"You're not calling to sign up for another mission, Seph. I won't have it. I've been cooped up in here too long and you need to rest." Zack approached the general one day while Cloud was sleeping.

"But he needs you." Sephiroth would hear none of it.

"He needs both of us. Look, have you talked to Angeal lately?" Zack crossed his arms.

"No." Sephiroth wished his lieutenant hadn't brought him up.

"Okay well, he visited yesterday. I don't know what it is he said to you that night you almost killed a man, but he apologized to Cloud. Do you hear me? Angeal apologized."

"Good for him." Obviously the general was in a state where he didn't care.

"Oh my..." Zack pinched the bridge of his nose to prevent himself from raising his voice. "Look, I already called Lazard and he's already agreed to have me replace you on your next mission tonight."

"You did what?" Now Sephiroth was seething. How dare his lieutenant pull this behind his back.

"Don't you start a fight here where he's sleeping in the next room." Zack quickly pointed out that if anything happened, then Cloud would be the first to respond and witness the whole thing.

"You're impossible." Although Sephiroth really wanted to punch his lieutenant, he knew it wasn't worth it.

"I learned it from you. You can thank Angeal for the rest of me."

"Don't remind me."

"Wow, someone needs to get laid." Zack muttered to himself. However he forgot about the mako enhancements that greatly improved the hearing. And suddenly the First Class SOLDIER was pressed against the back of the couch, gloved hands gripping his uniform tightly.

Zack pushed back his cry of surprise. He didn't want to awaken his pupil. Instead he gripped the gloved wrists tightly as he glared up into his superior. He wasn't going to admit to anyone that the heated glare was so scathing that Zack was maybe a little bit afraid for his life.

"At first you didn't want me to be with him. Now you're making snide comments. Make up your damn mind, Fair." Sephiroth spoke in a tone that meant he needed to choose his next words wisely.

"Look, I was just looking out for my pupil. And you know what, you're right. He's grown. It's ultimately his choice if he wants you. It's not my place to get between you two."

"So you take back what you said?" Sephiroth felt his anger melt away.

"Yes. If it helps you, I will take back what I said." Zack nods.

Sephiroth released his hold on the lieutenant. The general backs away a few steps to give them both room. Zack straightened up and inhaled. That got a little too heated for his liking.

"Just promise me you will talk to him while I'm gone? He thinks he's the reason why you're so distant. He blames himself, you know."

The information cut deep. All this time Sephiroth thought he was making things easier for the blond that he didn't think to notice that it was quite the opposite. He nods, and it was enough for Zack to drop the subject altogether.

Hours passed by slowly and yet fast at the same time. Before they knew it, Zack was getting ready for his first mission out. Sephiroth dreaded it, however he was relieved to see that Cloud wasn't taking it too hard.

"You two be good, you hear? Don't stay up for me." Zack hugged his pupil tight before he left.

"Yeah." Cloud nods, slowly returning the hug.

Zack sent a look at his superior. Sephiroth understood what he meant. This was their chance to have a nice deep conversation. Sephiroth bit back his tongue on the response. He had to remind himself that some part of Angeal did indeed rub off on his former star pupil.

That night while Zack was gone Cloud wouldn't talk. Without the easy going attitude of Zack to break the silences and get everyone to socialize, Sephiroth didn't bother trying small talk. He sensed nothing he said would be heard. When it was time for bed only then did Cloud find his voice.

"Would it be considered losing my virginity if I was raped?"

Sephiroth almost jolted upwards at the question. Instead he opened his eyes to stare into those deep blues in the dark. They still held a sense of Cloud being dead inside. However there was the faintest hint of curiosity.

"No. Besides, you don't remember." Sephiroth answered honestly.

"Even so, he took my virginity." The blond replied solemnly.

"I don't count that as your first time."

"What do you count as a first time then?"

Sephiroth sighed. He had a feeling on where this was going. He remembered what Zack told him. So he forced himself to explain.

"A first time is something to remember. A special memory that will forever hold dear in your heart."

"You sound like you already experienced that."

"Once upon a time. Things didn't work out. Our duties as SOLDIER drifted us apart. It wouldn't have worked out anyways, he was always too jealous." Sephiroth wasn't going to name any names.

"Of what? You don't seem the type to flirt with everyone once someone has your attention." Cloud wondered.

"My fame. I don't want it, but it comes with the territory of being general."

"That's stupid to be jealous over." Cloud snorts.

"I thought so too." Silence followed. Sephiroth had the sense there were more questions Cloud wanted to ask. But he wasn't going to push for him to ask if he wasn't ready.

In truth Cloud had so many questions concerning Angeal and what was said that night. However he felt that if he so much as mentioned the commander, Sephiroth will shut him out. This was the first time they had spoken in a long while, so the blond didn't want to ruin it.

"Am I worthy?" Cloud asked after several minutes. His voice was so soft he was barely above a whisper.

"You are worthy, Cloud." Sephiroth didn't hesitate in his answer.

"Can you show me?" The blond gulped at his own question.

Sephiroth shifted to partially raise himself up. He studied the blond intensely. The bruising of the black eye was gone. There was hardly any hint of the injury except for a small jagged line of the scar left behind by the stitches. Those eyes held a mixture of fear and excitement, but mostly hidden under uncertainty.

Cloud was afraid of rejection.

"Do you have any idea what you are asking?" Sephiroth asked in all seriousness.

"I understand if you don't want me afterwards. Or at all." Cloud shifts uncomfortably. He tried to look away in shame to hide the hurt. Not having it the general raised a pale chin so those eyes had no other choice but to meet his gaze.

"That is not my answer. I am merely asking you if you have any idea what you are asking of me?" Sephiroth's voice was strained. It wasn't of anger, no this was different.

"N - no, Sir?" Cloud gasped out.

"This won't be a one time thing between us, Cloud. I am possessive over those I take to my bed. To the point I have scared away previous partners. There are days that I can be rough, especially after a harrowing mission. But I make up for whatever discomforts I have caused afterwards. I need you to understand that I never have any intentions to hurt you when you are the last person I ever want to hurt because you are sharing a great burden for being my partner."

"For - for being general?" Cloud caught on. His mind was reeling. He couldn't believe this was happening.

"Yes. Being the partner to the general comes with a price. However, I do whatever I can within my power to make it work for both of us. It does require some work from you, too. I can't always be on call."

"I understand."

"Do you?" Sephiroth leans closer. Their foreheads were touching. The blond felt his heart about to burst. There was a different hunger in those eyes that set off a different kind of reaction to Cloud's body. He could feel his insides twist, and his lower regions began to heat up.

"Yes, Sir." Cloud blushed brightly from their closeness.

"Then you will have me? You accept my terms?" By now the general was on his last thread of control. Seeing the blond so flustered was doing things to him. And he couldn't help a sense of pride that he was the one creating this reaction.

If he were honest with himself he wanted to ravish this boy since the first night he crawled into his bed. However Sephiroth restrained himself. He was better than that disgusting Brandt. So he bided his time until Cloud made the first move. His patience was finally being rewarded.

"Y - Yes. Sir!" Cloud whimpered, unable to take it anymore.

"What do you wish of me? Cloud?" Sephiroth wanted to hear it. Understand what boundaries not to cross for their first time.

"Please - please help me forget another man touched me. Show me I'm worthy."

"You want all of me?" His hands wandered aimlessly over the smaller body. Cloud writhed under his touches.

"Yes! Sephiroth!" Cloud begs. And it was enough consent for him.

Sephiroth claimed those tempting lips. Cloud raised his hands to cup his face. As their tongues fought the general moved to place himself on top of his now lover. Cloud cried out as their hips rubbed against each other. He could feel the hardening length through their pajamas.

Cloud tensed for a moment. He was slightly afraid that Sephiroth wouldn't fit him. Sensing this the general pulls away from the kiss to whisper into his ear.

"If you're too scared, I won't go all the way tonight."

"No. No please. I want all of you." Cloud shook his head.

"Then you shall have all of me, Cloud."

The process of stretching him took a while. Sephiroth wasn't leaving any room to hurt him during their first time. Cloud wouldn't stop tensing up. Sephiroth offered to stop several times. However the blond wouldn't have it. He insisted they continue.

Even at three fingers he was still too tense. By now both of them were driven insane with frustration. Sephiroth was searching with his fingers, for what Cloud didn't know. Until finally the tips of his long fingers brushed against a bundle of nerves that made Cloud arch his back and cry out in surprise.

A wicked expression took over Sephiroth at that moment. Before long he had Cloud moaning and thrusting back onto his hand. He watched the spectacle as his own need built up. He wanted so desperately to feel that warm tightness around his cock. But he willed himself to be patient a little longer.

"Sephiroth!" Cloud cried out, throwing his head side to side. He was so close to coming, but he refused. He wanted to draw this out.

"Beg for it." Sephiroth tilts his head, eyes burning with lust.

"Please! Please put it inside!" The cries were music to his ears.

Sephiroth couldn't deny Cloud any longer and removed his hand. Quickly he reached over to grab a bottle of lube from his bedside table and coated a generous amount over himself.

When he entered there was little to no resistance. Cloud's moans turned into gasps as his breathing became irregular. Sephiroth grunted as he forced himself to keep still to allow the blond adjust. In the meantime he reveled at finally being inside.

"Seph - Sephiroth." Cloud moans softly.

Taking the cue that he was ready the silver warrior set a brutal pace. His sense of control flew out the window. Cloud didn't seem to care. By his cries showed he thoroughly enjoyed it. As they drew close to release Sephiroth leans over to a blushed ear.

"See? You're worthy. You're worthy to have me fuck you senseless."

"Yes!" Cloud cried out.

"Now say it. I want to hear you say it." Sephiroth insisted as he slowed his pace down so slowly that it was torture.

"I'm worthy! I'm worthy to have you! Please! Don't stop!" The blond wrapped his arms around broad shoulders. His legs wrapped around pale hips as well.

Sephiroth moved again, this time his hips were erratic. He was so close himself. Then he felt Cloud tighten as he released a final cry of pleasure. Between them the blond came on their stomachs. Sephiroth grunts before he thrusts one last time and lost himself. Cloud moans at the feeling of being filled.

"I am your first." Sephiroth proclaimed with a shuddering whisper. Cloud nods, opening his eyes to look into his lovers.

"My first and only?" The words slipped out before he could process what he just said.

"As long as you will have me. I am yours. Just as you are mine." Sephiroth answered honestly.