fourstrings | to walk a fine line and work against you

to walk a fine line and work against you

Hey, I wanna talk to you about something.

[ Maybe it’s not the time? It feels so nice right now. They’re just sitting together on the couch, the line of Cloud’s (clothed!) thigh warm against Zack’s. Closer than they need to be for the game they’re playing, but they’re always like that now. Whenever they’re alone together they end up tangling close, even if they’re not doing anything. It makes sense; Zack can’t really touch Cloud when they’re out around HQ or on missions beyond ruffling his hair, slapping him a high-five or occasionally slinging an arm around him in a side-hug kind of squeeze, so it’s normal to want to get of much of it as possible when he can! But that’s why he’s thinking about it, really.

It's the first time he’s ever felt part of his SOLDIER training took something away from him rather than giving. They all go through pretty extensive training once they get into the upper ranks – SOLDIER, the Turks, probably management too because you can’t have somebody giving away business secrets because they’re horny. They’re all on suppressants anyway, but there have been ways around that for as long as there have been suppressants, so part of his SOLDIER experience has been rigorous training to make him basically immune to being forced into rut by the presence of omega pheromones. He’s never regretted it – being forced there isn’t a very nice feeling, when you get down to it – but now he kinda wonders. He’s so crazy for Cloud anyway that it might be nice to just be taken over by it. It’s supposed to be incredible when it’s right – finding the right mate, bonding, all that stuff. He’d feel a lot worse about it if Cloud wasn’t with Shinra too, ‘cause once he makes SOLDIER he’s gonna have to go through all the same stuff and at least it’s not like he’ll be missing out just because of Zack, but it’s still a little sad to think of this one thing they won’t have.

There’s also the part where they haven’t really… talked about it. Cloud’s an omega for sure – he’s never been in heat around Zack (he’s probably on those Shinra suppressants, a rare occasion where they dole out the best stuff to the infantry too because a poorly-timed heat sneaking through or the side effects of cheaper stuff would mean more time when they couldn’t work) but Zack can tell. It’s something that’s just kind of there about him, like the fact that he’s got blue eyes or blond hair. Or maybe it’s closer to say it’s like how he’s on the short side, or has a little scatter of freckles – things about himself that Cloud probably isn’t too pumped about but that Zack thinks are just right. It’s in the way his lashes shade his eyes, the way he moves, the way the cheapo soap and shampoo and laundry detergent they dole out somehow smells good on him. But it’s never come up, and that’s why Zack feels like he needs to say something now, before it comes up by itself. If they never talk about it and then Cloud goes into heat and Zack's reaction is that's rough, buddy, let me get you a cold drink, it's way too easy to imagine all the hormones making him take it personally. So yeah, it sucks, and maybe it'll ruin the nice cosy time they're having, but better now than when Cloud needs what Zack can't give him. ]

You know I’m an Alpha, right?

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[ Zack's so glad they had their little chat! Things were pretty great between them already, but they're even better now. It really does feel like they're perfectly matched. Cloud comes over and they play games, get takeout, sometimes make out a bit, and there's a special kind of pride that goes along with knowing it's just because they're them. That they chose each other. It lets him revel in it - every time Cloud leans up close against him, every time he can't help curling an arm around Cloud or running a hand through his hair, it's just because of who they are, how much they like each other.

They're hanging out tonight. A stay at home date, kinda (A State! Zack had offered proudly, and Cloud had given him a flat look and a veto but still said he'd come over). It seems like Cloud's been a little under the weather recently, so they're gonna take it easy. If all Cloud wants to do is catch a nap in Zack's bed, that's cool! They're been going a little further with things recently and there's an excitement about that that usually infuses these nights - last time they'd ended up rubbing up against each other while they made out so much that they both ended up coming in their pants, which had been AMAZING - but Zack files that thought away in favour of looking after Cloud. He's tidied up his room (seriously, which means he tidied until he thought it looked good and then sent Angeal pics for further instructions, of which there were a lot), changed the bedding to the nicest, warmest, comfiest stuff he has (washed even though it came right out of the drawer so it would be extra-fresh!) snagged some movies so they can watch them together if Cloud's too tired for games, and stocked his fridge with orange juice and some healthy snacks in addition to the usual soda and junk. Best of all, he found (okay, he asked Kunsel and Kunsel found) a little place that does Nibelheim-style food, so he picked some up to go and has it ready to heat up. Nothing makes you feel better when you're down than a little taste of home, right?

He's been working on getting Cloud to just let himself in, and they're making progress! Cloud still knocks, but he'll open the door after - even if he always calls a cautious greeting and waits for Zack to respond before he enters. This time he actually steps inside, and Zack's head snaps up to praise him for it - but the smile freezes on his face when he sees Cloud. Cloud usually dresses pretty conservative, just about everything covered up, but tonight he looks like he's dressed for the peak of summer heat. Light fabric, a lot more of his arms showing than usual, and Zack furrows his brow. ]

Dude. Aren't you sick? You should be wrapped up!

[ He doesn't actually wait for a reply, grabs a nearby hoodie and strides over to Cloud, hellbent on putting it on him. Cloud's not gonna freeze on his watch! ]

[ the past week or so has been... weird.

and not even exactly in a bad way? sure, it had started with that whole weird mix-up with medical -- he'd gone in for the usual refill of the suppressants he's supposed to take, and they'd given him a shot instead, and when cloud had asked if this was something new, the nurse had just started frowning at their paperwork and then shooed cloud out without another word of explanation. which, yeah, annoying. but if shinra has come out with some kinda monthly shot instead of a pill cloud has to remember every week? he'll take it.

but it only took a few days for things to get weirder from there. guys in his unit who have always ignored him at best and been dicks to him at worst are suddenly paying weird amounts of attention to him. some of them even invited him out last weekend, which had been nice, even if cloud had turned them down -- zack had already asked him to come over and watch a movie, and that always takes precedence. and then two of them had gotten in a weird shoving match about trying to hold the door open for cloud when they'd been leaving one of the classrooms, which was... uh, weird? but maybe nice? and then, when they'd been paired up for hand-to-hand sparring practice, his partner kept getting so flustered whenever they were supposed to be practicing a grapple that he kept letting cloud get the pin?

but no, hands down, the weirdest thing had been when cloud was assigned a stupid guard shift where he was supposed to stand beside an elevator that almost no one ever uses on a floor that no one ever comes to, and he'd been standing there and trying valiantly not to yawn when the elevator doors had opened and general sephiroth had emerged. and that was already -- wow! but then he'd stopped dead a few steps outside the elevator, looked directly at cloud, and then cloud was almost one hundred percent certain his eyes had done something really cool but also kinda freaky that made him look like a cat? and cloud had just been staring, absolutely useless and so stunned he'd even forgotten to salute, but then sephiroth had given himself a little shake like someone waking up from a daze and gone swooping up the hall before cloud had even gotten his breath back.

weird... but cool!

and maybe he would even be enjoying all of the attention a little more, but it kind of feels like he's coming down with a cold or something? he can't seem to get a good night's sleep -- he keeps waking up in the middle of the night with the sheets soaked with sweat, and it's so gross he has to slink off to the showers just to get comfortable again. plus, he's achy everywhere and battling a headache that never really seems to want to go away, so tired that even the usual battalion drills have his knees going wobbly. even his clothes feel extra uncomfortable, like maybe they swapped to a new kind of laundry detergent that he's allergic to, and it's forced him into wearing short-sleeves and a pair of zack's sweatpants that he'd stolen and haven't given back (rolled up four times at the ankles, but he's making it work!)

but he's made it! now he has the next few days off, and he gets to start them off by hanging out with zack, who always just treats him like cloud. he can forget about all the weird stuff, and --

then zack comes bounding over to him, cheerful as a puppy that has just been offered some walkies, and the smell of him hits cloud in the face like a physical blow. he flattens himself back against the door, choking on a sound that's embarrassingly close to a moan as the smell sizzles all the way through him and settles like a blazing ember at the pit of his belly. he's?? suddenly?? horrifyingly?? aware that he's hard, and even worse? he's... wet. enough for him to be able to feel it dripping down his thighs, soaking into the fabric of his (borrowed) sweatpants, and.

oh god. ]

Zack? Wait -- [ it's halfway to a whine, confused and overwhelmed in equal measure. ] Wha -- What are you --?

[ He's not even near Cloud yet when the smell hits him. Sweet and warm but in a wholesome way, like the air that wafts out of a bakery in the morning. He pauses for a second, eyes blowing wide, and then he resumes his mission with double the determination. Grabbing at Cloud and manipulating his arms so slip them into the sleeves of the hoodie even if he can't quite bring himself to zip it up. He's in Zack's sweats, too, and it registers that Cloud's now wrapped up mostly in Zack's clothing and the thought of that zips a bolt of heat right through him. He tugs Cloud a little closer, ducks his head so he can bury his face against Cloud's neck, inhales deeply. ]

You smell good. You change your shower gel or something?

[ Good is an understatement. He breathes in again, basically huffing Cloud at this point, and feels desire coil hot and tight inside him. ]

[ okay, cloud was pretty sure he had a good argument for why zack should stay over there, but then zack ends up crowding into cloud's personal space and tugging that hoodie around him, and cloud's brain abruptly forgets how to do its one fucking job.

has zack... always smelled like this? like the way the air smells when a storm is rolling up over the mountains, but also like cloud has opened the door to his mom's spice cabinet and breathed in. and the smell surrounds cloud like it's a blanket zack has wrapped around him, making his knees go wobbly underneath him and his head spin. it's almost a relief when zack wraps his arms around him, because cloud is pretty sure that his legs might buckle under him otherwise --

but that also puts zack in dangerous proximity. and by the time cloud has clawed back enough awareness to ask himself what the hell?, he realizes that he's rutting his hips against zack's thigh and making a bunch of embarrassing little mewling noises, and.

wait!! seriously!! what the hell!!

so now he's squirming, trying to put both palms against zack's chest and making an effort at pushing him away. if he can just get a little space! like a foot or two (maybe twenty), then he can get his head clear enough to figure out what's going on! and that's important! ... right? ]

Wait, Zack -- [ not even close to convincing, breathless and dazed. ] Something's weird, I --?

[ Wait?

No wait. Touch. That press was enough to let him know Cloud's hard, which is great timing because Zack is too (when did that happen?) and when Cloud puts his hands up in an effort to push him away Zack just holds on and pulls him closer, sandwiching their bodies together. Cloud feels good, and he smells good, and Zack can just tell that he's gonna taste good, too, so he parts his lips and drags his tongue against the skin of Cloud's throat. Something in him roars with that, wild and wanting, and -

oh fuck. Zack knows this feeling. Sure, he's used to having it in a sterile setting with a little heart monitor on, but he knows it, and the realization is enough to snap him into enough clarity to launch himself away from Cloud. Cloud, who said wait, and Zack didn't.]

Cloud. I'm sorry, man, sorry, I -

[ He lifts a hand, meaning to hold it out in a gesture of apology, but that hand was on Cloud and the horny little animal part of his brain makes him bring it to his face and sniff it like there'll be a trace of Cloud still on it. ]

What the fuck, this isn't supposed to happen.

[ oh.

zack tugs him even closer, until cloud is pressed right up against the line of his body, and all the reasons they need to stop and figure out what's going on scatter right out of his head. like this, cloud can feel that zack is hard against him, dick nudging into cloud's stomach, and wow. and then zack's mouth is on his throat, hot and wet, and cloud moans. his hands go from flat against zack's chest to curled in the fabric of his shirt, arching into him and tipping his head back to give zack better access.

why was he worried? obviously, this is good. zack thinks cloud smells good, zack wants him, and both of those things are a warm shot of satisfaction that echoes inside cloud. he's good. and he wants zack to know that, wants to show him, wants to make sure zack knows exactly how good cloud can be for him --

and then, all at once, zack is tearing away from him in a burst of motion. cloud is left slouching against the door and using it to hold himself upright, flushed and panting and looking at zack with fever-hazy eyes. ] ... Zack?

[ he has absolutely, entirely forgotten about trying to shove zack away and figure out what's wrong. and that's obvious in the way he takes a little half-step forward, licking his lips like zack is a meal worth drooling over. (he is.) ] Wha's wrong?

I -

[ There's no sugar-coating it. There's isn't time. He tries to smile, and he can feel how apologetic it is on his face. ]

I'm going into rut.

[ A pause. Nope. ]

No, I think - I'm in rut. And you - I'm pretty sure you're in heat. The way you smell, it's -

[ he sniffs again, hoping to describe it, and even from this distance it's a mistake. His eyes flutter half-closed, rolling back to show the whites. Fuck. ]

It's so good, Cloud, I don't even know how to tell you.

I don't know what to do.

[ His hands make fists at his side, scrunched tight because he just knows if he doesn't keep them firm at his sides he's gonna try and touch Cloud, and they should... talk about it, maybe? But the want in him is so strong, and he doesn't know how much talking he can do like this. It was never like this in testing - most of the time there wasn't even an actual omega around to get all fixated on, just pheromones being pumped into the room, and he wants Cloud so bad it's hard to trust himself. ]

[ okay. that's weird enough to stop cloud in his tracks, and he blinks hard as he tries to focus on what zack is saying. that... doesn't make sense? and it takes him another long moment to remember why, brow knitted with confusion. ]

But... huh?

[ it's like trying to think through syrup. but zack seems stressed out about it enough for cloud to know it's important for him to focus, so he's trying! ] ... I can't, though. I'm on... stuff.

[ and if he was going into heat, he'd know, right? it's not like cloud is an expert, but...! everything he'd read about during a few frantic internet searches made it sound obvious, like your body sends you a piece of certified mail to make sure you know what's coming. he's pretty sure heats don't happen like this, where you walk into your boyfriend's apartment and get slugged across the face with a smell that makes your brain melt. ]

And you're... you had... [ he flaps his hands a little as he fumbles for the word, the too-long sleeves of zack's hoodie just making the gesture extra-ridiculous. ] ... training.

I know.

[ He sounds miserable. It's not even that he's failed his training. It's the thought that he gave Cloud that little speech that he had expected to be disappointing but also must have made him seems safe, and it took him about 30 seconds to ignore Cloud saying wait and haul him in close like he was gonna hump him right against the door. ]

I want you so bad. And that's - I mean, I always do, but not like this. Not like I can't be in control of it. And there's this feeling like - here, and here - [ he points - the back of his neck, right at the base of his skull, and then low on his abdomen, maybe a hand's width above his dick ] that's just like it was when they were testing me. And you smell like -

[ another sniff, and that's a fucking disaster, because he moans. ]

Fuck, Cloud, are you wet?

[ zack is saying all of this like it's some kind of disaster, but cloud's brain is having a really hard time figuring out what's so bad about zack wanting him. that's a good thing, right? cloud wants zack to want him. all the time, like crazy, exactly like cloud does --

and then zack moans, and cloud is pretty sure the whole building wobbles underneath his feet. for a long moment, all he can do is stare at zack, slightly open-mouthed and with his brain sizzling in his skull. but, ah -- zack asked him something, and it sounded important --

cloud blinks.

then blinks again, and then color goes flooding into his face. more embarrassment than arousal, even though there's still plenty of the latter. because he is wet, enough for him to be soaking through the fabric of his sweatpants, wet enough for zack to be able to smell him even from a few feet away. and that... that obviously means... ]

I -- [ eyes wide, the barest edge of panic trying to creep in. ] Oh. Oh no, I didn't --

I'm sorry! [ blurting it out, because he feels like it's what he should do. ] Do you want me to -- I can leave? I --

No.

[ It comes out low, thick. The last thing Zack wants is for Cloud to leave. He wants go go back over to him, pick him up, carry him to bed and not let him leave until he's so well-fucked he can barely remember his own name. Wouldn't even have to get out to eat, Zack got food in for him - he could feed him right there in bed and then they could go again -

and man, that thought puts things in perspective. He always wants to look after Cloud, but all the cleaning, busting out the nice bedding, choosing food that he thinks would be special for Cloud? This has been coming. For days, maybe. It makes sense he wouldn't pick it, because in the labs everything happened so fast he didn't have much time to linger on anything but the obvious stuff, but now he knows. Something in him picked out Cloud as a mate to provide for before he even knew it was happening.

He shakes his head. ]

I don't want you to leave. But if you want to, I think you better do it now.

I don't want to.

[ immediately, almost before he has the chance to think about it. but as soon as the words are out, cloud knows they're true. he's been feeling weird and out of sorts for days, and the first time he felt right again was when he was all wrapped up in zack's arms. ]

I mean, I know we talked about it before, and... we both said it was cool if it never happened, but, um... [ shifting from foot to foot, ducking his chin shyly. ] ... if it is, I'd be okay with it. As long as it's with you.

And, uh! [ tacking it on quickly, because he doesn't want to sound like a jerk! ] As long as you're into it, too.

Oh, Cloud.

[ And he smiles, a little lopsided as one corner of his mouth quirks higher than the other. Already walking back to Cloud, closing the distance between them. ]

I'm so into it.

[ And it's more direct than he's ever been before, but once he's close enough? He just picks Cloud up, slotting his hands under Cloud's thighs so he can hold him at the right level to kiss him hard without either of them having to tip their faces up or down. It's immediately greedy, and it feels amazing - it always does, but now, with all that need he was trying to squash down? There's nothing like it. ]

[ zack is closing the distance between them again, and cloud sucks in a quick little breath of excitement -- and that's enough to make that smell wash over cloud all over again, more powerful than any drug.

even before zack gets his hands on him, cloud is tipping himself forward, drawn to zack like a magnet. immediately, he latches onto zack like he never plans on letting himself be pried off, legs locking around the other boy's waist and arms wrapping around his shoulders. kissing zack back like it's something he's starving for, making a needy little sound into his mouth as their tongues slide together. ]

[ Fuck. The last little bit of doubt he had evaporates with the way Cloud twines around him, the wanting sounds he makes. It feels right, and he shifts his grip, planning to just get a hand under Cloud's ass to hold him up so he can use the other one to tangle in his hair, but -

he can't believe he had to ask if Cloud was wet. These sweats are ruined, and Zack wouldn't have it any other way. He groans at the feel of it, somthing that's almost a growl, and starts carrying Cloud to his bed. No need to ask - he can feel the proof of what Cloud wants right there, under his hand. ]

Baby. Is that all for me?

[ cloud blushes, even though the pride in zack's voice is absolutely undeniable. anywhere else, and maybe he'd be ashamed of it -- this proof of a part of himself that he's been struggling to accept.

... but zack likes it. and that goes a hell of a long way towards making cloud pretty a-okay with the whole thing, after all. ]

Yeah. [ shyly, voice almost a whisper, like there's someone else around to overhear them. nuzzling up against zack's cheek, breathing him in. ] Just you. The second I smelled you, I wanted -- I --

... I almost begged you to do it right there.

I'm glad you didn't. I would have done it, and you deserve better than that.

[ He puts Cloud down on the bed so gently, climbs right on after him because staying away right now is totally out of the question. He starts peeling away Cloud's clothes, slow and tender - he kind of wishes he could leave the hoodie where it is, have Cloud naked except for that, but he's got a shirt underneath and that can't stay... so off it goes. ]

I thought this was sudden, but it's been coming for a while. I've been obsessed with getting my place ready for you. Knew I had to take care of you just right even before I knew why.

[ okay, getting clothes off is good! ... in theory. in practice, cloud can't quite stifle the little sound of loss he makes when zack peels the hoodie away from him.

fortunately, what zack is saying turns out to be distracting enough to make cloud forget about the hoodie. he blinks up at him, taking a minute or two to turn the idea over in his head, and then... ]

You were nesting? [ he sounds a little dazed by the idea, almost like it's too good to be real. ] For me?

Guess so.

[ With the hoodie gone the tshirt is next, and Zack has to pause a minute just to admire the bare skin that put on display. He leans down, kisses a trail up over Cloud's stomach and chest, brings it up to his mouth to lick into it, warm and wanting. ]

I didn't realize. Just knew I wanted everything to be perfect for you. Wanted to make this somewhere I could keep you safe and happy.

[ He skins his hands down over Cloud's body, savoring the feel of it - he's hot, hot enough that Zack would think he was running a fever if they hadn't already figured it out. But his skin is so soft, and the shape of him sweet - the dip of his tiny waist, the hard curve of his hips. Zack fastens his fingers in the waistband of those sweats and peels them away, not even realizing he's licking his lips as he does. ]

Wonder who started it. If I kicked you off, or you got me?

Wow.

[ and cloud's not even sure whether it's because of the way zack is kissing up along his abdomen, or because he's still grappling with the idea of zack trying to nest for him. (both, it's definitely both.) he'd meant it before when he said most of the alpha and omega rituals just seem stupid and old-fashioned, but somehow? when it's zack wanting to do it for him?

yeah, it's wow. ]

You did good. [ which is kind of a stupid thing to say when he has no idea what zack actually did, but... it's zack! he gives everything he does 110%, so it feels like a safe gamble to make. he reaches down to tangle a hand in zack's hair, petting affectionately through it. ] So good.

[ He did good. He did a good job, Cloud's pleased, and it pours through him hot and sweet as molten honey. As far as he knows purring isn't one of the quirks secondary genders bestow, but the noise he makes is damn close - a happy hum so low it's nearly a rumble. He rubs his face against Cloud's stomach as he pulls those sweats the rest of the way off, and - ]

Oh, damn.

[ Cloud is gorgeous. Bare and pale except for the colour in his cheeks, the soft, shell-pink of his nipples, and the flush of his cock laying hard against his belly. Zack reaches down to run a thumb up along the underside, hums want. Like this the scent of him is even more noticable, thick in the air, and it makes Zack's mouth water and his dick twitch in his pants. ]

Look at you. Wow.

[ it's the first time they've gotten around to the whole getting naked thing, and cloud always figured he'd feel... way more nervous! but honestly? it's just a relief to have the clothes off. it feels like he's burning up from the inside out, and the way the fabric was trying to stick to his thighs was gross.

even now, he can't really find it in himself to be shy. not when zack is looking down at him like cloud's a meal he can't wait to dig into, eyes dark and hungry.

but! ] Not fair.

[ already trying to tug at the hem of zack's shirt. there is a clear unbalance here! ] You're still wearing way too much.

[ Zack would actually like to spend a little more time investigating the wonder that is Naked Cloud, thanks, but the part of him that wants to give Cloud everything he wants is so much stronger that there's no chance of it being a fair fight. He grins and peels off his shirt, follows suit by ditching his pants and underwear with far more haste and far less care than he dealt with Cloud's. Unsupported by hs clothing his cock feels hot and heavy, and the cool of the air against it makes him shiver slightly. ]

Better?

[ He's back against the bed as soon as he's naked, pressing himelf to Cloud's side, hands running over him as he mouths at Cloud's neck. ]

[ for his part, cloud is watching zack strip like it's the show of the century, eyes wide and mouth half-open in awe. he's seen zack naked before! but only once, and that was just a quick, guilty peek in the showers after a workout. this? way better. ]

Yeah.

[ already reaching up to touch even before zack is settling down against him, both hands running over zack's pecs with clear and open admiration. ] Wow.

You're so hot. [ please forgive him, there's almost no blood left over for his poor brain. ] Like the hottest guy in Midgar. Maybe even on the whole Planet.

You just think that 'cause you're in heat. And 'cause you can't see yourself.

[ Not that it stops him from preening under Cloud's touch, pressing his chest into his inds when Cloud runs them over his pecs. Clearly into the words just as much as he is the touch. He's not as polite as Cloud's being. Sends his hand right back down to Cloud's cock, curls fingers around it and gives it a little stroke. If he thought Cloud's skin was hot his dick is searing, both straining hard and velvety-smooth in his grip, and he grans at the fell of it like it's his own dick he's rubbing over. ]

You're pretty here. I should have known you would be. Pretty everywhere else, too.

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