Disclaimer: To Be Human is a fanfiction written in the Compilation of FFVII, with respect to the original canon and in accordance with the permissions of Fair Use as a transformative work. No profit is being made and the author only claims original characters used within to help flesh out the story.
The day had been long before the SOLDIERs ever got to Sephiroth's apartment, three of the four coming in from Modeoheim which would have been a tiring flight and environment just to walk around in. Even showers and quickly taken meals could only do so much, and after several hours of discussion they called it a night.
Zack ended up deciding to stay with Sephiroth and Angeal, still unconvinced he could trust the older man not to leave. So Kunsel ended up rooming with him in one of the guest rooms of the general's suite, because he certainly wasn't going to leave Zack like this. He didn't know all the details, but he knew enough. Besides, the two had shared quarters before, and a single bed was hardly something to fuss over - it was a bed, and sometimes they hadn't had that much together on missions.
Neither of them slept particularly well, their conditioning to catch sleep whenever and wherever they could failing with the enormity of the situation for Zack, and the hyper awareness of his friend's movements for Kunsel. Being hyper aware of the genuinely hyper teen never boded well for the ability to sleep, but he was worried about what nightmares might make a grab for his friend. If something did, however, it didn't stir him enough to wake either. And night of bad sleep or no, come morning they still got up, got redressed, and went out to face the day together.
Sephiroth was up already, settled in the kitchen area with what looked to be some reports. Green eyes glanced up at them over the papers he had in hand, a small smile on his lips matching their warmth for welcome. "I'd offer you the shower, but I imagine you haven't decided where to stay fixed yet."
"Might as well stay here." Zack shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "Where is he?"
"Sleeping - overdue, in my personal opinion." Sephiroth didn't need him to clarify on who and made no pretenses, eyes flicking back towards the room he'd given Angeal while he sipped at his coffee a moment. "He hasn't truly rested in quite some time."
"Yeah, he had that pinched look he gets, didn't he?" Zack agreed, sighing. "He didn't try and go anywhere, though?"
"He hasn't left the room since he went in and closed the door last night," Sephiroth confirmed. "I went by earlier, and his breathing is deep enough to suggest he is still maintaining a restful stage of sleep."
"Well that's a good sign," Kunsel said. "He's not in the best shape, and some rest can only help. Which reminds me - I obviously missed out on a lot. I know a lot has to be classified, and I'm sure you two can work that out later. But for now, what is my assignment here? What can I do to make sure this mess starts straightening out, or at least not getting worse?"
Sephiroth watched him a moment, considering it. "I will leave it to Zack's discretion as for how much to share with you, given he knows you personally. As for my own standing on the matter of assignments, I believe it is wise to keep an eye on our director and on Angeal. You do not have clearance to serve as a check for Lazard's power - I, however, do. Both Zack and I stand at a point to check Angeal as needed, to which end I'm going to suggest you start carrying status inflicting materia, Zack; casting sleep might be just as effective as using your blade, and with less dire results."
"Right, I've got one I'll get," he promised. "And good point about the director. Seems trust… doesn't work like I thought."
"Trust seems best given as slowly as possible, as earned, though given fully until the individual is proven no longer worthy of what's been earned," Sephiroth said quietly. "Levels of trust are much like levels of power. Not everyone can manage them correctly."
"Yeah, you're telling me."
Sephiroth recognized the pain and disappointment in the younger SOLDIER's voice, though Zack didn't sound as bitter as he himself felt. He found himself speaking before he'd consciously decided to. "I wouldn't worry too much, Zack. You're still First Class."
The look of surprise and gratitude was strangely warming, the wide grin that took over from his lips and made his eyes shine seeming so much more fitting than the somber expressions he'd had lately. "Yeah? Well thanks. No general I'd rather follow than you, either."
Sephiroth smiled, nodding in acknowledgment to the further meaning, then glancing at the Second still with them. Kunsel clearly didn't have any expectations, so much as looking… pleased, for his friend. Would that that attitude would start being more common. "I suppose you're just going to end up with authority above your listed rank, Kunsel. Somehow, I get the impression you'll manage."
Kunsel nodded to him with a faint smile. "I'm sure you'll assess me and judge fairly. In the mean time, I need caffeine and food, and to know what I'm doing today. Not necessarily in that order, but it would be nice."
"There's coffee in the pot and mugs beside it," he offered, mildly amused. "I'll see about food."
"You don't do rations for breakfast, right?" Zack looked at him, a little concerned. "Because I have eggs down at my place, and it is not that far."
"The mess in the Tower proper isn't too far to avoid rations for breakfast," Kunsel retorted, slipping around to get some coffee.
"I do not eat rations for breakfast," Sephiroth promised, not sure if he was amused or disturbed at the thought. "I wasn't familiar with that particular rumor."
"Huh? Nah, I don't listen to rumors much. I leave that to Kunsel." Zack shrugged, sidling a little closer. "Got anything for me to do?"
"You keep track of the rumor mill, then?" It took a moment to decide on something for Zack to do - he recognized that need to take action in the younger man, no surprise given how active he was - and beckoned him over to be given a carton of eggs and a large bowl. "Whisk."
Zack brightened to be given something to do, and set about filling the bowl. "All… eighteen?"
"Please."
"You want your coffee topped off, Sephiroth?" Kunsel set a mug in Zack's reach, then pointed to the general's own mug. "It's still hot."
"Mm, no not just yet. But thank you." He gathered a wide array of vegetables from the crisper, a knife taken from the block he had sitting out, and got to work. There was always some peace to be had with a blade in his hand, even a little knife. "Better to have a bit more actual food first."
"You mean coffee isn't a food group?" Zack gave him a wide-eyed look of surprise so obviously false it made him chuckle. "Gee, all this time I'd thought it was. You sure?"
"Brat," Kunsel accused fondly. "Listen to the boss. We do not need you on a caffeine high."
"Hey, now, we're talking about his coffee, not me and mine." Zack huffed at him. "Be nice."
"Nice is a matter of perspective," Kunsel informed him. "Whisk the eggs, jungle boy."
"Hey, you leave Gongaga out of this, city bum!"
Sephiroth listened to the easy banter between the pair and felt himself smiling again. His chest ached at the thought of mornings long past with another pair much the same. Well, assuming one could rouse Genesis this early and have him anywhere near so civil, at least….
Soon, he promised himself. Soon, mere hours away, they would start making plans in detail to get the redhead back home. For now, there was surely no shame in taking comfort from the ease these two had between them. And he would not be such a fool to miss the worth of their including him in the moment.
Perhaps one day it would even be four or five around the kitchen in the early morning, interacting with gentle banter to the smells of coffee and bracing for the day ahead.
