A/N: Here's the final chapter! Thanks to all who have stuck with me after my long absence.

For KlikStar.

-o-o-o-

Life is full of the unexpected. You need to expect the unexpected or you won't stand a chance against life. That was a life lesson Zack learned and burned into his consciousness. Life can go from a happy home with a warm, loving boyfriend to alone with a twice-broken heart in the span of a month.

Another life lesson Zack learned was the importance of good friends. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he never would have pulled through that horrible month if it wasn't for his affectionate and platonically intimate friendship with Kunsel. His best friend spent most of his free time with Zack, dragging him through the mess his life had become and making sure he was standing on his own two feet after the storm blew over.

It took about another month for Zack to be able to do that without clinging onto Kunsel. If it weren't for his best friend, Zack would have become a complete hermit, waving off the outside world in fear of the hurt and pain relationships of any kind brought with them. It was pure luck that his best friend saw the good in everyone and had the right amount of skepticism to protect them from being taken advantage of. Kunsel kept Zack busy and made sure he kept him in contact with his other friends during his recovery though Zack would have preferred a guys' night in involving cheap pizza, mediocre beer, and bad movies alone with Kunsel. Kunsel gave him those nights, but made sure he balanced them with fun, physical activities.

After Zack managed some sort of independence, he began to resemble the charming, fun-loving man he used to be. Kunsel watched with pride as Zack started conversations with friendly strangers at bars and laughed openly on the dance floor when he and a few friends made complete fools of themselves. He sighed a happy sigh and the contentment made him smile. Whenever they did this, he would always keep one eye scanning the place in preparation for a quick withdrawal should Reno or Cloud wander in unexpectedly. Now, after two more months, Kunsel felt Zack would be able to handle such an encounter, but Kunsel wasn't comfortable chancing it just yet. Kunsel kept Zack obliviously happy and would worry about the risk for the ravenet for now.

They took certain precautions when they planned nights out like this. They never visited The Lookout or The Bell Tower anymore since there was a high probability that Reno or Cloud might be there. There were an abundance of bars and clubs to visit, though, so it was no major loss. They didn't openly discuss why they chose not to visit those places; it was an unspoken understanding between two close friends.

Another two months passed and things were pretty much back to normal. Zack no longer relied on Kunsel to be his day-planner and Zack had even taken it upon himself to organize outings with his friends. He moved to a new apartment closer to Kunsel, which his friend thought was fabulous because it helped him balance his own life. Kunsel and Lilly moved in together and Zack was a frequent dinner guest, a title Lilly did away with almost immediately as Zack was more like family than a friend. Lilly knew that if Kunsel wasn't home, he more than likely could be found on Zack's couch as the boys played their games or threw popcorn at the television set when their favourite teams played horribly.

Life had finally come together.

Another month had passed and Zack began getting a little restless. Kunsel teased him about needing to get laid but Zack knew that wasn't it. Watching Kunsel and Lilly, he was ready to take another stab at settling down with someone. Lilly tried to set him up with her brother but Zack thought that would be too weird. Kunsel tried to set Zack up with an anonymous friend he refused to tell Zack more about, but that turned out to be Lilly's brother again and Zack laughed it off, taking the guy out on a date just to be a gentleman.

Zack never really tried to pick up at the bar when they went out. He wasn't interested in the one night stands he used to live by in the past. He wanted to find someone he liked before sleeping with them. Kunsel would grin at this, explaining to the ravenet that sleeping with someone was the modern day handshake, which normally happened prior to getting to know someone, but Zack would only shake his head and brush off the conversation.

"We're men, and men are attracted by beauty and motivated by sex." Kunsel argued.

"Love is blind." Zack responded with a grin.

"That's another debate for another time, but sex is sex, Zack."

"And I already told you I'm not looking for sex." Zack said, rolling his eyes.

"So we're looking for a non-descript man with a great personality?" Lilly asked, eyes roaming the bar. "How do I know if a guy has a great personality?" Kunsel immediately pointed to himself, earning a playful smack in the behind from his girlfriend.

Zack smiled at Lilly, who was hanging off of Kunsel's arm and shook his head. "You get to know him."

"What about him?" Kunsel asked with a snobbish accent, pointing to a man dressed in nothing special with a narrow, frowning face. "He looks oh, so dull and could probably teach you a thing or two about calculus."

Zack sighed and shot a playful glare at his friend. "You've been very helpful, thank you, but I think I'll pursue my future boyfriend on my own."

"What? Why, I ask with surprise." Kunsel continued with his snob accent. "Did I not pick out the most perfect man for you, dear boy?"

Zack laughed and walked towards the bar to get another pint. He eyed the guy Kunsel pointed out and chuckled, shaking his head. He wasn't looking to find his soul mate tonight anyhow.

When the bartender brought him his drink, Ollie came up behind him and paid for him before Zack could get his cash out. "How are you doing?"

"No, thank you. I can pay my own way." Zack said but the bartender had already walked away. "What do you want?"

Ollie sipped his own drink as his eyes darted around the bar. "Just saying hi to an old friend."

"Hi," Zack responded before making an attempt to walk away.

"Now wait a minute, Fair." Ollie said, grabbing the ravenet's arm. "I'm serious. I heard what happened and haven't seen you since."

"What happened?" Zack asked, his brow furrowing with confusion.

"You know, with Blondie." Ollie said, tilting his head and looking genuinely concerned.

It took Zack's mind a second to understand who Ollie was talking about but when it registered, an old wound throbbed within his chest painfully. "That was a long time ago."

"I figured, but-"

"You'll have to get your gossip elsewhere." Zack interrupted.

"I'm asking as a friend, not as a gossip." Ollie responded, eyes narrowing.

"We're not friends." Zack said, eyes searching for Kunsel.

"We were." Ollie said lowly. "At least we had mutual friends."

"Which doesn't make us friends." Zack said, almost immediately regretting his harsh words. There was a silence between the two and Zack rolled over several things to say in his mind, each sounding just as pathetic as the last. "I'm sorry." He said sincerely. Time-tested and true.

"I guess I haven't been the best of friend to you in the past." Ollie said, running his finger over the lip of his glass. "He still looks for you, you know. At least I think it's you he looks for."

Zack's eyes met Ollie's and he licked his lips. "Who?"

"Blondie," Ollie answered, his features softening. "I don't see him often, but when he does make an appearance he normally stays by the bar looking around, brushing off anyone who tries to pick him up. He leaves after a few drinks without talking to anyone."

Zack swallowed hard, eyes glazing over. "That's not my concern anymore."

Ollie nodded then took a sip of his drink. "Call me next time you go out with the guys, ya?"

Zack looked at Ollie and smirked. "Will do."

"Promise?"

Zack smiled and nodded. "Sure."

Zack didn't know what to do with the information Ollie had given him. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to care as much as he did, but he let it drop without torturing himself too much. It still hurt him tremendously despite what he tried to tell himself. One night about a month later he drunkenly called Cloud's cell phone number which was still programmed on his phone and was disappointed to find the number no longer in service. He saw that as a sign and the next morning was relieved that his luck turned out that way. Kunsel had coached him through several strides forward; he shouldn't be taking any steps back.

But the knowledge that Cloud appeared to be looking for him stuck with him. One Saturday night, he made his way to The Bell Tower without anyone knowing about it and found himself drunk and disappointed that the blond never showed up. Again, the next morning he was relieved that nothing came from it.

Months later Kunsel shocked him by asking for his help picking out an engagement ring for Lilly. Zack was overwhelmed with happiness over the news and accepted the duties of best man. He had a hard time keeping the secret from Lilly but was proud to say he succeeded. Lilly flew into his arms the next evening before dinner and showed off her ring to Zack, Kunsel grinning behind her with a wink.

Alone one night, Zack tossed his book aside and stared up at the ceiling. He was nothing but thrilled for his best friend and Lilly, but a part of him was also jealous that they were going to be getting married, having found one another at a bar, and he was still single. Lilly continued to playfully leave her brother's phone number around the apartment for Zack to find randomly, but she knew it wasn't a love connection.

Zack got to his feet and stretched just as a soft knock came from his door. He glanced over at the time and frowned, making his way over to the door. He opened the door and tilted his head but froze as a familiar face looked back at him, eyes sad and full of fear.

"Cloud?"

"Please don't slam the door in my face." the blond whispered.

Zack swallowed hard and opened the door a little more. "Come in."

Cloud exhaled softly and nervously made his way into the apartment, stopping just a few feet inside. He turned around and looked back at the ravenet, his eyes heavy and a frown tugging at the corners of his lips.

"What are you doing here?" Zack asked, his eyes scanning the blond as if he were an apparition.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Cloud asked, hands nervously tugging at the corner of his jacket.

"No, of course not." Zack said, offering to take the blond's jacket. "Come inside."

Cloud followed Zack to the living room and gingerly sat down after Zack took a seat. "I hope you don't mind me stalking you a bit." Cloud said, a weak smile playing on his lips before it disappeared behind another frown. "I asked your friend Ollie where you live now."

Zack was still in too much shock to respond to the blond. Cloud was more beautiful than he remembered and the angel was watching him closely with the most beautiful eyes glazed in unshed tears.

"Ollie…?" Zack asked, the urge to kiss those blue eyes being his main focus.

"Yeah, he said you were friends." Cloud responded, eyes gazing back into Zack's. "He speaks very highly of you. Said you are the most decent man he knows; he went on and on about you." Cloud smiled a little before looking down at his hands. "I feel like I got to know you better through him… even though… considering the circumstances…"

"Yeah…" Zack was in full swoon. Cloud's power over him, even after all this time, was still strong.

"I want to get to know you." Cloud said, looking back up and flicking a lock of hair from his eyes with a quick flip of his head. "It seems silly, but I've really, really missed you." The blond's eyes filled with tears again and he looked back down at his hands.

Zack's own eyes became teary and Zack moved his body closer to the blond's. Cloud looked up at him and sniffled quietly, offering the ravenet a soft smile.

"I've missed you, too, Cloud, but Tifa…"

Cloud smiled and his cheeked flushed slightly. "It's over between Tifa and I. Has been for a while now." Cloud licked his lips and took a deep breath. "I told her everything."

Zack gave a small encouraging smile. "Everything…"

Cloud nodded. "I told her why we were so shocked to see one another that afternoon. I told her that I didn't go to the pool hall, but met you at a bar instead. I told her why… I… didn't come home that night." Cloud swallowed hard and looked down at his hands again. "I told her that you didn't know about her and that you were pissed off with me, and rightfully so, when you found out. I tried to explain that it wasn't her fault; that I was born this way, but it didn't matter after I betrayed her trust. I don't blame her for that."

Zack nodded and tilted his head, watching the blond struggle with his story. "She told me to leave and the next morning I was fired from my job. Her father didn't want me around anymore than she did." He looked back up at Zack. "I don't blame him either."

"I'm sorry to hear this." Zack said softly.

Cloud shook his head and smiled. "That was a while ago. It was for the best. After losing you…" Cloud looked back down. "After losing you it made me realize that I can't live a lie. I have to be myself no matter how hard it might be." Zack smiled as Cloud continued. "I stayed with a friend for a bit, but now I have my own apartment. Several months ago I started with a reputable firm and got back on my feet again. My life is back on track, but…"

Zack waited for Cloud to continue though the blond stayed quiet. "But… ?"

Cloud's lips quivered and he took a deep breath. "I was still missing you so much." Another silence followed, Zack not able to offer a prompt due to his own overwhelming emotion. "I don't understand it, but I couldn't stop thinking about you and how badly I messed up. I know we've never really known each other, but there was this feeling I had when I was with you, a feeling I have, Zack. I can't explain it but it just feels-"

"Right." Zack finished for him. "It just feels right."

A few tears ran down Cloud's cheeks and he nodded, looking up at the ravenet. "Exactly. And when you told me I was just a rebound…" A sob interrupted the blond. "A rebound, Zack, it didn't make any sense."

The memory of saying those words to Cloud hurt like a knife to the heart for Zack. He wished he could take every one of them back but he couldn't get the words out.

"I didn't want to believe you." Cloud continued. "What happened between us was-"

"Too special." Zack finished for Cloud again.

"Yeah," Cloud said with a smile. "That's why it hurt so badly."

Zack sniffed and shook his head. "I never felt as though you were a rebound, Cloud. Not for a second."

Cloud smiled through his tears. "You were only doing the right thing."

Zack nodded his head and wiped a tear from his own eye. "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

"Ollie was right about you being a decent man." Cloud said, wiping his eyes with his fingers. "After everything, Zack, I still can't stop thinking about you. I got my personal and professional life back on line, now I want to work on my love life." Big blue eyes met with violet. "That's why I'm here."

Zack smiled and bit his lower lip. "I'm glad you're here."

Cloud smiled and raised his eyebrows. "Can I take you out to dinner? Get to know you and see if Ollie was right about you?"

Zack chuckled and wiped the remaining tears from his eyes. "Only if you promise this to be a casual dinner."

"As oppose to uptight and dreadful?" Cloud asked, quoting Zack from what felt like a lifetime ago.

They laughed together and helped one another off the couch. Once on their feet, they fell into an embrace automatically and held each other tightly, relishing in the feeling of being with one another again. Zack buried his nose in silky blond hair and Cloud tried to hide in Zack's firm, warm chest. Both of their arms were around each other protectively and they stood that way for several minutes in complete silence.

When Cloud looked up at the ravenet, Zack bowed his head and kissed Cloud with passion, unable to hold back as his heart poured out all feeling for the boy with a kiss. Cloud responded with a low moan and pressed his body up against the stronger man, arms clutching onto him around his neck.

Neither knew how much time passed, but both knew they needed to stop before they lost control over their desire for one another. Cloud took a step back, eyes heavy with longing, and looked back at his lover. Zack stared back with a certain amount of hunger before sighing silently to himself to calm his heart.

Over dinner, the boys talked endlessly without pause. Zack really didn't think there would be any awkward pauses as he had always been a conversationalist, but he was impressed that Cloud was just as talkative. The blond opened up to him completely and Zack felt as though he were having a conversation with someone he'd known his whole life. At one point Cloud got up to find the restroom and Zack sent Kunsel a quick text message giving him a quick briefing of what was going on, feeling like he was in middle school again. Kunsel's response was short and to the point:

I'll have Lilly book a double venue for the weddings! Call me tomorrow or I'll storm in for details. You have until noon.

Zack knew better than to call Kunsel's bluffs. They never were bluffs.

Zack and Cloud spent hours at dinner, sharing a bottle of wine and a dessert afterwards. Zack chuckled as Cloud dripped chocolate sauce down his chin and Cloud rolled his eyes, refusing to acknowledge that it was really there. Zack couldn't help but laugh as the blond finally wiped it away only to purposely replace it with the very next bite.

Zack absorbed every word Cloud said and found the boy simply fascinating. The blond was both smart and funny and, based on what Zack learned, he had a very warm heart. Before the end of dessert, they had already set up a repertoire of dates that they began scheduling over the next few months. Zack never realized how much he was smiling until his jaw and cheekbones began aching, but he didn't mind in the slightest.

Zack noticed how much attention Cloud attracted and the ravenet sat just a little taller, proud that Cloud was with him and that Cloud looked only at him with complete adoration. He smiled affectionately when Cloud told him that he was still amazed that he was there with the ravenet, scared to death that Zack wouldn't give him a second chance, to which Zack responded by reaching across the table and taking Cloud's slender hands in his own.

"I'm crazy about you." Zack said with a certain husk in his voice.

"I'm crazy about you." Cloud responded, his smile slackening slightly as a deep-rooted emotion filled his eyes with tears. "That something special from before, it's still happening."

Zack smiled as he leaned over the table, placing a slow, lingering kiss against Cloud's lips. Cloud reciprocated the kiss and moved one of his hands from Zack's hand to the side of the ravenet's face. The air between them was electric and vibrated with their own pulse; a pulse unique to the two of them that would eventually lead to the genuine words "I love you" repeated to each other for the rest of their lives.

Cloud hung onto Zack's arm as they made their way back to Zack's apartment. Zack was playfully scolding Cloud for never having seen a popular movie from when they were kids and Cloud was laughing happily and making up silly excuses for having missed it. Cloud's hand clutched the sleeve of Zack's jacket before one hand slipped down and held Zack's hand. Zack laced his fingers through Cloud's and Cloud looked up at the ravenet with a bright smile, his eyes lighting up the dark street.

Once they made it back, Cloud sighed happily as Zack hung up their jackets. There was no plan for the rest of the night nor did they ask the other what happened next. They just fell into each other's arms, their lips finding the others' immediately.

It felt right. It felt natural. It didn't feel as though he just got to know Cloud that night. Zack felt as though he'd always known the blond in his arms as they stumbled their way to his bedroom, eyes shut and arms grasping the other tight. No time was used to turn on the lights or to pull the covers down from Zack's made bed. They landed on top of the duvet, Cloud pinned under the stronger man before Zack lifted his weight and caged Cloud with his body and arms, lips still locked in a passionate kiss.

When their lips did part for air, both gasping to replenish their oxygen, their eyes remained on the others', the heat between their bodies intensifying. Zack couldn't help but place short, wet kisses against Cloud's lips as the boy panted sweet, humid air between their mouths. Zack was addicted in the most serious way.

The energy Cloud's body was emitting drugged Zack and he went back to capture those lips once more, unable to stop himself. His body responded strongly to the low moan from the back of Cloud's throat before he pulled away slowly, Cloud's head following him to retain the kiss before he laid back down against the soft mattress, staring up at the ravenet.

Cloud's piercing blue eyes drunkenly gazed up into violet, holding Zack's stare captive. "Zack…"

Zack shuddered at the sound of the husky voice saying his name. "Just lie with me."

Cloud's eyes softened and smiled without the help of his lips, which still panted lustfully. "Promise to hold me?"

"All night." Zack answered, moving back away from Cloud. This was important for Zack in a big way. He would be lying if he told himself he didn't want to make love to Cloud. He wanted to and he was ready for it, but he felt as though they've done that before. He'd slept with Cloud before and he knew they both felt the connection they had all those months ago. But tonight was different. Tonight they really got to know one another and he didn't want to confuse what he was feeling at the moment with sex. They had a lifetime to make love. Tonight, he just wanted Cloud to lie with him, to hold the blond against his body and prove to himself that this wasn't just a dream.

Cloud crawled away from Zack and pulled the covers down from the bed. Both removed their clothing, everything, and Cloud slipped under the sheets. Zack joined him underneath the sheets and laid down, cradling Cloud as the blond sunk into his arms. Their bodies intertwined together and both swooned at the feeling of the others' naked body against their own skin. Zack breathed heavily as Cloud ran his fingers cross the ravenet's bare chest and the blond shivered as Zack stroked his back. Both were aroused beyond all reason but kept their touches innocent. They spent the night exploring each other's bodies and kissing passionately, their kisses lasting hours before they broke to calm down enough to keep their explorations innocent.

Neither slept that night. Neither cared. They could explore more sexually tomorrow, but tonight was strictly about innocent examination. Zack knew by the next morning, seeing how they lasted all night talking and touching, bodies responding strongly, achingly, to the others' ministrations without giving in, that Cloud was the man he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

Cloud looked up at Zack when the clock struck eight in the morning and smiled. Zack, his body feeling like he was charged by lightening, leaned down and kissed the blond again, taking in Cloud's scent and realizing that he now had everything he could ever want in life. He'd finally gotten to know the blond angel from the bar and he loved every fiber of his being.

When their kiss ended, Zack grinned. "Let me make you breakfast?" A happy smile spread across Cloud's face and his eyes sparkled with the morning sun. Zack's heart fluttered in his chest. "A western omelet?"

Cloud giggled and bit his lower lip. "My favourite."

"I know." Zack felt as though he was looking at his husband of many years, just as deeply in love as the day they met.

-o-o-o-

Thanks everyone! I've already started writing my next story, so stay tuned!

Please, please review?