Yo, how are all you guys? Ha ha, sorry for the long updates. This sort of thing takes time. This chapter... Cloud's kind of wishy-washy, and actually quite confusing. Well, I find him confusing. So sorry, but it's how I felt like portraying him. I know he's OOC, as is Leon, but I am doing my best with that. So please forgive. Thanks for all your wonderful reviews. I appreciate it all so much. Hope you enjoy this one!

Disclaimer: Nope... Not owning anything yet. No characters... But I am responsible for their actions within this fanfiction.

Warning: Male/Male action. Swearing.

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I swallow, fidgeting nervously, my eyes resting on Squall. We're right outside the house again, and I feel numb. Everything, from my head, to my heart, to my aching feet, is numb. And yes, I realize "aching feet" doesn't really signify numb, but they were to the point of no feeling, in an aching sense. Rocks on the ground can do that to you. Everything that had happened… It was incredible, overwhelming. So much so, in fact, that it left me breathless and dry. Dry of emotion, dry of pondering, dry of anything really. Hollow, even.

After the actual act, the atmosphere was comfortable, in a very awkward sense. I… I really enjoyed having Squall there with me, knowing that what we had done wasn't just an act of confusion or lust… It was more. It's knowing he really did care for me, though he had never really said it. He didn't need to. And I liked that. I want that kind of bond, that interaction, but… It's so strange to think about. Even now, I feel strange that I'm admitting to feeling like this. I've never done this before… It's so new. But I'm sure… I want this.

As I'm lost in my own thoughts, he waits patiently for me to make the first move, and actually open the door to go back inside. It amazes me how patient he is. Standing there… Looking as passive as time itself. Everything about him blows me away. Through his cocky, aloof exterior there's a completely different side to him, and I haven't even begun to crack open the shell to know it. So far, it's only been glimpses, but I know there's more to him then meets the eye. I vaguely wonder if he feels the same way as I do right now… So utterly connected to someone, for the first time… It's incredible. The numb feeling I had gained slowly rolls away, just by looking at him.

Realizing I'm staring, I blush a bit and look down, feeling his stone eyes now on me. Instinctively, my eyes meet his, and he gives me a rare, but reassuring, smile. I feel myself returning the gesture, but stop it midway in a weird half smile smirk type thing. I hope he knew what I meant with it, a kind of thanks. I shift my wing slightly, shyly, and bite my lip, turning my eyes away again out of shame. Shame of not being able to face what's in front of me, when that's really not the biggest problem at the moment. Ever since I passed out the one time… I've been paranoid of Sephiroth. Never knowing if he'll show up, when he'll show up, or even how or why. It scares the shit out of me, constantly, and sometimes I find myself waking up in shivers and a cold sweat. Sometimes screaming.

I shift my weight from one leg to the other, biting my lip so hard that I think I taste blood. Squall takes a step closer to me, putting a warm hand on my arm to comfort my unruly thinking in a knowing manner. The warm gesture backfired, though, when it landed on a cut from a hit he had landed earlier during our spar and caused me to wince sharply, moving my arm out of his touch. I watch his eyes trail to my bicep, where the cut resided, and see his hand reach out again as he moved in closer, gently muttering a "cura" right next to my ear, a bright green light emitting from his hand and engulfing the cut, sewing the flesh back together. His hand then roamed over the newly healed skin in gentle touches, making sure there was nothing left of the mark, as the other sneaks behind me, caressing everything it felt. My wing stretched out, enjoying the feeling. It sent shivers up my spine, and made me want to melt in his strong arms.

I fall into his embrace, brushing our cheeks together and letting my hands roam up his rigid back. I feel his entire body sigh and relax, his hot breath tickling my ear. I can't help but smile with the entirely warm feeling I get, leaning my face onto his neck, breathing in deeply through my nose, just to memorize the scent he emitted. His hand moves from my shoulder to the back of my neck, and I lift my head up to look at him. He puts our foreheads together, looking into my eyes with his, which now seem extremely kind compared to what I saw when I first met him. Our noses touch, and he kisses me gently, at first trying to stay chaste, but I run my tongue across his lips and he parts them, deepening it willingly. Under the physical sensations I could feel so much submerged passion, it was electrifying. His touch, his taste, his smell, it was all so intoxicating… I drunk it in, with my heart, my hands, my nose, my tongue. He made me feel more alive then anything I could imagine. I press myself closer to him, moving my hands and lips continuously, the black feathered wing I bear shivering. When it gets to the point where I feel myself quiver and hear him moan, I realize how quickly this can turn into a bad situation.

With a looming feeling overhead, I hesitantly break away from his kiss, gently pushing him away when I open my eyes to find a certain ninja gaping in our direction. Shit… This is what I was afraid of. I feel the disappointment in him, but he quickly sees why I had stopped. I look away, blushing intently and trying to hide my embarrassment, all the while trying to catch my breath, my wing lowering itself and folding against my back comfortably. I begin to just walk away, out from the front, down the sidewalk. Coward. It was a foreign voice this time, but not unfamiliar. Soon, we'll meet again. It stops me in my tracks. I wait a minute, to see if he says anything else, but nothing comes. It's happened every so often since the pass-out incident. Shaking my head to clear it from the eerie voice, I turn around, heading back to where Squall and Yuffie were still standing and talking quietly.

Of course, they stop talking as soon as I get within earshot of them. Both of them look at me, Yuffie with an incredulous look, and Squall in concern. I look off to the side with my head tilted, crossing my arms over my chest. Good old Cloud, here to avoid any unwanted emotions. I sigh through my nose. "Cloud… I thought that you cared for Aeris?" Yuffie asks carefully. I shrug.

"I care for her… But…" I felt like I was talking through a golf ball that was stuck in my throat. "It's not the same." Awkward.

Yuffie nods, smiling in understanding. "Well… I'm sure she'll understand. But you have to tell her, you know?" I nod, my gaze dropping a bit. "'Cause if you don't, I will." My eyes get wider, then narrow again, one of the corners of my lips turning downward slightly. Her entire demeanor looked smug with my reaction. God damn, what's gotten to me? I've become… So submissive now. With that thought, my scowl deepens, and I feel my eyebrows furrowing in frustration. "Are you really that worried?"

"No, it's… Nothing." I sigh, brushing past her to go inside. I felt numb again, but this time it was worse. I couldn't even think straight, not with everything rushing through my head. Inside I was met with the smell of pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, and hash browns, all just waiting to be eaten. Padding my way to the kitchen, I take my seat at the table, barely seeing those who were around me. Finally, though, a crushing hug broke me out of my trance.

"Cloud! Haven't seen ya in f'rever, kid!" Cid's gruff voice came from behind a cigarette, and he practically chokes me with his thick arms and smoke. I force out a smirk. "How've ya been?"

"Okay… How about you? How's your new gummy ship coming along?" I haven't seen Cid since I got here, but Squall had explained to me once that he was working on a completely new type of gummy ship, one that you could actually live in if need be. With bathrooms, a living room, and bedrooms, the whole package. Even a kitchen, with a refrigerator and a sink. So, basically he was building a large flying house, to transport yourself from world to world.

"Great! Everything's going according to plan. I'm waiting on some parts though, they were supposed to come in yesterday but never showed up. I called…" At this point I zone out, without meaning to. "that they were sent on time. But I guess some fucktard…" And again, I don't hear him. "assholes. I'm hoping I'll get it done sometime in the next few months." He finally finishes, scratching the back of his head with his right hand, the other on his hip. He had a goofy smile on his face, like he was a kid excited about building a new toy.

"Awesome." I don't quite know what to say besides that, so I figured that would work out for now. He took it well, setting down at the table also, across from me. Aeris finally catches my attention, happily humming over the stove. It saddens me, really. Who am I to break this optimistic girl's heart? When she catches my eye, she smiles at me wholly, moving the eggs from the frying plan onto a plate. She loves me.

"So, kid, what've ya been up to? Where were ya, anyway? We tried lookin' for ya." He continues on, trying to strike up a conversation. My wing twitches.

"I wasn't really doing anything important." I look out the window, seeing the sunny day outside. "And the way things went, I ended up coming here to stay. Aeris, Yuffie, and Sq-I mean Leon, found me. Since then, I've stayed here." I hear Yuffie and Squall come in, Yuffie giggling madly about something or other and Leon looking red in embarrassment. Looking to the clock now, I see how we really haven't been gone terribly long. It's only about 11 in the morning… I had gotten up about 7. So, maybe I exaggerated the walk a bit…

"Everyone hungry?" Aeris turns to us, holding out a couple different plates all stacked with food.

"I'll set the table!" Yuffie shouts out, jumping up and punching at the air. My eyes meet Squalls as he sits down next to me, but then are instantly ripped away to look at the oncoming food. I feel guilty, but he should understand. It's only been a couple hours since, I want to be with him, but I just… Need time, I guess. Time to asses everything, to talk to him, and then to Aeris.

Once they get done setting the table and putting the food down, the girls sit and we dig in. It was a kind of fend for yourself, after the cooking was done and everything. "Wow Aeris, you've outdone yourself this time." I give a small smile, in a kind of suck-up gesture. Yuffie raises an eyebrow, but nods in agreement. Aeris blushes lightly, her face full of appreciation.

"D'ya always cook like this? It's amazin'!" Cid adds in, making her blush even more. Squall eats in silence, as always, participating in the "don't inflate people's egos by over-flattery" method. Though, I don't think Aeris could become even the slightest big headed. She's far too kind.

"Thank you all, so much. It was nothing, really." She takes another bite of the hash browns. As for me, that's the only thing I don't put on my plate. I'm not very fond of potatoes, in any form. Yeah… Little weird quirks, you know? Squall has a really strange one… He gets extremely pissed off if you touch his hair. I had found that out through Yuffie… Although, when being intimate he doesn't seem to mind. Letting my mind trail off from the idle chat at the table, I think about how to break the news to her. I don't know what I'm so afraid of, really. There's nothing to fear. Could it be… I'm secretly ashamed? I doubt it, but I guess… You never know. Maybe it's just because she means so much to me… I don't want to lose her, at all.

Just thinking about this morning gives me the chills. It's funny, really. How quickly things change. And now, it seems, the world's gone upside down, and I'm trying to make sense of things again. Even though, it's really not that confusing. It's just all so sudden… And then, what I heard earlier… What if Sephiroth shows up? Ah, this is just all so fu… Squall's face appears in my head, when we were lying side by side after our spar. How warm his eyes were… And suddenly, it all sews itself together for me. No matter what happens, I want him. I want him by my side like that, always. No matter the cost. Yeah, kinda cheesy, but hell. It's true. I adore the way he looks at me.

Now, for the details… I have no idea where to start. But I'm sure, as long as I have him, I can face anything. Everyone, and anything. He gives me more strength then I ever thought I could have… I act strong, but I'm not as strong as I can seem. Aeris opened my eyes to this fact… Once, when I woke up from an old nightmare when she was near. She only did it so that I would open up to her. I ended up crying. It was a humiliating night. Heh, wow. So much for dinner talk… I think I've almost completely missed the meal. "Cloud, what's wrong? You've been dazing in and out more than normal…" Aeris asks me softly. My wing twitches again.

"Oh…" I look up at her. "Sorry." I sigh through my nose. I know exactly what I'm going to do now.

After a few days of avoiding people like the plague and finding out every place two full grown men can hide, I finally carry out my decision. In my room, I dress in something comfortable. Simply the black long-sleeve shirt Leon had lent to me the first day here, a whole in the back for my black feathered attachment, semi-claiming the shirt as my own now, and a pair of jeans Yuffie had picked out for me. They already had a hole ripped in the knee, and the bottom was wearing out. Sitting on my bed, I lace up my boots, hearing the creek of my door being opened. "You're leaving, aren't you." It wasn't a question, more of a statement. I freeze a moment, scowling. The tone of his voice. He made it seem so…degrading. I stand up, looking past him as he stood in the doorway to my room. "Please…don't go." He begs. It breaks my heart to hear him like that. I almost consider staying, but… "Stay." I bite my lip.

"I can't." My head lowers with the answer, and my wing twitches.

"…Why?"

"…It's how I cope with change." It's kind of awkward for me to be so honest to someone. The only person I ever truly opened up to before was Aeris. "I'll be back… I promise you." To emphasize my point, I meet his eyes and give him a makeshift but sincere smile. He doesn't look quite satisfied, but convinced. I then take my path to leave, walking sideways past him only to get stopped by him grabbing my wrist gently. I look to him, questioning, and he smiles at me, leaning in for a quick kiss. I comply, pressing my lips to his in a smooth motion, then leave him in the doorway, determined to get out as soon as possible. I really didn't want to leave him, just everyone else. I pass the bathroom and kitchen with no problem, but then there's a little gathering in the living room, which is the way I need to go to get out. I pass by Aeris, Cid, and Yuffie, without a word, hoping they wouldn't notice. Of course, as I open the door to my escape, Yuffie speaks up.

"Cloud, where are you going?" She asks me sincerely.

"Out. Don't worry about me." I answer curtly, and then rush my way out the door, shutting it before she could say anything else, leaving them all behind. Now, I run, with no where in mind to go. I just let my legs take me where they may, the freedom and natural high of running helping me ease my mind. The wing stretches itself out while I run, instinctively. Of course they'll worry about me, of course I'm not safe out here. But I need this… I'm not perfect. Actually, I find myself quite selfish. I don't want them to worry about me, I can take care of myself just fine and all… But I'm glad they do, at the same time. I appreciate it… But, it makes me feel guilty. That, I really can't stand. So I'd rather they don't, so I don't get the guilty aftermath. See? Selfish. Because, really, no matter what, I run away.

I take the first turn I see to the left, getting out of eyeshot from the house. I almost wish I had a gummi ship… Then I could actually leave this world for a while. But, I'm stuck here for now. Good thing it's a decent sized place… Not easy to get lost in, but easy enough to hide away from other people for a bit. I'll be gone… maybe a week. Two, if the urge comes. But, I doubt that it'd be longer than a week. Sadly, I'd miss Squall too much… The thing I hate most about this, is how lovesick I'm beginning to sound. It makes me want to gag, really. I've always abhorred the guys like that, who'd give into anything for their lover at the drop of a hat. And right now, I'm beginning to think I'm turning into that type of guy, fast at that. I can't get Squall out of my mind.

Past the people oblivious on the sides of the roads, and past those who stare at me, wondering either why I'm running, why I have this hideous attachment on my back, or gawking at my looks. Not to be conceited, I really don't think I'm that great looking… I just get a lot of attention from it. Probably from my eyes… They're quite odd. I think they're creepy, but I haven't met anyone who holds the same opinion. A faint ringing buzzes in my ears, but I take it as the noise from the city. Too much noise at once, from too many things going on at the same time. By now, I'm at least half a mile away from the others. Now's the time to think of where I'm going, and where I'll stay. Technically, I could easily rent a hotel room, I have enough money. But… That doesn't sound that appealing. I groan, slowing down to a walking pace now. My wing folds itself up again, once again less noticeable than before. I hear laughing, and birds, cars going by. Normal sounds, and somehow it distracts me from my thinking for a bit. Just listening to the common sounds, eavesdropping occasionally.

Oddly enough, it makes me feel lonely. For once, I regret leaving like that, and actually contemplate going back later tonight. There's only one person to blame for that, and it strikes up a pang of anger in me. Anger, guilt, longing, and…happiness. I stop, looking down at the grey rocky concrete, both arms limp at my sides. I want him to come with me… For us to have some private time, so I didn't have all the confusion of the others around me, and so we didn't have to hide. No distraction, just quality time. Like we had in that field…Well, maybe not exactly like that. I want to talk to him, to get to know him more. I want more. I want him. Sighing, I shake my head, ridding of those thoughts, and turn back the other way, starting at a hesitant pace. This is the second time he's made me turn around like that. I look up, stopping again and staring wide-eyed and bewildered. A small noise escapes my throat, and my wing flutters.

"Squall?" He was bent over, arms holding himself, panting a bit even, but his eyes were on me. Straightening up, well above my height, he looks at me with determination, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Since you won't stay…" He averts his gaze, acting quite shyly as he spoke. "Can I…" The question lingered, but was understood. I smile fondly, and out of relief, and then pry his hand out from his pocket.

"Squall, come with me." I tell him, turning around and leading him forward with his hand captured in mine. I think he was surprised, because it took a moment of pulling before he began walking, at first behind me but he quickly caught up to my pace, our hands laced together in-between us. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest from the simple affectionate gesture, and can even feel both of our veins throbbing lightly on our fingertips. Thinking back on everything, I'm amazed at how this had started. What I thought was a mistake from an intense drug is turning into something so much better, and so much more promising. Rolling my eyes at my own thoughts, I look over to him, smiling at his obviously happy expression. His chocolate hair hangs in his face, the smile he's wearing even showing in his glittering stone eyes. God, he's beautiful. It pleased me to no end that I could have such an effect on the usually cold man, and I simply stare at him in amazement as we walk side-by-side down the street to nowhere. No matter where we go, I know I'll be happy, as long as he's there with me.

I turn my head back in front of me, my mood instantly crashing and burning at the sight before me. The second surprise of the day, this one very much more unwelcome than the first. Cold, conniving bright jade eyes bore into mine, making me freeze in my place. Long, silver hair flowing down the man's back, and a large, black wing similar to mine hovering over his right shoulder. At the thought, my wing stretches itself out also. I growl deep in my throat, clenching my fist at one side, while the other was shaking with restraint. I hate him… "Sephiroth…" Leon gasps. Sephiroth smirks.

"Boo."

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Where this is going? Ha. You'll find out.

And yeah, I finally brought good old Sephy in. I was split between bringing him in the end of this one, or the next chapter, but I figured this one to get things rolling. Cloud and Leon's relationship is finally set up, so... It all works.

Hope you enjoyed!