I Wish I Had Your Angel
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters etc. etc. I just own the plot.
Summary: (LxC)Cloud receives a message from Hades to kill Leon at Traverse Town. He thinks it'll be an easy job but he soon discovers friendship and has to choose between his life and the life of his new friend.
It was the middle of the night in Traverse Town. Rain came down violently and the wind was blowing harshly. Cloud walked silently though the First District, ignoring his heavy, waterlogged clothes. His hair stood straight in every angle, defying all laws of gravity. He had just arrived at Traverse Town to do one thing, and that was to kill a man by the name of Squall Leonhart.
Cloud did not know particularly why this Leon was such a threat to Hades that he'd have to be murdered, but then again he also wasn't particularly sure why he had sided with Hades in the first place. He thought that he had been searching for his light, but if so, why look for it in the dark?
Cloud did not know this Leon so he thought he shouldn't feel bad about him; nevertheless, Cloud did pity him. The blonde reached Cid's shop and stood still. He hadn't seen his friends in a very long time and they all probably thought he was dead. As he was about to open the door, he realized that Cid wasn't alone. Voices could be heard inside. Amongst them, there was the unmistakable Yuffie. He also noticed Aerith was there, but he couldn't figure out who the third voice was. His voice was deep and lacked emotion and seemed to be genuinely bored.
As he decided he was going to turn back he heard Yuffie say that she needed to go look for something outside. Cloud saw an orange, gloved hand emerge from the door followed by a petite black-haired ninja. At first she thought she had seen a ghost and rubbed her eyes, and then she proceeded to touch Cloud.
"Hi Yuffie. Nice to see you again." The blonde answered blankly.
Yuffie blinked several times before jumping on him. "CLOUD!"
The occupants of Cid's shop, hearing the commotion outside, exited the shop to see what was going on. They saw that Yuffie was clinging to Cloud's neck while he desperately tried to shake her off.
"Cloud?" Aerith managed to say, eyes full of tears.
"Help?" was the only thing Cloud managed to say since Yuffie was now constricting his neck. Cid was too busy staring at Cloud, and Aerith was too busy gawking to help Cloud so Leon took it upon himself to help Cloud.
"Here. I'll take this." Leon said prying Yuffie off Cloud's neck.
"Thank you" The blonde said rubbing his neck.
The brunette was about Cloud's height and age and he had shoulder-length hair. He was wearing leather pants and a leather jacket that covered his white shirt. He also had a necklace with a lion's head. Cloud recognized these characteristics as Leon's.
"You are Squall Leonhart, right?" Cloud said half mindedly.
Leon, although surprised answered back. "That's me…how did you know?"
"Let's just say someone I know happens to know you" Cloud said, leaving it at that.
The others finally regaining their composure realized that Leon and Cloud were having a conversation, although they really didn't know each other.
"Well I guess introductions aren't in order…" Cid said scratching his head.
"Cloud I'm so glad to see you! Where are you staying?" Aerith said, whipping a few tears from her eyes.
"Nowhere actually….I just got here…" Cloud said passing a hand though his blonde hair.
"You can stay with me and Aerith!" Yuffie said jumping up and down with excitement. Aerith too seemed excited.
"Sorry to burst your bubble girls but I think he'd feel more at home if he stays at a male's house. You know? M-A-L-E. He should stay with someone his age too like…Leon? How 'bout it Leon?" Cid suggested.
"Sure….If he doesn't mind…." Leon said leaning casually on a wall.
"Uh….ok…." Cloud answered not really caring; this surely would make his job easier.
"Then it's settled! Cloud stays with Leon!" Yuffie said still excited.
Cid looked at his watch and saw that it was already 1:30 am.
"It's getting late. We should go now. Bye." Cid said waving them all a goodnight.
"Night Cloud." Aerith said happily.
"Bye Leon! Bye Cloud! Don't be all night doing who knows what!" Yuffie said in a singsong voice.
Cloud and Leon were left alone. They walked silently back to Leon's place. When they got there Leon pointed Cloud to sleep on the couch, which he gratefully did.
A few hours later, when Leon lay asleep, Hades showed up.
"Everything's going according to plan?"
"Yes."
"Good. See to it tomorrow night."
With that Hades disappeared. Cloud hadn't thought his job to be hard but now he was having second thoughts. Whereas he knew it was too late for that.