Hello!
Okay. Well, I am slowly getting better, so updates will now become faster.
Warning, first part is boring hospital stuff, so I tried to keep it short. After that, it's alright.
Anyway, on with the show!
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A LIGHT IN THE DARK
CHAPTER 10
"Where's Sephiroth?"
The tone of Cloud's voice reminded Leon of a small child who could not find his parents in the shopping centre - lost. Confused. Sad. Like he did not know what to do or where to go without the older man there to guide him.
It broke his heart to see the blonde so dependant on the silver-haired man, and he could not - for the life of him - understand why the blonde would ask where he was.
Aerith's quiet voice brought Leon away from his train of thoughts, and he found himself watching the scene that unfolded before him.
"Who's Sephiroth?" Aerith asked gently, trying to keep him calm.
"My boyfriend..." Cloud mumbled, eyes darting around the room, making his anxiety and fear clearly known to the other occupants in the room.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll turn up." She soothed, sensing his unease. "I just want to ask you a few questions, kay?"
Cloud tensed. He could easily lie his way through whatever she would ask. He'd lied to protect himself so far, and he would certainly continue to now.
He wouldn't slip up. Not now.
"Is that okay?" She asked again, and Cloud nodded heasitantly.
The woman re-positioned herself and she cleared her throat slightly.
"What's your name?"
Blonde brows furrowed in confusion.
"Cloud S-Strife." He mumbled.
"Okay, can you tell me what year it is?"
"Twenty fifteen."
"Date?"
Cloud frowned once again.
"Third of May?"
Aerith nodded and shone a light in his eyes. When she was satisfied, she stood up and lifted the clipboard from the end of the bed.
"Your injuries are quite extensive..." She rattled on, and Cloud found himself tuning out her babbling.
He looked over at Leon, and their eyes met for a split second before the brunette quickly averted his gaze.
Cloud frowned, and looked back up at Aerith, her voice drifting into his ears once again.
"...and minor bruising." She finished, flipping the paper back effortlessly. "Anything else?"
Cloud shook his head, feeling oddly deflated for a reason he didn't know.
She nodded politely.
"I shall leave you, Mister Strife." She smiled. "I shall be back later."
She left the room, Leon following her out.
Cloud shrunk back slightly, an intense feeling of loneliness welling up inside of him.
#####
Sephiroth burst through the door of the brothel, startling Setzer from his daydream. The man started up at the taller, smiling charmingly.
"Sephiroth." He purred. "For what reason am I graced with your presence?"
Sephiroth huffed.
"You know very well why I am here." The older man smirked. "You remember our deal? I can see Cloud as often as I please?"
Setzer's smile faltered and he coughed nervously.
"You see, Cloud isn't here anymore." Setzer started. "I had to get rid of him."
Sephiroth's demeanour changed in an instanst. His eyes narrowed to slits and he placed his hands on the desk, leaning in close to Setzer.
"You did what?!" He hissed dangerously.
"I told you. I had to get rid of him." Setzer repeated once again, staying firm.
Sephiroth snarled and grabbed the younger man by his neck, lifting him up and slamming him against the wall.
"Where is Cloud?" He demanded angrily, his eyes blazing. "What have you done with my whore?!"
"He was ruined by Seifer." Setzer choked out. "He beat him and then ruined him - I couldn't keep him on."
Sephiroth's hand clenched and the other man could feel himself lose awareness. He struggled hopelessly against the larger man in a futile attempt to break away.
"Where did he end up?"
"I don't know!" Setzer cried. "A hospital, the one in the city centre."
Sephiroth tossed Setzer to the other side of the room, where he crumbled to the floor with a thud. The older man advanced - prepared to kick the younger into submission - when he stopped suddeny, a twisted grin stretching his features.
"No...that's perfect." He purred. "I will get Cloud back...he will wish he had never left."
#####
Cloud fiddled with a loose thread on his blanket, deep in thought - something that was occurring more otften.
He wished Sephroth was with him, to hold him and praise him, tell him how much he loved him and how obedient he was, and Cloud would soak the affection up because he wanted to feel loved and accepted.
Cloud would let Sephiroth hold him and feed him lies about how much he was loved, but he knew that if he listened to the lies and nothing else, then he could pretend - for a fleeting moment - that Sephiroth loved him for more than the sexual services that he offered.
But then again, he knew no other way. He had been a prostitute for so long that he did not know what else to do.
Cloud sighed.
Maybe Leon would be different.
Maybe Leon would show proper affection towards him...but he had been lied to all his life, and he doubted Leon would tell him the truth.
'If you hadn't have been so selfish,' the voice in Cloud's head sneered, 'you wouldn't be where you are now.'
The blonde didn't argue, because he couldn't deny anything.
The sound of the door opening startled Cloud, making him jump in his spot.
He looked up, hoping to see Sephiroth or Leon enter the room.
His face fell when two burly policemen walked in.
"Mister Strife." The larger of the two rumbled.
"We're here to ask you a few questions."
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*rocks back and forth on her feet*