Chapter Text
What Cloud Strife expected and what Cloud Strife encountered after being invited to one Zack Fair's place for ‘pizza night’ were two incredibly different things.
What Cloud had expected was that he come up to was a Shinra-Issued cramped tower apartment, order some greasy pizza from the junkiest place that delivered to the tower and enjoy a hearty night of binging food and media with his best friend.
Instead, he set foot in a far more spacious apartment than he thought he would encounter, and it wasn’t just him and Zack. “Cloud! I’m so glad you could make it buddy, come on in!” Zack chirped and walked him into the apartment. “Guys! Look who managed to make it.” He cheered, with imagined tail wagging and eyes sparkling.
The guys in question were no less than his senior colleagues, the legendary First Class Soldiers. Casually draped over Zack Fair’s sofa and each other. “Ah, at last.” Genesis hummed, sparing only the slightest glance, though his expression darkened when Sephiroth, whom he had been using as a pillow, straightened up. “That would be the last of us right? Or was Kunsel coming after all?” Angeal chimed from the open kitchen.
“We’d been hoping to see more of you, Cloud, Zack has told us a lot about you.” Sephiroth said, sounding far more menacing than he had ever intended.
“Oh-- sir. I err.” Cloud straightened up before his superiors- stammering as his brain went into overdrive immediately from the slight awestruckness.
Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal. Legends, Heroes, his heroes. He knew his friend worked with them sure-- and he’d heard about them, but to hang out with them himself? What had Zack told them about him? Before his head could spiral much further he was met with a hearty laugh and clap on the shoulder.
“You’re off duty buddy. Within these walls we’re just friends. No ranks. My rules.” Zack encouraged him. “But yeah, Kunsel’s still beat from his last field mission so he skipped out on tonight, something about wrangling a new Third with a boner for property damage. So we’re complete now! Pizza time!” And Zack huddled up to Angeal.
Genesis followed, which left Cloud still near the entrance with his head in overdrive. And Sephiroth who was watching the poor cadet trying to reboot his brain. His gaze didn’t leave the blond as he approached, and didn’t seem to register him doing so. “We should probably go to the kitchen if we want pizza.” He said. Snapping Cloud back to some sort of Fantasy-come-true mixed with reality.
Joining the rest of them at last, Angeal gave Cloud a warm smile and Sephiroth a thankful look. “It’s Cloud’s first time so I say he’s entitled to a big slice.” Angeal put forward as Cloud looked at the counter.
Bowls and plates of veggies, meats, cheeses and all sorts of expensive fresh ingredients were laid out around two trays of prepped pizza dough. One divided up in three, and another freshly divided in half. The Soldiers seemed to be in agreement or indifference to that, and a brief discussion began about the other half. “Zack will eat all the snacks after regardless so It doesn’t matter if he gets the larger piece.” Genesis sassed. “And last time you didn’t finish yours.” Sephiroth retorted, Angeal respectfully abstained from throwing his lot in, while eyeing Cloud to get his hands washed up in Zack’s sink while the boys settled this.
The way it had been settled in the end, was old fashioned Rock, Paper, Scissors. And the men were taking it quite seriously, Zack had been defeated swiftly and he was up next on washing his hands. It felt kind of silly to watch the general and his lieutenant face off against each other. But it eased Cloud into being here. “You should’ve seen Seph when he first learnt this game, you could’ve put a toddler before him and still lost.” Zack said as he watched their fourth draw.
Cloud snickered. “No way, Sephiroth doesn’t lose.”
“That’s what we thought too, and he doesn’t when it matters. But in good company….” Angeal smiled and clapped his hands together to decide on a tiebreaker.
Said tiebreaker was promptly won by Genesis, and so, with dramatic flair, he accepted his win.
“You know, when you said pizza night, I thought we’d be ordering something in and laze around” Cloud mentioned softly.
“Well that’s what it was until we intervened.” Genesis grinned widely. “I personally can’t stand the grease, it makes me feel disgusting.”
“We also found out we enjoy some involvement in preparing a meal together.” Angeal added.
There was a nice homely twinge to it huh. Something about that made Cloud feel a little fuzzy inside. “Well, now that we’re all decided who gets what let’s get to makin’ these bad boys before we starve!” Zack said and began filling up his third with mostly meats and cheeses.
Angeal’s third was far more well balanced, some meats, a humble amount of cheese, and a wealth of greens. Genesis made his half look like an artwork, delicately arranged mozzarella, carefully selected toppings, and lightly drizzled with pesto, as if it couldn’t look any more mouthwatering.
Sephiroth was currently mostly just observing, and his eyes met Cloud’s. The General’s eyes urged him to go on with a small jerk of his eyebrows. And so Cloud did, being a little messy and far less artful than Genesis. But he still came up with something he felt he would enjoy greatly. What was left over was taken up by Sephiroth, who wasn’t very ceremonious about it.
“I still can’t believe you would just put anything on a pizza, even Zack is more nuanced than that.” Gen sighed as he watched while Angeal got ready to put both of the bad boys into the pre-heated oven.
“Well, despite all your efforts so far, I stand by my conclusion that Zackary here won’t use up his leftovers and I’m doing us a favour by not allowing some sentient being to grow in the deepest crevice of his fridge.” Sephiroth retorted with calculated calmness.
Zack was left agape for a moment. “Wow Seph, I’m not that bad-- I mean--’ Zack began and Sephiroth betrayed a small grin on his face. “Perhaps not intentionally, but need I remind you of the sock incident?”
“Dude!! That was a mako leak!” Zack pleaded his case.
“I’m pretty sure mako only enhances what’s there already, puppy. It doesn’t create life like that.” Angeal hummed as he closed the oven now that both pizzas were in.
“Geal! You were supposed to have my back, man.” Zack croaked as his face flushed a deep red.
“I don’t know what this sock incident is all about but I want to hear all about it now.” Cloud said after recovering from an attempt at suppressing laughter.
So they made their way back to the living area, Zack only after grabbing some new drinks for his guests after being urged to pretend to be a good host by Angeal. The sofa, despite being a large sectional, was still kind of cramped with all the Soldiers needing to seat themselves on it, and Cloud marveled at how comfortably they sat close to one another for a moment before being taken into the tale of the sock incident.
Much laughter and some debate was had over the exact details of how Second Class Zackary Fair’s sock had managed to gain some form of sentience and had managed to traverse several floors of the Shinra building before meeting an unfortunate end when it accidentally wandered into Professor Hojo’s lab. Where it was never seen again. Of all people Sephiroth was the one to show Cloud some of the saved surveillance camera footage on his PHS to show the adventuring sock crawl about undetected in the middle of the night.
“Some say the poor thing is still down in that lab somewhere, trying to reunite with it’s twin sibling.” Genesis ended the story.
The since recovered Zack had long given up on his defense. “Well at least if nothing else it was memorable.” He concluded. “So far you’ve certainly left some sort of legacy behind.” Angeal hummed just as the chime of the cooking alarm rang through the apartment.
All pizzas were delivered to their creators and the television found itself turned on and broadcasting some easy to watch show. Talking ceased and the gentle noise of consumption replaced it. Though the allocation of half a pizza all for himself was maybe a bit much for Cloud. And while he enjoyed himself thoroughly he really couldn’t bring himself to eat all of it, so with a decent slice of pizza left he looked to Zack, who in response opened his mouth in an ‘ahhh’.
It was kind of fun to feed Zack. The kind of intense eye contact they had brought some colour to Cloud’s cheeks but he didn’t feel too self conscious about it, they were just… dudes being bros, right? Like Sephiroth said, it’d be a waste to leave leftovers that could fall prone to accidental sentience.
As meals were finished up, everyone began relaxing a little more, including Cloud, who slowly began melting into his seat. “I think I’m going into a food coma.”
“Good, that’s the goal.” Zack hummed in agreement and put his arm around him, gently pulling him into a cuddle. It was nothing new that Zack was being touchy, but this felt a different kind of nice. “Zack if you do that I’m gonna fall asleep on you and drool all over your shirt.” Cloud croaked.
“That’s not a crime, He’ll know how it feels for once.” Sephiroth retorted, and pulled his hair out from under him before leaning back into Angeal himself. “You’ve slept on everyone here haven’t you?” Cloud hummed with a smirk on his face.
“Mmmmaybe?” Zack replied.
“Everyone who has been drooled on by Zack Fair please raise your hand.” Cloud smirked. And in unison Genesis, Angeal and Sephiroth’s hands raised. “Wha-- Gen! I never fell asleep on you!” Zack jolted up, bewildered.
“Hmm, you’re not wrong, pup. But I recall another time your drool was slobbered all over me.” Genesis stated shamelessly, and Cloud made an unholy noise before choking on his own spittle.
“Oh come now, surely it's not so unbelievable.” Genesis hummed.
“No-- I believe you.” Cloud heaved. “It’s just-- I don’t really often hear the details of people’s sex lives.” he said.
“Truly? I thought Zack would tattle all about his encounters to a friend as close as you.” Gen hummed as Cloud noticed the silent interest from both Angeal and Sephiroth.
“I would, but I don’t wanna make Cloud feel awkward.” Zack hummed.
“Why would it be awkward? Surely a man as handsome as Cloud has more game than you do, darling.” And Genesis was met with more silence, Cloud’s face hot and red as he didn’t even make an attempt at stammering a response.
“Alright so he doesn’t-- there’s no shame in that either, men are fools who don’t know something good when it’s in front of them.” Genesis chimed and threw himself into Sephiroth to dismiss himself as though nothing happened..
“It’s no big deal-- I mean I came to Midgar really young, so aside from the creepers I’m pretty much like everyone’s little brother here.” Cloud finally managed to blurt out.
“Should you ever want to change that factoid I can say there would be at least one person here who would love to help you with that.” Sephiroth chimed.
“Excuse me?” Cloud stammered.
“Your virginity.” Sephiroth said.
“As thoughtful and well-adjusted as we’ve raised you to be, you really are far too forward.” Genesis cried as he held back a laugh.
“Mayhap it’s not the most suave to express sexual attraction during the first casual meeting, bud.” Angeal patted Sephiroth’s head.
“You mean you…??” Cloud shrieked.
Sephiroth showed no shame, simply kept eye contact with Cloud for as long as he was willing to.
“Stop sexually harassing my best friend, Seph.” Zack chided and pulled Cloud into his side a little tighter, protectively.
“I don’t think he’s scared, Zack.” Angeal hummed and turned down the television. “I think he doesn’t believe we would actually be into him.”
“What happened to suave and subtle and slow burns?” Genesis commented as he reached over Sephiroth to kick Angeal. “Cloud, if these dumbasses are coming on too strong I can deal with them for you.” Genesis offered.
Cloud sputtered out a grateful noise. “It’s… fine, thank you.”
The silence remained for a little while longer, and the show was turned up once more so they could absently watch it. Cloud could feel himself doze off, and Zack hushed him to not resist the coziness.
When Cloud next woke, his pillow was no longer Zack, instead he found himself tucked into a blanket with his head in someone else’s lap. He heard something above him, deep sighs and then something wet. Lips, Cloud realised.
Peeking through his lashes told him nothing. He hadn’t paid attention to what everyone was wearing to know whose pants he was resting on, so instead he dared to let them know he’d woken. He stirred, moving his head to watch up at those above him.
He was laid in Angeal’s lap, and the man kissing Angeal was Sephiroth, leaning over the back of the sectional. It was quite something to look up at, Cloud’s cheeks heated. Their lips parted, and Cloud watched Angeal caress Sephiroth’s cheek, and then pet through Cloud’s hair with the same hand moments after. “Welcome back.” Angeal greeted to the blonde who really hoped he could’ve been ignored.
Cloud was frozen in place, feeling like he saw something he wasn’t supposed to. But neither of them spoke any discontent if there was any. Instead, Sephiroth walked around and knelt before Cloud to kiss him on the forehead. “I have to go, see you next time, Cloud.” There was a glint in Sephiroth’s eye that Cloud couldn’t read as anything else but affectionate, but surely he was just bad at reading him.
Cloud laid there for a little while longer, surely this was all just a dream. A strange weird dream.
“Did that just happen?” Cloud managed to squeak out and Angeal chuckled softly, still petting through Cloud’s hair. “Sephiroth being smitten with you? I’m afraid so.” Angeal voiced and Cloud sprang up in shock at the confirmation.
“But he.. I mean, you….” Cloud stammered, and Angeal gave him a calm and knowing smile.
“Sephiroth, Zack, Genesis and myself are all together.” Angeal explained and watched Cloud put the picture together.
“O…kay….” He managed, processing.
”Don’t you guys get jealous?” Cloud squinted, knowing more than one quarrel happening from ‘open’ relationships in the barracks.
“Not with each other, so much.” Angeal explained. “We talk about a lot of things, including when anyone’s feeling left out or needs more support because of work… It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.” Angeal’s soothing voice did make it sound very appealing to Cloud.
“We also talk about things outside of us four. Like when Sephiroth offered himself to you earlier tonight.” Cloud cringed. “He’s not known for doing that, was quite shy when Zack entered into the equation, actually, so… we asked him where he wanted to take that if you should ever take him up on it. Not that you have to, of course not, but just the hypotheticals.”
Cloud was intrigued, curious, even.
“So… what were those hypotheticals?” He asked softly.
“If you took him up on it, if he wanted it to become a more permanent thing for one.”
“If it was to be a more permanent thing, would he envision you separately from the rest of us? Would we be allowed to be interested in you as well?”
Cloud swallowed, throat dry but mind keen with interest..
“If we were allowed to be interested, does that mean all of us, or just some of us?”
Cloud thought of Zack, and he could feel his ears grow red to match his cheeks.
“And what if his vision of the relationship conflicted with yours? Could he compromise for you?”
Cloud sat stunned. He wasn’t even a part of this equation yet, and they considered his best interests in a way he didn’t think anyone would for him.
“What did he say..?” Cloud asked, and Angeal huffed a smile.
“I think you best ask him that yourself… more importantly, what would you say?”
“Me??” Angeal nodded.
“I… “
“There’s no right or wrong answer, Cloud. Only what you want.” Angeal spoke.
Cloud considered a moment.
“...I don’t know if… I could be here with everyone….”
“That’s alright, Anyone you feel strongly about? Anyone who is strongly off limits?”
Cloud shrugged. “I don’t… Zack is my best friend… I don’t want to ruin that.”
“Very understandable, I felt the same way when my relationship with Sephiroth and Genesis first began to change.” Angeal hummed. “But we ended up talking, being honest, and we’re all very happy we did…” Angeal gave Cloud’s shoulder a squeeze.
“If you ever have questions, ask, by all means, miscommunication is what we’re trying to avoid.” Angeal spoke and Cloud pressed his lips together with a shy nod. Not able to think of anything right now. Well, save that the pizza party was definitely over and he should get back to the barracks.
“Stay for the night, Sofa’s all yours. It’s past lights out.” Angeal said before rising from the sofa to clean up some of what was left on the coffee table, leaving Cloud to his thoughts.
His best friend was in a polycule with his colleagues and quite possibly the most handsome men on the planet-- who were asking him to consider an invitation to their arrangement.
This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. That, or there was something in the pizza sauce that had all of them losing their mind.
Cloud contemplated his own sanity and that of his friends as he padded over to Zack's bathroom to relieve himself and stare himself down in the mirror, perhaps pinch himself. From the hall he could hear Angeal wish him goodnight, and he answered goodnight back before splashing a little extra water in his face. He didn't really need to wake up, but he needed to know if this was real… and despite his efforts to prove the contrary it most certainly seemed to be.
Resigned to processing his feelings, the apartment was now clad mostly in darkness, save for the light by the sofa and a little light bleeding out from Zack's bedroom door, which was left ajar.
Cloud almost felt perverted when he approached the door to listen to the voices coming out.
"Give it time pup, It's a very new idea he needs to get used to first. But it's very clear he loves you." Angeal's voice sounded soothing. He loves you… well of course he did, Zack was his best friend. But the tone it carried in Angeal's tenderness, could it be more than friendship? He just thought he'd been safe from the toxic masculinity that perpetuated Midgar's social structures with him, but was it more?
He was just getting swept up in things. He shouldn't get ahead of things.
"Have a little faith in him, Fair. If he's half the man you muse him to be this will work out wonderfully." Genesis' voice chimed, and Cloud startled a little. Were the three of them sharing a bed? He shouldn't be so surprised, really. And it wasn't like they were fucking in earshot of him like some of the guys in the barracks thought they could. Zack's bed certainly was bound to be bigger than the average infantry bunk, so it wasn't like they didn't fit. On top of that… it seemed like Genesis seemed to like him. Genesis, who was rumoured to not like anyone, was positive about him.
Something in the back of his mind wanted to know how comfortable it'd be in the middle of that cuddle pile. Purely for scientific reasons, of course. Three mako'd up soldiers radiated more heat than the entirety of the temperature control in most infantry halls, so it would be a mighty cozy affair. It was why he'd slept so well on Zack earlier.
The sofa was his and his alone now, and he tried focusing on his schedule come the morrow and not the wild fantasies that threatened to dominate his mind.