I apologize for the late update but…I hope this was worth the wait!
It might be a tad longer than my past chapters so I guess it might make up for it?
Please enjoy!
Sunlight hit Cloud's face and by habit he groaned and slowly opened his eyes. His eyes immediately widened when he saw a set of brown hair before him. Last night's memories came flooding back into his mind and Cloud almost jumped out of his own bed but glad he restrained himself or he'd wake up the one before him.
Curled up like a ball, Sora held himself with the hand that wasn't intertwined with Cloud's. Slowly taking the hand away, Cloud carefully slipped out of bed and using his side of the cover, he pulled them over Sora to warm him up.
With a sigh, Cloud watched the troubled face that Sora had on. He thought for a moment it was all a dream: but no, Sora's right here, in Leon's clothes, on his bed and is still SORA. He didn't change back…he's still in a 15-year-old body. He was so sure after kissing last night that he would've woken up with Leon beside him. Now Cloud wasn't sure who would feel more crushed…himself or Leon when he wakes up.
Now Cloud has to figure out how to explain to his kids that Sora 'got here early.' Well Sora is still suspended from school…oh right! School!
Cloud got ready for the morning with as little noise as possible. When he was done he left his room and closed the door so Leon could keep sleeping as he goes to wake up his kids.
"ROXAS GET UP!" the boy was first. After a few strong knocks, he went to Naminé's door.
"NAMINE!"
"Ugh…coming…" she replied tiredly and Cloud went back to Roxas's room,
"ROXAS!" he shouted and knocked a few more times. He repeated the 'shouting the name' and knocking until he heard Roxas make some sort of noise.
"Get up! Now! Or I'm breaking down your door!"
Roxas groaned louder, knowing Cloud wasn't kidding and Cloud took his leave to get breakfast ready. When Naminé came down, Cloud went back upstairs again to knock on Roxas's door,
"Get up Roxas!"
"Okay…"
Cloud only rolled his eyes before going back down to serve Naminé's breakfast.
"How are you getting to school today?" Cloud asked,
"Kairi and a couple of her friends said she'll take me on the way since one of them can drive," Naminé replied and Cloud only nodded,
"Don't stay out too late, alright?"
"Okay! I won't! I promise!"
"Good girl," he lightly patted her head before heading back towards the stairs, "ROXAS! YOU BETTER BE UP!"
After a hearing a thud, Cloud knew Roxas finally fell out of bed. Man, he sleeps like a log as bad as Leon does.
"Okay!" Roxas impatiently responded.
Hearing a honk, Naminé quickly finished up her eggs and toast before waving goodbye.
"Have a good day, Naminé!" he waved after her and Cloud walked up the stairs, hearing the washroom being used so he knew Roxas was up. Cloud opened his bedroom's door to check on Leon-still-Sora only to hear that the boy was up and in the bathroom getting ready for the day as well. Guess that shouldn't be a surprise: He WAS yelling for Roxas every 5 minutes.
Cloud closed the door again and headed downstairs once more to prepare Roxas's breakfast which was toast. By the time Roxas came down, he only had time to pick up the toast and walk or bike to school and eat on the way.
Roxas nearly stumbled down the stairs as he dragged himself (and his bag on the floor) to the table.
"You need a ride, Roxas?" Cloud offered but Roxas only shook his head,
"I'm good…" he murmured and picked up his toast.
"If you're sure. Have a good day, Roxas."
"Thanks…" he responded and rubbed his eyes to try and wake up more. The younger blonde dragged himself out of the house to get to school.
After Roxas left, Cloud sighed to himself before heading upstairs. Giving a brief knock, Cloud opened the door to see Sora in his oversized clothing while sitting on the bed, staring out the window.
"Sora?"
"…"
"Oh Shiva, I'm sorry…Leon?"
"…It's okay. You know, I was so sure Vincent's idea was right…" Sora shook his head as he continued to stare outside.
"Vincent?" Cloud repeated, raising a brow and went up to the bed to sit beside the boy.
"Yeah, the kiss was his idea…" Letting out a sigh, he buried his face in his hands, "I don't know what to do…I'm probably stuck like this forever…"
"I'm sorry…" Cloud whispered. He didn't know what to say. He's just as confused and doesn't know how to comfort in a situation like this, "We'll figure something out."
Vincent groaned as he blindly looked for his phone that was ringing quite loudly. Finally, his hand landed on it,
"What?" he growled impatiently upon answering.
"Vincent, hey uh…sorry?" Sora apologized, knowing he just woke Vincent up.
"What do you want?"
"Well…I didn't change…and you looked like you had an idea last night so…"
"Oh…" Vincent groaned upon hearing the sad news. He rolled over to his back and took in a breath to sigh before answering, "I looked around to see if I got some cheesy romantic book buried somewhere and I found one so I read it. So if the kiss didn't work, I thought you can go for the cheesy route."
Sora only raised a brow, not sure if he wanted to know anymore.
"Well what's the cheesy route?"
"Well I can tell you what it is, but you can't do anything about it. It's all up to Cloud…"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
It was awkward…beyond awkward. Sure he kissed Leon but…he technically kissed a minor! That was Roxas and Naminé's age no less! Cloud wanted to bang his head against the wall a few times as he watched Sora talk with Vincent on the phone in the living room. When Sora started talking again after a long pause, Cloud left to give Sora his privacy. Of course, that only led him to continue thinking how much trouble he can get into for kissing him! So Cloud did his best to distract himself by making breakfast for himself and Sora-really-Leon. Though he almost burned the eggs when he became lost in thought. Sora came into the kitchen just as Cloud finished. Though now he's not sure if he should be glad to be distracted or not be glad because now they'll have to have an awkward talk soon.
"How'd it go?" Cloud asked with a hint of hope in his voice. The boy only sighed and shrugged,
"Not really anything…" he replied after sitting down.
"I'm sorry…" Cloud did feel guilty for not thinking of anything else to say as he placed the breakfast down. He also felt guilty, or maybe just bad, that the brunette didn't even look at him.
"Don't be," he responded and started to slowly eat. The eating was silence for the most part. Cloud lacked words on how to comfort him and Sora's thoughts were filled with Vincent's idea.
"I missed your cooking, Cloud…"
The blonde snapped out of his thoughts on trying to figure out what to say when Sora spoke up first.
"Oh um…th-thanks?"
"I'm sorry I never appreciated it before…but after eating Vincent's so-called-cooking…" Sora just didn't bother finishing that sentence and the kitchen fell silent again for a little while. Sora ate very slowly so Cloud took his time as well. He didn't want to leave the boy by himself and felt he should at least try and comfort him.
"Are you okay?" it was a stupid question, Cloud knew that; but after much thought on what to say, that came out. Sora only sighed and shook his head,
"Not really…" but the boy quickly lifted his head, "But don't worry, Cloud! I'll be fine!"
Cloud resisted the urge to sigh himself…Leon always did tell him not to worry about something that 'wasn't his concern' even though this very much IS his concern!
"Anything I can do to help?"
That question caused Sora to stiffen for a moment before they slowly met eyes…
"N-Not really…I mean…just be yourself," Sora replied, "That's really all I need from you…treat me like you've always had…as Leon I mean."
Cloud only raised a brow at that request, but it wasn't an easy request. How are you supposed to act and treat your lover normal if said-lover isn't exactly in a 'normal' predicament?
"I'll…I'll try."
Silence fell between them again for a moment.
"Did it hurt when you changed?" Cloud asked and Sora shrugged,
"I guess not…I didn't know until I saw myself in the mirror at Vincent's."
"How did it happen exactly?"
"Well…" and the boy found himself telling Cloud what happened…
Cloud thought it sounded a plot taken from a movie but he can't deny it if the result of that story is sitting before him.
"…Have you tried falling into the river again?"
"…No."
"Good, it's too dangerous! I would've killed you myself if you tried," Cloud immediately stated afterwards. Although…the idea never left the brunette's mind...
After breakfast, Cloud and Sora sat together on the couch in their family room to have a long relationship talk. Though most of their talk was talking about every event that's happened between them after the incident. From the day Roxas brought Sora home to the confession that Sora isn't a 15 year-old boy to begin with.
Sora spent a good time ranting about Naminé dating and how angry he was when he heard Cloud was okay with it as well how it was possible that Cloud overlooked Roxas's bullying.
Cloud didn't rant much. He asked more questions and talked in a calmer matter which was much better than his obvious anger and impatience when he discovered the truth. But Sora couldn't hold it against him…he probably would've reacted worse than Cloud did if he was in Cloud's place.
Eventually, they went on to actually talking about their relationship. The brunette wants to fix this relationship and he'll fix it if it's the last thing he'll do!
"…Are you still mad at me?" Sora asked, making Cloud let out a sigh and stare at the floor.
"I guess…I'm only a little mad that you kept this from me…at the same time I understand why you did. I'm just kind of overwhelmed, even as we speak of this."
"I'm sorry…As soon as I get my body back, I'll make it up to you! Well I try making it up to you now but I can only do so much as a teenager…" the brunette muttered as the sentence went on, "I mean…I…"
"It's not about making things up for me, Leon," Cloud cut in but he simply stared ahead of him at the wall. Sora grew worried when he saw those beautiful blue eyes get watery. He was also half glad that Cloud wasn't looking at him or the guilt he's feeling now would be worse if he had to look into those eyes.
"When you said you loved me…back at the courthouse…I didn't know what to say. My mind went blank and my heart sped up. I just turned into mush and I remembered that's how I felt…when you first said that to me. Yet after that…I realized it must've been too long since I last heard you say that if it made me feel that way."
"I'm sorry…" he felt like a parrot for saying those words every few minutes, "But I do…I love you so much…"
Cloud lowered his head and slowly looked to his left to the only other person in the room. Two pairs of blue eyes met, and the will-be-scarred man couldn't believe he forgot how entrancing Cloud can be…and how much he liked it.
"I know…" Cloud whispered and his hand reached up to wipe his eyes, "I thought I was ready to leave you…but when you said those words to me…you pulled me back. It was like I was just waiting to hear you tell me that again."
"Then I'm sorry I made you wait…you don't have to wait anymore. I love you…"
And despite wiping his eyes, Cloud missed a tear when it slid down his face…though a small reached out to wipe it away for him. Yet all Cloud could do was stare.
He was so sure their love was gone and that it could never be revived. He was so sure he was right too. Yet now…Cloud never realized how hard it was to convince himself otherwise because a part of himself doesn't want to risk getting hurt again.
"Are you okay?"
Cloud stared some more but after a brief pause he nodded and gave a small smile.
"Yeah…thank you…"
After School:
"I cannot believe you, Roxas," Naminé sighed as the twins walked home together.
"Well at least I'm over Sora and we officially crossed over the awkwardness in our friendship," Roxas murmured with his hands in his pocket and looking away.
"Roxy, you're crushing on a senior bad boy! How is it remotely possible this guy can get you so distracted?"
"I don't know…"
"You almost fell down the stairs today! Luckily I was there to grab you!"
"I know, I know, and I appreciate that," Roxas responded and reached for their front door when they finally got to their home.
"I beg you not to date him."
"I begged you not to date Riku," Roxas reminded.
"…Fine, but I get a say on any guy after Axel!"
"Deal."
"You're actually going to confess your feelings?"
"Yes…hopefully tomorrow."
"You always say that," Naminé reminded and they stepped into the house after Roxas finally got the door open.
"But I mean it this time!"
"You said that before too…"
Roxas didn't respond to that when he saw Sora at their kitchen table, eating spaghetti.
"Sora?" the twins said in unison, both equally confused. Sora waved to them since his mouth as full.
"What are you doing here?" Naminé asked with a smile, happy to come home to see Sora.
"…I want spaghetti," Roxas murmured, speaking for his stomach, and Naminé turned to give him a look.
"I'm sure your father has them out and ready to make," Sora replied after swallowing.
"Where is Dad then?" Roxas asked and Sora pointed up,
"He's in his room I think."
"Oh, is he okay?" Naminé asked with concern as she's noticed how the man locked himself in his room quiet often recently.
"…Yeah, I'm sure he is," Sora replied with a light, but half-faked, smile. The boy felt good right now, but also concerned. He got Cloud to smile today, got him to loosen up and it reminded him of their love from way back when they talked casually. To him, it meant they still had it: their love is still there. Yet at the same time, Cloud not talking him is really bugging him…
"Sora?"
"Hm? Yeah, Roxas?" he asked when Roxas's voice snapped him out o his thoughts.
"…Are you wearing my Otosan's clothes?" he pointed and Sora stiffened. He completely forgot he was walking around in his original clothing. Though Sora thanked whatever's up there when Cloud came down at that moment to distract his kids. But at that thought, Sora started to ponder about his clothes and called up Vincent when he had the chance…
For most of the afternoon, Cloud was distracted with his kids, which was great on Sora's part as he planned to test another way to turn him back while hiding out in the bedroom and talking with Vincent.
"You sure you want to do this?" Vincent asked as if talking to a teenage daredevil about to do something stupid. Well…at this moment, Sora is quite close that description.
"Yes I'm sure! I got nothing to lose!"
"Your life?"
"Oh for crying out loud! This isn't going to kill me!" Sora had to hiss the whole thing to avoid Cloud, or either of his kids, overhearing.
"Ugh…alright, I'll come get in you in a few…"
Cloud found it awfully suspicious and Vincent arrived at the door to 'pick up Sora.' Especially since he still needed to talk to Vincent to patch up the little hold made in their friendship due to this whole Leon-turned-to-Sora problem was discovered.
"Bye! See you tomorrow!" Sora waved with a smile to his family, making Cloud raise a brow in more suspicion. Especially after Sora changed back to his original clothing on the night they kissed but the plastic bag Sora had was holding his real clothes.
"Don't worry," was all Vincent stated before he led Sora away. At first, Cloud took no mind to that as he and Sora both knew Sora couldn't stay that night due to Roxas and Naminé. Yet as the time passed, Cloud felt his stomach twist and turn. Something didn't feel right…
He was awakened from his thoughts by a loud boom: thunder…
"Man, it's like a monsoon out there!" Roxas exclaimed, holding the curtain to the side as he watched the rain come down and the lightning flash into the night sky.
"Hmm…" Naminé approached her brother and stared out the window as well, "This looks as bad as night the last time Otosan was over…"
Cloud's hand hit the kitchen table as he abruptly stood up and ran to his kids, pulling the curtains farther apart so he can see. After a short pause, realization hit him.
"Oh sweet Shiva…" Cloud whispered out loud and he ran for the closet before shouting to his kids, "Don't leave the house!"
"Where are you going, Dad? It's so bad out there!" Roxas exclaimed when he saw Cloud putting on a long black coat.
"Just…somewhere! I'll be back! You two better not follow me or I'm grounding you until you're in college!" Without seeing if his kids will agree, Cloud was out the door and into the storm.
Cloud could not believe he didn't think of this sooner. He also could not believe he even asked that stupid question! Finding that driving was too dangerous, Cloud pulled the hood over his head and ran.
"Oh I am so going to die…" Sora murmured as he stood held himself against the bridge with one arm while his other made sure he won't lose his baggy pants. Sora took into consideration to Vincent's words about his clothes. If he can't transform back due to them being too small, he'll just have to try everything in large enough clothing. He never realized how stupid he was for even trying this…without Vincent to help.
"Sorry, I rather not get sick when it starts raining."
That stupid supposed-vampire really is heartless…
Sora waited at the bridge until the storm predicted from the news started rolling in. Now that it looked just like the night he first changed, Sora carefully climbed himself over the bridge and held on until it got a little worse. He also was a bit nervous and scared as he stared at the rushing water beneath him.
"SQUALL LEONHART!"
Sora flinched upon hearing the tone used before he looked over to the end of the bridge to see Cloud catching his breath.
"Squall Leonhart! I swear I will kill you myself if you decide to jump!" Cloud threatened as he stomped over, his voice surprisingly louder than the storm.
"C-Cloud! I…uh…" how Sora wished Cloud didn't come!
Cloud grabbed a hold of the boy's arm and started pulling him back over but Sora held on, "Wait Cloud! I have to try this!" he yelled so Cloud can hear over the heavy rain and spontaneous thunder.
"No you don't!"
"Yes I do! Cloud this is the only thing I have not tried yet! It's worth a shot, right?"
"You could hit your head on a rock down there!"
"…You'll save me then, right?" Sora asked in a quieter tone but Cloud still caught that.
"Of course…"
"Then I have nothing to worry about!" Sora flashed a smile but Cloud still wasn't convinced but merely tightened his grip.
"Jumping off a bridge isn't worth the trouble! You could get hurt!" the blonde shouted as the wind picked up.
"…You're worth all the trouble and pain in the world, Cloud."
And all Cloud could do was let out a small gasp before Sora gently pulled his arm from Cloud,
"Just be there for me?"
"…Of course I will," Cloud whispered before he stared down the river. After a glance, Cloud ran and followed the river. When he took some distance, he stopped and looked back to see him being waved at. He had half a mind to run back and stop this, but didn't. He wasn't sure if he was putting trust in his lover or I he was being selfish and wants his lover to turn back. It must've been both…
Sora on the other hand, wouldn't mind dying. He told Cloud he loved him today more times than he ever remembered saying it over the past many years. So long as Cloud knew that, and knew how true it was, that's all he wanted.
Still that doesn't mean he should be off committing suicide so he hoped the rapids below doesn't cause him to drown. Taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh, Sora let go and let gravity take him into the water.
Though upon contact with the freezing liquid, Sora knew he was not turning back as this felt nothing like when he fell in the first time. He clearly felt he was going to drown so he reached for the surface of the water for air and tried to swim for land. Though he never realized how hard that would be if water kept hitting him from all sides as well as without warning. Still his mind thought of Cloud…he's doing this because of Cloud. After all, if anyone could turn young again, they'd embrace it. Anyone would love to have a second chance at life and he was no exception. But a second life without Cloud? It just wasn't worth it.
And when he felt Cloud's hand grab him, he felt warm despite being in freezing water. He would change himself back to his real age a hundred times over if it meant he can feel Cloud's touch, hear his voice, and hold him close again.
"Squall Leonhart, you're insane…"
Even if that voice was angry…wait, that wasn't angry…
Sora rolled over and finally noticed he's on land again, and pushed himself up on his knees. Cloud was as soaked as he was and his hood fell off the blonde spikes; and Cloud sat there on the wet grass while staring at the boy before him as if he was going to cry…unless he already was crying. The rain made it hard to tell.
"Next time I let you do something crazy…remind me of this night," Cloud nearly begged.
"…I'm sorry." The brunette crawled over, though he repositioned his pants that were falling off, and tenderly caressed the blonde's arms before hugging him.
"Squall…I love you too."
Sora blinked and pulled back a bit.
"I'm sorry, did just say…?"
"…I love you," Cloud repeated pulled himself as well as Sora to their feet and embraced the boy. The two stood there, letting the rain hit them though they weren't sure for how long.
"Come on…let's go home."
And Sora never thought his day could get better…but it was nice hearing those words: Let's go home. Home…
They hooked hands and fingers and trudged their way through some water and mud as they walked up the steep earth to get back on the road and street.
Sora let out a yelp as he slipped on a large heap of mud that most certainly wasn't there before and after losing grip of Cloud's hand, he slid all the way back down again with mud all over him.
"Squall!" Cloud cried after him and carefully slid down, "Are you alright?" he asked as he knelt down next to the now mud-man.
"Y-Yeah…" he responded and they both froze. Cloud was in front of the man in a second as he wiped away icky substance from the face before him but his fingers became shaky when he felt familiar-styled brown locks while doing so.
"Your voice…" Cloud whispered when he wiped the mud from the eyes and he felt an old scar. If Cloud didn't cry, he openly did now when he saw those fierce stormy gray-blue eyes, "Oh Shiva…Squall…"
"Cloud…" Leon whispered and he didn't even bother checking the rest of his body as he stared into Cloud's eyes. He didn't even get the chance to anyway when Cloud, without warning, pulled him close and kissed him hard and passionately, not caring about anything else. The blonde kept pushing himself against Leon during the kiss and eventually, Leon's hand slipped and he fell on his back with Cloud following…though the kiss didn't get interrupted. When Cloud finally distanced himself from Leon, he only did for a few moments before he threw his arms around the man.
"I love you…" they said once more to each other and they lied there together for who knows how long…
And all the magician that stood at that same bridge could do was smile before he disappeared after a flash of lightning blazed across the sky.
It's not over! I plan an epilogue-kind of thing!
Well sort of…you'll see! It's an epilogue-ish thing so it wraps up everything!
Please read and review!