"Cloud!" My body immediately stopped shaking. "Cloud, where are you?" He came…

My bedroom door clicked open, and Leon's concerned face showed itself. I leapt from my spot on the floor to his arms—where I belonged.

"Cloud… it's been five years. I'm sorry; I thought you could handle it by now."

I buried my face in his shoulder. "Don't leave me alone. Not today."

His hold on me tightened. "So that's it? I'm not leaving. Not ever."

"But Rinoa…"

"She's a friend."

My hands gripped his shirt. "She likes you."

"I know. I have someone else."

Ah. He had someone else… so I had no chance? "Who?" After all, I needed to know who my competition was.

"…I can't say now, but I'll definitely tell you tomorrow."

"Aren't we too old for this?" I murmured.

"Aren't we?" he shot back. Did he mean…? He thought I was too old to need held like this every year.

I pushed him away. "Then get out."

"Cloud—"

"We're too old, so get the fuck out."

"That's not what I meant, you idiot."

"Get out! Asshole!" I pushed at his chest. "You just came here to tease me, didn't you?" Oh… I was crying again. For the time being, I ignored it. "You think that just because I'm in love with you, you can do whatever the fuck you want!"

"How could I think that when I—what?" His eyes widened. "What did you say?"

I looked away. "I'm in love with you. I know it's disgusting, so… please, just get out." Was that my voice? I sounded so meek… I sounded so weak and pathetic.

Leon's arms were back around me. Startled, I did nothing.

"Idiot. How could I think you're disgusting?" He rested his head on top of mine. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"…it's why my mom left… she thought I was disgusting…" I slowly returned his embrace. "I don't want you to leave, too."

"I couldn't leave if I wanted to." He drew back and tilted my head up toward his. When had he gotten so tall? "Cloud Strife, will you do the honour of being my boyfriend?"

"Then the one you like…?"

"Of course it's you. When have I ever looked at anyone else?"

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. I needed reassurance that this was reality. Leon understood, I guess, because he held onto me like my lifeline, like he was afraid of letting me go and afraid of breaking me at the same time. He couldn't decide how to hold me, and I loved it.

"This," I whispered after I pulled away, "This is real, right? This isn't just comfort, is it?"

Leon gave a longsuffering sigh. "Cloud, when have I ever done something like this without meaning it?"

"So… you actually mean this?"

"Fuck, yes…" He drew me into another kiss.

I smiled into his mouth. I knew from this moment on, I wouldn't be alone again. Even if we fought… if I needed him, Leon would come. That was all that mattered.