Sunset

The reality was even more devastating than he ever could’ve imagined. There were no soft words, no sweet goodbye. It was as though nothing ‘before’ had ever happened – there was now only ‘after’ and the broken promises that lay scattered between.

“I’m leaving you.”

The simple words cut through the air and managed to wrestle past his every defence; cutting open and laying bare his broken heart. Leon licked his lips as a cool breeze tossed his hair, letting nothing show beyond his steel facade. There was no way he could crumble. Not now, not ever. This was his punishment; it’s what he got for letting someone in. He would learn from this. He would grow from this and never make the same mistake again.

Cloud’s ice gaze hardened the more Leon searched his eyes; but no matter what he tried, he could read nothing from them. No lingering feelings, no regret, no remorse. They were as they always had been, before... blank. Cold. Empty.

“I didn’t intend for it to end this way.” Cloud continued.

With only those words, Leon broke.

“Then why did it?” His sudden rage made his fists clench, his blood boil. His calm facade has fallen, far before he had expected; but Cloud has always had that ability. Cloud; Cloud and only Cloud; and now this? Now he was expected to let go? Just like that? Didn’t Cloud see the possibilities for their future?

They could be great together; they were made for each other... just what was Cloud giving up? Leon couldn’t let the possibilities go.

“I... we had a future. I trusted you! And now this? Why!”

Cloud shook his head, answered softly, “You know why, Leon.”

Leon’s voice trembled as he spoke, “I don’t understand it. I want you, Cloud. We’re perfect together. Our similarities, our pasts... I thought you saw that. It’s... I...”

His voice dwindled to nothing as the rage abruptly fled. Here, on this balcony overlooking Radiant Garden, he could see everything. Everything he’d built with his own two hands, the fruits of his labours; all a success. Everything he’d ever hoped for, everything he’d ever wanted from this world he’d gotten. Everything but the man standing before him.

Slowly, Cloud’s shoulders fell. Whether it was Leon’s emphatic words or the crumpling of his own defence, it couldn’t be said... but either way Leon held his breath.

“You can’t reason this Leon. Love isn’t reasonable. Let me go.”

Leon sat on the edge of the stone wall, all fight leaving him. Cloud was stubborn, as stubborn as he himself... but still. There had to be some hope... right?

“I won’t give up.” He said, hesitantly, as Cloud turned to walk away. “I know you, Cloud. There’s something else behind this. Sephiroth, your own fears... and as soon as I find out what it is, I’ll fix it. Everything will be back to normal.”

They fell into silence. The setting sun shone on Cloud’s back, Leon’s shadow falling beside him on the cobbled floor; and in that moment there was nothing but them, the sun, the sky, and the whole world stretched out before them; one with hope, a future.

A world Cloud was giving up.

“Forget about it, Leon.” The blond whispered softly, as he walked away.

“Forget about me.”