Title: Hands
Author: tresa_cho
Pairing: Cloud/Leon
Fandom: Kingdom Hearts I&II
Rating: PG-13
Warning: boy wall!slamming boy love

Leon was minding his own business when he was pulled suddenly and unexpectedly through a set of curtains leading to a rather cramped closet. The closet wasn’t usually cramped, but it was an extremely tight fit because there was someone else shoved up against one set of cupboards. Leon didn’t have time to breathe before hands gripped the front of his jacket and lips tasting suspiciously of papou fruit sealed over his.

He grunted, letting himself be drawn forward against a hard, sharp body. His hands came up to grip the other’s hair, pulling through with enough force to break their kiss for a split second. When he touched his lips down again, he could feel the other smile softly against him.

The hands at his collar loosened, and he drew back fractionally. “I found you,” Cloud murmured.

“So you did,” Leon acknowledged. He pulled his hands through Cloud’s hair again, convincing himself of Cloud’s solidity, and that this wasn’t another dream. Cloud tipped his head towards the touch, closing his eyes and visibly sagging against the shelves behind him. Leon narrowed his eyes in worry. “Are you all right?”

“This is getting so hard,” Cloud whispered into Leon’s palm, cupping the gloved hand in his own. Leon knew immediately what he was talking about. Their little game of hide and seek. One finding the other. One forced to find the other. Leon had never said anything about it, because it had been Cloud’s idea in the first place. Sure, it hurt. But if it made Cloud happy, then who was he to complain?

“We could always stop,” Leon ventured, trying to catch Cloud’s eyes. The blonde’s face paled.

“No! We can’t. That would be very, very bad.” Cloud shook his head furiously, and Leon was reminded once again of just how young Cloud was, for all his jaded demeanor.

Leon gripped Cloud’s jaw tightly with one hand, forcing his head up. “I am not afraid of Sephiroth.”

At the mere mention of his name, Cloud’s eyes widened. Both his hands closed over Leon’s, and if he had wanted, he could have pushed Leon away at that point. Instead, he screwed his face up and exhaled sharply.

“He’ll kill you. Oh god, he’ll kill you, just like he did everyone else—”

“Cloud,” Leon cut him off harshly. Cloud dipped his head into Leon’s hand, shaking but not crying. “I am more than capable of defending myself,” he said in a softer tone. He drew Cloud close, draping both arms over the younger man’s shoulders and crushing him against his chest. Cloud sank against him.

“I don’t want you hurt. I just want to protect you.” Cloud’s breath was hot against his skin as Leon pulled him closer.

“We’ve been over this. I don’t want to be coddled. I can protect myself.”

“No,” Cloud moaned helplessly. “You don’t understand. He doesn’t want me to be happy--”

“Well he’s doing a damn good job,” Leon barked sharply. Cloud went rigid. “You can’t be happy sneaking around in closets like this. Cloud, you’re falling prey to him.”

“No, no, no,” Cloud chanted mindlessly, reaching up and forcing his lips down over Leon’s. Leon’s hands shifted to Cloud’s upper arms, and he held on tight. Their lips opened and slid hotly against each other. “I won’t let him have you,” Cloud breathed into Leon’s mouth. Leon responded by biting down gently on Cloud’s lower lip before slipping his lips across Cloud’s jaw line.

“He won’t,” Leon growled. Cloud shivered as Leon’s breath coursed across his throat.

The castle chimes rang above them, signaling the hour. Leon reluctantly pried himself free of Cloud, and glanced at the curtains. “I have to go.” He cast a piercing look back at Cloud. “I’m strong.”

“Yes.” Cloud seemed to be in a daze, gripping the shelf that still held warmth from Leon’s back where he had been pressed up against it.

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know.” The two words sounded agonized.

“You have to trust me,” Leon hissed, his eyes worried and sharp.

“I do,” Cloud whispered. Leon searched his face for a sign that something had changed, and found nothing.

He sighed.

“So it’s my turn now?” he asked quietly. Cloud, looking petrified, nodded slowly. Leon tugged at the curtain behind him. “I’m not angry,” he said, realizing the source of Cloud’s fear. Cloud relaxed slightly. Leon shook his head and pulled the curtain, slipping into bright sunlight. He paused outside the closet to inhale deeply and close his eyes. When he opened them again, he saw Yuffie standing before him.

“What happened to your hand?” she asked, pointing. Leon looked down, and saw what appeared to be a bite mark at the hem of his glove. He frowned, the sudden tightness in his chest worse than the dull throb of the bite, and tugged the cloth over the forming bruise.

“Ran into a shelf,” he lied, with a year of experience behind him.
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Tags: 30_angsts, cloudxleon, kh, yaoi
feelin': calm
hearing': passion - hikki