Tease - COMPLETE

TEASE





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Warning:



A Zack and Cloud and possibly others (not telling yet ) fic, can guess who they are… yaoi…if you don’t like that…don’t read.



Pre - Authors Note:



I plan on having a lot of fun with this fic and bringing in some others into the mix. You can probably guess who they are by now…now it is just how will it all come together.



Thanks to ZiggyPasta for being my Beta…thanks and more thanks…



You know who we haven’t heard from in the last little while… Sephiroth.



Disclaimer:



Don’t own, just using for my own amusement





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RYE





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“What the hell?” Zack said as he grabbed Kunsel’s arm and halted him in the hallway. Kunsel had been walking with his head down and he looked as if he didn’t want to be noticed.



~don’t blame him~



Zack barely held back his laughter that was bubbling forth. “Is this a new fashion statement?”



Kunsel frowned and looked away from him. “Reno decided to have a little bit of revenge.”



“What for?”



A SOLDIER walked by, giving Zack a curt salute and continued around the corner. The SOLDIER had the courtesy not to start laughing until he was out of sight.



“I guess he was still pissed at me for telling a few people that he lost to Cloud in that drinking contest.” Kunsel ruffled his mutilated hair as if to emphasize a point.



Zack started to laugh at how outrageous his friend looked. Kunsel's hair had been a rich dark brown, but was now a combination of blotchy white, with pale brown and a sickly yellow. It was whitest at the base of his scalp, and the color grew a little darker towards the tips. A very bad bleach job, seemed to be the case. Zack really tried not to laugh.



“You can stop laughing anytime, now,” Kunsel said. His face was crimson with embarrassment, but still maintained an angry look.



“Whatever, you say, Skunky,” Zack said, calming down to a chuckle as he ruffled the streaked, blotchy hair. “How’d he do it?” Zack asked.



“Bleach in my shampoo.”



As Zack suspected. “Wow, I didn’t think he was that upset with you,” Zack chuckled. “I thought he was over it by now.”



“Obviously not,” Kunsel said and frowned as a secretary walked by, and wasn’t courteous enough to wait until she was around the corner before she started to laugh. Zack couldn’t help but snicker. Kunsel glared at him and punched his arm. “Shut up!”



“Sorry, sorry,” Zack said. “But it looks damn funny.”



“You wouldn’t find it funny if it happened to you,” Kunsel said, pouting.



“When did Red find the time to pull this prank?” Zack knew that Reno was busy with the punishments that Tseng had given him. Reno was always up for a prank, and it seemed that he found time to sabotage Kunsel’s shampoo bottle. “Tseng has him on a pretty tight leash right now.”



“Yeah, well, he found the time,” Kunsel grumbled. “I didn’t think he would be that upset. I mean, everyone saw Rude drag him out of there!”



“Rude doesn’t have any hair to bleach,” Zack said.



“Hardy-har-har,” Kunsel said in an annoyed tone, and was looking quite angry. That look quickly melted away as he stood straight and saluted. “Sir.”



Zack looked over and saw Sephiroth approaching with a notebook in hand.



Sephiroth raised an eyebrow as he looked over at Kunsel, but then turned his gaze to Zack. “I need to speak with you. Can you meet me in my office in ten minutes?”



“Right-o,” Zack said. “I’ll just get a cup of coffee.”



Sephiroth nodded. “Grab me a cup as well.” His head went down to look at the notebook in his hand, and then walked down the hall.



“Right-o?” Kunsel whispered as he watched Sephiroth’s intimidating form walk down the hall and disappear into a file room.



“What?”



“You just said ‘right-o’ to Sephiroth,” Kunsel said, doing an air quote gesture. “That’s awfully casual.”



“You think?”



“He would skin anyone else alive if they just went ‘right-o’, Zack,” Kunsel said, again with the gesture.



Zack shrugged. “I guess.” It took him nearly a year to get Sephiroth to stop calling him Zackary. He never really thought of the progression of how casual they talked to each other. He had become familiar with Sephiroth, and took it for granted now. It didn’t seem that long ago, when Angeal had taken him under his wing, where Sephiroth had been formal and stiff with him. There was a time that Sephiroth would barely look at him, never mind speak to him.



~I was lucky if I got a grunt~



It had been a slow shift. It took him awhile to stop becoming stiff and saluting every time he saw the silver-haired man. Their banter had become a little easier and strayed away from work topics from time to time, and it wasn’t forced as it had been in the past.



~when did that happen?~



He wondered if Sephiroth had noticed the shift as well.



~he picked out your clothes~



Kunsel broke him out of his thoughts. “Well, see ya later, Zack. I’m going to go shave my head.”



Zack laughed. “Good luck with that.”





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“Well, this whole situation just sucks,” Zack said. Sephiroth looked over to the relaxed form of his Second in Command. The man was slouched in the leather visitor chair, and his heavy boots rested on the corner of his desk. “It's just a big fuckin’ mess.”



“I concur,” Sephiroth said in a low voice, leaning back in his own chair. He was tired. He was tired of the whole situation and didn’t know for how much longer he would be able to take it.



Zack took his legs off Sephiroth's desk and leaned forward in a serious manner. “How are you handling this? I mean, you lost your best friends. I know you and Genesis were real close and all. It must not be easy killing his clones.”



~not easy at all~



Sephiroth found himself frowning. “I’m managing,” he lied.



The last mutated batch that bore the face of the man that he…



~cared for~



…was intimate with was almost more than he could endure. He still did not understand the full motivation of his two friends for leaving, and least of all - the motivation of Genesis.



~never could understand Genesis'motivation much~



“I need more coffee,” Sephiroth said, looking at his long empty cup.



“How about something stronger?” Zack stood abruptly.



“Stronger?”



Zack bounced to his heels and said, “Be right back.”



Sephiroth watched Zack leave before he could protest his action. His eyes fell on the pictures in the open file in front of him. He quickly closed it, unable to look at the freakish forms of the man that once shared his bed.



He frowned. He had sent Zack on the missions so that he wouldn’t have to face him. He sent Zack to kill Angeal, his own mentor.



~and he is asking you how you are doing~



Sephiroth cringed at how selfish he had been.



Of course, he had been having plenty of selfish thoughts as of late, and one of the predominant ones was the other loud mouth redhead. He had not seen Reno since the day in the garage. That stupid encounter had plagued him and he was concerned about his childish actions. He did not understand why he escalated the encounter in such a way.



~didn’t like the answers he was giving you about Zack~



He did have sympathy for Reno dealing with Rufus, in the same way that Genesis did. Rufus was a domineering type of man and had an aura that seemed to control the strongest of wills. Genesis crumbled under his touch, and it seemed that Reno did as well.



Sephiroth was not sure what possessed him to buy and deliver the smokes.



~silly thing to do~



He owed the smoking pest nothing, least of all the cancer sticks.



Sephiroth had tried to keep himself busy with mindless paperwork and performing extra workout regimes in order to keep his thoughts away from the redhead and...



~don’t forget the raven-haired man~



…Zack.



~shouldn’t be thinking about either of them~



Zack had a new interest and seemed quite content with that infantryman, Cloud Strife. He could tell the days that he spent time with the boy, because he would wander in with a greater bounce in his step.



He ran his hand through his bangs and sighed. He had no right to be jealous, and yet he felt that pang when he thought about Zack with another. He had no right to lay claim to him. He had been denying that he had grown fond of the man, and now it was too late. He knew that he should be going for someone that was available. Why would he want something that he couldn’t have? There were plenty of other people that were willing to offer themselves to him, and yet he was pining for his Lieutenant.



~and Reno~



But he didn’t like the Turk. He was obnoxious and nothing more than a passing fancy. He was a Turk, and that should be distasteful enough for him to divert his attentions elsewhere. The man had interests that were nothing like his own. There was nothing that should be attractive about the Turk.



~yeah, keep telling yourself that~



He knew that Reno was available, even with Rufus' obvious attention. Rufus' interest did not bother him, but amused him, the same as it did with Genesis.



He could not properly discern his thoughts on this matter. He felt as if he were full of contradictions, and it was causing a low grade headache to start.



“Here we are,” Zack said as he came in holding an amber-colored bottle and two clean mugs. His trademark smile was bright and wide as he entered. “Just what the doctor ordered.”



“Rye? Is that really appropriate?” Sephiroth asked, finding himself grinning as well. Zack was always amusing, even in the smallest of things.



~that is why he grew on you~



“Pfft, it’s after six. We are officially off duty anyhow,” Zack said and placed the cups on the table with a loud clatter, and went to open the bottle.



“Where did you steal that from?”



He watched him pour the amber liquid into the mugs. Zack’s smile turned into a mischievous one, but didn’t answer.



“Am I going to receive a theft report in the morning?” Sephiroth asked as Zack pushed the cup towards him.



“Most likely. I’ll replace it. Don’t worry about it,” Zack said, and with the mug in hand resumed sitting with his feet propped on the desk. He took a sip of the liquor with a large sigh. “Good stuff. Drink up.”



Sephiroth seldom drank. He found most alcohol not to his liking, and he did not indulge very often. He took a sip of the strong liquor and was surprised that he liked the flavour. They sat in silence for awhile. Sephiroth enjoyed the silent company of the SOLDIER as they drank the potent liquor. He allowed himself to actually…relax.



“Now, back to you. You have been awfully edgy lately,” Zack said, breaking the silence. “You’ve been hiding in the records department in the VR room all the time. What’s going on?” Zack leaned his head back in the chair and lolled it to the side.



“It has been stressful,” he carefully said.



“You need to find something to help you de-stress a little,” Zack said and took another drink.



“And what do you suggest I do? Grab myself an infantryman to make myself happy?” Sephiroth knew that it was spiteful, and he shouldn’t have said it. His mouth was rushing ahead of his thoughts.



Zack nearly choked on his drink. He threw himself forward from his relaxed pose and his feet thumped loudly to the floor. Zack’s cheeks were bright red as he coughed and took in a big gasping breath. Sephiroth thought fleetingly of apologizing.



~no right to say anything on that matter~



“Well,” Zack said, and his cough went to a chuckle. “That would be a start.”



It was his turn to be shocked at the comment.



“I'm sure you could snag one,” Zack said. “There is this blue-haired boy that would just fall all over you, if you were so inclined.”



~hardly appropriate~



Zack seemed to sense his discomfort, but it didn’t stop him from continuing. “Or if you want some beefier dudes, there is this sharpshooter in…”



“Enough Zackary,” Sephiroth said. “I do not need a match maker.”



“You need something,” Zack said.



“It seems to have helped you,” Sephiroth said, taking another drink of the rye. With how this conversation was going, he was going to surely need a refill.



“You know about that?” Zack said, rubbing the back of his neck, and looking a little sheepish sitting there.



~like a scolded puppy~



“I saw you leaving that room at Monteno’s with your date. I saw you with that blond,” Sephiroth said. “I am assuming he is the reason you were so chipper this morning.”



Zack’s smile grew a bit. “Well, it kinda just happened.”



Sephiroth shook his head at his Second in Command. He was always a horrible flirt. He honestly thought ShinRa was going to have little Zack’s running around with how Zack flirted with women. He was tempted to ask why there was a change, or if he had missed it. He was not the best at interpreting other’s emotions at times.



“Kind of happened?” Sephiroth spoke the words slowly.



Zack took another sip of his drink. “Yeah.”



Sephiroth leaned back in his chair and sighed as he ran his hands through his hair. He then placed the cup on his desk and looked at the ceiling. He had read Cloud’s file a couple of times, and still did not understand the thrill of the boy. He was smaller than the average SOLDIER, his fighting abilities were average, and the only place he excelled was his studies, which were all above average. He lowered his head, turning to look at Zack. He was greeted by his Second in Command with a glassy look plastered across his face.



~and then all it takes to peak your interest is red hair~



“You are truly pathetic, Zack.” Sephiroth chuckled at how smitten Zack looked. The same could be said about him and how quickly his attentions have been turned.



“Hey, well, can’t blame me. Have you seen him?” Zack said a bit defensively.



“I am afraid that blonds are not my type.”



~yeah, you prefer proud redheads and dark-haired flirts~



“Don’t know what you're missing, there, Seph,” Zack said as he took another drink. “Shit, he’s gonna kill me for talking like this.” He went back to his relaxed pose, with his booted feet on his desk once again. “There must be something in the rye.”



Sephiroth was trying to figure out how to word his question of how long Zack and the blond had been seeing each other, when Zack spoke again.



“You got anyone you are at least looking at?” Zack asked.



Sephiroth looked away from Zack. “There is someone that I have my eye on.”



“Oh,” Zack said in an amused tone. He looked into his cup as if he were examining the contents. “Dish.”



“I believe it is a cup,” Sephiroth said while he was examining his own cup. It was nearly empty. He did not remember drinking so much, and it was obviously loosening his tongue a little too much.



Zack laughed. “Man, you have the weirdest humour sometimes. I meant – dish it out. Tell me! Come on, who is it? I haven’t seen you eyeing anyone.”



“It is none of your concern,” he said. “I am not asking details about your sex life, and I will not divulge mine.”



Zack got that mischievous smile on his face. “You have to have a sex life to give me the details.” Zack reached for the bottle. “Top up?”



He placed his cup beside Zack’s in silence, as he tried to push back the sensual thought of topping Zack. He watched Zack generously fill up the cup before he returned back to his overly relaxed pose.



Sephiroth found himself leaning back in his chair and was almost tempted to put his feet on his desk.



~Zack does relax you~



“What is it about this Cloud that you are so enamoured with?” Sephiroth asked as he watched Zack’s throat work while he swallowed a mouthful of the amber liquid. He didn’t understand why he had been attracted to Genesis. He didn’t understand what drew him to the raven-haired man in front of him, and he had no clue why he was even thinking of the Turk.



Zack shrugged and looked a little embarrassed.



~nothing like discussing your sex life with your superior~



“Geez, it’s kinda hard to place. We were buds right off the bat,” Zack said, and then grew a little solemn. “He helped me get through what happened…in Modeoheim.” Zack’s face grew somber as he must have been remembering that day. The grim look quickly left his face and a smile sparkled in his eyes. “And he’s damn cute!”



Sephiroth grunted to hold back his laughter.



“He doesn’t like me calling him cute though, so don’t say anythin’,” Zack said quickly. Sephiroth closed his eyes at an old memory of Genesis. It was a trip to Banora, and he had met Genesis' parents, specifically his mother. The drunk of a woman had been thrilled to show naked baby pictures of Genesis, pinching her son’s cheek and announcing that he was still as cute as when he was two.



“Grown men don’t usually like to be considered cute,” Sephiroth said as he recovered from the past. How Genesis had scowled…



~stop thinking about him~



He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache getting stronger. That was the past. The past could not be changed and his mistakes could not be undone. He wasn’t around anymore, and he should not be dwelling on things that were not in his control.



~it is making you edgy~



“Yeah, that’s what he said too,” Zack said as he took a big drink of the rye. “I can still think it though.”



Sephiroth let a chuckle slip out. Zack's smile grew wider.



“Anyway, is there anyway I could get it out of you who you are interested in?” Zack said.



“No.”



“Are you sure?”



“Zackary.”



“No need to get all huffy,” Zack said. “So, you are okay, right?”



“All things considering,” Sephiroth said. “I believe this uncomfortable conversation is enough for the evening.”



“I could go for a bit more,” Zack said and reached for the bottle. “Since I have to buy a new one anyway, we might as well enjoy this.”



~only Zack would want to carry on an uncomfortable conversation~



“I believe I have drank enough of that,” Sephiroth said. He had not touched the drink since Zack filled his cup. He felt a bit of a rush, and his words were flowing too smoothly as it were. He did not wish to let his words spout forward without thought behind them. He already had done enough of that.



“Loosen up a bit,” Zack said. “You are only human.”



Sephiroth shook his head. “ShinRa would have the world believe that I am more than that.”

“Yeah, well, they don’t know you.”



Sephiroth looked at the young, talented fighter sitting there, much too relaxed, as he gazed at him with brilliant mako eyes. He knew why Angeal had taken the vibrant boy under his wing. Zack was not one to let the world around him depress him. Zack had dutifully followed the command of his mentor and learned quickly, and always had a smile on his face. His quick wit and honorable attitude had got him to First Class, and allowed him to stay friends with everyone on the way. He did not know a single person who could possibly dislike Zack.



~so honorable that he even killed his own mentor~



“I am sorry,” Sephiroth blurted.



Zack gave him a confused look. “What for?”



“Leaving you with all the dirty work.”



~fighting those I could not face~



“I do think I need to retire for the evening.” Sephiroth stood and looked down at the calm SOLDIER, who only moved his head to look at him.



There was sadness in his eyes. “It’s alright. I can take it,” Zack said. “I kept asking for the dirty work, as it was.”



“You need not be saddled with what should have been mine to deal with,” Sephiroth said.



“Could you have dealt with Genesis?” Zack said in a serious tone. “I couldn’t reason with him, and I ended up - well, you know how it turned out.”



~should have been able to~



“I do not know,” Sephiroth answered honestly. His eyes went to the file, which was hiding the pictures of the clones of Genesis. “But as it seems, I may have yet to find out.”



Zack slouched further, and let his feet collapse to the floor in a loud thump. “Damn depressing to think of,” Zack said and stood, stretching. “Well, I guess I’ll grab a bite. Cloud is on night patrol, so I’m going to scare him.”



Sephiorth shook his head. “I thought you liked him.”



“Yeah, he's cute when I sneak up on him,” Zack said.



“Should you not be discrete with your relationship?”



“Well yeah. I used to scare him before we started with the dating thing,” Zack said with a shy smile. “Sharpens his skills.” Zack was absolutely smitten with this young infantryman.



~was I ever that smitten with Genesis?~



He frowned as he answered his inner thoughts. Smitten was not a word that described how turbulent his relationship had been. Genesis had said it was passionate, but that was not the word, either…



“You are thinking about Genesis, aren’t you?” Zack said and put a comforting hand on his arm. Sephiroth pulled away from the touch. He did not want the warmth, when the only thing he was allowed from him would be the hand on his arm.



~should have approached him sooner~



“And how did you know of my relationship with Genesis, anyway?” Sephiroth asked. It was not common knowledge, and they had both preferred it that way. Angeal knew, of course, and there was Rufus, but he was not sure how Zack discovered it. Angeal was not one to spread gossip, and neither was Rufus.



“Genesis let it slip once,” Zack said with a sheepish look. “I asked him why he was walking funny and he made some remark about riding a silver stallion. It took me awhile to get it.”



~silver stallion?~



He must have been glaring because Zack took a step back. “His words, not mine.”



“He always had a problem with his mouth.” Sephiroth scowled.



“That’s not what he said,” Zack chuckled.



“Keep that up, Zackary, and I will ask Strife about that black bag you brought back to your apartment.”



Zack made a small, scared laugh and his cheeks gained a rosy color. “Okay. I got a little carried away.”



“Yes. You did.” Sephiroth said. “Goodnight, Zack. Go play, and try not to get shot when you scare him.”



“Right-o,” Zack said with a mock salute, charming smile, and a tip of the bottle of rye.



Sephiroth smiled. Zack’s antics were always amusing.





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