Title: 100 Steps To Somewhere

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Claim: Cloud/Riku

Theme: 032. Satisfaction

Word Count: 2,260

Rating: M

Summary: Nothing short of a miracle could make Cloud productive on two hours of sleep. Good thing he got a miracle.

Disclaimer: Yeah, right. In my dreams, maybe.

Author's Note: She lives! No, really, I had a hard time with this part. I didn't want to write a real reunion until I could do it from Riku's perspective (I'll explain why in the next segment), so I had to find a way to fill Cloud's time between the last chapter and this one. This is short, I know, but all I really wanted to do was set Cloud up for the next part, which doesn't require too many words. I think I squeezed enough out of it, and if the ending doesn't scream 'satisfaction' to you, I don't know what will.

Step Thirty-Two: Better Than Coffee

There was nothing like the satisfaction of a job well-done or a hard day's work. At least that's what Leon said when Cloud succeeded as an interior painter (Cloud thought maybe Leon was just trying to cliché him to death). When Leon sent him off to paint, Cloud hoped he'd work on the exterior or something that was at least a little masculine, but Cid handed him a roller instead, and sent him right inside to work with three women from town. They talked all day long about babies, shoes, and the little shops they hoped would open in Market. They discussed bargain shopping and recipes.

"That soup last night was spectacular," said one woman. "I have to get that recipe from you."

"Oh, and it's so easy to make, too," said another.

Cloud dragged the roller over his ears during the second hour in hopes the paint would block the passageways and render him deaf. It didn't work, but Cloud's ear was cold for a while until the paint dried. It just hurt after that. He now knew more about Eliza's daughter Skylar and her boyfriend than he knew about Tifa and Vincent Valentine.

"But the paint is on the walls more than you, and that's what's important," said Leon.

"I bet your fingers feel a lot better, though," said Aerith.

"Actually, they feel cramped and stiff from holding the roller all day."

"If you do well, maybe you can plant trees next."

Cloud huffed.

"Not interested."

"Well, we'll need people to help paint the orphanage once it's finished."

"Not interested."

"Cloud, I know you don't like painting, but . . ."

"I don't mind painting. I mind the conversational painters. Can't you make them plant pretty flowers or something?"

"They can't be that bad," said Leon.

"Yeah? When's the last time you sat through a three-hour conversation on diapers and formula?"

Leon winced.

"Maybe we can get someone else to help you. Like Yuffie."

"I need Yuffie," said Tifa. "I talk about the serious stuff; she entertains."

"Aw," said Yuffie. "You're so sweet. No one's ever needed me before."

"Are you sure she isn't just annoying them?" said Leon. Yuffie smacked him over the head.

"Don't mess with the great and powerful ninja Yuffie, Squall."

"Don't call me that."

"It's your name."

". . . Whatever."

Tifa and Aerith chuckled.

"I'd be happy to help," said Merlin. He stroked his long beard. "I do hope this won't get in the way."

"Not at all," said Aerith. "See, Cloud. You have help. Now hold still. You still have paint in your ear."

It was three days after the bonfire fiasco. Leon and Tifa spoke little since, though coexisted without another scene. Cloud was grateful. He knew they both meant well, and valued both their opinions. He sighed. The Riku Situation, as he now thought of it, caused more problems than he would have liked. All he wanted to do was wait, and if that carried on too long, mourn, but his friends were nosy and liked to ask a lot of questions. Cloud had to provide answers, despite how much he wanted to keep this all to himself. He felt he'd burst if he didn't.

Merlin arrived the day before. The entire Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee (which was really just Leon, Tifa, Aerith, Yuffie, Cid, and Cloud) led him to a little house in the borough. Aerith thought he needed help unpacking, but he showed up with one, seemingly bottomless bag with furniture that arranged itself.

"Wish moving everyone was that easy," Leon muttered. Cloud nodded.

Merlin set right to work. He brought a computer for the restoration plans, and Cid spent most of his time since then clicking around and entering information. Cloud didn't understand the first thing about computers other than they usually failed to do anything useful for him, so he kept his distance from the contraption, but Leon took to standing behind Cid for hours at a time mumbling and nodding. Other than the computer, Merlin used his magic to help complete houses, and turned out to be more useful than Cloud could ever hope to be with a hammer. He appreciated the offer to help paint, but Merlin was more useful elsewhere. Cloud shook his head.

"I told you to keep still," said Aerith.

"It's okay, Merlin," said Cloud. "I'll deal with it. I'm where I'm the most help; you should be, too."

"Oh, I don't mind," said Merlin. He waved a hand. "I'd like to try everything if you don't mind."

"Any help is appreciated," said Aerith.

"Splendid. Then that's settled."

"When do you think we can get started on the orphanage?" said Tifa. She stood next to Leon across the room—the distance between them more than it should have been—and leaned over Cid's shoulder.

"You're really into that project, aren't you?" said Leon.

"It was our home."

"What's your point?"

"I think with the Heartless, it's more important now than ever for there to be a place for kids like we were."

"Orphans."

"Kids without families, yes."

"It's a good idea," said Aerith. "Yuffie and I have encountered a lot of children who've lost their families. They need somewhere to go."

"I didn't say it was a bad idea. She just keeps talking about it."

"I want it to be a priority," said Tifa. "It's housing—just as important as getting families into homes. The kids can't room with anyone else or sleep in the streets forever."

"I know it's important, and it is a priority."

"Then what are you arguing with me for?"

Tifa pulled herself up to full height and placed her hands on her hips. Leon crossed his arms over his chest and glared.

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are. You're starting trouble."

Leon looked toward the door and shrugged.

"Whatever . . ."

Cloud rolled his eyes.

"I knew the new Leon wouldn't last. Tifa comes back and he gets moody again."

"Like you're any better. 'Hey, Cloud, would you like to help paint the orphanage? Because you thought it was a good idea, too, and you're painting now, so it makes logical sense that you would help.'

'Not interested.'"

Cloud glared, and then a sharp pang shot through his ear. Cloud jerked.

"Hold still, Cloud," said Aerith. "You've really got it wedged in there."

"It hurt."

"That because it's dried to your ear canal."

Leon snorted.

"And I'm supposed to listen to you?"

"Like you're any better, Mr. All-I'll-Say-When-I'm-Uncomfortable-Is-Whatever."

"Whatever . . ."

"See! You just did it again."

Leon's lips twitched. Tifa snickered.

"Touché. Want to help with tomorrow's plans when you're done getting your ear cleaned out?"

Cloud shook his head.

"Not interested."

----------0----------

Merlin was too happy for a normal human being at six o'clock in the morning. From this, Cloud deduced Merlin was not a normal human being. Only psychopaths and people with far too much coffee and/or sugar in their system bounced at six o'clock in the morning, especially when they had a thirteen-hour day of painting ahead. Six o'clock in the morning was an ungodly hour to begin with. Cloud still couldn't figure out why Leon thought they needed to start working earlier, because the explanation that finishing houses was taking too long wasn't good enough for Cloud.

"This is very exciting, isn't it?" said Merlin.

Cloud grunted.

"I'm thrilled."

"Now let me explain something to you before you get started," said Leon. He swung a toolbox in one hand. "Paint does not go in your ears. It goes on the walls. Merlin, do not take anything Cloud does for normal."

"Me, normal? You're the one who wanted to get up at five in the morning."

"There's nothing abnormal about five in the morning. Not everyone likes to sleep until noon."

"I don't sleep until noon."

"Eleven is close enough."

"It's usually ten."

"It's usually between ten forty-seven and ten fifty-eight, which is closer to eleven."

"But the clock still says ten."

"And if you knew how to do mathematics, you'd know it rounds off to eleven."

"I know how to do mathematics; I'm trying to make myself sound better."

"I know. At least you had breakfast and coffee."

"I had one cup of coffee. I should have seven at this hour if you want me to be productive."

"Cloud, nothing short of a miracle would make you productive."

Cloud rolled his eyes. Leon pulled out a cigarette and lit up.

"I resent that."

Leon shrugged. They stopped in the middle of several finished houses out in the field. Leon pointed across the expanse to the hill.

"Cid and I are starting on the orphanage today to shut Tifa up. You . . ." Leon flicked his cigarette at Cloud's feet and pointed in the opposite direction. "You'll be working over in that area. Yuffie's already over there organizing people, so she'll tell you where exactly. You know where to find me if some middle-aged women cause you to destroy your ear canal again."

"Don't talk to me like I'm four. And stop flicking your cigarette at me."

"I'll do whatever I want."

"You just like messing with me when I'm not properly awake yet."

"Exactly. Anyway, I'll make sure Aerith stops by with lunch for you both around noon."

Cloud grunted.

"I think this is going to be fun," said Merlin. "Don't you agree?"

Cloud would have glared, but his eyelids refused to open beyond slits. Merlin bounced off in the direction Leon pointed, and Cloud turned.

"I'm going to beat his head with my roller."

"No, you aren't. Just to give you a heads up, though, I don't think he's ever painted before, and he's really excited about doing things 'the normal way.' You know, without magic. Go easy on him."

"You hate me."

"Not all the time."

"I hate you."

"You're just tired."

"Can't I have another cup of coffee? Please? This to me is like taking your cigarettes away from you."

Leon sighed.

"I'll get Tifa to bring you a cup."

"I could kiss you right now. I won't, but I could."

"Please don't. You aren't getting out of this. Go paint."

Cloud groaned, turned, and followed after Merlin.

----------0----------

Cloud was in an atrocious mood. He snapped at three middle-aged women, apologized seventeen times for his foul language, and threw his roller across the room all before lunch. Merlin chuckled at every twist and turn. Cloud thought that not only was Merlin not a normal human being (bouncing at six o'clock in the morning aside, no one chuckled at an aggravated Cloud—except for Leon, that is), but he started to think that Merlin was either twisted or easily amused as well. At the very least, Merlin figured out the roller on his own, though he worked at a very slow and meticulous pace.

Leon's satisfaction from a job well-done or a hard day's work could go eat itself; Cloud didn't need it. All he wanted was seventeen hours of sleep or three large pots of coffee followed by seventeen hours of sleep. Either way, nothing less would make him happy. Leon was going to die a slow, painful death.

Aerith arrived around noon in the form of an angel bearing sandwiches and a very large, steaming cup packed to the brim with caffeine in every swallow.

"You are my goddess," said Cloud. "You know that, Aerith? If I wasn't already in love, I would love you right now."

"That's very sweet of you," she said, "but it's only coffee."

"Giving a sleep-deprived Cloud coffee makes him very loving," said Leon as he walked into the room. "I learned that this morning when he threatened to kiss me."

"I didn't threaten to kiss you. I was so overcome with joy that I could have. I said I wouldn't."

"Remembers a lot for someone who's so tired, doesn't he?"

"I have to think very hard to follow what anyone says. I only went to sleep around three, you know."

"And whose fault is that?"

Cloud bit his lip.

"Yours?"

"Taking your lunch break?" said Aerith. "Yuffie said she was going to head over to you and Cid. Didn't she show up?"

"No, so I went to look for her."

"Did you find her?"

"Yeah. I found her, all right. She captured a new arrival and decided to torture him with stories about the natural disaster in Hollow Bastion. He didn't buy it."

"No?"

"No. Already knows about the Heartless."

"Oh, I see." Aerith laughed. "He probably thought she was insane."

"He took it rather well, actually. Anyway, that's why I'm here. Cloud, there's someone here to see you."

"Me? Who?"

"I'll give you two hints . . ."

"No hints, Leon, my brain isn't working."

"Make it. He's the new arrival, and it's not Sephiroth."

Cloud stared. Leon smirked.

"Though you didn't tell me looks so much like Sephiroth . . ."

Cloud dropped his coffee cup. The lid popped off and the liquid drained across the floor.

"You're going to have to clean that up, you know," said Leon.

"Are you telling me . . .?"

"Yeah."

"He's alive . . ."

"Yes, that's what I'm telling you."

"He's here . . ."

"Waiting outside for you right now. I'd go get him before Yuffie eats him if I were you."

Aerith smiled.

"Secret boyfriend in the flesh?" she said.

Leon nodded. Cloud jumped up and raced for the door.

"Nothing short of a miracle . . . I guess Riku works better than coffee."

Replies! Yay!

FrEaKyAoIFaN: Well, worry about Cloud no more. He's going to be just fine, and yes, Riku is getting stronger. I'm not sure when to expect a lemon. When it happens, I guess. Gotta just let it come natural. Sorry for the long wait. Been busy.

Slytherin dragon-gurl: Yes, I saw your name on my favorites list ages ago. It's nice to hear from you. No, they didn't show what Riku would look like in Halloween Town. Tis disappointing, I know.

HikariAlex: Thank you for the lovely compliment. I think it gets better and better, too. I didn't mean to get addicted to this pairing, either, because I was a hardcore Sora/Riku reader, and now I can't even read it anymore because I'm so Cloud/Riku oriented. I apologize for addicting you to the pairing. I know. There are no stories. That's why I'm writing one.

Golden Warrior12: Is that a scene from something? It's funny . . . anyway . . . I'm glad it makes you happy to see a new chapter. Hope this one makes your day, too.

Chalice of Chelsea: You can act like a retard reviewer. It's okay. Welcome back. Sorry it took so long to get more. I have opportunities to write over the next few days, so expect more soon. Aren't you glad Cloud took the paintbrush?

ChibiFrubaGirl: I'm glad you liked the ending. The blindfold will come in due time. They will be reunited in the next chapter. I'm also glad you liked the Cloud-Leon hammer scene. I seriously enjoyed writing it. I didn't mean to make Tifa such a bitch, but I thought she was the one most likely to say, "Okay, it's been long enough."

Lapse - Raevn: I do not mind if you hint the idea in your stuff. Riku Replica killed Zexion, I believe. Don't remember anymore. I know it wasn't Riku himself. Um . . . yeah. .:cough cough:. Mickey's gonna meet Cloud. Stay tuned!

Koji Inari: I wasn't a twisted three year old! My dad was watching some war movie and I got scared and wanted to watch Disney cartoons instead, and the two kind of merged when I went to bed. The novel is next, but I was just kidding about the sequel. I don't hate myself that much.

Resa: Ha! I wish when I went away for a weekend there'd be five chapters of a story I was reading. So I guess Riku is kind of here now, but more on that later. I guess it's a cliffhanger. Sorry about that.

darktenshi17: Yeah, I liked the Leon, "Good boy," line, too. I don't know how Leon became so patronizing toward Cloud. It's all just a joke, but you know . . . Yeah, I'm going on to KHII.

-find.me.please-: I will keep on writing. Don't worry. Glad you're still liking it.

dragonchild: I'm not surprised this is your first CloudxRiku. There aren't many. I do hope it catches on as it's the only pairing I can really read for Cloud and Riku anymore.

Mizuki hikari: Yeah, Chain of Memories was hard, so I'm glad you liked how it came out. I'm so glad you love it. I love my readers.

Mr. Harlequin: I love you to itsy bitsy bits for loving Cloud and Riku together. I knew it was going to be a bit of a time writing the story from Riku's perspective (and Cloud's, too) without it being the same old shit. I really wanted to write it from Riku's point of view, but I didn't want it to only be what you saw in the game (because what's the point, then?). The pacing of the games, yeah, I guess is kind of slow, but I have to pace this story slow, too, so I can fill all one-hundred chapters up. Yaoi action in one of the next chapters, I guess. Now that Riku and Cloud are technically reunited. I will be updating soon. Maybe tomorrow. Don't know. You'll find out when I do.

prettykitty3000: I already messaged you, so I hope your happy with the "Not Interested," use. Thanks again for the review.

Nuiwatari: I'm glad you love the story, and not to sound self-oriented, but that you like my writing, because that is a fantastic compliment. Don't worry about reviewing every chapter. Is so not necessary. Anyway, I update every time I find the time, because this story is the biggest thing I do when I'm not busy with actual humans. I'm addicted. So thank you for the compliments and I hope you enjoy this chapter and all 68 to come.

Thanks to everyone who read and did not review, and once again to the previous wonderful readers did

Next installment to be expected tomorrow, and probably one the day after that as I am getting iced in. I hate winter.

Leave a review if you wish. It is always appreciated.