Shallow End

Author: Shadow Cloud

Title: Shallow End

Chapter: 6

Good-Bye

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This is what I brought you.
This you can keep.
This is what I brought.
You may forget me.
I promise to depart just promise one thing.
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.

This is what I brough you.
This you can keep.
This is what I brought.
You may forget me.
I promise you my heart just promise to sing.
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.

AFI - Prelude 12/21

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Cloud had collected only things that he knew he'd more than likely need. He did this quickly and quietly, making sure he didn't lay eyes on the other. He had arranged to stay with Tifa and her husband for a few weeks, just until he had a place of his own. He couldn't believe what had happened. Sephiroth was cheating on him with Vincent. Vincent of all people. One of Cloud's closets friends. He shook his head, picking up his bags as well as his baby. Jay wrapped his arms around Cloud's neck, tugging on his hair a bit as he squirmed uneasily. The blonde frowned, holding the boy against his chest. He hated to take the boy away from a home that he so well known and grew up in. But with Sephiroth around he had no choice and he couldn't kick Sephiroth out, because this was Sephiroth's house. The silver-haired General payed for this house and everything in it. Cloud, could do nothing about it. So, he had to find his own path. His own little home or apartment. Something that he could live in for the rest of his life. He'd have to get money to support his child on his own. Cloud knew he could make it on his own. He didn't need anyone else. Or did he? Would he go crawling back to Sephiroth? What would happen? Cloud wondered. If something where to happen he'd know...right? Or would it hit him in the face at random?

Cloud had a weak heart. Especially for Sephiroth. A man he had loved since child hood, the only man he had loved. He was afraid to leave, but it had to be done.

"Cloud, please don't leave."

"Don't talk to me."

"Cloud, you don't understand!"

"I do. It's very clear to me that you're cheating on me with Vincent. Having your little affair."

"It's not like that..."

"Oh no? Then what's it like, hmm?"

"Cloud..."

Cloud turned away. The other was standing at the bottom of the stairs, leaning against the wall and just watching him. Cloud felt the cold, green eyes burn holes into his back as he watched out the large picture window for Tifa's husband. He frowned, rubbing Jay's back as he began to cry. The boy was getting hungry as well as tired. It was well into the morning. He sighed, shifting nerviously. He could still feel eyes upon his back. The blonde did nothing about it. Said nothing and never looked at the other. Not once. He stood silently and quietly and didn't acknowledge the other at all. The baby sturred again, holding out his hand to Sephiroth. "Da..." He cooed and wiggled a bit more, trying to free himself from Cloud's grasp, but the blonde had a rather firm one.

Sephiroth frowned. What the hell was he thinking when he ran off and messed with Vincent? Was it all over now? Would he never see his child and Cloud again? He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You know you don't have to go."

"I do."

"Why?"

"You know why."

"You can stay here. I'll leave."

"No."

"You don't want to live this life?"

"I don't want to live in a house where someone that I had loved so badly use to live."

"Why not?"

"You hurt me..."

Silence.

Cloud liked the silence most. It kept him from knowing that the other was there. The blonde was hurt. It felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest and stepped out a million times then thrown in a blender, ripped to pieces and fed to rabid alligators. He sighed, watching a car pull up into the driveway and then the honk of a horn. Cloud moved towards the door as a hand was placed upon his shoulder.

"Cloud, please don't go."

"Sephiroth, don't. It's too late for that."

Cloud pulled away, pushing the hand away and then opening the door.

If he looks over his shoulder at me before he leaves...I'll be okay. Sephiroth thought.

As Cloud stepped out of the door, he looked over his shoulder, looking right at the other before looking back again and walking out.

...I'll be okay.

Cloud stepped towards the car as Tifa's husband helped him load his bags into it. Cloud sat in the front with the baby on his lap. Sephiroth watched from the picture window, watching the car back down the driveway and then drive away. He frowned. Something within him tightened. A feeling he had never felt before. What was this new feeling? Sephiroth's stomach knotted itself and twisted about. Something was happening. Something burned his eyes. He placed a hand against his cheek. It felt wet and cold. Tears.

I thought I'd be okay...I'm not okay...I'm so lost without him. What am I to do now? Put the wrong things right? Or leave it be and continue to live my life alone or with Vincent?

Sephiroth sat in the living room. It was silent and nothing empty and made him depressed. This was bad. His world was falling apart.

-End.-

Author's note: (More like drabble and random musing.)

Sorry for the delay on chapter five. I would have gotten it up sooner if would've let me upload my file! Eye twitch. But. Here's chapter six. I hope you enjoy it. I think I'll end this fiction with ten chapters. Heh. Then you guys can read my other stories. I'm sure they'll be just as good as this one. I'm excited to start writing Cast A Dream. Please, please read my next stories. Oh some of you will more than likely love War Of Love and Hate. It'll be fantastic. Hope you all enjoy the last four chapters of this fiction!