Genesis Rhapsodos

Like for a starter? 

Quite a pleasant meeting it had been, ending in terms that Genesis was quite satisfied in, a relaxed expression on his face as he strolled down the corridor with his coffee.

And then he spotted them. Not very good at hiding, of course, they weren’t military after all, but there were four of them. More than he could, or wanted to handle.

There was no way in hell that security would have been this sloppy, which meant that the Turks had done this on purpose just to fuck with him.

When eye contact was made, there was terror on his face, he did a hard swallow and...

The package is suspicious, and Genesis usually overly paranoid about anything to do with his fans, but it did pass security, so he assumes it safe to open.

The gift surprises him pleasantly and he tries it on, to a perfect fit. Its magic doesn’t miss him either, adding to the surprise. This will definitely make it to his wardrobe.

Easing into his touch, she sighed. Her eyes were closed as she enjoyed the pressure on her muscles and joints. It felt great after a long day of running around and cooking. 

“Mm,” she replied softly. “Bed is going to feel so amazing.” A small smile formed along her lips as her eyes opened and she stretched out her arms in front of her. 

“Hey, thanks for the help,” Tifa said as she turned to smile at Genesis. “It’s been great having a second pair of hands.”

Her smile surprised him. It was like pure sunshine, bright, warming, and completely pleasant to bask in.

“I’m glad” he replied, smiling softly in return. “I’m at your service for anything you need of me“ he added, still feeling a debt towards Tifa for her generosity and help. He hoped she would not step back from accepting that offer, as it had been offered honestly, and he knew well that she could use the extra help. It was only a matter of time after all until exhaustion would catch up to her.

Kunsel eyed the car with admiration. That was a nice, dependable model, and the colour suited Genesis well.

“Fourty-two, Loveless Avenue”, answered Kunsel.

He had repeated it again and again to ward himself off from any chance of forgiving .

“Hm, convenient.”

The address sounded familiar, and he had the vague impression he knew the place, but it only meant it would be all the more pleasant of an experience. He opened the door for Kunsel to step into the passenger seat before circling around and sliding behind the wheel with practiced ease. The engine vibrated to life in a pleasant hum, and he took off.

He drove through at a comfortable cruising speed, surprisingly calm in traffic. The car responded to his every move, and that was just how he liked it.

She arched a brow, curious about his words. Was he showing kindness, or making an insinuation that she was weak as a woman? Her mouth opened to protest the comment, but instead of words, a groan escaped instead.

His hand is magic…!

Her body began to relax, eyes closing as she leaned into the massage.

Tifa couldn’t remember the last time someone gave her such a thing. The kids liked to try, but they couldn’t do it deeply enough. But this was heavenly.

“You’ve been working yourself too hard” he commented, his motions encouraged by how well his treatment was received by the brunette. “I’m, sadly, under-exercised.”

He chuckled lightly. “But that much you could probably tell.”

His other hand joined in on giving her a proper shoulder rub. He kept her close, letting her lean on him if she wanted to as he scanned the bar for the night, looking at the few straggles.

Kunsel stared at his superior for a couple of seconds, noticing his firm jawline, the neat lines of his clothing - did he press his sweat-shirts? - and the way his blue eyes and auburn hair complemented each other.

“Yeah, Genesis.” He made a point of almost purring the name. And no, he wasn’t blushing under his mask, damn it. “More than ready. Let’s go.”

It was hard for him not to be amused, a soft chuckle heard from him as he got his reply. He seemed to have such a strong influence on the other, and he would be a complete liar to say he didn’t enjoy it.

“This way” he said, turning around and expecting the other to follow him to where his personal car was waiting, a sleek wine-red roaster, designed for speed and comfort on long trips.

The car clicked open and let out a pleasant chime as they approached.

And a slight annoyed growl could be heard from the weapon as yes, he definitely heard what the red head just said as his hand clenched the closest leather it could grab as it made a slight protest. Yet hearing him speak up as he was still trying to figure everything out, that annoyed the blade with not getting a straight answer but honestly he wasn’t about to press the other. Yet hearing the question posed back at him, Masamune blinked then sigh since he somehow should of figured that question was coming. “What I’m doing for the time being is collecting food before I scramble my way back to the ruins since unlike you, I can’t make my presences known to Strife or his friends…..and certainly not the WRO.”

That’s the last option he wanted, was to be locked up by the shin-ra hunting bastards as they wanted to eliminate everything the company has done or owned. “Rather not be locked away so I usually try to be quick about getting the food or supplies I need before making my way back to Midgar.”

"You make bold assumptions, weapon” Genesis jested with an edge to his voice, and a smirk on his face.

They had always disconsidered him, as far back as he had memories. He’d never been allowed to complain for fear that someone would tell him that he “didn’t have the right”, that “others had it worse”, or that he was “just being dramatic”. He’d heard it enough times that he began playing into it eventually. It didn’t hurt as much when he pretended, but no one truly bothered to look beyond that carefully crafted facade, the public face that everyone knew of him.

As conclusive proof, no one was even giving him a second glance now. They didn’t recognize him. A few did, and as such he’d earned a stab wound once. Generally, though, people left him alone, and that suited him.

Rapier thought for a moment before giving a small shrug. “Not exactly. I found a place, but I just need to pay for it still. I have been working odd jobs here and there to get the money. They don’t exactly give out loans to humanoid weapons, no matter who their master is. Believe me, I tried.”

“So as of now I have been staying with that blonde kid. I may not like him, but that girl he lives with is a real sweetheart. When you are on her good side. Otherwise she will give you the cold shoulder and kick your butt.” She laughed a bit at the thought of the woman potentially fighting Genesis.

Genesis watched her closely, listening to her every word with utmost attention. He found himself smiling. Rapier was doing quite fine on her own, and that came with a bittersweet taste of its own, but he refused to dwell on that feeling for too long.

“Hmm, yes... I have found myself doing the same as you.” The economy wasn’t what it used to be, but while he kept to himself and didn’t make too much of a fuss out of it, he could earn an honest gil.

Kunsel was already waiting for him.

A black-haired man with a medical mask and almond, characteristically Wutaian eyes waved at him, leaning on the outside wall.

He was clothed simply, yet sharply - his shirt and black pants contrasted with a leather jacket.

He had a hat the same shade of blue as his medical mask, but much darker, on short, jet-black hair.

“Commander”, he saluted.

Aside from the voice and glowing eyes, nothing could have penned him as a SOLDIER, let alone the Second Class Zack frequently shared meals and inside jokes with.

Genesis was almost startled. That voice had come out of the blue, definitely not where he’d have expected it coming from. After all, his entire frame of reference for Kunsel was now hidden behind a mask. And people thought he was dramatic.

The voice, at least, was unmistakable, and Genesis was fully assured of whom he was talking to. He waved his hand at the title, as if it was an annoying bug.

“Off duty. Genesis” he corrected instead.

Kunsel seemed to almost shrink on himself.

- “You’ve already got my file, Commander. See you at 1900, helmet-less.”

He didn’t leave a second for Genesis to answer before he was gone.

Genesis groaned and rolled his eyes dramatically.

“But that’s not fun!” he yelled after the other.

Well. It couldn’t be helped now. Might as well go and get himself presentable. Something lighter than his uniform would be welcome.

----

The SOLDIER’s shoulders relaxed.

“In that case, I’ve got a condition for you, too. Don’t call me by my last name.”

The perks of having linked his identity to the helmet and his last name were that when his head was uncovered, he was virtually unrecognizable. Even more while in civilian clothes. Having an anonymous date… It felt somehow more appropriate.

Oh, now it was getting interesting. Genesis tilted his head, a curious smirk on his face, and he folded his arms.

“You should officially introduce yourself then, no?” he said, unabashedly flirty.

Two words. Just two words, and each one was sending him reeling.

Deal?! Genesis was accepting a date? With him? Gaia, the world was spinning on its head. And what was up with that “but” ?

“… But?” Needled Kunsel, not assured in the slightest.

Thank Gaia, he’d learned to put a brave front and keep his feet firmly anchored on the ground already, or he’d probably collapsed.

“No helmet.”

His only condition. The grin was still on, though softened a little. He truly had to commend Kunsel’s courage. It deserved at least a date, hm?

Besides, it had been a while since he’d gone on one, in the very least it would be an enjoyable, unofficial pastime. Would also satisfy a lot of curiosities he had about his fellow SOLDIER, and he felt like now more than ever, he had the upper hand to gain answers.