A/N: Collaboration between aliceupsidedown and Reyaa - AcrossTheOcean is our collab account :D We love to write the occasional short story and that is what this is! There will be 3 chapters in total, all Leon and Cloud because they are just so sweet. We hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as we loved writing it! Read and review, please :)

Cloud - Sixteen years old

"I like men." Cringe, clears throat, "I like men!" Cringe. Dammit, I had to stop cringing. Shaking my shoulders a bit, trying to loosen myself up, I glared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, "I like men." Cringe. Well this was a failed experiment, clearly.

Pursing my lips, I reached up and pushed the greasy locks of blond hair out of my face, revealing my covered-in-pimples forehead. The big framed glasses perched on my nose helped distract from the battle zone a couple of inches above though. Okay. Lets try this again.

"I like men." Hold it! Almost! Cringe. Ah man...

"You're gay?" Whirling around, I stared wide eyed at my brother as he walked into the bathroom with an amused smile playing on his lips. I should have locked the door... Grimacing, I stepped aside and offered him the spot before the mirror as that is what he wanted more than small talk with me. Ever since he got a girlfriend he spend ten minutes brushing his teeth every morning. He also started showering...

"Are you?" He pressed, the words mumbled as he already had shoved the toothbrush between his teeth. I tried to shrug nonchalantly, failing of course because I didn't know how to be smooth. Zack had gotten all the good genes, seriously... Our parents literally tossed all the good stuff in his batch and then gave me the left overs. I looked at him and then at myself... He got the good eye sight, the perfect skin and also the good teeth because later today I had an appointment to get braces stuck onto mine.

"Cloud, snap out of it. I'm hot, you're not. Get over it." He grinned as I rolled my eyes.

"No. I'm not gay. I was..." Quick, think of something smart! If there's one thing you got and not he it's the brains! "I was rehearsing for the school play. I have to play Lancelot. He's gay for Arthur..." I nodded solemnly and before he could actually get his pea sized brain out of the gutter and figure out I was lying, I sprinted out of the door. Whew...

Sighing in relief as he didn't call after me and tell me to get my ass back in there, I grumbled as I walked into my room, grabbing my school bag. Walking back out and into the second floor hallway, I made my way to the stairs. I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate my life, I hate my life.

"Cloud, sweetheart! Don't forget your fruit!" I'd been so close to just running passed the kitchen and not having my mother see me...

Whining, I took the lunch bag she offered me, "You're ruining my life, mum! Fruit isn't cool!" I reminded her. She ignored my comment completely though, kissing my cheek and then nudging me into the front door's direction.

"Bye!" I shouted angrily, slamming the door shut before turning and then normally the plan had been to make my way down the gravel path and towards the bus station... but instead I collided into something solid which then led me to take a step back and because I suck, I banged my head against the door because it hadn't magically disappeared for my convenience only. Shaking my head, I reached up and rubbed the spot that ached some all the while looking at who I'd run into.

"Leon!" I squeaked, eyes widening and breath inhaled sharply as I took a step back again and the door still wasn't gone so yeah, another head bang. "Ow! Shit!"

"Sorry, little bro. You came flying out of nowhere." Little bro. He wasn't my brother, but him and Zack had been best friends forever. He'd started calling me that when I'd made it to middle school. Something about making sure people knew that I was like a brother to him. Sigh. A brother.

When I just stared at him and didn't move, he chuckled softly, clapping my shoulder sympathetically and shoving me out of the way. You know? The way a brother would? Nearly tripping over my own pants in the process, I managed to catch myself and stay on my feet as I turned and waved at him. He didn't see though, nah, he was too busy slamming the door shut behind him so he could go into the house and drag Zack's ass out of the bathroom and have them get onto their way to school.

Alone in the front yard, I sighed heavily. Leon is so hot... So hot, he always gets the lead in my wet dreams without having to audition for them whatsoever.

"I like men." Yeah, no cringe now...

A month later.

"Can you get the potatoes out of the oven for me, Cloud?" I was practically hyperventilating. But apparently my mother was too busy with the steaks to notice so I nodded, muttering out a nervous 'yeah sure' and then did as she asked. Oven mitts on, I pulled out the potatoes and then waited for mum to lead the way back out into the dining room. We normally ate around the television, but my mother had made it a tradition for Fridays to be fancy Fridays. Meaning we had to shower, put on clean clothes and sit at the dinning table. Not even Zack managed to get his way out of those.

"Mum, I have to tell you and dad something really important." I murmured as I followed her out of the door.

"Well, then you picked the right time! Fancy Fridays allows us to all get together and talk about things we need to tell one another!" She chirped, he pony tail swaying left and right cheerfully, apron still hanging over her hips. She looked like a fifties housewife. Beautiful and so kind and sweet... She loved taking care of us and the house.

She's understand. She wouldn't get angry... She'd love me not matter what. I was sure of it. Taking courage from that, I breathed out shakily but then just as soon stiffened again as I saw Leon sitting at the table beside Zack. Dad was at the head, Zack on his right and mum would sit at his left. I'd be sitting across from Leon... Staring straight in his face while I'd tell my family I'm gay.

"Mum!" I squeaked nervously, "I..."

"Don't be nervous now. So long you're not expelled, have icky grades or beat up one of your classmates you'll be absolutely fine."

"It's none of that, It's just..." Sweeping my eyes across the table I quickly placed the potatoes onto the hot pad, flapping the over mitts off my hands so they could land on the table. This was going all wrong! I wasn't going to come out to my parents while my very crush was sitting there, that was just... I'd die. Definitely. No question about it.

"Cloud has something important to tell us." My mother announced, shutting the three men up instantly so they could place curious gazes on me, waiting for me to come out with it. Come out... This was so unfair. Being sixteen sucks.

Clearing my throat, I offered Leon an apologetic look, "Ah, mum? I can't exactly say this with Leon present..." That was polite, right? When Leon winced, a hot flush traveled it's way through my cheeks. It's not that I wanted to hurt him! It's just that I don't want to come out to my family when he's sitting there too! This was way beyond weird...

My father laughed, "Nonsense! Leon is family!" Zack nodded, giving me a funny look because well... Leon was always here. I'd never had an issue saying anything to whoever even with Leon around.

"Dude, he's like our brother." Zack pointed out. No. He was like his brother. To me? Leon... No, he'd never be like my brother. I had the hots for him and you didn't have the hots for your brother, so he was definitely nothing like my brother. Staring at each and every face sitting at the table, I sighed when they all gave me expectant looks, clearly not caring about my feelings whatsoever and deciding that Leon was allowed to be privy to anything that concerned our family.

"Cloud... You're scaring me..." My mother squeaked which led my father to reach out and quickly pat her hand.

"Spit it out, son." My father said, "What is it you have to say?"

Oh fine! Be that way! Don't care about my feelings! "I'm gay and you're all losers for forcing me to say it out loud!" I shouted, glaring at the steaks because now I wasn't going to get any since there was no way in hell I was sticking around. Nodding my head curtly, I spun on my heel and marched my way to the stairs, stomping my feet extra loudly just too annoy them and when I reached my door? I slammed it. I slammed it as best I could! And then I flopped down on my bed and screamed in a pillow.

Since none of them came up to check up on me, I knew that they'd all swallowed my important information without issues, probably chattering on about something else while eating that steak.

Two weeks later.

Tifa had called, telling me to go shower and put some clean clothes on because she'd be here in an hour to pick me up so we could go to the movies.

So, standing in the shower, I finished soaping my hair, humming in appreciation as the warm water hit my back. I should take showers more often... They weren't that bad, really. Tilting my head back, I opened my mouth and let some water run in so I could rinse the toothpaste out of my mouth. I then blindly shower the toothbrush onto the ledge somewhere on the wall, effectively making some shampoo bottles tumble down the wet tiles beneath my feet, but whatever. Normally I'd put them back where they belong because my mother was really anal about this kind of stuff, but I was too busy letting my slick hands slide down my stomach...

Grunting, I leaned against the wall as my right hand wrapped around my dick, stroking it softly up and down once, flicking the tip before settling into a more steady pace.

My current favorite fantasy was the one where Leon snuck out of Zack's bedroom and then came into mine for... hehe, a midnight snack. Chuckling at the shower stall, I then interrupted the silly amusement with a moan, jerking my hips forward to increase the friction.

"Don't call Leon's name, little bro." Squawking in surprise, I slipped on the wet tiles, landing on my butt on the floor.

"Zack! Get out!" I screamed, popping my head out through the curtain to glare at his back as he was putting some gel into his hair.

"Seriously," Zack continued, "He's in the hallway. He might hear you." Please kill me...

"GET OUT!" I shouted, blushing furiously as I pointed a finger at the bathroom exit. Zack laughed, giving me a quick salute before marching out of the place, closing the door behind him.

A month later.

"Tifa! You should have called me earlier! The bus already left. How am I supposed to get to school now?" I growled into the phone, looking back into the kitchen to see if my mother was there.

"Sorry Cloud! I'm sick, I forgot..." She mumbled through a cough.

Sighing, I shook my head, "No, it's fine. Sorry for snapping at you. It's just that I've been late two times already this week and a third time means detention." Puffing out some air, I shrugged even though she couldn't see, "Well. Just get better okay? My mum might have time to bring me."

Dropping the phone back in place, I made my way to the kitchen.

"Mum? Can you drive me to school? Tifa is sick and can't come pick me up."

"You should have warned me last night, sweetheart, I have to bring these fifty cupcakes over to the bake-sale they're holding at the book club."

Giving her my best puppy dog eyes, I said, "Please? Can't you make a small detour?" Shaking her head in amusement, she grabbed my chin, placing a quick kiss on my mouth. Pulling back, I made a yucky face and noise, rolling my eyes as now she'd decided on ignoring me. Walking back out into the living room I saw Zack and Leon standing before the front door. Leon wasn't saying much at all, his arms were crossed and he looked as godly as he always did... Sigh. Zack on the other hand was talking really fast and...

"Dude! Aerith is picking me up so we can ditch class and hang out all day. In her car. Leon, she has a back seat. You do get what I'm getting at right? You're not going to be an ass and tell me this isn't righteous and I should have warned you before because then you'd really be the suckiest best friend I've ever had!"

"I drove all the way here to pick you up, and now you tell me you have a ride? You knew yesterday, why didn't you call me?" Leon growled out, arms crossed and standing stiffly. "Whatever. Just go, and never ever tell me what you end up doing in her back seat."

"You are the best!" Zack shouted happily, rushing out of the front door, leaving Leon standing there a bit awkwardly. He was shaking his head in amusement at my brother's fast retreat... He was so hot...

"Leon?" My mother called, coming out from the kitchen to offer him a smile, "Since you aren't driving Zack, would you mind making a detour and dropping Cloud off? He lost his ride." Mum! I didn't say that out loud because I had to remain cool. Of course I couldn't help but direct a pair of nervous eyes on her though. I don't think she had any idea what was going on in my head because she reached out and then to all my shame, pinched my cheek.

"Sure." Leon smiled at her. She was like a second mother to him after all. "Come on, little bro. Grab your stuff or you'll be late." He rubbed my hair and headed out the door. He touched my hair... Lips parted, I stared at his retreating back for a while before shaking myself out of it and then grabbing my school bag by the door so I could sprint after him. He had the coolest car ever... It was a range rover. It was big, it made noise and it just made Leon even hotter.

Getting into the passenger seat, I buckled my seat belt when he told me to do so and then forced myself to remain as calm as I could. I was sitting in Leon's car. I mean, I'd sat in it before, but always in the back because Zack always sat in the front and usually it was to buy some groceries at the store and I tagged along because I wanted candy, really. Mum wouldn't buy me any candy but Zack didn't give a flying fuck and as far as Leon went? I don't know, really. In any case... This was different. We were alone... in the car. He was sitting right next to me. If I had the courage? I could reach out and touch his hand! I wouldn't though, that wouldn't be cool. Instead I peeked at him nervously, nearly sighing as he was just so... Hot.

He didn't say anything, but that was okay. I knew Leon didn't talk much so I hadn't expected him too. I didn't know what to talk about anyway. I tried a couple of times but ended up closing my mouth and not saying anything because I'm sure what I'd come up with for conversation topics were plain stupid.

It wasn't a long drive, maybe fifteen minutes. I was playing with the edge of my sweater nervously as he slowed the car, coming to a halt before the high school entrance. Okay... Gulping, I unbuckled the seat belt, opening the door so I could jump out of the car.

"Thanks Leon!" I squeaked.

"Have a good day, Cloud." He said, waving at me. Giving a quick nod, I closed the door and then watched him drive off. Have a good day... He'd wished me a good day... And. He'd said my name. I mean, I'm sure he'd said it plenty before but this was different. We'd been alone in the car. Nobody else there. Zack and his general loudness hadn't been there to interrupt the beautiful silence... The way my name sounded when he said it... What just took place? Was going to be the best kind of material for future shower masturbation fantasies.

Standing frozen, eyes wide, I kept on staring even though he was long gone. That was the best drive EVER!

Four months later.

With an achy heart I flopped down onto my bed, groaning into the pillow before deciding to flip over and glare at my ceiling instead. Things hadn't gone according to plan at all today. About a month ago Zack and Leon had finally found an apartment they could move into and then be roommates. It was close to the university they went too and just... Well, they were almost twenty-one now, so I guess they'd been itching to move out or something.

The problem was... It was kind of far away. At least, about a two hour drive, which wasn't that far but I didn't have a car and even if I did? I wasn't that close to Zack. We got along fine, but I couldn't just randomly pop over for a slice of pizza. The only way I'd ever go there is if he invited me. Instead though? I knew he'd be content just seeing me when he'd come here to spend some time with mum and dad. Which I'd be content with as well if it weren't for the fact that now I wouldn't get to see Leon every single day anymore.

I'd gotten all nervous about the move. Today had been the day and the night before I'd somehow managed to end up believing Leon secretly loved me and would confess it to me this very day and end up not moving in with my brother to be closer to the university. No. All I'd gotten was a pat on the head, a ruffle of the hair, a quick smile and a thank you for helping out with carrying the boxes into his range rover. And then they'd left. That's all. Nothing more. No confessions of love, no goodbye quickie... nothing.

Ugh. I was a silly teenager after all. His best friend's kid brother. Course he didn't see me like that. Growling, I kicked my shoes off, wiggling out of my pants before I angrily shoved myself underneath my blanket, groaning into the pillow before stilling and deciding I should just sleep it off. Sleep it off and go back on track with my life. It hadn't been more than a crush. I would easily work through it and move on with my life. Yes. That was the new plan. Move on.

Leon - A year and a couple of months later.

My eyes glanced at the clock again. Dammit, he was a half hour late already. I mean, I guess it didn't really matter that much what time he got here. It was Saturday after all, but Zack had said that Cloud would be here at about 10am and it was already 10:33. I didn't want to sit around all day, then spend all night helping him move in here. It was weird, I hadn't seen him in forever, almost a year.

Whatever. Zack was moving in with Aerith and Cloud wanted to be closer to the university, so Zack had convinced me it was perfect. He would move out, and Cloud would move in, therefore cutting the crap of having to go through the bulletin board to find a new roommate. And it was cool with me. Cloud was like the little brother I'd never had. At least I knew we'd get along. Plus, he quieter than Zack. And that was fifty points in his favor already.

10:45. Could he have gotten lost? I guess he hadn't been here before, at least not that I was aware of. Did he have my cell number in case he really had gotten lost? I should have made sure with Zack before I helped him move all of his junk out of here yesterday. That was the biggest pain in the ass. Never again would I help Zack move. Best friend or not. The guy had no system and therefore, had no ability to get something done quickly. At least I got to keep the couch. The worlds most comfortable couch that I was currently sitting on, trying not to fall asleep, waiting for my new roommate.

10:48. Knock Knock. FINALLY!

"Coming!" I yelled, jumping up and walking to the door. I checked through the peephole and all I saw was blonde spikes. Snorting, I undid the deadbolt. The Strife spiky hair gene. They all ended up looking like they'd stuck their fingers into electrical sockets. I pulled open the door and my hello died on my lips.

The last time I'd seen Cloud, he'd been shorter for one. He rivaled my height at this point. No glasses, no braces and how the hell did his skin manage to look that smooth after those puberty years? My mind should not have been thinking these things, but I couldn't help it. Cloud was hot! He'd filled out surprisingly well, toned arms telling me he either played sports, or worked out. Damn...

"Leon, Hi." He said... Like, normally, without the squeaky thing he had going on last time I'd seen him. His voice was smooth and that genuine smile on his... Okay, yeah, don't look at the lips.

"You're late." Was the only thing I could think of...well, that and those lips...with that voice...Wow. I managed to sound normal at least. Barely remembering my manners, I pulled the door inwards and stepped back so he could come inside. His arms were empty and I took that as a sign of encouragement. He at least wanted to see the room before he brought all his stuff up.

"Yeah," He murmured, stepping inside, passing by me as he curiously looked around the place, "I couldn't find the building so I asked this group of girls walking by and it took some time to convince them I'm not into breasts."

"You what?" Oh yeah. Gay. Cloud was gay. As in, he liked guys. Hey...I was a guy...NO! Get that thought out of your mind right now! Not only is he your roommate, but he is my best friend's little brother. Off limits. Way off limits.

Turning around, he gave me a quick smile, "Sorry, I thought about calling and letting you know, but I was literally just two minutes away." He shrugged simply, "So. The room?" He snorted then, grinning, "I can't believe this is the first time I set foot in this place! It's been ages, man!" He gave me a brilliant smile, clearly happy to see me again. "You guys always seemed to pop in for a visit when I was out. If I were over-sensitive I'd believe you guys did it on purpose to avoid the annoying little kid brother." Chuckling he then promised, "I swear, I won't knock on your door repeatedly and beg you to play video games with me even when you shouted no at least ten times already."

My mind was finally able to function on a normal level. I could deal with being attracted to Cloud. I mean, who wouldn't be? It was no big deal. He was my best friend's little brother, that's all.

I smiled at him, "You were just always out and partying whenever we came down. And I didn't mind you hanging out with us." I reached and ruffled his hair, pulling my hand back quickly. It was so smooth! Had it always been like that? No, I remember it being tangled and slightly greasy. Just like a regular teenage boy's hair. "You were the best little brother a guy could ask for. I always envied Zack having siblings." I shrugged a little embarrassed that I'd let myself rattle on. "Well, follow me and I'll show you to your room. And if it smells bad, you have only your brother to blame." I chuckled weakly. Lame Leon. Really lame.

He didn't seem to think so though as I could hear a soft laugh as he followed me, "I'm sure Aerith will kick that out of his system sometime shortly." I self consciously brushed my hair out of my face and pushed the door open. It was a little smaller than my room, but not by much and it compensated by having a slightly bigger closet, something that Aerith had taken advantage of. She had a ton of her stuff here in case she spent the night. It didn't happen often, I was very uncomfortable hearing them through the walls after all, so mostly she just liked to brag that she could take over her boyfriends closet.

"So, what do you think?" I asked, watching him look around the room. Damn the sun and the curtains being open, flooding the room and making his hair seem brighter...

"If you'd ever actually walked into my room back home you'd know this place kicks it's ass ten fold." Clapping his hands together, he spun on his heel to take in the room one last time before giving me a nod, "Two hour drive, so I brought my shit along with me already. I'll just go haul it up then." Before I could react, he started walking out of the place but then appeared again, popping his head back through the door frame, "You're cool with this, right? Me moving in?"

Regaining just a little of my personality back, I snorted. "Dude, you'll be a million times better than Zack, I'm sure. I'd take a bullet for the guy, but messiest most obnoxious roommate on the planet. Yeah, I'm very glad you're moving in." For more that those reasons...Shut up, brain! "Let me give you a hand roomie." I smiled and stuck out my hand.

Grinning, he walked back into the room and placed his palm against my own, shaking it, "Awesome, I really needed this." He gestured for the room, "I have one bag, two boxes and a mattress since there is no way in hell I'm using Zack's." They were like polar opposites... Cloud was actually aware of what he owned and remembered exactly what we needed to carry up.

"That will be easy to move. And yes, I would throw that mattress away. He didn't need it, but I'm sure you realize that he was too lazy to throw it away." I laughed and then felt a tug on my hand. Glancing down I realized that I was still gripping his hand in mine. Controlling the blush that I could feel heating my ears, I dropped his and started walking out. "If we hurry, we could have you settled in before lunch." I was halfway out the front door before I had to stop and wait for Cloud. I didn't know what his car looked like after all. Stupid Leon. You are acting stupid. Pull yourself together and stop acting like a horny teenager. I resolved to think of Zack every time I looked at Cloud. Ugh. Yeah, that killed any romantic thoughts...Good.

The next day.

All I saw, everywhere I looked, was yellow spiky feathers...were they chocobos? Weren't they extinct or a legend or something...why were they in my university auditorium?...that wasn't safe...was something burning...no...but the stove...

I bolted upright in my bed panting, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and throwing the sheet off of me before sprinting to my bedroom door. Stubbing my toe like I did every morning against my dresser, and I swore to move it for real next time. I flung open the door, trying to stop the disaster before it started. The stove was on. Zack was my roommate. Zack was therefore using the stove.

Something he was forbidden to do. Must...stop...catastrophe! I'd had his solemn vow never to touch the stove again. A solemn vow! Didn't that mean anything to him? Hadn't I spent my entire Saturday cleaning the kitchen and repainting the smoke stained walls after the last time? Best friends shouldn't cause that kind of harm. And he'd hopefully learned that cold glass shattered when heated, and that cardboard boxes are not able to heat things up. Rounding the corner and blinking against the light, I yelled to get his attention.

"Zack! Back away from the stove and no one gets hurt!" Instead it was Cloud who spun around, looking surprised at the sudden warning scream. A frying pan in his right hand with... was that a pancake? His left hand carried a spoon and I'm pretty sure there was flour in his hair. He seemed the be chewing on something quickly, swallowing before pointing the spoon he was holding at something.

"Pancake?" He murmured.

"What?" Oh, brilliant Leon. Cloud was not Zack. Zack was no longer my roommate so therefore the stove being on was not a national disaster. I glanced to where his spoon was pointing and I found myself salivating at the large stack of what looked to be fluffy delicious pancakes topped with, was that strawberry syrup? That was my favorite...

"That's your favorite, right?" He seemed unsure if I'd snapped out of my previous state, eying me carefully as he slowly retreated the spoon.

"Yeah. Wow, you remembered." I don't even know if Zack knew my favorite breakfast food. Of course, he knew every other dark secret of mine, so pancakes were less important. I glanced at Cloud and gulped as his good looks hit me once again in the gut. And he made me pancakes. Zack. Zack. Zack...much better. I bit back a wince as I regained control of my mind. "Um, thanks." I crossed the kitchen, intent of getting a plate and fork from the cupboards.

"Leon?" I froze in surprise as that squeak was back, the one I was so used to hearing back when he'd been sixteen. Giving him a worried frown, he then used the spoon again to point it at me this time, "You have a tattoo on your lower back and although I never questioned it, your happy trail confirms you are a natural brunette." How did he... I blushed. This time, I could not control the blush that covered my entire body. And he saw it. How? Because I slept in my boxers, the apartment sometimes getting warm in the night. Which meant that when I jumped up to try and save my apartment this morning, I hadn't bothered to put some pants on. I glanced down and saw that they were even riding low. Fuck.

This was beyond embarrassing. "Sorry! I just thought...Well this one time Zack...the stove... I'll be right back!" Refusing to run away like a scared little kid, I stiffly turned and walked back to my room. Gingerly, I shut the door, and slumped against it sliding down to a squat and resting my arms on my knees my head slumping forward. I'm not going back out there until I find my dignity...

Cloud - a week later.

Tugging on my hair nervously, I paced the hallway before the front door of the apartment, wondering where the hell that girl was. The lead in the school play had bailed as he'd gotten a bigger role and one that actually paid him somewhere down south so as his understudy I'd stepped in and now I needed to actually rehearse... Like, not be lazy and memorize the lines and get in touch with the character I was playing.

Which also meant I had to figure out what it was like not to be gay. Which is why I'd invited the girl that played my character's love interest to see if I could even pull it off... I'd once cringed at saying 'I like men' out loud, now? I very nearly felt the need to run in hide the moment a woman came to close. This was going to be hard... But it was a good part and if I wanted to be an actor, then this was a good way to start. And it was nice that although I am gay, people believed me able to pull off a straight role.

Puffing out some air, I continued the pacing, continuously checking the stairway to see if she'd pop up already. I was outside of the apartment because I didn't want to annoy Leon with my fidgeting.

Leon... I'd believed my teenage crush to be a exaggerated view on things... Horny hormones overruling my way of thinking. I'd been wrong. Sixteen year old me was right, Leon was hot as fuck. Hotter than I remembered him to be, which had me all kinds of confused because nobody could be that gorgeous.

And I'd seen him in boxers! Nothing more! I hadn't been surprised to still be attracted to him, sixteen year old me hadn't been a complete moron. Hot is hot. I knew that when I'd accepted to move in with Leon that I would still most likely find him attractive. But I'd gotten over him really easily so I figured things would be fine. I wasn't that squeaky idiot anymore, I could deal with being attracted to someone.

And that idea had gone way according to plan up until he'd run out of his bedroom, muscles tense... deliciously tense... pert ass, beautiful back, broad shoulders that could keep me steady if he were to do naughty things to me and my knees would buckle. Eyes I could drown in, hands that needed to touch my skin, lips that should be illegal and now I was also aware he was a natural brunette. Which I'd never questioned but I felt really quite privileged knowing the answer to this question even though I'd never wondered about it.

And all that was all fine and dandy, but I could do nothing about it because he was my roommate and he still called me 'little bro' and ruffled my damn hair! So... Operation avoiding Leon had kicked in and I think I was pulling it off rather nicely.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I fished my ringing cellphone out of my jeans pocket, flipping the thing open and barking, "Where the hell are you?"

"Cloud!" She was late, she wasn't allowed to sound excited, "That guy I told you about?" I remembered vaguely... "He asked me out, so can we rehearse another day?"

I grumbled, "What if I say no and tell you to get here now?"

She giggled, "I'll ignore you."

"Right." I clipped out, ending the call so I could stamp my foot and shout a curse at the wall before me.

"Cloud? Hey, man. What's wrong?" Leon poked his head out of the door, staring at me standing there cursing.

I whirled around, startled, "Oh, hi Leon," I scratched my head, feeling a bit stupid now since I'd been trying not to bother him with my lack of patience since he'd seemed to be pretty deep into studies, "I was just waiting for a friend to come over and..." Man, I'd been avoiding him so masterfully, he had no idea what I did in the university... "Well, she was supposed to help me out with a class I'm taking."

He didn't say anything for a few moments and I shuffled my feet nervously. "If you need some help, I've got nothing going on. I'll help you out." I almost thought that was my imagination talking. But no, his lips were moving and he was waving me back inside the apartment.

Following him inside and into the living room, I smothered a snicker. He'd never have offered if he knew what exactly he was getting himself into. At least... I was pretty sure as I just couldn't imagine Leon acting. Sure, he was Mister McBroody, but he had this shy thing going on that I knew would block him from stepping on a stage. But I did need to rehearse... It didn't matter so much if the person helping me out had any acting skills or not, he could just read the lines out loud as if reading directions off a map... It was just so I didn't act to thin air.

"So, what did you need help with?" Leon turned and sat down on the end of the couch grabbing the remote and turning the TV off so he could give me his full attention. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt with some comfortable jeans, that set off his ass rather nicely I might add. Resting his hand along the back of the couch he used his other one to run through his hair, brushing it out of his face. Stop staring Cloud. Clearing my throat I reached for my back pocket, pulling out the script I'd rolled up and stuck in there.

"Did Zack happen to mention what I'm planning on doing with myself?"

"Um, no. Sorry." He chuckled a little. "He never did mention it. Why, what do you study?" His eyes were staring into mine, looking oddly excited and curious.

Was he aware? Aware that by looking at me the way he did right now made my dick twitch? "Acting." Oh good, you still have control over your brain, "I don't know whether I want to be on stage or write script scenarios yet so I took both. I'm stepping in for someone that bailed and I need to rehearse my lines."

"Oh." Looking a little surprised, but no disbelief or judging look crossed his face. Which I was grateful for. Most people just shook their heads or laughed at the idea, not realizing that I was actually serious about it. Leon didn't do either of those, he simply stood up and stretched before sticking his hand out for the script. "Sounds like something you'd be good at. What's the play?"

Handing him the script, I grimaced, "It was written by horny college chicks, so I warn you, there's no action scenes or gun involvement, just plain ol' romance." I cleared my throat. Shit, I'd forgotten about the play... He'd accepted! Which means I had to go and confess my love to him now. Or like, my character. Me. My character. Oh c'mon! "It's not bad, but you will have to read the lines of the girl."

He laughed out loud. Wow. "Awesome. No big deal. Are we starting from the beginning? Or a certain act?" He opened the script and glanced around the pages for a minute.

Stepping forward, I searched through the pages to bring him to the scene, "That one. It's the one we're doing in class tomorrow." Moving away from him, I placed some distance between us, "Ehm, okay so... I'm starting, just, try and keep up." I instructed. Puffing out some air, I took just a second to calm down the nerves and... Okay, yes, Leon was standing there. But this wasn't about that, I needed to nail this little scene tomorrow or else I'd be kicked off the play and then be replaced. Breathing in steadily, I spread my arms, knowing that is what the script asked me to do. I'd read it at least twenty times yesterday so hopefully I'd managed to remember all the words by now.

Shifting into character, I looked into Leon's eyes, "Hah!" I gave a short laugh, propping my hands on my hips, "My love for you is not real? Out of place? Improbable?" Sighing heavily, I shook my head, looking down at the ground, "You clearly haven't been loved properly if you cannot see my feelings for you are true." Lacing my fingers so my hands were clasped behind my back, I smirked, beginning to circle Leon slowly, stopping behind him so I could pop my head out beside him, looking up in his eyes, "When I see your eyes I think of stars, when I touch your hand, my heart looses control, when my gaze locks onto your lips, I..." Trailing off, I straightened so I could stand close before him, "Well, I'm not sure sweetheart, but I know I've never wanted anyone or anything as much as I want you." A whisper. Smiling, like the script told me to do, I tilted my head then and waited for the Leon to read the line of the girl.

Leon's eyes were wide and he glanced down at the script before clearing his throat and beginning his lines. "Um, After everything we've been through, it's hard to imagine it. Please, I can't really believe this is happening." It wasn't as flat as I'd imagined him being, but he could definitely use a little embellishment.

Chuckling like my character was expected to do, I then said, "It's real. Don't you feel it? The air shifting, our hearts racing? Don't try and stop us any longer..." Reaching up, I tucked a lock of brown hair behind Leon's ear.

He flinched and pulled back a little. Not what his character was supposed to do. "What are you doing?" He asked, staring down into my face, his eyes wide. Snapping out of my character momentarily, I swallowed nervously and then quickly pointed at the script.

"Says I have to do that. Says so in the script." I squeaked out. Stupid! I always let myself get carried away, of course I couldn't act this out the way I would have with my classmate! This was Leon! You can't just reach up and tuck his hair! Although now that I had a moment to think the action over I kind of wished I could do it again... And not because it says so in the script.

"Oh." He glanced down quickly, a light blush colored his cheeks and my heart skipped a beat as he looked back up into my eyes. "Right. Sorry. Start again." Clearing his throat, he straightened up and nervously searched the script to find his place again.

Clearing my throat, I carefully shoved that awkward moment away, returning to my character, "Don't try and stop us any longer..." I repeated to get us back into it and this time I only mimed my action, not actually tucking his hair behind his ear, keeping my hand just above his shoulder.

He managed not to flinch this time, but he was still blushing from nervousness or something else? "I don't think I can..." And reading the action next to the line, I inhaled sharply as he brought his hand up between us and rested it over my heart.

Standing there for a couple of seconds, I then stepped away from him, laughing nervously, "Okay. Thanks, that was pretty good." Running my hands through my hair, I darted my eyes over the apartment, wondering what the hell I was supposed to do now, "I think I got it down, ehm, I'll just..." Gulping, I stepped forward, taking the script gingerly from his hands, "I'm sure you have things to do."

"Are you sure? I mean, I don't have anything going on and I can help you as much as you need it." He reluctantly let go of the script and looked a little disappointed. Or maybe that was my imagination. Clearing his throat he ran his fingers through his hair, something I knew was a nervous habit of his.

I nodded, "Yes. But, seriously, thank you." I smiled, feeling a bit more composed. But I did have to get out of here because operation avoiding Leon needed to kick back in if I wanted to survive, "I'm just going to go run an errand." No I wasn't, but I needed air. Giving him a shy wave, I quickly spun on my heel and forced myself to walk out of the apartment as normally as I could muster.

Leon - two days later.

I thought that coming home to see strange things being done in my apartment would end once Zack moved out. Or rather, I was hoping that strange things wouldn't shock me as soon as I opened my apartment door. But I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised. I mean, they shared the same DNA and what not. So when I opened my apartment door after class today and saw Cloud about to hug a kitchen chair, I shouldn't have batted an eye.

Things had gone back to normal after that interesting afternoon where I'd tried to help him with his lines. At least, as normal as Operation Avoid Cloud could be. Avoidance seemed to be the only thing that I could do with how he could affect me. That scene where he'd tucked my hair behind my ears? My face would still burn at how intimate that action had been.

"Cloud? Um, what the heck are you doing to that chair?" He jumped away from the thing, whirling around so he could look at me wide eyed. Clearly I'd interrupted something important...

"Leon!" He announced and then fell silent, leading me the frown in question. He looked at the chair, then at me, the chair, at me and then... oh, the script. "I was just rehearsing the next scene. I didn't think you'd be home for a while yet..." He murmured, nervously tucking a blond lock behind his ear before quickly shoving the kitchen chair back where it belonged.

"Oh." I laughed a little. "Whew. I was worried you might be harboring some interesting habits." Dropping my bag by the door, I walked over and reached for the script. "Well, I can help you out again. Okay?"

Stepping over quickly he snatched the script away before I could get my hands on it, "Ehm... I, Thanks. I really appreciate the offer but I don't know if you'll be comfortable rehearsing this scene with me." He mumbled before chuckling nervously, "The girl who got the part of the girl character is rehearsing with her new boyfriend outside the classroom from now on, so..." He licked his lips, gesturing for the chair, "That's my new rehearsing partner until I find someone who's willing to step in."

I scowled at him. What the heck was his problem? Didn't I just offer to be his rehearsing partner? Yeah, it was a little difficult considering he'd basically fulfilled my fantasies last time confessing to me, but I was an adult. I knew what was real and what was fake. Maybe I just sucked...

"If you don't think I suck too much, I really wouldn't mind helping you out, you know." And then I pulled out my secret weapon, something Zack had forbidden me to use. The puppy dog eyes. Apparently, they were very effective. Sticking my bottom lip out, I opened my eyes wide and tilted my head to the side. "Please?" It was over exaggerated and I was sure I looked ridiculous.

He slammed the script against his face, hiding behind it, "Holy hell! You should not be allowed to use that!" He shouted, peeking over the edge of the script, "You don't suck, Leon, it's just that last time I..." Letting his arms fall back to his sides, he wrinkled his nose, "Well, you didn't exactly respond all that well to the physical part of the acting. This scene? There's like two lines and the rest is all physical."

"Hey, I was just surprised!" Laughing, apparently those puppy dog eyes were very effective. "I can do this!" It was important that I help him... but I wasn't sure why. He needed an actual acting partner, not some chair. I was doing this for him so that he wouldn't get kicked out of the play. No other reason. "Gimmie the script." I reached out and tried to snatch it. Giving me a reluctant nod, he handed the thing to me and then waited while fidgeting nervously as I read through the text that was highlighted.

"You're frowning. Leon, it's okay if you can't do it. The chair is fine, seriously!" He said nervously.

My gaze snapped up and I smoothed my face. "I wasn't frowning, I was just trying to understand what it was trying to say. So, we don't kiss, but you just breathe in my face for a few seconds? That seems a little weird..." Best friend's little brother. Almost YOUR little brother. I should not feel robbed because we didn't actually get to kiss. There was something wrong in my head when I was using this as an excuse to kiss Cloud. Or, according to the script, almost kiss Cloud. I wasn't proud of it, but if this was the only way I would get to experience this with him? I was going to take it.

I saw his Adam's apple bob, his hands running through his hair nervously before he gave me a curt nod. He was agreeing to this? Okay... Okay. Mutely, he stepped towards me, guiding me to stand in the middle of the living room before taking a step back again. He breathed out a bit shakily, shuffling on his feet before shaking himself.

"Ready?" I asked, gulping as I watched his body move around getting prepared for the scene. Where was Zack when I needed him to play the overprotective older brother and kick my ass to keep my thoughts in line?

Seemingly calming himself he then stood still, "Yeah. Go for it." He said, giving me the green light to open the scene. It wasn't very long, I could do this.

"Do not do it." Short line, but I was supposed to look intense and stern while doing it. Which I tried.

As the script instructed him, Cloud tilted his face skyward, breathing in carefully before snapping his head back in place, the most intense blue eyes fixed onto my face. When he took a step towards me, I took a startled step back, which was okay, I hadn't fucked up, apparently the script expected the girl to do this. Ignoring the distance I'd put between us, Cloud walked up to me, standing but an inch away.

Grasping my free wrist, he then flattened my palm forcefully against his chest before reaching up with his other hand, his fingers twining into my hair, guiding my head down. The script actually told him to tilt the girl's head back, but I was taller so... Tugging on the locks he then tilted his head to the side. As I inhaled sharply, I felt his heart beat pick up in speed beneath my palm. His lips parted and mine did too when I felt his breathe ghost gently over my face.

Swallowing, I remembered the script and quickly let it fall to the ground so I could close my fingers around his hip. Although the script didn't tell him to do this, I felt his heart beat quicken some more and his tongue slipped out, quickly wetting his bottom lip.

I think I was drowning... "I won't," He then said, bringing me back to the present, "I won't kiss you. Not until you've given me permission to do so."

I stood there frozen, just breathing Cloud in, hoping that he knew what was supposed to happen next because I sure didn't. My script lay forgotten on the floor between us and I could feel him beneath my hands as I touched him. Touching Cloud. It took every scrap of willpower I had not to lean down and kiss him, or rub my thumb in a circle on his hip. Only the thought of screwing up whatever friendship we had stopped me. He was important to me and I owed it to both of us not to let my hormones dictate my actions. But still...he was so close and so warm... How long had we been standing like this? It felt like forever...

"I need too..." He said breathlessly. Was that in the script? I felt his fingers tighten on my hair a bit and in unconscious reflex, my fingers grasped his hip more tightly. In reaction to that, Cloud shivered. Woah, what the hell was that about? He stepped away then though, breaking the connection completely as he ran his hands through his hair, staring at me with wide eyes, a blush flushing his cheeks. I opened my mouth to say something. I'm not sure what at this point... What did I want to ask him? He didn't really let me though as he jumped forward, grabbing a hold of the script.

"Thanks, Leon!" And then he pretty much ran into his bedroom, slamming the door shut behind him. What the hell just happened? I blushed as my fingers still tingled where they'd rested on his hip. Dammit...