and if you say run, I'll run with you

[exsurgo]

Help, they’re making us

[ A message like that from Cloud would send Zack running at the best of times. It’s not technically breaking any rules to use the company data to find out where he is, and it puts him at ease a little to see he’s in one of the training rooms – until Zack gets there and peeks through the glass of the door.
The orderly lines. The fact that everybody is in PT gear, not uniform. And the fact that Genesis – who Zack is pretty sure by now is at least a little bit of a sadist – is at the front of the room.

It’s time for the lessons.

Zack panics. What kind of friend is he? Why didn’t he warn Cloud? But – it’s early! They don’t usually do this until you’re pretty high up in the ranks! It’s only used for showing off at formal events and, on very rare occasions, infiltration! It’s too soon! It’s Genesis enacting some cruel ploy, Zack just knows it. He’s not even required to instruct, he’s just doing it for his own sick glee! So Zack throws open the door, points at Cloud, and musters his very best attempt at a stern voice as he says I need an assistant. Strife, you’re up.

That, as it turns out, was a mistake.

Genesis turns to face him, the motion smooth as silk, a wicked smile curving his lips and a look of malice glittering in his eyes. If you want one of my students, he says, you will first assist with a demonstration. Which is how Zack ends up letting Genesis lead him in a paso doble in front of the gathered infantrymen. It’s… fine. It’s fine! Zack likes dancing! He doesn’t even mind that he’s not leading, except that he’s being led by Genesis, and the dance requires a lot of intense eye contact, tight turns with their bodies close, and a terrifying incident in which Genesis picks him up by the hips and spins him. But the music is loud and fast, and it’s not so bad when he reminds himself that this is for Cloud, who doesn't deserve to be dropped in a situation like this unprepared.

The dance finishes. Zack bows to Genesis, just like his own lessons hammered home. Genesis offers a sweeping bow in return, something that effortlessly communicates messages such as I know what you’re up to and don’t mess with me, you little shit. Zack straightens, and tries not to pout. ]

Can I get on with my work now?

[ The nod Genesis gives him is almost imperceptible, so Zack beckons to Cloud and hurries the both of them back outside before that maniac can change his mind. ]

What an asshole.

Comments

[meteorics]

[ cloud is almost-definitely-pretty sure he's going to puke.

the idea of dancing is humiliating enough. but there's an odd number of people in the room, and cloud already knows he's going to be the last one picked, and that means? dancing with genesis. and maybe cloud knows genesis the least out of angeal's, uh, friends, but he knows enough! he's seen genesis trip zack on more than one occasion, and he's heard genesis talk shit about the other officers trying to stumble through their dance classes, and.

what if cloud steps on his foot? what if he pukes on him? genesis is obviously the type to never let him live something like that down, and it'd obviously get back to sephiroth, and if cloud has to live the rest of his life imagining genesis and sephiroth talking about how bad he is at dancing behind his back, he really is going to go up to the roof of shinra HQ and --

and then zack appears and rescues him, just in the nick of time. and okay, maybe the sight of zack and genesis dancing is enough to make cloud nauseous for a host of brand new reasons, but it's still worth it if it means escaping that room. by the time zack hauls him out of there, cloud is positively green around the gills, and the best show of gratitude he can manage is to wheeze out a little thanks before he bends double and braces his hands on his knees. ]