VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS

I don't own Final Fantasy 7 or its characters, so I'm not making a dime off of this fic. So far it's only shounen-ai, though some might consider it blasphemy. What can I say? The holidays make my beliefs spilt and my muse, Violet, woke up long enough to clunk me over the head with this.


Cloud yawned widely and cut off the car's engine so he could quietly pull into the garage. It had taken a supreme effort to make it out of bed and to the store without waking his new lover, but he felt it was worth it. Sephiroth had to be the world's lightest sleeper, the tiniest noise could snap him to full attention. It was small wonder he had the soundproof shutters installed to help keep out noise and light.

There was even more noise and light than usual. It was to be expected however. Christmas was fast approaching, and the little suburb Sephiroth lived in tended to go all out for the holidays. Tinsel decorated every lamppost, lights draped from every window, and wreaths hung from every door. Well...every door but one. Sephiroth had no decorations up, but Cloud wasn't sure if it was because he didn't have the time or just no inclination to do so.

Sniffing at the contents of one of the bags he carried he smiled and let out a satisfied sigh. The local bakery had some really wonderful treats available. Sephiroth so rarely indulged in more decadent foods, so the blonde couldn't wait to share this with him. He entered via the garage and shook the light dusting of frost off his clothes.

"Good morning my little warrior. Where did you run off to so early?"

Cloud blinked, then looked into the kitchen where Sephiroth sat sipping a cup of strong black tea. *I should have known he'd be up before I could get started.* The young warrior entered the kitchen and set his packages on the table. "I went shopping for a few things Sephy. I thought the house could use some decorations."

Sephiroth reached into one of the bags and pulled out an electric candelabra. He looked at it a moment, then to Cloud. "That's very nice, but I'm not Christian Cloud."

The youthful face fell slightly and Sephiroth was quick to soothe. "Still, I don't suppose a few lights would hurt anything."

Cloud brightened up immediately. "Great! I'll get to work as soon as we eat breakfast."

Sephiroth smiled, as Cloud reached into the bakery bag and pulled out a few wrapped packages. He really didn't understand all the fuss about Christmas, but if it made Cloud happy he'd indulge his lover's whims. He accepted the fresh bagel sandwich the young warrior handed him, unwrapped it and took a small bite.

"Mmm, this is really quite good. It's been a long time since I've had bacon."

Cloud looked down at his own still wrapped one. *Oops, that was mine...oh well. Smoked salmon and cream cheese is good too.* He took a big bite out of the bagel as he reached for the teapot still sitting on the table, and poured it into a waiting cup.

"So Sephy, I know we haven't discussed it before, but what religion are you? If you have a religion..."

Sephiroth shrugged and set aside the half-eaten bagel. "It's hard to say really. I was raised not to believe in religion, only science, but I find it hard to believe the world as we know it just spontaneously leapt into being. I'm sure there's some force governing it all, but I don't think it's the Christian god. I doubt a being that can create the universe would care if I eat a certain animal or love another man."

Cloud blinked and tossed his crumpled wrapper into the empty bag. "I see...I guess that's basically what I believe too. I don't take most of the petty rules seriously, but since Mom raised me calling that force God it tends to stick." He drifted off a moment and gazed out the window as the sky began to lighten.

"When I get done decorating, would you go shopping with me? I miss having someone around."

Sephiroth finished wrapping up the rest of his bagel and paused in reaching for a large slice of baklava. "You still haven't spoken to her yet, have you?"

Cloud sighed and shook his head. "What am I supposed to say? Hi Mom, I'm a failure. Tell Tifa I won't be coming back to her. I'll write again soon?"

Sephiroth reached out and covered Cloud's hand with his own. He hated hearing that girl's name on his lover's lips, but wanting to impress said girl was what had sent Cloud into his arms, so he couldn't curse her too badly. At least...not out loud. *Calm yourself Sephiroth, jealousy is a base emotion....Then again, so is lust.*

Cloud smiled and pulled Sephiroth's hand up to nuzzle it, oblivious to the dark glint in his jade green eyes. "I love you Sephy...I don't ever want to leave you but if I don't make it into SOLDIER I won't be able to see you as much."

Sephiroth stopped daydreaming about ways to keep his Cloud as far as possible from this 'Tifa' and ran his free hand over Cloud's hair. "Shh, you will make it Cloud. You're not just my lover, you're one of my best pupils. You'll do fine. Now let's stop all this depressing talk and share the baklava. It looks positively sinful."

~CHAPTER TWO~BACK TO FICS~BACK TO MAIN~