Master Of My Heart

Hey everybody! Here’s Stage 4. Since I’ve been spending so much time on Seph’s life and problems, I decided to dedicate this chapter mostly to Cloud.

Thank you for all the reviews!

Stage 4


Cloud is a boy of seventeen years. With no name, no past, and obediently, not much personality. Cloud had been denied the freedom or rights to all of these. Cloud was so small when the planet began to rapidly destroy itself from the inside out. He didn’t remember watching his family meet a gruesome death in the molten lava the leaked from the breaking ground, or how desperately his mother ran with him.

Or how he watched helplessly, stunned as she met her fate over a raging cliff side. He’d been so scared, hungry, hot… Yes, everything was so hot. His clothes barely covered him from close encounters with fire, lightening, or lava. It was a miracle that he only got away with a few burns in random places over his body.

Cloud didn’t remember the hand of a tall teenage boy reaching down for him. His face calm and stoic. Cloud didn’t remember his streaming silver hair, or those marvelous green eyes staring down at him. Despite the chaos that raged around as the ground Cloud was curled up on broke down and dissolved, the teen stood there, staring at the blonde as if nothing at all were happening.

Cloud did not remember taking that hand, or the small, awkward smile that tweaked the teens lips as the little human followed after him toward the great, glowing blue ship whose doors stood open wide for their entrance.

As fate would have it, neither would the teenage boy remember Cloud. Nor expect that they’d meet once again.

Erasing Cloud’s memories were inadvertently an act of mercy, to wipe him clean of all the horrors he’d survived through, and of the silver haired teen. Cloud was processed and tagged. He had sat in the barracks for only three months before he was bought by an elderly Shinranian, his long gray hair was stringy and his skin was full of wrinkles, his eyes full of cold malice.

Number twelve. That had been Cloud’s name. Why would anyone spend time to name a human? He was the last slave the man ever bought, and all were named from one to twelve. Cloud stumbled and sobbed, and was punished as a result until he became efficient, until he made no more mistakes. Cloud had been starved for days, been beaten till he was bed-ridden, been lashed, and locked in the cold, pitch-black cellar that spawned so many monsters in his mind he found himself physically ill once he was released.

Cloud grew accustomed to his treatment and lived his life, doing whatever he was told, never talking to anyone, and distancing himself. Cloud wrapped himself with his arms in his tattered cloth shirt and slept sitting against the lamp at night. Only a few of the other slaves took pity on him and left the light on, most ignored him or at times purposefully caused Cloud to misstep and be punished for their own twisted amusement.

Cloud never thought about freedom, warmth, laughter, happiness, softness… Love. He only knew the strict eye that was always kept on him by an overly suspicious master, he only knew the stone cold room where they all rested, no one laughed when they were hungry or hurt, no one was happy, everyone was miserable, their tunics were made of rough course fiber and they were never allotted anything nice and soft, or decently made. And not one of them, was ever shown, or much less understood the concept of love. They cared for no one but themselves; they didn’t have a choice. It was every human for himself. Cloud just tried his best not to think too much and pretend he was a robot.

It had been such a shock when the old man finally kicked the bucket. Cloud didn’t know how to feel, what to think, or what to expect. It had been right after Cloud had spilled hot Gornal all over the man’s crotch because one of Cloud’s rivals for being favored smacked themselves into Cloud while he balanced the bubbling drink. Their master had howled in pain and jumped up, backhanding Cloud as hard as he could and watching without any satisfaction at all as the frail blonde flew across the room and collapsed into a pile on the floor. The elder man leaped onto Cloud and used anything he could get his bony hands on to beat the boy until he was covered in thick red blood. But the excitement had been too much for his old failing heart and he died not long after.

Some government workers appeared a few hours later after a slave called. They were magnificent, even Cloud could see that. They stood confident, sharp dressed in black suites and ties. One of them was bald with sunglasses, and another had fiery red hair as they checked through all the slaves after loading their master into a large, boxed hovercraft for privacy reasons. Cloud had been grabbed off the ground by the red headed one and his ear was pierced with a gun by a man with dark hair pulled back into a high ponytail. The pierce in Cloud’s right ear indicated that he was government property, and the silver stud would be removed when he was bought again. The dark haired man ordered the red head to load Cloud up onto the hover disk and Cloud joined the others where Cloud received nothing but animosity.

When Cloud’s beaten body was delivered to the cellblock he was barely conscious. The last thing he saw was the shock on a tall spiky raven-haired man’s face as he quickly walked over and Cloud’s eyes were consumed in blackness.

When next he woke it was hot, he was dehydrated and he could feel another body tightly pressed against his own. Cloud’s sight was fuzzy and confused as he gazed around the white room. He was there for days with little food and water, neither of which tasted right. Cloud was rapidly loosing himself in delirium before he lost consciousness again only to wake in something soft and warm, this time not burning with intense fever.

“Well, look who’s up.” Cloud gazed to his left and surprise dawned on his features when he saw a human woman smiling warmly at him. Looking around Cloud realized he was in a bedroom, one like what his master leapt in, not a cell or stone room.

“It’s okay. You’re resting here.” Cloud looked back at the brown haired woman. She was beautiful, long brown hair framed her face, though Cloud could see that her hair was pulled back. Her blue eyes were so warm… So sweet...

“Wh-what’s goin on?” Cloud’s voice was scratchy and clogged with sleep.

“You’re resting here until you’re better.” Cloud looked to the foot of the bed and at the doorway stood the man he remembered from somewhere. Those ears, the talons, those eyes…

Zack walked into the room and standing by Cloud he put the back of his cool hand to Cloud’s forehead.

“You still have a bit of a fever.” Cloud looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t and Zack sighed.

“Don’t worry, you can talk all you want.” Zack retracted his hand and put both on his hips.

“I don’t understand.” Zack grinned and sat on the edge of the bed.

“You were in the hospital, but that place is so unsanitary. I took you out so that you could rest and recover.” Cloud’s expression was puzzled.

“Why?” Zack grinned wider.

“’Cause I really like humans. See, Aerith there is my wife.” Cloud looked back at Aerith in surprise.

“You… Married a human?” Zack nodded and crossed his arms.

“Yup. Pretty ain’t she?” Cloud felt his face flush a little. He hadn’t seen many girls aside from the old ones that worked for his old master. Cloud nodded as Zack ruffled Cloud’s spiky hair.

“You just relax and get better. When you do, I’ll take you back to the barracks.” Zack stood.

“Who are you?” Cloud asked; eyes peaking from under the covers he’d suddenly pulled up to hide his blush.

“Zack.” Zack winked.

And when Cloud recovered enough to be passed as healthy Zack took him back to the cellblock where Cloud waited for a month. Cloud wasn’t aware of Zack deflecting dangerous buyers, he wasn’t aware of Zack’s fatherly feelings, of how much Zack put forth into protecting him.

And now, Cloud found himself overlooking the stew that he was heating for Sephiroth. Cloud felt a small smile tug his lips. He still wasn’t exactly sure if he was ready to relax here like ensured he’d be able to do, he didn’t know Sephiroth well enough yet, but so far… This new life was enough to bring a smile to Cloud’s face. It was hard to believe that Cloud had never smiled before he met Zack.

Was this what happiness felt like? Cloud jerked when he heard the front door open and pulled the bubbling stew from the fire to cool for a moment as he walked and stood at the end of the hall that coincided with the entrance to the kitchen. Sephiroth paused in surprise when he saw Cloud bow his head down at the end of the dim hall. Sephiroth shook his head and entered, still not at all used to sharing this place even though he knew Cloud was there. It was still so foreign. Sephiroth smiled lightly as he pulled the box from his pocket, and Cloud found look on his face dazzling.

“Before we do anything else, there’s something I must give you.” Cloud eyed the box as Sephiroth showcased the container and carefully lifted the lid. Sephiroth almost felt like he was proposing and a strange tingle raced down his spine and squirmed around in his gut in reaction as Cloud stared in bewilderment. Those same big blue eyes that Sephiroth had been infatuated with looked into his own in awe.

“That’s my tag?” Sephiroth gave one solo nod as he picked up the tag and let the case slide back into his pocket.

“Bow your head.” Cloud did as he was told and Sephiroth slipped the gold tag under his chin and clasped the cords of leather. When done Sephiroth stepped back and Cloud raised his head. Reaching down Cloud placed his slender fingers over the gold plate displaying his name and Sephiroth’s.

“Cloud.” Sephiroth said calmly.

“That’s the name I picked. There’s no changing it either.” Finally, what had been tugging at Cloud for little more than twelve hours, Cloud smiled. Sephiroth tensed in surprise to see such a beautiful, heartwarming smile that set those same blue eyes alight. They were blinding, brimming with emotion. Cloud was… Glowing.

“I like it.” Sephiroth nodded and turned toward the table. In response Cloud jumped into action and grabbed the ladle and carried the stew over and filled Sephiroth’s bowl before his own. After setting the stew back on the stove Cloud took his seat at the table and worked on holding his utensil properly. He was rapidly improving.

Sephiroth watched Cloud eat with the new sensation twisting around in his gut growing stronger. Suddenly Cloud seemed like he was producing his own radiant light. He was becoming more and more magnificent as time went by. How does that happen? Pulling himself from his trance Sephiroth quickly began to eat.

“What was your name before?” Cloud looked up at Sephiroth.

“Twelve.” Sephiroth didn’t say anything, only paused for a split second.

“I was number twelve. We were all numbers. So I really like the name Cloud, I’ve never had a name before.” Cloud smiled into his meal. Now that Cloud had smiled he was having a hard time stopping, especially every time he touched the tag. He was Sephiroth’s, and Cloud was so happy to be his.

Sephiroth quickly finished his meal in mere moments, almost giving Cloud whiplash when Sephiroth stood and wordlessly put his bowl into the sink. Cloud stared after Sephiroth in bewilderment as the General left for his office. Did Cloud say something?

Once inside his office Sephiroth closed the doors, locked them and closed the curtains. Putting his hand to his forehead Sephiroth heaved a deep sigh. All the tension in Sephiroth’s body suddenly drained out of him and his shoulders sagged a little. How could he sit by the gorgeous boy, looking and smiling like that and not be affected, especially with that dream from the night before still plaguing his mind.

Reaching down Sephiroth loosened his pants and slid his hand inside, groaning when he gripped his already half-mast cock. He had to do something about this, before it drove him crazy. He couldn’t remember being like this since he was a hormonal teenager. Sitting down in a lounge chair in his office Sephiroth pulled his pants down till the leather bunched at his hips. Closing his eyes Sephiroth begrudgingly called forth the images of his dream, the dream that kept haunting him even during his waking hours. Starting with long, slow strokes to fully awake him Sephiroth leaned his head back and groaned as his pace gradually quickened.

Cloud’s lips panted between licks and kisses, his sweet breath fanning over Sephiroth’s pert nipple. His fist moved faster as when he once again saw those hazy, lust filled blue eyes staring up at him, silently asking if what he was doing was pleasing him or not. Sephiroth growled when Cloud’s sweet innocent lips wrapped around the head of his cock and sucked lightly and licked in experimentation. Sephiroth’s hips thrust against his fist as Cloud took more of him into his mouth until he found his gagging point and greedily began to work him over. Sephiroth hissed when he felt his balls tighten and clear, almost watery semen sprung from the angry red head of his cock. With a relieved sigh Sephiroth relaxed into the chair lazily a moment.

However, begrudgingly, Sephiroth raised himself onto his feet and walked over his desk to pick up some tissue and wipe himself clean. He’d have to wash his pants tonight. Sephiroth didn’t trust anyone with his leather, knowing how easily it could be damaged, so Sephiroth always cleaned his leather clothing himself. Fixing his pants for the time being Sephiroth went over to his desk, trying in a vain attempt to keep Cloud far from his mind.

About fifteen minutes later Sephiroth leaned back in his chair and looked out his office doors, thinking once again about his little human, freezing when he saw a shadow move passed the curtains. Standing up Sephiroth went to investigate and found Cloud doing dishes. Sephiroth stayed in the shadow of the hallway as he watched the boy for a long moment. Sephiroth felt something strange twinge in his chest and he turned his back from Cloud before pausing.

‘I’ll never be able to concentrate here.’ Sephiroth gave in irritated sigh as he turned and entered the kitchen, turning straight for his bedroom. Cloud looked over when he heard the sigh and saw Sephiroth head toward his bedroom.

“Lord Sephiroth?” Sephiroth looked back at Cloud over his shoulder.

“Is something wrong?”

“Just tired.” Sephiroth then left without a word, leaving Cloud solemn and worried.

‘I must have upset him somehow.’ When Cloud finished the dishes he decided to make a special breakfast for Sephiroth the next morning. Cloud hoped that a good meal might appease Sephiroth and put him in a better mood.

Finishing up in the kitchen Cloud turned out the lights and went toward the basement that was now lit by a small lamp Cloud found on a dusty, cobweb infested shelf. Since it wasn’t being used anymore Cloud didn’t think it’d matter to Sephiroth. Pausing in front of the basement door Cloud stared over at Sephiroth’s bedroom door, his heart fluttering in worry, his brows furrowing as he turned and went inside, closing the door till it was just ajar.

Well??? Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.