Shallow End

Author: Shadow Cloud Strife Shadow Cloud

Title: Shallow End

Chapter: 2

Questions

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Its twilight and I wake up hot
My body's soaked in a cold, cold sweat
I reenact the lurid scenes
And clawed engravings in my head.

Oh, I can't punch hard enough and I run
I can't kick high enough and I run
I can't hold on enough and I run
I can't shoot straight enough and I run
I can't hold on enough and I run
Oh, I can't stay down enough and I run
I can't take pain enough and I run
I can't bleed fast enough
I can't die dead enough-

----Megadeth - Die Dead Enough

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The afternoon crept up slowly as Sephiroth pondered about his office. His laptop was the only light illuminating the room. The shades and curtains were drawn closed. He sat on the his hair, his elbow prompted up on the oak wood, holding up his head with the palm of his hand. An array of silver hair fallen over his shoulders. What's with Cloud? He's acting funny? What does he know that I don't? Or does he even know anything? His mind turned about as he thought to himself. Did he displease Cloud in anyway? He didn't believe he did. He thought back to the day before. All that was said, but nothing was harmful was said. He merrily pleased Cloud in all the boy asked for. Why was he acting so weird now? Sephiroth stood and began to pace. He couldn't think of why his Cloud was being so, strange. Everything Cloud did today was a bit strange. Usually on Sunday's the blonde would take Jay out to the park to play. It was a beautiful day and yet the blonde was still inside. All the choirs that needed to be done were done and everything was in order. So what was up? He sighed and rubbed his chin with his thumb and index finger. Sephiroth had showered and dressed early. He wore a black tank top and black leather pants. He kept himself busy by arranging his desk and fixing books on the bookshelf. He arranged the wine in the wine case and fixed up pictures of Cloud and his son. He had put up a new picture, a picture Cloud had drawn for him. It was a picture of them in a yard, an array of flowers behind them. Cloud was dressed in a white loose shirt and blue jeans and he was dressed in a black long sleeve shirt and black pants. He smiled and was proud of Cloud in all ways possible.

Sephiroth pondered and opened the door to his office. He walked out and into the living room. "Cloud?" he called out a bit quietly. He went upstairs. "Cloudy?" he called again but there was no answer. He went back downstairs. Now where could he have gone to? he thought. Sephiroth could find Jay either. He rubbed at his forehead and thought for a moment. He walked down the hall. The door to Cloud's studio was closed. He knocked on the door and a voice was heard from the other side. But Sephiroth wasn't too worried about what the voice said. The door opened and Cloud stood before him, holding their baby boy in his arms. Cloud smiled warmly and stepped out of the studio. "Something wrong, darling?" the blonde questioned.

"No, not at all."

"Did you need something?"

"No, dear."

"Want me to pick you up some lunch while Jay and I go shopping?"

"Sure, if it's not too much trouble."

"I'll pick up some lunch meat while I'm at the market."

Sephiroth nodded. So, Cloud was hidden in his studio all day. But why? Why was he hidden in there? Sephiroth, you worry to much! Calm down, there's nothing up. Cloud's just going shopping…

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Cloud was curious as to why Sephiroth had been looking for him. Usually if he were in his studio Sephiroth would leave him be. But this time was different, indeed. Cloud had also gotten a call earlier from Vincent Valentine, a man he hadn't seen in nearly two years. Why was he calling? And asking for Sephiroth? Something strange was going on and Cloud was going to figure out what. But he felt as if he were prying into Sephiroth's personal life. We shouldn't be keeping things from each other anyway…should we? I mean when we go married we both took vows to be loyal to one another… Cloud thought. He wasn't sure. Maybe Vincent just needed to know something? He shrugged and got into the little car that was parked in the driveway. He strapped Jay down in his baby chair and got in the front. Cloud started the car and backed up driving off to the market.

Cloud finally got home an hour later. Jay had put up a good fight for candy and was now screaming with joy in back of the car. Cloud got out and picked up the grocery bags. He walked inside and set them on the counter before going to grab more. Sephiroth came out with him, picking up the screaming boy. He smiled as Jay pulled Sephiroth's hair. "Ouch, little brat," He chuckled and went inside, setting Jay down. The boy crawled away, chocolate clutched in his little hand. He cooed and crawled towards the couch, hitting his hand on it and screaming with delight. Sephiroth chuckled. "That's my boy," He smiled and went back outside, helping Cloud with the groceries. They both put away the groceries, putting them in their proper areas. Cloud made sandwiches, handing one plate to Sephiroth and then going over to Jay. He picked him up and set him in his highchair. Cloud tried his best to pry the candy from the boy's little hand. He had a strong hold on the candy. He finally freed the candy from his hand and began to feed the boy apple sauce. But Jay, like his father Sephiroth, turned his head away and refused to eat. He was being stubborn, he wanted his candy more than he wanted the apple sauce. Who wouldn't? Cloud did his best to try and feed the boy.

Sephiroth sat and watched Cloud struggle to feed the boy. He ate his sandwich quietly. "Need help, Cloudy-poo?" he asked. "No, darling," Cloud replied as apple sauce was flung through the air. Sephiroth chuckled but was hit with the gooey food. "Jay!" He grabbed a napkin, wiping off his shirt. "I think it's nap time. If he won't eat then he can't have candy either," Sephiroth said acknowledging. Cloud nodded and picked up the boy walking upstairs and into his room. Sephiroth began cleaning up the mess Jay left behind.

---End


Author notes:

Thank you for reviewing the first chapter. I'm going to try and update quickly. I've been motivated by those of you who reviewed the firs chapter and will continue writing this fanfiction.