Shallow End
Author: Shadow Cloud
Title: Shallow End
Chapter: 4
Unspoken Words
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Here's a lullaby
to close your eyes (goodbye)
It was always you that I dispised
I
don't feel enough for you to cry (oh no)
Here's a lullaby to
close your eyes
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
So
insignificant sleeping dormant deep inside of me
Are you hiding
away? Lost under the sewers?
Maybe flying high in the clouds?
Perhaps you're happy without me
So many seeds have been sown
in the field
And who could sprawl up so blessedly? If I had died
I would have never felt sad at all.
You will not hear me say
"I'm sorry"
Where is the light? Wonder if it's weeping
somewhere...
----Akira Yamaoka - Close Your Eyes
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The hit still burned. Redness upon his cheek made the blonde frown. He didn't know that, that would ever happen. That Sephiroth would actually hit him. But why? All he did was ask a simple question. Apprently, simple questions weren't very simple to the silver-haired man's eyes. Cloud frowned. He had been locked up with Jay in his art room for hours now and it was starting to get late into the day. The window told him that much. He couldn't hear a sound from outside the door. Was Sephiroth gone? Was it safe for him to leave the safety and seclusion of his room? He didn't want to put his child into jepordy. It was too risky to leave the room, but he had too. Jay was getting a bit restless. Cloud pushed against the door, listening in. Nothing. Nothing at all. He would have to take his chance now. Cloud placed a hand upon the doorknob. It was as if an electric shock had been pulsed through his body as he withdrew his hand and stared down at it. He shook his head. Come on, Cloud. You can do this... were his only thoughts. He nodded firmly to himself, opening the door and walking into the hall. Nothing. He turned, picking up his sleeping child and walking right into the living room. Nothing. Sephiroth's boots were gone as well as his cloack from the coat rack. Cloud was a little releaved at this. He'd had time to contemplate about what to do at this point. But what was he to do? He already confronted Sephiroth about the problems, the secrecy, everything. And this is what happened. He had gotten hit. Something was going on. The random calls from Vincent Valentine told Cloud that much. Because normally Vincent wouldn't call as often as he is. Normally, Vincent would ask for Cloud instead of Sephiroth. But, he was asking for Sephiroth. Something was up, and Cloud was determined to find out exactly what it was. Because he wasn't about to put his child's future into jepordy. Cloud sighed and placed Jay on the couch. The boy squirmed a little, but then settled himself right into the cushions. Cloud smiled. It was a half smile, but at least it was something.
A sound from outside made Cloud jump. He looked around frantically. Slowly approaching the window, he peered out, but, there was nothing. Nothing at all. He sighed in pure relief. The blonde made his way to the kitchen. He was a little hungry, being that he hadn't eaten all day. He walked into the kitchen. Nothing. It was as clean as ever. This was strange. Usually there'd be two coffee cups left out for him and Sephiroth. Usually, the coffee maker would be set out ontop of the counter, but it was back in the corner where they usually put it when it wasn't in use. The entire counter was whiped down. Usually, crumbs would be left behind from whatever and there'd be water marks upon the fine finish. But nothing. Nothing at all. Something weird was going on. Cloud knew this. The phone near his right rang which made him jump a bit. He was a little paranoid now, constantly looking over his shoulder and making sure Sephiroth wasn't lurking around any corner. He slowly moved to the phone, placing a hand on it and then picking it up, placing the reciever against his ear.
"H--hello?"
The voice from the otherside of the phone, surely, was Sephiroth.
"Cloud?"
"Y--Yes?"
"Cloud look, I'm sorry..."
"How can I trust you?"
"You've trusted me before...haven't you?"
"I...yes..."
"Please. I'm coming home."
Then silence. Then, the buzzing. Letting Cloud know, that the other had hung up. Where had he called from? Where was he? Cloud frowned. Was he with Vincent again? It seemed like thats where he always went lately. Then it hit him. Was Sephiroth cheating on him? What was going on? Cloud was getting a bit frustated about all this and he needed answers. He needed answers to his questions, and fast. Because this, this whole secrecy thing was getting out of hand and everything that Cloud had ever vowed for was now broken. Complete and utterly broken. Cloud turned, hearing the door open and then the sound of boots against the small rug infront of the door.
"Cloud," came the voice from the living room. Cloud shifted uneasily and then walked slowly to the living room. He could see the other from around the corner and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Cloud, please...come here."
Cloud frowned, his legs now felt like lead and something, like an invisable wall, made him stay where he was. He listened closely. Sephiroth was approaching him and as he did, Cloud backed away.
"Cloud, I'm so sorry."
Sephiroth knew that when he spoke Cloud's name it made the boy's knees go weak. Even now, after all they'd been through, just hearing his name come from the other's mouth made his knees weak. Cloud couldn't look at him. Blue eyes were gazing down at the floor as it something where to jump out of it and eat him alive.
"Cloud...please just look at me. Listen to me."
"Sephiroth...you hurt me..."
"I know and I'm sorry. My temper gets the better of me."
"No! That's not it! Seph, you always say it's about your temper. Always. You always blame it on your past. It isn't about that now is it?"
"Cloud, it's not like that. I mean it this time."
"I don't know what to believe anymore..."
"Believe me. Have I ever lied to you?"
"I...don't know."
"No, no I haven't. Cloud, just forgive me please. You know I..."
The other stopped. It was as if the words had been torn from him. It was as if he couldn't find the words. As if they didn't exsist in his vocabulary.
"You...what?"
"Cloud..."
Sephiroth approached him, placing a hand under the boy's chin. Even a simple touch from the other made Cloud's heart race. His legs felt like jello now as he leaned forward into the other's hand. Something about the other made Cloud forgive him so easily. Sephiroth leaned close to the boy, tipping his head a bit and kissing Cloud. Cloud couldn't help but bring his arms around the other, pressing against him and into the kiss. There was something, something about this man that made Cloud forget that he was ever angry at him. But he knew, somewhere inside of him he was.
Cloud felt himself being lifted fromt he ground. He looked up at Sephiroth, curling fingers into the silver-hair. Sephiroth carried the other up the stairs and into the bedroom. Cloud fell victim to the other, letting him do as he pleased as he was placed upon the bed. His eyes were half closed as he stared to the side. Cloud felt his shirt being removed from his small frame. His bare chest now exposed as he felt cold lips upon his warm chest. He smiled a bit, biting his bottom lip.
"Sephiroth..."
"Shh...Cloud, it'll be okay..."
Then, Cloud was taken up as they intertwined themselves within the sheets. Becoming one with each other. He layed upon the other's chest, his head layed upon his hand as the other was intertwined with the other's own. Silver hair had fallen over Cloud's shoulder. He smiled and looked up at Sephiroth who was staring down at him with green eyes.
"Seph, I love you."
"Cloud..."
Words unspoken.
--End--