Welcome: This is a series that I wrote a while ago and it's only being uploaded now because I feel guilty for not uploading new chapters for my other Clack fanfiction, so I hope that this will satisfy you guys until I can get back to writing and upload for Kissing Death.

All chapters for this story have already been written.

Summary: Cloud is Zack's special friend, his best friend and soul mate forever. He even helped build a tree house so they could spend more time together. It's only a matter of time before their young love shows.

Pairing: Zack x Cloud

Setting:Zack and Cloud's childhood, as the story progresses, they will get older and older, which is why the rating of this story is M.

Type: Chaptered

Disclaimer: All related Final Fantasy names and characters are copyrighted © by the almighty Square Enix. The plot line for the story though, belongs to myself.

ENJOY!

Our Sweet Innocence

If there was one thing that Cloud enjoyed, it was playing with his best friend Zack, the fact that he was two years older than him made the raven even cooler and more incredible in his eyes. As an eleven year old child, there was nothing more amazing than having an older friend like Zack who would take you out with his older friends without a care and teach you things nobody else could.

"C'mon Cloud!" Zack's thirteen year old face turned to him with a beaming smile, he held his hand out to his blonde friend as he stumbled across the small river.

Cloud giggled softly before reaching out and grabbing a hold of Zack's hand, his giant blue eyes shining with excitement and happiness as his friend continued to lead him into the forest that surrounded their homes.

Although it was chilly due to the early winter weather, both of them were dressed in shirts and shorts, Cloud's was a little too big for him, but Zack's fitted him perfectly. Cloud had always noticed that about Zack, everything about him was just so perfect that it made his heart ache terribly when he was with him.

"Where are we going?" Cloud whispered as they continued running blindly in the forest with grins the size of the Cheshire Cats'.

"My dad helped me build the tree house we were talking about; I thought you'd really like it!" Zack laughed lightly as they stopped to walk up the slippery muddy hill, which gave Zack no trouble, but Cloud was nearly falling over so the raven grabbed both of his hands and helped him up with a caring smile.

"You always do really cool stuff," Cloud pouted playfully as Zack pulled on his little blonde ponytail slightly.

"Only when I'm with you though," Zack said a little bashfully and his amethyst eyes looked to the floor once they began running again leaving Cloud trailing behind with his free hand curled up against his lip to hide the shy smile he was wearing on his face.

When they reached the specific tree that Zack was leading them to, Cloud's eyes practically sparkled when he looked up and saw the tree house, he then turned to Zack and clapped his hands excitedly before they began climbing up the rope ladder.

The tree house had a large blue blanket covering the floor with cushions in every corner and a few extra blankets, obviously to keep them warm whilst playing in the season. A small battery-powered fridge sat in the corner and a hot drink maker sat right on top of it. Three yellow lamps were sat on small corner shelves.

"Wow!" Cloud gasped as Zack helped him inside, he then ran into the centre of the tree house and curled his arms into his chest with a sweet giggle that made Zack's heart race slightly, "it's so awesome!" he rushed over the pile of cushions that was in the farthest corner and threw himself into them whilst Zack watched, amused, from the small entrance.

Zack couldn't help but feel warmed to know that Cloud liked the tree house, when building it with his dad he had insisted that it had to be perfect for his friend otherwise he didn't want it at all.

"Aren't you going to sit with me?" Cloud asked shyly snapping the raven out of his thoughts and he tilted his head adorably to the side in wonder, Zack's eyes widened and a dark blush appeared on his cheeks at the sight before he quickly made his way over to the hot drinks machine.

"In a second, I'll make hot chocolate!" Zack replied with a laugh when he turned to see Cloud's face light up at the sound of the tasty treat.

"With marshmallows?" Cloud's voice was so innocent and childlike that Zack nearly cried out, he knew he shouldn't feel this way towards another boy, his father had told him it wasn't natural, but he couldn't help it.

"Of course!" Zack chuckled as he stood up on his tip toes to reach the shelf Cloud had only just noticed, and pulled down a bag of pink and yellow marshmallows.

Cloud crossed his legs as he cuddled a fluffy purple pillow with his chin rested on it, he smiled softly as he watched Zack make their drinks and bit his lip as he felt butterflies attack his stomach. He then smiled brightly when Zack turned around and sat down next to him, handing him a hot cup carefully.

"Thank you," Cloud said happily as his cushion fell into his lap and he sipped the chocolate drink, sucking up the two marshmallows that had started to spread on the top.

"This is going to be our place, you know," Zack put his cup on the blanket covered floor and then took Cloud's cup so they could hold hands as they sat on their knees, "where we can run to when we want to be alone or…or be together!" Zack practically shined with happiness and Cloud laughed at his friend's reaction, blushing as the raven's face moved a little closer to his.

"We can come here forever and…and have hot chocolate right?" Cloud asked innocently making Zack's hear melt once more and he nodded frantically just to get Cloud to smile again.

"All the hot chocolate you want," Zack laughed and brushed the blonde's hair out of his eyes before pulling him into a hug.

When speaking about Cloud to anybody, he was always use the term 'Cloud is my special friend', everybody thought it was sweet at how close the two of them were usually classing them as non-related brothers, but to Zack, Cloud was too important to be a brother to him.

Cloud smiled a bit as he wrapped his small arms around his friend's neck, his face buried in his shoulder where he could smell Zack's usual scent of lavender which he usually got from hugging his mother all the time.

"We'll be friends forever…won't we?" Cloud asked suddenly saddened by the thought of never seeing Zack again and the raven frowned at the question.

"Of course we will," Zack replied moving a little away from Cloud so their hands could link again and he used his free hand to cup Cloud's cheek gently, "you can't get rid of me that easily!" Cloud then shrieked loudly as Zack began tickling his sides making him squirm and roll slightly in the cushions laughing his head off.

"Stop!" Cloud cried out in between trying to breathe and giggled louder when Zack lay down beside him still attacking his sides with his fingers, "Zack!" Cloud whimpered and beamed when Zack laughed and gave in to his eyes growing five times their size.

"Sorry," Zack snorted and wrapped his arms around Cloud's thin waist, his breath getting stuck in his throat when Cloud's small hands placed themselves on his chest as they lay side by side, their faces so close that they could feel each other's breath on their faces.

"Z-Zack?" Cloud stuttered feeling his heart speed up under his palms and his eyes widened when Zack's lips placed a kiss on the tip of his nose, their eyes linked for a split second before their lips connected in a soft, sweet and innocent kiss.

When Zack pulled away he and Cloud snuggled closer together in each other's arms with their eyes closed. It was almost as if the two of them had just shared a silent message with one another that they just seemed to fit and work with one another.

"I love you Cloud," Zack whispered grabbing a blanket from behind them after moving the now cold cups away from their feet, and wrapping the warm blanket around their small bodies.

"I love you too," Cloud blushed very darkly as he said this and smiled shyly when his forehead was kissed, his hands pressing against Zack's chest again as the raven pulled him closer, the two of them slowly falling asleep in their embrace.

A/N:

This was really to write a story of how sweet children in love can be and how difficult it can be when you're way of life is disapproved of. Zack loves Cloud so much that he doesn't care what his father will say, he wanted to be with him no matter what. I want those who are Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Bi Pan, Asexual etc to take my advice and just don't give a shit what anybody else says and just go for it :) And yes, even straight people, like myself, go through the whole 'you can't be with this person' thing :)