Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Angeal and Genesis are acting very odd today.

Sephiroth wonders if it has something to do with what happened last week. They’ve been very focused on setting up a sparring date since then.

When he wasn’t available right away, they both contacted him numerous times, and even suggested activities other than sparring, as if they believed the activity was the problem and not his schedule. Is this what is meant by hounding? It seems to fit the description in his dictionary.

But what is even more odd is the way they are behaving now that they’ve finally made it to the sparring room.

Angeal seems even more reluctant than usual to spar properly, and Sephiroth is starting to get annoyed with him. Why even push so hard to bring them together if he wasn’t going to focus on the moment and put the effort in? What’s worse, he seems reluctant to even look at Sephiroth, which, despite being very strange, is hardly compatible with a sparring match.

Sephiroth disarms him easily and Angeal has the grace to look abashed as he runs after his standard sword to where it is sticking out of the wall. The sight of the Buster sword on Angeal’s back irritates Sephiroth. Why won’t he use it? Sephiroth isn’t a child who needs protecting anymore! Not that he ever was. Well, except for that one time.

Genesis’s behavior is even more unusual.

Usually he begins their sparring sessions with a quiet reflection on some poetry, Loveless being his favorite. He will demand that Sephiroth listen carefully and then give his honest opinion about whichever verse he chose to share, as if testing Sephiroth’s attention span and intelligence.

This sort of test is nothing new to Sephiroth, though the subject matter is more abstract than he’s used to. But since there’s no objectively correct answer, he finds it hard to predict what sort of answer will get him praise and which will send Genesis into a simmering fit of rage. Genesis tries to hide it when Sephiroth’s answer upsets him, but it shows in the way he will take unnecessary risks during their spars in an effort to gain victory.

Today, Genesis is grinning maniacly before they’ve even started, like he’s already lost his self-control and is ready to go all out. He doesn’t even reach into his coat for a book, just rolls his shoulders and states, “Let’s do this!” before bouncing around and poking at Sephiroth with his sword, Rapier, in an almost comical fashion. His usual quiet focus at the start of a spar is nowhere to be seen.

Sephiroth wonders if this weird behavior has something to do with what happened the other week. The encounter had been rather charged with emotions. Genesis’s scent had been leaking fiercely from under his blockers, and there had been real anger there, he’s sure of it. Sephiroth had really thought that Genesis meant to hurt Angeal—or even him. But then Genesis’s scent had suddenly shifted in that unpredictable way that it was wont to do, and with it, his behavior.

Sephiroth has thought about the exchange many times since then, but he still doesn’t really understand how Angeal diffused the situation. He can only assume that it has something to do with the bond that an alpha and omega are supposed to share, because otherwise there’s no scientific explanation. Not that Hojo gives any credence to the existence of the alpha-omega bond, but Sephiroth isn’t so sure himself after years of knowing the pair.

He had watched the exchange very carefully, and Angeal’s hand was never anywhere near the omega’s weak point on the back of his neck. He definitely didn’t scruff Genesis, but somehow his emotions and demeanor changed. He became soft and pliable in Angeal’s arms, and then he became aroused.

Sephiroth had thought that perhaps he would hear news of the pair taking “rut” leave soon afterwards, but no such news came, and they both remained on active duty, so the behavior was not due to Genesis’s heat. But if not that, then what had him acting to such an extreme? Angeal had said that Genesis was joking, but Sephiroth isn’t so sure. The anger had been real.

“Watch out!” Angeal’s warning cuts through Sephiroth’s thoughts in time for him to leap back from a particularly vicious swing from Genesis’s sword.

“Excuse me? Whose side are you on, Angeal?! I almost had him!” Genesis complains.

“Since when do we take sides during a sparring match?” Angeal replies.

“All the time!” Genesis huffs at his mate. “You’re always getting in my way!”

“Only when you take it too far! He was distracted. You could have hurt him!”

“It would have served him right for underestimating me that way! What’s the matter, Sephiroth? Are we boring you?” Genesis turns angry eyes Sephiroth’s way.

“Genesis!” Angeal hisses, “Can you not? This was meant to be a friendly spar!”

Genesis rolls his eyes. “A spar is a spar, Angeal! An enemy isn’t going to step back politely if you’re not paying attention, and if anyone should know that, it’s Sephiroth!”

Genesis glares at Sephiroth and puts his hands on his hips. Sephiroth’s Omega Behaviorology textbook says that such a stance is meant to make the omega seem bigger and more threatening.

Sephiroth snorts, and Genesis’s eyes narrow as his body language becomes stiff, indicating an increase in anger.

“Something funny, Sephiroth? Do we amuse you?”

“Frequently,” Sephiroth replies, trying to defuse the situation with a joke and a smile.

“That does it! I’m done going easy on you! Today! Here and now! We will decide who is the real hero around here!”

Sephiroth can hear Angeal’s groan in the background, but he doesn’t have time to so much as glance at him because Genesis is launching a swift offensive with both blade and magic, tossing fireballs with impressive ease and unpredictability.

“Finally,” Sephiroth murmurs with a smile, his heart beating faster as he has to bring his full attention to bear on dodging and returning attacks.

Genesis is a worthy opponent once he lets go of his inhibitions, and Sephiroth enjoys these moments more than anything else. It all narrows down to just him and the red-head as they spin around each other, leaping around the battlefield at a speed that only a SOLDIER First can manage. Sephiroth is able to stop holding back as well, and the result is like a beautiful dance with death itself, each of them a hair’s breath from harming the other, but each of them too quick to let the other land a blow.

This is what a real fight feels like. This is what he was made for, and Sephiroth revels in it. He feels so free, like a bird unfurling his wings to fly.

Genesis stumbles first, but Sephiroth isn’t surprised. Despite their shared rank, Sephiroth is one of a kind. Sephiroth redirects his strike to go wide, letting Masamune take damage to its edge against the floor, but it’s better than injuring his friend. He spins and brings it back up just in time to meet Angeal’s Buster sword brought to bear with an anxious shout.

How like Angeal to announce his return into the fray with an audible cry and spoil what would have otherwise been an excellent surprise attack. But Sephiroth is pleased that Angeal’s finally giving his all to the fight. He should have known that putting Genesis under threat would make him forgo his inhibitions.

Sephiroth puts his whole strength into beating Angeal back with quick, heavy attacks that don’t allow him to drop his guard. Angeal’s style is much more defensive than his mate’s, and Sephiroth wonders if part of that is from sparring with Genesis when they were growing up together. Occasionally Angeal will swing his giant sword around in an attack, but for the most part he focuses on defending and leading Sephiroth away from Genesis.

Sephiroth increases the speed with which he’s attacking, trying to get through the blurred shield of Angeal’s moving sword. He’s ready for Genesis to attack from the rear at any moment now, but he can’t help the grin on his face. There’s nothing more fun than a new challenge.

He watches the pattern of Angeal’s movements carefully and then brings their blades together in a clashing tangle to push him back.

Angeal’s feet slide backwards across the floor and Sephiroth can’t resist the urge to taunt him a little. “It appears that I am still stronger, despite everything.”

Angeal grunts and then sneaks in a punch to Sephiroth’s elbow. Sephiroth winces, but holds firm through repeated punches that try to loosen his grasp on Masamune.

The only warning he has is the slight shifting and widening of Angeal’s eyes and the heat approaching his neck. He lets Masamune dissipate as he rolls to the side, narrowly dodging Genesis’s fireball. Angeal takes it fully to the face with a pained yell, but Sephiroth has other worries.

Genesis has caught his breath and is once more on a full offensive. Sephiroth resummons Masamune and lengthens it to keep Genesis off balance. Genesis laughs and flips over Sephiroth, flinging fireballs as he goes.

“You’ll have to do better than that, my friend!”

Sephiroth smiles, “Ah, so we are still friends then?” Genesis freezes for a second, just long enough for Sephiroth to disarm him of his Rapier, sending it spinning across the room and narrowly missing Angeal’s head if he hadn’t moved quickly enough to avoid it.

Genesis sputters and jumps back. “Of course! How can you say that? I—”

Sephiroth keeps up his offensive, forcing Genesis into a series of flips to avoid Masamune’s blade.

“I wouldn’t waste my valuable time trying to spar with you if we weren’t friends, Sephiroth! What a ridiculous thing to say!”

“I see. So, you really were just playing the other day? Like now?” Sephiroth puts on a sudden burst of speed to dash forward and grab Genesis by his arm, halting the stream of fireballs that were still arcing towards where he had just been.

Genesis twists in his hold and they go down, legs kicking as they both attempt to get a hold on the other.

“Who’s playing?” Genesis gasps as they scramble, his scent strong this close, but too complex for Sephiroth to parse meaning from right now. His claws dig in where he’s trying to get a hold.

Sephiroth is about to pin Genesis in an arm hold when a large weight crashes into him with a yell, undoing his work and allowing Genesis to slip free.

Now both his friends are piling on top of him and he almost panics, thinking he might have to hurt one of them to get free. He is under strict instructions from Hojo not to ever let “those defective failures” win in any battle, especially on company property under the constant eye of Shinra cameras.

But the next moment, Angeal is pulling them apart, yelling, “Alright! Enough!”

Genesis swings at Angeal, but his mate catches it and they roll away from Sephiroth cursing and wrestling. Sephiroth props himself up on one elbow and allows himself a few deep breaths as he watches them with fond amusement.

Despite his greater muscle mass, Angeal is still managing to lose the pinning war, but wrestling is more about speed and precision than strength. Genesis managed to get his legs in position first and he’s now pulling Angeal’s arm into a hold that threatens to pull it out of the socket and Angeal, red faced, is forced to tap out.

Genesis loosens his hold, but doesn’t let go and the two of them lay on the floor together breathing hard.

“I won!” Genesis crows.

“Yes. This time. Get off,” Angeal gasps grouchily, pushing at Genesis's legs with his other hand, but not hard enough to move him.

Genesis glances toward Sephiroth as if checking to see if he’s watching. He smiles and releases Angeal to spin up into a cross-legged seat on his chest. Angeal just grunts and pats his thigh in a resigned manner while Genesis starts fussing with his chin length red hair.

Sephiroth stands and lets Masamune dissipate before casually running fingers through his own hair. It’s all the way to his waist these days, and he’s hoping that Hojo won’t try to make him cut it. He is curious to see how much longer he can get away with letting it grow before someone objects. His hope is that if he keeps it neat and demonstrates that it isn’t a hindrance, he’ll be allowed to keep it. Today will surely count in his favor in that regard.

His mother would surely be pleased that he’s decided to emulate her this way.

He feels their eyes on him and ceases his finger combing to face his friends who are both watching him with bemused expressions. For a second he thinks one of them might comment on his preening, but then Angeal chuckles and hoists Genesis up and off of his chest, causing Genesis to squawk as he’s deposited indignantly onto his ass.

“Well, I’ve certainly worked up an appetite! Shall we head out to eat before someone comes to yell at us for that?”

Angeal points vaguely in the direction of a wall panel that’s spitting sparks where one of their swords sliced into the wiring. It’s not the only damage the room sustained. Burn marks and exposed wiring litter the entirety of the training room. It’s probably the worst Sephiroth has ever seen it after one of their matches, and he cringes.

Sephiroth isn’t bothered by the damage. Shinra can easily afford to replace a few panels. It was worth it to test their skills in battle, but Director Lazard regards every scuff mark on the shiny SOLDIER floors as a personal attack against his budget and his collection of frilly shirts. The sooner they leave the better, or they’ll be stuck here all evening listening to lectures.

“Let’s go.” he agrees.

*~*

If there wasn’t so much smog, there might be stars out tonight. A pity that they can’t see them, but Sephiroth has other things on his mind.

His friends are acting weird again. Whatever had been on their minds before the spar seemed to have cleared up as they battled, but now they’re both acting strangely anxious again.

What do they have to be nervous about? He’s certainly not going to suddenly attack them in the street. It doesn’t make sense, and it’s starting to hurt his feelings a little. He thought that they trusted him, but maybe interfering in their fight the other day had upset the balance of their relationship.

Maybe he should pretend to be tired and turn in early.

He would if the thought didn’t make his heart clench. He gets so few opportunities to spend time with them, he can’t give this up for the lonely quiet of his apartment, even if the moment is painfully awkward. He just hopes that they will forget their fear as the night moves on, but it bothers him that he doesn’t understand why they now feel anxious around him. No matter how he wracks his brain, he doesn’t think he hurt either of them recently.

“No pickles, right Sephiroth?”

Sephiroth snaps his attention back to the present, startled and ashamed that he allowed his mind to wander so much that he didn’t notice that they had arrived at the hotdog stand that Angeal favors.

“That’s right.” He answers Angeal quickly, trying to hide his moment of inattention. Angeal doesn’t seem to notice and turns away to make their order while Genesis sighs dramatically and leans in towards Sephiroth conspiratorily.

“We don’t have to eat here if you don’t want to, you know. If we team up against him, I’m sure he’d give in and we could eat somewhere clean and pleasant.”

Sephiroth feels torn. Agreeing with Genesis will make him happy and perhaps ease whatever discomfort he’s feeling, but that would mean upsetting Angeal.

Besides, he’d rather eat simple food if it means they can continue their walk and not be forced to sit in a room with other people who will no doubt stare at him the whole time. People are staring at him now, but they’re also walking away afterwards. So it feels less like he’s being pinned in place and examined like a bug.

“I’m sorry.” He answers. He wants to explain all this to Genesis so that he’s not upset, but there are too many other people around.

There are always too many other people around.

Sometimes Sephiroth despairs of ever truly connecting with Genesis.

Genesis sighs, but strangely, does not get angry. “It was worth a shot.” He turns and peruses the menu like it’s going to magically change and offer something other than hot dogs, peanuts, and soda.

When their order is ready, Angeal hands it to him with a smile that Sephiroth can only interpret as hopeful, like he’s expecting praise. “Just the way you like it, Seph… iroth.”

Angeal winces slightly, and Sephiroth realizes that he corrected himself from using the shortened form of his name, something that Sephiroth understands to be a show of intimacy between friends. He wonders why Angeal is feeling anxious about using it, when usually he is not, but he supposes that perhaps there are too many people around and Angeal doesn’t feel it’s appropriate at this time.

Angeal’s ideas on what is or is not appropriate are very confusing. Sephiroth still isn’t sure he understands the point of “honor” despite the many lectures Angeal has given him on the subject over the course of their acquaintance.

Speaking of lectures, now would be a good time to remember some of the manners that Angeal taught him. Perhaps that will ease the anxiety the other alpha is still spilling out of his scent gland.

“Thank you, Angeal.”

Angeal beams and seems to relax slightly. “Of course, Sephiroth! No need to thank me!”

Now Sephiroth is really confused.

The amount of times Angeal has lectured him about showing gratitude is beyond counting, but now he’s saying that he doesn’t need to be grateful?

No, that can’t be right. His body language is saying that he appreciated the gratitude, so why would he say something like that?

Genesis slips a hand into the crook of Sephiroth’s elbow and squeezes it gently. Sephiroth looks down in surprise to see Genesis smiling up at him.

“He means, you’re welcome. Right, Angeal?” Genesis turns to glare at Angeal, who loses all his happy composure from a moment ago and ducks his head with a grimace.

“Right, of course. Sorry, Sephiroth, I forgot.”

All Angeal’s nervousness is doubled now. He’s actually wringing his hands, juggling the bags with their peanuts and drinks in the process.

Sephiroth isn’t sure what Angeal forgot, but he can’t stand this much longer. They’re acting like they have something to hide, and in his experience, when people act like that it means bad things.

Well, when reconnaissance fails, sometimes shock and awe is the only option.

Sephiroth stops in his tracks and shakes off Genesis’s hold so that he can face both of them. They both immediately go quietly alert.

“If you don’t tell me what you’re so anxious about, I’m going home. I have no interest in walking into whatever trap you’ve prepared.”

They both gape at him for a moment before Angeal begins sputtering.

“Trap? No! Sephiroth! That’s not— We wouldn’t—” and then with a hurt expression, “I thought we had built more trust than that— I thought—”

Genesis recovers to toss his head angrily. “You think the only reason we might be anxious is because we might be planning an ambush? How silly! What a ridiculous man you are! It’s a good thing I like you so much! It’s a good thing I’m such a patient and understanding friend, or you wouldn’t even have any friends at all!”

He glares at Sephiroth and steps forward threateningly.

“You take it back! Take it back right this instant!” He points angrily at the ground as if that indicates a moment in time. “I refuse to stand here and allow you to accuse me of such heinous crimes in front of all these people!”

He gestures expansively to the crowd that is forming, wide-eyed and whispering around them.

Angeal steps forward quickly to grab Genesis’s arm. “Gen!” He hisses, “you’re making things worse!”

Genesis slaps his hand away and crosses his arms to glare at the crowd, which quickly disperses as if suddenly remembering that they have somewhere to be.

Angeal turns to Sephiroth, and if Sephiroth thought he was anxious before, it’s now written clearly in every line of his face and body.

“It’s not like that, Sephiroth! We would never betray you! We care for you! Deeply. We—”

Angeal cuts himself off and takes several deep breaths while massaging his temple. His shoulders slump in defeat and he sighs heavily.

“Maybe we should go back to my place. I just thought—I thought you might prefer to have this conversation… outside.”

By outside he means outside the tower, out of range of Shinra’s cameras. Sephiroth feels his own shoulders relax.

So it’s something Shinra won’t approve of. That’s why they’re nervous.

“I see.”

Angeal looks at him in surprise. “You—you do?”

Sephiroth nods. “As long as you don’t leave me behind when you go, I have no complaints.”

Angeal seems confused. “When we… go?”

The crowd has completely dispersed by now, and Genesis turns his glare back on Sephiroth.

“We’re not going anywhere! Why would you think that? You think we’re going to get tired of you or something? What kind of people do you think we are?”

His hands are on his hips again.

Angeal sighs and rubs his face, “I must admit, I agree with Gen. Even if we lost interest in you, which we won’t, living with honor means that even if we did need to go our separate ways, our hearts would still be knit together by friendship.”

He steps forward and places a hand on Sephiroth’s arm.

“We treasure our friendship with you, which is why… which is why we’re so nervous tonight… What we need to talk about will change our friendship, but it will not change the way we feel about you, or the promises we have made to you. Whatever you decide, we will not give up on our desire to be your friend and to stand with you against all odds.”

“Well said!” Genesis huffs, coming forward to poke Sephiroth in the chest.

At least Genesis’s anger has washed away most of his anxiety.

Sephiroth is pretty sure now that they intend to rebel against Shinra. He’s been expecting something like this for a while.

After all, the last friends that he made also rebelled and deserted their posts, leaving him behind without so much as a word. They even took their shared dog with them.

Hojo had said it was their nature, and that he was a fool to have trusted them.

So when new people tried to befriend him, he had learned to ignore and shrug off their advances. But no matter how hard he tried to drive off Angeal and Genesis, they kept coming back like Wutaian boomerangs. After a while, they had worn him down into accepting their friendship; first Angeal and then Genesis.

Hojo calls him weak and stupid for falling for their manipulations, but Sephiroth is sure that they are both the most earnest people he has ever met and that they do not mean him harm.

If craving their company makes him weak, then so be it.

“Let’s not tarry here then. I wish to hear your proposal,” Sephiroth informs them.

They’re gaping at him again.

Angeal finally speaks. “You want to… continue? Our walk? Uh, I know a place where we can see the stars! I meant it to be a surprise, but… I’m sorry. I should’ve just told you that from the beginning. I didn’t mean to make you anxious.”

Sincerity pours out from both his expression and his scent, and Sephiroth nods and claps him on the shoulder to show solidarity like he’s seen Angeal do many times with other SOLDIERs.

“I understand. I… didn’t really believe you were going to ambush me.” He glances at Genesis who looks like he’s about to lose his temper again. “I’m sorry. I was pushing for a reason for your behavior. I didn’t mean to malign your character.”

Genesis sniffs disdainfully. “If you’re going to apologize, you need to say it louder for the people in the back!”

Sephiroth blinks at him before glancing at the hot dog vendor and several people who are loitering around him, just far enough away not to be able to hear more than a word or two of their conversation. They all look away as if they were not staring a moment ago, busily perusing the menu as if that was the reason they were still there.

Sephiroth’s sharp eyes catch one of them slipping a notebook into his pocket.

Great. A reporter.

Not that hearsay of the incident wouldn’t have spread far and wide anyway with all these people around.

Sephiroth regrets not waiting until they were alone before pushing for answers, but he realizes that he let his own anxiety dictate his response. He acted without thinking and caused trouble for all of them.

He needs to mitigate the damage.

He raises his voice. “Genesis! You are a steadfast friend! The type of friend the poets wrote about when they said: A friend as true as the rising of the sun!” He takes a step back and bows slightly with his hand on his heart. “Please forgive me.”

Genesis sputters and for some reason turns as red in the face as his hair. Angeal starts laughing, a bit hysterically, but with genuine relief in his voice. Genesis turns on Angeal and starts pushing him, but Angeal just laughs harder, tears streaming down his face. Sephiroth lets out a small chuckle of his own, his shoulders shaking slightly with the force of it.

After a moment, he recovers enough to tilt his head, moving his bangs just enough to side-eye the small crowd behind them.

Good, the three of them now look like youths having a ridiculous spat. Just young people goofing around. Nothing to see here. People are already turning away.

He has no doubt that the incident will still be talked about extensively in some circles, but most people will not give it that much thought once they see the silly way they are acting.

He fully expects to get a thorough scolding from Hojo on public comportment, but it was worth it to see the tension draining away from his friends’ faces.

He waits until Angeal and Genesis’s shoving match starts to get a bit frisky, slapping and pinching in inappropriate places.

Sometimes he thinks they forget that Genesis is supposed to be pretending to be an alpha.

He clears his throat with a smile. “Shall we?”

*~*

The area where Angeal leads them is far from the hustle and bustle of the center of the city, and more importantly, far from any people.

This area is marked off for housing, but construction hasn’t begun yet. Piles of neatly stacked construction materials create obstacles that they need to navigate around.

Angeal leads them to the wall that circles the plate in between the reactors set at intervals around the edge of the city. He opens an access door and they enter the wall. Sephiroth has to stoop a bit as they travel through the narrow corridor until they reach another access door. This one is also conveniently left unlocked.

Sephiroth doesn’t really care to get involved in things that don’t concern him, but he can’t help but think that this is a safety hazard. Aren’t the homes under construction meant for families? What if kids find this access and slip out to the edge of the plate like they’ve just done?

More importantly, how does Angeal know about this weakness in the city wall? Has he been “patrolling” outside of assignment and rescuing little old ladies again? Even so, that doesn’t really explain how he found this door so far from traffic.

“Minerva preserve us, Geal! What a drop!” Genesis exclaims, holding onto a strut as he leans over the edge. “You weren’t kidding about being on the edge of the plate! Do you think a First could survive a fall like that?”

Angeal has a hand surreptitiously gripping the edge of Genesis’s coat. “If we did, it would literally be a miracle,” he growls, his voice hoarse with anxiety.

Genesis throws Sephiroth a knowing smirk before letting go of the strut so that Angeal is the only thing holding him back from falling. Angeal grunts and plants his feet.

“It’s a great view! I can see why you didn’t report the unlocked doors! What do you think, Sephiroth?”

The edge is only a couple of meters away from the wall, and the drop falls away so completely that it makes his stomach churn. He can’t even see the ground from here. The darkness of night completely cloaks it, making the drop seem endless.

Hojo would berate him for being weak if he knew how this sudden height is affecting him right now, so he ignores those feelings and looks up and away. Now here is a sight worth seeing. Sephiroth can only stand and stare. There’s nothing to block the view of the stars from here.

They’re still not as clear as they would be in Wutai where the light pollution is minimal, but there’s no trees or buildings to block his vision for miles. He can see half a dozen constellations at a glance. It’s breathtaking. This must be what it’s like to visit a mountain observatory–a long held wish of his that he’s pretty sure he’ll never be able to fulfill.

“Let’s sit down and eat the rest of our food,” Angeal says tersely.

“Aww, Angie! Am I making you nervous?” Genesis teases.

Angeal huffs in aggravation. “Sometimes I miss the bookworm who was afraid to climb trees.”

Genesis clicks his tongue indignantly and seats himself on the edge of the plate. “I was not afraid! I just didn’t want to ruin my nice pants!”

“All your pants were nice pants!” Angeal mutters.

“Exactly!”

Sephiroth doesn’t really understand what pants have to do with climbing trees, but he sits obligingly next to Genesis and accepts his bag of roasted peanuts, which are still warm. He holds it in his hands to protect them from the chill wind that is swirling past their perch.

Angeal sits on the other side of Genesis and a peaceful quiet settles over them as they crack shells, letting them drop over the side as they munch on the kernels within.

Sephiroth distracts himself from the drop by cataloging the stars he can see. That one is actually a supernova that exploded 15 billion years ago and the light is only just now reaching them. The thought is mind boggling, but he finds a certain amount of peace from the idea that the universe is both older than their world and that it will definitely outlast humankind and all the suffering they’ve wrought.

None of it really matters in the grand scope of the universe. Not the things that he’s suffered, or the things that he’s had to do as a SOLDIER of Shinra. It will all be wiped away someday. Erased.

He wishes he could be there to see it.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Angeal interrupts his train of thought.

“Yes,” he answers, keeping his more maudlin thoughts to himself so as to not upset Angeal.

“In the recesses of my soul
in the quiet corner of the night
I wander empty beneath the stars
who remain indifferent to my plight…”

Genesis’s voice is dreamy and thoughtful, but Sephiroth can hear a hint of melancholy as well. Sephiroth wonders if he is feeling something similar to what he was feeling. The thought is a bit comforting.

“...I scan the sky in hopeless desperation
novae so close I could touch them, it seems
as they scrutinize me from light years away
taunting and mocking my dreams…”

Sephiroth glances to the side to see that Genesis has his favorite copy of Loveless out, but from this angle he can see that the poem he’s reading is written on a slip of paper within.

“...my heart ensnared by wanderlust
celestially trailblazing
immobile feet start growing roots
as I’m lost to this world, stargazing.”

Sephiroth is just able to catch the name at the bottom of the page by squinting before Genesis closes the book. Jody L. Beery. He files away the name in case Genesis decides to quiz him on it later.

He prepares an answer for the inevitable grilling Genesis will give him about the meaning of the poem, but Genesis only smiles at him, and then, inexplicably, he blushes and looks away towards Angeal who seems to be tensed as if for battle.

Ah, right, they came here to discuss deserting Shinra. Now that they’ve come down to it, he can’t help but feel that he’s made a terrible mistake in promising to go with them. Thoughts fly through his mind and he feels sick to his stomach, more so than he did from the height.

He doesn’t mind if they have to live in caves and live off the land for the rest of their lives to avoid being tracked down, but even that isn’t guaranteed to work. He’s sure Hojo will stop at nothing to get him back, and then what? Will he lose all his freedoms and be turned into a caged beast who’s only let out to tear apart the flesh of Shinra’s enemies? He shudders to think of such a fate.

And what will become of Genesis and Angeal? No doubt they will be put down like rabid dogs, and he will be the one forced to do it. His stomach clenches and the remaining peanuts in his bag crumble in his tightening grasp.

He shouldn’t have agreed so blithely to go with them. It was a stupidly reckless thing to say, based on childish wishful thinking, and it will only end in tragedy.

Genesis puts a gentle hand over his fist. “What’s wrong, Sephiroth?”

Angeal stands up and comes around to sit on his other side.

Sephiroth has a sudden wild thought that he should grab them both and pull them over into the certain death below. Better that than what Shinra will do to them if they leave together. But that thought makes his heart clench painfully in his chest. No, he can’t bear the thought of hurting them, even to protect them.

Perhaps if they go without him, they could survive. He could pretend not to be able to find them. He’s not sure how long he could pull it off, but even if it gives them a chance—

“Sephiroth, talk to us,” Angeal chides, gripping his arm gently. “I can’t usually smell your distress, but now... Did I do something to upset you?”

“No!” Sephiroth manages to gasp. He’s finding it difficult to make words.

Genesis is gripping his wrist now, as if he intends to hold him in place. Their touch is grounding and he focuses on his breathing like he’s practicing a sword form. In, hold, out, pause. In, hold, out, pause.

Angeal puts his arm around Sephiroth’s shoulders, and after tensing up at the unexpected closeness, Sephiroth relaxes a bit and leans into him. Genesis leans into him from the other side. A feeling of safety creeps over him and his heart calms.

“Was it the poem?” Genesis queries. “Did it make you sad?”

Sephiroth shakes his head.

“What then?” Angeal asks. “Please don’t shut us out, Seph. We’re your friends! We’re here for you. We’ll listen to anything you have to say without judgement, and we won’t tell anyone! I swear it on my honor. Isn’t that right, Gen?”

“Absolutely.” Genesis states as he begins running his hand soothingly over Sephiroth’s arm. “As the Goddess and the stars are my witness, I won’t tell a soul.”

Sephiroth has never known that human touch could feel so good. They’re both pressed against him and he can feel their heartbeats echoing his own. Their warmth and scents surround him in a way that is more comforting than a blanket. He’s never been held like this before, and he doesn’t want the moment to end.

He’s afraid to speak and ruin the spell.

“It’s okay if you don’t know how to explain what you’re feeling, Seph. We will still—still care for you. Always! Can you at least try?” Angeal asks softly.

“It’s ok to have feelings, you know,” Genesis adds wryly. “I have them all the time!”

Angeal snorts and Sephiroth feels some of the tension leave Angeal’s body. “We are well aware, dear.” He pulls back a bit without removing his arm and squeezes Sephiroth’s shoulder.

“And we know that you have emotions too, Seph,” Angeal continues. “You’re human! I know that there’s a joke circulating Shinra that you’re a cyborg without feeling, but you shouldn’t listen to those people! They don’t know you like we do. They haven’t seen you exhausted after a battle or gazing wistfully at the stars. They haven’t heard you laugh or seen how gently you treat your books. They haven’t seen your face scrunch in anger when you’re annoyed or how your whole face lights up when you smile after saying something clever.”

“Or when you think you’re winning our sparring match,” Genesis interrupts.

“Yes, that too,” Angeal agrees. “They don’t know shit.”

Sephiroth raises his eyebrows at the swearing and he turns to look at Angeal’s earnest face. Angeal blushes slightly, but he doesn’t look away. It feels like he’s trying to pour his thoughts out of his eyes straight into Sephiroth’s soul.

Sephiroth looks away and clears his throat.

“Feelings are a hindrance on the battlefield,” he says, parroting Hojo because he’s not sure what else to say.

“We’re not on the battlefield, Sephiroth!” Genesis quips. He tosses his head in annoyance. “Fine! I’ll go first! Sephiroth since the moment I first saw you—”

“Gen! I think maybe we should wait on that conversation for now!” Angeal interjects.

Genesis makes a noise of disagreement, but Angeal is still talking. “Remember, we promised to hear what he has to say? Let him speak first! A little patience goes a long way.”

Genesis sighs, “It’s not that I don’t want to hear him out! But when will we get another chance like this again? Maybe if he hears how we feel, it will help him to express himself!”

Sephiroth sighs and they both look at him as if he suddenly grew another limb.

He lets his head hang, allowing his bangs to cover his face. “I… I care about you too. Which is why I can’t… I misspoke earlier. You should go without me. I’ll just make your lives shorter and more difficult.”

He waits for a response, but the silence is broken only by the wind whistling past them on their precarious perch. They’re probably upset that he’s breaking his word. They’re very particular about that one, especially Angeal.

Finally, Genesis speaks. “Sephiroth... It seems that we are having a miscommunication. I’m not sure what you’re talking about, since none of us is slated for a vacation anytime soon, and Goddess forbid they let us take one together!”

He snorts angrily, but then his voice gentles. “I thought we already established that we weren’t going anywhere? Except for missions? Which we have no control over? But I assure you, that if we were going on vacation, that we would absolutely love to have you! It’s one of my dreams, actually! I want you to come to my family’s farm and try fresh Banora apples! There’s nothing like them in the world!

“And how the hel would your presence make our lives shorter? A strong fighter like you? We’re blessed any time we get to team up with you! What on the Goddess’s green Gaia are you even talking about!”

Genesis is shouting now, but Sephiroth just feels confused. He could have sworn that they were hinting at leaving Shinra, but Genesis is giving no indication of that being in his thoughts.

Did he misunderstand? Did he assume falsely based on past experiences? What else could they need to talk to him about with such secrecy? They know that he knows that Genesis is actually an omega, right? What other secrets do they have?

Angeal clears his throat. “Perhaps Genesis is right. We should go first and then you can tell us what you think?”

Genesis cackles in glee. “Ha! I’m writing this down!” He pulls out his copy of Loveless again and flips to the back, writing the date and then scribbling furiously underneath it in a messy cursive that Sephiroth can’t read, but he’s sure it’s about Angeal’s concession.

Angeal chuckles ruefully and removes his arm from around Sephiroth’s shoulders to pat him on the back, and then clasps his hands tightly in front of him.

Sephiroth misses the warmth and closeness immediately, but disciplines himself to sit straight and not sway back into Angeal’s space.

Angeal clears his throat again. “Ahem… Ahehem! Sephiroth. There’s… something we want to ask you, but you should know that… that you are under no obligation to… to feel the same way as we do. That is, uh, that… uh, ahem.”

“Oh Gods, Geal, let me do it!” Genesis leans across Sephiroth and smacks Angeal on the arm.

“No! We agreed that I would talk to him! Let me finish, Gen!”

Genesis sighs dramatically and leans back on his elbows.

Sephiroth sits straight as a post between them. He isn’t sure why, but he feels like their anxiety is bleeding into him. That, and the suspense is starting to set his teeth on edge.

Angeal sighs. “Sephiroth, I just want you to know that no matter what, we will still be your friends. Our feelings have grown into more than just friendship, but just because our feelings have grown, doesn’t mean that we need to act on it. We could remain friends forever, if that’s what you want. So, I don’t want you to feel pressured into something that doesn’t feel right to you.”

Angeal pauses and then speaks again. “Do you understand?”

Sephiroth feels a curdle of shame. He’s supposed to be intelligent, but he has no clue what Angeal is talking about. He can’t just admit to being confused. It goes against everything that he was ever taught, but how can he get Angeal to explain without asking questions or admitting defeat? He has the sudden urge to leave and escape this awkward situation.

Genesis butts in again. “Ok, that’s it! My turn!”

He sits up and puts a hand on Sephiroth’s thigh. It’s not a place anyone outside of the lab has ever touched him, and it sends alarm bells through his nervous system. He has to grit his teeth and remind himself that this is his friend, Genesis.

But then Genesis removes his hand and puts it over his heart.

“What torture lurks within a single thought
When grown too constant; and however kind
…
You lie upon my heart as on a nest
Folded in peace, for you can never know
How crushed I am with having you at rest
Heavy upon my life. I love you so.”

Genesis lowers his hand to grip the edge and leans forward to peer around Sephiroth’s bangs.

“We’re saying that we love you, Sephiroth! We love you as more than friends, and we hope that… we hope that you might return our feelings.”

“It’s ok if you don’t!” Angeal interrupts.

“Yes.” Genesis agrees. “We will understand if you need time to think about it.”

“Or if you never feel the same!” Angeal interjects again. “We understand that it’s a lot to ask! We just want you to know our feelings so that you can make an informed decision about what you want. We won’t bring it up again if we’re making you uncomfortable! We would never want that. We’ll still always be your friends because we care about you no matter what!”

Sephiroth thinks he understands what they’re trying to say now, but it is so unexpected that he’s having difficulty believing that it’s real.

“I’m sorry, may I ask a question?” he asks.

“Of course, darling.” Genesis replies eagerly.

“Gen! It’s too early for that!” Angeal hisses before leaning forward into Sephiroth’s view. “Of course, Seph! Didn’t we say we wanted to hear your thoughts?”

Sephiroth lets himself give off a small sigh. It’s so hard to remember that friendship has different rules than his other relationships sometimes, but their reassurance eases some of his anxiety. He allows himself to relax slightly and raises his head to look up at the stars.

“I don’t understand. How can you talk about wanting something more with me when you’re already mated to each other? …It doesn’t matter what I want. You already have that bond that I can never be a part of.”

He can feel the bitterness creeping into his voice. “What you’re asking of me is impossible and you know it, so why would you risk our friendship over it?”

Genesis speaks first, his voice rising with excitement. “Are you saying that you feel the same way?”

“How can I not?” Sephiroth replies simply. “I see how happy you are together. I must admit, I feel a bit jealous.”

Genesis throws his arms around him. If Sephiroth was not gripping onto the edge for dear life with his off hand, he would have sent them hurtling over the edge.

“Truly? Oh Sephiroth! I knew it! I knew the Goddess would not lead me astray! See, Angeal? I told you so!”

Sephiroth glances at Angeal who is gaping at him. When he sees Sephiroth looking at him he snaps his mouth shut and places a trembling hand on Sephiroth’s shoulder.

“That’s great. That’s wonderful.” He stops to swallow, and Sephiroth realizes that Angeal is trying not to cry.

Genesis pulls back and tidies his coat and hair, smiling brightly. “Well, it seems that we have some re-education we need to do! Sephiroth, darling, have you not heard of a pack?”

Sephiroth cocks his head slightly and answers after thinking for a moment. “Do you mean like a wolf pack or a pack of MREs?”

Angeal has a coughing fit, but Genesis outright giggles, his voice breaking for a second before he clears his throat and continues.

“Ah yes, wolves must be spiritually related to us, because just like wolves, humans can also form packs! In fact, it used to be the common thing to do, but it has sadly fallen out of fashion these days.

“Everyone wants to emulate the exclusionary love that’s become the norm in the media nowadays. It all has to do with betas running the entertainment industry! It’s disgraceful that we’re forgetting the way the Goddess created us to function! Why, you only need to look a couple of generations back to see that packs were the norm, but people who can’t understand the true nature of love have taken over the narrative! It’s shameful!”

Sephiroth processes this for a minute. “I see.”

Angeal groans. “What Gen is trying to say is that Shinra frowns upon SOLDIERs starting packs, but they haven’t outright forbidden it. Yet. Something about competing loyalties, which is just… some kind of beta behemoth shit. Love doesn’t fit into neat little boxes, and neither do relationships.”

“I bet those betas are just jealous of the deep bonds that we share as alphas and omegas,” Genesis pipes up, a wicked grin on his face.

“Possibly, though some accounts say that betas used to join in on pack relationships. Though I’m not sure how that worked,” Angeal continues.

Genesis shrugs. “Without a scent gland, they would naturally feel left out of the bond, which is probably why they started only mating with each other. Oh, I’m sorry, marrying each other.”

Sephiroth can hear the heavy sarcasm in his voice. He clears his own throat.

“I see. That is very interesting, but… Unfortunately, even if Shinra has not forbidden it, Hojo has forbidden me from bonding with anyone. I’m sorry, but I will not be able to—”

“That rat bastard!” Genesis exclaims. “How dare he! He’s your doctor, not your master! Who gives him the right to tell you who you can and cannot mate!”

Sephiroth sighs. He was hoping to never have to speak of this with them. “He’s not just my doctor, he created me. I’m his intellectual property. He has the right to do whatever he wants with me.”

“Created you?!” Angeal queries. “What do you mean by that?”

“Just because he perfected the SOLDIER formula with you does not mean he created you!” Genesis declares. “That’s ridiculous! Who does he think he is? A god??!”

Sephiroth barks a short laugh. “Basically, yes.”

“Well, fuck that! And fuck him! He and his greasy rat tail are nothing of the sort!”

Sephiroth sighs. “Regardless of his missing divinity, he has the power to dictate terms to Shinra. They’ll do whatever he wants to keep him happy and not work against them. So effectively, when it comes to me, he can make any rule that he wants.”

There’s a full minute of silence.

Genesis breaks it by sighing dramatically. “Ugh, those stupid restrictive contracts that we had to sign to become SOLDIERs! Who knew the price to become a hero would be so steep? They really think they own us don’t they!”

“That’s something I’ve been wondering about, actually,” Angeal speaks up. “The first time we saw news about the SOLDIER program, you couldn’t have been more than twelve or thirteen, but the law states that you need to be fourteen to sign a SOLDIER contract. I know that Shinra was already puppeting the government by then, so they feel they can make whatever laws they want, but isn’t that inconsistent? Shouldn’t they at least follow their own rules? Surely your contract would be void if you were to take it to court.”

Sephiroth shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss the terms of my contract with you.”

Angeal frowns. “Is it really that different from ours?”

“It is,” He answers simply.

He can’t tell them that he never signed a contract, or that he grew up in labs with monsters and other people who never lasted as long as him. It was his whole world until he was tall enough to start filming promotional material, which he hated. Longing for the familiarity of the labs while people turned him this way and that, and flashed bright lights into his eyes mercilessly.

He never even walked on the earth or saw the stars for himself until his first mission. Never tasted real food, or knew the comfort of a real bed.

Everything he knew about the world came from the few books he was allowed to read and overheard conversation between lab assistants. Or whatever Hojo deemed fit to tell him. When he balked at anything, Hojo would say, “I created you, so you better listen to me, boy!” He doesn’t even have a real idea of how old he is because everything about him is a trade secret.

It’s not just because Hojo has forbidden him from talking about his childhood with other SOLDIERs that he’s unwilling to discuss this with them.

He’s not stupid. He’s heard their stories. He knows that their experiences are completely alien from his. They would never understand.

So he keeps it to himself.

Their idea is an impossible dream, and thinking about it will only wound his heart with longing. Better to stick with what he knows than risk a change that could destroy everything they have so carefully built up these last few years. The privileges he’s earned, such as having his own apartment in the Shinra tower and being able to go for impromptu outings through Midgar with his friends.

Or being allowed to have friends at all.

He considers the drop under his feet. He thinks he understands why it scares him so much now.

It’s the unknown.

If he could see the bottom, he wouldn’t be afraid. He would know exactly how to move his body so that he could land safely. It wouldn’t be any different from jumping out of a helicopter.

“Sephiroth,” Angeal’s voice sounds rough with emotion.

Sephiroth glances over at him to see that he’s looking away towards the stars.

“I can’t accept that. You… I told myself so many times that I wouldn’t be upset if you didn’t feel the same way and that I would accept it, but this… You’ve said that you feel as we do! I… I can hardly believe it, I was so ready for rejection, but this is too cruel.”

“Yes!” Genesis hisses from the other side. “That’s the word for it!

“My friend, the fates are cruel!
There are no dreams, no honor remains
The arrow has left the bow of the Goddess!

“Don’t you see, Sephiroth? You’ve already released your feelings like an arrow by telling us about them! They cannot be retrieved as it has already pierced my heart! You cannot let Shinra or Hojo dictate your feelings like you do everything else! It’ll break you! It’s breaking my heart already! There has to be a way to make this work!”

“There isn’t,” Sephiroth replies flatly. “Speaking of it further serves no purpose!”

His voice rises with emotion and he stands up abruptly and turns to leave.

Genesis jumps up and rushes to block the exit.

“Wait! I think I’ve thought of something!”

Sephiroth shakes his head at him. “There is no way you could change Hojo’s mind about this, and if you tried he would only see you as a threat and have you killed!”

“I’d like to see him try!” Genesis snaps, eyes blazing.

Sephiroth gives him a stern look. “I’m not talking about a battle. He could slip something into your drugs or your food. There’s no way to win against something like that!”

“Ok, fine, but have you considered that we just don’t tell him?”

Sephiroth raises a brow in disbelief. “There’s no way he wouldn’t notice your bite marks on my scent glands and put two and two together to figure out who it is! You two would be his first and only suspects! He already dislikes that I spend so much time with you!”

Genesis grips both of Sephiroth’s arms, digging his claws in slightly as if to hold him in place.

“No, you don’t understand! We could do it without marking each-other! Alpha and beta SOLDIERs have sex all the time without a bond! We could do that! We could be mates of the heart!”

“You’re not an alpha or a beta.” Sephiroth reminds him.

Genesis shakes him a little. “That doesn’t matter! As long as I’m not in heat, I can control myself! Angeal has a harder time not biting, but he just needs reassurance like that!”

“Hey!” Angeal interjects, but Genesis ignores him.

“Angeal could wear a muzzle! Right, Angeal? Lots of alphas use them! Please Sephiroth! I can’t bear to see you run off knowing that you return our feelings! I cannot bear to see you suffering loneliness and a broken heart! I—this pain in my own heart is unbearable! I won’t let you go!”

Suddenly Genesis’s eyes run over with tears and he wraps his arms around Sephiroth as if to cage him, his whole body shaking with sobs that he redirects into Sephiroth’s chest.

Sephiroth has never felt the way he does now. It’s like the yawning chasm behind him is opening inside his chest. Is this what despair feels like? He has no idea how to resolve this situation. He can’t go forward, but he can’t go back to the way things were before now that he knows how they feel about him. How he feels about them.

He glances at Angeal, hoping for answers or assistance.

Angeal looks like someone stabbed him, eyes wide. He stumbles forward and puts his arms around Genesis as if to pull him off, but then he hesitates, looking up at Sephiroth with pleading wet eyes.

“I would gladly wear a muzzle if it meant I could hold you. If it meant that we could be together! It sickens me that they would steal this choice from you! You deserve the right to make your own choices, Seph! Going without the bond would make things difficult, but if we could even have this much I would do anything, Sephiroth. I—” Angeal chokes on his words and falls silent, closing his eyes as if to block out the life he cannot have and the sight of his crying mate.

Sephiroth can’t take it anymore. “Alright! That’s enough!”

They both look up at him in shock.

Anxiety is making his heart pound, but he ignores it. He cannot bear to see them both crying.

“I will probably regret this, but I will attempt it. You must promise to act more discreetly though! Stop calling me pet names in public! And whatever you do, refrain from touching me as casually as you do one another! If this ends up with you dead, then I’ll be even more alone than I was before! I—I don’t know what I would do…”

Visions of burning lab equipment dance before his inner eye. If Hojo were to kill them, then he would go out in a blaze of glory. He feels almost certain of it. What would be the point of anything if they were taken from him?

This thought strengthens his resolve. If he can’t protect them by staying away from them, then the only way lies in keeping them close.

Furthermore, knowing now that this is a possibility they are willing to offer him, he can’t continue the way they were before. It’s selfish, but he can’t help himself.

He wants them. Badly.

He looks down into Genesis’s teary face and leans forward to press his lips to his, tilting the omega’s face up for easier access.

Genesis gasps into his mouth and tightens his grip on Sephiroth’s arms.

Kissing does not feel as weird as he thought it would. Genesis’s lips are warm and slightly dry. His breath smells like mustard and peanuts, but it’s not unpleasant.

Sephiroth pulls away and glances towards Angeal, suddenly cognizant of the fact that he just kissed his mate without asking permission.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs.

Angeal gives him a stricken look. “For what? You can’t be changing your mind now!”

Angeal pulls them both into his arms and kisses Sephiroth like he’s starving, squishing Genesis between them in his haste.

Genesis laughs, a hysterical note in his voice and then he begins to vibrate. Sephiroth thinks he might be laughing under his breath until he hears audible purring pouring out of his throat as he nuzzles Sephiroth’s chest.

Sephiroth has never seen anyone purr in real life, and it’s a bit of a shock how pleasant it feels, vibrating through his own body. Suddenly Angeal is purring too, and it’s too much. It feels like he might fall apart, and he drops down to crouch on the ground. They follow to crouch on either side, concerned looks on their faces.

Angeal speaks first. “I’m sorry, did you not want to kiss?”

Sephiroth finds he can’t speak, so he just shakes his head, but when Angeal starts to pull away, his face crumpling, Sephiroth reaches out to pull him back.

“Just… one at a time, please,” he whispers, leaning forward to kiss Angeal again.

*~*

They sit quietly, huddled together with their backs to the wall. The wind has picked up and is even colder than before, but Sephiroth doesn’t want to leave.

Their bodies are warm against his, their hearts beat along with his, their breathing is matched, and their hands twine with his. He eventually had to ask them not to purr because it felt like he was being turned to jelly and it was overwhelming, but this is perfect.

He wishes they did not have to go back, but they have already been gone a suspiciously long time. He just needs to wait for the swelling in his lips to go down.

He lifts his left hand and touches his lips. Angeal smiles at him as his own hand brushes against Sephiroth’s lips, so he does it purposely this time, brushing Angeal’s knuckles with his lips and watching as Angeal’s pupils go wide.

Genesis stirs and rises on his knees as if to resume kissing again, but Sephiroth holds him off by kissing the back of his hand as well.

“I should go back first,” he tells them, his mind filled with logistics and what he will say if interrogated.

“If it’s safe, I’ll send you a text wishing you goodnight, then you can return as well. It is imperative that no one suspects anything. I’ll tell them that you showed me a good place to view the stars and that I was so overawed that I lost track of the time…”

He hesitates, but there’s no way they won’t follow their scent to this place. They might even be on their way with dogs now. They’ll never be safe from cameras here again.

“You should probably say something about those doors, Angeal. It’s not like you not to report a safety hazard.”

Angeal nods with a grimace.

“I’ll tell them that I was composing poetry and Angeal, of course, stayed with me,” Genesis chimes in.

Sephiroth nods. “Any new poems to give them?”

Genesis smiles mysteriously. “There may be something I’ve been working on.”

Sephiroth nods and stands up, letting go of their hands as he does so. “Very well, I’ll head back now.”

“Wait!” Angeal grabs his hand and rises quickly to stand with him. “We need to talk about what comes next! About…” He suddenly blushes and looks away.

Sephiroth cocks his head quizzically and then smiles with understanding. Angeal is thinking about sex. Anxiety and desire chase each other in his chest, but he pushes his feelings aside.

“Let’s not make plans for now. We don’t want to act in a way that would cause suspicion. Wait a week or two and then contact me to make plans for dinner. We can discuss it then.”

Genesis groans. “But it’s so difficult to find a time when we’re all free!”

He’s standing with his arms crossed anxiously over his chest.

Sephiroth purses his lips thoughtfully. “Yes. We may have to put off doing anything more than talking about it until we’re all free—”

“That could be months from now!” Genesis interjects. “I say that we should just take what we can get! Whoever is free, will spend time with you! Perhaps it would be better for you that way anyway. If you’ve never had sex before then one at a time would be easier to manage, just like with the purring.”

Sephiroth glances at Angeal, afraid he will grow protective of the thought of someone else sleeping with his omega, but Angeal is nodding as if this is a perfectly reasonable plan.

“I agree, Sephiroth. Life is too short to wait for a perfect moment, and besides, we don’t usually wait till we’re all free to hang out. Genesis has you over to watch movies and discuss books whenever he gets a chance, and I love having you over resting on my couch and eating my food… if we started waiting until we were all free, they would realize that something was up.”

Sephiroth studies Angeal’s face and scent, but all he can get from him is sincerity. He glances at Genesis, who smiles back at him eagerly.

Well, he supposes that they mean it right now at least. Time will tell if any of this actually works out.

“Alright,” he concedes. “It’s a promise.”