"You've grown up a lot." Leon turned to see his adoptive father sitting at the end of the kitchen table.

"Thanks" he muttered as he continued to rinse the blood off his face.

"I guess thats your blood not his right?" Leon sighed as he turned off the water. He could see now this would be a long father son conversation. Normally he'd think of this as a great milestone but at the moment he just was not in the state to speak…with anyone.

"Yea, most of its mine from where Roxas hit me over the head with that stupid key he calls a blade. Stupid kid. He thought I was Sephiroth trying to come inside. But this down here" he pointed to the knee cap of his jeans. "This is asshole's and I'll never let Aerith wash it out. I want it cut out and framed for the world to see."

Cid chuckled, "A little over theatrical for you isnt it?"

"Normally. But I've seen the way this guy treats people. And, God, the way he looks at Cloud its like he wants to rape him and beat him until the edge of life but let him live just so he can do it again tomorrow."

Cid looked thoughtful and the kitchen falls quiet. Leon looked down, a little embarrassed. He never spoke that way to his father. Cid was one of the very very few people in the world that Leon would/could actually open up and just carry on a conversation with. The two sat for a long while caught up in their own thoughts.

"Well", Cid finally interjects "I think Im gonna go to bed."

"Wait." Leon calls. Cid stopped in the doorway. "Is he still here?"

"Yea, I think Aerith called his dad, or brother, or guardian person. I dunno some guy named Zach. Decent guy. Was ready to rip through a few million assholes when he heard what had happened. I told him you were handleing it though." Cid winked at his son. "Seemed to think that was rather amusing for some reason or another and left it at that."

"Hn." was Leon's only response he was already halfway up the steps and had only paused to wait for his father to finish.

"And Leon?"

The stoic turned to face his father again, this time a bit more impatiently.

"Be good to that kid he's had a hard life it sounds like."

Leon gave a rare smile, "Hasnt everyone in this house?"

Leon slipped into the room silently and quickly stripped down to his boxers. Stopping to think how just boxers might be inappropriate just now he padded across the dark room trying to find his dresser. "SSSsssssssss!" He knocked his toe into some god damn piece of furniture that was not going to survive the morning once he could see what it was. It turned out to be his dresser, so after rummaging through some drawers he slid a pair of cotton pants on Tifa had gotten him last Christmas in hopes of getting him to wear something other than underwear to bed...and to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Sitting on the edge of the bed he cupped the angels small face in his hand running his thumb over a large bruise across the poor angels flawless cheek. With a hiss of pain Cloud's eyes flew open. Leon's hand was gone faster than Cloud could process what was happening. "Im sorry." He said quietly. "I didnt mean to wake you I was looking at your bruise."

"Don't be sorry." Cloud said sleepily. "Its your bed. I'll go."

Leon pressed a firm hand against the angel's chest. "Go where? and how?"

"Home and I thought I'd walk." Cloud eyed the rough hand warily.

Leon followed his gaze and quickly jerked it back. "Sorry."

"Its fine."

"You dont have to leave. You can just stay here. I mean you really don't need to be walking around in your condition and I dont like the idea of you walking in the dark and Aerith already talked to Zach and stuff so ...I mean...you could just stay here."

As Cloud watched the schools star quarter back/stoic/"Major hunk hottie" he couldnt help but smile. Squal Leonhart stumbling over words, even more Squal Leonhart speaking words! None of his groupies would believe it. He wanted to reach out and touch him but he settled for a sleepy "It's ok. Ill stay." Cloud suddenly felt very aware of the fact that he was in Squal Leonharts bed and Squal Leonhart's butt just so happened to be right next to his hand. …. He moved his hand quickly. Leon smiled at Cloud suddenly feeling much more confident. Picking up his angel Leon moved him gently to the side of the bed closer to the wall. Cloud eyed the brunette suspiciously. "You were on my side of the bed."

Cloud chuckled, "Great you have a 'side'."

"Yea, got a problem with that?" Leon replied poking Cloud playfully in the side.

"No," He laughed, "not at all."

With a very protective, very strong, very capable Leon behind him Cloud fell asleep easily. And with a very soft, very beautiful, very amazing Cloud in front of him Leon drifted off quickly as well.