A/N: So, who's ready for new storytime!? (raises hand with shifty eyes) Lol, seriously though, I have been asked several times recently to do a story for Angeal, since I have done one(or more) for Genesis and Sephiroth. Finally, this was what came out. Think of it as the first step down that road lol. I need to get a little more familiar with writing him first, and for now, I get a heavy sibling vibe from him. Hopefully, this will help me get his character down a little better before I try to do more. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy where this goes. I have big plans for it. Thanks for reading and cheers! Edit: I also would like to add a note about the romance. Despite how this first chapter looks, it is a Sephiroth/OC story. That doesn't mean there will be Genesis bashing though. This one will be a little bit of a different take from what I have done before. Hopefully, a little more mature and realistic. Or at least that is what I'm aiming for. I hope you all enjoy it!

Chapter 1 – Young Love

A soft breeze blew through the orchard filled with bent trees. Half of them were in full bloom while many of the others were heavy with fruit. There were only a handful of the trees that were bare of anything but leaves. The sun was still low in the sky, but the warmth of the summer day was already making itself known. Under the shade of the largest tree, a teen boy could be seen with his nose buried in a thick tome.

The only sounds around him were the wind in the limbs above him and the leaves rustling together. However, that was shattered when a set of hands covered his eyes, and a feminine giggle was heard. The laughter was quickly followed by a voice. "Guess who?"

The boy sighed as he reached up and pulled one of the hands down while he answered. "Alexandra, you should be aware that you are the only person that ever does that to me."

The girl stuck her tongue out at him as she flopped to the ground next to him and laid back with a huff. She frowned up at him from her spot on the soft grass. "You're no fun. Besides, even if you do know, you should play along."

The boy stared down at her for a moment before he chuckled and answered. "Why are you out here? Don't you have chores or something?"

The girl stuck her tongue out once more as she scoffed. "You know, it wouldn't hurt you to get your hands dirty occasionally too. It might build your character. At least that's what mom says."

The boy rolled his eyes as he picked his book back up. There was more than a little smugness in his voice when he answered. "I don't need to build my character. It is already sufficient."

When he then buried his nose in his book again, the girl glared up at him. It was several seconds before she sat up with a huff and tried to stare a hole in the side of his head. When she saw the edges of his lips turn up as he tried to hide his smile, a mischievous glint entered her eyes.

She didn't give him any warning before her hand shot out and she snatched the book from him. He was so shocked by the action that she had already shot to her feet and started running with peals of laughter following her as she called out. "You'll have to catch me if you want it back."

When his brain caught up to her actions, the boy shot to his feet with a growl and was instantly after her. Despite her head start and how fast she was, he was just a hair quicker. He didn't catch her right away, but after nearly fifteen minutes, he finally tackled her to the ground, and they both went down in a tangle of limbs. They tumbled a few feet down a slight incline before they came to rest with him splayed out on top of her. Despite the tumble, he knew she was alright when he heard her giggle again.

The boy sat up and back to glare down at her. He was going to reprimand her, but two things made him pause. First, she had his book clutched to her chest with both arms in a protective stance. The fact that she had been willing to sacrifice herself to save it, despite the fact that she stole it, made him smile. That only lasted until he saw her closed eyes. Even though she was smiling, there was a hint of tears leaking from beneath her closed lashes.

He quickly got off her before he reached down and helped her sit up. There was concern in his voice when he spoke. "Alex, were you hurt?"

Alex didn't answer right away. Instead, she sighed as she leaned against his arm. It was only a moment later that she handed his book back and answered without looking up. "Gen, I overheard 'Geal talking to mom last night. He said the two of you are going to be leaving Banora soon."

Genesis sighed before he shifted so he could put an arm around the girl's shoulders. He let her lean against him as they both sat there in silence for several minutes. He finally sighed again before he answered. "Yes. We will be leaving for Midgar at the beginning of next week." He then turned so he could face her. "You knew this was coming. You were the first to know when we decided we wanted to join Soldier."

Alex didn't answer right away. Instead, he pulled on her hand, and she willingly let him pull her to sit on his legs. He drew her into a hug and held her there until she was able to answer. "Of course, I knew it was coming. It just sucks that I can't go too. You know, the whole 'no girls in Soldier' thing."

As soon as she was finished speaking, Genesis pulled back enough to look into her face. He could see the tears in her eyes, but she still had not shed them. He gave her a soft smile as he spoke. "I promise that I will be back for you. I won't leave you here alone." He then brushed her hair back. "Promise you'll wait for me."

Alex didn't answer right away. Instead, she looked into his eyes for several seconds. She wasn't sure what she expected to see, but all that reflected back was the Genesis she had always known. She finally sighed as she gave him a sad smile. "We both know that you will forget me as soon as you get to Midgar and get famous. You'll have all the pretty girls after you. Why would you want me to wait for you?"

Genesis frowned at her words, but only for a moment. He then shook his head as he cupped her cheek. "No matter who might turn my head, you will always be in my heart."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Alex laughed at his proclamation. It hadn't been more than two years ago that he had cursed her presence with Angeal during their adventures. Still, she knew he cared. That didn't mean she was sure it would stay that way. It was nearly a minute later before she finally answered. "Tell you what, I will give you my word to wait at least until I am old enough to make my own way. After that, I will do what I think is best."

When he frowned at her answer, she put her fingers over his mouth to keep him from speaking. She smiled as she continued. "That doesn't mean I won't still wait for you, but it probably won't be here. I give you my word that I will wait until we are both one hundred percent sure that you no longer want me. Deal?"

Genesis's eyes looked troubled for a moment, but it wasn't long before he pulled her hand down and pulled her closer. Their lips were only a hairsbreadth apart when he finally answered. "I will always be there for you." He then closed the distance as their lips pressed together.

The kiss was not their first one, but it was still new. It had barely been more than a few months since they had both decided there was more between them than their respective relationships with her twin. Not that they had been given many opportunities to explore the feelings between them. It wasn't often that they were together without Angeal, and they both believed he would be quick to object.

The kiss had started out chaste, but the longer it went on, the closer they tried to get. There was a desperation between them that only came with young love threatened by the idea of separation. Neither of them knew how to express what they were feeling, and each tried to pour their feelings into the kiss. It was sloppy and inelegant, but neither cared. At least not until Genesis was suddenly pulled back and up.

Alex went tumbling off his lap and glared up to see an equally pissed off Genesis being held by Angeal. Neither of them were able to speak before her brother turned a longsuffering look to her boyfriend. "Genesis, you are my best friend. Don't make me kill you."

As soon as he was done speaking, Genesis pulled away from Angeal. Alex had already gotten to her feet, and she glared at her brother. "Like I would let you."

Angeal looked at his twin with narrowed eyes. "I won't try to dictate who you see as long as they are decent. I don't even object to Genesis, mostly, but you are both too young for that kind of behavior."

Alex clenched her jaw as she strode forward and grabbed Genesis's hand. Despite how hard she was glaring, there was a trembling to her bottom lip when she answered. "Like you care what happens to me. You are both leaving me."

Angeal seemed to deflate as he gently pulled his sister away from Genesis and gave her a hug. His voice was soft when he responded. "Mom thought you might have overheard us when you left in such a hurry this morning."

It was her brother's understanding that was finally the undoing for Alex. She burst into tears as she grabbed tighter to her twin. He gave her a few moments to get it out of her system before he pulled back. He even spared a smile for his best friend when the other boy pulled out a handkerchief for her. He gave her the chance to wipe away the worst of the tears before he spoke. "You know this isn't forever. You may not be able to go with us now, but I promise to write all the time. We'll be back when we can, too."

Alex huffed at him before she stepped away from them both. She took a minute to clear the rest of her tears before she managed to turn back to them both with a strained smile. "Fine, if you are both going to leave me, let's make these last few days count."

She then stepped towards them and put an arm through each of theirs. Despite the somber atmosphere, they both smiled as they allowed her to pull them forward and into one of the last adventures they would share before the future arrived.


That weekend was a whirlwind of activity. Both boys had to pack everything they had for the long journey. Genesis's parents had offered to pay for his trip, but he refused. If he and Angeal couldn't go together, then he didn't want to take the quick route. They ended up settling for giving the pair of boys a little money to help with expenses on the way. Not that Angeal wanted to take it, but Genesis finally told him that he would take it, and if he ended up helping his friend along the way, so be it. Angeal still objected but gave up the fight when Alex insisted he quit being prideful. Not that he felt that he was since he had always been taught to hold to his honor. Still, he didn't want to spend his last days in Banora fighting with his sister.

The Rhapsodos's even threw a going-away party over the weekend. It was filled with good food and a few of the other kids in town. Most of the boys were jealous and excited, while the few girls tried to make sure both Angeal and Genesis remembered them. That was an activity that made Alex angry, but all it took was a few well-placed glares, and most of them left well enough alone. At least for the time being.

As for the rest, no one doubted the two boys would make it into Soldier. There were even bets as to how long it would take them to rise in the ranks since everyone had confidence that it was just a matter of time.

Alex spent most of the weekend alternating between ignoring both boys and trying to stick to them like glue. Angeal tried not to get aggravated with her behavior since he knew she was hurting. That didn't make it easier for him to deal with. Especially since she spent just as much time moaning about Genesis leaving when he wasn't around as she did when they were all together. He almost felt a little miffed that she seemed to have more tears for his friend than him.

Not that it was true, but most of her tears for her brother were kept behind her bedroom door so he wouldn't see them. It was one thing to mourn losing a best friend and boyfriend when it hadn't been that long since she realized she had those feelings. However, the wrenching sobs she stifled with her pillow each night for her twin were too much. She knew Angeal would feel even worse if he saw them, and she didn't want to make it harder on him. Even if she was hurt.

That Monday found both families gathered together at the edge of town before the sun was even up. It was a quiet group as everyone said their goodbyes. Once the adults were finished giving the boys all the advice they could, it was Alex's turn. She gave them both a tired smile before she pulled them both into a tight hug. The three of them stood there like that for several minutes. It wasn't until the top of the sun could be seen over the hills that they finally pulled away from each other.

Angeal gave his sister one last long look before he spoke with a final reminder. "Don't kill yourself, but make sure to take care of mom. Also, don't stop training just because we aren't here anymore. You need to make sure no person can ever take advantage of you."

She rolled her eyes but still nodded. "Of course. You know I already have a job. Once the warm weather hits, I'll have more time. I'll make sure mom doesn't have to kill herself either. And I can't promise to try and fight with your sorry excuses for practice swords, but I will keep up with the rest. Okay?"

Angeal wanted to say more. There were so many little things he could think of to try and remind his sister, so she and his mother were kept safe. However, in the end, he just nodded. No matter how worried he was about the two females he was leaving behind, he had no doubt that they could take care of themselves, even if dad was gone.

At that point, Genesis stepped forward and ignored the looks the adults gave them when he pulled her into a tight hug. He held her like that for a moment before he whispered into her ear. "I will dream about you every night until I see your face again."

Alex chuckled as she pulled back far enough to look into his eyes. Her tears had started once more, but she ignored them as she answered. "I doubt that, but a girl can dream. Just don't get carried away. I know you, and you will be the best one day. You just need to remember that it takes time. Don't let your short term position get in the way of your longterm goals."

He frowned at her reprimand, but she only grinned. They both knew she was right. Still, time wasn't waiting for them, and they both knew it. He finally cupped her cheek and gave her a quick kiss before he stepped back. Both of their cheeks heated when the adults all made some form of comment. At least none of them seemed worried about it. If anything, they all seemed to have wondered how long it was going to take before the two teens finally realized what the adults had seen for some time. Not that anyone was in a hurry, as they were all young. At least the separation would give them both time to grow so they would be better prepared for life later on.

When Genesis stepped back, he gave his parents one last nod before he smirked and gave Alex one last parting remark. "Don't forget. Don't let anyone else turn your head."

Alex scoffed. "And who would? This town isn't that big." When he frowned at her response, she stepped closer, and her smile faltered a little as she continued. "Besides, who could compare, even if I did have a hundred choices?"

Instead of answering, Genesis was pulled backward by a frowning Angeal. He was still glaring at the other two teens as he called back to everyone. "If we don't go now, we won't get to the next town by nightfall. Stay safe, everyone. We'll both write when we get to a place where we can send letters. Even if I have to tie him to the chair until it's done."

Genesis scoffed as he pulled away from his best friend. He also waved at everyone as they finally disappeared over the hilltop. Gillian had come to put an arm around her daughter's shoulders as soon as the boys were out of sight. Even the Rhapsodos's came to stand beside them for a few minutes.

The two boys had barely been gone for fifteen minutes before Alex pulled away from her mother and raced to the top of the hill. Tears were streaming down her face, and her breath was coming fast. It was more than the steep incline that had her gasping for air when she finally stopped. The road stretched a short distance before it curved around out of sight. The boys were already gone.

Alex dropped to her knees there and finally let it all out. All three of the adults shared a knowing look, but none of them moved to approach the girl. Instead, they spoke together quietly for a few moments before they parted ways. Gillian stayed behind to make sure her daughter would be alright, but she still didn't try to make her go back to the house.

It was nearly an hour later that Alex finally got up and wiped away her tears. When she made it back to the bottom of the hill, she managed a smile for her mother. "So, what's next?"

Gillian pulled her daughter into a tight hug as she tried to reassure her. "I know it feels like it will be forever, but it won't be long until you are old enough to follow if you want to. For now, why don't we get back and get a late breakfast? I'll even make you pancakes with dumbapple sauce."

Alex smiled at her mom. They couldn't make the sweet treat often, so it meant a lot that her mom was willing to make them just for the two of them. She finally nodded. "That sounds great. I'll even cut up the apples."

Gillian smiled at her daughter as they made their way back to the tiny house in town that had been theirs since the twins had been babies. It may be a lot quieter without the men around anymore, but it was still home, and always would be. No matter where any of them went or how long they might be away. Alex reminded herself of that fact as she tried not to think about the cause of the silence and the two boys that had been an inseparable part of their trio since they first met so many years ago. She knew she would be better with time, but at the moment, all she could think about was the fact that she was still there, and they were gone.