Hello everyone ! The theme Night Terrors was really inspiring for hurt/comfort and some strifeheart ! It's not really canon for this AU (haha) but my inspiration comes from the AU of Liverpepper ! Go check her work on Tumblr, she's really amazing and I melt everytime on her stories. If you like Strifeheart, twins Sora and Roxas or cute family AU, this is for you ! Thank you again Ejes, you are the best, everyday !

"Zack..."

"You shouldn't have. Look at what you've done."

"Cloud!"

"No, Zack, you shouldn't have… Sorry, Zack..."

"Wake up!"

"You're a monster. Look at what you are, half-existence!"

"Cloud!"

"You should worry about yourself instead!"

"Wake up, Cloud!"

"This is where hell starts for you! You cheap copy, willing to become a hero, hahaha!"

"CLOUD!"

"NO!"

Said Cloud woke up screaming. It took him a long time to realise he was in his bed, safe, and that Leon was by his side, staring at him with concern, a comforting hand on his shoulder. The blonde breathed calmly, uselessly wiping the sweat running down his face. Unpleasant pictures came back to his mind, and he wished he could forget them.

"Cloud, are you okay?" softly asked the brunette.

"I think so." Finally answered the blonde.

"It was just a bad dream. It's over now."

"It was so much more than that, Leon… I'm sorry I troubled you."

"Tell me about it."

"I don't really want to live that again..."

"They say bad dreams are quicker to fade away if you tell them out loud."

After a short hesitation, Cloud decided it would be better to spill it out rather than keep that for him, overthinking about it for the whole night. He should do that more often.

"I dreamt about Zack's death… But this night, it was different."

"You still believe you are responsible for that accident? Cloud..."

"I don't, but… In my dream, there was this shadow, talking to me. Telling me I was nothing but… But Zack's Nobody."

"Why would it say that?" asked Leon, his brows furrowed.

"Because compared to him, I'm worthless. I've always… I've always tried to copy him, but that was only so that I could stand out. Zack was… So much better than me..."

Tears started to run down Cloud's cheeks, but Leon instantly wrapped his arms around him. With softness, with warmth, the brunette held him tenderly, caressing his hair in a comforting motion. The fake SOLDIER felt safer than ever.

"Don't you ever say again you are worthless in front of me. Ever."

"Leon, I..."

"Keep quiet, Cloud. Please."

The blonde smiled and obeyed. The nightmares were recurring, but never the scarred man blamed him for that, said anything about it. Leon, on his side, hoped he would quickly chase away the nightmares of the man he loved.