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He didn't come here that often.
It was one of the few clubs that prided itself on its slow-paced environment, lulling music and frankly, the good looking older women and workers. They're kind of hard to ignore, Cloud found, considering what this club was for but also how they dressed themselves. No uniforms, as far as he knew, everyone was pretty uniquely dressed.
He saw the same people the times he showed up here after hopping from place to place, gig to gig, helping out people around the city and earning more than he thought he would. Cloud had only ever dreamed of having disposable gil once upon a time, and now it was a reality. He didn't think he'd spend it on a club, but he didn't really like to call it a club.
Despite the fact that the name of the place was Club ILY, it functioned more like a lounge. The heaviest and slowest songs played overhead and only a couple times did faster ones play, which would then bleed into another slow song. Nobody there danced, but there was a lot of drinking, lewd conversations and touching which Cloud wasn't crazy about.
He was sure it would be the same as last time, he'd get to his couch, rest his back and legs for a bit and have the same girls talk at him until closing. He didn't really like to dish out about himself too much, and if it was about work, then Cloud preferred to leave it to their imagination.
But they sure did try to get it out of him every time.
The sultry red light above the club doors shined brighter tonight, the music playing loud enough that Cloud could hear it before even stepping inside. For a club, it was quite small, not too small, it felt perfect and evenly spaced. The sofas were all red, lights scarcely spread on the walls to offer enough shadow and darkness.
Cloud didn't drink, not often, and he could, if he wanted to. The bouncer at first didn't believe that Cloud was twenty one years of age, nor did the bartender. That was the last time he ever had a drink here, but that was the main appeal of this club. He didn't want to rank it higher than Seventh Heaven’s, partially because of the betrayal to Tifa but also because the drink he had then wasn't very good.
But the girls were saleswomen, they had to sell drinks, and they never said that aloud. It was just obvious, and a lot of the men on the receiving end would concede. There wasn't a big part of Cloud that wanted to get drunk, even after working from sunrise to sunset. He just didn't want to go home sometimes, back to the slums and in that apartment to deal with the landlord who he didn't like at all.
And today, it was a lot. Cloud hadn’t ever had this long of a day before, the club was only going to be open for a few more hours. He usually got in an hour or two after they opened, spending a time talking with the same girls on the same couch. The usual, which seemed to be on the schedule for today.
Same couch, same girls.
They practically flocked to him when he was noticed. Cloud couldn't lie, the attention felt a little nice, giving him a soft buzz in his chest. He folded his arms when he sunk into the chair, his back feeling immediately soothed and like he hadn't been slugging over fifty pounds worth of inventory from place to place.
His arms were sore as a bitch too.
Cloud didn't have the couch to himself or one other girl ever in the time he’d be here. It was either three or four, one on each side, talking and chirping. They all had to be around his age or older, while other workers were much older than him, which explained their zests for life. Cloud couldn't match the energy, but he answered when he could.
“Do you want a drink? We can all do a toast,” one of them suggested enthusiastically. In support, the other girls softly cheered and co-signed.
“You look tired, did you work today?”
Cloud nodded but didn't say anything aloud. They were trying particularly hard tonight, not that he wanted them to. He was just exhausted, keen on lying back and taking a deep breath, but he knew this wasn't exactly the place for that. He glanced from girl to girl, his cheeks burning when he eyed each of their chests. It wasn't wrong necessarily, not impolite or anything, the outfits they wore were intentional, but Cloud didn't look for very long.
“Mhm, I can tell, you look dewy,” one girl said, poking his cheek. Cloud winced, knowing he was blushing, and he hated it. He was hot all over, but that wasn't a surprise.
“You sure you don't want a drink? They just added a nice cherry one to the menu last week. Did you try it?” asked the girl on his left, her curls bouncing when she gestured over to the bar.
Cloud gave it a glance, a little interested, only because of the slight chance that it could be better than the one he had last. “No,” he replied, adjusting in his seat as his legs spread a little wider.
“What’d you get up to at work today? Deliveries? Preps, trades?” the girl on his right asked at rapid fire.
Cloud shook his head, feeling sheepish when he said, “Mostly deliveries.”
“You ever gonna tell us what exactly you're delivering?” asked the girl on his left again.
“Take a guess,” Cloud retorted, head tilting.
The girl softly slapped his arm, giggling to herself, “Pizzas?”
“What? No!”
It wasn't that bad of a guess, he thought, but if he were delivering pizzas he'd be a lot more miserable.
Oftentimes the girls spoke amongst themselves, but tried to involve him as much as they could, asking questions that would seemingly come out of nowhere sometimes. It was understandable, considering conversation was part of the job, getting to know the customers and their tastes. Cloud showed up enough that he was sure they got him down, maybe not entirely, he wouldn't go that far.
People, even workers, came in and out, some still arriving, ones Cloud hadn't seen. He got some names when the girls gossiped about backstage drama, real interpersonal espionage. One name stood out, one that shook the very ground, and it seemed like it wanted to. Sephiroth. It wasn't a typical name, not at all and really not at all in this club.
But the girls didn't have much to say, as quiet as they got when they mentioned Sephiroth. One moment they were wary and the next they were asking him about drinks again.
“You still don't want a drink? I'm gonna get you guys drinks!” said the real energetic one, hopping to her feet with bouncy red hair.
Softer, slower tunes began to play overhead, the song beginning with a sparkly strum. The lights flickered around the room in a rhythm, bokeh shapes of all colors. Cloud didn't really want to drink, not if it was going to be shitty, tasting like cough medicine. He grimaced at the thought of it, cringing throughout his entire body.
It was by the dressing rooms tucked in the far right corner hallway that Cloud noticed movement. The curtains parted for someone stepping through, someone tall and graceful, weaving their way through the maze of couches and tables.
That someone met his eye, across the room, and he could practically feel the hunger vibrating. It was a rather well endowed someone, dressed in a satin dress with one panel flowing down between the legs. This someone tilted their head and smiled at him, predator unto prey.
Cloud straightened, narrowing his eyes and at first not believing that this someone was approaching. Closer and closer like a shark beneath waters, the dress was in full display and more lewd than he thought. In fact it was him being inappropriate, the more he looked at it, and he turned his head to avoid staring for too long.
But eventually, the distance closed, and Cloud hadn't even realized it until he looked up. Satin red, shiny skin and an absolute waterfall of silver hair that looked too voluminous to be real. But it certainly was, Cloud could see where the hair grew and all the intricate strands collecting in layers.
The girls didn't say anything but they removed themselves. Cloud looked around, confused, though unable to protest because his mouth seriously wasn't working. Nothing came to mind, he was almost stunned, but he could move, and started by unfolding his arms as this someone sat down next to him and Cloud knew who this was.
It was practically booming in his ears. Sephiroth, someone he didn't see until tonight, someone he only heard about as if she were merely a legend.
“How are you enjoying the show?” she asked, referring to the stage. Admittedly Cloud hadn't been paying attention to it, like at all but he needed a response. But right away, Sephiroth allowed almost zero distance between them now that they shared the couch.
Cloud swallowed, one hand on his thigh. “‘S good,” he said.
Sephiroth smiled, tilting her head to the side when she smiled. “But you look tired,” she replied, and the quality of her voice made him freeze for several seconds. It was deep, soothing and each word was said with so much care. “Do you work?”
Cloud nodded, expecting a follow-up about the details but Sephiroth didn't do that. She reached for his arm, her large hands were spotless and smooth. Her nails were quite long, but not offensive, and when her fingers touched his arm, she felt the muscle gently.
“Do you train?” Sephiroth asked, then letting go of his arm, where her hands almost closed around it entirely.
Cloud blinked, his eyes somewhat wet, and his face was burning up like a furnace. He found something else to glance at before replying, “Yeah, sort of.” He cleared his throat, not that he needed to, and suddenly thought to introduce himself just by saying, “Cloud.”
Sephiroth certainly didn't ask, probably didn't need to, judging by the look she gave him. She gently moved across the patent seats, closer to him, obviously aware of the effect it was having. Cloud felt like he was suffocating, not necessarily in a bad way.
“I know you.”
Now it felt like Cloud was walking on tight rope.
“What brings you here tonight?” Sephiroth asked, one leg crossing over the other. Her hands clasped over her knee politely as she looked at him with fierce attention and Cloud felt like he was going to crumble any second.
Firstly, he had to stop looking at her chest.
“Uh, nothing. Nothing in particular. I… had a long day,” Cloud said as smoothly as he could, which wasn't very smooth.
“I can see it on you,” Sephiroth affirmed, her hand now lifting and Cloud wasn't sure where it was going to go but he hadn't expected it to rest right upon his shoulder. “You're tense, you should have a drink.”
It was a line Cloud had heard before, and he usually didn't take them up on their offers. But Sephiroth said it so smoothly, simply, it was affecting, making Cloud feel like he didn't have a choice and that he didn't need to have a choice. Looking at her, he felt like she was going to take care of him tonight.
“What's your recommendation?” Cloud asked awkwardly once he finally ripped his gaze away from her chest. He looked toward the hazy stage and its lights.
Sephiroth seemed pleased with that, smiling and willing to play the back and forth. With a single gesture, she was able to call for the handler, a taller guy who looked eager to stand by her. “He'll have a Maiden’s Kiss. Make it two, peppermint,” she said confidently, and Cloud tilted his head at her, curious about a peppermint?
Sephiroth met his stare, unbothered by his curiosity. “Won’t take long,” she said deeply, again dragging out each word and ensuring that Cloud felt the vibration, and he did. He shivered, but kept his arms crossed, then tried to assume his regular position. He let his legs stretch a bit wider, unsure if he should say something or if he should continue to let Sephiroth take the lead.
He wasn't against that idea, there was something comforting about her. A guiding light, a beacon or an anchor, though Cloud had been here before, he didn't need a hand to hold. He was a grown ass dude, but that didn't stop him from feeling like gelatin all over, especially when Sephiroth spoke and especially when she looked at him. Sephiroth, obviously, had no problem with eye contact, and she had no problem with staring Cloud down when he wasn't looking. He could feel her eyes in the downtime of silence.
“You come here quite often, Cloud,” Sephiroth began, the velvet of her bolero touching his shoulder. “What's your usual?”
“Don't have one.”
Sephiroth hummed. “Then you'll enjoy my pick for you.”
It was right on cue, the server had come back with a plate carrying two shot glasses. It was an opaque, red liquid, tipping about in the glass. Cloud blinked down at it when one slid his way, and he looked at Sephiroth again.
“You take one, I'll take the other,” Sephiroth said calmly, waiting on Cloud to make the first move, to take the first sip.
A Maiden’s Kiss, he hadn't ever even seen it on the menu. Not that he frequented the menu at all, but he was confident that the terrible shot he had wasn't a Maiden’s Kiss. Something about this was challenging, maybe it was the glare on Sephiroth's face, and how she waited. Clearly she wanted his cooperation, but Cloud was willing to give her more than that.
He wouldn't sour his face or pinch up, he thought, and swiped at the glass. He downed it in one go, keenly aware of her eyes on him again, and he wondered what she thought.
This one wasn't that bad, Cloud figured, it was one he could see himself having again. It had a sting, for sure, felt a little sour only to be sweet, and tasted of mainly fruit. Which made him wonder what Sephiroth meant by peppermint, and he thought to ask, but ultimately didn't.
He watched Sephiroth tip her head back, swallowing it in one go like he had.
“It's not too strong, is it, Cloud?”
Cloud sucked his teeth, unable to keep himself from tutting. “No, seems pretty low level.”
Sephiroth was amused by that. “In that case, would you like another?” she asked, staring right into his eyes.
And Cloud thought, why the hell not? He didn't want something that strong, he needed a way home tonight and he wouldn't spend his trip back drunk in the backseat of a cab either. So he agreed with her, and Sephiroth got them more shots in no time. It was as if she was the owner or some shit, the swiftness of every other employee, always at her beck and call.
They were playing a game, Cloud noticed, he would take a shot then Sephiroth would take her shot. He eyed her carefully, curious of what hers could taste like, and he was still hung up on the peppermint thing. It sounded like an unpleasant flavor to drink, specifically for alcohol, but Sephiroth drank ahead like it was nothing.
She moved eventually, one elbow over the spine of the couch. Cloud felt a bit heavy, like luggage, but he was lucid enough to name five sights, senses, and sounds. Lucid enough to note every detail of Sephiroth's glittery skin, the freshly lotioned planes of her legs, every kissed mole and the red satin fabric, rich and deep against her skin.
The game continued, and while it did, Cloud couldn't sit up straight. Too heavy, he thought, blinking sleepily although everything still sounded loud. He sunk into the seat, burning up not just from the alcohol but from the drape of Sephiroth's body, everything so perfectly blanketed over her, and her pose so fluid.
“Tell me about your day, Cloud,” Sephiroth inquired and she was so, so close, cornering Cloud on the couch.
His day. It was fine, boring, just long. Lots of driving around, but then there was a blur, a malfunction or something happened on one of the packages. Cloud had to reap the consequences, obviously, which was never fun. Was he talking? Sephiroth was looking at him thoughtfully, as if listening. Cloud rolled his head against the couch to look at her, focusing on just her while their surroundings turned to blotchy colors.
“Quite eventful,” Sephiroth commented, so Cloud had splurged on the details. It didn't feel like it, it felt like time was paused but also zooming ahead. Her hand raised in a gesture, to which more drinks arrived at her request. Same plate, same server, same glasses. “Drink, Cloud.” Sephiroth handed him the shot glass.
Cloud felt weak, heavier, but interested in pushing his limits. Sephiroth gave him that look, one of satisfaction, one of curiosity, a real interest in him. His fingertips brushed the bottom of the glass, bones too limp to properly seize grip, but Sephiroth decided to help him. It was by his lips now, all he had to do was tip his head back and swallow.
“That's it, Cloud,” Sephiroth said. Why would she say that? Her hands departed, letting him do the rest. She rested her palm on her bare thigh which crossed over the other. Then she gestured again, a refill but not for herself. Cloud took it on his own this time, he could do it himself.
“Are you enjoying yourself tonight?” Sephiroth asked him after the millionth shot Cloud had to have taken. He blinked at her, suddenly realizing they're inches apart. Her face was ducked over his, noses about to brush one another.
He wasn't going to lie, he didn't have the inhibition to lie. Cloud wasn't the biggest fan of being drunk, but right now, he felt pretty good. Heavy, weak, but good like he had nothing to worry about.
“Mn, yeah,” he told her, swallowing the aftertaste of the alcohol. “What's in that?” he asked without a second thought.
Sephiroth giggled, deep within her throat, lips stretched into a soft smile. “It's the strongest drink on the menu. But to you, ‘low level’, isn't it?”
Cloud shook his head, an annoyed sound escaping him since he knew that would come back to bite him in the ass.
“We have a whole bottle and two more hours,” Sephiroth said, looking toward a point in the room. Cloud assumed it was the smallest clock on the wall, far from their position. He met her eye. “Spend it with me.” Her hand touched her chest, the bolo strings parting.
Cloud couldn't say no to that, so he didn't, but he also didn't ask the price of the bottle. The entire bottle, it was, and Sephiroth did most of the talking. Within minutes, it arrived, expensive and glass, sparkling with a titillating logo of a silhouetted woman on it. It had been resting in ice, from the looks of it.
Maybe Cloud was just sensitive, a lightweight or whatever, but Sephiroth hadn't changed at all. Cloud had watched her down every shot she'd ordered, and yet, she was fine. Smiling at him, touching his hair, she was touching his hair, Cloud didn't immediately register it at first. She could have very well been touching it this whole time.
And more than that, Sephiroth was looking at him up and down, asking him personal questions, savoring every response he gave, although they weren't good. But it didn't matter, seemingly, Sephiroth continued to look Cloud up and down as if she was ready to devour him right then and there.
She hummed, the vibrations transferring from her rib cage to Cloud’s shoulder. He shivered, failing to meet her eye, he wasn't sure how he was surviving so far. Sephiroth was so close and she was warm, her chest was warm and there, buzzing right alongside him. Her breaths were careful, rising and falling, while her smile never wavered.
“You must be seeing someone,” Sephiroth began, her implications clear without much addition. Cloud froze up, because she wasn't wrong, necessarily. It was complicated. Her face then flickered. “Ah. Tell me, Cloud.” She leaned in further, if that was even possible.
Cloud screwed his face up, melting into the seat with his arms folded across his chest. “I'll have another shot,” he answered instead, and it made Sephiroth laugh, her simple hand gesture requesting for another platter of shots.
He didn't know how Sephiroth did it, how she came up with things to ask him. More than just ‘do you have friends’, it was asking him how often he went out, what he got up to on his breaks, his dream vacation spots, and sometimes anecdotes from Sephiroth herself, but she didn't reveal much. It was probably a distraction, Cloud realized, each time he answered, Sephiroth got closer. He might as well have been melting into her arms, and maybe he was.
Being a semi regular here meant Cloud had girls, not his decision, but they were just doing their jobs. They came to see him each time he showed up, but it was obvious he was busy.
Cloud was drunk, very drunk, but it still occurred to him that, technically, Sephiroth was his ‘girl’ for the night, which meant that it wasn't free. Cloud would pay her, Sephiroth would just have to stop distracting him with questions, and to stop asking such cutting ones. Cloud took a shot every time, not willing to pour that much of his heart out.
He was sure he did that enough, he could barely remember what he told Sephiroth about work, about Sector 7 and Seventh Heaven. He knew they talked about it though, Sephiroth had asked him if he would take her there sometime. Cloud took a shot as a response.
“What about you? You don't mess with the guys here?” he asked, a noticeable slur in his words.
Sephiroth giggled again. “No,” she answered, “but maybe I could make an exception.” She leaned her head down, the warmth intensifying between them.
She needed to stop doing this, Cloud felt like he was going to explode.
“Just don't tell my mother,” she added, offering Cloud another shot glass, and by ‘offered’, it meant she lifted it to his lips, guided him once again, a sweet distraction.
There was a downtime, a steep where the music slowed and the stage cleared. Guests and girls still floated about the club, some dwindling outside. The lights started to laser over the expansive space of the club, slow waves in different hues. Everything felt so slow, muted and closed in like it was finally just them in the sea of it all.
It was a shock to his system when he felt Sephiroth's hand on his own. It was warm and inviting, guiding and enveloping his almost entirely. Cloud couldn't look anywhere else, it was like the fog had cleared up just enough in his vision that he saw every detail, absorbed every second that Sephiroth's hand touched his own. She took it, led it to her leg, and it rested there for a mere moment before it began to slide up the crimson satin panel. The material hugged Sephiroth's skin purposefully, snug against her belly, following every rise and dip of her abs.
But then Sephiroth let go, long lashes fluttering closed. Cloud certainly felt sober, but there was no way in hell he actually was.
“We shouldn't,” Sephiroth decided with that low voice of hers, definitive and final.
With nothing else to focus on, Cloud felt the unmistakable sensation of something straining, right on his pants. He glanced down, and that was all he needed to do. He was excited, to say the least. It was embarrassing, most of all, and there wasn't any way to hide it. Sephiroth had to have noticed it too, but she wasn't saying anything, wasn't making any faces different from the one she refused to let falter. That same smile, with sparkling eyes, coupled with everything else about her, Cloud felt like this was only going to get worse.
“Uh,” Cloud began lamely, lifting his ass enough to reach into his back pocket for his wallet. It was about time, he realized, Sephiroth had done her job. It was getting late, though the club hadn't really emptied. His gil was all crumpled, horribly folded and shoved into his wallet. He took it between his fingers, raising it to Sephiroth who'd taken the hint.
Her open palm faced the ceiling, delicate nails coated over with gel. Her elbow still rested on the spine of the couch, her hip exposed, the black threads on the sides of her dress allowing for her skin to be hugged nicely. Everything about her was distracting. Cloud stopped halfway, then looked to the table in front of them. Just to be respectful.
Sephiroth carefully and gently took the gil. Cloud looked back over to her like he was in trouble but Sephiroth didn't say anything, only continued to smile. Without missing a beat, she placed the gil underneath the threads of her dress with a nice snap.
“Is it still ‘low level’, Cloud?” Sephiroth asked with amusement.
Cloud pressed the heel of his palm into his eye, sighing to admit defeat. “Alright, you got me,” he slurred, then looked at the table next to them. The bottle of Maiden’s Kiss was half full, sparkling in the light.
If Sephiroth wasn't asking questions, then she was staring. Only staring. Cloud tried to stare back, but it felt like he was sitting across from the sun, a pocket of heat searing at him. Sephiroth was all crimson wings and fiery, vermillion flames, wafting a pear-sweet scent of perfume his way. All too bright to look at, but her eyes were darkly lined, bronze brushed into the crease and sparkly, looking at him hungrily with slitted pupils.
It was probably the alcohol, but he wanted to kiss her. It wasn't allowed, so Cloud held back, he tried to not so discreetly cover his embarrassing arousal with his drunken movements.
It was late, he reminded himself again, knowing he had to get home before Tifa got worried. His only option was a cab back to the station.
“Shall I leave it on your tab, Cloud?” Sephiroth asked playfully, the length of her forearm serving as a pillow for the back of his neck. Their bodies were flush together, staticky waves between the cloth of Cloud’s fleece pants and the satin of Sephiroth's wear.
Just how much had he spent?
He exerted some effort to lift his hips again, retrieving his wallet. Sephiroth lifted her hand, awaiting the gil, and Cloud felt embarrassed having to unfold and flatten it as much as he could. It was so much goddamn money, a humiliating amount, just for half of the bottle to be left.
“Good boy,” Sephiroth whispered, taking the money from him, again, gently. Her soft breaths breezed over his lips, but those words did it for him.
Cloud felt it, a rise within his abdomen and what was going to be the release of a pent up snap, but he held it down. He had to keep it together, to not finish inside of his pants in front of God and everyone. Sephiroth pulled away from him then, which was probably a good idea.
“It was a pleasure, Cloud,” Sephiroth said, voice sultry like a velvet plum, leaning in one last time to give her regards before she stood gracefully.
Cloud was sure the next time he opened his wallet, moths would fly out. He already felt the weight of his financial irresponsibility, it was giving him a headache too, and the aftertaste wasn't very pleasant. He wasn't positive on how he'd get back to the station like this, even with a cab. More gil to spend, he thought, and it physically pained him.
It was his only option, and when the cab came, Cloud spent the ride curled up in the backseat. He tried to cope with it, reminding himself he had weeks worth of work to do. He'd make it all back. Somehow.