“I don’t want to!”

“Just open it already.”

“But —”

“Zack,” They’d been carrying on this way for more than an hour. An impressive feat by ordinary standards, but Zack was anything but ordinary. Angeal was more amazed by the fact that they’d stayed on one topic for so long.

“Angeal,” Zack countered, easily mimicking the warning tone in the elder’s voice.

“Just open the door.”

“There are spiders in that closet, Angeal. Spiders. Are you trying to kill me?”

They sat side-by-side on a cosy loveseat, both staring at the door which hid the offending room. Angeal's gaze was soon broken as he closed his eyes, shaking his head at Zack's declaration. This was what SOLDIER was coming to? Scared of spiders? What a world.

“Zack, it’s Valentine’s day and –”

“A simple ‘I love you’ would have sufficed...”

“And,” Angeal continued, all patience now lost. He’d held out this long, but enough was enough, “It’s just a gift. An innocent gift.”

“If it’s so innocent,” Zack began, clearly not believing the statement, “Why is it hidden in the closet?”

“So it doesn’t run away.”

“So it is a spider!”

Angeal didn’t know how to react to that almost triumphant accusation.

Instead of verbally responding and sending them back to square one (which had happened several times already), Angeal stood, rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath.

“What did you say?” Zack asked, eying Angeal from where he had now sprawled himself over the couch. He never wasted any time when it came to claiming the couch.

“I said it’s probably dead by now anyway.”

“Good riddance.”

“Zack...,” Angeal began, trying to think of some response for the cynical comment, before giving an exasperated sigh, “Just... come here.”

“Are you going to lock me in the closet?” Zack asked, not sounding too offended by the idea as he bounced up, making his way quickly over to the door.

Angeal shook his head, one hand coming to wrap loosely Zack’s waist when he was within reach, “Just open it,” Oh, how many times he’d said that already. Maybe this would be the time Zack actually did as he was told. Not likely, though. Zack was Zack, and he rarely listened to the voice of reason.

“And you’ll protect me if something happens?”

“Yes, Zack,” Angeal gave him a reassuring squeeze, wondering if a gift really was the best idea. Zack had simply pinned Angeal to the couch when he showed up, and they both considered that a suitable present. Still, there was nothing Angeal could do about it now.

“I don’t believe you,” Zack responded, unable to hide a grin at Angeal’s frustration, finally opening the door.

Now, Angeal thought he was witty buying Zack a puppy, though the joke was probably lost on the younger SOLDIER. It took a moment for the sleepy bundle to look up, beady eyes adjusting to the new level of light. After a moment of staring at them both, it made a small whining noise, laying its head back down on its paws.

Zack looked over his shoulder at Angeal, giving him a clearly confused look. It took an encouraging nudge for Zack to approach the bored dog.

"It's not a spider," Zack noted, sounding almost surprised; confusion still clearly visible on his face. He gently picked the puppy up, trying to adjust it in his arms. It was a bundle of black-blue fur, with a body hidden in all the mess.

When it had gotten comfortable burying itself in Zack’s arms, the puppy settled back down to sleep.

“What’s its name?” Zack asked, frowning as he toyed with the engraved tag on its collar.

“Zack. Can’t you read?”

“... That’s its name?”

“Is there something wrong with that?” Angeal asked, tilting his head slightly in question – a habit he was sure he picked up from Zack. Well, there was confirmation. Zack didn’t get the joke. Maybe Angeal had expected too much of him. Zack did have his bright moments, though, and Angeal had been hoping for one of those, “I think it’s a cute name.”

Zack’s expression morphed back into a pout as the puppy shifted slightly, “Are you calling me a dog, Angeal?”

It was then that Angeal honestly considered beating his head against the wall and leaving, but resisted temptation, “No, you idiot.”

“That’s not nice,” Zack’s pout became more pronounced, looking down at the puppy, “but...”

“But?” Angeal pressed, mentally weighing up the pros and cons of the wall idea.

When Zack looked up, he had a knowing grin on his face. Angeal let out a sigh, glad the whole ordeal had ended. And not too badly, either. It looked like Zack was actually accepting the gift, despite being offended over the choice of name.

“But I’m your idiot, right?” Zack asked, taking a step back so that he was again at Angeal’s side.

“I wouldn’t want any other,” Angeal said, with a relieved smile, pulling Zack back against his body, pressing his lips against the top of his head, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”