Author note: Alright, lovelies, hope you're all hungry for more!
It was easy to pretend everything was alright when it wasn't a main focus. After waking up beside Aerith, I'd felt a little bit better. Elmyra had been absolutely lovely that day, and I could see the kindness that flowed from her. I could also see the genuine bond the game had neglected to dive into. Elmyra looked at Aerith with the eyes of a mother. And Aerith, despite her bouncing around and general chatter hung on the older woman's words and advise.
Old feelings better discarded bubbled up from their darkened corner. The life of Riley I would cut out of my soul if I could. Most days that was basically the case. Riley a far off memory, a distant echo of a movie once seen. The curls and loud laugh of a woman who was so similar to that long dead girl, nothing more than wisps of faded voices. I couldn't recall her laugh, or perfume.
But seeing that genuine warmth between Aerith and Elmyra made the memories stir just a little, helped keep the faded photographs fresh.
After many promises to visit again soon, flowers being pressed into already overflowing arms, I'd been allowed to trot out to the waiting Turk, Reno. Who had taken one look at me, and promptly snickered.
"What're you wearing?" The Turk bit his lip when I glowered, trying to halt his giggling.
Truthfully, I hated Aeriths fashion sense. The pastel dress was nothing like I was familiar with, the material a little heavy, somewhat scratchy in places. The skirt definitely longer than the usual, trailing above ankles rather than the knee. The girl had insisted though, on not letting me wear the clothes I'd had yesterday, wanting to wash them before returning them.
"Shut it down, carrot top." He took the flowers as I shoved some in his arms, careful not to damage the still wet blooms.
"Hey, I just asked a simple question!" The red head protested. It would have been more convincing if his shoulders weren't shaking in suppressed mirth. "You look like a glob of cotton candy spat you out."
This son of a… "Says the man who got stripes as a tattoo. On his cheeks. I think you're the last person who gets to judge."
"Yo, these are works of art!" The protest came swiftly.
"If you say so," I cooed at him lightly, stretching a hand out to brush fingers along one of the marks.
Of course, Reno was very capable of getting back up into Shinra tower. However, it involved a lot of walking. The Turk kept himself always either right beside or behind my form, yet somehow looked completely nonchalant. One had to look close to see the shrewd hunt in the man's eyes, aware of everything and everyone around him and his charge.
I hadn't particularly paid attention when Aerith had led me to her home last night. And of course, Sephiroth's method of travel didn't leave much time for exploration. Never again did I want to be carted about like that. Despite knowing he'd sooner die than drop me, primal fear had taken over. Clinging to him had helped a little, but I knew for fact now I wasn't meant to be jumping into the sky.
The press of bodies wasn't familiar either anymore, once we arrived at the train station. For this Reno pressed me into a corner, back facing me even as he made small talk with me. It was clear people recognized me. Even if he wore it lazily, he was in a Turk uniform suit, so of course eyes went to his companion. The camera flashes were familiar. We'd be in some magazine or news station by the end of the day. It wasn't every day I came from the slums after all.
Breathing came easier, when I realized none would dare approach with Reno in front of me. Especially after he casually asked, loud enough for his voice to echo.
"Yo Princess. Want me to break those cameras over their heads?"
I hummed, grasping his bicep lightly. "Only if they come closer. I'm delicate."
"Right, delicate." He snickered again, eyes twinkling.
"I could be."
"If a chocobo flew, sure."
Once we got back to the building, he separated from me quickly, still carrying the flowers I'd shoved into his arms and refused to take back. Aerith had given way too many. And despite my jokes, I wasn't much inclined towards the fragile things.
My steps automatically carried me to the SOLDIER firsts class floor. Of course, I had access to any and all rooms in the building, an oversight I rarely took advantage of. Deep breaths in and out, hand poised to knock.
But what if he wanted to be alone? The thought depressed me a tad, fingers lightly brushing the door rather than make noise. He hadn't looked good, last night. It wasn't like they'd discussed something basic, like a hidden dislike for carrots.
Maybe some time would be best… but then, if Sephiroth was mentally weakened… would Jenova be able to crawl through the cracks? Despite the urge to run away, my fingers curled again, three decisive knocks. I released the air trapped in hesitant lungs.
My stance firmed, ready to do basic verbal battle in case my best friend was in danger. When the door swung open, I blinked. The opener blinked back. Both in shock, one set squinting, looking up and down.
His mouth twisted in a grimace, unhappy and disbelieving noise escaping the pressed lips. "What… are you wearing, darling?"
You have got to be kidding me. I knew the pastel outfit was far different from my usual style but damn. Did the redheads of my life have to keep commenting? It didn't help my shape was different from Aerith, I supposed, slightly longer legs and I wasn't the beautiful waif that she was. As this body grew, so did certain assets. I supposed I was just happy I would be taller this time.
"It's called clothing, Gen."
"There are clothes and then there's that. Whatever that is, burn it. The goddess would surely reward you."
"Oh, zip it. When you meet her, I hope she shows up dressed like a pastel queen."
He pressed a hand to his heart. "Blasphemy! Angeal, Sephiroth you must back me up. Our dear princess is going down a horrible path!"
He pressed a large hand to my lower back, forcing me into the apartment. Sephiroth was in the chair I'd purchased him, Angeal reclined along the couch. Both their eyes trained my outfit.
Despite my worries, Sephiroth seemed remarkably alright. Granted his poker face was good enough to mimic a statue.
"She looks fine," Angeal began tiredly. "Don't be rude, Gen."
"I see nothing wrong with her. She's adequately clothed." Sephiroth backed him up.
Maybe, I could take it at face value if I didn't know Angeal would compliment a potato sack dress out of politeness. Sephiroth would question the potato sack, at least, but even he based clothing on feel, rather than fashion. Man liked his leather, and Genesis had filled his closet with soft sweaters and pajamas, realizing his friend liked soft and cozy when not in leather.
Genesis sounded like a wounded animal. "You two have corrupted her. Don't worry darling, for you are beloved by the goddess. I'll save you."
"I genuinely hate you sometimes." I huffed at him, plopping down in his favorite chair as retribution. "If you must know, I borrowed my friend's clothes. My fashion sense is just fine."
My revenge was short lived as he spun the chair to face him again, quick enough to cause a squeak to burst from me, hands gripping the sides. His lips curled into a smug grin at my glaring eyes, and pouting face.
"I'm inclined to believe you. If only it didn't mean that your friend is in dire need of assistance."
What could I say to that? That Aerith would eventually have a pink dress? They would think me odd at the very least.
"I think we have more pressing concerns," Angeal said firmly.
"Ah, yes." Genesis gripped me from under my arms, yanking me up so he could drape himself in his seat again, tugging me back down to settle into his lap. His breath tickled my ear as he shifted. "Project S and G. Care to share?"
Sephiroth met my gaze, somewhat challenging. Probably thought I'd be angry that he'd told others the bit he'd gathered. Of course, there wasn't any right to be angry. The information, though "discovered" by me, had nothing to do with me specifically. They had a right to know. And since this was the path life had taken, I had to keep going. Doing what I believed would lead to the best outcome. For all of us.
Fuck Canon. "I wasn't going to hide it. I just… didn't have the words."
"We understand that," Angeal allowed calmly. "It couldn't have been easy, reading what you did."
"You…" My brows furrowed, for in his grip he held a file.
Sephiroth shrugged. "I have access to your personal room for emergencies."
"We all do," Genesis interrupted. "I went and retrieved the files. Sephiroth didn't know nearly enough to give a satisfactory explanation."
"Fair enough. I suppose… I honestly don't know what to say."
"It never is easy learning you're more monster than man," Genesis muttered.
"No, you aren't!" I snapped it automatically, having dreaded this thought that could fester in them.
I feared Canon, at this point. All three of these men were so very different but so very important to me. I wouldn't recover if they followed their original paths now.
Truthfully, at least they all found out together. Maybe, worse case, it would stop them from abandoning Sephiroth. Genesis alone was the beginning catalyst of Crisis Core, due to the degradation of his cells. There wasn't any degrading yet, so perhaps this wasn't so catastrophic for him. Maybe his mentality really had been affected by the cells as well by then.
The Genesis of the game wasn't the one who nonchalantly supported my weight, casually twirling a lock of blonde around his fingers. He was sassy, and definitely more prone to quick burst of temper when the mood struck. Even then, pretty sure the "temper" was just because he'd learned Angeal would bend slightly to them, and it amused him to rile Sephiroth off.
"You're very sweet," he huffed. "It can't be denied though. Genetically speaking, what even are we?"
"Fuck genetics," I mumbled.
"You don't see us as monsters?" Sephiroth asked slowly. His eyes were stern, mouth tight. Of every SOLDIER effected by Jenova, he was the most ethereal, the most obvious one with alterations at the genetic level.
My heart bled. "Not even a bit. You're my friends, no matter what. Hell, you could bleed mako and I'd still pick you guys, every time."
Angeal smiled faintly, while Genesis tightened his grip. Sephiroth closed his eyes and tilted his face away, utilizing the curtain of his hair.
"We could always force those bastards to tell us everything," Genesis mused.
"Hmm?" I blinked up at him.
"Hollander and Hojo," Angeal explained. "We've been debating what to do. Now that we know it's distasteful acting as a science experiment."
"Indeed. I didn't join SOLDIER to be a guinea pig." Genesis tilted a palm out, a flame coming easy along his fingers. "Your father he may be, but I think he'd look nicer as a pile of ashes."
"You are…" Sephiroth sighed, brushing his hair back to look at Genesis. He seemed so very tired. I wondered if they'd slept at all. "You are probably right. However, we cannot simply attack the head scientists in R and D."
"Says you," Genesis snipped. The flame vanished though, when Sephiroth arched a brow.
"I think we should wait for Vincent." I piped up, shuffling off of Genesis.
Angeal had made and set out scones. The plate was on the coffee table, calling my attention randomly. I was never too strong to deny the call of anything made by him. I took a happy bite. Oh, they were blueberry. Absolutely divine. He'd used fresh berries, too.
"Vincent?" Angeal prompted while Genesis snorted.
I swallowed a bite, nodding. "Yes. He knows more about Shinra then, and at least project S. Besides…"
My eyes flickered to Sephiroth, sitting quietly, so still. He'd shifted to support his head with a fist. "I sent him with some of the reports, too. While he searched for Lucrecia."
Angeal's eyes widened. "The woman who gave birth to Sephiroth." His tone was incredulous, with a touch of heavy curiosity.
"She's hardly important," Sephiroth chimed in. "The important questions can be answered without interference from an unknown variable."
He glared at all three of us, as we all gave him looks. Genesis eventually snorted, leaning forward.
"Come now, Sephiroth. If this man finds her, you can wring answers from her. I know I certainly intend to make some pressing demands of my… parents." He held such contempt in his voice suddenly, Angeal frowned, brows twitching.
"Part of the idea has merit," Sephiroth allowed. It was hard to forget sometimes these were the two who embraced their rage, sometimes.
"Listen… I don't necessarily think your parents, with the exception of Hojo, allowed this for curiosity. I know Lucrecia loved you, Seph."
"Yes, the evidence of her "love" is apparent." Sephiroth scoffed. He made a move to rise, before I aborted the motion. He allowed me to curl up to him, scone still balanced in my hand as I tossed my legs over the chairs arm, sighing.
"Ah, no wonder she left me," Genesis commented. "I would have been quite cross if she'd gotten crumbs all over me."
Angeal smiled faintly, when I took another bite.
Sephiroth eyed me warily, body tense in a way it hadn't been in years when dealing with touch. But he was allowing it. He wanted to be close to his friends, even if he was worried for his humanity. I settled against his chest, wondering if he could hear my calm heartbeat. If he could, I hoped it lulled him. He was relaxing, at the very least.
"Sephy, I don't know if Lucrecia will be a good mom. You don't even have to acknowledge her as yours if you don't want to. But, I do think it's important you meet, at least once."
"I hardly see the relevance. Regardless of the egg I developed from, one cannot deny Jenova is more in my DNA than either her or Hojo."
My mouth ran dry, the scone as ashes now. Especially when Angeal agreed. "The Same goes for us. Still, there are questions the good professor could answer."
"Good professor?" Genesis scoffed. "My friend, your politeness knows no bounds. I happen to agree though. We should force the answers from those damned scientists."
I released a breath. "Your mother is not Jenova. I need you all to understand that. Jenova was…"
"You understand what she is?" Angeal reached out, taking my half eaten food from me. Always so thoughtful.
"From Aerith." I agreed absently, trying not to wince. At the mention of Jenova from me, Sephiroth had flexed his fingers where he was supporting my back. I wondered if knowing about her had been enough to make him susceptible to her will, regardless of where she was. If so, we were all fucked.
"She told me Jenova was a calamity. We… need to get rid of it."
I explained what Aerith had told me, careful to only mention that instead of what I knew. Game verse versus things learned in life. I also added facts from the reports, ever so carefully.
Our talk went most of the day, the three categorically ignoring work for this. It was decided they would let me talk to Rufus, who I believed would help shelter the three SOLDIERS closest to me at the bare minimum. We would also wait to confront the scientists responsible for this anomaly in their lives, give Vincent the chance to find Lucrecia. I hoped she would be more forthright in if using cells from Sephiroth would settle the degradation coming for the other two.
The other two left around dinner time, none of us hungry. I would have shuffled after them, but Sephiroth clung, like an overgrown house cat wanting pets. My sleek, powerful panther, yet always so docile with me and Aerith.
"A calamity… it explains why sometimes, Aerith was afraid of me. And why I…"
"She wasn't afraid of you," I murmured. "The planet was yelling at her, which is weird enough to say out loud. Do you… hear anything?"
"No. More an aversion that felt natural. I'd placed it down to the fact back then, I did not want any connections. Hojo had always assured me they were useless."
"People?" My nose scrunched.
"Longing." He glanced to me, eyes locking with mine. "The desire to be seen or heard."
"I hate him," I muttered. My head settled against his chest. "You aren't alone, okay? I'm definitely always hers. And so are the others."
"I know. We're family, are we not?" He smirked faintly while I smiled.
"Fuck yeah we are."
