…
"Yes, Zack. Practically a master of your so-called "dream sword" but…something seemed off. It was as if his mind was somewhere else."
"Think somewhere like his own personal hades?"
"Yes, actually. And the heart rate results…"
"Went crazy." Zack sighed. "I figured."
Cloud opened an eyelid at the familiar voice- albeit with a tinny undertone. He was no longer in that eerie alleyway, burdened by the weight of…a sword…
It was always only Zack's. A familiar voice chimed in. A sound only Cloud could hear. The events- the fight- from earlier came rushing back in a stream of painful memories. He gasped, uncertainty and panic seeping into his thought stream. He vaguely noticed the tap of footsteps growing in volume.
"Cadet?" The voice sounded familiar, but Cloud was too disoriented to notice.
"Cloud Strife, was it?" A lock of long, silver hair tickled Cloud's chest followed by several other glistening strands. Distracted- Cloud marveled at how the hair perfectly reflected the calm orange light from the room. Cloud slitted his eyes, not fully oriented to face the light from any fixture.
"Why are you acting sleepy when it's clear you're stressed?" The voice was low and smooth.
Wait. I know that voice. I heard it earlier…several times. It's…
Cloud bolted upright in a salute.
"General Sephiroth, sir! Please excuse- "Cloud fell back with the sudden head rush, his world spinning on its axis. Turns out Cloud was in a lying position, so the sudden change in altitude posed a bit of a problem in saluting his commander.
"You Cadets are so quick to hold to SOLDIER values, no matter the cost." General Sephiroth chuckled.
"At ease, Cadet. Get your bearings. "
Cloud allowed his eyes to close so the spinning would finally stop. He felt a sudden brush of warmth on his index finger. It was then he noticed the pressure of something…plastic clasping said finger. It was too long and uncomfortable to be a ring…Cloud opened one eye and looked at his left hand. A white plastic clasp was attached to his finger and a long wire, running from the (table?) he was on to the floor.
"Just a device to monitor your vitals. Nothing to be concerned about. Are you alright now, Cadet?"
Cloud slowly opened his eyes to meet the emerald irises of the mighty General Sephiroth. Unlike earlier, his facial expression seemed softer, kinder.
"Y-yessir. If I may, I have a few questions." A few silver strands lifted from Cloud's torso, and he shivered, realizing the room's sudden chill.
"Of course. Give me a few minutes, then I will be able to grant your request." The General smiled and bowed his head before moving out of Cloud's periphery.
Cloud took the time to examine his surroundings. There was a simple lamp near the corner of the room, accommodating for the lack of windows. The walls were a pale gray, and a sturdy yet plush-looking chair was positioned near the door, close to the foot of his…table. To the back of his periphery, he could see the edges of a monitor, but no sounds were emitted from it. He looked down to find his right wrist wrapped in pale tan adhesive tape. He was still in cadet wear, to his relief. At least some normalcy was present.
All the while he vaguely registered rustling from the other room, the General saluting another soldier (the jovial voice sounded like Zack. Cloud wouldn't be surprised). The footsteps increased in volume and proximity until Sephiroth was in the room once again. He draped a standard-issue blanket over Cloud and pulled up the blue chair to Cloud's bedside. Once again, he was met with emerald eyes.
"Alright, go ahead."
"Sir, if you could please explain how I encountered combat with you, and how I was transported here, if possible."
"Ah, yes. You must've experienced your first battle sim?"
Cloud looked back blankly.
"All you saw and fought in that dark room- that alley? It was all a hologram. It feels and looks real but isn't. Sephiroth patently explained.
"Am I still in it, sir?" Cloud looked adorably concerned.
Sephiroth chuckled. "No. And to answer your other question… you blacked out during the sim. Medical personnel took you in as quickly as they could. Your vitals could've been better, but your cortisol levels were high. Anyway, they gave you a revitalizing IV drip and I took over from there. We're positioned in an unoccupied third-class quarter. "
Cloud looked down at the bandage, the situation increasingly coherent.
"I also tracked your progress during the sim"
Great, he witnessed my failure. Cloud paled.
"Cloud- I mean Cadet- your results were fine. Your training is going well. Just as Zack- I mean Sergeant Fair reported to me. But…something held you back."
Cloud stared at his socks, desperate for something else to do other than listen to his embarrassment unfold.
"N-no. Cloud is fine. So, why am I here, now?" He whispered.
"I am going to help you with a different sort of training than the standard-issue SOLDIER material. It will help you improve your skills and mindset. Does that sound beneficial, Cadet?"
"Yessir."
"Sephiroth is fine, Cloud." Sephiroth edged closer to Cloud's bedside. Cloud could feel the heat radiating from the general's form. The proximity of the General caused Cloud to tense up in apprehension. He subconsciously balled up his hands and his feet flexed toward his ankles.
"Cloud, I'm not going to hurt you or assess you. I need you to trust me for this training. "
Cloud managed a nod.
"Let us begin."
"Please close your eyes."
"Yessir." Cloud shut them tightly, anticipating…something.
"Cloud, please relax. I am not evaluating you right now." Sephiroth chuckled to himself. Cloud did as such, slightly relaxing his expression.
"Now, take a deep breath in…two…three…. Four….hold….out…two… three... four…five…six." Sephiroth led, breathing in the same pattern. They completed the exercise a total of five times. After, Cloud felt his hands relax at his sides.
Cloud nearly jumped when Sephiroth took his hands and placed them on Cloud's hand, stroking his palms slightly.
"Place your attention on my hands. How do they feel?"
So many things…callused with experience, yet soft. Cloud thought. With a gentle grasp, and above all else…
"Warm?"
"Yes. Pay attention to this for now."
Cloud was bewildered and on edge as to why the General was…touching him. He felt as if he was being disrespectful of the General.
What will the punishment be for my insolence? Will I get demoted? What-
"Cloud. Please focus on right now. This is your training." Sephiroth said, seeming to read Cloud's thoughts. Cloud's clasp was a heart rate monitor, and Sephiroth could tell Cloud needed support, as his heart rate results spiked.
Cloud took a deep breath and slightly moved his fingers, reminding himself of the warmth and comfort of Sephiroth's gentle touch. He noted other sensations, like the light brush of hair on his wrist and forearm. The general's soft breathing was surprisingly soothing, and Cloud felt himself relax into the General's grip.
"Good, Cloud. Now, do I have your permission to touch your visage?"
"Y-yes?"
Sephiroth removed his hands and Cloud detected the whiff of SOLDIER sanitizer. He cracked his eyes open.
"Cloud, please keep your eyes closed for now. I'm not taking samples."
Was that a joke? Of course, the General is astute as ever. Cloud noted, resting his eyelids.
Cloud could feel heat radiating on his face before his eyebrows were met with fingertips. They traced lightly over his brow line, smoothing the creases between his constantly furrowed brows.
"Continue to follow the movement. When I stop, please tell me where my hand is placed."
"Sure, General."
Sephiroth lingered at the space between Cloud's eyebrows, driving out residues of tension.
"Eyebrow?"
"Yes."
Sephiroth caressed Cloud's jawline and Cloud nearly sighed. His jaw was usually clenched in anticipation of the next round of training or battle. To be relived of this tension was quite pleasing. All too soon, Sephiroth lingered at spot between his ear and cheek.
"Jaw?"
"Right."
Next, he rubbed Cloud's temples. Cloud practically purred. They continued the exercise, with Sephiroth massaging Cloud's cheekbones, forehead, cheeks, the base of his scalp and the sides of his neck. Finally, he settled on lightly stoking the roots of Cloud's spiky tufts of hair. The sensation was quite pleasant, and Cloud found the rest of his body relaxing, warming up to the touch.
"How do you feel now, Cloud?"
"Relaxed. Sort of…peaceful?" Cloud murmured.
"Good." Sephiroth said, massaging up and down Cloud's scalp.
"The technique I asked you to complete is called grounding. Getting in tune with all of your senses, especially touch- "Sephiroth smoothed the creases forming in between Cloud's eyebrows.
What a pleasant sensation, Cloud noted.
"Allows your mind to re-focus, calm down, and think rationally. In this controlled environment, it is quite easy to explore your senses, yes?"
"Mmmhmm" Cloud hummed.
Sephiroth smiled at the response.
"During your other exercises, I would recommend placing your attention on your feet or hands. Remember to ground yourself when you feel anxious or have some semblance of panic. Please use this technique until our next session."
Next session?
"Yessir."
Sephiroth moved back down to caressing Cloud's jawline. "You still have a lot to learn, Cloud. But I know you grasp concepts quickly. Your heart rate results indicate you took to this lesson well. Good job, cadet."
"Thank you for taking the time to teach me, sir." Cloud smiled as Sephiroth massaged his scalp again. Sephiroth was glad Cloud's eyes were closed. He would not like to be caught flustered like this, practically melting at the sight of the happy, adorably relaxed cadet. He removed his hands from Cloud's spikes, nearly chuckling at the slight look of dismay on the cadet's face. He squeezed Cloud's hand once more.
"I do have a few tasks to attend to for the organization. As much as I wish I could stay here." They both blushed at the sentiment.
"Sergeant Fair will be here to assist you back to the rest of your unit, but it will take some time for him to come to these quarters. You may rest or use the quarters as you please."
"Sleepy..." Cloud whispered. Sephiroth held back a laugh.
"erm- I mean- thank you again, General. Best of luck." But Cloud's face had already gone slack, drifting to the edge of consciousness.
"Thank you, Cloud. Sweet dreams." Sephiroth turned off the light, glancing one last time at Cloud as he lingered in the doorway. He was very glad he accepted Zack's case file. The cadet was more adorable than a baby moogle, with his soft chocobo-like tufts of hair, innocent demeanor, and youthful face.
"I'm excited for more lessons in the future." Sephiroth whispered, and left, a wide smile on his face, despite the long list of tasks ahead.
…
Later…
Sephiroth was in a bit of an unpleasant mood. Once he had walked out of his quarters, his comm device was bombarded with messages.
"General, please report- "
"General, I need- "
"General, where are you?"
Sephiroth ignored them all, finally fully listening to Zack's message.
"Hey Seph. I'm headed up now. How did it go?"
Sephiroth pressed the call button.
"Hello Zack. It went surprisingly well. Check the monitor results- I think Cloud took to the lesson excellently. And please make haste- I feel uneasy leaving the cadet in my apartment, alone."
Zack picked up and chuckled, "Why, don't want someone finding out about your secret boyfriend?"
Sephiroth choked and spent several minutes recovering, with his face on fire, while Zack laughed heartily.
"I told you, it's not like that! No one else knows how to teach certain cadets like I do." Sephiroth said assertively.
"Except me and you-know-who."
"Goodness. Please do not mention that man again. It was the most embarrassing moment of my love life. Although he did teach me good lessons."
"Mmhmmm. Anyway, I'm near your building now. Try not to bite off any admin's heads, alright? You and I both know how you get when you're deprived from something you looove" Zack accentuated the last word playfully.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing. When should we get Cloud in for another lesson? I was thinking a week from now."
Sephiroth grimaced. He'd never felt peace, happiness, and… emotion… like that in quite a while. Being deprived from it for a week would be painful, but it did seem appropriate, considering Cloud's training schedule.
"Same day, same time?" Sephiroth asked.
"Sure thing! Well, I'll see you tomorrow, I guess. It's practically dusk now. Don't bury your feelings by overworking, okay? I want to see your face bright and shining tomorrow when I see you!"
"Zack, you exasperate me, at times."
"C'mon, you know you love me and my endless energy."
Sephiroth merely chuckled and hung up. How could Zack be both energizing and draining in a single conversation?
As Sephiroth descended from his floor, he mentally planned out the rest of his evening. These days, he'd been assigned copious amounts of paperwork, usually involving planning and scheduling trainings. He decided to work until Zack had gotten Cloud out of his apartment. He would feel awkward about keeping the cadet in his home (which he had disguised as third-class quarters).
A week, huh? Sephiroth spun a tuft of gray hair between his fingers. It would be worth the long hours and paperwork to see the cute cadet again.
Wait…cute? Since when do I… Sephiroth shook the thought away.
To help another SOLDIER achieve their goals. That's why I'm looking forward to it. Right.
And with that thought, he left the elevator for his office, filled with a new sort of determination.
Cloud awoke to someone patting his shoulder gently.
"Wake up, sleeping cutie" Zack whispered.
Was I not supposed to hear that?
Cloud slowly opened his eyes to the dark room, Zack peering down at him with a wide grin.
"Hey, you're up! When you're ready, let's get going." Zack beamed and grasped Cloud's hand, slowly lifting him up to a sitting position. The constant shroud of uncertainty and anxiety seemed to have dissipated in Cloud's mind.
That's strange…I wonder why?
"How did your training go, Cloudy?"
Once again, Cloud was hit by a stream of painful memories, but his most recent one was perplexing.
Right, training with General Sephiroth. He was reminded of the calm he felt in the General's presence and savored it.
"Um…well, I think?" Cloud looked down to find Zack fiddling with the clasp on his finger.
"It looks like it." Zack murmured under his breath, examining the monitor at Cloud's bedside.
"Sephiroth- I mean- the General told me you experienced your first battle sim. What did you think?"
Cloud groaned.
"I hated it. Of course, I was fighting General Sephiroth while getting monitored by him. I didn't win the fight and I did a terrible job. Oh, and I blacked out, somehow." Cloud muttered, swinging his legs around to jump from the table.
"That's not what he told me." Zack said.
"What?!"
"Nevermind. Just…don't forget your training, alright? Sephiroth- I mean the General- helped me with this kind of thing too. We're here to support you. But for now, let's get down to the mess hall. It's way past grub time. Maybe there'll be even more leftovers for us!" Zack grinned, leading Cloud out of the quarters. Cloud marveled at Zack's boundless energy.
"But haven't you eaten already?" Cloud questioned.
"Erm. No. I wanted to get you first!" Zack looked away, hiding the sudden flush filling his cheeks. Cloud also blushed.
"Race you to the elevator, cadet!" Zack bolted, laughing. Cloud couldn't help but join it.
"Wait, this place has elevators? Must be crazy fancy third class soldier quarters." Cloud laughed.
"Third class? Nooo. This is first class quarters! Sephiroth practically owns this floor. The room you were in was like, his extended living room." Zack said, slapping the elevator button.
"W-what?" Cloud came to a dead stop before the doors.
"He didn't tell you?"
"No?"
"That's just like the General…" Zack muttered under his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing! Look! Our ride has arrived. In ya go!" Zack pushed Cloud into the lift.
"Zack?" Cloud said, after the elevator doors had closed.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for picking me up." Cloud beamed, unaware of the inuendo the phrase carried.
Zack turned his flushed face away from Cloud, covering his mouth.
Innocent country bumpkin. He grinned to himself.
"No problem, Cloudy."