When the elevator stopped at the floor where training was taking place, Cloud suddenly wondered whether he really needed to go. Couldn't he just say that Professor Hojo had needed him all day, so there was no way he could have gone back to training and his punishment? The more he thought about it, the more he liked it. He did feel slightly guilty for abandoning Seymour and skipping again, but the thought of another day of freedom pulled strongly at him. Or maybe the sight of a shirtless Sephiroth staring at him addled his brain.
Whatever it was, it made Cloud push the button to close the doors, so as not to be seen by anyone in his class. Now what was he going to do? He could go back to his room, but that would be boring. The Mako that was still rushing through his veins demanded that he do something active, so he decided to push a button and see where it took him. Not wanting to venture too far away from where he was supposed to be, he pressed the button for two floors above.
The doors slid open, revealing a floor extremely similar to the one he had just left, the only difference being different sounds and different people. The different sounds were of clanking metal, caused by various practice swords, and on closer inspection, one of the people was...Zack! Cloud had managed to select the floor where Zack's year's training was taking place.
He decided to stay on that floor, moving as unobtrusively as he could to a wall where he could observe. Cloud figured that if someone asked him what he was doing there, he could just say he was there to ask his roommate to...uh, return something he borrowed that was needed for training or something like that.
Zack had not seen Cloud, and was sparring with another person using a battered-looking metal sword. His movements were sure and almost mechanical, and he seemed somewhat clumsier than the time he fought the man almost twice his size in Wall market. He swung at the side of his partner, and was blocked by an equally battered sword. His partner turned the block into a swing, sweeping upwards at Zack's ribcage. Zack jumped out of the way, turning so that he was facing the wall where Cloud was standing, trying not to look out of place.
Zack's eyes widened when he saw Cloud, and he froze in surprise. Consequently, his partner landed a swing on his shoulder with and audible smack. Apparently the blades were dull, as all that Zack did was wince and rub his shoulder, and there was no blood. He said something to his partner, walked over to Cloud and said, "Hey, what're you doing here? Is something wrong?"
Cloud hastily shook his head and explained what had happened that morning, and how he got to this floor, ending with, "Do you think I should leave? I don't want to get either of us in trouble..."
Zack laughed and shook his head, placing a friendly hand on Cloud's shoulder, "Nah. My instructor, Zidane, is a pretty lenient, carefree guy. He wont mind if you stay."
Cloud nodded, his eyes examining the practice sword in Zack's hand.
Zack noticed and grinned, "Have they started you on weapons yet?"
Cloud shook his head in answer.
The grin changed to an annoyed look as he rolled his eyes, "They wait too long before introducing things like that in my opinion. So they start on Mako, yet wait for weapons?" Zack sighed, "Well, I suppose it's not my place to say, though it'd be nice if they gave us real experience as well..." A mischievous look spread over his face, "Hey, Cloud...you wanna spar?"
"Huh?" Cloud asked at the sudden question, "I don't really know how...and would they even allow me, I mean...I'm only in first year training and I'm only fifteen..."
"Sure you can! Like I said, Zidane is really laid back. Besides, I started first year training at thirteen!" Zack persuaded.
Cloud mentally calculated what that would mean about his age... "You're only fifteen?" he asked shocked. So sure, was he that Zack was older than him, and Cloud's birthday wasn't that far off...
"No, no, I'm seventeen!" Zack told him.
"But...you're only in third year..."
Zack laughed, "Well, training only goes up to third year. If you don't make SOLDIER after that...you just repeat third year. This is my third year as a third year."
Cloud again was shocked. "And you haven't made SOLDIER yet?"
Sighing, Zack answered, "I told you...I'm just not a good test taker. If only the tests were real, you know? Or if I could pass the written...I'm sure I could get in! I just..." His eyes took on a fiercely determined look.
It was Cloud's turn to put a hand on Zack's shoulder, trying to be comforting. "You will get in, Zack! This year if I have anything to do with it! I could help you study or with anything else you need! I know you have the talent for SOLDIER." he said with his own determined look.
Zack's face broke into a grin and he ruffled Cloud's hair with his hand. "Thanks a bunch, Cloud. I think you're right, I WILL get in this year! Maybe even you could, too!"
"Me?" Cloud asked, eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, why not? Anyway, here!" He handed Cloud a practice sword from the rack on the wall next to them with a challenging smirk. "Show me whatcha got!"
Cloud examined the sword in his hand. He expected it to be heavy and foreign, but holding it was almost effortless, and the hilt rested comfortably in his hand. The effortless grasp he attributed to the Mako that was still running rampant through him, considering he had a slightly larger dose than the first time, and he felt as fresh as ever. He swung the sword experimentally, enjoying the way it sliced cleanly through the air.
Zack watched him for a minute and then started giving him pointers. "Stand like this, and keep your legs slightly bent, never lock your knees. It keeps you balanced and able to react quickly." He said demonstrating. Cloud copied his stance. "Good, now keep your hands like this so that your wrists won't freeze up and your arms will be able to move freely..." Zack continued to give him pointers, Cloud following them almost exactly, adjusting only slightly since he had a different build, trying to keep his balance centered.
"Now swing at me." Zack told him, and Cloud did so, sweeping his blade sideways at Zack's ribs. Zack blocked the attack, "You're gonna have to be faster and stronger than that! Don't worry about hurting me, the most I'll get if you actually hit me is a bruise that'll go away. Now attack me again!"
Cloud and Zack continued for a while, Zack giving pointers when needed, and Cloud doing his best to keep up with everything. Soon Zack started countering Cloud's swings with his own, forcing Cloud to block them. He knew that the only reason he was able to keep up in strength and endurance was the Mako in his veins and because Zack couldn't focus as well in non-real situations.
It took a while for him to notice that they were being watched by Zack's instructor, and he felt guilty for being where he shouldn't, but as Zack said, his instructor was lenient and made no move to scold them or stop them, he just watched with an almost admiring look.
A while and a couple bruises later, Zack was panting and told him they should probably stop. Cloud agreed, feeling slightly worn despite his enhanced endurance.
Zack examined him closely, paying close attention to his eyes and asked, "Cloud...how much Mako did they give you? Surely it couldn't have been that much!"
Cloud replied, "The syringe was only about three quarters full..." He replied.
Zack's face became confused, "Huh...that isn't much...yet you seem as if you got a huge dosage. You definitely have good reactions to it..."
Cloud just shrugged, and went back to the wall to watch for the rest of training, which wasn't long, and then headed to dinner with Zack.
There he found Seymour and told him what had happened that day, apologizing for leaving him.
"It's alright...I'd rather not see you than see you be punished." Seymour told him quietly.
"Are you all right?" Cloud asked him.
"Yeah, I'm fine...tired I suppose. I'm going to go to bed." He replied, standing up.
Cloud stood up, feeling guilty and wanting to comfort his friend, "Seymour...I'm sorry, was it something I said? Is there anything I can do? Will you tell me what's wrong?"
Seymour smiled sadly at him, "It's not you at all, Cloud. If anything, you're the only good thing about this place. I've just been feeling depressed lately."
"Have you talked to Rufus yet?"
Seymour looked at the floor and shook his head.
"Well, you really should, okay?" Cloud told him, "Promise me you'll go up there sometime, okay?"
Seymour looked back up at Cloud, meeting his eyes with a smile, "Okay, Cloud. I will sometime, for you." He then sighed and said, "I really am going to bed."
Cloud still felt that he had to say something. "Alright Seymour, but... I'm so sorry for everything that's happened to you, and-"
He was cut off by Seymour's finger on his lips, which sent very pleasant shivers through his body because of his Mako enhanced nerves. "Stop apologizing, Cloud. None of this was your fault whatsoever. You've helped so much more than you can know. Stop fretting, okay? Goodnight." With that, he walked away to the elevator.
Cloud was about to follow him anyway, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked up as Zack told him, "Let him go. Some people don't want to be helped, and take it as a personal insult when it's offered." He said rather solemnly.
Cloud sighed and sat back down to eat his dinner.
When they both went back to their room, Cloud realized that because of his appointment with Hojo, he missed his afternoon shower. He stripped down to his boxers, grabbed a towel and made to open the door.
Zack asked him, from his spot on his bed where he was reading a magazine, "Where are you going?"
Cloud looked back at Zack, slightly daunted at the desire-filled look he was being given, and answered, "To take a shower."
Zack smirked and asked, "May I join you?"
Cloud had no doubt what he meant. He and Zack, clothesless, in a small space together... Somehow, the idea appealed to him, and with his own smirk accompanied by a blush, he nodded.
Smirking even more, Zack stood, taking off all his clothes but his boxers and grabbing a towel. "Lead on, then."
He did so, walking to the bathroom across the hall, Zack following closely. Cloud found his blush growing more pronounced as Zack locked the door behind them and smirked lustily at Cloud, who soon found himself pinned to the wall by Zack's hands and mouth. Well, one hand, since the other opened the shower door and turned on the water, testing the temperature.
When the water was apparently at the right degree, both of Zack's hands moved to Cloud's hips, his tongue dancing with Cloud's passionately. Cloud's eyes were closed and he felt fingers toying at the waistband of his boxers, before they were pulled down to drop to his ankles.
Cloud couldn't help but gasp slightly as cold air from the bathroom and steam from the shower played over his exposed skin. Zack removed his lips from Cloud's and then his own boxers and guided Cloud into the shower. The warmth from the steam had been just a teaser for the water that now cascaded down his naked body. He opened his eyes as Zack joined him in the shower's spray.
That was when he fully realized that he and Zack were standing naked, inches from each other. A warm hand caressed Cloud's cheek, before Zack bent his head forward to let his lips kiss Cloud's wet neck. Cloud tilted his head back, closing his eyes, willing to let Zack touch him almost any way he wanted.
He heard a click and realized it was from a bottle of shampoo when one of Zack's hands started to rub the soap into Cloud's hair, his fingers massaging it gently into a lather. He pushed Cloud against the shower wall, taking him out of the direct spray so that the shampoo wouldn't be washed out immediately. To preoccupied with the lips on his neck and hand in his hair, Cloud didn't notice the other hand caressing it's way down his body until it brushed him between the legs and he felt himself harden with a moan.
Zack's hand in his hair was forgotten as his other hand continued to brush his arousal almost thoughtfully, though to Cloud it was almost torturously. He put a hand on Zack's chest, trailing it across the skin and his other hand gripped Zack's upper arm. He made a small sound of frustration, wanting Zack to move faster, needing more of his touch.
Zack complied, gripping him and pumping slightly. A moan burst from Cloud's mouth, which was then muffled by lips and a tongue. The taste of Zack's mouth mingled with the taste of shampoo that was dripping down his face, but he didn't care. He was in too much pleasure from Zack's touches.
Suddenly, all contact with anything but the shower wall ceased, and Cloud made a small sound of protest. He was then dragged forward right under the direct spray of the shower head, the soap flowing from his limp hair, across his body and then into the drain.
He noticed that Zack was now out of the spray, so he grabbed the bottle of shampoo, squeezing some into his hands, and then bringing them up to massage Zack's black hair. He worked the soap throughout it, and then Zack pushed him against the wall again, letting the water carry away the shampoo.
Zack's mouth then explored Cloud's again, even though they could both map each other's perfectly by now. Zack's whole body was pinning his to the wall, and with a smirk that Cloud could feel, he ground his hips into the blonde's. Cloud's rapturous moan was swallowed greedily by Zack as he ground into him again and again.
Cloud could feel himself shaking with pleasure as their wet bodies slid together, the Mako enhancing every little touch and wave of ecstasy, and he knew that he wanted more. He pulled his mouth away and asked, "Zack...?" He was surprised at how thick his voice sounded, and realized that it was because of lust.
Zack looked at him curiously, "Yes?" His voice, too, was slightly husky.
He took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. "I...I want you. All of you." he said, not really sure how to word it.
Zack's eyes widened his hands gripping Cloud's waist, "Do...do you mean...what I think you mean?"
Cloud nodded, kissing him and whispering, "Take me."
Zack's eyes became even lustier-if possible, "That is a wish I can grant...but not here." He grabbed the knob of the shower, turning it off and opening the door, releasing the steam into the room. He then dragged Cloud out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist and then his own. Cloud let himself be dragged out of the bathroom, still dripping, into their room. Moving over to his bed, still leading Cloud, Zack turned and asked him, "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Cloud replied in a lusty voice, letting his towel drop.
Zack needed no further urging, and threw off his towel as well, before shoving Cloud onto his back on the bed and laying on top of him. His lips attacked Cloud's neck with vicious passion. His arm reached down beside the bed, grabbing something. He sat up, still on top of Cloud, his thighs straddling his hips. He held a tube in his hands and squeezed some onto his fingers.
Zack lifted the blonde's legs, spreading them. Cloud had a vague suspicion of what was coming, and he closed his eyes, trying to relax. Nevertheless, he had to bite back a gasp as one of Zack's fingers entered him. He felt it being moved around and did his best not to make any noises of discomfort, but it was difficult, especially when another finger joined the first one, stretching him. He began to wish that Zack would get it over with, when a third joined the other two. Cloud couldn't help but squirm slightly, and he opened his eyes to see Zack lubricate his own erection.
Their eyes met and Cloud was very nervous. Zack leaned forward and brushed Cloud's lips with his own, asking softly, "Are you alright? This will hurt, are you ready?"
Cloud took a breath, nodded and closed his eyes, trusting Zack. He felt the fingers leave him to be quickly replaced by Zack's hardened member entering slowly. Lips were again placed on his, trying to override the uncomfortable feelings. Cloud felt himself relax slightly, and apparently Zack did as well, because he slowly pulled back and pushed in again.
He whimpered in the pain that was caused by the movement, and whimpered again when it was repeated. The Mako not only heightened pleasure, but pain as well. Zack's tongue caressed the inside of his mouth slowly, trying to be gentle. He muttered a quiet "Shhh...It'll be okay..." into Cloud's mouth. His hands held Cloud's waist, massaging slowly with his thumbs.
Cloud wrapped his legs around Zack, trying to do anything to distract him from the pain that Zack's thrusts were causing. He brought his hands up to cling to Zack's back, and eventually found himself digging his nails in, scratching at it with each slow, painful thrust. Zack kept one hand on Cloud's hip, holding him steady, and the other hand stroked Cloud's cheek and neck softly, gently.
Suddenly, Zack's thrust brushed something inside him, sending a shot of pleasure through the spikes of pain, and a moan was torn from his throat. Zack adjusted his position slightly, and with a slightly harder thrust hit the spot exactly. Cloud moaned much louder in ecstasy, and Zack abandoned his lips for his neck, kissing and caressing intensely.
Zack continued to thrust faster, causing sounds and words to spring from Cloud's happily dazed mouth. Being filled by Zack was now a more pleasant experience than he could hope for, as each thrust went deeper and deeper into him. He was lost in a fit of passion, the pleasure overriding the pain as he writhed under Zack.
He soon found himself thrusting his hips up trying to get the most of every movement. The Mako was now a definite blessing, shooting the pleasure through him in almost unbearable measures, the pressure inside him building. His senses were on overload and after a particularly forceful thrust, he came between their bodies with a loud cry of ecstasy, shuddering at the potency of his orgasm.
Zack came soon after because of Cloud's constriction against him, spilling into Cloud's insides with his own sounds of pleasure. They lay there, panting together, relishing the last of the pleasure as it left them. Zack pulled out and Cloud gave a soft whimper at the absence. Laying next to him, Zack kissed him softly and whispered, "Sorry it hurt...it'll get better the next time, and soon it won't hurt at all."
Cloud smiled at him, completely drained of energy, even though the Mako was still in effect. "Don't worry about it. I was the one that asked. Seems like you have my life planned out now..."
Zack smirked, "Just the next few months at least, and only nights or mornings."
Cloud laughed quietly and buried his face in Zack's chest. He made a little, 'hmm' sound, and said softly, "I'm tired, 'night Zack."
"Good Night my little teleport to Cloud nine." Zack replied, but Cloud barely heard it, as he fell asleep within the next few moments, happily.
School's gonna be starting soon, so my updates will most likely be less and less frequent, but I am determined to not abandon this story! Of course, who knows how long that determination will last? The things that have been keeping me going are your reviews. I appreciate them very muchly, so if you wanna see this story continue, REVIEW!