What we become:: Final Fantasy VII
Mar. 12th, 2014 08:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
twilight_lamentIn the beginning Zack Fair and General Sephiroth barely knew each other at all and this how that began to change.
Written by me
It's after dinner and Sephiroth, after a very long day, decided midway through the 'meatloaf' that some time in the training room would do him some good. Angeal and Genesis are both out on missions which meant training simulations. They aren't nearly good enough and far less engaging than taking on both Angeal and Genesis at the same time. Even the one based on him lacked the proper experience. It could learn, certainly, but it couldn't learn him. The scientists involved in the training software had yet to truly adapt their programs to mimicking the ability to shift tactics. Once a person learned that about the sims, well the challenge level went down dramatically.
However he needs something; sitting in meeting with Scarlet and Palmer attempting to curry favor with the President over the SOLDIER program isn't an experience Sephiroth cares to repeat. Or the post meeting with Scarlet attempting to drape her barely clad form on him in a vain attempt to curry favor with him. The impulse to shove her away had to be choked down, his irritation wasn't so easily dissipated.
Color him surprised to see another and familiar figure coming from the opposite end of the hall. Sephiroth debates his options and considers just leaving it to Zack Fair. He can always revisit the issue in the morning well before anyone else will even think about being awake. The tightness across Zack's shoulders and the frown marring his normally smiling features catches his attention. What keeps it is the restless energy Sephiroth can almost feel beneath the surface.
This, he feels, reads like more than just needing a run around the ring with his mentor out of town.
Briefly Sephiroth recalls the night Angeal had showed up at Genesis' with Zack in tow for their usual (usual meaning they were all in Midgar at the same time) night of cards. Even Genesis had looked surprised. Less than an hour later, Zack had tried to excuse himself only to have Angeal rebuff the attempt in a clear move to get the 2nd Class SOLDIER to remain. The look of almost desperation crossing Zack's features went unnoticed by Angeal and Genesis, but to Sephiroth it had been clear as day.
Whatever had caused that look is what causes the harsh and less fluid steps now, or so Sephiroth thinks.
"Sir," Sephiroth looks at Zack with a tilt of his head, "were you gonna…?" He jerked a thumb in the in the direction of the training room and Sephiroth shook his head. "I mean, if you were I don't want to interrupt and.."
"It's fine. I'll come back in the morning." Zack needs it more than he. Whatever is going on with Angeal still weighs on him.
"Oh, cool. Thanks." With a nod, the General turned, deciding that a hot shower will suffice for tonight anyway when a restless shift and what might be the clearing of a throat caught him. Looking over his shoulder, Sephiroth arches a brow.
"Yes, Fair?"
"Ah - nothing." The second rakes a hand through his surprisingly orderly yet disorderly hair. "Never mind."
"Hnnn." But Sephiroth doesn't move. "Since both of my usual training partners are out, I suppose I'll have to make due with you, Fair."
"What?" Zack blinks but some of the tension lessens around his shoulders. "I mean, are you sure?"
"Are you coming or not?" Sephiroth swipes his ID through the scanner and the door hisses open when expected. He's not surprised when Zack comes in after him. "Prepare yourself, Fair. He chooses a generic field for the setting just because looking at the drab metal walls doesn't appeal to him in the least.
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
"I expect you not to hold back against me, Fair. Treat this as you would any other training exercise." Except that Sephiroth knows it won't be and doesn't expect it to be for either one of them. However Zack needs an outlet and Sephiroth is by far the best choice in the tower to wear him out to the satisfying ring of metal on metal.
It isn't a cake walk for him either. Zack doesn't hold back and the one time he tries to pull a blow, Sephiroth kicks his feet out from under him in sharp admonishment for his trouble. However Sephiroth has to hold back, gauge Zack's training, and adapt his own style otherwise it wouldn't last long. It would almost be unsatisfying except there is a certain amount skill in those things and focusing on the evidence of Zack's progress proves adequate distraction from his own troubles.
Hell, it's almost fun.
Sephiroth calls an end when Zack's energy starts to wane and looks up at the clock. Huh. Two hours. He looks back, green eyes assessing the younger man who now calmly puts up his sword and towels the sweat from his face while the computer generated environment fades away. Sephiroth doubts whatever troubles Zack Fair is gone, but after going two hours with him (and Sephiroth had made it a point to press the younger man) he no longer looks like he might vibrate out of his own skin. For a moment he wants to ask. SOLDIER's have lives and troubles outside of ShinRa, but if this problem is between Angeal and Zack, he wonders if he should intervene. In the end, Sephiroth decides to give it time and perhaps in Angeal's absences, they'll both work out whatever it is.
"Thank you." Zack blinks at him almost comically. Apparently he wasn't expecting gratitude. "It was a long day; I needed that." Zack's struck look changes to a smile just that fast and Sephiroth's lips almost twitch in response. Now he sees why Angeal calls him 'pup'.
And he doesn't think it a bad thing.
"Your welcome. Although I kinda feel like I should be thanking you, sir. So - thank you!" It's not often that Sephiroth smiles outside of the company of Genesis and Angeal, but he does now. The response is just too damn honest. In fact it's a kind of honesty that even Angeal doesn't quite match. So honest that Sephiroth sees all too well the hint of sadness still in Zack Fair's mako blue eyes.
"You're not on assignment until the end of week, are you, Fair?"
"No, Sir?" The question hangs as Sephiroth turns and heads for the sliding doors.
"Then I'll see you here tomorrow morning o-five-hundred sharp and tomorrow evening at the same time as today."
"A- I mean, yes Sir!"
Sephiroth, as he turns the corner chuckles softly and swears he can pretty much hear that smile.
Written by Muse
It's been a week since Angeal invited him to a night of cards "with the guys" – the other Firsts – and two weeks since the mission where Zack tried to make a move on the older man. Zack still feels ready to vibrate out of his skin at certain times, but he knows as well that he'd be a lot worse off without Sephiroth. Ever since that evening they'd run into each other in the hallway outside the training room, the General has invited Zack to spar with him twice a day, and it's been the best thing in the world. The General doesn't go easy on him and doesn't let Zack hold back, and has actually given Zack pointers on his form and a new set of drills to add to his training. For all that it started as a way to deal with the sting of rejection (a sting that has lessened), Zack is actually going to miss sparring with Sephiroth.
Angeal and Genesis come back from their mission tomorrow though, and Zack knows that both men are Sephiroth's regular sparring partners, not him. Sure, maybe there will be another invitation to a night of cards, but after the disaster of the last one, he doesn't know that he'll accept.
Well, it's been a good week, at least.
Which is why he's got a little bag on his arm when he meets Sephiroth for their evening session, why after the spar he hands it to the General. He really hadn't any intention of doing anything like this, but it had caught his eye in a shop that afternoon and he thought it might, at the very least, make the General smile for just a moment.
"It's for your desk," he says in explanation when Sephiroth unwraps a coffee mug; etched into the side are three lines bearing the phrases 'not now,' 'almost there,' and 'now you may speak.' He's suddenly a lot more nervous than he was before their spar. "I mean, you don't have to put it there, but I saw it and thought of you."
Somehow, there's never a convenient hole opening up in the ground to swallow him when he needs it.
Written by me
Sephiroth opens the bag with a bit of curiosity and a bit of surprise when the mug rests in his hand.
Reading the side of it, he smiles just a touch and looks back at Zack who seems like he might try and merge with the floor at any given second.
"I think it will suit my desk." Why a mug makes him feel somewhat lighter is a mystery. Sephiroth supposes it's the fact that it's a gift given just because - because… Well he isn't entirely sure why Zack gifted it to him other than as a way to say to thank you.
"Thank you." Carefully he wraps it back in the bag, with the full intention of using it. Sure it's meant to be funny and it is, but the sentiment is also one that he can get behind.
A thank you though isn't necessary from Zack. Sparring with the younger man, having something he considers actually beneficial to turn his attentions upon, kept an otherwise frustrating week from being just that. Still, it's nice and Sephiroth has come to know Zack enough over this last week to understand that the overture contains no hidden catch, no intention of trying to curry Sephiroth's favor which he appreciates as much as the gift itself.
"I leave for Wutai in two days. I expect to see you here as usual until then?" A request, not an order. Angeal will return and Zack's regular training in addition to missions will once again be Hewley's hands.
"I'll have to clear it with Angeal, but I mean, I don't think it will be problem." Sephiroth nods, holding his gift in one hand as he turns for the door.
"Let me know what he says." Sephiroth heads for the door and once again he swears he can hearZack Fair's smile.
"Yes, Sir!"
***
And the next morning, the General's desk does indeed see a new addition. It replaces his standard ShinRa mug much to his delight.
Written by me
It's after dinner and Sephiroth, after a very long day, decided midway through the 'meatloaf' that some time in the training room would do him some good. Angeal and Genesis are both out on missions which meant training simulations. They aren't nearly good enough and far less engaging than taking on both Angeal and Genesis at the same time. Even the one based on him lacked the proper experience. It could learn, certainly, but it couldn't learn him. The scientists involved in the training software had yet to truly adapt their programs to mimicking the ability to shift tactics. Once a person learned that about the sims, well the challenge level went down dramatically.
However he needs something; sitting in meeting with Scarlet and Palmer attempting to curry favor with the President over the SOLDIER program isn't an experience Sephiroth cares to repeat. Or the post meeting with Scarlet attempting to drape her barely clad form on him in a vain attempt to curry favor with him. The impulse to shove her away had to be choked down, his irritation wasn't so easily dissipated.
Color him surprised to see another and familiar figure coming from the opposite end of the hall. Sephiroth debates his options and considers just leaving it to Zack Fair. He can always revisit the issue in the morning well before anyone else will even think about being awake. The tightness across Zack's shoulders and the frown marring his normally smiling features catches his attention. What keeps it is the restless energy Sephiroth can almost feel beneath the surface.
This, he feels, reads like more than just needing a run around the ring with his mentor out of town.
Briefly Sephiroth recalls the night Angeal had showed up at Genesis' with Zack in tow for their usual (usual meaning they were all in Midgar at the same time) night of cards. Even Genesis had looked surprised. Less than an hour later, Zack had tried to excuse himself only to have Angeal rebuff the attempt in a clear move to get the 2nd Class SOLDIER to remain. The look of almost desperation crossing Zack's features went unnoticed by Angeal and Genesis, but to Sephiroth it had been clear as day.
Whatever had caused that look is what causes the harsh and less fluid steps now, or so Sephiroth thinks.
"Sir," Sephiroth looks at Zack with a tilt of his head, "were you gonna…?" He jerked a thumb in the in the direction of the training room and Sephiroth shook his head. "I mean, if you were I don't want to interrupt and.."
"It's fine. I'll come back in the morning." Zack needs it more than he. Whatever is going on with Angeal still weighs on him.
"Oh, cool. Thanks." With a nod, the General turned, deciding that a hot shower will suffice for tonight anyway when a restless shift and what might be the clearing of a throat caught him. Looking over his shoulder, Sephiroth arches a brow.
"Yes, Fair?"
"Ah - nothing." The second rakes a hand through his surprisingly orderly yet disorderly hair. "Never mind."
"Hnnn." But Sephiroth doesn't move. "Since both of my usual training partners are out, I suppose I'll have to make due with you, Fair."
"What?" Zack blinks but some of the tension lessens around his shoulders. "I mean, are you sure?"
"Are you coming or not?" Sephiroth swipes his ID through the scanner and the door hisses open when expected. He's not surprised when Zack comes in after him. "Prepare yourself, Fair. He chooses a generic field for the setting just because looking at the drab metal walls doesn't appeal to him in the least.
"Sir, yes, Sir!"
"I expect you not to hold back against me, Fair. Treat this as you would any other training exercise." Except that Sephiroth knows it won't be and doesn't expect it to be for either one of them. However Zack needs an outlet and Sephiroth is by far the best choice in the tower to wear him out to the satisfying ring of metal on metal.
It isn't a cake walk for him either. Zack doesn't hold back and the one time he tries to pull a blow, Sephiroth kicks his feet out from under him in sharp admonishment for his trouble. However Sephiroth has to hold back, gauge Zack's training, and adapt his own style otherwise it wouldn't last long. It would almost be unsatisfying except there is a certain amount skill in those things and focusing on the evidence of Zack's progress proves adequate distraction from his own troubles.
Hell, it's almost fun.
Sephiroth calls an end when Zack's energy starts to wane and looks up at the clock. Huh. Two hours. He looks back, green eyes assessing the younger man who now calmly puts up his sword and towels the sweat from his face while the computer generated environment fades away. Sephiroth doubts whatever troubles Zack Fair is gone, but after going two hours with him (and Sephiroth had made it a point to press the younger man) he no longer looks like he might vibrate out of his own skin. For a moment he wants to ask. SOLDIER's have lives and troubles outside of ShinRa, but if this problem is between Angeal and Zack, he wonders if he should intervene. In the end, Sephiroth decides to give it time and perhaps in Angeal's absences, they'll both work out whatever it is.
"Thank you." Zack blinks at him almost comically. Apparently he wasn't expecting gratitude. "It was a long day; I needed that." Zack's struck look changes to a smile just that fast and Sephiroth's lips almost twitch in response. Now he sees why Angeal calls him 'pup'.
And he doesn't think it a bad thing.
"Your welcome. Although I kinda feel like I should be thanking you, sir. So - thank you!" It's not often that Sephiroth smiles outside of the company of Genesis and Angeal, but he does now. The response is just too damn honest. In fact it's a kind of honesty that even Angeal doesn't quite match. So honest that Sephiroth sees all too well the hint of sadness still in Zack Fair's mako blue eyes.
"You're not on assignment until the end of week, are you, Fair?"
"No, Sir?" The question hangs as Sephiroth turns and heads for the sliding doors.
"Then I'll see you here tomorrow morning o-five-hundred sharp and tomorrow evening at the same time as today."
"A- I mean, yes Sir!"
Sephiroth, as he turns the corner chuckles softly and swears he can pretty much hear that smile.
Written by Muse
It's been a week since Angeal invited him to a night of cards "with the guys" – the other Firsts – and two weeks since the mission where Zack tried to make a move on the older man. Zack still feels ready to vibrate out of his skin at certain times, but he knows as well that he'd be a lot worse off without Sephiroth. Ever since that evening they'd run into each other in the hallway outside the training room, the General has invited Zack to spar with him twice a day, and it's been the best thing in the world. The General doesn't go easy on him and doesn't let Zack hold back, and has actually given Zack pointers on his form and a new set of drills to add to his training. For all that it started as a way to deal with the sting of rejection (a sting that has lessened), Zack is actually going to miss sparring with Sephiroth.
Angeal and Genesis come back from their mission tomorrow though, and Zack knows that both men are Sephiroth's regular sparring partners, not him. Sure, maybe there will be another invitation to a night of cards, but after the disaster of the last one, he doesn't know that he'll accept.
Well, it's been a good week, at least.
Which is why he's got a little bag on his arm when he meets Sephiroth for their evening session, why after the spar he hands it to the General. He really hadn't any intention of doing anything like this, but it had caught his eye in a shop that afternoon and he thought it might, at the very least, make the General smile for just a moment.
"It's for your desk," he says in explanation when Sephiroth unwraps a coffee mug; etched into the side are three lines bearing the phrases 'not now,' 'almost there,' and 'now you may speak.' He's suddenly a lot more nervous than he was before their spar. "I mean, you don't have to put it there, but I saw it and thought of you."
Somehow, there's never a convenient hole opening up in the ground to swallow him when he needs it.
Written by me
Sephiroth opens the bag with a bit of curiosity and a bit of surprise when the mug rests in his hand.
Reading the side of it, he smiles just a touch and looks back at Zack who seems like he might try and merge with the floor at any given second.
"I think it will suit my desk." Why a mug makes him feel somewhat lighter is a mystery. Sephiroth supposes it's the fact that it's a gift given just because - because… Well he isn't entirely sure why Zack gifted it to him other than as a way to say to thank you.
"Thank you." Carefully he wraps it back in the bag, with the full intention of using it. Sure it's meant to be funny and it is, but the sentiment is also one that he can get behind.
A thank you though isn't necessary from Zack. Sparring with the younger man, having something he considers actually beneficial to turn his attentions upon, kept an otherwise frustrating week from being just that. Still, it's nice and Sephiroth has come to know Zack enough over this last week to understand that the overture contains no hidden catch, no intention of trying to curry Sephiroth's favor which he appreciates as much as the gift itself.
"I leave for Wutai in two days. I expect to see you here as usual until then?" A request, not an order. Angeal will return and Zack's regular training in addition to missions will once again be Hewley's hands.
"I'll have to clear it with Angeal, but I mean, I don't think it will be problem." Sephiroth nods, holding his gift in one hand as he turns for the door.
"Let me know what he says." Sephiroth heads for the door and once again he swears he can hearZack Fair's smile.
"Yes, Sir!"
***
And the next morning, the General's desk does indeed see a new addition. It replaces his standard ShinRa mug much to his delight.