A hard night

Laguna scratched the back of his neck tiredly. He had had accumulated a lot of work, lately, and now he was stuck at his office. The panoramic windows showed him the view of his beloved Esthar illuminated at night. His own bluish desk lamp was on, plunging him into an eerie glow, almost surreal. Signing in resignation, he put back his reading frames and returned to his papers.

*******

Meanwhile, in Winhill, Aerith woke up with a start. It was happening a lot recently. She, Red and Yuffie had decided to bunk together in the abandoned house. Well not so abandoned, now. They liked the quietness of the place.

- I wonder, she said to herself, what is going to happen…

Knowing there was nothing to do, Aerith lay back and closed her eyes, silently praying for it to be a negligible incident.

********

Sephiroth sat back down in his armchair, wrapping himself into a woollen blanket in front of the fire. Winter was back with the snow, ice and glacial wind. He had felt cold all day long, stiff, tired and for the life of him he could not find sleep tonight. On the other hand, Cloud was snoring quietly, for once. With his fifth month completed, his back was beginning to hurt a little more, he even got stuck on a chair this week because he could not stand up. So to see him relaxed like this was a pure bliss.

He heard the main door open, and it is with a certain relief he saw his son Zack enter. His gaze returned to the fire and finally, the dancing colours reached full effect, the warmth deigned to hear his silent plea; he drifted into sleep.

********

Squall bolted up of his bed, searching frantically for his gunblade. When a rough hand found it's way to his shoulder, he all but shrieked and stumbled on the floor. The bedside lamp turned on and the brunette heaved a sight of relief; it was just a dream. Seifer picked him up, guiding him back to the bed. Squall curled against that warm body, almost purred when his lover traced his scar with his fingers.

- What was it this time?, he murmured

- Nothing. A dream, that was just a dream.

With a quiet 'mm-mm' as an answer, Squall closed his eyes. If Seifer was still there, then his father was safe, too.

********

Laguna closed his eyes as a rain of glass fell over him, feeling the searing pain in his shoulder and knee. He thanked whoever out there he had seen the machine gun just before the supposedly bullet-proof crystal dome exploded. His vision went hazy all of a sudden and he turned his head to the side. This turned out to be a very bad decision for the pain in his shoulder accentuated and he saw the puddle of blood near his him. Then the door of his office burst open and someone took off his reading frame from his face; that's why everything was so blurred.

- Laguna! Laguna do you hear me?

- Yes…, he answered feebly

- Do not move and stay with me. Come on, look at me… Laguna! Stay with me! Someone bring me some cloth to stop that bleeding!

The President of Esthar was feeling his strength going away, and soon he fell into oblivion.

********

Sephiroth let begrudgingly Zack tuck him into his bed. The doctor was openly scolding him for being so stubborn. He gave him a shot of vaporisator down his throat and a sleeping pill.

- Take it. Now. I'm going to leave a note for dad when he wakes up tomorrow morning. No wonder you can't talk anymore.

Then, he went into the living room to retrieve his bag and a scarf. He applied a warming gel on his father's throat and wrapped the scarf around it. Then he ordered him not to retire it, only to add some more gel until his voice would come back. But before he could even write the said note, his page began to vibe. The message wasn't leaving much choice.

- 9-1-1… Shit. Stay put. Keep the bed tomorrow. Be back whenever I can.

*********

- We have a sectioned artery here! Bring up O negative packs! Zack! D'you have the radios?

- Yes, and it's not pretty. The bullet in his shoulder did not only pierced an artery, it's making his lung collapse! Quick! Stabilize him! He needs surgery as soon as possible!

Zack, Adrian, Leya and Levroy worked together to bring back Laguna to a more stable state, so they could transfer him into the surgery room. Zack and Levroy should be able to repair the damages, but first it was essential to stabilize him first. Three other teams were outnumbered by the injured that had been taken into the emergency room. A big accident in the streets caused by the gunner. Tubes and perfusions later, Laguna was taken into the surgery unit. And three hours later he was out of danger.

*******

Cloud gently brushed the hair of his lover with his hands. Sephiroth was fast asleep, a scarf wrapped around his neck. He was smelling like cinnamon, too. The blond bent down to kiss his forehead; it was slightly hot, but not alarming. He guessed the balm on the bedside table was for him and came from Zack… He was nowhere to be found, though. He let his mate sleep and stood up to stretch; his back hurt today, much more than usual. Then, with a grimace he walked to the bathroom to take his shower.

When he got out, he was surprised to find his son laying on the bed next to Sephiroth. With a sigh he covered him before dressing himself. While he was tying his obi over his kimono, he heard Zack murmur:

- He got to keep the bed… lost his voice yesterday… Laguna in intensive care unit, Levroy… keep an eye on him…

Cloud shook his head. The doctor was constantly grounding him because he was too active in his condition when he was overworking all the time. The blond left the room quietly and went downstairs, immediately starting a healthy breakfast; vegetable quiche, roasted bread and coffee. In all those years with Sephiroth, he had to catch up some of his lover's cooking skills. One hour later, he was happily walking into the bedroom with a tray full of appetizing food. He flipped on the TV, waking up his son and his lover to enjoy the morning. Then, his eyes widened as the news of the shooting at the Presidential Palace reached his ears.

********

Squall gently passed a hand through his father's hair. The operation had went fairly well but the President was still under heavy painkillers. He was looking at him with half closed lids, breathing uneasily because of his injury. Squall was terrified to see his father like this. He feared to see him leave his world again. Levroy came in with a clipboard and a blanket for the devastated son. He had barged in the hospital clad only in a pair of pants, slippers and an old t-shirt, wielding his gunblade. Obviously he hadn't cared to wait for the Ragnarok and had came with the help of his GF Bahamuth.

- Cover yourself. You don't want to catch a pneumonia now do you? Do not fear for him, he will survive. You should rest, son. I will have to take him in a private room, so he can rest too. C'mon, go home…

- Where's Kyros?

- Oh, he had a phone call about an hour ago and left for the Palace. I guess the press wants answers…

- Then, I can't go there. Is doctor Valentine here tonight?

- He left after operating your father. This means he might still be up. You seems to know him personally… Am I right?

Squall nodded.

- I'll give him a call and announce you, then. Just go and get some rest. I promise I'll have someone notify you of his room number when you'll come back.

But suddenly Seifer entered the quiet room, accompanied of Selphie, Quistis and Angel. The Ragnarok had been quick in arriving at Esthar. So, after being briefed about Laguna's condition, they all decided to go to the Presidential Palace to see Kyros while Angel wanted to spend his few days off at home with his parents. To Seifer's surprise, Squall asked to go with him.

- You don't want to see Kyros?, the prof asked.

- Yes, but… all the press is there and…

- I understand, Angel said, smiling, Come with me, I guess I can lend you Sky's bedroom.

********

- Angel, I want the truth… I noticed something about you, you know… Tell me what's on your mind.

The silver haired man just looked up at his father, cheeks burning up already.

- Oh! So you really met someone?

He quickly avoided his father's gaze.

- Quistis Trepe. Did you tell her yet? You know you shouldn't wait too long, she's a beautiful woman, intelligent and caring. She would do a good mother.

- You think I should tell her?

- Don't hesitate a sec… ngh!

- Dad! What is happening? Are you alright?

Angel quickly lead Cloud to the couch; the blond was obviously in pain. Slowly, he pushed him on his side, left him a second to retrieve some ice and he immediately applied it to his back. It did little to soothe him, and soon Angel was forced to make him swallow painkillers in last resort. He took the light blanket draping the couch and covered his father with it. There was no way he would get up again now. Then, the doorbell rang. And upon answering it Angel suddenly lost all of his abilities… For it was no one else than Quistis Trepe.

End

Author's notes

So sorry everyone for the late update… But I have a whole lot on my mind. Someone is dying slowly and it sucks, I think I passed through the most horrible holidays of my life. Anyway I hope you'll like the Angel/Quistis pairing. Will Cloud gave birth in the next chapter? Most probably… ^_^

See ya in: Twinkle, twinkle little star