Fic: After the World's End - Chapter 3
Title: After the World’s End
Chapter: 3/18
Author: xpaperplanex
Rating: NC-17 overall
Word Count: ~3600
Pairings: Sephiroth/Cloud
Genre: adventure, hurt/comfort, alpha/omega
Warnings: underage, non-con
Chapter 1
Summary: Offered up as payment to an alpha for ridding the town of monsters, Cloud discovers that the outside world is vastly different than he expected, and that he could play a role in changing it.
Sephiroth never wanted to mate, preferring his independence as a SOLDIER that allows him to travel the world at his leisure. When he finds himself caring for a traumatized omega, however, his values start to shift.
***
"How long did it last?"
Cloud had finally dragged himself out of bed in the late afternoon to shower, and managed to convince himself to stay out of it so he could eat dinner at the table instead of making Sephiroth have to bring it to him. It was more than enough that he cooked for him.
"Four days," Sephiroth replied. "Nearly five. I was starting to get worried, to be honest."
"That's bad?"
Sephiroth made a noncommittal noise. "Your body isn't really meant to handle that much intensity for so long, and you weren't eating anywhere near enough to keep up with the energy you were using. It's nothing to be concerned about, though. It's likely the result of not being cared for properly up until now, and should be better next time. Around three days is the time we like to see in someone who's unmated."
"How long does it last for people who are mated?"
"Two days is the average, but it can go lower if the omega’s sexual needs are kept satisfied well enough outside of the heat. That's why you want to find someone you've got good compatibility with. Anyone can make you see stars when you're in heat as long as they've got a dick and can knot, but you'll want someone who can make you feel good any time."
Cloud blushed until he was certain even the tips of his ears were on fire. Surely he couldn't come like that outside of his heat. Did he even want to? He'd never felt the urge to use his dildo when he didn't need it. He hated masturbating, and if his approaching heat demanded it, he only touched his penis.
"Is it …" He hesitated a moment. "Is it normal to want to have sex outside of heat?"
Sephiroth paused and blinked at him several times before replying. "Very." He reached across the table and took Cloud's hand, squeezing it gently. "I understand that you've been made to feel ashamed of what you are, but there's nothing wrong with you or your needs. There's nothing wrong with sex as long as you and your partner are consenting."
"I've never wanted to," he admitted, ducking his head in shame.
"That's okay." Sephiroth came around the table and crouched beside him, looking up into his eyes. "That's perfectly fine. You might just have a lower sex drive than average. Or it's entirely possible that being assaulted, tortured and humiliated every time you need sex has made you rather reasonably not want to go through that more than you have to. Once you're accustomed to feeling safe and secure, or when you find someone you like, you might find that things start to change. If they don’t, that’s okay. There's absolutely nothing wrong with you."
Cloud wiped away the tears that were falling and reached out for Sephiroth, who gathered him into his arms and crooned while rocking him gently.
***
They were up early the next morning. Cloud was feeling back to normal, if a bit tired still, but there was work to be done. They washed the blankets they had used and hung them out to dry in the sun. The storm had caused three trees to fall near the cabin, and Sephiroth cut them into logs with a saw, then loaded them onto a small wagon that Pippin pulled back to the cabin. There, he split the logs for firewood. Cloud helped by stacking the split logs in an ancient shed that would keep them mostly dry, but he also spent a lot of time just watching. Sephiroth worked without a shirt on, and his bare chest and rippling muscles had Cloud's mind returning again and again to the way the alpha had touched him during his heat.
He begged to flee to the woods after lunch. Watching Sephiroth made him feel things he wasn't entirely sure he was comfortable with feeling. Pippin was still working, but Sephiroth had Birdy go with him. She followed him closely as he explored, and it seemed like every step they took, there was something new to see. It was a good distraction, but he couldn't help but think about what Sephiroth had said the night before. Was there really nothing wrong with him?
He had a vivid memory of a time shortly before his first heat. The changes his body was going through were scary, but he had been curious about it as well. He remembered sitting on his bed and lifting his balls to prod at his vagina. It had felt good when he put his finger in. He closed his eyes and thrust it in and out until he was trembling all over and fluid was running down his hand.
"Disgusting," someone sneered.
His memory of the mayor's face as he had opened his eyes filled his vision. He had been so angry. He had taken a switch and made Cloud bend over the side of the bed and spread his legs. He could still feel the agonizing pain as it smacked his hole over and over while the mayor berated him.
"Kweh?" Cloud opened his eyes when Birdy snaked her head under his arm. She shuffled closer and nudged at him until he got the hint and climbed onto her back like he had done before. This time she walked back to the cabin while Cloud clung to her and sobbed his heart out. He had never touched himself like that again except for when the heat demanded it. It was disgusting and bad. He was disgusting and bad.
He looked up from Birdy's neck when she began to wark loudly. They were still in the woods, but not even a minute later, Sephiroth came crashing through the trees.
"Are you hurt?" The alpha was at his side in an instant, pulling him down from Birdy and cradling him against his sweaty, heaving chest.
Cloud sobbed harder as he shook his head. He wished he was. He clearly needed a reminder to not feel like that. Sephiroth had made him forget.
"Okay, okay, you're okay. Let it all out. You're safe. I've got you."
Sephiroth's crooning began again and the rumbling reverberated from his chest. Cloud's muscles went pliant and his eyes drifted shut. It was hard to think when Sephiroth did that. He couldn't remember the pain he had just been recalling so vividly, and he couldn't even think of what the mayor's face looked like. His mind couldn't latch onto anything except the knowledge that he was safe.
It was fully dark when the rumbling and crooning slowly faded. Sephiroth's eyes shone brightly in the dark, and they were full of concern as they looked down at him. "Stay calm, I've got you," Sephiroth whispered.
He was lifted up-Sephiroth must have been sitting or something-and he tried to speak when he heard the ground crunching under Sephiroth's feet. Had he stayed in the same spot the whole time? How long had it been? How could he have made the alpha do something like that?
"Hush, it's okay." Sephiroth began to croon again as he walked, and Cloud felt himself calm once more. Two shadowy figures walked beside them, and they resolved into the chocobos when they entered the clearing where the cabin was and there was a bit of starlight.
"I can walk," Cloud said half-heartedly.
"I know." Sephiroth didn't put him down, however. Not even once they were in the cabin. Instead he opened the fridge and took out a container and found a spoon before sitting down in the big chair by the cold fireplace, all while still carrying him. He arranged Cloud on his lap, then opened the container and held a spoonful of cold casserole to his lips. "Eat. You can't miss meals."
Sighing, Cloud rested his head on Sephiroth's chest and opened his mouth. He didn't want to be put down. He didn't want to feed himself. Not when it felt like the only thing holding him together was Sephiroth's presence. The fact that the man cared about him enough to be willing to spoon food into his mouth had to mean that he was worth something.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Sephiroth asked gently once the container was empty.
Haltingly, he did his best. While he stammered and cringed over every word, Sephiroth listened quietly, only interrupting to croon when he couldn't bear to go on. Two men had had to come in to hold him down. When the whipping finally stopped, the mayor had shoved the switch into him, scratching up his insides while he screamed. He had been swollen and bleeding for days, and several of the cuts got infected. Nobody cared, however, and the best he'd been able to do was try to keep the ones on the outside clean and dry until they had finally scabbed over. He'd been afraid to touch inside again, and so just left it, hoping it would stop hurting eventually.
His first few heats had been terrifying. Despite being given the dildo and unable to help himself, he was convinced he'd be punished for using it. He still remembered throwing up from sheer terror, even as he thrust it in.
Sephiroth rumbled at him for a long time after he stopped talking. Somehow, saying what had happened out loud made the pain seem a little more distant.
"I'm so sorry that happened to you," Sephiroth eventually spoke quietly. His hand stroked his back and his fingers ran through his hair. Soothing. Gentle. Another soft rumble. A thumb, carefully wiping away some tears. "You didn't do anything wrong. They were the ones who were wrong. There's nothing bad about touching your own body. There's nothing wrong with being curious or making yourself feel good. They behaved abominably. They're the ones who are disgusting. Not you. You're beautiful. Your body is beautiful and your personality is beautiful."
Cloud lifted his head slightly to look up at Sephiroth. "You really think that?"
Sephiroth rumbled again and kissed his forehead. "I do. Nothing can erase what was done to you, but I want you to try to believe that it will never, ever happen again. When we get to Midgar, I'd like you to speak to a type of doctor called a psychologist. They have special training and can help you learn to come to terms with what happened and move on from it. You don't deserve to have these memories haunting you. You deserve to feel good about your body and proud of yourself. You deserve to be able to touch yourself and let others touch you without any fear or shame."
Cloud gave a trembling nod. "I want that. I hate feeling this way."
"I hate that they made you feel like this. You deserve so much better." Sephiroth rocked him and began crooning again until late into the night when he finally took him to the bedroom. He helped Cloud into his pyjamas, then curled around him, holding him close. He was in the exact same position when he woke late in the morning, having slept like a log. There was even a bit of drool on Sephiroth's chest.
***
Sephiroth decided they would leave the following day. Cloud needed help that he couldn’t provide far more than he needed to rest after his heat. He needed to meet other omegas and realize that he was normal, with normal feelings, wants, and needs. He needed to see with his own eyes that he would be safe in Midgar. And he needed time to get comfortable with himself and his sexuality before his body forced him to choose a mate.
So he worked through the day to secure the cabin and make sure it had enough basic necessities left for the next person to use it. He did take numerous breaks to check in on Cloud, however. The omega was doing a bit better, but taking the time to talk and cuddle with him every once in a while kept his stress levels down.
The chocobos had taken it upon themselves to watch over Cloud every second he wasn’t with Sephiroth. Birdy even followed him into the cabin, something she knew wasn’t allowed, but she had just levelled a stare at Sephiroth when he entered to see her settled by the easy chair with her head in his lap like she belonged there. He had to wonder how she had even fit through the door.
He would have to get them some of their favourite fruits when they got to Corel. He’d known he had a good pair of birds, but while bringing Cloud to him when his heat started was fairly normal, bringing him when he was upset wasn’t. Pippin had nearly given him a heart attack when he suddenly started warking like the roof was on fire and trying to shoo him towards the woods. He realized when he found them that Pippin must have heard Birdy’s call before he could.
“You’re a good girl, Birdy,” he said as he patted her head and then leaned over her to kiss Cloud.
“She is,” Cloud agreed.
***
It didn’t take long for them to get to Corel. Even going at a much easier pace than they had when he was trying to outrace Cloud’s heat had them across the pass and down the other side in three days. It was just an average mining town, but Cloud’s eyes sparkled with interest as he craned his neck around, trying to see everything as they rode in.
“You’re going to give yourself whiplash,” he joked as he slowed Birdy to a walk so Cloud could look. They attracted some stares, but SOLDIERs and omegas always did, even in towns like Corel that saw a decent amount of traffic. Betas couldn’t usually spot omegas from a distance, and many couldn’t tell at all without seeing their genitals, but the fact that Cloud was small and with him meant that a lot of people would guess.
He stopped in front of the inn he usually stayed at and left the chocobos with the stable hand, along with instructions to give them the best feed they had available. Inside, the innkeeper greeted him with a familiar smile and a curious look at Cloud.
“Finally found a mate?” he asked after taking his bags.
Sephiroth shook his head. “Taking him to Midgar. I need a room for the night.”
“One bed or two?”
He looked to Cloud, who was blushing fiercely. “What do you prefer?”
“Can I sleep with you?” he asked in a small voice.
“Of course. One, then, please. With some extra blankets. We’ll take dinner and breakfast here as well. I’ve got some shopping to do, and I think Cloud would like to see a bit more of the town, but we’ll be back by seven for the meal.”
Sephiroth took his time while he shopped for supplies to restock his travel kit, allowing Cloud to see what kinds of things were available and witness some transactions. Omegas who had been kept isolated like Cloud had a lot to learn before they could hope to lead independent lives. Cloud wouldn’t have long to go without a mate, but they were still important skills that any adult should know. He wouldn’t want to have to rely on his mate for everything.
They stopped at a fruit stall on their way back, and Sephiroth was pleased to see that they had both Mideelean pineapples and Wutaian plums. He handed over way too much gil for six pineapples and two dozen plums as he explained, “These are Birdy and Pippin’s favourites. Want to help me feed them?”
“Their favourites? Yeah, I really want to. They’re so nice to me. I want to show them that I appreciate it. Birdy especially. I don’t know what I would have done in the woods that day if she hadn’t taken me back.”
“Thank you,” he said to the shop keeper as he took the heavy bags. “They really like you, which isn’t all that common. They must be able to tell that you’re special.”
Sephiroth winced internally when he said that and hoped that Cloud thought he meant special in general, not special to him. After going through his heat with him, he knew that yes, he was ready to mate, and yes, he desperately wanted to it to be with Cloud. But he also wanted to make sure that Cloud had options before making his desires known. It didn’t seem like Cloud had noticed, thankfully. It was a fine line to walk between encouraging Cloud to think positively about himself and flirting.
***
The scenery gradually changed from mountains, to foothills, to a flat plain, until they were finally travelling along a rocky coastline. Cloud couldn’t begin to fathom how big the ocean actually was, and he found it mildly terrifying to look at. They’d be going on a ship, and he couldn’t imagine what sort of thing it must be in order to travel across the ocean when he couldn’t even see the other side.
Trying to not worry about the ocean left him with thinking about Midgar, which wasn’t much better. Now that they were past the first big landmark Sephiroth had mentioned when they first set out, it seemed like much more of a reality. Corel had been huge compared to Nibelheim, but Sephiroth said it was just an average town.
“What will happen to me when we get to Midgar?” he eventually just asked as they rode.
“Nothing scary, I promise. I was able to make contact with Shinra when we were in Corel, so they know you’re coming and things will be prepared for you. One of the first things you’ll do is see a doctor.”
“I thought I’m not sick?”
Sephiroth shook his head and smoothed his hand through Cloud’s hair. “As far as I can tell, you’re not, but it’s important to get a check up anyway. You didn’t get enough to eat before, and the doctor will be able to do some tests to see if you need any medicine to help you get enough vitamins and minerals so you can recover from that. If you’re comfortable with it, it would also be a good idea to let him do a physical examination-checking your body, including your genitals, to make sure everything is healthy.”
Cloud cringed at the thought, but Sephiroth just hugged him gently.
“You don’t have to if you’re not okay with it. The doctor you’ll see is a mated omega, though, so you might find that you feel safe enough to allow it.”
“An omega? Who’s a doctor?” What kind of omega had a job?
He felt Sephiroth nod behind him. “One of our best.”
“I didn’t think …”
“Omegas have lots of options, you’ll see. After the doctor, I’ve also arranged for you to meet with a psychologist, like I mentioned before. Just briefly to say hello and make sure she doesn’t give you the creeps or something. Then I’ll take you to the apartment they’ll have set up for you. You’ll have a roommate-another unmated omega, but he’ll be someone who’s been in Midgar longer and can help you get settled in.”
“Oh.” Cloud had been a little bit hopeful that he’d get to remain with Sephiroth. He supposed the alpha was probably sick of him by now, but he hoped that he’d get to see him at least occasionally. “Wait,” he said as another thought occurred to him, “I don’t have any money.” Money was everything, he knew that much.
“I know. Nobody expects you to be able to pay for anything. Shinra will pay for the apartment and all your necessities, and you’ll be given a stipend for spending money. Once you’ve mated, your alpha will take over supporting you, and when you’re feeling ready, you can look into getting a job of your own.”
“A job of my own? But I don’t know how to do anything.”
“Not yet, but that will change. We understand that you were deprived of an education and even the basic skills that you’re supposed to learn through growing up as a member of society. We’ll teach you, don’t worry. This isn’t the first time we’ve had someone in this situation. You’ll have lots of support for as long as you need it, so you don’t need to concern yourself with a job until you’re ready.”
Cloud leaned back into Sephiroth and got a hug in return. He had thought that omegas were supposed to follow their alphas around all day, waiting to be fucked. They didn’t have educations and jobs. They were just burdens. Only good for sex and breeding, and he couldn’t even do that. And yet, thinking about it, it did seem like Sephiroth was gradually teaching him things. He always answered questions, and so Cloud now knew about how to care for chocobos, and about woodpeckers and fossils and tides. Maybe those weren’t important things, but he still liked knowing them. It also seemed like Sephiroth deliberately took his time with certain things so Cloud could have an opportunity to watch. He’d never actually seen someone buy anything before they arrived in Corel, and compared to the other people he had seen shopping there, Sephiroth had been slow, counting out his money and then his change, all the while making sure Cloud could see.
Sometimes he wondered when he was going to wake up, but surely this wasn’t a dream. His imagination wasn’t near good enough to come up with everything that he had seen and done since leaving Nibelheim.
***
Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
Chapter: 3/18
Author: xpaperplanex
Rating: NC-17 overall
Word Count: ~3600
Pairings: Sephiroth/Cloud
Genre: adventure, hurt/comfort, alpha/omega
Warnings: underage, non-con
Chapter 1
Summary: Offered up as payment to an alpha for ridding the town of monsters, Cloud discovers that the outside world is vastly different than he expected, and that he could play a role in changing it.
Sephiroth never wanted to mate, preferring his independence as a SOLDIER that allows him to travel the world at his leisure. When he finds himself caring for a traumatized omega, however, his values start to shift.
***
"How long did it last?"
Cloud had finally dragged himself out of bed in the late afternoon to shower, and managed to convince himself to stay out of it so he could eat dinner at the table instead of making Sephiroth have to bring it to him. It was more than enough that he cooked for him.
"Four days," Sephiroth replied. "Nearly five. I was starting to get worried, to be honest."
"That's bad?"
Sephiroth made a noncommittal noise. "Your body isn't really meant to handle that much intensity for so long, and you weren't eating anywhere near enough to keep up with the energy you were using. It's nothing to be concerned about, though. It's likely the result of not being cared for properly up until now, and should be better next time. Around three days is the time we like to see in someone who's unmated."
"How long does it last for people who are mated?"
"Two days is the average, but it can go lower if the omega’s sexual needs are kept satisfied well enough outside of the heat. That's why you want to find someone you've got good compatibility with. Anyone can make you see stars when you're in heat as long as they've got a dick and can knot, but you'll want someone who can make you feel good any time."
Cloud blushed until he was certain even the tips of his ears were on fire. Surely he couldn't come like that outside of his heat. Did he even want to? He'd never felt the urge to use his dildo when he didn't need it. He hated masturbating, and if his approaching heat demanded it, he only touched his penis.
"Is it …" He hesitated a moment. "Is it normal to want to have sex outside of heat?"
Sephiroth paused and blinked at him several times before replying. "Very." He reached across the table and took Cloud's hand, squeezing it gently. "I understand that you've been made to feel ashamed of what you are, but there's nothing wrong with you or your needs. There's nothing wrong with sex as long as you and your partner are consenting."
"I've never wanted to," he admitted, ducking his head in shame.
"That's okay." Sephiroth came around the table and crouched beside him, looking up into his eyes. "That's perfectly fine. You might just have a lower sex drive than average. Or it's entirely possible that being assaulted, tortured and humiliated every time you need sex has made you rather reasonably not want to go through that more than you have to. Once you're accustomed to feeling safe and secure, or when you find someone you like, you might find that things start to change. If they don’t, that’s okay. There's absolutely nothing wrong with you."
Cloud wiped away the tears that were falling and reached out for Sephiroth, who gathered him into his arms and crooned while rocking him gently.
***
They were up early the next morning. Cloud was feeling back to normal, if a bit tired still, but there was work to be done. They washed the blankets they had used and hung them out to dry in the sun. The storm had caused three trees to fall near the cabin, and Sephiroth cut them into logs with a saw, then loaded them onto a small wagon that Pippin pulled back to the cabin. There, he split the logs for firewood. Cloud helped by stacking the split logs in an ancient shed that would keep them mostly dry, but he also spent a lot of time just watching. Sephiroth worked without a shirt on, and his bare chest and rippling muscles had Cloud's mind returning again and again to the way the alpha had touched him during his heat.
He begged to flee to the woods after lunch. Watching Sephiroth made him feel things he wasn't entirely sure he was comfortable with feeling. Pippin was still working, but Sephiroth had Birdy go with him. She followed him closely as he explored, and it seemed like every step they took, there was something new to see. It was a good distraction, but he couldn't help but think about what Sephiroth had said the night before. Was there really nothing wrong with him?
He had a vivid memory of a time shortly before his first heat. The changes his body was going through were scary, but he had been curious about it as well. He remembered sitting on his bed and lifting his balls to prod at his vagina. It had felt good when he put his finger in. He closed his eyes and thrust it in and out until he was trembling all over and fluid was running down his hand.
"Disgusting," someone sneered.
His memory of the mayor's face as he had opened his eyes filled his vision. He had been so angry. He had taken a switch and made Cloud bend over the side of the bed and spread his legs. He could still feel the agonizing pain as it smacked his hole over and over while the mayor berated him.
"Kweh?" Cloud opened his eyes when Birdy snaked her head under his arm. She shuffled closer and nudged at him until he got the hint and climbed onto her back like he had done before. This time she walked back to the cabin while Cloud clung to her and sobbed his heart out. He had never touched himself like that again except for when the heat demanded it. It was disgusting and bad. He was disgusting and bad.
He looked up from Birdy's neck when she began to wark loudly. They were still in the woods, but not even a minute later, Sephiroth came crashing through the trees.
"Are you hurt?" The alpha was at his side in an instant, pulling him down from Birdy and cradling him against his sweaty, heaving chest.
Cloud sobbed harder as he shook his head. He wished he was. He clearly needed a reminder to not feel like that. Sephiroth had made him forget.
"Okay, okay, you're okay. Let it all out. You're safe. I've got you."
Sephiroth's crooning began again and the rumbling reverberated from his chest. Cloud's muscles went pliant and his eyes drifted shut. It was hard to think when Sephiroth did that. He couldn't remember the pain he had just been recalling so vividly, and he couldn't even think of what the mayor's face looked like. His mind couldn't latch onto anything except the knowledge that he was safe.
It was fully dark when the rumbling and crooning slowly faded. Sephiroth's eyes shone brightly in the dark, and they were full of concern as they looked down at him. "Stay calm, I've got you," Sephiroth whispered.
He was lifted up-Sephiroth must have been sitting or something-and he tried to speak when he heard the ground crunching under Sephiroth's feet. Had he stayed in the same spot the whole time? How long had it been? How could he have made the alpha do something like that?
"Hush, it's okay." Sephiroth began to croon again as he walked, and Cloud felt himself calm once more. Two shadowy figures walked beside them, and they resolved into the chocobos when they entered the clearing where the cabin was and there was a bit of starlight.
"I can walk," Cloud said half-heartedly.
"I know." Sephiroth didn't put him down, however. Not even once they were in the cabin. Instead he opened the fridge and took out a container and found a spoon before sitting down in the big chair by the cold fireplace, all while still carrying him. He arranged Cloud on his lap, then opened the container and held a spoonful of cold casserole to his lips. "Eat. You can't miss meals."
Sighing, Cloud rested his head on Sephiroth's chest and opened his mouth. He didn't want to be put down. He didn't want to feed himself. Not when it felt like the only thing holding him together was Sephiroth's presence. The fact that the man cared about him enough to be willing to spoon food into his mouth had to mean that he was worth something.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Sephiroth asked gently once the container was empty.
Haltingly, he did his best. While he stammered and cringed over every word, Sephiroth listened quietly, only interrupting to croon when he couldn't bear to go on. Two men had had to come in to hold him down. When the whipping finally stopped, the mayor had shoved the switch into him, scratching up his insides while he screamed. He had been swollen and bleeding for days, and several of the cuts got infected. Nobody cared, however, and the best he'd been able to do was try to keep the ones on the outside clean and dry until they had finally scabbed over. He'd been afraid to touch inside again, and so just left it, hoping it would stop hurting eventually.
His first few heats had been terrifying. Despite being given the dildo and unable to help himself, he was convinced he'd be punished for using it. He still remembered throwing up from sheer terror, even as he thrust it in.
Sephiroth rumbled at him for a long time after he stopped talking. Somehow, saying what had happened out loud made the pain seem a little more distant.
"I'm so sorry that happened to you," Sephiroth eventually spoke quietly. His hand stroked his back and his fingers ran through his hair. Soothing. Gentle. Another soft rumble. A thumb, carefully wiping away some tears. "You didn't do anything wrong. They were the ones who were wrong. There's nothing bad about touching your own body. There's nothing wrong with being curious or making yourself feel good. They behaved abominably. They're the ones who are disgusting. Not you. You're beautiful. Your body is beautiful and your personality is beautiful."
Cloud lifted his head slightly to look up at Sephiroth. "You really think that?"
Sephiroth rumbled again and kissed his forehead. "I do. Nothing can erase what was done to you, but I want you to try to believe that it will never, ever happen again. When we get to Midgar, I'd like you to speak to a type of doctor called a psychologist. They have special training and can help you learn to come to terms with what happened and move on from it. You don't deserve to have these memories haunting you. You deserve to feel good about your body and proud of yourself. You deserve to be able to touch yourself and let others touch you without any fear or shame."
Cloud gave a trembling nod. "I want that. I hate feeling this way."
"I hate that they made you feel like this. You deserve so much better." Sephiroth rocked him and began crooning again until late into the night when he finally took him to the bedroom. He helped Cloud into his pyjamas, then curled around him, holding him close. He was in the exact same position when he woke late in the morning, having slept like a log. There was even a bit of drool on Sephiroth's chest.
***
Sephiroth decided they would leave the following day. Cloud needed help that he couldn’t provide far more than he needed to rest after his heat. He needed to meet other omegas and realize that he was normal, with normal feelings, wants, and needs. He needed to see with his own eyes that he would be safe in Midgar. And he needed time to get comfortable with himself and his sexuality before his body forced him to choose a mate.
So he worked through the day to secure the cabin and make sure it had enough basic necessities left for the next person to use it. He did take numerous breaks to check in on Cloud, however. The omega was doing a bit better, but taking the time to talk and cuddle with him every once in a while kept his stress levels down.
The chocobos had taken it upon themselves to watch over Cloud every second he wasn’t with Sephiroth. Birdy even followed him into the cabin, something she knew wasn’t allowed, but she had just levelled a stare at Sephiroth when he entered to see her settled by the easy chair with her head in his lap like she belonged there. He had to wonder how she had even fit through the door.
He would have to get them some of their favourite fruits when they got to Corel. He’d known he had a good pair of birds, but while bringing Cloud to him when his heat started was fairly normal, bringing him when he was upset wasn’t. Pippin had nearly given him a heart attack when he suddenly started warking like the roof was on fire and trying to shoo him towards the woods. He realized when he found them that Pippin must have heard Birdy’s call before he could.
“You’re a good girl, Birdy,” he said as he patted her head and then leaned over her to kiss Cloud.
“She is,” Cloud agreed.
***
It didn’t take long for them to get to Corel. Even going at a much easier pace than they had when he was trying to outrace Cloud’s heat had them across the pass and down the other side in three days. It was just an average mining town, but Cloud’s eyes sparkled with interest as he craned his neck around, trying to see everything as they rode in.
“You’re going to give yourself whiplash,” he joked as he slowed Birdy to a walk so Cloud could look. They attracted some stares, but SOLDIERs and omegas always did, even in towns like Corel that saw a decent amount of traffic. Betas couldn’t usually spot omegas from a distance, and many couldn’t tell at all without seeing their genitals, but the fact that Cloud was small and with him meant that a lot of people would guess.
He stopped in front of the inn he usually stayed at and left the chocobos with the stable hand, along with instructions to give them the best feed they had available. Inside, the innkeeper greeted him with a familiar smile and a curious look at Cloud.
“Finally found a mate?” he asked after taking his bags.
Sephiroth shook his head. “Taking him to Midgar. I need a room for the night.”
“One bed or two?”
He looked to Cloud, who was blushing fiercely. “What do you prefer?”
“Can I sleep with you?” he asked in a small voice.
“Of course. One, then, please. With some extra blankets. We’ll take dinner and breakfast here as well. I’ve got some shopping to do, and I think Cloud would like to see a bit more of the town, but we’ll be back by seven for the meal.”
Sephiroth took his time while he shopped for supplies to restock his travel kit, allowing Cloud to see what kinds of things were available and witness some transactions. Omegas who had been kept isolated like Cloud had a lot to learn before they could hope to lead independent lives. Cloud wouldn’t have long to go without a mate, but they were still important skills that any adult should know. He wouldn’t want to have to rely on his mate for everything.
They stopped at a fruit stall on their way back, and Sephiroth was pleased to see that they had both Mideelean pineapples and Wutaian plums. He handed over way too much gil for six pineapples and two dozen plums as he explained, “These are Birdy and Pippin’s favourites. Want to help me feed them?”
“Their favourites? Yeah, I really want to. They’re so nice to me. I want to show them that I appreciate it. Birdy especially. I don’t know what I would have done in the woods that day if she hadn’t taken me back.”
“Thank you,” he said to the shop keeper as he took the heavy bags. “They really like you, which isn’t all that common. They must be able to tell that you’re special.”
Sephiroth winced internally when he said that and hoped that Cloud thought he meant special in general, not special to him. After going through his heat with him, he knew that yes, he was ready to mate, and yes, he desperately wanted to it to be with Cloud. But he also wanted to make sure that Cloud had options before making his desires known. It didn’t seem like Cloud had noticed, thankfully. It was a fine line to walk between encouraging Cloud to think positively about himself and flirting.
***
The scenery gradually changed from mountains, to foothills, to a flat plain, until they were finally travelling along a rocky coastline. Cloud couldn’t begin to fathom how big the ocean actually was, and he found it mildly terrifying to look at. They’d be going on a ship, and he couldn’t imagine what sort of thing it must be in order to travel across the ocean when he couldn’t even see the other side.
Trying to not worry about the ocean left him with thinking about Midgar, which wasn’t much better. Now that they were past the first big landmark Sephiroth had mentioned when they first set out, it seemed like much more of a reality. Corel had been huge compared to Nibelheim, but Sephiroth said it was just an average town.
“What will happen to me when we get to Midgar?” he eventually just asked as they rode.
“Nothing scary, I promise. I was able to make contact with Shinra when we were in Corel, so they know you’re coming and things will be prepared for you. One of the first things you’ll do is see a doctor.”
“I thought I’m not sick?”
Sephiroth shook his head and smoothed his hand through Cloud’s hair. “As far as I can tell, you’re not, but it’s important to get a check up anyway. You didn’t get enough to eat before, and the doctor will be able to do some tests to see if you need any medicine to help you get enough vitamins and minerals so you can recover from that. If you’re comfortable with it, it would also be a good idea to let him do a physical examination-checking your body, including your genitals, to make sure everything is healthy.”
Cloud cringed at the thought, but Sephiroth just hugged him gently.
“You don’t have to if you’re not okay with it. The doctor you’ll see is a mated omega, though, so you might find that you feel safe enough to allow it.”
“An omega? Who’s a doctor?” What kind of omega had a job?
He felt Sephiroth nod behind him. “One of our best.”
“I didn’t think …”
“Omegas have lots of options, you’ll see. After the doctor, I’ve also arranged for you to meet with a psychologist, like I mentioned before. Just briefly to say hello and make sure she doesn’t give you the creeps or something. Then I’ll take you to the apartment they’ll have set up for you. You’ll have a roommate-another unmated omega, but he’ll be someone who’s been in Midgar longer and can help you get settled in.”
“Oh.” Cloud had been a little bit hopeful that he’d get to remain with Sephiroth. He supposed the alpha was probably sick of him by now, but he hoped that he’d get to see him at least occasionally. “Wait,” he said as another thought occurred to him, “I don’t have any money.” Money was everything, he knew that much.
“I know. Nobody expects you to be able to pay for anything. Shinra will pay for the apartment and all your necessities, and you’ll be given a stipend for spending money. Once you’ve mated, your alpha will take over supporting you, and when you’re feeling ready, you can look into getting a job of your own.”
“A job of my own? But I don’t know how to do anything.”
“Not yet, but that will change. We understand that you were deprived of an education and even the basic skills that you’re supposed to learn through growing up as a member of society. We’ll teach you, don’t worry. This isn’t the first time we’ve had someone in this situation. You’ll have lots of support for as long as you need it, so you don’t need to concern yourself with a job until you’re ready.”
Cloud leaned back into Sephiroth and got a hug in return. He had thought that omegas were supposed to follow their alphas around all day, waiting to be fucked. They didn’t have educations and jobs. They were just burdens. Only good for sex and breeding, and he couldn’t even do that. And yet, thinking about it, it did seem like Sephiroth was gradually teaching him things. He always answered questions, and so Cloud now knew about how to care for chocobos, and about woodpeckers and fossils and tides. Maybe those weren’t important things, but he still liked knowing them. It also seemed like Sephiroth deliberately took his time with certain things so Cloud could have an opportunity to watch. He’d never actually seen someone buy anything before they arrived in Corel, and compared to the other people he had seen shopping there, Sephiroth had been slow, counting out his money and then his change, all the while making sure Cloud could see.
Sometimes he wondered when he was going to wake up, but surely this wasn’t a dream. His imagination wasn’t near good enough to come up with everything that he had seen and done since leaving Nibelheim.
***
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