What Lies Within

Chapter Eleven

Zack was nervous. He had been since he had woken up and realized he had to go back. Reno and Rude had alleviated some of his fears, but they were still there. His collar was a reassuring weight as he dressed in his 2nd Class uniform, dark blue eyes watching him intently. Angeal had kept his silence for most of the morning, only giving Zack permission to dress. Pale blue eyes fell on the 1st Class SOLDIER and the slave lowered his head.

“Master…?” Zack watched the older man stand and he was taken into the other’s arms.

“Yes, pup?” The long haired man questioned.

“I’m not ashamed of you, I’m proud to have you as my Master, but what do I say if someone asks me about it?” Zack asked, looking pensive. Angeal smiled.

“Then tell them who you belong to. Subs have no reservation with keeping their lifestyle a secret, so I see no reason for you to keep your silence.” That hand was petting through his spikes soothingly and Zack relaxed against the larger SOLDIER, laying his cheek against the broad chest. The doorbell rang and the pale eyed teen looked up at Angeal questioningly.

“That’s Kunsel. I’ve asked him to escort you to each of your classes and help you if you experience any trouble. You may go with him, but not just yet…” The doorbell rang again, but it went unnoticed as Angeal leaned down and claimed the pouting lips in a passionate kiss. Gloved fingers grasped the platinum ring around Zack’s neck and pulled him closer with it, mouths slanting. When Angeal finally released Zack, he was panting and flushed in the cheeks, breathless from the unexpected kiss. His master released his grip on the collar and touched it.

“This collar also serves as an accessory. I will always know where you are.” Zack’s eyes widened.

“How?” He watched as the older man pulled out his cell phone, opening it and turning so he could see it. The back round of the cell was a map of Midgar and there was a red dot blinking as well as a heart monitor pulsing near the bottom. The text said “Angeal’s Apartment” and the pulsing of the heart meter went up as Zack watched. He placed a hand on his own chest, feeling his heart beat in tandem with what was on the screen.

“Why is there a heart monitor on it?” Zack asked after a few moments. Angeal smiled.

“I will be able to know if you are in distress. I will come to you if I see anything is wrong.” Zack returned the other man’s smile, feeling safe and deeply touched that the other man would purchase something special in order to ensure his wellbeing. The doorbell was rung again and the youth’s eyes widened when he remembered that Kunsel was just outside. Angeal touched his face.

“Go enjoy your first day back and don’t worry about it, puppy. No one will hurt you or think differently of you. It will be alright.” Angeal grunted in surprise when Zack hugged him suddenly around the waist. The teen beamed up at him and nuzzled into his chest before parting and then looking at the door quizzically.

“I’m allowed to answer it, master?” He questioned and the long haired SOLDIER smiled.

“You may. Stay safe, pup. I’ll come for you when your classes end.” Fingers threaded through his spikes and Zack nodded, going to the door and opening it. Kunsel stood there poised to ring the doorbell again but froze, eyes widening through the helmet at the first sight of his friend in week. Zack blinked and flushed a little, but was startled to find that he really didn’t feel that different around Kunsel than he did before.

“Hey, Zack…” Kunsel murmured, eyes still wide at the change he saw in his friend that Zack wasn’t aware of. The boy’s skin seemed to be glowing, a gentle look to those soft blue eyes that had Kunsel thinking twice about being a Sub. Clearing his throat, the teen looked at Angeal and cringed a little. What was he thinking?! The 1st Class SOLDIER would mutilate him if he even so much as touched the spiky haired boy. Zack frowned a bit and then pouted.

“I don’t know whether to kill you or thank you for tricking me into that chat room.” Zack watched the teen panic and look at his master with an expression that screamed ‘you told him?!’ Reassured by Angeal’s presence, Zack smiled.

“Aren’t we supposed to be going to class?” He asked, watching Kunsel’s eyes jerk back to him.

“You aren’t mad?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” Zack told him and they stared at each other for a moment before cracking up into fits of laughter. Angeal chuckled and watched them leave, happy that Zack hadn’t changed in the slightest.


Kunsel watched the door slide shut behind them and then looked at Zack with a smile, but frowned when he realized Zack was looking at the end of the hallway with a puzzled and even disturbed look in his eyes. The teen looked behind him in time to see the hem of a red leather coat disappear around the corner.

“What was it?” Kunsel asked, looking back at Zack, who appeared uneasy.

“I don’t know. I don’t think I knew him, but the expression in his eyes…” The black haired teen paused and shuddered, trying to shrug it off. Kunsel moved to touch Zack on the shoulder to comfort him but thought better of it.

“He was probably someone I pissed off in the past. Don’t worry about it.” Kunsel told the teen and then grinned.

“We better get to Hanec’s class before he has a hernia.” Zack answered the helmet wearing teen’s grin with one of his own and followed the other youth down the opposite direction from where Zack’s blue eyes made met hateful grey ones. They reached the classroom in the nick of time, the balding instructor nodding in Fair’s direction when he sat down with the barest of winces. The plug was still inside him after all…

“Good to see you back, Fair. The assignments you missed are exempt, but I expect you to listen carefully and catch onto the techniques you missed. I know this class is Tactics, but its paramount that you…” Zack blinked when his cell phone beeped, but he ignored it until Hanec was done lecturing him and in the front of the class room. He flipped open his phone and looked at the message.

Has he fucked you yet? –Kunsel

Glowing blue eyes blinked and Zack blushed, the teen looking over to where Kunsel was sitting at his desk with a disinterested expression.

No. –Zack

The spiky haired SOLDIER put his phone away only to have it beep quietly again. Zack sighed and pulled the device out again, thankful that all SOLDIER members carried them around and were allowed to have them in class.

You’re kidding?! Why not?? -Kunsel

Zack’s head hit the desk. Instructor Hanec looked at the boy in concern, wondering if he was still ill. Kunsel caught the look of sympathy and sniggered. The old man would have a heart attack if he knew about what was really going on. He had to be one of the few that didn’t know just how corrupt Shinra was…

He’s stretching me. –Zack

The beep sounded again two seconds after the answer was sent.

How big is he?! -Kunsel

Zack frowned, not a type to spread rumors or talk behind someone’s back, especially Angeal.

I don’t think I should talk about my Master when he isn’t present. –Zack

Surprisingly, Zack’s cell was quiet for a long time after that. Hanec passed out two assignments and the spiky haired 2nd Class was able to finish one before his cell told him that Kunsel had replied.

Wait… Master? -Kunsel

Zack frowned in confusion, wondering why Kunsel was asking that.

Yes. –Zack

The spiky haired teen waited impatiently for the next message. Had he somehow did something wrong?

That’s strange. Angeal told me that he wanted you, but I didn’t know it was that bad. Congratulations. –Kunsel

Zack relaxed and smiled a bit, concentrating on his assignment again. So far, aside from the disturbingly scornful expression on the man’s face in the hallway. People were greeting him with excitement. He could tell the ones that knew the true reason for his absence, because they winked at him with secretive smiles. His master and the two Turks were right, there were a lot of people into this lifestyle and they didn’t treat him any different than before. Instructor Hanec leaned back against his desk, reading from the tactics book.

“When encountering an enemy with the ability to poison always be sure to equip an accessory that negates the poison status or carry Remedy or Antidote.” The class was looking more bored and tired than usual but the teacher didn’t take any notice. Zack yawned and blinked, having just finished his work, trying not to let the monotonous voice make him fall asleep. The door to the class room opened and mako blue eyes widened at the sight of his master entering the room, those dark blue eyes finding his immediately. The Buster Sword was at the man’s back and the teen wondered what had happened for Angeal to be carrying it.

“Ah! Good afternoon, General Hewley, may I help you?” The balding instructor asked, sitting the book down and looking a little uneasy at seeing the 1st Class fully armed. Angeal’s dark blue eyes narrowed as he looked at the squat man and then chose to ignore him, his eyes locking with Zack’s.

“Sit, puppy.” The long haired man commanded and Zack stood, his face burning as he knelt in front of the SOLDIER with his hands clasped behind his back, head lowered so the soft black spikes covered his blush. A hand was placed on his head.

“We have a mission, pup. We are to depart immediately. I’m withdrawing Zack from class. Release.” Angeal murmured after addressing the baffled old man. Zack lifted his head and found Kunsel beaming at him before looking up from his position in front of his master. The man looked even more intimidating with the heavy sword at his back, felt even more powerful than usual, but the hand that rested on his head was gentle and didn’t bring any harm. He stood up and left with Angeal, not even caring that he left without saying goodbye. His master handed him a broad sword with a nod and Zack tilted his head at the uneasy gleam in those mako blue eyes.

“Master? What’s wrong?” Zack asked softly. Angeal blinked at his perceptiveness, checking the items in his belt.

“This mission came very suddenly and seems poorly planned. It is supposed to be a re-con mission, but I have a bad feeling about it. Stay close to me, pup and don’t take any unnecessary risks. We’re going to Wutai.” Angeal and Zack entered the elevator and the older man pressed the button for the roof.

To be continued...

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