In Moments

Of Death and Dreams
Like Weiss on Rice

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“Do I make myself clear?” His voice brooked no argument.

“Yes Restrictor-sama.” They all answered together.

Nero’s eyes never moved from that dark man as he spoke, he knew Restrictor didn’t like wondering eyes. Weiss’ room was where they usually met when Restrictor wanted to give them all a good talking to, discuss what their exercises were going to be for the day or what they would be doing tomorrow. Weiss and Nero were usually confined in this room. Well, unless Restrictor sent him to the firing range or classes on how to defend himself. He was a bit on the lean side so he usually had to use other people’s weight against them. Pretty pointless when he could just suck them into a dark hole and kill them… but who was keeping track?

Restrictor was going on topside again, he never told them that but it was pretty apparent whenever he was. He got incredibly pissed off over little things and if they stepped a toe out of line during that particular day they would be confined. Sometimes they didn’t even need to do anything to receive his wrath. He just wanted to spend some time away from them… and they wanted it just as much as he did.

Nero shifted his weight to his left, not out of impatience but to get the blood flowing in his legs. That and to take some of the pressure off. Having metallic wings jutting out of your back often left one with achy appendages.

Restrictor was apparently finished with his ‘bitching’ and decided to leave them. It was always strange watching people file out of the room. He never wanted to leave the throne room… well unless Weiss wasn’t there.

He made it half way around the wolf statue and leaned against the rough carving. He personally loved the giant thing, liked climbing all over it. It was like a challenging rock face. That probably wasn’t what Weiss had in mind when he made it but he didn’t seem to mind that he did it.

This place particular place in Deep Ground was the result of years of boredom. Weiss used to have a simple chair that was made of wood. Before this giant monstrosity was his throne, it was a craggy stone pillar in the middle of the room. Before a boring cave, it became elaborate and beautiful under his hands. Hojo and Restrictor eventually called it his throne room.

It was strange to think of Weiss as something of an artist, but how fitting for him which medium he chose. Shaping the earth and rock… that sounded like him a lot. It was a hobby of his.

Everyone had a hobby though, everyone had to have one when they were being confined lest they go completely mental.

Rosso, for example, enjoyed painting. And Azul… although he swore under pain of death he would never utter a word… enjoyed needle work. Shelke was probably the only one that didn’t do something like that, but he supposed she had her computer. He could understand that. When Weiss wasn’t chiseling away at a statue or architecture he was net diving.

Him? He liked to weld and build things. When he was younger he loved pulling things apart and seeing how they worked. It got him in a lot of trouble when he did it out in the open so now he drew heavy machines or other knickknacks into himself and looked at it there in his oblivion.

About the only thing he didn’t enjoy much was fiddling around with his own wings. They were irritating and if he had a say he would never put them back on again. But he decided to pick up a few things about them just in case he ever had to service them himself.

Weiss heard Nero shifting a bit with his clothes around the corner. A crinkling noise followed by a ‘flick’ ‘flick’ sound that indicated that Nero was once again smoking. He didn’t do it often really, maybe once a day at most. He said it soothed him. He supposed that Nero needed some soothing. Restrictor had gotten angry at him the most for some reason or another. When his little brother was younger he was the good one. He still was. He never screwed around. Restrictor was probably just pissed he never had a good reason to beat him.

He got up out of his seat, no point in being a lazy ass for the time that he had to remain here.

“Weiss,” Nero greeted even though he just saw him five minutes ago at the most.

It was so strange seeing his goody-goody of a brother smoking like that. But there he was, puffing on a clove and blowing the smoke out his nostrils like he did it everyday. He was staring at him so intently that Nero looked up with those inquisitive eyes of his. “Let me try it.”

Nero only smiled and offered it to him. Weiss looked at it curiously before he placed it into his mouth and took a drag. He began coughing immediately. Nero laughed a bit, taking the cigarette back while he went through his fit and patted his back every so often. “I did not think you would like it.” Nero tittered.

“And why’s that?”

The side of Nero’s lips curled. “They aren’t made for you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Weiss glared.

“You are a being of purity you know? You would probably never get used to them.”

He had a point there. His body often cleansed itself so it wasn’t like he could build up a tolerance. Nero was similar in a way, only he did it himself. He could extract almost anything out of anyone including himself. He guessed though, that it was more of his genetic make-up that allowed him the freedom to do things like smoking and never become effected by it.

He had seen Nero do a number of horrible things to people, not by his own will but by Restrictor’s and Hojo for the sake of experimentation. He did things like removing pieces inside people while they were still alive. It was… unsettling. It almost made oblivion look like a paradise.

“I suppose.” Then something that had been plaguing him came to mind. “How’s your boyfriend?”

“Hm?” Nero shrugged. “He’s decent I suppose. Not remotely interesting in the sack though…”

That’s not what he meant! Weiss honestly wanted to beat his brother into the earth some days for taking on lovers like he did. Lovers that weren’t him. But Nero’s indifference unnerved him somewhat. Did he have any feelings at all? He didn’t think he could stand it if he talked about him in that way.

“Oh Weiss, please do not give me that look!” Nero huffed. “You just don’t understand, that’s all.”

“What? That you fuck everyone?” Weiss thought that might have came out sounding much too jealous for his own liking, but Nero didn’t seem to notice.

“I do not fuck everyone!” Nero retorted, and he really didn’t. He had his fair share of lovers but Weiss was totally blowing it out of proportion. Maybe it was because he was so young when he started that upset him. He was only twelve when he took on his first lover. Weiss just didn’t understand. He was just trying to find a way to forget about him. He thought at first he might be able to love someone else and hide his shame. But he was learning that everyone else was just a substitute for his brother. He didn’t care about them, he just used them. “I just have a healthy sex drive.”

Healthy sex drive his ass, he didn’t know why, but even though he was the one who brought it up in the first place he was getting angry. “You are such a whore you know that? Don’t you feel anything, for anyone?” Weiss wondered.

“What? For my ‘fuck buddies’?” Nero was slightly hurt by the name Weiss just gave him, but he tittered anyway and took a drag of his cigarette. “Of course not.” Weiss seemed disappointed in him, he could tell by that look. “Look Weiss, it isn't at all like you think. You just don’t understand because you’ve never actually ‘done it’ before. It’s not special and magical when it doesn’t mean anything… it’s just… fucking.”

“Special and magical huh?” Weiss leaned against the wolf statue himself at this point, unconsciously mimicking his younger brother. “Does it ever feel that way?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Nero flicked the clump of ash on the end into the mako pit. “I’ve never loved anyone I had sex with… but if I did... I guess it would be, hm?”

“I hope so.” Weiss laughed, trying to quell his jealous anger.

“Yes, it would be a shame for all of those romantic stories to be false. It would be nice… to feel something.”

At the reference to romantic novels Weiss questioned him. “Have you… ever read one of those books before?”

“No.” Nero lied. “I’ve only heard about them. It’s a nice thought if anything.”

“Sorry.” Weiss said.

“Whatever for?” Nero flicked the cigarette into the pit of mako then.

“For calling you a whore.”

“Hm,” Nero shrugged as if he didn’t care, but it meant the world to him. “I know you didn’t mean it.”

“I know, but I shouldn’t say such things.” Especially to the only person that showed him any kind of love since… since a long time ago. “I guess I was just jealous.”

“Of what?” Nero wondered.

That you aren’t with me instead. “That you get to go around doing those sorts of things when I don't.” Weiss lied.

“You’ll get to do some screwing yourself one day… when you get the guts to do it of course.” Nero smiled.

He didn’t want to screw around with anyone else. He just wanted to be with Nero. “I guess so.”

Nero brushed his hair back and his smile turned rueful. “Once that first time is gone… it’s not like its special anymore.”

It was hard knowing he couldn’t prevent what had happened to Nero when he was younger. When he was little and vulnerable. He only managed to glean it off of the reports he read on him… but he didn’t seem to remember what happened at all. But when he said things like this it made him wonder. He imagined just knowing probably was the reason he was so promiscuous now. “That’s not true, is it?” He thought Nero was special, he always did even after he found out about what happened to him. Even after all the other men he was with.

Nero looked down again into the glowing pit. “I don’t know.” He rubbed his arm across his eyes sleepily. “I’ve never felt anything before.” Rinse, wash and repeat that phrase over and over… and that would be him.

“I hope you feel something someday.” One day, when I have the courage to tell you how I feel.

Someday, when you and I can be together. “Me too.” Nero tilted his head up and kissed his brother on his cheek, his smoky breath wafting to his nostrils. “Let’s go home and get to sleep. We’re going to have a long day tomorrow if Restrictor has anything to say about it.”

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The clock in the square started striking outside his window. Damn it all the hell! He wrenched off his helm and kicked it into the door along with a few other personal effects that he could do without topside. He kept his short blades with him though, just in case. He sprinted down the hall and flew down the stairs, he could run faster than the elevator anyway. He jumped down onto a few floor landings while he was at it. Not that anyone would easily recognize him without his helm, but he gave silent thanks no one was around to see him in such a rush. The last bell sounded in the distance, seven o’clock… shit!

He rushed through the maze that was Deep Ground, hardly detectable by his charges as he rushed around corners and went up stairs. The main elevators were the worst, as they were slower than he could run. He contemplated scaling the wall a few times before it actually hit the ground floor of the Shinra building. He showed his rarely used ID before walking through the gate and out the front.

There was a slight blond girl walking around, talking on a phone… or trying to talk on a phone. She looked like she was about to leave when he yelled out. “Wait!”

She turned around and smiled, closing her phone with a click. “I wasn’t leaving!” she yelled right back at him. “I just got us a drink.” True enough she had two cans of green tea in left hand, she handed one to him and he took it gratefully.

“Thanks.” It felt weird to say that.

“You’re welcome Meryanne.” He made a face at her, God he hated that name. “What? You want me to call you by your middle name Ashley?”

“No damn it!” He grumbled.

“Well, I’m not calling you by your job title. It sounds stupid!”

She was the only one on this planet who could say something like that to him without getting throttled to death.

“I honestly don’t know why they give you such weird names for soldiers in Shinra.” He shrugged at her and she noticed for the first time his clothing was particular. “Why are you wearing that? Are you going to be playing the black knight in a theatre or something?” She poked him.

“No.” He grumbled.

She motioned to her own dark attire. “Well, I guess we’ll match since we’re both wearing black at least.”

He tried to take the focus off of his clothing. “Where are we going tonight anyway?”

“Well, I was going to take us somewhere nice, but it looks like you might be a little underdressed.” She wagged her eyebrows at him, completely ignoring his verbal cue. “Maybe even someone will think I’ve hired you out.”

“Haha,” He muttered. “I know I’m not dressed up, very funny. Let’s make fun of Mery all night.” He hated saying his own name!

She sipped her tea. “Awww, you used to be so much fun Mery! Now you’re so grumpy when we talk I don’t know what to do with you.” But she didn’t really mind. “But I suppose your job stresses you out a bit.”

She had no idea… but it was more of an aggravation than a stress. Same thing but different. He liked his job, he was sadistic after all… but he disliked a few of the characters he watched over. “I’ll take us out somewhere nice anyway, even if you look like a male prostitute.” She laughed.

“I’ll show you a male prostitute.” He growled at her.

“Stop making mean faces and let’s go.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him along.

He didn’t react fast enough before her legs slammed into a fire hydrant and she went tumbling down. He only managed to grab her before her head hit the pavement. She seemed a little embarrassed if anything but straitened herself and began walking with him again. She was bleeding and it looked like she had hit her shins a little too hard... but she didn’t look like it hurt at all. “Are you okay?”

“Of course.” And she just walked along.

“Okay.” He shook his head slightly. That was strange.

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He drummed his fingers on the table, thinking he probably should have had Rosso quarantined. He knew those little bastards weren’t stupid. He practically told them every time he was about to leave but he just couldn’t help getting pissed off before he went. They almost always did something stupid that cut his time short and made him return to DG a little too soon for his liking.

“Not having fun Mery?” She asked across the table.

“I’m just waiting for work to call me.” He said grimly.

“You know, if you worry about that kind of stuff when you are here you won’t be able to enjoy the time you are gone.” She admonished.

So she had told him a hundred times before. “I know.”

“Well then stop being so pouty and talk to me.” She kicked him under the table. “How’s our mother doing?”

“Vivian? She’s doing alright I suppose.” But he seemed completely uninterested. He never even spoke with her. No one even knew they were related save Hojo, and that was because his mother recommended him for his position.

She looked at him reproachfully. “Don’t you ever talk to her?”

“Not really.” He had no interest in talking with her anyway.

“That’s sad.”

He made a snorting noise, as if she had told him a great joke. “No, no it’s not. She’s a bitch.”

Her looked was incredulous. “Mom’s not a bitch.”

He sighed, hate having to explain himself. “Mary, you have no idea how much of a bitch she really is. She hates me and I think she likes the people I hate more than me.”

She seemed a little lost in her thoughts just then. “You’re right. I don’t know what she’s like. I lived with dad most of my life.”

He bit his tongue then. He had to admit, he was the lucky one. His mother was a block of ice but she was slightly better than their abusive father. “Pity for you.” But he didn’t mean to sound so cold to her.

She seemed stung by that. “Thanks.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” He signed, running his hand through his hair. “I know you had it rough.” In fact, he couldn’t understand how they had turned out the way they did. Despite his mother’s coldness he was more like his father and Mary was completely different than all of them.

Mary was warm and friendly. She was a little rough around the edges too, but he liked that about her growing up. He didn’t know how she managed it… being in that sort of situation. They were twins and yet they couldn’t have come out more differently. She was his other half. His opposite.

She made an almost identical snorting noise that he had done earlier. “That’s an understatement.”

“Well, at least we’re both out of his clutches now.” And I’ve become our father by the way. Not that he wasn’t proud of himself in some form or fashion.

She folded her hands on the table. “I’m going to go visit him actually.”

He slammed his hand against the wooden surface a little too loudly. “What the hell for?!”

“Mery,” His sister glanced around. A couple next to them had stopped eating to stare. “People are going to look.”

“I don’t give a shit.” But he lowered his voice anyway. “Why the hell would you want to go see the old man?”

She lowered her eyelids a bit. “To tell him goodbye.”

He laughed, amused now. “Oh I see, telling the old man off before you break all ties with him then?”

“No.” His sister shook her head. “No, I’m going to tell him goodbye…. Because… I’m going to die.”

He couldn’t help but think that was a joke and tittered a bit.

“I’m serious Mery.” She kept her face strait as she could.

He stood up suddenly. “What?!”

“Please sit down.” She requested and he did, just a little stupefied. “I’m dying Mery.”

“Of what?” He shook his head, this seemed surreal.

“I’m not really sure about the details… it has something to do with my nerves or something I guess. I can’t feel anything from the waist down anymore. The doctor’s said once it reaches my chest my lungs will stop working and I’ll suffocate.”

That would explain her not reacting when she cut her legs up a while ago. “Is there anything I can do?”

“No,” She smiled sweetly at him. “It’s already too far gone. I’ll probably be dead by the end of the week.”

She was talking about this rather calmly. “I’ll take some time off.” He said suddenly.

“You know you can’t do that.” She looked down again. “Besides, I’m going to say goodbye to the rest of our family.”

“Did you want to say goodbye to mom?” He wondered, maybe that would give him a little more time with her then.

“I already called her, she couldn’t get time off.”

He didn’t really want to do this, but if she wanted to see her then it didn’t matter to him. “I can take you down there if you like.” She didn’t know what that meant really, not like he knew…

“Ha!” She laughed, although he couldn’t understand why. “I already know that all that’s classified stuff down there. I don’t want to risk your job.”

“To hell with my job!” He roared.

“Don’t be like this Mery.” She pleaded. “Don’t get mad and ruin everything. You have to keep going on after I’m dead after all.”

“How can you talk like this?” He demanded. “How can you act like it doesn’t matter? How can you smile that like?”

“Because I can.” For the first time tears started to well in her eyes. “Because it’s the only way I can make it through.”

“Mary,” He grabbed her by the hand and drew her into his arms, “Mary.” He didn’t know what to do.

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Restrictor seemed a little angrier today than usual. He stalked around the hallways like a man on a mission… to make everyone miserable. Rosso thought to mock him as he passed, earning herself a knifing in the gut. After that everyone stayed clear from him. He didn’t usually take anything off of anyone but today he didn’t need any provocation at all.

Restrictor stopped short when he saw Nero and Weiss. “You and you…” He pointed at them respectively. “Hojo needs you for another pointless experiment. Follow me.”

Nero and Weiss glanced at each other once his back was turned. He sounded slightly grim today.

“Hurry up!” He rumbled when he didn’t hear their footsteps closely behind. They followed him then, silently worried about his volatile behavior.

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Nero watched on in utter amusement as Weiss made short work of ten potential Tsviets. There were twenty in all. The last one that seemed to stay towards the back. He was about to pick him off with a single shot until his brother made a motion for to him to stop and he lifted the barrel harmlessly up into the air.

The man was utterly terrified, his knees knocking together as he waited for the inevitable. Whenever either Weiss or he neared him he ran off. He couldn’t think of any reason why Weiss would want to spare him other than he supposed his brother was curious about him… how he made it this far when he was such a coward.

His brother lifted up his blade and the man shrieked, ducking down. “Please don’t kill me!”

Weiss’ lips lifted into an amused grin. “Don’t kill you?”

“Please!” The man looked like he was about to wet himself.

Weiss sheathed his swords and held out his hand to his brother. Nero looked at him curiously for a moment before Weiss glanced up at his wing. Oh! He willed his synthetic arm to release the gun and twirled it until it held the barrel and Weiss could take it easily. Weiss took weapon from him and said with a teasing tone, “Then run.”

“Run?” The man asked.

Weiss turned his brother’s handgun on him then and sent a bullet dangerously close to the man’s feet. He jumped and screamed, finally beginning to run like Weiss had requested of him. He felt shells exploding near the back of his feet every step of the way, but as long as he moved he was safe, at least that was what the white emperor had said.

“He is obedient.” Weiss mused, watching as the man ran for his life. He had no intentions of killing the man now, but it was fun watching him. The gun sounded off again as she lodged a bullet near the man’s left foot. He practically bounced off the ground with that one.

“Hm.” Nero nodded and then asked quietly. “Going to recruit him then?”

“Yes, he seems like the type.”

The timer was up and there was a buzzing noise. The man practically fell on his ass with relief that he was still breathing. “Oh thank you!” He cried.

“Enough, get out.” Weiss motioned for him to leave.

“Y-yes! Of course!” Counting his blessings, he swiftly bowed and ran out the door.

Weiss returned his brother’s gun to him, watching as he quickly deposited it back into its holster.

“This is ridiculous.” Weiss huffed. “I’m sick of peons challenging me.”

They had changed policy a while back. All Tsviets now had to confront those who were assigned a color. They didn’t have to win, they just had to live. “I don’t know brother. I think it’s kind of interesting.” Nero said in an amused sort of way.

“And how’s that?”

“You’re like the final boss in a video game.” He said childishly.

Weiss sighed at him impatiently. “But it’s not a video game Nero, this is real life.”

“I know that.” Nero glowed at him, like he could ever forget! “You’re not worried about someone challenging you and winning are you?” If he was worried Nero would have to put a stop to that quickly. No one could beat his brother, and he would be the first to say it if someone said something to the contrary even if it was Weiss himself who said it.

“No, I just miss the free time.”

He was right, they had precious little anymore. “True.” He watched as his brother took out his blades distastefully and dragged them across one of his victim’s shirt in order to remove the blood from them. “We should have some time before the next group comes through, let’s get some lunch.”

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Nero walked down the hallway to his brother’s room. It was only a few steps but it seemed to be taking longer that day. He heard soft noises coming from the room… was he talking to someone? He pressed his ear against the door.

“Oh!” He heard a moan issue forth. Nero’s lips formed into a frown.

What? How?! Nero grabbed the door handle and slowly turned it, trying to quell the need to jerk it open and expose himself right then and there.

He saw Weiss there with Rosso underneath him. His eyes went wide and he couldn't help his arms reaching up into the air in shock. He wanted to tear his hair out! He wanted... he wanted to kill Rosso! Weiss turned his head then to acknowledge him, he wasn't looking at him with those tender eyes he had only for him anymore. "Go away." He said coldly, turning his head and looking back at his lover.

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Nero bolted up from the couch, sweating. Had he fallen asleep here? He didn't remember doing that at all. He almost laughed. Thank God that hadn't been real! He supposed it was his karma coming back to haunt him. He had read Weiss' diary... and apparently he had something of a crush on her when he was younger. Nero had been jealous for quite some time of Rosso... until he realized Weiss was no longer interested in her of course. That and when that cradle robber Azul decided to take her for his own. The creepiest couple in all the land. He shuddered to think what their love life was like. But at least he didn't have to worry about that evil wench taking his Weiss from him anymore.

But even if Weiss never took that bitch as his lover, that dream he had - had the capacity to become very real. Weiss was quite loveable once one got to know him... he seemed a bit cold if one didn't. What would happen once someone found out about him? The real him? Oh God! What if they loved him as much as he did? Wasn't he just asking for someone to snap him up?

Nero had to do it! He had to tell him how he felt here and now! He stood up suddenly and walked to his brother’s door, this time the trip was much quicker like it should be. He took a few calming breaths, screwed up every ounce of courage he had and pushed the door open. “Brother, I-!” And there was nothing. Weiss’ bed looked like it had been slept in, but not made. Damn it! He was going to go insane! After he made Weiss' bed and straitened a few things he huffed Nero ambled back to his own room. To his horror he saw a huge lump in the middle of his comforter! He just made it this morning! What on earth?! Before he went on a tirade he noticed that the lump moved and a sleepy moan issued forth.

“Weiss?” He laughed. “Is that you?”

“Hm?” Weiss shifted slightly, the bed squeaking terribly. “Yeah.”

“What are you doing in here?” He asked nervously.

“I wanted to be with you.” Weiss mumbled sleepily. “C’mere.”

Nero thought it funny he was being invited into his own bed, but he would take it. He settled next to Weiss a little too closely and his brother moved an inch away from him in embarrassment. He really wished he could say what he wanted to right now… because he had his speech loaded about one minute ago. Now it was gone. Damn!

“What are you thinking about?” Weiss mumbled.

“Hm?” Nero was startled out of his thoughts. “I was thinking of you.” Okay, now he was getting somewhere.

"What about me?" Weiss yawned, turning to face him after he was finished.

"About... how much I love you."

Weiss only smiled at that, probably missing his meaning... he would have to clarify. When his brother opened his mouth to reply he pressed his lips against his. Weiss' eyes went wide and he tried backing away. "I love you. I've always loved you." Nero moved over him then, pinning Weiss in between his bed and himself.

He never thought he would see the day when Weiss blushed to the roots of his hair. "Nero, my God." He tittered.

"What?" Nero worried.

"I," Weiss' blush grew a shade or two deeper. "I feel the same."

"Weiss..." Nero couldn't contain himself and pressed his mouth against his again. He felt Weiss' arms go around him then and rolled him over onto his back... a bit unexpected. Then he felt Weiss' tongue slide down his throat and he nearly choked in surprise. This isn't at all what he thought he would be like! His brother began to remove his clothes forcefully, popping the buckles on his uniform and tearing at the rough fabric. "Weiss!" He couldn't contain himself anymore when he felt Weiss' teeth bite into his neck rough enough to hurt. "What on earth are you doing?"

"I'm trying to please you." Weiss said softly. "I don't want to bore you."

If he could kick himself for every time he said that about his past lovers he would. Damn it all to hell. He wished he never said a word. "That doesn't apply to you."

"It doesn't?" Weiss looked at him seriously enough to make him giggle.

"Of course not... I'll never get bored with you." Nero pushed him over then, pinning Weiss' arms above his head. "In fact... I think I'll have to punish you for ruining up my clothes."

“Nero?” He looked a little uncomfortable when Nero took the straps that usually encircled his arms and wrapped them around his wrists and the bars.

“Calm down my love…” He knew he was probably a little afraid of what he was going to do. But it didn't matter because he knew exactly what he was doing. "I'm going to make you so happy." He almost took sadistic enjoyment in the way Weiss' face screwed up in pleasure at his simple touches. He knew he felt the same... his hands would tingle from the feel of it. That electrifying feeling whenever they touched. He nipped at his lips, neck and shoulder. He laughed a little, his head tilting to the side ever so slightly. Nero’s lips made it down to his nipple, his tongue twirling around and flicking it. Weiss seemed to shudder in time with his strokes. He knew he would like this... his fingers reached down and wrapped around his arousal. Weiss was naked of course because he almost always slept in the nude. His other arm went around his back and claimed his nipple into his hot mouth, Weiss moaning and pressing into him as he did. It was fun watching Weiss try to resist him, but it was too bad as well... he had a few years experience on how please a man under his belt and he wasn't going to hold back now that he had him.

Weiss arched his back as his brother flicked over his nipple with his tongue and stroked his length. His eyes went wide for the second time that night before shutting tightly and letting out a moan of pleasure. Nero could only grin, pleased with himself. If anything, he was the giving sort, he liked making others feel good... and he loved that the person under him was Weiss. Weiss, who seemed to be a little embarrassed at the gooey mess he made in Nero's hand. He tittered at that. He almost never used lubricants…. He preferred spit, sweat and cum himself.

Weiss watched him as Nero reached down to his own cock and slathered himself with his cum, then took the remaining and pushed his fingers through his tight opening. “Ngh!”

"I can't wait until this is me inside you." Nero was practically growling his need for him. He began nipping and biting every inch of flesh he could, licking and sucking... He had worked Weiss into a frenzy by the time he was down to his waist. Nero kissed his dick then, sucking and nipping at it until it stood for him again. His lips hooded over his arousal and he sucked deeply eliciting a startled cry from his brother as he fingered him all the while.

“Nero!” Weiss’ shaky voice cried out. “Stop… oh stop! I’m going to cum!”

Did he think he was going to stop now that he heard that?

Weiss’ fingers wrapped around the bars and his back arched. “Nero!” He screamed and his throat tilted at a beautiful angle.

Nero pushed his legs back and up to his chest then. “Ooh Weiss…” He purred, just loving that spent, heated look on his face. He pushed his head through, his brother hissing underneath him. Yes, like that. He moved his hips forward and back, with each plunge Weiss cried out. Nero shivered, it was so tight and warm. Something about their cum mingling together inside Weiss just sent him into a euphoria. Oh yes, he would definitely do this every day as much as he could stand. Weiss was crying out every time he thrust forward. His eyebrows were jutting at a passionate angle and his eyes dilated until that golden ring around his iris all but disappeared. He knew what he was doing to him, brushing against that wonderful spot that would force him to cum for him over and over again if he wished. He latched onto his nipple again, surprised when his chest felt rather soft. He smiled though, when he saw Weiss' face again... how he pleased him. He pushed his legs back then, going even deeper than before and he heard Weiss' scream before his world went black.

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When he woke up he was biting into a pillow sham. A horrible feeling coursed through him at that very second when he felt around the bed beside him and didn't feel anything at all. He sat up suddenly, making himself feel dizzy. “Weiss?” Nero flopped out of bed. No…. no! It couldn’t have been a dream! It was so real! They did it right? He confessed his love and everything! Damn it! Damn it! Nero made his way out of his room and into the kitchen.

Weiss was looking a little more tired than usual this morning. That had to be a good thing. “G’morning Nero.” He said in his usual fashion.

“Good morning Weiss.” Nero nodded at him anxiously, wondering if he would show him a sign that anything had passed between them at all.

“You didn’t feel like getting dressed this morning?” Weiss cleared his throat and blushed before turning away. “I see you didn’t take care of your little problem before you got out of bed.”

Nero looked down, horrified. He had a raging erection! How embarrassing! He covered himself and leaned down.

Weiss laughed a little at his expense. “Don’t worry about it, happens to me all the time in the mornings.” He just didn’t go walking around the house naked while he did. “Why don’t you have a seat while it passes?” Nero nodded dumbly before sitting down on the chair. Weiss only smiled at him wryly before grabbing a blanket from the couch in the adjoining room and placing it over Nero’s shoulders.

“Thank you.” He said quietly.

“No problem.” Weiss kisses his temple, as he always did before. “I just want you to know that I’ve been up all night. I guess some scientists wanted to burn some midnight oil… or whatever that expression is. So you’ll be going out by yourself today. I’m beat.”

Nero felt his heart sink all the way to the floor. How stupid of him, of course they didn’t do anything. “Okay.”

At his sad tone Weiss looked over his shoulder. He felt bad. Maybe he could push through it if Nero really wanted him to be with him today. “Well, maybe I can go if I drink some coffee...” All day… ugh. He was going to pass out.

Nero realized he misunderstood. “No, no. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. Get some sleep.”

“Are you sure?” Weiss wanted desperately to take him up on that offer, but he also didn’t want to make him feel lonely either.

“Yes.” He made sure to have a sincere look on his face.

At his reassurance Weiss nodded. “Let me make you something to eat then.” He always made big breakfasts… because it usually took an entire day before they got to eat again.

“I don’t feel like eating.” Nero mumbled.

“Well, you’re going to eat something whether you like it or not.” Weiss tisked at him reproachfully like a mother would. “Go take a shower to wake yourself up a bit. I’ll have breakfast ready when you get back.”

Nero made it into the bathroom before he let the blanket drop and started sniffling. He flicked on the fan overhead to drown out the noise and glanced at himself in the mirror. He turned away almost as quickly as he looked. Pathetic. He covered his face so he wouldn’t be tempted to stare back into that hated glass. All he was… was just some stupid kid. He might have sexual experience over Weiss, but damn it all… he was still nothing to him but a little brother. Hell, the way he looked after him… maybe he even thought of him as a son. That only made him feel worse.

He couldn’t even tell him how he felt! Weiss was mature enough to take it, he was sure of that. He wouldn’t ostracize him… even if he knew. Right? Look at what he did the other day. He didn’t get mad about that. The worst case scenario would be Weiss shooting him down if anything. And then what? Would he think about it all the time? Would their relationship change? Would he stop giving him kisses goodnight and goodmorning or a hug every so often? He couldn’t live without those. Weiss wouldn’t want to lead him on with those things if he knew. And so Nero would remain silent.

Nero turned the faucet on in the shower and let it run until it went hot. He stepped under the stream and let the blast of hot water hit his face. He let out a hiccup and then a sob rolled forth from his throat. He just let himself cry then, just to get it out. He was a brat, as Weiss often called him. A spoiled brat. He was upset because he couldn’t get what he really wanted. He guessed… he never would.

He thought that maybe by fucking someone else he could just hide from his problems. How stupid he was! If he could just admit to his feelings… maybe he could change everything. Instead, he knew he would just continue with this stupid charade.

What would Weiss think if he told him how he felt anyway? He already openly admitted to having no feelings for any of his lovers… and he disapproved of that. How could Weiss take him seriously after all the things he said? He was sure he looked immature and heartless! He really needed to change his act and quick. He needed to stop tomcatting around and just be normal for goodness sake. He needed to prove he could be mature and act like an adult... then maybe he could ask Weiss if he would be with him.

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Weiss watched him as he sat down. He looked utterly depressed. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Nero only nodded. “What are you thinking about?”

Nero was a little surprised at how similar that question was to his dream. Maybe it was a sign for him to say something. “I was thinking of you.” Oh God, how corny sounding! Did he dream that?! Ugh!

“Me huh?” Weiss smiled in a friendly way. “What about?”

Of how much I love you. But he couldn’t say it, no matter how much he wanted the words to come out of his mouth. A lie issued forth instead, lies were safer… lies wouldn’t crush him. “I was thinking how nice it will be for you to get some sleep.”

“That’s silly.” Weiss laughed. “I’m not getting much sleep anyway. I’m going to wake up in the afternoon and join you I think… that way I can get back to sleep tonight.”

“Really?” Nero asked, his voice hopeful. At least he would get to see him… even if he couldn’t tell him.

“Really.” Weiss knew he must’ve been upset about him not going with him. “Now eat your breakfast, I’m going to bed.” He gave him another kiss on his forehead and a friendly pat on the shoulder before he walked into his room and left Nero at the table to eat by himself.

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Author’s notes: Don’t you just love waking up from a dream within a dream? I’ve done that before… once I woke up four or five times. I think all of it had to do with Jurassic Park or something. Scary…

In case anyone was wondering - the part with Restrictor isn’t really meant to make the reader sympathize with him for who he is or what he does… but rather will go on to explain a chain of events later. ‘Sides, even bad people have families. Plus, I wanted to give him an embarrassing name! Oh ho ho ho!

Also – I know Weiss probably didn’t carve his own room for himself. But I honestly can’t see Shinra spending that much money carving stuff and decorating a room with elaborate stonework for an experiment… no matter how powerful. I mean, they probably did… but still. I think it’s more fun that way. Plus it gives everyone a hobby.

Also – painting for Rosso – I just figured she would paint with blood. Mwa ha ha ha.

Oh yeah – review please! I hate begging but I love feedback.


Edited on 12/10/06:

Aquilla brought to my attention that I made Nero something of a whore. (hehe) I’m glad she brought this up because I realized that it was not only true but I also didn’t like the image I made for him either. Not to mention I wrote about him having lovers in the seqeul “Just the Same” but he said he wasn’t very open about it and didn’t seem like the person I portrayed him as now. (It’s amazing what a few sentences will do to a character isn’t it?)

AND SO - I changed the wording in a few paragraphs when it was brought up. Nero also explains himself a little better so it doesn’t sound so crude. I hope it makes it a better read.