Chapter Summary: The end of the beginning of Ariana and Aridai's new lives as the children of the Holy Trinity of SOLDIER Firsts.
Beginning note: In the last few months since I last updated, I've been hit with so much involuntary overtime, my wallet is happy but my energy is drained =n=
Apparently, my brain's birthday gift to myself is the end of this story.
Yippee!
The rest of the SOLDIER Firsts and Aridai found Genesis sleeping in the armchair, Ariana curled and snuggling into his torso.
Sephiroth and Angeal couldn't find the two in either of their apartments, crossing the floor to Genesis' suite, which was unlocked.
The SOLDIERs looked at each other with bemused expressions, before Angeal pulled out his PHS to snap a picture of the adorable sight.
Aridai snuck closer, watching his sister's chest move with every breath. He poked her cheek, Ariana making a small noise but still sleeping. He looked back up at the teens, his hands reflexively making some Turk signs.
'Quiet—calm—do not wake.'
Ari only got blank stares of confusion. His hand flexed but the motion to facepalm was aborted.
He forgot that the two were SOLDIERs and not Turks.
"Let's go," he said quietly, and if the older men weren't enhanced, they would've never caught it.
The trio carefully left the apartment, the door closing silently behind them.
Ariana could hear a thumping noise, and she just felt so comfy. Warmth surrounded her, soaking into her bones and her very being. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this way, especially with the bare minimum of padding in the labs.
Wait.
What was she doing before she fell asleep?
Slowly, slit green eyes opened, vision blurry, before the world came into focus.
"Good evening, sleepyhead."
Genesis' amused face came into view, and Ariana smiled. A short vision flashed before her eyes, of a slightly older Genesis with an apple offered on his palm in askance. Before she could dwell on it, another blink had it fade away.
"Genesis?"
"Yeah. It's just me. Angeal came by earlier and left some food. Do you like fish?"
The girl hummed, "Everything Papa makes is tasty. I'll try some." She slowly got out of Genesis's lap, moving to the sofa instead so she could yawn and stretch.
"You're right about that," the redhead agreed, getting up too to get the food Angeal helpfully left in the kitchen.
The two had their dinners in a comfortable silence, only broken up by Ariana making pleased noises of enjoyment.
"Ariana."
Green eyes looked up, Ariana still chewing her bite of salmon. She tilted her head to the side, before swallowing.
"Yeah, Genesis?" A burp snuck up out of her mouth, her pale cheeks turning pink.
"You can call me your dad if you want, Ariana." Genesis gave an indulgent smile when her eyes widened, fondness in his turquoise eyes.
"Really? You…won't be mad?" she asked tentatively, biting her lip.
"I won't. I won't say it will be easy, but you're my daughter. You and Aridai are my and my friends' kids,'' Genesis reassured, "I know you never asked for any of this. To blame either of you for being born, to be raised like you were, would be outrageous. You endured torment, to find the end of the journey. The choices you made lead you here. I won't let your future fade, Ariana. And you can call me dad however many times you'd like."
Ariana's lips thinned, her thoughts and uncertainties written all over her face, until she seemingly came to a decision.
"Okay, Genesis. Um, I mean. Dad."
Smiling, letting the word settle briefly on her lips, Ariana repeated herself.
"Dad. Dad? Dad!"
She got out of her chair, rushing to the redhead, who moved at the same time.
"Dad!" Ariana buried her face in Genesis' chest, pressing her nose into his shirt, "Daddy…" Her arms held tightly to him, "The Goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar, she guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting."
"Yeah. I'm your dad," Genesis agreed, "Now go finish your dinner so you can nag your brother. I'll clean up."
Reluctantly, Ariana let go, grumbling, "I don't nag." She went back to her chair, finishing the meat and rice quickly and wiping her face with a napkin, flashing another smile.
The twelve-year-old washed her hands, opening the front door. She paused, waving at the amused teenager.
"Okay! I'm gonna go find Aridai and tell him the news! Good night, Dad!"
"Good night, Ariana." Genesis watched the door close behind her, the remnants of her meal still on the table. He almost didn't notice his lips curled up into a small smile and let his eyes close for a moment.
The kids were going to be alright.
Sephiroth sipped his tea, a touch of Freeze rapidly cooling the drink after he brewed it. He scrolled through Midgar's news on his PHS, reading about the opening of a new children's entertainment center in Sector One.
The teen wondered if Ariana and Aridai were still young enough to enjoy such a location, or if they were too jaded for the frivolities of young children. Regardless, he remembered how Hojo's labs were so cold, clinical, and controlling. Even if they felt too old, it wasn't too late to experience childish joy.
He could ask them tomorrow.
Angeal hummed while he kneaded some dough, some dumbapples (oh so graciously gifted from Genesis, whose parents mailed a few boxes when the harvest finished) sitting on the counter.
With the introduction of the twins, it meant more mouths to feed, and more culinary experiences to share, and hopefully bringing him and his fellow Firsts closer together. He genuinely enjoyed sharing food and watching the recipients smile as they eat, a warmth resonating through his heart at the sight.
He could only imagine the food the twins had in the labs, and going by Sephiroth's refusal to eat meat, wondered if they would also be meat adverse.
What food would they love?
What food would they hate?
Which meal of the day did they favor?
So many questions, but they had time.
Angeal grabbed a paring knife, peeling the apples with the edge, and cutting them into thin, equal slices.
He couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces when he introduced the two to desserts.
Ariana burst into her and Aridai's bedroom, following her brother's side of their link.
"Ari!" In a split second, the younger boy was encased in the sturdy arms of his sister, her hair smacking him in the face.
"Ana?"
Genesis said he's our dad! Ariana gushed through their link, an ineffable surge of pure happiness flooding it. I called him Dad earlier. Look, look!
Ariana quickly showed him her perspective of the event, full of her thoughts and emotions.
I suppose we now have a Father, a Papa, and a Dad? The boy tentatively thought back, and Ariana pulled away, feeling that he was starting to get overwhelmed.
"Yeah. I think this means something new, right? Hehehe!" she grinned, her pupils round and a truly blissful feeling resonated through their bond.
"I think you're right, Ana." For the first time in a while, hope kindled behind Aridai's green eyes, and unknown to them both, their eyes glowed bright with the color of mako.
Ariana sighed happily, resuming her earlier hug while they laid on their bed.
"At least now, we're safe, Ana. I don't think…no, I know that we're going to make a better future," Aridai murmured into his sister's hair.
"I've always known we're more than just subjects and numbers. We made a choice, and fought against our fate," Ariana said softly, after a moment, "I wonder what our next steps will look like. I think, for me and you, this is Subject A1 and Subject A2, The Beginning."
End Notes: Genesis is most definitely out of character from what we see in Crisis Core, but this is several years before then, and he doesn't have as big of a chip on his shoulder in comparison. Sephiroth is still seventeen here, while Genesis is nineteen.
And yes, I like when the last words are the title. It makes me happy.
Regardless, this fic is done. Thanks so much for reading, I really want to drudge up some energy for The End Is Where We Begin.
We made a choice, go fight against your fate!"- Wildfire from Honkai Star Rail OST
