#but angeal is RIGHT and he should say it

[lunargrapejuice]

falling asleep on his shoulder

sephiroth (pre nibelheim) x reader with no pronouns used

fluff + mutual pinning

i love him so much y’all🫠

“alright genesis, you’re up next.”

a yawn follows your words as the man himself stands from his chair on the other side of the room and heads for the door, saying something that doesn’t quite meet your ears. you can barely keep your eyes open and it seems your exhaustion has started to spread to your other faculties. you try to shake off the sleepiness that is practically engraved in your bones at this point and refocus on the large, too bright, screen in front of you. 

the outdoor landscape of rocky hills and tumble weeds fades back into training room one, the metal walls replacing the blue sky from the simulation as angeal puts his sword on his back and a few moments later, genesis enters the room with a cocky smile. 

you turn the page of your notebook and scribble down his name on the next sheet of paper so you can keep track of their evaluations and jot down notes, a task you’ve been given for all soldier classes and has kept you beyond busy, without much sleep or time for your normal duties. it didn’t help that you weren’t quite used to being with the second and third class soldiers either, they were a far more rowdy group than first class and well.. none of them were the soldier you wanted to be with the most.

the same soldier sitting by your side and radiating heat that was not helping your tired situation. but you didn’t move away from sephiroth either. not when you had been missing him more than you could admit outloud and certainly not after he had sat right next to you out of all the places in the observation room of his own accord. a sickly hopeful part of you wondering if perhaps he had missed you too.

at first you weren’t sure you’d be able to make it through these evaluations when sephiroth's broad frame sat by your side and captured all of your attention, your heart beating so loudly you swore it was echoing in the room and mortifyingly would not die down before the others got here. but he had always affected you in many ways and even when your heart had finally quieted, it continued to flutter and skip beats with every word he speaks, every waft of his scent through the close space between you.

you jump in surprise when his long, skilled fingers are suddenly covering up the page of your notebook, your pen stopped between the leather of sephiroths middle and index fingers, your hand aching to drop your things all together and lace your hand in his. a request you firmly and regretfully deny. 

“are you feeling alright?” he asks, his tone with a lace of worry that makes you think he had asked already and you hadn’t heard him.

“oh- yeah!” you turn to smile up at him with energy you don’t really have but it falls into something sheepish when his brows knit, mako eyes studying you and his beautiful lips turn downwards slightly in an expression you know means he doesn't believe you. letting out a tired laugh you admit defeat, “all of you soldiers are such a handful, that’s all. but maybe i should be used to it by now thanks to you three.”

he chuckles at your teasing and you can feel the heat it blooms within your chest quickly spreading to your cheeks and ears. though some part of it isn’t actually teasing, working so closely with these three you know just how much they are too but they’re a handful you don’t mind. 

tearing your gaze from his, you hope he doesn’t notice your flustered state while you shift in your seat to get ready for an impatient genesis to start, determined to remain awake and finally finish these evaluations.

“after this you should get some rest.”

“i’ll be okay,” you answer sweetly, not wanting him to worry.  “i’m really not that tired,” you don’t know who you’re trying to convince with those words, yourself or him, but it really didn’t matter how true it was, not when you had so much work to do. leaning forward you press the intercom button. “whenever you’re ready genesis.”

in the corner of your eye you watch sephiroth fold his arms and cross his legs, facing the screen now turning into another scenic desert with half destroyed buildings. you try not to let him distract you as you settle back into your seat, taking in a deep breath that has your eyes begging to close when hints of leather and geranium fill your nose and a sense of comfort washes over you.

quickly sephiroth notices your word betraying you like he knew they would. only minutes into genesis’ battling fiends and the movements of your pen grow slower, a bit messier in its strokes. he hadn’t been paying any attention to the screen, he hadn’t been even when it was angeals showing off his skills, and though it felt very obvious to him that he was staring, something he found himself doing quite often with you, you hadn’t seemed to notice.

as the minutes pass by, your pen eventually stops entirely, causing sephiroth to shake his head with a small grin, remembering your claims of not being tired that was obviously a lie. before he can make any movements or decisions on if he should wake you, he feels the weight of your head against his shoulder and for several moments he’s frozen in place, his body stiff, the air stuck in his lungs as he can only stare at you and feel thankful he had yet to adorn his armor over his long black coat.

you look so delicate and lovely in this state with your cheek squished against him, a peaceful expression on your face that he wishes he could keep on you forever. one he hoped to see on you more often, and maybe even because of him.

there’s a lump in his throat, for more reasons than he knows where to start. you’re like nothing else he’s seen in this world; warm like a ray of sunshine after a long rainy battle but as captivating and beautiful as the moon and as unattainable as the stars. deserving of more than he knows how to give and yet you look so.. content and without worry resting on him in a way that makes his chest swell.

when his body movements return to him, he swallows that lump down and takes a shallow breath, forcing himself to try to relax because despite how foreign this was to him, he didn’t want it to stop. his shoulders drop slightly and he feels you shift, freezing in his place, not even breathing when his eyes widen but never tear from you as he watches you stir, never fully waking and once again finding a comfortable spot on his shoulder.

sephiroth takes the notebook and pen from you with his opposite hand so it doesn't fall and wake you, keeping his eyes on your features both to be sure you aren’t disturbed by his movements and because he simply can’t look away. he is so enamored with you and only recently had he realized the truth of the feelings and emotions bubbling inside of him, ones he could no longer deny and feels himself crumbling to each passing day without seeing you as much as he’s used to. 

he recalls genesis saying something about distance making the heart grow fonder but it had left sephiroth aching in a way that he had never had before. it wasn’t like the slice of a blade through his flesh or a bruise that purpled against pale skin or needles poking into him but it throbbed just as consistently deep within his chest.

your presence was like a soothing balm to the uncomfortableness that had built up within him over the days without seeing you but your touch was the fuel that ignites his longing like the stars themselves are burning within his chest. he can feel their heat radiating throughout his every nerve, urging him to give in just a bit.

the clashing of genesis’ sword is nothing more than muted background noise to your steady breaths in his ears and mystic green eyes never leave your features but ever diligent in the tasks of protecting your sleeping self, he’s aware of the space around you.

like you’re something beyond precious, and to him you certainly are, his gloved fingers caress your face with all the gentleness he can muster, brushing hair from your temple to behind your ear, his thumb swiping across your cheek in a slow back and forth motion.

he equally hates and is thankful for his glove that separates your skin from his and forces himself to pull away when he feels his heart begging for more, the normally tight hold on his control slipping an inch and threatening to take a mile if it meant there would be more of you.

the comfortable pressure of you against his arm and the weight of your head on his shoulder had to be enough. at least for now. instead he focuses on the tasks of watching over you like it was one of his most important missions.

you can’t help but snuggle into the comfortable position you find yourself in, nuzzling in closer to the warmth of it but through your sleepy haze you can hear the loud clash of a sword followed by a victorious laugh that reminds you of where you are, what you’re supposed to be doing right now, who you’re beside.

with enough force that you nearly stumble from the bench all together, you sit up and your still bleary eyes are met with vibrant emerald shimmering with flecks of mako and a waterfall of silver hair. 

“s-sephiroth!” your eyes focus but it does nothing to help settle you and even though you’re absolutely mortified that you fell asleep on his shoulder, you can’t take your eyes away from the soft expression on his face.

“sleep well?” his voice matches his soft expression and it stops your heart completely.

“i- i’m so sorry,” you can barely get the words out. you honestly aren’t even sure if you’ve said them when he only chuckles quietly and stands from his place next to you, your chest tightening in protest at the distance now between you.

it’s comfortably quiet as he puts his armor on over his shoulders, the clinking of metal that usually accompanies him the only sound in the room and you watch with bated breath as his already broad frame gets larger and he towers over you, still wearing that gentle smile that awakens the butterflies in your stomach and breaks them into a wild flurry.

“ready for me?” he asks and you can’t control the way your heartbeat stutters and your hand clench into fists simultaneously, begging you for him. 

comments & reblogs would be so greatly appreciated!<3 thank you for reading ♡

#final fantasy vii #sephiroth #sephiroth x reader #final fantasy vii x reader #final fantasy x reader #final fantasy 7 #ff7 #ffvii #ff7 x reader

[rottenpumpkin13]

Imagine the firsts getting competitive over queens blood

Why Queen's Blood Is Banned From SOLDIER, A List

• Some people don't know how to play fair and make up rules on the spot, which results in arguments between opponents. One time Zack made up the rule that slapping down three cactuar cards automatically wins the game, and Kunsel was so enraged he shoved a cactuar card down Zack's throat.

• Some people⏤Sephiroth⏤are too good at QB and and it angers others who don't stand a chance against them, leading to cheating accusations. This came after Angeal was so convinced Sephiroth was cheating that he called the police. This resulted in Lazard having to explain to the dispatched officers that the "cheating" in question was because of QB and not Sephiroth cheating on his apparent lover Angeal.

• Some people⏤Genesis⏤don't know how to lose, which turns the above point violent. Genesis has been known to throw entire decks out the window and set them on fire if he loses. If he loses to Sephiroth, guarantee the table will be broken in half and they end up on the ground in a fist fight.

• Sephiroth lost to Genesis once and Genesis never let him forget it, bringing it up in every conversation. Sephiroth grew tired of this, so he did the healthy thing and attempted to staple Genesis's mouth shut.

• The matches take too long because no one wants to lose, so they spend time planning their moves and strategies. One match between Angeal and Zack took three hours, they skipped a giant mission they had been prepping for weeks for, Lazard had a heart attack, and in the end Zack realized he had spent three hours pouring his concentration into the game for nothing. He had to be sedated.

• The Counterfeit Booster Pack Fiasco: Kunsel started selling shady "limited edition" QB decks behind Lazard's back⏤selling things is also banned from the 49th floor. They started selling like hot cakes, but Lazard caught wind that there was something going on. So he interrogated Sephiroth.

Lazard: I know that there's unauthorized goods being distributed amongst the program.

Sephiroth: You don't say.

Lazard: Tell me what it is.

Sephiroth: How would I know?

Lazard: Eyewitnesses claim to have seen you purchase something from Kunsel in the men's bathroom this morning.

Sephiroth, not thinking AT ALL: It was candy.

• And that's why sniffer dogs were brought in at 9 AM on a Wednesday and everyone had to do a drug test.

• Random people pop in at random times of the day to play against SOLDIERs. Reno uses this as a way to bet money and has scammed Zack out of three paychecks already. Cloud swings by on occasion to beat all three 1sts, enjoy watching them lose, and leaves.

• Deck theft runs rampant. Every day there are reports over stolen QB decks and accusations that have ruined several friendships, which hinders everyone's ability to work together. No one is safe. Sephiroth's deck got stolen, Genesis's deck got stolen, Angeal accused Sephiroth and Genesis of theft, Zack....has a suspicious amount of good cards.

• People play when they should be working.

Lazard: Angeal, where's your mission report?

Angeal: Genesis ate it.

Lazard: Excuse me?

Angeal: I beat Sephiroth in a QB match and Genesis was so jealous and enraged he grabbed the report right off my desk and chewed off a chunk.

Lazard: I'm convinced that there's crack in those apples.

• The straw that broke the camel's back and got QB officially banned, though, was the match between Sephiroth and Genesis that ended in them getting stitches because they discovered a way to effectively stab each other with the cards.

• Its rumored that the mere mention of Queen's Blood is enough to make Lazard have a nervous breakdown.

#ff7 #ffvii #final fantasy 7 #sephiroth #ffvii crisis core #final fantasy vii #genesis rhapsodos #ff7 crisis core #angeal hewley #zack fair #lazard deusericus #crisis core #headcanons

[esamastation]

Shizuroth, part twenty-six

Previous parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five

-

Angeal makes it to Midgar first, having rushed through his mission and finished it early. Genesis, even if he rushed, would have had a harder time making it back - Junon wasn't exactly close, after all, even by helicopter it would take a few hours. Genesis still makes his presence known, muttering in his ear the whole way.

"I was asleep when he messaged me! And why is it my job to babysit the favoured son of the Science Department anyway?! What madness must our quest bring to find you so lost -"

"Genesis…" Angeal sighs, pinning his PHS between his right shoulder and his ear while attempting to park his truck in the Shinra Building's maze of a parking garage.

"How was I supposed to know he would lose it the moment I turned my back to him? Our fair hero seemed so well put together yesterday - the clothes he picked! He looked very smart! I was almost proud! I thought he had it handled."

"Genesis, I doubt anyone blames you for this," Angeal assures him, checking the mirrors.

"And they better not! Yesterday he seemed fine. Said he was looking for a quiet day in," Genesis scoffs. "Of course for Sephiroth that must involve untold physical toil. When he messaged me, I thought he would do what he always does, fight a few monsters, slay a few enemies. Normal behaviour, to be expected from our great Hero!"

Angeal finishes parking and takes the PHS in his hand. "I thought Sephiroth was fine too," he says, placating. "He was confused, sure, but overall he was calm and collected. None of us could've seen this coming."

Genesis lets out an explosive sigh. "Maybe we should have. He's not himself."

"There are many ways to not be yourself," Angeal says with a sigh. "Try as we might, we are not trained for these kinds of mental issues."

"No. And neither is anyone else at Shinra for that matter."

Angeal hums in agreement and then looks up as he spots movement outside his truck. Well, damn. "Listen, Genesis, I have to go. I'll do my best to handle this. What's your ETA?"

"Another six hours, minimum," Genesis says regretfully. "You're going to take Sephiroth on alone?"

"Hopefully not," Angeal says. "But probably. I'll… try to keep you posted."

"I'll write you a lovely eulogy," Genesis offers, and with a snort Angeal hangs up on him.

He takes a moment to inhale and brace himself. Then he turns the engine off and pockets his keys. The Turk outside waits politely - though not very patiently - for him to step out.

"Mr. Hewley, I'm here to escort you directly to Director Deusericus' office."

"I should head to the SOLDIER floor first," Angeal says slowly, warily - not liking the implications of this at all.

The bald Turk is utterly impassive behind his sunglasses. "Director Deusericus is waiting. This way."

So… the situation has already escalated to that point, has it. Damn.

Angeal grabs the Buster Sword and then follows the Turk to the elevators, and spends the entire time going up mentally running through all the ways this could go wrong. There's a lot of ways this could go wrong - but surely the company wouldn't actually try to eliminate Sephiroth?

Lazard's appearance doesn't give him much hope - the man's face is tight with tension, and there's a Turk lounging by the window, a casual threat.

"Angeal," Lazard says and looks up. He doesn't look at all relieved to see him - just more tense. "Good. There's no time for pleasantries or even explanations, so I'm just going to get to it."

"Sir," Angeal says guardedly.

"Sephiroth is on floor 49," Lazard begins while the Turks watch them with deceptive disinterest. "As far as we can tell, he's not actively hostile, but he hasn't moved in several hours. There are approximately twenty SOLDIER members on the floor with him, and they've stationed themselves between Sephiroth and the elevator. For security reasons, they're refusing entry for anyone but active SOLDIER members. Even I wasn't allowed off the elevator."

Angeal frowns. So either Sephiroth was too dangerous to let anyone in - or he was so vulnerable that SOLDIER members had stepped up to guard him. "I assume you're sending me in, with orders?"

"Yes. Sephiroth has a mission, and you're going to deliver him to it," Lazard says and picks up his PHS. "I'll send details to your account. Your first and only priority is getting Sephiroth out of the building and into the airport. There's a transport waiting for him on standby."

Angeal takes out his PHS and checks the newest mission.

They're sending Sephiroth to Wutai? Now? "Sir, I understand some disciplinary action is in order, but is this really the time for -"

"The less time we waste, the better for all of us," Lazard cuts him off and glances at the redheaded Turk by the window.

The Turk shrugs. "Sephiroth almost killed Department Head Hojo," he says lazily. "We at Shinra Public Security Department feel it's best to put some distance between the two."

Angeal blinks, surprised. "Sephiroth almost killed Hojo?" he asks faintly. "Was anyone else -?"

"No one was killed - there weren't even any injuries," Lazard assures him.

"You'll be briefed fully on the incident," the red head Turk promises, "once both you and Sephiroth are safely on board a transport and in the air."

Angeal tries to read between the lines, even as his gut says that sending a SOLDIER in what sounds like still ongoing mental breakdown to an active war zone is a bad idea. But then, he's not sure what's the alternative? He'd been half expecting to be tasked with Sephiroth's imprisonment! Or worse, his detainment in the labs!

If Sephiroth really attacked Hojo… Wutai might be his best chance at some freedom.

The red head Turk clears his throat. "Clock's ticking, SOLDIER First Class Angeal Hewley," he says. "Better get moving."

"There's a helicopter available on the HQ Landing Pad," the other Turk adds. "Or alternatively, a car in front of the building. Both your and Sephiroth's belongings have already been packed and delivered to the transport."

"All we are missing is the big guy himself," the red head says. "Think you can go get him for us?"

Angeal looks at them and then at Lazard, who's watching him seriously. The man looks weary and stressed - but not like his hand is being forced. There's not time for much else, he can only hope his read on the situation is right.

"Alright." Angeal nods. "I'll get Sephiroth on the transport."

"Good! We'll meet you there," the redhead says, clapping his hands together. "Don't be late! And Hewley… don't let anything stop you."

Angeal arches his brows in alarm as the two Turks saunter out. "What the hell does that mean?"

Lazard sighs. "Angeal," he says. "There's no time. Get Sephiroth out of here. Now."

#Fanfiction #ffvii #ff7 #svsss #angeal hewley #genesis rhapsodos #rude of the turks #reno of the turks #lazard deusericus

[trinitvii-r]

VP Squared - First Class Impressions

prologue | part i

(ffvii x reader

Genesis should’ve known anyone who got on well with Rufus Shinra would be a load of trouble. Sephiroth thinks it’s a funny turn of events that his friend is the one experiencing stress, rather than causing it.

Angeal’s just happy to be there, really.)

“Dibs,” is the first thing out of Genesis’ mouth as he walks into the conference room.

You know he was referring to you, but you don’t even spare him a glance before returning to your conversation with Rufus… to make it clear to everyone in the room that your VP is and will remain your main priority.

Behind the silly little red-coat-wearing-in-the-middle-of-damn-July man, Angeal looks rightfully embarrassed and is trying to drag the man away. Sephiroth chooses to ignore them both, and makes for his usual seat.

Undeterred, Genesis walks closer to you and stretches out his arm, pointer finger raised straight at you. “Dibs,” he repeats.

You and Rufus share a look for no longer than a second, and your VP immediately understands. He has an amused look on his face as he says, “Go ahead.”

You no longer mask the annoyance you feel as you spit out the words, “Piss off.”

Genesis squeaks out, “I— beg your pardon?!”

You turn away from him, and focus your attention to Rufus once more.

The blonde flicks you on the nose, and laughs at the pinched expression you make. “I would’ve thought you’d say the more colorful word.” Translation: I was hoping you’d say the more colorful word.

You fiddle with your cup of coffee, making a point to keep Genesis hanging, knowing damn well he’s still hovering. “I thought it may offend his delicate sensibilities.” Translation: You know what I mean.

Rufus snorts. As you drink your coffee, Rufus looks up at Genesis, and explains, “They just called you a little bitch.”

You may not have SOLDIER senses, but you swear you hear Sephiroth choke on his spit.

With a mild tone, you reprimand Rufus. “I said I think he’s a wuss.”

“Creative license.”

In unison, the two of you couldn’t resist to snicker. A sight that oddly further aggravates Genesis.

The Commander bites, “That’s it! Newbie, I’m gonna have a lot of fun breaking you in.”

Excuse me?

As you rake your eyes over Genesis’s form, you hear a voice somewhere else in the room ask, “Should I call Human Resources?”

Genesis looks half-murderous, and half-flirtatious as he smirks down at you.

You give him a cheshire grin and say, “Do your worst, Carrot-top.”

Sephiroth absolutely loses it.

Or at least by Sephiroth standards. The man is chuckling, and you could see his shoulders shake as he tries to rein in his mirth.

You pop him a finger gun à la Reno, and cheekily say, “Excited to work with you, General.”

Both Genesis and Angeal drop their mouths open in shock when Sephiroth gives a lazy mock salute, and says, “The feeling is mutual, rookie.”

You turn to Angeal, and give him a wink. “Same goes for you, Commander Hewley.”

A flustered Angeal murmurs, “Thanks. I’ll do my best.”

Genesis should have known you’d have no nice sentiments to spare for him. And he’s proven right when all he gets is a lousy, “You can drop dead for all I care, Red.”

Sephiroth excuses himself, and you could vaguely hear a deep laughter resounding in the hallway.

This is the scene President Shinra walks into, and he looks completely defeated. A triumphant grin forms on Rufus’ face.

All your posturing from earlier morning seems to have faded away, and now Genesis finds himself the sole subject of your attention. He gulps as you stare up at him with wide eyes, an almost enamored expression just for him… or at least his fireballs.

“That was so sick.”

Turning his nose up at you, and in a pathetic effort to hide the red dusting his cheeks, he answers, “What a crude way to address my talent.”

He’s surprised when you don’t respond with some quip. Instead, you whine, “C’mon, man. I’ve never even said that about Rufus with his guns.”

Filing away that tidbit about the Shinra brat, Genesis couldn’t help the giddiness he feels at your words. Not the words he would have preferred, but the sentiment certainly was there. Close enough. If throwing fireballs at dummies was what earned him your respect and admiration, then that’s what he’d do.

A part of him is terrified at his outright sense of urgency to impress you. He brushes the thought away when you grab onto his coat sleeve, and beg, “Please teach me, dude.”

Again, not his choice of words, but for now, dude will have to do.

“Rhapsodos, move! You’re blocking the view.”

The mood is instantly killed by the Shinra brat.

It starts off like this.

News gets passed around that you were assigned the Rufus babysitting gig.

Hand in hand with that, news gets passed around that you somehow made it into the SOLDIER program.

Along with that, the fact you threatened Heidegger with a knife. (A velocity edit of the security feed of the moment is the top retweeted and liked tweet of the day. A bubbly filter AMV of Rufus lowering your knife for you is second.)

It only gets weirder from there.

Sephiroth’s, Angeal’s, and Genesis’s fanclubs have wildly varying takes on what happened in the meeting. Ranging from funny — You apparently had some top secret Turks-esque information that Genesis’ beautiful auburn hair was actually dyed from a bright orange that he had always been self-conscious of, and that you had called him by a mean nickname (Carrot-top) that kids in his village used to bully him with, and ended with Genesis bursting into tears. — to oddly conspiratorial — You were investigating reactors with the Turks when you fell into a vat of pure mako, and that President Shinra had decided to officially make you SOLDIER as a coverup for the fuck-up. You apparently became so powerful that you were named Sephiroth’s Lieutenant General, and that had made Genesis cry.

Genesis being reduced to tears seems to be the thread holding all these rumors together.

By lunchtime, everyone and their mother had their own theories on The Situation.

Which was why Cadet Cloud Strife had to do a double take when he saw you following after Genesis Rhapsodos, followed by Rufus Shinra following after you, and Sephiroth following after Rufus Shinra.

What.

Cloud nearly dropped his soup in surprise.

As you passed, he could barely make out the words, “again” and “just one more.”

And if Cloud knew anything about the Shinra rumor mill, it’s that they would take those words and lewdly misinterpret them. He could already hear Janice from Accounting typing loudly on her phone. Great. He wouldn’t need to open his inbox to know he’d see yet another wildly smutty Genesis fan fiction disguised as a newsletter.

Screw Zack for signing him up for those fanclubs.

Even before you leave the canteen, the winning theory is that you and Genesis enter into a whirlwind romance burning hot like the fireballs he flings onto unsuspecting targets, but alas you are a free spirit who refuses to be tied down. This theory also ends with Genesis in tears.

Cloud notes with a hint of amusement that the sight of you stacking up your and Rufus’s plates and neatly disposing of the trash is the most babysitter-like thing you’ve done all day. You even clean up for Sephiroth who reacts with a slack jaw and the most bewildered expression, and Genesis who stares at you as though you’ve just told him the secrets of the universe. The redhead could almost be described as swooning when he thanks you profusely.

You simply look at the man as if he had grown two heads. After a beat, you smirk. “Alright, hot stuff. Take it easy for the rest of the day, yeah?” You nod subtly at Rufus, who takes it as his cue to stand up, and says his farewells to the other two.

As the two of you make your way out the canteen, this bit of conversation once again throws everyone into a frenzy:

“Still think he’s a wuss?”

“Yeah, but not when he’s swinging that thing around.”

That thing in question was fireballs, but the rest of Shinra didn’t know that.

Definitely not it.

Anything but that.

When Lazard the Bastard told you you’d have to pay your dues as the newest SOLDIER, you did not expect it to be that.

“Well, what did you expect? The rest of them were cadets first. I can’t just hand everything to you.”

You tried the Rufus excuse, but Lazard brushes off your concerns. “I can assign a First on him for a couple hours.”

Like he heard you, Rufus looks up from his phone, and gives you a nod and a smile.

Gods. Right when you wanted Rufus to be a brat and demand his way, suddenly now he’s all goody.

With a scowl, you tell Lazard, “Let’s get this over with.”

Blood everywhere.

Gross.

Oh, and Angeal’s here too.

Nice.

“What’s up?”

Angeal had to admit. For someone who’s elbows deep into cleaning bloody blades, you sure had a draw to you as you hum some kind of melody. He wordlessly sits next to you, and wipes down the first weapon he could get his hands on.

A half hour later, he gets the feeling that you’ve got quite the mouth on you. Though, he’s seen you behave more casually with the other Turks plenty of times, and sometimes with Rufus himself, it’s a bit jarring to be on the receiving end of it.

“—Not gonna lie — but don’t you dare tell anyone else — if Rufus didn’t have those photos on him, and he had to get an actual SOLDIER babysitter, I would have preferred you.”

‘Wait. What.’ Clearly, Angeal was a bit distracted by how efficiently you can clean blood that he had neglected to hear some damning information on how you may have gotten this new gig. Oh well. He can try chatting with you another time. Besides, your new position would only make you more accessible to him.

Heaving a sigh, and resting your bloody knuckles on your hips, you give Angeal a grin. “Wanna hide these rags under Genesis’ bed?”

As if you even need to ask.

When Rufus drags you by the back of your collar like a cat out of Genesis’ private quarters, he can already tell this scene is only going to cause more chaos.

A wide grin fights its way to his face.

He had made the right call for his personal SOLDIER.

#final fantasy x reader #final fantasy vii #sephiroth x reader #genesis rhapsodos x reader #angeal hewley x reader #rufus shinra x reader #we are working our way thru the characters babes #as a sapphic i am distraught that i am still not able to write the women in just yet

[prismaticpichu]

(Zack, having a good time chilling in Angeal’s apartment om his Gameboy Advanced)

(Until suddenly—)

Zack: AhhhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

(The ear-piercing shriek explodes through the living space, jolting Genesis out of his seat and causing him to drop his copy of Loveless pero en espanol on the spot. His head shoots up, gaze shooting towards the couch where Zackary is sitting/the source of the sonic boom.)

(And his eyes widen in concern.)

(Angeal is gone, he realizes. So is Sephiroth. There’s no one to help Zack out right now, to address whatever crisis has plagued him. And that’s when another realization strikes:)

(…It’s all up to him.)

(He has to be the hero.)

(Perhaps he can redeem himself, at last. Perhaps this is his chance to apologize to Zack, to make up for all the times he had called him names or treated him poorly or grew jealous of him and Sephiroth’s blossoming friendship.)

(So, his mind made, only seconds having passed, Genesis races over to the couch.)

Genesis: I’m coming!

(He stops in front of the wide-eyed, blanched Zack, evaluating the sight. And he immediately he spots the problem.)

(There, on Zack’s copy of Pokémon Emerald, his partner creature fish thing bears a sickly shade of purple instead of the natural blue Genesis remembered from the TV show.)

(His eyes widen in distress, as well as a sudden jolt of understanding crashing over him.)

(Goddess… poor Zackary must think his game is possessed! Glitched! Hmphhhhh. He told Angeal he should’ve bought the lad a more modern video game.)

(And Gaia, Zackary’s breathing is out of control—)

Genesis: Don’t worry, whelp! I know what to do!”

Zack: What are you—?!

(And before Zack can even react, Genesis swipes the console from his hands, and restets the system.)

Zack: …

Zack: ….

Genesis (handing back the system as it reboots): “It’s okay, no need to thank me. Angeal has had his fair share of technical difficulties in the past. Nothing to be ashamed or.

Zack: …

Zack: …

Genesis: …What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?

Zack: … ._.

Zack: That was a shiny Mudkip.

Genesis: A what now?

(Zack’s voice is wooden)

Zack: …A shiny Mudkip. Or should I say, 1/8192 chance shiny Mudkip. And I got one on my first shot.

Genesis: …Oh. I see.

…

Genesis: Well. At least your little game is not glitched anymore.

Zack: … ._.

Genesis: Is it getting hot in here—?

Zack: I’M GONNA KILL YOU.

(Angeal walks into the apartment minutes later to find Zack jumping up and down on a helpless Genesis’s back. He can’t even intervene before Sephiroth walks in behind him.)

Sephiroth: Zack! Stop that right now!

(Zack immediately freezes at his friend’s voice, the fire still in his eyes but a look of shame crossing his face as Sephiroth scowls.)

Angeal: …Thank you, Sephiroth. Now, Zack. In a civilized manner—

Zack: HE RESET MY SHINY MUDKIP.

Angeal: Okay. I don’t know what that means, but is this really a cause for—

Sephiroth: He did WHAT?!

(And that’s how poor Genesis Rhapsodos finds himself being body slammed by a 200-pound-plus Sephiroth.)

#ffvii #zack fair #ff7 #crisis core #genesis rhapsodos #angeal hewley #sephiroth #pokemon #shiny pokemon #randomness #mudkip! #stupidity

[altocat]

Alto can I request a small hc scenario where Genesis is drunk or something and a bit warmer than usual and gives Seph a hug who doesn’t yeet him away for once 😭

Genesis gets a little too drunk on holiday cider and, in a rare display of genuine vulnerability, admits to Sephiroth that he's just really glad he's here, and that he has Sephiroth and Angeal with him.

Sephiroth, taken aback since this isn't an act or a jab or a joke on Gen's part, replies that he feels the same, even if he doesn't always say it.

Genesis, moreover, expresses that he wouldn't change it. Not for anything.

"Genesis," Sephiroth replies. "I think you're not quite yourself. You should go to bed. Angeal would worry."

"Well Angeal isn't HERE right now, is he?"

"Well...no. But that's not the point."

A sudden hug. A real, genuine hug. Sephiroth blinks, surprised, startled, not used to physical contact, much less positive contact.

"You're an idiot."

"Am I?"

"A moron."

"What you're doing is a bit counterintuitive to that."

"Shut up. It's cold. You're warm."

"I suppose this is preferable to you impulsively burning down the building again."

Genesis grunts, curls up in his lap. "I'm tired. Love me, asshole."

"Genesis, you're intoxicated."

Genesis doesn't care, happily taking up all his space, not budging for an instant. Sephiroth awkwardly pats him on the back before sighing and scooping him up to carry him back to his apartment. He MIGHT have tucked Genesis in. And there might have been some silent, wistful pining while Genesis snores against his pillow. Sephiroth refuses to elaborate the next morning. Which is good because Gen's hangover is FOUL and now it's everyone else's problem.

#asks #ff7 #ffvii #final fantasy 7 #crisis core #sephcanons #sephiroth #genesis rhapsodos #sephgen #genseph #sephesis #angeal hewley

[crisiscutie]

.... aaaaaand how about Genesis, Angeal and Zack with their Darling having their first kiss under a mistletoe? -w- We need more of these three ;w;

Zack: You've been dating him for a while, but it's time to take things up to another level. This holiday that Shinra came up with is the perfect time to get things rolling. You wanted to show Zack you were interested, (but not too pushy), so you thought a mistletoe in a private spot would be the perfect way to take your relationship to the next level.

.... Later, the evening has gone pretty well so far. As you and Zack moved into position, you felt a wave of anticipation, and you couldn't help but crack a mischievous smile. But Zack stopped, his arms crossed, noticing your mischievous smile.

"Hey! You're totally planning something. You have the trademark smile and everything!" He says.

"Oh come on Zack, at least let the suspense build up!" You pouted as he glanced at the mistletoe nearby. He then embraces you, his lips brushing against yours.

"If you wanted a kiss, you coulda just asked!" He jested afterward. You give his cheek a gentle poke, joking that he should be patient and wait for the best moments to come.

Angeal: You lean your head on his shoulder, as you two watched the second and third classes SOLDIERS engage in an intense snowball fight, from the safety within the gazebo.

"Think our future kids would be this wild?" Angeal says.

"I hope not. Dealing with Zack is enough," You giggled. You turn in time to see a conspicuous mistletoe lowering over your heads. You suppressed another giggle as you totally wonder who could be doing that from the shadows.

Angeal notices your giggle and turns his head upwards, a gentle smile spreading across his face. You tippytoe to his height, wrapping your arms around his neck as you pull him in for a deep kiss. After the kiss, you two went back to observing the tense snowball fight in affectionate silence. For a first kiss, there couldn't be any other time.

Genesis: You hear him groan as you hang up the decorations in the room.

"If only this was LOVELESS themed, right?" You say, your arms shaking with effort as you attempted to hang the highest decoration yet, the step ladder wobbling beneath you. Genesis rose and steadied himself against you, his grip strong to keep you from falling.

"I appreciate you helping me~! After I finish this favor, we can read it all you want!" You happily said. You couldn't help but playfully hit him with your butt as you finished up with the last decoration. You need to make him stop moping somehow. As you stepped away and admired your work, he smirked in approval.

"Hmmm, I've seen better," Genesis said with a cheeky smile. You huffed, hands planted firmly on your hips, and glared at him.

"Oh, really? Well, I got something that will change your mind!" You smiled at him. Genesis raised his eyebrow, curious to see how you will make this tedious experience up for him. You pulled out a crinkled mistletoe from your pocket. The surprise of finding it still there makes you grin. Genesis' warm, inviting smile was the last thing you saw before his lips touched yours.

"Better?" You asked, breaking first ever kiss with him.

"A little," He chuckled.

#angeal hewley #angeal hewley x reader #genesis rhapsodos x reader #genesis rhapsodos #zack fair #zack fair x reader #final fantasy x reader #ff7 x reader #final fantasy 7 #c.c rambles #amaliyaselene

[heraldofcrow]

10, 18, 23, 44, 49 forrr Sephiroth!

(Me and you share some love for white-haired main villain who has a very special circumstance of birth and is trying to stand up against his destiny, take control over the planet and end up fighting blonde protagonist who is their completely opposite but they are so similar… But mine is from FF9 xD)

FAREEHA YOU INDULGE ME TOO MUCH, THANK YOU!! You know I am holding back so much from writing essays on my beloved, loll. I need to stay CALMMM <3

Also, are you talking about Kuja?? Omg, I actually kinda know him! They did a FF9 crossover on the FF7 Ever Crisis game recently and they made a reference to him via Sephiroth actually. A very toned down reference though, haha. Sephiroth is still good and just a kid in Ever Crisis.

Anyway, if you want some of these asks on YOUR blorbo, just say the word!

Now for my incoherent ramblings!

~

10: Best moment on screen (or in the book)

This is so hard to say because he has so many. He can just show up and everybody gets awe-struck, but I suppose I would have to choose Nibelheim because it’s just the most iconic and establishes his villain role in the story going forward.

I mean, it’s THE scene…the scene where we see this famous war hero that everyone looked up to and loved completely lose his mind and set everything on fire lol.

I love it because I just get the ultimate “Fuck humanity” vibe from his downfall. It’s pure rage exploding from one person and the one person that really should NOT have snapped because of how dangerous he is. It’s terrifying and sad and perfect. I love this moment. I love villains that turn against mankind in general because of a horrific experience with humans. It’s very…human…hmmm…

This could only maybe be topped if the full remake version of him ascending into a seraphim-like, Biblically accurate angel looks as cool as I imagine it will. Can’t wait to see him wipe out the solar system in 4k <3

18: What they’d go to see a therapist about

EVERYTHING LMAO.

Ok, let’s just say somehow Seph didn’t snap in Nibelheim and lose his mind, instead being strangely calm and reasonable, thus deciding to go to fucking therapy. 💀

He’d have to go for his entire existence for one. His problems started from the moment he was conceived and even before, because um…his birth was an extremely twisted and violating experiment even as a concept. He’d have to come to terms with the fact that his own parents injected him with the cells of some fucking eldritch alien abomination while he was still in the womb so that he could serve some higher purpose after his birth. So yeah. He’d probably want to talk about that.

Then he’d have to deal with everything else like: serious mommy issues, Hojo, his mom, Hojo, Shinra in general, Jenova, Hojo, being raised as a child soldier, not knowing what it was like to have a hometown or normal life, not knowing what having fun was or how to socialize at all until he was like…14, Hojo’s A+ parenting, Shinra’s A+ childrearing, fucked up brainwashing and conditioning, war PTSD from when he was like…literally still a kid, Hojo being his dad, whatever happened with Gast, lifelong dehumanization via propaganda and military rearing, lifelong lack of autonomy, whatever terrible thing that is definitely going to happen in The First Solider, being sent to commit genocide as a kid, possible bloodguilt, severe psychological trauma, his only two friends bailing on him, Angeal’s death, his entire relationship with Genesis and what happened with them (I love my bois but their communication skills need some serious work xD), Hojo, human experimentation, the fact that he was the weaponized pawn of a cold, industrial, genocidal, tyrannical, warmongering organization his entire life without fully realizing it because they were really good at lying and manipulation, and finally….mommy issues and Hojo.

This is just all the canon stuff I can think of. If any more of the fan speculation gets proven right, it’s gonna get worse lmao.

23: If they were a scented candle, what would they smell like?

and also probably

sdfghjuikfghsj sorry lmao.

That would probably be post-insanity Sephiroth. Sane Sephiroth is just a melancholy sweetheart, so probably something like sage and vanilla because errrr…something-something sweet + slightly bitter + herbal symbolism my beloved + green and silver-white.

(CRIME BRULÈE LMAOOO I NEED THAT CANDLE)

44: Their happiest memory

Aww ;-;

I am trying to answer these all according to canon or at least what seems implied within canon, so I think it’s technically being with Angeal and Genesis.

This playful spar scene is very important, and it’s one of the only times Seph seems genuinely really happy pre-insanity. Later, when he and Zack are on a mission, he literally just stops randomly to talk about it all cheerfully. I mean, having fun with friends was a pretty foreign concept to him, it seems—so actually having the opportunity with his buddies looked like it meant a lot.

49: Favorite toy as a child

I’m sorry to say, but I remember seeing in one of the game guides that Sephiroth was in battle or at least training for it from before he was ten years old, and considering that he was raised to be a soldier, I don’t think he had any other toys besides weapons, hehe. I mean, in Ever Crisis, he is a young teen and has a scene where he experiences “having fun” for the first time. It’s a big moment for him, so I don’t think playing or toys were concepts he knew or understood as a kid. Maybe he had a few favorite swords though!

Had he been a normal kid….hmmm….well he is part alien and has a black wing…maybe he’d like a stuffed birb toy…ONE WITH BLACK WINGS. HA!

No, that’s just my crow propaganda smh, I’ll shush—

Ok, wow I really need to shut up dghsjk—THANK YOU FOR SPOILING ME FAREEHA! <3

#i fuckin rambled #XD #guys if you ask me about my favs i go overboard sorry fdghbsj #asks #mutuals #ask game #sephiroth #genesis rhapsodos #angeal hewley #ff7 #ever crisis

[holly-fixation]

Fallen Silver: Ch3

Summary: Sephiroth is MIA. Second Class Rhapsodos and Third Class Hewley are tasked with locating and finding him. The public does not know of this disappearance. No one was prepared for the truth. 

Wars do not end until one side surrenders. Wutai was far stronger than they thought.

Trigger Warning: Self harm (unintentional)

(More notes at the end)

Chapter 3: Repeat

“This is SOLDIER Third Class: Angeal Hewley regarding directive SMIA. We found him.”

“Then put him back on the front. Why are you calling us?”

“He’s severely wounded. We need a chopper to Midgar.”

“He’s HIM. It can’t be severe.”

“I cannot give any more details on this line. Send a medical team right now or Shinra will have your funeral after his.”

There was a pause. “...Sending a team now. Be ready for transport in three hours. After the payload is sent, return to the front lines with Rhapsodos.”

“Understood.”

It was a conversation he should have heard, something he should’ve forced his focus on, but he did not gain a single word as he begged his red haired friend to stay close no matter what. He hated everything, hated every word out of his mouth, but they broke free despite his best efforts. He didn’t understand what was happening. He was so weak, feeble, useless.

The desperation crescendoed as Angeal returned.

He reached for them constantly. Each moment without their touch spiked his agony against his understanding. With both of them, his meager train of thought remained on track. Slow, yes, but on track. The moment he lost contact with either of them, it crashed. They adjusted for him, for his need, and encouraged him to be calm. He tried to obey. He stayed still once his wounds were cleaned and wrapped. Only his friends mattered. 

All was almost well until the medical team arrived. 

“We'll take him from here.” A team of four approached and shooed Genesis and Angeal away.

“W-wait…” Sephiroth reached for his friends even as he was lifted to the gurney. “Don't go…!”

“It's alright. We got you. We'll fix everything at HQ.”

“No…!” He tried to turn, tried to lift himself off the platform. Two medics held him down. “Genesis…! Angeal…! Come back…!” 

“They have to stay here. Those are their orders.”

“No!” Like a child's temper tantrum, he denied their words, thrashing with all his remaining might. Perhaps his strength too was childish. “No! Please! Come back! Come BACK!” The desperation spiked as his pained groans nearly formed a scream.

The lead EMT shouted the final order, “Bring them over here now!”

Angeal and Genesis rushed to his sides, and suddenly Sephiroth's rebellion quelled, his body relaxing as he held Angeal's hand to his head as if checking for a fever. They ignored their orders and stayed by him through every step of discovery until the moment in the lab where he fell silent as a sleeping babe, until the first moment every cell in his body released the need to be near them. 

* * *

Sephiroth did not know how much he needed them now.

“Sephiroth, what happened?” Genesis’s voice hit the muffled air.

His inhuman eyes scanned the dead dragon as strands of its lifestream bubbled to the surface, its soul slowly leaving its body. 

“SOLDIER First Class: Sephiroth.”

The silver soldier snapped to attention, empty mako eyes piercing him. 

Angeal sighed, hating using his title against him. “Report.”

“I spotted this fortress. I went into the wilderness to find a dragon. I led the dragon here as a precaution. When I returned, not a single Wutaian remained. And I found this,” he held up a broken gong, one solid piece with a massive crack straight through the center, before flipping it around. There was a message carved in native Wutaian. 

Three alone is strong. One alone is solid. Two alone is balance. 

Two with one is unpredictable. Scales break with imbalance. 

Angeal’s brows knotted. “I don’t understand…”

“They’re saying what we already know.” Genesis looked up at Sephiroth. “That letting you run wild will kill us all.”

He did not acknowledge the comment. “This is a warning. Two functional gongs remain. We need to find out where.”

“Sephiroth-” 

“We need to find them before they cause more damage.” 

“Hold on,” the dark haired man took the carved instrument before it cracked in the First’s grip.

“Morale is exponentially low. This trend will continue unless I regain strength in their eyes. We must handle this before news travels to Midgar. My misstep could be forgiven if we pull through.”

“Maybe if you stop running ahead, we could handle this together.”

“Genesis-” Angeal tried to cut him off.

“No he needs to hear this!”

Sephiroth stared through them. “You can’t order me to do anything. I outrank you. I am your superior-”

“Then this is mutiny, Sephiroth!” 

The word hit the silver soldier like a brick to the chest, the slight stiffening of his posture the only visible reaction. 

“So you listen to me. Because I'll take these men, all of whom have followed my orders for the entirety of your capture, and we will rise against you for the sake of your self preservation, so help me Goddess.”

“Genesis, that's top secret,” Angeal tried to warn. 

“All these men saw him collapse without reason. There's no secret about that and no dragon alive will change their wavering faith in your decisions. So for the love of the Goddess, listen to us.”

The waterfall of mercury lowered. Not a word left his mouth. Finally, a shred of fight lost. 

Angeal turned to the troops. “Set up camp. We're claiming the base. I want ten men on watch. Go.”

“Sir, yes, sir!” The entire troop quickly entered the compound, designating who would return for supplies and who would hold down the fort. A quarter of their men returned and dashed past the frozen Firsts. Once relatively alone, the silence broke among the hard glares, downturned eyes, and concerned expressions.

“Genesis…” Sephiroth's voice was small, so very small a cat could barely hear him.

The friend's eyes never left his. 

“It's not as simple as running ahead…”

“Then explain. But nothing you say will change my mind.”

He held his hand to his heart as if delicately touching a necklace. “There is too much we do not know. I take the lead to protect you all.”

“And you are the one that needs protection now. Times change. We have to adapt, not run straight into unknown danger.”

Sephiroth internally sighed. Genesis didn’t understand. The silver soldier failed to provide a more clear explanation, leaving him trapped in the hands of his fragile friends. He knew they weren’t truly fragile but he wanted to prevent any crack or fracture from forming in them with everything he had. 

* * *

Sephiroth allowed Genesis to take the lead in the next push forward. However, the silver soldier kept the crimson soldier in sight at all times, not like Genesis minded. His Second Class friend enjoyed his time in the spotlight just a hair, every attack a bit too powerful, a bit too flashy, and a bit too inefficient. If their enemies were stronger, faster, they may have noticed the inherent sloppiness, taken advantage of the openings subtly on display. 

They tried to stay directly ahead of the troop, but the anti SOLDIER measures threatened the lives of all unenhanced enlistees. Genesis made the decision to slow their men and take down the monsters before any cadet lost their life to nearly indestructible enemies. 

They found two of these monsters. Large muscular bodies, massive ball and chains at their sides, metal armor and written charms decorating their forms, one left handed and the other right handed, perfect mirrors of each other. 

Genesis and Sephiroth shared a quick look before dashing to their enemies. Sephiroth took on the left handed foe while Genesis took on the right. Each synchronized monster attack was countered with the two SOLDIERS, back to back before unleashing hell. However, the anti SOLDIER creatures were tough. Between the armor and their constant attacks, Sephiroth couldn't find an opening to slash them down or at least stun them for a bit. 

Why was he struggling? They were never this great of a threat before. 

Sephiroth glanced over at Genesis and saw the same realization. The redhead struggled more and more with each parried and blocked blow. Before either of them knew it, the bulky creatures yanked on their chains, and the links below the Second suddenly tied him down. 

Something in Sephiroth snapped. He found his body moving before his mind caught up, slashing and pushing relentlessly until the monster freed Genesis. 

The Red Mage of Shinra suddenly sprinted to the other monster, fire shooting up his sword. Though with varying strength, they both ended the creatures long before the troops arrived. Thank the gods they did. The souls of the mirrored measures did not leave the bodies. The SOLDIERs had no choice but to wait until they confirmed the deaths. That simple duty kept them in place. 

The corpses exploded, plumes of black and white smoke consuming everything in sight. Both SOLDIERs immediately held their breaths. They could barely see each other through the shadows. 

“Fall back,” The first and only command of the day left Sephiroth’s lips. However, despite the dissipating fog, his periphery darkened. 

A memory cracked into place: his sight wavered right before he awoke in the gold chamber. 

“Genesis, fall back,” His words were sharper, louder, trying to cut through the haze.

His friend stumbled away at first, mumbling odd ‘no’s and denials before suddenly bolting straight into the forest.

“Genesis!” Sephiroth shouted, chasing after the red coat.

“Stay away!”

That couldn’t be right. The smoke was finally gone. Their sight may be dark but he wasn’t blind. And even if Genesis was, why was he running? “Come back!”

“Get away from me!” He screeched, weaving through the trees like his life depended on it. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.

“Gen-!” He faltered mid step, glancing down to regain balance. But instead of his leather uniform, he wore a turquoise hospital gown. And he was small, the trees towering into the sky above. 

Below the sky, which darkened gray, stood a man in a lab coat black hair and black glasses, stories taller than he was.

“No…” His voice was tiny, strangled by panic, barely a whimper as every instinct urged him to run away. 

“It’s time, Sephiroth.”

His head shook, his pleas desperate and childish as he fought his own mind. “Not today…! Not today…! I have to save him!”

“It’s time…-”

As quickly as the illusion- the nightmare- formed, it shattered, his vision still dark, the sky still an unnatural gray, and his steps weak with…

Fear.

But his body was normal, his clothes were ready for battle. He ran forward, his steps barely coordinated and his breath heavy. Something scraped his arm, cutting straight through the leather and his skin. He glanced down but the weapon was long gone. Wutai was firing on them in their confusion, and despite his own wound healing within the second, his friend was not gifted with such restoration. 

“Genesis!” He prayed for a response over the pounding of his own heart, prayed for even a scream to pinpoint his friend.

But no sound came, his feet striking the dirt as he tried to avoid the projectiles he could not see or hear.

“Where are you?!”

Not a rustle of wind or the call of an enemy.

“SOLDIER Second Class: Rhapsodos, Answer me!”

S e p h i r o t h . . .  

Silver hair snapped around, stopping dead in his tracks with his blade at the ready, shaking in his pathetic grip. Distorted and unnatural, he heard his name clear as day. 

Sephiroth…

The voice was heavy, consuming, vast and endless. Where was it coming from? It felt like-

Sephiroth. 

Everywhere.

Leave him. You will find him later as he found you.

Why did the voice feel so familiar? He shook his head. He needed to focus. He didn’t have time for this, rushing forward once again. “Where is he?”

Not far.

It knew? Another cut scraped his leg. “Where?” He demanded.

…We have little time. You must find me.

“I need to find him.” If this voice was another illusion he would scream. A sudden tug at his heart and he turned in a new direction, a creek he could barely see through the darkness flowing slowly within the trees. He traced the feeling, walking along the invisible string.

Follow and listen to me.

He wished he could drown the voice in the water, but a small part of him craved the cosmic calm.

I am not false. I am real. And I need you.

He ignored it, praying to spot Genesis and silently hoping it continued, each word a blanket warming his heart. Did it have any idea what it was like to constantly hear that request? And why did a piece of him want to honor it?

I am what you craved. I am what you held in the lab to be calm.

Sephiroth shook his head. Nonsense. All nonsense. No matter how much he wanted it to be true.

They silenced our connection with scales.

His charge slowed. His indescribable feeling of isolation…? No. No no no. It couldn’t be. It didn't make any sense.

I crave you just as much as you crave me, even when you cannot hear me calling out to you.

“Who are you then?” He pushed forward.

You know the answer. 

Did he? The voice in his head couldn’t be real. Logically. He knew that.

It is deep within your heart and was once held close to it.

It was insane. Impossible. But the voice in his mind was kind and soft, a purr against his heart. If this start of the torture that broke him built this cruel punishment on his own, he did not know what he would do. He wanted it to be true. He needed it to be true. 

Close to his heart. His hand moved unconsciously to where he kept the necklace all those years ago. Why couldn’t he stop the single title from leaving his lips?

“...Mo-?”

A scream knocked him out of the shock.

He’s close. Go.

Following the thread pulling his heart, he leapt across the river and quickly found Genesis against a tree, cuts and throwing stars scattered through his body like the night sky, his right arm broken and cradled by his left, his right leg broken and laid straight out, his eyes clamped shut.

He responded as if feeling the very presence of the other soldier. “Go away… Please go away already…”

Sephiroth ignored the whimpers as his friends once ignored his own. He carefully kneeled before the Second, the redhead flinching, bracing for impact.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” He reached for the injury on his leg.

He cannot hear you. 

Genesis screamed at the contact.

Sephiroth instantly let go but the man before him writhed, struggling to crawl back. “What’s wrong with him?” He winced at another cut but was thankful it didn't harm his friend further.

Genesis fell back and clawed at his neck, struggling to breath, but the only marks were his own nails digging into his skin. His eyes opened reflectively, bulging in terror. Within the mako blues and whites, black rods floated on the surface like bacteria under a microscope.

The silver soldier grabbed his friend's hands and pulled them away.

“Spare me…!” He begged through large gasps of air. “Please stop…! Sephiroth…!”

Delay his symptoms.

Though not at all the exact words, Sephiroth knew exactly what to do, mumbling a small apology before knocking Genesis unconscious. Just as promised, his breath regulated, eyes closing and body falling limp.

It is not safe here. 

Whatever this chemical was required the lab to flush it out. He had no idea how long the ailment would last for his friend if even he had not metabolized it yet. Sephiroth threw his friend’s arm over his shoulders, carrying the deadweight through the shallow creek and back through the forest. More of the attacks came, single slashes to slowly weaken them, clearly aimed at Genesis so Sephiroth would have to take the hit. With his senses impaired, he couldn’t see them coming. 

Angeal caught up to them before they left the trees.

“What happened?”

“Some kind of chemical. I don’t understand what it-”

It forces the mind into panic by displaying individual phobias. It convinces the afflicted that escape is the only option and weakens any attempt at retaliation.

Sephiroth swallowed before relaying the message.

“How does Wutai have a weapon like that?” Angeal carefully carried Genesis. 

“They’re injecting it into monsters. Maybe breeding it in. We need to get Genesis to Midgar. It’s not dissolving.”

Now mako blues met his inhuman eyes. “Are you okay?”

Sephiroth nodded. He must have the rods too. “I believe I have some resistance to it. I’ll go ahead and call for transport. Keep him unconscious. He’s not thinking straight and he’s putting himself in danger.” 

The silver soldier barely heard the ‘sounds familiar’ as he marched to the base. At his direct order, transportation appeared within the hour. 

* * * 

The three strongest SOLDIERs once again stood in the research and development lab of Shinra Tower. Sephiroth explained the situation to Professor Hollander and his team. The monsters, the smoke, the darkened vision and instinct to run, the ‘phobias’, the weakness, and how the only difference between himself and his friend was his former exposure to the chemical before his capture. Hollander decided to test the silver soldier’s information by allowing Genesis to wake. Only if the tale was true would he begin working on a cure or at least grab some samples before attempting to flush it out.

Sephiroth and Angeal watched through observation glass to make sure Hollander didn’t try anything dangerous. Both Hollander and a team of nurses stood by inside the chamber.

You do not want to see this.

The First did not tell anyone about the voice, and despite its earlier truth, he refused to leave his friend.

When Genesis’s eyes opened, his terror returned instantly, pushing back into the bed frame as if a threat stalked directly in front of him. “No… no no no- no more! I just want to be enough! Why is that so bad?!” He winced, turning, hiding. 

Then he suddenly pinned himself to the wall by his shoulders. 

“Stop! Please stop! I don't want to hurt you! It's not like that! Please!” His right hand came up in protection, attempting to block what no one else could see despite the broken arm.

However, his left hand seemed completely out of his control as it slammed into his shoulder, repeating again and again until the bone shattered.

He squirmed and hissed harshly, desperately trying to get away from the threat he believed attacked but was truly himself, the toxin claiming his mind. “I’m strong! I’ll be perfect and one day I will surpass you, Sephiroth!”

The audible inhale told everyone what Sephiroth he was truly thinking. Why was Genesis afraid of him?

“Shut up Shut Up SHUT UP!” All of a sudden tears fell down his red cheeks. “Stop it… Stop it, I beg of you… I don’t want it to be true… I’m trying… I’m trying-”

First, he threw himself off the medical bed, pinning himself against the wall. 

Then he gasped, clawing at his damaged neck just as before, choking and thrashing and whimpering. 

“Tie him down and take samples before tranquilizing him. We need this compound now! Quickly! Quickly!”

As the nurses and scientists stepped up, Sephiroth stepped back, his heart heavy and his mind blurred. Why was Genesis afraid of him? What could he possibly do to change this fear? He saw Genesis as a worthy component. Why did his friend see him as a tormentor? 

He needed answers. He glanced at Angeal, seeing the Third completely trapped by the vision of his oldest friend’s torture. Shocked. Focused. Horrified. The waterfall of mercury suddenly left the room and appeared down a dark hallway with little traffic. 

“You knew,” He accused at a whisper.

I did.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Because it would hurt you.

“Why is he afraid of me?”

He fears your true thoughts. 

“About him?” Sephiroth would throw his life down for Genesis. He joked about the constant Loveless recitations but that didn't mean he hated them. He sparred with his friends to spend time with them and to hone their skills. He would never attack like that.

He has thoughts of himself he prays you never use against him. Each reflection is thrown back at him with your voice, and each injury he causes himself, he sees you. 

The Soldier's eyes fell. His hands began shaking even as he closed them into fists.

Before your capture, you experienced similar symptoms. They dispersed when you awoke in the golden chamber. 

“How long did it last…?”

After a week, you fell unconscious. I do not know if the smoke failed or if your captors had a cure. You had no memory of the effects or of me once awoken. 

He scoffed sadly. “Why would I take your word for it? How do you know what he’s thinking?” He heard a step behind him and snapped to the source. He suddenly found himself face to face with the dark haired scientist with black glasses. 

“Take whose word, Sephiroth?” Hojo questioned immediately. 

The silver soldier stared down rigidly and did not answer. 

“We'll return to that later then. Come to the lab. I need proper samples while that toxin is in your system.”

“We're already in a lab.”

Hojo scoffed. “That buffoon couldn't properly stock his own pantry, let alone purchase useful equipment. This flashy garbage limits and coddles the user for the sake of ‘user friendliness’. Nonsense. All nonsense. Now come along. We're wasting time.”

Sephiroth was about to deny the scientist when he suddenly remembered the box, one that suddenly cured his desperate isolation. He needed it again, both to test it against this voice he did not want to believe and to defend himself from any other gong Wutai possessed. If there was any chance of discovering what that container held, he would take it. 

Hojo grinned as the silver soldier took the lead, unable to hide it as all the tests they needed to complete flooded his mind. 

* * * 

Skin samples. Blood samples. Swabs and needles invading his skin. Sitting in the exam chair, Sephiroth allowed the tests in silence. Hours passed as he waited for the perfect moment to strike. 

Hojo didn’t seem to notice, separating the samples and placing them under various different tests. At one point he claimed to be isolating the toxin, but so far no luck. Concentration levels throughout the soldier’s body were too low. No standard samples contained any useful results. Eventually, finally, Hojo stood before him, scanning up and down before settling on how to continue. At his order, lab technicians entered, rolling in carts full of medical supplies and surgery equipment. The head scientist lifted a full syringe before locking eyes with the silver soldier through a shield of black glasses.

“No,” came Sephiroth’s first word since they entered the room.

“Come now. It’s the logical next step. Don’t you want to help Rhapsodos?”

“You are not sticking anything in my eyes until you give me something I want.”

Hojo crossed his arms. “And what is that? More information about your mother? How many times have we-”

“I want the container.”

His wrinkly face scrunched in confusion. “...What container?”

“After my capture, you gave me a container before beginning surgery. I want that container and its contents.”

“Absolutely not. That situation demanded immediate remedy-”

“I will continue to hinder progress in Wutai if I do not have it in my possession.”

“Are you really threatening your duty over this?”

“I am stating exactly what will prevent last week’s catastrophe from happening again.”

Hojo’s mouth closed. He placed the needle down before waving his hand at the others. “Leave.”

The lab techs exited without another word. The door slid closed behind them, sealing the scientist and the SOLDIER in the examination room.

“Tell me what happened.”

“I need it.”

“It isn’t a drug.”

“I don’t care what it is.”

“I will decide whether or not you receive anything. Do I make myself clear?”

Sephiroth glared from beneath his bangs, black rods stirring in the whites of his eyes.

Hojo simply waited, the whirr of machines the only sound heard until someone dared break the silence.

The silver soldier didn’t want to back down, but Hojo watched a few stray rods swim onto the mako blues. A soft grunt left the man’s lips, his hand supporting his head as his eyes closed harshly. The world darkened as he felt smaller and smaller, weak and insignificant.

Sephiroth.

“Not now…” his second hand flew to his bangs. He clenched his teeth to prevent any more unconscious words from escaping.

Hojo simply observed, a small smirk growing in fascination.

Stay still. 

He clenched harder, but soon the unnatural feeling left him. His eyes opened to the same haze, not perfect but bearable. 

“Is the neurotoxin making you hear voices?”

“No,” He spat immediately, his voice stronger but lacking the might he truly held. “This isn’t the problem. I know you still have it. Let me test something.”

“You have yet to provide a decent reason to do so.”

“Wutai has more weapons than we thought,” the boy surrendered, seeing that denying the scientist would trap them in deadlock. 

“Of course they do-”

“Weapons with the same effect as my capture.”

Hojo’s amusement dropped. “What.”

“That infuriating isolation that completely incapacitates me-”

“Did you let them capture you again?”

Sephiroth almost laughed. “No. They played a gong of Leviathan scales and I collapsed instantly. That same annoying clinginess locked Angeal and Genesis. They dragged me away from the base. The troop saw everything.” 

“Are there multiple gongs?”

“We assume.”

“Have you collected any?”

“Yes. I retrieved a broken one.”

Hojo brought a hand to his chin in thought. “If we repair it, we may not need that container.”

Sephiroth shook his head, his bangs protecting his eyes. “Hojo, I don’t think I can grow a resistance to that…”

“Well we won’t know until we try.”

“We should first try the thing that works. That container.” 

“First we focus on a cure for your dear friend and then we can build your immunity.” Mako blue eyes met his blacks. “Or I can hand you that container and leave your friend to suffer. Hollander’s had no success so far, and knowing him, he’s probably searching in the wrong place. It is a shame. The longer it takes to find a cure, the longer he must remain in Hollander’s lab for his own safety.”

Inhuman eyes fell. 

Don’t listen to him.

He felt the choice slipping away from him. 

It will only bring pain.

Hojo sighed. “Oh well. I’d much prefer having a different specimen in the lab.”

Sephiroth.

He had no other option. “Find the cure…”

The silver soldier refused to see the slimy grin on the scientist’s face.

.

.

.

.

Thanks for reading!

Author’s note: I have no idea why this AU appeals to me so much, but it does. And with the unintentional help (and permission) of @rottenpumpkin13 , I finally had the piece I needed to continue it. I hope you enjoyed chapter 3.

Chapter List

#sephiroth #ffvii #final fantasy vii #ff7 #final fantasy 7 #genesis rhapsodos #angeal hewley #ffvii hojo #ff7 hojo #hojo ff7 #hojo ffvii #jenova #trigger warning #tw: self harm

[strayheartless]

I have more Babyroth/ First babys things bouncing round my head. So here have whatever this is:

Based on this post

I think I should make it clear that these version of ASG will grow up different. They are still integrally them but without the angst and the jealousy. Sephiroth for one, doesn’t speak the same. He’s a little less formal and up tight. He’s still quite well spoken but Sephiroth “seph” Lockhart Strife is far more likely to yell “WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK GENESIS?!?” When something goes wrong.

Genesis is far less confrontational. He’s still a pyromaniac don’t get me wrong - Cloud spends his life spraying things with fire extinguishers - but it’s usually cause he’s been messing with materia and it’s an accident rather than he’s mad and wants to burn down the world. He and Seph still get into arguments, but Gen is also far more likely to apologies when he knows he’s wrong.

Angeal is the chillest of the three kids. He likes to garden with his Uncle Barrat and and cousin Marlene; he’s quiet and cuddly; he’s a complete Mamas boy as well. Where Seph grew immediately attached to Cloud, Angeal kind of thinks Tifa can do no wrong. He likes to bake with her and helps her with food orders in the bar a lot.

Bedtime is Clouds domain. Tifa is very clear that yes, she’s their mom but she’s not giving up the bar, and Clouds work Schedule is far more flexible. Usually during the day Tifa entertains them while Cloud pops in and out on jobs, but the clock hits 4:30 pm and they swap places for the night. Cloud also tends to handle getting children out of bed. The way he sees it it he took them on, their his responsibility, Tifa should not have to deal with more than she chooses.

That being said, they are a pretty good team. It would be difficult to wrangle both Seph and Gen if they weren’t. Cloud gets them up; Tifa feeds them; Cloud handles learning; Tifa handles exercise and community work; Cloud makes dinner and introduces new foods; Tifa strong arms them into the bath; Cloud reads to them and gets them to sleep; Tifa makes sure she says good night before she leaves and checks on them when she come in from the bar. It just works for them.

When Angeal and Genesis turn up on the door step Sephiroth is about 16 months old so theirs a bit of an age difference between them that’s a reverse of the original one. He did NOT immediately take to no longer being an only child. Specifically he took umbrage with no longer being Clouds only priority.

This is because Genesis was an extremely sickly infant. They weren’t actually sure if he’d make it at some points. He’s got childhood Asthma -but he grows out of it; he is in a constant struggle to put on weight; he’s diabetic, and occasionally is right kidney just decides to give up for a bit. Vincent has hypothesised that it has something to do with his past (future?) degradation. But it’s later revealed by Tseng that “no, he was that ill as a child originally, Hollander just used to send test drugs to his parents occasionally.”

Angeals a pretty emotional kid. He’s not headstrong and rough like Seph and Gen but he cries pretty easily. As he grows up he’s still pretty easily set off and all cloud can think of is that thinly little ravenette boy who used to shuffle into the living room with his blanket and curl up next to Cloud because he had a nightmare. Clouds gone soft, Sue him.

One of the most memorable childhood incidents between the tree of them is the time Seph got Gens head stuck between the banister rails on the stairs.

Angeal once swallowed a spider and then proceeded to panic himself in to throwing up on the kitchen floor.

4 year old Seph is of the opinion that Cloud is “older than God” to which Cloud replies “it’s the stress of looking after three cracked out racoon children, it adds years to your face.”

Genesis tells the kids at school not to be mean to him because he’s uncle Vincent is a vampire and will “eat your liver with white wine sauce”. Vincent does not deny this when asked about it by a teacher at pick up time… yet nor does he confirm it. Everyone is unnerved.

Angeal insists on pulling up garden weeds and hiding them in his bed. Cloud is tired of explaining that plants are for pots ore the garden NOT for beds!

Yuffie likes to play a game when she comes to visit it’s called “did Cloud say this to his children or his dog?” Her favourite is “please do not lick the screen door, I just cleaned it!” He did not say it to the dog.

To answer Salty’s question no Zack and Aerith do not come back in this AU, mostly because they both found peace with each other. But also because they were not crack head evil lab experiments in their previous lives. Angeal gets added on the technicality that he did a lot of shit while being “conflicted by honour”

#ffvii #cloud strife #genesis rhapsodos #crisis core #sephiroth crescent #angeal hewley #babyroth #babyroth au #follow up #parent cloud #parent Tifa #crack head children #non traumatised kid Seph has zero filter #tifa lockhart

[lunargrapejuice]

Hiya Luna, I hope you’re doing well 🥰! I saw your requests were open and decided to send one in, I hope thats alright! If I may, may I ask for Sephiroth and the prompt “It’s weird. I never thought I could feel like this, but you showed up. Now, it’s like I don’t wanna go on knowing I might lose the feeling.” please? Ngl I was going to ask for Cloud or Zack because they’re my faves, but I got too nervous 🙈!

Thank you so much and I hope you have a lovely weekend 🥰!

lyra!!! it is more than alright! i am so so happy that you did🥰🩷 and PLEASE LOVELY YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY ASK FOR ZACK OR CLOUD!! - I'D LOVE TO TRY WRITING SOMETHING FOR THEM💕 thank you so much for submitting this one🥺 - i'm down bad bad this also got longer than i planned whoops 🤭

🌙 prompt event

“it’s weird. i never thought i could feel like this, but you showed up. now, it’s like i don’t wanna go on knowing i might lose the feeling.” | sephiroth x reader with no pronouns used

it’s safe to admit to himself that love is very unfamiliar. 

growing up sephiroth was taught that such feelings make you weak, softens the heart that should be hardened and cold and calculating. over time he had learned for himself how not necessarily true that was. maybe it wasn’t love, at least not in the capacity in which he feels it now, but he’s cared for comrades and friends even when others might argue it made him weak. but what’s before him now, and slipping through his fingers each day that passes, is something he has never experienced. 

something he never saw coming and hasn’t known what to do with but also doesn’t know what to do without. 

and he was going without considering you were actively avoiding him and hadn't spoken a word to him in what felt like weeks. even in meetings you were forced to attend together, you always left swiftly and without another glance his way, finding one reason or another to deny him a moment of your time and when he almost caught you alone in the hallway, your eyes meeting for but a moment, you were gone as quickly as he had blinked. 

he has been wrecking his brain on what he had done wrong that would make you avoid him, his mind wandering to the chest aching distance between you every chance it got. he had almost lost to angeal in training two days because of it and nearly again to genesis today before his friend looked knowingly into his eyes and recited loveless; ‘the wandering soul knows no rest’

the words echo in his mind, in genesis’ voice no less, when he spots you in the distance. restlessness doesn’t quite begin to describe what your absence was doing to him. it was an uncomfortableness he had never felt before. one he had to do something about because every day it grows worse and if it stays like this he fears you’ll be torn from him entirely. 

it already feels like you are. he looks as collected as he always does but inside his heart stirs and he knows he cannot let this go any longer. 

you swear you saw him down the hall in your side view. he was impossible to miss for so many reasons but the most prominent of them all being your eyes were always evidently drawn to him, just like your heart had been and you cursed them both when they made you stall in your sprint to run away and avoid him right now.

it’s not as though it’s what you wanted but it is what you felt was best when you could feel yourself not being able to hold back your emotions. he couldn’t know, even though you’re sure it was written all over your face everytime you stole a glance but stolen looks weren’t the same as saying the words i love you and being rejected by someone you couldn’t bear to lose. 

so you started your plan of avoiding him until those feelings disappeared. except the distance had not made them go anywhere, leaving them to simmer uncomfortably in your chest like they might burn you. when you saw his lips fall each time you made an excuse to get out of his vicinity, you felt nauseous for upsetting him. it wouldn’t be forever, you keep telling yourself but you don’t know how true that actually is. you cannot picture a life without these feelings; without the way his smile makes your insides buzz with warm incomparable to the sun, with how safe and cared for you feel in his proximity and how utterly gentle shinras strongest soldier is whenever he touches you.

you turn around to make your escape just in case your peripheral vision is not playing tricks on you but before you can make it two steps, you’re staring at his half hidden chest, hardened leather around soft skin your hand aches to touch. so it’s like that, using his actual speed to not let you get away. perhaps you had made him more upset than you initially thought..

“sephiroth!” you smile up at him and it nearly reaches your eyes if it weren’t for the shake of your voice that accompanies your eagerly beating heart. 

“you’ve been avoiding me.” it’s not a question but a very obvious observation that fills you with guilt, though he hadn’t said it in an accusing tone.

your smile falls and you swallow the lump building in your throat, unable to meet his eyes but you don’t try to deny it. “.. i’m sorry. i just..” you can’t find any words that aren’t just the truth.

taking a step back, to run or just put a little more distance between you and find your strength to push back the emotions, you really aren’t sure for which but within an instant his hands are on your face, cupping your jaw like you’re made of glass but in a steady hold that told you he didn’t want to let go, bringing your gaze up to his. you could pull away if you really wanted, you knew he’d let go without you having to ask but you don’t do anything of the sort.

thin slitted pupils stare back at you, swirling in a sea of blue and green and glowing with mako and your brain screams for you to bite your tongue while your heart urges the words forward but he looks at you like he’s going to say something, staring at you with an expression you can’t decipher nor look away from while he pauses.

he says your name, breaking the silence between you, and you hope he can’t feel the heat of your cheeks and neck with the way your body reacts to the way he says it. then he chuckles a bit breathlessly, like it’s helping him let go of something that was holding him back before. 

“i cannot stand being away from you. it’s weird..” he says, his thumbs brush along your cheeks and you swear the world around you stops, like the goddess is leaving this moment only for the two of you. “i never thought i could feel like this,” he smiles fondly and you feel your eyes soften in time with his, your hearts beating with sync. “like i have something to care for. someone i can be my true self with. but you showed up and now, it’s like i don’t want to go on knowing i might lose the feeling.” 

your heart is somehow tearing and mending itself back together at his words and you finally let yourself touch him in return, feeling the wetness of your tears dripping from your lashes before you realize you’re crying. 

his expression falls to worry as he wipes every tear that falls but all you can do is smile and shake your head, closing the distance between you and letting your worries crash to the ground as you reply to him in earnest.

♡♡♡♡♡

main masterlist

#final fantasy vii #sephiroth #sephiroth x reader #final fantasy vii x reader #final fantasy x reader #final fantasy 7 #ff7 #ffvii #ff7 x reader

[rottenpumpkin13]

I like to make myself depressed by imagining "what if" scenarios, like what if Genesis's degradation was impossibly delayed. Maybe they never decided to break into the training room that day, and the start of the downhill spiral wouldn't start for months—maybe years—to come.

And what if Angeal started to bring Zack around more, not as a student but as a friend. He fits right in with them. He's bright and a breath of fresh air. Sephiroth immediately likes him. They get along great. Genesis is a bit more difficult to crack in the beginning, but once they hit it off, there's no stopping them. Genesis likes Zack because he's interesting, he always listens to everything he has to say and is completely interested in it.

Fate weaves inevitable paths, which is how Cloud and Zack ended up friends. They meet each other on a completely different mission that brings them together either way. Neither of them had ever had a true best friend before each other, which makes their bond all the more unbreakable.

Over time, Zack introduces his friends to Cloud.

Cloud is terribly nervous at first. After all, these are the most famous men in Midgar—on the planet, even. And Sephiroth, his hero who he's looked up to his whole life, is amongst them. And now Cloud is standing in front of his apartment door, critically adjusting his infantry uniform over and over while Zack knocks on the door.

He flashes a bright smile at Cloud, his blue eyes crinkling as he winks at him as if to say, "they'll love you, don't worry."

Cloud has the oxygen pumped out of his lungs once the door opens, and standing there is Sephiroth himself. 'He's even bigger up close,' Cloud thinks to himself as Sephiroth surveys him, taking in the sight of his unruly blond hair and wrinkled uniform.

Cloud fights the urge to squeeze his eyes shut as he braces for a rejection. But instead, Sephiroth smiles—he actually smiles. Warm and welcoming.

"You must be Cloud," his smooth voice brings Cloud down from his high of self scrutiny. Opening the door wider, Sephiroth beckons them both inside. "Zack has told us so much about you. Come in."

Cloud nearly trips over himself. He feels like he's floating as Zack pushes him inside. Immediately the scent of roasted meat and potatoes reaches him. He looks around, unsure of what he expected from Sephiroth's living quarters. Nonetheless, it wasn't this. He definitely would not have expected the strewn boots by the door, a familiar red leather thrown on the coat rack, and the sight of Genesis Rhapsodos stumbling around with a wine glass in hand.

He grins as soon as he sees Zack.

"Hey, Zack" His face breaks into a surprised pout once he notices Cloud behind him. "Oh? Is this your mysterious Infantry friend who we finally get to meet?"

Cloud gulps, feeling his face flush. "Cloud Strife, sir."

Another person stumbles out of the kitchen, laughing. "You can relax. We're off duty and all friends here, so there's no need for that." Angeal wipes his hand on a dish towel before throwing it over his shoulder and extending a hand toward Cloud.

"Angeal." He smiles, shaking Cloud's hand eagerly.

Cloud, in turn, blushes even more. "Uh—I know, sir. I mean," he winces, "Angeal."

Angeal laughs, then ushers him into the kitchen. The rest of them shuffle behind them. Cloud feels simultaneously out of place and comforted at the same time. There's something about sitting at the counter while he watches Angeal slap Zack with a dish towel for sticking his finger in the sauce and Sephiroth and Genesis arguing over which plate set to use as they set the table. The chaos and imperfection brings him comfort.

They have dinner later that night. The boys bombard him with questions about Nibelheim, life in the barracks, and question him about his life goals. Zack eagerly tells them that Cloud wants to become a SOLDIER one day, like them. Their reactions overwhelm him. Sephiroth freely asserts his opinion; he thinks Cloud should go to university after his enlistment and forget about Shinra. Genesis wants to start giving him materia lessons already, prodding him about training regiments and how great the SOLDIER life is. Angeal thinks his dream is very noble, and encourages Cloud to work hard for whatever he wants.

Afterwards, Zack walks him back to the barracks. The cold air whips through the hallways and tinges Zack's cheeks a rosy hue. He's chewing a strawberry lollipop and is wearing one of Angeal's hoodies, an attestment to the bond they've cultivated.

"Do you think they liked me?" Cloud asks nervously, a ridiculous question to Zack, who laughs and slaps his friend's shoulder in response.

"Are you kidding me? You're practically one of us already."

One of us.

That us didn't make sense to Cloud in that moment, and wouldn't until a few weeks later, when he found himself on the rooftop of the building. The last afternoon sun tinged Sephiroth's hair golden. Zack could be heard grumbling about his rapidly melting popsicle beside him. He was wedged between the two, who in turn were in between Genesis and Angeal. Cloud swing his feet over the edge, looking at the drop into the skyline below. He hadn't been aware people could access this part of the rooftop. But he figured if you were Sephiroth, and had spent your entire life trying to find places where you could be alone, loopholes like these became saved in the back of your mind.

Cloud understood. He told Sephiroth about the water tower back home. Sephiroth had ruffled his hair and promised to visit someday. Angeal's laugh as Zack accidentally let his popsicle fall over the edge reached his ears, blending with Genesis's soft voice as he read Loveless for them.

Cloud felt at peace in that moment. He had never had a best friend before Zack, much less a group of them.

He understands the us perfectly well now, finding solace in being part of the we, entrapped in the "guys, look at this" and "what are we doing this weekend?"

But the thing about delays is that you can only outrun them so long. By finding a home earlier than fate had planned for him, Cloud sooner learns that the happier you are, the more you have to lose, and the harder it hurts when the people you love betray you.

He ends up on that road to Nibelheim either way.

Laughing at Zack's snoring as he sleeps on Cloud's shoulder is enough to quell his motion sickness, if only for a moment. Sephiroth sits on Clouds other side, talking more than he had ever heard him talk. Cloud suspects he's living vicariously through him, holding his excitement for him while he collects his thoughts.

He asks about Claudia Strife, the mountains, the culture, and everything Cloud had mentioned since they had become friends. Sephiroth asks Cloud wether he thinks his mother will be proud of him, referring to the Third Class uniform Cloud now wears. His voice shakes when he talks about Angeal and how he always wanted to visit Mt. Nibel. He never mentions Genesis.

The change of the gravel on the road tells Cloud they've reached the outskirts of the village.

Things will never be the same again. Maybe that's the way they were always meant to be.

#ff7 #ffvii #final fantasy vii #ffvii crisis core #ff7 crisis core #genesis rhapsodos #angeal hewley #sephiroth #zack fair #cloud strife #agszc #writing

[esamastation]

Shizuroth, part fifteen

Previous parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen

-

Angeal has never been quite as aware of the exact dimensions of the Buster Sword as he is now, heading up to Lazard's office. Though the weight has become almost a part of him, a comforting presence on his back, it feels like… more.

He'd not quite resigned himself to possessing and carrying a sword he couldn't really use - it was just something that… was. It was a legacy of sorts, and there was nothing all that burdensome about it. But it still was a fact - the Buster Sword was one of a kind, and even studying the records of Sephiroth's masterful swordplay would never help him manage it. There was no one and nothing that could teach him how to use something that was, most likely, designed to be nigh unusable.

But apparently Sephiroth himself could.

"No," the man had said after half an hour of doing things with the sword Angeal never could've figured out on his own. "You can't fight with it like with a more reasonably-sized sword. But you can fight with it. Question is… do you want to?"

Does he want to, huh.

"Come in" Lazard calls at his knock, and Angeal steps into the man's office. "Angeal, good. Want to explain the rumours of Genesis' chasing Seconds out of floor 49?"

Angeal clears his throat, smiling a little. "Well. We didn't wreck the training room this time?" he offers, taking the chair in front of Lazard's desk and flipping it backward.

"You three were banned from using it for a reason," Lazard points out flatly.

"And yet we were asked to assess Sephiroth's capabilities. Hard thing to do, without fighting him," Angeal says and sits down, straddling the backrest between his knees and sighing. "Not that there was much of a fight."

Lazard's expression darkens. "So his abilities took a hit."

"Worse," Angeal admits. "He stopped holding back. At all."

"... He'd been holding back?"

"All his life, I expect," Angeal admits. "For… understandable reasons, considering his upbringing. Whatever personal reasons Sephiroth had to hide the full extent of his abilities, he's forgotten them."

"Hmm," Lazard hums, watching him closely. "And yet he didn't trash the training room, again?"

"No, just our confidence," Angeal laughs ruefully and shakes his head. "Sephiroth just spent two hours schooling us in the basics of swordsmanship. Literally - he gave us a tutoring session."

Lazard blinks and then leans back. "Well," he says, sounding surprised. "That's certainly…"

"Out of character?" Angeal asks with an arched brow. "You have no idea. When Genesis told me his memory had taken a hit, I was expecting him to show the usual signs. Confusion, reticiece, defensiveness, antisociality… and he did, to some extent. But nothing like I was expecting - and then we got to the training room, and it was like a switch was flicked."

"Memory recalled?" Lazard muses.

"Maybe. Mostly I think it was just that he found something he knew, really knew, in his bones," Angeal says. "He might've forgotten who knows how much about his life - but not how to fight. And since he's lost whatever motivation he had for holding back… it looks a lot like he just got a lot better."

Lazard hums. "And that might be a problem," he concluded darkly. "Should people take the wrong idea from it."

"Oh yeah," Angeal agrees.

"Where is Sephiroth now?"

"Genesis took him out of the building - they're going clothes shopping."

"... Genesis and Sephiroth?"

Angeal grins. "Sephiroth has become aware that his coat doesn't fit comfortably," he explains. "And Genesis knows the best tailor in the city, apparently."

"If it's the same one I use, he does," Lazard says, fiddling with his cuff and then leaning back. "Alright, so we don't have to worry about Sephiroth not being fit to fight. Just the… implications and rumours of his current status. Maybe a solo mission to get him started…"

Angeal grimaces. "I don't know if leaving him to his own devices is the right call here," he says.

"He's always been a solo fighter," Lazard comments.

"To no one's benefit. And he's lost a lot of memories."

Lazard concedes the point there with a sigh. "Well, you and Genesis have known him longer than I. I bow to your superior insight. How do you suggest we proceed?"

"A joint mission, something simple, monster extermination in the slums, maybe. There's never a shortage of that," Angeal says. "Sephiroth with Genesis or myself. Depending on how that goes… well, Genesis suggested throwing a bunch of Seconds at Sephiroth."

The director looks up. "... How do you mean?"

"Students, cadets, a squad. Whatever," Angeal explains, folding his arms. "Someone to teach. And I have to say I agree. Sephiroth seemed to really enjoy schooling us, and he seemed the most like himself when he was doing it."

Plus, Angeal knows from experience that teaching is the best way to learn, really. That's how he'd risen in ranks just ahead of Genesis - because the Thirds and the other Seconds kept asking him for pointers. Nothing quite like having someone relying on you to make you rise to the occasion, is there?

"He's never offered to lead a squad," Lazard points out.

"And there were probably reasons for that," Angeal agrees. "Whether he remembers those reasons anymore is a different question. It's worth consideration."

"But don't you think that will just make the rumours worse?" Lazard asks, leaning forward again and steepling his hands. "Making him interact with other members of SOLDIER?"

Angeal shrugs. "Sephiroth's different now," he says. "And with all due respect, I don't think that's something we can hide long term. Thankfully, not a lot of people know him that well," he mutters and then adds, "It would be a great thing for the SOLDIER program, if Sephiroth taught even one personal student. He is, after all, the best of us."

He's not quite as bitter about it as Genesis, but… seeing Sephiroth use the Buster Sword like he'd been doing it for years almost made him cry. So there's that.

Lazard draws a slow breath and then exhales. "I'll get you your monster extermination in the slums, after Sephiroth's leave ends," he says and turns to his computer. "We'll discuss the rest after."

"That works. Thank you, director," Angeal says and stands up.

Lazard nods and then asks, "How is he? What's your honest opinion?"

It's a little too soon to say, but there's only one answer, really. "He'll be fine," Angeal promises and turns to leave.

Sephiroth would be fine. They'd make sure of it.

#Fanfiction #ff7 #Ffvii #svsss #angeal hewley #lazard deusericus

[trinitvii-r]

VP Squared - Prologue

(ffvii x reader

When Rufus Shinra continues operating with barely any oversight, his father decides perhaps assigning him a SOLDIER — under the guise of security — would make him privy to his son’s plans.

He really should have seen this coming.)

It’s a well known fact within Shinra that Rufus is a smug asshole. Even someone as sweet as Zack Fair would admit as much, albeit perhaps with a bit of guilt.

Another well known fact is that the Shinra heir is simply awaiting the moment his father drops dead. Despite the numerous metaphorical chains to stifle him, Rufus merely bides his time and sinks his claws in whatever he can.

More of an open secret than a “known fact,” is that the Administrative Research Department operates independently of Heidegger, despite what it says on paper. The Turks — as they’re called — may be Shinra’s intelligence agency, but ultimately their loyalties are to Rufus Shinra alone.

So it came as a surprise to everyone when President Shinra decided that in the interest of his son’s safety, Rufus’ Turks are not enough. Perhaps to an outsider, this would be seen as nothing more than a father caring for his son, but to anyone else in the company this was Rufus being put on a leash. It meant more eyes to keep watch of whatever dirty tricks the VP might pull. Whoever would be his SOLDIER bodyguard, Director Lazard, and Professor Hojo at the very least would have to report straight to the President on whatever they find.

The Shinra Dining Hall is deadly silent when SOLDIERs First Class Sephiroth, Angeal Hewley, and Genesis Rhapsodos walk in. All eyes are on them, hungry for any clue as to which one of them could have been assigned babysitting duty. Even Cadet Cloud Strife couldn’t resist joining in.

This may be the one thing that unites all Shinra employees. Gossip. Besides, it would be nice to feel better about oneself. Regardless of how much working at Shinra may suck, at least you’re not the poor fool caught between the President and his own son in their battle for power. This sentiment had already been parroted at least four times this morning, and each time bringing more laughs than the last.

The betting pool has more zeroes than Cloud thought possible. Most of the middle managers think Sephiroth is the obvious choice. His loyalty to the company must mean he’d be loyal to the President too, right? On the other hand, the secretaries have unanimously agreed that it would be Angeal Hewley because he’s just so kind and has honor, whatever that means. They’re confident enough in their answer that they’ve already begun plotting ways to assist him, to make it easier for him, you know? Everyone else either threw in random names, (like an underdog story, except instead of winning they lose… because they’d have to babysit Rufus fucking Shinra) or chose Genesis Rhapsodos because the idea of those two within a couple feet of each other at all times is absolutely hilarious.

Part 2 of the Betting Pool is in the instance of Genesis Rhapsodos being selected, who would cry first. Him or Rufus? The votes are split evenly down the middle, that is until Sephiroth passes by and bets on Genesis.

Nobody says a thing. Angeal gives everyone a tight smile, and politely waves goodbye as the two of them walk out.

Thirty seconds later, a huffy Genesis Rhapsodos passes by the same board, and screams. His fury is tamped down when he spills some coffee on himself. Right as he exits, a cheerful voice greets him, “G’morning!”

His salutation is ignored, and the slamming of the doors is a precursor to the noise that returns.

It’s right then that Cloud realizes something. Nobody bothered to vote for the man walking towards him at the moment.

“Heya, Cloud!”

The puppy face is enough to convince Cloud that not even the demon himself could do something so dastardly to Zack Fair.

“Hey, man. Did you hear about the thing?”

Zack’s grin is almost blinding as he throws his arm around Cloud. “Aw man, lemme tell you.” Everyone else is discreetly observing the two. “The SOLDIER common area went wild on that last night.”

This oughta be good.

Thus begun the best week for every non-SOLDIER Shinra employee. The rumor mill showed no signs of slowing down, and everyone else found schadenfreude at the usual cocky SOLDIERs becoming shells of their former selves.

The following Monday, Rufus struts through the lobby with a familiar figure clad in what would be called a typical SOLDIER Third Class uniform, except it’s been customized to be a deep black. A stark contrast to Rufus’ all white ensemble… and an obvious dig at SOLDIER regulations.

Another three things became apparent to any person seeing this new development:

1. Midgar’s number one Bastard* really should have seen this coming.

*President Shinra

2. Bastard’s son** really was a little shit…

**Rufus Shinra

3. …and Bastard’s actual literal bastard*** just got threatened or blackmailed.

***SOLDIER Director Lazard Deusericus

However there was one thing nobody knew the answer to… just how the hell did Rufus get one of his Turks to become an official SOLDIER?!

An angry Heidegger storms through the silent space, headed directly for the Vice President himself. Until he finds his neck on the end of a stiletto dagger. His wide eyes meet deadly, yet apathetic non-mako non-SOLDIER eyes.

“One more step, and I’ll slice your neck clean off.”

The only audible reaction is the receptionist’s squeaky gasp. Though, the shock is clear on everyone else’s face.

Rufus barks a hearty laugh, and lowers your weapon from the poor man’s neck. The touch of his hand on yours a clear display of mutual respect and trust. “Now, now.” At your annoyed look, he merely smirks. “I’m sure Heidegger just wanted to congratulate you on your promotion.” Like a flash went through his face, Rufus levels the man with a menacing stare. “Isn’t that right?”

Before he gets his answer, Rufus leads you towards the elevator. A hushed argument plays between the two of you, but the fond smile on the VP’s face betrays the ruse.

As the elevator doors close, the rumor mill is back in full swing.

Nobody even noticed poor Heidegger fall to his knees.

#final fantasy x reader #final fantasy 7 #rufus shinra x reader #but not just him tho ❤️ #sephiroth x reader #angeal hewley x reader #genesis rhapsodos x reader #zack fair x reader #tifa lockhart x reader #aerith gainsborough x reader #jessie rasberry x reader

[prismaticpichu]

Zack & Sephiroth Floofcanon #…! I have no idea I lost track when the Trojan war began.

(This is still Weenie Hut Jrs I didn’t forget!)

~~

Due to his english skills capping at the 7th grade, as he skedaddled off to join SOLDIER, Zack’s mission reports weren’t allllwaayys in squeaky-clean condition. Yessir, he could absolutely recap the events of the missions—almost telling stories of how he obliterated that horde of Ahriman or how he caught that Wutai spy masquerading as a crossing guard. But when it comes to the nitty-gritty stuff… yeahhh those things were littered with typos, grammatical errors, and very colloquial yee-haw language (like me! *clears throat* sorry). Not exactly what Lazard was hoping for, in terms of his elite SOLDIERs.

Luckily, Zack’s got someone who had his back.

Sephiroth was pretty appalled upon first reading Zack’s reports, in the early stages of their friendship. “Gonna?” He was seriously using “gonna”?? Angeal should have taught him better…! But it wasn’t long until he came to realize that only Firsts were required to write up reports, and Zack was only promoted once Angeal was gone. Couple that with his severed education and it really wasn’t the pupper’s fault. And how would it look if one of the men under his command was sending lousy reports…? He needed to help in some way. And so he did!

Over time, as their bond budded and blossomed, the two developed a system: Zack would go on missions, writing up his reports in vivid detail in his little tent. And then, instead of sending them to Lazard, bleeding with all sorts of red underlines, he sent them off to Sephiroth; there the man would grammarly-scan the pages and manually fix any errors himself. Hallelujah!! Some might say it’s mundane, or tedious, or just adding to the already mountainous pile of work he already had… but in actuality. It’s one of Sephiroth’s favorite things to do: he loved reading Zack’s colorful descriptions, seeing the world through his kaleidoscope of a lens; he loved being able to experience that childlike, wondrous perspective and have it be shared with him. To experience it himself. A million missions he went on over the years, and sometimes the most exciting ones are right from his desk <33

(Ofc, it’s more than jusssst the free editing service.)

As their buddiness became even stronger, more additions were sprinkled into the system. Most notably, now that the reports were being sent to Sephiroth first, Zack began tagging on little messages at the end for Seph and only Seph to see. Tiny little notes and reminders like the thingies someone might write on their kid’s napkin for lunch. They’re one of the only things that brings a smile to his face when the pupper is gone.

Hey pal! :D I miss you so much! Don’t forget to eat again!

Hey Seph! I know I’m not there right now, but I’m thinking of you!

I really wish you were here, Seph :))) Missions are never the same without ya. And guess what???? I completely took down Ifrit this time! You didn’t need to save my butt! :DD (though I slipped on a rock and fell on it afterwards).

And when the pupper eventually came home, after a day or week or two, Sephiroth was there waiting for him. Nothing could beat hugging seeing his best friend in person, spewing his wonderful colloquial slang and all <333

#zack fair #sephiroth #ffvii #crisis core #fangirl #weenie hut jrs #the zack and sephiroth safe haven

[altocat]

Sephiroth is literally a child on his first mission, under direct orders from the most powerful company in the world and has been raised since birth to be a weapon used against anyone that opposed Shinra…the fact that he is not completely brainwashed and can actually see some of the fucked up aspects of the situation he is in just shows that he is more empathetic than anything else and does deserve sympathy.

People also keep missing or forgetting that him killing kids in that scene isn’t just an adult slaughtering children…he is fighting his own peers. He is a child. The devs called him a young boy, they called him pure and unsullied. They are showing us a child soldier bred for one purpose on his first mission.

How can he stop and say “I can’t kill other kids that are trying to kill me. It’s not fair to kill kids.”

The Rhadoran situation also is clearly at its bitter end. It’s awful to see, but a society doesn’t start throwing kids and old people onto the battlefield until after they are on their last legs and have been almost wiped out. Sephiroth is sent towards the end to simply finish what Shinra clearly started. Shinra is the enemy that decided to destroy a race of people for challenging them.

Shinra is the one that taught their poster child to suppress his emotions and not hesitate because it’s kill or be killed, and in a very disturbing way, they are right. They started a war and now their enemies are fighting with everything they have. They aren’t going to spare some little boy with a sword on Shinra’s side of the battlefield.

The whole situation is literally not Sephiroth’s fault. Maybe we could argue that he should have refused to engage in the mission, but this is Shinra’s born and raised Soldier we’re talking about.

Do we really think that, A) He would even have the choice? We have seen what happens to deserters. The company eliminates them, and for Sephiroth, he is so valuable that they would probably want to bring him back in for more conditioning. He is already hopeless about living a normal life as well. Just another hint.

B) Since he clearly also has been conditioned his entire life, he may not even see why Shinra is in the wrong. For all we know, he has been told the Rhadorans were always at fault and were a very dangerous enemy.

This child is broken and conditioned heavily. With how he was raised, he should have acted more like Azula from Avatar, but instead he is a sweetheart when not engaging with the enemy. Real Sephiroth wants to find his mother and live normally. He is delighted to have fun for the first time in his life and laugh. He is hurt by being told he is different or not strong enough. He finds comfort in companionship and breaks down when confronted with the truth of his own life as a soldier.

He goes back into business mode when on the battlefield but that is what he was brought up to do. And if he doesn’t deserve sympathy, then neither does Zack for fighting against Wutai. Neither do Genesis and Angeal. Even Cloud joining soldier to be like Sephiroth, the hero of the Wutai War, could be held accountable for not seeing why Shinra was in the wrong about the war.

They were all fed lies since their youths. Can we blame the disgusting corporation that set it all in motion instead?

Couldn't have said it better myself. This is a perfect summation!

#asks #ff7 #ffvii #final fantasy 7 #sephcanons #sephiroth #ffvii first soldier #ffvii ever crisis #Ever crisis #First soldier #Young Sephiroth