Chapter Text
“So, Cloud…” Emma smiled at the teenager, her note pad propped up on her knee, “Cissnei told me you were in an altercation last night.”
Cloud narrowed his eyes, hating how perky she was this early. He wasn’t in the mood for this. When he arrived home last night, he was confronted by Cissnei and she was pissed. After nearly two hours of demanding to know what happened and a good lecture, he was allowed to go to bed. He passed out almost immediately and slept the whole night, but hardly felt rested.
With a deep sigh, he finally answered his therapist, “Yeah, I punched a guy.” His tone was a little snippy, “I broke his nose.”
“I see.” Emma nodded, “How’s your hand?”
Cloud lifted his arm, showing his knuckles, “Colorful.”
The blond woman’s eyebrows rose a little at his sass, “I’m sensing a little hostility. Is there something bothering you?”
“Apart from my life sucking? Nothing at all.”
Emma remained unphased by his snide responses and hummed thoughtfully, “Can you elaborate? How does it suck?”
Cloud rolled his eyes and groaned loudly, “Oh gee, I don’t know!” he said, in an overly happy tone dripping with sarcasm, “Maybe, because I saw a guy get his brains blown out and my uncle wants me fucking dead! Or maybe, it’s because I have to pretend to be a girl almost every day now!” with a frustrated sigh, he threw his arms in the air, “Not to mention, I’m behind on almost all of my classes at school and I have a pile of extra work to do, just to catch up!”
In a flash he was up from his chair and walking around the room, “On top of all that, the make up and doing my hair every day is so annoying! I-I don’t sleep at night and when I do—I still feel tired!” he stopped to look at his therapist and paused before finishing with, “And I hate wearing a fucking bra!”
Emma had waited patiently for him to finish, nodding her head in understanding. She wrote a few things down on her note pad, “Interesting.”
“Interesting?” Cloud grit his teeth, getting more frustrated, “That’s all you have to say?!” With a frustrated sigh, he grabbed his coat and stormed towards the door, “I’m done for today!” he said loudly as he left, stomping passed Cissnei on his way out. He was too tired to deal with this right now.
On the car ride home, he was surprised to hear that Emma was pleased with his progress and he had no idea what that meant. Throwing a bitch fit and complaining about his circumstances wasn’t really a good thing in his opinion. He felt like he was in the same place from when he started. He couldn’t even let himself think about the pending trial that will come around eventually.
The only enjoyment he got for the rest of the weekend was reading that new book he borrowed from Aerith. She’d been right about the focus being less on sex and he definitely liked it over the other one. It focused more on the struggles of life and the sacrifices people have to make for family and love.
He identified mostly with the shyer of the two leads, who had to give up everything to raise his two younger brothers after his mother got sick. He has feelings for his next door neighbour, another young man in a similar position, looking after his kid sister. The pair dance around each other, almost to the point of frustration, Cloud had nearly yelled just kiss already several times before the half way mark. In the end they did finally confess and get together, all becoming one big happy family.
It was a little sappy in parts and the end was kind of like a modern fairy-tale, but it made him smile non the less. He ended up reading the last five chapters twice, just to get that warm feeling again. He secretly decided that he would like to get more from this series, although he wasn’t sure how to go about that. Just the thought of buying one was too embarrassing for him and he considered just asking Aerith to do it for him.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Monday had gone a little different than Cloud originally thought.
He knew Aerith was going to tell Tifa about what happened, but he never expected other classmates would also know. Hell, even Rufus seemed to have found out before school that morning and complimented him. All the attention was a little overwhelming.
He was grateful for home room to begin and all the focus was taken off the subject of him punching some random man. It was a little difficult to write with his knuckles still being tender, even gripping a pen caused them to sting. Wincing he flexed his fingers, then he felt a hand on his arm.
Aerith was frowning slightly at him, looking worried and Cloud put on a reassuring smile to let her know that he was fine. When she looked back to the white board, he sighed in relief. After everything he found out about her, he didn’t want to add to her long list of troubles.
After the incident outside her home, Sephiroth had been kind enough to drive him home and took the opportunity to explain a few things. Aerith was indeed his younger sister as they technically shared the same father, but Cloud wasn’t sure what he meant by that odd phrasing.
The teacher also added on that he wished for their relation to remain a secret, for her benefit. Of course, the blond promised not to say anything. He would never want to put Aerith in the limelight like that, especially with the crazy fan clubs
Cloud slowly came out of his thoughts, just as Mr Valentine was currently talking about some Electric company and the impact it had on Midgar over the years. He had no idea what he was talking about and grimaced at the blank pages of his work book, knowing he would have to ask the others to see their notes over lunch.
As the day carried on, Cloud began to feel a little giddy. He planned to go let Angeal know about his injury, in case it might impact on tomorrow’s self defence lesson… although if he was honest, he just really wanted to tell Zack what happened. While he didn’t think violence was impressive, he still thought to tell the older boy that his training was paying off and maybe even make him proud.
Just the thought of Zack’s praises, easily made Cloud’s cheeks flush and the blond tried to keep his head down so no one could see the dumb grin on his face.
When the last bell rang, he was up in a flash and bid good bye to his friends. There was a spring in his step as he made his way through the halls, towards the back buildings. When he finally neared the gym, there were almost no other students around, so he was confused when he heard a heated conversation happening as he rounded a corner.
Cloud easily recognise Zack’s voice amongst others, before he saw them all, near the doors to the locker rooms. The older boy sporting an easy-going smile in the face of three, not so happy looking students.
“C’mon Fair.” One of the boys groaned, “This is bullshit and you know it.”
Zack simply shrugged his shoulders, “Look, Glen, I don’t make the rules.” He kept his voice light, but his smile was beginning to strain a little, “Besides, it was Angeal’s call to make. So, you should take it up with him. He’s still in the teacher’s lounge.”
“Can’t you help us out, man?” the shortest of the group piped up, “Talk to him for us?”
With a sigh the older boy shook his head, “I really don’t think anything I say will change his mind. Sorry, but I’m not wasting my breath.”
Cloud approached them slowly, not sure if he would be interrupting. When he caught Zack’s eyes, the older boy’s face lit up and his smile no longer forced. Having that reaction made the blond’s stomach tickle with butterflies, that he hardly noticed the other students looking as well, until he heard one of them mutter.
“It’s the bicycle.” It came out with a snigger and Cloud stopped in midstride, his shoulders going ridged. Finally turning his gaze to the group, any and all good feeling drained from the blond’s body when he recognised them. He had seen them that first time he visited the mall and then again on that day Zack witnessed his breakdown.
“Hey, it’s Cloud, right?” the boy, Glen, pointed at the blond, then took a few steps closer, “Get this— we’re part of the sports club, yeah?” He gestured to himself and the other students, as his arm swung around the blond’s shoulders, bringing them uncomfortably close, “But our after school time’s been cut today. No warning for us either.” He sighed shaking his head, “Doesn’t that suck?”
Cloud’s brow creased together in confusion, “I—I guess?” he mumbled and tried to side step away, but the arm around his back tightened.
A sly grin appeared on Glen’s face as if that was the response was what he was after, “Yeah totally.” He nodded and then turned his smug look to Zack, “And Fair here, isn’t even trying to help us out at all. Guess he doesn’t care about the club, since he’s not a member anymore.”
As he bad mouthed the other teenager, his hand travelled up Cloud’s shoulder and came to rest on the back of his neck, “Maybe you can bat those pretty eyes of yours and get him to change his mind?” he cooed sweetly, almost mockingly.
The blond looked at him, “W-what…?” his mind was racing, unable to focus on anything. The hand on his neck squeezed slightly and he felt his body heat up in the most unpleasant way. Bile began to rise in his throat as his stomach churned, the only thing he wanted to do at that moment was run. But his legs seemed to be cemented to the floor and wouldn’t move, despite his one clear thought telling them to.
“Glen, remove your hand!” A stern command cut through the static noise of Cloud’s frazzled brain, bringing him back to reality. The blond lifted his head and saw Zack openly glaring at the boy beside him, no trace of the bright and cheerful persona he was known for.
“What?” Glen snorted, his hand staying in place, “Why? It’s not like I’m not hurting her.” He then lent down, bringing his face closer to Cloud’s, “Right cutie? You don’t mind.” he chuckled into his ear, his arm moving back around his back to pull him closer once more.
The endearing term almost caused the blond to let out a sob, but he managed to keep it in. Somehow finding the strength, Cloud lifted his hand and pushed against the taller boy’s chest, again trying to move away.
Glen’s amused expression didn’t fade and he scoffed at the weak attempt, “Hey now, don’t be shy baby. You—” his words were cut off when his arm was harshly shoved off the blond and he was pushed back, “What the fuck, Fair!?”
“I asked you nicely once.” Zack narrowed his eyes at the other boy, stepping between him and Cloud, “You didn’t listen, so I had to make you.” He sneered, his voice sounding so strange to the blond, he’d never heard him talk in such a harsh way.
“Whoa, Fair!” Glen laughed loudly, “Look at you, heckles all up.” He side glanced at Cloud for a moment, before smirking again, “She must be a really good lay. Are you two exclusive, or does she bend over for everyone?”
Before Cloud was even able to gawk at the crude insinuation, Zack spoke up, “Shut your mouth!” he practically growled, “Or I’ll shut it for you.”
At that, Glen’s bravado seemed to waver a little, but he didn’t back down, “Seriously? Your gonna threaten me over some little slut?” he gestured his hand to the blond, “She probably sucks dick like it’s candy—” again his words were cut short, as Zack grabbed him by the shirt. “F-fuck, let go Fair!” the boy managed to sputter out as he tried to pry the hands off.
Cloud’s eyes widened when he saw the other student’s back hit the wall behind him. “I told you to shut your fucking mouth!” Zack snarled.
“Zack, s-stop! Please!” the blond managed to find his voice, moving forward to grab the older boy around the waist. To Cloud’s relief, he felt Zack’s muscles relax and was able to pull him back a few feet. Even after he was sure he separated them, he still held tightly onto his friend, almost afraid to let go.
With a rush of blood through his ears, he was unable to hear much of the argument that soon erupted. Glen began threatening to tell Angeal or something like that. He felt the strong vibrations through Zack’s back as he responded firmly and told them all to fuck off.
With his two friends in tow, Glen began moving down the hallway, yelling obscenities and taunts at both of them. Cloud bit down on his lip, his eyes beginning to burn with tears. His self loathing had never felt so strong and there were no happy feelings left inside him. Zack was probably going to get into trouble now and it was his fault. All because he wanted some praise from the older boy.
After a few moments of complete silence in the hallway, Cloud released Zack’s waist and stepped back. He stared at his feet and listened to the older boy curse under his breath. There was another pause before he felt a hand on his shoulder, “Are you okay?”
The blond brought his hand up to cover his face, “I’m sorry…”
“Hey, hey…” Zack’s voice was now softer now, “Why are you apologising?” he asked and removed his hand.
Cloud kept his face turned away, his tears nearly falling, “I-I don’t know…” he whispered, “I just, I wanted to see you and I caused all that…”
“Okay, no!” Zack cut him off and held both his shoulders, to make him look up, “Glen acting like a creep and me losing my temper, is not something you caused.” He said firmly, “He was trying to get under my skin and used you to do it. That’s hardly your responsibility, alright?”
While Cloud knew he was right, he wasn’t ready to let go of the blame, “B-but I—”
“No.” The older boy reached down and took the blond’s hands in his own, “No buts!” he said firmly.
Cloud stared at him through watery eyes, nodding after a moment, “Okay…” his gaze travelled down to look at their hands. Zack’s were larger and his palms were very warm and gentle, nothing like When Glen touched his neck. It was almost overwhelmingly how comforting they were.
Hearing the older boy speak, he blinked a few times and looked up, “What?”
Zack looked slightly amused, “I said; do your knuckles still hurt?” he asked, now softly stroking Cloud’s bruised hand.
“Oh…” the blond felt his face burn hot, “N-not really… I mean it aches but, it’s less painful than before.” He pursed his lips slightly, “How did you know about it?”
“I heard it from some of the teachers, who heard it from the students.” Zack’s smile brightened a little. “I was a little surprised when I was told.”
Cloud bit his lower lip, “W-was it a good surprise?”
“Well of course.” The older teenager chuckled, “I was proud to hear that my little birdie was all grown up and knocking people out.”
The shorter boy let out a snort, “I didn’t knock anyone out…” he sighed, knowing that the story must have been exaggerated at some point, “But… I did bust up the guy’s nose.”
“Really.” Zack nodded, looking at his hand again, “Well, I guess he’ll think twice about picking a fight with you again.”
“He didn’t pick a fight with me…” Cloud countered quickly, “He grabbed my friend and I just swung for him.”
“Ah, I see.” The taller boy nodded, “That definitely sounds more like you. I heard people claiming you turned into some kind of street brawler.”
“Is that what everyone’s saying?” Cloud groaned, “That’s so stupid!” he used his free hand to cover his face.
“Yeah, I thought so too.” The other chuckled softly, shrugging his shoulders.
A silence fell between them after the discussion fizzled out. Cloud watched Zack for several moments, his mind wandering back to the confrontation with Glen and then comparing it to when he defended Aerith. He thought about how useless he was in fending the other student off. How could he punch some random stranger to help his friend, but can’t shrug off some jerk’s hand?
Zack’s actions were also equally confusing to him and he couldn’t help but wonder why he became so angry. The older boy was usually calm and light-hearted, it made no sense to the blond. “A-about Glen…” he began after a moment swallowing the lump in his throat, “W-where you really going to hit him?”
Zack’s frowned at the question, “I was considering it.” He confessed honestly. Letting out a sigh, he released the blond’s hand, “Has that happened before?” he asked after a moment. “Has Glen or any of his friends bothered you?”
The younger teenager stiffened a little, memories of their cat calling and being cornered soon filled his head again. He knew that his friend saw it all over his face, so he didn’t bother lying, “Y-yes…”
Zack’s eyes seemed to darken at that and he took a moment before asking his next question, “That day…” he paused, his gaze travelling to the very spot he had found the blond crying, “Did they do something to you?”
Cloud cringed at the memory of being seen like that and looked away, “I…” he tried to make up some other excuse like last time, but nothing was coming to mind. “They w-were cat calling me…” he spoke quietly, dancing around the real problem as best he could, “They do it all the time…” he added with a shrug.
Zack’s jaw clenched as the other spoke, looking practically livid, yet still remaining calm, “Did any of them put their hands on you?” his voice sounded a little strained, “Like just now… or worse?”
The blond stared at the taller boy, wanting nothing more than to just run and hide. It was a simple answer, yet he found himself avoiding it all together. “Why…?” he asked.
The older teenager’s eyes widened a little, “Why?” he repeated, his tone sounding angrier now, “Because when that piece of shit put his arm around you—you looked like you were about to break down.” He snapped a little, surprising the other, “Your face was just like that day…”
After a prolonged pause, Zack stepped closer and placed his hands on the blond’s shoulders once more, “What did he do to you?”
Cloud stared at him in stunned silence, his eyes wide. What was he supposed to answer with? Yes, Glen had triggered his anxiety that day, but to place all the blame on some dumb teenager wasn’t fair. The true source of his break down happened way back in Nibelheim. There was probably a good half-truth story somewhere in the back of his mind he could tell, but right now, all he wanted was for Zack to know everything.
He wanted to tell him about how he lost his mother, his abusive uncle, the murder and how he wasn’t really a girl. Just the thought of the older boy knowing everything was comforting and for the first time, Cloud felt like he could say it all out loud.
But he couldn’t…
The case would be put at risk, not to mention that Zack could end up in danger if he knew. The one person he desperately wanted to confess to, to seek comfort in, was standing right before him and there was nothing he could tell him. The weight of his secret had never felt so heavy.
“Cloud…” the older boy said with a frown, bringing him out of his spiralling thoughts. Zack’s earlier rage seemed to have faded and a soft look overtook his features, “Please don’t cry.” he whispered, reaching up to touch the blond’s face and wiping his tears away.
Cloud’s breath hitched, not having realised he was crying and a sob escaped him. Zack then pulled him into a tight hug, “I’m sorry birdie…” he said into the blond’s hair, “I’m sorry I got so mad.” He paused to take in a shaky breath, his voice sounding uncharacteristically sombre, “You… you don’t have to tell me anything.”
Cloud let out another small sob, his arms reaching up to hold the taller boy. He wanted to tell him so badly, it almost hurt. He wasn’t even sure where’d he’d begin, even if he could. But there was one thing he could clear up at least.
Taking a deep breath he pulled his head away from Zack’s chest, “…Glen and his friends…” he began slowly, his eyes focusing on the tear stained shirt in front of his face, “Th-they’re jerks, but… it’s not what you’re thinking…” he finally looked up, “Apart from getting too close once, like before, it’s just a bunch of verbal harassment.”
Zack’s expression was unreadable as his listened, “Okay.” He said with a firm nod. It wasn’t okay, not at all. But he obviously had no other option than to let the subject drop, just like last time.
Cloud chewed the inside of his mouth, hating the resigned look on the other’s face. He couldn’t understand why his heart ached so much at hurting Zack and he hated that his circumstances made him do it. “I’m sorry.” He muttered.
“I told you not to apologise.” The older boy sighed, “I understand if you can’t tell me things, although I wish you would.”
The blond let out a huff and rolled his eyes, “M-my life story doesn’t matter…”
“It does to me.” Zack said quickly, making the smaller boy look up at him, “You matter to me.” He stated firmly, bringing a hand up to touch his face softly.
Cloud stared unblinkingly, “I… I do?” he asked in a small voice, beginning to wonder if this was even real.
The older boy laughed softly, “Yeah. You do.”
There was a brief moment where Cloud thought about responding with something, but the words never reached his mouth as he felt the faintest pressure of lips against his own. The blond let out a small gasp, the brief kiss making his skin tingle. He watched Zack pull away slightly, their eyes meeting.
Cloud once again felt his heart pick up speed as he stared back at the older boy and in that moment, something inside just let go. Before he could think, his arms flew up around Zack’s neck and pulled him back down, their lips meeting again.