fourstrings | no matter any weather

no matter any weather

[ It’s funny how things come full circle, sometimes. They’d been on holiday in Costa del Sol when Zack pulled the fantasy of working a little farm together out of thin air. Now they’re moving everything into the little farm they’ve bought for cheap because the previous owners won big at the Gold Saucer, wanted to sell up and move to Costa del Sol. So lucky, it’s like something straight out of a dream. Fitting, since the process of getting here had seemed like a nightmare.

It started with Wutai. No, it should have started with Wutai. All those people who just wanted to live their lives on their own land, and Shinra sent in SOLDIER to make sure that didn’t happen. And Zack had done as he was told; loved it, even, thinking only of impressing Director Lazard. But then there’d been that girl who tried to scam him, sending him off to find materia, and it was only after Zack had made her cry a couple times that he started asking questions. Like, what did a little kid need all that materia for anyway, and where were all the adults in her life when she was out trying to swindle a member of Shinra’s elite fighting force?

He'd gone to Angeal hoping to be talked out of his doubts. That? Had not happened. What happened was a fast track to honorable discharge (with documentation that Zack strongly suspects was faked, because Shinra doesn’t let anyone go easy) for him and Cloud both, money that Angeal had said he wasn’t going to need with a funny sort of smile on his face. Zack hadn’t understood, but by the end of Angeal’s explanation he’d been in tears, and never more grateful that Cloud, at least, had never made it into SOLDIER. Although even if he had, it probably wouldn’t have stopped him from looking like he was going to faint when Angeal gave them both goodbye hugs and told them to live well.

He'll never forget it, but it seems very far away now. They didn’t have a lot of possessions to move. The farm equipment was included in the sale, and the house on the land is small but cosy; lots of polished wood surfaces, a fireplace in the living room, faded floral curtains that the owner had said would need to be replaced, but that Zack kind of likes. Best of all is the little stable with a pair of work chocobos; they’d been wary of Zack, fluffing up their feathers to seem bigger, but when Cloud had gone in and quietly said hi to them it had only taken about ten minutes for one of them to nestle her head in against Cloud’s neck and the look on his face had made it all worth it.

Tomorrow, he’ll be planting all day. There’s a tiny crop of corn and greens for chocobo feed, but the rest of the fields have lain fallow since the old owners made their plans to get out. It’s gonna take work to get it running profitably, but it’ll be good work. Honest. And he’ll have Cloud here with him; Cloud, who has just put down the last box and is standing there looking around the room like he can’t quite believe it. Zack can; he believes in this, because he believes in Cloud. He walks over and loops his arms around him from behind, nuzzles his face into Cloud’s hair. ]

Welcome home.

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[ zack teases at his nipple, and the stimulation is so sharp and so good it makes cloud whine out a low sound. sometimes it's almost funny how well a guy who misses a cue as obvious as the one from earlier can play him when he tries; cloud's long past the point of being embarrassed at how quickly zack can get him hard.

... and how quickly zack can get his brain to stop functioning at full capacity, apparently.

because when he speaks, it takes cloud a moment to actually process the words. but his expression softens when it does, shifting that hand in zack's hair so that he can stroke his fingers along the other man's cheek. making sure he has all of zack's attention when he speaks. ]

You. [ warm, low, earnest. ] It's always been you. It's always gonna be you.

[ Oh. ]

I'm all yours.

[ Just as earnest, soft not because he's emarrassed about it but because for once in his life he doesn't feel any need to be loud. The only person that matters is right here, with a hand on his cheek and Zack's heart squarely in the palm of his hand. He nuzzles into that touch, dips to press a brief kiss against Cloud's lips. ]

Forever.

[ Now Cloud gets his wish about Zack ditching the shirt. Skin against skin, nothing between them - that's how it should be, and he ditches all of his clothes in a flurry of movement before he turns back to undress Cloud with considerably more care. Kissing over his stomach as he unfastens his jeans, following the trail of it with more kisses as he peels them away. Then back to his mouth once they're both bare, the kiss soft and sweet, reveling in the fact that it's just the two of them. ]

[ ah.

there's a sight that never gets old. zack strips his shirt over his head, and cloud's eyes are on that newly bared skin instantly -- reaching out to trail an appreciative hand down zack's abdomen before he leans in again. it's kind of funny how easy it's been to get over the initial shyness he had those first few times they were together; when the idea of doing anything without the lights off and the covers up was enough to make him jittery with nerves. but it's hard to hang onto that when zack is so obvious in his appreciation, when he makes it so clear how attractive he thinks cloud is, how much he wants him. even those stupid, gnawing voices of self-hate don't stand a chance when zack is around. (well. most of the time, anyway.) ]

Dunno if forever is gonna be long enough. [ just pausing for a moment to enjoy this, the closeness, bumping their foreheads together and brushing another kiss over zack's mouth. ]

[ The way Cloud touches him is never gonna get old. Zack still remembers the first few times, when Cloud had either been so hesitant it's like he was waiting for permission, or done something as bold as put a hand on Zack's stomach with an expression of defiant determination. Now he touches Zack in a way that shows he understands a truth that Zack's held in his heart almost since they met - he is Cloud's, completely and totally. ]

Longer, then.

[ Until they're old and wrinkly, and beyond that until they pass back to the lifestream. Their love will make rivers flow, flowers bloom - oh! ]

Wait, I have something -

[ A little tin in the drawer of the nightstand. There's lube in there too (he has his priorities - all his clothes are still in a bag, but the bed is made and the lube is good to go) which he fishes out and places nearby for good measure, but pulls the tin back so Cloud can see, pops the lid. Inside, petals. Purple at the tip, fading through to creamy white, dried and so paper-thin they're slightly translucent. ]

I wanted to get flowers to give you when we arrived, but Aerith said they'd never survive the trip. And I remember back in Costa del Sol you made a joke about rose petals, so I got her to show me how to dry these so they'd last. It's not exactly roses, but she says they symbolize new beginnings.

[ there's a blink as zack suddenly shifts to fish something out of the nightstand, and cloud props himself up on one elbow so that he can see. honestly? with zack, you never exactly know what you're getting. it could be a drawer dildo that he pulls out with shameless enthusiasm ("i thought we could try this out together!), or...

it's something heart-meltingly sweet.

cloud reaches out to brush his fingertips across the petals, expression soft. it makes his heart ache that zack remembers a little throw-away comment from months ago, that it would mean so much to him that he'd go to all the trouble to put together this gift. then again, that's zack all over. so much more than cloud can ever believe he deserves. ]

Zack. [ pitched low. he doesn't have the words, everything that comes to mind just seems... trite. stupid. ... but it does bring to mind something he's been rolling over in his head for months, something that was always impossible when they were back on active duty. ]

I've been -- [ sitting up just a little further, reaching up to pull the dog tags off from around his neck. it doesn't compare to those little petals, not at all, but it's still irresistible to know it's something he can have, now. ] ... I want you to wear these. I've been thinking about it for a while.

[ rubbing his thumb over the raised metal imprint of his name, suddenly a little self-conscious. ] I just want you to have part of me with you. Always.

[ Oh, wow.

Zack still has his tags... somewhere. Buried in his stuff. He'd taken them off the second their leaving was official, known he'd never wear them again, but couldn't quite bring himself to throw them away. But Cloud's? He can wear those proudly. A little piece of Cloud to sit over his heart, the same way he carries Cloud inside it. ]

Cloud...

[ He can't think of anything to say that would express what he's feeling. Ducks his head instead, inviting Cloud to deliver the dog tags to their new home. ]

[ and cloud's more than happy to deliver them there. loops them carefully over zack's head, then reaches around to tug his hair gently out from under the loop of chain. with zack still leaning over him, they swing free -- but cloud takes a moment to press them against zack's chest with his fingertips, holding them against zack's heart. ]

They look better on you, anyway. [ with a little lopsided smile, leaning in to steal another kiss off zack's mouth. ]

[ Aw, shit. Aw, fuck. He is not going to cry.

Cloud presses his hand over the tags, over Zack's heart, and Zack folds his own hand over it. Leans in to that kiss and takes a breath. ]

Would you ever wanna -

I mean, we'd have to wait a while, probably, make sure everything died down. Let everyone back at HQ forget about us, or assume we got disappeared, or whatever. But when it does, do you think you'd wanna...

marry me?

[ it takes a second. nothing more than the space of a breath (or maybe two), and then...

... cloud huffs a laugh. just a little one, though!

and before zack can get the wrong idea, cloud takes his face in both his hands and leans forward to kiss him. long, slow, sweet. making sure he feels the yes in it, all the love and adoration that belongs to zack and zack alone.

and when he finally breaks away, there's a smile teasing at the corners of his mouth. ]

You know I already dropped everything to run away and start a new life with you, yeah? If you're asking if I want a ring and a ceremony to seal the deal, then yeah. Mostly because -- [ he's teasing here, stealing another kiss off zack's mouth. ] My mom would kill you if you didn't make it official.

But I'm already yours in every way that counts.

Edited 2023-01-04 07:38 (UTC)

Wouldn't want to make your mom mad.

[ And he leans in for another one of those kisses, because they're amazing. And he's happy, yeah! Cloud said yes, and he's right! They're already together, in it for the long haul, forging out on this new life together, but -

he shakes his head. ]

I didn't ask right. And that's totally on me, it kinda... snuck up on me there. But I've been thinking about asking. For ages. Not because I think we should, or because I want your mom to know I'm serious, or because my mom is gonna write me a letter a day about it once I tell her about all this. Because it's important to me. I know it's old-fashioned. I just... It's like when I realized I was in love with you. I never realized I wanted it until I really, really did.

I want it, too.

[ he does! absolutely, without a doubt. maybe it’s old-fashioned, but maybe cloud has always been a sucker for old-fashioned, anyway. and the idea of being able to promise to spend his life with zack? until they’re old and wrinkled and he’s heard every single one of zack’s lame jones at least a thousand times? it sounds pretty perfect. ]

I guess we don’t get to call this the honeymoon yet, huh? [ leaning up to nip playfully at zack’s lower lip. ]

Practice round?

[ Anyone else would think he was sidestepping the issue. He's confident Cloud won't; Cloud always gets him. It's just... he trusts Cloud. If Cloud says he wants it, he wants it. Nothing more to discuss until he asks properly, preferably without his dick out. Now? They can get on with celebrating.

The petals suddenly mean a lot more to him after all of that than he thought they would, so he grabs just one. Holds it up mock solemnly between thumb and forefinger, displaying it for Cloud, and lays it on the bed. ]

There.

[ Like it's some great achievment - but then it's back to the job at hand, peppering kisses over Cloud's neck and chest. ]

[ the great solemnity with which zack places that single petal on their bed is enough to get a laugh out of him, letting his body drop down against the mattress again and arching up a little to welcome those kisses. ]

Y’know, since you’re such a traditional guy — [ a little pause as zack’s mouth finds a place that makes cloud’s breath hitch. ] We could always wait ‘til marriage?

[ Zack pauses.

He looks up. ]

Gimme your PHS. I'm gonna call your mom, see how fast she can get out here for a ceremony.

[ Joking! Mostly. There's laughter in his eyes, but mostly because it's just occurred to him that if Cloud said that seriously? He'd do it. He'd whine like a puppy every time he saw Cloud naked and set a world record for beating off, but he'd do it.

He's so far gone. ]

[ oh my god. partly because it’s such a ridiculous threat, and partly because he knows there is a part of zack that’s totally serious. and cloud’s not sure what kind of threat might be effective here, so…

plan b! which is to drag zack down to him for a kiss cloud hopes is good enough to be distracting! ]

[ Cloud kisses are always distracting, but when he's trying to be distracting? Unreal. Zack hums against his mouth, settling in close again. Skims a hand down Cloud's side, the curve of his ribs, the dip of his waist. Loving every touch, always. ]

So that's a no on waiting for marriage?

[ a little hum like he’s thinking about it, even though his eyes are heavy-lidded and dark with want. and then he drags a lazy trail of kisses along zack’s jaw, sliding his hands down his broad back. ]

Pretty sure there’s a policy against cruel and unusual punishment.

Lucky for me.

[ He arches into that touch, dips his head so he can kiss over the little mark he raised over Cloud's throat, foolishly proud to see it there. Good thing the plan to call their folks for an emergency marriage is off or they'd have to explain why Cloud was wearing a scarf to his own wedding. The thought makes him laugh quietly, and he covers by dragging his teeth lightly over Cloud's collarbone. ]

I think if I had to wait to touch you like this... I might die.

[ He sounds very, very sincere. ]

[ cloud breathes out a pleased little sigh at that scrape of teeth over his skin, eyes sliding shut. doesn’t stop the little smile from tugging at one corner of his mouth and warming up the edges of his voice, though. ]

I believe it. First guy ever to jerk off so much he pulls his own dick off.

[ Well that interrupts progress! Zack drops his face against Cloud's chest as the laughter escapes him in a choked sputter, shoulders shaking with it, and he presses a kiss to Cloud's skin to make up for kinda snorting there. ]

Tragic. You could always keep it in my memory. But I think I can make better use of it while it's still attached.

[ And to support his case, he traces the tip of his tongue in a tight loop over one of Cloud's nipples. ]

[ well, if his grin is any indication, it's obvious that cloud doesn't mind being kinda snorted on. he combs his fingers lazily through zack's hair, petting affectionately like he's trapped under the weight of a great big dog. ]

I'll mount it and put it above the mantle. That's very rust -- ah!

[ whoops, thought lost when zack's tongue finds his nipple. ]

[ Luckily for Cloud, Zack is far too intrigued by that sound to revel in his victory. His hands fasten on Cloud's hips - a play at holding him in place when hopefully he'll need to do anything but - and he sets about trying to refine the process he'd used with such success before. A drag of his teeth, light sucking pressure, a curl of his tongue. This is fun. ]

[ sensitive. enough for him to whine out a little half-desperate sound as zack sets his mouth to work there in earnest, squirming restlessly against the sheets. not really trying to get away, not really wanting to -- there's something intoxicating about feeling how easily zack can hold him in place weighed against the knowledge of just how quickly said would let him go if cloud said the word. ]

Z-Zack... [ tightening the hand he has in zack's hair into a little tug, because it's the only kind of revenge he has from up here. ]

[ Sucky revenge, because Zack loves it. Cloud's a good boy, always has been, so if he's pulling at Zack's hair? That's a sign he's doing something right! He nibbles lightly (lightly! Raw nipples are no fun, he knows this from his ill-fated and short-lived decision to try and do distance running!), laughing soft against Cloud's skin. ]

I love the way you sound.

[ the nibble makes his breath hitch, prompts another half-hearted wriggle underneath zack's weight. but that praise makes him burn -- it always does, whether it's zack telling him he did good when cloud manages an extra five reps or because he's finally managed to get zack's dick all the way down his throat. one of those weird places, maybe, where one aspect of their relationship bleeds right into the other. ]

Yeah? [ a little breathy, trying to give zack's head a meaningful little push to get him moving lower. and maybe he's in a mood, because: ] .... what else?

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