"Cloud, we have to think of a plan." Genesis said, he was lying in bed with Cloud. It had been so long since they had taken the time to rest. It was surprising what small comforts they had missed.
"I know and the first thing we should do, is locate Jenova" Cloud said with a sigh. "There's no guarantee she's in the reactor."
"Well, that should be easy enough to check." Genesis pulled Cloud into his arms. "But how are we going to dispose of her? We can't just destroy her or she will infect the life stream again."
Cloud thought for a moment, then spoke. "Cid's rocket. We'll give her the damn trip to the stars she wanted."
Genesis hummed a bit, "We'll have to find a way to make it up to him."
"I think he'd understand, at least the Cid we knew." Cloud said, "This one, we'll figure out something. Saving the world come first."
"I can hear him cursing at you now." Genesis laughed and it felt good. For the first time in a long time, they could remember old friends with a bit of hope.
"But yes, going and checking on Jenova is a good idea. I know the requests for SOLDIER assistance was almost constant. They almost always went unheeded." Cloud said, a bit of bitter nostalgia in his voice. "We can wake Vincent, too. If we do eventually tell Sephiroth the truth, it would be good to have the man there."
Genesis nodded, it would be good to see Vincent again, out of all of Cloud's friends from Avalanche, Genesis had like the old pilot and the quiet gunman the most. Vincent had understood what it felt like to think of yourself as a monster. The 3 of them (Cloud, Vincent and Genesis) had worked together to wash away old sins. "What about your mother?"
Cloud tensed a bit, his mother had been such an old loss, he had almost forgotten that she would still be alive now. "I want to see her again, to introduce you to her, like I never got to before." He finally said, relaxing a bit, leaning his head back to steal a kiss from Genesis.
"Would you find it silly, if I said, I wanted to introduce you to Angeal's mother?" Genesis said with a small grin. He had long ago forgiven the woman for any part she had had in his fate. "She was a mother to me, more than my adoptive parents ever were. I want to save her just as much. She killed herself over what happened."
"I would be honored to meet her." Cloud said, feeling Genesis's sorrow as he talked of the woman. Speaking of past events, knowing they had a chance to change things, it was bittersweet.
"We need to figure out how to get you into SOLDIER, too, it will be easier and less suspicious to get you assigned with me, if you were in the program." Genesis said, putting a small kiss on the side of Cloud's neck.
"You want me to think when you're doing that?" Cloud almost purred.
"You do your best thinking under pressure." Genesis said with a slight smirk and kissed Cloud's neck again.
"It's been forever since we've-" Cloud really did moan as Genesis bit down on his neck, sucking harder.
"I know and it will be a bit longer, I don't doubt we will be interrupted soon, but I just can't resist." Genesis said, brushing his fingers down the front of Cloud's shirt.
With the fighting for their life and the life of others, moments to be together intimately had just vanished. Now, when the world wasn't in danger of dying at any moment, Genesis was having trouble keeping his hands to himself.
"Who?" Cloud asked, voice a bit heavy. Cloud thought he might just kill them, if it meant Genesis would continue.
"Sephiroth." Genesis almost whispered. Now Cloud was certain he was just going to kill the man.
The reaction was immediate, like a bucket of ice water had been dropped on him. "Why would that man?"
"You forget he was my friend." Genesis said, shaking his head. "If Angeal's told him I'm really sick, he'll likely check on me. The man may appear to have a heart of ice, but he really did care for those close to him. List was just painfully short." Guilt danced at the edges of Genesis's voice.
"For your sake and your sake alone, I will let you attempt to save him." Cloud finally relented. "But know, if he shows any,absolutely any sign of his old insane self, I will not hesitate to kill him on the spot."
"And I would help you." Genesis promised, a bit of relief washing through him. Genesis had been the one to lead Sephiroth to insanity, having a chance to fix that mistake meant the world to him.
"I suppose when it gets right down to it, I can't kill an innocent man." Cloud admitted, head hanging a bit.
"I want to tell him at least part of the truth." Genesis pushed, "Part of what drove him mad were the secrets Angeal and I kept from him. He's smart, you know this. He'll know something is wrong and he won't stop till he figures out what. He can help us to get you into SOLDIER as well. If Angeal, myself and him recommend you, you should be able to bypass the entrance exams at least."
Cloud shook his head, Sephiroth would always been a contention point between them, he figured. Letting Genesis try to save the man was one thing, actually trusting him was another. Cloud however trusted Genesis and Genesis had known the real Sephiroth. Cloud acknowledged that he only knew the man once he had gone insane.
"I don't like it," Cloud started. "But I trust you. Tell him what you want. But getting into SOLDIER is the easy part for me, how do we explain the enhancements. I mean, those are pretty exclusive to Shinra, I'm not even sure if the Ravens are around yet. Not that I would want to pose as one of them."
"There's not much we can do that won't make Hojo or Hollander suspicious, but perhaps we can play on the animosity they have for each other." Genesis offered.
"What do you mean?" Cloud said, looking back up at his lover.
"Well, if we can get the other to believe that you're a product of their rival's experiments, it would keep them running in circles. They pride themselves on knowing what the other is up to at all times." Genesis explained. "They would eventually figure it out, but hopefully they will be dead by then. Plus, if I'm right, they wouldn't touch you. It seems to be the only unwritten rule they ever followed. Hojo wouldn't give me so much as a flu shot."
"That sounds promising and, if things go south, we can just kill them. We've both ran from Shinra before, we can do it again until things are resolved." Cloud stated firmly.
"I'd rather not, but if it does come down to that, we'll get through it." Genesis acknowledged, shifting his weight a bit on the bed. A moment later there was a polite knock on his door.
"That's likely Sephiroth, I know how you feel, just stay in here, at least until I explain things to him." Genesis whispered into Cloud' ear.
Even the actual words couldn't suppress the shudder that went through Cloud's body as he felt Genesis's warm breath hit him. It really had been too long.
Cloud just stayed silent as Genesis stood, leaving the room.
Another knock came, "Genesis, are you alright in there?" Sephiroth asked as Genesis finally answered the door.
"Come in." Genesis offered, standing back a bit so Sephiroth could enter.
Sephiroth eyed Genesis, he didn't look sick, but still, something about his demeanor was off. "You seem well enough to have attended the meeting."
Genesis sat in his chair. "Physically maybe," He acknowledged.
"Don't tell me you skipped the meeting on the merits of an emotional break down and Angeal bought it." Sephiroth said, crossing his arms.
"I'm not sure emotional breakdown is the right word." Genesis said, still struggling on just what to tell Sephiroth. It would be harder to get him to understand than Angeal, he knew.
"Then why don't you tell me what's wrong. I might have to take you off the mission roster." Sephiroth said with a smirk.
"That might be best." Genesis said, not looking up.
Now Sephiroth knew something was wrong. Genesis was always looking to play the part of the hero. Threatening to take him off duty was the one thing that always got him out of his moods.
"Genesis, seriously, what's happened?" Sephiroth said, unfolding his arms, concern in his voice.
"I don't know where to start." Genesis finally said.
"How about the beginning?" Sephiroth replied, looking at him.
"Which one?" Genesis asked.
"There's more than one?" Sephiroth said, raising one of his eyebrows.
"You'll think I'm crazy, I'm sure, but yes, in a matter of speaking at least." Genesis said, shaking his head. "But I suppose for what's relevant, it began about 15 years ago for me."
"This has been going on for 15 years? Since you were 10 in Banora?" Sephiroth asked, and Genesis was slightly surprised that Sephiroth remembered his home town.
"No, like I said, for me 15 years ago at Shinra." Genesis sighed, he knew he was being misleading. "In about a week, when the Seconds are all assigned out of the city, we will sneak off to the virtual training room for a bit of fun. There I sustained an injury that all but destroyed me. By the time I recovered from my madness, the events that started the end of the world had already begun. "
"Genesis," Sephiroth looked at him with an unreadable expression. "You really expect me to believe this? Is this what you told Angeal? "
"No, I don't really expect you to believe it, I know you, and truth or not, it's a bit hard to take, even for me who's experienced it. But yes, this is basically what I told Angeal and he does believe me." Genesis stated.
Sephiroth pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe I'm asking this, but do you have any proof?"
Proof, he had proof, but a lot of it were things he had promised not to share. Well, there was one other thing, but he was sure it would turn out badly. Still, he had to get Sephiroth to believe him.
"The best proof I have, I suppose, is the man who came back with me. He's currently in my bedroom and right now a Cadet." Genesis said, Cloud was going to kill him. Well, he was going to kill Sephiroth then he was going to kill him.
"You have a cadet in your bedroom?" Sephiroth knew he was going to need some painkillers after this. Genesis barely knew that cadets existed.
"Well, not really, he's not a cadet, not anymore. Well he is, but, damnit, this is complicated. He's so much more than a cadet and probably -" Genesis cut himself off, he was going to say 'probably the strongest person on the planet', but instead finished with "Going to kill me"
"Why would he kill you?" Sephiroth asked.
"Because he promised to leave me out of this discussion." Cloud had exited the bedroom. He stood stern and confident, icy cold eyes locked on Sephiroth.
Sephiroth was a bit taken aback, no one had ever looked at him like that, not even the people of Wutai. He could feel hate radiating off the man, directed at him.
"Cloud? I'm sorry, I couldn't think of anything else." Genesis asked tentatively, another thing that startled Sephiroth. Something wasn't right. Even if he was joking around, Genesis would rather die than act submissively towards a cadet, hell, he'd rather die than act submissively towards anyone.
"Whatever, I heard everything. I'll put up with it for now, just finish filling him in. I'll answer whatever questions he has." Cloud said a bit too harshly. Though honestly, he was quite put off by the fact that Sephiroth was acting almost human. He didn't want to believe Genesis, but the concern that Sephiroth had had in his voice, had been real.
"Why do you have Mako in your system?" Sephiroth asked, how could he not notice the eyes?
The cold eyes landed back on him as Cloud answered. "When Minerva sent us back in time, she left my enhancements, knowing I'd need them." Cloud said, he still hadn't walked too far from the bedroom door.
"You were a SOLDIER then?" Sephiroth asked, he knew it probably wasn't smart to be prodding the man, but found it fascinating. No one had ever acted this way towards him, especially a fresh cadet.
"That's part of the proof I'd offer you. Check his file, he enlisted just a week ago and was clean from Mako when he entered. You know as well as I do that it takes longer than a week for enhancements like his to set in." Genesis insisted.
"I suppose." Sephiroth said, "But this is still ridiculous. If you are from the future, then why are you here?'
"The world ended, Sephiroth." Genesis said, getting a bit quieter. "Minerva gave us this chance to make things right."
"What do you plan to do?" Sephiroth finally asked. He was confused. He wanted to believe Genesis, but the story sounded too much like one of his fairy tales. And what of this mystery cadet? None of it made any sense.
"What ever it takes." Genesis said. "We can't let the world fall into ruin again."
Sephiroth shock his head. "A little less vague and a little less drama, please."
"We're going to destroy the source of the problem." Cloud finally offered and Sephiroth for some reason felt like the man was talking about him.
"Cloud, please don't goad the man into a fight." Genesis said, looking to the blonde.
Sephiroth was usually in total control of his emotions, but Genesis and this Cloud had him on edge. He nearly laughed at the idea that a cadet would want to fight him, even if he was a cadet with unexplained Mako enhancements. Well, maybe not unexplained, but it just wasn't possible, was it?
"You're keeping something from me and expect me to believe you. This is just ridiculous. Either tell me the truth or I'm turning your cadet friend in and I'll find out then how he got Mako in his system." Sephiroth pressed.
"You won't touch me." Cloud said and he seemed to be reaching for something that wasn't there.
"Cloud, Sephiroth, both of you stop." Genesis said, but he moved and put his hands on Cloud's shoulders.
"I told you this was a bad idea." Cloud said, looking at Genesis. Sephiroth could tell that the ice was gone from his eyes however, replaced by something else.
"I told you, he would figure things out anyway, I know we wanted to wait to tell him everything, till Vincent was here to help, but I think we need to do it now." Genesis was asking permission. Sephiroth idly wondered if this was just some strange dream.
"Vincent? Who's Vincent?' Sephiroth asked.
Cloud opened his mouth to answer, but Genesis quickly covered it with his own. Sephiroth just raised an eyebrow as Genesis pulled back. "Let me explain, alright?" Genesis asked.
Cloud just looked away and nodded. Genesis turned back to Sephiroth.
"Vincent is a friend from the future." Genesis explained, "He knows part of the story better than we do. Even though he's not here, he can confirm our story, well, parts of it anyway, when you meet him."
Sephiroth for his part just listened and Genesis continued on.
" The truth is, Sephiroth, the injury that I spoke of and what drove me to my madness were experiments conducted by Hollander before I was even born." Genesis dove in, he told him all about himself and Angeal, the desertion, everything leading up to Nibelhiem. He still hadn't mentioned Jenova yet, knowing Sephiroth currently thought that that was his mother's name.
"That's quite a story." Sephiroth finally said, taking in what Genesis had told him.
"It's only half of it." Genesis said, "Not even that and the next part is what I fear telling you, because it drove you to your own madness."
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed and he could tell that Cloud was extremely tense. Maybe now he would find out why the cadet was trying to kill him with his eyes.
"There were two parts to the experiment that created Angeal and myself. The other half, well, it was led by Professor Hojo." Genesis finally said.
"Professor Hojo?" Sephiroth asked, but Genesis could see the wheels turning. Cloud was watching Sephiroth, ready to act if something went wrong. "Me, I'm the other experiment, am I not?"
"Yes, you are. At the time in the reactor, you discovered this surrounded by Hojo's inhumane experiments and I convinced you, you were a monster. The notes Hojo had left behind in the Nibelheim mansion only reinforced what I had been saying. Also, the creature that had been used to conduct the experiments was there in the reactor. The differences in the experiments meant you reacted to it differently and it took over your mind. You destroyed the town. No one knows all the details, because the only people to survive the encounter were Cloud and Zack. Though, at this point, we know Cloud was the one to throw you into the reactor." Genesis said, shaking his head.
Cloud was tense and Genesis knew he wanted to explode on Sephiroth, let the man know all the pain he had caused, but he had promised to let Genesis tell the story and he would thank Cloud for it later.
"I want to say that the idea that I was some freak science experiment by Hojo is unbelievable. But in a twisted way it makes the most sense of anything you've said." Sephiroth hung his head, "I've always known I was different, I just didn't know why.
"You lost your mind the last time, because you thought you were a monster. What you have to hold onto now is that, no matter what that sick freak did to you as a baby, he's the real monster, not you. It's something I've struggled with myself, I've done a lot of bad things, but in the end, we're still human." Genesis was almost pleading with the man.
Sephiroth actually took a seat. He was quiet and Cloud was still poised to strike, he could tell. If the man had managed to kill him before, he supposed he should be at least a bit on guard. He didn't know what to think. The story was completely unbelievable, but yet wasn't. It explained a lot and deep down he had always known that Hojo had done something to him.
"I'll believe you for now." Sephiroth said finally and Genesis relaxed a bit. "But you still haven't told me what you plan to do or how your world was destroyed."
Genesis just nodded, ready to proceed, now that it seemed Sephiroth's mind was still intact. "Before I go much further, I need to tell you a bit more. Sephiroth, I know you've never meet your mother, just heard her name."
"Yes, why bring this up now?" Sephiroth said, a bit guarded.
"Your mother was not Jenova, she was a scientist by the name of Lucrecia Crescent. Hojo convinced her to use you in the project, telling her it was safe. When it became apparent that that wasn't the case, she tried to stop the experiment, but in the end she was powerless to do anything and Hojo took you away from her. She loved you and tried to save you from him, but she couldn't. The rest of her story is something Vincent needs to tell you." Genesis explained. "But Hojo told you Jenova was your mother, because that was the name they gave the creature they found."
"I'm going to kill that man." Sephiroth now felt a bit of rage.
"Go ahead, it will save us the trouble." Cloud finally spoke.
"Cloud." Genesis said, almost exasperated with the man.
"Killing Hojo is part of your plan?" Sephiroth asked.
"Yes, his and Hollander's experiments and egomania were a direct cause of the state of the world. They can't be allowed to live." Genesis said, looking at his friend, gauging his reaction.
"If what you say is true and you can prove it, I will gladly assist you." Sephiroth said.
"Our goals are to kill the two and get rid of Jenova for good, so she can no longer do any harm. Saving you was also on my list." Genesis admitted.
"That at least covers what you intend to do, but what happened to the world? How do we stop that?" Sephiroth asked again.
Genesis didn't miss the 'we' and it seemed neither did Cloud. He just decided to continue on with his story.
"After Nibelheim, Zack and Cloud were taken in and experimented on by Hojo. He couldn't stand that an infantry man had taken you out. It took 4 years and some help, but finally they escaped. They were on the run, but eventually Zack was killed." Genesis's eyes kept darting to Cloud and Sephiroth thought he looked like he was about to explode. Had Cloud really taken him out as an infantry man? Sephiroth had assumed that he was already in SOLDIER.
"Cloud's mind was a mess after Hojo's experiments and he ended up falling in with a group of anti-Shinra terrorists. At the same time however, you had returned, still under Jenova's influence. I don't know the story as well as Cloud, but from my understanding, you were convinced Jenova was an ancient and so were you. You wanted to destroy humanity for their crimes against the ancients as you saw them. Cloud fought you all along the way, but in the end you summoned Meteor, an ancient magic, in an attempt to severely injure the planet and join with the Lifestream. "
"Cloud and his friends managed to stop you, but Meteor still fell and Midgar was destroyed. We thought everything would be alright, many had died, but we still had the planet and life would still go on. However, it seemed the damage had been too severe. It was like a gunshot wound to the chest which you survived. It left the planet weakened and eventually, the planet just fell apart." Genesis finished his story.
The air in the apartment was tense as Sephiroth sat in silence once Genesis's story was finished. He wasn't sure what to say. Genesis had just told him he had caused the end of the world. The only reason he believed Genesis was because he had not been the hero of the story, but a bit of a villain himself. He could tell by the way Genesis held himself, the way he spoke, and the way he interacted with Cloud, that he himself at least believe what he was saying. The other astonishing thing was he hadn't heard one Loveless quote since Genesis had started talking.
"So what does this mean? Are you going to kill me, too?" Sephiroth finally asked.
Genesis glanced at Cloud and Sephiroth knew if it was truly up to the blonde, he'd be fighting for his life right now. "No," Genesis said, "Not unless you get the sudden urge to destroy the planet again."
"I would rather not, but I'm still not sure what to think." Sephiroth acknowledged. "It is quite a story."
"We won't do anything until we have proof of the experiments to show you, but I do need your help. We need to get Cloud into SOLDIER and fast, then I can take him as an apprentice and taking him with me to investigate won't raise any questions." Genesis told his friend.
"I can tell just standing there, he wants to kill me. Though from your story I suppose I can understand why. I still don't see how letting him into SOLDIER is a good idea." Sephiroth replied.
"He doesn't need enhancements, I just need to be able to keep him close and take him with me." Genesis was almost pleading.
"I swear, if this is just some elaborate plan to get your new boyfriend to live with you, I'll kill you myself." Sephiroth said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Genesis looked indignant and slapped Sephiroth across the arm. "You think I'd make up a story like that? Yes, I love Cloud, but if I just wanted him to live with me, I'd just move him in. You sound ridiculous."
Sephiroth just stared at him. "You have heard everything you've told me, right? Anyway, I can only help so far. He'll have to prove himself to Lazard, I can only make the recommendation."
"That should be easy enough." Genesis said, looking over to Cloud.
"I'm sure whatever test this Lazard would have for me, I'll be able to pass easily." Cloud finally acknowledged. He had relaxed a bit, realizing that Sephiroth wasn't going to go right back out and summon Meteor again.
Sephiroth stood, "If you'll excuse me. I need to tend to the Seconds, I'm actually a bit late, but it's obvious I make Cloud-" The name seemed odd on his lips as he tried it. "uncomfortable, I'll take my leave. Unless you have some other earth shattering revelation for me."
Genesis just nodded in acknowledgement, but Cloud almost fell over in shock, had Sephiroth made a joke? He just stared at the man, as if really seeing him.
"It seems someone else is finally realizing I'm not a monster." Sephiroth smirked.
"Perhaps", Genesis said, looking at Cloud, a bit of hope fluttered through him. "Angeal will be joining us for dinner, why don't you as well. I'm sure I can make the atmosphere a bit more pleasant. We can discuss an actual plan of action then."
Sephiroth turned from the door and said, "I will see you then." before heading on out.
Finally Cloud relaxed. "I still don't forgive him."
"You don't need to forgive the Sephiroth who destroyed our world, but this man isn't that Sephiroth. Surely you can see that now." Genesis said.
"I suppose you're right," Cloud sat on the couch. "I don't think I can ever really trust him, but I'll try. Maybe once Jenova is gone, I'll be able to let my guard down around him more, but not before."
"I wouldn't expect you too." Genesis said, slipping over to Cloud on the couch. "But enough of that for now."
Genesis leaned in and kissed Cloud, taking a hold of the zipper on his shirt. "I think we've waited long enough."
"No more interruptions?" Cloud's voice was a bit heavy.
"Not for a few more hours at least." Genesis said, giving the blonde a seductive smile.
"Then lets head to the bedroom, I think we deserve it." Cloud said, standing, pulling Genesis up with him.
"I like the way you think." Genesis followed his lover as he was led back to his own bed.
HAHA, please don't kill me, it's been a long time since I've written a lemon. I might eventually fit one in, when I get a bit more confident, but not today sorry.
And I just have to say, I love time travel fics, its part of the reason I'm writing this one, but I have to say, I get annoyed sometime about just how damn adamant Cloud is about doing everything on his own and not telling anyone. Hence why my first two chapters are about letting other people in on the plan. Trust me there is still plenty of conflict to be had in the story.
And really, Genesis is 15 years older mentally, and has changed a lot. Angeal and Sephiroth are his best friends, they would figure out something was wrong, and he would have to be faced with telling them the truth, or driving them away. He's not going to abandon them again.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and please leave a review :)