Celebration
Sephiroth was walking very fast through the corridors, everyone getting quickly out of his way. It was a rare sight, indeed. General Sephiroth looked truly worried, a stack of papers bundled under his right arm, the Masamume strapped at his back and his PHS in his hand. He was going straight to his quarters and when he reached the door, he hurriedly punched the code and stepped in, only to toss all his stuff on the nearby coffee table. A note was there and, after reading it, he bolted for the couch. His long trenchcoat slapped behind him when he turned the corner to get into the living room.
- Are you alright?
Cloud lifted the ice bag from his forehead and shook his head feebly.
- I heard you collapsed at your post… Who brought you here? Zack?
- …Gary…, the blond whispered with effort, Didn't make it, threw up on the floor…
Sephiroth winced, hushing his lover by placing a finger over his lips. He tried to soothe him a little, scratching lightly the back of his neck.
- You are really hurting bad… I saw the note on the table, you should already be sleeping by now… Let me take care of this.
Sephiroth watched worriedly those blue eyes drift close and he took his mate in his arms. For sure the frequency and intensity of his migraines had reduced a lot since the last two weeks, but it always worried Sephiroth because Cloud seemed to suffer a lot. He lay him very gently on the bed, caressing delicately those pale hands. Rest my little angel, I'll be there when you awake. He sat down next to him and watched his angel sleep.
********
Swords clashed, sparks exploded from the two blades. The noise had gathered quite a crowd around them. With the SOLDIERS battle exams coming up in only one week, every battle in the gyms was closely watched. Today it was the 1st Class SOLDIER Zackary Hoecken that was training with a young S-class trooper, Cloud Strife. The two were practicing since an hour, now, and both seemed exhausted. Finally, a sword flew off in the air, the blond smiled when Zack simply stood there, eyes wide in disbelieving… he had lost.
- It's not finished! He suddenly roared.
The Commander lunged toward Cloud's legs with success. The blond fell backward, his rapier flying out of reach.
- Hehehe!!! Got you! But, I'll be damned, you improved!
- S-sir! I think you knocked him off!!!
- ………'m okay, just dizzy……, Cloud slurred
- Did your head hit the floor?, asked Zack worriedly, Oh, I'm sorry 'bout that. Do you think you can walk?
- Yeah…
- I'm very disappointed in you, Zackary, said another very familiar voice, You used to be better than that…
The General made his way through the crowd. The troopers quickly dispersed and returned to their posts as he ordered the two fighter to come at his office in 20 minutes. After a quick shower, the two were standing before their superior. Sephiroth smiled.
- Cloud, I had you schedule cleared for today and tomorrow. I noticed you are too stressed, you need to relax. We are going to go out tonight. Until then, please, relax, okay? Dismissed.
Cloud saluted and got out quietly, doing as he was told. Meanwhile, in his office, Sephiroth had explained his plan for the evening to Zack, and the dark-haired man was grinning from ear to ear.
- Sounds good. But why do you tell me all this?
- Because, Zack, I want to ask you if you wanna be our driver for the night?
- Yeah, Aerith and I decided to meet tomorrow night, so I am free tonight. I'll be glad to be your bodyguard for the night, sir!
- Good, now go prepare the car, please.
- And buy all the stuff you asked me for?
- Mm-Mm. Only the top quality, remember.
- Yes, sir!
********
When Sephiroth was done with all his paperwork, he returned home with a small package under his arm. Zack had done a good work and bought only the best material. He entered his quarters with a large smile, thinking at the very good evening that he had planned.
- Cloud?
When he got no answer, he walked up to the couch, where he knew he would find his mate fast asleep. He was doing that pretty often when he came back from duty. Sephiroth would start preparing the meal and then realise that Cloud was sleeping, a book resting on his stomach. The General did as usual; he pulled the blond in his lap and kissed gently his forehead.
- Hey, wake up… We have to be at the restaurant for 8:00…
- Mmm? Restaurant? Wha?
- Yes, I decided to go out tonight, with you of course. Let's go take a shower and… I have something for you…
Cloud protested when Sephiroth showed him the suits that Zack had bought to his demand.
- B-But…!!!!, he stuttered, Why did you spent so much money for an evening? Just by seeing that suit, I guess you're taking me to the best restaurant in Midgar…
- Cloud…, the silver-haired man replied softly, The last weeks were hell for both of us. That failed mission, your coma without counting what happened to me…
Sephiroth leaned closer, brushing his lips lightly on his love's lips.
- I realised some days ago, by reviewing your file, that today we are celebrating our first year together. Happy anniversary, Cloud.
- ………Thank you, Sephiroth…
Cloud pulled his mate closer to give him a deep kiss, his hands buried into the smooth silver hair. Sephiroth returned the kiss, falling under the sweetness of the caress. The blond knew his weakness, and used it to his advantage every time he could. They both walked to the bathroom, an arm wrapped around each other's waist. Something like an hour later, Zack came to get them. Cloud's jaw almost hit the floor when he saw his friend, neatly dressed in a black suit, his hair loosely tied, wearing a driver's cap and dark shades. Sephiroth patted his back and they followed Zack to the limousine. The ride was very smooth, to the General's demand, and Cloud felt relatively well. Hidden between Sephiroth's arms, listening to his soft heartbeats, he only looked up when the car stopped.
- 'The Jade Dragon'…! You really took me to them most expensive place in all Midgar!
- Here you are, sirs, said Zack, opening the door, Just call me when you'll be ready to come back. Have a nice evening, sirs.
Cloud nodded and followed Sephiroth into the hall. A tall Wutaian man greeted them, bowing in front of the General before leading them to a private booth. They got out of their shoes and sat down on the soft cushions. The door slid and they were alone again… The diner was wonderful, tasty and sweet. Cloud was delighted, his Mokai fish had been a delicious choice, and Sephiroth himself, that had let his mate choose for him, had to admit that he had taste. The next hours passed lazily, and when they got out of the restaurant, Zack was waiting to take them to the cinema for a late representation of a classic, 'The Wutaian Rose', the story of the Wutaian civil war between the Juginoko shogun and the people of Roukhara clan. And, of course, it was also displaying a tearing love story between the Roukhara leader's daughter and his best Samourai, who dies of a poisonous wound in her arms. At the end of the projection, they returned to the Shinra tower, entering their quarters alone. But Zack came back only minutes after, bringing a fine bottle of champagne. Sephiroth thanked him and the dark-haired man was gone, leaving the two lovers alone in the dark apartment. The General poured the golden liquid into two flute glasses, handing one to Cloud.
- Thank you, Sephiroth… This has been a wonderful evening.
- Has been? But it's only beginning… Cloud… I have a very special gift to give you tonight.
- But Sephiroth, Cloud said sadly, You know I don't have anything to give you…
- Shhh… Let your heart ring with mine once more, love…
Both flutes were suddenly forgotten on the coffee table, Sephiroth took hold of Cloud's hands tenderly, gently rubbing them with his thumbs. The silver haired man bent down slowly, letting his head fall on his lover's shoulder, absorbing the quietness of the moment. He could feel his heart beating in unison with the blond's and suddenly passed both arms around him, bringing him closer, breathing in the scent he loved so much, for the first time in his life, he realised that he had something steady on which he could rely on: Cloud. His gift had so much meaning and was so important; he hoped he would not be rejected. But he knew his love was waiting for this, so… Taking a deep breath, Sephiroth rubbed his cheek against Cloud's neck.
- One year ago, he whispered, you came into my life. Showed me that life was meaning much more than what I have seen of it. For that I owe you so much… You put your trust into me, without any fear, when I, myself was afraid of what was happening to me. It's my turn, now. I love you with all my heart, Cloud. If anything was to happen to you, I think I'd die from it. Only you can make me feel alive. I /want/ to feel alive… again, I want to feel you, Cloud…
Cloud backed away a little, never breaking the contact and he smiled.
- You mean… You're offering me your virginity? Are you sure?
- As sure as you when you offered yourself to me one year ago… Cloud, I need you.
The blond smiled warmly and claimed his angel's lips for a deep kiss. The response was immediate and Sephiroth melted, his head falling back as Cloud slipped his tongue in, purring. His mate immediately passed an arm behind his back to support him.
- Let's go to bed, love, he murmured huskily, I swear I will take you up high into the swirls of ecstasy…
With that he pulled Sephiroth up and they both walked into the bedroom, where the silver haired man just let Cloud lay him down on the mattress. Immediately he was being showered with butterfly kisses all over his neck and down his now open shirt. The blond was already at work with his nipples, rolling them until they were hard as pebbles. Coat and shirt fell lifelessly on the floor, now Sephiroth could feel that the fire had started to lick his way down to his loins. The sweet torture stopped for a moment he took to get his breath back. When he opened his dark green eyes, he saw that his mate was totally nude, but soon enough he resumed his kissing and groping to finally get rid of all the annoying layers of clothes covering the General's body.
- God you're beautiful…, he heard Cloud whisper
Sephiroth felt a delicate hand trace the contour of his hip, sending shivers up his spine and then a warm body was suddenly snuggling on his chest. Desire was driving all of Cloud's moves, from the little thrust of his hips to the sweet suckling he was doing to his silver haired lover's weak spot. Those hot lips kept moving down on his chest… then something made him arch fiercely. Cloud had took hold of his aching erection, stroking it gently, making Sephiroth moan in pure bliss. But as suddenly as it came, the hands retreated, immediately replaced by something warmer.
- Aaaaaaaah!!!! Yessssssss!
Fire raced through his body at full speed as Cloud suckled, lightly at first, then harder. He knew by the way Sephiroth had buried his hands into his hair that his lover was far gone, the sensation simply too much for him to bear, he was so close to climax… The blond let his hand wander and he started to massage the sensitive skin below the proud member, causing his mate to simply cry out his name passionately. Teasingly, Cloud stopped his ministrations, licking off the trail of precum greedily. Sephiroth was breathing with great heaves of air, trying to find release at last, but finding none, he moaned pitifully, feeling the cold breeze replace the burning warmth that had previously coursed through his body. However, he didn't have to wait very long for the fire to return, because his lover returned and began to caress the small path leading to his entrance with a finger slick with lubricant. Sephiroth tensed, the sensation was new to him, and he needed some time to adjust.
- Are you okay, love? Did I hurt you?
- Ngh… No, n-not really, I'm just… unused to it, that's a…
Sephiroth stopped deadpan when he felt Cloud's finger brush against a certain spot inside of him and he gasped./That/ didn't hurt at all, in fact, he wanted more. Suddenly, that lonely finger seemed unfulfilling. He bucked his hips, trying to get it deeper in his body. Cloud caught the hint and added another finger, then a third. The silver-haired man's eyelids fluttered close, the massage of his inner walls taking his toll, he started an all-out mewling, that turned into a deep moaning when Cloud shut their mouths together. The minutes that passed were pure torture for both of them, both unable to reach the sacred promise of orgasm. Then, Cloud could take no more; seeing his mate so close to climax was arousing him in a way that he never had dreamed it was possible. Never breaking their kiss, he let his fingers slip out and spread a fair amount of lubricant on his aching shaft.
- It might hurt, love. If so, just tell me, and I'll stop, 'k?
Sephiroth looked up with eyes glazed by passion and nodded lazily. Everything was swirling around him, the only thing he could be sure was that Cloud was making him feel wonderful. Spreading his legs a little more, he prepared himself for what was to come now. It wasn't very long and his lover's proud member nudged at his entrance, slowly penetrating him… The silver haired General clutched the sheets, breathing heavily. Cloud felt amazingly good… a hand gently brushed his heated cheek and Sephiroth opened his eyes, realizing that he had unconsciously closed them. He just heard a soft 'I love you' from his mate before the world exploded. Their bodies were moving together in a slow back and forth motion, both on the verge of touching the sky. They were one again, an undistinguishable mess of limbs glued and drawn by each other… The room was suddenly filled with low moans, the bed creaking at each thrust of Cloud's hips and Sephiroth was nearly screaming whenever his lover hit his prostate, always pushing him a little farther toward the edge…
- Oh God Cloud!!!, he panted, Harder! Harder!
- Ah! Ah! Sephy… Nnngh! Can't… hold back… anymore!!!
- Don't!
And Cloud did as he was told. He bucked his hips harder, burying himself deeper and deeper into his lover's body, aiming for his sweet spot. Suddenly, his rhythm was broken when two trembling arms pulled him forward and Sephiroth kissed him fiercely, unleashing long streaks of white creamy fluid on his stomach. The blond moaned loudly into the kiss, his whole body quivering under the force of his climax. He slumped on Sephiroth, exhausted, his spent organ slipping out of his equally exhausted lover. Before falling into oblivion, Sephiroth gathered the strength to bring a sheet over them both and kissed lightly Cloud's forehead.
********
Two days later
Cloud was pacing the room quietly, snuggled into his lover's robe, clutching firmly his glass of milk. The night was pitch black tonight, no stars were up. The blond sighed. He wasn't able to sleep tonight. He was too nervous. Tomorrow were held the first SOLDIER battle tests, and he would have to get through the first wave if he ever wanted to become a SOLDIER… Sephiroth had repeated him at least one hundred time that those first battles would be easy for him, and that he should concentrate on something else, that he should prepare himself for his First class SOLDIER opponent… But Cloud was a nerve ball tonight. Nothing could calm him down. He drank the last portion of milk that was in his glass and slumped down on the couch, just for a moment, he thought, I don't want to fail… I don't want to return home like that, I won't have a second chance, if I fail… With that trail of thoughts, he fell asleep.
*******
The sound of children laughing, it chilled his heart. He had tried to, he had tried to! Mister Lockheart was very angry at him, even if he told him he had wanted to stop her…
- Why did I let my sweet little girl hang around a bastard like you!, he had said
And then, then he tried to get up, only to have his face shoved deeper in the mud, the other children squealing in delight to see that boy without a father being punished. And when it finally stopped, or so he had thought at first, those cruel kids had managed to get to him, beating him with sticks, kicking him as he was at his weakest…
- Arrogant little bastard! Hold that damn gun higher !
A slap, then a punch… it never stopped. Not until he was satisfied Hatako was barking order after order, and Cloud was really doing what he could to follow them… A harsh kick just above his hip made him flinch, and he collapsed on the floor, but only for a second because his instructor grabbed him by the collar to yell at his face.
- Get outta my face you weakling!
The word echoed in his mind… Weak… He wasn't strong enough…
- You won't make it… Mwhahahaha!!!
- No! Let him go!!! Don't touch him! Sephiroth!!!
But he was stopped and beaten again and suddenly the blows became bullets and he fell backward, fell into a bottomless pit of eternal darkness, and the maniacal voice laughed at him, laughed at his frailty…
- You failed him, again… Failure!
He hit the ground then…
*******
His eyes snapped open and he immediately felt restrained. He trashed, screamed and cried, trying to get away…
- Wake up, Cloud… You're dreaming, wake up! It's alright, I'm here…
Cloud was confused, he knew that voice very well, and he realized he wasn't dreaming anymore. He stopped fighting, but couldn't stop the tears from falling. Sephiroth held him close and rocked him slowly before cradling him in his arms to carry him back to bed. Cloud's glass had slipped from his hands and had shattered on the floor, and the noise had lured the General to the living room, where he found his mate trapped in a nightmare. Carefully, he sat down and embraced the young man.
- It's over… Shhh… Shhh… There, you're safe, sleep Cloud… You're too tense, relax…
After few minutes the blond stopped shaking, slumping lifelessly against him. Sephiroth leaned against the pillows. He shouldn't let go of him for the entire night.
End
Author's notes
I'm SORRYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Receive a lot of heavy things* I passed a long time on the road, for the Holidays, to see my family. It's not funny to stay far from home, you know. And I've had some really nasty health problems recently. I caught a cold but it turned out to be more serious. I still don't know what it was, it has a weird name… Anyway, they gave me antibiotics and some pills and I had to take one day off from the job because I felt like s***. But I decided, to thank you for your patience, you, all of my fans, to write a juicy lemon. I know fanfiction.net banished NC-17 rating, but personally I see an NC-17 rating is fit when there is no plot in the fic, just sex (like shower time) or unjustified violence. So don't worry about it. I hope you enjoyed. Next chapter: Touch your dream.