Love Against Time

Got this one out faster than I thought, though the next one will definitely take a long while. Oh, and standard disclaimer applies, I keep forgetting to put it in...They're not mine, wish they were, I'm broke, don't sue.... blah, blah, blah.

Enjoy. :}

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Sephiroth stood at this and shoved the guard away. “He can take his own clothes off, just as I can. Why don’t you go wait by the door?” The guards backed down, and Seph lay on his mattress and stared at the ceiling to give Cloud some semblance of privacy.

The blond had no idea what was going on as he was placed in line with half the inmates of the corridor. Another blond was dragged out of the cell across from theirs, cursing like a sailor with Turret’s. He reminded Cloud of Barret an awful lot, and a pang of sorrow swept over him. The other was put in line behind him, grumbling about indecency. Cloud stifled a laugh as the line began to march down the hall. They entered the showering commons approximately fifteen minutes later. Cloud groaned inwardly.

The blond smacked him lightly on the back. “Hey man, they did a number on ya, didn’t’ they?” he asked. His tattoo crinkled as he grinned. “The name’s Zell.”

“Cloud.” The terrorist didn’t feel like dealing with this kid. “And yeah, they beat the shit out of me, as you can see by all the deep gashes and oozing welts.”

“Yeesh man was only trying to be friendly. Squall said he and that cellmate of yours wiped the floor with some of these guys yesterday. Just figured we might wanna watch each other too.”

“He didn’t say anything about it.” Cloud wondered if Sephiroth wanted him to go into this entirely blind as some kinda punishment.

“Yeah, well, I’m offering to watch your back if you watch mine. Whacha say?” Zell offered his hand.

“Deal.” They shook on it. Unlike their counterparts, they had no problems with showering. Surprising to them, since Cloud’s wounds made him an easily overpowered target. Returning to their cells, they waved.

Sephiroth was snoozing again, no big surprise. Cloud dressed as quickly as he could. He didn’t want Sephiroth to know the extent of his wounds; the bastard might take advantage of them. Leaning against the wall, he slid down to sit.

“Are you in less of a pissy mood now?” Sephiroth asked without opening his eyes.

Cloud was silent for a moment. “No,” he said flatly. “I’ve lost them,” his voice wavered. A short pause followed, then, “It’s all your fault.”

Sephiroth’s eyes opened at that, and he blinked slowly as the accusation sank in. He nodded after a moment’s pondering, realizing that the spiky-haired blond was most likely right.

“You aren’t even going to deny it?!” Cloud snapped.

Sephiroth’s eyes narrowed to slits, stilling Cloud’s rage. He closed his eyes again, knowing that the other wouldn’t touch him. Breathing deeply, he listened to the blonde’s movements. Cloud’s boots scratched against the stone floor; he was getting up. Feet dragged through straw and over to the corner opposite the mattress. The soft thud of a skull against rock and a quiet sigh stole through the silence. A pang of regret ran through the General’s mind, and an inaudible sigh escaped him. Grunting, he stood and crossed the three feet to Cloud. Blue eyes fluttered open and glared at him.

“What?”

“Take the mattress.”

“I don’t need handouts.” The blond blinked despite his harsh tone, confusion twisting his face.

“I’ve been here long enough to know that the floors aren’t the best place for someone who’s been wounded to sleep. And you’ve obviously been hurt. Take the mattress.”

Cloud curled into the corner, muttering, “I don’t want your sympathy.” He took a deep breath and flinched.

Sephiroth’s eyes narrowed, his face tightening. Bending down, he picked up the other and carried him over to the mattress.

“Put me down,” Cloud growled. The Cetra unceremoniously dropped him onto the straw brick. “OW!” he howled, doubling over in pain.

“Roll onto your back,” the General ordered. He tugged a strip of webbing off the mattress and wet it under the faucet in the sink. Turning, he found Cloud had not moved. Brows knitting together, he took off his coat and began unstrapping the other’s armor.

“What the hell are you doing?” Cloud hissed.

“Keeping you from getting infected.”

“Why?” Cloud twisted under the General’s hands.

“Stop moving,” Sephiroth ordered harshly. Cloud ignored him. “You may not have noticed this, but we’re connected. There’s something that allows us to gain power from each other.”

“The whole ‘you’re my clone’ bit isn’t going to work this time,” the blond muttered. “I know who I am.” He continued to squirm.

“Good. You can never be me.” Sephiroth pinned Cloud to the mattress. “Just as I could never be you. We’re of the same ilk.”

“Would you stop spouting that crap?”

“I’ll shut up if you let me help you.”

“Talk till you die.” At this Sephiroth grinned an honest to god friendly grin. Cloud’s bright eyes widened. The bastard was actually grinning at him. He couldn’t believe it, after all he’d seen in his life a FRIENDLY grin from his arch-nemesis was not on his expected list. Taking advantage of the blonde’s shock, Sephiroth finished removing the other’s armor.

“You are devious,” Strife muttered. It was beginning to dawn on him that he and the General might be in this mess for the long haul like Sephiroth had suggested. That would explain why the usually frosty General was being warmer than possible.

“I’m a tactician,” Seph replied, gently tugging at the turtle necked SOLDIER uniform.

“For Fucksake man, lay off!” Strife barked.

“Look, neither of us has materia,” the other hissed in response. “If you want to find your friends and get them out alive, then I suggest you let me fix you!”

“No.”

“Fine.” Sephiroth threw his hands in the air and wandered over to the other side of the cell. He stared at Cloud as the blond pulled the hem of the shirt back over the few inches of skin that had been bared.

“What’s wrong with you, huh?” Sephiroth asked, after he’d calmed a bit. His frosty demeanor was trying its damnedest to settle into its place of facade, but he fought it off as best he could.

“Just going on instinct.”

“You don’t have any,” Sephiroth snorted.

“I had enough to get me to the Northern Cave.”

Sephiroth cracked a grin. “Yeah. That, however, could be considered sheer stupidity as well.”

“And you can be called a complete madman.”

“Hmm, but I’m not.”

“Che.”

“Go to sleep,” the General ordered.

Cloud held his retort, not wanting to get into another battle of wits with the Greatest Tactician the World had Ever Known. Well, his world anyway. He didn’t want to think about where they were now, or where his friends might be. Shivering, he rolled over and curled up. Cloud vaguely noticed Sephiroth covering him in his coat.

Sephiroth sat up for a long time that night, watching Cloud snuggle into his jacket. Strange thoughts came to him, relatively new. He wanted to know about Cloud. More than he already knew, anyway. There had to be more than just Omnislash and schizophrenia. He began to wonder what Cloud felt and thought. He knew the boy’s life story, but that meant nothing to him. He wanted to hear it from Cloud, wanted to know how everything had affected him. But what if he still hates me? Sephiroth thought. Still? He’s probably always hated me. Sighing, he stared up at the ceiling and let the questions, doubts, and fantasies run through his mind. Eventually, they drew him to sleep.

Cloud sat across the cell late the next day, gingerly nursing the aggravated wounds beneath his shirt. His skill level had come far beyond anyone’s expectations, even his own. He’d shown Sephiroth that much when the other had pissed him off earlier that morning. All his work and the Son of Jenova had still whooped his ass. Despite all his wounds and Sephiroth’s superior strength, the white-haired SOLDIER was sporting a heavy black eye. It had swollen shut about an hour ago. They’d fought, like so many times before. But this time was different; this time the animosity had been replaced . . . by something carnal. In the end, whatever it was, lust, desire, attraction, had made him do something stupid. They’d been rolling around on the ground, and Cloud had managed to pin Sephiroth. He’d had him in a straddle pin, arms pushed into the ground, hips braced against his, and legs forcefully spread in such a way that movement hurt. They were both breathing hard, sweat running over taut muscles. Cloud had stared into those cold green depths and found something heated staring back. He quickly swept his eyes over the body beneath him, barely concealing a lustful shiver. Sephiroth struggled then, pulling the blond closer to him. The hard balance on their hips shifted, and Cloud’s attention was suddenly thrown to his growing erection and the one trapped beneath it. He leveled his eyes with Sephiroth’s, knowing his expression bluntly said “I want to fuck you, NOW.” Then he’d swooped down and kissed the other man violently. Sephiroth bucked against him, the delicious friction opening his mouth in a thick moan. Their mouths warred openly, saliva dripping from Cloud’s lips when he broke for a few seconds at a time. He forgot entirely about holding Sephiroth down, his hands wanting to roam the broad, pale chest beneath him. Tugging his gloves off, Cloud deftly stroked dark nipples to life. Sephiroth gasped as he pinched and twisted sharply. Delving into the open mouth, he’d slid his hands around Sephiroth’s corded neck. The demigod slowly sat up, Cloud’s hands dragging the armored coat (which he’d stolen back that morning) over heated skin. The blond panted against the kiss, the other’s long, rigid member pressing hard against his own. The silvery haired beauty’s hands were moving quickly over what was left of his armor, shedding it as if it were a husk. It landed with a heavy thunk beside them, followed by the thick ruffle of fabric after his shirt had been hoisted over his head. Sephiroth loosed a low whistle as all the deep gashes came to his eyes; every one of them was a serrated blade wound, and not one would leave the courtesy of smooth skin behind. Cloud turned his head away, ashamed of being tortured. A hot tongue slid down his neck then, eliciting a shaky breath. Cool fingers dipped into his pants and teased his cock. Groaning, he pressed against them, and nearly shrieked when he met with the hot flesh of Sephiroth’s length. Looking down, Cloud felt himself grin; he was longer than Sephiroth, but nowhere near as thick. His hand was guided to the throbbing shafts, and together they pumped vigorously. Sephiroth held him close as they did so, nibbling softly at his lips when they weren’t kissing. The edge was so blissfully near; the taut legs beneath his were shaking with tension, and he felt Sephiroth’s cock pulse with release as his did. The white-haired angel kissed him hard then, neither wanted to hear what name the other was calling. They collapsed against each other, tired but hungry for more.

It was then that the strain had hit Cloud. Between the fight and the orgasm, his body was beyond use. Pain racketed in his muscles, causing them to clench up in cramps. He’d doubled over, whimpering. Refusing help, he’d struggled over to where he now sat. Sephiroth had thrown him his clothes, but done nothing else. Cloud’s eyes roamed over to where his cellmate lay on his mattress, curled in sleep. He’s probably not even concerned, Cloud thought dejectedly. Wait, why do I even care? He’s my enemy . . . and holy fuck does he taste good. Don’t get attached to him, he just sees you as a fucktoy. Besides, you have Tifa.

:: Tifa’s name wasn’t the one you were yelling when you came.:: A small voice in the back of his mind whispered. :: And Tifa doesn’t have a cock like that, no matter how many strap-ons she uses. You hunger for the real thing; you want him. Don’t deny it.:: The little voice laughed and disappeared. Cloud knew it was right.

Sephiroth stirred a while later. Facing the blond, he watched him for a long time as he attempted to sort out that morning’s events. It had certainly taken him by surprise, but he’d enjoyed it. Cloud had, too. But now came the tension of bedding an enemy. There was nothing he could really do if Cloud decided that is was just a casual, after fight frustration. Normally, he’d prefer it that way, but this time it felt wrong. He felt so strange after he’d seen Cloud’s wounds. It was almost as if he’d felt his pain, and he’d been as gentle as he could. Now he just wanted to do his best at taking care of the other man. He knew that the open wounds would infect in this dank place, and if that happened, he’d be forced to use his materia to keep Cloud with him. He didn’t need Cloud like he’d said he did. But he wanted to continue feeling whole like he had that morning. Sitting up, he made a decision. He silently rose and crossed the room to Cloud, whom he picked up and carried back to the mattress. He could feel the other’s heart pounding in his chest, and the heavy blush that was staining the blonde’s face was cute. Smiling softly, he laid his lover on the mattress and cradled him in his arms. Pressing his forehead to Cloud’s, Sephiroth settled back into sleep. Cloud joined him shortly after.