A/N:
In response to my skeptical reviewers:
Some of my readers are worried that this story is too much like 'A SOLDIER's Weapon'. The similarities in chapter one are there for a reason. I am not copying their story, not by a long shot. But the way the story presented the characters in the beginning had a certain chemistry within it that suited my purpose. Yes, the start is similar, but hopefully my readers will realize that there are significant differences in the actual story line itself.
I also have no intent on making this the epic that A SOLDIER's Weapon is. This story will likely have no more than five chapters within which I will present the story line.
For those who are still suspicious or doubtful, let me say this: How many time travel stories have similarities between them? Most of not all possess a theme or subject that is nearly identical to another. No matter how hard one tries, it is difficult to make an idea entirely new, especially when an idea is based off a prompt specifically identifying another story as its basis. I am doing my best to make this story as original as possible. Hopefully by the end you will see that this is going down a different path.
If you still have doubts, please, say so. I recognize your concerns.
Hopefully, despite those concerns, you will recognize that this story has no real possibility of being alike to the one it was prompted from due to what must take place.
In fact, at the end of this chapter I will include a blurb that will outline my plans for the next chapters to quell further questioning. Like many of my stories, the outline is a very tentative thing and is frequently changed or tweaked because there are points that I have not solidified inside my mind.
Any comments, reviews and the like are loved. I thrive off feedback.
Disclaimer: This was for fun, not for profit. I own nothing FF7 related….blah blah blah. To quote another writer: "These are not my characters, I'm just abusing them".
Summary: Gift for Meggurra: Sometimes, changing the past causes unexpected results. AU. Time travel fic. Young!Seph x AC!Cloud. m/m slash. Seph centric.
Words: 3,739
Rating: T
Cause and Effect
By Catsitta
Lesson Two: Always have patience; otherwise, your plans will backfire.
It was three weeks of continued "not stalking" later that Cloud finally snapped. Sephiroth was casually trailing him down the hallway, haphazardly going the same direction since the elevator was at the corridor's end. No one seemed to notice the silver-haired teen's now consistent pattern of being in the same place at the same time as a certain blond SOLDIER… no one but said SOLDIER.
Snarling, Cloud whipped around, grabbed the teen unceremoniously by the collar of his leather duster (a new style of combat uniform that he was rather fond of), and dragged him off into one of the more secluded hallways that connected busy ones. The ShinRa building really was a bit of a maze when one really got right down to it. All the doors and paths were just begging for someone to get lost in…
But that was not what crossed Sephiroth's mind as the First Class slammed him against the wall and glared furiously at him. For a moment, he was startled by the blond's behavior, that is, until he saw the eerie shine in the warrior's eyes. A Mako flare. Hojo mentioned Cloud's level's as being inhumanly high to the point of self-maintaining. He described the blond as being more mako than human and said mako perpetually fed his metabolism while at the same time his metabolism seemed to recycle and rebuild the molecules that formed the high-energy substance. It was…a phenomena.
And it had its downfalls.
Like any other SOLDIER who received injections to keep their levels up to prevent withdrawal and degradation, Cloud suffered from flare-ups. Normally, these would happen in a regular SOLDIER right after an injection, in the blond, these occurred rarely, sporadically and without real, observable reason. From what Sephiroth learned over the years, messing with him during his flare-ups was not a good thing.
Some SOLDIERs got depressed, others loopy, some got insanely sick for about 24 hours and most everyone had sensitive skin that you just wanted to claw off it hurt so bad.
Cloud got fucking crazy. Not just kinda loopy. Or kinda crazy. No, he got batshit, paranoid, homicidal, emo, me-go-kill-things-now-and-that-could-include-you kind of crazy.
Swallowing his fear, Sephiroth managed a weak smile.
"Hello," he offered.
"Shut up!" Cloud growled those eyes of his brightening. How in Gaia was he going to get out of this one? "Why are you still stalking me? No, don't answer, I already know. So I will repeat my previous statement: I WILL NOT MENTOR YOU!"
"I wasn't asking for you t—" Sephiroth began only to have his head slammed against the wall. His vision blurred for a moment. This was not good. "Strife…stop before you do something you'll regret."
Without another word, Cloud released him and stalked off leaving the teen to wonder what was going on in that blond head of his right now.
000X000
It was not often that Sephiroth sought out advice…from anyone, for any reason.
So when he called his two friends over to his apartment insisting that they needed to talk, there was silent concern expressed by the other teenagers.
Sitting in triangle, Angeal and Genesis huddled together on a slick leather couch and Sephiroth sprawled in a matching armchair, the three friends watched each other. Blue eyes shifted from those of gold to those of mako green. The dark-haired teen looked particularly antsy. He shifted in his seat; fiddled absently with a loose strand on his uniform, tugged at button… tapped his foot. The incessant movement caused the silver General to arch a brow in annoyance.
The blue-eyed First frowned but said nothing.
Genesis, looking less prim than usual, his auburn hair dark with sweat and his clothes mussed, suggesting strenuous activity before his visit, rolled his eyes and leaned forwards. He seemed to realize that if someone did not speak up soon, no one would.
"So, Sephy, what's the emergency?" the teenager drawled lazily, narrowing his eyes and quirking his mouth into a flirtatious smile. Even a little unpolished, Genesis possessed a certain air of confidence and allure, a kind of aura signaling his passionate nature. Perhaps that was why he favored obnoxiously loud colors like red he insisted his combat uniform be made of. There was no camouflage value whatsoever, but it was certainly one hundred percent Genesis.
Leaning back, the auburn SOLDIER began to tug off his leather gloves, as if just remembering they were still on. Slowly, as if savoring the feel of the material against his skin.
Angeal appeared to be enthralled by the motions and stared.
That made Sephiroth instantly suspicious. What was making his friend so anxious? Why was he watching Genesis like that?
"I have a problem," the silver teen confessed, trying not to betray his suspicions.
Genesis laughed and stuff his gloves into his duster pocket,"One could figure as much, kitten. You're not exactly the most…subtle of people when it comes to a situation you feel…uncomfortable with."
Sephiroth frowned,"Never. Call. Me. That. Again." He was sure to accent the start over every word, emphasizing his seriousness…only, the auburn teen winked and ignored him.
"Oh, don't hiss kitten. It only makes me want to squeeze and cuddle you more," Genesis crooned before throwing his head back and laughing.
The General gritted his teeth with aggravation before letting out a slow breath. He was always in control. His emotions never escaped him. His body never betrayed him…normally.
Recalling the incident earlier that day with Cloud, the silver teen groaned and felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. Despite the fact that the blond assaulted him, slammed him against a wall, and yelled at him…his entirety felt the same that it did when the warrior first declined to mentor him. Even in his moments of insanity, Cloud was perfect. Beautiful. A creature that he wanted to claim…to make his.
Sephiroth would be the first one to admit he was possessive by nature. Not often did he call something his, but when he did, he clutched it to his chest and fought for it for all he was worth. Nothing could dissuade him. Not even the object of his obsession…
Cloud would be his one day. He would find a way. That was why he was here. Why he needed their help. If anyone knew anything about winning over someone's affection, it would be Genesis. The auburn teen was not exactly what one would call a slut, at least in the sexual sense of the word. But he often teased and trailed after those he liked and he liked a lot. He liked strong men. He like shy ones. He like blond, fair and blue-eyed and brown from head to toe. He even liked women (apparently, though Sephiroth saw little evidence to support this claim). And everyone he pursued ended up fawning over the teen, whether he chose to flirt or to chase his prey like a rabid wolf.
If there was anyone who could possible help him, it was Genesis.
By Gaia, if his advice was not certain, then there was no hope…
"Don't touch me, Genesis," Sephiroth murmured sarcastically and the auburn teen pouted. "I do have a reason to ask you and that reason needs explanation. So please do not interrupt me further with your…actions."
Genesis smirked and shrugged his shoulders in defeat.
The silver teen glanced between his two friends, whom now watched with interest yet again. Drawing in a deep breath, he explained his situation.
"You are aware that Hojo created me to be the perfect SOLDIER. I was to be the strongest, fastest and most intelligent ever and I was to lead the army in Wutai to victory in order to seal my status as such. Only, before my opportunity came, a mysterious man appeared on ShinRa's front step…His name, as you know, is Cloud Strife.
"He had no recollection of his past. His name. Or anything. He proved to be an intuitive fighter, however, and after displaying these abilities earned a place among SOLDIER. Within two weeks, he was a First. Beside me, he fought in the war. More than once, he deflected a blow that I was unaware of or took a hit aimed for me. He was a respected fighter. A true hero. The man that could have…no, should have been the General.
"Instead, he declined and pushed me into the spotlight. At first, I was flattered that such a notable SOLDIER though so much of me…but as of late, I have come to believe his actions were selfish… He…expressed a dislike of me. The way he spoke…moved… it all reminded me of a man ready to strike given the first opportunity.
"But…this is not why I have a problem. You recall how Hojo claimed that a perfect SOLDIER feels nothing? I was to be emotionless. Cold. Collected. Nothing could spark in me anger or joy. Nothing has…except…Gaia, I must sound like a fool but…Cloud. He causes me…distress. He makes me…uneasy. He makes my heart race and my mind to go blank…Just tell me what I can do to either stop these oddities or tell me how to make Cloud stop hating me long enough for me to resolve them."
The two Commanders blinked and Genesis broke the long silence with a bark of laughter.
"You're saying he turns you on?"
Angeal elbowed the auburn teen in the ribs.
"Ow…'Geal. What was that for? You heard what he said. Sounds to me like the ice princess finally found out what makes his pants tight." Genesis replied with a cheeky grin,"So Seph, when were you planning on coming out of the closet?"
"I'm not…turned on by him," Sephiroth muttered,"and I am not in any sort of closest. You can plainly see that I am here in the living room."
Laughter. This time, even Angeal joined his friend and let out a slight chuckle.
"Oh…that's rich Seph," the auburn teen cried between gasps for air,"You just described yourself as being aroused by a male. Admit it; you want to fuck Cloud. That means you are gay. Not a bad thing, 'Geal and I are in a similar boat but at least we recognized the fact that we liked men."
Sephiroth flushed red with embarrassment and lowered his eyes. Slowly, after a long moment of hesitation, he shook his head,"I do not like men…I like Cloud."
Angeal quirked a brow and asked,"Um, you do realize that he is male, yes?"
The silver-haired General shot his Commander a furious glared before muttering,"Yes. But I am only attracted to him and it is not due to his gender."
"Then what is it about the blue-eyed blond that gets you all hot and bothered?" Genesis inquired with a wide grin, leaning forwards, his laughter bared contained. "Because I know that his looks and his, ah, being male has made him the centerpiece of many young man's fantasy. And women's, but that's neither here nor there…"
What was it about Cloud that drove him crazy?
He thought of the blond SOLDIER's small, lean form, rippling with lithe muscle. He pictured the broad shoulders and tapered waist he admired. Those wild spikes that never laid flat…and those endless blue eyes that cut into the soul without revealing a single secret. Cloud was attractive, but that was not what made Sephiroth…obsessed.
It was something about the way the man walked and spoke. Those subtle mannerisms. The almost shy and distant way he watched his peers. The bold, assertive warrior he became at a moment's notice. The way he seemed to dance each time he lifted a blade. The way he reserved his emotions, letting them out only in a single instant. Such burning, undeniable passion kept under lock-and-key held a strong allure.
"I am unsure; Genesis, but I do have an idea of what appeals to me." Sephiroth confessed, regaining his mask of calm.
Genesis chuckled and crossed his legs,"Well then, let me ask you this: Have you talked to Cloud?"
"I have engaged in conversation with him, yes." The silver teen replied with a slight tilt of his head.
"Nooo, not what I meant…" The auburn Commander let out a sigh,"I mean, have you, y'know, made your move? No? Smiled at least? Did you do something to indicate you think of him in a special way?"
"I…I asked him to mentor me…and he proceeded to call me impulsive and told me that I did not want to learn from anyone, much less him…"
This lead to another silence.
"That's it?"
"I'm not familiar with what is supposed to do when…attracted to another. Gaia, I am unfamiliar with the sensation of attraction itself. From what I know, it is a chemical process within the brain that signals when one is in the presence of a potential mate. Thus, the attraction. Attraction leads to courtship, and courtship to sexual intercourse. Meaning that attraction is based in the primal need and desire to reproduce. Therein lays my confusion. Cloud is male. I am male. But…" Sephiroth paused, his thoughts tracing back to Genesis's earlier comments,"I wish to…mate with him." He avoided the auburn teen's cruder word usage. "Why? And how do I stop the feeling?" He was uncertain if he particularly liked 'feeling'. Emotions were a confusing lot and he was used to his little world making perfect sense.
The two Commanders looked at each other and then back at their friend.
Blinking, Angeal made to say something but his features settled into that of befuddlement and he clamped his mouth shut, a slight flush coloring his cheeks. Genesis only snickered.
"Seph, you realize that two men are perfectly capable of having sex, right?" The auburn teen asked with a bright smile.
Angeal thumped him upside the head a little harder than intended, sending the teen sprawling onto the ground with a yelp. He cast his fellow Commander an apologetic smile before saying to Sephiroth,"Relationships don't always find root in sex, so do ignore Gen for the moment…Look, Seph, if you like Cloud, ask him on a date…or at least talk to him. You may find he shares your affections but feels guilty about having such emotions towards one so much younger than himself. If nothing else, time and patience will perhaps help friendship grow between you two and maybe…maybe things will mature between you both or your affections will become platonic. Such is the way things are."
Genesis let out a snort,"Yeah, but I still had a valid question. 'Cause, I have reason to doubt that Cloud is a prim little virgin without needs to sate. And if Seph gets involved with him, well, that means that our little silver kitten will need a slight bit of education." He did not move from his awkward sprawl on the floor, merely he propped himself up with his elbows and laid there, looking content if not a little giddy.
Sephiroth groaned. This was going to be a long, awkward conversation.
000X000
Standing in his bathroom, looking into the mirror within the privacy of his own home, this had seemed like a good idea.
Now, standing before the blue-eyed blond in person, Sephiroth found the whole situation mildly terrifying. Perhaps he should have waited until tomorrow when the mako in Cloud's system cooled. During a flare, there was a good chance the First could and would snap the General's neck without a second thought. Though, for the moment, said First seemed passive and calm, even if his eyes still glinted brightly.
He was to initiate a conversation with the SOLDIER, display some gesture to hint attraction, ask said SOLDIER on a 'date', go on said 'date' and confess the extent of his attraction…Not necessarily in that order, but preferred if at all possible. Angeal's suggestions on how to accomplish this process were much more realistic than Genesis's in his eyes, strange, since Sephiroth had called the get together in order to ask advice of the flamboyant Commander rather than from the quiet one.
His other option was a much short and direct route, of which he felt entirely uncomfortable of following through with and dismissed and an option altogether in the end.
Approach Cloud. Inform him that he found him hot (the term did not make very good sense inside the General's mind). Then proceed to make some kind of romantic advance of which would either be accepted (which led to A: getting laid) or rejected (which led to B: feeling humiliated).
Somehow, the direct approach did not feel…within the constraints of his nature.
But as he stood staring into the hazy eyes, Sephiroth realized that either route he took, it all started with him saying SOMETHING!
"Good afternoon, Strife,"the silver-haired teen offered casually, watching for the slightest hint of disturbance in those blue pools. He would have to be alert. A bad reaction on Cloud's part would lead to Sephiroth getting his ass thrown around by one of his subordinates, if not killed by him. His heart began to race at the thought of a fight. The adrenaline of combat was addictive, for with it came heightened senses and reflexes beyond even that of the mako enhancements.
What happened now was anyone's guess.
"It's a shit afternoon," Cloud replied with a grunt, but his eyes did not shine with aggression. So far, so good.
Sephiroth swallowed his anxiety,"You are…unwell, yes?"
"Naw, figure that out all on your own Sherlock?" The First had the audacity to say in response, rolling his eyes to exaggerate his obvious sarcasm.
"I only wished to inquire of your health," the silver General said softly,"Such is expected of a good General, for he must learn to know when his men are ill and how he can prepare them to face future dilemmas despite their state. I do apologize if I said anything to offend."
Cloud blinked. Apparently, he was surprised by the docile approach of the normally assertive SOLDIER. He quirked his head to the side, those wild blond locks falling across his face.
"You are a strange kid," the blond said after a long pause.
"I am not a 'kid', nor am I a child of any kind. My age is that sixteen years, which by law and definition is the year of adulthood." Sephiroth replied flatly, before adding, "It's not as if you're that much older than me."
Laughter. For the first time, the General heard the dark, stoic blond laugh deep, genuine laughter. "Ah, ha-ha, very funny. Not much older than you. I'm twenty-eight, twelve years your senior. I think that qualifies as being old enough to think of you as a child." Cloud stated with a smirk, the mako gleaming a little brighter than before.
But that glow barely registered. Twenty-eight? How in Gaia's name had Sephiroth not known that the blond was so much older than himself? Then again, had anyone ever asked? Like many people, the silver teen assumed the blond was perhaps in his early twenties at the oldest, despite looking like a sixteen-year-old himself for the entirety of the three years he'd been in ShinRa. Well…okay, maybe Cloud did not look sixteen, but still. If one ignored his build and the hardness of his gaze, his youthful facial features were that of a teenager, soft and without prominent masculine angles.
"I see…" The teen managed without betraying the surprise he felt rattling through his entire body. Twenty-eight! Did Angeal know this when he suggested that Cloud's behavior may be rooted in age difference? True enough had the Commander only suspected the blond to be twenty or so, the age gap there could be considered significant to many. But, even with this new knowledge, Sephiroth felt no less attracted to him. Age was but a number. Like rank, it could be considered a barrier, but after a hellish childhood, nothing looked like an obstacle that could not be conquered.
Finding his own center, the silver teen braced himself for what he was to say next,"As I have stated earlier, I am not a child." Cloud's eyes were definitely brighter; he really should be backing away now. "And knowing this, I have come to accept something as a truth. Cloud Strife…I…" The glow was now almost back to its violent intensity from earlier. He had every chance to back away. Walk away. Now. Before it was too late. Yet, he could not hold back the flood after breaking the dam that held it back,"I want you to…to…"
And then he froze.
Those eyes were dangerous. Cloud was stepping forwards, his aloof, uncaring air gone completely. He should have walked away when he had the chance. Now he was going to die. Great. And now he could not get his mouth back in sync with his brain in order to come up with any words to rectify the situation.
Soon, Cloud was mere inches away from him, those glowing eyes beyond frightening. His mako-enhanced presence was stronger than that of any other First. It was as if the man had an aura of danger and power that screamed death and destruction at any fool who came too close. Now said aura was suffocating him, drowning him in its intensity. Perhaps that is what jumpstarted the survival instinct in his brain and once again allowed him the ability known as speech.
Out poured a hasty and tactless response that in any other situation would have left Sephiroth red with shame.
"I think you're hot and I want you to go on a date with me tonight. Please don't kill me!"
He clamped his eyes shut, preparing for the worst, not wanting to see the anger on the blond's face. When the assault did not come, the silver-haired teen covered his head with his hands and sank to the floor like a child. What had he just done? Blood pounded in his ears because his heart was drumming violently within his chest with enough force that his ribs and lungs ached from the abuse.
Then, none too gently, the blond warrior grabbed the back of his neck and yanked him back onto his feet. Sephiroth yelped with surprise, his eyes flying open.
"What did you just say?" Cloud hissed, his eyes like beacons of light, glowing so brightly that his pupils were but stains of faded gray beneath the shine.
How in Gaia's name was the General going to get out of this one?
A/N: ( This is for those who wish to see my basic chapter outline. If you do not wish to know, do not keep reading. Thanks. SPOILERS. I'm SERIOUS. THERE BE SPOLIERS. SO DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW. Kay? Thanks. Review now please my pretties. =3
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Chapter One: The meeting between Seph and Cloud. Basic history information and introduction of conflict.
Chapter Two: Another meeting between Seph and Cloud. Conflict brought to climax.
Chapter Three: Conflict resolved. New problems arise between Seph and Cloud as they take on their roles as mentor and student. Romance introduced?
Chapter Four: Time passes and after a while, Seph and Cloud become used to their roles. Then, when they least expect it, a battle occurs that changes Seph's life forever. Seph becomes Cloud's "living legacy".
Chapter Five: Time skip. Seph meets young!Cloud. (Tentative ideas: Young!Cloud x Seph romance? Nibelheim incident?) Paradoxical mayhem ensues.
Epilogue(?): Post-Nibelheim. Does Sephiroth fall victim to Jenova? Does Cloud save him? Is there a future? In said future does Cloud regain his memories? Are they enemies or lovers?