Title: [pending]
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Characters: Sephiroth, Zack
Prompt: Beginnings.
Word Count: 351
Rating: PG.
Author's Notes: Everyone does a "Zack saves Cloud from something after he washes out from Soldier" fic. And now, another one.


"...so he's in the infirmary, inches from death--"

"Zackary, does this story have a point?" There were days that Sephiroth could stand the babbling of his aide. Today was not one of them.

"Getting to it! Getting to it! It turns out that he got his ass handed to him after not getting in. And now, I preempt your 'So'. So, it's not only that he landed there, he managed to kick enough ass that the guys that tried to get him are in there, too." Zack was sure that he had a find. The kid was scrawny as fuck-all, but managed to fend himself--well, not exactly good enough, but enough that he managed to live. Survival instinct had to count for something.

"So, he fended them off, but is still 'inches from death' in the infirmary. When exactly will you get to this point you were alluding to?"

Okay, the sarcasm was really wearing thin. What the hell is up with the brains always going for sarcasm? "So, he's going to be a project, of course. I mean, given the great success of my past projects--" here Zack gave Sephiroth a meaningful glance "--I think it'll go over."

"...and that was it? You just decided to tell me that you've taken someone under your wing?"

"Well, you get jealous. I had to make sure that if I was indisposed, that you knew that I wasn't seeing off someone." Zack grinned. "Gotta keep faithful to my boyfriend, you know." He produced a file and placed it on Sephiroth's desk. "So, here're the kid's profile and his entrance exam results. Check it out. Minor. Illegal. Not going to do anything unless I like prison."

Sephiroth took the file and started thumbing through it. "...so I see. Questionable psychologial screening, abysmal physical testing, and his academic results are hardly a love song. So, what is it exactly about this--" he took a quick glance that the initial profile "--Cloud Strife that is worth saving?"

"...I'll arrange a meeting."

"Once he's recovered, I can only hope."

"Details, details."