Tiny Dancer

Title: Tiny Dancer
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Author: Lynsey
Website/Mailing List: See links under user information
Beta: None
Chapter: 13/?
Pairings: Sephiroth/Cloud
Rating: PG-13 this chapter
Warnings: Very AU, language
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Do not sue, all I got are college loans, and this isn’t helping to pay them off.
Summary: Opening night for Midgar Dance Company’s newest show may be the beginning of something more than just a hot new act.

“What’s wrong?” Tifa asked, nearly in tears. All of the diners had forgone their meals to watch helplessly as Sephiroth poured water in small sips down Cloud’s throat.

Zack walked away from the table, still on the phone with emergency services.

“As far as I can tell, he’s well on his way towards starvation,” the General pressed his finger firmly on Cloud’s forearm and watched as the finger print stayed there. “He’s also severely dehydrated. Between the starvation and the dehydration I can bet that his electrolytes are all over the place, hence the confusion. I’ve seen it before in the field.”

“I’m tired,” whined Cloud, weakly pushing the glass away.

“I know, baby,” Sephiroth murmured with a gentle kiss to Cloud’s temple. The dancer closed his eyes and his head lolled to the side.

“Whoa whoa whoa,” Sephiroth caught the blond before he could fall. He shook the boney, thin shoulders gently. “You have to wake up, Cloud. Come on baby. Wake up for me.” Cloud opened his eyes again, but the lids were drooped.

“Tired, Seph.”

“You can sleep after we get you somewhere safe ok?”

They didn’t have to wait long for the ambulance. Sephiroth helped Cloud onto the stretcher and glared when he was asked to step back. They didn’t ask him again. One of the paramedics cursed as he tried to put in the IV, trying and missing twice. Sephiroth growled and the young man flinched. “Sorry, but he’s so dehydrated I can’t find his veins.”

Sephiroth stared the man down as he took the IV kit out of his hand. The General set up the unit himself while the paramedic looked on asking, “How did you do that?”

“My eyes are better than yours, and I’ve put in more IV’s than I can count.”

Cloud was loaded into the back of the bus while his friends looked on. Sephiroth and Tifa were allowed inside to be with Cloud on the trip to the hospital. Zack promised to get everyone else to the waiting room at the emergency ward. Tifa called Aeris on Sephiroth’s PHS to tell her what happened and where to meet them.

It didn’t take long to arrive at the Shinra-owned hospital, and a few threats in the right places got Cloud admitted immediately. For the blond’s part, he didn’t seem to take any interest in what was going on around him. He mostly faded in and out with Sephiroth watching over the doctors and nurses like a hawk does a tasty, slow moving morsel.

After several examinations made by multiple doctors, a diagnosis and treatment were solidified. It was what Sephiroth had expected: dehydration, electrolyte deficiency, starvation. The blond dancer weighed in at a whopping eighty-nine pounds. The General could have flogged himself. How could he have let it go? He had known Cloud was thin, much too thin. He tried to chalk it up to the fact that his own strength made weight a hard thing for him to judge. However, all he felt was an aching sense that he had failed somehow.

The doctors also said Cloud should be treated for his eating disorder.

…wait. Eating disorder? Like, anorexia? Bulimia? Cloud didn’t have an eating disorder. He was just poor, unable to afford enough food to live comfortably. That combined with all the physical labor he did on a daily basis and he just became malnourished.

…right?

All of Cloud’s friends were gathered in the waiting room of the ER, and most of them were sleeping. Sephiroth was not surprised to see the sun was up as he exited from the “Staff Only” doors to the waiting area.

Tifa scooted up from her slouch in the chair, coming alert from the near trance she was in. “How is he?” her voice was groggy from sleep deprivation.

“Tired, dehydrated, etcetera. He’ll be fine after a couple of days here.”

“But…there’s a show the day after tomorrow,” said Aeris worriedly.

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. “I hope Cloud has an understudy.”

Tifa rubbed her face and groaned. “Ya, he does, but the understudy can’t even get close to covering for Cloud. The director’s going to be pissed.”

“Tell him to take it up with me if he has a problem.”

“I…can see how that would be to my benefit.”

“Can we see him?” asked one of the twins (the General thought it may have been Roxas, but couldn’t remember which one was Roxas and which Sora).

“He’s sleeping, so it won’t be very exciting.”

The red-headed girl shrugged. “I just want to make sure he’s ok.”

Sephiroth nodded, and waved a hand to indicate they should follow him.

Cloud had been moved onto the Med/Surg floor from the ER, and the General led the way through the maze-like hospital to Cloud’s room. It was one of those generic hospital rooms with the tan linoleum floor, tan walls, older model tv, and one chair for visitors. Did they think that only one visitor would ever come at a time? Seriously. There should have been a stockpile of chairs somewhere for when extras showed up. As it was, people seated themselves on the floor, the large heating unit under the window, and Tifa claimed the one seat available. Sephiroth invoked boyfriend status and sat on the bed.

The room was quiet. Everyone was too tired and heartsick to talk. Cloud was ok, but that didn’t mean that they still weren’t scared and worried.

Cloud’s friends filed out after an indeterminate amount of time. The bartenders left first, heading home to sleep before they had to be at work that night. Aeris left next, needing to be at the medic office in the dance school attached to the theater. Zack left too with a list from Sephiroth written on hospital stationary. Cloud needed clothes, personal items, etcetera. Zack would pick them up and bring them back later.

Tifa and Sephiroth looked at each other while Cloud breathed quietly in the hospital bed.

“Does Cloud have an eating disorder?” Sephiroth blurted out. Damn. He had hoped to be more subtle than that.

Tifa looked shocked. “Why does it matter?”

The General looked down at the boney hand lying gracefully on top of the sterile white blanket. “He could die. I…don’t know…what I would do if…” He hated those blankets. They were always cold, no matter how many were piled on top of you. He needed to get Cloud warmer blankets. He pulled the present blanket up higher on Cloud’s chest, a futile effort to calm his nerves.

“He’s not going to die.” Tifa was firm.

“But he could. Shit like that is dangerous.”

Tifa leaned forward, elbows on knees and hands clasped. “You’ve seen him dance. You’ve seen what is required of him on stage. The director has weigh-ins, and everyone is required to meet the standards that man has. If you don’t make your weight, you don’t dance. He’s required that Cloud has to be under ninety-five pounds.”

“Fuck. That’s, that’s-”

“It’s fucking crap,” Tifa agreed. “They have their reasoning behind it, but I don’t agree. However, I’m just the choreographer. I don’t get a say in company policy.”

Sephiroth tenderly stroked Cloud’s hand, feeling the fingers twitch.

Tifa heaved a sigh. “I guess…Cloud and I are kind of don’t-ask-don’t-tell. If we want the other person to know, we tell them. Otherwise, the topic is off limits. Honestly, I just don’t think Cloud sees it as a big deal. He dances. That’s it. He does what he has to so he can continue dancing. There was nothing else in his life until you showed up all knight in shining armor and shit.”

“You’re his friend. Why didn’t you help him? He could die.”

“You know what, buddy? I’m not his mother. Cloud can make decisions all by himself. He’s a big kid.”

“He’s fucking sixteen. He’s just a kid.”

“And how old do you think I am, mister General sir?”

Sephiroth blinked at that.

“I’m only sixteen, too. I can’t,” her voice broke. She cleared her throat and shoved her palms against her eyes. “I can’t be his mommy. I’ve tried. I really, really tried. I want to help him, but you know what you pompous ass? I’m just as lost and scared as he is, and my knight hasn’t come to save me yet.”

She stood up and grabbed her purse, still wiping her eyes. “I need to go get some sleep. I don’t have a PHS, but you can call the theater and leave a message for me if anything changes.”

“I’m sorry.”

Tifa looked up with eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep and crying. “Don’t worry about it.” She left after that, leaving Sephiroth a feeling that the conversation hadn’t been concluded. He also felt like an A plus asshole.

************************

“Mmmm…Seph?”

Bright neon eyes blinked sleepily. Sephiroth sat up from his uncontrolled sprawl over the uncomfortable chair. “Hey,” he said quietly. “How do you feel?”

“Like I have the hang-over from hell.”

Sephiroth laughed. “That would be the dehydration talking.”

“I feel like an idiot. I freaking made a scene at IHOP.”

“I’m sure you made the wait staff’s day. Pancakes aren’t exactly the most exciting food on earth.”

“Seriously though. IHOP.”

Sephiroth snorted. It was kind of funny.

Cloud laughed too, then grimaced at all the tubes and wires attached to his arms. “This is annoying as fuck.”

“It’s necessary.”

Cloud groaned and flopped his arms back to the mattress. “When do I get to go home?”

“When your electrolytes are stabilized and,” Sephiroth paused, unsure of how to continue. “The doctors want to see your weight up at least five pounds before you leave. It’s not required, but I think it would be a good idea.”

The blond rolled his eyes. “I’m fine. I’ll leave once my electo-whatsits are better.”

“I…think I agree with the doctors.”

“What?”

Sephiroth took the blond’s delicate hands in his own, minding the tubes attached to thin wrists. “You’re not fine, Cloud.”

“Seph, sweetie, I’m a dancer. I’m athletic. So I’m a little lean-”

“Cloud, you are starving yourself.”

Cloud was quiet for a moment, looking down at their clasped hands. “There is nothing wrong with me.”

“Cloud,” Sephiroth tipped the blond’s little face up so he could look into his eyes. “You have the money to eat. I know you do. I put the money there and gave you an account card. Why didn’t you eat for two days?”

“I…but…we had such a big meal that night. I ate so much-”

“One good meal does not account for not eating for two days.”

“Yes it does,” Cloud vehemently argued.

“Are you listening to yourself? Seriously?”

“Look, I had a problem a couple of years ago. I’m fine. I have it under control.”

“You almost died. That is not having control over it.”

Cloud hung his head again, pulling his hands out of Sephiroth’s. The General sighed heavily and scrubbed at his face with fatigued frustration. When the first heavy sob came from Cloud’s skinny frame, Sephiroth almost had a heart attack.

Wide-eyed, the General cupped Cloud’s face and brought it up, only for Cloud to jerk away and turn to the side. “Cloud…”

The blond cried harder, bringing his hands up to cover his face. Sephiroth slid up onto the bed, careful of all the wires and tubes, and engulfed the tiny body in his arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so harsh, but I…I can’t stand the thought of you being hurt. Just seeing you on the stretcher broke my heart. I can’t let you hurt yourself. I…” he cleared his throat and kissed Cloud’s cheek. “I love you.”

Those words didn’t get the reaction he expected. Cloud cried harder, curling in on himself and seeming reluctant to take any comfort in the embrace of Sephiroth’s arms. “Tell me what to do, please,” Sephiroth pleaded in a whisper. “I need to make this better, and I don’t know what to do.”

“I’m so fucked up,” Cloud said reluctantly, voice thick. “What the fuck do you see in me? I’m a fucking mess. And, and, and-”

“You’re my fucking mess.” Sephiroth closed his eyes and sighed in relief when Cloud relaxed into his embrace. “You’re better than this. You can beat this.”

Cloud snorted inelegantly. “How can you possibly know that? We’ve only known each other for a few days. What if I’m as good as I get?”

“I know because I’ll help you.”

The blond sighed, using the blanket to dry the tears from his face. “I feel like such an idiot. I can’t do anything right. You have to keep dragging me out of the holes I dig myself. I feel like I’m stuck in some kind of bad movie. Ya know? The kind where you’re sitting in the audience yelling at the characters because you just can’t believe how stupid they are?”

Sephiroth kissed Cloud’s temple. “It’s not that bad.”

“Are you kidding me? What other stupid, cliché thing could you save me from?”

“Do you have an obsessive, homicidal stalker I could take care of?”

Cloud laughed. “Do you count?”

“I’m not obsessive and homicidal!”

A blond eyebrow raised.

“Fine. I might be obsessive but I’m not homicidal.”

“Says the ‘Demon of Wutai.’”

“That was one war-”

Cloud laughed; a real, hearty laugh. Sephiroth smiled, nuzzling Cloud’s neck.

“Did you mean it?” Cloud asked quietly.

“Hmm?”

“Do you love me?”

Sephiroth turned Cloud so he could look into his eyes. “Is it creepy if I do?”

“Weeell…” Cloud hemmed and scrunched his nose. “It’s kind of…soon.”

“I don’t expect for you to say it back. I’m…kind of surprised I said it. Especially since I meant it.”

The blond blushed. “I’m…excited for when I can mean it too.”

********************

The penthouse was quiet when Angeal walked inside. He sighed and immediately headed to the kitchen for a beer. It was definitely beer time, and he could probably catch the rest of the game. Pulling one of the cold bottles from the fridge, he turned around and almost dropped it in surprise when he saw Genesis standing right in front of him.

“Fuck, Gen,” Angeal swore and juggled the bottle back into his hands. “Make some noise for Gaia’s sake. I should make you wear a bell.”

Genesis sighed deeply and leaned against the counter. “We had coffee.”

A black eyebrow raised as Angeal popped the cap of the beer with his hands. “What?”

“Barrett and I. We had coffee.”

“Isn’t that what you said you were going to do?”

“But that’s what we did. We had coffee.”

“Aaaaand?”

Genesis threw his arms into the air in exasperation. “Are you that dense?”

“Uh…ya.”

The redhead let his arms flop back to his sides. “We had coffee. We went to this little all-night coffee place, and he got me coffee. We spent all night talking. That’s it. He didn’t ask me to his place. I invited him here, but he declined.” Genesis sighed. “Is there something wrong with me?”

“You’re a slut?”

The glare could have ignited tinder.

“What?” Angeal defended himself. “It’s true! You sleep with anything with a dick. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get to know someone before sleeping with them. It’s called dating, and some people still practice it.”

“Dating,” Genesis stated in disbelief. “He thinks we’re dating.”

“Probably.” Angeal took a long drink of his beer. Sometimes he needed it when dealing with his long time friend. He loved Genesis in the way only best friends and occasional lovers can, but there were times when he couldn’t fathom the depths of the redhead’s mind.

“I…” Genesis searched, looking lost. “Maybe dating won’t be so bad. He was awfully sweet, despite the fact he can’t finish a sentence without the word ‘fo.’”

“Well, there you go!” Angeal went with it. He just wanted to drink his beer, watch the rest of the game, and go to bed.

Genesis nodded to himself, probably thinking of his next moves.

“Hey, have you seen Sephiroth?” Angeal inquired.

Genesis shook his head. “Not since we parted last night.”

“Well, I kept getting all these calls from accounting…”

TBC…