Chapter 4 Ice Cream, Kitties and Vincent
Cloud was just about to enter the small corner store when he heard a soft, barely detectable sound coming from the dark alley to the right of the store. He instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his large sword as he turned to look into the alley. Cloud actually laughed softly at himself when he heard a piteous mewing sound as a tiny grey kitten with large blue eyes padded out of the shadows and closer to him with obvious caution. Right on the kitten's heels was a large and muscular black and white tomcat with narrowed green eyes. The older cat had clearly appointed himself as the kitten's protector.
Cloud smiled at the kitten and cat, slowly moving closer and down to their level, reaching out to pet the kitten. He gently ran his palm along his bony grey-furred back several times, scritching him behind the ears when he started to purr happily, his eyes closing with clear bliss.
The older male was clearly more cautious about trusting, but after a few moments, he came forward to lightly brush himself against Cloud's leg, even beginning to purr as well. Cloud waited until they were more comfortable with him, then reached out to pick up the grey kitten, carefully cradling him in the crook of his left arm. He saw the tom was nervous about him holding the kitten, so he stood up slowly, making sure the older cat was following him as he moved over to the door of the store and opened it.
He pulled out his debit chip, speaking to one of the workers inside while holding it out to him. "Good evening. May I please have a half-gallon of mint chocolate chip, chocolate brownie, and butter pecan ice cream? I also need some of your best moist cat food."
The man's eyes widened at his request, blinking rapidly as he looked down at the kitten in the crook of his arm and the cat at his feet.
"I would come in, but I do not want the cats to leave. I am taking them home with me."
"Of- Of course! Right away, sir. If you'll just wait outside, I'll bring your bags out to you."
"Thank you very much."
"Of course, sir."
Cloud let the door close, leaning his back against the brick wall of the store while stroking the kitten. He then bent down cautiously, being careful not to startle the tomcat, picking him up with his free arm. The tom meowed nervously, instinctively digging his claws into Cloud's arm. He didn't jump down, however, eventually relaxing and moving up to Cloud's shoulder, perching there and purring contentedly once he realized he was safe with him.
That was when Vincent suddenly appeared on the sidewalk nearby, his blood-red cloak rustling softly as he approached Cloud, placing his back against the open stretch of the wall beside him.
"Cloud."
"Vincent."
"I seen you."
"You seen me? You seen me what?"
"Kissing Sephiroth."
"Oh.."
"It is alright, Cloud. I am pleased for you. I have always known you two were meant for each other. It is part of why I never told you of my feelings for you."
"What- What do you mean?"
"I care about you, Cloud. I.. love you, in my way. But I have always known I was not the one for you, that he was. You are very passionate, Cloud, as is Sephiroth. Though you both attempt to conceal this fact. I knew, and so I knew I could not give you the physical passion you need and have been unconsciously seeking."
"I agree with you that Sephiroth is the one for me, Vincent. But what do you mean about not being able to give me physical passion?"
"I am asexual, Cloud. Which can be somewhat different for everyone. But my sex drive is basically non-existent. The minimal amount of physical touch I can handle would never be enough to satisfy you."
"I guess I can understand that, at least to a point. I have never been with another person physically because I was waiting for my soul mate. For Sephiroth. You really have no interest in intimately touching the person you love?"
"Chaste kisses and touching are alright. Holding hands. Nothing which could be referred to as sex."
The kind worker exited the small corner store then, handing Cloud his debit chip and holding two brown paper bags, one full of ice cream and the other full of cat food.
"Thank you so much," Cloud said to him. He smiled gratefully, putting away his chip carefully in the inner pocket of his suit.
Vincent took the bags for him since his arms were full of cat and kitten, waiting patiently while Cloud handed the worker twenty gil as a tip for his helpfulness. "I just moved to this area, so I am sure I will be back."
"That's great! Thank you, sir, and have a good night!"
"You have a good evening as well."
The man nodded politely with another smile before heading back inside and Cloud started walking off back down the sidewalk toward his house with Vincent following silently at his side with his bags. "Well you have made it clear I can not be the type of partner you need, even if I were not destined to be with Sephiroth, and I agree with your assessment, Vincent. But I hope we can still be friends?"
"I as well, Cloud."
"Then would you like to come to the house for dinner tomorrow night?"
"I would, yes. But are you sure your mate would be alright with my presence in your new home?"
"I am," Cloud replied firmly. "I will explain it to him. Your love for me is innocent, Vincent. It is no threat to the different kind of love Sephiroth and I share."
"I am.. glad you understand that."
When they reached the house Cloud unlocked the door, moving back so Vincent could set down the bags inside before holding out his arms to him in offering. Vincent blinked, hesitantly stepping closer to briefly embrace Cloud, being careful not to upset the cat and kitten before withdrawing a few feet away as he moved to go.
"I will see you tomorrow night, Cloud."
"Good. We will be here. Goodnight, Vincent."
"Goodnight."
Cloud watched his friend depart before heading inside, shutting and locking the door, hearing the shower running in the large bathroom connected to his and Sephiroth's master bedroom. He gently settled the cats down on the soft upper sea blue carpet in front of the lit fireplace before quickly putting all the ice cream in the freezer. Cloud then quickly filled and brought them a plate of cat food and a bowl of goat's milk from the fridge.
The little grey kitten, who he had decided to call Sootball, headed for the food first with the tom, who he'd decided to call Chocolate Chip, following after him. They quickly devoured the food before moving to the milk, and when that was gone they curled up together on the rug, grooming each other and purring loudly with contentment in the warm firelight.
Cloud removed his sword from his back, setting it aside securely before laying down near them on his side, taking turns gently petting them both until they fell asleep.
Sephiroth exited the bathroom with a fluffy dark blue towel secured around his hips as well as a second towel wrapped around his long silver hair because it was damp from the shower. He was wondering what was keeping Cloud, certain he would have announced his return to Sephiroth, when he entered the living room and saw his mate lying fast asleep in front of the fire with two felines and empty food dishes beside him. He would have been jealous, but the scene was so peaceful, and Cloud was so beautiful, that it made his heart feel warm with both affection and amusement.
Sephiroth quietly picked up the cat dishes and placed them in the sink to soak before moving back to the fire, removing the towel on his head before calling out softly, "Cloud, wake up, please."
"Ungh.." Cloud groaned, his blue eyes fluttering open slowly. "I do not wish to. I am tired."
"Yes, sweetheart," Sephiroth with an obviously amused smile. "May I carry you to our bed? Then you may go back to sleep."
"Mmm. Alright. Thank you, Sephiroth. Please close the bedroom door. I do not want Sootball and Chocolate Chip thinking they can be in there. Our room is only for us to share."
"We can discuss that tomorrow morning," Sephiroth stated firmly while tenderly lifting Cloud up and into his strong arms. "As well as what happened on your ice cream trip. I will get you settled in bed and then set up a litterbox for your furry friends before I join you."
"Oh! Thank you, Sephiroth," Cloud sighed as he was settled into bed by his mate, smiling up at him. "I forgot about that important detail."
"You are welcome, my sweet Cloud."
