What the fuck?

"Sorry...uh...could you repeat that?"

The blonde stared across at four amused faces.

"We..." Genesis began, leaning forward to put himself closer to the blue eyed teen "would like you to us go out with us, romantically"

Cloud stared some more. The information just...wasn't sinking in.

First things first.

"You're together?"

Zack chuckled, shaking his head in mirth whilst the other three adopted matching smirks in enjoyment of their friends dazed confusion, from the look in their eyes Cloud could tell they all found his reaction adorable and he fought the urge to snap at them in irritation.

It wasn't his fault he was confused, they hadn't exactly made the information clear. Hell, he'd known them all for a few months now and had never seen even the slightest indication the SOLDIERs were anything more than good friends with maybe a bit of sexual tension between one or two of them.

There were rumours of course, speculation among the lower ranks of the army and throughout the admin staff, everyone had heard some theory or other about the famous Firsts, but with no real evidence to support them Cloud had always assumed that's all they were, rumours. Now they were springing this on him out of nowhere.

Not only that they were a thing, but that they wanted him of all people to join them in it.

"Yeah spike. We're together." The dark haired young man moved to kneel next to his friend with a grin effectively drawing the blondes attention away from the other three, probably in an attempt to calm his nerves. It wasn't working.

"We've been together a while now. Geal and Gen the longest then Seph joined them later on and then me." Zack reached out and took Clouds hand in his own "Now..we would really like for you to join us too"

Cloud stared at his friend for a moment. Then at the hand holding his. Then at the three SOLDIERs waiting expectantly on the other seat.

"Nope"

From the startled expressions on their faces that was not the response they were expecting.

I wish Leon was here. Cloud thought wistfully. He would make this easier to deal with.

Unfortunately his lover was currently stationed at another base and they hadn't had any contact beyond the occasional phone call in almost 7 months now. It had been a tough but necessary decision to keep their relationship a secret after they joined the army and Cloud was at least partially regretting that decision now.

"Cloud, honey..." Holy fuck Angeal Hewley did not just call me honey! "I know this might seem a bit overwhelming at first. Maybe you need time to think about it?"

"No, I don't" Cloud felt calmer now the initial shock had passed and was finally able to think clearly again. "I am...flattered that you would make this offer, really I am but...no. I'm just not interested."

"Why?"

Cloud wondered if Sephiroth had meant for his question to come out sounding that harsh.

He frowned up at the eyes all boring into him, resisting the urge to flinch away from the intensity in them. "I'm just not." he pressed defensively, frustrated by the accusing looks they were giving him, like he was doing something wrong.

"You're all nice guys and I'd like to still be your friend if that's ok?" Is that ok he wondered, maybe they were only pretending to be his friend so they could lead up to this? He pushed that thought aside to worry about later "I just, don't want anything more than that. You...I...we wouldn't be well suited to one another."

A memory flashed in Clouds mind of Zack madly fussing over him when he accidently cut his hand that one time, despite Clouds repeated assurances he was fine, and then another of Leon slicing patterns across his chest with a razor blade as he writhed in ecstasy. Nope, even if he were available these four would make a terrible match for him.

He could just imagine it, they'd want to wrap him up safe in cotton wool and protect him from all the harms of the world.

Genesis grit his teeth in annoyance "How can you say that if you're not even willing to try?"

Clouds eyes flashed in anger "I can say that because I'm not fucking interested!"

He stood up quickly, anger evident on his young face. Angeal, ever the diplomat was the first to intervene "Ok, Ok we understand, let's just put this all aside for a moment. I think we approached this the wrong way. Just think about it. For now we'll all go back to normal and... if you change your mind, we'll be here. Ok?"

He said If but Cloud could hear the implied When floating in the air.

"I won't change my mind"

"Just... think about it ok Cloudy? Please?"

Zack stared up at him with pleading eyes and Cloud didn't have the heart to argue again, maybe if he at least pretended to think about it they would be more willing to accept his answer. "Ok." The tension in the room released a little bit. "I'd like to go now."

"Sure, I'll walk you back to your room" Zack offered.

"No, its fine, I'd like to be alone to...clear my head"

The young SOLDIER gave him a weak smile of understanding and the four men made no move to stop the blonde as he gathered his things and made his way out of the apartment.

Once clear of them Cloud rested his head against a wall and wished once more that his love was here.