A/N: Ahhh! Over a year since my last update me thinks! I'm so sorry. I lost all inspiration for writing what with all the work I've had to do. Though it would be ironic that I've just changed my profile to say I wouldn't be updating for a while. This just kinda hit me just as I was about to turn my laptop off, so I had to write it up. It's the first bit of creativity I've had for a while. Anyway, this is long overdue, so I'll stop babbling now.

"Where the hell is he? I asked Cloud to come over at six! Why isn't he here?" screamed Tifa, only just stopping herself from throwing the phone away in frustration. She heard Aerith sigh at the other end of the phone.

"I don't know Tifa honey. I'm sure him and Leon just got caught up working. You know how hard they're working to make the outskirts of town habitable, they probably just lost track of time," Aerith reasoned, trying to calm her friend down.

"I'm going to go looking for him. Maybe he's hurt! Oh no! He's hurt isn't he? What am I still doing here? He must be really hurt if he's this late. I mean, he wouldn't really stand me up, he loves me," Tifa mumbled through the phone. Aerith let out an exasperated sigh.

"Tifa..."

"Bye Aerith! I've gotta make sure he's alright!"

"Tifa" the normally mild mannered woman growled down the phone to the sound of the disconnected tone. "She really needs to get over herself! He doesn't bloody love her; it's obvious he's in love with Leon!"

Tifa stormed towards the outskirts of town, her mind racing with thoughts of Cloud in pain. She'd seen the rota earlier that day, and knew exactly where he and Leon were working. She moved faster as she got closer to the new housing district, her breath coming out in loud pants as she worked her muscles. She was about 20 metres in when she heard it. Laughing, coming from inside one of the new buildings.

"Seriously Cloud, you are useless, can't even plaster a wall without working up a sweat. D.I.Y really isn't your thing."

Well that was Leon, and the teasing tone he used instantly quelled Tifa's fears. Cloud was alright it seemed. But now she was angry. The blonde had completely forgotten about her, stood her up for a bit of work with Leon. She stomped around the corner; oh was that boy going to feel her wrath.

The two men turned around as they heard her footsteps, both shirtless and panting heavily from the work they'd been doing.

"Cloud Strife! I can't believe you stood me up. We were supposed to be eating by now, I made a meal and everythi...What the hell is that?" Tifa screeched.

Cloud looked confused.

"What the hell is what?" he asked. Tifa shook her fist before pointing at his neck.

"That...that mark! That massive, hideous purple-y thing on your neck!"

"Oh...umm...me and Squ...Leonhart were sparring earlier, he got a good hit in. Hurts like a bitch," he said sheepishly, slyly glancing at Leon.

"That is no bruise. That's a hickey! You're cheating on me! Where's the fucking slut? I'll knock her block off, trying to steal you away from me." Leon shook his head at Tifa's words. He couldn't believe the rubbish that she was spouting. "Everyone knows that we're the perfect couple. Tifa and Cloud. I mean, our names even sound perfect together. That skank doesn't know who she's dealing with. Me and you, Cloud, have been in love for years, and..."

"Shut up!" Leon snapped. "You're fucking crazy. Let me tell you know, Tifa. You and Cloud aren't dating, you've never been dating, and you never will be dating. He doesn't love you! You're fucking psychotic if you thought he ever did!"

Tifa stood in shocked silence, her face bright red and tears filling her eyes. Cloud sighed, putting his hand on Leon's shoulder.

"Come on Squall. Calm down a little. She's been like this since, well, forever. Don't let it bother you. It's just words, it doesn't mean anything." Leon nodded, placing his hand over Cloud's and squeezing it a little in reassurance. He placed his other hand on Cloud's waist, holding him gently to quell his anger.

"Thanks. You're right. I was being stupid. I know there isn't anything romantic there for you, it's just...hard, hearing that sort of thing." Cloud smiled slightly, a smile to show that everything was still fine. He was about to move his hand away from Leon's shoulder when he heard the shocked from behind him.

Cloud and Leon could only stare as Tifa flinched backwards, her hand flying to her mouth as she thought through what she had just seen.

"No...NO! You've got to be kidding me! You and...him? No, it can't be..."

She took a step backwards, and then another one, before wheeling around and bolting away from the two men.

"Shit." The blonde and the brunette shared a quick glance, before running after her, their shirts completely forgotten. Tifa had quite a head start and she seemed to be pushing herself more than usual. Neither man could catch up to her, even though they knew exactly where she was headed. They were going to be outed, and they both knew it. There was nothing they could do to stop Tifa before she made it to Merlin's; she would tell them all what she'd seen, what she'd figured out, and then everyone would know about their relationship.

Cloud was terrified. He and Leon hadn't even spoken about revealing their relationship yet. They'd been together for almost two months now, and it had been perfect. Cloud didn't want to cause any problems by going public at the start, not before they'd had time to adjust themselves. He knew without asking that Leon felt the same. He'd been slowly changing his mind, wondering whether Leon would agree to coming clean, but now any decision was taken out of their hands. Cloud stopped running abruptly, his thoughts running through his mind too fast for him to put them in any semblance of order.

"Squall. Wait a sec." Leon stopped, looking back to his lover. "We can't stop this from happening now, you know that right?"

"I know. We were never going to catch her."

He knew that all their friends were going to know about them now, though that wasn't the problem. He had wanted to tell them soon anyway; he was actually going to talk to Cloud about it that very night. The problem was that they couldn't do it on their own terms now. They would have no chance to explain, to prepare them before they found out. And even worse, he didn't know if it was what Cloud wanted, and that was what annoyed him the most. Cloud, for all his strength and bravery, was quite easily hurt by the people he was close to, and Leon couldn't stand seeing the blonde upset.

"I'm sorry Cloud. This is my fault. I know you're not ready for this to be public, but I didn't think. I just turned all jealous lover on you and didn't think about the consequences of my actions. I'm so sorry."

Cloud watched as Leon spoke his unnecessary apology, his head hung in shame. He couldn't stand to see him looking so pitiful.

"Squall, look at me." He tilted Leon's chin up so he could look him in the eyes. "You have nothing to apologise for. It's okay. I would have done exactly the same; only, I wouldn't have been as subtle in my possessiveness. I can't stand the thought of anyone else with you. And Tifa's words made me angry to babe. But it's okay. I don't mind them knowing. I wanted to tell you but we've never had the chance to talk about it properly. I want everyone to know that you're mine and I'm yours. I want them to know that there's no one else for me. You're it; my everything. Squall, I never have and I never will want anyone else. So don't apologise for this. It might not be coming out the way we wanted it to, but we'll deal with it. I know I can handle anything, as long as I'm with you."

Leon could feel the tears run down his cheeks. He'd never been happier than in this moment. Cloud was everything he'd ever wished for. Nothing could ever compare to the beautiful blonde warrior who was holding him tightly. He knew what Cloud said was true; they would deal with it together, because nothing would – could - tear them apart.

"Cloud, I...thank you. You're it for me too." Cloud moved to kiss the tears away from his eyes, Leon's heart bursting at the loving gesture. "I can't imagine life without you. And you're right. I want people to see us together, happy. I want to be able to walk with you, to kiss you whenever I want. Whatever comes from this, it will be fine. Because we'll be together, like you said, and we won't have to hide anymore. But more importantly, I know everything will be fine because...I love you Cloud Strife. I love you so much."

Cloud pressed his lips to Leon's gently, just a chaste, sweet kiss, but it showed all the love and tenderness, and happiness, that he was feeling.

"I love you too."

A/N: This became a bit more fluffy than I'd planned, and they are both totally OOC at the end. But oh well. That's why it's fanfiction :D This probably isn't the best chapter I've ever written, but I hope you enjoyed it all the same. R&R please, I could do with a lift.

xxx