Chapter 24: The Beginning of the Battle; the End of the War
Cloud's fingers trailed down his stomach as he stared at himself in the mirror with a frown. It was barely perceptible, but there was a slight bulge to his belly that hadn't been there a month ago.
A month—that's how long Sephiroth had been gone for.
He was starting to go insane. Tseng had come the day after Sephiroth and Zack had gotten on that ship and told him that not under any circumstances was he to leave the suite. At the time he thought he might be dying, and so it was easy to agree to such a request. Now? He was just bored out of his mind.
He was bored, and he was starting to get a stomach. His thumb hooked into his navel as he stood there in just his boxers. He was almost three months along now. Their baby was thriving now that it was no longer making him so sick.
Now he just wanted Sephiroth to come home to him. He just wanted something to focus on besides how stir crazy he was going being locked in a suite with every amenity he could possibly want.
Sephiroth hadn't called him in over a week, and Cloud was trying not to panic. He knew he was neck deep in battles over in Wutai. His mate had sworn to him it would be over soon. He had promised he'd be home.
Cloud sighed in frustration, padding into the bedroom and ripping open the closet that had been stocked to perfection with his own clothes. He used to just live out of a trunk and wear standard fatigues...and now? He wore designer clothes that Rufus Shinra had specifically picked out for him. Dressed like a doll to fit Shinra's idea of just who should be bedding their hero.
He pulled on dark jeans and a baggy black sweater, pulling on boots as he considered just how much trouble he would be in if they knew what he was planning on doing. Cloud rolled his eyes at that thought. All he wanted to do was go on a walk, and it felt like he was setting off to rob a bank or something.
This penthouse suite had become a prison of luxury. It had become his hell. He was becoming something he didn't even recognize. What would Sephiroth even be coming home to? ...Or would he like it that he was a kept pet?
Oh well—he supposed it didn't matter now. Not when he was already in this deep. Not when he knew Sephiroth would never leave him willingly...not while he was carrying his child. Oh well...he supposed it was better to ask forgiveness than permission. He just couldn't stand the idea of having to stay in the apartment for one second more just waiting for Sephiroth to come home.
He held his breath as he reached for the door handle, instantly feeling revulsion travel down his spine at the thought of disobeying. Sephiroth had begged him to stay unless he was in trouble. He had promised to listen, and the thought of disobeying his Alpha made him physically ill.
He hated it.
He hated whatever form of control this was that seemed to be taking more and more of his freedoms away. It seemed to be erasing him with every day that passed as this baby got bigger in his belly. Or maybe this was who he always was? Maybe if he could remember more of his childhood, he wouldn't be surprised by his need to obey.
Cloud stepped out into the hallway on the empty SOLDIER floor, pushing down the revulsion. He refused to believe that even if he had been born to be submissive, that his rebellious personality wouldn't have shined through. Besides, it's not as if he was looking to get in any trouble. He just wanted to go on a walk. It's not like any harm could ever come from going on a walk.
So many of the troopers were deployed to Wutai right now that all of the hallways seemed almost barren. Shinra Headquarters was now just filled with corporate bureaucrats who scowled at him as he passed by in the halls. If only they knew that while they were pushing pencils, their leaders had designed him to drag them kicking and screaming to this so-called Promised Land. ...As if a place away from this nightmare actually existed.
Blue eyes scanned the cameras as he passed by in the hallways, heading towards the cafeteria. He wasn't misbehaving. They'd have no reason to force him back into the room if he didn't give them one. He had learned his lesson after he had woken up with Rufus Shinra's gun under his chin.
It felt strange to be in a busy cafeteria full of voices. He had gotten beyond used to the quiet. He hadn't talked to anyone in person since they had left for the war. The need to sink against the wall was strong as he pulled out some Gil and stepped up to order lunch.
...He wasn't doing anything wrong. He just wanted a burger and to hear surrounding conversations. He hated the fact that he felt like he was angering his mate. He hated this fear he felt as he was put into a social situation. This wasn't who he was. He wasn't a simpering Omega. ...Whatever that entailed.
Cloud kept his head down as he found a table near the news display, speaking of Shinra's innovations throughout Gaia. He watched in fascination as the hologram showed Sephiroth fighting against the Wutai as it spoke of joining the SOLDIER program.
His mate was even gorgeous while probably more than a little annoyed they were making him film a propaganda video. He snickered a little at the thought as he dipped a fry in ketchup. He could only imagine the push back Sephiroth had given the camera crew when they had asked him to do that assignment.
"Hi." Cloud jumped at the soft voice, dropping the fry just before it got to his mouth as his eyes widened at the person who had sat across from him. How had he just snuck up on him like that? How had he not noticed him sit down?
"Hi," he managed back, not able to let the surprise be wiped from his face as he took in the appearance of the stranger. He looked… He looked like Sephiroth. He remembered what Zack had told him about the other Omega. "Are you Kadaj?"
The man nodded slowly, grinning at him as Cloud couldn't look away from those eerie slitted green eyes. "And you're my brother."
"Uh," Cloud managed, looking around as he scanned for any sign of Hojo or the Shinras. "I-I'm...I'm really not." His voice sounded weird to his own ears, warning bells going off in his head as Kadaj reached over and grabbed one of his fries.
"Of course you are," Kadaj spoke, grabbing for the ketchup as he squeezed it with both of his hands, creating a towering mound on Cloud's plate that he could dig another fry in. "I've been looking for you. Mr. Shinra told me I could meet you eventually, but that you were sick."
"Mr. Shinra?" Cloud questioned, watching as Kadaj grabbed eagerly for more fries.
"Rufus," Kadaj answered, grabbing for his burger as he dug his teeth in.
"Anyone ever tell you that you're not supposed to just eat someone's food?" Cloud questioned, fascination being overruled with annoyance.
Kadaj shrugged, taking another bite. "I was hungry," he spoke, as if that were the only explanation he needed. "Did you want to go buy another one? You can—I'll wait."
Cloud frowned at him. "How thoughtful of you."
"I'm a thoughtful guy," Kadaj spoke, sucking the grease from his thumb. "You don't look so sick. From the way they were talking you would think you'd have kicked the bucket."
"Who's they?" Cloud asked with suspicion, eyes narrowed.
"Rufus," Kadaj answered again, tilting his head as he thought about it. "And Hojo...I don't really think it's a secret."
"Could have fooled me," Cloud murmured, feeling ill at the thought of Hojo knowing he was sick. "What are you doing in Midgar?"
"Prize for good behavior," Kadaj answered.
"Your good behavior?" Cloud questioned with curiosity.
Kadaj sighed dreamily, resting his chin in his hand. "Obviously not, brother," he stated, as if Cloud had said something beyond stupid. "Good behavior for whoever they give me to. I hear the war in Wutai is going to determine it."
Cloud's nose curled in disgust at just the thought. "That's degrading. How can you let them treat you like that?"
The Omega grabbed for Cloud's soda, sucking loudly at the straw as he raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"A whore," Cloud spoke, fingers tracing over his belly under the table as he realized he was in the exact same situation. But Sephiroth and Zack wouldn't let them use him. They had a plan. They had sold their souls to Rufus for that plan.
Kadaj's face broke into a grin at those words, before he started to laugh. "I'm the whore?" Aqua green eyes glared at him as the Omega slammed his hands on the table. "You call me a whore when you're with Sephiroth?"
"I'm mated to Sephiroth," Cloud bit out, not liking the tone.
"Right," Kadaj murmured, voice full of sarcasm. "You're mated. Why you, exactly?" He leaned forward. "You think I'm not good enough to suck Sephiroth's dick?"
"I don't think I know you well enough to know where your talents lie," Cloud murmured, glancing around nervously to see if anyone had noticed him yet. "But believe me...in no world were you getting anywhere close to his dick."
"Oh?" Kadaj started teasingly. "Kitten's got claws...and what of that other one then? The one who could have slept with me, but didn't. Can I go near his dick?"
"Well he already turned you down," Cloud murmured, liking this man less and less. "So I suppose you have your answer. But don't take it personally...he doesn't just fuck people because they can get wet for him."
Kadaj raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that why you think your Alpha fucks you? Because you can get wet? ...That's very interesting."
"Not really," Cloud replied. "It's just a fact."
"Now now," Cloud stiffened at the voice, feeling a shudder go up his spine as Rufus Shinra sank down next to him, wrapping his arms around his shoulder. "Don't let Sephiroth hear you talk like that. We need him happy."
Cloud tried to pull out of Rufus' hold, but the Vice-President held strong, fingers stroking over his shoulder blades. "I was just taking a walk."
Rufus leaned over, nose buried in his neck as he inhaled. "And are you allowed to take walks?"
He repressed a shudder, looking over into Rufus' pale blue eyes. "Rufus," he started.
"Vice-President," Rufus corrected, mouth tilting up in a reproachful smirk.
"Vice-President," Cloud corrected himself. "I just needed out. It's been a month."
"Oh?" Rufus asked, fingers playing at the nape of Cloud's neck. "Getting lonely up there all by yourself?"
"I could have walked him," Kadaj pointed out. "If he had asked."
Rufus grinned at the suggestion. "What a fantastic idea, Kadaj. What do you say, Cloud? You want to go on a walk with one of your kind?"
Cloud glowered at the pampered brat. "I'm a person...not a pet," he bit out. "I don't need to be walked. I don't need to be kept!" Sephiroth would be disappointed in him. He had begged him to behave. "What's to stop me from leaving?"
"What's to stop you?" Rufus asked, honest surprise and curiosity in his normally bored tone. "To be honest...I'm curious myself." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a keycard and sliding it over. "Go ahead."
He swallowed the lump in his throat, staring down at the keycard, knowing it was a trap. Things here were always a trap. Cloud glanced around the cafeteria, not seeing any Turks ready to pounce.
Kadaj smirked at him from across the table. "Well...there's your ticket to freedom. Want to go, dear brother? I'll go with you."
"I think that's an excellent idea," Rufus agreed, pulling out his phone. "I've transferred 15,000 gil to your account, Kadaj. Take him back to his home if he wants to leave us so badly."
"Nibelheim?" Cloud asked, every hair on the back of his neck raised with how much this felt like a trap. "They wouldn't let me…" Sephiroth would be home soon. This was never the plan. They were going to escape together. However, if he did manage to get out, then maybe Sephiroth could meet him there. ...Maybe this really was their chance. "Why are you doing this? Why really?"
Rufus sighed boredly, fingers still playing at his nape. "I have my reasons. ...Are you saying no, pet?"
"I'm not saying no," Cloud disagreed, because at this point he would have done anything to not have to go back to that apartment. "But what will you tell Sephiroth? What will you tell Zack?"
"I'll tell them where you went," Rufus assured him. "I wouldn't want to bring two SOLDIER's wrath upon me after all."
"They're watching," Cloud argued.
Rufus sighed in annoyance. "Why don't you let me take care of that?" He arched a blond brow. "I'm not afraid of Hojo."
"Then you're an idiot," Cloud assured him, reaching out with shaky hands to take the keycard as he inhaled Rufus' no doubt expensive cologne. "Your name won't protect you from him."
"I'm more than my name, I assure you." Rufus leaned in close so that Cloud could see every speckle of his eyes. "Don't disappoint me now. Kadaj knows how to get you out."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Cloud managed, swallowing audibly as he pulled away from the Shinra Prince. He held his breath as he pushed away from the table, walking quickly towards the exit as he could sense Kadaj on his heels. He knew without a doubt that he should go back up to the SOLDIER floor. He should go back and wait for his mate. Whatever Rufus was planning was bad….it was a trap, and yet he couldn't make himself stop. He couldn't stomach the thought of going back. Whatever might come next, he was going home—back to Nibelheim.
"I'm going to vomit," Reno managed, and Zack grinned as he wrapped his arm around that slender waist.
"Hold it in," the SOLDIER commanded, laughing as he all but supported the Turk. They were going back to Midgar tomorrow. The war was over, and everyone was taking a night to celebrate their victory. ...Reno had started rather early on the celebrations.
A month in this sticky hot heat had set all of their brains a bit boiling. Heat and death...all for a cause they no longer believed in. Yet, now it was over. Fucking finally. The war that he had been fighting since leaving Gongaga was over, and they would get to go home. He would get to see Cloud again...for better or worse.
This time away...when all he had to think about was survival and not the politics of Shinra's breeding program. It hadn't made the ache for the omega go away...it had just made hurt less. His and Sephiroth's relationship had been strained, but professional. He was able to take his commanding officer's orders without wanting to bash his face in.
It was getting easier to imagine a life without both of them.
To imagine leaving Shinra and starting over. ...After he had helped Cloud. There was a clarity in all this death and war. He knew what he had lost, just like he knew what more he had to give up before all was said and done. There was no helping it. He wouldn't be their puppet, and he wouldn't let Sephiroth or Cloud suffer either. Zack glanced down to the inebriated Turk...he supposed he needed to add one more name to that list.
"Why'd you let me take that last shot?" Reno whined, and Zack hefted him up more as he practically walked the drunk Turk back to the hotel.
"I did that?" Zack asked, laughing as he shook his head. "I happen to remember you buying the last seven rounds...insisting on the tequila."
Reno moaned at just the reminder. "Since when do you ever listen to me?"
"You're right," Zack agreed, using the keycard as he pushed into their shared room. "I should always stick with my instincts." Zack helped Reno over the threshold, walking him over to the bed as he let him collapse back on top of it.
"Isn't that kind of your problem?" Reno questioned, hands working sloppily to drag off his tie as he wiggled out of his shoes. "Not trusting your instincts?"
Zack glanced back at him, eyebrow raised as he took pity on the drunk idiot, helping him with his socks as the other wiggled out of his jacket. "What do you mean?"
"You're noble," Reno managed. "True and noble to the very end...people take advantage."
The SOLDIER frowned down at the redhead, hands going towards the black dress pants as he helped the other pull them down his hips. "I think I do alright for myself." He wasn't a naive idiot. He knew he had been used by Cloud. He knew he had been played. It didn't bother him in the sense Reno was implying.
"Are you undressing me?" Reno questioned, fingers sloppily working at unbuttoning his white dress shirt.
"I don't want to clean puke off your clothes later," Zack explained, eyes roaming over the pale creamy flesh revealed as Reno gave up and let his arms fall above his head.
"Not going to puke," Reno assured him, bleary eyes watching him.
Zack's eyes were locked with those burnt red orbs, and he realized maybe he shouldn't have drank so much either. "I don't believe you. I'll get you a bucket."
He took a deep breath to try to clear his head as he turned towards the bathroom to grab for the trashcan. Violet eyes shut as his arm was grabbed, and he already knew what to expect as he was spun around. "Reno wait—"
The Turk was standing on his own two feet now and clad in just boxers and the open button down. Reno shoved him then, and Zack grunted as he was pushed up against the wall, exhaling as that slender body pressed against him.
"What more do I have to do?" Reno questioned. "I've practically been throwing myself at you since that night down in the slums. Why won't you sleep with me?" he slurred.
"You're drunk," Zack pointed out, grinning at him as he wrapped his arms around those slim hips, hands splaying up his back. "You need to sleep...you don't need fucked."
"There you go again," Reno practically purred, hands ripping at Zack's belt. "Being true and noble. I've been fucked plenty when I'm drunk." He ripped the belt completely out of its loops, holding it up as he raised an eyebrow. "You want to whip me first? Tie me up?" Zack felt his breath hitch, arousal traveling straight to his cock. "What gets you off?"
Zack reached out, grabbing at red spikes as he yanked his head back so that he was looking up at him, making sure there was clarity in those eyes as he pressed against the other. "We shouldn't…"
"Why shouldn't we?" Reno questioned, hands working on Zack's pants as he didn't once look away from the intense stare. "You think I'm too forward? I've been patient with you. I've listened to hours upon hours of your bitching about Cloud. I had to stop myself multiple times from sucking you off while you were sleeping."
Zack laughed at that, smiling as he shook his head back and forth. "You're insane."
"I'm horny," Reno argued. "And I can feel that you are too...or is that a gun in your pocket?" Reno pushed his hand down Zack's boxers, and the SOLDIER moaned as a hand wrapped around his cock. "He broke up with you. Get over it...or better yet...get even." Reno leaned into his ear. "Put you big cock in me and do whatever an Alpha does."
"You have quite a mouth on you," Zack managed, teeth gritted in pleasure as he backed them up towards the bed. "Thought you were saving yourself for Rufus?"
Reno shook his head. "Soldier boy...are you really this dense?" Reno pushed Zack's pants and boxers down to the floor, and he slipped off his boots as he stepped out of him. "I've been sleeping in your room...I've been throwing myself at you...what more do I have to do? What does Cloud do to get you all so crazy for him?" Zack growled a warning, not wanting to talk about his Omega when someone else's hand was pumping his cock.
"Oh?" Reno questioned. "That's what it takes? Do I gotta piss you off like he does?" He lashed out then, punching Zack in the face. "Do I gotta hurt you like he does to get you to take notice?"
Zack grunted at the pain, sclera extended and eyes glowing when he looked back over to the Turk who was sliding his boxers down to the floor. "You want to know what gets me off?" he snarled at the other, showing his fangs.
"Fuck you're hot," Reno managed, walking closer and ignoring the danger. "Tell me," he managed, shoving Zack hard into the wall, dropping to his knees before the other. "Tell me what gets you off."
Zack practically howled as that mouth engulfed him, the wet heat surrounding his length. He let his head drop back against the wall, hand coming to those gelled spikes as tightened his grip as Reno opened his throat. They were too drunk for this. ...He just didn't care anymore.
He was so sick of doing what he should do. He was so sick of ignoring his instincts and losing everything. His grip tightened, forcing Reno closer, pushing his way down his throat as the other swallowed around him.
Zack ripped Reno off of him as he felt himself getting close, wanting more as he dragged the Turk up to his feet long enough to spin him towards the desk in the room and slammed him face first on top of it. He kicked at the other's feet, forcing them wide and open as he palmed himself, spreading Reno's cheeks and pressing against his entrance.
"Just going to push inside there, asshole?" Reno questioned, turning back to glare as Zack hesitated, not sure where he went wrong as need rushed over him. Reno raised an eyebrow at his confusion. "I'm not a girl, moron. I don't just get wet." Reno pointed towards his discarded suit jacket. "There's lube in the pocket."
Zack's mouth hung open dumbly at the realization, taking a deep breath to steady himself as he had never had to worry about this with Cloud. His mind went back to their first time...and how special it had been. How much he had wanted him.
"For fuck's sake," Reno managed in annoyance, and Zack was brought out of his memories as hands wrapped around his hips, pulling his wet cock all the way inside.
Zack moaned at the feeling of being enveloped in the heat, gritting his elongated teeth as Reno buried his face into his forearms, tightening around him as he obviously tried to adjust. "Idiot," he managed to get out, being much too out of it at this point to stop as he pulled out, thrusting back in as the desk slammed into the wall.
Pleasure coursed down his spine as he rocked within that tightness, hand gripping those red spikes again as he forced Reno's head into the desk, pistoning his hips inside him. He shifted his hips, and he heard Reno let out a whine of pleasure, changing the position to press over and over against that spot.
"Harder…" Reno managed, pressing back up against him. "I know you want to...I know this isn't you letting loose."
Zack growled, pulling out of that tight passage as he yanked on Reno's arms to spin him around. He leaned down, lifting him up by the thighs as eager arms wrapped around his neck and then they were kissing.
Their lips crashed against each other as he stumbled towards the bed, falling down on top of it as he slid back into the Turk as his tongue slid into his mouth. Reno's hands wrapped around Zack's back, nails digging into it as he dragged his shirt over his head. Zack shook his head as they were separated, diving back into the kiss the moment Reno threw it across the room.
Creamy white thighs wrapped around his hips as Zack thrust deeper, slowing down from his pace on the desk. His hand pressed between their bodies, wrapping around Reno's leaking member as he angled his thrusts until he heard the redhead let out a shaky moan.
"I don't want to just fuck you into submission," Zack managed, kissing along the other's neck. "I want you to feel it." Zack leaned back, yanking Reno with him and up onto his lap as those skinny legs hooked around his hips.
Reno's arms entwined around his neck as they kissed, the Turk meeting his pace as he rose up and down on top of him. He threw his head back, letting Zack support him as he raised up off the bed. Zack leaned forward as his pleasure peaked, biting Reno's shoulder as he felt himself spilling over the edge, moaning as that passage tightened around him and he felt a warm wetness splash against his abs as Reno cried out before letting go and letting himself fall backwards onto the mattress.
Zack leaned back, eyes roaming over the Turk as Reno ran his hands through his hair, laying languidly back with his thighs still obscenely spread. "Don't," the redhead managed, eyes opened as he looked up to watch him.
"Don't?" Zack repeated, chest rising rapidly from the exertion as his mind ran a million miles an hour on all the reasons they shouldn't have done what they did.
"Don't freak out. It doesn't have to mean anything." Reno pushed himself up on his elbows. "I told you I was horny. We go back tomorrow...and I wanted to celebrate winning my first war." Reno leaned up then, and Zack sighed into the kiss before the other pulled away. "I'm going to go take a shower. You want to join me without that guilty puppy expression on your face...please feel free." Reno rolled out of the bed, leaning down to his ear before he did. "By the way...you fuck like a champion." he managed, and Zack stared with wide eyes as the other slipped off his shirt and padded into the bathroom before turning on the spray.
After that— well...it didn't take him long to follow.
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A/N- Nibelheim...I've never heard of anything bad happening in Nibelheim…
Cloud's an idiot...and Zack fucks like a champ. Basically all things to be aware of. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!