Little Ignorances - Sephiroth/Zack Title: Little Ignorances Authors:icedark_elf and skeren Characters: Zack Fair and Sephiroth Fandom: Final Fantasy Seven Theme Set: HW1 Theme: Predatory 34 Warnings and Notes: Fluff. Shameless fluff.
Zack: *gleeful. Had taken a few months, and a few bargains, but he had finally achieved the near impossible. Now, just had to wait for the paperwork to show up on Seph's desk. Until then, though, had to go through all his regular drills and such. Gah. Just because he had survived the war didn't mean he wanted to train greenies*
Seph: ::had had a long day. And he had only just managed to escape to his office. Glaring at the papers on his desk, more than a little displeased that paperwork would be his sought refuge, he started to sort. Then he paused. Blinking, he eyed one set of papers, then set it to the side, working through the rest so he could read through it properly::
Zack: *manages to get through the training without getting his leg cut off. So he would take that as a win. Debates, then decides to go visit Seph. Hums and heads that way, knocking on his door*
Seph: ::hands folded, he studied the door for a long beat, then exhaled a long breath:: Yes?
Zack: *sticks his head in* Hey. Thought I'd see if you wanted me to snag you some food when I hit the mess hall.
Seph: ::studies his face, then frowns slightly:: Zack.
Zack: Is that a no? *tilts his head to the side*
Seph: ::pushes to his feet and moves around his desk:: We are going to get food somewhere now.
Zack: All right. *pulls his head back out of the doorway and waited, bouncing slightly. Reeeeeally hoped Seph wasn't going to be mad at him. A vacation would do the guy good.*
Seph: ::gathers his things, then heads out the door, securing it behind him and gesturing Zack to follow::
Zack: *nods and does so* I think they are trying to kill me. I got first year weapons training for my teaching class. Or maybe you just have to be a SOLDIER when you teach that, so you keep yourself intact.
Seph: They did not always have SOLDIER instructors Zack. ::heads off down the hall at a fairly decent pace::
Zack: I wouldn't know. I never was in basic. They were slamming anyone who came back okay with Mako into SOLDIER the moment we got our blood tests.
Seph: Zack. ::stern. He knew that he didn't mean that close to now.::
Zack: Yeah? *blinks at him*
Seph: Before the SOLDIER program.
Zack: Oh. Okay. Still wouldn't know then.
Seph: Hm. ::says nothing else, just taking the elevator down to the ground floor::
Zack: *bounces in places, humming some random song in his brain* So, what triggered this? And where are we going to eat?
Seph: I'm deciding.
Zack: Oh. *pauses* Okay.
Seph: ::doesn't say anything more and just makes sure Zack is following him as he strides out of the building.::
Zack: *looking around as he did, shifting his Buster a bit to make sure it was comfortable*
Seph: ::pausing briefly once outside, he headed to a place not exactly nearby, but not far, deciding the last of how to approach the topic::
Zack: So, how's your day been? *finally asks, getting bored with walking in silence*
Seph: Stressful. ::looks to him, then shakes his head:: We're almost there.
Zack: That's not good. And okay. *continues to follow*
Seph: ::moves inside, then to a table. Free seating here, which was good. It meant he could pick the best defended spot in the place. Then he gestured Zack to sit::
Zack: *quirks a brow and sits, looking up at him. Puts his own back towards the door, figuring Seph would rather have the wall at his*
Seph: ::he slipped into the other chair with no further preamble and frowned:: What ruse have you instigated Zack?
Zack: What? *blinks at him*
Seph: Costa Del Sol. ::small glare::
Zack: Oh. Yeah. Not a technical vacation, but you are supposed to be guarding a place that, well, doesn't -need- any guards.
Seph: Zack ::narrows his eyes::
Zack: What? *blinking at him in confusion*
Seph: What did you -do-? ::leans back in the chair and stops from continuing as the waitress leaves menus and a name::
Zack: *waits patiently for the woman to go through her set, and orders a drink* I got you a vacation, Seph.
Seph: And the catch Zack? There has to be one somewhere.
Zack: *gives him a look* Do you think I'd do something like that to you?
Seph: Did I say you did it to -me- Zack?
Zack: *just quirks a brow*
Seph: ::narrows his eyes, then lets out a rough breath:: Fine. Have you been here before?
Zack: Here? *gestures at the place they sat in* Nope.
Seph: Fish or bird is best. The rest is only moderate ::turns his attention to picking something so they could focus on their meal.::
Zack: Kay. *nods and looks at the menu* Ever been to the beach? I know Wutai is surrounded by them, but was curious on if you had ever gone to it.
Seph: Not if I could avoid it, no. Too exposed.
Zack: Beaches are nice. I shipped out of Costa del Sol when I came to Midgar.
Seph: I didn't. ::sets the menu down and glances up when the woman comes around, giving her his order, then looking to Zack::
Zack: *gives his order as well* I didn't get to go to the beach. We were running late, and a storm was coming in. Would be nice to see what it looks like when the weather is nice.
Seph: Sandy I'd expect ::settles back to watch him, positively expressionless::
Zack: *sighs* You know, if you really -aren't- interested, we can get it canceled.
Seph: No. ::narrows his eyes at him::
Zack: All right. Then you don't have to look as if I killed your puppy or something.
Seph: I never had a puppy Zack.
Zack: Well, like I kicked you in the ribs, then. *plays with his glass for a moment, focusing on that. Damn, the man had an ability to make Zack feel bad for trying to do something nice*
Seph: ::deep sigh, then leans over and swats at his fingers:: stop that.
Zack: *blinks at him* What?
Seph: That.
Zack: *frowns* Okay, not a mind reader. What?
Seph: Reacting as you are ::glares a little::
Zack: Tell me, are you happy or not at the idea of actually getting a vacation?
Seph: I don't know.
Zack: *rolls his eyes* All right. I can work with that. Do you want me to write down a list of what you should bring? *gives him a small grin, trying to get back into his earlier cheer*
Seph: ::blinks:: Why would I need anything other than what I would bring normally?
Zack: Cause it's a vacation.... You aren't supposed to be like you are everyday. You are supposed to be a bit more relaxed.
Seph: ...But I bring relaxing things.
Zack: You've never been on a vacation before, Seph.
Seph: No.
Zack: *nods* So how would you know what all made you relax? *just grins more, shaking his head* Though I guess I can't really say. You might relax fine without someone hovering over your shoulder.
Seph: Things that make me less tense obviously mean they relax me Zack.
Zack: *rolls his eyes and makes a note to bring a few things* Sort of.
Seph: I fail to see how it's complicated.
Zack: Well, there is less tense, and there is relaxed. Degrees.
Seph: There's a difference?
Zack: Less tense means you are still tense. Relaxed is you aren't tense at all. Like...you ever had a backrub? *pauses, and thinks about what he just said* Never mind. Hmm.... *ponders this*
Seph: ::quirks an eyebrow at him::
Zack: I'll try to show you sometime. *nods* So, what exactly are your orders?
Seph: ::lets the woman set down food before speaking:: To establish that the local wildlife remains contained and that there is no rebel faction in the area, and to remained stationed there until such a time as other orders arrive.
Zack: Aka: A vacation.
Seph: So it would appear ::starts on the food::
Zack: *bright smile* Told you I could get you one.
Seph: You did ::looks up to him::
Zack: *gives him the grin for a minute longer, then starts on his own food*
Seph: ::shaking his head, he just focused on the meal. The next day would be more telling as to the real 'vacation' idea.::
_______
Zack: *had gotten to Costa del Sol, done all the official work they were supposed to, now, to see if he couldn't get Seph to actually relax. The real challenge of this trip*
Seph: ::was there. It was... sandy. Looking around the building, he moved to claim a room, settling into the idea of being here::
Zack: *goes to roam the library, losing his shoes and socks on the way. Snags a few books and takes them back to the room he had claimed, then goes to stick his head into Seph's room* I'm gonna go for a walk. Want to come with?
Seph: ::doesn't much look like he'd settled. No, he'd put his things down.:: You're not wearing shoes.
Zack: *wiggles his toes* Nope.
Seph: And you're going outside? ::looks a bit like he can't believe he'd do that::
Zack: I had planned on it, yes. *slow nod* Is that a no, you don't want to come?
Seph: ::stares at him for a beat:: Why would you go outside without shoes?
Zack: Cause I wanna walk in the sand. *nods, and then moves to head outside. Well, it wasn't like he hadn't invited him*
Seph: ::moves after him, a small frown on his face:: But why would you want to do that?
Zack: Cause I wanted to. *looks at him blankly, still heading for the front door* And I won't get sand in my boots this way. *nods*
Seph: ::continues to trail him:: If your boots were secured properly you would avoid most of the sand wearing them.
Zack: *hits the front door and steps outside. Pauses once he hit the sand, wiggling his toes in it* Mmm, warm.
Seph: ::gives it a dubious look:: I imagine.
Zack: *grins* Come on. It's fun.
Seph: ::looks sideways out him:: It's sand.
Zack: Yes. I know. *grins, and starts to walk for the water*
Seph: ::walks after him, trying to get a clear idea of why anyone would want sand between their toes::
Zack: *hums, feeling the sunlight on his skin and just soaks it up. Hits the water, and stops, letting the waves wash over his toes. So what if his pants got wet at the ends. He had more*
Seph: ::eyes the water as Zack reaches it and eases back away from the reach of the waves::
Zack: *looks back at him* It won't bite, you know.
Seph: It's... unhygienic
Zack: *snorts* Seph, most of the world is unhygienic.
Seph: I know.
Zack: *bends down and catches a bit of water on his fingers, flicking it at the man* Promise, it's not going to kill you.
Seph: ::twitches a little and grimaces, eyeing the spot the water had made contact at:: I'm aware of that
Zack: Then relax. What's wrong with the water, hmm?
Seph: Do you have any idea how many things have excreted in that?
Zack: Do you know how many things have had sex in it? *wicked grin*
Seph: ::shudders a little, then spins on his heel to go inside:: I'm going to unpack.
Zack: I'm teasing, Seph! *yells that after him. The man could move fast when he wanted.* Sorta. *softer tone of voice* Not really. *regular tone.*
Seph: ::just closes the door behind him pointedly as he headed off to his room. Ew.::
Zack: *wry grin at him, then shakes his head. Well, maybe he'd get him used to it later?*
--------
Seph: ::He couldn't find things to do. He also couldn't sit around in his coat, which meant he'd grudgingly shed it that morning, though he refused to part with the gloves or boots. That didn't, however, help him find something to do.::
Zack: Here. *drops a book in his lap on the way past him, flopping down in a chair nearby*
Seph: ::eyes the volume:: What is this?
Zack: A reading resource. Paper with text printed on it. Stories placed in a format for others to enjoy. Also known as a book.
Seph: ::narrows his eyes at him in a glare:: Let me rephrase. What is it for, and if you say reading I will set you on fire.
Zack: Reading. *innocent face* Actually, that's it.
Seph: ::low little growl:: Zack.
Zack: Seriously. It's just to read for fun. *gestures a bit, his own book in hand* I've been drooling on the library since we got here, and I've been reading this one all day. When I haven't been outside. It'll give you something to do, Seph. *bit of a wibble face* Trust me?
Seph: ::He picked up the book and peered at it:: A story book?
Zack: Yep. One on pirates, I think.
Seph: ::blinks, then, after a beat of hesitation, opens it to start to read:: I read quickly.
Zack: There's a whole library here, Seph. Didn't you see it?
Seph: I hadn't looked in all the rooms. ::flips slowly to the first page::
Zack: You should check it out. It's pretty nice. *gets comfortable in his chair and starts to read on his own book again*
Seph: ::looking sideways at him for a second, he shook his head and settled in to read. The story was definitely a story, and when he finished it, it went in search of the library. It was definitely something to do.::
Zack: *looks up, and gives a small smile on Seph's vanishing. There. Knew the man would be happy about that. Makes a mental note to make sure to feed him later, and goes back to his own book*
------
Seph: ::It had been a few days. Odd days. Days with lots of books and far too little to do. And at least one attempt to overexpose him to sunlight. It was night now, the breeze enough he could comfortably wear his coat again, and he had searched for a decent stick. Finally, he located one, his booted steps taking him over the sand to the water's edge::
Zack: *had been taking another walk. Didn't think they would have too much longer here, and was just as pleased that they had been given this long. Still, was enjoying it while he could, and had been heading for the house when he spotted Seph. Seph who was...walking towards the water. That was interesting. Pausing, he watched, curious on what the man was going to do.*
Seph: ::What could possibly be so fascinating about the waves? It was loud, dangerous, filthy, and all around unpleasant. He was also fairly certain that it would be cold. Frowning, he padded out after a wave, sweeping the stick across the sand just behind it, and watched the way it bubbled across the line he'd made as it came back towards him. He didn't, of course, want it on him, so he stepped back::
Zack: *can't help but smile softly. That was almost cute. He was reminded of the kids he saw during the days, chasing after and then running away from the waves. Even the darkness helped, making Seph look younger than he was. Silent still, Zack continued to watch*
Seph: ::when the waves proved that they weren't about to suddenly foist seaweed or something else of the kind at him, he swept his stick over the surface of the water, batting at the froth of it. It was wet. Water really shouldn't froth that way. At least not if it was at all safe. Again, he avoided the return of the wave::
Zack: *moves silently, finding a rock to sit on, and does so. Curling his legs up, he rested his chin on his knees, still smiling softly*
Seph: ::Eases further out after the waves, puzzling out what would make the water so intriguing. He didn't even realize when a few idle pokes turned into a full on study with the stick in his hand, the other sweeping his hair back when it nearly fell into the water. It was only when he got distracted enough by his puzzle that water sloshed over his boots that he jolted, straightening as he let the stick drop, feet taking him back from the waves. Really, it was a silly thing to get caught up in.::
Zack: *tilts his head, watching his friend. What was Seph going to do now?*
Seph: ::getting far enough from the water that it wouldn't splash him again, he just watched as the waves ate the stick, then closed his eyes against the breeze. It wasn't all bad, this place. Even the water had a strange charm, if one could move away from the seeming endlessness of it. Still, that didn't make him want to get in it. Opening his eyes, he turned, finally intending to go back to the house where they'd been staying.::
Zack: *is still smiling, and stays where he is. Would let Seph has this quiet time if he wanted it*
Seph: ::pauses almost to the house:: Zack, remember to come inside this time. ::he'd caught the smell on that last breeze, and he didn't know how long he'd been there, but he had no intention of asking. Having spoken, he slipped inside::
Zack: *smiles, and then gets up and follows him. This had been a good vacation*