(Cloud Strife x Reader x Rufus Shinra) A Bolt from the Blue

Chapter 14 - First Mission

The walk to rendezvous with Biggs is a quiet one, where both you and Cloud are feeling the awkwardness of giving into true feelings earlier. You make it in time to the out of the way residential courtyard, where Biggs is already waiting inconspicuously under a tree. He hoists the rucksack, no doubt full of the resources needed for the mission, onto his back when he sees you and Cloud enter the courtyard.

You pick up your pace and give Biggs a small wave as you reach him a few seconds before Cloud.

Biggs surprises you by asking if everything is okay while glancing between you and Cloud. Biggs is a lot more emotionally perceptive than you give him credit for, you think to yourself. You nod and reassure him, adding as a joke as Cloud reaches you both, that Biggs can only imagine how much fun being alone with Cloud would be as you roll your eyes cheekily. Biggs joins in your nervous chuckle at Cloud's expense. Cloud does not react at all and only gives Biggs a shrug and a cursory nod.

"Okay so Midgar Prep School is just around the corner from here." You get straight down to business.

"Yeah, you can tell by all the nice houses around here." Biggs nods in acknowledgement.

"There is a perimeter wall all around the school grounds but to the north there is an artificial brook that cuts through the perimeter. We used it for our science experiments, but I digress." You explain.

"That will be our entry and exit point. Some of the more wayward students would use it to leave the school premises to skive off." Your thoughts recall the faces of some of your affluent school acquaintances. "It will effectively eliminate our first obstacle - the wall".

Cloud and Biggs are listening closely to your every word and you realise you enjoy the adrenaline filled excitement you feel as you continue to explain.

"Then once we are in, I guess the plan is just to follow me. There are night patrol guards that make rounds throughout the night but I think we can evade them quite easily. I'll try the cafeteria first as it has large windows covering most of the hall and at least one of them would always be left open by accident. Hopefully we can climb into the building that way. Otherwise we will have to break a window."

"Don't worry I have the tools if we do." Biggs adds.

"I have a pretty effective tool too if we are just breaking windows." Cloud says dryly, touching the handle of his buster sword.

You and Biggs chuckle out loud at Cloud's unexpected joke.

"I don't need to go into detail about the rest of the route but we are ultimately aiming for the science labs as the safe is located in the technician's office where Biggs will work his magic while Cloud and I look out. There really shouldn't be any conflict as hopefully it will be an in and out job." You finish, silently saying a prayer to yourself.

"Sounds like a plan." Biggs states confidently.

"Go team!" You channel your nervous energy into excitement. You put your hand in the middle of the three of you, Biggs automatically understands and puts his hand in the centre too. Cloud looks a bit bewildered and does not move. You smile and gently grab his hand and pull it on top of the pile. You and Biggs do a muted cheer and lift your hands up making Cloud do it too.

This helps lighten your mood a little from the pressure you feel to make sure this mission is a success. Before you left Seventh Heaven earlier, the other Avalanche members all said to just try your best and if it doesn't work out, it's not a problem at all. However, their kind words of encouragement does not alleviate the pressure you put on yourself to not let your newly made friends down.

You lead the way out of the courtyard, Biggs not far behind you and Cloud bringing up the rear. After walking down a nicely kept residential street and turning down another you can see a section of the school wall at the other end of the street.