Just Us, Nobody Else Chapter 1

My best friend Zack was very enthusiastic on the phone last night. He invited me over to the First Class barracks after a long day of training, since I was only an infantryman and my schedule was generally much fuller than his. Even though I was a lower class fighter, my shifts were long and tiresome, so visiting up with Zack and his friends from work sounded like a good idea to me. The only thing that was confusing was his tone of voice on the phone, which was more enthusiastic than usual.

"Hey buddy!"

"Hey Zack."

"So are you coming over tomorrow or what? Genesis convinced Angeal to make a killer pasta dish that I'm sure you'll enjoy! He's an awesome cook!"

"I wasn't given an invitation before tonight…"

"Well don't be shy! Meet up with me outside the Shinra Headquarters at 6:00 sharp, and I'll take you there!"

"Alright…"

"Sounds good, see you then Cloud!"

He hung up before I had the chance to ask any more questions. As usual, I went through my daily routine the next day following around the upper class soldiers in Shinra and doing every day, menial chores. I sometimes hated my job, but every once in a while, I found it nice to look outside the tallest building in the city at the intensely gorgeous landscape. Sometimes, I wondered to myself, on my break hours, what I would rather be doing with my life. If anything, going back to visit my childhood friend Tifa would be up there on the list, but when it came down to careers, I was lost. Maybe open up a business and sell something popular, like weapons or clothing?

My watch beeped after I checked out of my guard shift. Undressing from my infantry uniform, I shook my spiky hair out before leaving the Shinra Headquarters changing room into the main hallway. Every time I wore that helmet, my hair got all messed up, and it always bothered me. The moment I took off my helmet, the other infantrymen giggled, probably at my silly hair, rendering me self conscious. It bothered me, when other people judged me.

I stepped outside of the building into the bustling streets of Midgar. Checking my watch, I realized that Zack Fair, my best friend in the company, was running five minutes late. Sighing to myself, I wondered if this was one of his infamous pranks, or if he was being serious. Instead of worrying about if it was or wasn't a prank, I sat down on the rock ledge nearby, watching the passerbys with interest. Sometimes I wondered what it would be like to be an ordinary citizen, not set on the path covered in blood. Sometimes I wondered if my family missed me in Niebelheim.

"Cloud!"

Zack's very distinctive voice boomed across the street. When I realized it was him, I quickly looked up from my hunched position and sat up straight out of sheer habit. When a first class soldier walked by, it was only polite to show respect.

"Hey Zack. So where are we headed?"

"Follow me, buddy!"

Grabbing my arm, he dragged me behind him as the streets began to slowly crowd up with people. Everybody's day shifts at work were finished, and people were heading home to eat with the rest of their families. As I followed Zack through narrow alleyways, across popular parks and attractions, and through the busier streets of the city, I came to realize just how much I missed home. Maybe I was never meant to be in Soldier…

"Hey, Cloud, are you there?"

Snapping in front of my spaced out face, I blinked a couple of times when my thoughts drifted back to reality. Zack then smiled, and pat me gently on the head. For some odd reason, I couldn't help but blush.

"Good, I'm glad you're alright! We're here, you first!"

The building we stood in front was almost as tall as Shinra Headquarters, sending tingles up my spine. There was a huge black gate surrounding the manor, and beautiful, tall oak trees close by. What appeared to be a fountain was also located in front of the huge structure, and then a plaque labeled "Soldier First Class Manor." I swallowed hard, immediately not feeling welcome at all.

"Wow, you didn't have to dress up so nicely."

Zack commented, and I grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey, do the others know that I'm here?"

"Of course they do! They're all dying to meet you!"

"R-really!?"

My idol, Sephiroth, was bound to be in there, and the two others, Genesis and Angeal, who were both super powerful. I just couldn't contain my excitement, I was finally meeting them! Maybe I could get a recommendation out of one of them, and finally enter the third class!

"C'mon, we're going to be late, Cloud!"

"Aah, Zack, don't run off like that! I'll lose you in a maze like this!"

And just like that, I followed Zack into the manor, slamming the black gates behind me.

"Wow, you overdid the green beans again, Genesis! Geez, can I trust you with anything?"

"No need to be so stingy! They're fine, look, only the outside burned a little bit."

"But we're having a guest over! We don't want the guest choking on burned green beans!"

I awkwardly shuffled behind Zack as the elevator finally reached the top floor. Everything was so high tech on the inside of the manor, which looked a lot older on the outside. When the doors swung open, an open kitchen and living room appeared before me, which were both well decorated with beautiful paintings and flowers to match the season. The walls were painted a dark blue, and the floor was carpeted a pretty white. Both of the colors were relaxing, especially since blue was my favorite color for many years.

Swallowing hard, I followed Zack into the room, and immediately, Genesis and Angeal stopped arguing. They raced over to hug him, and for some odd reason, they placed gentle kisses on his cheeks. I was completely taken aback by this act, since I thought these first class soldiers were more respectful to one another. Maybe they were related..?

"Thank you so much for coming tonight! I was afraid that something might come up on this busy Friday evening!"

"Of course not," Zack replied calmly, "and even if something did indeed come up, I would cancel it and comes straight here."

"We all know you would!" Genesis winked before placing an arm casually around Zack's neck, leaning most of his weight across him. "By the way, who is our guest today?"

"Uhm, my name is Cloud."

I stared at his shoes as I replied, my voice much quieter than theirs.

"It's nice… it's nice to meet you."

"Well, you know who I am. This is Angeal, and this is Genesis. They're my senior officers."

"Sephiroth! Sephiroth, he's here!"

Right as Angeal called the toughest soldier, he entered the room, wiping off his hair with a white towel. He was only wearing pants. For some odd reason, I felt this urge to grab him.

"Oh, well it's very nice to meet you, Cloud."

"So you already heard everything? Gosh, how creepy of you to spy on us like that!"

"Calm down, Zack." Sephiroth dropped the towel on the table next to where the finished salad was resting, and placed a hand on Zack's hip. "Or I'll have to punish you."

"Woah there, Seph, that'll be my job when the time comes!" Angeal chuckled a hefty chuckle as Genesis looked me up and down. For some odd reason, the whole situation was beginning to make me feel uncomfortable.

"Oh no, the pasta's overheating!"

"I'm on it."

Angeal raced over to the pasta and turned down the heat. After an awkward moment of silence and smiling, he turned around and indicated to the group that it was time to eat. Sephiroth immediately sped to his friend's aid, and I raced over to help Zack set up the table.

"Thanks for cooking all of this, Angeal, Genesis, it was really kind of you."

"No problem. We hope you enjoy this… lovely meal!"

I paused as Genesis cupped my hip with his hand, and for some odd reason, his touch sent tingles up my spine. Backing up, I accidentally stepped on Sephiroth's bare foot.

"Oops, I'm so sorry…"

"No need to apologize, Cloud."

His face was uncomfortably close to mine. Blushing profusely, I couldn't help but pull away and continue what I was doing. When Zack entered the room, the energy shifted, and all of a sudden, some of the attention was off of me. What exactly was going on here?

"Alright, time to eat, everyone! Cloud, you may sit wherever you want!"

Angeal announced, wiping the sweat off of his brow using the towel Sephiroth recently brought in from the bathroom. Feeling a bit pressured, I decided to sit close to the head of the table, which was where I assumed Sephiroth would sit. I was surprised to see that Angeal chose that seat, and Zack chose to sit next to me. Across from me, Sephiroth sat next to Genesis, who puckered his lips every time I made eye contact with him. That man is the strangest person…

"Wow, the food's great!"

Zack exclaimed, shoving the pasta into his mouth as if he hadn't eaten in years.

"Really great job, you guys!"

"Well, Angeal is an amazing cook, after all."

"Now now, don't flatter me, you two!" He blushed a little bit as he put his fork down and glanced over at me. "I wouldn't have even cooked if I didn't know Cloud was coming over to eat with us!"

Wait a second… did he just say what I thought he said? So this dinner night was happening… because of me!? The inside of my skin burned. What was going on here, exactly!?

"Uhm…"

I muttered, causing the conversation to shift from the meal to my nervous face. I wished that I didn't make any noise.

"Uhm, I was wondering why everyone invited me here."

Zack paused, staring at me with a face I never saw on him before. The creepy grin on Genesis' face widened.

"I'm a little bit, uhm, unsure of why everyone's acting so flirtatious toward one another, and why, uhm, some of you are flirting with me, too…"

"Cloud," Genesis began, nearly slamming his glass of red wine on the table. His eyes intently stared into mine. "You don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"You didn't tell him, Zack?"

Zack remained quiet, staring at his finished plate of food as if he longed to regurgitate it all and eat it again. Swallowing hard, I refused to make eye contact with him, because I didn't want to make him any more uncomfortable than he already was.

"Well, we wanted you to join an… exclusive group of ours."

"What do you mean, 'exclusive group?'"

Angeal put his fork down, which was still full of pasta. His eyes narrowed seriously, as if the topic was dark and sinister.

"We're all in a polyamorous relationship with one another, Cloud, and we'd like for you to join."

I nearly spit out my water mid sip. Before I did, though, I caught my throat mid sip, and choked for a second or two. Zack rushed over to my side to help me, along with Angeal, but I pushed them away, begging to be left alone. Why was I always making such a fool out of myself in front of these powerful men, and did I just hear them say that!?

"A… a… a WHAT!?"

"It's true." Zack clarified, his voice lower than usual and his eyes shut. "We're in a relationship with each other, and we really want for you to join, if you'd be comfortable with that."

"We all think you're very attractive." Genesis noted as he finished up his salad, gesturing elegantly at the unfinished plate nearby. Zack quickly passed him Angeal's unfinished dish, which Genesis quickly wolfed down. "And fit enough to handle our nightly activities."

"We discussed the possibilities of finding another person to join our group, and Zack recommended you. When we looked through your files, we all agreed on his recommendation. Now it's up to you, would you like to join us?"

"Wait, hold on a minute, Sephiroth!" I shook my hands back and forth, my attention completely focused on them. "So you all invited me here because you wanted me to join your GROUPIE!?"

"Yes!" Genesis concluded, sipping the last bit of his wine. The fan up above continued to spin. "So what is your decision?"

"I'll… I mean… I'll have to think about it…"

Zack turned to Angeal, as if his eyes were telling him the full story. Angeal nodded at him, and their silent conversation made me hunch over in my chair, fearful of what they might be thinking. Instead of waiting for the others to finish, I gestured to leave the room.

"I… I have to get going."

"Wait, let me see you out."

Sephiroth stormed out of the room, past Angeal and the nearby couch. A bit shocked at his urgency, I allowed for him to follow me. He didn't say a word as I descended the nearby steps toward the building's front door, and before I opened it, he spoke up from the other side of the room.

"I'm sorry if we made you at all uncomfortable. If we did, please forgive us. Especially Zack."

"It's fine." I noted, my back turned to him. "I'm not uncomfortable because of what you guys asked. I'm just… I'm just awkward all the time. It's none of your fault. It's just… I wasn't expecting my first meeting with my idols to turn out so… so… so strange."

"I understand." Sephiroth smiled, placing his hands to his hips as he stood tall, his shadow overtaking me from behind. The world stood still as I gripped the silver doorknob. "Get back to us about it as soon as you can, alright? We meet up every evening at 6:00 in this building."

"Alright, I'll consider it. But wait, I have a question for you."

As Sephiroth began ascending the steps, he paused and turned around. I was sure, at that moment, that this was a dream, even though it was reality. Deep down, I wished it was a dream.

"Do you guys stay here all night, then, until work the next morning?"

"Yes, we do." Sephiroth's voice dropped as the light up above flickered. There was a storm outside, and for some odd reason, the generators weren't working. But that wasn't what was concerning Sephiroth, at that moment. "Generally, we play rougher rather than softer in bed, too, just so you know. I wouldn't want you getting involved with us without knowing what was to come. Zack can always tell you more details tomorrow at lunch."

"Alright."

I stumbled a bit before opening the door. Immediately, rain began to fill up the hallway, drenching my spiky blonde hair and jeans. Right as I stepped out, Sephiroth's hand reached out toward me.

"Uhm, are you sure you don't need a ride back to the infantry barracks..?"

"I'm fine, I'll make it."

I responded confidently before closing the door. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck with Sephiroth, my idol, for another minute, so that I could make a fool out of myself any more. I needed time to myself, to consider this offer and ponder over the pros and cons of joining. This time, I wouldn't let their power sway me. I needed to be alone, and consider all of my options before making a decision. The long walk to the barracks would give me just enough time to think it over, and the cold rain water would make me feel desperate enough to think deeper. Maybe I'd reach a conclusion in bed tonight, after a nice, long shower, or maybe I wouldn't. Either way, I would respond by the end of the week, and I would not let myself get caught up in the fact that all of the first class soldiers wanted to have sex with me. The last thing I needed was to get distracted, especially at such a crucial time in my training period.

"Zack, I'm sorry, but I can't just jump to conclusions."

I told myself as I plodded past all of the closed shops in the darkness of the night. Not even the moon was out tonight.

"I need time, more time than you guys will give me, to decide."

The world spun deep within my aching skull when I thought about their offer, and when I rustled through my pockets for the key to my dormitory, I realized I had made a grave error. I made it back to my place, but I left the key back at their manor. As usual, I screwed up, big time, and I would have to wait for my roommate to get back to open the door.

"Wow…" I sighed to myself, slouching underneath the tiny porch ceiling, "…what a night!"