Can We Start Over?

That's not right....

Seph's POV

Ok. First of all, I wasn't thinking. Second of all, I was just excited, ok!

Well, maybe I was a bit rushed and I shoved a couple of people into walls, but can you blame me? I might have been going a bit too fast, and I didn't have the patience to think. But the fact that he was here with me, I couldn't help but get overly excited. (Why did that sound like it came out weird?) Regardless of anything in my way, I had to see him. I had to see Cloud.

On my way to the infirmary, I realized there were more people in the barracks of the Shrina Building than I remembered. Maybe I spent way too much time in my office. At the earliest time in my career I didn't get out much. Unless there were S-ranked missions on the billboard to tackle, which began increasingly rare after the war ended, the title I got from that war was great, but it didn't mean much when I realized I wouldn't be needed until Midgar was in a dire situation. And that didn't happen every day, so I mostly was stuck in my office doing, well, paperwork.

Being Soldier 1st class is excellent and all, but you get the short end of the stick when it comes to working in these times, you know. In peaceful times, who needs heroes?

Anyways, the trip down (more like up) to the infirm was a-tad-bit harder than it needed to be. After sprinting down hallways, up a few flights of stairs, and 'accidentally' shoving a couple of people into walls, I finally managed to reach the room-I Mean Floor!

It was just as big as a standard hospital, which was why it covered an entire floor. Preferably above the barracks because it was mainly for any cadets who got injured during training or on duty. This floor was primarily for those cadets to recuperate.

At this point, my mind finally stopped rushing, but it still focused on one thing: find Cloud; he should be here. It wasn't long until I realized some cadets were here, recovering from minor injuries and bruises. I remember that, after the war, newer recruits were getting harsh training. At least 5-10 cadets would be resting on the hospital floor for a few hours at a time. And at least a hundred cadet check in and out of the floor each day. If I'm correct about this, it shouldn't have been long since Cloud was checked in after he collapsed in the hall. So he has to be here still, right?

So I went ahead scanning the whole floor until I found that head of blonde spikes I loved. Yes, I loved Cloud! What do you mean?! It's the same thing as a child loving their favorite toy; tormenting and flirting with Cloud had become my favorite pastime, ok?! (😅 ok, Seph, calm down! Jeez.)

Finally, I find my target, a spiky blond-haired boy, sitting on one of the beds in a room to the far right. He was sitting among a group of young boys, and his leg was bandaged around the ankle. Maybe Cloud strained his ankle when he fell. The door was wide open, so I had no problem sneaking over without them noticing me. I may be tall in an obvious way, but people, somehow, don't seem to notice me unless I make my presence obvious. These boys must have been too busy talking not to see me immediately. 

So I put my devious plan into action. The boy's back was facing me, so I would have no problem embracing him from behind, which I did 😈.

He froze as I jumped him, wasting no time bringing him closer and wrapping my arms around his middle. I couldn't help but smile; he was finally in my arms. "I've missed you, Cloud."

I rested my chin on the boy's head, waiting for him to respond to my greeting. The others might as well be gapping their mouths in shock.

It took a little while for the blonde to respond, which he blurted: "Peter! My name is Peter, sir."

...........................wait, what?

I was so confused; who again? I let the boy go and took a closer look at him. It definitely didn't sound like my Soldier boy at all. Who was staring back at me was someone who looked similar to him with blonde hair and blue eyes. But the hair was slightly darker, and his eyes were duller; even his face was fuller. This boy was not Cloud.

Not my Cloud.

I would have been really flustered with embarrassment if I wasn't feeling utterly crushed and disappointed. Without another word, I silently walked out of the room.

...

I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really~ should have checked at the front desk first. (ya think?!😑) But I was not thinking straight enough to consider it to begin with.

"Oh, you are looking for Cloud... who, sir?" the nurse at the front desk asked.

"Cloud Strife," I answered, trying to make it sound like I was not the same person that just ran around the entire floor to embarrass myself. 

"Cloud Strife, ok, let's see here...." The nurse typed the name into her computer to search through the record of the cadets who checked in and out of the infirm. She scanned her screen until her face lit up.

"I think I found him," I lightened up so quickly when she said that, but she continued. "Though I'm afraid you came a little too late." instantly, my heart was crushed.

"R-really?" I managed to mutter in response.

"I'm really sorry, sir, but he was in peak condition when he got here. It was just a simple fainting spell. There wasn't anything physically or mentally wrong with him, so he was immediately checked out. You just missed him 30 minutes ago." she explained, and I just stood there in complete disbelief.

Well! That's 30 minutes of my life that I'm never getting back again!

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Author Note

I hope you're enjoying this. This is the fifth chapter so far, and I somehow managed to finish it in one day. I might publish another one tomorrow (maybe). But thank you 💟 to those who are sticking to the story so far.

 I know the story is just getting started, but it's already ranked #46 in the ff7 subject. Like what 😳?! Thank you again, and enjoy the journey ahead with me 'cause it's gonna be a long one.

Also, drop a follow? Comment? Vote?

P.S. This chapter is my longest one yet, and I'm not gonna lie when I say I almost laughed while making this😂. I don't know what y'all will think, but I think it's pretty good.

Until next chapter 👋