Author's Note: We've had some seriously heavy subjects in the last few chapters so let's have a fluff break, shall we?

Marken: Oh for sure, the others are really unhappy with Seph. They will be working overtime to sort this out, but thankfully Gen knows what our Cadet needs. Sephiroth will have to be on his best behavior, but we all know how stubborn he can be...

P.S. I saw your reviews coming in just fine so I'm not sure what was going wrong with FF. I just approved the most recent of the two I saw so I hope I picked the right one!

Beta Readers: Pixie, Kiza, and Discord.

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

Chapter 33

Talin turned sharply to look up at the softly smiling Commander, "Stay with you?" A small chuckle was more felt than heard over another roll of thunder.

"Did you not think it an option? I'm hurt, Little Bird." The sad expression that filled the man's face had the Cadet rapidly trying to amend his hasty words.

"No, that's not what I meant! I didn't- I mean, I wasn't sure if-" At last, the teen caught sight of the laughing gleam in Gen's eyes. A wholehearted laugh spilled from the 1st as he watched Talin's concern turn to flustered irritation at being tricked.

"Oh, come now, Cadet. Do forgive me, I couldn't help it." He said, still chuckling as he pulled the teen back against him when he tried to get up. "Honestly though, I'm more than willing to take you in for the night if you wish." Talin settled once more and considered the offer for a few moments.

He'd never thought of it before, but suddenly he realized that he'd never even seen Gen's apartment. He knew it was also on the 50th floor, knew where the door was, but all their gatherings had been at Angeal's or Seph's. His curiosity pushed at him to accept and he caved. "If you're ok with it, I think I'd like that."

A hand moved up into his wet hair, combing through it and reorganizing what the wind had turned into a wild mess. "I do have one condition for you staying with me..." Talin tensed slightly, not having expected there to be a catch. The hand in his hair continued its gentle motion, "It applies to tonight and tonight only." Shoulders relaxed a bit knowing there was a time limit on whatever request the Commander would make, and he nodded.

"You may stay with me, but you'll do as I ask without argument or fuss." Talin wasn't quite sure how to take that request. On one hand, he knew the Commander wouldn't ask him to do anything ridiculous, but on the other... No, there was nothing to fear from Genesis. Eccentric as the man was, he'd been nothing but kind and caring since they'd gotten to know each other.

Mind made up, the teen nodded. "Ya, that's fine."

"Good. Let's get you inside and warmed up before you freeze your fingers off." Arms shifted back to Talin's midsection and he was lifted up to his feet as Gen stood. His legs were numb and, while he could still stand, they tingled and felt stiff as he steadied himself. Before he could turn to walk, a heavy, warm weight draped across his shoulders and, upon looking up, he realized it was the 1st's leather jacket. The Commander's remaining sleeveless top was quickly becoming soaked and the Cadet tried to give the coat back. "No, put it on. You're half frozen."

Talin's argument died on his lips as he remembered their agreement and he slipped his arms into the sleeves. To his surprise, it was dry inside even after sitting in the rain for so long. Fully covered by the slightly too large coat, he felt feeling returning to his numbed skin and winced as the pins and needles sensation spread.

His world suddenly spun slightly. Arms that flailed out for balance came in contact with a strong chest that he clung to as Gen picked him up bridal style. He glared up at the smugly grinning SOLDIER but held his tongue when one sculpted eyebrow arched in question. Right, no argument. But he didn't really ask me, he just did it.

Genesis almost laughed at the sullen compliance of the teen but, while he could appreciate his mild embarrassment, Talin's condition hadn't escaped his notice. Legs stiff with cold wouldn't have taken him far and would've been painful as the nerves started waking up so he'd decided to just carry the teen.

That arrangement settled, the 1st headed towards the building but had one last thing to deal with before they left. "I saw your blades by the door..." Seeing them propped in a corner of the doorway alcove had been disheartening. He'd worried that Talin had rejected his partners again after the disastrous session with Sephiroth.

The head that was tucked against Gen's chest shifted when the Cadet looked over at the shadowed pair of swords. "I didn't want them to get wet." His words were quiet and full of concern for the wellbeing of his weapon instead of any contempt or hesitation.

Satisfied that he wouldn't have to talk the boy back into using them, the Red Commander carried him over and knelt down in the alcove near them. Talin didn't hesitate to scoop up the pair and tucked them into the red leather coat as they finally entered the building.

It wasn't till they were in the elevator that the teen started to worry again. "Gen, what if someone sees you carrying me?" The SOLDIER wasn't known as the kind to carry an injured Cadet like Angeal or Zack was.

A low and devious chuckle vibrated the chest beneath his head. "If anyone does see, I think that they would know better than to say anything." When Talin glanced up, he saw a gleam in the other's eyes the promised quick reprisal for any unfortunate soul that did.

Talin scoffed. "I keep forgetting that you're supposed to be scary."

The arms around him gave a firm squeeze as they exited the elevator. "You, Little Bird, have to be the only Cadet not afraid of me and that's just how I like it."

It turned out that there was a rather good reason that they didn't spend time at Genesis' apartment. Where Angeal had a cozy living space and Seph had that amazingly long and comfy couch, Gen's apartment was very... formal. Instead of couches, there were chairs grouped around the fireplace and coffee table and, while immaculately clean and tidy, the space lacked any sense of personality or warmth.

Turns out, it had been President Shin-Ra's till the renovations to the top floor had been finished. The end result was the man moving into a fully decorated penthouse the size of a mansion and leaving everything behind in the apartment other than personal items. The fine furniture and impersonal touches made sense in a meeting space where one might entertain business guests, but not as a place for friends and lovers.

"I've been wanting to redecorate since I got it but can't quite decide what to do..." He'd said as they entered the massive two-story living room. Like in the General's apartment, one whole wall was nothing but windows that looked out at the storm darkened city. Not bothering to take off his boots, Gen turned and went up the stairs to their left. It led to a balcony overlooking the living room that then split in two directions and again they went left.

To Talin's surprise, there was no door to the master bedroom, just a dividing wall with another fireplace that was visible from both sides. Seeing the massive bed made Talin's mind freeze. Did Genesis want to... The thought of the man's earlier words 'Let's get you warmed up' rang in his mind till they turned and moved into an equally spacious bathroom.

To one side was a large glass-enclosed shower and to the other was a deep tub nestled up against a wide window that also looked out over the city. Talin found himself carefully set down on a slab of stone that jutted out from the wall to create a low bench. "You sit here for a minute and keep warm while I get a bath going for you."

Before Genesis could turn to the task, he stopped and cocked his head to one side, as if he heard something. "Looks like mother hen found us..." Talin tried to figure out what he was talking about when he felt the sudden brush and the flood of concern and worry. "Do talk to him, won't you? He's been terribly worried."

Feeling bad now for having run from Angeal, he closed his eyes and sought out the waiting presence. Instead of forming next to it, Talin looped himself around the big SOLDIER's shadow in an attempted hug to apologize. ~Geal?~ Their connection was filled with relief and the teen felt himself hugged back by the specter. It was a sort of light pressure around his shoulders, like the strength of a strong wind against his skin.

~Talin, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have sent Gen after you like that but, after what we saw, I was worried, we all were, and then it was getting so late...~ The Cadet's head spun as he tried to process the overwhelming emotion that accompanied the words. His mind latched onto one section of the rushed explanation and a sick feeling settled in his stomach.

~What you saw?~ His sense of dread increased when Angeal hesitated to respond.

~When we were locked out, we went and accessed the security feeds... We saw, and heard, everything...~ While it saved Talin the need to explain, he still felt ashamed of what they'd witnessed. His violent attack, the humiliating surrender, and his fearful reactions. Then there was what Seph had said of how he'd acted in the VR room before the General's deployment.

He felt his control of his shadow falter and their link wavered. Fingers brushing through his wet hair drew his attention back to the physical, and he opened his eyes to see Genesis crouched in front of him. "Breathe, Talin." His rapidly beating heart must've attracted the 1st's attention. "That's it, slow and steady." Looking into those blue-green eyes and feeling the hands softly rubbing his scalp, he felt his heart and breathing start to even out. "Good... Just take it easy and finish your conversation. The bath's almost ready."

The fingers slipped from his hair as Talin again closed his eyes and looked for Angeal. He hadn't moved, waiting patiently as ever for the teen to come back. ~I was kinda glad thinking that you guys hadn't seen all that...~ His words trailed off when he felt the whisper of arms around him once more.

~T, after everything that's happened, you've every right to be angry. What you did in there today might've been extreme but, knowing what we do now, I honestly can't blame you in the slightest.~ There was the sensation of petting down his back and cheek. It was reassuring and he relaxed into the touch as he listened. ~Anyway, we can talk more about that another time. For now, where are you? I know Gen found you but haven't heard anything since his last text.~

Talin was a bit hesitant as he admitted where he was. ~I'm staying with Genesis tonight.~ There was a long pause but no judgment when Angeal finally responded.

~Ok.~ His shadow was pulled against something that felt almost solid and then there was the press of what could only be lips against his in a tender kiss. ~Let me know if you need anything and we'll see you tomorrow.~ Knowing the SOLDIER could see his shadow, he nodded and enjoyed one last kiss before hearing the quiet ~Goodnight, T~ and then their connection faded away.

As he came back to his senses and opened his eyes, Talin saw Genesis sitting on the tub edge watching him. "Everything alright?" He could tell that the SOLDIER had questions when he simply nodded but was relieved that he didn't ask. "Here, the bath's done." With a helping hand up, the Commander took the long jacket from him and held out his hand for his blades. "I'll put these away. You get in and warm up." He left swiftly and the teen looked longingly at the steaming water.

Undoing his boots, he kicked them and his socks into a corner and stood facing out the window over the tub as he stripped off his wet shirt. Because of how dark it was outside, he could see his reflection in the glass and he wondered briefly if the window was tinted to block people looking in. Certain that it most likely was, he tossed the dripping shirt next to his boots before moving to his belt buckle. Just as he touched the cold metal of the clasp, arms snaked around his hips and larger hands landed over his own.

Not having heard anything, Talin gasped and snapped his head up. In the reflection, he saw Genesis who's lightly glowing eyes caught his, and his heart beat faster. "Gen?" It was all he could manage as the Commander stepped in to press himself against the Cadet's back, the cold of his wet shirt making Talin flinch.

"Let me help you. Your fingers are still numb, aren't they?" The whisper at his ear was warm and distracting but not so much as to miss when nimble fingers moved to his belt

He quickly caught the Commander's hands with his and they stilled. "I-" Talin couldn't organize his thoughts as he looked at their reflection. The SOLDIER was curled around him, hands dangerously low on his hips, head nuzzled against his own...

"Talin," His eyes had drifted and quickly focused back on the man's face. "You're cold, you need warmth. You're tired, you need rest. Little Bird, let me take care of you... Please." When a shiver went up the Cadet's back, the 1st chuckled and cocked his head a bit. "Not that kind of care, love..."

Through the fog of his muddled brain, Talin felt slightly hurt by the light rejection, and it showed on his face. "But, don't you want..." He wasn't able to finish the sentence and dropped his gaze from Gen's. Angeal had said he had permission, but maybe Genesis didn't want him that way?

The press of lips to the Cadet's sensitive neck startled him into looking back up and he watched as the Commander laid another slow kiss further up his throat. The eyes that met his were blatantly lustful and he shivered before leaning his head back, granting the man more access. Their eyes remained locked through the reflection when one more hot kiss landed just under his ear. "You have no idea how much I want." The word was a sultry whisper along his suddenly hypersensitive skin. "But what I want, and what you need right now, are two very different things."

The heat faded quickly from the SOLDIER's eyes but Talin still felt the warmth of it all coursing through him. "I could-" For some reason, he felt like a novice again. Unable to finish his sentences, blushing at everything, and so sensitive to every touch and word from the sinful devil behind him that he wasn't sure if he should be turned on or irritated with himself.

Genesis smiled softly and disentangled one of his hands from Talin's to lay it flat above the teen's heart. They could both feel it race under his palm and the 1st moved his head so as not to speak against his neck. "I want this heart to beat with excitement and anticipation the first time we're together." He'd dropped the seductive tone, speaking kindly, but firm enough to get his point across. "Right now, you're still recovering from multiple shocks, and all I feel is the fluttering of panic. You may be excited, but your body is still ready to run..."

He was right. Talin had felt the urge to bolt at every sudden move or sound all night other than when he'd been watching the storm. Under that heavy hand on his chest, he felt his heart continue to thump and flutter like a wild bird trapped in a cage. With effort, the teen relaxed his tensed muscles and closed his eyes, letting Genesis support him as he fought to slow that frantic beating.

When he opened them again, he saw the man's soft smile in the reflection and, letting his arms fall to his sides, nodded. He tried to control his breathing and heartbeat as his belt was undone but felt it skip when the hands paused after hooking thumbs into the top of his pants. A blush crept back onto his face and he kept his eyes on the 1st as cargos and boxers were pushed off together.

Stripped to the skin, the redhead acutely felt the chill that had creeped into him while out in the freezing rain, but he couldn't move. Talin was so fixated on Gen's face, waiting to see if those glowing eyes would leave his to look down, that it took a nudge to break his concentration. Hands that had undressed him landed on his hips and felt so hot that they almost burned as they pushed him towards the bath. "Get in, get warm."

Genesis kept his eyes fixed on Talin's face or his damp hair as he sunk into the hot water with a sharp intake of breath. He hadn't averted his gaze for the Cadet's sake, the look in his eyes had been daring him to look down, he'd done it for his own. He hadn't lied about how much he wanted to be with the handsome Cadet, but it wasn't the right time. Even so, he wouldn't refuse himself the chance to bathe with him...

The slap of wet clothes hitting the floor made Talin look up and he immediately looked away upon seeing the SOLDIER shirtless with thumbs hooked in his pants. Really!? I thought he said... He felt the water shift behind him, the small splash, and the rise of the water level as another body slid into the tub.

Talin had closed his eyes but felt the legs that now bracketed his and then the arms that wrapped around his shoulders to pull him back against a strong chest. The far end of the tub was angled to recline so as he leaned back, he found himself laying flush against a very naked body. A hand came up to rest flat on his chest again. "Relax, Cadet. I'm cold, too, after being out there. Let's enjoy this together and then we can get some sleep."

He tried to calm himself again but didn't succeed till fingers started carding through his hair and massaging his temples. Exhausted emotionally and physically, the teen felt himself slipping into sleep and didn't fight it. He was safe and warm, even if some parts of him were still too warm...

When Talin fell into a light sleep, Genesis sighed. He really is a handful, but I wouldn't have him any other way... With careful motions, the 1st dipped his hands under the hot water and brought them back up and over the uncovered shoulders and chest to warm the skin. Unwilling to pass up the chance, he also washed the deep red hair, smirking at the little contented sighs and mumbles. Finished with that task, he looped his arms under the dozing Cadet's and held him close till the chill of rain and cold had been chased away.

"Talin..." At the soft call of his name, the redhead roused and then blinked slowly awake. Groggy from the short nap, it took him a moment to remember his situation, and then his blush returned. Gen tried not to laugh but couldn't help his smile at the teen's sudden discomfort. While he hadn't looked for confirmation, it didn't take a genius to realize that Talin had been dreaming and that it hadn't been PG-13.

"Scoot forward, I'll get us some towels." The Commander didn't hide as he stood from the bath but the blushing Cadet kept his eyes down while making an attempt to obscure his obvious issue. Not wishing to torment Talin, he quickly found towels and set one on the edge of the tub. "Here, let me see if I can find you some sweatpants while you get out." He heard the splash and decided to take his time finding appropriate clothing.

Beyond frustrated at his lack of control, Talin rubbed the towel vigorously across his body, while focusing on anything that might douse the fire he was feeling. He was grateful to actually hear Genesis coming back, instead of being surprised again, and quickly wrapped the towel around his hips. He'd been almost successful in his attempt to tame his erection but, as soon as the Commander came back, so did the burning heat.

The man was still shirtless and the loose pants he wore hung precariously low on his hips, showing off every sleek muscle. "Here, Little Bird. You can wear these tonight." He set them on the stone bench and collected their discarded clothes before walking towards the bedroom once more but stopped to look back over his shoulder. "Take your time. Come find me when you're done..." Talin couldn't miss the glance he made at his covered hips or the meaning behind the words and was left staring after the SOLDIER as he left.

Seriously? He's expecting me to- to... He stood there for a long moment while his still sluggish mind tried to decide what to do. The thought of satisfying himself, of bringing some kind of relief, pushed him to sit on the edge of the tub and let the towel fall open. Before he could think any more about it, he wrapped a hand around the hot length that had been causing him so much trouble tonight, and let his eyes slip shut. He tried thinking of the way Gen had undressed him, how he'd held him in the bath, but it wasn't enough.

He almost growled in frustration and dropped his hand from the straining erection. He knew what he wanted, but the problem was getting it... He glanced at the sweatpants that had been left for him and had an idea.

Genesis felt the brush of an aura against his and knew the Cadet was looking for him. Unable to reach back across the void space, he called out. "Out here, Talin." He hadn't gone far, only out into the small loft, but far enough that he could distract his sensitive hearing from any sounds that might have escaped the bathroom. Now he heard the padding of feet on the carpet and looked up as the young redhead rounded the corner.

"Love, I think you forgot something..." While the blush on Talin's face was cute, the fact that he wasn't wearing anything but that charming blush had the Commander franticly thinking of how to remedy this situation. The teen said nothing and moved towards the seated 1st.

Careful not to let his gaze wander, the SOLDIER watched him approach till he was looking up into the glowing jade green eyes. "Gen..." The name was a plea before Talin leaned down slowly, hands landing on either armrest and stole a kiss. When the man didn't pull away, he felt bold enough to kneel on the chair and, when the kiss deepened, to straddle the Commander's lap.

It was that press of Talin's lower body against his that finally broke Gen's trance. Winding his hands into fire-red hair, he gently pulled the other back just enough for them to get some air and for him to think. "Gen, please..." Panting from the kiss and the burning need he felt, the young fighter tried to lean back down but was restrained by the hands in his hair.

The look of near painful disappointment cut through Genesis' resolve in an instant and he gave the panting redhead another slow kiss before pulling back. He needed to give restraint one more try before he let this go any further. "Talin, look at me." The brightly glowing jade irises swam with Mako and lust as they fixed on him. "You're old enough to make your own choices, but right now you're also coping with a lot of stress..." He saw the haze clear from the teen's eyes slightly as he spoke, "I'm willing to give you anything you need, Talin, I just need to know that you're not choosing this for the wrong reasons."

He could see the gears turning, almost hear them click as the Cadet processed the statement. As quickly as he'd started, the flickering thoughts settled and his words came out slow and deliberate. "I want, I need to feel something other than fear, panic, and rage. I need something strong enough to push it all away so I can think..."

As the more passionate emotions dimmed, the SOLDIER could see the darker ones start to creep back into the teen's eyes. One hand still threaded into red hair for control, Gen let his other slide down Talin's neck as he kissed him again. His hand kept moving, petting down the center of the chest, over and down ribs, before landing on his hip and giving a firm squeeze.

When he again pulled back, the darkness had receded, proving the Cadet's point and ending most of Genesis' reluctance. "I'll give you what you need, but there are three simple rules." He let his hand wander to Talin's lower back and traced the muscles and spine as he spoke. "First, I will give you as much attention as you want, but I'm sticking to what I said earlier. I want our first time together to be something we can both fully enjoy, so I won't be taking you that way tonight." Disappointment was obvious in the jade green eyes, but the Commander's decision remained unchanged.

"Second, that tomorrow we'll talk about this and us..." He stroked his hand from neck to low back in one long motion, enough to keep Talin engaged but not distract him from their conversation. "Lastly," And he pulled the other down till their faces were only a breath apart, "You don't tell Zack and Angeal about tonight. Not for a while, at least."

The teen's eyes flickered with amusement under the heat of arousal. "Would they think you're taking advantage of an upset Cadet?" Gen smiled, loving how quickly Talin caught on.

"They would indeed, but maybe I should be more concerned about you taking advantage of me..." He leaned in half an inch more as he spoke, drawn by the same twisting roll of Mako in Talin's eyes that he knew the boy saw in his.

With such little space between them, the teen was able to swipe his tongue across the Commander's lips and shivered as he saw lust haze the green-blue gaze once more. "How could I take advantage of someone who's willing?" The Cadet squirmed his hips on the man's lap and the hand on his back switched to grip his hip. The pressure of the fingers was firm enough that he knew he was being told to hold still but the wait was killing him.

Talin wanted to play, to touch, and be touched. The response to his lick had been encouraging so he did it again, hoping it would spur Gen into action. Glowing eyes brightened, Mako swirling faster in their depths, and he pulled the tempting Cadet closer ever so slowly. Having expected a kiss, the slight sting of teeth on his lower lip startled Talin.

He tried to pull back but the hand in his hair wouldn't let him escape the bite. An intimate punishment for his impatience and teasing. He stilled and, at last, his lip was released and given a light lick to soothe the sting. "Those are my rules... Do you agree?"

His nod caused his hair to pull slightly, but when Genesis didn't move. "Yes." Before the word could fully clear his lips, he was pulled down into a kiss that was just this side of savage and he let himself drown in it. His arms came up around Gen's neck when he was pulled forward, tucking his legs deeper into the chair and settling him firmly in the man's lap. A hand shifted to his chest and pushed slightly, breaking him away from the mind-numbing kiss and he let himself be leaned back.

Confused why Genesis was still pushing, he kept leaning further till his arms slipped from the 1st's neck and only his hands rested on broad shoulders. The sinful smirk on the man's face promised only good things when he took hold of the Cadet's wrist and guided it behind Talin's back to rest it on his knee. He then did the same with the other and saw the blush deepen on the teen's face.

Leaned so far away, he needed to keep his hands on the slightly spread legs behind him for balance, but it also left him completely exposed. It was like he'd been laid out for a feast and he felt himself shiver as ravenous teal eyes traced down his form. Seeing the SOLDIER's gaze fix on his twitching length was too much and he let his head drop back and closed his eyes. The man wasn't even touching him and he was a panting mess...

Genesis shifted under him and a hot kiss was laid in the center of his chest. Hands slid up his legs and he gasped when they stopped just below his hips and started massaging his inner thighs. "I'll make you a deal, Little Bird... If you can keep your hands on my knees till the end, I'll do something extra special for you after this..." The Commander didn't wait for a reply this time and moved to lick and suck at a nipple, making the redhead flinch and moan.

He was so focused on the mouth and tongue leaving hot trails along his chest that he didn't feel one hand disappear from his thigh till it petted him roughly from balls to tip. The action was repeated and the oversensitive teen arched and twisted at each stroke but held firm to the 1st's knees.

Gen was enjoying himself immensely. He'd long wanted to play with the fiery redhead and, while this wasn't what he'd planned for their first intimate encounter, he would make sure it was a night neither would forget. The Cadet's grip on his knees was nearly painful by now, but that just meant he was doing it right...

The constant stroking and fondling were driving Tain insane. Hope flared within him when the other hand joined the first and fingers played across his dripping erection. His groan was almost a sob when they left after one last swipe, but they didn't go far. His next cry was choked when the hand moved under him and those slicked fingers found and rubbed his entrance.

The petting at his cock ended and he was grasped firmly right as one of the rubbing digits slipped inside him followed almost immediately by another. His hips bucked and Talin locked his elbows in an attempt to keep from collapsing as both hand and fingers moved.

"Look at me, Talin..." It wasn't an order or a demand, but a quiet request that the Cadet almost didn't hear over his own moans and pounding heart. Lifting his head, he cracked his eyes open, saw the Red Commander's devilish smile, and felt another finger join the two inside him. Although they never hit his prostate, the feel of the slight stretch, the increased speed of both hands, and the eyes, glowing more green than teal, as they devoured every inch of him, set him off like a bomb.

Thrusting back and forth between the dual sensations, his yell as he finally came was intermixed with gasps as each movement created a new wave of pleasure. At some point, he'd closed his eyes and dropped his head back once more so that, when they fluttered open, all he could see was the ceiling.

He shuddered as both hands withdrew and arms wrapped around his back while he trembled from the aftershocks of the powerful orgasm. They pulled him forward and, with a sigh, he gladly rested against Genesis' warm body. Sticky mess pressed between them, they reclined in the chair while the Cadet caught his breath. His arms were stiff from the position he'd managed to hold but at that moment he didn't care.

"So, what'd I win?"