Blossoms in Midgar

Written by Whimsical Symphony

Here is the newest chapter, rather late though. I hope the content will help with the forgiving process. I am rather proud of this chapter. Tell me what you think. All constructive criticism and comments about the story are appreciated.

Chapter 13 – Trust with Love

After his gallant confessions of almost love that Tifa didn't quite get the hint about, Genesis had taken her and dragged her away, much to her dismay. She didn't even get to say 'goodbye' or 'see you later' to Cloud. But, then again, she wasn't certain if she'd be able to. Their lips had almost touched, they had almost kissed and Tifa didn't know what to think. Should she have been happy that her childhood friend liked her to such a degree? Should she have insisted that Genesis leave her behind so that she could properly talk to him? But then, what to think about Genesis? He had also clearly stated that he cared for her as well, though she didn't know what kind of care that was. And she didn't know what to think anymore – she was about as confused as any individual could get.

"Genesis, let me go!" Tifa snatched her wrist back from Genesis' grip. He had taken her to the room that he was sharing with Sephiroth and Zack. Tifa noticed the strain of his grip, his fists clenched harshly. He seemed stressed and he wouldn't face her. "Genesis? What's wrong?" She touched his arm lightly and watched as he flinched away.

He laughed then, slightly, in an almost bitter manner. "Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess. We seek it thus, and take to the sky…" he said almost mournfully. "I always loved how dense you were, Tifa. It's… adorable." He turned around then, and at her questioning glance, pulled her into a tight embrace. He rested his head in the crook of her neck – his hot breath fanned the skin there, making tingles travel up her spine in a completely involuntary manner. She stiffened immediately, but at the feel of his hand on the small of her back, lightly caressing it, she couldn't help but relax again, muscles not cooperating. His touch, his voice, his breath – they were all like etherising incense, lulling her into eternal security. "Do you understand now, or must I spell it out for you, Tifa?" He planted a slow, passionate kiss on her collarbone and watched smugly as her blush travelled to her neck with frightening speed. "Must I spell out my feelings for you?"

"Don't joke with me!" Tifa told him sternly. "You're only playing with me. I know that you're a practiced flirt and that you know how to charm women, but that won't ever work on me." She didn't' have the heart to tell him that it was working on her, and that truly scared her. It scared her that she didn't know what to think about him, what to think about Cloud… it scared her.

"Hmm, perhaps a practiced flirt, but not around you," he told her not letting go, kissing her neck again. "To you, I can be who I am because you can accept my monstrous soul." He was completely honest about that. He was confident Tifa would accept him no matter who he was, even if she knew about him, Sephiroth, and Angeal, even if she knew about what monsters SOLDIER's were after all.

"You… feel that way about me?" Tifa asked, drowsily. And yes, it was insane, unfathomable for him to even feel the slightest of what he did, but it was flattering. It was flattering. "But… I don't know how I feel about you at all. I'm sorry. I can't." Snapping out of it, she pushed him away. She shouldn't let him close to her, he would worm his way into her heart. She shouldn't have let Cloud close to her either; she didn't know how she felt about him.

"So you won't let me close enough to touch you, to kiss you?" he asked completely bluntly. She nodded. "Your flush says otherwise, your aversion to our eyes meeting, your reaction to the kiss I placed on your skin." With each word, he came closer to her, approached her, backed her into the wall. "Your voice when you said I had nice skin…" he told her, and she hated him for it, for bringing up one of her less glorious moments. He touched her face with an ungloved hand then and looked at her in such an affectionate way that she couldn't help but remain limp in the arms which encaged her. "I cannot help but be drawn to you, love, in every way," he whispered. His lips approached hers and she was still.

She wondered what she was doing, letting both Genesis and Cloud close enough to kiss her. Was she turning into some kind of two timer? It seemed so wrong to not know who she liked, to let them both so close to her heart and her body without a complaint in the world. But Genesis, his voice made her knees buckle, his teasing attention made her entire body heat up. Then Cloud, a boy who could warm her heart in places she thought were already cool, unable to be thawed.

"If I do this," he whispered, his lips grazing hers, "would you dislike me? Or, would you let me kiss you, let me land my lips against yours and, with a flurry of passion, show my affection for you?" The more he spoke, the more Tifa felt lightheaded, more unable to think, more swaying towards his nectar sweet words. She didn't know. He raised one hand and ran his thumb across her bottom lip, stilling it there, just a light pressure, but such an intimate position that Tifa had not been in with any man. "Would you let me claim the gift of the goddess for myself?"

"I…." And she could only start her sentence, unable to finish it, like a writer who had all but abandoned his work due to an impassable labyrinth in his mind with an unexplainable many intersections and branches of roads. She felt herself relaxing, but what did that mean? She felt herself afraid of what was to come, so what did that mean? She didn't know how she even felt about this man in front of her, or the one left in the other room, Cloud, so what did that mean?

She didn't know, and she couldn't solve the equation that had been placed before her. She didn't know how to solve it, how to start it, how to set it up, because she didn't know how it was formed, why it was there. It was just like she didn't know why Genesis and Cloud didn't simply feel platonically about her. If they did, she wouldn't ever have to face it: she could hide in her ignorance forever, blissfully unaware.

"Hush, Tifa," Genesis mumbled quietly. "There is no need for you to think so difficultly about this at all." He stroked her cheek with one hand, felt her soft skin against his own. He smiled at her then in such a loving manner, that she couldn't help but be mesmerized by it, entrapped within the web of geniality and amenity he had created, with soft, gentle threads, protecting her, keeping her secure. "My soul, corrupted by vengeance,hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey, in my own salvationand your eternal slumber…" he quoted, bringing his lips to touch her skin, her cheek, softly, gently. His voice was unnecessarily beautiful, melodic, drawing her in like sirens did to unfortunate men at sea. "My friend, your desire is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess. Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return…"

And then, with her waiting, her unnecessary pondering and thinking, his lips landed on hers, softly at first. His gentle lips against hers, waiting, just a simple touch that made her wonder what to do. He moved them against hers and then nibbled on her lower lip, and when she opened up, he blew into her mouth. A warm current made its way into her soul. His hands supported her, on her lower back and on the wall behind her. Tifa didn't know what she was doing, but the only thought that was circulating through her mind was that his kisses were pleasant, even electrifying. She didn't respond to his kisses, she didn't kiss back, but she wondered what it would feel like if she had. After a few more butterfly kisses, he whispered against her lips, "I can't fathom how to let you go now…" and continued, adding tongue. Tifa stiffened.

The door opened then and Zack waltzed in, looking rather happy. And after seeing the situation with Tifa and Genesis his jaw dropped. "Seriously, Gen, what the hell? You got her already?"

Genesis stopped kissing her, and Tifa flushed bright red. He didn't let her go though, still holding onto her. "It's my method of courting her – she has not accepted me at all. There is still Cadet Strife to deal with," Genesis said, a smirk spreading across his slightly swollen lips. "But, I must admit, most pleasant kiss I've ever had. It was as sweet as a dumb apple." He looked at her, licking his lips suggestively. "Have you kissed anyone before, Tifa?"

Tifa didn't answer, because she hadn't. She wanted to save her lips for someone special, and here she was giving away her kissing virginity to Genesis. She scowled at him. "I'm not talking to you anymore." She couldn't believe she'd just acted so inappropriately with him, that she'd responded even the slightest bit to his advances. She hadn't kissed him, but to even feel that it was pleasant, it was shameful for a woman like her. "That never happened, at all. Remember, I didn't kiss you back!" she said bluntly, looking him in the eye, a scowl on her face. Without looking at Zack or Genesis again, she shoved past the first's shoulder and made a beeline for the door.

"Well, that went well," Zack said. "I think she didn't appreciate your kiss too much, Gen." He wondered who she would choose in the end, his mentor's friend, or his chocobo. He considered himself a neutral party, a spectator, because he'd be happy with whomever she chose – it was interesting to watch.

"Puppy," Genesis started, "it appears that you do not understand women. I could feel her reaction, so in some way, at the very least, she enjoyed it. She may not have kissed me, but she was contemplating it. She will try to deny it, but the evidence is there, forever written in my heart, portrayed by LOVELESS. My friend, your desireis the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess…" He quoted this with practiced ease. "Now, my only issues are deciphering what her feelings for me truly are, and the prospect that had I not interrupted, she would have kissed Cloud." He touched his lips then, reminiscing upon the fateful moment just past when he had given the woman he was dearly attracted to the most exhilarating kiss of his memories. It only made it sweeter that she had never before locked lips with anyone besides him, he could see from her reaction. "I must do that again soon with our dear, sweet Tifa, puppy. It appears that I have become addicted…"

"Yeah, I can definitely see it. You're quoting much more LOVELESS lately," Zack said, nodding definitively.

"Of course," Genesis said, "it's my life, after all. And this entire scenario with dear, sweet Tifa, seems to me exactly like LOVELESS; I, the goddess blessed Hero, and she, the woman I grow to love and protect, not that it hasn't happened already, without shame of course."

And Zack couldn't help but be shocked about Genesis' admission, and who wouldn't be, knowing he was such a flirt. "So, you plan on telling her about the SOLDIER's, First Class in particular?"

"I never knew that you knew, puppy," Genesis said, quietly, melancholically. "And you choose to be with us regardless? Knowing what we are? Did you hear all of this from Angeal?" He was full of questions. He wondered if Zack was one of those rare souls who would accept him, accept Sephiroth, and Angeal as well. It seemed like he would be the type, strangely enough. Zack, though irritating, had an undying loyalty towards his friends, and even if not him, he certainly respected Angeal and Sephiroth.

"Angeal told me," Zack ascertained. "And no, I don't think of you all differently. To me, Seph will always be my friend, as unmoveable as a rock, Angeal will always be my honour bound mentor, and you'll always the narcissistic friend of Angeal, kind of my friend too..." he admitted, apprehensively. He knew that they had their own problems to deal with, that it was set deep inside them, that their own lack of self-confidence couldn't ward away the woes that being a SOLDIER caused. To them, they were brought up to be thought of as monsters, just because they were different. And it was all the fault of one man: Hojo.

"Thank you, Zackary," Genesis said, a slight smile on his face. Zack didn't know what brought it about, but he was so used to the look of arrogance which seemed to permanently etch itself into Genesis' face. An honest smile was rare for him. "I… perhaps I will, sometime. I will tell her, and wait for the rejection that will ultimately surface because of it," he said, smiling sadly, "for the fates are cruel…"

"Don't you trust Tifa at all?" Zack asked honestly. Upon his stunned look, Zack continued. "It seems like you don't. I accepted you, why shouldn't Tifa?"

Zack left the room then and Genesis was left to his own devices, to think about the words which floated in the room's air, to think about the possibility of telling Tifa what a monster was, that his very existence was a sin to mankind. Suddenly, the room seemed so very empty and the kiss shared with his dear, dear Tifa, seemed to shove itself in a crevasse within his mind, as if it never happened at all. Zack seemed to take all the elation he felt with him as he exited, and now while he was wondering what he should feel about Tifa, what he should predict her response to his confessions of existence would bring, whether it would bring a tempest or forgiving spring rain; he hoped it to be the latter.

Don't you trust Tifa at all?

…trust Tifa at all

Trust Tifa…

The words that Zack said echoed through his mind without relent, circling, unwilling to disappear. The concept of trusting was foreign to him. But to love required trust… and he claimed with all his heart to love Tifa. So, trust should have come alongside that, right?

I accepted you, why shouldn't Tifa?

And he wondered, would it be worth it after all, to tell Tifa all of his problems, to hope that she would comfort him with her waiting arms? Would it be worth it to hope that she wouldn't desert him immediately for Cadet Strife after he bore his heart and soul to her? Would it be worth it to hope that perhaps she would accept him at the very least? Would it worth it to hope that his rejection would remain elusive? He hoped it would be worth it to hope, because it appeared that because of the puppy, because of how Tifa had trapped his heart, he was doomed to bare his heart to her.

"It appears I am in deeper than I was formerly aware. Tifa it seems you control me now," Genesis mumbled to himself. "Pride is lost. Wings stripped away, the end is nigh…"

Tifa exited the room in a flurry, the colour of her cheeks as red as beetroot and her breathing heavy. She was confused, distraught almost. She wished she could shove it all away in a small treasure trove, never to be opened again. She didn't want to decipher her feelings at all – it was like confronting one's greatest fear. She was frightened, for she had never been romantically involved with a man before. Intimacy was frightening for those without experience. It was only natural.

In her rush down the hallway, she bumped into someone. Steadying her feet so she wouldn't fall over, she looked up to meet the eyes of their resident ice cube, General Sephiroth. "Sorry," she told him stiffly. And it was only fair, for even if she was a brave woman, only fools wouldn't feel even the teensiest bit intimidated by Sephiroth.

"It's not a problem, Miss Lockhart," he answered. "You are not hurt, correct?" He looked at her, assessing any possible damage.

His concern made her smile, albeit slightly. He surprised her with his compassion and proved to be a wonderful friend to Zack and Genesis. Cloud also looked up to him, so that had to count for something. There was some small spark in Sephiroth which made him awe inspiring; Tifa was in no way ashamed to admit it. She admired him as well. "I'm fine, Sephiroth." But then, she didn't know what had come over her, a wave of gloom perchance? Tears collected in her eyes and her smile wobbled, nonexistent, like the quick onset of winter onto flowers, drying them, making them shrivel.

"You cry, why?" Sephiroth asked. He raised his hand and wiped the tears with his fingers. To him, he never saw tears often, and was always emotionally sharpened as a child by Hojo. He had never once cried himself. It was almost a childlike curiosity, and just a slight concern for Tifa Lockhart.

"I don't know what to do, that's why…" she answered softly, averting her eyes from his, wondering if she should talk to him. For some reason, his presence was a little comforting to her in her current state.

"Does it have to do with Genesis and Strife?" Sephiroth asked her softly. He had predicted it so, ever since he saw the signs of affection bubbling within his crimson haired friend for the woman in front of him. Of course, he hadn't understood at first, considering he wasn't the most astute person when it came to the deciphering of feelings, but with Angeal's help, he had understood. What Genesis felt for Tifa Lockhart was attraction at the very least; it had most likely progressed into something far deeper, especially with all his whining about Cadet Strife and his relationship with the one he cared deeply for.

"Yes," she answered him faintly. "I thought I was strong enough to break down because of stupid, girly feelings, but… I don't know anymore. I don't know how to make a proper assessment about myself and my choices now."

Tifa then, shocked, felt a hand upon her head, stroking her hair gently. When she looked at Sephiroth questioningly, he didn't even flinch. "Angeal used to do this to the children in the slums to comfort them. Speaking logically, it would seem you need the same comfort, no?" So he continued and she continued to talk to him, telling him about all her problems. Time passed by for them near the end of that hallway, with Sephiroth being incredibly considerate. She leaned against his chest for support.

"And I don't know what to feel anymore. Cloud is my childhood friend, and logically speaking, the one who understands me best; Genesis though, has always been good to me, always cared for me, and his teasing… even though I don't want it to affect me, it does," she admitted abashedly. "Cloud makes me feel warm inside, Genesis makes me feel like I'm heating up like a furnace, uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time."

"Only you know you the best," Sephiroth counselled. "I do not know much about feelings, but I do know that what you want to do will come to you eventually."

"I suppose," Tifa answered, thoroughly calmed down. Standing up tall now, she smiled brightly at Sephiroth. "Thank you – it means a lot." Without another word, she skipped off, prepared to prevent this day from making her miserable. Instead, she had focused on how the incidents led her to know Sephiroth better, to find that he was polite and sympathetic until his ice cold exterior.

Sephiroth wondered what possibly possessed him to comfort Tifa in the way that he did. But, seeing her bright smile made him think of the girl, Cissnei, her smile. He never wanted Cissnei to cry, but seeing Tifa cry unknowingly reminded him of her. Shaking his head, he decided he wouldn't ponder upon it anymore, as long as she was feeling better. Now, he supposed he should check on his narcissist of a friend who was no doubt moping about whatever had happened between him and Tifa. He supposed he owed it to him, after all.

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