mystiri_1 (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mystiri_1) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} porn_battle, |
It was easy to forget that Cloud was anything but just another fighter, sometimes. The glowing eyes were something that could be easily overlooked, especially with familiarity. Although he had a single, impossible black wing, he kept it tucked out of sight, so that most people would never even know it was there. Leon wasn't quite sure how he managed that, as it seemed to simply vanish, but maybe that was just something else that was odd about Cloud. And he didn't usually act different from anyone else, either.
He was quiet, a little moody. He'd let Aerith order him around in the kitchen or the garden - they all had a tendency to let her do that at times, because Aerith was good at orders that sounded like suggestions - and he helped out with restoration work as needed. That was usually what reminded Leon, because Cloud would be clearing away debris, and suddenly pick up a boulder that would otherwise take four or five men to shift.
That, and Sephiroth.
The Silver General showed no signs of going away any time soon. Leon was sure he'd been killed at least a half dozen times now, but sooner or later, he'd reappear. And when he did - well, at least they'd stopped causing serious property damage.
It said something about just how frequent these occurrences were that Leon was learning to read the signs. But it was still sheer coincidence that he was looking in Cloud's direction when the blond fighter's head snapped up, and he started scanning the horizon, nostrils flaring as if scenting for something.
Leon began surreptitiously sending the other workers away. Just because there hadn't been any collateral damage lately, didn't mean he was willing to trust that there wouldn't be in the future. Unsurprisingly, Cloud didn't even notice.
There were only a few of them left when Aerith approached. "Leon!"
Leon turned, eyes widening in alarm.
"I brought you lu-"
There was a rushing sound behind him, and the sudden sharp clang of metal meeting metal, followed by what sounded like a snarl. He looked back over his shoulder as he grabbed Aerith's arm and started steering her away from the impending chaos. It wasn't easy, as she was far more interested in watching.
"Oh, my," she said, eyes wide and a little admiring. Sephiroth and Cloud were fighting, close enough that it was as much a physical struggle as a clash of swords. Blades pressed against each other, each seeking to force the other back. Cloud's eyes looked brighter than normal, and his lips curled in a fierce grimace as he pressed hard. Leon wasn't sure if the faint growl he heard came from Cloud or Sephiroth.
Then Sephiroth sprang back, quite deliberately, so that Cloud staggered forward. The silver-haired warrior took to the air, and a bat-like wing snapped open as Cloud quickly followed. Leon breathed a sigh of relief as they climbed higher, swords still flashing as they continued their battle on the wing.
"It's like watching dragons," Aerith said, a little dreamily.
Leon choked, and whirled to stare at her. Did she mean what he- But she just looked at him innocently, and he decided she couldn't have known what she was implying.
"So shall we have lunch, then?"