Pursuit

Author's Note: Once again, I apologize for the quality of this work. Enjoy some porn.

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Pursuit

Leon sighed, frowning, and watched his blond friend amble around the marketplace. Cloud had been moping around for days. At least, on the days he was there and not out looking for Sephiroth. After all, it was the silver-haired man's fault that he couldn't be close to his old friends, no matter how much he longed for them.

Mind made up in that moment, the brunet turned and started toward the Dark Depths. Cloud was suffering far too much for him to stand. Besides, he could swallow his pride just this once, right? No one would be there to see him…

Coming out on the cliff, Leon stopped and frowned. He could have sworn he'd seen the man he was looking for here. …Well, screw that thought… Turning to leave, he gasped as he found the silver-haired psycho standing right in front of him.

"Looking for me?" Sephiroth asked, smirking, as he raised an eyebrow.

Not one to show she was intimidated, Leon merely nodded. "Yes."

The silver-haired man raised his other eyebrow and crossed his arms, now intrigued. "Why."

"What would it take for you to leave Cloud alone for just one day? To have you stop torturing him for just one day of his life?" Leon asked, scowling.

Sephiroth took a step back and frowned in thought. "Hmm… Interesting… What would you do to see him relaxed for just one day?"

The brunet looked down at his feet. "…I… I'd do anything."

"And does Cloud know about your feelings?"

The brunet growled and looked back up at the one-winged angel, stormy eyes blazing. "No. He sees us as comrades, maybe even friends, but he'd never see me as anything more. …And I don't want to see the look of disgust in his eyes if he ever finds out."

Sephiroth smirked again, hand swooping up to tangle into the chocolate-colored hair and grip tightly as he yanked the shorter man's head back roughly. "Then I believe I've found the perfect thing as payment for giving little Cloud one day to relax."

Leon whimpered against his will as he was forced onto his knees. It was obvious now what the taller man wanted. That didn't mean he had to be happy about it.

"What's the matter, Squall? Having second thoughts?" Sephiroth gave his hair a sharp twist.

"Ah!" Leon flinched, then fumbled with the button and zipper of Sephiroth's pants, self-disgust growing inside him. Freeing the silver-haired man's erection, he flinched, then sighed. 'Come on, Leon. You're gay. This shouldn't be so hard.'

Leaning forward, he gave the erection a tentative lick. Sephiroth groaned and gripped his hair tighter. Leon flinched again, then shut his eyes tightly and took as much of the erection as he could into his mouth, sucking softly. Sephiroth growled, shoving the brunet's head down as he bucked his hips.

Leon gagged, reaching up and grabbing some silver hair quickly, then continued, bobbing his head up and down quickly. The sooner he got it over with, the sooner he could leave and try to wash this memory from his mind. He began sucking harder and gripped the hair in his hand so hard that his nails began to dig into his palms and draw blood, staining the silvery hair red.

A few minutes later (which felt like eternity on both ends, though for very separate reasons), Leon nearly choked on the hot, heavy cum shot down his throat. He jerked back quickly, panting, and wiped the drool from his chin, standing up quickly and beginning to walk away.

"Leon…" The brunet stopped, eyes widening. Sephiroth turned toward him and smirked. "If you come back tomorrow, I could probably find some amount of pity to give Cloud another day darkness-free."

Leon stared at his feet for a few silent minutes, frowning, then nodded slowly. "Fine."

-x-x-x-

Cloud glanced around quickly, making sure no one could see him, then smiled and stretched his arms over his head. He'd never felt so free, so happy. It was like Sephiroth had simply just disappeared. It had been like that for the last three weeks. …Maybe he should spar with someone. For fun. He hadn't sparred for fun in a long time. This meant that Leon would be the prime target.

"Yuffie?" Cloud asked, walking over to the ninja. "Where's Leon?"

Yuffie frowned and crossed her arms, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Um… I think I saw him heading toward the Dark Depths. Didn't bother following him. He's been really agitated lately. And tired. …And he gets new bruises every day. And have you noticed that he hasn't been wearing his leather clothes lately? Just lots of baggy stuff. It's really a shame, considering he had a body to really be proud of."

Cloud frowned and crossed his arms as well. "Hmm… That doesn't sound right, considering that it's Leon. I'm going to go check on him."

The ninja raised her hands up and shook her head. "Hey, better you than me."

The blond shrugged and started walking. Seeing Leon might make his day. And maybe he might even make the other man's day too! Cloud smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets. The thought of him making Leon happy was not only funny, but made him feel a little hope. He really liked the brunet. The guy's sarcastic comments made him smile.

"Ah-! Ah! No, please! I… I-! Stop! …Please…?"

Cloud froze, frowning. That had been Leon's voice, undoubtedly. …But… who was he begging to stop?

"No… No, God, please! Nnnnngh!"

Creeping around the corner, the blond was horrified by what he saw.

Leon dug his nails into Sephiroth's shoulders and arched his back, tears streaking down his cheeks as the larger man pounded into him roughly. "No! That hurts-! Ah…! Why are you doing this to me…?" he asked weakly, staring up into the intense green eyes above him, before whimpering as he felt the now familiar sensation of having hot cum shot into him.

Sephiroth groaned and pulled out of him unceremoniously, getting to his feet and dressing as if he hadn't just raped the leader of the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee. "You know why I do this. You're the one that came and asked me what it would take to have me leave Cloud alone for one day. I told you; you're the one that keeps coming back, prostituting yourself for a man that will never return your feelings."

Leon bit his bottom lip, shaking, then turned onto his side and sobbed softly. Sephiroth had a way with words, didn't he? Especially when it came to making someone feel lower than dirt. Lifting himself with his arms weakly, he reached out for his boxers and sniffed a little, wanting to cover himself.

Cloud stared at the man so pathetically sprawled across the ground and tried to process what he'd just seen and heard. Leon was… having sex with Sephiroth? Ew! And why was he doing that? What had Sephiroth said?

"You're the one that came and asked me what it would take to have me leave Cloud alone for one day."

…For him?

The blond groaned softly and covered his mouth, feeling as if he was going to puke. His good friend had given up his morals, his pride, all for him! Cloud could feel anger bubbling up inside of him; did he really look that pathetic that Leon felt he had to do this for him?

"I told you; you're the one that keeps coming back, prostituting yourself for a man that will never return your feelings."

Leon had looked so heartbroken and dejected after that last statement. It was like he just… gave up and let Sephiroth win. And with Sephiroth's lack of caring (even in the cruelest sense), it was safe to say that the silver-haired man had used that insult to break the brunet dozens of times.

…So… Leon was in love with him?

Leon leaned back against the rock wall, sighing, and ran his fingers through his hair. He felt worthless, dirty; it was safe to say he needed to take a shower, and possibly drown himself while he was in there. No one would care. Especially not Cloud. Well, Sephiroth might care, but only because he'd be left without his precious little whore to rape.

"Hmph… Precious little whore… I'd be lucky to deserve being called even that," he stated disdainfully, wiping away his tears. "I'm probably not even worth that much."

Kicking the ground with a bare foot, too lost in despair to put his shoes on, he began walking, eyes locked on the earth his feet come down upon. He was so lost in despair, in fact, that he walked right past the blond man with bright blue eyes that he was in love with.

-x-x-x-

Cloud had since then been pursuing the Gunblade wielder. He was dying to know whether what Sephiroth had said was true or not; he had to hear it from the brunet himself. But each time they talked, Leon refused to make eye-contact. He wouldn't even lift his gaze from the ground. His voice was soft, and timid. It wasn't commanding like it used to be.

And the poor man's appearance… His hair was limp, and it failed to have its familiar, glossy sheen. He was thin, giving off the appearance of one who hasn't eaten as much as he needs to, and muscles were losing their definition. He'd even stopped going to the Dark Depths with his Gunblade in tow. And the blond had noticed that when he and Leon sparred, the other's movements were sluggish, tired. …Drained.

His clothing had gone from tight leather to loose fitting cotton shirts and jeans to baggy cargo pants and even baggier sweatshirts. He didn't talk as much as he used to (which was saying something, because he didn't talk much to begin with) and he rarely ever answered questions directed at him without a shrug or a nod or shake of his head. It was like the confidence had been leeched out of him.

Sephiroth was killing him, Cloud finally realized in horror. Sephiroth was making Leon go into a depression that, sooner or later, the brunet would try to escape. Cloud remembered that feeling of hopelessness and sadness, when he just wanted to die, but couldn't, because that would be letting Sephiroth win. …But… Leon wasn't being threatened by darkness like he had been.

"Well, technically, you're the one whose killing him," his little Yuffie conscience stated pointedly, making him flinch. "I mean, he's doing it because he loves you. It's your entire fault that he's suffering. Which means that you have to do something to fix it."

Seeing Leon already trudging toward the ravine trail, Cloud sighed, then faked a smile and waved. "Hey, Leon!"

The brunet flinched, then turned his head slowly, not taking his eyes off of the ground. "…Hi."

"Watcha doin'?" He fell into step beside the older man and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"…Nothing…"

"Well then where are you going?" The blond couldn't help but cackle triumphantly in his head as his friend blushed, eyes wide in an 'oh-shit-I've-been-caught' expression. It was cute.

Leon bit his bottom lip, tears coming to his eyes. 'Why are you doing this to me? I'm just trying to help you, and—'

"Well, whatever. I was just heading to the Dark Depths. You wanna come?" Cloud asked, tilting his head.

Leon stopped walking, horrified. "I… I…" He knew. God damn it, Cloud knew! Turning his head away, he closed his eyes tightly. "…If you know why I leave everyday, just leave me alone. This… This is just being cruel."

So saying, he began sprinting toward the Dark Depths, tears rolling down his cheeks slowly. He didn't want to see the disgust or the loathing in the blond's beautiful eyes.

-x-x-x-

Cloud sighed and trudged toward Merlin's house, where he knew everyone else would be. Sora and Tifa were chatting idly, as were Donald and Goofy. He just wanted to find Leon to tell him that he'd never have to see Sephiroth again. After all… wasn't that what the brunet wanted?

"Where's Leon?" Cloud asked as soon as he opened the door.

Leon turned his head, sighing, and answered, "Here."

"I want to talk to you." He glanced around the room. "…Outside."

The brunet flinched and stood up, following the younger man out of the house. 'Oh, crap… What's he gonna do, beat me up for being a fag? Thought he had more tolerance than that…'

Cloud crossed his arms when they finally made it to the bailey, and sighed, then turned toward Leon, scowling. "Sephiroth can't hurt you anymore. He's dead; I destroyed him."

Leon began to look up at him, then thought better of it; he didn't need to see Cloud's disdain. "…Oh. Thanks."

"'Thanks'? Is that all you have to say?" Cloud shouted, finally losing his temper with the brunet's attitude. "I risked my life to kill that guy just so he'd stop hurting you—"

"You didn't have to, Cloud!" Leon snapped, not daring to take his eyes off of the ground. "I was fine—"

"So you were begging him to stop raping you because you were fine?" Cloud grabbed Leon's sweatshirt and yanked him closer. "You were crying because you were fine? You're wearing these baggy clothes because you're FINE?"

The older man winced and grabbed Cloud's wrists, trying to push him away. "…Just stop, Cloud… You're just making it worse…"

"Why? Because you love me?" he asked sharply, blue eyes glowing. "Why can't you just look at me and say it yourself? Why can't you look me in the eye and tell me you love me?"

Leon finally looked up at him, tears beginning to well up in his eyes as he exclaimed, "Because I don't want to see the hate in your eyes when I do!" He looked back down at the ground and began shaking with silent sobs.

Cloud frowned, releasing the sweatshirt he was holding and slid his hands up to the other man's shoulders. "…Why would you think I'd hate you?"

"Because that's what he did," Leon whispered, reaching up and trying in vain to wipe away his tears. "That's what I said to Seifer, and he gave me this scar."

The blond pulled him closer and sighed, rubbing his hand in comforting circles along the small of his back. "I'd never do that, Leon. …I care about you."

Leon growled and shoved him away. "Oh, just stop it! You don't have to humor me just because you think I look pathetic! I don't need your pity!" he snarled, walking toward the hotel.

Cloud blinked, then scowled and started after him. "Stop walking away you coward!"

Leon stopped in his tracks and sighed, glaring at his feet. 'I should have just denied everything.'

Cloud walked in front of him and grabbed his shoulders, yanking him forward roughly. Leon gasped as he suddenly found the blond's lips crushed against his. When he felt a persistent tongue probing for admission, he growled and slapped the blond across the face, more tears beginning to form. Cloud touched his cheek, stunned, then looked up at the older man in confusion.

Leon wiped his mouth and began walking toward the hotel again. "I don't want your pity. I don't need it. Don't treat me like you love me back. I know you don't care."

Cloud pulled his hand away from his cheek quickly, a worse pain crushing his chest. Leon thought he was just doing it because he felt bad for him? Not because he shared his feelings? Why did he lack so much faith?

His Yuffie conscience decided it was time to make her appearance again. "No offense, but you haven't really treated him as well as you should have."

Cloud scowled and crossed his arms. 'Because he was giving Sephiroth exactly what he wanted!'

"Because he cares about you," Yuffie-Conscience stated.

'…But… I'd like to try a relationship with him…'

"A romantic one? Well then you gotta tell him that, stupid! Look what he just came out of! Sephiroth was raping him, you moron! You can't just come out of nowhere and snog him! He'll think you're making fun of him!"

'But… but if I said that, he'd still think I was pitying him…'

"Then pursue him until he finally gives in, duh. I mean, he's going to have to see eventually that you mean what you say."

'Really?'

"Leon's not stupid. He's just scared. Besides, he's already told you he'd admitted his feelings before with negative results. You can't expect him to just open up to you. Life doesn't work like that, sweetie."

Cloud sighed and rubbed the back of his head in defeat. 'Fine, I'll trust you. You seem to know what you're doing, at least.'

"Of course I am, Cloud. I'm the great ninja Yuffie."

-x-x-x-

Leon sighed, glancing around anxiously. Cloud had been cornering him a lot lately, and it made him nervous. He was afraid that he'd give in soon, only to find that the blond had just been being cruel to torture him emotionally. He knew it wasn't true, but hell; forgive him for being paranoid.

"Hey, Leon!" Sora exclaimed, running up beside him. "Aerith sent me to tell you that dinner's ready."

Leon shrugged slightly. "I'm not hungry."

Sora scowled and crossed his arms, puffing his cheeks out in a cute pout. "You're already too thin, Leon. It's gross. Just come eat."

"No," he answered firmly, then added in his head, 'Because Cloud will be there.'

Sora sighed. "Fine, fine. …Don't blame me if Aerith gives you a talkin' to for skipping dinner again, though."

Leon looked down at his feet and sighed. 'I'll just grab something on the way back to the hotel…'

"Leon…" He flinched and stopped in his tracks. Cloud crossed his arms and frowned, sighing softly. "It's been three months. How long do I have to keep chasing after you?"

Leon sighed again and closed his eyes. "…How long do you have to keep chasing after me until you realize I don't want your pity?"

Cloud's eyebrow twitched. 'What did he just—'

"Calm down, Cloud."

He growled as the older man started walking again. 'Aaahhhh… Screw this!'

"Cloud!"

Leon squeaked as he was slammed into the wall of the bailey, then whimpered as Cloud wrapped his arms around his waist. "What are you doing?"

Cloud turned the taller man to face him, then replaced his arms around his waist, nuzzling his face into his neck. "…Stop pushing me away," he murmured, frowning. "I care about you. I can't stand you pushing me away anymore, Leon. I'd do anything just to have you look me in the eye again."

"Will you— will you just stop!" Leon exclaimed, trying to push him away. "I don't need your fucking—"

"IT'S NOT FROM PITY!" Cloud shouted, leaning back and glaring at him. "How many times do I have to say that, Leon? It's not from pity! I'm fucking in love with you, dumb ass!"

Leon winced, then looked away from him quickly, blushing a little. "…How… would I know that what you're saying is the truth…?" he asked softly, frowning.

Cloud reached up and cupped his cheeks, sighing, then stroked his cheek bones with his thumbs gently. "Let me make love to you." When the brunet flinched, he leaned forward and started kissing his face softly. "You know what meaningless sex is… courtesy of Sephiroth… So let me make love to you so you can feel the difference," he murmured, kissing first Leon's forehead, then his cheeks, his chin, his nose, and finally his eyelids. "Let me make love to you, Leon… Let me prove that my feelings are real, not pity driven…"

The older man hesitated, then slowly nodded his head. "Okay."

-x-x-x-

Cloud laid Leon down on his bed gently, taking care to keep his eyes on his face; he'd started squirming wildly when the blond had begun slipping his hands up his shirt just outside. He straddled the brunet's hips carefully, resting his hands on either side of his head, and leaned down, face just inches away from the other man's.

"Is this okay, Leon?" he asked softly, eyelids beginning to sag.

Leon nodded slightly, gripping the thick blanket in his hands tightly. "Yes."

"May I continue?"

He nodded again. "Yes."

Cloud smiled slightly and began kissing his neck softly. Slipping his fingers beneath Leon's baggy sweatshirt, he slid the article of clothing up, exposing a deliciously pale torso. He ran his fingers over the smooth, firm skin curiously, tilting his head a little; the brunet had once been tan, but months of hiding hickeys from everyone had caused it to bleach again.

Flinching as he began playing with one of his nipples, Leon reached up and grabbed his shoulders. "Cloud—"

"Sorry, sorry," Cloud murmured, lifting the sweatshirt higher. Once the article of clothing was off, he tossed it to the side and leaned down, pressing kiss after soft kiss to Leon's collarbone.

"C-Cloud, I—" Leon started hesitantly, then flinched and looked away as the blond turned his intense azure gaze on him.

"Yes, Leon?"

"I… Could I…"

Cloud tilted his head, frowning. "Leon?"

Leon nibbled on his bottom lip anxiously, then whispered, "Can I touch you too?"

The blond smiled and leaned down, placing a soft, chaste kiss on unresisting lips. "Of course you can, Leon. In fact, please. Touch me."

Leon blushed a little, still worrying his lip, then reached up tentatively, slowly unzipping the blond's vest. He leaned up and hesitantly licked Cloud's chest, stripping the vest off of him. He let out a squeak as the blond yanked his pants down and looked down quickly, blushing even more. Cloud threw his pants to the side and leaned down, kissing down from his neck to his abs, right to the waistband of his boxers.

He glanced up at Leon questioningly. "May I?" When his answer was a nod, he smiled. "Thank you."

Leon cringed as he was left naked beneath the blond, then grabbed his hand before he could touch him. "No!"

Cloud frowned and laced fingers with him, gently lifting the back of Leon's hand to his lips. "Please trust me, Leon. I won't hurt you."

Leon winced as Cloud's other hand slipped down, then turned his head away, eyes shut tightly. Cloud gripped his erection and began running his hand up and down it, grip tightening on the other man's hand. Leon bit his lip and began bucking his hips up to thrust into his hand, reaching his free hand up to slip around the blond's neck and tangled his fingers in the soft, feathery hair.

"Ah… Cloud… I…"

Cloud released the brunet's hand and reached down, unbuttoning his own pants quickly. Watching the older man writhe beneath him was turning him on even more; the sounds he made were incredibly arousing as well, considering he'd only whimpered or snarled when he came in contact with him before.

"Ah-! Cloud! What the hell!" Leon exclaimed, glaring at the blond as he stopped jerking him off.

Cloud leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the lips, then whispered, "Sorry, Leon, but I can't have you shooting yet."

Leon growled softly, opening his mouth to snap a comeback, but all that came out was a weak, startled cry as he felt an oil-slicked finger slip inside of him. "Ah! Nngh-! C-Cloud…"

"Is this okay?" Cloud asked softly, slipping a second finger into him and beginning to scissor his fingers. "Or would you like me to stop?"

Leon whimpered dug his fingers into the blond's hair, tears springing to his eyes. "I… I don't… Mn…" He bit his bottom lip, then looked up at him. "Sephiroth never prepared me."

Cloud leaned down and sealed their lips together quickly as he pushed a third finger in, tongues dancing around each other roughly, fighting for dominance. He won after a few moments, then leaned back, trailing kisses along the brunet's neck and collarbone.

"…Cloud?" Leon asked softly, stroking the blond hair unconsciously.

Cloud sucked on his collarbone a few seconds, leaving a hickey, before looking up at him. "Hmm?"

"I… It's…" He blushed and looked away. "…I think I'm ready."

Cloud frowned slightly. "Are you sure?"

"I'm not a fucking girl, you moron!" Leon snapped, turning his head to glare at him.

Cloud chuckled softly and pulled his fingers out of him, causing him to whimper. "Well, excuse me."

He cringed as the blond pressed the head of his erection to his entrance and wrapped his arms around his neck quickly. Cloud kissed him softly, comfortingly, then slowly began pushing into him. Leon groaned softly, eyes fluttering closed. The younger man grabbed his hips and sighed, smiling a little, then leaned down and nuzzled his neck.

"Is this okay, Leon?"

"Oh, gods, yes!" he answered, bucking his hips up. "Go!"

Cloud chuckled and began rocking his hips back and forth. Leon moaned and bucked his hips up again, nuzzling his face into Cloud's neck. Cloud glanced at him in surprise, then smiled, beginning to pick up his pace as the older man seemed to relax.

He slid his arms from Leon's hips to his thighs, lifting them slightly. "Wrap your legs around me."

Leon did as he was told and groaned as the new angle caused Cloud to go deeper. "Ah-! Cloud… Ngh…"

Cloud gave a few soft thrusts, then began ramming into him, searching for his prostate. A few minutes later he was rewarded with a sharp gasp and Leon arching his back. "There?"

"Right there, right there! Ah, Cloud!" Leon tossed his head back and groaned. "God, faster! Please!"

The blond smiled and started rocking his hips faster, wrapping his arms around the older man's waist tightly. Sensing his climax coming, he reached around and grabbed Leon's erection, jerking his hand up and down in time with his thrusts.

Leon whimpered and closed his eyes tightly, then let out a soft cry as his muscles clenched and his mind was sent into a world of euphoria as he climaxed. Vaguely he knew that Cloud had climaxed as well, but didn't do much other than hug him tighter. Cloud sighed, nuzzling his neck, before lifting his weight with his arms as he began to pull out.

"No!" Leon exclaimed softly, clutching onto him tighter. "Please don't!"

Cloud blinked, surprised, then smiled and relaxed again, laying his head on the brunet's chest. "Okay, I won't."

They lay like that for a while, basking in the joy of being in each other's arms, before Leon finally murmured, "I guess you don't pity me."

Cloud sighed, nuzzling the older man's chest, before answering, "I never did."