Something Precious (Sephiroth x OC) Ch. 5

Three.  Agonizing.  Weeks.  Time seemed to be moving slow on purpose, like it wanted to make me die from boredom.  Even Zack was getting missions, while I’m stuck at home, training, going to check ups, and doing more training.  However, I wasn’t completely alone.  I had Shadow and the puppies who are about six weeks now and up and running.  Also, Genesis has been around for the longest time since he left seven years ago and I enjoyed it.  He won’t admit it but he enjoys it too.  I had been sneaking into the VR to get some training in, going against the doctor’s orders, to get my mind off things.

Throughout the boredom, my mind kept wandering to Sephiroth and the kiss we shared.  I was still so confused about the whole thing.  I hadn’t seen him since that night, and I hadn’t told anyone.  I was afraid that if I told anyone it would reach Sephiroth and Genesis.  Man what would he think?!  Genesis and Sephiroth are best friends and I don’t want to ruin that.  I sighed not knowing what to do.

Right now I was training in the VR fighting off whatever virtual monsters they store in the system.  However, yesterday I had been caught by the patrol and they threw their hissy fit about how there’s no need for SOLDIER yada yada.  They “warned” me that if I was here during their hours of training they’d make me pay.  Whatever, I may be the only woman in SOLDIER but I’m no pushover.  There was one more thing, the stinging in my back had returned but it wasn’t terrible.  I would only get this tingling feeling when I was fighting and my anger got the best of me.  I didn’t tell anyone because they might keep me here and I wouldn’t be involved in anything.

I changed the VR to a field with targets.  I felt that I needed to practice on my archery.  I blindfolded myself letting my senses guide me.  I transformed my sword into a bow and arrow then concentrated.  The wind blew softly, making sounds against the targets.  I breathed in slowly, and quickly drew back arrows and shot at the targets.  I unleashed ten arrows at ten different targets scattered across the field.  When I let the last one go, I lifted the blindfold to see that I had hit every target dead center.

Clapping came from behind me making me turn around to see Angeal and Genesis smiling at me.

“Impressive,” Angeal said.  “You’re an excellent archer.”

“Uh thanks.  What are you guys doing here?”

“We were going to train and found you here,” Genesis mentioned.  “Shouldn’t you be getting your last checkup?”

“I’m fine, I can skip it.  I’m bored so I wanted to train.”

“Hey bitch!” another voice called.

“Excuse me,” I snapped my head behind Genesis and Angeal.

It was the patrol crew from yesterday.  Great, just what I needed, more idiots.

“Didn’t we warn you yesterday?” Jacque, the captain, scoffed.

 “You,” I pointed, “warn me?  Yeah that’ll be the day.”

“Hey, you don’t talk to my sister like that unless you would like me to knock your teeth down your throat,” Genesis warned.

“You SOLDIERS don’t run things around here.  Don’t cut into our time.  And you,” he looked to me, “you’re only in SOLDIER because Genesis is your brother.”

“Hahahahahaha!” I laughed.  “Oh really, and I thought it was because I beat your ass on the entrance test.”

“What did you say?” he growled.

“Watch it,” Angeal stepped up to him.

“Pfft, you gonna have your watch dogs protect you?” Jacque mocked.

“You know, the more you talk, the more I just want to knock your head clear off of your shoulders.” 

I smirked to myself an an idea popped into my head. 

“Hey Jacque, I’ll make you a bet.  You and your crew against me; one on one or all against one I don’t care.  The winner, meaning me, gets the simulator whenever they want and free hits on the loser.”

“You’re on,” he sneered.  “And when I win, you have to be my bitch for a whole day.”

“Not happening!” Genesis snapped.

“Fine,” I agreed. 

“What, no!” Genesis exclaimed.

“Shut up, Genesis.  I can handle this.”

Genesis growled, more towards me because I was being stubborn.

*This is going to be so easy.* 

“Genesis, Angeal, you guys man the simulator and any foul play, don’t interfere, this is my fight.”

Angeal put a hand on Genesis’ shoulder to stop him from getting in the middle.  The seven guys surrounded me; I knew they would go for an ambush tactic.  The simulator put us in the outskirts of Midgar; lots of useful things around.  Jacque laughed creepily, but I wasn’t afraid.  One man from my right immediately took a shot, but I was gone in a flash.  I didn’t even need to use my sword; I knocked him out with a simple chop of the neck and stomping on his gun to destroy it.  I lifted my head and smirked at the others.

“Come and get me boys,” I taunted.

“Kill her!”

I jumped up and had them shoot up in the air while I dodged their bullets.  If this is who is patrolling our streets, then we are open for attack.  I fazed to the middle, summoned blizarra, and launched it into their guns causing them to jam.

“W-what the hell did you do?!” Jacque exclaimed.

I landed on the ground.  “Aww, I guess you’ll have to fight old school,” I got in a fighting position.  “Unless, you wimps give up.”

“Never!” Jacque yelled.

“I got something for you sweetheart,” a man behind me said while pulling out a knife.

“Oh, honey you shouldn’t have,” I countered making him pissed off.

He charged me with the knife, and effortlessly I dodged backwards.  I heard someone shift from beside me, so I faded behind him causing the first man to stab his comrade in the arm.  While the second man screamed, I whirled around him colliding my boot with the first man’s face, using him as leverage to axe kick the second man’s face into the concrete.  Two more were coming my way and I charged the one on the left catching his oncoming punch, twisting his arm and flipping him on his head.  The next guy I side kicked the solarplexes, then switched to kick his balls and executed a spinning hook kick to the side of his head.  Four down, three to go. 

“Your numbers are dwindling,” I taunted, “just give up and I may let you keep your balls unlike your buddy here.”

“Shut up!”

I tsked as the other two came charging for me; one on the right had summoned a staff first then the second followed.  I looked to my right and there were crates.  I ran towards those then kicked off the wall flipping backwards while one of them pulled off a helicopter swing busting the crates.  What the idiots didn’t know was that I had landed on the tip of the bow staff that was extended behind them.  I tapped the guy’s shoulder making him turn around, leaving me to back fist him across the face.  He released his staff allowing me to catch it.  The last guy swung and I blocked him then smacked his knee with the tip of the staff, then twirled it upwards into his chin; to finish I planted the staff, swung around it, and collided his temple with my boot.  I twirled the staff in my arms, almost showing off and stared at Jacque.

“I guess your watch dogs can’t protect you?” I taunted.

“T-they were just trainees,” he said nervously.  “You won’t be a match for a captain like me.”

“We shall see,” I smirked and edged him on with my hand.  “Let’s see, who’s the bitch?”

Jacque yelled as he charged at me head on.  His anger would be his downfall; I heard a mental note from Angeal.  I ran towards him and hit low hoisting him over me and tackling him to the ground.  I punched his middle then attacked his face; when he keeled back I grabbed his shirt and slammed him against the wall and continued to beat him.  When he collapsed he was grunting from the pain.

“I’m stronger than you, just give up.”

“N-never, you,” he slowly rose to his feet, “slut!”

I executed a flying turn back kick knocking him out cold.  I had won this battle, effortlessly.  The simulator was turned off and I turned to the doorway to see Genesis, Angeal, and Sephiroth!  I turned my face slightly to hide my blush, while they approached.

“You alright?” Genesis asked.

“Really?  Shouldn’t you ask that to these guys?”

“Nice way of handling yourself,” Angeal complimented while slinging his arm over my shoulder and ruffling my hair.

“Hey don’t do that,” I pulled away, “you messed up my hair.”

“Sorry,” he chuckled.

“Almost perfection,” Sephiroth said while walking past me.  “Almost.”

“Yeah, you’re not so perfect!” I exclaimed.

“Miss Rhapsodos,” I heard someone call.

I turned and there was a 3^rd Class soldier standing at attention.

“Yeah?” I answered.

“There are two people in the lobby requesting your presence ma’am.”

“Two people?  I’m not expecting anybody, who is it?” I asked while approaching him.

“It’s…well they-”

“Spit it out!” I stepped up to him.

“It’s your parents,” he mumbled.  “And they’re very adamant that you meet with them immediately.”

“Mother and father?” Genesis asked.  “Why?”

“Please Miss Rhapsodos, they’re really-”

“Uh yeah, um yeah,” I stuttered.  “Just, just go and tell them I’ll be right there.”

The 3^rd Class saluted and left.  My head was spinning; I felt like someone just sucked the breath out of me.  My parents are here…how did they find me?  I think I’m gonna be sick.

“Oh damn, I better have a penny for the ferryman,” I muttered.

“Sophie what’s going on?” Genesis questioned.

“Um,” I scratched the back of my head, “remember how I said that mom and dad approved of me joining SOLDIER?”

“Yeah,” he crossed his arms.

“I don’t like where this is going,” Angeal commented.

“Well, that’s not really the story,” I nervously chuckled.

“What?!  Where do they think you are?!” Genesis yelled.

I looked down.  “At a finishing school in London; believe me it was not an easy fetch for me to get them to believe.”

“Oh Sophia!  Do you know what you have done?!”

“Gained freedom, made friends, and found my brother who wasn’t contacting me and showed no signs of contact.  You didn’t even notice that I was here until I had made 2^nd Class.  Angeal knew I was here before you.”

“That doesn’t excuse the lie you told them,” Angeal added.

“It took them this long for them to notice that I wasn’t at a finishing school; they didn’t care then they shouldn’t care now.  Remember Genesis, you are the prodigal son.”

I walked out of the simulation room and began my long trek down to the lobby to see my parents.  This is going to be fun.  They’ll probably try and drag me home, and try to make me the little priss businesswoman that they want me to be.  Probably make me marry the man they chose as my betrothed.  I pressed the lobby button in the elevator and the doors started to close, only to be stopped by a hand; Genesis’ hand.

“Look, I do not like this situation, but I won’t let you face them alone.  You were alone with them long enough.”

“I’ll come too,” Angeal followed.  “Sephiroth will also.  Maybe it will make a better impression if they see how far we’ve all come.”

I smiled slightly while looking to the floor while they entered the elevator and we descended to the lobby.  My mind was racing so much, that I hadn’t realized that my hand was shaking.  In fact, I felt my whole body trembling.  I was afraid to see them, my captors.  Genesis doesn’t know…and I won’t ever let him know of the horror I faced back home.

The elevator bell sounded and the doors opened revealing the lobby, and two people standing by the reception desk yelling at the receptionist.  I was frozen in place; I didn’t want to do this, I wanted to run and hide in my room.  A warm hand covered my trembling hand, it was Genesis.

“It’s going to be alright,” he said.

“You don’t know that,” I muttered.

I felt a pair of eyes on me, and I couldn’t help but look back to see Sephiroth staring at me with those cyan eyes filled with worry.  Although his face was stern and serious, I could see the worry emanating from his mako eyes.  I turned forward and walked into the lobby.  When we edged closer, the two people, Joseph and Marie Rhapsodos faced us.  My father was tall with grey highlighting his auburn hair, and my mother was my height with brown eyes, and grey highlighting her strawberry hair. 

“So this is your finishing school, Sophia?” my father asked with a tone of anger.

“I can explain-”

“You will pack your bags right now and come home!  You were not supposed to be here!” my mother scolded.  “Your brother has the honor and pride to be here, you don’t!  All you have to offer is a bad attitude and ungrateful nature!”

“Ungrateful!” I exclaimed.  “I’m the most grateful person in this family!  Genesis leaves home but I can’t; I deserve to make my own decisions in my life and I decide to stay here in SOLDIER!”

I felt my hands trembling, I was putting up a good front but I knew what would happen if I was insolent.

“You will watch your tone with your mother!”

“Father please,” Genesis cut in, “Sophie wanted to come here to see me; in the process she has moved up in the ranks and become a great warrior.  Angeal and I found structure here and so did Soph-”

“Genesis, your mother and I are very proud of you,” my father showed his authority to everyone.  “Your sister, however, needs something more than the chance to run with the wrong crowd.  Around men she barely knows, we have a fine blood in our line and it mustn’t be tainted.  She doesn’t need to end up like Angeal’s mother.”

“Excuse me,” I heard Angeal.

“Dad, don’t you dare talk about Angeal’s mother!” I shouted.  “You have no right to come here and try to manipulate me into returning with you!  I’m a grown woman and I’m stronger than both of you; I’m not going to lose what I have here so you can marry me off to an old man who will take advantage of me!  And if that’s what you think will bring honor to your family from me, then you can just go fuck yourself!”

It happened so fast; I was so occupied at trying to stand up to them that I hadn’t even realized that my father was preparing himself.  He had punched me clear across the face; his heirloom ring penetrating my cheek.  Before I hit the ground, I felt a pair of familiar arms catch me.  I touched my cheek and realized that I was bleeding from the corner of my mouth and my nose.  I took a few deep breaths tasting the iron liquid and looked at my parents with a glare.

“That’s what you deserve you worthless-”

“What the hell are you doing?!  You’ve lost your mind father!” Genesis yelled.  “You’ve overstayed your welcome; leave.”

I reached up and grabbed Genesis’ wrist halting him.  I pulled myself up and walked towards my parents not phasing my glare.  I looked them both in the face.

“You have no power here; your money doesn’t work in SOLDIER.  You wouldn’t know what honor is if it bit you in the ass.  Now I suggest you leave and never come back because if you don’t leave on your own, I will show you the way out and I really hope you choose for me to show you.  I want nothing to do with either of you.  Both of you can go to hell.”

I stood tall not taking the abuse that I’ve endured for four years.  I achieved my freedom, and I wasn’t going to let it go.

“Fine, this isn’t over Sophia,” my mother said.

“I believe it is.  Now go,” Sephiroth demanded.

They walked out still keeping their heads high.  What I wouldn’t give to just beat the living crap out of them.  I saw police and other SOLDIER’s watching and looking at me.  I just sighed and tried to leave with whatever dignity I had left.

“What are you looking at, show’s over,” Sephiroth warned everyone.

“Sophie,” Genesis called.

I raised my hand to stop him, “I’m just going to take a break.  I think I’ve had enough training for today.”

I turned to Angeal while keeping my head low.

“I apologize for what my parents said.”

“It’s not your fault,”’ he responded.  “We need to get you to the doctor.”

“Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow,” I interrupted trying to cut this conversation.  “Better yet I think there are a couple of missions for you generals.  You need a break from me anyway.  I’m just gonna go home.”

I speed walked over to the elevator and pressed the button for my floor.  I felt like the elevator wasn’t coming fast enough.  I tried to keep the blood from hitting the floor, but all it did was soak my hand.  My dad always did have a good left hook.  I was still waiting for the damn elevator; why does life torment me so?  A hand came and placed itself on my shoulder and a face bandage was held out in front of me.

“I’ve learned to keep extra bandages on me when you’re around.  You sometimes get into trouble,” Sephiroth said.

“If this is pity I don’t need it.”

“It’s not pity Sophie,” he started, “we don’t have to fight all the time.”

He took my bloodied hand away from my face and placed the bandage swab in its place.  Just then the elevator doors opened.  I walked in and he followed me.  The ride back to my floor was silent; no one said a word because the air was filled with awkwardness.  I wasn’t sure how I felt right now because I was thinking about the scene that occurred with my parents and also now that I’m alone with Sephiroth.  He escorted me back to my room and just as I opened the door he broke the silence.

“Sophie, can we talk?”

I halted with my back to him.  I sighed and hung my head then held the door open for him to enter.  When he walked in I shut the door and faced him.

“Yes?” I muttered.

“About what happened, back when I kissed you, it was sudden.”

“You think?  You only surprised me and stole my first kiss,” I crossed my arms.  *Not that I really minded.*

“Sophie, though I am telling you the truth when I say that you are someone precious to me, but,” he scratched the back of his head.

My heart sank; I knew where this was going. 

“I get it.  You don’t want to be with me, I understand.” 

Tears were welling up in my eyes.

“Sophie it’s just-”

“I said I get it okay.  Let me guess, it’s because of your pride right?  Don’t want to get tied down to a 2^nd Class SOLDIER?  Or you have someone else?” I trailed off.

“It’s not that Sophie.  Look, I don’t want to hurt you-”

“Then you shouldn’t have kissed me and gave me hope!” tears spilled from my eyes mixing with the blood on my face.  “I’ve always loved you…”

Something in his eyes changed, I saw sadness and self loathing.  He was fighting with something within himself.

“Forgive me Sophie.  I only hope that you can find happiness; I’m nothing but trouble for you.” 

He walked over to me and wiped the tears from my eyes. 

“You are someone very precious to me and I’m not going to let you get hurt…forgive me.”

He connected his lips with mine in a passionate and loving kiss.  His soft, warm lips made me feel like I was in heaven, like he was the one only for me.  I don’t know how long we were there just kissing but he broke the wonderful moment by pulling away.

“Sephiroth-”

He covered my lips with his gloved hand. 

“We cannot continue.  I’m sorry.”

Sephiroth walked towards the door leaving me standing with pain and hurt in my heart.  I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing; when he shut the door I just collapsed onto the floor crying from the pain of losing the only person I ever loved. 

Sephiroth’s POV

*What have I done?  I hurt the only woman I’ve ever cared about.  I love her…but I have to protect her…from me.*

I covered my face with my hand.  I was angry, hurt, and confused.  How could Sophia Rhapsodos have made me feel this way?  I want to take everything back and take her in my arms but I can’t.  I’m dangerous, and if she ever found out about me…she’d be afraid.  Also, if they found out, they would do horrible things to her.  I uncovered my face and marched up to Level 49 to get a mission, hoping that kill anything on sight would ease the sorrow I felt.

Sophia’s POV

I’m not sure how long I had been crying but eventually Zack came by and found me in this state.  He hugged me close and comforted me while I cried into his chest.  I told him the whole thing from what happened three weeks ago, to my parents, to the confession by Sephiroth.  I begged him not to tell anyone about Sephiroth.  He brought me into the living room and helped me to bandage my face.  A bruise was forming on my cheek but I didn’t care; it didn’t hurt as much as my heart. 

“It’s going to be okay Sophie,” he said while sitting next to me.

“Yeah,” I whispered.

“I know you really loved Sephiroth.  But he shouldn’t have led you on like that!  I mean he stole your first kiss!  And then the thing with your parents; today was just not your day.”

“Thanks Zack, I really needed to hear that,” I muttered.

When Zack questioned me about what happened with my parents, I decided to show my best friend the truth.  I brought out an old box with pictures.  It had pictures of me, Genesis, Angeal, and Sephiroth.  On top of the stack there was a picture I had of the trio before they joined SOLDIER, but my father burned it when I talked back.  Then we got deeper in the stack we found the horrid pictures of the damage my parents really caused me.  Every bruise, cut, or lash I endured, I took a picture.  I’m not sure why, I guess it was my way of saying I survived.

“How could they have done this to you?!”

“They always loved Genesis more than they loved me; he was the pride of the family.  When he left, pressure fell on me to be someone they wanted me to be, but when I fought for freedom, I got beatings and took it.  I couldn’t fight back because I was taught to respect your elders.”

“You need to tell Genesis, Sophie.  This is not right.”

A knock came to my door and Zack got up to check it.  I could hear voices and it was Angeal and Genesis.  I quickly hid the photos back in the box before they walked in.

“How are you feeling Soph?” Genesis asked while sitting next to me, then wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“I’m fine.  Shouldn’t you guys be on a mission?” I asked.

“Sephiroth decided to go alone.  Seemed uptight about it,” Angeal suggested.

“Did you kick him in the balls or something?” Genesis asked with a chuckle.

I chuckled with him, “No.  I just told him to buzz off.”

“Well, I talked to mom and dad and told them to never come back.  They made a big fuss about the family fortune, but I told them to keep it.”

“I never used it anyway,” I said.  “I wanted to make my own living.”

“Hey what’s this?” Angeal asked while picking up the burnt picture that I forgot to hide.

“Old memories,” I said.

“But why is it burnt?” he questioned.

“Uh,” I muttered, “curling iron won.”

“When do you use a curling iron?” Angeal asked with suspicion.

“Sophie,” Zack said.  “You should tell Genesis.”

“Zackary,” I warned.

“Tell me what?” Genesis asked now concerned.

“Nothing,” I urged.

“You need to tell him or I will,” Zack pressed.

“You wouldn’t,” I glared.

“Tell me dammit!” Genesis demanded.

“Zack, it’s over with there’s no need for this, I trusted you with that information,” I scolded.

“He needs to know Soph, he’s your brother!”

“Genesis, look at this,” I heard Angeal.

“No!”

I turned and Angeal had found the box of horrors and opened it showing the pictures of my injuries to Genesis.  My heart skipped a beat; I thought it was going to give out and I would die on the spot.  I didn’t want Genesis, or anyone else, to see those pictures.  I launched out and tried to grab them from him.

“Give those back!”

“What are these?!” he demanded.

“Nothing!  Please just give them back!”

“Did mom and dad do this?” he questioned.

I stayed silent not wanting to answer.  I hid this secret for so long, and Genesis was the last person I wanted to show these to.  He used to idolize our father, and I didn’t want to stray his image from Genesis.  Genesis’ hand began to shake in anger.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

“I,” I paused for a moment, “I wanted to protect you.”

“You could’ve told me!  I would’ve come back and took you away!”

“How Genesis?!” I shouted back.  “You didn’t even respond to my letters that I sent you over the course of four years!  Even if I did tell you, you wouldn’t have even known because you weren’t responding to me!  Angeal barely did too!  It’s over now, I wanna drop this because I’ve had a long day and I don’t want to talk about it anymore!”

“Genesis, calm down,” Angeal said while putting the pictures down.  “Sophie is right, today is not the day to discuss this.  She has been through enough, let’s just leave it be for now.”

“I can’t leave it be,” Genesis snapped, “this should not have happened.”

“Well Genesis, it did and it’s over.  That is the last swing I’ll ever take from them.  Now just go on a mission or something; God only knows when I’ll get one and I don’t want to hold you guys back.”

Genesis walked over and pulled me in a tight reassuring hug.  I wrapped my arms around him and hugged back.  He kissed the top of my head not caring who was watching.

“I won’t let this happen again, I swear it,” he promised.

“Genesis, I can handle myself now.  I got what I wanted, to be near my friends and find my brother,” I smiled even though it stung.

Genesis’ phone went off, he was receiving a mission. 

“Zack you’re with me, we’ve got a mission.”

“Alright!” he cheered.

“You act like you haven’t had one in ages,” I laughed.

“Three days is a long time!” he exclaimed.

I smiled and play punched him in the chest.

“Come back in one piece you two,” I waved as they left out my door.

I noticed Angeal hadn’t left, he was actually petting Shadow and her pups.  I chuckled watching how he interacted with Shadow.

“Enjoying yourself?” I asked.  “I don’t have any extra puppies to give.”

“Nah, I don’t need another puppy to take care of.  Zack’s enough trouble,” he laughed.

Angeal made me laugh too.  I could visualize Zack as a puppy, he sure acted like one, but he’s potty trained.

“Thanks, I needed to laugh.”

“Hey, I’ve got nothing going on today since Sephiroth darted off on his own.  Why don’t we go have dinner later and get out of this building?  I know you’ve been cooped up here for three weeks.”

“Uh,” I scratched my head thinking about what to say. 

I looked around and thought that some fresh air would be nice. 

“Why not?  I just want to shower first since I smell like sweat and blood.”

“Sure, I wanna change too.  I’ll pick you up in a few hours.”

“Okay,” I said and walked him out then locked the door.

Right after I shut it, I looked to Shadow who gave me a questioning look.  I figured out what she meant after a moment since my head was still woozy from earlier.  Did I just accept to go out on a date with Angeal?!  I shook my head.

“No Shadow, it’s not a date.  We’re just friends and we’re going to hang out like old times, so don’t give me that look,” I scolded.

She whined then barked.  Now she’s sassing me.  Ugh, she’s got a mind of her own.  I left into my bedroom to take a shower and wash the sweat, dirt, and blood off on me.  The water was stinging my cheek.  After I finished with the shower, I got dressed then brushed my hair.  When I looked in the mirror at my face, I knew that the bruise was now more prominent on my face.  I put a bandage over the bruise covering most of it. 

I looked in the mirror and I thought I looked okay, just jeans, a tank top and my combat boots.  The boots are getting torn up, but I’ll just save up and buy a new pair.  I stuck my wallet in my back pocket and attached the chain to the side of my jeans, then put in my cross ear cuffs.  I thought it looked good.  I decided to watch some TV while I waited for Angeal.  After a couple of hours of reruns, I got a text from Zack pouting that the mission was already over.  I laughed at how he wished he could just have an extra minute of action.

Someone was knocking on my door so I went to answer it and there stood Angeal in some jeans, a black shirt that complimented his muscles, and regular black shoes.  I had to admit, he looked handsome, and I mean very handsome.

“Ready to go,” he said.

“Yeah,” I smiled then locked the door and followed him out of the building.

When we made it outside, I could hear people whispering about us.  Not only was I thinking about what they were thinking, but I was wondering how I could hear them so clear as if they were whispering in my ear.  I noticed that the sky was grey so it might rain.  I enjoyed the outside, the breath of fresh air felt nice.  I was thinking so much that I didn’t even hear Angeal talk to me.

“Huh, I’m sorry what did you say?”

“I just asked where would you like to go to eat?”

“Oh, um I don’t know.  Haven’t eaten out in a while; how about The Goblin?”

“Sounds good,” he said then slung his arm over my shoulders.  “And calm down Sophie, don’t act so tense.”

I blushed slightly at his closeness.  I mean we’ve been friends since we were little, I don’t know why this would seem awkward now.  Maybe it was because I caught the scent of his cologne and it smelled good, or how this is not something we’ve ever done together.  He led us into The Goblin and the atmosphere was nice.  However, tonight was karaoke night…and I could hear Selphie’s ear splitting voice already.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

“Aww come on, it won’t be that bad,” Angeal said.

“You know, your niceness is going to get you in a lot of trouble one day.”

“I’m friends with you aren’t I?” he smirked while helping me into the booth.

“Awww, I’m not trouble Angeal.  But good one,” I smirked back while he sat across from me.

The waitress came and handed us our menus while she kept her eyes glued on Angeal. 

“Hi there, my name is Crystal and I will be your server tonight.  Can I start you off with some drinks?”

“I’ll have an iced tea please,” Angeal said while keeping his eyes on the menu.

“Alright,” she wrote down and almost took off.

“Excuse me,” I caught her.

“Oh yes, what can I get you?” she almost glared.

“Strawberry lemonade please,” I emphasized on please.

She wrote it down and left.  After she walked away I chuckled.

“I think our waitress is a fangirl of yours,” I went on while looking over the menu.

“Really?  I didn’t notice,” he said while looking up at me.

The waitress came back with our drinks, “Here you go handsome.”

I almost laughed at Angeal’s annoyance of the waitress.  She placed my drink in front of me and I looked in mine to make sure she didn’t spit in it.  It was clean.

“Are you ready to order?” she asked Angeal.

“Yeah, I’ll have the Country Burger with fries.”

“Great choice,” she wrote it down then looked at me.  “And you?”

*Don’t sound excited.*  “I’ll have the BLT, no mayo, with seasoned fries.”

She didn’t say anything to me and walked off.  I just chuckled and took a sip of my lemonade.  The music just then started to play regularly.  I was hoping that Selphie passed out drunk so that we wouldn’t hear her singing again.  Angeal was just looking off at the people dancing.  I took this chance to really study him.  I hadn’t notice how strong his features were.  He was more robust and muscular than when we were back in Banora, and the chin hair actually looked good on him.  He looked over at me and caught me practically checking him out.

“See something you like?” he asked with a smirk.

“I was just wondering how you would look without the chin hair,” I took a sip of my drink.

“Hahaha, okay.  I’ve been meaning to ask you, if you couldn’t get a hold of Genesis, why didn’t you contact me about what your parents had done?”

“Angeal, I had already said that it was hard to contact you guys.  Plus there was no need for me to burden you guys with my problems.  It’s over now and I would like to drop it please.”

He reached over and placed his hand over mine.  I blushed, but accepted the close contact.

“Sophie, I want you to know that no matter what, your brother and I will always be there for you.  Don’t feel like you’re alone.”

“I don’t feel that way now.  Spending time with you guys has been a nice change.  I’m shocked that you actually wanted to just hang out, we haven’t done this in years.”

He smiled at me with those blue eyes.  Being with Angeal, even just casually, made me feel calm and happy.  He was a nice person to talk to.  Yeah, he may be tough instructor in training but he really is a caring person.  Who wouldn’t be tough if they experienced what he experienced? 

After the waitress brought out our orders we talked about random things while we ate.  We laughed at memories of when we were little and I told him about how I would pull pranks on Genesis, even in front of Angeal.  I enjoyed spending time with him, it was nice.  As we were chatting I heard someone whistle.  I turned to the side to see Zack and Genesis.

“Aww look at the cute couple,” Zack taunted.

“We’re not a couple Zack,” I snarled while Genesis sat next to me.  “Uh, nice for you to invite yourself.”

“The mission didn’t take so long I assume,” Angeal said to Zack as he took a seat next to him.

“It was so easy that Zack could’ve done it on his own, if he had the mentality of an adult,” Genesis joked.

“Hey!” Zack yelled while stealing a fry from my plate.

“How’s your face?” Genesis asked while lightly brushing his hand across the bandage.

“I’m feeling better, thanks.  I’m just glad everything went alright and you two came home.”

“And just in time for dinner!” Zack smiled.

“That was my dinner and you ate my fries you freeloader!”

I tried to reach across and slap him but he evaded easily and laughed. 

“You better pay for my meal now!”

“Aww, but Sophie I’m hungry,” he pouted.  “And I won’t get paid until tomorrow.”

“Well that’s what you get for spending all of your money on that junk of a truck when you could just buy a new one,” I scolded.

“Hey, that old truck gets us away.”

“And when we do we either: run out of gas, break down, or most recently pop a tire.  Yeah that heap of junk is not reliable.”

“I’m not giving it up, so just leave it alone Sophie.  Unless you think you can fix it.”

 “I have dummy!” I laughed.

“Alright enough you two,” Genesis spoke.

“Way to barge in on a relaxing time and you cause stress Zack,” Angeal chuckled while ruffling Zack’s hair.

“Excuse me, here’s your check,” Crystal said while handing me the check and walking off. 

“Very nice,” I muttered.  “She’s not getting a tip.”

“Give it to me Sophie, I got it,” Angeal said.

“Nah, I’ll pay my half and you pay your half-”

“Sophie I asked you to come along, so it’s up to the gentleman to pay.”

“Wow, Angeal is not being stingy,” Genesis joked.

“I’m not stingy,” he said while pulling out some money and putting it in the pack, “I’m just conservative.”

“Especially when it comes to your blade,” Zack scoffed.

“Well you should offer money Zack since you decided to help yourself!” I said.

“Oh I’ll get it in training tomorrow,” he pouted.

“Sometimes, I can’t really tell if you or Zorro is the puppy, especially since you look alike,” I laughed.

“Ya know, we kinda do,” he smiled.

“Oh I just got the best idea,” I chuckled evilly.

“What’s that?” Genesis asked.

“Well our waitress is obviously an Angeal fangirl.  If Angeal were to up and leave now, all we need to do is slick back Zack’s hair and use a bit of sharpie on his chin.  I wanna see if she’ll think Zack is Angeal.”

“And why would we do that?” Angeal asked while raising an eyebrow.

“Because she’s been a pain in the ass all night.  I hope that you didn’t leave a tip.”

“It’ll never work,” Angeal commented.

“Why’s that?”

“Because I’m more mature than Zack.”

We all busted out laughing.  As much as that was a joke at Zack, it was funny as hell.  The waitress came back to take the payment and also look over Angeal and Genesis.  I was just surprised at how much people will love them, but they don’t even know them or where they’ve come from.

“Uh oh,” Zack said while looking at his phone.

“What?” I asked.

“We didn’t check back with the Director after the mission, and now he’s burning up my phone,” Zack pouted.  “Genesis go with me, I don’t wanna get my ass chewed out.”

“Pfft, Sophie’s right you are a pup,” Genesis scoffed.  “Fine, let’s go.  I’ll see you tomorrow,” he ruffled my hair.

“Stop that,” I stuck my tongue out and he just laughed at me.

Angeal chuckled at our little scene then leaned on his hand while looking at me.  I looked back to see almost a happy gleam in his eyes.  I could be wrong, but I think it was his way of being charming.  He shook his head then cleared his throat.

“It’s getting late, why don’t we start heading back also?” Angeal asked.

I nodded and followed him out of the restaurant.  When we got to the door, we noticed that it had started pouring down rain. 

*Great, the one time I don’t have a jacket.* 

The smell of fresh rain falling though was relaxing. 

“Well, we gotta get back somehow,” I mentioned.

We went to run across the street when my boot got stuck on the drain and I fell forward.  I tried to get the sole of my boot out of the crevice when some guy was spinning out of control  in a truck and came head on for us.  I freaked and frantically tried to release myself until I was grabbed and pinned to a wall.  It happened so fast I didn’t even feel my foot get out.  I looked up and there was Angeal hovering over me, water dripping from his face and worry in his eyes.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I nodded trying to hide a blush, “I’m fine.”

“I’m going to check on the driver, I’ll be right back.”

Angeal ran over to the truck to check on the driver.  He turned out to be fine; all he was doing was speeding not thinking that the road would be slippery.  What an idiot.  Angeal came back over to me, and I hadn’t known that I had started shivering from the cold until he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“We’ll be back soon.  Let’s hurry.”

We rushed back over to the Shinra building hoping to not get ran over by anyone else.  When we got inside we started to laugh.

“That was fun,” I said while pressing the button to my floor.

“Yes, yes it was.”

He boarded the elevator with me, and we were dripping wet from the rain.

“Man if I knew I was gonna get a second shower, I would’ve waited,” I joked.

“Heheh,” he smiled.  “Your bandage is coming off.”

He reached up towards my cheek trying to reattach it, but I stopped him.

“It’s fine, I’ll bandage it up again.”

The elevator opened and we stepped out and walked over to my door down the hall.  After I opened the door, I stopped Angeal from leaving.

“Hey come in and dry off real quick before you catch a cold.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, come on.”

I walked in and Shadow was over with her pups.  They were sleeping, while Shadow was keeping watch.  I dropped my keys on the counter then went into the bathroom to pull out a couple of towels.  When I walked out, I saw Angeal petting Shadow who had walked over to him.  She’s taken a liking to him.  I caught a glimpse of his muscled chest because his wet shirt was sticking to him.  I blushed slightly, but shook my head and walked over. 

“Here, dry off,” I handed him the towel.

“Thank you,” he smiled and started to dry his hair, ruffling it up.

I dried myself off and walked into my room to change.  I shut the door and changed out of my wet clothes into a pair of sweats and a blue tank top.  I removed my earrings then went into the bathroom to repair my face.  My cheek was swollen but it was going down slowly and it was not bleeding.  I placed another bandage on my face then walked out to the living room, where Angeal was leaning on the counter with the towel around his neck and petting Shadow.

“Feel better?” I asked.

“Yeah, thank you,” he replied while handing the towel back to me.  “I had a nice time.  We should do it again.”

“I’d like that,” I smiled.  “It would be fun.”

“I should get going,” he said while standing up straight.

“Alright.”

Before he walked away, Shadow got behind him and jumped on his back making him fall forward colliding into me.  Not only did we collide into each other, Angeal’s lips landed on mine.  Both of our eyes went wide and he backed away blushing.

“S-Sophie, I uh,” Angeal stuttered.

“Shadow, what are you doing?!” I exclaimed.

She just barked in response and tried to get behind me to push me to Angeal.  I pushed her off only for her to bark and go back over to her pups.  I was blushing badly; she just made me kiss Angeal!

“I’m so sorry about her,” I apologized, “I don’t know what has gotten into her.  You can make me suffer for that in training, heh.”

I felt two hands place themselves gently on my arms.  I looked up to Angeal who had a slight blush across his cheeks; he reached up and caressed my uninjured cheek.  Staring into his eyes I could see an emotion that made me blush even harder.

“Sophie,” he whispered while running his other hand down to intertwine our fingers.

I welcomed this gesture.  For some reason it felt right to do this, I wasn’t in a relationship with anyone and the one I did love didn’t love me back.  Maybe this was a way for me to move on.  I could move on with my life.  Angeal slowly started to close the gap in between us until our lips met again in a soft, loving kiss.  The longer we got into the kiss, the more comfortable I felt.  I reached my arms up around his neck and his hands made their way down to my waist pulling me close.  After a few minutes of kissing we separated and he placed his forehead against mine.

“I should go,” he whispered.

I nodded, “Yeah, don’t want any trouble.”

“Maybe tomorrow we can do this again?”

“If we don’t get missions, I’d love to.”

Angeal released me and started heading towards the door.  Before he left out the door, he turned around and leaned down to my level to give me a small kiss.

“Until then,” he said and left.

I smiled to myself and shut the door.  I touched my lips still feeling the warmth of Angeal.  I heard Shadow whine as if to say “See”.

“You are just getting me in a lot of trouble aren’t you?”