Chapter 3 Warnings: Incidental strong language, slash after the break (Genesis/Sephiroth)
Mahāvātika Ṛkvyaṇa
Kāṇḍa 1, Varga III
"Welcome to the Bastion," Sephiroth smiled, taking long, confident strides along the paved path to the main doors of the castle. "The heart of the kingdom resides within these walls."
The castle was already bigger and better than anything Riku had ever seen in his fairly short life. His eyes were wide and he was speechless for most of the walk since they had left the airship dock. He stayed close to his uncle, more than out of his element and fairly lost. "I…this is…incredible, Uncle," he breathed, gazing up at the castle, reaching for his uncle's coat in a rather child-like manner, gripping it as he tried to ground himself before the sheer size of the structure in front of him. "…I've never seen anything so big."
Sephiroth chuckled, nodding. "Yes, it's the Radiant Garden Grand Castle, Hollow Bastion. Once, the castle was alone on the plains above the Rising Falls, but a town began to grow. They say that the castle was so big, the commoners all lived inside it, and would go out in the mornings to tend the fields and herds, then return in the evening to sleep. Now, the residents of the castle proper are the nobility, senators, and the First Battalion. The capital city has spread out all around the castle and the Rising Falls," Sephiroth explained, resting a reassuring hand on Riku's shoulder.
"This is…where you live, then?" Riku asked, seeming somehow concerned. Looking up was making his head swim as it was. Overwhelming was definitely an understatement.
"Yes, this is where I spend most of my time. The family estate is far away, though…you can't even see the castle over the horizon," Sephiroth replied, smiling down at Riku. "We'll be living in the King's Tower. I have an apartment there," he added. "Before I served in the throne room, I just lived here during the social season, but…"
"I…I almost don't want to go in," Riku laughed awkwardly, "This is going to sound…dumb, and I'm sorry, but what if—what if I get lost? What if something happens and we get separated? Or what if…I don't know, what if I do something stupid and cause a riot and get trampled or something?" Obviously an exaggeration, but he was already lost. Riku was terribly nervous as it was to be in Radiant Garden, terrified of doing something wrong, or not fitting in. Sephiroth laughed softly, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
"All you have to do is ask for directions, Riku…you'll be just fine. For now, however," he continued, looking up at the massive crest of Radiant Garden carved into the doors, "Let's go upstairs and get your room prepared, alright?" At least Riku could read signs now, if there were any. Silently, Riku nodded, taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders. He was tense, and still remained more than close to Sephiroth, practically pressing against his side. It was only after many lift transfers and long, vaulted hallways that Sephiroth's gait finally slowed.
"Here we are," he announced, stopping in front of a set of heavy-looking carved wooden doors. "Home sweet home," he smiled.
"We're finally here?" he laughed, glad the walk was finally over. Riku was too excited to wait much longer. "Is this where we'll be staying? …Can we go inside yet, Uncle Seph?" he asked, almost giddy. If Sora or Kairi saw him as excited as he was they would have surely thought something was wrong with him.
"Of course," Sephiroth smiled, resting his hand on a carefully cut, glittering crystal. At his touch, the stone glowed, and the distinctive 'thud' of a very heavy bolt sliding back sounded within the wood. "Welcome home, Riku," he smiled, pushing the doors open with ease.
Riku's home on the Island had been nice; his father had provided for him and his mother and he had lived comfortably. His uncle's apartment put his father's home to shame at just the door as Riku hesitantly stepped inside. Riku spun slowly, eyes running over the ornate abode. The room inside was enormous, with inlaid parquet floors forming massive patterns and tessellations all across the room. A thick, luxurious rug was laid out on the floor, along with several very comfortable-looking chairs and low tables. The walls were made of the same polished marble and stone as the rest of the castle, with delicate scrollwork and carvings as they neared the frescoed ceiling. A soft mutter from Sephiroth, and a fire sprang to life in the massive fireplace, crackling merrily and casting a warm glow over the room, and causing Riku to jump as the fire lit itself.
"This is the sitting room," Sephiroth explained, striding through the room as if it held nothing of interest for him, heading for the door nearest the rear wall.
"This is fucking unreal," Riku swore without hesitation, the first time he had done so in his uncle's company. "You're screwing with me. This can't be where I'm staying," the boy said, exploring the little bit of the room he had seen.
"Riku, watch your tongue," Sephiroth barked, poking his head back into the room. "Your room is this way," he announced, the carved door swinging freely as he passed through, giving glimpses of the blue-hued dining room.
"Its true, though!" Riku couldn't help but laugh, rushing after his uncle, glancing into the dining room. "This is…More than fucking incredible, Uncle!" Riku was grinning, fighting back laughter.
"Riku, you're swearing like a commoner," Sephiroth announced, rolling his eyes—oh, the language one learned from sailors. "The kitchen is through that door. The chef is in for breakfast and supper every day and he's possessive of his space, but you are free to use it whenever he isn't present," Sephiroth explained, continuing through the dining room. "Through here is the parlor and my study, the washroom is right past the dining room, and our chambers are down this hall," Sephiroth continued, waving at each door as he passed them. "Mine is to the left, and yours is to the right," he finished, motioning down the hallway to the bedchambers.
They had a chef? A study? And he had his own room? Why he didn't expect to have a room, he wasn't sure, but it seemed to come as a surprise to Riku. Without a word the boy turned suddenly, unable to stop the sudden surge of emotion as he practically assaulted his uncle, wrapping his arms around the man's middle and pressing his face to Sephiroth's chest as he squeezed him tightly. It was his uncle that made all of this possible… Without Sephiroth, he would have still been simply living in Destiny Islands. Now, he could do, and become, so much more… It was so much—and Sephiroth hadn't asked for anything in return. He had just showed up and used his magic powers, it seemed, to fix everything and give him a new, wonderful life.
"Thank you," he murmured softly, squeezing him tighter. Sephiroth chuckled softly, running his hands through Riku's hair lightly.
"You're welcome, Riku," Sephiroth murmured, smiling at the boy's enthusiasm. "I'll let you decorate your room however you prefer," he continued, glancing over and pushing the door open. "Would you like to see it?" he asked. Riku glanced up, tipping his head back to look at his uncle.
"Very much." Riku pulled away and started for the door, apprehension as well as excitement making his stomach knot. This room was…his. Even to decorate. His mother wouldn't believe any of this.
Sephiroth smiled, leading the way inside. It was decorated in rich, earthy tones; forest greens and warm mahogany paneling. Velvet curtains were pulled back from the mullioned windows facing toward the town at the foot of the castle, letting warm sunlight pour into the room. There was a finely carved chair at a desk that looked as if it weighed a ton, and a delicate tea tray set out on a spindly table next to a plush chair in front of the fireplace, which had a wood inlay mantlepiece and a brass grate.
"It's…not really your age, but I'm sure you can make it your own," Sephiroth smiled. Riku was quick to dash inside, quickly taking in as many details as he could. Sephiroth was right—the decor was a little mature for him, but the room was impressive.
"Its perfect, Uncle Seph. I mean… I even have a fireplace!" he laughed. "I'm really dreaming, right? I'm going to wake up asleep on the beach next to my mother's house any time. This is all…too good to be true. I owe you, I do, so…much." Sephiroth chuckled, shaking his head.
"No…you're not dreaming, Riku," he replied, resting a hand on his shoulder. "This is your room, for as long as we're at the castle. You'll have a room at my estate, as well…and at the family manor, but I spend so little time there, it's hardly worth mentioning," Sephiroth added, waving a hand. "If you need something to read, you'll have access to my study when I'm not using it. All I ask is that you not go digging through my desk drawers," Sephiroth explained, walking over to the windows to peer out at the town, "I have everything in its exact place, and if they get rearranged, I go into a bit of a tizzy."
"That won't be a problem. I plan on being too busy to go snooping," Riku assured him with a smile, "…What exactly did you want me to study now? You never said what the 'more interesting' subjects were…" he asked with a curious tone, brow raised slightly as he watched his uncle near his windows.
"Oh, I'm sure I can find you something," Sephiroth chuckled, turning back to the boy. "Come, let's have a look at my shelves. Perhaps we'll find something to pique your interests."
Once Riku was settled in and Sephiroth had attended to the rolls of 'urgent' requests for his attention on his desk (which he was certain he would find duplicates of on his office desk, where such requests belonged, despite what the people who had the castle directory locale for his private study apparently believed), he was ready to settle down in his favorite chair with a glass of wine. He couldn't help but feel, however, that something was amiss…out of place…incorrect. Swilling his glass, Sephiroth stared into the fireplace for a few moments before it struck him.
Genesis.
With a distinct lack of refinement, Sephiroth slammed back the glass of wine before hurrying out of the apartment. He hadn't heard from Genesis all day…either he was in serious trouble, or he was in a state of sheer bliss. Genesis was a needy creature, after all, and certainly wasn't above seeking solace in another's bed. Sephiroth wasn't one to talk, for certain, but even if he were with the King, he would have the presence of mind to take pause to greet Genesis. Assuming Genesis had the same sense of decency, that left only one place.
Genesis enjoyed the silence and seclusion the Royal Library offered. Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling—it was a marvel to behold. At least he thought so. And aside from his duties and without Sephiroth around, he had spent a considerable amount of his time there, working his way through many volumes of books in the past two weeks. The only real downside to hiding away in the castle was that word didn't reach him promptly when the man he adored more than Loveless itself returned to Radiant Garden—he had had his dates confused on top of it; a wonderful thing for a colonel to do. So, as Sephiroth had arrived and settled Riku in and went about his business, leaving the boy with new material to glance over and a room to do with as he pleased, Genesis remained seated on the floor of the library, an ancient book in his hand as his wrist rested against his drawn up knee, leaning comfortably against the shelving rather than rushing to greet his lover with pent-up enthusiasm.
A few lift stops later, and Sephiroth emerged in the library mezzanine, looking down onto the main floor. With a smirk, he crept along the railing, peering down at the redhead below. Curled up with a book…the only thing in the world Sephiroth had to compete with for Genesis's attention.
Turning the page, oblivious to the sounds of someone exiting a lift and of footsteps, Genesis' eyes ran quickly across each letter, word, sentence, paragraph, drinking in what each page had to offer with an insatiable thirst. When Genesis became absorbed in a new book, there wasn't much that could get his attention.
Sephiroth had more of a chance to break his trance than anything, but even then, it was a long-shot sometimes.
"Bibliophile," Sephiroth called down to him, smirking. Genesis blinked, brows furrowing in confusion as he glanced over his own knee, then down the aisle. Did he hear someone? He had to have heard someone… Sephiroth chuckled, leaning over the railing slightly to get a better look at him.
"Yes, I meant you," Sephiroth called again, restraining his laughter.
"Seph?" His eyes widened with a mix of confusion and excitement as he tipped his head back. When his blue eyes met with that unmistakable head of silver, flowing hair, he all but let out a squeal of joy. "Sephiroth! You're early! When did you get back?" he gushed, a grin claiming his features as he scrambled to his feet, leaving his book—page left unmarked, a sinful thing for Genesis—on the ground, discarding it as Sephiroth stole his full attention. "Why are you up there and not down here with me?" The redhead demanded quickly.
"Because I only just arrived in the library, why else?" Sephiroth replied, laughing softly at Genesis's eager reaction. "And I'm not early, I'm right on time," he added, his fingers gently brushing along the railing as he moved toward the staircase.
"No you're not. You weren't supposed to arrive until tomorrow," Genesis protested, mimicking the other's steps as Sephiroth made his way to the staircase, walking with him. His eyes never left the man as he made his way to meet him. "If you were on time, I would have been waiting to meet you," he assured him.
"It's the twenty-seventh, Genesis…right when I was supposed to return," Sephiroth replied, smiling. "I was counting the days until I saw you again," he purred, glancing down at him from his perch as he reached the stairs, gliding down them as if on air. At the bottom of the stairs, Genesis paused, feeling suddenly foolish.
"I thought it was the twenty-sixth…" Genesis trailed off, a little ashamed of himself. He would have went the entire day in the library without so much as greeting Sephiroth. Sephiroth chuckled softly again as he reached Genesis, his chest filling with warmth at the other's presence. He leaned down with a smile, placing a gentle kiss on the redhead's lips.
"You're forgiven," he whispered, a hand sliding around Genesis's waist.
He was forgiven before the plea even left his lips—and it had been on the tip of his tongue. Relief washed over him as he felt the other's closeness, the warmth of his body, the hand sliding around his waist… He had missed Sephiroth like no other. Slowly, his hands lifted, sliding over his General's chest to eventually come to rest just behind his head, loosely wrapping his arms around Sephiroth's neck, gazing up at him with affection in his eyes.
"…You made me lose my page, you know…" he informed him with a playful smirk. Sephiroth chuckled, pulling Genesis closer.
"Forgive me," he whispered, leaning down to kiss him again. It felt so wonderful to be home again, in Genesis's arms, the waning light of the sunset shining through the stained glass windows, making every color rich and full…it was perfect. "Shall I help you find it again?"
"No, my page can wait," he purred playfully, mischief in his eyes as he gazed at Sephiroth. "You'll just have to find another way to earn my forgiveness—I hold grudges, unlike you, remember?"
"Oh, and however shall I do that?" He could feel his judgment clouding with desire…Genesis's mere presence was enough to do that to him. Sephiroth chuckled, running his fingers in little circles along the small of Genesis's back. Sephiroth's fingers could always draw a shiver from Genesis, and they did along with a small chuckle of his own before he stole a quick kiss.
"…General, I've experienced your creativity. I know you can come up with something."
Sephiroth smiled at the other's playfulness, leaning down to nuzzle him in return. "Perhaps, though, we should tryst in your chambers, tonight," Sephiroth murmured, continuing his gentle teasing motions, "My nephew is likely to be up and about in my quarters, after all."
Genesis could be scatterbrained sometimes. He hadn't even thought to mention Sephiroth's nephew. "I'd love to meet him, but not under those circumstances," he laughed. "…My chambers suit me fine. Then again, we…are both here and I don't see anyone around," Genesis trailed, glancing around for show, devious smirk on his lips. Sephiroth gasped in mock horror, his eyes glinting with playfulness.
"Genesis, I'm shocked! You would desecrate these hallowed halls, under the ever-watching gaze of the ancient tomes?" Sephiroth replied, "Oh, the horror…the humanity of it all!"
"I don't plan on finishing on one," Genesis said rather crudely, "And besides, it could be kinky. What with those 'ancient tomes' watching and all," he snickered, nipping at Sephiroth's chin as he pressed himself closer to the man.
"Oh, who taught you to talk like that?" Sephiroth laughed, wagging a finger at him. "It sounds like you've been mingling with farm boys again…have you gone native while I was away?" he teased, grinning down at the other. At the wagging of Sephiroth finger, Genesis couldn't help but tease.
"I'm sorry, Daddy," Genesis smirked, "But I enjoy letting go of my noble ties and 'rolling in the hay' once in a while. Besides, I was lonely," he mock-pouted, bottom lip sticking out slightly. Sephiroth chuckled again, leaning down to nibble at Genesis's lip in return.
"Have you been bad while I was away? Do I have to spank you?" Sephiroth purred, his lips quickly finding their way to Genesis's throat. The redhead knew him too well, knew just how to needle him for the right response. The only thing Genesis could do to keep from moaning when warm lips found his neck was bite his bottom lip to let only a little groan escape as he craned his neck for Sephiroth, allowing him whatever access he pleased. As always.
"…Am I ever good? I might deserve it, if that's what you think is best," Genesis purred, his eyes slipping closed as he practically grinned. Sephiroth groaned in response, a hand running up to hold Genesis's head as he kissed him more fully, sighing happily into the kiss.
"Oh, you're very good, when it suits you."
"Only to please you, Daddy," Genesis almost groaned after the kiss, heat already consuming him as he tangled his fingers in the man's silver hair. "…Anything to please you, good or bad." Sephiroth groaned in return, nipping and sucking lustfully at Genesis's lips.
"Perhaps…we should move this little escapade elsewhere," he purred, his hand roaming farther south than Genesis's waist, "I'm a very private man, you know…"
Genesis groaned softly as Sephiroth's hand drifter lower. "…Fine, but one of these days I'm going to convince you to have your way with me in this library," he vowed with a giggle, pulling away quickly, but catching Sephiroth's hand and pulling him quickly up the stairs, practically racing to his room.
"I expect you will," Sephiroth chuckled, allowing Genesis to tow him along on the way to the lift.
Here we are, another Thursday/Friday update. Be sure to review! (Otherwise the two of us writhe in agony over your silence.) Next chapter is a bit shorter, but don't worry, the chapter after next is more of the same old boring stuff and exposition.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, either-I'm pretty quick to respond to questions. As for the questions which have already been asked:
Riku and his family are speaking Sanskrit; that is the native language of Radiant Garden in this AU (which I have given a bit of Indian flavor). Every 'world' is its own nation here, and just like in our world, people speak different languages in different countries. Riku, being raised bilingual, understands Sanskrit without difficulty (most of the time), and so we understand without difficulty as well (most of the time).
Yes, there's yaoi in this fic-there will also be some het, and probably some yuri, too. I'll be sure to warn before anything comes up, worry not.
More will come in due time. Namaste!
