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Responsive	By : jessara40k Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 777 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Responsive
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-Note
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cloud supposed it wasn�t really that surprising that their
sword training the next day had been moved to another gym, this one a lot
larger, with seating for an audience. There were almost thirty SOLDIERs,
including the SOLDIER 3rd Cloud had sparred with on his day off, and a single
SOLDIER 1st.

�You think Sephiroth might have left that cut yesterday to
make sure we got swamped like this today?� Hearing Lavan say something like
that about the General was disturbing, but Cloud knew that Sephiroth would love
learning about his reaction.

�No, he�d never do something that petty, he�s not weak
enough to need to.� Cloud didn�t like the idea that all the SOLDIERs were here
to watch him, but they weren�t exactly likely to be here to see the rest of the
class, unless... �Maybe this is another of those assessment things, like when
we all got to spar with a SOLDIER.� He doubted it, if they were supposed to be
on display there�d be representatives from some of the other groups that
recruited from cadets, and if that happened at all it would be later, in the
last week or so of training. Still, it was enough to get the others to shut up,
at least for a while, and it got him some peace while he went through his warm
up kata.

�You�re the cadet who gave the General that cut yesterday,
aren�t you?� Cloud glanced up at the red haired SOLDIER 1st who spoke to him
after he�d finished his warm up kata.

�Cadet Strife, yes sir.�

�I�m Yanos Harris, I�d have been monitoring your class if
the General hadn�t taken over. You aren�t the one I�d have focused on.� Cloud
wasn�t insulted by that, he knew he didn�t look impressive, and without
Sephiroth�s interest he doubted he�d have got better as quickly as he had. The
major�s comments didn�t require a response from Cloud, but he looked to
Instructor Trepes, hoping for a rescue of some sort. He got it, but not from
Instructor Trepes, from Instructor Fury, the least flexible of the instructors.

�What are you doing major? We agreed to move training here
so you could watch without disturbing our cadets.�

�I want to work with Cadet Strife here today. I want to see
what�s so special about him that he could cut the General.�

�We�re doing two on one drills today. It would hardly be
fair to expect a cadet to face two SOLDIERs, and your kind don�t work too well
with normal humans.� Cloud wanted to laugh at that unconscious mix of awe and condescension,
almost as if Instructor Fury pitied the SOLDIERs for their lost
humanity. But he also wanted to curse at the implication that no matter what
they decided he�d be stuck defending himself against two attackers, because he
was the only cadet who�d spent the full three hours last time doing that exact
same thing.

�Please, anyone who can get a hit in on the General, even if
he had to be holding back, is good enough to work with a SOLDIER 3rd at the
least.� Cloud focused on building a reserve of anger, thinking about the
unfairness of the expectations his instructors seemed to have acquired about
him, the bigotry running rampant on both sides, the way Harris classed people
and anything else he could think of to make himself angry. Including the way
they were talking over him, but kept on stopping him from doing another warm up
kata to at least be doing something.

�Enough talking. Everyone else has started working, now what�s
the problem here?�

�You�re the one who shouted at the General?� Major Harris
sounded as if that was reason enough for him to respect Instructor Trepes, not
that Cloud disagreed, but he had other reasons to respect Trepes more than his other
instructors. �I think Cadet Strife could work with a SOLDIER 3rd against me, he
disagrees.�

�And what do you think Strife?� Cloud smiled grimly at that,
finally it had occurred to someone that perhaps he should have a say in
this.

�Only that it would be nice to practise working with
someone, instead of alone.�

�Right, Major, you pick out a SOLDIER 3rd for Strife to work
with. They can spar one on one until the first switch, to get used to each
other�s style, then they can try to work together against you.� Instructor Fury
looked a bit annoyed at that decision, but he seemed to accept it, yelling at
Sephiroth had given Instructor Trepes a reputation boost, especially since the
General hadn�t seemed to mind. And the two instructors were equal in rank,
besides which Trepes was saying what Harris wanted to hear.

�Good.� Major Harris turned to look at the SOLDIERs waiting,
paying attention to the ones who�d pushed to the front and nodding to a brown
haired SOLDIER 3rd. �Lieutenant Lane, work with Cadet
Strife.�

�Yes sir.� The SOLDIER came forward, watching Cloud, all too
obviously waiting for him to make the first move. Something about the way he
stood and reacted...

�Sir, can we have ten minutes after we�ve got some
experience with each other�s style to discuss our plans for facing you? After
all we will be facing a vastly superior opponent.� Cloud didn�t know what
made him say that to the SOLDIER 1st, but he recognised the flash of gratitude
in Lane�s eyes, hidden almost as well as Sephiroth�s emotions tended to be.
Harris laughed at that, but he seemed almost rueful as he replied.

�Damn, you�re sharp. I thought you wouldn�t know to ask for
that, or be confident enough if you did know. I�ll give you twenty minutes, and
I�ll even leave so you won�t have to worry about my overhearing you, now get
started sparring so I get an idea of how you fight.� On hearing that Cloud made
a snap decision not to use that weird anger-focus thing he still needed
to work out what to call while he was sparring with Lieutenant Lane.

�Try not to damage me before we have to face the Major sir.�

�I�ll be careful, I promise.� It seemed to be a joke to him,
making Cloud want to scowl, even if he didn�t quite dare. The lieutenant used
two swords, they�d probably be hand and a half swords for anyone bar a SOLDIER,
putting Cloud at even more of a disadvantage.

�Start slow, I don�t think the General used more than a
quarter speed, at the very most.�

�I heard last time he was fighting at the level he�d use
against a new SOLDIER 3rd.� The major sounded amused at that as they began
drawing their weapons.

�And you don�t really think he goes full out against them
do you?� Cloud made his first move against Lane as he called to the SOLDIER 1st
mockingly. �I�d even lay odds he deliberately leaves that tiny opening
deliberately, just to see who�s good enough to spot it, and use it.� And it was
the sort of manipulative thing Sephiroth would do, even if he knew
Sephiroth hadn�t intended it in his case. It also distracted Lane enough that
Cloud managed to knock one of the swords from his hand, the left hand, and get
between him and it, not quite believing his luck. �You�ll have to get that back
by yourself. I earned that little advantage.� He made a point of
snarling at the SOLDIER, shocked when Lane seemed to flinch at his
words, ever so slightly. Cloud shrugged mentally, and began to press his
advantage, things only connecting when he actually managed to take advantage of
the way Lane was used to having a second weapon to hand. And he still had
enough breath that he could have talked if he wanted to, Lane wasn�t performing
that much better than his instructors did, a little stronger, a little
faster, but if anything less skilled.

It was perhaps ten to twenty minutes into their match that
Cloud took pity on Lane, and stopped trying to keep him from his sword, and he
picked up quite a bit when he could attack with one sword and defend with the
other, or attack with both swords at once.

�Stop! Switch places now.� Cloud just looked at Harris then,
waiting for him to do as he�d promised. The major looked a bit disappointed,
but he did leave, and Cloud immediately turned to Lane.

�Well, what�s the plan?�

�I...I�m not really a leader type. You...were you holding
back there?�

�Not exactly, it doesn�t matter.� Cloud had something else
to stoke his anger with now, how Major Harris had made a point of choosing the
most incompetent of the SOLDIER 3rds watching, he had to have. �Take it as
given that nothing short of a broken bone will slow me down. We need to come up
with a couple of signals to help us co-ordinate; otherwise I think our best
plan is to avoid getting in each other�s way. But you should know more about
this than I do, any suggestions? Or information on Harris� fighting style?� The
questions seemed to be enough to get Lane to help plan how to take Harris down
with him, even if he was frustratingly reluctant to put his ideas forward.

When Harris returned Cloud let his anger at the SOLDIER�s
behaviour loose, coupling it with the purest focus he could master, and made
sure to attack the second his sword had cleared the sheath. That got him a
startled glance from Lane, even though he�d told the SOLDIER 3rd he wasn�t
going to wait for Harris to say he was ready to fight, but the lieutenant did
manage to take advantage of the opening Cloud had created. It wasn�t more than
a scratch, but it was a start.

By the end of their sparring session Cloud had the
feeling that he�d cracked at least one rib, possibly more, because it hurt a
little to breath, and Lane had a broken arm, but they�d actually managed to pin
Harris to the ground, sort of. Cloud had managed to knock him down, playing up
his injuries, and Lane had sat on his chest, swords crossed over his neck like
a pair of scissors.

Then they were all packed off to the infirmary together.

o0()0o

Cloud cursed mentally when he saw Zack looking for him, he�d
been hoping to get a bit more practice in before curfew, but the SOLDIER 1st
was like a force of nature in some ways, and you just didn�t try to resist him
when he was determined on something.

�Hey Cloud, I heard a bit about your displays in sword
training; I think you�ve earned a drink after that. Want to come with me?�

�You know cadets aren�t allowed off-base outside of
leave Zack.� Cloud made a point of laughing at the idea as he refused.

�But you�re allowed to visit an officer�s quarters if you�re
invited, and I�ve got some really good booze in mine. Sephiroth�s going to be
there too.� There was a very faint hint of wistfulness in Zack�s voice, and
Cloud realised that he�d almost monopolised what little free time Sephiroth had
since they�d become lovers.

�Okay then.� Cloud made a point of sounding just a little
bit resigned at that, rather than eager. �But you know I can�t miss curfew, or
get too drunk, not if I want to be any use tomorrow.�

�Yeah, we won�t make you drink too much, I promise.� Zack
sounded almost mockingly reassuring. Not that it made Cloud feel any better.
But there was something else in his voice, almost a sense of...relief? Cloud
glanced around subtly, checking that no one was within hearing range who�d
realise what they were talking about, or at least no one who�d care.

�Did he make having me there a condition?�

�It was his idea to invite you, yes.� Zack�s voice was as
quiet as Cloud�s had been as he led him to SOLDIER territory. �I don�t think he
even realised what he was doing, but I said you�d be there when he asked.�

�I�m sorry, I hadn�t realised...�

�You�ve only just got together with him, I get that you want
to spend lots of time with him. And I�m sure he feels the same way.� Cloud
frowned at that, he recognised the truth in Zack�s words, but...

�I shouldn�t be spending so much time with him really, I
need to do more training.� He�d let the sheer thrill of becoming friends, and
more, with the legendary General overshadow the training he had to do if
he wanted to be good enough to get into SOLDIER. It hadn�t been so bad at
first, but since they�d become lovers he�d spent almost all the time he used to
spend training with Sephiroth.

�I don�t think you need that much extra training if your
performance today and yesterday�s anything to go by. Don�t you agree Sephiroth?�
Cloud hated it when Zack did that, asked someone who didn�t know what the
conversation was about to support his position, and they�d only just walked
into his quarters to find Sephiroth there as Zack finished his first sentence.
Sephiroth ignored him with the ease of long practice, instead coming to kiss
Cloud, laying one hand against his cheek and opening his mouth to allow Cloud
entrance.

�So if it�s just Zack then it still counts as private then?�
Cloud smiled at his lover, letting Sephiroth know that he was just teasing.

�Unless you object.� There was a hint of uncertainty and
almost guilt in Sephiroth�s eyes then, and Cloud wanted nothing more than to
ease it. He shrugged carefully, trying to look careless.

�You know him better than I do, if you say we can trust Zack�s
discretion then I�m sure we can. But let�s not make him feel like a third
wheel, hmm?� Cloud knew he was walking a fine line between keeping Zack from
learning who was dominant in their relationship, and just how dominant,
and giving his lover the reassurance he craved and needed. But his words
seemed to have done the trick because Sephiroth pulled back, a faint smile on
his lips and turned to Zack.

�I apologise if I�ve been...neglecting you Zack. You�ve
always known that I have very little experience in dealing with social
situations, and even less when it comes to friendship, or...�

�It�s okay Sephiroth, but I was getting a little jealous.
And Cloud�s complaining about not having time to do extra training. I don�t
think he really needs it, I mean the cadets do three hours swordwork a day
anyway, and what he did yesterday and this morning�s been making the rounds.�

�This morning?� Sephiroth glanced at Cloud, one eyebrow
raised in query as they sat together on the couch, without quite touching at
first.

�You didn�t hear?� Zack sounded excited at first, then he
got a devious grin on his face. �I think this needs a drink first, what do you
both want?�

�I don�t care, beer, if you�ve got any.�

�Whatever you�re having Zack.� Sephiroth responded just a
little after Cloud did, showing a similar indifference to exactly what he was
drinking, it was all too obvious that Sephiroth only drank with Zack because it
made his friend happy. Zack frowned at his own request, but he made a detour to
his kitchen to get the beer before he poured vodka for himself and Sephiroth.

�Right. Vodka for us, and beer for the lightweight. You were
asking about this morning weren�t you Seph? Well, a lot of SOLDIERs wanted to
see Cloud training after you went about with that cut from sparring with him
all day yesterday - and what happened to that anyway?� Sephiroth didn�t answer
immediately, glancing at Cloud instead, and blushing faintly, so Cloud decided
to answer instead.

�Are you saying you never end up with lovebites after
a passionate encounter?� Cloud might be overestimating Zack�s level of
experience, but since all the other cadets in his class tended to get laid on
their leave days he didn�t think he was. �And Sephiroth�s �uniform� isn�t
exactly suited to covering things like that up, so...�

�Of course it was also a good excuse to teach Cloud how to
use an unslotted materia with something safe.�

�Unslotted? Sephiroth, there�s a reason they only teach that
after you get the injections for SOLDIER, you know it takes more energy
to use an unslotted materia than a slotted one.� Zack sounded like he was just
teasing Sephiroth about his tendency to forget about the limitations normal
humans had, but Sephiroth looked surprised, and a little bit guilty, a faint
frown on his face.

�I didn�t think it took that much energy to...cast a Cure.�
Cloud caught himself before he described what he�d done with the Restore
materia more accurately, substituting the term his lover had used instead.

�How would I know that it takes more energy to use a materia
unslotted? No one ever told me, and it�s never been a significant drain, not
unless I was so exhausted that everything feels like more of a drain than it
should be.� Sephiroth sounded just a little bit indignant at that while Zack
looked confused and impressed in equal measure. �I knew it takes more skill to
use a materia unslotted than slotted, but I didn�t know about the energy
requirements.�

�Holy Alexander, Protector of Man! I knew you were powerful,
but to not even notice the difference between using a materia slotted
and unslotted...� Then he turned to Cloud. �And you! You really think it didn�t
take that much energy to cast a Cure without slotting the Restore first? How
much did it take out of you? Would you have been able to cast another
immediately afterwards?�

�I guess so, but I was tired after I cast the Cure.� More
from the way he�d cut off supplying energy to the materia than anything else he
suspected, Cloud looked to his lover for help, slipping his arm around his
waist in a silent hint.

�You were telling me about what Cloud did this morning Zack.�
Sephiroth returned Cloud�s gesture, pulling him up against his lover�s side and
making Cloud smile at the apparently dominant posture he�d taken, even if he did
keep glancing at Cloud to make sure it was okay with him.

�Umm, yeah, well, Major Harris arranged for Cloud�s class to
take their swordwork session in one of the display gyms, and about thirty
SOLDIERs turned up to watch. Then he tried to arrange a spar with Cloud alone,
and when that didn�t work he bullied the instructors into letting Lieutenant
Lane act as Cloud�s partner in the two on one drills against him. They won,
ended up with Lane sitting on his chest, swords crossed over his neck.�

�Lane...he wasn�t very good when I tested him, uses two
swords but doesn�t really co-ordinate as well as he should with them.�
Sephiroth sounded meditative as he recited what little he knew about the
SOLDIER 3rd.

�And he�s not as skilled as even Instructor Trepes if you
manage to get one sword away from him.� Sephiroth looked at him enquiringly and
Cloud expanded on that. �The only way Instructor Trepes was willing to allow me
to spar against a SOLDIER 1st in partnership with a SOLDIER 3rd was if I had an
hour to spar with Lane first to get used to his style. I didn�t use that other
trick against him, but I got one sword away from him, and told him that I�d
earned the advantage that gave me.�

�Oh, and apparently you always deliberately leave a tiny
opening in your defences when you spar with the new SOLDIER 3rds, to see which
ones are good enough to spot and use it.� Zack obviously found that hilarious,
but Sephiroth looked horrified.

�Why would I do something like that? There�s no such thing
as a perfect defence, but that doesn�t mean I won�t try for one.�

�Ask Cloud.�

�I just suggested it as a possibility, to distract from
yesterday. By the way, Major Harris is an asshole. I�m glad he didn�t end up
mentoring my class.�

�He�s mentored 17 classes, without any drop outs.�

�And I�ll bet his classes went on to be mediocre at best.�

�I don�t know.� Sephiroth shrugged as he answered. �I didn�t
check.� Cloud didn�t really want to know what he had checked, and
decided to change the subject so he could just sit and listen to the two
SOLDIERs.

o0()0o

Apparently Cloud�s class were to alternate training one on
one with training two on one from then on. Sephiroth had always watched a
swordwork session every other day, and now the days he didn�t help were to be
devoted to sparring in groups rather than pairs. Of course no one came to watch
while he was there, not considering the reason everyone wanted to watch, and
the fact that he was liable to reassign gawkers, but this time Cloud expected
the move to the display gym for their two on one training session. At least
this time Major Harris wasn�t there, although there were even more SOLDIERs
than before, including no less than five SOLDIER 1sts. He�d known that the only
way he could have stopped the SOLDIERs wanting to see him even more was to
totally screw up against the major even as he�d known that screwing up
deliberately would have caused even more speculation, especially if anyone
realised what he was doing. And once Harris had chosen Lane to work with
Cloud, especially after he realised how...unskilled Lane was, there was no way
Cloud was going to embarrass Sephiroth by doing less than his best, not when he�d
got the feeling that it had been some sort of power play. But still...he went
over to Instructor Trepes hoping that he�d understand.

�Sir, I�m not going to have to face another SOLDIER 1st am
I? Even working with a SOLDIER 3rd...�

The instructor grimaced at that, nodding in understanding. �I�ll
do what I can. It doesn�t help your case that you and Lieutenant Lane defeated
Major Harris, but we�ll see. Would you be willing to work with a SOLDIER 3rd
against a SOLDIER 2nd?�

�If I have to. I�d prefer it if you could arrange for me to
work with another cadet against a SOLDIER 3rd, and give another pair the same
chance.� Cloud smiled as he spoke, he knew that he wasn�t likely to get what he
was asking for, but it was worth a try.

�Just start your warm up, and I�ll see what I can do.� Cloud
nodded and began his warm up, watching as the instructors had a quick
conference and then confronted the SOLDIERs. The SOLDIER 1sts seemed to be
disappointed, but since some of the SOLDIER 2nds and 3rds started arguing
quietly when the instructors had finished explaining he knew that he wasn�t
going to get to work with his classmates at all this session.

�Cadets Cochrane, Kennedy, Michaels and Strife, come here.
The rest of you split into groups of three.� Cloud was confused now, this
seemed to indicate they�d gone with his plan, but the way the SOLDIERs were acting
argued for the other option; but at least it was Instructor Trepes explaining
things. �I don�t know how this class keeps getting so lucky, but you four are
each getting the privilege of sparring beside a SOLDIER 3rd against a SOLDIER
2nd. You know the drill Cadet Strife, so get set up with your sparring partners
while I explain to these other idiots.�

Cloud sighed in resignation and walked over to the waiting
SOLDIER 2nds and 3rds, looking for the highest ranking officer among them. At
least he wasn�t going to be interrupting an argument, even if there were 6
SOLDIER 3rds and 5 SOLDIER 2nds.

�Sir, who am I supposed to be sparring with and against?�
Cloud saluted the sole Major, even if he knew SOLDIERs didn�t usually bother
with that, considering it to constitute a sniper check in the field, and not
wanting to establish the habit even in places like here, where it was safe.

�Pick whoever you want for your sparring partner Cadet
Strife, I�ll be your opponent.� This wasn�t making much sense, but Cloud turned
to the SOLDIER 3rds who were waiting there, looking oddly hopeful. The Major
used a longsword, not quite as broad as Cloud�s but with a greater length, so
Cloud looked for someone who�d compliment his own abilities, as best as he
could tell. There was a redhead not much taller than he was, but far broader
who was carrying two axes, and that was pretty unusual, at least in his
experience - all of his class carried some sort of sword. And he was a
lieutenant, saying that either he was newer or less talented than the 2
captains among Cloud�s potential sparring partners.

�Are you willing to work with me sir?�

�Yes.� He almost smirked as he responded, Cloud really
didn�t get why he was considered such a prize as a sparring partner, and he
wasn�t even angry enough to use the other style of fighting today. �I�m
Lieutenant Kerr, and we�ll be facing Major Cussler. Are you going to order him
to give us a chance to strategise after we�ve got to know each other�s style a
bit?�

�Only if you don�t have the guts to.� He smiled at the
lieutenant, hoping this was the right way to respond.

�Lieutenant Lane isn�t a coward.� Perhaps he�d guessed
wrong, except Kerr didn�t sound angry, he sounded resigned and a little
defensive.

�No, but he told me he isn�t a leader type, and he wasn�t
willing to ask Harris for the time we needed.�

�You have a point.� Kerr laughed and went to arrange some
time for them to strategise while Cloud ran through his warm up routine again.
By the time he�d finished Kerr had run through his own warm up routine, and the
other cadets had all been assigned a SOLDIER 3rd to work with, and a SOLDIER
2nd to work against. Kerr was a lot better than Lane had been, keeping
Cloud on the defensive throughout their spar, and he didn�t have time to see
how the other cadets were doing either, but at least he wasn�t out of breath.

�Why did you pick me kid?� Kerr seemed to realise that he
could still converse, but instead of picking up the pace the way Sephiroth
would have he chose to get information.

�You�re not much taller than me, and I�m gambling that those
axes of yours are unusual enough to give us a tiny advantage.� Cloud jumped
back to give himself a chance to use the marginally greater length of his sword
to better effect. �Or do you think the major knows your style well enough that
it won�t work that way?�

�I haven�t worked with him before, so no.� Cloud barely
dodged Kerr�s next attack, tucking into a roll to get out of range. �But you�re
a lot more agile than I am.�

�Plan later, spar now.� Cloud couldn�t afford to be
distracted by conversation, even if he had the breath for it. Kerr seemed to
realise that, laughing as he agreed. When they stopped sparring Kerr came over
to him, frowning, but he didn�t speak until the SOLDIER 2nds had left.

�Were you holding back there? You were yesterday when you
were sparring with Lane and then you didn�t against Major Harris.�

�Not so much holding back, as not using the technique that
let me score on Sephiroth. He advised me not to rely on it too much,
but...I didn�t want my performance to reflect badly on him after what Major
Harris said. I�d rather not use it today, but...I wear weights in my jacket, I
could take that off?� He wasn�t sure how good an idea it was to give up the
marginal protection his jacket offered, but on the other hand he�d be faster
without it on, since three quarters of his weights were attached to it and Kerr
had pointed out his agility.

�Do that then.� Other than that Kerr led the planning this
time, to Cloud�s relief. They didn�t do as well against Major Cussler as Cloud
had against Major Harris with Lieutenant Lane, but well enough to
avoid being defeated while they were facing him. The other three mixed pairs
had ended up as just SOLDIER against SOLDIER and broke off, with the cadets
being put out of action pretty quickly, forcing the SOLDIER 3rds to take them
to the infirmary. Cloud was running through his warm up kata again, to cool
down this time, when Sephiroth came stalking into the gym.

�Why does it seem that so many SOLDIERs have nothing better
to do than watch a class of cadets?� Contempt lined his voice, and Cloud smiled
to see it as he picked up his jacket. Sephiroth was waiting to see if anyone
would have the courage to say anything, if any of the SOLDIERs were going to
defend themselves, or bring up his comment about Cloud�s abilities. It wasn�t
really that surprising to Cloud that Instructor Trepes was the one who
eventually responded, apparently the respect he�d got from the SOLDIERs for
shouting at the General combined with the fact that Sephiroth hadn�t
reprimanded him for it had made him more ready to speak up.

�They have been helpful, and generous in agreeing to train
with four of our best cadets.�

�I suppose that includes the three who are missing?� An
almost cruel smile edged Sephiroth�s lips, and Cloud refused to think about how
sexy that was. �Well, since you all seem so willing to help train the cadets I�m
assigning you to spend the next six months assisting with the cadet classes
from now on. You�ll spar with whichever cadets their instructors tell you to,
whenever they tell you to, and I expect you to only turn up if you�ll be
sparring. Instructor Trepes will be collecting your names before you leave.�
With that Sephiroth spun on his heels and left the gym, leaving everyone there
speechless, for a few moments anyway. The SOLDIERs began to mutter among
themselves, but they gave their names obediently enough and the other cadets
began to speculate about what Sephiroth had just said. Cloud didn�t really
care, he just wanted to leave and get something to eat.

o0()0o

Cloud remembered the pointed look he�d got from his lover
before Sephiroth had left after telling all the gawkers they�d be spending the
next half a year working with cadets, and he knew that Sephiroth would
be expecting him to visit. He also knew that if he didn�t Sephiroth wouldn�t
say anything to him about it, he wouldn�t even be angry, just hurt, and he
wouldn�t even let that show when he came to work with Cloud the next day. But
he didn�t want to hurt his lover, not after he�d refused to visit him yesterday
on the basis of needing to train, and he supposed that he could get away with
just doing the extra training every other day or so. Again no one questioned
him as he made his way to Sephiroth�s quarters and let himself in, and he
resisted the temptation to tell his lover that he needed to improve security in
the SOLDIER quarters.

Sephiroth immediately came over and kissed him hesitantly
and Cloud reached up to take hold of Sephiroth�s hair as he took control of the
kiss. Eventually he let go of his lover and pulled back slowly.

�Thank you for what you did today, I don�t think anyone else
could have dealt with our audience so effectively.�

�You�re welcome. I hadn�t realised you�d be harassed like
that, but I thought I should put a stop to it today.� Sephiroth smiled faintly
as he glanced over at the couch, it was subtle, but Cloud recognised the hint
and pulled him over to sit there together. �How bad was it for you?�

�Harris was an asshole, Lane was a good partner, but too
passive, with his experience he should have led the planning on how to deal
with Harris, instead of letting me do it. I asked to work with Kerr because his
weapons were unusual, and he planned better than Lane did, and Cussler was
pretty decent.� Cloud smiled as he spoke. �I don�t think any of the SOLDIERs
there today anticipated the way Instructor Trepes dragged anyone who wanted a chance
to spar with me into working with the others.�

�Neither do I. I expect that�s why the other three cadets
were knocked out so quickly, the SOLDIERs working with them weren�t willing to
adjust to their level of skill.� And that raised a problem. Cloud kissed
Sephiroth�s ear before bringing the problems he could see up.

�How can we make sure they hold back enough in sparring from
now on? And what if they�re needed somewhere else? I don�t think many people
will approve of you tying so many SOLDIERs up here to work with cadets.�

�If they�re really needed somewhere else then they will be
sent there, or if they�re asked for specifically, but they will each spend six
months total available to help cadet classes out.� Sephiroth shrugged, Cloud
had to agree that his plan was good there. �And I plan to explain that injuring
too many cadets will mean facing me one on one. No one but Zack had the courage
to face me like that until you, not if they could avoid it anyway.� Cloud could
see just how much that little fact hurt his lover, tearing at his soul,
and he wanted desperately to make Sephiroth feel better.

�Idiots, you�re usually pretty careful about hurting us, you
certainly have the control to keep from killing us, and the magic to fix us if you
do any real damage. Want to do some more work on that jigsaw now and forget
about those fools?�

�I...we don�t have that much time, and I can think of
something that would be more distracting.� Cloud knew his surprise was showing,
this was closer than Sephiroth had got to initiating anything since their first
time, and his lover blushed bowing his head. �I don�t mean to be...�

Cloud cut him off with a kiss. �Don�t apologise.� He ran his
fingers through Sephiroth�s hair as he spoke, watching the way Sephiroth
shivered when he actually began to take a grip on it. �It�s a good idea, I just
didn�t want to give you the impression that sex comes first is all. Is there
anything you�d like in particular?�

�Why would I ever think that about you?� Sephiroth�s eyes
were slightly widened in surprise, but he continued when Cloud didn�t seem
willing to answer. �And I just want to give you pleasure, however you want.�

�Oh, I�ll enjoy this,� Cloud laughed at the idea that
perhaps he wouldn�t as he continued, �I just wanted to know if there was
anything special you�d like?�

�I...you don�t want to blindfold me do you?� He�d asked a
second time, it had to matter to him, even if he hadn�t decided to ask for anything
more extreme yet - although Cloud was pretty sure that this was the least of
what he wanted.

�Anything else you want to ask for?� When Sephiroth just
shook his head silently Cloud released his hair and stood. �Then get undressed
and clean yourself and meet me in your bedroom.� He�d have liked to linger and
watch his lover undress, but this time at least he wanted to give Sephiroth
some of what he wanted if not all of it. Cloud knew where to look for a scarf,
so he pulled one out of the appropriate drawer before quickly stripping and
lying back on the bed, rearranging the pillows so that they�d lift Sephiroth�s
hips and ass later.

Sephiroth froze in the doorway for a second when he saw
Cloud lying there, playing with the scarf, and Cloud decided to take advantage
of that.

�No, just stay where you are.� Cloud stood up and walked
over to Sephiroth, still holding the scarf, then he reached up and tied it
around his lover�s eyes, giving him the blindfold he�d asked for. �Can you see
through this?� He wasn�t entirely certain how much Sephiroth�s eyesight had
been enhanced. �Or is it enough for you?� Cloud wasn�t really comfortable with
doing this, not at the moment, but...Sephiroth had asked twice.

�I...can see through it, but not too well...you don�t need
to do any more.� And apparently Sephiroth could sense his discomfort because
Cloud knew that response wasn�t a �yes, this is enough to satisfy me�,
it was an �if this is all I can get I can make do�; Cloud vowed to find a way
to give this to his lover properly. But since he intended to lead Sephiroth to
the bed it was probably better that he had some vision available to him. When
they got there he arranged his lover face down on the bed, ass in the air, and
guided his hands to the bars of the headboard.

�Keep hold of these, and don�t say anything unless you want
me to stop.� Cloud backed away, frowning for a moment before he decided what to
do with Sephiroth. He could remember all the sensitive spots he�d found on his
lover�s body, and he intended to stimulate each of them, but without giving
Sephiroth any warning of what was coming when. First, he brushed Sephiroth�s
hair to lie curled beside his head instead of spread over his back, leaving
bare skin so Cloud could kiss him lightly at the base of his neck. Then he
followed that up with a caress at the inside of Sephiroth�s left ankle - for
some reason he didn�t respond the same to a touch at the right ankle. Cloud
worked his way almost randomly through the sensitive spots he�d mapped out on
his lover�s body, sometimes just stimulating him faintly, and other times
returning to a spot, or focusing on one area for a full minute or more,
including slapping Sephiroth�s ass once or twice.

�Let go of the bars, roll over and sit up.� No effort at
being polite, or making it sound like anything but an order, and absently Cloud
noted how much that seemed to arouse Sephiroth, showing in the hitched breath
he gave on hearing his voice. While Sephiroth was out of the way he moved the
pillows, so that this time they�d support Sephiroth�s shoulders and head,
keeping him in a half reclined position. �Good now lie back.� And he guided
Sephiroth�s hands back to the bars so he had something to hold on to. �Spread
your legs.� Sephiroth obeyed quickly, no reluctance in his body at all, making
himself vulnerable to Cloud without hesitation. He grabbed the oil they used
and knelt between his legs to slide a single finger into Sephiroth�s body,
licking at his hard cock as he did so. Then he pulled back, and returned to
what he�d been doing earlier, teasing sensitive spots, arousing his lover, and
every so often he�d move back to stretching Sephiroth as if he was going to
fuck him. Sephiroth was hard, and precum was dripping from the tip of his cock
when Cloud decided to settle down between his legs again, one hand wrapped
around his cock, jerking him off slowly. For this there was reason enough to
give him warning, especially since nothing else had left marks that wouldn�t
heal overnight.

�I�m going to bite you in a moment, just here.� And he
kissed the inside of his lover�s right thigh near the groin. �If you don�t want
me to I�ll give you the chance to say something now.� Sephiroth didn�t speak,
so Cloud took a deep breath, and bit down, hard, jerking his lover off
even faster and more firmly while pressing his fingers deep into his body as he
did. Sephiroth cried out and came, his seed spraying all over them both.

Cloud flicked his tongue out to lick away the few drops of
seed that had ended up on his lips, he�d wanted to know what it really tasted
like, and he doubted he�d have much chance to find out considering Sephiroth�s
fears. It wasn�t anywhere near as bad as he�d half expected from how his cock
had tasted, but he wasn�t going to say anything about that. He focused on the
effect the taste had on his own neglected arousal instead, straddling Sephiroth�s
chest, ready to push his cock into his lover�s mouth, tangling one hand in that
long hair for control.

�I�m going to fuck your mouth now. You don�t mind do you?�
He did give Sephiroth a few minutes to tell him to stop, but all his lover did
was open his mouth ready for him, and that was so hot that he came down
Sephiroth�s throat with just a few thrusts. Then he climbed off his lover�s
body, kissing him and removing the blindfold as he moved to lie beside him, one
hand trailing over his chest, teasing a nipple gently.

�Was that good for you?�

�Yes, but did it please you?�

�Very much.� Cloud followed up with another kiss, pulling
back reluctantly. �But I think we need to shower, shall we do it together?�

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