Author's note: Well, this is my second FF fic :3 Now starring Zack/Cloud, huhuhu...forever pairing up Cloud with gorgeous men. Check out 'My Lovely Porn Star' if you're also a Seph/Cloud fan :D
Disclaimer: I am just an author owns this plot. Nothing else.
The rain was pouring heavily in London. Passersby, who were unlucky enough to be out strolling through this bad weather, were unashamedly cussing their luck to the high heavens.
A blonde spiky-haired male was softly snickering at them through the safety of his own apartment window. Since he was situated on the 6th floor, it gave the youth a pretty good view of the outside world and currently, the runaway umbrella from a now annoyed man.
Cloud could hear the harsh winds accompanying the rainy day. Before he could lose himself to the comforting sound of the heavy rainfall, a voice called out to him.
"Papa! Papa! Have you seen the remote? I cannot find it and I really don't wanna miss another episode of Law & Order!" The gorgeous blue-eyed male turned his amused face to his adorable adopted son.
"Now, now, Denzel… remember what Papa told you. Look properly. God gave you eyes, with perfect vision too… so try to calm down and check on the sofa again. Maybe that blasted device is hidden between those cushions again."
Denzel, who was now sporting an annoyed face, was currently making a mess on the beige sofa. Cloud just shook his head and went back to his gloomy yet calming view. Even the shout of "I found it!" did not deter his attention away.
"In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories." However, that narration did.
The chocobo-haired beauty looked at the plasma screen TV with interest. "Denzel, what are you watching?" His beloved son just rolled in his eyes in response. "Papaaaaaa!" A full-out whine came out. "How many times should I tell you? Law & Order: Special Victims unit is like one of the most popular TV series ever aired!"
A bemused chuckle came out from his Papa's mouth. "Ok, ok. What is all about?" Denzel sighed and looked longingly at the screen. "Ok, basically… these people are in charge of special cases like…you know… child abuse, rape and all that scary stuff. So, it's their job to find the perps who did those heinous crimes!" Satisfied with his summary, the eleven-year-old child turned his attention back to the 'idiot box.'
He was so engrossed with the current scene that he did not notice Cloud's frigid body. Flashes of pain, terror and an unknown male's voice shouting at him ran through his mind.
Pain… terror… everywhere… laundry's not done, dirty dishes left in the sink and the familiar stench of alcohol on his lover's breath. "Hey babe, stop cowering like a wimp. I told you so many damn times to clean up properly! Guess you really like the hard way, eh…"
A thick leather belt was relentlessly whipping his frail and abused body. "No! Stop it! Please!" He didn't stop. "Shut up, you whore! Just because people think you're innocent doesn't mean I share the same views as they do!" "No! Please… I'll do anything you want! Please…"
"Please…" A broken whisper came out from his mouth. "Papa…" A soft voice broke through the tortured spell. "Papa, are you ok? Should I call Kunsel?" Cloud picked up his son and hugged him to his chest.
"I'm sorry, Denzel. I just had a sudden flashback. Nothing to worry about… now, tell me what this episode his about." Denzel perked up. "Ok Papa, this little girl told Olivia, she's one of the people who works at that unit, that her brother was somehow 'playing' with his stepmother every night and now, these detectives suspect child abuse is going on between them… but that guy is seventeen though. I don't really know what's gonna happen next 'cause they had a commercial break."
Cloud gazed at his son lovingly. "How do you feel about your old Papa joining you? Would you mind?" Denzel furiously shook his head. "Let's go watch it together, Papa! I know how much you love detective shows!" Cloud gently put Denzel down on the hardwood floor.
"Do you want any snacks while we wait for that Nokia ad to finish?" Without even looking at Denzel's nodding head, Cloud headed off to their kitchen, which was located next to the living room.
As he waited for the leftover red velvet cake to heat up in the microwave, his thoughts wandered off to a certain male. "Oh Zack, I wonder how you are now? I hope you cleaned up your act," he whispered mournfully.
The ding from the microwave thankfully pulled him away from painful memories. After he placed the sugary dessert on one big plate, he went back to the living room to find Denzel lying haphazardly on the sofa.
"Denzel, move your legs. I swear, you're growing up so fast." Said boy just pouted. "You tell me this every day, Papa. I'm still that short kid who everybody picks on."
Cloud froze. "Are those still kids still bullying you?" Instead of an answer, Denzel just laughed. "Not anymore. After Uncle Kunsel taught me some karate moves, they backed away." A relieved sigh came from the grown man.
"Well, I hope you don't land yourself in any detentions, or god forbid, your principal's office." Denzel shivered in response. "Detention, probably... but I will never want to risk my life going to that scary jerk." His Papa just laughed. "Mr. Sephiroth is a perfectly good man. You shouldn't be scared of him!"
"But he never smiles, and he always have a this weird gaze at Papa whenever you pick me up at school!" Cloud didn't deny that the silver-haired man is an Adonis, but he could never see himself with a relationship with such a stoic man. "Oh well, never judge a book by its cover," he warily thought.
Zack had been the biggest mistake he had made. Before Cloud could lament any more on his ex, a tug distracted him.
"Papa! It started! So stop frowning and watch it with me!" A small smile found its way to his delicate features. "Fine, fine, don't forget to brush your teeth after this program, Denzel."
His son just nodded but Cloud could see he wasn't paying any attention. "Kids will be kids," he tiredly mused.