The trip back from Wutai had been interesting, if somewhat annoying for Genesis. Most days he spent in contemplation. He wasn't sure exactly why he had allowed Clarissa to change his mind about leaving. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew part of it was the fact that she seemed to have no sense of self-preservation and didn't hesitate to push her own well-being to the back of her concern. The thought of it caused his anger to boil, although he tried to keep it mostly hidden. That was something he was uncomfortable with letting be known. It also didn't help that nearly every night brought nightmares of her being stabbed over and over.
By the time they got back to Midgar, he wasn't sure if he was more irritated at her constant attempts to get him to open up or amused at how irritated she had become at the restrictions placed on her. When she practically snapped at Sephiroth he had to tightly control his expression. He wasn't sure why he found it humorous, but there was something in her annoyance that made him glad to see she was still only human.
He made sure not to catch her eye as he left. He was certain why Sephiroth had asked her to stay and he didn't want to be any part of that conversation. He was just thankful that no one had mentioned their respective monikers while they traveled home. He had an idea of what the Wutainese had intended when they gave them, but that was another thing he didn't want to think about. He also knew he should have mentioned the fact that they were probably going to be asked to attend a ceremony thanking them for the end of the war, but he knew it would have started a conversation he didn't want to get into. He knew what the 'party' would be like and barely wanted to go himself.
Genesis had spent most of the next day in his office. It was the weekend, but he didn't want to speak with anyone and most people would not think to look there. Angeal had tried to speak to him the night before but he had managed to evade most of the questions. He didn't want to deal with it again before he was forced to interact with others that evening.
He had also avoided Hollander. He knew the scientist wanted to speak with him after he never showed up with the group of Seconds and Thirds in Wutai. He was sure the scientist understood that it meant he wasn't sure about helping any longer, but he couldn't find it in himself to care at the moment. Things were still chaotic in his head, worse than they had been, but his own possible degradation was vying for the top spot in his thoughts, with the memory of Clarissa chasing him down and what that might mean. By the time he headed back to his apartment to change for the party, he was even more irritated than he had been. At least his scowl kept most people from trying to approach him.
He knew he couldn't get away with not showing up early as the President planned to show them off, but he hoped that meant he would be allowed to leave early as well. He could barely stomach the idea of dealing with everyone. He had headed toward the bar as soon as he entered but all thoughts fled from him before he made it. His attention was snagged by a flash of red and when he looked he found he couldn't move or take his eyes from the figure already standing at the bar.
Clarissa had her back to him but that didn't make it better. Her hair was swept back but it was down and cascaded down her back. It still barely covered the exposed skin. The red dress she was wearing dipped nearly to her waist in the back. It had long sleeves but still managed to accent all her curves, making the modesty of the coverage questionable. The fabric moved with her and seemed to caress her skin with each motion.
When she finally turned and caught sight of him, her eyes widened, and she paused before approaching him. He still could not manage to look away from her. The green of her eyes was complemented by the red of her lips and he could not tear his gaze away. It wasn't until she spoke that he was able to pull himself together. It took him a moment to register her question. When he did he couldn't help the clipped tone of his response as he tried to bring himself back under control.
He caught a glimpse of the President of one of his fan clubs and used it as an excuse to quickly get away. He knew he should feel bad at using the woman to distract himself as she gave him a bright smile before taking his arm, but that thought was far from being the prominent one. He spent the next half hour trying, and failing, to not watch Clarissa down one drink after another until Angeal interrupted her.
The woman he had been walking with had already left him and he was certain she had been wearing a frown, but as much as he normally tried to please his fans, he couldn't find it in himself to care at the moment. He was thankful that his review was interrupted by the sight of President Shinra entering. It wasn't long until the man made his way across the room and up on the stage. He followed him up when he was called and tried not to watch as Clarissa made her way through the crowd to stand next to him.
There was a part of him that found he was incredibly satisfied at the picture they made standing side by side. It was a thought he tried to push away but couldn't completely. It showed in his smile. He had only been paying partial attention to the president, but it must have been more than Clarissa was as she hadn't moved at all when the president introduced her. He quietly coughed and bumped her slightly to get her attention. He could tell that whatever had been on her mind wasn't pleasant as she barely contained her frown when she finally noticed she had been called up.
The rest of the speech was short thankfully and Genesis was glad he had not been called upon to do more than smile for the crowds. That was something he could do without thought.
Despite his personal vow to keep Clarissa at arm's length, he thought about asking her to dance as they made their way back off the stage. He rationalized that it would make sense as he was her mentor as well as the fact that this whole thing was mostly about the two of them accomplishing something great for Shinra. He was stopped short when one of the normal annoying reporters approached her. He could tell she was hesitant, but she took his hand and followed him to the dance floor.
Genesis watched them as he kept her occupied for another dance. He moved to approach her again when the reporter finally released her, but another man had already taken up her hand. This time she didn't hesitate at all to allow the man to lead her into the next dance. At the sight Genesis couldn't repress a low growl before he turned his back on the sight and made his way to the bar finally.
He lost track of the number of drinks that he had downed as he tried to focus on the conversation near him. It wasn't long until his scowl managed to drive everyone away and he was left to try and not watch as she was led across the floor. His irritation continued to grow as she was pulled from one partner to another. Even though he could see that the whole process was beginning to wear on her, he couldn't bring himself to go and cut in.
He had just gotten another drink when he turned to watch her again. He didn't even realize it when he crushed the glass in his hand. His attention was on Sephiroth and Clarissa. He nearly melted the remaining glass in his hand as he watched her smile up at his rival. She was radiant as she allowed Sephiroth to lead her into the crowd. It didn't help his state of mind when Sephiroth chuckled and smiled back down at her. When the whispers that sprung up around them reached Genesis, he finally stood. He wasn't sure what he planned on doing, but he found he couldn't stand still as the people around him gushed at what a beautiful couple the two Soldiers made together.
When Sephiroth led her into a second dance Genesis finally moved toward the dance floor. He had to bite back a curse as the President of his other fan club intercepted him. When she caught sight of his scowl though, she didn't bother speaking. She just gave him a wave and a smile as he walked past. Her interference had been enough for Sephiroth to lead Clarissa from the dance floor. He watched as they separated, and she headed back to the bar. He gritted his teeth in irritation as she was once again surrounded before she even managed to find a seat.
He instantly realized he would no longer put up with others trying to claim what was his. He didn't even pause to consider that he had thought of her as his for some time, even if he had never wanted to admit it to himself or anyone else. He quickly found himself grasping her elbow and glaring at the men around her. Her shocked face barely registered since he was focused on the men. It was obvious they all realized his claim and had no desire to step up. He didn't look at her until she jerked her arm from his grasp.
He didn't bother trying to modulate his glare as she glared right back. It took him a moment to process her accusation about his date, but he pushed it back quickly and grabbed her again. He realized she was mad at him, but this conversation had been coming for some time now. He knew he would have to face her anger, but he needed to make sure she understood there would be no others but him.
She finally relented and allowed him to lead her out. He had been intending to take her to his apartment, so they could speak in private, but once they were in the relative silence of the hall, he found himself unable to go further without speaking. As soon as his eyes landed on her again, he was nearly as surprised as she was when he pushed her up against the wall. He had her pinned and tangled his hand in her beautiful hair before he took in her look. She was glaring at him, but he was distracted by how the fire of her anger made her eyes flash. Her full lips were slightly open.
As his gaze roved over her face he watched as her expression changed from the heat of anger to another kind of heat. His breath was mingling with hers as he finally claimed her. "You are mine!"
He could tell she was surprised when his lips crashed down on hers, but he didn't hesitate to bite her lip. That was all it took for her to give in to his invasion of her mouth. When she joined him in the kiss, he wasn't entirely certain that they wouldn't burn where they stood. He found that if that were to happen, for once he would be satisfied to have ended with her finally in his arms where she belonged.