We're friends, right?

I wouldn't do a thing like abandon you.

[clurdstraf]

What was he so afraid of? It was only candy, and Zack obviously wasn’t out to hurt him but stalking manner was almost unnerving. The grunt continued to back away, eyes darting around the room for help, though none would be given. The only exit was beyond the oh so menacing candy-wielding Zack. No escape.

“Look–” Cloud began, a faint whine in his voice as he shuffled back, trying to keep out of reach. “You probably could, you’re in SOLDIER. But that has nothing to do with me and candy and building muscle.” He was running out of room to back through.

[zackpup]

What, indeed? Zack's followed Cloud's about the room, knowing better, and snickered at the younger boy when he looked back at him.

Poor kid, maybe he shouldn't tease him so much. Unfortunately Zack didn't like downtime but he liked Cloud a lot, and he was quite terrible at entertaining himself on his own.

Zack paused mid-step with bit of a jar at the whine, expression completely gone. He assessed him with a flash of concern, brows high on his forehead and eyes wide. That worry vanished the moment Cloud began to speak again. "That's fair," he offered, dropping the worms back into the bowl as he shifted it more securely against his chest. "But it's not going to save you." Zack flashed a toothy grin and sprung forward, making a grab for a slender arm as he dove for the smaller man with a needlessly exaggerated battle cry.

[etherealefflorescence]

Aerith did her best to ignore the building fluster in her cheeks, closing her eyes against the sight of Zack’s flailing. It hadn’t been on purpose–she knew that. Additionally, at least he wasn’t some random stranger! That would have ended badly. Probably with a shove and her foot or knee places no man really ever wanted them to be. But this was Zack, and while he wasn’t quite apologizing, he was obviously apologetic. She could accept the meaning.

Delicate hands lifted to take hold of the one he held out, silently pulling it down along with the instinctive barrier or space it’d been used to establish. She appreciated what the purpose of it was, but it really had little place. Besides, it’d be easier to tease him for his mistake if it was gone.

“Yes?” Expectant, a brow arched in curiosity even as dark lashes only lifted partway, lending weight to the skeptical tone she used.

[zackpup]

Now, Zack... Zack wasn't the most careful of people – he'd argue that it came with the job, but it had led to him being knocked through the roof of a church one day, not the first or last time he's been so careless, and more recently... Landed him face-first into a pair of very nice breasts belonging to a very attractive young woman. Wholly unintentionally.

It happened so fast that the SOLDIER couldn't figure out how he'd gotten himself there in the first place. It sent him reeling back, or at least upright, and he suddenly felt very worried in that second for how far they'd gotten their relationship. She was extremely understanding, she'd know it were an accident, right? That he wouldn't just...

Luckily for him she hadn't been so upset as to swept a leg up at him because he was too busy guarding his very red face and trying to keep eye contact that he likely wouldn't have seen it coming. "I," he tried again, stiff when she moved his hand while at the same time following without hesitation, though he did go a little more straight in the back with the tone she addressed him with. "I'm sorry," he spat quickly, voice high in place of the previous flailing, "I really didn't mean to!"

[clurdstraf]

That wasn’t a good sign, that bowl was far too big and all that candy inside– it was, candy, right? The multi-color pile filling the bowl certainly looked like something you ate if you were, say, ten years old. But even if that were the case, that was… a lot of gummie candies. What was even more concerning was the SOLDIER in possession of the wormy lot and the mischievous intent on his face. Trouble.

“That isn’t food.” The blond was already moving ‘away’ despite not having been within reach, hands held up in a uneasy show of defense. “Besides, I eat plenty. Now put the bowl down…” 

[zackpup]

That was an argument that Cloud wouldn't win; you were never too old for bright, colourful candy. And Cloud wasn't exactly grown (a trending theme at Shin-Ra, wasn't it? Get them while they were young and impressionable). Zack's movements were slow in spite of the retreat, advancing ever closer on the blond, knees bent and partially hunched over more eye-level with him.

“You're right; eating a bowl of sugar might be more nutritional.” But he grabbed another couple worms and took a larger step. “Oh yeah?” he challenged, surprised, “I don't think so—I bet I could bench press you. Remember, you need to bulk up before you can build muscle!”

[clurdstraf]

Zack, no.

No.

[zackpup]

Guesswork wasn't needed; the threat was obvious with the SOLDIER wielding a clear, oversized twelve litre bowl containing a mountain of sour dust coated gummy shaped worms and bodily blocking the doorway. That he'd showed up here with little notice and was wiggling one of the candies between his index and thumb without care to the state it'd leave leather gloves in was probably didn't make it better.

"Come on babyface," Zack teased, a wide, bright grin on his face as he slowly crept forth toward the much smaller boy. "They don't feed you infantrymen nearly enough."

[zackpup]

These crowds could get pretty tough around the holidays, huh? Not everyone celebrated, yet on this side of the globe it was one of the more commercial holidays. But, man, what were all these people doing out? Didn't they all have somewhere to be? Because he certainly did!

Okay, so maybe he was running a little bit late. That was okay, right? They didn't have anywhere they needed to be until that night, they'd just arranged to spend the entire day together. And it wasn't like it was a few hours into their time – she'd forgive him, right? He had a good reason!

Well, he thought he had a good reason. Yesterday he'd thought he had everything he needed and stuffed it all in a little sling he'd been issued a long time ago, including a little something special. ...But on the way to where he needed to be he'd seen pumpkins amongst other things set out and it struck him different today. They absolutely needed those. Of course this didn't entirely go as planned; it ended up with him caught with last-minute buyers and trying to get through crowds of people there for other items in order to get to, and snag a couple that looked good.

That didn't exactly go as planned either. On the brighter side of things it meant he was looking elsewhere while travelling toward his destination and managed to grab a bright, round pumpkin about the size of his chest. When he did show up he had it under his left arm against his hip to keep his right hand free, and walked toward the spot they were supposed to meet. "Aerith?"

[ostentateduplicity]

Pre-arrest, will contain inconsistencies with canon. Warnings: Zack bites. Format: Lit. Post order: None ORP except:        Hojo        Lucrecia        Nathaniel (OC)        Zack thread: zombies invade shinra

[enduringfortitude]

Whether or not they were supposed to start away, Nathaniel’s reaction still had him moving almost immediately. Read More

[zackpup]

Eye-rolling was one of the expected responses. A more usual one than admitted, but what wasn't expected was mistaking this little one's gender. The SOLDIER's expression fell and his face ran pink, expression matching Nathaniel's choice word.

Oops?

". . .Yeahuh, you're cute, too." Zack's laughter was nervous and he let his hand slide away from the wall, straightening to give the Turk his space back. Realising that the little cutie was a guy didn't mean suddenly he wasn't attractive! He wasn't going to take back anything he'd said just because of that! Just...well, he was a guy.

Where should he look? It didn't appear as though it were an easy decision with his eyes darting from place to place. He swayed backward to retreat a step and give him more room but instead ended up moving forward, gesturing calmly in a mock shrug. "Man, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that." He could feel his cheeks grow redder and lifted a hand to run gloved fingers over his hair and neck, the other outstretched and upturned. "I was just joking around anyway, but I really didn't mean to mistake you for a girl. I'm really sorry!" This time the fast chatter was out of embarrassment.

Bending at the knee, Zack set his hands at his thighs and hunched down to get a look at his face from eye-level. "Anyway! I really haven't seen you around! Can I get your name? I wasn't joking about that; I don't recognise you." A short, awkward pause, "Wait, no, I--. Let me start over." When he stood up again he offered a hand, trying to mask his embarrassment with a smile. "Hi, I'm Zack."

[ostentateduplicity]

Pre-arrest, will contain inconsistencies with canon. Warnings: Zack bites. Format: Lit. Post order: None ORP except:        Hojo        Lucrecia        Nathaniel (OC)        Zack thread: zombies invade shinra

[enduringfortitude]

Just quietly hide away in a closet or somewhere else out of reach—that’s all Nathaniel wanted to do.

Read More

[zackpup]

Were they supposed to start right away? The commotion hadn't exactly changed since the lockdown had been announced so maybe they were supposed to wait for a signal. There was also the possibility that they were expected to start right away and everyone else was just as confused as he and that other guy over there was.

Right.

So, anyway, back to not knowing this Turk's name. Actually, Zack wasn't sure he'd seen this one around. He briefly mulled over whether he'd just transferred here or was a new recruit. "I was going to ask you something," Zack pointed out, pivoting on heel and stalking toward the much smaller man in a slow drift, "Maybe my memory's bad but I don't remember you and I'm not sure if you've been called--it wouldn't really be sporty for me to charge after a fellow undead."

"You know...," he started again, still not giving him a chance to talk, "the closer I get the better you look." Right hand lifted against the wall beside Nathaniel's head--the steady advances drew them to it and Zack leaned heavily on that arm, bowing partway down to his height while keeping a fair distance between them otherwise. Even then, he had the Turk effectively cornered.

But instead he smiled sweetly down at him. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

[etherealefflorescence]

:D?

[zackpup]

a;ldfk

[zackpup]

So I thought I would do this thing:

in something between my artstyle and the game appearance y/n?

He's not staying topless.. '-'

[ostentateduplicity]

Pre-arrest, will contain inconsistencies with canon. Warnings: Zack bites. Format: Lit. Post order: None ORP except:        Hojo        Lucrecia        Nathaniel (OC)        Zack thread: zombies invade shinra

Read More

[enduringfortitude]

Going into work should have been like any other day...

Read More

[zackpup]

Raucous laughter and heavy footfalls soon joined the commotion during the announcer's quiet as Zack hurried along with a couple other men. For the SOLDIER the idea of some large-scale activity was miles more appealing than having time off. He was as restless as he was excitable and the thrill of the hunter and prey styled game seemed like more than enough to keep him entertained. It might not be work, but it also wasn't being kicked out to go 'relax'.

That didn't mean Zack was okay with the idea of zombies, either.

In fact, upon realising the direction the morning news from Shin-Ra was going, he'd kind of...wanted to curl up in a ball under a table. Because he wouldn't fit under a chair or comfortably under most desks. It redirected the conversation he was holding with a few of the others onto the topic of zombies and it quickly turned into something to joke about. What were they going to do?

For the most part everything was working on manual – apparently they'd decided computer-controlled doors would take away from the experience. But one was pried open a short distance with a hiss and Zack, crouched down, slowly poked his head inside while the other two peeked in over him. It looked like a good deal of the others were scampering around in confusion as well, more racket being added on as names were listed off.

He squinted, lips screwed off to the side in a pout. "No, really, this horror-flick crap really freaks me out," he muttered to the others who looked down and laughed above him. He rolled his eyes, shooting a pitiful look down the hall at the Turk he'd spotted there. Yeah, yeah, he knew; a person like him being afraid of this stuff. The others tumbled over and fell into the hallway when he forced the door the rest the way open, standing up.

Carefully he stepped over the SOLDIER pile, one of which continued to tease him, and wandered a short distance into the hallway. "Hey--" Zack called, intent on asking the younger man's name when his was called over the intercom. Dark brows shot up and he pointed at himself with a fluster as his comrades burst into laughter and scrambled to their feet to make a quick escape the same way they came.

Was it fair to everyone else if they were choosing some of them to be the zombies? He'd turned at some point to gesture at the intercom in disbelief as though it would correct the situation. Instead the lady behind it informed them that they would now be entering lockdown. Guess it was a little too late to play hookie. Could be fun though; no one would be creeping after him and instead he was one of the infected.

...Speaking of which, he's slowly turning to look back in Nathaniel's direction.

[zackpup]

Muse status: currently dying a little inside

[etherealefflorescence]

is that my fault? :D

[zackpup]

YEAH KIND OF

[etherealefflorescence]

:D :D :D

[zackpup]

[zackpup]

Muse status: currently dying a little inside