InsaneJournal

***

    Seimei was supposed to leave today.

    He and Soubi had a few more things to take care of, but the moment he reached the door that would lead him to the outside world, he stopped and thought about the consequences of him always going away.

    He could not protect Ritsuka from their mother like this.

    He turned back, quietly walked up the stairs and then slipped into Ritsuka’s room. His little brother was sleeping under the covers, seemingly safe and secure, but soon, their mother would wake up and she’d bombard Ritsuka with pointless questions that would usually end with a beating.

    If only he could take Ritsuka with him, but there was always a chance of Ritsuka being used against him, or him losing Ritsuka altogether. He could not afford that, but as he strode over to the bed to take a closer look at his brother, to see if he had any more bruises, Seimei wondered if he could afford Ritsuka to suffer any longer than this.

    Seimei leaned over and planted a soft kiss on Ritsuka’s forehead. In the long run, even if he wanted to protect Ritsuka as much as he could, he knew that eventually, with the way things were happening in his life right now, he would have to permanently leave Ritsuka and then Ritsuka would be forced to protect himself on his own.

    Ritsuka would be forced to grow up and perhaps, it was better that way.

    “You will be strong,” Seimei whispered fondly.

    Once again, he turned around and left Ritsuka’s room and their house.

    He didn’t know when he would return.

    Fin.    
   
***

A/n: I think I’m ready to explore the other characters now. :D It seems that they want to talk to me. :D

The ratio, based on the last loveless drabble was 147:2 or 147 hits to 2 reviews~

***

    The branches of the tall, ancient trees gleam like mako under the moonlight. Vincent can hear the whispering of the winds, the rustling in the bushes and the falling drops of water in the nearest lake.

    The body next to him is warm, comforting and alive. Vincent glances at his longtime companion. Cloud is naked and asleep under the rough covers of his red cape.

    Vincent sighs. They’ve done it again and he doesn’t know where it will all lead to or whether it matters.

    He places his hand on Cloud’s cheek and feels that same warmth. He smiles and tilts Cloud’s face towards his. He leans forward and blinks in surprise as those serene blue eyes open.

    “Good evening,” Cloud whispers. “This is the second time you’ve stayed.”

    “I know,” Vincent says. “You probably don’t mind.”

    “Touché,” Cloud says with a chuckle. “What do you want to do after this?”

    “Can we just be like this?” Vincent suggests, gesturing at the calm trees, the beaming moon and the quiet lake. This is a serene place, a sanctuary for them both-- even though it reminds them of the past.

    Cloud is silent and just in that moment, Vincent realizes that this little fantasy, that this dreamland they have created will not last, because what they share together is something that is never meant to be shown.

    Vincent sits up and tries to shove the onslaught of emotions he is forced to feel into the darkness of his mind. He wants to leave, but before he does, Cloud grabs his wrist with a sudden, determined grip.

    Vincent freezes. “Cloud?”

    “Are you being serious with me?” Cloud asks, his eyes no longer serene, filled with doubt and a familiar despair. “Many of the people I’ve loved have died.”

    “I don’t know,” Vincent confesses and it is the truth. “But I want you to stay, just as you want me to stay. Is that alright with you?”

    Cloud stares at him and nods. “Yeah.”

    Vincent sighs in relief.

    “But seriously though, what do you want to do after this? I’m kind of hungry,” Cloud says suddenly.

    For the first time in years, Vincent lets out a genuine laugh.
   
    Fin.

***

A/n: God, I love this pairing.

The ratio, based on the last ff7 drabble was 100:1 or 100 hits to 1 review~

This is also my 200th story in the ffnet site. YAY!