Mornings were gentle as light crept into their nest, a softer bed than either of them had enjoyed before, made into a cocoon of warmth and respite.

Waking, being born into the world again by sleep, had never been more peaceful.

Sephiroth was careful to not make sudden movements as his consciousness settled fully behind his closed eyes, sinking into control of his sprawled limbs. He could feel the reassuring weight still pressing down on him, but he opened his eyes anyway to watch Cloud, asleep on his chest, safe under Sephiroth's black wing folded over him like an extra blanket. Though he'd never explained the reason why, he always tried to ensure Cloud fell asleep with a significant amount of his body on top of his, grounding him to his own body even as they slept.

For all the things Sephiroth had ever uttered before, there was still something about a raw, honest, I need you that was still difficult to voice, even if Cloud knew it every minute of every day.

Cloud's blond hair was sticking up in every direction but it was smooth where it brushed against Sephiroth's collarbone and neck. Their blankets and his wing covered most of the rest of the view, but he could feel Cloud's toned, bare chest against his and the band of his sweatpants pressing against him further down.

Real love was allowing Cloud to drool on him.

Well, there was very little he didn't allow Cloud to do.

Sephiroth sighed, letting his eyes slide closed again. It always took a few moments to remember where he was. They were far from Midgar and any laboratories. Their bed was a perfect resting place within a sanctuary he didn't deserve. The world out their window was bright green and blue, the palette of a lush world, not the grey and dark life of fluorescent street lights they'd left behind.

This was a second chance.

With the sunlight shining through the window, Cloud wouldn't stay asleep for long. Their room had light cafe curtains by design, yellow and sheer to let the light in. Aerith had influenced the room's decor more than either of them had, but Sephiroth found the change of scenery, something cozy and quaint, to be a welcome reminder of the changes within the world, within his own soul.

It was difficult to dwell on turmoil here. When he took a deep breath, he felt filled with life rather than emptiness.

Sephiroth absent-mindedly rubbed Cloud's upper back, watching curiously as Cloud didn't react at all except to start snoring. A low laugh, warm with amusement, rumbled in Sephiroth's chest. He didn't try to stop it. It wasn't so long ago that he'd felt incapable of such a gesture.

Cloud raised his head, blinking and squinting as he looked around. "Huh?"

"Good morning." Sephiroth moved his hand up to pet Cloud's hair. Still smooth and satisfying to touch. "I was admiring you."

"Yeah? What about me?"

"Your bedhead."

"I don't get bedhead," mumbled Cloud, shifting so he was more comfortable on Sephiroth. "It always looks like that."

"Hmm." Sephiroth's hand trailed down to Cloud's cheek, the simple gesture of affection turning into a tease as he swiped at the corner of Cloud's mouth where he'd been drooling. "You're lucky I find you to be so endearing."

Cloud was unmoved. "You also think I'm handsome," he mumbled.

"What other accolades have I bestowed upon you?"

"Best Bedhead, as of just now."

Sephiroth huffed, lips upturned with a hint of a smile. "That's objectively incorrect, because the owner of that title is me."

Cloud finally accepted that it was morning and he wasn't going to go back to sleep. He sat up and yawned, stretching as he observed the top of Sephiroth's hair from his vantage point on Sephiroth's lap. Sephiroth's wing unfurled beside them, doing away with more of the bedding than he'd intended. Cloud was unbothered by any reminders of Sephiroth's inhuman sides, locking eyes with Sephiroth's feline ones. "Sure is. Lemme fix it for you."

They'd settled into a rhythm of morning rituals, which made their time getting ready together relaxing for the two of them and infuriating to anyone else they made plans with.

Sephiroth didn't care.

He also sat up, disappointed to be leaving behind some of the coziness in their bedding, but it was worth it as Cloud settled behind him with the hairbrush.

Sephiroth lightly shook his head so the cascading waves of hair all flowed down his back. "Show off," said Cloud lightly.

"Indeed."

Sephiroth couldn't see Cloud, but he swore he could sense an eyeroll. He could tell that Cloud was being careful to not tug Sephiroth's hair as he began brushing it, silky ends resting in Cloud's hand.

Eyes falling closed, he let Cloud work his way up his back with the brush, bristles caressing his spine with each pass. Some sweeps of the brush teased where his wing was joined to his shoulder blade, making his feathers puff up and spread with delight.

Sephiroth had never invited touch before, not like this, and still not with anyone but Cloud, but now he basked in letting Cloud take care of him. He was mindful of every lulling stroke and savored every miniscule touch when Cloud sometimes needed to regather stray strands. Without even realizing it, he was idly humming with content.

"Good?" asked Cloud, already to Sephiroth's upper back.

"Very good," he purred, voice dropping lower with pleasure. Knowing Cloud, he was certain the praise would hit him like a shot of whiskey. Sephiroth titled his head back for Cloud, basking in his attention. "You've grown skilled at this."

"Thanks to all the practice you've given me." Cloud kept up his grooming of Sephiroth's luxurious mane of hair. "I didn't have much experience before we got together. Tifa never really forgave me for spraying WD-40 in her hair when I was six years old."

The mental image made Sephiroth chuckle. "I wouldn't forgive you either."

"I was just trying to help!" protested Cloud.

"Hmm." Sephiroth smiled to himself. "But you've always been quite good at tending to my feathers."

Cloud gently dragged his fingers against Sephiroth's neck to shift his hair together better. The caress made Sephiroth's breath hitch. That was the point, he was sure, aside from Cloud being naturally affectionate when they were alone. "Yeah, it's just like with chocobos."

Sephiroth raised his eyebrows. "Am I a chocobo to you?"

Cloud was nearly done with his hair, carefully smoothing it out with brushes from roots to ends, dragging against Sephiroth's scalp enticingly. "The most intimidating, majestic chocobo anyone's ever seen."

"To what end do you imagine this ridiculous flattery leading you?"

Sephiroth was still in a playful mood, but he was wondering if Cloud was trying to literally or metaphorically ruffle his feathers.

Cloud rubbed Sephiroth's shoulders, leaning in close to kiss his neck. Sephiroth swallowed. He had taught Cloud his sensual moves too well. "Where it always does: giving more flattery and getting to preen you."

Flirting and trading nonsense between them was as natural as breathing.

"In that case, I'll submit myself to your inane comments."

"Inane? I expected you to say blasphemous."

Sephiroth smirked. "I have settled for one step below godhood, so on a technicality, no."

"Chocobo it is. That's the pecking order, then? Second to godliness?" Cloud's hands had migrated lower, petting his hair and finally resting on his wing, easing his fingertips in between Sephiroth's feathers. Sephiroth made an effort to not moan as Cloud tenderly, expertly, found the base of his fluffed feathers and ran his fingers down, helping any feather that was out of alignment.

"I'll allow you to call me a chocobo only because you ride me so much."

Cloud coughed, turning his head away with a laugh. "You won that one."

"Yes yes." Sephiroth flapped his wing with mock impatience. "Pet me."

Divinity or not, Cloud's touches and caresses radiated adoration. He was deliberate and sweet, pressing in when Sephiroth gave away how immersed he was in pleasure. Too soon, Cloud moved to sit in front of him, cross-legged and grinning, reaching to groom the underside of his wing. "Don't distract me too much," Cloud teased.

Cloud, clear-eyed and willing in mind and soul to please him, was more his than he'd ever been. How precious, how world-altering, could one person's sincere affection be?

Sephiroth leaned forward and kissed him, mouth pliant and soft against Cloud's. "Just enough distraction?"

Cloud's hands faltered for a moment, but he resumed his methodical, sensual preening as he kissed Sephiroth. "Could do with a little more."

He didn't want to interrupt Cloud's work, but Sephiroth wasn't going to deny him his wishes either. Resting a hand on Cloud's cheek, he deepened their kisses without speeding up, taking him gently.

Cloud barely restrained himself until he finished his work, running his fingers down the last of Sephiroth's primary feathers and immediately pulling his hands away so he could hold Sephiroth's face. Cloud leaned even closer, giving Sephiroth more of himself, drawing Sephiroth to him like the tide.

Sephiroth sighed against Cloud's lips when they broke for air. "Keep this up and you'll have to redo my hair."

"Oh no," drawled Cloud, kissing Sephiroth again.

It was a miracle they ever made it out of bed.

"Didn't we have plans today?" asked Sephiroth, kissing Cloud's neck.

"Hmmhmm. Tifa and Aerith are probably already waiting for us. Chocobos today, as it happens."

Sephiroth wondered when the novelty of hearing he had purely social plans would ever fade. Were they close enough he could call them friends, or was everyone simply trusting Cloud while regarding Sephiroth as a paused time bomb? He wouldn't blame anyone for thinking so.

"Hey."

Cloud cupped Sephiroth's cheek. "You got a little far away there. You okay?"

From anyone else, he'd think it prying at a weakness.

From Cloud, he was safe. This was a bond to put weight on- a bond both of them could rely on.

"Ordinary life takes some getting used to."

"I know."

Cloud did know. Sephiroth gently pulled Cloud into a hug, inadvertently guiding him onto his lap again. Cloud followed enthusiastically, hugging Sephiroth as if it had been his idea instead. Sephiroth stroked the back of Cloud's hair. "My turn to spoil you."

Cloud's hair didn't need nearly as much fussing as Sephiroth's did, but he still took his time combing it. Cloud relaxed as he let Sephiroth style his hair, eyes closed while he sat in the sunshine on the bedspread. "Go easy on the gel, okay?"

"I'm not reshaping your hair, I'm merely optimizing the trajectory of where it's already going." He said it with the same sort of delivery he used to use when waxing poetic about destiny. Cloud snorted. Despite his dramatic words, Sephiroth used barely any hair gel, working it into Cloud's hair with the same care and dedication Cloud had shown him. It was one thing to receive affection and another to be able to give it.

He was becoming more confident in both.

"We've kept everyone waiting long enough, haven't we?" Sephiroth stood up and stretched, finding a shirt to wear.

"I think they expect us to take about a year to get out the door." Cloud hurried anyway.

Their small house was cozy and remote, somewhere where the two could heal without being bothered. Sephiroth sighed as they stepped outside, taking in the warm air and tasting the scent of grass. They were to meet up a ways across the meadow, through the valley. The start of the walk was pleasant, but unremarkable. Sephiroth set out with long strides, certain they'd make reasonable haste to get there, but-

"Hey. I got an idea." Cloud laid a hand on Sephiroth's shoulder. They were in the middle of a patch of long grass and wildflowers, the winding deer trail they were on fading in and out of sight under their boots.

"Yes?"

"Take your shoes off."

Sephiroth stared.

Cloud huffed and tugged his boots and socks off. "See? It feels nice now that it's warm and dry out here. You never felt grass under your feet like this, right?"

Sephiroth was hesitant. "No. I haven't."

Cloud paced in front of him, grinning. "Okay, well I'm supposed to get you to feel all mindful and aware of your senses, and I'm telling you that you've gotta try this."

"I…"

It was true that Cloud was his partner in everything, and that included his recovery. He was the only one Sephiroth would listen to, for starters, and he knew how to calm Sephiroth down and level out the moods he used to get. Living in his body the way a human was supposed to was one of their tactics for restoring him, bit by bit, and it worked well.

This method just felt odd.

"Is something on your mind?" asked Cloud, genuine enough that Sephiroth could admit if there was an issue, still teasing enough to keep it light as he wiggled his toes.

"Bees," managed Sephiroth.

"Like any bee would dare mess with you."

"That's true," he muttered.

At this rate, Cloud was going to ask him to go frolicking with him. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad. Excuses gone, Sephiroth kept eye contact with Cloud as he pulled his boots and socks off, setting them aside.

Cloud was right about it feeling good. Sephiroth felt like he was wading through flowers more than walking, the earth surprisingly cool under the soles of his feet, yet the sunlit blades of grass were warm and cushioned each step. As he accepted that wandering around like an aimless child in a field had its sensory merits, Cloud surprised him once again.

"Let's play your favorite game," said Cloud, grinning.

"And what would that be?"

In a swift motion, Cloud snatched Sephiroth's boots off of the ground and sprinted away, shouting over his shoulder, "Catch me!"

Sephiroth was once more rooted to the ground and speechless.

The audacity. The gall. The-

He was grinning so naturally he hadn't even noticed.

Sephiroth bolted after Cloud like a cat that had spotted prey. The ground under his feet muffled his footfalls and welcomed him, as if the planet itself was trying to prove he had a home here.

He was chasing the best argument for making this world as it was his home.

Cloud was impressively fast and strong, but Sephiroth overtook him easily. Cloud had a couple seconds of warning before Sephiroth tackled him, wrapping his arms around Cloud and rolling down into the grass with him.

Sephiroth pinned Cloud under him, still smiling as Cloud kept laughing. "You were so dismayed," he wheezed, head thrown back in the grass.

"Was I?" Sephiroth's hold on Cloud was light. He entwined their fingers together, holding both of Cloud's hands in his. His chest swelled with affection, breathing hard against Cloud's chest as they laid there together, bits of the meadow sticking to their hair and clothing in a way that made Sephiroth so fond all over again.

"What's that look?" asked Cloud from underneath him, giving Sephiroth's hands a squeeze.

"Just what I see." Sephiroth touched his forehead to Cloud's, eyes on his. His voice was barely a whisper. "A reason to wake up."

Cloud's expression softened.

"You're gonna find more and more reasons. We both will."