Rufus stared up at the ceiling, his body covered in glistening sweat. Cloud ran his fingers lazily along Rufus's chest. Rufus smiled.
"I don't think," Cloud told him, "I could leave, even if I wanted to now. You own me."
"Own, that sounds harsh." Rufus chuckled slightly as he grinned.
"Hmm, what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing." Rufus grinned and kisses Cloud's fingers. "I've never been in a good mood this long."
"I'd hate to see you in a bad one. You looked pretty imposing back there on the roof."
Rufus chuckled. "I think everyone would." He looked at Cloud. "You think so?"
"Yeah."
Rufus pulled him gently closer and kissed him.
"Now," Cloud continued, "I know you're just a big kitten in there, but you have claws I'm sure."
Rufus chuckled. "Kitten, cute. Yeah, I have a shotgun."
"That could have ended my life quick." Cloud winced.
"I wouldn't want to have killed you. That reminds me." Rufus got up, not bothering to find his clothing.
Cloud sat up in the bed and watched him. Rufus walked over to the closet and searched around inside. He pulled out a large sword and a piece of purple materia. He walked back over to Cloud and handed them to him.
"Here," Rufus told him, "A present for you."
"Ooh, pointy."
Rufus smiled. "Force stealer and hp + materia."
Cloud hefted the blade. "Nice."
Rufus sat down on the bed. "You like it then?"
"Yeah. I hope I won't have to use it anytime soon."
Rufus kissed him. "Me too, but just in case."
"In case one of your pals shows up eh?"
Rufus chuckled. "No, not that. Oh, we need to get your pals up here some how."
"Are they still gonna be pals after they see..." Cloud shrugged.
"If they are your friends..." Rufus grinned.
"I don't know what they are. They followed me blindly."
"Well, shall I send for them?"
"Sure."
"Ok."
"Can't let them think I'm dead."
Rufus stood up and walked to the intercom. He punched a few buttons and spoke into it for a while. When he was done he grinned and turned it off. He walked back to the bed. "I'm having them picked up."
"They are gonna put up a fight..."
"I'm afraid they might, yes." He looked into Cloud's eyes, his own flashing with Mako energy. He rubbed the back of Cloud's neck. "How are you feeling?"
"Pretty energized, considering what we did."
"Yeah." He kissed Cloud's shoulder.
Cloud looked at him and smiled. Rufus smiled back, his eyes still flashing. He gently rubbed Cloud's neck.
Then, asking a question in reference to something Cloud had thought, Rufus said, "Why not?"
"Hmm? Why not what?"
Rufus looked at him and scratched his head. "Nothing I guess."
Cloud looked at him. Rufus was puzzled. "Oh well," Rufus told him, "I do that some times. Think I hear some one say something."
"Hmm, it's almost like..."
"Like what?"
Cloud shook his head. "Neh. Well, I was thinking about not deserving you."
"Thinking? I'm sure I heard you." He sighed.
"I didn't say a thing."
"Damn, this happens to me some times."
Cloud frowned. "Does it upset you?"
"It's just strange. P well, don't think that way then." He kissed Cloud's cheek. "You deserve what you have."
"So, what are we going to do? Or, isn't there much to do here anyway? Ahh, Rufus, I'm sure you could do better than me, but if you don't wanna, I'm game." Cloud smiled mischievously.
"Better?" Rufus chuckled, "No, just you." He kissed Cloud tenderly.
"I'm glad you think that highly of me."
"Thank you."
"I know there's some folks who wanna see me dead."
Rufus nodded. "I know."
"I think I can handle those folk though."
"That's good. I definitely do not want to see you dead."
"Except maybe if I'm drunk, but well, I haven't done that in some time."
"I'll watch out for you, don't worry." He pulled Cloud to him.
"Getting drunk sounds like a good idea actually."
"Why?"
Cloud wiggled his nose. "Can you think of anything better to do? Or a safer place to do it?"
"Meaning?"
"Getting drunk, plastered, with you. Imagine the possibilities."
Rufus grinned and got up again. He walked over to his bar. Grabbing one of the bottles he sniffed the cork. Satisfied, he walked back over to Cloud. He handed him the bottle.
"You want to get drunk?" Rufus asked him, lying back down on the bed.
Cloud took off the cap. "Now, this may seem a little odd, but well, I gotta get my tolerance back up." He stuck the bottle in his mouth and drained it. "Haven't lost my touch."
Rufus grinned. "Good." He pulled him down gently.
Cloud tossed the bottle onto the floor. Rufus kissed him, tasting the alcohol.
"Just make sure," Cloud told him, "I don't swallow my tongue?"
"Heh heh, I'll make sure of that."
"Eh, I feel all warm."
"Lay down then."
Cloud lay down. Rufus pulled him gently across, laying Cloud's head on his chest.
"You have a heart," Cloud murmured, "Thump, thump, thump."
"Yes. It did not die like I once thought."
"I get immature when I'm drunk. I'm a sloppy drunk."
"It's ok."
"I'm prone to wandering too."
Rufus liked the feel of Cloud's hair on his bare chest. He draped his arm across Cloud.
"Hmm," Cloud told him. "This stuff works fast."
Rufus stroked Cloud's chest lovingly.
"Mm," Cloud continued, "You're welcome to take advantage of the drunken little boy."
Rufus chuckled and stroked his chest some more.
"Maybe," giggled Cloud, "If I get drunk on the boat ride..."
Rufus grinned and tickled his chest.
Cloud giggled and balled up. "Stop, stop! I'm super ticklish!"
"Ohh, and I just find this out now?" Rufus grinned wickedly.
"Don't you dare..."
"Heh heh heh." He tickled Cloud's armpits.
"Eee!" Cloud tired to wiggle away.
Rufus kissed Cloud's back and tickled his sides.
"Eck!" Cloud gasped, "I concede, I concede!"
Rufus kissed his back again. "Heh heh."
"Mm, Rufus, you're so evil."
"Awww." He kissed the back of Cloud's neck. "And what are you?"
"I'm, hmm, I'm a drunk little boy. That's what I am."
Rufus chuckled. "You are not that little."
"Hmm, and I'm not helpless either."
"Nope."
Cloud tussled with Rufus for a moment, then pinned him on his back. "See?"
Rufus grinned. "How did I know you were going to do that?" He smiled. "You're the only one I've ever let pin me."

"You read my mind?"

"Well, I did earlier it seems."

"Did you sleep with Reno?"

"Yeah, but..." He searched for the words. "I'd let you get away with stuff I didn't let him."

"Was he rough or anything?"

"Not with me. I don't care what he did with others." Rufus looked up at Cloud. "Cloud, you are way different then him."
"I'm glad of that. Only thing that could be in common with us right now is we're both drunk and sitting on top of some poor sucker. Except, you're not a poor sucker."
Rufus chuckled. "I'm drunk, when was this? Or, do you mean you and him?"
"No, no, me and Reno. Only thing in common."
"Only the drunk part really." Rufus smiled.
"I'm betting he's as pissed as hell."
"Probably. He hates you. Hmm."
"I hope I don't run into him."
"Me too. Cloud, you going to keep me pinned?"
Cloud grinned stupidly. "Yeah, I'm out of it. Ohh, you're pinned?" He let go of him.
"Awww. Did I say I minded you pinning me?"
"No." Cloud sat lightly on Rufus's abdomen. "I squishing anything important there?"
Rufus smiled. "No."
"Good. Don't wanna hurt my love."
"You are not hurting me at all."
Cloud leaned down and kissed Rufus. Rufus put his hands on Cloud's thighs as he kissed back.
"No pain for you," Cloud told him, "You've had enough."
Rufus stroked him gently with his hands." Yeah."

"Hmmm."

Rufus traced his fingers across him.

"I'm more of a kitten than you." Cloud told him. He bit along Rufus's neck, trailing down until he nipped lightly at one of his nipples.

"Mm, that feels good."

Cloud sucked gently at Rufus's nipple. Rufus shivered in pleasure. Cloud nipped him, using one of his pointed canines.

"Ohh..." Exclaimed Rufus, rapping his arms around Cloud.

"You like?"
"Yeah." He rubbed down Cloud's back.

Cloud slid down a little and turned his nibbling to elsewhere. Rufus shivered in delight.

"Now," asked Cloud, "What is I bite here?" He did so.

Rufus's body quivered. "Ohh, Cloud..."

Cloud caressed Rufus gently, still biting and nibbling in select areas. Rufus stroked Cloud's hair as he moaned in pleasure. Cloud moved back up and kisses him deeply. He held Cloud in his arms, tracing his tongue with his own.

"Only bad thing about getting smashed," Cloud told him, "Is I tire out easily."

"It's ok. If you're tired, sleep."

"At least I can't get abducted, or molested."

Rufus grinned. "Nope, I'm here."

"Well, you can molest me all you want..."

"That would not be true molesting."

"True."

Rufus licked Cloud's lips.

"I taste good?" Cloud teased.

"Yeah."

Cloud draped himself over Rufus and began to drift off to sleep. Rufus smiled as he held him. Kissing Cloud slightly he whispered, "Sleep, I'll always be here for you."

The next day Tifa and Aeris arrived at Junon.

"Tifa," Aeris said, "Don't you think this is odd?"

"Yeah, we aren't dead."

Aeris nodded.

"Why," Asked Tifa, "Do you suppose we were drug here?"

Aeris shrugged. "I don't know. Where are Barret and Red 13?"

Tifa blinked. "We shouldn't have wandered away."

"Well, I wanted to wait for Cloud, and so did you."

"Cloud, I hope he's alive, but I guess we're gonna find out."

Aeris nodded.

"If he's dead," Tifa continued, "I'll never forgive myself for leaving him behind like that."

Aeris nodded again. "I hope he is not dead."

"He isn't, let's just say that. He's too strong to have gotten killed." Looks unsure of what she just said.

Aeris closed her eyes. "I think I can feel him." She turned to Tifa.

"You sense him?"

Aeris smiled. "Yes, I can feel him." She started to walk, looking around Junon. "This is an interesting town, what do you think Tifa?"

"Considering..."

"I've never been out of Midgar before."

Tifa pointed to the banners with Rufus's name on them. "He knows what happened to Cloud."

Aeris nodded. "True. He must, since we left Cloud to fight him."

"If he hurt Cloud I'm gonna pummel that look off of his face."

Aeris walked to the shop and petted the dog sitting outside. "You said it Tifa, no one hurts Cloud." She twirled her staff. "I'll knock them out."

Tifa looked at Aeris and adjusted her glove. "If I don't clobber them first that is."

Aeris walked back to her. "I'll get them before you do."

Tifa shook her head. "Now don't get me started."

Aeris put her hands to her hips. "No, don't get me started."

"I could whollop you easily."

Aeris laughed and started off down the street.

"Hey," yelled Tifa, "I wasn't finished."

"Heh, heh."

"Get your stick twirling ass back here!"

"Nope!" Aeris laughed. She started to run down the street.

"Hey, wait up!" Tifa ran after Aeris.

Aeris stopped running as she entered the next part of the town. Tifa stopped running before plowing into Aeris's back.

Aeris giggled. "That was fun. Hey, why do you think we were brought here then left unescorted?"

"No clue. Think we are being toyed with?"

"Nope, maybe just you though." Aeris grinned.

"Are you suggesting I'm a toy then Aeris?"

Aeris grinned. "You look like one."

"Take that back stick girl."

"Stick girl?"

"You heard."

Aeris twirled her staff angrily. "That's it missy."

Tifa grabbed the staff. "I'm gonna break this annoying thing."

"No!" Aeris jumped on Tifa. She grabbed the staff and bonked Tifa over the head with it.

"Bitch!"

"Me?"

Tifa slapped her. She slapped back.

Tifa rubbed her cheek. "That's it!"

Aeris grabbed Tifa and threw her to the ground.

"Agh!" exclaimed Tifa, "Get your flower grubbing paws off of me!"

"What?" She slapped Tifa again.

Cloud walked by, whistling some tune, not seeming to notice Aeris and Tifa fighting on the ground.

Aeris blinked and rolled off of Tifa. "Cloud!"

"Cloud?"

Aeris jumped up hastily and dusted herself off. "Cloud!" She started to run to him.

Tifa tripped Aeris. Aeris grabbed her leg on the way down. Cloud looked down at them and raised an eyebrow.

"Um," Said Aeris, "Hi Cloud."

"Leggo!"

"We've been looking all over for you."

"What happened to you Cloud?"

Aeris stood up and dusted herself off. Tifa stood up and elbowed her in the gut. Aeris kicked Tifa's shin.

Cloud blinked. "Are you two gonna stop fighting?"

"Where have you been?" Aeris asked him.

"With Rufus."

Aeris and Tifa looked at each other. "Rufus?" Tifa asked.

The band started to practice as Aeris looked back at Cloud.

"Eeesh," Cloud exclaimed, "Wish they would stop. My headache isn't gone yet."

"We thought you had gotten killed or something Cloud." Aeris said.

"Cloud," Tifa asked, "Did he whollop you on the head or something? You don't seem upset or anything..."

"I drank a little too much last night." Cloud replied.

"Cloud, why didn't you meet us outside of Midgar?"

"Yeah," Agreed Aeris, "Barret and Red 13 left us to head for Kalm. We wanted to stay and wait for you."

"Well," Replied Cloud, "I stayed with Rufus."

"Then, last night, some ShinRa guys fetched us and told us we were going to Junon."

"Neither of us felt like fighting."

Aeris looked at Cloud. She then glanced at Tifa.

"Cloud not wanting to fight?" Tifa exclaimed. She turned and whispered to Aeris. "Think he's drugged or something?"

"He might be." Aeris looked back at Cloud and said, "Still, where have you been? Didn't you know we'd be worried?"

"You stupid, pokey-haired, idiot, we were worried! You didn't even give us a thought, did you?"

"Frankly," Cloud replied, "I was too wrapped up with Rufus to worry."

"Why'd you come here with him?" Aeris asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Well..."

"Well what?" Demanded Tifa.

"Well, I kinda..."

"Spit it out!"

"Well, I slept with him."

Aeris blinked, not understanding. She got a look of bafflement.

"Uhh," continued Tifa, "Cloud?"

"I slept with him," Cloud told her, "You know, I love him."

Aeris looked at Tifa, then passed out. She hit the pavement with a thud.

When Aeris came to her head was resting on the pavement.

"Nope," Cloud replied to some question Tifa asked, "I just have one mother of a hangover."

"What," asked Aeris, "Is going on?"

"I should have gotten a shower before I left. Might have cleared my head a bit."

Aeris reached up and grabbed Tifa's shoulder. "Can you tell me what is going on?"

"Cloud says," Tifa told her, "Said, he slept with Rufus."

"I heard that bit."

"No clue what's going on then. Cloud?"

"I feel sick."

Cloud sighed. "I knew you guys would be disgusted."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I needed your help, We're you gonna risk your life to help someone who wasn't interested in you at all?"

Aeris started to cry for no apparent reason.

"You were that attached to me?" Cloud asked.

Aeris dragged Tifa's shoulder down to her so she could cry on it. "It's not that. Why him?"

"He's the first person who's actually taken time to stop and listen."

"No, I mean..." Aeris started to laugh. She giggled into Tifa's shoulder.

"Great Cloud," Tifa remarked, "I think you made her crack."

"Why are you laughing?" Cloud asked.

"Um, I'll tell you later." Replied Aeris, "Right now, I think I need to rest."

"Well, I have to get back. Rufus will be sending a search party after me if I don't return soon."

Aeris chuckled and used Tifa for support as she stood up. "Let's go talk to him then."

"Alright. I think I can remember the way back." Cloud started to walk with the two girls following.

Cloud knocked on the door.

"Come in." Rufus called.

The three of them stepped in. "We have company Rufus." Cloud told him.

Rufus smiled and stood up from his desk. "Yes I see. Your friends. I trust you two had a pleasant trip over here?"

"I think they are still my friends."

Rufus flicked his hair back.

"Got a little rough handled actually." Tifa told him.

"It was a strange trip." Aeris said, elbowing Tifa in the ribs.

"Huh?"

"Be nice." Aeris whispered.

Cloud wandered over to the bed and sat down. Rufus glanced at the notes on his desk, then looked at Tifa and Aeris.

"Aeris," Whispered Tifa, "you know him?"

"No," Aeris whispered back, "But I know I should have."

"The member of AVALANCHE," Rufus commented, "And the flower girl. What happened to the other two?"

"They went to Kalm," Tifa told him, "Or got lost. Either one."

Cloud rubbed his temples. Rufus flicked his hair back and looked over at Cloud. "Are you alright?" he asked him.

"Headache isn't gone all the way. I forgot the hangover thing that comes after drinking. What I could use is a shower, but not now whilst they are here."

"Hmm, how true." Rufus looked at Tifa and Aeris again. "I believe you two might be tired. You must have a room for the night." He punched the intercom.

A man walked into the room a moment later. "Yes sir?" He asked Rufus.

"Show these two ladies to the deluxe suite and make sure they get everything they want, is that understood?"

The man nodded. "Yes sir." He turned to Aeris and Tifa.

"Is it wise," Cloud asked Rufus, "To let them share a room? They were trying to kill each other out on the street."

"Please follow me." The man said to the girls.

Rufus turned to Cloud as the man led Tifa and Aeris out. "It will be fine. Most likely they were fighting over you again."

Aeris followed the man. When she got to the room she saw that the inside was full of flowers. "Ohh!" She exclaimed, "Tifa, look! Flowers!"

Tifa wiggled her nose. "Well, you're happy. I'm worried about Cloud."

"Why?"

"I dunno. He just never struck me as gay."

"Is gay supposed to look like something?" Aeris picked up a flower at random and sniffed it. She smiled.

"He just didn't act it. What are you so happy about?"

"These are pretty flowers." She looked over at Tifa. "Oh, nothing." She spotted the large waterbed. Aeris sat down. "Well, you remember when I was so quiet outside Midgar?"

"Yeah."

"I was listening to the planet. It told me, though my mother and father are dead, That I have a half brother who is still alive in the world."

"Really?"

Aeris smiled. "That makes me happy. To know that I still have family out in the world."

"My family, Sephiroth killed my father."

"I never knew my father. My mother told me he died shortly after I was born. My real mother died when I was 7."

Tifa nodded and lay down on the bed as well. Aeris lay back, sniffing the flower.

Tifa looked at Aeris. "You don't seem worried about him at all."

Aeris set the flower aside and looked at Tifa. "No, why?"

"Just thought you would be."

"Why?"

"I mean, you were after him too."

"I know." Aeris looked up at the ceiling.

"Aeris?"

"Yes?"

"What are you thinking?"

"I was thinking, I need to find someone to love me. As long as they love me it matters not who they are."

"Same here, now that Cloud is a total loser in that matter."

Aeris chuckled.

"I'm tired," Tifa said, "You know."

"Ok."

"Being chased down and drug around by mean guys isn't the best."

Aeris chuckled. "Tell me about it."

Tifa kicked off her shoes and curled up on one side of the bed. "Why do you suppose he only gave us one bed?"

"I don't know." Aeris kicked off her shoes and took off her red jacket. She set her staff on the floor and looked over at Tifa. Sighs slightly, a small smile tracing her lips. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep.

Rufus reached his hand over to Cloud. Cloud sat on the bed and took his hand. Rufus smiled and kissed it.

"I would," Cloud told him, "Chose you over either of them any day."

Rufus grinned. "Why thank you. I'd chose you over all the people I've known."

"Hmm, and why?"

Rufus smiled and pulled Cloud gently to him. "Must be because I love you."

"Hmm, you have learned then." Cloud smiled.

Rufus kissed him. He snuggled up with Cloud and grinned. Cloud kissed him. Rufus kissed back.

"You know," Cloud remarked, "I don't seem to mind that the odds are in your favor."

"How so?"

"I'm just wrapped in a towel and you're fully clothed. I call those uneven odds."

Rufus grinned and started to take off his clothing. He dropped it all on the floor. "How about the odds now?"

Cloud tossed his towel to the floor. "Even."

Rufus grinned and lay on his back.

Cloud put his head on Rufus's chest. "Hmm," Cloud said, "How about we just knock out, hmm? You have your speech tomorrow."

Rufus ran his fingers through Cloud's hair. "Sounds good."

"Hmm, what am I gonna do when you're giving your speech?"

Rufus closed his eyes, draping on arm around Cloud's neck and resting the other on Cloud's chest. "Hmm, stay with the crowd, with Tifa and Aeris. Good night."

"Night Rufus. You sleeping better now you have someone to keep you company?"

"Yes."

"Good."

They both fell asleep.