Finally, I'm updating again! The previous warnings still apply. I figure I'll give you a head's up now that some of the characters in this particular story can get pretty OOC at times. But hey, I wrote this fic for fun and it is in no way meant to be taken too seriously. Sorry for any spelling errors. Reviews are always very much appreciated, I love hearing what you guys think. Enjoy!
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Cloud smirked as he strolled back into the living room. This job would be simple. Watch a couple of preschoolers for an hour or so, and impress the object of his affection? Yes, things definitely couldn't get much better. Approaching the couch, Cloud raised a brow upon spotting only Riku.
"Hey Ri" (1) the blonde began "where's Sora?"
Riku glanced at Cloud and released a snort of laughter.
"How am I supposed to know?" the silver haired boy questioned "I'm not the one who was told to keep an eye on him."
The muscled teen narrowed his bright blue eyes at the child in front of him.
"Don't lie to me Riku. You always know where Sora is" he stated, crossing his arms over his chest as a sense of irritation began to set in.
Riku turned to his temporary sitter and smiled, nodding his head slightly.
"That may be true" he admitted "but it's more fun to watch you struggle."
___________________________________
An hour. It had been an hour since Sora had seemingly disappeared, and Cloud still hadn't been able to locate Sora. Riku had been of no help, sitting on the couch, snickering quietly whenever the blonde teen became particularly frustrated. Cloud was about to strangle the information of the brunette child's whereabouts out of the other boy, when he heard the sound of feet pattering across the hardwood floor.
Swinging around he tried to catch a glimpse of the elusive preschooler, but saw nothing. Grinding his teeth Cloud prepared to scour the house once more, when he felt a light tug on his pant leg.
Looking down, the teen yelped at the sight of Sora, who was grinning brightly as if he didn't notice the reptile draped over his fragile neck.
"What in the hell is that?!" he shouted. Internally Cloud winced, knowing Leon would maim him should the brunette ever find out about the use of such language in his house.
Sora's smile broadened as he pet the gleaming animal.
"His name is Cupcake" he explained, taking no notice of the teen's distress. Cloud shook his head.
"Sora put that thing down."
The energetic boy pouted a little, but complied nonetheless, setting the snake gently on the ground.
The blonde let out a sigh of relief, running a hand through his hair and ignoring the creature slithering across the floor.
"Where have you been?" Cloud asked, out of curiosity.
Sora blinked at the question for a moment, then smiled happily.
"I was looking for Cupcake" he clarified, acting as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.
Cocking a brow, Cloud scanned the room.
"Where did that monster get off to anyway?"
The small brunette shrugged and took a look around the room himself.
Cloud's search came to an abrupt halt, when he felt one of his legs being encased in a tight grip. Peeking downward, Cloud forced himself to stifle a cry.
Shaking slightly he ordered in a tone laced with strained composure "Sora get it off me… now."
The spiky haired child only giggled, as he watched the large reptilian wind itself around Cloud's leg.
"He likes you" Sora stated happily.
The teen flinched and shook his leg, trying to dislodge the animal.
"Why won't it let go?!" the blonde growled, continuing to shake the affronted appendage.
"I already told you why" Sora huffed "he likes you."
Cloud growled again as he felt his leg being squeezed even tighter.
Sora grinned and opened his mouth to say something else, before gasping as he heard the front door sliding open.
"Le's home!" he announced, rushing to meet the elder brunette.
"Don't leave me with this thing!" Cloud roared after the preschooler.
"Don't leave you with what Strife?" Leon asked, entering the room carrying several bags of food with him.
After thoroughly examining the situation, a bark of laughter escaped the dark haired teen.
"Don't tell me that the great Cloud Strife can't handle a little snake" Leon mocked, setting the bags down and stepping closer to Cloud.
"Just get it off Leonhart" the blue eyed boy grumbles, looking away.
Still chuckling Leon reached down and pressed a thumb at the top off the snakes head gently, the rest of his fingers gripping the reptiles bottom jaw tightly (2). Grabbing the rest of the snake's body, he gave a sharp tug. Strife watched with barely disguised fascination as the animal slid off his leg, looking perfectly content as Leon draped it over his own neck.
"So that's where Sora learned that trick from" Cloud muttered to himself, stretching his leg out.
Leon smiled fondly and ran his finger tips over the crown of Cupcake's head.
"Of course. After all Cupcake was my pet first."
Cloud remained quiet, waited for Leon to elaborate.
"When I thought Sora was old enough to handle it, I taught him how to properly care for and handle this guy" the teen explained gesturing vaguely to the creature still resting over his shoulders.
The blonde boy watched as Leon let the beast wrap the base of its tail around his upper arm, a smile forming on his lips as it wriggled in its position.
'Never knew a large and dangerous reptilian could make a person more appealing' Cloud thought to himself, eyes roving over Leon's form. 'That smiles' not hurting his looks either' Cloud added as an afterthought.
The dark haired teen caught Cloud's stare and smirked.
"Wipe the drool off your chin Strife" he muttered sarcastically.
The other teen scowled, but wiped his chin just in case.
"I was no dr-" Cloud stopped mid sentence as Leon walked back to Sora, unaware of the way his thin hips swayed faintly.
"Tease" Strife murmured, slapping a hand over his face, fearing the impeding nose bleed.
The only response he received was a quick glare thrown in his direction. Crouching down at his brother's level, Leon gestured for the younger to take the animal from him.
Once Sora had Cupcake securely wrapped in his arms, the scarred boy stood and gave him a gentle nudge in the direction of the stairs. His younger brother got the hint, and began to clumsily make his way up to his room.
"Make sure to close the door all the way this time!" Leon instructed "I don't want him getting out again".
Sora smiled and nodded, not stopping on his journey.
TBC
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1 - In this story Cloud calls Riku by nicknames such as "Ri", for the sole purpose of ticking him off.
2 - I am not sure if this really is the correct way to handle snakes, and would not suggest trying it. Also I doubt that it is a good idea for anyone to handle snakes in real life without proper training, especially children of the preschool age.