Anyways, enjoy this all fellow CloudSeph -ers!
And remember- third times a charm... (cheesy, yes, very cheesy title- can you pick a better one? Other than 'The Date'- figured that would be too obvious. We do all know what the 'third time' I'm talking about is, right? At least, you'll all know by the end, ne? If you don't, the please ask! I don't know if it was too vague- and there are one or two ways it can be thought of that I DIDN'T think of when creating the title chapter...)
Warnings: FLUFF ALERT! Red alert on fluffiness! Make sure you have tissues (for tears over the angst bit), and toothbrush (for the fluff areas) and toothpaste (for the toothbrush). I don't know if it's actually worth all that, but hey, better safe than sorry!
Anyways, Part VI of XI (6 of 10) (Why did I write that? No good reason... felt like it.)
Cloud POV
Cloud swallowed hard, looking at himself in the mirror.
Aeris had come over after school on Friday to help him out, helping him fix his 'hair'- the wig- and his outfit so that he looked like a real girl. He had even consented to nail polish and makeup, on the condition that she left the polish remover with him. She had agreed, and had done his nails very neatly, well-aware of how humiliating this was for her poor friend.
Cloud tugged at the skirt- it went down to his knees, like his Alice in Wonderland outfit, but the skirt was black. Aeris had brought over a white button up shirt and a black vest. Cloud wore sensible black shoes- more like boots, really- and white socks. His wig had been done up in a ponytail, but the hair wasn't bound so tightly together that it was in danger of falling off or revealed any of the plastic that made up the wig.
Aeris had gone light with the makeup, only using a light layer of foundation before applying a little blush and some mascara. He had refused to wear eyeliner, and so she had decided on using a light liliac eyeshadow to bring out the blue of his eyes.
When they were done, even Cloud had to admit that he made a pretty good girl- a cute one, at that.
"Good luck. Do you want me to drop you off?" Aeris asked as she packed up her things. Cloud shook his head.
"No, I'll drive myself and just park around the corner. We don't know if he'll recognize my car or not." he said, trying to get used to the falsetto Aeris had insisted he practice.
"You'll be fine." she said, smiling as she turned and left. Cloud took one last look around his house before grabbing a jacket he rarely wore and leaving as well, heading for Sephiroth's condo.
Sephiroth POV
'I should have known it wouldn't work.' Sephiroth thought, grimacing. 'It might work yet, though- I won't lose hope.'
The article had been printed three days ago- he couldn't expect a response in three days.
'I had just hoped that she'd come to me before break.' Sephiroth thought. He was currently lounging about his condo in nothing but a pair of pajama pants, having no where to go and expecting no one.
That's why, when the doorbell rang, he forgot about his state of undress- he was so comfortable with being partly naked- and answered it.
"Yes?" he asked, mind reeling when he recognized the person on his doorstep. "Clementine!"
"Mmm?" she said, apparently out of it. He followed her gaze to see his chest, which was rather nicely being shown off in the light of the hall. He looked back up to catch Clementine blushing and smirked.
"I... I just wanted to know if that offer of yours still stood." Clementine stuttered. "I just came here because you said you wanted just one date."
"I wasn't expecting you- but I am most pleasently surprised. Come in and wait while I get dressed." Sephiroth said, opening the door wide and intentionally not moving. The parts of his well-defined chest that had been blocked by the door were now revealed, and he watched Clementine's face closely.
Her eyes followed the movement of the door, looking closely at his chest and she blushed hotly, stammering a 'thank you' as she brushed past him into the condo.
Sephiroth's smirk grew even wider behind her back.
'If that's all it took to get her blushing, I wonder how she'll react when we continue that kiss we left on the dance floor.' Sephiroth thought. The night was definately looking up.
Cloud POV
Cloud stood in the large entryway just inside the door, staring in awe at the luxury that surrounded him.
Sephiroth had a kitchen all the way at the back of the condo. The living room was right outside the kitchen, and the other side of the living room lead to what he could assume was the bedroom as Sephiroth disappeared into that room and shut the door. The far wall had sliding glass doors leading out onto a balconey large enough to have a small metal table and comfortable looking wicker chairs, with enough space to move around the furniture easily.
Hesitantly stepping forward, Cloud realized that he couldn't see a bathroom anywhere- but, by the look of this place, it was probably attached to the bedroom only and not the living room.
Cloud explored the area, seeing that Sephiroth did indeed have a full kitchen- refridgerator with attached freezer, oven, stove, microwave, dishwasher, counters and cabinets. It was like what you'd find in a house!
Moving on, Cloud studied the living room- tastefully decorated with a few paintings, creme-colored walls and carpeting, with an Oriental-style rug in the middle of the floor. A black leather couch rested along one wall, an expensive-looking painting hanging above it. A wood and glass coffee table sat on the rug, magazines resting in an organzied fashion on top of it. A rather large TV stood across from the couch, flanked by bookshelves filled with all kinds of books and keepsakes. Cloud admired them for a moment before heading towards the balcony.
He noted the black curtains on either side of the doors- presumably for covering up the interior of the condo during the day or for privacy (Cloud shivered as he thought of what things that Sephiroth would need 'privacy' for)- as he slid the doors open and stepped out onto the balcony.
A cool breeze tossed his fake hair as he walked to the rail, breath being taken away by the veiw.
A small pond had been dug behind the building, trees planted all around it randomly to give it that 'untouched' feel. The moon cast a reflection on the pool, making the whole scene seem to glow...
"Enjoying the veiw?" Sephiroth asked from behind him, nearly causing him to jump. Cloud turned, then his mouth dropped open.
Apparently, Sephiroth had attempted to match with him- and had succeeded beautifully. He wore tight, black leather pants with a white button-up shirt, a black vest completing the matching. Sephiroth hadn't stopped there, however. A black strip of leather tied his hair back in a loose, low ponytail, a few stubborn strands of hair framing his face. Sephiroth wore boots as well, and had added black leather gloves to his ensamble.
"Y-yeah..." Cloud stuttered, unsure if the 'view' he was referring to was the nature he had been looking at a moment before or Sephiroth's very edible-looking body. Sephiroth smirked, seeming to sense his indecision.
"I've looked up movie showtimes, and there is a film playing soon that I thought we might be able to go see. Perhaps we'll have dinner later and go walking in the park under the stars as well?" he asked. Cloud found himself nodding.
"That sounds wonderful." he managed to say, turning and walking back with Sephiroth into the condo. Sephiroth grabbed a leather jacket and the two were off.
Some Time Later
"This was the greatest date I've ever been on." Cloud said, holding Sephiroth's hand shyly. They had seen a rather excellent movie- though for the life of him Cloud couldn't remember what it was about, or what happened, except that Sephiroth had kissed him twice- and had eaten dinner at a slightly fancy restaurant. They had talked over dinner, talking about nothing in particular and anything they cared to discuss.
"For me as well, and I daresay I've been on more than you." Sephiroth said teasingly. Cloud just smiled as they both laughed. He had unearthed a new side to Sephiroth- the real Sephiroth, the perfect gentleman, the one who laughed out loud and cracked his own jokes, the one who was devastatingly sweet and romantic.
Cloud had fallen even deeper underneath Sephiroth's spell, but his good mood was tainted by the fact that he would have to tell Sephiroth who he was and why they couldn't- wouldn't- be together after the date ended.
'At least I'll always have this memory.' Cloud thought, smiling at something sweet that Sephiroth had said.
They walked on in the dark, talking and laughing and smiling, each hoping that the night would drag on forever so they would never have to leave the other.
"We have to get going soon- the park is only open until midnight and I only asked for one date." Sephiroth said mournfully as Cloud yawned. "And you're getting tired- I'm afraid we have to part ways soon." Cloud nodded silently, eyes taking on a mournful cast.
"I... I still don't think that it would work out." Cloud said. He felt Sephiroth stiffen beside him, then relax, as if resigned.
"I figured that you probably wouldn't change your mind so quickly- but can you tell me why?"
Cloud swallowed.
"When we get back to your place. I'll tell you just before I leave." Cloud promised. A heavy silence fell between the two, each mourning the coming parting of the ways.
Some Time Later
The car ride back was silent, almost awkward. Neither wanted to say anything that would indicate that their date was almost over, and Cloud would be revealing some information that would be so earth-shattering that they couldn't have more than that one date.
Cloud studied Sephiroth's profile in the mirror, biting his lip. It just wasn't fair- a little over two weeks ago he would have thought it an impossible dream to be where he was now, and here he was, throwing it all away.
'It's just not fair, to be so close and give it all up. But I can't lie- not to him, not anymore.' The car stopped in front of Sephiroth's building. Both exited the car, Cloud looking down at his feet as they walked inside and into the elevator, walking out and only stopping when they reached Sephiroth's door.
"I had a lot of fun tonight." Cloud said, pasting on a fake smile while he held back tears. Sephiroth was looking at him so sadly, as if it was breaking his heart to let him go.
"You don't have to leave- you could stay here, or come back tomorrow, or even in a decade. I'd wait for you." Sephiroth said, but Cloud was shaking his head before Sephiroth finished his sentence.
"It's better this way, but I do owe you the truth." Cloud said, suddenly realizing exactly where he was- what position he was in. He was about to reveal to the man he loved that they couldn't be together because he- Cloud- was a man and had been decieving Sephiroth for two weeks. He looked back up at Sephiroth, suddenly desperate for one last good memory.
"Just, before I do..." Cloud swallowed, not used to making this kind of request. "... please kiss me again." Sephiroth needed no further urging, and brought his mouth eagerly down on Cloud's. Cloud could easily taste the desperation, the need, the longing, the urge to make Cloud stay.
'No, to make /Clementine/ stay.' Cloud reminded himself, even as he kissed back, allowing his emotions and silent tears to color their desperate, longing kiss. It was Cloud who initiated the use of tongues, licking fervently at Sephiroth's lips- he parted them willingly, allowing Cloud to map out and memorize the damp cavern and the taste of Sephiroth. This time, Cloud did not back away when Sephiroth began running his hands over Cloud's body- hell, Cloud even encouraged it by sliding his own hands over Sephiroth's form, wanting to feel as much of the man as he could before being forced to leave him.
Cloud's lungs burned, and his eyes stung, but he ignored it until he was light-headed. He reluctantly pulled back, breathing hard and lips only an inch from Sephiroth's.
If he so wanted, he could close that gap and kiss the man again.
Cloud shook his head, stepping backwards out of Sephiroth's embrace. He was glad that he had chosen the side of the door closer to the elevator- it would make things so much easier.
"Clementine, wha-?" Sephiroth asked, hurt in his eyes as well as confusion and a burning desire to know why Cloud had pulled away. Sephiroth's face was still flushed from the kiss, and some of his hair hand fallen out as he had hastily maunvered for better access to Cloud's mouth, and was breathtakingly beautiful.
Cloud just smiled as he let his tears dry on his face.
"I promised you the truth- I'll show you. I'm surprised you didn't find out a minute ago, when we were kissing, but I guess... I guess you weren't thinking about your hands." Cloud let his voice deepen to it's natural tone as he gently tugged on his ponytail.
A/N: Sorry bout the huge AN at the top. Felt like writing it.
How many of you feel like bopping me over the head until I update again? raises hand
Sorry for the cliffie- I hate to read those myself, but love to write them! I don't know if that was a huge cliffie or not- I've seen worse, like life-or-death situations, but compared to the rest of this fic it's pretty attention-grabbing.
Okay- on the OOCness of it- sorry that Cloud cries. A lot. I don't know why, but I think I'm making him into a huge crybaby for some odd reason... sorry for his OOCness.
As for Sephiroth- maybe he's too soft and a bit too cuddly? I don't think so, but I see most men as big huge teddy bears- I'm a 'hug-you-touchy-feely' kinda person when I get hyper off too much sugar. Often, I'm hyper on sugar.
Anyways, remember I'll update Thursday if enough people ask. (Enough 10 or more) If not, then see you Saturday! (IF I'm in a really good mood, I might bump it up to Wednesday- I love Spring Break. High school teachers work us freshies like dogs... grr... I'm glad I already have this whole thing written!)
See you sometime next week! Hugs, love, and kisses!