…Blue Eyes…

X.o Vodka and Strippers o.X

Cloud's half-lidded eyes drifted to the edge of his bed. He smirked at the sight of the brown spikes protruding out of the covers. He got up and stretched, every muscle in his taut form bulging, and moved to the end of the bed. Sora…He must have moved there sometime during the night.

Sora shuffled around under the blanket and sat up, his sleepy glare inspecting the room around him. He glanced up at Cloud and cocked his head to the side.

Cloud's smirk grew as he reached out and ruffled the kid's spikes that matched his own. The only thing that was different was the color. He had Aerith's hair color. It was one of the few traits that he had gotten from her.

"C'mon, get up," Cloud whispered.

"Why?" he whined. "It's Saturday. I always sleep late on Saturday."

"Yeah, but I gotta go to work."

Sora pouted. It was the exact same as hers. "But what am I gonna do?"

Cloud's eyes widened and his mouth formed an 'O'. He raised an eyebrow and answered, "I never really thought about that." He stood up and paced around the room, his face still the same way it was a minute ago. "I guess I'll just have to take you with me." He turned to him. "Is that okay with you?"

Sora nodded slowly. He wasn't really sure about going anywhere with the blond, but it would be better than being in the apartment all alone. Also, he knew that there was no escaping him.

"Alright, I guess we should be going. If I'm late, Cid will have my…butt."

Sora stared at him wonderingly, head still cocked to the side, sapphire orbs widening. He looked so cute, so innocent, so much like his mother.

Cloud only sighed and went over to the drawer and threw on some unmatched clothes then headed over to Sora's backpack and picked out some clean clothes. He tossed the clothes at him.

He stood back and watched as Sora pulled the blue and white shirt over his head. He smirked and headed over to the brunet and pulled his shirt off of him, turned it around, and put it back over his head.

Sora beamed a smile at him and continued getting ready. Cloud grabbed his keys and wallet, took Sora's hand (who reluctantly let him) and headed out the door, locking it behind him.

Sora's eyes widened in wonder as he spied the motorcycle. He launched himself toward the bike and hopped on. He took the handles into his hands and moved them around, making roaring sounds as if he were the bike itself.

Cloud rolled his eyes and shoved a helmet over his head. The helmet covered his head, but some spikes still hung out. He put a helmet on too and sped off.

The brunet's cries wavered on the rushing air behind him as he sped up. A few minutes (and many high pitched screams) later, Cloud parked in the side garage beside Sunset Bar and turned off the bike. He grimaced as he pried Sora's small hands from around his waist.

After Sora had finally recovered from the shock, he grabbed at the helmet and pulled it off of his head. Cloud let out a laugh as he shook his head, his hat hair spiking out. He led Sora into the back, looking over his shoulder occasionally to make sure no one was following them.

He winced as his head made contact with something hard. His eyes shifted upwards and locked onto the shining azure ones that looked down upon him.

"Zack…" he trailed off under his breath.

"So, who's the mini Spike?" Zack asked, teasingly.

"Zack, please…"

Zack raised an eyebrow questioningly. "What's wrong?"

"He's not supposed to be here. Please don't tell."

"Don't worry, Cloud, mini Spike's safe with me. I'll even take over for ya for a little while."

"Thanks. If Cid finds him, I'm dead," he whispered, thinking about how much Cid despised kids.

The little brunet continued to look up at Zack. Zack winked at him, but Sora only stepped back a few feet toward his dad. Cloud only kneeled down closer to his son and reassured him that everything would be alright and that he could trust Zack. Sora nodded and followed the ex-SOLDIER into the back.

"This place is boring," Sora blurted out, sapphire eyes shifting around. "I'm thirsty! Is there anything here to eat?"

Zack rubbed the back of his head. Taking care of this kid was going to be harder than he thought. He looked around and shot toward a full bottle that contained a clear liquid. He took it over to the little brunet and handed it to him.

"Here's some water."

"Thanks." Sora took the bottle, uncorked it, and took a long swig, all of the liquid flowing out of the bottle and down his throat. He stuck out his tongue and clenched his eyes shut. When he opened his eyes, they seemed to get redder and his body seemed to sag. "Burns," Sora slurred.

He swayed back and forth and reached out to grasp the nearest thing as the area around him seemed to blur together. Zack's face held a look of panic, but he tried to remain calm at the same time. He ran over and helped Sora up.

He sat Sora down on a chair then reached over and grabbed the bottle he had drunk from and read it. His azure eyes widened fearfully as he read the white label that lay plastered on the opaque bottle.

Zack looked back and saw that Sora was gone. "Hey kid, where'd ya go? Kid?" he called out as he looked left and right frantically for the missing brunet. He ran back into the bar and looked around, but didn't see him. He made his way backstage and sighed when he saw him just ahead.

Suddenly, his eyes widened and he yelled, "Yuffie, what the hell are you doing?!"

He watched in horror as the ninja stripped her shirt and Sora followed suit. Then came the pants. Zack's eyebrow began to twitch and then he shot toward Sora before he could take off his underwear but he ran away laughing.

"Damn it. Cloud's gonna kill me."

Zack chased after the drunk seven-year-old who was headed toward the front of the bar. Wait! The front of the bar?! Zack's brain shifted into panic overdrive. He heard several screams and one very loud gruff yell followed by a small whimper. Damn. Cid found him.

Zack halted to a stop and jumped in front of Sora. Cid cursed under his breath and looked back up at Zack. "Wha' the hell are ya doin'? Get out of my way, Zack."

Zack held up his hands in defense and chuckled lightly. "What's up, Cid? Nice broom."

"Just get the hell outta my way so I can take care of that lil' var-Where'd he go?!"

"Huh?" Zack's head spun around. His azure eyes shifted around then widened at what he saw next.

The lights dimmed and Yuffie came out dancing on stage. She attached herself to the pole and grinded her lithe body against it. His ears picked up the whoops and hollers of the vulgar men. His jaw dropped to his chest as he watched in horror.

Sora climbed up onto the stage and tackled the pole. Yuffie nodded as he rubbed up against it. She started to demonstrate. Zack's face flashed white when he saw Cloud making his way to a table, drinks in hands.

Oops. Now there on the floor and Cloud's climbing on the stage. He cringed as the kid let out an ear piercing scream and his little arms grasped toward Yuffie or anything that would save him from his father's wrath. Fear shimmered in his sapphire eyes, while anger raged in his father's matching ones.

He turned around but Cid was gone, walking toward Cloud. He managed to remain stoic and hold onto Sora as Cid yelled at him. Cloud's eyes seemed to illuminate and Cid rubbed his temple.

Zack sighed as the words floated out of Cid's mouth: "…you're fired."

Cloud only nodded and headed toward the door. Zack ran after him and placed a hand on his shoulder just as Cloud put his hand on the doorknob. "I'm really sorry. I mean, he just got out of hand. And with Yuffie and the stripper stuff and…I really feel like a burrito right now."

Cloud only sighed. "Go get a burrito then."

Zack watched pitifully as Cloud walked out, carrying the screaming brunet. He only sighed and headed over to the store next door and bought a burrito.

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Cloud kicked open the door, put the brunet down, and collapsed on the sectional couch. Sora sat in the corner and wiped at his nose. He got up and slowly approached Cloud; every move he made was cautious.

"What the hell do you want?" He screamed.

Sora backed away, fresh tears brimming. "I'm sorry," he sniffed.

Cloud glared at him, then his expression softened. "Me too," he sighed and pulled the wailing brunet into his arms. He stroked Sora's spikes and places his mouth up to his ear, whispering, "It's gonna be alright. I'll get a new job and we'll be a family. You and me. 'Kay?"

Sora nodded and buried his head into Cloud's chest. Cloud sighed. Would they ever be a real family? Could a family consist of just two people? A father and a son?

Sora struggled and broke away from Cloud and ran into the bathroom. He clutched his stomach and leaned over the toilet as he let all of its contents go. Cloud rushed to him and helped him up. His nose wrinkled in disgust as the smell of alcohol and puke filled his nostrils.

"Might as well give you a bath." He stripped the kid and placed him in a tub of luke-warm water and took a wash cloth and gently rubbed at his skin. It was soft like a baby's. Like Aerith's. He shook his head and continued to clean up his son. He picked him up and dried him off and took him to the bed room.

He took out a pair of starry sky pajamas and helped him dress. He stripped himself and got under the covers. He could feel Sora shaking against him, but his body felt hot.

Cloud reached out and rubbed his head. The shaking ceased and his body seemed to cool down once he was asleep. He looked over at his son. Sora's dark silhouette disappeared and was replaced by Aerith. Cloud blinked and she was gone, Sora sleeping form still beside him. He flipped over to the other side as hot tears streamed down his pale face.