Title: Priceless

Summary: Leon is a freshman in college with dyslexia, and his new Victorian Literature professor, Dr. Sephiroth, doesn't make things any easier for him. Desperate to help, Cloud considers Sephiroth's offer to pass Leon, but not without a price from Cloud. LC, RS, SephyCloud

A/N: I finally updated…sorry! I hope it's not too OOC or anything…but enjoy!

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Chapter 3

"You know, Leon… Maybe you ought to pay more attention to Cloud sometimes." Riku picked up the heavy equipment bag and slung it over his shoulders, brandishing the keyblade he held in hand.

"What makes you say that?" Leon glanced curiously at Riku, his expression blank, but open.

Riku merely shrugged. "You know how he feels, and sometimes I think you take it all for granted. Don't you ever wonder what would happen if you let him in on your own feelings for once, instead of the other way around?"

"I don't think that's a good idea…"

Rolling his eyes, Riku twirled the keyblade, which he had so fondly named Sora. "There's nothing to lose, except for a part of your own dignity, perhaps." The pair began to leave the Olympus Coliseum where Riku had been for practice. It was a common thing for Leon to wait for Riku outside of the Coliseum whenever he was in the mood to talk. And usually, their conversations revolved around one thing,

"No, I disagree." Leon shook his head. "There's much to lose, on Cloud's part. I could never live up to his expectations if we were…that way. He wouldn't be happy, and that's what I'd lose."

"And you think you're not tormenting him right now?" Riku snapped. "You think everything's fine and dandy for him, believing he's got a hopeless case of unrequited love on his hands?"

"At least he has no reason to expect more of me than what a friend can offer." Leon said warily, narrowing his eyes slightly, as if offended.

"Oh, spare me the excuses." Riku stopped and turned to look the brunette straight in the eye. "You know what I think, Leon? I think you're being selfish. You're not actually scared of hurting Cloud; you're scared of admitting what affections you may have for him. You don't want to come off as a sap, because your pride isn't worth sacrificing, plus that wouldn't be too great for your image, would it?" Leon started to protest. "No, nuh-uh." Riku cut him off sharply. "Here's the deal. Shut up. Listen to me when I say that romance does not require you to act like you've overdosed on a drug. It might not have occurred to you that we all know you better than you think we do."

"Maybe, but you're not exactly mind readers." Leon looked away grudgingly.

"We don't have to be mind readers to understand that you care for someone. Subtleties, Leon. Subtleties."

Shaking his head, Leon walked past Riku and continued forward. "You're far off the mark. It's not a pride issue, Riku."

"Oh, then you're just afraid." Riku raised an eyebrow.

"I can't guarantee anything. Only that I'll think on it."

"You know Cloud deserves better than just that." Riku remarked coldly, icy eyes boring into Leon's back. However, seeing that Leon was determined to remain silent, Riku shrugged to himself and parted in another direction without another word.

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Silver eyebrows arched in astonishment as steel green eyes met with blue ones.

"What am I to owe for this pleasant surprise?" Sephiroth smiled lazily, setting down his pen.

"I'll accept your offer." Cloud said quickly, anxiously watching as Sephiroth brushed back his bangs and leaned back, folding his arms across his chest.

"My offer?" The professor feigned innocence.

"You…you know what I'm talking about."

Sephiroth stared down to think for a few moments. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." He narrowed his eyes slightly in amusement.

"Anything I can do, I'll do it." Cloud affirmed.

"Come to me, whenever I call you."

The blonde haired student cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"That's simply it." Sephiroth said, gesturing a hand. "Just come to me whenever I ask."

"And…and do what?" The details were all too vague to Cloud.

"Does it matter at this point? Or are you so readily willing to back out?"

Cloud glared defiantly. "Anything I can do, I'll do it." He repeated with absolute confidence.

"Your funeral." Sephiroth chuckled nonchalantly as he turn back to his papers. Cloud stood there for a few moments, wondering what the professor had meant by those words. "It's something called 'a joke,' I believe." Sephiroth said with a sigh without looking up.

Slightly abashed, Cloud quickly walked out of the lecture hall and broke into a run back to the dorms.

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"What are you so giddy about?" Leon was on his laptop with an eyebrow raised at Cloud. The blonde had entered the dorm humming Rufus' Welcoming Ceremony. Leon had long ago found out that Cloud had an annoying habit of humming this tune whenever he was feeling particularly jovial.

"Oh…nothing." Cloud peered over at Leon's laptop screen. "Want me to check for mistakes?" Cloud pointed at a misspelled word.

Leon shook his head. "I'm finished already." He closed his laptop.

"Hmm…then…want to go out for dinner?" Cloud placed a hand on his hip and tapped an index finger along his chin. "Maybe we can go downtown to where Sora's working and catch his shift…"

"Cloud—." Leon interrupted. "That new place across from the senior apartments? I'll treat you."

Cloud's eyes widened. "But we're poor college students, Leon! And wait a minute—why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? Are you alright?" He bit his lip in concern. "Is it possible you hit your head and received a concussion? Oh…oh god, we have to take you to the clinic—this could be serious! What if you get a seizure?" Cloud scrambled around in search of tongue depressors.

"Excuse me." The brunette growled. "But does this mean you're declining this more-than-generous offer?

"No! NO! Not at all!" Cloud cried. "I was just…kidding…" He half-lied, and then let out a sigh, scratching his head. "I just don't get why you're treating me."

"Well—perhaps if you stopped preening yourself so much, you wouldn't be as nearly broke as you are now." Leon pointed out as he stood up and headed out, followed closely by Cloud. "Who are you trying to look good for anyway?"

"Anyone who'll look." Cloud answered brightly.

"Doesn't that sound kind of desperate?"

"It would—if no one paid attention to me."

"But they do. So you know that you're a heartbreaker."

"Aren't you one as well?" Cloud replied grudgingly.

"It comes naturally." Leon said smugly. "I don't have to try anywhere near as much as you do." He narrowed his eyes at the blonde. "With the kind of remarks that come out of your mouth, I'm surprised you attract more than you repel."

"Oh, it's in the blonde genes." Cloud smiled with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"I can't believe you enjoy saying unintelligent things like that."

"Oh come on, Leon! I can't believe you enjoy being so grim and serious all the time!"

"I don't. I just feel obligated to balance out the situation when you're around."

"I can be serious!" Cloud protested.

"I don't know why, but I'm not convinced." Leon rolled his eyes. "If I were you, I'd keep that tongue of yours immobile."

"I'll have you know that I happen to be a fabulous kisser. It'd be such a waste if I didn't put it into good use." Cloud said smugly.

"…Completely off topic—but as if you've ever engaged in such activity?"

"I haven't…but I'm sure of it. I practice sometimes when I eat ice cream."

"…Cloud, I really have nothing to say to that."

"Good. I knew that would shut you up."

"Yes, but at your own expense."

Cloud shrugged. "But it's true."

Leon stopped and turned around. "Why don't you practice on someone?"

"What?" Cloud stared at Leon, his bright blue eyes clearly confused. "On who?"

"Well I happen to be standing right in front of you, you know." Leon smirked. A blush quickly found its place on Cloud's cheeks and the blonde remained silent. For a moment, the two simply stared at each other.

"Err…" Started Cloud.

"Just kidding, you moron. As if I'd let you set foot on these holy grounds?"

"God, Leon. Do you always have to be such a prick?"

"No. It's just that you told me to lighten up." Leon shrugged.

"I didn't expect you to make a joke that bad!"

"Quit complaining. You're hard to please, you know that?" Leon said, annoyed. "We're here." He reached for the handle. "Ladies first."

"Hmph." Cloud sniffed daintily with his nose up in the air and strutted past Leon through the entrance.

"Hello, I will be serving you this evening. May I start you off with some drinks first?"

"I'll have—." Cloud started. "Wait…Vincent?! I thought you were…"

"Yes, I'm joining SOLDIER, but don't be so anxious to be rid of me just yet. Boot camp doesn't start for another 2 weeks, you know." Vincent rolled his eyes.

"I didn't know you worked here, as well." Leon raised his eyebrow.

"I don't. I'm just helping a friend before I leave…who happens to own this place."

"You know the person who owns this place?!" Cloud exclaimed.

Vincent brushed his raven-black hair back impatiently. "You could call it family connections. Now are you going to have something to drink or not?"

"I guess I'll have—."

"Wait, Cloud. Whatever you say, do NOT order water." Leon raised an eyebrow. Cloud blinked.

"Well alright, Leon. If you're determined to rip a hole in your pocket, I'll have…the most expensive drink there is." Cloud looked up at Vincent.

"I'm assuming you mean the most expensive non-alcoholic beverage? That would be…The Razzle Dazzle…Strawberry Frazzle." Vincent recited uncomfortably and turned to Leon. "And you… sir?"

"Raspberry iced tea." Leon replied simply.

"Okay. Got it." Vincent started to leave, only to pause midway. Cloud and Leon found themselves under the scrutiny of a pair of glinting, ruby eyes. "I didn't know you guys were…never mind." He left.

"Since you insist on being generous, Leon." Cloud said seriously. "Let's set the boundaries first. I can feed myself. So please don't even think about spoon-feeding me."

"Of course not. You're financially incompetent—not physically inept. There's a big difference."

"Hmm." The blonde squinted his eyes, struggling to glance around. The restaurant was quite dim, and the music in the background was low and seductive. It was as if… "Uh…Leon? Do you notice how this place seems to be for…couples?"

Leon frowned. "I wasn't aware of it before."

"Ohh…great. So Vincent must think that we're…"

Leon looked down at his menu and said nothing in reply.

Feeling himself heat up, Cloud looked down as well. Though it wasn't intentional, it's as if I'm on a date with Leon. Gah…I don't know if I can act normally. I feel like such a…such…a girl. Flustered with himself, Cloud quickly glanced at Leon, who didn't seem to be paying attention, before darting his eyes away.

The brunette had some internal conflicts of his own. Great…not really how I wanted this go…but okay. Let's make the best of it. Should I…take the initiative? I have nothing to lose. Yes—nothing to lose and everything to gain. Don't forget—this is what Cloud wants to. But a situation like this is so…foreign. I don't even know where to begin. Nervously, he eyed the blonde's delicate eyebrows, his cool baby-blue eyes and his slightly parted, sensuous lips.

"Leon, this looks—." Cloud was unable to finish his sentence, as Leon smoothly cut in for the kill. The distance between the two was closed, as Leon lightly brushed his lips against Cloud's, as if seeking approval. Stunned, Cloud gave himself up to instinct, and leaned into Leon's lips, initiating further intimacy.

Briefly after, the two pulled back. Leon began to appear self-conscious and though no one could tell in the candle-lit atmosphere, his cheeks were tinged silly with pink. Cloud could feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he smiled sheepishly.

"Maybe I was a bit—."

"No! Not at all…" Cloud trailed off. Sitting in silence, the music playing the background contributed to the awkwardness.

"Message for Mr. Cloud Strife." Vincent had appeared, creating a much-needed distraction for the two.

"Uh…what?" Cloud responded, dumb-founded. "I mean, who is it from?"

Vincent shrugged. "I don't know. I was just told to give this to you." He lowered a tray with an envelope lying on top. Carefully, Cloud picked up the letter as if it were poisonous and opened it to remove the contents.

Mr. Strife,

Enjoying your evening, I hope? I'm afraid that I am going to have to spoil your fun—but your audience is requested. Of course you are not under any sort of commitment to oblige and you may choose to terminate the deal at any point. My best guess assures me that you will not fail to meet my demands, however. See to it that your waiter brings you here—immediately.

Cloud's eyes widened with panic. He had completely forgotten about his obligations. Furthermore, he realized that he hadn't left Sephiroth with any means of communication, which could only mean that he was being tracked somehow. He glanced around in alarm.

"Leon, I have to go! It's urgent!" Cloud pushed back his chair and stood up.

"What happened, Cloud? Did someone get hurt?" Leon stood up, eyeing the blonde with troubled, stormy, gray eyes.

"No…no. It's just that…there's this…thing I have to do. I'm sorry—we'll do this another time!" Cloud finished lamely, before rushing away.

Leon placed a hand on his forehead and let out a sigh.

"Hey, it's okay. Let me cover the bill." Vincent laid a hand on Leon's shoulder before following Cloud.

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"Vincent, where is he?!" Cloud was in frenzy. He was in complete dark about Sephiroth's motives, nor did he know how severe the conditions of the deal were. Would being late call the deal off? Perhaps he was worrying a bit too much, Cloud thought.

"Right here." Vincent opened a door that led to a private dining room in the restaurant that was lit with chandeliers. The door closed behind him as Cloud stepped in.

"Good evening." A rich, gentleman's voice greeted him.

"…Sephiroth." Cloud acknowledged. Sephiroth was sitting at a table, his dress shirt casually unbuttoned at the top and his wine-colored tie hung loosely around his neck. He pulled off his reading glasses and set them down on the tabletop, all while smiling serenely as he pierced the depths of blue eyes with his own set of chilling emerald.

"Sit down, please. And have a glass of champagne."

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