Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Innocence ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimers : : I own none of the characters. Just the plot.

*word* -- happening (i.e. *crack*)

~*~ -- flashback

~#~ -- scene change

//word// -- thoughts

"word" -- speech

Garnet Eyes

Innocence

Gods. . . he couldn't believe he said it. Now Cloud would leave and even be angry with him. He'd get a new tutor and the General was sure he'd never see his sunshine again.

A small hand touched his cheek and delicately ran against his skin. He was just waiting for it to turn and claw his face, but it never did. Eventually the small hand moved under his chin and tilted his head back up slightly. Cloud was looking him over carefully, but he was too ashamed to stand up to the scrutiny. He felt tears bunching up in his eyes and, for once, he wasn't sure if he could stop them. As it turned out, he didn't have to. The blonde merely looked into his eyes for a second before wrapping his arms around his leather-clad waist. Sephiroth bent his head down and nuzzled into the golden hair, too afraid that this was just some sort of cruel joke and Cloud would shove him away, telling him that he wasn't worth the air to breathe, and walk out. It didn't happen, however, and he finally chanced movement to return the embrace. His arms shook violently, he knew it, but he couldn't stop it until he managed to finally wrap his arms around the solid figure already hugging him. The General pulled his arms tightly toward himself, a small sob making its way up his throat but getting stuck, and clung to his blonde tightly. He had never felt so much loss of control in his entire life.

Cloud led him to the couch very slowly and carefully brought him down, drawing Sephiroth close and rocking him slightly, trying to get him to calm down. It took a minute, but he managed to recollect himself and just laid next to the blonde, silver head on uniformed chest. He had managed not to cry, but he had obviously shown a vulnerability to the blonde that he no longer had the power to retract. Cloud would have to decide what to do; the General had done all he could force himself to do and he just had to wait.

Soon Cloud began running fingers through his silver hair and he gained a little hope. If Cloud wasn't shying away from showing affection than. . . maybe he felt the same? Sephiroth was almost afraid to find out, but he made himself sit up after a minute-he had to find out. Jade and azure eyes met, both searching the other before Sephiroth opened his mouth to speak. A finger pressed against his lips and he closed his mouth again.

"Sephiroth, I did not want you to feel obligated. You obviously don't feel that you are being forced to keep me here, so I will stay for both our benefits."

He laced one hand with one of Sephiroth's before continuing.

"Both our benefits, Sephiroth. You and me. I wouldn't do this if I didn't feel like I would be happier here. You are important to me, Sephiroth. Just like you showed what I mean to you, you mean the same to me."

He couldn't believe. . . Cloud cared? He was too afraid to hope so much.

"I guess I should call Zax and tell him I won't be staying with him, huh?"

Cloud was grinning lightly and squeezed the General's gloved hand tightly before letting go to pick up the phone and call Zax.

~#~

Sephiroth sat on the length of the couch quietly reading some of his paperwork with his reading frames on and a small glass of water on the side table, condensation running down its side onto the little coaster at its base-something that he did in his quarters more and more often in order to spend more time with Cloud while he was between training. He wasn't really looking at his work, however. His eyes kept straying to the blonde in the kitchen working on a crossword puzzle and completely unaware of the attention he was receiving. No matter how hard he tried, Sephiroth found he could not stop thinking about Cloud. Sitting in his office made it worse, but being near him simply made the General want to watch him all day. So he was falling behind on his work rapidly.

He still couldn't get out of his head the day his blonde almost left him. After his confession and Cloud's response to him, they just spent the rest of the day snuggling up to each other on the couch. Sephiroth found that he somehow didn't feel like he needed anything else then. And now he just kept staring at Cloud out of the corner of his eye and not doing his work. Mentally berating himself, he forced his eyes back to his work and continued reading the sentence he had been stuck on for the past fifteen minutes. //Focus.//

It only took three sentences for his eyes to stray again and he cursed under his breath. This was impossible. He couldn't do anything anymore. Not that he minded; after all, given a choice between Cloud and his job he'd take Cloud hands down. But he needed to do something. Zax refused to let him take all the paperwork anymore since he had seen the workload and they now delegated between themselves, but that didn't mean that he could just stop doing anything. Gods. . . he needed something hard to drink. It might not do much to his system, but given enough, it would get things off his mind. Namely one thing with sunshine blonde hair, beautiful crystalline blue eyes, a lithe little body, and a stunning sword technique. Shaking his head and attempting to clear his thoughts, Sephiroth turned and got up off his couch, dropping his papers and glasses down on it and walking towards the door, grabbing his coat on the way.

"Where are you off to?"

Jade eyes glanced over at the back of the blonde head, but Cloud hadn't even looked up.

"I'm just going out for a while. I'll be back in about an hour."

"'K, but I'm making your favorite so don't be late to dinner or Zax will eat it all."

Sephiroth grinned, nodding to himself as he stepped outside his quarters.

"Alright."

After he shut the door behind himself, he sighed and continued on his way to the nearest bar. General or no, he needed liquor.

~#~

Just barely inebriated, Sephiroth unlocked and opened the door into his room. He didn't remember what had made him go out for a drink, but that was what he had been shooting for in the first place. Inside his quarters, it was dark and empty, and he felt too lazy to go to his bed. The couch was a good place to sleep.

As soon as he landed on it there was a yelp under him. He felt the lumpiness and, in half awareness jolted up only to fall off the couch onto the floor. The sidelight turned on, cutting through the darkness, and Sephiroth jerked his head away from the light, having been momentarily blinded by it.

"Where were you?"

The voice registered easily, and the General cocked his head to one side as he looked up at his blonde.

"Why are you on the couch, Cloud?"

His blonde watched him for a second before a slender golden eyebrow rose in question.

"You're drunk."

"No."

"There's vodka on your breath."

"I don't get drunk."

"You are."

"I can't. SOLDIER enhancements don't allow for it."

"And yet you managed to get drunk. Which makes me wonder how much you actually had."

"I am NOT drunk!"

"You're yelling."

Sephiroth growled and turned his head away, deciding to stop the conversation before he wanted to hurt something. His mind quickly wandered and he looked over at Cloud again, seemingly having forgotten that he had just a moment earlier wanted to scream at him.

"Why are you on the couch?"

"It's where I sleep, Sephiroth. Your quarters don't allow for another bed. The couch is comfortable anyway."

"But you shouldn't be sleeping on the couch."

"Well then where do you propose I sleep?"

"You. . . you could sleep with me. . ."

Cloud smiled very benevolently and brushed his fingers across the slightly colored cheeks of the General. Sephiroth leaned into the touch and Cloud got up off the couch, picking Sephiroth up off the ground on his way up. He relieved the silver warrior of his trench coat and hung it by the door before turning back to him and pulling him back to the man's bed. Sephiroth went willingly, allowing himself to be laid on his bed and even allowing his belt and shoes to be removed, jade eyes glazing just barely as the alcohol finally took full effect.

"Good night."

The covers, yanked unceremoniously out from under him before, were then carefully draped back over him and Cloud kissed his forehead. He smiled woozily and closed his eyes, not hearing his blonde exit and shut the door behind himself.

~*~

He had gone out to the training grounds without permission for the eighth time this week. The lab people didn't notice and his watcher didn't care, but he was still too afraid to walk out and participate. These people fought hard and well and he was barely anything in comparison. Just because he wanted to learn how to fight didn't mean he wanted to go near those people.

All he did was stand in the shadows and watch. It was very informative even if he couldn't participate. And it gave him a way to avoid the labs and tests. He couldn't get hurt if they couldn't find him, now could he?

A hand rested on his shoulder and he jumped, startled. He hadn't been paying attention to anything but the battles. He should have watched to make sure no one was coming. But when he looked up, it wasn't a lab assistant or his watcher or, even worse, Hojo. It was one of the fighters he had recently watched.

"Hey kid, what you doin' here?"

He didn't sound upset, but then again, neither did his watcher before he got hit.

"I'm sorry, I promise I won't come again. Please don't hit me. I swear I'll stay away. I won't come near here again, just please don't hit me."

The man above him just stared at him for a minute and he was positive he'd get hit then. The grip on his shoulder tightened and he braced himself for the impact of the fist. It didn't come.

"Kid. . . are your parents hurting you?"

He felt so small then. What was he supposed to do? Hojo told him never to say a word, or he'd get hurt really badly. He had to make something up, but what?

"N-no. I just wanted to watch you guys practice."

"Kid. . . I'm not stupid. You wouldn't have reacted like you did if your parents didn't hurt you. Who are they? I'll get you taken care of."

"No! I'm fine!"

He tore himself away from the man's grip and ran off, praying that no one had seen him. He never was that lucky, though. Hojo stopped him inside the buildings.

"Dear boy, is this where you run off to every day? To watch the fighting?"

"I-I'm so-rry, Sir."

"Who was that man talking to you?"

"I d-on't know."

"Stop crying, child. Don't be so weak."

Sephiroth nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes and sniffling once, trying to calm himself down.

"What did you tell him?"

Wide-eyed and trembling, Sephiroth stared up at him and shook his head.

"No, Sir. I didn't say anything. I didn't tell him anything. I swear I didn't."

Hojo smiled, the kind of smile Sephiroth began associating with that one mood that he hated, and reached out to grab Sephiroth's shoulder. The boy flinched back, but forced himself not to run. It was pointless anyway.

"Come with me, dear boy. I have another test for you."

"Y-yes, Sir."

~*~

Something heavy pounced onto his chest and he started awake, looking up to see unruly blonde hair against his chest. Then he felt those fingers against his weak spot and he yelped, trying unsuccessfully to wriggle away. Ending up horribly tangled in his bed sheets, he finally just laid still, laughing hard and unable to twist any more.

"Truce! Truce!"

Cloud let up and Sephiroth panted, collecting himself a little before he attempted to untangle himself. Without having much success on his own, Cloud finally began helping him until he got his arms free and then he attacked the blonde's spots, laughing himself in delight. He had so much fun with Cloud he was almost always smiling nowadays.

The blonde crouched and tackled him, returning to his weak spot and Sephiroth grabbed him, yanking him against his chest with one arm and stopping his hands with the other. They were both still laughing when they heard a knock on the door to his quarters. Sephiroth picked Cloud up and dropped him on the other side of his bed, pulling his legs out of the sheets and getting up. Without much thought, he opened the door to his room and stopped dead.

"Sephiroth, it's long past time to check up."

All laughter evaporated then and he nodded, solemnly grabbing his trench coat and stepping out. Cloud had watched him from the doorway to his bedroom, curious and worried about the reaction the General had to whoever had been behind his door. The man didn't come back for three days.

~#~

Sephiroth limped up to his room, blood running down the inside of his thighs and down his arms, chest, and tracing a path from his hairline down one side of his face, but he was too tired to care. His clothes were destroyed and he felt like he could just curl up and die. And then Cloud was there, caring and kind, and he couldn't stop himself. He cried. Hard. Just dropped to the floor of his main room and started bawling. Cloud rocked him and hushed him, soothing him with soft words and noises until he finally stopped crying, but he didn't stop shivering. That was possibly the most volatile experience he'd ever had, and he was still trying to numb his body to the pain.

Cloud brought him up off the ground and over to the bathroom, turning on the bath and warming it up before peeling the already shredded clothes from his body. Down to his boxers, Sephiroth curled up on the floor, rocking himself as he stared out at nothing. Once the water was a good temperature, Cloud picked him up and guided him into the tub, boxers and all. Soft hands rubbed over his skin and washed him clean of his blood and whatever else had made its way onto his body, and he let his head rest on the chest next to him. Soft heartbeats at his ear, the General calmed down and let Cloud run a washcloth over his skin, cleansing him. After a while Cloud pulled back, grabbing some shampoo and putting it next to him before he drenched Sephiroth's head. Massaging the silver warrior's scalp as he worked up a lather with the shampoo, Cloud watched him carefully. Something had obviously happened to him, and it had been enough to make him break down entirely. That made him very worried, because Sephiroth never showed such intense emotion but once, when he had asked Cloud to stay. This, however, wasn't good at all.

Sephiroth relaxed into his blonde's touch, knowing he wouldn't get hurt. This one person he knew would never hurt him, and he just clung to that as Cloud washed away all remnants of his most recent encounter with science. Soon the blonde touched the waistband of his boxers and jade eyes opened to look questioningly into azure. The blonde wanted to finish cleaning him up, but he was asking permission for this part. Sephiroth was too tired to object; he just nodded with a light blush as Cloud removed his boxers and finished washing him, avoiding one single part of him but the General couldn't help a small pained noise when the blonde washed his backside. Azure eyes widened slightly and he went back to the spot, gaining a similar noise of displeasure, before he dropped the washcloth and hugged Sephiroth's head into his chest. The General felt tears welding up again in his eyes, but wouldn't let them fall this time. Not this time.

"Sephiroth, I love you. And I swear, I will kill the person that did this to you."

His blonde's voice was soft, warm, but at the same time deadly. There was so much power behind his words that Sephiroth immediately felt his resolve not to cry evaporated. He sobbed, turning his face into Cloud's chest and wrapping his arms around the lithe little body he so adored. He couldn't even express the mix of feelings swirling through him then. So much love, fear, and hate; he couldn't even separate them anymore. He didn't know what to do any longer.

Cloud simply pulled him out of the tub and bundled him in a large, thick towel, guiding him to his bed and sitting him down. Using another towel, he wrapped Sephiroth's hair before pulling the General into his lap and rocking him. Sephiroth held onto him tightly, crying out years of pent up pain until he just laid against the dampened chest, sniffling. So much release had given him time to clear his thoughts and contemplate what Cloud had just told him. Love. He had never experienced such a feeling before, but when he looked at Cloud he just felt so warm inside. He guessed that fuzzy feeling was what Cloud meant. Love was being perfectly content just being near someone. If that were true, then he had been in love with Cloud for weeks. Maybe a month or so, even. To hear the blonde say it, though, brought a whole new feeling to the silver warrior. Someone actually loved him, not just the other way around. His heart swelled at the feeling and he smiled slightly.

Letting his head rise, he rested his chin against the blonde's chest and waited for him to look down. When he did, Sephiroth held his eyes adoringly and hugged into him slightly before he breathed out what he wanted to say.

"I love you."

Cloud smiled warmly, bringing his hands around the back of Sephiroth's head and drawing it up as the towel unraveled around his hair and fell to the bed. Sephiroth closed his eyes as he felt lips touching his own and sighed. He'd never been kissed before, and it felt wonderful coming from Cloud. His blonde pulled back slightly, allowing him a breath, and jade eyes fluttered open to see into loving blue depths. Smiling, the blonde dropped back down to kiss him again, and Sephiroth wrapped his arms around Cloud's neck, one hand tangling in soft blonde hair. He was in his own little heaven with Cloud. Heaven after hell. And he could not stop the rush of love pouring into his heart, drowning out the hate and uncertainty he held before.

Cloud continued to ravish him in tender love and kisses, laying him back on the bed and pulling the sheets up, curling up with Sephiroth under the cotton sheets. Securely in his love's arms, the General curled his head down into Cloud's chest and fell asleep.

~#~

Waking up next to a warm body, however new of an experience, felt positively wonderful to Sephiroth. The soft breathing of the person beside him made the bed seem even more inviting than usual and he curled up next to Cloud, snuggling into his side and laying his head down on the lithe chest of his still sleeping partner to listen to the calm heartbeats just under the surface. It was so calming that he closed his eyes and started to drift to sleep again. Fingers ran through his tangled hair and he smiled, rubbing his cheek against the warmth below him.

"What would you like to eat today, Sephiroth?"

"Nn. . . don't care."

Smiling down at the silver hair against his chest, Cloud wrapped his arms around Sephiroth's shoulders and squeezed him slightly.

"Well, are you hungry?"

"No. . . lez' just stay here."

Cloud chuckled slightly and began rubbing the General's shoulder lovingly before drawing him up and laying the silver head into the hollow of his shoulder, holding Sephiroth against him. It was then Sephiroth realized he had nothing on, remembering that he had only had a towel before, and his cheeks heated. He hoped the bed sheets were covering him at least.

"I love you, Sephiroth. I love you."

Whispered gently by his ear, Sephiroth nuzzled into the blonde's neck after that, molding his body into Cloud's. They fit together perfectly.

"I love you too, Cloud."

Fingers gently brushed across his cheek and he turned toward them, a small smile making its way to his face and staying.

"We really should get up, you know. Zax will want some food even if you don't."

Sephiroth grunted, putting his weight on Cloud to keep him pinned.

"Why am I the cafeteria now?"

Cloud laughed lightly and kissed the top of his head, wrapping his arms around the General tightly.

"You never stopped him before. Besides, doesn't he have a key?"

"Honeys! I'm here!"

Both men looked up at the closed door to the bedroom as they heard Zax's voice in the main room.

"Don't tell me you two went out to eat! Jeez!"

Cloud pulled the covers up over Sephiroth's back and kissed his head again when he groaned lowly. He obviously didn't want the company he had just then.

"Are you two even awake??"

Both men smirked and curled down into the covers, shielding themselves from the outside world as they kissed lightly on the lips, soon pressing harder against one another's mouths. The door opened when they were in lip lock and they both heard the startled noise followed quickly by the shutting door and steps moving out of the quarters entirely. Cloud smiled into the kiss and maneuvered so he had Sephiroth pinned beneath him, silver hair splaying into a shining halo under his head. The General craned his neck to continue the kiss as Cloud pulled back, whimpering just barely when Cloud got out of his reach.

"Now that he's gone, do you still want to refuse food?"

Sephiroth pouted until Cloud bent down to kiss him again and then smiled when his blonde pulled back, letting his head flop down onto the pillow under his head.

"I am a little hungry. Surprise me."

Cloud grinned, kissed Sephiroth's forehead, and got out of bed, walking into the kitchen to make breakfast. Sephiroth just stayed in bed for a while, thinking about what was happening and what had happened. The people that took him to the lab probably had no clue what 'experiments' he was supposedly going through, and he was sure that Hojo had to have been watching him. He must have seen a reason to scare Sephiroth back into submission, and he was truly terrified now. Hojo was doing it again, but it was worse this time. He was angrier, and no matter how strong Sephiroth was physically, he was still just as terrified of the man as he had been when he was a child. He had to submit; he didn't want to get hurt like he did before. But Cloud was with him now, and Cloud took watchful care of him and what he wanted. Cloud didn't hurt him, and Cloud didn't push him. Most importantly, Cloud loved him. Cloud showed him love like nothing he'd ever have been able to understand, and didn't expect anything more or less. //Cloud. . .//

~#~

Days had passed since he had come back, and he spent a lot more time in his quarters since then, with Cloud, and they cuddled and kissed a lot. He didn't want to go out anymore, but Cloud had convinced him that it would be all right. The only times he went out were to get work from his office or go out with Cloud to practice technique or katanas. He spent most of the day in his quarters, working on papers or teaching Cloud whatever he was studying at the time. Cloud, for his part, never pressed Sephiroth on the issue of what happened or who did it, because Sephiroth was pretty sure Cloud had guessed himself what had happened, but spent all his time making the General comfortable. They hadn't been past kissing yet, and Sephiroth wasn't sure he wanted to go farther, but he could tell that Cloud would have liked to. Of course, his blonde never pushed him, but he was observant enough and he could tell that Cloud would have liked to go further, though it was too soon so there was no drive to hurry.

Sephiroth bustled about his kitchen with his thoughts, having sent Cloud on an errand so he could make what he wanted without Cloud's knowledge, and started making dinner. He had always enjoyed sushi, and that was perhaps the one thing Cloud couldn't make, so tonight was his treat. Having prepared everything but the sushi itself, he stretched his arms and back with a small yawn. Cloud would be back soon. He hoped his blonde would like the food.

Cloud had only managed to open the door in time to see Sephiroth set the table before curiosity kicked in and he walked around, observing everything. The General placed the sushi on the table, the last of what was to be served, and untied the apron he had worn as he walked back into the kitchen area. The blonde's eyes widened slightly and he took his seat with a smile.

"I didn't know you liked sushi, Sephiroth."

"It's one of my favorites actually."

"I'll have to remember that."

Sephiroth chuckled, turning back and taking his seat across from Cloud.

"Why? Do you like it?"

"Yes, actually. I haven't had it in a while, though."

"Well, I hope you enjoy."

Both men smiled and served themselves. Zax had stopped frequenting them as a buffet since he had walked in on them kissing, but he still stopped by. He just called to announce whether he would be coming first so they would know he'd be around. Tonight he hadn't called, so they sat across from each other in a calm silence, holding hands when they weren't picking at their meals.

"You're a good chef, Sephiroth. I haven't had sushi this good in a while."

Sephiroth grinned, nodded, and looked down at his plate contemplatively.

"Thanks, I don't usually cook."

"I can't imagine why. You help me all the time."

Sephiroth shrugged and returned his attention to the man sitting across from him.

"Helping is different from actually making it all myself. I like helping you; I don't mind doing it all myself, but you make things I've never had before. Things I've had before that you make taste entirely different, but everything is very good. It's like I don't need to cook anymore. You make everything I like better than I do anyway."

Cloud smiled, shaking his head slightly, before he squeezed both of Sephiroth's hands and sat back in his chair to continue eating.

"You flatter me too much."

Sephiroth crossed his arms over his chest with a small smile.

"Really? I dunno, Cloud. I personally think you deserve more praise than I give you."

A slender golden eyebrow rose and blue eyes looked up from his plate to jade depths.

"Smooth talker."

Sephiroth grinned and turned his attention to his food. A bare foot kicked his leg under the table and he jumped slightly. Glancing up at Cloud, the blonde looked completely innocent so he kicked back with his own bare foot. Cloud looked up at him and they both grinned, batting each other back and forth under the table as they ate. Well after the meal, they stayed across from each other at the table, holding hands and just looking into one another's eyes.

Cloud was the first to break the quiet, rubbing Sephiroth's hand with his thumb before getting up and walking over to him. Without a word, he brought the General into a tight embrace which Sephiroth returned quite willingly, leaning his head against the blonde's chest. One arm lifted and the General felt fingers gently run through his silver hair; he nuzzled into the chest his head was against with something akin to a purr. As meticulous as he was about his hair, he never minded when Cloud touched it. It actually felt good to feel Cloud's fingers running through his hair.

"It's late, you should get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day."

Sephiroth nodded and stood up, stretching, before he turned to his room. He heard a rattle of dishes and looked back, but Cloud shooed him into his bedroom. Sleepily, he pulled off his black tee and changed his sweatpants before climbing into bed and burrowing down. Cloud came in a few minutes later, obviously to check up on him, before he kissed his forehead and turned to leave. Sephiroth gripped his wrist before his blonde was out of range and azure eyes turned back to him questioningly.

"Stay. . . .Please."

Cloud smiled and kissed his lips.

"I was just going to check that the door was locked and that everything was cleaned up, Sephiroth. I'll be back; you can count on that."

The silver warrior nodded, loosening his grip on the blonde's thin wrist, and let him walk out. Cloud had stayed with him since the first night, but only upon his request. It felt good that he could trust Cloud not to assume anything, but at the same time it was irritating that the blonde didn't take the hint that he wanted him near.

Cloud came back in quietly, shutting the door after himself, and pulled off his shirt. He crawled into bed from the other side and spooned the General into himself, Sephiroth groaning in protest of moving before he sighed, content with the position he was moved into.

"Love you."

Cloud kissed his shoulder and nuzzled against the General's neck before responding.

"Always the same, love."

Smiling drowsily, Sephiroth fell asleep very contently.

~#~

Waking up to a kiss on the lips, Sephiroth opened his eyes as he smiled into the kiss. Once his blonde sat back, they both watched each other for a moment.

"That was a good way to wake up, Cloud."

"So should I do it more often, love?"

The General brought his hand up to the back of Cloud's head and drew him down for another kiss.

"How about every day?"

Cloud grinned and kissed him again.

"Sounds good."

The blonde slid off the bed then, pulling the covers away from Sephiroth so he couldn't get comfortable again and he groaned.

"Cloud!"

"You've had enough sleep. Breakfast is served."

The General buried his head in his pillow and curled up with another groan. Cloud left and Sephiroth blindly reached for the covers again. When he couldn't even feel them with his feet, he raised his head and looked down. Cloud had completely removed them from the bed.

"Cloud!!"

"I told you to wake up!"

Sephiroth groaned again, but forced himself out of his bed and walked out to the island in the kitchen to have breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast, and orange juice.

"So how was your sleep?"

Sephiroth grunted and shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth.

"It would have been better had I gotten more."

"Oh be quiet. It's seven in the morning. I gave you an extra hour."

"Well you asked me to answer and I did. It's not my fault you don't like the answer."

"Tomorrow I'm gonna wake you up an hour early."

Sephiroth smiled into his drink before he set it down, moving closer to Cloud.

"I'll lock you out of my room."

"I can still make enough noise to wake you up. It just won't be pleasantly."

"You'll wake up Zax in the process, and I guarantee he'll kill you for it."

"He'll kill you too."

"I doubt it."

"Well then, I'll just haunt you."

"I'll leave to where you'll never find me."

"I'll be a spirit; I'll find you."

"You'll be absorbed into the Lifestream first."

Cloud stood up then, smiling, and took Sephiroth's dishes.

"Hey!"

The General stood up and grabbed after him, only succeeding in hitting his blonde's arm, making him drop the plate full of food and having it crash over the floor.

"You're cleaning this up."

Before Sephiroth had the chance to respond, Cloud walked over to the door, grabbed his sword, and walked out. The General stared down at the mess left to him and growled. How irritating.

~#~

He had been waiting for Cloud's return from his katana for about an hour since he had finished cleaning everything, the entire time catching up on work he had deliberately ignored before. The doorknob turned and he smiled slightly, purposely ignoring the person that entered. He continued to ignore the man until a dozen roses were thrust into his vision and he started, turning his head up to meet Cloud's eyes.

"I figured I should apologize for not letting you get a full meal and besides, you need something colorful in here."

He bent down and kissed Sephiroth's lips before the man could respond and then walked over to his pack and took out a book.

"It would have been more flattering had you stopped talking after the first part of that sentence."

The blonde shrugged, intently looking down at the page he was now reading.

"I don't want you to think I'd get all mushy on you, now do I?"

Sephiroth laughed lightly, getting up to put the flowers in a makeshift vase.

"What if I like mushy?"

"Then ignore the second half of that sentence."

Shaking his head in mirth, Sephiroth dropped the flowers in a tall drinking glass with fresh tap water and turned around to look at the room for a place to put them. There weren't many options, and he wanted them in a place he would see them.

"Having trouble?"

Smiling, Sephiroth ignored the comment and placed the glass on the side table of the couch, closest to the window.

"I want to put them in a place where I can see them and think of you."

"Now you're getting mushy."

Cloud stood as he spoke and walked over to Sephiroth for a quick kiss.

"Okay teach, it's time to explain some more lovely history."

"You're still in the history of war, aren't you?"

"Yup."

"I hate your classes."

Cloud laughed and hugged his arm around Sephiroth's neck, nuzzling him before they sat down on the couch to go over the information.

"How far back are we going?"

"However far back we have to."

"Ugh; can't you be more specific?"

"Not about things that obviously are irritating the both of us."

Sephiroth grinned and leaned over to kiss Cloud's cheek as they cuddled up with the book between them.

"Well, let's begin where you are in the book."

~#~

Five days since Hojo approached him last, and Sephiroth was finally beginning to get comfortable with his life again. He went out only with Cloud still, but he was becoming less defensive about other people. Zax started coming around more often again and the three of them played a lot of games like poker or, more often, Cloud and Zax would play pranks on unsuspecting Sephiroth and the man would have to be very uncomfortable, or as with a few times, covered in sticky foods like honey, until he could lock himself in the bathroom and take a long shower to get whatever tonight's prank was off of himself.

He didn't mind it most of the time, but it got a little annoying to always have two against one. Cloud of course decided on the 'kiss-and-makeup' rule after he did something, so Sephiroth usually didn't outright protest anything. Especially when he could get them both back. For instance, when they had managed to cover him in honey, he had simply smiled and accepted it until he had the chance and grabbed Cloud and hugged him tight, smearing honey all over him. Cloud had protested at first, but ended up just laughing before he craned his neck and kissed Sephiroth lightly. They both got Zax after that.

"Love, could you come here for a second?"

Sephiroth glanced up from his spot in the center of his bed. He was in the middle of re-reading his favorite novel with a window open to let a soft breeze drift through the room.

"Be right there, Cloud."

Placing his bookmark in the page, he closed the book and placed his glasses on top of it, sliding off the bed and walking over to his bedroom door. He stepped into the main room and saw Cloud with the customary dishtowel over his shoulder, mixing a bowl of something.

"What would you like?"

Sephiroth took his seat at the island and craned his head to see what Cloud was making. Before he got a real chance to see, another bowl was thrust into his chest and he looked down at it curiously.

"Need it cleaned."

Before Sephiroth could sigh about doing grunge work, Cloud tossed a spatula into the bowl.

"The chocolate's still warm, love. I'll wash it after you're done."

A small grin made it's way to the General's face and he started cleaning out the bowl of fudge remnants with the spatula. Cloud always saved it for him because he did love chocolate so much, and he found special enjoyment in Cloud's home recipes with chocolate. Of course, he found enjoyment in all of Cloud's home recipes because everything tasted so good when Cloud made it. But chocolate was always the best.

"Enjoy?"

"Mm-hm."

"Good because I'm making us a stock of food so I can work on my studies more. You might not get it fresh for a while."

Sephiroth pouted, quite successfully making Cloud feel guilty, and refused to stop until the blonde promised not to stop making chocolate products. He could live with takeout, if necessary, but he loved chocolate. When his blonde finally agreed, the General gave him a dazzling smile and kissed his cheek before setting about cleaning whatever else he could out of the bowl if it were chocolate of any form.

"You're making me your kitchen slave."

"But you know you enjoy it."

Sephiroth leaned back on his stool, teasing Cloud before he got up and washed out the bowl, satisfied there was no wasted chocolate.

"Anything else?"

"No, that was all. Go back to what you were doing while I finish making all the food I'm going to make for a few days."

With a soft smile, Sephiroth nodded and walked back into his room. Cloud was so mindful of what he wanted. He just wished there was some way to make up to his blonde all that he had done. For weeks Cloud had been there for him-only recently they became, as Zax so kindly put it, an 'item', and he felt like he never actually did anything for Cloud; it was always the other way around. Well, he didn't like that at all. He had to come up with something to give Cloud.

Maybe plan out some special event or something. Perhaps even an outing; even though he despised being around people himself, he would tolerate them to see Cloud happy. But those things were so bland. He needed to come up with something special-unique. Something Cloud would remember fondly and so would Sephiroth himself. But what in the world would possibly stand out in Cloud's memory as prominent as Cloud himself stood in Sephiroth's? It had to be something. . . perfect. Like he could ever think up anything perfect. He might be a tactical genius in warfare, but relationships? He'd never been in one before. The only thing remotely like this was friendship, and he only had one person he truly called a friend before his sunshine. So what was he supposed to do? Whatever it was, he couldn't get help from Zax or he'd tell Cloud for certain and then the entire surprise would be ruined. Maybe not intentionally, but it would still be ruined. He had to do it all on his own.

"Sephiroth? Love? Dinner's ready."

Abruptly looking up from his thoughts, Sephiroth realized he hadn't even made it to his bed yet. Well, he'd plan out what he would do after dinner. His mind was clear at night when he was cuddled up with Cloud under the sheets-he'd plan his gift then. Make it something memorable.

A/N : : I don't know why, but for some reason when I wrote this it seemed like Sephiroth should have a chocolate fetish. Maybe it's because I'm partial to it myself ^_~ but I thought it fit.