A/N: Apologies for the lack of Sephiroth, but Genesis is just as important in this story. It wouldn't make sense to pretend that what happened would only effect Sephiroth considering Genesis is so deeply in love.

Chapter III

He was the laughing stock of the science department. With a growl he flung everything off his desk sending files and test tubes crashing to the floor. That damn soldier. That damn Sephiroth. Pulling a glass and bottle from his drawer he took a shot of whiskey with some Tylenol and hoped to get some sleep. It was flawless, fucking flawless. Get the bastard's body raging with hormones so he could do it.

But no. Hollander's cackling still rings in his ears.

"He can't even get it up!"

What did he overlook? Is it possible to masturbate so often that his hormones would re-stabilise? That his sexual arousal would reset to baseline? But his calculations…Sephiroth should have been asleep until it kicked in, he would have become fatigued before wearing himself out if he did masturbate. Or did he have a single extraordinary sexual experience that spent his sexual desire entirely?

That bastard. That sly, sneaky bastard. He had to have had sex. Judging from the dopamine and endorphin levels attained during a regular masturbatory session, it would have been impossible for the stimulant to be overcome by self-administered satisfaction, but a first-time sexual experience – highly plausible. Judging by how spent and weary Sephiroth was, he had defied his doctor's advice and sought out the flesh of his choice.

The flesh of his choice. The flesh of his liking.

"Shit!" he swore, smacking his hand to forehead.

Why did he do it? Why did he design Sephiroth to be this way? Why did he create a life from scratch with a sexual preference that did not allow it to procreate? For curiosity's sake? To prove Hollander wrong?

The dunce had his face plastered all over the media 'Scientist Discovers New Genetic Basis for Homosexuality'. To Hojo it was a distraction, a ploy that stole the spotlight on real research, which is the progression of man beyond the human frame. Man did not need to be accepted in society, that is what all the amateur scientists were to do, and Hollander gave true scientists such as himself a bad name with his petty analysis of helixes and neurology. The Cluster X genes, a group of genes where the more of the Cluster X genotypes present in DNA, the further away from heterosexuality the fetus grows to be. The discovery changed the world – societies shifted to the left, laws removed and altered, suddenly two women could exchange vows and two men could adopt a child. It was normal, something so painfully obvious to be normal changed the structure of the world. Something so incredibly mundane and useless to science.

When it came to Sephiroth, it was one part practical and one part experimental. He wanted to prove Hollander wrong for tainting his realm of research, for wasting Shinra's funding on something so pointless. Yet if Hollander wasn't wrong it would be practical so Sephiroth wouldn't fall in love with strange women and procreate vile creatures, unworthy of his DNA. But then, as the child in the womb grew they found an ancient, a cetra, something worth procreating with the brilliance that is Sephiroth. He was foolish. Perhaps he should have struck an even balance with the genes rather than giving him all of the Cluster X genes.

Hojo sank back in his heavy office chair and thought. Did Hollander ever use what he discovered? Didn't he create someone entirely from an assortment of leftover DNA? Is it possible he filled him to the rim with Cluster X genes?

"Rhapsodos."

Snatching up the phone he called his assistant. "Yes, do me a favour will you? Bring me copies of Hollander's files on Project G. And try to do it so he doesn't notice."

The stock market crashed. Cybernetics industries were losing investors as mako research and biochemistry helmed modern science. Lazard frowned, he didn't care about economics all that much – that was more Genesis' interest since the man had stocks in just about anything worth having shares in.

"Director!"

Lazard lowered his newspaper and turned around at the elevators, "Good afternoon, Sephiroth." He said, smiling, only to have it vanish when he took in the man's dishevelled appearance, far from his usual pristine and orderly look, "Are you alright?"

The general wearily nodded in return and cleared his throat, "I was hoping I could discuss some matters with you concerning the Operation."

"Oh? Right now?"

"Not exactly. I have a session in the lab. Will you be in your office tonight?" Sephiroth asked. His jaw stiffened and his fists tightened at the thought of Hojo and his sick 'experiment'. His rendezvous with Genesis was enough to get the drugs and any traces of libido out of his system. It was also enough to make him feel weak in the knees, exhausted and in a desperate need of some sleep.

Adjusting his glasses, Lazard supposed Sephiroth hit the bottle, "Unfortunately no. I'm out fine dining tonight."

"I see. Couldn't it be cancelled?"

"Is it that urgent?" the look in Sephiroth's eyes said it was.

The director sighed as pity and even a slice of guilt cut him to the core. He had no direct involvement in the predicament, but as director of SOLDIER, Sephiroth was his responsibility and keeping him from harm was his job. What wasn't a part of his job description was to put Sephiroth's well-being before the company's wishes, neither was developing a fondness or even trust that was close to friendship, yet not quite with the general.

"Sephiroth," he started, "I assure you I am doing everything I can, but with Shinra in favour of this, how can I persuade him?"

Sephiroth looked to the floor and smiled at his own pitiful misfortune, "So it's pointless?" he said, more as a statement than a question since they both knew the answer anyway.

The elevator dinged and the metal doors to the glass chamber opened.

"We'll have to discuss this another time," Lazard said, stepping into the elevator.

"Of course."

Turning to face Sephiroth he added sympathetically, "I'm sorry. But all I'm able to recommend is that you take control of what you can, try to make something for yourself amidst all this. If they are capable of dictating your life this well, then they can take it just as easily."

As Sephiroth raised his head, the doors closed, but Lazard caught the stony expression he had. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair – a nervous habit he had developed from the stress of working for the most messed up corporation the planet had ever witnessed.

Getting off on the executive floor he made his way to his office and slapped his newspaper down onto his desk, ignoring the Turk standing on the opposite side as took his seat. Removing his glasses he pressed against his temples – just another stressful day as director of SOLDIER.

"Yes Tseng?"

The Turk pushed a manila folder towards him, "The details you asked for. We also threw in some background checks for good measure."

"And what did you find?"

"Nothing. Either Shinra covered her tracks with the help of some third party members or AVALANCHE have intervened."

Lazard leant back in his chair, "I doubt it. No one aside from the executives, Sephiroth and yourself are aware of what's happening. I've had one of our expert hackers setting up firewalls, interfering with the audiovisual cameras and tightening security since the Operation has been underway. I'm sure I've changed my passcode so many times I can barely recall what I even started with."

Tseng nodded, "Would you like me to go through our findings?"

Lazard waved to the empty chair in front of him and Tseng sat down. Like all other espionage work that the Turks had done, the analysis was thorough and extensive, yet at the same time it lacked some information on the women and their relation to Sephiroth. They concluded the science department must be holding valuable files, inaccessible by the Turks. Pertaining to what, they weren't sure.

It took them 2 hours to go through the findings and try to interpret them for some sort of conclusion aside from the painfully obvious. It took them another hour and a half to try to come up with an alternate resolution that may not end with an abomination of mankind or a forced marriage. In the end, both men were left with questions they couldn't answer because they weren't inhumane or unethical enough.

Soon the room was littered with paper and both men stared dumbfounded at the ceiling with their jackets on the floor amongst all the crap. After some time, Tseng handed Lazard a freshly brewed coffee and sat back down. They were really going to force a man to live a scripted life.

"How long do you think they've been planning this?" asked the Turk whilst sipping his coffee.

Lazard shook his head, "You have to hand it to old man Shinra. After his first and only unplanned child he got a little more careful and did pretty intensive planning for the rest."

"Heh…And yet you're the most level headed one."

"Hmm…" drinking his coffee slowly, Lazard checked his watch and coughed, "Damnit!"

"Is something the matter?" Tseng asked, watching Lazard quickly down his drink.

"Yes!" he shouted, grabbing his keys in his desk drawer along with his wallet and two tickets. Snatching his blazer off the floor, he swung it on and bolted out the door, "I have something important and I'm already late!"

Smacking the elevator button he impatiently tapped his foot, feeling irritated that he didn't even have the chance to switch into something nice. When the doors opened he shoved his way in, pushing Reeve out of the way and slamming his hand down on the lower ground parking floor. Unfortunately for him, the lift was stopping on every floor down and it took so much from deep within himself to not curse loudly.

It wasn't until it stopped at the 10th floor that he completely lost his patience when the new delivery man who squeezed his oversized boxes into the tiny compartment kept holding up the entire elevator at every level as he tried hopelessly to remember where he was to deliver them. Forcing his way out he headed for the stairs. It was only ten floors anyway.

However, Lazard was only a desk warrior, not a SOLDIER, coupled with his slippery dress shoes he was out of breath after five flights of stairs and felt an impeding heart attack by the 11th. Sometimes he wished he took mako.

Panting, sore and with his heart jack hammering away in his chest he had no time for nervousness. Bursting through the doors he heaved in a deep breath of relief and doubled over, barely even breathing, barely able to stand as every muscle in his body burned with pain and felt tired and weak like jelly. He could hardly make out the footsteps approaching him and only looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder and came face to face with true beauty.

His heart and his breathing stopped. Slowly he stood up with the help of this beautiful angel who dusted him down.

"Oh look at your jacket. It's all crooked." He said, fixing it up for Lazard, "There. Don't tell me you ran all the way down the stairs to get here on time. You know I can wait."

"Genesis?"

Genesis smiled, "Yes?"

Lazard was lost for words. The greater the time that went by the more attractive he became, "You…you look phenomenal."

The redhead laughed, "I try." he said and took the blonde's arm in his, "Come on. You should sit and rest in the car for a while."

He nodded and led Genesis to the only unnecessarily indulgent piece of materialism he owned being his sleek white luxury sedan. He really should use his complimentary gym membership at the Shinra building. Trying to unlock his car, he dropped his keys a few times before finally opening it. Once inside he huffed and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses

"How many flights of stairs?"

"Twenty."

Genesis laughed, "You did well. You sure you don't want me to drive?"

Lazard shook his head and smiled weakly, "Just give me a moment."

It was nice to see him in civilian clothes. Tight light golden brown pants with dark knee high brown boots that had a heel slightly longer than common for most men and a red silk button-down shirt with the top few buttons undone to show off his seductive neck and collarbone – all wrapped up in a navy blue wool coat that reached mid-thigh. He always had such well-tailored fashion that rivalled Lazard's own.

Looking at his own dress he apologised, "I'm sorry I'm not wearing anything nice at the moment."

Genesis shook his head and smoothed over Lazard's lapels, stopping onto his shoulders, "I don't mind. It's a nice suit." he said.

The director took his hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss making Genesis blush, "We should save the flirting for later, Gen. The play should be starting in around half an hour."

In twenty minutes they reached the theatre and took their seats with just enough time prior to the start to get comfortable. Lazard pulled a few strings to have an entire box to themselves in the theatre with a bottle of champagne and a few decadent canapés. Genesis kept pressed against his side throughout the play, his right arm linked to Lazard's left. During the interlude they talked – commented on the play, Loveless, and how good the cream cheese and salmon canapé was, especially with the more than wonderful champagne imported from Mideel.

By the end of the play they walked arm in arm down Loveless Avenue, Genesis gawking at the new fashions and then dragged his sweetheart over to the jewellery store with glittering gems in the window sill.

"Is this a sign I should be running for the hills, Genesis?" Lazard joked making Genesis frown and shove him. The blonde laughed and kissed his hair, "Hopefully next time we can go inside."

Genesis turned to him and raised a brow, "Now who's making who run for the hills, hmm?"

Lazard was happy. Despite his professionalism and his hard work as a soldier, out of work hours, he was a pleasant and sensitive man. He honestly wasn't aware that he had a fondness for children until Genesis aww-ed at a young girl selling flowers, to which Lazard then spent the better of 20 gil for a lovely bunch of tulips.

And his date's face lit up with a brilliant smile, "They're so pretty!"

Upon reaching the restaurant, the matre d beamed amiably at Lazard and seating them in their private room. The décor was lavish – everything was lined with gold and the warm light of the flickering candles created romantic glows. Genesis could barely contain his excitement so to disguise his blushing and awestruck expression he hid behind his menu.

Lazard laughed, "Before you pick something based on price, just keep in mind that if I'm taking you out, money is no object."

The redhead quirked a brow. Was he talking himself up in the hopes to get his interest? "Oh really? Then how about I have the caviar encrusted lobster fettucine with wagyu and roasted figs in a reduced truffle sauce with mascarpone served in a golden bowl from the ancient ruins of southern Wutai?"

The normally composed director paled at the price that had to be ridiculous since rather than numbers a tell-tale '$$$$' was shown, "You know what? I think the duck sounds good."

"I don't need overly decadent. I'm not the president you know." Genesis sighed, everything looked so good. It wasn't often he would go out fine dining, mainly because it took him longer to choose something than it did to eat it, "But I don't know what to choose."

Lazard hummed in agreement and set his menu down, "As dandy as I look I'm not all that well-versed in fine dining." Turning to the waitress standing at hand he said, "We'll have the chef's seasonal degustation menu with a selection of matching wines."

"Of course." She said, taking away their menus before bowing as she left to retrieve their first wine.

Genesis' jaw dropped as he stared at Lazard, "That's 500 gil per head."

The blonde smirked, "Hmm?"

"It's a weekend. There is a 10% surcharge for the degustation menu."

Looking at Genesis he tilted his head to the side with feigned ignorance, "Hmm. I can see that you're concerned about something, but I'm not sure I see where you're going with this."

And just like that, the soldier was speechless and Lazard celebrated a little inside. The waitress came back in and poured them all some wine.

"You're spoiling me." was all Genesis could say, slowly taking his glass.

"Now now…You deserved this. After your stint in Wutai, consider this a token of my gratitude."

For a moment, he thought of what Lazard was probably thinking about and felt a pang in his chest. The wine was good. Rich. Well-aged. Most likely from Mideel. Could he see himself in the future living a life like this? Fine food, fine clothes, fancy cars and a fine man, essentially everything he had once upon a time dreamt about. But as he got older and more mature a simple life was much more appealing than a public or high profile life.

Or maybe he was just thinking this because of the guilt. He set his glass back down, barely even noticing that his date had been talking as memories of last night played over and over in his head. Why did he do it? Why the fuck did he do it?

"Genesis?" Genesis snapped out of his thoughts finding Lazard looking back at him concerned, "Are you alright?"

He fumbled for the answer – yes, no. It didn't matter anymore, he wasn't even sure. Yes he was fine with how the night was going, but he wasn't fine about what he did the night before.

"Do you ever think about…the future?" he asked.

The blonde leant back in his seat, "You are pensive today, aren't you? Any particular reason why?"

"Lazard…"

"I'm only teasing." He sipped his wine, "Of course I do. I think about what I could do for the children of the slums. Would you believe that right now, beneath us, hundreds of children are living in a world of crime and poverty? I know not everyone would share the same success story that I have. But I at least want to make a difference. Make some children have the ability to dream."

And it was every reason why it was so stupid he did what he did with Sephiroth.

"You're a genuine man." Genesis stated, smiling weakly, "It's why I like you."

"But of course, I need to mention..." reaching across the table, Lazard took the soldier's hand in his own, "I'd love to do it all with you."

Mako eyes went wide and words began to fail the poet. Did he just…did he really hear that correctly? "With…me?"

The blonde's face flushed instantly and he ducked his head down, trying to hide himself, "I know…it's a bit, well it's a bit soon so I suppose we can't exactly jump to conclusions." Looking back up he locked their eyes together, "But as of right now, I'll take whatever you'll have to offer me. I'm just very serious about this. And I do feel very strongly about you. In fact, I always have."

"Your entree, sirs."

Both men sat back as the waitress served them. When she was gone, Lazard added, "I'd love to go on about my plans for the future, but I'd hate to ruin the surprise."

Genesis smiled wryly as regret and guilt ate away at him.

He needed to prove something to himself. So he pushed Lazard up against his front door and pressed their mouths together, forcing his tongue past the blonde's teeth for a messy kiss. Startled by the sudden kiss, Lazard stood there, unmoving with his lips slightly parted for his partner as he tried to register what was happening. Then soft white hands forced his own onto Genesis' slim hips and he finally came to, returning the affection with as much ferocity.

He grabbed the auburn tresses at the nape of his neck and took him for all he was worth. Adrenaline pumped in his veins and somewhere along the way to the bedroom their clothes were hitting the floor and his glasses cracked as they hit the wall. They bounced as they landed into the soft bed and he couldn't contain himself, not when he lost all of his inhibitions in the presence of the most exclusive and classy temptress that is Genesis.

But the soldier was shaking his head and pushed the blonde off him. Lazard stared down at Genesis, confused, wondering what he did wrong.

Panting, he said, "Genesis?"

"I fucked Sephiroth."

And just like that the illusion, the dream, the thought that the most beautiful man in all of Gaia would even find him attractive – all of it vanished in a cloud of smoke. But some desperate part of him was denying it as he looked at the pretty man below him.

"Wh-when?"

"Last night."

Lazard let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding and sat up on the edge of the bed. His throat ran dry. Should he be angry? He wasn't really sure, but after a moment Genesis was beside him and held his hand.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, "I'm sorry, but I didn't really have a choice. I know, that sounds like an awful excuse, but please believe me."

"You're not ready for this, aren't you?" the blonde asked, placing his hand over Genesis'. He couldn't be mad at him, he couldn't be mad at someone who had their heart torn to pieces just to keep their job not too long ago. "It was cruel what the board did to you." he said, turning to his lover and trying to contain all the negative feelings inside. Lazard wasn't one to jump to hasty conclusions without hearing every possible detail whether they needed to be heard or not, and despite the pain in his chest he had to treat Genesis just the same.

The redhead sighed, "It's been six months, you'd expect me to just get over it."

"Love isn't easy to let go of. Especially when neither lover wanted to end the relationship they had."

Genesis smiled darkly as old memories hit him like a wave, "Hm. I was a fool from the start and they all knew it. I mean, I got what I wanted, why would I stick around? Oh deny me the right to love and be loved in a sad hope I'll come crawling back? What a sick bastard." His fists clenched, "Maybe that's why I'm so infatuated with Sephiroth. I mean, the president can't stop him from loving who he wants, now could he? It would tarnish the image of the company. Imagine the headlines 'Sephiroth sodomises SOLDIER', 'Sephiroth: General of fuck all the ass and suck all the cock'!"

"Stop!" Lazard shouted, grabbing his shoulders and Genesis looked at him wide-eyed, "It's not your fault. It never was."

Genesis pulled his hands off his shoulders and let them fall to his waist as he stared at the floor, "I want to love you. I really, really do. You're a good man. I'm simply…confused. Upset. Now look at me. Having sex with my best friend. Like that would make my problems go away…"

The blonde grabbed his chin and turned his face towards him. The look in his eyes said it all and the answer was more than enough to Lazard. Genesis was genuine – rumours be damned, he was one of the most honest men he had ever worked with and it pained him to see the sadness in his eyes, "Genesis…We all need a little bit of soul searching sometimes. Maybe you should just indulge in such things and not worry about the more complicated matters. I mean if the president is going to keep intervening, what choice do you have?"

The redhead shook his head, "But you're the director of SOLDIER. And you're the best we'll ever have…Besides, I don't want to be that sort of person. Even though it feels nice. For now. Although I'd hate to have to tell myself I found my soul by having sex with Sephiroth."

Lazard laughed, "It's a good distraction from the pain. Forcing a relationship doesn't work and I don't want you to feel obligated to do this without being sure of yourself. Maybe you need a break is all? There is no harm in that. We all need some intimate human interaction be it romantic, friendly or sexual."

Genesis turned away again, looking down at the carpet. While anger and the beginnings and a shadow of a broken heart ate away at him, the blonde stroked soft auburn hair and planted a small kiss to his temple. It hurt so much, but he couldn't deny that he still loved him, "It's unfair for me to judge you without knowing your intentions. Maybe I'm hung up on wishful thinking, but I'm curious as to why you did this. What happened exactly?"

"Well… He called me during my instruction of materia fusion with the seconds. The one where Zackary almost killed us all. And…he sounded worried. Scared even. If memory serves me well he had a visit with Hojo that evening and you know how edgy the labs make him. Anyway, he invited me over for the night. Without Angeal." Genesis frowned, "I didn't really suspect much. I admit I was hopeful for some…activities. But I had no interest in partaking them at the time. So I visited and he asked me to sleep with him."

"And you did." Lazard stated.

"Yes…but not without much coercing." He let out a frustrated groan, "Lazard…How could I deny him? He told me he was a virgin and it hit me. He wanted this experience, something so many of us indulge in. He's known me for ten years. I'm sure he must at least be curious of why my headboard bumps against the wall sometimes. And why I and even Angeal partake in these things. He's always hearing about it from infantrymen right up to the president and yet he's never had the chance to feel something as wonderful as a sexual experience."

Lazard huffed and said light-heartedly, "Well, there's nothing wrong with being a 25 year old virgin."

Genesis folded his arms, "He's not like that. I know Sephiroth. He's curious about all the things he's told to not be curious about and even more curious about the things that other people rave about all the time. He's in SOLDIER, Lazard. Do you have any idea what soldiers talk about around a campfire?"

"So you had sex with him because you felt sorry for him?"

"Partly, yes. But think about it. I'm the only person he trusts who sleeps with men. Actually doing it, the whole time he was nervous. Before, during and after. He was scared, anxious and kept shaking. He was so vulnerable. As if he'd even expose himself like that to anyone. He even wanted to stop at one point, like he was trying to overcome some sort of mental barrier." Turning to his lover, Genesis earnestly added, "What I did was wrong for you and myself, it won't solve my problems, and I admit that. For him though, that's another story. I told you when you first asked me out. Nothing can come between Sephiroth and I. Not even the love of my life. We've been through so much and he reveres me as much as I revere him. He's a lost cause without me and you know that. Separating us would be devastating. But that doesn't mean I can't love somebody else.
I don't regret what I've done, but I am sorry I hurt you. And that hurts me too. If there was another way, I would have surely resorted to it. Sephiroth needs me sometimes, he needs intimacy, but he'll only open up to Angeal and I and that's something you are going to have to accept if you want to be with me."

Lazard sighed, "That's a lot you're asking of me."

Genesis nodded weakly, "I know. And I won't hold it against you if you decide it's too much."

"There is more to you than you let on."

"What do you mean?"

"Not many people would conclude that you care for anyone but yourself."

"I don't blame them. I can be pretty selfish."

"No. You're never selfish. People just need to adopt a fresher perspective." Said Lazard, "You're no traitor. Just a martyr." After some silence passed between them, Lazard's curiosity got the best of him, "So…" he started, "Was he any good?"

"He's a virgin, what do you think?"

"How shamefully ironic would it be if our poster boy had premature ejaculation."

Genesis slapped him as he chided him, "It was only his first time! Poor boy…he should have practised a little more." The pair laughed.

"Is there any reason he asked for it now?" It was just genuine curiosity. Something to blur the opacity between them – after all good relationships are built on a foundation of trust, transparency and honesty.

"Not that I can think of. Which is another reason I'm telling you this aside from my infidelity" Genesis chewed his bottom lip. Something did seem a bit strange, something that was bothering him all day – the urgency, what Sephiroth said to him, he was hoping Lazard could have some answers, it was just inconvenient he happened to be seeing the director romantically "It was so sudden. Out of the blue. Last month when we were in Wutai he was acting odd. He asked me so many questions about my own sex life and my views of sex. Then commented my ideas are different from Angeal's so I suppose he asked him too."

Lazard froze, did Genesis know? "Do you think he planned this out?" he said slowly.

"Perhaps, his forwardness that day…It was pressing. Normally he flirts. Something I involuntarily taught him. But that day it was almost demanding. Like it had to happen."

A cold sweat ran down Lazard's spine. "Perhaps he couldn't wait any longer?" he said, trying to throw some causative answer as Genesis came closer to realising something was off.

"I thought that, but then…after I orally satisfied him I let him sleep for a while before I stole away to prepare for…penetration. I didn't want to wake him. And when he woke up himself it was almost one and he was so mad at me for not waking him. He even said 'I need this done today. I don't have time to waste.'" Genesis tilted his head as he thought, "At first I passed it off as him referring to his schedule, but he's free for the next 3 days. Is something going on? Is he going on a dangerous mission?"

Lazard swallowed. Suddenly his collar became too tight and quickly he fumbled with his words especially after realising his shirt buttons had been undone, "No, he isn't…I'll look into it for you. Maybe have a word with him."

Genesis bowed his head, "Thank you. It might be nothing, but I get the feeling he won't tell me if I asked."

"One question."

"Yes?"

The director cleared his throat, "Will this…thing between you and Sephiroth be ongoing?"

Genesis thought for a moment, "Probably." He said, "He seemed to enjoy himself. He hinted he'd like to do it again, but there's nothing in stone just yet."

"This is tough." He sighed.

"Lazard…" Genesis pressed a hand to his cheek, "You don't have to be with me if you don't want to. And you know…I genuinely had a great time today."

It was hard to even think of the possibility of letting someone so gorgeous go, "Just give me some time to think." He said and Genesis embraced him as he felt the guilt and the self-hatred over having done what he did slowly dissipate with his forgiveness.

"Thank you."

It was late at night, well past 12 and Sephiroth was wide awake, unable to sleep. Genesis was gone. Busy with some fancy dinner he had and despite all the messages and calls he made, he received no reply back. It never felt this bad, he had never had to go to extreme lengths to get release, but it seemed no matter how much he tried, he couldn't quite 'reach the endpoint'. And it was Genesis' fault.

His usual thought process had deteriorated once the drugs kicked in. He was sitting now in his lounge room on his computer with a browser open ready to search for the kinkiest pornography the world had to offer. He wasn't usually like this. He barely even knew what pornography was aside from the glimpses of magazines he had had to confiscate from cadets before burning them as tinder for a campfire.

He also didn't know these things had categories, that there were different types of the stuff. He also learned very quickly that he had no desire to search up any pornography involving women, possibly due to his experiences with women and heterosexuality, but also probably because he wasn't heterosexual at all.

It was sick to think of your best friend, the person you considered your brother, in a sexual manner. But he couldn't help it. Picturing those bright blue eyes wide with a weird mix of apprehension and wonder and the lush auburn hair in his hands as he drove into his body with deep, full thrusts. And then the strangest desire to inflict pain on Genesis – to pull his hair and bite his neck and slap him hard on the ass.

No. He opened his eyes, Genesis gone from his vision. He had to stop this. He was only doing this because his first and only experience was with the redhead, not because he found him physically, intellectually and emotionally desirable. In this state, Sephiroth was willing to take anything that was good, but to clear his mind of erotic images of his friend he hit the search button and clicked on the first video he saw: 'Naughty Schoolboy Gets Disciplined'.

As per protocol, he removed his shirt and undid his pants in preparation. The plot was pretty poor and the acting substandard for the most past with the worst puns and innuendos he had ever heard, but what struck him was the likeness the pornstar had to Genesis. He was maybe a little taller and his proportions were less that of a dancer and more that of someone who was artificially augmented to look like perfection. But other than that, they were virtually identical.

He didn't know if it counted as wrong to masturbate to pornography of someone who looked like him but wasn't him, however the instant the camera panned to the ass peeking out from underneath a too short skirt, he was sold. He wrapped his hand around his erection and stroked himself to the cries of the bound schoolboy and the whip of the cane as he was taken by both a teacher and the principal at the same time orally and anally. It was bizarre to Sephiroth – he didn't even think that these were things people did during sex – gags and clothespins? Why? He didn't know, but it was making his arousal grow tenfold.

And looking at the face of the Genesis lookalike – seeing those cherry red lips swallow every drop of another man's seed as they ejaculated on his face while he took it from behind with a bruise on his cheek when he was slapped across the face. Sephiroth was so close, the louder he screamed and cried for more, the closer he came to release. His breaths shortened as his strokes quickened and he bit his lip.

Then he heard a yell when he came, hunching forward at the pure intensity of his orgasm as he groaned deeply. His fluids hit his chest and abdomen and after the initial shocks of endorphin filled waves of pleasure he sat back in his couch trying to catch his breath with eyes still shut. After a moment and his high came down he opened his eyes and looked towards the right where he had faintly heard a noise.

His eyes went wide, "…Shit." He said.

Genesis stared back at him with the same amount of horror, but then he smiled and laughed, to the point Sephiroth thought he went insane, but was too scared to move or say anything. The redhead sat down next to his friend and looked at the movie still playing.

"Oooh!" he said, "I didn't know you were into BDSM."

Sephiroth was still horrified and could only stutter in a very faint voice, "B-B…BDSM?"

Genesis turned to him and frowned, "You don't know what BDSM is?" Sephiroth slowly shook his head, "Well it stands for bondage, domination, submission and masochism, although the D and the S can also be discipline and sadism. We could try it sometime if you like. Maybe I could take you to a sex store." the redhead smirked, "Would be great if we could explore you're sexuality."

Still coming down from his high, still coming down from the shock of being caught by Genesis and now they're talking about sex things? About his sexuality? BDSM? What? It was too much for his post-ejaculation brain and he felt both stupid and ashamed when Genesis handed him a tissue and he cleaned himself up. He couldn't look him in the eye. Not now. Not ever. But his friend was in a good mood.

"Oh! You even found the pornstar that looks like me! There are quite a few of these. They're all the whores or private kept lovers of wealthy white men in Midgar who wish they could have someone like me, so instead they take a relatively attractive man, shoot him up with mako and make him go through so much plastic surgery just so they can look like me. Hah, isn't that desperate or what?"

Despite his attempts by being fine with the ordeal, Sephiroth was still upset.

"Seph…" he said, holding him close and kissing his cheek, "It's only natural. Don't worry. I'm not judging you, nor will I tell anyone."

The general swallowed, "It's not that."

Genesis pulled back, "Oh? What is it then?"

Should he say it? Should he tell him that he could only think of Genesis in such a sexual manner. That Genesis was completely and irrevocably desirable to him? That all day all he could think about since he returned home from the labs with yet another failed experiment was coming home to Genesis? If he had known having sex with him would screw up his brain like this, he probably wouldn't have gone through with it.

But looking at Genesis now…he did look good, but he also wanted to hold him and kiss him too, not just have sex with him.

He shook his head, "I missed you, I guess. I was thinking about you."

The redhead blushed, "That's sweet. Would be even sweeter if it wasn't because you were horny."

"No…I think thinking about you made me this way." He said then sighed, "We don't have to do anything tonight. I just want to sleep with you."

Genesis frowned, "Is something the matter? I mean you look ready to go again." He said hinting at the semi-erection he was sporting. Only if Genesis knew it was the drugs.

"No," Sephiroth said, "Let's just go to bed."

The pair both got up, stripped off and got into bed. It was actually a lot harder getting into a comfortable sleeping position together as Sephiroth's partial erection made things…problematic.

"Just let me," Genesis convinced and the general gave up as he felt the redhead's hand on his cock and those petal soft lips against his. It didn't take long for him release again as this time he had the physical form in his hands. He had Genesis pleasuring and kissing him. It felt so different, so real, so fresh and so liberating that he pulled the redhead on top of him and held him tightly through the night.

If he had a choice where societal expectations and ShinRa didn't exist, he wouldn't feel the fear and worry he does for the future. Neither would he be using Genesis like this. Looking down at the warm, sleeping form on his chest Sephiroth had so many questions he wanted to get answered – his sexuality, what was love and how to know when you were in love. All of these questions he felt Genesis could answer for him so easily, but those were answers Sephiroth knew he shouldn't get answered. Not only to save himself the pain of never knowing and learning something so beautiful for yourself, but also for Genesis' own sake as he danced a fine line within the company. He wanted to protect him, but he knew that even being Sephiroth with all the strength he had, the company was much more powerful than he could ever be.

R & R appreciated. Still deciding with what to do in terms of Genesis and Lazard. It's certainly not going to have a big part of the plot like in this chapter, but I have some ideas on how it will play out. Suggestions anyone?