I finally finished editing this and I still don't feel like it's done! I'm so picky. Anyways, this fic takes place during the good ol' SOLDIER days, before the mission at Nibelheim. Cloud's POV. A little angst, but not much since I can't write angst unless I'm pissed off and I was pretty happy while I wrote/typed this. It starts off journal then goes regular time.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from FF7, and sadly, I never will. I'm sorry, Sephiroth. I tried.
NOTE: The size messed up a little in one place and I can't fix it. I hate rebellious text.
Dear Journal,
I’m almost ready for the SOLDIER exam. I have a problem with accepting mako into my system, but that creepy Professor Hojo said as I long as I can retain some in my body, then there is no problem. I don’t like him very much. Correction: I don’t like him at all. He’s just a little bit too obsessed with his experiments. There’s even a rumor that General Sephiroth is freaked out by him too. But, I guess since Lieutenant Zack started it, it’s probably not true. Zack makes up a lot of stuff. He loves tricking the rookies. I should know. I’m his roommate. Two years ago, when I was 14 and he was 17, Zack played an awesome prank on me. Well, at the time I didn’t think it was awesome.
I sleep on the top bunk of our bed, which means I’m farther away from the ground then the lower bunk. Somehow, while I was out of the room for my classes, my evil roommate took out all of the bars for the top bunk, except the first and the last one so the mattress would stay up, and removed his bed completely. Meaning, that only the top bunk was left. It was really late and I was exhausted and wanted to do nothing but sleep. So, after my shower, I trudge into the room, not noticing the absence of my roommate, and climbed the ladder to my bunk. Normally, I just jump right on the bed since I don’t weigh that much and didn’t have to worry about the bed collapsing on Zack. And just like any other day, I leapt right onto the bed and it falls through the bed frame all the way down to the ground. Of course it scared the crap out of me; my shrill screams proved that. And Zack…well he just laughed and laughed. And laughed until an instructor came by wanting to know, and I quote, “What the hell was that f*cking noise?! You want to wake the whole goddamned building?” Unquote.
After the instructor left, I wouldn’t go back in the dorm for days until Gen. Sephiroth walked down our hallway. Zack laughed so hard when he found out that was the only reason for my sudden return. I was scared that he might tell Sephiroth. According to him, he and Sephiroth are best friends. I suppose it’s true; Zack is the only one in ShinRa that can call Sephiroth by his name without the title and not be sent to the medical ward.
Zack’s my best friend, too. He taught me how to use his Buster Sword after hours. I haven’t mastered it yet, but I am pretty close. That is going to seriously help me with the exam. I broke my limit with that sword too, yesterday when I was sparring with Zack. It was pretty cool. Everything lit up, it was so bright! I had leapt into the air and slashed down at Zack. It had to be the sword because there is no way I can jump that high. Zack dodged to the right as I brought down the sword. When the light faded away, Zack was lying on his back clutching his side. I went to see if he was all right, but then Sephiroth just appeared out of no where and was kneeling down next to the owner of the sword checking him over for injuries. That was all I remembered. Having all that energy sucked out of me at such a rapid rate must have caused me to pass out.
When I woke up, Zack was standing over me with a huge grin. He congratulated me on breaking my first limit. Then proceeded to whine and cry about the pain he was feeling and how it was all my fault and, just when I was about to give him something to whine about, he pulled a fast one on me. He said what I had wanted to hear since my arrival at ShinRa.
“Sephiroth was proud of you too, y’know.” This stopped me from inching my hand slowly to his prized pool trophy. I was frozen. That was the best moment of my life. It was this conversation that started everything:
“Say what?” I didn’t think it was possible. Sephiroth? The man who became general at age 16 and still has that position after 9 years is proud of me?
“Yep,” Zack nodded, “said it after he carried you up here. He actually smiled at you too, though he probably won’t admit it.”
My heart stopped. I couldn’t breathe. I almost passed out again, if it weren’t for Zack knocking me out of it by grabbing my shoulders and shaking me until I kicked him. And judging by the way he was crouching down in pain, I had a pretty good feeling I know where I kicked him at. The death glare he was currently sending my way was also a huge hint.
“Man, that hurt!” he groaned from the ground. “And for that, I’ll just tell Sephiroth that he doesn’t need to stop by and check on you.” He then crossed his arms over his chest, “humph-ed”, and turned away, knowing that I was going to say something. And I did.
“Nonononono!” I shouted. “I’m sorry! I’ll be good. Don’t tell him. Please Zack! Please!!” Zack grinned.
“You’d really think I would do something like that?” I started to nod my head and he glared at me. “Of course not, Cloud! Besides,” he said, pointing at the door behind me, “he’s already here.”
Surprised, I whirled around to see the greatest (and sexiest) man in ShinRa and the world: General Sephiroth. His godly figure was leaning against the door frame, his silver hair falling in his gorgeous face. I was vaguely aware of Zack’s laughter, when the angel spoke in that deep baritone voice of his.
“What’s up, Cloud?” Sephiroth smirked. I fainted. Zack continued to laugh his ass off.
That was so embarrassing! I fainted in front of Sephiroth, twice! That was around 10’ o clock last night. Sephiroth must’ve stayed over because I can hear his beautiful deep voice outside of mine and Zack’s bedroom door. Judging by how loud it sounds, they must be in the living room. Great. Now, I can’t even sneak past without them seeing me.
This really sucks. Not only have I fainted in front of the sexiest man in the world, who probably thinks I’m a wimp now, he probably knows that I like him now with that amazing performance I put on last night. Man, Cloud, you are the dumbest person ever! With my luck, I probably won't get into SOLDIER.
I’m going to have to leave this room sooner or later. I’m getting hungry. It’s noon right now. Doesn’t Sephiroth have general duties or something? I love him and all, but I don’t think I can handle seeing him anytime soon. If only I hadn’t broken my limit (I call it Braver!) and almost killed Zack when Sephiroth was outside doing who knows what at 5 in the evening, I would not be in this mess!
Wait…I can’t hear anything. When did that happen? Did they leave? All of a sudden, this feels like a horror movie and I’m not going to be the stupid one who goes out to see what’s wrong. I’m not that curious, I’m not. Really. I can stay in here until they get back. I won’t go out there, I won’t go out there, I won’t go out there, I won’t go out there, I won’t! I will! Damn it! Why am I so damn nosy?
“Zack?” I whisper through the door. “A monster didn’t kill you, did it?”
Silence.
I open the door a crack and peek through it. I could only see the bathroom and part of the kitchen. I gulp, and venture out into the little hallway connecting the bedroom to the rest of the dorm. I keep to the wall, secret agent Turk style, and peer around the corner to look into the living room and gasp.
There is Sephiroth lying on my couch. Correction: He is sleeping on my couch and he seems like he’s out cold. He looks so relaxed. I slowly inch my way carefully towards him, until I am close enough to reach out and brush the hair from his eyes. Which I do. It’s so soft and straight! Unlike my crazy chocobo hair that I fight with every morning. I’m glad Sephiroth doesn’t go to sleep with his hair in a ponytail. It just wouldn’t do it justice. Throwing all caution and common sense out the window, I begin to play with the silvery strands. I’m so busy braiding and unbraiding Sephiroth’s hair, that I don’t notice glowing mako green eyes staring at me with amusement. Well, until he speaks that is.
“Good morning, Cloud. Did you sleep well?”
Startled, I shriek and fall backwards, my head just missing the coffee table. Sephiroth is sitting now and looking down at me smiling. He extends a hand to me and I take it, blushing, trying to look anywhere and everywhere but him. I stand completely still, afraid that if I move even an inch I’ll fall again as Sephiroth inspects a braided strand.
“This is pretty good, Cloud,” he compliments. “I might wear my hair like this sometime.”
“Uh, y-yeah,” I stutter, “You look great in braids.”
What am I doing? Here I am in front of my long-time crush and letting him know I like him with all these idiot comments (not to mention the fact that he caught me braiding his hair), and where the hell is Zack? That jerk! He set this up, didn’t he? I am going to kill you Zack. Run. Run for your pathetic life because when I break my limit again, you definitely won’t be dodging this time! When I get done with you, you’ll wish a monster ate–
“Cloud?” Sephiroth’s voice brings me out of my inner ranting. He surprises me, but luckily I don’t show it.
“Yeah? What is it?” Realizing how rude that might sound since he is my superior after all, I add, “Sir?”
He smiles softly. “No need for formalities, Cloud. I call you by your first name so you can call me by mine.”
Inwardly, I’m jumping up and down for joy. After all, only Sephiroth’s higher ups and Zack are allowed usage of his first name. Wait, what’s his last name?
“Do you know where Zackary is?” He continues as if he hasn’t given me the greatest honor of my entire life, “I remember him giving me hot chocolate–” Here I recall Zack telling me chocolate is Sephiroth’s only weakness, “–and I felt tired and fell asleep.”
Oh God no. Zack, please say that you did not drug Sephiroth. It must have been pretty strong to knock out a SOLDIER as powerful as Sephiroth. Apparently, the General thought the same thing.
“Zack, if you put something in my drink, I am going to kill you in the most painful of ways!” Anyone else would’ve run at the sight of his murderous expression. I, however, am stupid so instead I shout “Hell yeah!” and pump my fist in the air. Sephiroth stares at me in shock and I stare at him in horror, but that only lasts for five seconds before we both burst out laughing.
It feels amazing laughing with Sephiroth. Zack, you’re lucky. I won’t kill you. It’s thanks to you, that I have this opportunity. But that doesn’t mean I still won’t hurt you. I’ll just leave the killing to Seph. Did I just give Sephiroth a nickname? Wow. I better not say it out loud. I glance over at Sephiroth who is wiping away some tears.
“I haven’t laughed like that for a long time,” he says, sobering up. At that reminder, his mood seems to sadden and his eyes stare at the floor.
“C’mon, Seph, cheer up. I can’t stand to you looking so down. It doesn’t suit you at all.” Well, so much for not saying the nickname. Sephiroth’s eyes travel towards me and he smiles. I smile back.
“Seph? The first time you say my name and it isn’t even the whole thing.” I blush. “Don’t worry, I like it. Just don’t tell Zack,” he says and winks at me. My blush darkens and my legs turn to jelly and I hurriedly sit next to him on the couch before I collapse.
“Of course not. As long as I don’t write it in my journal he won’t find out. That’s how he knows I like you after all.”
Wait, back up. I didn’t just say that I like Sephiroth to his face, did I? Oh God, I did! Great. Now he’s going to think I’m a disgusting little freak and send me back home. If that happens, then Mom will be so disappointed in me. Please say this is just a dream. Think, Cloud, think! What would Zack do in this situation? …Right, let’s not go there. Oh no, he’s staring at me! I have such a huge headache right now.
“Cloud? Are you all right?” Crap, I ran out of time. He sounds worried, but I can’t bring myself to look into his deep green eyes.
With my eyes glued to the ground, I answer him. “No, I’m not. I’m terrified.” I finally find the nerve to look up at him. His face is emotionless which doesn’t help me any to figure out how this is affecting him. Sighing, I continue.
“I always manage to mess things up. I probably won’t even become a SOLDIER. Maybe I should’ve stayed home with Mom and Tifa.” My eyes water and a few tears fall.
“Cloud,” Sephiroth’s stern voice says, “Why are you lying to yourself like this?” I stare at him. His eyes have changed drastically from when I first looked at them. Sadness, confusion, and affection all swim in those green depths.
“Sephiroth–” I begin, but he cuts me off.
“No, Cloud.” He places his hands on my shoulders and squeezes them softly. “No excuses. I don’t care if you mess things up or any else of that nonsense. I love this Cloud Strife, no matter what horrible habits or insecurities he may have.”
I can’t believe it. Sephiroth. The great General Sephiroth…loves me?
“S-say it again,” I choke out, tears running freely down my cheeks.
“I love you, Cloud.” I smile and launch myself into his arms, knocking him down into the couch. He let’s out an “Oof!” and chuckles. Strong arms encircle me, giving me a safe feeling.
“I love you too, Seph!” I declare, although his chest muffled most of it.
We fall asleep in that position. And I’ve never felt happier.
“Wakey, wakey, lovebirds,” an annoying, yet familiar voice, calls out. I groan.
“Go away, I’m tryin’ ta sleep…,” I slur. I shift into a more comfortable position. The body beneath me stirs slightly.
Wait. A…body?
“Aah!” I scream and fall off the couch, completely awake. I sit up and peer at the man with sliver hair and green eyes sleeping on the couch. Then it all comes back. I smile as I remember the declaration of love from both of us and blush at the fact that I cried all over Seph. I jump again when I hear the sound of laughter. Growling in irritation, I grab the remote off the coffee table that I barely missed (again) when I fell and throw it at the source. Said source yelps and glares at me.
“You should know better than to mess with Cloud when he has just woken up, Zack,” Sephiroth says, smirking. He extends a hand towards me and I take it. He pulls me up and spins me so I land with my back against his chest.
“Wait,” I say, as a thought occurs to me, “How do you know how I act in the morning?” I tilt my head to look at him.
“Remember that time when I was limping?” I nod. “That was from you when I tried to wake up you and Zack after you slept in during Orientation. Kicked me right in the shin. And you still didn’t wake up!”
I blush. “That was you? Oh my God, Seph, I thought it was Zack!”
“Hey!” My black-haired roommate glares at me from the floor.
“You shut up! I still haven’t forgiven you for drugging Sephiroth!” Insert light bulb above head. “Hey Seph. You thinking what I’m thinking?”
“If it involves a certain lieutenant receiving major bodily harm, then yes I am.” I give him a peck on the cheek.
“Exactly, Love.” We both turn to see Zack slowly inching towards the door.
“You get his feet, I get his hands?” I suggest.
Sephiroth smirks. “Sounds good to me, Cloud.”
Zack didn’t stand a chance.
I need a title. I just can't think of any good ones. Feel sorry for me and help...please?
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