FIFTEEN
As I walked with Tifa back to the barracks, I had to remind myself that we were actually a thing now. It was kinda hard to believe it really happened, but that kiss today hadn't been a dream. Neither was the feel of her hand holding mine as we walked. It wasn't far to where we were going, just down the hall a bit, but I was almost in a daze. Couldn't take my eyes off her, either. Damn, she was beautiful.
"You had a good time?" Tifa asked.
"Yeah," I nodded. "You?"
She smiled. "It was wonderful. And a good chance to unwind after all we've been through lately. I think we needed it."
"No argument there," I agreed.
After a minute or two, we came to the barracks. Unlike the ones in the caves, which were just rows of beds in a single room, these were all separate rooms where two or three people could bunk at a time. Wedge and I were sharing one, and so were Lena and Yuffie. Well, until now, I guess. Lena wouldn't be back in there 'till the doc released her from the infirmary. So Yuffie'd have the place to herself.
Barret and Red also had a room, and so did Aerith and Tifa. Cloud had crashed in another after the battle, but I knew he'd be upstairs with Jessie tonight and for the rest of the time they were here. He was crazy about her, although he didn't have a clue how to say it. Made her happy and looked out for her, though, and that was enough for me. Knowing Jessie, she was probably all over him by now.
I stopped with Tifa outside her door. "Well, Tif, I guess this is it for tonight. I know you must be pretty tired."
"Not yet," she murmured, her eyes finding mine.
"Uh, really?" I asked.
Tifa took a step closer. "Yeah. You?"
"Same," I said. "Why?"
She swallowed, and I could tell she was nervous. "Well, um… I was wondering if… you'd like to come in."
I gaped at her, my heart pounding. "A-Are you sure?"
"Totally," Tifa said, sealing it with a kiss.
"Then, yeah, I'd like that," I agreed. "But, uh… what about Aerith? Won't she be coming back later on?"
She smirked. "Not tonight. She's gonna bunk with Yuffie."
"Oh… you asked her?" I blinked.
"Before we left," Tifa nodded. "Just in case."
I chuckled. "Good call."
"I thought so, too," she laughed, opening the door.
Her room wasn't much different from mine, just a bed and dresser on each side. Like all the others, it didn't have a bathroom. That was at the end of the hall. After closing and locking the door, Tifa took me by the hand and guided me over to the bed on the left. It was a twin, just a plain mattress, blanket, pillow, and sheets, but it was comfortable as we sat down side by side, still holding hands.
"I'm kinda nervous, to be honest," Tifa admitted. "You?"
"Yeah," I agreed.
She smiled. "That makes me feel a little better. I've, um… that is… I've never actually… you know… before."
"You don't have to do this, Tif," I said. "No rush."
Tifa wrapped her arms around me. "That's sweet, Biggs. But I want to. I really do. You see, I know you and Wedge are gonna stay here with Lena when the rest of us leave to go after Sephiroth."
I hadn't told her yet, but I wasn't surprised. "I don't want her being all by herself, not with what she's going through."
"I know, and I feel the same way," she said. "I'm glad you guys'll be here looking after her. But before I leave, I wanna enjoy the time we do have together. There's no way for us to know when we'll see each other again. It could be months, even a year."
"I hear ya," I nodded.
Tifa kissed me. "So, um… what about you?"
"I have, but it's been a long time," I admitted. "Not that I've had all that much experience. So I hope I won't disappoint ya. I'm a little outta practice. But I, uh… I promise I'll do my best."
"You'll be fine," she assured me.
With that, we didn't need any more words. Fire ran under my skin at the feel of her lips, and it only went hotter when our hands started to explore each other. I kept mine only on her back, shoulders, and face at first, but then Tifa swallowed, took a deep breath, and pulled my hand down to her chest. I think she was as nervous as I was. When I felt how soft she was even through her shirt, my breath caught in my throat, my heart raced like crazy, and I had to keep reminding myself that this was really happening. I kept expecting to wake up.
But I wasn't asleep. This was real, and so was Tifa. She let out a soft little moan between kisses as I gently did what half the guys in Sector 7 had only dreamed of doing. Tifa could've had any man she wanted, but she'd picked me. Didn't know how I'd gotten so lucky, but I intended to show her how much it meant to me. Every day, as much as I could. So I deepened the kiss and gave her what she wanted.
When we came up for air, I pulled off my gloves, boots, and leather shoulder harness while she took off her shoes and the mythril claws I'd given her and put them aside. Then she took my hands in hers, and the feel of her skin on mine was electric. I couldn't help smiling a little, and she did the same. Then I planted a kiss on the back of her right hand. It might've been a little old-fashioned, but Tifa loved it, eagerly leaning in and introducing her tongue to mine. And as they touched and swirled around each other, she somehow got my shirt off.
"You're pretty cute, you know," Tifa giggled.
I gave her a little grin. "Thanks. Not so bad yourself."
She slid her hands over my skin, making me shiver. "Mmm… I like it. Feels nice. But tonight isn't just about me. This is for you, too. And I wanna make you as happy as you make me."
"Tifa?" I murmured.
Taking a long, deep breath, she slowly pulled her shirt up over her head and tossed it onto the floor, then did the same with her support. I felt my mouth suddenly go dry as I saw Tifa sitting there, exposed, and she couldn't keep from blushing as she looked at me, no doubt waiting to see how I'd react and what I thought.
She swallowed. "Well, um… what do you think?"
"Perfect," I told her, and meant it.
They were, in every way. Tifa smiled as her blush deepened, and as she leaned in and rewarded me with a kiss, I felt her press softly against me and let out a little gasp in spite of myself. Fire blazed under my skin at the contact, and I had to remember how to breathe. Then, when her eyes found mine and I laid my hands on her shoulders, she touched my cheek and nodded. That was all I needed. I slid my fingers downward, moving gently, almost reverently, 'till I found them. Then I got to work as Tifa pulled me down with her onto the bed.
Cloud had barely closed the door of my quarters behind us when I wrapped my arms around him and slammed my mouth against his. He barely had time to get part of a word out before my tongue cut him off and I pushed him up against the door, my blood burning with longing. I kissed him fiercely, stealing his breath as he held me against him and returned the favor, not the least bit surprised by my intensity. I wanted him, ached for him, and I made damn sure he knew it. He was like the air to me, and I took every bit of him I could get.
I broke off just long enough to come up for air and to let Cloud put Buster aside. Then, after he'd leaned it against the wall as I took off my gloves, we went right back at it. I grabbed him, covered his mouth with mine, and pulled him to my bed. It was a full size one, unlike the twins in the barracks—just one of the perks of the officer's quarters—and we tumbled right onto it, still tightly wrapped around each other. I landed on my back with Cloud on top of me.
But I didn't let it didn't stay that way for long. As our tongues wove together and my hands slid through his spiky hair, I rolled us over until I was on top and his face was in my hands. Cloud moved with me, and I couldn't help giggling a little at the way he felt as I lay on him. I could tell he wanted me me, alright. No need for words there. And I intended to give it to him, all night long. I'd missed him so much since we'd been apart, and I wanted to show him how I felt and how much I loved him. And have plenty of fun while I was at it.
"I really missed you, Cloud," I whispered between kisses.
"Yeah, I noticed," he quipped.
I laughed. "Guess I did make it kinda obvious, didn't I? Well, what can I say? I just can't resist you, merc."
"So I'm a magnet?" Cloud asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, yeah," I agreed. "And a pretty damn strong one, too. Pulls me right in every time. Powerful attraction."
He kissed me. "It's not one-sided, Jessie. At all."
"I love it when you let your guard down," I murmured as my heart skipped a beat. "Makes you so sweet and sexy."
"It's not easy," Cloud admitted.
I smiled. "I know, Cloud. Makes me feel special."
"Well, uh… you are," he said.
"Thanks," I whispered, touching my lips to his for a moment. Then I gazed hungrily at him and smirked. "By the way, there's another thing that's really nice about my new outfit."
Cloud looked curiously at me. "What's that?"
"It's easier to take off," I purred.
"Convenient," he said, sliding his hands from my arms to my chest. "You already know what to do with mine."
I grinned. "Do I ever!"
After I sat up just enough to give him some space, Cloud tossed his gloves aside, then unfastened the buckles on the front of my top. When they came undone, I felt the tough kevlar loosen, and I quickly took off my belt and made a little show of dropping it on the floor. Then Cloud brought his hands back to my chest, trailing his fingers lightly over my skin and making it tingle as he made his slow way downward from my collarbone to where my top was cut low between my curves. I let out a soft whimper of anticipation at his touch.
Then he carefully tugged the front of it down, revealing what I had waiting for him, and he didn't hesitate. My top had built-in support, so I didn't need to have anything on under it. I held Cloud against me and gasped in delight at the little sparks of heat he sent shooting under my skin with his touch and tenderness. As I slid my hands across his back, I sighed happily and buried him in my curves.
"I'd ask… if you're enjoying yourself," I moaned, "but… I know it's not polite… to talk with your mouth full."
After gently planting a kiss on the top of Cloud's head, I gave him a little nudge, and he let go of me just long enough for me to take hold of my top and pull it up over my shoulders and off completely to give him easier access. Then I gave him a little wink and beckoned him back in, making sure I jiggled invitingly as I did. He got the hint and gave both of my curves plenty of loving attention. I moaned and sighed in delight at the wonderful sensations and wrapped my arms around him, letting him have all the fun he wanted with me.
"Cloud…" I breathed.
He didn't answer since his mouth was busy doing more interesting things that made me whimper happily even as I ached with longing for more. After a few minutes, I decided to take things up a notch or three. I took his face in my hands again, lifted him off my chest, and pressed my lips hard against his as my blood burned with desire. As Cloud and I shared kisses full of tongue and passion, our hands eagerly roamed all over each other. Soon I had his leather harness unfastened and his shirt off and tossed them both onto the floor.
But I wasn't done yet. It was my turn to have a little fun. After we'd pulled away to kick off our boots, I took Cloud by the shoulders, kissed him again, and pushed him hard right back down onto the bed. Then I smooched my way down his firm chest, loving the breathy murmur he made as I gave him some of the same attention and pleasure he'd given me. At the same time, I reached my hand down and giggled when I felt him immediately straighten. I worked him in both places for a minute, winding him up nicely as I lay on top of him.
Once I moved further down, I had his pants off in seconds. Then I eagerly took hold of my prize. I didn't rush but took my time, wanting to show Cloud my love and give him my own personal reward for how hard he'd fought today. His fingers slid through my hair as I gently but firmly tended to him, and I felt him unfasten my headband and hair tie and drop them onto the floor. Then, as my hair spilled loosely over my shoulders, Cloud buried his hands in it and just lay there in bed on his back while I tenderly took care of him.
His head sank back onto the pillow. "Jessica…"
As he groaned softly and started quivering underneath me, I knew he was getting close. Cloud slid one hand down to my bare back while I concentrated on bringing him the rest of the way. A moment later, he gasped and lurched as he hit the brink, but I was right there waiting for him. I caught it all and made sure none of it got away as his grip on me tightened for a moment and everything burst out.
When it was over, I moved back up again, savoring the taste of him on my lips, and kissed him. "How was that?"
"Incredible…" he murmured.
"Well, you more than earned it," I smiled. "Like I've always told ya, a girl's gotta take good care of her hero."
Cloud smirked. "Guess I'm in good hands, then."
I giggled. "Sure are. In both ways."
"So are you, Jessie," he said. "My turn now."
With that, Cloud flipped me over so that I was on my back and he was on top of me. Then, after unbuckling my hip pad and holsters and tossing them aside, he pulled off my pants as well. I shivered in delight as I felt him touch me through the fabric of my black underwear, and I moaned in anticipation. I was so ready for him, and he knew it. Cloud started me off slow and gentle, and I whimpered a little as small spikes of delicious heat shot up through my body.
At first, he kept the black cotton between us, driving me wild with need and desire—which was exactly what he wanted to do—then, after my murmured pleas, he finally pushed it aside and went to me directly. I gasped as Cloud worked his magic on me, and my breathing soon got a lot heavier as he quickly picked up speed.
"Damn, Cloud…" I breathed. "You haven't lost your touch."
"Enjoying it so far?" he asked.
That was an understatement. "Hell, yeah…"
"Good," Cloud answered.
Then I lifted my hips, and he slid my underwear down my legs and off before tossing them aside and quickly getting back to work. He was wonderful, playing me like an instrument, and I held onto him while I felt the heat spiraling faster and faster inside me. Cloud's fingers were a joy to experience, bringing me closer and closer to release as I lay there in bed with one hand buried in his blond spikes while the other lay on the tangled sheets and grabbed them tight.
"Cloud… you're amazing… you know that?" I moaned.
He didn't answer, but that was alright. His mouth was full again, as I discovered when I suddenly felt a sharp spike of pleasure and gasped. I was almost there now, moving fervently against him as he continued to take care of me. And then, a moment later, my voice filled the room as I came and waves of sweet fire swept through me. As my toes curled and my hips bucked, my cry of ecstasy went on and on. When it finally faded and Cloud moved up next to me, I kissed him long and deep and knew one thing more than anything else.
We were just getting started.
"You ready, Tif?" Biggs asked.
I nodded, tenderly stroking his cheek as he lay on top of me under the sheets. The rest of our clothes were scattered on the floor, and we'd spent time exploring each other and working up to this moment. I was a little nervous, but I really wanted it—wanted him. He'd felt wonderful enough on the outside when I'd tended to him and gotten him warmed up, but I knew it'd be even better once he went inside. And the way he'd touched me and carefully primed me for this had left me quivering and breathless with need and anticipation.
"Go on, Biggs," I told him, covering my lips with his for a moment as he held me in his arms. "I want this. I want you."
He returned the kiss. "Same here."
Then he started moving, slowly at first as he eased his way in. And even though I'd braced myself for it, I still winced a bit when Biggs got through. He looked at me in concern, but I brushed it off with a smile, kissed him again, and lifted my hips to move with him and show him I was alright. So he kept going—we both did—and soon the pleasure he was bringing me drowned out the pain.
"Biggs…" I mewled as the heat spiraled inside me.
He stayed close as we went faster and our tongues met and danced together. "I'm here for ya, Tif. I'll always be here…"
I knew he would. "Don't leave… when it happens. Okay?"
"You mean…?" Biggs breathed.
"Stay in me," I whispered. "I wanna feel it all."
He nodded. "Sure. But what about…?"
"It'll be fine," I assured him. "I've… taken care of it."
"You knew… we'd do this?" Biggs asked.
I nibbled hungrily on his ear, minding the gold ring he wore there. "No, but… I hoped we would. So I… got ready."
"Good enough for me," he chuckled.
The quartermaster's shop had more than just weapons and armor. It had all kinds of food, gear, and supplies. Even medicines. I'd gone in there earlier today before the party and had bought myself a small box of pills for tonight and the rest of the time I would be here, just in case. I'd been a little embarrassed when I'd gone to pay for it since it was the first time I'd ever gotten anything like that. But I hadn't wanted to take any chances if everything worked out as well tonight as I'd hoped. And it had, so much more than I could've dreamed.
Seeing Jessie walk into the shop and pick out the exact same thing had helped me relax, and we'd shared a knowing laugh together as we'd checked out. Aside from a little good-natured teasing, she'd also wished me luck—as well as made me promise to tell her all the juicy details. I'd agreed, although I hadn't been able to keep from blushing. After Jessie had given me a few tips for tonight, she'd left to go and visit Lena in the infirmary while I'd headed over to the mess hall, my stomach swirling with feathers at the thought of being with Biggs.
As we kept moving together in bed and the heat continued to build up inside me, I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his shoulders with my hands clasped at the base of neck. My lips found his again, and the closer I got to release, the more passionate and fierce my kisses became and the hotter the pleasure burned inside me. In the midst of the little whimpers and moans that I let out whenever I broke away for air, I found myself urging Biggs on.
"Harder, Biggs…" I murmured. "Faster… I'm… almost there. Just a little farther… to go. You can do it…"
He did as I asked, intensifying his movements even as they started to get more ragged, and I gasped as he pushed me straight to the brink. For a moment, I hovered there, my body taut as a wire underneath his and covered with sweat, and then, just a moment later, my voice turned into one long, wordless moan of delight and euphoria as Biggs took me over the edge. In the midst of my climax, I held his face in both hands, pressed my lips fervently against his, and clamped my legs even tighter around him as my body trembled and shook.
A firestorm of pleasure exploded inside me, and I rode it out for as long as I could to give Biggs time. When he followed just seconds later, groaning heavily and murmuring my name, I held him against me and kissed him again and again. He stayed just as I'd asked him to, and as I felt his warmth, I kept moving my mouth on his, holding it there until we'd both relaxed and the aftershocks had faded.
"Wow…" Biggs breathed.
"You were wonderful," I whispered, gazing tenderly at him.
He smiled as he panted for breath. "Thanks, Tifa. But I gotta say… you were… pretty amazing yourself."
I blushed. "Biggs…"
"I love you," he murmured.
My heart skipped a beat as my lips found his again. When I pulled away, I was smiling. "I love you, too…"
After I'd caught my breath and held Biggs close for a while with his head on my shoulder, he kissed me, then slid off and laid down next to me. I eagerly snuggled up to him, and he took me in his arms. I laid my head on his chest, loving the sound of his heartbeat and the soft touch of his fingers sliding through my hair. I felt drowsy, but I didn't wanna go to sleep just yet. I just wanted to be with him.
Biggs and I talked late into the night, sharing memories of the days he and I had spent in Sector 7, the drinks we'd had together, the way he had always helped me clean up and how we'd fallen for each other, and more. We also talked about the reactors and the plate, both of us full of regret over what we'd done and all that had happened because of it. But we took comfort in each other and resolved to do whatever we could to try and make things right. And I knew we would.
Sweat pouring off my skin, I rode Cloud with my back to him and my right hand lightly holding onto his head as he sat behind me on the bed. I kissed him fiercely with lots of tongue in between short, gasping breaths as we moved together and heat continued to build up between us. Cloud had his arms around me, one hand down low and one higher up, and he used both of them to please me and keep me going. The feel of him working me so well drove me wild, and my long hair wasn't the only thing bouncing with every move I made.
We'd been going at it all night off and on and had only taken a few short breaks to rest in between. That had been all we'd needed, though. I knew from experience that it didn't take Cloud long to recover from a round of passionate lovemaking, and neither did I. Seemed a bit faster for me than it used to, and I wondered if the mako had anything to do with it. Either way, I wasn't about to complain.
"Cloud…" I moaned as I kept moving, loving the way he felt in and around me. "You've really… got some talent."
"Always been a… quick study," he answered.
I giggled. "Lucky me…"
And damn, but I was. Cloud kept on going, never slowing down at all as he brought me closer and closer to the peak. As the fire inside me grew, I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, all my attention on the movements we made and the pleasure he was giving me. And I did my best to return the favor, riding him as hard and as fast as I could. From the way Cloud started trembling under me, I knew it was working. But he didn't let himself go yet. His SOLDIER stamina helped him take me the rest of the way to the promised land.
When I got there, I felt a burst of sweet fire detonate inside me like a bomb, and I cried out as waves of pleasure crashed over me. I arched my back but kept on moving, wanting to bring Cloud home just as he'd brought me. And then I felt him stiffen and lurch barely a second later, groaning as he released. His grip on me tightened as mine did on him, our voices mingling as he came along with me.
We rode it out together, holding each other as Cloud filled me with himself, and I kissed him fiercely, pressing his face firmly against mine with my right hand while I held his where it rested on my stomach. His left hand clutched me higher up—not so tight as to hurt, but enough to add to the pleasure he'd already given me. My toes curled and my brain melted as the delicious heat overwhelmed me.
When it was over, I pulled away and sank my head back against his shoulder as I gazed lovingly at him and panted for breath. Cloud's arms held me close, and for a moment, we just sat there together like that as we basked in the warm afterglow of our passion. With my back against his chest, I could feel him trying to catch his breath, and after sharing a few tender kisses with him, I sighed contentedly.
"Finally… worn out?" I teased.
"Maybe…" Cloud admitted. "But I'm… fine with another round… if you are. Once I've… rested a bit."
I laughed. "Oh, that'd be great, but I think… I'm done for now. We should probably get some sleep… while we can. But don't worry, merc. Because there's always… tomorrow night."
"Looking forward to it," he whispered, kissing me.
"You and me both," I agreed.
Then he gently pulled me down onto the pillows and continued to hold me as I lay there with him and pulled the blankets up so that we'd be comfortable. I felt safe and protected in his arms, and even though I could take care of myself pretty well, I still loved that feeling, knowing that Cloud would always be there for me.
I touched my lips lightly to his. "I love you…"
Cloud returned my kiss, but as I'd expected, not the words. Despite the small ache of disappointment I felt, I knew he cared for me, even if he couldn't say yet what I wanted so much to hear. Until whatever was wrong with him inside was fixed, he wouldn't. But I still longed for the day when he'd finally tell me he loved me. As I laid with him, I changed the subject to avoid ruining the mood.
"Cloud," I said. "When you and the others leave here to get back on the hunt for Sephiroth, I'm going with you."
"Thought as much," he nodded.
I smiled. "We'll kick his ass together, alright?"
"Definitely," he agreed.
"Any idea when we'll go?" I asked.
Cloud shrugged. "Dunno. He's heading for Junon, but I doubt he'll get too far ahead. He wants us to follow him."
"Well, now there's a cheerful thought," I quipped.
"You asked," he said.
I chuckled. "Guess I did, didn't I?"
As I listened to Cloud's heartbeat, I thought about what I'd seen on the edge of Midgar. I hadn't told him or the others about it, about those horrible visions Sephiroth had sent me, and I still didn't know for sure what they meant. All they knew was that I'd heard from him there, but I'd kept to myself what he'd said to me and that I'd also run into him on the way to Wall Market. Thinking of all that made me uneasy, though, so I put it aside and just focused on the moment.
"Dunno about you, Cloud," I yawned, "but I think I'm gonna sleep in tomorrow. We had a pretty long day."
"No kidding," he agreed.
I laughed, feeling better already. "And maybe, if you're up to it, we can go another round when I wake up. Nothing like starting off the day with a little morning fun and passion, right?"
Cloud nodded. "Sounds good."
"Awesome!" I smirked, giving him another kiss. Then I pulled the covers up close to my chin. "And in the meantime, I'm gonna go ahead and get some shut-eye. Goodnight, Cloud!"
"Night, Jessie," he murmured.
Then I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep. For awhile, I stayed where I was, more content than I'd been in a long time. Then, as I relaxed, I eventually rolled onto my side, facing away from Cloud but still so close to him that I could feel his chest resting lightly against my back and his hand as he reached over and held mine. Wrapped as I was in his arms, I finally fell asleep, not knowing then about the nightmare that was waiting for me in my dreams.
