Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII and I don't make any money with this writing.

Auhtors note: Tons of thanks to the awe writer BMIK, for the betaing and for the support- without you it wouldn't be possible!

Chapter 7- Comfort

Fifteen days had passed since Yazoo had found the hovel and Vincent Valentine. Or rather, Mr Valentine as he was calling the raven haired man.

A tiny scar on his back and a still red spot in the center of his chest was proof of how bad he had been. It still hurt and some movements, like walking or staying up for a long time, were hard to do. Though Vincent brought food for them, Yazoo hadn't much of an appetite; he forced himself to eat but minutes later he was puking in the bathroom.

Yazoo was so pale and had lost so much weight, that he was even avoiding to look at his face in the bath room mirror.

Later Vincent had told him, that it had been a matter of minutes, or he wouldn't have been able to withstand the poison and death would have been certain. Surprised to receive such good care from a stranger, Yazoo only thanked the man, not talking too much. He wanted to ask why he was being so kind, but the experience with the old ladies told him there were still good people around. He wondered if he was blessed or cursed. He was safe for now, but lost in the hands of a stranger. He wanted to talk with his brothers, especially Kadaj, but he didn't know what to say. He wanted Reno, but not to go back either

When he was in a particularly bad mood one morning, Vincent knocked on the door and entered the room, wearing a different attire than his usual, shabby red cape. He was dressed in black leather like a rider, his hair was combed and locked in a pony tail. Yazoo never had thought about Mr Valentine´s beauty, but the man was quite a vision this morning. He didn't answered when Vincent spoke with him, Yazoo was mute as if he was seeing the man for the first time.

"Why are you scared? I live here did you forget? I' ll have a friend here today."

Yazoo sat on the bed and if he hadn't been too weak to travel, he would't be here with that mostly harsh and taciturn man, anyway." He has a date! That´s why he is well dressed and smelling good."

"I can move to somewhere else."

"I didn't mean it like that. You can stay here at your room,Yazoo."

My room? Since when?

Vincent was a mystery to Yazoo and the bad thing for the boy was that sometimes, Yazoo felt like he himself wasn't a puzzle to Vincent at all. It was as if Mr Valentine could see what Yazoo was thinking, when he stared at him with those red, flaming eyes. And this was very strange for someone known as very talented when it came to hiding his emotions like Yazoo was.

"I dont want to bother you."

"You aren't and besides, you do know him already."

A thightness in his heart made Yazoo straighten up from his position on the bed.

"Excuse me?"

"Cloud Strife."

"What?"

Yazoo stood up in shock, ready to scape, but his limbs betrayed him and he fell into Vincent's arms. Again. Vincent glared at him, hissing about how stubborn the boy was, holding Yazoo by his slender hips to support his weight and carefully sitting him back on the bed.

"He smells so good. What?!"

More ashamed than ever, Yazoo felt his cheeks burn as he was raised by the man as if he was nothing but a light package. Vincent sat on the edge of the bed, keeping a respectful distance from Yazoo.

"I won't go back to Midgar. I'm going to Gongaga." Yazoo's breath was short and he crossed his arms over his chest, causing a worried look from Vincent.

"Sure. When you are able to walk."

"Did you tell Cloud that I was here? Why?"

"You're a remnant, who was dying in my house. From where do you thing I got the healing materia?"

They stared at each other. Yazoo wanted to tell him all about his life, his disillusionment with Reno and Kadaj, how he still missed them both and Loz too, and how lost he felt. Everything. But his fear to get hurt again and stumble into an ambush stopped him.

"I only want to start a new life. Without people judging me as a clone, or remnant or evil. I'm not ungrateful, though I must leave your house now. Thank you for everything. I promise, I'll return what you did for me."

"Stay here and meet Cloud."

"Why are you keeping me here? What interest can you possibly have in help me?"

"First, I am not keeping you, second Cloud asked me to help you. Third, even if he hadn't asked, I wouldn't have let you die inside my house. I don't want trouble either with your brothers nor Shinra's turks."

"Why did you say that? Who else is coming ?"

Yazoo's lips got slightly pale and he tightened the hand on his chest. Vincent got closer and with his gauntled arm, he touched the boys hand, making Yazoo twitched in surprise. Noticing the boy's discomfort, Vincent softened his voice and dropped the hand off of Yazoo.

"Even if you don't want to be a Sephiroth's remnant, you are one for those who fought against your old goals. You're saver here than outside, but the choice is yours. Don't worry Yazoo, Cloud really wants to help you. And I won't tell anyone that you are here because I have nothing to do with your business. Relax boy."

Vincent stood up from the bed, walked to the door and left the room, while Yazoo curled up in a fetal position and thought over his situation.

"How, in the name of Gaia, have I ended up in the house of a man, who is Clouds friend?

He saved me. He is helping me and I really can't do nothing about it, because I'm sick.

My body, my mind, my soul. Sweet Shiva I never was so screwed as I am now...I have to put the pride in my pocket...and swallow its."

The knocks on the door made Yazoo come back to reality and with a mix of relief and mistrust he saw the spikey haired blond come in alone and pulling a chair beside his bed.

They greeted each other with a nod and Yazoo sat on the bed, anxiously twisting his fingers under the blanket.

It was quite funny to watch a dialogue between two men of few words. Cloud was a straight to the point person as was Yazoo and with no further ado, Cloud made his entrance. Kadaj and Loz were fine but very worried about Yazoo's lack of calls.

Yazoo listened to Cloud with his eyes cast downwards but from time to time he glanced up at the blond, biting his lower lip.

"Don't worry Yazoo. I came to help you. Kadaj told Tifa and she told me that you had left to who knows where. Then Vincent came to ask help for a boy he suspected be one of the brothers...my brothers."

Cloud was still getting used to the idea of brotherhood with Loz, Kadaj and Yazoo. Though since the boys had returned from Lifestream he had taken them in and promised, that no one would hurt them. Why? Cloud really didn't know, but he felt in his core that it was the right thing to do. Perhaps they really were connected by the Jenova's cells, or it was just the guilt he felt towards Aerith, Sephiroth, Zack...The blond guy had a pretty long list.

"I won't stay for long and soon I'll move again, Cloud. When I have settled things, I'll give them notice."

"Yazoo, listen to me. Please. I won't tell them where you are if you don't want me to."

Cloud lifted from his side a heavy duffel bag and took a phone out of it.

"I just ask you to call us at least once a week. Your brothers need to know you're fine. I'm not judging your motives to leave, but they need this from you. Tifa sent this bag with clothes, some personal things and a few gils."

"I- I can't."

Cloud narrowed his eyes and lowered his head. He really wasn't in the mood to deal with an emotional crisis. It was more than embarrassing, listening to Kadajs minutely explanations, why Yazoo got away from home. He wasn't a conservative person or homophobic, he only had another, very different point of view about family. He never had been exactly comfortable at see Yazoo and Kadaj living with Reno and when Loz asked or rather: begged- to live at the bar, he agreed.

Though, he became more wary about that little family. He was one of the chosen to take care of the boys, after their rejection from the life stream. So was Reno, who had another, less fraternal, way of dealing with the boys...When Cloud heard that Yazoo had left Reno, he, in a way, had been relieved. Now, his next step was to bring Kadaj to live with him and Tifa.

"You were lucky to survive a train disaster, a flying lizard's poison and Vincent Valentine thinking you're a thief. Don't abuse of your good luck. Or your body. This poison, even with the powerful materia cure, still runs on your blood stream. Your heart will be damaged at least for one month. Take your time, rest till you feel better to move. And give them notice as soon as you can, please and you can stay here as long as you want. Vincent doesn't mind in any way."

Silently, Cloud extended the phone to Yazoo. The boy took it and placed it on the bedside table. They remained silent for a minute or so, Yazoo wondering about his old home and Cloud wondering if Yazoo would accept his offer.

"Cloud, who is Mr Vincent Valentine?'

Cloud frowned at the question. Vincent wasn't exactly a lord of warmness and good manners, surely he had scared even a cold, dangerous Yazoo.

"A good man with a sad and tortured past. Hes my best friend and you can trust him, Yazoo."

The silver hair boy took the phone from the table and turned it on, the funny electronic music cutting through the silence of the room.

"Ok. I'll do as you say Cloud. Though, I'm free to leave any time I want to. No contacts for now."

"Thank you Yazoo."

Having said that, Cloud stood up from the chair and nodded towards Yazoo, pressing the boys hand. When Cloud was near the door, Yazoo took a deep breath and summoning all his strength he asked what he was mad to know. Reno. He needed to know how Reno was dealing with his absence, what was happening in Midgar.

"He's frequently at the bar. But I don't know more than this. We aren't really close..."

"Is he drinking too much?"

'Well, I never saw him in any other mood but drunk."

Cloud opened the door but waited. He knew Yazoo wanted to ask another question, but he'd never push it.

"Cloud? Are Kadaj and Reno living together?"

"Kadaj still lives there. Hes very rueful."

Yazoo's throat tightened and he turned his head to the window, answering with a faint thank you for Cloud's honest reply. The spikey haired blond lowered his head; he didn't want to see the hurt on Yazoo's eyes.

"Yazoo...Count on Vincent for anything you need."

Cloud closed the door, and as soon he left the room, Yazoo covered himself with the blanket, pulling it over his scalp.