Synopsis: Cadet Strife is desperate to stay in the Shinra for a shot at SOLDIER but makes the biggest mistake of his life by accepting a random man's offer. It leads to a scandalous online video. Meanwhile, back at SOLDIER, Sephiroth is forced to investigate a brawl between two cadets that leaves one in a coma. The other cadet, a boy with furious blond hair, remains tight-lipped on the whole affair. He won't talk. When Sephiroth eventually learns his big secret, though, he must determine Cloud's fate – without getting caught in a scandal of his own.
Warnings: language, sex (homo/hetero), voyeurism, asphyxiation, drug usage, alcohol
Category: Pain/Comfort, Romance, Sephiroth x Cloud (main), Sephiroth x Others, Cloud x Others
Author's Note: One of my guilty-pleasures stories. Ages have been slightly changed for 'legal' fun-fun purposes. Anyway, this is the chapter where Cloud gets his freak on. I can't imaaaaaagine how this will go wrong… Nope. I possibly can't.
~SCANDAL~
CHAPTER 1: Indecent Proposal
Chewing on a piece of minty-flavored gum, Cloud Strife didn't think much about the camera directed at him. In this digital-savvy age, people were obsessed with their recording devices. Not a minute went by without someone uploading something from a multi-functional PHS model. Fluffy kitten montages, pranks, homemade cooking recipes, Let's-Play walkthroughs… Those appeared by the thousands online. Few videos amassed world-wide celebration or outcry, but nearly everyone wanted to leave their mark no matter the scale.
Cloud wondered what this thirty-something man wanted to achieve with his PHS.
"So you're a fourth-year in Shinra, right?" the stranger inquired, his PHS recording their conversation.
A fatigue-green tailored suit covered the man's tall frame with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. A gold necklace hung around his neck. It matched an expensive watch. Aside from displaying his well-off status, the older male showcased broad shoulders and a lovely shade of hazel in his eyes. His caramel skin indicated plentiful days out in the sun. Short, ash-gray hair stood sideways in a chic upward style. He wasn't too shabby.
"I haven't met Sephiroth, if that's what you want to know," Cloud blurted out after popping a bubble.
"Excuse me?"
"Sephiroth. I haven't met him. If you're here to ask me questions about him, you'd best mosey along."
For the Cloud, this became a common occurrence. And annoyance. Just by observing what he wore, people knew his association with Shinra Incorporation. He currently donned a standard cadet outfit: a blue short-sleeved buttoned shirt with matching trousers. A leather belt fitted snugly around his slender waist. Brown boots had been properly laced up and shined to a gloss. A silver badge on the arm and navy ribbon on a chest pocket indicated his status: fourth year, First-Class Shinra cadet.
Despite being at the top of his division, Cloud could hardly brag about it. The tabloids and common folk alike were more interested in Shinra's poster boys: the First-Class SOLDIER elite. Sephiroth. Rhapsodos. And Hewley. Midgar civilians constantly pestered cadets like Cloud for the inside scoop on them. As if his shitty position ever gave him a chance to meet his idol? Sheeit – no. Sephiroth was known to keep his distance from everyone, especially the lower ranks. Many went so far as to call him a cold-fish.
"Actually, I'm not here to talk about him," the stranger in front of Cloud admitted with a chuckle.
The cadet raised a brow and tilted his head to one side.
"I'm actually interested in talking about… you."
On the man's view finder, Cloud's face appeared perplexed. Clear blue eyes didn't blink. "You want to talk about me?"
"Yeah. I was wondering if we can chat for a minute? I'm Mr. Coates. I'm an amateur filmmaker."
Cloud glanced at his PHS again. Figures; he suspected he was one of those online channel novices.
"I'm pursuing a personal project of mine," Mr. Coates informed. "Maybe you might be interested in it?"
Above, the full moon lit up brightly in the night sky. The air felt chilly for a spring evening on the Plate; it couldn't be helped at this high elevation. Cloud and Mr. Coates currently stood alone at a corner of a sidewalk under a large tree made of artificial maple leaves. Close to the barracks, two sentries guarded its gated entry nearby. An adjacent street led to the civilian domain of Sector 0.
The cadet wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone right now. Prior to his run-in with Mr. Coates, he had received bad news via e-mail. He left his private quarters to take care of the serious matter. With three hours remaining before his curfew, Cloud wanted to get a move on.
"Sorry, but I need to leave," he apologized, "I gotta deal with a big issue right now. 'Night."
As the cadet started to walk away, the older man hurried to his side and matched his pace.
"Wait. Hold on…" Mr. Coates smiled. Quickly, he checked the name on Cloud's badge. "… Strife, is it? What kind of issue are you having? Maybe I can help."
"It's Cloud." The cadet shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked. "And it's not your problem."
"Try me."
Cloud snorted. This guy was really something. Chasing after young meat like him? At seventeen-years-old, he already figured out what went on in this high-class city in the sky. Especially at night. The heated look in Mr. Coates' eyes gave the game away. Cloud continued walking in the direction of Shinra's Headquarters. Its giant structure loomed high above; the spotlights swayed back and forth.
"Is it a girlfriend issue?" the man beside him inquired. "Is she giving you a hard time?"
"I don't have a girlfriend."
"Oh?" There was a long pause. "A handsome guy like you still single? That's terrible."
"Terrible…" Cloud echoed; his voice laced with sarcasm. He fought the urge to roll his eyes and decided to take a short-cut to get to his destination quicker.
"So what's your issue, Cloud?" the other man continued – he hadn't given up the chase. "Lost item? Peer pressure? Hard time with the squad leader? Gil-woes?"
That last part made Cloud slow down his pace.
Mr. Coates must've caught on because he instantly chortled. "That's it, isn't it? You got Gil issues."
"It's between me and the Financial Offices," Cloud muttered back at last.
"I take it the recent hike in Midgar's taxes affected you like everyone else in the city, huh?"
With the camera still pointed at him, Cloud said nothing.
Admittedly, Mr. Coates was right. Cloud lacked the natural talent and skill needed to qualify for a free ride in Shinra's program. A country boy who hailed from a backwater town, he'd barely slipped through its cracks when he arrived in Midgar for SOLDIER. The Health Department classified him as underweight. With wild platinum-blond hair, his slim five-foot-seven build made him the subject of many jokes. Cloud's motion sickness didn't help his cause either. Violent abdominal episodes during mobile-related scrimmages made him less favorable in the eyes of the company. His only saving grace was his excellent swordsmanship, a skill he'd acquired from his mother.
"How much do you owe?" the older man asked, interrupting the cadet's thoughts.
Again, Cloud felt reluctant to share his woes to anyone; lest of all, to a guy he just met on the streets.
"Is it two thousand Gil?" pressed Mr. Coates. "Four?"
"Five grand," Cloud corrected with a glower.
"Mm. That's a lot."
No shit, Cloud wanted to say but kept silent instead.
In the past, his financial situation had never been an issue. Aside from a few laughable-sized scholarships and loans, he'd managed to stay afloat with seasonal jobs during the breaks. It worked out all right. But then Shinra's global-related affairs caused an unexpected downward domino effect. From mako reactor expansions to resurging battles in Wutai, the inflated costs took its toll on Midgar citizen's pocket books. It caused a huge spike in domestic goods and taxes throughout the city, including tuition.
With his spring leave over, Cloud was set to enter his final months as a cadet. He knew the importance of this term. By the end of the semester, the Public Safety Division would either assign him to the acclaimed SOLDIER program or the Security Department's infantry unit. Many impressionable cadets waited for that day with excitement or dread. Cloud felt both.
"Um… Can you put that camera away?" Cloud asked, feeling annoyed by it now.
So far, Mr. Coates kept his PHS on him, recording his every move. He snickered. "It's for my personal project. Don't worry about it."
Cloud gave him a weary look and chewed on his gum. He'd seen countless guys like him flaunt their cameras, recording every damn thing that fascinated them in Midgar City, from random people in the streets to the little whores that buzzed at the Honey Bee Inn below the Plate.
They stopped at a streetlight. This part of town was quieter than the other sectors, consisting mostly of businesses that shut down by nine. Cloud intended to reach the opposite sidewalk straight ahead and cut through an alleyway. It'd get him to Shinra's Headquarters quicker. While he waited for his cue to cross, Mr. Coates panned the camera down. He digitally captured his entire body from the head to toe.
"So… you got a plan on how to deal with that five grand you owe, soldier boy?" he asked.
Despite the cool breeze, Cloud's face felt warm.
In two days the term started. It was the most important term of them all. Despite personal setbacks, Cloud made excellent progress as a cadet and earned the respect of his peers. He achieved First-Class status among his group. But his future still hung on the balance. The request he made for another loan several months ago had been declined. Shinra's Financial Offices offered a one-week extension for late payments at the beginning of each quarter. Unfortunately, the damn Loan Lender had waited too long to e-mail him the bad news today.
Cloud exhaled through his mouth. There was no way he could come up with 5000 Gil in a week. His mom didn't have that kind of Gil hidden under her bed. Even if she did, she welcomed any excuse to bring her son back home – the city was a bad place for him, she always claimed. Cloud hoped a quick talk to a financial aid adviser at Headquarters would fix his issue tonight. Fat chance, but worth a shot…
"What if I told you I could help?" Mr. Coates suddenly said.
Loudly popping a bubble, Cloud checked the streetlight again. He was ready to ditch this guy – Mr. Coates had pervert written all over his face. But when Cloud glanced back at the middle-aged man, he saw him reach into his pocket. A wad of Gil appeared. The stack was so thick it threatened to break the rubber band that held it together.
"Well?" Mr. Coates kept his camera on him. "You want my help?"
Cloud stared at the Gil in his hands. In a time when people preferred using digital transactions, those who paid with actual G-notes were usually the cautious or shady sort. It all but confirmed Mr. Coates' reason for talking to him tonight. The cadet turned away. Cloud didn't wait for the walk sign to turn for him. He crossed the street.
When he reached the other side, Cloud considered going the long route. He had originally planned to use the alleyway to cut to Fifth Street. That would've taken him directly to Shinra's Headquarters. Dark-lit and secluded, however, the alleyway didn't seem like a good idea with Mr. Coates trailing along.
"Hold on, wait," the other man urged and jogged to catch up to him. "I didn't mean to scare you off, Cloud. I do want to help you. Here, I'll give you a few hundred Gil toward your cause. Think of it as compensation for the time you've given me. No strings attached."
On the sidewalk, the cadet paused. There was no way a random guy would willingly give him Gil, not unless he wanted something in return. Cloud was ready to reject the gesture until he saw the actual G-notes in front of him. Crisp and unfolded.
"It's hard to make ends meet on the Plate, I know," the older male continued. "Fucking President Shinra enjoys taxing the hell out of everyone to fund his lucrative pet projects. Just about anyone can land in the Slums if they aren't careful. So, here, this is yours." When Cloud didn't budge to accept the gift, Mr. Coates emitted a small laugh. "What, you don't want my Gil?"
"You don't know me," Cloud finally mumbled back. He looked up from the Gil in Mr. Coates' hands and locked eyes with him. "Why would you give this to someone you don't know?"
Mr. Coates momentarily glanced down the street they overlooked. A Shinra IM cruiser drove by. He hid the Gil from sight. When it finally passed, Mr. Coates returned his attention to Cloud. "You're a good looking fellow. And you sound like a nice guy. I like helping pretty boys like you."
Cloud knew exactly what he meant by helping pretty boys like him. It was evident in the way Mr. Coates pointed the camera down his body again.
"You're smart, too," Mr. Coates noted. "I think you already figured out what I want to talk about. But hey, if this sort of thing makes you uncomfortable, I'll be on my way. You'll never see me again. Go ahead and keep the Gil though."
Cloud's shoulders stiffened when Mr. Coates shoved the Gil in his hands. He mentally counted 200. It was a high number, especially for a gift. Cloud felt compelled to give it back. He didn't like receiving free things without working for them.
"So is this what you do?" The cadet stared at Mr. Coates. "You go around hunting for guys to record?"
Reacting to his question, the other man grinned. "Guilty as charged. I like pretty boys, yes. Nothing thrills me more than seeing a nice face with a nice body. I like recording them for my personal collection. Pretty boys take my breath away. You take my breath away."
"That's gotta be the most god awful pick-up line I've ever heard," Cloud remarked.
Mr. Coates laughed. "I know, I know. But it's true. You're fucking beautiful. The moment I saw you leave the barracks, I had to talk to you."
"Stalker much?" the cadet joked.
Mr. Coates licked his lips. "Believe it or not, I'm an okay guy. I'm not one of those sickos who drugs people in the street and force them into anything – that's fucked up. I make my intentions known."
"And what are your intentions?"
Mr. Coates took a step forward. He drew the camera closer to the boy's face and murmured, "Like I said, you know what I'm here for. You're free to leave with the Gil I've given you so far. But if you're interested in making more…? I can help. You just got to give me something in return."
Cloud's mouth stayed pursed. Somehow, the Gil in his hands felt heavier.
A part of him wanted to leave this man to his own devices. But his blue eyes soon strayed to the tall complex of Shinra Inc. several blocks away. At the mercy of its Financial Offices, they stood in the way of his final term in Shinra. And SOLDIER. The chances of them fixing his problem were slim. A few cadets from his division had already bowed out this year due to a lack of funds with no support from the company. It was a dog eat dog world. Cloud knew he'd inevitably add to that drop-out number soon. It pissed him off. He was so fucking close to finishing his term, so close to making it into SOLDIER…
With only 200 Gil in his hands, Cloud obviously needed more. He studied Mr. Coates' face while the man continued to record him. Slowly, he asked, "How much can you give me?"
"It depends." Mr. Coates' voice sounded low and soft. Again, he checked the streets when a car passed by them. Afterward, he suggested, "Let's talk over there. Okay?"
Mr. Coates indicated the alleyway Cloud had intended to cut through. They headed to the dark narrow passage between two buildings and stayed hidden behind a large disposal unit. Mr. Coates held the PHS at eye level again. He kept the cadet's face at center view.
"Cloud, what's the craziest thing you've ever done?"
The cadet frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Sexually. I'm pretty sure you've had your adventures. Or… are you a virgin?"
Cloud almost scoffed. "I'm not."
"So I take it you've banged plenty of girls?" Mr. Coates boasted a smile when he added, "…Guys?"
Cloud grew quiet.
Even though he and many other boys identified as straight, male-on-male couplings happened among them at the barracks. It wasn't hard to imagine why though. Shinra's all-male population made it nearly impossible to relieve sexual tension; this, despite its cadets being composed of teenagers suffering from raging hormones and drastic bodily changes. Those fortunate enough purchased memberships at the Honey Bee Inn. But most at the barracks jerked each other off in the middle of the night or during shower time. The computer lab had become a hot spot for under-the-table hand jobs.
"Well?" Mr. Coates kept the PHS close to his face. "What's the craziest thing you've done?"
Cloud's eyes drifted to an empty spot on the ground. He shrugged his shoulders and quietly confessed, "I've fooled around at the barrack's bathroom stalls…"
"You fucked there?"
Cloud kept silent.
The bathroom stalls had admittedly been his personal spot to vent out sexual frustrations. The cadets there sat on that cold tiled flooring, their pricks or asses appearing through the gaps below. They fondled and sucked each other off, never seeing the other's face due to the walls between them. Cloud had at least ten anonymous partners there.
The middle-aged man aimed his camera downward. He pointed it directly at Cloud's crotch. "I want to see it," he whispered, "I'll give you 200 Gil for a peek."
Popping his gum, Cloud wasn't quick to obey. "I'm not showing you anything. Especially for only 200."
"Then name your price."
Cloud contemplated for a moment.
While the public wasn't privy to the ongoing taboo habits that went on at the barracks, Shinra intended to keep it that way. Its company's policies strictly prohibited sexual conduct, especially with the same sex. Failure to comply resulted in an automatic dismissal from the company. This knowledge made Cloud weary of his current situation. He needed the Gil but couldn't get caught engaging in illicit affairs.
Cloud's voice sounded even and rough when he demanded, "5000 Gil. No recording it."
Mr. Coates blinked. "That's waaaay too high for a peek, soldier boy. Try another number."
"Look, man, I'm not showing you my dick for cheap. I can get expelled for this. The higher the risk, the higher the cost."
"But for 5000 Gil, you'll need to do more than give me a peek. 500 Gil."
"2000."
"700," Mr. Coates countered.
"1000."
"800. That's my final offer."
800 Gil was below the asking price. Then again, it was an impressive number for just a peek. Cloud reconsidered Mr. Coates' bid. As before, that small persistent voice in his head wanted him to walk away. It wanted him to take his chances with Shinra's Financial Offices. Even if the Suits told him to fuck off, at least he'd leave Shinra with his head held high.
Cloud paused from that thought when Mr. Coates pulled out 800 G-notes. He held it up to the boy. As he transferred the amount over to him, the cadet chewed on his lower lip. He mentally put things into perspective and realized he just made 1000 Gil from this man. In less than an hour. He was now 4000 away from paying off his debt. A quick glimpse at the stack in Mr. Coates' hand indicated there was more to go around. His dream of being in SOLDIER stayed within reach...
"Just a peek, right…?" Cloud asked softly.
Mr. Coates nodded.
"And you're not going to upload this anywhere?"
"It's for my private collection."
Just a peek, Cloud repeated to himself as he stashed the Gil in his back pocket. It wasn't a big deal. Was it? Glancing both ways down the alleyway they occupied, Cloud checked if anyone walked nearby while Mr. Coates readjusted his camera's angle. The man wanted a perfect shot of his prick. Cloud looked down between his legs. Both hands settled on the button of his trousers. Taking a deep swallow, he undid the clasp and zipper. Then he pulled out an uncut flaccid cock. It lazily hung at around five inches.
"There. You got your shot, right?" Cloud quickly asked; ready to stuff himself back in.
A pause. "Stroke it a few times. I'll give you 500 Gil if you make it hard for me."
The absurd request but potential reward made it difficult for Cloud to outright reject him. A corner of his mouth twitched. Meanwhile, Mr. Coates kept the camera pointed at his member; focused on it. He handed another 500 Gil without looking up at the cadet. With 1500 Gil now embedded deeply in his pockets, the tension in Cloud's body started to relax. His fingers wrapped around the limp muscle.
Working it to life, Cloud breathed slowly. The head of it popped out whenever he pulled back the skin. Keeping a steady rhythm, a tight friction settled over his pelvic area. The blood rushed downward and caused the balls to swell. Cloud watched his rod gradually stretch and grow. Soft skin turned pinker and rougher. The tip flared with warmth. He briefly spat into his hand. In his damped palm, the cock grew to a proud seven-and-half inches. It felt sturdy. The veins bulged with hot liquid. Cloud's breath hitched.
"Do you like touching yourself, soldier boy?" Mr. Coates murmured, sounding out of breath himself.
Silent, the cadet continued stroking himself, unsure if it was a legitimate question or more cheesy dirty talk from his patron. The cadet bit deeper into his lower lip. Already, the head leaked with drops of clear pre-cum. His moist flap-like sounds became more pronounced as he hurried his pace. He tugged it one more time. Then he removed his hand to let the other man capture his fully realized erection on his PHS.
"Gaia, that's hot…" the other man commented, slowly panning the camera across its bulky length.
It was around this time Mr. Coates reached for it. Cloud wanted to object – this wasn't a part of their agreement – but he quietly hissed when the fist tightened around him. Mr. Coates gently yanked at the stiff prick up and down. He repositioned the camera between them, recording the hand action with a downward shot. Cloud groaned. His nerves tingled from the man's hard strokes.
Cars continued to rush by in the adjacent streets. A siren wailed in the distance. With heavy-lidded eyes, Cloud checked both ends of the dark-lit alleyway again to make sure they were still alone. At times, people passed by. None bothered to notice the two shadowy fingers next to the trash unit though.
Mr. Coates pulled in closer. He murmured into Cloud's ear, "I'll give you a 1000 Gil if you let me taste it for a while…"
In the man's hand were the G-notes. Cloud's damped face rushed with color. The mouth gone dry, he stopped chewing on his gum. His swollen prick demanded a release. Blue eyes drifted from his erection to the notes offered to him. Without a word, he took them.
For the next fifteen minutes, Cloud stood with his back pressed against a dirty bricked wall; his hard-on embedded deeply in the other man's throat. He gripped the PHS in his hands for Mr. Coates. Through the view finder, the older male stared up at him with hazel eyes. He remained on his knees, swallowing as much of Cloud as he could. His tongue flickered at the plump tip. Wet sucking sounds echoed in the alleyway. As the head between Cloud's legs bobbed faster, he thrust his hips forward. His heart pounded through both ears. The fat cock twitched. Moments later, it violently spat into the warm slick crevice.
With the camera, Cloud captured Mr. Coates opening his mouth. It was filled with thick, sticky ooze.
Beads of sweat ran down the back of Cloud's neck. The air felt hotter. He repeatedly exhaled through parted lips while Mr. Coates rose from the ground and wiped his mouth. After the cadet gave him back his camera, he turned away. Cloud enjoyed Mr. Coates' oral administrations more than he wanted to admit. His legs barely kept him steady. Tucking his spent member back inside his trousers, he remained painfully sensitive. With a soft grunt, Cloud zipped up his pants.
"You can earn a lot more, you know." Mr. Coates approached him from behind. "You currently have 2500 Gil on you, right?"
Still trying to catch his breath, Cloud looked back at him.
"Maybe we can work something out with the rest of your costs. Follow me to my motel room. It's not far from here."
Cloud spat out his flavorless gum and contemplated on his proposal. He knew things would only get intense if he followed this man to his motel. But the mention of more Gil sounded promising, especially when he had 2500 in his pocket. Cloud reached the halfway point of his goal. Having a random one-night stand wasn't a bad way to end his evening either. His body felt eager enough to entertain Mr. Coates a while longer. And with two hours left before curfew, he had the time for it.
Cloud remained silent but accompanied the older man. Together, they left the dark rusty alleyway and headed in the direction of his motel.