Disclaimer: Don't own, why would I need to?
Summary: Genesis tries to save everyone, everything that's left before the situation's beyond salvation. But can you save even one person when you are beyond salvation? He lost something very important when it all happened. AU.
Warnings: Rated M just to be safe. If AUs scare you, then be warned!
Author note: Since I couldn't bring myself to ruin "Genesis", I decided to give this idea a try before going back to "Genesis". It's been quite a while since it popped up in my head. It's an AU, and I mean totally an AU since I don't even accept its timeline. I already said that and I'm saying it again. I won't accept what's illogical thus I won't accept what happened in AC. So, we're not talking about what happened in AC here, we just pretend as though it didn't exist, okay? If any of you have problems with that, you can press the back button. Otherwise, I hope you all enjoy!
Another Author note: It's about the title. I wasn't sure about what to name the story, but I couldn't publish it without a name either. I really want to know your ideas about the title. If you have a better one in mind, I'd be glad to know.
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Breathing. Breathing. Deep and slow.
He listened, darkness surrounding all around him. He listened, for it was the only sign that showed they were alive.
Five series of breathing. And his own.
Darkness surrounded him, the coolness of the room lulling him to sleep.
No. He had to stay awake.
Wearily opening his eyes, he raised his head slightly from where it rested on his knees, staring at the plain wall in front of him.
Five series of breathing. And his own.
He let his head drop, closing his eyes once more.
What would he do? Why did he do it in the first place anyway?
He felt tired. He was tired, but he couldn't allow himself to be. Letting his right arm crawl down to the ground, he pushed against it, standing up.
It was the routine.
One by one, he checked their pulses, making sure they were alive. Making sure that this was reality, not some trick played on him by his beloved goddess. Making sure that they would not vanish into thin air the moment his fingers settled around their wrists.
He stood up again, all that grace that once accompanied his every movement gone. He went to the bathroom, turning on the water without looking at the small mirror, he splashed the frigid water to his face several times. Raising his head, he looked at his reflection in the mirror, his right hand rising to touch it only to hang there in the air, reluctantly. He watched. Dark bags were under his eyes, the pale face was almost transparent, deathly pale.
It was the routine. It was the third day since he took them all in.
Shrugging it off, he turned off the water as he left for the room. A few steps before could reach the door, and heard one of them moaning, mumbling incoherent words, and he rushed inside, sitting by his side.
"Shh, it's okay." He brushed those smooth cheeks with the back of his palm as his other hand gently stroke silky hair that pooled around the youth. "It's okay."
Peace returned to the boy's features and Genesis withdrew his hands, going back to his initial place by the wall.
When would it all end?
He feared. Genesis feared, not for his own safety but for them. He could protect himself but he couldn't say the same if a group was supposed to round on him. He knew that eventually, they would come, his presence, his consciousness, his very soul so powerful, so fierce that it couldn't remain unnoticed.
His eyes turned to the silver haired who lay in the middle of the other four bodies. Kadaj. The boy was already in a coma when he found them, his body marred with deep gashes and dark bruises here and there, drained of all energy. He had immediately casted a cure but now all he could do was hope for the boy to survive it.
Hugging his knees, he rested his forehead on them, closing his eyes. The coolness of the room soothed him, together with the fear, numbing both his body and mind.
Five series of breathing. And his own.
The darkness swallowed him whole. He was about to break.
ШшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшшШ
For how long he was asleep, he didn't know. He didn't want to open his eyes weren't it for the faint rustle of clothes. His eyes flew open, his head jerking up, looking for the source. He almost sighed with relief as he saw one of the boys tossing and turning on the makeshift bed they all shared.
Stifling a yawn, he stretched his muscles that were aching from being abused. Standing up, he went to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator to find something to eat and feed the youths. The slight thought of the apartment becoming a kindergarten and him babysitting, brought a smile to his lips, but fleetingly. The expression turning into a grimace, so acrid that made him want to vomit.
Finding that he couldn't eat anything and also finding nothing suitable for them, he decided to buy something.
The moment he set his foot out of the kitchen, he came face to face with one of the remnants. It felt like he was being shot, time stretching into slow motion as azure locked with emerald, and he was paralyzed. Moonlit silver hair, sharp jaw, alabaster skin, emerald seas he wanted to drown into, hide in their depth and never return, just like the one they belonged to.
Se…
He could see, feel as he, piece by piece, broke in front of the silver haired. Genesis shattered, fragments exploding everywhere that it would take forever to pick them up and glue them back. Why did you do this to me?
And the boy could see nothing. His expression remained indifferent as he guided the youth back to the room, mumbling reassuring nonsense while he tucked him back in.
He wanted out, right now.
Hastily tucking his brilliant hair under a beanie and unfastening his harness belt, Genesis darted out of the apartment. His pace was brisk, he could feel several people looking at him as though he was mad but paid no heed. He needed fresh air, the atmosphere of the room threatening to stifle him if he were to stay there another minute.
Once his heart was hammering in his chest was when he slowed down, looking around to find the first grocery store, buy what he needed and return.
When he returned, turning the keys and opening the door, he was faced with a gun; which moved away the moment its wielder recognized him.
It was a good thing that Yazoo was the one to awake first. He was half conscious when he found the trio, accepting his help and trusting him despite knowing him slightly. The boy had helped him carry his two other unconscious brothers, and even helped taking care of them for the first few hours before fatigue overwhelmed him.
"Feeling better?" For the first time in three days he spoke, his own voice surprising himself.
Yazoo sat down, leaning to the wall at entrance of the kitchen. "Yeah…"
Putting them on the cupboard, he ran a hand through brilliant auburn tresses, closing his eyes. After a few seconds of standing there, he dropped his hand and began preparing the soup.
"Why did you do this?"
He looked at the silent silver haired from the corner of his eyes, a flash of emotions ghosting over azure. "Why wouldn't I?"
Silence settled around them and Genesis kept his mind blank, already sensing the overwhelming thoughts.
Hesitatingly, two hands settled around his chest, hugging him from behind…
The room was very cold.
Azure eyes closed slowly, his fingers slowly rose to those hands that clasped over his chest, lingering.
His breath hitched in his throat and he let his head loll backwards.
Azure eyes went wide, he batted those hands away, turning sharply towards the youth. "What do you think you're doing?"
Yazoo retreated slowly. "I…I'm sorry."
He just looked away, busying himself with what he was doing only moments ago before he could snap at the silver haired. How didn't he notice him approaching?
Why did the boy do that in the first place? Was he so obvious, so mizerable?
They spent the rest of it in silence, in the silence which was driving him mad. Pouring the steaming soup into a bowl, he headed toward the room when Yazoo stood up, trying to help him.
"Don't."
Soon there were steps and the door flung open, a broad sword held pointing. He knew its wielder without even looking up. But he did hold his head high, a smirk playing on his lips as his eyes met the blonde's.
Shifting the bowl in one of his hands, he was about to summon Rapier when he heard the click, way before that deep voice spoke.
"Don't even think about it."
The bowl slowly slipped from his grasp, crashing to pieces as it met the ground.
Mizerable.
He looked at the silver haired boy who stood there, his emerald eyes riveted on him, waiting, urging him to do something.
No.
He could sense the latter's bewilderment as denial rang silently in the room. Genesis didn't even shake his head.
His eyes followed the golden barrel to the hand that firmly held the gun pressed to youth's temple. Vincent was looking at him, ruby eyes shining with rage.
Materializing Rapier in his hands, the tip of that broad sword inched nearer to his neck. Subconsciously running his thumb across the hilt of his blade, he tossed it at the elder's feet.
"Here, now let him go."
"You are coming with us."
The blonde spoke as he circled him, trying to fasten his hands from behind. Yet he jerked his hands away, azure eyes narrowing in obvious warning.
"Don't touch me."
He expected the blond to put up a fight but it seemed it was Vincent who handled him. Instead, the spike head turned toward the room.
Genesis leaped in front of him, blocking the way. "Take another step and I'll make you regret it."
"And how do you do that?"
The moment the blond finished his retort, the redhead's fist hit him. He watched as the boy wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his palm, waiting for the blonde to react when Vincent interfered.
"Genesis, stop it! You are coming with us."
"And why exactly would I do that?"
Defeat. It was defeat. His defeat. He knew it. Only he was too proud to accept it, too arrogant.
Was there even a reason for being arrogant anymore?
How could he be proud after all that happened?
He wouldn't let them see it.
He couldn't let them see.
Hollow.
