Cloud smiled, taking a deep breath of the cool, crisp Autumn air as he walked out of the house. His hair was as spiky and blonde as ever, shining softly in the sun. His cheeks flushed slightly with the cool wind which buffeted him, carrying scents of smoke from bonfires, and the hint of the rain which had fallen just a few hours before. He strolled to the store, whistling as he went, the stripy scarf around his neck fluttering slightly in the breeze. He loved this time of year.
When he returned a few hours later he had a new rake which he was carrying over his shoulder. He set to work in the garden immediately, raking together all the leaves into massive piles.
Sephiroth was sitting at his desk doing paperwork, occasionally looking up out of the window into the garden. He blinked a few times to see his young lover working so enthusiastically. He could see the endeavour had to be in vain, there were still so many leaves ont he trees which would inevitably fall off, meaning the young SOLDIER would just have to rake them up all over again. The work had to be hard, it was chilly and the ground was muddy from the rain, meaning it would be messy work. He shook his head and went back to work.
The next time the silver haired General looked up he saw a blonde spiky blur sprint past the window and launch itself into the air, landing in the leaf pile, sending the carefully gathered leaves everywhere. Cloud was laughing happily, looking so alive, so exhilarated. Sephiroth blinked, it didn't make sense! Why go to all the trouble of raking the leaves together in order just to jump in them and send them flying everywhere? His curiousity got the better of him and he put his pen down, getting up to go and ask.
When he reached the back garden, Cloud was once more raking the leaves into a massive pile, breath misting in the cool air, a massive grin on his face, eyes shining.
Sephiroth cleared his throat softly, expression one of genuine confusion. Cloud looked up and smiled dropping the rake and embracing the taller man.
"Hello Sephy! Sick of the paperwork?"
"I am nearly finished, and I will admit it was becoming a little repetitive..." the General admitted, basically agreeing with him. "But I was confused as to what you were doing...I don't understand why you would waste time and energy raking leaves when there are still so many to come down, or why, having raked them you then jumped in them and destroyed your work..."
Cloud laughed, a tinkling sound which never failed to bring a corresponding smile to Sephiroth's own face. "Because it's fun!"
Sephiroth blinked "I do not understand... why?"
Cloud smiled "Let me finish this pile and we can jump in it together..."
Sephiroth wrinkled his nose slightly "But it has made you messy..." he looked up and down, noting the mud stains on Cloud's clothes.
Cloud shrugged "Clothes can be washed and we can shower... it's worth it!"
Sephiroth sighed "Fine, I shall partake in this once, but I must insist that if I am to jump, I must at least help you rake..." Cloud smiled and handed it over, getting some gardening gloves for himself and helping build up the pile again. Sephiroth was a very efficient worker and before long they had all the leaves in the garden once more in a massive pile.
Cloud threw his gloves off and grabbed Sephiroth's hand, dragging him to the end of the garden. The silver haired man dropped the rake in surprise and followed obediently. Cloud was grinning, eyes shining "Three... two... one...GO!" he started running towards the leaves for all he was worth, jumping in, Sephiroth on his heels. The General had to admit it was certainly exhilarating! The leaves flew up around them as the landed, and, laughing, Cloud threw a handful at him. Before he knew what he was doing, Sephiroth retaliated and they descended into a leaf war with damp handfuls.
They whiled away the rest of the afternoon in combat with both the leaves and each other, before finally trudging inside, muddy, exhausted, but delighted when the sun finally began to set.