Chapter 5

Author's note: Forgot what I what wanted from this story, so hopefully it still flows the way I desire.

"Hi." Cloud raised an eyebrow as he looked up from his computer, fighting a blush as he added a face to the voice. Cloud had never expected to see Angeal again, but then again, he knew the soldier worked in the company. Cloud saved his document he was going over for Sephiroth, giving the soldier his undivided attention.

"How may I help you?" Cloud asked, Angeal giving a wide smile as he leaned against his counter. Cloud tried not to move away, waiting for the conversation he hoped would come. Not that he had a crush on the man or anything. Cloud felt his cheeks warm as he remembered the dream he had last night, trying very hard not to recall Angeal's deep voice in his dream as he forced him to…

This was not the time!

Stop it! Cloud yelled internally, almost wishing one of the annoying women he worked with would enter at that moment. Anything to take his attention off the soldier's muscles and beautiful eyes.

"How was the wutainese?" Angeal asked, Cloud shrugging softly as he looked away from the taller man. He could smell his cologne from here…

"It was pretty good actually, I enjoy their spicy noodles," Cloud supplied, Angeal nodding in response, his large hand rising and scratching absent mindedly at his dark scruff. Cloud wanted to feel that five o'clock shadow all over his body.

Stop!

Cloud cleared his throat, deciding to try and end this conversation quickly. However, Angeal beat him to the punch.

"Would you be okay if I joined you sometime?" Angeal asked, seeming almost shy in his delivery. Cloud blinked, taken aback by the flirt. He felt heat rush into his face, knowing his cheeks were probably as red as a tomato. He opened his mouth to respond but couldn't muster up the words, which left him looking like a gaping fish out of water.

Angeal looked up when he didn't get a response, raising an eyebrow at the display. Cloud shook his head as he tried to push away his shyness, not even sure if it was okay for him to be going out with a coworker in such a manner.

Didn't he say he wouldn't get with any of his coworkers?

Why was it so hard to shoot this man down?

Angeal took his silence as something else entirely and moved off the counter, raising a hand to scratch the back of his neck. Cloud saw the uncertainty in his eyes and felt a part of his chest tighten at the sight. Of all the people he's ever turned down, why was it hard to do it to this man?

"Never-"

"Yes." Angeal froze for a second, seeming shocked to have gotten an answer. Cloud tried to shake away his nerves as he tried to put forth an air of professionality.

"Their noodles are very spicy however, so if you don't like that I know another a few blocks away." Angeal grinned in response, which awakened many things in Cloud's flustered body. He realized that not only was he breaking his rule, he couldn't help but be excited to spend some time along with the larger soldier.

"I can't handle spicy food well, but I'm willing to try," Angeal supplied, his shoulder's melting away any tension that might have built from the possibility of rejection. Cloud smiled stupidly in response, as he did enjoy making his few friends eat the noodles he loved so much. It usually led to a lot of pain on their part which was always fun to watch.

"When are you free?" Cloud asked, the soldiers shoulder's shaking as he released a deep chuckle. Cloud's smile calmed down to a sultrier smirk, finding the large man really cute. He wouldn't tell Tifa about this in case it fell apart, but he liked the idea that somebody here actually had the nerve to ask him out, versus out right just hinting at sex.

Cloud very much enjoyed being wined and dined. Before he shoved a dick down his throat anyway.

"I'm free tonight, after seven" Angeal replied, Cloud relaxing a bit more as speaking to the man became easier. He wasn't used to being able to conversate so easily, unless it was with Zack. He felt his cheeks burn just a bit as he remembered Angeal was Zack's mentor, forcing away any impure thoughts about the straight man.

"They close at eight, so wanna go somewhere to sit and eat?" Cloud asked, Angeal twisting his lips some as he thought it over. Cloud looked over to the doors when they opened, an angered General leaving with what was presumably an empty cup for coffee. He looked back to Angeal when the silver haired man left his line of vision, wondering just how much of the conversation the silver haired man caught.

"We can go back to my place. I rented an anime called Romantica. I heard it's popular amongst the kids today." Cloud tried not to blush, as he knew exactly what that anime was. He was a big fan of it himself, as he had watched it over ten times and knew the plot by heart. He smiled anyway, not wanting to give away his knowledge. From even the way the man spoke of it, he probably didn't know it was a man on man love anime. Or maybe he did, and he was setting the mood.

"Sure, I get off at one, but would you like me to meet you back here?" Cloud asked, Angeal thinking for a second before nodding.

"Yeah that'll work, you said the shop is just down the street, right?" Angeal asked, Cloud nodding as he tried not to let his excitement show too much. He saw a blur of black and silver before Sephiroth was depositing more paper onto his counter, his eyes demanding he get back to work and stop flirting.

"I suggest you catch up," Sephiroth grunted at him, looking to Angeal who merely gave him a wave and a smile. They moved away from the counter and talked shop, leaving Cloud with the mountain of paperwork. He sighed but stood, grabbing the papers and placing them on his side of the counter. He finished the paper he was editing for Sephiroth before sending it to the desired receiver, picking up the first piece of paper.

It was for all the soldier cadets who were declined from the program.

And he had to label them all with the correct bunk, to be delivered tomorrow.

He sometimes really hated this job.

He tried not to sigh like a drama queen for the rest of the day as he prepared the letters in their respective envelopes, only able to imagine the sadness the many cadets would feel at receiving these. He was really glad he didn't sign up for the soldier program, though now as an adult he didn't really have the time to take out and compete with a bunch of buffoons.

Cloud finished the last one at ten am, stretching his arms into the air as he decided to take a small break. He had skipped his lunch for today, though he still wasn't very hungry. He sighed as he looked to the clock, wondering what he could possibly do to pass the time. He pressed the call button on his desk, speaking softly into it.

"The letters are ready sir." He took his finger off the button, waiting patiently for a response. Sephiroth took a minute, but eventually he responded, though his voice carried the grogginess of sleep.

"Send them to Sarah, tell her they are to be sent out tomorrow morning." Cloud nodded, but then remembered the general couldn't see him.

"Yes sir," he spoke into his speaker, finding a little pleasure in waking the man up from the possible nap he was taking. Cloud was still very much mad at him for his annoying attitude. Though to be fair, he was very professional at the party. Cloud didn't really have anything to do since he was new, but he did get a lot of married men to hit on him. It was honestly a waste of time, as most of the ceremony was just the President listening to his own voice over a microphone.

Not that Cloud said any of that to him.

What happened to Shinra being the party company of the world? Most of the alcohol was consumed, though in mixed drinks and small glasses. However, there was no fun to be had. Just drunken rich people admiring being rich.

Cloud sighed as he stood up, picking up the pile of envelopes and heading over to the elevator. He pressed for the button and waited, humming softly to himself. When it opened he was greeted with a full loft, the many people averting their eyes of the small man. He tried not to sigh as he squeezed in, everybody acting like he didn't exist. He pressed for the thirtieth floor, sighing softly as he tried not to think about the many body parts pressed against him.

Flows of people moved in and out, though by now Cloud was used to it. He kept his eyes on the ground, moving with the flow of people so he wouldn't get crushed. When he got to his desired floor he quickly moved out, heading over to Sarah who was rapidly tapping away on her computer.

"The General asks these be distributed tomorrow morning," Cloud recited, Sarah nodding as she glanced at the envelopes placed on her counter.

"Thank you," she spoke quietly, Cloud merely nodding to her before heading back to the elevator. He decided to take the stairs instead, running up them as quickly as possible. He got back to his floor, getting there just in time to see Sephiroth placing more papers on his desk. He panted softly as he walked up to the significantly smaller pile, Sephiroth not moving as Cloud looked over the paperwork. If Cloud looked up, he would have noticed the look his general was giving him.

Cloud never had much time to work out these days, which left him a little winded, but he knew he probably looked a mess. He was in the process of controlling his breathing, his hair losing some of its antigravity ability as the roots were lightly soaked with sweat. His cheeks were red and his eyes seemed even brighter as endorphins flooded his system in the presence of his small workout.

He looked like he was begging to be fucked, but he wouldn't know unless he saw himself through the general's eyes.

"Why did you take the stairs?" Sephiroth ventured to ask, Cloud shrugging a shoulder as he looked over the paperwork. These were for the students who got into the program… Lucky them huh?

"The elevator was crowded, and probably will be for the next hour," Cloud supplied, sniffling softly as he moved around his boss to get to the other side of his counter.

"I figured it wouldn't hurt to run up twenty flights of stairs," Cloud said with another shrug, seeing an eyebrow rise from his peripheral.

"How do you stay fit running a bar?" Sephiroth asked, though his voice seemed a little strained. Cloud knew from his many run ins with his boss he was not one to engage in small talk, and it was even more obvious right then. He took it as a good sign however, since the man was usually very hostile.

"I try to exercise every day, mostly in the morning than anything else." Sephiroth nodded, his eyes shifting to the side. Cloud wasn't sure if he wanted to continue the conversation, but to save the man from the awkward aura setting in he drawled on about his routine, all the while enclosing the papers in their envelopes and labeling the bunks.

"That's… elaborate," Sephiroth replied, one of his elegant eyebrows raised. Cloud nodded, finishing up the last envelope. There was a lot less than before, though he chalked it up to the program being stingy about who they let in.

"I was always skinny, which didn't really fit well with my hometown of lumberjacks and stuff. I've grown into my body I think, at least." Sephiroth nodded, Cloud looking up and meeting his cat slit eyes. He caught his breath. No matter how angry he got the man, he couldn't deny he was breath taking.

"I'm guessing as a soldier you work out often?" Cloud asked, standing up and stretching his sore arms. Sephiroth shifted his feet, nodding silently. Cloud smoothed down his suit, thanking Vincent for lending him the expensive material. That seemed to catch the soldier's eye.

"Your paperwork states you live below the plate; how do you obtain such expensive suits?" Sephiroth asked, Cloud feeling a bit uncertain about stating he was given donations by his long-time friend. He instead twisted the words, hoping it would end the conversation.

"I'm friends with Vincent Valentine. He is constantly giving me samples, he loves my body type." Cloud chuckled softly, forgetting to twist his words as he remembered a fond memory.

"He asks me to be one of his models constantly, but I don't enjoy being in the spotlight." Cloud chuckled again, suddenly missing his dear friend. He did ask to go on a date, though Cloud was not too keen to join his and Cid's open relationship.

"That would earn you more money," Sephiroth pointed out, Cloud nodding as he thought it over.

"It would, but it's not what I'm interested in. If I could do whatever I liked, I would open my own garage." Sephiroth hiked an eyebrow at that, something Cloud noticed he did often in his presence. Was he that strange to the man?

"I do recall Zack telling me you built your own bike," Sephiroth replied, Cloud nodding as he felt pride swell in his chest. That was a hundred percent his pride and joy.

"She was hard one, though she has grown a lot on me," Cloud spoke, his voice low as if he was speaking of a lover. Not that he would fuck his bike. He was just utterly passionate about her.

"Hm, I do not possess such a trade," Sephiroth spoke, tilting his head, his long hair flowing over his shoulder.

"Where do you want me to take these?" Cloud asked, lifting up the envelopes. Sephiroth hummed softly, seeming to be retrieving the name in his mind. Cloud tried very hard not to think about how the man looked cute while he was thinking.

"Bring them to Kate. She is a floor beneath us." Cloud nodded, tucking the envelopes under his arm.

"I am good at chess." Cloud smiled softly at that, since he himself grew very good at chess while playing alone in his room. Or on the few occasions with his mother, who he had strived to always be better than. He could easily beat her by the time he was ten.

"Let's play some time," Cloud replied, heading for the stairs.

"Okay."

It was quiet, though Cloud heard it. He hoped his boss's good mood persisted, since it was a lot easier to deal with him while he was like this than when he was irritated. Besides, his previous crappy attitude worked wonders in helping him get over his crush on the man.

After he delivered the letters Sephiroth let him leave early, so Cloud took the chance to sleep. He didn't work tomorrow till eight, since Sephiroth would be on a mission for the next two days. It would be kind of nice to actually sleep tonight, even after his little date. He wasn't sure what would happen, but he was still excited for it.

After his nap he got up, took a shower, and went to his closet, thinking over what he should wear. He looked at his closet with a glare of distaste, suddenly realizing how nervous he was. He calmed his nerves, choosing to go casual. He put on black skinny jeans, the jeans hugging his legs just right with a bit of looseness. He knew it would be a bit chilly so he put on a red sweater, golden wutai print on the front. He took it off to put on a black wife beater, trying not to come off as overly prepared for sex.

He put the sweater back on, cringing just slightly at the sleeves being a little too long for him. He ignored it however, hoping Angeal found it cute more than sloppy. He put on black socks and some brown combat boots, hoping he looked presentable. He ran to the bathroom to fix his hair, using a straightener to get his spikes to dry into more controlled spikes. It was a fail, but he still looked cute.

He was thinking of getting a haircut sometime soon anyway…

Cloud pulled the plug out of the socket and rushed downstairs, the clock already saying five. It would take him a minute to get up to the plate, the only downside of living below the plate at all. He was about to run out when Tifa called him, Cloud turning around and seeing her raised eyebrows.

"Got a date?" She asked, Cloud merely nodding shyly. She had the question of who all over her face, but Cloud merely shook his head.

"You don't know him."

A complete and utter lie! Tifa was a bigger stalker of the famous three than anybody he knew.

"Alright, just be safe." She replied, Cloud nodding before he checked for his wallet and phone. He left quickly after, trying not to show too much excitement. After a lot of flirts from men heading home for the night Cloud got off the train, heading to the Shinra building. He got there just as Angeal began to walk out, the man's eyes running over Cloud's body hungrily.

Cloud took his turn to look over the strong man, seeing he was still in full uniform with his sword attached to his back. Cloud wasn't close enough to get a strong whiff of his scent, but he could smell he probably had just got done with training before this. That made Cloud think of many exposing situations, though the most prominent being of the man forcing him down onto his large-

Calm yourself! Cloud scolded himself, feeling his cheeks heat up. Angeal didn't touch him however, merely motioning his head towards the street.

"Ready to go?"