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“A super important VIP is supposed to come visit,” Zack explained, “So we’ve been asked to help out. All hands on deck!”
Cloud blinked, looking at Zack before the mission request form.
“Um, Zack? Why is SOLDIER being called to work at a café?” one of the other thirds asked.
The question had been floating in Cloud’s mind and he looked back up at his First, curious to the response. Super important VIPs surely wouldn’t be visiting a maid café?
Zack’s expression fell to a serious look. “There’s been a rumor that this café in particular hosts a wanted criminal named Don Corneo. We just wanted to make sure that the VIP didn’t get attacked during their visit.”
Cloud sincerely doubted that was even an option, considering that Don Corneo would, no doubt, avoid the area like the plague if he knew a Shinra higher up was visiting the café. And it still didn’t answer why the Shinra VIP was visiting a maid café, but at least he knew why SOLDIERs had been called in.
“So how does this work?” the Third asked.
“Well, you were all selected because you mentioned that you had experience in the service industry,” Zack explained. “We’re to replace some of the servers to make sure we can blend in.”
“Replace the servers,” Cloud echoed.
“Don’t worry!” Zack said cheerfully. “I made sure to tell them your sizes!”
There was a sinking feeling in Cloud’s stomach.
Zack was going to die.
Evidently, the staff had gotten the sizes for every single SOLDIER, but had simply assumed the gender based on the sizes. And Cloud, with his slimmer waist and his short stature…
Cloud looked down at the apron and dress, tugging it a little as he wrapped the ribbon around his waist. There was no hint of anger, just a flush of embarrassment and a sigh as he pulled out the frilly uniform.
It was a traditional black and white maid outfit. The black dress was calf length, the hem ending in white lace and black ribbons. There was a white bowtie that was intended to be tied around the collar of the uniform, and a long white apron that sat perfectly on top of the black dress, the strings of the apron wrapping around the waist several times to tie in a ribbon behind the back. All in all, it was clearly a maid uniform, even if it didn’t show off anything. And thank Gaia for that–Zack would have been dead ten times faster if it had exposed any more.
“Cloud! I’m so sorry! You don’t have to do it–” Zack said, swallowing heavily.
“It’s fine, Zack,” Cloud answered. “You need SOLDIERs for this mission, right?”
Sephiroth was going to kill him. Zack was sure of it. Everyone else, much to Zack’s relief, didn’t even bat an eye.
Actually, was Kunsel helping Cloud fix the headband over his spiky hair? And Luxiere was brushing down the dress from the back, trying to straighten it?
“You look great, Cloud,” Luxiere said, giving him a thumbs up. “Sephiroth won’t be able to resist!”
“Why would Sephiroth even be here?” Cloud asked, raising an eyebrow, fiddling with the lace cuffs of the maid uniform. “If he was, there would be no need for us to be deployed.”
Zack swallowed and glanced at another one of the seconds, dressed up as a butler and snapping a picture on his phone behind Cloud’s back. There was no doubt that Sephiroth would find out eventually, even if Cloud didn’t tell him.
“Right…” Zack said weakly, clearing his throat. “I guess it would be too suspicious if we were all in the men’s uniform…?”
Cloud didn’t look impressed, but he also didn’t argue.
“Do you have your weapons?” Zack asked, getting a round of nods among the others. “Cloud?”
“I have a few,” Cloud assured.
Zack squinted at him, but didn’t see anywhere Cloud could hide any swords or knives among the lace and frills. But he didn’t argue. It was easy to hide something like materia after all, so maybe Cloud had some in his pocket.
“Table four wants two black tea, an iced coffee, three plates of ham and cheese sandwiches, two strawberry mochi ice cream, and one vanilla sponge cake,” Cloud recited.
He could feel the stares on his back, though they never dropped lower than the ribbon on his waist. It was expected, for a place that was visited by Don Corneo, that the women were probably used to entertain the scumbag. Honestly, if it wasn’t a mission and Zack was asking, Cloud would have flat out refused.
The dress was another thing. Cloud should have been insulted, but seeing the kicked puppy look on Zack’s face made him stifle his discomfort and put the damn thing on. At least it wasn’t uncomfortable and Sephiroth wasn’t going to see him like this.
The door opened behind him and Cloud turned to see who had wandered in, only to let out a groan under his breath.
Rufus, of course, had waltzed in with Darkstar. Ignoring the greetings, Cloud slowly turned back to the counter, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
“Two black tea and one iced coffee for table four,” Kunsel said, passing him the drinks. Cloud placed them on the tray, picking up the thing and lifting it easily.
A Shinra VIP indeed. Though Rufus was hardly helpless. Even without his shotgun, he had Darkstar by his side. From experience, the mutt was quite adept at fighting with the Shinra heir and Rufus could give orders to him with just one word. Thankfully, none of the SOLDIERs would be in charge of the Shinra VIP, as the more experienced waitresses were serving him.
The café was packed right now, but Cloud was used to the hustle and bustle of a bar. This was practically easy compared to the intoxicated and loud cheers from drunk patrons. He slid between the tables, delivering the drinks, just as Rufus’s eyes met his.
Rufus tripped over the chair, his eyes wide as he recognized him. Cloud gave him a shrug before turning back to his table and sliding a straw from his apron to the patron who ordered the iced coffee, turning away to grab the rest of their order. He ignored the beckoning from the Shinra, pretending he didn’t see it as he walked back to the counter.
“Two minutes on table four,” Kunsel told him. Cloud gave him a nod, checking his pockets and refilling them with a few extra napkins and straws.
“Um… Cloud?”
Cloud turned to one of the waitresses, recognizing her as one of the maids that was assigned to the VIP. A sinking feeling settled in his stomach as he sighed, just knowing what was coming. “Rufus wants to talk to me?” he asked.
“Well, yes.”
He glanced over at Kunsel, who was busy with the toaster. “I’ll swing by for a few minutes after I serve my table,” he said. Then he paused and glanced at her. “After he’s ordered his drink.”
At least that would keep the Shinra heir busy. Cloud clearly had his own tables to tend to and Rufus wasn’t one of them.
He took his time making his way to the table of the Shinra heir, where two of the maids were pouring out tea and coffee for him. But Rufus ignored them as he watched Cloud approach.
There was a moment where the two blonds stared at each other, blue to blue, before Rufus broke the silence.
“Does Sephiroth know you’re here, dressed like that?” he asked.
Cloud frowned, wondering why Rufus was bringing up Sephiroth. “What does it matter?”
Rufus slowly lowered his head into his hand. “Look, I know you’re stupid–”
“Excuse me?” Cloud asked, offended.
“–but you should really stop doing things that would absolutely provoke him,” Rufus said, completely ignoring him. “King of Midgar.”
Cloud’s eyebrow twitched. “I’m on duty.”
Rufus didn’t look impressed. “If anyone so much as looks at you funny, I hope you know that Sephiroth would burn the café to the ground.”
“So don’t tell him,” Cloud said, shrugging.
It wasn’t that big of a deal. It was just the required uniform. Nothing more, nothing less. Cloud turned away from Rufus, glancing over at his tables, deciding to ignore the Shinra. It wasn’t his problem to deal with.
Which was probably why he missed the snap of Rufus’s phone.
“Next table is yours, Cloud,” the hostess said, giving Cloud a nod as Cloud cleared the table and cleaned it with swift efficiency. Cloud returned the nod, putting the chairs back as he walked over to the counter.
“Nothing yet, huh?” Kunsel sighed, looking over at Rufus who was talking with one of the other maids. “I guess it was for nothing.”
“Don Corneo has a lot of connections,” Cloud answered reasonably. “I’m sure he’s already heard and is actively avoiding the area.”
Any one of the patrons here could be a spy. Corneo was crafty, if anything, and he knew the area well if he frequented it.
Kunsel was about to say something but then his face turned white. He hurriedly turned away from him and Cloud’s brow furrowed in confusion, just as the door opened.
“Welcome back, Master,” Cloud greeted reflexively before realizing just who had entered.
The world was out to get him. Cloud was sure of it. That was the only reason why Sephiroth would be standing at the door, staring at him with wide eyes, looking like he had just sprinted from headquarters. There was a moment of silence where everyone had fallen quiet as he stared at Sephiroth and Sephiroth stared back before Cloud directed him to a table and pulled out the chair for him.
It was like Sephiroth teleported into the chair. Cloud hadn’t even seen him move when Sephiroth sat in the offered seat, his hand grasping Cloud’s wrist in a gentle hold. “Beloved? Why–?”
“Um, excuse me, sir? Please do not touch the severs,” one of the other maids said firmly, though Sephiroth hadn’t appeared to hear her, his eyes fixated on Cloud’s.
“I’ll tell you later,” Cloud said shortly, giving him a small shake. Sephiroth’s hand fell from his wrist as Cloud placed a menu on the table. “I’ll return when you are ready to order, Master.”
There was some level of irony, that Cloud was calling Sephiroth ‘Master’ here, though it was all a ruse. Part of the job, but still. At least Sephiroth appeared just as awkward as he felt when he said it, his eyes flickering over Cloud’s uniform and waist.
He took his time before approaching Sephiroth’s table again, noting that Sephiroth hadn’t touched the menu at all. Cloud raised an eyebrow at him, but then he cleared his throat, deciding to remain professional, just in case there were some of Corneo’s lackeys nearby. Well, this basically solidified the fact that Corneo wasn’t going to show up. Sephiroth’s reputation preceded him.
“Have you decided on what you want, Master?” he asked, ignoring the choked cough from Rufus.
Sephiroth continued to stare at him, blinking slowly. Almost as if he didn’t know what to say or how to say it. Cloud waited for a single moment before looking down at the menu.
“May I recommend some iced lemon green tea? It is quite popular,” Cloud offered lightly.
“Yes. I’ll have that. Thank you,” Sephiroth intoned, before his eyes trailed to Cloud’s collar.
“Of course, Master. I’ll have that out for you right away,” Cloud responded politely.
“He’s staring at you,” Kunsel whispered as Cloud approached the counter. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“Serving him?” Cloud asked, raising an eyebrow. “It’s fine. We’re on duty.”
Kunsel didn’t look convinced, but didn’t say anything else. Cloud waited for the lemon tea before placing it onto the tray and walking back to the table Sephiroth was sitting at.
Strangely, Sephiroth hadn’t moved a single inch since he had let go of Cloud’s sleeve. His eyes were firmly pinned on Cloud, a curious tilt to his head, his hand still on the table, as if he was still holding Cloud’s wrist.
“Your lemon tea, Master,” Cloud intoned, setting the glass down. “Would you like to order anything else?”
Sephiroth blinked before he opened his mouth. “Cloud, I–”
But he never got to finish. The sound of someone yelling outside, combined with the roar of a monster made Cloud whirl around to look at the door, his expression dangerous. He dove for the hostess and pulled her out of the way, just as the door was smashed in.
Pandemonium. Chairs were knocked over as splinters of wood flew around the area, customers screaming and running from the beast that was charging in.
Hushing the terrified screams of the hostess, he gestured for her to hide in the backroom as he faced the beast that had descended into the café. The gigantic blue body, the horns shining with magic, the bulky, stout arms, Cloud recognized this beast as one of the ones he had fought in the sewers. Abzu, if Cloud recalled correctly. Evidently, Corneo had decided to unleash his monster pet onto the café in an attempt to either kill or injure Rufus.
Rufus was on his feet, Darkstar by his side. Sephiroth was also on his feet, Masamune shining brightly in his hand. Cloud heard the sound of guns being drawn behind him, the other SOLDIERs well underprepared for the battle ahead.
“So, did the maid bring any weapons with him?” Rufus teased.
“A few,” Cloud commented, reaching up to the chain around his neck and activating the materia with a quick touch.
Bahamut emerged with a mighty roar, flapping its wings as it stared down Corneo’s pet. Then they moved.
Cloud didn’t need to turn to Sephiroth to know where he was. Instead, he worked around Rufus and Darkstar, drawing a blade that was strapped to his thigh and slicing the thick hide of the beast. Somehow, Corneo had reinforced the creature, the scales and claws of the beast thicker and more devastating.
The bullets shot through the air and Darkstar’s howls didn’t deter the creature. Bahamut sent a blast of fire at the creature, but it barely flinched. Masamune’s blade couldn’t pierce the blue hide.
But the point wasn’t to kill the beast here. Instead, bit by bit, they lured the creature away from the café and more towards the streets, their battle of steel and bullets raining around them. Cloud danced between the creature’s fists, sending a strong slash to the beast’s chest before retreating and gauging the damage. Bahamut followed his lead, the heat from its fire brushing Cloud’s cheek as he tugged the dress down.
On one hand, the uniform offered Cloud more movement, but on the other, it had just a little too much fabric for his taste. But the blade in his hands was steady. His eyes were clear.
He dove into battle, drawing his second blade strapped to his other thigh as he blocked a wave of ice from the beast, the roars echoing in the street. Screams from nearby shops and people running prompted Cloud to move defensively, not wanting anyone to accidentally get involved.
“ALRIGHT! MY TIME TO SHINE!” Zack’s yell was heard from the maid café.
Cloud backed off as his First came to join, picking off the stouts as they burst from the sewers. Hardedge gleamed in Zack’s hands, wild and powerful, making Cloud relax as he moved away.
Bahamut took the brunt of the beast’s attacks, swiping down with powerful claws and fangs. Zack gave a delighted cry, a wide smile on his face as the summon supported his swings, distracting the beast as Sephiroth and Rufus fought beside the First.
“What are you doing, maid?” Rufus called. “Isn’t it your job to serve us?”
“Piss off, Rufus,” Cloud yelled back without looking at the bastard, dodging the fist from the beast. The ground crumbled under his feet, but Cloud used a piece of falling concrete to jump above the creature’s head. Abzu roared, but Cloud didn’t even hesitate, throwing one of his side blades at the creature’s eye.
His aim was true.
“Wait, why is Rufus here?” Zack asked. “And… Sephiroth?!”
The creature howled in pain and anger, its movements becoming heavier and quicker as it thrashed. Cloud jerked his head towards the beast, backing up a step only for the dress to get tangled against his legs.
He didn’t even think twice. Tearing through the fabric easily, Cloud exposed his left leg to the thigh, ripping up the black fabric. He could always pay for a new one–he couldn’t pay for one if he was dead.
Sephiroth gave a choked cough, stumbling as he stared at Cloud, who raised an eyebrow at him in return before they both turned back to the beast as one.
Rufus caught the creature in the back leg, Darkstar keeping the tail busy and it fell with a roar. Sephiroth’s blade flew through the air, piercing through the remaining eye of the beast as Cloud knocked it on its side. Zack moved in for the kill, tearing through the belly of the creature, spilling blood over the pavement until it finally stopped thrashing.
They were all splattered in it, but Cloud breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at the dead creature. His apron and dress was torn at the hem. The ends of the ribbons tied on his back were dripping in blood. The sleeves were ripped from the flying debris. There was no way he’d be able to go back to work after this.
He walked towards the beast as Bahamut gave a victorious roar, vanishing with a wisp of magic. Giving the summon a grateful nod, Cloud bent down to retrieve his side blade from Abzu’s eye, shaking the blade free of blood. He would still have to clean it though.
“Not too shabby, Maid of Midgar,” Rufus said, grinning smugly.
“Shut up,” Cloud retorted, looking at him. “Should you really be talking, considering you came to visit a maid café?”
“Oh, I wasn’t going to miss it for the world,” Rufus grinned. “Your picture is filtering around the fanclubs, you know.”
“Of course it is,” Cloud groaned, flushing.
He should have expected that. No doubt most of Midgar knew about his new outfit and the mission he was on. The fanclubs were quite chatty and word spread like wildfire. Which explained why Sephiroth had found him, but not why Rufus was visiting maid cafés.
“Is that why you reserved a spot here and submitted a VIP protection request to the SOLDIERs?” Cloud asked grumpily, crossing his arms. “For personal entertainment?”
A look of confusion crossed Rufus’s face. “What on Gaia are you talking about?”
Cloud frowned, wondering if Rufus was playing stupid, before a mousey man stumbled into the street, giving a squeak of horror at the sight. Everyone turned to look at him, and Cloud instantly recognized the idiot as Palmer.
“Is the café closed?!” Palmer asked with a horrified look on his face.
Sephiroth shielded Cloud from others with his wing.
Pressed against his right side to hide the slit of Cloud’s dress, Sephiroth guided Cloud to the backroom of the café, shutting the door behind himself as Cloud reached behind his back to the ribbon.
It was a tease. Seeing the smooth creamy skin peeking from the slit of the dress, the thin holster for Cloud’s side blade strapped to his thigh. The sight made his mouth water and heat pool in his gut. As if the maid uniform wasn’t bad enough.
Before he knew it, his hands landed on Cloud’s, gently tugging them away from the ribbon that was wrapped tightly around his waist. Cloud gave him a confused look, but all Sephiroth could think about was the moment he unwrapped the blond, bending Cloud over his bed.
It would be delicious.
“Sephiroth?” Cloud questioned with a frown, but Sephiroth shushed him with a firm kiss.
“I like it when you call me ‘Master’,” Sephiroth whispered into his mouth. “I like it when you dress like this, though I would prefer it if no one else saw it.” His hand trailed down to the slit of the dress, diving between the fabric to brush against Cloud’s thigh. “It’s against shop policy to touch the servers and maids, but you’re making it very difficult, Cloud.”
Cloud flushed, reeling back in shock, but Sephiroth followed him, pinning him against the wall.
“I want you,” Sephiroth groaned, burying his face into Cloud’s hair. He smelled of blood, dirt, and strength. An intoxicating combination that Sephiroth just couldn’t resist. Especially not on Cloud.
Cloud’s hands slowly landed on his chest, gently pushing him back a step. A slow breath and then Cloud slowly looked up at him. Sephiroth saw the desire in his eyes, which only excited him more.
“Let me change back,” he said. “I’ll ask to be excused and I’ll meet you in our apartment.”
It would be terribly hard to wait, but it would also give Sephiroth time. He took another step back with a nod, watching as Cloud stepped out to let Zack know that he was leaving.
He strode outside briskly, pulling out his phone as he went. His wing stretched in the sky as he noticed that Genesis had already given him several locations to buy a maid uniform, as well as the style and prices of each shop.
Thank goddess for Genesis.