Chapter 28: Sweet Dreams
Cloud trailed behind Sephiroth as they made their way up the mountain. To say things had been awkward, would have been the understatement of the century. The tension coming off both Sephiroth and Zack was thick enough to be cut with a sword. They had been hiking for the better part of the day now, and there had been an unwritten separation between the group.
Zack had pushed on ahead, walking with Kadaj as the Omega seemed to be talking his ear off, Genesis had placed himself as a buffer between them, and Cloud had sunk back behind Sephiroth, hoping his submissiveness would be seen as some sort of penance for all of the trouble he had caused all of them.
He hoped Reno was okay.
He hoped no one was coming.
He hoped that whatever they were going to find when they got to the reactor was worth it. Sephiroth certainly didn't seem to think so. His anger was radiating off him in waves, and only seemed to be increasing the closer the reactor got on the horizon.
"Are you ever going to speak to me?" Cloud managed, exhaling his nerves as he caught up to walk next to his mate.
Sephiroth, for his part, didn't even look at him. "What precisely would you have me say to you?" he questioned. "Should we talk about your disobedience? Your recklessness? Your sluttiness?"
Cloud frowned at that, glowering at the SOLDIER. "How about you? Should we talk about whatever is going on with you?"
"With me?" Sephiroth questioned, finally looking over. "Whatever is going on with me, I assure you that you're the cause."
"I don't think that's true," Cloud argued, speeding up so that he could walk backwards as he spoke to him. "What happened in Wutai? You can tell me. I won't judge you."
"You won't judge me?" A laugh bit through the air. "You think I'm concerned with you judging over what I did in Wutai?"
"To come back to me," Cloud argued. "Yeah. I do think you're concerned about it. I tried to connect with you, Seph...I couldn't come close to getting through whatever wall you've built up."
"Perhaps I don't always want you in my head?" his mate suggested. "You wouldn't like what you found there."
"Why not?" Cloud held out his hands, stopping Sephiroth in his tracks as he frowned at him. "What would I find?" Sephiroth had never hidden anything from him. They had never had secrets. "Did you cheat on me?"
Sephiroth blinked down at him, actual surprise covering his face. "Excuse me?"
"Did you?" The thought had come out of nowhere, but now that it was out, Cloud couldn't stop the irrational fear from filling him. "Is that why you won't let me in?"
Those cat-like eyes just blinked at him, before disgust covered his face. "Don't worry Cloud, I'm much more loyal than you. The fidelity between us is safe on my end at least."
"There's certainly an accusal in your tone," Cloud bit out, ripping his arms away from his mate. "Hugging isn't cheating. Get over yourself." He crossed his arms, fully aware that the rest of the group was pulling ahead. "I would never cheat on you.
Sephiroth sighed in annoyance. "I can't talk about this with you. Not when it's so glaringly obvious the way you feel about him." He motioned towards Zack's retreating back. "If I hadn't bitten you...hadn't taken your choice from you...you would be with him."
The same thing over and over again. The same problem that would never go away. It was a circle without an answer. It was insanity, doomed to keep repeating over and over again. "If you think that, then I suppose you can wait to take me again until I ask for it."
"Really?" Sephiroth questioned with skepticism. "You think you can hold out? We'll set up camp in a few hours...and let's just see how your reservations hold up." He reached out, spinning him back towards the path. "Better catch up. Zachary is leaving you behind."
Cloud glared behind his back, not liking the tension between them as he continued to hike up the mountain. The sun was beginning to set as they were still a half a day's walk from the reactor according to Kadaj.
He resisted the urge to glare back at Sephiroth, taking it into consideration how hard everything must be for him right now. Sephiroth was convinced that whatever they were going to find out the reactor was bad, and Cloud knew how much he hated him being around Zack. His temper was already set on edge, and he knew that he shouldn't have deliberately picked a fight. Not if they were ever going to get back to normal.
Genesis slowed his speed, as if sensing his anxiety as he began walking beside him. "What's the game plan here, Blondie?" Cloud was dimly aware that Sephiroth could probably hear every word he said, but he had never seemed to mind Genesis.
"I find answers." Was the easy reply as he glanced over. "What are you doing here anyways, Genesis? This isn't your fight."
"Collateral damage," he replied easily, shrugging. "Wrong place, wrong time when your boyfriend blew a fuse and stabbed Hojo."
Cloud spun around at that. "You stabbed Hojo!?" Infinite possibilities of the trouble they could be in coursed through his mind, but at the same time he was sad that he had missed it.
Sephiroth just rolled his eyes. "He had it coming." He motioned towards the mountain. "He has a point. What are you looking to accomplish with this feat of madness?"
"I want answers," Cloud replied, furrowing his brow. "To who I am."
"You're the labrat son of a mad scientist," Sephiroth replied, ignoring the way the blunt statement made the blond flinch. "What more do you need to know?"
"Who you are!" Cloud shot back with, hating the dismissive tone when they both knew they hadn't gotten all of the answers the last time they had come to Nibelheim...not by half.
"Me?" Sephiroth questioned, and Cloud glared over at Genesis as he whistled a warning. "I'm the labrat son of a former Turk. Anymore pertinent questions I can answer for you, or are you convinced that this stupidity is actually what you want?"
"Personally, I'm kind of liking the scenery." Genesis motioned around. "Not every day we get kicked to a backwater town to discover some sort of dark secret." Genesis glanced back at the both of them, pausing in his tracks. "How bout I do you two a favor and take Zack and Kadaj to scout up ahead?"
"This wouldn't have anything to do with you wanting to get close to Kadaj, would it?" Cloud questioned wryly, watching the way Kadaj's hands were moving exuberantly as he explained something to Zack. His stomach tightened in jealousy as he knew he would never get to talk so openly to the Alpha like that again.
"Here I am, trying to do the both of you a favor, and you question my motives." The SOLDIER placed his hands to his heart in mock hurt. "You wound me."
"He's sensitive," Cloud warned, feeling protective of just the thought of Kadaj being swept up into this nightmare.
"He's hot," Genesis countered, and Cloud frowned as his eyes seemed to be glued to his ass. "He kind of looks like me."
Cloud laughed, shaking his head as he looked over to Sephiroth. "Good to know that who you're really into banging is yourself."
"I have impeccable standards," Genesis mused. "Anyways. I'll convince them that we need some food. Meanwhile, you two can set up camp."
"You don't have to play matchmaker." Sephiroth crossed his arms, seemingly annoyed at the very thought. "Cloud here has given me a dilemma, anyways."
"Show him your charm," Genesis told him. "You seriously need laid." His head tilted back and forth, seeming to war with himself. "You're not yourself...so set up camp, and find your happy center again." Genesis ran up ahead, speaking to Kadaj and Zack about the plan. Cloud hung his head a bit in shame at the look of irritation Zack sent Sephiroth's way, before it was once more covered by an agreeable smile as he nodded and handed over his pack.
Genesis ran back towards them, handing over Zack's pack. "Make yourself useful, Blondie. Set up our tents while the men go out and hunt."
Cloud rolled his eyes, hugging the pack close and trying to ignore the fact that the Alpha's smell lingering on it gave him an inordinate sense of calm. "Sephiroth is staying as well you know."
"That's why I said men." Genesis winked at Sephiroth. "I'll keep them busy for a few hours. Should be enough time to work through your…" He winked at them. "Frustrations."
"Jackass." Cloud watched Genesis run forward, hands pressing into Zack and Kadaj's backs as he led them down a path on the mountain. "As if he could make it anymore obvious on why he left us to set up camp."
"What's the matter, Cloud?" Sephiroth questioned, pulling out his own tent as he walked over to a clearing and began to spread it out. "Trying to hide the fact that you've been primed to be fucked since you scented Zack in that bar?"
Glowering at his back, Cloud followed him to set up the other tents. "What do you think we'll find at the reactor, Sephiroth? Since you know so much?"
"I have my theories." The SOLDIER hoisted up their tent, not bothering to divulge just what those theories are. "None of which will do you any good to know."
"Maybe I'm stronger than you give me credit for?" Cloud worked on setting up the other tents, hammering the stakes into the ground.
"You're very strong," Sephiroth replied, coming over to kneel in front of him. "What you've endured...that's never been a question, but you're causing yourself unnecessary pain for whatever guilt you think you feel."
Blond brows knitted as Sephiroth finished up. "Do you not feel guilty for what we did to him? He was your friend too."
"Of course I feel guilty," Sephiroth assured him, reaching down and helping Cloud to his feet. "But I will always do what I have to in order to keep you. Don't you understand that by now?"
"I'm not going to sleep with Zack, do you understand that?" Cloud questioned, stepping closer as a hand wrapped around his waist.
"I want to try," Sephiroth admitted, reaching down to tilt Cloud's chin up to meet his lips. Blue eyes fluttered shut at the kiss, leaning forward as he wrapped his arms around his mate's neck.
"I want to talk to you." Cloud drew back, blinking up at the SOLDIER as his fingers carded through long silver hair. "We haven't had the chance since you got back...not even to talk about the baby."
Sephiroth leaned in to kiss him again, lips soft against his own. "You really want to talk right now? Even after Genesis gave us such a convenient opening?"
Cloud snorted at that, looking back to the trail as he turned around to lean into the Alpha's arms, sighing in content as hands pushed up his sweater to press against the small bump. "Someone should really teach him subtly."
"Never really been one of his strong suits," Sephiroth mused, lips drawing down along Cloud's neck, stopping at his mating mark as Cloud shuddered at the feel of him. "Get in the tent."
"I didn't say yes," Cloud pointed out, thighs shifting as he felt a wetness roll down them.
"Your smell did." Cloud laughed as he was yanked backwards into the roomy tent, struggling in his mate's arms as he pulled back from him and looked around at the surroundings Sephiroth had set up. Sleeping bags from their packs had been laid out on the ground, creating a cozy flooring as he shook his head.
"This where we're sleeping?" He laughed more as Sephiroth pushed him back, hands going to the latch on his dark jeans.
"Something like that." Sephiroth yanked the pants down over his hips, leaning down to kiss at his knees. "I know we need to talk. I'm aware we desperately need to talk, but Cloud, I haven't had you in so long."
Cloud spread his legs to allow Sephiroth to crawl between them, moaning as his mouth was claimed and his arms came to wrap around his neck. "Missed you," he managed, pushing at Sephiroth's leather jacket to get down to flesh as that mouth traced down his neck.
He was yanked up as Sephiroth grabbed for the bottom of his sweater, drawing it over his head as he threw it to the other side of the tent. Cloud was seated half in the other's lap, cheeks heated as he realized the slight swell of his stomach was revealed as he stiffened in the Alpha's arms.
Sephiroth knitted his eyebrows as he could clearly sense the hesitation, cupping his face as Cloud squirmed atop him. "What?" The Omega pushed at him, trying to crawl off as hands wrapped tight around. "Cloud, what?"
He tried to turn his head to the side, but Sephiroth's finger trailed down his cheek, before tilting it back towards him to look into glowing eyes. "It's weird. I'm starting to show and it's weird." His Alpha's silver eyebrows shot up towards his hairline at the words, and a grin spread quickly across his face. "Don't laugh at me!" Cloud warned, fingers gripping that long hair as he shifted atop him, uncomfortable as Sephiroth glanced down to the small swell.
Sephiroth leaned in, placing a kiss against his cheek before pulling him close in his arms. "I adore you."
Cloud sighed, heart swelling as he leaned back into Sephiroth's mouth, pressing against him as their tongues swirled. What had happened earlier...that was his fault. He had gone to Zack before even thinking of his mate...his mate who made his head swirl beyond reason with love when he finally got back to him. The insanity he had felt reflected in Sephiroth had been his fault.
Reaching down between them, Sephiroth worked on the clasp of his leather pants, never breaking the kiss as he lifted Cloud just enough to get his boxers down below his knees. Cloud shuddered as he sank down upon Sephiroth, his body accommodating for its Alpha as wetness poured down his thighs.
His nails dug into Sephiroth's scalp as the entire length was pressed inside of him, wrapping his legs around the SOLDIER's back. He was desperate for them to be connected on a deeper level. He wanted to know that his mate wasn't angry with him. He wanted to know that he was okay. Cloud pressed up against their connection as Sephiroth's hands began to raise his hips up and down atop him. The last thing he wanted was to feel that barbed wire surrounding Sephiroth. He wanted to just feel him.
Cloud scraped up Sephiroth's soul at the same time as the Alpha's teeth sunk into his shoulder, and he poured into his lover's mind without issue. He gasped at the pain in both his shoulder and his mind as he arched his back, moving faster atop him.
He saw what he had done in Wutai, taking in every death...every sin...sharing his mate's pain as he refused to let Sephiroth keep the burden to himself. Sephiroth's teeth sunk into his other shoulder, blood pouring down his back as Cloud reveled in how much he loved his Alpha. ...How sorry he was that he had worried him...caused him pain.
When it was over, Cloud lay with his back towards his mate, sated and feeling practically drugged as his neck and shoulders were covered in bites, and his belly was full of his mate's seed. "I'm sorry I worried you," Cloud breathed out, completely sedated and compliant as he reached back to play with his mate's hair.
Sephiroth inhaled his scent, nose pressed to the mess that was his mating mark as his hand came down to the swell in Cloud's stomach. "I'm sorry I scared you. I don't want you to ever be scared of me."
Cloud shifted, moving to lay on his back as his head rested on Sephiroth's forearm, staring up at the other in question. "Rufus led me here by the nose. He wants me to see what's in that reactor, and Hojo told you where I was...which means he wants you to know as well. We're walking into a trap."
Sephiroth hummed his agreement, kissing him softly as he laid their foreheads together. "Almost certainly a trap. I don't think there's any going back now, though."
"We spring the trap?" Cloud asked, eyes searching his Alpha's as the other sat up and reached for his jacket.
"Something like that." Sephiroth pulled a syringe out from the pocket, holding it up as Cloud pulled the sweater over his head. "We have to give you this now."
Cloud scrubbed his hand through his hair, ruffling up his spikes and frowning as he lifted up ruined boxers. "What is it?"
"Medicine, for you...and the baby." Sephiroth was frowning as he stared down at the syringe like it was poison.
"That stuff that Hojo's been giving me?" Cloud questioned, staring down at it in distaste. "I don't think I need it. I feel fine."
"You will take it," Sephiroth replied, voice leaving no room for argument.
"What is it?" Cloud asked again, eyebrow arched, leaning back as he pulled his jeans back over his hips. "Hojo wouldn't tell me, but it makes me feel…"
"Aroused?" Sephiroth questioned, and Cloud's cheeks heated as the Alpha seemed to know exactly what the medicine did. "That's why we did what we did first...to calm down your impulses."
"My impulses?" Cloud frowned. "Do you mean as an Omega I just couldn't seem to help myself from jumping…" He was never allowed to continue as his arm was grabbed and the needle was plunged into his arm.
The sclera expanded in his eyes as he felt his mind expand. Needwantlovedesirefear all filled him as he couldn't help but picture Zack's face, shaking his head as his own mate's face came back to the forefront, leaning in to the embrace as Sephiroth's arms surrounded him.
He whined before he could help himself, laying his head on Sephiroth's shoulder as he felt beyond drugged. "Why did you do that?"
"For you," Sephiroth assured him, kissing his spikes as he allowed Cloud to collapse against his still nude body. "It's okay to fall asleep. You need your rest before we get to the top of the mountain in the morning."
Cloud nodded as he was laid back atop the sleeping bags, Sephiroth covering him as his drugged eyes fluttered shut. "Sephiroth?" he found himself murmuring as the blood from all the bites on his shoulder soaked through his sweater. "Don't leave."
"Sleep." The command registered with his brain as memories from two different lovers warred with each other in his mind. He faintly felt lips against his forehead before the distant sounds of clothes rustling and a zipper assaulted his senses. As Sephiroth left and his mind began to drift, he couldn't stop but wonder why the memories of Zack seemed so much more potent, even as he was surrounded in the scent of his mate.
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A/N- Sorry for the short chapter. I kind of wanted to split the two group's chapters before finally getting to the reactor. Sephiroth is...manipulative...biting and injecting his own venom over and over again...but I also feel sorry for him. Hope you enjoyed!