To Be As Strong

To Be As Strong


Jazzbo22
Jazzbo22 @ hotmail . com

Cloud’s dream was to join SOLDIER. He didn’t anticipate meeting Sephiroth or Zack, or the unexpected emotions he would feel for them.

SephirothxCloudxZack –LEMON, language

A/N: Even though it involves this famous threesome, I'm wanting to take it a a littttttllleeee bit of a different direction. Which I guess you'll just have to keep reading future chapters to see! As always, reviews are appreciated. Enjoy!


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Chapter Two



“So I know you’re all dying to get started with weaponry right away, but we have a few things to cover first.” Zack stood at the front of the classroom, watching the eager, attentive faces of the cadets. Major hero worship going on right now. Zack could practically see the hearts in all their eyes.


“For the rest of this week we’ll be in this classroom. Starting next week we’ll be working in the cadet training center. If you don’t know where that is, you can either check with the registrar or refer to the base map that was given to you in your itinerary packet. First off, weapons training doesn’t just involve those big ass swords I know you’re all dying to use.” And he made them laugh. Already Zack knew he had big points in being voted favourite instructor. While not a huge deal, it did involve free liquor for the winner. He didn’t mind that at all.


“Firearms training will also be included. It’s important as you’ll not always be able to carry a sword on you, and it also improves accuracy and concentration. I know sometime in your career as a SOLDIER you’ll be thanking us for teaching you how to use a gun.”


Zack walked over to the front desk, perching on the corner. The cadets were silent as they watched him.


“I know you’re all excited since this is your first day, as well as your first class. I always do a little bit of an orientation to start off with so you’ll know exactly what’s ahead of you. Along with weapons training, I teach one of the hand to hand combat classes. Between that and weapons, you’ll not only learn how to fight like a pro, but the proper fitness routine to help build the muscles used to support the buster sword effortlessly. You’d think it would be all upper body, but SOLDIER requires you to be extremely physically fit and muscular. No steroids – just good old working out, and eventual mako injections. SOLDIER Darmouth leads the general fitness classes – you’ll meet him tomorrow when you go running at six am.” A notable number of cadets groaned. Zack shrugged.


“You’ll thank him later. The enemy doesn’t wait until breakfast time to attack. You have to be able to wake yourself up and jump right into physical activity. When you eventually get to field work in this program, mock fights will be staged where you have to be prepared to get up and go at all hours of the day.” A cadet raised his hand. Zack nodded to him.


“When will we have to do that?”


“When you learn how to fight, as well as completed the outdoor survival, navigation and battle tactics courses. Probably in six months time.” Zack picked up a folder laying atop the desk, pulling out an assortment of coloured sheets.


“When you get a chance to look at your course calendar later,” Zack held up a green sheet, the course calendar in question. “You’ll see that each course has a certain number of hours beside it. That’s how long it takes to complete. Some cadets, if they prove exceptional, can apply for accelerated learning and earn their courses faster. Most cadets choose to go through it the normal way though.”


“Do we have to apply for accelerated learning?” A cadet asked. Zack placed the folder back on the desk.


“Usually you’ll talk it over with the instructor of the course you feel you’re exceptional in. If he agrees, it’ll be brought to the General’s attention, where he will assess the cadet’s application and ultimately decide if the cadet can move ahead. If it’s a yes, the cadet will either be placed in a more difficult class or work with the instructor one on one. Hours spent in the class or with the instructor will be considered doubled or tripled, depending on how strenuous the learning is.”


The class was silent. Zack was sure he had them all terrified when he mentioned the General. Sephiroth could inspire fear even when he wasn’t in the same classroom. Standing from the desk, Zack stood in front of the first row of desks.


“Well, to try and bring this back to the point, I am one of the instructors for the combat courses. If you have any questions for me you can see me before or after class, or if you check out this course calendar, it’ll tell you where my office is. You can go through the secretary in the office building to set up an appointment. All instructors operate the same way. Are there any questions?”


“So we start actual weapons training next week?”


“You will start actually using weapons next week. The rest of this week will be discussing safety as well as how to best develop your muscles so that you’re strong enough to use the buster sword when it comes time. We’ll also be discussing how to hone your concentration and access your inner strength. I guarantee you’ll be ready for that lesson as soon as you go for your first run with Darmouth tomorrow morning. The only way I got through those was learning how to meditate while doing it.” He had succeeded in scaring the shit out of the cadets again. Jeez, he had to stop doing that.


“If that’s it for questions, you guys are dismissed. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”


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“I can’t stress enough how important proper nutrition is in building a strong body. The cafeteria here doesn’t boast the most flavourful foods, but it’s loaded with all sorts of good stuff to help you repair muscle and strengthen yourself. Tomorrow I’ll have a complete breakdown of all the foods you’ll be eating and how they contribute to your physical and mental health. You’ll find out as soon as you start a stressful workout regime how important it is not to skip meals. You need the nutrients.”


Cloud wondered how many times Doctor Wright was going to say the same thing over and over again. Nutrition 101 was definitely going to be a bore.


“Throughout this week I’ll be meeting with you all individually to discuss your fitness routine and help you figure out your caloric intake based on your individual needs. That’s all for now. Class is over. Remember to check the schedule posted on the door to see what time your appointment is!” Cloud was already up and nearly out of the classroom. Classes were cut short today because of the welcoming ceremony, so it was like getting a little taste of everything to come.


He checked his timetable, feeling a lump of nervousness settle in his stomach. Hand to hand combat was next. The instructor was a first class SOLDIER, Zackary Fair. They had to throw in the first class SOLDIER bit just to scare all the cadets. It was working though – Cloud’s hands were trembling slightly. He had seen a SOLDIER in the hallway – a big brute of a man with a vertical scar running from his temple to his chin. Cloud had scurried by him then, feeling like an insignificant bug. Now he had hand to hand combat with a SOLDIER who would be scarred and growl at his students and crush them like ants. Somehow Cloud wasn’t looking forward to it.


He managed to find the cadet training grounds easily enough. It had a big sign ‘CADET GROUNDS’, just incase of confusion. Supposedly it was a big deal of a cadet wandered onto the SOLDIER grounds without permission, so the signs were probably welcome.


The training grounds were composed of a two-story building, surrounded by a grassy expanse of field. Cloud had read in the brochure that there was indoor and outdoor training, areas big enough to accommodate a class of sword-wielding cadets at once. Out in the field no doubt – although the building was big, it didn’t look like it could fit cadets, and those huge swords.


Seeing no one on the field, Cloud pushed open the door to the building. Stepping into the front hallway, he followed the sound of chatter. There were two rooms – one marked ‘WEAPONS’ and the other ‘H2H’. Cloud went to the second.


Cadets were scattered around the room – some sitting on mats, others leaning against the walls, some standing in the middle. Rob was waving at him, motioning him to come over.


“Hey guys, this is Cloud, my roommate. Cloud, this is Eric and Gabe.” Already Rob was making new friends, and he hadn’t even been there twenty-four hours yet.


“You nervous?” The blonde one, Gabe, asked him. Cloud nodded.


“First class SOLDIER is a big deal.”


“Yeah, I heard this guy was an accelerated learner. Got to first class SOLDIER the same year he arrived. Crazy eh?” Rob said, his voice full of awe. Cloud gulped. First class in the same year as arriving? That was terrifying. Visions of scarred, angry, big ass nasty men filled Cloud’s mind. He could imagine a man like that breaking him in two, eating him for breakfast. Flossing his teeth with his bones…


Okay. Now he was just being dramatic.


Everyone seemed to be scrambling together now in the middle of the room, a hush falling over. Cloud turned to see what was going on, a nervous chill running down his spine. Fee-fi-fo-fum….


“Wow, that’s him.” Eric whispered, clearly surprised. Cloud was too, and probably not for the same reasons. Well, he couldn’t speak for Eric, but the man that had come into the room blew all thoughts of cadet-crunching SOLDIERs out of his mind.


“Hi everyone. I’m first class SOLDIER, Zack Fair. You can all call me Zack though…and you can stop looking like deer caught in headlights.” The room seemed to let out a collective breath. A few chuckles even. Cloud wasn’t laughing though – he had to check that his mouth was closed. Zack was a complete vision – total alpha-male, tall and muscular, with a clear dominant presence. He was also unbelievably and undeniably gorgeous. Head to toe. He did have a scar, a faint criss-cross on his left cheek, but instead of being frightening it was oddly appealing.


His face was manly, elegant. Blue eyes, mako eyes, which held a confidence and kindness to them. Cloud didn’t doubt they could take on a hard edge though. He had a long patrician nose and a strong chin, features that could stop traffic, make people look twice. And that skin – bronze god standing right in front of him. Cloud was more interested in removing his uniform and seeing whether he was tanned everywhere.


“He was at the ceremony today.” Rob whispered, giving Cloud a nudge. He did remember, now that it was pointed out. Zack had been sitting away from the podium, out of the light. It was hard to see him then – Cloud just recalled a big man with wild black hair. Up close, he could admire him all the better. And he was. Zack could eat him for breakfast if he wanted to.


“So for those of you who don’t know me, I teach weapons and hand to hand combat. Both of those classes focus on developing fighting skills and perfecting technique. You’ll learn to hone your concentration and build a strong body. You’ll also work with a partner every class, so it’s perfect as an ice breaker.” Zack grinned, pulling out a crumpled list from his pocket.


“To save you the trouble of pairing up yourselves, I’ve made a list. You’ll find once out on the field you rarely have a chance to choose who you want to work with, so I’m going to try and rotate partners every one or two weeks. For this week, the partners are as follows; Elmer and Kevin, Josh and Tom, Rob and Eric…”


In Nibelheim, the male pickings were slim. Not much to look at in terms of eye candy, and Cloud had felt deprived all those years. Coming here and seeing Zack – it made up for a lot. No one looked like him. He was handsome, and he was built. Definitely not the type of man you’d find in a small mountain town with a population of two hundred.


“Cloud and Gabriel, Sean and Brett…” Gabe shoved him.


“Looks like you and I are partners this time.” He said, smiling. Cloud grinned back.


“Victor and Mario. Looks like that’s everyone. Any questions?” The room was silent. Zack waited for all of five seconds before continuing, his persona bright and cheerful.


“So with hand to hand, there are obviously many parts of your body you can use to your advantage. No one is left out – short people, tall people, big or thin, you can still be a lethal weapon regardless of your size. This class is broken into three segments – grappling, kicking, and hands. Don’t worry if you don’t have enough muscle mass right now – I guarantee you after the first month here you’ll notice a significant change in your strength. Everyone will be on their way to becoming a professional after I am done with you.”


Wow. Zack was so calm and self-assured, Cloud was sure everyone in the room would believe whatever came out of his mouth. He had that much faith in them, he was certain they’d be competent fighters, and soon. It made Cloud a little nervous, having to live up to those expectations.


Oh, come on. He could do this. He would do this. No ifs, ands, or buts. If Zack felt he could turn them all into warriors, then he would work his ass off to make him proud. Or at least work his ass off so Zack would take notice of him.


“So, I always like to start with hand to hand, since that’s what the course is named. It’s not as hard as it sounds either. The format here is that I will first demonstrate the attack, pointing out all aspects of proper form, and you’ll immediately break off with your partner and imitate what I have done. I like to spend the class having you do the work, instead of watching me show off.” Zack smiled, striding over to the corner of the room. He picked up two pads, slipping them onto his hands.


“The partner not attacking wears these over his hands to protect himself as the attacker takes aim. Injuries will happen, but these minimize a lot of them. As they always say – safety comes first. I don’t want to see anyone here neglecting the rules. I usually keep a loose command over the class - I like to keep a relaxed atmosphere. If I see you dicking off though, I’ll come down hard – make no mistake.” Cheery mood dissipated into a stern rumble, before Zack broke his serious spell with another grin.


“Unlike my weapons class, we can start right training tomorrow. Safety rules here change as the class progresses, so there isn’t much use in laying it all out right now. Anyways, you all can get out of here… enjoy the run tomorrow!” He chuckled, removing the pads from his hands. The room rustled as cadets stood, making their way towards the exit. Rob, Eric, and Gabe waited as Cloud rose to his feet.


Once outside the building, Gabe exploded into chatter.


“This is awesome! I can’t wait to start training!”


“Don’t get too excited. We have to do that run tomorrow.” Eric was less enthused. Rob just shrugged. Cloud was still thinking about Zack. It seemed so unreal that such a beautiful man would be a SOLDIER, and his teacher no less. Maybe things were actually starting to work out for him. Being with Zack everyday certainly cut down Cloud’s disappointment in not seeing the General at all. Sephiroth. Since he first saw him on the front page of the Nibelheim paper, he had been desperate to come down to Shinra and see the war god in person. Sephiroth had played the lead role in many of Cloud’s fantasies. But now…Zack…Cloud knew that he was about to have a starring role in his dreams.


“Yo Cloud. Off in your own world?” Rob smirked, smacking him lightly on the shoulder. Eric chuckled.


“Probably getting himself in the Zen frame of mind for getting up for six tomorrow.”


“It won’t be that bad.” Cloud mused out loud. “So long as we all get to bed early.”


“What about all the parties tonight?” Gabe pouted, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Cloud delivered the smack this time.


“The parties are supposed to lure us unsuspecting cadets in and make our morning all that much worse tomorrow. There’ll be more parties later. Don’t get yourself sucked into the very first one, when you know how awful tomorrow is going to be.” It wasn’t rocket science. Cloud had been hungover all of once – and he had his mom to baby him the next morning. Yeah mom, must’ve caught the flu. He wasn’t going to say anything about drinking under the water tower.


“Cloud’s right. The party is just to screw us over. Plus, I hear they get even better when you make it into SOLDIER.”


“We’re not even legal drinking age yet!”


“Shut-up Eric. Like that even matters.”


Nope. There was always a way to get some alcohol.


“Let’s go to the mess hall. Maybe the line won’t be so long – I’m starving.” Rob’s stomach growled in answer. Cloud was hungry as well. The day, even with its shortened classes, felt long.

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“How was the first day?” Sephiroth asked absently, removing his gloves. Zack was sprawled across the couch, one sock foot thrown unceremoniously over the back. He was like a big cat, basking in the dying warmth of the sun.


“Same old, same old. Kids all full of hero worship, thinking I’m gods gift or something. Decided I’d share my charming attitude before coming down on them in training.” Sephiroth grinned – just a small upturn of lips. Barely noticeable, but Zack had known him for a long time. He was able to pick up the small things like that.


“You’re unnaturally joyful. I’m sure it wasn’t hard work.” Gloves removed, Sephiroth floated over to the kitchen sink, washing his hands. Seemed like he wanted to wash his day away. Zack felt the opposite – he had a good time, even though it was the same every year. The cadets were well behaved, it didn’t seem like he’d have any disciplinary problems.


“Maybe. Depends on how hard they work in my classes. I’m not going to tolerate slackers.”


Sephiroth had turned off the tap, coming towards Zack. He didn’t move, instead lay still, gazing at Sephiroth with hooded eyes. Damn. Sephiroth was doing that thing – sizing him up before the pounce. He was sure taking his sweet ass time.


“Anyone stand out?” Sephiroth inquired, running his hand firmly up Zack’s side. He let out a sigh, waiting as that hand roamed.


“Not yet. They’re all nervous right now, personalities aren’t coming through just yet. Probably in a few weeks I’ll know them better.” That hand had traveled underneath his shirt, Zack hissing as Sephiroth encountered a nipple.


“I’m sure you’ll no doubt attract the vivacious spirits soon.” Zack sat up, helping Sephiroth tug his tunic over his head. Sephiroth traced the same path with his tongue. Zack lay back down, fingers threading through silver tresses.


“Yup, I’ll squeeze some energy out of the- ahh!” While licking a path up his chest, Sephiroth hand had wandered south, grabbing onto a notable bulge. Zack’s hips buckled, pushing up into the General’s palm.


“You were saying?” Sephiroth smirked, licking a taut nipple.


“Need you undressed…” Zack reached for his lover, pulling at the clasps of his leather jacket. Sephiroth moved up further, catching Zack’s lips in a possessive kiss, his hands joining Zack’s in ridding himself of clothes. Deciding Sephiroth could deal with his own uniform, Zack unfastened his own belt, kicking off his pants, boxers, and toeing out of his socks. All the while battling for dominance with Sephiroth’s tongue – yeah, he was good. He had to be an excellent multitasker to keep up with Sephiroth – the man was all up for doing several things at once and expected Zack to be the same.


“Impatient?” Sephiroth quirked a fine silver eyebrow, smirking at him again. Zack grinned, grabbing Sephiroth’s length and stroking him firmly.


“Wanted to cut down on undressing time.” Sephiroth’s eyes darkened as Zack increased his pace. He swiped his thumb over the head, gathering the bit of moisture at the tip. Sephiroth’s lips parted slightly, his breathing growing heavier.


“Like it?” Zack spoke, his voice far more huskier than it had been moments ago.


Without much delicacy, Sephiroth grabbed Zack’s hand, flipping him over so his chest faced the back of the couch. Zack felt his lover’s hands wander the length of his back before settling on his ass, kneading it. Talk about impatient.


“Hnn!” Zack moaned, surprised as Sephiroth’s tongue licked possessively at his sensitive entrance. He didn’t expect Sephiroth to be so bold, yelping again as that tongue did lovely, lovely things to him. He felt his eyes drift shut and his body flush as Sephiroth moved away, fetching his lube from his jacket. He had begun carrying it around once Zack had taken to pouncing him anywhere. Office, especially – Sephiroth hadn’t complained.


Zack felt him returning shortly after, this time exchanging tongue for slick fingers. He groaned as two penetrated him, scissoring, stretching him for the bliss to come.


“You’re going to be screaming my name soon.” Sephiroth said, his breath hot on his neck. Zack cracked an eye open.


“Stop feeding your ego- mmm!” Sephiroth had replaced his fingers with something much bigger, much more solid. Zack’s eyes snapped open, nearly rolling into the back of his head as Sephiroth pulled back, only to thrust forward forcely. Repetitively. And he kept hitting. That. Spot.


“Oh God!” Zack moaned, trying desperately to grab at the sofa cushions under him. Sephiroth rarely was a gentle, slow lover, despite the aura he gave off. More often than not, Zack was treated with this rough, wonderful, animalistic handling that got him sweating and moaning. Jeez, how did Seph know he liked it just like that? God!


“Seph, oh god, please…”


“Tell me what you want.” Sephiroth growled low in his chest. Zack found himself mewling embarrassingly.


“Faster.” Mewling didn’t stop – instead it grew louder as Sephiroth increased his tempo. Zack tried to shut his mouth, but all that was coming out was Sephiroth, Seph, oh fuck…


And Sephiroth was nearly silent, occasionally letting out a low groan or a loud exhale. Turning his head, Zack watched his lover, seeing his lips sealed tight, his eyebrows drawn together. The look of concentration.


“Seph…” Bright mako orbs snapped up to meet Zack’s own enhanced eyes, and it was understood – the end was near.


Sephiroth reached under him, grasping his shaft, stroking him in time with his thrusts. The dual pleasure was too much for Zack to bear, and he groaned, head thrown back as his climax ripped through him. Sephiroth had shifted closer behind him, his chest pressed firmly against his back, nipping at Zack’s ear as he found himself falling over the edge.


Sated, Zack pulled away, flopping back down onto the couch. Sephiroth had disappeared into the bathroom, reemerging moments later with a washcloth. Zack let himself be cleaned before pulling Sephiroth against him.


“That’s what I’ve been waiting for.” He mumbled against the General’s lips, kissing him lazily. Sephiroth allowed the moment of tenderness before pulling away, giving Zack a slight grin.


“Told you you’d be screaming my name.”

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