Becoming SOLDIER

“Zackary Fair,” a nurse gently spoke as she called the raven hairs’ name.

Zack yawned as he stretched his arms high above his head; he lifted his chin from his chest as he did so and sleepily blinked his eyes open. He wasn’t exactly sure how long he had been there or when he had fallen asleep. Finishing his yawn and stretch he sighed before standing up and turning his attention to the nurse, “Yeah?”

He really didn’t care that he was being short if not borderline rude to the nurse; they had given him hell since he got here. And any patience that he once had, if any really, was completely gone the second they allow Heero to stroll in without any qualms.

The nurse didn’t seem to want to humor him either and simply went straight to the point, “You may see Cadet Strife; he’s ready to see you.”

Ready to see me… Zack wasn’t sure why the simple statement made a mixture of hurt, anger and relief stir in his gut. He knew relief that he would soon see his friend; and hurt that Cloud felt like he needed time to see him instead of coming to him immediately. But anger; perhaps he was angry that Cloud wished to confide in Heero first instead of him… no… that’s jealously isn’t it? In all truth the thought was giving him a head ache and he groaned rubbing his temples before he spoke again, “What room is he staying in?”

The nurse nodded before turning on heel, “Follow me.” Zack did as he was told and quietly allowed the nurse to lead him to Cloud’s room. Zack’s eyes lingered in each room as he walked by; his brows pushed together in deep concentration. This wing was reserved for more serious cases; but Cloud had only fainted right? Zack felt the knot in his stomach growing bigger; maybe Cloud really did get a very serious injury. Zack’s frown deepened; we never had any problems with monsters before… Cloud is almost as strong as I am… and he’s a lot quicker he shouldn’t have had any problems with a behemoth…

“The next door to your right Cadet,” the nurse informed him before walking away. It took Zack a moment to snap out of it and nod a little to late before he strode over to the door. He paused as he put his hand on the knob taking in a deep breath; it’s probably not that serious… Cloud’s just dehydrated or something… it’s got to be something stupid…

Zack turned the door knob and quickly wiped the grimace from his face replacing it with his usual carefree smile. Pushing the door open he chirped, “Yo Cloudy you fall asleep during the test; it wasn’t that bore…,” Zack froze mid-sentence. His heart seemed to skip a beat; the hand still placed on the door knob gripped at it painfully tight. It was a wonder that the knob itself didn’t crumble under the pressure of his grip. His free hand balled tightly at his side and the deep frown quickly returned as his eyes narrowed slightly. He could feel his lungs burn and the knot in his stomach rise in his throat. Every muscle in his body tensed as his shoulder squared; he was shocked at the immediate reaction to the sight before him. He really didn’t know why he reacted so strongly; Protectiveness… right that was it… It was his ‘protectiveness’.

Heero sat on the edge of Cloud’s bed with his arms wrapped tightly around the blonde. One hand stroked his back while his other played with the blonde strands on the back of his head. He could see Cloud’s hand squeeze Heero’s shoulders before he muttered a soft ‘thank you’.

What the hell was he thanking him for anyway; Zack thought bitterly than mentally cursed himself. This guy was just being a friend to Cloud; a very close friend… he couldn’t help but think again bitterly. The raven hair couldn’t believe how irrational he was being; but he didn’t care. He ‘cared’ about Heero putting a comfortable distance between the blonde and himself. He watched Heero nod before releasing his hold of Cloud; at that moment Zack let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

Cloud leaned back against the bed wincing slightly as he did before smiling to Zack. Heero’s hand however managed to travel with Cloud and slowly begin to fall from his hair to his cheek before giving a reassuring squeeze. Zack watched as when Heero dropped his hand completely that his finger tips brushed against Cloud’s neck supplying a light blush from the blonde; he was so intent on setting Heero’s hand on fire with his glare he didn’t realize that Cloud had been calling out to him. It actually didn’t register at all until Heero moved up and exited the room; Zack wasn’t sure why but his eyes followed the boy till he saw the door and hear it click shut.

“Zack…,” Cloud called for the boy’s attention much quieter than normal; he was uneasy the way Zack was glaring down Heero. But it wasn’t like he could really explain the situation; he just prayed Zack didn’t ask why Heero was allowed in in the first place. He would tell Zack eventually; but right now… He really didn’t want Zack to know anything he didn’t have to.

“Oi Spike,” Zack’s mood changed in an instant as he pulled a chair next to the blonde’s bed, “How ya feeling?”

Cloud smiled softly, “Much better; I just… fainted I guess. I hope I still passed…”

Zack smiled back just as bright, “Oi; I’m sure you did fine; you ‘did’ defeat behemoth. And I’m sure your test scores will make up for any points you lost conking out like you did…..”

Zack paused for a moment before continuing, “So… what did the doctors say?”

Cloud’s eyes widened at the sudden question but he quickly recovered and cast his eyes down at his white sheets, “Exhaustion…,” he answered a little too quickly.

“Exhaustion huh,” Zack questioned not believing his friend; but he decided not to press the subject further much to Cloud’s relief. Rather he was more focused on a brown haired blue eyed cadet, “So that was Heero; the guy you were talking about in the chow hall?”

Cloud tensed back up slightly but quickly relaxed looking over to the raven haired male, “Yeah that’s him…,” Cloud added softly, “he’s a good guy.”

Zack quirked a brow, “What’s that supposed to mean,” Zack spat out before he knew he was saying it. Cloud blinked a little shocked at the sudden venom in Zack’s words; Why did he always get so mad at the mention of Heero…?

“I mean he’s a good guy; what else would I mean,” Cloud challenged a bit agitated at Zack’s childishness.

Zack’s own frustration got the better of him, “Well why the hell was he allowed in here to see you when I couldn’t?”

Cloud’s eyes filled with pain at Zack’s words; he felt a sudden pane of guilt. He didn’t think that Zack would be offended; he never even considered it. He was just being selfish; he didn’t want anyone to know what really happened. Heero was the only one who knew; and Heero was the only one Cloud would allow to know. So he couldn’t risk Zack stumbling in to over hear their conversation. And Heero was the only one who could comfort him in that aspect because he was the only one to know.

This is becoming far to complicated…

Zack’s irritation grew at his silence and down cast look; he hated that Cloud was now making him feel guilty. Cloud was involuntarily turning the tables on him to make him look like an asshole; or at least feel like one.

“That’s not fair Cloud,” Zack started lowly, “don’t turn this around on me.”

Cloud gaped at his friend, “turn this around on you….” Sure Cloud knew that Zack had no idea what really happened; or what had gone on but that didn’t stop the sudden rage overwhelming him. Zack was his friend; he was supposed to be there for him. He was supposed to welcome him with open arms not give him a tough time because of his new friends. He and Zack were still friends regardless; nothing had changed.

“What do you know Zack! You think I want to be here! There was just something I could only speak with Heero about. Why are you so worried about that anyway! Why do you even care! You’re supposed to be my friend; I need you as a friend right now! But all you care about is who came to visit me first?! What is it about Heero that bothers you so much!!”

Zack clutched his fists in his lap before shutting his eyes and shouting without thinking of what he was saying, “Because I was jealous; that’s why!”

At the sudden confession the room grew quiet and the air in the room seemed to grow thicker; Zack’s eyes shot wide at the blurt of information he himself shocked at the words that spilled from his lips.

Cloud stared in confusion at his friend before repeating the one word that silenced them both, “…J-jealous…?”

Zack flinched as Cloud spoke the simple word and he stood up pulling a envelope out from his pocket and handing it to the blonde, “Here… it’s the results. I’m… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

The raven haired man’s lips pursed together before he took the blonde in his arms and held him close, “I’m sorry…”

Cloud remained still trying to decipher the situation; his mind racing as well as his unexplained heart. Why was his heart beating so fast? He felt his heart all but stop in his chest as Zack pulled away and placed a short kiss on his forehead.

“Z-Zack…”

“I made it… second class; I didn’t read yours,” Zack straightened himself out before moving to open the door and take his leave, “I’ll visit later.. You’ll have to tell me what grade you made…”

With a small sad smile Zack exited the room leaving a slightly dazed Cloud.

Cloud snapped back to reality opening the envelope to look at the results; he scanned the paper and a small smile crossed his features, “We made it…Zack…”

NAME: STRIFE, CLOUD

BLOOD TYPE: AB+

BIRTH DATE: 8 - 12

HEIGHT: 5ft 6in

WEIGHT: 120lbs

RANK: Promoted to SOLDIER 2nd Class

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