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Chapter Text

Cloud took the triplets with him on deliveries, switching out which kid every time he went and made sure to keep the schedule posted at eye-level for each of their new bodies.

Clothes wers slightly easier, considering the adult catsuits no longer fit, and he could buy colors that they'd never worn before. Loz took to green, Kadaj to a soft powder blue and Yazoo to burgundy.

He made sure to bundle them up for rides, tiny scarves clumsily crocheted from his memories of being taught by his Ma with helmets to match.

The burgundy helmet in front of him now made him crack a grin.

This delivery was from Junon to Kalm, crossing over the mountains on Fenrir. Keeping an eye out for monster spawns was Yazoo's "job."

"Big brother?" Cloud slowed to a stop, his legs steadying the bike on either side.

"Hmm?"

"I can hear something," Yazoo muttered.

"Explain." He prodded gently, knowing that it took a moment before Yazoo would continue.

"Something that you've been missing." At that, Cloud looked down at his passenger.

"Something I've been missing?"

Yazoo cocked his head to the side, tilting it the other way and pointed to an outcropping several hundred feet up. "There."

"After the delivery, okay? We'll go look together." He promised, dipping down to blow a raspberry against Yazoo's neck just to hear laughter.

"Hehehe! Okay~"

Back on the ridge, Cloud set Fenrir under a Barrier Cast and hoisted Yazoo up into a piggy back position, hands clamped around his neck and legs around his hips. "Which way?"

"Mmm... that way?" Yazoo pointed steadily up, his finger unwavering in its course even if Cloud turned around.

"Hold on." Cloud called Barret, chewing on his bottom lip when all he got was voicemail. "Hey Liebster, I'm gonna go check something out with Yaz. Call me in 20 if you get this or if you haven't heard back in an hour from me. Love you, bye."

The height was something he was used to but he made sure to keep track of his son's breathing the higher they got.

"Left now," Yazoo muttered about three hundred feet up. Cloud found a cave entrance and sent a perimeter Libra and then a Max Scan throughout the area.

What echoed back made him recoil, first out of fear for Yazoo and then anger won out.

An underground facility was perched in the mountains, reeking of Hojo's meddling and ShinRa's dirty past.

He called Vincent, Nibel slipping into his voice in his anger, "I found another «verdammte» facility."

"... Where are you? Do you want me to get the others?" Vincent replied.

"Just you; it doesn't warrant all of AVALANCHE. It's small." Cloud mentioned, cancelling the Scan after a minute. "Yazoo found it."

"Don't move in until I get there."

"I'll wait," he sighed as the other end clicked. "Yazoo, you doing alright?"

"Mmhmm. It's not bad."

Cloud blinked at that. "You're sure?"

Yazoo had gained the ability—after his dip in the LifeStream—to find places that were, by all rights, hidden from plain sight. He could also tell its intent; good, bad or otherwise.

"Uh-huh."

"... What did you mean by something I'm missing?"

"A Puppy." Yazoo chirruped, perfectly content to pillow his chin on Cloud's pauldron.

"Yazoo, «Kind», I'm still a little lost." He pointed out dryly.

"Gotta wait for Mr. Val-en-tine." His son sounded out. "Puppy and the Flower waited this long."

Yazoo had also gained the ability to make cryptic statements that would do Aerith proud.

"Alright. Did you want to practice katas again?"

"Nope~"

Cloud hummed and rocked in place, heel-to-toe as he waited for familiar crimson on the horizon.

Vincent arrived in a whirl of shifting crimson fabric, golden sabatons crunching against the shale of the outcropping.

"... Hello little kitten."

"Hi Mr. Val-en-tine. We're ready now."

"Hnn."

"Code's 1984." Yazoo's adult voice returned on occasion to relay important information. "The door that follows is 1981 and the final door you will have to break down. It requires facial recognition that will fail."

"Thank you, Yaz." Cloud managed before he centered himself with a deep breath. The door gave way beneath the code, causing Vincent to trade an uneasy glance with him.

They made their way through the facility, dust puffing up every three steps they took. Most of the doors were opened and the lockers gaped, lab coats practically ecosystems of their own with the dust that had accumulated.

Cloud slowly typed in the second code, recognizing that they were significant years but not why; hopefully the reason would fall into place soon enough.

He readied the Hollow Blade and handed Yazoo off to Vincent at the last door, which had a facial scan. It failed as predicted and bars locked into place from above and below the door.

Cloud charged up his Limit Break and exploded the blocked entrance with Cross Slash.

The four Mako pods in the room took his breath away.

"Zack?!" Cloud didn't care that his voice cracked or that he stumbled to the pod containing his best friend. Yazoo's fingers touched his cheek and pulled away wet.

He hadn't realized he'd been crying. Yazoo offered his arms and Cloud engulfed him, his face buried in Yazoo's neck in order to collect himself. "Are you alright, «kind»?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Cloud." Vincent's warning tone had Cloud's face snapping up. "Sephiroth is here."

Floating in Mako suspension, Sephiroth sported a scar that matched the Buster now on display in the church.

"... if that's Sephiroth, then who did we fu-dging face?!" Cloud censored himself at the last moment, giggles floating up from his son.

"Perhaps JENOVA herself using him as an vessel." Vincent offered dryly. "With our luck, I wouldn't expect otherwise."

"What about the other two?"

"Wake the Puppy and you'll see." Yazoo piped up.

Cloud sheathed the Hollow Blade, picked up Yazoo and then pressed the disengage button on the tank. Mako flushed out and lowered Zack to the bottom of the tank.

The glass slid up and Zack, soaked in residual Mako, shook his head slowly. "Oh my head... I hate being 'tanked."

"Zack?"

Violet eyes slow blinked, then did a double take at Yazoo.

"Uh, Cloud, two questions; why do you have a mini-Seph?"

Cloud huffed out a laugh and rubbed a steadying hand up and down Yazoo's back before he stood, keeping a hand on Yazoo to stabilize him. "This is Yazoo, unfortunately known as Sephiroth Clone # 15 in Hojo's files."

"How are you not Mako poisoned?"

"Long story, Zack, but we'll get there." He admitted. "Now I have a question for you-Who are your 'tank mates?"

"... Huh. Uh, that's Angeal Hewley and that's Gen—Hey, waitaminute, did you say Sephiroth Clone # 15?!?" Zack yelped as he staggered up and leaned against the Mako tank.

Chapter Text

"I did but he's... not an exact clone. Got a bit of Vincent, bit of me and then Sephiroth." Cloud shrugged. Old news to him was a shock to Zack.

"How do you know I'm not a fake?" Zack prodded.

"Let's just say that a lot happened; end of the world, Sephiroth clones, more world-ending bull crap and now this kind of doesn't even phase me. I've got four kids, three of which are basically mini-SOLDIERs and uh, been a bit busy raising them." Cloud looked down and then pointed out dryly, "You're also wearing the same shirt you died in and the scars from the bullet holes are obvious."

"I did die."

Vincent cleared his throat and murmured, "There's... a five-to-ten minute window in which a Phoenix Down or Regen Materia may be used. ShinRa infantry record states that they left two dead bodies.Turk records show two live ones."

"I thought I saw a familiar red ponytail..." Zack muttered. "Did you say Sephiroth was here?"

"In the tank adjacent to yours, yes." Vincent pointed with his gauntlet, the Mako tank still holding the vision of a Sephiroth scarred by the Buster.

"Big brother, is that Him?" Yazoo asked.

"Mmhmm." Cloud's fingers inched towards the main blade but retracted at the sight of Yazoo. He'd already seen and been a part of too much violence.

"He doesn't feel like Her, though Kadaj might know better." came the thoughtful reply.

"You're sure, little one?" Vincent murmured.

"Yeah."

"Okay, uh, questions for the real me?" Zack asked.

"Where'd we meet?"

"Too easy; Modoheim! Try again?"

"... What did you tell me on the cliff?" Cloud questioned, the hand not holding Yazoo's flexing.

"That you're my living legacy." Zack's voice trembled at that, his hands making dents in the metal of the tank. "Fu-dge, that, uh, that does it. Are we letting Angeal and Genesis out first or...?"

"Why them first?" Vincent asked, all four of them facing Sephiroth's tank.

"Because together they're about Seph's equal in combat," Zack pointed out, "though, considering how I feel after a tanking? You might wanna do him first."

Cloud ushered Yazoo back over to Vincent and braced himself with the Hollow Blade in hand, pressing the disengage button and watching the Mako, thicker than Zack's had been, drain like sludge through the bottom before the glass slid up like it had with Zack.

"Kill me." Cloud blinked at the harsh command coming from Sephiroth's throat. "If not you, then Zack."

Cloud's mouth got there before his brain did and he retorted, "Zack couldn't do it last time, what makes you think he's willing to kill you twice?"

"Hey, Seph, quick question; what the fu-dge were you on in Nibelheim?!" Zack barked, editing himself because of Yazoo.

"Why are you still standing there if you know what I did." Sephiroth growled back before his voice slid to sheer panic. "Kill me before I do it again!"

Cloud snarled wordlessly—the same way he did with the triplets—and Sephiroth folded like a wet rag, bearing the back of his neck the same way they did.

Cloud sheathed the blade, gently but firmly cupped the exposed neck and murmured, "You're safe now."

Yazoo piped up, "Does that mean I have another brother?"

"I... guess so. Sephiroth, this is Yazoo. He's your little brother and your job is to protect him if I can't. Is that okay?"

"Yes?" The way he leaned into Cloud's hold made Cloud sigh.

"Only answer that if you're comfortable with it, Sephiroth; don't tell me what you think I want to hear." He countered.

"I've never had anyone to look after. What if I do it wrong?" came the quiet inquiry.

"Well, you'll have help. You're not the only brother they have, you know." Cloud offered, "There's two more and a sister."

"... Oh. Then yes." Sephiroth engulfed Yazoo in a damp hug that the latter indulged with a smile and a cheek pressed to Sephiroth's own.

A horrible realization dawned on Cloud looking at the two of them. "... You never had a last name."

"No."

"Do you want to think on it?"

"... Can I have... yours?" The hesitation made Cloud want to settle on the grimy floor and hold both of them.

"Mm, that's a possibility but you're also related to Vincent." Cloud admitted with a tilt of his head in Vincent's direction.

Green eyes zeroed in on Vincent, the sway of the crimson cloth standing out in the gloom.

"Oh."

"Found that tidbit out the hard way when we went back through your Mom's records." He mentioned and the slitted gaze swung back to him.

"JENOVA?"

"JENOVA isn't our Mom," Yazoo snorted before he blew a raspberry. "She's not even a person."

"He is... correct. Your Mother, Sephiroth, was Dr. Lucrecia Crescent. As I was once involved with her... The possibility of being your Father is quite high."

"Hojo might not...?" Sephiroth trailed off, curled a little tighter around Yazoo and then huffed. "Would serve him right if I wasn't; he claimed that I was perfection incarnate and thus so was he."

"Serves him right because he's dead." Cloud supplied as he disengaged the other two tanks. "Vincent caught him right inbetween the eyes with a bullet. Wish he'd done more than that when I figured out what Hojo did to the triplets."

"There are more—" The fury on Sephiroth's face made Cloud's hand itch for the blades on his back but he pushed down the instinct.

"Eighteen in total after you "died" in Nibelheim."

"That lowlife, no-account fraud—" Sephiroth grumbled but subsided when Zack plopped down next to him.

"Hey, he's dead and you're alive. Best revenge is living well."

"Don't you quote Angeal at me, Puppy."

"Who is Angeal, exactly?" Cloud asked.

"I am but might I ask who you are?" The soft rumble of an exhausted tone made Cloud draw a sidewinder out of sheer habit. "Nice sword."

Something tickled at the memories that were still foggy in places. "Wait, wait, were you... General Hewley?"

"I haven't heard that name in a while." The drawl from the tank opposite General Hewley lead Cloud to red hair and a smirk that he instantly wanted to punch off. "Who's the hot blond, Zack?"

"That's Cloud."

"And the tall drink of Koolaid with the cloak?"

"That's Vincent and we're like 90 percent sure he's Seph's Dad so for the love of Typhoon, don't flirt with him." Zack supplied before the redhead could go any further. "This was General Genesis Rhapsodos."

"All I'm getting from that is fireballs and a bad temper, Zack."

"Accurate," General Hewley snorted. "A bit simple but yes, he was fond of throwing fireballs at—Were you in the Infantry?!"

"I feel like this is all I'm saying today but, General, it's a long story and I think we need to get out of the facility and into somewhere slightly more secure since I broke the door down before we talk more." Cloud said again. "Vincent, I think we're at least going to need the Shera and Cid."

"Hnn, it would be the safest place aside from the church."

Hadn't Yazoo said something about a Flower too?

Chapter Text

A fifth Mako tank descended after all four had been disengaged, holding someone Cloud swore up and down that he'd never see again.

Aerith.

Though her dress was patched with neat surgical stitches, the terrible wound had healed over, her scars now matching Cloud's own front-to-back set inflicted by Masamune.

She didn't wake, though her breathing was steady, and her fingers twitched when Cloud gently scooped her up.

Zack wobbled upright and then winced with, "Yeah, nope, 'tanking is fudging awful for your leg muscles. It's gonna take everything we have just to walk. Looks like you get to carry our Flower for now."

"We'll need to get her to the church; it might wake her. Mako... it isn't good for her." Cloud hummed, listening to the drops still sliding down her hair carefully.

"Hnn, agreed. Sephiroth, can you move?"

"... Yes."

"Take Yazoo because he cannot come down the same way he came up. The three of you will have to be careful." Vincent informed him, "I am point."

"Sir, yessir," General Rhapsodos gave a terrible salute and Zack elbowed him. "Ow, Puppy, what the Hels-Ow!"

Sephiroth casually examined his armful of Yazoo and pulled his boot off of Rhapsodos' with quiet conviction in his tone, "No cursing in front of my little brother."

"Gen, I think you should stop. Zack and Seph will continue until you've received the message." General Hewley added as he used a piece of support as a cane.

"Okay, okay, geez," Rhapsodos muttered as he straightened his damp coat and nearly toppled over. "Oh Fu-dge."

General Hewley rolled his eyes and gave the other General a cane too. "Behave yourself."

"Since when have I ever?"

Cloud listened with half an ear, a talent developed by nearly two years worth of parenting, noting that 'Ang' and 'Gen' were better paired together.

Zack was torn between Yazoo and Aerith, cooing at the former and keeping an eye on the latter.

Sephiroth was staring at the back of Vincent's broad shoulders, his expression a mix of relief, pain and something, if Cloud knew it right from his sons, approaching hope.

"Vince, Ah gotcha a present but you better hurry your butt up!" Cid boomed down into the facility. "Bring mah favorite nephew, will ya?"

"... Depends on the present, Captain." Vincent sniffed, the teasing lilt to it something Cloud wasn't used to hearing at all.

"Gotcha a Turk who says we're not allowed to be here," came Cid's reply.

"Hnn. Then by all means, keep hold of them."

Cloud was the second over the crest, followed by Sephiroth, Yazoo and Zack.

Cid and Tseng were facing off, the gun aimed at Cid's legs and Cid's spear aimed for pretty much Tseng's balls.

Cloud cleared his throat and then said in a tone so sweet that even his Ma would've cringed, "Put down your weapons in front of my son or I'll make you."

Tseng holstered his gun and Cid slung the Venus Gospel over his shoulder, the strap materializing from his inventory.

"Wonderful. Now, Tseng, would you ever so politely explain why none of my friends and former superiors are actually, fully dead?"

Chapter Text

Tseng cleared his throat and stated succiently, "They're ShinRa Assets. More so than Hojo, who can easily be replaced by someone with morals. Hollander was a nuisance."

"... You had someone with morals," Sephiroth's spine straightened as he held onto Yazoo. "His name was Gast."

Tseng sighed. "You are not the only set of Assets we kept secret; the former Director of the Turks, Veld, is also alive and well. As such, We would like you, Strife, to keep an eye on the SOLDIERs and the Cetra."

"Usin' th' royal ShinRa we ain't going over well with us, you know," Cid scoffed as he looked over the three Generals and Zack. "Ah used to be ShinRa, long ass time ago, and Ah know the panic th' three of them together will cause. Ah remember th' Wutai conflict an' its endin', same as you. You think Yuffie's gonna let them live?"

"... Hence the request to keep them with the triplets, Captain Highwind, as we did not expect them to be so healed. The Mako tanks were a risk and one that turned out well enough. You cannot take Aerith back to the Church," Tseng continued with the same tone he'd held in Modoheim. "The little one will direct you to the appropriate spring."

Cloud gently propped Aerith upright as he ticked off each of his new charges, "How am I supposed to feed and take care of three fully grown SOLDIERs, Sephiroth, the triplets, Aerith and Marlene on my budget?"

Tseng grimaced, handed over a black card and murmured, "Courtesy of Rufus."

"This alimony or backpay?" Cid sassed as he chewed on the toothpick he had in irritation.

"Both."

"Ah call-" Cloud narrowed his eyes and Cid shrugged as he finished, "Chocoshit but okay."

Yazoo piped up, "Chocoshit!"

Zack guffawed, groaning afterwards.

Sephiroth looked down in dismay at his armful, Rhapsodos leaned on his makeshift cane and wheezed as General Hewley slowly shook his head. "... Captain Highwind, please desist—"

"Ah'm a grown-ass man and Ah'll cuss if Ah want to, parents or no." Cid asserted, tapping the end of Venus Gospel into the shale. "'Sides, little pup's gonna hear it sooner rather 'n later from Barret. You know he ain't too fond of ShinRa either."

Cloud grimaced at that. Not too fond of ShinRa was putting it lightly and that was when Cloud had met him the first time around. "Yazoo led me here. He'll lead us to the Spring and then, Tseng, I don't want to see your face unless I have to. I'm sure you know where we live."

"Noted, Strife."

Crowded onto the Valentine, Cid's latest version of his beloved airship, Yazoo fell into a trance, dictating where Cid flew with careful diction in his adult voice. Sephiroth still held onto his little brother, absolutely occupied with him as a whole.

"... okay, now that Yazoo and Sephiroth are busy, Zack, other than the cliff, what's the last thing you remember?"

"Mmm, not much? Like, I'm pretty sure if the Turks hadn't revived me, I'd be dead-dead."

"Generals?"

"I let Zack stab me and I fully expected to die then and there. Color me surprised to find myself here." Hewley shrugged, pulling the sweater up to expose a stab scar much like Cloud's own set.

"I was deep within the Planet, cleansed and ready to be used by our Planet but... somehow I find myself here." Rhapsodos muttered, "My soul, corrupted by vengeance— Ow!"

Cloud swatted the back of his head on sheer instinct. "No corruption here. Also, do you just spout off your favorite bits of LOVELESS on the regular?"

"Constantly," Zack agreed fervently. "We've never been able to make him stop."

"Says the air squat champion of ShinRa—"

The two of them fell to bickering and Cloud rolled his eyes. "I suddenly understand my Ma having only one child; so much easier."

"If it helps any, Strife, they tire each other out like Guard Dog pups," Hewley snorted.

"... I haven't seen any of those since the Plate collapsed. Not even Dark Nation."

"Tell me what happened?"

"Well, the way I remember might be a little off but... I guess I could tell you?"

By the time Cloud dipped Aerith into the Spring, Sephiroth had actually bitten Rhapsodos–like a small child–because of his LOVELESS spouting, Zack had snotted all over his Mentor and he'd shared a long suffering look with Yazoo, trapped in the middle of the bickering but happy enough to twirl Sephiroth's hair in his small fingers.

"Hey Flower Girl, time to wake up," he said gently as she scrunched her nose in protest.

"Hm-mnnnnn," she pushed at his face and he could only chuckle fondly; she'd done the same thing to Tifa when they'd shared the Tent to keep warm on the road. "Mnn?"

"Wakey wakey—Oof!" Rhapsodos but this time it was Hewley's elbow, judging by the snort that followed it.

"Aerith, come on," he hummed.

"Cl'd?"

"Mn,"

"Why do I feel... like a limp... noodle?" She questioned slowly.

"Because some dumbass thought it was okay t' drop you into a Mako tank," Cid offered as he chewed extra hard on the toothpick. "Worked for a quickie but Ah'm sure you're about as healthy as a Chickabo."

"A Chickabo, huh?"

"Rest, I've got you," he reassured and she curled towards him.

Cloud scooped her up, tucked her into one of the private rooms and stepped out again to find Shera at the door.

"I'll help her into some clothes that aren't Mako-soaked, hm?"

"... Appreciate it."

"Hi, honey, I'm Shera, don't know if you remember me..." the door clicked closed but he could hear muffled conversation that devolved into plainly, 'I want a bath' from Aerith which was accommodated.

"Have any of you showered since getting untanked?" He prodded gently, interrupting a tickle fight between Zack and Rhapsodos.

"Dibs!" Zack laughed and took off for the room he'd picked out to share with Hewley.

"Zack wait!"

Rhapsodos stalked off like a wet cat, heading for the solo room he'd picked out.

Sephiroth held onto Yazoo and looked at him in slight panic.

"... You don't have to take one but I'm sure the Mako's getting tight on your skin and Yazoo's."

Slit green snapped down to his small companion and back up in worry.

"He's had Mako contact. We also dunk him in the LifeStream at least once a year so he looks his actual age instead of what Hojo forced on him."

"Can I do that?" Sephiroth's hand slapped over his mouth and he flinched, hunching over Yazoo.

Cloud sighed, reached up and offered his hand gently. Sephiroth sank down onto the floor and Cloud gently petted the Mako sticky hair.

"You can but I think right now, getting clean might just help you. Again, no pressure but I know for a fact that Yazoo and I feel better after a bath or a shower." He soothed.

"Bath!" Yazoo chirruped.

"Bath for you too or are we sitting this one out?" Cloud asked Sephiroth quietly.

"Can I..." he hesitated and took a deep breath, "can I watch?"

"Watch me wash Yazoo in the tub? Sure," Cloud shrugged, "but you are gonna have to give him to me." Slowly, Yazoo was released into his arms, sticky with Mako tank residue. "C'mon, «Kind», let's go get a bath."

Chapter Text

The Valentine landed next to the Wallace household, Cloud coming down first with Yazoo, being trailed by Sephiroth, Zack with Aerith in his arms and the two former Generals in the back, bickering over how good dumbapples were when Cloud knew there were none left.

"You do realize there aren't any left? Like, at all,"

In perfect–somehow horrifying–unison, the Banoran locals chorused, "There's a seed reserve under the Rhapsodos house."

"... And you'd still have to wait for five years,"

"Dumbapples are named that for a reason," Rhapsodos scoffed as his boot hit the ground outside of the airship,"They produce apples within the year."

"Hm, good soil too," Hewley muttered as he scuffed at the dirt.

"... You're not planting an orchard around my house," Barret chided, "not without some serious work put into it."

"Fine with us," came the rejoining chorus, again horrifyingly in sync, "apples are worth it!"

Barret rose a brow at that, turned to Cloud with a wry smile and huffed out, "Gotta keep 'em occupied, you know anybody with a boatload of good soil an' shovels?"

"I'll do you one better, liebe, I'll get Aerith to help when she's up on her feet," here he fished out the black ShinRa credit card," and ShinRa gave us alimony for taking care of these guys,"

Barret guffawed, scooped Yazoo up and carried him into the house, pressing kisses to their middle Remnant like he'd always done it. Cloud melted a little more, just watching as Barret swayed back and forth listening solemnly to Yazoo's recounting of the day's events.

"Huh, you've got it bad, Spike," Zack teased gently and Cloud huffed as he remembered that he needed to grab his bike from the Valentine's storage.

"Yeah, yeah, says the Puppy mooning after our Flower Girl," he fired back absently.

"Wha-you-HEY!"

"Go away!" Kadaj yelled at top volume, glaring for all his tiny body was worth.

Ah, there was the thought which had been niggling at the back of his brain.

Cloud sighed, knelt in front of his youngest, and murmured, "She tricked him too, «Kind», even worse than you and your brothers,"

Zack, surprisingly, knelt down too and said, "He didn't have brothers,"

Loz shrugged, scooted around Kadaj's angry form and said, "Did She make you hurt people?"

"... no." Sephiroth shuffled in place and admitted quietly, low enough for only SOLDIER hearing, "I was hurt, so I wanted everyone else to feel the way I felt. I did it wrong... I think."

"Are you going to do it again?" Loz asked point blank, Cloud chuckling faintly at the way Barret shone through their son, for all that he was only Cloud's blood and now Sephiroth's too.

"... I can only try,"

"Good enough," Yazoo snorted, walking past everyone to flick Kadaj on the forehead and murmured, "He didn't ask to be Her favorite, Kadaj,"

"Gerroff!" Kadaj's teeth clipped on empty air as Yazoo patiently waited out his brother. "He doesn't... Why? Why him? Why here—?" The tide of tears were coming soon, especially as Kadaj glared at Sephiroth all the harder.

"The same reason the Planet gave you a second chance, hmm?" Cloud interjected softly, "Any of us,"

"O-h." Kadaj's voice cracked and he jammed himself into Cloud's arms, tears soaking Cloud's sweater.

"... Mother was hardest on him," Yazoo explained at Sephiroth's confusion, "She wanted you but couldn't find you; the LifeStream kept you safe."

Sephiroth knelt as well, left hand flexing as he steeled himself, "Kadaj."

"yeah?"

"May I give you a hug?"

"... yeah?"

"I won't if you don't want to," came the heavy sigh. "I know what it's like to be forced to do things you don't want,"

"... Really?"

"Yes," the raw honesty made Cloud sigh softly and rub up and down his youngest's back since he had his arms full but he wanted to reach out to what had once been his greatest enemy.

"In here then,"

Sephiroth slid into Cloud's arms, his own curling around Kadaj and nuzzling slowly against soft silver hair.

Something in Cloud eased and he huffed sharply, "Looks like JENOVA wins after all, just not in the way She planned,"

"... you felt it too?"

"Yeah," Kadaj answered, "but you're ours now, not Hers,"

Sephiroth rumbled softly at that, apparently startling himself in the process.

"Happens, we think it's a... family thing," Cloud soothed almost immediately.

"That's the cutest shit I've ever seen in my life-"

—Click!—

Barret lowered the camera sheepishly, said, "I meant to come grab you for dinner but,"

"We're, hm, we're having some revelations up here, is all, «liebe»," he replied with a careful shrug around his armful.

"I told the others to come back, that me an' Marlene and the triplets were enough to deal with after a long day,"

Cloud smiled at that, knowing that Barret had learned to live with SOLDIER hearing and reflexes and many other things in the time they'd known each other. "Thank you,"

"I'd have done it even if it was just you and Yazoo,"

"I know,"

"Aww Spike, look at you using your words," Zack nudged him and he rolled his eyes.

"Had to learn," he teased right back, "not everyone is as skilled as us backwater experts,"

"Hey, that's my line!"

Dinner was a quiet affair, all of them barely talking and eating until they felt full.

"... suddenly glad I made my Ma's Corel Chili, that alimony was no joke," Barret muttered to himself and Cloud chuckled.

"No, no it was not, they're going to eat us out of house and home," he joked quietly.

"Hey, Spike," Zack asked, "you got an extra bike?"

"Mn, was working on it between deliveries, why?"

"Maybe I could help?"

"... I mean, I have been needing more delivery people," he mulled it over. "Generals?"

"No," Rhapsodos immediately responded, "I don't do pedestri—Ouch!" Hewley elbowed him and then did it again, much harder to where Cloud heard the thump.

"He is our host and offering kindness," Hewley sighed, "Gen is not a people person and I think we would be of better use in the orchard we would plant with, ah, Mr. Wallace's permission. I don't mean to be rude but we are not exactly subtle. Zack might be able to get away with it but all three of us are..."

"Recognizable," he caught on immediately. "And the unsealing was televised,"

"It was? Oh, that's not very... nice of ShinRa." Rhapsodos censored himself at the last minute with a Look from Sephiroth.

"We look pathetic enough to leave alone for the time being," Zack admitted bluntly.

"... will they hurt you or yours for housing us?" Hewley asked quietly.

Cloud mulled it over, shrugged and grinned as he said, "We're far enough away from people that it's a non-issue but if they tried, I'm fairly certain they're going to be running in the other direction. Barret's got a plasma caster."

"... AVALANCHE 2.0, right, right," Zack winced at the reminder.

"Not to mention, the triplets do have SOLDIER strength and they're not afraid to use it," Cloud followed up, "just because they're smaller now, doesn't mean they won't be when they're older anyway,"

"You fought them,"

"All three were an unfair match but I managed,"

"... Tifa said you had it,"

"I did, since they're technically just smaller versions of him," here he hooked a thumb at Sephiroth indifferently, "and he was much stronger than all three put together. Honestly, it was the fact that there were three rather than the power they had,"

"So, this is enlightening in, like, the worst way possible but, you fought your triplets?" Rhapsodos prodded.

"They weren't my triplets when we fought, they were controlled and created by JENOVA to bring back Sephiroth."

"I do believe we're going to need the full story after some rest," Hewley murmured after cracking a huge yawn.

"Bed, then, and story telling in the morning,"

"You can't just—"

"Bed, sir, or you're sleeping with the Chocobos," Cloud fired back absently as he herded the triplets and Marlene up to bed, trailed by Sephiroth and Zack. "Or would you rather be doing dishes?"

"I-you—!" Rhapsodos inhaled, flared up what looked to be a Fira in Cloud's house, and Cloud smiled coldly.

"Blizzara III," he stated flatly, "and by the time you melt your way out of it, sir, we're having a Talk."

Hewley looked between him and Rhapsodos and sighed. "I'll stay to make sure he doesn't scorch your house, Strife,"

"Thank you,"

He got everyone settled, kissing one, two, three and four foreheads before he hesitated at the doorway that Zack and Sephiroth shared.

"... Did you want a forehead kiss?"

"Awww Spike, sure!" Zack settled in and batted his lashes, Cloud rolling his eyes as he obliged his best friend out of habit.

"Sephiroth?"

"... I've never had one I can remember,"

"So you do want it," he clarified.

"Mn," the nod made him pause.

"You're sure,"

"I don't understand why you keep asking if I want it," Sephiroth blurted, confusion the reigning emotion. "You never do things without asking if I want them,"

Cloud pulled the stool in the room over and sat down, sighing as he scrubbed his face with his hands. "I am asking because I want your consent, Sephiroth. If you're uncomfortable, there's no point in me offering,"

"... what is consent?"

Cloud inhaled, sent off a split second wish that Vincent had killed Hojo a little slower, and came back to the room he was in with a faint trace of anger, "It means that I ask your permission to do things to you or for you. It means that you have a choice and your own agency in saying yes or no. How long have you been just saying yes in order to get by?"

"... not recently. I was unsure but if Yazoo trusted you, you must be better than..."

"Oh Seph," he sighed, "that is why I was asking."

"... I do want the kiss. I don't want to always say it."

"So your nod is your yes? Nonverbal is better?" He prodded gently.

Sephiroth nodded slowly, slight panic in his eyes.

"Okay, we'll work on that together," Cloud telegraphed his motions and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

Sephiroth's shoulders slackened afterwards and he slid into what looked like a deep sleep.

"Zack?"

"Yeah, he's always been like that, needs you to read him because he won't say it. Probably can't, the way Hojo treated him,"

"Fuck Hojo with a Bahba Velamyu spine ," he muttered.

"Ha," and with that, Zack's breathing eased as well.

Time to go talk to the Generals.

Chapter Text

Rhapsodos was only halfway out of the Blizzara III when Cloud reappeared in the stairwell.

He looked like he'd given up.

"Done being a dick?" He snapped as he unzipped the sleeve off of his sweater, pulled off his gloves and started in on dishes.

"... heard what you said to Sephiroth."

"Did we now." He replied quietly, snapping his fingers to disperse the rest of the Blizzara. "I don't appreciate rescuing you and having you turn around and be an ass,"

"... when you put it like that,"

"Sounds shitty, huh?" Cloud tossed over his shoulder, huffing lightly as large hands took the dishes off the rack and dried them with the spare towel on the cabinets.

"Gen, make sure they're dry without burning them," came the quiet order and it was precisely that.

"He need that?" Cloud inquired dryly.

"Not often," Hewley sighed. "You're quite welcoming for someone who pulled us out of Mako tanks but it can't be easy having two total strangers in your house,"

"... Zack said you were like that,"

"Cut right through it? Mn, had too much weight on lies in my past and I was awake through some of our tanking. Had time to think, properly, about how I would've done things different," Hewley mentioned casually.

"Aerith is beloved, Zack is beloved, Sephiroth is familiar like the triplets, you are not." He admitted bluntly. "If I had my way, I'd be making that extension on my house much faster."

"... it's me."

"No," Cloud snorted, "you're an ass but you deserve space too. As I understand it, you broke first."

"Perceptive,"

"Ha, no, ShinRa records. I was hunting through them trying to cure geostigma—which I'll explain in the morning—but suffice to say, I got a long history lesson from those records of what happened before Sephiroth lost his ever-loving mind and got smacked by twenty-plus years of rage and alien nonsense between his synapses and burned down my hometown," Cloud stated with a sigh as he finished the last dish. "I've had years to come to terms with all that happened to and because of me, you haven't had the chance to even process what happened to you before,"

"Zack was right," Hewley chuckled wryly. "You really would've made an excellent SOLDIER,"

"... spent too long thinking I was a hot-shot First, hope I retained some of it,"

"Papa?" Cloud set down the dish on the rack, sighed and scooped up Kadaj. "I'm sorry,"

"Hn, nightmare?"

"No,"

"Then what?"

"Not me,"

"Seph—"

A flash, a flick and Cloud snapped out a Barrier around the room Sephiroth was in. Zack was on the landing, his own hands lit up in a Shield around what looked to be Sephiroth's bed.

Cloud cast his Blizzaga bare-handed as he hissed in a breath.

"How long—?"

"Can't have been less than half an hour," Hewley added as he cast his own combo to clean the limited ash from the room.

... Good thing it was a spare room for real.

"Seph," he cautiously stepped into the room with Kadaj in his arms, "are you alright?" The half-hitched sob was muffled by his hands, soot clinging to them. "Oh dear," he stepped back, handed Kadaj off to Hewley and strode back in with a purpose. "Are you hurt?"

The violent shake of his head made Cloud tsk softly. "Okay, better question, did you burn yourself?"

The shake was slower, side to side.

"Are your clothes burnt?"

A hesitant nod, the ash crumbling as his hands slid down pale cheeks. "Did I hurt Zack?"

"Nah, Puppy is quick," Zack answered with a cheerful tone.

"I don't know what happened," he croaked softly. Tears streaked through the ash and Cloud telegraphed his seat on the singed bed. He opened his arms and grunted as Sephiroth buried himself in the comfort.

"Hmm, lemme walk through this, you tell me when you're sure of what you remember, okay?"

"Okay,"

"Gave Zack a kiss, talked about consent?"

"Sure,"

"Gave you a forehead kiss?" He felt the nod against his chest and hummed, "calling General Rhapsodos an ass?"

"No," here Sephiroth paused and said, "would've been funny though,"

"You'd have to ask Hewley," he replied with a wry smile. "Anything else?"

"Danger, fire, you?"

"Ah, you had a nightmare then,"

"... too old—" the choked off fear made Cloud blow out a long breath. He snapped up a heavy Silence and Libra.

"I get them still," he replied quietly.

"But—"

"Planet's savior, shitton of friends and a beloved all my own, I get them,"

"No... no age limit?"

"No,"

"Taking up your time and attention," the clipped sentences reeked of fear.

"Can take as much as you'd like," he reassured. "Triplets went through this too with Barret. I was stressing them out,"

"... you fought them."

"Mn, part of it,"

"JENOVA,"

"Spot on." He shrugged and murmured, "this will take longer than you think,"

"But I'm not... not bad for needing..."

"Not in the slightest," he slowly tapered the Silence and Libra out, letting the world come back in stages.

"So Regen works on organic material," Zack teased gently, "we just need to get the bed real quick,"

Cloud mentally put a pin in apologizing for it later but he scooped Sephiroth up like he wasn't six feet tall and gently swayed in place as Zack fixed the last of the fire with a quick snap of his fingers.

Over Sephiroth's shoulder, he spotted Rhapsodos with an odd expression, one Cloud couldn't quite understand just yet.

'Something wrong?' He challenged with a raised brow.

The shake was unusual, as Rhapsodos actually used his words and turned to Hewley.

Hewley mouthed, 'Later,' and he nodded in agreement.

"Okay, Elixirs for everyone who used magic within the last half hour or cast bare-handed. Did Aerith wake up?" He mustered out, placing Sephiroth on Zack's old bed.

"No," Kadaj hummed, "Yazoo said the Flower will be up tomorrow with the sun so we should go night night,"

"Elixirs and night night it is," Zack chuckled in agreement.

Cloud curled around his mug, leaning on Barret's lovely pecs and slowly waking up.

"Now that's something I didn't anticipate in a million years," the gentle teasing made him flick the bird in her general direction, which caused the familiar giggle. "Heard you had quite the time yesterday with Sephiroth,"

"Nightmares,"

"Mmn, waking up from a tanking to peace will out the trauma response first," she sighed as she sat down on the breakfast bar.

"'M gonna need a bigger bar,"

"Bigger house, more like it," Loz huffed, "bathroom line is too long for my liking, Papa,"

"Better not be Rhapsodos,"

"No, pretty Strife, that belongs to the wily Silver General himself," Rhapsodos snorted, "and please, for the love of the Goddess, just Gen, Genesis if you insist,"

"You don't care for it or you want Hewley's?" Barret teased with what Cloud knew was an eyebrow wiggle.

"What-I—How very dare!" Cloud noticed, with a sneaking suspicion, no refusal of the actual question. "There is no honor—Ouch, you little gremlin!"

"No Loveless, Uncle Cid fell asleep once," Loz muttered before shoveling cereal in his mouth mutinously.

Cloud couldn't help the laughter that spilled out of him.

Trust his oldest to cut right through the Rhapsodos bullshit production.

"Asleep to Loveless, huh? Personally prefer Act III to the rest but—"

"Three? Not Two?" Rhapsodos froze, turned to face Aerith with a new light in his eyes.

"Two is too tragic and, well, there is nuance to it but I much prefer Three's love story?" Aerith, of all people, holding an opinion about Loveless.

"... You are officially my favorite person aside from Angeal in this house right now," Rhapsodos confessed eagerly, hands clasped in front of him as he practically swooned.

"Oh, you've gone and done it now," Hewley rumbled, looking for all the world like he'd woken up from a particularly good nap.

"A friend of yours, Mr. Red?"

"Genesis, please, Ms...?"

"Aerith," Zack bemoaned, "not you too,"

"Oh, the Loveless, huh?" Zack wilted at her conspirital tone, "I won't use it against you," came the soft response.

Zack perked up and she laughed again, the sun shining through the skylight and lighting her up in a soft wash of gold.

Cloud snuggled deeper into Barret's embrace and gave a long contented sigh.

Zack gave him a soft smile, "Chaos aside, nice to have us under one roof?"

"Mn,"

After breakfast and chores—sorted very carefully with a white board stolen from the bike part of the garage—there was a knock on the door.

Cloud's smile dimmed, replaced with a faint rumble at the unfamiliar scent.

More intruders; he was about three seconds from slamming a full Shield Max around their house.

He opened the door with a hand on the Hollow Blade's handle and a grumpy expression which gave way to surprise.

"Hey, Zack, think this one's for you," he muttered to the confusion of the man in front of him. Cloud let go of the door, hovered his hand to block most of the man's face and added with a raised brow, "I'm pretty sure Commander Kunsel just found out where we live."

Chapter Text

"Kunsel!!" Zack carolled at the top of his, rather loud, lungs.

Cloud carefully side-stepped the whirlwind that was his best friend as he tackled their newest guest off of his porch and into the yard with a Gongagan rooster cry.

"Hi."

"Zack,"

"Huh?"

"Get off my chest," came the strained request.

"Oh, oh yeah, sorry about that," Zack sheepishly helped Kunsel up before he wrapped him in what would've been a bone-crushing hug to anyone else.

Commander Kunsel melted into it, inhaling with his face pressed to Zack's neck.

Grounding himself in Zack's familiar scent.

Hmm, might have to...

"... Kunsel?" Sephiroth inquired.

"Mn,"

"... too many people?"

"I think I need some space and that is no reflection on you," he admitted point blank.

Cloud stepped around and away from the porch, headed for Fenrir, strapped on his replacement googles and took off.

The ride across the acres Barret had soothed him, as did the set up of a wide-range Libra centered on the house but not tugging at his awareness so much as being a peripheral warning system.

Cloud wanted no more surprises after the nearly two days of just that.

By the time he got back, his head felt lighter and his step was easier as he made his way back up the stairs.

He hoped that his home wasn't significantly damaged.

The front door creaked open to silence and three small Remnants—with Marlene shaking her head on the other side of the corridor—doing their best to listen across a Silence MAX.

"Eh-herm, that is grown up business for a reason, «Kinder », and that is why you can't hear anything."

"Will.you tell us a... more appropriate version later?" Loz questioned.

"Depends on what they're discussing," Cloud said truthfully. "I might, I might not but I also might need a few days to mull it over. Commander Kunsel's not new to me and he is fairly no-nonsense as far as I can remember—"

"Strife, that's a nice compliment,"

"... Kunsel,"

"I'm going to get at least four people out of your house and I do have construction contacts that still specialize in SOLDIER strength and hearing. Do you want them and before the sir comes out of your mouth, I've been a civilian far longer that you were saving the world, so Kunsel will do, or hells even my first name, Siger." The golden eyes were a surprise but Cloud nodded absently.

"Nothing wrong but they're encroaching, huh?" He continued with a sympathetic tone.

Cloud huffed out a breath, murmured, "You're the second person to say that to me,"

"Oh. Oh." Kunsel's eyes lit up, "You have enhancements but no one ever walked you through how to handle the—"

Cloud smiled wryly and said, "No, I'm afraid not,"

"Well shit, that's on us then,"

"... 'Us'?" Cloud parroted.

"The rest of the former SOLDIERs who didn't degrade," Kunsel filled in and Cloud, for the first time in literal years, felt his jaw drop. He snapped it shut immediately and schooled his expression but that split second of awe and rage made him realize that he might have a chance to figure out some things. "Okay, yeah, we probably should've said something sooner but, y'know, world ending,"

"World ending, twice," he replied with a grin. "You're welcome,"

"Thanks," Kunsel chuckled. "Okay, so," here he knelt down to look the Remnants in the eyes, "we're going to be moving at least most of your house guests out into Field Grade Tents and helping you make either a new house for them or building you all more house. The reason why is because your... guardian needs his space to be filled only with people he is familiar with because our enhancements make us... territorial. Some of us handle it better, like Zack, but some of us need a little more space so we can adjust."

"Like Papa," Kadaj piped up, "and Loz,"

"Oh?"

"Mn," Loz shuffled in place but Cloud opened his arms and his oldest buried his face in his chest. "... Better."

"And that is why we're moving out into Tents!" Zack chirruped, "Cloud, buddy, we'll be in for food but I think Ang and Gen will be separate, as will, ah, Aerith and I,"

"Trying that date thing?" He teased lightly, frowning as he asked, "LifeStream?"

"Oh, that," Zack hummed, "turns out with Aerith connected to the Mako in all of our tanks, she just sent Greater Gospel down the Mako. It's half the reason none of us were JENOVA scary and yeah, Aer and I spent time there but it was more..." here Zack frowned, the furrow between his brow something Cloud wanted to smooth away, "Okay, so if the LifeStream was like your house, we were... in the mudroom. Not quite in it all the way but not quite out of it either? It talks to both of us now,"

"Mn, that makes four adults,"

"You and...?"

"Vincent,"

"... the one Gen called a tall drink of Koolaid, got it," Zack nodded before, "Adults?! Who—"

Yazoo pointed to himself and danced in place, "I found you, Puppy,"

"Aww... wait, HEY!"

The Field Grade Tents were huge compared to the regular ones, had their own bathrooms and came with a small kitchenette.

"There aren't too many of them left and they are reusable, unlike regular Tents, more like the Hunter Grade—" Kunsel filled in absently as he set the last peg in place.

"They have a full set of everything," Cloud finished with a nod, clicking open Fenrir' sword storage to tuck the Hollow Blade away. "My Ma was a Hunter before she was Mrs. Strife,"

"You're taking this rather well," Hewley stated .

"You're out of my house," he blurted, "and I had a ride to clear my head for a bit,"

"Ahhh, you're Territorial," Rhapsodos said with the air of someone connecting dots.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?!"

"Shush, sir," Kunsel held up two fingers and surprisingly Rhapsodos did, in fact, shut up. "SOLDIERs come in three grades, which you do know. What they don't tell you, what was explained to us by other SOLDIERs, is that the higher the grade, the more like a Cuahl you got. Defensive of your space, your people and your weapon. What Rhapsodos means is that since you're... how did you put it to Hewley, a hot-shot First in all but name, you're very territorial. Nothing wrong with it or you, but you've managed to live with it long enough to have strategies to kick it to the side,"

"... lot of new people,"

"Mn, there is that, and I'll be parked out of your house too while I make a few calls. I'll get the most experienced out here, with your permission," Kunsel said gently.

"Give me lunch to... process?" Cloud summarized slowly.

"Sounds good to me, I can get these guys up to speed for you, if you like?"

"Please,"

"Can do... First Class Strife,"

Cloud blinked at that, his face apparently giving away his confusion.

"You're one of us,"

Tifa always did say that sometimes his face spoke before the rest of him did.

Kunsel chuckled softly and continued, "Go back to your house, Strife, I've got the hooligans."

"Hey, I resemble that remark!" Zack cackled.

Chapter Text

With the house mostly back to normal, Cloud's shoulders relaxed once he stepped through his doorway.

"Better, honey?" Barret asked as his prosthetic hand landed on Cloud's waist.

"Mn. You activated the lode stone?"

"Meant to do it for our anniversary but, well, desperate times call for desperate measures and all," Warm, dark eyes crinkled at the corners and Cloud was reminded that this was who he'd picked, on purpose, because of the tiniest kindnesses.

"Shit, is it coming up already?" He blurted, laughing as Barret grinned unrepentantly. "You liar!"

"Nah, it's like three months away, I just wanted to spoil you and the triplets like I do Marlene and our Daddy-daughter dates?"

"Like... me and our triplets," he filled in softly.

"Yup,"

"Love you, «liebster»," he sighed as he leaned his weight back against Barret.

"I know,"

Cloud just relaxed, eyes closing for the first time in two days and knowing that everything was in its place.

Barret gently swayed them in place, rocking side-to-side as Cloud rumbled deep in his chest.

He cracked open an eye to see Sephiroth gripping the reinforced doorway and looking at them with an indecipherable expression.

Cloud closed it again, knowing that Sephiroth would talk when he was ready, contentment radiating from his center.

The hesitant steps shuffled closer, closer and then–

"Is this private?"

"Mn, no," Cloud admitted, "just relaxing finally,"

"... Even... with me here?"

Barret chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against Cloud's back, "You're not a threat, kid, not anymore,"

"... I don't... I don't want to be,"

"Takes practice," Cloud murmured, "you sure?"

"No?"

"Take it a day at a time,"

"... Can I... join?"

"Barret?"

"Eh, you're getting heavy anyways Cloud, can migrate to the couch—Cloud!" He leaned extra hard and nearly unbalanced them with a wicked grin crossing his face.

"So... heavy..."

"Aww Cloud, c'mon—"

The rusty laugh from Sephiroth apparently startled him for real this time as Cloud heard the slap over his mouth.

He opened his eyes and said, "you're safe, that sound is okay to make here,"

Sephiroth stopped just shy of them, Cloud looking up and offering a non-verbal nod, his once former rival sinking to his knees to bury his face in Cloud's stomach. "... safe."

"Safe," he reiterated with a smile.

They eventually moved the couch and Cloud was gently carding his fingers through Sephiroth's long, long hair almost on rote.

"... can I cut it?"

"Sure,"

"Just like that?" He whispered.

"Just like that, your body, your hair, your sense of self is something you have autonomy over," Barret replied quietly, "in this house, ain't no such thing as forced anything,"

"Now?"

"You are going to have to let me up to get the SOLDIER strength shears, «Kind »," Cloud offered in the tighter space.

"What is that language?" Sephiroth did oblige and let him sit up.

"Nibel,"

"... I killed them... killed her..."

"How can I forgive you, that about the jist of it?" Cloud filled in with a whisper of sympathy.

The sharp, barely there nod made him sigh.

"Spent a lot of time with the LifeStream, with JENOVA up in my head. Hells, Tifa put me back together after you broke me," Cloud mused before he shrugged, "what good does it do me to hold a grudge against someone who was also being controlled and had, oh, I want to say, a good 20 something years of rage unleashed. I've had time to process my grief and kicking your ass a second time gave me perspective,"

"But..."

"You were born there," Cloud followed, "I count you as a wolf-resistant country bumpkin if you'd like,"

Sephiroth opened his mouth, a soft, formless sound left him and tears started pouring down his face. Cloud merely opened his arms and had his shoulder soaked again for his troubles.

"You can't change the past, can't change what was, only what is," he continued softly as he started petting again.

"–Hic!–How?!–Hic!–" Sephiroth managed around his full-body silent sobbing.

Cloud was tempted to pull up Hojo's body and stab it again.

"Had a lot of therapy, had a lot of time to process and long ass rides to the middle of bumfuck nowhere to think about it afterwards," he admitted point blank. "Was actually depressed for at least two full years, got some SOLDIER strength meds for that plus a dunk into the LifeStream to clear out any doubt." He huffed and added, "Don't think that last one will work all the way on you though, therapy still needs to do it's work,"

A long, long sniff and then, "Therapy?"

"So much therapy," Cloud agreed, "years of it; you and the Generals and Zack and Aerith, and, well, probably the kids too," he shrugged.

"... I can feel Her,"

"Probably still can, the majority of her is in your biological Ma,"

"... a real one?"

"Dr. Lucrecia Crescent, though I'm not sure if she changed her name or if she ever married Vincent," Cloud responded to the unasked question.

"... I have other names."

"Probably,"

"The little ones...?"

"Strife-Wallace," he answered easily.

"Spikey, when were you gonna tell me that little tid-bit?" Barret chided from behind him on the couch.

"Haven't finished filling out the paperwork with the WRO yet," he admitted with a faint smile and a shrug.

"Oh, well shit, in that case, kid, you got another name if you want it,"

Sephiroth made a slight choking noise before laughter escaped him once more. "More names than I can shake a stick at and all it took was dying,"

"Sure looks like," Barret snorted.

Cloud found the shears, handed them to Sephiroth and waited.

"Your choice, «Kind»," Cloud reminded him gently.

Sephiroth opened them, held up a single strand and paused. "What if I'm wrong?"

"It grows back," Barret offered. "Won't be the first time a kid's regretted it, certainly not the last,"

"I'm... not supposed to be wrong,"

"Here you can," Cloud stated succinctly.

"... Make mistakes?"

"If you want," he agreed.

"The action is a punishment."

"The action is only a decision, not a punishment," Barret countered with a shake of his head. "Ask Marlene sometime about her go around with the scissors,"

"Marlene?"

"Our little girl, likes her hair in ribbons,"

The shears were put down instantly at that. "Ribbons."

"You wanna try that instead?"

"Never allowed to put it up. Can I... try?"

"A ribbon?" Barret grinned and walked over to the bathroom, dug around and then huffed, "Cloud, you have any? Mar's gone and set 'em elsewhere."

"I have a few," Aerith offered from the doorway, "if you'd like?"

"Green?" He asked and then took a deep breath before, "I'm sorry."

"What for?" She asked as she dug in her Inventory, "the ribbon?"

"... Killing you,"

"Didn't," she parried, "I'm still standing,"

"... Attempting to kill you?" Sephiroth questioned softly, confusion causing a furrow in his brow.

"Ah ha! Green and long enough for your hair," she crowed and then, "I forgave you already,"

Wide green eyes snapped to his and Cloud shrugged, "I suppose you could say thank you but I'm pretty sure she'll laugh at you for it,"

"I would not!"

"You laughed at me, Ms. Cetra," he chided.

"Because you never needed it, only needed to believe it," she teased gently.

"Thank you," came the grave response.

Aerith beamed brightly and said, "Then come here so I can put it in that glorious mane of yours,"

Sephiroth sank to his knees in front of her and she gently stroked his hair up and into a long, long ponytail, secured with the ribbon and a few bobby pins.

"How's it feel?"

"... Nice,"

"Nice is a good step," Aerith allowed with a smile.