Well, after having [livejournal.com profile] landels suck out my soul for a while, I finally got the act together and finished the next part of Another Chance. You know the drill. Alternate Ending for Advent Children, and a shiny foursome of Aeris/Cloud/Zack/Sephiroth

Beta'd by [livejournal.com profile] forgottenlover and written now instead of later for [livejournal.com profile] kemis

One Two



Escape from the church was easy. Everyone besides Tifa was really too stunned to do anything to stop them, and even if they hadn’t been, it would have been child's play for them to get away. As it was, it was simple though, and once out, Cloud had quickly taken them through the alleys that tunneled the rubble, the path swiftly turning into a rabbit’s warren that the others were lost in.

“Where we going, Spike?” Zack was the first to ask. Aeris and Sephiroth looked curious, or as curious as they ever did, and Cloud had to stop for a minute just to breathe and watch them.

“You guys are here. Really here,” he finally whispered and wrapped his arms around Zack, who was the closest one.

The dark haired man was prepared for this, and was quick to return the almost too tight hug. Cloud let his head rest on his lover’s shoulder, ear pressed against his neck to hear the strong heartbeat.

“I…. You have no idea how much I missed you guys.” Cloud could hear his voice shaking as he clung to Zack. He had grown, matured, lost and found himself since he had lost Zack. Since he had lost Aeris. And definitely since he had lost the real Sephiroth. He was older, and had learned a great deal about life and everything he held dear.

He had missed them. So much that he hadn’t really cared about anything else. Selfish, yes, but he couldn’t help it.

Now, they were back, and Cloud was shaken beyond anything he would have expected.

“We know,” Aeris’s soft voice answered, her hands pressing against the small of Cloud’s back.

Sephiroth moved so he could card his fingers through Cloud’s hair over Zack’s shoulder. “It hurt us to see you like that, Cloud. We never wanted you to be left like that.”

“We’re sorry, Spike. Really, really sorry.” Zack kept repeating sorry until Cloud finally moved to pull away. Shaking himself, he looked at them rather sheepishly.

“We’re heading to my place. I spend so little time there, I’m not even sure if the others know where I live.”

He started down the paths again. “Even if we do have someone try following us, I picked this route for a reason.”

The other three exchanged glances. They had watched Cloud as much as possible, but they hadn’t been able to watch him all the time. Most of the time, they hadn’t been able to watch consistently, so their knowledge of Cloud’s life was scattered at best. So none of them knew what he was referring to when he made comments like that.

“What reason would that be?” Sephiroth asked finally.

“That would be us.”

Instinct long dormant, long unused, but still remembered, kicked in as Zack and Sephiroth went back to back, while Aeris moved next to Cloud. It didn’t matter that none of them had weapons. In fact, in the case of Sephiroth, Zack, and Cloud, they were weapons in their own right, while Aeris lived a good chunk of her life under the Plate, and one needed to be able to defend themselves when they lived there.

Cloud, though, stayed relaxed as the kid seemed to melt out of the shadows. “Redfeather.”

“Bluebird.”

“Have I ever mentioned that JJ has a strange obsession with birds and their parts?”

The kid, who was maybe fourteen, with his hair in a mass of braids, each decorated with red feathers, shrugged. “Your fault you got chocobo hair.”

A snort. “We got to get to my place, and we might be followed. You guys got it covered?”

Redfeather looked at the three people with Cloud. “JJ might not like it you bringing in strangers.”

“JJ owes me a hell of a debt. Besides, they are mine.”

“Yours? Like as in how Beak is JJ’s?”

Cloud nodded. “And I’m just as protective.”

A long whistle. “Got it. JJ ain’t gonna have no problem with that. I’ll pass the message on, so the others won’t bug you. Want me to say anything to JJ?”

Glancing back at the other three, Cloud look back at Redfeather. “Tell her that I got my bits, and we’ll be at my den.”

The grin was bright against Redfeather’s dark skin. “Gotcha. See you, Bluebird. JJ wants you to drop in when you get a chance. She told us to let you know if we saw you.”

“Monster?”

“Maybe. Birdy missed a checkin, found her out of it with a bite mark. She got better, but she’s not the only one who got hit. We can’t find it, whatever it is. JJ wants to know if you’ll take a look.”

A nod. “Sure. Tell her to give me a few days, and I’ll come see her.”

“Got your bits. She’ll understand, and I bet she’ll be wanting to meet the ones who caught Bluebird’s attention. Specially since you ignore anyone who made a pass at you.”

Cloud laughed. “Let her know if she names them after birds or any of their parts, I am not responsible for the results.”

Another bright grin. “I’ll pass it along. Later, Bluebird.”

“Redfeather.”

And then their visitor was gone.

Aeris coughed. “JJ? I seem to remember a gang called the Ravens directed by a girl called that.”

“That would be her. Saved her from a monster about six months after Meteor. Thing had blue blood, I got soaked in it, she saw me. Nicknamed me Bluebird. I didn’t realize,” Cloud looked rather bemused, “that getting nicked meant she had pretty much adopted me into her group. We got an agreement. I deal with monsters, she does me favors.”

Laughter escaped Zack. “Leave you alone, you start making criminal connections. I’m proud of you, Spike.” He grinned, mischief clear on his face. “Or should I call you Bluebird now?”

Faster than any of them expected, Cloud twisted around and his fingers easily found the ticklish spot just under Zack’s ribs. With a yelp, Zack withered away, crashing into Sephiroth and pulling Aeris into the middle to defend himself. Cloud, grinning like a madman, abandoned Zack’s ribs in favor of scooping Aeris off the ground. Whooping, he turned and darted off with his prize. Helping Zack catch his balance, Sephiroth gave chase with Zack right on his heels.

///


It was a panting and almost giddy bunch who showed up at the door of a two story building, and Aeris looked up. “My, we’ve moved up in the world.”

“Better than crashing in a hidden room under a bar? You’re probably right.”

“I sense a story,” Zack singsonged as Cloud opened the door. He got a smile back, then they went inside.

“It’s clean, but I guarantee nothing beyond that. When I’m in town, I tend to eat out or with Tifa and the kids.” Cloud hissed and smacked his forehead. “Damnit. I forgot about the kids. Marlene is going to be thrilled to see you again, Aeris. And Denzel is going to be furious at me for taking off and not saying bye.”

“They’ll understand,” Aeris said, reaching up to pull Cloud into a kiss. When they pulled apart, she smiled at him. “We’re missed you. All we could do was watch you, and it hurt so bad to see you hurting like you were.”

This time she was the one Cloud crushed to his chest. He was a bit more gentle with her, since she wasn’t Mako-laced like Zack was, but it was just as desperate. “It hurt. I didn’t even remember what we had together until after you were gone.” His voice shook and his arms trembled as they held Aeris to him. “I forgot you. I forgot Zack. I forgot Seph. How could I forget you guys? Then I remembered, and you were all gone.”

“Sssh. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Aeris’s voice shook almost as much as Cloud’s. “You came back to me after so long and you couldn’t remember. It hurt me to see you like that. I could tell it was going to hurt you if I reminded you. Hurt you in some unamendable way to remind you of who I was, of the ones we had both lost.” Her voice was breaking as she spoke on. “And I had the idea that…. Of what might come.”

A long moment of quiet. “I don’t know what I would have done if I had remembered you only to lose you again, Aeris,” Cloud said softly. “I don’t think I could have survived losing the last one."

Finally, he let go. “So, we can check the kitchen and see if there is anything decent to eat. I tend to stock up on canned goods, since they don’t spoil.”

She laughed. “If you would turn on the lights, it would be even better. Silly man, forgetting that I can’t see as well as you in the dark.”

Sephiroth was the one closest to the switch, and he flicked it on without warning, a slight smile on his face as the others blinked rapidly at the sudden brightness. “You,” Zack said, “are an evil, evil man. I -knew- I hung out with you for a reason.”

“You hung out with him, dear, because you thought he was shiny. Don’t deny it.” Aeris added, her voice full of light teasing. “You are an absolute magpie when it comes to anything shiny, and they don’t come much shinier than Sephiroth does.”

“I,” Sephiroth added, “am not shiny.”

Zack snorted. “Seph, if we put you under light, you reflect. That makes you shiny.”

As they stood there and debated back and forth over the issue of Sephiroth’s shininess, Cloud simply watched. It was so nice to have them back, but.... He felt rather odd, actually. They were there, and they were back. He had them back. And he still felt rather lost. Like he was outside, looking through a window at someplace he really wanted to be. It was right there, but he just couldn’t reach out and touch it. It felt so damn good to watch them simply interact with each other that Cloud felt a tight spot form in his chest as he realized that, yes, he had them back. That they weren’t going away this time.

He could have stood on the outside and watched them forever.

Then warm arms wrapped around him and pulled him back against a familiar form. “You,” Sephiroth said low into Cloud’s ear, “should not be standing over here. You are supposed to be over there with the rest of us. As you seem to be rather foolish about moving, we will come to you.”

The expression on his face must have been hilarious, because Zack laughed and leaned in for a kiss. Cloud sighed softly into it and let himself be pushed back against Sephiroth as Zack decided to reacquaint himself fully with Cloud’s mouth. Sephiroth’s arms tightened around Cloud as he took on more of the other man’s weight, and Cloud made a small, happy hum into the kiss. He knew Aeris was watching, she liked to watch her boys together. Zack called that her evil, pervy side. He then encouraged it by molesting Cloud or Sephiroth in front of her.

Finally, much to his not-happiness, Cloud felt Zack pull away. Not much, but enough he could talk. “We’re here, Spike. We came back, and we came back to you. Don’t think you’re getting away from us now.” A hard poke into Cloud’s chest. “You’re ours, and you are stuck with us. No refunds allowed. Got it?”

Cloud grinned. “You sure I can’t trade you in for a quieter model? Maybe one that doesn’t shed?”

“If that was possible,” Sephiroth added calmly, arms still tight around Cloud, “I would have done it years ago. Zack does have a tendency to shed everywhere, doesn’t he?”

Not to be left out, Aeris grinned and spoke up as well. “He does. Do you know how often he’d come visit, and I’d do nothing but pick up stuff he just left everywhere?”

Zack sniffed, looking at them like he was offended. “Fine. I see how it is. Spike, where’s your bathroom, and does it have supplies. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m still slightly damp, and I wouldn’t mind a hot shower.”

“Upstairs and the first door on the right,” Cloud said, still blinking at Zack’s words. It seemed almost out of character for the man to say things like that. Usually he was much more prone to demonstrating what he felt, instead of saying it.

The black haired man grinned. “And supplies? Don’t want to get there and not have any towels or shampoo.” When Cloud nodded distractedly, Zack grinned. Spinning, he started for the stairs. As he did, he shoved the suspenders off his shoulders and reached down to peel off his shirt, pausing only a second as he had to tug it from around his face. Cloud found himself staring as Zack shook his head and dropped the shirt off to the side. The man started on the stairs, hands working on the belt he wore.

That’s when Cloud found himself over Sephiroth’s shoulder as the other man moved to follow Zack. “We should make sure he doesn’t shed too much without us around,” he said, voice vibrating through his body and into Cloud’s stomach. Vaguely wondering when Seph had shed the shoulder armor, which he was grateful for, Cloud saw Aeris pause and pick up Zack’s shirt.

“I hope it’s a big shower,” she said lightly, grinning at Cloud. “Otherwise how will we get clean?”

“I’m sure we’ll manage,” he gasped out as Seph started up the stairs. “Somehow.” He smiled back at her.

“Good.” And with an almost hungry look, one that was scary when it was on Aeris’s face, she followed them up the stairs, still collecting the clothing Zack was leaving like a trail of bread crumbs. A trail of bread crumbs to happy.



Chapter Four

From: [identity profile] mirroredsakura.livejournal.com


I have not commented on your journal before (o.O; I... don't think...) even though I'd read the earlier chapters of Another Chance, but I simply had to this time. I am in love with this idea for an alternate ending, and celebrating in computer-chair-twirling fashion for finding another continuing fic written about my absolute FFVII OT4.

I'm looking forward to your next chapter. ^_^

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


Whee! New commenter.

I'm glad you enjoy. Have you read Oh Gracious Twist of Fate? It's planned out past twenty chapters, and not fully done yet.

I hope you continue to enjoy this, since I have at least two more chapters planned, but possibly more. Stupid bunnies.
ext_18715: (Default)

From: [identity profile] xiaron.livejournal.com


“Seph, if we put you under light, you reflect. That makes you shiny.”

*just dies*

If I ever wondered why I love reading your work, lines like that are all I need to remember. More, soon, please?

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


*grins* Snarky lines. Is why I love playing Zack so much.

Glad you enjoyed it. *huggles* Don't die, we need you to fix us when we do stupid things in Landel's.
ext_18715: (Default)

From: [identity profile] xiaron.livejournal.com


*pokes her character* Well if I'm supposed to fix you, who in the world is going to fix me?

Really though, love the story. I feel like I wait to pounce on anything new you decide to post.

*hides in convenient shrubbery, ready for pouncing*

From: [identity profile] omega-shadow197.livejournal.com


Yes! More Another Chance! I'm glad that you've continued this. It's the ending to Advent Children that I really wanted.

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


I wanted it too. We should suggest it to them. They can make a new version of the movie.

Two more chapters to go at the very least. *hugs* Glad you liked it.
lanerose: (Default)

From: [personal profile] lanerose


Absolutely lovely, m'dear!!! ^_^ Glad to see you working on this again!!!

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


Next up, OGToF.

Glad you liked it, my dear LR. Now give us more of your fics. Now. *smiles sweetly*
lanerose: (Default)

From: [personal profile] lanerose


But... but... it's not finished yet! I've only got the first half or so done! And I owe [livejournal.com profile] ladylore some KHII fic first!

;_;

And LR? ::is amused:: It's funny because one of the first friends I ever had online went by that abbreviation. ^.^;;;

... and yay! OGToF!

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


I'm right on those suckers. Breadcrumbs to happy indeed.

And he is. Don't let Seph tell you differently. He -reflects-.

Glad you liked it.
ext_18500: My non-fandom OC Oraania. She's crazy. (Tree Hugging Hippy Eco-terrorists)

From: [identity profile] mimi-sardinia.livejournal.com


Oooooooooooh!!!!! I was just thinking of this! Reread the other two chapters last night in fact!

...

...

*SQUEEEEE!!!!*

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


*grins* That's a good response. I'm glad you're so happy this is out.

Hope you enjoy the rest of it as much, and off I go to work on more OGToF.

From: [identity profile] owleyes-arisen.livejournal.com


This is wonderful. Absolutely beautiful - and just so sweet. They deserve a happy ending.
...though I can't say I'm not looking forward to the big confrontation between Cloud and Avalance...

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


*smiles* That, my dear, will start in the next chapter.

They do deserve a happy ending, damnit. That's why they get this.

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


Come, we will follow said trail and take lots of pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.

From: [identity profile] kemis.livejournal.com


*licks new chapter* It tastes like happy!<3

*died at the shiny comment* No matter what he says, Seph -is- shiny. Also, do you plan to write the shower scene? Mm. Cloud does seem to get lot of shower sexing, doesn't he? *snickers*

The new chapter is so shiny too. I'm so glad I managed to read this before leaving. Rock on, girl! *hugs*

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


*curls around and cuddles*

Just remember, when you get back, we will make that sexing between Vincent and Zack happen. Cause that's a whole lot of pretty. *purrs*

He is shiny. And, sadly, no plans for sexing in the shower. Cloud loves the shower sexing, though.

Glad you got to read it in time. I'll see you around.

From: [identity profile] electrainverted.livejournal.com


... OMG... OMG. ♥

*SQUEE*

I love you. So... just... PERFECT, and pretty and shiny (I suppose that's Sephiroth... xD) and YES. Aerith~ And... well, everybody.
Sephroth~ *squee*


From: [identity profile] to_shiki.livejournal.com


okay, so i found this at like 2am(because i haven't been to lj at all forever and a day...stupid college papers!!;_;) and read the first chapter then tried going to bed. TRIED!!! wound up going to bed around 3am because i just HAD to finish reading this. its been a long time since a fic could do that to me and your's did it!! simply wonderful!! just curious tho....are the 3 SHM going to be in it at all? because i had a wonderful dream/thought of how they could be brought in. just wondering and can't wait til the next chapter......college papers can wait ^_~

From: [identity profile] cosmotwitch.livejournal.com


A trail of bread crumbs to happy.

*brainmush* Yes, a happy trail of breadrumbs to glorious shiny-ness in the shower...yum.

So glad this was updated*this was how Advent Children should have ended dammit^^*


From: [identity profile] kiyoshi-chan.livejournal.com


OH SO CUTE my brain has fizzled out with the mad fangirl love.

Can I stalk you for more of this? *___________*

From: [identity profile] eternal-edge.livejournal.com


“I,” Sephiroth added, “am not shiny.”

Zack snorted. “Seph, if we put you under light, you reflect. That makes you shiny.”


Hee. So Zack is a magpie, Cloud a bluebird. I guess Aerith would be...a nightengale and Seph...I dunno, a friggin phoenix? XD

From: [identity profile] shadowzephyr.livejournal.com


/cheers
Another chapter! I freaking love this fic. The interaction between the four is wonderful. Can't wait for more.^^

From: [identity profile] zoidiangirl.livejournal.com


Yes, I know I'm late on commenting, but I just found this. I LURVE it! And especially the shiny comment. ^__^

From: [identity profile] ninjababe.livejournal.com


I just want to say how much I love this story. I've read it five times now, and come back every few days just to read it again.

Here's hoping that you'll post more!

From: [identity profile] arora-kayd.livejournal.com


It's a very shiny OT4, and you have me totally hooked!

I caught up all in one sitting and all I can think is "preeettyy..." ^-^

Their banter is brilliant.

I'm so stalking this fic now!

From: [identity profile] materia-l.livejournal.com


“I,” Sephiroth added, “am not shiny.”

Zack snorted. “Seph, if we put you under light, you reflect. That makes you shiny.”


You rule at banter. And you asked me for comments, so now you're gonna be stuck with me. <3 Like a happy kitty.

From: [identity profile] icedark-elf.livejournal.com


Why thank you. I do try, and it's interesting to see how people feel about it. Glad you see that it came out good.

And I love comments. And happy kitties. Happy kitties purr.
.

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