Marken: It has been such a long wait to see them together even a little bit. I love writing the scenes between them but there is just so much happening in the story that them getting alone time is a bit difficult...
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.
Enjoy and please R&R.
Chapter 55
Talin felt his heart kickstart and mouth go dry at the hungry look in the slit green eyes that met his. Sephiroth had leaned closer, leaving only inches between them.
"I don't think I can wait six months..."
The younger man's eyes had flared to glowing life the moment he realized their position, felt the heat of Sephiroth's body pressed against his side, and saw the battle for control raging in the General's eyes. But it was that whispered confession that finally jolted Talin's mind awake enough to think once more.
The thunder of his heartbeat sounded like a bass drum between them in the moment of silence that followed. Its erratic beat was normally a sign of confusion for Talin but, this time, it skipped and stuttered from excitement. Not daring to move under the still conflicted silver SOLDIER, he instead decided to be bold on another playing field.
Without hesitation, Talin formed his shadow into a large black serpent in the Void, sliding over and coiling around Sephiroth's dark figure as it took shape. Above him, the only signs the 1st showed of feeling the near intimate contact was a restrained shiver, a sharp exhale, and the sudden loss of the glowing mako eyes as they slipped shut. It was all the encouragement the redhead needed.
"I'm changing the terms of our agreement," Talin leaned up, sure of his decision, till the blazing crystal green eyes snapped open to catch his once more, and he froze at the unreadable emotion within them.
~What are you changing? ~ The silky purr was anything but conflicted now as it threaded through the teen's mind. The caressing hands of Sephiroth's shadow moved over Talin's form in the Void, making his breath catch in a startled gasp. Then it was his turn to feel his eyes close as his mind was overwhelmed with the sensation the touch elicited. It was like tiny jolts of electricity running through him everywhere, but instead of pain, the sparks made him feel like he was burning up.
When the whispered question came again along with the gentle press of a forehead against his own, Talin finally gathered his thoughts to reply. ~I can wait for some things, but for now, while we're away... ~ The brush of the General's nose against the side of his startled the redhead into another gasp, and his eyes flew wide only to be immediately transfixed on the swirl of Mako around slit pupils.
~While we're away? ~ One large hand pushed up into Talin's hair, holding him up, keeping him firmly in place as the General waited for an answer. And he was most certainly expecting an answer.
~I want to- ~ The hand in his hair tightened when Talin tried to close the gap, and he felt frustration mix with the heat that was quickly growing unbearable inside him. ~I want to know your touch beyond the teasing you've done in our matches. I want- I just want more of you, but I don't know where to draw a new line this time... ~
~Do you trust me to draw one for you, then? ~ The minuscule nod was all it took for the gap to be closed between them. The kiss was slow, painfully gentle, but the redhead could think of nothing to encourage his no doubt eager partner to deepen it. In fact, he could hardly think at all. What had been small shocks of pleasure anywhere Sephiroth touched him, was suddenly a whole-body experience as the General's shadow twisted to twine with the Lieutenant's the moment their lips touched.
Talin felt like he'd been struck by lightning by the time the 1st pulled away. Not far, but just enough to let his trainee breathe. ~Your new 'line'. ~ Seph leaned down and flicked his tongue over Talin's lower lip, causing the teen to open and affix his unfocused eyes on the silver SOLDIER as he spoke. ~No removing clothing and no intimate touching beneath them. ~ The man smirked at the confusion on Talin's face. He knew his eyes were gleaming bright with his excitement as he reassured him. ~I think I just proved that I don't need to touch you physically for you to enjoy yourself. ~
Understanding lit Talin's mind ablaze but one hesitation held him back. ~What about you? Is my- I don't... ~ The 1st chuckled and then the press of lips against his again cut off Talin's line of thought.
~No, your touch doesn't have the same effect on me as mine apparently does on you, but I'm more than willing to be patient for the rest if you are? ~ The second kiss wasn't accompanied by the petting that caused such intense sensations and Talin was able to think long enough to agree to the new terms.
~Deal. While we're away- ~ He couldn't finish the thought before fire erupted in his veins as their shadows became once more intertwined in the Void.
~While we're away... we'll play... ~ The SOLDIER's voice was deep, full of anticipation and hunger, and the redhead willingly gave himself over to the attentions of his General.
Lips and tongues tangled together as Talin found himself firmly pinned under the larger man. His hands were caught, fingers interlocked with the longer ones of the great swordsman, but his frustration of not being able to touch his partner was blown away when a strong leg slipped between his own.
The blinding shock of pleasure that hit him as that leg pressed and rubbed his straining need had him biting his inner lip to stifle a moan. The brush of teeth against Talin's neck added to the growing heat within him, and his hips bucked into the thigh that continued to rock against him.
"General-" The gasped title was smothered by a no-longer-restrained kiss, and the redhead writhed moments later when everything ramped up at once. The tongue that slipped into his mouth, sought his, and drew it forward till Sephiroth could capture it. Talin wasn't ready for the hot, sucking tug that sent fire straight to his trapped erection and made him moan and pant from his building need. The Void was alight with lightning sparks between their shadows and the leg between his moved faster at his urging, rubbing him rougher and harder, the friction working like a match to his fuse.
The Lieutenant's eyes flew wide, completely unfocused as he finally toppled over the edge. His shout was swallowed by Sephiroth who reveled in every jolt and muffled moan while he slowly brought the Little Phoenix down from his pleasurable high.
Talin couldn't stop the small shudders at every touch to his over-sensitive body and rode out the aftershocks in a blissful daze. Seph took his time pulling away from the dazed 3rd, the light press of his lips along jaw and neck slowly drawing the redhead's mind back to reality. Then Talin could feel the warm body still settled carefully over him, the hand that was holding the back of his head off the hard ground, and the wet heat that had him closing his eyes in mild embarrassment. Sure, it had been absolutely the General's goal and, by the Goddess, he'd needed it, but it was... uncomfortable.
Sephiroth didn't have to be linked to Talin to know what was going through the young fighter's mind. Giving one last nuzzling kiss to the side of the Lieutenant's neck, the silver 1st chuckled and shifted to allow the teen to get up. Talin was now very glad that he'd packed extra pieces of clothing and moved to the cave to retrieve them and change.
Upon returning to the space by the fire, he found that Sephiroth had stretched one of the light blankets out on the ground and was just settling back down onto it. He'd removed his long coat, folding it neatly into a not too uncomfortable-looking pillow, and was cross-legged, facing away from Talin while pulling his hair up into a loose braid.
The teen's hands itched to help, but the nimble fingers had made short, if messy, work of the task by the time he was close enough to offer. Talin hesitated at the edge of the blanket, not sure how far he dared hope their new understanding would get him with the silver 1st that night.
"Unless you intend to sleep standing up, I'd recommend you get down here, Lieutenant." His worry evaporated at the flippant command and the teen decided to push some limits of his own. Ignoring the space Seph had indicated next to him, the redhead stepped forward and boldly sat himself in a far more comfortable location.
Glowing eyes flared bright, but the hands that landed on Talin's waist didn't push him away as he straddled the powerful man and settled into his lap. His own hands had landed on Sephiroth's wide shoulders, the fingers of his left finding and fiddling with the messy braid that was still resting there. His smug grin at surprising his mentor was returned by one equal part tolerant and curious as the teen waited for the outcome of his gamble.
"I've been mistaken for many things in my life, but a chair isn't one of them." Talin couldn't help his light scoff at the almost silly remark, before tugging very gently at a strand of silver hair.
"Considering the amount of time you spend with Genesis, I'm surprised that you aren't better at braiding. You know how many people would lose it if they saw your hair treated so poorly?" A flicker of something in the cat green eyes made the 3rd wonder if he'd overstepped, but then he found his hips encircled by one strong arm and the other hand buried in his hair.
"Considering that the Red Commander always insists on doing the braid for me, I haven't had many chances to practice. As to the opinion of others, yours is the only one I'm interested in at the moment," The General had leaned forward as he spoke, his fingers gripping lightly in Talin's red hair to pull his head back, and exposing his neck. The feather-light kiss to the center of the Lieutenant's throat made the teen shiver.
"If you believe my hair is being treated so poorly," another kiss to the vein that pulsed rapidly under the lips as they remained pressed lightly to it while Sephiroth spoke. "You're more than welcome to correct the issue, but," the lips moved away and Talin flinched as the tip of a hot tongue flicked over the extra sensitive spot. "after that..."
Before he could blink, the hand holding his head back was gone, the SOLDIER was no longer leaning over him, and Seph's hands were safely back on Talin's waist as if nothing had happened. "After that, we'd better get some sleep." For a moment, the teen just sat there, confused at the sudden shift back to 'behaving'. Or at least, as well behaved as one could be with someone sitting in their lap.
The silent arch of one elegant eyebrow that asked 'Well? Have something to say?' both taunted the teen and reminded him that they were still on a mission and needed sleep. Giving a small huff of annoyance, Talin scooted backward a bit to get enough room to redo the braid, making sure to brush against the hot, hard ridge he'd felt under him since he'd sat down.
Silence reigned while he pulled the hair free of the basic tie and started finger-combing the strands, but his fingers weren't the only ones busy. As he worked to clean up the mess, Sephiroth's hands had slid to his low back and were making slow circles over the muscles in a relaxing massage. By the time Talin had finished a much cleaner braid, the large hands were just reaching his shoulder blades.
Hair-tie in place, the redhead let the cord of silver fall to the General's shoulder with a sigh, expecting the massage to end now that he was done. When the fingers kept working, he looked up at his mentor.
"All done? Are you now better satisfied with the condition of my hair?" Talin gave a sleepy nod. "Good, then we can get some sleep." The Lieutenant didn't even have time to gasp before he was shifted. Sephiroth was laying on his makeshift pillow, but Talin's head was resting on the arm that was curled around his shoulders, holding him loosely enough to allow him to pull away.
Shock at the transfer had made him stiffen, a reaction he couldn't fight, but then the massaging fingers of the 1st's other hand were on his back again. Not willing to change a position that was overall comfortable, Talin focused on relaxing the tensed muscles before closing his eyes and snuggling closer into the SOLDIER's warmth.
…
The morning after their second night on mission was much different than the first. Talin woke, not to an empty bed, but to the warmth of arms curled around him and a large body tucked tightly against his that smelled of ozone and thunderstorms. It took the teen several minutes to realize that his partner was awake and even longer to give in to the mental nudges that were encouraging him to get up.
~We're heading out after we make our report. Are you not excited to head home? ~ The mental conversation had resumed as they gathered their supplies and Talin almost tripped at the question.
~Of course I'm excited to go back. I- But... our agreement was for while we're away... ~ The sudden press of an all too familiar body behind his and the tickle of whispered words at his ear made Talin shiver.
"I told you, you're the only one that can change our terms. If you want this to be extended beyond just 'when we're away', all you need to do is tell me so." With a silent nod, their agreement was resettled again and the pair of SOLDIERs went back to picking up the last of the items. Bags packed and strapped on, only boot marks and their long-dead fire pit remained to tell of their stay in the small clearing as they left it.
It was early and, wanting to get back soon enough to fly out before dark, the General wasted no time navigating them out of the higher foothills and back towards the forest. As soon as they were off the treacherous, and often, unstable rocky path, the man paused, cocking his head as if listening for something. Talin listened as well, attentive for anything out of the ordinary, but he heard only the quiet morning birdsong and wind through the trees.
An electric, petting brush of Sephiroth's mind over his had the redhead's focus snapping back to his mentor just in time to catch a wickedly playful grin before the 1st took off into the woods. Talin gave chase instantly, glad that he'd strapped his bag tight to his back as he followed the silver SOLDIER's break-neck pace through the deep woodland.
Several times he'd lost track of the man, only managing to keep on his trail by following the scent of ozone and the occasional boot print or gossamer strand of hair. All of Talin's hard-earned tracking skills were put on a high-speed trial as they shot through the woods towards the distant reactor. The Lieutenant's enjoyment of their game was pure, unblemished by even the remotest memory, for he'd never felt such a rush of excitement and elation as he did while chasing his General. Rounding a thicket, the teen saw his mentor in the clearing ahead, and he pushed himself harder to catch up.
Sephiroth had allowed the young 3rd to gain on him slowly till they were one long stride apart before he matched their pace and they ran together. Running like this wasn't uncommon when on a mission, but on this one, Seph could feel Talin's joy through the link, his excitement, his contentment. All because he was with someone he trusted.
Keeping their speed at a level Talin could comfortably maintain meant that it was nearly noon by the time they hit the thinning edges of the forest. Between the widespread branches, the Satskin reactor could be seen like a glowering giant, silent and disapproving of the industry occurring at its base.
A gentle tap at his mind warned Talin moments before the General slowed their run, coming to a complete stop at the top of the next rise. The answer came before any question could be asked. Just starting up the base of their hill, was a man making quick progress towards them. The thin band around his head bore the insignia of one of the power plant workers. Apparently, he was used to the exercise of running up these steep inclines because, sweating as he was, his breathing was only lightly affected as he approached and saluted them.
"Sirs!" Sephiroth nodded a greeting and the man continued. "I've been on watch for ya to come back this way, didn't want cha to get settled back in only to have to head out again." Trainee and mentor shared a moment of confusion as the plant worker turned and motioned for them to follow him back.
"We got an unexpected message about new orders, or I guess additional orders, for you before you head home. A helicopter is waiting for you back at Satskin to take ya both to a potential reactor site," This news was both odd and unwelcome.
"A reactor site needs to be evaluated by a science team and engineers, not SOLDIERs." The young man wasn't put off by the disapproval in the General's tone, recognizing that the irritation wasn't aimed at him, but quickly tried to explain as best he could.
"You're certainly not wrong, I said the same, but there's apparently some funny business with this location. Report I was given was that there's a village not far off that is, shall we say, less than friendly to outsiders?" Sephiroth felt the growing tension in his Lieutenant across the link as the messenger continued. "Guess Shin-Ra sent someone there several years back to check the spot. He reported back once, then disappeared..."
"What's the name of the village?" Talin's voice was firm, but the silver 1st could feel how brittle that bravado was, and knew the teen was on a razor edge.
"Ah, hell, someplace I'd never heard of. Talk? Tech? Some short name."
"Taka?" The name fell from the young 3rd's lips like a grenade with no pin.
"That's the one!" Sephiroth was only a step ahead of his Lieutenant and instantly turned to hook a steadying hand under the teen's elbow before he could stumble. As he braced his trainee, a chill crawled across the 1st's skin like someone had pulled a warm blanket off him, and he knew that Talin had withdrawn his shadow from their connection. When Seph glanced into the Void, he was disturbed to see the glowing plates of a heavy shield surrounding the redhead's mind.
Their escort was blissfully unaware of the chaos his news had caused. Chuckling at the unlikelihood that someone knew of such a small village, he turned to look back at the SOLDIERs. "What're the odds?! How'd you know it?" The laughing tone of his voice fell as he saw the tense expressions from both 3rd and 1st.
Talin's eyes were downcast, seeing nothing of the brown-red dirt and rocks beneath their feet as his mind swam. The grip of the General's hand tightening on his arm startled him, but his instinct to flee from the small hurt was halted. Slit, crystal green eyes catching him more effectively than any trap and the teen felt his mind freeze in place as he met his mentor's gaze.
Talin would never say it aloud, could never, but his eyes begged his General to think of some way to refuse the mission. When he saw only the shadows of sympathy in those bright eyes, he felt the same chill that had snared his mind spread to his guts and he didn't need to hear what came next to know what came next.
"Looks like you're heading home, Lieutenant..."
Thank you all for reading! Please don't forget to R&R and Favorite the story to get notified when I update!
Author Note: If you can't tell, this is where I had intended to leave you all off when I went on my break but I couldn't quite get there before burning out. My life is getting a little busy again but I'm going to keep going as much as possible so I don't leave you all hanging again.
See you next week!
