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Crystal Clear	By : MystIc19 Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1058 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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�I�m too nervous to eat,� the blonde said softly while pushing his tray away from him with a frown.

�Come on you have to eat, you�ll need your energy for tomorrow,� Kyo replied while sliding the tray back over to his smaller friend.

Cloud sighed and picked up his fork and began stabbing at some of the items on his plate.

It was the night before examinations and everyone, well every cadet was a complete wreck, but Cloud thought he was worse than any of the others. He hadn�t been able to focus all day and he kept thinking that he was forgetting things or that there was still so much more that he needed to work on. Deep down he thought he would do fine, but then there was still the small nagging voice in the back of his head that said he would fail, and that small nagging voice sounded oddly enough like Sergeant Okuda�s. He knew he had trained well and hard enough and he knew that the written part wouldn�t be difficult at all. When it came to studying that just came natural to the blonde, but no matter what he told himself he still couldn�t seem to calm his nerves.

What if he did fail? Was Sergeant Okuda right? Was the exam to get out of basic training really tough, too tough for someone such as himself to pass? Would he have to repeat the class?

�Hey,� Kyo started while waving his fork in front of the other, �come on you have to relax Cloud. I�m nervous too but we can�t make it worse by worrying ourselves.�

�Right,� Cloud began with a nod and placed a bite of food into his mouth while glancing around the cafeteria. It was filled with cadets who were all talking about the next days examinations, it was hard to try to forget about it when that was the only thing being talked about. There were some SOLDIERS in the cafeteria as well having dinner joking about how the cadets were getting so worked up. Sure to them it wasn�t a big deal, they had already been through the whole process. Cloud frowned at a few of them, it wasn�t right for them to get a kick out of the cadet�s nervousness, after all they were there at one point and time, just because they were SOLDIERS now they thought they were like untouchable.

�Zack never acts that way. He hasn�t laughed or found this whole thing amusing, he wants me to pass this just as bad as I do.� Dropping his gaze back to his food he let out a sigh. How the hell did Zack manage to be so different from the other SOLDIERS? Not all of them were jerks but many of them were. Zack�if only he could see him right now, maybe he would calm down a little.

But Zack was on some sort of assignment and wouldn�t be back until tomorrow morning when Cloud would already be in his testing. He had spoken to him earlier that day and Zack had told him he would do just fine�and at the time he had believed it, when he was there next to Zack looking at the huge grin on his face and the sincerity in his glowing eyes. But now with a cafeteria full of noisy cadets he wasn�t sure. If the others were nervous, the taller, stronger and meaner looking cadets then he was seriously starting to doubt whether some scrawny kid such as himself could really progress. But he couldn�t think like that, he came too far to scare himself out of things.

Setting down his fork he gave up on trying to eat again and leaned back in his seat waiting for Kyo to finish.

�We should head back after this,� Kyo started while taking a drink of soda, �I think I�m going to just go to bed, we have to get up early tomorrow.�

�I think I�ll review a little more for the written examination,� Cloud explained with a shrug.

�No Cloud,� Kyo began with a shake of his head, �you�re not going to overload yourself. That�ll just make you crash and we don�t want that for tomorrow right?�

�Crash?� Cloud asked curiously while looking to Kyo. He had so much on his mind that he had only partially heard his roommate.

�Yeah,� Kyo began, �trust me I know. I�m notorious when it comes to cramming, and for the most part it only makes things worse. Stick with what�s already in your head. Besides, you�re smart, I�m sure you know everything already,� Kyo finished while standing up from the table and motioning for Cloud to follow.

Cloud nodded and followed Kyo out of the cafeteria and back to their room. He was glad that he had Kyo to calm him down a bit if he couldn�t have Zack there.

�See you bright and early,� Kyo joked while hopping into his bed and falling almost instantly asleep.

Cloud sighed before lying back in his bed and staring up at the ceiling for what felt like an eternity waiting for sleep to come and overtake him and bring whatever tomorrow had in store for him.

Zack yawned before stepping into his office and lazily falling into the leather swivel chair. It felt so good to sit down for a moment, he had been up ever since last night on assignment and hadn�t gotten a chance to sleep yet. He knew he was supposed to come to the office to do something but�now that he was in there he had forgotten what it was. Closing his eyes he ended up drifting off to sleep. He wasn�t sure how long he was out but he assumed it was for awhile when he heard the door to his office slam and a not too thrilled Sephiroth standing inside.

�Seph?� Zack asked sleepily while blinking his eyes.

�So this is where you�ve been hiding,� The general began while keeping his gaze on the SOLDIER.

�Hiding? No,� Zack began with a stretch, �I just fell asleep.�

�Still not getting any work accomplished,� Sephiroth replied in an unreadable tone.

�Don�t worry it�ll get done�soon,� Zack added with a sleepy grin.

�Hmm,� the General replied while turning to step out of the room.

�What time is it anyway?� Zack asked while rubbing his eyes.

�Nearly six. I assume you haven�t gotten any rest since last night. Go home Zackary,� Sephiroth simply said before stepping out of the room and letting the door close behind him.

The SOLDIER nodded to himself before groggily getting up from out of his chair.

�Wait, six? I came here at like one�examinations were over a while ago!� Picking up his speed he left out of the office and quickly exited the building making his way back to his apartment. He figured he could head home and take a quick shower and change out of his SOLDIER attire and drop by Cloud�s and see how things went. He knew how badly Cloud wanted to get out basic training, hell he wanted him out of there just as bad. He didn�t want him to be in Sergeant Okuda�s class any longer, Cloud didn�t need to deal with all the shit that the bastard threw at him. Cloud had potential and Zack knew it and he was sure Cloud would realize it too once he got his self esteem higher, and part of the solution of that was getting him away from the Sergeant.

Turning the corner Zack made his way up the pathway to his apartment when he caught glimpse of those unruly golden spikes. Cloud was sitting on the stoop in front of Zack�s door looking down causing his hair to shield most of his face.

�Hey Spike!� Zack exclaimed once he got a little closer, trying to sound his usual self though he was worried about how Cloud was, did he pass exams?

Cloud looked up and gave a bit of a smile, �Hey, I was waiting for you.�

�Sorry, I got stuck at the office,� Zack replied while scratching the back of his head. �So uh�how did the exams go?� He asked trying not to sound too anxious.

Cloud held Zack�s gaze for a moment with a sad look on his face before looking back down to the ground.

Zack�s stomach dropped and he let out a sigh while stepping in front of Cloud. �Spike, it�s okay, there will be other chances to take it again,� he explained while ruffling the boy�s hair.

�Why would I retake it?� Cloud asked, his voice low, still keeping his gaze on the ground.

Zack blinked before looking away and then back down to the mess of blonde spikes. �Hey come on kid you can�t give up that easily.� Frowning he kept his gaze on Cloud. He didn�t understand, he thought for sure Cloud would pass. He had the skills, he knew the material, there was no reason for him to repeat basic training.

�No,� Cloud began while shaking his head, �why would I retake it again when�� he trailed off for a moment and looked up to the other a mischievous glint in his eye before a smile spread across his face, �I already passed it this time!� He finished, his smile widening.

�What?� Zack asked slightly confused before realization hit him.

The blonde hopped off of the stoop and nodded, �I passed!�

�Yes!� Zack began with a sigh of relief. �I knew you would!�

Cloud laughed as Zack brought him in for a tight hug.

�You brat don�t scare me like that!� Zack teased while ruffling the boy�s hair.

�You should�ve saw your face,� Cloud said in between laughs.

�Ha ha very funny!� Zack shot back while putting Cloud in a headlock, �Just because you�re out of basic training don�t think you can mess with me,� the SOLDIER joked.

�You�re just mad because I got you!� Cloud replied while trying to break out of the headlock.

�Fine,� Zack began while letting go of Cloud, �I�ll give you that one.�

Cloud continued to smile, �I came here as soon as I was done to tell you,� he explained while running a hand through his now slightly messy hair.

�Sorry I came back as soon as I realized the exams were through, I was about to come here and change and then stop by and see you actually,� Zack replied while stepping inside the apartment.

�It�s okay,� Cloud started with a shrug, �I figured I would just wait for you, I was too excited to go back and sit in the barracks!� he continued while stepping inside behind the other.

Zack couldn�t help but smile. Cloud was happy�no ecstatic, and he loved seeing him like that. The blonde deserved every bit of this victory and Zack was glad that he was apart of it.

�Well what do you want to do then? We have to celebrate of course! Anything you want to do, it�s on me!� Zack explained.

�Anything?� Cloud asked skeptically.

�Yep! Tonight is yours, whatever you want,� Zack added.

�Okay,� Cloud began with a nod all the while a smile creeping onto his face, �let me ride the motorcycle.�

�What?� Zack asked his eyes growing wide, �Oh Cloud I don�t know�

�Please?� the blonde asked resting his innocent blue eyes on the SOLDIER.

�Cloud�how can I say no to you?� Laughing a bit Zack nodded before turning to walk down the hallway to go to his room to change, �Alright Spike. This is your night, whatever you want.�

The sound of a car honking caused the blonde to yelp in surprise and swerve a bit but the SOLDIER behind him reached forward and helped steady the bike.

�Was that my fault?� Cloud asked worriedly over the sound of the bike and the rushing air that was passing by them.

�No, don�t worry it was that assholes!� Zack replied while bringing his hand back and placing his arms around Cloud�s waist. It felt strange riding on the back of the motorcycle but not unpleasant, after all Cloud was sitting in front so he got to hold onto him, and that all in itself was a good thing.

�Am I doing better?� Cloud asked as they continued down the street.

�You�re a natural!� Zack replied while leaning forward and speaking into the blonde�s ear so he could hear him better.

Cloud smiled and continued on. He still couldn�t believe that Zack had actually allowed him to ride his motorcycle. It was like Zack�s most treasured possession, he thought he was surely going to have to beg a lot more to finally get him to agree to it but it looked like he didn�t have to.

They had been out for several hours already, they went out to eat at a restaurant that Cloud had heard Kyo mention that he took Lana to and he had rode the bike there and back and to all the stops in between. At first, while it was exhilarating it was also scary and Cloud had made a few mistakes, nothing serious obviously, but Zack was right there to help just in case. But over the period of the evening he started to become a little more comfortable with it, except he still got a little freaked out when a car was nearby.

�One more stop?� Cloud asked once they came to a stoplight.

�Your night Cloud, whatever you want,� Zack repeated for the umpteenth time that night. No matter how many times he said it though Cloud continued to ask permission.

�Right,� Cloud replied with a nod before the light changed green and they sped off again.

Within a few moments they were at their next stop and Cloud parked the bike.

�Good choice,� Zack replied while letting go of the boys waist and hopping off the back.

�I told you I wanted to come here again,� Cloud replied while hopping off the bike as well.

�Yep and you got to ride the motorcycle here this time,� Zack continued as they continued their walk.

�About that,� Cloud began with a raised eyebrow, �will you let me use it again besides tonight?�

Zack grinned, �Already thinking about the future huh?�

Cloud smiled, �It�s fun, I mean I�m not talking about riding it by myself, you would be there of course.�

�Of course I would be,� Zack started, �in that case, I don� t see why you cant use it again.�

�Thanks,� Cloud replied with a smile.

This night was probably the only time where Zack had seen Cloud smile so much, and laugh to top it off. He was for once just completely carefree, and if it only lasted for the night then Zack wanted to prolong the evening as much as possible.

They reached the low brick wall pretty fast and Cloud peered over to look at the ocean. �I wish we could get closer,� he said softly.

�What?� Zack asked while completely freezing for a moment and glancing at the other.

Cloud turned back to look at Zack and nodded, �To the water,� he began, �It�s nice close up.�

�Oh,� Zack replied while relaxing his muscles, �Yeah,� he began while leaning against the wall, �It�s too dangerous though we might fall or something.� He ran a hand through his hair while mentally kicking himself. For a second he thought when Cloud said he wished they could get closer he really thought that he meant that the two of them should be closer. But of course that wasn�t what he meant at all.

�Hmm,� Cloud replied while resting against the wall.

�Think about it Spike,� Zack began with a grin trying to push away his last stupid thought, �this time next week you�ll no longer be in Okuda�s class. And you won�t be referred to as Cadet Strife but Recruit Strife.�

�I know,� Cloud spoke while staring off into the distance, �I still can�t believe it.�

�Oh?� Zack asked while keeping his gaze on the blonde, �Why not? Did you seriously think that you wouldn�t pass?�

�I,� Cloud began while concentrating on the waves of the dark blue water, �I don�t know,� he admitted shyly. �I mean at times I thought I would but then�sometimes I thought I wouldn�t. When it comes to achievements my list isn�t really all that long,� he said with a forced laugh.

Zack frowned, �Well then maybe it�s time to start a new list.�

Cloud blinked before tearing his gaze from off of the water to look at Zack.

�This is a new part of your life Cloud, don�t keep comparing it with what used to be. Concentrate on now and what you can do now,� Zack explained, �It�s in you to accomplish whatever you want. It�s always been in you but you just haven�t seen it, but now I hope you do.�

The blonde was silent as he continued to look at Zack. Why did Zack believe in him so much? Nobody had ever believed in him like he had. He was grateful that he did, but he still wondered what it was that Zack saw in him.

�I do,� Cloud finally replied quietly.

�Good,� Zack said with a grin before patting the blonde�s shoulder.

�Thank you,� Cloud said, still keeping his voice quiet.

�For what?� Zack asked with a raised eyebrow.

For everything�..

Taking in a deep breath Cloud searched for the words that he wanted to speak. Of course in his mind he knew what he wanted to say, but he didn�t know how to actually wordit. He dropped his eyes to the ground before exhaling, preparing to say whatever it was that he was going to. He had so much to say, or so much that he wanted to say. If he could only tell Zack�but he didn�t know how.

�For,� he started, �believing in me�I guess. For helping me get to now, for not letting me give up.�

�Cloud,� Zack began with a shake of his head, �You didn�t need me to believe in you, you just needed to believe in yourself. You don�t have to thank me.�

�Yes I do!� Cloud quickly shot back while snapping his eyes back up to Zack�s. �I couldn�t have passed the exam without you, and I�m not just talking about because you trained with me. It�s because you�actually cared. And that�it�s nice to know at least one person is rooting for you to succeed when everyone else is rooting for you to fail.�

Turning back to the ocean he finished speaking finding it hard to keep looking into Zack�s eyes for some reason.

�I�ll always be rooting for you Spike,� Zack added softly while moving to stand beside the boy and draping his arm across his shoulders. He meant it too, no matter what he would always be there to support Cloud. To hell with everyone else, if all Cloud needed was Zack to give him the confidence he needed then the SOLDIER was definitely going to be right there.

Cloud closed his eyes and practically leaned into Zack, enjoying the feeling of the other so close to him.

Zack smiled faintly, Cloud was getting a lot better at the whole not pulling away or flinching thing when someone made contact with him.

�I�ve been so busy talking about me all night,� Cloud started in a relaxed tone, �what about you?�

�Nothing important to say,� Zack began with a wave of his hand, �the best part of my whole day is this.�

�Coming back to the ocean?� Cloud asked.

�No,� Zack replied with a shake of his head, �just being here with you.� He had hesitated for a moment before saying that but decided to put all things aside and just go for it. He had to tell Cloud how he felt, he had to. It was getting more difficult as time went on and he couldn�t keep putting it off. And as far as he could see it was now or never.

What did he say? Did I hear right? The blonde froze for a moment and he even thought he stopped breathing for just a few seconds as he registered what the SOLDIER had just said.

�Wha�what does that mean?� Cloud asked while turning a bit to look up at Zack.

�It means that I like spending time with you,� Zack began with a smirk, �is that a bad thing?�

�Well,� the blonde began as he felt his cheeks heat up, �no I just..�

�Good,� Zack replied while turning to face the other more.

�Zack I,� Cloud started before shaking his head. He was confused suddenly. Was Zack talking about he liked to hang out with him just as friends? No�it couldn�t be that, it sounded different.

�What is it?� Zack asked softly while looking down at the blonde curiously, seeing the confused look on his face.

�I just�� Am I reading you wrong? Do you have feelings for me too maybe?

�Just what?� Zack asked, his voice still soft as he moved closer to the blonde.

Cloud leaned back against the brick wall keeping his hands against it for support as he looked back into Zack�s glowing eyes. His breath caught in his throat, he wanted to say something, to finish what he was trying to say�.whatever the hell that was, but for some reason he just couldn�t. All he could do was continue to stare into those deep blue eyes in front of him.

Zack held Cloud�s gaze, those innocent blue eyes captivating him. He placed his hands on either side of the blonde against the brick wall and leaned in slowly waiting for a reaction from the other.

Cloud sucked in a breath when Zack was just inches away from him, his warm breath beating against his skin. His heartbeat quickened and suddenly it felt really hot despite the cool night air that was blowing.

Leaning in a bit more Zack shut his eyes as he closed the distance between the two of them and lightly placed his lips against Cloud�s soft, warm ones.

The blonde�s eyes grew wide for a moment at the contact, but once he got over the initial shock his eyes slowly closed.

It took a minute for Zack to realize that Cloud wasn�t pushing him away, that he hadn�t yelled at him to get away from him, that he wasn�t rejecting him.

Cloud placed a shaky hand on the others chest when he felt one of Zack�s arms slide around his waist and pull him closer and away from the brick wall. Without the support of the wall behind him he felt like his knees were going to give and he was going to collapse at any second, and if it weren�t for the others arm around him he was sure he would�ve done just that.

The SOLDIER ran his tongue over the blonde�s lips dying to explore more. He wanted to taste more of him, be closer to him. He had thought about this moment too many times and now that he was actually experiencing it he was getting completely lost in the feeling.

Cloud whimpered softly before clutching some of Zack�s shirt in his fist and then pulling away from the kiss.

�Zack,� he said slightly out of breath, his cheeks still tinged with a bit of red and his eyes glossy.

�Sorry,� Zack quickly apologized, he was getting a bit carried away and he didn�t want to scare Cloud off.

�What was that for?� Cloud asked a bit shyly while keeping his gaze carefully averted from Zack�s.

�It�s still not obvious?� Zack asked with a bit of a frown while letting go of the others waist and letting out a sigh.

�Well,� the blonde began while looking back to the other. Sure, maybe it was a stupid question, then again maybe not. �I just��

�Need to hear me say that I�ve fallen for you?� Zack asked, his gaze fixed on the ocean.

The blonde�s eyes grew wide as he continued to stare at Zack.

Taking his focus off from the ocean Zack looked to Cloud. A smirk appeared on his face as he looked at the blonde�s expression. He closed his eyes briefly while leaning back against the wall, the cool breeze blowing his raven hair about.

He figured that was the truth after all, Cloud was probably confused. But he had to let him know that this wasn�t just some �caught in the moment� situation. He had to make sure that Cloud really understood what was going on, that he really understood how he felt.

�Spike,� he began, �There was always sort of something there for you when we met but�over time it only became more clear.� He paused for a moment before continuing, � I don�t�I can�t keep ignoring my feelings for you,� he admitted while looking to the blonde.

Feelings for me�so he does�

Cloud couldn�t help but keep his eyes fixed on Zack, though his eyes probably held more of a distant stare. He had heard Zack�s words and was concentrating on them so much that he wasn�t doing very much as far as a reaction or response went.

�I�m sorry if I over stepped just now,� Zack continued with a sigh upon seeing Cloud�s expression, �I just�I needed to tell you. But it�s okay if you don�t feel the same�I mean why would you?� He scratched the back of his head nervously before continuing on with his ranting, �I don�t want things to be weird or different Spike.�

The blonde finally let his gaze drop to the ground, still not saying a word.

Please don�t close up. If you�re mad then be mad, yell, something�but don�t do this� �Cloud,� Zack started again, �we can forget about this�okay?� He felt his stomach drop at Cloud�s silence. This is what he was afraid of, the reason why he hadn�t said anything. This was Cloud�s day and he had been happy and having fun all up until just a few minutes ago. He didn�t want to ruin things, he didn�t mean to mess up anything. But maybe he should�ve just kept his thoughts and feelings to himself instead of telling the cadet. Now what was going to happen?

�Cloud,� the SOLDIER tried again, this time his voice more quiet. He knew that talking so far hadn�t helped but he just had to try to make things okay, he had to fix this. He stopped when he saw those innocent blue eyes finally look back into his and surprisingly they didn�t hold, anger or resentment in them. They held each others gaze as Cloud took a few steps towards him so that he was standing right in front of him now.

Zack didn�t even dare to blink, he wanted to know what Cloud was going to do or say. He had been quiet this whole time and the SOLDIER desperately wanted to know what was going on in that head of his.

�You can�t keep ignoring your feelings for me� The blonde stated softly more than anything.

Zack was about to reply but before he knew it Cloud�s lips were against his own again. This time from no move of his own. He blinked in surprise for a moment before closing his eyes and leaning down slightly to kiss the other back.

This time there were no uneasy feelings or doubts in the back of Zack�s mind. Cloud had kissed him, he had wanted to kiss him and that thought alone was enough to put the raven haired youth at ease.

The kiss was soft and gentle, just the way Cloud had initiated it, but Zack wasn�t going to do anymore to change it. He would let Cloud control this one at his speed and whatever he was comfortable with. It didn�t matter however it was, he still enjoyed it by all means.

Cloud leaned in more to Zack as he continued to massage his lips with his. He was still a bit shy about it seeing as how it was all so new to him�in every way possible, and not just because Zack was his first kiss. But even though it was new to him he didn�t want that to hold him back from enjoying this. Every slight movement of their mouths was exciting to him and made him want more. He kissed Zack carefully and cautiously almost as if he were still wondering if this was actually happening, or if it was really okay or not or if it was in fact just another of his strange dreams.

Breaking the kiss Cloud nodded slightly out of breath, �same here."
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