Chapter Text
Cloud was checking the schedules, mentally making a map of his studio and where everyone was. Zack was with a class of ten to twelve year-olds for another twenty minutes.
Tifa had a kickboxing class for another forty-five minutes.
Aerith was leading a meditation course that was still in its trial and error stages.
Next month Vaan was coming to teach a three week hand to hand fighting course. Reno had been asking to do something similar but Cloud hadn’t decided to become liable for something like that yet.
There were two practice rooms that were both rented out by people who had already mastered the basics but had no place to train. That alone had been a big draw when he’d opened.
“Papa.” Ventus said, poking his head into Cloud’s office.
“What’s up, babe?” Cloud asked. While the kids were in their Saturday classes, Ventus had once again decided to stay at the front desk. It suited Cloud fine. His weekend receptionist was often late because of their own children. “I still have about half an hour before my next class starts.”
“Uh huh.” Ventus said. “There’s people at the front desk but i dunno what they want.”
“Oh yeah?” Cloud said, getting up from his desk. “What have they asked for?”
Ventus shrugged. “They haven’t. I was real, real polite when i said hello but the one looks like he’s on the verge of an anxiety attack. I thought he might want the meditation class so i told them which way to go but they haven’t moved yet.”
“Huh.” Cloud gestured for Ventus to lead the way. “Let’s go take a look.”
Most might have thought it strange that Cloud had so much faith in his eleven year old to manage the desk but he’d done a great job so far. He rarely had a problem and it had done wonders for the boys abilities to talk to strangers in a safe place.
At the front desk there were two men that didn’t look like his usual clientele. They looked like they’d come from work or class instead of coming to a dojo to train. Of course that didn’t really mean anything. He didn’t recognize them so they weren’t regulars. That could have just meant they were here to see what classes were offered to sign up.
“Morning.” Cloud greeted, watching both of them freeze up when they saw him. “How can i help you today?”
Ventus had pegged them right. The blond did look like he was a breath away from freaking out. The darker haired one just stared as if in a state of shock.
Okay, Cloud could see why Ventus was having some problems.
Cloud cocked his head to the side. “We offer a variety but if there was something specific you had in mind that could help narrow things down.”
The darker haired one kept nudging the blond over and over but the man wouldn't be moved.
“Papa.” Rei popped up from where he’d been sitting under the desk. He had a book, his tablet, and his dog. “Is this man family too?”
Cloud chuckled, “What? Why?”
Rei pointed at then and immediately stopped pointing when he remembered that it wasn’t polite. “He looks like you and Ventus and Roxy.”
Well, that was oddly true.
“It’s just a silly coincidence that Ven and Roxy look like me.” Cloud reminded him. It had been a running joke that had lasted close to a decade now. He had not cheated on Squall and the twins weren’t biologically his.
Ventus laughed and ran his fingers through his hair to make it stick up. “I can look more like you!”
“You can.” Cloud grinned. “Looking really good there.”
Ventus and Rei both laughed, Ventus helping Rei to make his hair stand up all pointy too. The silver locks were finally long enough to be somewhat styled. No one would ever know he'd been bald.
“Sorry.” Cloud finally glanced back at the men waiting. “What was it i can help you with?”
Both newcomers were looking at the children, each with a slightly different conflicting expression on their face. Something about the close inspection put Cloud on a higher alert.
“Well?” He asked, hand on Ventus’ shoulder as he stared at them.
“Uh, can i talk to you?” The blond one blurted out. “Privately?” He was nearly sweating and Cloud was backtracking a bit, wondering just how bad this kid's anxiety ran. He was holding tight onto his friend's arm and it was a gesture he’d seen enough in his own children. The kid needed support and his friend was there to offer it.
“Sure.” Cloud said, nodding back towards his office. He squeezed Ventus' shoulder. “If you need anything, ask Tifa, kay?”
“Okay.” Ventus smiled. Honestly, Cloud wasn’t too worried with Shadow right there. The dog was as gentle as could be but she was big and it was off putting for some people.
Cloud looked back at the pair and if possible, the blond seemed to become even more pale. His friend had a hand on the base of his back, nudging him to move when Cloud gestured again for them to follow him.
It wasn’t totally unusual for people to want to talk to him privately. Some people really were bashful about the sort of classes they wanted to take, or didn’t want to ask questions in front of others. It was usually women though. Women who had been abused at some point in their lives and had questions about Cloud’s self defense courses. He’d heard a number of private stories they decided to share with him and more than one of them had his personal number-- Just in case.
“Have a seat.” Cloud said while he dropped down onto his own seat. “My name’s Cloud. What can i do for you?”
He was met with silence, the poor blond kid looking like he was seconds from throwing up.
“Um, i’m Noctis.” The dark haired one introduced himself when it was clear his friend was having too much trouble. “This is Prompto.”
Cloud nodded, finally having the names to go along with their faces. Prompto seemed to be practically holding his breath.
“Right.” Cloud mused, waiting to see where this was going.
“Prompto Argentum.” Prompto added on, watching Cloud’s expression carefully. Cloud on the other hand, just stared in confusion.
“Kay.”
“You really don’t know me.” He deflated.
Noctis reached out, running a hand up and down Prompto’s spine. He leaned closer to whisper. “Isn’t it better that way?”
Cloud watched the pair, frowning. This just went from odd to downright strange. “I’m sorry. Have we met before?”
Prompto shook his head, oddly emotional. He swallowed thickly and seemed to be fighting off his flight reflexes. “I was… too scared to ever meet you.”
“Scared of what?” Cloud asked, completely perplexed.
“Well…” Prompto reached up to rub his face. “My dad’s name is Stratus.”
Cloud felt like he’d been sucker punched. It wasn’t a name he’d heard in years. Wasn’t a name he’d said in nearly two decades.
Stratus Strife. His biological father.
“It’s not his fault.” Nostis thrust in quickly. “No matter what happened in the past it wasn’t his fault and he just wanted to meet you. Please, don’t be upset we came here.”
Cloud held his hand up, gesturing for him to stop talking while Prompto seriously seemed to think Cloud was going to start berating him for daring to step foot inside his work space.
“Of course it’s not his fault.” Cloud sighed softly. It had been a while since he’d gotten a headache at the simple mention of his father. He pinned Prompto with a stare. “How old are you?”
“I’m..I’m twenty-five.” Prompto muttered. “I know how it looks. I know we’re the other family. I’m sorry.”
Cloud paused only a moment before waving the words away. “It’s not your apology to make. It’s not something you owe me. It’s certainly not your fault that man is a bastard.”
Prompto winced and his shoulders seemed to sag. It had Cloud backtracking as it finally occurred to him that Prompto might actually like their father. The concept was foreign to him but he’d done his best to make sure he was the one to harbor all the hate and let Denzel be free of it. There was no reason that Cloud was aware of at the moment that Prompto would have to hate him too.
“I’m sorry.” Prompto said softly, years of emotional toil shifting. “I’m sorry. I thought you didn’t like us. I thought you’d never want to meet me.”
“Don’t...apologize.” Cloud said softly, feeling oddly bad for this kid. The way he clung to Noctis’ hand was telling. He was familiar with all kinds of anxious tells.
He and Denzel had always joked about their father having another family somewhere, it had never really occurred to him it was a very possible development. Why wouldn’t he have run off and made a new family? Or, it seems he’d already had one.
“I’m…” Prompto looked pale, leaning a little harder towards his friend.
Cloud was at a loss. “Why would you think i’d hate you? Did he tell you that?”
“No!” Prompto gasped, realizing Cloud would get the wrong idea. “No, nothing like that! It was just… just that… you were supposed to come live with us and… that never happened.”
“What?” Cloud’s brows furrowed together. “What are you talking about?”
“Maybe Zack was right.” Noctis whispered to Prompto.
“Maybe…” Prompto swallowed. “Dad and my mom… they were going to have custody of you after your mom…” he trailed off. It looked like he couldn’t get the words out.
Cloud couldn’t have possibly looked more surprised. “I haven’t heard from that man in years. Not since the last time he dropped off me and Denzel at the hospital to visit mom and never came back.”
Prompto looked like he’d been slapped, the cruel goodbye just didn’t resonate with him. His father wasn’t that kind of man. His father had been there for every event in his life and he couldn’t imagine such a send off.
“So…” Noctis cleared his throat and continued when Prompto hesitated. “You had no idea you were supposed to go to your um, fathers?”
“That was never going to happen.” Cloud said dryly. He’d have rather been homeless than live with his father again, but that wasn’t an insult that deserved to be hurled at Prompto. “But no, it’s news to me. The social worker i had took great pleasure in showing off her prowess in placing children. She made no bones about it. She had a home for Denzel lined up and didn’t seem to see a problem with splitting us up. I took great pleasure myself in ruining her track record.”
“So you really ran away?” Prompto asked, a touch timid. “That was the reason you ran away?”
“Sure was.” Cloud said. “Spent about two weeks on the streets, just me and Denzel before we snuck aboard an airship.”
“A Highwind ship.” Prompto mumbled. “Dad looked for you both for a year or two i think. Couldn’t find you anywhere. When you guys finally reappeared, Cid Highwind was your guardian.”
Cloud didn’t know how he felt about his father checking up on him. More to the point, he couldn’t imagine his father having a better network than Vincent. That meant the likelihood of Vincent knowing about this second family was extremely high.
“Dad, i think, i mean he didn’t tell me much, but i think he tried to get custody of you again. Something happened though. I dunno the legal part of it but he was blocked.”
Vincent Valentine happened.
“Right.” Cloud muttered, maybe a little less annoyed with his adopted father now. “Makes sense to me, i suppose. I’d mostly stayed on the airship until i started doing my own deliveries at seventeen.” Was barely eighteen when he started running around with mercs.
“Then shortly after your brother started going to a very nice academy. I think at that point dad figured the Highwinds could give you both more than he could.”
“Our brother.” Cloud corrected. Denzel would get a huge kick out of this.
Prompto immediately flushed, looking embarrassed. He seemed like a good kid. Being nearly in tears just to meet Cloud was… Humbling? He wasn’t sure what the right word was but his relationship with his father wasn’t this kid's burden to carry.
“I have no complaints about my life.” Cloud said. “Despite the rough start, i’m very fortunate. Can you say the same?”
“Yes.” Prompto said softly, he’d grown up with two very loving parents and it just didn’t feel fair to him that Cloud hadn’t.
But the fact was, Cloud had, via Cid and Vincent.
“Then we have no problems, do we?” Cloud smiled faintly. “I’m sorry you grew up thinking i hated you. I promise, i don’t.”
The relief that seemed to fill Prompto was palpable. He exchanged a look with Noctis and got an encouraging smile in return.
“Um,” Prompto added. “Dad doesn't know i’m here.”
“That suits me.” Cloud said. “Denzel’s decision is his own, but i honestly have no desire to ever see him.”
Prompto nodded once, likely thinking of how he would relay that kind of message. Strife senior had lost Cloud long ago. “I uh, sorry i showed up when you were working. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Cloud actually laughed quietly. “It’s fine. Your niece and nephews are running around if you want to meet them.” God knows he’d have to sit his kids down, again, and explained that not everyone had secret siblings. Xion was going to be asking where her own nonexistent twin was again.
Prompto’s lips parted in shock. “Meet them?”
“Sure?” Cloud mused, “You’re my brother. Makes you their uncle.”
Noctis dipped in again when Prompto was too dumbfounded to respond. “The two at the front desk were both very polite.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Cloud smiled. “You know, something about you is familiar. You been in here before?”
Noctis actually scowled, which was an interesting response. “No.”
Cloud raised a brow and dropped it. “Alright.” He checked the time. “I have a class soon but i have a little time to show you around if you want.”
Prompto fidgeted and nodded. “I’d like that. I don’t really, uh, know about the martial arts thing. Not really. Took Karate as a kid, you know? It's been a long time.”
Cloud hummed. “I teach all my kids to defend themselves. I almost pity any mugger or whatever who marks them as easy targets.” Vanitas and Riku could be particularly vicious.
He got up and led the other two from his office and into the studio. It was huge, and broken up into many different little classrooms.
“I’ve driven by this place so many times.” Prompto muttered, relaxing somewhat. “It always looked so extravagant and kids in particular seemed to love coming in.”
“Yeah, gift from my father-in-law to help get it started.” Cloud commented. “If you’re ever interested you can pick a class. All of my teachers are capable, not to mention my friends.”
“Awe, shucks, Spike.”
A group of sweaty kids ran out of class, each of them looking for their waiting parent or guardian. Behind them was Zack, looking equally worn out by the group of small kids asking him to show them different tricks.
“Zack.” Cloud snorted.
“God,” Noctis grumbled. “I forgot you’d be here.”
Zack just snickered. “Good to see you again so soon too, bro.”
Cloud inhaled, “Right! Noctis.” He turned to him. “Knew your name but never met you. Nice to meet you too.”
Noctis was the one to go red that time. “What?”
“Zack used to talk about you all the time.” Cloud added.
The kid continued to scowl but neither Cloud nor Zack looked particularly apologetic. There was something so childlike about that stare which was odd coming from the twenty-something year-old man. Zack had mentioned trying to talk to his brother again.
“Glad to see you both.” Zack continued, lightly smacking Prompto on the shoulder. “Talk go well?”
Prompto still seemed flustered. “Um…”
Cloud rolled his eyes, knocking his shoulder against Zack’s. “You would know first, wouldn’t you?”
“Hey, i was a good big brother and kept my mouth shut. Besides, we are this close to becoming in-laws.”
“Zack!” Noctis hissed, face stained dark while Prompto was pointedly looking at the floor. Cloud could hardly help his smile. This was adorable.
“Just saying?” Zack grinned, bumping into Cloud as he wandered after his students to make sure each one of them found their ride home.
“Idiot.” Noctis muttered, clearly resisting the urge to make a face at his brothers back.
Cloud just nodded. “Yeah. The problem with that particular idiot is that he always means well.” He checked the time again. “I have to go start a class now but you’re welcome to stay and watch if you want. If you don’t mind seven kids, you should come to dinner. Both of you.” No way would he leave out the support friend.
Prompto’s eyes grew wide, surprise filling his expression. “I’d...I’d like that…”
Cloud smiled a little. The kid seemed younger than what he was. “Good. Plenty of seating if you wanna watch. Zack’s also teaching again soon if you wanna check out his class too.”
“Pass…” Noctis said but he was fully pouting.
With a short, somewhat awkward ‘goodbye for now’, Cloud headed to his classroom where people were starting to trickle in and do their warm ups. Before starting he grabbed his phone, sending a text to both Leon and Denzel.
-Guess who i met today?-