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It had been almost a year since they had defected from SOLDIER.
Angeal's death had hit them both with grief far beyond comprehension. Further to that, the truth of their existence - of their manufacturing at the hands of Shinra - coming to light had propagated dissent between them and the company.
It only made sense to leave. To live.
With their formidable records as First Class SOLDIERs, the company didn't dare pursue them. It meant they could enjoy each other's company - each other's love - in relative peace. They could finally build a home outside of the walls of Shinra, and they did.
On the Northern Continent, South of Icicle Inn and Modeoheim, their quiet acreage was idyllic and safe. The short Summers saw fields of wild-flowers bloom at the roots of the mountains, when the midnight sun would reflect on the glimmering, glacial lakes. Long Winters made for plenty of cozy time spent in front of the cabin's crackling hearth, whilst the aurora streamed across the starry skies outside.
It was perfect, and far away from Midgar - from Shinra.
Only, Shinra wasn't as far away as they had hoped. In slumber, the years spent in SOLDIER gnawed at Sephiroth. They kept his heart on edge.
Some nights, he would startle from his sleep at the slightest noise, immediately on his guard, as if Wutain troops had descended upon him en masse. It would take him some moments to realize he wasn't under attack, lowering his fists from the imagined threat.
Other nights, he would be transported back to Hojo's laboratory, subjected again to the inhumane, torturous experiments of his childhood. Struggling against perceived restraints, watching in horror as needles and scalpels mutilated his flesh, he would awaken with tears streaming down his face, shaking and whimpering as he checked his body for any signs of harm.
At times, he also had nightmares about that day - where he saw it.
Jenova.
Its putrid form, as he witnessed in Nibelheim, tormented him. That he shared cells with such a monster, that he could feel its alien influence gripping his mind - those were the worst nights of all. Those nights, he would rouse from his nightmares screaming. Then, searching. Seeking out the monster's body in order to destroy it.
Beside him, Genesis too would awaken with a start, initially ready to defend himself from potential blows or the grip of his lover's hands around his throat. When such an episode had passed, he would then offer comfort and reassurance - anything to bring the former Hero of Shinra out of his excruciation.
Gods forbid Sephiroth woke without Genesis beside him. Whenever this was the case, the ex-SOLDIER had torn their bedroom to shreds in his escalated stupour, fearing that the love of his life had been taken from him.
Often, Genesis had only been in the another room reading - as he often did late at night - or tending the garden in the cooled hours of the morning.
It was becoming evermore concerning an issue, and as the months passed, it was so acute that it was greatly affecting their daily life. The couple made mutual efforts to find a solution, to no avail.
That Spring, Genesis had planted herbs in the garden that were touted by locals to reduce anxious feelings. The former Hero of Shinra ate them reluctantly for weeks. "Genesis, do you truly believe these will work? There is no science to back the claims of their effectiveness. Moreover... They taste abhorrent."
With herbal remedies proving useless and undesirable, Sephiroth suggested trying to dull his own hearing with ear protection. Genesis had scoffed, "My dear - I am quite certain that with your mako-enhanced senses, you would still hear a fly fart. Besides," he sighed, "...the problem is what plagues you in your night terrors - a product of your mind, not your senses."
The red-head adjusted his schedule so that his lover was less likely to wake alone. Still, the other ex-SOLDIER would rouse in agitation, causing Genesis to lose just as much - if not more - sleep. Sephiroth felt awful for this, and by the time the Autumn winds began to whistle over the mountains, he was reluctant to sleep at all.
When he would finally reach the point of exhaustion, sometimes after days of forced wakefulness, he would collapse in shorts spells of slumber - only to startle back to a semi-conscious state in one of his panicked episodes. Now, they were sometimes happening multiple times per day.
After only two weeks of this behaviour, and Genesis was getting to his wits end. He implored, "Sephiroth, my dear - you must sleep. Please! I promise no harm will come to you. I will stay awake to watch over you for a time, if it would help you. If we cannot find a solution to this, I won't have any choice but to take you for medical attention."
The former Hero of Shinra did not like this ultimatum whatsoever. Ever since his childhood, he was terrified of medical proceedings - no matter how non-invasive. He didn't answer his lover's concerns, retreating silently to the property's training yard in offended avoidance.
The red-head sighed, shaking his head. Donning his long, maroon-hued coat, he readied himself for the walk to the nearest village market. Ordinarily, he would have asked his lover to accompany him - but not today. Today, he needed space.
Outside, he sought out the well-worn wooden pull-along cart - but not before obtaining his trusted Rapier. It was an hour's journey, and on foot, he was liable to run into a feral beast or two. Nothing an ex-SOLDIER couldn't handle; his lover's health worried him much more.
It was at the market where he saw them. A local chocobo farmer who normally sold meat, eggs, and down feathers - that day, he'd brought something extra. As the red-head approached the stall, the farmer nodded in acknowledgement. "Mornin', SOLDIER."
Genesis nodded in return as he looked upon them, enamoured by what was before him. "When did these arrive, Joorgen?"
"A surprise found in the hay shed back in July. Real sweethearts - all of them. Hardy, too."
One in particular stood out to him. He couldn't believe the resemblance. "Hm. What are you charging for each?"
Joorgen scratched his head. "No price - they're a dime a dozen 'round here." He then grinned, "Besides, the way you and Seph'roth help us keep those monsters away from our livestock - consider it a gift."
Genesis smiled, "How could I refuse?"
The farmer laughed, his belly jiggling under his flannel shirt. "Though, it'd be a shame if you came all this way and didn't pick up some of my grade-'A' chocobo filets for you and your partner!"
The red-head chuckled in his throat. "You drive a hard bargain - I'll certainly buy some from you. A couple of bags of down as well, I need to repair the pillows again."
Joorgen set to work gathering the purchased goods. He asked, "Chamomile and hops didn't help? Nor lavender and valerian?"
Genesis frowned, "Not in the least."
The farmer's face was more serious now. "You take care, SOLDIER."
In the afternoon, Genesis returned to the acreage. He unloaded his wooden cart, placing the bags of down on the floor and putting the meat aside for freezing. He also unpacked several flats of fresh produce intended to make into preserves before the Winter, as well as a few dry goods that had run low in the home. Finally, he placed a small, cardboard crate on the kitchen table.
A few moments later, Sephiroth wandered into the kitchen, his energy notably meek. His lover glanced at him for only a moment before returning to his task of storing the goods. He spoke, "Training the day away, were you?"
"...I did not realize you were going to the market today."
Genesis shrugged, "I am more than capable on my own."
Sephiroth looked at the floor. "...I know."
There was a tense silence, save for the red-head's rummaging. The former Hero of Shinra sighed heavily before speaking again. "I apologize..."
Genesis looked at his lover. "I know."
Sephiroth averted his gaze, ashamed. He almost choked his words out. "I understand that I...cause you so much pain. I...feel that I am a burden."
The red-head furrowed his brow, then tisked his tongue. He stepped over to the other ex-SOLDIER, taking his hand as he leaned in close. "A burden...that I will love far and beyond even death."
Sephiroth met the eyes of his lover, feeling his face grow warm. "Genesis..."
The red-head brought a hand to the other male's blushed cheek, caressing it softly. "You are the Goddess' gift to me, remember?"
They met each-other in an embrace, a gentle kiss shared between them. Genesis drew back, smiling. "Come - I brought something for you."
Sephiroth's face was marred with confusion as his lover led him to the kitchen table - the small, cardboard crate drawing his attention. "Genesis... What is this?"
The red-head smirked mischievously, but said nothing.
There were two holes on either side of the crate for ease of carrying, which Sephiroth brought both hands to for inspection. To his surprise, something inside brushed against his gloved fingers, and his eyes widened as he drew his hands back. Genesis chuckled as the ex-SOLDIER brought one hand towards the hole again, fingers making a more cautious approach. This time, a small, furry paw shot out of the hole, reaching blindly out for the leather clad fingers before batting the side of the crate - a soft bap-bap-bap sound accompanying the flurry. Sephiroth met his lover's gaze from beneath the billow of his silver bangs, his brow furrowed in question.
Genesis shook his head, "Well? Aren't you going to open it?"
Cautiously, the other male lifted the lid from the crate. As soon as he realized what was inside, he caught his breath.
"Genesis... This is..."
He couldn't finish his train of thought. Gazing back at him was a kitten. An impossibly tiny kitten. A tiny kitten with long, silver-toned fur, and sage green eyes. The sound of its purring vibrated in Sephiroth's ears, and as he towered over it, it wandered in excited serpentines within its cardboard confines.
As Sephiroth the stood in shocked silence, the red-head inquired, "Well, my dear? She has the same eyes as you, don't you think?"
Without warning, the former Hero of Shinra became tearful. Genesis gasped and rushed to his side, taking the other male in his arms. "Sephiroth... Are you unhappy with this?"
His lover attempted to explain his emotional response. "...N-no. Genesis, I-"
The kitten mewled in the box, displeased at the lack of acknowledgement. Sephiroth smiled, wiping away his tears. He gazed down at the creature, then turned to his lover, kissing his temple. "...I love her - just as I love you. Thank you."
For the remainder of the day, Genesis watched in delight as the other ex-SOLDIER bonded with his new friend. At first Sephiroth was cautious, only sitting at the dining table, having taken the kitten from the box and letting it follow his fingers around the on the wooden surface while the other male prepared dinner in the kitchen. Some moments later, he'd become concerned that the kitten would fall. Genesis turned from his prep to witness the imposing warrior on the floor with the creature, chuckling in his low register as it chased a teased lock of his silver hair to and fro. Soon after that, the pair had altogether disappeared from the kitchen, and after Genesis had brought his chocobo noodle soup to a simmer, he entered the living room to find his lover laying on the sofa, smiling blissfully as the kitten clambered clumsily over his chest.
When dinner was ready, the sun was beginning to dip low on the horizon, decorating the sky with a beautiful array of red and orange hues. Genesis called to his lover from the kitchen, but was surprised when no answer came. He entered the living space to an unexpected sight.
Bathed in the evening light from the window lay Sephiroth, sound asleep on the sofa - the silver kitten snuggled up on his hair, against his neck and shoulder. His chest rose and fell softly and evenly. His arms were folded loosely across his torso. No fists were curled and no anguish painted his face. It was now Genesis' turn to become teary-eyed.
A few hours later, Genesis was sat at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of peppermint tea and reading LOVELESS. The other male appeared from the living room, holding the kitten in his hands. The red-head smiled as he placed the small creature on the floor before settling in a chair adjacent to him. "Soup's still on the stove. Sleep well?"
Sephiroth smiled in return. "Yes - I believe I did."
The red-head flipped the page in his book. "I'm glad, my dear."
The other male rested his face against his folded hands. He sighed, "I should still attend the village clinic, however."
Genesis raised an eyebrow, "You would do that? By your own accord?"
Sephiroth nodded. "Yes. We cannot live comfortably if I do not address my trauma."
The red-head closed his book, "A wise insight." He took his lover's hands in his own, "You know that I am with you every step of the way, Sephiroth."
The former Hero of Shinra smiled, blushing. Closing the distance between them, he met the other male's lips in affection, their kiss impassioned by years of familiar devotion.
A few moments later, they were interrupted by a gentle scuffling. They turned to see the kitten digging in the substrate of a large, potted plant. She then rotated, squatting over the disturbance and soiling it. Genesis exclaimed in horror, "Oh no! My ficus!"
Sephiroth chuckled in his throat. "That must be why she woke me. We'll have to teach her a more appropriate place for such business."
"I'll leave that to you, my dear. I have my hands full with making preserves this week."
The silver-haired male smiled. "I will help you, of course - and I will remediate your plant."