A/N: Notice the pun in this title? No? You will at the end of it. If you get what I mean. Might just be one of the longest chapter I've typed.
Take Me With You! Chapter 13
Engaged Lovers
There was nothing left to do in SOLDIER after Shinra released the news to press. A line in the Sunday News reads: "Rufus Shinra, heir to the throne of the Shinra Electric power Company (SEC) has announced his engagement to Tifa Lockheart, his rumoured undisclosed lover during a press conference yesterday noon." Cloud had shredded the papers, abandoned his mission in Mideel and rushed to Junon, where the engagement party will be held after a rushed call to Zack.
Now, standing in the crowd of cheering fans, he watched as an alien smile spread across her angelic face. His chest tightened as he watched Rufus slide his arm around her waist, pulling her against his body. Five long years, he spent in SOLDIER, through the worst scenarios, his life on the line. Five years, her voice, her recording playing over and over again in his mind, his dreams of her in his arms… Everything shattered.
But he will not let it end like this.
xXx
Tifa put on her rubber smile and stood by Rufus, who answered the questions poured by the media with much ease. His arms were locked around hers, his grip causing her skin to whiten. Through a window in the meeting room, Tifa glimpsed at the colossal Mako canon. Junon was Shinra's strongest military base, it was essential for Rufus to gain foothold over this city. His image in the Junon resident hearts was critical to his ambitions. The 24 carat sapphire diamond ring weighed on her finger, but only the hidden rings carefully extended to fit into her bra was on her mind. It had been 5 years since the promise, yet she was now officially bounded to another man.
What would Cloud think?
There was no marriage proposal, no consent or rejection, because there was no choice. For five whole years, Rufus had complete control in the 'relationship'. To him, she was a mere commodity. But she had to thank him, for not forcing himself on her since that fateful day 4 years ago. He didn't dare, she was… well, modified. He didn't want to risk getting into close proximity with the Mako and chemicals injected into her.
She felt sullied.
Reflexively reaching for the ringed necklace, she whispered a soft goodbye to her past, her love and the man she loved. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes and she turned as unobtrusively as possible towards the window to wipe her tears before excusing herself to the washroom. Rufus muttered a soft whisper by her ear. "Don't take too long." The look in his eyes instigated fear within her. Since that day 4 years ago, she had never dared to disobey him. Rufus desires to control with fear. She knows.
But she can't stop him.
In the washroom, she softly tucked a lock of her soft, waved dark hair behind her ear, prodding slightly at the glittered bun of curls loosely held on by a flower clip behind her left ear. Despite her fringe swept to the right as usual, she looked miles apart from the village girl she used to be. Mascara coated thick lashes fluttered against her cheek, tight-lined lids accentuated her wine coloured eyes and dusted rose cheeks. She pressed her lips together, evenly coating the nude lipstick and gloss, reveled in her beauty she took in the mannequin in the mirror, staring back at her. This is all that is left of her: a beautiful shell.
Silk cerulean clutch-bag in hand, she straightened her matching short dress that hung tight around her curves, front cut revealing the grandeur of her curves: A dress Rufus picked out to showcase his exhibit. With trained feline grace, she walked down the corridor.
A soft clank and another soft thud woke her instinct. Turning on her toes, she struck her right leg across at the follower's neck, her heel aimed at a point with enough momentum and speed to cause permanent paralysis. He couldn't be a reporter, since it was a private Shinra territory, reporters are only welcome in the meeting room and guards are stationed outside. Not to mention the recent AVALANCHE scare in the big cities, suspicious characters shouldn't be taken lightly.
Her foot was caught inches away from the opponent's neck, the force enough to shatter finger phalanges, but her attacker did not, the slightest, even flinch. She muttered a grunt in her throat and shifted her stance to move her leg, but the grip was a deadlock. Irritated, she stared across her outstretched leg, to face a slight shimmer of azure eyes on her, behind a black cloak that covered him from tip to toe. Her chest tightened when she felt a surge of emotions electrifying her every cell. A look only someone from her memory has.
Shaking her head, she convinced herself that he wouldn't – couldn't be here. But she couldn't stop her body from quivering at his touch.
At that briefest moment of hesitation, the man pulled her leg across his shoulder and Tifa tumbled effortlessly into his arms. She had a chance to struggle and place a somersault kick onto his head, but she gave it up. He pulled her, tighter and she could feel the hem of her dress shift higher and higher up her hip. She was used to stretching like this, but not when she was wearing a short blue dress made of clingy silk, and not when her seamless white panty left little to imagination. She regretted the kick.
"Let go." A soft threat that did little to cover the soft hitch in her throat and the strong beating of her heart.
The man remained silent, but pulled her closer. Sensitive flesh around her inner thighs tickled as the slow movement rubbed her suggestively onto coarse cloth around his chest. When she flushed into a sea of red, the man parted her leg and set it down, shifting his grasp to her waist, and wasted no chance in caressing her hips while pulling her dress down. He moved his hand again, to the small of her back, and pulled her closer.
It was sensual and hot when his lips crashed into hers. She remembers the taste, the warmth and the soft play of his tongue on her lips as the uncatched breath made coarse sounds in her throat. The memorized replied from her body was primal, her tongue reached out to meet his, her arms out to cradle his face, angling their lips to fit better –deeper. He moved his free hand down to her fleshy bottom and gave it a teasing squeeze, before his fingers rubbed Slight fold of her panty, his nails softly tracing the line, sending waves of excited tingles through her.
A name burned at the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't moan it out. Not when his face was still covered. Sure enough, she could see the familiar thick blonde eyelashes, and shadows of spikes shadowing his forehead; she could feel the familiar play of tongue on hers, rubbing in a way she relived in her dreams of him…
Fingers tugged at his hood, crept about his cheek, and pushed the cloth behind his ears, hair, and neck until his defined nose, eyes, lips, was all but covered.
Satisfied, she released a ruffled whimper against his open lips. "Cloud…"
Azure, sharp blue eyes fluttered open, and he pulled away from the kiss. "Hey."
Smooth, long fingers traced his reddened lips, lingering with the aftertaste of kiss and wiped at the soft traces of gloss.
The back of his hand, rough from SOLDIER training, stroked her cheeks, and she realized tears were flowing, unstoppable. He enfolded her into a tight embrace before pulling away softly and rubbed her shoulders while staring deep into her eyes, glittering with tears. "Don't cry."
Dark hair waved for the engagement party fell, and Cloud tucked it softly back behind her ear before bending down. "Let's go."
He wrapped the cloak around her, and lifted her and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
And down they go, into the city of Junon, her purse forgotten on the long corridor.
xXx
Strong, muscular hands slipped under her thighs and brought her down from the oversized motorcycle. Tifa was glad that the cloak covered her features, and she wasn't recognized by the public.
"Thanks." She muttered as he set her on the ground, his hand lingering on her waist. With a slight push, he ushered her into an inn and she sunk deeper into the veil. With urgent strides, they made their way into his room and locked the door behind them.
She removed the cloak and folded it across an armchair beside the small bed. The room was bare, but Cloud's existence made it the most beautiful room she has ever seen.
Silence engulfed the two until Tifa decided to strike a conversation. "So… why did you suddenly come to Junon?" She bit her lip, it's the worst question she could ask, but she needed reassurance.
"Why?" His tone was venomous, his back still facing her. "Did you really just ask that?" He spat, when he turned, the look in his eyes was dangerous. But this conversation has to take place.
The floorboards creaked when he walked towards her, his steps heavier than before. "Why?" He repeated, and grabbed her left wrist. "This is why!" Tightening his grip, he wriggled her fingers, and the sapphire ring was right between them.
"I know." A soft whisper, contrasting the heated dispute. "I couldn't escape."
His clasp softened, and he waited, listening.
"Cloud…" She moved in closer, intertwining their fingers. "That's why you should."
He frowned, and when their eyes made contact again, she averted her gaze. "Did something happen?"
She shook her head, but didn't say a single word. "An old habit." He pressed their foreheads together and brought their woven hands to his chest. "When you lie, you lose confidence in your voice."
He felt her body stiffen. "Are you in a bind, Tifa?"
She lowered her head and heaved a deep breath to stop the tears from flowing. It was futile. He remembers.
"We… cannot be how we used to." The tremor in her voice was baring her true feelings. "I'm… different."
"How different?" He asked, his voice velvet against her lips. "Your cheeks still flush when I'm near…" A finger brushed against hot cheeks, "luscious when we kiss…" another trailing against her lips, "responsive when we touch." the tip of his index finger brushed a feather light path down her neck, collarbone, plump breasts, sink down into her ribs, abdomen, and down… down between her thighs.
Her breath hitched in her throat and she drew in gasps of air as he paused there, between her thighs, before moving up again to her waist. "See." He smirked, and Tifa saw traces of that childhood bully. "You want me." Dark blonde eyebrows knitted as he continued, "only me." It wasn't a question.
Another stream of tears snaked down her cheeks and she shook her head. "No… Cloud… don't you see? I… I just… can't…"
"Yes you can." Broad shoulders provided comfort as he pressed their bodies together, his arms around her.
He doesn't know.
"I have to go back." Palms to his chest, she pried herself off him. "Please…"
She watched as his brows furrow, face tense, before relaxing. He took a deep breath and held her hand to his chest. "Five years." He whispered, closing their distance. "Didn't you promise we will be together after five years?" She could see the pain in his eyes, heart-wrenching pain that tore her from within. "So many times, it was your voice that brought me back from the brink of death, Tifa."
A soft kiss, then another, and another. His lips against hers, moving to her cheeks, her nose, the other cheek, then her forehead. "You can't just leave me."
"I'm afraid." Voice soft like a breeze passing his ears, she confided. "Afraid they might hurt you."
"Nobody will hurt me, Tifa." Tongue, brushing lightly on her earlobe.
"Rufus will." Hands, back to her waist, moving upwards. "He marked me as his possession. If I don't go back…" Stinging bite on her earlobe and she winced a little, before a soft wet flesh brush the spot to comfort it.
"Don't say another man's name when you're with me." Lips moved from ears, to nose, lingering before nibbling at the tip… moving down, to search for the matching partner. "These lips…" he muttered against her. "Should only speak my name." His voice was raspy against her skin, and she trembled under his touch, his hands around her ribs, rubbing circles, tempting, tempting.
He was the god of seduction, and she could not resist. Never.
"Cloud…" Opportunistic, his tongue manoeuvred into her cavity and massaged her, their saliva mixing, blending a cocktail of love with their tastes. Blood rushed to her cheeks and her hand meandered into his golden tresses, rubbing his scalp, ever so softly, her other free hand down his back, exploring the rippling muscles as his breathing quicken.
Gasps of air escaped from her lungs when he tightened his hold around her, fingers chiselled by soft cuts traced the contours of her ribs, pressing against her skin. The soft silk allowed him to smoothly coddle her every curve.
They continued kissing, tongues wrestling, fighting, comforting… and he led her, arms around her waist, to the bed. A hand around her head, he softl placed her down onto the bed, the strong strokes of his tongue hinting at what he wants.
Careful not to overwhelm her, he moved one of his hands slowly, slowly, excruciatingly downwards, and with one finger, lightly traced the shape of her toned thighs. She leaned her head back, and her body shivered lightly at his touch. "Don't tickle…"
Lips up-curled, and eyes dubious. "You seem to like it though, from what I remember… hmmm. And you seem to like it now." Playful voice, husky from tension building in his pants, he continued. "Yep, you like it." He continued his ministrations, fingers, tickling only the surface of her skin, down under her dress.
"You shouldn't wear blue." His voice heavy with need.
"Why?"
"It looks too good on you. I might go on a rampage on the guys that will look at you." He drew in a deep breath to control as her fingers move beneath his top. "Men are vultures."
She giggled at his comment. "You are a man, aren't you?"
"I never said I wasn't a vulture." He feigned an animalistic growl. "But I only crave for you. I'm different." For a moment, Tifa melted in those eyes, deadly serious as he spoke. Their touches stop. "I love you."
It's been so long. The three words, they used to say it so casually, but when she heard it again, from those lips beneath the ocean blue eyes, glittering like stars reflected at night, her heart swelled, and hurts. Didn't she decide not to live as a human anymore? To empty her heart, but that three syllables… so simply, blew everything away. "I love you too." Tears must have rolled down her cheeks again, for he was kissing a trail from her eyes.
This day, she cried more than she ever did in the 5 years. Even when Rufus stood in front of her naked body, drenched in chemicals, tubes protruding, asking if she dared to defy him again, she held her tears back, she didn't cry. She nodded with a smile, empty as a starless, dark, murky sky.
"I want you." It was so soft, Tifa wondered if she heard him wrong. In such primal tone spilling with need, a muted growl in his throat.
Dare she? She was a vessel of god-knows-what chemicals, what if she infected him? Or worst, hurt him?
Between her faltering glances, he knew she was unsure. But he desperately needed her. Five years of pent up hunger… scratch that. He wanted her since puberty. "Please…" he buried himself in her peaks, and pure bliss surrounded him at the softness of them. She smelt good. And all his blood rushed to the blown-up mini cloud below.
She didn't reply. But he knew she wouldn't be able to resist.
Another round of kisses, but this time, it was around her earlobe, nape, and her collarbone. Softly, he suckled and licked from her neck to her shoulders, using his tongue to push the thin silk strap away to reveal soft flesh defined by years of training, yet velvet to the touch. She smelt like berries. And he couldn't wait to devour her.
Beneath the dress, her skin was burning under his touch. He smirked at how sensitive she was to him. Tugging at the hem of her dress, he slowly lifted it over her head. She didn't resist, but the look on her face was hesitant. He kissed her lips ever so lightly to comfort her. "You're gorgeous… I've always known, since I first met you." Strong hands cupped her cheek and forced her eyes to meet his, overflowing with desire and love… and she melted against him.
From her face, he slid his hands, slowly, meandering, exploring her skin, to her breasts, and he sighed at the softness of it against his touch. One of his hands moved to her back and wrestled the clutch before it finally loosen, and pale, pinkish mounds greeted him in their full glory.
A soft clink against the floor and Cloud shifted his eyes to meet a pair of rings, chained by a metal necklace.
"The rings..." He whispered.
Tifa's nod was shy and sincere. "I'd always wear it."
They kissed, this time, it was soft and deep. His hands brushing her cheeks. "I know."
They pressed their foreheads together, hearts pounding in a unified pace. And Cloud smiled, his eyes sparkling with playfulness.
Minutes later, he broke the silence. "Always in your bra?"
Her eyes widened.
"They'll be glad. You've grown well." He teased and she averted her gaze to the walls, blood rushing to her face and she glowed red. "Very well."
"Bully." She murmured under her breath and he laughed.
"It's a childish part that never left, to bully the one I love."
His control seeped away and he ground against her thighs fingers wrapped around her fleshy mounds, teasing it's aroused bud, feeling her back arch as the heated, hard cock of his slide against her, from beneath leathery pants.
"Damn. I'm the mortal enemy of men around the globe now." He murmured and Tifa sniggered. He was trying to calm her, she knows.
Pressure was building in her abdomen, and she could feel her mind going blank. He was considerate, taking things really slow, but it was working wonders in her core. His name was a torn breath from her lips, when he freed one of her breasts only to cover it with his mouth again, torturing her. Hot slick moisture covered her trembling bud as he sucked and nibbled, shifting her focus to the way his mouth prepared her.
His other hand crept down to white, thin nylon and warning bells rang. Should she risk this? She needed a checkup, at a clinic, to see if her body… was she worrying too much?
A bolt of pleasure struck through her when he touched a swollen spot and her mind blanked again, leaning back, her hips arching forward, she felt incredibly embarrassed.
"So wet." He chuckled, making her bury her face into her hands. "I was right, you want me." A finger slid along her seam, wetness coating him from beneath the cloth. "You're drenched."
He was still a big bully, period.
Pressing her elbows against the bed, she leaned up to kiss him, her hand sliding beneath his shirt, pulling it off. Her tongue licked hungrily, and she sucked his lips, his tongue, until his hands were limp against hers. She shifted them around and worked her way down his chest, contoured abs, and played at his belt, flexing every muscle along her way.
"Impatient, aren't you?" He mocked at her, teasing her.
She pouted, and his heart swelled. He wanted to just push her down and pump into her. Pump. Pump. Pump until she milked him dry. But he'd wait for her to investigate his body now.
Slender, smooth legs pushed against him, between his thighs and his breath staggered. Wow, hold on there, Strife. "Look who's talking." Was that a wink? Oh god.
Rubbing her thigh against his hot, throbbing cock, she licked a line down to his chest and sucked on his flat nipples while her hand freed him from his confines, pushing the pants down, down and away.
Sliding her tongue from his chest, she licked his navel before sliding down again, coating the thing line of dark blonde hair below his navel.
"Tifa… don't." Fuck yes. He wanted it, but he wasn't confident in controlling. And he wanted to spill into her.
"Let's not go all the way today, Cloud." She blew hot puffs of air onto his erection, and it was driving him crazy. But the words she said, did take a toll on its hardness – not. Because she pulled his boxers off with her teeth, and that was sexy as hell.
The way she wriggled down, pulling that pair of boxers off with her mouth… He wanted to just explode. Soft, fingers danced on his legs as she moved up, between his legs, and settled directly in front of his proud, thick, engorged member. She closed her eyes, pulled the flower clip off her hair, letting the curled locks fall around her bare shoulders. He grunted slightly as they block the sight of her jiggling pair of magnificent flesh. But the way she shook her head and push her hair to her side earned a lustful sigh of approval.
Soft kisses. Then soft licks. He closed his eyes and drowned in the sensation of her soft lips on his rigid member. She was exploring, she he could tell by the soft taste of her tongue to his precum, her nose silently sniffing at his shaft, and her hands tracing the veins. He swallowed to wet his dry throat as he waited, patiently for her.
Fingers kneading at his head, nails, ever so softly, tickled him beneath his foreskin. It was torture. He was twitching in her hands, but she doesn't seem to know what to do. She was being gentle, he noted, but he sure as hell wanted it rougher. "Tifa," he grunted, pulling her hands to his shaft, then shifting one up to the head. "Like this." He squeezed the hand around his head rhythmically with the other sliding up and down. Damn, her hand was soft.
Her soft cheeks flushed a deep shade of red and he mused at how bad she was at maintaining the seductive-predator façade. "Relax." He coaxed and she took it onto her own hands, moving slowly, before she applied more pressure, increased her speed and earned moans from him. "Use your mouth." He sucked in a harsh breath. And stopped to wonder if it was too much for her. But she complied, tossing her hair, and lowering to envelop him in her slick heat.
Too big. She winced slightly at the way it prodded against her cheek, she kept her lips open and pushed her jaw open, careful not to scrape her teeth against him, and pushed him deep, deeper until he was fully inside, pushing into her throat. There, she sucked, her throat muscles protested and flexed against it.
But a sound from him sent tingles down her spine and all she could feel was drops of slick, hot liquid flowing down her inner thighs.
His hands reached down to grab her and he buckled, and pushed her away, but not fast enough to stop his seeds from pouring over her face. The next few spurts were in his palms.
"Sorry. I should have warned you. His breathing was quick, and laboured but the moment he saw her, innocently, taking some of that liquid from her face onto her finger and tasting it… he nearly lost it again. "God, Tifa. Stop driving me over the edge."
It was thick, and a little salty… not like anything she had tasted, but it was his and she felt contented, able to drive him into throes of pleasure.
He swept her off his feet and carried her into the bathroom, kissing her lightly on her lips, and tasted himself.
Seated on the toilet, she watched as he washed a towel and wiped her face, slowly, carefully. "Sorry." He mumbled again.
It was hard to get off her hair, and her eyeliner, mascara smudged the more he wiped. "It's ok."
"The… makeup is falling off." He frowned. She didn't need those, she was a goddess by herself.
She giggled and took the towel form him, stood up, trying to cover her naked torso as she moved to the sink, and looked into the mirror. She looked ridiculous.
Strong arms wrapped around her and he leaned his head on her shoulder like a little boy. He sighed into the nape of her neck and whispered playfully in her ear, pouting. "What to do? You took my virginity."
She blinked and feigned a serious face. "Technically, I didn't."
"Fair enough." His tongue played on her neck as she wiped her eyes. "So when are you going to come take it?"
She swallowed and smiled, a little nervous. What can she say? "Maybe one day when you're asleep, I'll rape you." She joked.
"Oh? Yay. Then I'll sleep naked from now on." He laughed, nibbling her neck.
A year older than her, Cloud Strife, 21, SOLDIER, man with abs, strong arm muscles and looks to die for was a little boy after sex. She giggled a little at the thought.
"What are you laughing at?" He pouted slightly, hands around her waist now, moving up.
Her unsated desire was building and she bit it down, but the redness in her cheeks showed. "At you."
"Why?" A soft blow at her neck, and her eyes fluttered close, rolling upwards. "Naughty thoughts?"
She bit her lower lip and looked away. "I'm done."
He slid both his arms around her, tracing the contours of her skin and stopped just below her ample breasts, where beads of perspiration lingered. "But your body isn't done."
Pale faced, reddish brown eyes with sparks of gold… that wasn't there years before. But he shrugged the thought away. She looked beautiful. He prefer her naked, in more ways than one.
"W-what?" She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, and his palms cupped her breasts. Head leaned back, she was resting on his shoulder before she realized.
"I told you, you want me." His thumb pressed against her hardened peaks and rolled it. "Desperately."
He was right. Thighs pressed tight together as she tried to satiate the burning desire.
"Rape me?" He asked, softly against her ear.
"No…" She shook her head, knives slicing over her heart. "I… I can do it myself."
He frowned, and from the mirror, she could see the way his brows kissed. And something hard was pressing against her bottoms. Not as swollen as it was just now… in her mouth…
She dripped more onto her thighs.
"Let me watch…" He mumbled. "I want to see."
"No touching." She warned. That pout deepened and he looked up into her eyes through the mirror. God. She nearly leaped at him.
"Okay."
xXx
She hasn't really touched herself before. Not dipping in, no. (She was quite afraid of things going into her, especially since her experience in midgar.) She rubbed her clit, that was all, really.
Now, she was sitting opposite him, his eyes on her every moment, and god, he was hard again.
Slowly, she parted her legs and pulled the soaked panty down, placing it beside her.
He watched as she moved her hand over, sliding across the seam, pushing against her clit, rubbing it.
Rubbing it.
Rubbing it.
Still rubbing it.
"Are you nervous?" He asked, genuine concern. As much as he wanted to see her, if it was making her uncomfortable…
"A little."
"Do you remember how I did it?"
Her face flushed at the memory, at the piano in the mansion… for the first time, she lost herself in pleasure.
She nodded.
He moved forward and pulled her into his arms. When her body tensed against him, he rubbed her shoulders. "I'm not going to rape you. Relax. I'm waiting for you to do the raping, remember?" Soft kisses on her forehead again, he wrapped his arms tighter around her from behind.
And she could feel it, the pressure, and more slick juices.
"You smell nice." He ruffled her hair and breathed into her. "Intoxicating."
She moaned lightly, and her abdomen throbbed. Her fingers stroking, rubbing and downwards it went…
"Did I tell you how much I loved your smile?" He whispered, and she shook her head. "It was the only bright thing in Nibelheim Home back then." He grimaced at the memory. "So bright."
Her middle finger slipped in, out… in… out…
"And when I saw you again, today. Your beauty… was enthralling…"
Another hand reached down to rub the swollen clit.
"The smile on your face broke me apart. But I knew, the way your lips curled. The smile wasn't real…"
Pace quickened, rubbing intensified.
"Because your smile, is the brightest thing I've ever seen, and that smile wasn't bright at all."
More rubbing.
"I love you."
GOD. Her hips bucked forward and she collapsed into him, spilling onto her hand and slick liquid coated her fingers, dampening the sheets. "Cloud… Cloud…"
He leaned in to kiss her, it wasn't for pleasure. He just wanted a moment with her. Close to her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and they deepened the kiss, absorbing every moment as her legs trembled and their tongues wrestled.
"Take me away with you, Cloud. Far away from Shinra." Tears were spilling from her eyes again and Cloud melted under her.
"Of course. I'd planned on doing just that. Right from the start."
They melted into each other, she found the familiar spot beneath his chin and slept, more peaceful than she ever had in five years.
A/N: Leave a review for Cloud's puppy eyes. Haha. How was the lemon? Was it too much?
I wonder if my version of Cloud is too abusive of canon. But I think this is the Cloud I want to portray.
No Zack/Aerith/Yuffie/Barret/Red/etc in this chapter because this chapter is pure Cloti.
:D