You still won't get me off Anon for this.
“Found you,” The words fell blissfully from Sephiroth’s lips as his own soul sang ‘finally’.
He could feel the terror and confusion in His Cloud’s thoughts, an expected introduction to their centuries long dance.
He decided to play just a moment by waiting to see what his new Cloud would do as he brushed feather light touches across his neck.
New eyes closed as the human mumbled, “...Lord Jormungandr, Please forgive me…”
“Call me Sephiroth.” That devotion directed toward him and him alone made Sephiroth feral with possession. No other god to share with. No obligations to pull Cloud away during the days or nights. My Cloud. Mine. “I reject your offering, Cloud,” Sephiroth answered, regretting the heartbroken shatter of his follower’s thoughts as he took the fork in his free hand and scooped a piece of the meal. “You have something far more desirable to me.”
A million ideas ran through Cloud’s head, none of which as practical or long term as Sephiroth had planned.
He held the fork in front of his follower’s mouth, noting the obedient lack of movement. “You need your strength to give it. Eat.”
Cloud’s hesitation was amusing as a minute passed before he dared take the single bite, slow and careful, able to pull back at any second. He was so hungry, despite the fact that he could survive through the next day without a meal.
Sephiroth placed the handle of the fork in Cloud’s shaking hand. “Enter when you finish.” He freed Cloud’s neck, fighting every instinct to pull Cloud along, and retreated to his private chambers.
His careful plans took effect now.
Sephiroth had long hoped for His Cloud to be reborn in his territory at a time when humans- even if only few- still worshiped him.
Despite his excitement, he truly couldn’t read Cloud as easily as his followers. This beginning was little more than exactly what he expected to see.
After so many lifetimes, each version of Cloud showed him a new ‘first’. This ‘first’ was one he craved for a long time: to read his heart as only his god could while spilling an offering on his altar. The only condition closer would be if Cloud was truly his follower in his first life. However, this would more than suffice.
A knock clacked through his chamber door.
The door opened with aching creeks as Cloud kept his head bowed and eyes shut. “Permission to speak, Lord Jor-” Cloud shook his head of dandelion hair and corrected, “Lord Sephiroth…?”
Sephiroth chuckled, closing his own eyes in silent surprise. Cloud fidgeted in more silent concern. In all his time, only his disciples called him ‘Lord’ with his latter name.
Perhaps there were more ‘first’s to be expected.
“Granted. Permanently.” He glanced through the open door and was surprised to see the meal with only the piece he removed missing.
“Forgive me. I cannot take your offerings from you, even if they are my own. There are too few-”
“Offerings are mine to do with as I please.” He repeated a necessary statement. “I can consume them, disperse them, destroy them. Who’s to say I cannot?” Nearly every Cloud asked him this question, but answering these concerns before they were voiced led to difficult conversations and many un-enjoyable fights.
He wanted as much time as possible with this Cloud, despite Cloud’s new silence.
“I assume you know the origin of your name.”
Cloud nodded, eyes tightly closed.
“You may look upon me, Cloud.” Finally, new eyes met his. “Amuse me. How does the story go this time?”
Cloud swallowed, turning away not from loyalty but from his own pink cheeks. “It’s the name of your love. But they died long ago, and you seek that feeling again silently.” Cloud’s words left with the fear and knowledge that no truth could be hidden. “There is no guarantee your love will return as friend, foe, or lover as the cycle of life and rebirth continues.”
Sephiroth smirked, asking genuinely, “And how do You feel, Cloud?”
“...you know my heart without my words…” The hidden thoughts of physical attraction combined with absolute devotion rushed to his mind as fast as the blush beneath his skin. “But… I will say them if you wish…”
Sephiroth struggled to contain his fantasies as he left for the altar and returned with Cloud’s rejected offering and a bowl of dried fruits. Cloud’s concerns would have to subside before his true offering, or His Cloud would not be able to move by morning.
But Cloud’s nutrition likely wouldn’t change the coming result.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! MORE WRITING!
You sure this isn't going to be a longfic for you? 🤔 This is how it always starts. One scene, then two, then all of a sudden, you've written 180k words.
You are free to post this on Ao3 if you want. 🤣
Sephiroth is such a tease though. Making Cloud all nervous and fidgety when he could just get what he wants from him. Cloud needs to be well-fed for Sephiroth to get his offerings. 😏
