Over a month went by and they started to fall into a normal routine. Cloud would go out on a 'mission' at least 3-4 times a week, for Lazard. Usually more escaped specimens. He was becoming better at handling them himself. The other 2-3 days, they either spent in the gym where he had first started or in the VR room. He still had his weekly injections with Hojo, which had begun to be more bearable, simply out of routine and that day they would take a break.
Genesis had taken his blood sample to Hollander and the man had told him that there was nothing out of the ordinary about Cloud's blood at all. They both breathed a sigh of relief with that bit of knowledge.
Sephiroth had been coming around more and more, and Cloud admitted he liked the man's company. Once you got past his exterior, he was a very loyal friend. Cloud had almost completely taken over summoning for Sephiroth, mostly because Genesis didn't need the experience. To Cloud's excitement his Ice and Cure materia had grown and now he could call out a second level of each of them. He thought Shiva was getting close as well as his Sense.
He had spoken to Zack a few more times, mostly when the 5 of them would get together for meals. Much to Genesis's amazement Zack had kept his mouth shut about their relationship and seemed to take it like he had everything else in life- with a grin on his face. Even his friend Kunsel didn't know Cloud was dating Genesis. Thankfully the few times the three of them had gone out since 'the kissing incident' Kunsel had been content just to be friendly and alcohol was never involved.
All and all Cloud was enjoying his life as a 3rd Class SOLDIER.
"They're getting worse." Cloud was startled out of his thoughts as Genesis slammed his hands down on his desk.
"What's getting worse?" Cloud asked, moving to stand beside his mentor.
"The monsters? Haven't you noticed? Whatever Hojo's doing, it's big." Genesis said, sifting through the pages. "Lazard's even had to resort to sending a few others out on the missions so it doesn't look too suspicious."
"No, I hadn't realized they were getting stronger." Cloud said, shaking his head.
"Most likely because you've been staying ahead of their curve yourself." Genesis said, a bit of pride in his voice. "But either way, Lazard would like to have dinner with us tomorrow night."
"You think you've got enough evidence to move?' Cloud questioned.
"Not enough to bring the man down, but to step up our investigation, yes." Genesis said, closing his folder.
"Why haven't you told Angeal or Sephiroth? Surely they'd help." Cloud asked the man.
"Sephiroth's too connected to Hojo, I trust him, but if things go bad and he's involved, it would put him in a very dangerous position. Angeal is a bit to direct. If I told him what was going on, he'd go down and demand answers from Hojo himself right now. That would not end well." Genesis explained.
"I suppose that make sense." Cloud said, leaning on the desk.
Genesis stood and claimed a quick kiss from Cloud's lips. Cloud's heart still fluttered every time Genesis showed him affection. "It will be a good day anyway, it's your last injection, is it not?" Genesis asked.
"Hopefully, though Hojo said he'd be doing another physical, so I'm not getting my hopes up." Cloud replied.
"You've been spending too much time with Sephiroth." Genesis said, shaking his head.
"I don't like the fact that Hojo has got crazy monsters running rampant all over the city and he's got this interest in me." Cloud confessed.
"Hollander said your blood work came out fine." Genesis pointed out.
"I suppose you're right." Cloud said with a sigh, letting himself relax a bit.
Cloud came in for his last injection. Genesis, had long ago stopped fighting Hojo's insistence that he had to leave the room, especially after the reassurance from Hollander that nothing abnormal was going on. Now he was just waiting for Hojo's examination to start.
"Ah Sephiroth, I'm glad you could make it." Hojo said, looking up at the man. Cloud was confused.
Sephiroth walked in and looked at the man, then to Cloud. "What are you up to?" He asked Hojo.
"What have I told you about questions." Hojo snapped at Sephiroth, who just bowed his head. "Your feeble mind can't comprehend my work. Don't waste my time with them again."
"Yes, Sir." Sephiroth said and Cloud was a bit unnerved. He knew even Sephiroth feared Hojo, but to this level? Cloud didn't dare to ask his own questions.
"Better, now, take off your jacket and go sit next to Strife." Hojo ordered.
Sephiroth just did as he was ordered.
"I'm going to need blood samples from both of you. You're the only one who's taken anywhere near as much Mako as Strife has in one go, so you'll be the perfect baseline." Hojo said before moving to extract the blood.
"While you're here, I'll be providing your tri-monthly physical as well Sephiroth" Hojo said. Sephiroth didn't flinch as Hojo took the blood. Cloud had seen Sephiroth without his coat before, but only this close did he notice all the paper white scars on the man's arm. It disturbed him even more when he remembered Sephiroth's comment about not scaring after he received his Mako enhancements. He tried his best to suppress the shudder that wanted to work its way down his spine.
Hojo went about his business, taking their weight and height. He kept glancing at the machine that analyzed the blood samples however. Cloud was growing more and more uneasy, Sephiroth simply sat there stoically as Hojo poked and prodded him.
"Alright, Strife, go hit the tread mill and we'll see how your heart is." Hojo pointed to the machine in the corner.
Cloud hopped off the examination table and walked over as Hojo hooked him up.
"Run for 10 minutes straight, as fast as you can." Hojo instructed before turning the machine on.
With that he walked away, taking out a syringe and injecting Sephiroth, it seemed the assumption had been right, it looked almost exactly like what the man had been giving Cloud.
After that he went back over to the machine running the blood samples and Cloud didn't see him from his position on the treadmill, but he could see Sephiroth. It felt so wrong for him to see the man so lifeless after he had gotten to know Sephiroth. Cloud prayed that they could uncover enough evidence to make Hojo pay and soon.
"Well Strife, I have some bad news, I suppose." Hojo said, but he seemed a bit too happy. "You'll be requiring the same monthly shot that Sephiroth does."
Cloud somehow wasn't surprised. He knew however that Genesis wouldn't be happy, what did surprise him was that that was the first thing that got a reaction out of Sephiroth, his head snapped up too look at Hojo, barely contained shock and rage playing on his features. Hojo however had his back to the man and was oblivious.
"Yes, sir." Was all Cloud said as the timer for his treadmill went off and he stepped down.
"Well, it does seem your heart is fine. After today's exam I'll be setting you up on a similar schedule to Sephiroth. Once a month for your injections and once every three a physical." Hojo said, pushing his glasses up, still looking at the report like it fascinated him.
"You may go Strife, Sephiroth, your turn on the treadmill." Hojo turned back.
"Yes, sir." Cloud said, reluctant to leave Sephiroth behind, but not wishing to inspire the man's wrath, Cloud left.
When the door was shut and Cloud was out of the hall, Hojo turned to Sephiroth.
"So how long have you had feelings for the boy?" Hojo asked him. Sephiroth only stared back at the professor in shock.
Hojo just let out a laugh at finally getting a reaction out of the man in front of him. It seemed that Cloud Strife had many uses.
They didn't have much time between the end of Cloud's appointment and when they were to meet Lazard. Cloud promised to fill Genesis in on his appointment later.
The run of LOVELESS that they had went to see on opening night was still in its run as Cloud and Genesis made their way to sector 8. This time Cloud was able to appreciate the trip and the beauty of the theatre district. He heart ached a bit remembering that night, but he squeezed Genesis's hand. He just needed to remember that in the end it had brought them together.
"Good evening, Director." Genesis acknowledged Lazard, who was waiting for them outside the theater.
"Good evening to you as well Commander, I am rather looking forward to this evening performance." Lazard said, stepping up to them.
"My private box is this way, you know my student, correct? He's also a fan of the theatre." Genesis said casually.
"Strife, correct?" Lazard looked at him, their contact had been brief since his first few weeks in SOLDIER.
"Yes sir, I'm glad you could join us." Cloud said with a slight bow.
"At ease, this is a causal night after all." Lazard said, turning to follow Genesis.
Cloud simply followed the both of them up to the box.
Once they were alone and the lights started to dim however, they got down to business.
"So Lazard, I suppose you've finally figured out what you want to do with all this information we've gotten you." Genesis said, looking over at the man.
"Mostly, you and I both know at its core, this company is rotten." Lazard said, though his eyes never left the play.
"What do you intend to do about it?" Genesis asked, looking back to the stage as the woman finished quoting the play.
Lazard stole a quick glance at Cloud, the question was clear. 'Can we really trust him?'
"Cloud knows as much as I do at this point. I trust him and you should, too." Genesis said.
"I'll make this simple then. I need to promote Cloud to 2nd Class if we are going to keep this up." Lazard started. "I can't keep sending you on these mission, enough outsiders have commented on the point, I have to step them up to 2nd Class anyway. There are also a few things I would like you to investigate outside the city and again, they fall into the 2nd Class category." Lazard said.
"Sir, I've only been a SOLDIER for about a month and a half. I was only a cadet for 6 months. I won't even be 16 until next week." Cloud said, looking at the man.
"You've also been performing 2nd class missions mostly on your own for most of your career." Genesis pointed out.
"You've always been there, though." Cloud said, looking over at his mentor.
"And I'll still be there," Genesis said, placing a hand on Cloud's shoulder.
"It's not completely unprecedented, General Sephiroth, Commander Rhapsodos and Commander Hewely all became 1st class within a year of entering the program. It will draw a little bit of attention, but it can be explained away since you are Genesis's student. And as your mentor has mentioned before, you're already performing at the proper level." Lazard pointed out.
"If you both think it's for the best." Cloud relented.
"We're doing very important work, people's lives are at stake here Cloud. You may be going through review a bit early because of this, but I have no doubt you would have been up for 2nd class review in the next few months anyway." Lazard said, adjusting the glasses on his face.
"When do you want to promote him?" Genesis asked Lazard.
"I already have Mr. Fair's performance test set up. Commander Hewely recommended him halfway through last month. It will be nothing to expand it to include Mr. Strife. It will take place 2 weeks from today." Lazard explained.
Genesis nodded, "Anything we should know?" he asked.
"Officially no, but this whole evening is unofficial." Lazard said leaning forward. "I will say you might want to add a Bolt materia to your student's collection."
"Noted." Genesis said nodding, Cloud thought this all sounded a bit like cheating, but telling Cloud to bring materia seemed a bit redundant, so he wasn't going to protest. The two grew quiet as the play continued.
Cloud's mind started to wander back to his examine. He really did want to focus on the play, but with everything else he just couldn't. He wanted to tell Genesis what had happened, but it felt private, saying something in front of Lazard felt wrong. He also wanted to go check on Sephiroth and make sure he was well.
Finally the lights fell and intermission started. Dinner was alright and since he had yet to see the second half, it kept a bit more of his focus.
Genesis made a few comments about the play and Cloud responded, but his mind was still back in the lab and on his upcoming SOLDIER evaluation.
Genesis grew concerned as the night wore on and Lazard sat silently watching the events play out on the stage.
"No!" Cloud cried when the lover's wife died.
"You knew it was coming." Genesis commented.
"It doesn't make it any easier to take." Cloud replied.
"I suppose not." Genesis acknowledged.
The play went on and as it drew to its conclusion, Cloud looked away. "They were so foolish."
"It's easy to say that when you're watching, I suppose." Genesis replied. "Though I admit I have come to appreciate the tragic endings less and less."
"Well, it was an enlightening experience." Lazard said, standing, "I suppose I'll see you tomorrow then."
Genesis nodded and Lazard made his way out of the theatre box, Genesis and Cloud followed closely behind.
"I could tell something was wrong, your mind was elsewhere. If you're worried about the exam don't be, you really are ready." Genesis said, rubbing Cloud's back. It was the most affection he would let himself show in public.
"It has more to do with my examination." Cloud admitted.
"What happened?" Genesis said, concern in his voice.
"Sephiroth was there for some reason. Hojo said it was because he needed to compare our blood samples, because Sephiroth was the only one to receive near the amount of Mako I had at once. I don't suppose much to out of the ordinary happened, Sephiroth was acting weird I suppose, but that was because of Hojo. In the end he said I would have to start a regiment close to Sephiroth's. A shot once a month and a physical once every 3." Cloud explained.
Genesis's eyes narrowed. "Standard SOLDIER exams are every 6 months."
"No wonder Sephiroth looked so angry." Cloud commented, it felt like his stomach was filling up with lead.
"Sephiroth actually showed his anger?" Genesis asked with surprise.
"Only for a moment and Hojo couldn't see." Cloud insisted as they approached the Shinra Building.
"That's still something. You should speak to him about Hojo then." Genesis said, opening the door for Cloud.
"You don't want to talk to him?" Cloud asked slightly surprised. Genesis had always been the one to initiate the conversations with Sephiroth on Hojo.
"You're friendly enough with him. Sometimes I think he prefers your company to mine and Angeal's." Genesis smiled at Cloud, showing he wasn't truly upset about this fact. They all needed more friends, Sephiroth especially.
"I suppose so." Cloud said, walking up to the elevator.
As the elevator door shut Genesis leaned in and kissed Cloud, pulling him into an embrace. "I wanted to do that all night." He smiled.
Cloud just smiled back at him and kissed him again.
"I am proud of you, the reasons may be a bit unorthodox, but Lazard wouldn't be pushing for you becoming a 2nd Class if you weren't capable." Genesis said, still holding Cloud.
"I'll have to write my mother when it's official." Cloud relaxed into Genesis's arms.
"I'm sure you'll be the talk of your hometown." Genesis truly enjoyed the times they could interact like this. Part of him was happy when Lazard mention moving up Cloud's promotion. It was just one more step on the way to 1st and an open relationship with the blonde.
"Oh, I'm sure I'm right up there with Mrs. Fenton's cat." Cloud snorted.
"Surely having one of the youngest SOLDIERs in the history of the program come from their town must mean something." Genesis said, a little taken aback. His parents hadn't been too proud of him, but the town at least seemed to embrace Angeal and himself.
"I doubt I'll ever be much more than 'that freak bastard child' to most of the town." Cloud said, shaking his head.
"You might be surprised." Genesis said, trying to comfort the blonde.
Cloud was about to respond, but when the doors to the elevator opened, Sephiroth was standing outside their door.
"I was about ready to give up." The man said, stepping up to greet them.
"How long have you been here?" Genesis asked.
"About two hours, I need to speak to Cloud, where were you?" Sephiroth asked and Genesis could tell that the man was on edge.
"We were at the theatre." Cloud explained.
"I should have guessed." Sephiroth said, shaking his head.
"What do you need to speak with me about?" Cloud asked, still surprised that Sephiroth would have waited outside his door for 2 hours.
"I think you know," Sephiroth replied. "We can do this in your apartment, or mine, but not out in the hallway."
"Come in." Genesis said, opening his door. Now he was really concerned.
Genesis shut the door and Sephiroth turned to face him and Cloud.
"I have to apologize, I have made a grave mistake." Sephiroth said, placing his hand on the side of his head.
"What's wrong?" Cloud asked, stepping forward.
"Hojo has discovered that we are friends." Sephiroth admitted, it was close enough to the truth, he wasn't about to admit his true feeling to the blonde, just for the moment.
Cloud just looked confused, but Genesis's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?" Cloud finally asked.
"It means, his interest in you has more than tripled." Sephiroth said, a bit of guilt in his voice. "The only other people I associate with are Angeal and Genesis, who are under Hollander's care. To find someone under his own that I associate with, well, it's not going to be good for either of us."
"What are you getting at?" Genesis was almost furious with his friend for seeming to put Cloud in danger.
"I could tell with the way he spoke that he intends to use us against each other. He plans to schedule our sessions together." Sephiroth explained. "I tried to deny it, but he knows better. And abandoning the friendship is not likely to help much either."
Cloud shivered a bit at Sephiroth's words. "What do we do?"
"There isn't much we can do," Sephiroth said, sounding so defeated.
"You say that so much I think that man has you brainwashed." Genesis snapped at the SOLDIER.
"Do you have any brilliant ideas? You know what that man is capable of! If we push to much, Cloud would just disappear!" Sephiroth snapped back.
"He couldn't just make my student disappear." Genesis said, eyes narrowing.
"Oh no? Think you're going to be assigned with him on missions forever? You know the kind of pull that man has. Cloud goes out on his own, an 'accident' happens and he's gone." Sephiroth was starting to lose his temper, something Cloud had never seen.
"I'll think of something, I am the strategist after all." Genesis said, his voice was calmer, but there was still a fire in his eyes.
"I hope for his sake you do," And with that Sephiroth turned and left.
"What are we going to do?" Cloud said, looking at Genesis.
"We're going to step up Lazard's little plan, that's what we are going to do." Genesis said, crossing his arms.
The next week went by fast, with most of the missions being promoted to 2nd Class, Cloud spent more time in the virtual training room. Today though he was a little annoyed. It was his birthday after all.
"Happy birthday." Genesis said, tossing Cloud a piece of materia with a grin.
"Thank you." Cloud said, holding it up to inspect it. "Bolt, at least half way mastered?" Cloud asked.
"Yes, it's for your little exam next week, today I'd like to see how you use it. Don't worry though, you'll get the rest of your presents this evening at dinner." Genesis smirked.
Cloud had the good sense to blush and look away. He knew that today he was legal in Midgar and he also knew that Genesis had no plans to explore his new legal status, at least not yet, but the idea of Genesis being his first was appealing on many levels. He'd been thinking of it a bit too much with all his extra downtime.
Genesis turned on the simulator as Cloud slipped the materia into an empty socket on his bracer. 5 large mechanical bees appeared in front of him.
The buzzing was a bit annoying and Cloud took a swing at one of them, but it easily dodged, he tried again, and it moved again as another came in and tried to sting him. Annoyed Cloud decided he might just start out strong, cast a bolt 1 at the creature and it just fell to the floor. There were now 4 very pissed bees coming for him. He swung and managed to take out one of the creatures, but another got past his defenses and stung his hand.
"Ouch, damnit" He swore, before firing off another Bolt spell.
Two were left and they weren't very happy with him, he decided Genesis had wanted to see him use the materia anyway, so he fired off another spell, dodging as the last one came flying at him. He came up casting. As the last one fell, the simulation ended.
"Can you think of something that would have made that infinitely easier for you?" Genesis said with a bit of a smirk on his face.
"Probably an All attached to the bolt, but it's not like I own one of those." Cloud sent a half hearted glare at Genesis.
"Oh, don't look at me like that, you should know by now having a materia expert as your mentor has its perks, plus it's your birthday so I'm feeling a bit generous." Genesis said, pulling out another blue materia.
Cloud would thank him properly later, but for now he shook his head. "Couldn't have given it to me before the simulation, huh?" He slipped the materia into the linked spot with the bolt.
"Well, I do have to make sure you're paying attention." Genesis gave him a cocky grin. "Now let's start that simulation again."
Many fake bees died that day.
Later that evening after he showed and changed, found Cloud sitting around his living room with Genesis, Angeal, Zack and Sephiroth.
"Are you sure we can't have the cake first?" Zack said with large eyes, looking up at Angeal. Cloud had to admit the double chocolate cake looked delicious, it even had those fancy chocolate curls on it.
"Yes, I'm sure, now settle down or you'll ruin the party." Angeal said, sending Zack a stern stare.
The door bell rang and Genesis went up to retrieve the Wutaian take out they had ordered. Cloud had become addicted to it.
"I warned you last time Zack, I should go dispose of these wretched things out my window." Genesis scowled as he handed the man his chicken and mushrooms. "Repeat after me, fungus is not food."
"Fungus is good food." Zack said cheekily, taking his carton, Genesis just scowled.
"Here" Genesis said, handing a box of pork fried rice and some pot stickers (AN#1) to Sephiroth.
"Angeal." Genesis pushed some sweet and sour chicken in his face.
"Ah, this is mine," Genesis said, setting it down on the coffee table. His contained some white rice and general Tso's chicken that was never spicy enough.
"Here Cloud," Genesis said, handing the last box to Cloud, before sitting down. Cloud easily accepted his fried noodles and steamed dumplings.
"I still can't believe it, you're going to be going through the exam with me. I've waited almost as long as you've been in the cadet program to make it to second!" Zack exclaimed, though one could tell he was honestly happy for Cloud, did the man even know how to be jealous?
"I still can't believe you recommended him so soon." Angeal said, looking over at Genesis.
"I told you, I didn't. Lazard did looking over the mission reports." Genesis had been over this several times. Angeal seemed to think that he was just getting Cloud through the program quicker for less than saintly reasons.
"You still could have turned him down." Angeal replied.
"Why would he? Cloud will make a rather capable 2nd, I'm sure." Sephiroth interjected.
"You'll get to see it for yourself during the exam." Genesis said, looking at the man.
"I suppose so." Angeal finally acknowledged.
"How about presents now?" Zack exclaimed, you would have thought it was his birthday or something.
"I suppose this is as good a time as any." Genesis acknowledged, though he was loathed to agree with Zack about anything.
"Here," Angeal said, deciding to go first. He wasn't sure what Cloud would like, so he took a stab in the dark.
He opened up the neatly wrapped gift to find a book of fairy tales in his lap. "I know you adore Loveless as much as Genesis does, but I thought it might be good in case you wanted to take a go at reading something else."
"Thank you, Angeal." Cloud smiled at the man.
Sephiroth then took a package out of his coat. Cloud opened it up and a red ribbon sat in the box. Cloud lifted it up. "Where did you get that." Genesis looked at it, he himself didn't even have one.
"I found it on my last assignment. I already own one and I thought it would make a good gift." Sephiroth explained.
"What is it? I've never seen one." Cloud said, he could only tell it wasn't a normal strip of fabric, it felt light and fluid and just a bit like Materia.
"It's a ribbon." Genesis said, "Tie it on your arm and it should protect you from most enemy status effects."
"Wow, thank you." Cloud said and Sephiroth only smiled. "You're welcome."
Next Genesis pulled out a small silver box. "I've been keeping this for the right person."
Cloud opened it up and pulled out a small silver ear ring.
Genesis just pulled back his hair to show Cloud the matching one. "You're the other half of me, so I figured you should carry its pair."
Cloud's eyes just watered as he hugged Genesis, tears forming in his eyes.
"That is by far the corniest thing I've ever heard and I've been in some pretty seedy bars and heard some really bad pick up lines." Zack almost snorted.
Genesis was about the set the man on fire when Cloud reached over and hit Zack on the arm. "There's a reason you're still single." Cloud said, glaring at the man.
"Hey, hey! Sorry." He said, "Here" holding up his package.
Cloud opened it up and pulled out a box of condoms and some lube. Cloud blushed and Genesis pulled Zack up by the back of his neck. Zack looked to Angeal for support, but found none for once from his mentor.
"Explain yourself, Fair." Genesis growled.
"I just figured since he was legal and all, it would just be a matter of time, until you know what and I wanted ya to be prepared." Zack sputtered.
"Let's go, Zack." Angeal said, standing.
"But we haven't had cake!" Zack protested.
"Bad puppies don't get cake." Genesis snapped.
"What did I do?" Zack said wide eyed. "I mean I know it was a bit out there, but still."
"I'll explain later." Angeal said, dragging his student out of the apartment.
Cloud was beet red as he closed Zack's box and Sephiroth was glad he was the only one getting to enjoy it at the moment.
I think that's the longest Chapter for Serendipity yet XD. I hope you all enjoy, Thank you to everyone who has read/review/favorited/ and followed. As always please review. They really do make my day.
AN#1 It was brought to my attention by my beta that Pot Stickers may not translate well. I left it as is, but decided to note that at least here in America (or at least the part I'm from) Pot Stickers are essentially like Fried Dumplings and rather tasty. Hope that clears up any confusion.
Chapters 1-14 are now beta'd by fenhuang