Disclaimer: Final Fantasy is owned by Square Enix. The author makes no profit from this written work
A/N: I'm back. Yay! I kind of rushed through this chapter because I needed something else to do after battling through my pile of homework. I'm blaming you guys. You make me procrastinate. It's all your fault. You need to review in order to make up for that. But only if you want to really. Thanks for reading.
Angeal was shocked. Usually he had to be the one to drag Genesis around, but here he was, leading them towards the nearly empty table. Genesis didn't even ask permission and just sat down. Sephiroth looked up with a small start, but relaxed when he noticed who it was. He gave a silent nod in greeting, then returned to contemplating the slop that they were told was supposed to be meatloaf. The kitchen staff, if there was one at this point, wasn't even trying anymore.
"I was thinking," Genesis began. Angeal immediately went on edge. "I was thinking" was always a bad thing if Genesis was saying it.
"I was thinking maybe some of us could sign a petition, or something like that, to get better food," Genesis said.
"You could try," Sephiroth agreed.
"You don't think it would work?" Genesis asked.
"It's doubtful," Sephiroth said, "Finance likes to cut corners where ever they can. Though I suppose it might work if you had enough people agree with you and be willing to side with you."
"Do you agree with me?" Genesis tried again.
"Yes," Sephiroth said.
"Would you be willing to side with me?" Genesis said.
"I have yet to see the rest of your argument," Sephiroth said, "but so far yes."
"Do you think anyone else will?" Genesis asked.
"Most likely," Sephiroth said.
"You're infuriating to talk to, you know," Genesis sighed.
"I don't" Sephiroth said. Genesis resisted banging his head on the table as Angeal started laughing. Sephiroth looked confused at the two of them.
"I'm going to sit here everyday now," Angeal said.
"Shut up Angeal," Genesis grumbled. Angeal laughed again. Sephiroth decided the entire conversation was lost on him.
"Do you have friends yet?" Cass asked as she prepared the injection.
"I don't know," Sephiroth replied turning up his arm. He felt oddly calm when Mom did the injection. Maybe it was because she didn't seem so eager. She didn't really like doing this either.
"They sit by you everyday," Cass said. Maybe it was because she would talk to him during the whole thing. That made sense. It was easier when he had something else to focus on. "They seem to like to be around you outside of training. I'm guessing you feel the same."
"I do," Sephiroth said, "I just don't know at what point we stop being acquaintances and start being friends." Cass looked thoughtful. Sephiroth moved his arm to remind her why he was here. Maybe it was because she purposefully dragged it out until he was ready.
"Well," Cass said, lining up the needle, "At what point did I stop being Cass and start being Mom?" She slid it in carefully. Maybe it was because she made it as painless as possible.
"I don't know," Sephiroth said, "When I called you Mom, is what I would guess." She pushed down the plunger and he felt the cold pain seeping in. Most people got feverish, but Sephiroth always felt cold after injections.
"Then I would say the answer to that question is when you stop thinking of Angeal and Genesis as acquaintances and start thinking of them as friends," Cass continued, "It might be best to ask them about it too. I can't imagine that they'd think otherwise." Sephiroth nodded blearily to show that he was still following. It was hard to tell sometimes, but Mom would know if something went wrong.
"You still okay there short stuff?" she asked as if on cue.
"I'm not that short," Sephiroth muttered.
"I still have a few inches on you," she replied, "I will boast of them until I lose them." Sephiroth thought he was grinning, but wasn't sure his facial muscles had managed it.
"If you have indeed made friends, I would like to meet them," Cass said, "You can bring them up to me if you want."
"Are you sure?" Sephiroth asked.
"Of course," Cass said, "you're not ashamed of me, are you?"
"Never," Sephiroth said.
"Then I don't see a problem," Cass said, "I'm your Mom. I think embarrassing you is one of my many responsibilities. Besides, it would be a pleasure to meet any person you deem a friend." Sephiroth nodded before a wave of dizziness came over him.
"How about you lay down for a bit?" Cass said, "You've got a pass for next weekend right?"
Genesis was thrilled. His first mission had gone by without a hitch. Alright, it wasn't going to Wutai to instigate a war. Alright, it wasn't something that required media attention (and hadn't gotten it either). So it was a brief mission to dispatch some low-level monsters. He had to start somewhere, right? And he'd done it perfectly. And he'd done it solo. He could be proud of that. He was going to be proud of that.
Angeal didn't even try to talk him out of it. He hadn't gotten a mission yet (though it had to be soon. He and Angeal were basically on the same level). Angeal knew for a fact he'd do the same thing had their places been switched. He let Genesis have the little swagger in his step and thanked the gods the only change in his talk was more Loveless. He wasn't bragging more. Genesis had least had the brains to know what sort of achievement he had made and realized it was one to celebrate silently.
That was what made both of them surprised when Sephiroth praised Genesis for the minor achievement. Genesis could only blink at him a couple times.
"What?" Genesis asked at last.
"You did a good job on your mission," Sephiroth repeated. Genesis blinked again.
"It...you...it wasn't really that," Genesis floundered (and Angeal silently reveled in it), "it wasn't that impressive." Sephiroth shrugged.
"You did well regardless," Sephiroth said. Genesis brushed the incident off as Sephiroth attempting to be human. He was getting better, but still needed guidance. A lot of it. Instead he returned to his little distraction of trying to get better cafeteria food. He had a petition going around. Everyone had signed it and he was waiting for someone to notice and do something.
The question of Sephiroth's "friend" still preyed on his mind, but Genesis felt less and less motivation to discover who it was. He hadn't caught Sephiroth sneaking around for weeks and the calls and texts were at a minimum. Though Sephiroth did have a habit to disappear when the weekend passes came around, Genesis assumed he knew of good places to hang around like the rest of them. If it happened to be with someone else...Genesis could live with it.
That all changed when little slips of paper were passed around. Everyone got one. Angeal's heart nearly stopped as he read it. Genesis even raised his eyebrows. They were certainly paid an awful lot for being trainees. High ranking trainees who went on missions, but still trainees. Perhaps this was where the money for their food had gone.
"My Mother could survive on at least half of this," Angeal muttered.
"So send it to her," Genesis said, "you and I could survive on a tenth of this." Genesis noticed Sephiroth hanging on the edge by himself. It wasn't unusual and he was prepared to drag him into the conversation (as usual) when he pulled out his PHS. Genesis couldn't help himself. He read the message over his shoulder.
I have to meet you. Now.
He was meeting his friend. He felt the urge to follow Sephiroth again and nearly slipped out with him, when Angeal caught him.
"No," Angeal said firmly.
"'Geal, come on," Genesis said, "he's meeting with them."
"No," Angeal repeated.
"What if she's taking advantage of him?" Genesis said, "what if she takes all of his money for herself? What if she's using him?"
"First of all, you don't know it's a she," Angeal said, "second of all, you don't know if anyone is taking advantage of Sephiroth. Third. It. Is. None. Of. Your. Business." Genesis scowled and gave up again. Sephiroth was out of sight anyway.
"I was just trying to be a good friend," Genesis grumbled.
"You say that about every bad thing you do to me," Angeal said.
Sephiroth waited for the door to open. Cass looked concerned as she pulled him in.
"What's happened?" she asked, "Is something wrong?" Sephiroth pulled out his paycheck. It was his first. Cass took it and whistled.
"Wow," she said, "You're paid almost as much as me. Is this it?" Sephiroth nodded.
"What about it?" she asked.
"You told me that I'd be my own person once I had my own salary," Sephiroth said.
"That's true," Cass said, "we should probably start your own bank account. I get to teach you about finances. I knew I'd get to teach you math one day!" Sephiroth was going in a different direction.
"So...this means that ShinRa isn't in charge of me," Sephiroth said, "I'm in charge of myself, right?"
"Yes," Cass said.
"So...I get to decide who my parents are," Sephiroth said. Cass's eyes widened.
"Sephiroth?" she asked carefully. He looked back at her.
"Could...would you be my mother?" Sephiroth asked, "for real."
"You certainly seem happy," Genesis said. Sephiroth looked over at him.
"I suppose I am then," Sephiroth said.
"I don't think I've ever seen you really smile," Genesis said.
"I smile," Sephiroth said, "just not often. I don't often have reason to."
"Care to share the reason," Genesis probed.
"...It's rather personal," Sephiroth said. Genesis's interest was peaked.
"You certainly are showing the side-effects though" Genesis pointed out.
"Leave it Genesis," Angeal said behind them, "Some of us don't feel the need to spout whatever thought pops into our heads." Genesis brushed off the snipe, he saw Sephiroth's smile fade slightly.
"What's up with your face now?" Genesis asked.
"What?" Sephiroth asked.
"You're smile is fading," Genesis said, "I was just getting used to it." Angeal nudged him again, Genesis batted his arm away.
"It's nothing," Sephiroth said shaking off all emotion from his face. Genesis stood in front of him, reveling in the half a foot he had on Sephiroth.
"You say that every time I ask why you start looking upset," Genesis said, "spill it."
"It's nothing," Sephiroth repeated. Genesis gave him a scowl.
"He does have a point Seph," Angeal said. Sephiroth seemed taken aback by the informal name. He blinked.
"I feel inadequate when I see how you and Angeal interact," Sephiroth said at last. Genesis and Angeal looked at each other, then back at Sephiroth.
"What?" Angeal said.
"You two are...at ease with each other," Sephiroth said, "I can't even understand everything that you say. I'm not certain that I ever will."
"You feel like a third wheel?" Genesis asked.
"I don't know what that means," Sephiroth said, "That's a perfect example."
"You feel left out," Angeal explained.
"Yes," Sephiroth said, "and I don't think I relate well to either of you." Genesis and Angeal shared another look.
"We don't think that," Angeal said, "I never mind explaining things to you. It's not your fault you don't know. Gen?"
"Nope," Genesis agreed, "I'd even go so far to say that it's given Angeal endless amusement at my expense." Sephiroth looked between the two in bewilderment.
"Besides, it's not an honorable thing to do, to leave your friends simply because they don't understand every nuance of the English language." Sephiroth looked even more startled.
"You...you think of me as...as a friend?" he asked. They'd never heard his tone sound so hopeful.
"Of course," Angeal said.
"Nonsense," Genesis said, "we've been hanging around you for these past months because we hate you."
"...Sarcasm?" Sephiroth said.
"I told you I'd teach you it," Genesis said, slinging an arm over Sephiroth's shoulder, "Now as I was telling Angeal earlier-"
"Egghead," Angeal said, "I'm certain Seph doesn't want to hear about Loveless anymore either."
It wasn't something to be done right away. There were still protocols to follow and hoops to leap through. It became more confusing when the individuals in charge of such an operation realized that the adoptee was his own guaridan, despite being underaged, and his current guardian was merely some sort of professional babysitter. There wasn't paperwork for a situation like this. At least there was already proof of home visits. That part was happily skipped by all parties involved. Keeping this sort of information away from ShinRa was another difficulty. While they couldn't do anything about it, they certainly wouldn't be happy about it. This is where being a Turk became useful. Cass pulled a few strings and the process became even more hush hush than some of the Company's dirtiest secrets.
It took a few weeks before the final form came through. All it needed was a signature. Sephiroth waited patiently for his next pass. Inside he was positively giddy.
"Are you absolutely certain you want to do this?" Cass said.
"Yes," Sephiroth said. He could see it there. It felt a little anticlimactic. All this time waiting and it all ended here in a dingy office with a mere sheet of paper. Cass stood in front of him and he looked up at her.
"You don't have to," Cass said, "you don't owe me anything. I did it because I wanted to."
"I know," Sephiroth said, "I'm doing this for the same reason: I want to."
"Are you absolutely sure?" Cass asked again, "this isn't something you can take back."
"I've always wanted this," Sephiroth said. It was true. Ever since heard heard of the word he had wanted a family. When he was little he wanted a mother and father, brothers and sisters. He wanted it as big as possible. But now, just he and Cass seemed big enough.
Cass nodded and stepped aside. He bent down and signed his name. The clerk read it over and nodded. Everything was as in order as it could be.
"Congratulations," he said as he stamped his approval on it. And that was it.
Sephiroth straightened up and looked over at his mother. His mother, that sounded about right. She was smiling softly. He moved up to get his first hug as a Durmont. Sephiroth Durmont. That had a ring to it in his head.
Angeal had enough. Genesis had tried following Sephiroth the past five times he slipped away. Angeal was curious as well, but he wouldn't resort to all of this spying nonsense. His parents had raised him better than that. He hoped this little game would wear off over time. He'd been wrong.
It was time to put an end to it.
"Save it," Genesis said, "One way or another I will figure out who he meets and why." Angeal crossed his arms in front of his chest. Genesis was shocked at how much Angeal looked like his own mother like that, but didn't get the chance to make the comment.
"I'll bet you anything that I can figure it out faster than you can," Angeal said, "and I won't have to sneak around either." Genesis promptly burst out laughing. He wiped away mock tears. Angeal stood resolute.
"Fine," Genesis agreed, "If I win you owe me tickets to the Loveless performance next month and if you win..."
"You do my laundry for a month," Angeal finished. Genesis nodded. That was about equal. Angeal didn't have nearly as much laundry as he did anyway.
"Done," Genesis said.
Angeal waited for his opening. It at the end of training. Sephiroth received a message and promptly answered as usual. Angeal came over casually.
"Who are you talking to?" he asked. Sephiroth looked up.
"Who's your friend?" Angeal tried again. Sephiroth was silent for a long while.
"It's...complicated," Sephiroth said. Genesis was approaching. "She's...I've known her for a long time." Genesis gave Angeal a look that screamed "I told you so". Angeal ignored it. He nodded as if he understood.
"You don't have to tell me," Angeal said, "I was just wondering if you'd tell us about her."
"...Would you want to meet her?" Sephiroth asked. Genesis eyes widened. Angeal kept a smug smile off his face. Being passive-aggressive was his mother's superpower. It was a genetic trait when needed. Genesis was being too over-dramatic to just take the easy route. Angeal suspected all along Sephiroth would have spilled had Genesis merely asked the right questions. There was a reason Angeal called him egghead sometimes.
"She's...she wants to meet you two," Sephiroth said. Was he actually nervous about this?
"Sure," Genesis said, back to his indifferent self.
"Tonight?" Sephiroth asked. Genesis nodded to vigorously to hide that he wanted to meet her. Angeal kept from laughing.
"Sure," Angeal said, "what time?"
"Whenever you're ready," Sephiroth said.
"I'm ready now," Angeal said, "What about you Gen?" Angeal loved to make him squirm when he could.
"Yes," Genesis said with a glare at Angeal. Sephiroth nodded.
"Alright," Sephiroth said. Genesis and Angeal followed Sephiroth back through the maze of halls they had followed him through once before. It was much easier to navigate in the light of day, when they weren't trying to be quiet. Sephiroth produced his key card from a pocket Genesis hadn't even noticed in his own uniform. He knocked at a door at the end of the hall.
"Come in, Sephiroth!" A female voice yelled out. He slid it through and opened the door. Genesis and Angeal followed behind him closely. Genesis could see a rather comfortable looking den area. There was a clattering in a room to the right. The door opened.
A woman came out. She was wearing jeans and a sweater and had long brown hair. Genesis's first thought was that she was rather pretty.
"Hello dear," she said. Sephiroth met her halfway. They embraced and Sephiroth leaned up to give her a peck on the cheek. "Are you going to introduce us." Sephiroth nodded and quickly turned.
"These are my friends," he started, "Genesis Rhapsodos and Angeal Hewlely." Both boys gave a nod when their name came out. "Genesis, Angeal, this is my Mom."