Warnings: Slash
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Heart or it's characters! I just USE them!!
A/N: To all of you who has reviewed this piece of LeonCloudyness, ARIGATO! I love your reviews and have nothing to say but; Keep them coming!! Don't be afraid of reviewing people! I've heard it's healthy!! :Nods head reassuringly:
This chapter I am insanely proud of, seeing as I wrote the last part half asleep. And I still like it! Hope you guys do too!!
Healing
Chapter Five
"Silence before the storm"
-
"It's going to rain."
The blond lifted his head, gaze traveling to the darkened sky. The clouds were heavy and in the horizon, a gray, almost invisible shower threatened to come their way. The trees wavered slowly in the growing wind and the birds had long since found their nests.
He could almost picture them. Hiding between twisted, slick branches, dark, round eyes wide with anticipation. Hearts hammering like small, erratic drums in their chests.
They were creatures of the sky and they knew it better than any other beings. Yet, he imagined that that was also the reason why they were the first to flee before a storm. When what is closest to you rages against you, you get paralyzed and in those times, your vulnerability is greater than ever.
Glancing over at the stoic man walking beside him, he nodded his head quietly. "Yes. I it would appear so."
Leon did not bother to meet his gaze, and yet, Cloud knew he was watching him out of the corner of his eyes.
"We should head back." He mumbled, eyes darting to the ground, where emerald grass billowed rapidly.
The brunet hummed in agreement, but neither of them seemed to be in a rush to get inside. They simply continued to move forwards, Cloud limping slightly, but refusing to slow down the speed. Leon knew the blond's stubbornness and therefore, he simply pretended not to notice his struggling. He just kept on going, almost imperceptible changing their pace.
Of course, his actions did not pass the blond by, but as Leon had foreseen, his pride and tenacity forbid him to comment it.
All in all, it was an agreement both were satisfied with.
They walked for a few more minutes, both enjoying the silence that surrounded them. Everything was always calm before a storm, unnervingly calm. Cloud found himself looking over at Leon and suddenly, he found he could not tear his gaze away.
The warrior's expression had darkened along with the weather, his eyes reflecting the color of the clouds. Dark brown tresses framed a strong, but beautiful face, giving him an almost raw look. The scar that slithered across his wild features was a constant reminder of his somewhat mysterious past and like many times before, Cloud found himself wondering how he had gotten it.
He'd once heard the name Seifer being uttered in a conversation between Cid and Leon, to which the brunet had reacted with the most emotional behavior Cloud had ever seen him preform. He'd literally stormed out of the house, eyes burning with such a passion that even Cloud had gotten worried. Whoever this Seifer was, Leon must have had a turbulent relationship with him.
For some odd reason, Cloud suddenly felt himself wanting to know more about his silent companion. Who had he been before his world was taken. And more importantly, who was he now? Cloud wasn't sure he knew that yet and there were tons of questions lingering in the air around the brunet. Questions of mist and darkness. Questions seemingly without answers. Questions even he would not be brave enough to ask.
All of a sudden, he was pulled out of his thoughts by a sudden change in Leon's expression. His eyes narrowed and Cloud knew he'd been caught staring.
Without a word, the lion lifted his head and met the blond's gaze. Azure eyes boring into stormy gray. For a moment of breathless seconds, the two of them simply regarded each other, none of them uttering a word. Cloud felt his mask slowly slipping under that piercing gaze and suddenly, words he had not meant to say left his mouth.
"I suppose I should thank you."
A glint of surprise flashed in the dark haired warrior's eyes, but he did not reply. As a matter of fact, he had no idea of what to say.
Cloud was thanking him? For what?
Saving his life?
He cleared his throat. "There's no need to thank me, Cloud." He stared intently at the blond, whose gaze never wavered. "You would have done the same for me."
"No." Leon furrowed his brows and cocked his head slightly.
"I'm not talking about calling for help or stopping my bleeding." Cloud continued quietly, "you did much more than that." He knitted his brows faintly and Leon was surprised to see him biting his lip almost nervously, "you said those words didn't you?"
A confused, but calm expression found it's way to Leon's face. "What words?"
Cloud, eyes darting rapidly from side to side, licked his lips before speaking up again.
"You told me not to strain myself. To lay still." A rather strong gust of wind captured his golden bangs and made them flicker before his eyes, "you told me to stay awake!"
Leon felt his heart twinge.
In his mind he saw the panicked, pained expression in Cloud's face as his body went into convulsions, followed by the feeling of his lifeless body in his arms. Without his permission, his eyes shut tightly and he gritted his teeth harshly, as if to block out the mental sight.
Suddenly, a hand was touching his face and his eyes snapped open, gray thunderstorms locking with glimmering pools of ocean.
"Thank you." The blond breathed, "for everything."
Leon swallowed, not only once, but several times and without thinking, he raised his hand and placed it over Cloud's, brushing the slightly calloused skin he found there. He dared not breathe as their hands moved against each other and everything seemed to freeze around them. Eyes widening, he found his tongue darting out to lick his lips and his stomach fluttered almost painfully.
Then, his fingers curled faintly and pressed the blond's hand against his cheek.
Heart beating incredibly fast, he closed his eyes and just absorbed the warmth that all of a sudden seemed to radiate from the other man's palm. He had no idea what was happening, and his head was spinning like leafs in strong wind. His breathing became uneven and shivers suddenly started to run down his spine.
The wind was growing stronger, and it's icy breath whipped around their ears, making goosebumps appear on the gunblader's skin. It was is if the weather was paying attention to what was happening between him and Cloud, and despite the fact that he was clueless about what exactly that was, he knew it had to be something big and overwhelming. Like the storm that was about to be born. Thunder rumbled in the far distance and Leon felt his body wake with the sound, his insides suddenly feeling as if they were in fire.
What was this alien feeling grasping his soul?
Why could he not find the ability to step away from Cloud and leave him without another word? What was it that made him slowly close the distance between them and place his free hand around the blond's neck? What made him pull Cloud closer, until their noses were almost touching and he could smell the other's breath?
Was it excitement, this feeling in his gut that stirred like a pile of snakes?
Was it excitement that caused his heart to skip several beats before it settled in a rhythm that was almost frighteningly fast?
Their lips were only inches apart.
Then, reality struck him like a lightning and he suddenly became aware of the extents of the situation. His breath hitched in his throat and a dry, shocked sob, tore it's way from his lips.
"I can't do this."
The lion wrenched himself out of the wolf's grasp and turned on his heels without a word. Blood rushing through his veins, mind clouded like the sky and with eyes wider than ever, Cloud was left to wonder what the hell had just happened.
--
When Leon stomped through the living room, hair dripping wet from the sudden rain and with a dark expression on his face, all the noise in the room vanished like dew on a sunny day. Yuffie, who was currently curled up on the couch, licking on an ice cream screwed her mouth shut, her lips becoming nothing but a sharp, thin line. She did not make an attempt to move, just stared at the warrior's broad back, eyes narrowing slowly.
At the sound of the door slamming shut, Aerith peered out of the kitchen expecting to see both Leon and Cloud, but her eyes widened rapidly at the sight that met her.
"Leon?" She breathed, but the dark haired warrior didn't turn, just continued to stride towards the stairs. Taking them in one leap, he disappeared form her sight.
He was in no mood for talking.
"Leon, where's Cloud?!" She almost shouted, voice panicking. The only answer she got was the loud slam of his bedroom door. The healer committed a wincing sound and moved to follow him, but Cid, occupied with scrubbing his hands free of oil and dirt, most likely on Aerith's command, threw away the towel he'd been using and rose quickly, gesturing for the flower girl to stay where she was.
"Don't bother yourself with this, Aerith." He growled an annoyance, "when he's in this mood, nothin' bites on him."
"But he was with Cloud! And there's a storm coming! We have to—"
"You take Yuffie and go look for Spike," he walked over to the stairs, hand waving idly at them, "I'll take care of Squall. Don't forget, I've known the brat for a long time. He's just gonna have to listen to me."
Only Cid would go as far as calling Leon a brat, a description that would never have crossed the flower girl's mind.
Nonetheless, the pilot was right. He knew Leon better than anyone and it would only be appropriate to let him handle this.
Sighing, she stooped her head and motioned for Yuffie to come with her.
"We have to find Cloud before the storm breaks out." She threw the creaking door open and strode outside in the hammering rain, her hair billowing wildly in the harsh wind.
"I can't believe him!" She choked and, holding a hand up to block her eyes from the pouring rain, and Yuffie reckoned she had to be talking about Leon. "Leaving Cloud like that. He's not even properly healed yet!"
The flower girl was angry, no doubt about that, but as always, her worry came first in line. Literally dragging a perplexed ninja by the wrist, she defied the raging weather. With nothing else in mind but finding the blond she cared so much about.
--
"All right, spit it out boy." There was no room for dodging the truth when Cid burst inside Leon and Cloud's shared bedroom without knocking first, his heavy boots slamming against the wooden floor.
He simply moved over to Leon, placed a hand on the warrior's shoulder and waited for him to talk.
"..."
The pilot heaved a sigh and out of nowhere, he all but rattled the muscled body underneath his palm.
Leon, a bit startled by his actions turned around and swatted his hand away, looking at it with an almost disgusted expression evident on his features.
He should have known Cid would come after him. Whenever Leon was acting all unapproachable, Cid would be the one to handle him. Leon knew the older man was not frightened by him at all, and therefore, he did not even try to pull off one of his infamous death glares. He just pierced the pilot with his gaze. A sign that told the older man that if he wanted him to speak, he should at least quit being so damn noisy and rough.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it!" The pilot said gruffly, merely waving at the brunet's gloomy facade, "now come on and tell ol' Cid what happened."
The stoic swordsman took a moment to collect his breath before raking a hand through his hair. It was no other options but to tell Cid really. If he kept quiet, the man would only keep bugging him, and truth to be told, Leon only wanted some time alone.
He debated with himself about whether he should lie to Cid or not. Maybe, just maybe he could come up with a story that would satisfy the other man. On the other hand, he mused, shoulders falling slightly, if Cid figured out he was lying, or ever talked to Cloud, Leon knew he would be in for one hell of a show.
One did not lie to Cid without paying a real price for it.
"Well," he started, not really knowing what to say, "to tell you the truth, I'm not really sure myself."
Cid just quirked an eyebrow and motioned for Leon to continue.
The former SeeD sighed deeply. He wasn't getting out of this one.
"We were outside..." he started, voice strangely meek, "and...uh.."
"Yeah?" Came the demanding reply.
"And well... we kind of..." He trailed off, slowly turning against the window. How was he supposed to explain this to Cid?
"Yes?"
The suggesting tone the older man used was enough to make the cup flow over.
Unsure of where his anger came from, the darked haired warrior slapped a hand over his face and partly covered his eyes, an exasperated yet angry expression grazing his features.
"Dammit! I almost kissed him Cid!"
Cid's jaw immediately fell slack and Leon would have snickered if it wasn't for the fact that he was in no position to do so.
He looked like a stranded fish.
Said 'fish' regarded Leon as if he'd just turned purple, or something equally absurd, his eyes wide as blitzballs.
Leon kind of wondered if it was healthy for someone to freeze that abruptly, but was pulled out of his thoughts, by a sudden change in Cid's appearance. Out of the blue, the pilot's shoulders were shaking, and the next thing he knew, Cid was clamping his mouth with one of his hands, trying to block out the laughter.
Leon's eyes widened.
Cid was laughing?
What the fuck was so funny?
Hadn't he just spilled his guts and told the older man about his earlier, traumatizing experience?
"Gaia!" Cid finally exclaimed, "You're such a friggin' dramaqueen, Leonheart!"
Now it was Leon's turn to gape.
"W-what?"
This, apparently, was more than the brunet could handle. Hurriedly, still with a shocked expression on his face, he rose from the bed and strode over so Cid, grabbed him by the arm and pushed him outside. Cid did not even have the time to react before the brunet firmly slammed the door in his face.
There was a long silence, which in Leon let himself fall back against the wooden, rectangular surface and slid down to the floor.
After what seemed like hours, Cid finally spoke.
"So you're attracted to men, big deal!"
Leon was tempted to groan, but held back the last minute. "You see, that's where you're wrong Cid! I'm not attracted to men! It's just..."
"Just Cloudy, eh?"
"..." His hand moved upwards, above his head, and fiddled with the doorknob.
"So what?" The Pilot drawled on, "things could'a been much worse. One would think ya'd recognize a true disaster Leon, after all you've been through."
"It is a disaster, Cid! I'm not— I've never..."
"Never felt anything for another male before, I know that. Seriously Squall—"
"It's Leon."
"Whatever, Squall. You need to get over yourself."
A pause.
"What?" Leon's mouth fell open, despite him.
Cid heaved a sigh, and Leon could almost see him rolling his eyes. "Why can't you just accept the things the way they are? Must you always look for some greater meaning? What if ya just happen to have feelings for the man?"
"..."
"Listen, I know it might be hard for you to down all this, but sometimes, we just have to put away our fears and go with the flow."
Leon turned his head slightly and glared at the door, suspicious. "Since when did you become so all-knowing?"
The pilot gave a rough laugh, "Hey, don't underestimate me kid."
He almost smirked. "I'm hardly a kid anymore."
"Nah, maybe not," the older man answered in a gruff tone, "but ya sure ain't so damn grown up either! Brat."
"Whatever..."
"See? There ya go again, trying to ignore the fact that I struck a nerve earlier."
Leon fisted his hands in his hair. "I'm not ignoring anything! I just don't feel like deliberating my so called 'feelings'—"
"You're doing it again! Squall—"
"Leon."
"— Leonheart, when are ya gonna learn?! Dammit, you're such a chicken sometimes! Can't you just come to terms with the fact that you like Spike, eh? Why is that so hard—"
"I'm not a chicken." He cut in, face stern and eyes narrowed.
"Oh, fine then! Would you rather have me calling you a pussy?"
Suddenly, a sarcastic wave rushed through him and he lifted a delicate brow. "Well, yeah... I've always been more of a cat person."
"..."
"..."
They both burst out laughing.
"You're one fucked up brat, ya know that?" Cid muttered after some time, voice slightly cracking from amusement. Leon could picture him wiping his eyes.
"Whatever." Leon was smiling too, but it'd be damned if the old man knew. Luckily, he did not have x-ray vision.
"So, ya gonna talk to him?" Cid asked after a little pause.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Then I guess I am."
"Good."
TBC
