A/N: I was going to save this chapter for tomorrow since I have very little time right now, but ChrK has requested it to be posted before the weekend and since there's the threat of snow over the weekend where ChrK is from, how could I refuse?! Being from Canada as well, I feel your pain. *hugs*
I gave this a quick re-over before posting so I apologize for any errors. I will fix those up afterwards; it's just I'm in a rush right now so I may have missed things. Hope you enjoy!
-o-o-o-
Cloud felt good the next morning. He wasn't sure if it was the excitement of spending the day with Leon, a part of that just the two of them, or the excitement of recalling every detail of the dreams he had the night before of the brunet. Either way, it all amounted to the same thing: he was completely smitten with Leon.
He woke up with a huge grin on his face, the image of those nonchalant eyes watching him intently fading as his mind completely woke up. Cloud arched his back off the bed with a massive stretch, reaching his arms over his head and extending his legs until his muscles shuddered with relief. He felt more than good; he felt absolutely amazing.
Nothing could break his good mood that morning, not even his mother as she complained almost all morning about this and that, Cloud making the most negligible of acknowledgements while he ate his breakfast before retreating back to his room to prepare for the upcoming day. He showered, enjoying in the warm water as it cascaded down his body and started thinking about what he was going to wear. He wanted to look good but he didn't want to make it obvious that he was aiming for 'attractive' as this was just suppose to be a night out with the guys.
He tapped his lower lip with his finger and he looked into his closet once dried off from the shower. He couldn't remember the last time he put this much thought into the way he dressed. By no means was he the sloppy type, but he dressed for comfort more than for looks. He used to put some thought into it, but that was a long time ago. Things had changed since then.
He pulled out a dark pair of cargo pants and held them up against his waist before looking back into the closet for a shirt that would both look good and match these pants but frowned when he didn't like the options. He tossed his pants to the ground and rummaged through his shirts, finding a casual white collared shirt with pin stripes before snorting and throwing that on the ground as well.
He went back to tapping his lower lip before he rolled his eyes at himself. He wasn't going on a date so he didn't know why it mattered so much what he wore; it was unlikely Leon would take notice of his clothes. His heart fluttered slightly at the thought of the brunet as he reached back into his closet and pulled out a white long-sleeved tee with a black design across one side. He decided to stop being such a girl and pulled out a pair of cargo jeans, dressing himself after spending another few moments pondering over which boxers to wear, not like it would make a difference.
Once dressed, Cloud stood in front of his mirror and looked himself over. He was generally pleased with the way he looked, the shirt he had picked out showing both how slender he was as well as the muscles framing his body. He nodded to himself with a smirk before frowning at his hair. Cowlicks were a bitch and he hated the way his hair spiked at the most random places. Even though years of experience taught him that there just was no fighting this curse, he tried to flatten his hair anyhow, rolling his eyes when his spikes bounced back into place. He had tried gelling them once before but they turned into deadly weapons and he was afraid of taking someone's eye out.
Once deciding to let his hair be, Cloud took a few steps closer to the mirror and examined the bruise on his jaw and his healing split lip. Both still looked rather painful and he hoped no one would ask about them that night when the others joined him and Leon at the pool hall. He didn't feel like getting into that with people he didn't know. Hell, he didn't like getting into that with people he did know.
He ran a thumb over his lip and almost smiled at the memory of Leon doing the same to him the night he stayed over at the brunet's. He wished he knew what Leon was thinking when he touched him like that, or what was going through his mind when he studied the bruise on his back. The conflicting emotions of sadness from seeing the almost-sorrow in the brunet's eyes and exhilaration of being touched so intimately by the object of his affection waged a war in the blond's head and he didn't know what to make of it. He tried not to think too much of it since that would lead to an obsession of trying to figure it out which ran the risk jeopardizing their new friendship. The moments those hands were on him, though – Cloud let out a small sigh and tried to hide his smile from himself. His whole world fell away and the only thing that was left was Leon and himself.
Cloud didn't know how long he was out of it but he seemed to snap back to reality when he noticed that he was still touching his lips with the tip of his finger. He let his hand fall to his side as he scrutinized himself in the mirror. It's not like Leon would notice him in the way he wished he would, but Cloud wanted to look subtly incredible. That thought caused a new thought to pop into his head: what kind of girl was Leon into? A jolt of jealousy flashed through Cloud's mind causing his heart rate to pick up slightly but he couldn't help but wonder if Leon ever cared about a girl intimately before. If he had, who was the lucky bitch and what did she look like? Cloud narrowed his eyes at himself in the mirror and shook his head. Drama queen…
He had time to kill so Cloud began working on his homework since he wasn't sure when he'd get a chance to complete it that weekend. Things were normally up in the air with his mother's behaviour and he'd rather be safe now than sorry later. He didn't notice the time pass before his cell phone began to ring pulling him from his textbook.
His heart leapt as he all but flew to his dresser to retrieve his phone, a wide smile spreading across his lips as Leon's name appeared on the display.
"Hey," Cloud said a little too enthusiastically as he flipped his phone open, shaking his head at his own patheticness. He glanced at himself in the mirror again and tried to erase the huge smile he was sporting, groaning in the process as it refused to go away.
"You okay?" Leon asked in response to Cloud's groan, a tinge of worry lacing his tone.
"Yeah," Cloud answered, blushing slightly at not being able to control himself at the moment. "Just spilled my water on the desk." he lied, turning away from the mirror. Watching himself was becoming too painful. It wasn't as though Leon could see him at the moment but Cloud was embarrassed with himself.
"That's unfortunate," Leon responded, voice returning to the cool tone Cloud was used to before Cloud heard the distinctive sound of a zipper on the other end of the line.
"Are you ready to head out?" Cloud asked, listening for any other indication of what was going on at Leon's place.
"No, not yet; just checking in with you." Leon answered as a shuffling sound became the prominent background noise. "What time do you want to head out for lunch?"
Cloud looked over at his alarm clock and was shocked to find that it was already after one in the afternoon. Where had the morning gone? "Whenever you're ready, I suppose. I'm all set."
Cloud heard more shuffling sounds before Leon softly cursed under his breath.
"What's going on over there?" Cloud asked, not able to suppress his curiousity any longer.
"Just got out of the shower; trying to get dressed with one hand."
Cloud's heart jumped into his throat. Leon was… almost naked when he called him? The zipper sound, shuffling – Cloud's mouth went dry and he wondered for the life of him: why? He cleared his throat and bit his lower lip, flinching as his teeth grazed over his split lip. "You know, you could have called me after you got dressed." Cloud tried to sound normal with an air of lighthearted teasing.
"In hindsight, that would have been a better idea." Leon said coolly. "I'll meet you at your place when I'm done here. Give me ten minutes and I'll head out."
Cloud nodded before rolling his eyes at himself. "Sounds good."
There was a moment of silence before Leon spoke again. "Umm… do I ring the doorbell or are you jumping out of your window again?"
Cloud chuckled. "I'll wait for you on the porch; less broken bones that way."
"Yeah," Leon agreed. "See you within a half an hour."
Cloud paced around in his room waiting for time to pass but it seemed like it was going slower than normal. His mind was still racing over the thought of a half-naked Leon talking to him on the phone causing his body to tingle slightly. He tried to imagine what a shower-wet, half-naked Leon would look like as he pulled up his pants with a phone balancing between his ear and shoulder and decided to stop as his body began responding very inappropriately to the image his head came up with.
Cloud rubbed his eyes with his hands before deciding that fresh air would do him good. He would wait on the porch.
Cloud couldn't keep his eyes from staring intently down the road waiting for the brunet to appear. His heart would flutter every time he noticed someone from down the road walking towards his house but as they drew closer he would frown with disappointment. He couldn't believe how much of a girl he was being right now and that thought caused him to look down and grin. Infatuation was a funny thing. It caused him to be so much more excited about a day out with the guys than he should be. It made his stomach feel tight with anticipation just at the thought of the brunet, let alone spending time with him alone before the others showed up. It made him appreciate the beautiful day so much more than he would have had he not been going out with Leon. It made him jump in surprise as a figure approached his house; Leon, sporting his normal impassive expression watching the blond deep in thought. At least he did alright with his recovery.
"Hey," Cloud said with a smile, standing up from the step he was sitting on before making his way towards the curb.
Leon kept his eyes on the blond and nodded with a quick tightening of the lips. Only feet away, Cloud couldn't help but glance at what Leon was wearing, suppressing a grin as he thought about that image of a shower-wet, half-naked Leon.
"Well, that's a relief. I almost wore the same thing." Leon said impassively, eyes grazing over Cloud then resting back on baby blues.
Cloud tilted his head before looking down at his clothes. "R-really?" he asked, stuttering only slightly.
The corner of Leon's lip gave a little twitch before his eyes seemed to have relaxed. "I was kidding…"
"It's hard to tell with you." Cloud said, a smile cracking across his features. "You don't necessarily express yourself in the most readable manner."
"I like to keep you on your toes." Leon joked, eyes slightly narrowing before he began walking again, Cloud a pace behind him.
"You accomplish that without your little jokes." Cloud added, wishing he hadn't said that the second the words left his mouth. He couldn't explain that one if Leon asked about it, and just as Cloud's luck would have dictated –
"How do I do that?" Leon asked, stopping and glancing over his shoulder, allowing Cloud to catch up.
Cloud bit his lip and looked down at the pavement. He was definitely not sure how to answer than question without letting the truth slip and the truth was not something he wanted to tell Leon. That would set an awkward tone for the rest of their day.
"Where do you want to eat?" Cloud asked, skipping over the question entirely and without any grace whatsoever.
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly at the blond in an amused way before looking back out in front of him. "Zell told me of a place nearby with good food."
"Where?" Cloud asked, a smile forming once again at the sight of this beautiful man.
"Teethers," Leon answered before looking over to Cloud. "Have you ever been?"
Cloud tried hard not to react but he was sure that his eyebrows twitched slightly and his smile threatened to explode across his face. "I have. Good food; nice place, but…"
Leon waited for him to continue that sentence but after a moment of silence he decided to prompt the blond further. "But what?"
Cloud ran a hand through his hair and bit his lip to suppress his grin. "It's, umm… great food, yeah but uhh… well, it's sort of known as the date spot around here." He waited for Leon's face to scrunch up with disgust and threaten to kill Zell but it never happened.
"Does that make you uncomfortable?" Leon asked, eyes watching the blond's carefully.
Cloud's heart stopped beating at the moment and his chest felt like it was trying to crush his ribs. He couldn't believe that response and what's worse - he didn't know what to make of it. Did Leon just want to try the supposedly good food that he didn't care whether people thought they were on a date or did he mean this was sort of like a date for them? He wished he knew which one it was because that would make choosing his next response so much easier. He pondered over this for a moment before Leon sighed and stopped walking.
"It does make you uncomfortable… I'm sorry."
Cloud's eyes went wide as they shot up to look into the brunet's. "No! No, no. It doesn't make me uncomfortable."
Leon's expression was impossible to read as he searched the blond's face. "It's okay, Cloud. We don't have to eat there."
"I want to eat there." Cloud said desperately before he cringed at how he sounded. He was now unsure of what Leon thought about him being so desperate to eat at the date spot.
Leon paused before tightened his lips. "Can we talk about this elephant in the room?"
Cloud's heart stopped once more and he looked down at the pavement. "I would prefer we not…" he said meekly.
Leon's eyes searched Cloud's downturned face before he nodded, resuming their walk. "I still want to eat at Teethers." he said, glad once the blond started following him again.
"Sounds good to me." the blond responded, glad he dodged that bullet but was still a little upset at himself for not being able to hide his feelings for Leon. Now it was official that Leon knew how he felt; he couldn't think of anything else Leon would be referring to when he said 'elephant in the room'. He shook his head and decided not to let that ruin the rest of their day.
Lunch went on a normal as possible considering the circumstances, the elephant remaining as quiet as Cloud could have hoped. They chatted about pool mostly, the meal going by with the neutral topic putting both boys at ease. When the waitress came by to see if they needed anything else, they both declined before she asked whether the bill was together or separate.
Cloud answered separated at the same time Leon answered together causing that awkward little moment for the waitress as she waited for them to agree.
"I got it." Leon said to the waitress. She smiled with a nod before leaving them to fetch their bill.
"Leon," Cloud started, shaking his head. "You paid for me last time. If anything, I should be paying for you."
"That doesn't matter." Leon said watching the blond draw circles on the table with the condensation from his glass. "I'm just glad you wanted to come out with me today."
Cloud looked up from his patterns and tilted his head. "Glad? I'm happy you invited me out."
Leon's lips tightened lightheartedly and he nodded. "I just wanted to spend some time with you."
Cloud felt his heart pick up pace as he absorbed what Leon had just said. He couldn't believe the words Leon was choosing and it all made this feel like it really was a date. He, again, didn't want to get his hopes up and decided to play it cool. "I would have been stuck in my room probably studying all day, so it worked out for the both of us." He was pleased for throwing the ball back into Leon's court so flawlessly. What he really wanted to say would have turned him into a mushy, awe-struck girl.
The waitress came back with their bill. Leon left cash on the table and stood up, Cloud following suit before they both left the restaurant.
Idle chitchat filled the space between them as they made their way towards the pool hall. Time seemed to be flying by them as they chatted about whatever crossed their mind at that moment. Cloud was thoroughly enjoying himself and Leon seemed to be having a good time as well.
Once they arrived at the pool hall, Leon reserved three tables close to one another just in case it got busy before Eric and the others came. Cloud followed him to a table in the corner of the large room and grinned at the pool cues.
"I hope you have patience, Leon, because you're going to need it with the way I play."
Leon's eyes watched the blond as he picked up a cue and examined the tip. Cloud didn't notice the brunet watching him as he chalked the tip and tapped the butt of the cue on the ground.
"I'm sure you're not that terrible." Leon said as he reached down and began racking the balls.
Cloud smiled up at Leon and tilted his head. "You don't know me that well; you can't be sure of anything."
Leon prepped a cue for himself before motioning towards the balls. "Wanna break?"
Cloud laughed and shook his head. "I'm not about to embarrass myself right off the bat. You'd better do it."
Leon shook his head and moved to Cloud's side. "I want to see you do it. I can't teach you how to become better if I don't see how bad you really are, can I?"
Cloud rubbed the back of his head and closed one eye. "Promise not to laugh?"
"When have you ever seen me laugh?" Leon responded smartly, causing the blond to chuckle before leaning over to make the break.
"You got me there," Cloud said as he took his aim. "Here goes nothing."
Cloud aimed before taking his shot. The cue ball flew towards the others and broke them apart with a loud snap, balls breaking formation but not going too far. He let out a sigh before looking back at Leon. "That's pretty good for me, actually."
Leon crossed his arms over his chest before examining the balls. "No good. Try again." He walked to the other end of the table and re-racked the balls.
"Try again? Isn't that breaking the rules?" the blond asked as Leon placed the balls.
"We're learning, not playing yet." Leon answered as he made his way back over to Cloud.
Cloud leaned over again to take his aim before he became aware of how close Leon was standing behind him. This caused his cheek to flush and heart to thud in his chest.
"Spread your legs a little more," Leon instructed from his position behind Cloud causing Cloud to blush a little more. "And shoot with your shoulders, not your arms."
Cloud took his time aiming, giving his cheeks a chance to return to normal before taking his shot. Again, he aimed and hit the cue ball breaking the others apart with a loud snap. They broke apart and traveled slightly further than last time but still rather pathetic considering.
Leon huffed then shook his head. "You are pretty bad…"
"Can't say I didn't warn you…" Cloud responded with a playful pout.
Leon closed one eye as he watched the blond try and look sad. "Watch me do it." he said, moving to the other end of the table, once again re-racking the balls. Once they were set, he moved back over to where Cloud was standing and leaned over the table to aim his shot. Cloud couldn't help but take a quick glance down at Leon's ass before he diverted his eyes back to the game.
When Leon took his shot the cue ball whipped down the table and broke the other balls apart, sinking two of them in the process.
"It works better if you use your shoulders for strength." Leon said, moving across the table to pull the two sunken balls from the pockets before he started racking them again. "You have the strength; you just need to use it."
"Maybe I just don't have the strength," Cloud offered with a grin, fully enjoying watching Leon move about unaware that the blond was staring.
"But you do," Leon said, glancing up at Cloud with blue-gray eyes before looking back down at the balls he was placing. "If the damage on Tony and his friends' faces are of any indicator."
Cloud chuckled and shook his head. "Okay, I'll try again." He leaned over the table once more and aimed his ball before he felt a hand on his left shoulder.
"Drop this shoulder a bit to give leverage to the other." Leon said, pushing Cloud's shoulder down gently before moving to his other side. "And move your hand up on the cue." He took Cloud's hand in his own and shifted it down the shaft of the pool cue before taking a step back. "Spread your legs a bit more for balance."
Cloud followed his instructions and aimed his shot. He tried to remember to use his shoulder for the shot before he shot the ball. The cue broke the balls and this time they broke apart much further than before, sinking a stripe in the process.
"Oh God! I actually sunk something!" he laughed, watching the balls settle from the break. He looked back at Leon who was watching him with a contented look on his face despite the void of any other emotion.
"I told you you're not that bad." Leon offered with a nod. "You just have to know how to play, that's all."
Cloud nodded in return then motioned towards the table. "Okay, ready to kick ass!" he said, grinning as he lined up his next shot. Leon stopped him before he could get the shot off.
"Do you really want to sink that one?" he asked, closing one eye as he looked at the ball almost ready to put itself in the pocket.
"Umm… yeah, it's an easy shot."
"It is, but that one," he said, pointing to number eleven. "Is a less obvious easy shot which will block my next shot if you miss."
Cloud pondered over this for a second before smiling. "I suppose that's a good point." he said trying not to sound too sheepish. He moved around the table and aimed, took the shot, and missed. He shook his head with a grin. "I thought it was supposed to be an easy shot…"
Leon pursed his lips before setting up the balls in the position they were in before Cloud attempted the shot. "Lets try again."
Cloud smiled as he watched Leon cheat for him before aiming and missing the shot again.
Leon shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Okay, one more time. This time wait…" Leon set up the balls again before moving around the table to stand behind Cloud. "Line up your shot but don't shoot yet."
Cloud leaned over the table and aimed his shot before pausing. "Now what, oh mighty pool shark?"
Leon huffed before setting his pool cue against a nearby table. He pushed Cloud's left shoulder down again and moved his hand down towards the end of the cue shaft. "Don't forget what you've already learned so far." he said before kicking the blond's feet apart slightly. "Balance and aim." Leon moved in closer to Cloud and wrapped his arms around Cloud, guiding the aim from behind. Cloud's heart thudded against his chest as Leon drew closer, his face only inches from his own on his left side. He could feel the brunet's hips against his backside causing a surge of heat to pool at his groin.
Leon moved his arms down Cloud's and wrapped his fingers around the blond's wrists, effectively making Cloud forget his name in the process. He was sure his body was tingling but right now it just felt numb with excitement.
"Shoot low for a backspin." Leon said, tilting Cloud's right arm up slightly. "The cue ball won't go as far and aim a little to the left to angle the eleven towards the pocket." While he was explaining this to Cloud, he moved his arms in the correct position. Cloud found his body temperature skyrocketing and he wanted nothing more than to turn his head to looking into those eyes; so close to his right now. He was also pretty sure his jaw was hanging open at the moment.
"Wait until it feels comfortable; try and envision where the eleven is going to go with the angle, then shoot." Leon continued to instruct before he pulled away from Cloud.
It was almost like a brick wall when Leon moved away from him; time started up again and the physical repercussions of his previous proximity were becoming very well known to the blond. In a way he was glad Leon moved as he couldn't be responsible for his actions if Leon remained that close. On the other hand, he yearned to feel Leon's body up against his again, pressed up against him making his body shudder.
"Are you aiming?" Leon asked, watching the body take his time with the shot.
"Yeah…" Cloud lied. He was really just relishing in the fact that his body still felt like it was on fire. He took a deep breath in hopes to clear his head before taking his shot, the eleven falling into the pocket.
"Good job," Leon said with his normal nonchalant voice; a jaded expression not showing an ounce of happiness. "What are you going for next?"
Cloud and Leon played through the game and a couple more, Leon offering pointers here and there to guide Cloud with his shots. Cloud was on cloud nine as Leon would shift his posture slightly for a better aim or angle and he tried to absorb as much information as possible. He began to really feel the need to pick up as much as he could before the other guys made it out so he and Leon would have a fighting chance at winning. Leon was proving to be quite the pool shark with his experienced shots, sinking balls that Cloud would have otherwise thought impossible. Cloud didn't know how good the other guys were with pool but he was sure Leon would more than compensate for his lack of skill.
As Leon suspected, the pool hall began to fill up throughout the afternoon but the tables they had reserved created a bubble between them and the others, something that Cloud was grateful for. He was enjoying the time they were spending together and hoped Leon was having just as much fun. It was hard to tell with him since his expression always remained impassive, but conversation came naturally and he figured that Leon must be enjoying himself. Maybe not as much as Cloud since he was absolutely falling for the brunet by the second, but having a good time nonetheless.
After their practice games Leon set up the balls again for their next game, motioning for Cloud to break again. Cloud grinned as he mentally checked to ensure he was in posture as Leon had instructed before he took his shot. The balls broke with a loud snap and he once again sunk a stripe.
"Very good," Leon said, eyes following Cloud as he moved to the other side of the table for his next shot.
Cloud searched the table and found his next shot and leaned over the table to take aim. He tried to imagine where the ball would go with the angle he was trying for before he felt Leon's hand on his back. He looked over his shoulder and closed one eye. "Bad shot?" he asked, watching jaded eyes scanning the table.
Leon looked down at Cloud and shook his head. "No, it's what I would do."
Cloud nodded, eyes still searching Leon's face before he looked back to the game. He had no idea why Leon's hand was on him but he wasn't complaining in the least. He could feel the warmth coming from the brunet's palm on his skin and that made him relax. He tried to refocus on his angle but his mind kept going back to the feeling of Leon's hand on him and he once again felt his body stir with a jolt of excitement.
He tried to imagine where the ball would go but only found himself imagining himself standing up straight, turning around, and kissing Leon. His mind startled him when he found his imaginary Leon half-naked and damp from his shower while Cloud took his lips with his own.
He shook his head and let out a deep breath before taking his shot, sinking his intended ball before standing up straight. Don't turn around… don't turn around…
"Good show," Leon said from behind him, rubbing his back quickly before he removed his hand, walking to the other side of the table.
Cloud watched him in awe; he couldn't believe what was going on here. Dare he think it; did Leon maybe kinda like him the way the blond liked him? Cloud bit his lower lip with a half smile before his breath caught in his throat again as Leon looked back up at him.
"Are you going to take your next shot?"
"Mmm-hmm…" Cloud said with a short nod before looking down at the table. In all honesty, he wasn't thinking about his next shot but was thinking about what this all meant. The way Leon wanted to see him today, alone, without the others; how Leon wanted to eat at Teethers and once again picked up the tab; the manner in which Leon taught him how to properly take a shot; the way Leon touched him. Cloud blinked a few times before searching the table for his next shot. If his mind were to clock out now he would be of no use to Leon when everyone else got there.
Once again, this game was not even close as Leon aimed for the eight ball. Cloud had two stripes blocking Leon's indicated pocket so the blond just grinned and leaned against the table.
"Wouldn't it be smarter to just move the cue away from my next shot?" he asked almost smugly. "The cue ball can't go through my balls, just to let you know."
Leon looked up from his aim and narrowed his eyes at the blond, an air of contentment radiating from him. "It's a little early for you to be smug, ya?"
Cloud shrugged as he looked back down at the balls on the table. "I'm just saying. I'm no expert, but that's my advice to you."
"And this is how I show off for you," Leon said as he struck the ball, sending it bouncing over Cloud's balls, hitting the eight ball and sending it into the pocket.
"Oh fuck!" Cloud laughed, launching off the table with a wide smile. "How the hell did you manage that?"
"What? That old trick?" Leon said, blowing the tip of his cue stick. It was his turn to be smug. "That was nothing special, really…"
Cloud laughed as he watched Leon make his way towards him from the other end of the table. He could have sworn he saw a smile playing with the corners of his lips, but physically Leon was showing no expression at all.
"You're really full of yourself, aren't ya?" Cloud teased, not missing his heart rate pick up again as Leon drew closer.
Leon narrowed his eyes. "Sometimes I have the right to be." He leaned his pool cue against the side of the table and drew closer to the blond, Cloud watching his every move with a happy smile. "Cloud, I…"
Cloud's smile widened before he took in a deep breath. Leon was just too perfect and it really made his heart ache. "Yeah?"
Leon stopped beside Cloud and looked down to the floor. "I…" He rubbed the back of his head before shaking it, dropping his hand down to his side. "I just-"
"Leon!" a voice called out from a few feet away. "Hey guys!" It was Eric; he was smiling from ear to ear. It was hard not to like the guy because he was so damn friendly. Cloud tried not to frown. "You guys got here early; it's not even six."
Leon took a step back from Cloud causing the blond to watch him in confusion. "Yeah, we had nothing to do so we thought we'd get a few practice games in."
"Gonna need it tonight." Eric smiled as the rest of his friends scattered to the other tables. "I feel like I'm on fire."
Me too… Cloud thought to himself as his heart ached for Leon. He was curious about what Leon wanted to say before he was interrupted.
Leon nodded at Eric before looking back over to Cloud with an easy storm brewing behind blue-gray; Cloud had never seen anything like it before as his eyes stared back into Leon's.
"What was it that you going to say?" Cloud asked lowly as Eric prepared a cue at the other end of the table.
Leon took in a little breath before pursing his lips. "It's nothing…"
Cloud turned so he was facing Leon and tilted his head slightly. "I wanna know anyway." he said a little lower, voice going gentle as he tried to coax it out of Leon.
Leon bit at this lower lip before dropping his eyes to the ground. "Later, 'kay?"
Cloud didn't want to push the issue but he wanted so badly to hear the words come out of Leon's mouth. He knew he was probably setting himself up for a major disappointment but he couldn't help himself. What Leon was about to say seemed important causing the blond's breath to come out almost in pants. It was unlikely he was going to forget to ask Leon about it later so he just let it drop as the boys launched into a new game.
-o-o-o-
Ah! Gotta run! Please review?