The morning light crept through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting a muted glow across the room. Sephiroth's eyes opened slowly, his senses immediately attuned to the soft rhythm of Ren's breathing beside him. For a second, he just wanted to close his eyes and sleep again.

However, the events of the previous night lingered in his mind, stirring a mix of emotions he wasn't accustomed to. Normally, he was methodical in every action, every decision, but with her, something had shifted. He had let his guard down, allowing himself to feel, to want—something he rarely permitted.

As he lay there, his arm still wrapped around her, he couldn't help but wonder how this would change things. Now that he had come back to his senses, he could see how this would lead them down a very complicated road. He had allowed himself to act on impulse, to be vulnerable in a way that was both exhilarating and unsettling, without knowing how this would affect her and him.

Could this jeopardize his focus, his purpose? Would this connection with Ren make him weaker or stronger? He was a First Class SOLDIER, the most powerful and respected figure within Shinra's military structure. His actions were always inspected, his decisions held up as examples for others to follow. A relationship—especially one with a cadet—was not just a personal matter. It was political.

She was still a cadet, far from the rank that would normally warrant his attention, let alone his personal involvement. Their relationship, if it became known, would be a subject of gossip, speculation, and likely disapproval among the ranks. It would be seen as favoritism, a breach of the unspoken rules that governed their world. He was well aware of the importance of maintaining a professional distance from those under his command. It was a line he had never crossed before, and now, he had leapt over it without hesitation.

He knew how quickly rumors could spread within Shinra, especially among the cadets and SOLDIERs. They looked up to him, idolized him even, and any hint of impropriety could shake their confidence in him, could lead to questions about his judgment. It could also create tensions among the ranks—resentment from those who saw Ren as having an unfair advantage, jealousy from others who wanted the same attention, or suspicion from those who would wonder what she had done to earn such favor.

This was more than just about how others viewed him. It was about her, too. He had no desire to see her caught up in the toxic currents of Shinra's internal politics. He knew how unforgiving the environment could be, how quickly it could turn on someone perceived to be different or favored. He didn't want Ren to suffer because of their connection, to be seen as anything less than what she was—a determined, capable warrior who had earned her place through hard work and skill.

These questions swirled in his mind, and for a moment, he felt a flicker of doubt. Yet, as he looked down at her peaceful expression, a wave of something unfamiliar washed over him—contentment. Even after all of this, he did not regret it.

Before he could dwell on it further, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the soft chime of his PHS. Carefully, so as not to wake Ren, Sephiroth reached over to retrieve the device from the nightstand. A message from Lazard flashed on the screen:

"Sephiroth, report to the conference room at 0800. Angeal, Genesis, and Rufus will be there. We need to discuss the details of a new mission."

He slipped out of bed with the precision of someone used to moving silently, not wanting to disturb Ren. But as he began to gather his clothes, he heard her stir.

"Sephiroth?" Her voice was soft, still heavy with sleep.

"Where are you going?"

He turned to see her watching him, her eyes clouded with the remnants of sleep but quickly sharpening with curiosity.

"I have to attend a meeting," he replied, his tone calm as he met her gaze. "Lazard called for it. Angeal, Genesis, and Rufus will be there."

Her brow furrowed slightly. She looked as though she wanted to talk, to make sense of what had transpired between them, but now wasn't the time. There were too many factors to consider, and he wasn't ready to dive into those discussions just yet.

"We'll talk about it later," he said, his tone firm yet gentle, hoping to reassure her. He moved closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "But know this—I don't regret what happened. And neither should you."

Ren's eyes softened at his words, and she nodded, though he could tell she still had much to say. There was no time now, but he wanted her to know that this wasn't something he took lightly.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice a touch more concerned. "Do you think you can handle training today?"

She considered his question, her expression growing more determined. "Yes, I'll be fine. I can handle it."

"Good. I'll leave first. Take your time getting ready."

With a final, lingering glance, he turned and left the room, needing to focus on the upcoming meeting. However, how could he focus when his mind was consumed by what had happened?

When he arrived at the briefing room, Angeal and Genesis were already there, waiting. Angeal was leaning against the table, his usual composed demeanor intact, while Genesis was flipping through a worn copy of Loveless, a playful glint in his eyes. He would never tire of that book.

"Morning, Seph," Angeal greeted, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity as he looked him over. "You're looking… rested."

Genesis smirked, not bothering to hide his amusement. "Rested, indeed. I suppose Ren had something to do with that?"

Sephiroth shot him a warning look, though it lacked his usual annoyance. "Careful, Genesis."

Angeal chuckled as he watched both of his friends. "Is this a new development, Seph? I suppose the night was spent well."

"We all need to rest sometimes."

"Rest?" Genesis drawled, clearly enjoying himself. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"

Sephiroth gave him a flat stare, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "Genesis."

Angeal shook his head, grinning as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. How is she, anyway?"

"She's fine. She'll be back to her normal training today."

Genesis raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "She's tougher than she looks, then? Good, she handled the mako infusion well."

"She is," Sephiroth agreed. "But if you're that curious about toughness, why don't you join me in the training room after this? We'll spar."

Genesis's smirk widened, the challenge sparking interest in his eyes. "Careful, Seph. You might regret that offer."

"Or you might," he countered smoothly, a rare flicker of amusement in his tone.

Angeal looked between the two, shaking his head with a smile. "This is going to be interesting. Let me join too."

The light-hearted conversation between them eased some of the tension that had been building in Sephiroth's mind. It was a welcome distraction, a way to refocus before the meeting with Lazard and Rufus. As the three of them waited in the briefing room, Sephiroth felt a bit more grounded, ready to face whatever came next.

But in the back of his mind, thoughts of Ren still lingered, and he knew that once the mission details were sorted out, there would be much more to discuss.