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

[exsurgo]

[ His first instinct is to apologize. Cloud's eyes are always pretty big but now they're huge with - surprise? Shock? Probably would have been a better move to ask first, but - ]

Was that okay?

[ He's... 90% confident that the answer is going to be yes. Which is why he doesn't step back, or take his hand away from Cloud's neck. The only physical betrayal of his sudden onset of doubt is the way his eyed dart around Cloud's face, like he can figure out the answer before Cloud says it.


Fuck, he hopes it's yes. ]

[meteorics]

[ yes. the obvious answer is yes.

but cloud's brain is still more than a little shell-shocked, which means that the first thing that actually comes out is: ]

Oh.

[ ... wait, what? let's try this again. ] You kissed me.

[ no! no! that wasn't yes at all!! and now he's lifting a hand to touch his lips like he's looking for confirmation, because that's the totally cool and reasonable way to respond to someone smooching you. ]

[exsurgo]

Sure did.

[ It would sound very smooth, if the tone of Zack's voice wasn't edging slowly towards panic. On the bright side, Cloud doesn't sound outraged. On the... other side, he does sound a little bewildered. Like he might if Zack suddenly showed up with purple hair, or ate his PHS. Not like he'd maybe been thinking about it too, hoping for it.

Hmm. ]

I could... do it again. Or never do it again and apologize until the day I die. Up to you.

[meteorics]

[ okay, maybe it's the fact that zack is offering to never do it again that finally snaps cloud out of it. he blinks hard, eyes snapping back up towards zack's face, and...

... there's a definite bloom of pink in his cheeks when he speaks again. ]

Again. [ it's soft, but his voice gets a little stronger as he finishes the thought. ] You should definitely do it again.

[exsurgo]

[ OKAY PHEW

that's great to hear, and Zack grins at Cloud for a beat before he does just as ordered. This time the permission makes him more confident, and he lingers a little - still close-mouthed, but the press of his lips is warm and slow. And it's good. Just that, the warmth of Cloud's lips against his - so soft! does he use chapstick or something? - the scent of him, having him close. And when he pulls back, he's right back to grinning. ]

I gotta say, I'm glad you went for option a.

[meteorics]

[ that grin is enough to make his heart skip a beat, but it's nothing on the way it feels when zack leans back in for that second kiss. and this time, cloud gets it together enough to lean up and meet him -- rocking up onto his tiptoes and tipping his chin up.

and wow! wow! it's a real kiss!

... not that the first one wasn't, but cloud's with it enough this time to be aware of the way his heart does a little stutter-step in his chest and the way that it feels like there's electricity jumping back and forth between he and zack. (is that what people mean when they talk about sparks?)

and by the time zack pulls back, cloud is grinning. from ear to ear, so wide it hurts his face. ]

Wow.

[exsurgo]

Yeah, I thought so too!

[ Okay, this is great! Dance lessons were a better idea than he even knew! 'cause he like kissing Cloud, and juding by the way Cloud moved into it this time and the grin on his face, Cloud likes it too!

Oh, except - ]

I feel like I should say I didn't bring you here for this. I really did just wanna teach you to dance. You just looked so -

[ Zack Fair, do not say cute! ]

irresistable.

[meteorics]

Oh. [ it should be impossible for cloud to get even more pink. somehow, despite all logic and reason, he proves that it isn't. ]

I don't mind! I mean -- [ wait. chewing on the inside corner of his lip for a moment, and then: ] ... wait. Those weren't like... friend-kisses, right?

[ what the fuck is a friend-kiss? ] B-Because it's okay if they were! I just wanna make sure --

[exsurgo]

[ Wait, Zack knows what a friend-kiss is! It's the kind he gives Aerith! ]

This is a friend-kiss.

[ He plants a smacker right in the middle of Cloud's forehead, loud and obnoxious. ]

This is an I've-been-wanting-to-kiss-you-for-ages-and-I'm-taking-my-chance kiss.

[ He kisses Cloud again, like the first time, soft, sweet, and brief. ]

And this is an I-got-away-with-it-the-first-time-and-now-I-wanna-take-you-on-a-date-and-ask-you-to-be-my-boyfriend kiss.

[ And it's the kissiest kiss yet - the hand on the back of Cloud's neck stays there, but the other comes to tip Cloud's chin up slightly. This kiss is slow, a little more heated, and ends with Zack parting his lips so he can swipe the tip of his tongue against Cloud's lower lip. ]

[meteorics]

[ okay, that's not exactly what he was expecting! but before that loud forehead kiss can even make him get the deer-in-the-headlights look again, zack is already moving back in, and. oh.

it's one of those kisses that makes him go all melty again. the deer-in-the-headlights thing shifts happily into a stupid, lovestruck little smile, but before that even gets to settle in, zack is coming back for thirds, and --

ohhhh.

by the time zack pulls away from that one, cloud is swaying on his feet. just a little! and his blue eyes have gone a little dark, pupils blown and hazy. it... takes him a solid few seconds to come back from that one. but when he does? ]

... boyfriend? [ priorities. ]

[exsurgo]

Yeah. [ And he has the grace to look a little sheepish, even if he's grinning. ]

I know I'm moving kinda fast, but that's like... my specialty. There's a reason I'm the guy they send in when they need someone to raise a ruckus for distraction.

You don't have to say right away, but think about it, okay?

[meteorics]

Wait, no --!

[ punctuating this by reaching out to grab a fistful of zack's uniform, like there's some risk of him moving away. and now his expression is knitted with determination, looking up at the other boy and: ] Of course I wanna be your boyfriend. Duh.

[ ... ah, wait. that isn't a very romantic way to do things, huh? which is why he's flushing pink all over again, his grip on zack loosening slightly. ] ... it just surprised me, that's all.

[exsurgo]

Okay, cool.

[ Which might sound like a very mellow answer, if Zack wasn't grinning like an idiot and bouncing on the balls of his feet as he says it. God, Cloud's pretty when he blushes. He's pretty all the time, but when he blushes it's just... next level.

Zack's grin turns a little impish. ]

Hmmmmmmm. I've never had an "asked my best friend to be my boyfriend and he said yes" kiss. Wonder if there's anyone here who could help me figure out how those go.

[meteorics]

[ there is a brief, irrational second where a little flare of jealousy surges in cloud's chest. because he doesn't want there to be anyone around here who can --

... oh. oh. zack is talking about him, right?

and... wow. okay. being the one to actually do the kissing is a little nerve-wracking! but cloud seizes on the courage that his little spark of jealousy inspired, tightening his grip on the front of zack's uniform again so that he can tug him down firmly, lean up to meet him, and...!

clonk their heads together. ]

S-Sorry! [ blurting it out mid-wince, because wow, the people who talk about how hard zack's head is aren't kidding. ]

[exsurgo]

[ Zack laughs, but it's happy laughter - not mocking. He hopes Cloud can tell the difference. ]

Shh. C'mere.

[ One soft little peck where he just accidentally headbutted his friend - his new boyfriend?!? - and then he navigates back into a proper kiss. It's already pretty great - seriously, he needs to ask Cloud how he gets his lips so soft and nice - and then he gently opens his mouth, waiting to see if Cloud'll do the same. ]

[meteorics]

[ ah...! okay, cloud had halfway been expecting headbutting your new boyfriend (?!?!) in the face to be breakup worthy, but instead. zack presses a little kiss to his forehead, then goes back in for another kiss. a proper one this time, slow and lingering and...

oh! okay, he doesn't know much about kissing, but cloud is nothing if not a fast learner. and he remembers what zack did before, so... boldly, he draws the tip of his tongue along the plump curve of zack's bottom lip. ]

[exsurgo]

[ Oh hell yeah!

Cloud runs his tongue over Zack's lip, and that's enough to get a warm little hum of pleasure out of him. And it's a very short step from there to slipping his tongue into Cloud's mouth, licking into it and making a sound that would definitely be a sigh if his mouth wasn't otherwise occupied.

It's so good! Cloud's skin is warm against Zack's hands, and he lets his fingers move up a little just to stroke at the fine hair at the nape of Cloud's neck. Soft enough to confirm one and for all that his hair Just Does That. And Zack feels good. It's like... nervous butterflies and sparking attraction and low, purring satisfaction all at once. It's confirmation enough for him that they are absolutely meant to be like this. ]

[meteorics]

[ the sound zack makes is officially going to live forever as a proud member of cloud strife's highlight reel. even if this is it, even if zack breaks away right now and calls the whole thing off and decides they should just go back to being buddies, cloud is pretty sure he could (almost) die happy, just from being in close proximity to zack sounding like that.

... but zack does not break away.

in fact, if there's an opposite of breaking away, it's probably zack slipping his tongue into cloud's mouth, and -- wow. wow?! cloud always kinda thought that having someone else's tongue in your mouth would be... gross, but the reality is so far from gross that he's pretty sure they're not even in the same solar system. it's... hot, and it makes a dangerous little flare of heat unfurl at the pit of his belly. he isn't even aware of the low sound he makes in response, all but melting into zack with his hands still fisted tightly in the material of the other boy's uniform.

wow. wow. kissing is great. ]

[exsurgo]

[ Oh, shit. Cloud makes that sound and seems to clutch at Zack's clothes tighter, leaning in closer, and it's like a dream. Almost exactly like quite a few of them, actually, except that they're in a hijacked training room and have all their clothes on... which is a train of thought Zack needs to cut off right now if he doesn't want the semi he's sporting to turn into a full-on boner.

He pulls away, finally, but not far. Still close enough to rest his forehead against Cloud's, to stroke at his hair, and that grin is back on his lips as soon as they're not occupied. ]

So, uh. Where do you wanna go for our first date?

[meteorics]

[ cloud can't help the little sound he makes when zack pulls away -- dangerously close to a whine, like someone who's been offered dessert and then had it pulled away after one delicious spoonful. (or two. or three? he's kind of losing track.)

but. that's... a very serious question, right? first dates are serious. what if they end up having kids? they'll have to tell them all about the first date story -- wait, does zack want kids? should cloud ask? no, no, there's no way that's pre-first date material! ... is it? ]

Umm. [ summoning the few braincells that haven't melted into useless, kiss-drunk slush. it's a monumental task. ] ... food?

[exsurgo]

Mm. Food sounds good. We'll do that.

[ It doesn't sound nearly as good as more kissing. But they can't just kiss and not go on dates! Then how will Cloud know Zack's serious about him?

That doesn't mean they can't do more kissing now, though. Zack leans in, gives another one of those little soft kisses with every intention of going in for more - and then the music playing changes. And it's a piece he actually knows and likes, and before he realizes what he's doing he's curling his arms back around Cloud, swaying to the music. Not quite the kind of dancing they're here for, but still! ]

[meteorics]

[ well! that's settled.

cloud doesn't pick up on the music change, not at first. not until zack slides his arms around him, and then... oh. this? this is way better than waltzing.

... and he can't resist the urge to give into the little fantasy his mind has been laying out since that first moment when zack stepped closer. leaning into the other boy, tucking his head under zack's chin and letting his cheek rest on his shoulder. not the best position for more kissing, but... wow. ]

... this isn't a dream, right? My alarm's not gonna go off in five minutes?

[exsurgo]

Hope not. That won't be as good to dance to.

[ Man, it feels so good like this. Zack knows Cloud can be a little sensitive about how small he is, but like this? It's perfect. The way Cloud fits so perfectly against him, head tucked in close, the line of their bodies warm against each other. Cloud's young and there's still time for him to hit a growth spurt, but though Zack would never voice such a treacherous thought? He kind of hopes he doesn't. That they can stay just like this, and be old men dancing together this way someday. ]

You smell good.

[ Nice one, Zack, very smooth. Very communicative of your romantic thoughts. ]

[meteorics]

[ this is probably the first (and only!) time in cloud's life that he's actually thinking it's not so bad to be short. after all, he's at the perfect height to be able to put his head on zack's shoulder and lean against him, and --

oh. hang on. moment busted, because he has to smash his face into zack's chest just to muffle a snort of laughter. ]

What, you're into cheap shampoo?

[exsurgo]

I think I'm just really into you.

[ Again, this could be romantic - smooth, even! - except that Zack follows up by dropping his face into Cloud hair and huffing him. Hopefully there's at least a little recovery in the way he then prods at Cloud's face with his own until he reveals a cheek, rests his face there for a moment, and follows with: ]

Yup. This is better.

[ And kisses there, just for good measure. It's official: he's never gonna get tired of kissing Cloud, no matter where. ]