he didn't often ask for things, didn't often ask for that sort of special treatment. One time wouldn't hurt.

Oh.

Oh, he wanted that - and kind of embarrassingly much, too. But that was... Sighing into Zack's chest, Cloud frowned. He was pretty sure that wouldn't fly. Maybe there wasn't any rules against fraternising with SOLDIER operatives, but SOLDIER operatives were still superior officers in the field, if not exactly direct chain of command...

"Zack..." trailing off since he hadn't come up with any protest at all before he spoke (mostly because he didn't really want to, even if the idea of spending the night at Zack's made butterflies appear in his stomach), Cloud blinked when Zack continued.

"Zack! You can't---" Head snapping up, he gaped, his cheeks warming a little. "... is that even going to work? Who's Kunsel?"

And how come he could do something like that, Zack being owed a favour or not?

"... I don't have anything with me, either," he added, softly, not looking at Zack now,

"Of course it'll work." Being a first class did come along with a certain set of privileges. Never being asked questions, especially when you out ranked almost everyone, just so happened to be one of the better ones. It also meant that, no matter what explanation he gave for Cloud's absence, he was likely to be believed. Or at the very least, there would be no further repercussions.

"Kunsel's a friend of mine. We joined up around the same time." And honestly, anyone he spoke to more than once was pretty much considered his friend. "Turns out, he's pretty good with a computer. How else do you think I got us days off together?"

By bribing a certain second class. And maybe getting a certain Turk to look the other way about certain discrepancies.

"You can borrow something of mine." Never mind the fact that exactly zero clothing that might actually fit the smaller man.

"You... Zack." Cloud attempted to sound disapproving, but it came out with a laugh instead, and he dipped his head to shake it, forehead brushing against Zack's chest as his shoulders shook with mirth.

"Wow, Zack," he said slowly, shaking his head, "but... I'm glad." The smile creeps up on his face and there's a faint, tinge pink to Cloud's cheeks - a colour which spreads up to his ears if not darkening at the thought of Zack's offer.

Wearing. Zack's clothes. Cloud squirms a little and bites his lip.

"I'm going to look ridiculous, you know... nothing will fit me." That, however, isn't an actual protest.

Yeah, you definitely have that disapproving thing down, Cloud. If disapproving was meant to be absolutely adorable and encouraging, anyway.

"Hey, can you really blame me?" Maybe he had taken advantage of Kunsel's excellent skills a bit, but he'd paid pretty generously for each one. Both in gil and with favors that would likely take him the rest of his life to properly pay off.

Not that he was going to actually mention that particular part.

"How else was I supposed to get to spend time with you?" Sure, he could have just waited and hoped, but Zack had never been a wait and hope kind of guy. He was the kind of guy who made things happen, the kind of guy who saw something he wanted and went after it.

Eventually. At least when it came to Cloud.

"If by ridiculous you mean adorable, then yeah, I can definitely see it."

"... Zack..."

What was he supposed to say to something like that, anyway? All he could do was take the faint flush on his cheek with grace, as well as the warm curl of shy happiness in his stomach and shake his head.

Zack going to those sort of lengths even early on, to spend time with him... He wasn't sure how he could have been worth it, at least (especially) back then, when Zack didn't really know him.

"Too large clothes only look cute when you're five, Zack," Cloud said with a roll of his eyes, but that was a lie. Too large clothes was almost always... ahem, adorable, yes. But he wasn't sure he wanted to adorable.

He heard that a lot as it was, though he didn't really mind, hearing it from Zack.

We have got to do something about that lack of self esteem, Cloud. Besides, how was he supposed to get to know you without spending time with you? And it wasn't as if being around a bunch of people who you had to see on a daily basis made the best surroundings for opening up and sharing secrets about yourself.

"I'm hearing a lot of excuses and not a lot of 'That's a really good idea, Zack. Of course I'll stay with you'" Bright eyes fell closed as he spoke, easily shifting the subject back to the one at hand. Sure, Cloud may have commented that he was going to look ridiculous in Zack's clothes - a fact that he would dispute until proven otherwise, which he highly doubted was even possible - but he hadn't actually agreed to staying. And as much as Zack may have wanted to go with the assumption that the answer was yes, he still needed confirmation, needed to know that all of this really was okay.

"Um..." Staring at Zack's face, free to do so with those bright eyes closed, Cloud bit his lip and smiled, just a little. Felt that same curl of shy happiness burn a little brighter - and settle on his cheeks, of course.

"... I'm staying," he said softly, and couldn't quite believe he'd said that. Couldn't quite believe Zack had offered and that he would be doing this. Couldn't quite believe that they'd kissed, just moments before, but staring at Zack's face it was a little hard to deny that he remembered the texture and softness of Zack's lips very well, from those kisses.

"There's still a pie to make, after all," he added, quickly, suddenly feeling awkward and flustered, starting to squirm out of Zack's arms - that pie wasn't getting made by him just lying here.

"That's more like it." A contented sort of sound fell from his lips, a slow release of breath as he slipped into comfortable silence. Honestly, he would have happily stayed there, Cloud's weight gently resting upon him for the remainder of the day and night, simply enjoying finally being allowed to hold the other in his arms and feel his warmth.

But then Cloud was squirming and talking about the pie that apparently still needed making and all Zack could do was squint at the other through thick lashes, eyes barely opened.

"Or you could stop squirming and lay here with me for a while." It wasn't very often he was allowed any sort of down time, any time to actually relax and unwind. Even when he did receive a day off, he always chose to stay busy, checking in on and visiting friends, catching up with Kunsel or spending time with Cloud. Staying right where he was and napping for a little while seemed like a pretty good deal. Especially considering he'd be doing it with the blond.

Frowning down at Zack, Cloud shifted again, almost experimentally - he wasn't sure if Zack had tightened his grip or it just felt more firm now, but it didn't really matter. If Zack didn't let go and didn't want to do so, Cloud would be going nowhere.

"Zack..." He couldn't bring himself to actually sound annoyed, despite feeling awkward about his position, still, but sighed and slumped back down and after a moment slowly hooked one leg around one of Zack's.

It was kind of silly to feel flustered, really, but he couldn't help himself. This was Zack, yes, but the context was a little different and while he'd sat next to Zack more than once and there'd been an arm around his shoulder there hadn't... exactly... been cuddling before.

This was, definitely, cuddling.

"... I guess we've got the time," he said, a faint tinge of pink burning the tips of his ears. He knew Zack would let go if he really demanded it, but... he didn't want to go that far. The pie could wait.

It was impossible not to feel a little hint of Cloud's disapproval, even if he had given in rather easily. Far more easily than Zack had anticipated. Those bright eyes fell closed with the agreement, something near a smirk remaining upon his features. He couldn't help but feel just a little smug at winning this particular battle, at having gotten his way.

His hold did tighten now, just a little, just enough to keep Cloud firmly in place against him now that consent had been given. It wasn't exactly his intention to fall asleep, but it had been a long while since he'd felt quite this comfortable, quite this warm or at peace. Hopefully Cloud wouldn't need to move for the next couple of hours, because chances were, he wasn't going to be going anywhere.

Snorting softly at the hint of a smirk on Zack's face, Cloud just rolled his eyes and settled down, feeling quite relaxed.

... and, if he was supposed to be honest, safe. Something he wasn't going to tell Zack, wasn't that eager to admit to himself because didn't need anyone to protect him. But it was nice, anyway...

He didn't expect Zack to fall asleep on him, though, when he opened his eyes a little later. Zack's breath was nothing more than soft puffs of air against his forehead and hair and his grip... well, unless he relaxed later, Cloud wasn't going to get away without waking Zack up.

And that, as he observed Zack's face, the darkened sweep of eyelashes against cheeks, the hardening lines and the soft curve of cheeks and the scar... Wasn't something he wanted to do. With a soft sigh, Cloud shifted a little and relaxed again. He didn't really plan on napping, but when he next checked the clock, it was one and half hours later.

There was a steady weight resting atop him, pressing down upon his chest and stomach, far from heavy enough to be distressing, but odd enough to make his slowly awakening mind wonder. Moment's before he'd been lost in a dream, bright, colorful scenes playing before his eyes, of a future that would only ever exist in his imagination.

But the weight was like an anchor, slowly dragging him down into the waking world, images falling away and leaving only darkness behind. Until deep, glowing blue fluttered open and were instantly met with the sight of blond spikes, dancing softly with each outwards push of breath.

Cloud. Cloud was that weight. Cloud was that weight and they were laying on his couch and unless everything that had taken place before this moment had been a dream, then everything was drastically different between them than it had been just a few short hours ago.

Or maybe this was one of those strange dream within a dream scenario's and everything had been entirely in his head. Only one way to find out.

Which was to pinch himself, and there was definitely a sharp prick of pain. Which meant this was completely real and Cloud was definitely asleep on his chest. And looked entirely too adorable. Until his head lifted, seemingly looking at the clock.

Letting his eyes fall closed, his breath became remained slow and even, faking the sleep he had just barely come out of, curious to see if Cloud would settle back against him, or if he would attempt to wake him.

If Cloud had had the chance to notice that Zack was pinching himself, he'd have stared incredulously and laughed, but he could certainly understand the urge. As it was, he looked away from the clock and down at Zack, frowning slightly.

He looked so peaceful, like this. Relaxed. Even so, if he was supposed to finish that pie before they had some sort of dinner, he should get up, one way or another.

Shifting experimentally, Cloud wondered if it was just that Zack was naturally like a clingy Crown Lance or if it was him being a SOLDIER that made his grip so firm, even more than an hour after he fell asleep.

Sighing, he leaned up a little, still not sure what to do - and found himself wiggling a hand free, hesitating a moment in the air before he stroked Zack's cheek... And blushed, feeling ridiculous.

Zack was asleep, yes, and that had been completely innocent but... still.

As it would happen, Cloud was far better than any screeching of any alarm clock he'd ever owned. Despite already being partly awake, that stroking was a constant beacon, drawing him nearer and nearer to full consciousness, reminding him of everything that was waiting, if only he'd wake up and enjoy it.

Thick lashes fluttered softly, before opening in a mere squint, slivers of bright blue barely visible as he stared up at the blond currently resting atop him. Waking up each and every morning and having Cloud be the very first thing he saw was definitely something he could grow accustom to, even if he knew it wasn't exactly possible.

Stolen moments like this, convincing Kunsel to hack into the system and change their schedules around, using his own pull to get them on missions together was the most they would ever really have so long as they were both still under ShinRa's thumb. It wasn't much, not nearly enough, but he would take it.

"Good morning, Spike." Voice soft, serene little smile upon his features, even as he dipped forward, lips coming to press against Cloud's cheek quickly before retreating.

Blushing, though Cloud wasn't sure if it was for the soft tone and the smile or the kiss Zack had just given him, Cloud snorted.

"It's not morning, Zack," he said with an eyeroll and a smile, "you're... surprisingly comfortable, you know." Cloud had actually doubted he'd be able to sleep while laying on top of Zack. Not just because he was laying on top of Zack, but there wasn't actually that many soft parts on the SOLDIER, considering the muscles.

But the weight of Zack's arms around his waist, hinting at the real strength hidden in them, and the long body stretched out underneath him... well, he'd fallen asleep faster than he usually did, even in a proper bed.

(The bunk beds in the army barracks weren't that comfortable, but he was used to them and falling asleep or not didn't have anything to do with the beds, for Cloud.)

"Good nap?" Cloud asked, the smile still there, deepening a little, because Zack certainly looked like he'd slept well. Apparently he hadn't been in the way of that, which was good.

"So it isn't." In fact, it was beginning to near late afternoon, which meant they should definitely break this little bubble of peace they had found themselves in and get on with their day. As if on cue, his stomach let out a rather loud rumble, indicating just how long it had been since he'd last eaten. Having been looking forward to the promise of pie, he'd skipped lunch entirely, which meant whatever he'd shoved into his face upon waking up this morning had well and truly done nothing to fill the endless pit.

"Better with you here." How long had it been since he'd slept quite that heavily or quite that well? It was never overly difficult for him to fall asleep, or to stay asleep once he was. Nor did he move overly much, often waking up in the same position and spot as he'd fallen asleep. Most morning he would awake feeling well rested and ready to greet his day, and one other's, like miserable, raining mornings spend in the middle of jungles or swamps on missions were only caused by lack of proper sleep and terrible conditions.

There was something different about sleeping next to - beneath - Cloud. Something about holding him in his arms that made him feel warm, wanted and needed. He couldn't imagine how he would feel in the morning, once he'd spent an entire night cuddled up to the blond.

Muffling a snicker against Zack's chest when his stomach rumbled, Cloud froze a little, turning his head to peer up at Zack when he said 'better with you here', a blush heating his cheeks.

"... yeah," he agreed softly after a few moments, because Zack had just said what he'd been thinking himself. Which was kinda funny, but also... nice. They both, apparently, slept better this way.

And he could think of a few other times, staying late enough at Zack's that he'd dozed on the couch or outright fallen asleep, and even if he had to be woken up and go back to the barracks, he always slept better that short time than he would otherwise.

"How about you figure out what we're having for dinner while I finish the pie?" Cloud finally said after another bout of silence where he'd just laid there, eyes closed for a moment, "... and don't think you can try to sneak a taste when I've gotten far enough."

Zack seemed the type, so Cloud thought it better to warn. He'd defend that pie until it was actually time for dessert.

Oh, Zack was definitely the type. Even with the warning he wasn't likely to actually listen. Sneaking little bits of whatever his mother had been cooking was something of a tradition between himself and his father, and while his mother have have shooed them out of the kitchen while sounding disapproving, it had practically become part of the process.

That wasn't going to change now.

"Aw, where's the fun in that?" Because while Cloud's warning may have been, he certainly wasn't going to heed it. As for figuring out what they were going to have for dinner, well, that was a little more complicated.

"Cloud, you've seen my kitchen, does it really look like I have stuff to make dinner?" Unless you could somehow make a tasty meal out of frozen pizza and pop tarts. "I usually just get take out."

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