AN/ First part of this is a sex scene, so if you do want to skip it, look for the *** and resume reading there
He was on fire. Burning and drowning and revelling in the feel of Vincent. And in his own, silent and constrained way, Vincent was consuming him.
Only his shoulders and legs remained on the bed as Cloud arched away from the mattress, using all his strength to cling to the body above him as a leg hooked itself around Vincent's, their arousals brushing together through the restrains of their clothes. Sharps nails and calloused fingers scraped down his bare back, raising the skin in both pleasure and the promise of pain. Cloud couldn't even remember his vest being removed. He couldn't remember feeling so driven before either, so frenzied. His mouth sought Vincent's as his hands curled their way through dark strands of silky hair. Vincent had remained silent, as they struggled against each other, but Cloud could feel the passion resonating through the solitary man's entire being. The hot breaths against his neck, the slight shudder he made as his belt was pulled away from him, was more expressive to Cloud than half formed words or awkward noises. He even admired the quiet resolve, while at the same moment he let a deep, primal grunt rise up from his throat as Vincent laid his head against his fast rising chest, breathing in the scent of the younger man as he removed Cloud's pants.
A tongue was snaking its way along his torso, a hurried, random trail of teeth and brushing lips that made a path to the hollow of Cloud's throat. Cloud's hands ceased their exploration of Vincent's back as the pair locked eyes. Though his face was impassive, the hint of a smile loomed over both of them as Cloud regarded Vincent's eyes, filled with lust and carnal pride.
Cloud grinned, unaware of how long it had been since he had last smiled in that way. Using his tucked in feet, he quickly dragged away the remainder of Vincent's clothes, before kicking his own boots and pants off. They shared a brief kiss, Vincent trapping Cloud's lower lip between his teeth, biting unexpectedly hard as a hand gripped his erection, languidly sliding down his length. Vincent buried his head into Cloud's neck, breathing heavily at the steady pace, his hips thrusting lightly as he was rewarded with a gentle squeeze and the trace of thumb, sliding along the now leaking member, the slight lubrication allowing for a faster pace.
His gauntlet seized Cloud's shoulder at the same time that he felt two strong legs grip either side of him, linking together. He both heard and felt the sensuous groan Cloud emitted, and his hand tensed uncontrollably, gripping harder then he wanted. Cloud only responded with more passion, sliding their bodies together and mouthing Vincent's neck, his hands taking hold of Vincent's hips and bringing them as close as he could, his desire and impatience obvious.
He could see the welts already rising, and despite the knowledge that the mako infused body below him was already recovering, he made to apologise, but Cloud brushed him off. He slid his tongue along the shell of Vincent's ear, breathing lightly along the tender skin as he whispered "its okay. I… you don't have to be gentle. I want you." he pulled away just enough to look Vincent in the eye
"I want you, and I want it to hurt. Just enough."
Cloud's eyes were trusting and waiting, trying to read the other man's response.
"Do you think you can do that for me? Make me forget, okay? For now…please?"
Vincent lifted Cloud's leg, one raising to rest on his shoulder, and he refused to look away. It should have felt wrong, but he knew, at the moment he would do anything for Cloud. Holding a shoulder down, his other hand travelled down the pale skin of Cloud's chest, reaching his erection and caressing it in a loving manner before providing the briefest of preparation. Knowing it truly wasn't enough, but also Cloud's own wish, he entered in one solid thrust.
Cloud's welcoming cry and the intensity of being surrounding in the tight heat threatened Vincent's very core. He could feel the rising of his own, well hidden demons. The dark, feral murmurs were whispering inside his mind, not to wait, but to punish and claim and posses the willing body beneath him.
They remained still for what felt like an eternity; Cloud's skin trembling erratically, his heavy breathes the only sound in the room as Vincent struggled to regain control, his hair falling in a dark curtain over his face.
He could feel the body beneath him relax, and the shift of hips caused the softest, sweetest sigh to breathe its way out of his mouth. Strong hands, smaller than his own but steadier than he felt, cupped his face. Cloud smiled a quiet, reassuring feature.
"You can move, now" before he had even finished speaking his body had began a slow, sensuous dance as he lifted himself, allowing Vincent in deeper.
The dark haired man thrusted in deeply, rewarded with a constant stream of low moans, punctuated with keening wails as their pace became erratic. His hands trapped Cloud on either side as he drove in with desperate force, his hair plastered to his face as his hands fisted the sheets. Cloud was rising up to meet him, matching his pace, eye shuts and mouth stretched, completely unaware of the noises rising from his throat. He could feel it building, the heat pooling in his gut, his body tightening and aching for release. Vincent thrusted harder, his movements becoming random and punishing and Cloud revelled in the feel of the strength above him, surrounding him. He was aware of the tension in the other man, as if he could feel how close Vincent was as well.
His hands reached up again, capturing the pale face as he whispered words of encouragement, not even knowing what he was saying, surrendering himself to the moment, the smell of sex heavy in the air, the unbelievable pressure rising within them both and slide of their sweat soaked skin.
He could feel the wave of ecstasy coursing through Vincent as if it was his own, and unable to wait any longer, Cloud brought a hand to his own length, trying to follow the crazed pace as Vincent filled him to the core.
It was blinding, sweet and consuming to the point of pain and he arched high, his body tightening as he cried out, his voice cracking and dying completely while his mouth still strained open in a silent plea.
The spurt of warmth across both their stomachs, and the tightening that surrounded his length brought Vincent over the edge, as he provided a final series of shallow thrusts, riding out the orgasm as he buried his head into Cloud's chest.
He could feel the body beneath him, pliant and relaxed, succumbing to the call of sleep as withdrew with a sigh.
Vincent laid back into the bead, his eyes unfocused as his senses returned. He could hear the traffic outside, mingled with the breaths of Cloud beside him. He could smell the younger man, in the air and on his bed, in his mouth and on his skin. Vincent turned on his side, watching the rise and fall, the breaths in out, as Cloud slept; his face peaceful.
***
"I didn't know you had a phone"
Cloud was on his side, a hand casually tracing useless patterns over the skin of Vincent's ribs. On occasion he was rewarded with a slight ripple or tremor, and his eyes roamed freely over the naked body before him.
Vincent's eyes were closed, and he frowned slightly.
"I don't have a phone"
"Oh..." Cloud shifted to lean on his elbow, his arm twitching as it pushed into the mattress. Vincent hadn't made any sign that he had seen the dark bruises, the Geostigma, so Cloud had taken to opportunity to hide it beneath his body, the tangled sheets obscuring any view of mottled flesh.
"Tifa said she called you… so I assumed she meant you had a number or something…" he trailed of, absently skimming the tips of his fingers down Vincent's stomach, making drumming taps on his hips.
"She did call. Not with a phone."
Vincent's voice was casual, but his body betrayed himself as he leant slightly into the touch.
"How did she manage that? You guys got some telepathy going on?"
Cloud's voice had been light, almost in jest but Vincent was unwillingly to talk about it, knowing the truth might drive away this new, content Cloud. He let himself continue to feel the petting, the urge to roll Cloud over and take things further rising.
His hand took hold of Cloud's free arm, his thumb tracing circles in a soothing motion.
"She was distressed. It was co-incidence actually. I was on my way to find you, and she was becoming more and more… frustrated. She called out, for help, to you. Like a child." The fingers had stopped
"She called out for others too, for me. So I came to her, I consoled her. That's what she meant when she said she called me. Though I suppose she may have been embarrassed to word it so."
Cloud was silent, his fingers paused over Vincent. He sighed, a combination of failure, acceptance and what Vincent recognised as arousal.
The hand resumed its exploration, following the tail of hair between Vincent's hips and threading its way into the dark curls.
Cloud pushed him onto his back, covering Vincent's body with his own as he lips reached his ear. His kissed the skin behind it, a chaste moment as he mumbled softy "I'm sorry"
***
Tifa strained, lifting a box from the shelf above her. Three times the weight the average man could carry, it was still heavy and she cried out as she felt it fall from her grasp.
Two arms came from behind her, catching the box with ease and setting it on lower shelf.
"Thankyou"
She turned to see Cloud, who looked uncharacteristically sheepish, an awkward smile on his face and a flower in his hand. He passed it to her quickly, looking anywhere but at her face.
"For Marlene, I didn't see her before, so I brought this."
Tifa smiled, making her way into the kitchen and filling a vase with water, Cloud following her silently like a shadow.
"I spoke to Vincent" he leant into the kitchen bench, appearing more comfortable now than he had when he had still lived there.
Tifa nodded, a slight blush colouring her cheeks as she remembered her frustration and desperation that had led Vincent to her. The promise he made; to help Cloud. His hand had been warm and reassuring, a strength and physical presence she hadn't felt in ages. Now Cloud was here, his eyes still haunted, yet more at peace than she had seen for so long. She busied herself with making tea for both of them, thanking Vincent for whatever it was the gunman had done, to return a small part of friend.
"How is he?" she was surprised at the grin that swept onto Cloud's face, a furtive smirk she hadn't known him to posses.
"He's… good. I have some information I need to get from him later"
"Oh?" she passed a cup to Cloud, breathing lightly over her own, which was spreading warmth to her hands. It was similar to the feeling in her heart, the familiarity of sharing tea and conversation was giving her hope -perhaps too much to soon- but hope nevertheless.
Cloud nodded his head towards the stairs, taking a sip as his face became sombre.
"Denzel. The Geostigma, Vincent has a contact, a former doctor that might know something. I'm going to go check it out. The kid doesn't deserve something like this"
"Cloud…" she wanted to reach out her hand, comfort him and console him and remind him of the hero he was. But the moment was fragile, so Tifa settled on a smile.
"He's resting upstairs, if you want to talk to him"
She took the empty cups, humming to herself as she heard the heavy footsteps of Cloud climbing the stairs to Denzel's room.
***
AN: writing that first part was like pulling teeth. I spent more than a week skirting around having to write it. I even attempted homework as a ploy to avoid doing it.
Sigh… such a pansy