Chapter 7: Confessions of A Shattered Remnant

Kadaj's eyes flashed open. (I must have chocolate.) His cravings were like that. Be it chocolate or cheese, if he wanted it he had to have it right then.

He extricated himself from Cloud's arms and staggered toward the kitchen, not missing the fact that although they were both sleeping in the same bed, neither of them were unclothed. Disappointing, really.

He searched feverishly through the cupboards for a long time, without finding so much as a Hershey's Kiss. He was beginning to think that—horror or horrors—Cloud didn't have any chocolate in that house, when he found the muffin.

It was a chocolate muffin, with creamy chocolate frosting, and chocolate chips scattered over the top. Nirvana. In less than five seconds there was nothing left but a couple of crumbs and a very satisfied Kadaj.

Hunger sated, he strolled down the hall, flicking off lights that had been previously left on. He tip-toed to the side of the bed and surveyed the object of his affection with soft eyes.

Cloud was lying on his back, empty arms at his sides. Starlight from an open window danced over the golden spikes of his hair and sparkled over his eyelashes. His chest rose and fell gently. With a warm smile Kadaj crawled in next to him, wriggled under one of his arms, and rested his silver head on the thin chest.

The teen was totally unprepared when Cloud turned over, dragging Kadaj with him and unconsciously choking him. The younger man twisted uncomfortably in the older's grasp, and then froze when the offending arm slid from his neck to his waist.

Kadaj looked straight up into the blonde's eyes, startlingly blue and glowing with emotion. The smile on his face was so heart-stoppingly beautiful and serene that it made Kadaj's breath catch in his throat. Cloud rubbed his nose affectionately against the teen's.

"I love you." he whispered, meaning it with his whole heart. He paused to wait for Kadaj's reaction. When the younger man just stared at him with wide green eyes he said it again, confidently, because he knew it was the truth. He was with the person he wanted the most, and—perhaps more importantly—he wasn't alone anymore. He didn't have to face the world right now, he could forget all about it if he wished too. "I love you Kadaj."

The green eyes went glassy and he bit his lip, seeming to pull in upon himself. "N-no-one's ever s-said that to me before. Do...do you mean it?"

Cloud sat up with a start, as if he'd been struck and pulled the boy to his chest. "If I hadn't meant it, I wouldn't have said it."

Kadaj let the blonde hold him for a few minutes before taking a deep breathe. "Mother...I lived for her, but she never...she never loved me. She only loved Sephiroth. I was...just another remnant, another aspiring Sephiroth. And that was all I was to myself, too. I didn't even realize that I didn't have to be like him—I didn't know it was possible. But I'm not him. I'm not. You make me feel...like I'm not worthless after all. Cloud..."

The swordsman shivered hearing his name rolling off Kadaj's lips, cool and liquid. Something inside him wanted to hear it again. When the boy brushed his lips against Cloud's he couldn't help but respond, cupping the pale face in his hands and pulling him forward in a chaste kiss. Kadaj tried to deepen it, and Cloud pulled back reluctantly. "Not now. You need rest."

Kadaj's lips pouted so defiantly that the older man was forced to chuckle. "Don't fret love, there'll be plenty of time for such things tomorrow."

The teen continued to pout until Cloud grabbed him and threw him down on the mattress. The blonde purred as he nuzzled against the thin neck. Kadaj relaxed gradually. (I'll give in for now, Cloud, but you just wait until morning...)

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Notes: Hope I didn't go to overboard with the cutesy stuff.

Haha, only one chapter left! And I bet you know what happens then, eh?

(Bad Canadian accent...TT)

Till next time,

-Dove