I don't know why I wrote this...


"I don't believe you" It was a simple statement, uttered quietly into the frosty night outside the Strife household, but the words held no small amount of threat to the person it was directed to.

"And why not?" Was its reply, as simple as the statement and yet without the threat beneath the words. Puffs of swirling white appeared as each breathed, jackets were hugged closer to their torsos; it was cold outside, for sure, but the words allowed for little warmth to enter the conversation. The taller male suppressed a shiver before replying.

"Because it would be... too convenient for me," The shorter raised a delicate blond eyebrow, causing it to disappear into the rim of the hat he was wearing. The creak of the old wooden swing swaying in the breeze was the only other noise in the front lawn, aside from their breathing. "Considering the circumstances, the chances of feelings being recuperated are slim." The second eyebrow rose, joining its brother under the warmth of the hat.

"You're talking as if this is a business deal." He brought his un-gloved hands to his mouth, blowing heavily on them and rubbing them together to generate some heat. The tinge of pink scattered across his cheeks and the tip of his nose merely accentuated the fact that he was very obviously freezing outside. "But if that's how you want to do it, fine. I've given you proof that this venture will do nothing but benefit you, meaning that there is no risk. There is no reason for you to not do this." He argued, shivering slightly as he spoke. The elder inwardly sighed as he ran his heavily gloved fingers through his deep brunet hair.

"You don't understand," He began, only to get an aggravated grunt from the blond. A furious glare was shot at him, the boy almost snarling.

"What the hell? Cloud likes you. A lot. His face lights up every time he receives one of your texts, he's always making time to hang with you, and he acts like a normal person when you're around. He's not moody, not depressed, not angsty. He laughs, he grins and he's happy for at least an hour after you leave!" The shorter looked ready to scream in frustration, instead stomping around the front lawn, furiously rubbing his hands up and down his arms. "How the hell can I not understand?" He finally finished, turning and giving a sharp glare to the other, quickly turning to the house.

"You're being childish. Cloud's my best friend, and, if you hadn't noticed, that usually happens around friends. You wouldn't even assume anything about him if it weren't for Aerith's slip up." The elder ground out, beginning to become annoyed. He ignored the increase in hatred directed in the boy's glare, continuing his angry rant. "You have no right to butt into either Cloud's or my lives, as you most certainly wouldn't appreciate it if we returned the favour." There was an irritated huff from the blond.

"But-" He began, only to be caught under the brunet's glare. It was, suffice to say, several times worse than his own.

"No." It was a command, not a statement, one that caused the blond to screw up his fists and storm past the elder. He walked up to the door, but before he opened it, he seemed to think of something better. Glancing back, their eyes connected.

"Just because you don't have the balls to admit your feelings doesn't mean Cloud should have to suffer, too." And with that, the door opened and, not three seconds later, slammed closed. The brunet sighed loudly, allowing his façade to slip whilst no one was around. He shook his head, sparing a glance back to the door just once before beginning his walk home. The wooden swing creaked once more in its area of foliage, completely invisible to the house and the previous visitors of the lawn. Upon the swing sat a spiky haired blond, his head in his hands as he replayed the conversation he most certainly wasn't meant to hear in his head.