Adjusting was difficult. For many nights Cloud awoke screaming from his nightmares. They had come back full force. Each time Sephiroth rushed in and pulled him into a tight embrace. Cloud fought at first, until he calmed down.
The first time this happened the blond was confused. He didn't understand why Sephiroth was comforting him at all.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked, voice shaking.
"Because I want to be a source of comfort, not pain." Sephiroth answered honestly.
And for whatever reason Cloud allowed it. He accepted the comfort. He told himself it wasn't because of the warmth that brought security to his mind, or how he perfectly fit being held by the general.
No it wasn't anything like that at all.
Once Cloud was back to sleep he isn't ever sure if Sephiroth ever leaves. When his alarm goes off to start the day Sephiroth is already up and preparing breakfast. Neither of them mention the previous night.
After a week and Sephiroth has a better grasp of his strengths and weaknesses. One of them Cloud is surprised of.
"You want me to take my time?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You will miss details you would have missed. These details might prove critical if you miss them. And it will cost you in the end during a mission. Assess your surroundings, don't rush in head first just to get the job done. It needs to be done thoroughly and efficiently."
Cloud hadn't thought of that. And in a war, he supposed it wouldn't be much of a stretch. He still sighed as Sephiroth procured a list of instructors that he concluded would be best for him.
Around this time the journalist who interviewed Cloud that night with Zack finally published the details. And his popularity soared sky high. Some that knew him during training frowned, but otherwise didn't argue over the detail that he was rejected.
"Good work with handling the journalist. Although I wish you or Zack had mentioned this to me." Sephiroth praised.
"A lot was on my mind that day." Cloud knew it wasn't a good reason, but it was the truth.
"I'll allow this slip once. In the future I would like you to be more vigilant when you have future interviews."
"Noted." Cloud agreed for the sake of not having an argument.
Although he was more anxious over a curious detail mentioned in the article. The journalist had decided to delve deeper into a particular quote. The way Cloud said there was nothing else but Sephiroth, as if he was at a higher power than himself despite the fact they danced toe to toe.
Surprisingly Sephiroth didn't give any attention to it. Although Cloud swore he noticed more stares by the general after the article was released. But he wasn't sure if his paranoia was getting the better of him or not.
When it came to the mako injections, Cloud fought tooth and nail. Sephiroth literally had to drag him into the labs. When they reached the floor Cloud put up such a fight that Sephiroth had enough and placed him over his shoulder and walked further in, ignoring the kicking and hitting.
"What's his issue?" Hojo asked, glancing up from a file to the source of the noise.
What a strange sight.
"He has nightmares. Most of them about your laboratory, it would seem." Sephiroth had managed to earn enough trust to learn some of the nightmares that haunted the blond.
"Let me go!" Cloud struggled, nearly hyperventilating.
"Interesting. Perhaps I can make an exception, send someone to him instead of making him come here?" What's this? Hojo was willing to compromise for someone for once?
"You don't compromise for anyone." Sephiroth narrowed his eyes.
"He's a rising star in Soldier. It's either I accommodate his fears, or I send him to Hollander. He's too valuable to be sent to that man." Hojo shrugged, not at all phased.
At this point Cloud had been overwhelmed. He went still as he fainted. Sephiroth switched to holding him in his arms, checking his pulse. Luckily it wasn't a heart attack as he feared.
"Well, I'll still need a blood sample then give him his first injection. Then I will arrange to send an assistant to him for future appointments." Hojo had one person in mind already.
"You can keep him like that, this won't take long." He stated as he got to work on the tourniquet.
Hojo took three vials. This should be enough, he knew. With practiced ease he undid his work and placed a cotton ball with tape over the spot he drew blood from.
Sephiroth watched silently. He frowned as Hojo already had procured a needle ready for the first mako injection. Then what was the point of the blood samples? He didn't voice his concerns, knowing how Hojo was.
Cloud flinched in his sleep at the jab. Otherwise he didn't wake up. And then it was all over. Hojo waved him that he was dismissed, and Sephiroth made his way to the elevator.
"Do keep me informed of his reactions. And I would like to know more about these nightmares." Hojo called after him.
"I'll keep you updated. He's barely begun to trust me." Sephiroth elaborated, and it was enough that the professor won't be so persistent.
An hour later Cloud awoke feeling strange.
"What did he do?" He approached Sephiroth warily.
"Relax. It was mako. I was there watching his every move. Would you care to describe your symptoms if you have any?" The general glanced up from his laptop. He had been sitting at his table, working out schedules and such while he waited for his charge to awaken.
"...Strange. Everything is so hyper sensitive. The light. The sounds of your typing a minute ago. And I feel...hot. I feel like I'm burning up." Cloud furrowed his eyebrows.
He did appear to be in discomfort. His pale cheeks had a hint of flush. His forehead shiny with a thin layer of sweat.
Concerned Sephiroth approached. He took a glove off to feel the blond's forehead with the back of his hand. Cloud's breath hitched at the touch. The sound caught the general's attention.
"Does this hurt?" He asked.
"N-No." Cloud stammered.
"You feel warm. I'm going to be taking your temperature. Fevers are a rare occurrence from mako injections, but not unheard of." Sephiroth hoped that this wasn't the case.
A minute later Cloud had a thermometer in his mouth. He felt awkward in this situation for some reason. Then it beeped after it was done reading him. Sephiroth took it and frowned.
"You don't have a fever." He concluded, the numbers didn't lie.
"Then why...?" Cloud felt his mind go fuzzy.
"Go take a cold shower to cool off. I'm going to report your symptoms to Hojo and get at the bottom of this." Sephiroth instructed, and wordlessly the blond left to the bathroom. The door closed and the shower turned on.
At the sound of the water running Sephiroth pulled out his PHS to make the call.
"I imagine he's awake now." Hojo answered quickly.
"Yes. He's reporting to feel overheated. I checked his temperature and it isn't a fever. I sent him to the shower to cool off." Sephiroth described.
"A rare occurrence. It's sort of like a heat that takes place in some Soldiers. Some report it doesn't ease up until they take care of sexual desires. Then they're back to normal."
"Do you have any idea what kind of position that puts me in?" Sephiroth snarled at the revelation.
It was bad enough he was interested. Ever since the night they fought. He wanted to feel that again. He wanted to experience fully conquering the wild and untamed man that was Cloud Strife in other ways.
But he can't exactly do that when Cloud was so wary and distrustful towards him. Sephiroth was prepared to take his time. The reward would be worth it in the end after so much hard work of earning his trust.
And then this had to be one of Cloud's symptoms.
"Relax, it's not like anyone will know. Even if word gets around no one will bat an eye. But if you choose to ignore those needs, he might end up slipping and someone else takes advantage. Whichever you feel is best is up to you. I have no say on the matter." Hojo didn't care.
Sephiroth hung up before he could openly curse at him. He knew he will get an earful later. At the moment he didn't give a damn.
He heard soft gasps over the shower.
Horror struck him as Sephiroth realized what this meant. He knew he shouldn't be listening. This was an invasion of privacy. They made the walls between apartments sound proof, and yet they couldn't hold the same principle for the bathroom walls?
Sephiroth felt his pants tightening uncomfortably. Despite himself he reached down to free himself and began working in time with the soft gasps. He imagined them together, and it nearly earned a groan at the thought.
He forced himself to stay quiet. Sephiroth refused to allow Cloud to catch on that he was listening in. Sephiroth heard a few whimpers escape the blond and he shuddered.
He wanted to hear more from that pretty mouth. Moans. Cries of pleasure. Shrieks as he comes undone. Sephiroth wanted to hear it all. But most of all he wanted to hear the sound of his name.
He wanted to see Cloud writhe underneath him. Eyes glassed over as he surrenders to him. To feel him welcome their union with each thrust. Sephiroth knew he wouldn't have to be gentle, Cloud would enjoy it.
Finally Cloud let out a soft cry. An indication that he finished. Sephiroth lost himself at that sound that was music to his ears. He grit his teeth tightly so he wouldn't make a sound as he came undone.
Sephiroth leaned back in his chair as he slowly came down from his high. He opened his eyes to look down at the mess. He had to clean this up fast, he wasn't sure how much longer Cloud would be in the shower.
Still he couldn't help but wish he had taken a step further and join the blond. Sephiroth had to remind himself that he still had to earn Cloud's trust. As he finished cleaning he heard the shower stop. A minute later Cloud emerged, looking more like himself.
"I see you're better. I reported your symptoms. He said that it's rare, but some Soldiers have a heat. Sometimes it can't be fixed until after sexual acts happen then they're back to normal."
A part of him didn't want to reveal that information. But he knew if he didn't, then Cloud would see it as him trying to take advantage of him. Horror spread on the blond's face.
"At ease. I won't make any advances on you. I won't even bat an eye if you find someone to help you through those moments. It is not my place to control every aspect of you." Sephiroth assured gently.
"I don't have anyone to help with...with that!" Cloud panicked.
"Not even Zack?" Sephiroth raised an eyebrow.
"He's seeing someone. I can't get in between that."
"It's your choice then. I'm not one to take someone unwilling. Just understand that should you initiate anything with me, I won't let you go." Sephiroth warned, staring him down to get his point across.
Cloud tensed at the implication. He thought of the words Sephiroth said that night he was captured.
I will have you.
Surrender to me. And I will ensure your protection.
To conquer you. Cloud.
"You planned this! You got Hojo working with you to ensure I won't rebel at the first chance I get!"
"Don't accuse me without proof. As if I would go so lowly as that." Sephiroth stood at his full height, towering above the blond.
For a split second the fire in those blues stopped. Cloud took half a step back. Sephiroth stared him down. And the fire in those eyes gave way.
"I genuinely want to help you. I wouldn't scheme my way into your heart like that. But if you wish to see me as such, don't expect me to rush in when you have nightmares anymore." Sephiroth held his ground as the blond flinched.
The air was tense between them. It wouldn't settle as time passed. When it was finally time for bed, Cloud tossed and turned. Eventually he fell into a restless sleep. When a nightmare startled him awake, he reached for the warmth that he so dearly wished.
Only to find that he was all alone.