Chapter 2

The doctors had kept Zack for a full twenty four hours, much to their own grief. As he slowly regathered his wits, the young 2nd Class wanted to leave as soon as he felt well and was very vocal about it. They had wanted to keep him for another day, but Sephiroth thought his youngest lover had enough of both hospital and lab settings. Plus they had a pressing problem that Tseng had called them about.

Project C was requiring a more lethal dosage of tranquilizers each time they were administered, his body building up a tolerance every time the Director made sure the experiment was completely out. Tseng didn't know what C's threshold was and both Rude and Reno were busy decoding the files they had hacked. Once told of their plan, every Turk available but Cissnei was sent to assure a 'black out' on Sectors five and six.

Genesis met his three boyfriends at their shared apartment with a duffle of various clothes for disguises. It was enough to have rabid fanclub members and Shinra eyes always looking for a glimpse of them in public or where they weren't supposed to be. None of them had slept and it was going on nearly forty eight hours. Genesis tugged on the lack luster and nondescript hoodie and put on a pair of sunglasses. He and Zack had yet to see Project C, but time was of the essence.

"So we are all good on this plan? I will leave thirty minutes after both you and Angeal with Zack in tow and we meet at the usual place?"

Everyone nodded, tense and dressing in their respective sizes. The usual place was the church and though Aerith must have been sleeping at this extremely early hour; she had answered Zack's call and promised to be waiting for them.

Aerith was truly a boon. Even though Zack's relationship with her had failed after their date; they had remained close friends. Even to the point where the young woman had agreed to meet the feared General Sephiroth and the two Commanders. But not because of their rank, rather of their ties to Zack. She had fiercely threatened to harm them if they hurt Zack in anyway, which they all laughed at but took very seriously. They knew she was the last surviving Ancient, which was probably why their puppy had thought of her for help with Project C.

Zack threw his arms around both Sephiroth and Angeal, holding them close so he could lean up for a kiss from both men. They were all nervous. Genesis casually looped an arm around Sephiroth and curled into the shared embrace.

"We will be okay. Stay put and Tseng will tell you as soon as we are on board the train." Angeal murmured softly, exchanging a chaste kiss with Genesis before the other Commander leaned back and nodded, looping an arm around Zack's shoulder. Worried glowing blue eyes stared past them, out the window to the smoggy Midgar sky.

"What if he still wants to die?"

It was the question that had been unspoken all day and they fell silent before Sephiroth shook his head.

"We will deal with that if it comes to it, Zackary. Try not to think ahead of the situation." Zack worried his bottom lip and nodded reluctantly, vibrating with nervous energy. Angeal and Sephiroth lingered for a moment more before double checking their clothing and leaving the building. Zack turned toward Genesis and practically seized the other in a hug. If the auburn haired SOLIDER hadn't been expecting his youngest lover's need for comfort, he would have stumbled.

He chuckled silkily, noting the careful grip on his wounded side. It throbbed with a constant and deep pain; a reminder that Shinra had wronged them a million times over.

"Are you going to be okay, precious? This was your idea; I am sure it will work out somehow." He said in a soft tone, raising a bare hand to adjust the hood on Zack's pullover and his fingers stroked their puppy's face. Zack swallowed and leaned into the caress.

"It was less of an hour with me being with Doctor Evil. I couldn't imagine..." His eyes darted to Genesis glowing grey gaze, "an entire life like that."

Genesis' expression crumbled slightly at the reminder of nearly losing this brillent light in his life and he moved his hand to pull Zack flush to his taller body.

"Puppy... I know you want to be the hero and save everyone. We will try but we have to give Project C a choice in this. It is most possibly the first choice in his life he has been gifted. If he wants to die..." the older SOLIDER sighed sadly, "then we have to respect it and it will NOT be your fault. Understand?"

"Y-yessir." The spiky haired 2nd Class declared in a trembling voice and Genesis held Zack, rubbing soothing circles into the other's tense back and rocking him whenever he heard a soft hiccup into his chest. It was common for Zack to want to get his feelings out before a stressful mission and this was important to him. He was bracing himself.

Time seemed to pass in a sluggish crawl but Genesis answered his PHS on the first ring.

"Tseng." He acknowledged as Zack leaned back, the 2nd's hearing enhanced enough to no longer require speaker.

"Sephiroth and Angeal are currently on the second evening train to the slums. You are good to move out." The Turk relayed before hanging up. Leave it to the Director to keep it short and sweet. Zack's eyes were slightly reddened but his expression was solemn as Genesis took his hand.

"Ready?"

"Ready." Zack confirmed and they descended the building without issue. The upper plate was crowded in the business and entertainment sectors, but the queue for the train bound for the slums was always relatively sparse. It was no different this time and they each purchased a ticket. Zack discreetly looked away from Cissnei; who was wearing civilian clothing and browsing a fashion magazine nearby. Where she kept weapons when dressed like that...Zack was pretty sure he didn't want to know.

They cuddled like a normal couple as they waited for the train and when the whistle announced the arrival; Cissnei casually sat her second magazine down and boarded the train after them; staying a car apart from them.

Genesis leaned close to Zack, his breath hot on the other's ear and causing a shiver that made the Commander smirk.

"Relax, we have eyes everywhere and our special girl is a force to be reckoned with." Zack's glowing blue eyes peeked at Genesis from behind his reflective shades.

"You're right, but I can't shake the feeling that...that we are going with the path of the least evil."

Genesis stared at his youngest boyfriend in surprise. Hojo had taken some of that light away from his lover if he was being realistic and not pointing out the silver lining.

"There was really no easy; or 'good' way to do this. But we will do everything we can." Genesis wished that he could quote Loveless at the moment, but that would totally blow his cover. Zack sighed; staring out the window as they spiraled down the main track into the darkness of the slums. There was always a sense of gloom here; of illegal transactions and people disappearing forever.

Aerith was the only good thing down here. Genesis opened his arms and held the spiky haired 2nd to his chest as the train continued the descent; his hands stroking Zack's sides. Hojo had altered Zack just yesterday. His DNA bore the same mutation as theirs, so he would likely grow a wing. The rest was trash and harmful toxins that had to be drained over the course of the day. Zack didn't mind growing a wing, to no one's surprise. Genesis smiled a bit sadly as he leaned his cheek on top of the other's hooded head. Things really had turned upside down recently.

The automated system did a security check on their IDs twice, red lights flickering as a flat female voice cleared each car. At least there were no security hiccups tonight. The Turks were stretched thin and they really didn't need more trouble.

The train slowed and Zack untangled himself from Genesis to stretch his limbs and bounce in place to get rid of his nervousness before filing off the train alongside each passenger with the other SOLDIER following at a sedate pace. Everyone took much different routes and they passed the playground and continued on to the church; sensing both Sephiroth and Angeal within the church before they entered. Both were standing just inside and Zack hesitated when he saw Aerith sitting among the flowers, a head with golden spikes laying in her lap.

"...Is that him?" Genesis asked quietly, noting that Tseng and Rude were watching attentively at the back of the church, both armed.

"Yes, that is him. His sedatives will wear off soon and the Ancient is concentrating on a sort of barrier spell that will protect him briefly from the pain." Sephiroth stated carefully, glancing at the braided brunette girl.

"Can I see him, before he wakes up?" Zack asked, blue eyes widening as he glimpsed Aerith's strained expression, "or is the magic too difficult?"

"Aerith is a sensitive person, pup." Angeal murmured lightly; "the gravity of C's suffering is proving to be difficult to contain. But I don't see any reason you or Genesis couldn't get a closer look. But do so quickly; we want Aerith to be his focal point when he wakes up."

Zack nodded and took Genesis' hand, who smiled weakly as they approached the kneeling Ancient and the experiment. Their combat boots fell heavily against the wood, creating echos in the church before they both came to a halt.

"He looks so young, Gen." Zack whispered, voice strained with sudden emotion. He hadn't expected the experiment to be younger than he was. He appeared to be asleep, long lashes swept over pale skin and fluffy spikes that reminded Zack too much of a chocobo. The teen looked far too innocent this way; snuggled up against Aerith. Zack brought a hand to his mouth when his enhanced senses picked up the odor of heavy mako and blood from an unseen source.

"We should move back now." Genesis said and their puppy's gaze snapped to his face at the tone used. Glowing grey eyes remained fixed on the experiment's face and they were saddened. Zack swallowed and nodded; returning to Angeal and Sephiroth with the auburn haired SOLIDER following.

"Aerith requested we be quiet." Sephiroth murmured, "the experiment didn't seem aggressive initially but Tseng won't hesitate to shoot C."

"We won't interfere." Genesis agreed and they whispered to each other before Aerith held a finger to her lips for them to be silent. Everyone held their breath as Project C stirred and slowly opened his eyes. Glowing blue eyes blinked a second time and trained on Aerith's smiling face blankly.

"Hey, silly." The Ancient chuckled and giggled when the luminescent eyes blinked a third time, confusion seeping into the glowing eyes. Aerith had plucked one of her precious flowers and brought it into view, "would you like one? I won't charge you anything for it."

C's gaze moved to the offered flower and hesitantly; he raised a hand close to the bloom before lightly grazing his fingertips over the soft petals. His gaze darted in between the flower and Aerith's smiling face.

"...What is it?"

Aerith's cheerful expression almost faltered and everyone was wondering what she asked next, "you don't know what a flower is?" C paused and shook his head, spikes moving with the action, "it is a plant that I grow. Flowers come in all shapes, colors and sizes. People like to give them as presents to people they like. I heard you were sick; so I thought you might like it?"

C seemed to be processing this and he carefully closed his grip around the flower, but didn't seem to know what to do with it. Mako blue eyes returned to Aerith.

"What's your name?" Aerith questioned gently, with a warm emerald gaze.

"Project C." Was the immediate response and the Ancient shook her head patiently.

"Not that. Didn't you ever have another name?" A guarded expression swept over the girl's face before C closed his eyes and swallowed.

"I...My mother called me something else..." It was apparent from the pain and struggle with the words that the experiment was fighting to remember something he hadn't thought about for a long time.

"Do you remember your name?" Aerith asked kindly and C hesitated before nodding.

"Is this a trick?" C asked softly; blue eyes peering up into the brunette woman's face. Aerith's smile faltered and she tilted her head, green eyes concerned.

"Why would you say this was a trick?" She asked. The experiment's eyes focused on the yellow petals of the flower.

"Hojo liked this sort of thing. Giving a small glimpse of hope to prisoners and then crushing it repeatedly until they broke was his favorite game. This seems like something he would do. There are four SOLDIER signatures in this room and two others I can't place."

Aerith stared down at the experiment in shock. So, C had been aware of them this entire time; but he remained composed and curious.

"If you think this is a set-up to harm you; why aren't you fighting back?" The Ancient questioned softly. C's infinitely blue eyes returned to her face as Tseng tensed; hand on his weapon.

"Because I can't remember the last time I saw someone with a kind face; even if it is staged. If I am to return to my tank after being raped; I would like to hold onto the memory of what a smile looks like."

Aerith shuddered and tears gathered in her green eyes and C made a soft noise.

"Don't cry; I won't hurt you." Was the soft reassurance, blue eyes moving towards the flower, "my name, it's Cloud. Are you an experiment too?"

"Cloud..." Aerith breathed and then shook her head, "no. I am not an experiment, not anymore. And you have nothing to fear anymore. Hojo is dead."

Project C...Cloud jerked as if he had been struck, staring uncomprehendingly at Aerith, "...dead?" It was a forign concept. Hojo didn't seem mortal. He couldn't be dead; this was a mind game. It had to be.

He jumped away from the Ancient and whirled around to take in his surroundings. This wasn't the reactor; the air was different. A hologram couldn't hide the stench of the labs. Two men in formal suits were staring intensely at him, gun and baton drawn but Cloud paid them no mind as he turned to size up the group of SOLIDER standing by one of the exits. Four of them...two felt familiar and he froze as fractured memories filtered back.

The tall, dark haired man with stubble and a large frame had been speaking to him through the tank. The equally tall man with waist length silver hair and slitted green eyes was dressed differently, but he had been there too.

Sephiroth. Cloud recognized him on a cellular level. This was Hojo's prized experiment. Horror filtered into the blond's eyes and he took a step back. If Hojo's favorite was here, did that mean the Professor had found a way around the only defense he had of carrying a child against his will? Hojo had went on and on that Sephiroth was the ideal father to any potential children he was intended to bear. The pew closest to Cloud splintered and exploded as he took another step away from the SOLIDER.

There was a gunshot, a yell and then consistent screaming. Cloud had backed himself into the wall furthest away from both the Turk who had shot him and all of the SOLIDER. He faintly realized that it was him who was screaming, and the staggering pain reminded him in no uncertain terms that his wings were still crippled and hidden away.

-Help me!- The air rippled with his silent call, an instinct he couldn't control resonating with any J-cells closest. He was shielding himself with his arms and couldn't find the strength to remain upright, so he slumped to the wooden floor. There were people crowding around him and Cloud curled into a tight ball, faintly registering the female voice yelling. Everyone but her backed off, but not far.

Green light drifted around them and the girl was hushing him as the pain slowly lessened. Cloud convulsed, confused because she seemed to be holding him without a clear reason. It wasn't a restraining touch and the experiment was sure he was broadcasting his confusion and pain. He slowed his hyperventilating gasps and shuddered as the pain faded to a bearable amount.

"Cloud, listen closely; alright?" The brunette whispered to him and Cloud swallowed back his urge to cry out, "we brought you here because we wanted to help you and we need your help too."

His help?

"Two of the SOLIDER in this room are dying because of an experiment gone wrong. Hojo had said before he died that your cells will cure them." The Ancient said gently. Cloud began shaking his head in denial.

"I-I can't..." He gasped. He would imprint; they would be biologically attuned as permissible fathers and Cloud wouldn't be able to deny them.

"Please, consider it. They are good men and they won't hurt you. They didn't want you to die without a chance at life." Aerith pleaded. Cloud frowned; he was dripping blood from the wound in his side. They could have killed him; he had wanted them to. But they had brought him here in an action that didn't benefit them at all.

"Cloud Strife." Luminescent eyes jerked to find the owner of the baritone voice that uttered his given name and a surname he had nearly forgotten. It was Sephiroth, who was gazing at him with cat-like green eyes. His own eyes pinned in response.

"These men are very important to me. They are my subordinates, my lovers and I can't imagine a life without them. Give your chance at life seven days. Imprint or no; if you ask for death after seven days; I swear on my rank as General and on all of them that I will grant your wish."

Sephiroth was...making a deal? He looked at these men that the General of SOLIDER claimed to hold dear more closely. The two he was unfamiliar with looked saddened. One with auburn hair, an aristocratic face and glowing grey eyes. The youngest with bright blue eyes and spiky ebony hair. Cloud paused on the sincere expressions on their face.

They could've killed him and taken what they needed with less hassle. The man who had shot him looked chastened and Sephiroth frowned at him; "and if I cannot; Tseng will in my place. Someone who will not be connected with you."

Cloud's glowing eyes moved to the suited man, who straightened and nodded in agreement. A third party... He grimaced as the pain was returning; the girl who held him trembling. She was shielding him somehow and the blond didn't know what out of this impossible situation struck a chord, but he gave in.

If this was a trap and Sephiroth; as well as the man who shot him was lying; Cloud could always find another solution?

"I will saved your loved ones, General." The experiment murmured softly. The shine in the silver haired SOLDIER's eyes increased as his eyes widened the tiniest bit.

"Wait!" The auburn haired SOLDIER held up his hands and the other three narrowed glowing eyes at him, "one condition!"

Cloud braced himself for the worst but nodded slightly; eyes hazing in pain.

"You have to do this with all four of us. We are a packaged deal." The pout the other wore as he stared stubbornly at the others just wore Cloud down. He was tired of the pain, it was growing more and more unbearable.

"But just kissing!" The youngest interfered, looking afraid that the auburn haired one with an attitude had ruined their chances. At what? His cells were still viable after death. The 'just kissing' comment had made him relax again though. Kissing was something he knew the basics of; he could safely kiss but still imprint.

"Okay." He murmured and gently pushed Aerith from clinging to him, "thank you. But I am tired; I want the pain to end..." Emerald eyes stared at him in compassion and he was squeezed for no apparent reason before she stood up and backed away from him. Cloud fought his way to his feet. He would do this properly. If the blond grasped this confusing scenario; they wanted to save his life and have him return the favor two-fold.

Cloud held no illusions that he was human and creature instincts would help him through this. His lips parted and he inhaled slowly; spreading his arms out to ground himself further. This would hurt and the experiment had never shared his cells willingly.

The emergence of his massive wings was beyond anything Hojo had ever inflicted before; the large appendages gashed deep, hundreds of hollow; delicate bones shattered. A few pitiful bloodstained feathers clung to the mutilated flesh. The pain drove back all conscious thought and his eyes glowed fiercely as he reached outwards towards the group of SOLDIER.

The pull that Sephiroth had felt in the labs was back and stronger than ever. Genesis exchanged a glance with Angeal and after a moment's hesitation; Angeal was the first to approach the blond.

The oldest SOLDIER dwarfed the lithe experiment, though the broken wings added some to Cloud Strife. Large hands carefully rested on the blond's hips as Angeal leaned down, mako eyes gentle as he pressed his lips against Strife's. The experiment uttered an unsure noise that made one of Angeal's hands fly up to cradle the back of his head; guiding the other into the kiss. Cloud's hands fisted in the material of the SOLIDER's disguise and he stood on tiptoe as the older Commander parted his mouth. The shorter enhanced youth emitted a needy whine and their tongues sought the other in open air. The instant they made contact; Cloud whimpered and latched onto Angeal's mouth greedily, sucking on the older man's tongue.

Glittering green was mixed in the saliva that escaped from their joined lips; the gashes on the wings visibly healing at a slow rate.

Genesis was pretty sure his jaw was on the floor at the moment. The sheer energy the pair was putting off was intoxicating and the sight of it...

Angeal suddenly groaned deeply and his body shuddered as a light burst throughout the room, temporarily blinding all within before the SOLDIER pulled away from the small blond with visible difficulty. His wide mako eyes met with Cloud's and the expression there broke his heart. Within the luminescent blue was an amount of devotion and trust that usually was gained over decades, not an instant without any provocation. His fingers gently carded through the blond spikes, a habit he had with his puppy as he realized that he felt...complete.

For the first time in his life, Angeal felt whole and healthy. It had worked.

And he couldn't feel more guilty or undeserving of that pure look Cloud was aiming at him now.

"Gen..." Angeal motioned the fiery Commander over and Angeal took a few steps away. Cloud reached for Genesis and was pliant in the red-head's embrace as the passionate man hooked his thumb under the youth's chin and meshed their lips together. Though the blond had seemed confused at Angeal's retreat; the introduction to new mako from another SOLIDER had him keening softly into the kiss. Genesis matched Cloud's desperate fervor, their fingers tangling together. The flash of bright light repeated and relief swept through the SOLDIER, a low moan vibrating into Cloud's mouth as his shoulder finally, finally stopped hurting.

Tears bit at his glowing eyes and he broke away with a sob. Cloud's blue eyes stared at him pleadingly and with a sinking feeling; Genesis realized this was essentially as bad as raping the blond. The innocent and unquestionable loyalty given to him made him feel unworthy.

"Goddess..." Genesis breathed, exchanging a horrified look with Angeal. He couldn't let Sephiroth or their puppy feel this guilt; it was suffocating.

"Seph, no-" Genesis threw out an hand to halt the General's progression towards them and the silver haired SOLIDER stopped; confusion resting lightly in his gaze.

"Genesis?" He questioned. The red head swallowed and looked down at the blond. It hurt to look at that expression.

"Is this enough?"

A touch of understanding and reason entered the experiment's eyes; his still injured wings drooping in response.

"Is this enough?" He repeated desperately; both relieved and alarmed when Cloud's expression became carefully blank.

"It still hurts and you said-"

"Forget it. This is just as bad as rape! I don't want Seph or our Pup feeling guilty every time they see you." He had bit out the words and the brief flash of hurt that crossed Cloud's expression made Genesis freeze.

But it was gone as quickly as it came. Had he imagined it?

"...I see..." With a wince; Cloud banished his still wounded wings away and was gone from the church before either SOLIDER or the Turks even realized he was gone.

"What the FUCK, Genesis..." The growl was low and gravelly, something that normally aroused him about Angeal; but the tone had him backing away from his oldest lover. Naturally; when he didn't understand something; the red head's temper flared.

"What?! I spared Zack and Sephiroth from the guilt I know you felt as well! Cloud should be thanking me, two less people he imprinted with." His gaze flickered to Zack and then after finding a solemn, angry expression on his youngest lover hesitantly met Sephiroth's furious gaze. Genesis tensed and frowned, suddenly feeling unsure of his hasty decision.

"...What did I do?" He questioned after a heavy silence.

"We made a deal with Cloud. He saves your lives and we heal him. You invited him to imprint with all four of us. Higher risk for him but higher chance of a full recovery. We get a week to convince him that life is worth living." Sephiroth's tone changed; pitching lower, "and you dismissed him right after he imprints with you, implying that he would be nothing but a guilty reminder. AND he didn't even get to heal all of the way."

Genesis felt like the most unworthy creature on the Planet at the moment, tears leaking from his eyes.

"I'm sorry... I wasn't thinking clearly." The auburn haired Commander murmured; the gravity of his actions sinking in. If Cloud had been a newborn chocobo chick and him the mother; what he did was the equivalent of the mother kicking the hatchling away. The chocobo didn't understand what it had done but still hurt. Still died without its mother.

"We have to find him!" He realized; as soon as possible to limit the damage. Aerith joined both the Turks and SOLDIER in their search that night.

But even when the sun rose; they hadn't found Cloud Strife.

To be continued

Author's Note: I told a few people that I would wait to post until Monday, but I couldn't help myself. X'D I hope you enjoyed the update!