Work Text:
TEXT THREAD — Friday, 10:13AM
Location: Shinra Quarterly Strategy Meeting
Genesis:
If I die in this meeting, tell everyone my story
Tell them I was valiant
Do not tell them I suffered a boring deathSephiroth:
Genesis.Genesis:
Just ‘Genesis’?
Cold
A few minutes passed before Sephiroth felt his phone buzz again.
Genesis:
You look good today btw
Not that I was lookingSephiroth:
Pay attention.
Lazard is outlining next quarter’s SOLDIER deployment plans.Genesis:
Okay but hear me out
What if instead of deployments
We discussed a new theatre productionSephiroth:
No.Genesis:
CowardSephiroth:
Genesis.Genesis:
Say my name like that one more time and I will climb over this table
Sephiroth didn’t look up or react, save for the faint twitch of a brow, as if he were considering muting Genesis entirely. But he didn’t—and that alone said more than any reply.
Across the long table, Genesis sat reclined on his chair not even pretending to pay attention. One leg crossed, chin balanced lazily on his knuckles, his fingers darted across the phone typing busily with a smile on his face. Angeal, to his left, was resolutely pretending none of this was happening.
Genesis glanced up, momentarily catching Sephiroth’s eye, and winked.
Sephiroth exhaled slowly, barely audible. If someone had asked, they might’ve said he was meditating. In reality, he was desperately trying to suppress a smile.
The meeting droned on. Reeve was speaking now—something about cost-benefit analysis and Midgar zoning—and Genesis sent one final message.
Genesis:
If you take me to lunch after this, I’ll be good for the next five minutes
Possibly even six
Depending on the quality of foodSephiroth:
Bribery is beneath you.
Much to Sephiroth's surprise, Genesis sighed and slumped back into the chair. He had decided that maybe it was time to admit defeat and accept his fate of eating another grim meal at the company cafeteria.
Just as he was about to flip his phone shut, it buzzed again.
Sephiroth:
Meet me in the lobby after.
I’ll decide later if you deserve dessert.
Genesis grinned so hard that Angeal elbowed him under the table.
They walked the long loop back to HQ with no real rush. The Mako-tinged hum of the city was softened by the passing chatter. Genesis was half a step ahead, red hair caught in the wind and expression dangerously close to smug.
“Well,” he declared, hand pressed dramatically over his stomach, “color me shocked and deeply satisfied. Sephiroth—the General, the man, the myth—has successfully eaten something that didn’t come vacuum-sealed from a Shinra vending machine or cafeteria.”
Sephiroth gave him a sidelong look. “The soup was fine.”
“It was incredible,” Genesis corrected, eyes narrowed with mock indignation. “Rich broth. Handmade dumplings. A tiny woman in the back who glared at us every time we asked for anything.”
Sephiroth’s lips twitched into a slight smile as they paused at the crosswalk, caught between a sputtering delivery truck and a chocobo carriage. Genesis turned fully to him then, arms loosely crossed and head tilted just so. He looked happy in the way only he ever could, pleased with the world yet certain he was better than everyone in it.
“You took a twenty-minute detour for lunch,” Genesis said, voice quiet now, almost contemplative. “You’re either evolving or I’m finally wearing you down.”
Sephiroth made a soft, exasperated sound. “Don’t read too much into it. I can’t let this happen too often.”
“Too late,” Genesis said, already grinning.
They fell into step again, boots scuffing lightly against the worn pavement, until Sephiroth broke the silence.
“I’m accompanying Zack tomorrow,” he said. “Sector 5.”
Genesis blinked. “Is this… a mission?”
“That girl he's seeing- Aerith? She's visiting from the slums.”
Genesis stopped walking.
“…You’re going to third-wheel Zack Fair?”
“Wingman,” Sephiroth corrected, expression perfectly straight. “He asked.”
“Oh goddess,” Genesis groaned, pressing a hand to cover his mouth as a soft huff of laughter escaped his lips. “That’s even worse. Zack Fair doesn’t need a wingman! He’s a walking golden retriever in uniform. If anything, she needs protection from his attempts to flirt.”
Sephiroth allowed himself the faintest smirk. “He seems nervous. He wants it to go well.”
“And so he turned to you? ” Genesis shook his head, biting back a laugh. “You know what? No. I support this. I need to see this happen. You in Sector 5, giving romantic advice like a tall brooding statue.”
“If I require assistance,” Sephiroth said, dry as ever, “I’ll text you.”
Genesis turned to him with mock solemnity, placing a hand on his chest. “I live to serve.”
“I’ll need advice on how to be… encouraging.”
“Encouraging,” Genesis repeated slowly. “Right. Because nothing says romantic encouragement like your usual tone of utter boredom.”
“…That was uncalled for.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop. You’ll be great, I promise,” Genesis said in a genuine tone, finally dropping the teasing and gently squeezing Sephiroth’s hand.
And just like that, Sephiroth felt a little less anxious about the whole affair.
“I’ll text later.”
Genesis nodded. “Please do. I expect updates. Live commentary. Bonus points if you describe the expression on your face when Zack and Aerith inevitably become mushy around you.”
Sephiroth let out a huff of laughter.
“Deal.”
TEXT THREAD — Saturday, 15:42 PM
Sephiroth:
We are at a flower market.
Zack is discussing something called “floriography.”
I believe he made that term up.Genesis:
This is already my favourite field report
Go onSephiroth:
The girl is very sweet.
Too friendly. But I am managing.Genesis:
"too friendly" oh no
she said hi didn’t sheSephiroth:
She hugged me.
Genesis’s eyes widened as he read that text and he let out a muffled laugh. He made a mental note to thank Aerith when they eventually meet.
Genesis:
And? What did you do?Sephiroth:
I stood still.Genesis:
Sephiroth, you’re supposed to hug her back
She’s Zack’s to-be girlfriend, not a cursed relicSephiroth:
I did not wish to injure her.
She seems… soft.Genesis:
Oh dear
We need to work on your vocabulary for describing women
Anyway, how's your wing-manning going?Sephiroth:
I have no idea.
They appear to be enjoying themselves.
I took a photo.[image attached]
(PHOTO: Slightly blurry, half-Zack and half-Aerith, both mid-laugh and mostly obscured by a suspiciously large bouquet of yellow lilies. The camera angle is diagonal, like Sephiroth didn’t know how to hold the phone steady.)
Genesis:
I'm obsessed with this
it looks like you tripped while taking itSephiroth:
I did not.
There was a child with a balloon that distracted me.Genesis:
…what?Sephiroth:
The balloon was shaped like a Moogle.Genesis:
I can’t believe I’m missing this
Anyway, have you complimented Aerith yet? Be friendlySephiroth:
She wore a pink dress.
I said “that colour suits her.”
Zack gave me a thumbs up.Genesis:
Proud of you
You’re doing amazing darlingSephiroth:
Don’t patronise me.Genesis:
Me? Patronise you? Never
Also send more photos
I need this entire saga for posteritySephiroth:
I will attempt to take a better one.
Zack is now buying what appears to be a flower crown.
I refuse to wear one.Genesis:
No
I changed my mind
I need a photo of that
Immediately
you in a flower crown
for scienceSephiroth:
No.Genesis:
SEPH
TEXT THREAD — Saturday, 16:27 PM
Zack → Genesis
Oh man
you are NOT READY[image attached]
(PHOTO: Sephiroth standing under a canopy of hanging flowers, arms crossed, wearing a delicately made flower crown. It had small white blooms, soft green sprigs, a single blush-pink rose. His expression is murderously neutral, which only makes it funnier. The sun catches on his silver hair and cheekbone just right. It’s the kind of candid shot that belongs in a museum. Or maybe in one of those dating sim video games)
Zack:
i literally begged
and Aerith made puppy eyes
and he said “fine”
TEXT THREAD — Saturday, 16:30
Genesis → Sephiroth
[image forwarded from Zack]
EXPLAIN YOURSELFGenesis:
Are you kidding me?!
Look at you!
You look like a fairytale prince who hates parties!!!Genesis:
You let them crown you
with flowers
WITH. FLOWERS.Sephiroth:
I was outnumbered.Genesis:
I’m going to make this my wallpaper
You’re so pretty it’s RUDESephiroth:
You’re being dramatic.Genesis:
YOU’RE WEARING A ROSE ON YOUR HEAD
I think I've earned the right to be dramatic
I’m sending this out as a holiday card to friends and familySephiroth:
I will delete your number.Genesis:
No you won’t
You’ve been texting me voluntarily the whole day
And you want me to believe that you’ll survive without my presence in your life?
You’re mine now
Sephiroth’s lips twitched at the corners as he tried to suppress a smile while staring at those words on his screen. Next to him, Zack was beaming as he showed Aerith the photo he had sent to Genesis.
Sephiroth:
Zack says you’re “frothing”.Genesis:
He’s not wrong
You’re bringing that crown back with you
I’m not kidding
You’re going to wear it in front of me or I will simply perishSephiroth:
Genesis.Genesis:
Ugh, fine I'll say it nicely.
Please?
Sephiroth didn’t respond right away. Genesis’s last message— “Please?” —still hovered unread in his messaging app. He’d glanced at it once, thumb almost tapping over the button to hit reply.
But then Zack grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward another stall, excitedly declaring something about “limited-edition tulip hybrids.” Aerith laughed and looped her arm through his other, insisting that Sephiroth had to help her assemble a bouquet.
Sephiroth didn’t resist.
The market was loud and too colorful and everything smelled like rainwater and crushed petals. Yet he found himself smiling.
Somewhere between Aerith trying to get him to guess flower names and Zack shoving a sugar-dusted mochi into his hand, his phone slipped back into his pocket and the outside world drifted.
Hours later, Genesis’s phone buzzed against the arm of his couch.
He flipped it open and grinned seeing the notification on the screen.
TEXT THREAD — Saturday, 21:44
Sephiroth:
We have arrived at a drinking establishment.
Zack is socialising.
I am observing. 🐙Genesis:
…hello?
Why is there an octopusSephiroth:
It is an experimental inclusion.
Aerith has introduced me to the emoji keyboard.
Quite entertaining ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️Genesis:
I need you to back up
Did they make you drink?Sephiroth:
Affirmative 🍓🍹
They ordered something red for me labelled “Strawberry Passion Thunder.”
Unclear why thunder was involved.
Very sweet.Genesis:
Oh gods you’re DRUNKSephiroth:
I am hardly impaired.
However I have managed to smile without effort for almost seven minutes.
Unrelated, Zack is attempting to dance 🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎Genesis:
Why lizardsSephiroth:
Appropriate to the movement of his limbs.Genesis:
I am losing it
It’s like watching a baby learn to speakSephiroth
This is novel 📡🕺🎈Genesis:
I want this version of you on record foreverSephiroth:
I will review this conversation tomorrow and likely delete it
Until then 🍆Genesis:
WHAT THE FUCK
You can’t just end a message with that!
There are implicationsSephiroth:
Oh? 🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆Genesis:
Oh god you really don’t know what it means, do you?
Is this the gift of the goddess?
Getting to see you do thisSephiroth:
Maybe.
My desire, the gift of the goddess.Genesis:
SO YOU DO KNOW WHAT 🍆 MEANS
Sephiroth’s boots landed with a dull thud beside the door, kicked off carelessly. It was a rare indulgence for someone who liked all his belongings kept at the right place. His coat followed, slung over the arm of his chair, half-folded and forgotten. There was a gentle warmth in his skin and a pleasant weight behind his eyes. Zack said he was buzzed. Not drunk. Just… pleasantly fuzzy.
In the dim light of his apartment, Sephiroth moved in practiced silence, brushing his hair back with rhythmic strokes before slipping into soft silk pajamas. They were a gift from Genesis last holiday season— forest green with a thin gold trim. He didn’t wear them often, but tonight they felt appropriate.
He flopped face-first into the pillow and just… stayed there. The sheets were cool. His brain was quiet. It was kind of nice.
Eventually, he rolled over, reached for his phone, and flipped it open with a familiar flick. Messages with Genesis were already open.
He smiled as he began to type.
TEXT THREAD — Sunday, 02:06AM
Sephiroth
My texting abilities have grown.
Would you like to know what else I learnt today?
🍑
He stared at the peach emoji with his lips curling into an amused smile. It was funny. Such a silly, round fruit. He sent the message and waited, feeling inexplicably proud of himself. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he added one more line.
Sephiroth:
Send nudes
He snorted softly. It had been delivered without thought—just something Zack had said in jest earlier. A joke about texting culture. Sephiroth wasn’t being serious, obviously. He paused for a second and followed up.
Sephiroth:
This is apparently what the cadets do over texts, according to Zack.
Hilarious, is it not?
In the dim light of his bedroom, he smiled to himself. This was fun. Ridiculous, but oddly endearing. He’d joke with Genesis about it in the morning—
Buzz.
His phone vibrated in his hand. It was a message with an image.
He blinked as he opened it… and froze when the image loaded.
The lighting was low and warm, casting deep golden shadows over smooth, bare skin. Genesis was half-reclined against a pillow, shirtless, the sheets hitched dangerously low on his hips. One hand rested near his collarbone. The other held the phone, clearly angled to show off every line of his chest. His mouth was parted slightly, eyes half-lidded, and his expression said you started this.
No words accompanied the message.
Sephiroth stared for a few seconds and then lowered the phone to his chest quickly like it had personally struck him. His thoughts were somehow both racing and completely blank at the same time.
“…Oh,” he whispered.
He wasn’t prepared for this at all. Not for the picture, and even less for how he reacted to it. His chest tightened and heat bloomed under his skin like a spreading flame. He flipped the screen again to look just for a second before quickly turning it back down and taking a shaky breath.
Buzz.
Genesis:
Too much?
You’ve gone radio silent
I need a reaction SephSephiroth:
I didn’t think you were actually going to send something
And… I’m still reacting
Sephiroth winced as he read what he just typed. That sounded unhinged. He needed to salvage this.
Sephiroth:
I mean… you looked good.
But I should delete it.Genesis:
Liar
You’re gonna save it, aren’t you?Sephiroth:
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
It’s late.
Go to sleep.Genesis:
LOL
You’re running
I scared you
Sephiroth did not delete the photo. He did however move it into a password protected folder with military-grade encryption.
Sunday, 9:04 AM
The café they always met at on Sundays was tucked away in a quieter part of Sector 3, where the air still smelled faintly of bread instead of exhaust. It was barely past nine, but their usual table by the window was already set: three mugs of coffee and three plates of pancakes. It was their go-to Sunday breakfast.
Genesis was already seated, idly stirring his coffee with one hand while scrolling on his phone with the other. Across from him, Angeal had the newspaper open, scanning the headlines with the kind of unhurried patience that came from experiencing a hundred Sunday mornings just like this.
The door opened with a familiar chime.
Sephiroth stepped in, crisp and composed in a charcoal sweater and dark jeans, silver hair half-tied back, glowing faintly in the morning sun. He walked straight toward Genesis, who looked up at him with a smug cat-like smile.
The look they exchanged lasted barely a second but managed to say so much. Both their minds immediately went to the events of last night. The texts, the emojis, the… photo.
Without a word, Sephiroth leaned in and pressed a kiss to Genesis’ forehead before sliding into the seat next to Angeal as though nothing had happened.
He reached for the black coffee, and murmured, “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Genesis replied, and the faintest smirk curved his lips.
Angeal eyed them both. “So? What’d I miss yesterday?”
“Oh, you missed plenty,” Genesis said, far too cheerfully. “Aerith and Zack dragged him to a flower market, made him wear a crown. Then, at the bar, she taught him how to use emojis—”
“That’s not what happened,” Sephiroth said immediately.
“...and Zack,” Genesis continued with a honeyed and teasing voice, “gave him a crash course in how the kids text these days. Which, by the way, was an absolute revelation for him.” He leaned back in his seat, one eyebrow arched, adding with a pointed little cough, “Some… lessons were more practical than others.”
Sephiroth gave him a sharp sidelong glance— the kind that said shut the hell up right now.
Angeal was already grinning. “Okay, I need details.”
“No, you don’t,” Sephiroth said flatly.
“But you do need to see this,” Genesis said, pulling out his phone. He turned the screen toward Angeal.
“He wore a flower crown. With daisies and roses and eucalyptus leaves. Like he’s some forest elf.”
Angeal promptly choked on his drink.
“That’s real?” he coughed, already laughing. “Not edited?”
“I wish it was edited because that would mean I didn’t miss the chance to witness this first hand” Genesis said dramatically, “but no. Our beloved General let Aerith place it on his head voluntarily! And then he stood under a flower arch and posed for this picture.”
Sephiroth took a long sip of his coffee. “I couldn’t refuse her. She asked nicely.”
“That’s not the best part,” Genesis added, tapping again to open his messages. “She made him have cocktails and introduced him to the emoji keyboard. Ang, it was priceless.”
Angeal was wheezing now. “Oh no.”
“Peach emoji.” Genesis said in a deadpan voice. “Unprovoked.”
“And an eggplant,” Sephiroth added calmly, reaching for the maple syrup.
Angeal full-on snorted. “What?!”
Sephiroth looked up, completely unbothered. “What? I can be fun.”
Both men stared at him for a second and then burst out laughing at exactly the same time.
Genesis gasped between laughs, leaning into him. “Oh, darling, you are accidentally the funniest person alive.”
Sephiroth blinked. “What? I wasn’t joking.”
Which, somehow, made it even funnier.
Angeal was red in the face. Genesis looked like he was going to fall out of his chair. And Sephiroth? He was calmly slicing through the stack of pancakes on his plate with a neutral expression.
He’d survived (and secretly enjoyed) the flower crown, graduated from Aerith's emoji bootcamp, and now he was eating pancakes while being lovingly roasted by his two favourite people over coffee.
It was a good Sunday.