Chapter Text
The mako injections left Cloud bedridden for a week. Having a solo room as a Third Class was a blessing in its own right. He could be a miserable, feverish wreck without having his fellow troopers breathing down his neck. The crowded barracks were something he wouldn’t miss in a hurry.
Zack stopped by to see him a couple of times, bringing a stash of comfort food with him. Cloud wasn’t eating much to begin with, but he made a hearty attempt to consume as much as his aching stomach could fit between spasms. He kept it down too. Bonus.
Five days in, the discomfort had settled down to a minimum, allowing Cloud to take notice of how the mako had changed him. The startling, bright eyes were the only visible change he could see, having shifted from a deep, sapphire to an electric shade of blue.
The sudden leap in strength and speed took some getting used to. He knocked over his glass when he made to grab for it, the enhanced reflexes leaving him to overcompensate more often than not. He managed to break a fork, a doorknob, his shirt and his toothbrush in a similar manner. He was left frustrated at best, even though he knew the disorientation was a normal side effect.
The least obvious change caused by the mako was probably the most severe. Shortly after the SOLDIER program had been developed, scientists discovered a peculiar anomaly within those that had received the mako treatments. The SOLDIERS’ biochemistry had shifted, causing changes in behaviour, sexual desire and in some rare cases, their reproductive systems.
This phenomenon was called the FENRIR effect, and had been divided into three categories.
Those in the first or superior group were known as ‘Alphas’. Dominant, aggressive, possessive and natural leaders, the Alphas contributed to over ninety percent of the First Class. In addition to the behavioural changes, knotting during intercourse was also an added quirk. Generally, they paired off with a member of the other two categories, and unfailingly took on a ‘topping’ role. Zack was an Alpha, something he didn’t hesitate to make known. Being extremely territorial was another side effect.
Betas took up the better part of the population, and filled up most of Second and Third Class. They occasionally made it into First Class, but usually only those that were more aggressive. There were no major changes, physical or otherwise. The majority were switches, and would take on either role in the bedroom, though they always bottomed for an Alpha.
Finally, there were the Omegas. A definite minority, and subject to the most prominent physical changes, only three of them were accounted for amongst the SOLDIER ranks. They were the opposite of an Alpha in every way. Submissive and shy, the Omegas were the only of the three that could conceive and give birth. This could only be done when they entered their ‘heat’, and only by pairing with an Alpha, as all Betas were sterile.
Cloud was hoping to be a Beta, but so far, he hadn’t noticed any signs to give a definite indication as to which category he fell into. The mystery of it was eating him up. He was hoping Zack’s Alpha senses could give him some answers.
“I’m not picking up on anything, Spike,” Zack said from the foot of the blonde’s bed. Cloud was nestled back against his pillows, staring at the television, though he wasn’t really watching it. It was day six since receiving his injections, and he was feeling fairly normal. He hadn’t broken anything today, which was proof enough for him to say he was adjusting to the change. He was tired and cranky, but Zack was helping him with that. It was hard to brood around the cheerful Alpha.
“I thought you had ‘wicked Alpha senses’ though, or are you just all bark?” Cloud said, nudging Zack with his sock covered foot.
The Alpha gave a low growl, staring Cloud down. “You’re lucky we’re friends Spike, or else I’d be showing you just how hard I can bite,” he warned.
Cloud shrank back instinctively beneath his friend’s challenging glare. Even easy-going Zack could snap if his authority was tested. Stupid Alpha hormones. Cloud blinked as a sudden thought occurred to him.
“Well you can eliminate Alpha as an option,” he said abruptly, unable to stop himself from pouting. He hadn’t honestly believed he would be one, but it had always been a nice thought. He would have copped less shit from the other Betas in SOLDIER.
“Huh?” Zack asked, stupefied.
Cloud sighed heavily. “When you got all cranky at me just now, I didn’t try to challenge you. I submitted.”
“I could be a super strong Alpha, and you’re just not as aggressive. I’ve seen Genesis bow down to Sephiroth a few times, even though they’re usually just super snarly at each other. I’ve been in this role for longer than you, so it’s not impossible,” Zack tried, though he sounded doubtful.
Cloud shook his head, sinking further down the pillows. “Give it up Zack, I’m not an Alpha. All I can do is hope for Beta now. At least I’ll still have a chance at Second or Third if I am.”
Zack grinned at him, leaning over to ruffle his blonde spikes. “I’m sure you are. You’ll probably make it to First Class kiddo. There’s a couple of Betas in the ranks. You’re stubborn enough to make it happen.”
“Was that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Well yeah,” Zack said, running a hand through his black spikes sheepishly. Against all odds, he managed to make his raven hair even messier. And Cloud thought his hair was unruly.
“You’re a dick,” Cloud snorted, kicking at Zack’s side. The First Class caught his foot reflexively, and proceeded to tickle it unforgivingly.
“A First Class, Alpha dick though,” he reminded Cloud, who snorted between fits of laughter. He tried to squirm away from Zack, but the Alpha was too strong for him, even with Cloud’s new reflexes.
“Alright, alright! Point taken! Quit it Zack!” he yelped, tears streaming down his cheeks as he clutched his aching sides. Zack relented, grinning at him.
“You were asking for it,” Zack teased, leaning over to flick him on the forehead. Cloud swatted him away, too exhausted to do more than scowl at his friend.
“Whatever,” Cloud grumbled, secretly pleased that Zack had gone so far to distract him from the nagging doubt in his gut. While he could be an irritating, egotistical Alpha at times, Zack really was the best friend he’d ever had.
“Everything’ll be fine Spike. The new recruits start their training on Monday. Just think, only two days until you get to start kicking some Beta butt!”
Cloud smiled, his fears easing up. Zack was right. He was a SOLDIER now, finally, and the real fun wasn’t far away. Before he knew it, he’d be out on real missions, fighting fiends and other enemies, wielding materia and his own sword. He wasn’t going to let some stupid genetic bullshit ruin the new experiences for him. Everything would be fine.
ZCZCZCZC
Except nothing in Cloud’s life ever seemed to be ‘fine’.
On his first day of training he realised how messed up the new hierarchy was. The batch of recruits he was in turned out to be mostly Alphas —at least a dozen of them, easily distinguished by their musky scent—with only himself and two other SOLDIERS showing signs of being Betas, or worse, Omegas.
There was nothing wrong with being an Omega, they were a rarity after all, and therefore highly prized. But as a submissive group, they were targeted for bullying by the other Betas, and sexual harassment from the Alphas. In that regard, the negatives generally outweighed the positives. Two of the three Omegas registered within SOLDIER had bonded mates, so they weren’t subjected to the mistreatment. Their territorial Alphas were quick to eliminate any threats presented to their wellbeing.
The third Omega, well, he hadn’t faired so well.
Cloud tried not to think about it as he ran alongside the rest of the new recruits. There was some shoving and pushing dealt out by the Alphas to begin with, most of their aggression directed toward Cloud and the other non-Alphas. Lieutenant Jefferson, who was overseeing them, was quick to put an end to it though. They were professionals after all, not a bunch of rabid wolves, though Cloud couldn’t help but wonder differently as one of the Alphas leered at him. He looked away immediately, internally cussing at himself. Being so obviously submissive wasn’t going to help his case any.
They ran laps for an hour. The training room was huge, and entirely enclosed, like an underground parking garage. The grey, cement walls and floor, lit by the fluorescent lights overhead, only furthered the impression. Cloud’s breathing had begun to grow shorter and quicker, but he didn’t feel as tired as he knew he would have before the mako injections.
Their instructor called them to a halt, giving them a few minutes to rehydrate and stretch. Just as Cloud was starting to think it wouldn’t be so bad, the training mats came out, and they were partnered off. Cloud, the poor bastard, was paired up with the largest Alpha. He couldn’t help but drop his gaze as the six-foot-seven mass of muscle leered down at him. Jared Rogers was his name, and damn it if he didn’t have some serious Alpha vibes going on. The taller blonde was built well — solid but still lean, like a big cat. His soldier shirt clung to him well, like Zack’s so often did, with the cropped sleeves framing broad shoulders that stood in stark contrast to his narrow hips. Cloud could easily appreciate the fact that Rogers was a hot piece of ass.
Two of the Alphas across the room were yelling at each other, and Lt. Jefferson went over to break them up. As soon as the lieutenant was out of earshot, Rogers seized the opportunity to have a dig. He eyed Cloud critically, sizing him up. His feathery, blonde hair and youthful features didn’t go unnoticed.
“Pretty little thing aren’t cha? You’ve got Omega written all over you. You’re more of a prissy bitch than half the girls around Midgar,” he sneered. The other nearby Alphas snickered. “Don’t know how you even made it into SOLDIER. You don’t look like a fighter, probably only good for breeding.”
Cloud glowered at the ground, knowing that biting back wouldn’t do him any good. He’d dealt with guys like Rogers for years, he knew how they ticked. Alpha or cocky teenager — they were all the same.
The Lieutenant came back at that moment, cutting off any further verbal jabs that Rogers had planned to make. Cloud was grateful. Rogers’ overbearing presence was bad enough without the stinging words to go with it. He knew it was going to get worse before it could get better though.
Cloud was on his back a few minutes later, Rogers flooring him as soon as Lt. Jefferson had given the cue to begin the exercise. Cloud found his ankles up by his head as he was bent in half, Rogers giving him a cocky grin as he began to thrust against his clothed ass.
“How you like that sissy? Bet you’d like it if I gave you my knot huh? You’d love it if I filled you up with my come. I know you’d give me pretty pups,” he growled. A few of the others nearby snickered, still able to hear as they wrestled their own opponents. Cloud felt his insides flare hot at Rogers’ words. Why, he couldn’t understand. All he knew was that he needed to get the cocky fucker off him before he ended up on the bottom of the food chain.
Using a manoeuvre that Zack had taught him, Cloud managed to flip Rogers, sending him over his head so that Cloud was now on top. Pissed off, Cloud didn’t hesitate to give Rogers the same treatment, snapping his hips against the Alpha.
Probably not the best idea, Cloud realised too late as Rogers gave a deep growl that rattled the smaller blonde to his core. The Alpha flipped him over with ease, pressing Cloud into the training mat to the point of almost crushing him.
“Cocky little fucker. Think you can take on an Alpha like me? You don’t know who you’re messing with baby,” he warned, painfully twisting Cloud’s arm behind his back. Cloud couldn’t help the small whimper that escaped him.
“That’s right, you know deep down who the boss is around here. Just wait until your first heat hits. I’ll find you and fuck your pretty little brains out, show you what an Alpha can really do.” Rogers punctuated the threat with a powerful thrust, driving his half-hard cock against Cloud, who whimpered again in response. Even if he really was a Beta, Cloud doubted he’d be treated any differently to an Omega anyway. It was like being a trooper all over again.
Lt. Jefferson called them to a halt, forcing Rogers to release the smaller blonde. The lieutenant gave the recruits a stern lecture before dismissing them for lunch. His warning sounded rehearsed, like it was something he’d said a hundred times before to the other new recruits before them. Cloud was sure Zack would have heard the same speech, back when he first became a Third. It was a small reassurance, but Cloud couldn’t help but wonder if Jefferson’s words would achieve anything. Rogers was still staring at him from the other side of the group, so he doubted it.
ZCZCZCZC
Cloud ended up sitting with the other non-Alphas for lunch. It seemed wise for them to stick together, and Cloud even received some unexpected sympathy from one of the others.
“Rogers seems like a real dick. Unlucky that you had to get paired up with him,” the well-built brunette, —James, he introduced himself as— said to him as they picked at their meals.
“He’s pretty hot though,” Tony piped in, also a brunette, shorter and leaner than James. “You’d be pretty lucky if he chose to knot you, Strife.”
“Lucky? And how does that work exactly? He’s an egotistical asshole that pinned me to the floor and dry humped me in front of the other Alphas,” Cloud snapped, skewering a carrot on his fork.
Tony shrugged. “That’s what Alphas do though. It’s all a contest to them, especially with the new recruits. Once they’ve established a pecking order they’ll calm down.”
“And how would you know that?” James asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Got a friend in Second, he’s a Beta. Gave me a bit of info on how it all works.”
“So why do I get dragged into this pecking order shit then if it’s an Alpha thing?” Cloud grumbled.
Tony waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Rogers was staking a claim on the prettiest guy in the room, well, aside from himself. If you do turn out to be an Omega, then that’s pretty much the best trophy an Alpha can pick up. It’s about more than just being the biggest, loudest and toughest in the pack. Claiming a mate is a big part of it. Take it as a compliment, Strife.”
“Doesn’t feel like one,” he complained, forcing himself to eat another bite. His enhanced metabolism demanded the extra sustenance, even if he didn’t feel much like eating.
He was pissed off more than anything. He was a SOLDIER dammit, not some fuck toy for a bunch of testosterone fuelled idiots to fight over! He fell into a brooding silence as the other two continued to talk, Tony bragging about other inside info he’d been told.
Materia class followed after lunch. It was all theory work, at least for the moment, and thankfully, Cloud was seated a few rows away from Rogers. Tony was also across the room, but James had taken the table beside him, giving him a friendly smile. Cloud wasn’t sure what to make of the brunette. He thought logically, that Rogers’ display earlier would have deterred the other two non-Alphas from associating with him, for fear of being targeted the same way. Yet it didn’t seem to bother them, as if they hadn’t even considered the possibility.
Cloud gave James a small smile in return, wondering how long it would be before he turned on him to side with the Alphas. It was a sad thought, but realistic nonetheless.
The materia class ran its course without incident. Cloud took notes quietly, answering any questions their instructor directed towards him, otherwise keeping quiet. Some of the other Alphas were rowdier, but Cloud just ignored them.
He was more than a little relieved when he was finally able to head back to his room. James was a few doors down the hall from him, they were both happy to discover. They parted ways, with the brunette saying he was looking forward to seeing him the next day. Cloud ducked his head shyly, giving him a small wave as he walked away. He still wasn’t sure what to think of James, but so far, he seemed nice enough.
Zack called in later for dinner, copping an earful from Cloud as they ate from their takeaway Wutaian boxes. The raven-haired First listened intently, wincing as the blonde retold his horror stories from earlier in the day.
“Shit Spike, I forgot how bad the transition was. As an Alpha I didn’t really have anything bad happen to me. It was mainly just a lot of fighting and taunting. Not much different from the army when you think about it. Just more intense. But shit, I can see how not being an Alpha could really be a problem. But your friend, Tom was it—“
“Tony,” Cloud corrected.
“—right, Tony, said they’d settle down right?”
Cloud nodded. “I don’t know if Rogers will let up though. He seemed pretty into it.”
Zack glowered at him, and Cloud had to remind himself that the anger was directed at Rogers, not him. The First looked like he was ready to kill someone. It was terrifying, and it didn’t suit the usually playful Zack at all.
Cloud swallowed nervously. “But I could be wrong. I don’t really know much about the Alpha thing, aside from what you and Tony have told me.”
“If he gives you anymore trouble, you let me know. I won’t have some immature Alpha thinking he can screw around with my Spike,” he growled, sounding oddly possessive.
“Zack …” Cloud started, his voice uncertain.
Zack seemed to come around to his senses, shaking his head as though to clear it. He gave Cloud a smile, back to his normal self.
“Sorry buddy, hormones got me for a moment. Cocky Alphas aside, how did your classes go?”
They continued to talk through the rest of dinner, Zack leaving not long after so that Cloud could get a decent amount of sleep in before his second day of training. He’d need his wits about him for sure.
Zack stopped in the doorway as he went to leave, hesitating for just a moment before pulling Cloud into a bone-crushing hug. Cloud returned it happily, surprised, but happy nonetheless to find himself within the First’s warm, protective grip.
“What was that for?” Cloud asked after they separated.
Zack smiled at him, his violet eyes gentle. He ruffled Cloud’s blonde spikes, his fingers dropping to trail down the Third’s cheek, before landing on his shoulder. “You let me know if they give you too much trouble. SOLDIER training is bad enough without the added bullshit. As a First Class, and an Alpha, I can tell them to back off. Failing that, there’s other ways to deter them. I’d rather it didn’t come to that, but I want to keep you safe either way. Can’t have my best bud getting himself into too much trouble, eh?”
Cloud smiled, feeling well and truly reassured. He knew he could count on Zack, no matter what.
“I’ll see you later in the week, Zack. Don’t give Angeal too much stress in the meantime.”
Zack laughed. “It’d be no fun if I didn’t give him at least a little bit of trouble now and then. Stay safe, Spike.”
And then he was gone, leaving Cloud alone in his room. Zack’s warm, familiar presence left a cold void in its absence, and Cloud couldn’t help but sigh as he felt an old ache surface. Ignoring it, he changed and clambered into bed, his exhaustion catching up to him quickly.
To Be Continued