Create Me
A Final Fantasy VII Advent Children fan fiction
Chapter Nine: Forever In You
By: Something Dysfunctional
Pairings: Cloud/Kadaj, slight mention of Cloud/Aerith and Cloud/Sephiroth
Disclaimer: Okay, okay, okay... I KNOW I've been slacking, but that's because while I was writing this, TWO more stories came to mind to write, and in a heartbeat, I was like, "OMG! I HAVE to get this down!" One's a Fruits Basket story called, "The Urge" and the other one is a Final Fantasy VIII story called, "Driven". Please, go check them out! You won't be disappointed, guys! I've been struggling with work and family problems right now, so, please, bear with me. More reviews would be LOVELY! -grins- You all are just DYING to know about that art exhibit and the contest. So am I. -cackles- Review nicely and happy reading! Arigatou!
-NOTE: I listened to "Shinning Collection," from the anime Gravitation, "Gomenasai" by t.A.T.u., and A LOT of BoA songs. I can't really remember everything... haha.-
Dozens of people gathered around the rooms, taking in all the artwork and pieces, critizing and praising as snow fell on during the night, the promise of Christmas lingering in the air. It was a black and white formal, so all the ladies looked their best, taking time with their hair and make-up. The gentlemen dressed in tuxedos, some with slicked-back hair that gleamed in the dim light or well-trimmed hairstyle, faces clean-shaven. Cologne and perfume hung in the air, making Tifa want to die in her spot. Standing gracefully, the waitress wore a long, silk gown that was spaghetti-strapped and flowing, her hair piled up on the top of her head in a cascade of oak brown curls, her make-up light and natural, a pair of dangling diamond earrings gracing her ears. She wore white satin opera gloves and held a wine glass in her hand, the ruby red liquid contrasting off of her prettily. Her eyes scanned the area, looking for the familiar mop of blonde spikes. She was excited for the man, but more importantly, she would get to see a piece of his for the first time. She saw a flash of silver and her heard perked up some, seeing Kadaj come her way in a handsome tuxedo, his hair tied back in a black ribbon, his bangs hanging from the sides of his face instead of hiding it, making him seem more younger, though his eyes were bright and sparkling, holding deep wisdom in them for such a punk. "Hi there... uhh... Miss Lockheart," he remembered, smiling largely. Tifa smiled back, charmed by his warmth. "Hello, Kadaj. Are you ready for his unveiling," she asked in a eager tone. Kadaj nodded. "I haven't even seen it. He wouldn't let anyone see it. Including me. So, in a sense, I'm kind of nervous," he said, his voice dropping down some, eyes lowering. Tifa placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and squeezed it some. "Don't worry. I'm sure it's beautiful."
"All of his works are."
The two turned to see Yuffie and Cid standing there, dressed up as well. Yuffie wasn't wearing her usual bright colors, donning a black and white polka-dotted dress that was strapless and short, black fishnet ruffles peeking from the bottom. Her hair had been styled with slight waves in the dark brown hair, a black rose hair piece behind her ear. Cid looked well groomed in his tux and nodded his head at Tifa and to Kadaj. "You've seen them all, though. You're his niece. You had the privilege," Kadaj muttered. Yuffie shook her head. "I wasn't allowed to see this one, though, right, Daddy?" Cid nodded. "It's true. I knew Cloud liked showin' Yuffie here first, but when he told her, 'No', I thought she was gonna have a heart-attack or sumthin' like that," he drawled, blue eyes boring into Kadaj's jade ones. The teen grinned and with that said, the three walked around the gallery, observing all the other artwork, not noticing the tall man following them carefully with the piercing, bright aquamarine eyes.
Cloud was in the bathroom, fixing his bow tie and sighing heavily, a great weight pressing down on his chest. What if he didn't win? What would happen to Kadaj? Sephiroth had a lot of power in a lot of places and could use it against everyone to get what he wanted. Fear flooded his veins and Cloud groaned, banging his head on the mirror. What had he gotten himself into? Why did he listen to Yuffie and put something in! Turning his head some, the blonde stared at the wall, trying to collect himself.
'You did it to show that you were worthy above Sephiroth,' came the little voice inside of his head. Cloud shook his head. "I did it because I thought I COULD still," he muttered, closing his azure eyes. 'No, you didn't. You still have it in you. It didn't die along with Sephiroth or Aerith. You hid it, refusing to show your talent again because you thought it hurt people or made them turn against you. This is YOUR gift. Not his.' Blinking in realization, the artist lifted his head, not believing what his conscience just told him. "It's right. Holy piss, it's right..." Grinning some, he looked once more in the mirror at his appearance. The tamed look wasn't him. Running his hands through his pulled back hair and shaking it loose, his spikes appeared, wild and free. Squaring his shoulders, he walked out of the bathroom into the gallery, ready to display his piece.
A hush fell over the crowd as the townspeople saw their Cloud Strife cross to the large canvas that covered most of the wall, a white sheet draped over it. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming out tonight to the art show. I'm most pleased that I am allowed to show you my piece last. Please, may I show you," Cloud's voice rang though the room, making Kadaj smiled largely, a shiver running down his spine. He straightened up when he saw the man stare directly at him and a wave of closeness ran though him. Cloud smiled and pulled down the sheet, a large gasp emitting from everyone, their eyes widening, a murmur running through the crowd. Kadaj felt something tug at his heart as he stared on, in awe like everyone else was, a dark blush staining his cheeks.
The piece was of a young boy, pale and graceful, with shinning, layered silver hair and hooded jade eyes that appeared to be cat-like. He was nude with midnight black angel wings protruding from his back. A mysterious smile played on his pearly pink lips as if he knew something that the people didn't. He was facing profile left, his head turned as if looking out of the canvas. However...
the other half of the painting was what made it Cloud's true piece.
A woman with long, honey-brown hair that flowed over her peachy shoulders stared out with aqua-colored eyes and bore a motherly smile, her features delicate and beautiful. A pink ribbon was woven into her hair, pure white angel wings coming from her back as well, her body nude. The two were holding hands, back to back, feathers falling around them as they stood in a ocean, mixed with a myriad of colors of blue, green, yellow, white, gray, and gold. Above their heads was half a moon and half a sun, the moon above the boy's head and the sun over the woman's, their symbols. Kadaj felt tears smart his eyes and a hand came up to cover his mouth at the sheer beauty and splendor that was Cloud's talent. Everything in the piece looked so dreamy and life-like that it made him fall more in love with the man; harder. So, THAT was Aerith that Cloud spoke of once... a memory stirred within his head as he recalled that afternoon, laying in the bed with Cloud after love-making...
"There's a lot of pictures of this woman in your old sketchbooks. Who is she?" Cloud leaned his head back on the pillow, closing his eyes. "My first real love. Her name was Aerith Gainsborough. We were both supposed to be artists together, but... she got sick and the sickness took her away from me. She was so young, Kadaj. Full of life and happiness... and I lost her. Forever, she is always with me. But-! That doesn't mean that I can't love again," he said, looking over at the nearly slumbering boy, nuzzling his nose. Kadaj giggled and snuggled deep into the man's body, after closing the tattered sketchbook and placing it on the nightstand. "She seems nice. I wish I could've met her," he yawned, nodding off cutely. Cloud paused, pursing his lips in thought. "Hmmm... yeah. She would like that." He continued to think and then was soon falling asleep along side the boy.
A silence hung in the air as the spectators looked on, too captivated and too distracted. Tifa looked over at the boy and felt her heart swell as she saw how lovingly he stared at Cloud. Putting her hands together, she started clapping, and soon, the people cheered and applauded loudly, making the blonde startled, his eyes wide with surprise. He wasn't expecting for the audience to be this taken with him. Making his way into the sea of people, he found his source, his muse, his inspiration standing before him, tears coursing down his red cheeks, eyes bright. Cloud embraced him tightly, burying his face in the platnium hair, the sobbing vibrating though his chest as Kadaj clung to him. Yuffie sniffled loudly, wiping her streaming eyes the best she could, her father standing behind her, a struggling look crossing over his face as they stared at the canvas, seeing the woman and young man that both loved their family member captured in the painting. "He did it, Daddy... it's so... so... beautiful...!" Cid nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah. He did. I'm proud of him."
"Well, I guess the votes are unanimous," came a deep, velvety voice. The people's heads turned, seeing a dark stranger standing before them, with dark red eyes and a small smile, wearing a all black tuxedo, no tie, his hair long and loose, his fingernails painted black and rings adorning his long, white fingers. Vincent Valentine jerked his head some to the painting. "The winner is?" The judges pressed together, talking in hushed tones and some waved their hands, trying to decide. Other contestants looked on, a nervous expression on their faces, including Cloud's. Kadaj squeezed his hand assumingly, closing his eyes and started doing what he had never done before.
He prayed.
"The winner... of the Midgar Art Gallery is..."
Cloud drew in a breath, trying to steady his heart as he then met the hard gaze of Sephiroth before him, glaring at him with burning eyes, silver hair pooling over his shoulders. Cloud frowned and held the boy close to him as the next thing the judge say nearly made him fall over-
"Cloud Strife!"
Such a cry of approval and happiness rang through-out the gallery, making the walls tremble and the floor shake. Vincent smiled on, watching the couple before him cling to each other and people crowded around them, congratulating him and Kadaj. Turning his head, he saw Sephiroth fuming angrily. Amusement tickled the tall man and so, Vincent moved off from the wall and made his way to the ex-swordsman. "So, you lost the bet and Cloud is free. It's time to let by-gones be by-gones, Seph. Let him be happy for once," Vincent said in a low tone. Sephiroth turned to him, his face expressionless. "Oh? Well, Vin, let me tell you... he will never be happy because if I'M not happy, no one will." The guitarist blinked slowly, shaking his head some. "You assume too much and yet, you think too stupidly. You are not going to win this. Their bond is too strong, Sephiroth. Stop while you are ahead," Vincent then growled, his eyes flashing bright red as he tilted his head down some, baring his teeth. Though he was with the boy for a few months, he still cared for him and for Kadaj to love Cloud so much and for the man to love him back, Vincent felt he should protect them both.
Sephiroth sneered at the pale man and flicked back loose strands of silver, walking out of the gallery with a whish! of his tuxedo tails. Vincent stared after him with hatred burning in his eyes and then closed them, knowing that the worst was coming for the two.
Kadaj danced in the snow, laughing like a little child, arms opened to the night sky, trying to catch all the flakes that fell on him, his thick black coat snug around him and a light red scarf around his neck. He bent back his head and closed his eyes, feeling the snow brush against him, clinging to his face and hair. He heard a deep chuckling and looked behind him, seeing Cloud shaking his head and smiling. Kadaj ran to the blonde and jumped into his arms, hugging him hard. "Congrats, babe. You did it," he whispered into his ear and pulled back, grinning toothily. Cloud cocked his head to the side some and stared at the boy in front of him like he always did.
"What?"
"Nothing..."
"You're lying. What is it?"
Cloud pressed his forehead against the teen's and murmured, "I'm in love. That's it." Kadaj laughed heartily and pressed his lips against the blonde's, welcoming the heat that radiated from them. Hands gripped the thin body close to the stronger one, bending back Kadaj's head with a gloved hand, deepening the kiss further. Opening his mouth, Cloud's tongue wrapped eagerly around Kadaj's, a tangle of dominance and sheer romance. Pulling back, the boy sighed as if it were coming deep from within him, eyes closed in pure bliss. "I'm so happy, Cloud. This has been the first time in my life that I've truly felt so happy and free. Free from what I grew up with... free from my suffering and just everything that was falling and crumbling around me. You built me back up, Cloud, and it's only been you," the teen went on in a light voice, daring that none of this was a fantasy or a dream and that he didn't have to wake up from it. Silence met him and Kadaj's eyes flickered to Cloud's, seeing them unusually bright. "What's wrong?"," he asked. The blonde set Kadaj on the ground, snow crunching underneath his feet. He felt hands cup around his face, lifting it to meet the steady gaze of Cloud's. "I was going to wait until Christmas Day, but... I think I want to give you your gift now," he murmured.
Kadaj's eyes went wide. "No! Don't do that! Please, wait...!"
"But it's killing you RIGHT now what it is."
"Ha! I was right!"
Kadaj laughed some and peered deep into the kind eyes. "So, what is it? I might as well take it now or my curiosity will eat me alive," he joked. Cloud felt his heart skip a beat at what he was about to do. It was so tricky, and so dangerous- he wouldn't know if Kadaj would accept him or not... but, it was worth a shot, wasn't it? Taking a deep breath, he pulled out a small box from his pocket and leaned down to Kadaj's eat, his hot breath tickling the outer shell, making the silver-haired boy's eyes flutter some. "I want you to be with me.
Always."
The box pressed against Kadaj's chest, making the boy look down in surprisment and then, joy flooded within him in overwhelming waves. Shakily, he took the box and pried the lid open, seeing a bright white-gold band glittering in the street lamp, delicate carvings on the surface like that of angel wings. Gaping, he took the ring in his trembling hand and stared at it hard, daring to believe it. His eyes shifted to Cloud's face, seeing an expression of worriment and hope. Swallowing hard, the man asked in a shaky voice, "Well?" Kadaj opened his mouth and closed it, looking from the band to Cloud, and then back and forth. The snow continued to fall harder around them, making the young boy shiver slightly to the cold. Cloud was beginning to panic. It was taking too long for Kadaj to answer...! Shifting on his foot, he sighed and bowed his head. "Well, I feel like an idiot," he muttered and turned away from. Suddenly, he was thrown on his back into a large mound of snow, a scuttle of flying flurries going everywhere, hot lips against his once more. Pulling back fast, Kadaj's jade eyes were alighted, a bright flush over his face, and silver hair disarray, a large smile beaming at the befuddled Cloud.
"HELL YES, I WILL!"
Aaaawww, it was a sweet chapter! Sorry for no hot, steamy yaoi in this one, but the NEXT one might, so... yeah. -evil grin- I love to keep you guys on. It seems a little short, but, meh... I blame work. My brain is so shot and I'm just not all here. How I managed to write this chapter is beyond me.
-Seraphim- "Ahem."
Oh. Right. The muse who LACKS to be there for me... -grumbled-
-Seraphim- "Oh, please! And what do you do! You sit around after work doing MySpace and reading yaoi fan fiction when you OUGHT to write your own, baka!"
Don't pay attention to the angel-winged muse. She tends to talk crazy talk. PRESS THAT BUTTON DOWN THERE AND REVIEW, MY LIL' BAKAS! ---the moonlight carries the message of Love-
SD
