Archive of Our Own

Today had been such a joyous day for them. Filled with blessings aplenty, raining down on the two of them, with the setting sun shining in the midst. Cloud could practically smell the lull of the evening dew, laid out across the streets of Sector 1 to reflect the luminous streetlights and colors of the surrounding world. And above it all, the purple and orange of dusk peeked through just enough to give variety to their shared room’s tones.

Cloud stood in front of the bathroom door, the steam from his shower still lingering and fogging up the nearby mirror. On the counter of the sink, his still wet toothbrush and white strips' container resting limp on the porcelain. Above him, the fluorescent lights that had been installed recently gave the bathroom a look that screamed modernity. Really, he appreciated all the perfect little details; how they accentuated a life that Cloud was building up as carefully as possible.

Oh, it was pure bliss being able to live this way. Hojo had promised him that life with his Alpha would bring him a fulfillment beyond all else, and, well, it really was turning out to be true. Those early days of their relationship spent withering in doubt and insecurity had faded into the obscurity of his memory, slowly clouding up to make way for the daylight that was his perfect life. Cloud couldn’t have asked for anything better—he had done his job as an Omega, no longer deformed or defective. No, now, he was accomplishing the proper goals and milestones.

He had mated with his beloved Alpha; had committed himself to the interviews and press releases just as Hojo told him they would; and he had finally, finally reached the pinnacle of what it meant to be an Omega. After all that his gracious Alpha had given him throughout their relationship, Cloud was going to give it back to him tenfold. Even better, his Alpha said they were to get married in a week, with the preparations and fittings beginning after today. Thinking of that made his grin widen in anticipation, in his chest beating a tiny, heartfelt rhythm that Cloud could hear.

They should celebrate—Cloud believed that rejoicing in what had come about from their introduction was the next step in advancing their relationship. Their first celebration as a mated pair… The first of many, Cloud hoped, reaching up to take his nightgown off of its hanger.

Thankfully, the Omega had managed to get his briefs on without thinking of his mauling, deliberately avoiding having to look at it to the best of his abilities. He was getting better at pretending that he wasn’t diseased, and with his Alpha’s reciprocation and their split-second moments of intimacy, Cloud was certain that he would forget all about it in the coming weeks. They had something to look forward to; they had happier days ahead of them, and Cloud couldn’t wait to spend them with his Alpha.

To have properly conducted his purpose gave Cloud the extra boost of confidence that he needed to continue going forward. His hands trembled while he pulled the nightgown over his head, a soft yellow decorated with lilies, silky and sheer to show off just enough of his body for his Alpha. If he were to be honest with himself, he wasn’t the biggest fan of the dresses and nightgowns that came with being a good Omega, but Cloud would do anything if it meant being the best he could be for Sephiroth.

Every word that one would use to describe anything beyond immaculate is what Cloud used to depict Sephiroth—the only Alpha for him; the Alpha that Hojo and Shinra promised him from the start. Thoughts of Sephiroth and their first mating made Cloud sigh dreamily, hands clasping together in front of his chest to quell his rampaging heart. His mind was jumping to a future yet undetermined, but those pleasant imaginations were soothing any doubt Cloud might have dreamt up.

Sephiroth likes me for the way I am. He doesn’t pay attention to other Omegas because he knows they aren’t as good as me. I do what I’m told; I contribute to my Alpha’s happiness and well-being. Those other ones don’t—it’s a wonder why any of these disgusting excuses for Alphas find them so enticing.

It was true! Cloud far outranked them, and while he couldn’t remember any other prominent Alphas giving him attention, Sephiroth was the one. He was the Alpha that all Alphas aspired to be, and that alone was the most reassuring thought of them all. The blond did a little dance right there in the bathroom, shaking his hands to get the excess of emotion out before he displayed it in front of Sephiroth.

Omegas weren’t supposed to flap their hands or make squeaks and squeals randomly during the day and night, so Cloud wasn’t going to show it outwardly unless he was alone. Another reminder of a job well-done, that was, for it told Cloud that he was doing exactly as his station commanded. Prim and perfect on the outside, healthy and satisfied on the inside. If his Alpha was happy, then he was happy, simple as could be.

Any healthy dynamic between mates went as such, and if it didn’t, then they weren’t meant to be. Cloud rested comfortably in the simple knowledge that he and his mate were destined partners, brought together by the reunion Sephiroth mentioned consistently. That was proof enough! His mate loved him like no other, leaving Cloud to appreciate all that he gave him and return his affection just the same.

What more was there for Cloud to ask for? Their lives were at their all-time peak, accomplishing all that they were born to do. Cloud squeaked one final time, then, turned to the sink and quickly applied his whitening strips. He would have used the whitening gel, as well, but he was feeling a bit tired, and for good reason! If he had the option of trading tiredness out for not having his good reason, then he would decline it. Nothing could be better and nothing would be better; Sephiroth was more than enough.

The strips stuck to his teeth, giving only a shiny texture to otherwise perfectly white rows, free of imperfections. Luckily for him, he didn’t have to do his skincare routine, having already done so in the shower. A simple rinse with some gel cleanser was all that was necessary, but with what he was going through, it might not be needed for some time. The benefits to Cloud’s joyous accomplishment were beyond counting!

He kept his mouth open for a second longer, inspecting each tooth and molar triple the usual amount of times. They had to be flawless, or else he wasn’t a good Omega—the lessons had taught him so. But as he had observed at the very beginning of his relationship with Sephiroth, those Omegas were nothing compared to him. Cloud was beauty beyond the heavens, and those Omegas? They were garbage, nothing more than bottom feeders intended to worship an overrated, grilled tilapia.

You’d never catch Cloud worshiping such trash. He had standards, unlike those who depended on tilapia for appreciation and affection. Didn’t they know that associating with a fish lacking proper nutrients was the worst thing an Omega could do? Of course, they didn’t, for they lacked any intelligence. Intelligence couldn’t even be found in their big toe!

Satisfied with his corrected behavior, the Omega closed his mouth and went to the door, shutting the light off when he stepped out. In an instant, his mate’s pungent scent punched right in, mixing with the delicate perfume from Cloud’s body wash and creating an essence that sent his mind into a dizzying spell of adoration.

Obsessed wasn’t how he would describe his behavior, for he was only behaving as any proper Omega would. Then again, there wasn’t an Omega like him, was there? Cloud was being promoted throughout Midgar, pictured side-by-side with Midgar’s famous SOLDIER. Those who saw him with Sephiroth would know that he was perfection incarnate. Obviously, Cloud hid his deformity from all seeing eyes outside of Sephiroth’s, but his Alpha loved him despite the disfigurement that stretched across the expanse of his groin.

Hojo said it was a procedure done to remove what was wrong with him; what made him an improper Omega. Sephiroth said it was called a “penectomy,” but he wouldn’t specify what it meant and why it would be done to an Omega like him. Honestly, Cloud would prefer to live in the ignorance of said procedure, opting instead for the comfort of his mate and the knowledge that not even that would deter him.

The room greeted him with those gorgeous colors from evening, matching the iridescent orange that lit up corners. His eyes went to where Sephiroth sat, arranging papers on his desk while situating folders whenever a paper was in order. Long, silver hair, silky soft and glistening with the sheen of hair oil, cascaded down his back—Cloud loved looking at his Alpha’s hair, wishing he could have such beauty. Unlike Sephiroth, Cloud’s hair was short and spiky, nowhere near as long or smooth.

Spiky hair didn’t suit him, but whenever he pictured himself with longer hair, he was only met with images of his youth. Brief flickers of a time when his hair was pulled back, still as pointed as it was currently, were all that he could see when he thought about it for longer than a moment. Unconsciously, Cloud brought a hand to his hair and poked the most prominent spike, pouting at the touch. Why, oh, why did his hair have to be so difficult?

Lamenting his unfortunate, natural hair would get him nowhere, leaving him to walk to the vanity on the other side of the room, opposite Sephiroth’s desk. It was a grand display of wealth, made of oak harvested from Wutai that had been crafted meticulously. The arches that made up the mirror had angels carved on either side, each one holding a harp and surrounded by lavender. At the corner of the vanity had been a small lamp, with the shade being a scalloped shape, complete with a mockery of stained-glass on the rounded part and fringe on the bottom.

Their bedroom had gone from something no better than a medicinal doctor’s office to the epitome of domesticity. Cloud very much enjoyed the atmosphere they had created at the behest of Sephiroth, loving how their bed was more downy and decorated in a comforter that had color rather than nothing. While good Omegas weren’t supposed to give their input in the decisions that their Alphas made, Cloud was asked for his thoughts, and he freely gave his only request: that the color scheme of their room be yellow.

In front of the vanity was another carved piece made from the same piece of oak, the cushion on top being plush and colored a lighter yellow to give contrast to the bed, which sat in the middle of the back wall. Cloud sat down and pulled his drawer open, the perfect row of lotions lined up from top to bottom. He had arranged them by scent, with the lavender being to the far left, strawberry in the middle, and vanilla to the far right. In the drawer to his left were his hair oils and serums, each arranged by what their purpose was. First, the oils meant for growth, then, the oils meant to hydrate his locks. Finally, the last row contained his serums, which he used to reduce breakage.

Often times did the thought of them being too much for his hair come up, making him second-guess his decision to throw himself into hair care and skincare. Cloud found it unlike himself to be so concerned with what he did to keep up appearances—if it was done for the betterment of his persona and Sephiroth’s liking of him, then it really shouldn’t matter what it did to him, should it?

Whenever an unnatural thought popped into his mind, Cloud would distract himself with something that a good Omega would do. Serving his Alpha and improving his looks. After all, Cloud was always going to be better; he’d never let another Omega believe that he was inferior to them. In his past, despite the memories being hazy and split up in chunks, Cloud could remember some children thinking he was a loser.

Never again. They would never take him for a lowlife, just like the rest of the tilapia in Midgar. Cloud was sublimity in every capacity, and he knew that everyone else could see it. Arrogant wasn’t how he thought of himself whenever he beamed with pride, finding his behavior more along the lines of vain, but never aggressively. Maybe he was blind to his own actions and thoughts, choosing instead to live in an ignorant bliss.

No, I am simply being confident. I’m doing what an Omega by Alpha’s side would do. My self-esteem is his self-esteem, and he said as such.

His hand searched for the perfect lotion to compliment his natural scent—strawberry on top of artificial strawberry seemed too intense for tonight, while vanilla reminded him too much of cupcakes. Lavender was the wiser of the three options, and he knew just the brand to use for their bedtime routine.

Cloud settled for one of Shinra’s top-selling lotions, sold by one store and one store alone. He couldn’t recall the name of it off the top of his head, as today had been filled with life-changing news that consumed him entirely. All he could think about was their accomplishment and how they were entering the most blissful era of their lives. Cloud’s face flushed in a potent red, appearing in the mirror while he squeezed the lotion into his palm.

The lavender perfume meshed with his natural scent, creating a mix of strawberry with lavender, soothing for his Alpha. Humming their song, Cloud closed his eyes and rubbed the lotion into his arms, making sure to hydrate all that he could. Just as his hair needed to be hydrated, so, too, did his body. It wasn’t a common occurrence for him to lotion up his torso and legs, since he took care of that in the bathroom.

But tonight was different. Tonight, Cloud wanted to look.

He made sure his hands wouldn’t stain his nightgown as he lifted it slowly, trembling with an eager smile growing on his face, while he settled it atop his stomach. Those cat-like pupils of his constricted at what he was seeing, glowing in that typical teal color he had grown so used to. Inside his body was a parade of butterflies, filling him up to the brim, but they felt… wrong. They were dusty and decaying, twitching in the webs of his ribs. Cloud suspected that they weren’t real, almost as artificial as his natural scent.

That was okay—his artificiality wasn’t a deficit, it was a privilege. His Alpha told him not to worry about it too much, so he would do just as he said. Sephiroth was wise beyond his years, with his ability to comfort him far superior to what others might have tried. If Cloud was the example of a perfect Omega, then Sephiroth was the perfect Alpha.

And there the evidence was, poking through his abdomen and ballooning into a rounded shape. Cloud stared at it with eyes so full of unfiltered love and affection, purring from the sight alone and smiling proudly. This was what he was destined to do; this was what his life had been leading up to. Becoming a SOLD—.

In his ears played a tropical melody, accompanied by the reassuring words of his mate that had followed him all the way to the doctor. Cloud hummed it in return and repeated Sephiroth’s words like they were a prayer. “This is what Mother wants,” he echoed his Alpha’s statement, giggling. “This is what she means by Reunion.”

Reunion was a beautiful concept that Sephiroth had taught him. Vaguely, Cloud remembered Hojo mentioning it, but Sephiroth was all that mattered. His words were above all else, and Cloud would heed only to his command. Reverent of his mate, the blond startled out of his daze when he heard a shuffle from the desk. Turning his head around revealed Sephiroth putting the folders away, all papers safely secured and put away for the night. What time was it? Cloud would have known, but he was too far away from the clock and, frankly, he was too thrilled to do anything but admire the outcome of his hard work.

He watched as Sephiroth put his head in his hands, slumped over in his chair, darkened by the shadows of their lamps. That was heartbreaking—to gaze at his Alpha, so lonely and burdened by all the hours he poured into being a SOLDIER, made terrible vines wrap around Cloud’s heart and squeeze with all of their might. Sephiroth’s troubles were Cloud’s to fix, even if his mate did seem a bit resistant to accepting his comfort and companionship.

Perhaps that would change now that they were on the verge of completing Reunion. Cloud couldn’t bear to look at something so miserable for so long, pulling his nightgown back over his bump and gently rising from his own chair. What made his dedication to his mate so obvious would be how he had foregone the last step of his nightly routine, neglecting to put on his favorite socks in favor of being there for Sephiroth.

Padded footsteps across lush brown carpet carried him to where his Alpha sat, standing over him like a doe watches her buck. One hand went to Sephiroth’s back, rubbing small circles into it while the other went to Cloud’s chest, over his heart, because the SOLDIER’s heartache was his, too. He bowed his head, purrs softening in an attempt to let Sephiroth know that he was there for him; that he was there for anything that he might need.

“Alpha?” He asked, quiet and reserved, just as he always was. “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?” And when he didn’t get a response, the Omega fluttered his lashes and decided to switch tactics. “Alpha… We’re going to have a baby; we’re going to be parents. Is that… not what I want?”

That wasn’t right. Cloud wanted it desperately; had dreamed of this moment ever since he finished his classes. Quickly, he corrected his behavior with, “I’m sorry, I mean… Is that not what you want? I thought Mother wanted this… Did I misinterpret that?” He slowed his rubbing, his concern taking over all other functions while he waited for anything, even a single breath from his mate.

Sephiroth lifted his head, planting his hands on the desk while looking at Cloud. His eyes shut for a moment, then opened as he took a deep breath. “No, you didn’t.” He swiveled in the chair so that his body was facing Cloud, and his face had contorted to a look of pure indifference. Cloud swallowed, thick, and took a step back, though kept his hand hovering near Sephiroth.

“Then…” He hesitated, because he was unsure of what to say. Everything he had been taught, as important as it was, hadn’t helped in the slightest when actually put to the test. That was more than a disappointment—they had been together for four months, so why couldn’t Cloud behave as he was supposed to? The shine in his face dimmed, but only for a moment before he replaced it with the softest of smiles. “Do you… Do you…”

Cloud could feel his pulse quickening when he thought about what they could do to get Sephiroth’s spirits up. His Alpha’s gaze trailed his every move, a reminder to Cloud that Sephiroth truly did care enough to give him attention. Maybe… Just maybe he was being a good Omega without the lessons. Shaky again, the Omega reached for one of Sephiroth’s hands, finding it willing and placing it atop his bump.

He made sure his face was alight with joy, cheeks dusted with pink and mouth turned upward, not showing any teeth. Cloud rested his hand on Sephiroth’s, waiting patiently for what he would say; what he would do. The Omega was ready for anything, even if it were the worst to ever happen to him. Nothing could be done to him to dampen his elation after today’s appointment. And with his Alpha sitting right by him, hand on bump, Cloud knew that his happiness would only increase the more they cherished their gift.

Becoming too shy for his own good, Cloud brought his other hand to his chin, covering his mouth partially while his eyes flitted open and shut. Quieter than a mouse, he whispered, “Do you want to… um… help me put lotion on? Sorry… I mean…” He trailed off, unsure of what to say next that could properly convey all he was feeling and all that he wanted. Sephiroth should have caught on to Cloud’s silent questions, the ones that he hid behind a wall of embarrassment and nervousness. Sometimes, he could be so awkward, and it bothered him to no end.

The Alpha didn’t move, but he kept his attention on Cloud, becoming almost too much for the blond to handle. He wasn’t used to such attention, though he had always craved it since childhood. Cloud remembered how he felt, desperate for Ti—people to welcome him into their circles and dreaming about how one day, he would be more successful than any of them.

In fact, that dream had become a reality. Plastered all across Midgar: streets, marketplaces, and newscasts were filled with images of him and Sephiroth, the defining portrait of what it meant to be a happily mated couple. They were gearing up to do an interview soon, and though Cloud wasn’t particularly thrilled about that, he kept it inside. If it meant getting to see the good job he had done and knowing others were seeing it alongside him, then it could never be a burden on him.

“You’re different,” Sephiroth finally responded, his hand smoothing across the bump with a marvelment that only a father would have. “We’re different, but we just have to hold out a bit longer. Mother wants us to continue on this path, Cloud, and we will. Soon, we will enact her will, you and I.”

So romantic… Cloud sighed and turned his head away from Sephiroth. “I know, Alpha. She sounds like such a nice woman… It’s almost like I’ve… met her before.”

“It’s a possibility.” Sephiroth stood, closing the distance between himself and Cloud. The heat of his body radiated all over, a gentle caress on Cloud’s frigid, lonely skin. Just the closeness of their bodies; the touch of his hand across the evidence of their affection; and the hint of Sephiroth’s scent was enough to cause a wave of goosebumps to appear across his arms and legs.

As Cloud stood there, frigid and mounted in place with a dry mouth, Sephiroth used his other hand to grab Cloud’s, entwining their fingers and holding it firmly; lovingly. “Mother can be anyone you know; anyone you hate; and…” He bowed his head, leaning close to Cloud’s face. “Anyone you love.”

His breath was missing while the swirls of infatuation rolled around their heads. Purples and reds, spiraling into one another while making such intricate patterns in the dizzying facade that Cloud could see right in front of him. So many times he had seen similar patterns, but today’s detailed depiction was different; lighter than the clouds in heaven, brighter than even the shiniest of stars, and better than any other feeling in the world.

Trying to hold onto Sephiroth’s hand was near impossible with the rush of affection that slammed into him all at once, every ounce of his strength only channeled through his mate. Cloud would have melted right there, but he kept his stance upward and steady, though his body betrayed him by shivering uncontrollably. Those traitorous nipples of his tightened when Sephiroth pressed himself closer, the outwardness of his arousal too hard to ignore.

And such arousal bled into his scent, primal and smelling of the cough-drop strawberries that made him him. With the world spinning around him, Cloud started to stutter out his response, fighting against his utter desire to continue the conversation. “Y-Yes,” he was only able to breathe out one word at a time, building up to a semi-coherent sentence. “Mother… Yes, um… Anyone we love. But…” There was a question on his mind, so he voiced it with, “She can’t be you, can she?”

The Alpha didn’t respond for a passing moment, a moment that had Cloud wondering he had said the right thing. Just having the mere thought of Sephiroth being upset with him because he failed to behave properly was going to send Cloud into a tizzy, skin prickling and not in the good way, like he had been taught.

Their hands gripped each other ferociously, but with which emotion behind it, Cloud was unsure. Sephiroth stared at him, face still flat, as it always was when they began serious discussions. He was a fool to question what his Alpha had said; he was a fool to ever bring doubt to his Alpha’s words. Cloud didn’t enjoy knowing that his actions had resulted in an outcome unfavorable for all, wanting to satisfy his mate; wanting to keep him happy at all times.

If Cloud failed to properly serve Sephiroth, then he’d be nothing more than a ghostly flurry of colors. Sephiroth wouldn’t know he was there, and he would have to face the grim reality of being ignored. Only by adhering to what it meant to be an Omega would Sephiroth see him, acknowledge him.

He hated how his eyes were filling with tears, his overthinking mind getting the best of him. Cloud blinked them back, or else Sephiroth would see that he was letting his emotions come out. Only happiness should exist outside his body, keeping the shame, guilt, and insecurities deep within. Showing them… How could he be so careless? He knew better than to portray himself as anything other than a joyous Omega, but he had gone down a different path, almost as if he wasn’t behaving like he typically did. The blond wondered, Have I been this way before? I… think I used to get mad or… or scared that someone didn’t like me. But when?

Sephiroth dropped Cloud’s hand, a move that had the Omega floundering about like a fish desperate for water. Am I a tilapia? Am I a lowly fish? Suddenly, the air felt too cold, the warmth from their interaction—.

His mate slid his hand to the small of Cloud’s back, pulling him against his muscular chest and craning his head to look at him. With his other hand, taking it off of Cloud’s bump, he grabbed him by the chin and tilted his face until they were properly looking at one another. Cloud couldn’t breathe again, his Alpha having stolen it from him with the heat of his touch. The puzzle had slid back into place, all the pieces connecting inside Cloud’s chest and building him back up.

“No… She can never be me.” And he smiled, a rarity that only Cloud was treated to. It was only natural for the Omega to smile in return, face still shrouded in the heavy red that presented what he was feeling to Sephiroth. “Aside from that… If you truly want me to put lotion on you—.”

“Yes!” Cloud blurted his answer, suddenly and without waiting for Sephiroth to finish, then, he took his hesitant hands and slid them up Sephiroth’s chest, planting them firm against him. “Yes, I… Please? I’m sorry, I should have…” But Sephiroth stopped him, grabbing his hands and leading him to the vanity, where the soft glow of the lights still illuminated Cloud’s stock.

He was seated in his chair with a gentility that no one else possessed, Sephiroth pulling on the drawer with his lotions and gesturing vaguely at them. “Pick.” The silver-haired Alpha had already been reaching for the one Cloud used earlier, as though he had read his mind or taken notice of what Cloud had done earlier. He pointed to the same one, confirming what Sephiroth had been going toward to begin with while lowering his head, eyes averted from his.

Any good Omega avoided direct eye contact when with their Alpha unless commanded to do otherwise. Cloud would do anything Sephiroth asked of him; he would place him above Shinra themselves to prioritize what mattered most. After all, Sephiroth knew it all, and Cloud trusted in his words, his beliefs, and his orders with gusto.

So far, his mate had proven that he was beyond trustworthy, leaving no doubt in Cloud’s little brain, overflowing with adoration and excitement at the next step in their relationship. They were going to be immaculate together. Above everyone else in Midgar, presented as the cream of the crop to all those who wanted something better in their lives. It made Cloud blush harder than before, not paying attention to Sephiroth, who collected the lotion in his palm.

“Lift your dress.”

Cloud swallowed. “You… don’t mind seeing…?”

Sephiroth shook his head, and that was the only answer Cloud needed before he used the same wonderment that he had earlier to lift his gown, still shivering when the sheer yellow revealed a pale, glowing bump. Should Cloud ever need evidence of their love, then all he had to do was look at the growing babe; everything he had ever wanted, culminated in one being. And once the pup was born… Every single day would be a blessing, for their reunion would be a living, breathing human being that the eyes of others would recognize as such. There would be no denying anymore. No rumors. Nothing.

It was enough to get a giggle out of him, covering his mouth with his hands and watching with rapt interest as Sephiroth equally spread the lotion across his palms. Cloud didn’t want to uncover his mouth for fear that he might say something stupid or out of line. This was their moment, tranquility and bliss making up for the words that went unsaid. If anything, they were finally settling into their new heaven, complete with a domestic room and fervent romance.

“Mother has truly blessed us in her absence,” his mate was preaching his gospel to his only disciple, massaging the lotion into Cloud’s skin and spreading more of the lavender perfume in the air so close to suffocating them. “And we must thank her for this, no matter what it takes.” Which, Cloud agreed, since Mother seemed like she was a delightful person, ethereal and effervescent in her existence. Sephiroth spoke highly of her, so it was only natural that Cloud take her as a loving, powerful force in their lives.

Saying something in return didn’t feel right, with Cloud nodding along as a show of his agreement. Though, Sephiroth should have known that Cloud was on his side; Cloud had always been on the side of his Alpha ever since their fateful meeting in the grocery store. While that memory had always been hazy to a degree, Cloud knew it in his heart to be true that they were destined to meet there. Mother made it so.

Watching Sephiroth’s hands glide over his smooth skin would have been enough to cause the red in Cloud’s cheeks to darken further, but the sensation of flesh against flesh was what did him in, turning him into a tomato that glistened in the garden of the Ancients. He was what had been plucked from the vines, properly sliced into and given as an offering to his Alpha.

Cloud gave Sephiroth a moment, having waited for his reaction before reaching and trailing a gentle hand over his mate’s exposed forearm. His nails delicately ran up and down, surely giving a tingling buzz throughout Sephiroth’s body. He could see the goosebumps dimpling his arm, hairs standing straight up and his motions jerking before returning to what he was doing. Cloud merely looked at him, no longer embarrassed to hide his color and his devotion behind pale fingers.

The lotion created a glistening shine over his bump, as though Mother herself were sending a glowing aura to the byproduct of their love. Cloud shifted his focus there, Sephiroth’s hands pulling away while wiping the excess lotion on his pants. If one’s heart could swell without consequences, then Cloud was more than certain that his was. And there they were, organs in sync with one another to give them the life they deserved. Without the other, they wouldn’t exist; wouldn’t be alive.

Their chance meeting was the reunion they sought, but the small pup that Cloud was carrying would be, as said before, the culmination of their reunification. Cloud said nothing when his brain began to circle around the solid proof that he had been longing for, his gaze hoping to find the same emotion in Sephiroth’s.

And he did. Or, at least, Cloud found some semblance of similarities within Sephiroth’s gorgeous, teal eyes. He felt the same; Cloud sensed it, his very bones resonating with the ferocity of Sephiroth’s love. It was reciprocated in full, and Cloud wouldn’t have it any other way. He smiled, pulled his nightgown back down, and rose from the chair.

Sephiroth gave him space, enough room for him to wobble on his feet and gather his balance. Every inch of him was quivering, and his emotions were running high. Obviously, Cloud recognized that his hormones contributed the most to that, but he wanted to believe that these feelings were as strong as they would be if he wasn’t pregnant. He wanted Sephiroth to know that each smile, each caress, and each kiss was real, not a dream conjured up to cope with the weight of his life as a SOLDIER.

Stepping to the side, closer to Sephiroth, the ex-SOLD—Omega tilted his head, always so fascinated by his mate’s height. While Cloud knew that he wasn’t that much shorter than him, he was still short enough to only reach the Alpha’s chin, and having to turn upward just to look at him… It was an honor.

An Omega should always be shorter, smaller; petite in every sense of the word. When Cloud saw himself in the mirror, he didn’t see that prime example of what he should be. Broad shoulders, a hint of toned muscles to his arms and abdomen, and a chest that had an appearance more akin to that of an Alpha. But, that would all change, and it had. Cloud’s chest wasn’t as taut as before, and his abdomen had lost that chiseled appearance while he was pregnant. His arms hadn’t changed as much, though, Cloud was going to make sure that it happened.

He didn’t want to look like an Alpha (but, wasn’t he—?), and he didn’t want anyone to mistake him for one. Cloud was a proud, dedicated Omega that was far above the rest. Cloud’s insecurities were rare to bubble up, and when they did, he repressed them at the drop of a hat. No need for them to be seen, for it wasn’t his place to ask for reassurance because of silly, made-up nonsense. He masked his doubts and cemented beliefs with another smile, wavering in regard to him touching Sephiroth.

“Thank you.” Cloud was quiet, always quiet to show his submission. “I… Is this what I wanted?” Why was he saying that again? Why did he doubt the desire to have a pup? It was unlike him, but the question slipped out with no prior warning, a change in behavior that he wasn’t accustomed to.

“It is what you wanted. It… is what we wanted.” There they went, Sephiroth’s hands coming up to caress the blond’s cheeks. “You and I are one, Cloud. And if you desire it, then so, too, do I. We… are going to defy destiny together, all in the name of Mother.”

Cloud opened his mouth, whispering, “I don’t know… why I doubt myself so much.” He lowered his stare, the disappointment in his failure to be a proper Omega creeping back into his mind. “I want to be everything for you; I want to bring pride to your legacy.”

His mate leaned down, again, foreheads nearly touching and thumbs rubbing circles into his cheeks. “You bring pride to me, because you’re what you should be. You’ve changed for me; for Mother. You’re…” Sephiroth paused, taking Cloud’s oxygen with him before he finished with, “You’re more than you think.”

Cherubs. They were always so adorable whenever they appeared, flying around Sephiroth and displaying hearts upon hearts. Cloud didn’t know what to say—his mate had done so much for him already that evening. Caressing his bump, holding him like he was the most delicate statue in all of Gaia, and putting lotion on him—something that most Alphas would find below themselves. Impossible, he believed, for he had always believed an Alpha’s needs came first.

And there was Sephiroth, putting him first. Cloud guided his hands to his Alpha’s neck, lightly holding him as he did and staring at him with a face that spoke of only love. “Alpha… I want to celebrate. I want to…” The word was choking him, mind not communicating properly with his mouth while the things he wished to say became lodged in his esophagus.

Lips parted, his breathing becoming jittery and his lower half constricting to squeeze slick out of him. An artificial strawberry combined with the lavender, just as it had earlier, and Cloud hoped that Sephiroth caught the implications in the scent. He instinctively pressed his body closer to Sephiroth, hardened nipples grazing the skin hidden behind a layer of fabric. His arousal was more obvious than it had been before, and while Cloud believed he should have been ashamed, he didn’t give it a second thought while standing there.

Sephiroth dropped his hands from the Omega’s cheeks, returning them to his back to curve his Omega into him. They always complimented one another perfectly—Cloud hadn’t really paid attention to it in the past, but he was keenly aware tonight. Did Cloud really need to say what he wanted? His scent, physical reactions, and previous words should have given it away, but there was still more left unsaid.

“We haven’t been together like this in quite some… time.” Cloud had finally found the words he was hoping to use, but he neglected to finish it with what his heart longed to confess. Every other time he had spoken such a thing, he never had faith in it. Always, he thought that Sephiroth didn’t feel the same. But with the look on his face, and the heat of his breath enveloping Cloud, the blond trusted it.

“Do you want to be?” His mate squeezed him, possessive and tight but never restrictive—Cloud was appreciative of the little things that Sephiroth did, like how he never went as far as to hurt him despite his possessive streaks. Cloud wished his hand would go lower, a shiver overtaking him while his slick became more than apparent. Staining his nightgown now, was he? And he had recently washed it, too…

Cloud hummed, running his fingers through Sephiroth’s satin hair. “I’m afraid to admit it,” his mouth opened a tad more, inviting his mate to take what rightfully belonged to him. His pulse could be felt from his breath alone, huffs of oxygen matching the rabbit heart stomping its foot without abandon. “But… Sephiroth, I… lo… love you.” He stood on his tiptoes with a desperation that controlled him like a puppet, pulling the strings to adjust him, getting him in the right place.

Having remained by Sephiroth’s side for as long as he had, the word ‘love’ had only come up here and there. Cloud knew that the day he finally said it with the conviction he possessed now, he would be opening himself up to a possession beyond all else. Sephiroth was his divine, and he, Sephiroth’s faithful doll. The ball joints in his knees and elbows would bend only for his mate—his command would guide Cloud to wherever he was needed.

Entombed in his Alpha’s silent obsession, forever a treasure to reveal whenever Sephiroth needed him most. That was the true meaning of being an Omega: submitting each inch of his existence to his Alpha, giving up the control of his own being and handing it over to the one that stood above all. Cloud was safe within his embrace, protected from any harm that the world may want to put him through.

His mouth was captured without prior forewarning, claimed with a ferocious passion that tethered between hunger and devotion, like Sephiroth was taking his time in indulging in Cloud’s utter obedience. Swept up in the tsunami of ardor, planted against hardened flesh as his hands explored his Alpha’s hair, Cloud’s lips parted enough to let Sephiroth inside.

Ardency, fierce in emotion but tender in sensation, swallowed Cloud; captured him in its hold and refused to let go. Cloud wouldn’t have it any other way, for his soul constantly yearned for more. Sephiroth explored his back with courtliness, not leading his hand lower like most Alphas would—Cloud wouldn’t mind if he did, although, he knew Sephiroth wasn’t one to do such so quickly into a kiss. He always waited, for a true gentleman never showed his greed at the start of his capture.

The hollow bones making up Cloud’s skeleton yearned for his mate’s possession, flesh tingling whenever their bodies rubbed in such a way that his taut nipples met with that sculpted torso. Built by years of training, the sheer masculinity of Sephiroth contrasted beautifully with Cloud’s sterile docility, meeting together to create a portrait of perfection. Cloud, enamored beyond words with his Alpha, allowed his fingers to trace lines from Sephiroth’s neck to his chest, eventually gripping the front of his shirt, like he was the only thing grounding him.

They were floating, feet no longer touching the floor, albeit, only in Cloud’s imaginations. But reality was unnecessary when paired with the man of his dreams; the man that had been promised to him for so long. Their hearts were calling for one another, gentle arms guiding them into an embrace that would never grow old. Cloud tilted his head to the side to better fit their mouths, his small tongue taking that chance to poke through and meet with Sephiroth’s.

Sephiroth devoured him, but not ravenously. He swallowed Cloud’s kiss like he was relishing a sweet treat he hadn’t had in some time, lips moving against his as a reminder of who Cloud belonged to. Like he would ever forget; like he would ever forget the massive mating mark on the crook of his neck, right where his scent gland was. Cloud melted into his touch, warm as butter, lashes fluttering as his eyes closed.

Not seeing the environment they encompassed connected him to the moment on a level unknown to most. Unaware of the world that moved while they stayed still, never having to worry himself with anything other than his mate and their love. The Omega left himself in that limbo, tethered only by Sephiroth’s lips and hands, which had steadily lowered to grab his buttocks, pinning him closer; as close as they could be physically with a bump in the way.

Cloud hummed, their closeness enabling him to feel the hardening tent in Sephiroth’s pants, quivering at the taction while his mind took in the reminder of his mate’s affection for him. Only Cloud had this effect on him, giving him the pleasure that no one else could ever afford to offer a mighty SOLDIER like Sephiroth. Though, he found it a shame that the sole implications of Cloud’s arousal was his slick and scent. There was nothing to harden; nothing to show Sephiroth that his mere presence was sending Cloud into heaven.

But his defect was of no concern, and if Sephiroth didn’t loathe him for it, then Cloud wouldn’t concern himself with insecurities over the lack of flesh. Sephiroth told him he would see the benefits to it soon, like how his hips would widen, his body would become squishy instead of hard like an Alpha’s, and the hair on his face would cease to grow back. Cloud was looking forward to the day that he would finally present as the ideal Omega he was behaving as, and this pregnancy would be the blooming lily he would emerge from.

Tongues lacing one another like the ribbons on a corset, skin sweating from the heat of their concupiscence, Cloud let the overflow of their desire take him into its ocean, lifting one leg to place against Sephiroth’s side. Like a cat finding its mouse, Sephiroth switched his grip from Cloud’s bottom to his thigh, bringing him further up on his lower body. Though the flesh of his groin was often numb to touch, Cloud felt the pressure of his Alpha’s bulge across the hidden disfigurement, the weight of their shared rapture pressing down on his nerves.

The sizzle of electricity that ran through Cloud whenever their lips slid across each other gave him life, as though Sephiroth were the sole reason for his breathing. Of course, with every move of their lips, Cloud’s breath was stolen from him—Sephiroth was his sun on a rainy day; the wind in his hair when the breeze hit just right. He exuded life, and he had given it to Cloud in the form of a pup. That thought pumped him full of adrenaline, humming into the kiss before pulling away, a string of spit connecting them.

Finally, he had managed to catch the breath that Sephiroth held hostage, chest heaving with still-restrained lust, as it wasn’t his place to take such a dominate role when it came to continuing intimacy. Cloud knew his place as an Omega, and he knew it well; he wasn’t going to start stepping out of line now, of all days. No; today was their day to celebrate all of Cloud’s accomplishments as an Omega, and he was rightfully paying his mate back for all that he had done.

Still hungering for Sephiroth’s touch, Cloud angled his head so that his scent gland was properly exposed, not opening his eyes. His question was asked by physicality rather than words, but Cloud knew it was communicated just as well, if not, better than such. Delicate fingers danced around Sephiroth’s shirt, waiting for his command, holding out for the kissing he longed to possess.

A flushed face glistening with a fine layer of sweat is what greeted Sephiroth, and Cloud didn’t have to be told that his lips were plumped and rosy from the kiss they had shared. He could feel it, how they swelled and became pink like a soft rose in Sephiroth’s absence. The taste of his mate lingered on his tongue, coated his lips in a gloss that he wanted to lick away, if only to savor the moment further. Regardless, he behaved as he should, patient as ever while his desperation became painfully obvious in his groin.

Though there was nothing that remained there, the phantom pulse of his arousal kept him on his toes; kept him willing to accept whatever Sephiroth would give in exchange for what he had done. Prickling, the unblemished skin that Cloud worked so hard to keep up showed its want without listening to his rules. It would tell Sephiroth everything when Cloud wouldn’t, and he loathed that his body was not entirely under his control when he wished it to be.

Sephiroth growled, a low, throaty noise that rattled Cloud’s stomach, heating up further with the slick in his bottom squishing into his undergarments. Repulsive, he found it, to be making a mess out of the nice clothes he was gifted with, courtesy of his Alpha’s lavish income. Almost as if his body held Sephiroth in no regard, opting to work under its own command. Again, Cloud’s wish to maintain dominance over his organs became prevalent.

“You’re right, Cloud,” Sephiroth kept his voice at a lower pitch, maneuvering his head to press his nose over the blond’s scent gland. “We are going to be parents. I suppose my mind has been too clouded with shadows to see the shine of the sun that is today.” He caressed his thigh, hiking the nightgown up to expose burning skin to the chill of the air-conditioned room. Cloud sucked in sharply through his teeth, the words lost on him while his Alpha was stuck on his gland.

Nails dug into his side when Sephiroth snaked his other hand up to Cloud’s head, holding him in place, his grip the only thing keeping the Omega from falling. The nightgown was heavy, sticking to his limbs and becoming an unbearable heat that Cloud wanted off of himself. He was swaying in Sephiroth’s arms, maintaining a semblance of balance by tightening his fists into the Alpha’s shirt. His hormones were getting the best of him, sending him into a pleasant spiral down a drain that led to a fountain surrounded by lilies and daisies. The water that would flow from his affection would be a pleasant pink with hints of yellow, reminiscent of strawberry-banana yogurt.

Pointed canines began to nibble at his neck, the action eliciting a small mewl from Cloud while his body ached for his Alpha. His core was hot, dripping candle wax for any drop of attention that Sephiroth could give him. Those nips and tugs at his neck weren’t enough, his hips hitching to bring that ache closer than it could go.

Selfish and impatient, his behavior was uncharacteristic of an Omega; he should have let Sephiroth take his time and treat him in the slow, intimate manner that he was seeking to do.

And he did. Cloud gave up complete control, the cognizance in his mind fading into oblivion while he surrendered himself to the holiness of Sephiroth’s touch. His sense of security, withheld in Sephiroth’s hands, left entirely to him to control and keep in-tact. Not a single thought worrying over what could or couldn’t happen was remaining in Cloud’s head, mind consumed with the sanctuary that his mate provided.

From head to toe, the Omega was evaporating, abandoning his physicality to become one with the luscious world surrounding him. Lips against neck, moving in such a way that Cloud could feel nothing but the weight of his Alpha’s concupiscence, eating him alive. He adored how Sephiroth explored him, teasing him with the threat of biting down on his mark to make it fresh, but refraining from such and going down into his collarbone.

Cloud, the selfish, greedy Omega he was, weaved both hands into Sephiroth’s hair, feeling the heat of his scalp underneath his palms and fingers. He hugged him to his collarbones, his head resting against Sephiroth’s temple for the extra sense of comfort and stability.

It was a hug; a promise of forever staying by his side no matter what. Cloud’s hold was laden with unfettered love, so strong and constant in his life that it showed in his very breath. He knew it was reciprocated when Sephiroth gave a gentle nab at his bone, a mark so subtle that it would fade in a few minutes. Though, Cloud wouldn’t forget it. He’d never forget a single thing Sephiroth did to him.

Like stabbing him.

Like kissing him outside the doctor’s office, where no one could see. Like holding him tight and close to his body when they slept. Like holding his hand whenever they went somewhere, a tight squeeze of reassurance to remind Cloud of what his purpose was.

Fortuitously, the blond breathed out, “Sephiroth, please, I… Please?” It wasn’t obscured, his desire and plea, for Cloud knew it to be apparent by the way his heart throbbed underneath the thin veil between teeth and muscle. Not to mention, the way his hips clicked into place with Sephiroth’s, as though he were locking them together for eternity. Cloud was ready for more, and his Alpha’s length—which was pressing into Cloud’s inner thigh—had told him that Sephiroth was in agreement.

Hungry pleas were answered like a prayer to Gaia, teeth biting harder on Cloud before Sephiroth lifted his head, clutching Cloud so tight that his skin would bruise from it later. The ex-SOLDI—blond drew in a pitched, sharp breath, stuttering when he suggested, “A-Alpha, I can… I can, um… If you want…”

Was it so hard to tell Sephiroth what he was willing to do for him? It wasn’t often that Cloud had taken him in his mouth, but he would tonight, if only it made his mate happy and satisfied. The difficulty was in voicing said offer, as Cloud found himself stumbling over his words at the mere thought of announcing a naughty act for all to hear.

“You’re wearing your strips,” Sephiroth pointed out the obvious, but Cloud still listened, gaze glued to the SOLDIER’s face against the rules of a good Omega. “Won’t that ruin them? And, besides, tonight…” He spun them around, clutching Cloud to his chest as he lay him across the bed. Cloud dropped his hands and let them fall onto his heart, losing his breath as quick as he had regained it.

Aquamarine irises bore into Cloud’s shared colored stare, pupils sharpening with the scent of Alpha engulfing the entire room, mixing with Cloud’s own smell. Should Sephiroth’s arousal not have been obvious beforehand, then it certainly was now. He squirmed on the bed, his dress having ridden up when placed in a flat position.

There remained a hand on his thigh, squeezing and massaging the muscle while Sephiroth leaned closer to Cloud’s face, the ghost of his breath making his face tingle with excitement. In nothing more than a whisper of the wind, his mate finally finished his earlier statement with, “Tonight is your night, Cloud. You’ve earned it.”

Right—Cloud had earned it. He made it possible for them to have a pup; made it possible for them to start a family and grow just as Mother intended. If it weren’t for him, then Sephiroth would be lonely, and Mother would be heartbroken. He was the key, and thinking of his importance made him instinctively bring his legs together, whimpering.

Suddenly, Cloud felt exposed, as though he were free of his nightgown and underwear. The phantom sensation increased when Sephiroth pulled the bottom of his gown up, revealing Cloud’s stained lower half. He grimaced when his scent became that much more potent, telling the secret that he was hoping to hide from Sephiroth thanks to its indecency.

He whined, head falling to the side, hoping to hide his sweat-covered, red face from Sephiroth’s hawkish sight. “P-Please, don’t… You aren’t going to, um…” He coughed, the saliva collecting in his throat becoming harder to talk through. “Look… there… Are you?”

There was no need to specify where he didn’t want his Alpha looking; Cloud didn’t want to remember what made him incomplete, especially during a day so filled with exuberant celebration. Instead, his gaze rapidly switched between the hem of his nightgown and the soft reveal of his bare legs, fingers itching to do something that he hadn’t done before.

Alpha will like this. He likes when I show him how ready I am for his…

Cloud, despite his begging and fruitless pleas for Sephiroth to not look at his groin, led his hands down to the bottom of his gown, trembling as he grabbed it and tugged it further up his torso. Now, much to his tect spartanness, Cloud squeaked and squeezed his eyes shut. For a moment, the Omega thought about how he could take off his underwear and verily display his absolute docility.

He would be willingly exposing a part of himself that he fought to keep hidden for so long. Yes, Sephiroth had seen his groin before, and yes, he had touched it, only out of curiosity. And who could blame an Alpha for being curious when it came to a deformity on their Omega? Cloud gulped, a thick lump of trepidation going down his throat as slow as possible. What would he do? What would Alpha like?

It was pathetic of him to not know what Sephiroth would prefer for him to do in the heat of the moment. An Omega was supposed to know their Alpha like the back of their hand, but Sephiroth was hidden, at times. A wall separated Cloud from his mate, letting little pieces of information out whenever it decided Cloud was privileged enough to know.

Sephiroth loved his Mother, that was one thing Cloud knew. Sephiroth also enjoyed casual, laid-back activities, like walking and reading. He told Cloud once about how he spent days in a library, never sleeping as he read hundreds of books on “scientific procedures.”

Oh, Gaia, how his mate was so educated and well-versed in all types of subjects! No one else knew that much; how could they? Sephiroth was beyond other Alphas, Omegas, and Betas combined. He was a god among mortals, and Cloud felt honored to be the one mortal he picked to be his.

But, outside what little he did know, Cloud was in the dark when it came to Sephiroth’s sexual interests. Of course, Sephiroth enjoyed when he touched him and when he put his mouth on him, and whenever Cloud squeezed around him, he seemed pleased by it. And yet, Cloud didn’t know what else he liked.

He was going to take a chance, though. He was going to finish giving himself up completely and denude the one part of himself that brought him shame. Cloud would do it all for Sephiroth, for he was all that mattered in the world.

With another deep swallow, the blond hooked his fingers underneath the waistband of his boxers and shimmied them down. An additional difficulty came with it this time around, thanks to his bump and the extra weight on his body, but he managed to tug it off just enough to show the smooth, empty space that made up his groin.

All that remained of what used to be was a makeshift hole for him to pee out of. It was…

Embarrassing. I should be standing up. I should have a—

That thought was weird. Cloud grunted, using his legs to the best of his abilities and finally getting his boxers completely off, leaving them on the bed with a wet slap. His brows knitted together; his heart rate went through the roof, mind preparing itself for a rejection.

Here he lay, a mutilated doll thrown away by her owner. Cloud would have cried, but good Omegas held back their emotions, so he merely kept his eyes shut and brows furrowed, unable to look at his mate properly. He was breathing hard through his nose, the sting of his rough breaths making it painful to do so. His fragile teeth, gritted, were grinding down on one another as he awaited his Alpha’s response.

Rejection stung. Cloud hadn’t experienced it before, so accustomed to Sephiroth accepting everything there was to him, but he knew it was a horrible, horrific ache in the stomach. He had heard of Omegas being abused by their Alphas, just for those same Alphas to tell the Omegas that they were unstable, two-faced, liars and leave them. No warning. No accepting the damage they had done. Just projecting their own insecurities onto their Omegas to make themselves feel better.

Sephiroth wasn’t like that… right? Cloud hated having to brace himself for anything, unable to do much with his hands while he waited. And waited. He wanted to bury himself six feet under, where all the other tilapia remained. No one ate them because they weren’t filling; lacked nutrients. And if Sephiroth rejected him now, then Cloud would become a tilapia.

Tilapia… Disgusting, empty, rotten carcasses that idiots consumed. Cloud wanted nothing to do with them; wanted to distance himself as far as possible from such mediocre fish. Even their name sounded stupid: tilapia. What kind of spelling was that?

“Cloud.”

His ears perked up at the name, like a dog when it hears the word ‘treat.’

“What a… wonderful Omega you are.” Sephiroth grabbed his hips, a growl at the end of his words and a smile sprouting on his lips. “A good Omega who does what I want and listens to me. A good… puppet.” He flipped him onto his side, sudden, and let go of his right leg, lifting the left. Cold, stinging air hit Cloud’s wet skin, drying it into a flaky crust. That strawberry scent of his was strong and concentrated, now, and nearly made him gag from how heady it was.

“Y-Yes,” he covered his mouth, his mind wandering to dark, lustful places while Sephiroth looked upon his sensitive parts. “Yes, a… a good… puppet.” And while he didn’t understand the use of the word, he wouldn’t question it. If Sephiroth was using it positively, then it must be a loving nickname of sorts.

He knew what was coming next, but even so, Cloud shrieked when Sephiroth brought his face close to his heat, licking a line straight from where something should have been and lathering his tongue over his entrance. Nothing could ever make him used to the odd warmth that spread when saliva touched such a hidden spot, swirling around with his slick and coaxing more out for his mate.

Cloud wriggled, body jittering, and hacked up a moan, moving back for more. He wanted his tongue inside; wanted to feel his Alpha in every nook and cranny in his body, consuming him from the inside out. It was the wicked tongue of carnality that he craved, slithering into his very bones and using him as a vessel for its own doing. No one else could satisfy that deep, animalistic need that coursed through him whenever he looked at his mate, for Sephiroth alone had the power to bend Cloud to his every whim.

Giving himself up was coming along smoothly, now, as if a spark had ignited in Cloud’s small, feeble mind. So terrified he had been of his Alpha rejecting him, taking the daring chance to expose himself entirely without complaint or coaxing. Cloud had chosen to bare his deepest shame to Sephiroth, and it was paying off. To say that he was pleased with the reaping of what he had sowed was more than an understatement, and he was proud to know that such a word didn’t exist to describe said pleasure.

But there was a sound, distant and muted underneath the happiness that pooled in Cloud’s brain. A noise that he would have mistaken for screams of agony, fists banging against his skull to be released out into the world; born again. Whatever creature it was that had been creating a ruckus was getting stronger by the day, and it only reinforced that Cloud needed to rely on his Alpha; needed to take his medicine and think about how happy they would be with their little family. He had no need for this noise to take him over and turn him into anything less than a proper Omega; had no need for his instability to corrupt him and morph him into a useless tilapia.

He laid there, little whimpers and moans leaving him with each swipe of Sephiroth’s tongue over his ass; with every gush of slick against his face, coating him in that artificial scent to mark his Alpha as his. That streak of possessiveness was concerning, at times, but wasn’t it natural? Omegas were meant to show that they belonged to their Alphas, and vice versa. And Cloud, the blessed one destined for his Alpha, had done just as his station assigned.

Sephiroth’s hold matched Cloud’s inner greediness, hand squeezing and massaging the roundness of his glutes. He was spread open, left with no other option than to let Sephiroth dig into the feast that Cloud would forever make available to him. After all, Cloud was the delicacy that Sephiroth could eat whenever he deemed necessary. The blond had consumed every ounce of knowledge there was—the personality traits that Omegas had when they behaved as they should, the attributes they took on when pleasing their Alpha, and the patterns of behavior that led to a healthy relationship.

Perhaps skin walkers did exist, but if they did, they didn’t compare to Cloud. He had built himself from the ground up, using the lessons and examples Hojo gave him to his best advantage. That was what made him different from the other skin walkers; there were no stripes on him, no animal heads on stakes in his vision, and most certainly no puppets controlling him and using him. Cloud shriveled at the thought of shadows taking advantage of him in front of his Alpha, praying that it would never happen.

The tip of his mate’s tongue prodded at the tight ring of muscle, teasing him and taking him to the edge, a move that had Cloud whining louder than before. He tensed, at first, before willing himself to relax. It was as though his body was trying to release something other than slick, but there was nothing else to expel. Cloud had his slick, nothing more, and he wouldn’t ask for there to be more. Sephiroth knew he was aroused; could smell it in the air and taste it on his wet face. Wasn’t that all he needed?

His Alpha positioned his thumbs in such a way that he could pull apart his hole, forcing his tongue in with no mercy. The way his slick allowed for easy access had Cloud growing heady, not thinking as he smacked one hand over his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut. Never had his body given itself up so readily, willing and waiting for Sephiroth to drain him for all he was worth.

Ridges in his rim were attacked by lips and teeth, nipping here and there as a reminder of who was allowed to give him this pleasure. Sephiroth’s tongue, meanwhile, drove deeper into him, assaulting his inner walls. In and out, he thrust it, wriggling it around when he pressed his face back into his bottom.

Calculated expertise was exhibited by Sephiroth, and really, Cloud didn’t expect anything less. Why wouldn’t the world’s greatest SOLDIER also be the world’s greatest monst lover? And when Sephiroth moved one thumb away, quickly shoving two fingers inside his heat, Cloud found his question answered and cemented by the lust that took him over in a storm. His hand dropped from his mouth, welcoming his pules into the world just the same as they would their pup.

Cloud sounded like a record player on loop, repeating his whines and cries with the same pitch, tone, and cadence. His body moved just as it had the past few times, functioning on instinct and command. Replicating the lessons came naturally to him now that he had a modicum of experience with the world of mating and… He couldn’t say that word; couldn’t think it. How prude of him!

Sephiroth pushed his fingers in as deep as he could reach, curling them, then pulling them back out. He made sure to grind them against the small gland that made Cloud toss his head back and squeak, hair falling in his face. All around, he could hear the strings of a harp being played by the Ancients that had blessed them with this romance, drowning out the bothersome voice that had tried to come out.

To have both tongue and fingers inside him was a tantalizing daydream, pulling him into the typhoon that was their love. Cloud could stretch his hands out and touch the stars like this, ascending to the tip of the spiral and meeting the face of heaven right before his very eyes. Sephiroth was the sole person to make him feel this way; to drown him in such imaginations and send him to the higher realms of delectation.

The SOLDIER moved his tongue in time with his fingers, the rhythm matching the drumming of Cloud’s heart as it rattled around in those oddly made ribs of his. He didn’t find it bothersome; the faded lines on the sides of his ribs that came from nowhere. They looked nothing like his deformity, and that was a win in his book, so he would take it.

Fingertips delicately massaged Cloud, taking leisure with their motions as Sephiroth’s tongue worked him masterfully, exhibiting minimal effort. And while Cloud knew his mate to be the jack of all trades, he still wondered where he had learned to be such a passionate lover, taking his time to make his Omega feel the romance leaking from his heart. His own lessons hadn’t done a damn thing for him, though, Cloud tried his best and used all of his might to make it so.

Scissored open to make room for the rest of his Alpha’s tongue, his hole clenched as another foreign sensation rattled Cloud to his bones. Again, it had happened: the phantom release of tension that felt stifled, in a way. Whatever it was that his body was trying to do obviously wasn’t enough, but he supposed it could have been true, thanks to how his slick sprayed Sephiroth’s face. There was a release, though it never felt like it, and Cloud thought, Isn’t this how it’s supposed to be? Aren’t I meant to take and take? All I can give is my love and my womb, as that is my purpose… Is it not?

But all of that doubt meant nothing when grappling with the reality that was having Sephiroth smell like him, coated in his musk for all of Shinra to accept that he was Cloud’s. Cathartic, almost; possessing something that once had struck fear into his very core. He never quite understood why, but upon seeing Sephiroth in the grocery store, Cloud once felt like he were in the presence of a demon. And then, when they mated for the first time, he could see the angel underneath the devil’s robes.

Since then, Cloud had revered Sephiroth as his guardian angel sent by the Ancients; better yet, his guardian angel sent by Mother. Mother made their mating possible, the puppeteer behind their destined meeting. Should he ever have the opportunity to meet her, Cloud would thank her for everything, groveling at her feet with the worship she deserved.

With each nip and push of Sephiroth’s teeth and fingers, the blond was sent into the high heavens, toes curling as the sounds of his enjoyment echoed in their bedroom. He moved, he tightened, he raised his arms up and hooked his hands into the pillows underneath. Cloud was floating, abandoning any tether to the world surrounding them in favor of escaping into the otherworldly bliss Sephiroth fed to him from his palms.

He could hear the slurping of Sephiroth’s mouth from below, trembling upon realizing that he was drinking up his slick like a sweet nectar offered by honeysuckles. How was one supposed to respond to that? His brain was glitching, unable to properly process that his Alpha was consuming all that Cloud had to offer, his emerald eyes fluttering open to take in the image below him.

Silver hair was all he saw, bobbing back and forth and distracting Cloud with the insertion of a third finger. Like when a doll is wound up completely, the blond let loose a low cry, rolling his torso to the side and curling inward. His hands found his bump, as did his gaze, and he stared at it lifelessly. Dully.

Why didn’t it bring a smile to his face? Maybe it was because of the intimacy he was performing, or because he was so enthralled by Sephiroth’s affection, but either way it disturbed him. Knowing that he was looking at what should have been such an accomplishment for him, just to find nothing behind those hollow eyes of his. Cloud’s heart held a knife inside now, rotating it like one does to a lollipop in their mouth.

Nothing distracted him from the endless overthinking of his hardened reaction, moaning through it with a poker face plastered over his pale face. No raising of the eyebrows, no quirk of the lips, and no flutter of his lashes; all Cloud did was stare. There was a babe inside, and he hadn’t given a single reaction. Where one mother would grin and lovingly caress her bump, Cloud kept his hands away, as though touching it would give him the plague.

This is wrong. I shouldn’t be hating my own pup… I should be happy. I should be proud.

So, Cloud forced his hand down, trembling when he planted it across the noticeable protrusion. His mouth twitched, lips wriggling like they wanted to curve upward, albeit with force, and he let them, allowing a smile to cross his features. Yes, this was how it was supposed to be. Like any good Omega, Cloud was happy with the result of their mating. Their pup brought joy to his being, and he wasn’t going to suppress that delight any further.

When Sephiroth slid his fingers out along with his tongue, Cloud clenched around nothing, hand falling from his bump instantly. The lack of anything filling him, once he had grown used to it, was odd; he believed it was because of his minimal experience with the act of lovemaking. Still, he quivered underneath Sephiroth’s watchful gaze as the Alpha rose to his full height, casting a shadow over the young Omega.

Behind his Alpha, the orange glow of their lights illuminated him in such a way that someone might mistake the color for flames, waving erratically as they engulfed their bedroom. Cloud squinted, trying to get a better look at what he was seeing; his stomach dropped while visions flitted by of Sephiroth in the exact same situation, but somewhere else at some other point in time. He had found his mate decorated by the flaming colors before, however, his memory, hazy in nature, seemed to say otherwise; that this was not the first, second, or third time. This was the fourth.

He couldn’t quell his tremors, and after the silent fiasco that was refusing to touch his bump, Cloud found himself wrapping his arm around it, an unconscious move to protect the innocent. Not a single breath came from him, his weary lungs filled with carbon dioxide and ash—Cloud could have coughed, but it would have taken more strength than he had, especially after being blissfully touched out of his mind.

Sephiroth’s hands were tender when they went back to his hip, rolling him onto his back and allowing Cloud to fully shield his bump from the Alpha’s hardened look. It wasn’t the best idea to lay on his back while pregnant—Cloud snuck a quick Net search for advice for new mothers—but he believed it wouldn’t be so bad, seeing as he wasn’t too far along. Though, he flattened his lips and closed his eyes, head whipping to the side to, again, show his mating mark and gland.

A sound akin to purrs reverberated in his ears, his attention focusing back toward his mate in the span of a second. Cloud merely laid there, because, frankly, what else could he do? There was already a smile beginning to stitch itself into his mouth, and his hardened nipples peeked through the sheerness of his nightgown, soft yellow barely hiding the snow-white flesh underneath. Adding to that his curved waist, growing plumpness, and softening edges, Cloud was the epitome of a dream Omega.

He didn’t want to say he was thinking arrogantly, but was there any other word that could encapsulate Cloud’s confidence and how it was twisting around in his thoughts? If there had been one, then Cloud didn’t know of its existence, and he’d have to be reminded of it. And, really, Cloud found it unfitting for an Omega to class themselves with emotions and personality traits that Alphas mainly displayed.

But his mind zeroed-in on what he heard; on the rumble of content that rolled from Sephiroth’s chest. Not a delusion, for his Alpha was purring, and Cloud was matching the tempo of said sound as it became his sole focus. Should that be the last sound he ever heard for the remainder of his life, then he was comfortable with that, as it would be the sound of his mate being happy with him.

Cloud watched through half-lidded eyes as Sephiroth crawled over him, settling his elbows on either side of his head, tilting his chin to tie their stares together. The Omega squirmed, hoping to hide the timid giggles that wanted to leave him—it wouldn’t be appropriate for a moment like this, but Sephiroth hadn’t minded when he maneuvered his hands so that they were caressing the blond’s cheeks.

“Have you always been so demure?” Sephiroth questioned, face hovering above Cloud’s with his hot breath waving over him. Star-struck, the Omega shook his head, though he didn’t know why he was denying the observation, for he had been this way since the beginning. And though Cloud knew his response of ‘no’ wasn’t true, Sephiroth hummed and finished with, “I thought as much.”

“W-Well,” Cloud’s voice was shaky from the afterglow of his coition. “I mean… I don’t know. I could be misremembering but… Yeah, I think I have been. Sorry!” He couldn’t help but squeak his words, still closing his eyes like a turtle hides in its shell. There did seem to be a time before when he was shy and timid, back when he was a young boy.

The other children in Nibelheim weren’t the kindest, and Cloud morphed himself into a sheltered possum in response to their isolation, dreaming of the day he would become more. Yes, he was a demure boy growing up, but he had also been… not-arrogant-but-arrogant. Days spent longing for them to see him for what he truly was; for her to see him as a hero good Omega.

And he was. Cloud was a late-bloomer, requiring different surgeries to set him right, but he was better now. He would always be better. That assertion kept him moving forward; kept him focused on his goals and accomplishments. With the new pup on the way, Cloud knew he was reaching the pinnacle of his second gender, having brought light and life to his mate’s darkened life.

Shadows that once crawled over them in the dead of night were now reflected into the streets outside, and a barrier of light kept them from taking over Sephiroth like they did in the past. Cloud would forever brighten Sephiroth’s life, acting as the sun on rainy days, giving him a rainbow at the end of the storm.

Sephiroth stared at him, lingering, then smiled. “Yes… I remember. You were from the very moment we met.” With Sephiroth’s eyes on his, the sharpness of their gazing was like a sword piercing one’s chest, straight through the heart and out of their back. Cloud was smiling, cheeks pressing into his eyes and accentuating the radiance of his joy.

Thumbs ran over where tears would collect, circling, as long fingers snaked into Cloud’s spiky locks. “I remember you being quiet… Willing to drop everything to do whatever was asked of you. And when you saw people in need, you jumped in to help with zero hesitation.”

He gave Sephiroth a stupefied look, because he didn’t recall ever helping someone in need. Once or twice had he helped the elderly in reaching something or carrying something, but Cloud didn’t remember the help. His doubt couldn’t have been clearer, quickly sueded by Sephiroth’s gentle, monotone hum.

“You were.” A light kiss graced his forehead, trailing down to the tip of his nose, making Cloud snicker again. “One shy chocobo, staying in the background of the world until you met your missing piece, no?”

Cloud’s smile remained, and he blushed. “I like when you call me chocobo, Alpha.”

It wasn’t often that Sephiroth referred to him that way, choosing instead to use puppet and Omega. Neither were bothersome—Cloud relished their hints of adoration—but chocobo was down-to-Gaia. Chocobo brought forth the carnal romance that Cloud knew Sephiroth held within his heart, deep in the depths that rarely came forth, even for Cloud himself.

Little by little, Sephiroth was thawing, with the revelation of their new pup bringing with it a kinder side to him that Cloud had never seen before. His mate was always calm, composed, and nice, but now… Now, Sephiroth was benevolent, a demeanor that Cloud wanted to attribute to his endless support and compassion toward the SOLDIER. And while that had been an uncharacteristically selfish thought for an Omega, Cloud justified it by seeing it as a duty fulfilled faithfully. His Alpha was supposed to be happier than he was before they met; Cloud had made that possible through his love.

He caught a glimpse of Sephiroth’s hair as it fell over his shoulders, closing like curtains around Cloud’s head. Silver and shiny, taken care of with the utmost of attention and expertise; Cloud longed for his own hair to look as pristine as Sephiroth’s. Taken over by his own curiosity and love, he reached his hand up from his bump and ran his fingers through the long strands.

Sephiroth was grace incarnate, brimming with good looks, proper attitudes, and sheer strength. When Cloud found his eyes locked onto his mate, the heat in his body would creep up on him, silent and deadly as it pierced his very being. From head to toe, Sephiroth was the very definition of perfection, even with some cracks showing from time to time, particularly with Hojo.

Misbehaving was meant to happen from time to time, Cloud accepted. Hojo could bring out the worst in people, though Cloud never showed his own distaste for the man. With Sephiroth showing his dislike for the man whenever they were around him, he still kept appearances neat and tidy, a trait that Cloud admired and adored. He wanted to be like that, but then again, Cloud had always aspired to be as wonderful as Sephiroth.

Formidable, capable, and refined; the blond wanted to maintain those traits for himself, as improper of a goal as that was for an Omega of all people. Could they be twisted to match an Omega? Cloud wondered, but was distracted by Sephiroth’s ethereal aesthetic, caught up in the divinity it brought down to him.

How could he be so fortunate as to be by the loyal side of someone so… angelic? Cloud, little Cloud, handpicked by Shinra and accepted by Sephiroth. Meeting in the market was nothing short of a miracle enacted by Mother, just like Sephiroth told him. All of his flaws, once bringing shame and humiliation to the Omega, now readily welcomed and embraced by a SOLDIER that could do no wrong.

That same heavenly seraph was enraptured by Cloud, and he saw the evidence behind those cat-like pupils and emerald irises, just the same as Cloud’s. No more denying his mate’s devotion, for it presented itself as clear as day, not only by sight but by touch, smell, and taste. Sephiroth loved him, chuckling as he kissed down Cloud’s nose and into his chin, eventually leading to his jaw.

“Your hair is pretty,” Cloud commented, like he were talking about the sun in the sky. “It looks like the wrappers on those chocolate candies you gave me this morning.” He glanced at the desk where Sephiroth did his paperwork, seeing one or two wrappers discarded on top. They had come packaged in a pink heart-shaped box, held together by a velvet white bow on top with the chocolates neatly placed inside. Cloud shared some with Sephiroth, wanting to share more with him when they woke up in the morning.

Not as passionate as the kiss before, Sephiroth planted each caress of his lips over delicate lines of veins; his collarbones, chest, and wriggly arms, where the purple and blue of life-giving branches glimmered underneath. His hands followed his lips, stroking down Cloud’s neck and settling by his chest that would soon grow, although, it should have been growing to begin with.

Sephiroth kept himself tender and cautious, but not so much as to completely abandon the affection he was expressing. No, Cloud’s mate knew his limits; knew what Cloud could and couldn’t handle. Maybe they were only together for a few months at best, but Cloud felt resolute in the idea that they had known each other longer than they believed. In another life; in another world where they met in a different place and time.

Their connection had carried over and Mother made sure of that. Cloud arched his back when Sephiroth took his thumbs and circled his sensitive buds, so tender and caring in his touch. He laughed through his moan, taking his hand to Sephiroth’s cheek and stroking it. “Do you think we’ve known each other before this year?”

The Alpha’s fingers were deft, right hand still wet from Cloud’s slick, lips and chins shining with the sticky gleam of it. Just like any proper Alpha, Sephiroth answered, “We have. You know it to be true, just as Mother and me.” Which was true, and Cloud made a low noise in his throat in response, purring to match Sephiroth.

On top of the world, Cloud imagined their life together before this current one, holding his Alpha’s hands and standing amidst the flaming orange of the sunset. They were enamored, Sephiroth covered in red from the strawberry cheesecake they had eaten while Cloud wore a necklace that dangled in the center of his chest, the same color as their strawberries. His mom was watching from the porch of their home, bending over with a cough to pick up something that had fallen.

She was proud of him, just like Mother. Cloud would see her again, pup in arms and mate by his side while he cheerfully explained his life away from home to her. The stories he would tell, the memories he would make… Alpha, pup, and grandmother together with the one that connected them, content to live happily in Nibelheim. A quiet life away from Midgar seemed ideal, but they would have to wait on that, Cloud decided.

He breathed out at the glide of Sephiroth’s thumbs, timing himself to be in sync with everything that the Alpha did to him; every noise he made, every touch he gave. Cloud knew that his yielding was heightening the sensations, a sacrifice that brought nothing but pleasure to his brittle bones and misshapen ribs. Would he change anything about it? Not a chance in hell; Cloud had bulldozed his way through the shame that overtook him when removing his boxers, and he would do it all over again if he must.

His body, riding the gentle waves of an afterglow so potent, perked up more when Sephiroth took his hands further, then, pausing and abstaining from another touch as he stared at the baby bump. Clear as day; a sign of their consummation that wouldn’t go away until their nine months were over. It would grow and grow, and with it, so, too, would Cloud’s devotion and sense of being whole again.

The eerie stretch of silence and Sephiroth’s glacial stare got Cloud moving uncomfortably, dropping his hands from Sephiroth’s face and clearing his throat. Nothing was said, contrary to what Cloud was hoping to do. Those nerves of his from before had taken hold again, albeit not in regard to his deformity.

Concerned over the impassive expression—well, lack of—on Sephiroth’s face, the Omega loathed his brain and how it swirled around thoughts of failure and disappointment. Sephiroth wasn’t proud, though he had said it before. Sephiroth wasn’t… going to…

“Sephiroth,” Cloud was surprised he had managed to get anything out at all, coughing and touching his own bump, where Sephiroth’s hands should have been. Feeling his absence, Cloud whispered, “Am I… No, I mean… Is this not what we want?”

Finally, his mate spoke, “Yes. We both want this. I thought you knew this already?”

“It’s just…” The blond licked his lips, still tasting of Sephiroth. “You won’t touch me, or, um, well… It. You won’t touch the…” Unable to refer to it, Cloud resorted to patting his bump, finding it strange how he couldn’t bring himself to say it; to just call it what it was.

His Alpha continued to look at the bump, his hands still firmly planted on the bed. Then, carefully, he placed one on top, smiling finally. “Cloud… You worry at the simplest of things, like a gnat worries over its pile of garbage.” Sephiroth moved lower, kissing the swollen belly to make Cloud laugh and smile in return. “Trust in me; you only need me, Omega.”

Alpha, Alpha, Alpha! Alpha loves me!

No other Omega thought that way, for Cloud, alone, thought of his Alpha three times in a row. And if there was another Omega out there saying his words and projecting them as their own… Cloud would burn them. Just as his mo—

But wasn’t that what he wanted? For others to look at him and have the desire to be like him; to be him? Cloud wondered for a moment—how they would take it too far and eventually walk in his own skin to find unworthy Alphas. He didn’t want that; his personality and good behavior was his and his alone. No one could take away the hard work that Cloud had done to mold himself into the image of perfection that he was hoping he had become.

Cloud would have said something to Sephiroth, but with his mind consumed entirely with thoughts of malicious doppelgängers, he knew only worries would leave him, and Sephiroth didn’t like his worrying. And, thank Mother for this miracle she performed, as Cloud had no struggle with keeping his face blank. Just like Sephiroth, he could hide his emotions at the drop of a hat.

And yet…

“You’re thinking of something.” His Alpha could be so pointed in his observations, his hands rubbing Cloud in a soothing, circular motion. “I can feel your nerves, so tied to my own.”

“I am… I’m sorry.” Cloud turned away from Sephiroth, burning from the flames ebbing and flowing from those emerald eyes. “You… don’t think I can be replaced, do you?”

As nothing was said, the blond brought his hands to his face, hiding the growing expression of discomfort and conflict. “I don’t want to be replaced. I don’t want someone to be wearing my skin… walking and talking as I do.” Brows furrowing, anger boiling in his chest from a perceived threat, Cloud hissed out, “And if they do, then… They deserve to burn. They serve no purpose if they have to take my personality and life in order to get what they want.”

With his, frankly, uncharacteristic anger on full display and planted into the soil came that same quiet that always befell them during moments like these. Cloud shook; how could he have embarrassed himself like this? In front of his Alpha… On the day that they found out he was carrying their pup. He wanted to cry, but no tears came out, stifled by his desire to hide everything.

Sephiroth sat upright, no longer caressing him and keeping his face schooled. Cloud didn’t have to see it; he felt it.

“Lay on your side, Cloud.”

His shaking turned into a full-blown jump, uncovering his face and staring at his future husband. “Huh? Um… o-okay…” Cloud rolled onto his side, gentle so as not to strain himself or hurt the baby. What Sephiroth was planning, he had no idea, but he would trust in his Alpha; trust in the one who knew all and could do anything.

The bed dipped underneath the weight of his knee as he crawled to Cloud’s side, snuggling close to him; spooning him. Sephiroth’s arms wrapped around him and pulled him close, his hold just as possessive as before. Against his buttocks, bare and exposed, was the physical evidence of his mate’s arousal.

Chin nestling between his neck and chin, Sephiroth purred, hard. It thrummed through Cloud’s back, encompassed by his mate’s size and wrapped lovingly in a hold akin to that of an angel. He stopped any and all worries, a wash of peace coming over him like the water of a shower head raining down on him. Sephiroth’s ability to calm him down no matter what was unmatched, a grace granted to Cloud that he was beginning to take for granted.

Almost as if he held control over Cloud’s mind, the SOLDIER could twist and pull him in any direction, and Cloud couldn’t be happier. Anything his Alpha did was a gift; a reward for being a good Omega. And should a tear fall from his eyes whilst being held and adored by the only person who mattered in the world, then it would be of pure brilliance, his gift in return for all that Sephiroth had done.

Cinder and charcoal mixed to prove to Cloud that Sephiroth meant his reciprocation, that piquant scent being the one thing to swirl around Cloud and remind him of their relationship’s validity. He breathed it in, like it was giving him the oxygen that the world could never supply, fueled entirely by Sephiroth’s existence.

“You are invaluable… Omega.” Sephiroth adjusted his position, pressing his erection directly against Cloud, whose body erupted in goosebumps from the suggestion. “No Omega could ever live up to your name. You behave; you obey; you would give me anything I asked for.” He placed his lips over Cloud’s mating mark, where he resumed the nibbling routine from earlier. Amorous, weaving into ardent dedication that would have any Omega swooning—Sephiroth made Cloud feel like the only Omega in the world.

Sephiroth held his belly in one hand, revering the existence of their pup. Cloud knew it; knew that the SOLDIER cared for the pup more than anything before. Why wouldn’t he? They were to be a father and (not) mother! Feeling like a mouse caught in a trap, the Omega smiled, closing his eyes. “I would.” He sighed, the magic of their love coming out in pink lengths of oxygen. “I’m yours; always and forever.”

Admitting that he was owned sent his stomach crashing into his esophagus, acid splashing over the inside and burning whatever doubt had planted its seeds. Sephiroth’s seed was all he needed, a supplier of joy for the both of them. Cloud wriggled at the thought, moving his hips to rub the erection with his bottom.

Cloud would do anything to show his devotion to his god, obeying no matter the request. Sephiroth could do no wrong in his eyes, and if he’s said that before, oh, well. Repeating that mantra helped him remain on track. Hojo may have told the two of them what to do when it came to their publicity, but Cloud would go against him if Sephiroth was dissatisfied with what that mongrel asked of them. No one was above his Alpha, and no one could force Cloud to believe otherwise.

Sephiroth rumbled, low, intense, and inhaled Cloud’s skin deeply, smelling the hint of his afterglow. “You’re perfect,” his arm—still wrapped around Cloud’s center while he caressed the bump with the other hand—tightened like a python circling its prey. “And I want to reward you.”

He sucked in a tiny breath, little more than a gasp, and answered, “But… But I don’t need to be rewarded for doing my job.”

“That’s right; there is no need. And I…” Sephiroth slowly unraveled his arm, snaking it in-between their bodies to tug at his pants. “Am feeling generous today. I wouldn’t do this for just anyone.” The metal of the zipper bit into his back, unzipping as Sephiroth shoved his hand underneath the waistband of his underwear.

“You mean it?”

Cloud’s growing curiosity was interrupted by the smack of Sephiroth’s manhood against his behind, a shock to the system bringing with it a bite of his lower lip and closed eyes. Each time they made love, Cloud felt the need to prepare himself mentally for the ordeal. That little voice in the back of his head, irrational and irritable, sought to tell him it was all wrong; that he shouldn’t be having sex with (a) his Alpha.

Ugh… What did it know about mating? Did it have to annoy him whenever he touched his Alpha? Cloud wanted to roll his voice, but the distraction he needed was granted by Sephiroth, his hand adjusting his length so that he was pushing the tip into Cloud’s willing hole.

Alpha, Alpha, Alpha!

Lined up, spreading his legs like a shy doll, Cloud winced when Sephiroth finally put it in, shimmying just right so that he was as exposed as necessary. The veins that spiraled around Sephiroth’s shaft pulsed, matching the steady thrum of Cloud’s insides as they welcomed their owner. He lowered his head, mouth agape, lungs lacking proper function just as the rest of his organs.

The SOLDIER took it nice and slow, never in a rush to get what he wanted. His leg ensnared Cloud’s side to allow him proper access; a better hold so that he wouldn’t be struggling to move. Suitably locked in place, Sephiroth shifted his hips forward, sliding in at a restrained, steady pace.

Everywhere, the warmth of his Alpha spread through him like the wildfires he would see behind him. Serenity, an emotion that Cloud had yearned to be familiar with from the start of his life, swam through his bloodstream and infested him, just as the parasites of the lakes that ate away at tilapias insides. It was pleasant; a new sensation readily welcomed into his sense of self to feast at yet another empty space in his mind.

He was loose; slick. The earlier “foreplay” as it was called had assisted in readying him, although, with as much slick as he was producing, it seemed a bit pointless to stretch him out. Cloud didn’t mind; Sephiroth enjoyed drinking the sweetened, artificial nectar that came from him whenever the Alpha treated him right.

Blond hair covered his feverish face, sticking to his temples and gathering sweat on his brow; Cloud hadn’t fully noticed it, but Sephiroth still held his bump, and recalling the benevolent behavior had Cloud moving with Sephiroth. He wanted to reciprocate in all manners, no matter the challenges that might come with his growing abdomen. Cloud was going to show it all for his mate, and Sephiroth was going to love him; see him as the best Omega in the world.

Goals were changing, the mission switching from being a good Omega to being the best Omega. Cloud had to show them all that he was irreplaceable; that he couldn’t be replicated, even by those with influence and power. He had all the influence he needed through his wonderful Sephiroth, of which not a single person could top. Together, they were unstoppable.

And being able to live this experience with him was enlightening; no one would understand… But Sephiroth understood. He had Cloud’s back. Sephiroth knew all; lived through it all. He was studious and courageous; determined and focused. Cloud’s rose-colored glasses weren’t a delusion, but rather, a glimpse into the reality that had been hidden from him his entire life.

With a smack, Sephiroth’s pelvis met Cloud’s buttocks, the Alpha bottoming out and moving with a rush through that last inch. The sudden pressure on his small gland elicited a moan, his body gushing slick and starting a nervous laugh.

“That… That tickles,” Cloud wheezed through minute giggles, looking over his shoulder to find Sephiroth grinning, chest heaving with heavy breaths. “The little, um… gland down there.”

Sephiroth, who always looked so grand and ethereal no matter what he did, leaned downward, turning so he could whisper in his ear, “So… it tickles when I do this?” Then, he thrust, shallow and slow; teasing Cloud with what would come next.

Curse Sephiroth and his gracious body! The motion barely moved the spot, an itch never to be scratched. Cloud held back his whimper with another snicker, closing his eyes and whispering, “Yes, it does.”

Another pull, followed by that tedious jerk forward, still inhibited while Sephiroth exhaled against the shell of Cloud’s ear. Had it not been possible, Sephiroth wouldn’t have pulled Cloud closer to himself, but against all odds, his Alpha had done so. With his heated, rugged chest acting as a pad for Cloud’s comfort, the SOLDIER lowered his voice, purring out, “But you like it; this I know for a fact. And because it is our special night… You’ll get everything you were promised.”

He did like it; of course, Sephiroth knew everything about Cloud. Yes, they had only known each for… well, he couldn’t remember how many months. They only knew their carnal embrace; the promise of eternity and the roar of understanding that no other being on the planet could know.

The blush on Cloud’s face was permanent now, blending into the redness of his skin from the waves of heat flooding him over and over. Sephiroth took his silent cue and began a rocking motion, this time managing to give more attention to the sensitive spot in his ass.

It crept up on him; the stunning flicker of euphoria that laced itself between Cloud’s vertebrae and became his spinal fluid. Staying glued to Sephiroth, locked in his legs and secured atop his pelvis, gave Cloud’s spine a shiver, flesh peaking in temperature. The attention, while delicious and satiating that sheltered, wanton beast curled up beneath the layers of muscle and organs, hadn’t been enough.

Cloud knew that Sephiroth wasn’t yet ready to take his Omega as he should; today had been a momentous occasion for the both of them, leaving them to worry about ruining the turning point in their relationship. Being rough was unwise, and taking things too fast would sour the wonderful day they had had so far. Knowing such was a band-aid over Cloud’s want for more, akin to licking a wound and hoping the saliva will work to seal it.

Their consummation was a reset to the psyche; hours spent retreading trenches of what-ifs and should’ve, would’ve, could’ve statements being shocked into a retreat, far from the forefront of Cloud’s mind. He snuggled into the width of Sephiroth, using it as a security blanket to shield him from the remainder of the world.

The world was cruel, as were its inhabitants. Lying, thieving, narcissists who only cared about what benefitted them. Cloud met all of those types in his youth; how they teased him, excluded him, then tried to take what was his. Sephiroth was right, though, for no one could ever replicate what he had built over the past eighteen years. His crowning achievement would be this pup, then, they would all see Cloud for who he really was, and they would eventually see the lies that his doppelgängers were living.

Occupied with those bothersome memories and burgeoning arrogance, the blond leaned his head back and smiled. “Tell me again how you love me?” Cloud braced himself for the affection that would come as a result of his plea, a tad too elated at the suggestion of hearing compliments his way.

“Well… Your obedience completes me; how you dedicate your entire being to the one who is your God.” Sephiroth thrust deeper than before, only once before he went back to the earlier routine. Cloud’s blood broiled his arteries, clogging them up like greasy fast food while his mouth split open to play his harmony. “I must commend your adherence to keeping appearances, as I doubt anyone else would go as far as you have.” He plunged into Cloud again, measured and deliberate in how he targeted that spot inside.

What a master! Pleasuring his puppet by means that no other Alpha had before, taking time out of his busy schedule to treat Cloud to an interlude between excitement and rest—a combination of the two. Cloud struggled to meet Sephiroth’s motions, still held back by both leg and arm and pinned on his side; he desperately sought to have more of his mate in him.

How could he not? Sephiroth was the biggest out of anyone, even if Cloud had nothing to base his belief off. Girth; wider than Cloud’s hand. Thickness; like frozen custard on a good day. And the bluntness; a gift from Mother, passed down to Sephiroth for the sake of giving Cloud gratification. Cloud didn’t like to consider himself as crass as a horny person, but his thoughts over Sephiroth’s cock were heading down that path.

Lewd and nothing like what a good Omega should have been, the list of endless compliments toward the Alpha’s manhood rolled over his brain before bleeding into his spine. Cloud was going feral, an ancient beast tied in ropes breaking free of its binds to take him over. Through delirious imaginations was lost a pondering over whether he was starting to behave like an Alpha, but that couldn’t be right. He had always been an Omega; that was why those lowlife tilapias tried to steal from him!

“Your very being… The core of your soul is alluring, but none can ever possess it. Not under my watch, and if they wish to take what is ours… I am not opposed to bringing them despair if only I get to see the rhapsody on your face. Think of it, Cloud; think of the world we can bring forth by Mother’s will, starting with the erasure of these charlatans. You want that, no?” His words dripped with a venom that acted as Cloud’s amity, the antidote to the poison that sought out Cloud’s well-being. He rested very comfortably in the knowledge that Sephiroth would never let those filthy, mud-covered tilapia come near his feet; a true knight in shining armor.

Sephiroth quickened his pumps; the nasty squelch of slick and flesh as the Alpha’s cock slid in and out brought a cringe to Cloud’s face, head rolling to the side while he struggled to hide his panting. Yes, his mind’s wanderings often turned lewd during time with Sephiroth, but Cloud would abhor his inner desires presenting themselves for the world to see. If everything else about his persona was to be copied, then the least he could hide was what belonged to Sephiroth.

At the increase, Cloud gasped with each thrust, lashes fluttering to spread his delight as his hand scrambled to go lower. Around Sephiroth’s girth, his rim stretched out, tight when his Alpha pulled out, then pushing inward just as Sephiroth moved that way. The continuous movements made sure that no noise went unheard, wetness squishing along with the smack of flesh against flesh.

Hands on the verge of cramping finally settled on their target, the Omega gritting his teeth and huffing through the straight, pearly whites while he pulled himself open. Despite trying his best to accommodate Sephiroth, his entrance still sucked him in, not stretching or easing even with his pulling. Cloud gave a few strained breaths, an untamed grin never breaking despite his wheezing.

“You… I love you, Sephiroth!” The constant, pointed pressure over that sensitive area left him jerking, curbed ecstasy leaving him wanting for a better way to prove his delight. Cloud hated that his slick was all he had, but he didn’t have room to complain. If Sephiroth liked it, then that was the end of it. “Please? More?”

The SOLDIER chuckled, that dark rumble sending crests crashing in his groin, a numbed throb where something else should have been. Why was it that everything Sephiroth did gave him that gooey feeling? Cloud fought to angle his chin so that he could look at the Alpha, pouting to show more of his pleading.

“Do you want more compliments? Or more of this?”

And curse his blasted mouth for not specifying the difference, as Sephiroth took the moment to fully sheathe himself before pulling out, leaving only the slick smeared tip at his entrance. He slid back inside with one smooth motion, continuing the new pattern to the sound of Cloud’s wordless babbles and cries.

Everything matched—Cloud’s vocals linked with Sephiroth’s thrusts; Cloud’s spasms paired with Sephiroth’s jilted breathing; and Cloud’s heart pulsed in time with Sephiroth’s, two peas in a pod. Their shared experiences, drawing forth a passion unheard of in Cloud, led him to take one hand off his ass and place it over his mate’s, which lay upon his bump. He joined their fingers, squeezing his hand harder than he intended.

Mating was one thing; a demonstration of love and commitment by two parties. But holding hands, caressing one another, and enjoying the other’s embrace? Those were the quiet moments of love; the small flickers that seemed meaningless at the time, only to be remembered during the darkest of moments. It was fleeting—the rowdy tizzies in which a mated pair spent tangled in their sheets.

What would you remember when you lay in your bed, staring up at the blank ceiling with only a stuffed animal in your arms? Would you remember the times spent indulging in flesh, or the little things that made a tainted day fresh again? Cloud knew what he would think of; knew that he was going to keep these tiny moments in his memories for eternity, as that was what… a better Omega would do. Not a tilapia.

His Alpha squeezed him back, lowering his head and sniffing at Cloud’s scent gland. Each thrust sent the blond forward a little before dragging him back upon Sephiroth pulling out; he giggled, the noise meshing into a blend of laughter and whimpering. Sephiroth nibbled at his neck, more forward in how he bit some skin and sucked on the rest, the marks being left behind only serving as more evidence for all of Midgar.

Red and big, those bites and hickeys would give Cloud a hint of color, granted, only on his neck and shoulder. Imagining the bites and such was enough to make Cloud shout, unable to curl in on himself like he desired. Sephiroth took advantage of the vulnerability, plowing into him, rough and unrestrained.

Together, they made an indecent scene, something that would appall anyone that had seen their public dynamic. Was it so wrong of them to be ravenous behind the scenes? Cloud found their shared consumption of delirious love to be an attractive prospect on random days. With how rare it was for them to be like this, it was logical for the two to be senseless beasts through it. And though they were behaving in animalistic manners so unlike themselves, they still maintained their decorum.

Neither went out of control, taking the other’s emotions into consideration before doing anything, and Cloud appreciated that more than he could say. When his lessons had taught him about those pathetic, abusive Alphas, he would admit that he was frightened, at first. But Sephiroth was nothing like them, and it was going to stay that way!

“Alpha,” Cloud gasped for air, drowned in tentacles, “Alpha! Alpha!” He broke out in euphoric sobs, pitching the tone when Sephiroth bit down on his gland and fucked him silly. They made such disgusting noises, slaps of wet skin being contained to one room. Had they lived anywhere else, then everything would have been heard, which would be a devastating blow to Cloud’s confidence.

Sephiroth growled, marking his mate on the outside while his knot thickened inside the poor Omega. Cloud deliberately tightened his slick opening, constricting Sephiroth to make his release earned rather than just have it given to him. He was coaxing the SOLDIER to knot him; to fully mark him and fill him up and use him for everything he was worth. It was sickening, but Cloud brushed it off as a passing desire that wouldn’t come back.

They could excuse his behavior on hormones, no problem there. Because Cloud was (anALPHALPHALPHA) pregnant! Those ultrasound scans were adorable, and together… together… together. Togethertogethertogethertogethertogethertogether! Have you ever seen a WORTHLESS WHORE talk? Well, now, you have! With its gross, smooth self and its terrible habit of being annoying and unlike me! A golden ALPHALPHALPHA!

Like a program malfunctioning, Cloud started to scream words, interrupting himself with another word that made no sense, just as the last. It was all born from an erotic high, consumed with the growing knot that made nasty popping noises as Sephiroth plunged into him. Closer, closer; they were going to be closer.

No tilapias! No [oopsie]! Together!

He wailed when Sephiroth thrust up in him one last time, keeping Cloud from moving as the knot secured their bodies. Flooding his heat, Sephiroth pumped him full of come, keeping it from trickling out with how tight they were pressed together. Already warmed, Cloud shuddered while he was stuffed full of Sephiroth’s seed, using his sighs as a means of relaxing, though his chest still heaved.

Together. Together, the two of them eased up on their ravenous behavior, enjoying the presence of their mate and calming down. Together. Cloud saw the swirl of angel wings in his peripheral vision, snickering while rubbing Sephiroth’s hand.

“Did I make you happy, Alpha?” He had to know, still holding out for approval no matter how many times he received it. It was natural; an emotion that all Omegas felt. The difference in Cloud was that he was the best Omega, so only he wanted approval like this. “I… I’m sorry, if not! I got… carried away earlier. Sorry.” He winced; what would Sephiroth say?

Canines left his gland, a tongue licking up the blood with Sephiroth purring in the process. “You behaved so well, Cloud; just as I wanted. Do not apologize for satisfying your Alpha. Never, Cloud.” He unwound their hands, grabbing Cloud by the chin and turning him so that he could kiss him.

Deep, just as before, only carrying the strong dedication and romanticism that had been missing from the latter half of their mating. Cloud couldn’t be embarrassed with a reaction like this, because if Sephiroth didn’t mind, then he wouldn’t. He would stay there, pliant and available as they waited for the Alpha’s knot to go down.

They were through acting like uncouth monsters, restored to their original selves and lying in one another’s arms. It was the only place Cloud wanted to be, nestled close to the man that protected him from the liars and snakes. No two-faced Omegas and Alphas would find their way to him with Midgar’s cream of the crop as his defender. Oh, how good it felt to have a shield against all the evil in the world!

Pulling away, Sephiroth smiled, his gaze full of mirth. “We’ll bathe after this. It shouldn’t take long.”

Cloud stared at him, breathless, as his wants took him over. “Can we… stay like this for a little longer? Just… Just like this, please?”

He listened to the consistent drum of purrs, searching for any answer that could be found in the underlying rhythm. What would Sephiroth say? They hadn’t gone to sleep yet—unusual for the couple, as they often went to bed at nine. Cloud wouldn’t blame him if he just wanted to bathe and go to sleep; after all, what Alpha wanted, Alpha got. That was what he believed because he was a (bad Alphalphalpha) better Omega. Not a tilapia!

Expecting a denial, Cloud closed his eyes, still hiding in his shell despite being with his security blanket. Sephiroth opened his mouth, gaze softening while he stroked a loose strand of hair from Cloud’s face. The feel of his fingers grazing his forehead was comforting, easing the squeeze of his eyes so that one peeked open to see the fondness behind that look.

“Yes. You deserved today’s reward.” He pecked Cloud on the cheek, and when the blond giggled at the contact, he attacked his entire face with kisses, causing the giggling to turn into laughter once more.

“That tickles!”

“Ah, like you said it did down here?” Sephiroth shifted his hips, and Cloud nodded, still laughing but trying—and failing—to put on a grumpy face. Moving like that while they were both sensitive… His Alpha was just asking for trouble!

The Omega opened his eyes completely, lost in the glow of Sephiroth’s and purring quietly. “I love you, Sephiroth.” He reached for his hand, which remained on his temple, and caressed it. Touching Sephiroth in any way soothed his uncertain, manic heart. Forever and always.

Sephiroth hummed, resting his head in the crook between Cloud’s shoulder and neck. “My Omega… Mother will be so proud, just as I am.”

Proud… Yes, Sephiroth and Mother should be proud, because Cloud was the best Omega. Cloud was having a pup; Cloud had done his duties for his mate so beautifully; and Cloud wasn’t living in those unclean lakes like the tilapia. He was more than that. He was everything.

I’m the best Omega. Always will be. Even Tif—Mother would agree.