Invisible Ink

***AN***
This story is a collaboration between two authors. Now, this is a yaoi story (mainly Cid/Vin with Zack/Reno), but it is also a het story (Cid/Tifa) with past relationships of Vincent/Zack, Vincent/Lucrecia and Cid/Shera. *phew* Lots of names.

Now, we do like concrit, so if you have any, we’ll really appreciate it. :D We know this isn’t the best in terms of writing, but please don’t use that as an excuse to point out every mistake and complain about them without giving tips on how to fix them. We really don’t appreciate that and it helps no one. So with that done, on with the story. :D

**AN from Vincent**
Just another side note, every character portrayed in this work is portrayed exactly as we intended him or her to be played. Sometimes they may seem out of character to you, but remember, this is AU. Zack is meant to be Cid's annoyingly happy little gay roommate, so that doesn't mean he isn't still himself. Most of his behavior is all for show anyway. He's still very intelligent and genuine, even while he's making some joke about his homosexuality just to tweak Cid's annoyance level.

Vincent may also seem happier than usual. Well, that's because all the shit that happened to him in the game did NOT happen to him in this story. He doesn't have demons in his head, he doesn't have a claw for a left hand, he wasn't kept in a coffin for thirty years, he wasn't shot, etc. He's just a quiet little bookworm who is laid back and just interested in appreciating the finer things in life.

Just remember that we're the authors, and we're not just winging this. It's all planned, and it's all intentional. Everything here happens for a reason. If you find yourself questioning something, just keep reading. You'll get a decent explanation eventually.

Now, with that said, happy reading! :)

**AN from Cid**
Going along with Vincent's little note, Cid is terribly out of character. But he's not as grumpy and whatnot simply because he hasn't been screwed over by the company he worked for. Instead, he just got tired of his boring life and wanted something different. Now... he does have some issues that may or may not pop up later in the story, but they're way in his past and only vaguely affect him now. That also applies to Cloud, who (when he shows up) won't be the angsty little guy that AC portrayed him as. Rather he's gonna be like Pre-Aeris-Stabbity!Cloud who actually does laugh every once in a while and acts human.

So yes, go forth and read now at your pleasure. :D And be sure to leave comments letting us know how we're doing! <3

Chapter One

A Critical Approach to Fiction. The name wasn’t even interesting. Slumping back into his seat, Cid Highwind sighed. He wasn’t cut out for academic stuff if it didn’t include mechanics or physical work. Now that kind of thing he liked, but English classes? He was sure he would rather be taking a class on biochemistry than sitting and listening to a bunch of short stories and lectures about old dead guys that meant nothing to him. He didn’t even understand what it had to do with aviation mechanics, but he was still stuck in the cramped little seat, the books he was sure he would never use spread out on his tiny slab of a desk.

Growing a little bored with just being there, his eyes darted around the nearly full room and he shifted down in his seat a little more. What was he doing here? He was convinced that it was the stupidest way to waste his time. There were far better things he could be doing. It was his first quarter of college, after all. There was a ton of stuff out there just waiting for him to get out of this worthless class he was trapped in. And what about the teacher? It was five minutes past the start of class and there was still a considerable lack of professor.

He had just gotten the idea to bail out and sneak through the back door when the main entrance opened. A silent, yet seemingly hurried person made their way to the lecture podium and Cid sat forward a little. Maybe he could stay for a little while, just to see what the teacher was like. After all, with black hair that fell just above a slender waist, which led to shapely hips… He figured this professor deserved a second chance. Besides, it wasn’t every day that he got the ideal female teacher that had everything going for her.

The professor moved quickly, setting things up as fast as possible. Something fell out of the leather bag that was set hastily on the front desk, and the professor had to reach far under the structure, swearing softly before grabbing it and straightening, pushing some jet black hair away from a delicate face. “So sorry to be late, I have a class across campus right before this one and it will probably take me a while to get here every day.”

Now that was interesting. Cid’s eyebrow rose at the measured tones of the professor’s voice, not expecting to be hearing such a deep baritone. Setting it aside for a moment, he rested his chin in his hand. He had heard women with deep voices before. It just wasn’t all that common and it was a little weird in his opinion. He gave a small shrug, figuring it was possible the professor was just hoarse from the run over and her voice might straighten up. Either way, she did look pretty good, even if she didn’t seem to have much of a chest to her.

“Welcome to a Critical Approach to Fiction,” the professor said as a pile of papers was set on one of the front students’ desks. “This is the syllabus, take one and pass it around.” The professor turned around and picked up a piece of chalk and wrote a name on the blackboard. “My name is Vincent Valentine, and you will address me as Vincent. I don’t like being called by my last name, and I will not tolerate nicknames.”

Unfortunately, Cid had decided to take a drink of the bottled water he had with him at that very moment and it didn’t stay there very long. He swallowed harshly at the sound of the name “Vincent” and coughed as it went down the wrong pipe. He covered his mouth in a quick attempt to stay quiet, but the cough broke through and the harsh sound echoed in the fairly silent room as a slightly horrified look came over his face. He hated calling attention to himself that soon.

Sure enough, a pair of eyes landed on the disturbance, a sleek black eyebrow raised. “Is something wrong?”

Blue eyes widened as they noticed the professor’s gaze. His coughing stopped almost abruptly as he stared at the bright red eyes. A few moments passed before he got over his shock of both the name and the eyes and he shook his head quickly. “Nothin’,” he called out in a response, grabbing the stack of syllabi and passing it, hiding behind his copy as if he were reading it.

One last look at the blond, and the professor turned his attention to the syllabus as he began to read through it, adding input where he saw fit. Overall, he gave the impression that he was the type who wouldn’t take shit, and that he took the class less seriously than the subject matter.

“Now,” he started. “Since public speaking is by far my least favorite activity and I would love nothing more right now than to stop talking at you, we’re going to take a break.” With that, he leaned down behind his desk and pulled something out of his bag. The large brown bag crinkled in his hand as he revealed a giant bag of M&Ms. “You may each take as many as you want, but I must tell you now, I’m an old-fashioned man, and I despise rudeness, so you may not eat them until everyone has some, including me.” There was a certain look in those eerily red eyes, and a slight tip of the corner of surprisingly well-shaped lips. He handed the bag to the nearest student, and she opened it and took what she wanted before passing it to the next person.

The bag finally made it to Cid and he practically stared at it in his hands. Was this teacher just crazy or was there a point to all of this? He was closer to settling on crazy. Who brought M&Ms to a class and handed them out? Despite the strangeness of it all, he stuck a hand in and pulled out a bunch. He had a soft spot for chocolate and if the professor was sharing then he was up for the taking. Looking at the pile in his hand and then the teacher suspiciously, he passed on the bag.

Vincent waited until the bag had gone around, watching closely with perceptive eyes at the attitudes of the students as they took what they wanted. He saw skepticism, he saw uncertainty; he saw some people digging right in and he saw some people too shy to take what they really wanted, perhaps worrying about the other students thinking they were some kind of M&M glutton or something along those lines. When the bag got back to him, it was just barely full, but he made a point to only take one piece of candy out and that each person was watching him.

“Alright, before you eat your candy, there is a catch. For every piece you took, you must tell the class one thing about yourself.” Usually he was considerably stoic, not letting any of his emotions show, but the faintest smirk came through on his features as he watched the students’ reactions.

Cid felt stupid. How had he fallen for something like that? Then again, it wasn’t really a common thing to do, was it? Hand around a bag of candy and then make them say things for every piece? Obviously the professor was crazy. He looked down into his hand and quickly counted the candies there. “Damn,” he hissed to himself, glaring at the eleven M&Ms in his hand. Did he even have eleven things to say about himself?

“I’ll start,” Vincent said as he sat down in the chair provided for each professor. “I’m 27 years old.” With another tiny smirk, he slid the little chocolate into his mouth, and sat back, legs crossed comfortably, to watch things unfold.

The age was just another thing for Cid to stare at. He couldn’t believe that their professor was younger than he was. He wasn’t sure it was even possible to be a professor that young. Sinking down in his seat, he hoped desperately that this Valentine man would pass by him or forget he was there completely.

Vincent listened, amused, as each student rambled off numerous facts about themselves, ranging from informative to desperate searches to fill in the gaps and extra M&Ms. Each student was not only put in the spotlight, but they were forced to be subject to those prying red eyes that seemed to both penetrate and build walls all at once. And with a mystery that seemed to surround the young professor, those eyes landed like a ton of bricks on Cid.

Swallowing hard, Cid searched his mind to see if it was worth trying to say he was sick. Probably not. He was just stuck and there would be no way to get out of those eleven facts. He sighed, rubbing his forehead a little. “Uh, name’s Cid Highwind, age 32, male, single child, freshman…” He trailed off, trying to think of more meaningless things to say about himself. “Uh, I’m an aviation major an’ wanna be a pilot…” Lifting a hand, he started counting out the facts. “‘M from the south an’ have an apartment ‘cause I hate dorms.” He smirked, nodding. He’d done it.

Vincent nodded. “What else?” he prompted.

Crossing his arms, Cid sat back in his chair and tipped his head toward the professor. “Whaddya mean? I said ‘em all,” he said with a small smirk. He wasn’t about to be picked on by this guy. Especially if the professor was younger than he was.

“You have eleven M&Ms. You only stated ten facts. I know this isn’t a math class, but I expected more.”

Blond brows furrowed deeply. “Fine. Ya want another fact? I thought ya were a woman when ya came in here. Any more facts ya want?” he said with an aggravated tone to his voice. He didn’t like being insulted.

“I get that a lot,” Vincent said as if it didn’t even affect him. Without any more talk, he moved to the next student.

The fact that the professor didn’t seem bothered just made Cid even more aggravated. He had meant to show the man up, not get ignored. He didn’t like being ignored, either. Giving a slight huff, he sank even more into his seat, propping his feet up on the empty chair in front of him.

When each student had shared, red-faced or gleaning all the attention he or she could get, Vincent started the lesson with about 20 minutes remaining. He moved quickly, covering a few criticism theories and spouting off over a dozen names that he felt his students should already know.

Cid, however, felt lost. He hadn’t heard of any of the names, hadn’t read any of the books, and hadn’t even seen the movie versions of the books or stories. All he could do was sit back and watch all the others, occasionally scratching a tiny sketch on the margin of his blank paper. He already knew he wouldn’t like this class and had no expectations that it would get better, preferring to spend the time doing something somewhat entertaining.

When class was over, Vincent dismissed everyone with promises that next class would just as exciting (keeping his normal, almost monotone tone of voice). He stayed at the front of the classroom, not really making any moves to show he planned to leave. He just sat quietly at his desk and watched as the students left.

Acting in his normal manner, Cid waited until everyone else had left before he even stood from his seat. He slung his bag’s strap over his shoulder, starting for the front entrance, ready to get out of the classroom and onto something better.

Vincent’s eyes lingered on Cid, and he held up a finger. “Hold on a moment… Cid was it?”

A loud groan slipped out of Cid before he could stop it. He hated hearing his name called after class was let out. It was a good reminder from high school, one he was willing to leave behind in his hometown. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like he would get the chance. Turning at the entrance, he stood with his arms crossed, making sure he looked faintly annoyed. “Yeah?”

Vincent remained casual as he gestured to a chair. “Please sit, if you have a few minutes.” His tone was significantly different than the one he had used in class. It was almost companionable.

Now Cid was stuck. “Ain’t there ‘sposed to be another class comin’ in here?” he asked, slumping down in the seat that was being indicated.

Vincent sat forward to get a little more comfortable. “No, this room is empty for the rest of the day. I just wanted to speak with you.”

“What about?”

Vincent shrugged, brushing some hair away from his eyes. “Just… talk. I’m rather interested by you.”

“Uh… what?” That didn’t seem to be normal. Cid sat forward a little, confused. Why would a professor want to know about him? It just didn’t make sense.

“I… apologize if you were uncomfortable earlier. I tend to get very technical and pay very close attention to certain things.” He folded his hands in front of his mouth, regarding his current companion carefully. “You’re 32? It’s interesting to have a student who’s, if you don’t mind my pointing it out, older than I am. May I ask what brings you here? I know you said you’re an… aviation major?”

Cid wasn’t sure what to do. No teacher of his had ever talked to him outside of class and seemed… nice. “I… just liked the area. Heard it’s good for the aviation field.” He shrugged, not really all that comfortable now. He didn’t like talking to authority figures, even if they were younger.

“You’re tense. I’m not that scary, am I?” Vincent asked with a twitch of his lips.

“Scary?” Cid gave him a fairly blank look before laughing loudly. “You’re a little weird, yeah, but not scary. Ya tryin’ to be or somethin’?”

“Not at all.”

Raising a brow a little, Cid shrugged again. “So why’m I here still?” he asked with a lilt of curiosity. He had to admit that he was a little intrigued that this teacher wanted to talk to him.

Vincent gave him an almost unreadable look, but it bordered on another one of his smirks. “Perhaps I’m looking for a new friend.”

“A new friend? Don’t think I’m the one you’re lookin’ for.” He stood once more, shifting his bag. “‘M not friend material, least not for someone like you. Go look at some literary festival or somethin’,” he said as he headed toward the door, a soft mumble slipping out as he passed the desk. “Wonder if I can still drop this class?”

“I recommend you don’t,” Vincent said, shifting his chair to look at him properly. “I promise it will be worthwhile.”

Stopping abruptly, Cid whirled around to look at him with a faint expression of disinterest. “Worthwhile? How so? Not sure ya can make it worthwhile for me.” He turned again. “Go find someone else to be your friend.”

“Come to next class. Then make up your mind. Please.”

If there was something Cid disliked more than teachers talking to him, it was them asking things of him. Shaking his head, he left the room and headed toward the front door of the building.

Vincent sighed from where he had been left, but he cast a knowing gaze on the doorway where he had last seen Cid Highwind. He would see him in that doorway again.

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Staring at the entryway, Cid groaned. He wasn’t even sure why he was there again, but the fact remained that he was. He didn’t even like the class. But that professor had said it would be worthwhile. Not that he believed there would be anything worthwhile for him in an English class, but it was slightly intriguing. He had a feeling he would regret stepping into the classroom again, yet he did it anyways. He was hoping he could slip in unnoticed and just hide back in the darkest corner.

Moving along the side wall, he seated himself in the back. Folding his arms, he laid his head down on the desk and waited for the class to start. Not that he really cared about what was going to happen.

Vincent was slightly late again, but he showed no sign of strain or rush. He set his things down, and took attendance. Then, he simply started from where he left off the day before, discussing what everyone should have read for that day and going in depth with explanations. He took questions and gave answers, and not once did he do anything unexpected of a college professor… except for the way he watched his students, like he was learning just as much as they were supposed to be learning. He picked up every detail as he talked, every movement, every syllable, every sound of furious note-taking and idle doodling. Everything spoke to him, and he soaked it up like a sponge.

His movements were fluid, graceful. His voice was deep and knowledgeable. And his unusual eyes were blazing red and intense, acting as the port for incoming information. He was both beautiful and foreboding at once, and somehow, Cid found himself paying attention more to the professor than to the actual class. There was just something about the way the man carried himself and acted, let alone the way he looked. More than once, he found himself staring at Vincent longer than he should and had to turn his mind to sketching planes and vehicles on his paper to keep himself from doing it the entire class. But he still hadn’t seen this thing that would make his coming worthwhile and it was starting to annoy him again.

Vincent glanced at his watch. “I think this is a good place to stop. For tomorrow, I want you all to read October Sky.” He suddenly looked directly at Cid. “I think you’ll all enjoy it.”

Something about the look that Vincent gave him struck Cid cold. He wasn’t sure what to make of it so he sat there and flipped through the main course book, searching for the story. It wasn’t that he was instantly interested because the professor said they would enjoy it; he just wanted a reason to get that gaze off of him. It unnerved him for some reason and he didn’t like it.

“I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Vincent said in dismissal, once again sitting calmly at his desk as all the students filed out.

Deciding to change his tactics, Cid tried filing out with the back of the crowd when he could slip in. He managed to make it to the door unnoticed, but he just wasn’t up on his luck that day. His bag snagged on the door handle, ripping the strap from the bottom of the pack until a hole appeared that just happened to be big enough for everything in it to fall to the floor. “Dammit,” he hissed, whirling to snatch up his things before Vincent noticed.

But those keen eyes picked up the movement. “Highwind. Having a rough day?”

Cid let out a loud sigh, wishing he hadn’t been spotted. “Maybe I am,” he muttered, stuffing his things into his bag and holding it so they wouldn’t fall back out. He looked around, searching for the one last book that hadn’t been with the others. “Know I grabbed that this morning,” he hissed, looking through his bag.

“This?” Vincent said, suddenly next to him and holding out his missing book. He gave him an almost gentle smile. “I’m glad you didn’t drop the class.”

Snatching it back and stuffing it in the bag, Cid glared at the floor. “Still could, ya know. Can always take a different one next quarter.”

“What bothers you so?” Vincent asked, genuinely curious.

A little bothered that a professor was so seemingly interested in him, Cid shrugged, not knowing what to say. “Just don’t like the class. Never did like English classes. I know the language so what’m I takin’ all this for?” He shouldered the bag, ensuring that the rip was held closed. “Not a big fan of readin’, ‘kay?” he said with an annoyed lilt to his voice.

“It’s not just about the language,” Vincent said quietly. “It’s about the knowledge, it’s about the stories. It’s about seeing what could be hidden between the lines of another person’s words. It’s about taking meaning from those words.” There was a certain passion in Vincent’s voice that couldn’t be missed, despite his unemotional and quiet tendency in speaking.

Cid just frowned a little, not all that impressed. “Okay, so yeah. Maybe there is. But I’m not all that interested in what’s ‘between the lines’, ‘kay? So what if there’s some mystical hidden meaning? What’s it got to do with me?” He leaned forward a little, his face calm. “Tell me that an’ maybe I’ll stay.”

“It’s got everything to do with you. Everything in the world… and out of it.” Vincent made a vague gesture toward Cid’s bag. “Read the story. I chose it with you in mind.”

That made Cid take a mental step back. “Why me in particular? So what if I’m older than ya. That doesn’t make me interestin’ or whatever you’re expectin’ me to be. Just ‘cause ya choose some story ‘with me in mind—’” He made sure to emphasize the words with his fingers curling into quotation marks. “—doesn’t mean I’m gonna decide to be your best friend. If ya hadn’t noticed, ya have a whole class to pick on.”

“I’m not picking on you. You show more promise than the other students. You’re more of a challenge. If you hate me, it won’t hurt me. That’s your choice. But at least give it a chance.”

“I’m more of a challenge? ‘M not a race course, if that’s what you’re thinkin’. I don’t like bein’ the center of attention in a classroom an’ I’d like it to stay that way. An’ how in the hell do I show more promise? I don’t even like readin’. Unless it’s tellin’ me how to build somethin’ or how to fix it, it’s got no use to me.” Shifting his bag again, Cid moved toward the door.

Vincent watched him start to go, his face blank, and decided that he might have to pull out the big guns, so to speak. “This is a required course, you know. You’ll have to take it sooner or later, and I’m the only one who teaches it. If there’s at least one good reason you shouldn’t drop the course now, it’s because it’s better to just get it over with.”

Cid stopped short. He hadn’t thought that this Valentine guy might be the only professor teaching the class. Letting his shoulders slump a little, Cid gave him a little growl before replying. “Fine. I’ll read the story,” he muttered before exiting the room quickly, ensuring he couldn’t be stopped again.

Vincent simply packed his bag, and left.

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By the time that Cid made it away from the campus and back to the apartment he had rented, he was aching for a cigarette. He had forgotten the pack when he had left earlier that morning and the events of his last class were wearing on him. He wasn’t even sure why he disliked it so badly, despite the whole English class factor.

Shoving his key into the door, he just decided to chalk it up to it being his last class of the day and the fact that he hated mornings. Sure, the class wasn’t until noon, but that was still too early as far as Cid was concerned. If he had it his way, all his classes would be after four in the afternoon and last only twenty minutes. Except for that English one. That could last ten. Just enough for him to get there, be marked down for attendance and then leave before the professor could catch him again.

And speaking of that guy… He couldn’t understand what was so interesting about himself, aside from his being older than the teacher. He would be perfectly happy if the guy had found someone else to pay attention to and had left him alone in the back. Twisting the handle, he frowned at the thought of how Vincent kept insisting he stay. No teacher had ever asked him to stay. Well, any normal teacher. And he was most definitely not— “What the hell’re ya doin’ in here an’ who the hell are ya?”

A cheery face looked up from the floor where its owner was messing with a DVD player. “Hi! Cid, right? I’m Zack. We’re roommates!” he said, far too happily.

Cid all but dropped his bag to the floor, staring at the stranger in his apartment. “Y-you’re kiddin’ me, right?” he muttered, dragging himself through the kitchen and into his room. He hadn’t heard anything of his roommate being a happy-pill addict and he was starting to regret signing that contract.

The young man hopped up. “Yup! Sorry my things are all over. My boyfriend helped me move in and he’s kind of a slob sometimes,” he said with a giggle.

Stopping short, Cid turned and gave the other a strange look. “Boyfriend?”

Zack just smiled a friendly smile. “Yep! His name’s Reno. He’ll probably be by later to see how I’m settling in and to meet you and all that jazz.”

The expression on Cid’s face strengthened as he repeated the word slowly. “Boyfriend.”

Zack seemed to suddenly realize what was going on in Cid’s head and his face dropped a little. “Oh... you’re not like... really homophobic are you?” he asked, biting his lip and suddenly looking pathetically scared.

Cid just stood there a while, his face somewhat serious. “Boyfriend,” he muttered softly, moving past Zack and into the kitchen. “Right.” Pulling the door open, he grasped a can of the beer he had stuck in there the night before. He wasn’t sure what to think of the whole thing, but he was sure he wasn’t all that comfortable with it.

“No really,” Zack said as he followed at Cid’s heels, watching his face. “You okay with that? ‘Cause it’d suck for both of us if, like... you know.”

Cid turned quickly, almost coming face-to-face with the newcomer. Realizing the distance between them was almost none, he did a fast backstep, watching Zack with a little suspicion. “‘M not...”

Zack looked at him closely. “You’re not what? You’re not okay with it? Or you’re not really homophobic?”

Backing up more, Cid mumbled into his can. “‘M not homophobic.” He paused, looking at Zack a little more. “I think.”

Zack grinned, his freakish ability to change his emotions making itself apparent. “Well, I promise I won’t like... try to grope you or anything. And you can always tell me to shut up if I’m saying something weird. I tend to get a little talkative anyway. Reno always tells me to shut up but that’s ‘cause I think I do it when I’m nervous or excited or really happy or... well any time I guess. I just really like to talk. So you can definitely tell me to shut up any time you want ‘cause I’m pretty much used to it.”

Slack-jawed at the amount of words coming from the other’s mouth, Cid shook his head a little. When he felt he could speak without saying something close to inappropriate, he nodded. “Any time’s fine,” he muttered, quickly moving into the main room and flopping down on the couch. Today was going to be a long day. He could already tell.

Zack blinked, not really getting what he meant, but shrugged cheerfully and went back to unpacking his things. He moved about busily, humming some song to himself and wiggling his hips to the beat in his head.

Stopping in the middle of taking a drink, Cid gaped. He couldn’t believe he’d been stuck with someone like this. The next thing he knew, Zack would be painting the walls with rainbows and flowers and trying to get him to go shopping with him. When he had put down he’d be up for a roommate, he hadn’t meant someone who was flaming.

After a while, Zack flopped down on the couch next to Cid. “So tell me about yourself.”

A little startled by the movement, Cid scooted over a little. “Like what?” he said softly, not sure he had anything in common to talk about with this guy.

Zack shrugged, pulling his legs up to sit cross-legged on the couch. “Major, hometown...” He turned to give him a smirk. “Shoe size...”

Cid gave him a slightly perturbed look, but let it pass. “Aviation. Came up from little shithole of a town in Tennessee.” He chose to disregard the last question, feeling it would be safer for himself not to answer.

“That’s cool,” Zack said. “What are you into?”

The question made Cid a little nervous. Narrowing his eyes, he practically growled out, “Planes.”

Zack raised an eyebrow. “You’re into just planes? Like... that’s all you do? Nothing else?”

“Women.”

Zack blinked again and stayed silent for a moment before he burst into laughter. When he had calmed a little, he gave Cid a pat on the shoulder. “You’re all right, dude. All right.”

Highly confused by what had just happened, Cid blinked. “‘M... all right?” he said slowly, not sure what to make of it.

Zack grinned. “Yeah. I like you.”

“That a good thing?” Cid mumbled into his can, glancing off to the side.

Zack rolled his eyes like it was obvious. “Well duh. Liking your roommate is generally a good thing.”

Cid rolled his eyes right back, giving a slightly snappy response despite how silent it was. “Well, I’ve never had a roommate before, let alone one who’d set the curtains on fire.”

Zack just laughed, missing Cid’s meaning completely. “I’m not that clumsy.”

Rolling his eyes again, Cid downed the rest of his beer and stood. He started toward the kitchen, but he was stopped as he tripped over his forgotten bag on the floor, his chin hitting the carpet hard. “Then I guess I am,” he muttered, not at all happy at the moment.

“Shit, are you okay?” Zack asked as he rushed to help Cid up.

“‘M fine!” Cid snapped, pushing himself to his hands and knees. He certainly didn’t need some stranger’s help because he fell down.

Zack pulled back. “Sorry... Jeez, don’t bite my head off or anything.”

Grunting a little, Cid stood and leaned over to pick up his dropped can. “I didn’t. Just not all that big on bein’ coddled an’ shit like that.”

“Okay,” Zack said, standing also. “No touchy. Got it.”

Standing completely, Cid headed for the kitchen again. He already knew he would be sick of this room since it wasn’t possible to get anywhere without passing through it. But right now the small bar in the center was serving as a good way to keep himself separated from the other he seemed to be stuck with.

Zack eyed him, wondering how he was going to get through the year without getting himself killed. He was about to make another comment, but his ears picked up a knocking sound at the door, and he forgot everything else entirely as he bounded happily over to the door, hoping to see Reno on the other side.

The door opened quickly and green eyes, along with a fair face, smiled. “Hey, babe. How’s it going so far? Haven’t broken anything, right?”

Zack pounced on the redhead and planted a big kiss on his cheek. “I didn’t break anything! And I have a roomie! Come meet him!” All at once, Zack grabbed Reno by the hand and all but dragged him into the apartment.

Laughing, Reno followed his dark-haired counterpart. “Seem kinda happy with the whole thing then,” he said, ruffling Zack’s hair with his free hand.

Zack didn’t reply, just dragged Reno into the kitchen where Cid still stood. “Cid, Reno! Reno, Cid!”

Tipping a hand in a short greeting, Reno gave the blond a grin. “How’s it going, yo? My boy hasn’t been giving you too much trouble, right?”

Cid wasn’t sure what to think. First he was stuck with Zack and now he had this guy to deal with. He shook his head silently, a little more than uncomfortable at the moment.

Zack giggled a little and leaned to whisper in Reno’s ear. “I don’t think he likes queers much... he’s a real ladies’ man...”

A reddish brow rose. “Too bad. Doesn’t know what he’s missing, then.” Reno wrapped an arm around Zack’s shoulders, hugging him gently.

Zack cuddled close to the almost-shorter man, smiling at Cid. “You’re not happy enough. We should take you out or something.”

Cid narrowed his gaze again. “‘M perfectly happy, thank you,” he said turning to start for his room again. “Not interested anyway.”

Raising a brow again, Reno looked from the blond to his companion. “He’s kinda a hardass, huh? Sure you can stand a year of that, yo?”

Zack shrugged. “I can handle anyone. He’ll come around.”

“Hmm, maybe. You are pretty good at handling stuff,” Reno said with a smirk, kissing Zack’s jaw line.

Cid whirled around in his doorway, his face a shade pinker than normal. “I’m still here, ya know!” he yelped, whirling and closing his door behind him.

Zack giggled, tilting his head back a little for Reno. “I like him. He’s fun.”

“Fun? Not sure if that’s what I’d call fun, yo,” Reno said as he blinked slowly. “I’d say he’s kinda pissy. Got his head too far up his ass. You’re sure about this?”

Zack grinned, a sparkle in his violet-grey eyes. “Yep.”

Reno gave a long, drawn-out sigh. “All right. So. Need any help settling in or do you have that all fixed up?”

Zack just giggled again, speaking loud enough for Cid to hear. “Well... we could break in the new bed...”

A grin settling on his own face, Reno laughed. “Well... I’m not past that.” He lowered his voice to whisper in Zack’s ear, the smirk still on his lips. “You’re just havin’ a ball with all this, aren’t you?”

Zack kept grinning. “Way too much fun.”

Returning the grin, Reno started leading them to Zack’s room knowing they had to pass by Cid’s in order to get there. “So, babe, how do you want it today?”

Zack waited until they were right outside Cid’s door. “I want it hard and fast... until I can’t walk...”

“Again?” Reno smirked over at Zack, enjoying helping with the torment about as much as his lover was. He opened his mouth to say more, but the door opened at that very moment and he had to step aside to keep from being hit by the door or the somewhat disturbed blonde storming out of the room. “Something we said, yo?”

Zack snickered. “Look! He wants to go out after all!”

Cid huffed, turning to face them with his mouth open to say something, but gave up in favor of starting for the front door. “Not with you,” he said in a hurry, leaving through the front door.

Zack grinned. “That was fun,” he stated to Reno once Cid was gone.

Reno rolled his eyes with a laugh, ruffling Zack’s hair a little. “Yeah, but I’m not sure he’d take it too long. Seems the kind to pull a gun on you after a while or something.”

Zack shrugged. “Wanna know a secret?”

“What’s that?” the redhead asked, leaning in close.

Zack grinned. “He sets my gaydar on FIRE.”

Reno waited a moment before busting out in laughter. “Yours too? Was wondering if mine was just going nuts or something.” He stood there for a moment before setting his gaze on Zack’s door. “So about breaking in that bed... offer still up?”

Zack’s grin turned seductive. “Sure is.” He started backing slowly toward the door. “Gonna take me up on it?”

Returning the grin, Reno stepped forward. “Sure am,” he whispered. Following Zack into the room, he kicked the door closed behind them.