Author's Note: Cloud and Sephiroth have a night of fun and games... (Warnings: drugs, language, trippyness, adult situations)

CHAPTER 19: Carnival Games

The Hearse's engines screamed as it sped down a long-winded, decently populated road. Reflections of electric lights and tiny raindrops streaked across the surface of its black tinted windows. From within, Cloud's image appeared on the glass. His sky-blue eyes stared right back at him; the pupils dilated. For a moment, the irises shimmered blue. Cloud dismissed it as part of his imagination and propped his forehead against the window. The Nibelheim native watched a blurred series of steel structures, billboards, and street hustlers flash by him. To him, it was all an elaborate industrial dreamscape.

According to his watch, it was past nine. Thick clouds of green mako from the distant reactors continued to evaporate into the night's sky. While Cloud did recognize this part of the Plate as Sector 8, the Entertainment District, he still had no clue where he was headed. The train station he took to return to the Slums was at the opposite side of this sector.

Cloud closed his eyes, feeling dazed by the collage of lights and blinking colors outside his window. He felt unusually heavy, sensitive to all external stimuli. The nerves under his skin tingled while both ears throbbed from the acid trip-hop music that blasted from high-definition speakers. His insides twisted and turned, ready to erupt. To vomit, to cum, or to take a piss, he didn't know. Cloud slowly breathed out. As the window's glass fogged under his breath, the metallic environment spun inside his head in fast circles. He gave up trying to make sense of it and collapsed backward, landing face-up on the lap of a man sitting next to him.

"Are we having fun yet?" a low voice spoke to him from above, sounding amused.

With a soft groan, Cloud halfway opened his eyes and looked up. Initial blurriness gave way to detailed shapes and colors. He noticed other eyes, blazing green, staring down at him.

Sephiroth.

The Host currently held a two-foot-long thin pipe in one hand. Long silvery locks of hair draped the sides of his beautiful face. Surprisingly, Sephiroth didn't wear his veil but donned his usual dark attire. A few of his blouse's buttons were left undone. Cloud's eyes followed the elongated path of his neck. Smooth and white, it appeared inviting.

Cloud crunched his nose at the thick green smoke that lingered around him. He sneezed at the mixture of vanilla and, what smelled like, citrus in the air.

"I feel weird," Cloud managed to slur back. He rolled his head to one side on Sephiroth's lap, now facing his direction. As they passed by bright neon billboards, the Host changed colors. Blue. Purple. Green. Orange. White. Violet. And red. "What the hell did you give me?"

Rather than answer the question, Sephiroth's parted lips blew out green fumes. The smoke slowly drifted up like a snake. He withdrew the pipe from his mouth. Sephiroth's words sounded slower and deeper. "Is your stomach still upset?"

"No. I just feel… funky."

Sephiroth's flushed lips curved to a small smile. He offered his pipe to Cloud. Initially, the teenager was reluctant to accept it. He kept his mouth pursed until Sephiroth gently pried it apart with his gloved fingers. The Host carefully slipped the pipe's mouth piece inside.

"Inhale, boy. You'll feel better."

The non-stop rocking motion of the car made Cloud groan. He relented. Sephiroth lit the tail-end of the pipe for him with a lighter. With a deep inhale, Cloud sucked in the pipe's contents and filled his lungs with emerald. While he casually lit up with Kyle during his days off, the contents of Sephiroth's pipe must've contained high-grain powerful shit because he choked the moment he took a hit of it.

"Feeling funky is better than ejecting excrement all over the carpet floor," Sephiroth commented over Cloud's coughing fit, "As you almost did earlier, silly boy."

Cloud continued to choke.

The cannabis they smoked together started to relieve his motion sickness and made him relaxed – perhaps a little too relaxed. Cloud was now overcome by warmth and fuzzy sensations. He was as high as… a cloud. Mentally, he laughed at that ridiculous metaphor. Then he turned his head again and noticed Sephiroth's crotch a few inches away from his face.

Cloud's eyes remained fixated on Sephiroth's zipper as he demanded to know, "Where are we going? I thought you were taking me back home. This isn't the way to the train station."

"It's a surprise. You will like it." Sephiroth's eyes shined through the haze of smoke. He glanced out the window a moment later and quietly informed, "We're almost there."

After Sephiroth lit his pipe and took a few hits from it, he leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. Cloud observed his tranquil state and thought the Host looked like a delicate doll. He was tempted to run his fingers through his strands of silvery hair.

"You should be in a Shinra hair commercial," Cloud blurted out, not caring if his sentiment sounded stupid. "You got prettier hair than any girl I've come across."

Opening his eyes, Sephiroth stared at him with a blank look on his face, still influenced by the jade drug in his system. A hint of a smile eventually tugged at the corner of his mouth. He set his pipe down on the black coffin next to them – the same coffin Cloud had initially arrived in – and removed both of his leather gloves. Cloud noticed something peculiar.

On Sephiroth's pinky finger was a plastic blue ring. It looked cheap and completely out of place compared to the rest of his expensive attire. Cloud narrowed his eyes when he finally recognized it. It was the same ring the silver-haired child snatched from him at Chocobo Chow the other night.

Sephiroth combed through furious locks of blond with his bare hands. As he attempted to tame it, he muttered, "Your hair… You've been out in the wild for too long, boy."

"Good luck trying to domesticate me then," Cloud replied with a yawn.

A silvery brow rose. Sephiroth's smile widened. "Challenge accepted, then."

It'd been half an hour since Cloud and his newfound companion left LOVELESS in Zack's party wagon. Thankfully, Cloud wasn't put in the coffin like the last time. Sephiroth had blindfolded him instead for a good portion of the trip. So far, their night together had been surreal. He'd visited LOVELESS and entered an underground world that practically defied reality. When he woke up this morning, Cloud didn't imagine himself being in the company of an unusual handsome man, let alone, bathing with him. While some part of Cloud still felt terrible for ditching Jessie, he also didn't have any regrets.

Whether this was a date with his Host or a simple outing, Cloud couldn't tell. Regardless, they weren't alone for it. Angeal sat several feet away at the tail-end of the Hearse's elongated seat. The heavier built Host had finally abandoned his post at the bar to join them in this late evening venture. He currently rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers, briefly closing his eyes. Either the man was tired, annoyed by the cannabis' smoke that dominated the interior space, or irritated by Zack's loud downtempo music. Perhaps it was all of the above.

Zack, himself, helmed the driver's seat once more. His erratic driving was the cause of many car honks outside. He was going too fast, shooting in and out of traffic like a bee doped up on speed. From time to time, Cloud could hear him sing behind the wheel – he had a delightful voice. Angeal had to tap on the black-tinted window that divided the driver's side from the passengers to get him to slow down and lower the music.

The fifth person present was a man Cloud hadn't seen since his birthday celebration many nights ago. An auburn-haired male dressed in red leather sat directly across Cloud. One leg crossed the other. His head remained bowed as he read from an aged crimson book. From time to time, he took a sip from a small porcelain-white cup. The steam of his hot herbal tea lingered in the air.

Prior to their departure from LOVELESS, Sephiroth had formally introduced this aristocratic man as Genesis Rhapsodos. He was the visionary man behind the Host club. Cloud recalled the night they'd unofficially met. Genesis spoke in poetic nonsense and seemed so full of himself that night. Even now, an air of arrogance surrounded him.

"I'll remind you once again, Sephiroth, he looks dreadfully young," Genesis softly remarked over the music. The bookworm kept his eyes on the book but added, "I'm not even sure he's potty-trained."

Cloud's mouth formed a thin straight line.

"Genesis," Angeal began and drew his thick brows closer together. "He is Sephiroth's guest. Play nice."

"My apologies. I had no idea we were at the playground, consorting with misfits and toddlers." Genesis flipped a page. "I suspect Sephiroth will have to sing him lullabies when it's past his bed time."

Despite feeling heavy and slow, Cloud halfway rose from his dormant position. He was ready to give this man a piece of his mind – and fist. Sephiroth gently pulled him back down on his lap, however. A hand on the back of Cloud's neck held him in place. Surprised by the man's strength, Cloud emitted a throaty sound as he tried to get up again. He failed.

Combing the locks of blond hair with his silver-polished fingers again, Sephiroth bent down and murmured, "Don't prove Genesis right by acting like a child. Relax."

"Tell him to shut up then," Cloud snapped back.

Despite the Host's efforts to calm him, the Nibelheim native glared at the man across. He was ready to bust the bottom of his fat pretty lip with one swift punch.

"I am only stating the obvious," continued Genesis from across, completely ignoring Cloud's reaction. "Sephiroth's new playmate is far too young to play our type of games."

"It's their prerogative, not ours," Angeal reminded him. "We must honor their contract."

"Alas, friend, dishonoring their contract and making an astute observation are two different things." Genesis took a sip of his hot tea. Afterward, he shook his head and set the cup down. "Honestly, Angeal, you objected to this arrangement yourself. We concluded he is practically a child. Am I the only one left with a sense of code and honor here? For shame."

"Sheesh, cut him some slack," Zack's voice suddenly bellowed from up ahead. The black window divider lowered. Zack's face appeared as he glanced back at them. The peculiar scar on his cheek stretched as he said, "The kid may be young, but I think he can roll with us."

"Duly noted. Thank you for your opinion," Genesis responded evenly. "Now watch the road, Fair."

The headlights of another car bathed them all in white light. Zack cursed as he turned around. He violently swerved left to avoid the head-on collision. The Hearse's momentum forced everyone to shift to one direction. Angeal thumped his head against a window while Genesis sneered, trying to keep his tea from spilling. A blaring horn echoed past them as soon as the near-death experience ended. An indifferent Sephiroth turned his attention to Genesis afterward.

"That'll be enough of that," the silver-haired Host finally addressed him. "While your concern over my affairs is touching, Genesis, it is also unnecessary. Matters such as this should be discussed elsewhere –in private."

Having failed to neatly organize Cloud's chaotic bundle of hair, Sephiroth resorted to a small bottle of clear oil from his coat's pocket. It smelled of rose. He gently ran it across Cloud's scalp, eventually teasing the tips of his hair in the hopes of containing it. As he did this, he spoke again.

"Besides, you, of all people, should know that fresh apples are the juiciest and brightest of the lot."

This made Genesis look up from his book.

"There is nothing wrong with picking out a fresh apple straight from the tree," Sephiroth continued as he gathered several blond hairs together. The edges of his lips curved up. "I certainly prefer them over those that have aged and gone bitter."

Genesis quietly scoffed. His piercing blue eyes shifted to the debilitated boy sprawled across Sephiroth's lap. In a low voice, he quipped, "Be sure to check for worms then."

Genesis uncrossed his legs and shut his book with a loud thud sound. He poured himself another cup of tea from the Hearse's mini bar, dumping at least fifteen sugar cubes in it.

Sephiroth's smile disappeared. He gazed down at Cloud. "Pay him no mind. He possesses a wicked tongue and has a flair for the overdramatic at times."

"Overdramatic…" Cloud echoed flatly.

He wondered if there was anything more to their verbal exchange than Sephiroth was letting on, especially when he remembered the two being somewhat physical at Club LIFESTREAM. Or was it all a theatrical act portrayed by two creative Hosts? The question came and went when Cloud realized he was resting too close to the man's crotch again. His mouth gone dry, he grabbed the hand still rearranging his hair and forced Sephiroth to stop – it was a lost cause anyway.

"I, uh… better get off of you," Cloud muttered as he began to lift himself up. He let go of Sephiroth's hand and reactively tussled his own hair, not used to having anything on it.

The Host's smile returned. He rubbed his hands together to get rid of the excess oil between his fingers. "What a pity. The sight of you between my legs intrigued me very much."

Cloud froze halfway up from his sitting position. He nearly choked on his spit.

"Has anyone told you that you have interesting lips?" Sephiroth later inquired.

His left-field question caused Cloud to frown. "What?"

"You have interesting lips," Sephiroth repeated. His hand reached out to his face. As he traced the shape of Cloud's mouth with a thumb, he confessed, "I couldn't help but notice them while you were on my lap. They're very well-refined, including your tubercle."

"My what?" Cloud sat upright. He was positive Sephiroth was screwing with his head.

"Tubercle: that prominent, sharply raised part above the lips." Sephiroth placed a bare finger on a specific spot on his mouth. "Not everyone has this."

Cloud couldn't blink; couldn't move. It was only a simple finger gesture. Even so, the small point of physical contact made the tiny hairs at the back of his neck rise in excitement.

"A queer study was conducted not long ago," Sephiroth mentioned casually. "It alleged that women with a dominant tubercle shape like this are likely to experience orgasm via sexual intercourse. I theorize it is the same for men, provided if that assessment is true."

Cloud cleared his throat. He somehow found his voice again. "…You're weird."

"So they say." Sephiroth removed his hand from his lips. When the Hearse started to slow down he looked out the window again. "Ah, we're finally here."

Cloud instinctively licked at the spot Sephiroth had touched. Then he peered out his window to see where they had arrived. Both brows rose.

Directly ahead, rollercoasters zoomed high above on their assigned tracks. Bright lights outlined the shapes of other mechanical-based attractions, including a Ferris wheel that spun in slow circles. Fueled by mako energy, their orbs of lights danced and dissipated in the air as rides dived, spun, and turned.

Cloud had never seen a livelier place than this before. It displayed a spectrum of wild rainbow colors. It was also fucking huge, practically dominating the entire section of this District. Littered across the sky appeared animated holographic images. They consisted mostly of Moogles and Chocobos. Cloud could see children and other attendees carrying stuffed animals and balloons of them, along with the image of a muscular built man with a peculiar, curled mustache that rivaled Mr. Mukki's.

Cloud turned back to Sephiroth. "A carnival? You're taking me to a carnival?"

Sephiroth nodded. "It's sponsored by the Golden Saucer at Corel. They've just unveiled their latest attraction, the Round Square, to the general public. Dio, owner of the Golden Saucer, decided to bring a taste of the Golden Saucer to Midgar in an effort to promote his theme park's new addition. Dio's carnival will only be here until spring."

"Round Square, eh?" Zack's voice reached them again, momentarily interrupting their conversation, "Doesn't that sound like an oxymoron or something, Sephiroth?"

Angeal silently shook his head and massaged the temples of his head.

"Incredible," muttered Genesis next, "A moron is the one to address an oxymoron. That, in itself, is an oxymoron." He took another sip of his hot drink.

"I heard that, princess," Zack yelled back from the driver's seat.

Ignoring their ongoing theatrics, Sephiroth nodded at the view outside their window and mentioned to Cloud, "It seemed appropriate bringing you here before parting ways. An energetic man your age can appreciate the presence of high velocity and adrenaline rushes, yes?"

A grin slipped across Cloud's face.

Within a short amount of time, the party wagon found a spot close to the carnival. Specks of rain still fell from the sky. Zack shielded his head with a hoodie while Sephiroth, Angeal, and Genesis pulled out their umbrellas. Only Cloud stood open in the rain. Aside from the biker jacket he wore, he didn't bring anything else for the wet weather nor was he bothered by it. Embracing the opened night sky, he let the rain drops fall on his face.

"You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy..." Genesis started close by.

"You're one to talk to," Angeal commented with a lighthearted chuckle. "We're from Banora. Or have you forgotten?"

"Oh, how I desperately try…"

"Banora?" Cloud looked at both Hosts. "As in Banora Village? You two are from there? I know about that place. It's famous for its Banora White Apple Juice. It's the best."

Angeal smiled and glanced at Genesis. "Hear that? He likes the juice."

Genesis responded with silence. His digital watch beeped. Glaring at it, the Host quietly sneered as he retrieved a small bottle from his coat's pocket. He popped open the capsule and gulped down several pills. Then he walked past Cloud and headed for the carnival's entrance.

Angeal and Sephiroth exchanged a look before following him. Cloud and Zack stayed a few steps behind.

"You'll get used to him," Zack told Cloud as they walked side-by-side, noticing the frown on his face. He removed an e-cig from a chest pocket and lit it up. "Genesis is like that with every new client. He's a cold fish to anyone he doesn't know. Hell, it took him ages to warm up to me."

"Sounds like a delightful guy to have around," Cloud replied deadpanned.

"Very delightful."

Both boys locked eyes with each other and laughed.

Cloud and his new acquaintances arrived outside the entrance's massive gate. He could already smell the buttery aroma of fresh popcorn and cotton candy in the air. A long line of people stood and waited by the carnival's entrance. Surprisingly, his group was able to enter without any issues.

Two tall bodyguards stepped aside as they passed through the gates. Cloud looked back at the long line of people they left behind, feeling a pang of guilt for stepping ahead of them. He glanced at Sephiroth.

"How come we get the special treatment?"

The fine black lace of Sephiroth's umbrella hung over his head, creating shadows across his delicate yet prominent features. Only the brilliance of his strange green eyes appeared from the darkness. "Dio is close friends with Angeal. Both possess noble personalities. Plus, there's the matter of Dio losing a match to Angeal at the Golden Saucer's Battle Square last month. This is compensation."

"I can't imagine any guy being strong enough to take down Angeal," Cloud admitted, looking at the big man's direction.

Sephiroth softly scoffed underneath his umbrella but said nothing.

Beyond the gates, the noise of the populace and carnival's rides grew louder. Various high-pitched melodies clashed together. There must've been thousands of attendees present despite the chilly wet weather. An impulsive energy filled the air here. Anxious children raced up and down to the next ride. Attractions flew past Cloud at record speed, sending out a gush of wind and sprinkled rain in their wake.

By the time they reached a heavily populated conjunction point, Cloud slowed down. The ongoing chaos of the carnival made him dizzy while the cannabis he'd just smoked caused his legs and arms to feel heavy. Faces and objects blurred, morphing into bizarre shapes. Sounds drifted in and out of hearing range. Cloud tried to keep pace with Sephiroth and the Hosts but fell behind. His legs might as well have been made out of wet clay.

Taking several short shallow breathes, Cloud rested by a kiosk that displayed the amusement park's layout. He tried to realign his senses but his moment of respite was interrupted by a giant Moogle with a small black cat riding on top of it. It approached Cloud from behind. Catching him by surprise, the country boy yelped when it hugged him hard.

"Greetings!" the cat announced through its giant megaphone.

Cloud realized it was one of the amusement park's mascots. For a moment, he thought this bizarre image of a crown-wearing cat, riding a Moogle, was the result of his drug-induced mind.

The mascot chuckled. "Whoopsie! For a moment, I thought I caught a Chocobo. Nice hair."

Still held in its tight hug, Cloud wanted to punch the mascot. It looked stupid anyway – which idiot thought up this design? Apparently, he wasn't the only one getting high in this town.

Not far away, Zack emerged from the crowd. His tensed expression relaxed when his eyes located Cloud. He took several steps forward but paused, blinking several times at the strange scene before him.

"The name's Cait Sith," the mascot introduced itself to Cloud. "I'm a fortune teller in this neck of the woods. Should I tell you your future?"

Cloud visibly winced when the cat yelled directly into his ear with its megaphone again. He let out a grunt. "Not interested. And if you don't get your grubby paws off of me, I can tell you your future. It's not a pretty one."

"Yikes! Maybe for another day then." Cait Sith quickly let Cloud go. He blew up a large Moogle-shaped balloon afterward and offered it to him.

Cloud glowered at the big mascot but refrained from slapping the balloon away. He noticed Zack nearby and decided it was best to join him. The two boys stood side-by-side and watched the mascot bounce off, eventually disappearing into the crowd.

"That was fucking weird…" Cloud admitted.

With a smirk on his face, Zack shook his head. "Sheesh. We leave you out of our sights for one second and you're already getting into a scuffle with a giant Moogle and a talking cat."

"Shut up," was all Cloud could mutter back.

Without asking permission, Zack grabbed his hand and led him off to another direction. They squeezed, pushed, and sidestepped their way to a more opened area. Cloud soon spotted the other Hosts up ahead. They shielded themselves from the light rain with their umbrellas while they waited by a Drop Tower attraction.

The first one to speak was Genesis. He twirled his umbrella once before he turned to Sephiroth. "It'd be wise to strap your boy to a baby carriage before he jets off on his own again, lest you be charged for child negligence."

Cloud bit into his lower lip, protesting the urge to make a snappy response – not that he could anyway since he lacked that creative wit. Sephiroth, meanwhile, approached him.

"This entire affair is intended for us to get to know each other better." Sephiroth waited for Zack to step aside. Then he stood before Cloud. Underneath his umbrella, the silver-haired Host smiled. "An interesting start so far, I must say."

"My head won't stop spinning," Cloud blurted out and rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb. Whatever Sephiroth had given him, it far exceeded anything he'd ever taken. "The world keeps warping – if that makes any sense?"

Zack snorted aloud but immediately stopped when Angeal shot him a look.

"No matter." Sephiroth slipped an arm around Cloud's waist and closed the gap between them. His thumb gently rubbed the side of the boy's hip. "You'll eventually adjust. In the meantime, we will take things slow."

Cloud lowered his hand from his eyes. The spot where Sephiroth touched tingled. Looking up at the Host, Cloud caught his breath as green light radiated back to him. He nodded in silence.

"Good." Sephiroth faced his other companions. "Let's have some fun, shall we?"

Zack whooped. "Finally. Time to own this place."

For Cloud, his evening became an assortment of colorful, wild imagery – from the deviled faces plastered on terrifying roller coasters to the clown freaks that stalked the grounds as hired entertainers. The world itself moved in a slow dreamlike state. Cloud wasn't sure if he was being paranoid or hyper aware. Drops of rain water echoed louder in his ears. Reflections and lights visually echoed around him. Sometimes they passed through him like electrical phantoms. Then there were the strings of green that emanated from each person he came across. Spreading out like tentacles, they stretched and thrashed at all directions.

Cloud mentioned the weird green lights to Zack at some point. The young attractive Host merely snickered and told him to pass him the pipe next time.

Aside from the freaky lights, Cloud enjoyed tonight's funfest. His PHS finally returned to him, he recorded his adventures and took many selfies. Typically, it was Zack who jumped at the chance to enter a ride or participate in a game of chance and skill. Whenever that happened he'd drag Cloud along. Angeal and Genesis usually followed suit. The latter man proved to be the most competitive of the group. Even when Genesis insisted the games and attractions were trivial nonsense and a waste of his valuable time, he'd jump at the chance to take on the more difficult challenges, if only to prove he was the best at them.

Humble much? Cloud thought, half annoyed but also half impressed by the man's winning streak.

As for Sephiroth, he rarely participated. His tall dark figure could always be seen at the corner of Cloud's eyes though. Just when he thought he was alone he could sense Sephiroth nearby.

Watching… The Host was always watching.

It was when Cloud later entered the Ferris wheel that they finally shared a moment together. Beyond the glassed window of their cabin, the moon glowed bright, revealing desolate land beyond the metal Plate. Rain fell in thicker drops as they slowly ascended to the highest point on the Ferris wheel. With lucid-coated half-lidded eyes, Cloud watched the mechanical world of the Plate become engulfed by cobwebs of green. Those eerie lights became more apparent at this high elevation. Their intertwined glows amazed and terrified him.

"I still can't distinguish reality from fantasy," Cloud confessed. He rested the back of his head against the glass. A moan escaped his throat as he looked ahead and watched Sephiroth's hands work their magic.

The Host sat across him; Cloud's left foot on his lap. His bare hands massaged it, smoothing out rough edges and blemished sore spots. Without looking up, Sephiroth murmured back, "And who says this is reality? Perhaps the waking world is the dream and our dream is the waking world."

Whether his words were intended as a joke or an oddball assessment brought on by Sephiroth's own lethargic state, Cloud thought it was funny. He had thought the same damn thing too at some point. At the moment, however, he couldn't find it in himself to dive deeper into the philosophical question. The Host's hands hit all the right spots. Cloud hadn't realized how much walking he did tonight until now.

Sephiroth really did give incredible foot massages.

At the Ferris wheel, it was just the two of them. The others had disappeared to give them space. Cloud was admittedly glad. Since their bath together, the mental picture of Sephiroth's marvelous naked body had stayed with him. Their intertwined bare forms… Cloud was eager to have the Host alone to himself. He tentatively wished their sly glances and light touches would lead to something more as the night progressed.

Perhaps it was the weed or it was the sight of Sephiroth's silver hair falling over his face like that, whatever it was Cloud felt inspired and bold enough to stretch his left foot further out. He slid it along Sephiroth's thigh. His fat toe managed to faintly touch the soft shape between the Host's legs. This prompted Sephiroth to glance up at him with one silvery brow raised.

"Sorry, I had a leg cramp," Cloud lied.

Sephiroth grew quiet. His green eyes stayed on him. Then he resumed his previous task, meticulously tracing lines and shapes with his fingers. The cheap blue ring on his pinky shined.

Cloud bit his lower lip, slightly disappointed that his coy advance either went unnoticed or unrewarded – it was hard to tell with Sephiroth. Cloud continued to watch his Host, however, absorbing his perfect porcelain-like features. Of everyone, he noticed that Sephiroth shined the brightest. The outline of his form emitted a strong green aura. Tentacles of green light expanded and stretched out to Cloud.

"Seriously, what did you give me?" The question slipped out of Cloud's mouth before he realized it. Yet, as his eyes stayed fixated on Sephiroth's strings of light, he needed to know why this mind-trip felt intense. "I've been lit before. This feels… different."

"I don't doubt it." Sephiroth briefly stopped massaging Cloud's foot. One hand reached into his coat's pocket to pull out a small bag of grass. He offered it to him.

With the tiny bag on his palm, Cloud noticed a green light emanating from it.

"It is cannabis laced with mako," Sephiroth revealed.

"Mako?" Cloud blinked only once. "As in… the same stuff our reactors pump out?"

"Yes." When Cloud's eyes widened, Sephiroth shifted his head to one side. "No need to be alarmed. There is only a minuscule amount of potent mako in this mixture – nowhere near enough to give you any lasting effects. But it is enough to temporarily open the door and unveil some incredible secrets. Whether those secrets are real or fantasy, however, that is for you to decide."

Cloud's eyes wandered back to the view outside his cabin's window. He saw the cobwebs of lights. This explained the green smoke from Sephiroth's pipe and the strong citrus smell he had detected earlier. It was mako – fucking mako. No wonder his delirious mind saw things that weren't there. In silence, Cloud returned the bag of weed to Sephiroth, unsure if it was a good idea to smoke anymore of it.

"You breathe this every day," Sephiroth mentioned, as if reading his mind. He stuffed the bag into his coat. "Don't tell me you're suddenly spooked by the prospect of smoking it."

Recalling the conversation he had with Biggs ages ago over the safety of mako, Cloud became aware of his own contradictions.

"Do you enjoy working as a Host?" Cloud asked, deciding to change the subject. He nearly winced at the lame question that spilled out of his mouth just now – god, his social skills needed work.

To the Host's credit, Sephiroth appeared more amused than annoyed. He glanced down at Cloud's foot. Having properly tended to them after their bath, he surveyed his work. The nails were polished and cut.

"I'm bored of it actually," Sephiroth finally admitted without looking up. "I have been for several years."

Cloud pursed his lips. Even though it wasn't any of his business, he pressed: "Why continue working at a job you don't like then?"

Sephiroth glanced up with only his eyes. "Why continue working at a job you don't like?"

Cloud made a sound that resembled something between a grunt and a snort. Sephiroth's response struck deep and reeked of irony. The Host already knew how much he hated his job at Chocobo Chow. It was why the assistant manager position Mr. Mukki had offered still remained up in the air.

Contemplating over Sephiroth's reasons for still being a Host, Cloud recalled his stance on love and wondered if the life of a Host had jaded him enough to want out of it. Even this incredible foot massage and the intimate bath before that were likely one of many boring jobs he had to put up with. Thinking that, Cloud decided not to be a burden anymore.

"Thanks, I feel a lot better," Cloud said as he began pulling his foot back.

In one swift move, Sephiroth's hand reached out and clasped onto his ankle. His action was lighting quick. Sephiroth gently placed it back on his lap again. "I'm not done with this yet. Remain still."

Cloud blinked but didn't move.

"You still haven't told me why you work at a place you loathe," Sephiroth reminded him as he resumed his foot massage. For whatever reason, his touches lingered over his skin a bit longer.

"It's to pay the bills," Cloud reluctantly admitted.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, I imagine."

"I'm enlisting in Shinra this year though," Cloud clarified next. Trying to, he wanted to add but kept that depressing bit to himself.

"Shinra…" Sephiroth slowly repeated. His hands paused.

"Yeah, Shinra Electric Power Company. You know, the guys running this show?"

Green eyes made contact with Cloud's blue pair. "So you are among the hopeful men who came to this city for glory and prestige. Is that right?"

Cloud detected a hint of sarcasm in Sephiroth's tone. "Yeah. I came for the Tsviets."

"I figured as much. A lot of foolish boys do."

Foolish boys? Cloud narrowed his eyes. He tried to suppress the frown on his face but couldn't help it. The Host didn't sound impressed by Shinra's elite force or his plans to join them. Worse, Sephiroth had clumped him with the rest of the dreamers and wannabes – the foolish boys. Cloud withdrew his foot before the man got the chance to grab it again. Retrieving his abandoned socks and boots from the cabin's metal-plated flooring, he ignored Sephiroth's chuckle.

"Have I offended you?" The Host looked directly at Cloud as he put on his leather gloves. "My apologies. I just believe you would be better off pursuing another goal, boy."

This made Cloud roll his eyes. He quickly slipped on his socks and got to work on his boots. After a while, he mumbled, "You're starting to sound like my mother…"

Mother, Cloud realized at the back of his head. Damn, he forgot to call her today. She probably thought he was lying naked and dead in some shady alley by now…

"Regardless, Shinra shelters and buries a lot of secrets behind its steel walls, many of them," resumed Sephiroth, oblivious to the boy's wayward thoughts. "If you are not careful, you might become one of them."

The frown on Cloud's face deepened. Becoming a super soldier like Weiss served as his life-long dream. He refused to let a man working the entertainment circuit tell him what to do.

Cloud laced up his last boot and secured it with a firm tie-knot. Glaring up at Sephiroth, he barked back, "The hell do you know anyway? You're just a Host, a hired boyfriend. As if you know anything about Shinra or what I should do with my life."

Another laugh came from Sephiroth, this time a low and deep one. The light in his eyes appeared less intense now. "Even a treasure-trove can be found in the least likely of places…"

"Whatever. I told you my reason for putting up with my job. So what's your excuse?"

Sephiroth paused for a moment. Appearing deep in thought, his eyes drifted to some spot on the cabin's ceiling. When his response finally came, it was both brief and vague: "Personal reasons."

"Personal reasons? What kind?"

Sephiroth stared at Cloud. His head tilted to one side. "You're a persistent one, aren't you?"

"Only when I need to be."

Much to Cloud's dismay, the Ferris wheel ride started to come to an end before their conversation could go any further. When their cabin reached ground level Sephiroth grabbed his umbrella. Exiting now, he shielded both of them from the rain.

A part of Cloud was peeved by Sephiroth's evasiveness. He didn't appreciate the lecture regarding Shinra either – fuck, he heard enough of it from mom. Cloud debated on whether or not to call it a night. He had an early shift tomorrow anyway. Before he got the chance to consider his options, however, the Host already set his eyes on another carnival attraction. They headed for a carousel nearby.

As with the other rides, the two of them were able to cut ahead of the line. Cloud chose a giant Behemoth as his mount. He had always harbored a fascination toward the volatile yet extraordinary animals. The Tsviets' many conquests severely reduced their numbers to the thousands, drawing them closer toward extinction. Still, they remained impressive, stubborn beasts. They didn't go down without a fight. Cloud heard they could grow as enormous as buildings.

Cloud's body froze when Sephiroth slipped behind him now, surprisingly joining him on the Behemoth. The air instantly filled with the familiar scent of vanilla and rose. He expected the Host to be on his own mount. Sephiroth continued to hold his umbrella over his head, shielding his face from the public eye, but wrapped his free arm around Cloud's waist.

The ride began and music played. Cloud held onto the pole attached to his mount as they repeatedly rose and fell in a steady rhythm. Thankfully, the ride was too slow to set off his motion sickness.

Pressed close to each other, the Host's warmth radiated back to him. It was impossible to ignore, especially when Cloud could also feel the weight of Sephiroth's gloved hand on his lap. A tingling sensation surged throughout his body. Desperate to distract himself from it, he focused on a question that had been nagging him for a while now.

"So, what's the deal between you and the kid?" Cloud started. "I was supposed to meet him tonight."

Observing the night sky above them, Sephiroth kept silent. The rain temporarily stopped.

When no answer came, Cloud stared at the gloved hand on his lap and added, "You're wearing his ring. That boy has the same silver hair and color of eyes you do. His name is Sephiroth. But… your name is also Sephiroth. Are you brothers or something? Named the same name? What gives?"

"Yes, that does deserve an explanation," the Host quietly replied at last. His voice sounded distant. "However, as I mentioned before, it's complicated. You might not… understand."

"Try me."

"If you insist…" There was a long pause. Sephiroth leaned closer to Cloud's ear from behind. Slowly, he whispered, "The child and I… We are one and the same."

Taking several seconds to break down his words, Cloud found himself baffled. Sephiroth was right: he didn't understand. One and the same? Did that mean they were brothers after all? Frowning, Cloud grew irritated. He muttered, "Fine. Whatever. Don't answer my question."

"But I have answered your question."

"No. You didn't. Hell, you still haven't answered my other question."

"And which question was that, pray tell?"

"Why are you still a Host if you find it boring?"

Sephiroth chuckled. "Your persistence is both vexing and amicable."

"So is your ability to avoid my questions."

Sephiroth readjusted himself on the mount, pressing himself even closer to Cloud. "Very well. If it is specifics you desire, then I shall provide you the details."

Keeping still, Cloud couldn't help but notice that each time the Host spoke, his breath blew against his ear. He tried to ignore the peculiar sensations that arose from their close proximity. Fidgeting with the pole in front of him, Cloud absently scrapped paint off it with his fingernails.

"It is for a connection," Sephiroth at last admitted.

"Connection?"

"Solitude was all I knew as a child," elaborated the other man. "It was only when taking on the role of a Host in my later years that I learned to appreciate the presence of another. And crave for a connection."

"So, despite being bored with your job, you stuck around anyway to gain a connection."

"Exactly."

"But I thought you didn't believe in love…"

"I don't."

"But isn't it the same thing? Isn't craving for a connection the same as craving for love?"

"Not necessarily. Mutual pain can also bind two kindred spirits together."

The carousel resumed its repetitive course. Cloud watched the world spin in slow circles. He had trouble focusing on their conversation. Each time their mount rose and fell, Sephiroth's hand drew closer and closer to the warmest spot on his body.

When Cloud spoke again, his voice sounded slow and hoarse. "So you want someone who can connect with your… pain?"

"Yes."

Cloud made a face. "That's kinda fucked up. No offense."

"None taken."

"I'm no love expert, but at some point someone bound by pain will break."

"I suppose so. That would explain why the connections I've established so far have been met with little to no success. They either become contrived or lead to nowhere."

At the mention of failed past connections, a tight knot developed at the pit of Cloud's stomach. A part of him wondered if the other clients had become the Host's lovers in his quest to connect. How many relationships went beyond the status quos of his job? Did they see him naked and bathe with him too?

Why did any of this annoy him?

Cloud caught a glimpse of Sephiroth's silvery hair on his shoulder. It shimmered against the colorful lights. He was tempted to tuck it away, to hide that beautiful hair from the public's eye – only he should be allowed to see this man's wondrous secrets.

Sephiroth's lips lightly pressed against the nape of Cloud's neck when he mentioned above the carousel music, "I confess: I've yet to find someone who can endure as much pain as I have. They break too easily for my personal tastes."

Cloud shuddered from his words and the mouth on his neck. He had trouble speaking above a murmur now. "That sounds wrong."

"Wrong?" Sephiroth paused. His hand slid higher up Cloud's lap, lightly grazing the fabric of his jeans. "You think my actions and words are wrong?"

Cloud tried to speak, only to discover his voice got stuck somewhere at the lump of his throat. The tip of his budding member stirred.

"Perhaps it's a difference in perspective," Sephiroth offered later, "The same could be said about love too, you know. Much like pain can break someone, love can drive a sane man mad."

"I guess…" Cloud exhaled slowly.

As they moved together in unison on the mount, Sephiroth pressed his cheek against Cloud's. "We are divided pieces, you and I. We are constantly seeking to connect, whether by love or by pain. Only a force of nature can indefinitely bring us together."

"A force of nature…" Cloud briefly closed his eyes, enjoying the cool smoothness of Sephiroth's cheek. Not a speck of unwanted facial hair was on him. Nor did he smell of artificial chemicals from aftershave. He was perfect. "What do you mean by a force a nature? Like what?"

"Suppose the planet was going to be destroyed tomorrow. How would you feel about it?"

"Terrified, I guess. Sad…"

"Hm, yes. That would be an understandable reaction, wouldn't it?"

"Of course. You wouldn't feel that way?"

"Not at all," Sephiroth declared without a moment of hesitation. "Disasters unite pieces together. Tragedy strikes and, suddenly, everyone realizes they belong together. They're connected by each other's pain. But there's more to that."

Quiet, Cloud opened his eyes and waited for him to continue.

Sephiroth slightly pulled his face away from Cloud's. His voice carried stronger now. "Death is only a transition to the eternal. Gaia followers, for example, believe that in the event of a worldwide disaster the Lifestream would gather every soul. We'd be connected to everyone and everything in the universe, for all eternity."

The Lifestream. Cloud recalled similar words spoken by his instructor, Mr. Bugenhagen. The old man had mentioned that the Lifestream was the source and convergence of all creation.

"In death and pain, we find connection," stated the Host. "All becomes one."

"All becomes one…" Cloud reflected back softly.

A tender smile stretched across the beautiful man's mouth. "Isn't that a wonderful concept?"

Staring at the spinning world around them, Cloud's brows drew closer together. He leaned back against Sephiroth. With a sigh, he answered, "Not really. I'd rather be alive. I'll deal with the afterlife and eternity when I get there."

For whatever reason, this whole conversation brought Cloud back to the night of his birthday. Memories of the Shinra officer Sephiroth had been with crossed his mind. He recalled the grisly detail of her burnt nipple – the crazed ecstatic look on her eyes. Cloud finally understood what that was about. It was for a connection, a connection brought on by pain. Cloud's expression contorted to something of a grimace. He turned his head slightly back to his Host.

"Sephiroth…" Cloud began, "I'm not the type who breaks easily. I'm not like your other clients either. If you try to burn my nipples off or pull any stunts like that on me, I'll chop and smash your balls."

Sephiroth laughed. His sound reverberated. "You are magnificent, boy."

Whether that comment served as a compliment or a condescending response, Cloud didn't know nor care. His thoughts still lingered back to the Shinra Officer. Looking worse for wear, she seemed fixated on a woman who threatened to take Sephiroth away from her. Cloud wondered if this was the result of making a connection by pain. If love aspired madness, then pain surely aspired something worse in people.

A part of Cloud considered bringing the Shinra officer up to Sephiroth – he didn't know what became of her after he had called the IMs. He wanted to warn the Host about the woman's sick condition. However, his train of thoughts stopped when the hand on his leg slid to his inner thigh.

Cloud's breath hitched; Sephiroth's gloved finger drew an invisible line that ran parallel to his cock. By now, it had stretched to several inches in his jeans. It budged out; sensitive, hard, and warm.

"You know, it just occurred to me…" the Host began in a casual tone, "if we're to continue seeing each other, having Stabby tend to your clothes while I bathe you may tax his patience. I'd like to acquire your body measurements at some point."

"…B-body measurements?" Cloud took a thick swallow when the Host's finger drew dreadfully close to his pulpy tip. "For what?"

"Clothes. It may be best to have clothes set aside for you at Loveless. You can switch into them during your visits."

Cloud's face rushed with color. The knuckles of his hands turned white as he clutched onto the mount's pole. Biting his lower lip, he knew he'd come away from this with a serious hard-on, just like the last time when they bathed together. The self-proclaimed humanist enjoyed pushing his buttons, particularly the one that swelled with blood and heat.

"Not interested," Cloud finally said, trying to regain some composure. "I don't have the funds for it anyway."

"This will be my expense." Sephiroth pressed his cheek against Cloud's again. "I want you proper when you see me. I don't want you smelling as if you'd bathed in piss and shit all day – which is likely the case, given the Slums' poor water quality down there."

"Even if you covered the tab, I don't like being in debt to anyone."

"You won't be. The clothes stay at my personal quarters. Consider them on loan." Sephiroth applied a miniscule amount of pressure on Cloud's inner thigh with the flat of his thumb. "It's a fair offer, isn't it?"

Breathing harder, Cloud couldn't fathom how Sephiroth remained so composed. His touches set his skin on fire. The Host also didn't seem to care they were in public view, surrounded by kids and elderly folks. By his own willpower, Cloud forced the cogwheels in his head to work and considered Sephiroth's proposition. He wondered what the catch was. There had to be an invisible price tag attached somewhere. Receiving free clothes from a man like Sephiroth sounded too good to be true.

The Host noticed Cloud's hesitation. "You don't approve?"

Cloud shifted in his seat. The longer Sephiroth kept his hand on his leg the more agitated and constricted his hard-on felt in his jeans. He muttered, "Even loaned items have a fee. And besides, am I gonna be stuck wearing whatever you choose?"

For Cloud, it seemed like a reasonable question to ask. He'd already given the Host free license to do whatever he wished during their get-togethers. Now he'd grant him the freedom to dress him too?

"That would be a part of the arrangement, yes," Sephiroth confirmed. He set his hand lightly over Cloud's firm shape. The slow and repetitive up-and-down motion of the carousel set the speed of his faint strokes. "Of course, you are free to reject this. I only ask you have secondary clothes set aside before you see me. My nose is… sensitive to certain smells."

The carousel spun; its cheerful melody rang pleasantly in the air. Colorful lights blared everywhere. In the distance, there were the squeals and laughter from eager children. Cloud sat gripping the mount's pole again. Within his jeans, his blossomed tip felt moist and sticky.

Cloud sighed. Given that Sephiroth would be the one to handle the bill, he couldn't find any more reasons to object to his plan. It sounded like a win-win for everyone. Sephiroth's volatile servant, Stabby, wouldn't have to wash his clothes and stab him to death for it. The Host's sanitary demands would be met. And Cloud didn't have to pay a damn thing or manage a second set of clothes. It wasn't like he could properly store them anyway. If he stashed them at Chocobo Chow, Ele' and the others would start to ask questions if they discovered them. Having those clothes smell like Chocobo Chow Spicy Wings would likely irritate the Host too.

"Well? Do you accept my proposal?" the Host pressed again. "Shall I acquire your body measurements?"

Feeling dizzy, Cloud tried to steady himself on the mount. It was hard to think straight when every inch of his body screamed for more contact and more speed. The unhurried pace of the carousel's up-and-down motion only worsened his condition.

Taking a dry swallow, Cloud barely got out a "…Fine. Whatever."

It was around this time the carousel slowed down. Its lively melody continued to play in the background as it came to a stop. The ride was over. While the attendees started to pile out, Cloud frowned when Sephiroth removed his hand and promptly got off their mount as well.

"Perfect," the taller man said and kept the umbrella over his head. His green eyes gleamed. "I knew we'd reach an agreement. Let's leave this place now. That ride was a dull affair anyway."

Too caught up by his own compromised state, Cloud couldn't move. The tight fabric of his jeans rubbed against his sensitive muscle any time he budged. Staring at Sephiroth, Cloud couldn't find the appropriate words to say right away. Frustration came to mind, though.

He knew the Host was to blame for his raging hard-on. This was the second time he left him in a sorry state tonight. It had to be intentional. Hosts are like giant cock-teasers, Cloud recalled Ele' tell him once, they'll flirt and maybe get a bit physical to plant the illusion to their clients that they have a chance. But they won't give it up. They want their clients desperate and coming back for more.

Not one to whine, Cloud was reluctant to make his disappointment known, especially when Sephiroth's actions might've been all a part of a plan – a plan to keep him coming back for more. Cloud didn't want to become one of those needy, sexually hungry clients that got played. Nor did he want to admit to his own juvenile desires. And yet, as Cloud sat with a growing heat between his legs, the ongoing physical caresses that had transpired between them throughout the evening started to get to him. Even their fateful dance together at Club LIFESTREAM many nights ago had resulted in similar unrequited circumstances.

"Are you seriously going to leave me like this again?" Cloud griped quietly. He avoided eye-contact but kept the level of his voice consistent.

"Leave you like this again?" The Host faced his direction and took a step forward. "Curious, what do you mean by that?"

Cloud's cheeks instantly flushed. He forced himself to dismount. "You know what I mean, Sephiroth. You're a Host. You know what you're doing to me."

Helping him down, Sephiroth smiled. "Clarify for me."

"Don't make me say it out loud."

"Why not?"

The more Sephiroth danced around the issue, the more flustered Cloud became. His voice withdrew to a deep, hard tone. It took great effort to meet Sephiroth's green penetrating gaze. "You know why I can't. It's fucking embarrassing."

The tall, dark clad figure laughed. His expression stayed hidden under the shadow of his umbrella but his laugh carried a lively higher-pitched sound. He clearly found Cloud's words to be genuinely funny.

"I think it's time I head home," Cloud declared, trying to shut him up. He took a step back to put some distance between them. "I can catch the bus to reach the train platform myself. Good night."

Without looking back at the Host, Cloud stepped down from the carousel's platform and exited through a pair of gates. His cheeks burned as he teetered between feeling humiliated and feeling pissed. The chilly air did little to squelch his fire. Even when the rain started up again, he didn't care about getting soaked.

Cloud had no idea where he was but didn't want to stop walking. He'd eventually discovered the path that lead out of the carnival. Meanwhile, Sephiroth was both silent and quick. Cloud didn't realize he already stood by his side until he smelled vanilla and rose in the air and heard the velvet sound of the Host's beautiful, damning voice.

"I'd suspected you were sensitive, boy. But not to this extent."

Sephiroth's amused tone made Cloud grit his teeth even more. He shoved his hands deep into his jacket's pockets and kept his eyes straight on the crowded path ahead. "Stop calling me boy, I'm a man. And I'm not sensitive. I just need to go home now. I got an early shift tomorrow. And a hot date."

Cloud didn't know why he needed to share that last bit of information. Perhaps it was his own pathetic attempt of getting back at the attractive man who had been pulling his strings all night long. Or perhaps it was to prove to himself that he wasn't a big loser that needed a Host to get him off. Regardless, the long silence that followed afterward gave Cloud a sense of victory. He soon reached a congested spot up ahead and used that as an opportunity to ditch Sephiroth.