A/N: I get delirious when I write. Delirious in a good way, I believe (if that's even a thing). Please take care of me. OTL
Every Obsession has a Beginning
Genesis awoke with a stiff back and a mild pain in his head, which only proved to be bothersome. Opening his eyes, he glanced at the bed before him, noting Mine's absence. Shifting slightly, Genesis felt a wool material slip from his lap and onto the floor. At the same time, the door to the bedroom opened, revealing a barefoot Mine in a long, black skirt that reached her ankles. He watched her pull up the sleeves of her grey long sleeve. Her silver bracelets jingled lightly up her arm before settling back down her wrists.
"You seemed a little chilly in that chair last night." Mine giggled. She approached him and took the blanket from the floor.
"You are very thoughtful," He seemingly complimented her,"Although, it was unnecessary."
They began a tiny banter.
"You should learn how to be thankful, regardless."
"I never said I was not."
"Fair enough." She laughed as if wanting all of Gaia to hear her, annoying the younger boy,"By the way, how long have you had that headache? I have some tea that will help ease it."
It was hardly a thing to fuss over, but he was curious as to how she knew of his current hindrance ,"And what would make you assume I have a headache?"
Mine set the folded blanket onto her made bed and looked out her open window. She didn't assume so she knew so.
"Well..." She hummed aloud,"Intuition."
Before Genesis could deny that statement, another interrupted.
"Any boy would be alarmed by the beauty of my daughter." A young woman came in with a bright smile similar to that of Mine's."Even the Rhapsodos's only son."
Mine swiveled around with another giggle and ran towards her,"Mother, you're back!"
Miss Ephearia took her into her arms and swung her around giddily,"My lovely daughter! I've missed you!"
Genesis turned his back towards the doting pair and sighed inwardly. Miss Ephearia's husband died before she had given birth to Mine, leaving her as a single parent. Unlike Angeal and Genesis who had both a mother and father, she only had her mother, and they loved each other unconditionally. Mine's mother ran the apothecary with her daughter, whom she dubbed her "lovely assistant". After a brief reunion and peck on the cheek, Miss Ephearia released her daughter and called for Genesis.
"I understand that you're a busy young man, Genesis." The jovial mother offered,"But care to join us for tea?"
"No thank you." He declined promptly and headed to the door.
"Ah, but my herbal blend stimulates your brain within an hour."
Mine's mother stepped out and propped the door open to let the morning air into the house. Mine and Genesis sat at the table together in comforting silence as they breathed in the morning draft.
"You believed what mother said?" Mine grinned as she sipped her tea.
"I merely changed my mind and took this opportunity." His eyebrows came together as he corrected her.
"Gillian!" Miss Ephearia greeted her neighbor with youthful enthusiasm.
"Ah, if it isn't Lucille." They heard Gillian chuckle lightly before asking,"How was your trip to Midgar?"
Miss Ephearia was outside speaking to Gillian, a middle aged woman who was also Angeal's mother, with grins and laughter. It wasn't obnoxious, but the women were within close proximity of the house. The two teens were able to hear into their conversation from inside the house.
"Absolutely disgusting." Mine heard her mother laugh hoarsely in reply,"ShinRa was pushy as always during my travel."
Mine nodded to herself. Her mother took trips to Midgar once a week to aid research in the science department of ShinRa. She had also been offered to relocate her for convenience, however she declined, saying,"Banora is and always will be my home!"
The Banoran atmosphere was so clean and crisp compared to that "junk yard" she called the entirety of Midgar.
Mine looked up at Genesis who's left elbow was propped up on the table as he laid his forehead against his hand. His eyes were shut and his eyebrows conveyed irritation.
"Genesis?"
He didn't answer.
"Genesis...?" She repeated again, obviously growing worried.
"It smells sweet". He stated, eyes still closed.
The air the Banoran wind swept in through her household was fragrant with the flowers planted outside the square.
She leaned in from her chair and brushed his bangs away with the back of her left hand. Feeling his forehead, noting how slightly overheated it felt on her skin.
"Genesis." She whispered his name softly.
He didn't swat her hand away like she expected. It actually seemed he enjoyed her touch. Mine continued to run her hand through his messy bangs; using her fingers to tug them slightly. She waited for him to shoo her away any minute, but he didn't budge.
"Genesis..." She called his name again,"What's on your mind?"
His face was void of his usual scowls or smirks. The teen's expression was peaceful, and it calmed her so. The bracelets on her left wrist began to glow a soft green as she stroked his forehead with her thumb.
'Regen.' She murmured and allowed the warmth of the materia flow through her fingertips. Mine let her fingers linger on his skin a little longer and pulled away; but not before running them back through his bangs again.
Diagnosis: Genesis was running a little cold. Hopefully regen would make him feel less fatigued after his rest.
"Minerva, darling-" Mine's mother walked back in and upon seeing the current picture, her voice lowered considerably,"A little feverish, hm? Take the poor boy to bed. Your room will do."
Her precious daughter stood up from her chair and nodded silently.
"Our first patient of the day, I suppose." Mine laughed quietly.
Genesis was sitting in an empty space of eternal darkness.
Alone.
With his eyes still closed, he leaned forward and propped his forearms on his legs.
'...enesis...?'
He heard a girl's entrancing voice call his name in echoed whispers. The red head looked out into the void.
'Genesis...?'
He heard her ask him in concern.
'What's on your mind?'
He pondered to himself.
What was he thinking about it?
The words began to slip off his tongue.
"The Gift of the Goddess.'
Genesis awoke to a bright light that slowly subsided to reveal Mine's face hovering over his. The caramel tips of her long hair tickled his right cheek. Emerald eyes squinted for a moment before opening widely with relief.
"Oh?" Her voice answered back; sounding much closer,"Are you feeling better already?"
"Unfortunately, due to lack of sleep and minimal body heat, you were experiencing the onset of a fever-" She frowned.
"Minerva."
Mine didn't like being interrupted, but she had a spot for Genesis and Angeal. Her lips became a thin line. The boy in the bed also knew it irked her when others besides her mother called her name that way.
She blinked back into his sapphire gaze expectantly.
"What is the Gift of the Goddess?"
His caretaker's lips curved back into a small smile.
"I wonder." She replied with a hint of mirth,
"Infinite in mystery is the Gift of the Goddess."
He gave it some thought and shifted his head towards her bedroom window. Genesis valued the silence between them. Many of the days he spent with Mine and Angeal were undisturbed. Tranquil. The two of them were truly both his dearest friends.
"I see. The Gift of the Goddess differs from person to person."
His eyebrows knitted together with contemplation.
"I have yet to find my own meaning." Mine said as if she knew what he was thinking,"I'm still so young, but I want to find it."
She ran her fingers along the spine of the book and added,"It's killing me."
Mine's expression read a brief flash of desperation.
"There is no rush." Genesis pointed out,"You and I have plenty of time to find her gift."
That's right. Just like she had said, they were still young.
They were still children.
His obsession has only begun.
A/N: I need a beta. Or I need to buck up and not get so nervous. OTL
I should go back and fix Loveless into LOVELESS. Meh. If it's a big deal for you guys, I'll see to it, haha.
usagi-strike : Yessssh, I'm back! I missed you! You totally should try it, bwahaha. How's life? c: