The room was silent. Cloud was pretty much sure all of them, save the Strife matriarch, was holding their breath. He wanted to step in to help his lovers but wasn't quite sure how his mother would react. He didn't want to be kicked out again.

"Yes, ma'am," Angeal finally found the courage to speak up. The woman looked at him critically.

"You're a nice boy. Much too polite for my tastes. What does Cloud see in you?" she seemed to demand. Angeal visibly cringed and Cloud sighed. He finished drying a dish and turned to face the table.

"Mom, that's rude. You probably don't care though. Genesis isn't as polite, bully him," Cloud had no problem throwing Genesis under the metaphorical bus that was his mother. He would do it to all of them before the night was over.

"Oh, that's fine then," she chirped. "Balance and all that. So Genesis, what do you do to pass the time?"

"I have a man tied up in our rooms at the Inn," Genesis deadpanned. Emryth laughed gaily and Cloud coughed into his soapy hand.

"Mom, he's serious. It isn't as bad as it sounds, though, I swear," Cloud defended. She stopped laughing and looked at him.

"Not that you'd know," Genesis shot at the boy. "You were a little too busy getting head when we were interrogating him."

"GENESIS!"

It was in surround sound, Genesis thought with an internal snicker. Cloud, Sephiroth and Angeal all scolded him while Zack just looked petrified in his seat there.

Emryth looked at the man with an unreadable face. She turned back to Cloud and he met her eyes with a blush.

"Cloud, honey, finish drying that plate and wait outside, okay?" she requested sweetly. He rapidly nodded and finished, placing it on a rack before darting outside. She turned back to the other men and gave them angelic smiles eerily similar to Cloud's. "Angeal, Zack, you two can join him. Sephiroth too."

They all scrambled to the door and soon Genesis was facing his lover's mother all on his own.

"You believe yourself to be brave?" she questioned, quirking an eyebrow. "How brave?"

"Pretty damn," he answered cheerfully. He didn't have any problems. Nothing she could do would shake him, he thought. How wrong he was.

"Then you won't mind telling me what the sex is like," she assumed. "Which means you won't mind telling other people who will tell other people. All those people in that giant cycle, all knowing your private life. It'll make the news, the papers, as such a scandal. My son. He's my world. Do you think I'd let that happen?"

Genesis would later deny squeaking while Emryth would swear up and down that he did. "No. I wouldn't-"

"That boy is the best thing that ever happened to me, you hear me? I don't want to hear any city boy talking bad about him," she scolded, easing off her deadly tone.

"I get it," he said quietly then grinned again. "But I'm a country boy too. Came from an orchard. We grew dumbapples."

"Oh then there's no hope for you," she said cheerfully. "But I think you should know how families are in small towns. Me and Cloud might not have family here, but we love eachother more than life."

"Ms. Strife," he said. "I just want you to know that while I am dating your son, I have made no promises to him. I haven't promised to love him or be there. Sephiroth and Zack did though. Angeal hasn't had the time to really consider it."

"You're just playing with his heart then?"

"No, I assure you that's not the case. I just want you to realize that Angeal and I can't be there for the kid. Neither can Sephiroth in the long run, but he doesn't seem to get that," Genesis explained ruefully. "We three are experiments from Shinra's science department. We aren't our own people, as much as we hate it. Angeal and I left Shinra a while ago, after the scientist who headed the project that produced us disappeared. We thought he was dead but we recently found proof he was alive... but now he's dead.

"Sephiroth's scientist is the only other scientist that knows how we were designed, and even he doesn't know everything. Not only does he not know, he doesn't care. He hated Angeal and me because we were set against Sephiroth. He wanted Sephiroth to be the supreme SOLDIER and hated that there were two that could potentially match him. Not that he'd admit it," Genesis sighed.

"Bullshit," the woman scoffed, startling Genesis again. "You three are people too. What can they do to stop you?"

"Well for me and Angeal, not much. We already left and we're considering returning. For Sephiroth, so much. Hollander, our scientist, made us relatively stable before he died... Went missing... Whatever. He also left notes that we have for in case we stop being stable. Sephiroth needs Shinra and the scientists. He needs mako like people need air at this point. Without routine upkeep, his genetics could unravel or something."

Emryth scowled and Genesis was jolted to realize she was just like Cloud. She saw a problem that vexed her and she wouldn't let go even if it meant being creative.

-o-o-

Cloud was sitting on the front step when his SOLDIER boys minus Genesis joined him. He looked up at them and watched as they settled themselves in varying places around him.

"What do you think she'll do to him?" Angeal asked with trepidation heavy in his voice.

"I don't know," Cloud blushed. "She... I wasn't really... I didn't show any preference before. I've never really talked with her... about... sex..."

"She must have told you something!" Zack protested and was perplexed to see Sephiroth and Cloud blush simultaneously.

"Yeah, she told me what sex was," he hedged. "Someone else told me the details of it."

"And that person was?" Angeal asked, eyeing his friend Sephiroth.

"I did," he admitted quietly. "It was... just after Zack and Reno got into a bar fight while protecting Cloud's honor."

"There was this guy that was getting way too touchy-feely," Zack informed his mentor. "We tried to tell the guy to take a hike but he just got worse, so..."

"Anyway, I felt I should explain some things to him," Sephiroth summed up. "It was... uncomfortable."

"Before or after you got together?" Angeal questioned.

"Before."

"Awkward."

They were silent for a time before Zack asked, "Cloud, do you think she likes us?"

"Well you, definitely. She loves to tease," Cloud chuckled. "Angeal, yeah. She doesn't seem like it but she likes you. And Sephiroth still needs to get cross-examined but I'm pretty sure she'll like you too. Probably even Genesis if he can stop being such a perv."

"That'll be the day," Zack scoffed. "I have no faith in that."

The door opened abruptly and Cloud and Zack tumbled out of the way, being swift caught by their respective mentors. They all looked up to Genesis at the door.

"Didn't eavesdrop?" he asked. "I'm disappointed. Thought I taught you better than that. Anyway, I've been yelled at. Cloud, she's asking for you."

"Go Cloudy!" Zack cheered for his friend and received a half-hearted glare. The blond climbed out of Sephiroth's hold and entered the home, shutting his lovers out. His mom was watching him with bright eyes, holding a cup of tea out to him. He sighed as be accepted it and sat down.

"I've been talking with Genesis," she began.

"Knew it. You like him best, don't you?" he smiled, trying to lighten the situation.

"Cloud," she sighed and his smile dropped off his face. He composed his expression into one as serious as his mother's. "Cloud, I love you. I love that you have four people to care about you. You deserve all of it and more. I just wanted to ask... If this is what you really want. Genesis was talking and I didn't like the sound of it.

"Cloud, he told me all about how he and those other two are experiments. I don't think... They aren't safe. And if you stay there at Shinra, you could end up like them. Or even that Zack boy. Don't give me that look, I can tell he's unnatural too. All SOLDIERs are. Think, baby. Do you want to be like that?"

Cloud was quiet, reflecting, as he stared at his cup in front of it. His finger traced the rim as he thought about how to answer. He let out a sigh as he decided.

He stood up and walked to where the light jacket he had worn was and quickly donned it. He put on his boots and finally turned back to his mother. She hadn't moved, wasn't even looking at him.

"Mom. I love you. I love you so much," he said quietly. "But if you think... If you think I'd just rush into this just because I'm dating some SOLDIERs, then you don't know me. You don't. I've thought about it. Sephiroth's tried to get me to change my mind, even. I know that I'm pretty much damned as soon as I pass the SOLDIER exam, but I have to.

"I'm just not... I used to be okay with all of this," he struggled for words. "I used to be okay with Nibelheim. Okay with being a small town boy. But now I've seen a lot more. I'm not okay with it now. I don't like the thought of being an experiment any more than you do but I want to be a SOLDIER, even if I'd be an odd one."

She didn't say anything and he couldn't really say he was surprised.

"I want this, Mom. I love you and maybe even Nibelheim, but... This isn't where I belong. I need to be there, with Zack and Sephiroth. I want to be a SOLDIER because I want to... Damn it, I just want something more. This isn't because of my lovers. This isn't because I have no other option because I do. I have lots of options but this is what I want."

Cloud didn't wait for a response before walking calmly out the door, smiling at his worried lovers. He knew they had no idea what had gone on. They probably just thought they had been talking about Genesis' comment.

Cloud thought briefly about being angry for Genesis for talking to his mom about Shinra but shrugged it off. It was better to get it out of the way early.

"Me and my mom had a little... Fall out," Cloud explained; still smiling thought it trembled a little. "I've decided it would be best if we just went home. I'll come back tomorrow and talk to her about it."

"Is this about what Genesis said?" Angeal asked. "Is this about what he told her?"

While Cloud had been in the house, Genesis explained what he talked about with Emryth. They all called him an idiot for not letting Cloud break that news.

"Not entirely. She's just worried and it's making her weird. She knows me better than that," he sighed, letting the smile fall. He ran his fingers through his hair before stepping down and onto the path. He began walking and his SOLDIERs copied him. "She just asked... If I knew what I was doing."

"Cloud?" Sephiroth asked, still overwhelmingly worried. Cloud flashed him a smile.

"She just needs to step back," he explained. "I've thought about it and even talked about it with you. This is what I want. I want to be a SOLDIER."

As he said those words, they all decided they had never seen anyone with such a resolve. Cloud was going to be a SOLDER. There was no 'die trying' because he was going to be one.

-o-o-

"Hah!" Cloud's breathing was heavy and he tried to ignore the stares he felt from the windows. He danced back as a blade was swung and began trading blows with Genesis once again.

"He's gotten better," Angeal remarked. "It hasn't been long but he's definitely improved."

"Hell yeah!" Zack cheered. "Kid's got a fantastic learning curve. He just needs good teachers and, not to brag or anything, but we're the best."

"Of course," Angeal rolled his eyes. "No pride there."

"I can safely say, without bias, that I am definitely the best there is," Sephiroth announced, prompting Zack into a grin. Even Angeal had to crack a wry smirk at that. Their attention was drawn back to the battle at the sound of metal hitting rock.

Cloud sank to the ground, panting hard and wiping sweat out of his eyes. Genesis flicked his sword quickly before sheathing it. He turned to the others with a smirk, "Some one call the coffin makers, I've killed the kid."

"Nottakid," Cloud ground out, flopping onto his back. He didn't even mind the rock digging into his side. Zack danced over with a water bottle that Cloud accepted. He drained it and handed it back. Within moments, Sephiroth was offering him another. That drew a laugh from him as he struggled to sit up. Angeal retrieved his sword and held it out to him. He accepted the sword first and stood. Then he took the water bottle.

"That was horrible, Gen," Cloud whined. "I hurt all over. I'm going to become an invalid, and then what'll you do?"

"Push you off onto Angeal and start attacking Zack," Genesis answered easily. He helped drag Cloud back to the Inn and pushed him in one the chairs as he ordered breakfast. Sephiroth and Angeal joined them but Zack just took food up to their room to feed their prisoner.

Cloud volunteered for the duty but they didn't want him getting any friendlier with the supposed ex-Turk. Zack was chosen for his absolute suspicion of the man. Sephiroth was discounted because they hadn't shared Vincent's story with him yet.

Genesis had just sat down with the food when Sephiroth's PHS blared out. He looked startled before withdrawing. Looking at the caller ID, he sighed, "Not again."

He flipped it open and answered, "You want Cloud?"

Cloud perked up, catching the familiar voice of Reno from the device. He grinned when Sephiroth offered it to him. "You probably already know who it is."

"Reno!" he exclaimed, still grinning.

"Puppybo!"

"That nickname is dead and rotting," Cloud informed him. He stood and wandered outside for a bit more privacy.

"So what's up?"

"I'm in Nibelheim."

There was silence and Cloud flinched as he predicted how the redhead's reaction might be.

"So... Are you okay?" he asked, sounding concerned and worried. Cloud toed the ground.

"Yeah. Saw my mom yesterday. Things... didn't go so well. But I'll clear it up today. Other than that... Oh, I got kidnapped. Twice. By two separate parties. And I acquired a cursed sword."

"...Share a story for a bored friend?"

"Cursed sword first, it's so much cooler. Well, we were in Gongaga and we were weapon shopping and I saw this sword that was absolutely perfect," Cloud recounted enthusiastically. "So the man who owned the shop told me it was cursed and killed his son. The good part? It's made of materia."

"Cloud, that's... Pretty dangerous."

"I know, but it's in that grey area. Sephiroth already lectured me and Zack already swore not to touch it," he laughed. He deliberately didn't mention Angeal or Genesis. He could tell Reno all that when they saw eachother in person.

"Sounds like you're having fun," Reno chuckled. Cloud grinned.

"I miss you so much though!" he assured him. "Seriously, something happens and I think, 'Man, Reno would love this!'"

"Nice to know you remember me," he joked. "Would have thought they'd keep you busy with, erm. Activities..."

"Reno!" Cloud scolded. His grin turned a little bit evil and he checked to see if anyone was around before lowering his voice to tell Reno, "Gen told my mom Sephiroth was... Uh, doing things to me... He walked in on us yesterday."

Reno laughed hard on the other side of the phone and Cloud just blushed and looked rather pleased with himself. When the Turk got himself under control, he managed to ask, "Who's Gen?"

Cloud froze and was immediately glad that Reno could not see his face. "He, uh. It's a sorta secret right now. It's only a few days until I get back, can you wait until then?"

"Cloud, you can tell me anything," Reno sounded like he was frowning.

"Secure line?"

"No one can crack it."

"Genesis. And Angeal."

-o-o-

Reno was left in a bad spot. As a Turk, he was obligated to report the reappearance of Genesis and Angeal. As a best friend, he was obligated to not report them.

He just had to insist Cloud tell him. He could have waited but nooo. Fuck his life. He chewed his lip, thinking. Just as he was about to implode at all the conflicts, the love of his life walked in the door.

Yes, he felt like a chick for thinking like that.

"Tseng," he breathed, relieved. "Can you keep a secret?"

Tseng froze in the doorway, a little surprised to see Reno in his chair, fiddling with his phone. He sighed and shut the door behind him,

"Yes, Reno. I don't know if you've noticed, but that's pretty much my job," he explained, taking a seat across the desk from his lover.

"From Shinra?"

Tseng frowned, eyes alert. He weighed the options and tried to clarify, "From President Shinra or Rufus?"

The name made Reno's gut clench a little and he was ashamed to realize it wasn't entirely wrong. He did like the little brat. But he had Tseng. Tseng Tseng Tseng.

Tseng seemed to realize his mistake almost immediately, leaning over the desk to give the younger Turk a kiss. He reacted with relief, kissing back enthusiastically.

"The President," he answered when he pulled away.

"Then yes, I am," Tseng affirmed.

"Genesis Rhapsodos and Angeal Hewley are back on the radar."

-o-o-

Can't spell Genesis' last name. Sad day. AND RENO GOT SOME TIME! HOLYMOTHERFUOMGWTFBBQ.

I missed writing Reno. If you couldn't tell.