There was a slight concern when Sephiroth began their sparring. Cloud flinched at the sight of Masamune. Granted he had every reason to be wary of the blade now.
He knew what it felt like to be pierced through. To be cut by the sharp metal. To feel the cold bite. It would make even Genesis hesitate despite his brave face.
"Remember I did not wish to harm you. I reacted out of anger that they would dare hurt you. And they took advantage of my attachment." Sephiroth reminded carefully.
"You don't see that as a weakness? To protect me?" Cloud asked.
"No. Why would I?" He had a vague idea of an answer.
"Because it means I can be exploited by them to use me to get to you."
"And that is why I'm pushing your training a little harder. The next time we cross their path, you won't need my aid. You will stand on your own against them. I want you as my equal in the field." Sephiroth knew the potential was there.
It just needed to blossom. Guided carefully. Sephiroth at first thought Angeal was out of his mind with Zack. He saw a hyper active young man with too big of dreams to achieve them.
Until he began to see how the young man progressed so rapidly under Angeal's guiding hand. And Zack hasn't even made First yet and he's gaining attention.
So, what can be done with Cloud under Sephiroth's guidance? The pressure was heavy. Heavier than Midgar itself. But he believed Cloud can carry the weight and come out on top.
At these words Cloud no longer outwardly flinched. It resolved the beginnings of nightmares. The blond had pushed them away by reminding himself that Nero was the one to move his body to shield himself.
And after he came to his senses Sephiroth immediately went to work at checking his wounds and casting Heal. The wound healed rather rapidly. Now that there was only a scar left Sephiroth decided it was time for the next stage of their training.
"Now, I want you to come at me with all you have." Sephiroth urged, his eyes bright with excitement.
So began their daily dance routine. This was the part of Cloud's training he began to look forward to the most. The time varied depending how busy Sephiroth's schedule was. But he made sure to make room in his duties as general.
And sometimes others would sneak and watch. Sephiroth chose the main training area for a reason. He wanted them to see Cloud not as someone to be feared, but to be admired.
And Cloud followed his lead and paid them no mind. It was easy enough to ignore them. Sephiroth was more than enough to focus on.
However as days passed, the blond began to feel strange. His body felt hot and sometimes it was hard to focus. It felt like he was drowning in Sephiroth's scent. And his body was reacting like how they first met.
This time it was more intense. Enough Sephiroth picked up that something was different. He would pause randomly and watch Cloud breathe to force himself to focus.
"What's wrong?" The general would ask.
"Nothing." Cloud refused to answer. They had an audience, he wasn't going to admit to anything.
Even after the sessions were over Cloud scurried away for cold showers. Then afterwards he couldn't look at Sephiroth in the eye. The general understood he was avoiding that particular inquiry so he didn't bother to even try.
Sephiroth decided to give them a small break. It was time Cloud tried materia. And he set it up with Genesis. The commander actually asked if he could so it gave him something to do while Angeal was at the war front.
"How is he doing?" Sephiroth inquired after the first lesson.
"These lessons won't last long. He's got it down almost. We're working on his timing to cast while fighting." Genesis answered. He noticed a strange look in his friend.
"What is it?" He inquired curiously.
"He doesn't act strange with your lessons?"
"Like what?" Genesis raised an eyebrow.
"Overheating. Lost in thought. Eyes clouded with...something." Sephiroth couldn't quite describe the way those eyes watched him. It was a hunger, but it wasn't the same as wanting to claim his heart.
"No? He's had none of that." Genesis tilted his head. "You know he has a higher sense of smell, right? Maybe your scent earns a reaction to him when you two cross swords. In a way, it can be intimate like sex."
"How exactly?" Sephiroth was at a loss.
"Two people going at it like two lovers figuring out which of them will be the top?" Genesis snickered at the general's confusion. Of course he wouldn't immediately understand.
"But we don't even touch." Sephiroth was still at a loss.
"Your scent already drives him insane. And watching you dance day by day, wielding your sword expertly, all the while pushing him to better himself, of course his body is going to react. I doubt he had experienced this before growing up in that lab. So he might be experiencing what we all went through as teens."
"In the files he was angry." Sephiroth frowned.
"Because he didn't find anyone attractive enough. How does he move when he starts overheating?"
"Odd. He changes his pace and switches to the defensive."
Genesis laughed. It held mirth and he threw his head back. Oh the conversation he was going to have with Angeal later.
"What's so funny?" Sephiroth frowned.
"My dear friend, he's hard. He's turned on by fighting you."
And it finally dawned in the general that Genesis was right. He wondered how he couldn't have figured this out sooner? Then again he's never come across this situation before. Usually people were scared shitless while facing him.
The next time they were scheduled for a spar, Sephiroth decided to try something different. The VR room hadn't been tested on Cloud yet. He watched as the blond warily glanced around as the scenery changed.
"This is a simulation. It isn't real. There's even an option to fight a virtual version of me." Sephiroth explained. He had chosen some mountains as their first scenery.
"But it's not you." Cloud frowned at that.
"I know. Besides, there's no need for you to test against my virtual self." After he spoke he lunged with all his speed.
Cloud stood his ground and blocked. For the first few minutes they struggled with who was the fastest, the strongest. The one to remain on the offensive. It was a dance of power that shifted like a pendulum.
Until Cloud began overheating. Sephiroth watched as the blond struggled to breathe. And slowly Cloud switched solely on the defensive. This awoken something within the general now that he understood this reaction.
That he held that much power to gain a reaction of pure excitement. And before he knew it, his own body began to grow desires of their own.
Those blue eyes widened upon noticing the change within Sephiroth's scent. He gasped as he stared into those eyes that burned brightly with lust. They were so bright that Cloud felt he was under some sort of spell.
And Sephiroth became unrelenting.
Cloud couldn't dodge. The general wouldn't allow him the time to try. He was barely able to focus enough to deflect or block. The blond had a few close calls with deflecting.
A few times Sephiroth would actually get close and personal. He would strike, then when Cloud blocked, the general leaned closer so their faces were inches away. Those eyes danced with the way the blond's breath hitched and his strength faltered enough to be pushed back.
Cloud proved he was stubborn. He managed to keep balance as he tried to turn the tide. Despite his movements being awkward he began an attempt to be on the offensive. And the strength behind his strikes were close to the sparring match with Zack and he dented the floor.
Sephiroth smirked as he blocked the strikes with ease. He felt the power behind them and noticed the change. Yes, finally they were breaching Cloud's limits. He wanted the blond to push past the red line.
A few strikes later Cloud released a frustrated yell. And with this strike he sent Sephiroth back. He back flipped and skidded. His smirk returned and his eyes danced with so many emotions Cloud couldn't decipher.
And the blond couldn't force his legs to move for another attack. He was too turned on and he was close to his peak. Sephiroth closed the distance with ease and Masamune sang her song.
Cloud blocked, and he whimpered as the force nearly sent him flying. The sound turned Sephiroth on even more. He leaned in and watched as the smaller body shuddered almost violently.
The blond almost gave into the hunger within. It would have been so easy to lean in and claim that mouth just to wipe that smirk off Sephiroth's face. The angelic features with a devilish smile and heated eyes.
What stopped him was recalling that Sephiroth told Cloud he hadn't earned him yet. Instead the blond pushed with all of his strength. He felt the determination burn as it combined with his need. His desires that ran deeply.
And for the second time he managed to push Sephiroth back. The surprise was on his face as he tried to brace himself into not moving at all. Cloud stopped after exerting all of his energy. He gathered his breath and Sephiroth took advantage to unleash a series of attacks.
Once again the blond wasn't allowed to dodge. He was forced to block or deflect. This time however he managed not forced back.
When Sephiroth paused Cloud overestimated the strength he had left. He swung with all he had. But he knew soon as Masamune blocked that Cloud was on fumes. Sephiroth knew this too.
With a twist of the long blade Cloud was sent flying. His hand grasped onto something to catch his fall. He opened his eyes when he felt another body on top of him.
His eyes met vivid greens and he whimpered. Cloud squirmed a little only to stop when he realized their bodies were touching. And to his embarrassment he came. Cloud bit his lip as he shakily released the wrist he accidentally pulled.
Sephiroth saved his torso with his other arm. Yet his body didn't want to keep balanced so their hips didn't meet. He felt the other throbbing from post release. And it took everything in him not to lean down and claim the willing blond.
There was no denying the attraction now. They both felt it. And they both knew it. Now it was a matter of who would cave first.
Their spell was broken when one of their phones went off. Cloud flinched from the sudden noise. Sephiroth realized it was his and he pulled away. Once he stood on stiff legs he answered.
"What." He didn't even check the name.
"Don't take that tone with me. You should be grateful we made everyone leave soon as we figured out what was happening. Don't worry, we're the only ones to see that last part." Genesis spoke in a range of tones from reprimanding to one of mirth.
"And who is we?" Sephiroth wasn't in the mood.
"Myself, Angeal and the puppy." The red commander clarified.
"...No one else saw?" Sephiroth needed to know for sure.
The VR simulation shut down. And stiffly the general made his way towards the one and only exit. He didn't trust himself if he offered a hand to Cloud. And luckily the blond was able to stand, although his legs were a bit like jello.
They exited to find the whole training floor empty. Except for the two commanders and one of their pupils. Sephiroth hung up and turned to finally study his own pupil.
Cloud was sweating. His face flushed and his legs almost didn't want to work. He struggled to stay balanced. His eyes wouldn't meet anyone's gaze.
"Today's lesson will end early. I suggest you shower." Sephiroth instructed before taking his leave.
"You're not gonna talk about what happened?" Zack frowned.
"Angeal, tell your pupil to shut his mouth."
"That's uncalled for and you know it." He stood up for Zack.
"I said. Shut his mouth before I do it for you." Sephiroth turned to glare. And the dark haired commander clammed up.
When no one replied Sephiroth turned to continue towards the elevator. It was noticed his fists were shaking. When the doors closed Genesis turned to them.
"He's not mad at us. He's mad because he allowed himself to get excited like that in a sparring match." The red commander assured them.
"He didn't have to take it out on us." Zack crossed his arms.
"You have to remember he's been taught to always be in control. No emotions, no strings attached, no weaknesses. And as general this is implemented into him constantly." Angeal added, understanding where Genesis was coming from.
"Is that why he's so hesitant?" Cloud caught on.
"Yes. Because he will essentially wrap you up in things he may or may not be able to protect you from." Genesis answered.
"But I'm strong." The blond just proved it.
"Sometimes fighting isn't the requirement." Angeal shook his head.
"...What am I supposed to do?" This time no one could answer.
A minute later the commanders received a text.
"Looks like you're going to wait at home. And we're not allowed over to visit." Angeal sighed.
"What?" A second later Cloud's PHS went off. He read the message.
Don't run from me and don't allow Zack over no matter what he says.