"Here you go!" said Hojo, thrusting a small bottle into Genesis' hands. "It's a potion made from mako. Normally, that mako would solidify into a ball of 'manipulate' materia, but because I am a genius, I have transformed it into a love potion. Use it well, teeheehee!" Hojo shuffled away.

Genesis peered at the vial. It looked ominous. The glass was spiky and clouded, and the potion within was a thick, tarry black, like old blood. There were some instructions carved into the side:

'Put this bottle of love-potion in the person's food or drink, and they will fall in love with the next person they see. Warning: if the person is a virgin, the potion will explode in their veins, killing everyone in the room when they lose their virginity. Enjoy!'

Genesis smirked. No worries if he accidentally drank some by mistake, then. And he knew Sephiroth had popped his cherry with some woman (ugh, women- so unattractive- what did people see in them?) a while back.

Looked like this plan would be a piece of cake! Hm, maybe he'd put the potion in a piece of cake... Genesis cackled to himself and headed back to HQ.

.

"Um..." Cloud felt himself blushing. They were in the shower block! Zack followed him in and closed the door behind them. It shut with a soft click. Cloud's heart beat fast. "Um..."

"Relax..." Zack reached up and turned on one of the showers, before starting to massage Cloud's shoulders. Warm water cascaded over them; in moments they were soaked to the skin. Cloud gasped, seeing Zack's t-shirt clinging to the muscles of his chest, his hair pushed flat under the weight of the water. Rivers of liquid ran down his legs, soaking through his trousers until they were as tight as PVC. In the steam and the heat of the shower, unable to tear his eyes away, Cloud felt himself growing faint.

"Come on," said Zack, suddenly reaching for Cloud's top with animal lust. Cloud squeaked as the dark-haired man tried to yank the garment over his shoulders, his breathing ragged. Zack's voice was low and dangerous. Cloud trembled. He wanted to give in, but... but..

FLASHBACK

"Cloud," said Tifa, on top of the Nibelheim well. "You'll love me forever, right?"

"Sure," said Cloud, nodding. It was a lie, of course; he was gay, but you didn't go announcing that sort of thing in a small, intolerant town like Nibelheim. And besides, Tifa really did love him. Maybe he could fake it. Pretend to love her back. Nobody would ever know.

"Cloud, will you promise me... Cloud, promise you'll wait for me. Don't lose your virginity to anyone else, okay? I- I want to be your first." Tifa went bright red.

And Cloud had promised.

END OF FLASHBACK

Cloud cursed inwardly. Why had he made that stupid, stupid promise? He couldn't go back on a promise (not unless Tifa was okay with it, anyway, but he'd have to ask her and that meant telling her he was gay and he wouldn't see her for months anyway). He had honour. He felt furious, and then miserable, as Zack slid his hands down his bare chest, his top falling to the floor with a wet slap.

"Um..." he took a step back, bottom lip wobbling.

"What's wrong?" asked Zack. Cloud could see Zack's frustration. Trying not to cry, the blond shook his head.

"Um, sorry, I don't- I don't feel the same way!" he lied in a howl, before turning on his heel and running. He didn't care that he was soaking wet and half naked. He just had to get away.

Before he burst into tears.