How Cloud Met Leon

Cloud glared at the instructor as he sat on the grass near the parking lot, he hated this class. For whatever goddamn reason the school saw fit that students take a driver's education course before getting their license. Cloud's teacher was incompetent, or so Cloud thought, he had been taught by his elder brothers and knew how to drive. This teacher seemed to enjoy belittling Cloud and counting him off for the littlest stupidest things.

The man was doing the normal systematic checks of the car they had checked out while waiting for the other student that apparently was failing the course, according to the teacher. The man loved to count them off if they didn't look over their shoulder for a set amount of time before switching lanes, or for not turning slow enough onto another street. Basically anything that annoyed other drivers he made sure you had to do to pass the damn class.

Cloud just hoped that when he finally got his license and went for his motorcycle one that he wouldn't have another instructor like this one. He was jerked out of his thoughts as he heard the crunching of sticks and leaves from behind him, signaling the other student had arrived. Cloud looked behind him and paused as he looked the guy over.

Short brown hair and steel-blue eyes watched the teacher emotionlessly before turning to look down at Cloud. The man had a scar down his face, and Cloud felt like asking what happened but was afraid to. Cloud blinked as he realized that he felt oddly comfortable around this stranger, something he didn't feel unless around his older brother, Zack.

"So what did he get you here for?" The guy asked all of a sudden.

Cloud blinked, "Stupid little things...you?"

"My friend played a trick on us and I wrecked the car we were using, the teacher got pissed and hadn't been paying attention so only I got in trouble for neglectful driving. My friend and I both got our scars from the damn wreck," The boy explained with an uncaring attitude.

Their teacher turned to them, "Looks like you both finally arrived, let's go, I don't have all day to teach your stupid asses."

Cloud grudgingly got up, muttering under his breath something along the lines of that the teacher shouldn't be speaking to them that way. He piled into the back seat as the brunette took the front, he glared at the back of the teacher's head as he began to tell the brunette off about something he was doing wrong once he stepped into the car.

The brunette ignored the teacher and buckled up before looking back at Cloud expectantly. Cloud flushed as he realized he had forgotten to buckle up, he quickly did so much to his annoyance with the brunette. The brunette's driving went pretty smoothly, Cloud had to admit, despite the teacher giving the brunette a hard time on some things. Finally the brunette finished his test and Cloud felt nervous, having to follow up with the brunette's apparent skill.

The two students got out to switch seats and Cloud reluctantly got into the driver's side. He noted grudgingly that he was shorter than the brunette and had to adjust the seat before checking his mirrors. He buckled his seatbelt once he felt everything was right for his short height. Glancing back he was annoyed to see the brunette buckled up and watching expectantly.

Cloud gripped the wheel tightly, he had never liked it behind the wheel of a car, he preferred a bike to anything else. Ever since Zack had bought a motorcycle he had loved riding with hi, despite Marluxia's worrying. The car just felt bulkier and way different to the blonde, and he had been in one only so often, normally to learn how to drive and for formal events when they couldn't walk places.

Cloud began by putting the car into drive and slowly moving away from the curb, he began a slow trek through the test zone, keeping an eye on his speed limit as he saw the signs. He used his blinker and all the signs he knew for sure to make sure he didn't mess up his lane switches or turns. The instructor barked a few orders and reprimands at him and he felt nervous as they began to get to the tougher parts of the course.

Cloud finally parked and let out a the breathe he hadn't realized he'd been holding for most of the test. The instructor made a few remarks on things he felt Cloud did wrong, but mentioned he supposed they both would be able to pass if they did well on the written test in their next lesson. The two quickly left once they were dismissed and Cloud sighed again as he ran a hand through his blonde hair.

"I'm Leon by the way," The brunette spoke up.

Cloud jolted before going over what the brunette said before pausing, "Didn't the instructor call you Squall?"

"I hate my first name..." The brunette muttered in disdain and Cloud dropped it.

"I'm Cloud, Cloud Amarante," The blonde introduced.

"I know I heard the instructor say it," Leon spoke.

Cloud glared at him, "Then why tell me yours? I obviously heard it also..."

"Heard it yes, but you weren't really paying attention to what was being said."

Cloud flushed at that, "Oh what's it matter to you?"

"Well first off you need to relax, have you never been in a car before?"

"There isn't much need in this town, besides I prefer a motorcycle, my brother lets me ride with him all the time, so I'm used to those more than the bulky cars..." Cloud muttered.

They remained quiet as they waited at the front of the school, another reason Cloud hated the class. It was only given on the damn weekends so he had to wake up early, luckily Zack normally picked him up afterwards to take Cloud someplace to practice on the bike. Cloud glanced at Leon who was just staring straight ahead emotionlessly.

"So who are you waiting for?" Cloud asked.

Leon didn't budge, "My sister, she has a car and since she doesn't actually live with me and my dad we only get to hang out on the weekends."

"Oh that must be pretty cool, I'm waiting for my older brother, he takes me to a secluded area to teach me how to ride his bike," Cloud explained.

"I see..."

They sat again in silence and it didn't take too much longer for Cloud to recognize the sound of Zack's motorcycle pulling into the school parking lot. Behind him, Cloud noted, was a car and Leon stood and approached the curb where the car parked. Cloud moved to his brother, still watching the brunette who had gotten into the passenger seat.

Cloud took the helmet Zack handed him and stopped when he heard someone call out to him, he turned to look at Leon. The brunette was watching him, and it set Cloud slightly on edge.

"I'll see you next week, try to relax for next time," Leon said.

Cloud nodded, "Right..."

Cloud watched as the driver pulled away from the curb and went around Zack and Cloud. Zack leaned against the handlebars of his bike, glancing between the retreating car and Cloud. Cloud finally looked at his brother and jolted when he saw Zack smirking at him.

"What?" Cloud snapped, putting up his guard,

Zack laughed, "Oh...nothing, just thinking it's funny seeing you act like that around someone else."

Cloud jolted before socking Zack in the shoulder, Zack moaned in pain and complained as Cloud climbed on behind him. He pulled the helmet over his spiky hair and wrapped his arms around his brother's waist. Zack took off down the road, though Cloud didn't pay much attention as he realized he couldn't wait for his next driving class.

~End~

Alright! Another one is done! I went with something like this since technically they are two of the few FF characters who actually use vehicles in their games, Cloud uses a motorcycle during the escape scene in FFVII and Squall uses the car during the attack on Edea in FFVIII.

Reviewer's corner:

Mizu Hoseki: It sounded slightly bad but as really flattering ha-ha. The two are really adorable aren't they?

Well till next time!