First, I would like to wish everyone strength and love in harsh times. Things are happening all over the world, and I hope your loved ones are all safe and taken care of. My heart goes out to all of you :)
That said; guys, I'm almost afraid to post my next chapter! Ya'll wrote kind of the same reviews and I'm not sure if I'm doing a bad job or if it's simply drawing so much frustration from you that it's become a good thing. I hope it's the latter! This story has always been a rollercoaster of emotions, and it's going to be full of more ups and downs (though there will definitely be progress, don't worry. We haven't arrived at an impasse!) You'll be feeling the love soon enough. Let's face it, I will always keep tipping the scale and put you on a trail that can lead anywhere at all. So, with a little apprehension, I'm posting my next chapter and pray that you guys won't bash my head in.
Doppelganger: Glad you appeciated Gen's return ;) I've been in one of those relationships too, and it's painful. Although in my case it didn't end well, I'm still rooting for them :) Eden's relationship with Seph was sweet, even if she was a lot less responsible back then. If she could find something like that again, her life would finally get some stability. However, she's partially to blame for the chaos in her life at the moment. Thank you for your review! I hope you'll enjoy the rest of Gen :P
Guest: Thank you for the compliment! That really means a lot. Their relationship has become a little toxic, yes, but I hope you will continue reading my story :D I think not every relationship is fluffy and lovey-dovey, and sometimes people need to grow a little first. I think Eden is well on her way. Stay tuned for future developments!
RubyRoo: I was planning on finishing this story before the remake comes out, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen. (Unless we go into total lockdown, what else am I going to do for 3 weeks?) I totally understand where you're coming from, even I can feel it. I'm still invested, so don't give up hope! It seems that this chapter has stirred up some things in readers, I'm hoping it's a good thing! Eden and Vincent are great together, but I don't think Vincent could ever feel any form of romance towards her, I think she's too aggressive for that. Still, I really adore Vincent! I hope that I can manage to make you feel warmth again, and entice you enough to keep reading.
Kei: First of all, thank you so much for your concern :) I'm from the Netherlands and things are starting to become a bit hectic. The country is slowly going into lock-down, but for now I have no family or friends who have fallen ill. I do hope everything is all right with you and your family. You hit the nail on the head concerning Genesis! It's an idolization thing, though he may have some actual feelings for Eden, it's become more of an obsession rather than an actual love thing (for now, because stay tuned :P) I think his possessive nature won't sit well with Eden, but she feels like what she is doing is self-sacrifice. She's been known to do it, which is why Reno got so angry in the first place. I think he knows her a lot better than she realizes. Maybe the hard part is behind them now? What Eden and Vince share is definitely something deeper, it's a connection she doesn't have with anyone, not even with Ollie, but no, I don't think they could ever fall in love with each other. That being said, hold on for the ride!
Chapter 197
When I emerged from the front entrance, I found everyone looking up at the sky, gaping at an entire fleet of airships. At least two dozen of them. There was one among them that was familiar to me, the Shera. It was Cid's ship, named after his lovely wife. The fact that he was here with a complete war-fleet made my heart thump faster in excitement. Battle was what I was made for, and I wasn't the only one looking happy. Yuffie was jumping up and down like a little girl, in great contrast to Reno, who had followed after me, looking sullen. His hands were in his pockets, and he shot a few sad glances my way. I almost felt sorry for him. Why was I lying to myself? I did feel sorry for him. An arm snaked its way around my waist, drawing me closer into red leather and Genesis' scent. It was strangely enticing to me.
"How could we ever lose a war with all these ships?" He asked me with a smile. "Victory will be ours. Tuesti," He called to Reeve, who looked at him in question. "When do we depart?"
"We will have a word with Cid first," Reeve explained as Cid dropped a ladder, making Ollie jump out of the way to avoid getting hit in the head. "We are yet to discuss our strategy. But first, I must greet my friend." He nodded at us and stepped towards the ladder to welcome Cid, who was ascending now.
I wanted to do the same, but Genesis' grip on me was so tight it made me squirm. I felt Vincent's eyes on me, burning into me intently. When I looked his way, he turned away from me and went inside, leaving me to wonder what that look had been about.
"Who the hell is this guy?" Cid asked Reeve as his eyes landed on me and Genesis. "This gal finally found someone stupid enough to give it a try, huh?"
Reeve cleared his throat as I felt Genesis tense up beside me. "This is Genesis, Cid."
"Oh..." Cid replied a little awkwardly. "I don't wanna know how that happened. You got a drink?" He then added to Reeve, who seemed relieved at the change of subject.
"Yes, we should head inside," He nodded and looked around at everyone. Some of them, like Elena, looked dead on their feet. After the beating I took yesterday, I could use some rest as well. "Cid and I will discuss with Rufus and Tseng. The rest of you, get some sleep. You are going to need it."
"Tuesti," Genesis said as we all headed back inside together. "Could you show Eden and myself to our room?"
I froze and managed to free myself from his grip this time. "Our room?" I demanded from him, trying hard to push my heart back into my chest.
It had decided to shoot up into my throat at the thought of ending up in his bed tonight.
He looked at me in bewilderment, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world we'd be sharing a bed together. Genesis looked at me in mild surprise. "Surely we only require one-"
"We surely do not," I argued, feeling indignant at his audacity. Was this how it was going to be? Him thinking he could crawl into bed with me and woo me like some naive maiden? Because, yes, he would succeed. Dammit. "Reeve, get me my own room, you hear me?" I looked at him and saw his face had gone a little red.
"Of course," He said. "I will arrange for someone to take you there."
"Eden..." Genesis faced me as Reeve made his way down the hall with most of the others. "Can't you trust me? I wouldn't-" I didn't cut him off, but tore myself away from him and stomped outside. "Where are you going?!" He called after me as I went.
No, I didn't trust him the way he wanted me to, but that wasn't the only problem. I couldn't trust myself either. Long ago, I'd already felt the way my body responded to his proximity, the way heat had exploded in my chest when he had kissed me, over eight years ago. There was no way I could deny the fact that he was physically appealing to me. I didn't trust my own body in bed with him. I had to get my mind off things, no matter how tired I might be.
"Hunting," I grumbled, ignoring the desperation in his voice.
"Eden!" He tried again. "It could be dangerous out there."
"Forget it, man," I heard Ollie chime in as I strode down the grass. "Handling her takes years of practice, and she still does whatever the hell she wants. Give it up."
The grass outside offered the wonderful smell of Fall making its way over the lands. I'd moved over to the mountainside, not wanting to be in full view of the airships. I wanted some peace and quiet. The wind had picked up, making the conditions excellent for a good afternoon of hunting. While everyone else rested, I could catch up on some exercise. Due to the winds, the beasts and monsters in the area would easily pick up my scent, and it wasn't long before a flock of Hippogriffs announced themselves. They were strong and proud monsters, easily offended and easily riled. All you had to do was end up in their like of vision and they would attack. Which they did. Five of them came at me simultaneously, snapping their beaks and beating their wings at me. I rolled and chopped off a head in one smooth swing. It tumbled to the ground beside me, its body following seconds later. Paws continued clawing at the sky for a few moments longer, but I had already moved on to the next one. I ducked a deadly looking claw and then a dangerous peck, feeling like I was dancing with death. I reveled in it, felt alive because of it. Soon, I was surrounded by blood and feathers, standing in a circle of dead Hippogriffs. I was panting slightly from effort, but I wasn't tired in the least. If anything, I felt more alert than I had all day, and I knew I was ready for the battle to come.
"What a very Sephiroth thing to do," Someone said from behind me. I spun around to find Genesis watching me, arms folded over his chest, a smirk on his face. "This hunting. Isn't that something he used to do to pass the time? Before he had you to pass it with."
I wondered if he was trying to taunt me, but the look on his face told me he was serious. He was Sephiroth's best friend once. He knew all his perks, all his good and bad sides. Maybe even more so than I did. Sephiroth was the one who had introduced me to this hunting, and I had loved every second of it, even if it had been straight up torture at times.
"It keeps me alert," I replied, flinging some blood off my blades. "I need a challenge occasionally, I don't like getting bored. Sitting inside a ship listening to briefings and reading files is not my thing. I'm an action kinda gal."
"Yes, I know." He replied before he suddenly charged at me, red Rapier flashing and ready to take me down. I almost gasped at his sudden move, and barely managed to block his attack. When he had been my mentor long ago, he had never assaulted me so aggressively. He'd always held back, reading poetry to me while watching me defeat the easiest of simulations. He'd fought me as if we were two lovers in a dance, never challenging me, only wanting to be close to me. But now, he was fierce and magnificent, pushing me back without much effort. I tried to match him, to roll and jump and push whenever I could, tried to stand my ground, but I knew I would never best him. There was no way I could ever defeat Genesis. He was still holding back, I could tell, but only because he wasn't doing this to hurt me. I arched my back as I twirled, only just avoiding the tip of his sword, but I retaliated with a kick to his side. It seemed he had missed the memo saying I didn't need a blade to hurt someone. My boot made contact, and actual surprise flashed over his features, before his lips curled into a devious smirk. I was in for it now. His blade flashed in the sunlight again, and I flipped backwards twice to stay out of range. He kept coming at me, never giving me a moment to counter. I knocked his sword aside with mine and took a swing at him. He easily caught my fist in his and pulled me towards him playfully, drawing an actual squeal from my lips. I somersaulted into his chest, forcing him back a few steps. He chuckled and wiped the blades of grass off his uniform. "I see you've learned some new tricks. Whatever have you been doing all these years?"
My weapons were still raised before me, ready for the next assault. "Mercenary work. Mostly killing bad people, you know how it is."
"So you've gotten stronger," He smiled. "Show me then." He raised his blade over his shoulder, also getting ready. I loved this. I flourished in this. It felt just like years ago, when I was still in the academy and I could fight all out without having to worry about my opponent, able to give it my all. We fought and clashed, blades flying through the air like the wings of a butterfly, cutting left and right, slicing up and down. We went on like this for what felt like half an hour, until my arms were getting heavier, and I felt my body begin to protest. Still, I loved every second of it, pushed myself over the limits of the past. I laughed at the joy of it, laughed even louder when I stumbled from exhaustion and had to grab onto Genesis to keep my balance. He was laughing now too, and it was such a genuine sound I didn't offer protest when he tackled me to the ground with him. I yelped when I landed on my back in the grass, from where I looked up at him, still amazed by the sudden change in him. I realized I didn't even remember him ever laughing like this. He was hovering over me, weight pressing down on me. For some reason, I didn't seem to mind as much as I should. His laughter seized and his smile slowly vanished when he stared into my eyes. My breath caught in my throat when his mouth crashed into mine in another assault. My lips parted willingly, without even considering it. He tasted just as I remembered, sweet and forbidden. I'd kissed this man twice before, but I hadn't enjoyed it the way I did now. The first time, I had been surprised, and too inexperienced. The second time I had tried to deceive him, but now there was no reason for me to not enjoy myself for once, even thought that voice already started talking in the back of my head. It was trying to pull me away from the pleasure, tried to warn me that I didn't feel for this man, that nothing compared to Reno, but I didn't care. My body had needs. Needs it had been denied for eight long years and I wouldn't wait any longer. Even if the voice was right, I would force myself to enjoy this if I had to. Warm tongue slowly explored my mouth, fought my own tongue for dominance. His passion didn't surprise me, and before long, I gave in to his touch. My hands had a will of their own, digging into his scalp and tugging on his coat. He groaned at my assertion and tore his coat open, leaving me to yank on the buckles on his chest. He groaned even louder when I used my leg to pull him in between my thighs. His slow kiss became desperate, deeper, the need to taste as important as the need to breathe. I moaned as his hand explored unknown territory, my body aching to be touched. I finally managed to tear the buckles on his uniform open, revealing a pale, muscular chest. "Eden," He breathed between kisses, but I didn't want to talk. Right now, all I wanted was to finally give my body what it wanted, no matter what that voice in the back of my head kept trying to tell me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him into me completely, not a hair's width between our panting bodies. "Eden-"
"Shut up." I growled and pulled his mouth to mine again.
I didn't care what he had to say. But the more passionate the moment became, the more this annoying voice kept calling to me, building up my frustration. Every swirl of his tongue reminded me of Reno, how he tasted, how he felt, but I ignored it and focused on what was happening now. Genesis' hand disappeared under my shirt and I arched into the touch of cold leather on my skin. My nails dragged down his chest, and my breath swallowed his gasp. His hand found its way to my neck, tilting my head back for better access. I offered it eagerly. I let my fingers travel down his skin, over his stomach and down to his buckle, and started tugging again. He caught my hand with his, removing it from his buckle and brought it to his lips to press another kiss to my knuckles.
"Eden," He whispered to me, the wind playing with his hair. His bright eyes were dark with passion, his cheeks pink from excitement. I wondered if I looked like that. Wondered if my lips were so swollen and red from kissing. They probably were."We need to stop," He said. "Don't misunderstand..I-"
"I don't want to stop," I shook my head, hoping that my voice sounded more resolute than I felt. That voice in the back of my head was calling to me again, even more so now that the moment had ended. It kept telling me this was wrong, this was too soon. I shouldn't follow my hormones like this. "I want you to have your way with me," At my words, his pupils expanded, the color on his cheeks deepened. Still he shook his head in determination. I sighed in frustration and tried to push him off, but he didn't budge. "What the hell is wrong with men these days, huh?" I demanded in anger. "Can't a girl get some action?"
He stared down at me in shock. "Eden..." He breathed, astounded. "Can't you tell that I want you? You know that I do, most desperately, I might add." Now it was my time to blush. "But, understand, I don't want you to hurry into this. Remember what you told me. I need to prove myself first. If you decide that this isn't what you want.. I wouldn't want you to regret this. I looked up at him in awe. He was actually looking out for me in this? These words alone told me that he cared more than I had thought. "I heard Sephiroth returned..." He whispered while he traced a gloved finger down the side of my face. "They told me he hurt you."
I swallowed. This wasn't what I wanted to talk about at all. It surprised me that he did. If there was one thing he had hated, it had been standing in Sephiroth's shadow. He'd despised him in the end, even though they had been best friends for most of their lives.
"We fought," I said softly. "He didn't hurt me, but he forced me to go with him." I didn't tell him that it hadn't been much different from what he himself had done eight years ago. Only with Sephiroth, it had been Reno's life that had hung in the balance. Which was also something I didn't want to share with Genesis. "Cloud defeated him, in the end."
"What he did to you was wrong, Eden," Genesis said kindly. "I know I've hurt you, so bad… If I could take it all back, I would. I-" He lowered his head, leaning his forehead against mine. "I felt betrayed. By Shinra, by him, by you… Look what Shinra has done to us."
"I know," I replied, feeling sad for him. "But that's all over now. Once Deepground is gone, we can finally move on."
He smiled at me sadly, the blush was slowly draining from his face, leaving him pale once more. He pressed a soft kiss to my lips and got off me, holding out a hand to pull me to my feet. "Let's go see how far Tuesti has come with the briefing, perhaps I can have some valuable input."
"I want to go take a shower first." I looked down at myself, feeling sweaty and dirty for different reasons than my hunting.
Now that my mind had cooled a little and the wind cooled my body, I felt more than a little ashamed of myself. I was glad Genesis had stopped me, because I would have no doubt regretted what had been about to happen. I looked at him awkwardly and made my way back to HQ.
The shower was more than refreshing, but I hated myself more than ever before. Even sleeping with Rufus wouldn't have been this bad. What got to me the most, was the fact that I had wanted him to kiss me, had wanted him to do more. Do all. Not only did I for some reason feel like I was cheating on Reno, -which I wasn't, when I thought about it reasonably-, but I also felt like I was betraying myself. My own body had betrayed me. I should have been appalled by his touch, should have shoved him away from me, but for some reason, my body felt it would be all right to fraternize with the enemy. Apparently, history did repeat itself. I felt the same way I had when I had slept with Sephiroth inside my head, that night at the camp fire in Cosmo Canyon. He had been our enemy then and I had betrayed all my friends. Still, that hadn't actually been real, unlike this. How could I do something like this? Was I this desperate? Or was I looking for a way to hurt Reno? I scolded myself some more, even slapped myself on the cheek a few times. Was this what I had succumbed to? Once I had finished crying to myself and stepped out of the shower, I still felt bad. I could only hope that this was something else that Reno would never find out about. He'd already been pretty upset over the idea of Genesis and I together, let alone me sleeping with him. When had I turned into this kind of girl? After the mirror was clear again and I wanted to apply some make up, I saw my lips were still swollen. I sighed and rolled my eyes at my luck. When I was somewhat presentable, I stepped out of the room appointed to me and made my way outside, hoping the others hadn't been forced to wait for too long. Then again, I was a girl of action, and didn't care much for words. All they needed to do was tell me when and where to go. I wasn't complicated in that sense.
"You're making a mistake," A deep voice spoke to me from the darkness to the left. When I narrowed my eyes to see who was there, two red orbs glowed at me from the dark. They moved closer, and out stepped Vincent, arms crossed over his chest. The look on his face was closest to anger I had ever seen on him. He was always so composed. "You're doing the same thing that has been done to me. You are running into another man's arms under the pretense that you are doing it for 'the greater good'. I've heard that one before, Eden. It doesn't work that way."
He took me by surprise with his words. When I thought about it, I could see what he meant. He had lost his love to another man, so she could continue on with the experiments that had eventually created Sephiroth. Had she ever felt love for Hojo? Or had she done it like Vincent said, for 'the greater good'? I didn't love Genesis, that much I knew, but my love was for someone who didn't bother to fight for me. If he actually tried...
"I don't need your lecture, Vincent. I already got one from Reno himself." I tried to push past him, but it seemed he wouldn't give up that easily.
"You're running," He pressed as he took a step to the side to block my path. "And so is he. You can still make this right. If you continue with this, then you will lose him forever."
"Did she lose you?" I challenged, sounding harsher than I had meant. "Seems to me you still haven't given up on her, even when she slept with someone else and married that monster. We're thirty years later, and you still love her the way you used to do. You tried for her, you even died for her. What's Reno do for me, huh? Besides make a fool out of me. All he does is trick me to come closer to him, only to push me away every time I do. Genesis will never do that to me. He'll beg me to stay with him every day. Don't I deserve that?"
"He loves you, Eden." Vincent said honestly, ignoring all my stabbing comments.
"Don't- say that!" I was getting angry, frustrated.
I didn't want to hear it, not from anyone but the man himself. But he would never tell me that, not in those words or any other. He would keep on pushing me away, only wanting me when he felt like he was losing me. My heart couldn't bear it any longer. I would give it to Genesis, and I would be cherished and loved, finally.
"I am only giving you the truth," He pressed, anger flashing in his eyes now. It was frightening to behold. "There will be nothing but loneliness for you if you take this road. Believe me, as your friend." I fell back against the wall and stared up at the ceiling in misery.
"Things..." I started, and took a deep breath before continuing. "..Have become more complicated." I leveled my eyes again and looked at Vincent, who was once again the epitome of calm. He raised a curious eyebrow at my statement, nothing more. "I haven't told you this yet," I sighed, thinking I should come clean. No matter how much I didn't want to hear it, Vincent's words were always honest and true. Maybe now was the time to finally start taking some advice. He needed the whole story for that. "Back in Whiterun...Gods, this is embarrassing..." My cheeks flushed, and I was unable to hide it. "Rufus declared me his personal conquest. He even-" I broke off, not sure I should tell him about the part that came after. "Let's say he took the liberty of ending up in my bed without an invitation."
Vincent's eyes moved away from me, falling to the floor in unease. "I see how that might complicate things.." He said in thought. "Assuming you haven't told anyone?"
I shook my head. "No one but Ollie, who came to my rescue when I screamed. I'm not very fond of other people's hands on me. He's lucky I didn't kill him. If Reno ever finds out, I'm worried he might actually quit his job. Being a Turk is his life. He stayed with Shinra, even after it fell, even when every other employee abandoned Rufus and the Turks scattered themselves across the Planet, never to return. Only four of them remained loyal. I can't take that faith in Rufus away from him. At the same time, it's Rufus who has forbidden him from seeing me, and Reno would never disobey an order like that. Rufus told him he's slacking in his job, and the last thing Reno wants is to be stripped of his position. So you see? I either destroy his life, or I have to give him up. I refuse to destroy his life," I grit my teeth in determination, only fueling my resolve to keep the truth to myself now that I'd heard myself say it. "What's left for me but the logical step? Genesis is a good match. He's everything a girl could want."
"But he's not what you want, Eden."
I was about to open my mouth to retort, when a look of pain shot over Vincent's face. He clutched his chest with a groan and went down onto his knees. His breathing quickened, became more labored.
"Vincent?!" I fell down to my knees beside him, clutching onto him, holding him up. More groans were fighting their way from his throat, turning into deeper, inhuman growls. He started to transform before my eyes, into Chaos. I gasped and shook him, but his now yellow eyes latched onto me with primal hunger. He lunged at me, taking me down to the ground hard, knocking my skull into the metal below me. His clawed hands lashed out at me, trying to tear me to pieces. "Vincent!" I called again, already knowing this wouldn't get through to him. I rolled to the side just as he swung at me again, leaving four deep gouge marks in the floor where my head had just been. I threw him off me and tried to crawl away, but I wasn't fast enough. Chaos was a force to be reckoned with, I had seen Vincent transformed before. But that had been before he had lost possession of the Protomateria, and the ability to control Chaos the way he saw fit. Now, it seemed, Chaos was controlling him. He dragged me back towards him by the ankle, all the while growling menacingly at his caught prey. I rolled onto my back and punched him in the head, knocking him to the side. He bared his teeth at me, but I slapped him again. "Vincent!" I yelled at him, getting back up on my knees and gripping his face between my palms. "Look at me." He struggled and growled, claws digging into my sides. I ignored the pain and shook him again. "Vincent!" I breathed. "It's Eden, you know me, look at me." Yellow eyes snapped to mine, his porcelain face going blank. "Look into my eyes, Vincent. Breathe with me." He tore out of my grip, but I caught him again, forcing him to look at me. "Calm down, Vincent! It's Eden. I'm your friend, look at me. Breathe in," I breathed in, holding him steady. "And out. In… and out. Breathe, come on, come back to me... In... out." The fingers tearing into my waist were losing their grip, loosening until his hands fell uselessly to his sides. Slowly, he started transforming back into himself, magnificent red changing back to raven black hair, yellow eyes closing. "Breathe with me," I whispered as I pulled him onto my shoulder, holding onto him. Vincent was panting, another groan of pain left him. I held him tight, and his breathing calmed. I felt his frantic heartbeat overshadowing my own, but I knew he was all right. "Are you with me?"
"...Yes," His voice was hoarse and weary.
"You okay?"
"Yes..."
"Don't do that again." He actually chuckled at my words. It was weak, but there. "Now is not the time for jokes, Vincent," I pulled back from him and looked him over, making sure he was indeed all right. "You frightened me there."
His eyed dropped to my lap. "I frightened myself as well..." He mumbled, before his eyes widened and met mine. "I've hurt you, Eden. I-" He tried to push himself off the ground and away from me, but I clutched his shoulder, not letting him escape.
"It's all right," I shook my head to reassure him. "It's nothing, I promise."
"I-"
"Look at me," I demanded again, forcing him to look me in the eyes once more. "This isn't your fault, you hear me? I know what to do now. It will be fine. We're going to defeat Weiss and we'll get that materia back for you. Don't worry." He nodded, still seeming unconvinced, but a little more at ease. "Didn't think you'd get so worked up over my love-life, I'm touched." He frowned at me helplessly, and I thought that for a moment, I saw the man he was before all this happened to him. When I laughed at the look on his face, he rolled his eyes. It seemed he was finally beginning to understand when I was joking with him. I scrambled off the floor and helped Vincent up. He was still a little breathless, but it must have cost him great effort to push Chaos aside. Blood was running down my hips, staining my pants and shirt. I really couldn't last a day without getting cut one place or another. "Where is everyone?" It suddenly occurred to me that there was no one in the hallways.
"Everyone has boarded the ships. Reeve has discussed strategy with Shinra. Genesis said you went back inside to your room. Reeve would like to start the briefing, so I came to find you."
I was surprised that Genesis hadn't offered. Maybe he respected my privacy more than I had expected him to. Especially after what had just happened outside. I felt the tips of my ears go red and I ran a hand through my hair. Vincent must have offered so he could change my mind about getting involved with Genesis. Obviously, he shouldn't get worked up right now.
"All right, let's go then," I said. "But let me put some clean clothes on first..."
