- 1 -

"Regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all."

The streets were quickly being invaded by snow. Snowflakes – one for just about every personality – were falling lazily from the wintry grey sky. People scurried about their business, eager to get to their homes where they could finally have all the warmth they needed. However, as the sun was finally surrendering to night and as shops were being closed, one man left his home. His destination was unknown, and truthfully, he just didn't care anymore. Black leather clothed the man and a fashionable fur collar brushed his neck. His cheeks were flushed but his steely eyes showed no sign of emotion. As he mounted a sleek, matching black motorcycle, his silver necklace, reminiscent of times past, glimmered in the weak sunlight; miles away, green eyes glowed in a similar fashion.

Snow and wind were pelting his face making it almost impossible to see and his legs were beginning to go numb from the sheer cold. A few more minutes in this and I just might freeze to death or crash blindly into something, what beautiful thoughts those are, and at sixty-five miles an hour on snowy streets, even better. Slowly, a small and rather popular coffee place came into view; its cheery, green toned walls were inviting to the common public, but to the auburn haired man it was laughable. People are just like ants, scurrying all day long this way and that, trying their hardest to be the most popular and for what? In the end, nothing but company matters, and that can be disposed of…I guess I have no choice but to stop here, the wind and snow are too much tonight. Precisely at that moment a gale of wind almost drove the man into a mound of snow. Cursing, he slid his leather boot onto the pavement in order to swerve away and haltingly came to a stop in a parking space before the coffee shop. He ran a hand through his hair, trying, ridiculously, to remove snow from his long spiky mane. When more snow kept stubbornly falling he gave up and entered the building bitterly. Two looks around showed that he was the only customer that night, and for that, he was very grateful. As he made his way to the counter his many array of belts softly clanged and the zippers which ran down each leg of his black leather pants moved slowly in rhythm.

"Excuse me."

"Yes? What would you like to drink?"

Anything really, do you think I actually came here for the service?

"Just a cup of black coffee."

"Sure, that will be $1.50, thank you very much."

I doubt you'll be this cheery when your car refuses to start at closing time. With a slight, hardly audible chuckle, he sat at the counter, waiting patiently. He looked around at the small tables and private seats; he needed the farthest and most secluded corner he could – "Cloud!" He jerked his head toward the back room, which was wide open considering it was ten minutes to closing time.

"Be careful damn it! Drop that and you're fired."

Cloud stood firmly in the doorway, two boxes of glasses rested heavily in his hands. He glared at the man who had been managing the counter and said softly, but firmly:

"Don't worry; I won't drop your precious glasses."

Leon saw the rapid green flash in his eyes and stared at him. For once, he thought of nothing but that which he had just witnessed. His eyes glowed, they glowed! Am I imagining things…? Just as quickly as he appeared the blonde man walked stiffly, with boxes in hand, further into the room's darkness, where Leon could no longer see him. The man from the counter stepped out of the room and went to a nearby coffee machine where he poured black coffee and handed it to the lone customer that night. Leon shook his head and slowly walked, with the steaming coffee cup, to the most secluded corner he could find. When at last he sat and looked into the swirling, rich brown liquid, he realized how hot it had been and hastily set it down. Maybe I'm losing my mind now. Who really knows, it's very possible actually. But, I mean, I saw his eyes flash green…I did. That guy from the counter…he screamed out his name…Cloud was it? Cloud…I'll keep that in mind. A soft noise came from the back room, as if something heavy had been put down; an equally soft grunt was heard and he supposed Cloud hadn't broken the glasses after all. What a night; first I almost kill my self in the snow and then I swear I'm seeing glowing eyes, yes, yes, I do think I'm going insane…but I suppose that's alright.

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"So am I done for the day?"

The man at the counter inspected Cloud's work and looked towards him.

"Yes, I suppose you are. I'll see you at seven tomorrow; goodnight."

With that, Cloud took off the stupid blue apron which they made him wear and walked slowly to the main exit. An ashy and frayed turtle neck hugged his torso and durable black pants ran down his legs smoothly. His boots had a character all to themselves; as black straps intertwined, and two zippers, one set on each foot, bridged the space between his toes and ankles. Another night alone at home….great, thought Cloud as he walked slowly to the exit.

Leon looked up at the blonde with interest and wondered if he should even try to talk to him. Yeah, sure, I'll go up to him and ask: why did your eyes glow green back there? Then he'll give a slight laugh and walk away.

As Cloud got to the exit that also served as an entrance, he paused and looked out the glass double doors. "Shit," he declared to no one in particular.

Leon had just finished his coffee and he decided that, this time, talking wouldn't hurt. The blonde was obviously new to town, it showed in just about every movement he made, and besides, Leon had heard his remark.

Damn, I took the train today, there wasn't a blizzard forecasted…this is great…what do I do now?

"Excuse me."

Cloud turned to face Leon and their eyes met fully. No glowing this time at least, but that indicates I could be losing my mind.

"What do you want?"

"Well you don't say shit for nothing, you don't have a ride?"

Why is he so willing to help a stranger…? But unless I want to walk through the ice all the way home I really have no other option. I guess I'll have to go with him…..I knew I should have taken my motorcycle…

"Not really…"

"Well, my bike's parked outside, I'll take you home."

"…Fine."

Minutes later, Leon showed Cloud his sleek motorcycle while the blonde looked on with a masked awe. With a moment's hesitation, the auburn-haired man looked one last time at Cloud's eyes while the latter was busy observing the vehicle.

"Ok…" said Leon, "Get on."

Leon had done so himself as he spoke and looked back at Cloud as if motioning for him to join. Cloud took his place behind the other man slowly; his face was indifferent, but the prospect of a stranger taking him home late at night on such a snowy night made Cloud wish he hadn't gone to work that day. As the motorcycle began to move Cloud wrapped his arms around the man and realized that he didn't want to give off the wrong impression. After all, he thought, I don't need this guy getting any ideas, and it's late. As they began to gain speed Cloud unconsciously tightened his grip on Leon's torso and Leon just as unconsciously smiled.

The road was slick with snow as the sleek motorcycle swerved through unlit streets. Cloud was beginning to go numb from cold as his mind drifted amidst thoughts of the mysterious new stranger that had been kind enough to drive him home that night. Meanwhile, Leon was focused on the road before him, the pressure on his body gone unnoticed for the most part, but deep in his mind he kept reminding himself of that extra amount of body heat, and of that odd blonde who had somehow brought words to his lips with those glowing eyes of his.

Cloud couldn't help but press hard against Leon's body and bury his cheek in the brunette's back when he was the only source of heat available and when they were traveling at such speeds that loosely hanging on could mean flying off the speeding motorcycle and into pavement; so much for giving off the wrong impression. The blonde didn't know if it was the ethereality of that night or just simple body heat but the auburn-haired driver stirred feelings that Cloud had long since wished dead.

"So where exactly do you live?" Leon said over the loud humming of the motorcycle's engine and Cloud responded with a small jerk at his voice; he had been drifting off into thoughts he shouldn't be thinking and now he mentally shoved himself for having had them.

"Umm, I just moved in so I'm not exactly too sure…"

The blonde had forgotten his address again it seemed and for this he cursed himself a million times, but the damage was done so instead he tried with much difficulty to remember where it was that he lived. His thoughts raced through old addresses and old towns and he finally began to get a vague notion of his current house, if it could be called that, he thought with much distaste.

"I think it was on Ragnarok street…number…..um…2327…."

Leon cocked an eyebrow at the other's statement and then headed for the oldest part of town. The buildings and streets were littered with graffiti here, and the houses were small and compact. Leon couldn't help but wonder what type of person he had stumbled onto and he also couldn't help but feel a small pang of guilt as he came to a stop before a shabby house. However, this was about the only house that hadn't been marked with graffiti or what seemed like anything else; in the dim moonlight Leon could make out a modest yard, devoid of foliage but neat nonetheless.

"So, this is where you live?"

Cloud dismounted the bike with ease but turned to speak to the brunette.

"That's right, thanks for the ride."

The small puff of mist that was Cloud's breath shimmered in the dim lightning. As he faced Leon, the latter noticed small patches of color had formed in his cheeks. The blonde's hair was tousled from the ride and his eyes calmly reflected Leon's image. Leon nodded and looked on as Cloud walked hesitantly to his front door. He's such an odd one. I can feel hesitation every time he speaks but it also feels as if he has been waiting for something that will never come. Leon wondered what the man's past had been and quickly dismissed the thoughts; this isn't something I should be thinking about, so his eyes glowed, that didn't mean I had to take him home. But….I did him a favor and – at that moment the brunette reprimanded himself – well Leon, since when do you do favors? If it had been any other – Leon suddenly heard a thud and looked up quickly to find a crumpled body with blonde hair before the front door.