Fic: After the World's End - Chapter 2
Title: After the World’s End
Chapter 2/18
Author: xpaperplanex
Rating: NC-17 overall
Word Count: ~5100
Pairings: Sephiroth/Cloud
Genre: adventure, hurt/comfort, alpha/omega
Warnings: underage, non-con
Chapter 1
Summary: Offered up as payment to an alpha for ridding the town of monsters, Cloud discovers that the outside world is vastly different than he expected, and that he could play a role in changing it.
Sephiroth never wanted to mate, preferring his independence as a SOLDIER that allows him to travel the world at his leisure. When he finds himself caring for a traumatized omega, however, his values start to shift.
A/N: I feel like I ought to clarify because his age doesn't come up until later, and even then it's not specific, Cloud is not underage.
***
Cloud laughed as Pippin nibbled at his hair. According to Sephiroth, chocobos were highly intelligent and attuned to people’s emotional states, and the two birds stuck to him like glue whenever Sephiroth went off to hunt for some fresh meat or deal with a monster. He had never realized how much he craved it, since he had hated everyone in Nibelheim, but their physical presence was so comforting. Though compared to the alpha’s …
He thought he maybe wouldn’t mind a mate if he ended up with someone like Sephiroth. The thought of being mated and bound for life, not to mention having someone knot in him, was still terrifying, but Sephiroth had been reassuring every time they talked. His mate wouldn’t ever hurt him or force him to do anything he didn’t want to do. Heats would become shorter and less frequent. Knotting could be uncomfortable or even a bit painful the first time, but after that, Sephiroth told him that most omegas found it extremely pleasurable, and his partner would help him through the first time.
He glanced up when he heard twigs cracking and smiled as Sephiroth stepped into the little clearing where they would camp for the night.
“Rabbit for dinner,” the alpha said, holding up the dead animal.
“I found some leeks and cranberries,” Cloud said proudly. Sephiroth had shown him a few ways he could help out in their camps, and he latched onto them with enthusiasm. After so many years of being told that he was a useless waste of resources, only kept because he’d get a good price, being helpful and appreciated was a refreshing change of pace.
“Excellent. We can cook them with some rice and have a decent fresh meal.”
Compared to the food he had been given in Nibelheim, even Sephiroth’s trail rations were a treat, but he had to agree that fresh meals did taste better.
Not being hungry all the time was taking some getting used to, and Cloud felt full to bursting by the time he got half way through his portion of the stew. Sephiroth didn’t make him feel badly for not being able to finish, though. He would simply put the uneaten portion in a container and save it to heat up for him for later. He had thought, at first, that it was only natural that Sephiroth would take the leftovers for himself and give Cloud the trail rations that he clearly didn’t like. But he hadn’t yet. Cloud had never been given less than half the food Sephiroth made, and more often than not, he suspected he got more.
“We need to talk about your heat,” Sephiroth said after their meal was done and he had added some more wood to the fire. “There’s a storm coming and I don’t particularly want to risk being on the pass during it. Even if we make it to Corel in time, there’s no guarantee that they’ll have suitable dildos there, though it is fairly likely.”
“Okay,” Cloud said, though he felt himself flush. Sephiroth never seemed embarrassed to talk about stuff like this. It was like he didn’t even think it was something to be ashamed of. “What will we do?”
“That’s up to you. Your options aren’t ideal, but you have a couple. There’s a cabin just before the pass that we’ll come across tomorrow. We can stop there and stay until your heat has passed. It will be early, but we’ve been travelling hard and it doesn’t hurt to be well rested when it hits, so that’s not a problem. You’d be warm and dry with a comfortable bed, though there’d be no opportunity to get a better dildo. If we push a bit harder, I think we can get across the pass before the storm and get to Corel in time, but it will be exhausting and there’s a risk of it starting while we’re in the open. That affords us a much better chance to get a dildo, however.” Sephiroth poked at the fire. “If we can’t get one, you also have two options. You can use the dildo you have, which will be painful, but it’s what you’re used to, so …” He shrugged helplessly. “I can be there to provide comfort during it if you want. It should help.”
“What’s the second option?” Cloud asked, feeling like he knew the answer.
“I could have sex with you.”
“I thought you didn’t want to mate me.”
Sephiroth looked up from the fire. “Who said that? Okay, never mind that. I said I’d have sex with you, not initiate a mating bond.”
“But …”
“You can have sex without mating, Cloud. Gaia, how would you know if you like your potential mate as a sex partner if you don’t try it out first?”
“I-I can-but I thought-don’t alphas want a virgin when they mate?”
“What difference would that make? Come on, I’ve told you that we only say we want virgins because it keeps you safer. Your dildo’s already taken care of your hymen, I guarantee, so that measure is more meaningless that it already was, and we’ve talked about how your first knotting can be uncomfortable. Nobody wants to ruin their mating with that.”
Cloud stared in shock. So many things that he had thought he’d known were apparently just lies to keep him what … pure? Safe? He hadn’t been either of those.
“Think about it carefully, but you need to decide before your heat hits. If you don’t decide or choose not to, I will not have sex with you once it starts. No changing your mind.”
“Omegas in heat can’t be trusted,” Cloud whispered the old saying. It hurt. Omegas were liars. Omegas were sluts. Omegas tempted good people with their freakish bodies.
“Omegas in heat can’t be trusted to stick to what their rational selves decided, it’s true. But you can be trusted, Cloud, to make the decision that’s right for you, and you can trust me to respect that decision. You’ll be just fine if you choose the dildo, and you’ll be just fine if you want me to help you. Either way will have no effect on your health or your desirability, it’s just a matter of what you’re ready for.”
Late that night as he lay in the tiny tent next to Sephiroth, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Was he really allowed to decide? He’d never been allowed to make decisions in his life, especially not ones to do with his body. He had been certain that alphas would always fuck an omega in heat-only betas could resist them and even they had a difficult time of it. And yet Sephiroth seemed perfectly confident that he wouldn’t if Cloud didn’t want him to. He even offered to stay with him through it.
The thought of the alpha’s comforting presence during his heat made him stiffen in his pants. He always felt better when Sephiroth was near. Even once he had mated, Sephiroth said that he’d be able to take comfort from other alphas, he just wouldn’t feel the same sexual urges towards them.
It would be better. No matter which he chose, it would be better than before. No one would be there to get off on his humiliation. As his eyes drifted shut, it occurred to him that Sephiroth hadn’t actually confirmed that he didn’t want to mate him. He had even seemed surprised that Cloud thought that. Did that mean that he did want to?
***
Sephiroth watched anxiously as Cloud inspected the cabin. He wasn’t going to go back on what he had said-Cloud had enough trust issues already-but they really needed to move if they were going to press on. He knew that he would be fine if he got caught up in the storm, but a half-starved, untrained omega who had never left the prison that was his village before and was about to go into heat was an entirely different story.
“I’d like to stay here,” Cloud said once he completed his tour. “Is that okay?”
“That’s fine.” Sephiroth breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll go stock up on some food for us. Do you think you can unload the chocobos?”
Cloud gifted him with one of his rare smiles. “Yeah. Is that a stable for them over there?”
“It is, and there should be plenty of greens in the loft for them if you’d like to get them settled. They’ve been working hard and deserve a good meal. A few big armfuls each will make them very happy.”
“I can do that.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. Okay, I’ll be back soon.”
Instead of the usual small game he hunted while they were moving, Sephiroth tracked and took down a deer. The cabin was owned by Shinra, and it had the supplies necessary to cure the meat. He could prep it before Cloud’s heat came on, and there would be enough for them to take some for provisions and leave the rest for the next person using it.
He wondered what Cloud’s decision would be. He had to admit to himself that he hoped that Cloud would let him have sex with him. Not only was he strongly attracted to the omega, he also dreaded the thought of having to control himself while Cloud suffered through it. That was where the modern idea that alphas couldn’t help themselves had come from. When an omega was in pain and they knew they could do something to stop it … it was so hard. But he also knew that he could resist, and would, if that was what Cloud wanted. The omega had so many fucked up ideas about sex and what it would mean for him. Once he got to Midgar and saw healthy relationships, he would be okay, Sephiroth was sure.
He skinned and gutted the carcass and left it to hang in the curing hut, then went out again to gather some vegetables and berries so they’d be well-supplied for the duration of both the storm and heat. Cloud was probably setting up the bedroom the way he wanted it. Or was he? Sephiroth paused to consider it. It was obvious that Cloud hadn’t been given any autonomy in regards to his heats. Would he know that he could makes the changes he wanted? So many omegas were particular about lighting, the position of the bed, and the amount of bedding. Even scent could play a huge factor in how they managed their heats. Cloud had probably never been able to control those things.
Sephiroth hurriedly finished harvesting the mushrooms he had found and headed back to the cabin.
When he arrived, Cloud was sitting at the small dining table, looking a bit lost.
“I made the bed and did a bit of dusting,” he said softly, “but I didn’t know what else to do.”
“That’s plenty. Is the room the way you like it?”
Cloud blinked in confusion and Sephiroth sighed in resignation. “What do you mean, the way I like it?”
“Just that you can arrange things in there however you want. It’s your heat. If you want the windows blacked out, go ahead and cover them up. If you want to see the sun and the moon and stars so you can keep track of time, take the curtains down. Move the bed if you don’t like the way it faces. If you want a cozy nest, there are lots of spare blankets to make one with.”
Cloud stilled for a moment. “I-I want more blankets. Is that really okay?”
Sephiroth nodded, recalling that Cloud’s bed in Nibelheim only had an extremely thin quilt on it. “Build a mountain out of them, if that’s what you’d like. We can do as much laundry as is needed once it’s over, so go crazy.”
The smile he got before Cloud ran back to the bedroom was huge, and it warmed Sephiroth’s heart. “I mean it when I say you can arrange things however you want in there,” he called over his shoulder as he headed back out to deal with the deer. “Do absolutely anything that feels right.”
***
"I-I think I'd like if you could help me," Cloud said the next morning as they were getting washed up. "If we could have sex."
"Okay." Sephiroth held out him arms and Cloud immediately went to him for a hug. "I know I said no changing your mind, but you can in this case. Even once your heat has started, it's possible that you'll be able to say no if you get scared. I'll listen. I will always listen to you."
Cloud closed his eyes and breathed in the alpha's scent. He could trust him. He was certain. Sephiroth had only ever treated him with respect and kindness. "Thank you."
"No thanks for basic decency, remember?"
Cloud laughed and shook his head. "But I am grateful. It might be basic decency to you, but to me ... it's so much."
Sephiroth rubbed his back and he felt lips press to the top of his head. "Come. Let's get some breakfast."
After they ate, Cloud helped Sephiroth tend to the chocobos. They had to be able to fend for themselves while Cloud was in heat, but Sephiroth assured him they would be fine.
“There’s plenty for them to eat in the forest, and they know to come back to the stable at night,” Sephiroth said as he carried the buckets of water Cloud pumped to the big trough he was filling. “We’ll leave them with enough food and water so they don’t have to go out in the storm, but that’s it. SOLDIER chocobos are trained for situations like this, don’t worry.”
“Does it happen often?”
Sephiroth nodded. “All SOLDIERs are alphas, and mated ones will, of course, bring their omegas with them on missions. They try to time things around heats so they can be at home or at least at an inn for it, but it doesn’t always work out that way. This sort of situation is rarer, but any alpha has to be able to drop everything to care for an omega in heat. It doesn’t matter if he’s mated or not.”
“Really? Even if they’re mated?”
“Of course. One more bucket should do it, I think. Sex can’t happen, obviously, but a mated alpha will still feel the need to watch over the omega and encourage him to eat and drink and help him with the toilet. His presence makes a big difference in terms of comfort and health.”
Cloud stopped pumping water and leaned against the fence, rubbing his aching arms. He wanted to ask, but had a feeling he knew the answer. It made sense. Sephiroth had made a bunch of extra food at breakfast and put it into portioned containers in the fridge, saying as he did so that he wouldn’t be able to cook for them during the heat. Not just himself. It hadn’t dawned on him at the time, but it seemed like he might not be starving when he came out of it. He might not have to wash piss out of the blankets he had prepared because he hadn’t been able to get himself to the bathroom.
“You okay?” Sephiroth asked after he poured the last bucket into the trough.
“Yeah, just thinking about some stuff. Can I go look for some berries?”
“Sure. Take Birdy and Pippin with you, though. There are bears in these woods.”
“They can protect me from bears?”
Sephiroth just laughed. “They’re SOLDIER chocobos. Bears run screaming from them. They’ll also keep you from getting lost.”
Cloud spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon wandering aimlessly through the woods. He filled a couple small pails with a variety of berries that he knew were good to eat, and picked a few mushrooms that looked the same as what Sephiroth had found earlier. Sephiroth had said that some mushrooms were poisonous, but Cloud figured he'd know for sure if they were safe. Mostly, however, Cloud just enjoyed the time to explore a little bit. He’d barely been allowed out of his house in Nibelheim, and although he was seeing a lot more with Sephiroth, he’d been exhausted by the time they had stopped each day.
It was nice to just sit for a while next to a little stream and feel the cool water running over his feet and the moss between his toes. It was interesting to watch a strange bird that clung to the trunk of a tree and tapped its beak against it. He would have to remember to ask Sephiroth about it. He was sure that the alpha would know what it was and why it did that, and he never made Cloud feel embarrassed for not knowing things.
He was looking at some indents that made a curious shape in a flat rock when he felt a familiar warmth between his legs. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was starting sooner than he’d expected. Maybe his body knew that he was safe. That he’d be taken care of this time.
Cloud put the rock in his pocket and pushed himself up as he felt another, slightly more insistent throb. “Yeah, yeah, I know,” he muttered. Gaia, how he hated his body and its demands. Birdy approached as he stood, and Cloud reached out to her. “Can you show me how to get back to Sephiroth?”
She gave a soft kweh and lowered herself down. It seemed like she was inviting him onto her back. He’d never been able to get on without help from Sephiroth, and he’d never ridden alone or without a saddle, but it would certainly be faster than walking back.
“I can ride you?” he asked. Something bumped into him from behind, and Cloud looked over his shoulder as Pippin nudged him with his head again, pushing him towards Birdy. “All right, all right.”
He swung his leg over and Birdy held still as he settled himself behind her wings and wrapped his arms around her neck. When he stopped wiggling, she stood and both birds took off. He hoped that they had understood and were taking him back to the cabin. Back to the alpha.
Birdy went a bit slower than she usually did when they rode, and Cloud couldn’t help but suspect that it was so he wouldn’t fall off. They made good time, however, and it wasn’t long before they were at the cabin. Birdy took him right up to where Sephiroth was, and he lifted Cloud down from her back.
“It’s starting,” he said, gasping as the alpha’s touch sent shivers of desire through him.
“I know. It’s okay, I’m here.” Sephiroth kept one hand on him as he took the bags he had put the berries and mushrooms in off of Pippin, then gave them both an affectionate pat. “Good ‘bos. Well done.”
Sephiroth led him inside and to the bedroom, never breaking contact with him. “Let’s get you undressed and into bed.”
Cloud nodded. He never took off his clothes until he was forced to, but this time he didn’t feel at all embarrassed as Sephiroth eased his shirt over his head and pulled his shoes and socks off, followed by his pants. He moaned in pleasure as he was half carried to the bed and set down in the middle of the huge pile of blankets he had made. They felt so cozy and right as Sephiroth tucked them around him, seeming to understand that he didn’t want to be covered, just surrounded.
“There we go, does that feel okay?”
“Yes,” Cloud moaned the word. Wetness was spreading between his legs and he squeezed them together, clenching his muscles in a rhythm to create nice little sensations of pleasure that made him even wetter.
“Good. I’m going to undress and lie down with you. Skin-to-skin contact will help keep you calm as it builds.”
He nodded and closed his eyes, just enjoying the softness of the blankets. He’d never heard such a good idea in his life. He gave a whimper when Sephiroth stopped touching him, but his soothing voice filled his ears.
“It’s okay. I’m still here. There’s nothing to worry about.” The soothing murmurs kept up until Cloud felt a weight on the bed, and then he was wrapped up in the alpha’s strong arms, his scent filling his nostrils and making him feel dizzy with lust. “Good boy, I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
A hand reached down and stroked his erection. Cloud kept his legs closed, not quite feeling the need to be filled yet. He kept squeezing his muscles in time to Sephiroth’s strokes, and gasped in surprise when he suddenly came, splattering all over his stomach. He whimpered in embarrassment. He’d never come before he was fully lost in the heat, and he tensed, waiting for the laughter from the people watching.
It didn’t come. A soothing rumble started as warm hands gently rubbed up and down his sides and over his chest and stomach. He snuggled into it, wanting to be closer to the vibrations the alpha was emitting from his chest. When he opened his eyes, he was looking at Sephiroth’s smooth skin and one small, pert nipple. He couldn’t resist the urge to kiss and lick. When he closed his lips around the nipple, the vibration intensified and Sephiroth groaned.
“You’re doing so well, Cloud. Just do what feels right.”
He lost track of time as Sephiroth allowed him to explore his body while keeping the franticness and fear he usually felt at bay with his soothing touches and rumbling. When he finally collapsed back into the blankets and spread his legs, he was still mostly aware of what he was doing, though he was ready to be filled. His testicles had pulled upwards into his body, leaving the delicate hole just behind them exposed to the alpha. For once he didn’t feel ashamed, and though he normally would have expected to be made to wait until he was crying in desperation from his need, it came as little surprise when he felt two fingers sliding into him.
Pleasure like he’d never felt before seared through him, and he gave a loud cry. While he was aware that the fingers weren’t exactly what he wanted, they still felt so good as they pumped in and out, spreading his fluid around and encouraging him to spread his legs further.
“More,” he managed to gasp after several minutes. “Please, more. I need it.”
The fingers slipped out and he felt Sephiroth shifting before something larger pressed against his entrance. “Are you ready, Cloud? You can still say no. We can get you through this without.” Sephiroth’s voice was deep and full of lust.
“I want-I want-please.” He clutched at the alpha’s hips, trying to pull him in.
Cloud screamed out his satisfaction as he was penetrated. His cock jerked and more come splattered over him. Sephiroth was larger than his dildo, but it didn’t hurt at all as he thrust into him with slow, steady strokes. A feeling of intense pressure began to build in his belly, growing with each thrust. He’d felt it during his previous heats, but never so strongly or so soon, and he was helpless to do anything as it grew and grew until finally bursting. Incredible bliss exploded in his core, sending waves of ecstasy crashing through him until it seemed like his whole body was pulsing with the intensity of it.
“That’s it, just feel. You’re doing so well.” Sephiroth’s encouragement was the only thing that kept him remotely grounded as the pressure began to build again.
He wasn’t sure how many times it happened or how much time has passed before Sephiroth’s pace sped up and he felt something hot deep inside him. Sephiroth was grunting in satisfaction, and he hugged him close when he finally stilled.
“Just breathe,” he whispered between gentle kisses. “Keep breathing and relax your body. I’ve got you.”
Cloud gave a worried moan as he felt Sephiroth’s penis begin to swell, locking them together.
“That’s it, it’s okay. Nothing to be frightened of. Just breathe and relax. In and out, come on, match me.” Sephiroth took an exaggerated breath in and waited until Cloud copied him, then slowly let it out.
The swelling continued, stretching him more and more until Cloud wanted to squirm away from the discomfort. Sephiroth kept up his support, however, and it wasn’t too long before it stopped and Cloud was left trembling in his arms. The desperate lust he had been feeling faded, leaving him feeling clear-headed in a way he had never experienced during his heat. After a few minutes, the discomfort of the stretch also faded, and he realized that the pain that always accompanied his heats was simply not there.
He opened his eyes and looked over Sephiroth’s shoulder at the rain that was beginning to lash against the window pane. In the distance, he saw a flash of lightning before thunder followed several seconds later.
“How are you feeling?”
“Glad I left the curtains open,” he replied lazily.
Sephiroth laughed and hugged him tightly. “You certainly know how to compliment a guy. I take it that means that you’re not in pain.”
“No, none. You … I didn’t think you were lying, but …”
“Good.” Sephiroth somehow managed to lift him and got them arranged so he was sitting up with Cloud on his lap. He was fully aware of Sephiroth’s erection still deep inside him, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all. “Here, I want you to drink this.”
Sephiroth twisted the cap off a bottle and held it to his lips. Cloud rested his head on Sephiroth’s chest as he drank thirstily, not particularly wanting to make the effort to hold the bottle himself. It didn’t seem like Sephiroth minded, however, and he hand fed Cloud from a small plate by the bed, letting his fingers linger on his lips to stroke gently as he ate a few of the bite-sized morsels. He watched the sky darken as the storm grew until all he could see was lightning and water running down the pane.
“Try to sleep,” Sephiroth whispered in his ear while tucking the blankets around him again. “The heat will come back once my knot recedes. Rest while you can.”
He’d never slept during a heat before. Passed out, yes, but not slept. It was impossible to keep his eyes open once the suggestion had been made, however, and he drifted off to the comforting vibrations coming from Sephiroth.
When he woke again, he was aching with need. The alpha wasn’t in him anymore and he wanted that fixed. He cried in relief when Sephiroth filled him again and again until he was completely lost in the haze of pleasure. The second time Sephiroth knotted in him didn’t hurt at all, and he was fairly certain he came from the third.
He had no clue how long it had been, but it appeared to be late morning on a nice day when he finally woke with the need gone. Sephiroth wasn’t there, but he was comfortably nested in his blankets, and he appeared to have been given a slight wipe down, at least. He wasn’t clean, but he didn’t feel disgusting like he always had before. There were some noises from the kitchen, and the smells of cooking were seeping into the room.
He wondered if Sephiroth was going to bring him something to eat in bed. Gaia, what he wouldn’t have given for that before. He was always nearly fainting with hunger by the time his heats finished, and though he hated not being able to shower first, staggering to the kitchen and hoping there was something edible was more important. It was a lesson he’d learned the hard way when he had fainted in the shower and cracked his head open.
There was a pot of tea and a cup on the bedside table, and it was still steaming when he poured it. He sighed happily and snuggled back into the blankets as the tea warmed his belly. Was this really how any alpha would treat him? Was it how his mate would treat him?
The tea was half finished when Sephiroth tapped on the door before opening it a crack. “Can I come in?”
Cloud blinked. He was asking permission? “Y-yes.”
Sephiroth entered carrying a tray loaded with food that he set on the bedside table after shoving the teapot out of the way. “How’re you feeling?”
“Good. Hungry.” Cloud pushed himself up, blushing a bit when he realized that he was still naked while Sephiroth had dressed himself in a pair of soft pants. He spotted the pants Sephiroth had given him to sleep in at the foot of the bed and pulled them on.
“Hungry is good. You’re not a big eater during your heat. It was a bit of a struggle to get enough food into you.”
“I guess … I guess I’m not used to it.”
Sephiroth paused a moment before simply nodding his understanding. “Do you feel like being alone, or would you like me to sit with you while you eat?”
“Do you mind staying with me?”
“Not at all.” Sephiroth sat down next to him and set the tray over his lap before wrapping an arm around him. “Some people prefer some space after their heat finishes, but if you don’t, then I’m happy to stay with you for as long as you want.”
Cloud smiled and leaned in close to Sephiroth’s comforting presence before delving into the meal the alpha had provided for him. A hot soup with potatoes, leeks and venison warmed him to his toes, and berries mixed into a bowl of oatmeal and sprinkled with sugar left him feeling fully satisfied. He sighed in contentment as he scraped the bowl clean and drank the last of the broth.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Sephiroth just rumbled in response until he slept again.
***
Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
Chapter 2/18
Author: xpaperplanex
Rating: NC-17 overall
Word Count: ~5100
Pairings: Sephiroth/Cloud
Genre: adventure, hurt/comfort, alpha/omega
Warnings: underage, non-con
Chapter 1
Summary: Offered up as payment to an alpha for ridding the town of monsters, Cloud discovers that the outside world is vastly different than he expected, and that he could play a role in changing it.
Sephiroth never wanted to mate, preferring his independence as a SOLDIER that allows him to travel the world at his leisure. When he finds himself caring for a traumatized omega, however, his values start to shift.
A/N: I feel like I ought to clarify because his age doesn't come up until later, and even then it's not specific, Cloud is not underage.
***
Cloud laughed as Pippin nibbled at his hair. According to Sephiroth, chocobos were highly intelligent and attuned to people’s emotional states, and the two birds stuck to him like glue whenever Sephiroth went off to hunt for some fresh meat or deal with a monster. He had never realized how much he craved it, since he had hated everyone in Nibelheim, but their physical presence was so comforting. Though compared to the alpha’s …
He thought he maybe wouldn’t mind a mate if he ended up with someone like Sephiroth. The thought of being mated and bound for life, not to mention having someone knot in him, was still terrifying, but Sephiroth had been reassuring every time they talked. His mate wouldn’t ever hurt him or force him to do anything he didn’t want to do. Heats would become shorter and less frequent. Knotting could be uncomfortable or even a bit painful the first time, but after that, Sephiroth told him that most omegas found it extremely pleasurable, and his partner would help him through the first time.
He glanced up when he heard twigs cracking and smiled as Sephiroth stepped into the little clearing where they would camp for the night.
“Rabbit for dinner,” the alpha said, holding up the dead animal.
“I found some leeks and cranberries,” Cloud said proudly. Sephiroth had shown him a few ways he could help out in their camps, and he latched onto them with enthusiasm. After so many years of being told that he was a useless waste of resources, only kept because he’d get a good price, being helpful and appreciated was a refreshing change of pace.
“Excellent. We can cook them with some rice and have a decent fresh meal.”
Compared to the food he had been given in Nibelheim, even Sephiroth’s trail rations were a treat, but he had to agree that fresh meals did taste better.
Not being hungry all the time was taking some getting used to, and Cloud felt full to bursting by the time he got half way through his portion of the stew. Sephiroth didn’t make him feel badly for not being able to finish, though. He would simply put the uneaten portion in a container and save it to heat up for him for later. He had thought, at first, that it was only natural that Sephiroth would take the leftovers for himself and give Cloud the trail rations that he clearly didn’t like. But he hadn’t yet. Cloud had never been given less than half the food Sephiroth made, and more often than not, he suspected he got more.
“We need to talk about your heat,” Sephiroth said after their meal was done and he had added some more wood to the fire. “There’s a storm coming and I don’t particularly want to risk being on the pass during it. Even if we make it to Corel in time, there’s no guarantee that they’ll have suitable dildos there, though it is fairly likely.”
“Okay,” Cloud said, though he felt himself flush. Sephiroth never seemed embarrassed to talk about stuff like this. It was like he didn’t even think it was something to be ashamed of. “What will we do?”
“That’s up to you. Your options aren’t ideal, but you have a couple. There’s a cabin just before the pass that we’ll come across tomorrow. We can stop there and stay until your heat has passed. It will be early, but we’ve been travelling hard and it doesn’t hurt to be well rested when it hits, so that’s not a problem. You’d be warm and dry with a comfortable bed, though there’d be no opportunity to get a better dildo. If we push a bit harder, I think we can get across the pass before the storm and get to Corel in time, but it will be exhausting and there’s a risk of it starting while we’re in the open. That affords us a much better chance to get a dildo, however.” Sephiroth poked at the fire. “If we can’t get one, you also have two options. You can use the dildo you have, which will be painful, but it’s what you’re used to, so …” He shrugged helplessly. “I can be there to provide comfort during it if you want. It should help.”
“What’s the second option?” Cloud asked, feeling like he knew the answer.
“I could have sex with you.”
“I thought you didn’t want to mate me.”
Sephiroth looked up from the fire. “Who said that? Okay, never mind that. I said I’d have sex with you, not initiate a mating bond.”
“But …”
“You can have sex without mating, Cloud. Gaia, how would you know if you like your potential mate as a sex partner if you don’t try it out first?”
“I-I can-but I thought-don’t alphas want a virgin when they mate?”
“What difference would that make? Come on, I’ve told you that we only say we want virgins because it keeps you safer. Your dildo’s already taken care of your hymen, I guarantee, so that measure is more meaningless that it already was, and we’ve talked about how your first knotting can be uncomfortable. Nobody wants to ruin their mating with that.”
Cloud stared in shock. So many things that he had thought he’d known were apparently just lies to keep him what … pure? Safe? He hadn’t been either of those.
“Think about it carefully, but you need to decide before your heat hits. If you don’t decide or choose not to, I will not have sex with you once it starts. No changing your mind.”
“Omegas in heat can’t be trusted,” Cloud whispered the old saying. It hurt. Omegas were liars. Omegas were sluts. Omegas tempted good people with their freakish bodies.
“Omegas in heat can’t be trusted to stick to what their rational selves decided, it’s true. But you can be trusted, Cloud, to make the decision that’s right for you, and you can trust me to respect that decision. You’ll be just fine if you choose the dildo, and you’ll be just fine if you want me to help you. Either way will have no effect on your health or your desirability, it’s just a matter of what you’re ready for.”
Late that night as he lay in the tiny tent next to Sephiroth, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Was he really allowed to decide? He’d never been allowed to make decisions in his life, especially not ones to do with his body. He had been certain that alphas would always fuck an omega in heat-only betas could resist them and even they had a difficult time of it. And yet Sephiroth seemed perfectly confident that he wouldn’t if Cloud didn’t want him to. He even offered to stay with him through it.
The thought of the alpha’s comforting presence during his heat made him stiffen in his pants. He always felt better when Sephiroth was near. Even once he had mated, Sephiroth said that he’d be able to take comfort from other alphas, he just wouldn’t feel the same sexual urges towards them.
It would be better. No matter which he chose, it would be better than before. No one would be there to get off on his humiliation. As his eyes drifted shut, it occurred to him that Sephiroth hadn’t actually confirmed that he didn’t want to mate him. He had even seemed surprised that Cloud thought that. Did that mean that he did want to?
***
Sephiroth watched anxiously as Cloud inspected the cabin. He wasn’t going to go back on what he had said-Cloud had enough trust issues already-but they really needed to move if they were going to press on. He knew that he would be fine if he got caught up in the storm, but a half-starved, untrained omega who had never left the prison that was his village before and was about to go into heat was an entirely different story.
“I’d like to stay here,” Cloud said once he completed his tour. “Is that okay?”
“That’s fine.” Sephiroth breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll go stock up on some food for us. Do you think you can unload the chocobos?”
Cloud gifted him with one of his rare smiles. “Yeah. Is that a stable for them over there?”
“It is, and there should be plenty of greens in the loft for them if you’d like to get them settled. They’ve been working hard and deserve a good meal. A few big armfuls each will make them very happy.”
“I can do that.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. Okay, I’ll be back soon.”
Instead of the usual small game he hunted while they were moving, Sephiroth tracked and took down a deer. The cabin was owned by Shinra, and it had the supplies necessary to cure the meat. He could prep it before Cloud’s heat came on, and there would be enough for them to take some for provisions and leave the rest for the next person using it.
He wondered what Cloud’s decision would be. He had to admit to himself that he hoped that Cloud would let him have sex with him. Not only was he strongly attracted to the omega, he also dreaded the thought of having to control himself while Cloud suffered through it. That was where the modern idea that alphas couldn’t help themselves had come from. When an omega was in pain and they knew they could do something to stop it … it was so hard. But he also knew that he could resist, and would, if that was what Cloud wanted. The omega had so many fucked up ideas about sex and what it would mean for him. Once he got to Midgar and saw healthy relationships, he would be okay, Sephiroth was sure.
He skinned and gutted the carcass and left it to hang in the curing hut, then went out again to gather some vegetables and berries so they’d be well-supplied for the duration of both the storm and heat. Cloud was probably setting up the bedroom the way he wanted it. Or was he? Sephiroth paused to consider it. It was obvious that Cloud hadn’t been given any autonomy in regards to his heats. Would he know that he could makes the changes he wanted? So many omegas were particular about lighting, the position of the bed, and the amount of bedding. Even scent could play a huge factor in how they managed their heats. Cloud had probably never been able to control those things.
Sephiroth hurriedly finished harvesting the mushrooms he had found and headed back to the cabin.
When he arrived, Cloud was sitting at the small dining table, looking a bit lost.
“I made the bed and did a bit of dusting,” he said softly, “but I didn’t know what else to do.”
“That’s plenty. Is the room the way you like it?”
Cloud blinked in confusion and Sephiroth sighed in resignation. “What do you mean, the way I like it?”
“Just that you can arrange things in there however you want. It’s your heat. If you want the windows blacked out, go ahead and cover them up. If you want to see the sun and the moon and stars so you can keep track of time, take the curtains down. Move the bed if you don’t like the way it faces. If you want a cozy nest, there are lots of spare blankets to make one with.”
Cloud stilled for a moment. “I-I want more blankets. Is that really okay?”
Sephiroth nodded, recalling that Cloud’s bed in Nibelheim only had an extremely thin quilt on it. “Build a mountain out of them, if that’s what you’d like. We can do as much laundry as is needed once it’s over, so go crazy.”
The smile he got before Cloud ran back to the bedroom was huge, and it warmed Sephiroth’s heart. “I mean it when I say you can arrange things however you want in there,” he called over his shoulder as he headed back out to deal with the deer. “Do absolutely anything that feels right.”
***
"I-I think I'd like if you could help me," Cloud said the next morning as they were getting washed up. "If we could have sex."
"Okay." Sephiroth held out him arms and Cloud immediately went to him for a hug. "I know I said no changing your mind, but you can in this case. Even once your heat has started, it's possible that you'll be able to say no if you get scared. I'll listen. I will always listen to you."
Cloud closed his eyes and breathed in the alpha's scent. He could trust him. He was certain. Sephiroth had only ever treated him with respect and kindness. "Thank you."
"No thanks for basic decency, remember?"
Cloud laughed and shook his head. "But I am grateful. It might be basic decency to you, but to me ... it's so much."
Sephiroth rubbed his back and he felt lips press to the top of his head. "Come. Let's get some breakfast."
After they ate, Cloud helped Sephiroth tend to the chocobos. They had to be able to fend for themselves while Cloud was in heat, but Sephiroth assured him they would be fine.
“There’s plenty for them to eat in the forest, and they know to come back to the stable at night,” Sephiroth said as he carried the buckets of water Cloud pumped to the big trough he was filling. “We’ll leave them with enough food and water so they don’t have to go out in the storm, but that’s it. SOLDIER chocobos are trained for situations like this, don’t worry.”
“Does it happen often?”
Sephiroth nodded. “All SOLDIERs are alphas, and mated ones will, of course, bring their omegas with them on missions. They try to time things around heats so they can be at home or at least at an inn for it, but it doesn’t always work out that way. This sort of situation is rarer, but any alpha has to be able to drop everything to care for an omega in heat. It doesn’t matter if he’s mated or not.”
“Really? Even if they’re mated?”
“Of course. One more bucket should do it, I think. Sex can’t happen, obviously, but a mated alpha will still feel the need to watch over the omega and encourage him to eat and drink and help him with the toilet. His presence makes a big difference in terms of comfort and health.”
Cloud stopped pumping water and leaned against the fence, rubbing his aching arms. He wanted to ask, but had a feeling he knew the answer. It made sense. Sephiroth had made a bunch of extra food at breakfast and put it into portioned containers in the fridge, saying as he did so that he wouldn’t be able to cook for them during the heat. Not just himself. It hadn’t dawned on him at the time, but it seemed like he might not be starving when he came out of it. He might not have to wash piss out of the blankets he had prepared because he hadn’t been able to get himself to the bathroom.
“You okay?” Sephiroth asked after he poured the last bucket into the trough.
“Yeah, just thinking about some stuff. Can I go look for some berries?”
“Sure. Take Birdy and Pippin with you, though. There are bears in these woods.”
“They can protect me from bears?”
Sephiroth just laughed. “They’re SOLDIER chocobos. Bears run screaming from them. They’ll also keep you from getting lost.”
Cloud spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon wandering aimlessly through the woods. He filled a couple small pails with a variety of berries that he knew were good to eat, and picked a few mushrooms that looked the same as what Sephiroth had found earlier. Sephiroth had said that some mushrooms were poisonous, but Cloud figured he'd know for sure if they were safe. Mostly, however, Cloud just enjoyed the time to explore a little bit. He’d barely been allowed out of his house in Nibelheim, and although he was seeing a lot more with Sephiroth, he’d been exhausted by the time they had stopped each day.
It was nice to just sit for a while next to a little stream and feel the cool water running over his feet and the moss between his toes. It was interesting to watch a strange bird that clung to the trunk of a tree and tapped its beak against it. He would have to remember to ask Sephiroth about it. He was sure that the alpha would know what it was and why it did that, and he never made Cloud feel embarrassed for not knowing things.
He was looking at some indents that made a curious shape in a flat rock when he felt a familiar warmth between his legs. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was starting sooner than he’d expected. Maybe his body knew that he was safe. That he’d be taken care of this time.
Cloud put the rock in his pocket and pushed himself up as he felt another, slightly more insistent throb. “Yeah, yeah, I know,” he muttered. Gaia, how he hated his body and its demands. Birdy approached as he stood, and Cloud reached out to her. “Can you show me how to get back to Sephiroth?”
She gave a soft kweh and lowered herself down. It seemed like she was inviting him onto her back. He’d never been able to get on without help from Sephiroth, and he’d never ridden alone or without a saddle, but it would certainly be faster than walking back.
“I can ride you?” he asked. Something bumped into him from behind, and Cloud looked over his shoulder as Pippin nudged him with his head again, pushing him towards Birdy. “All right, all right.”
He swung his leg over and Birdy held still as he settled himself behind her wings and wrapped his arms around her neck. When he stopped wiggling, she stood and both birds took off. He hoped that they had understood and were taking him back to the cabin. Back to the alpha.
Birdy went a bit slower than she usually did when they rode, and Cloud couldn’t help but suspect that it was so he wouldn’t fall off. They made good time, however, and it wasn’t long before they were at the cabin. Birdy took him right up to where Sephiroth was, and he lifted Cloud down from her back.
“It’s starting,” he said, gasping as the alpha’s touch sent shivers of desire through him.
“I know. It’s okay, I’m here.” Sephiroth kept one hand on him as he took the bags he had put the berries and mushrooms in off of Pippin, then gave them both an affectionate pat. “Good ‘bos. Well done.”
Sephiroth led him inside and to the bedroom, never breaking contact with him. “Let’s get you undressed and into bed.”
Cloud nodded. He never took off his clothes until he was forced to, but this time he didn’t feel at all embarrassed as Sephiroth eased his shirt over his head and pulled his shoes and socks off, followed by his pants. He moaned in pleasure as he was half carried to the bed and set down in the middle of the huge pile of blankets he had made. They felt so cozy and right as Sephiroth tucked them around him, seeming to understand that he didn’t want to be covered, just surrounded.
“There we go, does that feel okay?”
“Yes,” Cloud moaned the word. Wetness was spreading between his legs and he squeezed them together, clenching his muscles in a rhythm to create nice little sensations of pleasure that made him even wetter.
“Good. I’m going to undress and lie down with you. Skin-to-skin contact will help keep you calm as it builds.”
He nodded and closed his eyes, just enjoying the softness of the blankets. He’d never heard such a good idea in his life. He gave a whimper when Sephiroth stopped touching him, but his soothing voice filled his ears.
“It’s okay. I’m still here. There’s nothing to worry about.” The soothing murmurs kept up until Cloud felt a weight on the bed, and then he was wrapped up in the alpha’s strong arms, his scent filling his nostrils and making him feel dizzy with lust. “Good boy, I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
A hand reached down and stroked his erection. Cloud kept his legs closed, not quite feeling the need to be filled yet. He kept squeezing his muscles in time to Sephiroth’s strokes, and gasped in surprise when he suddenly came, splattering all over his stomach. He whimpered in embarrassment. He’d never come before he was fully lost in the heat, and he tensed, waiting for the laughter from the people watching.
It didn’t come. A soothing rumble started as warm hands gently rubbed up and down his sides and over his chest and stomach. He snuggled into it, wanting to be closer to the vibrations the alpha was emitting from his chest. When he opened his eyes, he was looking at Sephiroth’s smooth skin and one small, pert nipple. He couldn’t resist the urge to kiss and lick. When he closed his lips around the nipple, the vibration intensified and Sephiroth groaned.
“You’re doing so well, Cloud. Just do what feels right.”
He lost track of time as Sephiroth allowed him to explore his body while keeping the franticness and fear he usually felt at bay with his soothing touches and rumbling. When he finally collapsed back into the blankets and spread his legs, he was still mostly aware of what he was doing, though he was ready to be filled. His testicles had pulled upwards into his body, leaving the delicate hole just behind them exposed to the alpha. For once he didn’t feel ashamed, and though he normally would have expected to be made to wait until he was crying in desperation from his need, it came as little surprise when he felt two fingers sliding into him.
Pleasure like he’d never felt before seared through him, and he gave a loud cry. While he was aware that the fingers weren’t exactly what he wanted, they still felt so good as they pumped in and out, spreading his fluid around and encouraging him to spread his legs further.
“More,” he managed to gasp after several minutes. “Please, more. I need it.”
The fingers slipped out and he felt Sephiroth shifting before something larger pressed against his entrance. “Are you ready, Cloud? You can still say no. We can get you through this without.” Sephiroth’s voice was deep and full of lust.
“I want-I want-please.” He clutched at the alpha’s hips, trying to pull him in.
Cloud screamed out his satisfaction as he was penetrated. His cock jerked and more come splattered over him. Sephiroth was larger than his dildo, but it didn’t hurt at all as he thrust into him with slow, steady strokes. A feeling of intense pressure began to build in his belly, growing with each thrust. He’d felt it during his previous heats, but never so strongly or so soon, and he was helpless to do anything as it grew and grew until finally bursting. Incredible bliss exploded in his core, sending waves of ecstasy crashing through him until it seemed like his whole body was pulsing with the intensity of it.
“That’s it, just feel. You’re doing so well.” Sephiroth’s encouragement was the only thing that kept him remotely grounded as the pressure began to build again.
He wasn’t sure how many times it happened or how much time has passed before Sephiroth’s pace sped up and he felt something hot deep inside him. Sephiroth was grunting in satisfaction, and he hugged him close when he finally stilled.
“Just breathe,” he whispered between gentle kisses. “Keep breathing and relax your body. I’ve got you.”
Cloud gave a worried moan as he felt Sephiroth’s penis begin to swell, locking them together.
“That’s it, it’s okay. Nothing to be frightened of. Just breathe and relax. In and out, come on, match me.” Sephiroth took an exaggerated breath in and waited until Cloud copied him, then slowly let it out.
The swelling continued, stretching him more and more until Cloud wanted to squirm away from the discomfort. Sephiroth kept up his support, however, and it wasn’t too long before it stopped and Cloud was left trembling in his arms. The desperate lust he had been feeling faded, leaving him feeling clear-headed in a way he had never experienced during his heat. After a few minutes, the discomfort of the stretch also faded, and he realized that the pain that always accompanied his heats was simply not there.
He opened his eyes and looked over Sephiroth’s shoulder at the rain that was beginning to lash against the window pane. In the distance, he saw a flash of lightning before thunder followed several seconds later.
“How are you feeling?”
“Glad I left the curtains open,” he replied lazily.
Sephiroth laughed and hugged him tightly. “You certainly know how to compliment a guy. I take it that means that you’re not in pain.”
“No, none. You … I didn’t think you were lying, but …”
“Good.” Sephiroth somehow managed to lift him and got them arranged so he was sitting up with Cloud on his lap. He was fully aware of Sephiroth’s erection still deep inside him, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all. “Here, I want you to drink this.”
Sephiroth twisted the cap off a bottle and held it to his lips. Cloud rested his head on Sephiroth’s chest as he drank thirstily, not particularly wanting to make the effort to hold the bottle himself. It didn’t seem like Sephiroth minded, however, and he hand fed Cloud from a small plate by the bed, letting his fingers linger on his lips to stroke gently as he ate a few of the bite-sized morsels. He watched the sky darken as the storm grew until all he could see was lightning and water running down the pane.
“Try to sleep,” Sephiroth whispered in his ear while tucking the blankets around him again. “The heat will come back once my knot recedes. Rest while you can.”
He’d never slept during a heat before. Passed out, yes, but not slept. It was impossible to keep his eyes open once the suggestion had been made, however, and he drifted off to the comforting vibrations coming from Sephiroth.
When he woke again, he was aching with need. The alpha wasn’t in him anymore and he wanted that fixed. He cried in relief when Sephiroth filled him again and again until he was completely lost in the haze of pleasure. The second time Sephiroth knotted in him didn’t hurt at all, and he was fairly certain he came from the third.
He had no clue how long it had been, but it appeared to be late morning on a nice day when he finally woke with the need gone. Sephiroth wasn’t there, but he was comfortably nested in his blankets, and he appeared to have been given a slight wipe down, at least. He wasn’t clean, but he didn’t feel disgusting like he always had before. There were some noises from the kitchen, and the smells of cooking were seeping into the room.
He wondered if Sephiroth was going to bring him something to eat in bed. Gaia, what he wouldn’t have given for that before. He was always nearly fainting with hunger by the time his heats finished, and though he hated not being able to shower first, staggering to the kitchen and hoping there was something edible was more important. It was a lesson he’d learned the hard way when he had fainted in the shower and cracked his head open.
There was a pot of tea and a cup on the bedside table, and it was still steaming when he poured it. He sighed happily and snuggled back into the blankets as the tea warmed his belly. Was this really how any alpha would treat him? Was it how his mate would treat him?
The tea was half finished when Sephiroth tapped on the door before opening it a crack. “Can I come in?”
Cloud blinked. He was asking permission? “Y-yes.”
Sephiroth entered carrying a tray loaded with food that he set on the bedside table after shoving the teapot out of the way. “How’re you feeling?”
“Good. Hungry.” Cloud pushed himself up, blushing a bit when he realized that he was still naked while Sephiroth had dressed himself in a pair of soft pants. He spotted the pants Sephiroth had given him to sleep in at the foot of the bed and pulled them on.
“Hungry is good. You’re not a big eater during your heat. It was a bit of a struggle to get enough food into you.”
“I guess … I guess I’m not used to it.”
Sephiroth paused a moment before simply nodding his understanding. “Do you feel like being alone, or would you like me to sit with you while you eat?”
“Do you mind staying with me?”
“Not at all.” Sephiroth sat down next to him and set the tray over his lap before wrapping an arm around him. “Some people prefer some space after their heat finishes, but if you don’t, then I’m happy to stay with you for as long as you want.”
Cloud smiled and leaned in close to Sephiroth’s comforting presence before delving into the meal the alpha had provided for him. A hot soup with potatoes, leeks and venison warmed him to his toes, and berries mixed into a bowl of oatmeal and sprinkled with sugar left him feeling fully satisfied. He sighed in contentment as he scraped the bowl clean and drank the last of the broth.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Sephiroth just rumbled in response until he slept again.
***
Previous Chapter | Next Chapter