Sephiroth felt his heart in his mouth, he, the demon of Wutai, was scared. Not like the paralysing fear of Hojo's labs and the torments the scientist so often inflicted, this was worse, so much worse. He had been trained from childhood not to have emotions, to place SOLDIER and ShinRa before himself, always. This went against all those years of discipline, but he couldn't help it, desperation not to lose the only light in his world.
There had been so many times throughout his sorry existence when he had cried alone before forcing the tears back and straightening his spine, a SOLDIER never cried. He had lost too much to silence and he could bear to stay silent and stoic no longer. The man who had penetrated his shell since they had both been children was the only one who had ever seen him cry, the only one he would permit to see him weaken.
He could barely bring himself to speak, mouth dry in fear of the reaction which might follow. He managed one word, croaked from between his pale lips.
"Genesis..."
He cleared his throat and tried again "Genesis..."
The redhead looked around, streaks of silver already visible in his hair. His eyes were haunted. He seemed to almost shake himself mentally at the sight of the other, frowning in tender concern. He crossed the room back to where the other was.
"Sephiroth?" he caressed the other's cheek as if memorising the features. The silver-haired general closed his eyes and tilted his cheek into the tender touch, tears once more threatening the dignity of the Silver Angel.
Genesis sighed lightly, dryly, the sound falling like an autumn leaf through the stillness. "You know I can't stay... I have to leave for my mission..." left unsaid was the knowledge each shared that it would be the last mission he ever did.
Sephiroth closed his eyes and his head fell to his chest for a moment as he nodded in mute acknowledgement. he could not bring himself to say goodbye, knowing it would be the last thing he said. Genesis' eyes flashed hurt for a moment that his lover could say nothing, and he turned, making to leave again. It was then that Sephiroth seized his hand. He turned to find the mercurial-headed man staring at his own hand with surprise, almost as if it had moved of its own volition to fulfil his subconcious wish.
"Wait..." Sephiroth whispered, staring up at him, eyes wide with fear. "Genesis... please..." he closed his eyes and found his voice "I won't let them do it..." it was a whisper, then stronger again "I won't let them do it. I won't let them discard you, I won't let them destroy you. You aren't theirs to destroy, just as I am not theirs. We are heroes. You are a hero. My hero, and I will not let you decay, I can't. This may not be a foe I can fight, but I will do all I can to resist it all the same." tears shone in his emerald eyes now as he stared up at the other "I can't just let you leave and decay and die... I cannot let my one last chance to save the world go to waste..."
Genesis gasped as a single tear trickled down the perfect alabaster cheek. He hadn't seen the other cry since they had both been children. he once more cupped the other's cheek, and, with the pad of his thumb brushed away the tear, leaning down to claim with exquisite gentleness the other's pale lips.
Sephiroth stared up at him, eyes enhanced and deepened by the tears which shone in them. He whispered the real question "...Stay with me?"
Genesis could not reply, he merely fell to his knees and back to where he belonged, in his lover's arms. He would never try to leave them again.