Another "R" worthy chapter! Sex galore! XD And is that opening scene a hot one! It's gonna be a smut chapter, mostly. The first 7 pages are basically sex. XD But overall, it does paint a pretty graphic picture, unlike the last chapter.

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::::: Shift in PoV

' ' Thoughts

" " Dialogue

-- Flashback

/ Suggested Soundtrack

( ) Disc – Track Number

/--/ No Music, Silence

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/--/

He was lost in the feel and life of her, but most of all in the rhythm. They had once again taken up their game from the hold, almost immediately it seemed, as it was something she appeared to favor. She had wanted to play and he couldn't deny her. There was something about just totally invading each other's mouths that she so enjoyed. And he had to admit, it was pretty damned addicting. He was aware of everything about the current situation, which was heightened by not only what he was doing, but by how he was holding her.

It was very similar to how they'd started on the floor, only this time, he had an arm underneath and around her shoulders. And the hand that had previously been gripping her hip was now furiously clutching the sheets from all the sensations around him; her mouth, the heat from her body, her breasts pressed against him, the heat from his body, her fingers digging into him, the feel of the beautifully repeated smooth gliding he was doing in and out of her…

There were so many things, but he loved them all. Yet he was only able to reflect this much during such an act because of his cursed stamina. He never came on the first few times, never. But while always a plus for his partners, it was something that drove him mad to no end, at times, such as now. So until his body finally reached its breaking point, he committed his mind and actions to the sole purpose of pleasing her as much as possible while he was still able to function lucidly. The current flesh being stabbed with her nails had rapidly increasing pressure upon it and he knew it would be soon. And as the pressure increased to its greatest, he stopped all movement and just held her, murmuring little noises into her ear as he let her ride it out, lightly kissing her cheek even after she was completely limp in his arms.

A sound issued from her throat and the vibrations rumbled against his throat as they were nestled together. Thinking she was going to say something, he shushed her, his own vibrations now traveling to hers, and she quieted, resting against him. He would give her a few moments before moving again. He'd been so close that time, he thought frustratedly, looking up at the ceiling before closing his eyes. This next time should do it. But before he began again, he took her resting period to look her over. She had really surprised him, with this, with everything. He… never thought she'd be this way, respond to him like she did. Hadn't back then either, but she'd surprised him as well, there, when he thought about it.

And he had thought about it, many times, in fact, even when they had traveled. He couldn't help it. He was male, after all. And even after they had fooled around, during one of those times when they'd been separated from the group, he'd still thought about it. That had been the start of all his troubles, but their first time had really been just the beginning. Because even after that, he'd thought about it too often, considering what was going on with Sephiroth and whatnot. But he could never stop it from happening, just the same. And now, as he looked at her, body and face shining with sweat in the dim bedchamber lights, he wished they could have done this since then, never being torn from her like that. Who knows what would have happened if that monster hadn't have taken her?

But her eyes had been closed all through his reflective mood and he didn't want her to fall asleep just yet. Planet, he knew she was exhausted, probably near dead. But he had to release this otherwise he would explode. So, looking at her glistening eyelids and cheekbones, he drew back and went forward, and again, and once more with his slow thrust until her sleepy eyes fluttered open and groggily found his, realization blossoming. He kept up his slow, strong, deep thrusts, only picking up speed as her arms wrapped around his neck and she started to reciprocate his movements.

She was making the noise from before in her throat again, only lots of them, and they were timed and increasing with each drive into her warmth. He must not have given her as much time to rest as he thought, because she was already on the verge of going over again. But that's ok, he thought to himself. At the rate they were now going, he was, too. 'Just…a bit…'

The scream of his name and resulting internal tightening of her body on the last push triggered his own long awaited deliverance and he arched completely backwards, head back and his wings fully extended straight back, breath catching and expelling raggedly, and his tensed, ridged abdomen prominently displayed. Spent, totally and finally, Cloud clumsily lowered himself, falling first to his elbow, then plopping the rest of the way down. 'Oh, Planet, sweet release,' was the one and only thought his brain put out.

Now, everything was better. And after a few short breaths and some time, they turned their heads towards the other, looking into each others eyes. That had been the first time she'd been so…vocal. And it had been quite loud. They both realized that, and the overflow of emotion combined with looking at each other made them burst out into exhausted, hushed giggles, even though it did them little good. They'd already been found out. Oh, man, would they hear it later.

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Cloud grabbed hold of his pants and shook them lightly, watching as the other garments fell away before pulling them on. Looking to fasten two of the five buttons, just enough to cover himself, he left the belt hanging and turned to Aeris briefly. She was watching him from on her back, left hand twirling the curl by her face, silent.

"I'mma go to the bathroom real quick," he said gently. "I'll be right back." And watching her nod, he moved to the curtain. Opening just enough to give a peek, he was on the lookout, lest someone see Aeris in her nakedness as he was passing through it. Seeing no one, he continued down the hall to the lavatory, entered, and shut its door. He then unfastened the two buttons hastily, grimacing as he touched himself. While lots of sex was great, it sure backfired with all the waiting to be done afterwards just to go pee.

And while he loved the sex, residue was not pleasant. Refastening, he quickly washed and dried his hands. But before leaving, he paused to look in the small mirror, backing all the way up to the door. Standing on the balls of his feet a little to see his abdomen, he examined the matching set of marks she'd given him. They would heal just after his chest and arm, but wouldn't scar. He never scarred. But damn, she was violent… Shaking his head once, he exited and returned to their chamber.

Pulling back the curtain, he choked upon entering and quickly shut the curtain. 'Damn,' the succinct thought came. Their sex had not only stained the sheets, but the air as well. Although while not bad, it had certainly been unexpected. He hadn't noticed the change in air when leaving. But speaking of sheets, he had noticed that Aeris was already 'dressed' and had the sheets all bundled up.

She'd really just thrown the dress on and had rapidly buttoned it. He could tell because as he got closer, one button was matched with the wrong hole. Sticking his finger in the gap just above her breasts and pulling lightly, he teased, "What's this?" Scrunching her face up at him and blowing air through her nose, she playfully pushed his hand away and quickly redid them. Cloud had smirked and raised an eyebrow, impressed. Turning to look down at the ball of…sexual leftovers, he asked again, "What's this?"

"Our fun," she replied simply, trying to bundle it some more. "I feel so…icky," she said with a smile and pinched expression. "I thought we could wash this and let it dry while we took a shower." Nodding towards the mattress, she inquired, "How's the bed?"

Shrugging, he walked over to it. Placing both hands on it, he bent over and put his nose close to it, inhaling. Wrenching his head to the left, he released his scrunched nose and gave her a smile through squinted eyes. "Not bad." The look he received in return told him how much she believed him.

"Then we'll just have to wipe it down after we clean up," she informed him as she gathered the bundle in her arms. "I'll go wash these really quick while you wipe down the bed." Squishing the sheets against her chest, she made Cloud do a lookout again, and after he gave her a look, complied. No one being in sight, she scurried down the hall to the shower room and went to work. Cloud just shook his head as she tried to avoid any embarrassing encounters and returned to the lavatory. Wetting a few of the hand towels, he returned to the bed room, making sure the curtain was closed, and started dabbing at the mattress. His situation was far more embarrassing than hers, he justified. The sheets could be explained easily, but not the mattress.

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Aeris was just coming up the chute from the hold after hanging the sheets over some crates to dry. The blush as she remembered what they'd done down there in such an open area still present on her face. But she dispelled that easily enough when she resolved to tell Cid that he should really think about installing some laundry devices aboard this and the Highwind, once he rebuilt it. Looking ahead as she climbed out, she saw Cloud just going through the shower door. She smiled as an idea came to her.

Pacing to the war room, she struggled against the lid of hers, Squall's, and Cloud's weapon compartment, facing away from it and pushing up against it with her back just to open it. 'That sword of his is just way too heavy. How can it be any good?' But she knew the answer to that rhetorical question. He had no problem lifting and swinging it, and it proved very difficult to deflect because of his strength and the shear weight of it. So she actually knew it to be an effective weapon, as long as he wasn't fighting super demonized beings, she thought with a shudder. And they'd encountered a few of those along their way.

She opened up both their duffels and grabbed some things before closing the lid as quietly as she could. The lid slammed down as the weight was too much for her small build and she gave a light grimace. Holding the clothes, she traversed the hall again and quietly entered the shower room. Closing the door behind her with clothes in hand, she looked up to see Cloud looking at her over his shoulder, trying to avoid revealing anything to the unknown visitor coming in. He was obviously holding his pants up by the way he was standing, but turning upon seeing her, she could see he was just holding it closed, having just started to undress.

"Did you want to go first?" he asked in that light manner he had when talking with her.

She shook her head, messy braid flopping back and forth, and held out the clothes to him. "I thought we could take one together," she said with an intriguingly coy, yet sly, smile.

A very astounded grin spread across his face as he let out a disbelieving laugh. The implications! Looking away from the blank space he'd been staring at, Cloud read her eyes, already knowing the answer before he asked. "And do you think we'd actually get any showering done?" The space was super small as it was and it would be almost uncomfortable with both of them in there. But if they were standing the right way and if he kept his wings tucked in tightly, it'd be quite the opposite.

"Well," she started, rolling her eyes innocently, "I figured as long as we did before we got out everything would be fine." And Cloud could only consent with a sideways nod.

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Grasping the leg she'd wrapped around his waist, he cushioned her head with his other hand, bracing himself against the too-small ledge with his foot as they impacted wall. Their mouths consumed each other as their respective parts did below. With Aeris leaning against the wall, Cloud was free to focus on nothing but the action, and the hands that squeezed his butt so, almost as if she was trying to pull him farther in. Which he didn't mind, but he knew they would be additional 'scars of battle'. Was it gonna be like this every time they fucked? The wondering thought was immediately erased. He really didn't care as it didn't hurt all that much. And it just went to show how intense their little…. 'meetings' were, he thought with a wicked mental smile.

Letting her come down, he busied himself by planting soft kisses on her lips and gently pushing back the wet hair from her face. She looked so different with her hair down and wet. It was much curlier. Then again, he knew he did as well. He didn't have curls at all, so his hair flattened completely. He could tell when she was almost level with him, for she brought her hands to his chest and ran them down the full length of his torso and up again, the light touch comforting and intimate. She did that after every time she had an orgasm, as if to say 'thank you for giving me this while you have to wait'. And he would always acknowledge it by putting his forehead to hers and kissing the tip of her nose, staying in that loving position and soaking in the glow always present after such an act.

But he gasped loudly and jerked his head up, opening his eyes sharply to look into the mischievous laden ones directly across from his. 'Did she just…?' Head thrown back from her following squeeze, he coughed once into the air, watering raining down on them. Yeah, she did. He…didn't know what to think, or how to, at this point. They had tried many positions earlier in the chamber, but not once did she touch him as directly as she was now. He put his hands to either side of her head, leaning fully on the wall. His eyes had refocused after that rush of nerves and Aeris now had a smirk to match her eyes. She moved again, grasping hand traveling his full length.

Aeris was having too much fun. It had taken a lot of willpower to take the step to grab him like that, but every reaction so far had so been worth it, especially the elicited whimper on that last path. It was such a different experience when you didn't feel what was going on, being on the outside like this. Instead of journeying with him, she watched him travel alone, and she was enjoying this chance observance. Here, she could see everything she missed while driven to sweet madness under his touch. All the little noises he made, the expressions, the way his abdomen tightened in pleasured spasms with each stroke she bestowed upon him. And now, it was his turn to sit back and be the object of attention.

She remembered with some regret how she hadn't been able to do this with her first boyfriend. She'd been too scared then. And it certainly hadn't been for any lack on his part. He was extremely promiscuous and they had fooled around a few times, but she could never bring herself to give him everything he wanted from her, and that included big things like blow and hand jobs. She had considered those big at the time, and remembered feeling bad about her lack of courage to do it after she'd walked in on him a couple of times while obviously in the middle of masturbation, relieving himself as she couldn't or wouldn't.

Wasn't a good girlfriend supposed to help her boyfriend in matters of that nature? But now she thought differently, knew differently. While the idea of a blow job still bothered her, she was strangely comfortable in knowing that if it was for Cloud, then it would be okay; she thought she would be able to handle it. That didn't make any kind of sense, whatsoever, but Cloud had a way of making her want to do things she hadn't before.

Cloud himself, though, had completely reverted into another dimension altogether, panting heavily in front of her and leaving her to her speculations. His head was bent down and the position highlighted the muscles in his shoulders, and while his eyes had been open earlier as he'd dimly watched her stroke him, they'd completely closed and his face took on a look of concentration. Bringing her head back up from peering up at him, she tilted her sight to observe him, trailing down his tensed body.

She watched as he now furiously pumped into her hand, the water raining from above serving as the required lubricant. She loved it when his body was ridged like this. It was the only time his abs were so prominent. Normally, you'd see their outline and that was all, and so he would have this powerful, yet wondrously soft look. And when he contracted them for any reason, they became entirely clear and you could perfectly feel each one.

Looking his desirable form over, Aeris really had to conclude that's the way his entire body was, probably from the combination of his experimentation and fighting. And the low sounds that he added every so often just heightened the experience. It was strangely surrealistic to watch him performing the motions into her hand when she had felt it herself in a very different manner so many times before. But like she had told herself earlier, she wouldn't give up this slight worry of not doing it right for the chance to observe him objectively like this. But by the look and feel of things, she was doing just fine.

He suddenly seized in her hand, alerting her back to the situation, but it did nothing to prepare her for the hot blast that rocketed into her stomach and spread in a thick splatter. Aeris looked on in stunned amazement. 'Wow,' she thought distantly. 'So that's what it's like.' She'd never seen an ejaculation before, and this was an… informative event.

Cloud was breathless and he tiredly looked into her eyes before sweeping down to what was his doing. Slowly collapsing against her, he tucked his head between hers and her shoulder, putting his left hand to her abdomen and wiping downward, repeating twice more to remove all of his semen with the aid of the water, and pressing against her in an intimate hug. Wrapping both arms around her by squeezing them between the wall and the small of her back, he let his forehead connect with the wall, lips pressing into her skin and inhaling her scent. He didn't want to get out, but sticking out a hand from behind her, he turned it up. He was beyond wrinkled. Turning his head to the left a bit, he kissed the hollow and pulled back, running his cheek along hers to end in a gentle kiss. "We should get out."

"I know," she said softly. "But we still have to clean up."

Giving a slow, single nod, Cloud advised in a quiet tone, "We'd better make it quick though. We're already in trouble for the bed chamber, and if we use all the filtered water, Cid will kill us," he ended with a teasing smile. Pulling farther away from her, he ran his hand once down his retreating length, wiping anything that might've still been on it off. He placed his hand on the door and prepared to slip out before Aeris stopped him.

"What are you doing!?" she asked, incredulously.

Looking back at her, he answered bewildered, "I'm, uh, getting out. I'm already done."

She gave him such a scolding face. "Oh, no you're not. You didn't even wash up!"

"Yes, I did—," he started, but was cut off by her protest.

"When?" she asked sarcastically. "In between all the action?"

"I took a shower earlier! I'm already clean," he protested childishly.

"But we did things after that, and we both got all sweaty and dirty. Here," she said, handing him the bar of soap. "At least wash under your arms or something." And with that said she went back to rubbing herself down.

Cloud only pouted, scowling at the bar in his hand, but did what she said. Only the minimal amount, mind you. He wasn't that dirty. And rinsing off, he beat her out of the shower and moved to dry off, not waiting for her to follow. He thought it would be best if they weren't seen leaving together, and knew she would think the same thing.

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He hadn't had to wait long for her, and she stepped across the hall to place hands on his chest as she gave him a light kiss. Reclining against the wall, he'd brought a hand to the small of her back and barely pursed in return. It was only a little short-time departure kiss, after all, so no need for a big reunion one. She splayed hers hands, looking briefly at how the lines they made contrasted against the even-now rapidly fading scratches. She brought her face close to his again and squinted one eye at him, playful. But their moment was interrupted as someone cleared their throat.

Both looked over to see Squall off to the side. Cloud's eyes narrowed, but he immediately looked down to the fingers pressed against him. Rubbing with the hand still on her back, he told her, whispering quietly, "Don't you have to talk to him?" The look she gave in response to that sentence asked her question in place of her voice. He gave his customary single nod and looked at Squall briefly with a warning glance before straightening and moving away from the wall. But he kept his hand at the small of Aeris's back so as to steady her incase she lost balance when he'd shifted underneath her.

Pushing her forward with it, he then dropped it to his side and watched as Squall's surprised features melted into his typical stern ones and gave a single nod by way of thanks. Cloud only crossed his arms at looked at the wall to his left, only looking up when the corner of his vision told him they had moved into the viewing room. Dropping the uncaring pretense, he tried to dispel the rising jealousy. Feeling as if he had been moderately successful after a few deep breaths, he made motion to head back towards the cockpit. Stopping mid turn, he reversed and continued forward. A little rat had caught his attention. Sneaking up behind, her grabbed hold of her scarf and pulled her flat on her butt.

Yuffie's hands had flown to her mouth to cover the squeal of surprise likely to emit from the sudden attack. She turned around and glared at Cloud, her large brown eyes narrowing to slits. "You'll pay for that, choco butt!" she whispered vehemently. "I wanted to hear what was going on!"

Cloud kneeled down to her level, wings opening enough to provide balance, and wiggled a finger at her as he tilted his head. "I'll pay, huh?" he baited her.

"Oooo!" she huffed, jumping back up as she punched at the air, turning to punch at surrounding angles. "You bet you will!" And as Cloud stood once more, she turned to double and triple faux punch his gut. "I'll take you down, just you watch--," she cut off, mouth falling open. "Damn, Cloud. Can't you guys have sex like normal people!?" She exclaimed none too quietly for him upon seeing the new marks on his stomach.

Moving to clap a hand to her mouth and holding her head to it with the other placed at the back of her head, he berated her heatedly, albeit quietly, "Couldn't you say that with a little less screeching?" His cheeks were red and his ears and entire face were burning. "C'mon, you royal punk," he said, grabbing hold of her scarf again. "Show me how good you've gotten." And he dragged her towards the chute, noticing after what he said sank in that it was a lot more willingly. If there was one thing she liked, it was showing off her skills.

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Squall could not express the gratitude to Cloud when he had unexpectedly consented to Aeris being alone with him. And he'd done it without any asking on his part, too, something that threw him for an even bigger loop. But…he'd gotten his chance to clear the things between them, him and Aeris, and for that he would always be eternally grateful. But as he removed his things and Lionheart from the bin, this knowledge brought him no less pain for his approaching departure.

Cid had given him the twenty minute warning about ten ago, and so he had gone to collect all his things. He'd made sure he had everything, even triple checked every room. Stuffing the previously discarded clothes into the duffel, he pulled it shut, lifting and dropping it on the floor once to let things settle. He then hefted it over his shoulder and gripped Lionheart as he turned to make his way to the boarding ramp. He dumped his stuff and gripped onto the quickly slipping emotions. There were so many thoughts assaulting him right now; fear of leaving what he knew behind, fear of meeting what was waiting for him, anxiety at the latter and former. After all this time, after how far he'd come since then, he still had trouble accepting change. It pained his heart to see the image of a scolding Rinoa coming to his mind's eye.

'Rinoa.' He thought longingly. 'I'll…try to do my best, for your sake. I'll try to…do what you would have wanted me to.'

His silent oath given and his mind and spirit prepared for the new start, he looked up as he reached the door, seeing Cloud, Aeris, and Yuffie all waiting for him. 'They all came to say goodbye.' His heart clenched as their presences made it all the more real. Though he suspected darkly that Cloud's attendance was more to gloat than an actual goodbye, but the other man had looked away as soon as Squall's eyes passed over him, concentrating on his booted feet as he sat atop crates and reclined with arms across. He had to steady himself a bit, and noticed the others did as well, at what he guessed was a landing.

Cid came over the comm., announcing that very thing, but added in Cid fashion, 'better make your damned sappy goodbyes quick', something along those lines, and then 'watch your ass, little know it all bastard'. Smiling nostalgically at the reminder of all the times they'd argued, Squall gave Cid a salute by way of a nod in goodbye and respect of his landing. Selphie could've learned a thing or two million from him, he teased her unknowingly. Aeris had said that anyone taken over or down by the Heartless should be restored, so that meant everyone he'd last seen should be okay. Because they had only been swallowed by the darkness as he had, and not crushed by falling—

Tearing his thoughts from unpleasant, painful remembrances, he looked to Aeris as Cloud opened the ramp. Cid had flown the ship to where Squall had told him the last strong hold had been, only able to give him coordinates he was unsure would even be calculable by the Gummi's system. But Cid had worked his magic and converted it beautifully as what was outside the door was correct. Praising him silently again, Squall moved forward to go down the ramp, only to be halted as Yuffie vaulted and suctioned to his middle, squeezing all breath out of him.

"Goodbye, Squally!" she sniffled. "I'll miss you so much, Squally Squall Squall," she teased one last time. And she sniffled again before vigorously rubbing her nose into his shirt. Squall's face deadpanned right there. The name thing was bad enough, but now snot from the snot-nosed brat? Great.

"Somehow," Squall said with a flat tone, "that had made parting with you that much easier." And the smile that came to his face at her expression of indignation called his bluff. "I'll miss you, too, Yuffers." He was very pleased to see her own face deadpan at his name for her. Hey, tit for tat, right? Turning to Aeris, he sobered quickly. Oh, how the heart still ached. She parted from Cloud's side and approached him with open arms, gently embracing him. He dropped his bag to return it as Cloud dropped his gaze from them, giving the okay for the move.

Squall turned his head into hers and whispered softly, lovingly into her hair, for her ears only, "Goodbye, my sweet, beloved, Aeris." And pressing a kiss into her temple, he pulled slowly back, pausing to look at her for a little longer, letting his brain say goodbye, as well. He finally dropped his arm as he noticed Cloud once again looking at him. And while he wasn't glaring, he was definitely uncomfortable with Squall holding onto her closely for so long.

Smirking to himself, Squall bent to retrieve his bag. Hoisting it, he walked pasted Cloud down the ramp and kept going until he was a fair distance from the ship. He was still close enough to hear Cloud radio back to Cid that they were ready to go. And when he heard the engines whine, he turned back around to watch as the ship lifted off, ramp slowly closing. His eyes had lingered a moment on the hugging forms of Cloud and Aeris, with Yuffie off to their side waving energetically, all looking out to him. Their eyes had met, and Squall had been granted a single, deep nod from Cloud.

He huffed to himself, amused. A warrior's bow, a warrior's goodbye. Squall nodded in return, and as the hatch closed turned to continue on his way, towards the small crowd of people rushing out to meet him. And as he met their surprised, joyous, and welcoming hugs, he openly smiled then grinned widely, for he had gained both closure and a new beginning. Aeris's words had proven true, and the new revelation had given hope beyond any measure he had ever thought possible. Yes, he could live in this new old world. And he would do it for Rinoa, and for the promise he had made Aeris.

For their sakes, and his sanity, he would give himself to those who needed him. And from the people crying over his return, he knew they actually existed. She had been right. That damned angel had been right. And he had loved them both.

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XD Omg, another chapter completed in ONE day! ONE!!! XD Aren't you proud of me? Lol. That went SO incredibly fast and yet so slow. -.- It took me all day to write that! I've decided to keep the epilogue for a separate posting and it should be up later this week. And that will definitely be the end of this story. XD Sorry if there are any mistakes! It only took a day, like I said. P But hope you all enjoy it.