Kingdom Hearts III: 1939

Chapter IV
Dreams and Rumours

"You were never meant to exist" ... "My heart belongs to me!" ... "Of all the colours that make up light, red travels the furthest" ... "You're just showing off, Axel" ... "Axel behaves as if he has a heart" ... "Hey, watch this!" ...

Charlie woke with a start, screaming "No!" He didn't know why-- the memory of the dream already fading-- but his heart was hammering. He panted, sweat dripping from his hair.
There was movement in the darkness beside him, and in a blaze of light and fire, twin chakrams appeared, briefly illuminating the face of their wielder.
Alex swung his legs from the bed, ready to strike, the chakrams held in a tight grip. His eyes darted from corner to corner in the milky early morning light. Nothing moved, save for the shaking figure of Charlie in the other bed. With no threat presenting itself, Alex relaxed.
"You okay?" he asked.
Charlie shivered, his eyes adjusting slowly to the darkness. "I don't know," he replied, his voice quaking.
"Nightmare?"
"Yeah." Charlie pulled his legs up to his chest. His clothes were damp with sweat, and he was shivering in the cold room.
"What about?" Alex flipped on the light, banishing the chakrams and flopping down on the bed next to Charlie's feet. The lamplight bathed Alex's features in a warm glow, his hair lit like a crimson mane. Charlie noticed just how streamlined the spiky strands made him look.
"It was another dream about Roxas, like the others. But in this one, someone died, and ... and I felt it like I'd been there ... I didn't want him to ... to do what he did."
"What'd he do?"
"He gave his life to save Roxas-- or Sora-- both really."
"You have these often?" Something akin to recognition flashed in Alex's eyes.
"Almost every night. They're always about Roxas. Sometimes he's fighting strange creatures, other times he's with the others ... Sora, Kairi, Riku ... and Axel." Charlie frowned. "Sometimes they feel more like memories."
"Weird names," Alex remarked. "Riku sounds Japanese ..."
"I've dreamt of them all my life."
"Maybe you should write a novel."
"That's what Tom said." Charlie looked into Alex's emerald eyes, noticing himself shivering a little less. "You know, you kinda remind me of Axel. Funny really, same letters and all."
Alex smiled. "Does Axel summon fire too?"
For a second, Charlie froze. He hadn't even realized... "Yes," he said, a little uncertainly. "Now that I think about it, yes. Which is weird ... 'cause I remember that from before I met you."
Alex nodded. "That is weird."
"Reckon it means something?"
"Probably not. Just a weird coincidence." Alex smiled. "Real life's never that cool."
Charlie glanced incredulously at the American. "You can summon fire and a pair of the coolest weapons ever, and you say real life isn't cool?"
Alex laughed-- a warm, happy chuckle that would have made anyone smile. His eyes sparkled in the light from the bedside lamp. "That, Charlie, is a very good point." He leaned back on his hands. "Okay, so real life can be cool," he paused. "Although, I've always thought of what I can do as ordinary. I mean, I've been able to do it all my life."
Charlie sighed. His shakes had passed, but he was still haunted by the last image he'd seen. Axel, lying on his back, his dying body dissolving into black smoke. Come to think of it, he really did look like Alex. He even had those black cheek tattoos. Had he had those in the other dreams?
Charlie put it down to his subconscious merging the two men, and looked out the window. Light was just beginning to filter into the sky, painting the clouds orange and yellow against the blue and violet of the sky. It couldn't have even been six yet.
Damn, that's early.
"Well, kiddo," Alex began, running his fingers through his hair. "You are one hell of an alarm clock."
Charlie snickered. Alex was smiling again, and Charlie couldn't help but crack a grin himself. Everything about Alex was infectious. His smile was at the top of the list. Charlie caught himself looking again at the other man's slender figure. He was starting to get used to his eyes wandering. Which was odd in and of itself, because he only just met the guy. He'd never looked at guys before, didn't think he ever would-- it wasn't exactly societally acceptable-- but here he was, noticing details about Alex that he perhaps shouldn't.
The redhead was easily around six foot four-- albeit, some of that might have been the hair-- and his body was strangely slim. He had an almost feminine waist, and those strong arms were deceptively thin. But slimness aside, he was an imposing presence when one knew what he was capable of. It was like being in a room with a demon. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like to be his parents, or for that matter, the first schoolyard bully that had given him a shove.
Charlie yawned, stretched, and swung himself from the bed. His body was still sore from the walk, and he sincerely hoped that they wouldn't be doing any more today.
"So. You're gonna need a change of clothes, and we both are in need of a damn good breakfast." Alex rummaged through his pack, removing a tin full of several varieties of money. Pounds, francs, marks, and rubles.
"Are we walking today?" Charlie asked.
"Nah. I could, but you're gonna need another night o' rest, am I right?" Alex glanced over at him.
"Thanks."
"No problem." He pulled a small pistol from the pack, slipping it into a holster at his side. "Just in case," he said when he caught Charlie's eye.
Charlie crossed the room. "Do you have a spare? Just in case?"
Alex cocked an eyebrow at him. "Do you know how to use a gun?"
"Not really." Charlie shrugged. "How hard can it be, right? I mean, some of those German soldiers looked about my age."
Alex cringed. "Yeah..." He pulled a second pistol from the pack, studying it with a frown. "Okay. That's the trigger, that's the stock, and that's the barrel," Alex said, pointing out the various parts of the weapon. "You load a clip here, cock it, and fire. Don't point it at anything you don't want to kill." Alex handed the black metal device to Charlie, followed by it's holster, which Charlie slipped onto his belt.
"Thanks," Charlie said.
"Just be careful," Alex replied.
"I'm sixteen, you know," Charlie remarked indignantly. "I think I can handle being armed. After all, I survived being attacked by a scythe-wielding madman, an unconscious trip across the English Channel, and nearly being shot by a German soldier."
"Sorry, it's just ... I don't like givin' kids guns." Alex's brow furrowed. "My little brother shot himself in the foot one time when my dad let us play with his rifle. You'll understand why I don't trust children with weapons."
"It's okay," Charlie said. "I won't do anything stupid."
"Just one piece of advice," Alex said, closing his pack and dropping it down on the floor. "Don't panic. You don't want to waste shots. So don't freak out and shoot wildly when you've got a target. Make every shot count."
Charlie nodded, "Got it."
"Memorized?" Alex grinned.
"Sure."
Alex retrieved his blue-grey coat, putting it on and buttoning it in the front. It did a remarkable job of covering up the uniform he wore underneath. It hadn't occurred to Charlie that Alex's uniform made him a walking 'shoot me' sign.
"Maybe you should consider a change of clothes too."
Alex looked down. "I'd thought about it. But for now, let's get some food."
Right on cue, Charlie's stomach growled. He hadn't eaten since lunch the other day-- which, by the way, had been the dreaded spam and potatoes. Ration potatoes, as in, the powdered stuff. Charlie was running on fumes.
"Good idea."

The cavernous meeting hall was nearly empty when Vexen sauntered in, Marluxia in tow. The only other occupant was Xemnas. His SS uniform had been abandoned in favour of the old black Organization coat, its edges sweeping the floor as he paced. His long white hair stood in sharp relief against the dark material. Without even looking at the two new arrivals, he spoke.
"Vexen, Marluxia, what a surprise to find you two together." His words dripped in condescension. "It seems you have been inseparable lately."
Vexen gulped, but it was Marluxia that spoke. "We're friends. Is there something wrong with spending time around the only person in this place who isn't a--"
"That's enough, Number Eleven," Xemnas snapped. "I'm well aware of how you feel about the others."
Vexen watched Marluxia's hackles rise, and noticed a sparkle in his hand that usually heralded the arrival of the scythe. Vexen prepared to summon his own weapon, ready to back Marluxia if needed, but hoping to the gods that his lover wouldn't be that crazy. This was Xemnas after all. And when the others could arrive at any moment, this was not the time to attempt a coup.
The situation was diffused when the door burst open to admit Kadaj, Saix, and Yazoo. The sparkle instantly vanished, and Marluxia eased his stance. Vexen followed suit, catching Kadaj's questioning glance, shrugging. The silver-haired remnant smirked.
When Xemnas turned his face wore a self-satisfied grin. "Good. You're all on time." He circled around to the other side of the large mahogany briefing table at the head of the room. "As you know, I've been tapping into the ears of the Reich in order to track down our fellows. We've already located and captured Namine and Xion, and have located Riku, Sora, Kairi, and Roxas." Xemnas turned to scowl at Marluxia. "Unfortunately, Number Eleven was unable to capture them.
"In the face of this setback, I've been redoubling my efforts to find the others. These efforts have not gone unrewarded.
"Last night, a spy I'd placed outside Bethune, France, reported rumours of a strange red-haired man, and his young, blonde companion, that came into town. I ordered him to get a more detailed description, and this is what he telegrammed back. 'Tall; spiky crimson hair that's swept back; two black diamonds tattooed under his eyes; green eyes.'"
"Axel..." Vexen whispered.
"Yes. And his young blonde companion is no doubt Roxas. Which could spell trouble. They are more powerful together than they are alone." Xemnas unrolled a map of Europe, several dots drawn onto it. "We have no way of knowing how much they remember, so be cautious. Yazoo, I'm sending you to surveil them, and capture them if it is indeed who we're looking for."
Yazoo bowed his head.
"We have several other leads, including a man in Russia we suspect may be Xaldin, but those need to be investigated further before I send one of you all the way to the Soviet Union--"
Xemnas was cut off by a loud bang. The door to the room blasted open, its hinges creaking in complaint, and another figure swept into the room. Kadaj and Yazoo immediately bowed in respect to the imposing man.
"Why was I not included in this discussion?"
Sephiroth marched up to Xemnas' table, the others moving quickly from his path. The lights in the room dimmed, and even the sky outside seemed to darken. A chill crept up the spines of the men in the room, and Vexen and Marluxia reflexively backed away. The power radiating from the man was palpable.
Dressed as always in a long leather coat, metal shoulder guards, and heavy leather boots, his impossibly long silver hair flowing behind him, the former Shinra SOLDIER 1st Class thrust a knife into the map and drove it into the table. Right smack in the middle of the Bavarian Alps.
Vexen couldn't see his face-- and didn't particularly want to-- but he could imagine how those glacier eyes were burning into Xemnas. He didn't envy Xemnas' position.
"If you remember, the last time I tried calling you into one of these meetings you didn't bother attending. I decided it would be best to leave the decision on whether to attend up to you." Xemnas didn't show an ounce of fear-- which, considering, was a feat of courage.
"I would appreciate at least being informed there was a meeting taking place, instead of having to find out through one of my servants."
Xemnas glowered at Kadaj, whose self-satisfied smirk was beginning to grate on his nerves. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
Vexen swallowed. If it came to blows here, it was obvious who would emerge victorious. There was no way in all hell that Xemnas could stand up to Sephiroth. There was only one man who could.
The sky outside brightened again, and the lights inside relit. The chill left the bones of the room's occupants. Sephiroth seemed to withdraw into himself, reining in his power.
"So," Xemnas growled. "What is that?" He glanced down at the knife buried in the map.
"That," Sephiroth replied, "is where I believe the terrorist cell Cerberus is located."
"And why exactly should I be concerned?"
Sephiroth smiled, his eyes darkening. "Because Cerberus is led by Cloud Strife."
Xemnas opened his mouth as if to speak, but promptly shut it again. Vexen looked over at Marluxia. The man's eyes flickered with hope. Perhaps this was their chance. A chance to start a new life. If they could join Cloud, it would mean allies, a safe haven, and a guarantee that they would no longer be aiding some madman's quest for glory. When Marluxia met his gaze, Vexen could tell his rose was thinking the same thing.
Kadaj-- standing on Marluxia's other side-- was paying rapt attention to the conversation at the front. His expression was more difficult to read. A mixture of malice, hope, fear, and anticipation. Yazoo looked like an attack dog straining at its leash.
When Xemnas did speak, it was with considerably less gusto than before. "What do you intend to do?"
"Nothing, as of yet. I need time to determine who remembers what. It would be foolish to go charging in with no knowledge of our foe."
"Very well. Investigate, but keep me informed."
"Likewise."
Vexen watched a sort of private war go on between the two men, their eyes burning with something akin to frustration. Neither of the powerful beings seemed inclined to capitulate, and the silence stretched for a full minute before Xemnas finally broke the glare. Sephiroth grinned-- satisfied with his victory.
He swept from the room, the other men once again clearing a path. Not one soul dared get in his way. Vexen felt feathers brush his arm as Sephiroth passed, though he saw no hint of the wing he reputedly had.
The one-winged Angel.
In Sephiroth's wake, Xemnas stood muted and deflated. He looked much less composed than he had when Marluxia had nearly challenged him. Vexen supposed that the Superior hadn't been expecting the immortal bastard to come in and throw his meeting into disarray.
"Vexen," he said. "How is it coming with Namine?"
"Slowly. Her memories are more difficult to free than I thought." Vexen straightened his back. "I need time."
"You have two days."
"Two days?" Vexen looked around incredulously. "In two days I may have her remembering places and certain key events, but not everything!"
"How long?" Xemnas' tone was disapproving.
"A week," Vexen replied. "I should have her memories back in a week."
"Fine. You have a week," Xemnas turned to Marluxia. "Eleven, you will be in charge of sorting through the reports sent by our spy network. You will look for anything that may hint at one of the others, and present it to me."
Marluxia sighed. "Yes, Superior."
"The rest of you. Until I have jobs for you, you will make yourselves available to the Fuhrer for any assignment he provides you."
A chorus of "Yes, Superior," echoed around the room.
"Good." Xemnas yanked the razor-sharp knife from the table with a snarl, dropping it down as if it were some tainted piece of trash. "Dismissed."

It was the second time Hilda had been taken into the dark, damp cavern that housed the Lifestream. This time, however, she hadn't had to endure the long walk, or Kadaj's presence. This time Vexen had picked her up at her room, and simply portaled directly into the cave.
She looked around herself, once again taking in the supernatural beauty of the stream of energy washing against the cave floor. The thought that the fluid was made up of the souls and memories of the dead made Hilda intensely curious, but also very cautious. She would have loved to have a glimpse into the past, to taste the memories of someone who'd gone before. But the instability of the stream scared her. If she disturbed the rest of the dead, what price would she pay?
"I remembered something," Hilda remarked, looking over at Vexen. He glanced at her curiously.
"What was it?"
Hilda studied the blonde man. He really did look familiar now. He hadn't before, but now she felt like she'd met him before-- and it felt like it had been a long time. A very long time. It was a strange sensation.
"I was just starting to nod off, and I saw myself in a white room. It was the same one I drew in my sketchbook." she paused, her brow furrowing. "I was sitting in a chair, with a sketchbook, and a boy entered the room. It was Sora. He looked at me, and I smiled. I second later this egg-shaped glass cage formed around him. He was trapped inside. I looked at my sketchbook, and there, on the page, I'd drawn the exact thing. I trapped him."
"That's good," Vexen said, sounding impressed. "It's a good sign that you're remembering on your own. Though I'm not entirely sure that's... nevermind."
"I dreamt about Sora, Kairi, and Riku, but I think it was just a dream, and not a memory."
Vexen unfolded the chair. "That will happen. Your brain is trying to process the recovered memories, and the subconscious can't tell memories from imagined material."
Hilda took her seat, slipping the metal headband on. The moment the buzz hit her, an image leapt into her mind.
"Dance water, dance!" ... "Light is easy to find" ... "You won't disappear!" ... A hand on her shoulder, a voice speaking in her ear ... blue eyes, and pink hair ...
"Marluxia!" she shrieked, bolting from her chair.
Vexen jumped, stepping back from her startled form. "What--"
"He was the one who kept me in the white room!" she shouted, her voice echoing sharply. "He... He was..."
"Yes. He did." Vexen stepped back toward the shaking girl. "He was trying to use you against Sora."
"Is that what you're doing now?!"
"No. Things have changed."
"You're after Roxas, aren't you?"
Vexen sighed. "Namine, you must understand. I do as I am ordered--"
"That's not an answer." Hilda felt something rise within her-- like a rage, but different. Deeper and more sinister. A strange sensation raced through her body-- like she could see Vexen's whole life, laid out like a book before her eyes.
A cry of pain met her ears as Vexen doubled over, clutching his head. Hilda could see everything his mind offered up. Marluxia, his scythe aimed at Vexen's chest, his eyes dark with hate ... Axel snapping his fingers ... fire, and pain, and then nothing ... She dug a little deeper-- angry for reasons she didn't quite understand-- and Vexen howled.
The agonized sound snapped Hilda from her strange state, and she withdrew from Vexen's mind.
How did I do that? she thought. What have I done?
Vexen knelt, shuddering on the moist cave floor, a small trickle of blood dripping from his nose. He panted, still clutching his head.
"I'm sorry," Hilda whispered. "I didn't know..."
"No. Don't apologize," Vexen replied hoarsely. "That was good. If you can do that, then you're closer."
"What did I do?"
"That is your power." Vexen rose to his feet unsteadily. "You can manipulate the memories in a person's mind. You can unravel them, experience them, and rearrange them however you wish." He looked at her, and she saw fear hovering behind his eyes. "We believed you were only able to use this power on Sora and those connected to him. Clearly your powers have matured."
Hilda remained where she was, afraid to move closer lest this mysterious new ability rear its head again. Vexen flipped the beeping machine off, and the buzzing in Hilda's body disappeared.
"You may even be the most powerful of all of us."
"Us?"
"Organization XIII. The Nobodies." Vexen leaned wearily on the cart. His skin had taken on a sickly pallor. When Hilda just frowned in confusion, Vexen explained. "When a person's heart is consumed by darkness, they become a heartless, and a nobody is born. The nobody will usually resemble the original being, but they have no heart, and supposedly feel no emotion. We know that to be false."
"And 'we' is this Organization?"
"Yes. A group of thirteen nobodies. I am the fourth. Marluxia was the eleventh."
"Was I--"
"No. You were never part of the Organization. But you are a nobody-- or rather, you were."
Hilda looked down at her hands. She had no idea where her outburst had come from. Never had she been able to do that before. There was no questioning that it had indeed happened; Vexen's nose was still bleeding, and she had most certainly felt the power surge through her. It was scary, and she remembered what Kadaj had said: "You may be this Reich's most precious weapon."
"Do you all have powers?" she asked.
"Of course."
"What's yours?" Hilda met Vexen's gaze. She was sure he could see her apprehension.
Vexen didn't move, but a thin layer of frost started to spread across the floor and up the walls. Icicles formed, and snow blew down from rocky overhangs. Cracks and thumps echoed around her, as a layer of glacial ice grew over the stone. Ice crystals sparkled everywhere. The temperature in the air dropped sharply, and Hilda shivered.
It was beautiful. In a matter of seconds the cave had been transformed into a winter wonderland. It reminded Hilda of Christmas.
"Wow," was all she could say as she gaped at the display.
"My power lies with ice. Hence, Chilly Academic."
"And Marluxia?"
"Flowers."
"Really?" Hilda laughed. "That's a little odd, don't you think?"
"I stopped questioning things about Marluxia a long time ago." Vexen's voice took on that adoring tone again. The one he only seemed to use when he was talking about his pink-haired companion. Hilda smiled.
"Like why he locked me up?"
"Yes." Vexen's expression turned sympathetic. "So much was different then. If anything, things were more complicated."
Hilda didn't know what he meant, but decided that, by the sad look in his eyes, it wasn't a matter she should press. And anyway, she'd asked enough questions for today.
"Should we ... you know, get back to business?" she asked, stepping back toward her chair.
Vexen snapped out of whatever reverie he'd been in, his gaze jumping from Hilda to the machine and back. "Yes, of course."
So many questions, so many answers, and what did she have to show for it? More questions.

The sun had finally dipped below the horizon. The starry sky above the Alps was a deep indigo. The air was starting to cool, and it smelled like rain.
Cloud Strife trudged up the grassy slope to the house, his giant sword slung on his back, sweat beading on his brow. His muscles were burning, but he was extremely pleased with himself. He'd successfully called upon his old abilities, throwing fire at one of his makeshift training dummies, and freezing the other solid. It was the first time he'd managed to use his powers beyond calling up a shallow flame around his hand. And he'd done it despite the fact that the last time he'd been in contact with Materia had been in another lifetime.
It felt like regaining use of a paralyzed limb. One you'd never thought you'd move or feel again. The moment the fireball had left his hand and crossed the distance to the training dummy a feeling of overwhelming elation had jolted through him. He'd cheered, despite himself. Then he'd focused again, and light had swirled around the second dummy, ice and frost coating the wooden shape. He'd resisted the urge to shout his victory to the mountain, and had instead moved to the next skill. He'd felt the sparks fly, felt static build. He'd extended his arm, watching miniature lightning bolts dance around and between his fingers. But nothing more would happen. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get the bolts to jump to a target. Oh well.
Normally he'd have been very disappointed, but instead he was over the moon. He'd called on two of his SOLDIER abilities. Fire and ice. The first two they taught at Shinra, the easiest to control. No doubt the rest would come eventually.
Maybe they would stand a chance against Xemnas after all.
Cloud was so busy being pleased with himself that he almost didn't notice the figure reclining against the porch railing.
"My, what a big sword you have there, Goldilocks," the figure said, moving into the light from the front window-- softened by the gauzy curtains. Cheeky blue eyes watched Cloud from behind locks of shoulder length chocolate hair. Well-muscled arms were crossed over a strong chest, visible through his partially open shirt. Black trousers held up by suspenders covered his long legs.
"Goldilocks was the Three Bears, not the Big Bad Wolf," Cloud replied, climbing the porch steps, crossing his arms.
"Not in the Canadian version," Leon retorted, a mischievous gleam in his eye.
"There is no Canadian version."
"Says you."
"You are so full of shit."
"Yeah, whatever," the former AVALANCHE member uncrossed his arms and took a step toward Cloud. "Just fuckin' with you, Curt."
"I don't mind." Cloud let the other man prowl toward him.
"I know," Leon replied, his hand slipping around Cloud's waist. He glanced around, checking to see that they were alone, before leaning in to kiss Cloud, his smooth lips brushing Cloud's briefly before diving in.
Cloud slowly slid his eyes shut, looping his arms around Leon's hips, letting the Canadian's other hand cup the back of his head, fingers weaving through blonde strands. Cloud pressed into the kiss, feeling Leon's tongue slip into his mouth. He groaned, inhaling Leon's scent-- fresh air, coffee, gun oil, and his own musk. It was different from what Cloud remembered-- there was no hint of leather-- but it was still him. Still Leon.
Cloud brought his hand up to Leon's cheek, pulling him deeper into the embrace, pushing his own tongue past Leon's lips. Leon's hand had just started to slide down toward Cloud's groin when the porch door creaked, and footsteps clicked on the wooden deck.
"Hey, lovebirds," a melodious female voice said. "Dinner's up."
Cloud felt Leon's lips leave his, and he opened his eyes, following Leon's gaze to where Tania stood, her hands on her hips. Her long black hair hung loosely around her face.
"Tell Ava we'll be a minute," Leon replied.
Tania smiled, her eyes flicking from Cloud to Leon, and down to where Leon's hand rested, just above Cloud's belt. "Okay. But you might want to wait till after dinner to get busy. You know how Sid can be if you let food go cold."
She left, tossing one last knowing grin over her shoulder before retreating into the warmth of the house. Cloud and Leon stood there for a long moment, breathing deeply, Leon's forehead rested against Cloud's as they tempered their arousal. Cloud planted another light kiss on Leon's mouth.
"After dinner," Cloud said, pushing himself away from the railing that Leon had pinned him to.
"Agreed."
Compared to outside, the house was noisy, but Cloud had seen it worse. It had been worse after Hamburg. That night had been utter chaos. Their mission to assassinate the local Gauleiter had gone sideways after they'd made the hit. Guards and soldiers had swarmed the place, and the carefully planned escape routes had gone out the window. When they'd finally escaped and returned to the house, half their number had been injured.
Avalina had had the tables in the main room cleared and the entire space became a makeshift surgical ward. Cloud remembered the bustle, the noise-- shouts of pain, curses, and calls for equipment. He remembered the blood on the floor and the coppery smell.
That night Leon had been among the wounded. He'd taken a bullet to his left shoulder that had grazed his heart, and he'd nearly died in the chopper on the way back. Sid had broken his leg falling from the roof of the building, and Vincent had cracked his head on the cobblestones in the same fall. Tania had been stabbed by a Wehrmacht officer's bayonet, slicing her right lung and breaking two ribs, and Yuri had been shot twice in the hip.
It had very nearly been a disastrous mission. They'd come close to losing Leon and Tania; come close to having to leave Sid and Vincent behind. Had it not been for Reno's reckless, skillful flying, and Roger's quick trigger finger, they wouldn't have all made it out alive.
Hamburg had nearly killed them, but it had also cemented their place as the biggest thorn in the Fuhrer's side. All in all, they'd agreed it had been worth it.
Tonight, however, the bustle wasn't one of a struggle to save lives. It was relaxed, and cheerful. Laughter emanated from the dining room. Warmth and light enveloped Cloud and Leon as they made their way down the hall. Cutlery was already clinking, and Sid was already shouting at Reno to put his cigarette out or take it outside. The smell of rich food drifted into the hall.
Cloud followed Leon into the narrow, crowded room, noticing the smiles directed at the two men.
"Was dinner interrupting something?" Avalina asked, her crystalline blue eyes catching Cloud's from across the room.
Leon grinned like the cat that ate the cream. "Don't worry. I'll get back to him." Avalina smiled back as she set a serving dish on the table.
The tabletop held a bounty of food. There were meat pies, sausages, Njoki, fried peppers. Buttered vegetables waited in a bowl; salt and pepper in shakers nearby. Sid was busy pouring drinks, while the others eagerly dug into their meals, spooning vegetables and dumplings onto their plates.
Yuri was talking fervently with Tania, shoveling beans and carrots into her mouth. Vincent was delicately slicing his sausages, alternating food with sips of scotch. Sid, Reno, Edward, and Roger were downing beer and swapping stories-- laughing raucously. Cloud took the chair between Leon and Avalina.
"So, Reno" he said when the noise level died down. "How's it coming with the chopper?"
Reno leaned forward, hastily swallowing a mouthful of meat pie. "Well, it's taken me two days, but I've finally cleared that gunky shit from her engine. Thing is, I've got holes in the fuel intake, and every time I start her up it starts leakin'. She'd still fly, but a tank of fuel would only last half as long."
"Can she carry spare tanks?" Cloud asked.
"Sure," Reno replied. "But I'd rather get a new intake pipe."
Cloud watched a weary look cross Roger's face. Tania and Sid had frozen, their forks held in midair.
"So we have to break into the tank factory again?" Yuri asked. "Last time, Vincent..."
Vincent flinched, and Yuri let the sentence hang. They all remembered when they'd scrambled out of the factory, stolen parts stashed in packs, to find Tania unconscious on the loading dock, and Vincent on his knees with a gun held to the back of his head. If Leon and Cloud had hesitated that day, Vincent would have died. Cloud wasn't exactly keen on reliving the incident.
"It won't be nearly as risky this time. We can use the chopper, drop everyone in, and as long as I'm careful with how much I tax her, we should have plenty of fuel to get us back here." Reno speared a dumpling with his fork. "Easy in, easy out."
Cloud leaned back in his chair. "I'll go in alone. I know what to look for."
Tania and Leon spluttered. "What?" Tania shrieked. "You can't go in there by yourself!"
"That's nuts, yo!" Reno coughed.
"I can do it." Cloud gave Reno a significant glance. "Trust me. You fly me there, I'll drop in, get the parts, and get out. Easy in, easy out, right?"
The entire table watched Cloud without blinking. Reno sat back, having apparently understood. Roger, Sid, and Vincent looked at each other darkly, and Yuri and Avalina were staring at Cloud as if they'd never seen him before. Leon frowned, and Edward shook his head, staring at his plate.
Reno nodded. "Okay. But we'll stay on station and cover you. I'm not gonna let you get yourself killed."
Cloud smiled gratefully. "Don't worry. I can handle it."
Silence fell on the room for a long moment. It wasn't until Sid spoke that the rest of Cloud's friends regained their voices.
"Well," Sid remarked, raising his pint. "To Curt; our resident nutcase."
"Here, here," the others responded, raising their own glasses.
Cloud raised his, nodding at them, joining the toast. "Thanks," he said.
"Well, dig in," Avalina said, gesturing at the food. "I didn't make all this just for these guys." She jerked her head toward Reno and Sid.
"Bon appetit," Reno added.

Cloud and Leon left the dining room together. They'd excused themselves early, to the amusement of the others. Leon had insisted on fondling Cloud under the table; stroking his thigh, and palming his groin. He'd done it all with an evil, cheeky smirk on his face while Cloud was left flustered and distracted. When he hadn't been able to take it anymore, he'd excused himself from the table, and dragged Leon along behind him.
Now, as he staggered up the stairs, Leon's hands already roaming his body, he felt his embarrassment fading, replaced by fresh excitement. His body responded to Leon on instinct-- his pulse quickening, blood racing through his veins. He could feel the blood rushing downward, flesh engorging with arousal as he opened the door to his room, Leon's hands holding his hips.
"The things I'm gonna do to you," Leon growled, kissing the back of Cloud's neck. His hands slipped down, rubbing Cloud's inner thighs as his erection-- rigid through the black trousers-- brushed against Cloud's ass. Leon thrust absentmindedly, rutting himself against his lover with a grunt.
They fell through the doorway, the door slamming shut behind Leon. The brunette stalked toward Cloud, who backed toward the bed, unclipping the one belt that he knew Leon had trouble with. He tossed it aside, watching Leon unbutton his shirt, slipping it out from under the suspenders and discarding it. He reached Cloud, his deft hands removing the twin leather belts at Cloud's waist with ease.
"Did you have to molest me during dinner?" Cloud asked fiercely, a delightful tingling spreading everywhere Leon touched him.
"Couldn't keep my hands off you," Leon replied, gripping handfuls of Cloud's ass. He squeezed, and watched pleasure flash in Cloud's eyes. He pulled Cloud's hips against his own, and both of them groaned.
Cloud's sweater was quick to join the other garments on the floor, and Leon ducked to ravish the blonde's chest. His tongue and fingers found every sensitive spot, mapping Cloud's chest by touch. Cloud groaned, his eyes closing as Leon's teeth found his nipple, pinching the tender bud. Leon's palms pressed against Cloud's tensed abdominals, their warmth spreading through him like fire.
Cloud unclipped Leon's suspenders, pushing them slowly off those strong shoulders, caressing his warm skin. His hands slid up Leon's neck to his head, fingers winding in silky chocolate hair, massaging his scalp as he continued his assault on Cloud's chest.
Leon's knees hit the floor. Cloud could feel his wet kisses drifting down, past his bellybutton, stopping just above the rim of his black pants. Leon's skillful fingers undid the catch on Cloud's pants with practiced ease, slipping the garment away, leaving him in nothing but his boxers.
"Why do you dress like this?" Leon asked. "Like some dragon-slaying hero?"
"It's comfortable," Cloud replied as his boots were removed, followed quickly by his socks.
"There's more to it than that," Leon pressed. "If you just wanted to dress comfortably, you'd be wearing sweaters and trousers."
Cloud frowned, considering. "It separates me from them."
"The Nazis?"
"Yes. If I dress normally, I'd feel like just another brainwashed citizen of the Reich. And I'm not."
"You don't need to dress different for me to know that." Leon slid Cloud's boxers away. "I know you're nothing like them." He smiled up at Cloud affectionately. "You're everything a German should be. Everything they were before Hitler stole their spirit. Brave, kind-hearted, intelligent, moral." Leon planted a kiss between each of the listed qualities.
He returned to his feet, kissing Cloud's neck and collarbone, his long hair brushing Cloud's flesh. His eyes were closed, finding his way along Cloud's body by touch.
Cloud reached down, pushing away Leon's trousers and briefs while Leon kicked off his shoes. The garments joined the others on the wooden floor, and Cloud's body pressed to Leon's, both of them naked.
Cloud's hands caressed Leon's sides and Leon grasped his cheeks, their lips meeting in a deep, slow, erotic kiss. Cloud groaned, granting Leon's tongue access to his mouth.
Cloud gripped the small of Leon's back, slowly backing toward the bed and dragging Leon with him. The brunet quickly took the lead, pushing Cloud backward, a smirk splitting his face. He nipped at Cloud's jaw, his hand gripping Cloud's shoulders forcefully.
Cloud's knees hit the edge of the mattress, and he toppled backward, catching himself and scrambling onto the bed. Leon grinned-- a predatory smile that bared his white teeth.
He prowled up the bed after Cloud, his lips finding Cloud's neck as his body pressed to Cloud's, pinning him. Cloud caressed every inch of Leon he could reach, pressing his palms and fingertips firmly into flesh, finding all the little spots that made Leon groan.
Leon's hips ground against Cloud, drawing a ragged shout as their erections brushed together. Pleasure shot up Cloud's spine, and he bucked against Leon, trying to get more of the sensation. The friction.
Leon sucked softly at Cloud's Adam's apple, feeling his throat vibrate with each whimpered sound. He moved up, kissing along Cloud's jaw, up his cheek, and to his temple, weaving his fingers into blonde hair.
Cloud's hands were on Leon's waist, twin patches of heat on his skin. Leon nuzzled into the spot where Cloud's neck met his jaw, pausing there. He licked and kissed the soft skin for a moment before moving down.
His kisses traveled down, along Cloud's throat, over his collarbone, down the center of his chest. His hands followed, caressing each inch his lips missed. Cloud gasped as Leon's fingers danced over his chest, pinching his nipples and rolling the sensitive buds of flesh and nerves. Cloud's back arched, his cock twitching and leaking precum.
Leon lips had descended to Cloud's stomach, just above the beginning of the patch of hair. He nipped at the skin below Cloud's bellybutton, leaving sucking kisses there as his hands rubbed downward, over Cloud's hips and along his thighs.
Leon shifted further down the bed until his mouth was level with Cloud's cock. He looked up at Cloud and found blue eyes looking back at him. Anticipation hovered in the blonde's eyes, his lips slightly parted. Leon smiled, and ducked down, taking a hold of the base of Cloud's cock and sliding his mouth around it.
Cloud felt Leon's warm, wet lips close around him and he moaned. His hands clenched fistfuls of the sheets, his hips thrusting up into the slick heat of Leon's mouth. He felt the brunet's tongue slide against him, it's smooth surface lighting his nerves. Pleasure jumped along his body. He groaned as Leon sucked; the sensation was fantastic.
"God, Leon..." Cloud breathed, writhing and bucking against the other man. A pleasant tingling was spreading from his toes and fingers, creeping up his arms and legs and settling in the pit of his stomach. Cloud moaned wantonly, his head pressing back into the pillow as Leon drew back to tongue the head of his cock, sweeping the underside and dipping into the slit.
Cloud's salty flavour washed over Leon's tongue as the thick flesh in his mouth weeped precum. Leon swallowed Cloud's cock once more before releasing it from his lips with a pop.
Cloud lay limp against the sheets, his chest heaving, as Leon crept back up the bed. His knees pushed Cloud's thighs apart, his arms bracketing Cloud's head. Cloud met his gaze as he lay down atop him, his comforting weight holding him to the bed. His hips were nestled against Cloud's.
The room was quiet save for their ragged panting and the rustle of their bodies moving on the sheets. But Leon and Cloud could hear their pulses pounding in their ears.
Leon reached blindly into the bedside drawer, feeling around for the bottle of mineral oil he knew was in there, all the while letting his lips roam Cloud's body. He was nipping and kissing Cloud's shoulder when his fingers found the bottle. Cloud was smiling.
"What?" Leon asked. "My fumbling amusing you?"
Cloud didn't reply, pulling Leon into another kiss. It was deep; so deep Leon could barely breathe. Cloud's tongue forced it's way into his mouth, and the erotic suggestion made Leon's cock twitch eagerly. Cloud was pressing up into him, his body slick with sweat, his hands grabbing at Leon.
Leon pulled away, gasping, and knelt between Cloud's legs. He popped the cap on the bottle, pouring the oil into his palm. Cloud was watching him intently, blue eyes catching the moonlight like teal prisms. In the dim lighting, his blonde hair looked white. Leon felt a jolt of adrenaline jump through him, and a fleeting image of a man with long white hair danced across his vision. He didn't know who it was, but primal fear raced through him.
Cloud must have noticed his uncertainty. "What?"
"N... nothing. Something just... came into my head." Leon gulped. "Like a memory."
Hope surged through Cloud, but at the same time he worried. What had Leon nearly remembered? Why had he looked so frightened? "What was it?"
"A man. Kinda like this Gerhard... long white hair... teal eyes--"
He never finished the sentence. Cloud had frozen, his eyes betraying the same fear that Leon had felt leap through him. His eyes were wide, his body so still he barely moved. He swallowed, quickly composing himself, but the abject terror on his face haunted Leon. The description had meant something to Cloud. Something bad.
"Are you okay?" Leon asked. "Curt, what is it?"
"Nothing," Cloud whispered. "It was nothing..."
"It didn't look like nothing. You just about--"
Cloud grabbed Leon's cheeks and kissed him hard, cutting off what he'd been about to say. When they parted, Leon's eyes were closed, pleasure flickering across his features. Cloud flicked his thumb across Leon's lower lip.
"Where were we?"
Leon's grin was cheeky. "Nice way to change the subject." He shoved Cloud back into the sheets, slicking two fingers.
He lowered his hand, finding Cloud's clenched entrance; circling it with an oily fingertip. Cloud groaned, pushing his hips down on Leon's hand. Leon smiled, and thrust both fingers into Cloud's body, opening him with practiced ease.
Cloud's cry broke the quiet quite spectacularly. Those downstairs had surely heard it, Leon thought. They'd have been deaf not to.
Cloud was tight around his fingers. Muscles clenched and unclenched as Cloud quivered, groaning and whimpering as Leon's fingers pumped in and out. Just watching Cloud pant and writhe had the brunet ready to push inside and pound so hard into him that he'd forget who he was.
He added a third finger, pressing hard into Cloud's prostate, listening to the shout of pleasure. He thrust the digits into his lover, twisting, pushing, hooking, and stroking. Cloud growled, hips thrusting up, moving with Leon's hand.
"Come on, Leon! Just fuck me!" Cloud demanded, his voice husky and heavy with arousal.
Leon withdrew his fingers, opening the bottle of oil again to slick his cock. Cloud hooked his legs on Leon's waist, watching the other man shift, positioning himself at Cloud's entrance. He felt the blunt pressure, and felt himself relax in anticipation.
Slowly and tantalizingly, Leon slid into him, slipping deeper and deeper until he was completely inside. Cloud groaned and panted, feeling himself stretch to accommodate Leon. He could feel his solid length buried inside him. Heat and pressure and a delightful fullness spread through him.
Leon was still for a moment, letting Cloud relax. Tight flesh gripped him. When Cloud's passage relaxed enough that the grip was no longer near-painful, Leon moved, pulling out almost completely before thrusting back in. Cloud moaned loudly, his hands resting on Leon's shoulders, holding on for dear life as Leon set up a fast, hard rhythm.
Cloud cupped the back of Leon's head with his left hand, tangling his fingers in chocolate strands. He let his eyes slide shut, and for a moment, he could imagine he was home. In his bed in Midgar, in the shadow of the ruins of the Shinra Tower, with Squall Leonhart driving him into the mattress.
Leon hit Cloud's prostate hard, and Cloud shouted, pleasure jolting through him. Leon's breath came in hot gasps against Cloud's neck, and he was starting to make small, desperate noises.
Cloud felt his orgasm starting to build, felt a pleasure like no other settling in the pit of his stomach, growing with each of Leon's powerful thrusts. His muscles were slowly tightening.
Leon's head ducked to Cloud's chest, planting kisses on his sweat-soaked skin as he thrust steadily in and out, not letting up. His breathing was shallow and rapid, at pace with the prostrate blonde beneath him.
They rocked together, the bed creaking on the old wood floor, the mattress giving a little too much beneath them. Cloud's thighs clenched around Leon's torso, his fingers digging into the brunet's skin. He was keening.
Leon's small sounds had turned to grunts of pleasure as he drove into Cloud. He reached between them, stroking Cloud's cock in time with his thrusts, drawing a loud, needy sound from the blonde.
Cloud leaned up, kissing Leon roughly. His body ached with need, his hips grinding up to meet Leon's. "Harder..." Cloud gasped. "Harder, Leon..."
Leon growled low in his throat, pounding mercilessly into his lover. Each thrust drove his shaft against the bundle of nerves inside Cloud, pushing the man higher-- closer. Electricity danced on nerve-endings.
Leon quivered, his voice wavering as he spoke. "I'm so... so close." He captured Cloud's mouth in a sloppy kiss, his body throbbing.
Cloud felt the pressure and tightness reaching critical mass. He was riding that fine line between buildup and release. He could feel his body starting to slip over. "Oh God, Leon... ahh... Squall!"
"What?"
"Nevermind..." Cloud gasped before moaning-- a loud, animal sound. His body spasmed, his orgasm hitting him like a tidal wave. He cried out over and over, calling Leon's name as his muscles clenched and his cock spat warm, sticky fluid over his chest and stomach. His hands scrabbled over Leon's back, slipping on his slick skin.
His vision whited out at the edges; he struggled to breathe. Pleasure washed over him, blowing away everything else, leaving him sensitive and tingling. His whole world was pleasure and sensation.
When he came back to himself and forced his eyes to open he saw Leon, still thrusting breathlessly, sweat dripping from his dark hair. His lips were parted as he gasped, his hips moving erratically.
"Come for me, Leon," Cloud groaned, his oversensitive body jolting each time Leon's cock hit his prostate.
The brunet atop him cried out, his hips twitching and stilling, buried to the hilt inside Cloud. Warmth spilled into him as Leon's cries turned to a single drawn-out groan, his hips pushing against Cloud with each spurt. "Ahh... fuck... Curt..."
Leon went limp, sluggishly pulling out of Cloud and rolling off him. His toned chest heaved with each gasping breath, his softening erection streaked with cum. Cloud rolled onto his side-- his muscles protesting the movement-- and molded himself to Leon's side.
The sheets were wet with perspiration, and Cloud shivered in the cool air. He would have pulled the blankets over them, but he could barely move. He instead huddled against Leon's warmth. The only sound in the room was their raspy breaths.
For a long time they just lay there, Cloud's arm rested comfortably over Leon's chest. Their breathing slowed to a normal rhythm, their heartbeats easing too. Cloud's cheek leaned on Leon's shoulder.
Cloud was sure Leon had fallen asleep, and was starting to drift off himself when his lover spoke.
"I saw you today," he said quietly. "I saw what you did to those training dummies."
Cloud paused. Did he mean...? He thought he'd been alone. "What do you mean?"
"Don't try that on me. I saw you throw a fireball from your own hand!" Leon still managed to sound flabbergasted through the weariness. "You were damned happy about it too. Like you'd been hoping it'd happen." Leon looked over, locking his eyes on Cloud's. "How did you do that?"
"I learned how a long time--"
"Curt, that's not something normal people can just learn how to do!"
"It's a long story..."
Leon caught the dark look that crossed Cloud's face. "Are you going to tell me?"
The silence was answer enough. Leon listened to Cloud breathe for a full half minute before the blonde replied. "Not right now." A pained look crossed his face, the moonlight reflecting off his porcelain skin.
"I don't think you're some kind of freak, if that's what you're worried about," Leon said, then chuckled. "Says one pansy to another."
Cloud winced. "That doesn't make us freaks."
"Tell that to the rest of the world."
Cloud tightened his grip on Leon, burying his face into his well-muscled shoulder. He inhaled that fresh musk that was Leon's scent; feeling warm, supple flesh beneath his palm. "Is the rest of the world in this room?"
"No," Leon replied.
"Then it doesn't matter."
Leon smiled-- a warm, genuine smile that lit his face-- and leaned over to kiss Cloud. It was a brief, chaste kiss, but Cloud's heart beat a little faster nonetheless.
He may have been the only one who remembered their other life, but it didn't matter. They were still together. They still loved each other. They may not have been in Midgar, but this... this was home.