Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
Summary: Sephiroth found out about his origins in Nibleheim with Genesis guiding him both to that and also that enigmatic mansion Shin-Ra had built years ago. After his death, Genesis returns to the very first place where everything started, his intentions even unbeknownst to himself. What he finds is more than he ever wanted but can a monster truly be rooted by such things? He has better ideas. Genesis/Vincent.
Warning: Rated R, dark themes, shōnen-ai, semi-rape and character death. If this isn't your type, you'd better stay away from it.
Author note: Hmm…The end didn't turn out like what I originally wanted, but it was just as good as the previous one. However I hope you enjoy!
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"People, they don't mean a thing to you,
They move through you like your breath,
But sometimes I still think of you." Sam Endicott
Steps echoed through the desolated ruin. Crumbled concrete, huge glass shards, metal bars lay haphazardly here and there. The tall tower of the Shin-Ra building loomed over the wreck of a once admired megalopolis. The plate that once separated those above from the lowly below was just like a spider web. Nothing remained of the meandering highways, of the luxurious edifices, of the mighty Midgar.
At least the sky is clear.
He tried to lessen the somberness of the situation. He didn't love Midgar, not at all. In fact, he didn't feel any kind of bond between him and the places he had been to, not even his hometown. But the city was where he spent a good decade of his life in, where a lot of his memories took place, either gleeful or somber. It was where a portion of his dreams came true.
He paused. A dozen of feet away, among the destroyed ruin of fallen buildings, the headquarters still stood in all its glory.
He had witnessed the incident, sensed the raw, unadulterated power of that otherworldly, sinister will cell by cell as Meteor cleaved the atmosphere, cleaved through the planet defenses, through the Lifestream, watched as the jewel of Shin-Ra's empire was reduced to pieces.
A strong urge pulled him toward the construction but he stood there, not moving a limb. If he could turn back the time like a video tape…
No.
It wasn't late. In fact, it was just the beginning.
A genuine smile touched his lips and he turned around, the crimson coat flapping around his shapely, leather encased legs as he walked away. Blood dripped down the tip of his ruby sword, marking his trail as he wandered in the ruins. He was a morbid sight to see. The vivid, viscous liquid dyed his coat, already drying crimson splashes covering him all up to his hair, the image of blood spatters across porcelain face resembling a grotesque painting. He knew there was really no need to tuck away awry strands, it only made the situation worse.
An under construction expressway linked the ruins to the newly built city in the outskirts of Midgar. The city, Edge, was a like a gray scale picture from far. Knowing that with this attire of his favorite color and the SOLDIER emblem, he would stick out like a sore thumb and have the whole population strangle the life out of him, not that he couldn't handle that. He needed to change his appearance.
The idea was very irritating but he had to. It was when his years back at SOLDIER became handy. He ran down the highway in a red blur, passing various houses until he found a dark, empty alley. Blending with the shadows, he waited there, thinking up a plan. Azure eyes searched the walls for windows, which he found none.
Damn. Shaking his head, he leaped onto the roof, his sharp vision taking in every detail. Finding an open window just a few blocks away, he jumped from roof to roof and down to his destination. Hanging from the window sill, he looked around and then inside the room. Jumping inside, he found the room empty. So small. In fact what seemed to be a room was an entire accommodation. A smirk tugged on the corner of his lips. How low their expectations have fallen… He could remember how those humans were ready to revolt against Shin-Ra for just an extra square feet and now…
Well, there was nothing he could do now. Soon all will be over. Searching around the room, he found a worn-out rucksack, taking off his crimson coat and neatly folding it, he placed it inside. The harness belt soon followed. Shuffling a little more through the disorderly closet, he finally found a beanie. Just as he was about to wear it, the sound of key turning in the lock reached his ears. If his work was finished he would have jumped out without even being noticed but it wasn't. The scent of dried blood filled his own nostrils, it wouldn't slip the owner's senses.
They aren't here yet.
He stood next to the door, waiting for his prey. Just as the door closed, a bright spray of blood painted the opposite wall of the room. Dragging the limp body to the small kitchenette, he tossed it in a corner, only crouching beside him to retrieve the key. His life was of no importance, especially when all the population would soon follow.
Wearing the hat and tucking the astray brilliant strands, he closed the window and left.
Exiting through the front door of the cramped apartment, he began wandering in the town. Like he had seen earlier, it was just a gray scale scenery. Even now with his clothes blending in with their colors, some eyes were riveted on him. As much as he enjoyed being bathed in attention but he couldn't let that take better of him.
People filled the streets, oblivious to their own kind suffering in those dark shadows. They were fools, ignorant fools. Overthrowing the only company that could at least satisfy their basic needs, maintain order in their cities, leaving their world at the hand of a blond boy and his sidekicks who thought could save the world. How? With what experience, while they understood nothing of the world around them? They, so much like their so adored justice league, thought that Holy, that dead Cetra would solve all the problems. They thought that the Holy that failed them when Meteor fell, would save them now from this wicked disease, Sephiroth's brilliant legacy. Or did they think that the blond would save them? Ha, he himself was struggling with it, their prized coward hero. Where was that blond now? Hiding himself from the world they created by their own hands, crying, begging of someone to stop this morbid nightmare, take this arduous burden off his shoulders, for he had not, even once in his life, at least led a flock of sheep, let alone a world of people. Even his goddess had problem handling it. He smirked, shaking his head. There was no goddess, not anymore. His goddess was just like those humans. She failed him even when he put aside his pride and asked her to accept him. His goddess erred, his goddess was mortal, just like those petty beings. His goddess was dead.
From what he could remember, which he remembered almost anything thanks to his photographic memory, Midgar was much more lively and energetic than what he was seeing now. It was the gift of the ones who thought that they could save the planet. That foolish blond. Things were beyond salvation. Only one way remained, only one way.
He decided to go somewhere to pass his time until they arrived. A shiver of excitement ran down his spine. He didn't know how much they resembled his dear friend. Let's pay them a visit. Asking about where he could find that blond was a hard thing to do, he decided to find it on his own, not wanting to speak to them. It wasn't important if he couldn't.
It was late at night when he finally found the bar. Seventh heaven. As if you're angels… Even through the closed door, he could sense the presence, the reason that awakened him from his sleep. Though he was sure the boy couldn't feel it, for he was a traitor, for he was an undeserving puppet. His hand lingered on the door but finally deciding, he went inside. Like what he thought, a good number of people were gathered there, a brunette serving them, managing the bar and being a bar girl all by herself. That stupid blond isn't even capable of helping his partner. His late and unexpected entrance earned him a few drunken, hollow looks which he shrugged off, seating himself in the last empty bar stool by the counter.
Looking around and dismissing all those weary faces who were laughing or chattering idly, ignoring the truth for just a night, he saw many pictures hanging on the wall.
"You're new. Do you live here?"
Her feminine voice brought his attention to the bartender who was washing a few glasses. A smirk curved his lips as he looked again back to the wall. Curious, perhaps too curious.
"Yeah."
He answered as indifferently as he could, trying to avoid more questions.
"What's your name?"
This time, he looked back, coming face to face with the beaming girl who was eyeing him. How bold… Smirking yet again, he suppressed the sudden desire to put her back into her place.
"Do you always ask the name of your costumers?"
"I thought you-…"
"I would like vodka, if you don't mind."
Genesis cut her off, azure eyes looking fixedly in legible dark brown. Finally, she gave up, bringing him a still capped bottle and a tumbler.
"Suit yourself."
She smiled back defiantly, placing her hands on her waist as she looked at him inquisitively. He could feel the eyes of all those drunks on him as the lass made a scene. A smile found its way on his lips as slender fingers clasped around the translucence bottle, looking back at her still beaming face when he broke the neck against the counter. His smile grew as her eyes went wide dramatically, her expression changing to that of shock. Standing up, he placed a handful of gil on the smooth bar surface.
"I wonder why you're not insolvent yet."
He turned around on his heel, heading for the door, a smirk of victory curving his lush lips. Suddenly a nearing aura of power filled his senses. He looked around the dark alley. The aura was familiar, very familiar but at the same time so far away, so minor that it could be almost ignored. Shrugging it off, he headed back to his new found house. As long as it wasn't Sephiroth's, it didn't matter.
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The bottle was halfway empty, his finger playing against the mouth of the tumbler that was on the bland coffee table. The bitter taste was still on his tongue as he lay in complete silence on the plain sofa, azure crescents watching the first lazy rays through the thick auburn eyelashes. He rose to a sitting position, tossing the dark fabric aside, his hand leaving the glass on the table as he stood up, running a hand through unruly tresses. Heading to the kitchenette, he paid little heed to the ashes that grimed the tile floor. Opening the almost empty refrigerator, he took two eggs, deciding to fry them for his very early breakfast. Just as he was about to pour the cracked eggs into the boiling oil, he dropped it, the mushy mass flattening against the floor.
Shit…
Turning around abruptly in a certain direction, he couldn't do anything but stare. Sephiroth?
He turned the knob before the oven would put the house on fire, long strides carrying him toward the door, midway retrieving the rumpled dark cloak and left.
His inhuman speed soon carried him, unnoticed, to the ruins of Midgar, where he took off his hood, willing his wing to existence. He bent it forward, caressing those elegant, soft feathers. It's been a long time… Folding the dark fabric, he held it firmly as he stretched his wing, darting up high.
Below was the planet, the Gaia, with all its ignorant peoples. It was a hideous sight to see. They were killing themselves slowly and painfully and they named it fighting against the evil, though never the once it occurred to them what good and evil was. If it was good to destroy the Mako reactors, releasing immeasurable amount of radioactivity and horrible gases, if it was good to overthrow the only hierarchy able to control this disorderly world, breaking all the hell loose, if it was good to send their once renowned hero back to Lifestream, deeming him the sole source of their sorrow and hatred, then so be it. They'll get what they asked for.
Silvery barren trees came into his view for the first time in his life, the sense, the feeling becoming stronger and stronger, like a beating heart. He landed smoothly in what seemed an endless forest. Befitting. He placed the his gloved hand on the iced surface, filling the reverberating power through its fragile trunk, sucking the life out of it oh so very slowly.
Folding his wing as he walked, he threw the hood around his shoulder, nearing the cause of tangible uneasiness in the ethereal forest with graceful vigilance. Picking up the low rustle and the subdued conversation, he quickened his pace.
"When will we find her?"
Genesis crouched near the face of the rocky platform, following them with his eyes, amazed by their close resemblance to his friend. Goddess… All three of them had silvery hair. I found your children, Sephiroth. He had to get closer to them, especially to the one who had waist length hair, the younger version of Sephiroth.
"Hey, Kadaj, when are we going to big brother's city?"
"After we're finished with them."
Together, they chuckled, the familiar dark tones resounding in the air. His eyes followed the two Turks whom they were dragging by the collar, their usually chic attire covered with a thick blanket of blood and dirt.
"What do you want to do with them?"
"We're going to interrogate them."
"Do you think president holds mother?"
"Who knows…"
The middle one was silent all the while, even as his two brothers were talking, the muscular one sobbing softly. The former was just as intriguing as Sephiroth himself.
He slowly retreated, having made sure that he could find them here when it was needed but found out that he wasn't the only one watching over his friend's progeny. Drawing his flamboyant sword from thin air, he held it behind his back as hushed steps carried him toward his target. One more step forward and he leaped at the man, Rapier's blade caressing that vulnerable neck dangerously.
Azure eyes went wide as he came face to face with those ruby orbs he saw years ago.
Vincent?
He realized his mistake too late. Jumping to his feet, he ran eerily in a black blur, the crimson cape following him from behind. He had to elude or his plans would turn to dust. The cover of the night was his only benefit. He only had to get as far as possible away from this bizarre forest. He had to rely on his feet only for flying was a grave mistake. Should they mistake him with their nightmare and before the boys could even show n appearance, the trio would get killed.
Halfway through the desert and he was still chased by Vincent, now the red demon was firing at him to stop. The staccato sound of bullets were driving him crazy as he zigzagged, having to extinguish the already twinkling halo that surrounded his hidden fist. The towering unfinished buildings of Edge were looming ahead, casting their tall shadows on the barren ground. With all the strength he could muster, Genesis ran, glancing over his shoulder at the man who was relentlessly following him, now a dozen feet behind.
The pursuit continued even after he ran to the rooftops, he was beginning to feel frustrated but the thought that he had riveted Vincent's attention from the silvery trio was enough.
"Stop!"
Genesis turned around, holding out his hand as his voice rang in the deafening silence. A few steps behind and he would fall.
"If this world seeks my destruction…" He lifted up, standing gracefully on the railing."…It goes with me…"
He let his body fall down the endless darkness, his fall endless. He didn't know where it ended but he was sure about one thing; he wouldn't die here...
His chest was heaving slightly, grey, almost invisible wisps fading only to be followed by another as he breathed. Taking a cautious step behind and then another and he threw his weight backwards, landing softly on the ground and again he ran, mingling with the shadows. He hid himself as far as he could, lurking in a dark corner. Now he could understand where that strange aura, that power came from. It was Vincent Valentine.
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He couldn't believe what he saw. At first he thought that the silver haired demon had turned back to life but then who could have the other two been. When he saw the two other Turks with them, he could say for sure that they had some relationships with Sephiroth. The way they tortured them, unadulterated joy shining wickedly in emerald catlike irises, the mention of their Mother as they interrogated the two unfortunate Turks, was so familiar to him.
They meant nothing but more trouble. Why are they here? However they hadn't even left the Forgotten Capital since he had found out about their existence. No one knew when they would break out just like that taboo demigod, repeating that nightmare all over again.
Leaving the battered, unconscious duo after delivering another round of kicks and punches, the mischievous trio headed to their shelter, the helical enigmatic monument. Not waiting a minute further, he darted to their side, crouching and checking their pulse. He sighed briefly in relief and threw Tseng's limp body over his shoulder. Hang on. Cradling Elena in his arms, he ensured their safety before running toward Edge. Hold on. A smirk ghosted over his lips. What was he thinking? They were Turks, they could get over it. Turks were all die hard. Just like you.
Carrying them to the nearest medical lab, the doctors tried to assure him but he knew better. They were too injured to heal so fast. Exiting the lab, he walked back home. Even now, with Cloud and everyone known as the saviors of the world, he was the one that attracted the most unwanted attention. He could feel it as he walked among them. Was he just pretending not to feel, not to see? He could see them watching him wide-eyed, whispering with each other as passed him by. Some pitied him for his half-monster, half-human appearance, some despised him and others… He felt it with all his existence. He didn't belong to them, the people; not even to the party. He was the odd ring of their chain.
The metal clanged softly as he walked, he stopped. He was a… No. It was Hojo's fault… No. It was his fault, his incapability to protect both himself and Lucrecia. Should he hate himself? Why should he hate himself?
Turning the key in the lock, he opened the door. Despite the act being old-fashioned, he wanted it to remain this way. Warm, fiery hues painted the apartment in dawn colors. His hand worked in complete harmony with his clawed one, unfastening the buckles on his hood one by one, taking it off. As he was passing by his bedroom, he stopped dead, not turning his head to look inside. It was nothing new, his mind never stopped playing delicious tricks about that redheaded SOLDIER from those years ago.
"Did you enjoy killing your lover's son?"
That voice… It was as though that melodious voice reverberated through the whole apartment, shaking his very foundations. He turned around, taking a few careful steps inside the room. Genesis? He was sitting on the window frame, looking out at the vermilion welkin that matched his attire, only this time a black appendage, what seemed an over-sized wing, sprouting out of his back. Facing him, those lush, pink lips were curved into a smirk as flamboyant sunrays painting half his face while nothing of those grey streaks remained between brilliant auburn locks.
"How did it feel?"
Vincent was torn between rushing to the redhead and yank him from his collar or just stay there, rooted in his place. He was seething with rage from what Genesis did to him, to his pride however he was staring at him with the same expressionless façade. Albeit his fury, he was hesitant whether to approach him or not. His image seemed so frail that it seemed if he were to touch him, he would dissolve into thin air.
Genesis…
He tried to speak, his lips forming hollow, soundless word, his voice was stuck in his throat.
"Genesis?"
Standing up, the silent SOLDIER eased the invisible creases on his coat, all the time holding his ruby eyes with his azure gaze before walking toward him.
"Whom did you expect?"
He was frozen in his spot, his body rebelling against his mind as a heavy silence settled around them. Genesis passed by his side, heading for the living room as his heeled boots thudded against the floor while he just stood there, befuddled both by the impossibility of the situation and the intense presence of the fiery warrior.
Turning on his heel, Vincent followed him, finding Genesis lounging on the plain sofa, looking around the bland apartment. Finally deciding, he stood there in the middle of the room, holding the latter's eyes with his own.
"Why are you here?"
One auburn eyebrow quirked upward at the question.
"What's the problem of my being here?"
Hidden flames started kindling in ruby orbs, his ignited fury trickling in his neutral voice as he spoke.
"After what you did, why did you think your presence would be welcome here?"
Smirk tugged on Genesis' lips.
"What did I do that hurt your pride that much?"
Sarcasm dripped from every word that his lips formed, that melodious voice deadlier than the finest weapons. This time his lips moved silently, shaping what he wanted to say.
'Having your animalistic desiressatisfied…'
One moment they were standing in front of each other and the other, Vincent gripped the knitted fabric of Genesis' collar so hard that his knuckles were chalky. The redhead dangled a few inches above the ground, his smirk widening significantly.
"I never asked for it."
He hissed dangerously, their faces only an inch away.
"But you never rejected it. In fact, you enjoyed it."
Chaos knew how much he wanted to throw Genesis at the wall in front of him now. Releasing the redhead, he turned around.
"Have you come all this way to tell me these?"
He could sense as the redhead came close. Settling his leather encased hands on his broad shoulders, his warm breath tickling his bare neck as he whispered, plush lips brushing the shell of his ear as he spoke, sending shivers down his spine.
"Just a monster… that's what you are."
Genesis' feverish lips caressed his neck but just as he was about to kiss, Vincent took a step away.
"I see no reason in continuing what happened in the past."
With that, he went to the adjoined kitchen, taking a bottle of water, pouring the frigid liquid in a glass. Leaning to the counters, he tried to calm down. He had to suppress a sigh as he again heard steps, gulping down his glass to hide his shaking hands.
"My friend do you fly away now, to a world that abhors you and I? All that awaits you is a somber morrow, no matter where the winds may blow…"
Strange and unbeknownst to him it was but he could hear traces of joy in his voice that was tinted with melancholy those years ago.
"Is that all you know about Loveless?"
Entering the small room, Vincent could sense as élan flowed from the fiery redhead, accompanying his every move, every gesture. Haven't lost your poise.
"Why, no…" There was unhidden challenge in once pale azure eyes, "I can always beat you to that."
Holding the empty glass behind him, he listened to the deafening silence that hung tangibly in the room. Alarms had long gone off in his mind, and every time the redhead shifted, even slightly, he found himself calculating his movements. He was frustrated both with himself and with Genesis. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the leather-clad figure in front of him even when he knew that the SOLDIER was doing the very same. Vincent chose to break the silence to make him either go or…
"Where were you all these years?"
Threading his fingers through auburn tresses, he looked up, a smile playing on his lips."Salvation."
"So you were alive…" Tiniest bit of smirks touched his lips, "Why did you never try to ally with your friend?"
The smile slipped from his lips, crimson encased fingers twitching into a fist.
"The same question applies to you, too." A smirk was tugging on his lips, "Why did you ally yourself with his enemies?"
"I'm no-…" There was a strong urge to rub his temples. How he hated the direction their discussion was heading."I'm not. his. father." He sighed inaudibly. Did he wish he were? "Hojo is."
"Ha! Your information seems to be mistaken and not very reliable."
"He said so himself."
Shrugging, Genesis pushed away from the counter, smirking as he went back to the living room.
Just as the redhead was out of sight, Vincent sighed with relief. He really was a lone wolf, just as others tried to joke with him. He would rather have no company at all than having Genesis around himself.
"How are the blond boy and the company?"
Hearing his voice from the other room, a solemn smile crept to his lips as he put the glass on the counter, exiting the room toward his room, choosing not to answer. He had no intention of being dressed in leather in his home. Taking the glove off his human hand, subconsciously he began unfastening his belts. Many thoughts were racing in his head about Genesis, about his motivation, his next act, his next inquiry, everything. Shaking his head slightly, he knew he could get nothing past those pink lips. Placing everything neatly on the bland wooden chair, Vincent began taking off his leather crew neck, taking more care with his clawed hand.
Suddenly he could feel those azure eyes that were watching him. How had this slipped from his keen senses? How long had he been watching, he didn't know.
"How are you enjoying your glorious days?"
"Nothing has changed for me."
"Oh? Still mourning over her?"
Vincent closed his eyes. Why was he this impossible to bear?
"That's none of your business."
"What? After taking away my virginity, did you expect me not to haunt you for the rest of your life?"
Or you mean vice versa. Vincent had to repress the humorless smile that touched his lips.
"Genesis…What do you want?" The decision's been made. The redhead should leave or both of them would be doomed.
Before he could turn around, he heard steps.
Genesis! He wanted to call after him, stop him from leaving but held himself back. He walked back to the living room, seeing Genesis standing in front of the door with his back facing him.
"You're not going to tell them about me, are you?"
He remembered all the things Genesis had told him back at the mansion. The way he talked about his dear silver haired friend.
"No…"
The sound of the knob turning reached his ears and before he could say one more thing, the redhead vanished as though never been there, leaving the banging of the door as the only sign of their meeting.
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He was frustrated. All of his plans went wrong. Where had he erred when he was talking with Vincent?
Cursing under his breath, he ran as fast as he could. It was still too early in the morning, too early for groups of people to wander around but still there were a few passers-by. He didn't want more intervention. Vincent shouldn't have been there.
He climbed up the emergency stairs subconsciously, it was becoming a routine. He'd then jump on the roofs and then off one building, entering his temporary base through the window.
He began pacing up and down the room. It would postpone everything. The raven haired man wouldn't trust him now like what he had done years ago. Or was he just acting?
He was worried about himself. Even if everything went wrong, he wouldn't be in trouble. He was a damn first class. What worried him the most were the silver haired boys. If they acted sooner than he had his plan set in motion… Should he contact them? No.
Sitting on the couch, he stopped tiring himself. He needed a plan, a new plan. His eyes lingered on the dark cloak that covered the futon.
Shifting to a lounging position, he crossed his hands beneath his head. He really had nothing to do. He wasn't interested at all about this world. Wei-… He interrupted himself, not allowing the thought to come to fruition, not liking the direction it would lead him. However, he knew better that it had no use to run away from it. Their blood dyed his hands. Their faces haunted his dreams. Willing Rapier out of thin air, his leather encased fingers caressed the edge, tingling with the hidden power. A smile touched his lips against the gravity of situation.
A part of him wanted to hang around with the blond's group more, learning about them, their secrets and then… A chuckled passed his lips at the devilish thought. But he chose not to. It would only increase the risk of having his plans thwarted.
His hand subconsciously reached for his pocket, taking out his PHS and flipping it open. Once in his past life, it wasn't possible for his phone not to ring every five minutes but now… it was nothing but a nostalgic reminder. He didn't belong here. They didn't belong here.
Good for you, Angeal.
At least his fallen friend was resting somewhere safe, not seeing anything, not feeling anything but…
There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the Goddess.
He never was jealous, never wished for such a thing except once back at Banora. Back then, he made many mistakes, many grave mistakes. Now everything was different. Now he didn't want to feel nothing, didn't want to be his goddess' mindless oblivious puppet, even if it meant not entering the Lifestream, even if it meant living forever in this world.
He and Sephiroth were the rejected ones, both by the planet and by his goddess. However this refusal will cost them beyond belief and no one could do nothing about it, not even his once beloved deity, let alone that blond boy.
Standing up in one swift motion, he picked up the cape from jumble of clothes that covered the floor, Genesis exited the room toward the Forgotten Capital.
The boys were still there, their pools of silver fading smoothly against the ivory of the monument. He didn't know why but found himself enjoying watching them. Even thought they seemed brothers but in a bizarre way, they reminded him of what they once were, Angeal, Sephiroth and he.
Well, their appearances showed him nothing. He had to see how they'd fare in actual battle. Better fail him not. He went back all the way he came into the forest, making sure that the boys couldn't track him down. Taking off his cloak, he willed his wing to existence, darting toward the dark skyline of Midgar.
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Genesis opened the door, the loud clatter of the drunken making him wince inwardly. Azure eyes were focused on the main bar, not staring back at those wild, hazy eyes. She appeared in the stairway, coming down hurriedly to serve her costumers. Upon noticing him, her features brightened, a smile touching her lips as she moved behind the bar.
"Didn't expect you to return."
He smirked in response, leaning to the wall instead of sitting in the chair.
"You have a lot of photos."
Watching her expression in the corner of his eyes, a shadow of sadness fleeted on her face.
"Who's that blond? He seems so lost."
"Oh, that's Cloud. He used to live with us but…" She trailed off, her head hanging.
"Hey Tiff… Don' pull tha' long face!"
"He's been dragging his feet ever since."
He heard her inaudible whisper, repressing the smile that was worming its way on his lips.
"Never mind, I want two bottles of vodka."
"Don't you think you're overindulging?"
The smirk was becoming a cliché.
"I mean, don't do that to yourself. Why do you let the alcohol ruin you and your life?"
"No need to worry about me." No need to save me.
Seeing the look on his face, she gave up, shrugging as she crouched down, placing two bottles on the counter as she stood.
"You must be a wealthy man to spend money for such exclusive drinks."
Azure eyes narrowed, focusing on her hands as she took her time to find a packet.
"No one asks for them." She paused, placing the bag beside the drinks as she raised her head, looking fixedly at him."What do you do?"
"I was a landlord in the country." That was hardly a lie.
"Where?"
Genesis' head hung, rolling his eyes as he heard her new question."That town doesn't exist anymore." He watched as she put the bottles in the bag very slowly, one by one.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." With a bright smile on her lips, she pushed the bag toward him."Here you are!"
Holding back himself from slamming the gill on the counter, he took it, mumbling a thank-you as he left.
Relief filled him as he walked away from the heavy chatter into the dark, empty alley, heavy breathes and the unstable gait of his stalker not slipping his attention. Genesis knew what he wanted, knew what was on that fuddled mind of his. He shook his head slightly. What did that blonde boy think? By forcing Sephiroth back to Lifestream, did he think that he solved all the problems of humanity? That no one would could another because of petty things? No, they were only on the verge of havoc; only, everyone was blind.
A feeble hand grasped his left wrist loosely, making him drop the bag carelessly on the concrete ground. He had expected it. Did the blond think no one would be raped now that he saved the world? A smirk tugged on the corner of his lips. The man wouldn't even get close enough to touch him.
No sound of shattering reached his ears as his other wrist was seized. The intruder slammed into him, his back colliding against the cold wall, paralyzing him momentarily.
It was like he wasn't there anymore, an unnerving peace and quiet falling around him in a black velvety veil. Something flashed before his eyes, sending a shock wave throughout his body.
As though being shocked, he came back from his trance. Feeling the man's bulging erection slamming against his groin, feeling his stinky breathes against his skin, disdain contorted his face. He pushed the man away with his body, rushing to clutch his slimy neck, bringing him a foot above the ground. Azure eyes hardened like opaque sapphires as the sinister smirk that played on his lips fixed the trembling figure.
"Now who's going to piss his trousers?" Scorn poured into his every word as he hissed. Seeing how he tried in vain to pry his hands open added more to the roaring flame that was burning under his façade. No one knew how much he wanted to flame this dog."Killing you here would be too generous for those like you."
Hurling the man aside, he watched with eyes ablaze as the stalker rubbed his neck, looking fixedly at him with wide eyes. His hand clenched into a fist, lazy tongues of flame started licking his leather encased hand as he stepped forward, the orange halo intensifying with each step. The man moved backwards, trying to get on his feet.
"Sod off!" Genesis yelled at him and the intruder stood up hastily, running away as fast as he could.
Unclenching his hand, he let the fire dissipate as he bent down to take the bag from the ground. A few days more of your agonizing life and soon… all will be over.
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How beautiful… He thought silently as the bitter liquor ran down his throat, a crimson encased finger playing with the tumbler that stood on the coffee table. The bitterness of the earlier confrontation was still fresh in his mind, as well as the strange sensation that engulfed him all of a sudden. As much as he thought, he couldn't find an answer as to why that happened or who was behind it. His goddess wouldn't do such things, not now, not to him.
Drinking up his glass, he finally decided. Only the means remained ambivalent. There were many unique ways but didn't he need to do it as silently as he could? True, Vincent's house was hardly within city borders but he never wanted a petty disruption ruin everything.
The sound of key turning in the lock brought him out of his thoughts, but he didn't bother to look, already knowing who was crossing the threshold. Pouring his own glass as well as the other, he offered it to the caped man.
"Didn't expect to see you here."
A cold clawed hand took away the glass.
"Back to spying on those silver haired men, weren't you?"
Smiling through his drink, he guessed what thoughts were racing on Vincent's head.
"You've seen them yourself…"
"Tifa…" Genesis threw his head back, closing his eyes as he savored the taste. The name would catch Vincent's attention immediately.
"Tifa?" The silent reply was almost inaudible.
"She's one forlorn lover of the blond, isn't she?" Shrugging indifferently, he continued."Too bad she's left alone."
He saw through auburn locks as the raven haired male turned slowly around, ruby eyes meeting his unique shade of azure.
"What have you done to her?"
"Protective, aren't you?" Setting the glass vessel on the plain table, he stood up gracefully, straightening his back."Then why the hell didn't you do that for your son?"
Vincent was opening his mouth to say something but he cut him off.
"Those three are his boys."
"Thus they are a threat."
"Oh? And why is it that way?" Genesis was barely restraining himself.
Shaking his head, Vincent left for his room, whispering. 'You won't change your mind.'
Following him, Genesis stood in the doorway.
"Why don't you just stop taking his side? He's the world's enemy. No matter how many times he comes back, Cloud is going to fight him."
Images flashed quickly before his eyes.
There was a sudden urge to vomit.
Images flashed before his eyes, some carved into his memory with white hot iron.
His breath stuck in his throat.
His face contorted into a grimace as hurt flashed fleetingly in his eyes, replaced by venomous distaste as he glared at the now naked back. If looks could do harm…
He could hear his shaky, sharp inhales echoing too loudly for his ears in the room.
"This time…" He felt a familiar warmth envelope his fisted right hand."However… he isn't going to be that lucky, and all of you can do naught."
Fingers were digging in his palm, repressing his fury. If it weren't for his gloves, he knew there would have been bruises by now.
Pushing away from the doorframe, he left for the couch he had been sitting on.
The bitterness of Vincent's words still hung in the air around him, so bitter that it was palpable. His eyes were on the still capped bottle when the crimson demon came back.
"What makes you sure about the future?"
"What makes you hold confidence in a blonde boy who hasn't even made it to SOLDIER? He's nothing compared to Sephiroth, nothing compared to me." To Angeal and even that irritating puppy."If Sephiroth wanted, the boy would have been as good as dead by now."
"Wasn't it you who told me, all those years ago, that when you asked for his help, he rejected you?"
Wrong move. Genesis' eyes narrowed dangerously. Don't you dare… He held himself from uttering the retort, keeping himself at bay. He wasn't a patient man and his patience was not to be tested. He knew that eventually, the small cracks in the dam would bring it all down.
"That's irrelevant."
"That leaves no reason for you to follow him and his destiny, unless…"
Genesis could hear the crash, the roar of the water as all hell broke loose. In less than a second, Rapier was in his hand and he brought it down full force to meet Vincent's three barreled gun. He couldn't let it happen. It couldn't happen. He never thought that the cracks on his façade were so visible, but those three words would render everything useless, everything.
"Why do you keep following that blond blindly?" Flipping backwards, he brushed off Vincent's bullets with the blunt side of his sword."Can't you see what your actions have brought upon the planet you are so passionately trying to save?"
"It was Sephiroth who was trying to destroy the planet."
Genesis jumped backwards, landing on the low coffee table, sending scorching fireballs at the man before him while his hand caressed the ruby blade. Swinging Rapier in a semi-circle, he watched as Vincent leaped backwards, firing at him, which he took care of by casting a barrier.
"He wants to cleanse this world of those humans, which neither you nor I belong to."
He could see as confusion flashed in those ruby eyes, the firm hold on the gun faltering momentarily yet the ex-Turk shook his head, resuming their fight.
With pleasure. Vincent proved to be very skillful, as good as Tseng, if not better. No one knew if he were present back then, at Shin-Ra, who'd have become the head of the department. Though he didn't know for how long this battle would go on. He had never engaged in a serious fight with the Turks.
"Why do you do this?"
The elder's deep voice rang from one of the rooms, waiting for him to come.
"Why do I do what?"
He closed his eyes, concentrating on his other senses. It was silence at first, his own breathing, the soft creak of leather which he'd gotten used to soon filling in the room. It was impossible not to find the raven haired man. His aura, the power of the entity inside him, the darkness was hard to miss, was hard to ignore, to resist.
Azure eyes flew open, the cold touch of metal on his forehead sending shivers down his spine. Not that he was afraid.
"This."
A smirk twisted his lips, amusement written all over his face."What is this?" His eyes were riveted on the man who stood in front of him, the silent threat not making him lessen his hold on the hilt.
"Madness. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"Why don't you just do it? Kill me so that your world can be a better, happier place to live?" He tilted his head, the smirk widening."Your situation, this world and the humans, is beyond salvation."
Vincent was silent, his ruby eyes never the once looking away from him.
"Why don't you do it, Vincent? Why don't you kill me?" He moved away from the gun, though he saw as Vincent's finger twitched on the trigger."Dye your hands with my blood," Emotions were flowing freely in his voice, his hand subconsciously flipped the auburn tresses behind his ears as he paced in Vincent's gunshot.
He came to a stop, looking fixedly at his golden-tinged eyes."Bathe in it, like you did in Sephiroth's."
The ex-Turk now held the gun with both hands, a slight tremble he hadn't noticed shaking his hands.
Genesis just stood there, letting the tangible silence fall around them. Vincent's erratic breathes broke it now and then, faint emerald traces wisping around him, the slight shake to his hands increasing until he collapsed to his knees. He just watched.
The bare chest was heaving, the ebony mane plastered across pale skin in sharp contrast.
Why was he just standing there doing nothing?
The clear bottle of vodka was still beside the couch, unscathed.
Did being fair, just, mean anything?
"Don't do this…"
Vincent's exhausted whisper rang in the room.
He never heard his last words.
It all went on in a blur.
Shards were on the floor, tangled between black tresses, everywhere.
Dark, viscous liquid was dropping from jagged points of the broken neck that was in his hand.
Onyx locks were on the floor, surrounding the ex-Turk in an angry halo, glistening with the blood that crawled lazily on the pale forehead, pooling around him.
There are things that need to be done. Sacrifices need to be made. In this case, even sacrificing all of humanity didn't suffice.
Vincent wasn't a human. He belonged with them. He was just a mismatched ring of their chain.
He let go of the broken glass, turning on his heel, leaving for the door.
Being fair meant nothing. They were monsters after all.
Genesis felt nothing.