#and zack fair being the best boy

[silverflqmes]

໒⦂ 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐂𝐒.

synopsis. a compilation of headcanons that showcase the dating experience of the first class SOLDIER boys — along with a certain self proclaimed one..

genre. fluff + crack

ft. sephiroth, cloud strife, zack fair, genesis rhapsodos, angeal hewley

gender neutral! reader.

➫ 𝓢𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating sephiroth? it’s along the lines of sneaking around to meet at your most favorite spots, learning how to love, delicate touches and kisses, elements of forbidden romance, healing and deep conversations involving lots of reassurance.

⌗ sephiroth isn’t very familiar with physical affection, it’s something he never had the luxury of experiencing all his life.. so he would be a bit awkward with it, confused even, but he’s willing to learn cuz he wants to bond with you more! that and he’s hella touch starved.. although he won’t say🙁

⌗ love language, let’s see.. he also seems like the acts of service kinda guy, but values words of affirmation — whether towards himself or towards you. he doesn’t want his unwarranted popularity to bring you doubt of your own worth, but he also wants to hear he’s enough for you, since he, um, doesn’t view himself in the best light.. sobs.

⌗ the first date.. well, i would think you guys would have been together during the crisis core era cuz like.. after nibelheim.. kinda hard. unless you have jenova cells😭 anyways- the first date! he was not sure on where to take you, given his schedule and just him not um being sure on where to take you.. somehow, though, you ended up at a beautiful library, straight out of a fairytale setting. how he found such a hidden gem in midgar of all places stayed unknown to you, but it was such a lovely outing together<3 he seemed so carefree and at ease ( im sobbing. )

⌗ if anybody dares talk shit about sephiroth or make him feel outcasted, inhuman — whatever they have made him feel — BEAT THEM UP!! although, not actually.. because he won’t let you😐 still, he finds it sweet that despite his power and capability of ending somebody’s career — you won’t hesitate for even a second to stand up for him. likewise, if people dare to hurt you in anyway, it’s on sight.

⌗ ah, the i love you.. he would take a minute to say it because he’s still trying to understand the concept of love and process that you actually feel that way about him. but you wouldn’t say it first — he would. because you want him to say it when he feels it’s right, cuz you don’t wanna pressure him or anything..

⌗ sephiroth became a father of a very, very adorable feline friend that you surprised him with one day to keep him company. he was confused at first — but has grown fond of the cat and it’s his best friend now. they have the same eye color too and the cat has silver fur!!

➫ 𝓒𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝓢𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗘 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating cloud? it’s late nights underneath the stars, comforting words and squeezes, a rollercoaster of challenges that you will have to overcome in order to be with one another.. and emotional constipation on his end for sure, but he’s trying his best!

⌗ cloud isn’t exactly the easiest with pda, he gets embarassed easily and doesn’t seem like the type to uh.. want people watching him do something outside of his norm? not really the spotlight loving type despite the wall market arc.. but he is okay with handholding and locking pinkies even too<3

⌗ his love language, hm.. i think it would be acts of service on the giving end, and for the receiving end, i think words of affirmation would suit his wants. he just wants to make sure he’s doing okay for you, every now and again he needs to hear it. otherwise i do see physical affection behind curtains.. he’s not openly expressive on it — has a hard time asking for stuff🥹

⌗ first date, uhh.. i think he would’ve gotten with you by the advent children timeline, just because he wants to do some reflection and y’know get the angst out of his system.. but anyway, the date i think would be a drive on fenrir ( his motorcycle.. ) to the outskirts of edge, somewhere the stars can be seen. it’s simple, nothing complex, just to unwind and enjoy the other’s company.

⌗ cloud tends to get nightmares a lot, i mean, bro has unresolved trauma.. and doesn’t have all his memories back because of that. so i feel he would have developed insomnia or just fears going to sleep. when this happens, i imagine later down the line when you are comfy with each other, be there for him!! company helps, always<3

⌗ for the i love you.. well, i think you’ll probably be the one to say it first — but verbatim. cloud, however, would be the one to say it first.. but without actually saying those three words.

⌗ while cloud has a very idgaf attitude and demeanor, he won’t hesitate to kick ass if someone speaks bad on you or does anything harmful towards you. bro literally used to brawl with kids back in nibelheim😭 if he hears any shit spoken on you or sees you getting pushed around, the buster is coming tf out🫡 or well, i suppose first tsurugi if it’s ac..

➫ 𝓩𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝓕𝗔𝗜𝗥 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating zack fair? a total fever dream that makes you feel like a school girl in love, surprise attack hugs, being dragged to all sorts of places for dates, phone calls when you are apart and can’t sleep, convenience store trips at super odd hours and avoiding your responsibilities at shinra!

⌗ bro is so about pda, he can’t keep his hands off you!! wants to hug and hold you as much as possible, truly a puppy🥸 in public he likes to hold hands and walks with a skip in his step cuz he’s just so happy to be around you, also likes to wrap an arm around you for close proximity<3 doesn’t shy away from physical touch basically!

⌗ love language.. definitely physical affection, bro is totally the clingy type.. but i also believe he would value it a lot tbh — giving as well as receiving! then there’s acts of service, cuz i think that would also be his thing based on him telling aerith to make a list of her wishes for him.. OH, OH AND QUALITY TIME!! can’t forget that🙃

⌗ the first date was at costa del sol!! cc era too cuz um.. well.. y’know.. zack needed a break away from SOLDIER activities and hitting the beach seemed like a good way to go! catch some rays, chase those waves, maybe some volleyball, bbq and smoothies!! if you think it’s gonna be a relaxing day.. it’s probably gonna be a shit load of different activities.. but don’t worry!! you’ll get the absolute best sleep EVER afterwards. guaranteed!!

⌗ zack is a pretty emotional person, he feels very easily so if you’re hurt or upset, he aches for you. he rlly wants you to be happy, doesn’t want to see your smile taken away, ever. so he does everything in his power to ensure your happiness and if it’s people who have brought you sadness, then oh boy, they have another thing coming..

⌗ he kinda blurts the i love you out first without thinking tbh, it just comes out and he has the widest grin on his face when he says it. he fr doesn’t know what he’s doing to you, no matter how flustered or warm your chest feels, he’s so nonchalant about it😭 like why should he wait when he knows how he feels??

⌗ angeal had to give him a long ass talk about dating, honor, treating you well — you name it, your average angeal lecture🫡 but romance edition.. featuring genesis ( and sephiroth in the background smiling apologetically )

➫ 𝓖𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝓡𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗦 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating genesis? it’s like being in a fairytale or movie, having poetry recited to you on the daily to further emphasize his love, getting spoiled endlessly, touches that leave you wanting more and ending up with the prince of your dreams.. kinda.

⌗ he is very much about pda! likes to display that you are his, holds you in his arms at any chance he gets, peppers you with slow, yet lingering kisses that leaves you completely touch starved😪 angeal has to scold him sometimes when he takes too long saying goodbye, especially if they have to go on missions..

⌗ love language would be a mixture between gift giving and physical affection, but i could also see him wanting words of affirmation. i mean he feels like he’s the failed attempt at being sephiroth, believes that the top hero spot should be his and all.. but otherwise, giving gifts to you would definitely be smtn he’d wanna do, especially if his missions are outside of midgar.

⌗ ah, the first date.. well, once again your best chance at being with him would have to have been during the cc timeline cuz bro dips.. but anyway!! the date.. well, strap yourself in cuz you’re going to a living showing of genesis’ favorite, loveless. yes, yes he takes you to a play. how can he not? it’s his favorite work of literature, and he wants to share that love with you too!! he’ll dress you up fancy beforehand, bought you a whole outfit😵‍💫

⌗ circling back to the reassurance thing.. despite his arrogance, he feels like he’s not good enough a lot. feels like a failed project in a sense, and views himself as less because of his degradation — it’s just a slow burn for him. but a little bit of affirmation on your end and the promise of wanting him for him helps a lot<3

⌗ who said i love you first.. hm, he seems like the type to say it without actually saying those specific words. i think he would have said it several times via poetry before you fully register that this man fr said he loved you. awkward on your end. but when the pieces finally clicked together, butterflies swarmed your stomach hella but you adored every minute of it🫶

⌗ he shows off his relationship with you at any chance he gets to sephiroth and zack, angeal kinda but not really.. but he’s just super proud to have you as his and makes sure that it’s known among his colleagues at shinra😭 clown behavior fr but you love it anyway, it’s always nice to feel wanted — even if your man is flashy about it..

➫ 𝓐𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝓗𝗘𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗬 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating angeal? being treated with lots of care and gentleness, bit of a mom for a boyfriend at times cuz he wants to make sure you’re taken care of, cradling your face in his hands like you’re his everything and saving you no matter the odds, like a guardian angel.

⌗ pda won’t um.. be so much, bro is very respectful of space and has to be proper or whatever because of honor!! that and he kinda has an image to upkeep, especially with zack around — gotta show the right example of having a significant other! but when you’re alone, he likes to hold you close and just enjoy your presence tbh

⌗ the love language.. let me see, i think he would be a mixture between acts of service and quality time. he enjoys being with you and any company he can get when he isn’t called on missions or babysitting training zack. when he can’t be present, he does things for you to express his love — genesis urges him to!!

⌗ okay let’s see.. the first date, well — again, cc timeline here too since he also, um, leaves.. ANYWAY. where was the location of the first date, you might ask, well.. the museum tbh! i think he would enjoy the calmness of it and just looking at different works of art.. except his most favorite work would fr distract him from any other scenes — that being you. so plan failed on his end, but you had enjoyed yourself lots, and that made him happy to witness🫶

⌗ the amount of panic he would feel if he saw you hurt, like bro is meant to protect you — he promised that he would.. so angeal would feel like he failed you in a sense for not being there to prevent your pain, but you remind him that he’s there now and that you feel safe again, grounded in spite of the hurt you earlier felt.

⌗ i think the first i love you would come from you cuz he just.. wouldn’t know the right time or chance to say it LMAO so you end up saying it which brings this look of shock to his face, but then a warm smile would stretch across his lips, knowing you felt the same as he did<3

⌗ can’t sleep? he’s got plenty of stories to tell about his childhood and some silly events during his missions. it feels foreign to hear this lighthearted, less mature side to him, but it’s also a breath of fresh air and makes you feel special that he allows you to see this more relaxed side to him that isn’t a stoic overly responsible SOLDIER🗣️

notes. whew oh boy uhh second time writing ffvii, i hope it turned out okay :’) i kinda wrote these out of order so some might seem longer or shorter but i hope you guys enjoy!! ik it’s different from the fandoms i write for, but welp this is where my brain has been🫡

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[ellenhghg]

˖⁺‧₊˚Final Fantasy 7 boys and sick s/o headcanons˚₊‧⁺˖

Because why not and also because I am too addicted to the games (and men) Headcanons for Cloud, Sephiroth pre- and post Nibelheim, Zack, Reno and Tseng

˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖ Cloud Strife ˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖

♡‧₊˚ Awkwardly hovers, unsure how to help but unwilling to leave your side ♡‧₊˚ Silently panics if it's more than a common cold, might call Tifa for advice ♡‧₊˚ Will literally fight the concept of germs if he could ♡‧₊˚ Unexpectedly good at giving forehead kisses to check your temperature ♡‧₊˚ Cloud's not great at nurturing talk, but he'll sit quietly by your bedside, holding your hand and offering silent support ♡‧₊˚ He gets adorably flustered if you need help bathing or changing clothes, but he'll do it without complaint

˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖ Pre Nibelheim Sephiroth ˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖

♡‧₊˚ Sephiroth takes a very methodical approach to your illness. He researches symptoms and treatments extensively ♡‧₊˚ Precisely measures medicine doses and tracks your symptoms in a notebook ♡‧₊˚ Awkwardly tries to comfort you, patting your head like you're a chocobo ♡‧₊˚ Uses his influence to get you the best medical care in Shinra ♡‧₊˚ Might work on reports by your bedside, just to keep you company ♡‧₊˚ Might accidentally intimidate the doctor with his intense concern for your well-being

˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖ Post Nibelheim Sephiroth ˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖

♡‧₊˚ Sees your illness as a weakness to be eliminated. He might try to "cure" you with Jenova cells, regardless of the consequences ♡‧₊˚ Your fever dreams get WILD with his influence ♡‧₊˚ Offers to "help" by turning you into a Sephiroth clone ♡‧₊˚ Alternates between obsessive caretaking and philosophical monologues about transcending mortal ailments ♡‧₊˚ Gets irrationally jealous of the attention your illness is "stealing" from him ♡‧₊˚ In his twisted mind, he might see the illness as a sign that you need to "ascend" with him to godhood.

˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖ Zack Fair ˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖

♡‧₊˚ Becomes the embodiment of a golden retriever, constantly asking if you need anything, possibly overwhelming you with care ♡‧₊˚ Tells terrible jokes to try and make you laugh/groan ♡‧₊˚ Insists on carrying you everywhere, even just to the bathroom ♡‧₊˚ Makes a pillow fort around you filled with every comfort item he can find ♡‧₊˚ Reads you stories, doing all the voices with great enthusiasm ♡‧₊˚ Ends up catching your cold because he refused to stop cuddling you

˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖ Reno ˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖

♡‧₊˚ Cracks jokes about your "zombie apocalypse transformation" ♡‧₊˚ Sneaks you into Shinra's top-tier medical facilities "for a check-up" ♡‧₊˚ Mixes up a "secret Turk remedy" that's suspiciously alcoholic ♡‧₊˚ Will binge-watch trashy TV shows with you without complaint ♡‧₊˚ Whines dramatically about catching your cold, but still refuses to leave your side ♡‧₊˚ Secretly very worried, checks on you frequently under the guise of "just happening to stop by"

˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖ Tsung ˖⁺‧₊˚ ♡ ˚₊‧⁺˖

♡‧₊˚ Efficiently organizes everything you might need, from medicines to entertainment ♡‧₊˚ Takes time off work to care for you (shocking everyone at Shinra) ♡‧₊˚ Reads reports to you as "bedtime stories" when you can't sleep ♡‧₊˚ Makes traditional Wutaian remedies, insisting they're more effective ♡‧₊˚ Secretly touches your forehead to check for fever when he thinks you're asleep ♡‧₊˚ Might use Turk surveillance techniques to monitor your condition

[salternateunreality2]

The boys when they get sick

Angeal: insists he's fine until it really kicks in, then groans the biggest, baddest, saddest, daddest groans known to man for the next week.

Genesis hires a nurse for him because he refuses to get anywhere near that mess. Angeal feels this is unnecessary, but can't find the energy to argue and lets it happen so as to at least not waste the help. Genesis also offers to read him to sleep OVER THE PHONE, HEWLEY.

He's mega depressed the whole time and rots more than he might if this wasn't how his father had died.

Sephiroth shows up with a vat of specially formulated cafeteria slop because he read that friends bring each other healing soup when they're sick. Angeal thanks him and muscles through eating as much as he can, even though it is vile and he feels queasy. Sephiroth goes away proud of himself for nailing this social interaction.

Zack bounces over, a little nervous, a little too enthusiastic, a little too chatty...but he notices the cafeteria slop, replaces it with what his mom coached him to make over the phone, and promises Angeal the slop will not go to waste. He secretly feeds it to his pet wererats in the slums.

Genesis: it's a national emergency and Angeal has to work from home to tend to him.

Genesis requires fluffed pillows, hand holding, and babying to a truly epic degree. Angeal indulges him because he was there during Gen's sickly childhood: during the scarlet fever that almost killed him, the pneumonia that almost destroyed his lungs, the bug that nearly dehydrated him to death, and many other ailments that always hit little Gen extra hard.

Sephiroth stops by with his vat of slop and Genesis informs him he is kind, but Genesis is too ill to partake at this moment; perhaps later if the spectre of death ceases to whisper his name. Sephiroth asks if the spectre ever calls Genesis her child and Angeal and Genesis raise some eyebrows.

Zack was proactively banned from the premises at the first sniffle, so he sends his trooper friend with Mama Fair's soup and orders to accidentally spill or steal any cafeteria slop. Cloud doesn't know how to act around all these firsts, so he waits until midnight, breaks into the apartment, removes the slop, and leaves the soup. Zack is proud and unsurprised at his cunning, and Angeal is bewildered.

Angeal doesn't question it too hard--cafeteria slop is a health hazard, and if it's gone, it's gone. Plus, he recognizes Mrs. Fair's handiwork and makes a mental note to lecture Zack later and check in on his friendships with the Turks.

Sephiroth: zombie mode.

He's not sick. Being sick would mean reporting to Hojo. He is Not. Sick.

He's fine.

Everything is fine.

Angeal: Sephiroth, why are you telling my ficus that you are healthy?

Sephiroth, still talking to the plant: Sephiroth is fully operational. All systems fucktioning. Go. No maintenance required. Mission reedy.

Angeal: Ok, new mission: sleep on Angeal's couch until you can focus both eyes at the same time.

Sephiroth, still talking to the plant: Mission accepted, thank you Mr. President. *Passes out on the couch for 19 hours, wakes up refreshed*

Zack: makes it everyone's problem, but insists he'll be fine and everyone should stay away. While he sits on the SOLDIER break room couch wrapped in blankets and sniffling up a storm.

It's fine, Angeal, you don't have to make him your super special soup that only you can make because he's so sad and sick. 🥺

Don't worry about it, Sephiroth, the slop can be given to hungry pets in the slums, Zack's just a little too tired right now. 🥺

Genesis, it is a little dramatic to wear a full hazmat suit. Zack's sitting in a public space, not your private office. 😒

Yeah Cloud, that's the best fucking popsicle ever, but don't get too close, Zack might be contagious (after Zack hugs him). 🥹

Cloud: doesn't say a damn thing.

Muscles through infantry work until he passes out and is thrown in medical until he can stand again, then sent out until he passes out a second time.

Zack finds out later and moves heaven, earth, Angeal, Genesis, and Sephiroth to ask some hard questions about treatment of the infantry staff while force-feeding Cloud soup.

Genesis wants to know why clearly contagious troopers are allowed out of isolation while still clearly contagious. Angeal wants to know why the company is wasting human resources instead of caring for them to prevent rust, dust, and plague. Sephiroth wants to know if Heidegger would like to tour the barracks and discuss things over a hearty bowl of slop.

[rebeccathenaturalist]

What Superman Taught Me About Saving the Planet

Originally posted on my website at https://rebeccalexa.com/what-superman-taught-me-about-saving-the-planet/

Well, 2024 is just about wrapped up–and what a year it’s been! A lot of us find the holidays to be reflective as well as celebratory, and I think it would be fair to say that after this year a lot of us are just downright exhausted. That’s why it’s important for us to turn off the news and work emails and other serious things, and give ourselves some much-needed “brain breaks” as I like to call them. As I’ve been indulging in some time off during my winter break, it’s gotten me thinking about what attracts me to various fictional media and the characters within–and how I can never really escape the things that are most important to me.

Most of you all know me through my natural history work, but hang around me long enough and it becomes glaringly obvious that I’m a pretty big nerd, too. I play D&D and other tabletop roleplaying games a few times a month, my comfort movies include The Lord of the Rings trilogy and multiple Studio Ghibli movies, and I’ve enjoyed comic books since I was in my single digits. I started out with my sister’s old Archie comics and the compendium of Walt Kelly’s Pogo strips that I read near to falling apart every time we visited my paternal grandmother. I’ve since expanded to a variety of comics ranging from the past few decades of DC/Marvel superhero fodder to a hodgepodge of indie titles and even the occasional manga (lately I’ve been borrowing my best friend’s collection of Dungeon Meshi.)

What's all this have to do with nature and Superman and saving the planet? Click "keep reading" to find out!

Walt Kelly was also my introduction to political and social commentary, even if I didn’t understand a lot of it until I was older. (Image source here.)

As I’ve gotten older, I find myself revisiting characters I’ve been rather ho-hum about in the past, including the big three DC flagship heroes. Historically I’ve enjoyed the exploits of the Bat-Family (the Cataclysm/No Man’s Land arc will always be a favorite re-read), and Gail Simone’s fresh takes got me interested in Wonder Woman again. But Superman? The Big Blue Boy Scout? I hadn’t really paid much attention to him since Smallville was first on TV (though admittedly I did mock the ’90s mullet a few years prior). I haven’t gotten caught up on the Injustice years, in part because I heard secondhand how much the writers just absolutely slaughtered Superman’s characterization by turning him into an absolute totalitarian. And I haven’t been impressed by what I’ve seen of Zack Snyder’s edgy version of him, either.

To be very honest, I’m rather tired of the tendency to grimdark everything that started out as vaguely wholesome (*coughRiverdalecough*). I can appreciate that sort of subversion from an artistic perspective, but personally I’ve grown weary of tragedy, dystopia, and depressing endings. I guess I’ve spent so much time trying to keep myself buoyed up while working to make this world a better place that I can’t get into vicarious distress via media. Hence my leaning harder into Ghibli movies, re-reading Linda Medley’s Castle Waiting collections (my all-time favorite graphic novels!), and other stories that manage to avoid being saccharine while wrapping up with a happy ending.

So it’s no surprise that when this set of panels from Superman Red and Blue #5 first caught my attention a while back, I was intrigued. I feel that Daniel Warren Johnson–who wrote, drew, and lettered the story–really captured the heart of Superman as a character. In every thing he does, he repeats the words that Ma and Pa Kent raised him with from the first moment, no matter how difficult the situation. What people like Snyder often miss is that Supes isn’t just some overpowered, one-dimensional do-gooder in a black and white world. Sure, his earliest appearances in the likes of Action Comics had him beating up the bad guys, but his lore has been expanded since then.

He’s a being of two worlds; he’s had to balance his Kryptonian nature with his Earthly nurture. He came of age on a farm in rural Kansas, raised by two kind-hearted human beings who taught him compassion and responsibility, and helped him adjust to being one of a kind in a world that often punishes differences. He’s polite and kind, and more sensitive than he’s often given credit for. Like any superhero he finds himself having to make difficult decisions, and villains often use his compassion against him (like the classic “two helpless people are in peril–who will you choose to save?” trope, in which our hero manages to save them both). And he’s had to deal with morally gray areas, in which his desire to do what’s right comes up against the question of what “right” really is in that context.

I can relate to that conflict. When we’re kids, I think a lot of us buy into the black and white, good and evil, right and wrong dichotomy we’re fed not just because before a certain point our brains just have trouble parsing a certain level of complexity, but also because the adults in our lives want to protect us from life’s difficulties as long as possible, knowing what we all eventually have to wrestle with. The older we get, the more apparent it becomes that life doesn’t have a lot of easy answers, and situations are rarely simple. As a kid I was convinced all the loggers who wanted to cut down forests where the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caudia) nested were evil, Captain-Planetesque baddies who just wanted to see the world burn. As an adult, I still disagree with the push to log old-growth and otherwise structurally complex forests because I have an even greater understanding of the ecological implications thereof. But I also have more empathy for my fellow human beings who are afraid of losing their livelihood with no easy replacement, victims of the whims of the market and logging company C-suites. And I have the knowledge to understand that domestic sawmill closures are complex and aren’t solely due to the protection of older forests and their endangered denizens.

But I think what I loved the most about Johnson’s panels above is that they show that Superman, born as Kal-El and raised as Clark Kent, never lost his roots in love. His coming to Earth was a last desperate attempt of love by his biological parents, Lara and Jor-El, to save him from a dying planet. And he grew up enfolded in the love of Martha and Jonathan Kent, which he carries with him into every action he takes as Superman, whether he is saving someone from a burning building, visiting kids in a cancer ward, or sharing pizza with a group of homeless people. When he looks upon the populace of Metropolis, and then zooms out to space and looks back at our blue marble of a planet, all he can think to say in that overwhelming moment is “You are special. I love you. I’m so proud of you.”

I know that can be a hard thing to say to our species at this moment in time, as our actions have caused the extinction of so many other species, destroyed their habitats, caused a catastrophic shift in the planet’s many systems. But my psych training is rooted in humanistic psychology, and Carl Rogers’ idea of unconditional positive regard–the idea that even as we hold people accountable for their actions we always extend compassion to them, and hold space for them to do and become better. And I’m also reminded of deep ecologist Arne Naess’ concept of the ecological self, which includes the parameter “We certainly need to hear about our ethical shortcomings from time to time, but we change more easily through encouragement and a deepened perception of reality and our own self.”

And I see that final panel of Superman–Kal-El–Clark Kent–floating in space, beholding the entirety of the Earth and experiencing its beauty and fragility and sheer miraculous existence in what has been termed the Overview Effect. He is embodying the very best of who we can be, creatures so immersed in our love for our fellow living beings and our beautiful planet that it directs our every action. Even with all the ugliness and violence and sheer, unnecessary horrors he has seen people enact, he still holds and embodies immense hope for a better future for everyone, human and otherwise.

And that’s my Superman, who cynicism and malice bounce off of like bullets. Sure, if you look at the character as just a one-note musclebound power fantasy wrapped up in spandex, he’s boring after a while; you can only have so much “beat up the bad guys and save the day” before it becomes rote. But that’s never who he was in the first place. While, like other characters, he will always be influenced by whoever’s writing him this time around, one of Superman’s most enduring fundamental traits is his perennial hope and optimism that no matter how dark things get we will still rally to make the world a better place. And if not letting Superman down is what it takes to keep me trying in the face of insurmountable odds, well, here’s to truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.

Did you enjoy this post? Consider taking one of my online foraging and natural history classes or hiring me for a guided nature tour, checking out my other articles, or picking up a paperback or ebook I’ve written! You can even buy me a coffee here!

[strayheartless]

Au where, instead of Degrading and deserting, Genesis goes poking around the Labs after his injections and finds three silver haired toddlers.

At first he is disgusted by their existence, because it’s clear they made from Sephiroth’s DNA. But then he pokes his nose in even further, reading file after file. He feels sick as he reads how Loz was a the first born from Hojo and Hollander grudgingly working with both Sephiroth and Angeals DNA. He positively throws up when he Reads Kadaj’s file and finds himself staring into the little boys face only to see himself at that age staring back.

Yazoo is a mix of sephiroth and someone labeled as “specimen I”. That one Genesis doesn’t know, but as he looks over the youngest -barely a toddler, still a baby really - he sees that old traumatised look that Seph used to carry around with him.

… so Genesis does what any insane and irrational Soldier who’s just found out he’s a dad would.

He kidnaps the kids.

The way he deserts is instead by spiriting three little kids out to the middle of nowhere Wutai and sending covert word to Sephiroth and Angeal -only when he’s sure they are away from the shinra building. He spends weeks simply having a mini breakdown over parenting, while also doing the best that he can. It’s hard and at times he’s pretty sure he’s gone insane from the fact that Kadaj has a capital A attitude.

Loz cries constantly. It’s a never ending stream of abandonment issues and cuddles with that kid. Yazoo stares at things that aren’t there, and when he’s not doing that he rejects most formula and screaming in hunger. It’s hell.

When Angeal and Sephiroth turn up they do so with the second class puppy Zack Fair, the bucket head know it all Kunsel Zelda, and a tiny little infantryman named Cloud who is surprisingly good with kids.

Sephiroth takes the news of the children’s existence hard but better than Genesis thought he would. He only walks out for about 20 minutes before he comes back in and sits in the corner with the files. He doesn’t really engage with his three children yet but Genesis expected actual bloodshed, so… he’ll take it.

Angeal -for his part- immediately picks up Loz, who is more then happy to be cuddled and just sits down with his son, getting to know his little face and how hard his little hands can grip. He talks to him quietly and after a while, with Loz still parked on his hip he goes to say a soft hello to Yazoo who’s fussing in his cot.

Kadaj -ever Genesis’ son (someone remind him to send a flower basket to his childhood nanny’s) - is not pleased with being ignored. He is getting grouchy and throwing his teething toys around, and Genesis is about to go over and intervene when the young infantryman kneels down in front of the child.

He hands the toy back to Kadaj who seems to be captured by the man’s big blue eyes. Thus begins Kadaj’s life long obsession with his uncle Cloud, who must give him (and only him) attention at all times…

Honestly Genesis should have known. It’s HIS son.

Eventually Sephiroth looks up when Yazoo starts to cry properly. Genesis is immediately at the crib with the latest formula in a long list of attempts. He rocks Yazoo and tries to get him to settle. The milk stays down this time but Yazoo still can’t be consoled. Everyone is very shocked by how Calm Genesis seems to be about it. He’s only muttering the occasional “please baby this is irrational!” And a “if I go insane I’m taking the thereby bill out of your collage fund kiddo.”

That’s when Sephiroth comes up behind him and pets the babies hair over Gens shoulder. Yazoo quiets almost immediately and Gens too relieved to be irritated or jealous (though it’s Genesis so expect it in the future.). He simply hands Yazoo over gently and goes to collapse on the sofa next to Zack the puppy who’s helping Cloud and Kunsel entertain a very smug looking Kadaj.

“Your a little attention whore…” Gen mutters to him, gently pinching the babies cheek.

“Pot meet kettle,” Angeal laughs shakily and Gen tsks.

For the next few months they fall into a silent routine. While the Babies like being fussed over by these new dads and uncles, they still cling to Genesis as their main caregiver. A few times Genesis has to legitimately barricade himself into the bathroom just to get some peace in this suddenly very busy house.

Angeal seems to recognise this and often takes over, while Sephiroth is still too unsure to do much more than feed Yazoo and lay with him. It makes a difference though. Truly.

Zack is the entertainment guy. He can make them all giggle themselves stupid with a funny look. Kunsel seems to be taking their education very seriously. And Cloud seems to think it’s important that they know about the outside world; showing them plants and animals and helping Angeal teach them about growing food and lifecycles.

Genesis never wanted to be a dad. He never had the desire. But being those three tiny tyrants father is possibly the best thing he could have asked for. He may not ever know that he is the worlds saviour, but he is certainly okay being his children’s hero.

[prismaticpichu]

Zack decides to bake some cookies for his BEST FRIENDS <3, but he reads the recipe wrong and does a teaspoon of sugar and 2 cups of salt.

How, uh, does that go?

🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂

Shshshsshh 🤣❤️ I actually needed some salt for my scrambled eggs, funny enough!! *showers crystals onto breakfast* <333

Ahhhhh, Zack… that is SUCH a thing the pup would do 🤣💙 I imagine it going something like:

~

“Orddeeerrrr up!”

The resulting boom of wood hitting drywall could’ve very well been compared to a grenade being thrown through the door, at least when taking into account how the sheer magnitude of their visitor’s entrance sent both Genesis and Angeal tumbling off the couch and onto the floor in a startled, yelping mass.

Not Sephiroth, though.

He just more or less glanced up from his book, sitting in the plushiest chair in the SOLDIER First Class Lounge.

“Hello, Fair,” he nodded, smiling nonchalantly as his two friends peeled themselves from off the cold hard floor, straightening. “What brings you here?”

“Yes—good question, Sephiroth.” Genesis dusted himself off, trying to ignore the potential damage to his ribcage, mako-lit eyes snapping toward the puppy—then Angeal. “Angeal, chum... how did your student get in here?”

Angeal pulled himself up, cracking his back, looking somewhat sheepish. “I... well, I did give him a key,” he admitted, and it sounded as if he was starting to regret it.

“Oh, I forgot the key!” Zack kicked the door shut behind him, leaving the implications hidden behind his nonchalant smil—

“So you kicked the door open?” Genesis saw right through the grin, an he didn’t like it.

“Sure did.”

“Why?”

“Well, you wouldn’t let me in if I knocked.”

Genesis huffed, his eyes floating back toward Angeal with a certain woodenness, opening his mouth again to speak:

“Gen, don’t start,” Angeal sighed.

“Oh, I’m starting,” Genesis folded his arms, the familiar embers sparking in his gaze. “I don’t understand—this is the First Class common room. Why would you ever even tell the kid where this room was to begin with? I mean, really, we deal with the younglings every day; do you know how many of his little friends he’s probably told by now? Before we know it, this place will be infested with them—”

“He brought cookies,” Sephiroth pointed out.

“Like, for Minerva’s sake...—wait, cookies?” Genesis repeated, pulling his head out his metaphorical hind to see Zack had indeed pulled out a small baggie of chocolate chip cookies from his pocket, and his eyes widened. “Those aren’t for us... are they?”

“‘Course they are!” Zack proudly chirped, peeling open the baggie to pull three fresh-baked sweets out. “Wanted to make something sweet tor ShinRa’s sweetest SOLDIERs. Made ‘em myself.”

Genesis’s eyes widened further, the embers suddenly smothered as he gestured for Zack to enter. “Well, what are you standing by the door for? Come in, come in! We’d love to have you here!”

His own eyes gleaming, Zack bounded into the heart of the lounge where all three Firsts were situated, dishing out the delicious treats to each of his wonderful heroes.

“Much obliged!” Genesis thanked, graciously accepting the offered the cookie.

“Thank you,” Sephiroth nodded with a faint smile, offering Zack a secret hair-ruffle before the boy skipped over to his mentor.

“Thanks, pup,” Angeal chuckled warmly, studying the cookie as one would a fine gemstone. “You really made these yourself?”

“You bet!” Zack beamed. “Right in my kitchen.”

“And these aren’t just ‘Tonberry House�� dough you put in the oven?” his mentor smirked.

“Nope, nope! Made ‘em from scratch, right down to the eggs and sugar!”

Not that they needed to know of the mess he had so kindly dubbed, “the egg-plosion.”

He could always just repaint the walls.

“Well,” Angeal’s smirk softened into another warm grin, reining Zack back to the present as he brought the cookie to his lips. “They look wonderful, pup. Good texture, good chocolate chip-cookie ratio~”

“Indeed...” Genesis hummed, then happily took the liberty of taking the first bite—

“Enjoy...!”

—”OH!”

And, in an instant, Genesis dropped the cookie as if it were a steaming hot potato—which, all things considered, it probably could have been, given just how... how...

How malevolently SALTY the things were!

The flood of ungodly flavor surged into his mouth like a salted ocean of chocolate and dough, any semblance of sweetness engulfed in the thirsty saltiness, and Genesis found himself overcoming his extreme mysophobia as he grabbed Sephiroth’s water bottle and took a generous swig; then, as he continued to chug the liquid, he found the water bottle seized from his mouth as Angeal chugged the water for himself, bombarded with the same horrid assault on his senses, unintentionally catalyzing a desperate tug-of-war over the magical remedy, each managing to take a rapid sip before it was rapidly tugged away, and this pathetic display continued until nary a single bead of water was left in the silver vessel, completely drained like hungry dogs lapping at a puddle.

Only then, as the two SOLDIERs stood there panting, did the world come back into focus.

...What.

In.

Minerva’s.

MUFFIN—

Genesis’s eyes narrowed, and he glared at the spiky-haired First, who had sucessfully been, like the poor water bottle, drained off any color on his face.

“...ZACKARY—” he started again.

“I... uh...”

“You put... SALT in the COOKIES?”

“...You know, now that i’m thinking about it... I may have grabbed the wrong—”

“What kinda moronic JOKE was that?!”

“...Sugar does kinda look like salt...”

“Do I LOOK like I’m laughing?!”

“...They are both crystaline...”

“DO I?”

“...Should I start running?”

“I’M GONNA KILL YOU.”

And the chase ensued, a blur of red leather hounding a poor, good-hearted SOLDIER out the door, down the hallway, and probably all through the building:

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m SORRY...!”

“Genesis...!” Angeal shouted—coughed—already smelling the flames, and he took off after his friend in fear of his dear student’s life. “Don’t you dare...!”

Meanwhile, Sephiroth remained in the First Class lounge, quite relaxed in his chair, and quite enjoying himself as he casually finished the salt-showered cookie in his hand.

He shrugged.

“I like it.”

And little he know that, his water bottle, sitting completely drained on the floor, had just inadvertently his spread anti-degradation DNA through the bodies of his two closest friends.

The world was saved.

[ff7-has-taken-me-over]

Angeal shot another glance toward his protege, wincing when the man mad a particularly harsh stab at the edge of a potato, fork skimming off the side and screeching across the plate instead.

When he turned back to Genesis it was obvious he’d have to intervene soon otherwise he’d be passing Zack’s ashes off to his parents with a mildly apologetic Genesis in tow.

He sighed quietly, mentally prepping himself for the ensuing conversation before giving Zack a small smile.

“Zack are you alright? You seem to be… distracted, tonight.” Genesis scoffed none too quietly, but Zack paid it no mind. Instead he dropped his fork on his plate, heedless of the noise it made as he crossed his arms and glared down at it.

“I’m fine. Just the thirds being annoying again.” Angeal frowned, this time with more concern for Zack’s actual problem rather than the safety of his person.

Genesis only seemed interested in the possible drama their puppy was presenting them with, leaning forward and propping his chin on his linked hands.

“Oh? They must’ve done something especially upsetting if it has you in a mood like this. You didn’t even react this way when they stained your three uniforms for the week and got you in trouble with the equipment stores.”

Angeal remembered those few months and Zack’s near constant complaints about being a mule as punishment, they hadn’t been very fun. Genesis was right though, the young SOLDIER had taken it all on with a smile and tired eyes, shrugging it off as newbies having their fun. This seemed much worse than that.

“Zack are you sure you’re alright? You can report them to Lazard if they get too out of hand.” Zack snorted, glare hardening as he grumbled underneath his breath. Unfortunately for him though the two other people in the room had enhanced hearing.

“Can’t exactly report someone for asking out your best friend.” The pieces quickly clicked together in Angeal’s head, silent understanding coming over him whereas Genesis made a mixed noise of interest and surprise.

“The little blond one that I wouldn’t mind inviting into our bed?” Zack turned his glare on Genesis, and for once it actually made the red head back down rather quickly with how vicious it was. Angeal actually felt his hackles raise with it, body tensing as if he was readying himself to jump in front of his lover if the situation called for it.

Zack didn’t jump across the table like he so obviously wanted to though, merely gritting his teeth and giving a stiff nod. Genesis nodded back, looking far more forgiving than he usually would have as he sighed softly.

“Zachary, I hope you’re not being all possessive over the boy when you were the one that shot him down when he confessed to you not too long ago.”

Said man let out a sigh of his own, slumping in his chair and letting all the tension drain out of him. He just looked defeated now, so sad and forlorn that it looked like his hair was also drooping with the weight.

“I know… I just- I finally figured myself out and I was planning on apologising and confessing with this whole plan I had. But I overheard one of the third classes talking about a date he had with Cloud and I chickened out. Got too scared I’d missed my chance and angry at myself for being so stupid.”

Angeal, despite being fairly level headed and the honour bound SOLDIER he was, was actually quite out of his depth when it came to emotions. Especially so when it came to matters of the heart. But there was a reason Genesis was known as his better half.

“Well I don’t know much about your little blond or how he is with other people but I do know how he is with you. I also know the Zack Fair we know and begrudgingly love doesn’t give up at the first sign of trouble, let alone allow himself to be too scared of anything.”

Zack didn’t look as defeated anymore, looking at Genesis with glossy eyes that looked just a touch hopeful. The red head beside him looked as if he was giving a speech to his troops, inspiring them and being every bit the flamboyant, confident man Angeal had fallen hard for at 16.

“Apologise to Cloud for being too far in the closet and then carry out your stupid plan puppy. You’d be surprised how long he’s been waiting for you to realise a thing or two. Is probably still waiting if we’re being honest.”

Zack’s hair didn’t look as droopy anymore, eyes gaining that determined glint as he nodded and stood from his chair quickly, “Ok!”

He ran out before either of them could get a word out, slamming their front door shut and leaving them in the ensuing silence. Angeal turned toward his partner, pride gleaming in his eyes as he smiled at the other.

“Have I ever told you just how much I love you?” Genesis scoffed, waving him off as he picked up his wine glass.

“Of course you have, we would never have gotten this far if you hadn’t. Though it wouldn’t hurt to hear it more often.”

Angeal laughed, endlessly fond and in love as he leant across to kiss his partner on the cheek. Genesis accepted it with only the barest hint of a blush, smiling into his wine as he averted his eyes.

[bitterarcs]

(  ❛  Seriously? ❜  )

It was not the wisest of responses nor was it a response that anyone was expecting. For a young hot-head, Reno knew better when it was the appropriate time to allow his personality to escape without restrictions and when to be absolutely civil. His obedience was perfectly crafted and had fallen out of his grasp in an instant. It was the nature of the beast, of a foul-mouthed and foul-tempered street kid who fought and clawed for a position outside of the slums. With a sharp look directed his way, Reno returned to civility with a nod of both acceptance and apology.

There were a few Turks who routinely concealed sticks up their asses, but none quite carried an entire tree trunk like the leader of the Turks. It was amazing Verdot managed to keep the integrity of his rectum! The scarlet haired Turk remained professional throughout the rest of the debriefing, only uttering a response when absolutely necessary, and only after the meeting did he allow himself to sigh and grumble in the presence of his partner. WHY HIM? The question was extremely warranted. Was it a punishment, or a test?

He thought himself beyond needing to be tested, however working under the iron fist of ShinRa Senior was a daily test of willpower and strength. If the President so wished it, all the Turks could be benched as office workers or janitors or chocobo wranglers. Rude with his quiet judgement did not perceive the huge issue, then again the bald and brilliant had been a stable asset since day one, or so Reno assumed. There was no doubting Reno's loyalties or his skills, but he did run . . hot, adrenaline fueled, injury prone, liability enthusiast, and extremely talented above all.

He would not be a Turk, one of the best of the best, was he not skilled and professional. As they said ( they being Reno ) the most gifted were often perceived as odd or rough around the edges. His kind of perfection was simply difficult to appreciate. Rude appreciated it to some degree, though that had taken a bit of time and mutual respect. Would the little SOLDIER boy be able to recognize how perfect Reno was? It didn't matter. Some SOLDIER's opinion, even if it was from Sephiroth himself, did not matter. It was Reno who was stuck. It was. . what'shisface who should cared what Reno thought of him.

Although he was not in command of the Turks, being A Turk put him in a place of superiority and leadership. So, being a position of power, he actually liked working with the gun grunts. Nameless and faceless hero-wannabes were just so fun to push around and test in the battlefield. Ans sure, maybe Reno enjoyed watching them train for more than just the sadism. Reno, however, drew the line at watching and bossing around; being assigned to work WITH a SOLDIER was an insult, a newly appointed 2nd class no less. Reno was going to put him through the ifrit-damned ringer.

(  ❛  What, looking for a reward? ❜  )

A dog treat perhaps  — he just barely bit back. He wouldn't hesitate bullying the grunts around, but Zack Fair was a 2nd class after all. Was he deserving of the position or was ShinRa desperate? Reno felt as though his tongue would be cut out just by thinking that. ShinRa liked its soldiers young, but damn, Zack looked like he came out of a camp in the country. The Turk had actually noticed Fair before, having peeked in the rigorous SOLDIER training sessions, but this was his first time seeing him up and close. There was light in his eyes. What an idiot. He wanted to be a hero just like Sephiroth, didn't he?

(  ❛  Let's just get this over with. In and out. Got it? I know you're sooo happy to be showing off that shiny new status. Show me what a 2nd class is all about, yo. ❜  )

Gemstone eyes scanned Zack's body up and done purposefully as he swung his electro mag-rod with practiced arrogance. Everything about Reno was loud. Loud mouth, loud hair, cleavage, and the strut of his walk. Two hours away from the civilization of Midgar, the redhead was already looking forward to returning to the boisterous city. He would be knocking back drinks by the end of the day or else. The electro mag-rod pressed docile against his left shoulder as he turned his head over the right to peer at the SOLDIER boy.

(  ❛  Fuuuck, it's way too hot out here. ❜  )

starter for @fateofflames

[voidrika]

man's best friend

zakkura week (end) // 7k words hehehe... :3 // dead dove i think

zack fair was cloud strife's first boy friend. 

second friend in general after tifa, but did she even count? the other snot-nosed kids were no match for him, and he was no match for tifa. just another nameless face. cloud knew he wouldn't stick in tifa’s memory til he hurt her real bad, but her overprotective parents would make his life a living hell. zack, however? now, that boy was lock and key with cloud. it only took a little time to get him fitting right.

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

cloud looked out of his window for the third time since he'd woken, the bitter wish for something dangerously exciting to happen swirling in his gaze. no, the sky wasn't falling. no, there weren't any big-shots coming to visit. but, yes, something– someone had popped up. an unfamiliar face cloud had to know. there stood a young man, he had to be around cloud's age, hair black and eyes bright blue. he smiled even brighter as the sunlight beamed onto his tan skin. his clothes were… cloud's expression changed. his pink bottom lip jutted out, feathery lashes bunching closer together as he squinted. just what the hell kind of person wore outfits like that. there was an obvious conclusion cloud did not want to make. oh, maybe it really was a big-shot. celebrities and their quirks, right? maybe… cloud could get an autograph.

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

cloud first met zack and he was jealous of the air around him. cloud had wanted to catch him alone, watching and waiting until the buzz around a new face settled and all returned to their usual business. patient and holding faith zack wouldn't run into tifa, that would do worse than screw up things for cloud. he was lucky and had to find a god to thank for the attractive pair not bumping into each other, getting pulled together like magnets do.

down the stairs and out the door, cloud forgot to greet his mother (who only laughed at him being ‘late to the party,’) as he rushed towards the stranger he was dying to know. what was he doing standing around like that anyways? only an idiot could get lost in nibelheim.

cloud's footsteps on the cobblestone path came to a halt a couple metres from the tourist. his breath hitched, heart heavy as he fought for cool air, any closer and cloud thought he could suffocate. it hurt to look. cloud's baby blues followed the path of the man at his front, aimed in the distance. ah, the mansion. cloud pinched his soft skin and wet his thin lips.

“you never seen a building before?”

circle lenses met, matched, connected. 

in that almost glowing shade of blue, cloud saw his new lifeblood. 

zack changed stance to face cloud, gloved hand on his hip and teeth gritted at the perceived hostility. 

what a face that was. what a good face.

uneven tufts of black hair framed and obstructed zack's boyish features. brave and edible. 

cloud chewed the insides of his mouth, putting more weight onto the ground to keep from running away. zack shrugged and shook his head, spiky strands bouncing from the motion.

“not any that look like that, no, there's nothing like that where i'm from. i'm not a local,” he tried to explain under the assumption cloud was simply ignorant to a world outside his hometown.

“obviously,” cloud muttered, “anyone with eyes can tell that much.”

cloud chewed back a grin, eyes on the mansion, mind on masculinity. 

he was making an impression, being worth noticing, he was talking right. 

cloud was making a friend.

zack was getting pissed off.

the journey to nibelheim was not one bit smooth nor relaxing. zack was tired and his belly ached with hunger.

were it not for the overwhelming hospitality of the town’s other residents, he may have forgotten himself.

he would already be tussling that punk on the ground.

his fist tightened by reflex as he closed the distance between himself and cloud. if he wanted to fight, zack could definitely fight his puny ass. 

cloud's round eyes widened until they were a near circle and the oxygen he tried so hard to get back was escaping him again. he craned his head up to no longer be eye to neck with zack and tightened his expression.

“seriously,” zack scoffed, “you scared?”

cloud's lips quirked up.

“why the hell should i be scared? i grew up here. i know everyone, and everything. buildings don't scare me. wanna-” he ran out of breath, but was quick to inhale more. “wanna see?”

zack was stunned into silence, but before long a snicker broke through that burst into a laugh. he slapped cloud on the shoulder and bent forwards in his direction.

“what the… fuck are you talking about, dude?”

cloud tilted his head in confusion and he knew he wouldn't be able to last much longer at this proximity.

“what?”

zack coughed out one last laugh before steadying himself, giving cloud’s shoulder a squeeze before he let go.

“who said you were scared of buildings��?”

“you did.”

“i did?”

“... whatever.” cloud could feel himself blushing and faced the other way to hide it. 

“are you coming or not? let's go see the mansion.”

cloud started to walk, but stopped right as zack began to follow.

“also,” the blond spoke up, despite his racing heart, “it's not ‘dude,’ it's cloud.”

the boy behind him grinned. 

“zack!”

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

as their backs rested upon the log of the large tree opposite to the mansion, cloud divulged the building's dark history in its entirety to zack. 

“you sure know a lot about this stuff,” zack remarked, tossing a fallen apple in his hand. 

he was mindful of his arm strength and careful not to grip too hard when he caught it as the fruit was soft and overripe. 

kinda gross. 

cloud watched on with envy, his fingers digging into the dirt at the tree's base, seeing how safe zack was in his own skin. he could look right into cloud's eyes, laugh and smile without holding back, say all he wanted. no stupid mental barriers restraining him. it couldn't be fair.

“i grew up here,” cloud reminded, “what else should i know?”

“never left home?”

a shake of the head.

“damn, dude! aren't you sick of here yet? don't get me wrong, it's a nice place, but still…”

zack rotated the fruit, inspecting it as a smirk broke onto his face.

“cloud, you ever heard of a dumbapple?”

the nibelheim encyclopedia was preparing to answer when, without giving him time to blink, zack shrieked as he all but fired his rotten apple at the mansion’s stone fencing. 

cloud jumped in his seat, fingers releasing the dirt beneath him, and zack apologised. 

cloud watched the gooey mess run down the wall before his attention returned where it would always stay from that day forward. 

the new boy looked ashamed, embarrassed. 

the confident boy looked humbled as his gaze met the ground by cloud. 

zack had a sort of face cloud thought only belonged to himself, but here someone else was with it. 

black eyelashes became ever more visible from the narrowed state of his eyes. his bottom lip was hidden under the top one, and it seemed he was doing all he could not to stick his thumb between them. 

without his acknowledgement of the strange new feeling he was experiencing, cloud's legs came to hug one another, his mouth felt hot and dry. 

all of them. 

all of zack's faces were perfect for cloud and yet too good to be true. 

really, what was this feeling?

it was threatening to consume cloud whole, and he was happy to let it, but zack had to interrupt.

“... bug,” he mumbled, “i saw a gross bug.” his smile returned, this time with shy accents.

“that was pretty uncool of me, huh?”

that's what this was about? cloud swallowed and clutched his knees, forcing his thighs closer together.

“whatever.”

zack seemed to ease at that word, growing familiar with it.

“i have fruit at home. my mom's home to cook for us,” cloud invited, “the food is good.”

probably not as good as in the lockhart home, but still edible. still a way of getting zack in his home. he could enjoy it.

“for real?”

he pat his stomach over his shirt, and cloud had no doubt there were abs underneath the fabric, his usual cheery demeanor returning.

“i'm like dying of hunger. i'd eat anything,” zack complained, stretching with a shaky exhale. 

cloud stood after a hesitant pause, leading his new friend home.

“i'll feed you good,” cloud promised and couldn't help smiling. 

he was taking zack to his home.

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

at the dining table, cloud sat so close to zack their elbows would rub together were they to use fork and knife respectively. it happened often enough for it to count. 

the dinner's host developed a silver tongue when convincing his mother to make something worth eating. inquiries about the town inn were shut down by cloud spinning some bullshit about wanting his friend to ‘save gil in case of an emergency.’ 

zack did not butt in.

cloud insisted. 

the meal was made, the friend could stay, but not all cloud wanted was his. 

zack would be crashing on the couch, so the envious boy savoured every moment this close to his object of desire.

it was a fight to take his eyes off of him. dinner tonight was good, hot. mashed potatoes, beef, and even gravy. 

to a starving man, it must have been heaven. it was clear zack's manners were wrestling with his hunger.

“man, this stuff is good!”

without even looking, zack's grin could be heard in his dear voice. 

“thank you for the meal, mrs. strife!”

his food disappeared with big bites, small sighs of delight released as he chewed. 

pale hands clutched cutlery hard enough to hurt, blond hair cascaded over his face. 

cloud could not look.

stolen glances made attempts on his life.

his mother downplayed the onslaught of compliments with a laugh.

“you flatter me. haven't you eaten this countless times? my boy must be tired of it by now. right, cloud?”

he shook his head, speaking for the first time since zack began eating.

“no, mom, it's really good.”

zack's affirmative nod was packed with enthusiasm, the food in his system clearly restoring his energy levels back to their usual.

“yes, ma'am! this is damn good! you ever been a chef before?”

that gained a scoff.

“where? nothing like a restaurant here, boy.”

“i know that,” zack grumbled, “i meant, like, in a past life or something…”

the woman nearly cackled with her laughter.

zack turned his head towards cloud's and beamed, hoping the joke landed with him too, and downed another forkful of food.

from seeing that content face, cloud's heart was close to flatlining.

damn couch.

if only he was a little luckier, to sleep with zack that night. 

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

a groan left dry lips as cloud awoke from a strange dream. his back resting on the headboard, thin fingers combed wild hair from eyes. 

he had been with zack in a way that brought so much joy it had taste. he could feel the sweet, bitter lemon clinging to his taste buds. taste of him. boy with unkept dark hair, long enough to be grabbed. tugged in cloud's direction, then their lips would meet. wet pink wrapped around wet pink, and cloud tasted the citrus fruit. sweetest damn thing he'd ever had, bitter enough to make him whine. zack drank it up and placed a firm hand over cloud's smaller one, coaxing movement towards a large bulge. dark lashes fluttered with embarrassing need, and zack gave cloud those puppy dog eyes.

such a strange dream.

pulling off his blanket, it took him a few seconds to notice. fuzzy-brained. 

his boxers were barely holding on, as if they were the wrong size and way too small. he was hard, but when had it ever been like this?

he remembered times when tifa picked out bolder pieces from her closet, showing off full, supple breasts. those were nice. he was reminded of the trembling of his hand, wishing to squeeze and grab hold of the milky flesh, how he imagined running his thumb over a hardened nipple. that made him blush and gasp and smile, yet was less than his current predicament.

he'd stumbled upon a raunchy magazine once. those images, perfect captures of a teenage boy's wet dreams, were not enough to take cloud where he is now. 

he thought back to the day before, his mind assaulted with images of zack. zack bashful, his blushing face painted past angelic with help of the sun setting behind him. 

cloud's dick twitched.

zack’s stupid sounds as he ate like a man who never had. zack's face so close to his own after cloud had riled him up a bit. 

zack, zack… zack. 

ah, he'd definitely made a stain.

and cloud had thought his thing stopped working after he'd stayed soft for so long. must have been boredom. a pet took that away, he supposed. with cuteness and aggression and bumping elbows at the dining table. wolfing down food with gentle moans. 

fuck, zack was cute.

just this once.

nimble fingers crawled under, pulling down his boxers to cling his mid-thighs. it sprung up, begging to be cared for, needing attention. cloud tested and teased himself. taking his thumb to circle his pink tip. it matched the colour of his lips. 

he was so hard it hurt, but he gritted his teeth and took it. one thumb was joined by four more fingers, wrapping around his length and squeezing. all five travelling down… up… down… up…

“ahh..”

he hissed in pain and sighed in delight. 

cloud shut his eyes to focus, thinking of his friend. he wished he had more memories to cycle through, but he only met him the day before.

that's good enough. he could make some up.

zack's hand holding cloud’s, his eyes on him. cloud leading him, teaching him, owning him. he was the better man. 

for zack to ask questions, and cloud to be the answer. for the taller boy to want for him and beg for his help.

with those puppy dog eyes.

“ah.. mm…”

cloud couldn't take it much longer, beginning to pump himself at a faster pace.

zack…

cloud should have let him start a fight.

to tackle him to the ground and be on top of him, treated to the sight of his defeated face. 

he wanted to have his hands all over zack. that skin was his to touch. 

an excuse to shove his knee between zack's thighs.

looking down at him as he squirmed.

having zack desperate for him.

“mmh… ah… please..”

would he do all cloud commanded him to? zack, at his beck and call, with that same submissive expression–

“fuck!”

cloud's brows knit together in concentration, tongue darting out to wet his lips, hips raising as his hand raced up and down his erection.

“mmh… fuck, zack…”

his left forefinger ghosted over his nipple and he whined, wishing it was zack's. 

cloud remembered again and again. zack's sounds looping in his mind. zack's smile, pout, laugh, face, body, dick. he needed him. underneath, listening, needy for more of cloud.

“ah!”

he thought of zack's shy smile before his hand tensed. his whole body did. opaque cum shot out, hot and sticky as it landed on his belly and dribbled down his length. 

cloud was panting, his body covered in sweat as he rode out his pleasure.

shit, that felt good. 

zack needed to feel it, too.

if he let cloud guide him to where he really needs to be, he’d come to a realisation. 

heaven wasn't anywhere else.

it lied between cloud's palm and zack's existence.

the hand he would be eating out of as he gave cloud delicious moans of satisfaction.

a promise unbroken.

cloud would feed him good.

zack didn't need to go anywhere else.

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

after the conclusion of his morning rituals, his smooth hand ran over the coarse wooden railing that led him downstairs. to observe his puppy fast asleep, cloud crept over to the couch. chest soft in its heaving, boy vulnerable in his rest, what was cloud to do? 

think.

his mother would be out soon.

his fingers spread to enclose zack's strong shoulders as he shook him awake. his voice came quiet and asking.

“zack.”

never until then had he said a name like it mattered. like he loved it to death.

like he could breathe it.

“zack, get up.”

hand left to a bush of black hair, combing through the mess.

it earned a whine.

“spike,” was grumbled in a tone drenched in slumber.

that was new.

“i gotta leave? what's up?”

moving into a sitting position, he rubbed his eyes and yawned.

cloud's teeth were bullying the flesh of his mouth again.

he shook his head.

couldn't he think of something?

“guests might come.”

good enough.

“you're not exactly furniture.”

cloud extended his hand.

“i have lots of cool stuff in my room, zack.”

every time it came out like that, his name, cloud felt his heart swell and throb.

moments from bursting.

zack eyed his outstretched arm before he slapped his hand onto cloud's, giving it a nice squeeze then standing.

“thanks, spike.”

one boy grinned at the other, and cloud just looked elsewhere.

what kind of feeling was this?

wanting to pounce on someone, rip them apart with your teeth, feel them in your mouth and sliding down your throat.

make them part of you.

in that moment, cloud wanted to hold zack's hand.

doing that made him happier than he'd ever been.

his breathing was erratic.

his eyes looked elsewhere.

cloud was happy just to hold zack's hand, but there were joys and pleasures beyond happiness.

an intense feeling unforgettable.

he and zack could share it.

two pairs of socks ascended the staircase.

“your room?”

cloud nodded as his gripped the door handle, softly lowering it, his small ponytail bobbing a little.

he held his door open.

“after you, zack.”

exactly like a man should.

the other boy chuckled and entered the room with an air of eagerness to be sniffing around someplace new.

he was composed enough to stand in the middle of the room, as if he were a well-mannered boy and not an eager pup.

the soft sound of the door as it clicked shut preceded cloud's amused huff.

“you can sit, you know.”

his palm burned as it held zack's shoulder, unusual since he always felt so cold-blooded, urging him onto his bed.

zack stumbled back and fell onto the soft mattress.

he was taken aback, eyes wide and imploring for an explanation of some sort.

cute.

cloud saw the sun outside and grounded himself.

it was too early.

“zack,” he began, eyebrows tensing, “have you—”

too early.

“do you want to see something cool?”

cloud produced a crumpled piece of paper.

zack tilted his head.

“past the mansion,” cloud explained, pointing at his rough sketch of mt nibel, “there's a reactor. do you know what that is, zack? shinra plopped it in the mountains.”

zack's face seemed to change.

his posture improved, his mood seemed more serious, and cloud wondered what that was about. he was beginning to get an idea, though. zack was better than him in every way.

“yeah..?”

“zack, you'll die if you try to go there alone.”

“didn't plan on it, dude.”

“you aren't curious? why were you so interested in the mansion, then?”

zack would have responded if cloud didn't continue.

“this is my hometown. i know it's weird. i know it's… scary and…”

peach lips stretched thin into some sort of smile, canines peaking through.

“and it's fascinating,” he established, “you wanna see it.”

zack appeared to be sulking, if anything.

“i mean, i guess, but..”

glancing down, he witnessed a pale hand on the developed muscle of his thigh.

cloud swallowed, banishing the drool that threatened to leak from his mouth back inside.

he observed the window once more, ecstatic to see his mother's form heading away from the house.

he'd managed to stall for long enough.

his free hand sank into the space beside zack, he now loomed over him.

he relished in the feeling of his racing heart.

“spike?”

“zack…”

a deep intake of breath.

“let me take you there. let's go to the mansion.”

zack's expression seemed to tense and relax at the same time.

somehow, he had began to expect something else.

“are you scared of monsters?”

cloud's fingers drifted  along zack's on the bedsheets.

how he wished to intertwine them again.

ego hurt, zack shook his head and protested the notion.

“me, scared? no way!”

from that gallant, juvenile smile on zack's face, grabbing cloud's heart and squeezing it, there was no stopping him.

their friendship was a must.

“so, come on,” the blond urged and pulled his friend towards him by the hand he was now holding.

he started towards the door without pause, in case zack caught a glimpse of his strawberry face.

if cloud's oven-hot, damp palms didn't rat him out first, the flush on his face was sure to.

his stupid body was a canvas of ever-changing paintings corresponding to his moods.

one good look at him and you could almost read his mind.

cloud planned to change that.

he would put one on. a cold and stoic one that was combat perfect, manly perfect, picture perfect.

an image zack would worship.

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

the salt and pepper pair, coward and hero pair, snuck their way to the mansion.

by the stone gates, cloud spoke up before zack got any ideas.

“hoist me over, then i'll come get you.”

the extra long blink, extra tight shut of the eyes as cloud's millisecond-long prayer to whichever deity was listening in, thankfully went unnoticed.

he'll say yes.

he'll say yes.

he'll say–

“on it, boss,” zack chuckled. he went into a squat once cloud released his hand, and held both his own out for cloud to step on.

right, it would be embarrassing to be carried.

getting over the fence was no struggle with zack holding him up.

a little grunt left his lips when he landed on the ground other side, maybe a sort of loud ‘oof’, but he was fine.

dusting off his tee, that was white before the fall, he made his way to the gate.

a dirtied hand went up to push it and…

it opened without resistance.

who could have seen that coming?

it could not have been cloud, who had known before their arrival that the barricade around the mansion was practically for show.

“huh,” he shrugged.

zack laughed and ran in through the open gate, giving cloud a high-five.

“woah, spike, didn't know you could unlock stuff with your mind!”

“whatever,” cloud giggled, striding ahead as always.

“hey, wait up,” zack called out, running after him.

nothing before felt like this.

no smile was big enough, but cloud felt his current one would suffice.

zack was following him.

he was the leader.

this was how things were supposed to be, in cloud's mind at least, the only obstacle being that life wasn't fair.

were he to hit the genetic lottery, be tall like zack.

have a face that was intimidating and commanding, not so round and cute.

muscles that weren't as shy as him, refusing to show despite his countless efforts at high intensity workouts.

with all that, there was no way shinra wouldn't be knocking on his door.

there's nothing balanced about it, not one bit.

the muscles go to idiots, and the looks go to egomaniacs, but a smart, passionate, and kind-hearted guy like cloud?

let him have nothing, then throw in his face a boy with everything.

cloud was putting zack on a leash, though, and he was ready to show life that he could make it anyway.

spit on injustice's face and dangle his new toy for it to see.

‘my zack, mine.

my boy, mine.’

cloud was  leading him, and he was following cloud.

♡♤◇♡♤◇♡♤◇

the heavy, imposing wooden doors the boys laboured to push open slammed shut behind them.

the sudden noise made cloud jolt, zack reached again for his hand.

“you and me, cloud, we stick together. okay?”

cloud felt pressure low in his belly.

it resurfaced.

the heroism, the pity, the taking the lead.

zack was stealing the lead from him, his chance to prove himself.

his free hand now a fist, cloud nodded before his speech could make a mad fool of him.

after a deep breath he announced, “i'll protect you, understand?”

cloud was sure to ask a question, let zack know that he was listening and cloud was the one speaking, making the decisions, in charge.

increasing the pressure of his hand's grip, he continued, “hey, don't you trust me?”

zack, without a second's doubt, barked an ‘of course.’

“you bet!”

what foolishness.

there, for the first time in ages, cloud let himself smile.

it was a sight to behold truly.

lips, free from their usual downward curve, peeled apart to reveal teeth, the stretch of it narrowing his eyes so that zack couldn't properly make them out through thick lashes. 

cloud, no question, was beautiful.

the tug on his heart, seeing zack quiet and in awe of him, should have made him go back home.

he knew already, when they sat by that tree and exchanged nervous glances, that he was prepared for his fixation on zack to consume him.

even before that, cloud reckons his fate was sealed from the moment he eyed that unfamiliar face outside his window, he knew it was over and he was not the slightest bit upset by it. 

this was what he needed.

the two began their exploration of the barren residence, man leading boy.

cloud's steps were practiced to be imperfect, his awe and wonder manufactured for zack to believe this was the first time for both.

even somewhere he'd never been, cloud charged forward without fear and let his confidence overpower his uncertainty.

wasn't that impressive?

yearning  blue eyes searching for any sort of approval found zack, smile warm with wonder, trusting cloud enough to follow him.

it caused a strange stirring inside cloud.

his boots sounded on the wooden floor, along with zack’s.

cloud slowly opened the door to a long-forgotten bedroom.

the interior, antique in its aged beauty, managed to captivate cloud just as it intimidated him.

a bed of dark wood with white bedding stood out from the room's corner seemed to soothe cloud, promising to ward off all his worries. this would settle his dilemma.

it spoke to zack, too, offering rest. he dropped onto the bed with force enough that he nearly bounced back up, but with cloud now right by the bed it would have caused a collision.

dark eyebrows came closer, baffled at how he got there in so little time.

“hey, spike,” zack whispered through the start of a grin.

cloud's hand sprang towards the boy beneath him, and he nearly pulled a muscle in an effort to control himself.

too damn eager.

after taking a breath, he cupped zack's chin between his delicate, bony fingers. his thumb drawing circles on his cheek, wondering how the heat didn't make zack flinch.

cloud felt it. he was burning up, overheating, and it had fried some of his brain.

most of it, now all he wanted was to prove himself.

be something zack wasn't.

make zack something he already was.

pathetic, weak, docile.

he thought of it, finally trusted by his mom to hold his own.

he'd take out his stupid ponytail and snip away until satisfied.

make something of the shitty cards he'd been dealt, and leave this fucking town behind.

years, years waiting to be given permission and she kept pushing it back.

she never believed in him because by nature he was weak, something growth and young adulthood failed to change.

seeing a natural talent like zack, a boy blessed by birth, really pissed cloud off.

he wanted to slap him, bite into his skin, then kiss him until there was nothing left to kiss.

take out zack's soul and force it down his own throat, like that would work to make him any stronger.

if cloud was weak, all that was left to do was to make zack weaker.

the thought urged him to smile, but his lips moved to speak.

“zack, you have to trust me.”

fingernails, a bit overgrown, ran over zack's skin towards the black fabric of his knitted top.

bunching it up, the blond was sort of irritated he was right.

where he was defined from malnourishment, ribs poking through his soft skin and underdeveloped muscles, zack was strong and admirable. 

he admired the boy's toned physique, palm resting on the firm surface of his abs.

“you can be pretty weird,” zack laughed, “anyone ever tell you that, cloudy?”

he shrugged and touched further along zack's form, the tips of his ears and nose splashed with the same pink that creeped up his neck.

his patience was wearing thin.

“m not,” he murmured, though he would have shouted it if such loudness didn't make him flinch, “i'm cool like you. okay?”

a boyish beam surfaced.

“of course, buddy! you're so brave and totally smart, re–”

“and you trust me.”

zack's shrug was different to cloud's, unsuspecting and disarming with a sweet little smile.

cloud’s fingers itched, then relieved themselves at the drawstrings of zack's pants.

the hem was pulled down by a near hyperventilating man.

how did he do it to himself so he liked it?

that was right, a nice touch.

cloud took a soft hold of zack's dick, putting a finger over the other's lips before he could shriek.

the flesh was warm in his hand, a size incomparable to his own, but not standing by itself.

not quite there yet.

zack, in a daze, struggled out a response in an airy and delicate voice.

“spike, what did i do? what can i…?”

“zack,” the smooth pad of cloud's pointer finger caressed the wrong place, apparently, as cloud was starved of any reaction he longed for.

“i'm a man, too. i have control over this. over you.”

he sunk to his knees, tongue slipping past lips.

“do you understand?”

zack's face contorted as he entered cloud's mouth.

the warmth was assaulting, he raised a hand in defense.

cloud grabbed his wrist, tight, bruising, sucking out a pitiful whine.

“um… a-ah..”

cloud pressed his face to zack, tongue swirling around his tip.

he made eye-contact, measuring the pleasure he was giving zack, confirming zack was really falling apart because of him.

zack had one eye shut, the other peeking at blond tufts of hair moving loose from a ponytail.

it was warm inside.

a warmth that caressed his entire body, not comforting but instead demanding.

it was a warmth that asked for zack to respond.

he felt blood rushing up to his face and down to his… 

hot air blew onto his dick, hot fear burned in his chest.

the stale air between and around them was confined in the room, mansion windows eternally shut.

cloud coated zack's skin with his saliva, feeling him harden as he slobbered all over him.

“cloud,” he whimpered, his hips moving independently from his mind as they pushed forward into the wet hot cave.

his head tilted, his mouth agape, he rapped his foot on the floor to manage the sensations flooding his consciousness.

“wait… ah, that feels… ngh..”

cloud's mouth worked miracles on his skin, giving him a small glimpse of heaven, his hand clenched around air like he could confine the overpowering feeling in his fist. 

keep it there forever and live inside it, sinking and eventually drowning.

his sanity, all his reason, struggled to stay afloat.

the strong, burning wet waves of sensations crashing down on him with each flick of cloud's tongue had zack gasping for air.

cloud thought he looked good enough to eat.

cloud pulled off with a pop, placing a kiss to the slick and shiny surface of zack's tip and he whined at the loss of contact.

looking up, the puppy dog seemed wounded.

it just… stopped.

zack was on the brink of it, of ecstasy, he had tensed up by instinct., but his finish was cut short.

cloud rose, lifting a hand to scratch behind zack's ear.

“don't cry,” he whispered, “look down.”

standing proud was zack's hardness, the reward for cloud's hard work.

“you finally got hard for me, zack,” cloud admired and he was elated.

seeing his pretty dick, glistening from his own saliva, hard enough to have a mind of its own, made all the arousal in cloud's mind multiply and surge through his entire body.

zack could want him.

could want the short, scrawny, awkward kid before him.

he did.

it was just like a dream, like cloud's dream.

he reached down, freeing his suffering erection.

how mad it was, left unattended as its owner tended to zack.

pink, swollen, and messied by precum.

“see what you did to me, zack?”

cloud stimulated himself with his fingers, bucking into his hand a little.

any self-doubt he assumed he would normally feel from revealing himself to another, someone far above him like zack, was extinguished  by the lust consuming him.

he brought his dick to the other boy's, biting his lip as he rubbed them together.

“fuck,” he hissed, “fuck, zack..”

“spike…”

cute gasps, eager groans, twitching flesh was shared between the pair.

brown fingers spasmed without the hilt of a sword to hold on to.

scars littering his skin and for the first time they represented fragility.

not battle or perseverance or recklessness or anything along that thread.

zack was weak, shuddering from the palm of a boy enclosing zack's dick and his own.

cloud fussed because it was not the same.

it did not fit easily like it did just for his in the morning, he fussed at the other's size in comparison to his own, hard to do it well.

he brought his hands beneath zack's armpits and forced him closer, squirming into his neck as they moved with each other, breathing in that muted sour scent.

intoxicating as it filled his nostrils.

was it the feeling of his tip rubbing into zack's sensitive skin?

hearing him pant and hold onto cloud like he was scared to let go?

ah, it was hard for cloud to hold back.

his pointy teeth dug into zack's shoulder, <earning> a <yelp>.

zack <yelped> when feeling cloud became too much for him.

when he was sweating like a dog and panting like a dog and cloud pulled an orgasm out of him.

his very first.

“shit, ah!”

it made a mess.

from underneath black lashes, eyes watched release inch down cloud's thigh.

zack wasn't sure what he had done.

his chest still heaving, his mind still reeling, his lips twisting into a frown.

it felt all weird, in his heart or in his gut or somewhere else he could not pinpoint.

a wet feeling on his skin made him look up.

that and the moan.

he saw cloud, sunshine as he smiled at him, melting away all his worries.

cloud hadn't stopped moving, zack had only gotten numb to the feeling after a little while.

his fingers tangled in the black mass once more, cloud pet zack's head.

“zack,” he <>, “please… please. you're good.”

cloud's knee nudged zack's apart.

“you're so good, please, just trust me a little more.”

his plea was a weak smile.

“you like me,” cloud stated, “so you…”

he reached out for the other's hand and squeezed it in reassurance.

zack liked cloud.

that is why he got hard for him, grabbed onto him, and came for him.

because cloud was likable.

even to a boy like zack, who had muscles and charm and all he didn't, cloud was likable.

he deserved zack.

“spike, i don't really…” having finally caught his breath, he spoke.

“i'm not sure what you're thinking, bud.”

down from zack's hair, cloud's hand was now on his lower back.

“zack, do you like me?”

he put a finger over the other's lips.

this whole time, since they'd met by the town's entrance, cloud had been looking up at zack.

always, always having to crane his neck to attempt any semblance of eye-contact.

this view of zack beneath him, flushed, whimpering, lost.

it shattered the pattern, hit hard enough that cloud thought he might cry.

“zack, do you think i'm cool?”

eyes darting around in search for anything to make it easier, cloud settled for spitting onto his palm.

“zack, do you trust me?”

the finger was withdrawn, and despite his uneasiness, zack nodded and muttered ‘yes, spike.’

cloud prepared himself, his body hot and every nerve on fire, hand behind zack's neck.

“yeah? good.”

in the right position.

thighs spread, pants hanging from his ankles, and the blond between his legs.

it wasn't much work.

the surplus of precum and the saliva he'd gathered in his palm made it easy to coat his dick properly, shiny and slippery.

he put his wet hand beneath zack's knee, bringing a shiver from the cool sensation, and angled him better.

his boot dangled near cloud's hip.

“that's good,” cloud huffed as he pushed into zack's perfect little hole, “shit!”

they cried out together, zack’s hands on cloud's flat chest as tears pricked his eyes.

“mmf– cloud!”

the mentioned halted, all inches inside zack.

swallowed right up.

he throbbed in the tight warmth, every cell desperate to lose it and go wild, awaiting zack's adjustment to the intrusion.

“what… the hell..?”

zack's voice shook and his face was not the least bit relaxed.

he was gritting his teeth, eyes squeezed and wet.

“cloud, it hurts. that– that hurt.”

“it won't soon enough, you can take it.”

it hurt more for cloud to be rejected like this.

couldn't he just be good and bear it?

cloud begun movement, his brain melting from the pleasure zack's body was giving him.

he whimpered and embraced the boy in a hug.

zack trembled in his grasp, holding onto him for stability as he cried and winced and whimpered as well because it really fucking hurt.

cloud's mouth hung open, he moaned continuously into zack's ear.

drunk on the feeling, he didn't resist breathy laughter as it left his light rose lips.

“zack… hot… so damn warm, fuck, ngh..”

in hardly any time, cloud felt his balls signalling how close he was.

saliva pooled in his mouth, spilling over his bottom lip and onto zack.

zack shuddered, sniffled, and continued wiping away all the tears.

cloud was…

he was inside of him.

the sensation of his dick as it slid in and out made him woozy, moans surfacing despite the pain.

cloud grabbed zack where he had become hard again.

he was hard again?

zack attempted backing away. feeling cloud's length stretching him out, and his soft fingers around his own was too much, he couldn't take it anymore.

“don't run from me,” cloud begged, his blue eyes wet, “why are you pulling away?”

cloud brought him near in a hug once again, chests and foreheads touching, as he fucked himself into zack. 

the once gentle pace he maintained for zack's benefit was lost, cloud now sweating from his high speed.

“mine… zack, mine… warm.. warm.. tight.. zack,” cloud slurred and kept stroking.

he had, at once, become something more.

reduced the great and mighty to a bitch crying on his cock.

pride. cloud shook with pride at his accomplishment.

he bet he could make zack suck him off, sobbing and puffy-faced with his tongue stroking cloud while he tried not to gag.

he'd boss him around, degrade and defile him.

paint zack new, worthless with all the self-loathing he'd carried since childhood and be free of it.

kiss and hold the other until he could stand his reflection.

give himself a loving pet.

cloud grabbed at whatever he could of zack, burning the boy's flushed and convulsing frame into permanent memory then not pulling out.

shooting fast and overpowering out of him, he shot his seed into  zack.

the sudden heat, the continued pleasure at cloud's hand could almost make zack scream.

“spike, i think–”

cloud's fingers prodded at his chest, pinching a sensitive nipple before flicking at it.

he lowered his head so he could bite, then lick.

zack's jaw went slack, and he coated cloud's hand with release.

he swiped another taste for himself before smearing the mess on zack, who failed to react, with a masked sneer.

seeing how tired out the older boy was, this unresponsive, and still enjoying the warmth of his hole, cloud lightly swatted at zack’s cheek to bring forward what remained of his consciousness.

he gasped, mind muddled, moving his head a little.

“huh?”

“are we…” cloud choked up, looking away from the one under him, “are we still friends?”

on the face cloud now knew he loved, there was more confusion than joy.

those eyes, unfocused and stained with tears, met cloud's.

“we're… friends?”

zack's mouth remained open though he'd finished speaking, trying to catch his breath.

“mm,” cloud nodded, “yeah, we are.”

the man held his first friend closer in a final hug, breathed in his sour sweat scent, and kissed his wet cheek.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

thank you so much for reading, i hope you could enjoy!! <3 wanted to envision a different timeline for them..

[notmonsters]

RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS OOC , THEN TAG OTHERS YOU WANT TO GET TO KNOW BETTER.

roleplayer name: Taea 💛

roleplayer pronouns: she / her 💛

muse name: Zack Fair 💛

preferred communication: Tumblr ims or Discord 💛

experience: Oh goodness , what year is this ?? I've been on tumblr since 2012 , which is hard to believe . I still have my first ever blog and every now and again still write on it ! So , if you're ever curious let me know . I've been roleplaying since 2009 / 2010 .

preferred roleplay type: Paras / novella . Here's the deal , I always tell myself to keep it short . . . and then short becomes like 6 paragraphs . So , that's that . I think the only things I've managed to keep short are texting threads [ [ mostly on wire ] ] , and crack threads on the dash . . . and even then , those always seem to get serious for me .

pet peeves & dealbreakers: I tend to give people a lot chances and wiggle room when it comes to this . I'm pretty patient with a lot of things , too . If I had to pick two things , it's being ghosted you thought someone was your friend , and I would say too many NSFW / NSFT images on the dash . On the first point , I love making friends . I have made dozens of friends over my decade on this website and I cherish each and every one of them fully . I understand life gets in the way -- hell , I work a full time job that drains my battery 95% of the time , so I get it . When people you thought were your friends just . . . stop talking to you out of the blue for no reason but keep talking to other people ?? That hurts , and it makes you question if you were ever actually friends to begin with . Again , if you give lil' updates or check in , that's one thing . . . when someone just drops you completely but not others , that's another thing . Unfortunately , I know a lot of us have been through this , and it sucks .

On to the next point : NSFW /NSFT writing is fine , because it is always [ [ at least with my mutuals ] ] under a read more and tagged or moved to discord , so I can just not read it . I also write spicy threads , so that doesn't bother me either -- everyone loves some spicy threads . Images . . . Images are harder . They're harder to tag filter , tag filtering doesn't always work or it breaks . Personally , I like to enjoy my mutuals' blogs in their entirety [ [ when at work or at home ] ] , and if I have to tag filter half of someone's blog then I don't actually get to enjoy their blog . Full transparency , if we're mutuals and your blog is too many NSFW / NSFT images to the point that it makes me uncomfortable , I'm just going to unfollow you [ [ even if we are friends ] ] . I don't police people's blog , that's not my job . This is a hobby not a jobby , and I'm just here to have fun . So , I'd rather do what makes me feel safe and makes my dash a safe space for me than not .

Alright , lil' rants are over . Back to fun things !

plots or memes: Both ! Oh my goodness both ! I love random asks in my inbox that don't belong to a meme , I love memes , I love loose plots [ [ mostly because muses are not predictable , so a strict plot is a lil' hard to follow and I have ADHD so it's hard for me to stick to a strict cookie - cutter plot ] ] . I love 'Hey , Taea , I had this idea , do you wanna do it ??' . I'm real open to all of those things ! 💛

best time to write: I'd have to say mornings . Mornings and early afternoons tend to be when I am the most productive . If I don't have work the next morning , I'll write all day long until about midnight across my multitude of blogs . If Tumblr is just too much for me , because sometimes it is , I'll write on Discord all day long .

are you like your muse?: I would love to say no to this question , but I don't adopt muses I'm not like in at least a handful of ways . Zack's my sunshine boy with trauma , he's delightful and playful and fun and I just adore him 💛

tagged by : @strifiisms [ [ thank you , lovely ! ] ]

tagging : @warofthebeasts , @phantasiiae , @holyguardian , @nerdynanny , @synshubblog , @nineinchnails , @gravitasfatum , @lockedfighter && you !

[silverflqmes]

agszc with self care/slice of life comfort?

i've been feeling really down with myself for a bit now & i could use that extra push of feeling a bit better :,) perhaps some ideas could include like: maybe distracting the reader from a failed exam by going shopping together, grocery shopping and cooking a meal together at home, perhaps that one rp with noya where he was kissing insecurities away (hi yes its sky), maybe a pep talk to help with motivation, hmm what else ALSO U DONT HAVE TO DO THESE EXACT THINGS IM JUST GIVING IDEAS... i just want the boys there for me soBS (esp zack and cloud since yk favs.)

໒⦂ 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐇𝐂𝐒.

notes. hey queen i did headcanons for this because it seemed better suited, i hope the post helps you feel better at least, you can do it<3

genre. comfort + crack

for @melukonova <3

ft. sephiroth, cloud strife, zack fair, genesis rhapsodos, angeal hewley

gender neutral! reader.

➫ 𝓢𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ for whatever reason that your day and mood has been sullied, sephiroth is already on it and is doing everything in his power to try and make you feel better.

⌗ he’s not the best with handling emotions, as he has difficulty with understanding his own, but wants to help — it hurts him to see you ache like this and to know he couldn’t prevent your suffering🙁

⌗ offers to masamune whoever brought your pain, even if it’s an inanimate object incapable of fighting back.. it’s sweet of him ( and it becomes difficult to suppress your smile )

⌗ just kidding ( not really. ), he comes to the conclusion that a self care day is likely the best approach to make you feel better — genesis had brought the idea up once before

⌗ sephiroth wasn’t exactly one for worrying for his well being, he didn’t have much time to sit down and do so anyway.. but he figured he might try that out with you

⌗ and so, after getting off work, he made a point to grab some supplies from the store, which included these super cute kitty headbands to push your hair back!!

⌗ self care portion of the day ensues and ends with takeout and some cuddling on the couch to some silly sitcoms. laughter cures the blues right? so that’s just what he’s going for to see you smile again<3

➫ 𝓒𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝓢𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗘 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ having a bad day? cloud’s been there and is ready to lend an ear to listen. he isn’t the most optimistic person and doesn’t have the best way with words, but he is willing to help!

⌗ he’s a bit awkward with the advice ( he might interest you in a sarcastic comment- kidding, maybe.. ) and words of consolation, but he’s doing his best and is determined to get his words across to you.

⌗ he offers to take you on a delivery with him, a drive can help sometimes with getting out of the house and just getting fresh air — or well.. as fresh as the air can be in midgar / edge..

⌗ part of him thought you would be reluctant and would argue on why and how you should continue to rot in your bed — but you were oddly willing ( maybe because you always have to ask to join.. )

⌗ either way, made his job a hundred times easier and he was glad to see you cooperating with him because he thought he would have needed to drag you by the ankles..

⌗ the drive goes nicely, you can feel yourself begin to calm down as you hold onto him and watch the scenery pass you by; it’s such a simple thing but it’s quelling your nerves and intrusive thoughts, thankfully

⌗ once the package is delivered, cloud spares a little of his time before your scheduled drive back home and takes you out for lunch along with a little stroll around the town🫶

➫ 𝓩𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝓕𝗔𝗜𝗥 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ zack is the definition and embodiment of an emotional support animal. whatever, or even whoever, decided to ruin the flow of your day, he’s there to provide comfort!

⌗ has a pretty good grasp on emotions, even if there are some things he might not fully get, but he wants to help in any way he can! seeing you sad is the worst thing ever, how dare, whatever hurt you, steal away that smile of yours??

⌗ his best course of action is to take you out and doodle up a list of activities for you to do to uplift your mood. distraction is temporary, of course, but it works its course and he was going to make it succeed!

⌗ said list includes visiting the arcade, a walk through the mall, buying you flowers, feeding and petting any strays with your leftovers from where you guys ate and maybe even karaoke while the night is still young..

⌗ should the karaoke go as planned, it would be a mission to get zack out of there LMAO he wants to do cheesy romantic duets with you and boyband songs..

⌗ despite your whines and protests, they do not fail to make you grin and wash away whatever ickiness you had felt earlier.

⌗ it’s a full day that ends up getting you tired by the final activity, but it was all part of the plan!!! distraction and getting a good nights sleep! perfect, right?

➫ 𝓖𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝓡𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗦 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ how dare someone or something sour your mood and evening! genesis is completely distraught and is prepared to do whatever means necessary to exact his revenge..

⌗ fires will be set ( not really but it sounds like a really good idea at the moment ESPECIALLY BECAUSE TUMBLR DIDNT SAVE MY SHIT AND I HAVE TO REWRITE THIS — im sorry.. um moving on.. )

⌗ in the end, fires were not set.. he opts for taking you out to dinner and bringing you to loveless avenue because it just works, and he wants to spoil you with gifts<3

⌗ dinner was lovely and like a fairytale — i mean being with genesis in general was like a fairytale, but he somehow always seemed to exceed your expectations..

⌗ you’re feeling slightly better as you exit the vicinity, taking an idle walk down sector eight since he insisted on a stroll — not because he wanted to check the loveless merch, definitely not. of course not.

⌗ he ends up buying you something your gaze lingered on a little longer than you had planned for, which you protested on at first.. but then you gave in, because it was genesis — aaand he also bought it regardless of what you said..

⌗ he walks with you hand in hand on your way home and proposes his idea of setting fires if you were still upset. you of course, say no.. i mean, psh a fire??? yeah, right..

➫ 𝓐𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝓗𝗘𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗬 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ bad mood? rough day in general? angeal is prepared to do whatever is necessary to help you through your mood — anything to return your happiness to you rather than this funk you’re in.

⌗ his best course of action was to take you to the market to buy the necessary ingredients to prepare your favorite meal! they say food cures any blues, perhaps that applies here as well?

⌗ unwilling as you were to leave the comfort of your bedroom, he managed to get you out with the promise of pushing you in the cart..

⌗ yes you wanted to be pushed in the shopping cart, who wouldn’t want to be pushed in a shopping cart after a shit day?

⌗ the small joyride seems to lift your mood a little and he even bought you some of your favorite snacks to have after the meal he’s preparing<3 what a guy🥰

⌗ arriving home, he immediately gets to work on dinner, and after a few back hugs from you along with a brief sway while he waited on the food to finish, it was finally time to set the table!

⌗ nothing too fancy but you appreciated it nonetheless, as you could taste the love and care in each bite you took. truly angeal was the gift of the goddess!!!

notes. okay uh this is not the best quality because stupid tumblr did not save ( GET AN AUTOSAVE FEATURE PLS I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE ) — but i hope you liked it and that you feel better mami<3

↳ return to main masterlist . request rules . send an ask

[rextasywrites]

Silver Elite - a Zack and Sephiroth drabble

i wrote this for my lads in the First Class Longue and they were able to watch me write and scream along with my ideas :D pls enjoy!

Warnings: implied Zerith,but thats it. otherwise just fluff

*

“Silver Elite”

Good morning everyone!

We are happy to announce that starting today, the best Sephiroth fanclub in the whole world has a forum now too!

The new forum will have more space for various discussions, threads and also off-topic talk (now Brenda won’t have to spam us with her burnt dinner pics again!).

Everyone who is an active member of Silver Elite already has an account made for them on the forum.

Just use your log in data from the Silver Elite to join the forum!

See you there!

Zack smiled as he turned off his phone, proud of yet another successful day for the fanclub. While he wasn’t the highest ranking member, some of the other members there had taken a liking in him and suddenly he was responsible for new ideas and merch and Gaia knows what else. From plushies to stickers to the idea for the new forum…Zack the Puppy had all the great ideas!

Of course, nobody knew it was him. Nobody knew who the user ‘Gongaga11thDecember” was. Well, one user found out pretty quickly who was behind this stranger user name, but Zack never found out who was behind the name “Lesnuk”. Probably some weirdo who buys perfume smelling like Sephiroth’s sweat. But to be Fair - Zack had made a fortune out of ‘washing’ Sephiroth’s training clothes, actually pressing them out and selling the little pints of sweat.

*

Later that day.

“Zack? Are you in here?”, Sephiroth knocked against the door of Zack’s room, waiting for the puppy to jump out of his blanket burrito at the mere sound of Seph’s voice…but for whatever reason there was no jumping and no movement and nothing coming out of Zack’s room. Sephiroth sighed and opened the unlocked door - great, Zack had forgotten to lock his door again. Last time this happened, Genesis had summoned five Cactuar in there and Angeal spent two hours pulling thorns out of Zack after the puppy had jumped on his bed…with the Cactuar hiding under the blanket.

Sephiroth stepped inside, scanning the room for any kind of information of where Zack could be. Something that caught his eye - Zack had forgotten his phone. He went over and picked it up as it was unlocked and he started to look around it. New messages from Aerith, Aerith, Aerith…oh, the boy was on a date! Of course he had forgotten everything, that’s what happens when someone is in love - or at least that was what Sephiroth was told.

Some more unread messages from Angeal and Genesis, all messages from Seph were read…but what was this weird notification in the bottom corner? Seph clicked on it out of pure curiosity and was greeted with…a forum? “Silver Elite Forum”? What the hell?

“Fair, what are you doing this time?”, Sephiroth muttered as he started to look around this very forum. It was all about himself - questions and conspiracies about his ‘childhood’, first-hand experiences from fans who had met him and more. Nothing out of the ordinary, at least for his fanclub. Sephiroth had to chuckle at the memory of Genesis’ fanclub hoarding the backdoor of a theater one time upon hearing that Genesis would make a guest appearance on this very evening. Gen had promised to be home by 10pm but barely made it back alive in one piece at 5am. Angeal and Sephiroth had stayed up all night waiting for their friend and roasted him without mercy once he stepped into their shared living space. Even his coat was slightly ripped.

A different notification ripped Sephiroth out of his thoughts. Zack had gotten a message on the fo- Zack was a member of his fanclub?! NOW Sephiroth was even more curious, the feeling of curiosity being so enjoyable to him. Since he couldn’t help himself, Seph opened the message and started to read.

“Hey Gongaga11thDecember! Thanks for the heads up! I won’t go to the Cactuar Tacos then. See, they used to be so much higher in quality back in the day, but now after Wutai has closed all trade routes, we have to get the meat from the south and it is not as good as the one we got from Wutai. Good to hear you are on a date with your girlie today! I think I saw her selling flowers on the Sector 8 plate not too long ago! Would have bought some off her, but I had to catch the train back home.

I do have a question, you seem to know Sephiroth pretty well…or at least you are good at bullshitting around LOL! How did you get to meet him? While I adore him and his loyalty and passion and his damn great hair…he seems so off-standing sometimes. You get what I mean? As if the social clues ricochet right off him. I am just…worried sometimes. Does he have enough friends? A support system? Someone who gives him a hug when he is upset? Someone who brings him some junk food when he has an off day?

I hope he does!

Anyway, I gotta head out now, gotta visit my parents back in Mideel! Can’t wait to spend a few days out of the city! See you around when I have an internet connection again!

-RO”

Sephiroth couldn’t help but chuckle at the passion displayed by his fans. He placed Zack’s phone back down, deciding to just chill in Zack’s room until the puppy would return from his date. Zack’s bed, for a reason still unknown to Seph, has always been ways more comfortable than his own and a quick nap wouldn’t hurt anyone, especially not the greatest SOLDIER in the world. But…upon laying down, Sephiroth noticed something. Muffin, Zack’s stuffed animal and biggest supporter during various crises ranging from a broken heart to a mismatched food delivery, wasn’t alone in Zack’s bed. There was another stuffie next to Muffin. A stuffie with white hair and a black coat and a swo-

Ah?

“Oh Zack…”, Sephiroth, once again, couldn’t help but smile. It was a plushie made to look like himself. The stitches were amateurish, the colours didn’t match 100%, but it was made with love. Love and friendship and everything in between. Seph held the plushie up, looking at it from all angles. Would the fanclub make plushies of him? That’d be so weird…but an interesting way to show their support towards him too.

“Hey Sephiroth! When you are done playing with yourself, do you want some Fat Chocobo burgers too? I even got you some curly fries!”

Having completely shut off everything around him, Sephiroth hadn’t noticed that Zack had returned to his room. Seph sat up on the bed, his eyes on Zack as he pulled Mini Seph into his lap. “Did you make this plushie?” Only after asking this question and getting a better look at Zack, Sephiroth noticed that Zack was bright red in the face. Oh oh, caught red headed!

“...yeah. The fanclub asked if someone could try out a design and I had some spare time.” “It looks good, Zack. Well done.” “Oh?”

But before Zack could say anything more, Sephiroth pulled him into a tight hug. A bone crushing hug. Something so unusual from Seph, who had learnt this behavior from Zack, who, in return, couldn’t be happier. The man from Gongaga hugged back, of course, tightly enough to match Sephiroth’s enormous strength.

“I never realized our friendship meant so much to you, Zack. Thank you. Oh, by the way, what’s this thing on your neck?”

“...I had an accident with a vacuum, Seph.”

“A vacuum? Now that’s something you gotta explain to me!”

“Ugh.”

[salternateunreality2]

I SUDDENLY WANT A GIRL-DAD BARRET AU WHERE HE IS THE GIRL DAD TO END ALL GIRL DADS (yes I know this is already canon, but I want MOAR)

Barret with minified Aerith, Tifa, Jessie, Cloud, baby Marlene, and Yuffie. And maybe a little Miniroth and Genesis and Angeal.

The boys can be pre-transition (Cloud? Gen?), just honorary members of the club, post-transition (Seph?), or gender swapped through the power of AU or something.

Barret wearing two of his girlies in a backpack and a sling half the time while herding the rest of the rabble.

Barret hosting tea parties, gun arm festooned in ribbons.

Barret teaching self-defense to a bunch of pretty princesses with the chubbiest cheeks and the fiercest scowls.

Sephiroth coming over and watching from the bushes as everyone else gets to dress up. Barret initially being wary, but eventually welcoming him. Them figuring out together that Sephy is Sephira. Aerith leading the charge in welcoming her into the group.

Angeal learning how to be the best momdad dadmom from his hero, Barret, and growing up to sport the frilliest aprons for his girls while also showing off his beard.

Cloud being quietly distressed for months as she enjoys dressing up and feeling pretty, but it still doesn't feel right. Barret taking her out on a daddy daughter date and them figuring out she's a they. Cloud feeling so much more settled as they fluctuate between masc and fem presentations, but is still included.

Genesis "suddenly" deciding she's a he (he thought about this for years, but he pretends it's sudden because he lives for drama), but still being included. He gives no fucks about gender norms when it comes to fashion, and is welcomed as-is. Well, as much as anyone welcomes a squawking parrot of Loveless.

Jessie and Aerith being horrible menaces to society, then when Yuffie is acquired, molding her into their image...and creating a monster worse than the two of them combined. They are very proud.

Marlene and Tifa being the sweethearts with fists of steel who scare off all the bad guys. I mean, everyone can kick ass, but they're the ones you don't see coming. They don't start fights, but they do finish them.

Cloud, Genesis, Yuffie, and Aerith start fights.

Zack is another cis boy (like Angeal) who gets invited to things because he's just such a good boy.

Uncle Cid and Uncle Vincent take the crew out for a day and come back looking like they aged 5 years.

The gals (gender neutral) turn into a roving gang of justice and terrorize bullies everywhere.

Barret sitting in so many parent teacher conferences asking why his child is getting reprimanded when the other child harassed them first.

Or why his child is getting reprimanded for starting an underground pizza ring when her food is both healthier and tastier than anything the cafeteria is offering.

Or why his child can't wear a dress one day and a tank top and combat pants the next day. Are you saying if they're masc presenting, they can't wear a dress, or are you saying that if they're fem presenting, they can't show their shoulders? Either way, fuck you.

Or why his ginger kid and silver-headed kid can't get into a fight with each other and destroy school property over the pettiest...ok, ok, yeah fair enough. SIGH.

[aerisleis-fics]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Spread the self-love ❤

<333!

I've got two of you! which means I guess I have to do 10 fics and 10 writers we'll see if I can make that happen. Favorite fics I've written is really hard bc I tend to go through phases where I really hate my writing and never really fully am sure what to grab onto. I'm also restricting myself to only my main ao3- Aerislei.

BUT without further ado, in no particular order 10 11 recs from my writing under the cut. MOST are FF7 SephZack bc Im sure that's what you're both hoping for lmao but I do have a few other fandoms and non sephzack selections!

Captured in Wutai FFVII

Written for the Sephiroth Bang and while there are things I would different given the chance I LOVED this fic and how it came out. It meant a lot to me to write (mostly) true to how I wanted it to be even though it was kind of gritty and dark.

In the depths of the Wutai War, Sephiroth is assigned a young Second Class SOLDIER, Angeal’s protege, Zack Fair. Sephiroth doesn’t pay the boy much mind until the pair of them are cut off from the rest of their unit behind enemy lines. Injured and aware that the clock is ticking, the pair must work together to survive. Things get worse long before they get better, seeing as Wutai forces find them first. From there, it’s holding on long enough to try and find a way out - or for help to find them - whichever comes first.

Secrets and Fears FFVII

(Or: What if the scar from Modeohiem was the start of Zack Fair's healing factor beginning to break down?)

Friendships Forged in Fire FFVII

Incomplete but a Very fun concept and I'm working on the next chapter! Hopefully soon!

Prompt: Sephiroth is gravely wounded while on a mission with Zack, hindering him from being able to properly protect himself from the enemies/monsters they are fighting. Their friendship has been mending and blossoming ever since Zack disclosed what happened at Modeoheim, but now it’s the ultimate test of their bond as Sephiroth must put all his faith in Zack to get them home safely.

Pause, Rewind, Restart FFVII

Cloud and Marlene are visiting the church when they find themselves pulled backward into the past. With no way back home, Cloud sets himself to doing the best he can to make sure that this future goes better than the one they came from because he can't just do nothing.

Recordings for Sleeping FFVII

At first it had been disheartening - was he that boring to talk to? But over time, Zack had come to understand that it wasn’t that it was boring. It was that Sephiroth had come to associate Zack talking with a sense of peace and the fact that things were okay, so he could relax - and, subsequently, could rest. It was incredibly touching, now that Zack understood it better.

Saving the Hero FFVII

A pair of scenes centering in on Sephiroth saving Zack, and Zack - in his own way - saving Sephiroth in return.

Taking Care FFVII

A handful of short snapshots in which I attempt to depict Zack Fair and Sephiroth growing closer, slowly, through the lens of taking care of one another post-lab sessions.

Moments in Time FFVII

Five snapshots of times Cloud and Zack shared spaces together, threading together as their relationship develops.

Unrealistic Expectations FFXV

After nearly failing the trial of the Tidemother, Noctis stands precariously balanced between his duty, his emotions, and his body’s need for rest. The Prince fails to heed Lunafreya’s warning about taking it easy, and his friends find the hard way that Noctis hasn’t been truthful with them.

Keep the Home Fires Burning RWBY

PolySTQ, Summer returns to find things are not exactly the way she left them. Still, arriving in Atlas to the threat of open war with Salem with her daughter at the center of it all wasn’t what Summer expected. Qrow and Taiyang must face the fact that Summer has been returned with no explanation of where she’s been or why, all while navigating the tangles of their own feelings with each other, and the war with Salem.

Bonus:

The Draconian's Grace FFXV

Noctis asks for - and receives - a unique chance to go back to the beginning of his journey and change things (hopefully for the better). He's not alone in his journey, and it's that alone that gives him the courage to move ever-onward.

[a-view-without-light-pollution]

Part 1 of my first fan fiction

You've had your own share life's events. You forge ahead and unknowingly start a life, set your feet on a path, where you'll meet Zack Fair.

---Your own Legacy----

Deliveries were your bread and butter. The freedom of being your own boss was your fire!

Taking in packages, always in record time for delivery, speeding down Midgar's highways on your Hardy Daytona (long story how you managed to hack one of those unbeknownst to SHINRA, a story for another day) at top speeds, these freedoms were the lifeblood of your day.

Being "the best courier service" was a reputation that took time to build, and it wasn't an easy feat.

11 years ago, abandoned by the "love of your life," leaving you in Nibelheim with no word or promise of return, you learned to fend for yourself..

"Fight or die trying, no one's gonna save me"....a lesson from the backwaters. Zangan knew you had the will to fight. His training gave you the edge you needed to push yourself forward and forge a new life...elsewhere.

Midgar hadn't been the first plan. It was, in fact, plan B, but plan B was working like a charm. Deliveries required, fast pace, motorcycle skill, eye for detail (figuring out the fastest routes), and muscle. Thieves everywhere, always trying to steal anything in their territory. Corneo's lackeys were the worst.  No one figured out how they made it topside, but his sneaks knew the best places to catch a delivery driver solo, ESPECIALLY a female driver, so it was always ride like the wind and watch your back.

Life began to fit, AND BOY OH BOY DID THE GILL roll in... but living modestly was the key.  Keep a low profile, save the gil, live fast, trust NO ONE.

11 years flew by, like the sand that seeps through a sieve, unnoticed.

The heart grows hard this way, they say.

There was no need for love that was gone.

The time was now.

[stephanythedramaqueen]

I'm new to FF and saw your post about Nomura disliking Noctis. It's a shame because Noctis is lovable character, wish his ending could be better though. So far, the best protagonists: Cloud Strife, Lightning Farron, and Noctis Lucis Caelum. Best boys (who broke my heart): Zack Fair, Nyx Ulric, Sazh Katzroy. Best girls: all ffvii girls (except scarlet) and Oerba Yun Fang. Best trash: Hojo, Luna, Bartholomew Estheim and his wife

Nomura has been on the Noctis hate train ever since Square Enix forcibly pulled Nomura from the Versus XIII/FFXV project. He has been bitter and mad from then on, to the point of being so petty that he created ‘Verum Rex’ in his KH3 bc he said fuck that shit Tabata made 😂😂 the fact that it translate to ‘true king’ with a replica of Noctis as the MC says as much.

As he should. I have so much bad memories on XV now.

You would hate me if I said I don’t even agree on Noctis being the best FF protagonist (forgive me) I’d easily replace him with Zidane, Terra or my homeboy Squall. And I know you would NOT hate me when I say Lunafreya fucking Fleuret is the worst ff character of all time. OF ALL TIME. Words cannot describe how much I detest that character.

Anyway so true! All FFVII girlies are best girlies! The remake series emphasizes it even more but having played Rebirth when it came out and bc I have a giant weakness for her since ‘06ish, Yuffie has always been a favorite. Rebirth made my girl cuter and more of a badass than ever. This trilogy has my whole heart.

Please don’t be afraid of coming off anon for any FF talk. (Unless me being a Kendrick Lamar type of hater towards Maryfreya Sue would bother you then I’d advice against it) I still love FF and I still am sorta hyperfixated on FFVII stuff bc of the trilogy. I’ve played the OG more than a decade ago but the remakes are amazing. You might also get word-vomited by me about Vincent Valentine. Ye be warned.

I hope you’ll like the other games too! Muah muah 🫶🏾