Originally written for the Strifehart Kink Meme.
Prompt: just about anything with the intense cuteness that is Crisis Core Cloud. =D And Squall/Leon (of course).
The boy was barely ten – about four years his junior – when they first met, the eldest of the orphans in Shinra's care facility. He was a bit of a punk, and that in Cloud's honest opinion was what made it so hard for his caregivers to really get along with him. But there was a definite, honest streak about the younger boy that helped them become friends.
So when he found out that the kid had upped and left quite suddenly, he nearly dropped his duties to go after him himself. But of course, he couldn't – it was a SOLDIER mission, and he was no SOLDIER. Just a lowly grunt… No, it was his newer friend Zack who went after the boy, promising him that he would get the kid back in one piece.
Some harrowing hours of waiting later, the SOLDIER kept his promise to the letter. The stolen accessory was returned to Shinra, and the boy himself was confined as punishment. Never mind that he was only twelve, there were rules to follow. It took another day before Cloud had enough time off-duty to visit the young delinquent. He found him sitting up, bruised and battered but otherwise intact. The boy refused to look at him initially, stubbornly facing the wall instead.
Cloud wanted to ask him what he was thinking – the first group of orphan escapees had been only up to some mischief when they hid in the caverns, but the wasteland was so much more dangerous. No matter how talented or highly trained he was, he was still a kid. He could have died.
"I was worried about you," he admitted to that kid now, his tone unintentionally harsh. Nothing more was said, or had to be said. Not without starting a fight that would leave both even more at odds.
"I got this for you…" The boy had turned at last, and in his hand was a very dusty looking bundle. Cloud took it – unfolded the cloth – and found a filthy, scratched pair of Kaiser Knuckles.
"They'll make you stronger," the boy continued hopefully. "Maybe you can use them to get into SOLDIER."
Even a little kid was looking out for him, Cloud realized. That kind of hurt, but at the same time… it was kind of warm.
The boy was studying his feet, as he swung his legs back and forth. He seemed nervous, but determined about something. Before Cloud could ask what it was, the kid hopped off the stool he had been perched on and stood at full height – which wasn't really enough yet. Unbelievably hard eyes for one so young stared into the softer, gentler ones of the blond infantryman, and the kid mustered his courage as he spoke.
"I don't care if he saved me today," he blurted more than stated. "I won't lose to him."
"Him"…? Did he mean Zack?
"I'll get stronger too," the boy promised stubbornly. "I'll catch up, and when you're a SOLDIER, I'll be the one who fights beside you."
Cloud stared, quite stunned, at the boy who was not quite tall enough to see him eye to eye but trying his damnedest to anyway. Finally, he smiled, and then he laughed. Before his friend could take it the wrong way, he reached forward and ruffled brown hair filthy with sand and dust.
"I understand," he answered sincerely. "Thank you, Squall."