So yeah…I hated going through this story to replace the no-longer-visible-dash lines with something else! I hope I didn't miss any spots.
Back in chapter 9 I think, I said I picked 8/7 as their anniversary b/c I liked Squall over Cloud…that meant I liked him topping Cloud, NOT that I liked him more than Cloud. I like them both pretty equally.
Final Fantasy character not from Kingdom Hearts is appearing! I think I kind of exaggerated his character a bit because…I think it's funny?
It felt odd for Cloud to stand outside a house he once lived in. It felt even odder to remember he lived with his boyfriend's family.
"You know, we don't have to do this…" Leon murmured, hoping he could avoid this even though he could only blame himself for putting himself in this situation to begin with.
"No…it's okay, let's go," said Cloud and became the brave one by walking towards it first and even ringing the doorbell. Leon on the other hand, felt sick and just didn't want to do this. So he was quite happy when no answer came.
"I guess he's not home, let's go!"
"You're sure in a rush to leave," said Cloud and tried the knob, "And it's open. I'm sure they're home."
And Leon mentally cursed his father for that.
Stepping inside the house, Cloud almost felt like home again. It was so peaceful here and he loved the familiarity of it…probably, once again, nothing bad really happened between himself and Leon here.
"Hello?" Cloud called out as they walked into and stepped into the living room since they both thought Leon's father was probably asleep on the couch or something but it was as empty as when they had stepped in. Though before anything else could be said, they heard running from the stairs and they turned their heads in time to see the long dark-haired brunette in a simple white t-shirt and baggy pants running up to them with open arms.
"Oh my Shiva! It's Cloud!"
And the next thing Cloud knew, he was hugged hard, practically glomped. Cloud only widened his eyes in surprise, partially of fear, but found this all quite…comforting.
"Oh Cloud! It really is you! Oh how I missed you! My boy!"
Leon buried his face in his hand with embarrassment. He specifically told his father NOT to hug Cloud! Especially like that…
"Cloud! Oh Cloud! Look at you!" he pulled away just to look at Cloud before giving another death-hug and getting a grunt out of Cloud, "Look at how handsome you are! My boy! Oh my boy!"
Leon cleared his throat and his father gave him a quick glance,
"Well my good boy I mean…"
Leon wanted to punch the man's face, knowing he said that just to spite him.
"H-Hi Laguna," Cloud finally got out even though he barely had the ability to breathe and Laguna still hasn't released him.
"Oh Cloud! You remember me!" Laguna pulled away again but kept his hands on Cloud's shoulders, "Oh how I missed you! Raine and I were worried sick! You should've stopped by or dropped a message to us! We wouldn't of had told Squall!"
Leon would've gotten mad at that comment but knew he deserved it.
"I…I'm sorry," Cloud apologized and Laguna became fatherly in a second,
"No! No! It's not your fault, Cloud! Don't feel bad!" he pulled Cloud close again for another hug, "We all know Squall never deserved someone like you!"
Leon also would've commented on that too…but that was true also and Laguna stated that many times when they were dating anyway:
"Why are you still dating my prick for a son?"
"You can do WAY better than him!"
"Did you dump Squally yet?"
Even if it were jokingly, at least it better have been, Raine would smack the guy over the head with whatever she held in her hands anyway.
That apparently jogged a bit of Cloud's memory too though as the blonde couldn't help but wonder where the motherly figure of the family was.
"Um…Laguna? Where's um, Raine?"
Laguna silently released Cloud but kept a firm grip on his shoulders,
"She's in the hospital," he replied but before Cloud could panic he continued, "But she's fine! She just needed a check-up and medicine. She's coming back in a few days and she's dying to see you again! Please come visit again! Oh right, come now, sit down! Do you need anything?"
"Oh…um…I'd love to come back and no, its okay, I'm good," Cloud responded and sat down on the couch Laguna led him to.
"You sure? Because I remember you loved a certain soda brand…" Laguna almost teased and Cloud found himself smiling a little bit,
"Okay then," he replied and Laguna dashed off to the kitchen in a second. He popped his head back in a moment later,
"Be good, Squall," he warned before disappearing again. Leon sighed and placed himself on the same couch as Cloud but as far away as possible for Cloud's sake. Plus, today just gave him another reason to hate his father.
"I apologize for him…" Leon muttered, still embarrassed.
"Don't…it's okay…" Cloud whispered back and silence followed until Cloud continued, "…Thanks for bringing me, Squall. I missed Laguna."
"Ngh…it's nothing…" Leon responded with his head down and staring at the ground.
"…What's wrong?"
"Nothing…"
"Sure doesn't seem like it. Did what Laguna said-"
"You smiled," Leon cut in and Cloud blinked in surprise while Leon clenched his fist, "He made you smile…like your friend and his daughter could…when I couldn't…"
Leon didn't mean to, but Cloud couldn't help but feel incredibly guilty at that moment. Though before anything else could be said, Laguna was back with three different cans.
"Sorry for the wait! I couldn't find where Raine hid my drink. Here my boys!" Laguna tossed both Leon and Cloud their respective drinks and then sat himself down in the comfy chair beside Cloud, "So tell me, tell me! How's your life? What's going on? You know if you need to, you can come live with me! I'm here for you! As well as Raine!"
"Thank you…really, that means a lot, Laguna," said Cloud with appreciation and cracked another small smile but it quickly went away upon remembering what just happened before Laguna came back, "Well um…lots of things happened. I'm not even sure where to start."
"Well at the beginning of course!" Laguna asked with more enthusiasm in him than Cloud remembered.
"Well…the beginning started way back. I think mako had a side effect."
"Oh my, are you alright?" Laguna immediately asked in concern, putting his hand on Cloud's. Cloud was just glad Laguna knew about his exposure to mako beforehand or there would be even more explaining.
"I'm fine now, it's just…I'm just going to come out and say it: I have kids. Two boys and they're twins."
"So…You adopted?"
Leon's hand smacked his own face, not believing his father didn't get it.
"No…I…"
"He was pregnant!" Leon barked impatiently, "From me! Thus, they're my kids! In other words…" and Leon handed the rest to Laguna who finally caught on.
"Is this true?" the man asked Cloud who slowly nodded. The next thing they knew, Laguna jumped,
"Holy Shiva! I have grandkids!"
Leon was surprised he didn't see that coming...
"Wait until I tell my beloved Raine about this! I have grandkids!" Laguna only sat back down to take Cloud's free hand, the one not holding the drink, "Tell me about them! Names! What are they like? Can you bring them next time?"
"Um…I think we can work something out," said Cloud and Laguna was tempted to jump again if Cloud didn't continue, "The oldest is named Sora. He has brown hair like Squall. Even though they're twins, Roxas was born with my blonde hair. Um…they both take off after me a lot I guess because they both have my eyes and hair style."
Leon could've sworn his father was about to squeal like a yaoi fan girl that walked in on two guys kissing.
Laguna wouldn't shut up the entire day and practically caught up with Cloud's life by dinner time, in which he begged Cloud to stay for. After a bit of persuading, Cloud accepted and called up his boys to head over to Zack and Aerith's place.
Dinner was slightly awkward, at least until Laguna started talking. It was only odd because it's been so long since Cloud and Leon sat together…with Laguna…and eating dinner together in a family home.
"So I'm thinking we should spend this Christmas together!" Laguna suggested with excitement, "Ooh! Thanksgiving here!"
"That would be nice," said Cloud with a light smile. Leon in turn, kept poking his food as Laguna and Cloud talked. The only thing good coming out of this is that Cloud liked Laguna and Raine, thus it sort of automatically makes him and Cloud at least a tad closer…at least it should.
When dinner, as well as desserts, was over, Laguna practically clung to Cloud, not wanting to let the man go.
"Father…he's got kids to take care of!" Leon reminded, trying his best not to just knock Laguna out.
"Oh alright! Alright! Cloud…" the man took Cloud's shoulders again and looked at him, "I'm proud of you, Cloud. I really am. Please, please, PLEASE come again! And bring the kids too! You don't have to do so next visit but sometime soon please!"
"I will…thank you so much, Laguna."
"Anytime Cloud! I'm here for you! You know that!" with a pat on the shoulder, Laguna finally let Cloud go. Though Leon could've sworn his father was about to start crying, as if he just watched Cloud graduate high school…
The walk back between Leon and Cloud was silent a tad awkward for both of them.
"I'm sorry," Cloud whispered to break the silence and Leon just looked at him.
"For what?"
Cloud stopped and his hand reached out to Leon's leather jacket with only his fingers gripping it to stop Leon as well.
"…For not recognizing your kindness too."
Leon gave Cloud a long stare, though the blonde kept his head lowered, his hair helped cover his eyes.
"…Don't be sorry for that, Cloud," Leon finally said, "I'm sorry if I made it sound like a big deal."
"But it is a big deal…to you," Cloud lifted his head to meet Leon's eyes but now it was his turn to look away. Cloud let go of Leon's jacket, not sure what else he could say.
"Come on," Leon motioned and started walking, "I need to get you home. It's dark and late enough as it is."
Cloud reluctantly followed. The two picked up Sora and Roxas on the way, with Roxas avoiding Leon as best he could. Cloud didn't bring up the idea of them meeting Laguna just yet, especially if Roxas was being so resentful of Leon. Thankfully, Sora talked the whole walk back with both Leon and Cloud giving the occasional replies. The talking ceased when they got closer to their house,
"Who's car is that?" Sora asked, pointing to a black car parked outside their house.
"I don't…" Cloud stopped himself as they got closer, "No way…" Cloud walked faster and entered his home first. He couldn't believe it: First Barret and Marlene came to visit and now…
He quickly scanned his own home and did so with each room until he entered the kitchen.
"Ah, hello Cloud! Surprise?" Tifa smiled as she drank some tea while reading a magazine.
"Tifa? What are you doing here? Not that I'm complaining or anything…" Cloud questioned and soon everyone else filed in.
"Auntie Tifa?" Sora and Roxas repeated with the same questioning tone. Tifa scanned the family but didn't answer anything until she saw Leon.
"Oh I'm just stopping by!" she replied and stood up, "I apologize for coming so late. I didn't mean to intrude, really. Is it okay if I stay here for tonight? I'll leave first thing in the morning!"
"Of course you can stay, Tifa," Cloud immediately answered,
"Of thank you, Cloud! Really! Oh! I should go grab the bag from the front door!"
"It's alright, Tifa. Make yourself at home. Boys, take her bag to the guest room please and make sure it's clean."
The twins obeyed and Cloud went on to ask if Tifa needed anything.
"Oh don't worry about me, Cloud, I'm fine. I apologize for already helping myself," she pointed at the tea.
"It's alright, Tifa, I-"
"DAAAAD!"
"I'll be right back," he finished and turned to run up the stairs for his boys. Knowing them they're probably fighting about cleaning the guest room.
"…So, you're Squall Leonhart?" Tifa asked as she picked up her tea cup and magazine to put them away.
"That's right," he replied in a monotone voice.
"I see…" she walked back to the table again and felt it as she talked, "I heard about your story. I have to thank you because I never would've met Cloud if you didn't do what you did. However…that doesn't mean I like you anymore than everyone else."
"So you're here…to threaten me too?" Leon questioned with a raised brow.
"You could say that…" she responded and paused. Tifa raised her hand to form a fist and it hit the table and breaking it. Leon's eyes widened and jumped, and then unconsciously took a couple steps back as he watched the table collapse.
"You break Cloud's heart and I'll break your spine!" she threatened with a smile, "Am I clear?"
"C-Crystal…" Leon somehow got out.
"Good! And don't say anything to Cloud."
Leon quickly nodded in time since Cloud and the boys came running down upon hearing something break.
"Cloud! I am so sorry!" Tifa half-acted, "I promise I'll replace it! It was an accident!"
"No, no, it's fine Tifa. It was getting old anyway," Cloud shrugged and then scratched the back of his head not sure how it would possible Tifa broke it unless she punched it but...why would she hit it in the first place?
"So…where are we going to eat now?" Sora asked and Roxas just rolled his eyes.
Though the problem was quickly solved when the family had an unplanned movie night after Leon took his leave, although everyone kind of noticed he was slightly shaking as he walked.
Cloud was quite happy, he'll admit, as he's getting some pleasant visits these days. It was a nice thing added to the many memories he got at the same time. He loved the happy memories but at the same time, he was afraid of them…because of Leon.
It was only today, because of what he said, that Cloud thought he was perhaps…being selfish about this whole thing.
He pushed those thoughts away as he tried to have a catching-up-talk with Tifa. They talked the night away. In the morning, like she promised, Tifa left. Though after Cloud informed her about Zack and Aerith, she decided to pay them a visit too as she hasn't seen them since her last visit here many years ago.
Due to there not being any school tomorrow, and thus Sora is sleeping in but Roxas is up, Cloud thought this was a good time as any to talk to him.
"Roxas?"
"Hm?" the boy looked up from his book to see Cloud sitting at the end of the couch of where Roxas laid.
"There's something we need to talk about: Squall."
"…Okay?" Roxas closed the book and sat up, not sure where this is going.
"I will never, ever, make you like him. I promise you that. But…I know his parents. And Squall took me to see them yesterday. Well just his father because his mother's apparently in the hospital but she sounds like she's fine. Anyway, I love his parents. They're family to me. And they really want me to visit them again and one day, bring you and Sora. Of course, I will not force you to go and you don't have to come on my next visit to them. But they're excited to meet you."
"…Will Squall be there?"
"Probably…it's his parents and old house," Cloud shrugged as he replied.
"Heh…maybe," Roxas answered though unenthusiastically, "I'll go if Sora goes."
Well that was easier than Cloud thought. And knowing Sora, the boy probably can't wait to go. Upon that thought, Cloud couldn't help but feel a bit of Laguna was passed on to Sora…because those two would get along great.
"Dad?"
"Hm?"
"Can I go out with Riku later today?"
"Where are you guys going?"
"Probably shopping, the arcade, you know: the usual stuff. We're even stopping by his house to study."
"Well alright then. You know when to be back by," said Cloud and stood back up.
"And Dad: are you really going to keep Sora grounded for 3 whole months?"
"I may cut it down to one and half," Cloud shrugged before going upstairs to wake up that said-grounded-boy.
As if on cue, Roxas's phone rang and he picked it up.
"Hey Riku…yeah, Sora's still grounded and yes, I can go out today…Marlene? No, Sora wasn't lying, she really was over…yeah apparently she does have a boyfriend! Someone named Denzel or something like that…" Roxas fell back on the couch and continued talking.
"Sora!" Cloud didn't bother knocking and entered Sora's room, "Sora! It's 12!"
Sora only groaned and curled himself up under the covers.
"Sora! Get up!" Cloud lightly hit the body as he sat on the bed.
"No…" he groaned and pulled the covers over his head.
"Sora there's something I need to talk to you about…it concerns Squall."
At that, Sora slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position. He rubbed his eyes as he tiredly asked what it was.
"Squall took me to see his parents, well just his father for now. His name is Laguna."
"Oh…okay, that's good…" Sora replied tiredly.
"…Do you want to meet them?"
"Sure, why not…"
"…Sora, do you even realize what Laguna is to you?"
Sora paused and went into thought, trying to get out of his brain-dead moment.
"So…I have grandparents?" Sora exclaimed, almost fully awake, "Does this mean I can get presents at random times in the year?"
Cloud officially knew for sure that Sora's personality came from Leon's side of the family…
"I…I don't know, Sora. Just listen: They want to meet you and Roxas so…do you feel like coming with me to visit them sometime?"
Though Sora exclaimed a yes before Cloud even finished the sentence.
"So what's this Laguna like? And his wife? What's her name? And I know they're my grandparents but how old-looking are they anyway?" Sora was definitely awake now and Cloud felt the urge to laugh a bit.
"Laguna…is kind of like you."
"…He gets grounded a lot by his parents too?"
Cloud's hand slowly met his own face, not sure if Sora was being serious or not.
"Er, I meant personality-wise. Anyway, Sora: His wife's name is Raine. Now, she's perfectly fine(I think) but she's in the hospital right now but she'll be back by the time we visit. And Sora, here's some math: you were born when I was 18. So estimating that Squall's parents were at least in their 20s at the time, how old do you think they are?"
"…Young-ish?"
"Um, sure, we'll go that," Cloud lightly smiled and played with Sora's hair, "Now get up and get ready for the day."
"Okay, Dad," Sora nodded and watched Cloud get up to leave. Now Sora wondered why Leon never mentioned his parents…especially since Cloud just said his own son acts like Leon's father.
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