Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Unrequited Desires ❯ Playing Favorites ( Chapter 15 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: white_hawk 
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Hentai / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.02.2005 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.5K | Visits: 391 | Status: Work In Progress
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Hentai / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.02.2005 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.5K | Visits: 391 | Status: Work In Progress
Unrequited Desires
Chapter 15 Playing Favorites
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Cloud sauntered nervously down the hall that led to the General’s office. In truth he had no idea why he had been called, but it didn’t make him any less nervous about what could possibly happen once he got there. After all the last couple times he had been to Sephiroth’s office they hadn’t exactly just gone over mission reports. But he didn’t think that it was going to be like last time. How could it be? Sephiroth hated him now, and this was meeting was probably just some way of giving him a shit errand to punish him. There couldn’t be more to it. It’s not like Sephiroth could have just magically forgiven him, because the last time they had talked Cloud had actually told him that he wished he’d die alone, and a statement like that doesn’t necessarily beg to be forgiven.
In what seemed like no time at all he arrived at the outside of the door. Though he couldn’t bring his feet to move any further than that. Because if they moved that meant that he would have to see Sephiroth and, god forbid, talk to him…something he really didn’t feel like doing at the moment. Not for lack of wanting to have a civil conversation mind you, but it was hard enough having to deal with the loss of both him and Zack, he really didn’t feel like having any more hateful remarks thrown in his face to top it all off.
His hand rose to knock on the mahogany door, but right before his knuckles struck the wood he froze. He could always pretend like the orders had never reached him. The worst that could happen was for him to get late night guard or something. No, strike that, the worst thing that could happen was for him to follow through with those orders and go through that door. He would take guard duty any day over something like that.
Nodding his head in resolution, Cloud turned on his heel, fully prepared to completely skive out of these orders. Well he had every intention of skiving out of those orders, really he did, but it just so happened that, before he even took his first step, the door opened up behind him.
His eyes clenched shut, already dreading what he was no doubt going to hear. “May I ask where you are Cadet Strife?” Cloud bit his lip at Sephiroth’s cold voice. Oh this was just great…Now not only was it going to be uncomfortable due to their past relations, but it was going to be even more uncomfortable because he had tried to ditch out on orders coming from a General of Shinra…He was in such deep shit.
Cloud slowly turned back around, doing his best to avoid Sephiroth’s intense eyes as he did so. This was so now how he wanted this to go. He thought he was going to get guard duty for a little bit, now he was probably going to have it for the rest of the month, if not his entire duration at the Shinra corporation.
In a last ditch effort to try to get himself out of trouble, Cloud held up his hands in defense and said the first thing that came to mind. “Now I know what this looks like Sephiroth…” Remembering the last time he was reprimanded on just using his first name, the blond quickly corrected himself. “General Sephiroth sir, but it only has to be awkward if we make it.” Okay so it wasn’t exactly the best way to get yourself out of trouble, but it was really the only thing he could think of at the time.
Though by the looks of it, it hadn’t helped in the least. The only reaction Sephiroth gave was a slight shake of his head. “Just get in here Strife.” He said almost boredly, and turned on his heel. Feeling even more nervous than when he had first came here, Cloud meekly followed. He swallowed in apprehension…Despite what he had tried to say, he knew that this was going to be a hella awkward talk.
As he walked over the threshold to what felt like would be his impending doom, Cloud fisted his hands in the material of his uniform, trying to twist the nervousness out of himself by doing so…It wasn’t working. This way worst than even the first time he had been in this office, at least then he didn’t know how big of a bastard Sephiroth could be. At least then he was innocent…Well partially innocent at any right.
“Strife if you don’t relax you’re going to have an aneurism, and I don’t particularly fill like doing the paperwork explaining why your dead carcass was here.” Okay, so he knew that Sephiroth was probably dead serious with everything he had just said, but he couldn’t help it, he laughed. Well he wouldn’t exactly call it a laugh. By all means that’s what it had started out to be, but upon seeing Sephiroth’s stern face it faded to a snicker, and then died to a mere cough by the time it was through. After hearing his laughter fade, the silver haired man motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “Why don’t you take a seat.”
Almost mechanically he did what he was asked, not once looking up from the floor as he did so. The air around the room was so uncomfortable that all he wanted to do was just become one with the chair he was, or run out screaming, whichever one he thought might do him best. All he knew was that if he had to be in here much longer he was going to die. When they had ended it he didn’t know how completely and utterly weird it was going to be to be around him. Sure training had been hell, but it was always hell. This though…this was almost unbearable.
They had only been in here for a few moments, and already he wanted to put a bullet in his head to end the uncomfortableness. “What is it you wanted from me…sir?” His tone was a bit scathing, but at the time he really couldn’t think of any other way to be with the man. Obviously being nice hadn’t worked, so he was going to have to try a new approach. That new approach would of course be to act like just as big of a bastard as the General himself…See how he likes a taste of his own medicine.
At first Sephiroth didn’t seem to react to his harsh tone, but then he leaned forward over his desk so that they were staring at each other in the eyes, and his were narrowed. “Oh I’m sorry cadet, am I keeping you from other things? I didn’t know your classes were so important to you.” He put a hand under his chin as if thinking. “Or maybe it isn’t your classes at all that you wish to be in, but something else entirely.”
“What are you implying…sir?” Cloud’s chin clenched when what could almost be described as a smirk appeared on Sephiroth’s face.
“What I’m implying cadet is that you probably want to get out of here so that you can get back to whatever moron you’re letting fuck you these days.” Cloud’s fists clenched at his sides, but it might now have been so bad, had Sephiroth stop talking, but it seemed that he really wanted to rub salt in the wound. “Or is it not just one?…With a body like yours you could probably make quite a profit.” Silver hair tilted to the side. “Is that what’s going on Cloud? Are you turning tricks? Selling them some half and half?”
“You bastard!” The words flew out of his mouth at the same moment he had leapt over the desk after him. How could he say such things!? How could he ever think that he would do something like that!? Their bodies connecting at a great enough velocity to send them both flying backwards, and Cloud landed on top in a rather painful position against the foyer. Though the pain didn’t seem to stop him. No, he had way to much adrenaline coursing through his veins to even feel it. All he wanted to do was hurt Sephiroth, hurt him in the way he had hurt him.
“How could you even say such filth?” Now he knew he wasn’t that strong that he could actually subdue the prized General of Shinra, but it just so happened that Sephiroth didn’t seem to be fighting back, so he continued. “I know you think that I’m some kind of whore, but I assure you the only person I’ve been with is Zack, and the only person I’ve ever wanted to be with besides Zack is you.” He grabbed handfuls of his leather coat, twisting it his grip to try to get a connection between them. “I can’t help it that I met you both at the same time…I can’t help it that you’re best friends…I can’t help it that I care about you so much that even when you say things like this to me it doesn’t stop me from wanting you…I don’t think I could ever stop that.”
In an act that he knew he would probably be punished for later, Cloud did the only thing that seemed rational at the time…He leaned down and kissed Sephiroth. At first it was just him, desperately kneading their mouths together, but soon an arm came around his neck, pulling him closer, and Sephiroth was kissing back every bit as heatedly. Sephiroth bit at his bottom lip, demanding entrance, and the thought never even crossed his mind to deny it. His whole body was tingling, and with every kiss a warmth spread through him that he never thought he could feel again.
Soon the kiss lost all of the loving nature it had possessed, which hadn’t been much, and turned instead into raw physical need. He needed this, and from the hungry way Sephiroth was kissing back, he could only assume that this was what he wanted as well. This thought was only more backed up when an arm wrapped around his waist, and rolled them over so that he was now on bottom. He wasn’t complaining though…He never would even think of complaining when Sephiroth was sucking on his neck like he was.
Hands wrapped around the back of his thighs, and forced his legs around Sephiroth’s strong waist. His kiss broke from his neck only long enough to travel to his earlobe. “Hold on.” Smiling, Cloud did as he was told and was soon hoisted up off the ground. He wasn’t being held for long though, because soon Sephiroth had flung everything off of his desk and dropped him upon it.
Cloud winced in pain as an exceptionally evil paper weight dug into his back, but his wince was soon replaced by a moan as Sephiroth haphazardly ripped open his shirt. Buttons flew everywhere, but neither one of them seemed in the least bit concerned with the condition of his clothing. Sephiroth because he was way too into kissing his chest, and Cloud because Sephiroth was way too into kissing his chest.
His eyes rolled to the back of his head when that perfect mouth found one of his nipples, and not to gently bit it. He was so into it all that he actually whined when Sephiroth pulled away. Though that whine soon turned rather affectionate as his face was tenderly stroked. “You are perfect Cloud.” Sephiroth’s hands went to the belt of his pants, unbuckling it as he continued to barrage him with complements. “Perfect, and so very very beautiful.”
A fond smile graced his face, and Cloud couldn’t stand their separation any longer, so he grabbed a fistful of silver hair and pulled him back for a kiss. Their tongues danced for dominance, and he felt his pants pull at his ankles as Sephiroth worked at getting them off. Though this apparently wasn’t good enough, because soon he pulled away. “Take your shoes off.” His voice was husky and full of lust, and the blond didn’t hesitate in following those particular orders.
The laces caught as he struggled to untie them with shaky hands, and soon he just ripped them off altogether. He could replace laces anytime, but this might be the only time he could get Sephiroth so into him that he would screw him on his desk.
No sooner were the shoes off, then his pants were ripped off entirely, and Sephiroth was once more on top of him. His hands roamed over every part of his body, leaving a burning sensation wherever they passed. Cloud was panting by the time his hands touched the waistband of his boxers, and he opened his eyes to pier at his soon to be lover through heavy eyes. “Are we really going to do this?”
Sephiroth just gave a small nod in response before once more claiming his mouth. This was perfect. This was heaven. His back arched up off the ground as a hand slipped into his boxers, and he cried out in alarm when it reached its destination.
The reason for his crying out though was only partially because of the actual action of being touched there. No, the real reason for his alarm was the cadet standing in the doorway, staring at them both in alarm…They were fucked! Hadn’t he knocked? Why the hell had he just barged in? He looked towards Sephiroth, who was staring at the intruder like he wanted to gauge his eyes out…and he probably did.
“Can I help you?” Sephiroth bit out through gritted teeth, and Cloud could have sworn that the kid in the doorway practically pissed himself right then. Though he didn’t really blame him, this was one hell of a dangerous thing to walk in on. If he were him he would just run away right then. Though he was in a pretty compromising position himself, and for the sake of trying to get himself to disappear, he buried his head in Sephiroth’s chest, trying to become one with his body and get out of this embarrassing situation.
“No, sir…I mean yes…I mean…I was just s-sent here to deliver a message…and I didn’t see anything…I’ll just be going now.” The floor screeched as the soldier no doubt turned to run, but he wasn’t going to be that lucky.
“Stop right there Matthews.” Matthews? How the hell did Sephiroth know who this guy was? Though now that he thought about it the name did seem rather familiar. Cloud pulled away from Sephiroth’s chest, daring to take a look at this mysterious person. It was then he realized why it seemed so familiar. He was in the same class as him. Caden Matthews was one of the select few that Sephiroth ever had anything to do with in the entire population of Shinra. Well that at least explained why he thought he was privileged enough not to have to knock.
Though that didn’t make him stupid. He had froze in his spot like a good boy. He obviously knew the seriousness of what he had walked in on, and he wasn’t about to ignore an order and get himself into anymore trouble. Turning slowly on his heel, he turned to face the two who were still piled on the desk. “Yes sir?” He tried to sound as brave as possible, but Cloud could tell he was as big of a nervous wreck as he had been when he had first come here.
Sephiroth crawled off from atop him, and pulled him off the desk as he did so. Though that little touch was all he got, and he was then shoved towards one of the two visitation chairs that were available. “Why don’t you both take seats.” He motioned to the one remaining chair for Caden, and they both sat nervously down. Sephiroth also sat down, but the strange thing was is that he didn’t look embarrassed in the least bit. Cloud on the other hand was trembling, and felt like he was burning up from the blush that had stained his cheeks and neck. It didn’t help matters that he was sitting in the seat with nothing but his boxers on either.
Cloud glanced over to Caden, but his helmet was still on, making it quite impossible to read his emotions. Sephiroth seemed to notice this as well, for his next command was directed to the helmet toting cadet. “Trooper please remove your helmet. I don’t enjoy talking to facial visors.”
With a haste nod, the soldier quickly removed the helmet, and Cloud got a good look at his face for the first time. Strange that this was the first time he was seeing him up close, but true nonetheless. The only time they were in the same room together was for training, and Sephiroth happened to be in the room at the time so everything else became rather blurred. It didn’t matter who you were, when someone like Sephiroth was in the room you were always second best.
Caden placed the helmet on his bouncing leg, avoiding Sephiroth’s eyes at all costs. Though this meant that he looked his way, and his bright hazel eyes met his for just a flicker of a second before he turned away…Apparently looking at him was almost as hard as Sephiroth himself. Though he would have to say he didn’t know why…Of course it had been a hell of a thing to walk into, but other than that they were pretty much the same. Caden was a little taller than he was, but they had about the same build, and from what he had heard, the same background as well. The trooper was from some small town just outside of Midgar called Kalm, and talked with a deeply slurred accent generating from around that area. His looks weren’t bad, as a matter of fact some might go as far as to call him rather attractive. His hair was a deep honey brown that fell just past his ears, and looked to be in a permanent messy state. His skin was a dark olive color, which seemed to fit his thin face.
When he heard Sephiroth clear his throat, he realized that he had been staring, and so his gaze shot down to his lap. Yes, that was how to rectify the situation…by staring at him creepily. He was such an idiot. In a nervous state, he licked his lips for what felt like the thousandth time, before the quiet stillness that had settled around the room got too much for him, and his head flickered back up. “Seph…General Sir can I g-go now?”
“No.” His jaw clenched at the answer, but it wasn’t too much of a shock, so he didn’t retaliate. “Cadet Matthews what you saw here I can only assume you know that you cannot utter to another soul.”
Cloud snuck a peak over at Caden to see him swallow and then hastily nod. “Of course Sir…I wouldn’t dream of telling anyone about this. Especially not any of you superiors.” The blond’s eyebrows furrowed a little at that. So far Caden had been too shocked to show any personality, but now it seemed like he had broken free of his surprise, and now seemed almost like he was threatening them.
“My superiors huh?” Sephiroth leaned forward onto his trashed desk, staring Caden straight in the eye. Cloud couldn’t help but admit he was impressed when the brunette didn’t back down from the stare. “I don’t have many of those, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Not many General, but enough to take notice.” That bastard! He was threatening him…He was threatening the General of Shinra. Well, the guy had guts. Though he didn’t know how long those guts were going to last, because if he knew anything about Sephiroth he was going to filet him for just the insult alone.
“What do you want?” Well you had to hand it to him, Sephiroth knew how to cut to the point. Though that didn’t mean this was okay. How could he give in to this obvious blackmail attempt so easily?
Caden seemed to be smitten with it though that didn’t make Cloud any happier about it. One of the brunette’s eyebrows rose, and he handed over the supposed message he had interrupted them for. “It’s from Lieutenant Colonel Zack…Something about a mission and if recruiting the third member had gone over smoothly.” His gaze flashed towards Cloud, before continuing. “I can only assume he meant Cadet Strife here, and from what I’ve seen it went over very smoothly.”
Cloud’s eyes narrowed at that, and he really felt like punching the bastard right in the kidney for the very assumption. His anger was only overruled by his intense curiosity over this mission they were supposed to go on. He glanced over to try to get an answer out of Sephiroth, but the man was staring intensely at Caden.
“Well Cadet it’s good to know that you read the messaged you’re supposed to deliver, but you still didn’t answer my question. Although I already have a good idea, what do you want?”
Caden’s smirk spread across his face, and his face seemed to darken and become much more malignant. “Well General I would very much like to be the fourth person on the mission. If I am you can be assured that my lips will forever stay sealed.”
“Fine.” Cloud startled at the abrupt answer Sephiroth gave him, and couldn’t help but stare dumbfounded at him. He gave into him…and he gave into him so easily. What the hell was going on? The Sephiroth he knew would have cut him in half for just his insolence alone…The whole blackmail thing would involve lots of torture to be sure. The leather in the chair creaked as the powerful man rose and walked over to where Caden was seated. “Arise soldier.” The brunette didn’t hesitate in obeying those orders, but after he did he probably wished he hadn’t. Sephiroth lunged out, grabbing that arrogant prick’s chin, and pulled him roughly forward so that Caden was pretty much staring down the wrong end of a loaded gun…figuratively speaking of course. “Now listen to me you twit because I’m going to say it once…I’m in a generous mood today, so I allowed your conniving ways, but if I ever hear you speak a word of this, or if you try to further your scheme, I’ll cut you apart inch by inch and feed you to a pack of hungry wolves. Is that understood?” Caden looked much too horrified to even respond, but after he realized that this wasn’t going to end until he did, the terrified brunette quickly nodded. Sephiroth smirked maliciously, before letting him go. “Good. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind and kill you.”
Cloud laughed as Caden sprinted out with his tail between his legs. He knew that Sephiroth wasn’t going to just roll over to that dog, but he was still confused about one part of it though, and he fully intended to get his answer. “Sephiroth what mission was he talking about?”
For the longest time he didn’t even think he was going to be answered, but then Sephiroth took his seat again. “That is what I called you here for Cloud, now come over here.” He beckoned him forward, and the blond really wasn’t going to argue. When their knees touched, Sephiroth grabbed on to the back of his thighs and hoisted him up onto his lap so that he was straddling his waist. “You remember the incident with Rufus Shinra?” Not really knowing what that had to do with anything, Cloud could do nothing but give a slight nod. “Well they can’t really do anything to me about it, but they can still give me shit jobs as a way of punishment.” Oh…He got it now.
“And this mission is part of your punishment?” Sephiroth gave a small nod of approval, before slightly touching their mouths together in a small kiss.
“That’s right, and I want you and Zack to go with me…I also needed a fourth, and Matthews took care of that problem. So will you go?” Cloud reconnected their mouths, nodding into the kiss as he did. “Good.”
He didn’t really care about the mission all that much. Experience was experience, but the whole him - Zack - Sephiroth triangle did sort of worry him. Though he wasn’t about to bring up Zack’s name right now. That he knew would only lead to someplace he didn’t want to go to when he was this happy. Though that didn’t mean that he was out of questions yet. No, he still had one major one.
“Sephiroth what I don’t get is why you gave into him. You could have found anyone for that mission, and now he thinks he won or something.” He gasped as he mouth was harshly pulled back in as his face was practically eaten off in his harshness.
When they finally pulled away Cloud was left panting. “Oh Cloud that one is easy.” That same malicious smirk that had come on his face earlier with Caden reappeared. “It’s like the old saying goes…Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Cloud was going to respond to that, but he didn’t get a chance to because his lips were once more claimed. This whole mission thing was starting to get much more complicated than it had originally seemed.
In what seemed like no time at all he arrived at the outside of the door. Though he couldn’t bring his feet to move any further than that. Because if they moved that meant that he would have to see Sephiroth and, god forbid, talk to him…something he really didn’t feel like doing at the moment. Not for lack of wanting to have a civil conversation mind you, but it was hard enough having to deal with the loss of both him and Zack, he really didn’t feel like having any more hateful remarks thrown in his face to top it all off.
His hand rose to knock on the mahogany door, but right before his knuckles struck the wood he froze. He could always pretend like the orders had never reached him. The worst that could happen was for him to get late night guard or something. No, strike that, the worst thing that could happen was for him to follow through with those orders and go through that door. He would take guard duty any day over something like that.
Nodding his head in resolution, Cloud turned on his heel, fully prepared to completely skive out of these orders. Well he had every intention of skiving out of those orders, really he did, but it just so happened that, before he even took his first step, the door opened up behind him.
His eyes clenched shut, already dreading what he was no doubt going to hear. “May I ask where you are Cadet Strife?” Cloud bit his lip at Sephiroth’s cold voice. Oh this was just great…Now not only was it going to be uncomfortable due to their past relations, but it was going to be even more uncomfortable because he had tried to ditch out on orders coming from a General of Shinra…He was in such deep shit.
Cloud slowly turned back around, doing his best to avoid Sephiroth’s intense eyes as he did so. This was so now how he wanted this to go. He thought he was going to get guard duty for a little bit, now he was probably going to have it for the rest of the month, if not his entire duration at the Shinra corporation.
In a last ditch effort to try to get himself out of trouble, Cloud held up his hands in defense and said the first thing that came to mind. “Now I know what this looks like Sephiroth…” Remembering the last time he was reprimanded on just using his first name, the blond quickly corrected himself. “General Sephiroth sir, but it only has to be awkward if we make it.” Okay so it wasn’t exactly the best way to get yourself out of trouble, but it was really the only thing he could think of at the time.
Though by the looks of it, it hadn’t helped in the least. The only reaction Sephiroth gave was a slight shake of his head. “Just get in here Strife.” He said almost boredly, and turned on his heel. Feeling even more nervous than when he had first came here, Cloud meekly followed. He swallowed in apprehension…Despite what he had tried to say, he knew that this was going to be a hella awkward talk.
As he walked over the threshold to what felt like would be his impending doom, Cloud fisted his hands in the material of his uniform, trying to twist the nervousness out of himself by doing so…It wasn’t working. This way worst than even the first time he had been in this office, at least then he didn’t know how big of a bastard Sephiroth could be. At least then he was innocent…Well partially innocent at any right.
“Strife if you don’t relax you’re going to have an aneurism, and I don’t particularly fill like doing the paperwork explaining why your dead carcass was here.” Okay, so he knew that Sephiroth was probably dead serious with everything he had just said, but he couldn’t help it, he laughed. Well he wouldn’t exactly call it a laugh. By all means that’s what it had started out to be, but upon seeing Sephiroth’s stern face it faded to a snicker, and then died to a mere cough by the time it was through. After hearing his laughter fade, the silver haired man motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “Why don’t you take a seat.”
Almost mechanically he did what he was asked, not once looking up from the floor as he did so. The air around the room was so uncomfortable that all he wanted to do was just become one with the chair he was, or run out screaming, whichever one he thought might do him best. All he knew was that if he had to be in here much longer he was going to die. When they had ended it he didn’t know how completely and utterly weird it was going to be to be around him. Sure training had been hell, but it was always hell. This though…this was almost unbearable.
They had only been in here for a few moments, and already he wanted to put a bullet in his head to end the uncomfortableness. “What is it you wanted from me…sir?” His tone was a bit scathing, but at the time he really couldn’t think of any other way to be with the man. Obviously being nice hadn’t worked, so he was going to have to try a new approach. That new approach would of course be to act like just as big of a bastard as the General himself…See how he likes a taste of his own medicine.
At first Sephiroth didn’t seem to react to his harsh tone, but then he leaned forward over his desk so that they were staring at each other in the eyes, and his were narrowed. “Oh I’m sorry cadet, am I keeping you from other things? I didn’t know your classes were so important to you.” He put a hand under his chin as if thinking. “Or maybe it isn’t your classes at all that you wish to be in, but something else entirely.”
“What are you implying…sir?” Cloud’s chin clenched when what could almost be described as a smirk appeared on Sephiroth’s face.
“What I’m implying cadet is that you probably want to get out of here so that you can get back to whatever moron you’re letting fuck you these days.” Cloud’s fists clenched at his sides, but it might now have been so bad, had Sephiroth stop talking, but it seemed that he really wanted to rub salt in the wound. “Or is it not just one?…With a body like yours you could probably make quite a profit.” Silver hair tilted to the side. “Is that what’s going on Cloud? Are you turning tricks? Selling them some half and half?”
“You bastard!” The words flew out of his mouth at the same moment he had leapt over the desk after him. How could he say such things!? How could he ever think that he would do something like that!? Their bodies connecting at a great enough velocity to send them both flying backwards, and Cloud landed on top in a rather painful position against the foyer. Though the pain didn’t seem to stop him. No, he had way to much adrenaline coursing through his veins to even feel it. All he wanted to do was hurt Sephiroth, hurt him in the way he had hurt him.
“How could you even say such filth?” Now he knew he wasn’t that strong that he could actually subdue the prized General of Shinra, but it just so happened that Sephiroth didn’t seem to be fighting back, so he continued. “I know you think that I’m some kind of whore, but I assure you the only person I’ve been with is Zack, and the only person I’ve ever wanted to be with besides Zack is you.” He grabbed handfuls of his leather coat, twisting it his grip to try to get a connection between them. “I can’t help it that I met you both at the same time…I can’t help it that you’re best friends…I can’t help it that I care about you so much that even when you say things like this to me it doesn’t stop me from wanting you…I don’t think I could ever stop that.”
In an act that he knew he would probably be punished for later, Cloud did the only thing that seemed rational at the time…He leaned down and kissed Sephiroth. At first it was just him, desperately kneading their mouths together, but soon an arm came around his neck, pulling him closer, and Sephiroth was kissing back every bit as heatedly. Sephiroth bit at his bottom lip, demanding entrance, and the thought never even crossed his mind to deny it. His whole body was tingling, and with every kiss a warmth spread through him that he never thought he could feel again.
Soon the kiss lost all of the loving nature it had possessed, which hadn’t been much, and turned instead into raw physical need. He needed this, and from the hungry way Sephiroth was kissing back, he could only assume that this was what he wanted as well. This thought was only more backed up when an arm wrapped around his waist, and rolled them over so that he was now on bottom. He wasn’t complaining though…He never would even think of complaining when Sephiroth was sucking on his neck like he was.
Hands wrapped around the back of his thighs, and forced his legs around Sephiroth’s strong waist. His kiss broke from his neck only long enough to travel to his earlobe. “Hold on.” Smiling, Cloud did as he was told and was soon hoisted up off the ground. He wasn’t being held for long though, because soon Sephiroth had flung everything off of his desk and dropped him upon it.
Cloud winced in pain as an exceptionally evil paper weight dug into his back, but his wince was soon replaced by a moan as Sephiroth haphazardly ripped open his shirt. Buttons flew everywhere, but neither one of them seemed in the least bit concerned with the condition of his clothing. Sephiroth because he was way too into kissing his chest, and Cloud because Sephiroth was way too into kissing his chest.
His eyes rolled to the back of his head when that perfect mouth found one of his nipples, and not to gently bit it. He was so into it all that he actually whined when Sephiroth pulled away. Though that whine soon turned rather affectionate as his face was tenderly stroked. “You are perfect Cloud.” Sephiroth’s hands went to the belt of his pants, unbuckling it as he continued to barrage him with complements. “Perfect, and so very very beautiful.”
A fond smile graced his face, and Cloud couldn’t stand their separation any longer, so he grabbed a fistful of silver hair and pulled him back for a kiss. Their tongues danced for dominance, and he felt his pants pull at his ankles as Sephiroth worked at getting them off. Though this apparently wasn’t good enough, because soon he pulled away. “Take your shoes off.” His voice was husky and full of lust, and the blond didn’t hesitate in following those particular orders.
The laces caught as he struggled to untie them with shaky hands, and soon he just ripped them off altogether. He could replace laces anytime, but this might be the only time he could get Sephiroth so into him that he would screw him on his desk.
No sooner were the shoes off, then his pants were ripped off entirely, and Sephiroth was once more on top of him. His hands roamed over every part of his body, leaving a burning sensation wherever they passed. Cloud was panting by the time his hands touched the waistband of his boxers, and he opened his eyes to pier at his soon to be lover through heavy eyes. “Are we really going to do this?”
Sephiroth just gave a small nod in response before once more claiming his mouth. This was perfect. This was heaven. His back arched up off the ground as a hand slipped into his boxers, and he cried out in alarm when it reached its destination.
The reason for his crying out though was only partially because of the actual action of being touched there. No, the real reason for his alarm was the cadet standing in the doorway, staring at them both in alarm…They were fucked! Hadn’t he knocked? Why the hell had he just barged in? He looked towards Sephiroth, who was staring at the intruder like he wanted to gauge his eyes out…and he probably did.
“Can I help you?” Sephiroth bit out through gritted teeth, and Cloud could have sworn that the kid in the doorway practically pissed himself right then. Though he didn’t really blame him, this was one hell of a dangerous thing to walk in on. If he were him he would just run away right then. Though he was in a pretty compromising position himself, and for the sake of trying to get himself to disappear, he buried his head in Sephiroth’s chest, trying to become one with his body and get out of this embarrassing situation.
“No, sir…I mean yes…I mean…I was just s-sent here to deliver a message…and I didn’t see anything…I’ll just be going now.” The floor screeched as the soldier no doubt turned to run, but he wasn’t going to be that lucky.
“Stop right there Matthews.” Matthews? How the hell did Sephiroth know who this guy was? Though now that he thought about it the name did seem rather familiar. Cloud pulled away from Sephiroth’s chest, daring to take a look at this mysterious person. It was then he realized why it seemed so familiar. He was in the same class as him. Caden Matthews was one of the select few that Sephiroth ever had anything to do with in the entire population of Shinra. Well that at least explained why he thought he was privileged enough not to have to knock.
Though that didn’t make him stupid. He had froze in his spot like a good boy. He obviously knew the seriousness of what he had walked in on, and he wasn’t about to ignore an order and get himself into anymore trouble. Turning slowly on his heel, he turned to face the two who were still piled on the desk. “Yes sir?” He tried to sound as brave as possible, but Cloud could tell he was as big of a nervous wreck as he had been when he had first come here.
Sephiroth crawled off from atop him, and pulled him off the desk as he did so. Though that little touch was all he got, and he was then shoved towards one of the two visitation chairs that were available. “Why don’t you both take seats.” He motioned to the one remaining chair for Caden, and they both sat nervously down. Sephiroth also sat down, but the strange thing was is that he didn’t look embarrassed in the least bit. Cloud on the other hand was trembling, and felt like he was burning up from the blush that had stained his cheeks and neck. It didn’t help matters that he was sitting in the seat with nothing but his boxers on either.
Cloud glanced over to Caden, but his helmet was still on, making it quite impossible to read his emotions. Sephiroth seemed to notice this as well, for his next command was directed to the helmet toting cadet. “Trooper please remove your helmet. I don’t enjoy talking to facial visors.”
With a haste nod, the soldier quickly removed the helmet, and Cloud got a good look at his face for the first time. Strange that this was the first time he was seeing him up close, but true nonetheless. The only time they were in the same room together was for training, and Sephiroth happened to be in the room at the time so everything else became rather blurred. It didn’t matter who you were, when someone like Sephiroth was in the room you were always second best.
Caden placed the helmet on his bouncing leg, avoiding Sephiroth’s eyes at all costs. Though this meant that he looked his way, and his bright hazel eyes met his for just a flicker of a second before he turned away…Apparently looking at him was almost as hard as Sephiroth himself. Though he would have to say he didn’t know why…Of course it had been a hell of a thing to walk into, but other than that they were pretty much the same. Caden was a little taller than he was, but they had about the same build, and from what he had heard, the same background as well. The trooper was from some small town just outside of Midgar called Kalm, and talked with a deeply slurred accent generating from around that area. His looks weren’t bad, as a matter of fact some might go as far as to call him rather attractive. His hair was a deep honey brown that fell just past his ears, and looked to be in a permanent messy state. His skin was a dark olive color, which seemed to fit his thin face.
When he heard Sephiroth clear his throat, he realized that he had been staring, and so his gaze shot down to his lap. Yes, that was how to rectify the situation…by staring at him creepily. He was such an idiot. In a nervous state, he licked his lips for what felt like the thousandth time, before the quiet stillness that had settled around the room got too much for him, and his head flickered back up. “Seph…General Sir can I g-go now?”
“No.” His jaw clenched at the answer, but it wasn’t too much of a shock, so he didn’t retaliate. “Cadet Matthews what you saw here I can only assume you know that you cannot utter to another soul.”
Cloud snuck a peak over at Caden to see him swallow and then hastily nod. “Of course Sir…I wouldn’t dream of telling anyone about this. Especially not any of you superiors.” The blond’s eyebrows furrowed a little at that. So far Caden had been too shocked to show any personality, but now it seemed like he had broken free of his surprise, and now seemed almost like he was threatening them.
“My superiors huh?” Sephiroth leaned forward onto his trashed desk, staring Caden straight in the eye. Cloud couldn’t help but admit he was impressed when the brunette didn’t back down from the stare. “I don’t have many of those, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Not many General, but enough to take notice.” That bastard! He was threatening him…He was threatening the General of Shinra. Well, the guy had guts. Though he didn’t know how long those guts were going to last, because if he knew anything about Sephiroth he was going to filet him for just the insult alone.
“What do you want?” Well you had to hand it to him, Sephiroth knew how to cut to the point. Though that didn’t mean this was okay. How could he give in to this obvious blackmail attempt so easily?
Caden seemed to be smitten with it though that didn’t make Cloud any happier about it. One of the brunette’s eyebrows rose, and he handed over the supposed message he had interrupted them for. “It’s from Lieutenant Colonel Zack…Something about a mission and if recruiting the third member had gone over smoothly.” His gaze flashed towards Cloud, before continuing. “I can only assume he meant Cadet Strife here, and from what I’ve seen it went over very smoothly.”
Cloud’s eyes narrowed at that, and he really felt like punching the bastard right in the kidney for the very assumption. His anger was only overruled by his intense curiosity over this mission they were supposed to go on. He glanced over to try to get an answer out of Sephiroth, but the man was staring intensely at Caden.
“Well Cadet it’s good to know that you read the messaged you’re supposed to deliver, but you still didn’t answer my question. Although I already have a good idea, what do you want?”
Caden’s smirk spread across his face, and his face seemed to darken and become much more malignant. “Well General I would very much like to be the fourth person on the mission. If I am you can be assured that my lips will forever stay sealed.”
“Fine.” Cloud startled at the abrupt answer Sephiroth gave him, and couldn’t help but stare dumbfounded at him. He gave into him…and he gave into him so easily. What the hell was going on? The Sephiroth he knew would have cut him in half for just his insolence alone…The whole blackmail thing would involve lots of torture to be sure. The leather in the chair creaked as the powerful man rose and walked over to where Caden was seated. “Arise soldier.” The brunette didn’t hesitate in obeying those orders, but after he did he probably wished he hadn’t. Sephiroth lunged out, grabbing that arrogant prick’s chin, and pulled him roughly forward so that Caden was pretty much staring down the wrong end of a loaded gun…figuratively speaking of course. “Now listen to me you twit because I’m going to say it once…I’m in a generous mood today, so I allowed your conniving ways, but if I ever hear you speak a word of this, or if you try to further your scheme, I’ll cut you apart inch by inch and feed you to a pack of hungry wolves. Is that understood?” Caden looked much too horrified to even respond, but after he realized that this wasn’t going to end until he did, the terrified brunette quickly nodded. Sephiroth smirked maliciously, before letting him go. “Good. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind and kill you.”
Cloud laughed as Caden sprinted out with his tail between his legs. He knew that Sephiroth wasn’t going to just roll over to that dog, but he was still confused about one part of it though, and he fully intended to get his answer. “Sephiroth what mission was he talking about?”
For the longest time he didn’t even think he was going to be answered, but then Sephiroth took his seat again. “That is what I called you here for Cloud, now come over here.” He beckoned him forward, and the blond really wasn’t going to argue. When their knees touched, Sephiroth grabbed on to the back of his thighs and hoisted him up onto his lap so that he was straddling his waist. “You remember the incident with Rufus Shinra?” Not really knowing what that had to do with anything, Cloud could do nothing but give a slight nod. “Well they can’t really do anything to me about it, but they can still give me shit jobs as a way of punishment.” Oh…He got it now.
“And this mission is part of your punishment?” Sephiroth gave a small nod of approval, before slightly touching their mouths together in a small kiss.
“That’s right, and I want you and Zack to go with me…I also needed a fourth, and Matthews took care of that problem. So will you go?” Cloud reconnected their mouths, nodding into the kiss as he did. “Good.”
He didn’t really care about the mission all that much. Experience was experience, but the whole him - Zack - Sephiroth triangle did sort of worry him. Though he wasn’t about to bring up Zack’s name right now. That he knew would only lead to someplace he didn’t want to go to when he was this happy. Though that didn’t mean that he was out of questions yet. No, he still had one major one.
“Sephiroth what I don’t get is why you gave into him. You could have found anyone for that mission, and now he thinks he won or something.” He gasped as he mouth was harshly pulled back in as his face was practically eaten off in his harshness.
When they finally pulled away Cloud was left panting. “Oh Cloud that one is easy.” That same malicious smirk that had come on his face earlier with Caden reappeared. “It’s like the old saying goes…Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Cloud was going to respond to that, but he didn’t get a chance to because his lips were once more claimed. This whole mission thing was starting to get much more complicated than it had originally seemed.
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Cloud’s eyes creaked open, but as soon as they did he immediately shut them. Just the little bit of light peaking through the window of the hotel room was enough to send his head into a prism of pain from his hangover. His senses were overload, and yet still dulled and slow at the same time, making comprehending that last dream he had quite a difficult task. He’d vow to never drink again, but knew that such a vow most likely wouldn’t last all that long anyways. So, he chose another approach, which was to try to think his way out of the sludge that seemed to fill his mind upon waking…It wasn’t going too good.
Unlike any other dream he might have, these supposed ‘flashback’ dreams could always be remembered when he woke up, and as such every minute detail was still fully engraved into his mind. It was the same with every other one of his dreams. Actually these dream memories he could recall better than the ones he had had before they had started. It was an eerie feeling to say the least when you thought about how your past life might be replacing you.
That last dream though had been interesting if nothing else. He wasn’t just talking about the fact that him and Sephiroth had gotten back together…Though that was a valid point that he had always loved him the most. What he was talking about was the mission they were going on. The mission that he had just blindly agreed to go on. He knew his memory was pretty fucked, but he couldn’t seem to recall any other mission he had been on involving Sephiroth and three other people. Which meant only one thing, this mission had to be Nibelheim.
Nibelheim…how he cursed the name of his former home. It had ruined everything, it had turned Sephiroth the way he was, and now he was going to have to go through the whole hellish experience again. It wasn’t fair! He hadn’t asked for this, and he certainly never wanted it. These memories were hell, and all wanted was for them to end. Yet he knew they wouldn’t. The ancients…or whoever was doing this to him…wanted him to know something, and he had a feeling that what that was took place in his home town that had burnt to cinders.
He shook his head as he rose from his pile of blankets on the floor. So much drama, and they were only on the third day of the bet. The reason he had been forced to the floor, was because the happy couple had taken the bed. Now he liked Reno, really he did, but that didn’t mean he ever wanted to listen to him and Rufus screw all night. Though he couldn’t really blame them, because they had all been really drunk, and Rufus was really horny.
Cloud wobbled over to the shower, and reveled as he stepped into the burning steam. He had always been a sucker for a hot shower in the morning. It was always his best thinking time, and he had a lot to think about. For starters he was going to have to figure out what the hell he was going to do with himself for the next four days. The answer seemed simple enough, which would be to just stay in a room and wait for Sephiroth to come get him, but the reality was far more complex.
As much as he would like to follow through with his first plan of action, he knew that he couldn’t. He had come here to learn about his past, and although the dreams were quite informative, they didn’t tell him everything. He needed to know more. He needed to know what had happened to make him this way. And he knew that Zack had the answers to all his questions. Unfortunately that meant that he was going to have to civil. Something that he was still debating on if he could do or not. Well as to that matter, only time would tell. Though he knew what he had to do right now, and that was to go meet Zack. He would determine everything then.
Unlike any other dream he might have, these supposed ‘flashback’ dreams could always be remembered when he woke up, and as such every minute detail was still fully engraved into his mind. It was the same with every other one of his dreams. Actually these dream memories he could recall better than the ones he had had before they had started. It was an eerie feeling to say the least when you thought about how your past life might be replacing you.
That last dream though had been interesting if nothing else. He wasn’t just talking about the fact that him and Sephiroth had gotten back together…Though that was a valid point that he had always loved him the most. What he was talking about was the mission they were going on. The mission that he had just blindly agreed to go on. He knew his memory was pretty fucked, but he couldn’t seem to recall any other mission he had been on involving Sephiroth and three other people. Which meant only one thing, this mission had to be Nibelheim.
Nibelheim…how he cursed the name of his former home. It had ruined everything, it had turned Sephiroth the way he was, and now he was going to have to go through the whole hellish experience again. It wasn’t fair! He hadn’t asked for this, and he certainly never wanted it. These memories were hell, and all wanted was for them to end. Yet he knew they wouldn’t. The ancients…or whoever was doing this to him…wanted him to know something, and he had a feeling that what that was took place in his home town that had burnt to cinders.
He shook his head as he rose from his pile of blankets on the floor. So much drama, and they were only on the third day of the bet. The reason he had been forced to the floor, was because the happy couple had taken the bed. Now he liked Reno, really he did, but that didn’t mean he ever wanted to listen to him and Rufus screw all night. Though he couldn’t really blame them, because they had all been really drunk, and Rufus was really horny.
Cloud wobbled over to the shower, and reveled as he stepped into the burning steam. He had always been a sucker for a hot shower in the morning. It was always his best thinking time, and he had a lot to think about. For starters he was going to have to figure out what the hell he was going to do with himself for the next four days. The answer seemed simple enough, which would be to just stay in a room and wait for Sephiroth to come get him, but the reality was far more complex.
As much as he would like to follow through with his first plan of action, he knew that he couldn’t. He had come here to learn about his past, and although the dreams were quite informative, they didn’t tell him everything. He needed to know more. He needed to know what had happened to make him this way. And he knew that Zack had the answers to all his questions. Unfortunately that meant that he was going to have to civil. Something that he was still debating on if he could do or not. Well as to that matter, only time would tell. Though he knew what he had to do right now, and that was to go meet Zack. He would determine everything then.
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Feeling a vague sense of deja vue, Cloud nervously paced outside of Zack’s room on the airship. To think about doing this, and to do it was two different things entirely. Yeah it seemed like a good idea in his head, but the thought of actually going through with it was giving him cold feet. He couldn’t wuss out now though, taking a deep breath, Cloud gently hammered on the door.
He could hear some shuffling from the other side, and then a tired sounding “Come in.” muttered in answer. Had he just woken him up? Cloud glanced over at the clock on the wall and saw that it was still fairly early. As a matter of fact everyone on the ship was still asleep. Damn…He’d feel bad about waking Zack if he didn’t despise so much.
Cloud pushed his way through the door, and knew that he indeed had woken Zack up, because the ex-SOLDIER was still curled up in his blankets. Though upon seeing him he immediately straightened up. “Cloud. I am glad you came and saw me, but could it wait like an hour.” The blond rose an eyebrow in confusion. He was actually kicking him out? Sensing Cloud’s confusion, Zack was kind enough to clarify. “It’s just I don’t really think I can handle you screaming at me again until I’m awake.”
Oh. Well that explained it at least. But it still didn’t make him any happier. Okay, so he knew he had been a bit bitchy, but he hadn’t been as bad as Zack made it sound. This is of course the part where he berated his mind for even caring about this, because his entire plan was to be as bitchy as possible. If Zack didn’t want to talk to him, then that meant he was doing his job right. Well at least that was his old plan, but he had switched strategies and now he was going to start at 0 again…Well not even 0 it was more like a -10.
“I’m not going to scream.” It was Zack’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Really…I’m not.” He swallowed, and tried his hardest to get the rest of it out. “The reason I came here…the real reason, is because I’m tired Zack…I’m so so tired.”
Zack sleepily rubbed at his eyes, but he looked at least a little more alert and interested than when he had first come here. “Didn’t you get any sleep last night?” Cloud’s fists clenched at his side, and he said through clenched teeth.
“Not that kind of tired.” Knowing that he probably looked like he was about to start screaming again, the blond tried to relax his muscles, and relax altogether. “I’m tired of fighting with you…I’m tired of trying to be something I’m not, but mostly…mostly I’m tired of hating you.” His head tilted in the puppy dog way that Sephiroth had always told him was adorable. “Hating you is the most tiring Zack.”
Through the entire thing Zack had sat there quietly, but once he knew that he was done he softly spoke. “What exactly are you trying to tell me Cloud?” You could tell he was trying to hide it, but Cloud could see the hopeful glint in those amber eyes.
Giving Zack a small smile, he made his way across the room and took a seat next to him on the bed. “What I’m saying is that I don’t want to hate you anymore…I don’t want to be the vengeful person I was when I first came here.” It was then that those amber eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“And you expect me to believe that you suddenly had this complete major change of heart? And what of Sephiroth…have you forgotten all about him as well?” Cloud’s face fell, and he tried his hardest to repress the angry sentences that wanted to break out of his mouth. For someone who wanted this so much, Zack sure was being stubborn when it actually happened. Though he supposed he was acting a bit out of character, but this couldn’t work any other way.
“I don’t care what you believe Zack. What I’m saying is the truth.” He ran a hand through his blond spikes, not at all liking having to bring Sephiroth into the conversation. “I love Sephiroth Zack, I’m not saying I don’t, but I don’t hate you because of it.” This was when he thought it best to bring out his trump card. “Weren’t you always the one that said you should see the best in people?…Why can’t you see the best in me then? I’m not saying I want to be your lover again Zack, but for starters I would like to try to be your friend.”
Cloud held out his hand in a sign of friendship, and held it there for a great deal of time while Zack stared between it and him. “You want to my friend?” He gave a nod. “No tricks?” He shook his head. Zack held out his hand, and only hesitated for a moment before taking it into his own. Cloud tried to ignore the jolt of electricity that had traveled up his arm when their palms touched, and instead focused on the handshake and putting a fake smile up for him to see. As he had mentioned earlier, his most recent dream had taught him a lot. But probably the most beneficial thing he had learned was a lesson from Sephiroth…A lesson he planned to take to heart. As he stared into Zack’s golden depths, the old saying came back to his head…Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
He could hear some shuffling from the other side, and then a tired sounding “Come in.” muttered in answer. Had he just woken him up? Cloud glanced over at the clock on the wall and saw that it was still fairly early. As a matter of fact everyone on the ship was still asleep. Damn…He’d feel bad about waking Zack if he didn’t despise so much.
Cloud pushed his way through the door, and knew that he indeed had woken Zack up, because the ex-SOLDIER was still curled up in his blankets. Though upon seeing him he immediately straightened up. “Cloud. I am glad you came and saw me, but could it wait like an hour.” The blond rose an eyebrow in confusion. He was actually kicking him out? Sensing Cloud’s confusion, Zack was kind enough to clarify. “It’s just I don’t really think I can handle you screaming at me again until I’m awake.”
Oh. Well that explained it at least. But it still didn’t make him any happier. Okay, so he knew he had been a bit bitchy, but he hadn’t been as bad as Zack made it sound. This is of course the part where he berated his mind for even caring about this, because his entire plan was to be as bitchy as possible. If Zack didn’t want to talk to him, then that meant he was doing his job right. Well at least that was his old plan, but he had switched strategies and now he was going to start at 0 again…Well not even 0 it was more like a -10.
“I’m not going to scream.” It was Zack’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Really…I’m not.” He swallowed, and tried his hardest to get the rest of it out. “The reason I came here…the real reason, is because I’m tired Zack…I’m so so tired.”
Zack sleepily rubbed at his eyes, but he looked at least a little more alert and interested than when he had first come here. “Didn’t you get any sleep last night?” Cloud’s fists clenched at his side, and he said through clenched teeth.
“Not that kind of tired.” Knowing that he probably looked like he was about to start screaming again, the blond tried to relax his muscles, and relax altogether. “I’m tired of fighting with you…I’m tired of trying to be something I’m not, but mostly…mostly I’m tired of hating you.” His head tilted in the puppy dog way that Sephiroth had always told him was adorable. “Hating you is the most tiring Zack.”
Through the entire thing Zack had sat there quietly, but once he knew that he was done he softly spoke. “What exactly are you trying to tell me Cloud?” You could tell he was trying to hide it, but Cloud could see the hopeful glint in those amber eyes.
Giving Zack a small smile, he made his way across the room and took a seat next to him on the bed. “What I’m saying is that I don’t want to hate you anymore…I don’t want to be the vengeful person I was when I first came here.” It was then that those amber eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“And you expect me to believe that you suddenly had this complete major change of heart? And what of Sephiroth…have you forgotten all about him as well?” Cloud’s face fell, and he tried his hardest to repress the angry sentences that wanted to break out of his mouth. For someone who wanted this so much, Zack sure was being stubborn when it actually happened. Though he supposed he was acting a bit out of character, but this couldn’t work any other way.
“I don’t care what you believe Zack. What I’m saying is the truth.” He ran a hand through his blond spikes, not at all liking having to bring Sephiroth into the conversation. “I love Sephiroth Zack, I’m not saying I don’t, but I don’t hate you because of it.” This was when he thought it best to bring out his trump card. “Weren’t you always the one that said you should see the best in people?…Why can’t you see the best in me then? I’m not saying I want to be your lover again Zack, but for starters I would like to try to be your friend.”
Cloud held out his hand in a sign of friendship, and held it there for a great deal of time while Zack stared between it and him. “You want to my friend?” He gave a nod. “No tricks?” He shook his head. Zack held out his hand, and only hesitated for a moment before taking it into his own. Cloud tried to ignore the jolt of electricity that had traveled up his arm when their palms touched, and instead focused on the handshake and putting a fake smile up for him to see. As he had mentioned earlier, his most recent dream had taught him a lot. But probably the most beneficial thing he had learned was a lesson from Sephiroth…A lesson he planned to take to heart. As he stared into Zack’s golden depths, the old saying came back to his head…Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
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A.N- Cloud can be a conniving bastard when he wants to be, can’t he? I apologize for the long update, but at least I’m getting it out now. Truthfully this chapter started out completely different then how it ended up. It was supposed to be this really really important thing, but then I figured that it would make it better if I explained more on how that came to happen…So like yeah you guys have that to look forward to. Well I have to get ready for work, so I’m gonna get going. Please Please Please Please let me know what you think in a review. I’m also open to any suggestions you might have. Thank you for reading, and for all the wonderful reviews I’ve received so far. They all have meant so much to me. Thanks