WARNING: This story is rated M for a reason, so if you're really young or easily offended by sex scenes, or just uncomfortable with the reading of such things please do not read this chapter. Also rated for Cid's swearing, cause he does it like a sailor. You have been thoroughly warned...to those who this is not applicable to, enjoy!

Chapter 4

"Old man?" his eyes snapped open in shock. He turned to the voice's owner in awe, "Who're you calling old man? I might be a couple of years older than you, but that's uncalled for."

If he hadn't been so used to keeping his emotions guarded and kept in check, he would've cried. There he was, standing opposite someone who was supposed to be dead. Even though he didn't shed a tear, his heart jolted almost painfully against his ribs, anxious in the eyes of his one true love.

"S-Squall?" the blonde's flesh came up with goosebumps as a hand swept under his bangs and pressed against his forehead.

"You got a fever or something?" the brunet said in his usual monotone voice that turned his knees to jelly.

Swiping the hand off his forehead he grumbled, "Course not. Have I ever been ill?"

Shrugging and moving himself to sit on the edge of a table, arms crossed, Squall closed his eyes, "Then stop acting so goddamn strange."

"Fuck you." he retorted playfully.

"Whatever."

Still recovering from the shock that he had been with the strange old wizard one moment, and then the next he was back with his lion, he was rather proud of his fairly quick transition into some form of normality again. He was aware now that he was in Radiant Garden's library, the night before the Heartless invasion. Shivers ran up his spine in a foreboding manner as he remembered what had happened before. This time he wouldn't lose Squall. He wasn't sure how right now, but he'd figure out a way to change things to alter his partner's ill-fated future.

Remembering what Merlin told him about not modifying the past too much, he decided that it would be best not to warn about the Heartless, as much as he wanted to. Even if he said something, it's not like it would really change anything anyway. So for now, he'd use what time he had wisely, by spending this evening showing how much the gunblade wielder really meant to him. He might regret it later if he didn't. After all him changing his once past now future, would leave things uncertain. For all he knew, he might lose his own life instead…

Shaking himself out of thought, he stalked up to the brunet whose steely eyes remained closed. Smirking, Cloud leaned over him, his hands on either side of where Leon sat. Those captivating eyes revealed themselves, gazing down at him with a glint of curiosity.

Leaning in to leave soft kisses on the elder man's throat, Cloud whispered gently with a hint of lust, though nonetheless heartfelt, "I missed you."

Confused, the brunet remained immobile, allowing his companion to continue the ministrations on his neck, "But you've barely left my side all day. Idiot." His voice was somewhat breathy, but still stern sounding.

Chuckling with an undertone of sorrow which was left unnoticed, he moved up to trail the rigid jaw line, "I may be an idiot…" he continued along, until his lips hovered over the other's, tormenting close, "…but you're still gullible enough to turn to putty in my hands."

As he was about to make contact with lips that he'd fantasised about touching for what felt like an eternity, they were rudely interrupted by a cough behind them.

"This is a fuckin' library for god sake, get yourselves a room already!" the smoky voiced blonde boomed.

Ruffling his nose with distaste of the tobacco odour, Squall piped up, "You shouldn't be smoking in here Cid, this being a library like you said. Aerith would flip if she found out."

Cloud barely contained his laughter as the old pilot grunted, his cigarette being flicked in his mouth in agitation like a cat's tail. He'd forgotten how much he missed all of this. Like they say, you don't know what you've got till it's gone. The common phrase stuck in his mind, hurting more than it should have, now that he had a chance to make amends.

"Fuckin' kids," was heard grumbled lowly, "If you don't tell Aerith about me smoking', I'll not mention anything about you two about to fuck on her favourite reading table."

Pushing Cloud away from him to right himself, the flustered brunet said with a calm anger that only he could pull off, "Whatever. We weren't about to 'fuck' as you so colourfully put it anyway."

Hacking a laugh the pilot waved his hand, "Yeah, sure kid, whatever you fuckin' say. Catch ya later!"

Cid left the vicinity with an unpleasant smoker's cough that reverberated along the rows of bookshelves. Both of the young men winced with disgust, glad that the obnoxious pilot was now gone.

"Puts you off smoking for life, doesn't it?" Squall asked, cocking his head to lock eyes with the younger of the two.

"Yeah, but Cid wouldn't be Cid without his ciggies, alcohol and foul language." the blonde found it impossible to imagine a sober, pleasant mannered Cid who never smoked, not even casually. That would just be a completely different person.

"I guess so…" As usual, the brunet went into deep thought about something or other. Cloud had always wondered why he did that and what he was thinking about. Whenever he had asked in the past, he was always brushed off or ended up in a heated argument with the stoic one. So he had stopped trying a long time ago. However knowing that their time was running short, he decided to go right ahead and ask regardless.

"What are you thinking about?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of down turned lips, "Nothing…just thinking about going somewhere that we won't be disturbed by anyone again."

Eyes widening somewhat, Cloud was shocked that he could think about dirty things with a straight face. But that was yet another thing to add to the long list of why Squall Leonhart was a sexy man of mystery.

"Your room?" he asked. He wanted to take what might be his final look at Squalls bedroom.

Merely nodding, Squall wrapped a large gloved hand around his wrist and dragging him out of the library. Cloud felt almost nervous about going back to Squall's room. He hadn't been there for a long time now, and he didn't know if he could handle his emotions when he got there.

With Squall leading the way, they went through the main hall, past the ornate water fountain in the centre of the room and headed for the lifts. Even when they were travelling up in the lift the brunet never let go of Cloud's wrist. As soon as the lift stopped at their floor, Squall started towing the blonde along toward his room. The door was already unlocked; no one dared to go into Squall's room without permission, never mind to steal anything: so they went straight inside.

Just as expected, Cloud's heart surged with the familiar smells and atmosphere of his lover's room. You'd be hard fetched to find even a speck of dust, as the man always kept his space tidy. No dirty laundry on the floor, no worthless trinkets to waste any room, even his gunblade was tidily put away in its box, propped against the furthest away wall.

Passion swept over him and he threw himself into the man's sturdy chest, sending Squall's back to the door with a thud. He didn't respond at first, probably to knowing how to handle this sudden embrace. Eventually the man raised his hand and held the smaller man back, patting the back gently in a comforting manner.

"Cloud?"

Looking up, the blue eyed blonde found himself mesmerised by the man he pressed up against. Although the man's face was neutral and somewhat cool looking, blue-grey eyes twinkled with concern and emotion.

Reaching up to cup his solid cheeks, Cloud stared upwards in awe, "So beautiful…"

Before Squall could pull one of his confused faces, he stood on his tiptoes and pressed his lips onto his. As soft and warm as he remembered them, but far more sensational to actually feel them than to imagine it. Desperate to taste the man again, Cloud slipped his tongue along thin lips in a requesting gesture. Not one to refuse such a plea of intimacy from the blonde, Squall gladly opened his mouth enough for a pink tongue to slip through. Moaning into the kiss, Cloud slid his arms around the other's neck and pulled the man closer as if they might just melt into one another.

This was his heaven; him, Squall and a quiet room. Maybe he should have asked Merlin for a time loop spell, so he could relive this moment with Squall forever.

Now having made his lover somewhat breathless, chocolate hair mussed up, he pulled back and pressed his forehead against the other's, "I love you Squall."

Still catching his breath, he finally managed to reply, "Whatever."

Although it had never been discussed, Cloud knew that 'whatever' was his way of saying 'I love you too'. It had always been that way. Even though he'd always wanted him to say the actual words, the almost bashful expression of his feelings was kind of sweet. Especially coming from mister stone-cold himself. One day, he'd hear him say it; he promised himself to live through the upcoming mess just for that.

Smiling, Cloud gave the unsuspecting brunet a playful slap across the head as he retreated to the bed. Just as he reached the bed he was forced face down by a sudden weight on his back. Turning his head to both address Squall and stop being smothered by the bed sheets, he blew up at a golden spike that had settled on his nose, "Get off of me, you're heavy you know."

Kissing the top of his ear, Squall said, "Serves you right for hitting me back there."

Rolling onto his back and sitting up on the edge of the bed after Squall stood up again, Cloud reached out and took a hand. Loosening off the glove at the fingers, he then took the tip of the middle finger between his teeth and pulled the leather off. Cool eyes bore down on him as he repeated his actions on the opposite hand. He nipped a finger lightly before letting it drop to the other man's side and ran his free hand across the tight crotch of black pants. It didn't take long for the other hand to join in, seeking out the buckles of the three belts he wore. With great ease gained through plenty of practice, Cloud flicked open each belt and threw them aside, but slowly as to prolong Squall's state of arousal. He didn't want this to end quickly tonight.

Removing his own gloves he then hooked fingers into the waist of the leather pants and pulled them down to reveal creamy thighs and hardening cock. Yes, another wonderful trait of his; he never wore underwear, preferring to go commando instead. Made situations, such as stripping off clothes like this, a much quicker task. Not that he was in a hurry, not at the moment anyway.

Squall grunted as cool hands encased his member, rubbing it just the way he liked it as wet kisses were left along his thighs. It was torture, having that mouth he knew to be warm and wet so near, yet never touched his straining organ.

Blonde locks were gripped and his face was forced to tend to Squall's ever growing problem. He could already taste the salty flavour of precum as he began licking him from base to tip. Above him a throaty groan sounded as he sucked at the tip of his cock, coaxing out more cum to taint his lips. The hand in his hair tightened, almost painfully so, which meant that the brunet was getting close.

Using his own hands to remove Squall's from his head, he shook his head up at the bewildered looking man, "Not yet." he whispered.

A look of recognition crossed Squall's face, as he helped Cloud to his feet. They began removing each other's clothing. First, Cloud slid the small jacket off of broad shoulders, trailing down the man's spine before throwing it aside. While this was happening, Squall had managed to successfully unclip the blonde's shoulder guard, the metal clunking loudly as it met the ground. Once Cloud was done with stripping off his jacket, with his arms back in use he unbuckled the thick belt wrapped securely around his midriff. Between multiple buckles and layers, it took a good couple of minutes for them both to dress down.

Once liberated from their clothes they stood toe to toe, the taller brunet staring down into heavenly blue eyes. Cloud felt expectant under that heavy gaze which cried out the need for intimacy. He'd seen it many times before Squall's prior death, but it was different this time. That gorgeous look now only truly appreciated for it priceless ardour. Eyes that promised eternal companionship.

Walking around Squall, running his fingertips along the mouth-watering curves of muscled shoulders he gently pushed his lover to the bed. Catching himself on the sheets the brunet looked over his bent over back, the look intangible. Cloud couldn't tell whether that was a look of confusion or wantonness on that beautiful face. Squall was always the unreadable type.

"Give me a moment." he walked over to the drawer where he knew the lubrication would be faithfully waiting. As he reached the set of drawers he heard the shuffle of bed sheets rustling under Squalls body. Picking out the white tube he cast his sights on the man who was now comfortably lying spread-eagled on the bed, eyes shut under thick lashes. With an audible thud the drawer slid shut and Cloud with lube in hand sat on the edge of the bed.

Placing the lube under one of the pillows until the time came when it was required he leaned forward, close enough to stroke at the man's side tenderly. The skin went taut in a series of twitches as he continued to touch the other man.

"Stop, your tickling me." It didn't sound like Squall was in discomfort, but he stopped nevertheless. He was one for keeping a straight face and voice in any situation. If they made it, no; when they made it through the next twenty four hours, he'd remember Squall's ticklish spot. Could come in handy if he wanted something. Although the brunet might just refuse to have sex with him if he did…maybe not then.

Getting properly mounted onto the bed the blonde crawled in between Squalls outspread legs, his face then hovering over the others. A small kiss, then another more pressurised kiss, and another…

They continued like this for minutes, Cloud merely letting his hands travel across the expanse of Squall's chest while the former lay there, responding pleasantly to the kisses that were exchanged. It was nice, for a few moments just enjoying the togetherness, the true meaning behind passion. Yeah a bit of roughed up sex is good and all, but this was about the love - for lack of a better word - that ignited it all. This was the reason behind their relationship, behind any relationship: pleasure of sharing each other on not only a physical level, but a spiritual level too. The connection that binds two hearts, the core of one melding with the other. Not lust, nor love, but something of a different kind that cannot be put into words, only experienced through the senses.

Without breaking the kiss Cloud reached out for the lube, taking it into his grasp. Now he retreated from the connection of lips, squirting a good amount onto his free hand. Throwing aside the bottle he began to run his slick hand over the length of his cock. The sight must have been exciting Squall as he began panting with need. As much as he was enjoyed getting himself off, his lover needed tending to. It would be unfair if he was kept waiting any longer.

Lifting strong, slender legs up onto his shoulders Cloud was about to prepare Squall, but the brunet shook his head and grabbed his hand before he could do so.

"What you've got on will do." He spoke out of pursed lips.

Comfortable with Squall's wishes he settled himself into position, pressing in between sweetly cushioned cheeks. The two groaned as Cloud entered the brunet inch by inch, gradually as to not tear the man too badly. Once he'd gotten as much as he could in the blonde began to rock out and back in. Cloud watched as Squall took a hand and began rubbing his own erection, pleasuring himself as he was being penetrated back and forth. The sight made Cloud grip the man's sides and grit his teeth. He wanted this to last for as long as he could.

Building up pace Squall kept his strokes in time with each movement. His free hand fisted the bed sheets as he his pleasure elevated. Passionately pounding into his tight behind Cloud could not hold the tears building up in his eyes, rolling down his cheeks to drip onto the brunet's stomach. Would this be the last time he made love to this beautiful man?

Climax peaking Cloud cried out his lovers name from the depths of his heart, becoming momentarily numb as euphoria tingled his senses. A gush of Squall's essence coated his chest as he too orgasmed. Removing himself from within Squall the blonde collapsed beside him.

Desperately finding his breath again, he gulped before taking a piece of chocolate hair between his shaking fingers and said, "I love you."

A smile gracing his stern features the gun blade wielder replied, "Yeah, you too."

Powerful marble arms encircled him and pulled him in for an affectionate cuddle. Cloud mingled his legs with Squalls, head pressed lightly against the man's chest. Thoughts of tomorrow left his mind as the two embraced one another, the thought of them being together for eternity all that mattered in their moment: together.

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Update AN: There we go, a bit of man love is good for the soul, just makes you go aww (or phwoar, take your pick). So yeah...not much to say, a rarity for me haha. All I can say is the 'aww' factor is going to get short in supply in the following chapters. Continue on to find out what happens when Cloud faces once again, the day Radiant Garden falls...and a certain silver haired bad boy!