[ Cloud shrugs as he leads Sephiroth towards the exit. ]
I don't really care what Rufus and his minions think about me.
[ He's sure that Reeve and his other friends are going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they'll assume he's taking Sephiroth somewhere else to kill him. Hopefully they won't think that he's being controlled again. He'll have to make some phone calls later to reassure them.
He pushes the door open with his shoulder and enters into a stairwell. ]
[Cloud is helping the person who summoned meteor to seriously wound the planet. The one who later helped spread geostigma around the populous. Sephiroth doesn't believe Cloud's friends are going to be very happy with this, let alone people in general.
He practically huffs wishing he could somehow find the strength to walk on his own. He might actually try to do that -- pull away from Cloud and move on his own. Of course that doesn't go very well and he ends up having to use the blond for support (again).]
[ As for the rest of Gaia... He doubts Rufus is going to announce to the rest of the population that they had Sephiroth captive and then lost him. That's not exactly going to inspire confidence in the former Shinra president. So he's not particularly concerned about that.
He sighs when Sephiroth tries to pull away, only to fail, but he doesn't comment on it. He just steadies his hold on Sephiroth as he leads him down the stairs. Once they reach the exit, he helps Sephiroth sit down on the stairs. ]
Wait here. I'm gonna get my bike.
[ He doesn't feel great about leaving Sephiroth, even for just a moment, but he also doubts that Sephiroth is going to get far on his own should he decide to try. So he exits the building, glances around and once he's satisfied that no one seems to be around - he makes his way over to where he parked Fenrir. ]
[That might be sarcasm. Probably due to the drugs and why he hasn't made any really cryptic creepy commentary instead. He also hates being ordered around. At least they're at the exit.
Sephiroth really, really wishes he could move properly, because this would be the ideal time for him to leave. Go off to sulk as his body heals then come back and exact his revenge. All without Cloud there to stop him until it's too late.
But instead he's forced to sit here and wait because his body currently doesn't want to respond the way that it should. He hates it. He hates it so much. But at least by the time Cloud returns, he'll still be in the same spot. Luckily no one seems to have sounded an alarm or anything yet. Cloud would probably feel guilty fighting anyone while rescuing Gaia's greatest threat.]
[ It's definitely a relief to return and find that Sephiroth hasn't moved from his spot. Without a word he wraps an arm around him again and helps him up, leading him outside to where his bike is.
He helps Sephiroth onto it before getting on himself. Before starting the bike up he turns to Sephiroth. ]
Hold onto me.
[ It'd suck if Sephiroth went flying off of the bike after all... ]
[Do you really want to give him that kind of inch, Cloud? He slides arms around the smaller man's waist, leaning in close enough to pretty much breathe on his neck.
Just because, in this whole, entire, terrible moment if he can get one moment of satisfaction at all ... it will be annoying Cloud.]
Is this what you want?
[Cloud will probably want Sephiroth to fall off the bike after awhile.]
[ Cloud rolls his eyes. Sephiroth is going to have to try harder than this if he wants to really get under Cloud's skin. ]
Yeah.
[ He kicks the bike into gear. He makes sure to take a different route, one that won't take him through central Edge. There are plenty of backroads to take so he can hopefully make sure no one sees them. Sephiroth is, unfortunately, very recognizable with the impossibly long hair, the distinct armour and the wing... ]
[If Sephiroth didn't feel so bad he would try harder as Cloud's response is unsatisfactory. But he doesn't care enough right now. He will kind of lean into Cloud, but that's less of him wanting to creep the other man out and more that he kind of wants to just pass out. Pass out and let the drugs wear off.
But he'll stubbornly stay awake as long as possible because he's Sephiroth and he should have no weaknesses.]
[ He can feel Sephiroth leaning more into him and casts a glance at him from over his shoulder. He doesn't look great. Pale and tired, but clearly trying to hide it. ]
To my house.
[ He moved out of Seventh Heaven a while ago and got a house at the outskirts of Edge. He, of course, still visits Tifa, Barret and the kids on a regular basis and they come to see him too. Things just got a little cramped with five of them living there.
The house is in a secluded location - thankfully, and pretty small. Cloud stops Fenrir outside the front door. ]
[Cloud would be the type to live away from people. Sephiroth understands that feeling rather well.
When they arrive he releases his hold and tries to use Cloud as sort of a support post to stand up, placing his hand on Cloud's shoulder and pretty much all of his weight as he attempts this. He can be determinedly stupid in his stubbornness. And this one of those times.
But he will (not) make it to the door on his own.
He will most likely fall like an idiot if Cloud doesn't stop him.]
[ Once Sephiroth gets off the bike, Cloud is quick to wrap an arm around him to keep him steady. Based on how much of his own weight he's putting on Cloud, it's pretty obvious he's going to fall over if he tries to stand on his own.
With a secure hold around Sephiroth's middle, he leads him to the door. After some fumbling with keys, he finally unlocks it and leads him inside. The interior is modest, but rather cozy. There are plenty of framed photos of his friends and the kids decorating the walls and the mantle of the fireplace that they'll pass as they move through the living room towards Cloud's bedroom.
His couch would be too small to accommodate Sephiroth, so he will have to put him in his bed which is decently sized - enough for two people at least. He has a small guestroom with a bunkbed for the kids when they visit, but that would also be way too small for Sephiroth (and his wing).
Once in the bedroom he helps Sephiroth sit on the side of it. ]
I'd appreciate it if you took your shoes off before laying down.
[ He's ready to help in case Sephiroth finds that he can't do that on his own, though. ]
[Well, he didn't expect this either. Being lead to Cloud's bed. If he felt better he'd definitely make a remark about that. Probably not one Cloud would really appreciate. It's best for both of them that Sephiroth is far too out of it.
Which is also the only reason he's even partially obliging to any of this. It will be slow, though not on purpose, in how he removes the boots. If Cloud doesn't want to wait that long, he'll have to help.]
The reunion makes you act in ways you normally wouldn't. Your friends will not like this. But I find it interesting how you've given in.
[Because that's the only reason Sephrioth can justify why Cloud is doing any of this. Because he's drawn to by the reunion, his strings are being pulled by the connection between them.]
[ Cloud had been about to help Sephiroth with his boots, but then he has to say some annoying shit. Cloud's not above being petty, so he leaves the shoe-removing to Sephiroth and rolls his eyes. ]
This has nothing to do with the reunion. You don't have that kind of control over me anymore.
[ It's very possible his friends might think he is being controlled, though. He'll have to make a call to Tifa once Sephiroth's resting. ]
[But that's not true at all. Even if Sephiroth has to dig in deep, he'll find a way. ... But for now he can't even really think about that possibility, it's taking long enough to get the boots off.
Which he does eventually. He's not even offended that Cloud didn't help him. Because he didn't want help in the first place. It's a stubborn pride thing. And he's very, very stubborn.
He really needs to just pass out for awhile, but first:]
I am going to kill what's left of Shinra. All of it. Despite your actions now, as soon as I am able, I will cast them all down. And you will not be able to stop me.
[But fine. It's not like he can do much right now anyway. He'll lay back in the bed and probably pass out not too long after that. Something he desperately needs after everything. And Cloud will get a moments peace and silence. Which he won't get later after Sephiroth wakes back up.
[ Cloud snorts at that, but it's kind of an amused sound. ]
Since I had to start dealing with you on a regular basis.
[ He stays for a moment to make sure Sephiroth's asleep before he leaves the room to make a call to Tifa. Sephiroth's disappearance either hasn't been noticed yet or they just haven't notified her because she's not aware of what's happening. He spends at least an hour talking to her, reassuring her, telling her he knows what he's doing, and if she's contacted by Rufus or Reeve, to relay all of that to them. And to not tell them where he is. Only his closest friends know where he lives now and he prefers to keep it that way.
Eventually, Tifa agrees to all of it. They talk for a few more minutes before ending the call. Cloud pockets his phone and moves into the kitchen to start making some food. He doesn't know if Sephiroth even needs to eat, but he still makes enough for the both of them just in case.
He then plants himself in front of the TV with a bowl of stew as he can now only wait for Sephiroth to wake up. ]
[It's actually several hours before Sephiroth rises again. It'd be longer if not for his mistrust of the world (and stubbornness, mostly that). He didn't particularly think Cloud would do anything, but he's also not about to get captured again.
He hasn't fully recovered, but at least he can move on his own accord now. He still feels far weaker than he should, but it's a start.
He moves from the bedroom to where Cloud is currently seated. He stares for an uncomfortable amount of seconds before stepping closer. It's still very odd to think what all happened. He's actually still trying to fully make sense of it all.]
This was still all very foolish, Cloud.
[Since he has to announce his presence and all. He stops near where Cloud is sitting, but he remains standing. Looming.]
[ Cloud looks up when he hears footsteps. He's been lazily watching some stupid show on the TV without much investment, so he's kinda glad for the distraction. Sephiroth's clearly still not feeling 100%, but he's walking on his own at least.
He more or less ignores Sephiroth's comment and his creepy looming, and just casually responds with: ]
Uh-huh. How're you feeling? There's food if you want some.
I'm going to end the life of that miserable Shinra and all of his underlings.
[As he said he was going to do before. But first he's going to make Cloud uncomfortable and sit down next to him. The wing still being out, and still being mangled, is probably going to end up in his face or at least partially on him.
Sephiroth is not beyond ignoring pain just to make Cloud's life difficult.]
[ Cloud rolls his eyes. It's clear that all Sephiroth can really do right now is to threaten. ]
Alright, tough guy.
[ The wing does indeed end up in his face once Sephiroth sits down next to him. It may be missing chunks of feathers, but it's still big. Cloud wonders if Sephiroth can't retract it while it's injured. With, probably surprisingly, gentle hands Cloud moves the wing out of his face. ]
I take it you feel better at least, since you have the energy to annoy me.
[That is part of the reason, and probably some of the drugs still in his system affecting his powers. Which is also why he didn't just immediately leave to go carry out his threat.]
The effectiveness of their drugs has worn down. I don't need to be at full strength to eliminate everyone in that building.
[Though he hasn't exactly gotten up to leave. He's really thinking about how he wants to. Cloud will probably get in the way, which will be a problem.]
No, but you'll need to be at full strength if you want to try and get past me. So you might as well forget about that right now.
[ Cloud will of course stand in Sephiroth's way should he attempt to leave to carry out his threat. He pats Sephiroth's knee before repeating his question from before. ]
There are people who had nothing to do with what was done to you who work there, including people I care about.
[ Aside from Reeve, Yuffie spent a lot of time in the WRO HQ and Vincent came around too from time to time. As did his other friends too. ]
Besides, dunno what killing Rufus Shinra's gonna do for you anyway. I'll have to kill you, you'll go back to the Lifestream and maybe you'll find a way to return... and the cycle will just keep going. Aren't you tired of that shit?
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I don't really care what Rufus and his minions think about me.
[ He's sure that Reeve and his other friends are going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they'll assume he's taking Sephiroth somewhere else to kill him. Hopefully they won't think that he's being controlled again. He'll have to make some phone calls later to reassure them.
He pushes the door open with his shoulder and enters into a stairwell. ]
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[Cloud is helping the person who summoned meteor to seriously wound the planet. The one who later helped spread geostigma around the populous. Sephiroth doesn't believe Cloud's friends are going to be very happy with this, let alone people in general.
He practically huffs wishing he could somehow find the strength to walk on his own. He might actually try to do that -- pull away from Cloud and move on his own. Of course that doesn't go very well and he ends up having to use the blond for support (again).]
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[ As for the rest of Gaia... He doubts Rufus is going to announce to the rest of the population that they had Sephiroth captive and then lost him. That's not exactly going to inspire confidence in the former Shinra president. So he's not particularly concerned about that.
He sighs when Sephiroth tries to pull away, only to fail, but he doesn't comment on it. He just steadies his hold on Sephiroth as he leads him down the stairs. Once they reach the exit, he helps Sephiroth sit down on the stairs. ]
Wait here. I'm gonna get my bike.
[ He doesn't feel great about leaving Sephiroth, even for just a moment, but he also doubts that Sephiroth is going to get far on his own should he decide to try. So he exits the building, glances around and once he's satisfied that no one seems to be around - he makes his way over to where he parked Fenrir. ]
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[That might be sarcasm. Probably due to the drugs and why he hasn't made any really cryptic creepy commentary instead. He also hates being ordered around. At least they're at the exit.
Sephiroth really, really wishes he could move properly, because this would be the ideal time for him to leave. Go off to sulk as his body heals then come back and exact his revenge. All without Cloud there to stop him until it's too late.
But instead he's forced to sit here and wait because his body currently doesn't want to respond the way that it should. He hates it. He hates it so much. But at least by the time Cloud returns, he'll still be in the same spot. Luckily no one seems to have sounded an alarm or anything yet. Cloud would probably feel guilty fighting anyone while rescuing Gaia's greatest threat.]
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He helps Sephiroth onto it before getting on himself. Before starting the bike up he turns to Sephiroth. ]
Hold onto me.
[ It'd suck if Sephiroth went flying off of the bike after all... ]
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Just because, in this whole, entire, terrible moment if he can get one moment of satisfaction at all ... it will be annoying Cloud.]
Is this what you want?
[Cloud will probably want Sephiroth to fall off the bike after awhile.]
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Yeah.
[ He kicks the bike into gear. He makes sure to take a different route, one that won't take him through central Edge. There are plenty of backroads to take so he can hopefully make sure no one sees them. Sephiroth is, unfortunately, very recognizable with the impossibly long hair, the distinct armour and the wing... ]
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But he'll stubbornly stay awake as long as possible because he's Sephiroth and he should have no weaknesses.]
Where are we going?
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To my house.
[ He moved out of Seventh Heaven a while ago and got a house at the outskirts of Edge. He, of course, still visits Tifa, Barret and the kids on a regular basis and they come to see him too. Things just got a little cramped with five of them living there.
The house is in a secluded location - thankfully, and pretty small. Cloud stops Fenrir outside the front door. ]
We're here.
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When they arrive he releases his hold and tries to use Cloud as sort of a support post to stand up, placing his hand on Cloud's shoulder and pretty much all of his weight as he attempts this. He can be determinedly stupid in his stubbornness. And this one of those times.
But he will (not) make it to the door on his own.
He will most likely fall like an idiot if Cloud doesn't stop him.]
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With a secure hold around Sephiroth's middle, he leads him to the door. After some fumbling with keys, he finally unlocks it and leads him inside. The interior is modest, but rather cozy. There are plenty of framed photos of his friends and the kids decorating the walls and the mantle of the fireplace that they'll pass as they move through the living room towards Cloud's bedroom.
His couch would be too small to accommodate Sephiroth, so he will have to put him in his bed which is decently sized - enough for two people at least. He has a small guestroom with a bunkbed for the kids when they visit, but that would also be way too small for Sephiroth (and his wing).
Once in the bedroom he helps Sephiroth sit on the side of it. ]
I'd appreciate it if you took your shoes off before laying down.
[ He's ready to help in case Sephiroth finds that he can't do that on his own, though. ]
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Which is also the only reason he's even partially obliging to any of this. It will be slow, though not on purpose, in how he removes the boots. If Cloud doesn't want to wait that long, he'll have to help.]
The reunion makes you act in ways you normally wouldn't. Your friends will not like this. But I find it interesting how you've given in.
[Because that's the only reason Sephrioth can justify why Cloud is doing any of this. Because he's drawn to by the reunion, his strings are being pulled by the connection between them.]
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This has nothing to do with the reunion. You don't have that kind of control over me anymore.
[ It's very possible his friends might think he is being controlled, though. He'll have to make a call to Tifa once Sephiroth's resting. ]
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[But that's not true at all. Even if Sephiroth has to dig in deep, he'll find a way. ... But for now he can't even really think about that possibility, it's taking long enough to get the boots off.
Which he does eventually. He's not even offended that Cloud didn't help him. Because he didn't want help in the first place. It's a stubborn pride thing. And he's very, very stubborn.
He really needs to just pass out for awhile, but first:]
I am going to kill what's left of Shinra. All of it. Despite your actions now, as soon as I am able, I will cast them all down. And you will not be able to stop me.
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And you'd have to get through me first. Now rest.
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[But fine. It's not like he can do much right now anyway. He'll lay back in the bed and probably pass out not too long after that. Something he desperately needs after everything. And Cloud will get a moments peace and silence. Which he won't get later after Sephiroth wakes back up.
So he better enjoy it now.]
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Since I had to start dealing with you on a regular basis.
[ He stays for a moment to make sure Sephiroth's asleep before he leaves the room to make a call to Tifa. Sephiroth's disappearance either hasn't been noticed yet or they just haven't notified her because she's not aware of what's happening. He spends at least an hour talking to her, reassuring her, telling her he knows what he's doing, and if she's contacted by Rufus or Reeve, to relay all of that to them. And to not tell them where he is. Only his closest friends know where he lives now and he prefers to keep it that way.
Eventually, Tifa agrees to all of it. They talk for a few more minutes before ending the call. Cloud pockets his phone and moves into the kitchen to start making some food. He doesn't know if Sephiroth even needs to eat, but he still makes enough for the both of them just in case.
He then plants himself in front of the TV with a bowl of stew as he can now only wait for Sephiroth to wake up. ]
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He hasn't fully recovered, but at least he can move on his own accord now. He still feels far weaker than he should, but it's a start.
He moves from the bedroom to where Cloud is currently seated. He stares for an uncomfortable amount of seconds before stepping closer. It's still very odd to think what all happened. He's actually still trying to fully make sense of it all.]
This was still all very foolish, Cloud.
[Since he has to announce his presence and all. He stops near where Cloud is sitting, but he remains standing. Looming.]
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He more or less ignores Sephiroth's comment and his creepy looming, and just casually responds with: ]
Uh-huh. How're you feeling? There's food if you want some.
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[As he said he was going to do before. But first he's going to make Cloud uncomfortable and sit down next to him. The wing still being out, and still being mangled, is probably going to end up in his face or at least partially on him.
Sephiroth is not beyond ignoring pain just to make Cloud's life difficult.]
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Alright, tough guy.
[ The wing does indeed end up in his face once Sephiroth sits down next to him. It may be missing chunks of feathers, but it's still big. Cloud wonders if Sephiroth can't retract it while it's injured. With, probably surprisingly, gentle hands Cloud moves the wing out of his face. ]
I take it you feel better at least, since you have the energy to annoy me.
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The effectiveness of their drugs has worn down. I don't need to be at full strength to eliminate everyone in that building.
[Though he hasn't exactly gotten up to leave. He's really thinking about how he wants to. Cloud will probably get in the way, which will be a problem.]
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[ Cloud will of course stand in Sephiroth's way should he attempt to leave to carry out his threat. He pats Sephiroth's knee before repeating his question from before. ]
You want some food?
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[He eyes that hand as it touched him, but otherwise does nothing about it.]
You of all people should know that I will not allow what happened to go unpunished. Freeing me does not absolve that.
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[ Aside from Reeve, Yuffie spent a lot of time in the WRO HQ and Vincent came around too from time to time. As did his other friends too. ]
Besides, dunno what killing Rufus Shinra's gonna do for you anyway. I'll have to kill you, you'll go back to the Lifestream and maybe you'll find a way to return... and the cycle will just keep going. Aren't you tired of that shit?
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