tampered | Log; Complete.

When; Approaching noon (?). But within the gender-switching timeframe thing.
Rating; R
Characters; Cloud /

yourarmor
Summary; Zack is determined to "make the most" of the gender-switching. Cloud is decidedly reluctant.
Log;

Terror was what Cloud felt, crouched in the corner of the bathroom, hugging his knees and praying to whatever deity that Zack would give up and leave him alone. He had sought refuge there after Zack's repeated attempts to in his words, "feel them," and needless to say, Cloud was not obliged.

It had been enough waking up to find himself no longer male. Cloud had always been adverse to trying new things, and this was the extreme of that. Reno's leering and Tifa's amusement only further compromised his sanity.

Zack, on the other hand, was certainly enjoying himself. Herself. If Cloud weren't feeling so distinctly sick, he would have thought that Zack made a fine woman. He surpassed anything Cloud had seen, anyway. Which was no small feat, as Cloud was no stranger to... fine women.

It wouldn't be long before Zack would find him. Cloud had locked the door, but Zack was determined, by the looks of it. And Zack, in any case, was more persistent than any normal person. Cloud knew all too well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

“Really?” Zack pulled back a little to try and look at Cloud, who still wasn't ready to look him straight in the face, studying him for a moment before resuming his position once more, “Well, that sucks.”

It never occurred to him that Cloud could be feeling a bit insecure throughout the whole day because of Zack's attempts at being a little overly friendly. But he was sincerely curious, because how many times did your best friend turn into a woman? Apparently here, only once, or so he hoped, but it was something to tease Cloud with. But maybe, just maybe, was he being a little too overbearing with his curious hunt? Now he frowned slightly at the thought, suddenly seeing a bigger picture, but wasn't completely sure just yet what to do.

So he did the only thing he knew how to do, besides keeping the other in a light embrace. “I'm sorry,” Zack said firmly, eyebrows knotted together, actually feeling really bad for a second there after he thought about everything very carefully again.

"No, please don't apologize," Cloud said pleadingly, drawing the other man into a tighter embrace, emboldened by desperation. "It's nothing, really."

He hated seeing Zack like this. It was worse knowing that it was his fault - his stupid neurotic emotional problems, and that it wasn't fair for Zack to have to feel like this on his behalf. He'd get over it sooner or later; it wasn't something worth agitating over in the first place, and he'd be damned if Zack had to be unhappy because of him.

Raising his eyebrows with a blink or two, Zack gave a knowing smile, expression softening as he could've kicked himself for being so serious again. It wasn't that rare when it was used in a sense to show he cared without going over-the-top bat shit crazy about it, but usually when he apologized it probably sounded very out of character and extremely grim on his part. Especially towards Cloud, and especially when they weren't in any sort of danger at all.

If it wasn't for the fact that the blond was literally clinging onto him, he would've brought up another topic that'd make him want to apologize again, so he avoided that for now; not for his own sake, but for Cloud's. He deserved something else right then and there.

“Na, Cloud?” Zack paused, keeping a gentle smile on his face as he tried to shift both their body weight so they both half-laid on the couch while his own legs were sprawled out, not having that hard of a time in doing such but he tried to keep his hold on the other firm, “Does this feel familiar?” He was feeling overly nostalgic, but as he cocked his head to the side to look down at Cloud, Zack only wondered all the more about things Aerith has told him over the years. Never in detail, but always short, very short glimpses into what Zack would never be able to see.

"Yeah," Cloud said simply, glad for the change in both the subject and the troubled look that had been on Zack's face.

Incoherent and disjointed as his memories were, the parts of them that remained intact were undeniably distinct.

He would have loosened his grip on Zack, since it'd seemed appropriate at the moment and in retrospect was probably a strange thing for him to do, but Zack seemed okay with it, so Cloud quickly concluded that it simply required too much effort to change their position, which he was comfortable with anyway.

“Good, 'cause you'll have to get used to it again, since I'll be doing it a lot,” he lightly chuckled and closed his eyes, leaning back comfortably in the couch's armrest and cushion. “Hope you don't mind that, of course.”

Zack knew he probably didn't, especially since he was actually returning hugs for once. Did he really miss him that much? Cloud shouldn't be lonely, because he heard he had a lot of friends now, and Zack wanted to meet every single one of them and thank them as much as he could since he couldn't be there for Cloud when he needed it the most.

"You'd do it even if I did mind," Cloud pointed out teasingly.

Despite it being scarcely beyond midday, Cloud found himself unsuccessfully suppressing a yawn; it didn't help that he was warm and comfortable, and feeling distinctly muddled and a little drowsy, considering the events of the day. Gender switching was tiring business, apparently. Particularly if Zack was involved, anyway.

"Hey, Zack," Cloud murmured half-coherently, closing his eyes. "Don't ever leave."

Zack cracked his eyes open half way to peer down at the blond resting comfortably against his own body, a half-smile appearing, more to himself than directing it towards Cloud. “I won't, kiddo,” a hand once again began affectionately stroking the other's hair, knowing he'd probably fall asleep easier with not only the gesture, but his words as well, “I promise.”

No ShinRa bastards, no stupid gunshot wounds, not even a freak accident could take me away this time around. You're safe now, Cloud. Don't worry, because I won't go so easily this time. The words were never said aloud, and Zack didn't think he could say them at the moment anyway as he was peaceful and content with what he had previously stated before already. It'd probably take some time for him to work up the courage to even question things that haven't been said yet, and Zack was somehow alright with that.

Cloud approvingly mumbled something incomprehensible before succumbing blissfully to sleep, finally lulled into complete unconsciousness.

Now, he slept more tranquilly than he'd been able to in a long time, temporarily unplagued by his own doubts and nightmares. He'd confront them all in due time, but for now, he was at peace.

[ Done! :D ]

Log; Complete.

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