Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places written of here. They are all the work of Square Enix, as are the quotes from Loveless within. However, the lovely yaoi and writings are all mine. I try to stick as canon as possible here, even using many of the vague references from the game to build the scenes within. So far I have only managed to work one in there, but that will change… eventually.

Warning: YAOI If you don't like yaoi, this story definitely is not for you. This is GenesisxSephiroth, so if you don't like it, don't read it. Expect violence, romance, and lots of angst, plus some spoilers (though none major) from Crisis Core.

Author's Note: (What is it with this site jacking with my formating all weird, even after I've checked it?) I'm terrible. I keep writing so much on this. I edited. Changing point of view in this chapter was fun. There is a little surprise in here! If you've felt safe reading so far because of the lack of action, beware.

THE MEMORY OF FALLING

Chapter III: Presents

Cold green eyes stared at the table, glowing eerily in the dimmed lights. The projector clicked, changing the image displayed on the floor to ceiling screen. Sephiroth barely glanced over, seeing the files of two SOLDIERs Sephiroth knew, one closer than the other. Lately, it had not been so close. Their spars had stopped all together. Sephiroth did not stop by the courses required for new SOLDIERs, did not show his face much on that floor.

It was not fear. Sephiroth was certain by now he could not feel it. It was something else.

President ShinRa cleared his throat. All eyes turned on the General, Sephiroth showing only indifference. He looked at the screen again, eyes scanning Angeal Hewley's record quickly. There was nothing out of place, just high scores and good performance on missions. Sephiroth's eyes continued downward, lingering over Genesis Rhapsodos' picture before moving to the notes. A few code numbers were in the notes section, causing Sephiroth's eyes to narrow dangerously.

He could feel the nervous shift of the suits in the room with him. President ShinRa had always been afraid of Sephiroth, since the day they first met years ago, when Doctor Gast was still alive. Scarlet always considered him a weapon more than a person and never showed any fear. Lazard was cautious of him, an intelligent decision. Tseng was unmoving as always, like a programmed robot with that predatory, Wutaian face emotionless, dark eyes as empty. Tseng was trained to show nothing, so Sephiroth could never tell what was going on in that head of his.

"You have sat in on many of their training sessions, General. Do you feel them ready for promotion?"

"They just graduated from being cadets. It may be too soon, President—"

"They are ready." His low voice cut through the board room, silencing Lazard and President ShinRa immediately. The meeting was a waste of his time. The decision did not require so many high ups to make, as they were not the ones in charge of SOLDIER. However, the quick advancement of Hewley and Rhapsodos probably startled them, reminded them of Sephiroth.

If what Sephiroth heard was true, about the experiments Hollander ran on them, their quick advancement came as no surprise. They were like him in that regard. He would have been surprised if they advanced anything but so rapidly.

Sephiroth stood, pushing his chair back in that motion. He stood taller than them, imposing at his full height. Not waiting for dismissal, Sephiroth turned, striding quickly from the board room. It had been a waste of his time. Hewley and Rhapsodos would undergo the testing required and no doubt pass, thus becoming SOLDIER 2nd Classes so young. Sephiroth was younger than them, but not by much. Most people did not even realize his age. His silver hair fooled them.

It was late, the SOLDIER floor already locked down. Sephiroth did not bother venturing down there. If he did, he might run into Rhapsodos, always skipping out on curfew. It was a wonder the Turks had not tried picking him up already. For all Sephiroth knew, they had tried. He did not like the Turks.

The general stopped just before the elevator, hand hovering before the key card scanner. He had barely heard the footsteps behind him, even with all his enhancements. "Tell me Tseng, what did those codes mean on Rhapsodos' file?"

The Turk paused, standing stiffly in his tidy, black and white suit. "Threat assessment level: 9, advanced mako treatments, possibility for mental instability, lab experiment." Tseng made a list, as tidy as his suit. His voice was low, somewhere between caring and not at all. That voice was at a perfect balance, nothing showing in one polarity or the other. "Hewley has two of the same notes, advanced mako treatments and lab experiment."

"What exactly does Hollander do to them?"

"The same as Hojo does to you."

He ran the card through the scanner, the elevator doors opening with a ding. Sephiroth waited a moment longer to see if the Turk had something more to say. Apparently, Tseng did.

"SOLDIER's psychologist tells me that Rhapsodos feels an acute rivalry with you."

"I've noticed." Sephiroth stepped into the elevator, Tseng following him. The doors closed, glass cylinder sound proofed. The elevator started moving downwards once Sephiroth pressed the appropriate button.

"Which of you initiated?"

The question did not need to be elaborated further; Sephiroth knew exactly what Tseng was sticking his nose into. More so, Sephiroth felt like the Turk was pointing out a failure. In his mind it was a failure. How to handle emotions had not been among the lessons he was given from SOLDIER or Hojo. Doctor Gast had tried, but died before anything similar to his current predicament came up. "I did."

"Our report says Rhapsodos was pinning you on the floor."

"It was a tactical decision on my part, to distract him so I could regain the upper hand." Sephiroth spoke coolly, though his mind cringed at what he said. That discomfort, the lie in it, must have been obvious in his cat eyes, as Tseng was staring at him, obviously not falling for it. It felt like he was trying to convince himself more than he was the Turk. "That should be apparent since such actions have not been repeated."

"He has stayed the night in your apartment twice."

"He slept on the couch."

"Why so defensive?" Tseng pressed the hold elevator button, stopping it just before the floor Sephiroth's apartment was on. His face was as serious as it always was, though there was a slight glint in those eyes; concern. It was barely noticeable.

Why was he so defensive? Sephiroth was not sure of the answer himself, thinking up something a normal man, a normal SOLDIER might say. "I may have ruined all possibility of a future friendship because of my spur of the moment decision." As cold and calculating as he tried to be, he could not help but wonder. When he had gotten up in that last morning they had seen one another, he found Genesis still asleep on the couch, the Banora ecology report open on his chest. He had just stood there for a few moments, unsure of what to do. Leaving the room again had been his choice.

"Avoiding matters does not make them go away. Like with AVALANCHE. The longer the President ignores them, the more dangerous they can become."

The analogy itself was not 'normal', but it was one Sephiroth could understand. Tseng was right. Again. Sephiroth undid the elevator lock, its descending the rest of the way to the requested floor. He stepped out, not surprised when the elevator closed with Tseng still in it. The Turk was always going somewhere, always doing something. Sephiroth almost wished he could make himself so busy.

Almost. If he did, this problem would never be dealt with.

"Happy Birthday, Genesis…" He looked at the note, seeing the formal signatures of his mother and father at the bottom of the card. It was typical. Genesis sat down, eyeing the large box and wondering what could be inside. The box was a few days early. Should he open it? Probably. One time his parents had decided to give him a kitten, but Genesis neglected to open the box until his birthday, when they had given it a few days early. By his birthday, the kitten had been dead, and reeked.

That deciding it, Genesis slid his fingers into the seam of the wrapping, sliding his finger downwards to undo the adhesive. He was careful with it, making sure not to rip any of the perfectly white paper. It was like his parents to have a package wrapped in white and ship it, just to show how their money could keep it from getting even a speck of dirt or damage on the way.

The adhesive dealt with, Genesis pulled on the paper, carefully removing it from the crate. That was when the smell hit him. It was sweet, singing of home, filling his senses instantly. A smile spread across his lips, glittered in his eyes. Using the knife which sat out on his desk, Genesis pried the nails out, lifting the lid. Blue apples glistened within, freshly picked. Some were already ripe, Genesis could tell from the smell. He closed his eyes, savoring it.

His parents always had known how to make his birthday seem special.

There was no training scheduled for that day, no lectures, no duties. Genesis was supposed to be on duty on his birthday, but that did not matter to him. Back in Banora, his parents always threw a too large party for him, finding newer, more creative ways to make him uncomfortable. Angeal always helped them in this. Thus far, Genesis had not seen any birthdays celebrated within the ranks of SOLDIER, so he had nothing to worry about.

Setting the knife aside, Genesis pulled out an apple, bringing it close to his nose, sniffing. It was not quite ripe enough, his putting it back. Genesis grabbed another one, repeating the process. It took three to find one fragrant to the point of necessity, Genesis replacing the top on the crate and leaving it there. As a SOLDIER 3rd Class, he only had to share the room with one other person. They both had single beds within, each a desk, each a small table beside their beds for a lamp. It was a simple room, a small one, but he did not mind. Angeal was his roommate, so he did not have to worry about there being a mess ever.

Standing, Genesis took a bite, small at first to test. The fruit was succulent, just right. He let out a little moan as he ate, having missed the fruit dearly. It had been part of his everyday diet in Banora, and living without it had almost been painful.

Genesis headed out of his dorm, dressed in plain clothes to signify that he was off duty. Some SOLDIERs wore their uniforms even on vacation, like a badge of honor. Genesis did not feel like it, a loose red dress shirt, not buttoned up all the way, hanging around his muscular torso, black pants clinging to his legs. His shoes were plain, comfortable, made little sound as he walked down the hallway.

Angeal was one of those SOLDIERs who was never seen out of his uniform. Genesis spotted his friend quickly, sitting in the lowered area in the corner of the SOLDIER floor, talking with someone at the table. The red-head continued his approach, gait airy and uncaring. He stopped on the little section of stairs leading down into the seating area, staring at who Angeal was talking to. Sephiroth. His blue eyes narrowed, face hardening even as he took another bite of his apple. He considered turning around, going the other direction, but Sephiroth's keen gaze had already found him, something inaudible to Genesis passing his lips. Angeal turned around, smiling and waving Genesis over.

There was no escaping this.

He sat down a seat away from Angeal, even further away from the General. It was intentional. Genesis caught the curious look he got, ignoring it. "They sent me apples." Genesis took another mouthful to make a point. Angeal was probably salivating, as he had been starved of the apples since their departure as well. Not only that, but the apples Genesis had been sent came from the big Banora White outside his father's massive house (massive for Banora, at least). All the children in Banora had wanted fruit from that tree, Genesis knowing Angeal was no different. However, for some reason, Angeal had never taken any, never asked for any. Genesis was sure that would not change.

"I doubt that is all. They never give you just one present." Angeal gave him an accusing glare, to which Genesis did not respond. There was nothing else in the crate that Genesis could tell, and no other packages. It was just dumbapples. "It's Genesis' birthday in three days." Angeal was talking to the General now, who seemed slightly interested. It was more than Genesis had expected.

"How old?"

Cold as usual, even if he actually asked. Genesis knew Angeal would not answer for him, so he would have to address the General himself, which he did not want to do. "Nineteen." There were other SOLDIERs who knew about his birthday as well. Most of 3rd Class did not like him; Genesis did not know about the other ranks, as he rarely interacted with them. SOLDIER 3rd Class Edwin Murphins, the one whom had walked in on he and Sephiroth, actually gave Genesis a proposition as a birthday present. Genesis was still considering. He was not as driven by hormones as he had been in the past, but there were still needs which had to be taken care of, which had not been taken care of (other than by his hand) since Banora.

Angeal and Sephiroth began their conversation again, Genesis listening idly as he continued eating the blue apple. Sephiroth kept glancing over at him. It made Genesis uncomfortable. Being woken up by Sephiroth, on the man's couch after what had happened the night before had been uncomfortable. Sephiroth seemed angry, which was a state Genesis never wanted to see the General in again. Sephiroth was an intimidating man if he wanted to be.

They were talking about missions, past battles, weaponry, everything one expected in conversations between SOLDIERs. Genesis pulled the book from his back pocket, flipping it open and reading it as he ate. He kept a firm hand over the book, having already seen Sephiroth eyeing it. He would not let Sephiroth take it away again. Genesis planned on seeing Loveless that night, finally getting permission from his superior, since his birthday was coming up.

"Have you seen the play yet?" Sephiroth's even voice changed the conversation, shifting it towards Genesis. The General remembered what the book was. "I hear it is still going in Sector 8."

"I am going tonight." Genesis did not look up, committing another line to heart. Soon he would have the entire epic poem memorized. Then, he could begin inserting it into speech when the moment was appropriate. Genesis was sure he would find the chance sometime.

"With someone?"

Genesis finally did glance up, seeing that it was a genuine question on Sephiroth's face. Why the sudden interest? That was what he wanted to ask. It did not come out. Sephiroth was finally talking to him again, though Genesis had yet to decide if that was a good or a bad thing. "Alone." The expression of interest did not change on Sephiroth's face. It worried him. "Why?"

"I have the graveyard shift tonight." Angeal shrugged, figuring that was the question Sephiroth had not asked. Genesis knew otherwise. He looked back down at his book, taking a last bite of his apple, sucking up a little of the juice that threatened to run down the finished fruit onto his book. When he realized how intently Sephiroth was watching him, a slight dusting of pink touched his cheeks, against his will.

"What? I like Banora White." Genesis lapped up a little more of the juice, purposely with his tongue, slowly. He watched Sephiroth for a reaction. There was no variation in expression, but the General did not stop watching, either.

"Do you want some company?"

He almost dropped the apple, having to grip onto it tighter to avoid losing it. Genesis could see the slightest twitch at the edges of Sephiroth's lips. Sephiroth was enjoying this. As much as that made Genesis' blood boil, he could not leave Sephiroth (or Angeal, who was also staring at him now) hanging. "I bought a whole box, so…."

"I will stop by your room later, then." Sephiroth stood, offering a friendly nod towards Angeal. "It was good to meet you, Hewley. Keep up the hard work." Angeal was beaming too much to remember the awkward tension between Sephiroth and Genesis, as the redhead quickly saw. The compliment was an intelligent tactic, like the kiss had been.

Or had it really just been curiosity, as Sephiroth said? Genesis watched the General go, knowing he let his gaze linger on the slightly taller man too long. Luckily, Angeal did not notice that, either.

The play was good. Genesis found himself on the edge of his seat, leaning forward to stare down at the stage, at the actors spinning their tale. Though he would forever cherish the epic poem in its original form, Genesis knew he would also hold the play dear. The focus was changed in the play, from the war-torn trio of friends to a love story, but the meanings, subtle, just beneath the surface, remained.

Genesis had always wanted to play the part of the hero.

The curtains fell, the narrator standing alone at the very tip of the stage. The man, in a gaudy voice, explained how the finale of Loveless had been lost in time, incomplete. The crowd was left hanging, wondering which of the friends had won the duel, if vows would be fulfilled, if the world would fall to ruin anyway. Genesis himself had always wondered.

Slowly, the lights came back on, fading up from the blackness they had been submerged into. Genesis had been patient with Sephiroth, whispering a quote or two from the poem whenever Sephiroth asked a question. It was obvious the General did not go out much, if at all. He sat straight backed in the chair, regal looking with his streaming hair, cascading over his black encased shoulders. His green eyes remained on the stage, as though something more was going to happen, like the missing Act V.

Uncrossing his legs, Genesis stood, sad that the play was over, knowing he would come to see it again some time. It was getting late, darkness having settled over Midgar. It was far after curfew for the SOLDIER 3rd Class, but he had gotten permission, special because it was the only celebration he would have for his birthday. Genesis would be able to get back into his room without any problems that night, though he was in no rush.

He had the urge to talk, though he waited until they were out of the theater. There were too many people who recognized Sephiroth, the poster-boy for SOLDIER, and ShinRa in general. They were well on their way back to ShinRa headquarters when Genesis finally broke the silence. "How was it?"

"Vague."

"Without an ending, it will remain that way." Genesis smiled up at the starless night sky. It was uncanny, how obscured the sky was though it seemed perfectly clear on first inspection. Midgar put out enough pollution to create its own sky. That was what Genesis saw. He missed the stars above Banora. "It is open to interpretation."

They continued walking, a cold breeze kicking up. The front of the ShinRa building came into view, guards standing at full attention outside the massive doors. Genesis fished his identification card out of his pant's pocket, Sephiroth producing his just as quickly, not that the guards needed to see it. They knew who he was. Everyone seemed to know who Sephiroth was.

No doubt there would be new rumors circulating by the time it was morning. With such an enigma as Sephiroth, it was bound to happen.

"Your commentary was far more poetic than the narrator's." Sephiroth tucked his card away, leading up the wide stairs on the left side of the entrance room, to the elevator further back. The night secretary smiled at them, even as they vanished into the elevator together and were propelled upward, into the massive height of the main tower.

"I was merely quoting the original." Genesis had waited until the doors of the elevator were sealed to answer. Though he had not stated it, Genesis thoroughly enjoyed himself. It was a time to relax, to drop pretenses, to drop their rivalry. That would only last for a few more minutes. Genesis saw the SOLDIER floor. His room, shared with Angeal, was on that floor. Sephiroth and Genesis stepped out of the elevator together.

The night patrol was out, but ignored them, as ordered. Their night was coming to an end. Genesis unlocked the door to his room, letting it open though he did not yet go in. It was dark inside, but Angeal was not asleep. He was on duty somewhere in the ShinRa building, would be back in the early hours of the morning. They were alone. Genesis turned around, ready to wish the General a good night.

Sephiroth put a hand on the door frame, leaning in. His lips brushed Genesis'. It was a chaste touch, wholly unlike their last kiss. Their last kiss had been frustrated and yearning. Genesis could feel his heart quicken, waiting to see if Sephiroth moved in again. That pale, serious face remained close to his, but moved no closer. Genesis had to fight the urge to bridge that distance himself.

"Happy birthday." Those two words were spoken with a flickering of feeling, unexpected though not unwanted. Sephiroth turned, striding down the hallway. Genesis wanted to go after him. There was a question on the tip of his tongue. Sephiroth was gone before he could ask it.

It would have to wait until another time.

"Do you want your birthday present?" SOLDIER 3rd Class Edwin Murphins asked nervously, voice trembling. He was a brave soul, making such a proposition, especially considering Murphins had walked in on Genesis and the General, lying together on the floor of the training room, kissing. For a second Genesis wondered if Murphins would blackmail the redhead upon refusal.

He hoped not.

"Let me guess, it is the General." Murphins sighed dejectedly, looking at his feet as he shuffled between them. "He is unobtainable. I am not."

It was the General, but not for the reasons Murphins seemed to think. Genesis was intrigued by Sephiroth. The General inspired feelings of butterflies and the smoldering of rivalry all at once. It was a strange twist of emotions, confusing him, not allowing for anything to be sorted through, discussed. Genesis wanted to talk about it to Angeal, but knew it would only make things awkward. Angeal did not even know Genesis held an interest for men, or had been with men before, for that matter.

"Give me a chance."

The look in Murphins' eyes, so desperate, made Genesis pause. He did not understand what the blond saw in him. Genesis had barely said a word to Murphins since they ended up as cadets in the same class. Yes, they had shared a cramped room together, but there were others with them, like Angeal, and that cadet who barely graduated, but already left SOLDIER for the less strenuous part of ShinRa's forces. Genesis had even been rude to Murphins a few times, sarcastic, degrading. It was the face Genesis put on for everyone who ever performed worse than him.

Murphins locked the door. Angeal was still out on duty, not scheduled to return for another hour, at least. "Sit down." His voice was not commanding, just as needy as his eyes. Genesis knew it would be a fling, a one night stand if it even went that far. Did Murphins know? That expression told Genesis it was a yes. Murphins was curious, and since he had seen Genesis kissing a man, he assumed it was the best option; at least that was what Genesis assumed.

Genesis sat in his desk chair, watching with bored eyes as Murphins knelt, hands shaking as they reached for the redhead's belt, unfastening it. The button and zipper came next, opened up so there was easier access. Genesis took in a deep breath, feeling the hand upon him, drawing him out into the cold air. At the moment Genesis was flaccid, but nothing a little teasing would not perk up. It had been so long since someone else had touched him that it would not take much coercing.

Murphins' hand began by stroking before the young man built up the nerve to put his mouth on it. Genesis closed his eyes. Murphins was not unattractive, but also not the object of his interest. Genesis imagined another head bobbing up and down on his erection, another tongue prodding it, other lips squeezing around it, other hands fondling his balls in the process. Murphins would never know. It took longer than Genesis would have liked, Murphins obviously not skilled in the subject. The redhead tensed, releasing, filling Murphins' mouth. The young man pulled away, smiling. Genesis opened his eyes just in time, so Murphins would never know he had not been watching.

"See, not so bad." Murphins replaced Genesis' manhood in his pants, redoing the zipper, button and belt. "Well, curfew is soon. I think I should go…" Murphins seemed nervous again, unlocking the door and leaving before Genesis could even say anything. It was probably for the best. Murphins was nowhere close to the best blow job Genesis had ever received, and that disappointment was probably written all over his face. It had made a small dent in his frustration, but barely. By the next morning, Genesis would be just as bent out of shape as before.

What was worse was the sudden twinge of guilt he felt. There was no reason for him to feel guilty. He was currently seeing no one. Still…. the General had kissed him. Did it mean anything? Genesis felt guiltier the more he thought about it, deciding not to think on it at all. If he and the General had something, it was yet to develop, so there was nothing to feel bad about.