To the unenhanced eye, Sephiroth's tie looked fine. The fabric, however, tilted very very slightly to one side, and no matter how many times he re-tied it or adjusted the thing it would not straighten out. In all likelihood no one would notice, but just knowing that it was crooked wasn't sitting right with him. Sephiroth frowned down at it, tugging on one end.

Hands wound around his shoulders from behind and smacked his own away. Genesis was lucky, because he was still lounging in his underwear. He smelled like body wash and warm skin, and pressed up closely behind him as he tugged once, twice, on the tie; it was now even more askew than it was before.

"You're nervous," Genesis said. "Don't get stuck on the damn tie. You look lovely."

The elder SOLDIER's arms looped around his waist. Everything about this man was frustratingly tempting. Sephiroth would much rather ease his boyfriend onto the nearby bed than go on with this, but...

Genesis seemed to sense his thoughts. "That's for later, perhaps."

"If I approve of him."

"If you approve of him. Correct."

Sephiroth scowled. Genesis dropped his chin on Sephiroth's shoulder. Their eyes met in the mirror as his hands stroked Sephiroth's hips and waist. He was gentle, trying to massage some serenity into the other man.

"If you're not comfortable taking anyone to our bed, the whole thing is off. You're in control here, Seph."

"I know."

"If you're not one hundred percent ready to try this again, we won't do it. No one will be disappointed."

A pause. "I know."

"Good." Genesis kissed his cheek, and then came around to kiss his mouth, and then his mouth again, and again. His hands coasted up Sephiroth's neck to cup his jaw. Sephiroth leant into his hands desperately.

Genesis withdrew with one last peck. "I hope you like him."

"I do as well. I'm curious."

"And if you find you don't like him—oh well. That's that."

A small part of Sephiroth felt guilty—he wouldn't want to be the one person who wasn't keen on Zack's crush (or was this Cloud Strife now Angeal and Genesis' crush, as well?) but he understood the terms of their relationship perfectly. If they all weren't on board, nothing would happen. They all wanted it that way.

In a way, then, there was pressure on him for this meeting with Strife—the others were planning to invite Cloud back to Genesis' apartment after the night's festivities (provided everything went smoothly and Sephiroth was as 'down to fuck' as the others said they were).

However, before they could consider any of that, Sephiroth had to survive this stupid showcase. Unfortunately, he had to be there early, to pose for pictures and interact with ShinRa investors, who got to go through the Tower before the public could.

"We'll see you soon," Genesis said with a last tug to his collar. "Have fun."

"Unlikely," Sephiroth said, but grinned as Genesis pulled him in one last time, his lips lingering against his own. Then he patted Sephiroth's chest, gave him a wink, and pushed him towards the door.

"See you later, dearest. Try to enjoy yourself."

"Hold on, one more."

Sephiroth had a horribly fake, horribly strained smile when he posed for cameras. Some people in the company hadn't been happy about it (they said he looked rather frightening, apparently) so Sephiroth had put some work into his smile-at-command. He tended to think of something funny that would cause him to almost give a real laugh. Usually it was something that one of his boyfriends had done, but there was a comedy movie he liked to watch in his office sometimes, on slow days.

Even the memory of the antagonist getting blown out of his office window and landing in a dumpster out in the street brought just the faintest hint of a smile to his face. When the pictures were done Sephiroth stepped smoothly away from the President and the chair, putting significant space between him and them in just a few long-legged strides.

Celebrating Innovation in our Community was the theme of the evening, and the event was held, like most large-scale ones were, in several large halls on the first floor of the Tower. Later, the area would be crowded with civilians off the street. Even with just this select crowd it was too packed for Sephiroth's tastes. He took a deep breath, his chest expanding under the constricting push of his uncharacteristic suit and tie.

The idea was ridiculous. To think ShinRa was part of any community… not a chance. They claimed they'd found the best and brightest from around Midgar to showcase their inventions and ideas. At least a third of the people present were not from the city, however, but would serve to titillate investors enough to contribute more funds. Unsurprising.

The rooms were filling up with chattering well-to-do's. Sephiroth wanted nothing to do with it. He strolled around a bit, trying to look engaged while ignoring all the nearby people who were gawking at him.

Someone with a terribly masked accent was trying to sell him on proposed adjustments to their military-issue PHS units.

"You would select an icon, see," she was saying, gesturing at her model device in her hand, "And it would bring up a program that does a specific thing. Like, weather—select the weather icon, and a specific weather application would show on your screen."

"…Hm," Sephiroth said, considering. "What would you call them?"

"Uhh… appli… app…" She seemed puzzled.

Sephiroth nodded and moved away without another word. It was unlike him, to be putting off the inevitable. He rolled his shoulders, flattened out his expression, and finally went to find the mechanic.

There were a total of five halls reserved for this event. Sephiroth found Cloud in the fourth one, and near the center, with one of the many spotlights on the ceiling aimed down on the results of his 'innovation,' and it was… breathtaking, really.

He assumed this was Cloud, at least. He fit the description given. He was a stiff and awkward-looking man in a cheap suit who was currently grimacing as he handed a dazzled investor a business card.

When the woman left Cloud noticed Sephiroth, standing uncomfortably to the side.

They stared at each other for a long, heavy moment.

Cloud then straightened his spine and lifted his chin, staring Sephiroth down. It was almost military-like.

"Cloud Strife."

"General Sephiroth."

"There is no need for you to call me 'General,'" Sephiroth corrected, then realized his response came out more curt than he wanted. Cloud didn't visibly respond.

"…It's amazing," Sephiroth then said, absolutely unsure what to say.

The mechanic's eyes cut to his motorcycle. A gleaming plaque on a nearby stand read FENRIR. "Thank you," he said, his voice soft—far too intimate for such a busy showroom, but maybe that was the point. Cloud looked like he wanted to chat with the crowds about as much as Sephiroth did. Surprising, since he was, well, present, after all. "He's my pride and joy."

"Did you build… him, yourself?"

Cloud nodded. He walked to the side of the bike and placed a hand on its gleaming body. Sephiroth owned a motorcycle, and it looked nothing like this. Fenrir really was an impressive machine. The two front wheels stretched out far in front, covered by shiny black metal. In fact, it was… a very long stretch indeed. Sephiroth studied the metal joining them to about where the rider would place their knees.

The blond man's lips quirked into a smile.

"Check this out," he said, and pressed a release somewhere near the handlebars. Those long black strips expanded up and outward, revealing they were compartments.

Cloud pulled a small sword out of one of them, and then another, slightly longer, out of the compartment next to it. Glancing at him, Cloud grinned when he realized Sephiroth was watching intently. He pulled out four more blades, and put them all together in front of him to form one large, long broadsword. Just under the size of Angeal's Buster Sword, it looked like.

"Did you design it yourself?"

"The sword, or the bike?"

Sephiroth had been talking about the sword—swords—but glanced again at the absurdly gorgeous, glittering motorcycle on Cloud's left. "Both," he answered.

"Yes, then," the man said, nodding at him. "I feel like I've been working on Fenrir my whole life. As a kid I had this vision of him, you know? I finally completed him four years ago. I make small improvements all the time, though."

"And the blades?"

Sephiroth eyed them. They were obviously carefully made, and with considerable skill. He didn't ask to touch—he would never; even holding his boyfriends' swords without asking made him uncomfortable—but Cloud offered the completed blade to him. He accepted. "I have a metal-working friend," Cloud murmured, for him to hear, and not any of the surrounding crowd. "Barret made himself a gun for an arm after he lost it. He helped with the blades and most of the release mechanisms, and I sketched it out, helped where I could."

"So your vehicle is reasonably equipped for combat," Sephiroth mused, studying the whole situation.

"Mm," Cloud nodded. "I'm not anywhere near a SOLDIER's level, but I can fight."

Something in the man's tone made him glance up from the sword. The blond was frowning, and sweeping the hall with a slow, nervous look. People were watching them, of course; it was Sephiroth, and Fenrir really did attract a lot of attention.

He passed the sword back over. Cloud immediately disassembled it with evident comfort and ease, slotting the blades back into their correct spots. Amazing, truly.

Sephiroth wasn't really sure how to convey how impressed he was with who he thought promised to be an attractive, but overall rather dull mechanic, without sounding rude, so he remained quiet. He stepped closer, though, to the man's side. He was rather…short. His hair gave him height, however, and definitely a presence.

The moment Cloud realized Sephiroth intended to stay with him was easy to spot. His eyes—pretty, though lacking a mako glow—widened and he straightened his spine again. His throat worked as he swallowed.

There were even more people, though. The first of the public must be drifting in. Sephiroth glanced at his PHS. Angeal, Zack and Genesis were due to arrive when the time came for everyone else to enter. He had a text from Angeal: We're running late. Zack is nervous about seeing Cloud again and fussing over his hair. See you in a bit.

Because this was one of the back rooms it was less packed than the others; they could see room number three, the closest one, filling up significantly, however. Cloud shifted on his feet. Sephiroth's tie suddenly felt constricting. He tugged at it.

With the two of them no longer conversing a nearby man had the opportunity to approach.

"It's a beautiful bike," he said, grinning at Cloud.

"Thanks," he replied, a little stiffly. He glanced at Sephiroth.

The man asked about the specs on the bike, and Cloud started talking about it, pride evident in his tone. This room was really crowding up though, with people itching to get a good look at Sephiroth as well as check out all the Innovation present.

By the end of Cloud's conversation that had started so smoothly, the blond was rushing his words and clenching his fists. He looked flushed.

"How did you end up here tonight, Mr. Strife?" Sephiroth asked when he left.

"You can call me Cloud," Cloud said. "I was driving Fenrir around under the plate a few months back. Got spotted by some ShinRa exec who got my number."

"Do you often bring your motorcycle to these types of events?"

"Sometimes. Never anything ShinRa, though."

"No?"

"No," Cloud confirmed, and grew distracted by someone else wondering about Fenrir.

Sephiroth was unsure what exactly was the matter, but he had a feeling his presence was intimidating the mechanic. Cloud's shoulders had gone tense and he was speaking more loudly than before, and in a different pitch, like he was self-consciously listening to his own voice. He kept shooting Sephiroth looks over his shoulder as well, as if checking to see he was still there.

Sephiroth asked during the next pause, "How are things with Zack's bike? You're scrapping it, correct?"

"I'm not sure yet. That was the plan. We're hurting for some parts at the moment and don't really have the funds to purchase them, but… I dunno."

"Are you getting paid for being here?"

"A little." Cloud was breathing very deeply. Sephiroth tugged yet again at the neck of his tie at the sight. "Not much at all, but it's income that my Uncle and I need—even if he pretends he's too good to show here. He's pissed at me for showing up. I get to hand out our business cards, at least."

"You don't want to be here." Sephiroth's eyes narrowed in thought. He ignored the civilian who bumped into him—accidentally or otherwise.

"Not really," Cloud said, frowning stubbornly at him. "We have our pride."

Angeal had mentioned Cloud's Uncle Cid, being laid off from the company ten years ago.

"But it's money," he finished.

Someone new asked about Fenrir. It was getting hot. Someone bumped into Sephiroth again. He was pressed close to Cloud now, due to the volume of people on all sides. Cloud continued to shift uncomfortably on his feet.

Sephiroth was fucking terrible at small talk, but he tried again. It beat mingling by himself, and besides, he was on a mission.

"How do you like working as a mechanic?"

"It's alright," Cloud wheezed, positively red in the face. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."

The blond man turned on his heel, pushed past a couple ogling Fenrir, and started to speed walk towards the closest exit. Sephiroth watched the crowd swallow him, then glanced back at the bike. He decided to follow.

He found Cloud out an emergency exit to a stairwell (unalarmed—he knew there were Turks in here and in the surrounding rooms monitoring what was going on in the event). Cloud had his hands folded on top of his head and walked up and down the same flight of stairs, taking big, rhythmic breaths that he would hold for a long few moments, and then release.

Cloud didn't realize Sephiroth studying him at first. "…Strife," he offered, hesitantly.

The man froze and stared at him. "Sephiroth?"

"Are you ill?"

Cloud's face twisted. He resumed his walking, twisting his head to keep Sephiroth in his vision as he turned and started to go up the stairs again. "I'm fine," he said.

To Sephiroth's eye, Cloud still looked uneasy, and unwell. His hands were trembling.

"…I'm really fine," Cloud grunted. He stared at his shiny shoes, clacking away on the metal steps. "Started to have a panic attack, but I'll be good in a minute. I just had to… get away from that crowd."

The cramped stairwell was, in comparison to the room they had just been in, heavenly. The air was noticeably cooler (even if it did carry a bit of a stale smell). The crowd had been extremely oppressive. Sephiroth did not blame Cloud—from what he understood anxiety arising from circumstances like those were reasonably common—but the blond looked so miserable, scowling at his feet.

"I'm twenty-fucking-eight," Cloud continued, voice full of self-loathing, "It's been ten years since I was here. I thought I'd be over it, but I couldn't even handle…"

He could hear the Turk breathing three stories above, but decide to ignore her. "I am extremely claustrophobic," he blurted—blurted, he said it before he even thought about it!— "and I have been since I was a small child. I spent a lot of time in…cramped environments when I was young. I feel as if I cannot breathe in small spaces. I prefer not to wear something that constricts my breathing, like most shirts."

"…That explains the tie," Cloud murmured, looking at him—he had stopped breathing so irregularly.

"Pardon?"

Cloud eyed his neck. "You were fiddling with that thing twice a minute, it felt like."

"I was," Sephiroth stated, doubtful.

"You were." Cloud nodded meaningfully, and as their eyes met something heavy flashed between them. This man didn't seem like the type to reveal his weaknesses so easily either, Sephiroth thought. Cloud's feet slowed, and then finally stopped. "…Thank you for checking on me."

"It… was mostly a selfish decision. I would have needed to find someone else to talk to—it's what I was there for." Cloud watched him evenly. His face had a normal color again. "Though, I am under orders to get to know you better. I suppose that informed my decision somewhat."

Cloud quirked a small smile. "Whose orders?"

"My partners'."

"I see."

Sephiroth found himself smiling in return. It was small, as was his new acquaintance's, but it was something. It was good to know that he had not been the source of Cloud's discomfort back in the showcase, but everyone else, and that his presence actually offered some small comfort. "Do you wish to return to your bike, when you feel able?"

"Not really. He's locked up, and I'm promised a massive insurance check if anything happens to him. They don't need me around."

"I was under the impression you wanted to hand out business cards."

"I gave out a few." Cloud shrugged. "This event is bullshit anyway. Half the people here aren't even from Midgar. It's not worth it, going back out there." At Sephiroth's unspoken question he elaborated. "I've got some bad memories here. Told my Uncle I wouldn't let it bother me too much. Easy to make that promise."

Sephiroth didn't know what to say. "Can I walk around?" Cloud asked. "Do I need a chaperone or something, unsupervised civilian and all?"

"I will accompany you. I would like to. I can assign you a Turk for a chaperone if you would prefer their company to mine."

"No," Cloud snorted. "You're kind of the best company I could ask for, right now."

With that, Cloud started up the stairs. The Turk above them slunk away. They eventually emerged onto the sixth floor. Sephiroth directed them to the elevator.

"Is there anywhere in particular you would like to go?"

Your apartment, he kind of hoped Cloud would answer. True, it would be rather forward, but it didn't necessarily mean for sex—yet. He needed to know Cloud more to make any sort of halfway informed decision. He knew a few things already though—Cloud was indeed attractive, and they clicked. It was a solid start.

The mechanic scanned the inside of the elevator as the doors shut, Sephiroth's ungloved fingertip hovering over a button.

"I'd like to visit Space Exploration," he said, his voice firm.

"It's closed. That wing is abandoned, and off-limits to nearly everyone in the company."

Cloud's expression didn't shift. He waited patiently, those stubborn blue eyes staring into his own. He knew, as Sephiroth did, that he hadn't said 'no.'

"We can go. I have access."

"Thanks."

Sephiroth pressed the button for the correct floor, responding politely to Cloud's gratitude. He should have expected this. All things considered, it wasn't too unreasonable a request, nor any undue hardship on him to fulfill. Neither had to suffer through more of the Innovation showcase, and time alone together could only be a good thing, considering the night's objectives.

The entrance to Space Exploration was on the twenty-fifth floor. Inside the wing the area encompassed three different floors, but there were no entrances on floors twenty six and seven. It was at the end of a long, lonely hallway. No one else was around.

At Sephiroth's look, Cloud said, "I don't know what I'm looking for, exactly. I just… want to see it."

Sephiroth nodded, and scanned his ID. The reader beeped as it granted clearance, and the door automatically retreated into the wall with a squeak that had Sephiroth grinding his teeth. Rusty.

Cloud hesitated briefly on the doorstep. He probably hadn't anticipated this entire wing to be devoid of power. It was abandoned, after all; power had been diverted to more critical areas.

"Tell me there's a switch," Cloud murmured as he walked in. This room had once been a reception area, where you could learn more about the initiative. Now the front desk sat under a thick layer of dust. The grand ShinRa Electric and Power Company Space Exploration Program plaque on the wall reflected the light coming in from the hallway.

The door slid shut behind them, cutting it off entirely.

"I'm afraid not. This way," Sephiroth said. He was aware Cloud would not be able to see nearly as well as he—not at all, actually, they were in complete darkness—so he reached for Cloud's shoulder. The man startled, but Sephiroth did not comment in case it embarrassed him. "There is a door to the right to the rest of the facilities."

This door accepted IDs as well once upon a time, but now required a more physical approach. He pushed the door off its tracks with little effort and led Cloud into the next area, one arm still cupped around his warm, broad shoulder.

"Wow," Cloud breathed.

This room was big, and stretched all the way to the edge of the building. Large windows on the far side allowed in greenish light, but it was so faint from here…

Cloud fumbled in his pocket for a moment. Then light erupted from something in his hand.

"Is that a PHS?"

"Yeah. They've started making units for civilians. Called 'cell phones.'"

Cloud shone the light this way and that. "It was evacuated in a hurry," Sephiroth said.

"I know. Uncle Cid had one day to clear out his shit. He was too pissed to come in."

"From what I've heard about him, that sounds likely."

The sweeps of Cloud's light in the dark, silent room reminded Sephiroth of one of the horror video games Zack liked to play. Distantly, Sephiroth heard scratching. Mice, or perhaps worse.

They moved past some empty space to the beginning of a massive series of desks. On the floor were discarded pens, papers and files, and miscellaneous objects. They had sat there for ten years.

"So they've talked to you about my Uncle," Cloud noted, crouching and turning something over in his hand.

"A bit. They've spent significantly more time talking about you, I must admit."

"Yeah? What kind of stuff have you heard about me?"

Cloud was attempting to flirt, Sephiroth realized. He was grateful it was so dark that Cloud could not see his struggling expression; this was not his forte.

"That you are very attractive, and that you have a kind soul. You seem like fun, and even if you are more quiet than the others are used to, they all had good conversation with you. You work extremely hard. I also heard something about you looking 'delicious' in overalls, and that a certain someone wants to take you over the trunk of a car."

Sephiroth was fucking blushing. He could say those things to his lovers with ease, but a stranger…? Cloud gave a startled laugh that echoed off the silent walls and busied himself with rooting around in the drawers of a desk—perhaps he was, too.

"You cannot tell me you expected otherwise. They all like you quite a bit. I would not be here if that was not the case."

"Yeah. I was looking forward to meeting you, after the other three. I like them a lot."

"And your thoughts on me?"

"Pending," Cloud answered, his tone teasing. He started walking with purpose. "Come on. Uncle Cid was Chief Engineer, I doubt he'd have one of these grunt desks."

Sephiroth walked closer to Cloud as they progressed through the large room. There was no way he would accidentally bump into Cloud, so he did it purposefully. Their arms brushed, and Cloud mumbled a brief apology.

"There isn't any room here for a rocket," Cloud murmured. His 'phone' illuminated a cabinet pushed on its side, with all sorts of things spilling out of it. It was dented, as if someone had kicked it in anger. "I wonder where they actually built things."

"There was some space allocated in the basement levels. They're extremely large. There were also some facilities in the wastelands outside the city."

"Fuck," Cloud swore when they entered the next area—the eyes of a small, scurrying rodent reflected the light from his phone. "How did they even get this high up?"

"They have had ten years to climb."

Cid's desk was not in this room, or the next. But then Sephiroth spotted his name printed on a glass door. He placed his hand on Cloud's arm. "Over here."

The floor immediately outside the door and inside the office was fantastically filthy. There was an overturned chair and various shattered objects, all dust-covered and forgotten over time. Sephiroth offered his arm to stabilize Cloud as he climbed over the small mountain of junk, but he did not accept.

"Hard to believe this is where he worked," Cloud murmured, his voice quiet in this enclosed space. "When I started living with him, it was after he got laid off. He's been a mechanic for so long… it's just hard to imagine."

Sephiroth waited by the door as Cloud moved in. It was his moment. "And what about you? You also weren't a mechanic your entire life, from what I understand."

The only response, for a long time, were the sounds of Cloud poking around in his Uncle's old space. He shuffled objects around in the bookshelves and opened the desk drawers with more whining, grating noises. Cloud pulled something out of a drawer and turned it over in his hands, inspecting it. "I worked in Nibelheim at the local grocery store. When I was 18, I came to Midgar to try to join ShinRa's army. What became the infantry, I guess. I failed the exam. Been with Cid ever since."

Sephiroth's bright eyes studied Cloud intensely. He watched as Cloud checked once more in the drawers, then moved back towards him. He had something in his hand that he slid into his deep suit pants pocket.

"And this was ten years ago."

"Yeah." Cloud picked his way over the crap in the doorway. "SOLDIER was announced publicly a few months afterward, with all the fanfare about you… fifteen years old. If I failed to get into the regular army I definitely would have failed SOLDIER, so I didn't ry. It was a week after Cid got cut, so I found him. Eventually we set up the shop."

Sephiroth had many questions, but it was not any of his business, nor his place to ask.

"Let's get out of here."

The trip back out of the department was just as eerie as the trip in. Their footsteps echoed, surrounded by emptiness and nearly complete darkness. Cloud swept his light in great arcs, looking at the murals and posters on the ceiling and walls.

"It sounds nice," Cloud said. "I guess it wasn't meant to be."

"Space?"

"Yeah. Imagine… humans on another planet, or… us flying in a rocket to see what's out there. You believe in aliens?"

"Humph."

Cloud's wiggling fingers suddenly poked at Sephiroth's sides. If he had been trying to scare or spook Sephiroth, he was not successful. "It doesn't worry you—life out there?"

"I think we should be more concerned with the evil on this planet, but space does indeed hold a great deal of… intrigue, I admit."

Cloud had touched him first, giving Sephiroth an opening to touch him in return. When Cloud climbed over another fallen cabinet Sephiroth placed his hand on the small of his back, stroking an intimate little path there with his thumb.

"Good boy," he purred when Cloud pressed closer to his side.

"Did you just…?"

Sephiroth nearly choked on his own spit. "Sorry," he apologized, "That just slipped out."

The mechanic laughed at him. When they were back in the hallway, with Space Exploration sealed up behind them and abandoned once more, Cloud peeled off his suit jacket. "We're covered in dust," he noted. They both did look a little gray, Sephiroth agreed. He looked down, dusted off his suit jacket, and pulled at his collar. The tie was now really crooked.

"Forget the fuckin' tie," Cloud growled, and ripped it right off his neck. The force of it actually caused Sephiroth to stoop a little bit, his face drawing close to his new friend's.

Cloud smirked at him.

"We're nowhere near that ridiculous event. There's no need for us to conform to what they want when we're alone."

"…You're right."

Cloud nodded. He hung his suit jacket over his arm and unbuttoned the stiff white button-up underneath, revealing a white tank top. The only times Sephiroth walked through the Tower in any state of undress was when he was returning from a mission and part of his uniform was destroyed.

It was… surprisingly fun to muss up his formal attire with Cloud Strife. He rolled his shirt sleeves up to his elbows, undid the top two buttons, and hung his tie loosely over his shoulders. He could breathe properly again. Then, with Cloud watching, he committed one of the most offensive fashion crimes out there, according to Genesis: he looped the sleeves of his suit jacket around his waist and tied them together. Cloud nodded approvingly.

"Now what?"

"Is there something else you would like to see? If not, Zack, Genesis and Angeal want to see you at some point."

Sephiroth waited for Cloud's response. That was it… if Cloud agreed to meeting them, the rest of their night would be put in motion.

"I want to see them," Cloud answered, brushing dust out of Sephiroth's hair with a few haphazard whacks. "But I kind of would prefer to spend some more time with you first."

He wants to be sure of his decision, Sephiroth thought.

"Of course. Would you like to see some of the infantry facilities?"

Their eyes met. Cloud really did have a piercing stare.

"…Yeah. It's been enough years. I think I want to see what I missed out on."

They boarded the elevator in the right direction. Cloud started to wring his hands, his knuckles

white with force. Their destination was the fourteenth floor. At floor sixteen, Cloud said loudly, "Sephiroth, stop the elevator."

Sephiroth scanned his ID, and overrode the controls. It stopped.

"I don't want to go," Cloud gasped, utterly breathless. "I—some other time; I just can't right now, after everything else tonight—"

Sephiroth stroked his hand down Cloud's tense spine. "Breathe," he soothed, and redirected their course. As they rode back up Cloud seemed to calm. The hyperventilating subsided, and he leant against the side of the elevator, his cheek pressed to the cool glass. He didn't ask where they were going.

When they eventually entered Sephiroth's office the General tossed his coat uncaringly onto the chair. He moved past it to a glass door. He gestured Cloud outside onto a small balcony.

"…This is nice," Cloud murmured, staring all the way down at Midgar.

"The smog is disgusting, and twice people have climbed onto this balcony in attempts to assassinate me. …I do like it, though."

Cloud sat on the ground, sticking his legs through the gaps in the metal. Sephiroth did the same.

"I haven't been this high up since I was in Nibelheim."

The smog this night wasn't as bad as other nights. The bright green glow of Mako was undeniably poisonous, but he'd lived in Midgar for long enough that it was comforting. Cloud looked lovely in its light. Shadows cut sharp across his cheekbones and jaw, with soft, muted greens filling in the spaces between. The man watched him. His pretty lips were gently parted, and then pressed together as he thought about something.

"Sephiroth," Cloud murmured. "I want to know more about your relationship, and how this works."

The reminder of his boyfriends startled Sephiroth. His PHS had several messages in the group chat with them, wondering where he was. They'd shown up to the Innovation event and neither of them were present.

We're bonding, Sephiroth replied, smiling faintly at the small device. We snuck away from the party. See you all soon.

"Genesis and Angeal have been dating since they were seventeen," he offered as he slid the device back into his pants pocket. "We all became some awkward, fumbling mess of a threesome two years later. Zack joined us four years ago. At first he was in a similar situation as you, I suppose—a casual 'hookup,' because the three of us liked him quite a bit."

"Is this a common thing?"

"No. The four of us have only slept with a new person three times. The last was almost a year ago."

"Why do you do it?"

"Because we aren't jealous people. If all of us are attracted to someone, and we want to do that with them, we will. Together, though."

"And afterward?" Cloud had shifted, casting the majority of his face into shadow. His golden hair looked eerie bathed in a mako glow.

Sephiroth narrowed his eyes. "We have no intention of using you, Cloud. Zack's initial affection for you seems genuine. He wants to be your friend. We have remained close with our partners, for the most part." Cloud waited for him to elaborate.

"The last time we did this, a man—a SOLDIER—overstepped many boundaries afterward. He became clingy and invasive, calling me and seeking me out in public…" Sephiroth trailed off. He sighed heavily and glanced at his feet, dangling so high above the city. He wanted to jump, but doubted Cloud would handle the appearance of his other limb very well.

"He was under the impression that the five of us should be in a relationship, but delusionally so, and aggressive in the way he went about trying to convince us—but mostly me." He kicked his feet gently, looking uncharacteristically childish. "Occasionally the others make jokes about this incident, like it's funny now that so much time has passed. …I disagree."

Cloud's warm, heavy hand cupped his forearm. "That doesn't sound funny."

"It wasn't," Sephiroth answered dully, eyes unfocused.

"So you guys aren't interested in adding anyone else in."

Sephiroth looked over; Cloud was avoiding his gaze.

"I didn't say that. He was not the right fit, no matter how he felt about it."

"Huh."

Sephiroth considered his new friend. Cloud sat stiffly and stared at his own feet. "…Cloud," he said gently. "Forgive us if you have been given misinformation. If you are uncomfortable with casual sex or don't want us bothering you, we want you to tell us 'no'."

"That's not it," Cloud sighed. "I'm fine with casual sex. I'm looking forward to it, actually. I guess I just… don't get it. Hard to believe who's askin', you know?"

"I suppose."

"I don't think you do. It's so strange… I hated you, Sephiroth. For the longest time. Years."

Cloud's posture had not gone defensive or stiff. He did not expect Sephiroth to react, but to listen. The General tried to.

"I was 18 when I failed to get into ShinRa." Cloud wrapped his hands around the thin bars, and spoke out into the smog. "I did well enough on the physical test, I guess. But I failed the psych exam." Cloud let out a slow exhale. "My anxiety, mostly. They also said I wasn't assertive enough, or confident enough to take leadership of a squad someday. I can kill a monster no problem, but to think I failed because I don't do well in crowds, or my people skills…"

Sephiroth listened closely. Personally, he felt Cloud was better at the interactions thing than him. Then again, he was too much of an investment to give up on because he couldn't give a good speech or panicked in a mako tube.

"And then, just a month or two after my dream died and I contacted my Uncle Cid about what to do, there you were, on TV, the first member of SOLDIER, and three years younger than me… I guess I needed to take my anger out on someone."

There was nothing Sephiroth could do now about it, nor in the past, so he didn't bother apologizing. "Would my presence tonight make you uncomfortable?"

"No," Cloud said immediately, and with such conviction Sephiroth had no choice but to believe him. "I'm over that. It's actually nice seein' how wrong I was. I spent so much time hating your guts over the years I kind of feel like I know you." He snorted. "Though, seriously. It's good to meet the real you."

"And it is good to meet you, Cloud. I admit, I wasn't sure what to expect when Zack said he had a crush. I am happy."

Cloud snorted again, rubbing the back of his neck. "He doesn't have a crush on me."

"Don't spread lies about my boyfriend," Sephiroth said, putting a touch of his General authority into his voice. Like he wanted, Cloud laughed at him, leaning back on his hands.

"…Thanks for this, Sephiroth." His voice came out so warmly—it was so unreal, and it happened so rarely—he was connecting with someone. And so soon after their initial meeting, too…

Sephiroth unquestionably wanted him. A small, possessive part of him wanted to keep Cloud, too—have more of these amazing nights, where he felt five years younger and went on an adventure (though one unfunded by ShinRa, and not in a monster-ridden cave). He wanted Cloud to be his friend—not just Zack or Genesis or Angeal's friend that he tolerated, like so many others. "You're welcome," Sephiroth answered, because he wasn't sure what else to say, or if he could even convey himself right.

The blond man's eyes had gone from warm to hot. He leant back on his hands a little more and cocked his neck at him, coy. "We should probably get back to the others. They're going to think we snuck off to make out, or something."

"…Right." Sephiroth blinked slowly and resisted the urge to shake his head. His thoughts were chasing distracting circles around each other. He pulled out his PHS.

"Maybe we did?"

Sephiroth's thumb stilled in the middle of his message. He processed Cloud's words for a moment. He then closed the device, and placed it safely on the ground, far away from the edge. He looked up.

Cloud scooted his ass back until he could remove his legs from between the metal bars, walked on his knees a few feet over to Sephiroth, and grabbed both ends of his tie, still hanging around his shoulders. He pulled on it and yanked Sephiroth in for what he knew would be the first of many kisses that night.

The initial exploration, despite the harsh—and Gaia-damned sexy—way Cloud dragged him forward, was almost…sweet. Cloud kept his hold on the tie, keeping Sephiroth close. There was warmth, from the chest pressed to his, and such unbelievable gentleness in the push of his lips. Wisdom too, of a sort Sephiroth was unused to.

For most of the night it felt hard to believe Cloud was older than him, but Sephiroth felt it now, as one hand abandoned the tie and moved to cup his cheek. He was a thoughtful person, and his every move (even here!) spoke of experience, and like he was trying to take care of Sephiroth.

Care was something Sephiroth appreciated very much. It made no sense getting any from a stranger like this. He got it anyway.

He growled in his throat, suddenly needing to claim this man, to make him groan and lose the disaffected cool he'd kept the entire evening, with a few understandable exceptions. Their lips locked; Cloud let out an amused hum in response, and nipped at his bottom lip.

Sephiroth surged to the side, wanting to spread Cloud out on the concrete, see that suit hang off him—

"Ow," he said instead.

He'd forgotten his legs were still dangling over the edge of the Tower. Gingerly, and with Cloud letting out happy laughter beside him, Sephiroth disentangled his legs. Cloud sat on his rear and raised his arms in greeting as Sephiroth approached on his knees. The General's heart was racing, and it was unreal. The hands that fell to Cloud's waist and the side of his head trembled with the force of whatever it was he was feeling, and the anticipation. He and his boyfriends were going to have a marvelous time together with this man tonight, he knew it already.

Their mouths met again. Cloud's was still in the shape of a smile for a few moments. The gentle kisses from before gave way to an insistent, desperate sort now. Cloud's hand stroked the nape of his neck and Sephiroth purred his contentment. The blond's tongue swiped at his bruised lower lip and Sephiroth let him in. Cloud let out a soft gasp as their tongues brushed and Sephiroth was nearly overcome with the hot, burning need for Cloud he'd felt building all evening.

He tipped the blond backwards, like he'd wanted to do earlier. Cloud looked damn good like that, but most of the playful tickle of his hair against his cheeks was gone. Sephiroth spent no time mourning the loss, crouched with one knee beside Cloud's hips, and his lips and tongue aggressively taking over the pace of their kiss. And Cloud loved it—he arched under Sephiroth, and the SOLDIER could feel the force of this man's own erratic heartbeat against his ribcage. His hands were cradling Sephiroth's face like he was holding something important and precious. Planet, Sephiroth wanted to fuck him.

Except—no, he could not… not after what happened last time, a little less than a year ago.

He ripped his mouth away from Cloud's, and the blond man merely attached himself to his jaw. The weak pain of Cloud sucking the skin there between his teeth made Sephiroth groan and clench his eyes shut as he attempted to focus.

"I must tell you something," he ground out.

Cloud backed off. He let his head gently rest back on the ground. His eyes were tinged with green, even, from the city; he would have been gorgeous as a SOLDIER.

Sephiroth pressed their foreheads together and spoke against his mouth. "I cannot penetrate you tonight, if that is something you were wanting. I—won't. It's not something I'm able to give any longer to anyone but my partners. Is that okay?"

"Absolutely," Cloud said, his voice firm; Sephiroth believed him. It sounded like Cloud had a guess as to why he was unwilling to offer that experiene, but did not ask.

"Zack has been nervous about this all week. It's unlike him, and he doesn't know how to deal with it. Be gentle with him."

"…I will," Cloud murmured, sounding awed.

"Alright." Sephiroth waited, and Cloud kissed him again, but with the softness of earlier, close-mouthed and tender. "Anything else you need or want to know is better answered by the others. We should go, it's getting late."

"We should."

They continued to kiss for another minute or so though, easy, gentle slides of wet lips and tongue. Cloud's hands had coasted down a bit, resting on the slope of his neck. Somehow, and this was astounding—Sephiroth didn't feel claustrophobic at all.

He stood, and offered his hand. This time, Cloud accepted, and Sephiroth hauled him to his feet.

"I'll message them to let them know we're on our way."

Cloud straightened out his haphazard, still-dusty, and now rumpled suit. He grinned. "Let's mosey," he said, and strutted back into the building.