Cloud stared at the offered hand. He knew he shouldn't. He knew it. But this strange pull made his own hand move on it's own. Cloud watched as his hand grasped the other, and in seconds the grasp was tight.

Time had frozen. Although there wasn't any sense of time in the cosmos, in this vast wilderness of nothingness with the view of endless galaxies, Cloud felt everything went still. From his heartbeat to the movement of his hand that was held in a vice grip.

Some part of him felt regret. There was no turning back now. And yet a larger part of him was excited.

"I am surprised. I did not expect compliance. But this will suffice just as well." Sephiroth's voice was smooth as he spoke, and suddenly time flowed in motion again. It was almost disorienting.

Fear creeped up on him and he looked up. Cloud's heart stopped at the sight of the hunger in those eyes that haunted him at every turn. And while it was predatory combined with that smug smirk, for some reason Cloud felt a rush of desire.

He briefly wondered where this came from. But he wasn't given a moment to think when he was pulled closer and lips claimed his own. The amount of passion threw Cloud for a loop, which reduced his panic and confusion out the window.

One moment they were standing, the next Cloud was pressed against the ground. He was too distracted with the lip lock to give the change of gravity any attention. Cloud felt his defiance waver the longer the kiss lasted. He opened his eyes in hopes to fight him off. Those eyes were staring into his soul and any fight left in Cloud shattered in that moment.

Sensing that he was fully compliant, Sephiroth withdrew. Cloud clung onto him at the loss of the kiss. The blonde laid there gasping, the sounds loud in his ears. His face felt hot and his heart was ready to burst. And all of this amused Sephiroth, if that smirk was anything to go by.

"Why so angry?" Sephiroth chuckled at the glare. "Here I thought you were enjoying yourself."

At the inquiry Cloud couldn't think of an answer. It had slipped from under him like melting water. Another chuckle sounded, and Cloud focused once more on the man on top of him. A moment of clarity came through, and he questioned what exactly was he doing with his enemy.

"No, Cloud. We're merely the same sides of the same coin. We need each other for a purpose. Isn't that why you accepted my offer?" At the question Sephiroth tilted his head. Cloud felt his veins pulse with need and his body moved without his permission. He felt his own hips move against Sephiroth's in a desperate attempt of friction. He was rewarded with a few moans from above.

The sounds were so addictive to Cloud's ears that he held back his own moans as he thrusted himself against the throbbing hard on. He felt the length of it and even though he knew a part of him was terrified of testing out if it can fit inside him, but he was excited at the idea.

"As much as I wish to take all of you here and now, I am afraid to inform you that we don't have a lot of time left. But don't worry, I won't leave you without finishing you off." Sephiroth assured, hands feeling all over.

Those touches were so gentle. Visions of Sephiroth cutting him to ribbons came to mind. Cloud let out a pained groan as the panic of that memory took hold.

"Shhhh..." Sephiroth pressed their foreheads together.

He was filling Cloud with assurance and care. Since when did this madman care? A sliver of defiance sparked through the blonde swordsman. He felt more than heard the chuckle of amusement.

"Even now you resist after accepting me? Perhaps I should hold off taking you whole."

A new sense of panic filled Cloud. Damn it, why couldn't he make his mind? A whimper escaped from his throat, it was almost constricting. And suddenly the lust overtook his anxieties.

"No! Please! I... I need you..." Cloud cried out. He was fighting the need to release. He was so desperate. Even as he whimpered from the growing pain of holding back. Damn it all, Sephiroth started all of this, he might as well finish it!

"Keep begging like that sweet puppet, and I just might." His voice was strained, doing his best to remain in control.

Cloud almost came with how sexy that voice sounded. Even so he willed himself not to. Not yet. He aimed to have it his way. He stared into green eyes as he smiled slyly. Those emerald eyes burned with so much need that expression almost undid Cloud completely.

"Please... Sephiroth... Take me hard and fast. I can take it. I need you. Please!" The blonde swordsman had lost himself with lust. He didn't care that this will be his first time. He wanted Sephiroth.

This was different than his possible interest with Tifa. The curiosity was there between them. He might be a little dense, but even he noticed eventually. But whatever this was with Sephiroth of all people was overwhelming. It was like someone left the faucet on in a sink, overflowing. And Cloud can only guess on how to make it stop was to finish what they started.

"So stubborn... For once I admire this quality I once despised for so long."

Huh? His choice of words brought a moment of clarity. Cloud was confused. But his confusion didn't last when in a flash their clothes were gone. His eyes immediately took in the sight of Sephiroth's nakedness. He almost came from the sight alone.

In the back of his mind he wondered what exactly was wrong with him? This was his enemy. He had done so many unspeakable crimes that left bo room for forgiveness. But what if what Sephiroth said was true. They were the same coin, just different sides. This changed his whole outlook toward the dynamic between them. His thoughts were silenced as fingers entered him, stretching him in preparation.

Cloud moaned at the foreign touch. That same hand that stabbed him was being so gentle inside of him. It was a strange contrast. The blonde moved in desperation with his hips. He might be drunk on lust but he couldn't find himself to care. But those eyes told him that Sephiroth was being just as stubborn.

"Sephiroth..." Cloud gasped out, wrapping his arms and legs around the sculpted body above him.

And still he was resisting. While it was endearing that he was at least trying to be gentle, that's not what Cloud wanted. Not ehat he needed. It didn't help matters time wasn't exactly on their side, apparently. Then a memory came forward to Cloud. It just might be the edge he needed.

"Make me believe you're my everything."

The fingers paused. It didn't take long for his words to process. Sephiroth gave in and soon as he removed his hand he thrusted inside in a swift motion. Cloud let out a cry that was quickly swallowed by another hot kiss. Without pause Sephiroth set a fast and hard pace. Cloud wanted rough, so he was getting what he wanted.

When he found it difficult to breathe Cloud pulled away from the kiss. He turned his head, gasping with each delightful thrust that sent him higher and higher. It didn't matter to him that they were rough. His mako infused body can take it. He knew it. And damn it felt so good.

Lips moved to his neck, quickly giving him a hickey. Cloud was so close to sweet release by then. But he still clung onto the rough pleasure that he was drowning in. Knowing they were pressed for time Sephiroth wasn't going to allow him to remain in control of the situation anymore.

"Sephiroth!" Cloud cried out as teeth bit down hard on his neck. His body stilled as he came hard from being sent over the edge.

It didn't take much longer for Sephiroth to reach his peak. Cloud was already tight enough. The blonde heard his enemy/lover groan one final time before he felt a warmth fill him up inside.

And somehow Sephiroth was still hard.

"Soldier bodies can last longer." Sephiroth answered the silent question. "Yours will undoubtedly become the same once you're used to this."

"How long can you last?" Cloud wondered, amazed and slightly horrified. Even so he couldn't deny the smallest hint of excitement of the thoughts racing through him.

"Hmm. That is for you to find out later, my dear puppet. I am afraid we are almost out of time. You will return to your friends. And you will act like none of this happened."

Those words stung. Cloud almost flinched.

"But... Why can't I stay with you?" He frowned at the idea. So many raw emotions surged through him, he was close to crying.

Sensing the overload of emotions, Sephiroth kissed him again. This time he was gentle as he poured assurance through to Cloud. When the storm inside the blonde's head calmed down Sephiroth pulled away.

"In truth, I hadn't planned on what would happen if you took my offer. I have already set in motion everything for when you would reject me. Hate me if you wish, but understand that we have a deeper connection now. And nothing shall sever it this time."

This time? What did that mean?

"Do not fret, Cloud. I am not abandoning you. This is merely a temporary arrangement. We will be together again."

"When?" He shivered at the purr of his name. And he couldn't hide the eagerness even if he wanted to.

"Soon."

"That's not fair." Cloud pouted. That wasn't much of an answer. Sephiroth chuckled, this time it sounded like he was close to a laugh. It was the most beautiful sound to the blonde's ears.

"Cloud. It is time." Their foreheads pressed against each other, and suddenly Cloud was falling.

"Hello? Helloooooo! Cloud? Wakey wakey!"

"..."

"Shit, Sephiroth musta done a number on his head or somethin'."

"He's tougher than that."

"His heart rate is picking up. I believe our dear friend will wake up soon."

As if on cue Cloud jerked awake. He blinked as he processed the sight of his friends all around him. A part of him was glad to see them all. And yet a larger part of him was saddened that he wasn't with Sephiroth.

What was wrong with him? Cloud frowned at his conflicted thoughts and emotions. His chest felt a longing ache he never felt before. It was as if a large piece of him was missing. And that missing link had to be Sephiroth. Was this what he meant that their connection won't break this time around, whatever that meant?

"Hey, you okay?" Tifa asked, noticing his sour look.

"Yeah. I'm good." He knew she didn't buy his lie.

"What happened with Sephiroth?" Aerith redirected the conversation. His face must have given away the anger he felt. The two girls looked worried.

"He's still out there."

"Then we beat his ass again." Barrett stated. He made it sound that easy.

"But first, we need to put some distance between us and Midgar. Out of their reach the better." Red pointed out.

"Yeah. So you ready to get goin' blondie?"

"Yeah." Cloud nods. A hand was offered to him. He looked up to Tifa.

In his eyes, she wasn't Sephiroth. He shook his head and stood up on his own. Cloud knew she was hurt by it, but she didn't voice her opinion. He knew she wouldn't.

"Let's get going."