-Preclude-
"If you truly love me, you will stop."
Cloud's voice rang in his ears.
Sephiroth's eyes found Cloud, his pupils softening back into circles.
He began to descend, the light in his hand dissipating as he clenched his fist.
"Forgive me mother."
He landed lightly on his feet, his wing disintegrating in a haze of black feathers.
Kuja made move to go to Sephiroth. But Cloud held his arm out to stop him.
Cloud slowly walked to Sephiroth.
They stood in silence.
Sephiroth spoke first. "I believe all men are born knowing everything, but in order to come into this world, he must trade it all away. So tell me because I have forgotten, do you love me?"
Cloud sighed, "You know the answer Sephiroth… I will always love you… I have never stopped. If all men must trade their knowledge to come into this world then I am not man. I have always known to love you, from the day I met you."
"You are man, Cloud, it is I who is not. I am a false god shunned from his planet. I am a failed experiment. My jealousy has tainted my soul."
"Sephiroth. I love you. But I'm not in love with you, nor are you me. Our bond shall never be broken. But we were never meant to be. I have Zack. You have Kuja. We will still be bound."
"Forgive me. I was foolish."
Sephiroth closed the space between them. He brought his arms protectively around Cloud.
And kissed him.
Cloud kissed back, knowing this would be the last kiss they would ever share, and strangely, it didn't hurt his heart this time, for he knew that he was not going to lose Sephiroth.
"You will never escape me shadow," he chuckled, reading Cloud's thoughts.
"I will never leave your shadow."
They disbanded, Sephiroth holding out his hand.
"Come Kuja, I have much to make up for."
Kuja ran to Sephiroth, pressing into him, his small hand instantly going to his hair for comfort. Sephiroth wrapped his arms around Kuja.
Cloud turned to leave, heaving the unconscious Zack up and to his bike.
"Good-bye," he mouthed, knowing that it was not.