Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Walking Out on Destiny	By : HarliqueenNight Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2575 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all things associated are owned by Square Enix and Testuya Nomura respectively. I own nothing save for the characters and places created for the sake of this fan fiction and recieve no profit in the creation of this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 30
- 31
- 32
A/N: I have nothing good to say XDDD
l
l
Walking out on Destiny Season Three
Episode 1: Do the Jitterbug!
l
Cloud was entrance by how Tseng and Sephiroth coordinated with each other simply by standing in the same immediate area. Tseng had his hair pulled back into a tight ponytail as he surveyed the new cadets. His grey eyes passed over him and Cloud swore he saw them soften and Sephiroth spoke. Tseng was a smaller more inconspicuous figure to Sephiroths powerful presence providing an almost buffer against the blow of the Silver Devil's intensity. Cloud was glued to the edge of the sea listening to them eagerly not for what they were saying but for how they spoke to them. They spoke like each and every cadet mattered.
"I'm not going to say I hope you all make it because it would be a blatant lie. A lot of you will not, however becoming SOLDIER is not a competition. It is not about who is smartest, who is strongest, who can lift what and best whom. The reason being that all of that falls by the wayside when it actually comes down to testing the adaptability of the candidates. You must show intelligence as well as strength, you must show strategic skill as well execution, most importantly you must show camaraderie as well as the will to stand alone. All these things in a balance are what a SOLDIER needs, if you are lacking in any of these traits you need to improve because if you continue to lack in them no amount of Mako injection will solve it. SOLDIER is will power; if you are not willing to observe, adapt and apply, I won't be seeing you next year."
Cloud could practically feel the mix of arrogant confidence and doubt in the room. Some were certain they were meant to be SOLDIERs, others were having doubts so thick you could taste it in the air. But how did he feel. He dared himself to focus on the battle hardened gaze of the man who had inadvertently invited him here. The man who had given him a purpose that allowed him to be something better. He saw that gaze and realized the same fire with in them from the day h had first met the general. Cloud felt his lips quirk into a careful smile. He was going to do this for real.
"On that note, I can only say do your best. Because it will be hard and there will be times when you want to give up. But if you are meant to be here, if know you're supposed to be here, you will fight for it. Understood?"
"Sir!" was the resounding agreement though Cloud's came out softly in wonder. He watched as Tseng approached the podium. If you did not know the man, you would not have notice the subtle signs of fatigue. However Cloud did and he wondered if Tseng was sleeping well. How well did Turks sleep. Tseng leaned lazily against the podium and Cloud felt an almost wonder at this sudden mask of sneaky, underhanded darkness the man gave way to rather than the no nonsense Turk he'd come to know. He wondered if this was the side of Tseng that enjoyed his job.
"My name is commander Tseng, I am the SiC of the Department of Administrative Research."
Whispers erupted then. "He's a Turk."
"They're real."
"Wow, I've never even seen one!"
"He's kinda scrawny for a Turk."
"I've heard ghost stories about that one."
"It's nice to see my reputation precedes me. It means my job is being done well. On that particular note, I and my partner shall be scouting all of you. I can say what the general has said is true. Not everyone is meant for SOLDIER. However, some of you excel in certain things that catch the eyes of my department. Perhaps your strategy knows no moral restraint. Perhaps your will complete your goals knows no hindrances such as friendship and kindness. Over the next four years, we shall see where you're true nature leads you. Perhaps you will be lead to the publicized glory and hero worship of a SOLDIER...or perhaps you will go down a darker path where the only praise you will receive is a small fortune in the form of a paycheck and the blood of your enemy satisfyingly stained on your hands. Know this; it's not up to you. It's up to us where you belong. We your true selves are made known through this program, the decision will be made for you."
Cloud's heart skipped a beat at the small sounds of interest from some of them. He had no delusions about what Tseng did for a living, but he couldn't fathom anyone being born to be Turk. The idea that any of the cadets' attentions were nabbed by this speech made him wish to watch his back a little more closely. He licked his lips and watched Tseng stand up straight and smirk.
"I'm certain I will see a few of you in my academy soon."
Cloud shivered at the promise in those words as Tseng stepped down as the commanding officer of the facility stepped up. "With that said, you all have a LOT expected of you. I am Major Celestine, you may address me as 'Chief.' Take a moment to understand what you are doing here, the decision you made by coming here and all that you are giving up or leaving behind to be in the presence of the greatest force on all of Gaia. Bow your head for a moment and understand what you are doing…understand that once you are here, you either leave a SOLDIER or you leave a disgrace."
Silence reigned over the room and Cloud almost felt his doubts bubble back up. But he looked at Sephiroth who stood there, a testament of SOLDIER rearing and remembered Zack's stories of being an overweight cadet finally making it to SOLDIER 2nd Class. He nodded to himself determined.
"Alright, none of you left. Good." He cleared his throat and suddenly snarled at all of them "NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY AUDITORIUM! MOVE MOVE MOVE!"
Various expletives escaped the cadets as they scrambled to grab their bags and exit the room as quickly as possible. Cloud was one of them, panicked by the sudden schizophrenic change in the CO. He was one of the stragglers thanks to the push of the larger boys but he was pulled to the side soon as he made it through the door and almost freaked believing he was in trouble. That was until he looked up into the General's face, an amused smirk on his face.
"First day jitters?"
Cloud sighed and nodded. "Is he always like that?"
"Psycho Celestine was MY CO," Sephiroth said with a chuckle. "He's completely nuts. Tell him, Tseng."
"Utterly batshit," Tseng said offhandedly as he sent a text. "I have to return, Sephiroth do not take too long. Cloud," he went to the boy and squeezed his shoulder. "Good luck. Don't let them walk over you."
"Thanks Tseng."
Once they were alone, Cloud was surprised by the sudden shift to concern in Sephiroth's gaze. "Are you alright, Cloud."
"I cried a little on the way here," Cloud admitted.
Sephiroth nodded, searching for what to say. "I never cried…but I was gut wrenching nervous when I arrived here. The best I can say is find your comrades and stick to them. Friendship is what got me through SOLDIER, not my prowess because believe me, there were times when I wondered why I was bothering with all this."
Cloud nodded with a soft smile that almost made Sephiroth pull away from him. Luckily the general kept his composure and ruffled Cloud's hair. "If you…ever need to talk about what's happening here, if you ever run into trouble, call me. My phone is always on and I will answer."
Cloud blinked up at the general and fought the blush rising to his cheeks. Was he really this helpless looking or were they just worried about him. Either way, this was nice…it was heartwarming that even the Silver Devil cared enough to extend the offer. He straightened himself.
"Thank you, Seph. I gotta go. I actually do have a friend I need to meet!"
"Then get lost cadet!" Sephiroth ordered playfully.
Cloud laughed and quickly ran off to catch up with the others. Sephiroth watched him, catching flashes of something he thought he'd forgotten in his dreaming. He shook his head. Cloud was on his way…Cloud was going to make it…but Cloud still belonged to someone else.
l
Cloud stared at the numbers that people were randomly flocking to. He counted down until he came to platform two and was suddenly lifted up by the back of his shirt.
"Ah, shit!"
"There you are spikey!" Dom bellowed shoving him into a slot right next to him. "You know how hard it was to keep these's motherfuckers out this spot until you got here. Kyle had to knock out a few of em and Rosso here ain't no help!"
"Vat can I say darlin'? The prospect of rooming with the only female cadet attracts some of those young boys to madness."
"Rosso, you're rooming with boys?" Cloud was worried. Didn't know how scarey guys could get when their pent up! What the hell was wrong with ShinRA?!
"Of course darling. My reproductive organs may be inside instead of out, but I get no special treatment."
"Pfft, the only reason we're rooming with her crazy ass is because Dr. Lucrecia said we should all try to room together. Since we're all special," Kyle said rolling his eyes. "Though I hate to admit it, I'm glad ya didn't chicken out Princess."
Cloud stuck his tongue out at the larger boy. "I wouldn't miss this shit for the world!"
SOLDIERs and high ranking troops were getting paper work and coming toward them examining their platoons. One SOLDIER came forward with two troopers at his side looking over them and checking off his list. Cloud tilted his head at this particular SOLDIER finding him a bit different than what he was used to. All the SOLDIERs he'd come into contact with so far had been eccentric and weird as hell, but this one was quite normal. He was fairly tall, about 6'1 or 2. His hair was pulled back with the rest lazily around his shoulder at it was a soft dark brown that almost looked black. His eyes as they glanced at Cloud were a deep hazel, mingling green and brown in different tinges based on the light that hit him and his skin was pretty tanned. Cloud would guess a Grasslander or maybe Canyoner by the shade.
"Name?"
"Strife, Cloud, sir." It sure as hell had been hard to start saying his name backwards and was proud when he didn't stumble.
"Strife, Strife…ah, you're part of Dr. Lucrecia's program. Actually I think all four of you are. Good thing you're sticking together I can keep an eye on you. And you…" he trailed off reading the paperwork in front of him. "Ah, troublesome," he murmered with a lazy drawl. Definitely a raised Grasslander. "Whelp, you're under the SOLDIER mentorship program. Normally I don't have a problem with that, especially since the General is pretty professional, but I reckon since Commander Rhapsodus is on your roster, he's gonna give me hell."
Cloud snorted without meaning to and immediately covered his mouth when the troopers at the SOLDIER's side glared at him. The SOLDIER's smile was gentle. "Nawl, go ahead. It's funny. Genesis is one of them people you could go the whole day without seeing but if you do see him, you're whole day's fucked."
Cloud outright laughed.
"Nah, I want you four to understand that no matter what kinda shape you come back from Loopy Lucy's lab in I'm not going to show you any special treatment. You chose this so you're going to go through it like everyone else."
"Yes, sir," they said.
"Good, glad we got an understanding. And you," he looked at Rosso.
"Luski, Rosario…but I prefer the male counterpart of my name, Rosso."
"Good, you're already understanding that just cause you have tits and a pussy isn't gonna stop me from kicking you in the ass."
"Don't worry, Sir. I like it rough."
The SOLDIER's brow rose in amusement. "Just don't fall behind, Rosso, and I won't get rough with you."
Cloud envied Rosso's confidence. She was just as small and petite as he was and even worse she was a completely different gender, yet she was standing up there like a man. She truly belonged here. He needed to find that confidence in himself, because he sure as hell didn't want to be told it was ok to laugh again. He wanted to just do it and not care. The SOLDIER moved on and got everyone else in their platoon's name. Once he'd acquired their names, he stepped back with the troopers at his side and faced all of them.
"Alright, Cadets! My name is SOLDIER 2nd Class Sono Conte. I'm going to be your platoon commander and I will be prepping you for the SOLDIER exams. These are my NCOs Buass Parker and Chris Richards. They are my eyes and ears so they will tell me if you guys do anything you're not supposed to when I'm not around. Now listen, I'm a pretty laid back kinda guy. I'll let you slide on just about anything that isn't serious because I believe you guys have more important things to worry about than being bogged down with stupid shit like whether or not your bed is in order by the time Parker or Richards shows up for wakeup call. However, we're starting on a basis of trust here. I trust you guys right now and I want you all to trust me. The minute you break the trust I have in you will be the day your sorry fucking lives are over. I will gut you with an honest smile on my fast and raze your ass to the ground if you cross me. So you all can decide what it's going to be. I can be your best friend or the worse fucking enemy you wish you met before me. Acknowledge?!"
"Sir, Yes, Sir!"
"Now, about that. As a SOLDIER talking to future SOLDIERs and vice versa when I say Acknowledge you respond with Synced! You're going to learn as we go, but this is what you need to get right off the bat. Acknowledged?"
"Synced!"
"Good, now. I'm going to have to handle all this legal bullshit, Parker and Richards are going to show you to your home for the next 4 years of your life and give you guys the run down. I'll be seeing you guys bright and early in the morning. Sleep real good tonight, because tomorrow your asses are mine."
Cloud found that Richards was a sweetheart but strict, however, Parker fucking hated him. The burly man had a strange vendetta against him that made Cloud go from nervous, to upset, to depressed, to pissed the fuck off. When they were being "suited up" the logistics guys had a hard time finding a size small enough for Rosso and Cloud's slight frame. While Parker overlooked that Rosso was too small for the clothing as well, he went straight for the kill on Cloud.
"Well, well, ya sure ya ain't a woman under there Strife? No body with cock and balls is that damn small!"
Rosso pressed her shoulder to his when he flinched at the words. "Don't acknowledge it, Cloud."
Cloud took a deep breath and signed some papers to get smaller sizes ordered. They would be in tomorrow. Parker snorted at him when he and Rosso passed him by. When they were fitted for combat boots, Cloud was relieved when he fit the smallest size in supply perfectly. Rosso had dantier feet so they would have to special order hers. He was able to pick out running shoes that fit snuggly as well and thanked god that he'd inherited his father's foot size instead of his mom's. Parker however showed no mercy.
"Smallest size, I'm surprised those fairy feet fit in there. You oughta have em get ya a woman's size too. Don't be ashamed to be comfortable Ms. Strife."
Cloud sighed feeling his heart sink. He grabbed his boots and walked side by side with Rosso, who was quickly becoming his pillar of strength. It wasn't until they were putting all their assigned gear away into rucksacks that eventually Cloud was getting pissed off. He'd shucked the thing over his shoulder with no problem and stood straight. He'd carried firewood home that was heavier than this. Parker saw how he stood with no issues and would not allow him this small victory.
"Oh so you are a man under there. At least you pretendin' to be. We'll know when you come on the field smelling like blood this time of month."
Rosso whipped her head around at the man. "You sexist-"
"Hold your tongue sweetheart, you ain't even supposed to be here, so ya lucky I ain't tearin' into your shapely hide too."
Cloud was quickly developing a tick but he didn't dare say anything. He didn't have the confidence but Dom wasn't having it. "Sergeant, with all due respect you got a goddamn problem with small men and women? Or you just mad that Strife and Rosso is pussy you ain't gone never hit!"
"What the fuck did you say to me, Cadet!"
"Parker! You're going to far, shut your damn mouth!" Richards shouted. "And Cadet Wallace and Cadet Luski, drop and give me 50 for speaking out against a sergeant!"
Rosso and Dom dropped and knocked out their punishment all the while glaring at Parker. Cloud also had his eyes trained on the man. Something about that man's face, the way he looked at Cloud rubbed the blond wrong and made him want to smack him in the face with his newly acquire boots.
"The fuck you lookin' at Strife?! Can't speak for yourself? Got somethin' to say?"
"No, Sergeant." Cloud spat angrily.
"Damn right you don't."
After the incident they were brought to the compound they would be staying in. Richards had touched Cloud's shoulder and whispered that he would be reporting this to Conte when they were done. Cloud took small satisfaction in that. They had been given the rundown of the entire establishment. They were to inhabit the west wing of building 12 with four other of their fellow cadets, while the other eight were on the east wing. Cloud, Dom, Kyle, and Rosso were roomed together in what surprised him was actually a comfortably spaced dormitory. There were four beds in one room of course however, there were enough square feet between them all not to impede on each others' personal space. Each had a locker like closet, a desk and bedside table. Cloud smiled and quickly through his bag at the bed by the window.
"DIBS!"
"Oh you bastard, how'd you know I was going for the window."
"I believe the bed by the bathroom is mine!" Rosso said daring them to say anything.
Dom looked and Kyle and both made a mad dash to the bed that was furthest from the door. Dom tripped Kyle up and jumped his big self on the bed. "HA! Mine, bitch!"
Kyle growled and reluctantly went to the bed nearest the door. That was the "bitch bed" because he would be the first thing the Sergeants saw then they came in.
Cloud jumped on his bed finding it amazingly comfortable. "Gosh this is so awesome!"
"Say, Cloud darling?"
"Yeah?" he said turning to look at Rosso, frowning at the concern in her eyes.
"You're ok, yes?"
Cloud nodded, knowing she meant about Parker. "I've been teased for my size all my life. Nothing I can't handle."
Roso smiled. "You don't have to face it alone."
"Sure in the hell don't. But Cloud I know we can like hang around the buildin' and stuff as much as we want to but um, don't go nowhere by yourself."
"Huh why?" Cloud asked in confusion.
Kyler shook his head looking strangely serious. "Just trust us princess. You don't need to be by yourself."
"Uh, ok. If you guys say so."
"Yeah. We say so. Just do it man." Dom said. "Now that that's out the way, I'm fuggin hungry. Let's see what this chow hall got!"
Cloud smiled letting the awkward moment pass. As they left and went down the stairs Rosso looked back at Parker who was glaring from his post at the top of the stairs. Her eyes narrowed dangerously and the Mako shined a bit through her contacts, the threat very clear in her eyes. She came from Bone Villiage, her people ate bastards like Parker for snack time.
l
l
Tseng put his suitcase down and scratched irritably at the color around his neck. He was stressed more than usual and when he was stressed he would get too warm and sweat a bit. The sweat would itch the cloth parts of the collar. He would so glad when Vincent was in his right mind again. Vincent…
"Welcome back, beautiful."
Tseng's train of thought was blessedly not allowed to go anywhere as Reno approached him with wine, glasses and an open shirt. Tseng wasn't sure what had come over him since he'd been back but Reno had never looked more attractive to him. He closed his eyes a moment to control himself and allowed a small smile to cross his face. Reno approached him forcing him back against the door and pressed gentle but firm kiss to his mouth. Tseng responded immediately, no longer hesitant with the redhead. Reno's tongue slipped past his lips to taste him and Tseng moaned at the taste of a fine wine and something else? Tseng pushed Reno back a bit.
"You're cooking?" he asked curiously.
"I cooked. Come on, get out those clothes." Reno always found it amazing how Tseng could taste what was on his palate. It was weird, but neat somehow.
Since Tseng had given in to some of Reno's advances, he found that the uncouth redhead had an amazing amount of refinement to him. Within the walls of his own home Reno was tamer and highly intelligent, more so than how he acted. Tseng had questioned this, Reno had said "I told you before, when people act stupid that's all other expect of them, so they overlook you. Gives you the freedom to fuck them over." Tseng found Reno to be a connoisseur of liquors, spirits, and most importantly wine. Every bottle in Reno's penthouse style apartment was worth months of paychecks and Reno usually wrote it off in his taxes as charitable donations to historical societies. He even had a bottle of the wine drank when the treaty between Cosmo Canyon and the Crimson tribe was signed banishing the tribe to the glacier country or as it was known now, Bone Village. That cost him a year's worth of money and yet Reno didn't give a damn. He loved his hobby and Tseng admitted, the taste of it was worth every penny.
They sat across from each other after eating dinner, drinking Reno's latest conquest, a rare type of cherry wine bottled when Vincent's bloodline reigned over Wutai. That wine was 300 years old yet tasted amazing. Tseng sipped it enjoying the way it coated his tongue. Reno watched him.
"Ya ever miss it, yo?"
"What?"
"Your home…Wutai?"
"Sometimes…when I remember the smells of moonlit nights and lantern festivals I long to be there, but Wutai has never been my home. It is the mother land, the place that bore me, but it's no more my home than a box in the street. This…Midgar is my home."
Reno smiled a bit. "Do you feel at home here? In my house?"
Tseng tilted his head at the fishing question and chuckled. "Yes, I actually am able to relax well here. It's quiet, very peaceful which is not what I expected out of you. You seem to thrive on the nightlife."
"I do, but when I'm ready for down time, I like to get some seclusion, ya know. I like to enjoy all this nice shit that ShinRa provided me."
Tseng nodded. "Coming from where we did…we can't help but be loyal to ShinRa. It took us away from everything that threatened to break us…threatened to kill us."
"It took us away from destiny."
"Yes…" Tseng locked eyes with Reno for a moment but quickly looked down. Reno caught the strange longing look in the other man's eyes and smirked playfully.
"Tseng you can say no," He said slowly as he always did before these types of things he had planned. "You say no and I'll stop, you got that."
Tseng nodded. He didn't need to be reminded every time but, somehow it was a comforting gesture to have Reno say it still.
Reno scooted back from the table and stood; he grabbed his bottle and glass and motioned for Tseng to follow him to the living room. Tseng made no comment and followed with his own glass in hand, curious as to what the redhead was doing. Reno sat the bottle and glass on the table and carefully took Tseng's glass from his grip. He sat down comfortably on the plush couch and patted his leg.
"How about you sit in my lap."
It wasn't a request and Tseng hesitated. Reno could see the man warring with himself before he took a shaky step forward. Reno made no sudden moves and allowed the Wutain to move at his own pace. Tseng's trust issues were mending but were not gone so Reno never made demands. However, he always made his orders into suggestions so that Tseng felt like he could back out. Reno had always been adept at this sort of thing and handling Tseng had become much easier once he knew where to push and pull. Tseng turned and sat down on Reno's lap. Reno moved, allowing Tseng to follow his hands movements the whole time and pulled the Turk further up so that his thighs rested comfortably on Reno's. Tseng sat stiffly unsure of what to do in such an embarrassing position and he could do nothing for the blush on his face. Reno took Tseng by his shoulders whispering for him to relax and pulled the man slowly to rest against his chest.
"See, it's fine," Reno said lifting for a moment to pour more wine in his glass and pick it up. He rested with Tseng's weight comfortably supported against him.
"W-what is the point of this?" Tseng asked softly.
"Getting you comfortable with intimacy, yo," Reno said simply. He took a sip of wine, "And, to make you understand that it's not just about sex with me, though it is a perk."
"I believe you when you say that."
"Yeah I believe you when you say you do…but your heart don't. You still keep yourself pretty damn aloof and I think I know why."
Tseng tipped his head so at he was looking up at Reno. "Oh?"
"See, I get that you're comfortable with me, I get that I'm able to touch you how I want now, but there's something I'm not fulfilling in you that's keeping you at arm's length with me."
Tseng furrowed his brow. "I…don't understand what you mean."
"Tseng, you're craving something and I wanted to try out some things to see if I know what it is. But that requires you to trust me a hell of a lot more than ya do now, yo."
"What is it?"
"Straddle me," he said.
Tseng blinked in confusion, but something in the way Reno said to do something in his voice made the Wutain reposition himself above the redhead. Reno smirked.
"Ok, take your shirt off."
Tseng did so a bit hesitantly, still not understanding what this was. He let his shirt slide off his shoulders slowly and allowed it to glide off his forearms onto the floor. Reno stared at Tseng's beautiful milky skin with adoration. He reached out to touch the Wutain's cheek gently and Tseng leaned into it in almost entranced state. Tseng closed his eyes and pressed an open mouth kiss to Reno's hand, his grey eyes opening halfway to show a darkened want in them. Reno smiled lovingly and pulled his hand away.
"Trust me," he said before his next request. "I want you to look at me, look at my eyes the whole time. Don't follow my hands; don't follow my body movements; just look into my eyes."
Tseng looked ready to throw his guard up, his heart beginning to pound in his chest. He bit his lip and took a few calming breathes through his nose before nodding slowly. He could always so no. He locked eyes with Reno, blinking a few times to kill the urge to look away. He focused on those chartreuse gems gazing back at him; he paid special attention to the small intertwining threads of blue, green and thin silken sparks of amber that gave Reno the most unique shade of green eyes he'd ever seen. He wondered if there was ever a gem that held the luster of Reno's eyes and if there were he was certain it would be one of the most precious stones in the entire business. Tseng idly thought of these things as did everything not to look at Reno's hands through his peripherals. Reno's hands slid up his waist, gently massaging areas of skin and relaxing him. He moved to run flat palms over Tseng's bare chest causing him to shudder as they glided down his abdomen with special care. They moved to his wrists and Tseng almost looked away when they circled them, gently pressing thumbs against the arteries there and massaging them in a soothing manner. He relaxed and blinked a few times but did not break eye contact with Reno.
"Good," Reno praised with a warm smile. Tseng was secretly elated by this and he could not say why.
Reno's hands brushed over his forearms up to his shoulders. He shifted to allow one hand to press open palmed to Tseng's shoulder blade, bring him a little closer. The other lingered on his neck where the collar, his fingertips dancing on Tseng's hairline. Tseng had never allowed Reno to consciously touch his hair since the incident in Costa de Sol. So it wasn't surprising when he saw an ingrained fear cloud Tseng's glowing greys. Tseng licked his lips anxiously when Reno did not remove his hand from there nor did he proceed. Reno simply stared at him. It took heart stopping minutes for Tseng to realize that Reno was asking for permission. It was his choice. He could remove Reno's hand from so close to his hair…or he could allow this to continue. Tseng's eyes soften and he brought his hands to rest on Reno's chest. Reno was expecting Tseng to rise, but the Wutian gave a nervous sigh and kept their eye contact. A slight nod made Reno half smile and he gently slipped his hands into Tseng's hair, massaging his way through the waterfall of black. He ghosted his fingers over the sensitive plain of Tseng scalp and heard Tseng's appreciative moans. Tseng's eyes were half lidded, his eyes no longer filled with fear and uncertainty. No, there was a very dark…a black lust in those eyes giving them an intensity Reno only saw when Tseng was killing someone he truly hated. Reno always told himself he'd never want to be on the receiving end of that gaze, but after tonight, he would crave it for sure.
"Feel good?"
Tseng nodded his head.
"Don't run," Reno said firmly.
Tseng was confused for a moment before an unintentional gasp of pleasure escaped his lips. Reno's hand had tightened into a loose fist, tugging the strands lightly. Tseng wanted to run, wanted to bolt, but the feeling was nearly overwhelming as Reno's fist grew tighter in his hair, forcing Tseng closer to the redhead. Reno fisted Tseng's hair to the point where it would damage but kept a solid pressure on the Turk's scalp. Tseng shivered against him, his hands digging into Reno's shoulders and his heart thudding hard against his chest. Reno used it to control Tseng's movements so that the Wutain was inches away from his face. To Tseng's credit, he never broke eye contact.
"It's not a bad hurt, huh?"
Tseng, unable to find his voice mouthed a no.
"It feels real good, don't it," Reno whispered against his lips, his voice husky. He could feel Tseng's arousal pressing against him so he knew that Tseng was just as turned on by this small amount of rough treatment as he was. "You like it, yo. It's okay to say you like it with me. You know I won't hurt you."
Tseng could not respond as Reno tugged a little on his hair and open mouth moan escaped his lips. The sound surprised him. It sounded so wanting, so needy, so…so…he opened his eyes and looked at Reno who smirked.
"See, you figured it out, too. It's ok, yo. It's nothing to worry about. You're still just my type, even more so now," Reno said as he leaned forward to nibble Tseng's bottom lip. "If it goes there, it will go there. But for now…lets cross that bridge when it's burnin'. Kiss me."
Tseng shuddered at the utter command, sounding more forceful than any other that night and he pushed himself against Reno to kiss him. The movement increased the pressure on his hair and made him moan into the kiss. He couldn't stop his hands from clawing Reno's chest. They stayed that way for a long time, Reno dominating Tseng's mouth and Tseng somehow finding himself accepting the loss of control. They grinded against each other during their kissing session and Reno found out that his favorite thing was Tseng moaning this way into his mouth. The sound was even sexier, more wanton than it was during their usual lovemaking. He alternated between massaging, petting, and pulling Tseng hair as they moved against each other. To his satisfaction, Tseng came without them ever getting the rest of their clothes off or being touched. The Wutain collapsed against him when his hair was released. He rested his cheek against Reno's chest. Reno ran soft caresses through his hair soothing the tingle Tseng felt there. Tseng shivered under the ministrations, feeling completely entranced with Reno's touches like he never was before. He was suddenly so sleepy as well.
"Go ahead and pass out. I'll wake you up when I'm ready to go to bed," Reno said, retrieving his glass to drink.
Tseng silently thanked him and allowed his eyes to slip closed. He couldn't tell if this new development was going to be an annoyance or a progressive step. He didn't know…and somehow he didn't really care.
l
l
Sephiroth sat on his mattress, polishing Masamune. He was seriously off kilter this week. He had told himself he'd have thing cleaned after his last mission, instead he'd let the damn blade get dull and dirty. He sighed; he'd even neglected work on his loft. He'd taken down the dividing walls so that his bedroom was obscenely huge and lined the entire left ceiling to floor window. The height of his floor kept anyone from being able to spy on him. He'd started work on making the bathroom better and for the time being he had the parts that weren't finished blocked off so that his house guest wouldn't have to worry about looking at the ugly construction. Yes, he'd been functioning enough to do small mundane things but he'd been forgetting about major things. What kind of idiot went on mission with a dull blade? He even had neglected his hair. Normally he washed it every night out of necessity of keeping such long hair manageable. But before today, he'd let it go a week without care, slapping it into sucky ponytails with pieces of it tangled around the rubber band. He was lucky he hadn't damaged it enough for him to need to cut it. He let out a frustrated growl and pushed the sword away from him.
"Ah I know that sound."
Sephiroth looked up to see Aerith standing in her plush white sleep robe with pink hearts all over it. She had a pair of moogle slippers on that looked very comfortable if Sephiroth did say so himself. She walked in and lowered herself onto Sephiroth's futon with an eerie grace. She brought one pink pajama covered leg up to her chest and hugged it, her gummy bear eyes focusing on him.
"Wanna braid hair for me?" she asked cutely, the statement reminding Sephiroth that she was still a little girl. She was only eighteen after all and definitely acted years younger sometimes. Which meant she was quite sheltered. She'd been cohabiting with him since her homely apartment had gotten broken into and had scared years off her life.
With a gentle smile he motioned for her to come closer. Aerith grinned excitedly and gave him a brush she'd been hiding in her robe pocket and positioned herself in front of him. He wasn't sure how this started, he believed it was with the suggestion that she shouldn't sleep with her hair down, that it would split her ends. Before he would leave her apartment at night, he would braid her hair before she turned in. Now he supposed this wouldn't change. He carefully brushed Aerith's hair into smoothness before parting it and beginning to braid. Sephiroth found that this was very soothing, it took his mind away from his frustrations.
"So…lovesick huh?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"That growl you did earlier. I've heard men do that when they have someone they really, really want, but they can't have them and they're slowly going mad thinking about them. So I'm not going to ask who it is… I just want to know what they're like. It may help."
Sephiroth nearly refused, but he hadn't talked to anyone truly about his feelings in a long while. Tseng was busy trying to sort himself out, Angeal had an arm full of Genesis most of the time these days, and Zack was…well with the object of his frustrations. He continued to concentrate on his braiding as he answered.
"He's small…petite really. He's from Nibelhiem, pure blood old family type with fair skin and this hair that…that just glows in the sunlight. He kinda looks like a chocobo actually, with the way it sticks up all over the place."
Aerith giggled. "Tell me more."
"He has these eyes," Sephiroth said distantly. "They're such a…such a strange blue. You'd say they were like the sky first but the more you look at them you realize they're a color that just doesn't occur in nature. They're like a rare gemstone cut and colored with such extreme shades of blue, violet and white that they mingled together to form this perfect crystalline blue."
"Mm…beautiful," she whispered imagining it.
"Yes…that certain type of blue you can only see under special conditions…like the shade of blue the sky in glacier country turns after a blizzard…or the blue that the Solian Coast turns under a full moon and starry night. It's its own shade that nobody could put words to. When he looks at you…when those eyes focus on you…it almost breaks your heart."
Aerith gave an understand sigh. "Does he know?"
"No," Sephiroth said, breaking out of his trance. "He will never know. He's only fifteen and he's dating a friend of mine."
"For now."
"What?"
"I said for now. Relationships at that age are fleeting. Nobody really knows what they want. I know I never do. I think I'm in love then I figure out that this isn't exactly the conditions I want my life under and I just blow away. We teens are fickle like that."
Sephiroth shook his head and finished off the second braid. "There, you're ready for bed."
Aerith turned and took one of his pillows in her arms to hug. "Wanna know a secret about me."
"Sure," he said amused at her childlike behavior.
"Promise not to tell?"
Sephiroth nodded.
"I'm sort of a fortune teller. I can predict certain things sometimes. That's how I knew the Monilly would be perfect for you."
Sephiroth decided to humor her. "Oh really? And what are you predicting right now."
"I predict that this blue eyes angel will be yours someday…but you have to be patient. There will times where you'll see him hurt and be forced to pass him into the arms of another, no matter how much you want to protect him. But one day…his heart will break and when it does…you have to be the strong one. You have to make him see that you're the one who needs him most." She rose and smiled enigmatically. "After all…the ones with blues eyes are always the most fragile…they need someone to be strong for them because it's often so hard to be strong for themselves. Goodnight Sephiroth."
Sephiroth watched her exit his room for her own and heard the woosh of the makeshift curtain of her doorway fall into place. He stayed that way a while before looking at his Monilly Bell as if it could give him answered.
"What the hell just happened?"
He imagined the fledgling leaves of the plant shrugging as if to say "hell if I know."
l
Hojo stepped out of the bathroom in his robe to find Vincent sitting on his bed cross-legged. He was shirtless as he usually was to ease the randomized transformations with only a pair of loose pajama pants to cover him. His dark head was bowed and his hands rested on his ankles. Hojo eyed the rotted hand guiltily. It was still functional but would be a constant hindrance to Vincent if they couldn't fix it. The thought was fleeting as he watched the depressed posture of his current ward. Vincent was sane right now…he knew because Vincent was sane he was depressed. Hojo approached the bed slowly, walking around to the side so that he could face the Turk. Tired red eyes lifted to look at him, and a flurry of emotions passed over those so very alive eyes. Anguish, fury, confusion, fatigue, so many things Hojo could relate to. Hojo sat down careful to keep a respectable distance.
"Do you want to talk?"
"I want to go home," was Vincent's answer. "I want to see what's missing from my memory because whatever it is, it hurts. I want to know exactly what happened to me."
Hojo shook his head. "There are things you should not wish to remember."
Vincent snarled. "What right do you have to say what is best for me? You're no kin of mine."
Hojo sneered. "What right do you have to say it isn't, halfbreed."
Vincent flinched at the call back to his heritage and took a deep breath. "Look…Hojo…"
"Kanaye."
"What?"
"We've been stuck together for months. I'm Kanaye to you."
Vincent's face soften as he recalled a feeling that he'd developed he believe during his time under the doctor's care. "Kanaye."
"Correct," Hojo said, not letting on that he enjoyed the way Vincent pronounced his name. Kah-nah-yay. Only a Wutain could pronounce it the way it was meant to be. And only Vincent could make him truly enjoy hearing it. "I believe I should take you to your home. I am reluctant but…perhaps you can fix what my wife and I have broken in your life and family."
"Then you will allow me to leave this house?"
"I do will one better. I will escort you tonight to your home. Allow me to get dress and finds some suitable clothing for you and we can be on our way."
Vincent looked at him strangely. "Why are you doing this? I don't remember us ever getting along properly."
"Because Vincent," he looked directly at the gunman. "I have never hated you, and I can never fully repay you for all that you've done for me all that you seem to continue doing. I can't fault you nor be exceptionally cruel to you. It's no longer in me."
Vincent lowered his gaze unable to remember everything properly to understand. Hojo left the Turk to his thoughts so that he could dress and find some clothing that fit him. Admittedly, Vincent was of a slighter build than he was, but he supposed it didn't matter if his clothing was a bit big. He dressed then returned and lay clothing out for Vincent to do so. He respectfully left the room so that the Turk could clothe himself. Once Vincent came out of the room, he offered the man a jacket.
"Well, shall we go?"
They were silent during the cab ride and the walk to Vincent's front door. Vincent looked at the house with a raised brow as if trying to recall the place. Kanaye used the spare key he knew Tseng kept in the mail box and entered the house. He held the door open for Vincent who hesitantly entered the dark house. He breathed in the scent of Wutain Snap Dragon Lilies and he closed his eyes to savor the sweet smell. He walked around taking in the house, the neat impeccable kitchen, the clean furniture and large TV, and the foreboding hallway that led to the bedrooms. He walked slowly toward it peering into the smaller bedroom seeing a desk littered with notebooks and a lamp. The walls held various posters of movies, games, and music artists. This was a child's room…or teenager's particularly. He smiled a bit, feeling a warm sensation. Hojo remained a silent presence as Vincent followed his memories. Vincent went to the bedroom…his bedroom, yes. He opened the door his eyes roving over the excessively large bed, the dim lightening and the lingering scent of cigarettes, Dragon Lilies, and…and…
"Tseng….Sephiroth…" Vincent whispered. "My…"
"You're sons," Hojo said confirming.
"My boys. He waled to the night stand and looked at the pictures there. One of beautiful woman who resembled him in small ways, and held the regal posture of Wutai nobility. "Mother…" One of a group of men and women, himself included, centered on a woman who sat with authority. "Lady ShinRa…my Turks." Pain seized him when realized that only three of them were still alive that he knew of. He ran his finger over the youngest one who grinned at the camera. "Kid," his voice cracked. He cleared his throat and fought back tears. Was everyone lost? No, no he'd seen Tseng…he'd seen Tseng but he hadn't known it. He moved to the last picture and he felt his heart seize up in his chest. The pictured showed a silver haired teen, resting peacefully on his back, a boy who maybe eleven or twelve lay over the teen, his black hair and strong Wutain features resembling the man he'd seen when he'd first awoken from the nightmare of his death….death…his death.
This was the last thing he saw before…
Vincent dropped the picture onto the carpet and gripped his head as he was assaulted by flashes of memory and uncontrollable rage. Hojo went to him with concern.
"Vincent are you-"
"YOU!" Amber eyes glared at him as he was slammed and pinned to the wall. "YOU! You and that bitch! ITS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU TOOK ME AWAY FROM THEM! YOU AND SHINRA AND THAT BITCH OF A WIFE. LUCRECIA KILLED ME AND YOU…you experimented on me…you made me a test subject just like your son?" Vincent voice was broken as uncontrollable tears of fury and pain spilled from his tainted eyes. Hojo almost flinched at the betrayal in that voice.
Hojo did not fight the man; he didn't even try to verbally defend himself. The only thing he could say was one thing. "I told you before, I am a very bad man. But, I saved you so you could save them, Vincent Valentine."
Vincent stared into the man's obsidian eyes, searchingly. His glowing amber eyes narrowed, but began to fade back to their natural blood red. "You will tell me everything and then only then will I decide if I want you to live."
Hojo nodded. He had no delusions. Vincent hated him, he would always hate him. He smiled a bit at how foolish he'd been to believe that perhaps…he was far too old for such things.
"Of course, Valentine."
l
l
A/N: this came easier than I thought it would and I'm already into the next chapter. Couple of things; the chapter will be significantly longer...lookin between 8k-12k because I don't want to time skip just to keep from drawing out Cloud's experiences as a cadet. They are very very important for his and Sephiroth's development as well as for other couples.
I haven't quite decided if Tseng and Reno will stay together. Reno is quite important for Tseng's development sexually and emotionally so they will be a thing for a good while. But whether or not it will turn into a real relationship has yet to be undecided.
The same with Vincent. You guys are all over the place with whatcha want but I will be honest that the request of Hojo and Vincent is totally winning. I myself am curious about how it will turn out, but I'm going to go with the flow and let it build to it. (in other words I'll decide at the last minute based on you guy's reaction to their interactions. After all most of you love the intensity between them)
Also, Aerith is not going to be paired with anyone. She's single, happy, and going to stay that way. I don't like the way in AU fanfics that Aerith's existence is always validated by her being with Zack. She in this story will be Sephiroth's confidant and to anyone else who comes to her. Now there may be interludes between her and certain people but that will be as far as they go. Aerith is a lone wolf type who enjoys her freedom and will be an important character rather than being put in for the sake of saying she's alive. Off topic: I was in love with how I was building Aerith's character that I drew my own bit of fanart of her. So if you want a looksee here you go: (just take the spaces out)
fav .me /d5rguz2
As usual Please review, you know I love them and they keep making this story the awesomeness that it is!
- 30
- 31
- 32
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Walking Out on Destiny