AN: This chapter contains mature content. If you are too young to read this, please don't get me in trouble by doing so anyway. If you don't want to read it, skip to the line break.
By the time Tifa and Genesis returned to their room, Zack had retrieved his armor and left. Tifa was chattering away happily about the people of the Canyon and the food of the feast. Genesis listened in contentment as he sat to remove his boots.
"And, whatever that orange fruit was, remind me never to eat it again. I thought my tongue was going to fall off," she declared before brushing her teeth vigorously.
Coming back into the room, she caught Genesis literally with his pants down. Mortified, she spun around, covering her eyes as she did.
"Oh, Shiva, I'm so sorry, Gen!"
Far from embarrassed, Genesis finished stripping his pants and stood behind her in nothing but his boxers. She was still in her dress which left her arms bare. Clasping her biceps, he bent and kissed her left shoulder.
"I'm not upset, my heart," he told her softly, tugging her until her back rested against his chest. "I welcome your attention, Tifa."
Her breath caught in her lungs when he carefully turned her to face him. Tugging on her hands, he pulled them away from her face and pressed them flat to his chest.
"Open your eyes," he commanded on a whisper.
Swallowing thickly, she did so, stubbornly keeping her gaze on his face. Amusement and a softer emotion were displayed there openly. Dipping his head, he brought her right hand up to plant gentle kisses over her palm. A coil tightened in her belly at the absolute intimacy of the gesture. She remembered what he'd said about her hands and felt something inside her shift into place at the amount of feeling she had for this man.
"After the dream you had at 7th Heaven, you said your feelings scared you." Raising his eyes, he captured hers and ran his tongue over the sensitive skin of her wrist.
A pathetic, needy noise escaped her-whether in answer to his remark, or in response to his actions, she wasn't sure. He was just touching her hands and had reduced her to mindless goo.
"Are you scared now?"
That brought her up short. He waited, patient as always, for her as she studied the windows of his soul. How had he come to be this important to her? She already shared so much with him and Zack, could she trust them with the little she'd kept for herself? This feeling between them, could she trust it enough to let go completely?
There was no persuasion in his gaze, only a steady support that she'd come to rely on. She was so tired of being broken and frightened and lost. Genesis was her rock. And that was answer enough.
Heart in her throat, she smiled. "No. No, I'm not scared, Genesis."
Exultation brightened his eyes as he kissed her. It was a brief sampling of her warmth, for he drew away almost immediately, leaving her wanting more.
"Touch me," he urged, lips ghosting over the skin of her jaw.
"H-how?" she asked, unsure. She'd seen him with his shirt off, but she'd never allowed herself to stare too long or reach for him. Shiva, she could bounce a coin off his abs.
The corners of his eyes crinkled. "However you wish." An idea struck him, and hoping he was reading her correctly, he let his wing out.
Gasping, Tifa stared at it in awe, remembering the first time she'd seen it. Her fingers itched to touch it now, just as they had then. Biting her lip, she looked to him for permission before gently stroking the appendage. His breath left him in a hiss and his lids closed as he shifted closer. A fine tremble shivered down his body.
"It's so soft," she whispered in wonder, ruffling the feathers and marveling at the feel. "Am I hurting you?"
Shaking his head, he flexed his wing and folded it behind him, overcome with the sensations. Plucking up her courage, Tifa turned her attention to his abdomen. His body was all chorded muscle and hollow shadows that defined more than masked. Her hands moved of their own accord to map the length of his powerful arms and chest, and she was fascinated. Faint scars littered his skin, telling of a lifetime of warfare. Hesitantly, she traced the jagged one on his shoulder.
"Is this…?"
"Yes," he answered, blue eyes echoing regret and pain.
Wanting to chase those feelings away, she kissed the scar lingeringly.
That drew a husky chuckle from him. "Ah, you're such a tease, my kind heart. You torment me endlessly."
Tilting her chin up defiantly, she captured his seductive mouth with her own. Pleased with her initiative, he sank into her like melting chocolate. His movements to position them went unnoticed as he swept her tongue into his mouth and sucked. Tifa saw white and tightened her grip on his shoulders. Without warning, he turned her away from him, facing the large mirror beside the bed. She had no time to utter a sound before he swept aside her hair and dragged his tongue over her pulse. She shivered when he placed open-mouth kisses up the pale column.
At her sharp inhale, one of his hands trailed up her side to cup her breast, the questioning in his touch absent. Her curves fit against his hard form, keeping her attention solely on him.
"Look at yourself, Tifa Lockhart," he whispered and palmed the weight of her chest gently. "Look at your breathing turn to pants and your skin become hyper aware at my touch."
His right hand slid back and began unzipping her dress. "Where do you ache, love?" The dress fell open, his hand against her heart the only thing keeping it up. "Here?"
He stroked across her chest, pulling on her earlobe with his teeth as he did. A choked mewl was all she could manage as his other hand pressed almost at the junction of her thighs. "Here?" he asked, rubbing the heel of his palm against her, so close to where she really needed him.
Eyes falling shut with a moaning answer, she missed the moment he shifted, but did feel the dress pool at her feet. Left in only her bra and panties, she suddenly realized what he'd see. Wildly self-conscious, she shied back into him and tried to turn away. Genesis was quite a bit larger than she was, however, and wouldn't let her.
"Tifa," his serious voice stopped her struggles. "Do you trust me?"
Only a moment's hesitation preceded her nod. Twining their fingers, he traced the scars Masamune had given her and a few of the larger ones Hojo had. Nothing in his manner was repulsed or pitying. Still, she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. He'd never seen the whole picture, before.
"I adore your personality," he told her, "and I worship your body. How astounding your spirit is to have survived this. Give me your hurt; let me take away the shame you feel when you see these."
Tears spilled onto her cheeks as she watched him run their fingers over the past. "Can you? I don't know that that's possible," she said in a voice as vulnerable as he'd ever heard.
His smile filled her battered heart until nothing of the emptiness remained. "I can, if you let me. I would do all manner of impossible things for you, love. You have but to ask."
Choking a laugh, Tifa squeezed his hands, knowing that-from him-that was not an empty promise. If she asked him for something, he would move Heaven and Gaia to give it to her. It wouldn't occur to him to do otherwise.
Finally facing him, she tucked her head under his chin and let the peace he always gave her surround her.
"Okay."
For a long moment, he simply held her, allowing her time to enjoy the novel feeling of their nearly bare skin pressed together. When he finally brought his mouth to hers, the kiss was comforting and reverent. She didn't realize they'd reached the bed until they were falling onto it. They landed with her straddling him, his wing stretching out behind him. Tifa gasped and sat up, staring at the mesmerizing picture he made and the delightful way his muscles moved and flexed as he touched her. Noting her staring, he traced the top edges of her bra and arched a brow in question.
"I could spend the rest of my life watching you," she blushed.
His breath caught in his throat as his eyes flew to hers. Seeing the unsure look there, she half giggled and ran her fingers through his hair. "Really, Gen. You're sex personified."
Chuckling, he reached behind her and unclasped her bra entirely too smoothly to negate her statement. He then whisked it away and leaned up to nip her collarbone in one fluid move. One hand pressed the small of her back while the other drifted to hold her breast, causing her to inhale sharply.
"What color are your nipples, my heart?" he asked her, torturing her throat while a sword calloused thumb circled her areola. "They're hardening into stiff peaks under my hands." He pinched one gently and moved his mouth to her ear. "I'm going to suck them into tight, puckered pebbles of want, my dear."
"Gen," she panted as she shifted against him restlessly with his words. She could feel herself leaking through her panties as he drove her to distraction with his wicked words and even worse mouth.
Fingers tracing the ridges of her spine to her neck, he encouraged her to lean back. The sensations washed her into a hazy state of delirium that exploded when he flicked her left nipple into his mouth and suckled. Crying out, she felt her hands fly to his head as he carefully scraped his teeth over that so-sensitive peak and then moved to the other side.
"They're brown," he whispered happily, answering his own question, "with freckles." His tongue paid special attention to the few freckles that spotted her breasts, seemingly enthralled with them.
When he plucked at her nipples with his teeth and fingers, she shuddered as every nerve ending leapt to life. Needing to feel his lips on hers again, she urged his chin up. Obliging her, he raised his head and kissed her as though she had the last breath of air on Gaia. The wet peaks of her breasts rubbed tantalizingly against his chest making her needy with desire.
"You're magnificent, my heart," he sighed when her knees tightened against his hips. "How fond are you of these panties?"
She could only whimper as he'd returned to stroking her breasts, making her hands curl into his shoulders.
Taking that as answer, he grasped the material and cast Escape on it. Tifa spared a brief thought to where the pair went, but that dissipated when Genesis laid her back and hovered over her body. The most sensuously wicked smirk graced his full lips.
"Oh, Tifa, I'm going to make you crave me until you feel the desire will consume you. Every whisper, every sigh, every touch and kiss will shatter you and leave you aching for me. When we reach that peak, you'll come apart with me so completely; the Goddess herself couldn't separate us."
"Please," she moaned as his touch had her legs falling open instinctively. She felt like her body was singing with want for this man.
Palms against her sides dragged until they cupped her backside. When he lifted slightly, her eyes jerked to his in confusion. He kissed the inside of her thigh, and the caress made her core clench achingly on empty air.
"You're so wet already, love; you're dripping onto the bed." He shot her a smoldering look. "Let us see just how wet I can make you."
Her head flew back as her eyes slammed shut when he unceremoniously pressed his tongue firmly to her clit and then sucked on it. A scream ripped from her throat as her hands grabbed her hair. Never had she felt anything so exquisite, so mind-numbingly wonderful. Her body was on fire for him as he circled her most sensitive part and flicked it with his tongue.
"Can you handle more, my dear?" he drawled, almost lazily against her nether lips as one hand's fingers began to stroke the pink skin. "Have you touched yourself here? Have you slid your small fingers inside and pumped them until your release overcame you?"
Barely able to think, she gathered her scattered wits long enough to register his questions. "No," she sobbed, finally forcing her eyes open to take in the arousing sight of Genesis watching her from between her legs. His blue eyes branded her, making sure she would never forget the way he looked there, the way he made her feel.
"No to which question? Be specific, my heart," he instructed just as his tongue pressed into the opening of her core.
Convulsing off the bed, she shook her head wildly. "No, no, I've never touched myself," she nearly shouted while he stroked his tongue in as far as it would go.
A pleased glint entered his eyes and-not dropping her gaze-he popped two fingers into his mouth. When he removed them, he smiled before oh-so-slowly pushing one into her. The unfamiliar touch inside her drove her to the brink of insanity. Muscles clenching, Tifa's tangled hands clenched in her hair as he fondled places in that tight canal that brought tears of overwhelming pleasure to her eyes.
"Oh, Ifrit," she gritted out as her lover nuzzled her thigh and began tonguing her clit again. "Please, Gen!"
She was begging him for something she couldn't name, yearning for something only he could give her. As he continued to lave that hooded pearl while filling her so wonderfully, she didn't care that she'd lost control, as long as he kept doing that. She was a writhing, mindless heap of pleasure.
"My heart, your breasts are woefully neglected," he pointed out between licks. "As I am occupied at the moment, show me what you like. Touch them for me."
Forcing her hands to release their grip, she shyly brought them fluttering to her ample bosom. Unsure about touching herself while he was watching, what she wanted if she did so, she haltingly began to massage them. She nearly passed out when her pleasure doubled. Were her breasts always this sensitive?
The finger inside her made several circles, pressing against her inner muscles firmly. A second one carefully joined it, stretching the natural hole in her hymen.
With a moan, she rocked her hips against him as his tongue lapped in time with his strokes. Just when she thought she might die from the stimulation, she screamed and fell into oblivion, led by his touch. Her body shook with the force of her release, but she was distantly aware of Genesis petting her and peppering her skin with slow, wet kisses. It was a struggle to open her eyes as she basked in the absolute euphoria, but she managed and stared at him in astonishment.
Pleased with whatever he saw in her eyes, he smiled her special, adoring smile and rubbed noses with her. "Beautiful."
A shy smile answered as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He hesitated when she moved to kiss him.
"You'll taste yourself," he warned, not wanting her to be put off by that.
"I don't care."
So, he sank against her, the feathers of his wing tickling her side.
"Do I thank you?" she asked impishly, against his lips.
Laughing, he rolled to lie on his back, causing Tifa to notice the tent in his boxers. "My heart, seeing you come undone was my joy. I've never been more enthralled."
Biting her lip, she reached out and ran a finger under the band of his underwear. Immediately, his eyes flew to hers.
"Will you show me what you like?"
A dark and seductive emotion bloomed in his eyes as he studied her. Still seeing his hesitance to take her up on her offer, she ran her finger over the tip of his bulge.
"Please? I want to," she insisted firmly, knowing he held back out of concern for her.
Relenting, he shuffled to pull off his boxers. Tifa's eyes widened when he was naked before her for the first time. She'd never given too much thought to the actual mechanics of sex-past kissing and rubbing against each other-and she swallowed hard when she met his gaze.
"Are-are you sure it'll fit?" she asked.
Red brows rising, he reached a hand out to cup her core where she was kneeling and flicked a finger up into her, making her eyes roll back into her head as she shuddered. Nodding, he pulled his hand back to suck her juices off his digit. "You flatter me, love, but yes, you'll stretch to accommodate me."
Aroused beyond belief at his actions and the sight of him sprawled on the bed like a fallen angel offering, Tifa found the nerve to tentatively touch his prominent erection. He inhaled sharply and covered her hand with his own, guiding her.
"The tip is the most sensitive," he explained hoarsely before moving her palm to his testicles. "These are erogenous spots as well." Giving her a wink, he released her hand. "You won't break me, just don't use your nails."
Curious, Tifa nudged his legs apart and moved between them. Red curls grew around his groin, slightly darker than the hair on the rest of his body. Cupping his balls with one hand, she stroked his shaft with the other. She was rewarded with a harsh grunt and his abdomen clenching. Figuring she was doing something right, she tightened her hand on his shaft and set an even rhythm stroking. Glancing up, she found him fisting the sheets and watching her with hooded, predatory eyes.
"Is that okay?" she asked to fill the weighty silence. That look was dangerous and exciting and hers. The knowledge was heady.
His answer was rough and in Banoran, but her attention was brought down when she felt something wet. Small, milky white drops were leaking from the tip of him. Rubbing her thumb over the sticky substance, she heard him hiss. Wondering if she could make him feel like he'd made her, she leaned forward and licked him.
His wing flared in a sudden jerk as his eyes clamped closed. "Tifa!" he softly cried as she took him in her mouth, encouraged by his responses.
He tasted salty, she noted, and slightly sweet. She didn't really know what she was doing, but instinct had her sucking and using her hand to pump the base of him where he wouldn't fit into her mouth. That made him groan and lapse into Banoran as his hands shot to her head. Understanding some of the things he was telling her, she felt a blush heat her cheeks. His hands were a pleasant weight on her head, but he didn't push, seemingly just wanting contact. Her hair fanned across his thighs, creating a sensual compliment to what she was doing at their juncture.
When an idea struck her, and she shifted to take one of his tight balls in her mouth, a growl ripped from his chest. One of her hands continued to stroke his penis, adding a little twist on the down stroke. Seeing his face transformed in pleasure, she felt herself grow wet for him again.
His eyes opened and fairly glowed with his magic as his jaw clenched and then released to roughly whisper adoring, encouraging words to her. His brow furrowed as if in pain, but he didn't take his eyes from her.
His voice was laced with desire and magic when he told her, "I'm nearing the edge, love."
Running her tongue up the length of him, she took as much of him into her mouth as she could and sucked hard.
Gasping, he released hot strands of his essence into her mouth, coating her throat and leaving her no choice but to swallow. After a moment, he pulled her up and into a kiss that tasted of his wild magic. He couldn't get her close enough; his hands were everywhere, alternating between cold and hot as he made love to her mouth. The effect was arousal almost to the point of pain.
"You're lightning in my blood, my heart. I want you to crave my touch with a passion unrivaled by anything Gaia can produce."
"Genesis," she breathed raggedly, feeling his softened member lengthen and harden once more.
He smirked and gently bit the place where her neck joined her shoulder, causing her to buck against him. "Our enhancements are useful in times such as these."
How could he think, much less form sentences, with him rubbing maddeningly at her entrance? Head falling to his shoulder, she felt tears fill her eyes.
"Please, Gen, I can't take it!"
Relenting, he dropped back onto the bed and lifted her until their cores were just brushing. Tifa braced herself on his chest with her hands and used her knees to support her own weight.
Genesis pushed back her hair and held her face. "In your time, love; I stretched you, but it may still hurt."
His blue eyes were still lit from within, but he would wait for her. He would always wait for her.
That thought had determination hardening her eyes and in one swift motion, she dropped down on him.
"Fuck!" he growled, his eyes clenching while he reigned in every shred of self control he possessed to keep from spilling into her tight haven.
So startled was she at his never-before-heard curse, she almost didn't feel the raw, aching tear inside her. His wing jerked again and wrapped around her, creating a tantalizing counterpoint to his hardness inside her. The ache faded a bit, letting her open her eyes in wonder at the completeness she felt. Staring into the eyes of her lover, she found his face awash with adoring need.
"Mo Chroí," he whispered, brushing the tears from her face, "tha gaol agam ort."
Closing her eyes, she cupped his hand and turned to rub her cheek against his palm; unable to breathe with the amount of emotion those words brought her. "Tha gaol agam ort-fhèin," she replied with her heart in her voice. And, because she wanted to tell him in her native tongue, "I love you, too."
She didn't think he could radiate any more joy, but the way he looked when she finally, finally told him verbally that his feelings were returned-well, she'd remember this moment forever. It was burned into her memory. He transcended happiness and looked every inch the angel he claimed not to be.
Once more sitting, he groaned as she slid against him. Tifa's eyes fluttered as her breath hitched. He levered her up slowly before slipping back in at a tortuous pace.
"Gen," she moaned, scratching his shoulders and clenching her inner walls.
He growled and nipped at her lips before kissing her deeply. Tongues twining and dancing between their mouths, they moved with deliciously friction inducing, mania stirring slowness.
"You are gorgeous, my heart, and so tight. I can feel you gripping my shaft, pulling me deeper into your hot, wet core."
Unexpectedly, he bowed her back and caught her right nipple in his teeth, making her scream. With a flick of his tongue, he slid into her again and reduced her to a sobbing, begging mess. She felt stretched to capacity and consumed with a paralyzing need. Her world had narrowed to one point, shrinking all she knew to the agonizingly slow glide of him inside her and his mouth heightening the madness.
"Please…I can't," she cried, pulling him up.
He smiled and kissed her, laying her back to rise over her pleading body. His next thrust had her screaming his name into his mouth. Nails scraping his back, she brought up her legs to clutch his waist. He needed to be closer, always closer, and she took to licking and biting at his neck to relay that feeling.
"Goddess," he rasped and she wondered if he was naming her, or praying. "Tá tú iontach álainn."
Incoherent babble escaped her when he twisted his hips just so and hit a spot that had her seeing stars.
"There?" he teased breathlessly and did it again.
She mewled, "Ifrit, yes," and rose up to meet his thrusts with her own, chanting his name like a mantra.
Pleasure was all she knew and when he slid one hand between them to rub her over sensitized clit, she hit flashpoint. Every muscle seized around him as wave after wave of ecstasy drenched her-pulling her under. Vaguely, she felt Genesis push inside her once more and hot liquid carry her higher on the sensations. She was floating with jubilation filling her, more peaceful than she could ever remember being.
When reality returned to her, she found Genesis had buried his face in her neck and was tenderly placing kisses there as he stroked her side. At her stirring, he raised up to meet her eyes. His eyes were glowing and his hair was floating, every fiber of his being radiating power. Mesmerized, Tifa touched the corners of his eyes and then his brows.
"You are extraordinary," she breathed. "I can't imagine my life without you, Genesis."
Joyful amusement splashed across his face. "I believe that is what I am supposed to say." Sliding out of her, he gathered her still trembling body to his chest. "My Tifa, my heart is in you."
She smiled and ran her fingers through his feathers as his wing cradled her. "Is that what you were saying in the buggy?"
"Tá mo chroí istigh ionat?" he asked. "Yes. Sleep now, love."
Eyes drowsy, she smiled. "We need a shower."
He laughed and nuzzled her neck. "I'll wake you for one in a little while."
Contented, she snuggled into him as much as she could, savoring the feel of his strength and protection. He was solid and unyielding in his absolute devotion and she returned that tenfold. She just hoped he realized that. When his lips met hers once more in an infinitely tender kiss, he told her that and more.
Genesis lay in bed some time later, Tifa curled happily around him. Only one candle remained from the ones he'd lit when they'd returned to their room, but he didn't need the light to see. He didn't need to see at all at the moment, but was enjoying watching his lover sleep in the most peaceful manner he could remember. Stroking her dark hair, he smiled to himself as she muttered something that could have been his name.
His lover.
He'd made love to Tifa Lockhart-satisfaction gleamed in his eyes-multiple times. She was as glorious in that as she was every other aspect of her life. The taste of her raw passion and wild honey he'd sampled from her Restore was nothing compared to the explosion she'd been leashing. Goddess, she pulled his Magic to the surface-so, so tempted to bind her to him forever. It wasn't time, yet. They still had much to do before they could turn their minds to selfish pursuits.
Something primal and wholly male, however, sharpened his smile when he thought back on the instant she'd given him her virginity. He was her first and that satisfied a petty, childish part of him that balked at the shadow of Zack Fair.
Her relationship with the other SOLDIER didn't make him jealous, per say, but he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't rather have her all to himself. He knew she needed Zack right now and he was content with that for the moment. Zack deserved happiness, too, after everything and Genesis considered him his best friend. He'd never intentionally hurt him, or sabotage his and Tifa's relationship, but he wasn't above making a point to imprint his touch on every part of her. He wasn't above keeping her attention on himself. She was happy at the moment, and allowing him more and more ground in her heart. He was a patient man, he would wait for her.
Snorting, he shook his head. He was sounding like it was a competition when that wasn't really the case. He adored Tifa, loved her with a passion unrivaled by anything he'd ever known. That night, he'd poured every ounce of his feelings into each touch and caress against her pale skin. When she looked at him with that shining gaze of pure devotion, he felt the stain of his past lessen. He felt like he could be a better man, if only to earn her esteem.
This night was solely theirs and his scarred, mangled heart felt clean and hopeful. She'd given him a precious gift that he'd cherish until his dying day.
"Gen?" she whispered sleepily, fingers flexing across his chest.
"Sh, I'm here, love," he replied softly, curling his arm around her shoulder and brushing her hair away from her face with the other. "I'll not leave you."
"Promise?"
Seeing her eyes blinking to meet his, he studied her face. She was sleep tousled and adorable, but determined to have an answer.
"My heart, I would burn Gaia itself to stay by your side."
Dropping her head to lay over his heart, she hummed and wrapped her arm around him. "I know," she whispered, certainty filling her voice as it never had before when this matter had been brought up between them. Perhaps she had finally understood what he'd been telling her since the moment she'd saved him.
"Genesis?"
"Yes?"
"If that didn't work, I'd destroy the Promised Land to come back to you."
Emotion clogged his throat as he recognized the steely resolve lacing her words. Tightening his hold on her, he kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes to commit this moment to memory and get himself under control. Knowing, finally, just how much she really felt for him overwhelmed the Mage with almost incoherent giddiness.
"Mo chuid den tsaol," he told her hoarsely.
Her nose wrinkled as she groggily tried to translate the words. "You are my everything?"
"Yes." He kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her nose and cheeks. "You are everything to me, Tifa Lockhart. And I shall spend the rest of my life showing you."
Waking more with his kisses and impassioned words, she met his lips and pulled him over her once more.
Zack returned to the room in the wee hours of the morning. The sun hadn't even risen yet, making him crack a massive yawn when he realized. Rubbing his eyes, he tiredly opened the door, only to be hit with the distinct smell of sex. Coughing, he felt his eyes widen when he caught sight of Tifa curled up on the bed in nothing more than a sheet. Curiosity batted down his weariness as he shut the door and saw Genesis coming out of the bathroom. The boxer clad Mage arched a brow at the teasing look on his friend's face.
"So, your night was much better than mine," he prodded, wagging his brows.
Genesis smiled and shrugged. "I would wager that, yes. What did Nanaki want?"
Flopping onto the sofa, he began tugging at his laces to get his boots off. "Turns out, he's grown up thinking his old man was a coward when the battle with the Gi tribe happened. Bugenhagen led him through a cave and showed him what really happened. His dad got turned to stone defending the Canyon single-handedly against an onslaught."
"That had to have been a shock. Why did he need you to accompany them?"
"The cave was filled with some nasty leftovers from the attack. He loaned me a sword and I got them there in one piece." He unbuckled his armor and eyed the other man. "I can bunk somewhere else tonight," he offered.
Genesis' face was amused as he shook his head. "You'd worry Tifa, and you know it."
Zack rolled his eyes and changed into his sleep clothes as he told his friend a bit about what happened. When Genesis turned to rejoin Tifa, he got a glimpse of his back.
"Whoa, man," he said with amusement, eyeing the mass of scratches along the other man's shoulders and sides. "Damn," he whistled, impressed.
Tossing a look over his shoulder, Genesis winced. "Ah, I'd forgotten about those."
With a vague motion and a flash of green light, the wounds were gone. Zack chose not to comment on the evidence of Tifa's passion. He did level a look at Genesis, however, before he climbed in beside Tifa.
"You made it good for her, right?" he asked seriously. "I don't want to know the details, but Tif deserves to have her first time be filled with all those niceties girls like. She's had too much jacked up in her life already."
The Mage's face was reassuring as he nodded. "Of course, Zack. Now, let us vow to never discuss this again. I find myself distinctly uncomfortable speaking of Tifa's deflowering with her other boyfriend."
Chuckling, Zack heartily agreed. As he lay beside Tifa and listened to Genesis' breath even out in sleep, the Buster Sword wielder pondered this new development. Some part of him was disappointed that he hadn't been Tifa's first, but a larger part of him was relieved. He wasn't sure he could have been as gentle as she needed and that scared him. There were dark parts of his mind that sometimes surfaced when he was kissing her. Not violent, but controlling. To be that open and vulnerable with another person-especially Tifa, who meant so much to him-made him nervous after Nibelheim. It wasn't the sex; it was the fear that she would see the damaged places inside him and balk.
Sighing, he pushed those thoughts away. Little by little, they were all healing and that gave him hope that one day-one day he'd be less broken pieces. One day, they'd be whole again. Maybe then he could let himself go with her.
Glancing to her slumbering form, he smiled.
AN: Oookaaay, hope this is sufficient. Many thanks to Ami, Sassay, and Toya Kei and all the others who continue to review EVERY. SINGLE. CHAPTER! You are my drive. I'm tweaking a few things, so there may not be an update for a few days. Maybe this will tide you over.
