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Cloud remembered the first time he felt pain in his heart. He lost his best friend to his best female friend. Nothing even happened, Zack just simply told him:

"I think I'm in love…she's just so…wonderful. Cloud! You gotta have an excuse to see Aerith again!"

It was even worse that he had to help Zack get with Aerith. It took all of Cloud's strength not to let out a single tear the day Zack first mentioned his feelings for her. Yet even after all that time…it was only a crack in his heart.

It completely broke the day Zack confessed his love to her.

Cloud knew…knew he was better off moving on the moment he found out. But no…he hoped. Sure, he didn't realize he was hoping but he did hope that Zack would realize his best friend was the one for him. The hope betrayed the blonde and left him in one of the most painful experiences he's ever felt in his life. After all, there wasn't even anyone to blame. It wasn't Zack's fault, and it certainly wasn't Aerith's fault. Whose fault was it? None other than his own fault for being so foolish…

Despite claiming to have moved on over the years…did he really? Cloud never knew. Sometimes he'd catch himself looking at Zack, but he didn't feel his stomach do cartwheels in his nor did he feel his body heat rise. That's getting over it…right?

"Here."

In fact, Cloud doesn't recall ever feeling those strange feelings inside himself since Zack.

"…Cloud?"

So then…what are these new kinds of strange feelings inside?

"Hey…Cloud…"

Cloud blinked and found himself jump from the sudden cold against his face. Looking up he caught that scar. Why is that scar the first thing he sees besides that it makes the other look kinda sexy? Cloud didn't think further than that as he hesitantly took the drink the other held out for him.

"You okay?" the brunette asked and Cloud only sighed as he stared at the drink.

"I'm not sure…oh, um…thank you," he moved his can to indicate what he was referring to. Leon sat himself beside Cloud and the two looked down the hallway where Rikku is conversing with Roxas, or at least…trying to.

"…"

"…"

"Things will be alright."

Cloud only let out a sigh as his head dropped and stared at the ground.

"Thanks for trying…"

"No…I really do think things will be."

"What makes you think so?"

"Well…Ven's alive right? He'll be fine. Roxas? He's got all of you worrying about him. He's got friends that care for him. It may not be soon, but…I really do think he'll be alright…"

How does one that doesn't even know the other that well be so sure of that? Well…

"Leon really does know nothing on Roxas save for the boy's relationship with Sora…and the trouble Roxas gets into. I assume so at least so why d-…oh." Cloud looked up to his side to look at the other. Leon always did look sort of sad. The reason for, Cloud wouldn't know

"We must look like pretty good people for you to say that," Cloud stated and he caught the light grin on the other's face as the man turned away from Cloud this time.

"I don't know that sister of yours well and I certainly don't know your parents…But you and Ventus. Yeah. And not to gloat, but Roxas is friends with Sora. I think he'll be fine."

Somehow that put a small smile on Cloud, wondering how such an indirect compliment made the fluttering feeling in his stomach start up. Though it went away when that indirect comment put Cloud in a different train of thought as he courageously made Leon look at him when he lightly pushed upon the other's shoulder. After a moment's stare, Cloud repositioned his body to try and face the other more.

"Did you…have no one?"

All Cloud got was a few blinks before Leon removed the other's hand off his shoulder.

"You're smart," he complimented, "I did have family. But at the same time, I had no one."

"Is this where your scar…?"

"…Yeah."

Cloud didn't want to pry, but when he caught himself nervously looking down, he made himself look up again.

"You look…familiar to me. When I first met you," he confessed, and the other gave a light smirk.

"Yeah, you did too."

"Couples years ago?"

"Yeah."

"Club?"

"Yes."

"Were you…in my grade?"

"Who knows? I still missed a year. They didn't even want me to attend this year but I was able to convince my dad to let me return…don't tell him I'm in the club."

Somehow that got a chuckle out of the blonde,

"I won't. Unless it actually will hurt you…"

"I've kept up with you haven't I?"

"Right…"

Leon turned away and sat back against the seat and merely stared straight ahead. His arms returned to its usual fold and the posture had Cloud doing the same by looking forward. But his arms rested by his side as he thought back in time, wondering how often he's crossed this man in the past.

"You…were the one in the accident. That's what the school talked about at one point," Cloud started without even thinking. He swiftly stopped himself from talking, not wanting the other to be offended.

"Most likely."

"Um…s-sorry."

"It's fine," Leon reassured with a pat on the shoulder, "I think you need to go though…your parents are coming out of Ven's room."

Cloud's heart stopped at first but then the other finished his sentence and the man felt silly for feeling that.

"Erm…right. I'll…be right back I guess. Though…it's late. You know you don't have to stay."

"Heh, Sora's with Riku. I'll stay as long as he does."

"Right…Sora…" Cloud found himself letting out a sigh as he walked away. Of course. Sora. Why else would he the man stay here for?

Cloud approached his mother and father. They exchanged information and slowly Cloud slipped into Roxas's situation. Carefully and patiently, he expressed his concern and the problem at hand.

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"Roxas…Honey?"

Roxas stood nervously when Rikku helped him up. His body shook and his eyes exhausted from the tears he shed tonight. But everything got worse when he saw the rest of his family approached him. He could barely handle himself when he confessed the story to Cloud. He couldn't control himself with Rikku's attempt to cheer him up. But with everyone here? How can anything go right?

"Roxas." He heard his mother's voice again but he felt himself lightly twitch. He caught her dress come closer but he couldn't bring himself to look up at anyone's face. He flinched when someone touched him and stiffed when he felt someone's embrace.

This is wrong…

There shouldn't be kindness to the one that hurt Ventus…

No harsh words or actions were spoken but it didn't stop Roxas from bursting out into tears as he sank to his knees, holding himself, and feeling as alone as he has all these days.

Leon gently knocked on the slightly opened door before he heard a light "Come in."

So he did and gently shut the door behind him, though not all the way. The moment he examined the sight before him he could only let out a sigh but held a light smile. Sora fell asleep on Riku's bed. The poor guy had to even scoot over more towards the edge just so Sora's body had room.

"I was just about to call the nurse," Riku confessed as Leon approached.

"Are you doing alright?"

"I suppose," Riku whispered look away.

"…No one blames you, Riku," Leon stated as he rubbed Sora's back, though the silverette only sighed, "It was an accident," he reassured as he bent down and gently shook Sora. The younger Leonhart gave a light groan.

"Hey, come on, I'll carry you to the car," Leon whispered and Sora tiredly tried to stand up. Before long, Leon had the boy on his back and he could've sworn the young boy fell asleep again.

"How long will you be here?" Leon questioned as he positioned Sora into a comfortable grip.

"Only a couple days at most I think," Riku replied,

"I see…well, when you wish to pay Ventus visits, I'll be willing to offer my ride to you."

With that, Leon used his foot to open the door and tried to close it the same way. Carrying Sora out and then carefully setting him in the front seat of the car, he took the boy back to their dorms. He gathered the boy onto his back again and took him back to his own room instead of Sora's and set him down in his bed.

"Nii-Chan…" Sora whispered as Leon started changing the boy's shirt into his own baggy one.

"Yeah?"

"Ngh…can I…sleep with you…?"

"Yeah," he replied as he let Sora lay down.

"Okay…"

With a quick change, Leon laid beside his brother and before he even got the covers over them both, Sora mustered all his strength in this state to scoot closer to his brother.

"I…miss Mom…"

"Me too, Sora."

"…Ven is ok? Right? And Riku?"

"Yeah," Leon replied as he covered them both and put an arm around Sora as he laid on his side.

"Ok…"

"It was Mom's time…it's not theirs. Riku and Ventus will come home to you. I promise."

He felt Sora give a nod and caught the small smile he had.

"Just like you did…?"

"That's right. Just like I did. It'll be ok, Sora."

The night was long and filled with emotions overriding many live in such a terrifying way. Though to Leon, he felt maybe being unaffected was because…they need him…as much as he'll one day need them.

Roxas had no appetite. But food seemed to have kept being shoved to his face. The conversations seemed to have become the same as well. He's never felt himself repeat similar sentences and phrases so many times over and over again.

"Roxas, no one blames you."

"Roxas, it wasn't your fault."

"Roxas, we're so sorry if we made you feel that way."

It was all the same. They don't understand. It's not true…it's not true…

What hurt more than the blonde's own inner turmoil may have been Cloud's guilt, who oversaw everyone's attempts to snap the boy out of this delusion; if it even was a delusion at least. Who was to say Roxas's feelings were wrong? It wasn't like the whole event was made up. How does one pull someone else out of a hole that they dug so deep it might as well be a grave?

"I can't bring myself to attend school…" Rikku confessed as she and Cloud stood by the hallway connected to the kitchen to watch their parents have another talk with Roxas who practically only took a nibble or two in that sandwich.

"I won't make you go, Rikku…but you really should. You're behind enough as it is."

"I know but…"

He looked to her, getting her attention by doing so,

"You can do it. You can be strong."

"…Thanks, Bro. You…better stay strong too," she gave the man a playful punch before she slowly turned to leave the house, calling up someone for a ride back to the school for time to prepare for tomorrow's lessons…or at least that's what Cloud assumed before he turned his eyes back to the lack of progress in the kitchen. How is one supposed to get through?

"Bro!" Cloud lightly jumped when he heard the harsh whisper by the door. He swiftly met with Rikku's head poking in.

"The boys that brought me to the hospital are here."

"What…?" Cloud opened the door all the way and beside Rikku he found himself staring into deep sky blue eyes.

"H-Hi…" Sora squirmed uncomfortably as he stood there.

"He's still in the school uniform…" Cloud noted.

"Um…sorry. I asked Miss Gainsborough and Miss Lockhart for the address. Is there a chance…I can see Roxas?"

Those eyes were practically pleading. Cloud was going to call up Hayner and the others to drop by and help cheer up the young blonde and hoped that Roxas can talk about what happened more. Which of course was hopefully so he can get over it. But here stood Sora…a friend came to his aid.

"Give me a second," Cloud put up a finger as he walked backwards. Before long he returned and swiftly shuffle inside.

"Should we invite him too?" Rikku questioned before Cloud got all the way.

"Who?"

"Him," Rikku lightly motioned with her head for Cloud to look towards the street to see a certain brown-haired man leaning against his car and looking at the neighborhood. Cloud wasn't sure if it would be an insult to send Rikku or himself to invite the man in. Though with a sigh, he felt avoiding it wasn't going to fix things, so he sucked it up and took a trip down his lawn.

Though the moment he stood by that black automobile again, that night's confessions came back like a slap to the face. Except before Cloud could turn around and retreat, his name was called out and the man froze in his place.

"How's Roxas?" Leon asked, now facing him.

"Erm…okay?" Cloud shrugged, not sure how to answer that.

"I see…"

"Um…you can come in too," Cloud offered, gesturing to the door.

"Thanks for the offer," the other responded though held up his hand to turn it down, "But I was going to ask if Sora could stay here for a bit. Unless Roxas kicks him out but he says he really wants to be here for Roxas."

"Of course he can stay. He can stay as long as he needs to."

"…Do you…want to visit Ven in the meantime?"

"…Yeah."

With exchange of the information, Cloud found himself in the front seats again. He was hoping Rikku would come too but she said how she was going to go see Ven later with Tifa and Aerith. So here he was…alone with him…again.

The ride would've gone silent if the scarred man didn't speak up.

"I thought you'd be more talkative than this."

"Uh, well, um…you see…"

"You know it'll only stay awkward between us if you treat it that way."

"…I suppose that's true," Cloud admitted and let out a held in sigh.

"…"

"…"

"…I think I'm okay with the whole, um, cross-dressing-lying-thing," the brunette admitted and Cloud couldn't help but look at the man.

"Really?" even Cloud was surprised at the hope he caught in his own voice.

"Yeah. I mean…you really don't act THAT much different than before."

Cloud found a grin slowly forming on his face.

"I'm…glad."

Suddenly, it was as if weight was lifted off his shoulders. Cloud didn't know it was possible to feel so good about…what someone thought of you? When was that something to care about?

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The rest of the ride to the hospital felt so much more relaxing thanks to that confession. Though the atmosphere suddenly went serious again just by stepping into the building. Still Cloud pressed forward and continued until he reached Ven's room.

"Hold on," Leon's grip on the other's shoulder stopped the blonde from doing anything else, "Let me check something…"

With a hand on the handle, Leon carefully pressed it down and pushed just a smidge to peer into the room. Without word, he inversed the process.

"Do you feel like waiting?"

"Why?" Cloud cracked a raised brow.

"Riku's in there again."

"…Why?" Cloud repeated in a different tone though Leon only gave a shrug,

"Who knows? Maybe he feels guilty or maybe he's just being a friend."

"Yeah but you act like he's been here before."

"Yeah…he's been here the last couple of times," Leon nodded, "Once when I brought Sora along and Riku was already here. Another I brought Riku with us to visit."

"But…there was school today. Did he just come straight here from there?"

"I assume so. He still had the uniform on."

Cloud suddenly struggled to what he should do. Here is the one thing he wanted for Ventus: a friend. But at the same time…Riku's being TOO friendly for Cloud's liking. But…friendship! Brother! The power friendship! Brother responsibilities! GAH!

"Fine…I'm willing to give him a half hour, max!"

The two sat down, Cloud almost in a pouting position as he crossed his arms and kept glaring at the door while Leon treated the other to another drink. He also tried to keep the man distracted through conversation. But even that wasn't enough for Cloud to check the time and after exactly 30 minutes he got up to gently knock the door before entering.

Before him was Ventus in nearly the exact same position he's always been: laying flat on the bed, as sitting up caused him pain, and covered in bandages.

Though Cloud almost felt guilty when he saw Riku having a visible bandage patch on his cheek and smaller medical aides on his arms too.

"Oh…sorry," he finally let out.

"It's okay, Nii-Chan. I'm so glad to see you!" Ven stated with a smile.

"Uh…I better go," Riku let out as he stood up and set his bag on the bed to put some books and papers back in.

"Oh…okay, Riku."

Even if he didn't see it, Cloud could hear the disappointment in the boy's voice.

"I promise to visit tomorrow."

That seemed to have sounded very good to the young blonde as he grinned brightly.

"Okay!"

With that, Riku quickly shuffled by the pair to escape.

"…I think that glare of yours scared him," Leon whispered when he leaned in close, causing a shiver to run down Cloud's spine.

"I'm glaring?" he questioned before realizing he did have a strain on his face and so relaxed it before he went to run his hair through the younger blonde's hair and asking all the question to make sure Ven is being healthy and getting better. But Ven couldn't seem to be happier that it almost worried Cloud…

"Hey Nii-Chan?"

"Hmm?"

"Will…Will Roxy ever visit me soon?"

That worry went away as relief came in to replace it. Ven still wanted Roxas around.

"I'm sure he will."

"Did…no one tell Ventus yet?"

"Okay…if you say so!"

Anyone could hear how unsatisfied that answer was. What was one to do?

"I promise I'll tell him you want to see him."

"Thank you, Nii-Chan…is he…mad at me or something? I mean…I did disobey him again…"

Cloud knelt down to bring himself closer to his brother.

"Roxas is not mad at you, I know he's not. He was very scared that you ended up here and is greatly worried about you."

Still Ven looked doubtful as he looked away with a slight frown.

"Why doesn't he visit me then…?"

"There are…some issues right now. Roxas isn't feeling very well." That wasn't really a lie either…right?

"Do you think…Ven should know?" Cloud asked when Leon started the car up.

"About what's going on with Roxas?"

"Yeah…I feel he should know the exact reason why Roxas can't bring himself to see Ven. But at the same time…I know it would break Ven's heart."

"…" Leon ended up turning the engine off again and leaned back against his seat, causing the other to look at him in confusion, "Sora is the only younger sibling I have. I don't know how to relate to your situation so I can't give you a good opinion or suggestion. But I still think…Ven has to know eventually. If not now or soon, I feel he still has to know at some point."

As Cloud watched the other's head tilted back and staring at the ceiling of the car, he still caught that hurt in the man's voice…the regret he won't admit he had.

"I think you're right," Cloud replied and his hand reached out, wanting to offer comfort to the other, even if he doesn't know everything. No matter how much he wanted to know…the lack of information doesn't stop him for wanting to make the other feel better. When did this start?

The hand never reached the shoulder though as Leon took the hand midway with one of his own. His other hand went behind Cloud's head to pull him closer while he leaned in and finally brought their lips together.

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