Chapter 11

Author's note: Sorry for the delay, college is starting soon and now I'm as busy as a mayor.

Today was Cloud's birthday.

There were no candles, no cake, no presents. Nobody yelled out happy birthday, punched his shoulder, or gave him a hug. He was locked away in his room, Sephiroth just outside the door.

It had been a week since Cloud figured out everything. Regained the horrible memories he had lost. Cloud sniffled, his eyes staring blankly at the dark wall as he wallowed in the pain of his memories. He couldn't fight it, couldn't scream for it to go away.

He was stuck with them. Forever.

Cloud didn't even blink when there was a knock on his door, Sephiroth's low baritone voice ringing through the dead silence.

"Cloud, do you want to go out?" Cloud didn't respond, he never did. He could only cry. He had stopped eating as well, but his body didn't scream for food. His body was made to withstand months without food. The thought made Cloud close his eyes tightly, tears cascading down his temples. He curled into a ball on his side, feeling the pain, the hopelessness, the humiliation.

He was nothing.

Cloud jumped when his door was forced open, light flooding into the room. Sephiroth marched in, Cloud backing up against the wall. Sephiroth grabbed him, Cloud stumbling off the bed. He barked a protest, but it fell on deaf ears.

Cloud was sat down at a table, Sephiroth putting a plate of food in front of him. Cloud tried to push it away, but Sephiroth forced a piece of toast into his mouth. Cloud looked into Sephiroth's eyes, his own shimmering with tears. Sephiroth spoke aggressively, but clearly.

"You will not starve yourself. You don't think I understand what you went through? I went through that and worse. What we went through will never go away. It will never stop hurting. But would you rather sit and die in that room, or spend the rest of your time here with me?"

Cloud was taken aback. He could only stare in wonder, the switch suddenly turned off in his head. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, but he suddenly felt all of his anger and sadness dissipate. Cloud grabbed the piece of toast, lowering it from his lips.

"Listen, Cloud." Sephiroth's voice was calm, his eyes becoming the endless pools of adoration Cloud saw every time he was with him. The cage that surrounded his mind opened, his eyes looking but unable to move. Inside his mind, he was broken, a shattered image. It was barely holding itself together, but even so it's eyes looked to the open door.

Could it leave this cage?

Or should it stay?

"Cloud, I love you." Cloud swallowed thickly, the shattered reflection in his mind reaching for the opening. It fell, but it was determined to get back up.

"I'm not saying this to cheer you up, Cloud. When I came back from my mission I… I wanted to say it to you, in the most romantic, corny way."

He got up, grabbing onto the cage threshold.

"When I saw you break, when I heard what Hojo said, I knew my words would have to wait. Cloud… Don't let me loose you like this."

Cloud pulled himself out.

He was still broken, but he was finally out.

Tears welled up in his eyes, Cloud looking down to the piece of toast. He raised it to his lips, taking a small bite. Sephiroth sighed in relief.

"Today's my birthday," Cloud whispered after he swallowed it, Sephiroth looking to the smaller blonde in surprise. Cloud smiled, remembering everything his mother did to make this day special.

"My mother would make me this delicious chocolate cake every year. She would smother me with kisses, and every time I would push her away. What I would do to have that back…" Cloud trailed off, wiping away his tears. He looked up when his chin was grabbed, soft lips touching his own.

Cloud didn't know what to do, Sephiroth slowly pulling away.

"I'll give you better days." Cloud felt like crying again, and he tried to push them away, tried to be a man. But when Sephiroth kissed him again, he felt so small. He felt so childish for being hurt, for losing himself in his memories.

Sephiroth was right here to give him whatever he wanted, and Cloud hardly realized his existence. Cloud sobbed into the kiss, Sephiroth kissing it away. Cloud dropped the toast, wrapping his arms around Sephiroth's neck. A heated session on the table ended in the bedroom, Cloud pressing himself close to Sephiroth's warm skin.

"What do you want to do today?" Sephiroth whispered, Cloud shrugging his shoulders as he lay next to him.

Sephiroth reached over to the dresser, opening the drawer. Cloud was confused, Sephiroth turning back to him with a little wrapped package in his hand.

"Happy birthday, Cloud." Sephiroth handed him the small box, Cloud sitting up and taking it slowly. He tore off the paper before opening it slowly, a small box sitting in his palm. He opened it, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Seph…"

Cloud lifted up the small metal chain, a dog tag at the end of it. He smoothed a finger over it, Sephiroth's name printed on the cold metal.

'Lieutenant Sephiroth' it read, Cloud putting it over his head and around his neck. He lifted it up, his eyes unable to leave the name printed over it.

"Do you like it?" Cloud looked to Sephiroth, the man's eyes calm. Cloud leaned down, kissing his lips. He laid himself down next to Sephiroth, initiating a small make out session. Cloud pulled away first, resting his head on Sephiroth's chest. His heart beat echoed in his ear, Cloud holding onto the tag tighter.

Sephiroth ran a hand through Cloud's hair, flattening the spikes with his hand only to see them bounce back up. Cloud smiled softly, lifting his head to look into Sephiroth's eyes.

"Did you mean it?" Cloud whispered, Sephiroth smiling wide. Cloud loved seeing those smiles. Sephiroth ran a hand over Cloud's back, feeling the faint outline of his spine.

"Every word." Cloud kissed his lover, Sephiroth pulling him over his body. Cloud felt his hardened member against his stomach, pulling away to look into the older man's eyes. He took in a small breath, his heart beating out of his chest.

"I love you, Seph." Sephiroth turned them over, Cloud resting on his back. Sephiroth lined himself up, Cloud slick with semen and lube from their earlier conquests. He pushed in lightly, Cloud hissing softly as he sank in. Sephiroth kissed his lips, knowing Cloud's hole was sore after their erratic sessions. He stilled when he was all the way in, Cloud running his hands over Sephiroth's shoulders.

Cloud moved his hips slightly, the pain portion on his end becoming less. He pulled away from the kiss, pushing down lightly to get Sephiroth moving. Sephiroth moved slowly at first, one hand fisted in the sheets as the other slowly stroked Cloud back to life. Cloud wrapped his legs around Sephiroth's waist, jolting when there was a shock of pleasure down his spine.

Sephiroth moved faster at his small moan of pleasure, Cloud closing his eyes as he felt his body erupt with pleasure and warmth. He moaned when Sephiroth kissed his neck, a small groan escaping the larger man's lips. Cloud dug his hands into Sephiroth's hair, lifting his head. He kissed his lips, falling deeper into the pit of ecstasy. Cloud threw his head back, crying out when Sephiroth thrusted in particularly hard.

Cloud grit his teeth, pleasure building inside his body. He didn't think he would last long, his eyes closed tight as his orgasm built higher and higher. Cloud didn't scream or moan when he came. His entire body stilled, a shiver racking his entire body. Sephiroth tried to pull out when he was squeezed hard, but Cloud's body wouldn't let him. He came hard, pulling out when Cloud relaxed.

His semen squirted onto Cloud's body, Cloud rising up and letting some fall onto his tongue. Sephiroth swore he came again, groaning as his body jolted before becoming lax again.

Cloud panted heavily, getting off the bed slowly. Sephiroth followed him to the bathroom, Cloud turning on the water. He got in the shower, Sephiroth following him. They showered away their mess, Cloud cleaning out his insides carefully. Sephiroth watched, wanting to laugh at the bent over blonde, but also aroused again.

Cloud straightened up, looking to Sephiroth. He smiled, getting to his knees. Sephiroth watched the blonde head bob, touching a hand to the back of Cloud's head.

When Sephiroth came, his hunger was satisfied.

They left the shower, putting on clothes before heading to the kitchen. Cloud froze.

"Zack."

Zack sat on a stool in the kitchen, his eyes looking into his cup of coffee. He looked to Cloud and Sephiroth, Sephiroth's expression stoic.

How long had Zack been here?

"So, when did it start?" Zack gulped down some coffee, Cloud looking down to the ground as he tried to stay calm. Sephiroth spoke instead.

"The welcome party." Zack nodded, looking to Sephiroth with stoic eyes. Cloud felt the energy in the air, the tension enough to create a spark and ignite a fire. Cloud parted his lips to speak, suddenly feeling very small.

"He didn't force me, Zack," Cloud told him, his voice coming out softer than he had intended. Zack stood up, his cup of coffee forgotten.

"Cloud, you are a student here. Sephiroth is a teacher. He could be sent to jail for touching you." Cloud couldn't speak, Zack looking to Sephiroth.

"You of all people know this. So give me a brief explanation of how all this shit started." Cloud looked to Sephiroth, the taller man silent for a long second.

"As you know, Cloud has the same crap I have in my DNA. When we first met, it is very likely we both recognized it unconsciously. We can't fight it, even if we wanted to." Zack sighed softly, walking over to Sephiroth and leveling him with a stare.

"Hurt him, and I'll make sure to make your life a living hell." Zack looked to Cloud, the blonde looking down at the floor. Zack sighed softly, walking over to the blonde and ruffling his hair.

"I'll find a way to get you to graduate early. Since you already know the school's secret, it should work. Don't let anybody else find out till then." Cloud nodded, looking up to Zack. The dark haired man smirked, letting his hand drop to his side.

"Wear a condom, at least?" Zack asked, Cloud becoming red faced before pushing Zack to the door. Zack left with that, Cloud looking to Sephiroth.

"Did you give him a key?"

Author's note: I know, kind of short but next chapter will be longer.