Watercolor

By: Miroir du Symphonie

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Chapter Rating: PG

Chapter Warnings: Crossdressing

Pairings: Roxas x Sora, Xemnas x Saïx, Kadaj x Yazoo x Loz, Marluxia x Larxene, Leon x Riku

A/N: Well, here's THE BIG DATE, as promised. Sorry it took so long, but school had me snowed in - yet again.

In a way, this is an apology - the next chapters aren't cheerful at all. The preliminaries for each plotline have been set, and the drama is finally starting to unfold. I have the outline already made for the next few installments, and I'm looking forward to writing them. I hope you'll forgive me...I'll try to insert as much happy as I can amid the heavy angst.

Side note: The Bolshoi is a famous theater in Russia. Yes, the Apollo statue is sculpted on top of it. I took the theater's structure from the Bolshoi, but the actual performance mentioned was done on Broadway. Yes, Avenue Q is a real musical with next to no plot. The song "If You Were Gay" that I adore comes from it.

I love it. Listen to it. Listen to it NAO.

Enjoy!

XXIII: Do The Motion

Saturday—January 17th

His keys jingled merrily as he fitted them into the lock, letting both of them into the house and closing the door. Shopping bags fell to the floor with an audible thump, and the blonde was only just able to notice both his guardians before his vision was obscured.

Cloud hummed as Leon's arms encircled him, butterfly kisses falling on his forehead in an effort to provide a distraction from his throbbing earlobe. Somewhere behind them, he just knew Zack was smirking, but he couldn't bring himself to care as he relaxed into the brunette's hold.

The introduction of Leon and the twins' joint gift had been painful, but Cloud had to admit that the new wolf-like earring did suit him. Sora and Roxas had drawn it with him in mind and then given it to Leon, who had forked over the cash to get it made in time for his birthday. In addition, he had been taken on an uncharacteristically spendy shopping spree—including lunch—by Leon and been forced to pay for nothing.

As birthdays went, this was definitely one of the better ones.

As predicted, there was a positively smug grin on the lieutenant's face when they separated, but Aerith looked almost frantic. "Leon, why did you bring him back so late?"

The brunette looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. We lost track of time."

Cloud raised an eyebrow. He hadn't had a curfew since Zack had taken him in.

"Well, that doesn't matter now—we have to get him bathed and dressed, and then there's makeup—" He couldn't restrain a high-pitched yelped when the flower girl grabbed his arm, viciously dragging him upstairs. His shoulder banged painfully against the bathroom door as he was pushed into the room. "Hurry up and shower—we'll never get done on time at this rate—"

"Done on time for what?"

"For your date! What else?" Aerith replied as she bustled upstairs.

"...excuse me?"

Not receiving a response, he obediently began to strip, mind teeming with questions. The only person he could think of that would take him anywhere was Leon, and his friend was known for being habitually early. Plus, he didn't think his guardian would freak out so much over a formal outing between the pair—who had already put a severe dent in the older one's wallet for the day. The woman only ever got like this when Zack was being honored for something and they were running late for the ceremony.

"Aerith's having an aneurysm," Leon commented as he stepped fully inside and shut the door.

"We're going on a date?" Cloud yelled over the roar of the water.

"No." Leon made himself comfortable on the marble counter. "I would hurry up, if I were you."

Confusion settled over him like a thick, wet blanket as he rinsed shampoo out of his hair. I broke up with Reno, so who else would want to take me out today if not Leon?

"Then what was she talking about?"

But the brunette said nothing.

A record five minutes later he stood in his room, dripping wet and still unaware of where exactly he was going. Even worse, a riffle through his closet revealed that he had absolutely nothing to wear. What happened to all the clothes I wore for Zack's events? I did buy some stuff today, didn't I?

"Leon, could you go get—" The ringing of the doorbell interrupted his train of thought.

"He's here!" The petite woman exclaimed as she rushed in, arms loaded with a bundle of fabric that she promptly threw at him. "Zack, get the door!"

"Got it!" From what he could hear, Zack sounded highly amused.

"What are you waiting for? Dry off and put this on. Leon, there's a small pink tube on my dresser, be a dear and fetch it for me—"

A sense of dread was building within him as he picked apart the bundle, suspicious items revealing themselves with every ticking second. Gloves. Necklace. Bracelet. Stockings. Garter belt. Purse.

Parasol?

"Aerith." Cloud deadpanned as he picked up the last article of clothing.

"Yes?" She was deliberately not looking at him as she organized tubes and jars of what Cloud now knew to be makeup.

"I am holding a dress."

Her reflection's mouth formed a perfect "o" as Cloud stared at it in his mirror. Still, she wouldn't look at him. "That you are."

Leon was desperately trying not to laugh.

"Why am I holding a dress?"

"Well, honey," the woman began in a saccharine voice, "All your formals were too small to fit you when I checked them yesterday."

"Then why didn't you—"

"And," she continued, cutting him off, "Zack's things are far too big for you, don't you think?"

"But I went to the m—"

"So, being that my stuff is perfect size, I took the liberty of lending you something. Isn't it pretty?"

"Aerith!"

Leon was turning red in the face with the effort of restraining himself.

"Firstly, I don't even know who I'm going on this date with yet. Secondly, I was at the mall today. All day. If I had nothing to wear, then why didn't you call me and tell me to buy something?"

She looked decidedly guilty now. "It must have slipped my mind."

Cloud didn't believe her for a second.

The sound of voices from downstairs renewed the hurried atmosphere, and displeasure set in as he began the now-familiar process of donning female formal wear. He had to admit that the dress was pretty—it looked vaguely Wutaian and bore a resemblance to the yukata Yuffie had worn to school one day as part of a history project. It was made of silk in a green so dark it looked almost black, with a high collar and long sleeves.

Unlike Tifa's various numbers, this one showed little skin and would at least keep him warm.

Leon helped him into it, and as soon he was dressed Aerith pushed him into a chair. It took effort not to flinch every time she went for his eye with her pencils, but eventually it was over and he was allowed to stand.

Glancing at the clock and biting down what he knew to be a curse, Aerith pulled him into a hug. "Have fun, okay? I know you're mad at me, but at least give the person a chance." She glanced at Leon. "Your earring looks very nice, by the way."

Gingerly, he hugged her back, and she pressed the parasol into his hand.

"Thanks. I'll try."

Vincent's hands tightened on the steering wheel as he tried his best to focus on the road—and not on the blonde who was sitting quietly in the passenger seat.

The doctor had been surprised to see Cloud come down in yet another dress—as surprised as the blonde had obviously been to discover his date's identity. To his relief, once the initial shock had faded, Cloud seemed perfectly willing to spend the evening with him.

The silence reigning between them was comfortable, and it wasn't until they were halfway to their destination that he chose to break it. "How have you been since we last spoke, Cloud?"

The blonde shifted in his seat. "I've been alright. I don't know if Aerith told you, but I'm not with Reno anymore."

Of course, Vincent knew this, but to hear it from the boy's lips sent a wave of calm through him. "I was made aware of the fact. Are you satisfied with your decision?"

There was a note of quiet pride to Cloud's voice. "I am. It was hard at first, but I think I'm better off."

"Good." Several ways to ask his next question came to Vincent, but he discarded them all and chose a more indirect route. "You look striking tonight."

Cloud sounded miffed as he picked at his sleeve. "No, I don't. Aerith tricked me into wearing this. I didn't know I was going somewhere until I got home this evening and by that time it was too late."

"Ah." So the woman had taken her risk after all.

"Speaking of, where are we going?"

"The Bolshoi." He could almost feel Cloud tense in surprise. "Normally, I would not take someone your age to such a place, because teenagers tend to find theater boring. However, I was told of your interest in visual art. Unless Mrs. Fair was mistaken...?"

"No, she was right. My...parents took me to plays and stuff when I was little. I guess it rubbed off."

"Good." Cloud's parents were obviously a sore spot, so Vincent chose not to comment, instead gracing the boy with a small, rare smile. "They are doing a performance I thought you might like."

The Bolshoi was located on the posh end of Hollow Bastion, near Rufus' residence and the Shinra tower. The famous image of Apollo and his horses was perched on top of the magnificent structure—looking at it gave Cloud pleasant shivers.

His grip on Vincent's arm tightened as he looked around. All around them society's elite lingered around the theater in small groups, and unconsciously he pulled the parasol lower over his head. Cloud hadn't initially understood why he'd been given the stylized umbrella—until they stepped out of the car.

Main society forgot a scandal after a few months, but the elite's memory never diminished, and Aerith had foreseen someone realizing his identity the second they saw his hair. The parasol matched what he was wearing, shielded the back of his head from view and cast his face into shadow. Coupled with the theater's low lighting, he felt secure enough to enjoy himself.

One elevator ride later and an usher was showing them into a private balcony.

"Vincent, you didn't—"

"I figured you would be more comfortable this way," the older man said quietly.

Touched (he knew that seating up here wasn't cheap) he closed the parasol and gave the man a quiet smile as the lights dimmed.

"...thank you."

Everything had gone remarkably well thus far, Vincent thought.

Avenue Q was funny, near-pointless humor and had kept the younger one giggling throughout the performance. Dinner had also gone well, taken in a private room of a nice restaurant downtown. Presently, the two were ambling the pathways of Hollow Bastion's large central park. The week had been a surprising reprieve from the winter blizzards and there was no snow to speak of on the ground.

Simply being in the younger's presence was enough to conjure a dreamlike calm. Cloud looked to be enjoying himself—he had long since abandoned the parasol. Under the soft light of the park's intermittent illumination the blonde looked nothing short of heaven's brightest angel: cornflower hair for a halo and strung sapphires cut to the breadth of hairs for eyes.

"Um...is there something on my face?"

The heavenly voice that had serenaded him all afternoon spoke again, accompanied by an uncertain flutter of small hands about a perfect face. The doctor's heart fluttered and it took a good minute to get his larynx to choke out a response. "No, Cloud. You're perfect."

He had been staring. Damn.

The blonde's visage carried an odd look, and his tone was bemused when he spoke. "Vincent, you saved my life. I was grateful, and I still am—which is why I gave you Jammy for Christmas."

Vincent opened his mouth to speak.

"Let me finish." The blonde held up a hand, eyes shining with a difficult question. "Why would you spend hundreds of gil on a night for someone you barely know, even if it is my birthday?"

They were near one of the park's numerous benches, and without preamble he guided the blonde in that direction. At long last, the moment had arrived, and he carefully began the search for words. But as the moment drew on and the apprehension in Cloud's eyes grew, he found his extensive vocabulary to be lacking in the face of his feelings.

Just tell the truth, Vincent, Lu said.

"Cloud, I...I don't want to frighten you, but I respect you too much to tell a lie." His fingers itched for the familiar grip of a wineglass. "When I saved you all I felt towards you was concern. After Christmas, that began to change."

Even as he continued speaking, he could see the revelation forming within those endless oceans.

"I spent many a night arguing with myself, but despite my reservations the end result remained the same. I seem to have...developed romantic feelings for you, Cloud."

Vincent couldn't bear to look the angel in the face, opting instead to stare at the pebbled ground. Shame crept through his being until his countenance seemed weighted down by it. Could he not control himself?

He was about to suggest that Cloud forget the whole thing until he felt a gentle hand on his arm.

"Vincent. Look at me."

Submitting to Cloud's will felt too natural for him to disobey. To the doctor's surprise, however, he found nothing but quiet understanding when blue met red.

"Vincent, this is...sudden. Really sudden. I...I just left a relationship. I'm not completely over it yet."

"I understand—" Pain seeped from the jagged edges of his heart. He tried his best to hide it, not wanting to guilt the boy into something he obviously didn't want.

"No, you don't."

A small hand rose from its prone position: he held his breath for the impending slap but was surprised when none came. Instead, an eidolon's touch fell upon his milk-white skin. He breathed deeply, in and out. Cloud's blue eyes glittered in the darkness.

"I do accept your feelings, Vincent. I just...I'm not ready to start seeing someone else. When I get better, we'll see what happens. But for now, I'd like to just stay friends." The blonde's hand fell away from Vincent's face and he was graced with a small smile. "I had fun tonight. Thank you."

The blonde hadn't run away screaming, which was more than he could have hoped for. And...in the future, perhaps he had a chance.

It was more than he ever could have hoped for.

Vincent smiled back.

Cloud looked quietly happy, Zack and Aerith observed as the blonde shed his jacket and traversed upstairs.

"Looks like he had a good time."

"That was the point, Zack."

"What was the point of the dress? I saw the clothes you hid in our closet."

"...I just wanted to see how it would look, is all."

"...I married a demon."

"And don't you forget it."