I know it's been done before, and I didn't sit down intending to do this, but sometimes stories write themselves.

Disclaimer: dood, fanfiction. Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, and the characters and universes therein are the property of Disney and Square Enix. I receive no remuneration for this work; it is a parody and as such utilizes the Fair Use clause of the Copyright Act.

Leon softly touched his knuckles to Cloud's jaw, tilting the blond's pale face up to be parallel to his own. Cloud angled his head away as if he were unable to look him in the eyes, and the brunet sighed. "Hey..."

Bright eyes flickered up to meet stormy ones, but just briefly. Even so, Leon could see that he was troubled. Cloud shivered despite the warmth of the taller man's embrace, and after a long moment, he spoke.

"I...I have to leave," he said simply, only it wasn't that simple.

Leon waited patiently for him to continue, trailing the backs of warm fingers along Cloud's cool cheek.

"It has to end...one way or another, and I may..." he choked. "I have to try, but..."

"...Cloud..."

"There's...a very good chance I...may not return."

Cloud finally met and held Leon's gaze.

The brunet frowned, loathe to see the sadness haunting those blue-green eyes. "Stay," he whispered. "Stay with me? At least for tonight?"

Cloud rested his forehead against Leon's, closed his eyes, and acquiesced.

Nothing about that night was rushed, nothing was hurried. No words were said, no movement was wasted, no expanse of skin was left untouched, and in the cold, dim light of predawn, Cloud silently withdrew from Leon's arms, strong and unyielding even in sleep. He dressed in silence, gathered his weapon in silence, and left in silence.

Scarcely an hour later, Leon awoke. His eyes misted a bit as he reached to touch the bed beside him; there was still a faint trace of warmth where Cloud had lain. Leon pressed his cheek to the sheet and cried in silence.