Disclaimer: Don't own the rights to this story, no matter how many liberties I took with the characters and settings.

A/N: Well. I never expected to finish this story, considering my last update was over two years ago. Yikes. Nonetheless, I had a lot of free time and I hope I've written an adequate closing. Considering I had only intended to write a one shot I think I did pretty well. I tried to match the tone of the previous chapters, but I haven't been in this universe for years, but I hope it won't be too terrible. I enjoyed reliving the alternate reality I created and there might be a spin-off chapter in the works. Who knows. Anyway, enjoy for those of you who still keep up with this. We finally have some closure.

Warnings: Fluff, swearing, slight suggestive actions, A/U, A/R.

Chapter 10: Sweet

Cloud pulled at his spiky hair in frustration. "Why is it so hard to pick out a ring?" he growled and glared at all the silver and gold glittering rings displayed before him. He didn't know what he had expected asking Zack what to get Squall for their sixth month anniversary. Actually, Cloud wasn't even aware people celebrated a sixth month but Zack had insisted. Then again, the man had celebrated every month with Aerith so maybe Cloud shouldn't be taking advice from his love-sick friend.

"What about this one?" Zack asked and held up a delicate gold ring with emeralds inlaid into the band. "It's elegant with entwined vines etched into it and the stones really capture the color of his eyes." He held it up to the light and watched how it glittered and sparkled.

The blond huffed and rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to throw something at Zack. "Squall's not a girl," he muttered, even though he often teased the teen otherwise. "And his eyes aren't green."

"Well what about this one?" Zack held up something with diamonds and some little pink crystals Cloud couldn't name. "He wears a lot of pink and-"

Cloud wanted to bang his head down on the glass display counter. "Stop thinking of Aerith!" he snapped. "Look, this isn't working. I don't think getting Squall a ring is the best choice. He wouldn't wear it anyway." The brunet had a habit of wearing leather gloves and he worked a lot with his hands; a ring would get scratched and possibly get lost. He needed something durable and….and manly that showed how much Cloud cared about him. That what he felt for Squall was strong and wouldn't fade away. None of these rings showed that.

"Sorry Mr. McDuck, I don't think I'll be getting anything today," he apologized to the expensively dressed old man. The owner made a disgruntled sound that sounded distinctly duckish to Cloud as he put the tray of rings away.

Zack slapped Cloud on the back as they exited the store, giving the shorter man an encouraging smile. "Hey Spikey, don't worry about it. We'll find something for Squally and he'll be yours forever." He grinned and slipped his hands into his pockets while they walked down the narrow cobbled street. "Why I know this perfect dress shop, kinda upscale and pricy, but it's worth it called Fairy Godmother's."

There was no help for Zack whose mind was permanently stuck on Aerith and Cloud just rolled his eyes skyward. "Hey, didn't Aerith ask you to help her in the garden today?" he interrupted his friend who had once again gone off praising his wife's virtues.

Violet eyes widened and Zack hastily waved goodbye to Cloud. "Uh, you're right. Gotta go help my Aeri," he called out and beat a hasty retreat the other way towards his house. "Good luck on finding something for Squall."

"Yeah…" the blond muttered. It was a nice day out so Cloud aimlessly wandered around town. His class had been cancelled today (Vincent hadn't been at work either) and Zack had given him the day off. School was still going on and Squall was locked away for a couple more hours before he could molest the teen, er- hang out with the teen, so Cloud had nothing to do. Well, except agonize over the fact that he couldn't think of anything to get his kitten.

His feet eventually carried him down the winding, narrow streets to what was known as The Underworld. Nightclubs and seedy bars lined the streets interspaced with pawn shops and gambling dens. The buildings were crumbling and windows were either boarded up or fashioned with bars to keep trespassers out. Sunlight never penetrated the dank depths as if in fear of the gloom that crowded around the mouths of alleys and cast long twisting shadows on the streets.

Cloud wasn't too bothered by it having spent a good portion of his teen years working odd jobs for Hades just to scrape by and make a living. It almost felt like an uneasy home walking among the addicts and run down working class all trying to survive.

A shop on the corner of the street caught Cloud's interest. There was nothing to distinguish it from the other blacked out window shops with faded signs. Yet Cloud would know the place anywhere even before he heard the low thrumming music seeping under the door. The owner of Hide Away Cove had an uncanny ability to know what a customer wanted and always had just the right solution.

There was a reason why rumors circulated that Ursula was a witch.

Squall frowned reflexively when he reread the quick text message Cloud had sent during his last class. 'We need to talk.' Those four little words didn't bode well and his heart clenched up in worry. Rinoa had said that right before she had broken up with him. Truthfully he had felt a sense of crushing relief. He had thought he loved Rinoa, but it had turned out to be a family kind of love (and also around that time he realized he was gay). He liked to think he had matured since then and grown wiser. He knew he loved Cloud, but maybe the other man didn't feel the same way. Could he have misjudged another relationship so badly?

Cloud's apartment wasn't that far from the school, but Squall was still surprised that he had arrived so quickly. He pressed the buzzer for Cloud's apartment. "I'm here," he said into the intercom and stood back.

He pulled his leather jacket closer around his body to ward off the slight chill of autumn while waiting for a response. It smelled faintly of Cloud's aftershave and motor oil from the many hours Cloud would spend fixing up Fenrir. If they… if they broke up would Cloud want it back? Maybe he should have left it at home just so he could hold onto some memory of the best six months of his life.

A beep sounded followed by the click of a lock unlatching to allow Squall in. Usually Cloud would be waiting right at the foot of the stairs with a smile and a heated kiss. As much as Squall protested it he actually didn't mind all that much. The teen sighed and squared his shoulders before he made his way up the flights of stairs to Cloud's apartment. If this was really the end then he would face it strong and head on. That façade didn't last long when he saw Cloud pacing outside his door. The threadbare carpet actually had track marks from where the man had repeatedly walked over it.

"Did you lock yourself out of your apartment again?" Squall asked by way of greeting. It wouldn't have been the first time the man had done it. The teen had vivid images of waiting for Zack to come over with a spare key while he and Cloud had clung to a bath towel to cover themselves. Well, more like he had because the shameless blond had absolutely no modesty.

A wide grin stretched across Cloud's face, but it didn't hide the anxiety hiding in bright blue eyes. "Squall, baby, I didn't hear you come up. How was school?" His hands were clasped behind his back and the teen thought he saw something.

"Fine," he murmured and crossed his arms over his chest. "Why are we standing out in the hallway?" Seeing Cloud on edge was putting him on edge and Squall didn't know if he could handle too many surprises. He leaned against the corridor wall for support to try to stop his legs from trembling.

"I thought we could talk out here." The man ran a hand through his blond spikes that made it stick out at odd angles. "Okay, well see, the thing is – you got my text message right?" he broke off and glanced up at the brunet. He waited for Squall to nod his head cautiously before continuing. "Yeah, so I thought maybe, you know Zack said around this time some things are inevitable and I got to thinking. About things." He fidgeted uncharacteristically that was unlike his usual in control, laid back manner.

Squall swallowed and tried to will away the tight ball of pain forming in his chest. "Are you…breaking up with me?" he asked quietly, unable to raise his voice above a whisper.

A pained expression formed on Cloud's face and he dropped his head against the wall. "Shit…all right I'm not doing this right. Fuck," he muttered to himself. He scrubbed a hand across his face before suddenly thrusting a sleek velvet box into Squall's hands. "Here."

Squall fumbled with the box and tried not to drop it. He tugged off one of his leather gloves before carefully opening the case. Shock robbed him of speech at the beautiful necklace nestled against the soft white velvet interior. He carefully took out the heavy silver y-chain necklace to get a better look at the pendent dangling down from a chain. It was a lion's head, mouth pulled back in a fierce snarl and mane flowing behind it that reminded Squall of flames. It sat atop an exquisitely carved Celtic cross that ended in a sharp point.

"As soon as I saw it I thought of you," Cloud said to fill the heavy silence. "I call you my kitten but you're more like my lion, strong and proud and courageous. I thought it was better than any stupid ring. It's also durable and won't wear over time just like my love for you." He nervously watched Squall flip over the pendant and could visualize the words inscribed on it: To my lion forevermore.

Cloud tapped his fingers together and shifted from one foot to the other, unsure of Squall's reaction. "I was told it's called Griever, but you know if you don't like it you could rename it. Or take it back. I could actually go right now if you wanted and-" his babbling was cut off by an armful of Squall who was fiercely kissing him.

"I love you too," Squall said breathlessly between kisses. His arms were wrapped around Cloud's shoulders, one hand clutching the necklace while the other held onto the back of the man's hoodie. He was so overwhelmed with emotions that he didn't care if Roxas made fun of him later for being emotional like a girl. "It's perfect."

Strong arms wrapped around a slender waist as Cloud squeezed him back. "I knew you would like it," he purred, self-assurance back in his voice. He spent a pleasurable amount of time coaxing little sighs and rumbles of pleasure from the teen, tongue slipping past cherry red lips to sneak a taste. He shuddered when a hot little mouth nipped its way up to his ear and warm breath ghosted against the shell of his ear.

"Why don't you take me inside and I'll put the necklace on me and nothing else?" Squall's voice was like sin incarnate and Cloud wanted him right now. Except reality crashed around his ears when Cloud fumbled behind him for the door knob that refused to budge, and he remembered why they were having this conversation out in the hallway in the first place.

His ears burned in embarrassment and it was really hard to stop Squall from grinding against him in an interesting way. "Could I take a rain check?" he asked and set the brunet down on his feet. The teen looked at him in befuddled sexual desire, and Cloud was very seriously thinking about busting down his door. "I locked myself out of the apartment in my rush to greet you."

Squall's amused laughter rang down the hallway and he rested his head against Cloud's shoulder. Being with Cloud may not be perfect, but he wouldn't have it any other way.