The Inevitable: Chapter 1: Part 4

by Vireyda.

Cloud walked through the tree line and stepped onto the lake's shore. He expected what he saw: No one. With a disappointed sigh, he took in his surroundings. The lake was beautiful at night. The normally clear blue waters were turned almost black in the darkness. The water stood still with no wind churning the surface. Only a slight breeze circulated the air. The insects and night birds played their lullabies to the day animals. The scene relaxed him without him even noticing.

‘Oh well, maybe the talk with Sephiroth can wait. Maybe it won't happen at all. I can hold my feelings at bay if I have to.' With a quick shake of his body, he banished Sephiroth from his mind for the time being.

Cloud walked up to the shore line, crouched down, and tentatively dipped a finger into the water. The lake was cool but, after tonight, he needed to cool down. He stood back up. Quick fingers unfastened his belt and the buttons of his uniform. His shoulders shrugged out his jacket, allowing it to crumple to the ground. He pulled the white dress shirt over his head. The cool night breeze affectionately caressed his sleekly muscled chest. He reached up into the air, stretching the any remaining tension out of his body, then bent over and unlaced the combat boots that contained his sore feet.

After slipping the boots off, Cloud stood back up and began to tug at his pants. Without warning, two warm arms reached around and stopped his hands. He let out a short scream.

"Shhh. It is okay, Cloud. I don't want you putting on an exhibition when you don't know there's an audience," Sephiroth whispered close to Cloud's ear. He released his grip on the young man's hands and stepped back.

Cloud whirled around and enthusiastically wrapped his arms around the man. Beneath his cheek, he felt the warmth of Sephiroth's chest though layers of dress clothes. The younger man breathed in deeply, savoring the masculine scent of the older man's body. Then his subconscious mind told him something wasn't right. Cloud tried to put a finger on it. He realized that Sephiroth wasn't hugging him back. In fact, the General was as stiff as a concrete wall.

Cloud released his grip and staggered back a few feet. His socks soaked up water as he accidentally stepped into the lake. The man looked at him with cold eyes. Cloud attempted to control his breathing as his heart felt like it was being torn apart into little pieces. ‘God, I've humiliated myself again. How did I always manage to do it?'

He took a few more steps back. The water rose to his calves. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean. . ."

Sephiroth arched a thin silver eyebrow. "That's the third time you have said that tonight."

Cloud flushed. He couldn't take this. He changed his mind; This wasn't a good idea. A few more steps backward brought the water up to his knees. Sephiroth took a step forward. Cloud rushed backward, escaping the confrontation. The water was almost up to his waist before he felt safe again. The older man was fully dressed in his Sunday best. He knew Sephiroth would never come out into the water to get him.

Sephiroth asked in a low sarcastic tone, "Are you planning on drowning yourself?"

"Wouldn't you like that." Cloud grumbled under his breath.

Sephiroth shouldn't have been able to hear the line of self-pity, but he did. "The last thing I want is your death, Cloud. We still have a mission coming up. I need you in good health."

‘Work, work, work. That's all the guy ever thinks about. Doesn't the man know how to have any fun?' Suddenly an idea formed in Cloud's head. The idea made him laugh out loud.

Sephiroth now raised both eyebrows. He crossed his arms over his chest as if the laughter made him uncomfortable. "What's funny?"

Cloud bit his lower lip. ‘If I can just make it work. . . He'll kill me!' The thought only made him laugh harder. ‘Well, you only get to live once.'

Cloud quickly schooled his expression and made his way back to shore. When the water was just at calf height, he faked a stumble and fell onto his butt. "Ouch! Oh shit! I think I twisted my ankle!"

Sephiroth stood perfectly still, unmoved by the performance.

"Sephy, please! *moan* I need help! Get over here *cringe* and help me up!"

"Sephy?"

"Oh fine. Please, Great General Sephiroth, Sir. I need help!"

"You have got to be kidding."

"No! I swear! I slipped on a rock. Damn it! I'm in pain here!"

Sephiroth brows furrowed as he contemplated the reality of Cloud's claim. Cloud watched the debate play across the man's face. Just watching his indecision was worth the effort, but he could see it would take a little more effort to convince the man that the fiction was true. He moved his leg a bit then hollered at the top of his lungs. He almost couldn't contain a smile when Sephiroth jumped. "Oh God, I think it's broken! Please help me!" Cloud faked a sob.

Sephiroth instantly forgot himself and darted into the water, splashing water in every direction with his quick movement. He crouched down next to the supposedly damaged ankle and reached to examine it. Before the General could make contact, Cloud whipped his leg up and slammed Sephiroth square in the chest. The attack was completely unforeseen by the General. Sephiroth slammed into the water. Cloud watched Sephiroth only for a second as the water engulfed the man. He quickly stood up and sprinted to shore and into the forest.

Cloud already knew he had a distinct disadvantage. He had no boots on and his feet were sore from a day of constant movement. Still, he didn't care.

‘What could the man do if he catches me? Spank me?' Cloud flushed. ‘Yea, he could do just that.' His legs found a sudden boost of energy, thanks to the thought. ‘I just need to reach my motorcycle, then Sephiroth won't have a chance.' That thought was his last when he was plowed to the ground by a sudden impact to the back.

An extremely wet Sephiroth straddled Cloud and held him to the forest floor with his hands on the smaller man's shoulders. The man leaned over and whispered into Cloud's ear. "I'm going to guess that you didn't mean that either."

At the sound of the hard voice, Cloud felt as if his blood had gone cold. He suddenly felt like he was playing with the devil. ‘Why not? I can play,' he thought with a smirk. "No. I meant to do that one."

The stillness of the man above him made Cloud's breath quicken. What would Sephiroth do?

~~~~~~

Sephiroth sat on a large boulder, contemplating that night's events. He had kissed Cloud. Again. Worst yet, they had been caught. Even worst yet, he had relished every second of the young man moving so responsively to his touch.

He wasn't stupid. He had eyes. Sure, he was a 25-year-old virgin, but he knew what people did behind closed doors. He had even caught sight of an exhibition a couple of times: Kids rolling on the ground outside his building at night, taunting authority with their indulgence, trying to see what they could get away with.

Sephiroth wasn't sure whether or not he would ever want to do that with anyone, not the taunting authority, although that had a nice ring to it, but ever having sex.

Cloud. The name caressed his mind as he grabbed a lock of hair, separated it into three parts and began to weave the sections of hair into a braid. The young man made him compromise so many things he believed as true.

Sephiroth hadn't believed another person's touch could be anything besides hurtful. Cloud had proved how wonderful touch could be. The young man's hot body against his skin felt so right and consuming. Still after that day a year earlier, Sephiroth hadn't given in to Cloud's desire, for the sake of the younger man's youth and also because he himself just hadn't been ready. He had seen Cloud's face shaded with the misery of not being able to get close to him. Sephiroth hadn't known how to comfort the younger man so he had ignored the looks, hoping Cloud would come to understand his reasons.

He hadn't believed that anyone could actually care about *him* and not be simply trying to get something from him, whether it was his body, power, mind, or any combination of the three. Cloud seemed to care so much about him. The younger man wanted to be with him whenever he could, no matter if Sephiroth was in a good mood or seething with anger. Cloud's desire to be with him boggled his mind. Over the year Sephiroth had found no alterer motive in man's actions. Sephiroth smiled slightly. Cloud just liked him.

Sephiroth had realized months before that the main reason he held the kid at bay was because he didn't want Cloud to be disappointed after discovering whom the Great General Sephiroth truly was. The General knew he was just a science experiment to create the perfect SOLDIER. His whole life had been test upon test and training, never giving him a chance to find himself amongst all the plans of Hojo and Shinra. Sephiroth felt like he was nothing but a machine. A machine who was slowly dying every day from emotional pain.

The only light in his life was Cloud. He knew he had nearly overworked the kid over the last year. The cadet had worked aggressively hard, harder then anyone else under his instruction, and all because of him. Cloud wanted so much to please him, to see his nods of approval, and over a course of a year that had been enough for the younger man.

That evening had obviously been Cloud's limit. Sephiroth realized that is had been his own limit as well. A year of holding back had come appart with one touch from Cloud. Sephiroth was sure that the only reason Cloud had been so bold was because the younger man had thought that they would be separated soon after that night. Cloud hadn't known of Sephiroth's work to get him assigned to his next mission. The memory of gratitude made Sephiroth's body warm.

Sephiroth knew what the question had been although Cloud never did have a chance to ask it: 'Do you care about me?'. He hadn't wanted to answer the question but had realized the young man had a right to know. Yes, he cared about him, more than anything in his otherwise dismal life. Cloud was his sun, warming him, keeping him sane. Just the young man's beautiful blue eyes on him brought him comfort. Sephiroth had said yes to Cloud's need to ask the question.

Then the General had lost control of his emotions. He had shuddered and Cloud had instantly approached him, to comfort a man who shouldn't have been feeling anything. Feelings only made him weak and unable to think clearly. ‘Then that kiss,' Sephiroth moaned lightly at the memory of heat that had consumed his body. Cloud had felt so right in this arms, as if he belonged there.

Sephiroth reached the end of the silver lock. Finished with that braid, he pulled out another section of hair and began another braid. Weak noises reached his ears. He turned his head to figure out the source: Definitely foot steps. Sephiroth stilled and readied himself for an attack.

He let his mouth drop open when Cloud appeared around a tree. The young man made his way through the tree line and onto the shore. Sephiroth had a clear view of the smaller man but Cloud had not realized he was there.

The young man visibly sagged. Sephiroth realized that Cloud had been looking for him. He fought the urge to let Cloud know he was there, to comfort him, since Sephiroth knew his hands wouldn't be able to stay off of the smooth body if he did. Self control was lacking for the first time in a year. He couldn't trust himself.

Cloud straightened his body and walked to the lake. He crouched down and stuck a finger in the water. Standing back up, he proceeded to undress himself. Sephiroth caught a gasp in his throat before it had a chance to escape. Cloud was going to skinny dip just as the General had done a year before.

Before he thought about what he was doing, Sephiroth jumped soundlessly off the boulder and moved behind the man. Cloud remained unaware of his presence. Sephiroth stood still and watched Cloud's smooth form emerge. His breath quickened from the anticipation. When Cloud got to his pants, Sephiroth suddenly became aware of how pathetic his self indulgence was. He moved to the man and stilled his actions with a touch on his hands. Sephiroth breathed in the younger man's scent through the spiky hair that tickled his nose.

Cloud stiffened and let out a short scream.

"Shhh. It's okay, Cloud. I don't want you putting on an exhibition when you don't know there's an audience," Sephiroth whispered close to Cloud's ear. The scent and warmth of the man in his arms sent his mind reeling.

‘Control. I need control.' He released the embrace and moved back, scolding himself in the process. He didn't want to take advantage of the spiky haired kid, nor let him in.

Cloud whipped around and. . . Hugged him. Sephiroth stiffened, absolutely stunned by the young man's actions. He couldn't remember the last time he had simply been hugged. He wondered briefly if he ever had been. With the sudden urge to return the embrace, he moved his arms to wrap them around the small waist. Before the General could touch him, Cloud pulled away and backed up into the water.

Sephiroth eyed the young man's slender form, careful to keep the sudden lust he felt away from his expression. The man was strikingly beautiful. His wild spiky blonde hair shimmered under the moonlight. Firm smooth muscles under soft pale skin shuddered under his gaze.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean. . ."

Sephiroth raised a thin silver eyebrow. ‘Doesn't the kid mean to do anything? Cloud needs to learn to take responsibility for his actions,' he thought. "That's the third time you've said that tonight."

The young man backed up further. The pained look on Cloud's face cut into Sephiroth's heart. Sephiroth let go of his control and took a step forward but Cloud instantly retreated until he was waist deep. The man stood out in the water, daring him to come in after him. ‘Well, I am not about to get soaked if there is not a need.'

"Are you planning on downing yourself?" Sephiroth asked in a calm but slightly sarcastic voice.

Sephiroth heard the barely audible words grumbled by Cloud, "wouldn't you like that."

The response startled Sephiroth. ‘Does Cloud really think I care so little for him?' That couldn't have been further from the truth. He thought about the younger man even at inappropriate times, such as training. It was kind of hard to take an opponent seriously when they had a hardon trying to escape the confines of clothing. Cloud was a distraction to him but Sephiroth couldn't help himself. Thinking of the younger man made him smile. Cloud needed to know how much he cared for him. "The last thing I want is your death, Cloud. We still have a mission coming up. I need you in good health."

The young man's instant scowl made Sephiroth regret the words. He realized he shouldn't have said it. He had only made matters worse.

Cloud burst out laughing. Sephiroth crossed his arms. ‘Is the kid laughing at me now? Did he finally come to his senses and realize how absurd his feelings are for me? Maybe the whole year had only been a chase for Cloud but, now that I've admitted I care, Cloud is losing interest.'

Sephiroth realized that he shouldn't have shown that he cared. Still, he couldn't help but ask, "What's funny?"

The man just laughed again and then made his way back to shore. Sephiroth sighed in relief. At least he wouldn't have to go in after him.

When the water was just at calf height, Cloud stumbled and fell onto his butt, waist high in water. "Ouch! Oh shit! I think I twisted my ankle!"

Sephiroth stood perfectly still and tried to contain a giggle. ‘The man can't be serious!' He didn't believe for a second that Cloud had hurt himself.

"Sephy, please! *moan* I need help! Get over here *cringe* and help me up!"

The performance was spectacular but Sephiroth only paid attention to one word, "Sephy?"

"Oh fine. Please, Great General Sephiroth, Sir. I need help!"

Okay, the giggle was getting harder to contain. The man seriously wanted him to believe the performance. "You have got to be kidding."

"No! I swear! I slipped on a rock. Damn it! I'm in pain here!"

Sephiroth brows furrowed as he contemplated the reality of Cloud's claim. ‘He cannot be hurt. He has to be faking it. But what if he. . . No. No way. But. . .'

Cloud moved his leg a bit and hollered at the top of his lungs. Cloud's scream chilled Sephiroth's blood, the sudden noise making him jump unintentionally. "Oh God, I think it's broken! Please help me!"

Sephiroth no longer wondered if Cloud was telling the truth. His only thought was that his friend might actually be hurt. That notion sent a stabbing pain through his heart. He darted into the water. Once he reached the younger man, he crouched down to examine Cloud's ankle.

Taking him unaware, the supposedly hurt leg swept up into the air, splashing droplets of water into Sephiroth's face, and slammed square into his chest. If the attack had been at any other time, it wouldn't have phased him and simply swatted it away but, with all his thoughts on Cloud supposedly hurting, he simply wasn't prepared for the assault. Water engulfed him as he landed hard on the surface of the lake. He struggled to sit up and caught the sight of a bare chested body running into the woods.

In spite of himself, Sephiroth laughed out loud. He couldn't remember the last time someone actually got the better of him; Nor could he remember when someone actually had the guts to try. Sephiroth stood up, water pouring off of his soaked dress clothes. He laughed again. ‘The kid is going to pay for this.'

Sephiroth sprinted into the woods, tracking Cloud with a hunter's ease. In less than a minute, he caught up to Cloud. He wasted no time with formality and dove right into the younger man's back, taking him down. Straddling him, he grabbed Cloud's shoulders and held him to the ground. Sephiroth took a second to admire the sleek back that laid underneath him. Every visible muscle was tense with energy. If he let go, Sephiroth knew he would have a fight on his hands. He leaned down and whispered into Cloud's ear. "I'm going to guess that you didn't mean that either."

"No. I meant to do that one."

Sephiroth went still. He listened as Cloud's breath quickened. The kid had a lot of balls. A smile crept onto Sephiroth's face. He could think of only one punishment that would fit the crime.

"What shall I do about this in subornation?" Sephiroth asked next to Cloud's ear.

Cloud couldn't decide whether that had been an actual question to him or just Sephiroth thinking out loud. The silence lengthened. Sephiroth did nothing. Cloud couldn't move away from him. Sephiroth's cold wet clothes eventually began to warm between them. Sephiroth's breathing softened, his body relaxing after the sudden exertion. The soft sound next to Cloud's ear sent chills down his spine. As gravity took hold, long wet silver hair spread itself around Cloud's head. Various pains appeared on the front of his body that was pushed into the forest floor. A sharp rock poking into his stomach was especially painful.

Cloud wanted to say something, to ask what Sephiroth was going to do, to tell him to get the hell off of him, but he didn't have the courage to speak. He was unable to see Sephiroth's face clearly out of the corner of his eye but was sure he wouldn't be able to tell what Sephiroth was thinking even if he could see. The man usually wore an expression void of emotion.

"Well?"

Cloud tried to shake his head but couldn't display much movement with his head against the ground. He couldn't believe the man actually wanted him to decide his own punishment. He attempted to struggle but was no match for the older man. ‘This can't be happening! Why did I think it would be funny to soak General Sephiroth? Well, because it was funny as hell and the guy needed it. He always walked around like he had a stick shoved up his ass.'

"Are you planning on allowing us to sit like this all night?"

"Hey, I'm the one lying on the cold hard ground."

"If you want to get up, you'll have to arrive at some type of decision."

"What was the question again?"

"What type of punishment fits attempting to drown a General of SOLDIER?"

"I don't know," he hissed but knew what the General wanted him to say: a spanking. It was the typical punishment for a prank of the sort. Still, he just couldn't imagine the General actually taking a hand to his ass. The thought terrified yet excited him. He was sure it would be done where they were and without any outside observers. After rolling it around in his head for nearly a minute, the idea became incredibly erotic to him. Unsurprising, he found himself growing hard as his breath quickened. Cloud wanted to say the damning words but his rational mind wouldn't let him do it.

Lips brushed against his shoulder. He moaned in response to the delicate sensation. They kissed a line to his neck and a strong tongue rode up the length to his hairline. Cloud squirmed, trying to do something, anything besides just lying there helplessly.

"Tell me what you deserve."

Cloud gritted his teeth. He refused to say it. He would never say it.

Sephiroth's tongue licked at his earlobe. Then the man's teeth took the lobe into his mouth. Sephiroth nibbled and sucked until Cloud was breathing so harshly that he started to hyperventilate. Cloud's hips undulated as he tried to satisfy his painful erection.

Sephiroth let go of Cloud's ear and whispered huskily, "say it."

"Spank me." A sudden relief spread over his body. He had said it. Now it would be up to Sephiroth to carry out the punishment. Cloud nearly doubted he would.

The motion happened so quickly, Cloud barely comprehended it. One minute he was lying under Sephiroth's body. A blink later, he was on his knees with Sephiroth crouched behind him.

"Undo your pants and lower them."

Cloud immediately obeyed. His hands shook uncontrollably but he managed to undo the buttons and lowered the pants to his thighs.

"No underwear?"

"No way. Too confining."

Sephiroth actually laughed. The sound vibrated in Cloud's body and centralized in his heart where he locked it away. He had only ever heard the General laugh once before, that special night a year prior. A year ago, he had also been under similar circumstances. Except that time it had been a jeering mod of fifteen kids. This time the punishment was to be done by the man he loved.

Cloud felt a warm hand between his shoulder blades push him forward. He went with the movement and ended up on his hands and knees. Painfully aware his white buttocks stuck up in the air, he blushed furiously. He almost flopped forward when a warm hand laid pressure against his ass. He couldn't control his breathing. Cloud felt like he would pass out if the situation lasted much longer.

Keeping a hand on Cloud's rounded cheeks, Sephiroth moved to the younger man's side, to get a better angle. His harsh breath nearly matched Cloud's. Cloud closed his eyes at the thought that the General was as turned on as he was.

The warm hand left his body. His eyes snapped back open when Cloud suddenly realized what was about to happen. He opened his mouth to protest but the hand slapped his skin before the words came out. Hot prickly pain centralized where the contact had been made. Cloud shut his eyes tight and grunted through his teeth. The hand lifted again. This time he was ready for the sensation. The hand came down with a harsh smack. As pain consumed him, Cloud hollered out into the night. The man was testing his tolerance for pain.

After that, the spanks came quickly and, while not as harsh as the second one, they sent heat throughout his body. Cloud soon found himself bucking to meet them. The delicious flame, raging his backside, made him weak with hunger for the man who delivered his deserved punishment. He couldn't stand the build up of love and lust in his body any longer. He screamed out, "I love you!"

The hand had instantly stopped its motion as Cloud felt no more contact. He winced, realizing what he had just said. He whipped his head to the side to see Sephiroth's face.

Sephiroth's expression was unreadable. The man bolted upright as if he had just realized what he was doing. A blush turned his cheeks a violent red.

Cloud knew Sephiroth was going to run again. He pushed himself back up onto his knees and grabbed a hold on Sephiroth's damp pants before he could retreat. "Sephy, please! I didn't mean it. Please don't go!"

He frowned as he thought, ‘no, that's not true. I did mean it. I came out here to tell Sephiroth the truth, to settle this so that we can move either closer or further apart. Hopefully the former. This has to be done and over with for the sake of my sanity.'

"No. I did mean it. I love you," Cloud said forcefully.

Sephiroth's face hardened. He jerked back, ripping his pants out of Cloud's grip. "Love has no place in a SOLDIER's heart. Feelings are for the weak!"

‘What the hell kind of gibberish is the man spilling now?' Cloud couldn't stop his jaw from dropping. "Sephy. . ."

"Don't call me that!"

Whatever had been between them just a few minutes before, had instantly disappeared. Cloud realized his mistake in saying ‘I love you'. The words stood for commitment, a relationship, and seemingly had no appeal to General Sephiroth. "Please. . ."

"I'll no longer be tolerant of any in subornation from you. Get dressed and return to the academy," Sephiroth commanded before his long strides took him away from the young man on the ground.

Cloud saw his chance slipping. "Sephiroth, wait!"

Cloud lost sight of Sephiroth as the man moved past a large tree. The man's disappearing acts had always been painful, obviously, but this time the pain tore apart his soul. He had admitted his love and Sephiroth had brutally rejected it. Cold anger grew in him. The sensation was new to him. He had never been truly angry with anyone. He found that he hated the feeling but it stayed with him nonetheless.

"I'll never say those words to you again. Never again," he called out into the night.

Cloud sat still for a while longer, seeing if Sephiroth would come back, but eventually the cool night air got the better of him. He stood up, pulling on his pants in the motion, buttoned them up, and stalked off to find the rest of his clothes.

~~~~~~