Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

So this is how it ends.

That was Cloud’s only thought as his eyelids grew heavy.

It was ironic, really. He’d survived Sephiroth, the meteor, geostigma, going up against legions of Shinra troopers, Rufus and his Turks… only to be killed by a Zolom. A fucking Zolom!

Cloud’s last delivery had led him through some particularly treacherous terrain. A recent storm had taken out the bridge he was supposed to cross, so he mounted a chocobo and headed straight through the marshes. That was where the Zolom found him.

He thought nothing of it at first. After all, he’d fought those creatures before. But Cloud’s strength was not what it used to be. He had no reason to train as much now that Sephiroth no longer presented a constant threat to the Planet. He was still sharp and strong, but all it took was one badly timed dodge, one slip, and the damn creature used the opening it was given, sending Cloud flying and crashing into the side of the mountain, his sword slipping from his grasp.

He could feel blood dripping down his face, his whole body growing heavy. He couldn’t move. The edges of his vision started going dark, ears ringing. He could hear the Zolom slithering closer, sending waves of water splashing around its body, aiming to kill.

Right before his eyes closed and he lost consciousness, Cloud saw rays of mako-green light rising up around him. Then there was only darkness.

***

“Strife! Hey, Cloud! You with us, man?”

Cloud gasped, looking around wildly, feeling disoriented. He was surrounded by Shinra troopers! He tried to get up, get ready to defend himself against the attack he knew was coming, but he stumbled, catching himself on one knee. The guy who’d called his name earlier made a move to help him, then stopped and raised his hands in a placating gesture when Cloud flinched away.

“Easy there. You’re okay.”

Cloud reached around for his sword, but it was not on his back. How? It felt impossible — Cloud never went anywhere without his sword. He turned around to check. That was when he realized that he himself was wearing a Shinra uniform. He blinked in confusion. Nothing made sense! He took a few calming breaths and tried to remember how he got there.

That one trooper was still speaking to him in calming tones. Looking closer, Cloud realized that he remembered him from his training days. That was Kunsel. Cloud recognized a few others standing around them, giving him worried looks.

“You took quite a blow to the head, Cloud. You should sit down for now. Have some water. We’ll take you to a doctor if you’re feeling dizzy,” Kunsel was telling him just as another trooper, whose name Cloud could not remember, but vaguely recognized his face, came rushing in, flushed and panicked.

“I’m so sorry Cloud, this was all my fault! Are you alright?” he asked worriedly. “I know my aim is awful, but I never thought I’d hit someone like this. I owe you a coffee, man. No, lunch! I’ll buy you lunch for a week, just please don’t tell my commanding officer. I can’t afford to fail another class!”

The guy kept fretting, overwhelming Cloud even more. None of this made sense. What could have happened? How could he be here, in what seemed to be the past? Only minutes ago, he was fighting a Zolom in the Grasslands and now he was back at Shinra? Did he die and this was his personal hell? Doomed to relive his training days for all eternity?

“What happened here?”

A silky baritone voice posed the question from behind the group of infantrymen. Cloud felt goose bumps break out across his skin, suppressing a shiver. He would recognize that voice anywhere. The crowd parted, allowing Cloud to see him. Sephiroth stood tall, in full army uniform, commanding as ever.

This was definitely hell.

Cloud’s breath sped up and he tried to stave off the rising rage and panic. He heard Kunsel explaining what had happened, trying not to put too much blame on the guy-whose-name-Cloud-did-not-remember, but Cloud didn’t care about any of that. Standing so close to Sephiroth, all he could think about was fire, flames, death and all the lives lost at the hands of this man.

“How are you feeling, cadet?”

He was talking to Cloud. Somewhere in the fog of his mind, Cloud knew that a response was required. He tried to will his mouth to work.

“I’m fine,” he answered gruffly, then corrected himself, “Sir.”

Sephiroth gave him a once-over.

“Go see a doctor. You look like you might have a concussion.”

And with that, the general walked away. In the grand scheme of his daily duties, a random hurt cadet was barely more important than a fruit fly.

The troopers let out a collective sigh of relief for not getting in trouble with the general and Kunsel pulled Cloud to his feet, dragging him towards the infirmary.

But Cloud couldn’t take his mind off of Sephiroth.

The more time passed, the more he felt like this place was real. And if the place was real, it meant that Sephiroth was real, too. Cloud must have gone ten years into the past, to a time before geostigma, before the meteor, before Jenova and Sephiroth losing his mind. That would mean that the man he’d just seen was not currently a threat, but it mattered little. To Cloud, it just meant that he did not yet possess Jenova’s powers.

And while Sephiroth was almost impossibly strong all by himself, beating him without Jenova’s mind control and regenerative abilities would certainly make things a lot easier.

Now that his thoughts had gone in that direction, Cloud’s mind started reeling, eagerly considering all the possibilities. Maybe if he killed Sephiroth as he was now, he wouldn’t come back. Maybe Cloud could kill him before he hurt anyone and get rid of him for good. He could save his mother, Nibelheim, Aerith, Zack, Tifa’s dad… Maybe even Denzel’s parents and everyone who would die of geostigma.

All he needed to do was kill Sephiroth.

***

After a quick doctor’s visit, Cloud was given a clean bill of health and sent on his way. He went straight to his bunk to try and get his bearings.

His body felt strange. He no longer had the enhancements he’d lived with for the past ten years. His body felt slower, weaker, shorter, too. Cloud was never tall, as Barret never failed to remind him, but at sixteen he was half a head shorter, which affected his core and balance. It felt limiting, being in his old body, which he’d long outgrown and surpassed. Now he’d need to learn to live with it again. Honing it into a proper fighting machine would take some time, probably even longer than before, since he had no enhancements helping him this time around. And he had no time to lose.

Cloud pulled up a calendar on his PHS. To his relief, it was March, which meant he had another six months until the attack on Nibelheim. That should be more than enough time to prevent it. But killing Sephiroth would not be easy. Even without Jenova’s powers, the man was nearly unstoppable, and Cloud’s sixteen-year-old self, who’d failed the SOLDIER exam and struggled in his classes, was certainly no match for him. Still, he’d killed Sephiroth three times in the past. If anyone could do it, Cloud could, so he just needed to find a way.

He tossed and turned, kicking the sheets, until, eventually, he fell into a restless sleep.

The following morning, Cloud was forced out of bed at an ungodly hour to join a roll call, then, after a quick shower and breakfast, shuffled after his comrades to attend their morning classes. It was starting to sink in that he was really here. He remembered living through all this before, but with all the events that followed, this felt like someone else’s life. It was like watching a 3D movie without the glasses — seeing two pictures, mostly the same, but never quite matching and forming a cohesive image. Like a slightly skewed version of reality where everything seemed familiar, but was different just enough to cause unease and a sense of freakish surrealism.

Cloud remembered enough about magical theory that he didn’t stand out in class like a sore thumb. It was ridiculous that they were teaching them theory and not letting them use materia in action. He supposed Shinra wanted them to know how to avoid magic and defend themselves, but weren't eager to invest millions into equipping all troopers with materia.

Cloud wondered if he could still use materia in his current state. It was safe to assume that he could, even if his body was probably very low on magic and he couldn’t cast anything advanced. He made a mental note to get ahold of a materia and test it. The ability would certainly be useful for what he was planning to do.

The afternoon classes consisted of shooting and sword practice. He used to be a great shot, but hadn’t used a gun in years and his teachers took note of his lackluster performance. With the sword, it was the opposite. He was suddenly the best in class, which earned him more than a few looks and raised eyebrows. Belatedly, he realized that maybe he should have played down his abilities.

The day passed quickly and the moment his classes for the day were done, he ran off to find a secluded spot in the Shinra complex. He got out his PHS and scrolled down to his mom’s number. 

Cloud’s finger hovered, hesitant. 

He could call her. She’d pick up. It was six months before anything bad would happen to her. He’d seen Sephiroth. He was right here in Midgar, perfectly sane, or as sane as he'd ever been, which meant that his mother was safe and sound in her home in Nibelheim.

Logically, he knew that. But a part of him was still afraid of calling and not finding her. Fearing that, if he called, everything would come crashing down like a house of cards, making him lose the people he cared about all over again.

Cloud hesitated for a few moments longer, then steeled himself, decision made. He’d never been a coward, and he wouldn’t turn into one now.

He took a deep breath and pressed the dial button.

It rang. One ring. Two.

By the third ring, Cloud’s heart was pounding. Then the call clicked, connecting.

“Hello?”

“Hi, ma,” he said, feeling blessed that he could hear her voice again after so long.

“Cloud?” she asked, sounding surprised and delighted to hear him, then immediately switched over to worry. “Is everything okay, honey? It’s unusual for you to call. Did something happen?”

“Everything’s fine, ma.”

“Really?” She sounded like she didn’t believe him. “You sound a little strange.”

“Would you believe me if I told you I just wanted to hear your voice?” 

“Now you really got me worried, because that doesn’t sound like you at all!”

Luckily, she sounded more teasing than worried, trying to lift his spirits as always. Gods, Cloud had missed her so much.  

“I’m just a little homesick, ma, but everything’s fine.”

“Oh, honey, I miss you, too! It’s too quiet here without you. But you know how proud I am of all the hard work you’re doing. I’m sure it will all be worth it.”

Cloud bit his tongue, knowing that it wouldn’t, in fact, be worth it. His education with Shinra had been completely useless to him later in life. He wished he could just ditch it all and not waste any more time, but this time around, he had more important reasons to remain, since Sephiroth was here and needed to be dealt with.

“Thanks, ma,” Cloud said instead and changed the topic. “Do you have enough money? I could send you some.”

“I’m good. Don’t worry about me. Use your hard-earned money to have some fun. Experience what a big city like Midgar has to offer. Find a girl and treat her to something nice.”

Whenever she said things like that, it made Cloud uncomfortable. Even at sixteen, he’d known there would never be a girl for him, as he had no interest in them. He hadn't had a chance to tell her before, as she was taken from him before he was ready to put a name to what he felt. Maybe this time he could… But not now. He was talking to his mother for the first time years and the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint her. He knew she loved him and would always support him, but there was always that deep-seated, perhaps irrational fear of making her sad and disappointed. That’s why he’d kept quiet before and allowed her to continue to think that, one day, he’d bring home a girl — an older, more mature girl that could keep him on the straight and narrow. Even now, ten years later, those words echoed in his mind.

“I should go now,” he said, ending the call before his thoughts could turn sullen. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Talk to you soon, honey. I’m so proud of you, never forget that.”

The words got him choked up; he hung up without saying anything more. Cloud rubbed his eyes in frustration, his fingers coming off wet. He brushed away the tears angrily, annoyed with himself for crying. He couldn’t even explain why — it’s not like he was sad. There were too many emotions inside him, overwhelming him. Happiness and relief for being able to talk to his mother, but there was also guilt about lying, or at least not being fully honest with her, and fear of one day hurting and disappointing her. 

But things would be different this time, they had to be. First, he’d save her and then everything else would fall into place.

***

The next few days were a whirlwind of classes and weapons practice. Cloud was starting to settle back into a routine that used to be so familiar to him as a cadet. And at night, he spent hours staring at the ceiling, trying to come up with ways to kill Sephiroth. He needed a fool-proof method, ideally one that couldn’t be traced back to him. A subtle method, quick enough to take down Sephiroth without giving him a chance to find out and evade it.

Needless to say, the planning was not going well, because meeting all those requirements seemed impossible.

On the fifth day of being back, Cloud unexpectedly came across Zack in the cafeteria.

“Spike!” the man called out with a little wave and a huge smile on his face.

Suddenly seeing Zack again made a lump lodge in Cloud’s throat and before he even realized what he was doing, he strode across the hall.

Despite Cloud’s dislike of physical contact, his arms itched to hold him, to confirm the man was solid and real. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around Zack, who, to his credit, only froze for about a second before returning the hug and crushing Cloud for all he was worth.

“Did something happen while I was away? Not that I mind. I’m always up for hugs!”

 “Nah, it's just too quiet here without your constant talking. I guess I learned to appreciate you more,” he teased, moving away.

 “You always say such sweet things,” Zack said in a mock-offended tone, but he was smiling.

Stepping back into their playful bantering was like coming home. He’d missed it a lot. He’d missed Zack a whole lot.

“Well, now that I’m back, I’ll make sure to tell you aaall about my mission, since you seem so interested.”

“Sounds good,” Cloud laughed. “Are you busy tonight? It’d be nice to order takeout and hang for a while.”

“Sure thing, I’m free.” Zack sounded a bit taken aback, though, and Cloud understood why. Usually, Cloud was never the one to suggest meeting up. Being an introvert, it was always up to Zack to drag him out of his shell and practically force him to spend time with him. So, for Cloud to suggest it himself was very unusual. But, as with everything, Zack just took it in stride. “Is seven good for you?”

“Seven sounds great. I’ll see you then.”

***

Cloud spent the next few days in much the same way. He attended classes, practiced his swordsmanship and tried to relearn how to be a good marksman. His nights were spent relaxing and watching awful, corny movies with Zack, laughing and truly enjoying himself for the first time in as long as he could remember.

He knew time was short and that he was supposed to be making plans, but by gods, he just needed some time to forget all about the Lifestream and the bad things looming over him and simply enjoy himself for a few days. After everything he’d lived through, he believed he’d deserved it and then some.

But things rarely went the way Cloud wanted them to, so he should have known it couldn’t last.

A few days later, he showed up at Zack’s door and rang the bell as usual. The door took a little longer to open and then a slightly disheveled looking Zack ushered him in, complaining about exploding popcorn, a terrible mess all over his kitchen floor and needing to make a new batch. He pushed Cloud towards the living room, talking a mile a minute, and before Cloud knew it, he was left by the living room door, while Zack hopped over to the kitchen to deal with whatever supposed catastrophe he had going on there. Cloud chuckled and shook his head.

“Hello.”

Cloud’s blood ran cold, his head snapping towards the sound. Zack's armchair was currently occupied by none other than the silver-haired general himself. Cloud’s good mood instantly evaporated.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered Zack and Sephiroth being friends. Sephiroth being here was probably not unusual, but a completely unreasonable, overprotective side of Cloud wanted to throw him out and demand he never approach Zack again.

Seconds ticked by, the situation growing more awkward with each passing one. At long last, Cloud forced himself to grind out, “Hello,” followed by, “Sir,” a few seconds too late.

Sephiroth gave him an odd look. He was used to people fearing him and being awkward around him, but Cloud’s tone was probably a touch too hostile to pass as either of those emotions. Not that Cloud cared. He wasn’t here to make nice with Sephiroth, of all people.

The man’s assessing gaze lingered on Cloud for a few more moments before turning away. Apparently, he’d decided to ignore him in favor of… Cloud blinked at the sight before him. Sephiroth was scrolling through the list of Zack’s crappy movies, trying to pick one to watch. The entire scene looked surreal. Seeing the Calamity’s Son, the man who’d killed and destroyed everything Cloud held dear, sitting casually on an armchair, in a t-shirt and sweatpants, one socked foot folded beneath him, the very picture of relaxation, choosing the night’s entertainment was almost too much for Cloud’s brain to take. So he mumbled something about going to help Zack and fled towards the kitchen.

“I thought it was going to be just the two of us.” Cloud couldn’t help how accusatory he sounded.

“Wanna keep me all to yourself?” Zack joked, then explained, “Seph had a really bad day. They lost some people on his mission. He doesn’t really show it, but losing troopers always hits hard, so I wasn’t gonna let him be alone tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”

Cloud opened his mouth, ready to say that he did in fact mind, but then he closed it. Saying something like that would just make him sound like an asshole, especially since he couldn’t explain why he had an issue with Sephiroth to begin with. For all anyone knew, the man was a paragon of virtue. A hero among heroes. So Cloud just shook his head, making Zack think it was fine.

“Besides, I’ve been looking for a chance to introduce the two of you for ages. I seem to remember a certain someone idolizing our beloved general to the point of obsession,” he teased, elbowing Cloud in the ribs playfully, as if there was any doubt who he was talking about. Cloud blushed.

“That was ages ago!” Even Cloud could hear the sulkiness in his own voice. He wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole. The feeling intensified when Zack burst out laughing. How rude.

“I saw you mooning over his photos on your PHS barely a month ago. This is your chance to make googly eyes at him in person, don’t waste it. And don’t say I’ve never done anything for you!”

Cloud felt his face burning, stunned speechless. He couldn’t even deny it. That sounded like something his sixteen-year-old self would do. But he’d changed so much since then! The last thing he wanted now was to be in the same room with Sephiroth, much less try to engage him in conversation or act civil. Tonight was going to be a nightmare.

Cloud was snapped out of his thoughts as Zack threw his dishrag into the sink, grabbed an enormous bowl of popcorn and ordered him to follow him. By the time they reached the living room, Sephiroth had settled on a movie. It was some foreign language art-house production and Cloud wanted to groan out loud. Of course he’d have pretentious taste in movies. But Zack didn’t complain, so Cloud kept his mouth shut. He was sure he wouldn’t be able to focus on the movie anyway, not with Sephiroth in the room.

They settled in and Sephiroth pressed play. About ten minutes in, Zack started making observations, occasionally making fun of certain plot points and directorial decisions. Cloud expected Sephiroth to tell him to shut up, or ignore him, but the man actually chuckled, rolling his eyes at Zack’s antics. And while he didn’t join in the dissing, he clearly didn’t mind it, giving Zack a fond look when he went on an especially long-winded and exaggerated tirade.

This man was completely unlike anything Cloud knew about Sephiroth. He’d spent years facing against him, chasing him around the world and even had him in his damn head, but he’d never seen this version of him. A generous part of him whispered that perhaps this was the true Sephiroth, the man he was before he was manipulated and twisted by Jenova, but Cloud quickly crushed it. It didn’t matter. Sephiroth had to pay. He had to die.

Throughout the movie, Cloud kept watching Sephiroth, assessing his every move. He was barely even aware of the movie playing in the background. He was so unsubtle about it that eventually Sephiroth looked at him dead on, raising one delicate eyebrow questioningly. Cloud blushed at being caught, properly shamed, and looked away. After that, he at least tried not to stare. Mostly, he still failed, and continued to watch the man anyway.

In the end, the evening was pretty uneventful. It was not as if Cloud had expected Sephiroth to suddenly call Masamune and go on a murderous rampage, but the entire time he waited for something to happen, even if he himself did not know what. But nothing did.

When the movie ended, Sephiroth stood, stretched out his long legs, thanked Zack for inviting him over and wished them both a good night before going back to his room. As the door clicked behind him, Cloud could finally breathe again.

Now that he was finally relaxing, tension slowly leaving his body, a sudden blow to his arm came as an even bigger shock. It made him jerk away, but it was only Zack.

“Damn it, Spike, I told you not to waste this chance! I get that you are shy or whatever, but you didn’t even say a single word to him,” Zack whined. “I have no idea when I’ll get him to agree to something like this again.”

“It’s fine, Zack. You don’t need to play matchmaker. I don’t think he and I are meant to be friends.”

“Says who? I know you have self-esteem issues, but Seph doesn’t judge people like that! If he likes you, you can totally be friends! And why wouldn’t he like you? You’re great! I like you, and I’m a great judge of character!”

That brought a smile to Cloud’s face. “Thanks, Zack.”

“Just… Next time, try not to do sit there like a mannequin and you’ll be fine.”

Cloud flinched at his choice of words, he couldn’t help it. Zack couldn’t have known, of course, but calling him a mannequin reminded Cloud of being a puppet and that, especially in any context relating to Sephiroth, was not something he wanted to think about. He told himself that Sephiroth had no way of controlling him anymore, since Cloud's current body didn't have S-cells. It helped him relax, but it also served as a reminder that Sephiroth still needed to be dealt with before it was too late.

***

After a few more days of trying to come up with a plan to kill Sephiroth, Cloud was at wit’s end. His biggest problem was that such a plan required subterfuge, and that wasn’t something he was good at. It wasn’t his style. No matter the enemy, Cloud was used to facing them head on and fighting with all his might until he brought them down.

So this posed a problem.

He thought about Yuffie’s countless stories of her life as a ninja. She mentioned assassinating leaders, taking down whole army squadrons with some well-placed poison and creating chaos with Berserk materia. Knowing Yuffie, many of those were probably exaggerated, if not outright lies, but Cloud still racked his brain, trying to come up with anything useful.

And then it came to him.

He remembered Yuffie telling him about an exceptionally powerful brand of poison that could take out a large Behemoth with only a few drops. Cloud remembered this particular story because she went on and on about how hard it was to find this poison in Wutai, because the plant used to make it only grew around Midgar — which suited Cloud perfectly. It was unusual for anything to grow in and around Midgar, because of all the pollution, but Cloud thought it was strangely fitting that one of the most toxic plants would grow here, for that exact reason.

Yuffie said the powder was odorless and easy to mix into tea or coffee, because it was heat resistant. It wouldn't lose its potency when added to boiling water. Of course, after all this time, Cloud could not remember the name of the plant, but he was confident he could find it. He knew enough to search for it.

His first instinct was to grab his PHS and run a search, but then he paused. Having the name of the poison that killed Sephiroth in his search history might not be such a good idea. It would undoubtedly make him the prime suspect. So he made a beeline for the library instead, checking out several books on botany and plants.

Four hours of reading the driest, most boring texts later, he had a name. Now all he needed was to get the plant.

The following day was Sunday, which meant no classes. It was perfect for Cloud to put his plan into action.

He took a train to the slums, disembarking at Sector 5, and headed for the wilderness from there. Moving away from the city, he came across a few monsters, but he made quick work of them. There was nothing here that posed a challenge for him, even in his unenhanced, younger body.

The books helped steer him in the right direction and, in less than an hour, he was clutching several handfuls of poisonous leaves. All he needed to do now was to dry them and grind them into powder. It would take some time, but for now, everything was going smoothly.

He headed back towards the station, making double time now that the roads were clear of monsters.

Cloud stood at the train station, fiddling with the satchel that contained his prized possession, when a friendly female voice called out to him.

“You’re Cloud, right?”

He lifted his gaze and met curious green eyes looking back at him. His breath caught.

“Aerith,” he choked out without thinking, forgetting that he wasn’t supposed to know her name.

“Yep, that’s me. And I guess you must be Cloud, then.”

“I am,” he nodded.

“We should talk. There’s a church…”

Before she could finish, he interrupted with, “I know.”

She nodded, unsurprised that he knew any of that.

“Let’s go then.”

She moved without waiting for him to reply, and he followed. They didn’t speak until they reached the church. Aerith pushed the heavy doors open and Cloud followed inside. The place looked quite different from what he remembered. There was no hole in the roof, for one thing. Cloud realized it meant that Aerith and Zack hadn’t met yet and he felt inexplicably guilty. Maybe he was changing things too much. He was not supposed to meet her this early. Then again, he was not supposed to meet Sephiroth either, not until their mission to Nibelheim. He wanted to erase the horrible events that were about to happen, but he didn’t like the idea of changing anything else. Zack and Aerith were perfect for each other, and he didn’t want to mess that up.

“I have memories of you,” Aerith said out of the blue, startling him out of his thoughts.

“What?”

“I have fragments of memories of things that never happened, of friends I never met. Memories of travels and fighting to save the world. You’re in many of them. I thought they were just dreams, but then I saw you there at the station and realized it was all real.”

She was looking at Cloud as if waiting for some confirmation, but he stayed quiet.

“Also, you knew me.”

He looked away, but nodded reluctantly.

“You know, ever since I was little, I could hear the Planet speaking to me, inside my head. I’m not crazy or anything,” she hurried to add.

“I know.”

“Anyway, the Planet told me you’d come. Though, to be honest, I didn’t fully trust the voice, not until today. I did wonder if I was a little crazy, imagining things.”

“You’re not crazy, Aerith. I know the Planet speaks to you.”

The girl beamed. “That’s good to know. And it’s good that you know.” She giggled to herself before sobering up and looking at him seriously. “The Planet also told me what you’re planning to do.”

Cloud was confused for a moment, before he understood what she meant. He clutched his satchel against himself.

“Oh? And what did the Planet say?”

Aerith looked at the item Cloud was holding before pinning him under a measuring look, containing wisdom far beyond her years.

“She says you’re going to destroy the Calamity. She’s very pleased.”

Cloud let out a sigh of relief. He’d worried the Planet would be against his plan.

“I don’t know how much you’ve seen of the future, but I’m going to fix things, Aerith. I’m going to make everything better.”

He reached out to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Is this about the man with long silver hair I kept seeing in my memories? He seemed to play an important part in what happened.”

“Yes. It was all his fault. And with him gone, everything will be fixed.”

Aerith hummed, as if considering, and stepped away from Cloud, walking towards the altar, with her hands clasped behind her back.

“You don’t agree?” he asked, and he couldn’t quite keep the edge out of his tone.

“I don’t agree. I don’t disagree, either. I don’t know enough to have an informed opinion. But!” she pointed her index finger at Cloud, “I simply don’t think that murder ever should be the first choice. If all else fails, then maybe. But it seems to me like you decided to kill that man before he’s even done anything wrong.”

The accusation ran deep, especially since, on a certain level, Cloud could see the truth in it, but he wasn’t in the place to hear it.

“You’re right, you’re not in the position to make an informed opinion. You have no idea what he’s done and how many people he’s killed.”

“From what I understand, he hasn’t killed anyone yet,” she paused, considering. “Well, I suppose he did, in battle. He was in a war, after all, but you know what I mean.”

Cloud ran his fingers through his fair and sighed in frustration.

“I don’t want to argue with you, Aerith. The Planet sent me back in time for a reason and this is it. I need to deal with him. You said yourself that the Planet is pleased with my plan.”

She nodded reluctantly.

“It is, but Cloud, you need to remember that the Planet, despite being the source of all life and generously giving herself to all living creatures, is still not human. She doesn’t know mercy or forgiveness. She cannot understand redemption. These are the things that make us human, and you should never lose sight of that, if you don’t want to lose yourself.”

“Don’t tell me you believe Sephiroth should get a chance at redemption?” Cloud sounded outraged by the very idea.

“I don’t know. Maybe he deserves it, maybe he doesn’t. I’ve never even met the man. But what gives you the right to decide that he doesn’t? Are you a god?”

Cloud physically took a step back, as if slapped. He blamed Sephiroth for his pretension to godhood and here he was, making decisions about someone’s life and death, acting like one himself.

“I should go,” he said, instead of admitting any of his thoughts out loud.

Cloud suddenly really didn’t want to be here. He was glad to see Aerith alive, but this conversation left a bitter taste in his mouth and presented him with all the problems he didn’t want to face. He finally had his poisonous plant, his plan was well on the way, and it was too late to turn back now. In a few days, Sephiroth would be dead and they would all be able to move on and forget he ever existed.

“Alright,” Aerith said amicably, almost knowingly. “Don’t forget what I said, though.”

He couldn’t get away fast enough, walking as briskly as he could without breaking into a run.

A week later, the leaves were dried and ground into a fine powder. Cloud had tried to sniff it, careful not to inhale any of it, and true to Yuffie’s word, it had no odor. Cloud felt good about his chances. Sephiroth was a trained fighter, nearly invincible in battle, but he wasn’t immortal and even he couldn’t survive a poison this potent. Or so Cloud hoped.

While waiting for the poison to be ready, Cloud had worked out the best way to administer it.

Sephiroth seemed to be a creature of habit, and with very little digging (namely, grilling Zack for information), Cloud discovered his daily routine. The part relevant to Cloud’s plan was that Sephiroth drank coffee in his office every morning. He used a separate coffee machine from everyone else, because he drank a particularly strong blend that unenhanced stomachs couldn’t digest. Cloud was relieved by this information, because it meant there was no risk of anyone else getting poisoned by mistake.

That still left the problem of gaining access to the coffee machine, since it was inside the general’s office, but even with that, Cloud had things working in his favor. Namely, the entire building was covered by cameras, apart from that office. The man was a paranoid bastard and didn’t want anyone filming him. A part of Cloud believed this was due to Sephiroth’s deep-rooted childhood trauma of being under constant surveillance in the labs and having official photographers and fans alike chasing him with flashing cameras into adulthood, but he refused to have any sympathy for the man. Either way, this gave him a chance to cover his tracks and leave no evidence behind.

Sephiroth had left on a mission two days prior and Cloud had it on good authority (Zack, of course) that he wasn’t due back until tomorrow evening. It presented Cloud with the perfect opportunity to go in and poison his coffee.

He spent most of the day revisiting his conversation with Aerith, mulling over her words, but he refused to be deterred. He had to do this. It was the only way.

The final key to his plan was an Ice materia, which he’d “borrowed” from Zack the day before. If all went well, he’d return it tomorrow, with Zack being none the wiser. No one expected him to be able to use a materia anyway, since that wasn’t something cadets were taught.  

After the roll call, Cloud made sure everyone saw him get to his bunk just before lights out. He waited until the room got filled with soft (and not so soft) snores. When he was certain everyone else was asleep, he snuck out of bed, grabbed everything he needed and tiptoed out of the room.

He headed for the toilet, but just before reaching it, when he was in a camera blind spot, he changed directions and opened the emergency stairs door. The stairs weren’t covered by cameras, which was a ridiculous omission in Cloud’s opinion. It probably never even occurred to Shinra that someone could attack them from the inside like this. All the cameras across the building served more as a deterrent, to prevent people from slacking off or stealing office supplies, rather than Shinra worrying about something more serious.

Cloud took two stairs at a time, eager to get this over with and return to his bunk.

He was a little winded when he reached his goal — the 66th floor. Sephiroth’s office was right across from him, but there was a camera between him and the door. He needed to deal with it before he could move.
Cloud must not be seen here, not tonight.

He took out the materia. His palms were sweaty. This was the moment of truth. He hadn’t tested it, but he was sure he could still use it. All he needed was the weakest Blizzard anyway, just enough to freeze the camera lens and make the recording useless. He could do this.

He wiped his palms on his trousers and slotted the materia into his bracelet. It was the most basic, standard issue Shinra leather bracelet. He took that one from Zack as well, but he was sure the man wouldn’t notice since he had far better equipment now.

Cloud reached for the magic inside of him. For a moment, nothing happened. He tried again and saw the materia light up, growing cold against his wrist. He aimed at the camera across the hall and cast. Amazingly, it worked!

He felt drained, his current body unused to the effects of magic, but he pressed on. He rushed along the hallway and opened the door to Sephiroth’s office. Thankfully, it was unlocked. Being as strong as he was made Sephiroth feel invincible, not fearing anyone, which left him complacent and in turn made him vulnerable. Cloud would not waste this chance.

He put on gloves, so there was no risk of him leaving any fingerprints. He opened the door and headed straight for the coffee machine. There was a can of ground coffee next to it and Cloud opened it. He poured the contents of his box into it and used a finger to mix the powders. The colors were slightly mismatched, but after mixing them, it was barely noticeable. He replaced the lid and snuck out the way he came. He wished he could remove the ice from the camera, but he didn’t have a Fire (and he was too drained to cast it, even if he did). All he could do was rely on the fact that it was a warm day, and hope it would melt before anyone noticed and raised an alarm.

Cloud rushed to the stairs, all but running back, not stopping until he was safely beneath his covers.

He lay awake that night, unable to sleep. He told himself it was the excitement. After all, he was about to get rid of Sephiroth once and for all.

***

The following day, Cloud saw Sephiroth in the distance. So, the man was back.

That meant there was just tonight and then…

He’ll make coffee in the morning.

Not long now.

***

After a fitful sleep, Cloud woke up and headed for his classes. He couldn’t focus on anything, making multiple mistakes and getting scolded for it. But none of it mattered. He kept waiting for the sound system to announce the death of their general.

As the day progressed, his tension grew.

There was no announcement.

Did they decide to cover up Sephiroth’s death? He wouldn’t put it past Shinra to do just that.

Did the bastard pick today of all days to change his routine and skip coffee?

Did Jenova’s cells make him immune to poison?

Did he refuse to die just to spite Cloud?

By the afternoon, Cloud’s stomach was in knots and he felt a migraine pounding behind his eyes, growing in intensity.

A call on his PHS startled him so much, he nearly jumped out of his skin. It was only Zack.

“Hi, Zack.”

“Hey, Spike! Are you free tonight?”

Cloud really didn’t feel like company, but it was Zack and he didn’t want to refuse him. With some reluctance, he agreed to go to Zack’s at eight that night.

The rest of the day passed in a daze and before he knew it, he was standing in front of Zack’s door, ringing the bell. He waited and waited, but the door remained closed. Cloud felt his frustration rising and decided to call Zack to see what was up. Before he could get a word in, the man started apologizing.

“Spike! I’m sooo sorry! I got held up on the way home. I saw this sweet old lady getting mugged, so of course I got involved! I stopped the robbery, but now I have to stay here until the police can take my statement. They’re holding me here like I’m the criminal,” he whined loudly, making sure the officers heard just how unhappy he was about the situation.

“It’s fine Zack. We can just meet up on another night.”

“What?! No way! I’ll be back before you know it! The door is open, so just let yourself in.”

“Zack, it’s really—”

“Nooo, Cloudy, come on! I’m already having a shitty night, please don’t make it worse.”

There was really no arguing with Zack when he got like this. If he left now, Cloud would have to deal with his sulking for the better part of the next week, so with a mighty sigh, he reached for the door and let himself in.

“Fine, fine, I’m going in. I’ll be waiting, but hurry up and get your ass here.”

“Yessir!” Zack laughed and hung up.

Why the hell did Zack leave his door unlocked, anyway, Cloud wondered as he walked in. It was certainly strange, but Cloud learned long ago not to question Zack’s behavior.

He pressed the light switch and nothing happened, making him heave another sigh. Nothing was going his way today. What else could go wrong? Cloud headed for the living room, slowly making his way along the wall in the dark.

Once there, he reached for the living room light switch, but before he could press it, he felt something cold and sharp settle against his neck.

Cloud swallowed, the blade pressing into his skin, but not enough to draw blood.

He turned around. Even in the dark he could see two glowing, slitted mako-green eyes glaring at him with palpable hatred he hadn’t known since a lifetime ago.

“Who the hell are you?” Sephiroth demanded.

Cloud couldn’t breathe.

Chapter Text

On the morning after he’d returned from his mission, Sephiroth stepped out of the elevator, taking long strides towards his office. He nodded good morning to the people he passed in the hallway, not stopping to talk. Despite what others may think, he was not a morning person and his immediate associates knew it. No one was to talk to him until he’d had his morning coffee.

Still, he was in a rather good mood this morning. The mission had been a resounding success; without losses on their side, they’d managed to recover the valuable confidential data that had been stolen before it was compromised and Sephiroth felt very pleased with himself. He still needed to finish up some reports, but his schedule was pretty light for the day, compared to most days, and he intended to reward himself by taking things easy for a change.

Sephiroth stepped into his office, closing the door behind him. He made a beeline for the coffee machine, still only partially awake. Gods, he loved the smell of coffee. Opening the coffee box, he took a long sniff, as he did every morning… and frowned. Something was off. He checked again. Yes, something was definitely not right. It was very subtle, but it smelled rotten and musty. Maybe the coffee had gone stale? But that shouldn’t be possible; it was a fresh packet he’d opened only a week ago.

Sephiroth looked inside the box and noticed that there was something wrong with the color, too. Some grains were lighter than others. His frown deepened. He took some powder and rubbed it between his fingers. The texture was strange too. Some grains felt coarse, while others were almost too fine. As if there were two powders, ground at different sizes, mixed together.

He wiped the powder off on his coat and opened the drawer beneath the coffee machine. There was a brand new, unopened bag of coffee inside. He popped it open, checking the smell and, sure enough, it was completely different. That was the smell he knew and expected.

Sephiroth glared at the coffee box, trying to understand what could have happened, but his brain was just too damn slow without his coffee, so first things first — he took a bunch of powder from his newly opened bag and popped it into the machine, getting started on his morning brew. He paced around the room as he waited for it to be ready, trying to convince himself not to jump to conclusions. Zack always told him he was too damn paranoid for his own good. This had to be one of those situations… It had to be.

But half an hour later, his coffee cup more than half empty, the whole situation still seemed too suspicious.

Luckily, for someone in Sephiroth’s position, it was easy enough to check. He turned on his computer and brought up the security feeds. Being a general had its perks, and having access to all security cameras was one of them. He sipped his coffee while skimming through the footage caught by the camera in front of his office on the night before. There was nothing out of the ordinary, so he relaxed a little. Just to be safe, he decided to play the recording from the night before as well. At first, everything appeared normal there too, but then, around midnight, the recording suddenly glazed over. Sephiroth sat up in his seat, looking closer. It seemed like the camera was recording through some filter, or crystal, or… ice.

Deciding that this had to be investigated further, Sephiroth rose to his feet, grabbed the coffee box containing the suspicious power and headed for the labs. It didn’t take much to enlist the help of lab technicians. He didn’t even have to explain what he needed the analysis for. No one wanted to get on the general’s bad side. He just demanded a full toxicology report as soon as possible and they promised to have it ready in a few hours.

In the meantime, Sephiroth returned to his office carrying a ladder, deciding to take a closer look at the surveillance camera. As he expected, there were characteristic signs of water damage consistent with the use of Ice materia. Freezing and unfreezing electric equipment often caused it to short circuit, but even when it didn’t, the damage to the outer plastic was unmistakable.

He tried not to jump to conclusions, he really did. But every instinct he had told him this was a planned attempt on his life.

Sephiroth’s whole life was made of battles and constantly putting himself in life-or-death situations, yet this was a first. No one had ever had the gall to try to kill him inside the Shinra Tower, in his own office. Of course, without the toxicology report, he couldn’t be certain that it was an assassination attempt, but with everything he’d discovered so far, it was a reasonable assumption. There was no other reason for someone to go to such lengths to cover up their tracks.

He returned to his desk and sat, deep in thought. Who could have done this? There were plenty of people who’d want to, no doubt about it, but who’d have the means and the opportunity?

Unbidden, a memory of bright blue eyes burning with anger and barely concealed hatred came to him.

Zack’s friend.

Sephiroth had many enemies, but no one had looked at him with such hatred before, at least not without trying to run him through with a sword right after.

It was a gut feeling, nothing more, but somehow Sephiroth was certain he was the one who did it. Still, if he were to do anything about it, he needed proof. What was the young man’s name again? Strife, that’s right. Sephiroth didn’t know his first name.

He loaded up personnel files on his computer, and luckily, there was only one person with the last name Strife. Sephiroth looked through his file, finding nothing out of the ordinary. No apparent reason for the boy to seek revenge against him.

Strife was raised by a single mother, so maybe this had something to do with his father? Was Sephiroth responsible for the man’s death? It would explain the boy wanting to kill him. Other than that, he was an average cadet in every way. Not excelling, but not failing any of his classes. He did fail the SOLDIER exam, though, more than once. Maybe that caused him to hold a grudge? It was all just conjecture, guesswork. He had no way of knowing, unless he confronted the boy and asked. And he planned to do just that. But first, he needed more proof.

He found where Strife’s dormitory was and loaded up the feed from the nearest camera from two nights ago.

Sure enough, around eleven thirty, he saw a short blond figure walking down the hall, towards the restrooms. Nothing damning in itself. He sped up the recording, waiting for the boy to reappear, but there was nothing. It took over forty-five minutes for him to return and, unless he had the worst case of stomach flu, there was no way he’d spent that long in the bathroom.

Sephiroth tried to visualize the hallway in his mind, trying to remember if there was any part of it not covered by the camera, and that’s when it hit him. The stairs! The door to the emergency stairs, which would allow Strife to reach Sephiroth’s office, was right there, next to the restrooms.

That was all the proof Sephiroth needed.

***

He spent the rest of the afternoon trying to focus on his work — writing reports and signing off on some provision requests, but his eyes kept drifting to his PHS, waiting for a call from the labs.

Finally, it rang.

“General,” came the voice from the other end, slightly trembling. The man was afraid.

“Doctor Tanaka. Do you have the results for me?”

“I do, General. I’ve emailed the full report to you, but I thought I should call and inform you personally, because…” The doctor trailed off and asked, almost in a whisper, “Was this your coffee?”

“The results, doctor. What was so important that you felt you needed to inform me yourself?” Sephiroth ignored the question and demanded coldly.

“Right, yes. The results.”

There was some shuffling on the other end. He heard the doctor flipping through some papers.

“The coffee was poisoned. The perpetrator used an extremely potent and rare brand of poison. I doubt that even you could have resisted it, if you’d ingested it.”

Sephiroth closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath.

“Thank you, Doctor Tanaka.”

“We should notify the President, or Professor Hojo, at least. This is a very serious situation, they should—”

“Thank you, Doctor. I’d appreciate your discretion in this matter. Leave it to me.”

Sephiroth hung up without waiting for a reply.

Without even looking at the full report, he was on his feet, reaching for Masamune. It took everything in him not to storm down to find Strife, pull his sword on the boy and demand an explanation. He needed a plan.

And then it landed in his lap, courtesy of one Coronel Fair. Sephiroth picked up his PHS, which wouldn’t stop ringing.

“Seph! I need your help!”

“Zack, today’s really not—”

“No no no, no way! Just listen! It’s nothing big, and I’d really owe you!”

Sephiroth huffed under his breath, but allowed him to continue.

“I need to meet Cloud at my apartment in fifteen minutes, but I can’t make it. You wouldn’t believe the night I’m having! I stopped a robbery and now they’re calling me a witness and holding me here like a prisoner! They should reward me instead of ruining my night!”

But Sephiroth was barely listening. All his senses focused on the mention of Cloud.

“What does this have to do with Strife?”

“What? Oh, yeah. Well, he seemed down today and I really wanted to cheer him up, y’know? But Cloud being Cloud, if I’m not there when he arrives, he’s just gonna go back to bed. So, I need you to get to my apartment and wait for him there. There’s a key beneath the doormat, you can let yourself in. It’ll be a surprise, I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you!”

“I’m sure,” Sephiroth deadpanned.

He briefly wondered if Zack was aware of what Strife had done, but then dismissed it. Zack was a terrible liar, with no guile whatsoever. If he knew, there was no way he’d be talking to Sephiroth the way he was, much less trying to get him and Strife in the same room.

“So, you’ll do it?” Zack sounded hopeful, a smile sneaking into his voice.

“I will. But you’ll owe me.”

“Yesss! You’re the best, Seph! I’ll grab you that fancy beer you like on the way back.”

They cut the call and Sephiroth checked the time. Ten more minutes. Just enough time to get there before the boy. He tightened the grip on his sword and headed for the elevator.

He reached Zack’s apartment in no time and found the key under the doormat, exactly where he was told it would be. Once inside, Sephiroth unscrewed the light bulb in the entryway. He could see in the dark and wanted to give himself the advantage. Not that he couldn’t take down Strife in a direct fight, but he didn’t want to start one in Zack’s apartment, so he wanted to catch him unawares.

All he had to do now was wait. He went into the living room and leaned against the wall, arms crossed across his chest, his trusted sword clutched firmly in his left hand, tip pointing to the floor.

It didn’t take long before Sephiroth heard a commotion on the other side of the door. The boy was punctual, at least.

Strife was arguing with Zack about leaving, but in the end, he relented and stayed. Sephiroth hoped Zack hadn’t mentioned him and ruined his ambush. But Zack wanting his presence to be a surprise worked in his favor. And what a surprise this will be. Not the kind Zack wanted, but certainly a surprise.

He heard Strife press the light switch and sigh when it failed to turn on. The boy stumbled closer and Sephiroth readied himself. Just as he was about to turn on the lights in the living room, Sephiroth aimed his sword and pressed it expertly against the boy’s windpipe. He saw blue eyes widen in shock when they settled on him.

“Who the hell are you?” Sephiroth demanded in a low growl.

***

Cloud’s mind was reeling. This was the worst-case scenario. One that he, frankly, hadn’t even considered.

There was always the possibility that he’d fail to kill Sephiroth, but he didn’t expect to be found out so easily. Apparently, he’d underestimated the man.

Either that, or he’d greatly overestimated his own stealth abilities.

“Speak! Who do you work for?”

“No one.”

“Who sent you?”

“I told you. No one.”

“Are you a Wutaian spy?”

An incredulous huff of laughter escaped Cloud before he could stop it.

“Do I look Wutaian to you?”

Sephiroth glared and pressed the blade more firmly against Cloud’s throat.

“All the more reason for them to enlist you as a spy.”

“I’m not a damn spy!”

“So, it was a personal vendetta, then?”

Cloud kept his mouth shut and Sephiroth pressed on.

“You wanted to take your revenge against me. Tell me why.” When Cloud stayed silent, he questioned further. “Did you lose someone in the war? In a reactor explosion?” He carefully watched Cloud’s face for even a smallest reaction to his questions, trying to discern the truth. But the boy's face gave nothing away. And, Sephiroth was surprised to note, there was a distinct lack of fear in his expression.

“If someone wants me dead, I demand to know my supposed offence.”

Cloud glared in Sephiroth's general direction, unable to pinpoint him precisely in the dark, and spat, “You’re a murderer.”

“People die in wars, cadet. Surely, this isn't news to you?”

“You’ve killed innocent people!”

Sephiroth paused, considering. He remembered the things he'd read in Strife's file and decided to test his theory. “Am I somehow responsible for your father’s death?”

“My father?” Cloud sounded completely taken aback. “What does my father have to do with anything? No, you killed my mother, you bastard! You killed Ae—” he cut himself off, his breathing ragged. “You destroyed everything I’ve ever cared about!”

Sephiroth frowned. There was no mention in the boy’s file about his mother being dead. He’ll need to correct that. But more importantly, the accusation made no sense. He hadn’t been that far north in years and even then, he hadn’t left Hojo’s labs. Moreover, he had no memory of hurting a civilian woman that resembled Strife. Unless he actually was part Wutaian, which Sephiroth doubted, there was no way he could have killed the boy’s mother. Even with all the people he’d killed, civilian deaths stuck with him, the faces often haunting him. What the boy was saying simply didn’t add up.

“When did this happen?”

“Why?” Cloud sounded guarded.

“Because I don’t remember such a thing happening.”

Cloud scoffed. “As if you’d remember every woman you’ve killed.”

“I do.”

The words sounded so solemn, so final, that Cloud was momentarily stunned speechless. He opened his mouth to say something more, when the front door slammed open and Zack burst into the apartment.

Sephiroth immediately withdrew his sword and used his other hand to shove Cloud’s shoulder, pushing him away and creating some distance between them. The tension was still palpable.

“What the hell? Why is it so dark in here?”

There was the sound of Zack flicking the switch, but the light didn’t come on. Sephiroth reached over and turned on the light in the living room.

“There you are! Wait, why were you two in the dark?” Zack looked between them, picking up on the tension and Cloud’s slightly disheveled look. His lips curled into a smirk. “Did I just walk in on something?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Sephiroth frowned in confusion, while Cloud gave a resounding, “No!”

Eyes widening, finally catching Zack’s meaning, Sephiroth added a “No” of his own, glaring at the man. But Zack would not be dissuaded. He laughed and waved his hand dismissively. “Sure, sure. This was all totally normal. You two were just hanging out in the dark, as people do.”

He went into the kitchen, dropping off the grocery bags he was carrying.

“Seph, I got you that beer, as promised. But I guess you already got yourself a much better reward,” he cackled. “Thanks again for coming over!”

Alone in the room once more, Sephiroth and Cloud stood across from one another, waiting for the other to make a move. Cloud’s eyes kept straying to Sephiroth’s side, where he had Masamune leaning against the wall. He rubbed his neck absentmindedly. He could try to make a dash for the door. It seemed that Sephiroth didn’t plan on killing him with Zack there. But Zack would be suspicious if he suddenly tried to leave now.

Before he managed to make a decision, Zack returned, carrying chips and beer.

“It wouldn’t kill you two to help out, you know,” he groused and with one last look at Sephiroth, Cloud went over to help carry a couple of beers. “I love you guys, but you’re being even weirder than usual tonight. What we all need is to watch something mind-numbingly stupid. I need to make fun of an awful movie. Cloud, help me pick something?”

“Sure,” he said after a brief pause and followed Zack into the room. Cloud chose to sit in the armchair this time.

He could hear Sephiroth moving behind them. Taking a seat on the couch, the man followed Cloud’s every move. The situation was a mirror image of their previous time here, when Cloud kept looking at Sephiroth from his spot on the couch. The tension was still stifling and Cloud desperately wanted to leave.

Zack kept a near constant commentary during the movie, not seeming to care about the glacial mood or that his companions didn’t participate in the conversation. Cloud wasn’t even aware of the movie running in the background. He was worried about what would happen next. He had no way of getting out of this.

He would be dishonorably discharged, probably even arrested for attempted murder, and all he could think about was how it would bring shame to his mother. The people in town already looked down on her for being a single mother, but if her child ended up in prison, her position would get that much worse. People would shun her, call her names, making her life unbearable. And not to mention how disappointed and hurt she’d be when she found out…

Cloud picked at a loose thread on the armchair cushion in frustration. He felt like crying. His mother meant the world to him. All he wanted to do was protect her, but now he’d just made her life a living hell. And since he’d failed to kill Sephiroth, she might get killed by him in a few months, on top of everything.

Hearing Zack mention his name snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Oh, man, this guy really reminds me of Spike,” Zack chuckled, still running a commentary on the movie. Cloud looked at the screen and saw that the main character had apparently bought his mother a luxurious house. “Our Cloudy here is such a mama's boy, you have no idea, Seph. But not, like, in a weird way, he just adores his mom! Whenever he sees something it’s ‘Ma would love this,’ or ‘Gotta tell ma about that’. Just the other day, he spent an hour picking out a birthday card for her.”

“Did he, now?”

Sephiroth pinned him under his stare and Cloud’s heart pounded so hard he could hear it in his ears.

“Sure did! You should see how he is when he’s on the phone with her. He gets all boyish and cute,” Zack laughed, unaware of the bomb he’d just dropped on the room. “Aw, man, I gotta take a piss. I swear, beer just runs straight through me. Be back in a sec,” he said, putting the movie on pause and all but running out of the room.

“So you’re a liar on top of being a killer.”

“I’m not a liar!” Cloud bit out, his eyes flashing with anger.

“Unless you have another mother who died, it appears that she is very much alive.”

Cloud just continued to glare.

“You accused me of something I did not do. What would you call that if not lying?”

“It wasn’t a lie,” Cloud insisted.

“Fine, have it your way. I’ll tell the Turks I have a suspected spy and have them deal with you. Maybe they can get you to talk.”

“Wait.”

Cloud didn’t want to deal with the Turks. He wasn’t afraid of them, but them getting involved would create a hassle he’d much rather avoid.

At some point during the exchange, both of them rose to their feet and, for the second time that night, Zack came upon them facing off across the room.

“What the fuck is up with you two tonight, seriously?”

They all stood there for a couple of seconds and then Cloud shocked Sephiroth by saying, “I tried to kill Sephiroth this morning.”

Zack burst out laughing.

When he realized the other two didn’t find it funny, he paused. “Wait, for real? What the fuck, Cloud?!”

Cloud looked away.

“Why?” Zack sounded incredulous.

“That’s what I’d like to know,” Sephiroth said.

Cloud looked between the two of them, weighing his options. The fact that Sephiroth still hadn’t run him through with his sword proved that this man was different from the one he’d known for years. He could also hear Aerith’s advice echoing in his mind. Maybe he should try a different approach. Well, it’s not like he had any other choice at this point. He’d failed to kill Sephiroth and he wouldn’t get another opportunity. He was likely to get arrested and, even if he found a way out of it, Sephiroth would never drop his guard enough to give him another chance. All that remained was to try and get Sephiroth to change the future willingly… As unlikely as Cloud believed that to be.

“A little less than six months from now,” Cloud began, looking at the floor, “Sephiroth will lose his mind and murder a lot of people, my mother among them.”

Zack’s jaw all but hit the floor. “You can see the future?!”

“Not… exactly.”

“What then? Explain yourself,” Sephiroth demanded.

“I’m… from the future.”

You could hear a pin drop.

“You’re insane,” Sephiroth whispered, appalled.

Cloud let out a frustrated growl. “I knew you wouldn’t believe me! This is why I refused to tell you the truth!”

“Is there any way you can prove this?” Zack sounded uncharacteristically serious, but at least he wasn’t dismissing him outright.

Cloud thought about it.

“Most important events I could tell you about are far off into the future. They’re not something you could immediately use to verify I’m telling the truth.”

“How convenient,” Sephiroth drawled and Cloud glared at him.

“I have abilities I gained in the future that I’m not supposed to have. But I guess I could have learned them elsewhere if I really were a spy.” 

“You can use materia,” Sephiroth guessed. It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. Only low-level ones, because this body can’t handle the amounts of magic I used to have, but I can cast spells.”

“Cloud, that’s amazing!”

“Now’s not the time, Zack.”

“Ah, right. Ignore me.”

Cloud cleared his throat and carried on. “I think… I don’t know much about this, because I wasn’t involved, for the most part, but I think that Genesis will soon start to show signs of degradation. It will lead to him and Angeal both defecting.”

Sephiroth stood frozen, even more sullen than before. 

“That’s a very serious accusation, Cloud,” Zack said, frowning.

“I know it will happen, I just can’t remember when exactly. If you keep an eye on them, you'll see it happen soon.”

Sephiroth still hadn’t moved, a haunted look in his eyes. “It’s happened already.”

“What?” Two voices said in unison.

“Not all of it, but the degradation, it started. No one knows about it apart from me and Angeal.”

He looked at Cloud, sizing him up, assessing. Cloud felt like a bug under a microscope, dissected and analyzed, cut up by that piercing stare. 

“If you’re from the future, do you know how to reverse it?” Sephiroth asked, trying to sound indifferent, but there was an ever so slight tremor to his voice.

Cloud bit his lip and shook his head. “There was a way, years after Genesis succumbed. But the magic was beyond me even then, much less now.”

“I see.” Sephiroth sounded resigned.

“So you believe me?”

“I think there is a chance you’re telling the truth, yes,” Sephiroth reluctantly admitted.

“Can you tell us what will happen to Seph?” Zack asked, unmasked apprehension in his voice. He was sitting at the edge of his seat, sending worried glances at Sephiroth.

“Do you want to know?” Cloud asked Sephiroth, who’d gone tense again. It was his future, after all. He deserved to have a choice.

“…Yes.” He sounded reluctant, but his voice was firm.

“I know you spent your whole life searching for answers about your childhood, about your mother. In six months, you will find them. They are… not what you hoped for. You will find Gast’s and Hojo’s journals containing some of their hypotheses, which are wrong. But you will believe them and it will lead you on a path of destruction.”

“Stop speaking in riddles! Speak plainly. If you know about my past, tell me! What will I find? What could the damn records make me believe that would make me go out and kill people?”

Sephiroth sounded as frustrated as Cloud felt. He understood the man’s need to know the truth, but Cloud was reluctant to share it. His primary goal was to prevent Sephiroth from snapping and going crazy, so providing him with information that led to it seemed like a royally bad idea. He told him as much.

“I am not going to snap. I think I am remarkably calm, considering how my day started with my attempted murder and now here I am, talking to my would-be murderer, who is dangling the information I’ve spent my whole life trying to find right in front of me and refusing to share it. I still haven’t drawn my weapon and forced you to tell me, so I’d say I’m the very picture of patience.”

Sephiroth didn’t sound very patient, or calm, for that matter. There was an undercurrent of anger and frustration in his voice, but Cloud could understand it. He knew how desperately Sephiroth wanted to know about himself.

“Promise me you won’t do anything rash after I tell you.”

“I give you my word.”

“Alright. We should sit, this will take a while.”

***

Strife sat in the armchair and Zack and Sephiroth sat down on the couch. Zack reached over for the remote, turning off the TV and their long-forgotten movie.

“I don’t even know where to start…” the young man said. “First of all, Hojo’s lied to you your whole life. Jenova isn’t your mother.”

“What?” Sephiroth almost jumped out of his seat, but Strife put up a hand, stalling him.

“Don’t interrupt. I’ll explain everything and when I’m done, if you still have questions, you can ask them. But let me tell you everything first. There will be more shocking revelations than this one.”

Sephiroth frowned, remembering the photo Hojo had given him. The one he'd carried everywhere for years, asking everyone he met if they recognized his mother. The deception cut deep. He had so many questions about his childhood, but realizing that even the parts he thought he knew were nothing but lies disturbed him greatly. Still, he had no choice but to do this on Strife's terms, so he nodded without voicing any of his thoughts. He felt Zack place a hand on his shoulder, offering reassurance.

“As I was saying, Jenova is not your mother. Your mother’s name was Lucrecia Crescent. She was a biotechnologist working for Hojo. Before you were born, she agreed to let Hojo experiment on her fetus – on you. Later, she changed her mind, but it was too late. You were Hojo’s precious specimen and he got rid of her when she tried to take you back. For years, everyone thought she was dead, but she was actually preserved in a mako crystal, in a cave on the North Continent. Speaking of which, she should be there even now. Maybe that can prove everything I’m telling you.”

Sephiroth's hands shook. Lucrecia Crescent... A name he'd never even heard. Damn Hojo and his machinations. But this... Strife made it sound like he knew where she was. Maybe one day he could finally meet his mother, maybe...

“Jenova is actually an alien parasite with the ability to control minds. Hojo injected some of her cells into you when you were in the womb.”

Zack gasped, outraged. Sephiroth remained quiet, his eyes a whirlwind of emotions. He'd suffered countless atrocities at the hands of Hojo, but the fact that even he could go this far... The fact that he'd violated Sephiroth in the womb, before he'd even been born, made Sephiroth feel dirty in a way he could not explain.

“There are ancient Cetran texts about Jenova. They speak of her manipulating and controlling the Cetra, bringing wars and despair. But, for whatever reason, Jenova was weakened and could not control most humans. She could control you, however, thanks to the connection you had through her cells.”

Sephiroth frowned. This was deeply concerning. He'd been controlled by Hojo and Shinra his whole life, but ultimately, the choice was his. Or at least he had the illusion of one. The idea of someone taking his free will felt horribly violating. 

“A little less than six months from now, all three of us will go on a mission to Nibelheim. In my previous life, we didn’t know that Jenova’s body was there, in the mako reactor. From the moment we set foot in the town, Sephiroth started to behave erratically.”

Strife looked him in the eyes and continued, “I believe she spoke to you inside your mind. Later, when you found evidence of Hojo’s human experiments, you lost it. You locked yourself up in an old Shinra mansion, reading every old report you could find. You read that Jenova was a Cetra – which is wrong – and decided the entire world was your birthright, one which you’d reclaim.”

Strife took a deep breath. Even he seemed to have difficulty talking about whatever followed.

“I don’t know how much of what came next was your choice or if you were being manipulated by Jenova, but either way…” Strife paused and took another calming breath, “You descended into town, killing everyone in sight and burned the whole place down.”

Sephiroth pressed a hand to the left side of his face, trying to keep the images of blood and fire out of his mind. Memories of Wutai flooded him. The smell of blood and death, burning flesh. He'd done it before. Who's to say he couldn't do it again. Maybe he really was nothing more than a monster.

Strife looked at Sephiroth and found the image of him clutching his face chillingly familiar.

“Calm down!” he snapped, alarmed that he was about to start spiraling.

“Is that everything?” Zack asked.

“It’s most of it. These are the events I’m trying to prevent. If we change them, the future will change.”

“What else?” Sephiroth demanded in a gravelly voice, still covering his face.

“After you destroyed the town, Zack and I found you in the reactor. You were speaking to the creature, calling it your mother. Zack fought you, but you were too strong. Then… I took you by surprise, stabbed you from the back and threw you into the reactor.”

“So that was the end of it,” Sephiroth said, eager for this to be over. He heard more than he'd ever bargained for. 

“Not quite. I did kill you, but you kept coming back. The Lifestream wouldn’t take you, because of Jenova’s cells, and you were so determined to live that you kept finding ways to come back. I had to kill you every time.”

“And you successfully killed me every time?” Sephiroth sounded doubtful. “It must have taken a lot of poison.”

“I never used poison. I always faced you head on.” There was something like challenge in Strife's voice. 

“No offense, Spike, but even I find it hard to believe that you’d beat Seph in a fight.”

Strife nodded, “You’re right, of course. Not as I am now. But after killing Sephiroth, Hojo showed up and he was none too pleased about what we’d done, so he captured us and experimented on us for five years. Later, I learned that he injected me with some of Sephiroth’s cells, making me just as strong as him.”

Both men seemed stunned by that revelation.

“Do you have any questions?”

Sephiroth shook his head mutely.

“I have a question!” Zack raised a hand as if he were in class. “After you got Seph’s cells, was Jenova able to control you, too?”

Strife's face darkened. He seemed very reluctant to answer, for some reason. Sephiroth watched him, waiting for the answer, wondering what could possibly be so bad.

“No… I had Sephiroth’s cells, not hers.”

“Oh, that’s a relief!”

“That gave him the ability to control me instead.”

Zack’s mouth opened a few times, with no sound coming out. In the end, he simply looked away, his eyes stormy. Sephiroth suddenly stood.

“I think that’s enough for one night. I should retire.”

“Seph, wait! Maybe you shouldn’t be alone right now.”

“I need some time to myself, Zack. I need to… process this. I need to think.” He could feel Strife's eyes on him, full of desperation and doubt. It infuriated him, momentarily snapping him out of his own despairing thoughts.

“Don’t worry, I have no plans to murder anyone tonight or set the Shinra Tower on fire,” he spat bitterly.

Strife rolled his eyes and said nothing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Zack.”

And with that, Sephiroth turned and left the room.

“Shit, Spike, this is a right mess,” Zack said, running his fingers through his hair, making it even messier than usual.

“Yeah…” Cloud kept staring at the door Sephiroth had just gone through. “I hope I made the right call telling him all that.”

“I’m sure you did. Seph is not a bad guy, Cloud. You probably have a very different opinion of him, with everything that happened to you, but you said yourself that there’s a chance he was being controlled the whole time, right?”

“I know, but Zack, he was vicious. Even if Jenova was controlling him, I’m sure that a large part of that anger and cruelty came from him. There were plenty of times when he could have killed me, but he treated it like a sadistic game he took pleasure in, so he tried to prolong it for as long as he could.”

There was nothing Zack could say to that, so Cloud went on.

“Sephiroth had plenty of reasons to be angry. Hojo, that bastard, really messed him up. And I know very well how hard it is to resist a voice trying to control you from inside your own head. Jenova must have used all that rage and doubt already inside of him and turned him into a perfect monster.”

“Don’t call him that!” Zack snapped, startling him. “No human is perfect, Cloud. We all have a potential for darkness inside us. I killed a lot of people during the war, yet I’m called a hero. Why? Because I killed “enemies”, the people someone higher up decided were inconvenient for Shinra and needed to be dealt with. I’m sure the people of Wutai have a very different perspective.”

“That’s completely different! There was no war in Nibelheim, only innocent civilians.”

“It is different,” Zack agreed. “And yet my point is that the difference between being a monster, hero, villain or victim is not so clear cut. If Sephiroth was manipulated, mind controlled or if he’d gone insane, then he could be considered a victim.”

Cloud scoffed, clearly disagreeing.

“Yeah, poor Sephiroth, killing all those people. He’s the real victim in all of this.”

“Now you’re just twisting my words on purpose! You should think about what I said after you’ve calmed down. I realize this is all very personal for you, because it involves your mother, but I believe Seph will do the right thing. I’ll talk to him again tomorrow. If we don’t abandon him to deal with this alone, I’m sure he can get through it.”

Cloud remembered Sephiroth obsessively poring over books in the mansion all on his own. They’d given him space back then, and it didn’t go well. Maybe Zack was right. Maybe what he actually needed was for people to show him that he wasn’t alone.

Also, Sephiroth was far enough from Nibelheim that Jenova couldn’t control him this time. Cloud would finally know if Sephiroth lost his mind under her influence, or if he simply succumbed to his own rage.

“We’ll try to help him,” Cloud reluctantly agreed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Zack.”

He left, feeling the need to sleep for a week. This whole day was just too damn stressful and Cloud couldn’t wait for it to end.

Chapter Text

The day after he'd told Zack and Sephiroth about the future, Cloud expected catastrophe to strike. He went through the motions, going to classes, doing his daily duties, while constantly checking his PHS, expecting Zack to call. He was on edge, jumping at the smallest sounds, prepared to fight a crazed Sephiroth at any moment. But in the end, nothing happened.

He wondered how Sephiroth was doing, worried about the state of his mind, but a simple trooper like him couldn't just approach the general and ask. Calling Zack was always an option, but in the end, Cloud decided to wait. Zack knew where to find him if he was needed.

Still, waiting and doing nothing weighed terribly on his already frazzled nerves.

In the end, the day ended with no casualties and no calls.

The day that followed, and the one after, were much the same. Cloud was just about ready to storm into Zack’s apartment and demand an update when the cause of all his problems came to him.

He was having lunch in the cafeteria when he heard a commotion. The entire hall was abuzz, whispering, tuning their heads, some even pointing. Turning to see what the fuss was about, Cloud found Sephiroth marching between tables. It was very unusual to see him here. The man never seemed to eat (or more likely, preferred to eat in the privacy of his office, without hundreds of eyes tracking his every move).

Ignoring everyone else, Sephiroth headed for Cloud. His long legs carried him quickly, bringing him to a stop in front of Cloud’s table.

“Strife, I need you in my office.”

Not waiting for a response, he turned on his heel, heading out, expecting to be followed. A flash of anger rose inside Cloud as he looked at his half-eaten meal. Damn the man. But they had an audience, so Cloud stood, mumbling a “Yes, sir,” loud enough for the nearest onlookers to hear and hurried after Sephiroth.

He followed him down the hallway and into the elevator. The silence was oppressive and uncomfortable, but Cloud was damned if he would be the first to break it. Sephiroth was the one who called him here, so he should make the extra effort.

Once they were inside the office, Sephiroth closed the door and gestured for Cloud to take a seat. Sephiroth opted to remain standing. He leaned against his large office desk next to the chair Cloud was in, looming over him. Even through body language he exuded authority.

“I’ve been thinking about everything you told me.”

Sephiroth's voice appeared casual, but Cloud could tell it was measured, tightly controlled.

“I’d be surprised if you hadn’t.”

Cloud received a glare for his cheeky comment, but other than that, Sephiroth decided to let it go.

“First of all, you should know I will not be pressing charges or informing anyone about what you did. Taking into account what you told me, I can understand your reasons. So, we can leave it at that. Unless, of course, you choose to try again, in which case you'll find my patience is very limited.”

Cloud blinked, surprised. That was not what he’d expected. Any normal person would have worried about getting in trouble for attempted murder, but it somehow completely slipped his mind. He was so focused on Sephiroth, fearing he'd lose his mind and start killing people, that he forgot to worry about himself.

“Understood…” he mumbled awkwardly.

What do you even say to someone who chooses to overlook you trying to kill them? A ‘thank you’ seemed wholly inadequate.

“Now, while I obviously cannot allow you to kill me, this is a situation that needs to be dealt with. There must be something else that we can do.”

“We?” Cloud couldn’t hide his shock.

“If you think I’m just going to sit back and wait for an alien monster to take over my mind, you must not know me at all.”

“Perhaps I don’t,” Cloud allowed, looking at Sephiroth thoughtfully. “The other version of you is all I know. And you keep doing the opposite of what I’d expect him to.” 

“Hm, right. Well, this version of me will not wait for you or Zack to fix everything. I'm not in the habit of waiting to be saved.”

Sephiroth's tone brooked no argument. 

“So, do you know of another way this can be prevented?”

“Never go within a hundred miles of Nibelheim?” Cloud offered.

“Very funny.” Sephiroth’s voice made it clear he was in no mood for jokes.

“We could try to destroy the creature. I’ve never done it before, though, so I don’t know what it would take.”

“That might work. I’ll search Shinra’s classified files for any mention of Jenova,” Sephiroth said, already approaching his computer to do just that.

“There aren’t any. The only information about the Jenova Project is stored inside the abandoned labs in Nibelheim. None of the data was digitalized, probably for safety, and can only be accessed on location.”

“Then we head to Nibelheim.”

“Are you crazy? That’s the one place you’re not supposed to go! Leave it to me and Zack.”

“No.”

“No?” Cloud’s voice rose, incredulous. The man was as infuriating as ever.

“No, I told you, I won’t stand by and do nothing. If everything you said is true, then this creature addled my brain and made me commit unthinkable horrors against innocents. I need to have a hand in killing it.”

“Sephiroth…”

Cloud didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected Sephiroth to feel so strongly about that part of the revelation. In his lifetime, Sephiroth never showed any interest in others. And yet, with this man, it was the complete opposite. His origins took a backseat when he discovered what he’d done, and his main focus became preventing it. Cloud didn’t understand how they could be so different. Was it the lack of shock? The lack of rage? Or simply the absence of Jenova?

Either way, this could be a good thing. Sephiroth was less likely to lose his mind if he had other things to focus on. And they could certainly use Sephiroth’s help to bring down Jenova.

“You need to understand, the moment we get there, the creature will attack your mind. Even if you think you’re prepared for it, you won’t be. Having it command you is... overpowering. The feeling is unique, difficult to explain, and very hard to resist. It can make you do whatever it wants. You’ll feel like you’re the one doing it, you’ll want to do it, but the moment the control slips, you’ll feel horrified to see what you’ve done.”

“You know this because of the things I forced you to do?”

Sephiroth’s voice was flat, giving nothing away. The vivid green eyes looked intense, yet guarded, his piercing gaze fixed on Cloud. It felt like he was looking into his very soul.

“Yes,” Cloud admitted with a frown.

Sephiroth nodded, looking away, absorbing the information. For a moment, Cloud was afraid that he’d try to apologize, but in the end, he dropped the matter and moved onto more important matters.

“I know what to expect now and I won’t listen to anything the voices inside my head tell me. Out of the three of us, I’m the only one who has experience with medical journals — and with Hojo’s terrible, illegible writing. I’ll need to look over those journals in the hope of finding a way to destroy Jenova.”

Cloud’s frown deepened. “You realize that this is the exact situation that led to all those deaths before? You learning about Jenova, then reading those damn journals.”

“It’s different now. It won’t come as a shock. I’m going in prepared and I won’t allow it to use me.”

He made it sound so simple. Cloud wished he shared his confidence.

Agreeing to this plan required an immense amount of trust that, frankly, just wasn’t there. Cloud still feared that Sephiroth would succumb to Jenova the moment they set foot in Nibelheim. But in the end, what could he do? It wasn’t as if he could forbid him or physically stop him from going.

Cloud heaved a sigh and glared up at Sephiroth, who was still perched on the edge of his desk, arms crossed across his chest, towering over Cloud. If he were anyone else, Cloud might call his demeanor casual, or even approachable, but since it was Sephiroth, he simply found it condescending.

“For the record, I still think this is a terrible idea.”

“Noted,” Sephiroth said, his lips curling into a little smirk.

***

Going to Nibelheim was easier said than done. It was almost impossible to coordinate Zack’s and Sephiroth’s schedules, not to mention Cloud’s, who only had free time on the weekends.

Sephiroth requesting time off, for any reason, would immediately raise suspicions, as it was not something he normally did.

In the end, it took them nearly a month to arrange everything, when a disturbance in Corel provided them with an excuse to put their plan into action.

Corel's location made it possible to go to Nibelheim for a few days without alerting anyone. The towns were close enough to each other that no one would notice their detour. Provided they dealt with the situation in Corel quickly enough first.

The mission — dealing with a group of particularly violent monsters near the gates of the Gold Saucer — was simple enough that a small team would be more than equipped to handle it. Sephiroth’s position as the general allowed him to assign mission personnel, so he enlisted both Zack and Cloud. Having two First Class SOLDIERs on such a simple mission might seem odd, but few dared to question Sephiroth, so they counted on it going unnoticed.

When they arrived in Corel, they found several monster nests that they identified as the source of the problem. Despite their numbers, the monsters presented no challenge for the three of them and, in the end, it took them less than a day to clear the entire area. Afterwards, as they boarded the Shinra helicopter, Sephiroth ordered the pilot to take them to Nibelheim. The man seemed surprised, but knew better than to argue.

The flight was a lot shorter than the one that brought them to Corel, but Cloud still seemed to take it hard. He squeezed his eyes shut as Zack rubbed calming circles over his back. Sephiroth couldn’t fathom what motion sickness felt like.

When they landed in Nibelheim, he decided that maybe, now, for the first time in his life, he could. He was struck by a sudden violent wave of nausea, as a sweet, flowery voice whispered within his mind.

“Sephiroth… my son… You’ve come for me, at last.”

Sephiroth could feel pounding behind his eyelids and clutched at his head.

“Are you okay?” Cloud asked, worried.

“Yes,” he hissed, not at all sure himself.

“She’s speaking to you, isn’t she?”

Sephiroth nodded, flinching at the blinding pain and dizziness.

“You have to resist it!” Cloud said, alarmed, as if Sephiroth wasn’t already aware of already that.

“Yes, thank you, I know!” he spat, words dripping with sarcasm.

“If you think you can’t fight it, you should get back to Corel right now.”

Sephiroth grit his teeth and mulishly bit out, “No.”

“Your stubbornness will kill us all!”

The arguing was getting them nowhere, so Zack decided to step in. He wrapped a hand around Sephiroth’s shoulders and gave him a strong pat.

“He’ll be fine, Spike. We just need to keep him occupied. Right, Seph?”

Sephiroth nodded, trying to tune out the seductive voice whispering sweet lies.

Hearing it now, he understood why, in a different time, under different circumstances, he fell for it all.

Even now, when he knew none of it was true, hearing all the things he longed for since he was a child, hearing that woman calling him her son, telling him she loved him, telling him he was needed and precious, that he had a destiny and worth beyond killing for a corrupt company… All of that was very hard to ignore.

But knowing they were only lies, manipulations from an alien parasite, hardened his resolve and he did his best to tune them out.

The townspeople gathered around them, surprised and awed to see famous heroes in their little town. As usual, Sephiroth drew most of the attention, but seeing as he was in no state to talk, Zack took it upon himself. He told the Mayor they were there to check out some Shinra documents in the old mansion and take care of something in the reactor. They were offered a guide, but Cloud refused to endanger Tifa like last time. Besides, the memory of his previous trek up was still fresh in his mind. He was confident he could lead them there alone.

Like before, Cloud hid his identity behind his helmet, not wanting his mother or former neighbors to know that he hadn’t made SOLDIER yet. A part of him desperately wanted to visit his mother. After all, not doing so was one of the biggest regrets in his old life. He’d wasted the chance to talk to her one last time.

But no. He wouldn’t jinx this. It would all go well and he’d talk to her after it was all done. He had to believe that.

While he wasn’t paying attention, Zack had secured their lodgings in the local inn and they shuffled inside. It was a single room with three beds. Cloud wondered if Sephiroth would complain and demand a separate room, as he was the general, but the man just hobbled to the nearest bed and plopped down on it.

“We should head to the mansion right away, if you’re able.”

Cloud felt bad for pointing it out. Maybe it would be better to rest now and have an early start tomorrow, since it was already late afternoon, but they had precious little time and they shouldn’t waste it.

Sephiroth groaned and lifted himself into a sitting position.

“Lead the way.”

He stood on slightly shaky legs, but then he took a deep breath, visibly collecting himself. Between that moment and the next, all the wariness disappeared and he seemed perfectly put together. The man’s self-control was truly impressive.

***

When they reached the mansion, Zack used the key he was given by the Mayor to open the heavy doors.

Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust. It was clear that no one had been there in many years.

“There’s an elevator over there,” Cloud pointed, leading the way.

They walked in silence until they came across the library, which Cloud recognized from his — or rather Zack’s — memories.

“The journals should be here. I don’t know where exactly, though. I saw you reading them, but I wasn’t there when you found them.”

Sephiroth nodded, and they all set to searching.

Predictably, it was Sephiroth who found the journals in the end. He recognized Hojo’s scrawl on one of the covers and found Gast’s journal right next to it. All three of them huddled around the books until Sephiroth shooed them away to give himself enough space to read.

“Damn, now I see what you meant about Hojo’s handwriting,” Zack said gawking. “There’s no way I’d ever make sense of this.”

Cloud had to agree. The man’s script was as twisted and ugly as the man himself.

But Sephiroth paid them no mind, entirely focused on reading. He flipped through the pages quickly, efficiently.

“There’s nothing useful here,” Sephiroth said angrily as he reached the end of the first book. He threw it onto the table and picked up the next one. “Gast went on and on about recreating the Cetra, nearly worshipping the creature. He made no mention of how it could be hurt or destroyed, as it’s not something he would ever consider doing.”

“Jenova is not a Cetra,” Cloud pointed out.

“Who cares what she is as long as we destroy her,” Zack said, and no one could argue with that.

Sephiroth went back to reading, growing more frustrated by the second.

“Nothing. Hojo details his experiments,” his eyes took on a haunted glaze and Cloud knew it must have been difficult for him to read about his unnatural conception, “but he doesn’t mention any potential ways to destroy the creature.”

He flipped back to the middle section of the journal.

“Here he says that the creature has no special affinities or weaknesses to the elements, except perhaps fire. ‘The cells exhibited no functional or structural damage when exposed to Elemental materia. However, the regenerative properties of the specimen were briefly inhibited when exposed to Fire,’” Sephiroth read the excerpt out loud.

“That’s it, then. That’ll have to be enough. We just need to blast it with the highest level Firaga we can muster,” Zack said, already rearing to go.

Cloud had to agree, although the thought of using Fire in Nibelheim made his skin crawl.

“I can’t cast magic that strong and Sephiroth should definitely stay away from the reactor. Can you do it?”

“Sure, I can! Who do you think I am? I’m still a First Class, you know.”

Zack gave Cloud his best grin and a wink. No matter the seriousness of the situation, you could always count on Zack to offer some levity. Not for the first time, Cloud was grateful to have him there.

“That’s settled then,” Sephiroth interrupted them. “I’ll head back to the inn.”

He sounded commanding, but at closer inspection, he looked just about ready to fall over, so neither of his companions argued. All three of them headed back and decided to call it a night.

In the morning, Cloud and Zack would head to the reactor and do their best to destroy Jenova once and for all.

***

As planned, Cloud and Zack rose early and headed for Mt. Nibel, leaving Sephiroth sleeping at the inn. He seemed pale and fitful and without it ever needing to be said, they both pushed themselves to finish this quickly, for all their sakes.

As they passed the town gates and headed for the mountain trail, Cloud unexpectedly announced they needed to take a detour.

“Why?”

“From what I remember, Sephiroth was the only one who could enter the room containing Jenova’s body.”

Zack stopped dead in his tracks.

“We can’t even enter it?! Shouldn’t you have mentioned this sooner?”

“Relax, I have a plan. I think we just need Jenova’s cells, not Sephiroth himself.”

“And where do you plan to get those?”

“As it happens, Hojo had jars of Sephiroth’s… parts in his lab at the mansion. So, we’re gonna get those and use them to open the door.”

Zack looked stunned, not finding words for once.

“I thought about picking them up last night, but I didn’t want Sephiroth to see them.”

“You’re really worried about him, aren’t you?”

The fond smile Zack was giving him seemed completely out of place. Cloud didn’t like what he was suggesting.

“I’m worried about what he could do.”

“Nah, it seems to be more than that. It’s obvious by now that he’s got it under control, even if he is having a tough time. He’s showing no signs of slipping, yet here you are, not wanting to hurt his feelings.”

“It’s not like that!”

Cloud hated how petulant he sounded. But Zack was wrong!

He sped up towards the mansion. The sooner they dealt with this, the better.

Behind him, he could hear Zack laughing.

***

The climb to the reactor was slow and tiring. There were monsters along the way, but nothing the two of them couldn’t handle.

Cloud made sure to avoid the major dangers he’d faced there the first time. He took them around, avoiding the suspension bridge, not eager to take a dive like last time, but there was no way around the Materia Guardian. At least he could tell Zack what was coming.

“Zack, there’s a big monster up ahead. Hit it with Fire as much as you can and try to stagger it.”

“Aye aye, boss. Y’know, it’s nice getting advanced warnings like this. You even know its weaknesses! Wish I could set up a Cloud-alert during regular missions, too.”

Cloud laughed, then paused to listen. “Shh, here it comes.”

A creature with giant claws crawled out from a gap in the wall near the ceiling. It jumped down, right in front of them, making the ground shake. It attacked aggressively almost immediately, swiping at Cloud with its tail.

Cloud jumped away, blocking the blow and slashing across its skin. Zack used the creature’s distraction to hit it with Chain Slash from behind. The attack drew its attention. It changed targets, attacking Zack with its claws, hitting the spot where he stood mere moments before. The strength of the blow made dirt rise up in the air and the claws bury into the ground.

Cloud attacked from the other side, frustrated about the lack of enhanced abilities he was used to. His strength and balance were not what they used to be. Some jumps almost had him tripping, as he was unused to the shorter stature he now had. But he had more than enough experience to make up for these drawbacks.

The fight was long and hard, but they eventually wounded the monster enough to make it escape to the ceiling.

“Hey, no fair!” Zack yelled.

“Just hit it with Fire! Aim for the leg!”

So, Zack did. The creature continued to attack them from the ceiling, where their attacks couldn’t reach it. Not for the first time, Cloud really wished he had access to his materia. But Zack’s attacks proved to be enough and the monster moved, jumping down, using all its considerable weight to crush them. They rolled away, with not a moment to spare. It immediately hit out again, its claw reaching for Zack.

“Don’t let it grab you!”

Zack dodged a few more times, barely getting away. Cloud jumped into the air and used all his strength to hit it with Braver. The creature withdrew, jumping up high again, breaking some pipes filled with mako, splashing it around the room.

“Now that’s really unfair!” Zack whined. He aimed a Firaga, wounding the creature and bringing it back down to the ground. “Cloud!” he called and they moved together as one, attacking from both sides, slashing and hacking, until the creature was down. Zack swung and hit the fallen monster with all his strength, cleaving it clean in half. They both staggered a little, panting. It was finally done.

“Damn, you warned me, but that was way worse than I imagined,” Zack said, wiping sweat and dirt from his forehead.

“The important thing is that we got it. Now we can proceed.”

Zack nodded and they moved on. The reactor wasn’t far now.

A short walk later, they found themselves in front of a large set of stairs leading up to the main entrance. It felt strange being here. Cloud had so many memories, both Zack’s and his own.

They moved through the halls quickly, Cloud leading them towards their destination. The room containing pods of mako infused creatures was just as he remembered.

“What are those things?” Zack asked, looking around.

“Hojo’s experiments. He exposed animals and humans to extremely high doses of mako to create monsters,” Cloud answered, his voice shaking with anger. All of this led back to Hojo. He caused all of this.

Zack gave him a shocked, disgusted look and moved closer to peer inside one of the pods.

“This is horrible. Completely inhumane!”

“Yes. In my time, Sephiroth was here. Seeing that… he didn’t take it well. He saw himself as one of those monsters.”

Zack paled. “That’s ridiculous!” He kept looking at the creature floating in mako. It was hard to imagine that it ever used to be human. Trying to lighten the mood, he joked, “I mean, he’s nowhere near this ugly.”

“Ha! Maybe all his rage was about vanity and worrying he’d lose his good looks.”

“Ooh, so you think he’s good looking!”

Cloud sighed and glared at his friend.

“Just shut up, Zack… What are you even trying to do?”

Zack smirked and shrugged his shoulders. He refused to answer, heading up the stairs.

Cloud took out the jar they picked up from the mansion, pressing it against the door.

“I have no idea how this is supposed to work. Before, when I got here, the door was already open. All I remember is seeing Sephiroth asking his “mother” to open the door for him. That’s why I thought using his cells was worth a shot.”

Zack stood next to Cloud and nodded. “Maybe you can say something like, ‘Mother, open up, I have come!’”

He sniggered at his own joke, but to their utter shock, the door shuddered and creaked open.

“I can’t believe that worked,” Zack said, looking at Cloud with wide eyes.

“Me neither.”

Past the door was another room, dominated by massive pipes, all converging at the single mako pod in the center of the room.

“That’s Jenova?”

“No, that is an effigy. She’s inside the pod.”

Cloud moved forward with determination, ripping the effigy down. He threw it down into the reactor, finally coming face-to-face with Jenova herself.

Looking at the creature, Cloud had the impression of being watched. He had no idea if she was awake or not, but it felt like she was conscious and observing. She even seemed to wear a smug, mocking smile, as if telling him there was absolutely nothing he could do to harm her. But they had to try.

Swinging his sword as hard as he could, he smashed the pod, jumping out of the way when mako gushed out. Jenova was still held up by the tubes connected to her body, so Cloud cut them and she slumped down like a wet rag. He stepped away.

“It’s time, Zack. Hit it with the strongest Firaga you can manage.”

Zack nodded, activating the materia. He closed his eyes, concentrating. A giant ball of fire formed around his hand, growing bigger and bigger. Cloud moved behind him, not wanting to get caught in the cross-fire. Zack aimed and hit the creature dead on.

The glass of the pod shattered further on impact, the tubes, the creature itself and even the mako catching fire. Zack immediately summoned another Firaga, remembering that fire prevented Jenova from regenerating for only a brief period of time.

The second impact led to a minor explosion. They could see the charred remains of the creature, hoping this was enough to kill it. Cloud moved, planning to take a closer look, but then a loud rumble came from beneath them. Before they could even move, the floor fractured and gave out. It sent the pod, along with the remains, plummeting into unrefined mako.

“No!” Cloud screamed, knowing the consequences could be catastrophic.

Zack whirled around at the scream. Cloud grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the exit, just in time.

The pod hitting the mako caused an enormous explosion, sending mako and fire into the air. Cloud continued to drag Zack away. They broke into a run as a series of explosions followed them.

Thoughts of the horrible consequences of Jenova’s cells getting mixed into the Lifestream plagued Cloud as they ran. He could only hope that the situation would be different now, without Sephiroth in the mix.

They escaped the reactor, panting. There was soot on their faces, their cheeks still warm from the close proximity of the flames. Looking back, they saw that a large section of the building was burning. The explosion had taken out some of the roof and most of the windows on the far side of the building. As they stood there, catching their breaths, smaller explosions could still be heard in the distance.

“We did it,” Zack grinned. “I mean, there’s no way even an alien monster could survive all that.”

Cloud grinned and opened his mouth to reply when a horrifying crack and rumble came from the mountain. At first, he didn’t think anything of it, but the noise grew louder and more threatening. A few rocks tumbled down the mountainside, followed by a few more, increasingly larger ones.

Cloud could only look on, helpless and absolutely horrified, as the explosions caused a rockslide. An entire chunk of the mounting had collapsed and was now hurtling towards Nibelheim. There was absolutely nothing they could do from here. They couldn’t stop it and they were too far to help or warn anyone in town.

“No…” Cloud sobbed, devastated.

Had it all been for nothing? He did everything he could to save his town, to save his mother, and now he was about to lose them all over again. Zack hugged him mutely, trying to offer comfort, but Cloud felt numb. He couldn’t even cry. He couldn’t even breathe.

There was a deafening crack as the rocks reached Nibelheim, smashing against the buildings on the edge of town. An enormous cloud of dust went up in the air and Cloud’s knees gave out, Zack's arms preventing him from crumbling to the ground.

Zack lowered him down gently, pulling out a bottle of water from his pack.

“Here, drink some.”

He forced Cloud to take some water, patting his head.

“Breathe. Just breathe.”

In a few minutes, the lump in Cloud’s throat had finally lessened enough that he could take a full breath.

“We need to pull ourselves together and go into town. We need to help whoever we can. And Seph is there. I’m sure he’s already doing everything he can.”

Sephiroth…

Was he even alive?

A sound between a sob and a laugh escaped Cloud’s lips.

Barely a month ago, he’d tried to kill the man, and now here he was, worried about him.

He realized he didn’t want Sephiroth to die.

They’d destroyed Jenova. This was supposed to save him. He couldn’t die now.

As if reading his thoughts, Zack gripped his shoulder and said, “He’ll be alright. There’s no way a bunch of rocks could take out Shinra’s greatest general.”

Cloud nodded and finally got his legs to work, even if he was a little shaky on his feet.

They took the long trek back to Nibelheim, fearing the worst.

***

The damage to the town was even worse than Cloud had imagined.

The church steeple was missing, the water tower now a collection of splinters beneath the rocks. The two houses closest to the mountain were completely uprooted from the ground.

Cloud’s breath hitched in his throat.

Those houses belonged to Tifa and his mother.

The houses across the square were also damaged, but nowhere near as bad. A couple of broken windows and cracks in the roofs, but still standing.

Cloud ran into town, looking around wildly. There didn’t seem to be anyone around.

He heard voices from beyond the city gates and ran towards them, Zack close behind. He was stunned by the sight that greeted him.

The residents were right outside of town. Dusty and scared, some of them crying, but they all seemed unhurt and very much alive. Cloud was suddenly dizzy with relief, eyes desperately searching for his mother.

Before he could find her, he spotted the Mayor and decided to approach him.

“Mayor Zander.”

“Cloud Strife?” The man did a double take. “What are you doing here?”

“Never mind that now. Were there any casualties?”

The Mayor looked like he was going to yell at Cloud for using that tone with him, but Zack’s arrival made him change tracks. He cooperated by replying, “None.”

“How is that possible?”

“Sephiroth evacuated us in time. I have no idea how he knew about the rockslide before any of the rest of us saw it, but we owe him our lives.”

Cloud gaped, words failing him, so Zack stepped in. “Sound like our general!”

“You must want to see your mother,” the Mayor said to Cloud. “She’s over there.”

He pointed somewhere off to the left, where chests and barrels were being used as makeshift chairs for the wounded.

Before Cloud could find his mother, he saw a tall figure in black, looking as imposing as ever. His silver hair obscured the person he was leaning over. When he moved, Cloud could see that the person was none other than his mother. Without thinking, his hand reached for his sword on instinct, ready to protect her.

“Cloud,” Zack grabbed his wrist, halting him. He nodded towards Sephiroth, urging Cloud to look.

There was a faint green glow around the man. He was using the Healing materia. Feeling shamed and chastised, Cloud let go of the sword and ran towards them.

“Ma!”

“Cloud?” She moved to reach for him and Sephiroth let her lean on him, helping her stand. “What are you doing here, honey?”

Cloud all but crashed into her, pulling her into a tight hug. “Thank the gods you’re safe!”

“What about you, baby? Did you get hurt?” She pulled away, frantically checking him for injuries.

“I’m fine, ma. I wasn’t here when the rockslide happened.”

“Thank the Planet for that! Our house was hit pretty bad.”

“I saw. Were you in the house when it happened?”

“Sephiroth shouted for us all to run and I… I’m such a klutz. I tripped, right in the middle of the square and sprained my ankle. There wasn’t even anything to trip over, I just fell over my own two feet.” She rubbed her face, feeling the burn of embarrassment all over again. She looked to the left, where Sephiroth was standing. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it. Thank you.” She looked back at Cloud, her eyes glazing over, reliving the fear. “He carried me out of town, just before the rocks hit. I wouldn’t have made it on my own.”

Cloud felt a cold shiver run through him. He hugged her again, his eyes on Sephiroth. The man seemed uncomfortable, facing away from them. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. Zack was helping people a little farther away, and Sephiroth tried to use it as an excuse to get away.

“I should go make myself useful.”

But before he could leave, Cloud grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“Sephiroth.”

The man looked into his eyes and they stood there, suspended in time.

“I...”

Cloud’s voice shook with suppressed emotions. The emotional rollercoaster he’d been on in the past hour was overwhelming. The hope, fear, devastation and joy all taking their toll on him. There was a slight tremor in his hands that he couldn’t quite suppress.

He wanted to thank the man, but couldn’t get the words past his lips. After hating him for such a long time, the feeling of gratitude felt too foreign. He never imagined owing his mother’s life to Sephiroth. The mere idea was absurd.

Also absurd was the dizzying sense of relief he felt to find that Sephiroth was alive and unharmed.

“It’s fine.” Sephiroth shook his head, still looking uncomfortable.

Cloud looked at him, still clutching his arm, the tension between them palpable and growing. He needed to say something. He...

“How did you even know about the rockslide?” Cloud asked, trying to give them both something to focus on. “The Mayor says no one else noticed anything.”

“My enhanced hearing. I heard the explosions inside the reactor, so I watched the mountain just in case.”

“Good thing you did.”

Sephiroth inclined his head in agreement.

Cloud bit his lip, looking for something to say. Talking to Sephiroth was like pulling teeth. If only in this moment, Cloud wished he’d cooperate a little. Despite knowing that he should let him go — there were people out there who still needed help — Cloud clutched Sephiroth’s arm like a lifeline, a reminder that he was there and alive. He could sense Sephiroth’s discomfort and, somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered if he was the cause of it. But he still couldn’t bring himself to let go.

Looking closer, Sephiroth seemed uncomfortable with the situation as a whole. Wherever someone passed by and thanked him, his jaw would clench. So, Cloud assumed it came from knowing that, in another time, he would have murdered all these people instead of saving them. Knowing that, having them thank him and praise him must have made him feel conflicted. Especially when it came to Cloud’s mother, as he’d seen Cloud’s grief and faced his rage firsthand.

Cloud wished he could express his gratitude as openly, as freely as he had his rage. But some emotions were easier to show than others. Besides, he told himself, Sephiroth wouldn’t appreciate it anyway. He was uncomfortable enough as it was, without Cloud joining the choir of adoring villagers and singing his praises.

Remembering the reason they were there in the first place, Cloud brought up Jenova.

“So… We destroyed the creature, but we have no way of knowing if it’s truly dead or not. Can you still hear it?”

“No. I think you killed it.”

“Good,” Cloud beamed at him.

With Jenova gone for good, his mother would finally be safe! The smile escaped Cloud, unbidden.

Sephiroth blinked a few times, unprepared to have such open joy directed at him. Certainly not from Cloud. Something tightened in his chest. Reaching over, he detached Cloud’s fingers from his forearm. He gave the hand a little comforting squeeze before letting it drop between them.

“Stay with your mother. I should go help Zack.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned around and left.

Cloud sat down next to his mother, drawing her into another hug, his eyes constantly straying towards the man who’d just unexpectedly saved everything he held dear.

***

In the end, the damage to the town wasn’t as bad as it first appeared. Only four houses were uninhabitable. The rest were damaged, but stable enough to live in.

The town’s inn was thankfully away from the impact zone, so everyone currently homeless found shelter there.

“Cloud!”

Before he realized what was happening, he found himself with an armful of petite brunette.

“Tifa,” he smiled and wrapped his arms around her. “Are you and your father safe?”

“Yes! It was a close call, but we’ve made it okay. I heard you were here, so I had to find you. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

She smacked his arm playfully. Cloud missed Tifa. He missed his Tifa, the grownup, his best friend. His heart broke at the thought of never seeing her again.

“It was all very sudden. I didn’t get a chance to call.”

She looked so tiny and young. She was ten years younger than him now and they would probably never be as close as they were in his old life. The thought made him inexplicably sad.

“Did you make it into SOLDIER yet?” she asked, eager to hear anything about his adventures.

“I’m still working on it. But even now, I get to go on cool missions like this.”

She nodded, urging him to go on.

“You have to tell me all about it! It’s so boring here. I want to hear all about Midgar and other places you’ve been to!”

He chuckled. “Sure. We should catch up before I leave.”

They exchanged their PHS numbers and she gave him another hug before bouncing off with a little wave over her shoulder.

Cloud could feel his mother’s eyes on him, having seen the exchange. He wondered what she saw. Did she still think he had a crush on Tifa? Was she hoping to see them end up together one day? Once again, he wondered if he should come out to her, but it still didn’t seem like the right time. He was almost afraid to turn around and see the look in her eyes.

“Cloud,” she called out to him. “I want to make dinner for your SOLDIER friends tonight. I have to thank Sephiroth for saving me.”

“Where would you even make dinner? The house is gone,” Cloud asked, surprised that she didn’t try to bring up Tifa.

“Don’t you worry about that. The cook owes me a favor. She’ll let me use the inn kitchen for a couple of hours. You just make sure they come.”

“I’ll ask them, but I don’t know if they’ll agree.”

“Cloud Strife, you bring them to my table tonight. Tell them I insisted!”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a grin.

***

In the end, both Zack and Sephiroth agreed easily. Sephiroth had seemed so uncomfortable earlier that Cloud expected him to refuse. Yet here they were, sitting at a table in the inn’s dining hall, a large pot of stew steaming in front of them.

“I know this is not as refined as the big city foods you’re all used to, but it’s our local specialty, so I hope you’ll enjoy it,” Claudia said with a smile, offering the ladle to Zack.

“It smells divine! And I’m also a small-town guy, like Cloud.”

“Oh? Where are you from?”

“Gongaga!”

“I don’t think I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s just south of Corel.”

While the two of them talked, everyone poured themselves a plate. Sephiroth took a spoonful and felt Claudia’s eyes on him, waiting for his reaction.

“The stew is very good. Thank you for inviting us tonight, ma’am,” he said.

“Ah. Handsome and polite.” Cloud almost choked on his food. And she wasn’t done. “You know, it’s so strange seeing you in person. You look just like the poster.”

“The poster?” Sephiroth asked, confused, at the same time as Cloud let out a scandalized, “Ma!”

“Yes, your military poster. It’s still up in Cloud’s room. Or, well, it was until the rockslide took down the walls.”

“Cloud had a poster of me in his room?” Sephiroth sounded doubtful, his brows knitting together.

“A big, life-sized one. He’d stand in front of it every day and tell it he’d become a SOLDIER one day.”

Cloud was redder than a tomato, hiding his face behind his hands. He wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. This was beyond embarrassing. He could hear Zack stifling snickers behind his food and Sephiroth…

Sephiroth seemed stunned speechless. He was looking at Cloud, unsure, as if waiting for someone to tell him this was all a big prank.

“You joined Shinra because of me?”

Cloud cleared his throat, trying to get himself under control.

“Yeah, I guess. I saw news reports about you and thought it’d be cool to help people.”

He shrugged one shoulder, trying not to make a big deal out of it. But his mother wasn’t having it. She touched Sephiroth’s arm and in a stage whisper, loud enough to be heard around the table, confided, “He had a whole scrapbook of news reports about you.”

Cloud blushed ever redder. “Ma, stop it,” he all but begged.

Sephiroth’s eyes were fixed on his stew, but looking closer, Cloud could see there was a tinge of pink to his cheeks. He was blushing, too!

Somehow, getting to see Sephiroth flustered made all the teasing worth it.

***

Cloud had trouble falling asleep that night. Knowing that he’d changed the future made him too giddy to sleep. His heart was beating wildly.

His mother was safe and sound in the next room, the town unburnt and mostly standing, if a little worse for wear. Even Sephiroth… He was lying two beds away, sound asleep and still… sane.

When Cloud had set out to change things, he never even imagined that saving Sephiroth was an option. He was so sure the man was beyond saving. Thinking that, if he got greedy enough to try, it would cost him everything.

Yet, somehow, it all worked out beyond his wildest dreams.

Cloud rolled onto his side, trying to see Sephiroth in the dark. Zack’s bed was between them, obstructing his view, but he could see a curtain of silver hair rising and falling as the man breathed.

He couldn’t believe he was sleeping in the same room with the man who’d been his greatest enemy for years. The night before, he was too exhausted to even think about it, but now, as he lay awake, he couldn’t seem to stop focusing on it. Even with Jenova gone, he still expected to mistrust Sephiroth and feel reluctant to share space with him. But that wasn’t the case. Cloud was grateful to have him there.

The conversation at dinner reminded Cloud of how he’d felt about Sephiroth before Nibelheim, before all the horrors. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about it in years. He’d killed that part of himself long ago. And yet, his thoughts kept drifting back to that faint flush gracing Sephiroth’s features. Cloud wondered what had caused it. Surely the man had met hundreds, if not thousands of people who joined Shinra because of him. He was their main poster boy, after all. So why would he get flustered over Cloud doing the same? Cloud gazed at the sleeping figure in the dark, as if it would offer him answers.

As he pondered this, he slowly fell into slumber, to images of light pink cheeks and vivid green eyes.

Cloud was awoken the next morning by the sound of helicopters. Hurriedly, he and Sephiroth dressed and rushed to see what the fuss was about. Zack somehow managed to sleep through the noise, completely dead to the world.

Those were Shinra helicopters.

It seemed that the explosions hadn’t gone unnoticed.

A small squad of soldiers entered the town, surprised to find them there.

“General. We didn’t know you were assigned to this mission as well.”

There was a brief silent stand-off between Sephiroth and the newcomer, each trying to get the measure of the other. It would be very bad if Shinra found out about their involvement in this incident. Destroying the reactor was bad enough, but if the R&D department got wind of what had happened to Jenova, they’d be in big trouble.

“We are off duty, Captain. We finished our mission in Corel early, so I allowed our cadet to visit his family here in town.”

He gestured vaguely behind him, to where Cloud stood. The captain sized him up, looking between the two of them. It was clear he wasn’t buying Sephiroth’s story, but the question was what he would do about it. After a few moments, he nodded, and said, “Since you’re not here in an official capacity, there’s no need for me to inform my commanding officer about your presence.”

Cloud breathed out a sigh of relief. There were many soldiers in the Shinra army who had, like Cloud, joined its ranks because of Sephiroth. While they may be loyal to the company, their true loyalty was with the general. Cloud understood that feeling well. Back when he was a cadet, before Nibelheim, he too would have been loyal to Sephiroth above all else.

“Thank you, Captain,” Sephiroth said. His tone made it clear that he was well aware of what the man was doing for him.

Before the captain could leave, Sephiroth stopped him.

“Are you here to help the townspeople? Or just investigating the explosions?”

“To find the source of the explosions and secure the reactor,” the man parroted his mission objectives.

“If you can spare the men, try to help the people. There is no way they can deal with this rockslide on their own. Call reinforcements if you need to.”

The captain nodded. “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll make sure these people get help,” he assured before leaving.

Sephiroth could feel Cloud’s eyes on him.

“What is it?”

“Nothing, just… Thank you for looking out for the town. They wouldn’t have helped if you hadn’t told them.”

“I know, that is why I did.” He wore a slight frown, failing to see Cloud’s point.

“No, I know, I just mean…” Cloud sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Look. No one at Shinra gives a fuck about civilians. And then there’s you, going the extra mile and I just find that surprising.”

Sephiroth turned to fully face him at that, giving him a long, evaluating stare.

“There is one thing I can’t understand,” he said.

“What?”

“Your mother implied that you used to admire me. You yourself said you enlisted because of me, and yet you constantly expect the worst of me. Why is that?”

Cloud looked away. There really wasn’t anything he could say to that. He couldn’t even deny it. He had a long list of excuses, but they all rang hollow after the day before.

“You destroyed Jenova yourself. You know it can no longer affect me, so why do you still see me as a monster?”

Sephiroth’s tone was flat, without infliction. He didn’t sound accusatory or hurt, but Cloud knew better. He could tell the man was masking his feelings, trying to appear unaffected. He felt awful knowing this was his fault.

“I don’t think you’re a monster, Sephiroth,” he said, surprised to realize he meant it. “This wasn’t even about that! That captain isn’t a monster either, but he still wasn’t going to help.”

They stood in tense silence for a few seconds. Sephiroth was clearly not satisfied with the explanation he was given. So, Cloud decided to tell him the truth, inadequate as it was.

“Look, I’m sorry. I was being unfair. I’m still getting to know you, the real you, while I spent years dealing with the other version of you. I keep expecting you to behave the same way.”

“I’m not him,” Sephiroth reminded him firmly.

“I know. You’re nothing like him. But it might take a while for that fact to truly sink in.”

Sephiroth nodded, seeming appeased, before turning away.

“We should head back to Corel before anyone else discovers us here.”

***

A week later, Cloud could finally relax. It seemed they’d gotten away with it. No one suspected their involvement in the Mt. Nibel incident. After a week of expecting to be taken in for questioning, he was finally starting to believe it.

Earlier that week, he’d heard from his mother that troopers were sent to clear out the rubble and start repairing the town. Everything seemed to be going well. Cloud felt sad that he hadn’t managed to have that chat with Tifa before leaving, but at least he had her number, so they texted from time to time.

He was walking down the hall towards his next class when he heard a very familiar voice behind him.

“Cloud.”

The way the man said his name always made him shiver. He turned.

“General,” he said, mindful of the people milling around.

“Do you have a moment to talk?”

“Of course.”

Sephiroth gestured to Cloud to follow him and led him towards his office. As they walked, a kernel of worry took root inside Cloud. Had he relaxed too soon? Was there trouble brewing? As soon as the door to Sephiroth’s office was closed, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

The man seemed taken aback. “Nothing is wrong.”

“Oh.”

“Am I only allowed to talk to you if something is wrong?”

Cloud scoffed. “Of course not.”

He plopped down on a chair without waiting for an invitation, rocking on its back legs.

Sephiroth went to the other side of the room, busying himself with the coffee machine.

“Coffee?” he offered, and Cloud stumbled, nearly crashing to the floor.

He blushed, feeling called out for what he’d almost done, wondering if he should apologize. But then he noticed that a corner of Sephiroth’s mouth was turned up in a little smirk. Well, at least he found it funny. Cloud was glad he didn’t seem to hold a grudge.

“Sure,” Cloud replied, slightly breathless, straightening in his chair and making sure it was stable.

“I drink a special blend, it’s very strong,” he warned.

“It’s fine, as long as it doesn’t kill me,” Cloud deadpanned.

Would Sephiroth really be okay with joking about it? To his delight, Sephiroth grinned, eyes flashing playfully. He brought a steaming mug and placed it before Cloud, cradling another between his hands. He sipped his coffee, leaning against his desk.

“Fair warning, if you get sick, you’re on your own. Consider it revenge.”

Cloud snorted, grinning back.

“Fine, but if you’re looking for revenge, I think you’ll be disappointed. We’re used to strong foods in Nibelheim. My stomach lining is made of lead.”

He took a sip. The hot liquid warmed his insides as it passed down. It was very bitter and strong, but Cloud found he quite liked the taste.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

Sephiroth blew on the steam rising from his mug, stalling. He seemed unusually hesitant.

“I wanted to ask for a favor.”

“From me?” Cloud asked, shocked. Sephiroth nodded.

“You mentioned that my real mother, Lucrecia Crescent, was still alive in a cave somewhere. I assume you know where?”

“I do.”

“I’d like you to take me to her.”

He looked at Cloud, waiting for his reaction.

“Of course, Sephiroth. I’d be happy to.”

Cloud offered a small smile, and Sephiroth smiled back.

“Thank you, Cloud.”

Chapter Text

It took several weeks for Cloud and Sephiroth to find an opportunity to get away. During that time, Cloud continued to attend classes, hang out with Zack and occasionally visit Aerith in the slums. Surprisingly, visits to Sephiroth’s office became part of his routine, too. As it turned out, Cloud’s stomach could withstand Sephiroth’s coffee, so coffee breaks became a regular thing.

At first, Sephiroth would find him during his free period (Cloud suspected he abused his privileges to look that up) and invite him for coffee. After a while, Cloud started coming over uninvited. He noticed that Sephiroth often got so absorbed in his work that he forgot to eat. So, sometimes he’d come bearing sandwiches or snacks and they'd eat in his office.

Cloud used to believe they had nothing in common, that spending time with Sephiroth without trying to kill each other would quickly turn awkward, or at the very least, boring. But that wasn’t the case.

Talking about Sephiroth’s missions, magical theory, military tactics or even making fun of Zack’s antics behind his back, no matter what it was, the conversation always flowed freely. Cloud found himself laughing and feeling more relaxed than he had in years. Even when he babbled about his classes or complained about his professors, Sephiroth listened patiently, giving encouragement or advice where needed. Soon enough, these coffee breaks became Cloud’s favorite part of the day. Just thinking about them brought a smile to his face. He was content.

Cloud himself was surprised by how quickly everything had changed, but after their trip to Nibelheim, the animosity he used to feel for Sephiroth was gone. Now that he no longer saw Sephiroth as a threat, he could simply see him as a man. And Cloud found that he enjoyed this man’s company quite a lot. If asked, he would even call them friends.

One day, nearly three weeks after the Mt. Nibel incident, Cloud decided to ask the question that had been on his mind ever since.

“What are you planning to do now, after everything?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to stay with Shinra after finding out about everything they did to you?”

Sephiroth frowned, folding his arms across his chest in an obviously defensive stance.

“Where else could I go? Fighting is all I know. As we learned, it’s what I was made for.” Cloud opened his mouth to argue, but Sephiroth held up a hand to stop him. “Besides, it’s not as if Shinra would simply let me walk away. If I left, they’d hunt me down and innocent people would get caught in the crossfire.”

“That’s true, but that doesn’t mean you should just give up.”

Sephiroth hummed in what could either be agreement or not and took a long sip of coffee, seeming content to leave it at that.

“You know,” Cloud continued, “I was so focused on saving Nibelheim that I didn’t really think about what would happen after. But there are other things I should change. Mako reactors are destroying the Planet as we speak and they need to be stopped. You could help me make that happen.”

Sephiroth seemed taken aback. “They’re destroying the Planet? How?”

“Mako is actually part of the Lifestream and spending it is weakening the Planet, destroying it.”

Sephiroth’s frown deepened as he considered all the implications.

“Shinra will not simply let you shut down their primary source of income,” he warned.

“No, I didn’t think they would. But even so, I have to do this, either on my own or with the help of rebel groups.”

“You mean people like Avalanche?”

“For example, yes.”

“You realize that if you do, they’ll send me after you? It will be my mission to either apprehend or kill you.”

“I know, but I also know you won’t do it.”

Cloud said it with a big smile, the words leaving his mouth before he truly processed them. When his brain caught up, he froze, and realized that Sephiroth had frozen as well. Cloud scrambled for something to say, but before he could, Sephiroth cleared his throat and steered them away from the topic. But he did not deny it. 

“Resistance groups usually sabotage and blow up reactors, but that only has a short-term effect. If you damage one, the company will simply repair it or even build a new one. It costs them money, but in the end, it doesn’t prevent them from using mako. You need a more effective solution.”

Cloud had to admit he was right. They needed a permanent change.

“Maybe we should just take over the company and put you in charge,” Cloud said, only half joking.

Sephiroth choked on his coffee, but Cloud continued, undeterred.

“There are a lot of men, like the captain we met in Nibelheim, who would support you if you started a coup.”

Sephiroth went quiet for a long time, a faraway look in his eyes.

“I don’t think I’m the right person to run this company”, he said at length. “Maybe if we put Rufus Shinra in charge, things would change.”

“He was in charge in my old life and wasn’t any better than his father.”

“What did he do?”

“He tried to start a new war with Wutai.”

Sephiroth paled. “Definitely not him, then.”

“You weren’t around back then, though. Maybe with General Sephiroth keeping an eye on him, he wouldn't make such stupid decisions.”

“I’ll need to think about it,” Sephiroth said after another extended pause, already seeming deep in thought.

He didn't commit to anything, but Cloud was pleased. The fact that he agreed to consider it, instead of dismissing it outright, was a good sign.  

***

“How old are you?” Sephiroth asked one day, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Twenty-six,” Cloud replied. “Why?”

“I was simply curious. All you said was that you’re from the future, and you look rather young.”

“Yeah, I suppose my body is still sixteen. But I have ten years of memories and experience, so I think my real age is my mental one.” Cloud paused, considering. “It’s weird to think that there will forever be a mismatch between my mind and body now.”

“In a couple of years, once you’ve grown to your full height, you probably won’t even notice it.”

“Yeah, I don’t really have much growing left anyway,” Cloud grumbled and saw Sephiroth stifle a grin. “Hey, don’t laugh at me! Not everyone can be as freakishly tall as you!”

Sephiroth actually laughed at that.

“It’s strange to think that you are actually older than me,” Sephiroth said, still smiling.

Cloud paused, as if only just realizing it himself.

“Yeah... I never really thought about that. You were always older than me and I guess I still see you that way.”

“I suppose I’ll need to be more respectful in the future,” Sephiroth teased.

“That’s right. Show respect for your elders!” Cloud said, trying not to laugh. “You can start by not making fun of my height!”

Sephiroth tried to disguise his laughter as a cough, but Cloud’s offended, “Hey!” only made him laugh harder.

***

One afternoon, when Cloud showed up at Sephiroth’s office, the man looked more sullen than usual. He didn’t even notice Cloud come in until he sat down right in front of him.

“Did something happen?”

“Hm? No, it’s nothing.”

Cloud gave him an unimpressed look and, reluctantly, Sephiroth explained.

“I spoke to Genesis. He’s getting worse. I tried to get him to talk to me, hoping to avoid him defecting, but he refuses to tell me anything.”

“I see… What about Angeal?”

Sephiroth shook his head.

“He’s still away on a mission in Modeoheim, he cannot help.” When he looked at Cloud, there was worry clearly visible in his eyes as he asked, “Is there truly no way to help Genesis?”

Cloud considered it for a moment. This obviously meant a lot to Sephiroth and he didn’t want to let him down.

And then an idea occurred to him.

“There’s someone who might be able to help. I can ask them, but I can’t promise anything.”

“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”

***

Cloud had never met Genesis. In his old life, he’d gone on a mission to capture him, but he’d never met him before degradation had taken its toll. He hadn’t left a very good impression on Cloud. Before, it was simply because of how he’d tried to use his clones to destroy the world. But thinking back on it now, Cloud hated how cruel he’d been to Sephiroth.

Still, Sephiroth considered him a friend, so Cloud would do whatever he could to save him.

He hopped off the train at the Sector 5 slums station and headed toward Aerith’s church.

Aerith was very young at this point in time. Cloud knew it was unlikely that she could do much, if anything, to help, but she was still his best bet.

“Hello,” said a voice from behind him and he turned to see Aerith walking up to him.

“Hi, Aerith.”

“The Planet tells me you’ve successfully saved everyone.” She sounded proud.

“I did.”

“I’m glad you listened to me,” she said with a beaming smile.

“Me, too,” Cloud admitted, smiling back. “I wasn’t going to, if I’m being honest. But I’m glad everything happened the way it did.”

“At first, the Planet was very angry you let the Calamity’s son live. But she’s gotten quiet now. I think she feels he’s not a threat to her anymore.”

It was a relief to hear. Cloud had seen first hand how different Sephiroth was, but it was still nice to get explicit confirmation like this.

“So!” Aerith clapped her hands together. “I think you’re here to ask me something. Right?”

“How do you…?”

Aerith grinned. “Out with it!”

“There is a man, another SOLDIER who was experimented on, whose body is degrading. He is dying. In my old life, you, with the help of the Planet, healed a very similar condition. I know your powers are very different now, but before, you healed an entire city. So, I thought that, maybe, it wouldn’t be impossible for you to heal one man, even now.”

“Hmm,” she frowned in thought. “And how did I do this?”

“I think you prayed and the Planet answered, sending rain that healed everyone.”

“I can try to pray. But I can’t promise she will answer.”

“Of course.”

“You should bring that man to the church. The power is more concentrated here, and I’ll need to touch him for it to work.”

“Thank you, Aerith.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder. In truth, he wanted to hug her, but he wasn’t very close to this Aerith and he’d always been awkward about touching people. As if sensing his reluctance, she did it for him, closing the distance between them and giving him a brief hug.

***

Cloud went to inform Sephiroth as soon as he got back. The news made him hopeful but he worried Genesis would refuse to go to the slums without a proper explanation or assurances.

In the end, he needn’t have worried. Genesis must have been more desperate than he let on, ready to try anything, so he simply agreed.

Two days later, Cloud and Sephiroth headed for the slums together.

Cloud had tried to find a way to bring Zack along, but he was gone on a mission and couldn’t return in time. Upset that he still hadn’t found a way to introduce Zack and Aerith, Cloud vowed to do it the first chance he got, even if it meant dragging Zack down to the slums with no valid excuse.

Genesis was waiting for them in front of the church, leaning against the wall, passing the time by reading his well-worn copy of LOVELESS. He lifted his eyes when he heard them approach.

“There you are, at last.”

“We were supposed to meet at three. It is now ten minutes before,” Sephiroth pointed out.

“I don’t like to be kept waiting,” Genesis said with an air of superiority, snapping his book shut. Cloud already had an overwhelming desire to punch him.

“We should stop wasting time, then. Let’s go in,” Cloud said angrily, opening the door.

“Ooh, so who’s this? He seems feisty. I can’t believe you’ve kept him from me.”

“Shut up, Gen. Just go inside.”

Sephiroth was obviously worried and wasn’t in the mood for teasing. Genesis seemed worried too, even scared, and the teasing was probably his way of coping. Cloud assumed that was why Sephiroth allowed it.

When they entered, they found Aerith sitting on one of the benches, waiting for them. She stood up and approached when she saw them.

“This child is supposed to heal me?” Genesis asked. “Is this your idea of a joke, Sephiroth? Or maybe you’re trying to get rid of your only true rival in SOLDIER.”

Cloud opened his mouth to put him in his place, but Aerith was faster.

“Now listen here, mister! When people are trying to help you, you say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Even when you’re scared, it doesn’t give you the right to lash out at your friends!”

She pointed a threatening finger at Genesis’ face, her other arm propped up on her hip. He blinked a few times and, despite being strong enough to turn her into a pile of ash if it came to a fight, backed down with an eyeroll and a huff.

“Good,” she broke into a smile. “Now that that’s settled, I’ll need you to move over there.”

Aerith pointed to the area next to the altar.

“You can kneel or sit on the ground around here,” she said, indicating. “And I’ll be right over here, praying.”

For a moment, it seemed like Genesis would argue, but then he did as he was told. He opted to sit and not kneel.

“I don’t know how much you were told, but I’m going to be asking the Planet to heal you. I can’t guarantee she—”

“The Planet?” Genesis looked from Aerith to Sephiroth. “You brought me to some religious quack—”

“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” she said crossly. “The Planet speaks to me,” Aerith insisted. She paused, clearly weighing her next words carefully, deciding whether to tell him the truth or not. Making a decision, she pressed on. “I’m the last living Cetra. If anyone can heal you, it’s me.”

She looked down, her confidence dimming for a moment. “Honestly, I’ve never done anything like this before, so I can’t promise it will work… But I do want to help!”

Genesis looked at her, letting the information sink in.

In the end, it wasn’t like he had a choice. The girl was his only hope.

“Fine,” he agreed with a sigh. “Proceed.”

It was only now that Cloud noticed several candles strategically placed to form a circle around the spot Aerith had chosen for the ritual. She went and lit them one by one. When that was done, she knelt in the center, right next to Genesis, and started praying.

Cloud and Sephiroth stood a few feet beyond the edge of the circle, waiting with bated breath. Cloud could hear Aerith chanting, though he could not make out the words. The chant started softly, quietly, but picked up in speed and intensity as time went on. A gust of wind rose inside the circle, swirling around them. There was a green glow all around Aerith’s body now, pooling around her hands where the green was most vivid.

Her eyes snapped open, inhumanly bright and pale green, as if she had just taken a deadly dose of mako. She reached out and placed both of her hands on Genesis.

The man gasped, either in surprise or in pain, but she didn’t let go. She held him as the green energy coursing through her transferred into him, flowing into his body. The process seemed to take forever, but in reality, only lasted a couple of minutes.

When the transfer was complete, Aerith abruptly cut off her chant. The wind burst out towards the edges of the circle, putting out all the candles at once. At the same time, the two figures inside the circle crumpled like rag dolls.

“Aerith!”

“Genesis!”

Sephiroth and Cloud yelled in unison and ran up to help. They were both breathing, just unconscious.

It only took them a few minutes to wake up.

“Did it work?” Sephiroth asked.

Aerith looked dazed, but after a few seconds she nodded. “I think so. How do you feel?” she asked Genesis.

“I…” he flexed his fingers, checking himself over. “I feel good. Better than I have in months. I’ll have Hollander look me over, but I think this actually worked.”

“Don’t sound so shocked,” she tried to sound offended, but in truth just sounded tired.

“I apologize. You’re right. I’d already given up hope, so… Thank you,” Genesis said reluctantly.

“You’re very welcome,” Aerith smiled at him.

***

The ritual was a resounding success, and Genesis was given a clean bill of health. Cloud was glad that he’d managed to fix another thing, especially seeing how happy Sephiroth was because of it. The change was subtle, impossible for most people to notice, but an ever-present tension he used to carry no longer seemed to be there. Cloud would sometimes catch Sephiroth smiling when he thought no one was looking. And while Sephiroth had simply thanked him, without making a big deal out of it, it had changed something between them. Their friendship felt stronger after that.

Genesis himself couldn’t decide if he was happy, relieved, or angry that it was Sephiroth who’d saved him. His one-sided rivalry took a severe blow now that he owed the man his life.

With Genesis back to full strength, he was finally able to take on some of his former duties, which had fallen onto Sephiroth. It lightened Sephiroth's schedule considerably, finally making it possible to arrange some time away to go and visit his mother.

***

According to Cloud, Lucrecia’s cave was at a halfway point between the Gold Saucer and Nibelheim, so Sephiroth secured transport to Corel. Cloud wasn’t looking forward to flying again, not in the slightest.

They boarded the helicopter with a bunch of Second Classes. When Cloud asked about it, Sephiroth explained that they were using their mission to fetch a ride to the Saucer. Being a general certainly had its perks.

Cloud sat down and fastened his seatbelt. As soon as they got off the ground, he could feel his stomach dropping. He hated this feeling. He took a few calming breaths, eyes squeezing shut, trying not to get reacquainted with his breakfast. Not for the first time, he missed his enhanced body.

Suddenly, he felt a pressure against his knee and his eyes snapped open. Sephiroth had reached over, offering silent comfort. He wasn’t looking at Cloud and he was stiff, clearly feeling awkward and unsure if his touch was welcome. His hand rested above Cloud’s knee, almost on his upper thigh, grounding him and providing a distraction.

“Thanks,” Cloud whispered with a smile.

The green eyes pinned him with an intense look that Cloud couldn’t quite read. “We’ll be there soon,” was all he said, before turning away to look out the window.

The hand stayed on his knee until they reached Corel.

Once there, they decided to rent a buggy. The cave was still quite far and surrounded by difficult terrain.

“Can you drive?” Sephiroth asked.

“Of course. It’s actually the only way I can avoid motion sickness, so please let me.”

Sephiroth motioned for Cloud to go ahead. He placed the large bag he was carrying onto the back seat and slid into the vehicle on the passenger side in one smooth motion.

The buggy helped them cover ground quickly. Now that he finally no longer felt like the contents of his stomach would escape him, Cloud could enjoy the time away from Shinra. And riding a buggy around Corel certainly brought back memories. He could feel himself smiling.

A Zu flew over them and Cloud tracked its movement, wondering if they were in for a fight. Not that anything stood a chance against them with Sephiroth there. His eyes left the road and moved to the right, following the bird, but what he found instead were two green orbs studying him intently. There was a burning intensity in them, not unlike a Zu stalking its prey.

The bird forgotten, Cloud blinked self-consciously.

“What?”

“Hm?”

“Do I have something on my face?”

Sephiroth turned away. “It flew off. You needn’t worry.”

“Huh?”

“The Zu. You were tracking it, were you not?”

“Yeah…” Cloud mumbled, feeling completely baffled by this conversation.

Sephiroth leaned his head against the door frame, closing his eyes and pretending to rest. He clearly just wanted to avoid talking. Cloud frowned, feeling very confused. He turned back to the road.

It took them a few more hours to reach the bottom of the mountain. Cloud found a good spot to leave the vehicle and parked there.

“We’ll need to continue on foot. The cave is high up in the mountain and we can’t take the buggy there,” he explained and Sephiroth nodded, sliding out of the buggy and stretching his long legs.

They climbed in silence. There was a tension between them that hadn’t been there in a long time. Cloud reasoned that Sephiroth must be nervous about meeting his mother. He knew this was a big deal for him. He wished he could offer some words of comfort, but in truth, he had no idea how Lucrecia would react to seeing her son. She’d been overwhelmed with guilt the last time he’d seen her, saying she had no right to call herself a mother. She’d also seen visions of Sephiroth doing horrible things… but now that Cloud had prevented those from coming true, maybe she’d be happy to see him. He hoped they wouldn’t regret coming here.

The climb was steep, the path narrow and rocky. It was a difficult ascend and Cloud found himself missing his former body once more. Sephiroth, meanwhile, didn’t even break a sweat. And he was even carrying that enormous bag. Damn him.

“Do you need to take a rest?” Sephiroth asked, as if reading Cloud’s mind.

“No. We don’t have long now,” Cloud panted, trying to catch his breath.

“Do you need me to carry you?”

Cloud looked at Sephiroth, stunned, but then he saw him smirking. He was messing with him!

Cloud shoved Sephiroth with his shoulder, forcibly moving him out of the way. Picking up speed, he pressed ahead, leaving Sephiroth behind. Cloud could hear him quietly chuckling to himself, the bastard.

It took them another half an hour to reach the plateau.

There was a waterfall there, leading to a small lake. Cloud pointed to it.

“The cave entrance is right behind that waterfall.”

Cloud was flushed and winded, whereas Sephiroth still looked completely put-together, like he’d just gone on a relaxing stroll.

“Let’s rest first,” Sephiroth suggested.

“We shouldn’t waste time—”

“I insist. Besides, we should make camp here.” Sephiroth dropped the luggage he was holding. “It took us hours to reach this place. We won’t be able to make it back before nightfall, so it would be wise to spend the night here.”

“We didn’t bring any camping gear, though.”

Sephiroth lifted one elegant eyebrow and pointed to the bag he’d been holding. Cloud huffed a laugh.

“You know, it’s very annoying that you always have to be so damn perfect.”

Sephiroth cleared his throat, a faint flush tinting his cheeks.

Maybe he was a little winded, after all, Cloud decided.

***

After pitching the tent and fetching some wood for the fire, they had no excuse to delay entering the cave any longer. Sephiroth appeared nervous again and Cloud approached him, placing a hand on his back in what he hoped was a comforting gesture.

“It will be fine.”

His words rang hollow, as he himself wasn’t fully certain. But there was no going back now.

“Let’s head inside.”

Sephiroth nodded and, visibly steeling himself, took quick, long strides towards the entrance.

The cave was just as Cloud remembered it. It was an enormous cavern, mostly bare, apart from the giant crystal opposite the entrance. There was a woman encased inside it.

“Is that her?” Sephiroth asked quietly.

“Yes.”

“Is she lucent?”

“She should be. Go talk to her.”

The hand still resting on Sephiroth’s back gave him a little nudge, and he reluctantly moved closer to the crystal.

“Who goes there?” the woman’s voice echoed in the empty space.

“Hello, mother,” Sephiroth answered, his voice shaking a little.

A stunned silence followed.

“Sephiroth?” Lucrecia asked uncertainly. “Is that really you?”

“Yes, mother. I have come.”

“My dear, dear child,” she sobbed. “All these long years, I’ve longed to see you.”

She moved closer within the constraints of the crystal, trying to catch a glimpse of him. But then she seemed to catch herself and she reared back.

“No, you shouldn’t be here. I have no right to be a mother. I have failed you.”

She was clutching her temples, frantically shaking her head.

Sephiroth moved closer, finally able to see her face. She looked barely any older than him. The crystal must have stopped her from aging.

“I don’t blame you for anything, so you shouldn’t blame yourself. It was all Hojo’s doing.”

She was shaking her head, crushed by her own guilt, his words unable to reach her.

“I had dreams… Visions of fire… But they’ve not appeared for some time. Are you… safe? Is Jenova—”

“Gone. She’s gone. The visions will not come to pass,” Sephiroth assured her.

“Oh, that is a great relief! I have so many sins on my conscience, I couldn’t bear any more.”

Sephiroth took another step and she shouted, “Stop! Don’t move any closer!”

He stopped.

“I’d like to see you. I’d like to… hold you, mother. Can you leave the crystal?”

“No… This is my cage. My punishment. I must not leave.”

“I see.”

He sounded resigned. He hadn’t really expected a different outcome, anyway.

“Professor Crescent,” Cloud spoke up. “Please don’t let your guilt control you. Can’t you see you’re hurting your son?”

“Oh, my sweetest boy,” her voice held infinite sadness. She looked at Sephiroth, placing her hands against the wall of the crystal. “Come. Let me look upon you.”

Sephiroth moved, taking the last few remaining steps and stopping directly in front of her. He placed his hands against the crystal from the outside, over his mother’s. They couldn’t touch, but he imagined he could feel her warmth through the stone, the whole thing vibrating with power.

“What a strong and handsome man you’ve become. I am sorry I’ve failed you.” She was openly crying now. “I love you, more than you will ever know. Never doubt that. But I need to stay here. This is my penance. You are not the only one I’ve wronged.”

Cloud was shocked to see that Sephiroth had silent tears rolling down his cheeks, too. The man nodded, fingers tracing the smooth surface of the crystal, wishing he could hug his mother just once.

“May I visit you again?” he asked in a small voice, sounding like a child, despite his imposing stature.

“Nothing would make me happier, my son. I will be here.” She gave him a sad smile. “I must rest now. Projecting my voice outside of the crystal takes a great deal of energy. Thank you for coming to see me. I am very happy to see the man you’ve become.”

“I will come again,” Sephiroth promised and with a flash, Lucrecia was gone.

The surface of the crystal now appeared solid and nothing could be seen inside. Sephiroth continued to run his fingers over it for a few moments longer, almost caressing it, before turning around and visibly pulling himself together. His eyes were still a bit wet and overly bright when they settled on Cloud.

The depth of emotion Cloud saw in them made his heart clench.

“Thank you,” Sephiroth said thickly.

Cloud could only nod in response.

***

They sat in front of the fire afterwards, watching as the sun set behind the mountain. It reflected over the lake, casting the whole plateau in a warm orange hue. Apparently, Sephiroth had brought food and beverages in his mystery bag, as well, so they ate and drank in companionable silence.

Although it was summer, nights were still cold this high up in the mountains, so they’d need to head inside the tent soon. But for now, Cloud allowed himself to bask in the sense of accomplishment. He knew this meant a lot to Sephiroth and he was glad to be here with him.

Sephiroth put down his beer and faced him.

“Cloud,” he said. There was a strange note in his voice.

When Cloud turned around, the smile he didn’t even realize he was wearing still tugging at his lips, he saw that Sephiroth had moved a lot closer, hovering just on the edge of his personal space.

Cloud opened his mouth to ask what he wanted when, suddenly, Sephiroth was right there, leaning over, all the space between them gone, his lips covering Cloud’s. Cloud’s brain short-circuited, all thoughts gone. Sephiroth’s lips moved gently, invitingly, coaxing his lips, but Cloud could not move. His head felt full of cotton, a strong buzzing in his ears. Then he felt a tongue sneak out to slide along his bottom lip and he shivered, finally crashing back into himself, regaining control over his limbs. He grabbed Sephiroth’s shoulders and gently pushed him away.

He was breathless, his eyes huge with shock.

Sephiroth’s eyes, which had closed at some point, opened and gazed at him. Whatever he saw made him step away, refusing to meet Cloud’s eyes. Walls were visibly rising around him, masking the hurt Cloud had momentarily seen in his eyes.

“My apologies. I misread the situation.” It seemed like Sephiroth would say more, but he cut himself off. “It was an emotional evening, think nothing of it.”

He rose and, before Cloud could string together enough coherent thoughts to stop him, walked out of the camp. 

Cloud sat there, stunned, his fingers coming up to touch his lips. They were still tingling where Sephiroth’s tongue had touched them.

Cloud continued to sit in front of the fire as night fell around him.

He wondered how he could have missed this coming. He knew they’d gotten much closer over the past month, but he never imagined… He never even dreamed that Sephiroth would kiss him.

Okay, no, that wasn’t true at all. As an adolescent, he’d had many, many dreams about Sephiroth kissing him, and doing many other things besides, but the idea that it could happen in reality felt too ridiculous to even entertain. He’d never thought about what potential partners Sephiroth might like, but it certainly wouldn’t be him.

And yet, Sephiroth had kissed him.

Cloud expected to feel guilty about that because of their long history, but surprisingly, he did not. He knew this Sephiroth had nothing to do with the man that had destroyed his old life. In fact, this one had saved his mother’s life.

In a strange way, it felt like he’d always been destined to end up here. All the turning points in his life, both good and bad, had always been about Sephiroth.

When he was a child in Nibelheim, he saw a news report about the great Shinra general. He couldn’t look away. The regal-looking man, with flowing silver hair and the most vivid green eyes Cloud had ever seen stole his heart in an instant.

At first, Cloud didn’t even know who Sephiroth was, but his interest quickly tuned into an obsession. He collected every photo and article he could find, carefully taping and preserving them in his notebook. The gaps between photos and articles were filled with his words of adoration. He admired this man more than anything. So much so that it affected the key aspects of Cloud’s life. It was because of him that he decided to become a SOLDIER. It was because of him that he wanted to be a better person, to help people. It was because of him that, when puberty hit, he realized he was attracted to men.

The giant poster in his room inspired many teenage fantasies and led to many secretly changed sheets.

When Cloud joined Shinra, he watched the man from afar, his fantasies becoming even more elaborate. He dreamed about Sephiroth noticing him, praising him, talking to him. He’d always wanted to meet him. But then there were also the darker fantasies about Sephiroth possessing him, using him. Cloud imagined the great general singling him out and punishing him after class by forcing him on his knees, making Cloud pleasure him. He imagined Sephiroth holding him down, pressing his face into the floor and pounding into him, nearly breaking him in two.

So, yes, he spent many nights, both awake and asleep, picturing Sephiroth doing all sorts of sexual things to him. But then Nibelheim happened and Cloud never allowed himself to think about it again. The man he used to be attracted to was no more and everything Cloud felt for him was replaced by burning hot hatred and rage.

Looking back on it now, Cloud could admit the attraction was there even then, but he buried it under so many layers of pain and anger that it no longer mattered.

Cloud had tried to find comfort in others, he’d had one-night stands, but he never enjoyed them much. A part of him was forever tainted and broken by the heartbreak he’d endured.

And now, here he was, in a different life, a different time, free from guilt, the man he’d cared for since he was a child offering him what he’d always longed for.

Cloud wanted it, more than anything.

***

As Cloud sat there, deep in thought, hours passed with no sign of Sephiroth. He was starting to worry and hoped Sephiroth would return soon. That he wasn’t upset enough to try spending the night outdoors. Even enhanced as he was, it was too easy to get hypothermia in the mountains.

By now, the fire was down to embers, and Cloud reluctantly dragged himself off to the tent. There was nothing he could do but wait. Without his enhancements, he had no night vision and no hope of finding Sephiroth in the dark. He crawled under the covers, wishing he’d reacted differently. Wishing he’d just kissed back, like he’d wanted to. But Cloud had spent so many, many years fighting his feelings for Sephiroth that his first reaction was to deny himself.

He ran his fingers over his lips for the hundredth time that night.

He really wanted to kiss Sephiroth again.

Some time later, Cloud heard the tent flap open.

There was some shuffling in the dark as Sephiroth changed out of his uniform, and then, silence.

Cloud tried to calm his breathing. The pounding of his heart felt so loud he was sure Sephiroth could hear it from across the tent. He got up, or as much as he could in the cramped space, and crawled to the other bedroll.

“Sephiroth,” he called softly. He couldn’t explain why he was whispering. They were alone in the middle of nowhere with no one to hear. But the moment felt precarious and precious, as if any loud noise would shatter it.

Sephiroth’s eyes opened, glowing brightly in the dark, the hurt and wariness unmasked to see. Cloud placed a hand on his cheek, caressing softly, tracing a line beneath one beautiful green eye with his thumb. The hurt gave way to confusion as Sephiroth subconsciously leaned into the touch.

“Sephiroth,” he breathed again. “That wasn’t a rejection.”

The moment he said it, he captured the man’s lips in a searing kiss. The hands cupping Sephiroth’s face slid upwards, burying themselves inside his hair, clutching, pulling, trying to bring them closer together.

He felt Sephiroth gasp and respond, his lips devouring Cloud’s, arms wrapping around his waist, pulling him of top of him. Their kisses were messy, frantic, uncoordinated in the dark, their hands exploring, touching everywhere within reach. When he could no longer breathe, Cloud broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against Sephiroth’s, trying to catch his breath. The man murmured, “Cloud,” tenderly, tracing imaginary patterns across his back.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this,” Cloud confessed to the darkness. He was rewarded with another bruising kiss that morphed into another, then another, followed by a series of kisses and little nips along his jaw and throat. This was beyond anything he’d ever imagined.

Cloud removed the blanket separating them, tugging at the hem of Sephiroth's t-shirt. Missing his night vision more keenly than ever, he wished it weren’t so dark. He said as much and Sephiroth halted, rising from the bedroll.

“I’ll be right back.”

Through the wall of the tent, Cloud saw him create a ball of fire and cast a Fira at the dying embers of their campfire, bringing it back to life. It was still dark inside the tent, long shadows painted in red, but there was just enough light to see by. Cloud found it strangely fitting that his first time with Sephiroth should be under the light of a fire. Perhaps he should have found the thought disturbing, but he did not.

Sephiroth re-entered the tent, slouching, way too tall to stretch to his full height inside it. There was a fire in his eyes, matching Cloud’s and, oh, it was so much better now that he could see him. Sephiroth was wearing black slacks and a t-shirt with a Shinra logo on it. His feet were bare. This was the most unguarded Cloud had ever seen him and something tightened in his chest at the sight.

“Come here,” he said. His voice was so husky with desire that he barely recognized it.

Sephiroth didn’t need to be told twice. He crawled over him with the grace of a feline predator, mouth latching onto Cloud’s throat, taking the time to memorize all his sensitive spots. He pushed Cloud’s t-shirt up and over his head, throwing it somewhere behind them. Taking a moment to look at Cloud, his fingers raked across his chest, alternating between caressing and scratching, leaving thin white lines with his nails, then finding his nipples and pinching, eliciting a gasp.

“You are a sight to behold,” he whispered and Cloud blushed, all the blood that hadn’t gone to his face, pooling in his groin.

Sephiroth’s mouth replaced his hands, his tongue tracing the same patterns, swirling around a nipple and sucking on it until Cloud could barely breathe. He teased it between his teeth, while working the other with his fingers. Without warning, he bit down hard and Cloud bucked off the sheets, a loud moan escaping him. Sephiroth lapped at the spot with his tongue right after, soothing it.

“I had a feeling you’d enjoy a bit of pain,” he said smugly.

“You bastard,” Cloud panted, but he didn’t deny it and Sephiroth bit him again, on his collarbone this time.

“Argh, enough,” Cloud moaned and flipped them over. “My turn.”

He discarded Sephiroth’s t-shirt, careful not to snag his hair that now cascaded all around them. Cloud could not resist touching it. His fingers ran through the soft strands, gently tucking them out of the way. He pushed Sephiroth down into the bedroll, straddling his waist, Sephiroth’s hands automatically coming to settle on his hips. There was an unmistakable hardness pressing against Cloud’s backside and he wiggled, loving the way Sephiroth’s mouth dropped open, a soundless gasp lodging in his throat.

“I want to hear you,” Cloud said, then leaned over and whispered in his ear, “I’ll have you moaning my name before this night is over.”

He did hear a gasp then, Sephiroth’s hips bucking into him, seeking friction. He took Sephiroth’s earlobe in his mouth, tugging at it with his teeth. His lips moved lower, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses along Sephiroth’s jaw before crushing their mouths together again. They were both panting now. Cloud’s own hardness was wedged between their bodies, his pleasure spiking every time they moved.

“I need you naked, right now,” he moaned against Sephiroth's lips.

“That can be arranged.”

But Sephiroth continued to rub his clothed hardness against Cloud, kissing him until they were both dizzy with desire, seemingly in no hurry to do anything about it. Cloud had to take matters into his own hands. He swatted Sephiroth’s hands away, moving away just long enough to take off their pants.

“So eager,” Sephiroth chuckled.

“I am, so do something about it.”

Sephiroth’s eyes flashed with desire and he flipped them around again. He pinned Cloud with the full length of his body, miles of naked skin pressed together. He caressed Cloud’s legs and Cloud spread them apart, silently urging him to touch where he desperately needed him to.

Sephiroth trailed feather-light caresses over the feverish skin on Cloud’s inner thighs, driving him mad with need. He sucked on the sensitive spot on Cloud’s neck, just beneath his ear, feeling every whimper coming out of his mouth.

“Mm… So eager for me,” Sephiroth repeated fondly, deeply pleased.

“Shut up,” Cloud moaned.

He grabbed Sephiroth’s head, tugging him into a bruising kiss, legs wrapping around him, forcing him closer and crushing their cocks together at last. They both moaned at the contact, Cloud’s leaking hardness twitching with need where it was pressed between them. Sephiroth continued to move, rocking in slow, controlled movements against Cloud. His hand moved to Cloud’s ass, squeezing, pulling closer.

“I need you, now,” Cloud almost pleaded, clawing at Sephiroth’s back, his legs spreading wider, making Sephiroth’s hips settle between them.

Sephiroth reached over, searching for something in his bag, all the while maintaining the steady rhythm that rubbed their cocks together. He grabbed what he was looking for and Cloud heard the unmistakable sound of a bottle being popped open.

“You…” he said in disbelief. “I can’t believe you! You brought lube?”

“What can I say? I was optimistic.”

“I feel like I should be mad about your cockiness, but right now, I’m just happy you have it.” He moaned obscenely, “Get on with it already!”

Sephiroth chuckled, completely unapologetic.

He poured some liquid on their joined cocks and spread it with his hand. Cloud hissed at the sudden cold, but it tuned into another moan as Sephiroth continued to stroke them together. Slick, warm, heavenly friction was making Cloud dissolve into pleasure.

“Fuck me, Sephiroth,” he begged.

With one last lingering kiss, Sephiroth moved off of Cloud, kneeling between his legs, spreading them apart. Unable to resist, he licked across the pale thighs, making them quiver with need. He poured some more lubricant, warming it with his fingers before circling Cloud’s opening.

“Have you done this before?” he asked.

“Not… not in this body.”

“Then I’ll need to take my time to thoroughly prepare you.”

Cloud let out a long whine, unwilling to wait, but knowing Sephiroth was right.

A tip of Sephiroth’s finger breached Cloud and his breath hitched. He was too tight. He tried to relax.

Sephiroth continued to trail kisses over Cloud’s inner thighs to distract him while his finger moved in and out of him. As his mouth moved upwards, biting and sucking on the sensitive flesh, a second finger joined the first. Sephiroth sucked bruises into the skin of Cloud’s hipbone, moving closer and closer to where Cloud desperately needed him. Cloud was flushed and sweaty, looking half maddened, his hardness throbbing against his stomach. Sephiroth kissed along taut muscles there, breaths ghosting over the pulsing cock waiting to be touched. It twitched in anticipation of what was to come. Without warning, Sephiroth licked a long line along the thick vein on the bottom of it, making Cloud’s hips buck at the contact.

As his fingers stretched Cloud’s entrance, Sephiroth took Cloud’s cock in his other hand, stroking it a few times, before wrapping his lips over the tip and sucking, tasting the precome gathered there. He flicked his tongue, teasing the slit, driving Cloud crazy.

A third finger entered Cloud, just as Sephiroth wrapped his mouth fully around him, swallowing him.

Cloud’s hands grabbed his hair in a desperate, frenzied grip, pulling him closer, his mouth falling open in a shameless, wanton moan.

Sephiroth sucked enthusiastically, loving the feel of Cloud’s thick cock on his tongue, enjoying the tremors in his entire body, knowing that he’d caused them. He moaned around the cock in his mouth, the vibrations sending waves of pleasure down Cloud’s spine. Sephiroth’s fingers worked him mercilessly, changing the angle and making Cloud’s vision go white as he hit that magical spot inside him. He let a long, drawn-out moan.

“I—I can’t,” he sobbed, almost delirious. “Now! I need you inside me, right now!”

Sephiroth pulled out his fingers and Cloud whined at the sudden emptiness. He watched Sephiroth coat his cock with lube and, within moments, the tip was pressing against him. Sephiroth moved slowly, carefully, rocking in slow, shallow thrusts until he was fully sheathed inside.

“Fuck, you’re so big,” Cloud panted, feeling stretched and filled. It felt amazing.

Sephiroth gave him a few moments to adjust and then he was moving with practiced, deliberate thrusts, driving in deep every single time. He pulled almost all the way out, snapping his hips and pushing all the way in. Cloud threw his head back, sobbing, his hips surging to meet him. He grabbed Sephiroth’s hair, tugging roughly, forcing him closer and crushing their mouths together. It was all tongues and teeth, Cloud biting on Sephiroth’s bottom lip hard enough to draw blood, a metallic taste exploding in their mouths. Cloud’s eagerness spurred Sephiroth on, making him pound into Cloud faster, harder, rougher.

Sephiroth lifted one of Cloud’s legs, throwing it over his shoulder, giving himself better access and changing the angle. They couldn’t kiss from this position, but each thrust hit Cloud’s prostate, making him writhe and clutch at Sephiroth’s arms, lost in ecstasy.

Sephiroth’s movements grew more and more erratic and desperate. He was obviously close. His hand wrapped around Cloud’s neglected cock, stroking it in time with his thrusts. Their eyes met. Sephiroth’s irises were blown so wide, they looked almost round, and Cloud’s heart stuttered at the sight.

“Come for me, Cloud,” he purred.

The combination of pleasure vibrating through his body and the way Sephiroth said his name sent Cloud over the edge. He came with a strangled scream, harder than ever, spurting all over their chests. Some of it even landed on his chin. He looked absolutely debauched. The sight overloaded Sephiroth’s senses, making his movements quicken, then stutter, going tense, before he toppled right after him. He spent himself inside Cloud, pounding into him until every last drop was gone, then slumped over him, completely spent.

“Oof, you’re heavy,” Cloud complained, without really meaning it. His arms betrayed him as they came up to wrap around Sephiroth, holding him in place.

Sephiroth struggled to catch his breath.

Cloud felt incredibly proud that he’d managed to make Sephiroth, the man with seemingly infinite reserves of stamina, who hadn’t broken a sweat during their long trek up the mountain, a breathless mess. He kissed the top of Sephiroth’s head, hiding a smile in his hair.

After a few minutes, Sephiroth pulled out of Cloud and stretched out beside him. Cloud grabbed his t-shirt and used it to wipe them both off. They were still messy, but this would have to do until they returned to civilization and found a proper shower.

Having done that, Cloud suddenly felt unsure about what to do next. Should he go back to his bedroll? Sephiroth didn’t seem like the kind of person who’d want to cuddle.

But, before his thoughts could spiral, Sephiroth pulled him back in, tucking Cloud beneath his chin.

“Stay,” he simply said.

So Cloud did.

***

Cloud woke up in stages, feeling pleasantly warm and well rested. He could feel his pillow rising and falling rhythmically. He buried deeper into it and it chuckled. Cloud froze, the memories of last night coming back to him.

He knew he should lift his head and face Sephiroth, but he suddenly felt very unsure. What did any of this mean? What was Sephiroth looking for, anyway? Was this just a one-night stand or a start of something more? Cloud didn't think he could survive it if this was taken from him, now that he'd had the chance to taste it.

"Do you regret it?" Sephiroth asked, and Cloud belatedly realized that the man had gone tense all over. He must have misunderstood Cloud's reluctance.

"No!" Cloud replied resolutely, finally meeting the uncertain eyes of his lover. "No," he repeated more softly and leaned in to kiss him.

Sephiroth responded without hesitation, but broke the kiss before it could turn into anything more heated.

"What's wrong then?"

"Nothing. I'm just being ridiculous."

"Let me be the judge of that."

Cloud fidgeted and, at length, chose to lie back down on Sephiroth's chest, too embarrassed to look at him as he voiced his worries.

"What now?"

Sephiroth paused, clearly not expecting the question.

"Now we pack up the camp and--"

"No," Cloud sighed in frustration. "I meant about," he waved his hand, indicating the space between them. "Was that just a one-off?"

"Cloud," Sephiroth said and pushed himself up into a sitting position, dislodging Cloud in the process. He made the man look at him with a finger under his chin. "You are mine now. I have no intention of letting you go."

He said it so matter-of-factly that a shiver ran down Cloud's spine. The possessiveness in Sephiroth's voice was incredibly arousing. With a flush and slightly breathless, Cloud looked him in the eyes and agreed, “Yes, I’m yours.”

He smiled and crawled into Sephiroth's lap, determined to show him just how much the possessiveness pleased him. The day was still young and they were in no hurry to get back.

They hadn’t bothered to put their clothes on the night before, and Cloud was deeply grateful for it now, enjoying the unobstructed feel of Sephiroth’s cock against his own. They were both already half-hard. Cloud pressed closer, bringing their chests flush together as he captured Sephiroth’s lips in a fiery kiss, his hands raking across his back. They kissed for what felt like hours, unable to stop.

Cloud felt the scab on Sephiroth’s bottom lip under his tongue and broke away, remembering he’d put it there the night before.

“Sorry about that,” he said, running a thumb gently over it in apology.

Sephiroth’s eyes were dark with desire as he answered, “It’s more than fine.”

He grabbed Cloud’s sleep-tussled hair and pulled, crushing their mouths together again. Cloud was quickly growing addicted to this feeling. His legs wrapped around Sephiroth’s back as they rocked together, Cloud still sitting in Sephiroth’s lap. The position didn’t allow for much movement, but it felt very intimate and sent all of Cloud’s senses into overdrive.

He pulled back a little, looking at Sephiroth’s face. Everything was so different now, in the daylight, when he could see every minute expression on the man’s gorgeous face. Sephiroth’s eyes gazed back, the liquid mako in them simmering with desire and promises of pleasure to come. Cloud carded his fingers through Sephiroth’s hair, moving it away from his face. He looked so unusual, so much softer without his bangs, that Cloud couldn’t help but smile.

“What?”

“I can’t believe this is real,” Cloud admitted.

Sephiroth hummed in agreement and pulled him closer. His hands slid down Cloud’s back, settling on his ass, urging him closer, increasing friction on their cocks trapped between their bodies. Soon, Cloud couldn’t take the slow, teasing pace any more and reached for the lube, putting it in Sephiroth’s hand. He was still loose from what they did the night before, but Sephiroth prepared him anyway, reaching around and breaching Cloud’s entrance with his fingers as they rocked against each other.

“Enough,” Cloud gasped at last, needing more.

He pushed Sephiroth on the shoulders, making him fall on his back and splay against the bedroll, Cloud still in his lap. Cloud raised his hips a little, reaching behind him to take Sephiroth’s throbbing hardness and line it up against his entrance, before lowering himself onto it. Sephiroth grunted, while Cloud moaned, feeling the stretch against his already tender hole. Sephiroth’s hands caressed Cloud’s thighs, soothing him, as he waited for his body to adjust. The hands moved higher, caressing Cloud’s chest, rubbing his oversensitive nipples, and then, reaching for the back of his head, he pulled him down for another kiss.

As they kissed, Cloud’s body went pliant, eager, and his hips started moving on their own, craving more. He broke the kiss with a gasp. Using his hands on Sephiroth's chest, he lifted himself off and dropped down, chasing his pleasure against Sephiroth’s body. He impaled himself on Sephiroth’s cock repeatedly, sending them both into ecstasy. Sephiroth’s hands gripped his ass like a vise, certain to leave bruises.

“Cloud,” he whispered, like a prayer.

He thrust upwards, meeting Cloud’s movements, pounding into him savagely.

“Sephiroth,” Cloud moaned, “Sephiroth, I’m so close.”

Sephiroth’s hand wrapped around Cloud’s leaking cock, squeezing and running his thumb over the oversensitive head, before starting to stroke it in earnest. The hands resting against his chest clenched at that, fingers turning into claws, nails creating crescent indents on his skin.

Soon, too soon, Cloud threw his head back, his eyes rolling into his head, and spent himself between them. It only took a few more thrusts for Sephiroth to follow, Cloud’s name on his lips.

Cloud collapsed into Sephiroth’s arms, breathless and completely drained. Sephiroth’s fingers carded through the hair on the back of Cloud’s neck drenched with sweat. After he’d calmed somewhat, Cloud turned his head and started leaving open-mouthed kisses down the column of Sephiroth’s neck, his nose nuzzling the hair behind his ear.

“You didn’t moan my name last night, but I made you do it today,” he whispered smugly, teasing the earlobe with his teeth.

“Cloud,” Sephiroth warned, trying to turn away, but his own hands wouldn’t stop touching Cloud, leaving teasing touches all over Cloud’s skin, unable to stop. They couldn’t get enough of each other. “The road back is long, we should head back soon.” But despite saying that, he made no move to get up.

Cloud lifted himself on one elbow, meaning to kiss Sephiroth again, but as he did, he discovered the sticky mess between them and frowned. His come had started to dry, turning nasty and uncomfortable.

“Ugh, I really need a shower.”

Sephiroth wholeheartedly agreed.

“Unless you’d like to take a dip in the lake, our only option is to go back.”

“Do you realize how cold mountain lakes are?” Cloud shuddered at the mere thought.

He frowned again at the mess on his chest and reached over for the same t-shirt he’d used to wipe them off the night before. Unfortunately, the come had dried too much for it to do any good. Then, Sephiroth took the shirt and left the tent, still fully naked. Cloud followed, feeling self-conscious about being naked outdoors, despite them being the only ones there. Sephiroth dipped the cloth into the lake and used it as a washcloth to clean them off.

“Well,” Cloud said afterwards, feeling slightly awkward, “I think that ruined the mood.”

Sephiroth chucked and nodded. “It most certainly did. But no matter, it’s time we left, anyway.” He pulled Cloud against himself, breathing him in, hands caressing his back. “I'm eager to have you on a bed once we return.” His lips found Cloud's neck. “And then on any other surface we can find.”

Cloud moaned, shivering and pressing closer. “Sounds like a plan,” he said, breathless, and then Sephiroth was moving away.

He smiled and leaned over to press a kiss against Cloud’s temple, before heading back to the tent to get dressed.

***

It was midday by the time they finally packed up the camp. The walk downhill was much more pleasant and far less exhausting. They took their time waking next to each other, their hands brushing from time to time. Cloud was so high on endorphins that he wouldn’t have minded walking all the way back to Midgar on foot.

When they settled in the buggy, Sephiroth surprised him.

“We still have a few more days before we have to go back,” he said.

“Did you want to go somewhere else?”

“The way I understand it, this place is only a few hours’ drive from Nibelheim.”

Cloud’s eyes widened. “It is.”

“We could go and see how the reconstruction is going. Visit your mother.”

The thought of Sephiroth in Nibelheim still made him somewhat uncomfortable, but Cloud was touched that he’d suggest such a thing. And he did want to see his mother.

“Okay,” he said with a small smile.

The drive was mostly uneventful. They kept sneaking glances at each other and smiling when catching the other looking. For most of the drive, Sephiroth’s hand rested possessively on Cloud’s thigh. And they talked. Sephiroth got Cloud to tell him more about his childhood and told Cloud about himself in turn. They both had terrible childhoods, so the conversation wasn’t pleasant, but it made them feel closer by the end of it, which made the discomfort worth it.

It was evening when they parked in front of the Nibelheim city gate.

The few townspeople they met on the way to the inn greeted them. They looked at Sephiroth in awe and gave Cloud the cold shoulder. After hearing about Cloud’s past, Sephiroth knew it wasn't unusual, but it still angered him. He wished to teach them a lesson, to introduce them to Masamune and make them know fear, until they showed his lover the respect he deserved. But he knew Cloud wouldn’t appreciate that, so he held back, choosing to ignore everyone instead.

When they reached the town square, they immediately saw progress. The damaged buildings had been torn down, and new ones had taken their place. Cloud’s new house already had most of its walls, but no roof, whereas the one next to it looked mostly finished but unfurnished.

“They work fast,” Cloud observed, sounding pleased. He hoped the speed didn’t mean shoddy work. “Let’s head in.”

Cloud left Sephiroth to check them in, while he went in search of his mother.

Before giving him the keys, the receptionist informed Sephiroth it would take an hour for the room to be prepared, because it was a late check-in. So, he sat down at the table in the lobby, passing the time and waiting for Cloud to come back.

Cloud returned just before the hour was up.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize I was gone that long!” he rushed to Sephiroth, looking apologetic.

“It’s fine.”

“My mother gave me a couple of boxes of my old stuff that they managed to save before our house was demolished. She kept telling me about it and I couldn’t get out of it.”

“Cloud, it’s fine. I didn’t mind.”

“I’ll have to look through it and decide what, if anything, I want to bring back to Midgar. I hope you won’t mind.”

“On one condition. You have to tell me a story about every item you keep.”

Cloud huffed. “You got yourself a deal. Most stories will probably bore you to death, but no take backs.”

***

A few hours later, after they’d showered and settled into their room, they’d gone over most of the items in Cloud’s boxes. There were two piles on the floor — the smaller “to keep” pile and the far bigger pile of things to throw away.

Lastly, Cloud pulled a flat piece of paper from the bottom of the box and unfolded it.

“Oh,” he whispered reverently, instantly drawing Sephiroth’s attention.

For a moment, it seemed that Cloud would hide whatever it was from Sephiroth and put it away without letting him see it. But then he changed his mind and spread it across the floor.

It was a promotional poster for SOLDIER. In it, Sephiroth stood in his full uniform, sword drawn, but held behind his back, facing slightly away from the camera, a confident and determined look on his face. The poster itself was huge. Taller than Cloud himself, that was certain.

Cloud was looking down at the poster, a deep flush spreading across his face and neck, even reaching his ears. There was a fond, nostalgic look in his eyes. Sephiroth moved, wrapping his arms around him from behind, kissing along the back of his neck, nipping at his adorably red ears.

“The real thing is right here, you know.”

“Mm, I know,” Cloud said, leaning back against him. “But I have some very special memories with that man.” He sighed wistfully.

“Should I be jealous?” Sephiroth whispered against Cloud’s ear, making him shiver.

“Oh, maybe you should,” Cloud teased back. “He’s the one who made me realize I was gay and featured in every fantasy I had for years.”

Sephiroth’s arms tightened around him. Teasing aside, it was a big admission to make.

“I don’t see what’s so special about him. He just stood there and watched you pleasure yourself. He could never make you writhe like I did last night.” Sephiroth bit Cloud’s neck as he said it.

Cloud moaned, pressing his hips back into Sephiroth, finding a growing hardness there. Sephiroth placed his lips on Cloud’s neck and sucked, making his knees buckle.

“True, but he made me come so many times, it would take you years to catch up.”

“Well, I’d best get started then,” Sephiroth said, his fingers deftly unbuttoning Cloud’s pants and taking him in his hand.

They didn’t even make it to the bed for the first round. Or the second. The third round was slow and gentle, both of them completely exhausted, falling asleep in each other’s arms right after.

***

Cloud was the first to wake up, by the sunlight streaming through the window falling on his face. He looked at the sleeping face of his lover, completely relaxed and unguarded in his sleep. Warmth filled Cloud's chest at the sight and he had a nearly overwhelming need to wake him up with kisses. But he decided to let Sephiroth sleep a bit longer instead, knowing that he needed it.

Moving slowly, carefully, so as not to wake him, Cloud eased out of bed. He decided to grab them coffee while waiting for Sephiroth to awake. He threw on some clothes and went into the dining area. It was breakfast time, so there were a few other guests milling around.

“Cloud!”

He turned at the voice. “Ma! Good morning.”

She was sitting at one of the tables, drinking tea, having finished her breakfast. He poured two cups of coffee and went to join her. He placed the coffee on the table and sat across from her.

When he lifted his head, he saw her looking at him wide-eyed. Her eyes were fixated on something on his neck… And then realization hit. He remembered Sephiroth repeatedly sucking and biting on his neck, right there. His hand flew up to cover what must have been a hickey.

Cloud cursed himself for rushing out of the room without even checking himself in the mirror. Fear pooled in his stomach. His mother knew he was there with Sephiroth. There was no way she wouldn’t put two and two together. What if she had a problem with it? With him. He hadn’t wanted her to find out like this. He should have told her! There had been so many opportunities, why didn’t he—

“Cloud, honey,” she covered his hand with hers, drawing his attention. “Breathe.”

He took a shuddering breath, not daring to look at her.

“Look at me,” she ordered, so he did. “Does he make you happy?”

“Yes,” he answered with absolute certainty.

“Then that’s all I need to know.” She smiled, her thumb brushing the back of his hand. “I’m sorry if I made you feel like you couldn’t tell me.”

“No, that’s—”

“In truth, I’ve suspected it for a long time. You did like that poster a bit too much.”

“Ma!” he whined, but it made them both laugh and just like that, a tremendous weight was lifted from Cloud’s shoulders. He stood and went around the table, giving his mother a big hug.

“I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, honey. I’m so proud of you.”

Just as he got back to his seat, he saw a grouchy, barely awake Sephiroth drag himself into the dining hall. He saw Cloud wave and headed over.

“You weren’t in b—” he began, then noticed Claudia sitting across from Cloud and quickly corrected himself, “in the room when I woke up. Where did you go?”

“I went to get us coffee.” Cloud pointed to the cups in front of him. He stood and walked up to Sephiroth, “But then I got held up.”

He leaned over and placed a small, chaste kiss to the corner of Sephiroth’s lips.

Sephiroth looked at him in shock, then at Claudia. She didn’t seem surprised, giving them both a fond smile.

“It’s alright,” Cloud said, drawing Sephiroth’s attention back to him. “I told her. Or, she figured it out, more like.” Cloud pointed at his neck and Sephiroth, the fearless hero of Shinra, blushed, lowering his head and hiding behind a curtain of hair.

Claudia approached them, then, and placed a tender hand on Sephiroth’s cheek, using it to lift his face. Sephiroth flinched, unused to people outside of his immediate circle touching him. She either didn’t notice or pretended not to. Either way, she was undeterred.

“From today on, you are both my boys. You’ll always be welcome in my home, Sephiroth.” She patted his cheek fondly. “But, if you hurt my Cloud, the entire Shinra army won’t save you from me. Is that clear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sephiroth replied solemnly. 

“Pfft, don’t pretend to be intimidated by my mother,” Cloud laughed and grabbed his hand. “We’ll see you later, ma,” he said and dragged Sephiroth back towards their room, the coffee forgotten.

Sephiroth allowed himself to be pulled, enjoying the feel of Cloud’s hand in his.

The number one thing Sephiroth had always wanted was a family. And right here, between his lover and his welcoming mother, he’d found acceptance he’d never hoped to find. He felt like he belonged. 

It was hard to believe that he’d almost destroyed this with his own hands. In another life, another version of him, governed by rage and manipulated by Jenova, had destroyed it all and, with it, his own chance at happiness. He vowed to protect this place, to protect these people with everything he had. 

And once they’d dealt with Shinra, with the remaining reactors, he would not mind coming back here, getting a house and creating a simple life with Cloud. If Cloud wanted that. 

But it was far too soon to think that far ahead. What they had was still too new, too fragile. But the beaming smile on Cloud’s face and the solid weight of his hand held a promise. And Sephiroth had meant what he’d said — he had no intention of letting go of Cloud ever again.