Love is companionship, love is concern and love is control. Sephiroth loves Cloud, as much as he loves controlling Cloud. Surely nothing will make him happier.
Aware, aware, you stalk your prey
With criminal mentality
You sink your teeth into people you depend on
Infecting everyone, you're quite the problem
Fee-fi-fo-fum, better run and hide
I smell the blood of a petty little coward
Control
He takes a deep breath. Choked, scared, desperate. He looks around and then up, where the enormous Mount Nibel rises magnificently. As he stands up, his foot hurts and upon checking it, he also notices the abundant fluid at his feet. It's a deep vibrant green and the burning it causes on his skin force him to look for a place away from the wetness, but he only falls back down because he slips.
He coughs and sobs in anguish, wanting the pain to stop tormenting him.
┈
"Isn't that...?"
"CLOUD!"
The boy is almost knocked over by his mother's hug. Strong and desperate, interrupted for a moment to check on him. The boy's face is pale, his lips dry and purple, his hair disheveled with traces of dirt on it. A few scratches and his eyes are open with a slight green glow in them. The townspeople communion with curiosity to see him. They thought he was dead, as it took him more than four days to return from Mount Nibel; being barely six years old, the assumption is justified. Many question how he could have returned; the influx of monsters has increased significantly with the war going on outside.
Claudia Strife uses all her strength to carry the boy and take him home, not wanting them to continue seeing and judging him like a strange animal. She undressed him, bathed him, and healed him, never leaving his side all day and in return, Cloud never ceasing to hug her.
It's abnormal behavior and because of that, Claudia knows something bad has happened to her son. Cloud is very shy and distant. The last time they were this close and cuddled, was when he was two years old. From the age of three, he became quite independent and aloof from physical contact.
At night, Cloud came down with a fever and didn't wake up for a whole day because of it. Everyone in Nibelheim talks and whispers about the mysterious incident involving Claudia’s boy. They wonder if some unknown force or person brought him safely to the village or if it was just pure luck that he made it back. Either way, it's unknown and it provides another topic of conversation besides the World War raging in the distance.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Mom, can I go out to Mount Nibel?"
"No."
Cloud exhales boredly, looking out the window. There's a light snowfall today. On Mount Nibel, it's much heavier and he can play in the snow. Here it doesn't accumulate, so there's nothing to do. Besides, he's terribly bored of being inside the house all the time. He gets up from the couch by the window and heads down the stairs to his room. Claudia sighs wearily.
It's been a few months since Cloud got lost and returned from Mount Nibel. Unlike before, she doesn't let him out much. Not even to school. She knows perfectly well that Cloud was too stubborn and took the challenge to go up the mountain. Cloud is too stubborn and he's still a child. He could get lost again, killing himself in the process. She's not going to allow it.
Claudia is also a teacher, so it's easy to homeschool him and only let him out when she's keeping a close eye on him. Without allowing other children near him. Claudia wipes her cheek and wonders why it has to be her son who always has misfortunes befalling him.
The others have their parents.
The others are trustworthy friends.
The others look out for each other.
And the others agree to bother and bully Cloud.
Claudia apologizes to the goddess almost every day, but she longs for one of them to break a leg, get seriously ill or whatever! And pay for the miserable life they give Cloud every day. It's a cruel thought, but why not have it? Up until now, the information they gathered about Cloud on Mount Nibel was a bad joke played by the other children who forced him there. A "small and childish" joke that almost cost his life.
If it weren't for the war, Claudia would pack her things and go with Cloud anywhere else. Nibelheim has become a nest of vipers she doesn't want to belong to.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Can't you go out yet, Strife? Doesn't your mommy let you?"
"You should hurry, your monster girlfriend is waiting for you in the ravine."
"Are you going to cry, Strife?!"
Cloud wipes the blood from his nose and clenches his fists. The white shirt with a couple of drops of blood. The children laugh and mock him. The usual. Everyone at the entrance to Mount Nibel, taking advantage of the adults' distraction from the communal meal being prepared. Cloud feels his body trembling and his blood boiling, but at the same time, he suffers a spasm that forces him to cover his mouth with his hands.
The children scream and run, scared of being blamed for this. Claudia, who was already arriving, stops a few steps away. Cloud turns to her, blood running thin and loose down his hands and arms, further soiling his clothes. His eyes are wide open, panic tinging his blue irises.
"Mom... I-it hurts," he murmurs in a pitiful, thin voice.
Claudia snaps out of his reverie and runs to his aid. She helps him clean himself up with her apron, telling him nothing is wrong and that he can both raise their heads to the cloudy sky, seeing planes and helicopters passing overhead for the first time. Claudia clasps Cloud's hands tightly and nervously.
The first time Cloud saw warplanes, his face and shirt were covered in blood and when he heard the first explosion, gunshots, and screams, he was sleeping in his room. From one minute to the next, Nibelheim was no longer excluded from the war.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Numerous helicopters, trucks and planes stop on the outskirts of the town. Military personnel from the multinational company ShinRa Inc. are stationed in the area. They don't ask permission or give any warning before starting the installation of heavy equipment, tents for resting and all the necessary equipment. At the same time, they don't make any demands. The people of Nibelheim is too scared of an attack and no one has the option to defend themselves.
Around noon, a larger helicopter finally arrives, bearing the company logo in better condition. Stepping out is a tall man with silver hair extending below his hips, his well-defined and exceptional face giving the impression of not being human but a superior species. A kind of god manifested to perfection.
A cold and cruel god, judging by his greenish, penetrating gaze. His slanted pupils analyze the panorama before him with considerable boredom. A barely existent town, with few people in contrast to other places. He came here only out of nostalgia, considering it was the town where he was born. Otherwise, he would have stayed in Midgar to remotely navigate the many encounters that occur between the SOLDIERs and the enemy nations, unwilling to let himself be ruled by Shin-Ra.
The atmosphere annoys him, and having to talk to all the inhabitants irritates him even more. There are many curious children, some mothers whispering to each other and the men are the most worried. Sephiroth runs his hand through his hair, untangling it and brushing back everything except his two long bangs. People get together by the order of a SOLDIER 3rd Class.
A small impact on his leg distracts him.
"S-sorry, sir."
Sephiroth opens his eyes slightly, staring at the small boy right next to him. He's short and has shiny blond hair, amusingly shaped like the feathers of a disheveled chocobo. However, what strikes him most, besides his childish face, are his blue eyes. Huge and full of hopeful brilliance. A hint of embarrassment on his face from the collision manifests in a blush.
"Cloud! I asked you not to go far!"
Sephiroth remains silent, a mute observer as the woman manages to pick him up and carry him with her. The woman's nervous, almost paranoid demeanor makes him curious. Sephiroth makes a small gesture with his hand to the child and heads to the center of town, where everyone is waiting for the information of these military people.
"Attention all inhabitants of Nibelheim," Sephiroth announces, his voice like a powerful thunderbolt capable of silencing them all. In the crowd, he manages to point out the two blond villagers. They are the only ones. The child is still in the arms of his overprotective mother. "As you well know, a war is currently taking place. It is impossible to say whether it is close to ending or not. However, the enemy ranks have begun their way here, so we find it necessary to use your location as a new base. So that you are protected and we can settle this matter."
The murmurs among them are loud. Sephiroth maintains an impassive and bored expression. This is why he hates having to be present. He usually only goes at specific times when there is a possibility that the outpost will fall or the troops will be exterminated. Arriving from the start predicts having to put up with a lot of nonsense. Someone raises their hand.
“Do we have to do anything? What happens if they attack?”
“You'll be taken to a bunker that's being built right now”, Sephiroth answers, turning his torso to the right, making everyone look in that direction. The machines are digging into the ground and leaving a huge mound of earth. “You must follow the SOLDIER's orders and avoid getting in the way when a situation arises. You can continue with your usual activities.”
He simply leaves. Someone else will take care of it if they have questions to answer. Sephiroth glances curiously to the south, finding the blond boy holding his mother's hand. He continues on his way. They'll build a huge installation, including a tent the size of his room for him to sleep in. He hopes that's the first thing they finish building.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud swings his legs, leaning against the window, watching the ShinRa SOLDIERs as they begin setting up their village on the outskirts. He never thought they would become a flashpoint in a war, much less that he would see the great General Sephiroth; many said he didn't exist. He rarely goes out and is usually the one who solves all the problems. It's impressive to have him here.
Cloud wonders if he can approach him. Despite that desire, Cloud is very aware that he wouldn't know what to do. He would freeze and remain silent in front of that tall, menacing man. Cloud manages to see Sephiroth in the distance, talking to some soldiers serving under his command. The General looks around for the person watching him, noticing Cloud at the window. The blond blushes and pulls away, running off to his room.
Sephiroth lets out a small, amused laugh, going about his business.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Fortunately, they take care of the monsters that wreak havoc in the village," Claudia comments after swallowing. She cuts into the meat on her plate. Cloud's cheeks are stuffed with food. "Though I wonder how true it is that a whole army would come and because of that, a whole ShinRa army is needed." Cloud swallows hard. Too much food in his mouth.
"Why would it be a lie? They're doing a lot of work. Why lie to work that much," Cloud says, swinging his legs. Claudia shrugs.
"I don't think there's anything in Nibelheim that justifies attacking. We're not a central location; we don't have mines, rivers or crops." She puts down her cutlery and rubs her eyes. "All there is is that old mansion and the reactor that no one ever visits."
"I thought in wars, everything was destroyed," Cloud admits, surprised. "Should they have something valuable?" Claudia laughs, nodding.
"Yeah, that must be it. It makes me a little nervous, sorry," Claudia agrees with a gentle and affectionate gesture. "Have you been feeling okay these days? Do you need to see a doctor?"
"I'm fine."
Claudia nods and continues eating.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“Mom, can I go out?”
“No.”
Cloud snorts in boredom and lies back on the couch. Claudia bites her lip, nervous. She knows Cloud doesn't have much to do inside the house, but he doesn't have much to do outside either. With the possibility of an attack and him running off to Mount Nibel again, it's impossible for her to let him go out. She's also aware that the children who bother him could always do it again, whether there is military presence or not. She scratches her forehead and smiles. Tense.
“On second thought... Go for a while. Don't go near the entrance to Mount Nibel.” She clarifies, and Cloud jumps up, runs to the hatch and leaves at full speed. Claudia goes to the window to watch him leave. He has something more interesting to do than go to Mount Nibel, which is lucky. Nevertheless, she's going to keep an eye out.
Like all the children of Nibelheim, wanting to see the ShinRa camp is the main attraction these days. In the blink of an eye, something new happens. Some have been able to enter the bunker, decide which bed they'd use, see the SOLDIERs training, the scientists checking on their performance and Sephiroth wandering around to make sure everything's going well at the camp. Cloud maintains a prudent distance from the rest of the children and the camp. He counts the people, the weapons they use, the clothes they wear. He climbs a tree and stays there for a while. He waves to his mother, who's been nervously looking for him. Maybe it's the same as being inside, but at least there's a bit of a breeze and he can see from a better vantage point. Cloud groans loudly at a sudden crash and looks in the direction where the rock was thrown. He does so back, hitting the boy's open mouth. Cloud laughs amusedly and starts to climb down the tree to go back home.
Without thinking they'll throw another rock at him, this time hitting him in the forehead and knocking him to the ground.
"Where do you think you're going, Strife?!"
"Let me go! You idiot!"
The fight between them is the usual. Harrison, Jack, Welt, Jobs; the girls are all in line, whispering and arguing about who will win or lose in this.
Sephiroth frowns, not understanding what the town children are all about. He heads in that direction, intending to send them home. They're all trembling and almost peeing themselves every time he gets close. They're pathetic. When he arrives, the girls hold their breath and step aside, scared and the few boys who notice do the same.
"What's going on here?"
There's a shriek and some run away, others babble to explain. One of them bursts into tears from the fear Sephiroth's gaze provokes in him. So cold and penetrating that it makes him flinch, feeling like he's being scrutinized for a way to murder him painfully. Cloud, for his part, sits on the ground and coughs, wiping the blood from his chin. Sephiroth opens his eyes in mild surprise that the blond, knowing he's standing there, would hit one of the children.
"Find something better to do than bother me! Idiot!"
The boy heads off in another direction. Sephiroth follows him with his eyes, making sure it's not too far and knowing where he's gone. He returns to the children.
"Go back home," he orders and they nod. Backs straight, chest puffed out, eyes averted. "I don't want this to happen again. I don't forgive troublemakers, and neither will ShinRa.”
"I-I'm-”
"I'm not hearing them."
"I-I'm-"
"Did someone give them permission to use the familiar form?"
"N-no, sir."
Sephiroth snorts and the children flee. The silver-haired man paces slowly in search of Cloud. The blond kid dusts off his clothes and tries to clean up the blood. If he gets home in really bad shape, Claudia won't let him out again. He sniffles and realizes he's crying. He wasn't doing anything and yet they still came looking for him to beat him up. He's so fed up with kids being such idiots.
The stress drives Cloud to a broken groan. He hates everyone in Nibelheim. He wishes he could just leave here, or for them all to disappear and leave him alone. He's startled by the feeling of someone behind him. He turns around and runs his hands hard over his face to wipe away the traces of tears and snot. Chills run through his skin for the same reason. His posture becomes more timid. Sephiroth standing before him creates a conflict between excitement at having the great General of SOLDIER and fear of being called out. He's a soldier. They're all very strict and serious.
"Are you okay?" Cloud nods. "I guess you can't feel most of your body. You don't look so good." Cloud runs his hand over his face, catching the trickle of blood from his forehead. The rock pierced his flesh.
"I'm fine, sir."
Sephiroth analyzes him carefully. He has long hair, thin skin that turns purple under light pressure. He is very thin and small. Despite his weakness and shyness, Sephiroth can easily notice one thing: the fierce gleam in his eyes. It's a charming trait that usually isn't found in children. After all, they lack the motivation to fight or hold real grudges.
This child is different. He is different from the other children of Nibelheim. He crouches in front of him, a Materia in his hand. Cloud stares at it and takes it when the general offers it to him. Cloud brings it up to his face. He's never seen a Materia, much less held one. It's impressive. He's able to sense the magic it emanates and with a slight flicker, some of his wounds heal. He jumps and looks at Sephiroth. Cloud shivers.
The smile and the look he receives are terrifying. A kind of direct fixation and satisfaction. He offers the Materia back and Sephiroth takes it, using it properly.
"Not many children are able to use a Materia the first time they hold one," Sephiroth says. Cloud bites his lip. "I hope you're smart and don't get into any more trouble with those kids."
"They're always looking for trouble, not me," Cloud complains sulkily at being asked that. "It wasn't my fault! I didn't do anything!" Sephiroth taps his lips, asking for silence. "The enemies, monsters and vermin will come to you on their own; you can't avoid it. You can only be smart and figure out how to win."
Cloud nods shyly. Sephiroth gets up and walks away slowly, still remembering the precious voice and image Cloud made that Saturday. The silver-haired man's mind begins to work at its maximum capacity, fantasizing about different, prettier clothes on such a charming boy, that the sparkle in his eyes becomes even more intense as it veers in another direction; the childish voice, but easily distinguishable… Too bad he still doesn't know his name.
He could see what there is to it.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Claudia didn't find out about the altercation, so she let Cloud go out the next day. ShinRa is guarding the entrance to Mount Nibel, so she can rest easy. Cloud, for his part, goes to continue watching the ShinRa camp. It's bigger than the town itself and it's funny to him. Cloud notices more equipment arriving. Huge robots, computers, shipments of mako. It's impressive.
"Strife! Come here!"
Cloud takes a couple of steps back, intimidated by Brant's presence. With him is his usual gang, including Tifa, who watches silently.
"It's your fault the General scolded us!" the infant two years older than Cloud concludes. "You'll prefer Mount Nibel, YOU DUMBASS!"
Cloud is quick to run. Just as Sephiroth recommended, he takes his time to think while running. The chase causes a nervous state, where his intellect goes to extremes and escaping the situation leads him to only one conclusion. He runs like never before, pursued by them, who don't realize they've entered the camp, much less entered the largest tent.
Cloud runs behind a huge black barrier, which turns out to be the General himself. Sephiroth shows slight surprise at having the blond in front of him and turning his torso, he sees that crowd of children with red faces, rancid sweat and scared expressions, barely noticing where they are. Sephiroth pats Cloud's head. He definitely wasn't going to be able to handle all these children. Who knows what the consequences would be.
"If I recall correctly, I informed some of you that ShinRa doesn't like troublemakers," he states slowly and firmly. "SOLDIER!" he calls and four of them appear. "Take each of them home and inform their parents that the next infraction will be punished."
"Yes, sir," they say simultaneously.
"Shall we take him too? Sir," one of them asks, pointing at Cloud. Sephiroth shakes his head.
"I'll take care of him. Leave."
"Yes, sir."
The children are escorted home. Cloud, for his part, thanks Sephiroth for his help and looks embarrassed. He hadn't thought the General would take his sudden arrival so well. He was clearly on other business.
"Did they hurt you again?" Sephiroth asks. Cloud shakes his head.
"No. I came here as soon as they started bothering me. They are very stupid. Since I'm not as stupid as they are, they hate me," Cloud explains easily. Sephiroth gives a weak laugh, crouching down and dropping to one knee. "You're right, they're very stupid," he concedes and Cloud's eyes sparkle with emotion. His mom always says he can't call others stupid for not agreeing. Sephiroth supports him and that makes Cloud happy. "And you're clearly different. You're special."
"I'm just not stupid."
Sephiroth gives a soft laugh. Cloud is the most charming child he's ever seen. He pats him on the shoulders and forces himself not to touch beyond that. He stands and offers his hand. Cloud takes it without thinking, walking beside him toward the village. The General drops the boy off at the entrance to his house. Cloud waves goodbye and enters his house. "I'm home, Mom! Something awesome happened!" he exclaims, running to where his mother is sewing clothes.
Sephiroth backs away slowly, not questioning how his being adapted so easily and charmingly to such a small child and so often yearns to touch him. However, the surge of hormones (serotonin and dopamine) in his body prevents him from dwelling on the subject. That child makes him surpass his capacity for comfort and joy with another person. Is it the child's appearance? Or the way the child smells? Either way, the disgust and righteousness in him died as soon as they arose. He'll continue to see Cloud, regardless of his age.
On the contrary, it will make everything easier.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
The blond infant's clothes slowly fall to the floor. The shirt, the T-shirt, the pants, the leggings and with nervous shyness, the boxers. Cloud places his hands behind his back, his red face and furrowed expression only adding to his embarrassment. Sephiroth reaches out his hand and takes it, sliding his own small one into it. Sephiroth takes in the body exposed in front of him, his hands resting on the fragile ribs.
Sephiroth slides his tongue over the warm chest, the hiding place of that frightened heart beating uncontrollably. He gasps, savors the boy's essence with pleasure and continues to consume his chest, caressing his sides and back. He sucks on the pink nipples, eliciting faint moans from the blond, who covers his mouth with the back of his hand. Sephiroth pauses for a brief moment, admiring him with intense, sparkling eyes. Cloud trembles at this gesture, an erection forming in his groin and his body swells with heat from the lustful attentions.
He opens his arms and embraces the General, who lifts him onto his lap. He is such a small child in his arms that he could absorb him and no one would notice. He kisses him on the shoulder, kisses his neck and his gloved hands close around the fragile existence. Sephiroth wakes up from that dream, with chills running down his spine and the feeling that more than just a dream, he could transform it into a reality.
"You haven't read those magazines in a while," Claudia mentions mischievously. Cloud ignores her, flipping through the pages.
It's a ShinRa magazine that talks about Sephiroth. Like almost all of them, actually. There are also photos of other SOLDIERs. Genesis Rhapsodos, Angeal Hewley; Zack Fair, the newly named SOLDIER puppy. When his mother bought it, Cloud read it all in a second and has reread it several times. On this particular occasion, to point out things he may or may not deny thanks to his closeness to Sephiroth. Or, the fact that he's helped him more than once is enough to indicate they have a "relationship" and know him. Better than many in the village, he must say.
Cloud's thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a not-too-distant explosion and then one of the walls of the house is destroyed "CLOUD!" Claudia exclaims, running for him. Cloud froze in fear at the sight of a monster just inches away, he’s rapidly taken by his mother. Claudia ran away with Cloud in her arms and the boy saw the monster chasing them.
Seconds later, it was riddled by ShinRa SOLDIER soldiers. One of them helped Claudia carry Cloud, hurrying them to the shelter. They were among the last to enter. The place was made of metal and had sophisticated mechanisms. As soon as everyone was inside, the place was sealed. Some SOLDIER soldiers stayed inside to help the wounded and in case, by some unfortunate miracle, the enemy managed to break through the defenses.
There were also screens that allowed them to see what was happening outside. Few couldn't see what was happening. The adults murmured about it, relieved at how the General and his soldiers had handled the situation. The children were up front, their eyes reflecting the glowing screens, their admiration growing ever more within them.
Sephiroth's display of skill was simply mind-blowing. He could destroy anything with undeniable and incredible grace. Cloud hugs his legs, staring and pressing his hands to his arms. General Sephiroth is very, very impressive and he'd like to tell him so.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"We'll have to start rebuilding. Most of you will stay inside the shelter until your homes are properly rebuilt. Were there any casualties?"
"We haven't counted any, sir, but several of our men were severely wounded," announces the SOLDIER 2nd Class who is next to Sephiroth to inform him.
"Stabilize them and send them home as soon as they're able to travel; I'll call in more troops. They clearly consider this place a point of interest. They wouldn't have sent such an attack force to a useless location," says Sephiroth thoughtfully. The SOLDIER leaves and Sephiroth goes to his tent.
The meeting with his superiors is long and as he imagined, no one said why Nibelheim has the slightest importance to anyone. Not even during wartime does this place have anything special. It's surrounded by a lot of forest, and monsters are inundated, making it difficult to go out alone. The reactor can explode, but that's always a possibility. The town is quite small and there's no interest in it, just ordinary people unlucky enough to have been born in the middle of nowhere.
A drab, dull, insipid place; perfect for hiding in case of a chase. He'd say the only thing worth exploring here, aside from its nightmarish mountain, is the Strife family. Watching them during the start of the attack, Sephiroth wonders how Claudia is able to take Cloud everywhere and yet still have that same determined gleam in her eyes. It's overwhelming that her son is even more of a cuddler than she is. They also stand out for being outcasts among their people.
Claudia socializes with others, but she isn't included. She's apart, and that shows in her son as well. Everything, both good and bad, was inherited by that child who invades Sephiroth's dreams and creates fantasies that gradually escalate in level.
Sephiroth didn't pay attention to the last thing they told him at the meeting; they'd send it to him in writing as a summary anyway, a practice he did because of the poor signal that tends to be in areas like this. He shuts down his computer and rubs his face with both hands. He's sweaty as hell, but taking a shower is going to be difficult. He doesn't know the state of the inn.
"Um?"
Cloud is leaning out at the entrance to the tent. Who knows how long those blue eyes have been fixed on Sephiroth.
"Do you need anything? Cloud," Sephiroth asks, gesturing for him to come in. The boy steps inside with nervous, slow steps.
"I just wanted to tell you it was great today."
Sephiroth drops his head to one side. It's adorable. Sephiroth can tell he's still a pretty innocent child. He asks to come closer. Cloud stands less than a meter from Sephiroth, who takes his time visualizing his fantasies on him. Imagine that if he ask Cloud to undress, he'll do it slowly and timidly like in his dream. However, Sephiroth know he won't. He'll most likely run away. He rests his elbow on his knee and Cloud bites his lower lip, intimidating to receive such an intense stare from the General.
"Thank you very much. I'd forgotten cameras were installed to keep you and the SOLDIER guarding inside informed." He brings his hand closer, the glove is clean only because it's the hand Masamune uses. His fingers touch the boy's cheek, the first touch so superficial that it barely tickles Cloud's tiny patch of skin. "That must have been terrifying to experience." He tucks a pair of blond strands behind his ear. Electric currents and chills run down Cloud's spine. "Are you okay? Or are you still scared?" The General leans closer to him, and Cloud looks down.
Scared of those mesmerizing yet aggressive and mysterious green eyes.
"I... I had a little, bu-u ... And my house is destroyed, I have to stay there.”
"It'll be fixed before you know it," Sephiroth promises in a whisper. "Even better than before."
"I like my house, even though it's boring because Mom won't let me go out and we can't buy many things," Cloud says. He's never had anyone to talk to besides his mom. It would be foolish to complain to her. He's also embarrassed by being demanding with his mother. "I'll also have to be with stupid kids," Cloud spits out with a sour face.
"You can stay here with me during the day, until your house is fixed. That way, they won't bother you," Sephiroth says. Cloud looks up in surprise and excitement. Sephiroth smiles slyly, his narrowed eyes hiding his satisfaction.
"Really?! I want to."
"Just don't cut your fingers with Masamune, okay?"
Cloud nods enthusiastically and runs off. Sephiroth closes his hand, squeezing it tightly. He's a child. Children are easy to win over. Even the most unsociable ones. Cloud isn't going to be won over with basic praise. He needs more effort, more care and exposure. Something Sephiroth is very good at.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
One of the most charming things about Cloud is his ability to remain calm and silent. It's been forty minutes since he arrived and he's been obediently at the computer, scrolling through things. SOLDIER videos, comics; even when he stops to poke around the tent to touch something that catches his eye, he's careful not to be overheard or obvious. For Sephiroth, he's fun to watch. A kind of puppy getting familiar with his surroundings.
When he has a meeting, he steps behind the camera and covers his ears to avoid being a gossip. Just when Sephiroth thought he couldn't be more adorable. Children don't bother him when they've spent time with him and it's obvious they look for the opportunity to do so. Sephiroth doesn't have much experience with childhood, having lived it in a laboratory, but the reason behind their persistence is beyond him. Children are cruel sometimes; this seems to be one of those times.
"I wanted to be friends with them, but everything they did was so stupid," Cloud grumbles, as he puts together the pieces of a music box. It's funny how skilled he is at putting together machinery. A couple of days ago, just by watching a video about it, he fixed Sephiroth's cell phone, which had suddenly shut down. "I told them they were stupid, they got mad at me and they hate me."
"People don't like to be told the truth. Not to mention, a little tact helps make it less complicated," Sephiroth informs and Cloud scrunches up his face.
"I'm not going to pretend they're any less stupid. They are. Very much so. They get horrible grades and fight over games. They're idiots," he dismissively classifies. Sephiroth sniffles. Ah, it's adorable.
"Sometimes small-town kids are like that."
"I'm not like them."
"It shows."
"Were you a small-town kid? Magazines never say where you were born?" Cloud grumbles and Sephiroth crosses his leg, his hair hanging over the seat cushion.
"I was born here. In the mansion." Cloud abruptly turns to Sephiroth. His eyes sparkle with surprise and excitement. "Don't tell anyone." He taps his lips with his index finger and Cloud nods effusively.
In the end, he fixed the music machine without any problems. He likes putting together mechanical things. It's fun and with Sephiroth's computer, he can see how to do it.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"The house is nicer now."
"Yeah. Who would have thought they'd send such good materials to help?"
Claudia declares herself amazed. Her house is ready before the rest, so she no longer has to sleep in the shelter. Aside from that, it feels more solid than ever. Better walls, better flooring, better furniture. What raises her suspicions is that she hasn't seen this much effort in other homes and they don't use the same materials. She remains silent about this, dismissing it as a small mistake and a stroke of luck for her.
She sits on the couch admiring everything and welcomes Cloud, who sits on her lap. Her son may have a small body, but she doesn't understand why he's so light.vHe looks like someone three years old, not six, almost seven. She smooths his hair and strokes him affectionately. He hasn't had any problems or fights with anyone these days. Mainly because he's been in the General's tent. Claudia convinces herself that the General is helping him. She saw how Sephiroth scolded the other children and Cloud is very excited to spend time with him.
"What's the General like? Is he nice to you?"
"I can use his computer," Cloud says, swinging his feet. "And watch him trai, and how the others train—Mom, can I go up to the helicopter?"
"Yes. Of course. If the General is with you," Cloud nods with an excited smile. "If anything happens with him. Anything that bothers you… Let me know, okay? No matter what it is, if it makes you feel bad, let me know."
"Fine Mom," he replies with a scolding lilt. Claudia nods and continues combing his hair.
Hopefully, it's nothing.
With luck, it's just someone your son likes.
With luck, he doesn't have to worry.
Without luck... She's very afraid of what's going on in his mind.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"The science department creates and evaluates different creations. Some of them are monsters. I have access to the cameras, if you want to see."
Cloud takes the cell phone and Sephiroth lifts the boy into his lap to do just that. He looks over his shoulder and notes the relaxed expression. Cloud switches from camera to camera with different specimens, each one uglier than the last. Sephiroth leans down and puts his arms around him, holding the cell phone above Cloud's hands.
"This one here is a Midgar Zolom. I captured it as a hatchling so they could examine it. It's up to ten meters long. Right now, it's only about two," Sephiroth narrates. “This is…”
He goes into great detail explaining every monster Cloud sees, a mere excuse to keep his attention on him and maintain contact between their bodies.
"General, sir," Sephiroth directs his greenish gaze toward the SOLDIER, who pretends not to see their shape. "The lookout post noticed an advance team. They're being held six kilometers from the village."
"I'll be right there. Get the cars ready."
The SOLDIER nods and leaves. Sephiroth holds Cloud to prevent him from getting up. He speaks directly into his ear.
"I'll be back soon. You can keep watching on the cell phone until I get back."
"Really?"
"Yes. But only watch this. Okay?" Cloud nods excitedly. He jumps up and Sephiroth takes his face. He smiles at him in a calm, friendly way. Cloud smiles back, too and says goodbye in a low voice. The General admires him for a moment and leaves. Alone in the tent, Cloud lies on the couch and continues watching the various monsters in the science department, swinging his legs back and forth, unaware that the computer not far away is recording him.
┈
When Sephiroth arrives, he finds Cloud asleep in a small ball. He puts his cell phone in his pocket and places his hands on his waist. Cloud's blond hair spread across the couch and his shirt revealing his abdomen give him an even more charming appearance, aside from his relaxed face. Sephiroth effortlessly picks him up and leaves the tent to drop him off at his house. Claudia opens the door and seems relieved to see the General with his son.
"He fell asleep waiting for me."
"He's been sleeping very restlessly lately. I'm sorry," she exclaims awkwardly and amusedly. "Thanks for bringing him. I-"
"I'll take him to his bed."
Claudia nods and Sephiroth notices the slight suspicion she arouses in the woman thanks to his minimal insistence. He knows she's overprotective of Cloud. Given how small and fragile he is, it doesn't surprise him. At the same time, he doubts it's the only reason for her to be so wary of everyone. Sephiroth leaves Cloud on the bed and is surprised to see a bucket and towels beside it. He also notices some notebooks stained with blood.
"Were you attacked here?" he asks, surprised and worried. "Did they come here to do something?" Claudia shakes her head, her exhausted expression only predicting worse things.
"Some months ago, Cloud had an accident and every now and then his nose bleeds, he coughs up blood and he feels much weaker."
"What kind of accident?"
None of those symptoms are normal. Sephiroth has never seen that happen to anyone before. Except for one very specific type of injury. Claudia crosses her arms, her face crouched.
"I'm not sure what happened, but we suspect he got Mako poisoning."
"It's something that usually happens with a large dose and without preparation," Sephiroth states, turning his attention to Cloud. "However, he seems to be in quite good health."
"He is. He's just distracted at times, his body aches; he's stopped bleeding. I suppose the effect wears off over time."
Sephiroth muses that this explains the sudden nervous tics and moments of hiding within himself. Mako causes strange reactions in the system and although children adapt in peculiar ways and are "more resilient" thanks to growth, as the body absorbs it as a nutrient rather than perceiving it as a poison, the results of exposure are usually very variable. Enhance the senses, give more strength, dull them, diminish them, imperceptible mutations. He'll make sure Cloud is examined to see if there's any problem with him.
He leaves the house with the issue on his mind.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"I detect a small internal problem. There's a rearrangement in his internal organs, his skin is uncharacteristically thin; his body is producing hormones at an erratic and uncharacteristic level, with a high balance between estrogen and testosterone."
Sephiroth listens attentively to what the doctor tells him. He suggested to Cloud's mother that a ShinRa doctor examine him. Losing so much blood could cause long-term problems, not to mention it could kill him if he's alone and drowns. However, Sephiroth spoke with the doctor first, making sure to obtain all the information and keeping private any information that shouldn't be revealed.
"I consider this aspect especially dangerous."The brain is regulated by hormones and this could cause variations in behavior and thinking. Psychological instability is very likely,” he warns sternly. “I also found a lot of Mako mixed in with the blood samples. He seems to have taken a bath.”
“I thought that didn’t allow for intoxication,” Sephiroth comments, surprised.
“It depends on the individual,” he clarifies. “Some people absorb it better through their skin. Open pores and that sort of thing.” Sephiroth narrows his gaze at Cloud. “There’s a possibility of mental retardation… Or adaptation to new environments and stimuli.”
Sephiroth narrows his eyes with a slight smile.
“Will it emerge bodily?”
“It’s possible. Mako stimulates the body’s cells. With such extensive exposure, chances are if he needs to grow fangs, he’ll get them.”
They withhold almost half the information from Claudia, who is distressed by the possibility of identity problems or mental retardation. Cloud gets the exaggeratedly condensed version: there are going to be some changes, some good, some bad, but you'll have all the help you need. He doesn't feel worried or in danger; he knows he has his mom and that's fine. Sephiroth is being very kind. He can count on him too.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"This rain seems like it'll never end."
Sephiroth rubs his brow. He wanted to do so many things today, but the weather prevented him. First it was very foggy and now it's a storm. He had to deal with a nest of monsters that were starting to pose a threat, so he arrived soaked from head to toe. The only good thing was that Cloud was already here playing on the computer. It made him happy to see him.
Unable to go take a shower, he wipes a damp cloth over his body to clean this day's sweat. Cloud turns his attention from the computer to Sephiroth. The silver-haired man knows how to observe and in his constant fantasy, he imagines that, instead of a curious, childlike gaze, there is lust in those blue eyes.
"Don't you have scars? All SOLDIERs have scars." Cloud swings his feet in place and Sephiroth gives a small, pretentious laugh.
"I've never been injured and therefore, I've never been defeated," he states with deep pride. "That's why my hair is so long."
Cloud leaps up and reaches Sephiroth. The height difference is so vast that Cloud must bend his back to see his face. The eagerness, curiosity and wonder in Cloud's blue eyes are a compliment to Sephiroth, a pleasure he loves to have. The boy reaches out and caresses part of the other's abdomen; his small fingers hover over the SOLDIER's warm, smooth skin. Sephiroth lets out hot, hungry sighs as Cloud's path goes lower.
Sephiroth crouches down, squatting at his level and cupping his face. His still-gloved hands gently caress him before bringing him closer and pressing their lips together. Cloud's eyes widen and when they part, Sephiroth admires the excited sparkle in his blue eyes.
"Don't tell anyone. It's a secret between us, okay?" Sephiroth places his finger to his lips and nods with a smile. Nervous, but happy, Sephiroth keeps staring. Convinced that the blond has the same attraction he feels towards him.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
He waits, sitting on the bed, looking out the apartment's enormous window. Wearing only pants and with his hair half-spread on the dark-sheeted mattress. The door opens, and the small, shy figure enters. Sephiroth feels shivers of pleasure, watching Cloud approach until he is standing right in front of him. Cloud keeps his gaze lowered, his face flushed, his blond hair curling over his neck and shoulder.
He's wearing women's lingerie, hanging in his chest due to his lack of breasts, his stockings squeezed by his large thighs and his bulge in his underwear thanks to the penis tucked away there. Sephiroth maintains a confident expression and an excited smile.
"Wearing this is embarrassing. I'm a boy," the blond replies with a pout.
"But you're wearing it for me. That's all that matters," Sephiroth states softly. Cloud furrows his eyebrows and gives him a reproachful look. Childish and tender.
The boy moves closer, his hands resting on the adult's crotch, massaging it over the fabric of his pants. The bulge grows larger and larger, to the point of making the pants tight. Cloud unzips and pulls down the garment, exposing the enormous, erect cock. Sephiroth gasps for hot, anxious air, his penis aching even more with the hungry glance Cloud directs at his phallus.
He is a special SOLDIER. Like all the others, his body has grown larger and stronger through the process that makes them super soldiers. However, Sephiroth is nothing like the rest. They have barely grown thicker or longer by a fraction or two compared to before.
The General is truly an animal. His penis is long and easily reaches twenty-seven inches, if not more, when his excitement is overwhelming. Like now. Cloud's pale hands slide along his penis, rubbing the hot, veined skin that bulges more and more. The glans moistens and drips precum. He brings his face closer and runs his tongue over the tip, cleaning up what spills while continuing to masturbate him.
Cloud kneels and leaning on Sephiroth's thighs, licks the member with pleasure, from base to tip, occasionally sucking and caressing the swollen testicles like a horse's. Sephiroth clenches his hands on the bed, resisting the desire to take him by the head and shove him all the way into the childlike mouth that teases and stimulates him. Cloud takes a deep breath before starting to swallow him. Inch by inch, passing through him and reaching the base, where Sephiroth is in his throat. His whole body trembles and his cloudy eyes turn to Sephiroth, who strokes his head. "What a capable boy you are."
Sephiroth helps him, moving his head and thrusting with his pelvis. The wet, nasal, snorting moans only excite him more. Watching his boy's small mouth stretch and be able to consume him so well. Cloud whimpers, a pang of pain. He's growing bigger in his mouth and the blows to his face are more intense. A high-pitched squeal escapes, Cloud squeezes his eyes shut and some of the semen remains in his throat, in his mouth and finally the thick jet shoots out, staining the boy. Part of his face and chest with the General's hot semen.
Cloud gasps, savoring himself soon after and beginning to masturbate the SOLDIER's member again. "Sephiroth." The blond whimpers, his lustful eyes accompanied by his open mouth, which is dedicated to licking the tip of his member again, only inviting him to want to fuck him so hard that he leaves him on the verge of death.
When Sephiroth opens his eyes, he finds Cloud in front of him. Cloud straightens, his hands clenched in nerves.
“Sephiroth” he calls in a childish and scared tone. Oblivious to the invitation Sephiroth hears, distorting reality inside his mind. “It's raining very hard and I can't get wet. Can I stay the night?”
A cold current passes through Sephiroth’s abdomen, passes to his back and rises to the nape of his neck, making the silver hairs stand on end. It had been raining terribly before, now it's only gotten worse. He was so tired that he just fell asleep, indifferent to Cloud, in the tent.
“Of course you can. I assume you've already told your mother.”
Cloud nods and Sephiroth makes room for him on the bed. The blond boy stays at the edge so as not to disturb the space. It's a large space. Sephiroth, on the other hand, doesn't allow it. He discreetly lures Cloud in for a bit of contact. The excuse that he's half asleep works perfectly in his favor, including the fact that Cloud isn't going to refuse. He's intimidated into stretching his trust with the General and he doesn't want to see him again in the future.
After a while, Sephiroth feels Cloud approaching him. The boy hugs him and seeks his lips, cruelly teasing him. The General doesn't resist, kissing and caressing him subtly; slight, mischievous giggles emanating from Cloud confirm to Sephiroth that it's a cruel game on the blond boy's part.
It doesn't last long; Cloud falls asleep and lies on the General's arm, who also falls into a sweet, complacent sleep.
"The General insisted they stay in this shelter, given that the other ones are full."
Claudia doesn't know what to make of it. A new attack is underway, this time on a much larger scale. In an attempt to avoid having to rebuild the entire town again, fighting is taking place on the outskirts and near Mount Nibel. The SOLDIERs are pushing for everything in that territory. Suddenly, they separated her and Cloud from the rest and put them in a smaller, but fortified place with plenty of amenities, from furniture to food.
If she's not mistaken, it's meant for scientists or important people from the company in case they get close to the area and need protection. Claudia and Cloud being inside is by far the most anomalous thing that's happened. The woman convinces herself it's Sephiroth helping because of Cloud's Mako poisoning. Just like the other shelter, there are screens that allow them to see what's happening. Claudia is careful that Cloud doesn't want to stick his face out to see what's happening up close. His eyes would end up burning and turning blue; they're destined for a loss. Quick-eyed.
"General Sephiroth is super cool," Cloud sighs admiringly, his mouth slightly ajar. Claudia laughs tenderly, stroking his head. She won't deny that there's a part of her that's glad Cloud wasn't disappointed. Sephiroth is his hero, now more than ever. Seeing him in action and being helped by him is the most perfect thing that could ever happen.
"And you're going to thank him for helping them when he’s done, right?"
"Yes, Mom."
She kisses him on the head and pulls him back a little. He's going to lose his eyes at this rate.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Sephiroth’s entire body vibrates from all the effort he put in for hours on end. He wonders if other places like Modeoheim, where Angeal is, or Junon where Genesis is, are as annoying and at this level. They should be. Especially Junon. Still, Genesis is so calm, texting all the time, that he has second thoughts. He hooks Masamune into the straps on his back as he walks toward the camp, untangling his silver hair.
Long as usual, just a little dirty. For someone who'd caused so much disturbance, those people weren't exactly strong or a challenge. Unless you count testing his patience.
Sephiroth finishes with his hair once he sets foot in the camp. Amid the crowd of SOLDIERs, he manages to glimpse the blond hair. That small person pushing his way through the crowd. Not far behind is his mother, trying to reach him. A slightly goofy smile spreads across Sephiroth's lips and when Cloud reaches him, he stops barely two feet away. His eyes shine with admiration and amazement.
"I see you're okay," Sephiroth says, unable to resist the opportunity. Bringing up the fact that he now has a much better shelter.
"That was awesome!" Cloud exclaims. Claudia arrives panting, one hand on her chest. “We saw everything that happened and there were no kids bothering me! Thank you so much for helping us!”
"No problem. I said I'd help and protect you, didn't I?" Cloud nods enthusiastically.
Sephiroth smiles broadly and kindly at Cloud. Claudia bites her lip for a moment, thinking that aside from all his effort, Sephiroth did this especially for them.
"I understand you're very tired, but maybe you'd like to have dinner with us? Having a good meal will help you perform better. Also, taking a shower in a place that won't be dismantled," Claudia offers politely. She notices the slight change in Sephiroth.
His eyes are less kind, but still quite courteous for her; a little straighter, his smile slightly less broad and his own vibe lessens in its friendliness. Sephiroth nods slowly, considering it will help to spend more time with Cloud in the same space. Not to mention that having a good, home-cooked meal might come in handy. Something other than the preserved foods ShinRa dares to send as supposed supplies.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"So you were born here."
"Yes. In the mansion."
"Wow, I thought that was a false rumor."
Sephiroth is pleasantly surprised by the food Claudia cooked. It tastes phenomenal and somewhat embarrassed, he's asked to refill his plate more than once. They have a pleasant conversation, both occasionally checking on Cloud. The boy distracts himself by staring at his food instead of eating it. According to Claudia, it's something he's been doing a lot these days.
"I don't really know much about it. Although I was born here, I was extracted as soon as I stopped needing an incubator," Sephiroth informs, discreetly savoring himself. Wolf stew is an underrated dish. That's for sure. "However, I understand that this is my hometown. That's why I came to protect him."
"That's lovely," Claudia smiles. "Did you hear Cloud? You have the same hometown as the General."
The boy doesn't respond, moving his spoon around on his plate in a specific pattern. Sephiroth tilts his head lightly.
"Is he always like this?"
"He's usually shy and doesn't like to talk when we're eating, but he seems to be a little bit… distracted now," Claudia admits, worried. Sephiroth snaps his fingers and Cloud looks up.
"Sorry," Cloud stammers, embarrassed as he puts down his spoon.
"It's okay," Claudia promises with a smile, stroking his hair. "You better go to sleep, okay? You're tired."
"What about his father?" Sephiroth asks once Cloud runs into his room. "Didn't he…?"
"Goodbye, General! See you later! I can't wait to be together again."
Cloud flirts with him before leaving and Sephiroth tilts his head. How indiscreet. Claudia waits until Cloud is gone before answering what Sephiroth asked.
"He never cared," Claudia warns with a tight, bitter smile. "He was happy that I stayed here and didn't betray our agreements. One day he said he was getting a divorce and the next he made it clear he wanted to convince me to be together. I still have the fake divorce papers he gave me to prove it to me.” she recounts, sounding amused and incredulous.
“From that, I can assume he doesn't know about the problem,” Sephiroth points out, crossing his arms.
“I haven't spoken to him in years. It was the agreement we reached.”
“What if Cloud were in danger of dying?”
“Is he?”
Sephiroth shakes his head. That answer and his expression suddenly change, saying it all: if he needed help, she would ask for it. Claudia breathes a sigh of relief, one hand on her chest, her body slack.
“I can locate him. That way, he'll have to send compensation for all these years. Even going to Midgar. He'd get better treatment there.” Sephiroth begins his plan for the future: to bring Cloud to Midgar. Keep Cloud with him. Pull enough strings so they don't have to separate.
“No. Not that” she laughs with a light, amused laugh. “He'd want to kill me as soon as I set foot there. If he even lets me out. He's quite... controlling,” Claudia defines.
"Is it someone important?" Sephiroth's delicate features reflect surprise. Claudia shakes her head.
"Well... He has a mansion here."
Sephiroth furrows his eyebrows. The president? He's not one for listening to hallway gossip, but he knows some suspect he was unfaithful to his wife at one point. No one knew with whom or when exactly, only that when it became known, he settled in Midgar and for some reason forgot about his home in Nibelheim. It's a situation that doesn't make much sense, but if he considers Claudia, who is a rather serious and even stubborn woman who doesn't want to have anything to do with him, it doesn't surprise you that he simply stayed in Midgar.
Sephiroth weighs her options. No one knows about the matter. Cloud is still just a simple kid from a town in the middle of nowhere that no one cares about. Even if he's a bastard, he has nothing. It's a peculiar situation; he can keep it as a trap if he needs it.
"Thank you for the food."
"To you for helping us." Claudia smiles at him and Sephiroth taps his fingers.
Claudia is a good woman...
One whose child he wants to take away.
Taking pity on her won't be so bad of him.
┈⋞〈 ✷ 〉⋟┈
"I've never eaten that. It can't be done here."
"Maybe if you go to Midgar, you can have ice cream."
Cloud leans on Sephiroth's head, sitting on his shoulders as they walk through the military camp, which is being put in order. A new shipment has arrived from Midgar. Cloud is placed on the ground and Sephiroth takes the small box a SOLDIER delivers. Opening it, he finds tracker pendants and a constant report of the mako level in his blood.
"What's that?"
"It’s for you. To keep an eye on your condition." He bends down and we offer the contents. Cloud wrinkles his face a little. He doesn't want earrings; that's for girls. "Men wear them too. I have two friends who have them."
"Really? And are they SOLDIER?" Cloud asks, surprised. Sephiroth nods, "but they're for girls."
"Not in Midgar."
Cloud sticks out his lips and gives a small snort. Sephiroth ruffles his hair playfully.
"Do you like them?"
"I like seeing them on other people. They make them look pretty, a lot."
"If I wear them, will you think I'm pretty?"
"You already are."
Cloud smiles at him, his cheeks flushed, his hands behind his back. Rocking on his feet with an anxious, expectant air, the General touches his forehead to the boy's and holds his arms gently and tenderly. There's no way Cloud can look any more beautiful than he does now.
┈
"The readings are very clear. It'll be a matter of keeping an eye on this monitor to check his condition," the doctor announces, handing the device to the General.
"How detailed is it?"
"Depending on the settings, it's possible to see more or less of the reading. The key is for the mother to see the Mako levels and if the child needs help, which doesn't affect having all the information you need." Sephiroth nods, pleased with what he has in his hands.
The scanner on Cloud is working perfectly. His Mako intoxication is enormous and is making constant changes in him. Some weak, others simpler. The persistent surge of hormones, the brain chemistry that will drive him to certain reactions Sephiroth is convinced that's why Cloud is so flirtatious with him. It's very common for mako to make whoever has it in their system more instinctive and animal-like. If their estrogen increases, it makes them more feminine and it's imperative to seek attention from the opposite sex after having identified a good candidate.
There's no one better than him, being the best Super SOLDIER in the world.
"I must warn you that there are certain adverse changes that are impossible to classify. Researching the subject, there have been cases where the affected person develops bipolar disorder, dementia, or post-traumatic stress disorder," the man clarifies and Sephiroth narrows his eyes. "You should take that into account and, in any case, make sure you're the one who notices it and is there."
He knows Sephiroth's intentions, it's obvious. However, like anyone within ShinRa, maintaining good ties with people in high places is good. Morally questionable? Of course it is, but he doesn't care. You never know what luck might cause this. Sephiroth comes in to where Cloud is, looking at his earrings in the mirror.
"It didn't hurt, did it?"
"No."
"The doctor said how well you did. Others complain too much," Sephiroth says and Cloud rolls his eyes in boredom.
"People are very stupid."
"Indeed," Sephiroth agrees with a laugh, ruffling Cloud's hair.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"The fever's going down. Phew, lucky me," Claudia says with a relieved smile. Cloud grumbles in bed; he still feels sick. It makes no difference. "Are you sure you don't want anything else?"
"No. I'm fine."
"Okay. If you feel sick again, just come and tell me. It doesn't matter if I'm asleep."
He closes one eye and says a quiet goodbye to his mom. Even if he felt sick, he wouldn't want to wake her. She's been supervising him all day because of the sudden high fever that came on in the early morning. His entire body boiling over has been unbearable, even driving Claudia to tears as Cloud agonized and screamed in pain. To make matters worse, she realized neighbors were spying on her and whispering about it, mocking Cloud for not having much time left.
Claudia is stressed and overwhelmed.
Cloud doesn't want his mother to get sick from so much stress.
His only current problem, aside from worrying about his mother, is that he's dying of boredom. He's not sleepy, nor does he have anything to do. It's a little frustrating. Knocking on the window makes Cloud sit up and he sees Sephiroth standing there. Excited, he opens the window and the man discreetly looks around.
"Looks like someone's been sick," Sephiroth comments. Cloud is as red as a cherry and he feels hot.
"It's annoying. Mom wouldn't let me out," he grumbled, pouting. "She's really scared because she thinks I'll die if she doesn't look at me."
"You never know what changes in life can bring. One day you are here, the next you don't," Cloud continued with his childish, reluctant expression. "Can I come in?"
"Yes."
Sephiroth scans the room. Even with the reconstruction, the space is small. Toys are thrown to one side, the closet and dresser to the other; he considers it a miracle in itself that Cloud doesn't sleep in the same room as his mother. Cloud watches him curiously, never imagining Sephiroth would be hiding in his room. The SOLDIER picks up a chair as if it were lighter than a feather and places it next to the bed, sitting down instantly.
"This room is small. My tent is huge in comparison."
"Dad didn't want me, so Mom is alone and can only have this small house."
"Do you know about your dad?"
"Only that I ruined his relationship with Mom by existing."
Sephiroth ruffles his hair, causing the infant to grimace in disgust and embarrassment. The silver-haired man laughs lightly.
"You're not a mistake. You're a blessing. Don't ever think otherwise," the General demands and Cloud continues his stubborn stance.
"If you come to see me every night, I'll believe it."
Without Cloud understanding why, Sephiroth comes every night to spend time with him. Whether they've spent time together during the day or not. It's strange and occasionally invasive with how much he leans into him.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
All day, Cloud was fast asleep. There was no reason other than fatigue consuming him. From one moment to the next, his body generated so many hormones and so much activity that it exhausted him. Claudia had to force him to wake up so he could eat something during the day and even then, the boy was more asleep than awake. Sephiroth knows this thanks to the tracking earring.
However, suddenly, in the early morning, he woke up full of energy. An overload that made him leave his bed and leave the house. To do what? He has no idea, but he has an urge to go out and walk until he's tired again.
During his walk, by pure accident, he notices strange people. Cloud follows them, even though it's not a good idea; part of him tells him he should go report that he saw something suspicious. However, he's in a manic episode that demands he go there. Tell Sephiroth what he discovered and surprise the General with his discovery. Cloud pursues them to their destination, near an entrance to Mont. Nibel, hidden and discreet, is a platoon of people he doesn't know. Cloud climbs a tree and standing on a high branch, gets a better look. He exclaims in astonishment.
They're people who are at war with them! He recognizes them from having seen Sephiroth fight with them.
He carefully watches everything they do, from putting things on trucks to suddenly revealing that they're the children of Nibelheim. Cloud furrows his eyebrows and snorts. Why are they taking them away? At this rate, he'll be the only child in Nibelheim.
Having completed his investigation and reconnaissance, he proceeds to climb down the tree. The small problem is that he's always been good at climbing them, not getting off them. Cloud's descent is clumsy and draws attention, so he runs off to head for the Shin-Ra camp.
"Don't let him get away!"
Cloud enters Mount Nibel to lose them. No one knows where he is here. Only he. And even then, he's capable of getting lost in the maze of the mountain. Running up the hill, surrounded by grayish fog, he trips and tumbles down a small slope. Cloud falls abruptly into one of the many Mako pools surrounding the site. It's practically boiling outward. Cloud starts coughing and shakes his hands, feeling them sting from falling straight in. Not deep, not too big either. Just enough to wet part of his legs and above his wrists.
"There he is!"
"No! Let me go!" Cloud yells at the person carrying him by the abdomen.
"This is the kid we were looking for," says another member of the group who chased him. "Blonde, blue eyes, hair like chocobo feathers."
"I was starting to fear we wouldn't make it with the complete mission."
Cloud thrashes and shakes, not giving up on the possibility of escaping and reaching the General. They walk all the way back to the group and cages. "Aren't you even good at running, Strife?!" One of the children in the truck claims. Cloud is placed on the ground for a cursory examination in the light.
"Shall we put him with the rest?"
"Now how will they get us out of here?! No one will come to save us because you're useless," a girl reprimands, her eyes watering.
"No. I don't think it's a good idea—"
"I hope your mom's dead so you're not as useless as you are!"
The man lets go because of Cloud's bite. So hard it draws blood and even pulls at his flesh, forcing him to throw it to the ground. Cloud's chin is covered in other people's blood and his eyes flash a toxic green. Now he's not thinking about going with Sephiroth. He wants to go with Claudia. Is she okay? These people seem to be looking for him. What if they went home and did something to his Mom? He is intercepted and restrained, injecting a sedative into the back of his neck in front of the overwhelmed kidnapped children. The effect is rapid due to its strength and also Cloud's sensitive state. Dazed, he's unable to do much. The kidnappers, on the other hand, are still surprised by the boy's reaction, not to mention how his eyes revealed a massive amount of mako poisoning in his system.
"Are you sure this is it?"
"Yes. That's what the spies said. He's in and out of the General's tent all the time."
Cloud wrenches his arms free, fighting to escape unlike the rest of the children there, determined to blame him instead of trying to do anything themselves. He's punched in the stomach; gasping for air and in pain, Cloud falls trembling to the ground, his consciousness fading as the enemy soldiers carry him to a different location. It's what they need to put General Sephiroth in a compromised position. It's the only thing they've ever seen him take the slightest interest in. A weakness. Finally, something to hold onto. Getting in the car, they set off in the darkness and silence of the night.
"I'm going to do a quick checkup."
"Be careful not to do anything else. There's sure to be problems from that blow."
Cloud can't seem to kick his legs as the man examines him. First, he makes sure he's a boy, then checks if there are any broken bones, does a brief body function check and ends with checking his eyes. Cloud sweats profusely and along with that, the mako in his blood churns so that his eyes gradually turn green under the other's careful examination.
"This kid has so much mako in his system that it's changing his eyes," he comments, turning off the flashlight. "I don't think he'll live long. Maybe that's why the General wants him."
"Pretty and on the verge of death. I didn't think he would be like that," he mocks.
Cloud's mind becomes even more confused and foggy. Ah, he wants to go home and rest, invading his mom's bed.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Sephiroth freaks out as soon as he notices the empty room. Hysterical and almost losing all composure, he turns the room upside down, unable to locate the blond boy he planned to spend the night with. He leaves the way he came, in a hurry, demanding the security footage. He realizes that those watching were quite distracted, almost confused and upon checking it, he realizes that was the case. He's going to demand magic protections be sent in endless shipments to prevent them from being with materias like that.
"It seems they took most of the village's children," comments a SOLDIER 3rd Class, reviewing each video in detail, zooming in to verify the number of losses and the possible route. "Though they seem to be having trouble with this one."
"How much recording range do we have?" Sephiroth asks immediately.
"Quite a bit. I'll check which direction they went."
The car Cloud is in keeps heading north, while the other heads west. Sephiroth plugs the tracker on Cloud's pendant into the computer. The map on the computer shows the red dot moving at a considerable speed.
"One squad will go after the truck; I'll take care of the car heading north," the General announces and the SOLDIER present nod.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"We must send him to Wutai."
“Wutai? We're not welcome there. You know why. We should ask what to do. Not act alone.”
“The only option is to act alone because there's no communication.”
Cloud nods, still groggy from the sedative and the mako inside him. He doesn't hear what they're saying about what to do with him. It's a pretty long and drawn-out discussion.
“The most sensible thing to do is to get this time bomb off our ass!” the man corrects himself with clear paranoia. “If the General finds out, we're screwed. We have to throw him to the furthest base we have.”
“Tell that to the superiors when they come. The message arrived and they ordered us to stay.”
“What the hell.”
After fifteen minutes of waiting, a helicopter lands a few meters away. Cloud wakes slightly from the noise and coughs up the dirt kicked up by the propellers. A couple of men get out of the vehicle. Suited up and armed. One of them goes straight to Cloud, taking out his cell phone to compare the photos taken in secret with the boy present.
"Indeed, it's the same one," he assures, putting his phone away and bending down. "Did he cause any problems?"
"Some. He ran away up the mountain. We had to hit him to calm him down, but it was in the abdomen," the soldier reports. "The tests we ran show very high levels of mako. Severe poisoning."
"Good," he concludes simply, taking Cloud by the face. "He's an unusually cute boy. It's obvious the General has a taste for these things," he comments, examining him briefly. "Get him on the helicopter. We'll take him to the base. From there, we'll put him to use."
"Yes, sir."
Cloud is hungry.
It's strange how hungry he is.
Although he hasn't eaten all day. Nothing solid or filling.
He's just... really hungry.
When the one who initially caught him goes to pick him up, the last thing he expects is for their superior to start screaming and the surprise comes when, out of nowhere, Cloud is pulling at the flesh of his neck. He tears out his jugular, chews it, and swallows it. Cloud licks his lips and shivers, his whole body cold. He runs his hand over his chin, but he can't see the blood on his hands or clothes. The sudden sound makes him turn to the right.
The motorcycle parks and Sephiroth gets out of the vehicle, katana in hand. Cloud chews slowly, having nothing in his mouth and unable to hear the moans and final gasps of these people being killed. All the bodies fall around him. Slashed by the Masamune. Sephiroth stands in front of Cloud, noticing his vibrant green eyes shining in the deep darkness. The infant raises his arms, wanting the tallest to pick him up and get him out of here. Let them go home and spend the night like always…
“Ma…ma…”
Sephiroth laughs as he picks Cloud up in his arms. His hand is on Cloud's thigh, while Cloud sits on his forearm. Seeing his face covered in blood, as well as his hands, is like admiring a small, savage beast that he can easily control. One that seeks his affection despite the filth it carries. He places a small kiss on Cloud’s temple.
“We'll go home. Let's go.” he encourages, turning around to go to the car that's barely parked. To avoid precisely what was going to happen: a transfer, Sephiroth decided to go on a motorcycle with two cars following him closely.
He climbs into one of them, where everyone gets out to examine the scene and try to figure out what they were planning to do. He places Cloud in the backseat, lying down and letting him get some sleep, at peace knowing they're on their way back to Nibelheim.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Okay, I must take off your dirty clothes. You can't go to sleep like this."
Cloud raises his arms, allowing himself to be gently undressed. Sephiroth's hands tremble, unable to keep his pulse from touching Cloud. Feeling his childlike skin against his own. The boy is left in his underwear and the General remains admiring him for long minutes. Cloud nods, his consciousness dancing in limbo. "I'm... hungry," he murmurs breathlessly. Sephiroth wakes from the spell and hurries to find him something to eat.
He puts it in Cloud's mouth; Cloud isn't able to eat on his own. Cloud nods and yawns, leaning back against him. He's sleepy after eating. Sephiroth sets the dishes aside and picks him up to take him to bed. Sephiroth turns off the lights and they lie down together. Cloud remains curled up against him, rubbing his cheek against his bare chest. Sephiroth slowly slides his hands over, touches his buttocks, touches his thighs, eliciting soft sighs from the boy with his caresses. Sephiroth lightly presses his fingers into the pale, spongy skin, an erection forming in his pants as he falls asleep. Hot and anxious.
His dreams are direct and quite explicit. Instead, he lays Cloud on the bed, raises his thighs together, and inserts his penis between them, watching his abdomen-length phallus rub insistently.
Cloud feigns and clutches the bed sheet, insistently begging for him, and when the orgasm arrives, his semen stains the boy's chest and chin. He lets go of Cloud's legs and moves just far enough away. Cloud spreads his limbs and at the same time, with his hands, exposes his throbbing ass; a small erection and a flirtatious extra opening: a vagina also open and waiting for Sephiroth.
The amount of things Sephiroth does to Cloud in his sleep is endless. At the same time, Cloud mumbles in his sleep, "Mom... Mommy..."
Nibelheim was filled with screams of agony and pain, as they discovered that almost all the children had been kidnapped during the night. ShinRa is taking charge of the matter. It's not helping to ease the anguish. It's unknown why they were taken; the only certain thing is that by the time it takes for them to recover, something terrible will most likely have already happened.
Claudia, unsurprisingly, is the most distressed about the matter. Her son is in poor health. What if he has a relapse? What if he needs a doctor? What if they do something with mako? The woman hasn't stopped crying and insisting that they find him soon because Cloud's life may depend on it. Sephiroth assures her that he's doing everything he can to bring him back. A mere excuse to keep Cloud with him in his tent. He gave Cloud a vague and simple excuse.
"It could be dangerous if they see you, because they'd want to take you again and hurt your mother."
Sephiroth also tricked Cloud by assuring him that he would tell Claudia he was there, so as not to worry her. Sephiroth is happy having Cloud to himself, beyond all the attention. His presence makes him happy! It makes him feel complete and relieved. Hugging him and touching him lightly, elicits small laughs and sighs of pleasure from the blond, who is becoming a little more his every day.
"Can I go with Mom now?"
"No. Not yet."
Cloud closes one eye. The man ruffles his hair and walks to remove his uniform. Cloud bites his lip. Sephiroth has been very strange these days. The way he looks at him is odd and sends shivers down his spine, even a little scared. It's strange and incomprehensible behavior from an adult. Adult intentions he doesn't understand. Nor does the touch Sephiroth gives him. It's uncomfortable to feel his hands on his legs, abdomen, or even between his legs.
Cloud trembles when it happens.
A kind of sign that he's not well.
Despite not knowing what's wrong with that.
"I want to go with my mom," Cloud insists from behind Sephiroth, who's already taken out half of his uniform. "She's alone. I don't want her to be alone. She gets sad when that happens."
"She has the townspeople," Sephiroth dismisses.
"They're stupid and don't like her," Cloud retorts, his fists clenched. Sephiroth turns and brushes his hair over his shoulder.
"That's true," he concedes, "but like I told you before: she could be at risk if we don't wait long enough. Once the other children are back, you can go with her."
"And you're going to continue looking after me? I don't want you to leave me alone even if I leave."
"Of course I'm going to look after you." Sephiroth squats down in front of Cloud, stroking his cheek. "And you're going to be okay." He kisses Cloud's forehead; Cloud smiles shyly and shakily. Sephiroth straightens and goes to take off his boots.
Cloud frowns. Sometimes Sephiroth is so strange. It's like he's hearing something totally different than what he's saying. He doesn't know why he does that. It's just that he's even scarier than usual.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud hasn't stopped insisting on going back to his mother. Even though Sephiroth claims she knows he's here, Cloud doesn't want her to be alone. What if more people come to attack them? They could really hurt her! It distresses him, but he can't maintain his health for long. Cloud's head spins unbearably. At times he just wants to sleep, at others, eat until he feels like he's going to throw up. The fever has invaded him again and in part, he's happy Sephiroth is there.
It's like having the dad who never showed up and for whom his mother was left alone.
"You're sicker than ever," Sephiroth comments, examining him. Cloud groans in pain as he digs his hands into his abdomen. "Does it hurt here?"
"It's hurt too much. I ate too much and I'm going to explode," the boy stammers, his face exaggeratedly red and his eyes watering. He has a fever of 102 degrees, and although he knows he's not going to die, it's quite frustrating not being able to do anything. It's obvious he's suffering a lot.
"I'll use a materia so you can sleep," Sephiroth announces and Cloud nods. "That way, you won't be in so much pain and discomfort. I'll wake you up in the morning for breakfast."
"Okay."
Sephiroth takes the materia and as he uses it, Cloud collapses like a dead weight. He has difficulty breathing, so the silver-haired man places an oxygen mask on him as the doctor recommended. Taking advantage of his condition, he examines his lower body a little more closely, feeling the suspiciously swollen abdomen. It's not fat and feels firm. It's like a small cushion there, forming a curve. With trembling hands, he decides to inspect further down.
Sephiroth removes Cloud's pants, sliding them down the delicate, childlike legs with the occasional scrape. Despite everything, Cloud is a restless and clumsy child. However, Sephiroth is greatly distracted by the sight of his crotch. The small penis and testicles. With his gloved hand, he caresses it, moves it a little. There's no reaction, but he was almost willing to make one happen.
He is distracted by notices that, lifting the testicles, there's an opening. Small, but it exposes a curious feature: it has outer lips and is moist. Sephiroth tilts his head, all his silver hair sliding down his shoulders. It looks like a vagina and if what the doctor explained is true, the bulge in Cloud's abdomen is that curvature most women have. The protective pouch of the womb itself.
A crooked smile appears on Sephiroth's face, thinking that perhaps these fevers are Cloud's system working overtime to turn him into a hermaphrodite. A somewhat sadistic thought crosses his mind. Thinking that between his absentmindedness and his indefinable health, no one, not even himself, will notice what's going to happen next.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud had a very strange dream. He was in an operating room and felt a lot of pain in his lower body. However, he doesn't know why. Cloud couldn't move. He was paralyzed and half asleep despite how much it hurt. A man wearing a clinical mask leaned over him, tested his pupils, and gave him an injection with a huge needle. The pain was so intense, so much so that he only felt like he was being touched below.
It's a dream.
Doctors scare him. The ones who look like they do on TV shows.
Since his accident, this isn't the first time Cloud has had nightmares about undergoing surgery.
This is just another nightmare...
One that feels very real.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud has been sick these days. Very sick. He barely understands himself other than going to the bathroom, watching TV, playing with some gadget Sephiroth leaves him, or eating. Usually fed by him. It's a stressful situation, but he doesn't care. Cloud spends most of his time asleep, as Sephiroth tells him to make the situation less bothersome.
However, he feels unusually better today, a little strange, but nothing that stops him from asking the same question:
"When can I go see my mom?"
Sephiroth hides his annoyance at the question. He had hoped that thanks to how sedated he had to be, he wouldn't even remember Claudia. Sephiroth forces a smile and gets down to the boy's level. He strokes his hair and touches his face, giving him a small kiss on the lips. So normal that Cloud no longer finds it strange or repulsive.
"We've already managed to bring most of the children home. Give me a couple of hours and I'll take you to Claudia," Sephiroth replies and the smile Cloud gives at that moment is breathtaking.
So bright, so enthusiastic and alive. Sephiroth strokes his hair again, as if it's hard to take his hands off it. Cloud watches him leave. Sitting on the couch, he still has the strange feeling, but he doesn't know what it is.
┈
Claudia greets Cloud with a hug, carrying him and crying as hard as she can. Claudia kisses Cloud on the cheek and the top of his head, unable to stop holding him. Sephiroth tilts his head, slightly curious about what it's like to have a mother. His is quite special, not to mention having two. Cloud hugs Claudia some time later, with his usual shyness and inability to maintain much physical contact.
"Thank you so much for bringing him," Claudia sobs. "I thought... I thought I wouldn't be able to see him and- and that he wouldn't come back."
"It's no problem. I wouldn't be able to allow such a terrible evil to happen to him."
Out of excitement and relief, Claudia doesn't suspect that Sephiroth had Cloud all along. She goes into the house and stays with the child. Cloud dozes, happy to be with his mother again, just as Sephiroth promised he would be. He just wants to stay without feeling sick or getting sleepy.
┈
Claudia prepares dinner and Cloud finishes his bath. For the first time in a while, he does it himself and it's a little strange. When he's done with his hair, he moves on to his body and realizes something odd. He runs his hand down his crotch and can't find his balls. He purses his lips and looks around. Why aren't they there? He doesn't understand. Confusion and embarrassment make him stop touching there. Could it be something bad? Cloud doesn't notice the opening underneath.
He's just taken a bath and pretends nothing's wrong. His mom made him his favorite meal; maybe Sephiroth will know what's going on if he asks later.
┈
"Something weird happened."
"Uh?"
"I don't have that little thing down there. I used to have it, but it's not there anymore." Sephiroth knows what he's talking about, but with that explanation, there's no way anyone can tell. Sephiroth kneels in front of him, and Cloud continues, pouting, confused.
"Can I see what you're talking about?" Cloud pulls down his pants and lifts his shirt, bunched up around his chest. Sephiroth checks that the procedure is going well. There are no signs of infection and the wound is completely closed, there doesn't even seem to be a scar. Sephiroth puts a hand to his chin, wanting to go a little further, but... Claudia would notice. He doesn't want to make a scene, or kill her either. Cloud expects Sephiroth to give him some kind of answer, instead of just stroking his penis and getting on his nerves. He clutches his shoulder, letting out a squeak of confusion, his expression pained One of panic.
"Se-seph... Ummmgro..."
Cloud squeezes his eyes shut and covers his mouth with his hand, breathing rapidly through his nose. Sephiroth sighs with pleasure, sucking on the small manhood that hardens on his tongue and presses against the roof of his mouth. Cloud lets out a moan that constricts his throat.
"Sorry, I... sorry."
Cloud feels like crying and his face flushes with embarrassment. He thinks he just peed in Sephiroth's mouth. The general swallows the fluid and laughs; Cloud's face is so tender to him. He kisses him on the forehead and strokes his hair; the boy sniffles and slouches; the embarrassment doesn't fade even by accident.
"You didn't do anything wrong. Come on."
Cloud trembles, not understanding Sephiroth's behavior. The General sighs with pleasure, the trembling child snuggled against his chest. Without thinking about the force he's applying, and why Cloud is forced into this specific position.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud still hasn't told his mother that he's missing something. He's deeply embarrassed. However, hiding his discomfort from her is also very complicated. She realizes something's wrong, she knows it. The complication is that she can't demand that he tell her without causing a problem. Her son has always been quite private and invading him only causes him to get into a bad mood. He may even isolate himself in his room.
She's achieved closeness, both physically and verbally, over the past few months. Claudia doesn't want to lose that. What's also strange at this point is that Cloud doesn't try to leave and go with Sephiroth. Considering that used to be all he asked for. Effects of the kidnapping. Maybe? She tells herself to convince herself.
"Don't you want to go out and play in the garden? It's nice and sunny today," Claudia mentions, and Cloud shakes his head.
"No."
"Do you want to watch TV?"
"Yes."
"And maybe ice cream."
Cloud smiles and swings his legs back and forth. Yes, he'd like that too.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud went out without his mom's permission. He saw suspicious people walking around town and if they're bad, he'll go warn Sephiroth about them. That way they won't hurt anyone again. Sneaking out of the house wasn't exactly easy, but he managed it, and by effectively dodging the dogs, he's able to continue his little spy mission.
He knows where to go despite the wild gloom and how little seems to be happening. The sound it makes is very distinctive. It sounds like a moan of pain or something. He's not sure. Cloud continues to creep stealthily until he reaches the alley where the trouble is happening. He thought he'd find bad people making some kind of plan or organizing to attack his small town, but when he peeks into the alley between two houses, whatever's there is a shock. His blue eyes widen. Overwhelmed and surprised by what he's seeing.
Tifa is there and there are also several SOLDIER there. The girl is crying desperately, her body trapped between two of the SOLDIER, one behind and one in front. At first, Cloud doesn't understand what they're really doing. It's unclear. Until the one behind him moves away and sees another insert his penis into her. They pull on her small, developing breasts, force her to stay still and continue raping her together.
Cloud backs away. He doesn't know what they're doing for sure, but it's bad. It's obviously bad and his body is only forced to come to her aid. However, in the process, he collides with a body taller and stronger than his own. He shivered, frightened by Sephiroth's gloomy appearance. The General peered out for a moment, disinterested and bored by what he saw before turning back to Cloud, who clenched his hands in his pants.
The words stuck in his mouth; he wanted to ask him to stop them and help Tifa. Sephiroth leaned forward slightly. A long, scabrous smile appeared on his lips, his green, toxic gaze revealing sadism and hunger for the little blond boy in front of him.
"You don't have to be scared," Sephiroth assured him in a whisper that nearly made Cloud cry. He wanted to run away, but Sephiroth's grip on his wrist and face prevented him. "I won't let that happen to you. You're safe. With me," the silver-haired man promised. He kissed Cloud on the forehead before lifting him off the ground and carrying him.
His dislike for Sephiroth grew slowly, confused by what he made him feel at times. Right now, it terrifies Cloud so much that he wants to hide and never be found, to escape and never be seen again. Sephiroth expects something from him and Cloud doesn't know what it is; on the contrary, he's terrified of discovering it. Sephiroth keeps him sitting on his lap when they reach the tent and Cloud remains submissively still, paralyzed by the overwhelming, burdensome presence exerted upon him.
At one point, Sephiroth kisses him on the temple, and he hears Cloud sigh. One filled with happiness and relief. Sephiroth hugs him and continues kissing him on the top of his head. It was so dark that Sephiroth is sure Cloud didn't understand what was happening. He's still a little boy. He must have the basic idea of not accepting touch from strangers, but Cloud allows it! He's not a stranger, quite the opposite; he's someone who cares for him and, with full permission, continues to be in contact, to grow it to what it should be.
Sephiroth is sure Cloud wants this too. That's why he stays so calm and lets him do everything. Trembling with anxiety at the idea of him finally taking him.
Cloud is so scared that he lets it all go, not hiding his panic, his expression of fear, and his body shaking with terror.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
People are taking communion in the central plaza, murmuring and exclaiming in surprise at what's happening there in front of the windmill. Sephiroth maintains a wide, savage smile, his hands gripping Cloud's blond hair, moving him to continue oral sex in the middle of everyone's mouths and in full view of everyone.
When he pulls away, Cloud stands with his mouth open and the enormous phallus in front of him. He licks it a couple more times, earning murmurs and complaints from the villagers. Cloud stands up and takes off his pants, then lies on the ground with his legs spread. Cloud stifles the moan of being penetrated and then thrust so hard by the General.
Sephiroth plants his hands on either side of Cloud, his short legs wrapped around his half-exposed hips, his penis thrusting in and out of the small body. Cloud's abdomen inflates every time the phallus enters fully, filling his interior to a terrifying degree. The childish moans are long, insistent, and scandalous. Cloud cries out for The General to move faster or harder.
Sephiroth grits his teeth and buries his manhood completely inside. Cloud screams silently, arched, his belly swelling with the enormous amount of semen the General releases. A silly, lustful smile spreads across his lips, as he rises up on his elbows to watch Sephiroth masturbate his still-hard, long erection; his swollen balls waiting to release more and more into the shameless boy who moans like a common whore; who turns around and lifts her ass like a thirsty whore.
One Sephiroth can have as much as he likes, even in front of everyone in his village. No one says anything; everyone watches intently and simply.
Sephiroth opens his eyes and snorts in annoyance. He wants to make this real. There's no one in his bed besides him; he's sure Cloud slept here. When did he leave?
Claudia wakes up in a bad mood, due to her son's abruptness and insistence on getting her up. She sits up in bed, rubs her face and tries to find her place in time and space. She also wants to reprimand her son for doing this. Cloud looks startled and scared. Enough for Claudia to think there's a problem.
"What's going on? Did you see anything strange?" Claudia asks, removing the sheet. Cloud nods repetitively and quickly.
"I-I... they... Tifa... were doing something... to Tifa."
Claudia tilts her head, confused. Tifa?
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
The huge commotion in Nibelheim stems from one simple reason: the chief's daughter was found brutally abused, lying in an alley, close to death. Unconscious and undergoing treatment while everyone discusses what happened, how it happened. Even pointing out how strange it is that Cloud knew about it, but didn't say anything until now, instead of reporting the crime at the moment it was happening.
"He's just a kid. He got scared. He didn't know what to do," Claudia defends. Incredible at how they manage to turn any situation around to make Cloud feel guilty. "Besides, he said it just in time. Tifa's still here! That's what really matters!"
"My daughter's here because Gaia took pity on her! Your son is dying, but he's not without a cock that he probably used to abuse my daughter!"
Cloud hides behind Claudia. He wouldn't do something so ugly. He doesn't even understand what they were doing.
"He's a kid!"
"If he didn't do anything wrong, he should have reported it immediately!"
The appearance of the SOLDIERs stops the commotion that seems more like a chicken coop than a town meeting. Sephiroth stands in the middle, the enormous and obvious authority among the infantry, 2nd Class, 3rd Class and even above the mayor of Nibelheim. Sephiroth reaches the front lines, judging everyone with his eyes. This kind of chaos is problematic during a war. It could be used as a distraction. He needs them inside their homes as much as possible. He focuses on Cloud for a moment, where he's hiding and the obvious fear and confusion he feels.
It seems absurd to him that they want to blame him. He clears his throat, hands behind his back. He can't believe he has to fix this situation, all because twelve damn soldiers couldn't keep their cocks in their pants and were harassing a girl with barely any breasts.
"As you can understand, given our presence and authority here, I feel it my duty to investigate this incident," Sephiroth introduces firmly, but with a certain hypnotic softness to his voice. "What I can assure you is that this child has little or nothing to do with the altercation," the silver-haired man announces, his cold, sharp green eyes fixed on Tifa's father. "There's no need to go further than one piece of evidence: Someone of his size and strength is incapable of restraining another child in such a manner.”
"He—"
"He's an unfortunate third party involved. It should be noted that he's still a child, one who's just been through the traumatic experience of being kidnapped. Naturally, he's trying to save himself rather than cause a ruckus," the General justifies and Claudia breathes a sigh of relief at not being alone against all of Nibelheim. Which is the usual. "With that nonsense out of the way, after reviewing recordings and other evidence both at the scene and the crime scene, I can assure you that it was an enemy attack." Exclamations of surprise and disbelief echo throughout the mountainous area. "We've been able to control it and eradicate those responsible for this atrocity. I must insist that everyone remain indoors. Otherwise, more events like this will continue to occur."
Claudia carries Cloud to take him home. Keep him under lock and key if necessary. Do everything possible to prevent further harm to her small, confused son. Sephiroth stares at her as she leaves. Cloud hides his face and clings to his mother's clothes. He doesn't want to see Sephiroth. He let those evil people hurt Tifa so much. He can't forgive him for not doing his job as SOLDIER Number One. It's absurd that he didn't do it while he was there.
By Sephiroth's order, very few people are seen outside their homes. There's no need for it, not with the high-tech cable and televisions brought here. None as good as the one in the Strife Room, brought and installed by Sephiroth. It's one of those rare moments when he's not wearing his uniform. For Claudia, it's almost abnormal to see him like this. As if something doesn't quite fit with his appearance. She keeps the comment religiously hidden as a precaution.
They had lunch and now, as it's getting later, the idea is to try out the new television. Claudia notices how closely Cloud watches Sephiroth. He keeps a small distance and mumbles occasionally as if he were an old grumpy man. Claudia wants to convince himself it's a game, because Sephiroth gives him a lot of looks. Each one more playful than the last. It's like an outside joke or something like that.
Cloud leaves for his room hurriedly and for no reason.
"He's been feeling a little strange these days."
"I've noticed. Maybe it's the fear and the stress," Sephiroth replies calmly. "Kids his age tend to take these situations very badly if they're not strong enough. And they don't have anything else to think about."
"Ummm... there's never much to do here," Claudia says quietly, "but there's also not much going on... there aren't... events like that."
Claudia is still overwhelmed by what happened to Tifa. What seems to have happened to the other children in the village. She's afraid that men will come and abuse her son. Just like they've done to the others. At the same time, she can't swallow how they thought their baby would do something so vile. She knows she's been living among vipers since they started making fun of Cloud's poor condition.
"I was thinking maybe I'll move far away from here," Claudia mentions. "Maybe to Gongaga. The weather's nice there.”
"It's in the middle of nowhere."
"Just like here."
"Rocket Town is better."
"I couldn't live near a rocket. How scary," the woman mentions. Sephiroth laughs softly and looks toward Cloud's room.
"It's natural that disasters like these happen in wars." He crosses his arms and Claudia analyzes it vaguely. Confidence, narcissism and discretion. "Fortunately, that won't happen to him."
"Yes. It won't," she affirms with a smile. If it's positive, maybe it will come true. Sephiroth gives her a gesture that sends the worst chills down her spine.
He smiles weakly, a simple curl of his lips, his head literally tilted, his silver hair falling to the right. Finally, there's his gaze, that toxic, glowing green. The slight tilt as he looks down on her. Claudia has the worst feeling about this. Sephiroth is hiding something that has to do with Cloud.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
—M… mo… mom.
Claudia wakes up at Cloud's call. She turns on the light and exclaims, surprised and terrified to see blood on his hands. However, Cloud's panicked expression isn't a wound. The woman is deeply confused by the sight of blood running from between Cloud's legs. The child is sobbing, his hand bloodied and his abdominal pain excruciating. Cloud can't explain it. He thinks he's being crushed inside, with a monster twisting his organs.
Obviously, Claudia had to have a checkup and when she found the string of changes, she simply continues to wonder what she did wrong for all this to be happening to her son. She gave birth to him and he was a regular baby. He didn't have these changes. She knows it must be the accident he had and that only scares her about what else could happen to him.
Dealing with the topic practically, she gave him the lecture she didn't think she'd have to give. Not to his son. The discomfort in both of them is palpable. Cloud sticks with the theory that a monster is killing him inside, not that he's in a fertile period and menstruating (the word is foreign to him). He also has the same thing in mind:
He's a boy and boys don't get pregnant; girls do. When they grow up.
On the other hand, the cramps are a real problem. They can't possibly get worse. The only good thing is that they can be relieved with warm compresses on his stomach and homemade medicine. Lying in bed and wearing a diaper to avoid soiling himself, he endures four days in the same situation. Fearing it might happen again.
"We should see a doctor," Claudia comments to herself. “To know if it will still happen again… maybe they can take out your uterus… although maybe not, you're still too young to know if that's what you want and maybe you do want it and I took it out. What am I supposed to do?” Her crisis is huge.
Even if her son is gay or decides to undergo gender reassignment at some point in his life… Claudia doesn't think this will be good for him right now. He's too anxious about what's happening, with his own problems because of Mako, even what he saw in Tifa. A simple comment gives a glimpse:
"If I have girlish things, are they going to do the same thing to me as they did to Tifa?"
"No, of course not," Claudia quickly replies. "No one has to know and no one is going to touch you. If that happens, you have to scream really, really loudly for me to come help you; but you have to stay home... until we're safe."
Cloud nods and looks at the ceiling. Claudia exhales, covering her face with her hand. She must find a solution to this, no matter the cost.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Claudia is asleep. In fact, she collapsed from exhaustion.
Cloud is tired of bleeding and believes the solution is as simple as closing that opening. He knows the ShinRa doctor and believes he can close it. His mother is also very worried; he must help her in any way he can. He sneaks out of the house. Very carefully, he enters the military camp.
Cloud doesn't realize someone saw him, much less that he's being followed. He peers into several tents. They're all the same except for Sephiroth's; distinguishing the doctor's is difficult.
"Where are you going?"
He turns and finds a SOLDIER 2nd Class. With his hands clasped together, discomfort growing from the blood pooling on his pad, he answers weakly and anxiously. The SOLDIER offers to guide him and Cloud follows. Some SOLDIERs see them; he notices one or another laughing or muttering, but he doesn't know why. They enter a tent and almost instantly his mouth is covered and the man is behind him, holding him down.
"You're going to stay still and if you scream, you'll regret it," he warns and Cloud struggles furiously, trying to free himself.
The movement is rough, further and further back in the dark tent; the SOLDIER manages to subdue him, pulling down the boy's pants and reaching there. Cloud opens his eyes wide, terrified by the rubbing fingers. "And this...? I get the best one huh!" Cloud sobs desperately, trying to break free. The fingers thrust roughly into his vagina feel horrible, compounded by the pain. He tries to let go and for a moment he succeeds, screaming outrageously.
They hold him by the head, pinned to the ground, their fingers returning inside him. Cloud sobs, and even though he struggles, he can't get free. He can only stay still and beg to be released. The SOLDIER lowers his pants and before he can penetrate Cloud to continue with what he intends, his head is gone.
Cloud can barely breathe, seeing the skull on the ground beside him. He lifts himself slightly and breathes through his mouth, with high-pitched, breathless moans.
"Fortunately, I got here in time."
Until now, he hadn't noticed it because he didn't know him, but Cloud is sure Sephiroth looks at him the same way that soldier looked at him.
Even worse.
Harder.
More indifferent.
More lunatic.
Sephiroth picks him up and carries him away. The corpse would eventually disappear. He doesn't care.
┈
Cloud opens his legs to let him look. Sephiroth gently holds Cloud, slightly parting his blood-filled vaginal lips. Sephiroth didn't think he was about to get his period; it's relatively obvious, but what can be said? Nothing about Cloud is normal. The only thing that is is the submission with which he lets him observe and touch him. Open willingly and expecting something from him.
"It should stop soon... I don't see any noticeable damage. It was just a bad moment," Sephiroth concludes.
The silver-haired man brings his face closer and smells his exposed vagina. The strong, provocative scent it gives off. Sephiroth holds Cloud's legs and, with gasps from him, proceeds to lick the throbbing opening. He cleans away the blood and even drinks what comes out, with the boy moaning with pleasure and placing his hands on his silver-haired head. He inserts his tongue into the cavity, which squeezes and closes and then pulls away with a dark thread of saliva still connecting it. Cloud gasps and trembles, constantly shivering.
"I was so afraid that someone other than Sephiroth would touch me," the boy sobs, and Sephiroth gets up to hug him.
"No one will hurt you. I promised I wouldn't allow it."
Sephiroth has the boy crying. His face is full of terror and the urge to flee from here, from Sephiroth, before he does what he saw and that scares him so much. Sephiroth's response, which has nothing to do with Cloud's request, is:
«I'm scared. Stop doing that.»
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Sephiroth walks to the center of the platform, observing all the SOLDIERs, who are confused and trying to find an explanation for their current state. Tied by the neck in one place and worse still, with their hands at neck level. There are hundreds and hundreds of them. With the General at the front, his expression filled with delight at the confusion and chaos.
"Their behavior and ethics have been exceptionally poor these days," Sephiroth announces, hands clasped behind his back. "I feel the need to educate them so that something like this doesn't happen again."
Complaints come and go, nothing that interests him. On the platform, there's only a chair and a couple of large cubes that can also be used as seats. Silence falls suddenly, as if everyone was cursed to be like this. They watch the small, thin figure walk calmly up to the front.
The small, naked boy exposed in front of all the SOLDIERs. Sephiroth notices how they are unable to contain their urges, no matter how odious they may be. They all desire Cloud, their desire increasing as the boy exposes himself. Cloud opens his legs, revealing his genitals. His atrophied penis, his wet, oozing vagina and finally his closed ass.
With a jump, he gets up from his seat and walks toward Sephiroth, opening his pants and revealing his long penis. He massages it with both hands, breathing rapidly and smiling temptingly at the General, who lets him continue his actions, beginning to lick the glans and part of the phallus. His small, spongy tongue moistens the member, which grows harder and harder. When it's hard and erect, Cloud slides it into his mouth, moving back and forth along the warm extension, past his throat. His blue eyes are still on Sephiroth and his face is starting to redden.
The General grabs him by the head, quickening the pace; the blond sucks and presses the penis with his tongue, thus causing even greater pleasure in the SOLDIER General. The large screens in the room only serve to expose just how much Cloud does. His lascivious and expert movements provoke the taller man. He rolls his eyes, his lips pressed against Sephiroth's groin and semen fills his throat. A stifled sound accompanied by his suppressed moans; it's possible to notice his legs trembling and the liquid that keeps flowing from them.
When he pulls away, there's still semen oozing out; Cloud keeps his mouth open and lets the liquid fall onto his tongue; it splashes on his nose, forehead, eyes and hair. Despite having just finished his orgasm, Sephiroth is still just as hard. Cloud turns his back on him and lies on the floor, his ass raised and his hands spreading his buttocks to expose himself.
"Continue," Cloud asks with a smile, his eyes clouded with pleasure. Sephiroth smiles long and cynical, simply perverted. Satisfied with the child's plea, so small.
Satisfied with how the others see how much he's theirs; the way they get aroused, that some have semen in their pants and throbbing erections that go unheeded. They drool and pant like wild animals; none will have Cloud. None will have the pleasure he can generate in any man.
Sephiroth kneels behind him, cupping his buttocks and eliciting a long, rasping cry from him; Cloud sticks out his tongue and smiles, a huge puddle of drool running down his face and his vagina red from the phallus thrust in. Sephiroth sighs deeply and pleasurably, thrusting his penis in and out without leaving his round buttocks, occasionally slapping him. His fat, large testicles constantly grind against Cloud's thighs. The infantile orgasms come one after another. It's clear to Sephiroth that Cloud finds pleasure in pleasuring him and is indifferent to the internal damage he does.
His moans accelerate, increasingly high-pitched and clumsy; the General grabs him by the neck and thrusts, barely able to extract his entire penis. Cloud runs out of air and his belly starts to swell with the incoming semen. He trembles like a frightened animal and Sephiroth lifts him off the ground, spreading his legs to expose him to the others watching; some who cum again and again, until their pants fall off and their pathetic manhoods are exposed; others suffer from not being able to save themselves or be near that tiny thing capable of anything and more.
Sephiroth opens his small legs, exposing his vagina, which leaks blood and semen to the floor, his member, which keeps releasing that same whitish liquid. Sitting on a chair, Sephiroth penetrates Cloud again, giving everyone a better view of how he possesses him. How his vagina stretches to make way for such a thick and long penis.
His outrageous moans accompany the wet sound of his vagina. Sephiroth slides his arms under his raspy knees and interlaces his fingers behind Cloud's head. "Yes! IT FEELS GREAT! AAAAH! AAAAHGGJ! UHGM- SE-SEPHIRO-TH- AH-”
Sephiroth plunges Cloud fully onto his penis, leaving more seed inside him. All that can be inside and more. The huge, murky smile on Cloud's face accompanied by his own orgasm that soaks his abdomen. He's trembling nonstop, his face beginning to redden. He realizes there are more people besides his audience. They get closer, and Cloud pants like a dog.
"More... Sephiroths... I want-"
The boy opens his mouth, receiving the penis in his mouth and his eyes completely rolled back from the penetration in his ass. At the same time, two members in his already full vagina; His stretched abdomen and broken body greet the four men, indifferent to how much he must contort it. All with the same green eyes and satisfied smiles. The one in the back is the one moving his head, with the insistent twang. Cloud's hands are occupied with a penis on each side. When he releases the one in his mouth, he goes for the one on his right, and although it's not much, when they separate, he keeps his tongue out and an excited smile on his face.
“M-more SephirothAAAHSHs I-IT'S- GREAT SEPHIROTH! I-I'M CUMMING! I CAN'T! I WANT MORE SEPHIROTH!”
Cloud is unaware of which is which, who's coming or who's going, only that his body is the receptacle for that thick white seed that falls from his vagina, his ass, his mouth, his face, his chest. Lying on the floor with his orifices full, one of his penises rubbing between his small breasts and his mouth full from time to time. Sephiroth chuckles, seeing him lying on the floor with his legs spread and more cum than he can contain. Cloud sees those who came leave, but the smile reappears on his face. "It's not over yet, Cloud," announces the new arrival and the boy just breathes deeply and excitedly.
"I want to do it with all the Sephiroths... and... let them keep destroying my pussy."
He watches them masturbate, green-eyed shadows that are going to devour and continue destroying the boy in front of everyone who wants the same, everyone who wants to do the same.
When he opens his eyes and finds Cloud asleep in front of him, he realizes there are things he truly wouldn't like. The morbidity of his fantasies is great, but this terrible state feels unpleasant. He wants to protect his child from the morbidities of others. He's much better than them. Not only because he'll have Cloud; he's better because he'll be able to make him smile with pleasure in a way they wouldn't. Being alone, in private, his dreams are the wild, horrible part of himself that he sometimes hates, but that can be an interesting idea once in a while.
He leans closer and kisses Cloud on the forehead, ruffles his blond hair and goes back to sleep. Cloud opens his eyes instantly and although he tries to escape, the tight grip on his arm prevents him. He has no choice but to sleep here until Sephiroth wakes up and frees him.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“Cloud!”
"It's okay. There was an incident, but nothing serious happened. Unfortunately, it's hard to spot pests before they strike."
Claudia hugs the boy who's clinging too tightly to her. She senses his fear. Claudia picks Cloud up and although she's grateful for Sephiroth, she's able to notice that creepy, suspicious gesture again. Cloud remains hidden on his mother's shoulder, believing that if he sees Sephiroth, something bad might happen. He's afraid something bad might happen. Claudia quickly retreats to her home and Sephiroth chuckles, while Cloud waves and moves his lips.
Cloud has been locked in his room these days. Even though Claudia is still allowed to go in there to check on him, something is bothering him at this point. Otherwise, he wouldn't be trying to create a barrier between himself and the world. The woman creates a worse scenario than the other in mind and starts to be oppressive. Cloud isn't arbitrary; he doesn't make decisions like this on a whim.
Claudia wished someone had warned her how difficult it is to get information out of his almost eight-year-old son.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Another attack, everyone back in their shelters. Claudia and Cloud isolated from the rest and causing rumors due to favoritism. She doesn't care how much they talk. She has other concerns on her mind. All more important. Watching all the disaster unfolding in Nibelheim allows her to work out that she needs to get out of here. She might find something in Rocket Town.
Once again, she doesn't care how far she has to go with the sole purpose of protecting Cloud. Something isn't right here.
"Mom, I feel sick," Cloud murmurs, his face red. He has a fever. Claudia hugs him close.
"When we get home, we'll do something about it, okay?"
Cloud nods, dozing and a few minutes later, he's asleep on top of his mom. The attack ends and as usual, there's enormous chaos inside Nibelheim. What's different this time is that robots are working on repairs. Making the houses even stronger and bigger than they were before, adding upgrades and more they never dreamed of having. Sephiroth appears with only dirt on his boots and part of the robe he's wearing.
"Because of the recent problems, I had some wards installed on your house. In case another altercation like the one two months ago happens," Sephiroth warns Claudia. She notices there are some extra metals in her house.
"Thank you," she responds cordially, feeling suspicious about this.
Cloud gives him a shy look and hides on his mother's shoulder. Sephiroth gives a simple chuckle before following his tent. He wants to take a bath.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud is very frustrated: He's sick again! It's a nuisance. He pretends to his mother that he's not so bad when in reality he feels like he wants to die. The fever and the pain in his bones are worse than ever. Fortunately, he has much more to do now than just staying locked in his room. He has a television, a tablet and lots of toys to play with. It's clearly Sephiroth's doing and he's not going to deny it. Cloud wonders if Sephiroth is bad or not.
It's very strange.
As the days go by, his physical discomfort worsens, including the fact that the fever isn't really that. Out of modesty, he doesn't tell his mother what's happening, but his underwear gets really wet. Filled with clear liquid, it oozes out of that hole he hates and that bothers him so much.
It's a beautiful day in Nibelheim and going out to play for a while isn't a bad idea. Claudia gave him a time limit to be outside, asking him not to stray too far from home or where there are people. Cloud plays with a couple of dogs nearby, ignoring the children talking behind him. His annoyed expression comes from his body heat and once again, he feels slimy between his legs.
"What's with that face?"
Cloud raises his head, finding Sephiroth leaning toward him. Cloud pouts, furrowing his eyebrows.
"I feel weird."
"Yes?"
"Uh-huh. Hot."
"You must be sick. It's freezing," he says, his lips curling into a smile. Cloud grumbles and pulls the dog toward him to continue petting it.
"I know. It's just... ugly. It's annoying. It gets all ugly downstairs, too." Sephiroth tilts his head.
“Do you want me to help you fix it? I know a way.”
“Really?”
“Sure. It happens to women. It's natural. I can help you. If you want.”
Cloud stands up, leaving the dog behind and then brushes off his clothes. He takes Sephiroth's hand under the watchful eyes of everyone who speaks in Nibelheim. So easy for them to pretend they haven't seen anything that happened. Why?
The question is answered with another: Why put a stop to the great General Sephiroth? The one who defends them and brings technology, resources, materials. Everything and more than Nibelheim could have dreamed of. If the price of this is allowing him to lead the blond boy by the hand, what compels them to stop him? Nothing compels them to stop this suspicious interaction with a clearing to come.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“The first thing is to take off your clothes. That way, the heat will begin to subside and you won't keep getting your clothes wet.”
Cloud, somewhat reluctantly, but forced by Sephiroth's insistence, ends up undressing. Completely naked and distressed, lying on Sephiroth's bed. The silver-haired man trembles with pure anticipation. He watches with reverence and joy what happens. How easily the boy follows his instructions, resulting in a mischievous smile on his part. The boy seduces him and plays innocent, even though Sephiroth knows perfectly well that this isn't the case.
Little by little, Sephiroth sheds his own clothes, his blood burning hot in anticipation of what was to come.
Cloud had never seen anyone naked other than himself. Sephiroth in front of him only sends shivers and fear down his spine. The naked general looks even larger than usual. His chest is broad and his shoulders are toned and bulging, his abdomen is well defined, his waist is slim, his hips are square and his legs are long and perfectly toned. Cloud slowly leans back, hugging his legs against himself.
Sephiroth's penis is very thick. He'd say it's the only "ugly" part of his body. His skin is slightly pink, his hair is almost transparent and his testicles complement his slightly hardened virility. Sephiroth crawls toward Cloud, cupping his face and pressing their lips together. His touch is reciprocated in a timid and fearful way. He slides his tongue into Cloud's mouth and the deeper the contact, the hotter the atmosphere becomes.
Cloud breathes through his mouth, barely able to hold his breath. Sephiroth makes him spread out. Make him expose his body to him. It's done willingly. The boy lying on his bed, his face red and his body ready to have him. Sephiroth kisses every little part within his reach: the warm chest where his heart beats wildly, lingering on the small, light brown nipples and sucking one while tugging on the other, dreaming of the moment when they become small breasts to play with.
Sephiroth moves down Cloud’s abdomen, slides his teeth into the spongy, lusty-smelling flesh. Considering Cloud was born to be a prostitute. His entire body smelling so good and so beautiful that it would be criminal not to have him naked and satisfy those with enough money to touch him. The most expensive whore there could be on the entire planet.
He reaches his legs, lovingly massaging the child's thighs, slender like everything on Cloud. He takes his time enjoying every bit of skin and flesh Cloud has to offer, even massaging his feet a little and tickling him with it.
Slowly, he goes to his crotch and brings the boy's erect manhood to his mouth, sucking it. Cloud grabs his hair and moans anxiously, confused by the pleasurable sensations he's being subjected to. Sephiroth inserts a finger into the small vagina, the flesh closing around his finger and filling it with wet fluid. He pushes it in and out, his head bobbing up and down on the small penis, before inserting a second finger.
"Sephiroth," Cloud sighs, pulling the man a little harder, who smirks, opening and closing his fingers in the closed cavity.
His third finger slides in and the pressure is immense. Cloud has a vagina so small that Sephiroth's fingers have already filled it. He opens and closes them, licks the outer lips and does everything until Cloud's ecstatic howl fills the room. Sephiroth stands up, the thick, clear vaginal fluid filling his chin and part of his chest. Cloud, his hands on his chest, his face flushed in ecstasy.
"Do you understand now? I'm the only one who can have you because only I can give you this pleasure?" Sephiroth rubs the wet opening and Cloud covers his mouth, embarrassed. "Useless SOLDIERS wouldn't be able to love you properly. To do you right."
Kneeling before him, he starts to masturbate his penis, bringing the length and hardness to its peak. Cloud writhes and sighs in place, his legs bent and wide open. Sephiroth massages his flat, slightly swollen chest, occasionally tugging on the nipple.
When he feels ready, he pulls Cloud by the legs, his veiny, reddened penis rubbing between the thin, moist, pink lips. He does it to provoke him, to want him as aroused as he is. Before Cloud reaches the obvious orgasm, he grabs him by the hip and gives a full thrust to be inside him.
A crooked smile appears on Cloud's face, gasping for hot air, his body tensing around the Spear that ripped through his flesh to force its way in. Sephiroth gasps and grins broadly. Cloud squeezes too hard. His cock is so tight, he can't even move it. He presses his right hand against Cloud's abdomen, swollen with the manhood that invades him.
"I-I broke... I'm..." Cloud shivered.
"I-It hurts... it HURTS- I don't want it anymore. Sep-"
Sephiroth slowly pulls out his cock, blood staining it. This time it's not his period, it's the torn and resentful flesh. Once he's almost all out and with a slight huff, he shoves it back in, drawing a loud moan from Cloud. He repeats the action over and over, picking up speed. There's no moment when Cloud's vagina feels looser; it just squeezes tighter and tighter. Sephiroth sees it as Cloud's eagerness to play. The boy's hands on his chest, making accidental scratches and his face of endless ecstasy, begging for more, saying how weird it feels and how good it feels. He sees his entire body flaking like soft dough, bouncing with each thrust and making indecent sounds.
from every possible part. His pussy, his mouth, his buttocks; an erotic symphony that Sephiroth proudly and lengthily conducts. Cloud opens his eyes and arches violently. Sephiroth's fat testicles pressed against his buttocks, his manhood unloading all the hot seed that the womb he invaded in these hours of union has been yearning for.
Sephiroth notices his hair damp with sweat; his eyes dilated and fixed on the blond boy he's been longing for for months and now finally his. With the first time even more explosive and mind-blowing than it had been in his dreams. He withdraws his cock and, as he does, sees the gushes of hot cum flowing down from the thirsty cavity.
The hot air escapes from his mouth and he can't hold anything inside him. His manhood is still as hard as iron and his body is eager to fill his lover with so much seed that it's impossible not to leave him pregnant. Cloud rolls onto his back, Sephiroth embraces him and without hesitation, he invades the closed orifice again, filling his insides and allowing himself to be enveloped by the flesh that eagerly receives him.
Crushing Cloud on the bed drowns out the whimpers of pleasure he lets out, heartfelt and over the moon thanks to the continuous orgasms he has, exposed in liquid and barely thick semen. Sephiroth doesn't let him breathe for a moment, kissing behind his ear, the nape of his neck, shoulders and neck, massaging his chest so that as they grow, they become breasts, moaning hoarsely and shamelessly.
"You take my cock so well. You like it a lot, don't you?" Sephiroth says, licking behind Cloud's ear. "You like having me inside you, Cloud," Sephiroth moans. "Tell me how much you like it."
"Sep-psehiroth-”
"Come on, tell me how much you like it when I break your vagina and fill you with seed." He slides his hand down to caress the swollen abdomen that still shows when his member goes in and out. "Tell me how much you like it when I'm going to impregnate you."
"I-I love it-AH! SEphiiiroth- ahhmmn, uiuhnmm...! Ah! Ah! AAH! SEPHIIIROTH-SEP- I LOVE IT! B-BREAK ME MORE!" Cloud moans louder, until he's screaming and Sephiroth smiles, satisfied to hear it, thrusting into him harder so the embarrassment goes away and he can keep talking. "E-PREGNANT ME! GIVE IT TO ME...! AH-”
For long, eternal hours, it's just doing that. With Sephiroth changing the way he'll continue loving his little blond-haired lover. Having him bounce on his cock was especially good to watch, helping him move because he couldn't do it alone.
Now, with the boy filled with fertile white seed so tight it doesn't even leave his body. Yet, worthy of the General of SOLDIER and of being the strongest human on this planet, he's still able to continue. His member is raised and ready for further copulation. He spreads Cloud's buttocks and licks the still virgin and undefiled hole. Which can't be the case.
Everything in Cloud must be his.
Holding his penis and Cloud's hips, he thrusts into the boy's ass, who presses and grips the sheet, howling in a mixture of pain and pleasure. Sephiroth suffers shivers of genuine, sweeping ecstasy.
"Your whole body is mine now," he announces to the barely conscious man. Cloud mumbles in agreement. "Stay awake, Cloud. Come on. You still have to receive it all here."
"T-take you... all i-in my ass- Aaah, ahhh," he sticks out his tongue, her face as red as it is damp with sweat. His eyes are slightly rolled up. "Sh-Ohh. Ah, ah, aaahgbn…"
Sephiroth kisses him on the mouth and pulls Cloud towards him. He can't stop now, much less let him go.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
She searches everywhere for Cloud, without finding him. Claudia starts to panic. Where has he gone? She even went to Mount Nibel to try to find him. Last time, he was lost there. Back in Nibelheim, she notices some people staring at her and whispering, fleeing from her presence before she can try to ask about her son. It starts to get dark and her panic gets much worse, thinking that maybe something bad has happened to him.
Halfway to a complete breakdown, she realizes that Sephiroth is carrying him and seems to be about to leave him at home. Claudia interrupts his way, anxious and wanting to take the child.
"Where was he? I-I looked for him everywhere—"
She thought Cloud was asleep, after all. Now he has a bad habit of getting sleepy when being carried. Besides, he's so still, it seems that way. However, he's wide awake and barely hears Claudia; he wriggles to go with her, clinging too tightly. Claudia feels the small, warm body and, before any concern or confusion, she notices Sephiroth's chest: covered in thin, fresh scratches; some strange bruises where his skin is starting to heal from the Mako; and finally, the broken lip with blood still oozing out.
Despite wearing part of the uniform, he's wearing looser pants, without shoulder pads, without the straps across his chest; much of it is missing, as well as extra. Claudia's heart beats faster and more painfully, clutching the child in her arms and trembling noticeably, her eyes wide open in sharp pain and a terrible emptiness in her stomach.
"What did you do to him?" Claudia asks in a faint voice. Sephiroth shakes his head.
"Nothing to be afraid of."
Those who look out their windows or are still outside their homes witness the slap Claudia gives Sephiroth. So hard it turns his face. Although the skin on Claudia's palm turns red instantly, Sephiroth's does too. He moves his jaw and turns back to her and she identifies that look again.
Only cynicism and mockery of her.
"Why so much anguish? I'm only helping your son."
Claudia feels like she's drowning. She turns around and leaves quickly, locking herself inside the house. She closes every window, every door, every possible access and in her room, she hugs Cloud tightly, crying desperately.
Wondering herself: why should my son be the one they hurt the most?
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“Mom, are we moving?”
Claudia doesn't answer, packing her suitcase and deciding what she should take or what's useless. Cloud tugs at her skirt, forcing her to stop and pay attention to him.
"Is it my fault you cry so much? You have gray hair," he comments, both shy and uneasy.
"It's not your fault, Cloud," Claudia states quickly. "Nothing that happened is your fault," she emphasizes forcefully. She takes him by the shoulders, kneeling in front of him. "If someone hurts you, it's not your fault, it's that person's fault for being cruel and inhumane... Promise me you'll never feel guilty about anything someone has done to you. Promise me."
"I promise, Mom."
Claudia hugs him and sighs. She'll have to give almost half of her money, but there's a taxi coming along this dangerous route that goes to Rocket Town. It will pass in a couple of days and Claudia plans to use it to get out of here. She doesn't care how much money she has to give to compensate him. Getting Cloud out of here and away from Sephiroth is her primary mission now.
┈
"Mom is very sad now."
"It's natural. You're sick. She wants you to be healthy.
Cloud furrows his eyebrows, with Sephiroth in his room. He came in through the window. Among the improvements to the house are the soundproof walls. With the door closed, it's impossible for anyone to hear what's inside. It's also worth noting that it can only be opened from the inside. Only Sephiroth has the key and the window opens magnetically.
In the end, he adapted this place to make it useful for his purposes.
"I see you still have the problem," Sephiroth mentions. Cloud shakes his head.
"No. I'm fine now."
"Liar," he mocks cynically.
"I'm fine now! I don't want you to help me!"
"Why not?"
"My mom was very sad about it. I don't want her to be like this again."
"She won't notice."
Sephiroth sits him on his lap, pressing his lips together. Cloud keeps his hands on Sephiroth's chest. Everything moves much faster and more brutally than the last time. Sephiroth enjoys what he's doing, evident in his smile and the way he moans. He stares at the boy, his legs spread and his abdomen swollen to receive his cock.
Seeing his face contorted with pleasure.
I-I don't want that again-
The way Cloud contorts his entire body to receive him, to make it easier to continue copulating.
Nono, no, don’dothat it hurts, IT HURTS-
The loud moans that demand more, saying Sephiroth's name over and over again.
The small being in his hands is perfect in that place and he doesn't want to let go. Sephiroth doesn't plan on letting go. If they both enjoy it so much, why would he?
Sephiroth is supposed to help him, but now he feels so bad. His groin throbs and burns and sometimes bleeds for no reason. Cloud wants it to stop hurting so much and for his green eyes to stop appearing in the darkness when he sleeps. He's understood that to avoid it, he must go sleep with his mother. Something that has worked every night. Claudia isn't going to repel any attempt by her son to seek contact.
She thinks she's hallucinating that at the door of his room, when it's pitch black and the occasional animal outside the house is barely audible, there are glowing green eyes staring at them.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
She has trouble handling Cloud, the boy more asleep than awake, barely able to keep up with his hurried mother. Claudia was able to make her suitcases and backpacks shrink. At least most of them. Using materias has never been her strong suit and she'll scream in despair if she can't return them to their original size afterward. Earlier than anyone, including the sun, she heads for the Nibelheim exit, avoiding the ShinRa camp and anyone who might see her.
The transport they're supposed to take to Rocket Town will arrive soon. If they miss it, they'll have to wait another two months? Or more. Going on foot is suicide with so many monster clusters these days. It's the only way to get anywhere. To her own surprise, she's stopped by a group of SOLDIERS guarding farther out than anyone knows they do. She thought there'd be a tighter perimeter around Nibelheim.
"Um, excuse me? I need to get through."
"You can't leave the town, ma'am," the soldier with the oversized helmet announces. Cloud leans against her, falling asleep standing up.
"Please go home and don't go out at this hour."
"I have travel to Rocket Town. I have a job offer there—” The lie isn’t obvious. Rather, it’s the only reason she’d want to go there. Besides being in a hurry, who tries to move in the middle of a war? Why flee an area protected by the best defenses ShinRa can provide? “And they’ll make me lose my ride.”
“We’re very sorry, but we can’t let you through. Please come back.”
Claudia carries Cloud, who is fast asleep. The discussion continues to revolve until the relevant piece of information arrives, giving meaning to so much reluctance: “The General has ordered that all civilians in Nibelheim remain in Nibelheim. Kidnappings make them easy targets during transfers of any kind. You must remain here until the General says otherwise.”
It’s Sephiroth’s order.
“I don’t care about your orders, get out of my way,” she orders irritably and repulsively. They stop her, though Claudia pushes her as best she can.
"Ma'am, please—"
"The General said—"
"I don't care what the General said. He's not my superior officer, nor my father. Move out of the way!" Claudia demands, continuing the back-and-forth. Cloud doesn't know what to do other than maintain a nervous expression. He's never seen his mother like this and it's a little confusing.
The argument continues for a few moments.
"What's going on here?"
"General Sephiroth, sir," the pair of SOLDIERs salute. Claudia snorts, picks up Cloud and walks past them, who stumble as they try to chase her.
She isn't interested in saying another word to Sephiroth. Nothing she says will convince her to stay. Their path is again interrupted by the tall General, who looks down on her. Intensely and mockingly. The blonde tries to find a space to pass, but with Cloud in her arms, it's impossible.
"I think they were very clear with my order, Mrs. Strife." Sephiroth says, hands behind his back and chin raised.
"And just as I told you, you are not my superior or my father, therefore, I owe you no obedience. Excuse me." Sephiroth blocks her way and pushes her gently enough to avoid causing any trouble or harm.
"You're mistaken. During times of war, I am indirectly your boss and you owe obedience. Not to mention that these orders are for your own good and your son. For the sake of survival, obviously," he says with a gallant and eloquent laugh.
"I'd rather die in war. Step aside," she insists, exasperated and Sephiroth shakes his head.
"It won't happen, Ms. Strife. You must stay in Nibelheim until the war is over," Sephiroth announces with false regret. "I will escort you home."
"I don't need an escort or anything from you."
"It seems so. It's going the other way."
"I have to take a shuttle to Rocket City. I have a job there.”
“Any job will be easily compensated by the company in the long run. You’d just have to tell me about it,” Sephiroth informs her and Claudia grits her teeth.
Not only does he want to pretend nothing’s happening, he also wants to control her as if she’s part of his macabre and cynical plan of manipulation. She comes bundled with her son. It couldn’t be more outrageous and infuriating. Sephiroth grabs Claudia by the arm before she can walk past him.
“Let’s try to be reasonable, okay?” Sephiroth's whisper is simple, but Claudia tightens her grip on Cloud's. As if something in her brain just freezes. "There's no reason to cause us so much trouble... you don't want to make your son this nervous, do you?"
Claudia lowers her head slightly and Cloud lets out a sob. The situation is horrible and he's starting to run a fever. The hormonal surges and the general pain are exasperating. So much so that listening to so much arguing finally makes him cry. Sephiroth gives one last soft laugh before taking her with him back to her home. It wasn't long before she learned some astonishing news.
The well-known transport between cities and continents was suddenly destroyed in the area surrounding Nibelheim. It's believed to be the enemies who are causing so much damage. How could it not be them? What only Claudia knows about it is how the great General of ShinRa is to blame for the innocent lives that perished there. It wasn't an accident. It was a premeditated attack to force her and Cloud to be here.
"Mom, I feel so hot."
"Oh, honey, you're really sick," Claudia jokes, forcing herself to do it.
Just as she'll have to force herself to cross Mount Nibel, even if it means dying in the attempt, but keeping Cloud away from Sephiroth at all costs.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"She's asleep. She won't notice."
"But I-"
Cloud freezes where he is. Watching the cold green eyes in the almost total darkness of the room. He woke up with a near-heart attack, with Sephiroth sitting up in bed staring at him. The vibrant green eyes wide open and the general's faint cynical smile spread across his perfect child's face. The man stood up only to offer to help him, seeing his red face and already soaking the sheet with simple fluid. He's in a very specific moment, one where his hormones are raging and he needs relief.
Sephiroth wants to give him that.
Cloud doesn't know whether to go.
Or rather, he's afraid to go.
But at the same time, how does he say no?
Sephiroth picks him up from the bed to carry him, treating him like a small toy or animal he can manipulate. Claudia lies on the bed, not moving an inch. As if her sleep were made of lead and that's why she didn't wake up despite all the movement and conversation taking place right in front of her.
Before Cloud notices it, he's back in Sephiroth's tent. The man undresses him, then himself and presses his thumb to Cloud's lips, managing to place it inside the blond's mouth.
"Don't forget I'm helping you. Why should you be afraid?"
Cloud squeezes his legs shut. It's a help, but why does it hurt so much? Why is it so scary? He doesn't understand. It's very confusing and his blood burns, making it impossible to think.
┈
The discomfort she feels is impossible to describe in any way. Her body doesn't move, heavy as rock and she has no motor skills. It takes Claudia more than two hours to get to her feet and push her body out of bed. Cloud isn't there and it's been three hours since they went to sleep. Why would he be out of bed? Why didn't she feel him leave? There are too many questions and she can only think of one thing that could be foolish, as well as the solution to her uncertainties.
She drags her body through the foggy night, heading for the Shin-Ra camp and entering. The soldiers say nothing, accustomed to the fact that she and her son are allowed in and out of the area. Simple favoritism on the part of the General. The blonde woman has no trouble grabbing a combat knife from a table full of weapons. She doesn't need any more. Mechanically, she moves forward until she enters the enormous, dark tent. His feet dragging on the floor, making an unpleasant but low sound.
Whatever there is sends unpleasant shivers down her spine, as well as further alienation. Cloud is lying in bed, but beside him, with one arm draped over him, Sephiroth is peacefully asleep. The silver-haired man stirs and breathes deeply, indifferent to the boy lying there, his face swollen and red, not to mention the pained sounds that emerge between his dreams.
Claudia advances slowly and carefully until she reaches the bed. The knife in her hand is enormous. Also refined. It's for combat. It's for killing. For just a few seconds, she watches Sephiroth asleep in the bed and beside him, Cloud, his body covered in bruises, marks and other evidence that is enough to know that Sephiroth hurt him more. That it wasn't enough to hurt him once.
Without knowing all the other times.
Claudia raises the knife. With nothing else on her mind but to exterminate the one who keeps ruining her son's life. Could it bring her trouble? Yes. A lot, but she doesn't care. They're all small potatoes when she thinks about everything Sephiroth has done. She drops her arm hard, ready to plunge the weapon into the thick, slack neck of the silver-haired man. To silently end his life.
However, he opens his eyes and stops her. Claudia grabs her wrist in a swift movement. Surprised, she only forces herself to try to hurt him. In vain. She can't move an inch and instead is forced to drop the knife, thanks to Sephiroth's pressure and the way he twists her arm. She holds back her moans of pain. In the darkness, the vibrant green eyes with their slanted pupils stare at her.
"You're a very strong woman to have been with the president," Sephiroth opines in a low voice. He takes Claudia by the other arm, as she wanted to push him or at least scratch him. Do something against him, no matter how small. "Although at the same time, it makes sense that he would want to pursue something with you..." he mutters, sitting down, imminently naked. "You gave him the same strength, or am I wrong?"
"LET GO...!"
Claudia gasps for air, as if all her strength and courage evaporates with Sephiroth so close to her face, so close to her; The enormous height and size range makes her feel small and fragile in front of something so imposing and threatening. Sephiroth presses harder against her, keeping his face and body close. He senses her trembling and tastes the fear in her gaze.
"I'll forgive this one time... and nothing more," he warns in a whisper, his face serious and cold. "Because you're his mother, but if you try to attack me again, whether I'm asleep or awake and knowing your lack of physical integrity, you'll make me punish you at his expense... You wouldn't want that, would you?" Claudia's lips tremble. "That I treat him like a common whore."
"N-no..."
It's barely a whisper. So weak and so minimal, it sounds like a little girl and not a grown woman. Sephiroth shifts to a softer, more cynical and amused expression, a slight smile curling his thin, reddened lips.
"Perfect. I'm glad we can understand each other. It's not that complicated," he assures in a whisper and Claudia feels her eyes burning, on the verge of tears. Whether it's fear, helplessness, or rage that's driving her chest tight and her whole life trembling. "And don't worry so much... I treat your son very well."
"He's a little boy," Claudia claims, her voice trembling. "He's barely... barely eight years old. He-he doesn't-"
"If he's like this now, when he grows up, he'll be something to behold."
Claudia is on the verge of fainting with such a simple, malicious comment. How Sephiroth couldn't care less about Cloud's age and even worse, how he expects him to continue what he's already started. In that moment, the women understand that the soldier isn't going to leave him alone. He's going to pursue his evil intentions until he tires. A simple, even kinder way of saying that he intends to continue raping her son.
Claudia wants the war to end and for Sephiroth to return to the stinking hole from which he came. Hoping that maybe by then, she'll be strong enough to hold Cloud, so he won't take him away.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud slowly closes the door and walks away from home, walking toward Mount Nibel without a second thought. Mom hasn't stopped crying all these days and Cloud knows it's his fault. He doesn't want her to keep feeling bad, so he plans to find a route to Rocket Town so they can go there. That's what she wants and he must get it. Maybe it will make up for all her crying. Nervous and somewhat restless, he marks a route through the vast and unpredictable landscape that confronts him. Cloud successfully avoids several dangerous areas, which are either traps or entrances to nests of several well-known monsters.
Many say there's a Mako reactor near the exit of Mount Nibel and if he passes it, it will be a clear sign that he's found the desired path. He tries not to trip where he did last time, not wanting the Mako to soak him again and make his already bad situation worse.
“Where are you going?”
Cloud freezes in place and turns his head, finding Sephiroth crouching behind him. He shivered and wondered: How did he get here? Cloud moved on to a more pointed question: Since when did he follow me? Sephiroth laughed and Cloud managed to get his body working and run away from him. Keeping up with a child wasn't complicated at all. Although Sephiroth was slightly annoyed with him.
It was clear he'd been with his mother for a long time. Claudia manipulated him into trying to run away. Who knows what other stupid things she'd put in his head. Between all that running on such uneven terrain, it didn't take long for the usual to happen: Cloud slipped and fell painfully into a Mako pit. The burning sensation is familiar by now and when Sephiroth finds him, the blond desperately tries to get the mako off him.
"Let me go! No!" Cloud squirms in his grip and Sephiroth tightens his grip. "No, no! LET ME GO!"
Claudia has put too much into his head. Sephiroth concludes he has to earn Cloud's trust again. It's a shame. He liked it the way it was. However, he knows a quick way to convince him will be to do what he's been asking for and what they've enjoyed doing so much these past few weeks. The desperate, scared whimpers The pains of losing the lower part of his clothes become sharp, almost unbearable for anyone nearby. There's no one around.
There's never anyone around when this happens.
His instinct is to flee, lying on the Mako that soaks him and makes everything inside him burn. Cloud opens his eyes and his expression is initially one of confusion, unable to process what he's feeling. How the inside of his flesh aches from the member that just thrust inside him. He coughs and whimpers in confusion. He doesn't know how to express how much the forced penetration alone hurts. Sephiroth smiles, satisfied that the moans have stopped and the groans have started. He holds Cloud's hips, thrusting his blood- and Mako-lubricated cock in and out.
Sephiroth gasps and moans, throwing his head back at times, enjoying the strange mix of sensations; Cloud, as always, moaning his name and being so helpful by squeezing his vagina for more friction.
It hurts so much, please don't. It hurts it hurtstoomuch.
He leans over him, inserting his fingers into his mouth and biting the skin exposed to him. Cloud rolls his eyes, the cum filling his insides and his body gradually going limp. Sephiroth sits on the floor, taking the boy and moving on top of him again. The small body bounces on his cock. It's possible to see the semen bubbling out of the stretched, bleeding cavity; the skin bouncing and colliding with the General's massive thighs.
"Let's go meet someone," Sephiroth says in a choked voice. "I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud doesn't have much thinking capacity at the moment. So standing in front of a woman in a huge tank is something that slips beyond his ability to understand or question. Sephiroth has him by the hand and takes a couple of steps forward so he's standing in front of that... corpse? A body and a half. From the waist down, she looks like a bunch of floating organs.
"She's my mother. Contrary to appearances, she's still alive. I wasn't born to her, but my DNA is hers," Sephiroth explains simply. "She's Jenova. Star Traveler."
It hurts so much between his legs. Cloud can't think about anything else because it hurts too much.
"Eventually, she knows our species must proliferate on this planet. Being the one to rule it... as her only son, is a duty I hold dear." Cloud is lifted from the ground and spreads his legs for no reason. His reflection is vulgar and dirty in the glass, also making it seem like Jenova sees him. "And you're going to help me, right, Cloud?"
Semen trickles through his insides and falls to the metal floor. Sephiroth laughs at this, stripping the child completely to expose his pink body. He squeezes his abdomen, causing whitish fluid to flow out.
"It seems it will be sooner than anyone would think."
He drops his head to one side and in front of Jenova, he is raped again, this time too feverish and oblivious to notice.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
The greatest frustration life has given her is knowing that no matter how much she stays with Cloud, she lacks the strength to protect him from the evil that stalks him. A shameless one who brought him here after hurting him. Claudia doesn't even look at him, closing the door in the man's face and going to the bathroom to clean up her son, who reeks of so many different things. Including grown man sweat.
It's disgusting.
She doesn't know if it's because she's ignored him due to bad luck or if Sephiroth has simply decided to leave Cloud alone for a few days. The boy is dazed by the exposure to Mako in his body. Claudia doesn't ask or say anything about the milk leaking from her son's nipples. She maintains a painful silence and endless crying. However, one day, news arrives that, after so much time, allows him to smile broadly:
Sephiroth is relieved that Wutai has finally surrendered. It felt like a pointless massacre. He wouldn't mind continuing this, but it's a waste of time that could be spent on other, less useless things. The announcement reaches the entire world and quickly, the troops are already packing up their supplies and equipment.
He ponders the possibilities of taking Cloud. It's as easy as putting him in the helicopter after putting Claudia to sleep. He won't deny that the drama the woman wants to create might be a bit annoying. They can call her all kinds of names, but she's not a bad mother. Rather, she's one with very bad luck and whose difficulties in fulfilling her role still don't make her shy away from the basic premise: taking care of her son. She's failing only because of how brutal and inhuman her son is.
She'll obviously try anything to get Cloud back. It would be annoying if she comes to Midgar to cause trouble. Who knows what might happen at the bureaucratic level within the company? Dramas that don't interest Sephiroth and would take Cloud away from him. He wants to have him with him. To be that small, gentle human figure who makes him happy in his free time. Perhaps finally enter that stage of being a committed man and a family man. Jenova aims for a slow conquest by taking everything as they reproduce. A way that convinces Sephiroth.
A mass murder or total destruction of the planet is absurd in how enormous and complex it would be.
So, reproduction is not only simpler, it also allows him to have a normal life. Eventually, he'll talk about it to Cloud (when he turns eighteen) and let it be known that he's the one he intends to share his life with. Will he wait until he's forty-two? Given that Cloud will turn nine in a few months... Yes. Yes, he will. He won't age much thanks to his cells and mako treatment; he won't look like those ridiculous men with child girlfriends.
Cloud will grow, Sephiroth not so much and when everything is fine in the eyes of others, he'll still have a reasonable physical age. Beyond that, he hasn't given much thought. It's just a matter of timing. One that must start off on the right foot and the most basic one: taking Cloud to Midgar. He's surprised by the sudden presence of the mayor of Nibelheim in his tent.
"Thank you very much for your hard work, General Sephiroth," he says politely and respectfully. Sephiroth doesn't respond. "With your troops gone and ShinRa's existence far behind, everything will return to normal."
"Indeed," Sephiroth replies.
"Which translates to no longer having the company's unconditional support." Sephiroth stops what he's doing, wanting to see where this conversation will go. "One who has helped us renovate this whole place. Maybe now there'll even be tourism, more families. Nibelheim could grow into more than just a town in the middle of nowhere."
Sephiroth straightens and the man standing there is as simple and bland as anyone in this town. The curious thing is the small glimmer of ambition in his eyes. A kind of mischief.
"I want to be direct with you," he announces. “I would be more than satisfied if we
continue this support and resources from Shin-Ra. I'm aware that they came thanks to your word” Sephiroth lets him continue, interested in what nonsense or clever trick he might come up with. “So I'm willing to negotiate for it to be that way.”
"Negotiate?" he repeats, cynically and mockingly. The man nods. "I doubt there's anything in this town that interests me and that I could be of use in return." He remarks, swallowing a foul-sounding comment that tried to escape his throat.
"I'm not interested in the used wreck that is your daughter.
After all, she's the only thing of value or use you can offer in exchange for anything."
"Actually, General, we're aware of our shortcomings, just as we're aware that there is something that is of great interest to you," he announces with his hands behind his back. Sephiroth raises his eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"By consensus, we're willing to hand over the child Strife to you in exchange for your patronage. We understand he's... someone dear to you," he says, turning around. Sephiroth smiles slightly, interest in his gaze and malice in his smile. "You'll be free to do whatever you like with him."
"That consensus makes me think that perhaps the child's mother isn't included in the vote." There's no answer to that. Indeed, Claudia has no idea about this or that conversation. "Do you think you can convince me with something so simple?"
"It will be a great effort and sacrifice for us. We'll keep the mother calm and assured that her child is fine with you."
Sephiroth laughs, shaking his head. Wow, suddenly his only problem just disappeared.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Am I having a baby?"
"No, sweetheart, it's not going to happen. We'll handle it, okay?"
Cloud nods, but he has no idea what his mother is talking about. Claudia gives him an infusion that will help him abort if there's a baby inside him. She prays not. Gaia can't be so cruel as to do something like that to her baby. She's not that unfair. Cloud settles down for bed and Claudia heads to the kitchen. She leaves everything, checks the windows for knocks on the door and opens it only after confirming that it's people from Nibelheim and not Sephiroth. The one who should be leaving by sunset, if the rumors and how quickly they pack up and leave aren't lying.
"Hello. Is something wrong?" she asks, confused. Almost the entire town is here at her door.
"Yes. It's very important, I hope you understand, Claudia." The blonde tilts her head. "Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions. This is one of them. We didn't want to hurt you by making you choose, but you should know that this is for the best."
"What are you talking about? I don't understand— Hey! What's wrong with you! Let me go!" Claudia exclaims, due to the grip she's in. Two men hold her arms and force her to sit down so they can prevent her from running away. Moments of confusion end in a simple moment. Claudia's jaw drops and her eyes widen: they're taking Cloud away. Her neighbors are kidnapping Cloud. "What do you think you're doing?! Leave my son alone! He's sick again! LEAVE HIM!"
The shouting increases when Claudia sees that they're also carrying a full backpack and an object falls out: a photo of Claudia and Cloud on the boy's seventh birthday. They take his things, they take him and Claudia connects a thread that, despite her impressive personality, leaves her incredulous. Unable to believe it.
"Th-this-”
"You must understand that Nibelheim can be a better place with the necessary support," the mayor quickly excuses. "And your son will be the source of that. It will be difficult, it will be complicated, but you must endure it, you must-”
"SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LET ME GO! CLOUD! RUN! DON'T- LET ME GO! HE'S MY SON. YOU CAN'T GIVE HIM TO THAT MONSTER. THEY CAN'T TAKE HIM AWAY, CLOUD!”
Sephiroth takes the feverish child in his arms, keeping a pleased and excited smile on his face; he climbs into the helicopter without even looking at Claudia one last time. Cloud's belongings are loaded into the helicopter and it prepares for takeoff. Certain that nothing can be done, they release Claudia, who runs off to where she can hear the departing vehicles. Screaming hysterically for her son, whom they so shamelessly sold to someone else. The SOLDIERs still present are the main witnesses to her collapse and the broken, uncontrolled and inconsolable crying of the woman, who didn't even come close to seeing the child for the last time or trying to fight back.
They took him away.
Everyone here... they took him away.
"Claudia-”
"DON'T YOU DARE TO COME CLOSE!" She pushes away anyone who tries to comfort her. “YOU HAVE ALL ALWAYS BEEN A PIECE OF SHIT,' she cries through her tears. “AND I HOPE THAT IF ANYTHING GETS HERE, IT'S A GRUESOME DEATH Y'ALL DESERVE!”
She will never forgive them. They had no right to decide. To even intervene. With as much hatred as sadness in her chest, Claudia was confined to her house, crying almost every day and sleeping in Cloud's room every night, praying for the son that life had given her only to torture her by taking him away.
And without fail, every minute, praying to see everyone in this place suffer the worst deaths that would justify what they did. To both her and Cloud.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Why couldn't my mom come?"
"She's happy in Nibelheim," the silver-haired man assures. "Don't worry, when you're settled in and the time is right, you can call her." He promises and Cloud nods, looking tiny in the enormous helicopter seat.
He was asleep and dizzy for most of the trip. However, now that they're about to reach Midgar, it's possible for him to see around. From the blue sky that's getting dirtier and darker due to the proximity to that city, like the lights that make it look different from anything he's ever seen.
They land at ShinRa Tower and Sephiroth unties Cloud's seatbelt. He picks him up and gets out of the vehicle. The blond is nervous. Why did he have to come here? Can his disease be cured here? The only certainty he has is the fear of the unknown, coupled with Sephiroth's presence. What if he does that thing that hurts again? Sephiroth once told him that the only way to heal him was 'making love.' Cloud doesn't believe that's love.
It hurts so much it can't be love. Love is beautiful, that's what Claudia told him. A lovely, happy time. Why would it hurt him if it's love? Cloud doesn't understand. Despite the huge improbability, Sephiroth manages to leave the building without anyone asking why he's carrying a pajama-clad child in his arms, talking about his great work in Nibelheim, etc., etc.
Although Sephiroth doesn't use it much, since it's faster to stay in the ShinRa building, he has an apartment in Sector One. It's quite nice and large; it was given to him as a gift, so he doesn't have to pay rent. When they get there, Cloud doesn't dare search or try to see the whole place. He stays near the entrance and clutches his clothes. He wants to go home. He doesn't like the idea of being here alone with Sephiroth for no reason.
"I can't stay here for long, but I'll do my best to come when I'm not on a mission," Sephiroth assures, leaving the backpack with Cloud's belongings. "The longest ones usually last a week, so I wouldn't be gone for long unless it's an extraordinary situation." He turns to Cloud. The general slowly undoes the shoulder pads of his uniform. "Any questions?"
"I... I-I want to go home. I want to go to my mom."
"This is your home now."
"But Mom—"
"She's fine in Nibelheim. Like I told you, when everything's under control, you can call her," Sephiroth assures again. Cloud purses his lips. He doesn't like this. Even if it might go wrong with Claudia, he wants to be with his mom.
He doesn't like having to stay locked up here alone. He flinches at the grip on his shoulder. It's not strong, not even restrictive or threatening. It's just Sephiroth's hand placed there. Cloud freezes and feels his heart slow. Sephiroth's shadowed face breaks into a simple smile.
"You don't have to be shy. We're good friends and I told you I'd protect you, didn't I?" Cloud shivered, his face reddening and his eyes burning with tears. "You're safe and comfortable here. Everything you need is here. With me."
Sephiroth kissed Cloud's forehead and the blond stepped back and sat by the door. Sephiroth let him be. Why bother him? He should let him settle in. A creature of the countryside can also feel overwhelmed by the change of environment.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud has a lot of new clothes and Sephiroth has given him long tours of the sector so he can get to know it. It's fun to watch. It's how he imagined it would be. He also has a lot of new toys. Both regular and digital. In the apartment, Sephiroth has set up a room for him to call his own, though it doesn't have a bed. They have to sleep together and so far, everything has gone quite well. Cloud feels upset. He doesn't understand whether Sephiroth wants to hurt him again or not.
Maybe not.
Maybe that strange side of him stayed in Nibelheim.
Many believe Cloud is some kind of protégé, apprentice, or very, very distant relative. It's a secret and a mystery what Sephiroth might be doing with a child. The most unlikely scenario is that it's his son. Occasionally, they behave this way, with Sephiroth carrying him because his feet hurt or he feels ill.
The General has always stood out for his unique personality. He's just strange by nature and even if they wanted to know more about it, they have no way of knowing. No one in ShinRa knows about this. Those who work there simply express their confusion and those who are asked believe the others are insane. How could Sephiroth have a child with him? It's absurd.
"You weigh a lot."
"Because I'm sleepy."
Sephiroth turns and hugs Cloud with one arm. The silver-haired man uses the boy's thighs to sleep. Cloud's whole body is so soft and his scent itself is so good. It gives him peace of mind to sleep on top of him. Cloud doesn't have much; he's become even more taciturn than he is by nature. They don't have much to talk about and he doesn't have the desire to either.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Did you even hear me?"
"Uh?"
Angeal exhales, exhausted and certainly annoyed by how absent-minded Sephiroth is. He's been having his head in the clouds these days.
"We have to leave tomorrow for a mission. You should stay in the building."
"It's weird that you want to use that apartment now." Genesis mentions with a curious tone, hoping that maybe Sephiroth wants to talk about it. The silver-haired man shrugs.
“After so much time in Nibelheim, I'm getting used to an atmosphere I can't have here. That's all,” he explains simply. It's not entirely false. He's used to a quieter, more homey atmosphere. He gets that from the apartment's decor.
His room here is the typical urban sophistication that bores him.
“Maybe you have a lover now,” Genesis says mischievously.
“Think what you want.”
┈
“Almost nothing happened in Gongaga,” Sephiroth keeps his eyes closed and his arms crossed. “Although when it happened, it was horrible. I thought everything was going to burn down and nothing would be left. Luckily, I was there.”
“Something tells me the houses burned down anyway, Zack.”
"It happened in Nibelheim too!"
"With an attack of at least five hundred opponents who were evidently more focused on attacking me alone and causing destruction through attacks that were larger than effective.
The other SOLDIER falls to the floor clumsily and Sephiroth laughs. He's 2nd Class, but he'll be promoted soon. Sephiroth knows he has the potential, but it'll never be less fun to annoy him. He's somewhat curious about how he'll do on this mission. It's the first time they'll go together. A new and curious experience. However, what matters most to him is nothing other than the return.
Being welcomed by Cloud in his particular, dry way of being.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
He empties his stomach into the toilet, clutching the rim almost desperately. Today he hasn't stopped vomiting and feels terrible. His whole body is on fire. It feels like burning, but Much worse and more unbearable. He vomits again and lies back, exhausted and thirsty.
Cloud tries to stand, but his legs don't respond. He lets out an anguished moan, calling for help, but getting none at all. He has no one here. Only Sephiroth. And he can be gone for up to two weeks, leaving him completely alone in this enormous apartment.
Fed up with the smell and being in this tiny space, he drags himself outside. Unconcerned about how much he hates himself for it. Cloud curls up on the floor, hugging himself at the entrance to the bedroom. The thing is, Cloud doesn't know there are cameras installed all over the house, monitoring his every move so they can be sure of what he does, what he says and what he thinks if he dares to do anything.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“I've never seen him so absorbed in his cell phone.” Angeal says quietly, wiping the remnants of blood from his sword. Genesis crosses his arms and narrows his eyes.
“Yes. It's very strange” he mutters, then smiles slyly. “Maybe he's talking to the girlfriend he met in Nibelheim.”
Angeal gives him a bad look. Sephiroth achieving even the slightest emotional connection with another human being? That's too much to ask of anyone trying to stretch their thinking in that direction. Sephiroth feels nothing for anyone. They've seen it and experienced it firsthand. Ever since they were very young, immersed in the program and working as SOLDIERs for so long, Angeal and Genesis know that Sephiroth has no compassion, no empathy. It's as if it wasn't programmed into his brain when he was created. That perhaps that part was left out of the equation because it would make him soft. It would make him have weaknesses.
As far as they and ShinRa are concerned, Sephiroth has nothing he truly cares about, just his pride and nothing else. So, if he actually sees a person or sends them messages, they deeply regret the creature's fate. Because he'll undoubtedly have an insensitive "relationship" or, outright, fall in love with the worst candidate on the planet.
Sephiroth, for his part, checks the house's cameras. It's not difficult to understand that Cloud is going through another crisis because of the Mako in his body. It's a shame. He finds it morbidly funny to see him trembling on the floor. Just as it makes him happy that Cloud craves his company to feel good.
He thinks about buying him a cell phone. He has to reassure himself more and more about Cloud's dependence. It's useless for him to think so much about Nibelheim, for him to dare to have thoughts beyond him. He must be his God on earth, the only thing on his mind, the only thing that matters. The fact that they had such a special connection doesn't change the fact that he needs to be careful.
And contrary to what Angeal and Genesis think of him, Sephiroth is capable of emotions, deep, even well-intentioned feelings. The real problem is that he's never had anyone to direct them toward. He also doesn't know what's good or what's bad. So Cloud just takes the General's every intention like a bullet. Good, bad, horrible and charming.
So objectively speaking, why give him so many gifts? Why show him all of Midgar? Why make sure to buy him food he likes? Yes, it's mixed with his desire to make him dependent, but isn't it better for Sephiroth to mold Cloud to like everything he wants? His level of effort to please Cloud is insane.
He wants to show him how much he loves him, hoping Cloud will show him the same in return.
"Heeeey! Sephiroth! Let's go!"
"So impatient," the silver-haired man mocks, putting away his cell phone. He hopes he doesn't have to be back for too long. He doesn't want Cloud's condition to worsen. Zack, for his part, continues waving his arms as the helicopter lands behind him.
Angeal boards first, then Genesis, Zack and finally Sephiroth. He remains silent throughout the flight, mentally listing what he should take home.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Did it hurt a lot?"
"Yes."
Cloud is hoarse and his clothes are covered in blood. For some reason, he sweated it out. Sephiroth took some samples. He'll be sure to give them to his contact at the lab. Cloud, dazed and tired as he is, just allows the General to bathe him. He doesn't know how long it took him to come. He doesn't even remember how long he's been here.
"I bought you a cell phone," Sephiroth informs him, massaging his blond hair. "So you can talk to me or your mom, play other games..." he murmurs and Cloud leans back in the tub, drowsy. "That way you can let me know when you feel sick."
"Okay."
Sephiroth chuckles. This submissive, calm attitude is what he's aiming for.
Talking to his mother makes Cloud feel bad. She cries a lot and also says she's trying to take him back to Nibelheim. Part of Cloud doesn't want to go back. Not after living here for six months. Not only are the climate and conditions better, but the people who caused so much trouble in the first place aren't here.
The children aren't here.
The villagers aren't here.
The mayor who sold him out isn't here.
Those people who caused all this trouble aren't here and he wishes his mother would come. That way, the two of them would be together in a better situation. His body would also hurt less; everything would be much less complicated. Still, the greatest difficulty Cloud faces is that Sephiroth is present. Cloud doesn't know how to deal with him. It's very uncomfortable when he's here. It's rare that the General doesn't have his hands on the child's body, touching and using it at will.
However, there are varied moments. They are many and more productive than being abused by the General. For example, Sephiroth gave him magazines and Cloud was so enthused by those about motorcycles that Sephiroth looked for scale models, remote-controlled toys and the possibility of building a life-size one. In short, everything he could to develop this specific taste in his little lover-in-training.
The next thing is that Cloud really likes heavy-duty swords. Similar to the Buster Sword. It was a bit disappointing for Sephiroth, as the idea of Cloud wanting a sword like his and admiring it was much more appealing. However, again, he did his best to foster that taste.
Clothes.
Animals.
Makeup.
Food.
Any little curiosity Cloud focuses his attention on is helpful to Sephiroth, who can slowly carve out a safe zone for himself. Like a kind of time and place where Cloud can be calm, without withdrawing or becoming too shy. It can be considered as having gained at least a portion of his confidence and from there, he can continue his progress.
"I put together a small motorcycle today," Cloud swings his legs back and forth. Sephiroth is on the couch, watching TV and waiting for the food he ordered to arrive. He wears a turtleneck sweater, plain pants and at home or in his room at ShinRa, he doesn't usually wear shoes. He goes barefoot or with socks. "It's pretty. I'll send you a picture when I finish the call."
" You really like motorcycles, don't you, honey? "
"They're really cool," Cloud says in a barely animated tone. Just enough to express his liking. Barely understandable to his mother, who knows his voice and how he expresses himself. "They're really nice too." Sephiroth narrows his eyes at him. All he sees is the boy's hunched back. "When I get a motorcycle, I'm going to Nibelheim," he announces enthusiastically. Sephiroth gets up from his seat. "That way we'll ride. We're going to Rocket City. We're going to the beach! And we throw dirt... Huh?”
Cloud looks up and what he finds is Sephiroth's shadowed face. He has a delicate smile on his lips, a slight curve that matches his eyes. It's a kind expression, but false. A subtle threat that freezes him in place.
"Go to Nibelheim? Cloud.”
"You said I could go see my mom when I'm cured and if I'm cured, I'll have a motorcycle. I'll go to Nibelheim," Sephiroth gives a soft laugh, shaking his head, "and my mom can be there."
"You shouldn't go back to Nibelheim... you could die, Cloud." Sephiroth takes his face, forcing him to face him instead of staring away. He strokes the soft skin with his fingertips. "Your body needs constant care. Do you want to vomit blood again?" Cloud mumbles a weak no . "Okay, so, no going to Nibelheim." Sephiroth concludes.
Cloud looks at him with embarrassment and confusion at the same time. It's a mix of emotions that are quite comical by accident. Sephiroth chuckles, leaning down to kiss Cloud's forehead, staring at Cloud's blue eyes and their Mako contamination.
"Your mother is fine there. You don't have to think otherwise. People belong somewhere. She's in Nibelheim, you're here... Do you understand?" Cloud doesn't answer, but Sephiroth knows he does. "Come on, let's watch TV."
Cloud hugs Sephiroth's shoulders out of inertia, his expression simply constipated.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"In a lab?"
"Yeah, it was pretty boring," he replies, unconsciously playing with Cloud's hair. Cloud is half asleep. He has a fever and doesn't want to move. “I could only stare at white walls all day. They wouldn't let me play because, in the long run, all I needed was the awareness of a fighter. Therefore, other kinds of sensibilities were useless.” Sephiroth sets his phone aside and settles in with the blond on top of him. "I never had anything to do besides fight."
"That sounds sad."
"You could say it was. Also very lonely."
Cloud falls asleep and Sephiroth laughs, still stroking his hair.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Ummm, you're pretty messy, huh?"
Cloud closes his eyes. Sephiroth presses too hard on his head. He insisted he could bathe himself, but Sephiroth told him no. The silver-haired man rinses out all the shampoo, leaving Cloud's hair plastered all over him. He looks funny. He proceeds to clean the rest, occasionally seeing Cloud's expression, who invites him to touch him more. He reaches his crotch, running his long fingers over the lips that feel slimy with fluid.
"I see you haven't cleaned here." Sephiroth spells out the sentence. Carefully. At the same rhythm as his fingers slide over the small, dilated vagina.
"I wanted you to clean it."
Sephiroth chuckles.
Cloud doesn't understand why.
He wishes he could see or understand, when he clearly told him he doesn't like touching that, nor does he like him to do it. Sometimes, he thinks Sephiroth is stupid or deaf. Cloud presses his lips and hands to Sephiroth's arm, one of his long fingers entering his vagina. It burns and feels disgusting.
He's looking at me like that...
He knows when Sephiroth will or won't do certain things when he looks at him in certain ways. Cloud likes him when he's quiet, when they talk, watch TV and even play video games. Yet in moments like these, it's as if there's something evil taking over Sephiroth. Something that tells him it's okay not to listen and just get on with it.
He gives a pained moan and Sephiroth gasps, hastily thrusting his digits in and out of Cloud’s eager cunt. He feels it sucking and squeezing. Is he that eager? He pulls his hand away and Cloud leans back against the tub, letting out soft whimpers of panic. He tries to get up, but his legs give out and everything inside him feels like it's on fire. Sephiroth strips off his clothes and enters the tub, holding the infant, who rests his hands on his enormous, perfectly shaped chest.
Sephiroth smiles broadly and amusedly, his hardened penis rubbing against the constantly contracting vagina. Cloud, his eyes watering and his breath coming in short, howls in pain as the general forces him down completely, penetrating his body without further ado, causing him enormous pain. Clumsy and unaware of what to do, he places a hand on his bulging abdomen. He whimpers, starting to cry and getting worse from the movement Sephiroth forces.
Holding him by the waist, he moves up and down, listening to his moans of pleasure and seeing his flushed face, his lips parted and provocative. He presses his lips together with Cloud's and the blond feels like he's suffocating.
┈
“Are you very sleepy?”
Sephiroth keeps Cloud carried, moving around the apartment. The blond man breathes slowly and heavily, more asleep than awake. Once he's finished, Sephiroth leaves Cloud in the bed and lies down with him. The blond child leans against the other side, hugging a pillow. Sephiroth pulls him in, hugging and covering him as if he needs to protect him from something. Ironically, that protection is what Cloud needs, but from whom he's receiving it.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
The door was open. Sephiroth had to leave early and Cloud was only pretending to sleep when he did. Usually, he does this so he can talk to his mom in Nibelheim. To keep the call ringing and have her company as much as possible. He misses her a lot, but deep down, Sephiroth has achieved something: he's terrified of returning to Nibelheim. Cloud doesn't want to die and he doesn't want to feel his body burning from the Mako either.
He wants his mom to come.
And Cloud thinks maybe he can make her come.
Sephiroth has a lot of money. Cloud knows where he keeps it. His plan is simple: take the money, buy tickets so his mom can come and that's it! Adults know how to get to places and all that. Once she's here, he can go with her and won't have to live with Sephiroth. Simple enough. Cloud hasn't told his mom yet, but he doesn't think she'll say no either.
Why would she? She wants to be with him. That's what she says all the time.
He gets dressed and leaves the apartment. He recognizes a bit of the place. Having been stuck in the apartment for months doesn't mean Sephiroth has shown him around and they've walked around countless times. He walks aimlessly, trying to find a place to ask for directions. Maybe someone who can guide him to where to buy tickets and a messaging system.
He didn't expect to get lost.
Midgar is huge and only the people who travel through it every day know how to navigate. For obvious reasons, Cloud isn't one of those people. He stops in front of a building filled with lights, a small shopping center where people are coming and going. He sways on his feet, looks around uneasily and tries to think of what to do next.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Why do I have to patrol?"
"Because if you want your pay, you're not just going to sit around doing nothing."
Zack grumbles. He's not bothered about leaving the building, but what bothers him is that he can't keep practicing. Using a buster sword is more complicated than hitting everything hard. Plus, he has new techniques. Patrolling a sector of some of those things are for police officers or infantry soldiers, not for a First Class SOLDIER! The thing is, he has parents in a town in the middle of nowhere, a girlfriend and an ego to support. Without money, he can't.
Despite Zack's disdain for patrolling, he hopes not to run into any trouble. He'd rather be bored out of his mind than see lives at risk. Angeal says goodbye to him, amused by how Zack slumps his shoulders and resigns himself to carrying out the order. In that regard, he's a good SOLDIER. A dumb one, too.
He hates missions that involve killing people for being a "terrorist" (not really), but not when he has to walk aimlessly. Clearly, Zack is too innocent to be in SOLDIER.
In the middle of his journey through sector two, he finds a boy alone. It's hard not to notice, given the striking shape of his hair. Blonde, in raised spikes. Zack would say he's a humanized Chocobo, right down to the eye color. He's surprised he's alone. People pass by and he looks around, his face a little confused. Zack can't help but see himself in it. When he arrived in Midgar, he was this disoriented. He's probably a small-town kid.
Since he's playing the part of a policeman, he decides to approach. He crouches down and it takes the kid in question a few seconds to notice.
"Hi," Zack greets with a smile. "Are you lost?"
"Yeah..."
"Are you from outside Midgar?" Again, an affirmative. "Yeah, well, the city's a horrible mess," Zack reluctantly agrees. "I can help you find your way or take you to wherever you're staying. I'm Zack Fair, SOLDIER 1st Class." He introduces himself, extending his hand. Cloud takes it slowly and hesitantly.
"Cloud Strife."
"Okay, Cloud. Where are you going?"
"I need to buy tickets for my mom to come here." Zack stands up and Cloud fists his hands in his own clothes. "She's really far away and I want her to come."
"That's... difficult," Zack says, scratching his head, "but I think there's a place that does that. Come on, let's go."
Cloud walks alongside with difficulty. Zack is very tall and has long legs. He can naturally walk very fast. The SOLDIER whistles as he walks, his arms crossed behind his head.
"Where does your mom live? If it's on another continent, it's going to cost a lot of money," Zack comments thoughtfully. "And I don't think you have much... How old are you?"
"I turned nine a week ago," Zack sucks in air. He's very small. How did he get here in the first place?" "But I have money. It's not mine, but I have it and I can use it. Look."
"T-that's almost half my salary," Zack stammers, impressed that he has it and that it hasn't been stolen. Cloud puts the bills back in his pocket and cranes his neck to try to see Zack's face. "Where did you say you were from?"
"Nibelheim."
"Oh~ that's weird. I thought with all the reconstructions there, no one would want to go out, but I guess the city is always better. Nibelheim is still a small town with nothing around it." Cloud furrows his eyebrows.
"Are you from here?"
"No."
"Where are you from?"
"Me? Gongaga," Zack replies, smiling and happy to say it. Cloud hisses and crosses his arms. "What's with that reaction?!"
"That town is smaller and has nothing around it!"
Zack ends up laughing, ruffling his hair. Cloud tries to flatten the strands that have become disheveled and fluffed up.
Just like Zack said, there's a place with a whole travel plan. The prices are high, but it's definitely affordable for Cloud. They both wait on a bench for their call, having taken a number. Cloud swings his legs back and forth and Zack answers a couple of messages.
"How did you get to Midgar?" Zack asks, putting away his phone. He notices Cloud's face is a little red. He takes off a glove. "At nine years old, it must have been complicated... you have a fever," he murmurs softly and Cloud exhales hotly, his head throbbing.
"Sephiroth brought me."
"Sephiroth?" Zack repeats with a raised eyebrow. "Why did he bring you? When did he..."
"I don't know. In Nibelheim, they sold me so he could give them things and now I live with him." Zack still doesn't understand and is starting to believe Cloud is lying to him. "And I want my mom to come and live with her. I'm not going to die here. In Nibelheim, I'll die."
Zack leans closer to Cloud’s face and notices the green halo around the pupil of Cloud's eyes. Mako poisoning isn't new or unusual. He can understand that maybe he needs to be in Midgar for treatment, but what does Sephiroth have to do with all this? Cloud shivered from the cold and Zack panicked.
In a minute, he's sick. Out of nowhere. His skin turned red and he looked downright bad.
"Sephiroth's going to be upset that I went out and got sick."
"Where do you live?"
"With Sephiroth."
"In a... apartment in front of a fountain. There?" Cloud nods and Zack clicks his tongue. He gets up and picks up Cloud, who's shaking like he's at Modeheim. Just go there and if the key he has doesn't work, he can find another solution.
Zack wants to think Cloud is lying.
But he doesn't.
He can get into the apartment without any problem. He leaves him on the huge bed and just like there's a room with toys, Zack also notices Sephiroth's belongings everywhere. It's his apartment and does he have a child here? He can't explain what's going on, except that Cloud grabs him by the arm as Zack tries to keep searching the place.
"D-don't go. You're in the magazines. You're a hero, aren't you? I-if you're here, Sephiroth isn't going to do anything... weird." Zack sits up in bed.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's just that he touches me and it hurts a lot—he's not Sephiroth, well, he's like another Sephiroth." Cloud doesn't know how to explain himself and it's even more frustrating for him. Zack is here. He's the same person everyone says helps anyone who needs it. That he's more "selfless" (whatever that means) than Sephiroth. By all accounts, Cloud thinks he can help him. "I don't want to be with him. I want to go to my mom's."
"You mean... He touch you... Down here." Zack doesn't know how to talk about this with a child. Cloud nods, restless and tense, almost on the verge of tears because his head hurts so much, "but—wait a minute: you've been here since the war ended, right?" Cloud sniffles and barely mumbles.
"Sephiroth brought me here. He said I won't die this way, but I don't want to be with him. I want my mom. Bring my mom." He gives him such a strong tug that Zack exclaims.
And where did that strength come from?
On the other hand, Cloud sounds terrified, repeating over and over that he doesn't want to be with Sephiroth, that he wants to go to his mother, how much he misses her and how scared he is of that "evil" Sephiroth. As if they were two different people. Zack isn't sure what to make of this, let alone how true it is. Despite the risk, when Cloud finally falls asleep due to his fever, he goes to the living room where he saw a computer. He scans it briefly. There are some folders about Cloud's condition, very serious and dangerous, on the verge of death if he doesn't receive specific treatment.
There are also documents about sending equipment and materials to Nibelheim.
Curious, Zack enters a surveillance video folder and it sends shivers down his spine: Sephiroth has cameras all over the house, but most prominently in the bathroom and bedroom. Different angles of the tub, the bed and unfortunately for him, even if it only lasted two seconds, he sees the recording from three days ago: where Sephiroth has Cloud in the bathroom. Sephiroth's back covers him, but it's not difficult to see the short legs on either side. Just like the image, he hears the desperate sobs of pain and panic.
Zack gets up quickly, turns everything off and runs back to the bedroom. He has to get him out of here. At the same time he carries him to do so, he answers a call.
"Angeal this isn't a good mo—"
" Leave him where he is ."
Zack sucks in a breath, rigid in his spot. He looks to his right, remembering the angle and assuming that somewhere there are those discreet cameras Shinra places in the company's "private" spaces. In that brief moment of silence, he only hears Cloud's heavy, labored breathing, his expression constantly gnawing, too feverish.
" I'm not in Midgar now, don't make me hurry, okay? Leave him in bed ."
Zack still doesn't move, now staring at Cloud. " It's best not to interfere in what isn't your problem, Zack ," Sephiroth murmurs, his voice so soft it sends shivers down his spine. " Don't worry about him. He's fine. He's in his own home ."
"N-no... it's not—you brought him here by force—"
" To save his life ." Sephiroth speaks so lightly that it irritates Zack and leaves a bad taste in his mouth.
"You're destroying him. I'll take him to the building so I can return him home. That's what he needs," Zack justifies, holding him tighter. "We'll talk later."
Sephiroth chuckles.
" If you take him there, I'll just take him back with me. Don't force me to threaten you... you know I can be very cruel ." Zack clenches his jaw. " You wouldn't want anything bad to happen, would you? Leave it there ."
A thousand thoughts race through his head. From his parents, Aerith, Gongaga, even Angeal. Even at the cost of feeling the emptiness in his stomach and his head about to explode from rage, he leaves Cloud on the bed and walks away slowly. He hangs up, not wanting to hear Sephiroth's soft chuckles. He slams the door out of the apartment and Cloud curls up in bed, letting out soft, agonizing moans from the fever and the blood boiling from the Mako.
┈
"Don't be ridiculous, Sephiroth wouldn't do something like that."
"HE IS DOING IT!"
Zack can't handle the frustration that both Genesis and Angeal don't want to listen to him and he can't handle the worry in his hands, praying that Sephiroth won't do something to Cloud because of what happened. He has to get that kid out of there.
And more importantly, get him away from Sephiroth.
What Cloud finds when he opens his eyes, it's the room in absolute darkness. Not only the closed curtain, the dimmed lights and the nighttime atmosphere outside let him know it's been a while since he fell asleep. Cloud turns over in bed and rubs his face with one hand, which, coming into focus seconds later, leaves him paralyzed in place. He slowly pulls up the sheet, covering himself completely, very slowly, as if that will protect him.
In the corner of the bed, there is a huge silhouette. Dark, barely distinguishable as it leans toward him. Most striking are the glowing green eyes that bulge slightly in the darkness. The face he paints in his mind is a confusing one. Cloud can't quite understand it.
Looking more like a monster than he's ever been. Cloud trembles from head to toe when Sephiroth, soundless, seeming to float or move around as if the room is silhouetted, is enough to make him cry. He's a ghost. He's a monster.
The same one who touches him and makes him cry.
The soft voice, a faint, confused murmur, accompanies the intermittent silence:
"Why did you run away?" Sephiroth asks, tilting his head slightly to the right. His hair hangs softly and perfectly shaped by gravity. "Why did you try to get away from me?"
There's no answer. Cloud covers himself with the sheet, but as with everything, a gentle movement removes it. Little by little. Gently, he is exposed again, this time with that face and those green eyes closer.
"Didn't you think about what could happen?" Sephiroth asks in faint whispers. Cloud clenches the sheet, his teeth clenching, his eyes wide open in panic that he might disappear or move further. Needing to locate him. "That someone could take you... could... kidnap you... Didn't you think about what could happen? Huh? Cloud."
Sephiroth notices that he's starting to sweat, that it's becoming difficult for him to breathe. Sephiroth hits his tongue so lightly against the roof of his mouth that the sound isn't even audible.
"And how could I have saved you... if you ran away... to die."
"I-I want my mom," Cloud whimpers as an excuse, but in a blink of an eye, Sephiroth's face is closer to his. His green eyes, slitted in watery blue, reddened and irritated.
"Why did you run away? Why did you walk away? Why did you escape from him? From me, who takes care of you and has always helped you?" Cloud looks away at times, embarrassed and scared in equal parts. "This is how you repay me for saving your life... for saving your mother." He leans closer to Cloud. "Fixing your house... bringing you to the city... giving you all those gifts, this apartment, those meals and clothes." Cloud lets out a moan, sobbing. "Everything… You repay me… by despising me. Running away from me and hiding... Why did you want to leave me? Cloud."
He squeals, scared, thinking Sephiroth is going to hit him.
It doesn't happen.
Sephiroth just puts his hand on Cloud's head, stroking his hair like he always does. Cloud feels like he might throw up from the anxiety and a feeling of guilt sets in. A strange urge to explain himself so Sephiroth doesn't believe he's going to leave just because!
"I-I wanted... to bring my mom back. I-I just want my mom."
"Oh... is it because I'm not enough for you? Isn't it enough what I've given you these months?" he questions over Cloud's whimpers. "I've been staying here so long, just so you wouldn't feel alone... so we could spend time together in every way possible... Don't you like living with me?"
"I-it's just... Sephiroth sometimes... does bad things and I-I get scared," Cloud explains, breathless and Sephiroth's expression twists slightly.
"Did I do something wrong? Did I hit you?" Cloud shakes his head. "I've stopped feeding you?" he tentatively strokes the blond hair. "I've kept you locked in a room... tied up... without going to the bathroom... so you can spend days and days in your own filth. Have I done that?"
"No."
"Then what harm have I done you...? I've only cared for you... loved you and we've played together," Sephiroth replies with a hurt tone and Cloud sobs even louder.
Sephiroth said that what they're doing is a game. That it's a show of his affection, even if it hurts Cloud. As far as Sephiroth is concerned, he hasn't done anything wrong! Cloud provokes him, Cloud asks him to have sex even if it hurts a little. So it doesn't make sense for him to say there's ‘a bad version of him’. He's always done what Cloud asked and the reward is none other than the sexual encounters they have.
More lively, more exciting, longer; It's the part that bothers him that Zack came all the way here and saw the computer. Zack shouldn't know how he and Cloud are intimate. It's theirs. Sephiroth hates that he could have heard and seen even a glimpse of Cloud in that moment.
His time to be calm.
His time to be accommodating.
His time to say how much he loves him.
"Your mother is fine in Nibelheim. In her home... maybe she's happier now. She didn't know how to take care of you, but I do," Sephiroth explains and Cloud turns in bed, not knowing what's going through his head. The feeling of sadness and guilt grows as Sephiroth speaks. "She's free now and you're better off... all of this... all these changes... are for your own good. Everything is being done for your own good."
Sephiroth manages to kiss the top of his head and Cloud curls deeper into himself, crying hard and trying to control the chaos inside his head, the misunderstood emotions. Sephiroth holds him, hugs him and forces him to hide in him. Cloud, in his white robes, looks like a small creature being consumed by Sephiroth's darkness in his clothes, his smiling countenance and presence, mercilessly.
"Calm down, calm down. I know you won't do it again," Sephiroth murmurs, his fingers between the golden threads that fall down Cloud's small, hunched back. "You're a good boy, aren't you Cloud?"
He laughs softly, amused by Cloud's crying and how frustrated he is.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“Why are you so nervous? You're going to scare away the flowers with your bad vibes.”
Zack isn't particularly patient today. He couldn't sleep all night. The Cloud thing is still stuck in his head. Worse than a nail hammered into his forehead. When Aerith gets up, puzzled by the lack of response, she notices Zack's anguished expression. As well as the dark circles under his eyes. She approaches, less joking.
“Did something bad happen? A mission you don't want?” Aerith asks, gently and knowing Zack's way of thinking.
If he hasn't stopped being in SOLDIER, it's because he can do much more there than being hunted by the company for deserting. Seeing the brilliant and functional side of ShinRa, even if it's small.
"I stumbled upon something yesterday and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it." Zack scratches his head and snorts in frustration. "I don't know what I should do."
"Is this classified ShinRa information?"
"Not exactly."
Aerith leans toward him, curious. Zack makes her sit down on the bench and tries to be as non-catastrophic as possible when he tells the story. Keep it fair. What's really happening and not include things that aren't there. Give an accurate account of yesterday. He knows he wasn't thinking the wrong way, the more Aerith's expression distorts. It turns into one of utter disgust and annoyance, as well as concern in her green eyes.
"A nine-year-old...? Are you sure that's what's going on?"
"Yes! I saw it on tape! He's so sick he keeps recordings of it!" Zack complains, wishing he hadn't seen anything in the first place. Aerith moves her jaw a little, thinking. “Cloud didn't tell me… super literally, but he did say that Sephiroth hurts him. He didn't have any blows. Sephiroth strikes anyone with one blow and they'd no longer exist. I'd like to believe he's kidnapped him for... Funzies? But I know that's not the case. There's much more going on. Sephiroth wouldn't steal a child to keep as a pet at home or raise him himself.” Zack speaks quickly, almost frantically, desperate to express all his thoughts and make sense of them. Aerith shakes his head.
"No... of course not," the florist agrees. "What about ShinRa? Can't they do anything? Reports to the military and things like that."
"Yes, they exist, but Sephiroth is the General of SOLDIER. He's also one of the company's shareholders."
"We can start by trying it and see what happens," Aerith suggests with a soft smile and Zack nods.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Cloud sets down his empty plate and Sephiroth takes it to the kitchen. On the way back, he takes the blond by the shoulders, who stares blankly. Not just feverish, but the feeling that Sephiroth is angry with him and keeps complaining about him leaving without permission. The strength imprinted on the child's shoulders isn't painful. It's barely perceptible.
"I'll be back tonight," Sephiroth announces. He speaks in a normal tone. As calm and kind as ever. Without that tone, he claims to be discreet. Cloud keeps his hands and head down. "And if your mischief yesterday made me notice anything... it's that I've been leaving you here too long." He gently massages Cloud's shoulders. "Let's go for a walk for a while, shall we?"
"Yes."
"Very good," the silver-haired man celebrates. "Get ready by six. I should be arriving then."
He kisses Cloud on the temple and leaves the apartment. Cloud hears that he doesn't lock the door and he just sighs, getting down from the chair and going to the sofa, lying down there to watch television. Maybe that way, that strange feeling in his head will finally disappear.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Sephiroth," the General stops and waits for his companion to reach him. Angeal looks suspicious, a little reserved. Sephiroth tilts his head with a fake smile. The one he's usually worn since arriving from Nibelheim. "I need to talk to you. It's important."
Sephiroth nods simply and Angeal would like to focus on how calm and happy he's been since his return. To think that his drowsiness and disdain for the subject of his birth vanished overnight. The possibility of a lover. Nibelheim was good. As much as Angeal knows that Sephiroth doesn't know how to love, he preferred it.
It was fine.
It was calm.
It was flowing well.
And now, because of Zack, he couldn't rest at the possibility that Sephiroth and his "peace of mind" would be lost because a small child. Angeal doubts it very much. Sephiroth is cruel, but not to that extreme of a savage. He's known him forever and knows it could lead to something like this. They both sit in the office. Sephiroth behind his desk, taking advantage of the time to sort through some papers and Angeal on one of the office couches.
"Zack told Genesis and me something strange yesterday," Angeal says. Sephiroth chuckles slightly. "Something about you having a kidnapped child in your apartment." Angeal is very direct and believes the subject warrants it. Beating around the bush gives Sephiroth the opportunity to excuse himself or drop the conversation.
"Indeed. There's a child in my apartment. Nine years old, severely Mako poisoned… but he's not kidnapped, not at all." Sephiroth shrugs slightly. "His village handed him over and that's the best they could have come up with."
"Village? Doesn't he have parents?"
"He has a mother."
"She agreed to let you bring him. Just like that?" Angeal tentatively notes, noticing a strange and murky pattern. Sephiroth seems to want to hide it while leaving everything implicit.
"It's not my job to interfere in the political processes of each village. I just did them a favor." Sephiroth rests his elbow on the table, resting his cheek on his palm and a wide smile on his face.
Angeal gets up from his seat and walks to the desk.
"Zack told us you're raping that boy."
"Zack is pretty dumb if he thinks that's what I'm doing." His response is the same as his demeanor: very calm. As far as he's concerned, he's telling the truth. He's not abusing Cloud. He's done everything willingly.
The fact that the boy is very precocious isn't his problem. More of an advantage.
"So, you're not using him as some kind of sex slave."
Sephiroth laughs, shaking his head.
"Of course not. I'm just looking out for him. Sometimes we do things" Angeal frowns. Is he admitting it?! "but it's nothing Cloud doesn't want. From the beginning, he's been the one looking for me."
"Sephiroth—"
"So don't worry. Nothing wrong with—"
"He's a nine-year-old boy!" Angeal slams the table, looking furious and Sephiroth doesn't change his calm, carefree expression at all. "You have to return him to Nibelheim, to his mother—DO THE SMALLEST THING TO MAKE UP FOR THE SHIT YOU DID!"
"Don't get hysterical, Angeal. Like I told you before: he was the one looking for me," he assures, standing up from his seat. "The one who started all this: it was him."
Angeal can't believe Sephiroth's cynicism excuses such a twisted and despicable situation. It's as if he genuinely doesn't perceive it as a bad thing, despite everyone around him telling him otherwise. Even worse: he knows it's wrong. Otherwise, he wouldn't have warned Zack to leave Cloud at the apartment. Sephiroth pats Angeal on the shoulder.
"Better go train. You're a little tense," he advises with a smile and Angeal reluctantly leaves.
Sephiroth returns to his desk. He plans to skip lunch today, finish at five and then be there by six, as he promised Cloud.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“All because Zack told you that was happening… Zack is chronically stupid, nosy and has a hero complex,” Genesis waves his hand with disinterest and cynicism in his expression. “This whole thing is blown out of proportion. He has a child at home, one who’s dying. What do we care? Besides, Sephiroth is Sephiroth, between how asexual and alien he is, why should we get upset?”
“Just because he hasn’t had a steady partner or steady lovers doesn’t mean he can't do wrong. Are you going to let him keep raping a child!?” Angeal reprimands. Genesis rubs his temple, irritated by Angeal’s insistence on the subject. All because of Zack. He wishes Angeal would realize his own mother hen behavior with the youngest. “I thought you wanted to be a hero, that you wanted to be admired.”
"What the hell's the point if Sephiroth is—"
"Then beat him this time."
Genesis grumbles. Partly, he's lazy about the whole thing. He doesn't like meddling, much less doing community service. Nothing worse than working without pay and that's what Angeal asks of him. He snorts, resigned.
"First, let's see if he's as bad as you think." says Génesis with bored expression. "Sephiroth has a disgusting sense of humor. He could be bothering you and you, being so dense, are thinking things he isn't. Let's see if we really need to get a sex slave out of that department, or if he's just some kid Sephiroth adopted because…" They both go blank. No irony comes to mind. "Because…" Angeal crosses his arms, shaking his head. "Because he finally realized people are dying. Maybe? I don't know."
Angeal rolls his eyes. At least they agree on one thing: this whole case is the strangest thing Sephiroth has ever done.
┈
"Huh? Where are you going? Do we have a mission?!" Zack yells, scared at the possibility. He doesn't have time today. Angeal shakes his head.
"Let's investigate how complicated the problem is with Sephiroth and that kid he kidnapped," Zack smiles, happy that they didn't ignore him in the end. "I talked to him and he was a little... cryptic."
"I know what I saw. It was a recording of the two of them together in the bathroom," Zack repeats anxiously.
"Did you see Sephiroth's ass?" Genesis mocks with a raised eyebrow.
"I-I don't know what I saw," Zack admits, embarrassed.
He doesn't even remember what he saw. What disturbed him most was hearing those howls of pain. The image itself is a blur in his mind. He prefers it that way.
"What were you doing here?" Angeal asks. There's nothing Zack would be interested in here.
In administration, more specifically the department in charge of collecting complaints about the behavior of others within the project. Zack shakes his head, smiling and crossing his arms behind his head.
"Nothing at all. I was just walking around. Can I join you?" he questions, clasping his hands and bending down. Angeal purses his lips.
Those dog eyes.
Those damn dog eyes.
“Do what you want.”
Zack celebrates by hopping around, hanging onto both of them, hugging them by the neck and walking off. He prefers to keep the fact that he filed a complaint with Sephiroth a secret. Whenever it concerns high-ranking positions and especially SOLDIER 1st Class, they're taken directly to Heidegger. They don't usually happen like this, not to mention how strange it is that it's Sephiroth.
He's confident it'll catch the attention of the chief in charge of SOLDIER and they'll be able to do something for Cloud.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“Glad to see you're ready.”
Cloud pulls his hand away, not wanting Sephiroth to ruffle his hair so much. The silver-haired man laughs softly. It's funny how persistent Cloud's hateful nature, or rather, his discomfort, is. He doesn't know how to show it, so he pretends to be bitter. The truth is, shyness is going to kill him.
Sephiroth abandons his uniform, dresses in a burgundy shirt that he keeps open above the middle of his chest, pants and elegant shoes, ending in gloves. He offers his hand to Cloud, who curls his lower lip, taking it with suspicion and apprehension. It's also worth noting that Cloud doesn't combine at all with the silver-haired man.
He put on boots, the usual; shorts, a neutral-colored shirt (in this case, gray) and his hair in a ponytail.
Outside the apartment, the comments are the usual: being mistaken for Sephiroth's long-lost son or Sephiroth's apprentice. Cloud hates both interpretations, wishing he were home. At least this way, there aren't so many people judging and bothering him. Sephiroth walks slowly, as Cloud couldn't keep up with him even if he tried. The blond is kicking, glancing sideways.
"Why did you bring me from Nibelheim?" Cloud asks. Sephiroth narrows his attention at him.
"Because I knew you'd be better off here... which is pretty obvious, considering you haven't sweated blood yet again," Cloud pouts, his face scrunched up. "Why ask?"
"It doesn't make sense that I'm here. Also it doesn't make sense for you to take care of me," Cloud complains, annoyed. "You're so weird."
"Your company makes me happy." There's a particular gleam in his eyes. Wonder, excited, thrilled. Either way, it's the right one. Cloud barely notices it, but he doesn't understand why Sephiroth would make that kind of gesture. Mainly because he's too good for what he's doing. "After all, only you consider me a normal person, right?"
Sephiroth can be a normal person.
When he's being the good Sephiroth.
Right now, he's the good Sephiroth.
"Yes."
"It's as simple as that."
Cloud purses his lips and expression. He doesn't understand anything. Only the feeling that yesterday's guilt is fading. Sephiroth buys him some things to eat on the way and also carries him without even tiring. Cloud is actually enjoying this outing. It's the best thing that's happened in a long time and it's a stark contrast to last night, as well as this morning.
Everything's just going well. Like the first few days in Nibelheim.
Cloud realizes that maybe he could make it happen more often if he can make Sephiroth happy. Keep him in this good mood and look at him with the same bright, kind eyes.
Cloud hugs him by the neck and Sephiroth chuckles. "Are you getting a fever?"
"No."
"It's usually the only way you'll hug me."
"Because you always go into hug mode," Cloud explains and Sephiroth laughs again. Pulling back slightly, Sephiroth tilts his head and gives him a soft peck. Nothing extraordinary. "Do you like kissing me?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, we can't do much of that here."
Cloud pouts and hugs him, avoiding contact once again. Although... it's soft. It's good. It comes from the good Sephiroth. Therefore, it's something he greatly prefers and perhaps he can save himself from the bad Sephiroth by kissing the good Sephiroth. His little mind making up one scheme after another.
All simple.
All basic.
And Sephiroth is the main protagonist of them all.
Just as the silver-haired man loves it.
Cloud starts to feel fever. Breaths through his mouth and Sephiroth notices the change. He marked it as the memento to go home.
"I can't believe you're actually doing this."
Sephiroth turns to the right, where Angeal approaches with Genesis and Zack nearby. He pats Cloud on the back, the boy a little tired from so much walking and the sudden fever. A lot of physical exertion for the first time in almost a year in Midgar. Angeal is the one who looks most annoyed, Genesis surprised and Zack is only focused on Cloud, as if looking for a way to take him off Sephiroth's hands.
The General remains calm, as if nothing bad were happening.
"Anyone would think there's a tragedy happening here. Change those faces. No one's dying," Sephiroth says and Angeal grits his teeth, hating his cynicism. "Cloud, wake up for a moment. Come on."
Zack bristles, worried by the simple way Sephiroth treats Jimin. He kisses him on the neck and maneuvers him like a doll. The boy faces them, red-faced and green-eyed.
Cloud bites his fingers. His mind is elsewhere. The Mako sometimes condenses in his head and prevents him from functioning properly. Sephiroth recognizes when it happens. This is one of those moments, also demonstrated by the fever. The little they've been able to decipher about it is that he's hungry to compensate for the high calorie burn of the Mako.
Either way, Cloud is going to look for something to eat, anything that enters his system. The next thing he's looking for Sephiroth. How could he not? If he senses the possibility of finding food. Regressing in mental capacity, guided by instinct and little else. This isn't the most opportune moment for this, but he has no way to fix it, so it will be as it turns out.
"Cloud, these are my colleagues in SOLDIER. The ones you've seen on TV and in magazines," Sephiroth explains simply. "Besides, I know you already know Zack. Come on, say hello."
"Hi..." Cloud says slowly, his head throbbing from one second to another. He remains leaning against Sephiroth. “I feel... weird.”
"I know. There'll be something to eat around here."
"Don't try to distract us with this paraphernalia," Angeal accuses, stern and almost hysterical, quickly approaching them. "This isn't going to-" Angeal holds back a groan of pain. In the split second of this event, he wondered why Sephiroth had no problem letting Cloud go? It was suspiciously easy. The answer came from holding the boy and now having him tear a chunk of flesh from his arm. Angeal drops Cloud somewhat roughly on the floor, hisses in pain and covers the wound with his hand. Genesis and Zak are equally stunned, not understanding what just happened right in front of them.
Sephiroth laughs and Cloud chews slowly, blood running down his chin and soiling his clothes. He turns to Sephiroth, arms outstretched, anxiety rising.
"This isn't a distraction," Sephiroth assures, picking up the small creature seeking refuge. "This is a very complicated medical condition. We can talk all you want, but we have to feed him for everyone's sake."
"I'll go buy him clothes," Genesis announces.
Genesis didn't want to be here before and doesn't want to be here now that he knows what a tiny beast they'd have to deal with. Zack and Angeal should stay since they're so eager to help.
After putting new clothes on Cloud, cleaning the blood off and convincing him that he wants the food, since initially he can't accept that it's not the flesh of a living being when he's alive.
It's quite funny watching him slowly eat all those pieces of fried chicken. Zack doubts Cloud can handle an entire bucket on his own, but that's not the problem that brings them together. They even left him at a separate table so he can eat in peace. Not only will the discussion drag on, but Zack, like Angeal, believes Cloud already has enough stress on his shoulders. Including him in this is cruel.
"So," Sephiroth rests his hair on his shoulder. "The explanation is simple: the poisoning is so severe that, naturally, he loses weight, becomes disoriented, develops a fever and dizziness. Much of his physical structure has changed as a result," he recounts simply and extremely nonchalantly. On those points, there's nothing wrong or strange about having brought him here. After all, Cloud clearly needs treatment and what better place than Midgar? Still, a question remains. "The same doctor who treated him in Nibelheim gives him regular checkups. He's perfectly stable."
"Now to the part where this," Angeal points to Cloud, "doesn't make sense anymore."
"Why doesn't it make sense? I don't see any reason why it's strange that he's with me." Sephiroth tilts his head and smiles cynically, almost cruelly and mockingly. Zack moves to the table where Cloud is sitting, before he drops his head onto his plate. He's already eaten eleven out of twenty pieces. It's more than Zack initially imagined.
"He's a damn kid you were kissing on the mouth," Angeal chides and Sephiroth remains the same.
"He's nine. He's cute, but please," Genesis agrees with a huff of annoyance.
"I missed the moment when it's any of our business what I do or don't do with my private life." Sephiroth's nonchalance becomes irritating. "Not to mention overriding what he wants. As well as what he needs."
"Does he need to ride your cock to be good? I highly doubt it."
"He's nine. What kind of consent can he possibly give?" Angeal argues and Sephiroth laughs softly.
"As far as I remember, Zack was eleven when you started training him to kill," Sephiroth points out with a hand to his chin. Angeal flinches.
"How can you compare something like that to rape?"
"It's just as bad. The difference is, I haven't raped anyone."
"Sephiroth—"
"We're bonded, we have sex from time to time and that's it." Genesis leans back in his seat, frowning and lost in thought for the rest of the conversation. "I don't expect you guys to understand something like that... considering everything you love dies."
Angeal, irritated and hysterical as he is, could have jumped to attack him. Incredulous that Sephiroth would use what happened in Banora during the war against him. In the face of war: being totally destroyed, not a single survivor. Angeal and Genesis' family reduced to nothing. Also friends and other loved ones.
"Cloud needs a lot of attention and care. I'm committed to giving it to him and these events happened," Sephiroth explains nonchalantly. "Don't worry... We already bonded. I know he's too small for a baby himself."
"What the hell are you up to now...?"
Genesis stops Angeal from going after Sephiroth. The silver-haired man heads toward Cloud, who's already finished all the pieces and can't stop yawning. If he's clean, it's because Zack took the time to clean his hands and face. About to pick him up and maybe run out of here at top speed. While Sephiroth and Angeal argued, he was able to talk a bit with the blond:
"Hey, I know you're really stressed, but you have to know that I'm going to help you however I can, okay?" Cloud nods slightly. He can't quite figure out where he is, but it's more than he's ever been able to on other occasions. "I'll find a way for you to be with your mom again, okay?"
"Mo... mom... I want... my mom." Zack smiles, taking a napkin to clean him up. It amazes him that Cloud ate everything there. For someone so small, his stomach is bottomless.
As soon as he sees Sephiroth, he extends his arms. The silver-haired man picks him up, barely seeing Zack, who gives him a look of disdain and annoyance. The blond lies down and immediately falls asleep. He gets up from the table, watching them leave and once with Angeal and Genesis, what there is is an argument: "Why are you suddenly so permissive!?"
"You... Didn't you see it? Didn't you understand?" Genesis questions, pale. Zack crosses his arms, waiting for that supposed discovery. "It's obvious what's really going on here."
"No. It's not obvious." "Enlighten me," Angeal demands and Genesis lets out a tense, almost nervous laugh.
"Sephiroth is in love... really in love."
"Is that what being in love is?" Zack raises an eyebrow, incredulous that this can be called infatuation or love in any way.
"He excuses what he does in every possible way. He justifies it by saying that Cloud also wants... he distorts the reality that makes him happy: Cloud reciprocates his feelings and desires," the redhead elaborates. "The strange thing would be if he respected the fact that he's a brat and that this can't be right," he concludes, scratching his eyebrow.
"In love or not. This can't go on. That's all," Angeal says and Zack smiles encouraged. At least he'll have the support of both of them with this.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Can we go for a walk again today?"
Sephiroth raises an eyebrow, curious about the request. Cloud has a cheek full of food. He looks shy, self-conscious. Yesterday he was barely conscious just before bed, the two of them watching an animated movie to pass the time. Now Cloud looks embarrassed at asking for something so simple. He realizes that aside from asking for his mom, Cloud hasn't asked for anything. Not even when he needs it.
"Of course we can go for a walk again," Cloud curls up in his seat, pressing his feet together and stuffing food across his cheek. "Would you like anything special?"
"Just... a walk."
"And eat?"
"That's what you do when you're walking, right?" Says Cloud with a disgusted expression. Sephiroth laughs softly.
"That's true," the silver-haired man agrees. "Well, we're going for a walk today too. I'll be back around the same time. So you're ready for that, okay?"
Cloud nods and continues with his breakfast. Sephiroth watches him eat, pleased with the way his demeanor changes.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"I called you because something strange arrived at my office this morning." Sephiroth sits with his arms crossed, tucked into Heidegger's office and having to listen to him. Nothing that brings him particular pleasure. "And I expect nothing more than a coherent explanation."
Sephiroth takes the document. Reads the contents and laughs. Zack is too dumb. The silver-haired man tears up the paper and leaves it in a small pile on the desk of the head of the SOLDIER program. Essentially, his equal in terms of rank.
"A stupid misunderstanding. That's all," Sephiroth replies in a calm voice. Unperturbed. Heidegger analyzes it.
"If what he says is true, it's best if you tell me right away. So I can throw away the spam." A laugh escapes Sephiroth. How deluded his colleagues are. Thinking they have Heidegger on their side. "I can only ask that you avoid these rumors. We don't want a budget cut."
"With all due respect, when has it ever mattered? If this program is full of rapists," Heidegger doesn't argue, but it's funny to him. "The president wouldn't dare do anything. I wouldn't worry so much about the budget." He gets up from his seat to leave.
Heidegger can't help but mock Sephiroth's hypocrisy. He's the first to fire or kill SOLDIER for allegations of harassment, rape, abuse, etc. He simply abhors those kinds of people and clearly intends to continue being that way.
Allowing himself to be the only one to break his own rule.
"If the rest of the executive staff finds out—"
"Don't meddle where you have no place, Heidegger. I know how to handle my problems," Sephiroth assures. closing the door with a soft slam.
Heidegger laughs. Ah, SOLDIER's jewel is the world's greatest threat not because he knows how to destroy it, nor because he has the power to do so; but because he can manipulate it at will. Like some kind of mortal god who won't allow anyone to do him less.
They did it in the past.
They've already lost the chain that held him.
And now, he has theirs.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“General, may we talk for a moment?”
Sephiroth allows the scientist to enter his office, quickly signing papers. He wants to get home early today. Go for another walk with Cloud. Fortunately, the man is very direct: “The tests you asked me for are ready. The results are not only spectacular, they are also as you planned from the beginning.”
Sephiroth takes the tablet, skimming over the information. His smile widens, simply excited. A chill runs down his spine and triumph fills his chest.
"How soon can this procedure be started?"
"I recommend waiting until the Mako poisoning subsides. Consciously or subconsciously, it causes healing in his body," he explains, taking out his tablet. "So they could try to eradicate the newly introduced DNA.”
"Fine, I'll keep track. What level should the Mako be at?"
"Around level three. Although we can start at level four." Sephiroth nods. Cloud's usual level is eighteen. It decreases the less active he is.
He supposes sedating him for a few days might help.
"Does Hojou know anything about this?" Sephiroth questions, looking up and the man shakes his head.
"I've done everything on a separate server and worked in my department to prevent spying. He knows nothing," the scientist assures with certainty. “However, I'm sure he's trying to find out.”
"I'll have to make sure that doesn't happen," Sephiroth concludes reluctantly.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"How strange to see you here of your own will."
"I have to leave in a few days and I need to be sure nothing happens in that time." Sephiroth takes a seat in front of Hojou. Strangely, he's at his desk, reviewing reports and other paperwork that keeps him from tormenting the other scientists in the department.
Sephiroth doesn't like being here. He'd avoid it by any means, but he doesn't want Hojou to accidentally find out about Cloud. He knows he can find different excuses to use him as a test subject. Not when he's here, of course, when he's the only one who can outrank him and persuade the ShinRa president to do what he wants.
The problem is when he's out on missions. Those moments are vulnerable. For example, Cloud went out and ran into Zack. It was a two-day mission and all that happened and what's on his mind right now.
"So? What is this you want to talk to me about?" Hojou asks, amused.
"It would be a huge shame to reveal that those monsters made in Wutai were your doing."
Hojou immediately goes defensive. Sephiroth crosses his arms and leg, a smug smile on his lips.
"I recognize your signature anywhere on the planet. You can't resist putting this" Sephiroth taps his cheekbone, referring to his slanted eyes "on everything you invent. It's useful, I won't deny it, but even with the enemy... I thought you were smarter."
"I thought the same about you. Do you think this is relevant to the company?" Hojou argues, his hands clasped on the desk.
"Of course it is." Hojou remains calm, at least that's what he expose. Feeling cornered, but not revealing it for his own good. "After all, you've had a tremendous amount of freedom to work. Unheard of. You can mess with any experiment, scientist, or assistant in this place and you won't get fired." Hojou moves his jaw. "What if I say it...? It's possible that your freedom could end, your funding could be cut, your life could be cut, you'd have to answer to other scientists and your work could be under their name and not yours." Sephiroth nods, laughing softly. "Day and night with SOLDIER following your steps and you, with your dick in your hand, unable to do anything."
"Make your point, Sephiroth."
"I want you to stop trying to pry into my business."
"Is it because of that kid your colleagues are talking about?" Hojou smiles mockingly. "If it's something you want to achieve in him, it doesn't take a mediocre scientist to do it. I can-”
"No."
Sephiroth shakes his head and gives a long, mocking laugh.
"I don't want you to touch them. If you come any closer, I'll tear your eyes out so you won't even look at them." Sephiroth thinks about doing it eventually.
He couldn't stand Hojou's lustful gaze on Cloud. His child doesn't deserve to have something so disgusting on him. That's the reason he didn't give a gender for Hojou to think about.
"How curious... you've never been interested in anyone before. I wish I could investigate."
"People say curiosity kills the cat. In your case... it makes you lose your mind, with your name erased by your discoveries in other people's names."
While Hojou is a man working to discover the limits of human ability and of creation itself, he's very proud. Nothing holds him higher than having been able to create Sephiroth. That's what everyone knows. What everyone talks about. Just as he was the creator of SOLDIER.
Letting that change, letting them say it was a mistake and the discovery belongs to someone else, along with the restrictions he would have in the "last days of his life”, because Sephiroth will make sure to corner Hojou. The certainty here is that he would be gone. Everything he's worked for would go to another name. His legacy would die…
And with that, Sephiroth has the potential wild card that could screw up his life, under his control.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"You can't see the sky here."
"Sadly, Nibelheim wins on that score."
Cloud pouts slightly. He'd like to see the stars in the sky, but it's impossible. The sky here is gray, as if made of lead. He holds Sephiroth's hand, both of them strolling as promised. They've already eaten some food and he's also bought clothes and other toys Cloud wanted. All of them have been sent to the apartment by courier, so he doesn't have to carry any more boxes and bags.
Cloud notices a woman in a pink dress, carrying a basket on her arm. He walks toward her, curious to see some flowers. The woman bends down, showing him one of the yellow blossoms.
"Do you want one?" She offers with a smile. Cloud nods.
"My mom likes flowers. She always had several at home."
"Oh, I like your mom," she says pleasantly. "Maybe you can give her this one," she offers, holding it out. Cloud is about to take it, but Sephiroth, distracted for just a second by a phone call, approaches and accidentally scares the boy. "Shit..."
She stops her rudeness, Sephiroth tilts his head and Cloud, shyly, shakes his head.
"I'm not with my mom. I don't know how I could give it to her.”
"If you like it, you can still have it," Sephiroth offers and Cloud takes it and stares at it. Sephiroth hands over what he assumes it costs. Puzzled by the way she looks at him.
Aerith sometimes wonders how she manages to accidentally bump into anyone.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"You saw them?!"
"By accident... that kid is intimidated. It was really upsetting watching them leave." Aerith carefully cuts the flowers she's going to place in his house. Zack scratches his head and puts his hands on his hips.
"It's complicated." His girlfriend is sad, which is odd in itself. "Angeal and Genesis are also involved in this. So... we might be able to help him soon."
Aerith nods softly, hoping it will work out. Cloud has a... very sad presence. Too sad for a child and it reminds her of herself. Feeling abandoned and lost in the world at such a young age.
A few weeks pass and confusion grows among the small group. They can't explain how nothing could be happening. Angeal, Genesis and Zack haven't stopped filing complaints against Sephiroth, but they don't even seem to exist. As if they're hallucinating them together.
There's also not the slightest rumor, even though Sephiroth goes everywhere with Cloud whenever he's in Midgar. Zack opted for a new technique: legal proceedings filed directly to Sephiroth, beyond SOLDIER's jurisdiction. How can something like that be achieved? Very simple.
Zack called Claudia Strife.
"Let me... see if I understand," Zack scratches his brow, searching for energy and patience. "They broke into your house. Which is yours alone. They took your son and gave your son to him."
"That's what happened. I don't know if he demanded him, but I don't think so... I think they offered him in exchange forimprovements to Nibelheim." Aerith writes down what Claudia says quickly, with the same incredulous expression. Zack tries to remain calm. "Now we have... modern equipment, all the houses with the best materials—thisplace doesn't feel like Nibelheim. It feels like a very different place," Claudia affirms.
"Are you sure this is why?"
"Yes. It was their justification. They said directly: we must do this for the good of the town." Zack takes a deep breath. "Cloud... my baby wasn't even conscious. He was sleeping from the fever." Zack gets up from his seat and walks with his hands on his waist. "And I know what happened. I know that guy touched him beforehand. He did something strange to him."
"Cloud has... a vagina. Suddenly he didn't have testicles and—at the time I didn't suspect it, but the doctor toldme a lot of things I don't understand. He told me it was normal for him to become a hermaphrodite,but I know he did it to satisfy some sick desire!” Claudia complains on the other end of the line. “I don't hate Cloud in any way, I'm just saying... he's not like that. He's not comfortable with that body. I know that.”
"Well... the paperwork I need to file the lawsuit on his behalf should arrive tomorrow. I'll do everything I can to help him. You can count on that," Zack assures, sounding more positive.
"Is Cloud okay? He's... going out, seeing things... h-he talks to me a lot, but I'm scared he might not be honest with me."
"Sephiroth takes him out often," Zack confesses grudgingly. "They hang out, they play... if it weren't for the fact that Sephiroth kidnapped him and abused him, they'd have a pretty special connection. I don't want to defend Sephiroth, but I've never seen him so united and happy." he says and Claudia lets out a moan of genuine despair.
"He could have been his friend, he could have... He could have seen him, played with him. How does that explain why he took him away?! Why he destroyed him like this?! He... he's a monster."
Zack wishes he were there to give her at least a hug. After all, that woman is consuming herself from such severe depression. He'd say it's incapacitating her if not for the fact that they have Cloud, several other SOLDIERs and Sephiroth himself as witnesses that she's not lying and isn't exaggerating.
Sephiroth is brazen enough to admit everything he's done; the only noteworthy thing is that he would say it with nice words to avoid the issue.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Rejected?"
"They don't have enough evidence. Testimonies aren't enough."
To Zack, it sounds like an excuse.
And it is.
The secretary returns all the paperwork to him to file the criminal complaint; her boss, holed up in his office, is simply following the simple-to-follow letter of instructions. Sent by Sephiroth Crescent himself.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"I can't believe there isn't a single decent person involved with this. We don't want his head! Just the boy back!"
They've already discussed the subject. Removing Sephiroth is impossible, but the least they're demanding is that Cloud be able to return to Nibelheim with his mother. Not to mention that's all she wants. And for Sephiroth to be as far away as humanly possible. Maybe, to the moon or farther.
And still, nothing at all.
"There's a good person," Zack comments, raising his finger. "The problem is we don't have enough evidence to convince him."
"Who are you talking about?" Angeal asks, surprised.
"Rufus ShinRa," Genesis gives a bitter laugh, shaking his head and looking at Zack mockingly. "We just need evidence."
"In what world would Rufus be interested in all this? As far as he's concerned, a child is just meat who doesn't have to pay taxes yet," Genesis says. Zack clicks, shaking his head.
"Believe me, it makes sense," Zack says, tremendously relaxed. "Worry about one thing: evidence. We need evidence."
"Unless you have some spectacular idea to take Sephiroth's security camera files, I highly doubt there's any way to get it."
Genesis's joking, annoyed comment gives him an idea. Horrible and even suicidal if them analyze it carefully.
But… an option is an option.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
She silently celebrates being able to open the door and enter the darkened apartment. Power outages aren't common in Midgar, so this is an anomaly. A deliberate one. Aerith moves discreetly through the room and jumps in place when she runs into Cloud, who is hugging a pillow and looking like he'd slept until very recently.
"Who are you?" he asks before yawning. Aerith crouches down, resting her arms on her knees.
"My name is Aerith. I came to help you get home," she announces with a smile and Cloud looks at her suspiciously. "Remember Zack? He's my boyfriend. That's how I know you need help." Her gesture is kind. So much so that it reminds her of her mom.
"But…"
"We talked to your mom recently. She told us… she gave me the mission to bring you home," Aerith assures with a wink and a raised finger. Cloud nods; he doesn't understand the system here, but she doesn't feel like a bad person.
Aerith strokes his head and then heads to Sephiroth's computer. She plugs in the device Zack gave her, a data duplicator. Whether or not there's power from the magnetic wave that was triggered, the information can be copied somehow. She didn't understand that part and she's sure Zack didn't either. They both jump, hearing footsteps outside. Aerith wanted to think it was just anyone. There are more apartments in this building.
Cloud, for his part, recognizes the footsteps, senses them nearby. He grabs Aerith's arm and she reaches for the cloner that had already given the green light. They run inside the apartment and Aerith hides in the master bedroom closet. Cloud doesn't want Sephiroth to get mad at him again. The guilt it provokes is awful. Besides, they have no way to explain themselves.
Aerith sends a quick text, letting Zack know that Sephiroth has arrived and Zack types in all caps as if that solves something. He assures her he'll make her come out somehow, but to stay hidden.
"Did you miss me?" Aerith pries more into the clothes, her heart beating so fast it hurts.
"No."
"As bitter as ever."
Cloud closes one eye, his face scrunched up by the hand on his head. Sephiroth goes straight to the bedroom to take off his armor. He never lasts long with it in the house. He prefers to have more comfortable, normal clothes. That way, he can be on better terms with Cloud.
The blond checks the closet occasionally. There are no Sephiroth clothes in it, so he doesn't open it. He takes clothes from the drawer and stays in a long sweater and loose pants. Cloud wobbles his feet for a moment.
"Why is there no light?"
"Even though the city always has electricity, there are problems with circuits and power supplies. They must be fixing it... come here."
Cloud climbs onto the bed and sits between Sephiroth's legs. The man takes his hands, holding them lovingly. Aerith leans in, surprised by the silence.
"You're calmer today. You don't have a fever, but you haven't eaten anything, right? Soon..." Cloud purses his lips, worried. Sephiroth keeps his hands under his. Gigantic in comparison. "You're going to feel sick... and move around like an animal looking for food."
"There's nothing to eat."
"You can order food."
"But you don't want anyone to come."
Sephiroth laughs and raises one of his hands, giving it a kiss.
"You're so considerate of what I want, Cloud," Sephiroth gasps. "Though really you always are."
"Why are you flirting so much? If you want to do it, let's do it," he presses irritably and pouts.
"So small, yet so bitter."
Aerith parts her lips, stunned by what's starting to happen just two meters away from her. Sephiroth undresses Cloud, kisses him, touches him, squeezes him with such overwhelming desire. Aerith dares to take out her cell phone, covering the screen with a piece of cloth so the glare isn't detected and then, record what it's happening.
She uses one of the small slits in the door through which it can be perfectly admired.
She keeps her eyes closed, her lips pressed together and tries to keep her hand from shaking.
"I-I'm so full," Cloud whines, sitting on top of Sephiroth, his abdomen bulging with the manhood inside him.
Sephiroth cups his face, kissing him and moving his pelvis, making him bounce on top of him. The insistent sound of skin slapping and how sticky he is. Eventually, he puts Cloud on the bed, taking his legs to open them wider and moving his hips recklessly. Cloud with his arms over his face, moaning uncontrollably and arching with pleasure, Sephiroth admiring the way that body flushes and fills with his seed with each distant orgasm. He places Cloud against the bed, grabbing him by the hair and forcing him to raise his hips slightly to make it easier for his cock to enter the pussy that spills semen with each thrust. He accidentally hits his buttocks hard, having pulled his penis too far and ending up cumming outside of Cloud. His manhood, which keeps leaking semen, makes contact with the bulging belly. Sephiroth gasps, with a satisfied and excited smile. He leans back against Cloud, kisses his neck and absorbs the scent of sweat he gives off.
"Someday, we'll have others... they'll be like me, but this time, they'll be safe... they'll be happy. Just like you and I are," Sephiroth promises in a whisper and Cloud barely answers.
"I don't want to wait that long. Let it be now." Cloud takes a hold of Sephiroth's hair, tugging lightly. "Come on... let's do it more. I want a baby."
Sephiroth laughs, licking Cloud's cheek before kissing him and cupping him tiny breasts in his hands.
Aerith slowly puts her phone away, shivering. Unwilling to believe what she heard:
I-I want to go... with my mom... I-I'm scared... I don't want to do that. I don't want a baby.
As soon as Sephiroth leaves for the bathroom, Aerith finds her chance to escape. She rushes out of the closet, her legs shaking. On the bed, Cloud lies face down, unconscious, naked and bruised all over his body. Parts of his hips and thighs are swollen. His eyes are half-open, his face swollen and red; the worst is his lower body, his groin. Aerith doesn't know why he has both genitals, but Sephiroth wasn't gentle with him.
There are abused parts that bleed profusely and the traces are still present. Both semen and blood. Both in his vagina and anus. The buttocks with finger marks emphasize Sephiroth's cruelty toward him.
Aerith holds back the urge to cry, taking out her cell phone and taking a picture despite how much she wants to vomit. "We're going to save you. You're going to be okay," Aerith whispers weakly and tenderly to the unconscious child. She hurries out of the apartment. Her stomach feels even emptier for not being able to leave Cloud a note. A sign that she'll do something. Maybe comfort him. By the time Sephiroth comes out of the bathroom, Aerith has already left the building and is running as fast as she can, fleeing under the sign to meet Zack. They agreed to meet there. She's already told him she's okay, so he's calmer. He answers the call that comes in.
"I don't know how many calls I made, he's ignoring his phone! Smoke signals! Everything!"
"I know. I..."
Aerith stops mid-stride, crouching down and sobbing. "Aerith? What's wrong? Did something happen?" Aerith takes a deep breath and feels her whole body failing her, overly constipated and guilt twisting every organ inside her. She feels so bad...
She didn't do anything while all that was happening.
She just watched and left.
She's incapable of answering Zack anything. She doesn't have the energy or strength to do so.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"I don't have much time, so I hope your annoying intrusion is short and worthwhile."
Zack nods, placing the computer in front of Rufus ShinRa. He's a blond man with blue eyes, as cold as he is. It's hard to describe him. He's not exactly what you'd call a spoiled brat, but he is very conceited. No one is going to ask him for help. He's very despotic and judges any problem. For obvious reasons, Angeal doesn't see the point in asking him for help.
Zack considers it more than necessary. Rufus is extremely unusual because, despite his disinterest, he has a strong sense of caring for people. He recognizes human value and also expects everyone to do the same. Complaints within the company generally reach him and he passes judgment as he sees fit, depending on the crime.
So far, the worst thing that has happened—a rape of a twenty-year-old in the middle of an office—was punished by being targeted by the monsters the science department has created. It's very harsh and that's why they try to hide the crime as best they can, rather than completely erase it from their minds.
Zack knows he's achieved his goal as soon as Rufus frowns. Not just offended, but disgusted and it gets worse as the content continues. Zack cut the security cameras and made sure to include the scenes of manipulation, as well as the obvious connection of sustained abuse. Rufus is incredulous.
"It can't be Sephiroth. Not even he's that indifferent to a problem like age," Rufus immediately opines and it's the funniest thing about Sephiroth: everyone has a version of him.
ShinRa sees the star soldier.
Angeal and Genesis see the indifferent and stern General.
The people see a great and beloved hero.
The employees at ShinRa and everyone deep down, see a monster.
A spectrum of different versions of themselves merge in the middle, converging into a distant and mysterious man who never truly knows himself. However, Rufus is one of the few who will have the privilege of knowing him or seeing a facet closer to who he really is. Amazed at how bad he can become.
There's a strange, anomalous event: he feels pity and even pain for that child who screams so much in pain.
"I-I don't want to... it hurts. It hurts so much."
"Mom, it hurts. MOM, HELP ME. IT HURTS. IT HURTS."
"I can't breathe."
"Y-you scare me. Leave me. I don't want to. I'm so scared, Sephiroth."
"I'm not a girl. I'm not a girl. I don't want that."
Despite the darkness, possibly the worst moment is that secret recording. Despite how dark it is, it's easy to see what's going on. It's so easy to distinguish the power Sephiroth exerts on someone so small. His words aren't audible because he's so far away, but what Cloud is saying is clear.
"I don't want a baby. I-I don't want... a baby... I want... I want my mom."
"I have to assume there's something substantial in showing me that the General is another depraved person in this company," Rufus says through gritted teeth. Zack nods.
"No matter how many accusations we file, Heidegger dismisses them and pretends nothing's happening." Rufus narrows his eyes. He doesn't like that at all. "And the problem gets bigger because this boy, Cloud Strife, was kidnapped in Nibelheim. He took him from his mother."
Rufus reviews the missing person report and the criminal complaint filed. It's not that ShinRa as a company can't handle this. Of course they can. The point is, it would look terrible. Damage control would be a total pain he'd have to deal with, but he doesn't feel like doing it.
Because Sephiroth does deserve the image of a pedophile and kidnapper. It strikes him that despite the lawsuit, the only request as a way to cancel it is that the boy be returned to his mother. "Doesn't she want anything else?"
"No. She wants her son. He has severe Mako poisoning and from what we've discovered, there have been some mutations in his body," Zack explains, not wanting to think about it too much. "He might not live long. She wants him back. It's not a complicated request."
"No. Frankly... no." Rufus closes the folder and looks at Zack. "Why did you come to show me this? Fair."
"We need your help. There's no other powerful figure who can help us. Your father won't listen, Heidegger does Sephiroth's bidding and the only person who would help us without a problem would be Reeve, but..."
He leaves the issue hanging and Rufus knows what he's talking about: Reeve is very passive, very calm. His intentions are always the best, but he's incapable of fighting for them when necessary. Scarlet is another non-starter: she doesn't care at all. Unless, because he has so much Mako inside him, the boy produces materials just by breathing.
Hojou explains himself why it wouldn't work.
In the end, only Rufus remains. He clasps his hands, thoughtful.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
“What are we going to do?”
“It's a way for you not to feel so bad.”
Cloud doesn't understand what he's talking about, just going where he's told. The doctor injects him with something that burns his arm and then his entire body. Sephiroth takes a couple of steps away from the tank, seeing it fill with condensed Mako. That's why he needed to keep his levels very low: that way, they can poison him again. All so the genetic samples can adapt to his body.
Fortunately, Cloud falls asleep quickly. Not agonizing over the Mako.
“He'll be here for a couple of days. You can come check whenever you wants,” the scientist announces, handing him the keys to the lab. Sephiroth takes them and smiles slyly.
“That won't be necessary.”
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
「He doesn't scare you. Why would he?」
"He's bad... he does things that hurt me so much. I don't want to be with him."
「He's not bad... you know that. You're just confused. Think of everything he's given you, everything you've done. Is he really bad?」
Cloud doesn't know if he's dreaming or if it's real. There's a woman in front of him. Incredibly beautiful. Silver hair that covers her and reaches the floor from its length. Like a flowing waterfall. Her features are familiar. Sharp and perfect. From her eyes to her maternal smile. She reminds Cloud of his mother, but more distant, colder. She's not Claudia.
Her voice, on the other hand, is strong, but soft; hypnotic in the best way. She offers her hand and Cloud takes it, intimidated by staying in this dark place. Where only she is light. They start walking together.
「He's given you clothes, he's given you food, he's given you toys... everything you've asked for, he's given it to you. Why would he be a bad man?」
"I don't want him to do what he's doing," Cloud argues. He knows all that. He's already felt disgustingly guilty for leaving the apartment alone and he doesn't want to fall into that same trap again. "It hurts! It feels awful!"
「Does it? Or are you just not trying to enjoy it?」
"I don't want to do that," Cloud whines desperately. There's no way in the world that feels good. It's unpleasant in the few spots where it doesn't hurt. His stomach, head and groin burn every time it happens.
「Of course it does. You make it happen. Everything that happens is because you made it happen」
Cloud tilts his head, confused. What did he do? He didn't do anything. He wants to be friends with the good Sephiroth, but he doesn't see why that means he should love the evil Sephiroth. They come to a spot with several crystals sticking out of the ground. Like materia, but rough. There's a small pond there. She crouches down to Cloud's level.
「My son isn't bad... he loves you more than anything. He's not hurting you either... you're hurting yourself by not accepting how much he loves you. Or have you forgotten? That you fell down that mountain because you didn't accept your mother's love」
Cloud looks down, ashamed. He starts to feel bad. Feeling guilty and considering: Is it my fault? Is he going through guilt? Having sex with Sephiroth is painful. Is it his fault and not that Sephiroth is bad? It's confusing. It gets confusing. The worst part is the comparison with his own mother. He ran away from home like always. Cloud wanted to be alone like always instead of staying, he wanted to be brave and capable and he ended up falling.
He never smiles at his mother. He doesn't talk to her much either.
Thousands of guilty thoughts flood him, unaware that a small figure, barely taller than him, emerges from the water. Cloud narrows his gaze once he's standing there. He squeezes the woman's hand, fearful.
「Sephiroth wants to be with you... even if you don't appreciate it yet」
The silver-haired boy tilts his head, a gentle smile on his face. His youthful, round face with large, slanted eyes. Long hair falls to the floor and even accidentally covers part of his face.
"I want... I want to go with my mom," Cloud says, breathless, feeling something bad is happening. The woman takes his face in her free hand, looking directly into his eyes. Cloud notices the blue tint in the woman's skin. As if she weren't human.
「From now on, I'm your mother too」
Her smile turns sour, turning cruel, twisted.
「You're home」
Cloud feels a hollow in his stomach and lets out a cry. Choked. Suffocated. Sephiroth laughs, hugging him and unfurling his black-feathered wing, lovingly covering him. Jenova watches them intensely.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Yes, it will help!"
Aerith breathes a sigh of deep relief. For a moment, she was paranoid, thinking Rufus wouldn't want to interfere. Zack rubs her back gently. He knows Aerith is still in pretty bad shape from what she saw and heard. He doesn't blame her at all. He's grateful it wasn't him, but he hates that it was her.
"We'll get him to Nibelheim." Zack assures and Aerith smiles slyly, softly.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"It's not fair that you run so fast!"
Sephiroth laughs, waiting for Cloud to arrive. The blond is grumpy for having lost again. The silver-haired boy, in his childlike appearance, just balances himself.
“It's not my fault you're so slow.”
"I just don't have the legs of a giraffe!" Cloud complains and Sephiroth laughs and shrugs.
“Excuses. Just excuses,” he croons playfully.
The two of them run again, competing to see who reaches the set goal first or last. Jenova watches them. Without being present. She only admires the second child she has. The one her only son forces her to have. Nevertheless, she accepts him willingly. She wants her son happy. That he is willingly capable of fulfilling his role: conquering this world.
To snatch it away from humans. What better way than to be like a parasite? By spreading little by little... and when it diminishes completely, Sephiroth can repopulate it with whoever else he wants.
This child is so stubborn and peculiar. Jenova doesn't understand Sephiroth's obsession, but she supports and encourages it. All for the mission and to see her son's smile. The fact that both needs go hand in hand makes it so simple and happy for her.
Cloud doesn't understand what's happening. It's a mix of reality and fantasy. The reality is that the good Sephiroth is this: a boy his age or a little older with whom he can have fun. Who doesn't mind him giving kisses and can talk for hours on end. Sephiroth is the one who talks the most. As if his shy nature doesn't exist in these situations.
Cloud likes his light, his presence, his smile. This is the Sephiroth he always wants to have. However, his hands fade away. Little by little, his body does the same until finally, he opens his eyes, finding himself in the real world. He breathes labored, desperate and fixates on the person in front of him.
On Sephiroth.
He has that beautiful look. The one that represents a child. Cloud hugs him, tense and cold. Sephiroth picks him up, hugging him close and gently patting his back. He can sense it easily.
Cloud is just like him.
Just a little less pure-blooded.
But now, they are both children of Jenova. Both deserve this world. Sephiroth kisses him on the head and sighs happily, comfortable in Cloud's grip. He feels it too: this is the Sephiroth he played with. The good one, the one who isn't scary. Cloud can cling to this one without fear of him turning into a monster.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
"Sephiroth, why can I hear you in my head?"
"Now we're connected. That's why we can hear each other's thoughts.”
The answer doesn't satisfy Cloud. He listens to Sephiroth and also to Jenova and everything they say is the same things: preventing him from wanting to return to Nibelheim, assuring him that he doesn't need to go to his mom's, that this is normal, that his life here is very good. It's overwhelming because they talk so much inside his head. They don't let him hear his own thoughts.
Cloud wishes they would...
Shut up.
"Can we go out?" He takes Sephiroth's hand and Sephiroth tilts his head and looks at him with slight surprise. "I want to go out. We haven't been out since you arrived and put me in that ugly place," Cloud demands, shaking the silver-haired man's arm.
"Would you like to go somewhere special?" Sephiroth questions, his lips slightly curling. Cloud purses his lips.
"I just want to go out," Cloud demands, shaking him by the arm.
He doesn't want to be stuck in this place.
He doesn't want to feel trapped and is...
Feeling very bad.
A feeling that is his and not his at the same time.
『I hate these walls…』
『I want to get out... I want to get out…』
『Let me out. I want to get out』
"I want to get out too," Cloud murmurs to himself, biting his fingers. Sephiroth laughs in the room, sensing the blond's unease.
"That's sweet, Cloud."
Once outside, Cloud feels much better. There's less discomfort and he can breathe more calmly. Unlike Sephiroth, who's glued to his phone for a message that just arrived, Cloud focuses on absolutely everything around him. Wanting to distract himself from the voices in his head, he lets go of Sephiroth's hand to walk over to a fountain, climb onto its edge and balance himself. He jumps off and runs even farther, realizing he's back in the same place he visited with Zack.
Here he can buy travel tickets for his mom.
『You don't need her! You have me! We don't need anyone else!』
『Mom can be your mom too. That way you won't feel alone』
『Do you really want to go back there? She didn't do anything for you. She didn't prevent you from being given to a stranger. She didn't protect you from getting Mako poisoning either』
Thin hands hold his shoulders, Cloud trembling with dismay the more the voice in his head speaks.
『I've done everything so you're okay, haven't I? Am I no better than your mom?』
『She left you alone... she let you suffer... Do you really want to be alone?』
Cloud starts to hyperventilate, scaring some people passing by and they don't even bother to try and ask if he's okay or wants to go to a hospital.
『I won't leave you alone... nothing else matters in the world. You're the only thing in my world. Stop thinking about her. Stop thinking about leaving. Just…』
"Cloud? Why did you run so far?"
He takes Sephiroth's hand, trembling and instead of answering, he hugs him, hiding in him. Sephiroth picks him up and laughs, patting his back. Sephiroth senses he's confused, he has a cold. He doesn't know what to do. His already tangled mind has only gotten more complicated. He kisses him on the temple and continues on his way. It's best to go get something to eat.
┈
"Why are you so quiet?"
"My head hurts," Cloud murmurs. They've finished eating. It's a fairly discreet restaurant, with different stalls so no one bothers them. Sephiroth takes his face and kisses him on the lips.
"Try not to think then. It makes it stop hurting," Sephiroth promises with a wink and Cloud leans against him with a scowl.
"I can't not think."
"Of course you can. There isn't much to it anyway."
"Hey!" Cloud punches him in the leg. "Don't say that! I'm not stupid!" he claims disgustedly and Sephiroth laughs.
"I'm just saying you're a little... empty. All you think about are motorcycles."
"You only think about monsters and useless words!" Cloud is going to maintain that he's not stupid.
Sephiroth knows he isn't. On the contrary, he's very good with mechanics even at his age. That's quite an achievement. He's also able to understand math if he just explains it to him a little. However, it's fun to annoy him, so he'll keep telling him he's stupid.
Not to mention it's better that way.
The less capable Cloud feels, the less likely he is to try to escape again; it also tries to turn him against Claudia. Enough to make him stop missing her. The argument drags on a bit longer until Sephiroth shuts him up by kissing him on the mouth.
"If you keep insisting. I'm not going to stop doing it," the silver-haired man warns.
In a way, it becomes a game between them. A child's play. Because this is the Sephiroth Cloud likes and with him, everything is a fun game.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
『You miss us being together a lot, don't you?』
"We're together now," Cloud opines as he bathes.
『It's not the same... without me with you, bathing isn't as fun. You like it when I'm the one helping you clean up』
"Of course not!" Cloud doesn't hold back his complaint.
Sephiroth laughs. The Sephiroth of his mind, because at the end of the day: there's no one in the bathroom with him. Just Cloud and his mind, invaded by another, unable to leave him alone.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Zack knows the executive meeting regarding Sephiroth is in a while. The president isn't in town and some other members are also busy. In short, it's a slow process, but one he can handle. Just like he puts up with Sephiroth being so calm throughout ShinRa. As if he's really not doing anything wrong.
Time stresses him out.
It stresses him out that there's no solution.
It stresses him out that Sephiroth is so brazen.
Aerith calls him every day to find out and each time, he gives her the same depressing information. He wishes he had good news for his girlfriend.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
『It's more fun when we play together』
"I like playing like this," Cloud says, holding the console controller. Fixed on the television and not on the image of Sephiroth beside him.
『Really? I don't think so... considering how lonely this is... because it reminds you of Nibelheim』
Cloud stops playing, the character standing in the middle of the screen doing nothing. Sephiroth leans close to Cloud's ear and whispers: 『Back where no one wanted to play with you... where you were just waiting for an opportunity, trying to fit in with dumb kids. That's what you look like now: an outcast with no one to love you.』
Sephiroth chuckles, satisfied with the restlessness and nerves he managed to instill in him. From that moment on, Cloud plays with the feeling that something is missing and eventually, crying for failing. With the idea that if he has no one and screws up, he justifies it by saying that no one wants to play or have fun with him.
Except...
"Let's play."
Sephiroth tilts his head. Delighted in Cloud's strength and enthusiasm for them to do something. He carries him and even though it's not what Cloud meant, he's satisfied by one thing alone: Sephiroth is here with him. So he's not alone.
『I would never leave you alone, Cloud』
He trembles, whimpers, sobs.
『If you're not afraid... you'll never feel bad about being alone and no one will attack you. Leave it all to me』
Gloved fingers thrust violently into the vagina, bleeding from more tears.
『I'll be here even beyond our last day』
Sephiroth sucks Cloud's breast, a little bigger every day.
『I promise』
Cloud screams, arching, thousands of shivers running through his body, the hot cock occupying his pussy and hurting with the forced entry. His small legs spread on either side of the body that moves without delicacy. Moaning with pleasure, unlike the cries of pain that cannot be suppressed.
And in the end, it's ironic: Cloud alone in bed, his legs spread, semen and blood grotesquely oozing from his belly filled with the same. His body spasming, his eyes half-open, his mouth spluttering and drooling.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
『You don't like being alone』
“BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO COME WITH ME EITHER! IT HURTS! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!” Cloud bangs his head, still staring at that carefree, kind teenage Sephiroth in front of him. Who just pats and strokes his head. “LEAVE ME ALONE! LEAVE ME!” He bangs himself harder and more persistently.
『Do you really want me to leave you? Are you willing to live without me?』
He speaks with sorrow, with supposed pain and hurt. Cloud cries, screaming in despair. Why doesn't he just shut up? Why doesn't he just shut up?
『Do you want me to go away forever?』
“YES! GO AWAY! JUST LEAVE ME—”
“Alone?”
Cloud thinks he might throw up. Turning back, he finds the tall figure. Sephiroth's eyes are fixed on his, shining with their own light thanks to the large shadow on his face. So tall, so large, placed against the light, then like a ghost behind the blond who keeps hiccuping, terrified. He lets out a squeak of fear, thinking Sephiroth would hit him, but instead, he caresses his cheek.
"Could you really live without me? Am I that easily replaced?"
Cloud doesn't know what's keeping him quiet. His body doesn't respond. Neither does his mind. Everything is paralyzed, but not for those who occupy his head.
「You know it's not. Nothing can overcome it」
Jenova says.
「Tell him nothing can replace him」
“No-nothing can replace you..." Cloud obeys, as if his mouth were controlled by Jenova and not him.
「Tell him you couldn't live without him. Be very affectionate with my tender son, the who loves you so much」
"I... I don't..." Sephiroth tilts his head. Slow, anxious, expectant. Cloud thinks his voice is gone, like something perhaps long lost, "I can l-live without... without Sephiroth."
"Really?"
「Tell him yes」
"Yes.”
Sephiroth smiles, tossing his hair over his shoulder and positioning himself so the light hits his face. Pale, bright, happy. Sephiroth hugs him and Cloud shivered awkwardly in place, unable to breathe, watching that unreal Sephiroth jumping for joy, celebrating what Cloud said. Behind him, Jenova, moving her lips.
「Good boy」
He buries his face in Sephiroth's shoulder. He wants them to shut up. He wants them all to shut up and leave him alone. Stop with your comments and insistence that this is okay. That Sephiroth is the best thing that could ever happen to him, no matter what he does. Cloud knows better, but…
『Just as you can't live without me, I can't live without you. I love you, Cloud. Let's be together forever, okay?』
He's starting to believe it's true and he doesn't want it to be true.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Sephiroth enters the meeting room and all eyes are on him. He takes a seat, clasps his hands on the table and chuckles slightly, considering Angeal and Genesis are here too. He can perfectly imagine what's going on here for them to be present in such a hurry.
Heidegger, Hojou and Palmer are still absent. Given the size of the building, it's no wonder anyone would delay a citations. Sephiroth notices the disgusted looks Rufus is giving him. Like someone seeing an insect or something naturally inferior and disgusting. He smiles slightly, closing his eyes and leaning back in his seat, waiting patiently.
Or rather, he allows his mind to wander elsewhere.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
『Excuse me?』
"You always say I feel so lonely," Cloud swings his feet and looks up at the incandescent ceiling. "And your mom wants me to come with you," the boy said. The silver-haired boy presses his lips together, trying to hide how annoyed he is by this conversation. "So I thought maybe you're lonely and that's why you won't leave me alone."
『There's a serious flaw in your logic: are you really alone? Or do you have someone?』
"My mom," Sephiroth chuckles, a malicious hiss.
『What has she ever done for you? How do you know she loves you? If all she's ever given you is her total abandonment?』
"That's not true!" Cloud argues immediately, irritated and stubborn. Cloud doesn't want to hear him speak ill of his mother anymore. "She loves me! Don't say no again!" He slams the seat aside, not even noticing how much damage he's done to the metal and cushion.
『Why isn't she here?』
"She-"
『She hasn't made the slightest effort to come for you. She just cries and cries in that house I fixed, that I equipped, that everyone let her have. She doesn't call you, she waits for you to call; she doesn't spare the money to send it or to come for you... if she really cared about you, wouldn't she want to come?』
"She wants to come! She wants to help me!" Cloud begins to fall into hysterics, enraged at Sephiroth, who maintains his smug smile. "She just can't because...!"
『My mom is dead, but didn't you see her? She's always with me』
Cloud shivered. Is that why Jenova is in his head? But if so, what was that body you saw in Nibelheim?
『Her body is useless, but she stays with me. She decided to give up her life to stay with me. What has Claudia done? Crying and crying... without having reached out to try to get you back or even try to help you. She's like everyone else: he doesn't care about you.』
Cloud lets out a desperate sob, hands on his head, covering his ears.
『So... no. You have no one. You're different... we're different. That's why you can't be without me』
Sephiroth's justification is accompanied by an emotional smile; he's leaning toward Cloud, who notices it, but doesn't want to see it.
"We're different from everyone else, but we're equal. We don't have to suffer from loneliness or the abandonment of this world if we're there for each other... you have me. You'll always have me and I know I can count on you』
Cloud flails and screams desperately, shivering uncontrollably and still sobbing. The worst part is thinking that he can't see his own eyes: green with slitted pupils, pale and dark circles, not to mention the worst of all.
He's yelling at nothing.
Completely alone.
┈ ⋞ 〈 ✷ 〉 ⋟ ┈
Rufus is barely curious about Hojou, who arrives unnaturally smiling. He's always like that, but also absent. His mind is elsewhere. His experiments and usual complications. Heidegger and Palmer arrive with him and with that, the meeting begins. Sephiroth opens his eyes, coming back to his senses. His posture doesn't change much. Relaxed and disinterested.
"There's a lawsuit threatening to knock on our door," Reeve reports, uneasy. "And it concerns General Sephiroth being accused of kidnapping, rape and child abuse. A boy named Cloud Strife, originally from Nibelheim," he concludes, lowering his voice gradually.
There's an awkward silence in the room. Clearly, no one is particularly happy to talk about the subject. Sephiroth lets out a quiet sigh.
"There's no need to beat around the bush. Whatever you want to say, you're free to say it," the General states. Angeal clicks his tongue.
"Stop being so cynical and brazen," the Commander accuses. "You knew perfectly well this was going to happen."
"The only reason it's important is because your dog wants to play the hero as always." Angeal feels like hitting him. "I thought the humane thing to do was not kill people who are naturally a nuisance."
"Sephiroth," Genesis chides.
"Frankly, I don't understand why we're here. It's not like ShinRa's lawyers can't handle it." Sephiroth sighs with a weak, mocking smile.
"This isn't ShinRa's problem. It's a problem you caused," Angeal rebukes.
"It's strange that they're making such a big deal out of a child," Scarlet opines with distaste. “I also never imagined that, with so many people in the world and so many good options, the great General would decide to keep a brat who barely knows how to eat alone." She says ironically, waving her hand dismissively.
"The situation doesn't have to get out of hand. All we need to do is return the child and this problem never existed," Reeve suggests, not wanting to enter into this discussion.
"Sephiroth," the ShinRa president calls. "What's the issue with this child? He can't be worth all this trouble."
"He's better off with me," Sephiroth replies with great simplicity. "I don't see why we should give importance to something that won't amount to anything. Not with the courts under ShinRa's control."
"Our credibility could plummet with this," Rufus says, rubbing his fingers together. "Unfortunately for you, it's not a question of ignoring it. Not with a woman willing to keep fighting for him."
"How serious can it be?"
"A lot. It is more serious than the massacre in Wutai and throughout the war." Rufus points out. "People have enormous contempt for the nature of this case, not to mention the sympathy generated for a woman whose child was stolen. The number of people who hate us will seize this opportunity."
"Funny that this time, there are no excuses to get out of the problem," Sephiroth points out, amused.
"Sephiroth: return the child to its mother."
"No."
The atmosphere is tense. Rufus looks at him with annoyance and contempt; after all, he doesn't have enough power to refuse his orders. He's the vice president! Immensely superior to a military general." Sephiroth straightens in his seat.
"Cloud needs constant treatment. One that only I can afford. On top of that, he wanted to come. I was just fulfilling a child's whim."
"Then there should be no problem if I bring the mother and he goes to live with her." Sephiroth says nothing to Rufus's proposal. “We're not going to deal with your problems. After all, it's none of our business if you're unable to resist the urge to rape a child.” He jokes with a condescending smile.
Sephiroth gives a sour laugh, shaking his head.
“If they want to make me desert, they're doing very well.”
“They're just not willing to comply with your whim.”
“I don't think it's important. Be a grown man, if he needs something different to feel pleased, let him have it,” Heidegger opines.
“I wanted to think well of you about so many young SOLDIERs coming into your office,” Scarlet jokes.
“None of this should be accepted,” Angeal complains.
“We should give it back and pretend nothing happened,” Genesis insists.
Sephiroth sighs and stands up. “Let's try to make something very clear, since I see so much trouble.”
He leans against the glass that overlooks the void. The best part is that they have no choice but to turn to him. Becoming the absolute center of attention. Not the company president, not the vice president, not even Heidegger, who is practically his boss. He is everything. Something Sephiroth knows very well.
"Cloud isn't leaving. No matter how much Claudia Strife cries, it's a matter of indifference to me. In this case, I can disappear... just as I can go to another company... talking about the entire security system, SOLDIER's creation." He crosses a leg, knowing it's starting to make them impatient and angry. It makes them break out in a cold sweat. "And I'd take him with me again." Sephiroth smiles slyly. There's a hint of mockery, but the emotion is greater. A kind of playful prank for him. "This time, I wouldn't let him speak to her... it would be a good punishment to stop him from making such a fuss."
"You're not going to get it if we keep you here," Heidegger challenges, considering Sephiroth's threat exaggerated. After all, he's on his side! He doesn't care if he keeps that kid.
Let him do what he wants with him.
It's Sephiroth. Extravagance and oddness, no matter how questionable, are allowed to pass.
"Hold me back?" Sephiroth laughs incredulously, throwing his head back slightly and rolling his shoulders. Angeal has only seen him do that a couple of times; both times, it's because some idiot said he was going to kill him on the battlefield. Both people are dead and gone today. "What reason do you have for doing that? Or think that you can do it."
"You don't just have to bring down the entire building. SOLDIER, the Weapons Department and the Science Department are a more than solid barrier to prevent it," Scarlet explains with a smug smile. Sephiroth continues laughing, shakes his head and exhales.
"I can take all that... all their toys... every life here. Do you think I care?" Sephiroth puts a hand to his chest and continues laughing. Rufus feels a throb in his head and cold sweat breaks out. He has never seen or heard him like this and it's...
More than disturbing.
"You made me to be unstoppable by any force, human or man-made," he points out, making Rufus grit his teeth. "There is no force on this planet that can stop anything I want and if I play along, it's because making a world on my own is very laborious." Jenova has proposed the topic, but Sephiroth isn't interested. He prefers the plan they have now: to slowly contaminate humanity until they take over the planet. "So... if you think you're going to insist, you know it's going to happen."
While it sounds like mere chatter, exaggerated threats and a bit vague in their lack of pressure, what makes everyone tense is knowing it's true: Sephiroth can override what he wanted. That's why no training room can tolerate him using it seriously. They break down or are unable to withstand the impact of his blows.
And they know it's their fault.
They were so desperate to make something special, a perfect and invincible weapon, that they didn't give it the necessary care for these situations. The worst part is that they made it human. Capable of thinking for itself and even more dangerously: capable of feeling. An emotional creature, that is, capable of feeling resentment, anger and pride. The last thing a weapon itself should have.
One with no apparent brake or safety.
"Therefore: do whatever you have to do for put this problem down," he concludes indifferently, still smiling. "And don't interfere in something that doesn't concern you... ah, what a moment."
The door opens a couple of seconds later.
┈
"Hi! What are you doing here?! Having a tour?"
Zack sits next to Cloud, the blond shaking his head and sniffling. Zack pats him on the back a few times, puzzled by his presence in the building or the fact that he seems to have been crying. There's even a broken seat. He didn't think something like that could happen in ShinRa. He can't imagine who could have done it.
"Why were you crying? Did something bad happen?" Zack speaks more quietly than usual, without his characteristic hyperactivity.
"Sephiroth... he says horrible things. He says my mom doesn't love me," Cloud accuses with an exasperated tone and Zack furrows his eyebrows. How strange he sounds. Sephiroth is already too old to be making that kind of comment to a child.
Although with how weird he is these days, he doesn't even know why he's surprised.
"Ignore him," Zack waves his hand dismissively. "Hey, since you're here, how about I show you around? There are some cool places," the SOLDIER suggests with a smile. "Or maybe go out... Aerith-”
"I don't want to see her."
"Why not?"
"I don't know, just... no."
『Tell him to go away』
Cloud can barely understand them. Sephiroth is talking at the same time as Zack and he can't think! His head hurts so much he wants to cry again. Zack babbles on and Sephiroth argues. He puts his hands to his head, covering his ears and Zack freaks out. "What's wrong? What's wrong? D-do you need to go to the doctor? Is it the Mako?"
『Tell him to go away. He has no business being here. Tell him to leave! Don't talk to him anymore! You can't talk to him!』
“Cloud, talk to me, what do you have, what do you need? If it's something bad, you have to tell me. You know I can help you.”
『You don't need his help! He can't help you! HE'S NOBODY! LET HIM GO AWAY, LET HIM GO AWAY!』
“SHUT UP. GET OUT OF MY HEAD. GET OUT OF MY HEAD-”
Zack grabs him before he hits his forehead against the wall again. Not only did he sink part of the wall, he has a huge bump on his forehead! It's bleeding and swollen. He shivered, looking at Zack, noticing that same look his mother had and he still doesn't understand. It's worry, anguish and even hopelessness. Zack saw not only the bump, but green eyes exactly like Sephiroth's. "What... what did he do to you?"
His question is a weak thread of voice, trembling with helplessness. Cloud can't answer.
『He doesn't care about you. All he's got is that he already knows we're equals. He's jealous that you're more important and will be more powerful than him』
Cloud sniffles. Isn't Zack someone who can help him? Be a friend? Why does Sephiroth say that? What does Sephiroth understand that he doesn't. Cloud tries to wipe his face with his hands, but it only works to rub away the blood on his cheek and cheekbone. Zack bends down and uses a bandage from his pocket to clean his face.
"Relax. You'll be okay... I'll think of something," Zack promises with a broken smile. The wound closes quickly. Having Sephiroth's DNA inside him, it doesn't surprise him. "Let's go with Aerith, okay? She... she knows how to get that out of you."
Cloud tilts his head. Can she stop him from hearing them? He didn't think when he took Zack's hand and is determined to follow him, but he looks to the side:
『Why do you want to leave me? Why do you want to abandon me?』
Cloud is unable to understand how Sephiroth can make such an expression: as if the whole world is collapsing around him. Sephiroth isn't crying, but he seems about to. The feeling of betrayal and anguish is all over his face. Even worse, Cloud senses it.
The fact that he's terrified he'll leave him.
"Cloud?"
『Don't leave me. If you go with him, you'll leave me... don't go... he's not going to give his life—the whole world—for you. I'll give you everything you want... everything. Just stay. Don't leave me』
"Heeeey."
"Why is Sephiroth alone?" Cloud asks Zack. The SOLDIER scratches his head.
"Personally, it's because of what he does to you, but he wasn't a bad person before. I would have liked to be his friend," Zack answers honestly.
『He thinks I'm a monster too. He's going to think that of you. He doesn't want to be our friend』
Cloud presses his lips together, not knowing who to listen to or who to care about. He feels a kind of tug and it's strange because this teenage-looking Sephiroth usually can't touch him. He lets go of Zack, uncomfortable with that feeling. "Don't go in there...!" Cloud opens the door and walks straight into whatever is pulling him.
He hugs Sephiroth's leg, glancing around. He doesn't know who these people are. Sephiroth picks him up and wipes a small trail of blood off his chin.
"This is Cloud Strife... Rufus's younger brother."
Rufus jumps up, incredulous, staring at his father with utter disbelief. The man just holds his breath. He wanted to think it was a coincidence that the name on the papers was a coincidence. Not that he is actually Claudia's son. How could he not notice? If the shape of his face and hair are the same.
“Brother of… Who?!” Zack puts his hands to his head and Sephiroth laughs at the utter disbelief of everyone in the room.
Even Hojou is surprised; Scarlet stutters; Heidegger beats his chest from choking; Palmer and Reeve fidget in their seats; Angeal and Genesis pale.
For his part, Sephiroth kisses Cloud, who pats him on the shoulder with a grumpy gesture.
"I want to go home."
"We'll go later... now, stay for the rest of the meeting." He puts him on the floor and Cloud sits down.
Hello author! I have read and subscribed to your entire article, and it is very well written! I am very much looking forward to seeing the follow-up of this article, and I will always support you 😃😃😃
Dang, Sephiroth is really being a different level of delulu lol. He’s not hearing what Cloud is really saying at times but is just hearing what he wants to hear, poor cloud and I feel sorry for his mom also for going through the pain of her son being hurt. I definitely don’t care for the village that much for knowing something might be going on with Cloud but they don’t intervene because they don’t care that much 🙄.
Great chapter! I wonder how far down the rabbit hole Seph is planning to go lol.
Yeah, he's delulu at full capacity Honestly, he's just like Humbert from Lolita. He's hearing what he wants, distorting the reality to be what will make him happy. But in future chapters that get more explanation uwu And yup, Nibelheim it's just a shithole xd full of shitty people
I'm gonna try to update every three days. Just try. I don't have faith in my commitment ;;
This was deeply unsettling and incredibly heavy the writing captures sephiroth’s twisted sense of control and cloud’s silent suffering in a haunting way
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