Author Note: Let's see how Talin deals with the knowledge of his BF's partners shall we? We get a good bit of bonding time with one of the SOLDIERs this chapter but I won't spoil the surprise. Oh and do note the Chapter Warning below...

Marken: I really love writing fluff for the two of them and I REALLY can't wait to write more of it for the others. As to someone messing with Talin, I don't know a soul alive that would try messing with one of the 1st's lovers. At least, they wouldn't be alive long...

I do not own FF7 or any of its characters. Talin, Unit 28, and some other side characters are mine.

Chapter Warning: Sexual Themes/Mature Content 😉

I do not own FF7 or any of its characters. Talin, Unit 28, and some other side characters are mine.

Chapter 19

"I guess I should say, you don't know the three people he's dating..." Callian left the statement hanging in the air and waited. Not sure if he was being cruel or not, he could almost see the gears turn in Talin's head before things snapped into place. Shock, panic, and mild fear all ricochet through those green eyes at once and Cal nodded his head.

"Bingo..."

Talin's world tilted on its axis as his mind sped to keep up with this new knowledge. Angeal, Genesis, Sephiroth... and Zack?! He knew they were all close but if they were together that meant... Zack had asked... and they said yes...

Seeing his friend truly lost in thought, Callian grabs his arm to pull the stunned redhead along to class. Last thing they needed was to be late but the blond could tell Talin had honestly been blindsided by the information.

Making it to their seats just before the class started, Talin can hardly keep his attention on the material. How could I be so blind? All the little things that he had seen but never understood. The times that Zack teased one of the others in such a flirtatious way. Gen's constant, borderline possessive, touches and petting words. The fact that the General accepted their touches and hugs, even rarely leaning into them and closed his eyes, as if to savor the feeling. The soft affection in Angeal's eyes whenever he looked at the other three. It had all been there for him to see nearly on a daily basis.

A bump of an elbow against his drew Talin's attention back to the lesson and to Cal's concerned glance. Mouthing 'I'm fine' he tried to focus back on the material being taught but, within minutes, he was again thinking of the 1sts.

Would his relationship with Zack change, or worse undermine, his rapport with the others? That earlier flicker of fear grew to a small flame inside his chest as he thought more about the SOLDIERS.

By lunch, that little flame had grown and was burning him from the inside with nervous worry. He liked Zack, more than he would admit, but he didn't want to ruin what he had with his General and the others.

Before he knew it, Talin found himself at the training room door and it obediently slid open as he came close. What he hadn't expected was to walk into a fight in progress. Silver, red, and black mixed with the flash of steel and sparks. The crash, ring, and hiss of blades sang through the large room and Talin was spellbound.

Sephiroth, again without his coat and gloves, wielded Masamune against Genesis with his red blade and Angeal with a standard SOLDIER sword. Together the three moved with such grace and speed that Talin found himself having trouble keeping up. It was obvious that none were really attempting to claim victory. It was a game, a dance, but by the Goddess they were stunning to watch.

They ran, jumped, and practically flew through the room in a constantly changing pattern of attack, parry, dodge, retreat, repeat. Without realizing it, Talin had taken a step in from the door, hand itching to pick up a weapon and leap into the middle to join them.

As fast as the thought came to mind, he restrained the impulse. He knew he was good, but he also knew he would be outclassed in every way were he to join in. The effortless way they fought showed just how well each knew the moves of the other two. How long had they been having such matches to be able to predict every slash and jump? How long had these three been together?

That train of thought instantly and irrevocably changed his view of this battle. It wasn't just the knowledge of each other as fighters and friends that allowed them such ease in this fight. He could see now what he missed every time before. The gleam of challenge in their eyes was mixed with the elation of spending time with a partner... a lover.

Strong arms wrapped tight around Talin's waist, scaring the Cadet nearly out of his skin. Zack had snuck quietly into the room and now leaned with Talin against the locked training room door. Nuzzling into the red hair in front of him, Zack continued to watch the trio.

"Amazing, aren't they?" Talin nodded and tried to relax into the warmth of the embrace, but couldn't. The little nagging fear of loss wouldn't let him rest. A sudden flurry of action ended with Angeal backing out of the match. Letting the General and Red Commander continue at a breakneck pace, he made his way over to them.

"Why didn't you join us, Talin? You looked ready enough when you got here."

Feeling awkward talking to Angeal while being held by Zack, he tried to stand but the arm round his waist tightened fractionally. Looking up at Angeal with an embarrassed smile, he gave up trying to get free, "I wanted to, but I don't stand a chance against you guys, even in practice."

Angeal laughed, "I'm sure you would do better than you think but I can understand. So, Zack, you finally asked him?" By now the other two had stopped and were making their way over. Zack nodded against Talin's shoulder.

"Kinda, we're having dinner tonight. Right, Red?" Talin could only nod, looking down now that Genesis and Sephiroth had joined them.

"So, our puppy finally got his bone?" Genesis teased with a sly smirk as he stopped by Angeal. Talin was too embarrassed to lift his eyes as Zack complained about the nickname of puppy following him to his grave. It was Sephiroth calling his name that made his head snap up.

"Talin, you look upset. Everything ok?" His General glanced between Zack and himself with a look that Talin couldn't discern. The burn of worry in his chest pushed words out his mouth before he could stop to think them through.

"No, I mean, yes, everything's fine. I just... I know you guys are together and I don't want..." Words cutting off sharply, he dropped his head again, not sure what to say and flustered at his sudden rushed and broken statements.

He never had to deal with many people or any kind of relationship when he was a hunter and didn't know where he was going with what he was saying. Zack loosened his arms a bit, letting large hands come to rest on the Cadet's hips, and Talin saw black leather boots move into his line of sight. A hand under his chin pulled his eyes up to meet Sephiroth's perceptive gaze.

"If you're worried about this changing things, stop. You are still my trainee and Zack has promised to be discreet till you are done with your classes this quarter. We," And he motioned to Genesis and Angeal with the hand that had been under Talin's chin, "all agreed to Zack's request so long as you said yes to him." Talin felt some of the pressure on his chest lessen and then Angeal stepped up next to Sephiroth.

"Communication's important, Talin, and not just in relationships. If you have concerns, speak up," Angeal's smile was warm and kind as always and Talin felt his thoughts settle again.

"I don't want to lose what I have already," He said, deciding to follow his customary blunt approach to things he was unfamiliar with, and, Goddess, was he unfamiliar with relationships.

"You won't be losing a thing. If you ask me, you're gaining something," Genesis spoke up from behind the others and moved forward with that smug little smirk still on his lips. Talin was now in the middle of the four with Zack still holding his hands on his hips.

"We all enjoy spending time with you, Red," the quiet words were spoken at his ear, "Now we have even more reason to." Zack rewrapped his arms loosely on Talin's waist, pulling him gently back to lean against him once more. The rest of his fears eased slightly and he nodded, finally allowing himself to relax into the strong SOLDIER's embrace.

"Now that we all understand each other. You and I are going on a field trip today, Talin," Sephiroth said as he went to retrieve his coat and gloves.

"Wait with me while Seph gets ready, Red." Zack's warm breath tickled down his neck as the other three moved to stow swords and gather discarded items from the gym wall.

Talin had been able to guess that the spiky-haired Commander was a cuddler but he hadn't expected himself to enjoy it this much. Everything about Zack was warm. His hands, the strong chest Talin was held against, the arms that kept him so snugly in place. It felt so good that he was loath to stand and move away when Angeal called Zack for their own training. Reluctantly they parted, each moving to their respective mentors after a quick 'see you later'.

…

Within a short time, Talin found himself and his General out on a train to sector 4. They had been given space by others at every turn and now had almost half the train car to themselves. The respectful distance granted to Sephiroth was intermixed with awed glances and worshiping stares from people as they passed. Talin was just thankful that he didn't have to deal with such blatant displays.

When they arrived in Sector 4, the Cadet was absolutely itching with curiosity.

"So, do I get a hint?" He had never been the best at patience and was only rewarded with a ghost of a smile and a 'You'll see'.

Twisting streets gave way to narrow alleyways as they went deeper into the jungle of homes and small shops, ending up in front of an old workshop. The sign was so worn that it was illegible and the large warehouse door was only open enough to provide airflow. Allowing a mischievous smile to flit over his features, Sephiroth opened the front door and gestured for Talin to enter first.

Talin's brain scrambled to register everything at once. The smell of steel and leather, shelf after shelf of straps and metal buckles, glass cases lining two walls, and behind those on hooks and shelves were every manor of weapon imaginable.

A quiet chuckle pulls Talin's eyes back to his mentor. "Go look around for a while." He didn't need a second invitation and started wandering down the first row of close combat weapons with a smile that about cracked his face.

"General! What can I do for you today? Need something for Masamune?" An older man had come out of a back room at the sound of the bell on the door and smiled welcomingly at the two.

Sephiroth glances down the aisle to Talin to watch his reaction, "Thank you, but I have everything I need after my last visit. We are shopping for him today."

Talin's excitement had him almost bouncing as he looked back at the General who gave him a small smile and waved him to explore. "Find something you like, Cadet." It was all he needed to start exploring in earnest.

With the permission of the shop keeper, several items were pulled down from the walls or out of cabinets for Talin to examine. When he wanted to try out some of the possible swords and daggers, they moved to the warehouse next door. It had been set up as a forge on one side and space for testing weapons on the other.

Several straight swords were tried, a few simple daggers, and even a pair of exotic hook blades but none gave Talin the feeling he was searching for. As he tried again with another sword, the weaponsmith excused himself back to the shop for a moment.

Sephiroth could see a mix of enjoyment and frustration in Talin's eyes as he picked up the hook blades for one more go. "Still not the right ones?" He asked as Talin tried the motion of the blades again.

"I like them but it's just...I don't know how to say it. They just aren't the right thing," He walked the blades back to the table that held the other weapons he had experimented with. As he placed them down the store owner came back with what looked like a short sword in a sheath. When prompted, Talin pulled free not one, but two blades that were lined perfectly together in their housing.

"You looked so comfortable with two blades that an idea struck me. They're called butterfly swords."

The swords were only as long as Talin's forearm but the blade was about as wide across as his palm. They were simple in design with a full loop knuckle guard and a single-sided cross guard that curved towards the tip of the blade. Lightweight but made to take a beating, perfect for someone first getting used to a new weapon.

At the General's request, Talin handed them to Sephiroth who demonstrated some basics. The design with the looped knuckle guard and blade on only one side was so one could spin the sword from out straight, to a defensive pose with it held against the forearm.

Talin studied his movements and took the blades when they were handed to him. They felt so light in his hands but the weight of a weapon wasn't always where their power came from. Not sure how to translate his normal practice routine from a single blade to two, he hesitated, but the name gave him an idea. Butterfly.

Swinging the blades back against his arms he spun and could feel when the blades wanted to straighten and let them swing out. He pulled them back as the spin ended but that was enough to get a pattern forming in his head.

Stepping to the center of the garage, he held them pointed down at the ground, closed his eyes, and let the motion of the swords guide his actions. The blades flicked through the air near silently as he spun, kicked, and even flipped through the altered routine. The peace Talin only ever found when fighting settled over him as he flowed through the movements. Some actions were a bit clunky, others felt as natural as breathing, but as he came to a halt with the blades crossed in front of himself, he knew they were perfect.

His eyes locked with his General's when he finally opened them and Sephiroth simply handed his card to the shop owner with a tiny smirk tugging at his lips. Sheathing the blades, Talin walked over to his mentor.

"Thank you. Seriously, I can't thank you enough for this," he says running his fingers over the braided leather of the handles.

"From the way you moved with them, I think you found a perfect match," the SOLDIER says placing a hand on the Cadet's shoulder.

Maybe it was the affection Zack had been giving him or just the exhilaration of finding a weapon he really clicked with, but the Cadet moved before thinking. Talin ducked under that hand to lock his arms around Sephiroth in a hug. To his surprise, he isn't pushed away but an arm comes down around his shoulders giving a tight squeeze. "Happy Birthday, Talin."

They pull back from the hug before the store owner comes back in with the receipt and Sephiroth's card. The man had also brought two different options for carrying the blades. One was a simple strap that would lock around Talin's belt at his low back but it would force him to have to pull both blades out with one hand. The second was a cross strap that settled the blades in an X over his shoulders letting him draw the blades like normal short swords.

Opting for the cross strap, Talin sheathed the blades and slipped it on but couldn't get it to settle right. Sephiroth stepped in and adjusted the straps for him till the harness lay perfectly between his shoulder blades in a snug but comfortable fit.

Before they leave, the General hands a slip of paper to the shop owner who smiles and nods. "Yes, Sir, I'll call you when it's ready."

Thanking the man for his help, Talin follows Sephiroth out into the tangle of alleyways. "Did you get some of your collection from that shop?" There had been a number of beautiful weapons on high shelves or behind glass that made him think of the ones in Sephiroth's apartment.

"One or two, but most are from when I was sent out for missions. I use that shop mostly for supplies to care for them."

"Is that what he was talking about? An order for more supplies?" Talin was curious and it showed but the General decided to indulge the inquisitive Cadet.

"No, the order I gave him was for you..." Almost tripping, the redhead looked up at his mentor in surprise.

"For me? But I already have these?" He touched one hand to the blade on his back and tried to keep his eyes on Sephiroth while they walked.

"Did I not tell you?" The tiny smile proved that he knew he hadn't, "Your gift is in two parts. Whatever weapon you chose would be for you to practice with and, in a few months when the smith is done, your real weapon will be ready."

Talin stopped altogether and just watched as Seph turned to meet his gaze. In a much busier section of Sector 4, he didn't think it right to hug the man again but he really wanted to.

"Thank you..." It was almost a whisper in the noisy street but it was easily heard by enhanced ears.

"You're welcome, Talin," The sincerity in those words made his chest ache and Talin jogged to catch up as the SOLDIER turned to keep walking. "You'll have to practice hard with these to be worthy of moving up to the real ones you know."

More than willing to accept that challenge, Talin nodded and they continued to the train that would take them back to the tower.

…

With more than an hour before his planned dinner with Zack, Talin goes up to the training room with Sephiroth. He wanted to try the new swords in a space large enough to accommodate more than the basic moves he did in the warehouse.

Having given some brief feedback on the train about using the butterfly blades, Sephiroth contents himself to simply watching from the doorway. He had locked it after they entered, not wanting any interruptions for this session. As Talin pulls free the swords, rolling and flipping them slowly to get the feel of them, Seph discreetly pulls out his phone and begins recording. It isn't often that the SOLDIER wanted to take a photo, let alone a video, but this was important. It's day one of Talin's real training.

So absorbed in learning his new weapon and trusting of the man watching him, Talin doesn't notice the phone following his every move.

Video Upload To: Group Chat

-File Attached: 2m 55s-

Zack: Nice! Not what I expected him to get but they look like a good fit!

Genesis: I knew it! Angeal, you owe me 500gil!

Angeal: Fine, fine, you were right but how did you know he wasn't going to pick a bigger sword?

Genesis: You have never seen him fight the way I have. The boy is a true beast when you get him riled up. He's far more dangerous in closer combat.

Sephiroth had taken a moment to talk with Gen about the meaning of his 'Safeties on' reference from the night before and wondered just what the Commander had seen in that VR room. Unfortunately, due to the way the simulations were generated, no video monitoring was possible in those rooms so he only knew what Genesis had told him. That Talin had been upset and took it out on a few waves of monsters.

Turning his attention back to the present, he asked that Talin use some Mako to practice more complicated maneuvers. The pulse of energy and then glow of Mako answered his request immediately. Talin's blood hummed with Mako, the marks and his eyes starting to glow as he pulled on it.

While throwing himself into the complicated set of flips he was fond of, Sephiroth couldn't help but smile. His cadet truly was impressive. The speed and maneuverability of the blades allowed him to show a side of himself little-seen up till that point. The blinding flashes of silver as he switched them from straight out to back against his arms as he spun and dashed around the room was something Sephiroth wouldn't soon forget.

Ending the run with blades crossed and pointed down like a giant pair of scissors, Talin tried to catch his breath and slow his racing heart. Before he could look up, Seph had ended another recording and tucked away his phone. As much as Talin's fighting style meshed with these blades, he had a long road to master them. Someday, maybe, the General would show his Cadet these videos so he could see where he started, see the beginning of his partnership with those lightning-fast swords.

For now, he offered only a few corrections on form and released the teen early knowing he would want a shower before going to Zack's.

Talin felt like he was simultaneously exhausted and ready to burst with energy. He had used a lot of Mako in the last hour but he was an anxious, vibrating mess thinking of spending time with Zack.

The barracks were still empty by the time he made it down for a shower. Taking his time letting the hot water relax his muscles, Talin wonders just what the Commander had planned for tonight. Dinner of some kind for sure and then... Shaking his head clear of those kinds of thoughts, he quickly washes up and heads out to get changed.

Clean and in fresh clothes, Talin leaves a note on Callian's bunk letting him know he would be back late and heads out. Frustratingly, it felt like the elevator stopped on every floor up to the 48th. It did eventually make it and Talin forced himself to walk calmly down the hall to Zack's apartment.

His knock is answered almost immediately leaving no time for the nervousness he had started to feel. Instead of the expected welcome, Talin was almost dragged into the apartment. Before he could say a word, his lips were caught in a soft kiss and powerful arms were wrapped around him.

Unable to think beyond the sudden sensations, the Cadet just surrendered to it till Zack pulled back. "What took ya so long? I thought for a second you got cold feet." The Commander had relaxed his hold, allowing Talin a moment to catch his breath. He couldn't help a chuckle at the expression on the other's face and could easily see where the nickname 'Puppy' came from. Zack had truly perfected the use of puppy dog eyes.

"It's not like I'm late. Seph even let me out early so I could shower after practice so, if anything, I'm early." Talin was taking the time to remove his boots as he spoke till he felt a poke to the swords on his back.

"These your new weapons? Lemme see." Finally getting his other shoe off, Talin pulled one of the blades free and handed it to the SOLDIER. "So light... I've seen these types before but never used them. You'll have to spar with me sometime, I'd love to see you fight with them." Zack handled the blade with the ease of someone long familiar with swords but was still overly excitable about learning new things.

When Talin replaced the weapon in the sheath and started pulling the harness off, Zack stepped in to help. Standing close behind the Cadet, he took every chance to touch Talin's back and shoulders as he helped with the buckles. By the time Zack moved away to hang the harness up, the teen was overly aware of how much skin was accessible in his light tank top. He hadn't really thought to wear anything special and had just grabbed whatever was clean. At least he had on a pair of full-length cargo pants instead of the shorts he was going to wear... or should he be disappointed that he didn't wear the shorts?

Lost in very distracted and confused thoughts, Zack's hand running from his low back up to his neck brought him crashing back to reality.

"Everything alright in there, Red?" The question was paired with a gentle knock of knuckles against Talin's head which he playfully swatted away.

"Ya, I'm fine. I guess I'm just a little distracted because of how much happened today," He fibbed before following the Commander into the living room. Sheepishly, Zack apologized. He had planned some kind of chicken meal for their dinner but had managed to burn the hell out of it. Instead, there were now two pizza's in the oven.

Since they had a little time before food would be ready, Zack pulled Talin to the couch and asked if he played any videogames. At hearing that he had never played one, a controller is shoved into his hands and Talin finds himself challenged to a fighting game. The controls are simple enough but, like any newbie player, he just mashed any button his thumbs landed on.

In the end, Talin only won a single match but found himself enjoying trying to throw Zack off by constantly blocking his view or pulling his controller from his hands. A beeping from the kitchen had them both up and moving. Talin was starving and Zack was apparently always hungry.

Following the SOLDIER's lead, they sat on the floor in the living room at the coffee table and flipped through channels while they waited for the pizza to cool down. As they passed a channel about travel, Zack switched back to it and gave a startled laugh.

"Sorry, they're covering the southern island chain near where I grew up. I guess I never thought of it as a travel destination but the ocean there is really nice." Deciding to watch for a bit, they both dig into their food. Anytime Zack saw a location he recognized, he had a story about this or that friend who was with him doing X, Y, or Z thing. Hearing that he had been just as rambunctious of a kid as he is an adult made Talin laugh more than the stories.

Before long the show ended and they had to find another to watch. By some odd luck, the sequel to 'Wasteland Racers' was playing. With a chuckle and mild blush, Talin agreed to watch it so long as no drinking games were involved.

Shortly after the movie started, Zack decided he didn't like the floor anymore and shifted up onto the couch. Less than a minute later, Talin found himself hauled up as well. However, instead of him sitting next to Zack, he was firmly settled between black-clad legs with bare arms again locked at his waist.

At first hyper-aware of every touch, Talin eventually forced himself to just enjoy the warmth surrounding him as they watched the movie. After a while, they shifted more into the couch to the point that they were laying down, Zack still cuddling Talin to him like a human-sized teddy bear.

The SOLDIER's hand had shifted to Talin's hip and, after several soft movements, said hand made its way under the edge of his shirt to gently caress his hipbone. The area was more sensitive than Talin thought as each petting slide of fingers made him squirm ever so slightly, but it felt too good to ask him to stop.

After one wiggle to many, Zack propped himself up on an elbow over the cadet drawing Talin's attention from the movie. "Are you moving like that to tease me or because you're ticklish?" There was some heat in Mako blue eyes and Talin swallowed, realizing the unintended effect of his movements.

Nervously, he was about to apologize when he stopped himself. Screw it... "What happens if I just say yes?" His reply was quiet and a little shy but he was done ignoring what he wanted.

"In that case, I'm not sure if I should punish you or kiss you..." Talin makes the choice for him. Wrapping an arm up around the other's neck, he leans up and claims Zack's mouth with his.

This time it was no quick peck. The hand that was on his hip moves to trace his jaw as a tongue swipes at his lower lip. Soon as lips part and tongues meet, Talin starts feeling warm and lightheaded. Zack shifts them a bit, now half laying on his cadet, propped up on his elbows with one leg between Talin's.

A small gasp is pulled from him as the SOLDIER's hip rubs along his front, giving him just a bit of friction. Talin's mind is quickly turning to a dizzy mess of arousal as he tries to keep up with the kiss. Every time he almost has his brain back together, Zack would rub his leg between Talin's again.

Almost panting from the stimulation, Talin fights fire with fire. Lifting his leg between Zack's to return the favor and a groan spills into their kiss. The grind of hips and clash of tongues becomes more intense and Talin finds he is drowning in it, but it isn't enough.

Zack pulls back only far enough to move to Talin's neck, placing kisses and a few licks at his pulse. "What do you need, Red?" He asked, and gently lets some of his weight down onto the Cadet, settling himself fully against the other's arousal. "You set the pace," It was whispered into Talin's ear as he panted from the slow grind that had started again.

"More, I need something more, Zack," The words are broken by huffs and gasps as the assault on his neck continues.

The grind of hips stops. "As you wish, Red. Just remember, you say stop and we stop. No questions," Hands that had been holding the SOLDIER up move to slowly remove belts all while Zack shifts to nip and kiss at Talin's collarbone. Gasps turn to groans as pants are pulled down just far enough to be out of the way, leaving only the thin fabric of underwear between them.

Taking Talin's hands, Zack puts them above the Cadet's head and lacing their fingers, before settling again between parted legs. The feeling previously had been good, but with only that little bit of cloth separating them, this was ten times more intense. The heat of another body rubbing so firmly against his had Talin moaning into their renewed kiss.

Gripping hard to the larger hands holding his, he starts grinding his hips up against Zack's, earning him a deep groan that vibrates his chest. Suddenly the slow grind becomes a hard and fast rocking. Precum wets the fabric between them, increasing the sensation and aiding the slide of heated flesh.

Eyes closed, Talin is shaking and he desperately works himself closer to the edge. So close, so close! Just as he is about to beg for something, anything more, Zack shifts, placing a sucking bite on his neck and snaps his hips down harder.

Talin sees white and Zack's name comes out as a broken moan. Their heavy breathing and pounding hearts are all either can hear as they lay there with foreheads pressed together.

"The things you do to me, Red," The laughing whisper broke the silence before Zack pulled himself up off the couch offering a hand to help Talin up. The cadet was shaky and allowed himself to be held against that strong chest for another slow gentle kiss.

"Go get cleaned up. Don't want your unit givin' you shit," Zack's mischievous and still lust-filled gaze make Talin hesitate. As relieved as the Cadet was, he knew Zack hadn't reached the same release, as was evident by the warmth prodding his side. A gentle shove towards the bathroom forced Talin to do as recommended but he still felt a bit bad.

After a quick second alone in the bathroom to remove his sticky underwear and the use of a washcloth, Talin was a little more with it. I actually did that...with Zack... Granted, it wasn't like he just had his cherry popped, but it was sure up there. And he couldn't wait to do it again.