Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Alliance ❯ Chapter 31

“Alliance”

Chapter 31

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(Warning: Possible spoilers for all FF7 game/movie titles)

*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can't get enough of this world and the characters.*

~***********************************************~

 

Wanting to see if the salary he'd started Genesis on was worth it, Rufus instructed Rude to drive him to the training academy a few miles outside of Junon. He left Tseng secured in his office and…appropriately prepared for later activities.

 

A week had passed since the allied forces returned to Junon, and it was the first day of Genesis's new career. Rufus didn't expect immediate results but he did expect to find his new instructor putting forth a worthwhile effort. As they drove through the compound gates, Rude pointed out at the fenced-in field where a large regiment was performing combat exercises with blunt swords.

 

“There they are, Sir.”

 

Rufus looked at the training field thoughtfully, unsurprised but disappointed as always in the sloppy performance of his troops. “Drive us to the back. I want to observe without informing Genesis of our presence, first.” Instructors tended to work a lot harder when they knew they were being watched and Rufus wanted to know what kind of effort Genesis was making when he wasn't around.

 

Rude nodded and silently complied. He supposed he should be a little worried…after all, he'd been the one to suggest giving Genesis this position and if Rufus wasn't satisfied, he stood to lose some pay too. Somehow he wasn't concerned. He knew Genesis wasn't the kind of man to do anything half-assed and it wasn't just because he was a redhead. Rude vividly remembered all the trouble that Rhapsodos had once caused the organization and he figured if he could do all that, he could probably whip the troops into shape, too.

 

He regretted thinking of the word “whip” as soon as it passed through his mind. Suddenly Rude couldn't shake the mental picture of Genesis in tight leather, wielding a whip to punish the troops that didn't follow his orders to his satisfaction. The bald man wasn't typically a sadomasochist but he started salivating in response to the image his brain had painted.

 

~If Genesis did things that way I'll bet a lot of the troops would fuck up on purpose just to…what the HELL am I thinking?~

 

He gave himself a mental kick in the ass as he drove up to the back fence of the training field and parked the car. He and Rufus got out quietly and watched as Genesis paced back and forth before the regiment of troops. They couldn't see the expression on his face but Rude guessed he wasn't pleased by the body language he was using.

 

It was the end of spring in this part of the world and the days were growing hotter. Genesis wasn't wearing his coat and his sword was sheathed in the scabbard at his back. Rude covertly admired the unconcealed view of the redhead's toned, leather-clad ass as he paced before the regiment. The pants weren't tight like the ones in his inappropriate little fantasy but they still hugged his body closely enough to outline the right places. The company had issued a set of new uniforms to Genesis; custom tailored like Zack's, with a Velcro slit in the back to allow his wing to emerge unimpeded. It was the same cut and style as his original gear and it looked good on him.

 

Rude forced himself to stop mentally undressing the fighter and he looked sidelong at his boss, noticing the frown on his face. The performance of the troops was embarrassing…not just because it was sloppy but also because these were men and women who had been directly involved in the conflict with Deepground. These people should be seasoned fighters by now but they were performing like recruits. It was going to take a lot of effort to pull them out of this rut.

 

~****************************************~

 

Genesis held up his hand and called for a halt. The rows of troops he was overseeing clumsily stopped their exercise and snapped to attention. The redhead frowned and walked the length of each line, inspecting every soldier with sharp eyes. He jotted down quick mental notes about each individual as he went and once he'd inspected all of them, he returned to the front of the line. His eyes were downcast as he walked and his sensitive mouth was pulled into a frown.

 

If he had looked up before returning to the head of the regiment, he would have seen that he had an audience. As it was, he was too distracted by the shoddy performance of his charges to sense the president and Rude's presence. He stopped before his pupils and heaved a sigh, looking out over the rows of men and women and shaking his head.

 

“Well people, that was truly…pathetic.”

 

There was movement in the ranks as many of them shifted uncomfortably on their feet like scolded children. Genesis glared and they quickly stilled.

 

“When I say `pathetic',” Genesis went on, “I mean you people suck in the manner of a virgin with a mouth full of broken teeth.” He thought he heard a snorting sound from somewhere behind him but he ignored it, his attention focused purely on shaming the troops and hopefully shocking some sense into them. One of the men on the front row glanced at his fellows and took a hesitant step forward.

 

Genesis tilted his head at him. “Is there something you'd like to say?”

 

“Sir, yes Sir!” the young trooper announced. “Most of us aren't specialized in swordsmanship, Sir!”

 

Genesis smirked without humor. “You're soldiers. It doesn't matter whether you're specialized in a weapon or not, you are expected to have enough skill to use any weapon sufficiently enough to at least defend yourselves with it, without causing more damage to yourself than your opponent. Your performance on the firing range this morning was equally abysmal. Only a select few of you seem to even be putting forth a real effort. I should hope that you tried harder when you were in real combat…otherwise I might suspect you all of being suicidal.”

 

He allowed his words to sink in for a moment before continuing. “You are no longer going to coast from paycheck to paycheck. If any of you have ever complained about your salaries, this is why they haven't gone up. I suspect many of you have just been going through the motions.”

 

Genesis stopped and gazed at them coldly. “Suffer no delusions. There will be an evaluation at the end of the month and those of you that have not shown significant improvement or at the very least, effort and greater potential, will be expelled from the militia. The majority of you wield your swords as though you're hacking at meat. There's no passion or pride in your actions and I intend to change that. You need precision, focus and passion. Today we'll begin working on that and I expect to see some improvement by the time we leave this field.”

 

He scanned their faces and finished: “Those of you who do not put forth obvious effort will be assigned to running laps and lavatory cleanup at the end of the day. Is that clear?”

 

The threat of laps and toilet duty was added incentive to do well and the troops responded with more passion than they had shown for over a year. “Sir! Yes, Sir!”

 

~***************************************~

 

Rufus slowly smiled and nodded when he saw how quickly his troops straightened their posture and listened with more attentiveness to Genesis's instructions. The redhead wasn't pulling any punches and he guessed those aqua eyes were intense when glaring.

 

“I'm satisfied with his methods, Rude,” the president announced. “We can return to the city, now.”

 

~***************************************~

 

“Tifa, I think we should talk.”

 

The barmaid looked at her friend without surprise and nodded slowly, stepping aside for Cloud to walk through the doorway of the suite she was staying in. He sat down at the little table in the main room and she got a couple of cans of soda out of the fridge before joining him.

 

~I think I know what he's about to say. I've seen it coming for a while now and with Zackary in his life, it's probably time for both of us to stop procrastinating.~

 

Cloud thanked her for the drink and pulled the tab, looking at her uncertainly as he took a sip. He wasn't sure how to start. He hadn't even really discussed his idea with Zack or Reno yet and there was still the matter of explaining things to Denzel and Marlene.

 

“I know we said we'd try to build a family,” Cloud began. He squirmed uncomfortably and lowered his eyes. “The thing is, back then were both single and it wasn't awkward to live together but now…well, you know what a weird relationship I'm in.”

 

“You want to get your own place,” Tifa said with a little smile. “Relax, Cloud. I've been prepared for this for a long time. I'm glad you waited for Denzel to get older before doing this and Marlene isn't really ours in the first place. Just promise me you won't drop out of our lives. The kids love you and so do I. You know that, right?”

 

Cloud nodded and smiled a little. “I know. Thanks for being so understanding about this…I was kind of worried. I was thinking we could take turns with Denzel, sort of like joint custody but without all the screaming and fighting divorced couples do.”

 

Tifa laughed softly. “That doesn't sound like a bad idea. He can live with me for half the year and with you for the other half…and Marlene too when she's staying, of course.”

 

“Yeah,” Cloud agreed. “That sort of goes without saying. So you're really okay with this?”

 

“Of course,” Tifa said lightly. A couple of years ago she would have felt differently, but as Cloud said; things had changed since then. “I'll miss you but it isn't as though you're around all the time anyhow. With your delivery service and my bar, we didn't spend a lot of time together. The only thing that worries me is how far away you plan on moving. Are you going to stay in edge or move here to Junon?” She guessed he'd want to move to Junon so that he could be closer to Reno.

 

“Neither,” Cloud explained. “Well, unless Zack has different plans. I'm kind of tired of the city and I was thinking of buying a place between here and Edge, near the mountains. I just don't know how keen Zack's going to be on that because I know one of the reasons he joined ShinRa was because he wanted to get away from the country. At least, that's what his parents told me.”

 

Tifa thought about it for a moment. “It doesn't sound like you're trying to move too far away from civilization and Zack's crazy about you. I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. What are you planning to do out there, though?”

 

Cloud looked a little sheepish. “I was thinking of raising chocobos again. You know, with my own ranch. I've got enough saved up to buy a place even if it's not in the best shape.”

 

Tifa grinned again, feeling a surge of fondness for the blonde. He deserved some peace and quiet after everything he'd been through and she knew that he liked taking care of chocobos and had a talent for it. “You do realize this will lead to more `chocobo-head' jokes, don't you?”

 

Cloud grimaced. “Yeah, I know. I'm ready for that. I can put up with it as long as Zack's willing to come with me and Reno doesn't mind being away from the city when he comes to visit.”

 

“You might get more objections out of Reno than you will out of Zack,” Tifa said dryly. “He's got the worst case of `city boy' I've ever seen.”

 

“You're not wrong about that,” agreed Cloud with a faint little smirk. He could hear the complaints and paranoia about fleas, spiders and snakes already. Fortunately, Reno's sex drive was stronger than his aversion to the great outdoors so Cloud was reasonably sure he'd come around sooner or later.

 

“What about that offer that Reeve made you?” Tifa asked after a moment. “Are you going to take it or not?”

 

Cloud hesitated. “I'm thinking of taking it but I want to look over the details and be sure it doesn't put me in a position of obligation. I don't mind volunteering but I won't go back to being a ShinRa employee and I don't feel right about getting paid when I'm not doing anything. Maybe I'll sit down with him and Rufus to talk about it before we leave Junon.”

 

~*******************************************~

 

“Come on Cissnei, keep at it!”

 

The petite brunette groaned and struggled to pull herself along the support bars while Reno stood at the other end, shouting at her like a drill sergeant. Elena looked on with concern, noticing the flush of exertion on her friend's face and the beads of sweat standing out. Cissnei's quiet, desperate sob made the blonde start toward her instinctively but Reno waved her away firmly. Zack likewise stood close by, adding his more gentle encouragement as Cissnei struggled to work her legs.

 

“I can't go any further,” Cissnei moaned, struggling not to collapse halfway to the end of the path.

 

“'Can't' never did nothing,” Reno growled. “Come on, girl! Are ya gonna let them beat you? Are you gonna let those fuckers get the best of ya?”

 

Cissnei snarled silently and she debated over whether she was more angry at Reno now than the men who had done this to her. If for no other reason than to slap his smug, insensitive face, the young woman renewed her efforts and made her way to him one shaking step at a time. She'd already defied the doctors' diagnosis that she'd never stand again. She'd come further in her recovery than anyone expected and this was the first time she'd made it this far down the therapy walk.

 

“That's it, you're doing it!” Zack exclaimed.

 

His kind encouragement was a blessed contrast to Reno's ruthlessness. Though her goal was to reach the end of the path and give Reno a smack in the face, she put extra effort into her struggles for Zack too…and Elena, who was watching with loyal concern. The blonde woman had become a solid presence in Cissnei's life since the assault and she wanted to make her proud.

 

Reno was holding his arms open and gesturing the brunette closer, like a parent teaching his child to walk for the first time. “Don't you give up now, you're almost there.”

 

Cissnei groaned through clenched teeth, her breath coming in harsh, tearing gasps as she closed the distance between herself and her work associate. She finally made it to him and she collapsed against him as he caught her.

 

“Thatta girl!” Reno laughed, hugging her slight form to his chest. “Told ya you could do it!”

 

Cissnei tilted her head back and looked up at him with an exhausted, angry expression on her youthful face. Her hand swung weakly and connected with his cheek with a stinging smack. Reno blinked with surprise, but it only lasted for a moment.

 

He grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows. “If pissing you off is the way to motivate ya, I'm not gonna stop.”

 

“Jerk,” Cissnei panted, but a little smile cracked her angry mask like a ray of sunshine breaking through dismal clouds. Her throat ached with a lump as she realized that she'd really done it. She'd walked the length of the path for the first time and as rude and hurtful as Reno's incentive was, it had helped her do it more than anything else.

 

~*****************************************~

 

Rufus told his secretary that he wasn't going to accept any further calls or visitors for the rest of the day. He was quitting earlier than usual, but he had something to look forward to and there wasn't anything left to do that couldn't wait until morning. He entered his office and closed the door behind him, locking it. He could hear the sound of the television going in the bedroom and he smirked, imagining that even someone as stoic as Tseng was getting restless by now. Ordinarily, the Wutaian preferred a good book to a movie but when he really needed a distraction, he chose music or TV for the noise.

 

Rufus procrastinated, despite his urge to get in that room and enjoy his subordinate's body. He went to his liquor cabinet and got out a couple of brandy glasses. After pouring a drink for himself and for his captive, he walked calmly into the room and enjoyed the sight he found there.

 

Tseng was reclined on the bed, naked except for the special harness secured around his hips, ass and pelvis, which held the cock ring circling the base of his arousal firmly in place. The device was locked so that even if he wanted to, Tseng couldn't remove it without the key Rufus carried on him. It was an ingenious thing…somewhat like a chastity belt in design but entirely different in purpose. His glossy black hair fell over his shoulders and down his chest and his pale golden skin was shining with a light sheen of perspiration. The collar was of course in place around his neck and the chain connected to it was coiled on the floor near the side of the bed he was laying on. There was a little black receiver box strapped to his right thigh and a wire fed from it to the vibrating bullet inside of him. Rufus smiled deviously and approached the bed.

 

Tseng's dark, almond-shaped eyes regarded the president calmly. His facial expression didn't give away the severity of his need, but he briefly moistened his lips and swallowed. The gesture revealed more than the Turk intended and he frowned as Rufus's conniving smirk grew more pronounced.

 

“Have some brandy,” the blonde said as he approached the bed and seated himself beside his subordinate.

 

Tseng took the glass from Rufus with a polite nod. Truthfully, he was thankful for the brandy. His nerves were screaming with sensation and a drink might take the edge off before he disgraced himself and lost control of his sex drive. The temptation to pin Rufus to the bed and have him in a way he'd never had him before was so strong it made his cock twitch. Tseng dearly hoped his lover couldn't read his thoughts in his expression. Just to be safe, the Wutaian lowered his eyes as he drank from his glass, hiding the gleam of lust in them from Rufus.

 

“How is Genesis adapting to his new role, Sir?” Tseng inquired softly. Only years of discipline allowed him to speak in such a level tone.

 

“Surprisingly well, actually.” Rufus looked thoughtful as he sipped his drink. “Perhaps Genesis isn't quite as unhinged as I thought. I really had my doubts that he could stay focused enough to take on the responsibility.”

 

“I believe Genesis suffers more from a case of eccentricity than true madness, Sir.” Tseng looked down the length of his nude body and sighed at the sight of his restrained, aching prick. “I really don't think we have room to talk, when it comes to sane behavior.”

 

Rufus coughed a little, nearly inhaling the mouthful of brandy he'd just put in his mouth. He hastily swallowed it and reached out to stroke Tseng's raven hair, unable to help the twinge warmth and fondness he felt for the other man.

 

“Fair enough,” Rufus murmured with a crooked smile. He took his hand away and reached into his blazer, searching until he found the little key ring containing the keys to all of his cuffs and the little padlock that secured Tseng's harness to his body. The Wutaian finished the rest of his brandy in one swallow—which implied that he was more impatient than he let on.

 

The blonde produced the key ring and stared levelly into Tseng's eyes. “If you perform to my satisfaction, I'll release you from the harness.” He slowly put the keys back into his pocket and reached out to the nightstand by his side of the bed for the lubricant sitting there. “You know Tseng, ever since Reno mentioned going `bareback', I've been curious about it. He's right about one thing…everyone we're all currently sleeping with is clean. Is there truly a need for condoms with one another?”

 

“Only for hygienic purposes, Sir,” the Turk leader agreed softly, his breath catching a little as Rufus put the tube of lubricant on the bed next to him. A seme could risk getting an infection from anal intercourse, which was one reason why Tseng continued using condoms even when he knew there wasn't a danger of disease.

 

“Would you object to trying it out?” Rufus questioned. Despite his authority over the Turk and the reason Tseng was in his current predicament, there were boundaries of consent that Rufus wouldn't cross. The closest he'd ever come to forcing anyone was Cloud and he still regretted that deep down, to this day.

 

“I have no objections to that,” agreed Tseng, his voice tightening as his libido throbbed. “If you feel safe exposing yourself to me that way, I'm willing.”

 

Rufus smirked. “You're the most fastidiously clean individual I've ever met. I can't think of anyone I'd feel more comfortable `exposing myself' to for the first time.”

 

Tseng returned his smirk, pleased that Rufus had understood what he meant and wasn't turned off by the reality of it. He hoped that this meant the blonde was starting to forgive him. He wanted him so badly and the humming against his prostate only made it worse. Tseng forcibly reminded himself that he was already in deep enough trouble for disrespecting his lover. Jumping his bones and trying to top him for the first time was not a good idea right now. Perhaps when his punishment was over, he could coax Rufus into bottoming for him.

 

He reigned in his aggression as the president began to kiss him, parting his lips to allow the other man's tongue entry to his mouth. He couldn't hold back a soft moan of need when the warm, slick muscle pushed in to caress his. If he were Reno, Rufus would probably be flat on his back by now whether he liked it or not. It was difficult to contain his lust as the blonde fondled his nipples one at a time and dragged his mouth away to kiss his neck.

 

Tseng combed his fingers through the ash-blond strands of Rufus's hair, remembering the rule about touching him too intimately before being given permission in this sort of themed encounter. His breath caught as the exploring lips moved down to his chest and the clever tongue flicked out and stroked one of his nipples.

 

Not for the first time, Tseng noticed that Rufus's tongue was a bit rougher than it used to be. It wasn't as course as a cat's but the surface texture had roughened just enough for it to be more stimulating than usual when it licked against his skin. The Turk took a deep breath and fought the urge to squirm with impatience as Rufus traced his ribs with a whisper-soft caress of his fingertips.

 

Something soft-furred and heavy bumped against Tseng's calf as the president steadily kissed his way down his body and the Turk noted with faint amusement that it was Rufus's tail. The appendage was swishing back and forth with growing force and speed as Rufus's sexual excitement grew. It was catching on the long coat that the president wore to conceal it and Tseng obligingly lifted the material and pulled it up on Rufus's back so that it wouldn't be in the way anymore. An unconscious purr from the blonde was his reward for the gesture and Tseng doubted that his lover even realized he'd made the sound.

 

“May I help you out of these clothes, Sir?” Tseng asked breathlessly.

 

“Not just yet,” Rufus said in a droning, lazy voice. His breath tickled the raven-haired Turk's skin as it caressed the spot just below his navel.

 

Tseng knew what Rufus intended to do and he bit his lip to hold back his quiet pleas. He didn't know if he could control himself with that tongue stroking against his cock. He wasn't the sort of man to beg but it was damned tempting to do it simply because he was afraid he'd lose the battle with his urges. When Rufus's lips encircled the head of his erection Tseng hissed softly. The tongue stroked against the sensitive hole in the tip, licking away the precum dribbling from it. The rough texture nearly made the Wutaian jump from the sensation. Tseng tossed his head and gasped the president's name. His hands clenched into desperate fists at his sides and for a moment, Tseng forgot how to breathe.

 

“Rufus,” the Turk gasped softly, “I don't know that you should do that.”

 

The blonde turned his head at an angle and glared at him, reminding him that he was in no position to make demands…no matter how politely he uttered them. As punishment, Rufus pressed a canine tooth against the tiny hole in the tip of Tseng's cock, making another shock of sensation jolt through the organ. Tseng cried out before he could stop himself and his cock twitched violently in the president's mouth. Rufus lowered his mouth over the pulsing shaft, taking it down his throat with practiced ease. He held it there for a few moments, enjoying the way it bucked helplessly in his mouth and throat. He swallowed to massage it and Tseng blurted a rare whimper.

 

~It's not as easy to drag those sounds from your throat, as it is to provoke them from Reno. You aren't quite the master of control you like to think of yourself as, are you Tseng?~

 

Of course, the vibrating bullet up his ass and the fact that he'd had an unrelieved hard-on for hours did play a factor in the provocation of those delicious sounds. Rufus didn't fool himself into thinking he could have made Tseng moan like that under normal circumstances. He began to purr with satisfaction and he didn't realize he was doing it until the sound reached his ears. He almost stopped but the shuddering gasp that exploded from Tseng's lips convinced him to continue doing it. It was easy…as easy as breathing.

 

Tseng began to tremble and pant harder and faster. Rufus wasn't aware that the texture of his tongue had changed as well and he got another surprise reaction from Tseng as he drew back and licked the underside of his captive's dick as he let it slowly slide out of his mouth. Tseng cried out, practically shouting his name with desperation Rufus had never heard from him before. It only served to encourage the president's actions and he began to take the Wutaian's twitching length in and out of his sucking mouth in a steady, even rhythm, purring all the while.

 

Tseng entered a sexual delirium and began swearing in his mother tongue as the combination of old and new oral skills drove him closer and closer to the edge of control. He clenched his teeth and looked down at the blond head bobbing steadily over his pelvis, his black eyes narrowing with aggressive lust.

 

“Mougamandekinai,” Tseng snarled in Wutaianese. He slid his fingers into Rufus's hair and curled them, roughly grabbing two handfuls and forcing the president's mouth away from his tortured cock.

 

Rufus was taken by surprise and he'd been so focused on what he was doing that Tseng's actions didn't fully register in his mind until he found himself flipped onto his back and covered by the Turk's hard, graceful body.

 

“Tseng, have you lost your—mph!” The blonde's exclamation of surprise was cut off by a savage kiss.

 

Tseng's teeth scraped against Rufus's and his hips grinded roughly between the blonde's thighs. He'd never pushed the Turk leader this far before—Tseng had never earned the punishment before. Rufus had always known there was a hidden aggression within the man. He was given further proof of that when Tseng caught both his wrists and pinned them over his head, holding them there with one long-fingered hand while working at his clothes with the other one. His mouth never released Rufus's as he deftly flicked open the buttons of his shirt and proceeded to the next layer.

 

Rufus was used to Tseng working quickly but he swore nobody had ever undressed him this fast before. Just as his wits returned enough for him to struggle against the Turk's hold on him, his chest was already bared and his pants were open. Rufus was caught between indignation and burning arousal. Tseng had always been one to temper his passion and there was something unbearably hot about him being so aroused that he was driven to such angry aggression. Rufus was used to Reno getting worked up to the point of mauling him but this was a first from Tseng.

 

Rufus was too intrigued by the way the encounter was going to struggle with full strength. He subtly helped his lover get his clothing off, staging an effort to buck the Wutaian off of him in a way that lifted his hips and allowed Tseng yank his pants down over them. Rufus grunted and swore convincingly enough but he ignored the instincts that told him how to slip out of his companion's hold. The chain connected to Tseng's collar was cool against the president's skin as it brushed against his ribs. It was an interesting sensation and the blonde instinctively rubbed his exposed sex against Tseng's as his arousal grew by the minute.

 

He was taken by surprise again when Tseng deftly rolled him onto his stomach and clamped a firm hand down on the back of his neck when he tried to rise. He yanked the blonde's pants the rest of the way off roughly and tossed them to the floor while he had him off guard. It was then that Rufus understood that Tseng didn't intend to ride his cock. The Turk wanted to top him. His first instinct as a man that was used to taking the seme role was of course to put a stop to this. Rufus opened his mouth to issue the order for Tseng to stop, but something made him hesitate.

 

~I've let Rude top me. I've let Cloud do it as well…if you can really call what happened between he and I that time “letting” him. I let Reno take the reins when he's this excited, though he's never tried to put me in an uke role before. I've known Tseng longer than all of them and this is the first time he's ever crossed his boundaries with me.~

 

The unbidden realization that he hadn't really been fair to Tseng over the years struck Rufus like a lightning bolt. He'd never asked what he wanted and he just took it for granted that the Wutaian would quietly do what he was told, like a faithful hound. While the realization didn't make Rufus feel guilty—he rarely experienced that particular emotion—it did make him feel more charitable and understanding of his subordinate's aggression and apparent need. Rufus stopped himself before he uttered the word “no”, because he knew in his heart that if he said the simple word out loud, Tseng would immediately stop no matter how desperate with lust he was.

 

Instead, Rufus made himself stop straining against his lover's hold and he spoke calmly and softly. “Is this what you really want?”

 

The question broke through Tseng's carnal haze and reached him. He stopped, horrified with the realization of what he'd been ready to do. It wasn't exactly rape but he wasn't truly giving his boss a chance to stop him, either. The Turk stopped holding his lover down and he bowed his head, resting it against the president's back as he shook it slowly.

 

“Not like this,” Tseng murmured. “Not through anger or force, Koibito.”

 

Rufus reached into his disheveled blazer and searched his pockets for the remote he kept in there. When he found it, he switched it to the “off” position to stop the vibrations of the bullet inside of Tseng. He rolled onto his back and looked up at the Turk as he put his hands on Tseng's waist. “That wasn't quite what I meant. You realize of course that with my new abilities, I could have broken free of you at any moment?”

 

No, Tseng hadn't realized that. The caveman urges that had taken him over had prevented rational thought and logic, so it hadn't even crossed his mind that his martial skills might not prove to be undefeated against Rufus's enhanced, animal-like reflexes.

 

Seeing the answer to his question in the expression on his face, Rufus continued. “How long have you wanted this, Tseng?”

 

“I'm not certain, Sir,” answered the black-haired man truthfully. He enjoyed taking both roles in the bedroom but with Rufus, he'd always been the receiver and despite the occasional fantasy, it hadn't consciously occurred to Tseng to attempt to dominate him. Rufus was his boss and the thought of taking him that way just never fully manifested in Tseng's mind until today.

 

Rufus seemed to understand on some level. He didn't press him further with questions and his gray eyes held his steadily as he again reached for his little remote and turned it on the lowest setting, making Tseng want to squirm restlessly as the vibration resumed inside of him.

 

“What are you waiting for, then?” Rufus purred, not moving from his reclined position on his back. “Do your worst, Tseng. Or rather, your best. I suspect I won't be disappointed.”

 

Tseng wasn't the sort of man to give into uncertainty but the near-challenge in Rufus's eyes gave him pause. Was he testing him or was he sincere? With strategic caution, Tseng lowered his mouth to the blonde's and kissed him. He started out slow, determined not to make a mistake even though the lust burning in his veins was maddening. When Rufus parted his lips, the Turk accepted the invitation and thrust his tongue in with increased confidence. When Rufus responded to the caress of his tongue without trying to assert dominance over it, Tseng took it as a signal and he reached for the lube lying nearby.

 

He was faintly glad that Rufus wanted to try going without condoms this time. It was one less thing to worry about. The Wutaian worked as quickly as he dared, not bothering to remove the shirt, protect vest and blazer still clothing the president's upper body. The pants were off and the upper layer of clothes was hanging open, which was good enough to satisfy Tseng. He broke the kiss and gazed down at Rufus as he lubricated his fingers and started to lift one of the blonde's legs to set it on his shoulder in order to expose him better. It was then that Tseng spotted that cougar tail of his lover's, lying out to the left of Rufus's body and swishing with anticipation against the surface of the mattress. Inspiration struck Tseng.

 

~I can make this the best uke experience he's had so far if I position him so that the tail is more accessible to my touch.~

 

Rufus was only a little surprised when his lover rolled him onto his stomach again. Since he'd already agreed to let Tseng have his way, he didn't fight him. He heard the Wutaian's breath huff and he smirked with the knowledge that he was trying to warm the lube on his fingers before preparing him. Always courteous and respectful, this one…even when he was half mad with lust. As added incentive, Rufus lifted his hips a little to raise his ass encouragingly and his tail instinctively lifted to expose the cleft between his buttocks. He heard a swiftly indrawn breath and his smirk grew into a conniving smile with the certainty that his actions enticed Tseng.

 

It took a moment for the Turk to act. He didn't take the time often enough to admire how nicely shaped Rufus's ass was and the president's action reminded him of that fact. He stared at the rounded cheeks and the oddly sensual way the tawny, furred appendage was raised and laying to the left side in a silent invitation. He didn't know if the action was intentional or purely instinctive but it was such a hot sight that it made his cock throb with angry need.

 

~He knows what he's doing to me, I'm certain of it. I've known Rufus Shinra for too long to believe he does anything out of innocence or ignorance.~

 

Tseng bit his lip almost hard enough to break the skin as his body approached another orgasm that wouldn't finish until his lover removed the cock ring. The humming against his prostate made it very difficult to concentrate as he began to prepare Rufus and so far, the blonde hadn't given any sign that he intended to unlock the harness and free his sex from the restraining ring hugging the base of it. Tseng accepted this with customary stoicism, thankful that Rufus was allowing him to take him even if he wasn't going to achieve full release from the act.

 

Rufus lazed on his stomach, loosening the muscles in his sphincter as much as he could when he felt Tseng's slick finger stroke it. The Wutaian was good; he didn't push in right away but instead he rubbed in gentle circles until it was relaxed enough to allow easy penetration. A low sound of discomfort emitted from his throat when the finger breached him, but it soon turned into a rumbling purr when it eased further in and located his prostate.

 

Tseng broke into a sweat as he rubbed the gland inside of his lover and listened to the sounds Rufus made as a result. He murmured a faint praise to Leviathan for granting him the restraint not to mount his boss then and there. The deep, resonating purr was exotic and ultimately sensual as he slowly pumped and stroked inside. The clenching around his finger eased and he allowed the second one to join the first. Rufus voiced a hybrid groan/purr and raised his ass a little more. His fingers opened and closed over the bedding, grabbing and releasing it as if kneading the material.

 

Tseng murmured husky endearments in the language of his homeland, telling Rufus how beautiful and sensual he was. The president was familiar enough with the Wutaian tongue to understand some of it and ordinarily, he would have balked a little at being referred to in such a way. He'd said similar things before to his lovers when claiming them but he thought that hearing the same said of him would make him feel emasculated. Oddly enough, it didn't. Tseng didn't say it in a way that compared him to a female. The tone of his voice and the inflection of his words assured Rufus that the Turk thought he was beautiful in an entirely masculine way.

 

By the time he was exercised enough, Rufus was breathing heavily and pushing back against Tseng's fingers without even realizing he was doing it. He felt strangely empty when the other man withdrew his fingers but it only lasted long enough for Tseng to guide him to his hands and knees and position himself. The blonde groaned his subordinate's name as Tseng's length drove into him. It eased in and kept going until it was fully inside. Rufus was used to being breached a little bit at a time, but Rude was exceptional in size so it was rather necessary for him to take it slow. Tseng was impressive but not huge. The blonde felt his body clenching involuntarily around the invading hardness and he steeled his jaw and forced himself to relax and accept it.

 

Tseng intended to wait for a little while once he was fully inside of his lover but it felt so good and he'd been driven to the brink of control. He groaned the blonde's name heavily and began to pump his hips as soon as he'd breached him completely. Rufus grunted with discomfort but he didn't tell him to stop—which was a good thing because Tseng honestly wasn't sure he could comply if he did.

 

Rufus grabbed hold of the edge of the mattress and clamped his lips together tightly to stop the moans that threatened to break free. Tseng's hard length shoved back and forth inside of him roughly. The rhythm was uneven and difficult to get used to but the sounds of pleasure issuing from the Turk's mouth was rewarding enough for Rufus to endure it. After a few moments, Tseng seemed to realize that he was creating more pain than pleasure for the blonde and he slowed down and embraced Rufus around the waist, resting his cheek against his back.

 

“Forgive me,” the Turk gasped, his hands stroking the other man's tense abdomen with loving care. “I lost my senses.” He shifted carefully and changed the angle of his thrusts, easing into the tight heat more slowly while watching and listening.

 

A swift moan broke past Rufus's lips as the other man's cock stroked firmly against his prostate, making a throb of pleasure spear through his pelvis and spine. Tseng withdrew and did it again, a little harder. Rufus's breath caught and he pushed back instinctively for more. One of the hands stroking his belly slid down and grasped his erection, while the other moved around to his back and down.

 

“W-wait,” Rufus grunted as the talented, deft fingers began to stimulate that spot near the base of his tail. He flushed with both pleasure and humiliation as his ass wriggled of its own accord. “That isn't necessary,” he finished breathlessly.

 

“Do you really want me to stop?”

 

The breathless, silken voice was faintly amused and the teasing fingertips scratched more firmly, while the hand gripping his cock began to stroke up and down the length of it with steady, sure motions. Rufus felt like he was melting under the touch. He bowed his head and panted, unable to bring himself to answer the question truthfully. Tseng must have sensed that he didn't really want him to stop, for the Wutaian continued fucking him at that steadied pace, keeping the angle locked in so that he was massaging the blonde inside just right with each thrust.

 

How the man had managed to regain this level of control was a mystery to Rufus. He was sure that he'd finally broken Tseng's control but somehow, the blasted man had snatched it back. Now he was demonstrating it thoroughly and Rufus was hard-pressed not to start hollering his name. The blending of sensations from being fucked, having his cock stroked and having the erotic zone on his tail pleasured was quickly drowning coherent thought from his mind. He felt Tseng's hardness twitching inside of him but the restriction ring at the base of it prevented ejaculation. He heard the Wutaian grunting softly with pleasure and desperation, but the thrusts didn't slow or stop.

 

Tseng nearly lost control again as his climax approached and stopped just at the edge of release. He bit back a groan of frustration and kept rocking against his lover. It was very difficult to control the motions of his hips with the evil little bullet vibrating inside of him. He wanted to pound into Rufus like a madman or wiggle his hips like Reno did when he was tickled or goosed. It was quickly becoming unbearable and he muttered a curse of relief when Rufus blurted a telling, rough moan and began to tense up.

 

Tseng jacked his lover off hard and fast, desperate to make him come so that he could perhaps get his own relief as well. Rufus growled and shoved backwards against him, driving him deeper into his body as his peak struck him. The president's sex bucked in Tseng's gripping hand and since Rufus hadn't consciously been trying to put himself in a tantric state, he spurted his seed unevenly all over the bedding.

 

“Tseng,” Rufus groaned, his strength bleeding out of him with his spunk. His arms trembled with the effort to hold his weight and he was tempted to just collapse in place, regardless of the wet spot he'd be falling onto.

 

Tseng felt his companion's body trembling and he eased out of his snug passage and supported him around the waist, guiding Rufus onto his side away from the mess he'd made on the sheets. He was sweating panting with need, still hard as a rock, but he embraced his lover and kissed his perspiring temple softly.

 

“Did I satisfy you, Koibito?” Tseng whispered, nibbling the blonde's ear.

 

“Absolutely,” Rufus admitted.

 

He shifted in the Wutaian's embrace and reached into his pockets for two items. First, he located the remote and he turned off the vibrator still inside of Tseng. Once he'd done that, he located the key to the harness securing the cock strap in place. Still boneless and clumsy from his orgasm, the president held out the key for his subordinate.

 

“As soon as I recover,” Rufus panted, “I'll return the favor. You've earned it.”

 

Tseng chuckled breathlessly and took the key with eager hands.

 

~*******************************~

 

*A couple of days later…*

 

“Ow, Tifa! When I said I wanted to earn some scars again, I didn't mean by getting poked with scissors!” Zack jerked away and leaned back in the chair he sat on, putting a hand over his cheekbone.

 

Tifa huffed and pulled the scissors away from Zack's damp hair, placing her hands on her hips. “If you'd hold still I wouldn't poke you!”

 

“You didn't poke me the last time you trimmed it for me,” Zack reminded as he rubbed the spot by his temple where she'd accidentally jabbed him.

 

“You weren't trying to watch a ball game the last time,” she huffed. “Now quit leaning over while I'm trying to straighten your bangs out, you big puppy. Cloud and Reno can tell you what's happening.”

 

“I'm never going to escape that nickname,” Zack grumbled.

 

He heard the crowd on TV cheer again and he squirmed a little, trying to resist the urge to lean around Tifa's body to look at the screen. She'd come to his and Cloud's suite at his request to trim his hair but her timing was bad. His favorite team was playing and he was missing all the action now. “Hey Cloud, what just happened?”

 

Cloud glanced up from the cards he held in his hand and looked at the TV. “One of your guys struck out.”

 

Zack cursed and Reno twisted around in his seat to look at the television. “No, that was one of the other guys. They switched sides while you and Tifa were arguing, Wolfy.”

 

Cloud shrugged. He didn't care much for baseball so he wasn't really paying attention. “Okay, so one of the other guys struck out. Big deal.”

 

“Hey, that's my favorite team, kiddo,” Zack said with mock anger. “You ought to be more supportive.”

 

Cloud waved a hand half-heartedly in the air, his blue eyes focusing back on the cards he held in his other hand. “Whoo-hoo. Go team. Happy?”

 

Zack grinned at him. “Wow. Careful there, cornflower…you might hurt yourself with all that enthusiasm.”

 

“Zack, I swear if you don't hold still I'm just going to shave you bald,” Tifa threatened.

 

Zack flinched. “Yes'm. Don't get a rolled-up newspaper after me, now.”

 

Reno snickered and laid a card down, shaking his head. “For a guy that complains when he gets compared to a puppy, ya sure like to lay it on thick with the metaphors, Fair.”

 

Zack chuckled but held still when he saw the dead-serious look in Tifa's dark eyes. “I guess I'm just getting used to it.” He squeezed his eyes shut when the scissors approached again.

 

Tifa sighed, but she was smiling as she ran the comb through another lock of thick black hair to straighten it out. “I'm not going to poke you again, Zack.” She smoothed the hair between her first and second finger of her left hand and snipped the ends with the scissors.

 

Reno glanced over at them and for the first time, he noticed a faint shadow on Zack's jaw. Zack and Tifa had already gotten started on his hair when Reno came to visit so he hadn't gotten a good look at the fighter before, but the noon light coming in from the window brightened up the room and now he saw what he'd missed. The redhead stared and frowned, tilting his head a little.

 

“Uh, Reno…you're showing me your cards,” Cloud warned, looking away honorably as the distracted Turk absently tilted his hand enough for the blonde to see what he was holding if he wanted to.

 

“Oh, right,” Reno muttered. “Hold up, Blondie. I think my eyes are playing tricks on me.” He turned the cards over and placed them face-down on the table before getting out of his chair and crossing the room, leaving Cloud staring after him in bemusement.

 

“What's up?” Zack inquired, watching Reno sidelong as he approached. He didn't dare move or turn his head, fearful of what Tifa would do to him if he did.

 

Reno peered closely at Zack's handsome profile with narrowed, blue-green eyes. When he realized what the “shadow” he was seeing actually was, his eyebrows shot up. “You've got stubble.”

 

Cloud looked utterly stupefied by the comment and he stared at the Turk and tried to think of something to say in response to his odd reaction to the sight of the facial hair.

 

Zack self-consciously reached up and ran his fingers over his jaw. “Uh, yeah. I need to shave. I got kind of hung up on the game and put it off.”

 

“But…you've got stubble!” Reno repeated.

 

Tifa drew back and looked at Reno with a puzzled expression, while Zack blushed faintly and misunderstood the Turk's reaction.

 

“Look, I'm not a slob,” Zack said defensively, thinking that Reno's reaction was provoked by distaste.

 

Reno's eyes met his blankly. “Huh? What'd I say that made you think I thought that, babe?”

 

Zack's amethyst eyes blinked and he rubbed his temples. “Okay, let's start over. Why is my stubble such a big deal?”

 

“Because you're Mako enhanced,” Reno explained, crossing his arms over his chest. “I thought the Mako stopped face hair from growing. Hell, Cloud's face is as smooth as a baby's butt and I haven't had to shave since I got dunked in that Mako stream. Either you're so manly the Mako can't even stop your facial hair from growing or Cloud and I need to start buying some dresses, yo.”

 

Zack tried not to laugh but a chuckle erupted from his mouth before he could help it. “I think I get it,” he said as he brought his mirth under control. “Relax, Foxy. You and Cloud don't get stubble because your systems were drenched with Mako. First, that nutcase Hojo overloaded Cloud with it and then later on he fell right into a natural stream of it, just like you. There's a difference between controlled Mako treatments and experimental levels or outright drenching with the undiluted stuff.

 

“Don't you remember my friend Angeal?” Zack continued when Reno looked a little dubious. “The guy had a five o'clock shadow all the time and a fuzzy little goatee, and he was First Class and Mako enhanced before I even finished my training.”

 

Reno cast his mind back and brought up a mental picture of the big, rugged Soldier that had once been Zack's friend and mentor. “Oh yeah,” he murmured, feeling a little stupid. “I guess my memory still has some holes in it. I forgot all about that little detail about him until you said it. So why haven't I ever seen you shave before and why is this the first time I've seen stubble?”

 

Zack shrugged. “Just timing, I guess. It still grows but it's a lot slower than normal, so I only need to shave a couple of times a week. Angeal used to want to grow a full beard but he gave up when it wouldn't thicken up.” Zack smiled as he remembered his old friend's frustration. “He used to envy Reeve.”

 

“Hmph…wonder why the Mako poisoning only stopped our facial hair from growing,” Reno muttered with a look at Cloud.

 

“I'm kind of glad I got to keep the hair on my head,” Cloud replied dryly.

 

Reno laughed. “Yeah, not to mention hair in other places. At least I know it's not suppressing the old testosterone. That works a little too well sometimes, yo.” He remembered Tifa and grimaced a little. “Sorry, doll.”

 

She shrugged. “I think I've been around you long enough to be used to it.”

 

Cloud decided to try and steer the conversation away from sexual subjects. “I think it does some kind of weird exchange with our facial hair and scalp hair,” he said thoughtfully. “The hair on my head never grew this fast before I got Mako treatments and look at how fast Zack's hair grows now. Yours would probably be as long as Sephiroth's in a year if you let it go, Reno.”

 

The redhead grimaced. “Too much to take care of, man. I'll keep it trimmed.” He gave Cloud a thoughtful look. “That's not a bad theory though, Blondie. I don't have to trim my nails that much anymore, now that I think of it. Maybe the Mako did some kind of switcharoo with the fastest growing cells or something.”

 

“I think I'd rather have regular hair growth,” Zack complained. “At least I can shave my own face. Poor Tifa's going to get sick of me bugging her for haircuts after a while.”

 

“I don't mind,” she assured him, “as long as you hold still for me.”

 

Zack cleared his throat and turned his head to face her again, dutifully holding it steady so that she could continue.

 

“Well, I'm no scientist,” Reno shrugged. He frowned, first at Zack and then at Cloud. They would be leaving Junon soon and he wouldn't be getting any loving from them again until he could take time off to visit Edge. He didn't like how depressed that made him feel. Life was so much easier when it was just him, the boss, Rude and Tseng but he wouldn't trade any of his lovers now for all the gil in the world.

 

“Hey, I've got an idea,” Reno said thoughtfully. “Tomorrow's the start of the weekend. Why don't we all go out to a club to celebrate making it through this Deepground shit alive?”

 

“I don't know about that,” Cloud said softly. He saw the way Zack's eyes lit up though and he shrugged. “What the hell, I guess I'm in.”

 

“Cool,” Reno said happily. “I know Zack's into it. How about you, Tifa?”

 

“I suppose it couldn't hurt,” she said uncertainly. “Who else are you planning to drag along to this occasion?”

 

“Everybody I can,” Reno winked. “Rufus might be a little tough since…uh...he doesn't dance.” He almost spilled the beans about the tail but he remembered at the last minute that Tifa didn't know about that yet. Rufus had become somewhat of a hermit since the growth of his tail and Reno hadn't even seen much of him. He was confident that he could convince the president to go out with them if he tried hard enough, but it wasn't going to be easy.

 

“You guys work on Reeve and Vincent. I'll take care of the boss and Genesis.” Reno finished.

 

“You want to bring Genesis?” Tifa asked with faint surprise.

 

“Yeah,” Reno shrugged. “He did his part and maybe the guy just needs to loosen up a little.”

 

~Besides, it'd give him and Rude a chance to hang out together outside of work.~

 

“You might have a little trouble prying Elena away from Cissnei,” warned Zack. “You know Cissnei's not in any condition to go out and Elena doesn't like to leave her alone for long.”

 

“That's where Cissnei's gonna come in,” Reno answered smoothly. “I know her and she wouldn't want her gal pal missing out.”

 

The Turk studied Zack thoughtfully and smirked. “Hey Fair, will ya do me a favor?”

 

“Er…I'll tell you when I hear it,” Zack replied warily.

 

“Don't shave right away. The stubble's kinda sexy.”

 

Tifa focused on trimming Zack's hair and pretended not to hear that.

 

~**********************************~

 

-To be continued