Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The chaos of the city, all the deaths, all the pain he felt, the much memories that flowed in his mind when he saw him again after many visions, the moment where everyone could see him, not just Cloud, the feeling both terrifying because he wasn't allucinating and actual relief of that what he saw during months was real and not just a mental illness.

He hated Shinra, he hated that people, the ones who were at the top but not bothered enough to look down for a moment and see what Midgar really was; poverty, dangerous, monsters everywhere. 

Some districts were better than others, of course, but not the one Cloud was familiarized with the sector 7, the one that was his home after what happened years ago in Nibelheim. He could never forget it, much less forgive it. He could never forgive the way his place of birth was in flames, the way his mind raced with bad thoughts when he didn't found his mother

He didn't even want to remember what happened in that place, but he couldn't help but remember it everytime he was alone without the reassurement of any of his companions.

His mother, his people. 

Tifa.

Although he never told anyone about it, only Tifa, but even with her it was hard to talk about what happened years ago.

Not everyone was dead, of course, but the panic he felt when he saw... him, going mad, it hurted the blonde man.

He admired him, he was his model of the perfect Soldier of a long time, the one who insiper him to be a good Soldier and eventually becoming first class.

The hero.

The best Soldier that has ever existed.

But, not everything it's rose-colored for that hero, he was deceived, deceived by the same person that created him. He lost himself between the guilt of knowing his purpose as only a weapon, and the pure rage he felt towards the humanity that had used him, the same humanity he swore to protect.

He destroyed Nibelheim, he killed Cloud's mother, he tormented the same people Cloud had grown up with, and it was absolutely unforgettable for the younger one.

The same feeling of deceiving and anger that he felt that day also was what Cloud now felt for him.

Cloud quited Shinra, working as a mercenary alongside Avalanche, that soon enough will turn into his friends and battle partners.

The once admired Soldier now converted into a (totally understandable) antagonist, driven by the fierce thought of saving his 'mother', and destroy the planet, of course.

The same planet he swore to protect was now what he wanted to destroy, from inside out, by any means.

And this included Cloud.

The same young man he onces protected and guided, now a full grown adult, and he couldn't help but feel disappointed when in their last fight Cloud rejected the offer to join him into this sickening existence.

He would make sure that Cloud regrets of that decision.

---

Finally resting in the peacefulness of the hostel, one of the good things Cloud found during his time in Avalanche, they had many allies, many supporters who liked the purpose of the group, allowing the much needed rest, after the many things that happened on Midgar.

He rested in a room with two bed, big enough to be comfortable, with Barret and Red XIII, the experimental dog that talked. They both were great companions, they made Cloud feel good and at ease, even after reviving the memories of past real life nightmares,

There was also two women in another room, Tifa and Aerith, his childhood friend and the cheerful girl that helped the entire group with her gentleness, resting in a separate room nearby, offering silent support to the traumaticed man, knowing the hardships all of them had passed in the last few months, and Tifa specifically knowing for experience what happened in that place that no longer existed.

It had been hard, of course, but he wouldn't change it for anything. The feeling of defeating Sephiroth with the help of his close friends was incredibly satisfying, at the same time disturbing, knowing what he said to Cloud just after the battle, he knew what was coming, Sephiroth never died, somehow, but not even in his darkest dreams he could have imagined what really was coming.

Cloud finally felt like he belonged somewhere, finally getting free from Shinra's claws completely, not longer reminded as an 'ex-Soldier', but simply Cloud Strife, the mercenary that worked alongside Avalanche.

But of course, not everything could go perfectly, it never did.

Later that night, Tifa called him to talk in the roof of the hostel, something he didn't think much of it, it was normal for friends to talk, and Cloud liked the night.

It was calm.

Lonely.

Maybe way too lonely.

He got up from his bed, not grabbing his signature sword; he didn't think he would need it, after all, he just was going to see his dear friend, right?

It was his biggest mistake of that one night.

Chapter Text

The blonde man went to the roof, without his sword or the piece of armor he normally kept on his shoulder (he removed it for comfort), not thinking much of it because he was going to meet his friend, Tifa. He trusted her so much, he remembered when they were kids, how they met at the water tower of their little town, happier times.

While he replayed the memories of how they met and how quickly time had passed since then, he went upstairs, slowly, lost in his own past world that he remembered with such nostalgia, how complete he felt as a child, when the only worry he had was coming home in time for dinner. 

How much things have changed. He was a kid wanting to grow up, like all children, and now that he was an adult, he just couldn't help but miss the simpler times.

Cloud reached the roof, where he started to look for Tifa; it wasn't big, but the roof was complex, with boxes and tables in the way, but he managed to find his way with the help of the railing to the back of the roof.

There was Tifa, yes.

It kinda reassured him the knowledge of that he wasn't begin deceived.

He approached her.

"Tifa." Cloud called out, his voice not loud, an habit he developed in his years of Soldier, where he couldn't talk loud because of spying missions. "Why did you called me here?"

The woman turned her head at the sound of the familiar voice, a gentle smile etched in her face in recognition to his childhood friend. 

"I talked with Aerith and Barret earlier, we wanted to go to that bar in this town, to know this new people and area." She replied, turning to the blonde man, her back lightly leaning on the railing. "Do you want to come with us?"

Of course, Cloud didn't want to go out that night, he was way too tired from escaping Midgar, nor was safe for him to go out, after all, his past as a Soldier followed him everywhere, and Shinra's eyes were anywhere, and he didn't want to pass the awkward time of having to deal with them.

So he respectfully declined Tifa's offer, explaining why, his friend understanding his situation.

His second big mistake.

They both went down, Cloud stopping in the floor of his room, watching how his three friends and the talking dog exited the hostel.

He was alone now.

After a few seconds, he went to his room, finding it strangely unlocked when he swore that Barret would leave it locked, but he dismissed it as just the old man begin forgetful. He went inside, this time really locking that door, his eyes wandering around the room; everything apparently in place, apart for a discarded glass with just a little of some alcoholic drink, something that probably Barret dank earlier, it was usual in him to have a drink or two, a few books that were already in the room, some flowers in glass vases... the usual stuff in that place.

But he did notice something that really troubled him; his sword wasn't when he left in before, nor was the piece of armor he wore on his shoulder, nor was any of Barret's bullets he usually had somewhere. 

He started to look for the missing objects; in the closet, in the shelves, even below the two beds, each movement more alerted and desesperate, his trained legs moving quickly around the room, his strong hands slightly trembling in a distressed motion, something that was really uncharacteristic of him, his heart racing with possibilities.

Someone broke in?

Barret took his things? 

Has he just crazy and putted them in another place?

But no, he knew it wasn't just that, he wasn't stupid, he knew that something was coming.

He knew it.

His vision started to get blurred, something that used to happen during his past visions with that man that burned down his life. He started hyperventilating, his legs trembled as his mind absolutely knew what was happening. It was such a terrible sensation, his head hurted, and he had to lean against the door of the closet.

He knew he wasn't going to end well, neither of his friends was nearby, not even in the same building, he didn't have any weapons, he only had his own body if something went wrong.

Cloud was strong physically, but not in the middle of a vision with his body not really responding to his command. 

He wanted to run out from the room, to find a place with people to feel safe, but no, his body didn't move an inch.

He felt a hand on his shoulder from behind.

A gloved hand.

His whole body shivered in pure terror at he felt that hand tightening it's grip; not enough to hurt him, but enough to make sure that it wasn't an illusion.

He was here.

Cloud stayed completely still for a few moments, shocked, thinking about what it's going to happend, what he could do. He knew something really bad was coming, but he didn't deduce what was it; a fight? A discussion? A threat? Maybe something even worse? He didn't know, and the blonde wasn't sure if he even wanted to know.

He acted without thinking twice, he had to defend himself, he couldn't just stay still for more time. He turned around fast, confirming his obvious suspicions; Sephiroth, his sworn enemy, a completely serious expression on his features, a hint of irritation and rage in those feline eyes that were once filled with determination. It send shivers down Cloud's spine.

The blonde one grabbed the wrist of the other that was on his shoulder, thanks to that it wasn't way too tight, he could make him stop, even if the taller one wasn't even trying. Yet.

Cloud's mind worked to think about what he would do, he didn't have anything at reach; he could grab the glass or the vase, but they were far from his reach, and his enemy had him pretty much trapped. He could move far from where he was standing now, and he perfectly knew that without anything to protect himself, it was little what he could do against Sephiroth; he was strong, yes, but Sephiroth was stronger, and Sephiroth could invoke his own sword at any moment.

The young man didn't have more time to think, his mind was blocked by thoughts of feeling trapped and desesperate, and the other man acted, releasing his wrist from Cloud's hand.

Cloud's head snapped sideways; his teeth grinding against eachother as he hitted the side of the closet in consequence, a faint taste of iron appearing in his mouth because he had accidentally bitten his tongue in the process.

He got into instant claustrophobia, he felt the room smaller, the air heavier with the violence that was coming, him cornered by the person that settled more panic in him. It was suffocating.

Cloud tried to defend himself, but physically and with such little space for movement he barely did something to the other.

The clear physical difference became more notorious as the fight continued, Sephiroth throwing him to the ground, the taste of blood in his mouth, the scratches on his skin and sides as he hitted a table, the faint marks that he somehow managed to give to his attacker but did little to help him in the long run. He wasn't as strong as him, much less when he felt absolutely panicked, barely managing to twist his body to dodge some blows, but eventually the adrenaline started to numb, pain really setting in.

Cloud didn't have mayor injuries, but the physical pain was too noticeable; the disorientation against the heavier blows making him want to curl up and disappear, his abdomen burning, his neck way too delicate now to twist or move, his body weakened, each movement hurting more that it should with the psychological impact that the assault was having.

"Why are you doing this?!" His voice was accelerated with desesperation as the other grabbed his head firmly by his blonde hair, making him moan in pain and frustration. "Why now?!" He managed to crack out as Sephiroth pulled his head back, his damaged neck exposed, his body cornered at the foot of the bed, kneeling even is he was constantly squirming, trying to break free, but his chances were little.

Sephiroth laughed in low volume, his grip tightening, making the younger one gasp. 

"Revenge," He answered in such a terribly serious tone. "And... amusement."

Cloud didn't want to react to that, his breath was heavy, and he closed his eyes, expecting a final blow.

He knew Sephiroth won't kill him, he never really attempted to domso in any of their past encounters.

But no, it wasn't a final blow, instead, he felt how the grip in his hair shifted, instead grabbing the side of his scratched cheeks with one hand, forcing Cloud to open his mouth even so slightly, and then he felt something hard and warm against his face.

"Don't you dare to use your teeth, or it will be even worse." He threatened as he did his way in Cloud's throat, the young man giving a muffled moan of pure pain, trying so hard to push his head back, to not let him do this to him, but the silver-haired one putted his hand in the back of his head, pushing his head against his hips, making Cloud gag in a mix of disgust and humiliation.

He wanted so bad to bite down, but he feared what he would suffer because of it. His mouth tasted like blood and humidity, but he forced himself to just stay still, wanting for it to end there, but it was way too forceful, he could feel every inch of Sephiroth's dick inside his mouth, every movement, the way his head was held so he couldn't move away. 

He just could stay still, having troubled breathing due to the pressure his throat was in, his eyes watering in desesperation as the other fucked his mouth.

He couldn't bring himself to enjoy it, he felt so dirty and filthy, feeling every vein, every shifting, and the taste of precum in his tongue that only made him sob, knowing what was coming next.

Eventually, Sephiroth cummed inside his warm mouth, Cloud gaging but forcing himself not to vomit. The man slid his cock out of his mouth, his hand in his blonde, messy hair forcing his mouth to shut with a finger below his chin.

"Swallow." He demanded, a hint of anger in his voice.

Cloud forced himself to swallow, coughing for air in the process, tears streaming down his face that he tried to clean with his scratched hands, his mouth full of taste of blood and cum, a terrible combination for him in that moment.

He didn't have much time to even process what was happening, and Sephiroth grabbed Cloud by his shirt, throwing him to the bed behind him, Sephiroth quickly climbing on top of him, a firm hand on his neck to pin him down, and with the other hand he started to rip off Cloud's shirt, leaving his chest and part of his abdomen exposed, the striking top scars in Cloud's chest becoming visible, not bothering in taking it off completely.

Panic set in inside Cloud, closing his legs before the taller one position himself between them, holding them shut for dear life, his hands gripping the hand that was on his neck.

"Please, please don't do this!" He begged desesperately, tears filling his eyes as he coughed for air. "Sephiroth, please, don't do this to me!" 

But the other barely listener to him, instead, he tried to open his legs, Cloud grunting while he held them in place, but his injuries from the struggled, the shortness of breath and Sephiroth's strength, he couldn't hold on for much time.

His legs gave up eventually, he couldn't hold on eternally, and in the second of weaknesses, the taller man on top managed to place himself between Cloud's legs, his knees on either side of the other hips so he couldn't close them anymore, and he ripped off the fabric in the part of the crotch, exposing Cloud to sight.

The one pinned against the bed trembled uncontrolably, begging for him to stop, to let go, but it was useless.

Sephiroth's hand slid in between his legs, encountering Cloud's cunt, barely wet because of how nervous and scared he felt.

His worse enemy started to touch him, two fingers stimulating his clit, larger than in a normal pussy due to his trans hormones, Cloud sobing, tears no longer streaming down his face, but in equal desesperation, trying to break free from the hand holding his neck, but now it was even more difficult with his clit begin stimulated, the sensation unwillingly pleasurable, breathing heavily. 

He hated it so much, he hated that it was pleasurable, it felt dirty, he wanted to kick him away, but his legs felt numbed and raw with scratches.

Sephiroth started tomove his fingers faster, Cloud getting wet as a natural reaction, not because he wanted it, but because his body reacted to it. It was sickening.

After little time, he felt two fingers probing his entrance, and he tightened involuntarily, the last thing he wanted was to have something inside him. But he didn't have the control to do that, and he sensed how the two fingers entered his slick entrance, he clunching them as to not let them enter, but Sephiroth smirked and buried his fingers deep, slowly starting to stretch him out, the tips rubbing against his gspot, making the trans man arch his back in pleasure as they moved faster and putted more pressure inside him, moans of pain and pleasure escaping his mouth, begging him to stop, tears running down his cheeks onces more at the feeling of the two fingers deep inside, moving fast against his internal muscles, not in and out, Sephiroth knowing exactly what he was doing.

Cloud felt himself throbbing, feeling an strange sensation and made his whole body shiver and trembled, letting out a loud cry as he was an squirt under the older man's stimulation, gasping for air, feeling humiliated of not begin capable of control his body's reactions.

Sephiroth retired his fingers from inside him.

Cloud found himself lost and dizzy from the squirt, not realizing that Sephiroth was taking out one of his belts for pinning his wrists to the bed post, no longer having any force to resist, his face flushed with embarrassment as his enemy took off his ripped pants completely, forcing his way in between his legs.

"Please..." he begged breathless. "Don't do this...." he murmured for the last time, looking at Sephiroth with red eyes from crying. 

"Don't make this even more difficult." 

He lost now, his only option was to endure and silently play for anyone listening that this would end fast.

The trans man released a deep cry of pain as the other entered his tight entrance, forcefully stretching him way too much, making him cough as the other pushed himself inside, both of his hands on his hips, as Cloud was helplessly tied to the bedpost, unable to struggle anymore.

He felt Sephiroth bottom up, the tip of the thick cock pressing against his cervix in such a painful way as he moved in a rough way, deep and hard, too hard.

Cloud could only cry and release moans of a mixture of agony and unwanted pleasure, no longer begging, he didn't feel the strength to do that. Just closed his eyes, trying to think about anything else, but the sensations were too intense.

The taller one continued raping him mercilessly, his hands leaving faint marks on the pale skin on the other, his body full of scratches and bruises from struggling.

Suddenly, Sephiroth stopped for a moment to put Cloud laying on his stomach, hands still tied, and he entered him again, now easier, one of his hands pressing the blonde's hair against the pillow as he moved harder, faster, Cloud struggling to get air, his back muscles tensing slightly, the pillow beheneath him mufflig his sounds, the only thing audible were the slaps of skin against skin, the ocasional spanking that made him tense, Sephiroth's elaborated breath and muffled moans from Cloud.

Eventually, the taller one buried himself deep inside the trans male's cunt, letting out a deep grunt, and his eyes widened in shock as he felt thick and abundant liquid fill him, his pussy tightening and he came involuntarily, his muscles milking Sephiroth even more, the cum filling the other's womb and overflowing a bit, drops of fluids falling onto the sheets beneath them both.

Sephiroth catched his breath, before slowly getting out of Cloud, spanking one of his cheeks hard and passing his thumb along the dripping slit, stretched out and filled up, a bit or blood also coming out due to the roughness of the act.

He dressed himself, letting Cloud with his hands still tied, completely spent, his eyes looking nowhere, wide in shock and realization, feeling nauseous and really dizzy as he observed Sephiroth dissappear.

"You're nothing but a puppet." Was the only think Cloud heard before passing out in the bed.

Chapter Text

Some hours later, Cloud woke up, feeling absolutely destroyed, physically and emotionally. He was still tied with that damn belt his wrists red and his hands swollen from the belt begin too tight, his whole body aching with the aftermath of the assault, his mouth feeling dry and raw for obvious reasons, his eyes reddened with tears. He could barely feel his lower body, his legs not responding, this intimate parts burning, throbbing terribly hard. His body knew what was bad, no longer feeling any kind of pleasure, just feeling nauseous and violated, his body covered in marks of struggle, his neck and hips marked with a really tight grip that now was red marks. 

Bites. 

Reddened parts.

Bruises.

Scratches.

Blood between his legs and his mouth

His body a map of abuse, but at the same time a sign of survival, that he survived that abuse, that he was alive, probably the only reassuring part about it. That he was strong, in his own way.

Slowly, he managed to move his fingers, probing to find how to untie himself, doing it with great effort, managing to slide one of his hands free, then the other, and he rolled to lay on his back, a much more comfortable position to be.

He looked at his hands; red, swollen, some of his nails broken due to struggling a few hours ago. He took a deep breath, air almost cutting his throat, and he pushed himself to be sitting in bed, feeling fluids that were definitely not his dripping out his body, a sensation that reminded him exactly of everything, his entrance hurting because of the rough action hours before, feeling raw and used in a way Cloud didn't like at all. He felt so ashamed and vulnerable in that moment, Sephiroth's words buried in his mind, and he couldn't help but hug himself, his strong arms covering his chest, that onces didn't helped him escape that hell, now covering bruises and marks of survival, as well covering his top scars, a reminder of what Sephiroth took advantage of; his only femenine parts, the most vulnerable part of himself, one of the only things that really hurted him, and it had to be that. He felt filthy, dysphoric, he was horrorified, terrified of even looking down at himself. He knew perfectly that he broke, he felt bleeding earlier, and even closing his legs made him want to scream. 

He looked down at the floor next to him, his clothes discarded and torn apart, the room a complete mess of struggle, some corners of some furniture stained with his own blood from the fight, another reminder of the suffering he lived. He could feel the sheets beneath him stained with a thick liquid that he didn't even want to think about what it was, he almost gaged.

Cloud started to try and move his legs, his muscles trembling and aching, so he decided to stay there. His friends won't take much longer to come back, and even if he felt so ashamed of himself, he needed help, and he trusted his companions. He knew they won't laugh at him, they won't make the pain even worse, so he waited, not really having another option.

Some time passed, Cloud not really begin conscient of the passing time anymore, lost in his thoughts, curled up in bed, his arms desesperately covering his chest in an attempt to not looking so bad when they arrive, but his tired, swollen eyes and his pale lips said all anyone needed to know. Eventually, they came back, it was still at night, probably around 5 AM or so. Barret and Red entered the room since they shared the room with Cloud. Barret's mouth opened to greet Cloud like usual, but his eyes immediately went to the trembling and visibly distressed figure that laid naked and very clearly injured in one of the beds, his usual energetic and caring (in his own way) expression shifting to actual horror and rage the moment he saw his friend in that condition, the experimental dog stopping in his tracks as he also registered the state of Cloud.

Barret rushed to Cloud bedside, his eyes clossed, fearing meeting the gaze of his friend and the possibility of judgement.

"Oh Cloud, what happened?!" Barred exclaimed, the usual energetic man now genuinely worried, cupping with his only hand the cold cheek of the other, making Cloud's eyes snap open, his body flinching at the touch, and Barret quickly retracted his hand, taking off his sunglasses, his gaze fixated on the terrified face of the other. He looked at Red just for a moment, the dog understanding the silent request of calling for the two women, since Barret wasn't really good at gentle comforting, much less on a situation of obvious abuse, but he did cover his friend with his jacket, trying to help him not to get even more trapped inside his own body.

Aerith and Tifa stormed into the room of Cloud and Barret after hearing the short explanation that Red gave them, Aerith freezing by the door, knowing instantly what happened just by seeing Cloud's red eyes and the state he was in, and Tifa went to the bedside, kneeling down to eye level with her dear friend, the other strong man moving aside to let her take care of Cloud, knowing that she could provide the comfort no one could due to the deep bond between they both over the years.

"Oh gosh, Cloud..." she whispered, her hands cupping his friend's face really softly, so softly that made the blonde man's heart ache with tenderness and a hint of embarrassment, gently shifting in bed to sit down, Barret's jacket covering him lowering, only covering him from hips down, letting see a good part of the obvious violation, but he couldn't bring himself to care. 

"What... Who did this to you..?" Aerith stepped in, approaching the bed, her gentle and caring nature really concerned for Cloud's state.

Cloud didn't answer, his lips trembling, not wanting to meet anyone's gaze, his cheeks blushing with embarrassment and how cared for he felt now, but he just couldn't say the name of his abuser, he was barely processing what happened just a few hours ago. His friends understood his silence, Aerith in special already deducing who did this to him, but decided to keep her mouth shut for the moment.

"I... I think I need to cleaning up..." Cloud muttered timidly, trying to move. He didn't know if he was really capable of walking without help, his legs felt way too sore for standing up alone.

"Let me help you, man." Barret intervened, approaching Cloud to lend a hand and help him to get up, supporting his weight, putting his hand around his shoulders, barely putting pleasure, but it made the blonde boy flinch, though he could manage himself, covering his bare chest with his arms.

In the adjacent bathroom, Barret guided Cloud carefully to sit on the toilet, trying not to make it uncomfortable for Cloud, and called out for Tifa to help him inside, knowing that she was the person that Cloud probably felt more secure with. As Tifa came in and closed the door behind her, Cloud couldn't help but still feel watched in a bad way, but he forced himself to calm down.

Tifa turned on the water in the bathtub without asking anything, checking for a warm temperature while Cloud just sat there like a lost puppy, feeling helpless, his mind racing with the possibilities that came with the aftermath of such forceful abuse; was he really injured? What would this mean in the future?.. Could he even get pregnant..?

It was unlikely, he took testosterone hormones, he didn't get a period, but he didn't know if it was posible, the thought alone made him want to vomit in disgust. He would somehow abort it if that happened, but he didn't even want to think about it.

While he was in his own world, the bathtub filled with warm water, Tifa gently guiding him to get in, his wounds burned faintly, but it was nothing compared to the emotional damage he suffered.

Tifa kneeled next to the bathtub, applying some soap in his hands to wash Cloud's tired face, some color finally returning to his lips at the contact with water, the dry blood and other fluids getting out of his skin, only leaving the faint marks of scratches and bruises.

"You were so strong, I'm sure of it." Tifa reassured in a quiet voice, not wanting to disrupt the peaceful silence abruptly. "We'll help you heal, I promise. And we'll be there when you want to talk about it." 

Cloud nodded gently, leaning even so slightly in Tifa's touch, he grabbing the sponge to wash his own body, begin delicate with some soft spots and special areas that hurted. And then, it was time to clean his sore cunt, doing it with his fingers because the sponge was way too rough for his damaged skin. His fingers touched slowly, noticing the dried cum getting off of his body, releasing a few sounds of pain and sighs, looking at Tifa with a sad expression, searching comfort in the familiar figure that held his face as his fingers encountered his entrance, that felt so raw and rough, sore, with clear wounds that he slowly cleaned. He won't ever be the same again, it was so painful to know that he won't forget this, that no one would forget this, tears streaming down his cheeks as he looked at Tifa, not saying anything, but just a look was enough to understand eachother, the bond they had unbreakable and irreplaceable. 

Cloud finished cleaning up, getting out of the tub with the help of his friend, wrapping himself in a towel, smelling like soap and care, instead or sadness and abuse. He loved Tifa deeply, even if it was platonic, she was his biggest companion through all his life, he apreciated her dearly.

"Wait here, I'll grab you some clothes." Tifa offered kindly, leaving the trans man in the bathroom while he grabbed some comfy clothes for him and returned to the bathroom, letting Cloud dress himself without looking at him to not make him uncomfortable, knowing that he was in a delicate state.

Once he was dressed, they got out of the bathroom, the room tidier than before, without blood on furniture, without stained sheets and ripped clothes somewhere in the room. 

"Barret and I have decided that I'll sleep with you tonight, okay..?" Her voice was soft and gentle, really wanting to help Cloud heal. The taller one nodded, a small smile on his lips, something small, but it meant something. "It sounds good."

They both got in the bed, Cloud clinging to Tifa like when they were kids, finding peace in her embrace, her softness so different from the hardness of the past assault.

Cloud slept like a baby that night in Tifa's arms, nightmares reaching him, but his dear friend scared them away.

He was safe now.