Beyond The Northern Skies
Disclaimer: This is a AU of FF7. FF7 characters do not belong to me.
Note: And of course, this is a Shounen-ai fic (boy/boy love).
Consider Yourself Warned.
Chapter 4
Decisions
Cloud held his breath as he saw Rufus' eyes flutter, trying to open them. He couldn't help but smile when those blue eyes finally focused on him.
"Hey there…"
He didn't get any response from the blond that was lying on the bed.
"Um… you probably want to know where you are right now huh?"
Rufus took a minute before he slowly nodded.
"Well, you're safe…" 'For now' he told himself thinking about how furious Barrett was earlier.
"And…"
"Are you going to kill me?"
Cloud blinked at Rufus, slightly confused.
"Of course not…" 'Not by me'.
They stared at each other for what seemed like the longest of years. Cloud realized he still held Rufus hand in his, though he didn't bother to let them go. He looked back at Rufus and cleared his throat.
"Listen, um… vice president"
"Rufus…"
Cloud smiled despite himself.
"Rufus… there was a little… accident… and things happened…"
"My father…?"
"He…got away… I mean… he's alive if that's your concern, he probably thought you were dead and that's why he left… leaving you behind."
Rufus turned his head away and closed his eyes and sighed. Cloud noticed how beautiful the young man really was.
"…Yeah…I bet he thought so"
"For a reason you passed out…are you feeling alright?"
The question came out quickly and his voice filled with concern.
"I am well…"
There was an awkward silence afterwards and Cloud decided that right then it was a good time to ask questions.
"How… how do you know my name?"
Rufus seemed confused by the question and Cloud felt the need to explain.
"Before you blacked out… you called out my name. I… do you know me?"
Rufus shook his head.
"Then…?"
"I… don't know…"
"So you don't know me?"
"No…" 'But I can get to know you if you let me'
Cloud felt disappointed. Rufus could still feel Cloud's warm hand holding his and he unconsciously have it a little squeeze. Their eyes met again and Rufus found himself unable to look away. Those eyes seemed to call out to him. That flawless face was so endearing he wanted to touch the face.
Cloud found himself in the same situation. A voice in the back of his mind was telling him not to let go. He could see sadness in those blue eyes, sadness that made his heart break. He suddenly wanted to make that sadness go away. Fill those eyes with happiness, joy and laughter.
A sudden fear ran across Rufus face and Cloud noticed it.
"What are you going to do with me if you're not going to kill me?"
Cloud raised himself from the chair he had been sitting on letting go of Rufus' hand.
"You should get some rest…Rufus"
"You haven't answered my question"
Cloud ignored him and walked out of the room, leaving Rufus alone with his unanswered question.
"I don't know what to do Tifa…"
Tifa had just finished putting the closing sign at the door of the bar when she turned to look at Cloud who was sitting in one of the chairs in the room.
"I don't know either Cloud, but Barrett's right, we can't let him go back, he will lead the ShinRa to us."
"He doesn't know where this place is"
Tifa sighed as she sat down next to him.
"You should've left him there…It was a bad idea bringing him here."
"But… I thought…"
"I know Cloud, but we can't let him go…"
Cloud sighed in defeat, she was right; he couldn't risk their lives trying to get Rufus back up the plate.
"And we can't keep him with us either"
Cloud's head snapped up and looked at her with angry eyes.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Barrett is right Cloud, he will only make this more difficult and…"
Cloud stood up angrily, glaring at her.
"How could you even insinuate… how…?"
"Cloud…"
"No… I am not going to kill him!"
Suddenly he heard Barrett's deep voice from behind him.
"You don't have to do a damn thing… just leave it up to me"
"No! You're not going to touch him!"
"Look you spiky headed freak, I said before that if I have to get through you to get to him I will damn well do so…"
Cloud took a moment to breathe, he took a deep breath in and smirked, facing Barrett. He opened his arms challenging Barrett.
"I am right here Barrett"
Author's note:
I know it took me a while to update but I've been so busy lately. I hope you all like this chapter.