Author's Note: Finally! Let's give these poor boys some real playtime, shall we?

Marken: Gen really is getting handsy isn't he, but he's just going to have to wait. Talin isn't done with Zack by a long shot. Seph is really trying to balance his role as a guide and mentor for Talin, their developing relationship has always been my favorite to write.

Chapter Warnings: Sexual Content

Chapter 25

Dinner comes courtesy of a delivery man, and Talin digs into the best burger he'd had in years. After demolishing their meals, Zack pulls out two small tubs of ice cream and they curl up on the couch to savor the sweet treat. The 1st had gone to the store that morning and snagged a carton of Mudslide for Talin and his own strawberry cheesecake.

Talin could hardly focus on his ice cream or whatever program was on TV. All he could think about was how badly he wanted to please the SOLDIER next to him. Zack had ignored his own needs long enough...

"Wanna try some of this? It's really good." Talin was snuggled against the man's side and turned a bit with a full scoop on his spoon raised in his direction.

"Sure, it can't be as good as cheesecake but I'll never turn down chocolate," He leaned forward towards the spoon but it was pulled from his reach. Using the moment of confusion, Talin popped the bite of ice cream into his own mouth as he straddled Zack's lap and then kissed him.

The 1st caught on quick and pushed his tongue into Talin's mouth, seeking out the icy sweet. The kiss was messy but Zack simply took it as an excuse to lick the escaped chocolate from his Cadet's lips, chin, and neck. Wanting to share more, Zack took a scoop of his own ice cream and did the same. Zack tasted even better with chocolate and strawberries Talin decided.

Without ending the kiss, the redhead put their cartons aside and circled Zack's neck with his arms before slowly grinding himself in the man's lap. The movement was hesitant, still nervous about being so forward, but the hands at his hips squeezed tighter and pulled them firmly together. The friction was like lighting a match.

The slide and push of tongues against each other and the rough grinding of hips had both straining against their light sweatpants. "I'm not letting you get away this time, Zack. I want you to feel as good as I do." Talin whispered into the kiss and daringly nipped the SOLDIER's lower lip. Zack groaned and bucked up into Talin at the little hurt before thrusting a hand into red hair and pulling him deeper into the kiss that now included teeth.

"Bedroom?" Zack asked, his eyes burning with barely withheld lust.

"Bedroom," Talin agreed and then gasped as Zack stood suddenly with him in his arms. On instinct, he wrapped his legs around Zack's hips but the hands that gripped his ass weren't about to let him fall.

The mischievous grin was back on Zack's face but the usually laughing glint was replaced by smoldering anticipation and it made the Cadet shiver. Zack nipped and licked Talin's neck as they made it to the bedroom and didn't stop when he leaned them down onto the bed. Another tremor ran through him at being trapped under the bigger man. Goddess, could this get any hotter?

His legs that had been wrapped around the SOLDIER's trim waist now hooked to pull the Commander more firmly on top of him. "Zack, I don't want to stop this time..." Glowing blue eyes lock with his green and there is hesitation in them.

"I don't want to go too fast for you Red, and you're injured," Those eyes dropped to the bandaged shoulder. Talin reached out and made Zack look back at his face.

"You wanted all my firsts and I want to give them to you," He said pulling him down for another kiss. "And, you're strong enough that I shouldn't have to use my bad arm." There was a small challenging smile to the words and Zack almost pounced at the offer but wanted to give Talin an out.

He kissed the Cadet again and let his hands wander down his chest to the hem of Talin's sweats. "Rule still applies, you say stop and we stop." It was all the warning Talin had before the loose pants were pulled off him, leaving him bare to the skin.

Zack loved being enhanced, loved using his strength, but he had never been the more powerful of any pairing with his lovers. This was different. Talin was strong, but nothing compared to a SOLDIER 1st. He nearly broke the waistband on his own pants as he shed them and underwear all at once. Talin was blushing from embarrassment at being naked but very much aroused from the manhandling. He loved it.

He had always been too strong, too dangerous to be the object of any flirtatious attention before. With Zack he didn't have to worry about any of that, he could just do what he wanted without fear of spooking or hurting his partner. And right now, he wanted everything.

Zack crawled back over him and trailed kisses and licks down to Talin's chest ending at a nipple. He licked and sucked it while using his hand to pinch and rub the other and Talin squirmed under him. He had another jolt as the man pined his body with his own and the heat of Zack's length pressed to his leg. He tried reaching for it, but his hand was caught and pinned as well.

"You start touching me, Red, and we'll never get down your list of firsts." If Talin could blush harder he would have. Zack released his hand with a smile and lowered himself further down the teen's body laying kisses and licks in a hot, wet line as he went.

Eyes closed, Talin writhed as that clever tongue lapped between abs and around his naval but the Cadet froze when he felt the brush of breath on his hip. Eyes that had shut from pleasure flew open but he wasn't bold enough to look at anything but the ceiling.

The trail of feather-light kisses paused a heartbeat before continuing in from his hip bone till they brushed the base of his erection. When the lips didn't descend again after the last kiss, Talin finally looked down. Zack was hovering over his length and gave a devilish smirk before capturing it in his mouth.

Talin's eyes snapped shut as he threw his head back, the image was burned into his mind's eye as wet heat worked lower and lower on him till every inch was in that hot mouth. Zack worked with every trick he had learned while he pleasured his Cadet and was well rewarded with panting moans and gasps.

All too quickly, he realized his attentions were going to kick the boy over the edge so he slowed and then pulled back. Talin was a wreck, gasping and shaking all over when Zack crawled back up over him for a kiss. It was full of desperation for more and the Commander quickly leaned up to grab a small bottle from the nightstand. Settling himself between spread legs, Zack nuzzled into Talin's neck and kissed his jaw while he coated a few fingers and nudged Talin's legs open wider with his own.

Green eyes cracked open, full of nervousness, and Zack kissed the redhead deeply as he traced that small ring of muscle. The 1st would never admit it, but he was also nervous. He had been a virgin when Angeal had taken him the first time too, but now he was on the giving end and, while he wasn't as big as the stoic SOLDIER, he didn't want to mess this up and end up hurting Talin.

"Just breathe for me, Red," He said as he felt the stiffness of the body below him. Talin looked up into those Mako eyes and slowed his breathing trying to relax. Zack smiled and kissed him again as he pressed a finger in, slowly working deeper. Talin fought the reaction to clench down and tried to keep breathing slowly but it was hard.

Just as he was about to call a stop, that probing finger rubbed against just the right spot and he saw stars. Zack was grinning over him now and slowly rubbed it again. Talin couldn't help his moans as that clever finger worked in and out of him. Soon another was slowly added and Zack was sure to hit or rub that section often. His poor cadet was starting to squirm at each well-aimed rub and Zack added a third finger.

"Zack," His tone was strained but his eyes were begging for more so the SOLDIER started working his fingers wider in an attempt to prepare him as much as possible. It was going to be tight and he was so ready, he just hoped Talin would be too.

Pulling his fingers free he saw the teen look up and smiled down at him before coating himself in lube. Talin had a hesitant expression and asked quietly "Shouldn't you use a... a condom?" Zack chuckled and leaned over him again.

"SOLDIERS never have to worry about that, the Mako burns everything up. It's why we don't get sick. But I can if you want me to?" The last was said into Talin's mouth as he kissed the redhead again.

"No, I just... Forget it," Hiding his smile at his flustered lover, Zack dove back into their heated kiss before lining up and pushing forward ever so slowly.

Zack was big and Talin felt like something was going to tear, but he kept focused on the deep kisses and gentle encouragement from his partner. Finally, Zack stopped moving forward and Talin was so full he didn't think he could move.

"Doing ok, Red?" Zack whispered to him. He was trying hard not to move but the twitching and clenching around his buried length was sweet torture. Talin's breathing was shallow by this point but he wanted to keep going and nodded. Wrapping his arms around Zack's shoulders, he pulled lightly.

"Please Zack, move." Slowly, Zack pulled almost out and then pushed back in, enjoying the tight grip around him and the groans from Talin.

The slow push and pull continued till they were both panting and Talin pulled again at the man's shoulders. "You want more, Red?" His voice was trembling with the attempt to control himself. Talin nodded into his shoulder not trusting words at the moment. Zack shifted angle and worked them into a faster pace.

The new angle rubbed again and again at his prostate and Talin couldn't hold back his ever louder moans. Zack was just as lost as his Cadet to the pleasure and could feel himself getting closer. Talin's hand snaked between them to grasp himself and Zack wrapped his larger hand around his to help him. The dual sensation was too much for the no-longer-virgin and his release tore through him like lightning. Zack kept going, the grip around him got tighter and he could feel his own control slipping fast. A hand in his hair pulled him down to a kiss.

"C'mon Zack, do it, don't stop." That encouragement was all he needed and with a roar, he pounded himself into Talin as he came at last.

Holding himself above his lover while they both tried to catch their breath, Zack admired his work. Face flushed, lips kiss swollen, and eyes glazed with pleasure, the scene was enough to make Zack's heart race.

With care, the SOLDIER pulled himself out before collapsing next to the ravished redhead. Silently, he swore he would never deny himself that long again for the sake of his sanity, and Talin's ass. The thought of 'again' made his blood heat again but another look at his Cadet determined him against such strenuous activity.

Talin was gently massaging his shoulder and wincing slightly. The pain wasn't bad, just a deep ache, and it had been beyond worth it. Now he was tired, warm, and as purely happy and content as he had ever felt. He was also sore elsewhere but that had been expected.

A strong arm curled over and pulled Talin to snuggle into the 1st's side and he quickly made himself comfortable against the strong chest. "Why don't you stay the night? I have classes to teach in the morning, but you're more than welcome to stay and catch some more sleep after I leave..."

It didn't take more than a second for the teen to agree. Not having to go back to the barracks to be met with Callian's smug face was one reason to stay but he also really wanted to spend the night with Zack. Who wouldn't want to spend more time with such a man?

...

After a short nap, Zack pulled the half-asleep Cadet up and to the shower. "C'mon," He coaxed, "If you're good, I'll even wash your back." Talin could easily tell from the excited look in those bright blue eyes that washing wasn't the only thing Zack had planned.

The shower stall was large enough for the two of them but once he was inside, Talin found himself pushed up against the cold tile wall. Warm water fell over them but all he could feel was the creep of hands along his hips and the return of light kisses and bites down his neck.

"Tell me, T, what other firsts do you want to mark off that list of yours tonight?" One of those wandering hands threaded up into red hair and pulled him into a slow, hot kiss. It was a dance of tongues while Zack pressed the smaller body more firmly against the wall causing shivers to race up Talin's spine. The cold of the tile counteracted by the blazing heat of the body pinning him along with the increasingly fevered kiss had Talin hard all over again.

Knowing the effect he was having on the inexperienced teen, Zack decided to not torment him any longer. Using one arm to cradle the other's injured shoulder, the 1st spun him around, pinning him again before returning to their make-out session. Talin gasped at the erotic sensation as their erections pressed between their overheated bodies and his hips bucked when Zack started to grind against him. It was too much, but not enough.

Zack only had a moment's notice before one hand disappeared from his hip and wrapped firmly around his shaft and started stroking. In an instant, he had his own curled around Talin's cock and started mirroring every movement of those nimble fingers.

It took Talin a second to realize what was happening but after that, every stroke, each teasing rub, and squeeze was mimicked back onto his already sensitive flesh. Their kiss had dissolved into gasps and moans as Talin set their pace of firm, slow strokes till neither could take it any longer.

Zack retook control by wrapping his larger hand around both their lengths, trapping Talin's hand, and then working them both fast and hard. Using his free hand, he pulled the Cadet's head back and devoured his cries of pleasure till he too lost himself to it. Hips snapping forward into their combined hands, Zack came, muffling his moans into their passionate kiss.

Eventually, they cleaned themselves and left the shower but not before Zack got his fill of Talin. He didn't take him again, but the temptation to keep kissing him wasn't one he could fight. The innocence in those kisses that turned so quickly to passion was something Zack would savor.

Exhausted, Talin let Zack dry his hair as they sat watching another travel show but couldn't stop his yawns. Hardly past ten, the two climb back into Zack's bed. Settled on his side, Talin couldn't help his smile when that bigger body curled around his.

"G'night, Red." A kiss landed on the back of his neck followed by a nuzzle at slightly damp red hair.

Smile still tugging at his lips, Talin squeezed their laced fingers. "Night goofball."

The beeping of an alarm woke Talin the next morning. Zack was still snuggled against his back with arms wrapped loosely around the teen's waist and their legs were tangled in the light blankets. One of those muscled arms slid away to turn off the alarm before coming back to pull him closer.

"Maybe I should call in sick..." A teasing kiss trailed down his neck, "I feel like I'm running a fever..." Talin couldn't help but laugh as he was rolled and pinned under Zack.

"Hmmm, you are running a bit hot," He teased back, leaning up to whisper in the 1st's ear, "You might need to rest in bed all day," A wicked smile went unseen by Zack. "Or, maybe you just need a cold shower." The seductive tone was ruined by the words and the sharp nip to the Commander's ear.

Distraction successful, Talin bucked his hips, twisting till he was above his partner. He had thought he might get away but Zack was undeniably faster. Arms hooked around his hips like iron, trapping him again.

Uncomfortable holding himself up with his bad shoulder, Talin let himself collapse onto Zack's chest. "You're setting a bad example, Commander, thinking about cutting class. What would your cadets think?" Neither could prevent the laughter that followed. After a few minutes more snuggling, they got up and started getting ready for the day.

Zack repeated his offer to let Talin stay and rest at his place but the Cadet was far from tired. After sleeping most of the afternoon yesterday, he needed to get up and moving again. A small workout to stretch his now stiff shoulder sounded like just the thing.

Zack wasn't the best cook but was able to throw together a quick batch of scrambled eggs and sausage while Talin made coffee. The silence while they ate was comfortable but didn't last long. Soon as they finished, the SOLDIER threw their plates into the sink and, after stealing one last smoldering kiss, headed out to teach.

Feeling awkward in Zack's apartment by himself, Talin takes a quick shower, dresses, and heads back down to his barracks. He needed to change before going to work out otherwise he would have delayed his return even longer.

Not quite ready for the teasing of his friend, Talin enters and finds most of his Unit still asleep, except Callian, of course. That smug smile that seemed to always be on the blonde's face these days and the redhead groaned inwardly.

He had prepared his cover story that he had fallen asleep on Zack's couch if anyone had asked, but mercifully no one other than Cal was awake for now. Taking advantage of that fact, he ducked into the bathroom with his still packed mission bag and changed into fresh boxers. The bruises on his hips were way too obvious.

Stashing his toiletries back in his cabinet, Talin ran back out and changed into clean clothes before Cal finally caught him.

"So you passed out at the Commander's place? Not really surprised with how active you've been." Goddess, Talin was happy that his friend knew but why did he have to tease him so much about it?

"Ya, I was dead tired. Anyways, I'm heading up to train a bit..." An arm hooked with his before he could get away and Callian lowered his voice so as not to be overheard.

"Oh c'mon, you know I'm just givin' ya shit, but I am terribly curious..." With a chuckle at Talin's blush, Cal let him go. "Kidding man, what you do is your business. Anyways, I'm gonna go grab breakfast. Message me later if you want a sparring partner."

Shaking his head as he watches him walk away, Talin scoops up his blades and heads up to the 50th floor. He could have gone to the cadet floor rooms but it was nice to have the space to himself and the training dummy here was actually functional. Pulling only one blade felt just as strange as it had on the mission but he knew better than to use both.

He kept his motions slow at first, working out how to best block and dodge onehanded before moving onto attacks. There really wasn't much power behind a single blade but a well-placed slash with the razor-sharp sword could be debilitating.

While working on his form and speeding up his movements, Talin found himself thinking back to what his General had said yesterday. He needed to keep his promises, and he'd made a new one. To train harder and make it to 1st Class. To do that he would need to be healed but he wasn't about to slow down too much.

Carving that promise into his mind, Talin hooked his bad arm behind his back and threw himself into his practice. I'll get stronger. I'll make SOLDIER. I'll become a 1st. Skidding to a halt after a wild flip, Talin lunged forward at the training dummy again striking it as he flew past. The rush of Mako as he pulled more and more hit him like adrenaline and he pushed harder.

To the one camera recording the room, he looked like a green-blue blur but the General didn't need to see the specifics to know his Cadet was enjoying himself. With a smirk, Sephiroth turned the camera off and deleted the footage. It was too low quality to be useful for Talin's training anyway.


Time is known to heal all wounds, but Talin could wish that it would have gone faster. After two weeks of irritation and frustratingly slow training, the stitches finally came out of his shoulder. The new scar stretched from collar bone to shoulder blade and was still sensitive now that he wasn't wearing bandages.

The following week, Angeal cleared him back to regular training and it was about time. Not that his sessions had been any easier but Talin had been pushing his limits daily, often getting scolded by Sephiroth or Angeal when he went too far. It felt like a wasted three weeks, but he knew it hadn't been.

Sephiroth had taken the opportunity to train Talin in all the basics he could think of. Anything that could be done one-handed or wouldn't strain his shoulder was practiced till he could do it in his sleep. While it wasn't as gratifying as full contact weapons training, Talin was glad for it none the less.

At one point, Genesis had been his teacher for a few days when the General had been forced to attend several meetings each afternoon. They walked through several onehanded sword styles and then, with the promise that neither would tell, had a small sparing match that Talin lost miserably.

Now that he was released to regular training, Zack was his sparring partner as often as the 1st could manage to be there. Their relationship was a bit tricky to keep secret considering the number of times they had almost been caught but, somehow, they had managed.

However, after being almost walked in on twice, Zack begrudgingly agreed to the rule of no more make-out sessions in the cadet classrooms. Till the end of the semester, they would just have to keep that kind of activity behind locked doors.

...

Two weeks before the long-awaited end of the semester, Talin's unit was sent on another short mission. It had been another round of guard duty but this time on a caravan of vehicles making a delivery just outside of the city. For their trouble, the Unit was given another two days off.

Unlike Talin's low-level missions, Genesis and Angeal had been being posted to dangerous ones almost weekly. As close as he had become with the two 1sts, Talin had been invited each time to wish them well on their trip. Zack had told him later that it was tradition for someone of their group to be there before one of them was sent out. One final kiss or hug for the departing to take with them.

Genesis had been the last to leave, having gone out only the day before, so the conversation with Zack was fresh in Talin's mind when he got a frantic text from his lover.

He had been sitting relaxing on the recreation floor, enjoying one of his RnR days post-mission but took off at speed after reading the message.

SMS Message From: Zack

Zack: T, I need you to do a favor! Angeal is getting deployed in 30 mins! I have to teach, Gen's gone, and Seph is in a meeting, can you go say goodbye for us?!

Talin typed a quick reply while he waited for the elevator to arrive and then impatiently waited again while it ascended to the deployment floor. Seeing Angeal standing by himself in the side hallway, the Cadet jogged over and was greeted by the SOLDIER's warm smile. "Where're they sending you this time?" Coming to a stop just in front of him, Talin saw the man's smile slip for a moment.

"Junon area. There's another reactor in the outlying hills that has been having a monster issue." His expression clouded, revealing the concern beneath the ever-calm facade.

Creatures of every type and size had been popping up like weeds near reactors all over the globe, and the mighty 1st Class SOLDIER's were being sent to deal with them. Angeal would be exhausted when he got back from the short but intense trip.

Not liking the disturbed look in the man's eye, Talin followed his first instinct. Catching the 1st's fingers with his own, much like he did with Zack, the Cadet gave that large hand a firm squeeze. "When you come back, I'll cook us all dinner. Sound good?" Talin looked back up as he spoke and found himself trapped in the startlingly intense gaze of Commander Hewley.

Although so many people compared Angeal to Zack and vice versa, Talin would never mistake their eyes. His bouncing lover had bright sky-blue eyes the glowed almost neon bright. Angeal's were dark, like the depths of the ocean, and the glow was only just starting to be visible in the dim corridor.

Angeal smiled and pulled Talin into a quick and tight hug under one arm. "That sounds great, Cadet." Arm still wrapped solidly around his shoulders, the SOLDIER led them towards the helipad doors and stopped just before the sensor could pick them up.

"Thanks for coming to see me off, Talin. It really means a lot." The slight curl and flex of the strong arm around him pulled the teen closer and he found himself unexpectedly held in a tight hug.

That tickle of instinct again pushed Talin into action and he raised his arms and hugged back. "I know I'm not much of a stand-in for Zack or the others..." A deep chuckle vibrated through him.

"No one could ever replace those three but," And Angeal's tone turned softer, "I hope you know that you're as welcome as any of them." One large hand shifted and slid up into Talin's hair, coming to rest at the back of his head.

The same intense eye contact from before was even more acute as close as they were now. For a moment, it felt like... something was going to happen, but then the arm around him loosened and the hand on his head ruffled his hair.

"You take care of yourself while I'm gone. I'll be expecting dinner when I get back." The cheerful smile as the 1st headed out the doors confused the Cadet as he waved and watched the chopper take off. Had he been imagining things? Had Angeal just wanted a hug before he left or... Or maybe Talin was simply fantasizing about a man who was happily taken three times over.

Chuckling at his own wayward emotions, the teen shook off the lingering confusion and headed back to the elevator. Zack was the one with permission from the others to date Talin, not Angeal. And as much as he admired Commander Hewley, he was very happy with Zack. Why change what isn't broken, right?