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"Doesn't it ever get annoying?" Cloud asked.
Sephiroth looked over at him. "Why would it?"
Cloud shrugged. "I used to have long hair once, you know. It was a pain to take care of, and it wasn't even half as long as yours."
Sephiroth tilted his head. "I didn't know that."
"I cut it off before enrolling. I looked really bad with it, you're not missing out."
Sephiroth ran the brush through his hair. He had draped it over one shoulder, carefully getting rid of any knot that might have formed near the tips. "Do you have pictures?"
Cloud snorted. "I'm not giving you pictures of my bad teenage haircuts."
"You have seen pictures of me with my teenage haircuts."
"War posters don't count. They're staged. It's not pure unfiltered teen awkwardness, you know?"
"I suppose so."
Cloud watched as Sephiroth kept carefully brushing his hair. Sephiroth cared remarkably little about his appearance, but he always made sure his hair looked the best. It was his only vain side.
Cloud tilted his head. "Can I help you with it?"
"Help me?"
"It's easier if you have someone to help you."
Sephiroth stared at Cloud for a few seconds, before putting down the brush. He took his hair, and let it fall straight along his back.
Cloud sat up, and crawled down the length of the bed. Sephiroth sat the foot of it, shirtless, his hands now folded in his lap. Cloud knelt behind him. He took the brush, but didn't immediately get to work. First he ran his fingers between silver locks, feeling the silkiness.
He was very slow and methodical with how he moved. When it came to taking care of his own hair, Cloud was usually fast and rough. It didn't matter too much if he pulled a little. With Sephiroth, however, he made sure his motions would not accidentally ruin the perfection of it.
He was the only person who was allowed to touch Sephiroth's hair, besides Sephiroth himself. It made Cloud swell with pride. Being given the honor of not just touching, but helping Sephiroth with this, was possibly one of the greatest achievements of his life.
Sephiroth gave the lowest of hums when Cloud brushed against his scalp. Cloud smiled. The big cat.
He took his time with it, gently making sure there were no knots and that everything was as smooth as could be. He ran his hands along it. It was so soft. Cloud would never tire of running his fingers over it.
"I think I'm done," he murmured.
"Are you?"
Cloud tilted his head a little, pressing his lips against Sephiroth's shoulder. "Mm."
He ran his nose along Sephiroth's skin. That was also unbelievably soft, despite years of wearing leather directly against it. Cloud would rub himself raw in a matter of hours. He had no idea how could Sephiroth remain without the smallest of blemishes, especially when his skincare routine was more functional than anything else.
Incredibly perfect man. And Cloud got to have him all for himself. Unbelievable. His early teen self would die on the spot if he knew one day he would be able to leave lazy morning kisses on Sephiroth's bare shoulders.
"Cloud. I have a meeting to attend."
"Do you?" Cloud asked.
"Unfortunately."
"And you can't cancel it?"
Sephiroth chuckled softly. "When I come back, I'll give you all the attentions you want."
"And if I'm the one who wants to give attentions to you?"
Sephiroth tilted his head to the side, letting Cloud nose along his neck. "I can arrange for that, too."
"But I will have to wait."
"Needy."
Maybe Cloud was a little. He felt he had the right to, with the kind of boyfriend he had. If he could keep Sephiroth with himself at all times, he would. Even just to look at him.
Sephiroth's fingers brushed against his cheek. "I really need to get dressed."
Cloud kissed his hand. "There's no bargaining with you, is there?"
"We do plenty of bargaining, I believe."
Cloud raised himself on his knees, turning to kiss Sephiroth's cheek. "Alright, then. I'll let you go."
"How generous."
"You know, you don't really look to be in a hurry."
Unfortunately, Sephiroth stood up. Cloud remained on bed, following him with his eyes as Sephiroth grabbed his clothes and armor.
"I will let you know when I'm done," Sephiroth said, fastening his belt.
"I'll be waiting for that."
"So will I."