Then, he had hands that have caused the deaths of hundreds. Those hands that wield the legendary Masamune were stained with bloodshed, agony, and pain.

Now, he has hands that never squeeze too tight. Those hands that roam across my body at night are always safe and reassuring.

Then, he had eyes that watched suffering and hardship, and they showed no remorse. Those eyes were cold as ice and hard as stone.

Now, he has eyes that watch me lovingly and protectively, and they make me feel warm. Those eyes are as hot as fire, and sweet as candy.

Then, he had lips that barked out commands, harsh and brash. Those lips ordered men to kill without a second thought.

Now, he has lips that hum the sweetest melody, pleasing to the ears. Those lips have created music to give me serenity in a time of pain.

They called him the Demon of Wutai, the child of a madman, a beautiful disaster. I call him my sweet angel. People ran away from him in fear, or stood up to fight. I run to him with open arms, knowing he is my protector and my savior. No matter what people thought of him then, or think of him now, I know the real Sephiroth. And no fear or hatred of him would ever be able to tear me from his loving arms.

--

"Interesting…" Sephiroth murmured, closing the leather bound book gently. He stood up from his large armchair and walked into the kitchen, where his blonde lover was sitting at the table, working on something diligently. He snuck up behind the blonde and placed a soft kiss to his neck.

"Mmm…Seph," Cloud whispered, turning his head and craning his neck for more.

Sephiroth smirked and grasped Cloud's chin gently, kissing him fully on the mouth. Before the kiss could get too passionate, he pulled away looking into the blonde's sky blue eyes.

"I didn't startle you at all? You seemed very concentrated on your work," Sephiroth said softly.

Cloud shrugged lightly. "I have no reason to be. Not like anything's going to get me with you around."

Sephiroth chuckled lightly, and pulled the book from behind his back. Cloud's mouth dropped open and he blushed heavily.

"I take it that you had no intentions of me reading this?" Sephiroth asked, waving the book lightly.

"Well," Cloud stammered. "Not that. I don't really mind that you read it…it's just…"

"Just what, Cloud?" Sephiroth asked, sitting down at the table next to the blonde.

"I never expected that you would read it. But since you did, what do you think?" he asked softly, looking up at Sephiroth through lowered lashes.

"I'm very happy that you feel that way about me. After…everything that we've been through, it still amazes me everyday that you can even stand the sight of my face," the ex-general said quietly, not meeting the blonde's gaze.

Cloud sighed and reached across the table, grabbing Sephiroth's hands. He squeezed them tightly, smiling.

"You're the only thing that has really meant anything to me since the day I met you. And even through the deal with Jenova and Meteor, I knew it wasn't you. That's what motivated me to keep going. I wanted to save you."

Sephiroth smiled crookedly and squeeze Cloud's hands in return. "That you did," he whispered.

"You saved me too, you know. If it weren't for your inner strength, Jenova would have killed me right from the beginning. You sacrificed your mental freedom and strength to her in order to keep me alive. So, what I wrote in that book is true. I do think of you as my protector and savior."

Cloud stood up from his chair and sat in Sephiroth's lap. He snuggled his head under Sephiroth's chin, and kissed the pale skin there lightly. Sephiroth rubbed his pert bottom gently and kissed his forehead.

"You have no idea how good it is to hear that, Cloud. Thank you. You were the only thing keeping me alive then, and you're the only reason I have to stay here now."