I think I'm almost ready for the theory exam, I texted Sephiroth later that evening.
After a few minutes, his reply came: *Really, you think so? Greetings, Sephiroth.*
I chuckled at his formal tone. It was always like this—he started with such a professional air but loosened up as the conversation went on. Well, as long as he did that, I didn't mind.
*Yeah, when's the exam? In two or three weeks, right?* I asked while settling into my bed with a book.
He replied about five minutes later: *Yes, Wednesday in two weeks. Sorry for the late replies. I'll take a quick shower!*
My thoughts began to wander, and I couldn't resist teasing him: *Okay, don't wanna disturb the naked instructor * :x O_O*
Before I could think any further, I got an answer already. *Turn the camera off! ;) ;)*
I laughed, recalling the ongoing joke between us. My imagination, however, was already running wild—Sephiroth in the bathroom, water cascading down his sculpted body, his silver hair glistening in the steam, those gorgeous glowing eyes...
* * Who says... O_O ... that it's... * turned on... * * I added a bunch of drooling smileys with heart-eyes and
grinned widely.
*How else would you know that I'm naked?! ;) ;)* My grin widened when I noticed how fast his answers were coming
now. I concluded that he was probably sitting on a chair in the washroom and texting me in all his naked pride...
*Are you? O_O * * I wanted to make sure that I had all rights to imagine...
When I got his confirmation, I blushed brightly. *For the shower, that would be better! ;) ;)*
I felt how hot my face was and how hard my head—among other things—was pounding. I saw him in a sensual position,
leaning backwards lightly, the sweat or water from the steam rolling down his chest in tiny droplets... tracing his muscular
body...
*And how come I have the privilege of you texting with me while being naked? * O_O*
Now I felt like I was the one making him wait for answers... But I couldn't stop my brain from seeing those images, not
even if I tried...
*That's nothing dramatic, is it... ;) ;) you're not seeing anything, after all ;)...*
'Gah, what a tease he is...' I thought, between frowning and being somewhat turned on.
*Photo B-) * * I added a blushing smiley... Guess I'd just play along...
*Of the shower? ;)*
Oh, he was enjoying this. I could almost hear the smirk in his voice through the text.
I grinned, my head screaming 'TEASE! Tease! Tease!'
*You also got one of me under the shower :D* I quipped, thinking back to our banter the previous day. 'I'll have to thank Zack again... This is amazing...'
Thinking of Zack, I had received several of his messages as well but kind of ignored them since most were only about him doing well in missions, or which future events he helped planning... and so on. I sometimes answered "Sounds great" or something along those lines, knowing that he wasn't used to getting much more of a text answer out of me. Unlike Sephiroth...
I felt a twinge of disappointment when I didn't get a reply to my last text, but I chalked it up to the General being as busy as ever. By now, I'd noticed that he only responded at specific times—likely during brief breaks between classes or Field Training. Seeing how packed his schedule was, I couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and relief. I valued my free time now, but I knew that would change as I climbed the ranks.
So instead of sulking, I chose to get ready for bed instead and mentally prepare for the test exam which apparently was in three days.
By now I felt pretty prepared, there still was stuff that I hadn't studied yet, but there still were like two or three weeks until the real exam.
For the next three days, I decided to revise some more. I was a bit sad when Sephiroth didn't SMS me a new appointment yet – after all, he would already be gone in a few days – starting next Monday. Still, I focused on my studies.
As for the test exam, I woke up early at 6 to take it at 7. It took place in the same room where my classes with Sephiroth were – therefore I knew that I only needed 10 minutes to get there.
I felt pretty prepared as of now and when I saw that Zack would pass me the papers, I smiled widely.
"Here ya go, Spike. And don't take it too seriously if you don't pass. You're allowed to make three mistakes in 30 questions. Yadda yadda, you know the rest! Good luck!" The raven-haired man smiled and placed the sheets and a pen in front of me.
The questions felt manageable—only three or four gave me pause, but I made my best guesses. When I finished, I handed my paper back to Zack, who immediately checked it. 'The real exam will not be here, though... But in some cheat-proof building with all the other 3rd ranked SOLDIERS... Doubt I'll be as easygoing then...'
Just in this moment, someone walked into the room from the backdoor... Someone with silver hair...
Phone in hand, he looked over, noticed the commotion, and gave me a small wave before disappearing into the adjacent kitchen.
My eyes drifted back to Zack, who was just finishing up, it seemed. "... Also correct... Yes... Yes... Okay, done!", he lifted up the papers.
"So?" I asked, stepping closer.
I could already read the answer on Zack's grinning face, but then he got up to hug me tightly. "Congrats, Spike! Zero mistakes! You nailed it!"
"Ahh... Really?" I struggled for air, noticing Sephiroth's head poking out from behind the kitchen door to check what was going on.
After my friend was done pressing his cheek against mine, he signed and stamped the test. "Seph, dear, sign this for me, will ya?"
I chuckled when the General narrowed his eyes at the "dear", but came our direction anyway. "Yeah, okay. Okay, bye now." He hung up the phone, then looked at me. "Congrats. I knew you could do it. Now for the real exam..."
"Thank you, Sir! Yes, I know," I beamed, watching Zack typing something into the computer and then printing a paper.
He passed Sephiroth the freshly printed document, who signed and handed it over to me.
My raven-haired friend spoke up. "You gotta pass this the examiner on the real exam day in two weeks. That way he knows that you're legitimately joining early."
I smiled, happy that I was proceeding so quickly. When I was about to leave, I suddenly remembered something.
"Oh... What about the next appointment, Sir?" I looked at Sephiroth, who was about to leave the room again.
He looked surprised, then quickly said "Sorry, must have forgotten about. I've been busy these few days, preparing the mission."
"No problem, I thought so." I leaned against the door, waiting for him to take out his schedule.
"Saturday... Let's see... at... eight in the morning? That's the only free slot I've got, sorry."
"Sure!" I said immediately. 'Happy enough that I will see him at least one or two more times before he's gone for so long...'
"Okay, I'll send you a confirmation by SMS later. Gotta go now." He muttered, facing the door again, Zack following.
"See you!" I waved, a bit sad that I wasn't getting a hug today. 'At least I am getting hugs from him. I doubt many people have that luck...' That thought made me happy again. Thinking of him was all I needed to be happy...
Friday promised to be a bit more eventful than the days before. Over lunch and afterward, I'd planned to spend time with Kunsel and his friends to see a musical. I couldn't help but wonder sarcastically which one they had in mind this time.
We'd already seen LOVELESS at least four times—we being me included. I had no idea how many times Kunsel had gone on his own, but it was definitely enough to qualify him as an aficionado.
During the play, I received an SMS from my instructor, confirming our scheduled meeting for Saturday. I didn't reply, though, not wanting to appear bored—even though I sort of was.
After the performance, we stopped by a small café for coffee and tea, chatting about the play, recent events, and, naturally, our love lives. It was a good time all around, and after my second cup of coffee, I excused myself, claiming I needed to shower since I had plans to head to Zack's later that evening.
Once I was out of the shower, I stretched out on my bed to relax for a while before heading over at seven. The darkness outside, brought on by the early winter sunset, made it clear there weren't many options for outdoor activities this time of year. If the weather had been better, I wouldn't have minded going to a lake, hiking in the mountains, or even indulging in some shopping, if I had to.
Thankfully, we had the comfort of warm apartments—mine shared with Kunsel, while Zack had the luxury of his own space. The perks of being 1st Class. While I genuinely liked Kunsel, I couldn't deny that I valued privacy even more.
Now that I had some free time, I decided to message the General. Or "disturb", whichever was the case...
*So... how about that photo? ;) , I texted him, looking at our previous conversation about photos under the shower.
I got an answer pretty quickly, happy about the fact that he probably was on one of his breaks.
*About to take a shower now, but... No, no... You can take one of me during Field Training.*
That was more than I had expected from a mock question anyway – I doubted that it was normal to just casually take a photo of him then. However, compared to a shower photo...
Still, I grinned. *Aw, come on, as if I'd do something kinky with it... :D*
*Yeah?.. Who knows ;)*
I blushed, pleased that he was playing along again.
Deciding to keep this little game going, I answered: *;) Yeah, true, considering who is in the photo...*
*Now, now... Cloud! ;)* I didn't know whether to blush at the fact that he was not stopping... Or at the fact that he had said my name. I wasn't sure, but I had pretty much never heard him say it before. It somehow made me feel a little closer to him...
*O_O I didn't say anything...!, I tried to defend but chuckled, lying down with my head on my pillow. I was still in a towel only 'Have to remember to get dressed later.' Mental poke.
*Kinky with a photo of my shower? ;) Weird...*
'Silly man, he knows exactly what I mean...' I thought, typing *O_O If I only get one of you during Field Training, then it doesn't matter, anyway...*
I was amazed at how quickly the General was answering right now.
*Is that not enough for you?*
'It would be, but if I have the chance to get more...' I continued my thoughts. *If I already had it right now, then maybe... Or do you mean enough for something kinky? O_O*
*But don't you have a camera in my shower for that? ;), he teased me.
*It stopped working =( But you can still please me with a photo right now!*
Only after hitting send, I realized how suggestive it sounded, so I quickly added: *O_O Of course not literally... Getting back to the kinky topic*
The next thing he texted made me blush furiously—and awakened... other parts of me.