Chapter 2 Pain And Hunger
Sephiroth was watching Cloud Strife. Or rather, stalking Cloud Strife. He had been since the day years ago when he had been reborn on this planet. But this day was different.
Cloud had packed his things and moved his furniture, motorcycle and collection of weapons out of his storage unit and his apartment above Tifa Lockhart's bar and into a small, though adequate house of his own.
What Sephiroth wanted to know was why. What had finally caused the rift between the pair?
Unfortunately continued spying was unlikely to reveal the answers he sought, because Cloud was such a private person.
Which was what led to him using one of his newly found skills to pick the lock on Cloud's back door and enter his house. He carefully put away his picks after re-locking the door behind himself, then he proceeded to look around Cloud's new home.
Everything was put away neatly and well organized, as would be expected of an ex-soldier.
Sephiroth checked out all the rooms before moving on finally to what he assumed was Cloud's closed bedroom door.
For the first time in his life he was unsure how to proceed with Cloud. Because he was free to proceed, no longer being under Jenova's cruel, absolute control. But he felt foolish just standing there with his slender left hand on the door's knob. So he finally just picked open the door and stepped inside, closing that door and re-locking it behind him as well.
Cloud was lying atop the covers of his single bed on his back. His beautiful eyes were, sadly, closed. His soft-looking hair, which was slightly longer then in Sephiroth's previous life, spread over the pillow beneath his head. He looked peaceful, his slender chest rising and falling with his deep, even breaths.
The scene was disturbed far too quickly for Sephiroth's liking when Cloud sensed his presence despite being asleep. Those gorgeous blue eyes snapped open and Cloud was up with his favorite sword from beside the bed in his hand and pointed at Sephiroth instantly.
"Easy, Cloud," Sephiroth said, trying to soothe him with his deep voice. "I am not here to harm you, I promise."
"Why should I believe you?" he inquired suspiciously, never taking his eyes off of him. "And how did you find me?"
"Magic, Cloud. I have been keeping both eyes on you with my magic since I was reborn. And I will not harm you because Jenova is dead. Thanks to you, and your friends, I am free to live my life as I choose to."
"I- I see," Cloud replied, slowly lowering his blade with obvious hesitation. "And how do you choose to live your life now that you are free?"
"I.. I wish to be with you, Cloud," Sephiroth confessed, his usually blank expression tormented as he gazed back at him. "It is all that I have ever wanted. Jenova controlled me completely. I could not speak or move of my own choice. It was her. It was always her. I was screaming inside to let you know that hurting you was not what I wanted, would never want, but you could not hear me. The twisted bitch just laughed at me, at my pain, while forcing me to attack all of you. To kill. It amused her to force me to take these actions when she knew all I had ever wanted was to love you, Cloud."
Cloud's sword clattered to the floor from suddenly limp fingers, his blue eyes going wide and his expression clearly shocked at the sudden flood of information. "Are- Are you serious, Sephiroth?"
"As serious as death, yes."
"Then, I... I am so sorry. I do not know what I could have done to help you, but I feel the same about you. I love you, Sephiroth. I always have, somehow. Maybe I always knew, deep down, that was not you."
"I am- That makes me very happy, Cloud," he said softly, stepping a few steps closer to him hesitantly. "And there was nothing you could have done to assist me. To truly know the truth would only have caused you more pain. I would never wish that. May I- May I hold you, Cloud? Please?"
Cloud studied Sephiroth for several moments in silence, his eyes accessing the other man. He wisely used his magic sight to check for any kind of deception rather then merely taking his word for it, finally nodding to give his consent. "..Yes. You may."
Cloud stepped into Sephiroth's suddenly outstretched arms to prevent any further awkwardness between them, feeling strangely relaxed and content when the taller man's arms encircled his waist and pulled him close against his chest with obvious tenderness.
"Oh, Cloud.." Sephiroth breathed quietly against the top of his head, clutching him tighter against his body. "I love you so much. I have needed to hold you for so long. I have never been happy until this moment, finally here with you in peace."
Cloud shivered when Sephiroth's left arm moved to twine around his body and his slender fingers buried themselves in Cloud's hair, his fingertips caressing his sensitive scalp gently. "Yes. This is.. surprisingly nice. I do not relax often. I feel.. happy. Like I have never felt before. This might sound silly, but would you like to go out to dinner with me? I am suddenly strangely hungry and in the mood for spaghetti, fresh baked bread and salad with Italian dressing."
"I would like that, Cloud."
"Great! Let us go now, then."
