For Staci. I've been re-reading and adoring her fics, so this little tense experiment is probably her fault. XD

Disclaimer: dood, fanfiction. Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, and the characters and universes therein are the property of Disney and Square Enix. I receive no remuneration for this work; it is a parody and as such utilizes the Fair Use clause of the Copyright Act.

He lifts his jaded gaze to the stars, twinkling slowly in the dark, heavy chill of the night. He studies constellations large and small, ones with names he's sure he knew at one time but can't recall now for the life of him, following them from point to point, sometimes imagining his own shapes amongst the endless expanse. He rubs one gloved hand over the goosebumps on his bare arm and lets out a passive sigh.

"Hey."

Cloud can't help but relax at the non-intrusive sound of Leon's voice. He doesn't turn, only slouches his shoulders a little as the man comes up behind him, steps steady and muted despite the heavy boots he chooses to wear. Another of their similarities, the back of his mind supplies helpfully. "Hey..."

"Couldn't sleep?"

"Mm."

Leon tucks his arms low and loose around Cloud's waist, fingers making small, idle movements against the knitted fabric. He rests his chin on Cloud's unarmored shoulder, breath warm and comforting against the blond's cool skin. Soft lips touch just below his ear, brushing ever-so-gently against his skin as the gunblader speaks. "Want to talk?"

Cloud hesitates, then makes a quiet sound in the negative, and Leon feels it more than hears it. He hums empathetically in response, pressing another kiss to the side of his throat before straightening a bit. He leans his head against wayward blond spikes and follows his gaze towards the sky.

Someday he'll tell him.

Someday, he'll tell him.

Just not tonight.

They stare silently at the flickering, glittering pinpoints in the distance, still as statues save for the measured breaths that press Leon's body closer to Cloud's back and make Leon's arms follow the subtle movement that expands and compresses Cloud's slender frame.

Still, silent, and together, they wait for the dawn.