Cloud woke up breathless, finally out of the grip of yet another terrifying dream. Already struggling to take in enough oxygen and make sense of reality, he was thrown further off-kilter by a certain dark-haired Turk, who sat far too close to be comfortable. As if it weren't already hard enough to breathe.
"W-where's the General and Zack? What happened?" Cloud choked out.
"They're nearby. Take a moment to ground yourself first, though."
"Can I see them now?"
Tseng leveled a look at him. "Focus on stabilizing your breathing first. I don't want to overwhelm you in favor of quelling the worries of others".
Cloud (somehow) sighed, but did as he was told. Four seconds in, four seconds hold, six seconds out, four seconds hold. Four seconds in…
Gradually, Cloud's breathing calmed, and his world became less fuzzy and chaotic.
"Good, Cloud. Your body knows it's safe. Do you feel ready to see Zack and Sephiroth? Don't say yes just to appease them; this time is yours." Tseng prompted calmly, weariness creeping into his last sentence.
What, does all of ShinRa know I'm a people pleaser? "Tseng, I'm fine. They can come in."
Tseng quirked an eyebrow but got up to open the door anyway.
"Just know if you need space, you can ask for it."
He opened the door, murmuring quietly to the outside occupants. Nodding, he opened the door wider and allowed Zack and Sephiroth to come in, both wearing worried expressions but attempting to maintain their composure.
Zack approached Cloud's side and dropped to his knee, face eye-level with Cloud's. He gently took Cloud's hand, eyebrows furrowed.
"Hey, I'm glad you're back with us. Are you okay?"
Cloud tried to shrug it off, but the smile he tried to plaster on was shaky.
Sephiroth squinted skeptically at Cloud and stepped closer. Cloud shifted uncomfortably under the heat of Sephiroth's gaze.
"Is something the matter, General?" Cloud asked nervously.
Sephiroth stepped closer and bent down to inspect the young cadet, taking Cloud's other hand and putting his face close to Cloud's as he checked his forehead.
After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, Sephiroth sighed and straightened, still holding on to Cloud's hand. "I wanted to make sure you're okay. You're a little warm, so we'll have to keep an eye on you to ensure you don't develop a cold."
"Do you not believe in my assessment of the patient's conditions?" Tseng asked, slightly miffed.
"N-no, just…wanted to be thorough." Sephiroth explained.
Cloud's attention wandered as the two squabbled over Sephiroth's ill-disguised overabundant concern for Cloud.
Suddenly, the room didn't look quite so alien anymore as everything came into focus. The interior color scheme…furniture was all terribly familiar. It wasn't like Cloud went to too many places around SOLDIER. Which could only mean….
"Cloud! What's wrong?" Sephiroth's authoritative voice cut through his internal gay panic.
"Your heart rate suddenly spiked! What's wrong?"
Cloud would much rather dodge the question and quietly pass out, if it meant he could escape the reality that he was in the esteemed General's bed.
It was a bit much for the Niebelheim virgin who was already uncomfortable with the fact that Sephiroth wore practically no shirt on a daily basis.
"U-um, I'm fine! I'm just gonna go…" Cloud tried to jump up, pulling his hands free and jumping to the unoccupied end edge of the bed.
He got up far too quickly, thrusting his body into the verge of shock yet again. Dark spots danced in his vision, and confusion swept his mind.
Where was I going again?
He felt his body fall to the floor, then something firm break his fall. When he opened his eyes again, he was met with Sephiroth's piercing aquamarine gaze.
Of course I have to be a massive embarrassment to myself. I freak out to an extent that the General has to save me, when he could be out saving others. Too dizzy to get up and run away again, Cloud hid his warm face in his hands. The last shred of dignity he could take back in the General's arms.
"What's wrong?" Sephiroth asked, deep voice rumbling in his chest.
Why did I have to notice that detail? Cloud panicked. "Just…the vertigo"
"Put him down, Sephiroth. Cloud, do you need space?" Tseng asked, tone tinged with worry. "Are you feeling overwhelmed?"
Cloud felt his body gently land on the bed once again, but he still didn't uncover his face. "It's okay. I should just go to the sick bay or something. You guys don't have to waste your time on me. Besides, the general needs his room back."
"You're certainly welcome to rest here, that is why I brought you to my quarters. That way you don't have to deal with…impatient personnel. I'm allowing it willingly" Sephiroth soothed.
"T-thanks. Clouds said. "Um, one question though. Why am I here?"
Tseng subtly muttered something about forced memory loss and Zack smiled weakly, a sadness in his voice.
"You were, uh, locked in the freezer for quite a while. We rushed you here to warm you up and revive you. Tseng gave you a quick check-up, vitals and all. When you were back to normal temperature. But you're gonna need bed rest for a little bit longer while we have you monitored."
Cloud groaned. "Are you kidding? As much as I appreciate everyone's efforts to ensure my wellbeing, I can't let something small like this stop me. I'll be even more behind!"
Upon brief consideration, Cloud's eyes widened, and he covered his mouth. Who am I to talk to my superiors this way?
Tseng read his expression and smirked. "We've been met with worse reactions from soldiers much lower than you. Don't worry, we can handle it."
"Like that one time that third-class guy with a motorcycle fetish almost throttled a doctor because it would be a week until he'd be reunited with his beloved hunk of scrap. It was so bad that they had to make a replica of the thing for him to hold on to so he'd stop throwing things at the doctors." Zack supplied eagerly, merriment lighting up his sordid features.
Tseng rolled his eyes, chuckling, "and that's why he's still third class. You're not going to be stuck here for a week, if that's what you're worried about. Just one day."
Cloud visibly relaxed.
"Well, if that's true, I can just leave for my quarters." Cloud made to get up again but was thwarted by a wave of dizziness.
"Obviously not. Don't worry, the General can sleep in my room. Or that fancy couch in the other room. About time he learned to live like the rest of us plebs." Zack supplied, smirking at Sephiroth. "Besides, you'll get a taste of his famous tea!"
"W-what?" The General made tea?
Sephiroth glared back at Zack "I would be fine with the floor, Zack. What do you take me for, some bourgeoisie who doesn't know the struggle of his people? And I suppose I could make tea, but only for Cloud's sake." He turned dramatically and left for the adjacent room.
"Cloud, relax. It's not going to be some big tea ceremony. Sephiroth was a barista in another life. He loves making fancy drinks in his free time. Surely he must use it to pick up chicks or get out of the house." Zack explained, taking in Cloud's worried expression and grinning reassuringly.
"I do not use it to 'get chicks', Fair." Sephiroth piped up from the other room.
"Probably because his only love is his sword.Oooh masamune- I can't bear to be apart from youuuu" Zack crooned.
A kitchen knife flew towards Zack. He dodged. "Kidding!"
Tseng scowled darkly at Zack. "Maybe try not getting on the general's bad side while we're in his apartment."
"What's the fun in that?" Zack countered.
Tseng rolled his eyes but looked to Cloud. "By the way, I wanted to take the time to check in about your dreams. I've heard they've been affecting your health a bit."
Where did that come from? From whom? "I'm, uh, fine. It's no problem at all."
Zack went suspiciously quiet. "I'm, uh, gonna go see if Sephiroth needs help." He got up and left for the adjacent room.
"Are you sure you don't moonlight as a barista? You must get tired of Shinra." Zack's voice wafted out from the kitchen, amidst the clatter of glasses and rumble of the kettle.
"Who doesn't? And no. Too much, ah, "human interaction" as they call it." Sephiroth stepped out, tray of steaming mugs held expertly with an upturned palm.
He grabbed a mug and gently handed it to Cloud. "I made this specially for you. I hope you enjoy."
He handed out the other cups, (Zack predictably last), but no one made to drink their mugs.
"W-what? Why is everyone staring at me?" Cloud stuttered, face flushing bright red with the attention.
"We've all had it before. You're a noob. A tea virgin." Zack explained. "Go ahead. Try it."
I hope this isn't some sort of joke where it's actually a disgustingly earthy brew. Cloud tentatively took a sip.
Sephiroth looked especially pensive, knuckles white from his firm grip on his cup.
Cloud beamed.
"It's delicious! Vastly better than tea d'random herbs and twigs from Niebelheim."
Zack grinned, laughing. "Ah, what they try to pass as luxury in backwater towns."
"May this restore you to health better than the potentially toxic brew of your hometown". Sephiroth prompted, raising a glass.
"Hey, that's what makes him tough!" Zack countered. "But agreed."
They all laughed and enjoyed tea, with Sepiroth and Zack sharing the latest SOLDIER gossip with a pleased Tseng, Cloud with a perpetual grin from their hilarious stories. After a fresh batch of stories involving a possible new hire with a big sword and an even bigger body count, Cloud let out an involuntary yawn and blushed.
"Sorry. It isn't even late yet."
Tseng smiled. 'It's my cue to leave as well, it seems. Rufus- I mean the Vice President is insistent we, uh…go out for drinks". He blushed, scratching his head, looking off to the side.
Zack "Oohed" and Sephiroth raised his brows.
Cloud on the other hand, was all naive obliviousness and enthusiasm.
"Enjoy your date! Thank you for all your help, Tseng!" The innocent cadet beamed.
The normally dignified Turk abruptly choked on his last sip of tea and spluttered, ultimately landing on a strained "Thank you" and left the room.
Upon exiting the doorway, he discovered a prurient Sephiroth in the adjacent room, staring him down.
Tseng deposited his cup in the nearby sink and met Sephiroth's fervent gaze.
"You obviously have something to articulate. Your angsty teenage years are well behind you, as we both know. Use your words, not your smolder."
Sephiroth blushed, looking down momentarily, then spoke. "It was certainly…interesting to see you again, Tseng. I hope this relationship is more fulfilling than our, ah, dumpster fire, as it could be termed. Thank you for helping us out, too."
Tseng let out a controlled sigh.
"Everyone seems to be quite concerned about my relationship status these days…Anyway, it was no problem at all. When those I care about are in need, I'll be there. Take care of yourself, Sephiroth." He lightly patted Sephiroth's shoulder and left.
After the door closed, Sephiroth drooped, shoulders hunching inward and hands flying to hide his face.
Sensei is still terrifying.
Straightening, Sephiroth walked back to Cloud's makeshift room to find Zack delicately stroking Cloud's wispy tufts of hair as the cadet drifted off to sleep.
After a few minutes of enduring such torture, Sephiroth spoke up quietly
"Fair? Would you like to have a conversation with me over dinner?