Author's Note: Whoo! Thank you to my readers and my reviewers and those who've followed and favorited and thank you all for showing me your support! I've almost become obsessed by the traffic graph, watching it like a hawk and all of that. Anyways, shoo! Read the newest installment! I'm going to head back to bed to sleep a few hours before my evening shift at the stables.
Disclaimer: I do not any of the canon characters, the places, or anything to do with the FFVII universe, the only thing that is mine is the writing.
"What… Why are you…?" Cloud's mind was having trouble actually kicking into gear, what with being faced with the silver-haired General whilst he was naked, just about to step out of the shower. How long had he been standing there, watching him anyway? He was slowly starting to realize that it seemed like the General had some real issues when it came to realizing person space and he truly, truly wanted to tell him how immensely inappropriate this was in every single possible way. What with the surprise, it seemed that his teenage-mind had not kicked in just yet, leaving him blissfully with only the personality supplied by him by another life.
"I heard from Zack that you might be moving in." And it didn't even look like Sephiroth cared that he was half-naked in front of him and Cloud couldn't exactly pinpoint whether that annoyed him or not.
"Well if I can't even take a shower in peace without you showing up them I'm not quite sure it'll work out." His voice was steady, calm and in many ways far older than what everyone thought him as, his voice not showing any of the confusion that was flooding through his body. Why did he keep coming close, demanding his attention and getting it so readily from him? Of course, Cloud had admitted to himself that he wanted the General in more ways than an idol, but that did not mean that he could take him simply popping up whenever he wished and causing some great disturbances in his thoughts. But now, whilst calmly reaching for a towel to wrap around his slim hips, he was hoping to all possible deities there were that Sephiroth would for once keep his distance instead come close and tease like he'd been doing every single time that they had been in the same time. Now that he thought about it, it raised rather interesting questions concerning his sexual habits. Just how active was he?
Besides, that smirk on his lips was beyond annoying, finally getting the calm to break and bring forth the annoying teenager in him.
"I simply came to tell you that food is ready. Zack was so very kind to divulge us the information of you having neglected breakfast altogether. You do realize you are not going to build any muscle mass if you do not eat properly?"
Instead of gracing him with an answer – he did not want to give him the satisfaction of hearing a huffy reply – the youth made his way into the bedroom, pushing past the impressive figure in the doorway, determined not to stop even as he practically felt those green eyes on him, studying his every move. It was a good thing Cloud did not look at him, not when there was a very curious look in those eyes, making it clear that the General thought of him as an interesting puzzle, wanting to know what made him such an enigma. What made blue eyes look old and worn in one moment, only to be overcome by the teenage sense of recklessness. Instead, Cloud was oblivious as he couldn't help but drop the towel, walking to the clean clothes on the bed and starting to tug them on.
Apparently, Zack didn't have any small enough underwear for him and he sure as heck wasn't about to put on anything as dirty as the pair that he had been wearing, thus forcing him to pull on dark blue drawstring pants that he needed to pull quite tight just for them to stay on. And even then, they hung low on his hips. A grumble left the blonde as he made to pull on the t-shirt on the bed, only to freeze as he felt that strong presence of the General behind him again, a growl starting at the back of his throat. Why did he have to get so close every single time and why did he not feel the need to run away, to put a considerable amount of distance in-between them? Why did everything have to be so different, making him feel beyond confused and alone with his thoughts? He did not like it in the slightest.
"Have you ever heard of respecting one's sense of space?" He hissed, knowing that if he were to move back a fraction of an inch, his back would touch the General's chest and from what he had seen, he was still in that uniform of his.
"I have. I however know you yearn for my touch, Strife," the man behind him purred, that voice going straight to his loins, making blue eyes practically shoot wide open as he realized that it was true. As he had spoken, he had moved back enough to press his back almost shyly against him, the feeling of him being close causing such a sense of happiness it was almost overwhelming. And with that came a sense of panic, realizing that things were moving too fast for his liking, that he didn't quite know what to think of himself anymore and so, a small sound of distress left him as he pulled away from him, moving away and putting distance between them again. Pulling on the shirt with more force than would have been needed, he drew in a ragged breath, forcing himself to think.
"Don't." He could sense him coming closer, starting to be all too close for comfort again and he fought not to crumble at the feeling of fear that shot through him. He realized he felt far too good, safe and happy when he was close, all those things that he had felt and that had been taken from him. Commitment was something that would not come easily to him and that in itself was a somewhat disturbing thought. How could the others have ever seen him as a proper leader when he was as much of a mess as he was?
"Cloud…" He'd never heard his voice from those lips in such a gentle tone and he looked up almost warily, not having readied himself for anything that would have been remotely tender. Thus, the sight of concern in those green eyes sent him reeling even a bit more and he couldn't help but wonder just how different this world was. Sure, Sephiroth had never been as cold as the press had expressed him as but this was almost too much, this was making Cloud's mind need to rearrange itself a bit too fiercely and it was disconcerting to say at the least.
"What is it that you're afraid of?" Even the question was voiced in a tone that showed true concern, albeit veiled as his emotions usually were.
"You and how different you are," he managed to respond, watching him with those blue eyes, not quite knowing what to do with himself, the presence of Sephiroth almost stifling. How much could one person be afraid of? How much guilt could he bear? If he thought about himself his answer might have been quite depressing to say in the least.
"Yet I'm not," the man said even as he began closing in again, keeping the blonde trapped in those green eyes, not able to move anymore. That statement had thrown Cloud's mind into overdrive, wondering just in what aspects he was different, yet wasn't. It was confusing and for the first time, he could honestly appreciate the sense of calm that the feel of those lips against his brought, a soft, almost desperate sound in his throat as his arms wrapped around the neck of the taller man, molding himself against the strong, lean body against his. The fact that he was so much shorter did not matter to him, not when Sephiroth easily hoisted him up against the wall, pressing him there with his legs wrapping around his waist, keeping him close. Fingers found that silver mass of hair and rand through it, giving a small experimental tug, lips curling in satisfaction as a deep growl left the man holding him up.
The tongue teasing his lower lip was far too adept at making him quiver, the feel of the muscle teasing his own creating a feeling that was almost a shockwave right through him, his body reacting without any hesitance. Arousal curled in his body, making the calm subside and be replaced with something much more restless and impatient than anything before. Unused to the feeling of needing someone in this fashion made it all the more new to him and all he could do was practically cling to the man pushed up against him as they continued their passionate kiss. But sense was slowly kicking in through the back of Cloud's mind, pushing past the arousal, pushing past the part of him that was begging for the man holding him to love him, to keep touching him, to need him like he needed him. It had always been like this, they had always been drawn together but not in this ferocity. It felt right, however.
With a soft whimper in the back of his throat Cloud pulled back from the kiss, resting his head back against the wall, soft pants leaving his lips as glowing blue eyes met green. Licking his lips almost nervously, his fingers still tangled in that gorgeous hair, he couldn't find it in himself to say anything for a while, the two studying each other with barely any distance between them and it felt better than anything else ever had. Leaning in closer, this time it was Cloud who kissed him, yet he did so softly and with no rush, practically teasing their lips together slowly, smoothly before he pulled back with a slight smile on his lips.
"If you want me, you need to go slow," he whispered against his lips, nipping his lower lip lightly, only to smooth the hurt away with a kiss. He could feel the evidence of the General's own arousal against him and he couldn't help but feel quite satisfied with himself. He'd managed to break the iron will that the man had over himself and that in itself made him feel quite satisfied with himself.
"And who are you to give me orders of any kind?" The dark voice had found an edge of steel to it but at the same time, those green eyes showed that he wasn't about to pull rank over him, force him into something he most certainly wasn't ready. It took a moment of thought from Cloud's part, wondering how to respond to the question only for him to laugh softly.
"I know you feel drawn to me in a way you can't quite describe," he said softly, watching those eyes carefully just to see whether there was any hesitance in them but as he saw that his expression did not change, Cloud had his reassurance. "I feel it too." His voice was barely a whisper as he kissed him again, not quite able to keep his hands – or lips for that matter – off of him and what with Sephiroth quite happy to go with his plans, he didn't think he had any complaints either, not when they felt so good together. Like they belonged.
And then Cloud's stomach woke up and let out a rumble that was beyond loud, making the blonde blush and laugh.
"I really haven't eaten anything," he admitted sheepishly, almost whimpering as the General lowered him down, letting him regain his footing. Somehow, Cloud immediately regretted the loss of intimacy, wanting him close again, not wanting to be so far when he knew he could have been wrapped around him. The amused, short laugh from Sephiroth almost blew him away and he couldn't help but laugh with him.
"I would suggest calming down slightly before going," he suggested with a somewhat amused grin, knowing both of them were beyond aroused by that point and Cloud could only nod in response. However the thought of Zack seeing and laughing did kill his arousal quite quickly and with a grin on his lips, he made his way out of his room. And without Sephiroth's presence there to distract him, his poor shape was brought to his attention as his muscles protested to being used anymore. He knew it would have been more intense if he hadn't had the mako coursing through him but even then, he could feel it.
Making his way into the kitchen, following his nose, he was almost surprised to see Zack cooking up a storm. Noodles, beef and vegetables, fried rice with shrimp and he could have sworn the thing he was doing now was something with chocobo. A brow rose as he seated himself, watching the black haired man moving as if he owned the place and he couldn't help but admit that he had never seen him cook, let alone taste anything that he had cooked. It was a shame, it seemed, considering everything looked like he was some kind of gourmet cook. A bit confusing, but he could deal with it.
"You don't look half dead anymore, Spiky! I almost got worried there, but it's like you just bounce back. A good thing, considering the occupation you've chosen but still. Now tell me, where'd you learn to use a sword like that? And eat before your belly jumps out and starts devouring itself without permission from you!" Cloud was left blinking as suddenly Zack was going on and on about a mile a minute, barely registering all that he was saying – though the fact that he saw a flash of silver from the corner of his eye distracted him - and he could almost feel his jaw dropping as he finally quieted down, watching him quite insistently. And Cloud, not wanting to upset his gracious host, started piling food onto his plate. He suddenly realized just how hungry he was.
"I uhh… had a good friend teach me," he said somewhat evasively, suddenly realizing that he should have downplayed his abilities. Now, he had only raised a lot of questions and he had to admit that telling Zack that he'd been the one who'd taught all of his skills might have not been the right way to go about things. Besides, who would have believed him anyway? Sure, when mako was concerned everything was possible but he still doubted anyone would be inclined to believe him if he told them that he'd come back in time.
"Really? Who? I mean, some of those moves looked like Angeal could've been the one to teach you! Though they were a bit choppy but then again, you don't exactly have the strength to perform all of those maneuvers with that frail body of yours. You should be even sorer, really…" And so, Zack kept blabbing on and on about how he shouldn't have been able and how his skills were almost astonishing and Cloud became more and more aware that he should have downplayed his skills by a whole lot. He could be quite stupid at times, it seemed. With grunts and short answers during his chewing, he managed to keep the excitable First happy, talking and talking, not even pausing as their General sat down, still dressed in his uniform but considering the time it was, he most would head out to his office again.
Cloud realized that this was most certainly something he could have gotten used to. It felt safe and it felt like home.